001Oh beautiful Smith Gary Anderson Hauser standardizes downstairs do we have any communication we have some information under item for on the agenda that you're pleased to have our Bush here tonight from Iowa State schools and he will be giving us a presentation every meeting okay yeah okay okay good so mark has been kind enough to visit with us and about some things that we can do policy-wise practice wise yeah well thank you so much for inviting me like you're so my name's mark pleasure the director of education that I was safe schools I would say schools the Midwest's largest LGBTQ youth focus organization and the state's largest LGBT my primary work focuses on an educator professional development importantly straining I'm a former educator myself teaching preschool chemistry physics for seven years before taking this role
002and so you know the things that I want to talk about today that influence the work that you do as school board members is really kind of looking about and thousand foot view that policy in the best practices in terms of what can start including in our curriculum including in our policies to make best decision for our students thank you have been allowed no this was a law and order and I kinda like you know this is actually about you member at least ratings we have a lot of organizations corporate organizations here in the city who are oppressing some police training I like to tell my schools that 15-20 years ago I London generous and will increase a really great job of explaining the white love and being experienced but that leaves out a lot
003of people in the LGBTQ Club umbrella particularly those on on that gender spectrum that that lie outside of the male female gender binary so this is kind of a nice tool to look at him to reflect on our own policies first and foremost that non-discrimination policy is revolutional oftentimes work places in schools do not identify gender identity you have a protected class and what we have very important place protections under civil rights code and also in our Iowa anti-bullying legislation in doing a little research in your student handbook as well as you're using bullying policy gender identity is less than there and observing that for our trans and gender non-conforming students well I also wanted you to consider looking at the facilities that we access to facilities our student employees able to use the restroom
004that us alliance with their gender identity are all gendered facilities available for students to access be and employees to access and is it very clear that the night someone access to those facilities in the denial of their civil rights in terms of administrative and record-keeping absolute to count those legal names in Nevada management systems however those little legs don't need to be everywhere Iowa Code clearly states that they don't need to be an air box they don't need to be in in play built-in choir program to ensuring those policies are there ensuring that confidentiality was of the utmost importance oftentimes when we talk about a student coming out the instant reaction is wanting to tell parents but students are the best monitors of their own safety and oftentimes including parents in the conversation when the
005student knows baby already that can create some safety concerns so empowering our educators between the Barrows of that confidentiality while also trying to forge quality communication and other staff members important and then lightly dress code lots of school districts are removing gendered language out of the dress code policies but just ensuring that dress code is not a factor in preventing someone from accessing image quality education in terms of other things we can address I know that health and well-being is of the upmost importance the work that you're doing I was these schools as as was founded and providing secret supportive learning environments for students we do that through empowering the gay-straight alliances with gender and sexuality alliances and providing other opportunities such as our pride camp which is illegal and other opportunities but we also
006want to ensure that there are opportunities for our students to not just feel up seeking support but to ask the question what's next right we can provide a safe environment but there are constant barriers that are preventing students from achieving their post-secondary goals from from finding that sense of belongingness so it's constantly posing the questions of what are our policies whatever work we're doing whether it's strong informed care whether it's PBIS what happened are the nuances and those conversations this really varies it I just wanted to be here are there any specific questions that you have for us as an organization or anything that we orbit for specifically in this work as a school board what else do you have for employees as well like so I know that it would talk about the students
007a lot but if their supports that you also provide yeah that's pretty awesome yeah absolutely so oftentimes when teachers are tasked with the responsibility it's using inclusive curriculum they don't know where to start primarily they don't know where to start with they don't have that bathroom like it we're ready to teach about the real-world concepts like like gender sexuality like racism any have a foundation of knowledge one of the things you do have in our repertoire is the Safe Schools Academy we are our six schools is one of four state certified providers of license and we have 46 classes in our Academy online the synchronous courses that educators need to take a myriad of chakras understanding of supporting training students meet me in classroom secret et tu the supporting puzzle the students anti-semitism in America
008civil discourse in the classroom red white we just made up a new class some real talk repl popular movies in civil discourse in our classroom we're launching a mental health system supports of awareness course as well all of those courses may be transferred into in-person classes as well and I've had school districts pick me up are they spending two days with the staff not only are they getting integrating other complexities the other thing we have for staff is we have an allowing certification program so the certified school culture out again is you're selecting him you're selecting courses so that there's themselves become the leaders in school climate and cultural norm because oftentimes teachers feel empowered to do that work they just don't know what to do and so this trains them and you know how
009do you forge relationships with community partners how do you really work with administrators how do you design quality professional development the other thing we have our educators particularly for key populations is we have a Seles criminal school white pride guide elementary addition is a repository of these appropriate conversation for our maple tree to cucumbers we printed in the color because we really a collection of lessons are there guiding questions for teachers how conversations well gender and sexuality young ages there are our Luck's already out there that have these conversations I've brought some what we this book introduced intending it is a great book if you have if you need to have conversations about gender in transitioning obviously we look very proactive that these conversations are having these conversations right drug that we as a students
010coming out this is a great luck in there so other books as well but we will be making middle school and school levels as well so think about that question one of the ideas that we the members of sort everything hopping around was getting of you know the parents are just earned the child for school they fill out the traditional sense are you are you male or a female is there any value in to having a biological sex and then in designated center with a third option if the families are aware there are issues and having the school aware of that on the registration issues and we will collect data on both the biological sex and achai don't think that's important and then we also have hey if the family knows why they should be
011me share has infirmary the school and then we can have this information as well to use for the child's benefit is there value in this or are we doing something purple with good intentions now that's a great question there are a lot of post-secondary institutions colleges whose identified totally different right nails email or another option there's a series of identifiers that you could say select all that apply I know that at Des Moines public in their school registration they simply how the yes or no question and I can't remember the pressure off the top my head but it's essentially would you like to have a further conversation about their child's gender sexuality and the return rate and yeses surprise the staff in a positive way because that simple question was inviting to another conversation so
012that we could read those the same you support obviously I think you know marking is your GG b TQ yes or no doesn't green write them afire that if you want to track at-risk populations that's definitely an option expanding your gender options as well is also okay see if you feel those would be of value to students and again do you think that be proactive and those selections is more about correct so yes or no question we know about students who are LGBTQ LGBTQ of hiring some lower GPAs just you know any negative factor LGBTQ students are experiencing networks that sisters are so inviting them into a conversation I think is more productive and then I really like thank you so much so one of our roles is to advocate activate have a stunt board
013with our legislators for a she's dead back to schools your perspective is what's one thing that you're tracking that we should be aware of that affect our LGBTQ self yeah these past weeks have been during christening of the State House particularly for gender identity protection serving several bills that have been introduced on ranging from removing gender identity pyrites code to preventing trans and gender non-conforming students are participating in sports there's also uh don't say gay bill that was proposed I wanted to something in the earlier today I believe that's trying to prevent essentially prevent LGBTQ includes everyone or in curriculum or anything controversial so I think being a lawyer giving money full of gender identity it is about most importance from my perspective as a society we've really come to terms and acknowledging the the
014spectrum of sexuality it's really gender identity that we're seeing the most relationship so being mindful being each other accessible what does that look like yeah no matter yeah does that look like in a perfect world so now I'm a Department of Education really outlines very well equitable supports for treated events essentially with anyone I've questioned the bottom line if a lot of the student to do whatever in that vessel into their gender identity so in terms of bathrooms we are not restricted who can use a bathroom which after this is a lot of teens their gender identity oftentimes I'll get the question well we have feeling restroom in the nurse's office can we just force the student and use that bathroom in the serenity now that bathroom is is a great accommodation but we cannot
015force someone to use a particular bathroom in terms of schools my quiz shows actually in school earlier today that does have an all gender bathroom and the sign says all gender bathroom on it there are other schools where the bathroom doesn't look like highways refer to these reports of the high heat where where the bathrooms are multiple stalls with new construction is moving [Music] yeah so one of the supports that I would say schools does provide is our firming resource library so it is it is a project of Iowa State schools where we deliver books free of charge to many LGBTQ students and their parents and so we do have some parents Pacific books as well and again they send those in charge yeah anything else you can think of we didn't estimate I don't
016think so just uh yeah no I think that's all great so thank you very much for inviting us um I'm actually coming to professional development that's me I'll do a fun little reason teacher there what educators a party school eat well thank you can you over a twelve what I'll be there so thank you so much I just carried out I'll be working with mark trying to figure out again some options for our staff and moving forward Murray took the suggestions captain you're right that statement Des Moines you like saying G elective to be you know already access and to be clear are we tell parents out you've been signed whatever you want we don't select we don't tell them to say pick your birth gender whatever they put in that whole send of the
017state so while they don't have that third option that you have the right to pull today so into it's something that we can expect on the I know it's probably too late for this year's registration will be on the next so we have the facilities update so biller install construction early elementary long winter construction jensen builders the factory tub is being completed in area which is that northwest academic and we went on to the gym sometime towards the end of this week forest and associated whose amazing on the basic on the bath continued delay that all our area the sea can actually he's going to start it on the scaffold a storm shelter later this week start getting that Canada imagine a cattleman steal whose plan whole steal three of them either we got steal
018set everywhere right now so they actually delivered area B and then the Joyce for everyday and the banking period especially liver through seven steel looks like there's a little down that they're actually detailing outlets getting all the breaks on toys continue working on that area meanwhile electric something been on site running in become leader for electrical and those masonry walls they'll continue that all mentor area a and then all they told me sometimes the Palmer in there put the pipes least including piping other footings moving along you have any sense on where we are as far as posted today change Steve it's the most of that and it's pretty active that set back on the dirt we're running pretty much forever we're really hoping to get some warmer weather is over there today notice that
019the ground just getting a little bit harder a little bit everyday I don't think that cross is gonna get any worse just looking at the weather coming they should all be sort of relations when you said I'm supposed to notice am I supposed to notice when it changed do you get an email that same time I probably shut it off like I can turn it on but once I turn to know so I'm just so II think I posted on there we appreciate that time loves that's pretty anything else Thank You Todd Pfitzer the brothers need bobby pin to Sanger fundamental icing and temper he gone that has created some other issues with voters for propane heaters but work through that that's a starter KP ceilings last Thursday and then they could do a detail
020work on the blog hopes will get the first block further you can see all the states came back and touch that up the door cut throughs are done down trophy all and so we're we're getting closer on that I've got a meeting this week with Sean Parker it's dealing with injuries that don't let her in high school we got some stuff done on with winter break spring break and hopefully move on have the black paneling replaced with actual curtain wall door frames all the hardware is in town get it all hooked up and operational probably take a while while schools going on but they should really be in effect on I meet money then I'm these desi projects we're getting planning done to where it says in the last basketball game go with they're gonna
021really get it to endear in the wrestling room taken care of that is a heated that basically pull their clear through the North game and that's how we get heat into some of the areas that basically pulls it through through the rooms and then they're basically eat something 380 like showers where that's cold that that project is a fitness center right now I'm gonna say if we done on time should be able to circle stuff in there right ii got a big time for grand opening because she wants a grand over okay but they presenting like saying that we're trying to get it done law schools in session just kind of hang over here said the building they very easily he trained yet they're completely closed been to the South gym that can very easily
022change some signage lead game after who's at Olmstead are going to start out as completely gender than come on we plan that through being in similar similar stalls we just have common area for washing hands if it doesn't work we make a couple of signs the go away headed further back to who the traditional and part of the improvements over the next several years and as we change out our kitchens and bathrooms mystic areas will just end up bit of the same kind of feeling so probably the one ten to fifteen year time frame all the bathrooms just with the biggest challenge right now with a fitness center is a lot of older issues when they cut through on that block it was very nasty even the pain now left we're doing is causing a
023lot of views Webster we added on the middle school high school into their so on [Music] discussion any questions on the Scofield instancing because it against the softball field Webster no do you say teachers go as I forgave her they'd said they haven't Wooper hot Webster many people field so we came up with an idea thousand foot fence down I'm going south side left side course I try to keep it in that pricing you gotta prove we're kind of dragging or I get to put in because you have already and we didn't want the equipment to terrible grass up and at the back receipt wait until the ground froze we had too much snow so we got into spring just every starts that posts and I guess I didn't ask for they get clear wouldn't
024seek game exit hip offensive road park so this is takes a long company where the fence that are about a thousand foot fix so the fair go we had other places we're going to use it sign it to you place the outer Craig's at softball look pretty grab you put up with you what's that at my apartment yes anything yes yes you can't put a finisher in a park but apparently put a fence around a softball field within the park so the defusing the extra cost of their poor gates and changes their attack another 12 under the price which got proved at that time which was last spurt we get all the time to just run together so spring they called recently said there rock and roll to get in there was about the day
025I got the letter from the city saying our permanent expire I've got an extension of her that I get got into April but I want to make sure everybody here to school with the expenditures is you go to see a $30,000 feel got through and think how come we didn't get a change of clothes harder than leather to prove I just fine you guys my like a heads up so you're not going okay so everybody company approached the city about is there yes we need to have also proposal for before the news for next year not the locations mr. Bates second favorite I'm really thinking good to have our next meeting at just you know that didn't your chance I was starting to look at the trend of the data rate and mostly with rancid
026and so forth so what my journey to address hi Raider prospers so one of the I think challenging and the whoa okay and mr. Braden has brought together a work group that had they done what's called a fishy and so that is a problem-solving technique in order to get is about what potential actions maybe try and so they have finished the problem-solving process and are in the implementation stage with that and so are really looking at thinking about how in terms of teacher behaviors in terms of supervision in terms of instruction for students really how we can be preventive before they knew versus just reacting happen he would be able to speak to them and bring the information so when you can break down for six through twelve is their breakdown from hey I don't
027break that down because the number is so small so I notice that we're still seeing we had talked before about the other category anything that you had discussed day if I were to those to my recollection that it may have been a training issue you know I think we're and talk about eliminating that category and I'm really happy to see it's gone down to one because I think it was like our highest number before so clearly something you know has gone very very well but I would just love to see that at zero because I think oh my gosh look that wobbly just could have done happen unfortunately I mean there are things that you would never even or anticipate so I'm not sure what that is as well together that's not related to any
028of the line list items machine cream comprehensive would it be appropriate to because that teams with where it worries me as it seems dangerous Lee into at somebody's transgression that they could they could punish somebody if you open up to okay well that's another it's not on the list and that opens the door to punishment for things that are unlisted so but I think a look and see what that particular and wasn't if it should happen somewhere out surface yeah I don't agree that they did this on the list right it should it be suspended for it because there's you know you know we get to make a call because this is what's that is that correct or do teachers make discretionary calls as to suspending somebody but it wasn't for any of the light
029items a teacher would not do a suspension they was referred to the office - okay yeah okay and I think in just and they don't need to know I guess what in particular this one was I think my question is more I just want to make sure we're not making discretionary calls as to suspension but brother based on that if that makes sense Cecily thank you carry every day I wouldn't say respectfully Flores repeating questions you know that's the reason we do have it on there I'm eating a head so if you have questions then maybe we could have came prepared having issues with so it's very very horrible if the questions at that time at times no upset is we want to get you the information one of the things that I noticed was
030common factor and a lot of the categories and small asking us particularly have for all the increased appears to be the biggest commonality and I'm seeing it here's like my perspective I I just been going forward with our changing demographics particularly on the east side we just need to be very conscious of how we address things because you know people believe we get we get what we we serve whom we have and but it is changing rapidly and I think I appreciate your efforts to get this all together being very transparent about all the documentation and I really am looking forward to how we continue to address these things and how the court can help it continues to be concerning and I can see that investment side assistant or the other questions comments you know
031I would say that as students I see that I don't really call you know like two years ago or grad drinking but it seems like the numbers before I and I just current position right now actively serve those students because with that population of students really comes typically it comes hired means that what Wisconsin well was not very favorite things like I mean more like what was that what would that require present right now responsive right now everybody in the district is really learning a social-emotional which really helps us think about not disciplinary measures but what what do we need to have in place to help keep students executive function and to understand their viewpoint and have really as you've been talking about the climate and culture I think all of that fits really well
032together it's work that we have started and it's worked you have expressed passionate about and really thinking about at the foundation the way that we are proactive with students and the way that we respond when things maybe don't go so I think that we started that to read but we're certainly not there yet and then also I appreciate the advocacy that you have shared in the big themes I appreciated the professional development and that everybody is learning together and I just want to know you know what we do or the kids is it is it more the more staff as is that is the higher paying job what how can we is it they gave your coaches in the schools how can we better support that area if community might support because you know we
033have salary and area is this coming up or where we can look at examining new positions and increasing pay what would help what would help provide relief and I think that will come to our strategic planning process I wouldn't I would not be in a position to speak what are we doing to bring our building is it worries me that the expectations from one building to another seemingly change and that's I think another another problem where it there's there's a lack of cookies there's no blame but somewhere in here there's a lack of cohesiveness between the schools where it's going to check with this protest to check how it's going with this person you know I want you to know it's going on because it should be the same from this elementary school that this
034elementary school the same expectation should should be in all the schools and so what are we doing to bridge that gap of all the schools together so one of the things that we started doing this to her that mystified because there isn't that so as an elementary teen which is typically where we see is the format of the principal meetings in the past those occurred we had a secondary meeting and then an open school meeting and then the elementary meeting and that was just kind of best master day and there was a lot of learning forth separate meetings and so the elementary principals are dedicated just at that time to meet and there's an open agenda so if there's something that somebody's working on anybody and it has in the past when were questioning us
035can we use as sort of idea based on the great reason we have for iOS a schools you know so it really thrilled superior incorporating the idea of a safe statement you will need to have a further conversation one of the things I wanted to talk about is for suspension data and tracking units only internally that's not required if we we can have that tracking to the rate of LGBTQ students so right now we don't have marker Emily truly there isn't an accurate reporting system we all know that is inaccurately reported but I think based assistance we have to start somewhere is there somewhere we can add you know that non-binary non-conforming and so that way once we have it as for registration to the best of our ability we can be tracked suspension data
036and things about you eat CQ knowing that it's some slide that in there are some variables if it would be self identify well the reason is because he's pointed we're really thinking of it was when he was presenting he talked about at risk for Missy in schools and suspensions and things like that it makes me think oh my god she's got a population that in a warrants tracking how would we do that so if you brings permit all over that I'd love to hear what you could come up with but speeds absolutely breaking this point you wouldn't want to be self identify would be more interesting data actually would be if there was some sort of officer drill that indicated that it was related to like only you know movie and with a student right
037that would be so I mean I don't think the issue who also how people are treating each other and that's where also that I was at school when it comes into play is to make sure that every student in the building and every stop feels safe and I think interesting thank you I would also hear a little probably that you know the orders been extremely supportive in the things that he might not think about one my years we have increased counselors we had used to have one we have increased the in your text in the village we've increased scenes all of those things can make an impact on know that it's you know it's fair so today you continue our support and I mean from my perspective anyway if we're seeing an optic convenient and
038our sixth grade students you don't mean we have to look at an elementary we're seeing that mark and just preparing them from being grasped expert for six great and the changes that come to pass so I would say at least be impressed I'll pay you guys continue to have our support tube or my support kind of thing to move forward to be proactive and finding our response to sixth grade continues to be that trend then looking at more specifically on what supports are we providing fifth graders as they are transitioning into that Weber school and then it hasn't traditionally been that I think every once in a while you just get more challenging process than others as other when I think you're right care together if they're if they're like if we do start to
039see that as oh my gosh it's happening again it's happening less and interesting we are to mean a rebound the first few days of school take care of me backpack will be all students we're starting to do the little horse activity section is displayed and Jayhawks on the way so if you hear you might have students at three of our friends with us in second grade and that that is going to be some number like days it's all right no it's thank you so we got yellow ones a little gear from Carrie and when we hear nothing or you know I think we we kind of doing this kind of expecting maybe but semester the discipline is one question around that then like without response or where when that response like fighting after you know
040working together as the men sort of team kind of what the responses love point do we have any other choice I guess what I'm thinking is or moving forward with being proactive that is you know students then maybe identifying that the districts maybe you know might be changing a little bit about we need to be responsive to so I believe that our principals are I think all of them are being reflective and our implementing strategy active and make sure that the environment is set up in a way that we're not triggering or causing surely if we don't see this eventually I'm going down then what our responses not our suspensions so if they're I guess the place that I would expect our responses it because you approve the handbook see there are behaviors in there
041that you don't think weren't a suspension then I think that that would be the place that we would need to think about what what is the response or it is the reaction that we want to have happen when a student gets into an altercation with another student or when student is when a student is telling a teacher profanities I mean there was that would be the place that I would look at I think that the ongoing work is being reflective and they do look at their data to make sure that are they seeing trends of places that they would want to address in terms of again that type of tripping behavior that situation and so if we were concerned about some of the items on the list would it be appropriate to email you or
042who would we email the only for example tobacco-related out-of-school suspensions give you no more free time this moment of being educated about learning I usually smoke I don't know it is something like an advice book up what's our video we're saying hey we feel like this one or whatever it is so I would either put together those questions I do know so for instance we talked about they've been pretty extensively this summer and whether or not that should be suspended while not suspended our secondary staff have communicated with others in the metro to see what others are doing they are piloting an education piece with that where I think but I need some faith in this program and so I think that part of that is what they are capable of putting in place so
043like that online learning would not any a smoking cessation oh well as things out I don't have a businessman let's say it's cool and so the principles are the ones that and add the best knowledge about why they might feel that something is important or not I think the other part of the question is there's no way if we can tell what's going on I think that's what people are asking and I would suggest that if we have specific questions or concerns about that they either go to carry or go Steve and or they would me and we will we will try to continue to work on those I think this is a work in progress and I think being the book and raising awareness is the it's a very very first yeah I'm only
044last year when we were here we were presented with all these books that we were getting and so I feel that we're back again this year and we're reading books and I appreciate that don't understand and I don't take how I'm saying it has an unintentional like sarcasm with it because it really isn't meant to be I think ongoing learning is essential to to obviously everything you doing I'm just saying at some point we need those action steps that go with those books and yes I don't really know specifically what response on version 4 but you're just hoping that there's a risk tops coming and maybe working at our student population we looked at this within some within certain villages of our students and we do need to be more responsive we want to keep
045these in America we need to do for their learning or we need to bring in more support or we need to do something because suspension is the because again say that you have my support to be responsive and give us our students more than less so this will try a minute speak when we see those handbooks they would cover the handle she's going with the children center home okay or when they come to you prior like upcoming soon I think we great if we could review them because I think this board has a lot more knowledge than the last time we looked at those handbooks in terms of looking at uh probe read disciplinary kind of responses and so I think so you know I think I'd like to see that and maybe is aboard
046spend more time than he's got something he can do and we can control so I I guess I'd like to impossible have those brought up as an item on the agenda so we can start to I might also suggest possibly having engaged some sort of a retreat with the administration and I'm going to go but that I can we gave you a month ago because you asked questions that's a CL there's been extensive work in this district which means looking at data so again just because you're not aware of it doesn't mean it hasn't happened so when you say that book is just a start that's a start for our general population it's open there's been a lot go back and look at that there's probably 40 pages of data and research and meetings and
047conversations we don't do it drew all of it working very well I received the documents many of those interviews is process when you talk about consistency that's how we ensure consistency they're not just disability in this building some of that is yes we don't do that three the district and they all get it through harlots so again there's so many more things that the principles to share that I could or period because they're doing that ability okay so we can kind of wrap this up but I'm hearing maybe a workshop topic would be reviewing some of the plans and actions that are going on right now reviewing that documentation that's what I'm Gary and I around table conversation yeah and at this point if we have continuing thoughts because we do have a bit more
048to do today continuing thoughts feel free to express those isometric questions right I think it also be very helpful to see what initiatives are going in each building and on km/h so that we can get an understanding of what is the consistency of evidence-based MT SS systems because that's what I've seen is that there's not a consistency across rural district there's pieces here and there and so I'd like to get an idea is that right so when I hand you know comprised of you do predate you know I I know that's right and that's also what I heard so I've got this everyone down I'll try to google calendar blue line okay Thank You Kerry thank you [Music] so to the others you know early in that we even though we're told that you have
049signing authority of 25,000 so just wondering why we're now seeing all the beautiful contracts and urine effects on people any we've seen or if there is a specific reason why today that will continue Katherine and I spoke with others and basically can't you process which are like under anything decision support 800 not necessarily the signature it's a formal contract right so it will probably early because the current efforts of transparency across the state particularly in some of our neighboring districts is it efforts that transparent here is it code so continue to see those any other questions on of the items favor I post okay now we'll go back and consider the the request for an extended another extending the leave of absence I wanted for that the least intention of voting to or Senate so
050when we approved the one year of access in April I get that under the assumption and the intention of granting the two years but was told he couldn't granters two years maybe when you're tired so the process we need is one year and then look at it again this year and decide whatever the first night on additional here so my I don't know how the court feels but my I would vote no to good night and there's one of the contenders here I wouldn't approve that expansion I would agree that I love the same intentions that you know this teacher is taking on a two-year endeavor and certainly he didn't mean for it to come to and a broken I think there is a difference you know what this teacher is doing they're seeking higher
051education I don't think believe you leave the absence or certainly everything I really admire this teacher is ambition my only wonder is question I help skinny because I would like to support their ambition is what commitment and that teacher have to Urbandale or any commitment we can require that they must stay a year to intertwine we can't retirement is another question because ideally I would like to make sure that our investment that going to be returns upon and instead of you know we are of course to act on good faith that it right investment will be would turn in that he wants to come back and teach our children the things he's learned and I would say Stephen I appreciate it here and Alice's here I understand petitioners position of what I can be consistent
052but I think we're uniquely positioned because of the size of mail for us to make strategic decisions I just remind the board we have over 300 and certified staff again well I understand where you're coming from he's not just making it yearly or two-year excuse me or to learn he's getting paid for that position and you're the precedent and this would be the last I'll say his role abide by the board of it the president you set for this if anyone would come he's getting paid by that so he left take a position exactly and so anyone else could too so again that's a huge concern from legal counsel not just coming from he's going to Colorado for the purpose of completing his master's degree he wasn't asked to come out there he's doing kind
053of an internship of us he's doing this degree that's correctly so if you hate that he is I mean he's got a nice stuff he can get painted a master's degree him and you're not awake you got this legal and how's that that wasn't given to and I was provided last year that's for the first place we go to is it his legal counsel all right well I guess I don't know and that was the thing he said last year concerns of the press think he would establish and again I would just you know be white I would respectfully ask the board to think about what's best for the district that's that she would - we did do an emergency time you think we needed more [Music] they were going to basically it's fine if
054you just the additional time to think that we didn't have enough phony numbers where one person within the tiebreaker instance they knew Myron it would have been appropriate to that's why we did meeting uncomfortable voting tonight valuable respect anybody's it needs additional time to ponder there I would just say we don't think I would say in my my my judgment is my agenda so I yeah I'm going to prevent any any insinuation to be otherwise that we would be doing what's in the best interest of our of her staff and I I don't I don't think that it is necessarily it was not wishing the president or any type of accountants it's establishing a precedent for a leave of absence to obtain higher education and that's how I see it because if this were not
055for higher education I mean either way I wrote it initially I mean how is written that we take into consideration like I hear Stacey saying oh for extended education of our higher education for specific situations it is controlling it before my career decisions challenge that really comes up that's the first time it's ever happened my level years will challenge where it comes up is teachers have a one year they're doing contract so when he asked for two years that's a reasonable this person would come helper is not me if you were to come back we'd also have to risk somebody and then he's not guaranteed the position he left either way if he were to come back now we would still have to take somebody else this is right so either way you'd still have
056to agree with somebody so that's either way the folks that were here last time when you improved it well I mean whether a basic understanding that you would from him from his point of view that I would be present I think you're like yeah that's for sure obviously that was a yes we went through a little under the bed program yes oh my new to I mean I have a very candid conversation he's a great guy he understood that it was no guarantee would it because he others could get a one-year contract he said I had asked it was because worker were lying to me I don't like that so this this particular category covers both vocal and instrumental music and that's cool so so that means that lambda the now if he comes back
057somehow a decision would have to be made on who we were reducing basically so that you do that and it might even ask an elementary vocal music position for someone who at that point we don't have a master's degree and wasn't budgeted to this conductor program and so there is again no guarantee necessarily that he will choose to do that and Kamiya no one's about it is that we have we have some very fine music instructors and the disruption of their lives when he knowingly took this risk and I did not have to tell you when we voted to go with the contract it was a way to get out of that of the neighbors decision we talked about the master contract I was happy that everyone was able to abide by the master contract
058when there's nothing necessarily legally binding on that so that's how that decision was made my perception and all the others I am Steve he's a criminal so I think there are a number of factors here they probably need to be thought out a little bit if we are cutting another teacher for example the person and structure who came here with 20-plus experience years from a neighboring district that's it's not apples my struggle is is the reduction in force yes nice mine yes that's exactly where I came from I'm so I don't know who this brings up any other thoughts how is that different than if we are it's in a one year of leave there would still have to be a reduction in force that became a trade my expectation will defeat the a jerkers
059leader who did that very very clear to you every time my experiences apples here and I have right because you know I see where you're coming from with the reductions out that that was kind of my question as well you know they hadn't noticed and a half that II can come back right now I mean here it is up its top back and person knew or somebody do and if they didn't tell them that's that's not on our hands if I guess it died wasn't communicated because it shouldn't be that person very clearly and I would feel terribly if it wasn't going to say something I can't speak to that but I would in general agree with that what I would also think about is well each one individually could come to the board for
060decision-making out of yes or no for additional requests for leave we also to think about recruiting the best possible workforce we we can and if there is a precedent set that we will grant numerous leaves of absence we may have a hesitation of staff to come to our district to work because of the chance of a rep a year or two later now I can't I can't speak to how great that might be but it could happen the other thing I would say is that while it is it is I was a true that he went to get higher education in the future we could be told virtually anything regarding what somebody is going to go do without the ability to really know for sure without asking for further documentation all that whether that happens
061or not and things could change for people once they leave that could change the reasons that they go you may be put in a position where there will be lots of different reasons that you're asked to either approve or not approve and if you're okay with having the different like just individual situations to make decisions on then you can certainly do that but I would just think long and hard about how many different situations you want to be making these decisions on and what the criteria is there is no criteria that I know of in board policy that states because of higher education we think that it's a better thing to do but if it's this other reason it's not there's there's no language in there about that at this time to get the freedom
062to be able presented with this citizen unique situation from my perspective because there isn't this kind of massive program at every school and so it was unique and when I voted for it I would appeal all disingenuous because that was my understanding that the only way to do this two years was to do one year and another one girls I would have made the motion to and I think I tried to just do it out one time for the two years so if we're not ready to take a vote right now I would suggest moving us but if we already and get gift to Newport members walking in the situation that may not add flavor to the two new board members may be unbearable you need a nation to ask further questions I would say
063let's table this take the boat cruising so table okay we will not be a journey we are going to be we do now into web session with dr. Speier if there's a students here yeah we can sign for you and if give me your white sheet so I president dr