001Good to go. >> Call to order the uh board of trustees reorganization meeting. Today's Monday, January 12th, 2026. We'd ask you to please silence your cell phones out there. Um so call the meeting orders. First order is a pledge of allegiance. If you please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance, that would be great. flags are up here. We're We're going to do them second. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, we'll do roll call. Secretaryquist. >> Mr. Arnold >> present. >> Mr. King >> here. >> Miss Batty >> present. >> Miss Farley >> present. >> I'm president. Vice President Jackson >> present. >> President Ser >>
002here. >> We are all present. >> Okay. Uh first order reorganization meeting is the election of officers. Does anyone want to make a motion for officers? Jim. >> Mr. President, I'd like to after long discussion and uh anyone had a chance for input, I'd like to make a blanket motion without exception and I'd like to nominate yourself, Mr. Ryan Seabourg for president, Mr. Tucker King for vice president, and Miss Monica Bennett for secretary. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> You guys good with it? >> I am too. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. Okay. >> Next order of business. Uh we have a uh there's a slate in front of you uh for several appointments here. I'm going to read those and then if there is a
003motion to approve that slate, someone can make that motion. So the appointment of the school corporation treasurer is Jane Grill. Appointment of school corporation investment officer Jane Gillo. Appointment of school corporation deputy treasurer is Natasha Henry. Appointment of legal counsel board attorney and chief negotiator is Bill Kaminsky of Newbie Lewis Kaminsky and Jones. Appointment of legal counsel for special education is Church, Church, Hiddle, and Antrum. Uh, authorization for the treasurer and deputy treasurer to invest corporation funds, Jane Gillo, and Natasha Henry. Appointment of executive secretary to the school board of trustees and appointment of information request officer Tammy Van Hook. Establishment of board meeting times and dates. Regular meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month at 6 pm. The July board meeting will be the third Monday of July, July 20th,
0042026, so as not to interfere with Leaport County Fair. Board members should keep the first Monday of each month open for work sessions and/or special emergency meetings. The establishment of board member remuneration or I call pay. Each board member will receive annual pay of 5% of first teacher pay for 2026. That would be $2,375, $100. Help me out there, doctor. How do you say that? >> Remuneration per regular board meeting, and $50 for special meetings. Meetings held on the first Monday of each month will not be eligible for the $50 stipen. Establishment of local newspaper to utilize for posting legal notices is the Leaport Herald Arc Dispatch. Appointment for representation to Leaport city board or city park board Ryan Seabourg. Appointment of representation to the library board Liz Wisman and Tucker King. Appointment of legislative
005and policy liaison to ISBA Jim Arnold. Appointment of representative to Leaport County Redevelopment Commission, Aaron Oni. Appointment of board liaison to the city of Leaport Redevelopment Commission, Aaron Oni, and appointment of board of finance, the board officers. Is there a motion to accept the slate? >> So move. >> Thank you, Tucker. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Amy. Uh any discussion? I want to point out that the uh state uh recently passed legislation to allow school board members to receive 10% of first teacher pay. Uh we chose to do five. So just want that noted. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. >> All right. All that passes. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Amy. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Monica.
006All those in favor say I. I >> I here ends this meeting. All right. So, let's uh move around here. >> Sorry. I got you. >> It's been great serving. >> You too. Got to teach them the secret handshake. >> That's right. >> Okay. Too many thrown trick words over there. Remun remuneration. Thank you. >> All right. All set. >> We call to order the board of finance meeting. Uh today is Monday, January 12th, 2026. Um roll call. Secretary >> Mr. Arnold >> pres. >> Miss Jackson >> here. >> Vice President King >> here. President Seabour >> here. Thank you. All right. So, the first order of business is appointment of officers to the 2026 board of finance. Dr. Oni >> um Indiana code 5-13-7-5 uh is amended to require all school corporations to convene
007a board of finance meeting in January and the governing board of the school corporation constitutes the board of finance. So approval of the attached resolution documents is stating that the governing board of the school corporation constitutes the board of finance. >> Okay. So you have all seen that reorganization menu memo is uh that's the one we just passed, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So we're good on that, right? >> Yep. Okay. >> So the next order is the annual investment report and review of investment policy. Dr. Uh in your board packet is the um the investment policy. There are no changes to that. Um and then also in your board packet uh we have a summary of the 2025 uh year in interest income report totaling $813,000 and n sorry $813,9945 from our five banks.
008There's no action on that. It's just update for the board if there's any questions on that. Does >> anyone have any questions for Dr. Onie on that? >> Okay. So, the next order of business is the distressed unit appeal board report. Dr. Pony. >> Yes. Again, uh, Indiana code 51378 requires school corporations to go over the at the board of finance meeting to go over the DWAB or distress unit appeals board. Um, this is located on the DAB website. So, I've got it pulled up here for you. The link is also in the board packet. Um, it's pretty interactive. So, the first thing if you want to check this out on your own, free time. We're not going to go too in depth into it, but just first thing is just make sure you drop
009down and select Leaport right there. Okay. And then this will give uh the financial indicators uh for the previous school year. This is a year behind. So keep that in mind as well. Um so in the first uh section here you're going to have the ADM the net assessed value and our estimated population um enrollment de demographics fund balances uh fund balances as percent of expenditures revenue types and then operating referendum revenue which we do not have so you'll see nothing there. Um I just want to point out real quickly not going to go into detail but uh when you click on this the reason I I like the website is it's interactive. So when you hover on it, it'll give you the details there. And so you can see here specifically with our percent.
010See this is not working. Scroll down here. Scroll over. So this is the most recent school year of 2024. You can see that our percent uh of expenditures has gone up. That's that's a good thing. we're heading in the right direction. Um, so we'll see what 2025 I'll I'll do a year- end report here. Um, based on that, but this is overall, this is where you would get that information for those fiscal indicators. If you guys have any questions, I'd be happy to entertain those at this time, but the the state just requires us to go over this with you each year. >> Anyone have any questions or comments for Dr. Onie about the uh DWAB report? Okay. Thank you, Dr. Oie. Next is the uh 1782 notice report. Dr. Okay. Um so on December
01129th, we received the 1782 notice from the Department of Local Government Finance. Um this was a little bit later than historically. We usually get it early December. Uh so this was a little bit late. Um, so it did allow us, we have 10 days to review it and make any adjustments. The only adjustment we had them do was since it did come later in December, we kind of had our year-end um expenditures by that time. So, we asked them to give us an updated version. Um, and so I'm just it's uh I don't know if there's an action item on this one. Yes, just to approve the 1782 notice. >> Okay, you guys all seen the 1782 notice. Does anyone have any questions or comments or concerns? Hearing none. Does anyone have a motion to
012approve the 1782 notice received? >> All right. Thank you, Ducker. Second. Thank you, Jen. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Okay, that passes. >> All right. The next order of business is the establishment of the 2026 mileage rate. Dr. Oie, >> you have a resolution in your board packet. This is established by the IRS each year. Um the change is from 70 cents to 72.5 cents per mile. >> Okay. Does anyone have any uh questions or comments on that? Is there a motion to approve that new rate? >> Thank you, Justin. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Amy. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. >> All right, that passes. And then the last order of business is the financial dashboard report. Dr. Oni. >> Okay. So,
013we'll start with December. Um, the last month of the year. Um, you can I don't want to read all the millions of dollars like we've done in the past. So, I'm just going to kind of give you a 30,000 foot view. Uh, we ended the year very strong. Um, with the oper operations fund receiving the last tax draw in December. Um, we were able to have a a positive closing balance there as well. Um, educ education fund status. Um, we have uh the state tuition reports pay support payments that were received. Uh, so we ended with 96.2% of our education fund balance there. Um, and then you'll see here the operations fund balance was at 102%. Um, this is an overage of $374,000 which we're monitoring closely, but we've already discovered that we had about
014an increase of $500,000 in utility costs this year that we didn't have last year. Um, so with NIPCOR rates climbing, we are expecting that to grow again this year. Um, which will probably eat into our cash balance. Um, also given the state of SCA1, we still are kind of up in the air with not knowing exactly how that's going to impact us. Um last month's board meeting we talked about policy analytics and SEL they're going to be helping us out with a five-year plan on what that's going to do to our uh operations fund. So that that is the December and then um on a more positive note for the fiscal year um you can see that we ended uh 2025. So the the total there um the expenditures the change from last year to
015this year our budget uh decreased overall um and then we had additional expenditures. So ending ending the year in the red was was a good thing. We did eat into our cash a little bit with operations as I mentioned but um overall we're able to come out positive. So any questions over that? >> Anyone have any questions or comments? So, I have just a couple comments. So, uh this past year, uh so fiscal year 2025, we uh we all know this because we we passed it, right? But we passed a balanced budget, >> right? So, previous to that, we were doing budgets that overappropriated potentially coming in on, right? So, we passed a balanced budget and we were under, right? So, we had about a $1.2 million surplus. So this was good. Um but as
016you look at some of these you'll see that like the budget was a little bit less the budget 25 24 budget was more than the 25 budget. That's why because previously they were over was over budgeted. So uh budgets in line with the money we're we're going to have coming in. We were under overall which is good. I'll also point out that uh we have an RFP out there now for uh energy efficiency and energy savings. Right? So while our our our usage of electric energy was the same roughly in 24 and 25 the cost went up $500,000. Correct? >> Right. So the usage is the same. The cost went up $500,000. Back that $500 operating fund. We weren't because open up, but the action item we're taking is to conduct a energy efficiency study
017that will hopefully reduce our energy cost. So, we're trying to get ahead of that. >> Those are just talking points. Um, all right. I don't think there's an action item here, is there? >> No. Okay. >> Anyone else have any questions or comments about the financial dashboard report? This is also available on our website. Anybody wants to see it, so they can they can pile into it. Okay. Does anyone want to make a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> Thank you, Justin. Second. >> Thank you, Jim. All those in favor say I. I. >> Okay. Here ends this meeting. All right. So, now we're going to start the regular board meeting. All right. So, we're going to do the pledge of allegiance again because we have great presenters of the pledge of allegiance now. Got
018done with all of our boring statemandated things to do. So, are you ready? All right. I'm going to call to order the school board meeting for Monday, January 12th, 2026. If you would please rise. We have some of our friends here from Hanley who are going to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Awesome. Aliance 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. >> All right. Thank you. >> Good job. >> All right. Roll call. Secretary Secretary, >> Mr. for honor >> Miss Marley >> present >> Mr. Homeus >> here, >> Miss Jackson >> here, vice president >> here, >> President Sever >> here, >> and myself. >> All right, all accounted for. All
019right, so the first order of business is a school spotlight. Today we have Hanley Elementary School spotlight. >> We brought we brought quite the crew. I hope you don't mind. >> Absolutely not. I'd like I'd like our pledge of allegiance representatives to come on up too and introduce yourselves. These are some of our student ambassadors. This is a program we have at Hanley. Our ambassador leaders, come on up. Introduce yourselves first, please. >> I'm Steinger. I am a fourth grade assistant. >> I'm Haley Boy. I'm the librarian and proud mom. >> Yeah. And >> students, you want to introduce yourselves? I'm Dickerson. I'm Riley. I'm >> We could do a whole conversation on just our student ambassador program. These ladies do an amazing job and our students do an amazing job. So, thank you and
020thank you to their parents for bringing them this evening. So, picture. Thanks so much. Then I first want to thank you for having us this evening. I want Mrs. Wat to come forward with me, please. So I'm Ham. I'm the principal at Hanley. And I'm Nelly Waters. I'm the assistant principal at Hley. And Kim Reed, where are you? If you'll come forward with us also. It's kind of a trio here. You're getting Hanley, but we work very collaboratively. So you want to introduce yourself also. I'm Kim Reed. I'm the special administrator of the program, the intent program at Hanley. And we are here this evening to my shark tank a little bit. We are here this evening to ask for it. No. Um we want to share with you a little bit about our co-eing
021and inclusion program um with our CKLA program with our new reading series. So we have a whole bunch of the the real workers behind us that really run the show. So I don't know if you wanted to share anything about about what we have going on. Water stuff. I think whenever there's a new curriculum involved, there's a lot of hesitation, a lot of what are we getting to what what's the what are we getting at with this new product and how is it going to support our students and and what we do here, which is teach. And I think seeing a lot of how our teachers have come together collaboratively and really put CKLA to the test. Seeing it in evaluation, seeing it across the board in grade levels, it's really interesting to see what's
022being put into place and what we have going on at hand. So, I'm excited for you guys to hear. At this time we have just our first grade um incorporating the co-eing model and inclusion across the building though K to four we have um inclusion we're very active with inclusion um in all of our programs resource and our intensive program but uh starting today we be we began with our second grade also starting with the inclusion model so or I'm sorry starting with the co-eing model so we have our first grade representatives of our first grade team, our resource team, our assistants, ELLL, all of it. So, I'm going to let them just share a little bit and then answer any questions that you may have. But, let's bring the real stars of the show.
023>> All right. I brought myself notes because I feel pretty passionately about this and if I don't have a notes, I'm going to keep talking and talking and you know that I want to go home. So, I'm going to do my best here. So, just kind of um introduce ourselves real quick. This is your first time. >> I'm Erica Granny. I'm the first grade assistant. Missy Hanki, first grade teacher. >> Monica Dorte, the ELLL teacher. >> Angela England, first grade teacher. >> I'm an Aaron Lozano um resource teacher at Hanley. So um when it came to Leaport, you also do a co- co-taught model here in Leaport as I did in my former district. And it's one of my very favorite models and I know that several other districts have put it to the wayside.
024Um it depends on where you are but look forward beeping and headstrong and keeping going with this and I really really think that it is the most positive way to affect children and adults as well. When you have a special ed teacher and a general educ education teacher who can provide a viable education for students with and without disabilities in the same uh classroom, you're going to just get way more bang for your buck. So when we started, we started off with the just the general idea, right? So you have one you have two licensed teachers in the classroom, right? You have one licensed teacher that's um gened, one that's special education and using the co-op model. So a couple different models. One teaches, one observes. Okay? So that traditionally would have been what your
025aids would do, right? I would be teaching, you would be observing, then you would help children. Then you go on to one teach and assist. Same thing where that would kind of look. Then we kind of looked at more like parallel teaching, which is okay, everybody in this room has a Bible part of these children's instructions. So parallel teaching is kind of what Angie and I do and what Winnipica and um Missy do and then Erica does in the afternoon, which is we're basically kind of up there together. Picture it like a better I don't know better than my marriage kind of marriage, but if you can see this, but um YOU KNOW LIKE YOU HAVE TO KIND OF HAVE THAT IT'S HARD, RIGHT? AND I was a general education teacher and it's hard to
026say, okay, someone else is going to come into my room, someone else is going to have access to my children and they're not going to do it my way and they're not and we're not and you know what, we just learn from each other and it's now I can we just look at each other. We don't even have to talk anymore. It's just those unsaid things between us that can kind of help the children. Um then there's station teaching, right? Where you have different things that are going on, alternate teaching and team teaching. So another thing that really is important here that um PLC's and other things have allowed us to do is the co-planning the co-assessments and then those reflections like okay what went well today what didn't go well today what can we
027do better you know what just because you know like it's like oh she's an aid well you know what that's not how it works at handling every person has a viable interest in those students so Miss Erica might come with a different idea we try everything just so we can help those students because when you are teaching those co taught groups and you have heterog Oh my gosh, now I'm going to be like you with that word. Sorry, heterogeneous groups, right? You're meeting the needs of all of those different people and all of those different students. And it's really important. Not only does it help with students, it helps with our relationships. It helps our relationships amongst each other. And as a result of that, also it's going to improve behavior. Okay? Because you do
028have two different people. and even those little side conversations that need to be have, there are two people um to kind of help, you know, close those gaps, help differentiate and so forth. So that's just kind of my spiel from my end. Um so I will let whoever else wants to talk talk. >> No one really wants to. >> How do you follow that? >> So I teach with Monica the morning skills and we have two other people in there that help us. So it's dispersed the strong students, she gets the ELELLL students come to my room, the school students go to their room. So we work the same thing. We, like she said, collaborate both ways. We talk, say, "Hey, where are you at? What are you doing?" And it works out really well.
029Now, in the afternoon, it's Miss Erica. And what works out really well here is when there's a sub in the room, Miss Erica can tell the sub what to do because she's seen it. She knows it. But alls I want to ask is these aids need computers because then they can get on the program when this when we're absent. >> Yeah. >> So that would be outstanding for her to be able to get on Amplify and that way she would be able to say, "Okay, here's where we're at. Here's the pictures. Here's everything." >> We felt that just this last week on Thursday, right? I was out for surgery. I had a sub at 4:30 that morning. my sub canceled and then Miss Erica had to step into my classroom for the day. Um, if
030she had access to my computer or my passwords to be able to get on and do all those things because CKL is so computer-driven where everything is online. We do have pictures, we do have, you know, printouts we can make, but it's not ideal when the kids are used to seeing it online every day. Um, so I will piggy back on her and say it would be amazing if staff in the building could have a Chromebook because then they would have access to everything we have access to. Um, um, Erin and I work every single day together um on skills. Um, like Missy said, we have the um, special uh, ed kids that come into our classroom, the kids that are lower. So I have three from one first grade, three from another first grade.
031I'll come into my room along with some ELB students for an hour in the morning. And just having those extra set of hands or the person that you take the lower group, I'll take the higher group or you have one little group and I'm wandering around the room doing all the other things for anybody that needs help. It's not um a burden on one person to do everything. We're such a team here that if somebody's making printouts, we're doing it for everybody. or I'm not saying, "Oh, Aaron, teach for me on Tuesday cuz I don't feel like it." Um, we're both in there every single day doing all of the work that needs to be done. And I just being gone Thursday and Friday. When I came back today, it was like I had all
032new kids. They have grown. I I think the Christmas break helps. But um just seeing the little light bulbs go off, seeing that they're learning and even the kids that struggle or they're the lowest of the low kids. We celebrate them every day. We'll bring them in the hall. Mrs. Huggy, come here quick. Uh what what is a um a noun and they'll tell you or what is a verb and they'll act it out for you. Um they're growing so much more having a full team of people working with them every day. This is an amazing program. Even if Miss Erica's there, I've started using our sub for the building in the morning to help out so that she knows what to do because she's used as a sub throughout all the different places. So,
033she knows also that you get the book, you read it, it's scripted and how to do it. So, it works out really well. But the CLA, my opinion, awesome. Just they're writing paragraphs, they're writing full sentences, and they were doing that. what the first nine weeks. >> Yes. >> So it's just amazing what this has brought >> compared to last year for picking it up last April and to the point that we have like little student leaders now too. I know when we're here I don't know where she went but she when she came in to to do the pictures I said you go tell her you you present it. You show her what we do and the kids were doing it wasn't even just on me right because I want them to be little
034leaders too. So it's just very powerful. I think co-eing is it's very powerful. I think it's very effective statistically. If you look at the data, I don't want to d, you know, bore you with data, it just shows that it just makes a huge difference. >> Plus, the kids don't know who has an IEP and who don't. They have no idea. >> No, they don't. Everybody works together as a team. >> Yep. >> That's awesome. >> Great. >> Thank you, ladies. I I want to highlight a couple of the things that they said. One, um, the seamless transition, that probably is one of the biggest highlights here. if one of them is out or or steps out for a meeting or a case conference, it is a seamless transition because they are a team and
035can work together. So, that is a huge benefit as well as um another area we thought about highlighting was our attendance. We are on a 5-year high of our attendance. Now, it's a small percentage, but it's growing by the month and by the year. And we believe as a leadership team, um and I think the teachers would agree. We just talked about it specifically as a leadership team like what's why do we think we believe that the engagement um from from the staff uh it keeps the it keeps the kids it keeps it fresh >> they're when they are they're excited to come to school when I'm when I'm in there they are truly ping ponging and it just keeps the engagement so um I think it's I think they're excited I think they're excited
036to learn and a shout out for the CKLA program because come talk to Kids, come in the buildings. If you're not sure about it or you're hearing things, come ask the kids what they think. >> They'll tell you all about it. >> I was going to say that, too. If you want to come see us, >> you're welcome to come see us. Dr. Tonle, you already saw us, so you come yet, but you're welcome to at any time. Just let me know. I know. We'll gladly. >> Yes, we'd love to have you all come. >> I don't have it in my notes. She said >> 910 910 to 10:10 is when when the first grade team is doing it, but we also have a second grade team. So, and you're on my list to call
037and get in there. Get in there. Anyway, we missed each other. So, um I do want Mrs. Reed to come forward and highlight one other thing. She she shared today and I said, "Oh my gosh, that's so powerful. Please, please share that. It is just really important that you hear this." Well, so um last year I really think that just in general all of the inclusion works because it really is a continuous teamwork implementation. The whole team works together to implement it. because I know I'm there every Monday to kind of guide and to figure things out, move things around, give support where support is needed, pull it where it's not needed, and those kinds of things. So, last year is when we went full throttle into all of this. And um our fourth graders,
038and Mr. Williamson, you probably already know this, but our fourth graders that were full inclusion last year, this year, they are all included in fifth grade general education. None of them are placement as a full-time ELBS student. They are all out, which shows that they internalize, they generalize, they truly learned the skill. They weren't just doing it because I like you or I like this teacher or this teacher can keep me, you know, has taught me this. They truly learn the skills and they learn to love to learn. You know, they're out there. They're like, "Oh, my friends are there." And they're just happy. They're happy to be out with all of their friends and to learn those skills. And those were our fourth graders now in fifth grade that are doing that. And then
039now we see this is our second year. So, of course, our second graders because our kindergarten, we do early intervention with our K1. And so they're getting all those foundational skills and the learning how to be a student kind of thing. And so by second grade they're all in inclusion. They're all full throttle in the classroom. And of course, so now like singling was saying like some come in for an hour like that for first grade and they're learning how to be in there. We're teaching them skills and then bringing them back by second they're in there and our teachers are in there teaching them in their environment. So right now second grade is really where where most of our support needs to be and our fourth graders who were full inclusion last year and
040third grade are needing minimal support. So by next year it should be you know they should be able to go to fifth grade and need you know occasional reminders and skill building still but there's nobody that is a full-time placement from second grade and fourth in the LBS room. So that's exciting. So to test and the thing is it's an attestment to everybody like we said it is a contin team team it's the team support because it's the it's up it's Mrs. It's the gen ed teachers it's the special ed teachers it's the paris the cafeteria workers everybody all of them >> everybody and everybody in that whole group is equally responsible for the success these students have and the learning that is going on for them so it's just so exciting it really is
041so I'm I'm excited to continue being a part of that and watching it grow and every year maybe you know they're they're learning more earlier now so they'll be out and about and making friends and a part of our community in a positive way. So, >> thank you so much for having us. >> I think it was around 3 to 5 minutes. >> About 3 to five minutes. >> Before you guys leave, I just want to say I love that you love the curriculum. I'm so happy to hear that the structure is amazing. But none of that stuff matters unless we have people like you who are so passionate about what you do. So, I really hope that you take some time to just celebrate yourselves and what you have going on. I can see
042it in all of you the way you're explaining it. And that is what makes the difference at the end of the day. So, thanks for what you're doing for the kids. >> Thank you. >> For sure. >> And you got a deal with you. >> Get Sharp Tank. >> And in recognition of school board appreciation month, we have a few tokens for you. So, we're going to have our students come on up and hand them to you. They are from our students at family. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> You have to share that. President. >> And then there's a ROM for everybody. Tell them about it. Emit. What does it say? Or everybody together. What does it say? One, two, three. >> Exactly. Says, "Thank you, LPCSC School Board. You
043rock." >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Great job, you guys. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay, >> next order of business is public comment. We have two public comments tonight. The first one is Jackie Derdy. And also before you go, Jackie, feel free to go. Kids and parents, uh, absolutely. The >> Jackie is gonna have some exciting comments here, I'm sure. But pardon, >> you're going to have some exciting comments here and then we'll >> They're very exciting. >> Yes. We'll dig into the boring part of the meeting shortly. >> I'll get started. Um, and I'll be brief. Thank you for having me this evening. Um, I'm here tonight because it is National Mentoring Month and it's been over a year since
044Family Advocates, well actually partnered with the school system and Dr. Wood was hit like right off the bat with hey, do you want to like let us work with the Slicer Champions program which has actually been in existence since I think 2017 and B Sappenfield ran it. I know I was a mentor. My dad was a mentor. We were all mentors for um Bert when she started the program and it's evolved over time and we were fortunate enough to bring the CS James program under our umbrella which has worked out beautifully and we've actually expanded it into the Michigan City Elementary School as well. So it's going it's going really well and I just wanted to say thank you. We're serving over 200 kids. We are also in the elementaryaries in Leaport. We have over
045150 mentors and it's just growing. So, >> and I have I have like a little mentoring thing for everybody. Okay. >> What what I'll do is I'll just I'll just pass. >> All right. >> I'll just I'll just do that. You can just give me the money. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jackie. Thank you. >> Okay. and then uh Marsha Morris. >> Good evening. I uh saw in the newspaper where tonight we were going to be discussing Dr. Wood's contract and obviously at 86 I don't have anybody in public school. We've been here since 1978 and we've always been a big fan of public schools and certainly the port community school. So I just wanted to say Dr. Wood, I appreciate your creativity. I appreciate your opening the schools to the community for their input.
046Uh I'm impressed with how things are going on. I'm impressed with the school board. I know it's hard work. uh you don't get many thank yous, but I will say thank you. It takes time. It takes a lot of consideration and it takes uh Dr. Wood to get you all together and all of you to get together with her along with all the employees. The one thing I'm very impressed with is the Lincoln School and the early childhood development because if that doesn't start early on, it's not going to hold. But the other thing besides educating those children, I hope you're educating the parents to the value of public school and that education. So, continue uh your good work. I thank you very much for letting me speak. Very welcome. >> You come back every
047week if you want. >> Thank you. Okay. Next order of business is a consent agenda. You've all seen the consent agenda. There's eight items to this. Uh first, the approval of minutes of the December 8th, 2025 schoolboard meeting. The financials for ratification and approval. The treasures report. The interest earned report for calendar year 2025. Personnel recommendations and travel request, corrections for the 2026 non-certified employee raise data, corrections to the administrative handbook, and corrections to the support staff handbook. Does anyone have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So move. >> Thank you, Tucker. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Justin. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. That passes. All right. At this point, we're going to open a public hearing regarding the superintendent's employment contract with the Leapore
048Community School Corporation. As per statute, this was posted uh at the appropriate time. It's been out there for a while. Um so, does anyone from the public want to step forward and comment on the employment contract for the superintendent? Right. Seeing none, then we will close that hearing. All right. So, superintendent's report. Dr. Wood. >> Very good. Um, so, um, as we convene in our first meeting of 2026, that always means the start of a new legislative session in Indiana. So, um, as you are aware, the 2026 Indiana legislature has convened for this year's short session. Um, so conversations continue at the state level around limiting student cell phone use during the school day. um including a potential bell-to-bell prohibition against cell phone use in in schools and in classrooms. Um so we have been
049proactively preparing for how such legislation could be implemented effectively in our secondary buildings in particular um where personal device use is the most prevalent. Um, so research and school-based evidence from across the country consistently show that reducing or eliminating student access to personal devices during the school day is associated with improved academic performance, increased engagement, better behavior, stronger attendance, and reductions in discipline issues. Schools that have implemented phone-f free environments also report improvements in overall school climate, including fewer classroom disruptions and more positive face-to-face interactions among students. So, we had actually already begun discussing how to better establish a phone-free environment in our secondary buildings prior to learning about this pending legislation. Um, because we recognize the negative impact that personal devices have on the school environment and on student learning. Um, so our administrative
050team has been exploring solutions that would support a bell-to-bell expectation while reducing the burden on classroom teachers to manage it. So, one option that we are looking at right now is a product called Yonder. Um, which is a system that is designed to support phone-f free learning environments in secondary schools. With the Yonder device, students place their personal mobile devices into a secure lockable pouch upon arriving to school. Um, so students would retain possession of their phones throughout the day. Um, but the pouches remain locked and can only be opened at designated stations at dismissal or if there was some type of emergency situation and our administration and teachers were to permit that. Um, this approach would ensure that phones are inaccessible during instructional time while remaining physically present with the student throughout the day.
051The model aligns well with the intent of the pending legislation that we're watching closely and offers several anticipated benefits. Most importantly, it removes the responsibility of policing cell phone use from teachers um and would create a consistent expectation across classrooms, allowing staff to focus on instruction rather than on enforcement. Um schools that are using similar systems report improved classroom focus, fewer discipline issues related to cell phone use, and overall stronger learning environments. The system also addresses common concerns related to safety and communication as students maintain possession of their devices at all times. schools continue to follow established procedures for communication with families during the day. So again, we began exploring this solution prior to the introduction of the legislation. However, given the momentum and broad support that we're seeing right now that the proposal is
052receiving in the state house, our timeline for potential implementation may be accelerated to meet the timelines that are being considered in the state legislation. Um, so we're continuing to explore this and as well as other potential solutions over the coming months to better establish a distraction-free learning environment for our students. Um, given that the this current legislative session is a short session, we expect that to conclude by the end of February. So, we would anticipate that by March or April, we would have identified an option that we plan to pursue for the implementation if it's passed um for implementation in the 2627 school year. Um, and then finally, as January is schoolboard appreciation month, I want to sincerely thank each of you for your time, care, and commitment that you give to Leaport Community Schools.
053Your work often happens quietly and behind the scenes, but the impact of your leadership is felt every day in our schools. I appreciate your willingness to ask thoughtful questions, engage in honest conversations, and make decisions with students at the center. I'm truly grateful for your partnership and support, and for the steady leadership you provide to our staff, students, and the community. So, at your seats, you've already seen you have some drawings and cards that were made by our students across the district thanking you for your service and advocacy. We hope you can take these home with you this evening and hang them up somewhere special as a reminder of the impact your work as schoolboard members has across our community. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> That concludes my superintendent. >> Anyone have any
054questions or comments? I mean, mine's going on my fridge. >> I still have all mine from last year. >> Thank you. Anything else? Okay. Uh, next is uh, assistant superintendent student learning report. Dr. Tonigan. >> Yeah. Good evening everybody. I have two topics for my report tonight. The first is uh, school accountability. I'm going to ask Mr. Mr. Wilson to come up as they're coming up. Uh, I just want to give a couple uh, comments about school accountability. The current model that we are under is uh, being phased out and a new metric is coming in. So how schools are judged is changing and the current model is is kind of weird because it's been in place since 2015. However, due to the change in state testing from IEP to iLearn and then co the
055state made schools hold hardless since 2018. So we actually haven't had a a state report on accountability since 2018, but one is coming and so we thought it would be movement to talk with you about that. Mr. Up and Mr. Wilmson are uh exceptional at keeping up with what's going on around the state. That's in part due to their participation in the Indiana Association of School Principles. It's super important that they are active in that organization because once these changes are voted on January 14th by the State Board of Education, they become in effect immediately. And if you're not paying attention, it puts the school corporation at a disadvantage. So, we've been having conversations. We've been trying to discuss how to best uh respond to these rule changes. Um, and you can do some things
056because they've been talking about this for a while. However, they're politicians. And so, at the last second, things can change. And so, I commend them for going to their state association meetings, workshops, conferences, and they're the experts. So, I'm going to talk I'm going to have them talk a little bit about accountability changes. Gentlemen, >> well, thank you for having us tonight. Um first off, why the accountability change? In the last legislative session, um the um legislators um put a task at state board of education to come up with a new accountability system. Let's uh back up like five years ago um when Dr. Jenner became state superintendent. Um her team, she tked her team to come up with a new system of how we look at our graduates in Indiana. Um because kids are
057more than just a test score. As you saw with the kids that came up here today from Hanley talking about some kids who are very low in this new system. Um it rewards kids for hard work. They may not pass the test but they're getting closer. They're getting closer. Um so they came up with the uh graduates prepared to succeed u dashboard um that has many different indicators of what we want to see when our kids graduate high school. Um couple years later um as you saw in the news about the new diplomas uh we're transitioning to a new diploma system with seals. So last year the state board said okay come up with a new system. Well since the diploma work had already been done and the GPS dashboard looking at the holistic child
058not just test score a new system came up um that's been working on and actually um the state board of education has asked for input from stakeholders. The system's not perfect. you're never going to have a perfect system. But at least in this new system, it does look at the whole child and it does show that, you know, we have kids who have 94% attendance rate. They may not be passing I learn, but they're getting closer and you know what, good attend attendance, if you're own a company, you want employees that you can depend upon and kids in this system and schools are rewarded for that tenants. And there's other things in here, too. Um so just milestones uh first off academic mastery is still the primary indicator on how points are based originally. In
059um grade three up to grade three you're looking at literacy and math. Um grades four through eight I'm looking at foundational knowledge and skill development. And then in the high school level, knowledge and skill development and career. What what are you going to do past high school? You don't have to go to college to have a great living. You can go to the trades. Um you know, you can just go out in the in the workforce. And these are all things that in the end um with the new system, it's encouraging encouraging all kids to find what their passion is in life. Um going to the next one. >> Um calculating school letter grades. >> So like Mr. Wilson talked about it is going to be a little bit different. So every student is now
060going to have a score. Okay. So it's going to be just like the old traditional scores that we've always had 90 70. So uh based on academic mastery or student success indicators, each student will get a score. They'll total up all those scores, divide by the number of students in the cohort, and then give you a percentage just like we typically have in education for years. I believe at the middle school, it'll be two scores and then they'll combine those two scores and get the average for the overall school grade. It' be the same way at the high school level. We have a grade 10 grade and we have a grade 12 grade. Again, using the ma the metrics that I just mentioned. So you'll have academic mastery which will give you a majority of
061your points and then you'll have student success indicators which will add to those points and um I think we have a slide next slide we can talk about the >> later on yeah >> that explains it a little bit more you go ahead and take >> so academic mastery um in grades K through three in grade three kids take iLearn okay if you don't pass i learn you get zero points just like in the old system But if you're approaching, I think you get 50 points. You're halfway there. If you pass, you're up to 70 points cuz that's a passing. But like I said before, kids are more than just a test score. And so there's other indicators that are wrapped up into this. In grades four through eight, it's I learn. And then some
062kids who are on I am, if they pass that, they get credit for that. um at the high school 910 it's about getting high school credits and in the new system um kids will get so many points by the number of credits they earn I think to get full points you have to have um 12 so they have four different areas they have above proficiency at proficiency approaching proficiency and then below proficiency um above proficiency would be 14 credits or more as a freshman Um at proficiency would be 10 to 13 credits. Approaching would be 8 to 9 and then below is anything 0 to 7. So what we're doing we've already made adjustments. Now this hasn't passed yet but we've already made adjustments in semester 2 to try and accommodate the kids who are
063at below uh proficiency levels right now because we want to get them by the end of their freshman year. We want to get everybody at minimally at at least approaching because those scores um obviously are a lot better than below. Below you get zero points. So every student who has zero to seven credits gets no score at all and he can't he or she really can't catch up using student success indicators. So if you go back to grade three um so academic mastery you have iLearn at the high school you have the credits. So, everyone starts off with that baseline. From there, um, these are success indicators where kids can get more points towards that 100%. But in Indiana, I read, you know, every child needs to know how to um read and that's the
064foundation for everything. So, on iLearn, the only way that you can get more success in it is you have to pass on. Okay. In addition, there's some other things that will bump that score, that final rating out of 100%. So, these are some of the things in grade three. You want to go to the next one. In four through eight, you know, um we worked very hard in our data teams and professional learning communities um working together, collaborating. Kids may not pass island, but they're getting closer. In the new system, if you have a typical year's growth, that's one success success indicator. And actually, if you get two or more years in a year, that's going to be two success indicators. So, on this right here, you need three success indicators to get to the
065highest level or 100%. if you pass the test. Okay. Um if you don't pass the test at zero, you can still get up to 75 points. And that's better than what the system used to be in the holistic approach. Um there's a whole bunch of different things. You're like two high school credits in seventh grade, two high school credits in eighth grade. But this might change. The final draft isn't coming out until actually it's not going to be a draft. It's going to be what we're doing. It comes out on Wednesday. it comes out on Wednesday. Um, but there's a whole bunch of different success indicators where um, it just gauges more than just a test score. Again, we having two different scores. So, grade nine and 10 um, grade nine and 10, grade nine
066and 10 goes on the credits that we talked about at or above proficiency, so on and so forth. you get a certain score for those. And then the student success indicators are right um listed here. Attendance, again, kind of going off of what Hanley said, our attendance is also a little bit better. Um I think it's just because it's been more prevalent and discussed with families and in the news. However, you still see the rigor there were for college benchmarks being the PSAT or the NMSQT uh biology ECA which really was just a test that you had to take. It didn't really mean anything. Now it can mean something. Really was just about participating in the test. Now it can actually be one of the student success indicators which would increase your score. Uh CTE
067courses are our like Mr. say together. You always make me feel tall. >> Um and then um you can see the uh we also have dual credit which also helps you uh increase your scores. Um there's even an ELLL component to that which would be the WEDA score. So there's a lot of different ways mentioning the whole child that Mr. Wson has mentioned. It really does help. you go to the the next level. Now, the next level is going to be a little bit different. Um, grade 11 and 12. That's going to be based the mastery part of it is what diploma you earned. And right now, you can get an academic honors, a technical honors, or a core 40. But you can opt into an enrollment or enrollment plus honors. you can enlist or
068you can enroll into an enlistment plus or plus honors or an employment uh honors degree program or honors degree diploma. So we have right now we have about eight different diplomas students can earn. So the tracking has been uh a challenge because we haven't been given anything to track. We're making our own spreadsheets which I think we have a pretty good system right now. Um so the tracking part will continue to be a challenge for us. But um after the diploma uh is established then again you go to okay how can we increase those scores and you can see where you the rigor is still there with SAT and ACT as a possibility. The college and career um helps you a little bit too for those kids who are not going into uh secondary education.
069Now you're looking at the CTE courses. One of the biggest problems we're going to face is completing 150 workbased learning hours. So any kid that has a job, we are now tracking their hours. Okay? They have to bring us in how much you've worked, how much have you volunteered. There's all different parameters for that, but we think we think we have a good system for that as well. So it'll be challenging. However, it is um it is something that will help the entire uh population whether it be rigor or whether it be someone who just wants to get the bare minimum and get a diploma. So, it really does help. I will say this, what's frustrating right now is the grades will come out for this year in October of next year, but we don't
070know the rules yet. So, playing it's like playing a basketball game. In the first half, there's nothing. Now in the second half, you're going to start keeping score and calling fouls. That's what's frustrating right now for both of us. Uh but I think we're in a pretty good spot on what we've anticipated. We've already made changes anticipating what's going to happen on Wednesday when we get the final draft. But um I think we're in a pretty good spot. So >> that's you summed it up right there. So >> any questions for the principles? So, um I know you said that there's no there are no tools to track the different diploma types. What about each individual students score with all of this stuff >> we are tracking? >> Holy cow. >> Yeah. So, but it's
071it's been pretty good. We we've already So, we've already went through uh I'm not going to tell you what the score is because their score I say their the state score and what we think our scores are could be totally different because we don't know what the final rules are. But we have a spreadsheet that um that we worked out that it's it's going to be okay. >> Well, good job because that's a lot. >> Each spreadsheet has a cohort and Mr. shared it with me. I said, "Where did you get this?" >> And he said, "I made it." >> That's incredibly impressive. >> He's education. >> This this is really cool and it's sort of like, you know, more of a portfolio style of like let's look at what everybody's doing well, which is
072great, but it's that's a huge lift for you guys to talk. So really good. >> Yeah. >> And we're working together because there's some transitions from the middle school to the high school that we're still waiting on. Like you said, the credits, >> the credits is an issue because if we offer credits in seventh grade and eighth grade, then what's the impact down the road? >> Sure. We get too many early graduates and then they're leaving after their junior year because they met all the requirements. So now we're like, okay, uh then there's the funding issue. If we don't have students come back for their senior year, that's a lot of money. So, but I think it was done purposefully for some reason. >> Yeah. >> So, I' I'd like to make just three kind
073of observations. Um, so thanks for what you guys are doing all uh this is very involved, >> right? Just it's just very involved. Um, that's my first observation. Um, >> so I'm also glad that we're trending well in uh attendance. >> I think that's great. So, we heard that earlier with Hanley and and hearing it here too. you we read we read a lot of the things that come across our uh desks and it's about attendance going down. So I'm glad to hear that that things are going up. And then I'm really glad to hear that that it's more than a test. Uh as an employer um and my dad taught me this as a kid. If you show up every day and you're willing to work hard, you got a really good chance of
074being successful. And I think if we teach that to kids at a young age, uh that's that's really good. So, I'm glad that some of this is taken into account that there's more than just a test. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thank you guys. >> Anything else, Dr.? >> Yes. Next, next part. And Tammy will switch these slides here. Give her a second. Um, I'm going to talk a little bit, not much about checkpoint. So, we were kind of zoomed out at a 30,000 foot view. We're going to zoom in on one area of that accountability model and that's I hear a lot about that. It's a point of emphasis across the state. It's a point of emphasis in Leaport. We're giving checkpoints. You've heard me talk about this a lot. I
075want to give you a little bit of data today and kind of show you what we're looking at. Um because they are new. Those are the checkpoints are formative assessments mean meaning that they're assessments given during learning. We're not waiting till the end of the year and find out how our kids are doing. We're giving them assessments throughout the year. The goal of this is uh mastery by the end. So you will take a checkpoint in the middle of the year, but it doesn't define how the student is going to is going to do. It'll give us an indicator of how they're they're doing, but if we're doing this the right way, we're looking at data that we can act on, we can intervene, that our teachers can provide um individual instruction. So uh next
076slide, please. Uh we have a score, a new score that is available um on our report. It's called the prediction for summitative proficiency. And what this is, it's a prediction uh based on how the student did on each checkpoint. So as those checkpoints are given throughout the year, hopefully that prediction score increases. These these checkpoints are they're limited. They're given on six to eight standards. So you have all these standards that you are evaluating at the end of the year, but these formative assessments are checkpoints that are given only on a few throughout the year. So it's the probability how they do on those six day standards of uh that they might meet the requirement or meet the expectation at the end of the year or uh perform above it. Here's a chart showing these
077prediction scores for Leaport. The first column is the average prediction for sumitative endofear proficiency in math at each grade level. As you can see if you go down this chart, I'm not going to read each number to you. We are comfortably ahead of the state. This is not surprising. Our math scores in Leaport have been strong for a long time. Um this is zooming out across the whole grade level. These prediction scores are available at each classroom level, at each student level. So um the expectations for our administrators are and our teachers that in their PC's they're pulling up student reports and they're zooming in because we don't want to just look at general numbers. We want to look exactly at how kids are doing in certain parts of that assessment. So there are performance
078levels uh as I mentioned u below proficiency, approaching proficiency, at proficiency and above proficiency, but we can zoom in more and we can look at specific skills of how students are doing in each one of those prof uh proficiency categories. So that's something our our teams are doing behind the scene. The next chart is our ELA prediction. Mrs. Van Hook, you can go down there. So, as you can see in ELA that we are uh not fairing as well. This is not surprising. Um, we've scored lower in ELA and you've been hearing a lot about the new reading program that we are implementing, our English language arts program. And the challenge with this, I talked about this in December, is the scope and sequence of that new program isn't lined up with these checkpoints. So
079these are six to eight standards that are measured. And this data is based on only one checkpoint. By the way, our second checkpoint is being assessed right now. We started right at the end of semester 1 and it goes into semester 2, but we are below average across the board. Um, and overall you can see state scores and ELA are a little bit lower. So we're not panicking. We know that um implementing this program with fidelity means following the program as it's designed to be implemented. There's a lot of research behind this program. We thought if we're investing lots of money, lots of time, lots of training in the program, we're going to implement it how it's intended to be implemented while at the same time giving these checkpoints and using the state resources that
080are given to us. And so this is a challenge that classroom teachers are having is that's a lot. It's a lot to take on. It's a heavy lift to take on a program at the same time you're implementing a new assessment system and all those resources that that go with it. So, um we expect those percentages to go up as the programs implemented with Fidelity and I mean program as in the checkpoint resources. We have an exact path program that individualizes learning paths for kids based on the results of these prediction scores. So, that's something that's going to happen that will improve scores as we go out through the uh throughout the semester. I'm glad to answer any questions about these prediction scores or anything with the checkpoints. >> Anyone have any questions or comments?
081>> I'll just make a comment that I think it's very important when you see these percentages, I think people see them and they automatically think, "Oh my god, look at the state average." Because this is as a principle myself, the test and the state averages have either stagnated or slightly dropped year-over-year. It's a it's a test like design flaw. In my opinion, when you have a state average, let's say like on math, I think last year for 8th grade, the state average across the entire state was 40ish, high 30-ish%. >> Yeah. >> Overall, that's a test issue. So, when people see these percentages, they need to take that into consideration. Look at the entire state and how the state's performing. Now, if the entire state was performing at 90%. And we were performing at this
082level, yeah, alarm bells should be going off. This is about what the state average is. And so, I think that's important for people to take into consideration. So, um the goal should always be to try to perform above the state average. That's my opinion. Um but I think that's an important thing for people who are just seeing these numbers and don't have the context. look at how the state's performing overall because these numbers aren't far off. >> And I think the real question should be what are we assessing kids over because it's a question I ask all the time. So, >> and that's a good point. This goes back to that whole harmless list that I opened up this part of my report with. That was part of the reason they said we're not giving
083grades to schools anymore. You went from IEP to I learn. I learn is an endofthe-year summitive college and career readiness assessment. And we know that not every student is right there, but we're not just looking at did they pass or not pass. We're looking at are they approaching passing. And so our focus once we look at this data is moving those students from whatever category they're in. There's four categories. We talked about that earlier. Moving them to that next category, then that factors into the accountability metric system which looks at the whole child. So I appreciate those comments. It is challenging. It's it's frustrating. Uh we're setting goals to increase these percentages. And as you can hear from our school spotlights, almost every board meeting you hear somebody talk about how great this program is.
084They're buying in. That's huge. You're getting that buy in. Somebody mentioned how important it is. Program's great. You can spend all the money you want on it, but unless people buy in and and use it with fidelity and with passion, you're not going to get the results. So those things are happening. Those are indicators that I watch in my position. And uh we're going to keep striving. >> Thank you. It kind of reminds me where they would post grades at Purdue and then you would wait for see what the curb is. >> So, all right. Well, thank you. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Tom. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Dr. Oie, you had a whole meeting dedicated to yourself. Do you need you need more time or you >> just
085a couple quick updates? I promise I'll be brief. You mentioned the RFQ earlier. I just wanted to point out that uh we advertise for that January 1st and 8th. We're taking qualifications up through February 9th. We've already had five or six companies reach out to me directly saying they're interested in in putting in a proposal. So, we should >> That's for the energy >> the energy savings. >> Um and then one final update. I just want to keep you guys apprised of anything that's happening with Kowanas. Uh Mark Kurt with Preserve Historic Port has scheduled uh a meeting with Schmidt and Associates. They're going to pre present their proposal to the committee. Those that are able to attend, it was a short notice thing, but we're going to meet tomorrow. Um, those members that are
086able to attend, they they do have a second company. They haven't scheduled a time yet uh to meet with us, but right now we're going to hear what uh Schmidt Associates has to say about Quantis. >> And this is just them proposing to do the study. They haven't done the study yet. I'm just hearing what they're pitch to hopefully get >> the contract to perform the study. >> Yeah. Thank you for clarifying that. That's all. >> Okay. Any questions or comments? Okay. So, the next order is uh we have uh policies here. Um we have volume 38 number one September 25th. Uh that's the first reading. Uh and then volume 38 number one uh non discrimination update September 2025. Uh first reading as well. Uh again, this is first reading, so these will get out
087and posted and then we'll vote on them next time. Uh any comments on anything? >> Yeah, just a just a quick overview. Um both of these updates are a combination of revisions, replacements, recisions, and technical updates. Most of this driven by recent changes in state and federal law. Um, so a lot of times the policies that we have that come up for review are put forth from Neiola's attorneys that follow case law and legislative changes that we require us to update our policies to remain compliant. Um, so the largest focus um, from this batch, we have a section of the non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. um those align with language updated in federal guidance, recent court decisions in the seventh circuit and changes to national reporting definitions. Um they also are working on consolidating policies um
088for clarity and consistency. So you'll see some of those policies have been combined into one policy content not necessarily changing but might just be just a combination so we don't have as many policies to review for the different things. Um and then additional updates in the other uh section include legislative changes related to board governance, staff staff evaluation requirements, teacher appreciation grant, purchasing and public works, student safety and wellness, digital accessibility, and mandatory reporting obligations. So again, all just intended to ensure that we remain legally compliant and aligned with current um state and federal statute. Okay, >> anyone have any questions or comments? Okay, we'll move on to new business. The first uh order of new business is the consideration for recommendation to approve the acceptance of grants donation gifts and bequest. Dr. Wood, >>
089we have one um donation this evening and this was a donation from Peepers Eyewear. Um it is a donation of $1,000 to Kesling Intermediate School and $1,250 to Leaport Middle School. Um this donation is a thank you because we had nine teachers who volunteered their time over Thanksgiving break working with peers. So um in turn they gave us this donation for our two schools on the Kesling campus. So we would ask for your approval of this donation from peepers this evening. >> Anyone want to make that question? >> I just have a question on in board docs. It says 1500 total or >> that is a typo. Yes. So it is 1,250. Okay. Anyone have any other questions? We want to make make a motion to approve uh that gift or those gifts. >> So
090moved. >> Thank you, Amy. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Justin. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. All right. Next uh is the consideration for recommendation for approval of a retirement incentive for eligible level three and four administrators. Dr. Wood. Um so we are requesting board approval this evening of this retirement incentive. Um it would be for level three and four administrators who choose to retire at the end of the 2526 school year. So as you'll recall during negotiations with the teachers union this year we agreed to develop a retirement incentive for eligible teaching staff. Um so now we're requesting to develop a similar incentive for level three and four administrators. So, the proposed incentive here mirrors the components of the teacher retirement incentive and is intended to support
091our ongoing right sizing efforts while potentially generating long-term savings through plan administrative attrition. >> Any questions or comments for Dr. Wood on that? >> Someone want to make a motion to recommend the approval of the retirement incentive as laid out. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Monica. Thank you for the second uh Jen. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. The next order of business is the uh recommendation for approval of superintendent employment contract with Leaport Community School Corporation. Dr. Oni. >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> All right. All right. This is me. I just make sure you're paying attention. Uh okay. So, we talked earlier about uh we had a a hearing uh for Dr. Wood's uh contract. And so, um some highlights of this are this
092is a 5-year contract that would start in July. So, it would take you under contract until uh June 30th of 2031. Um and I just want to say that I I think I speak for everyone on the board here that we're extremely happy with your work. Um, we are extremely excited uh that you brought your talents here and we're excited that you're going to be here for a long time. So, I'll I'll pause there and uh let anyone else pile on. >> Completely agree. Yes. >> Yeah. >> I agree with everything that Ryan has said >> and even going down state, everyone that we ran into said that we got the cream of the crop and it is definitely >> Thank you. >> definitely true. >> Thank you. Okay. So, uh, does someone want to
093make a motion to approve, uh, superintendent's new contract? So, move. >> Thank you, Jim. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tucker. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> All right. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Uh, okay. Next, uh, item is consideration for recommendation to approve farmland lease, legal advertisement, and bid packet. Dr. Owner. >> Uh, so this is a renewal. the lease is is coming due. Um the Indiana code allows us to lease property to farm as long as bidding laws are followed. Uh we're talking about the property 25 acres at the corner of A Street and 18th Street. Um so like I said, that lease is coming due. We need to have approval tonight which will allow us to run ads in the paper for the 15th and 22nd and then
094that will make us uh able to take bids and then when that lease expires we'll have a new lease uh running from March 1st 26 to February 29th 2028. So tonight's approval for legal advertisement and for the bid form for 2628 farmland lease. >> Any questions or comments? Right. So, your intention would be to bring that to our February board meeting, hopefully for for approval, right? It's a two-year lease, so March. Okay. Um, all right. Anyone want to make a motion to approve the posting of that legal advertisement? >> Thank you, Jim. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tucker. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Next order is the uh consideration for recommendation to approve the annual renewal of micro purchase policy and selfcertification. Dr. on. This is just
095another annual renewal for our food service department. Uh it was originally approved in 2022 for purchases under $50,000. This annual renewal is based on guidance from the IDOE and state board of accounts. So I'm just recommending renewal for the microurchase and self-certification policy for food service. >> Any questions or comments for Dr. Onie? So want to make a motion to approve the annual renewal of micro purchase policy and self-certification. moved. >> Thank you, Amy. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Justin. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Uh, next is consideration for recommendation to approve the renewal of Indiana ESC food co-op contract. Dr. Oni, >> again, this is another annual renewal um with NISK. They are a co-op member, so they help us get uh lower food costs, helps our food
096service department. The membership fee is $19,892.50. Uh this would be an allowable and appropriate expenditure for the food service department and it falls within the micro microurchase guidelines that you just previously approved. Anyone have any questions or comments? Dr. Onie hearing none. Does someone want to make a motion to approve the renewal of the Indiana ESC food co-op contract? >> Thank you, Justin. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tucker. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Uh the last order of new business is a consideration for recommendation to approve bids for maintenance transportation department vehicles. Dr. Oni. Uh so in the attached document uh from Ryan Kim, our director of facilities and maintenance. He was able to get two quotes uh for three different vehicles from three from two different uh
097companies uh just to cut down on maintenance costs. We are in dire need of some vehicles for maintenance and transportation. It's been three years uh in in the works that it should have happened. Um just to give you an example, we had a recent uh repair for a spring in a truck that cost us $7,800. So when you have repairs of that high cost, it adds up. Um so he did a great job of getting some very low bids on those vehicles. Um, I talked to them. We thought one of them might go. So, I was going to ask for some some leverage on uh getting that, but I think we're good. They're going to hold it for us because we're school corporation and Ryan Kim really gave them the the pity like you're going
098to do this to a school, sell it from underneath us. So, they said they'll hold it for tomorrow if if it's approved. So, >> uh, and then the third vehicle is for transportation, I'm sorry, for transportation for our maintenance and facilities director. So he does not have to use his personal vehicle to transport equipment, supplies, things of that nature, and ding up, get get uh things like that on it on his own vehicle with the mileage on it. So he's going to use a district vehicle. >> Anybody have any questions or comments for Dr. Onie? >> Well done, Ryan. That's all I have to say. >> Those will be purchased from the 2025 geo bond, >> right? Yep. Okay. So, does someone want to make a motion to approve bids for maintenance and transportation department
099vehicles? >> Thank you, Jim. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tucker. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> There is no other business for comment. >> Jim, >> just a little bit of a legislative update. Uh, as Dr. Wood alluded to, this is a short session. We talked before the meeting. I told you a couple things that you hadn't quite attention yet. Uh there's about 700 bills filed this this year so far, which is about half for a long session and I think 70 some of them directly concern some kind of educational issues and such. So I wouldn't get too concerned right now as I've told you every year because this is a fastmoving session. I was at a legislative dinner down there last week and there's
100a lot of apprehension uneasiness going on over the red district bill that would defeat me. There's a lot of people on edge down there. A lot of people that are used to be allies are kind of at least session. So don't get too excited right now. They have to be out by the end of February. February 27th's the date that the speaker said shooting for to be out. So um we'll have more next week, but it's moving so fast that some of the committees down there are only going to be meeting one time before final. The bills have to be out of the respective committees that are House and Senate by the January 29th. So that's only a couple weeks away. So moving fast. So I'll keep you posted next meeting. Should be a lot
101more to discuss next time. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Okay. Does anyone else have any comments they'd like to make? >> Um I guess I would like to say that I am thankful for the opportunity to represent us. So thank you guys. Awesome. Don't get too cuffy. >> People won't. >> All right. So, uh, our next meeting is February 9th, 2026, which will, uh, be the day after the Bears win the Super Bowl. That'll be good. Um, all right. So, hearing that, is there a motion to adjourn? >> So, move. >> Thank you, Justin. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Tucker. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Here ends the meeting. Thank you. This is yours. Very many.