001ready. >> I'd like to call to order the uh Port Community School Corporation uh board meeting for Monday, July 14th, 2025. We'd ask you if you're out there to please silence your cell phones. Um if you would please uh stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. >> 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. >> All right. Next order of business is roll call. Secretary Honquist >> Arnold >> present. >> Miss King >> present. >> Miss Batty >> present. >> Mrs. Farley is absent. I am present. Uh Vice President Jackson >> here. >> President Seabird >> here. All right. Six to one. You have your form. Okay. Uh public comment.
002There is none. Uh the next order of business is consent agenda. There's five items on the consent agenda that you've uh you've seen. One is the approval of minutes of the June 9th, 2025 schoolboard meeting. Then the approval of minutes of the July 2nd schoolboard meeting, financials for ratification and approval, treasurer's report, and then personnel recommendation and travel request. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So move. >> Thank you, Tucker. A second. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. All right. Passes 60. Uh I'm going to hand this off real quick to uh Uh Dr. >> We have one staff member that was approved that we would like to introduce. >> Yes. This is a really exciting night for us as uh we just went through
003the interview process with some awesome Kingsbury staff. Many of them came out tonight to support us. Um we're pleased to recognize Kyle Dean as the next principal of Kingsbury Elementary School and his family. Welcome. I'll have Kyle introduce his family, but just tell you a little bit about him. Uh, he holds a master's degree in K12 school administration from Indiana State University. He was recently principal at Michigan City High School where he's had lots of great experience. He led the school through several significant academic improvements. Um he's a father of three young daughters as you can see and uh he's excited to return to the elementary level uh to build a nurturing high achievement high achieving environment for Kingsbury Elementary staff and students. So Mr. Dean, if you please introduce your beautiful family. We welcome
004you to the board. First off, thank you everyone. Uh I'm excited to to bring my family uh to a great environment as Mr. Tom said. So, my wife Danielle and we have our four-year-old Aria and then two two-year-olds. Uh they're not twins. Uh but we have Mia and then this is Isa right here. And so we're excited. [Music] >> Excited, too. So, um looking forward to a great year. I just say thank you and >> I'm looking forward to joining a very talented staff. So, >> well, thank you. Welcome. Thanks to the staff for coming out and supporting Mr. Dean. We've got a slicer shirt for him. He said he was at another school corporation recently. I don't remember what corporation, but it's orange and black. >> Dr. Can we give him some golden black,
005too? >> Absolutely. >> All right. >> Here you go. >> Oh, wonderful. That's cool. Very cool. >> Again, very talented staff. I think >> awesome. Thank you very much. Welcome aboard. >> You guys. >> All right. The next order of business is a recognition of Slicer Ambassadors Program. >> Yes. So, um we have a special uh presentation for the board this evening. So, um, tonight marks a special milestone as we are recognizing the completion of our inaugural slicer ambassador program. Um, and we wanted to celebrate this evening the community members who participated in this pilot year of our program. So, we have several of our cohort one ambassadors in attendance this evening. So, I'd first like to invite those um members from the Slicer Ambassadors group to kind of come to the front and stand
006while we share with the board a little bit about the program and then we're going to give all of you a chance to introduce yourselves as well. Um so, the Slicer Ambassador program was born directly from community feedback which expressed a desire for greater transparency and decision-making and increased communication from the school district. We listened and the slicer ambassador program is one of our initiatives. From October 2024 to May 2025, we welcomed community members into the inner workings of LPCSC. Our ambassadors engage deeply with our operations, touring facilities, sitting in classrooms, asking tough questions, and gaining firsthand knowledge of what it truly takes to run a school district. Our ambassadors attended sessions on school budget and finance, athletics and facilities, early childhood experiences, career and technical education, curriculum and assessment operations and special education programming.
007They visited the Keslan campus, toured our transportation center, observed our food service operations, and engaged with administrators, teachers, and students across our district. Looking ahead, we're already incorporating feedback to make future programs even better. Tonight, we're not just recognizing program participants. We're celebrating community partners. These individuals invested their time, brought their curiosity, shared their voices, and now are equipped to in to be informed voices for our schools. Um, to our ambassadors who are here tonight, thank you for your commitment, your thoughtful questions, your authentic engagement, and for becoming advocates for our students and schools. We especially appreciate the valuable feedback and dialogue you shared throughout the process. Your perspectives challenged us to think differently, helped us to identify areas for improvement, and reminded us of the importance of seeing our operations through the community's eyes.
008This two-way conversation made us better, and you've helped to build a stronger, more connected community. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Carl Savage and Pam Tomkins of the Leaport Educational Development Foundation who provided light refreshments during our sessions. Always important. Um, speaking of community advocacy, we recently featured two of our ambassadors, Ma Batty and Craig Many from our inside on our inside Leaport schools podcast. They shared their experiences and insights from the program and I encourage everyone to listen to that episode which launched today. Um, so I'm ex I'm proud to report that the Slicer Ambassador program has exceeded our expectations and now we look forward to continuing this initiative. We are opening up applications for our next cohort. It is available now on our website and you can apply, anyone in
009the community can apply to be part of cohort 2 through August 1st. Um, so I'd like to now ask those of our ambassadors who are in attendance here to introduce themselves and if you have anything that you'd like to share um that was inspiring to you throughout the process or any takeaways, please feel free to do so as well. >> Start with Ma. >> Ma Batty um proud mother of a junior. I'm also a Fiser alumni. So, I was very excited. Um, one thing that I really, really loved about the ambassador program, it was engaging, inviting, and you felt very comfortable and relaxed to share your opinions or ask questions. I'm Michelle Sherk. I'm the mother of a rising ninth grader and a fifth grader, uh, which is crazy, but I'm also the CEO of
010Boys and Girls Clubs of Leort County. We are in the schools. We work closely with the schools and I appreciated that the behind the scenes look helped us answer questions for our families. Sometimes it's helpful to have different sources to go through for information and it kind of deepened that partnership and allowed us to operate together more seamlessly. >> I'm Ann Morrison. I'm the mom of two girls that have uh graduated Leaport High School and I have one junior still in Leaport High School. I enjoy getting to see them behind the scenes. Uh especially the um special ed um Ed because that's very important. >> Yes. Mike Riley. I'm with Leaport Economic Advancement Partnership. Also a graduate of Leaport High School. My kids went to Leaport uh school system. Also Indiana State alumni. Um but
011yeah, same same thing. I I was amazed at the the dedication of the staff uh the leadership the directors >> being from here going being connected to a lot of things that go on through the schools. It was I thought I knew a lot and I found out that I did not know a lot based on budgets and logistics and and different departments that run and how they run. So it was very eye opening and I hope the future classes get to see that as well. So yeah, >> good evening. I'm Pam Stanfield Tomkins. I am the communications director for the Leaport Educational Development Foundation. Um I was pleased to be a part of this group and I would like to say that I just appreciate the effort to be transparent with um the community
012so that everyone can see what is truly going on in our schools and the good things that we're doing. I'm Gina Alber. Uh my son uh graduated in 23 from LPHS and my husband and I despite being employees of the district for a very long time. Um I I brought home lots of tidbits of information after the meetings. I said, "Did you know this?" Like, "Oh my gosh." You know, we would both kind of laugh like, you know, I think he didn't really know and just kind of was playing around with me. But I was always very excited to learn more and to be a stronger um supporter in the community for our school system because I think that there's a lot of great things to come and I'm I've always been a slicer supporter
013of course. >> Great. Uh good evening. Uh Craig Menny, president of general insurance services, graduated from Leaport. Um three daughters, one graduated, one's a rising junior, one is a rising second grade here at Kingsbury. So great to meet feature Mr. De. Um yeah, I think the the the principal insights for me, one um it was great to hear from the students at the high school level that have gone through some of the programs um to a person. They said they felt um prepared for the next chapter, whether it's medical careers or industrial field. So um I thought that was wonderful to see. And then furthermore, just the complexity of the environment in which you all operate, in which the the staff operates, uh truly eye opening. I think some of us, you know, we're not
014experts in the the statutes and the regulations and all of that. So uh to hear some of those constraints was uh was certainly eye opening and yeah I would encourage anyone with any interest whatsoever to to put in an application and be part of the next program. It was really really well done. >> I'm Eric Nelson also with the Leaport Economic Advancement Partnership and also a board member of the Leaport Educational Development Foundation. Um this was a really unique opportunity I think I have to agree with that everybody has set up here especially for myself and my professional capacity of working with the school corporation. uh very unique opportunity to to learn the ins and outs of the school corporation as a whole. Uh and obviously it's our role as ambassadors to take that information.
015We all everybody here knows a lot of people. Uh it's nice to be able to to take that information in our conversations uh and help educate other people. So very unique opportunity. So appreciate it. >> Well, I want to thank once again all of our group and those who couldn't be here this evening as well for the time commitment. It was two to three hour sessions once a month and and our ambassadors showed up um and they came in with curiosity and eagerness to learn and we greatly appreciate the commitment that they put forth to to help us sort of launch this program and very much looking forward now to the applications we'll receive um for cohort 2 and again those are open on our website until octo um October August 1. >> All right.
016>> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. So, I just let everybody know that if you were here for uh Mr. Dean or uh the ambassadors you want to cut out, you're not going to offend anybody, right? If you want to stay, >> if you Yeah. If you want to stay and watch us do business, by all means, do it. But like, don't think you have to. >> Can I say something about the ambassador program? >> Yeah. So it was essentially a crash course for me. I just >> you know how to clear a room. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. Exactly. >> All right. Go ahead. >> Um so like the master program had started essentially right after I had been like here and I mean I I knew a little bit about the schools but
017I didn't know as much as I thought I did. that that ambassador program was a crash course on really the depth of operations that we have and it it gave me a a better understanding of what we do every day and I would highly recommend take sessions next year to go if you can because it was worth it. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> Okay. So, uh the next order of business is the financial dashboard. Dr. Wood. >> All right. Well, um we have an updated financial dashboard that we are introducing this evening. Um so that is going to be displayed here on the screen as well as I provided um for this month a hard copy as well just because this is a new format that we are introducing this month. So I I thought
018it might be helpful to everybody to have a hard copy in front of you as well. We um because we have changed the presentation of this um we also want to make sure if you have any um thoughts in regards to the way the information is presented or if there's additional information you'd like to see please let us know because it is still a work in progress as we work on refining exactly the information that we want to share with everyone. Um so I'm going to run through this just briefly um you know kind of from top to bottom. This is live on our website right now under um it's under departments and then um I believe business. Um so this is available um for everyone to be able to go back and and review
019as well. Um so the top section here um just kind of highlights our key financial insights um as we are um looking at the past month. So our information this evening specifically focuses on June of 2025. Um we have a a total um cash holding of 11.55 million. Um and that gives us uh a 19.2% operating balance. Um which is in a we are in good shape in regards to where we're heading and what our goal is for um maintaining that cash balance for our finances. Um monthly operations June remained within budget parameters with controlled expenditure uh management. Um and then for fund allocation, this just points out that the education fund holds 73% of our total cash. Um which of course is our fund that also reflects the largest number of expenditures. Um the
020row underneath this covers the um total of all funds. Um so this is comprehensive across all different funds. Total cash balance of 11.5 million. June revenue coming in just under $5 million with June expenditures just over that at 5.6 6 million um and we will look at the cash flow um here in a moment and I will have some additional explanation of that as well and again reiterating that 19.2% operating balance comparison to May that where we had a 20.28% cash balance so um you will see that we are very much in line with where we were last month. um totals for the education and operation fund. This um shows you the total amount of expenditures that have been spent yearto date. Um so you can see the comparison of that as compared to what
021our budget actually um outlines. So we have spent 21.9 million through um June 30th from the education fund. That reflects 50.8% 8% of our total budget. Um, and $8.3 million spent in the operations fund through the end of June. Um, out of that $17 million budget reflects 49% of the budget utilized. We are on trend and on track then to be coming in probably right on target with our budget at this point. Um, fund balances. So you will see here the um total uh cash holdings in each of the funds listed here by education operations and rainy day with a comparison between the beginning balance and the ending balance. Um and you can compare those. I do want to note for the operations fund, keep in mind that when you're looking at revenue compared to
022expenditures for the operations fund, we receive revenue in the operations fund only two times per year. Um so we received that property tax draw in May. So that of course then caused our operations cash holdings to increase significantly and then that number will continue to be spent down bit by bit. So when you look at the next um graph there with the June cash flow you will see of course we have negative um ex uh a negative flow coming through operations but that happens every month because we don't have a regular stream of revenue coming in every month. So we have regular expenditures coming out of the operations fund, but that cash coming in only happens twice per year. Um the monthly um and cash balance by fund then shows you the distribution of the
023cash balance based on where the cash holdings are located depending on which fund it is. So you see the pie chart of that. Um and then I'll draw your attention to the fund summary which is the last part of this report. Um here you're able to see the beginning balance from each of the three funds, the revenue that came in and the expenses that went out. And then at the end there you'll have the the total um ending cash holdings there that are in each of those funds. Um for the sake of comparison, this is not on the chart, but I um wanted to share this with you. Um so the uh 2024 month of June expenditures for the education fund came in about $3.5 million. Um so you will note a significant increase in
024the expenses this year compared to 20 to to the month of June in 2024. Um there are two reasons for that. one is um we have just gone through and the board just went through uh through the approval process of our new literacy uh curriculum program. Um that was a very large expenditure that came out of the education fund and that is a one-time expenditure that kind of hit in June. Um and last year we didn't have that as um this new literacy program is new for our district. Um the other piece is that we did have some um with the shortfall of title one funds that was reflecting from last year's title one budget. Um some of our staff that are typically paid from title one their uh payroll was was uh shifted over
025to the education fund at the end of the year um due to the fact that the um title one funds came in a little less last year than um had been previous year. So we had some expenditures shifted from title one to the education fund um that just created that increase for this year. So that is the explanation there. Um for the operations fund then last year's operations fund expenses were $1.36 million. Um a little bit increase there and and we're seeing a significant impact of the rising cost of utilities in the operations fund right now. Um, so when we look at the breakdown there, that seems to be consistently where we're noticing the biggest increase and um, biggest concern for where we might fall outside of um, our budget in the operations fund would
026be connected to utility costs and um, I'm sure you're all aware of that just from your personal lives. So that's that's across the board. Um, so if you have any questions on anything on the financial dashboard, I'm happy to answer those. And again, any feedback for additional refinement of this dashboard, please let me know. >> Any questions or comments? >> So, I I have a couple comments. So, uh I think it's real good for what it's worth. I like the the graphical representations as well. I think that's helpful. And I do appreciate the fact that this is just front and center on our website, too. So, people can access this uh for a home audience. So, um, so I I think it's good. >> I guess the only thing I would add potentially would be
027I I did like the where this is on track, like where we are on track with like the overall yearly budget that was on the previous report, but other than that, I think it's great. >> So, that's kind of noted at the bottom of the So, you see what I'm saying? So, what what part of that other one did you like >> the how we have >> being able to see each individual month and how it's contributed to that total >> total budget? That's cool. Yep. Yeah, >> sure. >> We talked about what graph would be best for that and so we'll we'll continue to play with that a little. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Anything else? >> You have more on your report too besides just the financial >> this is falling under uh
028superintendent report financial dashboard. >> I have one additional update. >> Okay. Um, so it is hard to believe that this is our final board meeting of the summer because next month and our August board meeting will be the same day as our first teacher workday. So by the time we meet next, we will have already officially kicked off the start of the 2526 school year. Um, so I just wanted to provide just a real quick review um of of some of the back to school things that we are planning right now. Um, students return to the classroom on August 14th. That is exactly 31 days from today. So, it's going to fly by. Um so, so for anyone listening in tonight, I hope everyone's enjoying their last few weeks because it's going to be here
029before we know it. Um a a few quick updates for um for the board and also for any families that might be tuning in as we get closer to August. We have updated our website with supply lists. So parents that want to get a jump start on um school supplies, all of that is available for all schools and grade levels on our website. Um last week we sent out information about community resources that are available through different event sponsors within our community. Um we will also be sending out an additional update with other opportunities soon as there have been a few more that have trickled in that we have become aware of. Um so we will continue pushing that information out to families as we um receive that information. Um, we will be releasing a
030back- toschool guide um with all relevant information that families may need similar to what we released last year. Um, and that should be out for families uh to access within the next two weeks. Open houses will be scheduled for August 12th and 13th um with the early childhood center, all elementaryaries and Kessing Intermediate on the 12th and then the middle and high school on the 13th. So, you can check our website for specific times and additional information on those. Um and lastly, we will be launching very soon um our new um communication platform which is Parent Square. Um so we've had some conversation about Parent Square in our board meetings as we approved moving towards this platform. Um and just as a reminder, Parent Square is a communication platform. It does not replace Skyward as
031our student management portal. Um so parents will still use Skyward to manage student information, check grades, and see student schedules. Parent Square replaces the variety of other programs um we've been using to communicate with families and puts it all in one location so families can access it all together. Um so we will be phasing out text cer which sends out the text messages that um inform families about important uh changes or schedule changes. School messenger that is the robocall. Um, and then other apps that are used within the classroom setting that teachers often use like Remind and Class Dojo. All of that's going to be condensed into one platform. So for easy access, we wanted something that was easy for families to be able to find all the information they need right in one place.
032It will continue to push out those automatic phone calls as well as the text messages as well for the updates that need um to be received immediately. And that is all I have for my super report. >> Anybody have any questions or comments? Will that also be used for extracurriculars? >> Yes. Yes. All of our coaches are being trained as well and they will be incorporating that. So, everyone should be all on the same platform. >> Awesome. >> Does that take the place of the band? >> Yeah. >> Yes. Gota. >> All right. Cool. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Next order of business is the uh Dr. Tomagle's uh >> assistance. You have a different title, right? I'm looking and I'm searching for student learning uh report. >> Yeah. So, I just want
033to add to a few things on to uh the beginning of the school year events and activities that are going on more maybe more from the staff side, but the first one um is student related and that's the parent re-registration process. Again, we can't emphasize it enough. Um that starts August 1st. Parents log on to their Skyward family account. They verify uh various demographic information, contact information, which is so important to make sure we have up-to-date emails and uh phone numbers and that sort of thing. But uh parents also use that opportunity to sign off on several policy related um documents. Uh the directory information if they don't want their child pictured or publicized on social media, they can sign off there. There's a form for instruction on human sexuality. All those sorts of things
034are built into the beginning of the year and gives parents that choice um to opt in, opt out. So, it's really important that they take advantage of that re-registration which opens August 1st. The other thing I would clarify maybe more for our secondary students is um there are ways to kind of see your classes and your schedule and that sort of thing, but it's not final. um we still are in a data, you know, process of updating. And so they might log into Canvas and see their schedule and think, "Oh, I'm in third period with my best friend." Well, that could change. So, we just want to make sure that parents know that if your class lists somehow show up in this process, that's not finalized. So, real important, August 1st is the date. I
035just wanted to emphasize that. Secondly, new teacher orientation is August 8th. New teacher orientation is a a chance for us to onboard uh new staff, which we don't anticipate a large number unless there's some turnover here at the end of the summer. Um but we go over policies, we have them meet people, we try to get them excited about the new school year. Um that will happen here and then we will take them through uh what we call technology boot camp and becoming familiar with our systems and different programs through uh Mike Waltower and his staff. So, um, August 8th, uh, 8:30 a.m. And I I believe in the past we've invited the board to stop by in the morning for an introduction. So, I would encourage any of you to stop by for maybe
036coffee and donuts, meet the staff. You don't have to stay for the the meeting part, but um, we ask our administrators to attend that as well. Um, then, uh, just jumping ahead to more staff activities, the first three days are jam-packed with things for our staff before our students come. It starts with a superintendent's address in our performing arts center, but then we're going to shift to some professional development. Dr. Wood mentioned um the high cost of our new literacy program. Um it is costly and we want to make sure that we get off on the right foot. And so we have some training built in for our K through eight teachers um on those first few days. And so it's real important that in order to meet our instructional goals that uh we set
037out a plan and um we have built-in accountability and and training for our staff so that we can be successful with this program. I can't. It's a big shift um when you're going to uh different practices that align with the science of reading and and it's important that we support staff through that transition. So, we have some training scheduled in those first three days, which kind of brings me to my next uh report. I wanted to be able to share with you. I read results um and I learn results, but the state board of education does not finalize those. That's supposed to be finalized this Wednesday at their meeting. And so, I have to hold on. But I can tell you initially that we're really pleased with our English language or I'm sorry with our
038mathematics uh scores um on iLearn right now. But there's a there's a difference in ELA scores and math scores. We're we're not pleased with how things are going in ELA, but it kind of makes sense. We've had a math program that we've implemented with Fidelity for like four years now. And so you can see the difference in the data. Um ELA scores are are very up and down. And so this new program and the training that we're going to be putting into place K through eight should be a uh an intervention to get those scores up. Um the other observation is our second grade reading scores, I read scores are really strong. So again, I think that goes to show the efforts that our teachers are putting in K one and two are really helping
039kids be successful for a third grade reading test. So I'll share more results hopefully at the August meeting when that's all finalized by the Department of Education. Um relatedly, we wrapped up our summer reading program in the month of June at Hanley. We had about 60 second graders attend and 40 third graders. Those numbers were initially much higher when we signed up in the spring, but good news. Um we were able to give the students an additional testing opportunity uh at the end of the uh school year, spring semester, but it was a summer administration of the test. So if those students signed up for summer school, which they needed to by law, then they uh took the test the last two weeks of the school year. they didn't need to go to the summer
040reading program. And so we had a a good decent number of students do that. So we had about 100 kids in our in our reading program that showed up faithfully every day. Our staff did a great job um taking them through uh the summer reading program and then retesting at the end of June. And so I'll have those results for you. Um we're going through those because any students that don't qualify for a good cause exemption by law um are not allowed to be promoted to fourth grade. And so the states um they have a new process in place where they check promotion data across the state and we'll be going through that to make sure that our students that qualify for the good cause exemption whether that's through passing the math ilearn they have
041an IEP program uh they've been a part of the uh English learner program um and then there's a couple other um probably nonfrequent ways for good cause exception. So that's all happening right now. When our principles come back here in another week, week and a half, we will be going through that data and then contacting parents. Um, parents have been given their reports for I learn and I read. It's not a big secret. We just can't publicly publicly talk about the aggregate uh results at this time. And then lastly for my report, I just want to kind of build on what Dr. Wood mentioned about our title one uh program. We've been very nervous over the past couple months with all the federal changes. is very um dynamic situation with the news coming down from
042the federal level. We have a a budget over a million dollars for title one which provides essential services for our our title schools. And so this past week we were given really good news that our allocation came in and it was um very strong. Um we came up short last year so we can't say that we got all the money because we still were short last year and we had to look to the education fund. However, we're not going to have to make big cuts like I thought we were going to have to make. And so our goals as we work through the budget right now, we have a grants coordinator, Alicia Combmes, and I are working um with Dr. Wood and ensuring that that Title One budget um supports the essential programming that we
043need and and making sure that we are sustainable and that that that those dollars go strictly to the title program um and we're not relying upon the education fund or any other sort of funding to make sure that that program continues on. So, in a little in a bit of a ways, we're right sizing our title program as staff turnover, as redistricting happens, as Lincoln Lincoln's decommissioned. We're adjusting right now to make it all kind of work under this new budget. Be glad to answer any questions about Title One or any of the other things that I talked about. >> Anybody have any questions for Dr. Tomle? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, doesn't say that there's a report here for Dr. owning, but I feel like you should say something. >>
044So, I do have anything to report? >> Yeah, just a brief update on some of our construction projects. Um, we actually met earlier today with the contractors on the secure vestibules projects at the three different locations and they are on schedule for all of those uh along with the CDL lot and the high school roofing project. Uh the only thing there might be a slight delay in is the installation of a few interior doors, but we'll know more on that in the next week or so, but shouldn't impact the start of school at all. Um and if for some reason those doors are delayed, we'll have a a contingency plan for that. So that's >> awesome. That's what I've gotten in 8 days. >> All right. Cool. Well, thank you. Any questions for Dr. All
045right. Uh there is no Oh, no. I'm sorry. New business. Um the first one is a consideration for the recommendation to approve the acceptance of grants, donations, gifts, and bequests. Dr. Le. >> Okay. So, we have um two donations that we are requesting approval of this evening. First of all, um is a donation to cover the cost for myself to attend the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendent program uh called EPIC. Um which stands for educators preparing inspired change. Um, so this is uh a program that's highly regarded across the state as a program intended for superintendents after they've been in the role for a number of years um to be able to enhance leadership capacity through an executive level program that combines um some of the leadership models from the business world with what
046um we are used to in the educational world. So, um, it's a cohort program. Um, so there'll be a number of other superintendents participating in. I believe this is going to be cohort number nine for this program. Um, so it's something that I've been interested in. Um, and was able to obtain this grant from the Unity Foundation to cover the cost of the program. So, um, that is the first, um, donation for approval. Um, and the second one is the one that I'm really excited about because this is um approval of a donation of $5,000 um from Solution Tree that will be utilized for our staff to attend the Lincolnshshire Professional Learning Communities um at work institute. So, um, we've had some conversations, I think, throughout, um, the year and in particular, I believe we
047had one work session where we really kind of drilled down and talked about, um, our goal as, um, and our vision for this district to really move to incorporate everything about the PLC model. Um, so PLC's are professional learning communities. um it is a cultural shift within a school um more so than a program or a specific model. It really is about building the culture of a professional learning community that's based on empowering our our staff, our teachers as well as our leaders um to think differently about how we educate kids. Um so the the model um is is sort of incorporated around four key questions that we ask ourselves that should inform all decisions that we make in regards to um student learning. What is it that we want students to know? How do
048we know when they know it? What do we do when they don't know it? And then what do we do when they have mastered the skill? Um and so it's a model that incorporates a high level of data analysis um as well as professional collaboration within um teams of teachers that work together to work towards the the goal of answering those four questions and informing all of their instructional practices accordingly. We were very fortunate to receive this donation um from Solution Tree which is going to allow us to send all of our principles and our two elementary data coaches to attend um this institute at the end of July. Um, so as as we've also talked this year about moving and and shifting our perspective to really that K through 12 model and thinking about
049how we can incorporate from kindergarten all the way up through the highest level of high school. Um, and to ensure that our practices are cohesive across the district. Um, this is really a step in the right direction as this grant is going to allow us to send all of our leaders at once. Um, so that they not only have the chance to collaborate together, but also to hear all the same information at the same time and be able to take it back to their buildings, um, with some sense of alignment from day one. Um, so we're really excited about this um, and setting this as the tone and expectation for where our district is headed next when it comes to instructional practices. Um, and so we're really looking forward then after this step is taken
050to how we'll then be able to build um the leadership strength in our in our team to then transfer that knowledge on to the teachers with additional um steps and goals we'll incorporate for additional training for other staff as well. >> Awesome. Anyone have any questions? >> I have a question. >> Mr. Dean is also attending too by the way. He was able >> it's a great opportunity um for the team to come together being that we have a new principal on board. Um he'll be able to to meet everyone. They'll be able to work together and um I'm I'm excited for the level. We've not had the opportunity to send everybody all at once. Um and so I think our team is really looking forward to it too. >> Okay, cool. All right. So,
051uh anyone have any questions? All right. So, uh, does anyone want to make a motion to, uh, approve the donations? [Music] >> Thank you, Tucker. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Amy. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. I think Justice is going to abstain. Let the record show. Um, okay. So, u, moving on. So, uh, next is the consideration for the recommendation for approval ofou with MSD of New Durham Township, Westville High School to allow Westville High School students to enroll in CTE courses through Port High School and Slicer CTE. Dr. Wood. Um thisou is a continuation of anou that was initiated last year um as a number of students at Westville High School um had expressed interest at that time to attend some of the CTE programming available here through Slicer
052CTE and Laura High School. Um at the time there were a number of students that had applied for um entry to programs at uh Michigan City's AK Smith Career Center. Um but because of capacity constraints, we're not able to get into those classes. And as we are building our Slicer CTE program, we have the ability to offer seats to um students outside of our district. Um as we of course always fill the the seats with our own students first, but then when we have seats available, we can make those open to the other um districts. So um there are four students, I believe, that attended uh this past year and that wish to continue attending. And so, um, this is a renewal of theou. Um, we have not made any changes, um, from last year's,
053um, besides updating the dates. And we, um, request the board to approve this so that we can continue to allow those students this opportunity. >> Great. Anyone have any questions for Dr. Wood on this? Anyone want to make a motion to for the approval of theou? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Amy. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Justin. All those in favor say I. I opposed. >> All right. 6. Uh the last item of new business is consideration for recommendation to approve food services vendor contracts for the 2025 2026 school year. Dr. Wood. >> Um so this is also something that each year we bring to the board for approval. Um we are a member of the Northern Indiana Educational Service Center. Um and through that membership we um enjoy a number of benefits.
054Um one of which is the ability to um join in a consortium for some procurement. Um so a number of school districts throughout this region come together um and through that collaborative um effort coming together and the higher numbers that we're able to um to go into uh negotiations with we're able to get a lot better pricing um and get some savings for our food service department. So the um renewal this uh evening is for um the go food distributor um the bread produce snack and beverage and dairy procurement um for the 2526 school year. Um and all of that information is included in your board packet. So I would ask for your approval of these contracts so that we can join in this consortium for this um and and experience the savings through the
055process. Anyone have any questions for Dr. Wood? >> Okay. Somebody want to make a motion to approve the food service vendor contract. >> Thank you Monica. >> Second. >> Thank you Justin. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. Okay, that ends the new business. There is no other business. Board comment. Anybody have any board comment, Jim? Nothing. >> All right, sounds good. I want to thank uh Vice President Jackson for running the meeting, a special meeting. I was u gone. This is the text I got from her. I wanted to let the public be aware of this. I don't know why you always keep us here for hours. with me at the helm are done in five minutes. >> Thank you for reading that. >> Right. So, but I do appreciate you meeting.
056Um the next meeting is August 11th at 6:00 p.m. Um I do think we're going to have an exact meeting before then. So, uh plan plan for that. Um anything else? All right. Seeking a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Tucker. Second, Jim. All in favor say I. I