Geneva CUSD 304 Board of Education Meeting 05-27-2025

001for Tuesday, May 27th, 2025. Bonnie, will you call the role? here. >> Here >> thank you. Welcome all of you to this meeting. We're pleased to see such a good turnout and I'm sure that you'll enjoy seeing how the sausage is made. In any case, the next item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance. will be led by Paul Rinsky. The flag is right back there. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. There is an attendance sheet when you came in if you do wish to register your attendance. And in addition, if you wish to address the board later at the public comment session, there are

002sheets that you you should fill out and give to Bonnie who will get them to me. Uh, with that in mind, item two on the agenda is approval of minutes. We have the regular session of May 12. Oh, I forgot to ask, did you get any questions, Bonnie? And anybody have any corrections at this time? Thank you. So, the regular session May 12, the executive session May 12, and uh we'll probably have to just do those two and then break out the retreats as well. Um with no corrections, do we have a motion to approve? >> So, move. >> Second. I >> items three and four the board retreat of May 16, 2025 in the executive session in that meeting also May 16. Any correction or addition to those minutes? Any at this time? >>

003Motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. abstain. >> I >> Thank you. Item three, recognition, awards, presentations, and public hearings. Number one is a tradition of excellence with GHS students. Uh girls track is mentioned. I'm sure that you might have a word to say, and Tom will as well. I do welcome Mr. Rogers uh to share with us tonight about some more awesome Geneva High School students who've accomplished some pretty great things. So, we'll have the board make their way around the table here while Mr. Rogers brags about you. And then most of you guys uh who were recognizing tonight have probably been recognized before. So, you know exactly what to do. Just come up and uh start with Mr. Choy and uh make your way over there after Mr. Rogers invites you up.

004Thank you, Dr. Barrett, and members of the board for another opportunity to recognize great things going on at Geneva High School. We're going to start tonight, and actually, as I look around the room, I'll I'll offer up a disclaimer. Final exams start on Thursday. and our track athletes that we're about to recognize were out of school what Thursday most of the day and Friday. So, I suspect that several of these track athletes are probably home studying, but we have a couple that are here tonight. And uh we will certainly go ahead and recognize all of the athletes who qualified for the IHSA girls state track meet this past weekend at Eastern Illinois University. So when people log on to watch the presentation, they'll be able to see their name and hear their name mentioned. And

005um what I'm going to do is real quick, we'll go through the list of athletes that qualified. As Dr. Barrett said, when your name is called, if you'd start on the far left side with Mr. Choy and then work your way over to the uh wall here in front of the Geneva 304 banner. And then once we get all the names read, I will share uh the different accomplishments for each event that we qualified for that state meet. So first, and fitting that she essentially ran in the door, Sophia Border. Sophia qualified in the 3200 meter run and the 1600 meter run. and I'll talk about her accomplishments here in just a minute. Alyssa Flat qualified in the 4x100 relay, the 4x200 relay, and the 4x400 relay. Alyssa Golden was a member of the 4x200

006relay. Bridget Hecker was a member of all three relays, 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400. Harper Cabamin is with us tonight. [Applause] She was a member of the 4x400 relay team. Hadley Mason ran on the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Ava Marin qualified in the pull vault. Taylor Peele was a member of the 4x400 relay. Annabelle Stevenson was a member of the 4x100 relay. And Lexi Weber also qualified in the pull vault. Now, real quick, we'll just run down some amazing accomplishments. In order to get to state, the 4x100 relay team finished second at the sectional and set a new school record and then finished 20th in the preliminaries on Friday. 4x200 relay team were sectional champions, also setting a new school record and finished 25th in the state prelims. The 4x400 team, which Harper was a member

007of, Harper stepped forward real quick. There you go. The 4x400 relay team was fourth at the sectionals. Excuse me. But ran a season best time in that race. And then on Friday in the prelims while finishing 28th, they ran another season best time. So doing your best when the chips are down is all you can ask for. In Pvault, Ava Marin was third at the sectional. Lexi Weber was fourth at the sectional and those two young ladies tied for 30th in the state on Friday. In the 1600 meter runs, Sophia was second at the sectional and then qualified for the finals with a PR if I'm not mistaken right in the qualifying heat and then qualified for the finals and took 11th in the state on Saturday in the finals of the 1600 meter run.

008Congratulations, Sophia. And then finally, Sophia was also second at the sectional meet, which qualified her for state. And then in the uh if I were in that race, I would be very grateful for the fact that they only won run the 3200 meter once at the state meet. They don't make them run it twice. And again, Sophia ran a PR and finished 12th in the 3200 meter run. Congratulations again. And congratulations and thank you to our head girls track coach, Mr. Peter Rock. And now, girls, thank you. Uh, Mr. Baker, you want to take a quick picture? Parents, if you'd like to take a picture, please feel free. Now is the time. Hold on. Stay there. >> Congratulations. Next up, we would like to recognize two young men who competed in the Special Olympics track

009and field meet on May 3rd and fourth in Aurora. The following athletes received gold medals in their events and qualified to compete at the upcoming Special Olympic State competition. Uh if you were in attendance at any of our unified basketball games this winter, you might recognize these two gentlemen. And I'll at this time introduce Pablo Drab. [Applause] Congratulations. >> Pablo has been at Pablo has been in attendance at board meetings in the past and he does not disappoint with his enthusiasm. Thanks for being here, Pablo. So Pablo is here tonight because he took first place in that track and field meet in Aurora in the standing long jump. Congratulations, Pablo. >> And his teammate in that track meet and also his teammate on the basketball team is Christian Ortiz. [Applause] Christian took first place at

010that track meet in the softball throw. And Christian, I have to ask, what are you wearing tonight? >> Karate. Yeah. So, what I admire about these guys and many of these other Special Olympics athletes is they are just a jack of all trades. They participate in lots of things. They excel in lots of things. And uh while Mrs. Swanson, our unified basketball coach at Geneva High School, was overseeing their program in the wintertime. I want to give credit to the Mid Valley co-op. They were responsible for getting the boys entered and coaching them at the track meet. So, thank you to our partners at Mid Valley for helping these boys excel. Congratulations, guys. >> There you go. Stay right there, Pablo. There's more pictures. More pictures. >> This is Drab. Would you like a picture

011or you good? >> All good. Okay. >> Right. >> Thank you, boys. Appreciate it. That completes our high school student recognition. Thank you board and thank you Dr. >> Barry. All right, >> let me talk here. >> So, next we have uh recognition of our some awesome retirees this year. Dr. Law is going to get us started. board's going to stay right here because you guys will come up just like the cool kids and say hello. So, Dr. Law, get us started. >> Thank you very much, Dr. Barrett. Well, I'm uh just so excited. Uh this year we had um I think 26 retirees over the course of this year. Um some of whom have, you know, left us uh several months ago uh and and couldn't be here tonight. Uh but we do have

012a strong uh handful tonight that we do want to uh recognize. Uh but literally uh between the the 20 support staff members that retired this year and the um uh six teachers, hundreds and hundreds of years of of service to the district uh over over their over their careers and just could not be uh just more grateful uh to the great staff uh that that we have and just the impact that they have made on the lives of countless uh students uh in in our school district. So, what we're going to do is we'll have um uh the supervisors or principles uh come up and uh I'll introduce each retiree. Retiree, when you uh when your name is called, you want to come down here, shake the board's hand, and then uh just go stand

013uh against the blue backdrop uh while some nice things are said about you and stay and stay there. And eventually, we'll have all of our retirees up there and we'll get a photo uh by Mr. Baker as well. So, uh we will start. Um Brian Person, did you want to uh our director of operations go to the podium. And our first retiree uh is Jeff Berkeley. Jeff, come on up. [Applause] >> So, uh Jeff Berkeley has uh 10 years of service currently. >> He got >> I'm I'm just gonna pull it out of here. So again, Jeff Berkeley, we have um he started out at Fabian Elementary School. He was one of our custodians. Um recently, well, shouldn't say recently, but few years ago, he did transition to equipment repairs and a substitute custodian. And

014then into his final role prior to his retirement, he is now our warehouse manager. Um, can't say enough good things about Jeff. He has kind of been a rock here in central office. He is appreciated, I think, quite a bit more than even he is aware of, and he's just always there when we need him. So, thank you, Jeff, so much. And I wish you the best in your retirement. [Applause] Kevin McGloin. Kevin. So Kevin actually retired six months ago. He has uh graced us with his presence and we do appreciate that. Decided to return. Kevin is uh retiring with 11 years of service and um he actually started out as a custodian at Fabian Elementary School. um I believe transitioned to a supervisor. You were custodial coordinator and then ended his career here as

015a maintenance lead. He was one of our staples in our maintenance department. Um again, he helped train a numerous amount of our employees here in maintenance and Kevin, we appreciate you and wish you all the best. Thank you. Is Gary Sharp here tonight? He is not. Okay. Audrey Bridges. [Applause] Audrey has 25 years of service, which God bless Audrey. Congratulations on that. That is uh phenomenal. Um, I think it's actually easier to name the schools that Audrey has not worked at. But that being said, I think Audrey, you've started out here as a uh teachers assistant at Harrison. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you worked at Mil Creek, Fabian, the high school, Cold Trap, Friendship Station. Uh, the list goes on. You guys get the point. But um obviously that was all prior to

016Audrey accepting the position as the custodial coordinator in 2019. She did lead the custodial department for six years. Um did a fabulous job um put in place many great things that we're still pursuing and leading today in that department. And Audrey, best of luck down to you in Alabama. All right. And then we are missing Gary Sharp, but um I feel something should be said in Gary's presence. Um Gary had 18 years of service, so he is I'm sure he's over at the high school working away or something like that, but Gary's best known as the first down guy. He uh Yes. So, you know. Yes, he is. So very well known for that. >> Gary. >> Yep. That is Gary Sharp. So I'm sure you guys have seen him, but Gary's a avid football

017fan. Loves the Geneva Vikings and I wish Gary was here, but we all wish him the best of luck. And just an ending comment, this group of four employees, 64 years of total service. So congratulations, guys. Thank you. All right, retirees, if you want to stay there, and then I will have um Tim Wiler, principal of Mil Creek, come on up. >> Oh, of course. >> Gotcha. All right. >> All right. Well, as Mr. Wiler's going up there, uh Sherry Wy, >> come on up, Sherry. All right, we get to celebrate two very special people at Mil Creek. Um, thank you for celebrating the tremendous impact both Jay and Sherry have had on the Geneva community. We have two people tonight. Uh, Mil Creek alone has a combined 46 years of service uh by both

018Jay and Sherry. Very, very proud of that. Is an impossible feat to walk in their shoes and carry the school on their shoulders, which they have done for uh 20 years for Sherry and 26 years for Jay. and we'll begin celebrating talking a little bit about Sherry tonight. Hopefully I don't embarrass you too much. Um, Mrs. Wy is a kindergarten teacher to the core. Uh, and how you ask how I know this. It's quite simple. Maybe you recall your 5-year-old stepping uh their first day in school and saying to yourself, "Man, that teacher was built for kindergarten." And that's Sherry. That's to the core. Uh, kindergarten teachers in their core have patience, curiosity unmatched by anyone. They have the ability to answer 244 questions in five minutes. They don't crack. They keep their smile and

019don't don't even breathe. So, I don't know how you do it. Um, Mrs. Wy is the epitome of someone that wants to know you not only as a professional, but as a person, as a human being outside of school. She's the first one that asks me every day, "How was your weekend?" She's the first one to tell you how her weekend was. Very special. And that's not just me, it's everyone in the building. Um, for a few months though, I avoided her. Uh, every day I asked her how her home construction project was going. And she had a story every day that was worse than the day before. So, I almost got anxiety just hearing the story. So, I would avoid her for a while. And I'd only go see her for like every week.

020And I say, "How's it going? Is it better this week?" Luckily, like six to eight months. Sorry, Mike. Uh, pass due. It the project I think is done. hopefully with the exception of a shade color of the the hardwood floor. Um, so that was just uh that I'm sure that was an experience for you guys. Um, needless to say, the project's done. Uh, I told her about needing to write a book one day because she's got she's an awesome storyteller. She's got all the details. She's got a keen sense of the world around her and her family and her dogs are her prized possessions. Um, she gets to spend time with her children as they grow their family. To this day, they have some awesome news to share with everyone. And it's perfect timing as

021she's creating a new chapter of her life. Uh, she will have time to enjoy the lakehouse up north more frequently. And most importantly, as promised, uh, she will substitute teach for Mil Creek next year. It was awesome. >> If you're around, which is similar to Jay, which we'll find out in a little bit. Uh, the things I will miss most about Sherry are her beloved technology skills. Awesome. Second and none. Uh, her ability to master the special schedule, which just happened a week ago, I think, for this year. It's awesome. And, uh, her infamous pop in the door and say, "Hey, you. You got a minute." When we know a minute's more like 30 minutes. So, uh, needless to say, those are the things I'm really going to miss. So, I hope you stop by

022and say, "Hey, you." I will truly miss Sherry for her warm greetings, fabulous summer book reading recommendations, but now the kids can always find her as the one house to go trick-or-treating. She's got the best candy in the Mil Creek neighborhood. So, you'll always have a special place in my heart for giving our kids and families love and the support they need. So, have an amazing journey and we look forward to seeing you in November for that long-term sub position. All right. Also from Mil Creek, Jay Bridget. >> Jay, come on up. Jay. I met Jay for the first time as we were uh looking to hire a new fifth grade teacher. And from that day on, he has not let me down. He's kind of my rock at school. being a fifth grade teacher,

023he's got to be tough, get the kids ready for middle school. So, uh, his genuine, he's genuine. His use of common sense is exactly what I need, uh, as a leader and, uh, he's trustworthy and he can take and give feedback that's real. So, I really appreciate those three things about about Jay. And, um, I'm not sure there's a problem that he couldn't solve when put in his lap, which is pretty awesome. and he's got that can do attitude which uh helps students prepare for the next next next uh part of their journey. Uh some things Jay is known for at the Mil Creek side of town. Some fun stuff. Uh every year we play Super Bowl squares and March Madness. And when it comes to Vegas sides, I mean um not Vegas odds. Uh

024I mean playing for just bragging rights. We don't we don't we don't gamble. Um he's the one that steps up and kind of creates that school community that builds that family atmosphere. So we really appreciate that. Uh some people when they were sick of making their own lunches and starving, he had salad in a jar. He he created a little a little uh help by offering up salads. He'd make them every week with his family, bring them to school, and everyone would have lunch for the week. Uh he's also he's always been the master outdoor ed planner. So if you know anything about outdoor ed in Geneva, they just kind of go hand inand with each other. So um so much that the outdoor ed cook made him his own dessert on his farewell tour

025this past year. Uh but what he doesn't know is that unfortunately he signed a contract for Mil Creek and he's got to go back next year. So he's going to be um he's volunteering to give meds to all our chaperons and he's uh going to make sure he's meal prepping in the kitchen. So thanks Jay. >> Love that about you. Always giving out there to other people. A few weeks back the GA held a celebration for retirees. Two of Jay's teammates Ali Stadar and Nikki Kelly who he's worked with the last couple years reported 20 things everyone loves about Jay. The list could go on for both Sherry and Jay, but my favorite were semi-pro volleyball player, a loyal socks fan, both Southside, uh, science expert, and one thing we look forward to this Friday

026is, uh, he's the fifth grade picnic grill master. So, he cooks some mean hot dogs and hamburgers. So, if you're looking for food Friday, give me a call. But Mil Creek, we lost our volleyball game this this past year to Fabian, which was disappointing, but we learned a lot from that experience. As a proud Southsider, uh, Socks fans always stick together, uh, no matter what, no matter how bad of a season you have, and we're we're hoping to have a good one in the next couple years. But, um, bring science to life is just a gift that he has, as well as just being, uh, having the building blocks around us. For over two and a half decades, Jay has been a constant source of wisdom, patience, and inspiration. Generations of fifth graders have passed

027through his classroom, and each one has left a little bit better, a little wiser, and a lot more loved because of Jay. So, we wish you nothing but joy, peace, and adventure. And oh yes, I heard Jay's also signing up to substitute teach next year. So, thank you. But please join us in congratulating Jay for 26 awesome years at Mil Creek. Thank you. And Dr. Julie uh Dr. Julie Dy from Williamsburg and she will be speaking uh about Tracy McDuffy. Tracy, you want to come on up? >> Absolutely. We're here to celebrate Tracy McDuffy from Williamsburg. Tracy came to Geneva when we were still Cold Trap Elementary 20 years ago in the fall of 2005. She started out as a second grade teacher in the old Cold Trap building and then made the shift to

028fourth grade in 2010, two years after we became Williamsburg and moved into our current building on Williamsburg Avenue. If asked to give a list of adjectives to describe Tracy, I would say kind, gracious, polite, thoughtful, honest, a genuinely nice person. Perfect person for a neighbor. I've never known Tracy to gossip or say an unkind word about anyone. She displays genuine care and concern for her students. She's always willing to go the extra mile to support their needs and their learning needs. She's also a team player. She's quick to join in and help. She's never seeking the spotlight for herself among her colleagues, but she's always there in the mix, supporting, helping, contributing. She does more than her fair share in a team environment. Tracy is reliable, a trait that's important in a school. If she

029says she'll do something, she does. And she can be trusted to follow through. She's detailoriented. She's organized. She's prepared. and she is always on time, even though she has the longest drive of anyone in our building, coming from Huntley every day. Tracy tends to be the quiet listener in the room in large group settings, noticing things others might miss, and her tendency is to speak up more in a one-to-one or small group setting than large groups, except when the crowd happens to be a classroom of students. She speaks up just fine then. But as much as Tracy might prefer to avoid the spotlight, and this is probably killing her right now, she is seen and appreciated, and she will be missed. There is a tradition held by teachers who retire from the Williamsburg staff. Each

030year on the first day of school, our Williamsburg retirees like to gather somewhere for a leisurely brunch to reminisce and laugh together as they share memories of school years past. And then they like to raise a glass and take a group photo of their relaxed, smiling selves, which they delight in texting to us at Williamsburg, knowing full well that we are having the exact opposite experience as we hit the ground running on that first day of school. Tracy, I'm looking forward to seeing your smiling face in that photo this August. Thank you for spending the past 20 years with the Williamsburg team. I'm not looking at her, so I will not cry. We wish for you many relaxing and joyfilled years with family and friends in the years ahead. We'll call Principal Tom Rogers, Geneva

031High School uh to the podium. And uh speaking of our uh last retiree that's here today, uh Karen Kosak, [Applause] Karen Kosog has been uh part of the dynamic duo at the high school that has been so dedicated to our German program. And as most people in the room know, there have been some difficult conversations around our German program. But I want to make it very very clear that those difficult conversations have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of that program. And Karen is, as I said, part of the dynamic duo that has made the German program feel like a family to all of those students over the years. Um, and what has been especially appreciated about Karen is she's been extremely flexible throughout her career and time here at Geneva High School. We

032have always needed a part-time teacher to deal with that fluctuating enrollment that we've been discussing. And Karen has always been willing to do whatever it takes. And um, it's not just being a part-time teacher, it's being a part-time teacher that has to bounce back and forth between the middle school and the high school. So, we greatly appreciate her flexibility in that regard. Um, and as I mentioned, we greatly appreciate the pride that she takes in that program. Um, she's extremely passionate about German. Um, we've had some passionate conversations about the program over the last several years and I really appreciate that about you, Karen. We really appreciate how much you care about your students. And I know I can also speak on behalf of the middle school principles who I know are very appreciative of

033your again another uh flexible you've also been flexible when they needed someone to step in and teach another elective outside of the world language curriculum. So I know that the middle school principles thank you for your uh help and flexibility as well. And uh I oh I also want to say I don't know if other principles in the district get this pleasure but part-time teachers have to undergo the unfortunate conversation every spring of being released by the board and Karen has always been a great sport. It's always even though as a veteran they understand what that process means. It's always very uncomfortable to go in and talk to an outstanding teacher and say, "I'm sorry, but you're going to receive a letter that tells you you're no longer teaching in the district technically." But then

034we always come through with that renewal letter and we do it all over again. But every spring, Karen has been very gracious about that difficult conversation. So Karen, thank you for everything you've done for our students at Geneva High School as well as both of our middle schools. Congratulations. [Applause] Is there any is there anybody in the audience that wants to get a photo or no? >> May I just say one more thing? >> Of course. I feel very fortunate to have at least a small connection to everyone standing up here tonight. Starting with our three facilities employees. They have been an integral part of the success at Geneva Community High School. Each in their own way, they have helped us and always been willing to just pitch in in any way, any way that

035was needed. So, thank you to the three of you. We really appreciate you. and the three retirees from the elementary schools who are standing here uh were kind enough to come to our senior breakfast a week ago last Friday and read oh the places you'll go to our senior class. So, thank you very much for that. It's very memorable. We appreciate it. [Applause] >> Anyone else for a photo? >> Okay, retirees, thank you so much. You are welcome to stick around for the rest of the meeting, but you also can exit now if you so choose. So thank you so much retirees. I didn't know he was a first. >> He could use it. >> I didn't know he was the first time guy. I didn't realize it. >> I didn't realize. >> That's great.

036I love that. While Todd's getting ready, if I could just follow up, I would echo some of Mr. Rogers uh statements and just share. Um somebody somebody once told me um that uh cohorts of kids are kind of like a vintage of wine. So that you know that that age that group has takes on a certain flavor or a certain uh sense and and the same thing is true I think of cohorts of teachers and retirees. And tonight, um there's just a lot of like kindness from that group of people. That's a lot of very kind, dedicated people who um have never made a fuss and just do what you ask them to do. And that's uh that's really awesome to have that group here tonight. Also, uh just on a personal note, they walked

037out, but two the two two Mil Creek friends, Jay and Sherry, that means there's only one person left now at Mil Creek from when I uh started as principal there. And they're the so that's that's how quick those things change and and happen. But so pretty pretty awesome night. Sorry, Todd. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Bear for revealing your age. >> Uh this is our preliminary education fund presentation. It's probably one of the roughest forums that you'll see our financials in mostly because we still have two months of the fiscal year to complete our 17% of our budget that's not represented for the best numbers that we can get. But it is part of our process to come for the board and make a presentation of uh some prior history of the fund where we

038believe we'll finish the year and what uh the next year will look like for the budget. So just a little bit about our revenue. Um the largest funds that we've received are from equest valuation our local taxes. Again we would increase uh expect an increase in the value of the properties in the community and the funding levels that would support this budget. Some of our other local revenues, which represent a much smaller portion, are uh basically such things as interest, um our personal property replacement tax, which comes from things such as trust, businesses, uh some utility tax as well, uh corporations, uh our registration fees, other activities, fees that we have in our food service program. Our state revenues are mo mostly from our grants and categorical payments that we receive. Our evidence-based funding has

039been a very constant maintain amount at about 2.1 million and our federal revenue is from our grants and our Medicaid reimbursements. So in total we're looking at about 80,91,847 that we would anticipate for the educational fund at this point in time for next year's budget. Our expenditures are our salaries. Those are based upon our collective bargaining agreements, our working agreements, and anticipated full staffing. Even though we may not realize full staffing throughout our year, our benefits are based upon our health benefits that increase. Those are things such as our health, dental, uh, life, vision, our pension contributions that we make specifically to the teacher retirement system, our purchase services, our estimates on support agreements. Those are areas that we have that we rely on outside agencies or expertise uh to help us through the year.

040Our supplies and materials, our items that we need through uh our daily activities uh such as um supplies for offices and other type of equipment is very contingent upon the consumer price index or inflation. Our capital includes our uh capital equipment costs. That's anything $3,000 or more. Our other expenses are dues, fees, and our contingencies. And we do build a contingency rever reserve into this budget for emergencies. And our non- capital equipment is our replacement new equipment which is less than the $3,000 threshold. So at this point in time, I'm estimating 81,25,31 or a slight deficit from revenue to expenditures. And these are our uh current financial assumptions. So just a little bit about um some of the history of that. So, I've given the board a five-year revenue. Um, 21 through 22 is the

041actual numbers. We totaled a little over 74 million for the year. For 2223, our actuals were a little over 75 million. Our 2324 actuals were 80 million. And our 2425, we're projecting to come in at about $79.7 million. For 2526, we're looking at about $80,918 uh 80,91,847 as part of our estimation. I've also done some averages just to show you what that five-year trend would look like. Uh this budget still reflects a lot of our COVID costs that were in there um as we return to normal. So, a little bit about some of uh the concerns um that we should have when we talk about our revenue. Uh some of the things that affect this are uh the economy both federal and state. Um they also look at some of the things that we would

042have to make adjustments in such as changes in the law or other needs that we would have for the district. Um other items that we would have um I would point out that one of the biggest factors that you'll see in one of the local areas is that um as you look at that uh 2425 from 8.9 million to the 2526 at 5.7 million. One of the biggest factors is that personal property replacement tax. So, I kind of hit upon that that that's um collected by the state of Illinois from businesses, partnerships, trust, corporations, and small businesses. And it's essentially transferred to the school district. Several years back, there was an error in the calculation that overstated the revenues that we've received from the Department of Revenue. Um, and that's slowly been kind of eased

043back to us. Uh there's also been some recently some changes in the law tax laws specifically that would also further diminish the amount of taxes that we would receive. Um so much that I've estimated getting 35% less this year from the prior year. That's just the fact of that particular type of revenue stream. Some of the things that have been very stable for us have been our tuition, uh our food service revenue, um our fees and activity fees have been very stable. I will note that our donations in general are down. That could be just simply a matter of fact based upon our economy. And lastly, although our equest valuation is up and we do anticipate some new construction growth in the district, um ultimately because we're under PEL, we'll still have to um respond

044to that and we're basically capped by the consumer price index which is still continually lower. So even though we do see growth, we'll still be limiting the revenue that revenue that we can capture. So that's uh the current revenue picture. Any questions from the board about revenue? I'll move on to our expenses. So same thing here. I've estimated what the fiveyear would look like um for our expenses. Uh 2122 we're just about $69 million. 22 23 71 million. 23 24 74 million. 24 25 79 million is projected as we finish this year. And the ne next next year the 2025 2026 preliminary number looks like about just a little over $81 million. So I want to share a little bit about um some of the categories. So when we talk about salaries um you know

045basically one of the things that we've had to do as a district we've had to respond to the market and that's for us to be competitive not only to uh attract employees but also to retain them. So some of those things you see over time are collective bargain agreements. you see our working agreements and basically what uh we have to offer our employees to keep stable uh employment and retention. One of the areas that we've seen uh some large increases over the last couple years, not so much by total numbers, but by percent increase from year to year has been in the area of health benefits um and employee benefits. So, one of the things that we've noticed though is that uh we did hit some high points during co you know some of the

046people here realized what the costs have been as employees. Uh but I do see that starting finally in this year to trend down after the last three years. When we look at purchase services a lot of the things that we'll see in this particular year budget I I do see some increases for some of our software needs. I do see a need for onetoone uh nursing contracts. our food service will go up strictly just for the cost of labor and so for the cost of food. And then lastly, I've seen an increase this year again in insurance. When we look at our supplies and materials, um one of the changes that we'll see this year is c certainly is the textbooks purchasing that we'll have. That's something that will come out of that. That's why

047you see the increase in there from the prior year. Our capital outlay is drawing down. Um a lot of it has to do with our tech plan. We put a lot of money into our technology and we've also drawn down that as well. Not that we're not investing in it, it's just that we've reached the high point of our spending and we had a year that we required less expenses and needs for other objects. One of the areas that we see down is um private tuition for places that we have to center students. It's indicative of our enrollment trends. And lastly, our non- capital. Um we've simply replaced a lot of our um lower costing equipment over the last couple years and we've seen this number go down this particular year. So that's kind of

048my overview of what I've looked at as our expenses this year. Again, we have two months left. Anything could happen. Um usually there's a spending u spree at the end of May. Everyone has a deadline to get all their purchasing done for this year. Um but I still think we'll probably in relatively good shape. So, a little bit about the areas that still have me concerned that I'll monitor is uh ensuring that we're competitive in our wages, but yet uh we can provide those within our means. We always look for our full staffing. That's always our expectation. That's always how I budget. We will continue to invest and use our interest income to counter inflation. And as you know, um the economy, anyone that has their own personal investing, you know that the rates that

049we received are no longer at the amount that we had. uh CDs that are over 5% are now 3.9 to 4.2. So that return on our investing uh in addition to our uh decrease in fund balances will result in less interest income. We do want to maintain our fund balances. Uh we do that in case of emergencies and overages and so that is always of importance to me as the chief business official. And then we also want to invest in the learned environment. That's something that our district's been dedicated to to make sure that we have the the finest facilities, not only for our students, but also for our staff and our employees. And I uh also am the bearer of bad news for the district from time to time, depending on what meeting you

050come to. Um I want you to realize that the good times are over. Um so our strong surpluses and our balances that we were able to accumulate um over the last couple years have been spent down and um that's just the reality of our budget and our financial situation. Okay, my areas of concern. There's always the economic and external factors. I receive something every day that tells me the stock market is up. The next day the stock market is down. There's usual losses on the Dow. Um I don't know where we're going to be, but I do my best job to predict that for the district. Uh our inflation is always a concern when it exceeds two and a half%. uh we typically can absorb that in any given budget but when it goes beyond

051that amount into the threes is where we start to feel some constraints um on our finances our reduced investment opportunities I've already announced uh staffing challenges we've been pretty good about that as a district we've invested heavily in our people and our staff from our training uh to the opportunities that we give them we'll also have to respond to any upcoming changes in the state and federal levels that may come down to us as you know there's been some concern about some of the federal restrict restrictions on things such as Medicaid. Um, but uh we will try to plan for that the best we can. And then lastly would be any delay or reduce categorical payments. So we typically get specific uh funds for the state that are reimbursed. They're called categoricals. Probably the easiest

052two that I can explain to you that aren't in this fund are things like transportation, right? We get transportation reimbursements for a regular vocational and for special education transportation. But some of the other ones that we have are also in our education fun. So should the state as we also know has a a deficit issue in their budget um should delay payments as they have in past years we may have to come back and adjust the budget. I do know that in my career there used to be times I used to budget for two of the four payments. That's all we would get. So that is just a factor of consideration and and something we continue to review in my office. So what are the next steps? Well, I'm going to continue the end uh

053monitor the end ofear revenues and expenses. As I mentioned, we still have two more months to go. Um, receive early, better grant financials. So, the one piece I need to put back into this particular budget that's not in here next that goes from preliminary to draft will be our grant numbers. The reason why is because we still have a lot of grant dollars that we will spend through the end of the year. Um, so I'll work with student services on teaching to get the the best numbers I can on uh those particular areas. And then, uh, we're going to monitor our health benefit election. So, uh, enrollment just occurred for that. So, someone could easily go from single to family, which greatly increases our cost because we pick up the greatest portion as the employer.

054So, I'll review those with Dr. Law's department and human resources and see if there's any changes or modifications that we need to make. And between now when school starts, we always look at enrollment. And enrollment typically is a factor that may require another teacher at one or other schools. And we'll have to put that into the budget. I also will have to estimate transfer amounts for you for any needs that we have. In the past, those always have been things such as technology or capital projects. I'll review uh our revenue sources to make sure that they're trending correctly. I'll report back to you any concerns I have in the next budget uh between now and then. And I'll just monitor our spending. All right. So overall uh the education funds preliminary budget is estimated revenues

055of $80,91,847 expenses at $81,25,31 or a current negative balance of $123,454. It's not bad, but it's still a negative number. All right, other questions from the board of education. anyone. >> Okay, then I did a fantastic job. >> You did a >> or at least the numbers look good enough for now. Um, but thank you. Um, you can always reach out to me if you have any other questions. Um, but like I said, there's still a lot of work to be done. Uh, our goal is to bring you a budget uh a month earlier than last year. Uh, so we can get that in and recorded on our books. So, I appreciate everyone's assistance. >> Thank you, Todd. I appreciate the clarity you bring to this presentation. >> Thank you. >> The next item is

056public comments. I have three requests for comment. Bonnie, have you received any others? Okay. Uh Travis Ren, >> uh you should use the microphone so you're on TV. >> Hi, my name is Travis Rain. I've lived in Geneva my whole life and I graduated from Geneva High School. >> Could you get a little closer, Tra? Yeah, sorry, but thanks. >> I've lived in Geneva my whole life and I graduated from Geneva High School in 2016. I would like to speak on behalf of the German program um from the perspective of a student. Um, I first heard about this potential decision to close the program last night. And I think me showing up on Monday's notice um for to a board meeting that I would never have thought I would ever want to come to uh

057should speak volumes to how much the program can mean to me and I know all my peers. Um, to me, German was more than just a class. It was a community and I'd like to keep using that word because that's what it was. It was a I uh had the pleasure of being with the same group of students for all five years of my education. So I grew up with them. I knew them. They were my friends. We went to Germany together. I had incredible experiences with them and I would love to see them all again. Um I know in I read a article in the King County Chronicle that part of the reason that it potentially might be closed is low enrollment. But I would also like to say that the small nature of

058the German program was a large strength of it in my opinion. Um, just having a smaller tightnit group of people in my senior year in German 5, I believe we had 11 students, but it felt like there was more people in there than any of my other classes. Um, everyone knew each other. Everyone was comfortable with each other. We wanted to talk to each other. We all looked forward to going to German class each day. because we knew it was a place that we could grow as people and we can just be ourselves and spend time with our teacher Frasier here. Um, I know I don't speak much German in my normal life nowadays, but I absolutely use life lessons that I learned in that class every day, more so than most other classes. Um,

059and if I think back on my high school education, I think about my senior year classes, I can maybe name a couple, two or three people in each of my classes that senior year, but I can absolutely name all of my German classmates, where they sat in the room, things about them, their faces, everything. So, I think uh the German uh program is more than just numbers. It's a community and hopefully it can stay. >> Thank you very much, [Applause] >> Emily. And I apologize. >> Moskian >> Mashan, not even close. So, actually, I'm not speaking on behalf of myself. I'm actually speaking on behalf of my daughter, Mia Machano. She was a 2024 graduate from Geneva High School. Um, she was a part of the German program for all five years. Um, and when

060she heard that the meeting was going to be happening and she wasn't going to be able to attend because she is in Germany right as we speak, um, she asked if I would come and I gave her I told her I would. So, in my daughter's words, my name is Mia Machano. I am currently a sophomore, a rising sophomore in college at Milwaukee School of Engineering studying biomedical engineering. I took five years of German. Unfortunately, I'm able to provide my support in person due to currently being in Germany. But even being in a different time zone doesn't stop me from defending a program which is so near and dear to my heart. When the decision to to to close um when the when the decision to choose my language came uh to pass, my first

061thought was to take Spanish like so many others and be like every other kid. But then I thought about the German heritage of my grandfather and I was proud to be a part of and I wanted to find the love and community as well. The German class was not only an educational place, but the place where I found a tight-knit community. The amount of in-person hands-on experience with the culture to apply our German expanded our knowledge. For example, we had birthday parties. We went to the opera. We went to the Chris Kindle market. Fra was more than just a teacher. She was someone to who she was someone who took the time to know each of her students personally. She would check in on my other classes and my family. She would allow me to

062invite my brother to German events even when he was not in the program. He was in a different foreign language and did not was not as um emphatic about his sorry my face. I cannot think about what my high school experience would have been like without this class. Towards my senior year, more people began to worry about college and what other classes to take. But I didn't want to give up on the class, even for an AP credit, because these kids were more than friends. They were family. By the end of my senior year, I knew each on a firstname basis and everything they wanted to do in the future, their family, and so much more. German has be has given me the opportunity to consider doing a study abroad program in which my college

063offers in Germany. They have a biomed program there in one of in Lubebec, Germany. And she's was touring it now. She'll be studying there in uh her junior year. And one of the many reasons is due to the strong German to the strong base of German which I was taught back in high school. I hope you'd find it in your hearts to keep this program not for me but for others who are wanting to be a part of something bigger. I would just say this. I'm a public school teacher. I understand budgets. I get it. I have been a public school teacher for over 30 years. I understand numbers and I under understand strong or difficult decisions that need to be made, but I also understand that education is about children. And when you have

064kids who are like this young man right here and my daughter and I know so many others who think about this as a community, it's not just a class, it's a community who find their place. My daughter would not be studying abroad if it weren't for German. I don't think she would have ever found that place. She wouldn't have she would not have found that courage. But she did. And it was because of the program that you have here. So I request that you think about more than just numbers that you really think about kids and what they need. And I know it's not always an easy decision. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Well, I know I can pronounce the next one right. Fraisa Meister. Good evening. Uh my

065name is Lisa Meister and I am a health teacher at Geneva High School. Um and just like you both shared um I'm here to talk about the German program as well. I and I understand that these decisions are not based on you know just one factor and I understand that these are difficult decisions to make. Um but I am here tonight to speak on behalf of the German program at Geneva High School. I would like to encourage the administration and the board to rethink their plan of discontinuing the offering of German at GHS. I have been a teacher at GHS since 2002 and I have seen how hard the teachers work in their world language department to not only encourage the love of learning a language but the love of learning cultures including traditions, history,

066culinary arts and fine arts associated with the countries that speak these languages. I have traveled with these teachers and their students to Europe and saw firsthand how they brought the curriculum to life and instilled a love of learning outside of a classroom in a textbook. I have personally seen Fra Swedenbank and Fra Koag volunteer to straddle their time between the middle schools and the high school to encourage middle school students to take up a language so the program could thrive. I have seen Renee create a family among German club students who are so excited to go on a German themed scavenger hunt around the town of Geneva or invite her AP students to cook a German meal with her to celebrate the end of the year. The students I have spoken with have expressed a

067family feel in German just like you guys did tonight. Um that they don't get in other classes. I saw her work tire tirelessly taking on seven preps in one year when she had a combination of classes in of mixed levels in one period or honor students mixed with the regular curriculum and had to differentiate learning more than any other teacher in the building in each of her class periods. That was the year that Martha and I nominated Renee Swedenbank for King County Educator of the Year along with some of some of our other colleagues. We know that enrollment of the student body overall is down, but still we have been adding so many individualized electives at GHS and other departments. Why are we going to dismantle an entire language program that can offer students life-changing

068skills based on one year of lower numbers for German one? Renee and Karen poured their hearts and souls into this and have worked so hard to build excitement and set up this tiered program that they hoped would carry on after their retirement. We have plenty of qualified junior or German teacher applicants who want to help them continue the legacy after they are done teaching. I encourage you to please not let the program die based on one year of lower numbers. Give the program a chance to build up over the next couple of years again before pulling the plug on it. This isn't like an elective that doesn't run one semester because the interest is low. So, please don't cancel the stepping stone into a world that kids can get so much out of. Thank you.

069>> Thank you. Thanks, Lisa. Actually, thank you all for your heartfelt comments. Uh the next item on the agenda is legislative updates and I have it good authority that we have none. >> Yeah, no report tonight. just uh this is the last week of the general assembly's current session. So uh we'll see what happens. Thank you. >> And the following item is the superintendence report. Dr. Barrett. >> Yeah, thanks Larry. Let me uh just getting connected here. Okay, let's hope this works. All right. Thanks everybody for the opportunity to share tonight. Um so uh just talk about a little bit of end of the year activities um and um then do a little reflection on on some of what we've accomplished this year and then certainly have some important conversation about uh uh the German

070topic that we've been planning for um and have heard some great comments about today. So, first just kind of want to start with, you know, it is the end of the year and um lots lots and lots of great things are are happening across the district, right? We've got all sorts of awards ceremonies, the the scholarship awards night at the high school. There's celebrations going on at you heard about with the picnics and the gatherings. We've got all kids at all our levels. This is one of the cool things about a unit district is all the transitions we have, right? We have kids from gelp to elementary and from elementary to middle school um middle to high school and and then beyond. Obviously recognitions with uh things like our promotion coming up next week and

071graduation coming up next week uh that I know all of us sitting at this table are excited for and just lots of fun um activities that I know some of you have gotten to be part of in the last several days. So, um, that's pretty exciting and and it's a fun way to end end the year and I know everybody's going to be real pooped when we when we make it to the end because it's a lot going on. Uh, I also just want to take a minute to talk about our um strategic plan and the progress we've made uh this year. So this is uh from our um strategic uh plan booklet and uh you know for the communities awareness. Our board had a a great opportunity recently to take a real deep dive

072into some of this um and have some conversations about some of this in a recent uh board retreat that was really productive I think. Um and there'll be obviously this is a five-year plan as I think everybody knows. So we'll be coming back to talk more about it and some of these topics we'll have some big conversations about. um early fall even right as we get the school year going. But I just kind of wanted to do kind of a a 30,000 foot view um kind of overview of accomplishments in each of the the key areas so far. So um a lot of work was done in this first goal area, enrollment and staffing. Um we started the year by conducting a very thorough demographic study, presented that that to the board and community and

073talked a lot about that. our administrative team took a real deep dive into that as well. Um and also then just recently had the opportunity to complete a capacity analysis looking at the capacity of each of our buildings um and you know then starting to look at how our demographic study and our demographic trends um align and or don't align with our capacity analysis. So there's going to be a lot of good uh conversation to continue on that front and in the fall we will um share I think some valuable information with the community on that front. Uh we've also this year I'm sorry about that Robin sorry also this year um been able to build some class size some more class size consistency at the elementary level through the work of our um class

074size committee. that was something that was uh you know an area of concern and something that we've made some headway on. Um we've been able to see some thoughtful uh reductions at the secondary level uh largely through attrition um and retirements and things like that. you've we've been to the board uh for example with the um the middle school uh administration talking about some of that work uh as an example and I know uh we've shared some of that has happened with the high school too and uh our student services team and our team at Gelp has completed a early childhood review uh of that programming um and looking at our programming and the programming in the community and that's been real valuable. So a lot of work in this area. Um in terms of

075the career and college pathway um also a lot of quality work has been done. Um first off I think the biggest one uh is the team at the high school and uh with the guidance and partnership of Mrs. Sims and Dr. Dr. PZ is, you know, starting to have some conversation doing a formal study of uh dual credit um because we know that's a place that was a key place where we recognize uh we have some room to grow uh in the district. So that group that formal study has has been embarked on. Um they've already done a lot of work and there'll be some more work coming to you all uh and the community in the fall about that as well. um the post-secary uh the Illinois pace framework that stands for um postsecary

076and uh career expectations. Uh we've started um we've been able to develop those frameworks for our district. That's uh part of a requirement, but it aligns perfectly with this goal. Um and we've also embarked on the work of developing some formal college and career pathways which were required to do by the state. We're starting in the area of um of teaching uh because you know we already have some strong classes there uh and then looking to expand into more formal pathways that we can pathway opportunities we can have for kids. Uh a lot of that is in partnership with the Fox Valley Career Center which I know you've heard me share a lot of information about over the year. Um and then in addition, we're starting to we're in the early stages of some uh

077some more formal programmatic investigation in terms of are there other high lever uh career pathway programs that could theoretically be offered at school at or at Geneva High School that there's some interest in. So I know there's some some conversation going on about some of those. Uh then when we get into the area of cultural competencies uh remember one of our first goals in that area um was just to to form a committee to start looking at that. Um you've heard uh Mr. PZ he shared some some about that recently uh when he was here with the uh A&E teachers. Um so that committee has been formed. They've started uh with a little demographic review and looking at what are the demographics of our district um and how could that be insightful to us when

078we're thinking about uh cultural competencies uh here in our district. And remember when we're talking about cultural competencies, we're talking about um you know recognizing that this is a big world outside of the walls of Geneva and making sure everyone is is prepared to go out and go into it. Um, one of the big accomplishments this year, excuse me, uh, in this goal area was, um, starting by identifying and cataloging a lot of the activities that we currently do in the district. A lot of good things happen in this area, in this district, but we didn't have um a good understanding of uh, you know, it wasn't organized in a way that we knew what they all were. So, uh, you know, uh, that team has identified those starting at the elementary level. Um, and

079then is starting to identify common experiences that we believe are important in this area for all of our kids to have. Uh, and then we're also looking at, um, expanding into some community partnerships to help us develop uh, some of these cultural competencies. So, a lot of good work happening there. Excuse me. Uh and then in terms of uh our community engagement goal, I think we've uh um done a nice job here as well. You know, certainly from my seat, I really have tried to be uh visible and and have response have responsive communication um be out and and connect with people as much as possible. Um, in terms of some of the specific goals uh embedded in in this strategic plan area, uh, one of the things we've uh, made some headway on is

080streamlining some of our electronic communication. Um, and trying to be more consistent across the schools and across the levels with say how we use email. Um, so uh, Sandy Riley, our communications coordinator, has uh, helped uh, drive us on some of that. um as well as our use of the district calendar. We're trying to get better at using that. You know, some of the feedback you might recall that we got from some community members um you know who don't have kids in the school was that boy, it's very hard to figure out what's going on and how can I be part of activities and um so we've tried to make some headway on the district calendar and we have some room to go there and of course uh that new logo has made its way

081out there and we think that's um pretty cool. So, I think a lot of uh quality work has been done when you think this is a five-year plan. Um, and this is what we've been able to accomplish in the first year. So, any questions on that or comments or no? Good. Okay. >> Great. So, then uh you know into uh into our German conversation. So, um to to recap, I know we had some speakers here who who shared with us about it. Uh this first came uh to the board uh in a formal meeting uh right at our April 28th meeting and and we talked about um you know our declining enrollment in general. We've been talking about this over the course of the whole year. um uh as a district. Um and then you

082know kind of our big goal from the administrative perspective of recognizing exactly what some of our students have said that this is a multi-year commitment when you start um this program. We want to be able to commit to kids who start this program that they can see that program through. Um and so as we've been looking at um how we've been you know looking at that enrollment and staffing goal uh and you know how we have worked to uh um reduce our staffing thoughtfully um you know through retirements and attrition and things like that. Um and then as sectioning happened and we saw uh what what the numbers were for next year um we came and shared with you uh this potential approach of uh not running German one for the 25 26 school year

083next year. Um and then uh you know suns setting or phasing out the program uh o over the next seven in several years right as kids who are currently in it metriculated through the program. Um, so if I go back to that community engagement goal we were just talking about, I think the conversations that have been had at this table uh in the last several meetings have been really good examples of what we should be doing and how we should be talking about this and the feedback from our community has been uh really good examples of that. Um, and you know, I would I would echo what Mr. Roger said um and certainly what we've heard from the students uh or previous students who have um shared at previous meetings or via email or tonight,

084right? Um we know that the kids who have had this program have had great great experiences um and uh wonderful teachers and great connections and developed great relationships. Um and we would never question any of that for a minute. Um and we're grateful for all of that feedback. And so as we um I think one of the things that we recognize uh from the administrative side is that um board members have thoughts and opinions on this um and the feedback from our community has been valuable and important. So, uh, what we also recognize though is we need to, uh, be able to plan for next year, um, and and would like to identify a plan tonight if possible, um, for what we're going to do with this program next year. So, this isn't something that's

085up um for a a formal vote tonight because, you know, running a particular class is not something that would come to the board that way. But what I'm hopeful for would be uh an opportunity for the board to to give us some feedback um and and share with me here tonight, get your thoughts. And I think honestly um part of what because of the significance of this decision and because of the um I think the the strong feelings and opinions we've heard um and I I think the strong feelings and opinions of the board um on this like to be able to hear that and I think we'd like to be able to have some level of I know we will never get a 100% consensus but um certainly some level of unonymity if we're

086going to move forward. um and uh you know not run German one next year. So Larry, I'll turn it over to you to facilitate any conversation you want and I'll just kind of be listening for some direction. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Barrett. Um as you have said, this is not a normal purview of the board. We wouldn't get involved in individual class decisions and things like that. And and he's correct. We're not going to have a vote tonight. However, we are going to make a decision and the decision has to start out by me reflecting once again that this is a very high quality board. These are thoughtful people who care about education and who care about Geneva schools. And so I'm going to keep this a little shorter than it might be,

087but um if we might, I'm going to ask unusually if each board member would be willing to just state their position on this issue at this time. Um, just a as short as you'd like to make it and and if we could start with Dan, I'd appreciate it. >> Oh, sorry. Yeah. So, >> just >> sorry. >> Oh, >> I had turned it on and off. I'm sorry. So, thank you. um been on the board for six or seven years and I think uh a number um have been maybe longer. I think this may be the first time that we've ever had a discussion about a certain class and there's a reason for that and it's because as Larry you said it's not the purview of the board to to make decisions on particular classes.

088I know that we every year we have classes that that are no longer in the course catalog and it comes to us not in this fashion but it comes to us in a administr administrative recommendation that these classes have low enrollment and we're choosing not to not to um put them in the course catalog. Um and so it's very similar to German one and it's unfortunate because obviously as we've heard that that um it's a passionate subject and um there's a lot of really neat stories that we've heard of former students that have really experienced great things in this German community as we heard tonight. So um and so it's unfortunate that that it's come to this where we need to have a discussion um about maybe the future of this German one in this

089particular setting. And so, um, I've always felt that that, um, that I would support as a board member standing on the balcony watching the dance floor that there's people that are are thoughtful in their on this administration and and the building leaders that are thoughtful in the way that they've um looked at a course. It doesn't have to be German one. It could be any of the courses that that come to us um as recommendations for no longer being in the course catalog and um and to accept whatever the the um administrative recommendation would be because they're in it every day. So that's my first point. And the second point is I think in a situation like this it's a little bit of a I don't know a slippery slope. um in terms of um

090talking about courses that aren't going to be in the catalog anymore. And I understand that German there's a little more passion to that than maybe some of the other subjects that are in the course catalog. But um but it could if we make decisions as a board to um to close a class or to not have class and we make that decision, I think that causes um just a sets of precedents that maybe we don't want to have. So that's the second thing. Um I think there's just Larry I think you asked me to keep it short so I just have one more point and so I think the >> I think the last point I have is that just talking about the numbers and you know this sounds like there's seven students in the

091the the high school and maybe you know six in each of the middle schools and so you know um I think logistically in terms of how that's all going to work with trying to find a a teacher and um maybe with numbers if let's say let's just say because logistically the way that those students have to maneuver back and forth um to have German one. Um anyway, I just think that it just could cause more students not to participate um in in German one and then all a sudden then we're in a we're really in a pickle in terms of uh um you know how many how many are in that class. So anyway, I guess I say all that to say um um you know, I would accept as a board member in this

092seat um accepting whatever the recommendation of the administration would be because um because you're in it every day. >> Thanks, Paul. >> Thank you, Larry. Um thank you, Dan. Um Dan is right. The issue of course selection is not typically the purview of the board. However, the strategic plan is the purview of the board and we set the strategic plan and as part of the strategic plan we have talked about cultural competencies and foreign language is driving cultural competency. We talk about getting our students out of the Geneva bubble and when we talk about that I think there's a tendency to think about just the cultural issues in the United States but the world is much larger and being um a person who has lived in three different continents and knowing and working for a

093Dutch company for 39 years. I appreciate I really appreciated the people that spoke multiple languages and could bring me into the conversation because typically the American schools are not great on teaching foreign languages. So, and in this case, I don't I'm not viewing this as a an issue about about just course selection or course keeping a course. I'm looking at it more as a strategic strategic issue which is part of our pre preview and I am I am supporting continuing the German program because if if if it's not the German program it's next going to be the French program because Spanish is easy for people to to to pick and I think and I I know all the issues about the slippery slope but we're smart enough and we're we're good enough that we can

094handle these issues as they come up. And I think the two foreign languages that are struggling to to for for um getting people to join them need to have some opportunity to promote themselves um with the parents of the middle schoolers that are there. So I would support keeping the German program and trying to build um the the number of students that want to take this in longer term. >> Thank you Paul Jackie. >> Yeah thank you. Um I fall more in line with Dan when I had thought about this. Uh this is an administration decision. Something that you said earlier uh Dr. Dr. Barrett made me think um that we've been already talking about at the middle school looking at retirements and not filling these jobs and we don't have the numbers right now

095to justify keeping the class if we're following our own thoughts that the administration has been using that we have declining enrollment and that's not going to change and we need to make some tough decisions. I think that we've heard so many great stories about German and it's painful discussion that we're having, but it also is setting a precedent of having other classes come to us and talk to us about how important it was. Um, I agree with you, Paul, on the cultural competency, but I also think that we do have two other languages that are offered that will help people still have an opportunity to learn about other cultures. them. Um, one of the things I did do is I looked at our community colleges to see if they offer German. A couple of them

096do in our county. You can also take German in college. If you're taking that course or that career path in the future um and also have opportunities to travel with that as well. So, um I I find it difficult to continue um with the program if we do see this trend going and it might just be the right time now to not run German uh this coming school year. Thank you, Jackie Willard. >> Thank you. Um, so I have been thinking about Excuse me. Maybe I need to drink some my vocal f. >> You don't have to get all choked up. >> Oh, okay. That's better. Um, a little bit better. So, I I've been thinking about this ever since it came to our attention. Um, Dr. Barrett um giving us some thought and trying

097to look at it from different perspectives. I appreciate the community u input the former students the accounts of those who have graduated and working actually in Germany. I think that's great. I come from a field partially that is I was trained as a neuroscientist and they every time I go to the um the we just call it the convention which is representing 80 countries um 35,000 um researchers what I find very clear is that German is very well represented in those meetings and that's very well do well um borne out in literature and what we know um the STEM field. That's where you're going to find a lot of German speakers. I think it's it's audible that we've had that's for a generation as I understand 27 years. Is that right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So

098that's that's a generation. I'm strong believer kind of biased. Um I have a household where uh my wife speaks Mandarin. Her second language was German. Um so I'm strong believing people opportunities to um learn different languages but also from my perspective I know that this is not um as as the superintendent said we need to try to create a a bigger sphere if you will and try to create that for many children. I know that German is not one of the six official languages of the UN, whatever people think about that. Um, but I know it is important. Um, but we have to be practical and I've just really had to give this some thought um in the sense that I know that uh um there's a legacy here, but I know also uh as

099an educator as well myself that there are things that I was exposed to 40 years ago in my teacher training that we just don't teach anymore. and things change and I know change is hard and it's not necessarily based on economics. Um again I go back to the point that some of these are generational. So I'm willing to support the administrator administration in terms of what their decision is. Um whatever is going to be uh fiscally uh responsible and uh being good stewards of the taxpayers money. I know it's not about money entirely, but like I said, there to me it seems like a generational thing. We have to just think about where we are today. So that's my >> thank you. >> So for me, I think that we've all described the complexities of

100the situation that this is not just a matter of saying we aren't going to run a course um next year. that this is making a permanent decision about sunsetting a program that we know people have probably worked very hard to start many years ago. So that's what makes this a little bit bigger for me than just saying we're not running an art course or um a specific elective next year. In addition, I think that it is a part of our role to represent our stakeholders and um be that voice because everyone can't hand have an individual voice on the board or in the administration. So, I kind of look at it from that perspective. Um I think that the community piece is very important for me. Something with our students, and I know that Dr.

101Dr. Barrett and I have talked a lot about this is that all of our students find a place in our school and that we have um somewhere that they can excel and thrive and feel that they're part of. And I think that's a lot of what our German program has provided for a certain group of of students. Um but I also understand we are making tough decisions based on enrollment every single day. And at the high school, we're often spared from those tough decisions because we can control our class sizes in different ways, but we've had to have larger class sizes at the elementary schools. We've done attrition through retirement, changing the teams in the middle schools. That has meant something for everyone, and this is kind of now coming to the high school, and

102this is where it's starting to show there. And that's not a fault of anybody in the administration or any of our teachers. It's just nationally we have declining birth rates that are affecting our enrollment. But for me the the the most difficult part for me and where I really um although I do support the administration's expertise and decisions, it's very hard for me right now to support sunsetting a program. I do feel like if this were more standard and we had to say, "Okay, next year we're not at the enrollment numbers that we need to to run a class that I could support that, but it's hard for me to to support sunsetting the program at this time. >> Thank you, Stephanie. For my own personal opinion, it's also hard for me to support sunsetting

103the program." Um, you've heard now six thoughtful, heartfelt people dealing with what is obviously a difficult issue and it's not an easy one to come to a solution because it involves possibly bringing into a generational thing. Having said all that, Geneva is a blue ribbon school and having three languages in a blue ribbon school is appropriate. Um, this was precipitated by the resignation of one person unexpectedly and that doesn't really seem like a good enough reason to sunset a program. I agree that it's possible that enrollment is off now as a blip or maybe it's not a blip. But for the moment, my my position would be to recommend strongly to the administration that we continue the program for at least one year. And that during that time, and I haven't talked to anybody else

104about this, but as a world language program, you all need to work to get some more evenness in the program. having two languages with very small enrollments and one with huge is is not really a good balance and we need balance in the school. So I charge not just the German department or or the French department or the Spanish department but all of you working together to do what you can to make all of these programs viable so we don't have to have this discussion again. Um, world languages is world languages. If Geneva just has the Spanish department, it ain't going to be the same. So, with that in mind, Andy, I'd like to put my strong request that we continue the program for another year. And those of us on the board will consider

105whether I'm advocating something um that will have a longer life or something that's just giving it our all. But that's my recommendation. >> Well, I I appreciate that, Larry. I appreciate everybody's comments. I don't um uh candidly, I don't know that a lot of boards could have this kind of thoughtful, collaborative, hard conversation. I think it's great that we've modeled that. Um, and uh, this is what this is what it should be. It can't always just be the recognize the awesome retirees. That's that's great and and super fun, but sometimes we have to have the hard conversations. Um, so I guess uh, here's what I'm hearing here. Here's what I'm hearing. I'm hearing uh you know when I started this conversation tonight I said I think we need to have um because of the feedback

106we've gotten and the strong opinions from the board I think we need to have some kind of um or a decent level of unonyimity I don't feel like we have that right now um and so uh given that and you know Larry's point uh which I appreciate very much Larry um I I think what I'm hearing is we run German one next year, come back when those sectioning numbers come out. Um, and and really be taking a close look at this as we're as we continue to go through all the strategic plan stuff and all the enrollment stuff. Um, I I think given the feedback we've gotten and the feelings from the board, uh, seems like that's the step to take while recognizing this isn't the last time for this hard conversation or other hard

107conversations that I think we're going to have to have, as Jackie said, as that enrollment continues to go down. We know that's coming. We've seen those numbers. Um, and so I think if nothing else, uh, we modeled, uh, and lived some good conversation here. And so I guess that's what I'm hearing. Um, >> thank you. >> We'll we'll run run German one next year and and take a close look at those numbers. Um, when we get to this point next year. >> Anybody else >> thoughts, feedback, additional feedback? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Uh last I just want to um uh you know I end try to end every one of my uh superintendent reports with just acknowledging some of our awesome folks and I haven't had a chance to Shanette's probably going to be matter

108pictures up there without uh that's okay. Um but we have really awesome administrators uh dedicated administrators across this district. Um, and uh, we're just really lucky and I want to I want to thank them for that great team of administrators who are really kid-focused um, and uh, trying to make these kinds of hard decisions all day long and that's real hard and that weighs on you a lot um, when you want to be a person who does right by people and doesn't let people down. Um, and it it's it's a hard job and it's harder every day. Um, and we've spent the year thanking so many of our great employee groups and I just wanted to have this last meeting of the school year uh by by giving a shout out and thank you to

109our administrators. So, that's that. That's all I got, Larry. Thanks. >> Thank you. The uh next item on the agenda, by the way, you don't have to stay for the whole meeting if you don't want to. You are welcome. And in fact, you might have noticed this board is different than the last one. We try and keep things open and keep things above board. So, >> thank you. >> Next item on the agenda is board dialogue topics and pending action considerations. There are no items there and I think we've dialogued enough for one minute. Um, uh, item eight, work study topics and future action considerations al well that's there and the 2526 policy committee meeting calendar draft is there. Uh, it's been reviewed by the policy committee. Actually, Larry, we're not ready to approve that

110one. >> Okay, that's all right. We won't we won't do anything except Does anybody have any questions for Stephanie? >> You're off the hook. >> I think we can just table that vote till the future meeting, right? >> Yeah. It doesn't actually call for a vote. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Well, any better. >> We're We're fine. Consent agenda. what uh is once again my favorite um item one personal report resignations retirements leave requests changes in assignments full-time equivalent new hires policies one item two is monthly financials >> Larry can you go back to the information please >> okay >> and just just a quick comment on the board meetings um and presentation schedule for for the future >> um can we modify how we present this a little bit. If you look at what is

111presented to us now, it's all historical information. There's nothing about the future about next year, right? And we're close enough to next year that next year should be already presented to us as to what will be on the schedule. Yes. >> Um so I but I would like to even think about, you know, by the time we start hitting April or so, we should be rolling >> we should be rolling into the next year. Do a rolling yearly uh as as early as possible so board members can can see what's on the schedule and actually make comments on it and try to get it moving. >> Can I sneak in on that? Thank you, Paul. That that's good. Um that's something that typically we've done in the summer, but I think that's fair and I

112think that's good feedback. So that's something we can move up with our cabinet team a little earlier. uh we can start looking at that um intent with intention around wintertime so that then by the time we get to spring we're starting to look ahead to the following year. So good feedback we'll do that. Thank you. >> Agreed. Okay. Consent agenda again. Item two, monthly financials for April. Uh item three, gifts grants bequest $2,200 from Dave and Kathy Nukem to purchase a new bass trombone. I'd love to see that instrument. Item four, gifts, grants, and bequests. $8,000 from the DAB Giving 360 for musical instrument purchases at GHS. A motion to approve was in order. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I The next item is board member comments and reports now that I've driven everyone

113out of the meeting room. [Laughter] >> She'll call me later if she's got any questions. >> Not at all. Thank you for coming. >> Um Dan, you might as well start with the easy one. Um, >> you got the hard one. >> Uh, yeah, I don't have much to to add. I think uh like to thank uh everyone for presenting. I think uh um you know uh just adding on to to what we had just talked about. I think there's a lot of passion and good conversation that we have with all the stakeholders and and I love that. And so I'm so glad that that we're able to come to to a conclusion um tonight and uh um looking forward to the end of the year um activities and events and uh with the with

114the promotion and the and the graduation and and things like that. So um congratulations to to all our our our seniors um >> upon their graduation. >> Paul Yeah. Uh congratulations to our seniors and um it's coming fast and u yeah I think everybody's excited about it. Also congratulations to our retirees. >> Um you know it's >> it's great to see people so happy and they they they finished their career and they're looking to start where what they want to do next. and having gone through that transition, uh, I wish them the best of luck and, uh, hope they enjoyed themselves and find things that really inspire them now. Um, and and and just finally, I want to say thank you to everybody, uh, that did speak up on this foreign language issue. Um, you

115know, we need to hear from the we need to hear from the community on things like this. Um and I would hope in the future that we also have not only the the our graduate student our gra our graduates and and and alumni speak up but also those parents whose children are in these programs. It's great to hear their I'd love to hear more of their input on something like this. >> Thank you Jackie. Um yeah, just want to thank um my fellow board members for the discussion tonight. Uh, it was nice to be able to have a conversation and we have maybe different thoughts, but I I think we all see both sides of this and I hate to say sides, but really being able to sit here and talk through this as a

116group I think was uh wonderful and and so thank you to all of you for for your thoughts and and I'm pleased with the decision that we're doing this um because clearly we we couldn't we were torn on this issue. So, thanks to fellow board members um and Dr. Barrett for giving us that opportunity as part of your superintendent report to be able to talk about that tonight. Uh want to congratulate our awardes tonight and the retirees. That was fun. It being a Fabian family, seeing three of our custodial staff that I remember when we were there. Uh and having seen them move on too over the years from Fabian to the other schools was fun. So, congrats to them and then our seniors next week. I can't believe it's been a year. uh since

117some of us have had their our children graduate. Um um but uh yeah, we'll be there next week. That'll be a lot of fun. And uh of course, you know, I went to the jazz dinner. I have to mention that. It was a lot of fun. Um such a fun evening to uh to hear all the the students. And I did make it to the uh regional soccer championship game uh last week. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way I had hoped, but uh I think the girls played a great game and and congrats to um all of our athletes who are still out there playing today. >> Thank you, Jackie Willard. Yeah, just want to say that this was just an yet maybe this is my third time seeing retirement uh in our district, but

118I want to say that I'm offer my congratulations and also marvel at the inspiration. I hope that they're giving to another generation. Um when I was in school years ago and some of you might remember they would say the joy of teaching. You don't hear that so much, but that was a mantra back in the day. People would say that and I could see some of that joy uh in the stories of these retirees and I hope that we can continue that spark and it's not just something we say but something they really I think they live that's obviously they live this out. Um I also want to say that in the last two weeks I've seen several familiar faces of children that I've just literally watched them grow up. There's two houses down from

119me. There's a Geneva graduate. Um my brother graduated two years before that. And um just really nice to see these um like a spaces that are maturing right before my eyes. I'm sure everybody as well. Um, and just want to say that it's just so uh edifying I could say for many of these children to have these opportunities for these I don't know what happened five years ago, seven years ago, but I just think this is so edifying to have the opportunity to uh appreciate their excellence especially those that are um in special needs programs. So I think that's very good thing. Thank you. >> Thank you Stephanie. Yeah, I just first wanted to um echo some of what everyone said. Thank you all for the great conversation tonight. I appreciated your different perspectives because

120some of that brought things to mind that I didn't necessarily think of. So, I always appreciate the different knowledge and perspective that everyone brings to the board in our discussion as well as hearing from the public public. I agree from with Paul like it's very nice to have that voice in the conversation as we're talking about these different topics. Congratulations and thank you to all of our retirees who we saw tonight. I don't know many of our retirees personally, but I get misty eyed at every one of these because I'm just so appreciative of the service they that they've provided for the district and I know that they've um been impactful on many famil family's lives. So, thank you so much and good luck in the future. Congrats to all of our seniors and good

121luck in the future as well. I know we'll be celebrating them more over the next week and they'll get through finals and then they can just have a lot of fun. So, and then it's just a busy time of year. I've been at a lot of different events and activities, and there's still more to come. So, thank you for everyone who's participating to make the the year end very big and exciting for all of our students. >> Thank you. Uh for myself, also congratulations to everyone who's graduating and the honores of of this evening. And um you guys made what I said true. Intelligent people and thoughtful conversation. I love it. Having said that, I was at the cemetery for Memorial Day and the high school band and orchestra band and choirs performed several numbers

122and they did a wonderful job. It was a real moving and patriotic moment. So, thanks to them for that. And so, uh that leaves us almost at the end of the meeting. Um, we have to go into executive session to consider matters pertaining to appointment employment compensation of a specific individual. And that's all of that I have to read, but we do have to have a motion. >> So move >> second. I >> I All right.