Budget Meeting & School Board Meeting (October, 2025)

001Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. >> My name is Dr. Michaela Stenberg. Uh I'm from the health faculty theory education coalition. Uh couple things tonight. I I believe that this is probably one of the first times, maybe not the first time in this district, but the first times in general I've seen a time limit for an actual public hearing. I think this happened once before earlier. I'm not sure if we can actually time limit people in a public hearing, but it is what it is. I think that should be looked into. We wouldn't want to run a foul of OPL because apparently the pack has people back at work now. Um so couple of things. Um I recall that at some point in the past, the recent past since uh this board took control of the

002school corporation, we've had at least one maybe two instances of excess transfer from education fund to operational. I have no idea if that happened this year because I don't think there was a notice and I do know like there was a weird thing. They've now changed it to 30 and then it was temporarily 20 and there might have been a year went back to 15. But we definitely need to avoid that because we don't need DAB back involved in this school corporation for sure. Um, we also need to be cognizant of our responsibilities through Roosevelt, which is still a school that is under the authority of this board. It's still technically owned by the school corporation. There is a process to restore it and make it into something wonderful again for our community. But until

003that happens, we still have an obligation to maintain that school like we do all school buildings. And there was an instance in which somebody broke into the school. It was very obvious that that breakin resulted in some damage to the school. Action was not taken swiftly enough and therefore there were consequences of that. this school corporation more money. That shouldn't have happened first of all. Second of all, um in addition to all of that, I know there's a lot of alumni who are always looking for ways to try to contribute to things. I would appreciate that. Thank you. [Music] like to ask for uh item two, our form three discussion. [Music] Good evening, Gary Community School Board members, Dr. Stokes, and community members. Um, I'd like to go over a few things on our proposed

0042026 budget. First, we did receive an email from Brenda Herbs in regards to the excessive transfer, and we are within our limits of the 15% Can you repeat that please? >> Sure. We are we received an email from Brenda Herbs and we are within our 15% excessive transfer. So I want to take a moment to share the highlights of our proposed 2026 budget. The total budget is 82.3 million up from 76 million last year. This increase reflects certain things, expenses that are concurred by the district. We have to pay these. One of the things is the turf increase that starts January 1. That's a half a percent for all teachers and administrators who are licensed. We also have a 4% increase in medical expenses that the district has incurred those expenses. We also midy year

005have a perf increase. We're not sure what the percentage is. So I did build a little bit in the budget for that increase. We also have a new statute where the uh teacher compensation has gone up to 65%. It was 62% and now it will be 65%. So these budget numbers are with with all of those increases. We want to make sure that we ensure we have enough in our budget to cover all of these costs. So I want to share something because we're using acronyms that our community andor board members may not be aware of. So turf and per we want to make sure that they understand that the turf is for a teacher education retirement fund and that per is for noncertified or professional education retirement fund. I need to make sure that

006we know what those terminologies. >> Sure. >> Yep. If needed, if the taxes and the state grant does not support the increase in the budget, we do have the cash balances to support this increase. I have discussed with the Department of Local Government. I've spoke to our representative. She's reviewed the form three and she says the form three looks wonderful. We also do not have any increases in our debt or referendum. The one thing I want to point out in the debt service fund. We realigned the debt payments to go inside with the budget. They were actually outlined in in the budget. So we had to always request additional appropriations in order to cover those payments. Do we have any questions about reform? So I would like for you just for clarity we talk about

007additional appropriations. I want to make it clear about when, why, and how we do additional appropriations because we are within the confines of the law. we are typically um additional appropriations are for those items that are unforeseen that happen throughout the school year. You know, let's say we have a building shutdown and we need a new HVAC unit, things of that nature that were not typically built into the budget. We try to think of everything, but there are certain costs that just happen throughout the school year. So, those additional appropriations have to go to the Department of Local Government and in order for them to approve those appropriations. We must have the cash in order to fulfill those expenses. >> This is include the recovery of our tornado that hit our facility. >> Yes. What

008what's really nice about that is I've been working with the insurance company and they have proposed in excess of $2 million to cover the cost of that >> and we are well under it. >> Yes. Any other questions about the form three? And after this, if if you all do have any questions, I for sure can answer your questions at a later date before we actually propose on October 23rd the approval of the budget. That meeting will be October 23rd at 1 p.m. >> Thank you. Um, we're moving on to the capital >> capital projects. [Music] >> I worked with my interim director of maintenance on this proposed capital projects. The capital projects plan is will start in 2026 and it's actually for three years. So, all of these projects that are listed on here

009don't have to be completed this next budget cycle. These are just things we know need to be done in these buildings. The state of our buildings is um it's serious. We have to replace HVAC units. We have units that are 60 years old and they are failing and currently we are putting band dates on them right now. So all of these projects will not be done in actual 2026. As you can see I have estimated start dates and end dates. And as we as we go through this we will kind of update you as we work on these projects. Are there any questions or concerns? >> This estimated uh project cost for the HVAC, the boilers and chillers, >> this is going to be all of our facilities. >> Yes. Yes, it will be. >>

010And the thing we need to say about that is while we estimate a start date, we know at any given time if something were to happen, we would have to start sooner. >> Sure. We would Yeah. Yes. Next, I would like to go over our bus replacement plan. Currently, we have one working um activity bus. I am proposing to eliminate a lot of the costs that we contract out with bus service for our extracurricular um for athletics. Um so, I did receive on these buses. I did also look into like a 40 44 passenger bus and those buses are two years out in being developed. So that really wouldn't do any good for us right now. So these two activity buses I I view pictures of them. Um and I feel with the cost that

011we incur monthly for contracted services is roughly around 30,000 a month to you know, transfer our students to all of their activities. These two buses, that cost would outweigh itself if we purchased two activity buses. We have teachers, we have coaches who are already certified to drive activity buses and are willing to do that. Any questions? I know this is probably something that we haven't really looked at previously, but I do I do think with with the contracted services and the contracts that we were we were not we did not sign on these contracts. These were multi-year contracts. So these costs in the last three years, every year it goes up. >> So we're just trying to find a way that we can control Even though our busing services are outsourced and as many of

012you know we're over 51 square miles what is it 52 53 square miles or something in Gary we have to have buses however we tried to figure a path forward to lessen the impact the financial impact and we can do that through our athletic programs if we have our coaches 14 passenger buses drive our our students that are you know to these events it will save us some in the end. Yes, it would. Yes. >> Why the difference in cost between the two? >> Um, one has a seat belt for um handicapped and the other one does not there's just some small differential items within the bus. These are the two um my director of transportation have found. Certainly appreciate the proactive thinking in looking at this alternative. >> Um just a quick question. Um

013passenger load here seems to be right at 28. Is that enough to facilitate our needs for most of our after hour? >> It is. Um, and with the current activity bus that we also have in house, that would also help like let's say the football team, you know, even though they probably only have like five games, I believe that these three activity buses could support that. >> Yes. >> Very good. Any additional questions? >> And if you do after this meeting, please let me know. >> Just a question. You you stated that um the current activity buses were under contract. That contract is running out now. >> It the contract will run out in June. Yes. And we will be going out for an RFP. >> Contract a new >> well prior to June but

014next year June. >> Yes, we will. Yep. All of these contracts that other than the food service contract um were were under previous administration. So we have to finish the contracts out also with our cleaning services as well. >> Any further questions? >> Thank you for presentation. >> Sure. >> I'll entertain a motion to adjourn special meeting. >> So moved. >> There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved in properly second. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Thank you. >> We will start the next meeting. This is a lot. But I'm like I'd like to call to order the regular school board meeting for Gary Community School Boards for Thursday, October 9th. May stand. [Music] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

015United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> To confirm, we have a legal meeting. May we have roll call to confirm. >> Mr. SS >> present. >> Dr. Woods, >> present. Attorney Irving >> present. >> Attorney Lockett >> present. >> And I am also present. Five members are present. None absent. >> With five members present, we have forum. We may proceed with meeting. Like to start the meeting with public comment. Mr. Vice President. [Music] Pursuant to Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-3, the Gary Community School Corporation Board of Trustees welcomes comments from the community. As a result, the agenda for each regularly provides time for public expression. The period of public expression is limited to three minutes per individual and 30 minutes

016total discussion of items on the agenda or to express concerns relative to the operation of school safe school board actions and other items of general educational interest. There are many people wishing to address the board limit the amount of time personally speak. Comment shall be directed to the board not to individual board members. Statement shall not be abusive or argumentative. Persons making comments shall not debate statements made by others. It shall not be permissible to orally present or discuss complaints against individual employees of the Gary Community School Corporation at any board school trustees meetings. Issues relating to personnel, individual circumstances, or an individual school will be referred to the building principal or an appropriate administrator in an attempt to resolve the issue prior to an appeal before the board. Speaker cannot transfer the remaining time

017to another person. The board president will enforce these rules and may take actions necessary to maintain order at the meeting. Such actions may include, but are not limited to interrupting the speaker if the statement is too lengthy, unduly repetitive, or otherwise violates the rules. The president may terminate the address of any speaker who violates these rules, or limit the total amount of time devoted to public comment if there is a large number of people wishing to address the board or if there's a large agenda of a business before we voted. >> Thank you, Vice President Johnson. I'm going to pause for a moment and restart um portions of the agenda that I skipped and that will start out with the approval of tonight's agenda. I'll entertain a motion. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair.

018>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Been moved and proper seconding discussion on the motion hearing. None. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Agenda has been approved and of course we are ready for our Gary snapshots. Miss Chelsea Wington please [Music] indeed it's all about being ready. Mr. SS good evening members of the board Dr. Stokes and this incredible community. My name is Chelsea Whittington and I proudly serve as the chief of public and community relations for your Gary Community School Corporation. It's now time for the section of the agenda that we are titled Gary Ready snapshots. It's our opportunity to highlight events and happenings across the district that may have taken place and things that we have to look forward to. Today I am excited to highlight our some

019things that have happened in the district namely college go week. So college go week is a national initiative where students engage in activities around extending their education beyond uh elementary or K through 12. The good thing that we do at the Gary Community School Corporation is incorporated across all grades. And so, not only are you seeing images of our students attending the Urban League of Northwest Indiana's College Fair held at Indiana University Northwest, but you're also seeing scenes from Bailey Middle School where they are being introduced to various career opportunities. And then also Beverage Elementary School where we see in the middle photo our first lady Crystal Melton along with professionals from the city and the community who speak with our children. And one of my favorites right in the middle is where we actually

020have a disco employee showing one of our scholars actual activities that they could be participating in once they uh do all the necessary things. Look a little familiar Mr. Sugs that jacket there. Moving forward after college go week, we also had family engagement week. This was 5 days of engaging our parents and our families and you will hear us every schoolboard meeting, community forum or whatever platform we can tout that we are definitely working hard to engage our parents and our families. This too is a national initiative where we put our own spin on it and the activities were spearheaded and planned by our own public relations specialist Crystal O'Brien. And the scenes that you are seeing here are parents and administrators actively engaging in information surrounding resources available to parents. They were also allowed

021to take a tour of the school building over at Westside to take a look at some of the security measures as safety is one of the concerns that we want to address on a regular basis to know that parents uh know their scholars are safe along with our staff and administration and visitors who come into our buildings. You may recall that on yesterday, the Gary Community School Corporation made the front page for these activities around school safety. And we'll go back that slide. They made the front page around school safety. Um, and that tour that was granted by our director of security, Mr. Cliff Cwell. Speaking of Cliff Cwell, he also was a part of our coffee with the cop which is a national initiative that was held last Wednesday, October 1st. And there you

022see where he is speaking with parents who stopped by had some coffee and we were also afforded the opportunity to hear from our superintendent. If you go to our YouTube page or our Facebook page, you will see a live conversation of coffee with the cop. so that for parents and community members who were unable to attend, they were able to join us virtually, ask questions or watch it back at a later time. Down below in the bottom right corner, we have our director of curriculum, uh, Dr. Reita Craig. She too address our parents during parent engagement week to talk about things like test scores and and uh behavior matrices matrices and all the different things that are taking place in curriculum. So, what am I saying about family engagement week? We were really engaged from

023Monday through Friday with both in-person and virtual opportunities. So, if you weren't able to participate, we do invite you to visit our website and social media platforms and YouTube to catch up on some of the things that we had going on that week. Great job, Crystal. Also part of those activities were the co-creation and involvement of the parents of various uh resources and input that we wanted from our parents. So if you saw on the previous slide, they were writing and doing sticky notes. And then we took that data and put it into a variety of buckets that include school partnership opportunities, school campus safety, security, mental health, and stress supports as well as any type of um confrontations that may happen in the buildings and how we resolve them with conflict resolution. And these

024are the different topics that the parents and the community were coming up with that they wanted to know more about. They wanted to be involved and they wanted to receive resources on. And so that's when you take those notes and put them into a format where they can be shared which we share on our social and you will also be able to find these documents on our website. The next thing that has taken place in the district is um our community asset mapping. And what that basically means is we've launched an an initiative that is designed to spotlight local businesses and put Gary back on the map as a hub of innovation and community pride. Through a statewide platform hosted on the insource website, local businesses can create a profile that connects them with families,

025community members, and other business owners across the state of Indiana. And this is more than just exposure. This means it's an opportunity to showcase their services, strengthen connections, and drive both economic and educational growth. So, what we are doing at the district is encouraging local business owners to join our map and simply scan this QR code or visit our website for the direct link to get started and we can highlight Gary's vibrant community, not only to our community, but to the entire state. So, you're starting to see a pattern here. We are constantly introducing our families, our parents, our scholars, our community stakeholders to resources that exist right here in our city, further connecting us as a school community. And last but not least, what time is it? It's homecoming time. Next week is Westside

026Leadership Academyy's homecoming week where we will scare square off, not scare off, square, we might square off against the county map warriors. And so game time is Friday, October 17th. Uh there's a tailgate party that's going to be hosted by our own Cal Township trustee Ty Atkins, who's a proud Cougar, from 3 to 6:00 and game time is at 7. And if you head over to the Westside Facebook page and social media, you'll see all the different activities that the young people are engaging in throughout the week, whether it's dress up days, spirit week, pep rallies, all the things that we love to do. And we sincerely and cordially invite all of you under the sound of my voice to please support our young people. It's just something about them playing better, feeling better, and

027doing better when they see our faces in the stands. Go Cougars. cause of this concludes my report. Are there any questions? >> May I have a question? >> Yes, attorney Locket, I can't hear you. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay, thank you. Um, just for the parent engagement week, um, was it well attended? We had great attendance online for c uh coffee with the cop and we had great attendance on Friday with our community when we wrapped it up with our parent engagement where you saw they were in the library and then they were in classrooms and so we're still tracking. We also have parents who are logging on now and uh two of our activities were also virtual. So on Monday it was virtual. On Thursday we had a Skyward training

028over at Williams which was in person and virtual and we had some great um attendance virtually. It was lower in person. And the great thing about what we did with parent engagement week is we altered the different times. So some were in the morning, some were in the afternoon, some were virtual and all of them are available for those who weren't able to participate to go back and access. It is our goal always to continue to grow these opportunities, but that's just one week. We have something going on for parents every week in the district. >> Okay. just I I asked that question just as being having been a parent in the district, I know that a lot of times most the most of the um parent engagement things, the um the parent teacher conferences,

029anything it seemed was there was never anything going on after 5 5:30 when a lot of parents got off of work. And so that's why I asked that question just in terms of parent engagement. If we want to get them out, then maybe we should start trying to do some things when they are off work. Even now with this meeting starting at 4:30, a lot of people aren't off work yet. So, just be cognitive that the vast majority of us have to work for a living. >> Yes. And we are cognizant. We have pulled our parents and these time frames are the ones that seem to be most accommodating. But for those who aren't, we are doing Saturday events. We invite you to come out to our breast cancer volleyball tournament this coming Saturday from

0309:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We constantly post things because there are other activities that are 5:00 and beyond, but there's so many across 11 buildings. We a few for the Gary snapshots, but so noted and we definitely have those virtual options because we're going to have some time is they'll never be able to make it, but we love them too and we want to make sure they have those resources as well. Thanks for your input. >> Any other questions? Thank you, Mrs. Wington. >> Thank you. >> We'll now move on to item four again, public comments. We will go to 4.2 and we'll start out with Dr. Spanglerburg. [Music] Good afternoon again. Uh, I want to say that I really welcome the comments on availability for parents that aren't already involved. Because if we're polling

031parents and those parents that were polling are saying, "Yes, these times work for me," perhaps it's because of the parents that are already involved. >> And so then we get like a a self-feeding kind of thing. um we either need to find better ways of gathering that data and it'd be nice to have some transparency around that data or maybe we just need to experiment with opening it up more and seeing what happens. Um other things. So in terms of this I I appreciate that the clock went away before for the budget hearing that that was very useful. But the one thing that I hope that in future budget hearings we could do is actually have a presentation before the public comment because unlike every other type of meeting we have, there's no need to

032have public comment first because you're doing the approval at a different meeting. Um, and it's very hard because then it's like you don't even know half of what you're responding to as a community member. And along with that, we seem to never actually attach anything to the board docs before during the meetings. So if you look at the current meeting right now on board docs the public view there's like nothing there except the outline and that makes it very hard for the public to come in um to I'm glad to see the materials are available for past meetings um and there's more materials than previous that's fantastic although for things like for instance personnel report you are you probably should be actually putting the salaries in there um especially because Like when you look at

033the budget and you look at the number for this year like that's one of the areas where we're not doing as well. We're not where we should be in terms of salaries. So it' be nice to have transparency around that. Further because of that when I looked at the projections for the budget year I noticed that we are projecting 5 million less for salaries and that doesn't quite make sense. Um even if you take into account the 1.2 2 million um that is probably going to come over for referendum for that that's projected and even if you start thinking well maybe we can move the referendum balance forward since we have an extra like 6% on that currently you're still not where you're at. So how are you going to be negotiating with teachers in

034a fair way if similar to what MGT used to do you're already projecting that you're going to somehow pay people less? That that's very troubling. Um, I also want to say I was very like once I got to hear the budget thing, it it was more helpful. I do think clarification around whether excess transfers for last year was supposed to be 15% or more would be useful because that had changed rapidly and I think we went to 18% that year. Thank you for this year, [Music] >> Miss Fredus. [Music] Good evening, Mr. Stokes. Dr. I mean Mr. SS, I'm sorry, Dr. Stson and board members. Maryanne Canidas, retired licensed teacher. for the Gary Community School Corporation. I'm coming to you because it's budget time and we would like for you to put the retired teachers

035in your budget. We're only asking before I've been coming to you many times asking you for $2.50 more on our hourly salary. When I said something to her, she laughed at me. I talked to to the human resource. She said that wasn't her job. I talked to the union president. She said she only represented uh teachers and parents. So I'm here to talk about my license. Some of them have life license and some of them are licensed for 10 years. So that's making all of us look really good that we have licensed teachers with the Gary Community School Corporation. So please consider our single budget $2.50 more. And I'd like to know, can you tell me how many licensed teachers are in our corporation? You can email me. Also, our libraries, some of our public

036life, our school, school libraries and the elementary schools don't have anybody in there. I've talked to Dr. Stokes before about Indiana University and Purdue University students coming in 8 to 12, 9 to 1, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. just a little time to let our kindergarten first graders and second graders and maybe third graders come into the library and see how it is. They may not be able to go downtown or to Miller or to Glenn Park to a public library and since we have a mar schools I think it would be very nice if they would be able to use them. I have pink today because Beverage every Thursday is representing American Cancer. Thank you >> Tamika Pope. >> Good evening Dr. Snes and the board. I am Tica Pope. I am a Gary teacher here

037in the Gary community schools. I am a citizen of Gary and a product of Gary schools. I was one of the most supportive ones that you had. I was at the meeting and grief for the board meeting and greet for the superintendent was very very helpful. Um, however, I was a little disappointed because normally at our convocation, the board is there giving us greetings, giving us encouraging words, and I didn't see anybody but the new board member at our convocation. So, that was a little disappointing. Um, as a teacher, you know, it's hard. Things are it's it's we're tired already and it's October. Um, and I remember when I used to go to school, we used to see the board members at the schools cuz these are your schools and we haven't seen you all.

038We need support. Um, we don't have the retired teachers anymore to do the intervention and the students are struggling. All we have is the teachers getting pushed on given more and more that they have to do in the classrooms when maybe 50% of the students are not even on grade level. And so that extra support that we had from interventions were really really helpful and now we don't have that. So we just we need some support if somebody want to come and help or give them hand. Um and just wondering besides the Gary Snapchat you all know the things that's going on in the district. Our school have the WOW club which is Williams on wheels and we come the students are riding their bikes to and from school every morning. Yesterday we had a

039walk and roll and I know Miss Scott invited others to come out and support us um as well and just wondering if you guys were aware of that. We had Williams STEM club last year and the students were in all type of newspapers recognition from Dr. Vernon Smith. Um the IUN was one of our partners and they were recognized at their school for the partnership that we had. We had a partnership with the electricians, the local electricians and it's just a lot of things that's going on and there are positive things. So we might always complain that we're tired. We are very tired but there's also things that teachers are doing because they love the students. Um, one concern I do have though, I am a project lead the way teacher which is a project

040based class and I am made aware that we are now being forced to pilot a literacy program in our class instead of giving us the support of things that we need to give the students the STEM or project based learning that they need in our classes. They really enjoy doing the hands-on and so I would not really want to do the literacy part because they doing that all day long. So just ask for a little bit of support and we would love to see you in our schools. >> Mrs. Elton [Music] Good evening. Good evening to our board superintendent, board president, board members, and others. I am Mrs. Levetta Tundo, and I am a Gary resident and taxpayer of Gary. I am a 1966 graduate of the historically renowned and architecturally profound educational institution Roosevelt

041High School. My questions today are when and what is the status regarding our swimming pool I hope pools but we'll take one as a start. Two, what's the status of the Westside High School roof replaced in in line for repair? Still dripping? What's the status? What is a new roof? Three, what are you doing to support the Roosevelt High School structure and adjoining properties? What are you doing to ensure that it is moving towards a point of uh importance and u favorable positive contribution to the growth of our fine city of Gary Indiana? What are you doing? The last time I talked with Miss Tolbert, she indicated that she was not receiving support, the financial support from this body that she expected when she came on board here. What are you doing? What are you

042planning to do? We want the Roosevelt High School properties to remain as a part of this city and to be functional. Thank you very much. Oh, one more thing. Attorney Lockett, >> yes, ma'am. >> Welcome to our to the board. >> I appreciate it. >> And thank you so much for your comments from the parental side. Uh we do need to be more considerate of our parents and your time. We have many parents that work as we know and um to come home from work and to do what they need to do and then come to a board meeting by 5 or 6 would be more readily seemingly logical rather than having working people expected to come to a meeting at 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon. I would ask that this board be just

043a little more sensitive and give that some thought regarding future planning and scheduling of these meetings. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Agenda item five on our agenda tonight and I will entertain a motion for our consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.7. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to approve the items on our consent agenda. Items 5.1 through 5.7. >> A motion on the floor. May I have a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second. Is there any discussion on the motion? Hearing no discussion, may we have roll call for approval, please. Mr. Suggs, yes. >> Dr. Woods, >> yes. >> Attorney Irving, >> yes. Attorney locker. >> Yes. >> And I'll vote yes as well with the vote of five and zero. Motion carries. Motion has been approved.

044Let's move on to item six on our agenda. This is Zoski again. >> Good evening again. As you all know, uh, McCulla was hit by a tornado on March 19th. In the original RFQ request for quote, um there was a section of the third tier roof that was not provided in the quote. So we had to go out for bid again to repair that area. Um, our architect went out provided quote provided the criteria for the roof repair to several different roofing places within Gary and the surrounding areas. We received three quotes back. I am requesting the board approve the um, Corllis, which is the lowest priced bid for the repair. This is the There's the third tier, but some of the material from when it first hit went to the second and then it

045actually went to the third. So, there were puncture wounds in the roof. So, this will repair that. We did notice this when on the second floor we had some water coming in. So, we sent them all back out to reassess it. Any any questions about this? Board members, if you click on your 6.1, your folders, the attachments, all of your attachments are there. We're on 6.1 at this time. And this has been communicated to our adjuster with the insurance company and we are still in line with the total amount that they proposed for this repair. Just on the shirt. Sure. Can you repeat who you're recommending? >> I am recommending Corellis. I believe in your attachments. That is probably the first one. >> And Carellis was the vendor who did the previous. >> That is

046correct. Yes. Yes. Under Powers and Sons. Yes. They were the general contractor on this job. >> Any additional questions? Yes. Thank you. So, I'm looking at this quote. It's 1859:15. And so, that is for just the part that was missed. Or is that for the whole thing? >> No, it's for the part that was missed. Part of the roof was already repaired. The second and the first tier roofs were repaired. This is that third piece. >> And so, when the is this is going to be covered by insurance? >> It is. Yes. hearing no further questions. I'll entertain a motion for approval. >> So move. >> Second. >> There's been moved and properly seconded. Any discussion on this motion? May we have roll call for approval, please? >> Dr. Woods, >> yes. >> Attorney, >>

047yes. >> Attorney, >> yes. >> I vote yes. And Mr. SS, >> yes. Five and zero. >> Five members voting yes and zero against. The motion carries and the item has been approved. >> Thank you. >> Like to move on to item 6.2 on our agenda. Dr. Stokes, please. >> Okay. Um, if you look on the board here, um, I'm going to talk about this and I will take a little more time because these are actually policies that the board has already approved. However, because there's been some change in Indiana code or federal law from our previous adopted policies. I don't have to take this through two readings, but I do need to bring this back and I'm going to highlight a few of the changes and the why. If you look up here, you

048will see that some policies have been are the replacement. For example, the first three, 1422, 3122, and 4122, those are actual replacements. But if you look down, you see the next group where you see them being rescended. They're being rescended because what's happening is in the first three that I read, they basically combined them. So they're they're basically setting school districts up to have less policies, which is no good because we have a lot. So they're combining some of the policies and they're resending others. Um, one of the things though I did want to highlight a couple things. Um, for example, policy 2260 which talks about non-discrimination and access to equal educational opportunities. It's been revised and one of the reasons that it's been revised is in response to the US the United States Department

049of Education's February 2025 dear colleague letter and subsequent executive order. is suggested that the term gender status, sexual orientation or gender identity be removed from the parenthetical definition of sex. So um in that policy the language and the guidance is changing. So they had to basically revise the policy. Another revision is policy 2260.01 which deals with section 504 of the ADA prohibition against discrimination based on disability. that has also been revised. Um, and it incorporates some of the changes made in Indiana code 20-33-8. It basically was one of the policies by um, HA, which is the House Education Act 1483 that deals with bullying from 2023, which requires that schools prioritize safety of the victim of bullying. So, that's another policy that was changed. A policy that was revised is policy. Thank you. A policy

050that was revised is policy 2266 which deals with non-discrimination on the basis of sex and education programs or activity. Um and that policy was revised because um the attorney general said it's necessary because on June 23, 2025, the National Incident Based Reporting System, which we call NIBRS, their definition of bondling changed. So the term officially is criminal sexual contact. Now that change that term has changed. So because of some of the changes in terminology or knowledge about specific information that we've gotten from either the feds or our attorney general or the state, we've had to um resend or change some of our policies. And one last policy that I want to talk about that's been rescended is policy 2266 which is um the non-discrimination on the basis of sex and education programs or activities. This

051is um the use foration hearings only. It basically says that the version of policy 2266 is dup duplicative so that that we didn't need both. So they rescended one as they gave another. Um we talked about these policies at our policy meeting. So, with that being said, um that's kind of what I wanted to highlight. And this is something that would require board action. Remember that we've already approved these policies, but based on federal law, state law, or attorney general recommendation, we now have to just revote again on these policies. >> Thank you, Dr. Stokes. Um any questions from board members on the presentation? Thank you. >> Please. >> Um, not really a question, just that, um, at least I can imagine for people sitting out here when you put that on there, perhaps there

052could be even if it's online, but it'd be better for a print out just so we just when we're looking, we just see it says revised, but no context to how it was revised. >> Okay. I I I'm happy to try to share more, but that was my purpose of reading the revisions is so that we would understand what they were, but I'm happy to do that. >> No, I I don't want you to go through it just in terms of for just um for the public like policy 3231, outside activities and staff revised, how was it revised? What happened? What changed? And I don't want you to answer that for everyone. just if somebody was curious that they know where to find the information and the changes maybe red line I don't know >>

053all right if it's the express will of the board I'll make sure that that happens thank you >> I would think it be the will of the public but again >> any additional questions >> hearing no questions may we have roll call for approval please >> Dr. was >> yes. >> Attorney, >> yes. >> Attorney, >> yes. >> I vote yes. >> Mr. SS, >> yes. >> The vote is five to zero. >> With a vote of five in favor, zero against. The motion carries. Item number 6.3. Um, this sick of [Music] Good evening board members and Dr. Stokes in the community of the Gary Community School Corporation. We are asking for approval for a uh partnership with Lewis and Campus. Lewis and Campus is the attorney, the firm that represents the district and has

054done so for a number of years. um for specifically special education needs. So, anything regarding support in special education, needing legal guidance, that is a very unique um a unique need. And so, we would uh encourage you to consider Lewis and campus because of their long-standing history, not only with the Gary Community School Corporation, but also with their historical ability to support districts across the entire state. >> Thank you. Any questions on the presentation? I would ask, would this be a is this a a school year 20 uh 526 um agreement? >> It's a great question. The reason that we're bringing it to you today is because we realized last school year when we all came into play that Lewis and Campus was actually representing the district historically. Um but we never had an actual

055memorandum of understanding. And so now that one-year timeline is up and we just want to make sure that we bring these recommendations for renewal to the board that they're just not standing out there that they are expected to renew on an annual basis. We ask the board to renew it on an annual basis. >> Thank you. And the term of this agreement is there a not to exceed amount or is there hourly rate? >> The hourly rate is the industry standard. Great questions. Um it within the actual um agreement it is $250 per hour for an attorney. Um and there are varying rates within the agreement whether it's for a par legal or for other witnesses to come forth as experts. >> Any additional questions on the request? Hearing no questions. May we have roll

056call for approval, please? >> I'm sorry. May I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Then move and properly second. Are there any questions? >> Now, may we have roll? >> Dr. Woods, >> yes. >> Attorney, >> yes. >> Attorney Lockett, >> yes. >> I vote yes. And Mr. S? >> Yes. >> Vote is five to zero. >> With five members voting yes and zero against the The request for our legal services agreement has been approved. We'll move now to item 6.4, contract approval. [Music] I apologize for the delay. I should never have sat down. So, Patrice Fiero has been again historically supporting the district with supervision for our CNA program. So, right here at the Gary Area Career Center, we provide opportunities for our students within

057the Gary Community School Corporation, but also through surrounding districts for uh students to become certified as certified nursing assistants. In order for that program to move forward, there must be supervision from a registered nurse. This particular agreement does have a not to exceed portion, which is $2,500. It is $60 per hour for this registered nurse to provide the supervision specifically to the instructor providing the instruction to those students who are seeking certification as a CNA. >> Any questions on the request? [Music] >> Hearing no questions. May we have a call for approval, please? >> Oh my goodness. May we have a motion? [Music] >> So >> second. >> It's been moved and properly second. >> Are there any questions on the motion? Hearing no questions roll, please. >> Dr. Williams, >> yes. >> Attorney, >>

058yes. >> Attorney, >> yes. >> I vote yes. And Mr. SS, >> yes. Vote is five to zero. >> With a vote of five yes and zero against, the motion carries. >> Item 6.5 [Music] get my steps in tonight. So there are a variety of also known as they are known as memorandums of understanding. They are all in order to support our students here at the Gary Community School Corporation. As an example, the first one, IVTech High Schoolbased dual credit, provides an opportunity for our students who take a variety of courses, whether it's in criminal justice or any other course that is allowable for dual credit to be um than receiving that college credit while they're in high school. City Connects is a memorandum of understanding where um we support wraparound type services uh with

059our students within the school setting. Project Lead the Way, as one of our teachers spoke about today, is more of a STEMbased um opportunity for our students. Khan Academy is a curricular based option. The US Army JOTC which is at Westside Leadership Academy provides opportunities for our students to receive um the opportunity to participate in JOTC which opens so many more doors for them when they're uh approaching college. Marian University the Gary area career center is connected a bit with city connects that also provides those wraparound services. River Forest is a new school district who is partnering with the Gary Harrier Career Center. their students are coming here and providing. We receive monies in order for those students to receive instruction here and certification at the Gary Career Center and Indiana Westland and both the

060university itself as well as the stepup program provides opportunities for our teachers to partner with Westland to pursue their degrees and teaching. We have Steel City Academy which also partners here with us to send their students to the Gary area center and Blackhouse College Academy again has their students come here for a fee to receive services here in instruction at the Gary area center. >> Thank you. I'd like to open up the floor for questions. Hearing no questions, I'll entertain a motion for approval. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Been moved and properly second. Attorney lock. >> I'll say attorney lock. Second. >> Any discussion? Any >> hearing? No discussion. May we have roll call, please? >> Dr. Woods, >> yes. >> Attorney Irvin, >> yes. >> Attorney Light, >>

061yes. >> I vote yes. Uh, Mr. SS, >> yes. >> Vote is five to zero. with a vote of five yes and zero against. The motion carries. And now we're at item 6.6, request for approval of field and conference experiences. May we have some details on the experiences? [Music] Good evening. Good evening, Dr. Stokes and our school board. Um the next week on October 14th, the Boeing Airfield has uh provided an opportunity for our students in our middle schools and our high schools to uh have a field experience at the Boing airport where they're going to have a plethora of activities for our students to enjoy as well as other schools. charter schools within the Gary area community. Um the students will they have a full uh curriculum that the students will be able to

062participate in. Um they will be broken off into many different areas and we're taking about 125 students from our middle schools and our high schools so that they can participate in that virtual experience. as well. We we have other as you can see I don't want to be um reading something that I know you see but we've got other experiences that are traditional like our boom we have the county line apple orchard I think many people know that that's an activity that our students have historically gone to the west side leadership academy we've got the lake county fairgrounds in crown point we've got other activities that deal with more of area care that deal with some of our construction and skill type activities that we want students to be a part of so that they

063learn trades. Uh we've got experiences even for the students to go to like the Destiny's dreamers the daycare center so that they can learn boots on the ground, how to support students. So as you see, we've got these various um experiences that we're asking for. We also have conference experiences so that our adult learners as well can have activities to be professionally developed. And as you see, we've got um like the administrative review training session so that we can have more insight on what is required with bases and changes in the law. We've got it ISCO which stands for the Indiana Alliance of School Board Officials. We've got the regional meeting that's scheduled for that. Um, in the near future, you will actually see something on here that will be actually board members who will

064be getting more conference experience because we will be having the regional meeting that's going to be coming up. So, we often put these activities on so that you know that we are supporting our students and field experiences, but we're also supporting our staff with conference experiences so that they can be professionally developed. >> Thank you. I'd like to open the floor for board members questions on this presentation. >> Yes. Um Dr. Sto, could you talk more about the North Lake Methodist Hospital um field experience? >> Okay, I'm going to have someone from the curriculum department to talk more about that, but if they can at this time, I'll have to talk to our presenter. Come on back up. Thank you. She wants to talk about the North Lake Methodist Hospital, the experience that our Gary

065area career center students are going to go to for for one of our medical programs. >> Absolutely. This is just an extra an additional opportunity for our students to see the medical field up close and personal. Um we already are partnering with some of the like IvyTech schools so that our students can get that exposure um to the medical field and so our students will get an opportunity to see the various uh careers that they can possibly uh >> go into after high school. >> Why is it so expensive? Which for the audience is $8,96325. [Music] No, so that's more I think >> please. I'm just curious. >> I'm sorry. I I could add to it a little bit. So those are the actual work hours. Um it's more extensive because it's with our career

066center students that are getting the hours required for them to get certifications like their CNA license and things like that. So they're doing it over the course of the semester and it's more expensive than just a one time field experience. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Are there any additional questions on the field experiences or the conference experience? >> Thank you for the presentation. >> And I will add that the dates on the um North Lake Methodist Hospital experience does say from October 27th through March 27th. So it's not a one time deal. >> No, I appreciate that. It doesn't say through. So I thought that was just two separate dates. October 27th. >> That's a motion. >> Thanks. You're right. >> Hearing no further questions, I'll entertain a motion motion for approval. >> Actually,

067please Mr. Mr. Attorney [Music] >> discussion on the motion >> hearing no discussion may we have roll up please >> Dr. Woods >> yes >> attorney >> yes >> attorney like >> yes >> I vote yes and Mr. Yes. >> A vote five to zero. >> With a vote of five yes and zero against, the motion carries for the approval of the field experiences and the conference experience. Moving on to item number seven on our agenda 7.1 uh presentation on the library Gary library board update. Greetings to members of the board, Dr. Stokes, um, and members of the community. First, I would like to start out with a very special thank you to our library board president, Dr. Lucille Washington, for her presence tonight and their support. [Music] Okay, thank you. and a very special

068thank you to Crystal O'Brien um and and team for their patience with me today. Thank you. I also would like to extend a thank you to the entire board uh for my reappoint and for entrusting me with the business affairs and fiduciary responsibilities of Gary Public Library Board. that reappointment happened um this June of 25 and wanted to recognize all drivers and survivors of breast cancer and domestic violence for this month. So, I just want to start out with reminding the community that um the Gary Public Library is indeed the people's university and the mission of the Gary Public Library is to strengthen and support the education, enjoyment, and lifelong learning skills of our community by working to provide equal access to information, ideas, and knowledge through books, programs, and other resources. When schools and

069public libraries collaborate, they bring about opportunities to allow students more profound learning experiences outside of the classroom. Sharing resources is one of the most obvious ways that public libraries can assist their colleagues. In most cases, students, teachers, or librarians in a school can borrow or place holds or materials needed from the library. Some of the valuable services that we offer to support the G community school corporation are extension services, children's computer labs, summer reading program, online resources, our techmobile, and our maker maker space. So, I'm going to have you follow along with the the handout that I've given you. So, um just really quickly, Crystal, you don't have the one that I sent you earlier today. >> Okay. All right. >> I was not able to. I'm sorry. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. So,

070if you guys can follow along there. um in your packet. Um today was a really big roll out for the Gary uh public library with the Dolly Parton Imagination Station. Um it's a program literacy program that Dolly Parton um enacted in 1995 um all throughout the United States, but Indiana didn't adopt it until 2023. Governor Hulcom set aside about $6 million for their program to be um active throughout the state of Indiana. Um but in 2025, as we know, there have been consulting cuts um to library funding and programs um and it was cut um in January of 2025. And so, uh, Governor, the the current governor has tasked his wife with literacy programs, um, of her own, and she's been tasked with finding funding to keep the Dolly Parton uh, imagine station imagination station

071program alive. So today at the deer public library uh the first lady of the state came to visit and read aloud to our children um along with members of the white family the Barbardine and white center um and along with members of the legacy foundation. So the white family and the legacy foundation have made substantial contributions privately to keep the program alive. If you turn to the next page here, um just really briefly, uh we too are in budget time at the library. And um as most of you know, throughout the United States, libraries are faced with mass massive funding cuts. Um within the state of Indiana, it's known as Senate Bill One. And with Senate Bill 1, we're going to start seeing um those cuts start in 2026 and gradually increase and really really

072see substantial um limitations by 28. However, um we love our library and we have revamped our friends of the library recruitment effort and so with the help of the school board perhaps Nepon steel legacy foundation and nice source could become um members of the friends of the library to help keep the library a float in all the programs. Now the next slide says a request for key accounts for inst. But if you turn a page um our our library director put together um a spreadsheet of what has cost us from the beginning of the year to essentially August of 25. And [Music] what became alarming to her, if you look at the very last line where it says Maine, from April, May, June, and July, you see a substantial difference from December, January, February, and

073March right above. We're just looking at the main library branch. And so what NESCO has done throughout the county, they've gone and put these new um electric meters out and um we experience a discrepancy in billing. So just very simply stated tonight, we are looking for a key accounts rep to help us navigate this to make sure that our bills are a bit more accurate. So if if someone from the board, particularly you, Mr. So, as we can have a key contact like some big corporations normally have, ever so grateful to have a a key contact to help us at the library to get this get this situated. [Music] Okay, if you turn [Music] the page here. This is my very very last slide here. Um it's called a planting the seed slide. And so

074I wish I had um everybody I wish that everyone could see this slide here. Um I put it together because the momentum within Gary surrounding the revitalization currently um within the city, it's just at an all-time high. is just so exciting and really exciting time within the community and the library would love to be in lock step with the city and the current um administration. We do not want to be left behind. So on this slide for the members of the community, I have an example of three trailblazers. The first one is Harold Washington. And we all know he was the first black mayor elected to the city of Chicago. And I have an image here of his library. A very beautiful live library, a very coveted space for many um um gaylas throughout the

075city of Chicago. The next one would be Barack Obama and we are all very excited about his library that is currently being um erected and constructed by Powers and Sons. And and the third is the Honorable Karen Freeman Wilson. And it is the vision of the library board to one day erect a new library and pay homage to her trailblazing efforts as the first black female mayor of any Indiana city within the state of Indiana. So that is just again planting the seed. Um we want to be in lock step with the city. We're excited with all the momentum and revitalization and and we would like to uh be a part of those discussions and efforts. Um [Music] let's see here and essentially that concludes my my report um this time. Last time it was

076very detailed about all of the things that we were doing. um um just just really detailed um information. But this time it's budget time for us. We're making we're making sure that our team members are supported and and again professional development as well. Uh we're making sure that our director um is in lock step with the board and revitalizing and revising, I'm sorry, our long range strategic and technical plan that must be updated every 3 years and submitted to the city. And so I just wanted to just come again thank you all for the opportunity to serve again on the board. And that concludes my report. Thank you. question like to ask the board member, are there any questions or comments? >> For one, I'd like to um answer your request for an advocate and

077I'd be happy to advocate on behalf of the libraries. >> Thank you. >> With the NIPCO night source corporation. >> Thank you. would ask if you could share with me some information on the friends of the library so that I can share that along with my request. >> Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much. >> Not only for financial support but also for clarification on the billing concern that you mentioned. >> Yes, sir. >> Any other questions or thoughts? >> Thank you so much for being here and your service. >> Thank you. [Music] I'd like to move now to item 7.2. Dr. Stoopes. >> All right. Thank you. Crystal, if you can put up the um first reading forformational purposes. While she's doing that, I just want to take a point of privilege and remind our

078board um of how we set up the polic If you all recall, you've appointed Dr. Johnson Woods to the policy sessions of which she comes and she gives her stamp as representing the board. I also want to remind the board members that we provide information to you all 48 hours before and you all have access to the board docs to go into board docs and to look at each of these policies that we are providing for first and second read before we actually finalize it. And then I also want to remind the board that then after we put the information, the information is out on the policy website once Niola, which is the company that we work for, they scan through and make sure that we've not missteped and that we are in compliance with

079the law as we make some choices because for some things we don't get a choice, but for some things we do get a choice. They then are public to the community. the community can log on and we've shown I think at least three times how to log on to board docs so that the community can look at information. I also want to remind that if we need we Aaron is willing to come back and teach our community again how to log on and look at policies. So with that said I'm going to we have these policies up. I'm not going to go through all of them but do understand that it before we actually vote on them. you've got your rep here who is um representing the board as well as um they are out

080there for your viewing and then once you've voted on them they become something that the public can then see. With that being said, I want to just call our attention to some of the um policies that are listed up here that you see for this first reading. Um one of the things that I wanted to talk about was the policy 0167.2 which is executive session. um and that while we have been doing this and following the law, if you all recall, we had no policies on the book um when we came in. So, we do things slightly different because we have hundreds of policies that need to be out there and we have none. So, with that being said, we do things in kind of a fast pace. as we get caught up, we will

081come to the board with one or two where we're able to literally list everything and have it showing um to support some of the board's desires. But I do want to talk about policy 0167.2, which is executive session. Um that policy basically is talking about under which types of settings you can have an executive session and what those purposes are for. We do follow um the law. Attorney toward always make sure that we are following the law. But some of the things that are able to do is we're authorized by federal or state statute the discussion of strategy with respects to collective bargaining which does not include a discussion of a meeting under the Indiana code initiation of litigation or litigation which is pending has been threatened in writing. They for those purposes implementation of

082security systems is another reason that you can have an executive session. real property transactions including a purchase or a lease or the lease or leaser agreement or transfer exchange of sale for said property. Um you can have one for consolidation providing that strategy is necessary for bargaining or competitive reasons and the media does not include competitive bargaining adversaries. Um there are other reasons like to discuss assessments to receive information about and interview protective employees. For example, I'm your only employee. So like if you want to hire the superintendent, you can have executive session for those reasons. There are other things like discussions of records classified as confidential by federal or state statute, discussion before any placement decision of an individual, a student's ability, past performance or behavioral needs, discussion of an employees job performance or

083evaluation and appointments for official public um information or applications that are made. So things of that nature. I wanted to talk about that. And even though we're um looking at this as a first read, what I want us to all hear is that we've been um supporting this policy already even though it hasn't been on the books and Attorney has made sure that we've been supporting it correctly. Um one of the other ones that I wanted to highlight is um 8540. And the reason I highlight 8540 because it's been rescended. And basically what it is, it was about vending machines. It was a policy that talked about the school board recognizing vending machines can reduce revenue so on and so forth. But that policy has been rescended. So um uh and that is a code

084and I can't tell you necessarily why but what I can tell you is they've crossed it all out. We have to take it off our books. So even though I'm talking about it um whether we wanted to keep it or not, we have to take it off by law. So that was the policy that's talking about vending machines and I think part of that Linda about being truly transparent is there's really a call about healthy food if you want to speak to that during the during the actual day. So vending machines while you can have them they can't be on during the actual school day. >> Yes. During breakfast and lunch, there can be no other food being sold. So, the vending machines actually have to be turned off during that time frame. >> Thank

085you. And then one of the things that we did today here again keeps us legal policy 6230 talks about the budget hearing. Well, you all know that we did some of that today. an annual budget adopted by the school board represents the board's position on the allocation of resources required to operate an appropriate system of education. So, you know, while we went following this um when we came into the system after 7 years of takeover, we realized that there were no policies. So, we've been staying in step with the law, but we still have to hold these policies in place. The last thing I did want to say about this is that um we try to do our due diligence to make sure that we not knowingly violate the law. We're not perfect, but we

086try not to this step. So, this is why we do our due diligence to make sure that we bring these things forward. And with that, I'm going to turn it back over. This is justformational. And there again, I remind members, you have the opportunity to look at any of these policies on boards. So, with that, I give it back to you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Stokes. I appreciate the first reading discussion. I'd like to give the board an opportunity if there are any comments on the presentation. >> Thank you. I I just have a couple. When I say that, first of all, as a board member, I'm on board docs and I didn't see them. Um, it'd be nice to have it red line so people could see what's changing, what's new. I

087bring this up because I've been on this side forever and I know how it is when you're sitting there and you're looking at something, you have no idea what's going on. You're talking about these policies. I understand that um good doctor was there for the policy uh and what's changed or whatever. Just if we can be informed like, hey, look, policy numbers as such. This is what's crossed out. This is what's changed. And even if it's online, like you said, if it's on board docs, perhaps it'll be there after the meeting. But um just in terms of keeping the community informed of what's going on so that when we're at these meetings, we we don't feel lost. And I just say that because I've been to several meetings and I felt lost sitting out there

088not knowing what's going on. So that's all I was uh bringing up and I thank you for that. And I look forward to seeing the uh red lines or whatever's changed on board docs. >> Okay. And I want to make sure that we make sure front if you can make sure that you meet with her so that she knows how to see the back side because I know that you know we um giving you access to the backside so that you can see all of the red lining. I just want to make sure that you have your meeting with Miss Patton so that she can show you that. >> Okay, I appreciate that. >> Uh one one other point though the the policy meetings are once a month and even though Dr. Wood was is

089our appointed person. Any board member can show up and and attend as well as the public. And so uh and that's where they actually get into the weeds >> of the policies. And so, uh, you know, that's also another opportunity to actually be able to see what policy, what's going into the policies. >> And I appreciate that. Those meetings are at 4:00 and like I was saying earlier, some of us have to work. So, thank you for that, though. And >> um, Mr. Mr. Chair, might I say too that um the policies as they are given to the school districts, it's the system that they use is Miola. Miola is a system that's used >> across the state. >> Yes. Across the entire state and they follow the law in terms of most of the

090policies that are are presented to us to vote on and make decisions on. Most of the policies are very prescriptive. you do not get an opportunity to make a whole lot of changes to the policies where you do have an opportunity they may give you a choice or two or three at times and you select that but the language everything comes from NEO it's not something that we so for those of you who don't know it's not something that we sit and decide and discuss what we're going to say in this policy it's given to us this is what you have to react to and we have to do that as we are suggested b and again it is based on the law >> that they're Good. I wish most organizations across had a system

091like NEOA. They give it to you, they tell you what the law is and you get that information and you react react to it. >> It's actually a good thing that Neola does that because you imagine if we had to figure this all out ourselves and try to make sure that we're not violating the law because the Indiana code changes quite often. I just read earlier some changes that have been made based on you know federal, state or attorney general recommendations. >> Any additional comments on the discussion? I want to thank the board members for their engagement and a special thank you for Dr. Woods for you for chairing the policy committee. It is definitely appreciated. We'd like to move on now to item number eight on our agenda. An update with Mr. Richards. [Music]

092>> Good evening, board members. Dr. Chief technology officer for the district. Um, if we could go to slide one. [Music] So, uh, I'm here tonight to present the, uh, 2025 digital learning grant, which we applied for last summer. Uh, the grant was offered to all schools and corporations within the, uh, state of Indiana and approximately 50 to 60 districts were chosen to uh, receive the funding for the indigenous grant. And so I'm pleased to share that Gary Community School Corporation was one of the recipients. >> With that said, I'd like to say we did get the money. >> All right. And and also uh this is just the overview of what the grant is about. Um grant named after David C. Ford who was a senator and legislator. Um the award amount was $50,000. It

093was administered by the IDOE and the period is from July 1st to 2025 to June 30th, 2026. Uh, one of the purposes for the grant here at Gary Community School Corporation is to strengthen our 101 technology initiative uh to directly support the classrooms instruction through improved digital learning uh tools. Slide three. The uh grant was divided into three uh main areas which is professional services uh which is the go guardian uh UPD training and what that is that is an applications that the teachers use to monitor students as they teach within the class. So the students the teacher has a laptop with goardian on it and the students have another another uh licensed Goardian on their uh Chromebooks. So, if they're surfing the web or playing games while uh she's teaching, they the teacher has

094the ability to go in and lock that um uh Chromebook or to send a notice or to um change them from that site. And also, the hardware that we're looking at is um the Chromebooks. We have ordered 50 new uh HP40s Chromebooks and the cost was $20,000 $20,163 and this came with a warranty. Trifer is a company came with uh cases and also uh management which is the adapters that was uh added to the order. All right, next slide. Um, so the the 50 HP Force Chromebooks were ordered to replace some of the outdated Chromebooks that we have and also some of the Chromebooks that were broken, screen cracks, keyboards, uh, broken or some students moved away, uh, they did not return the Chromebooks and things like that. So, we are actually, uh, updating our

095fall system to be able to keep up with all of that information as well. Uh so the goal for the new Chromebooks is to reduce instructional disruptions due to broken or missing uh student devices. Okay, next slide please. All right. So here we um if you see I have 69% of staff report that device issues that they would have device issues at least one once a week. So what I did was I took a survey throughout the uh district which consisted of uh paras, principals, teachers, technicians, librarians, etc. to see uh what they were experiencing with technology based upon Chromebooks and connectivity. 69% of the staff reported that device they were having device issues at least weekly. Uh a lack of working devices can disrupt learning and student behavior. Uh so the staff urged an

096update and asked for durable devices uh and better filtering policies. Right. Next please. Um so to address uh these uh key findings, we um we purchased we purchased 50 of these uh Chromebooks and they will be here tomorrow between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11 uh a.m. and we won't be passing those out. So uh this is to support e-learning testing and daily instruction and to reinforce district's commitment to modern effective education. Great. Next slide, please. And that was it. >> Thank you, Mr. Richards. Are there any questions or discussion on the presentation? >> Congratulations on getting getting the money. >> Thank you. Thank you for the grant approval. >> Thank you. Moving on to 8.2 on our agenda. Mr. Zarowski. [Music] Good evening again. I would like to give a financial update first.

097Oh, let me got it. All right. So this first slide is just kind of a snapshot of our three major funds and all the expenses from January through August. We are balanced through August. Um how this compares to our approved budget versus all the expenses that we've had through August and our unexpensed amount. As you can see in the education fund, we have 35% left of the budget approved budget. the referendum 39% and the operations fund 33%. And then this next slide is the education fund expenses. This is kind of just a snapshot of the same information, just a little different view for everybody. where our approved budget was, what our transfers were, things of that nature, the year-to- date expenses through August, and then our remaining budget. And then here is the actual cash

098flow. So in here, you'll notice that we have revenues um and the the beginning balance, all the revenues for the month, and then all of the expenditures. So, in the education fund, the ending cash balance is $23,152,428. And then we have the operations fund. Here's just a quick snapshot of our year-to- date expenses. We have 33% of our budget remaining. And then I do have to apologize. I am not sure if the board received the correct slide for the operations cash flow. My apologies if you do not have the one through August. But the the cash balance in August is 7,329,295. I will email that to you if you do not have that. And I understand it's small numbers. I do apologize. But in order for me to give you all the information from all

099the months, >> I can't make it any bigger. Unfortunately, >> they can make it bigger on theirs. They have >> Okay, perfect. Perfect. The one thing I wanted to point out um we had an audit finding in uh as of I was notified in July the June uh 30th 2025. We had two previous audit findings. This was prior administration. So there were two audits previous um the 2020 through 2022 and the 22 through 2024. Um the allocation of the medical and benefit expenses were not allocated appropriately. Some of the expenses were allocated to a clearing fund. the clearing fund when you report your expenditures is not reflective in your form 9. So in these audit findings um we had a overdrawn cash balance in these clearing funds. So these were these were audit findings. When

100I came on board this was brought to my attention. This had been going on for six to seven years. So, it had just kind of somewhat been accumulating as an overdrawn cash balance every year. They were cited twice. It was not corrected. My team, we we we took these previous reports, hundreds and hundreds of line items, and went through and reallocated it appropriately. So, you're going to notice in the benefit area in August, we finally finished it in August. You're going to notice an increase in the benefit expenses in the operations fund and very noticeably in the education fund, which I will show you in a moment. Actually, I probably did already. I'm so sorry. Let me go back because I I do want to point it out. And this was these audit findings were

101presented to the board. We had a post audit meeting where we went over these but we finally finally got to a point where it was corrected. >> If you recall board members at that meeting, they um told us that we had to write corrective action plan caps. And so this was one of the things that took a lot of time that Linda and her team had to work on to try to get it right. Lindy, can you show the arrow where I will? >> Yep. If it's working. [Music] >> It is not working. There we are. There we are. I'm so sorry. I'm very challenged with this clipper. It is here. You'll notice that is it actually doubled and that is because the reallocation. >> Mrs. Zavaroski, the the item that we have in our

102deck doesn't go through August. So, if you could send us >> Yes. And I apologize for that. Yes, you you will receive this particular sheet. >> Thank you. >> Yes. So as you can see um IDOE and SBOA um have confirmed that the corrective action plan um we have we have we have handled it and dealt with it moving forward. This will not happen again but this was collective. This was from years. Any questions on that? Sure. Thank you. I I'm just trying to follow my head and I suppose I cannot. >> When you have the audit and it was moved to the wrong place. It's just a matter of fixing paperwork or is there a financial penalty associated with that? >> There's there's no financial penalty as long as we fix it. Now, this

103um there were two prior audits that this had happened to. They said there could be a penalty in our state tuition if we did not fix it. >> Okay. >> So, we did fix it and this is, you know, showing you that we've actually fixed it. >> So, just going on that line of discussion just clarifying this is again an error but not necessarily or is it indicating that there was something done Yeah. nefarious? >> No, there was nothing done nefarious. No, what it was was um I'll try to explain it. You know, when our benefit bills come in, a lot of times we have a huge turnover in staff. Okay? So, with the vendor and with our books, the vendor maybe hasn't taken the employee off and they've left our district. So we're actually

104charged those but we don't deduct anything from the employee but we continue to pay. So that actually falls into a clearing account. We have to reallocate that and appropriately either receive our credit or pay it and expense it properly which was not done. >> Thank you. Any more any more questions? [Music] Okay, my last slide is the referendum fund. And here's just a quick snapshot. Our total um referendum budget approved was 10,500,000. We are at remaining balance of 39%. And then here's just a quick snapshot. We have a cash balance at the end of August of 4,583,000. Any questions? [Music] Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Let's move on to item number nine. 8.3 I am. Sorry. Pursuant to Indiana Code 20-28-9-27, school corporations who experienced an increase in tuition support FY24 to FY25 are

105required to expend an amount for full teacher salaries in FY25 equal to or greater than FY24. 4 expenditures for full-time teacher salaries plus the lesser of teacher stipens distributed in FY23 and FY24. What this means is the state has taken our funding floor calculation. The line item one and line item two are directly amount direct amounts taken from our form 54 which is our state aid our approved state aid. Number three is the FY24 full-time teacher salaries and where they got this number from is from our form 9. This would be 71 of 23 through June 30th of 24. FY23 teacher stipens was from 7122 through June 30th of 23. Teacher stipens FY24 was July 1, 2023 through June 30th, 2024. They take these calculations. the lesser of lines four and five which was that

106teachers teach teacher stipens. Our FY25 funding floor amount was 16,36,944. We expensed 15,91,241. What does this mean? It means that we did not spend enough money on teacher salaries and benefits. What this doesn't take into account and what this statute doesn't state is if we have a teacher shortage, we have to contract services out to have teachers, whether it be teaching our students or whatever. those amounts that we expense are not included in this calculation. I have reached out um to IDE to the state in regards to this and they just said currently that they are not including that in this calculation. So I have to report that we have not met the funding floor. There's no penalties. Um it's like $46,000 shot. >> It's just something we have to do by law. And um

107one thing I want to highlight like we have to have if we can't find speech therapists for examples, >> we got to have a speech and aologist. I used to be one, we have to contract out, but we don't get to count that even though they're supporting our children. And unless you know we can get the laws changed, it is what it is. And so this is why she's before you because the law requires that if you don't meet the funding floor, you have to talk about it. What I do want to state also too is that this was all of these agreements, contracts, teacher salaries was from previous administration. >> And that's only important because um when we came into office a year ago, many things were already set into motion. And you can't

108go in and change things that deal with like the collective bargaining for example. You don't need to change those things. We just have to come in and work with what we have and do what we can do. >> Any questions? >> Yes. Sure. So there's no penalty to this? >> There is not. >> Okay. It's just aspirational. >> Yep. >> Okay. Yes. Yes. And then just also, so when you're saying like with the $400,000 400 deficit, >> um that the school court didn't have that money because it was spent on other things that weren't allowed to be that tracked here. That is correct. >> Okay. Y this funding floor we it has to be on teachers that work for Gary Community Schools only. >> So our staff. >> Yep. Just uh understanding that the state

109said that they weren't considering those contracted amounts. >> Did we still assess what that is? Does it add up to that amount or exceeds it? It >> exceeds it exceeds it. More way more. >> Okay. Very good. >> Yes, it does. >> Thank you. >> I don't have that number for you, but it it exceeded it. >> Yes. Any additional questions? >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Item, excuse me, item nine on our agenda, individual board member reports or communications. I'd like to open up the floor for board members for comments or statements. Again, I'd like to use this time to welcome our newest board member, attorney Lockett. >> Thank you for being here. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Let's move on to item 10, superintendent report. Dr. Stokes. >>

110All right. Thank you so much. You know, we like to discuss what I call matters of corporation interest. So, one of the things we wanted to talk about, if you look at our screen and you typically have all of this information sent out a plethora of ways, I did want um Miss Chelsea to remind us of all the various ways that you can connect with this information before I start talking about some of the things because I think that's important for our community to be reminded. This is parent teacher conferences. This is important to us. So, we do want to make sure that we give a shout out about the fact that Friday, October the 17th. Um, we have synchronous day for all students, but if you could talk about how they can find this

111information, that would be great. >> Absolutely. Good evening again, members of the board, Dr. Stokes in the community. There are a plethora of ways to obtain information from your Gary Community School Corporation. First of which is our website, garyschools.org. We have the only FM radio station owned by school corporation in northwest Indiana WGB881.7 which streams live so you can listen to it in your cars. You can listen to your homes or on your devices by also going to our website garyschools.org. We are on social media. You can get this information Facebook, Instagram and X. You can also receive it directly in your buildings. They make hard copies. them out there in our face mazone parent rooms. Each of our schools also have various platforms that they use to communicate with parents in including class dojo

112and remind and our student information system which is Skyward. All of our students and parents have passcodes by which they can access information not only like this but as well as grades and attendance etc. Am I leaving anything out? Oh, email marketing. We also have an newsletter and we have email and text messaging in order to send this information to our various communities and then there are our community forums, schoolboard meetings, etc. where this information is made available to the public. So I wanted her to share that particularly for this particular parent teacher conference information. The parent teacher conferences are scheduled um to be from 12:30 to 5:30. So parents, if you've not tried to reach out to your teachers and set up a time, please do so as the date is quickly approaching. We

113can move to our next slide. Then I wanted to talk about um the superintendent's advisory council. Um, one of the things that I always like to do, um, after I get settled, and I've had a year to get settled, is I like to have an advisory council, which is made up of students at the high school, and we typically support our seniors in doing this at the high school, but at our middle schools, as we prepare students to be in charge of their learning, we go in and talk to our eighth graders. So, I am going to be launching here at Gary Community Schools, what I term as the superintendent advisory council. so that I can hear from the voices of our students about what they believe that they need to be supported, nurtured, and

114taught in their community groups. Our next slide, um, in in like terms, this is what's called the superintendent listen and learn series. And this is different from what we have that's being called discussion. If you recall, Indiana code used to require that we had to have meaningful discussion with our teachers. The law does not require us to have it. I will tell you that when I came boots on the ground, I knew that the voice of the teachers is important. So, we do still have monthly discussion with our teachers. We don't have to, but we do. But that is just a select group that our union leader has decided that she would like to have be a part of that discussion and then they go back into their buildings and share. But this is different.

115I'm highlighting discussions because what I'm trying to do here is different. the superintendent listen and learn is essentially where I go out to every building at just different times and I just have teachers are they can come sometimes we have a few snacks and I just you know it's like a fireside chat they just get to talk to me ask questions about things maybe that they don't understand and I'm just listening and learning and we hear from the teachers in that way we can go to our next slide then um trunk or treat October 31st 5 to 7 And Crystal, if you can share a little bit more about the trunk or treat because I know this is something that in your wheelhouse you all deal with. If you can just grab a mic right

116there real quick and share a little bit more. >> Sure. So um we continue to partner with uh our community in a number of initiatives. You all know that our movie night out on the football field was a huge success. And so to continue that momentum, we've partnered with the city of Gary for our trunk retreat event, which will happen on October 31st. And that will be at Roosevelt. >> Oh, I'm sorry, 5 to 7 p.m. at Roosevelt. Uh, and that is at Roosevelt because we know it's a central area as well as um, you know, the community will be welcome. And because we cleaned it up for that wonderful Jackson block party, we want to continue to highlight uh, how amazing our facilities are and that our community is welcome there um, to use

117and rent out our facilities um, of course through the proper channels at any time. So, we thank the city of Yuri for this partnership and we look forward to other opportunities to work with the community. >> And while you have the microphone, if you can share a little bit about the aviation day by Boeing, which I know you spearheaded and supporting, if you go to the next slide, please. >> Oh, I'm so excited. So, Boeing Boeing is doing the aviation day uh next Tuesday. We've been working on this for a couple months. Uh I made sure I got my clearance because I told them I'll be one of the kids um hanging out and so um they have selected um students from between 7th and 12th grade and they wanted to be all inclusive. So

118we are doing Gary community schools as well as our charter schools and we are going to have a number of different activities from they'll be doing experiments they'll have a panel discussion they'll have lunch and all of this is sponsored by Boeing and their partners and so we thank them so very much because they want they want to show our kids u and give them the opportunity to see pilots to see uh people who work on the planes, the engineers, all these different people who work for Boeing. Uh and and they can aspire to be that. And also we've um invited our career center who has the aviation program uh there. Oh, I'm sorry here. We're here. You can see us getting late uh with uh the hands on um what is it called? Simulation

119program. So, um it will just spark their interest and hopefully recruit more students to come over here to the career center and um the sky is the limit for them. >> It is. And at such a time as this where we are experiencing a shortage with pilots, how timely. >> So then if we can go to our next slide, I just want to talk about um National Principles Month. And I just want to go on record in much the same way that we appreciate our students, our families, our parents, and our staff. We appreciate our principles. So, if you have the opportunity, give a shout out, give it a nice week to try to run a building and support staff and students and parents alike. But we do appreciate our principles. We thank them for

120what they do and we want to go on record saying that. And so then with that, I just want to talk about we actually have two drafts today. One is for the Thursday, October 23rd, um 100 p.m. meeting. Um it's just for the budget adoption. It's usually a pretty short meeting, but we actually have that meeting. That particular meeting will not be here. Let me repeat, it will not be here at the Cur Center. That meeting will be at 900 Jerry Street, commonly known as central office. You can enter through door me. And then um we will resume with our regular meeting Thursday, November I think that says the 13th. I'm a little blind here. Um Thursday, November the 13th. Um and as you see, we um we we kind of put things that we

121know will happen like we've got some action items if you look that we know we need to take care of. Um we've got some first and readings for things and some second readings will occur for some of our policies. Um and then I think um everything is kind of just wrote some of the consent agenda items. With that I turn it back over to our board president. >> Thank you Dr. Stokes. And I'd like to open up um to the board for comments or questions on the presentation. Hearing no comments or questions. Yes, please. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um, so I just wanted to say that on form 3.2, which was shown to the community at the beginning, which was the notice to taxpayers, just letting the taxpayers know that following this meeting,

122any 10 or more taxpayers may object to the budget, tax rate, or tax levy filed by by filing an objection petition with proper officers of the Gary Community School Corporation, not more than seven days after the hearing. Any objection petition must identify the pro provisions of the budget tax rate or tax levy to which taxpayers object. And if the petition is filed, then this board uh community school corporation board shall adopt the a budget with a finding concerning the objections to the um in the petition and the testimony presented. So that's just um letting the community know to keep you involved if there is something that you know uh you have issue with if you can get nine other people with you and file a petition and object if you'd like. >> Thank you. Any

123additional questions or comments? >> I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you all for your attendance. We appreciate you being