May 20, 2026 MSD of Warren Township Regular School Board Meeting

001seats right up here. >> No, there's a few. I see. >> Welcome everyone. If you would please stand and join us for the pledge of >> allegiance of the stands nationy for all. At this time, we are going to um bring Terry Sprradland to the podium. >> Well, good evening everyone. Is this on? >> I'm going to push the button. >> Good. Good instructions there. Now you can hear me. What a wonderful turnout tonight everyone. Great to see you. I'm Terry Sprradlin, executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association and proud graduate of Warren Central High School, class of 1985. Yeah. And so good to be home again and right next door to my very favorite Dairy Queen. So, I might be going there here shortly. But more importantly, I'm here tonight to share announcement,

002a very special announcement about an award that this fantastic school board has earned that I wanted the community to hear about and know about. So each year the Indiana School Boards Association, we have an exemplary governance award program and we recognize the efforts of individual schoolboard members and the efforts of collective school boards to be well informed and and very effective in the work that they do. The awards we present are at one of four levels beginning at level one commendable all the way up to the top level of distinction, the exemplary governance status. as executive director, I'm so proud to present um to you, the MSD Warren Township governing body, that you are one of just five school boards. This is quite an accomplishment. One of five school boards statewide to earn our level

003four exemplary uh governance award status. So that that is fantastic. Yeah. But more impressive is not only have they achieved or attained this level of distinction this year for work done last year, the 12 months of 2025, but this was your fourth consecutive year being a level four exemplary board. Now, that deserves a round of applause. Well done. So, uh, community, I want you to understand the work involved in receiving this honor and the level of, uh, work it requires to earn this distinction. This board must commit to the highest level of board governance and submit evidence of ongoing work that demonstrates intentional reflection, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This includes, you know, being a regular a part of assessing their own performance and effectiveness, engaging in annual retreats to revisit the school corporation's mission and

004vision statements and values, and working closely with the administration to establish clear student centered goals. And I see so many students here tonight. That's so impressive. It also includes ongoing policy review to ensure alignment with current needs, a sustained commitment to student achievement, continued professional development for board members, and a formal superintendent evaluation process that supports accountability and growth. Finally, it includes the adoption of and commitment to a board compact or code of ethics that guide how you work together and service to students and your community. Your achievement represents the foundation of a strong governance team that keeps its attention centered on students and the long-term success of the school corporation's vision, mission, and values. As a again, as a 1985 graduate for Warren Central High School, it's an honor and pleasure to present the

005exemplary governance award to the MSD of Warren Township School Board of Trustees. Well done and congratulations again. Thank you so much and thank you all for the work that you do. Great to be with you tonight. >> Thank you, Gloria. >> Take a picture with you. >> Rachel, thank you. >> Thank you. All right. >> Let's take a picture. >> Be happy. >> You go. cheerle >> you get in the middle there. You have the award. >> Yeah, you're holding. >> Well, this was with >> Rachel. This shared before. >> All right, here we go. Ready? Three, two, one. >> Got it. All right. Thank you. Congratulations again. >> Thank you >> for coming out. You know, it's going to be a long >> Thank you very much. And we'll now move on to um

006Miss Simba Taylor with a celebration for our Central Winds and Wintergard. Good evening, Warren Central High School. Oh, we're not at Warren. Sorry. Like I feel like I just left there. Just kidding. Just kidding. But good evening everyone to the school board. Uh Terry uh Oh, yes. Terry Amos and Dr. Hansen um and the rest of the board as well as everyone else. Good evening. I have the distinct honor of recognizing a group of individuals, young individuals that have been doing the dang on thing this year and every year that probably doesn't get enough recognition. So, at this time, if you are a member of the Warren Central indoor winds, come on down >> or up. So, before I even introduce um and talk about all of the wonderful things that these young folks have

007done, I'm going to let their performance, I'm just going to give you a little tease and a little taste. And you can actually go to our website and see the full performance, one of their many performances. Um, but I want you to see their feature 2026 performance. Um, and take a few minutes for that. >> X in the corner. We not going to go. That's the end. Let's Let's take it from the top. >> Presenting their program. I once was lost. WGI School of the Arts is proud to present Warren Central Wins. So, just a little just a little taste of what they did this year. And this really is a just a oh, it's been a three-year process of really growing this particular program. And as you can see, it's growing. It is growing.

008And every year, it just gets better and better. So, just a few things that we definitely want to make sure that we don't forget to mention um in here is that it has rapidly grown. Would you say that, Mr. Sharp? First off, why are you sitting back there, sir? Come on up here. Give it up for the leader, Mr. SHARP. Who can do this better than I can probably do it, but really talk about the things that have happened. But the program is rapidly growing. Um, and that's what we like to see happen. It's the third year as a competitive team, as you can see, threetime state finalists. Um, never placed outside of the top three in local circus. 2026 circuit champions, two-time national finalists. This is in three years. So, just imagine all that

009we will see. We have 44 student performers. Um, I don't know if you know a lot about this type of group and the instruments that they play, but it is strong and it is powerful. Um, national finals awards ceremony there. They placed fifth and this was after being promoted to a higher class. And if anyone knows the band world, there's a lot that goes into it. A lot of times it typically has to do with size, but if you're just good, they don't even look at the size and they move you up. So this group here may be competing against groups that have maybe 20 more or I'll say double or triple sometimes the number of students here. Um, and we just see some phenomenal things that are happening. But this is our wins group.

010Give it up for them. >> All right. So, at this time, we're going to take you through the board before we bring up our next group. So, you guys are going to circle back this way, and you're going to shake the board's hand. And again, we're super proud of you. Um, our 2026 wins group. Come this way. Come to me. Come this way. And then you guys are going to shake the board's hand behind you. So, some of you can just turn and shake if you like or you can circle around. >> Oh my gosh. I've never met >> today. Person I've never met. >> Hello. >> Someone else I've never met. >> Yeah. knew I saw you so winner wins. >> Okay, just joking. >> Congratulations. Thanks for coming today. >> Congratulations. Thank you

011for coming today. >> Congratulations. >> Thank youulations. Sorry about the coffee. >> Thank you for coming today. >> Just love your eyes. >> Your teeth. >> After color is done. Good seeing you. >> I was coaching. >> What an appropriate name. Thank you for coming. Congratulations. >> You guys had a lot of fun doing this. >> Congratulations. >> Still working. I have I have to tell you I I put this group um the color sound or the warrior sounds and one others 16th Street Soul on my Facebook page today and my granddaughter I was picking her up from school and I was showing her it and she's watching this group and she goes, "You mean they put on a show and play instruments at the same time?" Yes, they do. the coordination, the practice. I

012would put our band program practices right up there with any elite athlete because the hours, the just being able to work together, the unit off of those things. And I've said I'll admit I've said I'm glad I'm not a band parent because baby the the the time that is spent another wonderful performing arts group that we definitely want to recognize that this is also another program that is rapidly growing. Um we see some coherence from the middle levels on up is our winter guard. So, at this time, if you are a member of the 2026 Winter Guard, come on up. So, again, I want to give you a little taste. I'm not going to show it all to you, but I just want you to see some of the amazing things that our young folks

013are doing. of the Arts is proud to present Warren Central High School. Bring the heel front. Bring it fast. The tip of the toe. Now lift the knee. And on one, two. Come on. Take a chance. Contracting the tummy. Fall forward. Four. And one. Go back. Go. And one. Two. Three. And one. We all have these objects, things, food, music, books, places, memories that we hold on to. We should be able to reflect upon them. funny. It's okay to go back there as long as you don't get stuck there. The trick is to let it ground you but not let it weigh you down. Nostalgia gives our lives texture. >> It reminds us that we are valuable people, that we've led meaningful lives. Hallelujah. I am la. So, we talk Yeah, that is y'all. Yes,

014that is you. We talk a lot about the championships and just the the state finals and all the different things, but the group that actually has the most titles is who? >> Absolutely. So, what you need to know about our color guards, 23 consecutive world championship finals. We don't miss. We are doing some great things. One of the things and uh Mr. Meccus, who is definitely um one of our main figures and the leader of our performing arts department, they actually have performances tonight. So, he is not here, but I want to make sure that I hit these points for him. Um, one of the things that he is super proud of is that they are breaking their own world record for the third year in a row. So, the 15 tricep marching arts championship

015we've participated in. Um, since 2026, our enrollment, we've had 30 worldclass varsity performers, 20 A class JV performers, and 30 cadet class IMS grade performers. So for parents in here of elementary school students, they can begin early and this is where you end up and then beyond that because many of our performing arts, similar to our athletes, I have to say this are going on to secondary programs where they're able to continue what they have done here and many are making a living. So just note that it doesn't stop once you leave the field or once you graduate. So they're doing some great things. Uh one of the things that Mr. Meccas wanted to make sure that we let you know for both our wins and for our winter guard is that within this program

016we're seeing student leaders developed. Um it builds accountability and discipline because everyone has to be present. Everyone has to show up. You can't be absent because that impacts not just you but it impacts the entire show. When someone is out what I learned is they many times have to rewrite what it is that they are doing. And we know things happen. You get sick. Okay, we'll fill in. Well, it's not that simple. Um, and so what I've learned is that every program, each performance looks different. It's usually better for me. I'm always excited to see what has been added. It encourages creative expression, strengthens school pride, and provides students with national level performance opportunities. They are doing big things. We are super proud of you. If you've not come to a performance, we encourage you

017to do that. Um, besides the halftime show, it's bigger than that. That's really just used to practice. The real magic happens throughout the weekend and at those performances. And so again, congratulations to our winter guard. Let's give it up for them again. And you guys can also make sure you shake our board's hand behind you. So you can turn or you can come this way and wrap around. >> So fun to watch. Good job. >> My daughter just broke her foot, so I get it. Good job. >> That happened during >> I love it. >> Contest, right? 10 out of 10. >> Also love >> you guys do summer work >> ready. >> Everybody everybody doing that. >> Congratulations again. >> Oh Kevin. I love the red gold. >> We can do it again. >>

018It's okay. Don't worry about it. >> Miss Taylor, just stay right there, please. Let's give it up one more time for the wins in Winter Guard. >> What do you always say? It's a great day to be a >> warrior. >> Yes. >> And because of your leadership, it is a great day to be a warrior. And we want to celebrate you today. >> Students, do you guys love Miss Taylor? >> Yes. Yes. How about this week when she dresses up? Principal on a shelf. Miss Taylor, we want to um celebrate you tonight. Um this time of the year, the Indiana Association for School Principles recognizes 12 principles throughout the state. And I stand here very proudly to tell you that Mrs. Taylor is the principal of the year for district 7. >> So, we

019wanted to make sure that we took advantage of everyone being in the house to celebrate you. So, thank you for your leadership. There's no bigger champion for our students and our our community than than you. and we we appreciate you. >> Now we have the privilege of bringing up Jason Tillage and Heather Parsons for the Warren Central Aquat. Good evening. Uh, this is hard for me to talk really soft. I work on a pool deck where I yell really loud all the time. So, I've been telling myself the whole time, please talk soft. Please talk soft. Uh, first and foremost, uh, Dr. Hansen, you kind of stole my thunder. I wanted to thank the Warren Winds and the Winter Guard again one more time. They did a great job in the work I see them

020put in. I'm here all the time and I see them all the time working. Um I I don't know if there's a harder group. I really don't. You guys do a phenomenal job. Um Dr. Hansen, thank you for having me here this evening. Uh school board, thank you for having us to talk about the Warren program and the aquatics program. Um I couldn't do this without my lovely wife who was not able to be here tonight. My daughter is in gymnastics. Cheer. Cheers tonight. Cheer. Uh one of those tryyous. Um, but without her and making the decision to come back from Florida back to my home school of Warren Central High School, I couldn't do this without her. Um, I would like to thank uh the coaches. Coach Nikki has been phenomenal for me. Um,

021I could advocate her for her all day long. Um, there's many stories I could tell about why I'm here and why she's the reason. Um, I would like to thank the Warren Aquatics board for allowing me to be here. Um, again, without them making the decision for me to be here, I couldn't do this without them. Um, and it doesn't go any further without my athletes. They work hard. They bought in from day one. Um, I can't express how when we first got into the pool, I first met them at the Y and I just told them to swim and they did it without questioning and it was a phenomenal day and we've gotten better ever since. Um, see what's Yes. Let's please invite the middle school and any other swimmer that is here from

022Warren Aquatics, please come on up. Let's give you a big round of applause. They have a couple trophies with them. Uh, one is the high school boys marauder invite. We won that meet this year. The boys were very shocked. If you can catch the video online, they were very surprised to hear they won. They were like, "Why are we up here, coach?" I said, "Just wait." And then when they won, they're like, "We won." And I'm like, "Yeah, you guys won. Nice job. See what happens when you work really hard. THERE'S NOT A HARDER GROUP though than the middle school team. They have grown and without our middle school team and our uh Warren Aquatics team, we can't grow to have a successful high school team. And our middle school team did a phenomenal job

023this year led by Coach Nikki. Uh Mick, middle school coach of the year. We found out, I believe, last week that she officially got that. The girls finished runner up um second place in the county and the Mick, which is a very hard thing to do in swimming. If you know anything about swimming in this area, it is very hard. There are 14 15 schools in the county and then we as you know the Mick is very a very tough conference. So again, one more round of applause for them and I'm going to introduce Coach Nikki. Thank you. >> Similarly, I also can speak very loud if I need to. So I'm going to try to take a step back here. Um I'm Nikki St. John. I've been the head middle school coach um for

024the unified Warren Township um team for the last four years and I I wanted to talk a little bit about what we've been doing with that team um in the time that I've been involved with it. Um I was a swim parent for many years prior to that. I was also a band parent, marching band parent for the record. Um my daughter did both because she's crazy. Um and I I was at all the things. Um but from 2023, the first year that I coached up to 2026, um we went from having 16 athletes on our team to this past year we had 28 athletes. Um our largest team was actually one year ago and we had 31. Um but we've nearly doubled the size of the team in that time period. Um we've also

025gone from that first season winning I believe a single meet to this season we had a winning season um of eight and four. Um we as mentioned um our girls team brought home the runner-up trophy at conference. Our um county team surprised all of us. Uh a little bit of local rivalry. Um we've been working to beat Fall Creek Valley, the Lawrence North team for a while and we finally got them at county this year. Came in second. It was really exciting day for our girls team. Not only that, our boys also moved up from an eighth place finish in 2025 to a fifth place finish this year. And that's a very young, lots of sixth graders on that team. Um, so that's a really amazing accomplishment for them to continue to get better that

026way. 64% of our team this year were honor roll students. Um, at our very first meet of the season, one of the parents from the opposing team actually sent an email to our athletic director to recognize our team for our team sportsmanship and our team spirit. Um, which brought tears to my eyes because that's what I that's what I ask from them. Um, we had six eighth graders on our team this year. They were all girls. um three of which competed all four years in middle school and they're going to go on to the high school to form a strong foundation for the future of the high school girls team. Our boys team in high school, we have a a really strong team that is growing as we mentioned. Um they were able to take

027home one of their invite trophies this past year. Um three of the top scoring athletes on the boys high school team were introduced to swimming by competing on the middle school team and that was the first time they'd ever swam in eighth grade. and they've gone on to become, you know, top performers on that team now. Um, and you know, there's just, it's been something really exciting to see that we're building not just athletes, but we're building a culture. We're building a culture of hard workers, um, supporting each other, um, setting goals, overcoming adversity. Um, they're just really doing some really amazing things. And others are noticing, outsiders are noticing. Um this year also our head coach, coach Tillage, um he was awarded the sectional coach of the year for the boys. So that's also

028an amazing accomplishment voted by the other coaches. So this is something other people are watching what we're doing and they're saying this is amazing. This is a really great thing that they're doing here. Um you know, it's really important to us that we're we're teaching these kids empowerment. um giving them the tools to do their best and inspire others to do the same. Um they're supporting each other not just in the pool, in the classroom, in their hobbies and other activities. Um they're learning to cheer on their friends and they're cheering on those that maybe aren't their friends. Um sometimes they're cheering on the other team uh that we're swimming against. Um our our team's really great at doing that. Uh they're they're celebrating wins, they're supporting others when they're facing a challenge. Um, and

029this is really what warrior swimming is all about. Um, and that's really what we're trying to build as we go forward with this program. I'm going to pass it over to Heather Parsons, the president of our um, aquatics club. I do not coach swimmers. I support them. Um, again, I want to thank you for having us. Um, I as Nikki stated, I am the Warren Aquatics Club board president. Uh, we have a port board of about nine people that help to operate our aquatics club. Um, we operate over at the high school nuditorium. Um, our club is a multifaceted club. We provide lessons and we provide um a competitive swim team and we provide the ability to grow and learn and learn the love of swimming. So um we pulled a few numbers. So um

030throughout the year our club provides swim lessons to between 750 and 800 children a year between the ages of four and 16. Um, our swim lessons program also ends up being a first job for many of the high school kids, some swimmers, some nonswmers. Um, and ultimately this enables life-saving skills, workplace expectations at a very young age. Um, interactions with people, with students, you know, you've got high school kids interacting with elementary school kids, so they learn how to interact. um and ultimately teaching the joy of swimming. At this point, if we include both lessons and our our club swimmers, we have 150 um that are through our program. Um when I became the board president about three years ago, we had about maybe 30 swimmers and we are now up to 52 and we

031expect to see some more now that the spring sports are ending. Um, this covers four different swim levels. So, we began with two coaches a while ago and now we're up to four. Um, Coach Tillage is a big reason that the program has grown. The swimmers are a huge reason the program has grown because they talk to their friends, right? >> Um, three years ago we only had eight swimmers make it to championship meets. This year we have 18. >> All right. >> And I would say at least half placed in top 16 or top eight. And again, swimming is very competitive, especially with some of the the clubs that we're up against. I mean, we swim against Caramel sometimes. This is not an easy task, right? Um, so that's that's pretty amazing, right? But

032the other thing that is amazing part of being with Warren Aquatics Club is our community efforts. So we operate fundraisers that allow us to provide financial assistance so that kids that might not be able to come and swim club can then afford it. Um we're always searching for ways to get involved more um new programming, new options to offer to the community. Um we know the East Side Y closed down. So, what can we do there? Um, so those are the big things that we're working on. Uh, we want to keep growing. Um, so if you're interested in swim, check it out. We do have a meet June 13th and 14th. So, I did I did not at our pool. Yes. And I didn't get any videos because a lot of my videos are shaky

033or there's heads walking through them. So, thank you I will just close up with this. Um, again, thank you guys for your time. I really appreciate it. Dr. Hansen and the board. Um, I just was told by Nikki, it was exactly two years ago that I made the phone call to her to ask about how the program was going over here. And her reply was, "You need to call some people and apply." So, I did and here I am. So, without further ado, thank you everybody. I really appreciate it. Yes. >> All right. Here we go. >> Congratulations. Good job. >> We really are. >> We appreciate it. Yes, I swear. >> Keep us on our toes, too. >> Oh my gosh. >> Not today. >> We put some stuff out for us. >> Write

034your name and number somebody. comes full circle today. Be happy to hear from you. >> Is that an autographs coach? >> Yes. >> I'm going to the Olympics in six years. >> Him and him and Herman, my son, swam together. >> Oh my gosh. >> You got stories from >> Good, man. Hey, congratulations, too. >> Yeah, that's awesome. >> Well, we're going to continue with celebrations and bring up Austin Felner. and Dakota Bron. >> Good evening, President Amos, Dr. Dr. Hansen and members of the board and community. Uh my name is Austin Felner. I'm the garage supervisor for the transportation department here. Um I'm here to recognize Mr. Dakota Braun from our workbased learning program over at Walker Career Center. Um this young man has showed great interest in our field and um in the

035time that he's been with us since October, excuse me. Uh he is ex exceptional. Uh he exceeded all of our expectations. showed up every day, shows genuine interest in our field, wants to learn, he he anything we teach him or show him how to do for, you know, just one time. He absorbs it like a sponge. Um it's with my honor and a great privilege to offer him uh our full-time position here at Warren Township coming through the program. So, I'm going to pass it off to him. let him say a few words. >> Um I I just want to say um it's been like by far the best job I've had. Um Josh, I've been interested from like day one. I didn't know I was going to be interested in buses until I started

036working on them. And um I don't really know what to say, but I definitely do love it here. I love everybody that I work with. It's a very enjoyable experience. I definitely do um like waking up in the morning to come to work every day. And um I really do enjoy it. Good shirt. >> Congratulations. >> All right. We've started with a high school. Now we're going back to where it all starts. Um, Grassy Creek with Miss Courtney Smith. >> Okay. Good evening, Dr. Hansen School Board. Um, thank you for the opportunity uh to share the work happening at Grassy Creek Elementary tonight. It was actually a year ago um last year in the May meeting that I was welcomed as the principal at Grassy Creek Elementary. Um and it's been a great ride ever

037since. So, um tonight we're going to be highlighting how we connect our CKLA curriculum with meaningful and real world experiences for our K2 students. Um, at Grassy Creek, our work is grounded in our district strategic plan and board goals. We are focused on increasing student achievement, particularly in literacy, while also developing students who are critical thinkers and compassionate collaborators. Our goal is not just mastery of standards, but ensuring students are engaging in meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding. Our curriculum is CKLA, which builds strong reading, writing, and knowledge across all content areas. What makes CKLA powerful is that it focuses on deep understanding through rich and meaningful topics. At Grassy Creek, we believe students learn best when they can see it, experience it, and live it. And that belief drives everything we have done this

038year. To bring learning to life, we have intentionally connected our curriculum to field experiences. Um, well, maybe not everybody loves it. We have taken so many field trips this year. It has been great. Chaotic. Miss Dee, who's helped me organize them, um, is maybe not thrilled with me, but it has been a joy to let our kids go out and have experiences that have connected to things they have learned in class. These opportunities have helped us build students who are not only academically strong but also creative, responsible, and kind. Here are a few pictures of some of our field trips that we have taken. Um, you've heard how we designed them. The real impact is to see them through our students. So, I would like um you to hear directly from one of our students,

039IO, about how these opportunities have helped them connect their his learning in a meaningful way. Hey everybody. Have you ever wondered that you're on a field trip and you think it's going to be so boring, but it turns out to be so amazing? >> Yes. >> Hi, my name is Aydia Malaja and let me tell you what happened to me. So, first my teacher seted us all into groups. We were going on a field trip to Kana Prairie. When we got to Kana Prairie, we came upon historical buildings. One historical building was a school. There was a teacher inside there. She was al also telling us how people harvest their crops. Then we came upon a historical home that belonged to a man. Then we came upon a sheep pen. It was very stinky. We

040saw a wagon and it reminded me of CKLA. It reminded me of the Westward expansion. Sometimes when it rained, the floor would get really muddy, unable for the horses to pull it. Some people would have to walk on feet or some people would have to untuck the horses and ride it. My mom said she'd been to Connor Prairie before, which means she's very old. Don't tell her I said that. This field trip was very fun. It helped me understand how people got through these things without technology and stuff. In conclusion, this field trip was very fun, education, educational, and good. Thank you. That's my time. That's a second grader who wrote his entire script. >> Oh, I tell you, you must be a fifth grader. >> So good. >> You did amazing. >> Thank you

041for sharing that. Good job. >> We're going to see him on TV one day making great speeches somewhere. In addition to our field trips, we have also uh created immersive learning experiences within our building because as much as we love traveling, sometimes it just can't happen. So, we have to bring things to us to help our students get those hands-on experiences. These experiences are designed to provide access to opportunities, personalized learning, and develop critical thinkers. Why does it matter? Um, this work matters because it increases student engagement. Um, as you can hear from the things that I was talking about, there are some deep topics for our young kiddos to be learning. Um, in order to keep that information and retain it, we felt those hands-on experiences would really create that deeper learning. Here are

042just a few of our um experiences that we did. We celebrated the Chinese New Year. Um our second grade reenacted the War of 1812. Um they had a blast with that. They c uh we did the Greek Olympics. We had Miss Pope come out to do nutrition with our second graders um in creating a delicious concoction of things. Um, so we really worked hard to pre uh to be able to provide those experiences for our students. We also had Gallery at the Creek, which we couldn't have done without our amazing art teacher, Mrs. Sheay. Um, she worked the entire year in partnership with our grade levels to pro to provide art experiences that connected to our units. And then she had a gigantic art show, which Miss Shay, how many pieces of art did we

043have? 1576 >> 1,500 1,576 pieces of artwork were showcased at our art show and they were all connected to our CKLA units that they were um learning throughout the year. One example that I really wanted to showcase tonight um was our kindergarten experience. They also went to Connor Prairie um as well as they had a colonial town that was sponsored by Waif. Um and I'm going to call up my amazing kindergarten teacher and some of my students here in a moment, but you'll see a lot of pictures and we could not have done it without the support of Waif um our Warren Arts and Education Foundation. They provided all of the materials and supplies for our students to do this and without them it wouldn't be possible. Um, but at this time I could go

044on and on about how amazing um, our kindergarten team event was, but I thought it would be better told by them. As you can see, um, our Colonial Town workers have come in costume ready to share their experience as well as our kindergarteners share what they learned during this experience. Good evening, school board members, staff, families, and guests. My name is Amy Abby, and I've been working here for 31 years, and I've never done anything like this, so I'm really excited. So, in C our Cali Knowledge Unit 10, our kindergarten classes at Grassy Creek Elementary learned about colonial towns and towns people. Our scholars enjoyed learning all of the different colonial jobs. We decided to build on their excitement and traveled to Connor Prairie to explore the 1836 prairie town to see colonial jobs in

045action. Now, I'm not as exciting as IO doing this, so but I love what he said, too. The field trip was the perfect precursor to our final culminating activity. We looked at our objectives and turned them into hands-on experiences for our students. A few days after our field trip, we had our own colonial days. Sponsored by Waif to explored eight different stations and became masons, brick layers, carpenters, millers, bakers, weavers, tailor, and blacksmith. The hands-on experiences were incredible. The connections that the students made to our knowledge unit and Connor Prairie were amazing. The students were able to bring home many of their things that they made such as their loom, their wall of sugar cubes, horseshoes, and pool noodles. They were also given a 3D commemorative coin to remember this day. We will now have

046our students from each of our classes tell you about one of their favorite stations. And then we'll hand you out a coin in a paper explaining all of our stations. >> What do I hear? So, hi, my name is Kelly Jazco and these are two of my amazing scholars that are here to tell you about their experiences. Go ahead. >> Do you want me to help you? You want to go first, sir? >> Yes, sir. Carpenter. My favorite parts of the carpenter station where handling golf cheese and song pool noodles. My favorite part of the Miller station was grounding the oats over and over again to make flowers. >> All right. Hello, I'm Miss Harris, kindergarten teacher at Grassy Creek. My favorite part about the brick station was using the motor from the Mason station

047to make a wall out of sugar cubes. My favorite part of the Mason station was mixing the sugar cubes with frosting and food coloring to make water. I'm gonna show a few of these slides here. >> Oh, that's I saw my teacher. >> My favorite part of the station was learning how to sew a sewing cards. >> My favorite part of the blacksmith station was >> hammering the aluminum foil into a horseshoe. Oh yeah. >> My favorite part My favorite part of the web station was learning how to wave. The beautiful colors go together. >> My favorite part of the baker station were shaking the whipped cream to make butter and then putting it on the bread. Yum. As you heard, they had lots of enjoyable things that they got to do. We have a

048short video so you can kind of see um all the things they got to experience. As you'll hear, we had um about nine to 10 little hammers going for two hours. They rocked those. Thank you. I need you. So, as they are passing out your Colonial Day chip and your map of everything that happened, um I just wanted to say that at Grassy Creek, we are provided to um and committed to providing students with opportunities that go just beyond the textbooks. um when they come to Grassy Creek, they get real hands-on experiences. By integrating CKLA with meaningful experiences, we're helping students not only to learn the content, but to truly understand it, apply it, and remember it. Um thank you for your time. We appreciate being here. I'm coming. >> Here we go. Everyone's looking

049at me. Ready? Two. >> Got it. >> Guys, if you could pause right there before you move. >> I want to take advantage of this opportunity. Miss Harris, could you step forward? I know. I know. Let's give her a round of applause for being our elementary teacher of the year. >> Congratulations, Miss Harris. >> Good job. Good job. >> Great job. Did you guys have fun with that whole day? Hey, congratulations. It's good to see you. Sorry, I had to do that. >> Great job, guys. Great job. >> Well, before um Brian come, I just have to say that I went to their art display over at Grassy Creek and I'm telling you, oo we if you did not go, you missed it. It was the best art show I have seen. Basically, they really

050showed out. I mean, when you walk through the door, they had art on display that you could bid on. I bid on everything and people outbid me. I still didn't win. EVERY TIME I WENT BACK, SOMEBODY BID HIGHER than me. I was SO FRUSTRATED. I WALKED AWAY did not get any of the art, but the art was so awesome. And it was displayed in every area of the building. And they even had things that were interactive. You where you could go and you could sort of judge and and put um vote on your art and put it in the box. You can interact on different arts. I I I tell you, I was so excited when I left there. I wanted to tell everybody about Grassy Creek and your art. I'm basically I'm serious, you

051guys. I have never seen an art display in uh like they they did. That was outstanding. Um, I just wish everybody had an opportunity to see it. And if I had a video, I would have videoed everything, every room, and say, "Oo, you missed it." So, I want everybody to give them another hand cuz they work so hard. They had every kind of art you can imagine. They even had pottery where they they did the pottery and it was just awesome. I >> is amazing. >> OH, WAS THAT HER IDEA? OH MY GOSH. WHICH WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? LET'S GIVE HER A STANDING OVATION. I MEAN, IT WAS GOOD. That was awesome. >> All right, we're going to keep that momentum going. We have a lot to celebrate. Um, we have a lot of years to

052recognize with our retirees that we appreciate so much for all of their service to our community and to our scholars and teachers and everyone. >> So, Mr. Simpkins, take it away. >> Thank you, President Amos, Dr. Hansen, members of the board community. This is the time uh sometimes a little bittersweet where we have to uh where we're going to honor our retirees uh and we have um a number of them here tonight. So, if you are here to be recognized, please uh make your way along the wall here and line up. I'm going to call your name and then uh when I do, you can come up and uh uh meet with Dr. Hansen and accept a gift of our appreciation and then you can kind of hang up hang out up here and then

053we'll do our customary group photo afterwards. Um I just want to say on behalf of the school district how proud we are of your loyal service. Uh thank you so much. Thank you so much. And uh collectively as a group there's 740 and a half years amongst this group. And uh and like most years uh we have a wide variety of employee groups and different roles that are represented here tonight. Uh operations and and teaching and learning side both sides. And so it takes everybody. And again, we're so proud of you. We wish you all the best for a healthy and um just wonderful retirement. >> We look forward to hearing about what you're what you're up to. So, without further ado, uh I'll begin and we'll start with Chrissy Carson. >> Congratulations. Next, Tony

054Coleman. Come on in. >> I didn't get my >> Kathy Corum. >> Congratulations, >> Cheryl Dickens. >> There you are. Come on. Congratulations. >> Leanne Glazier. >> Congratulations. >> Near and dear to my heart, Chris Hamilton. >> Congratulations. >> Enjoy your >> Sherry Hart. >> Julie Hackle. Brenda Hilderant. >> We're in the Hes. >> Sue Huey. >> Come on in. >> CHRISSY OLIVER JOHNSON. DENISE LAWRENCE. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> You made >> Timothy Neely. >> Well done, >> Dr. Leanda Ratford. >> Congratulations. Martha rolling. >> She here. >> Okay. >> Lisa Van Bever. >> And last but not least, Pam White. >> Well done, retirees. Again, we are so proud of you. Thank you for your loyal service to this district and our students. We couldn't do it without you. Uh, everyone, a round of applause

055for our retirees. Well done. >> We're going to shift. We're going. We're going two rows. Going two rows. >> We don't want a photo while we go. >> I do. Make sure we can see everybody. Make sure we can see everybody. >> We'll bring you over here. >> Yep. Yep. We're just going to do it like this. >> All right. >> Who's too short to be in the back? >> Here we go. Ready? Three, two, one. >> All right. Got it. Thank you. excited you're coming back. >> So, on Monday, make sure you turn off those alarms so you don't have to wake up and come to work. >> Um, at this time, we would call up on our superintendent for his monthly report. Thank you, President Amos, members of the board, um, community members,

056what a great celebration of our students and our staff. Congratulations again, board, on your welldeserved recognition. Congratulations again to our performing arts and wins, our aquatics program, Grassy Creek did an amazing job. Dakota is going to be the new poster um, graduate for Journey of a Graduate. really excited for that um piece. On your chairs, you should have a in front of you board, you should have a copy of our May edition of the Indie Far East magazine. The school district sponsors this edition. And on the front, we have the um journey of a graduate. These are our students from elementary, middle, and high. And then Isaiah Gilbert is our graduate. I want to give a shout out to Dennis Jarrett, Lamar Finley, Logan Hunt, uh Dave Pvost, and anyone else who had a hand

057in this month's edition. Um outstanding outstanding articles in there and board, you you'll find yourself in there, too. >> What journey over graduate? >> Uh your recognition, your recognition. >> As we close out the final week of the year, I want to pause and celebrate our students, our families, and most importantly, our incredible staff. This has been an outstanding year of learning, achievement, growth, and partnership across Warren. While I hope everyone finds time this summer to relax, recharge, and enjoy uh with family and friends, I am excited to continue this journey next school year. We have much to celebrate academically. Warren has achieved four consecutive years of improved I3 results, and we're excited to about the opportunity to make this number five. Our second grade results have already surpassed last year's results and that's prior

058going into our summer school. Our third grade results are already near where we finished last year and again going in before um summer school. This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our students, staff, families, and our entire school community commitment to providing um proficiency for our youngest readers. Just a reminder, board, second and third graders who have not yet passed will participate in a mandatory summer school uh starting on June 2nd. Unless a third grade student qualifies for a good cause exemption, they will remain in third grade this year. So, we're going to do everything we can to um get them to pass. Speaking of summer, we will again be providing summer meals at no charge to kids 18 and under. Those flyers can be found in the Indie Far East magazine. I want to

059give a shout out to Eastridge, Hawthorne, LOL, and Raymond Park for earning the level one family engagement certification from Insource. There were 17 schools identified across the state and Warren had four of them. So really, really proud of their work. Like to congratulate all of our building department, district employees of the year. You can find them on pages 22 and 23 in the magazine. And last but not least, the reason we do what we do, we look forward to commencement on Saturday, May 30th at the Indiana Fairgrounds. And that's my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Hansen. Um, our student representative is not here today. She probably has something going on at the high school. So, we'll move on to city announcements with Miss Sydney Starks. Hello. Hi everybody. I hope everybody's having a good day

060today. Um, so I have a few announcements. Um, so we know Memorial Day weekend is coming up. So there is no trash or recycling pickup on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 25th. So, if you're serviced by LRS or INDPW, they're going to be on a sliding schedule and that'll be from Tuesday through Saturday. Um, and then more information you can go to indie.gov to check that out as well. And then moving along, um, the Office of Public Health and Safety, they've been having a May mental health awareness uh, series of events this month. Um, so that's been super exciting. Um, they have two different events tomorrow for the 21st. So, they have a partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. They're having um a talk that is virtual that's from 5:30 to 7:30.

061And then there also is a partnership with the Colts uh to recognize mental health awareness day. Um so they're going to be dying the uh downtown canal green to celebrate turning awareness into meaningful action for mental health in Indianapolis. So that is exciting. You can also check out um more information um on the Office of Public Health and Safety's Facebook page or indie.gov as well. And then Counselor Hart is hosting a community meeting tomorrow night here in this building. So the doors do open at 5:30. The meeting begins at 6:30. So this is going to be an east side data center discussion. So councelor Nielsen did have a community meeting last month for his district. And then so this is for um district 15 I believe. Um so if you're interested in attending um doors

062do open at 5:30 and it is here. Something exciting as well. So we did get the uh new animal uh shelter open so with animal care services. So the new facility is located on 501 East Raymond Street. I did have the opportunity to tour the facility before they're open before they opened. Um, very beautiful, very spacious. So, if you're looking to adopt an animal anytime soon or for the summer season, uh, please check out their facility. It's really, really nice. Um, and then we also have the new, well, not new, um, but the annual, um, free summer concerts with Indie Park. So, they kicked off, uh, their summer concert series, uh, this May, and they have a few other dates for the month. But if you're interested in those schedules and dates and the times

063for where they will be with the parks, um you can go to parks.inddie.gov. I definitely recommend. It's something really fun to do. Um especially with the kiddos as well. And then an update from IMPD. So they are having a coffee with a cop event which is next Wednesday which is May 27th. that is 900 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. is at the Dunkin Donuts located at 3810 North Shadlin Avenue. They also have um their next task force meeting June 10th at 2011 North Shadellin A, their head their headquarters, and that's from 6:00 p.m. to 700 p.m. And then an update from the Office of Sustainability. So, um we are kicking off the thriving nonprofits program. So that is to cater towards nonprofits in Marian County. So um it focused on energy focused building assessments and matching

064grants of up to $10,000 to improve the energy efficiency in nonprofit facilities. So for more information you can go to indie.gov and type in thriving nonprofits. So this is a timely update. The deadline to apply is May 29th. Okay. And then the last update I have uh for you all tonight. So the far east side quality of life initiative is uh wrapping up. So they do have a celebration to celebrate that plan. That will be June 5th u which is a Friday and it'll it's located at the IBE headquarters which is 601 North Short Ridge Road. Um and I believe it starts at 6 PM. So if you have any time or um want to check it out, being able to fellowship, network, and um you know, just have a celebration for the overall um

065all the hard work that has gone into the plan, I definitely recommend going. Oh, I have another update. So uh the winter assistance fund um through United Way of Central Indiana, they extended their deadline to the end of this month, so May 31st. Um if you're interested in that, I have the information um in my newsletter. um I can always send it over. I can give my email once I'm done speaking. Um and then also Cafe has um that information as well for the Far East side. So if you're more interested in any of this information or want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can just send me an email. My email is Sydney sdy.starks sindy.gov. >> Can you repeat that one more time? >> Yes, my email. Yes, it's S Y D N E

066Y >> D N E Y. >> Yes, ma'am. Uh, dot starks. S t a r ks >> at indie i n dy.gov. >> Yeah. >> Could could you touch on again on that um that uh facility at 501? >> Yeah. Would you touch on that? >> Yeah. So, the animal care services facility. So, um we were able to take a we got that opened up because there was a transition period um where both facilities were um shut down for the moment, but it is open. Um so far so good. Um very spacious. Uh taking the tour was very beautiful. Even the lobby was really really nice. Um it's definitely more um community friendly and it's really nice to see uh the kennels that they're able to they're bigger and then they also have an access

067indoor and outdoor. So, if you ever have any time to check that out, I definitely recommend. But all the adoptions and um all the services are resumed, so you're able to check that out Monday through Friday as well. >> Animal park, too, or not? >> It hasn't. >> Oh, what was the question? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Is that also an animal park or or not? They have like a barn in the background in the back area like with stables, but I'm not quite sure you if it's like a official animal park, but >> so I'm I'm on a dog park board. Okay. Um >> and so I get all these dog park things in my Facebook pages and stuff and it showed them trying to teach those dogs to come in and out of those

068of those that door that goes in and out and it's so it's really kind of cute. Yes, it it does look like a very nice facility. And I don't know if um the general public can go to it or not, but there is like agility equipment that's out there for dogs. So, I think there is a a dog park area, but I don't know if it's just for their dogs or not. I'm not sure. >> I'd have to get more information on that just so I don't give any out out any misinformation. So, >> any more questions? >> No. Thank you very much for the update. Thank you and happy Memorial Day weekend. >> Oh, same to you. >> Be safe. >> Um, we will move on to board correspondence. Do we have any correspondence?

069Mr. Humphrey, >> no cards. >> No respondents. Blue cards. Okay. We now move on to our consent agenda which includes approval of minutes, financial report, HR work agreements, field trips, permission to accept gifts and grants, change orders, contracts, use school property. Um we have pulled the human resource of um report for a second vote. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Kevin. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Julie. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I just just want to say that, you know, I always looking for change reports and all that kind of stuff in there, and I saw those on there, and it blinked at me, so I flipped it open to see just what's happening. And I saw that uh workers hat

070with Skilman on it. And uh Dr. Hansen, I appreciate your explanation on that. Uh I got kind of nervous, but we're in good shape. They had a lot of stuff. They were a lot of refunds in there and that's why they were there. So, I appreciate you letting me know about that. >> We thought you'd be happy about that. >> Okay. >> All right. With that, we'll go to a vote. >> We'll do an oral vote today. Miss Triplet, would you like to do the oral vote or would you like me to have Kevin I can do it. Are you able to hear me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Hello everyone. Um, Gloria, >> yes. >> Howard, >> yes. >> Julie, >> yes. >> Rachel, >> yes. >> Terry, >> yes. >> Kevin, >> yes.

071and Lana is a yes. >> Thank you. That's unanimous. Now we'll go to the human resource report. >> May I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Julie. We have a second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Howard. Any discussion? All right, Miss Lanna, we're ready for a vote. Gloria, >> yes. >> Howard, >> yes. >> Julie, >> yes. >> Rachel, >> yes. >> Terry, >> yes. >> Kevin, >> and yes. >> And Lanna abstains. >> All right. And that passes. Um, at this time, we're going to have Dr. Nalon come up for an introduction. He had to make an entrance. >> Good evening everybody. Good evening Dr. Hansen and president of the board. Uh I am happy to at this time present uh to some of you who don't know and introduce uh

072to others Desanna Lacy. So if I'm gonna have her come on up at this time. I assume that's what I'm here for, right? Good. Come on up Desanna. So, we are excited to bring uh Deshauna Lacy on board ex at Cresten as one of our assistant principles, our new assistant principal. She has a wealth of knowledge that we are going to be able to kind of tap into to help us continue in the area of growth that where we're moving toward right now as far as academics. And so, I'm glad to have her on board as our new assistant principal. So Shan, if you want to go over and shake the board's hand, could you remind the board of her current role? >> Well, her current role, she works with uh in the teaching and

073learning team in the central office. Uh she does a lot with math instruction. She uh helps with uh all three IMFs schools when it comes to reveal math lesson internalization and collaboration. So she does a phenomenal job with that. >> Thank you so much. We appreciate you. >> Welcome. Have a great evening. >> You too. And now we'll move on to our reports and bring up Dr. Sullivan for our Renaissance update. Madame President, uh, members of the board, Dr. Hansen, and community members, uh, I am here to give an update on the Renaissance Reintegration Last month we talked about how uh Renaissance School uh has a premise of um providing a specialized educational setting designed to serve students whose needs are not always met in a traditional environment. And these programs include smaller class sizes,

074individualized instruction, flexible pacing, integrated support, and re-engagement. During that time, we also had the board have a decision wherein last month we had Renaissance uh decided to remain as a specialized community of support just not in a separate institution. Uh students requiring alternative programming. Uh they deserve that access without isolation, support without segregation, flexibility without limitation, intervention without disconnection. Didn't mean to rhyme it like that. It just came out. Uh embedding renaissance within existing schools allows students to receive targeted services while maintaining access to broader educational opportunities. While here uh we spoke about uh that we needed to make sure that there were equal or more days in the programming that Renaissance students received. Uh we need to include a CTE component. We need to make sure that we continue to include teachers uh in

075the process. Uh we need to have increased behavioral supports and we need to remain inclusive. To that end, uh what we've uh come up with in our latest uh version is with few exceptions, all Renaissance High School students will attend every day, every school day from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. Uh conversely, uh middle school students will also attend every day. They'll go from 7:15 to 2:00 p.m. Um, that means that we'll have a smaller population of Renaissance students and we'll be more diligent about the students that we admit into Renaissance. Um, before students at Renaissance, they'll complete uh enrollment with Jane Polly for therapeutic services. Uh, we'll also have a separate daily therapist um at Crestston and Warren Central High School. uh the current counseling position at Renaissance uh will go to the middle school.

076So, they'll have their own counselor uh there at the middle school. And students who were in CTE prior to going to Renaissance will be able to remain uh in CTE. We're also working on all students having an in-class exposure or opportunity to engage in CTE based on their interest. have a couple of mock schedules for you to take a look at. Uh, of course, each one of the students will have individual success plan tailored to what it is their needs are. Uh, but we wanted to in general give you a day of what a Renaissance student would look like at both the high school and middle school. Um, and I will ask the principal of the high school to come up and talk about that and the middle school principal uh to come and talk

077about the mock schedule that we have there at the middle school. Good evening again. Really with all ed and any A program, much of what the students are going to do will depend on where they are at. And so, um, what typically does not happen is you have a we're going to do math here, English here, and so forth. It will depend on where they come in at. Um we have students that are coming from different um with different needs um and are at different academic levels. So depending on where they come, we'll develop a program off of that. What we can guarantee for each student again is an individual success plan that is designed to meet their needs. And so depending on why they were sent to us or why they've transitioned in, um

078the supports that they need will be built off of that. Um some guaranteed programming that will happen just in general just because it's good business is just around those life skills. And so we are really looking at some of the programming that we've used before but maybe on a more a larger scale to provide um access to students with them being there um for the most part all day. It does allow us to create some sustainable programming that will happen regularly. Um it also gives us a little more wiggle room if we need to to be able to allow for access outside of the building. Um it's still a unique situation with the schedule. Um and I just encourage us to remember that um discipline is not really the only reason and in fact it

079probably is the least reason that students are at renaissance at this point. Many times the decision has been made off of other needs. Whether it is anxiety, whether it is we need a smaller setting. Sometimes it's because they've come to us already from an alternative program and so we want to slowly integrate them into the high school. And so um again, we look forward to building these programs. The schedule will follow accordingly based off of the need and based off of what alternative programs are meant to do. So any questions just let me know. >> Yes. I wanted to ask um when you do the individualized um is there u a part of that that is set goals for them to exit the renaissance program? You know, I don't I I I'm wondering is this

080a long-term thing that you have planned for them throughout the high school or is it a a a goal setting thing where you can set goals that they can try to obtain in order to exit the uh program? >> So, two things. one as a statefunded for the most part alternative program. One of the things that we have no choice and we're mandated to do is to create ISPs. Within those ISPs, there are goals that have to be stated. Those goals, in my opinion, are kind of generic and then our individual success plans will go a step further and create goals based off of what the student is aiming to do. So thinking about a student who is coming to us maybe from another AL program. We sometimes get students who are coming from medical

081placements. We get I mean we get all types of students. So the goal may be um for that student I want to eventually immerse myself in one class at a time with a goal by the end of first semester having taken two classes. For some it's simply I want to build up to being able to actually walk into the building, sit down in a classroom and have some success. So that comes naturally as a part of the grant that we write. And then secondly, it helps us um to uh be able to identify milestones for them. >> Did you say that was if they come to you with an IEP? >> No, I didn't say anything. >> Even kids without IEP. >> It doesn't have anything to do with an IEP. It's for all students

082that come to Renaissance, we'll have an ISP, which is the individual success plan, um which is required by us and also as a state. So it it it's not necessarily a legal document that an IEP is, but it is just a plan so that we know that we're meeting the needs of each of the students. Um my second question is uh is there a plan in place to um set up supports where it won't be constant suspensions if they violate you know what >> we will use our continuum support and so depending on what the situation is we will definitely provide interventions that meet the criteria or the needs of that particular student. And so will there be suspensions? Absolutely. Will there be steps that we take before that? Absolutely. >> Well, the question I

083was proposing is I don't want to see an increase in suspensions because we're moving this program into the high school and so they have to adjust to you know that environment and everything again. So is there uh something in place where you know um suspension would be the last last resort and not necessarily the first you know depending on the behavior or what they do. Now, if it's severe, I understand we have no other choice. But sometimes students can just get on your last nerve by being a repeat offender. And I just want to make sure that you have something in place so that they won't just constantly be suspended and which would lead to exposure. >> Absolutely. So, one of the things I would like to say, if you look at our data, our

084suspension is down overall in general. So, we will continue with that same philosophy and address students accordingly. And so suspension is never the first step. And so we'll continue to put some interventions in place um to help them. The unique thing about them being at the high school is that we can get a little more creative with what we do because there's a little more there's more people around to support. So um I don't anticipate an increase in suspension. Um we will continue to make sure that students and staff are safe. >> Oh, and my last question, um when we were talking about counselors, I know that they have counselors in the high school, but they your case load is so heavy and with the scheduling in the high school. Do uh these students have

085additional counseling counselors that you would put in place that they will have for you know support on a daily basis. >> So Jane Polly um will provide support for our students and then of course they'll have their counselors that they've had in the high school from you know day one. So if they transition out, they'll still be working with that, which I think is great because it provides a familiar face, someone who's who is familiar with that student's story and that history there. But you'll also have the Jane Polly or what used to be Gal Hughes therapists that will each student will be encouraged to enroll in. Um many of our students come already with outside therapists. And so one of the things that we um love to do is make sure that everyone is

086connected. And so part of the intake is asking those questions. Are you currently involved in counseling? Um are you awarded the state? Are you involved in the juvenile system? All of those things will kind of decide and determine the layer of support they have. But yes, J Polly each student will have that opportunity as part of the transition in to get those supports and that those counselors are in the building and in that space with them. >> Okay. So they are actually in the building. Yes. Now, um, with Galahue, sometimes students don't qualify for it. You know, they have to sign up for Galahue. That's the way it used to be in the past. I don't know whether it has updated or not. >> My understanding with Jane Polly, one of the reasons that you

087all went with Jane Polly was because they were able to expand the services that they were offered. And so, what we were told was that there wouldn't be the barriers there. Again, what is what has to also be understood, it's still up to the parents. We cannot force therapy or counselors on them. But Jane Polly gives us a unique opportunity where we don't have to be um you know bottlenecked in with what type of insurance really it was the private insurance conversation that kind of >> tied our hands with Galahue. So I'll be interested to see how that works. As in any program, I anticipate that we're going to have to probably pivot here or there um so that we can get students um tied to help where they need it. Yeah, that's what I

088I would want to monitor to make sure that they have enough support in place in the high school. You know, if if they don't qualify for the Jane Paulie, we just want to make sure that they have support systems in place. >> Absolutely. >> So, Principal Taylor, >> I'm on the screen somewhere. >> Yes, ma'am. um a point of clarification and I might didn't hear clearly um since I'm online but as far as the um scheduling counselors not the therapeutic counselors but like the school counselors with their schedules and programs did I hear that there's there will or won't be a designated um counselor for um the program so there will not what will what has happened in the past is if the students transition to Renaissance, the Renaissance counselor then took over that student's

089scheduling um that students academic tracking. Um what will happen now is there won't need to be a break in that because those students will still have access to the counselors within the building. So if I had um Miss Lindenburgg as my counselor at the high school, I will continue to have Miss Lindenburgg as my counselor at Renaissance for the high school. The we love that because it makes it easier to track their progress. Um and so um and it also again has a familiar face um for the students there. So um how will it be and that's could be a question um asked later but I mean answered later if you don't have the um answer tonight but how will we handle the conflict resolutions and making sure that students who um have conflicts with

090each other are not within the same classrooms because from my understanding that was something from the Renaissance teachers in the counselors. They were very concerned about that and spoke highly of that particular counselor, knowing everyone's situation and being able to strategically um schedule them where there's not additional um conflicts and um rivalries amongst the groups. >> So, the great thing is that we'll still have Mr. who worked closely with that counselor to um determine who needed to be separated. Um one of the other pieces that we have in place now um is we still have conflict resolution. We'll still have an opportunity to modify schedules if necessary necessary. Um yesterday we actually met with the entire staff and went through student by student to actually address that concern. Who could be where? who needed to

091still be full day, who could transition back to the high school. So, we still have different classroom settings and so we'll model we will monitor that as much as possible. >> Okay. So, Mr. Z will be a part of that um each um students schedule. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. So, as students transition in, we'll transition them the same way we've transitioned them before. We meet with Renaissance team. The Renaissance team meets with the high school team. We talk about the reason for that transition. We determine whether or not that student needs to be there at well last year was they needed to be AM or PM. Now we'll be looking at what classes they need to go into without an AM PM schedule. U we're going to have to get really savvy

092and really creative with that piece there. >> Okay, that satisfies my answer. my question in a little bit. So, I'll talk with you and um Dr. Sullivan a little later to get more in-depth clarification. Thank you. >> I want to ask one last question. Um the are there any of the teachers that were at Renaissance that's going to be in the high school area that are familiar with these students? >> All of them. >> They are. Okay. We're bringing the Renaissance staff that's currently in place um over to the high school. So, there aren't any new staff that's joining the team right now. So, that's also to our advantage. >> That is that is okay. Great. >> I had something. Uh first off, um the Jane Paulie is is an excellent choice. Uh I think

093you're going to find some very positive results having Jane Paulie as a part of the partnership with you with you with the uh this this process. Absolutely. Uh the other thing I had a question about was uh you said earlier about creating some grants. Uh what grants are we talking about and where you're coming from and also what's the purpose >> alternative grant? >> So currently one of the things with renaissance beam program we uh apply every year for the the DOE the Indiana Department of Education's alternative grant. So that's the only grant that I was referring to. within that grant. Part of the process is for any student who's assigned to Renaissance, we have to create or fill out an ISP. Within that ISP is where we were talking about the goals. So, within

094that form that we actually fill out, there are some goals that we check off um indicating what the student is going to do. That right there is really the only grant that I was referring to. >> Thank you. >> Do they have access? I I know in your report um I hope I didn't miss it. Um do they have access to the career center and to be a part of the athletic um athletic, you know, all the different things that you showcase if they wanted to be in any of these activities? Are they able to participate? >> Yes. Similar to now, we have student athletes that are attending Renaissance and participating in sports. We have students who are in our Walker Career Center program that participate half day at Ren and then come over to

095the high school for their class. One of the things that we are going to work a little harder at is if they are currently in a CTE program when they are being transitioned to REN as much as possible, as long as it does not pose any type of safety concern, um they will continue in that program in their scheduling. >> Busing. Um, >> you said busing. >> I said busing. >> Busing. So, we're on an alternate beginning time, but the end time is 5 minutes off from the end time of the high school. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, how So, is there going to be dedicated buses for the students? That's that's a huge >> Yes, ma'am. >> And and they're going to go out that five minutes early. >> So, our students, we typically

096dismiss our buses at 2:10. and the bell for the students ring at 2. And so, um, our goal and our promise to transportation is that we would have the students on the bus and pulled off by, uh, 1:50. So, it will probably be at most six buses. We're able to get I don't even remember how many buses we have off in less than five minutes. So, we'll be good. >> I'm not going to say this where the people in the back can hear me. I'm less concerned about the number of buses and more about maintaining student safety both for those students as well as anxiety for that. I mean, I know that that's just a whoosh of people. >> So, both their dismissal and their arrival is staggered and is not at any point when

097any high schoolers are in the hallways. So, >> and do we have any concerns about a 7:15 middle school starting time? >> That good, good, good way to handle that. >> And she's out of here. Tag, you're it. I apologize. >> No, we don't. >> That was excellent. >> And the dismissal time. No, we don't. It doesn't conflict with uh when our traditional um IMF students start. So, they're starting at their normal time at 9ish. They get off the bus and then they'll be out of the building at generally like 4 o'lock. So, Yeah, I noticed that those were staggered more. I was just curious about the thoughts about um >> 7:15. So, sorry. Okay. Thank you, >> Dr. Nan. Has the parents been receptive to this um schedule with the feedback or maybe um

098that's a Dr. Sullivan's question. which whichever one. >> So in our opportunity to reach out to the parents, the parents I think were all very receptive to not only being able to reintegrate back into the building, understanding the opportunity for uh one the student to be able to reintegrate back into classrooms uh but to have those opportunities um and they understand the rationale for starting earlier and the opportunities that provides also. >> Thank you. And Dr. Nell, I'm putting you on the spot here. Um, I know you don't mind it, but have you I I sure you've already done it, but we just want to ensure that the needs are being met in your building as far as the classroom furniture, the um environment to where um the area to where the students are going

099to be. that that is all um up to the quality of standards across the whole school and they're coming into a welcoming um environment. So, I'm pretty sure you already given Dr. Sullivan um that information, but I just want to make sure that um you've done that or if there's any additional needs that you may need to get to us so we can ensure that our u middle school students are walking into um a great experience just as well as the renovations have been done at the high school. >> Absolutely. Um Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Anderson, they continue to ask what's needed uh in order to integrate the students back into the this particular setting. But also too, we've had the um middle school staff over from Ren to tour the building. They know where

100the rooms are going to be. They were just there and so um that is relieved some of the angst that they have about coming and they're excited to come. So yes to your answer to your question. >> Thank you. Thank you Dr. Sullivan. Um Dr. Janine and Principal Taylor ran off. But um I appreciate you guys um you all listening and taking all the feedback um even the ones that you may not have been particularly in agreement with, but um giving a full picture um look at everything and kind of pulling it all together. everyone's not going to be happy 100%, but I think you guys are on a very good um track to meeting the needs of our students and um taking the feedback from all stakeholders. So, I just wanted to say thank

101you for that. >> You're welcome. >> Well, you just only been up here a second, so I have some questions for you. >> I would like to know um what kind of support systems do you have in place at the middle school for these students? Well, we have a lot of um support systems. We have new boys that still comes in. We got Alliance for Life. We have the peer justice council that comes in from the high school. Uh we have social workers in the building that's also going to be play a part in their integration into uh this new uh setting. We have our counselors. We're getting a new counselor that's coming in just for the REN students. Those students will also be allowed to participate in sports. In fact, we're going to encourage

102that. We've got a CTE component in the schedule. We've got a self-regulation and uh SEAL component in their schedule. Their schedule is is kind of broken up, but they still are going to get their core content areas because they're not elementary kids that are high school kids. They're right in the middle. So, the impulsivity is something that we still have to address. And so, uh that's the reason why their schedule is created the way that it's created. >> Okay. you know, I don't know whether you already have this in place or whether it can be a suggestion. I believe that parent involvement is so important. So, um, because these students are coming in and that might even be for the high school also. I think that there should be a component in there for the

103parents to have at least a conference at least once a month, you know, just to follow the progress of their students and see what their needs may be. because if not, sometimes we have a tendency to wait until things get out of hand and then we want the parents to respond. So, if we can keep the parents involved on a monthly basis, that's my suggestion. If you don't already have that in place at the high school or the middle school, that would be great because then that will give some added support to that student and that family. So, what we do at the the middle school level, uh, of course, parents are still going to be part of our parent teacher conferences. They're still going to be part of that normal intake process that we

104do for, uh, REN students. Um, but then also too, something that we do in between nineweek um, report cards and midterms is we also send out a two-eek updates to our parents academically. So, we already have that in place. So, I think them coming into uh this new environment. There's going to be some bumps along the way, but we'll work those out as we encounter them, but I think it's going to be a really really good thing because one of the other pieces that we've integrated into this uh space is a community service, you know, and uh like I said before, trying to get them attached to something. We know research supports that when they are uh attached to some type of activity or uh social activity, they tend to persist through. And so with

105the help of the social workers, the counselors to help decrease those behaviors and some of the impulsivity, we're looking for uh nothing but good from this mergement or emerging uh merger. Let me say it that way. I mean, they are kids to begin with. They are middle school kids. And so, I'll be honest with you since I am talking. Um, I don't want, and like I told the staff, I don't want to always refer to them as Ren, the Ren kids, when they're part of Crescent. So, I don't know what we're going to do to try to deal with the stigma and them coming in to Crescent as being grand kids. I don't want to refer to them as REN kids. I want to refer to them as our students or our Cresting students or

106something, but we're going to be working through that as well. Uh because that in and of itself caused some anxiety and some angst for child, but not only the child, but the family as well, the parents. >> Well, I don't know why we have to say that to the students or the parents. We as the, you know, administrators over the program, we might use that terminology, but within your school setting, it would be more appropriate for you to just say my students. >> Absolutely. >> You know, and not try to label any category or anything because I know that years ago we were called the um extended community or something like that and it it just, you know, it didn't go well. So, it's it's good that we can talk about it so we will

107know who we're talking about, but within your school setting, it wouldn't be good to use those terminologies, you know, with that. >> I agree. >> So, I agree with that. Um, the reason I was asking about the parent is because many times when kids get older in elementary school, parents are always there, >> but then we sort of lose parent participation when they get to middle and high school. And that's why we because even with my children, they did things in in in middle school that I didn't know anything about until they called me and I was like, "Why did you wait so long?" And and sometimes they would say, "Oh, do anything to me. Just don't call my mom." You know, they wanted to get punished from the school. Just don't call me. So,

108uh, that's why I said it's so important. That's going to be a very important component is to let that parent know because many times sometimes parents don't even realize when they're at that age that they're up there doing stuff that they're not supposed to do. And so it's important to let them know because you'll be surprised how much support you will get from that parent. And and and one last illustration. I remember um my brothers, I had three of them. Um they were just clowning and the school would always call my mom and they didn't care about that cuz mom would, you know, fussing, but they never called my dad. So one day they couldn't get in contact with my mom and they called my dad and he was in the army, you know, he

109was working on the army base and and he said, "What? And how long has this been going on? From that day forward, they were ideal students. Never got in trouble again to this day. So what I'm saying is very important that you do that communication with those parents. >> We will continue that. >> Okay. Dr. Nan, you open the door. So I'm going to walk through it. >> Help yourself. >> You mentioned athletics. You mentioned being part of a community, joining clubs, etc. >> Yeah. Obviously, it's something I support. We know that the data that does as well. My concern becomes, first of all, you've got two hours and 15 minutes to two hours and a half at the end of that day between when those things start. And then second of all, we're taking

110and I want to be clear that I want them integrated into sport. I want all students to have the ability to be integrated into sports and clubs, etc. I'm concerned about how we work that out with that block there because our teachers will be at the end of their contract time. We can't just magically have them stay another two and a half hours. Um, we then have kind of the weird problem of Bob plays football. Bob, not let's not go football. Let's go wrestling. Let's go with our winter sport. So, we do a winter sport. We start at Crestston because that's where we are. Mhm. >> Then we transfer back to Raymond Park in January. How does that work just from because all of a sudden that winter sport is still going on in January

111and I understand that's a a a relatively minor thing, but that's an important thing. You can't just switch teams. >> That's a major thing actually, >> right? You can't just switch you. So, just to know that there are thoughts on a how we're going to handle that two and a half hours and b how are we going to handle those winter sports clubs especially since most transitions take place at the end of semesters. So, how do we handle that? That do we have eyes on that? Are we looking for solutions? Because I understand we don't have all the things all the time right now, but is that on the list somewhere? >> Yes, it is. So to to answer the first part of it is when they're done with school um at that 2:00 uh

112mark uh that's their time for some of those athletes to do their community service. They're going to be tied up in community services. They could also be tied up with uh the social workers for social emotional learning and stuff like that. when it comes down to the sport, you know, which I've already started the conversation with our athletic director, you know, what does that look like? If I have kids from Ren or if I I mean from Raymond Park or Stonybrook, if they start that sport at Crescent as part of the Cresten team, they should be able to finish out and then the transfer goes back to the school. The other thought is should they start with their their home school and continue on this way. So this way if they when they do finally

113exit the program, they're already are back at their uh home school. >> And again, to make the people in the back of the room flinch, um we've got if we I like that idea. I like the you go you revert back to your home school. We need to make sure we're providing the transportation that allows that to happen. >> Okay. >> Because she's just flinching. It's fun. You lie. And I but I appreciate the support, but I just if we if we want that to be what happens, we have to support it happen. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And we understand that that's not going to be as easy as it sounds. And so we definitely have to work out some logistics and we're definitely going to do that. >> Thank you. Sorry. >> I just want

114to really thank you. Um Lanna took a lot of what I was going to say. Thank you, Lanna. Thank you for really listening and bringing us this report and taking a lot of our concerns and others concerns into account. Really liking the idea that they are in there every day. That makes um Gloria happy for sure. But it also, you know, gives them a normal routine every day of any other scholar in our district. So, thank you and I look forward to seeing what else you guys can craft to make this a great transition and a great program for our students. >> I just want to uh say one last thing. I want to say ditto to what Terry said. I commend you guys for working so hard finding a way to let them go

115all day. You that I tell you, we are headed in the right direction. That is so great. I JUST HAD TO GO JUST LIKE I DID TO everybody else here. And I'd like to thank the two principles for working hard with you to uh try to make this happen for our students because that's really important. Now, one thing that I would like to request as a board member because this is something new that we're trying to get into. I myself, I hope that I'm speaking on behalf of others on the board. If at all possible, you guys can give us an update each month on how things are going. I think >> especially when we're starting off because we would like to know are there any kinks or do we need to try to work

116on some kinks or how things are running smoothly. So me personally I would love to have an update monthly how things are going from the middle school and the high school >> that's in the works and Dr. Sullivan will bring that to us as this continues before any major votes and everything goes on. >> You're already one step ahead. Okay. >> All right. Well, thank you gentlemen. Well, now thank you. >> Tier two and two. >> Oh, did you want to go over to your two and three or >> Oh, that was answered in the last. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay. We will now move on um to yellow cards. And I've been told we have no yellow cards. So, that moves us on to our action item with Miss Katie Ding. Good

117evening, Dr. Hansen, members of the board. Um, we brought this policy for discussion at your April board meeting. My understanding from Dr. Hansen is there weren't any recommended changes. Um, just to remind the public who I know are all tuning in waiting for this policy change. We're just adding parameters for contractual agreements that ensure appropriate oversight and alignment with our district purchasing policy in Indiana code for the things that we must bring to the board um for approval. The many of these are already in practice. We just needed to formalize it in a policy. All right. Thank you. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Miss Julie. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Howard. Any discussion? All right. We'll now go to an oral vote. >>

118Kevin, >> yes. >> Terry, >> yes. >> Rachel, >> yes. >> Julie, >> yes. >> Howard, >> yes. >> Gloria, >> yes. >> And Leana is a yes. >> Thank you for that vote count. Um, we'll now move with that being approved, we'll now move to our discussion item with Miss Allison Woods. >> Good evening, President Amos, Dr. Hansen, members of the board. I'm here with our annual student success handbook update um for the 2627 school year. Um, our handbook supports our um, board goals and strategic plan focus of our Warren student journey and meeting the needs of the whole child, family and community engagement and safety and operational excellence. Um, as you remember throughout the years, we've changed from being just a handbook that talks about discipline and exclusionary practices to one that has

119resources and supports for our families, community, uh, and students. Um, so this looks dark. I don't know if you can you'll pick a different color next time. Um input and feedback is always really important when we look to update our handbook. Um dean uh and assistant principles gave input on um you know with the different parts that they interact with in the handbook um things that they um wished were there or um recommended changes um and then specific area focus. So many people here in the room um who focus and have um expertise in different areas um gave input on recommended changes. Um we also had our inter attorney provide some input. Um she also or he I'm not sure who on their team is doing it. Um I have some um new parts in

120here that you'll see that they have updated already. Um but they're also doing a review of all the changes and so if they make any other recommendations we'll make sure to let you know that before um your final vote next month. So um we don't have um too many significant updates for next year. U in section one which is really more of our support section. Um Dr. Hansen's message has been updated. You'll see some updates to the 21st century scholar program. um some information uh updates on counselor school-based um mental and behavioral health with the change over with Jane Pauly um information on there and how families could access that resource. Uh we have a new section really three new sections um around u multilingual learner services, our dual language immersion program and then translation

121um for our families. Um, the digital literacy and citizenship uh section has been updated as well as the school calendar, which I saw that Ryan's up next. So, if that changes, then we'll update that again with a new one. Um, section two, Chief Northing updated his message, included some more things about car rider. Um, based on legislation, we used to have a cell phone uh policy in there um that has been updated to a wireless communication device. Um you'll see it's pretty general. Um it's following the um legislation with it has to be put away during school during school hours except for those exceptions allowed by law. Um and then you'll see in um school handbooks more specific on what that looks like. Of course um we have lockers in some buildings. You know, we

122don't have those in elementary. So um you know the the specifics and the details you'll find in the school plan, but this is our overarching one. Um and then you'll see a new um section on responsible technology use agreement. Um there used to be a separate technology use and hardware um agreement and so that has been combined into one overall section. And then section three um which falls into our really our more um disciplined section um there's updates to digital citizenship. Um, we've added a new vaping um section um that talks about um vaping, the harms of vaping, responses to vaping, and then also some resources for families um that if they have experienced that their child um is vaping, where they can go to get support. Um there's been just a few code updates

123and in supports and consequences. Um and then the technology misuse. Um the supports and consequences really is more of a language. So um for example, W1s um we call those an alternate to expulsion. Um so just or waiver. Um so you'll see that we're not really stopping anything that we're doing that's um supportive just change in language. Um and then technology misuse um discipline code is um really our only code um that we are touching for next year. So I'm happy to um as you look through this book and see updates or have questions before next month, please reach out. I will make a note u Microsoft Word did an update and so the table of contents um if you are comparing page numbers to the table of contents um we are working on that.

124So um don't get hung up on on that. We know that that is an area that we need to correct before your final approval. I'm happy to answer any questions if you have them now or if not you can reach out to me before the gym board meeting. >> I know it's a lot of hard work to make sure this is updated every year and I do appreciate um your staff and yourself working so hard to bring this to us every year. >> Kim Hasbury does a really hard work by getting it all redlined in front of you. So >> big thanks to her. >> All right. Well, thank you. Anybody have any questions right now? All right. We'll now move on to Mr. Ryan Russell. >> Good evening, President Amos, uh, Dr. Hansen, members

125of the board. Um, not to worry what Allison said, we are talking about the 2728 calendar, not the 2627 calendar because currently it's the 2526 school year, which we have two days left of. Um, and I remind you of that because when we're talking about the school calendar, um, everyone's excited to be getting out of school on May 22nd. Um, maybe not as excited as they were to start school on July 24th this year, 23rd this year. Um, but that brings me to when we look at calendars, uh, we've been operating under this, uh, I will say similar calendar for several years in a row. And really what the calendar creation has looked like is really focused around a four main priorities. Um those have been um end school before Memorial Day. Uh have two

126week fall break, winter break, and spring break or inter sessions. Um have the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off and then balance the semester. That's particularly important for the high school that we don't have 110 days in one semester and 70 days in the next semester. So I jokingly tell everyone the calendar really creates itself because in order to accomplish all those things uh we now count approximately 180 days backwards from the last day before Memorial Day and that's how we typically get our first day of school start. All that being said, what you have uh for discussion tonight is the draft 2728 calendar uh which follows the same priority guidelines that we've been doing for quite some time. Uh we have sought feedback um in a a variety or in one way and then in additional

127ways as we move forward. So that one way was we have put out a calendar survey if you recall I don't know how many weeks ago it was now about a month ago uh in one of Dr. Hansen's Wednesday message we just put out a a survey link for people to give general feedback. So I'm going to I'm going to share some of that right now. Um it doesn't necessarily point to anything or another but just what that initial feedback looked like. So 82% of the respondents uh were favorable towards the placement of e-learning days. Um so no necessarily um either favorable or or really no response in terms of uh both placement and thoughts on the use of e-learning days. Um 18% of respondents suggested reducing fall break or spring break by one week

128so we could start school a week later. I see you shaking your head, Miss Williams, because that doesn't align with the priorities. I get that. But that being said, that is a um school of thought uh that some people uh both staff and community members have given feedback on. On the other side, uh one of the most um I will say beneficial uh and supportive things we've done for our staff from a calendar perspective in some time was have the first day after winter break as a professional day. We had a extreme amount of positive feedback from our staff about that. uh in order to um I would say it's an investment in our people in order to acknowledge that um it allowed them to fully realize their winter break um and then get caught

129up uh without being without any meetings scheduled or anything else on that first day back. So that was a positive. Um then uh some additional feedback we we've received is and I think a lot of its timing and that's one thing I'll talk further about but a lot of favorable comments lately about ending school before Memorial Day. I don't I think we would get a lot of comments about how soon we start school if we surveyed everyone in July just like we would get a lot of comments about how we end school when we survey them now. So I think part of the ongoing commitment is continue to get feedback throughout the entire year. So, we're hitting the most the recency bias as far as how it's pressing on people. Um, the most pressing feedback

130I would say we got about the 2728 draft calendar so far is we've had uh I don't have a percentage, but we have several instances of feedback of spring break being too late in that drafted calendar. Uh, meaning that they would like to see spring break moved uh a week later. So if you look at where that falls currently again with that two week break that starts um excuse me looking at it. So it starts the >> 27th and it goes through the 7th um with that. So we'll take a continued look at that um and continue but when I say out of I we we had a limited amount of survey responses only about 55 and I'd say that showed up less than five times. they would rather it start on the 20th instead

131of the 27th two weeks last week. >> Well, I yeah, I can't they didn't specify a date. They just said it was later. There's two things we think about spring break placement um that's important um from the academic point of view. One is the testing windows in between i3 and iLearn summitive. So, we don't want students required to take the i3 test the last week before spring break. It's a distraction. In my opinion, we also don't want students to have to start taking the iLearn summitive test the first day when they get back from spring break. That is what dictate the placement in the draft calendar that you see now. So, we have a week after the I3 window closes in March to be able to because the other thing that I would tell you

132is it's very important that we have appropriate time with our staff to be able to communicate I read3 results home to families before spring break because we really hit the ground running after that. Um, and then obviously there's a lot of uh necessary uh test administration details that we have to do uh right after spring break. We don't want to provide test security and test training for teachers on iLearn in March before spring break and spring break and then go on. Um I'm not here to suggest that testing drives everything but those are factors as we do calendar placements. >> We want our kids to have the opportunity to do do the best they can and >> that placement is very important. >> We do. >> Um >> and I agree. Um I just feel

133that it has been working for us the schedule that we have been on and if it's not broke why try to fix it you know and change it you know >> and we will continue to seek feedback one thing I I talked to Mr. Humphrey about this Sunday actually at Sage. Um he's going to help participate on the calendar committee. Uh we're going to get together in June before our next board meeting actually on June 9th just to talk about those priorities. Uh to be um really transparent here. We're not looking to make any changes to the 2728 calendar. The draft you see here based on the feedback we've already received is what we'll be all be bringing back in June for approval. The calendar committee I think is an ongoing connection opportunity to meet

134with staff, community, caregivers, parents to keep our pulse on calendar related um topics so that if um there is a day where we need to think about a structural change to the calendar, we continually have feedback and data to be able to support that. Um and again based on survey results right now um again the only thing and again it was an 18 18% of respondents talk about reducing breaks and again um I'm not suggesting we do. I I'm just simply saying that um that that wouldn't warrant a serious consideration at this point based on the quantity of that feedback. Um, I also realize that next year is a pretty pivotable transitional year for us as we go through formal redistricting and moving the fifth graders back. So, if something rises to the top through

135that process and we need to reopen this calendar because we learn more information, we have the ability to do so, I can come back and ask for you guys to reopen and reapprove on for the 2728. Again, for anyone listening out there or at home, we are talking about a calendar for not next school year, two school years from now. Um, so it's important that at least we put draft placement or draft calendars out there, actually approved calendars out there so anyone planning significant travel or whatever can uh at least make those plans. So, I just wanted to share an update about that. Um, again, I'll have any additional information when we ask for approval for this in June. Uh, but I'm happy to answer any questions at this time if you have them. >>

136It's not really a question. It's a I guess kind of is. Is can is there any way we can um share with our parents why we picked the spring break that we did if you had so many that wanted to move it a week? >> Yeah. The good thing about the survey is uh um uh well, not everyone, but people had the opportunity to identify themselves and volunteer for further conversation and be a part of the calendar committee. So, I'm able to personally reach out to the people who made the suggestion um for that because some people either didn't know um the high school schedule doesn't necessarily I mean, if you're a high school student, you're not necessarily thinking about the IE3 window uh or a family or student at the high school. So, just

137those considerations, but yeah, it gives us a basis to communicate calendar details. I think that transparency and that explanation will make them understand that we are listening to them but yet we are also looking at the best interest of all our children. >> And then if anyone else is interested, anybody's listening out there that's interested in participating in the calendar committee, uh the link to sign up for that is currently on our website under the calendar as well. And for anyone who wants to provide additional feedback on the draft calendar, there is a link uh for that survey is posted on the website on the calendar section as well. So, >> thank you very much, Ryan. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, for our two discussion items, if you have any

138questions, please reach out to our presenters. Um, we're going to begin our closing comments. And Miss Lash, I know you're a little bit under the weather, so we'll start with you. >> Um, I would just say get home safely, everybody. Um, thank you to our amazing um, admin team, our teachers allowing us to um, trusting us through the process to hear your concerns and thoughts and try to navigate a plan that is beneficial to um, the majority. So, I just appreciate that um, trust that they put into us during this um, transition. excited to see how things um are going to go into our future. I love Dr. Non saying the REN students, you guys know how I am on labeling. So um I know Dr. Hansen and I have spoke about even giving the

139program a nice um different word um that has more affirmation and a positive tone. So, good night everyone. Um, and drive home safely. Thank you, >> Mr. Humphrey. >> Well, um, it's a great way to have the last official board meeting of the school year. We start off with great celebration. Our wins, uh, winner card, those were very impressive. And uh our proud principal was representing strong the way she should. I love that. And we had our kindergarteners to show out for us and show that the future is bright with them. And we also got to thank and celebrate those who have served for the the the long tenure that they did and their dedication. And we got to pre appreciate those retirees. So with that, I say good night. Miss Gloria. >> Well, I

140want to say this has been a wonderful night. Um, I am so thankful that we as a district, we really love our students. And, you know, looking at the two principles that came out with our uh director um in in regards to our Renaissance school, you guys, you know, you're just working together to make it happen. And um that just make my heart jump for joy especially when you all came and said they will be attending school all day. That shows the love that we have for our students and you know uh trying to do what's in the best interest of them. Um I want to say that our display of talents and things tonight from our students, it shows that we are the pride of the east side. You know, we have a lot

141of things going, just great things going on here in Warren. And I tell you, we need to be proud of our system because everybody is working together. You know, someone said working together works and it does. So, I I appreciate all of you for everything you're doing and and if I don't care how little or how small, it all matters and it and it really makes a difference. I want to uh give kudos out to our retirees. You know, they worked for us for many, many years and you know, we just worked them to death. So now they wanted to, you know, leave while they still had a little strength left to enjoy, maybe to travel and have some fun. But um I just want to give kudos to them for all the hard work

142that they have given throughout these years um to uh Warren Township to make it what it is today. Um I want to give kudos out to our superintendent and administration team uh for working tirelessly trying to um put things together for our system and try to make it work for our students and our families. And I want the families out there know that we as a board, we as uh uh all the employees here in Warren, we are really working hard to do what's in the best interest of your child. We hope that you appreciate it and you know, we're constantly trying to see what else we can do to improve. We know we haven't arrived, you know, but we're striving every day to be better. And so that's what it takes, you know, go

143when you think that you've done enough, that's when things fall apart. But we never have that attitude. It's never enough. There's always room for more. So good night everyone. I know you're tired of hearing us talk. So I'm going to stop and say good night. Safe travels home and I look forward to seeing you, Lord's willing, at the next meeting. >> Mr. hours. >> Um, let me just say that uh uh this was a good way to kick off the end of 2526. Um, enough said about that. Um, retirees, absolutely. Um, couldn't have done it without you. Uh, best of luck in the future. Um, one other thing, uh, this aquatic team, uh, you know, middle school kids, we're starting to, you know, grow our own early on, getting the fire going so that those

144kids, uh, you know, can participate at the high school level and start competing in an extraordinary way. That's I think uh, will happen. The other thing is, uh, I just want to put a shout out to a positive shout out to, uh, uh, Miss Taylor in in in two areas. One is, uh, you really know how to throw a party. Uh that sage thing was really cool. That sage dinner and recognition. I thought that was outstanding. And for those of all of us to those of us who who who attended that u um u um bravo uh really good program I think to keep that going and recognize some real straight great leaders of the future. The other thing too is that um well overall uh congratulations on your uh recognition as uh teacher of

145the year nomination. Um, I I think you'll get it personally. Uh, you do a super job and there's no question about it. You shine a real high light in the east side uh with all the things that you are doing. Uh, let me see. I think I had something else. Uh, let me see what else did I have. Oh, the I want to get back to you. uh your article in the in the uh the paper um uh in the aisle uh talking about cell phones uh getting that you had two articles in there. You was hoging it up. But that was good cuz I think uh the community needs to know uh what's coming. You know what I mean? Uh folks are hearing it and they don't they don't believe it yet. You know,

146it's like when you're writing a check, you know, you can talk about the checks all the time. When somebody say, "Okay, we need a signature." Everybody start checking the shine on their shoes. Uh that that's that's the thing that's coming and I think uh I like I like reading it because you put the onus on the teachers. It ain't your ball game anymore. No cell phones, but you got other things that going to help the kids uh if they do have the chance to bring the cell phones in there. But the cell phones are a big distraction. And I think you made that loud and clear on how you're going to handle this this year. and uh our uh I didn't get a chance to look at the u the handbook or any of that,

147but Julie uh sent me a copy of the new handbook with all the rights, all the red marks in it. I didn't see it. I'll tell you that right now, but I did read our old one and I thought maybe yeah, we'd be close to that. Um, I I just want to say thanks for what you had to say because you uh reached out to not only the students but also the parents who read the aisle and uh they got a heads up. Uh, and that's about it. I'm looking forward to a summer. I'm going to go to Pittsburgh a little bit, see some family, but overall it's going to be a work summer. Shirley's already told me. And so uh uh uh have a good summer and uh we'll see you guys uh back

148here u next year. I guess you say school year. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Har. >> Can I say one last thing? >> Yep. One. >> I just want to apologize. First of all, when I was talking about the two principal, I couldn't even think of names. So, I'm going to just say your names. Mimba and uh Dr. Non and Dr. Sullivan. This is the first time I've said your name because I keep thinking all the time, what's his name? You notice I said the two principles and their leader, their boss. I couldn't think of your name for anything. SO, DR. SULLIVAN, I'M I'M going to try to remember how to pronounce that name. I am so sorry, >> Miss Julie. Um, as I sat and watched all the presentations today, I sit and think,

149what an amazing school district this is. You know, we have over a million square feet under one roof at the high school and I think what like a lot of all the things our kids can do and the opportunities that they can get and experience before they have to leave us and go to college or a job or whatever. this shapes who they are and it just is amazing to think about anything and everything they can do. Um, a lot of kids when they go to college are like, "Wow, this is not near what Warren was, you know." Um, so anyway, I just want to say public schools are the way to go because I just don't see that you can get that at a charter school or a private school. There is just too

150many opportunities that a school district like ours can offer and I'm just very happy to be here. Thank you. >> Nicely said, Miss Rachel. Um so this evening with the um honores that we had I had um two of my three children's kindergarten teachers. One was retiring um and the other I found out because I've been out of town was our elementary teacher of the year, Miss Harris. So that was pretty exciting. Um with Chrissy Carson's retirement, her mother was my first grade teacher. We don't need to think about how the math on that works. But um and I had the privilege of volunteering with Miss Carson in the Raymond Park Library for several years and she taught me how to use Destiny and shelf books. Um and it actually took us a couple of

151years for us to figure out the connection there which was kind of funny. Um as well as Chris um who greets everyone when they walk in the door. Um, every year when we have retirees go through, I I have stories with so many of them. Um, and it's because we're we're a family here, right? People come here and stay here and retire and and um often then their children come here and stay here and retire. Um, and that's what we want to build. We want to build and make sure we maintain um a place where as your employer that's what you want to do. Um that you want to come here and stay here, retire and be happy to have your children working here. Um and consider that to be a positive and I'm really

152glad that we have that um and we have been able to build it up. Um Miss Simba, I'm sorry I missed Sage. Um it's always a highlight of the year. glad to hear from what everyone has said. It was great. Um, and for both you and Michelle um, and Laura and Jill and everyone else who put on um, the OAL graduation on Monday, that was amazing. Um, it is worth it always to go every year just to hear R.J. sing. When he graduates, our hearts are all going to break. Um, not for him. I mean, he's gonna That was gonna be great for him. >> That choir. Oh. Um, that's always just a highlight of the year. I'm glad I was able to be back for that. Um, and to be able to see it

153and to have the start of graduation season, um, is always good. My notes are everywhere. I apologize. Um, but so I think that's it. That's it. Sorry. Um, you know, we work to build to have Warren to be a place that you want to send your students for school and to have Warren be a place where you want to be an employee. Um, and so we hope to be able to continue to build on that and thank you. >> A lot has been said. Um, one of the highlights that I thought was amazing were our kindergarteners reading. um with the CKLO curriculum. Um I knew before it was adopted what it can offer our students and just seeing the kindergarten teachers and the students take it all in. I mean the connections that they can

154make with the resources here in our city being able to go to Conor Prairie and connect stories and things that they've read or units and put them all together and make them real life. Um, it just made me laugh because last week in our fourth grade, our kids were talking about pirates and so they the teacher walked in with little hook hand and pirate hat and a little parrot going a hoy mies to introduce her lessons. Um, and just the creativity that our teachers bring to bring everything to life, to build that connection, not just to build comprehension, but to put it all together in one cohesive piece. Um, love seeing our retirees. Really appreciate all of our teachers, all of the clubs and opportunities we have for kids and being able to highlight that.

155But one of the things that was missed by a lot of us was really thanking our teachers. Last week was teacher appreciation week and kudos to all of our teachers. Thank you for all your hard work. Um we just appreciate everyone who has a hand with our students. Um whether it be big or small, we thank you for all that you do. We look forward to um graduation and seeing those kids be ready for school, employment, military, wherever they are going to go um that next Monday morning. So, have a great evening. We'll see you next month. Meeting a journ.