November Monthly Board Meeting

001Community School Board of Directors to order. The time is 6:31 p.m. The regular monthly board meeting of the board of directors of the Fairfield Community School District is to be held on the 3rd. Sorry, my screen is not SP the held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The meeting is open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. Time is provided in the meeting for public input. The mission of the Fairfield Community School Board of Directors is we empower all students to achieve their highest potential through strong relationships, collaboration, and accountability. The vision of the Fairfield Community Board School Board of Directors is a destination district where we all belong, learn, and grow. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Yep. >> Mark Porter, >> here. >> Ty Ward, >>

002present. >> Christy [clears throat] Castle, >> here. >> Megan D Robbins >> here. >> Mark Thornton, >> here. >> Deborah Williamson, >> here. >> Dave East, >> here. >> All present. >> Are there any changes to the agenda as presented? Yes, I have a couple of amendments. Um, remove item 9.2, oath of office. Um, the county supervisors approved the abstract of votes tomorrow, November 18th. Um, remove 12.2, the school budget review committee request. Um, that was not in place by the Department of Education by this meeting. Um, they said we can approve it in December. And I would like to add an item 13.1, Carl A. Nelson um Fairfield Community School District Middle School facilities assessment fee proposal >> and that would be under that would be under 13. So 13.1 and if you look

003at this when we get to it you'll see part of this is going to be crossed out too. So it's not the whole thing. We just got this today. They were working on this over the last couple days. So um when we get to it I'll explain a little bit more in depth. >> Okay. Um do I uh hear a motion to approve the agenda as amended? So move >> second. >> Uh motion uh by Porter and Christie. Uh any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Community school board of directors to order. >> The time is >> All right. Uh the agenda is approved as amended. Um all right, we'll move into our committee reports. Each chair will share two to three minute update connected to their work. Why don't we start with

004Mark Thornton and policy? [snorts] >> Yeah. So, our policy meeting, we met on Wednesday, November 5th. Um, discussed a batch of policies that are pretty much out there for us to review today for first reading. um there were ones that had come up that were ready to be reviewed again or changes that came in from one of the um ISB uh primers that that come through. So just a handful of those. Nothing crazy, just some small updates about it. >> Okay, great. >> Ty, strategic planning. >> All right, strategic planning. We met last week. um spend most of the time talking about the bond vote. Um doing kind of a postmortem on that. Um where we go from here, um what our next steps are, uh what funding streams are available for renovations or repairs

005or steel replacements, you know, any of the options that are on the board. Um then we had a SCAK meeting that night um in [snorts] SCAK. we kind of discussed some of those same things um and also finished going through the uh strategic plan um that we approved here at the board table. Um and just had Sia kind of go through it and ask questions and talk about it. Um then we also talked about beginder garden and I'm I'm not saying that correctly at all. Beginder garden. >> You got it. >> Is that it? [laughter] And three-year-old preschool. Um and kind of planning for uh what that could look like here. Um, and then, uh, we also had the Trojan Times, which is a new newsletter that Zach's putting together, and he had issue one

006for us and just was, uh, getting feedback on the layout and all that kind of stuff. >> Great. Thanks, Ty. >> Dave, finance. >> Yes. So the finance committee m uh committee met this morning 8:00 a.m. Uh we [clears throat] first item of business is we went went through and just to verify that we had the bonding capacity and using save dollars up to 21 million and comparing that to our five-year facility plan and the funding that streams that were available to it just to make sure that we had that capacity without jeopardizing our facilities. plan uh using save uh save funds only for reoccurring expenses and then ple funds for uh funding the five-year plan and we do have the capacity to up to 21 million and not not jeopardize our five-year facilities plan.

007So we talked about that and we verified that. So um whatever whatever bonding we use or whatever funding we have we do have the capacity to use those funds and not jeopardize our funding uh facilities uh plan. Uh the second thing is uh Evan went through the we reviewed the budget forecasts from FY2026 through FY2031 and particularly at our our level we were uh we went through the assumptions behind the forecast and uh we [clears throat] approved those the committee approved those those assumptions that are driving the forecast and uh I will say that the the financial picture of the district forecast at least out to FY 2029 is is good and um with the assumptions that we put in even with reduced SSA funding from the state um we probably will not Zach will

008cover this board but probably not open the the contract for the teachers not have to do that and still be able to meet our commitments. So we forecasted that. So that's the report. >> Great. Thanks. >> Um facilities seeing for me. >> Yeah. So um ours was very similar to Tai's update. I mean we've mostly just discussed options um as [clears throat] far as what direction to go forward um and you [clears throat] know some of the challenges that we're facing and um I don't know if you want to elaborate on anything. Yeah, I think the majority of [clears throat] the the time was just spent looking at the the options that we have and so we'll bring those a little bit more to the table here publicly when we get to the new the

009new business. But do we spend that money? Do we um look at potentially, you know, taking a note out against Pebble to increase the the money we have for that project? Um do we do it in phases? Do we hit like the the priorities first in in a first phase? Um, is there an addition that's part of this? Is there demolition and, you know, renovation and or is there a completely different, you know, structure to what we're going to do with our grade level bands and how we um have our our schools set up that way. So, I think we'll have a little more discussion when we get to that that next step. But ultimately um I think step one from a facility standpoint is really getting a detailed report on what what is happening

010what isn't happening in that space and then you guys get to prioritize kind of where we where we go from there. >> So >> is there anything for HR? We just we met again to you know discuss the increase for paras which I think are you going over all the details later or I don't need to >> not tonight. >> Okay. Not tonight. Okay. So just further discussion on um you know getting our paras in line with where we think they need to be and getting them um you know some type of increase and rewarding them for you know their years of service things like that. Great. Update from [clears throat] Tristan. You >> want me to read it or do you want to read it? >> It's great when you do. >> Hello, school

011board. Tristan here. First, we have wrapped up first term. Yay. Full sports are all two all to a close and from everyone I've spoken with, we have all had a blast. Next up, state events. Choir has had nine people that were accepted to into all state choir, which is pretty cool. The esports varsity smash team has punched their ticket to the state tournament, which was this Friday. Finally, I would like to thank the board for accepting uh me and asking for my opinions um when I was present. If you haven't heard, this will be my last student update as my time as um a school new junior will be taking my spot. I hope you will treat them with as much kindness as was shown to me. Thank you so much for this opportunity. It's

012been a blast, Tristan. And he'll help in some capacity on board the new student rep as well. I've got three students that I'm talking with this week that have expressed an interest. Last year we only had one. It was just Tristan. So, we have a few more this time. Um, and so we'll have a little bit more um I don't want to say hoops, but like we'll have some more things that they're going to have to to provide and show for Megan and I um as we kind of navigate who's going to be next. So, yeah. Cool. >> All right, let's move along to our focus on learning. >> [clears throat] >> Hello everyone. Uh, I'm Christine McCriedi. I'm the instructional coach at Pence. And I'm Becky Thompson. I'm instructional coach at Washington. And we

013put a slide show for you today. And we're um, if you want to go to the next slide. John is our wonderful helper. [laughter] Thanks, John. Um, these quotes from Jim Knight help sum up our work in our schools. We base our coaching cycles with this work. Here are two we felt were powerful descriptions of what we do by Jim Knight. He says, "The goal of coaching is to help teachers flourish in ways that make a real difference for students." And coaching is not something you do to people. It's some it's not something you do to people, it's something you do with people. Um, and just so you have a visual, this is the book that we base our coaching cycles on. Um, there's extra resources, there's videos, there's QR codes. Um, it's a really

014great resource to help our teachers. So, when Zach asked us to kind of put this together on what does an instructional coach do, um, we kind of chuckled because we wear a lot of hats. So, we'll do our best to kind of explain. Um, as coaches, our main goal is to partner with teachers to improve both instruction and student learning. >> Next slide, John. >> Switch, John. >> Uh, no two days look the same for us. Uh some days we're modeling lessons, other days we're meeting with teams. Um but the common thread is supporting teachers so that students can grow. We view coaching as a collaborative process where we are learning and growing right alongside our teachers. Yep. Next slide, please. All right. A big part of our work is partnering with teachers to look

015at student data and figure out our next steps. We co-plan lessons, model strategies, and support teachers as they implement new routines. Coaching cycles are implemented using Gym Knight's researchbased model using the impact cycle and its resources. Our feedback to teachers is always meant to be supportive, not evaluative. We also help lead professional learning. We help assist CLTs. We ensure that instructional practices align with our district goals and that teachers have the tools that they need to make datainformed decisions. Um, if we were to sum up in one word, relationships is probably the most important thing um that we do uh with our teachers. Building trust is essential in order to do any kind of coaching with them. Um, teachers need to know that we're there to support, not to judge. Um, when coaching feels like

016a partnership, then teachers become more confident, students achieve more, and the district becomes stronger and more cohesive, which is all connected to our district goal of belonging. Next slide, please. Um, we also work closely with our principles um, every week, every day um, to help align our building priorities. Every two weeks we meet as a CL team with Zach to reflect, share successes, and problem solve together. Beyond that, we collaborate with A.E.A. consultants and our SAT and SOD teams to build and bring specialized supports into the classrooms. These partnerships allow us to strengthen both of our instruction and intervention all across the buildings. >> You want to sat and sod just what do those stand for? Um well at Washington we have what's called SAT student assistant team. Um we've kind of restructured it this

017year which is going really well. Um myself and then Kelsey Roland the um counselor there we are on SAT one and so we help provide specialized instruction for interventions for um teachers that bring a student um to us that might need additional support in the classroom. Um, and then you have >> suspicion of disability, which is SOD, which is the same kind of um thing at Pence, where if a teacher has um concerns about a student and their academics or behavior, um, then we kind of start the process with them on doing some interventions in the classroom first just to collect some data to bring to then our Aea um to see if we need to proceed with IEP support or um, if there's a different way that we can help support those students. Um,

018so kind of our daily contributions, um, beyond just the classroom, um, beyond just coaching, I guess I should say, throughout the day, we step in wherever we're needed to help in around the school, um, so it runs smoothly. You might see us on the playground helping uh, students with problem solving. You might see us filling in for a class when coverage is needed. You might see us greeting students in the bus or carline. Um we even pitch in with the front office support or nurse coverage when needed. Um we both administer uh both of us administer benchmark testing in the fall, winter and spring um and then uh analyze and collect all that data with teachers. Um we work with teams um to help form intervention groups and it's all part of being a flexible

019team um to help the building and the culture. All right, next slide, please. There we go. Um, some of our coaching moments happen in informal ways as well. Quick hallway conversations. What do you think about this? Should I try this? Should I try that? Um, we also do email exchanges um, every day. Um, spontaneous check-ins with teachers and staff. These small everyday connections often lead to meaningful coaching opportunities. Our goal is to be approachable and responsive. So teachers know that they can count on us for whatever they need, whether it's instructional guidance, problem solving, or sometimes just listening to them. So that's the day in the life of a coach. [laughter] >> Uh so >> yes, thank you for letting us share this today. >> You guys have any questions or anything? >> When you

020guys [clears throat] were talking about Gem Knight's impact cycle, there on one of the first couple pages, what exactly is that or what did that >> Yeah. Um, a coaching cycle, um, a teacher can request it at any time. Um, it might be something that they're wanting to fine-tune in their craft. Um, it might be something of interest or it might be something that they're struggling with and they need support. Um, Jim Knight's impact cycle, if you like Google it, he's like the top there. Um, and this is just a framework to have lots of questions. There's video, like I said, there's QR codes where you can like watch um to see how one is done if you're interested. I mean, you can Google that if you want. Um but it it's a framework to

021help guide teachers through um whatever thing that they're needing for assistance. Um I'll just say like last year um I had a teacher that um needed help with classroom management. And so we went through this framework and it has specific questions in there to kind of help um foster the conversations and then um you know check-ins and it's usually like a six week time and it goes through like each time um what can like as a coach how can I even be better to support them um in whatever thing that they it doesn't have to be managing the classroom it can be on um an instructional routine. It can be on you know anything that the teacher feels that they want to work on. It's got basically three components to it. Identifying kind of what

022the need is or where the teacher wants support, right? And then learning maybe a little bit more, having support from the coach to to grow in that area, and then assessing, you know, whether or not it had the impact >> that we were hoping. >> We're always looking at the data. Is this is this working? If it's not working, how can we tweak it? Maybe we need to scrap it. Maybe we need to start something different. Yeah. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Mentioned a lot about data. What is the You probably have lots of different sources, but what's the most impactful data source that you guys think you can make decisions on? >> Um, we rely a lot on FastBridge and the progress monitoring that, um, teachers do. Last year it

023was weekly. This year it's only required bi-weekly or by monthly, I guess, by the state. So, um, that's words per minute fluency rating. Um, so we look at that a lot. um every six weeks we're looking at that data which is how we form our intervention groups and um then those are somewhat fluid. So as kids are um making progress or if they need a different support we're able to change those as needed. >> Yeah. And we pretty much do the same thing. We started a new um kind of structure this year with our fast bridge to be more to be very targeted. It's called a fourbox sort. And you look at just a a couple skills that are the most um powerful and impactful for each learner at their at their level. So like

024kindergarten um you know we want letter sounds. That was you know a big one that we want to ramp up. And if a student is deficient in that area um then we target that area and that group of students to make sure that um those letter sounds are are solid um before first grade. And if you know we do it each testing period. So you know once they achieve that and that data is showing that that they're proficient then we go to the next which would be nonsense words. So >> how much collaboration do you do between buildings coaching? >> I would say this this year we're doing a lot more than we've done in the past. Um Becky and I meet with Zach and once in a while Evan pops in um for >>

025unfortunate [laughter] >> um we meet every other week um as our CLT team and then once a month um we meet uh with our principles um the two of us together um mostly about literacy is what we're focused on there. Um, but I would say that um, yeah, our buildings are much more cohesive this year than they have been in the past. >> And we're really looking at like how our first graders are doing. Like how how like like I'm ask how are they doing now because we've worked really hard. We did this intervention and the the teachers worked awesome and we really were looking at that data to make sure the students were where they were at. And you know, are you seeing those successes in second grade? So we've had a lot more

026conversations for sure this year. There's a lot more collaboration between the buildings. The expectations for people coming out of Washington >> dep. >> Oh, absolutely. [snorts] >> Excellent. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Right. Moving on to the consent agenda. Do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Ty and Deborah. Uh any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. >> All right. Moving along to our unfinished business. Um so 6.1. Do I hear a motion to approve the preliminary abstract of votes as presented pending county supervisor's vote and effective date of November 18th, 2025? >> So moved. >> Second quarter and Dave. Uh any discussion, any questions here? This kind of >> So yeah, I

027just have to read this really quick. >> Okay. Um, so it says, "We the undersigned members of the Jefferson County Board of Canvasers hereby certify the following to be true and correct abstract of the votes cast at the city/school election held on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 for the office of Fairfield School director at large as shown by the county abstract returns." Cody Freeman received 2397 votes. Mark Porter received 2416 votes. Terry Wells received 2,176 votes. Scattering received 106 votes. We therefore declare Cody Freeman duly elected for the Office of Fairfield School Director at large. Mark Porter duly elected for the Office of Fairfield School Director at large. And Terry Wells duly elected for the Office of Fairfield School Director at large. and testimony aware of. We have here on to set our hands and cause

028to be affixed the seal of this county by the clerk of the board of supervisors at Fairfield, the county seat of Jefferson County this Tuesday, November 18th, 2025. So that will be the signed copy um tomorrow. Um but as you can see pending their vote, those are the three board members elected to the school board. So basically Cody and Terry will take the oath at the next meeting and they can't vote on anything tonight. Correct. >> That's correct. Right. Um pending board presidents um will they participate in the discussion? >> Okay. So we have a motion um any other discussion? All in favor? [clears throat] >> I opposed. Motion carries. All right. 7.1. Uh, do I hear a motion to approve the resolution honoring the retiring school board members as presented? >> So move. >>

029Second. >> East Bird and Porter. All right. Well, um, want to take a moment here to [laughter] thank you both. Um, and also, you know, a moment to hear from you on any last words you'd like to share, some imparting wisdom. Um, it's been great. to have you on board. Ty, six, sorry, eight years. No, >> no, four years. >> Deborah, two years. I'm putting your [cough] >> Yeah. Either one of you would like to share anything, any thoughts? >> Sure. I'm bad at talking, so I had to write something down, so I apologize for reading. Um, [clears throat] also, I didn't have AI write this, so you'll be happy to hear that. [laughter] Uh, I'm honored to have had this opportunity to serve my community of Fairfield. Um, I came on to this board

030because Fairfield School District did so much for me and my life. Um, and I wanted to invest in our next generation getting those opportunities as well. Good school, good public schools are at the heart of every good community. They there are literally hundreds of people in Fairfield who donate their time um to try and make our weird little rural town into a great place to live. And many of them walk the hallways of our school buildings. I've had a great time getting to know teachers, administrators, uh, community members, board members, and it's an honor that I, uh, got I get to work beside you guys. Um, thanks for everything you do. We accomplished a lot in my time here. Faced a lot of challenges. Um, and there's going to be a lot more, um, on

031the horizon. The thing I will miss the most will be my meetings with our administrative team, Zach, Evan, um the others in your seats before you guys and just getting to brainstorm uh you know ideas, learning about this complicated institution of public uh in learning um and I'd learn about it more and more with each thought that uh of mine that gets shot down by you guys. Oh, [laughter] and uh I enjoyed uh getting to know you, trying to get a laugh out of you guys, and hopefully occasionally adding something useful to the discussion. Um the bad part about spending years getting very specific knowledge about how schools operate is that as of tomorrow, I'll have no outlet for it. [laughter] So, so if anybody wants to grab a coffee, cocktail, whatever, and discuss in-depth

032wonky school things, just let me know. I'll be around. Um to the incoming board, uh my only advice is to hire great people and then get out of their way and let them do great things. Um collaborate with as many people as uh as you can um and work with them, not against them. Um you guys are going to do great and uh good luck and thank you guys for your service. >> Thanks Ty. >> Thanks. >> Well said. Thank you. It's uh it's amazing that two years have gone by in what feels like a blink. Um and yet it feels longer in some ways just because of the substance of of what we've worked on. Um and I and I just have really two pieces of advice uh because I can't possibly be be

033too specific with the advice. This is very general. Every decision we make should widen the doorway of opportunity for a child. And that's the true measure of our service. And as we have experienced with the the middle school bond, progress rarely happens in a straight line. But when we stay grounded in our values, equity, integrity, and compassion, we always move in the right direction. >> Thanks. Oh yeah. Thank you both. You've been tremendous assets. You know, you putting your heart and your your brain and everything to work to to help as you've stated um a little something. >> Yeah. Um I would just like to publicly thank both of you as well. I think coming in as a brand new superintendent, Tai, and just your um approach as a board president, that was super helpful

034for me, I think, just from a confidence standpoint um to really trust kind of my leadership and how how we were moving forward. So, um I think that was that was really good. I appreciate it. Um yeah, and Deb, just your, you know, positivity and and can do um outlook on anything and everything. I think that we're going to miss that tremendously, but I know we've got guys coming in that are going to um add their their dynamics and their skill sets to this team as well. I think historically there's been some type of a um a certificate that you were given. We're we've got plaques. They're just not ready yet. So, it'll be a little bit nicer. The district I worked in prior, it was like this big planter thing that we would give

035and it was kind of weird. So, I I don't know. We went with the plaques. So, they're going to have a plaque. um we'll have a certificate too that goes with it, but um it's a thankless it's a thankless role. Um they're just it's a it's a unique position and I I know um I'll probably reach out at some point if you know I I get frustrated with this or that and just need somebody that's not part of this to to talk about do that. So um thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh so now we have a motion. So any other discussion from anyone else? >> What happens if we vote n on this? [laughter] >> Last vote. >> We call special meeting for tomorrow. [laughter] >> All right. >> Yeah, you just get

036to stay here. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. All right. Motion carries. Thank you. >> All right. So now we move to um the appointment of secretary. Do I hear a motion to approve Evan Martin board secretary as the president prom? >> So moved second. >> I need a second. Okay. So that was Porter and Thornton. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. All right. Take the seat. >> Thank you, man. Appreciate it. Good working with you. Thanks. >> It's been a fun four years in store. >> It has. It definitely has, man. >> I don't think you'll miss it as much as you think. [laughter] >> Good luck, guys. Thanks for the pres. Yeah. Thank you guys. >> Seriously, anytime you guys want to talk about anything, ask any questions, I'll be here.

037>> I will grab cocktail. >> Thank you. >> Tie again. >> All right. Thank you. Good luck, guys. >> Thanks for everything, >> guys. You guys will kill it. >> I know. Follow your next. Just make it funny. >> I'll try to let you know what the next cool thing is going to be. >> Do you think that uh following me is going to [laughter] >> I feel like it's it's a hard trail. [laughter] >> Good luck. >> You can still stay if you want, guys. [laughter] Yeah, please. >> You don't have to. >> Mrs. Ty, >> I've got to go get a drink with somebody. [laughter] >> Yes. Nice to meet you. >> Roll call for me. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. I'm going to call to order this annual organizational meeting

038of the board. Um, can I get a roll call? >> Yes. Christy Kessle >> here. >> Mark Thornton >> here. >> Terry Wells >> here. >> Cody Freeman >> here. >> Dave Eastburn >> here. >> Mark Porter >> here. >> And Megan Dow Robbins >> here. >> All present. Um this is where we move into the public participation section of this annual organization meeting. Is there any public comments? Seeing none, we will move to item number 11, election. Um, we're going to do the election of president. How this works is we will go around the table. If you have anyone you'd like to nominate as president, just state their name. Um, if there's more than one name, we will do a roll call vote after the discussion. So, [clears throat] do I hear any nominations

039for president of the board of directors? >> I nominated nominate Megan Dow Robins. >> I have Megan Dow Robbins as a nomination. You accept. >> I'd be honored. >> Is there any other nominations? Seeing none, we will do this just by normal vote. We will not go by roll call. All voting members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, passes. 50. Megan, I turn this meeting over to you. [laughter] >> I was enjoying that for um all right, we'll move along to um a mo do I hear a motion to Oh, sorry. What's How is this stated here? Sorry. Oh, the up higher. All right, let me put these on. [laughter] Do I hear a motion uh a nomination for vice president? >> Who is it now? Christy Kessles. Christie,

040>> I nominate Christy Kessle. >> I hear any other nominations. Oh, sorry. Do you accept? >> Yes. >> Any other nominations? >> All right. So we can just do >> so motion to approve Christy Kessle as a board vice president. >> Do I hear a motion to approve Christy Kessle as a board vice president? >> Do I hear a motion? >> So moved. >> Second >> by Dave and Mark Thornton. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. All right. Motion carries. All right. Now we get to move along to the Fairfield Education Foundation board representative. >> I think we need to do the you do the board first. >> Iowa Association of School Boards delegate. This is um so this is the person who gets to [laughter] >> gets to y >> who gets to

041go participate in IASB and uh in the as a delegate on Wednesday morning. >> Correct. >> So um don't hear any nominations. >> Who did it last year? I >> think >> I do, but I [laughter] being that early that day, so I'm going to nominate Mark Thornton. So, >> anyone else? Okay, >> short straw or what? [laughter] Do I hear a motion to approve Mark Thornton as as the IASB delegate for Fairfield Community School District? >> Second. >> Okay. Porter and Christy. All in favor? >> I >> All right. Opposed. All right. Mark Thornton. Good. Okay. Uh do I Let's see. We'll move along to now we'll move along to the Fairfield Education Foundation board representative. Do I hear any nominations? >> And so what this entails is about a month once a month

042usually not December or January. We'll meet with that foundation. You you give a report in some capacity. Mark's been doing this the last yearish, not quite right. >> Um there kind of a >> there isn't a whole lot else really. It's pretty low-key and from a responsibility standpoint >> like you get a report from the board to them or >> just yeah from from the board's perspective how the you know how the month has gone or what what if there's anything big that you would want to make sure Mark could touch base with me and say yeah here's what I'm thinking so you don't take my stuff so [laughter] >> they because they have you both for like present so it's good to communicate so you're not like did that did that so just to

043give them a high level overview of the past month or sometimes three months depending on how often meeting is. >> Yeah. Um, do I hear any nominations? >> Anybody? This isn't >> to continue or >> a nice thing for someone new to do, too. It's a nice >> Mark Thornton to continue. Okay, good. You accept the nomination? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh, do I hear a motion to approve Mark Thornton as a Fairfield Education Foundation board representative? >> So moved. Second, >> Dave and Porter. All in favor? [snorts] >> I opposed. Motion carries. U all right. Do I hear a motion to approve Evan Martin as board secretary, board treasurer with the superintendent serving in his place if he is absent? >> So moved. >> Second. Christy and Mark Thornton. Any discussion? All in favor?

044>> I >> opposed. >> Wondering if we could [laughter] do it when he's gone. I had to do that two months in a row. Remember? >> Yeah. >> Skip. >> Mhm. [snorts] >> All right. Um [clears throat] so now we get to move into um a discussion on committees. We've had committees, board committees for the last year. Um, and prior to that, we had um monthly um work sessions where everyone attended. Um, so I I think the planning currently has been to continue our board committees, but you know, certainly if anyone would like to weigh in um on on a discussion whether you know, you wouldn't like to see that continue. Um also um yeah currently we have three board members on each committee. The proposed committees are finance, policy, human resources, operations which we've

045been calling facilities but we wanted to expand it to encompass a little bit more of the operations and then strategic planning. >> I'd personally just say I think it's been a pretty good move. When I was first on this board, we not only had committees, but we also had work sessions every month. So that would entail as much as possibly five meetings a month. It was way too much. The burden has been way less this last year compared to what we previously endured. So I think it's been a pretty wise move. And as long as one or two of us are usually at those, I think there's a lot of, you know, alleviation, you know, there. I mean, it's I think if you're the chair, you need to try your best to be at them.

046But, you know, it's it's been fine. So So I like it. Sometimes I don't like the times of them, but I don't know. I I don't like it. I don't like noon. Noon does not work good for me. You're the chair. >> All right, that's good. So, >> I think they've been effective. Hopefully, it it's been effective for you guys, too, of saving. I know you go to all of them, but hopefully these other meetings that we do. I think from just a yeah from a relationship standpoint it's been really positive just because you're spending more time with people and you get you know that's a good thing too. >> Okay. >> You're able to have an in-depth meeting with just a couple of without taking all of your time all night every you know

047third Monday. So whatever >> Dave that sounds very effective. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Now the one thing I saw down there you surely don't want to be at every single one do you make? >> No I just Yeah. There was a note about how we want to structure them, but I think how we've done it so far is good. Um, I catch up anyway kind of, you know, with my weekly meetings with Zach. Um, so I've I've looked at, you know, kind of where where we've been this past year and now with two new board members, there's some shifting around um to try to give, you know, you know, place everyone in different um similar but also desired spots. Um, so this is kind of what I've outlined for the committees for this next

048year. Uh, for policy, Mark Thornton, Dave Eastburn, and Terry Wells. For operations, Mark Thornton, Mark Porter, and Christy Kessle. For strategic planning, Christy Kessle, myself, and Cody Freeman. For finance, Dave Eastburn, myself, and Terry Wells. and for HR, uh, Mark Porter, Christy Kessle, and Cody Freeman. So, that's, um, kind of what, you know, I'm putting out there. Anyone has any >> Can we horse trade those at all or human resources operations to >> human resources, Mark Porter, Christy Kessle, Cody Freeman? >> Yeah, I mean, this not it's not a perfect, you know, Everyone wants to be on one of, you know, two committees. They're two popular committees and you can certainly, you know, I know last year there was a little swapping, but [laughter] >> I'm I'm good. I'm fine with fat or whatever. The

049only thing I wouldn't mind trying to get on a finance committee just cuz I'd like to >> Okay. >> get Mr. Easturn's take on some stuff. >> Yeah. You don't want that a little bit more in depth stuff. But other than that, I'm good. I want to stay on operations cuz I've been on it for >> Yeah. >> four years. So So >> that's what I figured. I'd have pretty tough time letting that one go. >> Okay, [laughter] >> you guys, you feel okay where you're at? >> Terry and Cody, >> just take a note of it right now. >> Yep. >> And so, yeah, the chair would would be the person that usually kind of works with either me or Evan to look at an agenda. Um, we'll try to get something set out

050a day or two in advance if possible. Um, we'll set a set a time throughout the week just to or throughout the month that just kind of a rhythm of when we meet and if there's things that come up, we'll try to tweak it. But we try to meet at least once each month before the regularly scheduled board meeting so you have the ability to give an update to the the whole board and if there's any questions or whatever. So, >> and do chairs would we select chairs at our next meeting? >> That's part of this agenda item. >> It is part of >> consensus around chairs. So once we were in agreement of >> where the committees were, we should chair. >> Yeah. >> Say [clears throat] operations again. It was all >> um

051operations is uh you, Mark Porter, and Christy. >> And who's policy again? >> Mark Thornton, Dave Eastburn, and Terry Wells. >> Strategic planning is free. >> Myself and Christy Castle. Thank you. >> Human resources again. Porter Castle and Freeman. >> All right. So, why don't we any Is everyone okay with those as they are? Then we can go through for um chairs. Okay. So, for policy um Mark Thornton, Dave Easturn, Terry Wells. Um Mark, you've been chairing. Feel comfortable continuing to chair? >> I can't. That's what everybody wants. >> I think be a good idea maybe. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, do we just This is just a >> It's just consensus. >> Consensus at this point. Okay. >> Uh facilities. Um Mark, you've been sharing. Do you want to continue to chair?

052>> Yep. >> Okay. >> Sure. uh strategic planning. >> It was Ty. >> This was Ty Christie. Um you know or Cody, I don't know. You know >> Christie. >> Sure. >> You know, uh finance. Dave, >> are you taking notes on this? So we got it. >> Yeah. >> Um and then we have HR. Mark and Christie already are chairing. So Cody, would you be up for chairing that? >> Okay. >> And that's that'll be heavier, too, like with negoti when we're in negotiation season, just so you know, there may be a little bit more um lifting. And since we had a you know, five four-year contract with our teachers, it won't be as burdensome over the next couple years, but there's the little nuances that potentially could could come up, but sure. >>

053Okay. So uh let's come back to do I hear a motion to approve the committees as presented and discussed? So >> move second. >> Motion by [clears throat] Christie and seconded by Thornton. Uh all in favor >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. 12.1. Do I hear a motion to approve the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. as the regular board meeting time? >> Second. >> Moved by Christie, seconded by Dave. [clears throat and cough] Any discussion here? Seems like it works. All right. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Uh, do I hear a motion to approve the removal of the regularly scheduled work session held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and to update the corresponding policy accordingly. >> Waiting second reading. So, this is all written

054into board policy. So, it requires two readings, but >> Okay. Thank you. >> Guess I'll lean on the chair on that one, but >> um, do I hear a motion? >> So, move. >> Second. Motion by Christie, seconded by Mark Thornton. Uh, any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. [clears throat] Motion carries. All right. Um, moving along to board policies. Do I hear a motion to approve the board policies at the first reading? >> So moved. >> Second. Moved by uh Porter and seconded by Eastburn. Any discussion? They give us a They're pretty well. There's no major changes. A lot of them are just getting back to um ISP verbiage and then we changed. There was one that had a little different section for cleaning things up as a option one, two, and

055three. We conformed to the option three on the >> was it meal charges? >> I think it was the meal charges one. So we took out a big section that was extra that we decided that we didn't need. So nothing crazy. >> And for our new team members when uh Mark Thorne references Iowa Association of School Boards or IASB um they provide policy primers that are reviewed by their attorneys. So they're taking out everything from legislation just kind of putting into new sample board policies. Um so historical practices we just kind of trust the attorneys with some of their verbiage and we talk about it during our policy committees. >> Basically take both of those and compare them and see what's different. A lot of times just new verbiage of things that have come down

056through law or some things as stupid as will or shall. So >> yeah. >> What's the regular cycle for policy review? every we're shoot for every three, right? >> Every three years. >> So, we have to do a big clean up and Evan and I have been slowly poking away at it to get our whole list done, but we're getting there. [snorts] >> Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I [clears throat] motion carries. All right, moving on to 13. Um, school facility discussion. So, um, yeah, a lot to consider here. Some challenges ahead with the bond not passing. Um, I know we've we've been talking in committees, but I wanted to take the time here to kind of all come together, talk through um, you know, funding streams as Zach said and talk through

057just kind of some potential scenarios and and how how we can move forward, next steps. Um >> do you want to yeah speak first about being [clears throat] >> so yeah I can just give just a brief kind of update from an overview standpoint. >> Um facilities met on this strategic planning and then finance have all met on this and so obviously you two guys as the new um board members as of tomorrow when that gets approved have that doesn't have you guys don't have as much background of what we've kind of been talking through the last two weeks. Um, but ultimately, you know, moving forward, we we've kind of established, hey, we've got to do something. We're not going to not do anything like we've done the last couple years. And so, what is

058that next thing going to be? Um, and each group uh committee, board committee has had some some thoughts and ideas, and I'm going to share some of those. Um, Matt Gillespie from Piper Sandler has also given us um a bunch of information. We're going to be meeting with him um Friday morning. Evan and I, maybe Megan will jump on too. Um and then we met earlier today with um FE and Carly A Nelson and then some of our directors, administrators um just to get a little bit more input from them and also bring them up to speed on kind of where we're at. So essentially we've got a few different scenarios. Um we can, you know, use the 16.5 million that's already been approved that we can bond against save and and start doing whatever

059the next step is, right? That the board would decide. Um, if we feel like we want to get more money or need more money to up the ante a little bit as to what we can do to this this uh building, we can pay off current debt that we have connected to save bonds, which right now our payment per um >> it's not per month. Is it per month? >> Per year. 7 >> 75. >> Yeah, 7.95 a year. So we could pay that off now because we have enough money in our current save fund which is right around 6 million which would then allow us to bond even more to get to about 21 like Dave was talking. But that would take board we'd have to go back to the board table. We'd have

060to have a [clears throat] hearing and then there's this space where people can um you have 14 days if people want to talk about or do whatever and then the board would come back together and vote on whether or not to do that or um yeah move forward. So that would give us essentially 21 million for sure that we could bond against save dollars for. Now what we've also been hearing is once this session starts in De Moine, there's potential and this is just from multiple sources that I've talked with that they're going to discuss or talk about moving some of the saved dollars at the state level out of that fund and into the general fund for the state of Iowa. And so if that were to happen, that could potentially upset the apple

061cart, so to speak, with what we could then bond against because there's not going to be as much money in that account. And so I think if we if you guys want to do that, then we need to do that pretty quickly here in the next six six weeks, month so that we can go ahead and get going with having access to those funds and get them in our account. We'll start earning interest on it as well. Um, and so that's I think something up for discussion. So, we're sitting at 21ish. Um, another option would be, hey, we could take out a note against Pepple. This is different than a bond, but we could get another $10 million probably if we wanted to do that, which would get us [clears throat] up to 30, a

062little over 30. Now, uh, my recommendation with that would be to not do that. Um, I would say that was kind of the finance committee's thought as well. And the reason behind it is if you look at our current um projections and what we want to do with our capital improvements and the reoccurring PPE costs, well, we wouldn't have enough to to pay for everything because what borrowing against PPE would make our revenue per year about $250,000 in ple. And right now we're spending about 1.6 >> 1.6. So that would significantly reduce what we want to do with that. So, uh, again, not my decision solely, but, um, an option to discuss. Another piece that we talked about would was potentially going back to a geo bond, a much lower cost. And again, I'm not

063somebody that's in favor of this, but again, it's the board's decision. Um, it could be 10 million, it could be 15 million for whatever purpose you guys would decide. Um, we could also look at the levy rate. So yes, it's a 270 like ceiling, but we could communicate we're only going to go a$130 or $110 per 10,000 of valuation. And if we share that publicly, then people would know like this is what it's going to be. But then obviously boards change and things change, who knows if the next board would do the same because it's again that would be a, you know, a 20-year geo bond essentially that we want to pay off sooner. But so there's that to discuss. Um, and then the actual looking at the the current structure as it sits. Um,

064really, you know, I think our first step is having Carl and Nelson and FE do a deep dive on what needs to happen and prioritize what, um, what we need to do from there. So, um, is it a full-blown renovation? Are we going to be able to afford that? Is it tearing some down? Is it adding some on? Is it filling in the courtyard? Is it, you know, what exactly will that all look like? um we don't know yet, but another option would be um to completely blow it up with how we grade configure everything. So, we're going to tear down the middle school still. [clears throat] Now, we're going to shift. So, we could potentially build a new PK3 building for around 25 million. Um maybe 30. So then we would move to a

065PK3 and then maybe you know four, five, six at uh Pence and then 712 at the high school. So what would that look like? Moving to three buildings um reducing the footprint, the cost, the staffing um of of four. So, uh, that's very, you know, a different direction, but it's an option potentially if if we really are focused or, um, thinking we need to get rid of that middle school all together be, but I struggle with that, too, because we've we've told people, the public, if this doesn't pass, we're going to rectify or do our best to rectify what we currently have. So, I'll stop talking. >> Yeah. A couple of the things that came out of our meeting earlier today. Um we'd like to look at how the classrooms are used in all the

066buildings so we can assess how much space is how could we maximize the space in the high school. you know if uh and some interesting scenario other schools teachers actually you know they they move classroom or they or they they share classrooms you know not to get into too many details but basically we need to look at classroom utiliz utilization at the high school and even at the elementary schools to see where we have space. Um what else can I share? Oh and then this uh assessment which will we have an an item on the agenda later to review. Um it's it's fairly expensive to look at this um the building envelope and then to look at kind of what it would cost or it's not even what it would cost. It's where are all

067the problems. Basically, they're going to outline all of the problems and give us kind of a highlevel, you know, ticket of of what it's going to cost. So, we'll get that. But also while they're working on that, which might take about six weeks or something like that, we should probably think about what we want to prioritize, you know, in terms of function rather than, you know, do we want to make sure that, you know, there's a safe, you know, safety and security of the building? Is that a top priority for us? um what kind of spaces and and you know just so that we're kind of ready for the second stage which after we get these numbers we'll be able to kind of hopefully play with what we want to do um next. >> Yeah.

068some of those other priorities, classroom utilization, accessibility, energy efficiency, um pickup, drop, drop off, classroom space, music, cafeteria, like where would we prioritize like this is where we want to make sure we, you know, get done. Um, and I would just say that for me that the number one thing is going to be to stop the leaking in all capacity. Like that's got to be in my opinion one of the top priorities. I I personally think that we need to first things first have them go in and do that assessment and give us just a breakdown of what has to be done where and give us good hard numbers because the people that have voted against us most common thing I've seen they they've said heard them say is that uh I would just like

069to see an estimate of what's truly going to cost to redo that building and then go from there. You know I mean we've talked a lot of generalizations but we we haven't gotten a great estimate. You know I think we need to get that estimate back and then from there we can make decisions. it comes back and it is clearly going to cost more to repair it than what a new building will cost. Then at that point, what I personally think that we should do is is then at that point pursue what Zach has suggested and see how much we can do with our save dollars. And if we can't do enough, then possibly pursue doing a smaller bond. But whether or not that smaller bond will make any difference in the voters that haven't

070approved, I don't know. But if we do a $10 million bond instead of a $39.5 million bond, we're going to be paying that off a whole lot faster. I think the community might resonate with that a little bit better, you know? So, but I don't know when people vote against it if they're looking at the dollar amount, if they're just simply voting against a bond because then they're not willing for a couple years. But a $10 million bond isn't going to take very long to pay off. >> No. [snorts] And we wouldn't have to have that levy go up a ton either. >> Yeah. So, >> uh, so Zach, the what you've heard about the, uh, because the I think that what they're worried about is a financial cliff at the state level and and

071using that those save dollars and cutting ours back to put it in the general fund. What's the time frame on that? Is it >> Well, if it came out of this session, it would be July 1 is when all those new laws. >> You think it's they're looking at it this session? that would >> again it's I've heard it from multiple people in different areas so in the finance world in the education world in the >> so de mo >> so >> we should we should borrow as much as we can >> while it's still in there >> while it's still there >> and so there's that piece but [clears throat] I think that I agree with what Mark said we need we need to have a priority list. You know, this is these are

072the things that are the most necessary to repair the building and then move on down to a renovation and what the cost is and then a budgeted schedule of work to what's it what's the time frame on a budget to take care of that priorities down to the to renovation. we get that then we can match it up with the funding source which I think should come from the save dollars and and then we can pass that and uh but until we get that we really don't have anything to uh to go on and and it may be that this building we finally verify that it's way too much to repair and renovate and then the third option becomes more available. Utilize the current buildings we have and the space that we have and tear

073it down. >> I think in my mind what people have to realize though is once we start renovating that building, we realistically can't go backwards, you know? I mean, it just >> I mean, we've already we've already put too much money into the building, but once we go pour 10, 15, 20 million to save dollars, there's just there's no going backwards. There >> is no going So that's the building we have for 25 years and everyone has to be okay with that. >> Yes, I I totally agree with that. >> So >> anyway, that's those are my >> whether or not that 20 million goes to really just making sure that it doesn't leak anymore and replacing that and >> there's already the millions poured into that. >> So >> which Yeah, exactly. So I

074think that's a good point though. >> And the and the last thing I I'll say is too is let's not let's not divorce this decision from our strategic plan and our vision. you know, we have to we have to um make this into as close as we can to our vision of a destination district and how is this going to affect that? So, let's not divorce that decision from our vision and strategic plan as well. Um, so those are my thoughts. Um, we do, as I said before, I'm comfortable and the the finance committee this morning was comfortable with up to $21 million. We verified that and not using PPE funds. And if we do have that capacity and we can still fund our five-year facilities plan for the other buildings from [snorts] ple and

075using small amount of safe funds for the recurring cost. So I I think that we do have the capacity. We just need to have a priority list with a with costs and some type of time frame, budgeted schedule and then we can decide how much safe we can we'll borrow um and hopefully the the [clears throat] legislature won't take it from us this year. So I think one of the things we need to consider on [clears throat] kind of the funding timeline is if we want to one if are we considering paying off our current debt to extend that limit. So if you look at that timeline we start in December of announcing the public hearing. We had the public hearing in January. Then we had the 14-day petition. Then we approved the new amount

076of 21 million or whatever Matt says on Friday in February. Um so that's kind of coming up on us really quick. But I think that's a really great timeline too. This legislation will go into action in January, February time period. Our funds are kind of available for vote in February. We should know where saves heading. So my only fear with that is we borrow it all at once. We still have to repay that. So if they still cut that pot by >> 50%. We're pulling that revenue because we're still going to have debt that we're have to cover. But I think that time period that's an important thing to come to consensus around if we're doing that. But this morning, >> this morning they were saying that even though they they do cut back on

077the save dollars, they would grandfather in >> past debt. >> That's how that's my understanding. [clears throat] >> That's the current understanding. But once they have session, who knows how that >> they still have the funding source to to service that debt, >> how it's talked. >> Yeah. We'll see what else we find out or Friday morning. >> Okay. you to talk about this too and like kind of segue off what you guys were saying with the water. Um I think that it's really important that we press these guys if they do the assessment to when they're looking at that lee because I agree that's the first thing that's got to get addressed is how is it going to be different than the times before you know what why [clears throat] is this going to

078work before we would approve anything that they're doing with that. >> Yep. And along those lines, I think it's a matter of we say water's coming in everywhere, but where is it coming in? And does that look like that needs to be redone or is like that part of that first project kickoff of that's tied into something else because it's all in one area? >> Yep. >> And we were do a revamp of that area to try and fix that at the same time. So we're not redoing a roof and then realize, oh, we're going to replace it anyway with another renovation in a year. >> Yep. I think that's what your budgeted schedule of work would get. It's sort of identifying a critical path and then budgeting to make sure that that doesn't doesn't

079happen. >> Yeah. And to me it's all like reading this. It's a matter of what [snorts] I don't know what are we getting out of this to make those decisions of >> big thing couple small things or even you know these settle windows on the northeast side are are really bad and this wall 8 ft up is where this is happening doesn't sound like it's going to be quite that specific But um it'll be much more detailed than what we've gotten so far is what they told us. I don't know what else. >> It's just hard because I what I asked them what I asked Chris for is give me what you used when you did this at Burlington. So they did this at Burlington and came back with over $und00 million in what needed

080to be fixed in this old high school which is [clears throat] similar age to to the top. >> How much bigger was that building total school? >> It's quite a bit bigger. Yeah. Um probably I don't know how many square feet. But I just wanted to see what the actual report looks like. I haven't seen anything yet. So then I can pass that on to you guys so you can see too because we wanted to be able to inform how we kind of prioritize too or help prioritize. I think my biggest thing is I feel like we're kind of under the gun because you know I've been sitting here in these meetings for four years now and it just we can't drag it out for another three or four years or whatever. We need to

081get this estimate back, I think, in the next 3, four months, however long, you know, but it needs to be relatively quickly. And I think within the year, we need to have a final decision made on what route we're going. And I mean, if we run one more bond, then at that point, I think we have to say that is it. But obviously, I don't think we can run another $39.5 million bond. I think it has to be what we've talked about, running a bond for far less money and trying to do the bulk of the project with the save funds. At that point, we're only doing that because we've talked about if we're all if we're going to go take that 21 million and pour it into something, I think most of us do

082agree it's going to be dollars better spent than that. Because what I I'm a very scared of happening is is pouring 18 million into that and in six, seven, eight years, a lot of people still want to do building, which is probably what'll happen, but it still probably won't be enough to get built. >> Yeah. The other the other thing that I've had a couple people reach out to specifically like with the grant writing process, finding dollars that would be one-time kind of contributions to a project like this. So, I've got a list um Christie shared some stuff with me and I had somebody else another employee shared some things with me. Um and then I think Deb was talking about this entity called Pathfinders. Um so, it's a local a local entity here in

083Fairfield. They do work for a lot of different people writing grants. um they charge on the front end so there's a fee associated with it before any you find out anything. Um but one of my colleagues had used them for um a grant and it was a really positive experience that they got. So that would be another maybe we could get another $5 million writing all these different grants potentially and it's not like you're going to need that money again because you're you know it's not a sustaining ongoing thing. So >> now we've talked about you know obviously you know the Pebble fund or whatever right now we're spend 1.6 million or whatever went down to 250. I mean, realistically, if we ran into spending too much of those funds, I mean, if we get

084down to 250, I mean, what happens if we simply just don't have enough money there to do the necessary repairs? >> I mean, we don't repairs. I mean, if we loan against PEPAL, we're redo the whole 5-year capital improvement plan to the 250,000. So, roofs aren't getting done at the high school or pens, gutters, parking lots. >> I [clears throat] mean, we know how old our facilities, we can't put ourselves in that position. probably would be more of a hey this year >> it's the 250 going towards that building the next year it's a 250 going to >> we can't we can't jeopardize we can't jeopardize >> at that point you're jeopardizing student safety and we can't do that you know >> so I guess I kind of come at it as a different approach

085than what you guys have said I feel like um you know we've we've all been in agreement that the highest and best use of our tax dollars as a new building. I think putting this much money into this building that has continually given us issues from day one is insane. I mean, Chris Smith, I know, knows a ton about this building. He went to school here. He went to school in this building. I've talked to him in depth about like the potential to fix it. and he has literally said that to really effectively fix our water issues, you would have to take the entire building and raise it like a foot or how many feet? I don't even remember the exact >> four feet. >> I mean, it it's just it's not feasible. And like

086you said, to saddle our community with this building for another 25 years to me seems very irresponsible on our part. And so I mean, if we have to shut this school down and send kids to school somewhere else temporarily so that we're able to build a decent facility for them to go to school in, like to me, that makes more sense. That is better use of our taxpayer dollars than to continue to try to fight what we've been fighting for the last 60 years. So, I don't know where everybody else is at, but I I just I really feel that if we want to be a destination district and we want to grow Fairfield and we want to continue to bring students here, we need to do this. >> So, what is your initial idea?

087>> So, my I've talked to Zach a little bit about this. You know, I think we look into the grant possibilities. There's several um there's a demolition grant that can help pay for some of the uh tear down costs. There's opportunity for a CAT grant if we could partner with the city or the county um to get a million dollars from the state for a CAT grant. We got one for the um Fairfield Arctic Convention Center. Um there's several private businesses in town that I've spoken with that are very interested in um potentially investing in that that gap to help get us to the point where we need to be because they do understand that it is necessary for their businesses to be bringing in new employees and bringing in good quality families to Fairfield

088that we have to have good schools. So, are you suggesting kind of doing this money on top of the save money >> and then maybe try and do a 10 >> maybe do a $10 million bond? >> Yes. >> Cuz I'm okay with trying to pursue that route, but no matter what, I don't think we can run a $39.5 million bond. I >> No, I'm I'm with you. >> I It won't pass in this town unless if something strange happens. >> Yeah. >> So, >> but I think we just we have to get creative. We have to figure out what can we do with our save funds? How how far will that get us? You know, maybe we can still utilize a portion of the middle school that isn't in as bad of shape temporarily

089while we, you know, figure out a portion of it. You know, the fifth grade wing is newer, so maybe the fifth grade is the last grade to be moved to the new building. I just think there's, you know, there's a lot of moving pieces that we can, but I mean to even spend, you know, $32,000 just to find out how much it's going to cost us, like to me seems like such a waste. >> I think if we ran a bond that low low, I think the key would be educating people on how quickly it's going to get paid off and how short time it's actually going to have an effect on their taxes. I mean, the high school, I mean, when that was done, I think in 2009, wasn't that a $9.5 million bond?

090And how quickly did we pay off? It >> was 13 and we paid it off. >> It was just under 14 and we paid it off in 12 years as opposed to 20. >> Yeah. >> Now paying it off earlier, remember we're going to go up to the $2.7. So it's not going to change the overall levy that we were just running. >> And that's what >> um >> Yeah. If so, like when you think about if if it's a $5 million bond or $50 million bond, >> the 270 levy that I mean that's what you were voted up to. So, it's still going to be a 20-year note. >> If you want to pay it off fast, you're gonna I mean, you're gonna have to spend more money. Yeah. >> Or go all the

091way up to 270. What we were saying is you could say this is only going to raise, you know, a$120 per 10,000, but that's still going to take us, you know, that long to pay off. That's the difference. So Christie, what So you're saying uh grant funds, public private things, and this would go into repairing the building or >> this would go into a new facility, >> a new facility, >> and use this facility to cover the the thing. the but the new building would be we'd use save dollars grant funds and a smaller go bond to >> let's say it's three grade levels to start with or two grade levels I mean that would be a whole another whole another discussion >> continue under that under that scenario could I mean >> it's been

092said we have extra capacity at the high school we could >> yeah once we know for sure what that is >> move grades to the high school >> potentially y >> yeah I I mean, we could move a grade to a church or a, you know, a rec center or, you know, there's other I just think there's better options than doing what we're doing and bringing in pods that will temporarily house students that it's going to be we're going to be wasting a bunch of money on >> that. There's no there's no doubt, Christie, that it would absolutely kill me to to spend $21 million on this building. But also, we can't we can't have kids and teachers go into this building anymore the way it is. >> So, to that point, like you were

093talking about moving students, there's a lot of yardage that I'd never see kids fill at Pence. What about expanding Pence and putting more classrooms on that building? Would that be cheaper and something we could use existing funds for to kind of tape on in addition onto that building and maybe save some money and get kids and then again move some kids into the high school with the extra space? >> Yeah, for sure. Um and we could use the the save dollars for that too. There isn't like a since it's not a um a public voted thing, it's the board that would get to decide kind of where that those funds go. >> Yep. I think it would be interesting to see how you would structure that because I'm not like I'm not opposed to it.

094It's just weird how you would do it not knowing until next November if you have the additional funds. So, it's going to be a weird we can get this much here but we can't go into a huge project that's going to be 35 mil knowing that we can't support the whole thing. So you're going to have to either phase that in two ways and say here's phase one that we can do and hope that we do the second one but you're going to have to really strategically go about that knowing that the second one may not ever happen. So you can't leave yourself in the air and say well now we have a half a school that can house one thing but then if that doesn't pass you still got to fix the middle school

095to house the other additional kids. So that's my only concern with that is there have to be a lot of planning and a lot of really tight structure to understand we're paying this much for this and have that as just be a plus one. If it passes great and it adds to it if it doesn't we have a backup plan that's going to house all the students would be my only question on that. and man, I think it was you that sent me the one for um somewhere in the Quad Cities, they were basically kind of doing the same thing, but they were just basically, if you looked at their five-year plan, was doing like a wing a year. So, they would spend this much on this wing. When that got done, they'd go on

096to the next one, and then the final the final one, I think, if I read it right, was basically demolish the old. And so it' be a weird kind of but you're still be pouring money into the multi-use section. >> Um >> so whether that's the gym, the cafeteria, the commons. Um >> yeah, I mean >> constructing a portion of the new middle school that could house two somewhere two grades, three grades. Um >> building on the north section with the competition gym, calf, kitchen, north office, adding a classroom wing to the north. you know, we could call it what you know, >> it's definitely another another option. Um, >> I have a minor question. So, the individuals and I know it's just been couple weeks post the bond on the private side of it.

097Would they be willing to invest that money up front or would it be on the back end or over a payment period? Because my concern would be is if we get into a $35 million project and we have $10 million worth of private pledges and only two million capitalize, what are we doing to pay it off? And that's so I'd almost want that in writing that it comes up front with the agreement that if we don't capitalize on our end like we're cutting checks. I think [clears throat] it would have to be an upfront >> investment and I think you know we could we could hopefully partner with the education foundation and flow through so that you know it's a taxdeductible donation for these companies and um you know structure it that way. What building

098do we have that's the best bones? Least amount of maintenance. Do >> Washington is >> probably the the newer part of the high school is pretty pretty good, too. But >> what's the condition of Roosevelt? I mean, I don't really see since the new addition, the Cambridge edition, they're utilizing any of the the upper floors. It's just the weight room downstairs and that like would that hold a grade? I think we were just trying. I think that building is is borderline condemned. >> That's where the um rec center centers, right? >> Yeah. >> So, so you're against even funding the 32,000 to get a a picture. >> Well, it wouldn't be that much. So, if you look at this, what I what we did is take out that site assessment and site survey. >> Yeah,

099>> that's something that we would do later if need be. But the one of the reasons I think why they they had that in there was if we're going to completely upend the drainage and where that water is going to go, um it's going to have to go far far away from that building all the way to the to the south like past the football field. Um which I I don't know anyway that ultimately they said that that's probably something we don't have to do for sure if we want to get the information we need to make a decision moving forward. Um, so it would be that 17 whatever 181 >> 181 >> and we can wait to see what kind of a report it is too. I mean once I get that kind of

100example it just I mean it's it's expensive. Yeah, it is. Well, you talked a little bit today how there's like a second level report which really gets into the nitty-gritty like a central design and I think some of the details you guys are asking about is really more in that second >> but that was with the architecture firm the civil engineer they don't do that until after once you really start designing and doing doing all the things. >> Yeah, [clears throat] we won't get creative solutions out of this report. We'll just get a list of what's in bad shape >> and how much it's going to cost broad buckets >> and that would be prioritize that would be a list of cost to replace it as is. >> Correct. And if we have to update

101it >> y >> is not re but that's part of getting creative around that. It's not like you have to dump it in it if you're going to fix it with a different renovation, >> right? >> So, you kind take those numbers with a grain of salt of where are they at? Like, is it condensed to a certain area and that's where most of it is taken care of? Then you can get creative on that and say >> wipe that whole thing out and do something different there and you don't have all these dumped costs to your point of dumping stuff in to just fix the problem and it's not really >> going to fix it. Yeah, they shared um a few school districts have enclosed their courtyards. You have to check and make sure

102the structural integrity of those those walls can support a roof over it, but you know, many schools have done that before. So, we won't get a cost on something like that. But, you know, at some point we could, you know, if we wanted to look at that, that would be phase two, you know, and that might, you know, you might not have to repair any of the walls there because then they'd be, you know, interior walls at that point. So, >> one other thing I'd like feedback on from this team is just if we think about this prioritization process, um, how much input or how much voice do we want to give our our teachers, our our people to bring back to the to the table. Um, or is that something we want to do

103more administratively or kind of with our directors and the committees? Um, and then to the board table because I mean you think about like who who's going to make the final decision? You guys are, but do we want input from other people? >> Absolutely. Yes. So, we talked about creating a survey um that we would list all these different priorities and ask them to kind of rank them, you know, top five in their opinion. What we would want to look at if we're going to move forward and maybe we do add still continue to find a way to do a new build in some capacity. like maybe that is one of the priorities that we could >> I think we need to paint five or six scenar five [clears throat] or six main scenarios that

104we've talked about here and give it to them because I mean there's everything from you know retrofitting that to tearing down part of the modal school you know we've discussed possibly you know what what if we were able to keep the commons and the the gym and a few other things and then start tearing down some of the wings you know basically just give them a line of options and show them the dollars that we're looking at what it's going to cost to do that and let people take a survey and obviously at the end of the day we're going to have make the final decision. But and is it >> are you >> go ahead >> are you saying you would give them a listing of different options or the priorities not with a

105fix in >> I'm saying priorities. He was saying the different options which I mean it could be both. It could be the other. >> I wish we could go to every person that voted no and say okay what is what is it that you want us to do instead or are you just simply voting no because of money? Yeah. you know, so >> I I would also like a survey of what are the issues you're facing each day. You know, what what's happening in your room? Do you have enough space? Are there leaks in your you know, just so we can get their real feedback. Um, I know we're going to get it with the assessment, but it's also nice to know like, hey, we don't have enough space in the locker room [clears throat]

106or we don't have enough space in the, you know, practically speaking, but from the people who are using it every day, what are the where are they hitting their head? Mhm. >> And I think if you did that priority list, and you probably will anyway, but to get what their role is when they fill that out, that would give us a better idea of >> And then do we just leave it to employees or do we bring in, you know, parents or other people that have that want a voice of any kind or how much how much do we want to bring back to this, you know, to make the best decision moving forward? >> I think it just needs to be a community survey. I mean, parents need to be involved and >> I've

107seen it almost like twofold, though. We get the assessment. So, we figure out the money, >> we get the assessment back, we draft three to five scenarios, you roll that out to the staff, you narrow that down to two, that maybe goes out to the community from there because if you throw three to five out of the community, >> um, >> yeah, I I really think we need to focus on the priorities first to help us kind of guide our decisions. we can have these other, you know, the options, but I think if if a destination district is our vision, you know, what are we going to prioritize? Is a new build, is that going to have to be up there? Is it safety and security? Like, what is it exactly that people really believe

108is going to allow us to move in that direction? Right. I mean, it's a good point, Christie. I'm The only reason I'm against that is because we've told people we weren't going to do that. We're we're going to put money into this building because that's what you said you wanted us to do with this vote, you know. Um is it the most fiscally responsible thing to do? Probably not. But we said we were going to do that because [clears throat] you voted no. >> And that's just my stubbornness. Probably. >> Yeah. We still have the majority of people who vote. >> We do. True. Yep. >> So, we have to think about their tax dollars, too. I know we we don't have the directive, but >> it's a we're in the middle with the with

109this vote. So, >> Yeah. I mean, I guess I would have different feelings if we had failed miserably and we didn't have the amount of public support that we do. But I do feel like >> Makes >> sense. But we did go backwards from last one though. You know, that's where I was struggling at. >> Well, cuz it was a significantly smaller >> turnout. >> Yeah. I think to Megan's point of surveying the staff and getting their issues specifically with what are you dealing with every day? I think taking that data and then running social media campaigns on it and actually humanizing the issue would get a lot more of the community on our side besides just simply saying these are the numbers and these guys said that this is the numbers. I think people

110respond better to that. >> Yeah. Also, I don't think parents realize like if we didn't pass this bond that their kids may be in trailers while there's renovations. You know, that's a that's a big deal to, you know, I don't I don't think people necessarily think through >> you need to give an estimate of what that's going to cost >> the displacement of students during renovation. >> Yeah. Uh, so there's there's more to paint, you know, if we were to truly go to, [clears throat] you know, some combination situation of repair, addition, demo, or a totally scenario three, new build, but maybe continue to use the gym and the kitchen for a while. So >> yeah, it's going to be a a lot of big a lot of big decisions and a lot of work,

111but we're we're here for it. Uh so I think timelinewise though maybe it's a January work session um that we're all involved in early January >> um after we get this you know assuming we pass this um assessment and then we can >> we can get those surveys I would say done and out before Christmas too so we could have that data to bring to that work session as well >> because I think you're right if we can get that work session if that that can kind of a decision-m time as to where we're going to go next. Then we can really get the, you know, the architects and Carl and Nelson to work. >> Do you know because you said you don't have a an example report of what they're going to give us?

112>> Not yet. But are are you confident that it's going to be targeted areas or are they just going to say the roof needs replaced and here's an estimate for the roof replacement? >> I don't know if I can answer that really with full certainty. I I wouldn't say I feel great. >> I I feel like if you you are going to get a sample report right at some point. So the facilities committee could look at it and and say, "Hey, we want a little more granularity in these areas and, you know, I know, you know, >> maybe there's a little wiggle room on how >> we could also come back together just if we needed to to vote on this." >> Yeah. >> If we wanted to after we saw something if you wanted

113to do that. I'm not opposed to that. Um, I just want to get this going as soon as possible just because it's I'm sure they've got schedules already with other districts, places, whatever, and we [snorts] need to try to get it done as soon as possible. >> Yeah, because that's where I'm at is I I hesitate because time is of the essence, but at the same time, if they're going to give it to us and it's going to be very vague, it's not going to help us. >> It's going to waste time. >> Correct. It's not going to help us identify our [snorts] different options and to pick the best option that we can come up with. So, that's my only hesitation with this. now without having that example report because I don't want someone

114that just says, "Yeah, you're going to have $3 million worth of doors to replace." I want them to say, "This front door is going to cost this much and this one is the worst." >> Yeah, I don't think it will be that granular, but it will be um >> the flashing on the entire building to replace would probably cost a certain amount. Maybe they could break it down. We need something that we can prioritize and then put a cost to it >> and then get some type of time budgeted schedule so we see what time time it is, how much time and >> balance balance it against another option. >> Conduct a building envelope assessment to assess history of water infiltration. Include spray testing, sealant pull testing, thermal imaging, moisture probe. I don't know what

115that word is. Capacitance analysis for $4,800. I mean I and then I don't know if that is going to say, "Hey, okay, here's what we know now from this. Here's what it's going to cost specifically to to remedy." So I Yeah, I just don't know. I mean, I trust Chris fully like he's invested. They're invested. It's just expensive. Should [clears throat] we work on a on a separate track, too? I'm intrigued by the private um portion of this. >> I mean, we'd have to raise like $10 million at least, wouldn't we? But should we go to people and say how much and get some idea of how much is available, how much what this pool looks like. >> Yeah, I think >> they would do it up front or >> I think we need to

116have a meeting with uh you know these community leaders that it's going to impact the most you know all of our largest employers. I think even we should have, you know, maybe county supervisor, somebody from the city cuz, you know, like if we're going to do the CAT grant, like somebody from there has to be on board as well. I think that there needs to be a consensus, but I think we need to know somewhat what dollar amount we're going to >> Total dollar [clears throat] is going to be. >> Yes. >> It looks like. >> Yeah. So, I think we make it clear this is what we have, you know, via save. this is the project, this is the shortfall, you know, and then we figure out >> I think it has to be

117upfront donations though. It can't be pledges though because there just too much risk. >> Yeah, that's what I was saying is it's going to have to be, you know, they they donate through education foundation upfront. >> I mean, obviously it's it's great and if if businesses are willing to do that, that's fantastic. But, you know, I mean, >> takes a lot of time. I would be shocked if it's going to, you know, have more than a 10 or 20% effect on the total project, you know, but maybe it will. I don't know. So, >> and I think it's going to be hard to get. I mean, the only estimate to say where a gap is is our original build from FE to know that for 50 million you can build that building. >> Yep. >>

118Or something else. But like in order to get that cost of what a new like whole another building somewhere else is going to be, you're going to have to pay your architects to come back in and do all that over again. >> So I think there has to be a component that you can size down based off of our original plan, right? like maybe you don't finish, you know, you don't do the gyms right away or you don't do, you know, >> some of the extra components that are going to, you know, [clears throat] >> not necessarily impact students directly immediately. >> But you have to know that that's a very shot in the dark number. Like we don't have any Carly Nelson or F to back us on that. It's going to be us

119saying >> I think >> based on previous estimation. >> Yeah. Unless they spend more time kind of what does that look like? Yeah, I get that. Um but yeah, if you took off both of those gyms that the ACT building um that multi-purpose room like that's a lot of square feet. I mean that's going to be millions and millions and millions. I mean those gyms probably together Chris said one gym is usually nine to 10 million like just a normal competition gym type thing. So that's going to be probably 15 million >> just one gym. No, both of them have two. >> I'd say that'd be something that um we can take to the table with Matt Gillespie on Friday when Zach and I meet with him, see our saving capacity um and then get

120some guidance around public private dollars um and then work towards an assessment of some sort to get that data, do that January work session and then maybe in my experience with private dollars, you get very specific on an entity. So we come to kind of agreement of hey with our safe capacity here's what we can do based off whatever scenarios feedback priorities that we get we would like to do this and we short 8 million so we're either going to have to go back to maybe a geo bond or is anyone out there willing to contribute so we can get this gym built or something along those lines. Um, I think that's just great things we can bring up with Matt on Friday before we go talking to too many people about it because I

121just get really nervous around private public. >> Where does it go? I mean, that's probably a question that you're going to ask, but say we did get the community to give 10 million. Does it go straight to a fund that you have that you keep the money or does it need to sit somewhere? No, it'd go to the Fed foundation and then depending on how we want to do it, they'd e either earn interest on it until we needed it or it would flow through to us directly and then it would sit in our account and we'd earn the interest on it, however we decide that where we put it. >> Usually there's like an enterprise fund usually. >> There any other districts that anyone knows of that has done that successfully with a large

122sum of money? >> Well, we did it in Solen. We had one donor give us almost $8 million for our um new way room and practice gym. >> Really? Mhm. >> That was in 2018, >> but that was for a narrow project. Yeah, >> it was very specific and they had we let them basically design the whole thing. >> Yeah. >> Like we >> that's that that's I guess that's my only concern. >> One family. >> Yeah. I feel like it it becomes very specific in what it wants, you know, and then you know the expectation. >> Yeah. this would have to be we're donating our hands are off and that's I mean that's hard especially that's my point 10 10 people or 10 big entities donating like making sure that that's clear because yeah

123when we had that they had the same thing in Williamsburg the Holden kind of foundation did significant donations and after one of them they didn't have as much input and so they just kind of stopped >> that's my concern you know you start to not be happy how the money is getting spent you just cut off the checks you that can't happen. >> We did it in the last district for ball diamonds was a new softball and baseball field, but again it's very specific and the plaques out front and million dollar kind of thing. I mean it has multiple >> I feel like if you have private money it needs to come from you know say a business or whatever and you go directly to the gym and then you name the gym after that

124business or whatever you know and I mean then I think it's fine you know but that gym has to be kind of what they want. >> Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. >> Some people don't want that though. I mean, some people don't want the like some people want to be anonymous. >> Some businesses don't want to be acknowledged because then they feel like, you know, every community is going to want the same thing from them. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, I think it goes both ways. >> Yeah. Well, that might very much be the people that we're talking about there. I don't know. So, >> so you're and you're specifically talking about private funds for a new building, not >> correct, >> renovation of this building at all. this would go

125that way. >> I think using private donations for the renovation would not be really very good stewards of that money. >> Yeah. >> So, >> I don't think anybody's given us any money to put into that ultimately. I can't believe actually the number of people that have said like, "I'm so glad that you guys are still like actually talking about like other options because they don't want to see that money go into that building. >> We just have to be creative in how we spend the dollars." But yeah, >> and how we change class elements of each building. >> Yeah, there's great >> I I personally think the key is to making this work is getting that 7 to 12 work work to work at the high school. But the key is to not have

126to pour much money into that high school to change the structure and that's where it gets difficult. >> But >> yeah, the other piece of that is so now we've got our middle school events all you know would they be taking place there too or we could have to have >> a second gym >> right >> and then money that probably be what would have to happen. Yeah, but I feel like fifth and sixth works depends. I I I have a hard time picturing, you know, a fifth, sixth, seventh or a six, seventh, eighth of the pens, you know. >> Yeah, four, five, six would probably fit fine, too. >> Yeah, that that would work fine. >> So, what are our next steps? >> I mean, I think we're all in agreement over the save

127funds, right? That we want to move forward with pursuing the higher dollar save fund. >> I think so. Well, that's >> and that takes >> that takes action off and then another board can only approve the 16 something, right? >> Yep. It takes board action to pay them off too, right? >> Yeah. So, we're going to have a resolution for December essentially directing me to go pay off the debt early and then something that would just be a big bill. I probably want the board meetings saying here's 2.8 million that we owe debt, cut a check. Um, but then I'll also take board action to raise because we approved up to 21 million. This would be more for like 22 23 million. So, we had to do another public hearing and run that 14-day petition

128for the higher safe bond amount. So, that would take board action to essentially lower that amount or higher that amount. So, we're only good to borrow up to 21 million based off our last resolution. >> How long is that note the safe bond note? >> 20 years. >> Public notes are 10 years. >> Yeah, we should do that. That should be our first thing is to get the get that >> and then we need to get as as a good assessment as we can on the building what it looks like and the pri and then prioritize it cost and then we can see >> and we'll create a couple different things >> if there's another option that's available >> to give out to people to bring so we have that out there for a month

129or however long to get as much as we can to bring back [clears throat] to a meeting in January. Are we okay to wait until middle of December or do we need a special meeting to um approve paying off the safe bonds that we want? >> Uh give me 20 for a second. I'll just look at the rough timeline that that gave me. [snorts] >> Can you read off? Do you have the list of those priorities again? >> Yeah. Or options for list of priorities. Safety. >> Safety and security. Classroom space. Pickup and drop off efficiency. Technology space. Music. Fine arts spaces. Cafeteria common spaces. Ending the leaks. That was one I put in there. Energy efficiency. ADA accessibility. >> Yeah. I also think like restrooms. restrooms. That wasn't on here, but yeah, classroom >>

130um utilization. I don't know if it's different from classroom space. And then a new build. Is that a top priority? I guess I had that one. >> Um that that that gives me an idea at least. >> Yeah, he he kind of titled this what aspects of the building are serving the students the least, too. So, >> did you find it, Evan, or do you need to >> Yeah, I was just um So, yeah, it can wait to December. So, he says sometime prior to uh spring of 26. So, you can call the old bonds as of 41, 2026. So, we have till April 1st, 2026 to >> meet our callable period. Um and they said December 25 board schedules hearing that this would be to raise the 21. um January 2026 board holds the

131hearing the mid to late January after the 14 day waiting period we'd have to do the second hearing a petition we have two board meetings essentially in January so what I'm hearing you guys say is maybe that first one is a work session plus a public hearing for the first round [snorts] and on a regular stated meeting 14 days later we do the second public hearing and then by February 1st we would know that you can proceed and issue a larger want to save and go out there go from there. >> So, we probably won't schedule that January meeting until we know if we're going to have a report though, but I guess we have to have a hearing. >> Just assume. >> Yeah, but we have to post the hearings um no less than

13210 days and no more than 20. So I think our December board meeting that would be plenty of time to set a meeting for second week of January. >> Okay. >> So isn't really from a communication standpoint all we're I mean if people are talking to us or asking us it's we're going to we're going to move forward with at least coming up with the most amount of money we can as far as where it's going to go. We're not 100% sure yet because we need more we need more information. We need more um input. >> Okay. Any last thoughts, questions? >> Okay, let's move along to superintendent updates. >> Let's do that 13.1 perfection to the agenda. >> So, yeah, that was the amendment. So, it's uh Carly and Nelson Middle School facilities assessment

133fee proposal >> minus the site assessment and site survey consultant of $13,000 >> to approve the school board for Carly Nelson as presented excluding the site assessment and site survey motion. >> Do I hear a motion to approve what Evans >> to approve the scope of work? >> You put it on here because I'm happy. I can see the motion for too. >> Do I hear a motion to approve >> the scope of work for Collie Nelson as presented and who removed the site assessment and site survey consultant? >> Did you move over? >> I move to second. >> So any discussion here? I would just say that I will leave it up to Zach in his opinion once he sees the sample version or whatever that you really feel like this is a good

134use of >> $18,000. >> Yeah. >> So if we approve this though, can you still say no? >> I think so. I think this is just giving us the permission like if we need to spend it, we can. We're not going to. This isn't a >> contract. It's a scope of work. just a scope proposal. >> Okay. >> So, it just means like I won't we won't come back to the table and >> Yeah. >> If you don't think it's going to meet the needs that >> then I'll press them >> and then we can come back and look at another thing. Okay. >> Yep. I'll say, "Hey, this is not what we need. We need more detail or more depth." So, >> all in favor? [snorts] >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. All right.

135>> All right. Um, Ty kind of hit on this in his update with strategic planning, but yeah, SAK met last week. Um, there was some good feedback I got. I asked them a couple questions just at the end too from a hey, what are you going to share with the people in your circles after kind of learning more about our strategic plan? there was a lot of um positivity around just the the transparency with our capital improvement project planning, the um the financial health report, the metrics that we're using just from a finance standpoint. So, that was really good. Um we're going to have students at our next one which is on February 20th. Uh there'll be some structured questions that kids answer in small groups with the SIA committee members. um we'll use that

136to help or give feedback to um our strategic planning committee as we look at kind of this cyclical approach to our strategic plan too. If there's specific things we need to tweak or change for next year, um that would be feedback that we get because the kids are um usually pretty in tune with what what is or isn't happening. So, um convention Wednesday, we'll we'll all meet up there. Um I think you feel free to park at the hotel if you want to when you get there. Um and walk right over. It's not too far. just make sure you might want to get a pass for your car. I think um as far as the reservations, they're all under Chris Wilman Wilman's name. Um so whether we all go there together or not, just know

137they're all under um all under her name. Um yeah, we got our final parap feedback on Friday a couple days ago. They um spoke with the the pair of leaders spoke with their buildings and we have a um a solid um plan moving forward uh as to where that's going to be, but it's it's going to be significant um pay pay raises for the people that have been here for sure for 101 15 years um and just acknowledge the hard work that they're putting in. So, we're excited about that. Meet the Trojans is on Thursday for the winter season. Um can't remember what time. 5 5:30 maybe it starts 5:45 somewhere in there. Um the community businesswide mailer um it's going to go to every resident. Um I think Ty had hit on that too.

138Um our final draft will be here tomorrow. We'll run it through a couple more people and then we'll get that sent out. Hopefully everyone will have it in their hands by Thanksgiving. Um talked about that already. Cops grant. I'm not sure if you remember. Um this was something that we had applied for. John worked hard on this with another entity. Um, we ended up not receiving the grant. It was, you know, $500,000 that would go towards a lot of safety and security updates or upgrades. Um, I think I know part of the reason is we have a lot of things in place already and the the awardees um that got this grant didn't have some of the same things we did. So, um, the last thing I would just give you an update on is,

139you know, right now what we're hearing SSA wise, um, it's going to come come in really low. Um, I think the House less than 1% and the Senate probably 2%. So, I mean, it's going to be lower than what our current teaching contract that with our teachers. Um, if it's below 2% when they settle, then we could open it back up again and say, "Hey, you're not going to get that 3% that we had." And on vice versa, if it was at 4%, if SSA was at 4%, we could open it back up and say, "Hey, we want to give you guys a little bit more because we got more, right?" But what we're what we're um recommending is if we get to a spot where it is below 2%, we're still going to honor

140the contract and because we budgeted that 3% and we've been budgeting off not getting as much. And so, um, again, that would be probably HR negotiations committee that kind of weighs in on that a little more more intentionally. But I think that just shows, you know, that we're we're budgeting the way that we should be and we're in good faith doing what we wanted, what we think is best. Um, and then if things change with leadership at the state level and somehow it gets up to five, six% in the next couple years, then, you know, maybe we would say, "All right, we not go all the way up there, but we just go to four, right?" Because if that makes sense. Does that make sense? [cough] So that's all I got. >> Thanks, Mark. >>

141All right, highlights. Um, do you want to share? >> Um, my highlight is having our two new board members here. Um, I think it's always great to have, you know, fresh new ideas and, um, collaborations. So excited for you guys to get on boarded and up to speed and um looking forward to working with you. I mean, Ditto, also thanks to Ty and Deb for their years of [clears throat] experience here, and I know all four of us came in when they were Mark, thank you for running again. Um, to to learn from them and learn the ropes and understand how complicated school systems are and how to navigate it all. So, just excited for you guys to join the group and thanks to them for members of service. Terry, do you want to share

142any highlight from the meeting tonight or >> Happy to be here and I really appreciated all the the different perspectives on the middle school situation and how everyone was able to have a good discussion and and handle it as a group. >> Yeah, same. I'm happy to be here and uh be a part of this board. I think what you guys have done in the past couple years is just remarkable and my hats off to Ty and Deborah as well. but also just having a positive conversation and uh compared where we were a couple years ago as a school district uh conversations were very positive and so my hats off to you guys for having positive con uh conversations. >> Great. Thanks. Thanks. >> Um well, first of all highlight is um I'm very pleased

143that you agreed to be the president again. I would like I'd like to publicly say that uh >> through it all >> your leadership has been really phenomenal >> and uh it's your demeanor with the community. Um and so I I want to publicly thank you and I I appreciate you taking on the burden again to do that. >> Thank you. >> Um I [clears throat] want to welcome the new new members. Um, and uh, I think you're going to find that uh, a public school organization is probably one of the most complex organizations that you've ever been able to break down. Um, you've got you've got an organization's delivering a critical product and attached to it is a transportation organization and a food service organization and the funding streams are fairly complicated. So, um,

144but that makes it exciting, too. Uh, lastly, I I want to thank, uh, Evan and Zach. They're going through the budget, new budget forecast. One of our goals was is to take the volatility out of our budget so we're not whipsawing our workforce and that we can give them stability as well as uh stability for us so that we're not facing budget expense adjustments every every year. uh the forecast and the work that they've done and putting it in and yet be able to uh raise salaries for our teachers and and our our parallegals while um keeping our levy rate moderate at best is uh is really good work. Um so I appreciate their their hard work too. And of course Deb will miss both Deb and Tai. Um, we've got grown pretty close in

145the last couple years because there's a lot of early long sessions u facing with budget cuts and hiring a new superintendent. Um, but I'm sure that you'll be you'll be more than capable of filling your shoes. So, those are my highlights. Thank you very much. >> Thanks, Steve. >> Mark. Well, my highlight could have been it could have been my last meeting, but I guess I'm just [laughter] four years. I'm kidding. Um, no, I I think first off, I just like to say thank you to Ty and Deb, you know. Um, I met Ty, you know, right at four years ago at kind of that first debate, you know, and even though we've had plenty of disagreements over the last four years, I think we became pretty good friends, you know, so I've really enjoyed

146working with him and getting to know him. And I really enjoyed getting to know dad the last couple years as well. So, it's been kind of fun sitting in this room the last four years. It feels kind of bizarre. I was just looking around. I think John was the only one that was in this room when I started four years ago. So, it's down there just me and John as the people that have been around this room for four years now. But, but it's been fun. Um, like I said, I I feel very optimistic with the direction the school district is going. And, uh, I just really hope we can get this facility thing figured out because once we get that figured out, I think, you know, it's off to the races. I think a

147lot of good things can happen here. So, but um yeah, I'd like to say thank you to Ty and Deb and then also like to say thank you to Cody and Terry for stepping up and doing this, you know. Um when we were trying to when I was trying to figure out if I was going to run again or not, you know, um really didn't know if we wanted to run for the two open seats and then I talked to Cody a couple nights before the deadline and he seemed very open to doing it and here we are. So, really excited to have him on the team and excited to have Terry on the team. Of course, I know Terry as well, but I've known Cody most of my life. So, uh he's he'll be

148a great addition to the board. So, very excited. So >> cool. >> So [snorts] >> yeah, I'm glad you ran again. Thank you for doing that. >> Gonna add up to a lot of years. >> It's gonna be eight if I stay full time. >> But certainly Yeah. Ty and Deborah um you know, just it it it felt like we were really good cohesive team together. You know, everyone brought a certain you know, element of their heart and and you know, their head to the work we had to do. and I really appreciate their their work and very excited too to have you guys here. So, thank you for stepping in. Uh it was nice to hear from the instructional coaches. Um you know, a lot of good collaboration happening. So, always nice to get

149that update on learning. Um yeah, and then I appreciate the the conversation. So, it's I'm glad that, you know, there are some, you know, [snorts] opinions that didn't come out in in the beginning and we're all, you know, going to look at this, you know, with with open eyes as we move forward. So, thank you guys for all that and thank you guys for always providing us with all the information and running the ship. All right. Um, do I hear a motion to adjurnn? >> So, moved. >> Christie, >> and Dave Spurn. All in favor? I >> oppos. Don't be the first [laughter]