001We're in township. So when I see afterwards It is 6:30. If we can rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the stands one indivisibley and justice for all. And with that, we'll go to our superintendence report. >> Good evening, board. Good evening, community. Always sounds better when we have kids saying the pledge with us. Board, I just have a few very important announcements um as a part of my report tonight. Today, in my Wednesday call, we provided updates on our enrollment management redistricting. Um so, please check out those videos. um from our focus groups that will lead up to a a very important community engagement board work session which is on the Monday we come back from break. Um it'll be January 5th, 6 p.m.
002in this room. Um all of our community, parents, staff are invited to attend. It will also be livereamed and that link is in um the communication that we sent out. It's a tradition in Warren that we conduct a legislative forum each year. We engage with our legislators um before the session or during the session. This year it's a short session and they started early. Um so we are moving our legislative forum and we're bringing back the breakfast part of it. So we're going to have a little light continental breakfast. Um so we encourage our staff and community and and families to to participate in that. That will be on January 10th. It is a Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30. Um, here in this room, I want to give a Warren shout out to our varsity
003football team. Um, I know this was a few weeks ago, um, but for our team to play 13 games this year and make it to semi-state was a huge accomplishment. So, I want to give a shout out to Coach Whitaker, his staff, and all of our um, student athletes, board, and community. I had shared this amazing information with you before um but I wanted to do it in public. MSD Warren Township was one of five Marian County districts and one of 34 organizations in Marian County to receive Lily phase 3. We are going to receive $30 million to enhance the student experience at our 58s across the district community and board. be looking for more information on that as we um start the year in 2026. I just want to wish I want to thank
004first of all all of our staff, our families. We've had an outstanding first semester. It's been an outstanding 2025. I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and a happy new year. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Hansen. With that, we are going to go on to Miss Griffin and Lel Elementary School. Don't need to worry about it. Justin, it says something went wrong. Yeah, try refresh. I should not be in charge. Good evening, President Burke, Dr. Hansen, members of the board. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to come this evening and share a little bit about um all the things that are happening at LOL over on Hunter Road. Um it's an exciting year for us at LOL because it is our theme this year is succeeding for 200 years. And so um
005we have had we're good now. There we go. It's exciting for us this year. Um our theme this year is succeeding for 200 years. Um we there has been a school on the southeast corner in our township for 200 years. And so um that's pretty exciting. We're going to talk a little bit more about that um later in the presentation, but um but that's pretty exciting for us and we want to celebrate that. Um we have worked really really hard this year to stay focused um on kind of our top three goals here. Um our our first goal is achieving that I read passing rate of 85% or above. Um we are trying to increase the number of students that are proficient in math ilearn by 12 and ELA I learn by 15 or um
006increase by 7% or more from the previous year. And then we are really working on achieving that 95% attendance rate for this school year. So this is our focus this year. These are our top three goals that we work on every day. Um this is where we are right now. Um at the end of last year, our third graders achieved an I read pass rate of 79.8. eight. Um we are we are working hard to move that up to 85% this year. Um and I know our our second and third grade teachers have been working super hard to help support our students with that learning. Um we've done tutoring um and a lot of teachers that have committed to helping support that. So we are confident we can get there. Um last year um our
007current third graders who were second graders last year um had a 57.73% pass rate. So we're really um excited about that. nearly 60% of our third graders have already passed I read. So that puts us in a really good position um to get to that 85%. So we're really um we really feel like we can make that. Um our attendance rate currently is at a 95.59%. So we're at a really good place with that as well. Um we have done a lot of attendance celebrations. Um we have uh perfect attendance incentives. We we kick off the beginning of the year with class meetings and we always start big. um with attendance. And so this year um if our students were um in school for that 95% or higher um attendance and and they had we
008we call it perfect attendance, but we know what our goal is. So if they're there 95 to 96% they um they all got a pair of uh green little sunglasses. So that was a big motive. We passed out a lot of sunglasses at the beginning of this year. Um so that was a big motivator. We do um monthly attendance incentives um and contest and we actually just celebrated with our fourth grade who won our December contest this morning. We had a gingerbread extravaganza and so um we had some gingerbread uh treats and and and uh we had lots of gingerbread crafts to do and the kids had a blast and those have really been positive. Um we want to make sure that we're recognizing and honoring our students for being at school every day. We
009also have quarterly attendance awards um at LOL um everyone receives a bucket hat in kindergarten and that bucket hat stays at school and um every quarter students have a chance to earn um awards and one of those awards is a perfect attendance award. So if a student has been in school for the entire um quarter they will get a pin for their hat and they put that um perfect attendance pin on their hats. So we do that um every quarter. So, we try and find lots of ways to acknowledge and celebrate and just show our show our thanks for our students being there, which really is big thanks to our families and parents because we know in elementary school you're getting them to school every day. So, we appreciate that. Um, we did a really,
010really, really um, cool experience this year. Mrs. Hand, my school counselor, really um, worked hard on organizing this. We teamed up with Junior Achievement and we had our very first careers careers on wheels. Um we have a little perfect space outside um our loading dock and so we had um lots of representatives um that were with us. We had Ed Martin was there. We had um the uh IFD, our own Warren Police Department came and spent the morning with us. Uh UPS Seals Ambulance, we even had a morturary that came and um we had a hearse there. And so makes it a little less scary for those moments with kiddos. And so, um, it was an awesome experience. Um, the our kids were having a blast, smiling all day long. Um, the I think the
011teachers had as much, um, fun as, um, as the kids did. And, uh, the volunteers were fabulous. Um, and they really enjoyed themselves as well. So, we're really hopeful that we can continue this, um, and do this every year. Um, it was a huge success. It really gave students the opportunity to see and experience all the different careers that they may want to be a part of. someday. >> Um we also have had a lot of uh different uh community engagement and family activities. Um at LOL, we have a tradition at the beginning of the year before school starts and we do um what we call our LOL bus tour. And so some of you parents, we have come to your neighborhoods and you have seen us and you come out and um celebrate the
012start of the year with us every year. Um we take a bus and we go out to our families in their neighborhoods to welcome them back um to the school year. We take some uh little icy treats. We take school supplies, t-shirts, um and it's really just a way for us to go to our families um and to uh to recognize them and to show them that we're super excited um for them to start school and to come back to school. So um so this was a big group at this location here. I mean it's it's really a lot of fun for us to get out there and see everyone and get everyone excited to come back. Um we had a really um fun family literacy night. It was a mystery family literacy night. So
013students had to do all these different activities to build a um a puzzle and then they got to win some prizes from that puzzle. Um we also have an annual fall festival. We're fortunate at LOL that we have a log cabin on our property and that log cabin transitions into a haunted cabin for our festival and um we have a really good witch and um and she does a really good job of uh of getting that set up. And so we do have a lights on and we have a lights off. Um, so you get to choose your poison there. Um, but it is really a lot of fun. Um, and we do a lot of engaging and fun activities. Um, our PTA, I have to give a hats off to our PTA because they
014support us in all of these. Um, they help provide, um, treats. They help provide activities and and materials for our activities. They volunteer to help. And so, um, we couldn't make this happen without their support. So, we do appreciate that. Um, we also have a really fabulous LOL student council and Mr. Prince and Mrs. Miss Stevens out here. Um, they help lead our student council and um and each year it just gets better and better. So, our students really are taking the lead and they are um helping to facilitate different um things for our school building. So, they they um they started our canned food drive. They host that. They um support that. They count all the food. They collect all the food. They promote it. Um they do uh afternoon announcements to make sure
015students know um to bring canned foods in. Um they uh do a winter we have a winter's necessities drive going on right now. Um they set up our holiday spirit week themes. Um and one thing that they did this year was they really promoted kindness. And so, um, this was a blast because they they all created their own posters, their kindness posters, and they wanted to, um, go out in the morning and greet our students as they came in off the bus and as they came in out of the cars. And so, um, so they came in early to school uh, just so that they could be outside and they could welcome all the other students into school that day. Um, we had a few kiddos who actually did a cheer for our car riders.
016And so, um, it was great fun and the kids that were coming in loved it as well. So did the parents. The car riders were honking and beeping at them and and really enjoyed seeing them out there. So, we we really do value our student input. We want to give them a voice and so the student council has really been um able to to we've been able to take that voice from our student council and and put it into action um in our building. So, our bsentennial. Um, so, so I'm going to use my cheat sheet here so I don't forget things, but um Dave Strad is my historian and so usually I count on him to fill me in. Um, but I've learned a lot from him. Um, so we had um the Morehouse
017School is the very first school that has been in that in that l area. Um there was a the family, the Morehouse family bought land um in that Brookville, Kitley and um Hunter Road um area. And then as that land developed and more families started buying and children were um were there, they they realized, oh, we need a school so our students can learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. And so um on that property that they bought, there was an abandoned log cabin up on a hill. and they transformed that log cabin into the very first school in that area. That was way back in 1826. And so, um, so that's where, um, the the the school in in that southeast corner began. Um, in 1914, um, that was the first year where LOL was placed
018on the name of a school building. And so that's the first time that the, uh, LOL was named. Um and then in 1964 um LOL Elementary was built at 2150 South Hunter Road where it is still today. And so um there's a lot of history that's um that is connected to LOL. There's a lot of community that is connected to LOL. Um we've had lots of physical changes within that building. Um but the one thing that has never changed over the course of those 200 years is that strong lol community. um at LOL, if if um you have been a part of LOL um at all, you know that we really really value our community and we really value our traditions. And so um we are really unique in that we are still very much
019a multi-generational um family school. So um trust me, when you have your students and they have their children there, um you you feel how long you've been at LOL and you feel how long you've been there. Um it's kind of a gut punch. You're like, am I that old? Um but that happens a lot and um so we have grandparents who attended LOL um and and their children were there and now their children's children are at LOL and so um it is a really special feel. Um it's a great feeling to know that our community trusts um our school and that they're really invested in our building um and in our community and and they've always been very supportive. Um I alluded to the bucket hats um earlier and so the bucket hats are um
020a really special thing. Um like I said, we give a bucket hat to every student at the start of kindergarten. Those stay at school all the way through fourth grade. There are lots of opportunities for students to earn pens and buttons um for their um their bucket hats. And if you come to LOL and you walk through the halls, you'll see them hanging in the hallway and you'll see all the buttons and pins around um their hats. And those are all accomplishments that they have made. um acknowledgements that we try to give them for um making good choices and working hard um while they're in school. Um fourth graders will get to take those bucket hats home um at the end of the school year and they get to keep those. Um senior breakfast is
021definitely a thing that um all schools do. LOL has done senior breakfast for probably close to 30 years or more and so that's always a super special time as well. Um we have a lot of seniors that come back um and they often wear their bucket hats um back to um senior breakfast and um we do a lot of reminiscing. Um this year was last last couple years um we've got kids coming back and they don't know where they're going because the building has changed so much and so um so it's kind of a new adventure for them to kind of look and see the differences um in the building. Um we have an out outdoor trail and a cabin as I mentioned. We do have a log cabin. that log cabin came from um
022Fort Ben and um was rebuilt onto LOL's property many years ago. And so we use that cabin for a lot of different activities um that we do at LOL. Um we have an outdoor trail and every year we try and go on some trail walks as a whole school um just as a a school community building. So it's used quite often. Um we have honoral breakfast where we acknowledge students for earning honor roll and um they come in we get some donuts for breakfast and they get a pin for their hat. And we um we have done the kindness and justice challenge. This is our two 21st 22nd Thank you, Miss Hartman. Our 22nd year with a kindness and justice challenge. Um and so this is our way um to help students learn how to
023give back to their community. Um, a lot of times we we think of things that we want and things that um that relate to us, but this is our opportunity to teach them that in order to be a good citizen, we have to always give back and we have to help our community. And so we um each year we support the American Heart Association, we support um the Early Childhood Center, and we support um who else do we support? >> Riley. Geez, sorry. It's the same thing for 20 years. Um and we support Riley. So, um, so we work really hard to make sure that our students understand and value that that help as well. Um, we do a fourth grade appreciation night every year and, um, that's when we we have an evening event
024where we, um, acknowledge all the hard work that our fourth graders have done, um, and that they're transitioning into, um, their next level of education. And then, um, again, I think we just have really strong community relationships. We have a lot of community partners. Um, we have a lot of community support. Um, and we we value that and we definitely appreciate that as part of our LOL legacy. So, since it's um since we're at 200 years, um, we thought that it would be interesting to hear um, from some others who have been around for part of that 200 years and kind of get their um, their feedback or their take on what LOL means to them. So, I'm going to try and remember how to pull this video clip up and share that with you.
025Hi, my name is Susan Howard. The highlight of my career in education was my service as principal of LOL Elementary School for 23 years from 1989 to 2012. My time at LOL included many memorable moments. Most importantly, I treasure the relationships formed with students, parents, grandparents, support staff members, and teachers. An atmosphere of caring and support existed at LOL that made it a truly special place. We worked hard to honor the traditions of Warren's longest established school community and to incorporate new traditions that we hope will last throughout the lifetime of LOL School. We had many celebrations and some big challenges. A fire in December 2000 destroyed one wing of the school. The damage was severe and many classrooms were uninhabitable. The staff and students worked together to make the best of these circumstances for
026the remainder of the school year. We did not want to break up our family and chose to creatively relocate classes and offer special arts classes that moved from room to room with a cart instead of moving to other locations. It was truly amazing to watch the teamwork and caring during that year. Also, with the help of the Indiana National Guard, staff members, spouses, students, parents, grandparents, community members, all worked together to rebuild a log cabin that was being torn down at Fort Benjamin Harrison on the campus of LOL. LOL. supporters worked many hours on evenings and weekends to accomplish this rebuild, which became the centerpiece of an outdoor learning lab with a walking trail and various fitness stations. LOL was one of four schools to pilot the alternative year-round calendar, which was the forerunner of
027the district's current calendar. During this time, the school community was awarded a national year-round school award. We are also very proud of LOL's designation as a four-star school for the state of Indiana four times. as well as the recognitions and honors earned by creative and hardworking staff members during those years. What I appreciate most about LOL is how the history and traditions of the school community have built a foundation for the love and care of each and every person for our school and for each other. The motto of LOL says it all. LOL School, where everybody is somebody special. >> Hello, my name is Abigail Andrews. I started in kindergarten at LOL in 2005. And now my son >> Larry >> started kindergarten this year at LOL. Um, one of my favorite memories as a
028LOL student was being able to participate in runners club and then go on to the high school and run in the fun run. Um, this year Larry was a participant of runner's club and actually won his first fun run race. >> Um, being able to be a parent and a student of LOL is very special and we appreciate this opportunity. Say thank you. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Karen Preston. I was a fifth and sixth grade student at LOL Elementary School. As an adult, I had the great pleasure to come back to LOL as a teacher. And for 34 years, I taught third grade at LOL. I was asked to give you some memories of being a teacher at LOL. But nobody has time for all of that. What I can tell you
029is we always talked about our staff being a family and we meant it and we lived being a family. We cared for one another. We cared for our school and we cared for the students that we worked with. We tried to teach our kids that there was a way to do things the right way at LOL. I can remember one time listening to a little boy that was new to our school, not quite doing what was expected, and one of our students walked up to him very kindly and said, "You know, that's not the way we do things at LOL." That was an attitude that we wanted all of our students to take away with them and treasure for the rest of their lives as I do now. >> Mackenzie Williams. I am kindergarten teacher
030here at LOL. And LOL has always been special to me. From going here from kindergarten to fifth grade to it being my first teaching position. Going through school here, I was always told once a leopard, always a leopard. You're always welcome back. I always felt loved and I always felt like I was being supported with all my teachers and just everyone in the building. So, I took the once a leopard, always a leopard, maybe a little too seriously, and came back because I just love the community that LOL brings. And so, LOL is always going to be special to me. >> Hi, my name is Shannon Heiden and I am a retired teacher from LOL Elementary. I taught for 26 years. My very favorite LOL tradition is the LOL log cabin. It has been used
031by many students and families over the years and it's a wonderful learning place. It is just one of many, many things that make LOL a special place to be. >> Hi, this is Dave Straoud, a former teacher at LOL. Uh, I think I taught there 42 years. So, have some background there and also I went to LOL and they asked me to tell something what makes LOL special and so forth and my connection there. Those that's what my connection is is being there. But in a minute, I'm not going to be able to tell you all the things that are special about it. But if I had to pick one thing, it would be the people uh that are in the school back when I started in 1972. Uh Paul Ruster, Jay Sadler, Alice Whitaker,
032and then on through those people taught me and I learned from them how special l was and and gave me inspiration to try to do the same things that they had done. And then with Susan Howard on on deck as well, things I knew I was supposed to do that. It made me feel better. LOL's a special place because of people. Thanks. >> Hi, I'm Michelle Stirwalt and I'm a teacher at LOL Elementary School. I've been teaching at LOL for over 26 years. The people that I work with on a daily basis, some of them I've worked with them for 20 plus years. So when I think of LOL Elementary, I think of family. Those people I work with are no longer my colleagues. They're not my peers. They're my friends. They're my family. When
033I think about LOL Elementary, I think of family. That family even taught my daughter Maya. And yes, I went to LOL Elementary School as well when I first started teaching there. Some of the teachers that were there were teachers that I had when I was at LOL. My best friends to this day that I hang with, I met them at LOL Elementary School. I even taught some of their children in my classroom at LOL. So, yes, when I think of LOL Elementary School, all I think of is family because it's just always been family for me. Hi there. This is Chris Presley, former former teacher at LOL Elementary. That sounds weird to say. I spent 37 and a half years being a LOL teacher. I taught first grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, and uh ended
034my career teaching fourth grade at LOL. There are so many memories, so many uh favorite things uh things that I enjoyed. But one of the traditions uh that I would say is one of my favorites are the bucket hats at LOL. Uh when you become a LOL leopard, you get a bucket hat. And uh every time you have, you know, you do your personal best, uh you get honor roll. Uh there's some big event that we go through or we, you know, a challenge that we go through as a school, then you get a pin for your hat. Um and it kind of just shows your journey through our school. Uh our seniors when they come back for their senior breakfast, they often wear uh their bucket hats. I still have mine. My daughter who
035also was a lull leopard uh she still has hers. So I think that the bucket hats are one of my favorite traditions that LOL has. So I think when when we um when we listen to that it shows um some experiences from people. A lot of our teachers actually have attended LOL before. They went to school there. Um and when they come back I think that's a great honor um to our community and to our school. And so um so we're appreciative of that. We are going to have our our choir come up and they're going to be our grand finale. Um, one of the themes that we talk about at LOL is is together we are better. And so they are going to perform a song called Together for us this evening. >> While
036they're getting ready, can I share a couple of stories, >> please? >> The first one is >> You got a few, Julie. >> I I do. I do. >> The first one is um uh regarding Susan Howard. Yep. at all of the events that would go on, she would always give expectations on how audiences are supposed to behave and that included at like the um uh the talent shows and and any activity. And I just remember one time she stood up and she gave that speech that happened every time and she'd always ask she'd tell them at the talent show she'd always say, "You need to stay for the whole thing. You're not allowed to leave before it's done because those kids that are performing last need to have an audience, too. Yep. >> So,
037if you need to leave early, leave now. >> And do you know who got up one year and left early? Dr. Hingley. >> I think she had another meeting. She had to be at another school. But I just thought that was so funny. Um, and then there was one other What was the other one? Oh. Um based on that conversation that she would give to every parent, um my oldest daughter Melissa was in 8th grade at Stonybrook and they had their eighth grade celebration and of course Sarah and Ricky came with us and and at that event they didn't do that type of thing. Um and there's hooting and hollering and all kinds of stuff which was a no no. And my daughter Sarah is looking around and goes, "Oh my, Mrs. Howard would not
038be happy." >> These parents have probably heard that same spiel um from me as well. So we we like every moment is a teachable moment. You know, I just wanted to say this because you guys might leave and the parents might leave, but I attended your fall festival and I was so amazed that they put on a production. I'm telling you, we went to the haunted house and it was topnotch. Like, you couldn't even find a better haunted house at the Children's Museum. I mean, people pay to go to the big haunted houses, but the they were uh so they had the lights on and the lights off and uh it was just awesome. And then they had all of these activities on the outside and wonderful prizes. So, the activ I couldn't wait to
039get to the next activity. It was just so awesome. Then we went inside. They had bingo and they gave away large boxes of Panda donuts and just all kind of prize. Of course, I didn't win. And I was my mouth was watering. I was like, "Oh, I didn't get it." But then then you go through the line, they had all the food set up. Good old delicious hot dogs, popcorn, just everything. It was just so awesome. And then they had things that you can bid on on the outside. Um >> our pumpkin auction. >> Yes. And it was just that that display was nice. And then to end it up, we had a parade through the building where the goblins gave you candy and the witches. So it was so awesome. I want to commend
040all the teachers, staff, parents, and also Susan Howard for just putting that on because it was awesome. I really enjoyed it. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> You're good. >> Okay. 5 six l we e l e l l what's that we go l o we e l WHAT'S THAT HEY, oh hey oh hey. I need you and you need me to make up this community. It won't work without my friends. So, let's all come together. We're at the center. We can come together. Hey, I will get hurt. I'll fall down. So, let's all come together. Together we're at the center. We can come together. Everyone belongs in this community. We'll sing as one. So let's all come together. We're stronger. We got to remember we're one with love at the center. We can come
041together. We're stronger. You got to love together. We can come together. >> So, we just want to say a big thank you to our families that came tonight, to our students, to our staff members, to our local community. Um, we appreciate your support. Hey boys and girls, you got to come shake hands. Come back this way. Come back this way. You're going to start here and shake hands. >> And I would like to thank you so much. We appreciate you coming out and supporting us. >> They were not shy. You notice they opened their mouths and sang loud. I am just so proud of you guys. Good job. >> Way to go. >> Good job. Good job. Good job. >> It was outanding. >> Very nice job. Excellent job. >> Very nice. >> Good job.
042>> Good memories. >> I love watching you. >> Thank you, L, for allowing us to be a part of your family. Great job. Oh, >> she >> Okay, our next showcase is Brian Simkins and the sport staff loyalty recognition maybe. This is a new Oh, >> hey. All right. Okay, President Burke, Dr. Hansen, members of the board, Warren community. A lot of talk about tradition this evening. One tradition that we've been doing now for a number of years is recognizing and highlighting our full-time hourly support staff who have worked 20 or more consecutive years of loyal service. Um and so it's my pleasure tonight to recognize those folks once again in December. U as you can see there's many of the names here that we know. Uh every year it never ceases to impress me
043that we have always about 70 or so folks that make it on this list. Many of these folks uh multiple years they're on this list every year. Um these are folks that we know that are dependable. They're conscientious of the details of their job. And frankly, in this day and age when there's so much in flux, so much coming and going, this kind of loyal service just always impresses me. And so on behalf of the district, I just want to say thank you to these folks for their loyal service. And as a small token of our appreciation, um, as usual, they will receive on the December 26th paycheck a $350 bonus stipen. Well earned. So congratulations to these folks. Thank you. >> Okay, next we have Dr. Hansen with some presentations. >> Give me one
044second. President Burke. Thank you, President Burke, members of the board, to our community. It's my pleasure to recognize a few individuals this evening. It's only fitting on the night that we celebrate LOL Elementary that we celebrate one of our former LOL Elementary students, Matt Parkinson. >> Yes, >> I thought I remember Matt uh attending there when we did our process check and then I texted him in between and yes, he did attend there second through fifth grade. Um, it's a bittersweet night tonight as we recognize Matt for his four and a half years of service as our CFO. As you know, Matt is a 2006 Warren grad, and he came back to us um to serve in this chief financial officer role uh during a very tough time um during COVID, during a time where
045our legislators didn't make it easier for us financially. But one thing I can say that I appreciate and I know I know I speak on behalf of our board and our our cabinet in our all of our employees is that Matt approached every challenge we had with the same collaborative mindset, integrity, um just a willingness to learn and to adapt. And Matt, you made all of us better. You you made all of us better. So, with that, if you could come forward, please. I'll let Matt share with you what his next chapter is. Um, but we look forward to uh continuing our work together. So, Matt, I want to recognize you um for the chief financial officer role of 2021, July of 2021 to December of 2025. Um, and I also want to recognize you
046as a Warren High School graduate of 2006. Well, if you know me, there's two things you probably know about me. One is I don't typically like being the center of attention, and the other is that I don't get emotional easily. Um, I've been very reflective over the last couple months as I've recognized this chapter coming to a close. Um, I'm really proud of what we've accomplished over the last four and a half years. I'm immensely proud to be a graduate of Warren Township Schools. We do amazing things for our students. Um, four and a half years flew fast. Quick sidebar for just a moment. Can I have personal sidebar? I'm gonna look at Kevin when I'm saying this because Kevin has a tendency to text me after big IU football games. If somebody had told
047me IU was gonna be playing against Alabama and Oklahoma, either Alabama or Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl and would be favored to win the game, you could have told me it was 100 four and a half years. I probably wouldn't have believed it. Um but but no, like I mentioned, I I've been really reflective over the last couple months preparing for, you know, this to come to a close. I'm moving to a new opportunity. I'm excited for it. To me, what makes Warren Township special, um, and it made Warren special 30 years ago when I was a Lowel student and 20 years ago when I was a Warren Central student and what makes it special today is across the board in cabinet and district leadership meetings, teaching staff, support staff, school board, there is a
048spirit in Warren Township of making our decisions with the best interests of students first. um that's always at the forefront of how we choose to to do things at Warren Township and um just being able to have some small role in that for the last four and a half years brings me a lot of pride. So really sincerely appreciate the opportunity. I'll be your biggest fan moving forward. Thank you Matt. I just want to say that we will miss you. I thank you for everything that you have done uh working with us, you know, on the board and I I just wish you the best moving forward. You know, we just hate that you're leaving us, but um you know, we can't keep a good person down and we just hope the best for you
049and don't forget us. Thanks for all you've done. board. As we end our calendar year 2025, it's uh my pleasure on your behalf, on the school district's behalf, and our community to recognize Rachel Burke for her service and leadership as board president um for this calendar year. I want to echo Matt's comments. Um, you know, under Rachel's leadership and in all of the board's leadership, um, all kids mean all kids in Rachel's, um, you know, decision-m and we just appreciate, um, that leadership. Thank you. here. Um, I did not think enough to put together something to say and Tim's still my line because my line is always all kids means all kids. Um, I'm really proud of the work that we do here at Warren Township. I'm proud of the tough decisions that we make
050as a board. I'm proud of the time and the energy that we spend in all of them because truly all children in Warren Township are our children. We care for each and every one of them. We want the absolute best educational outcome, whether it is K12 or their future careers. We want the absolute best for them and we want to give them the absolute best foundation upon which to build to be able to achieve all of their dreams. And so I'm incredibly proud of all that we've done this year and all that we will continue to do. Thank you. >> Thank you, Rachel, for being our president this year. We appreciate all your hard work and we wish you the best. >> All the meetings. Board. We have a slight adjustment to the agenda. We
051had something come in. Um we we weren't sure if it was going to come in or not. Earlier this fall, ISBA recognized nine schoolboard members across the state of Indiana as schoolboard members of the year. Um if you recall, our very own Gloria Williams was recognized for region eight. And we have a plaque this evening. She was also highlighted in the Indie Far East magazine. Um so we have a plaque this evening that we would like to present her with to recognize her. I am just so happy. I would like to thank Howard for seeing something in me and I would like to thank my board. You know, I believe working together works and this represent not just me but all the entire board for all the work that we do. So, I want to
052say thank you guys for recognizing something in me and I pray that I continue to be an asset to Warren Township and all of our students, our parents, staff, community. Um, my goal is if I can just help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain. You all have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you, Dr. Hansen. I appreciate you. Thank you. >> Next up, we have our student council president, Good evening, President Berg, Dr. Hansen, and members of the board and attendees. As we close out this portion of the school year and prepare to enter the new year, I'd like to share a few highlights and acknowledgements from student council. I'm proud to report that the children's Christmas party was highly successful and everyone involved had
053an amazing time. We were happy to sponsor over 63 children who enjoyed a variety of activities including food stations, games, crafts, which likely which created a lively and festive atmosphere throughout the event. The opportunity to take pictures with Santa and open presents was especially meaningful for the children and became a highlight of the day. We extend our sincere appreciation to the classrooms and teachers who generously contributed by purchasing Christmas gifts and essential items for the children. Their support helped ensure that every child felt celebrated and supported during the holiday season. And we also want to thank our volunteers who truly showed up and showed out. Their hard work, organization, and assistance with activities and cleanup allowed the event to run smoothly and created a positive experience for both the children and staff. As we are
054wrapping up finals week, I want to take a moment to recognize our student council members and my fellow executive board for an incredible semester. Everyone showed up, put in the work, and represented our organization extremely well. The children's Christmas party, while busy, fast-paced, and at times chaotic, was a huge success because of their dedication. Many of the children who attended truly needed that experience, and our members stepped up to make it fun, meaningful, and memorable. Overall, student council completed a total of 1,917.5 volunteer hours this semester alone, which is an accomplishment we are truly proud of. I would also like to recognize our member of the semester, Ner Garcia, who completed an outstanding 77.5 volunteer hours. Their dedication and leadership truly stood out. As we close out this semester, we are finishing strong with one
055final volunteer opportunity for the Toys for Tots drive. and we're giving our members another chance to serve the community before winter break. I want to thank everyone who supports student council, our students, our adviserss, staff, and community partners. Your support makes these opportunities possible. I hope every h everyone has a safe and amazing holiday season and a great rest of 2026 2025. I just want to say thank you for being such a great student representative for Warren Township. You've done an awesome job and you know it's just rewarding and amazing to see our young people being so, you know, I just look at her, she's so outgoing and just seemed like she have it really going on for yourself. like they say. So, I am so proud of you. I want you to continue working
056hard to be the best that you can be. >> Thank you. Merry Christmas and happy new year. >> I am just making sure I do not see is Sydney. She is. >> It's the reason I said your name because I miss you every month and I look >> like a sea of people. >> I think that's it. I apologize, Miss Starks. We are so happy you're here. Righty. Good evening everyone. Good evening. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. Um so I have a few updates um on behalf of the city. The first one is the OPs food event. So, um, we've had, um, a few different food distribution events, uh, this December, and the one that I'm aware of, I believe it is the last one, if they don't add new ones, uh, is
057tomorrow, uh, on Thursday with Indie Peace. It starts at 100 p.m. and it's at 2360 Dr. MLK Junior Street, 46208. Um, and then I also have information from DPW pertaining to the slide schedule for trash collection um, with Christmas coming up. So, if normal pickup day um, falls after the holiday, your service will take place one day later for the rest of the week, that is also posted on the DPW indie.go um, indie.gov page as well. And then we also have the snow buddies um, program for 2526. So, uh, that program matches volunteers with a neighbor who isn't able to clear their snow due to age or disability. Um, you can find that information at ww.indy.govactivity snowbuddies. I also will be including that in my newsletter as well. Um, coming forward. And then I do
058have an announcement from ACS, animal care services. Um, so that we've been trying to blast this to everyone so people have that reminder. So, if temperatures are 20 degrees or lower or if windchill um there is a windchill warning and that has been issued um for the city, animals must be brought into a temperature controlled building. Um if you're seeing this, you can always report this uh via request indie or you can always give a call into the mayor's action center as well. Um moving along, we also have the community powered infrastructure applications. So, those are currently open. Um I'll be including this on my as well. But the program is basically about helping neighbors get involved, bring their ideas to life. So, an example could be um adding art outdoors, uh small street improvements,
059popup projects, etc. Um it definitely spans to give people uh creative leeway there. I'll be adding a little bit more information in my newsletter about that. Um something I do want to highlight is um the Department of Public Works, their winter weather preparedness page on indie super super important. I put it in my newsletter as well, but um there's the snow force tracker, snow plow tracking, snow removal, FAQs, safety tips, etc. Um there's also um interesting and um lengthy information about the winter contingency program. Um I did have the privilege to tour one of the centers um at the North Tibs location. It was very nice um and insightful. It's super nice because we'll be able to use those locations next year as well, so they won't have to move. Um, so the available shelters
060are at the North Tibs location, there's the West Morris Church, and then the assessment intervention center. So, as a reminder though with these activated shelters, they're open when temps are below 25 degrees Fahrenheit or the windshield windchill of 15 degrees Fahrenheit or precipitation with a lasting windchill of 25 degrees Frenheit for over 24 hours. So, there are some stipulations, but I will say um if conditions do not improve, the shelters will remain open until the temperatures rise above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. This is all listed on the DPW um winter weather preparedness uh page as well. Um and last but not least, I do have an update from IndieGo. So, on Christmas Day, there is free fair all day. Um but it is running on a Sunday schedule. And then for New Year's Eve, there's free
061fair but only after 800 p.m. So, I make sure people understand that as well. Um, are there any questions about anything I went over? >> I just wanted to ask, did you say 25 degrees? Cuz I know 30ome degrees. I'm freezing. >> So, oh my gosh. So, they went as low as 25 instead of in the 30s. That's what I'm concerned about because 30s, it's cold. >> Winter coat. >> Uh, >> that's cold. I would like to say thank you for the newsletter. That's an outstanding newsletter you do. And if anyone doesn't get it, you need to go to uh indie.gov and get that newsletter. It is outstanding. >> Email me too. Um if you're interested, it's just my name sydney.starksindy.gov. Um I'll be doing them monthly. I believe for January I won't push it
062out till the second week just so people can get caught up from the holiday season. But yes, if you're ever interested, you can always call me too. Everything's online, all my information. But >> what is that again? Sydney. >> Yes. Sydney. Starks. S t a r ks at indie.gov. >> Any more questions for me? Just want to say we appreciate you. You have done an awesome job. We thank you for all the information that you've been giving. And again, you being young, I just admire you. I want you to keep up the good work and have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> Y'all have a happy holidays as well. Thank y'all. >> Okay, and with that, we are at board comments and we will begin with Miss Williams. >> Goodness. Oh, I've
063been commenting all night. I'm gonna keep it short. I just want to say Warren, I appreciate all of you. Um, I really appreciated Susan Howard and her presentation tonight and um I just want to uh tell my board I just appreciate all of you. Dr. Hansen, you know, I think we all make a great team and, you know, I just want to say that thanks to all of you for all the hard work you've done all year. Um, I just believe teamwork is dream work. And I thank you so much. Thank you, Howard. And I tell you, um, we're blessed to have two men on our board, you know, and it's not all women. So, we appreciate the men on our board. So, I tell you, let's give our men a hand. It's so good.
064And then with that, I'm not gonna leave us women now. Give us women a hand, too, because we work hard. Then I want to say Lamar and Kim, we don't want to uh not recognize our behind the scene. They work really hard behind the scene. Kim and Lamar, you know, I tell you, we really depend on them a lot. and we just want to say thank you for all the work that you do and we appreciate you. Even if we don't say it every day, we're going to say it now and we want everybody to know. Dr. Hansen, I know we're hard on you, you know, but that's love. So, who we appreciate you and everything that you do and thank you so much for, you know, being who you are and thank you for
065working with us and um, you know, like I said, teamwork is dreamwork. And I would like to tell you guys that, oh, tis the season to be jolly. I am going to be married on New Year's Eve. So, congratulations to me. So the new year is going to be coming in, right? So I I thank you guys for your congratulations, you know, and so um everybody have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> Dorsy, >> congratulations, Gloria. >> Thank you >> on your nuptuals in New Year's Eve. Uh this semester kind of went really fast. I mean here it is what we're reaching into the winter break already and things just zipped by. It was so much going on and very challenging period and I'm glad we were able to get through it
066and fine instead. Uh I want to say uh I thought LOL's presentation was outstanding. Uh those kids are great and you just got to give it to them, you know. And that staff down there is just awesome. So I was really impressed and um I was more I was also was not surprised that our um great uh chief of financial operations uh came from LOL. Like to be expected, right? I was really impressed at first I heard of that. I mean, I've heard of it before, but you know, my memory is getting bad. But it was good to get that refresher from uh from Tim uh that uh absolutely uh your talents uh were greatly appreciated and you're going to be duly missed. Really are. Uh I just want to also say that um the
067support staff sort of in in some organizations the support staff pretty much gets ignored and they're just there. Uh that's the mortar that kind of holds this district together. There's no question about it. And so we ought to take every opportunity to praise the support staff for all the things that they do. Uh a lot of them do this stuff just out of volunteer work and kind of like back into the fact that they get paid. You know what I mean? A lot of folks start out just like that. Start out start out volunteer work and uh love it so much and then they say, "Hey, I didn't didn't realize I got paid for that." But they do. They do. So, you know, we just got to give it up to them for all of
068the work that they do and how they've kept uh they have a a very important part to play in in in in the district. And uh I'd like to also say it is a tradition to to to recognize them and I don't think that's uh something that's done in other districts and and and we always recognize people that are doing good work for us and I appreciate that. Uh getting back to the presentation. Um I I gotta get me one of those gingerbread things they were talking about and that uh bucket cap. So we'll we'll work on that. It was a lot of fun seeing all the things that Ly was doing. I coming back to Ly, but I'm sorry about that. But that's a good school. Uh like all of our schools are very
069good and they shine. They shine. Um that's about it. Uh, I'm going to say let's uh uh look forward to the the the Christmas holiday. Uh the Thanksgiving Day break just kind of like went like that and here we are facing Christmas. Uh and um and that's okay. Uh uh yeah, that's okay. Thank you, >> Julie. Okay. Um Matt was talking about reflecting and stuff and I've been doing a lot of thinking the last little bit. Um, many of you know that I am uh very active in Warren Township. Um, I I'm I'm on the school board. I do PTA, Rotary, Robotics. Um, but you don't know that I'm also involved with the southeast side of Center Township Schools. Um, because uh my church is in that area. So, my husband and I go to
070a lot of the HOA meetings and things like that um to share events. We do like movie nights and things like that. and we're pretty involved with school 31 as well. Um, and I spent a lot of time in Lawrence and Wayne Townships due to having family in both areas. So, I'm in stores and stuff like that quite a bit. Um, I share all this information because what I'm noticing isn't unique to anyone neighborhood. So, what I'm going to say doesn't just apply to Warren. Um, it applies everywhere. And in fact, I think it reflects what we're seeing across our city um, and likely throughout our state and our nation as well. Um, we all know that times are harder right now for many families. Um, there's concern about health care and how they're going
071to pay premiums and, you know, is it the premiums or the supper that we're going to provide our family, that sort of thing. Um, and um, while purchasing gifts this season for various organ organizations, I couldn't help but noticed that the $10 dolls that I bought for them last year are $17 this year. So, our families are facing a lot along with the rising costs. Um, I've also noticed shorter tempers, uh, more road rage, higher stress levels throughout our community. Um, all of that. Uh that's why I want to say that I'm especially proud of our schools and places where our children feel safe to learn. They also feel safe to fail and they feel safe to be themselves. Our students are greeted every day with smiles. Um they're encouraged to try again and they're
072reminded that every day they matter. So Kim Griffin, thank you so much for LOL and a place where everybody is somebody special. Um, that's why I want to take a moment to acknowledge what I see every time I'm in our schools. Okay? Our teachers and staff are working incredibly hard to create safe, welcoming, and joyful environments for our students. Teaching today is about so much more than academics. It's about building trust, providing stability, and often being a source of encouragement and care for our students who need it the most. And then the learning begins. Let's fill their bellies. Let's make them feel safe. Let's let them know we love them. And then let's teach them. They're better learners with all that going on. Our educators model every day kindness, patience, respect, and even in the
073midst of challenges that we don't always see. They're doing all of that. Feeling safe and secure doesn't have to be complicated in our schools. It happens every day through a caring conversation, a thumbs up in the hallway, or simply showing up with empathy. Being intentional in how we treat one another and our students, our entire staff gives our children something very powerful. They give them hope, stability, and vision of a future way forward, a better way forward. That's the foundation we provide during roughly eight hours that we have them every day. But the reality is we only have our kids eight hours a day. The other 16 hours, they're observing the world around them. They see how adults interact, how we handle frustration, our disagreements, our stress. They notice what happens in grocery stores, in
074the produce aisle, and the frozen food section, um at ball games, online, and on our streets. Whether we realize it or not, those moments are teaching moments. Um, and these moments are lessons that our children are going to learn whether they're good or bad. Many of our students are already carrying heavy burdens. They don't need more anger, fear, or chaos. What they need is consistency. They need to see that joy is possible, that conflict can be handled with respect, and that they are safe and valued beyond the school walls. Um, and I think that's why I I like the LOL theme so much, you know. Um, but this also all reminds me of a Sunday school song. Oh little Oh, be careful little hands what you do. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
075Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. Um, and my husband likes saying that children are open computer ports. I thought of Kent on this. um they're open computer ports and they are taking in everything, everything they see, everything they hear, and they're recording it and they're spewing it back out. So, as we move ahead into the new year, a time when hope fills the air and many of us reflect and and set our intentions for the next year, I'd like to offer a shared resolution for our entire community in the year ahead. Let us commit to being a little bit more patient, a little bit more kind, a little bit more aware of the example that we're setting. You see, small choices made consistently can make
076a big difference in how safe and supported our children feel because our children are always watching. And not just their parents, but all of us. When I'm talking this, I mean everybody. I wasn't kidding when I said the frozen meat section or whatever, you know, they're see they're not just seeing parents, they're seeing all of us do this. Let us make 2026 a year where our kiddos see what real joy, respect, and community truly look like. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Um, good morning off everybody. Um, welcome. I love hearing our children in our building and hearing our pledge and seeing them perform and hearing about the schools. Um, as I was coming in tonight, um, a thought went through my head from speakers at conventions that as a board member, you should know
077your school mission should be short, it should be strong, it should be powerful. If it's going to go on and on and on, it's not a good mission. And as I was sitting at the light at the post, there were three words that just jumped out at me. Um the safe and caring environment and just the whole idea of relationships. Um as a classroom teacher, I know that those relationships really foster um learning. Um they begin to trust your they trust their teacher. They count on their teacher. they believe their teacher. And in all of our buildings, I know that our teachers are a bright light and um a safe, secure place. And as we go into the holidays and we move into our new year when prices are skyrocketing and families are struggling, um
078you just think of the little things you have and say, you know, we're in a good spot. Um, I really wanted to reach out and thank Leanna Morehead Community Resource Center. Had the opportunity to work there the day before Thanksgiving and pass out onions and potatoes and got out of yams. Yay. But just seeing how grateful our families are of just the little things and that's where I just think it's the little things that matter and some of those things come from the heart. So, um, with a very gracious heart, I thank all of our teachers, support staff, everyone in our district, cabinet, Dr. Hansen, everyone, and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday. I just want to give a shout out to um our Warren family, superintendent, um Airmark, Jennifer,
079MCRC, everyone that stepped up. November was a rough month for our families. It was a scary time um with we're already dealing with food insecurity. So, when the families were not able to put food on the tables, it it hit really hard. Um, and food insecurity is a trauma. So, superintendent, thank you for accepting my notes, sliding over to you, and um, instantly putting things in place to ensure that our families and community um, were fed that day. I think um, we did over 700 families. So, that was really um, great. in the week before with the Pacers, um we did 500 families. So, great job, Warren. Our holiday event is coming up. Shout out to all of our um student leaders that are over our students. We have a lot of students, um National
080Honors Society, football team, um ROTC, a lot of teams that signed up to assist. So thank you. They learn how to give back because they we lead by example. Um holiday event is Saturday. It will be at the high school. We have um 500 families signed up. So that is a lot of children. Um if you want to come out and just love on your families, please, please, please. The event is from 9 to 2:30. the doors will be locked at 2:30 so we can get out. And I want to give another extra shout out to um Airark. When the new guy stepped in, I was like, um, do you do community service? Cuz if Derek's gone, who's taking his place? And he was like, "Yes, I do." So, I appreciate him taking last minute
081orders and filling in the gap. Um, he just sent me a text not too long ago saying, "Hey, food will be there. additional food will be there on um Saturday. So, thank you Airark for staying true to your word and stepping up and helping our families and um giving back to the community. With that being said, I'll pass the mic over to Kevin and let's see if he's as chatty as we've been tonight. >> Well, I think u every everything has been touched and everything's been covered and I can just I would echo everything that's been said. This has been a very deepful and thoughtful u moment right now that we reflect on and everybody has something beautiful and relevant and touching to say. So I would just echo those remarks and um continue to
082say we every year we get impressed with our new uh student uh advocates to come and speak. Our kids that we get to see before us are definitely inspiration and show us pride and joy in that. And I think the ly set the pace and gave out the message that it's all about the Warren family. >> Yes. >> So as long as we can keep that the focus of everything and we to love and take care of each other, we going to be all right. So the world is in turmoil. The nations is confused. But uh the Warren family, we can get through this thing together. >> Madame President, can I pull up Miss Gloria? >> She's been so good tonight. Y'all had to just give it to her. I don't know why she's on
083her best behavior, but I like it. Um, I forgot the Rotary Club for giving a donation and to the Hansen family and Sunny Day and Julie brought some good stuff in back of me. So, I just did not want to forget you all and giving shout outs. Indie Fresh Mark helped with 500 proteins and all the fixings to go with Thanksgiving. So, I definitely wanted to give them a shout out. They are on 38th in Sheridan um in the community. So, I wanted to give a shout out to them as well. Thank you. >> I find myself with absolutely nothing to add to what everyone else has said. Um this time of the year is the time of year where Warren shines. It's it's the time of year where everyone does all of the things
084to try to help all of our families and all of our students in our community. Um, and it is it is the time of the year that I'm always the most proud of all of the things that we do. And so I want to thank everyone in the Warren community for doing that because it's not the people sitting here, it's not the people sitting in the audience. Not that you are not all lovely, wonderful people. And I love all of you because you know that, but really the entire community as a whole comes together >> um and does some really amazing things for our families and our students and I appreciate that. And with that, we are >> going to um mention um rescheduling the science. >> That we're good. >> Okay. >> With that,
085we're going to go on to business of citizens presence, blue cards. >> No, Madam President, we do not. >> Okay. And with that, we will go to the consent agenda. Um, this month's consent agenda consists of the approval of minutes, the financial reports, human resources report, field trip request, permission to accept gifts and grants, change orders, and contracts. Do I have a motion? >> I, Terry Amos, accept the mo would like to make the motion of the consent agenda. >> Do we have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Triplet. Do we have any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, we will go to a vote. computer. >> It is. >> Oh, we lost it. Do we need to do a vote? >> Come back. >> It's unanimous. We will go with that.
086It's unanimous. I cannot imagine it wasn't. So, that works out well. Um, and with that, we have two items that were pulled from the consent agenda. Agenda. I apologize. I can't speak. Um, the financial claim register and the use of school property. Can I have a motion for those? >> So, moved. >> Thank you, Julie. Is there a second? I have a second. >> Thank you so much, Terry. And with is there any discussion hearing? And seeing none, we will go to a vote. And that also passes unanimously. And with those two votes, we are going to go to Dr. Hansen and an introduction. >> President Burke, members of the board, upon approval of the consent agenda, I shared with you earlier that it is a bittersweet night. As we say goodbye to Matt, I
087am equally as excited to introduce our new Warren CFO. Um through a what I would say a thorough search um as you know that's a very important position um for any school district. But as through a thorough search of um I would say a very strong applicant pool u I was pleased with the the quality of the applicants that we received this year. Um, I shared with our our new CFO now the the um the competition that existed amongst the final two. We really had two great candidates. Um, but I'm very excited to introduce Katie Dowling. Katie, if you could come forward, please. Katie comes to us with exceptional CFO experience both in northwest Indiana and here in central Indiana. And as I was calling she no longer um is the she was the CFO
088in Greenwood Community Schools. Um but as I was calling all of her references there was a consistent theme of kids. um her compass is focused on the mission of the district which is about kids and uh through her answers through again through the references um that was such a strong message that came through that it was all about the kids and she's excited to um be the CFO here at Warren to do what she can to make that mission come true for us. So Katie um congratulations and we look forward to working with you. I was gonna try to dodge it for a moment. There was such love. Members of the board, Dr. Hansen and the administrative team that interviewed, it's an honor to be here. I appreciate the opportunity, and I'm looking forward to
089get started so we can love on kids, families, and do the right thing every day. So, thank you. >> Um, you get to come shake everybody's hand. >> That's our welcome. Okay, >> that's our tradition. >> I also think youelcome Next up, we have Jennifer Pop and Armark for our child nutrition update. >> That was >> President B, Dr. Hansen, members of the school board, let's talk a little bit about food service. I just want to make sure my tab was there. I think I was really nervous about that more than anything. I see my tab. We're good. Let's see. I've been with Warren three and a half years. Not quite three and a half years. I know it seems a lot longer, but it's been about a little over three years. And I sitting
090around and I've noticed all these great, as I call them, little circles on the wall that everybody's every building has a logo. And so I went to Dr. Hansen. I said, you know, um I want one of those circles. I want Warren um to have their own child nutrition logo. So, drum roll. We are giving you the logo. Oh, hang on. There it is right there. Um >> the one to the left. Let me >> This is it. This is it. If you don't like it, lie to me. You love it. >> I love it. I really did that so our families realize that you know what Warren does have a nutrition program and a nutrition department and that is us. So for questions they might have concerns or just need some answers um they
091have a department now and we have a logo to go with it. So we are set. One of these days I'll grow up and I'll be a big girl and I'll get to be on the wall but until then I'm right there. Right beside it you'll see the uh little farm. That is our new um logo that we'll use for Aramark partnering with Aramark. Um anytime we use farm to school, farm to fork, that is going to be our logo so our families know that we're using local. It'll be local to identify um that we are thinking of nutrition and and um just something, you know, support local growers around us. In the corner there, you're going to see an innovation to nutrition education. Last year I applied for this award. I had to submit
092um our cooking clubs, focus group, our farm to school, um nutrition education in the classroom. Um I've been going in the classrooms and doing some nutrition education with our students. Worked with air. We brought ACE in last year and he did a great little um skit for us and talked about nutrition. and I was awarded the innovation for nutrition education amongst schools which is a national award. Yay. This is when you cheer. Um you know it's just another reason to put Warren on the map. You know I I want to put Warren on the map and we're definitely that's what we're doing. I got this great banner in my office. Mr. Clayton, I'm starting my own hall of fame. Um I'm starting the back. We have many more banners to come. So we are going
093to have our own hall of fame there. But like I said, it's just important for our our families and um to realize that we are moving forward in nutrition education. Harvest of the month is something that we were um piloting for the state. The state reached out and asked if I want to be a part of it. Like I said, we are we are a large school district that does farm to school and we are on the east side of Indianapolis and the state is impressed with this. So we were asked to pilot this and um we did that. They gave us what the produce was of the month and we had to come up with ideas working with Aramark. We started doing tastings. So like for example um corn. So we put corn on
094the menu. We did popcorn at Northern Indiana. We did tastings with the kids with popcorn. They got to taste popcorn, Indian popcorn. One month we did um cherry tomatoes. I got them for Waterman's Farm. We had cherry tomatoes on the menu. The tasting chef created a great salsa for the kids. I got the sample salsa. Let's see. Tuttles Orchard. We did two different kinds of apples. It was on the menu. We did um apple cider. Some of the kids have never experienced apple cider. So, that was our tasting for that month. This month was potato. We did a baked potato bar, but chef made a really good uh soule uh sweet potato soule casserole. And the kids got to sample that. that was their tasting. So, just that experience with the kids and I was
095just, you know, it it's part of a test, a pilot with the state. It's something I'm gonna challenge air next year to roll out at our buildings to constantly keep doing it and pushing it. The kids love it. When they see me come in the building, they're like, "What do we taste?" I'm like, "Oh, it's not coming yet. It's not yet. Hang on." You know, but they're there's they enjoy it. And we did nutrition education with it as well. So, I created a teachers um folder and I submit information into it. So the teachers can look at it and pull off some nutrition and talk about the apples and tuttles orchard and watermelons and how a tomato grows and just that whole little aspect of of nutrition education for the kids and learn learn a
096little bit. So that is um something I'm very pleased with Mark has worked with me with. The next thing I want to talk about is equipment. Um I want to share some information with you. This year alone 22 ovens. We've we put in 22 ovens, six milk coolers, two combi ovens, three dish machines, two passroughs, and two compressors. The age of this equipment was 1994 to 2010. That's the age of the equipment that I replaced. By the end of this school year, I have touched every building with a new piece of equipment. Maybe one or maybe two. >> That's good. My goal and I phase it out over five phases. I'm on phase two. My goal is eventually just keep building and keep building. Um, our kitchens need attention. Our kitchens need attention and we're
097doing it. We're doing it. And not only is it benefit to our staff, but our students, too. We're giving them good healthy food. It's cooked properly. It's held properly. It looks good. And it's appealing. when you're using a 2010 oven, it doesn't do the same as a 2026 oven, you know. So, that's what we need to do to keep improving. So, not only does it benefit our food service staff, but it also benefits our kids and our community and our staff as well. Over break, does anybody have any questions about equipment? Okay. Over break, we are going to feed um we are going to do mills at the high school. This will be the first time, at least that I know of, that we've been able to provide um free lunch. We're going to do
098it the 22nd, the 23rd, the 29th, the 30th, and the 31st at the high school. Anyone under the age of 18 will be able to participate. The flyer went home to all the schools. I sent it with the family liaison as well. We're running this through our CACF program, which is our atrisisk program. Um that is a program. I cannot run it through the NC um the school lunch program or the breakfast program. I have to run it through our atrisisk program. I got approval from the state about two weeks ago. I reached out to Miss Simba and said, "Can we do this?" She said, "Yes, let's do it." So, we are offering free lunch over break. We're going to see how it goes. It's our first time. If it go, we're just going to
099keep moving forward. That'll reach those kids that that might need a little bit of extra over break or those athletes that's up there that need to stop by or the band student that needs to stop by. Anybody can stop by and get lunch. So, it's 11 to one at the high school. >> I just wanted to ask a question. Yep. Um, you said 17 and under. I know that in some of our special need classes and things, they go over 17 to 18, they absolutely can go. Yes, they can. Thank you. >> Yep, they sure. And just so you know, I reached out to our SPE and let them know as well that they're able to attend as well. >> Can you tell us what door they entered through? >> Door one. Thank you. And
100I know uh Lamar's put out the flyer that we created as well, but it is door one. I actually had um I had air do the menu a little early so we could put the menu on there so the kids can say, you know, some popular items so they know what they're walking into. So it might be something if they they want a nacho bar that day, they they'll know what's being on the menu. The last thing I'm going to talk about before we bring Aramark up here is something that um very important to all of us is the C. As you know, that's how we feed feed free kids for breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper. Our application, we have the rest of this year and we have the end of next year on our
101application. I'm not waiting until that 27 spring to apply. I'm going to go out early. I reached out to the state and asked if I'm allowed to if I'm allowed to go out early. They said absolutely. So, this April, mid year, when that application opens up, I will be the first one in there. and I will be applying. We um our data needs to be pulled down April 1st. I've already pulled down the data as of right now. If we stay strong the way we're going, we're constantly in polling data. I have bar polling data. I'm constantly reaching out to families to make sure we've got everybody counted. Our atrisisk students, which is our direct certification students, which is our identified students, we're at 61.44. that puts us at being able to claim at 100%
102if we can stay strong. So that will if we get approved, we will be able to move four years down the road. I just think it's crucial for us to do it now. Times are only getting worse and we don't know what's going to happen down the road. So I think it's very important that we get a jump on that and when I got the approval that is exactly what we'll be doing. >> That's right. Good job. >> Yes. >> Any questions before I move on to the airark portion? Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> No, thank you. Airark, this is year two on air. We had summer uh went really well. We did some things that worked and we did some things that didn't work. Um we're going to make some changes next year.
103It's always to benefit our students, but we did get audited this year and on the air side and the Warren side, we had no problems at all. So, our audit went really well. So, I'm really proud of Aramark as well. Something that's important to me is our kitchens, how they look, how our kids like, what that what they see. Um, priority is them. Make sure our food's being rotated. Make sure that I always in a building, I start at the back of the house, come the front of the house, make sure everything's in place for for our kids, and our staff. And Amark's done an excellent job. We are very fortunate to have the two that's getting ready to talk up here this evening. Um, Chef Martin um is new to us. I don't know
104if you've had much of his um food or or had but he's absolutely been amazing. A plus Liz Smith is our Aramark food service um director who's amazing. Her and I have worked in the past together and her and I all sit in a room and go, "Okay, I got this idea. You got this idea. Let's figure it out." And we usually figure it out. And they're both very into making sure our kids are taken care of. So, I'm not going to steal their show. Oh, you know what, Kim? I didn't do the little dots. Oh, so dang. Blue blew it. Can I start over? No, I'm just teasing. So, I'm going to get their presentation uh up here. >> There you go. >> Yes. >> Um I did go back to the little logo.
105>> Well, yeah, I got you. >> I I just want to commend you on that. That is so creative. I love creativity and I think that is awesome. And um and your focus, overall focus on the kitchen areas and the food and nutrition that means a lot to me too. And um so I I I just want to commend you on that and it's so creative and I see the energy you're putting into it and uh awesome job. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> All right. I can do this. There you go. All right. Can you hear me? Okay. Good evening, members of the door board, Dr. Hansen, and community members. Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you tonight about the Airark Student Nutrition Program at Warren Township. Um, first and foremost, I
106also wanted to give a special thanks to Jennifer Pope. um her unwavering dedication to the student well-being at Warren. Her constant support, guidance, and high expectations have helped drive our partnership success. So, thank you. Um again, my name is Liz Schmidt. I'm the food service director here, and this is our executive chef, Martin Gorm. >> Uh before we begin, uh I want to share a simple truth. Um when students are wellnourished, they learn better. Healthy meals fuel focus, energy, and academic success. That's why our dining program is more than just food. It is a critical part of the educational and student experience. We'll walk you through uh what we're doing to make our K12 students successful and how our partnership with the district makes this possible. >> Okay. So, first um I take I want
107to take a moment to recognize some of our new faces that we do have on our team. Um we are pleased to announce that we have a full management team this year with leaders overseeing the culinary arts, nutrition, finance, marketing, human resources and operations. All of us working together to deliver a program that meets the highest standards. Um starting with our newest members first, we have Heather Haley, which is our brand new human resources manager. She has has over 30 years of experience in people and resource management. Although she has only been with us for barely a month, um she's already hit the ground running getting to know our staff, integrating herself into our hospitality culture, and you may even see her serving on our breakfast and lunch lines, too, already. So, she's very um
108participating in our daily operations. It's it's awesome. Um we also do have a brand new uh resident district manager. He's just started with us at I think at the end of September, and that's Chris Hedon. Um he does have a background in collegiate hospitality management. So he's brought a new perspective and vision to the team. And then next newest is our new executive chef, Chef Martin here, who has already made a significant impact here at Warren. Um so I just going to let you give a little bit of your background. >> Uh ju I came from Collegiate just kind of like our RDM. Um, I had a background in catering and culinary arts and I applied for this job and that background was part of what Jennifer Pope wanted to bring to this district was
109a greater focus on culinary practices and bringing something a little more upscale to our students. Bringing something that, you know, if we can nourish them a little bit better by making it look better, cooking it properly, uh, that will just environment for them to succeed. >> Um, our next newest member that we brought on was u Marlene Schroeder. Um, she joined us over the summertime I think in June um as one of my assistant directors. She was actually an Airmark kitchen manager at a neighboring district right down the road um for over a decade and we actually um were able to put her through the air scholarship program and she got her degree in nutrition and we were able to promote her to a salaried position on our team. So we're very excited to have
110her with us. She brings lots of experience. Um and then our next newest member is Blake Malacus. Um he joined us in February. He is our finance controller. He joined us in February and he is an integral part of our um systems and processes, checks and balances and making sure us in operations stay in line with the budget. Um and then some of our familiar faces that you may be familiar, we have Van Parham who is our marketing communications manager. um she helps to make sure we are up to speed with student engagement and promotions and marketing materials. Then we have Sarah Anderson who writes our menus and manages special dietary needs. Miss Reesei Williams, the other half of my rockstar assistant director duo team and keeps the kitchens operating daily and brings her positive
111energy to the team every day. And then of course Jessica, our office manager who plays a vital role in keeping us all organized and communicating with each other. So we have a very dynamic management team and every decision we make together is focused on war and our commitment to the food quality service excellence and our compliance. Uh so introducing that team, it takes a whole team to serve the 1,01 meals that we serve here. Uh in the past year, we did nearly 400,000 slices of pizza, 222 servings of n 222,000 servings of nachos, and almost 200,000 chicken patties. Uh with no surprise, those are our top sellers. You know, we couldn't do that without are extraordinary people. Um they are the driving success of our program and their dedication makes everything possible. We are proud
112to employ 156 community members in Warren Township and we have eliminated nearly all of our temp labor over the last year. Uh we only utilize it when absolutely ne necessary uh to cover temporary leaves of absence um or things of that nature. we have a metric that we use to um to kind of guide us so that we're not bringing in all that extra labor and extra cost. Uh you know, this was a huge feat from where we started over a year ago. Uh we have paid out over $1.8 million in hourly wages uh this academic year to date. We employ uh diverse staff which 67% of our staff are female. This reflects our commitment to diversity and strengthening the all the time. Our team isn't just serving meals. We're building relationships, creating a welcoming
113environment for the students every day. Okay. So, what drives our team to success? Um, we have our mission pillars that guide us in our every decision we make within our food service department. They help us ensure that our work aligns with the broader goals of the district and most importantly with what is best for the student. Um these were the pillars that we discussed as a team and decide to be our focus. Um so our student success we center everything around providing nutritious meals, supporting learning and ensuring students can show up ready to thrive. Through our team development engagement, we invest in our staff training. The morale professional growth ensures high quality service and a supportive work culture. through our operational performance. So we prioritize efficiency, regulatory compliance and smart resource management to strengthen the
114program and also through our fourth pillar service. Every interaction whether it's with our students, our families, our board members, our staff is an opportunity to provide excellent exceptional service. So now we'll go into each one of these pillars and how we execute those. So student success is at the heart of everything we do. Our student success pillar aligns directly with the district's outcomes by ensuring students are nourished uh ready to learn and supported throughout the day through intentional student engagement such as meeting feedback uh interactive programs, culinary inclusive offerings and welcome welcoming cafeteria environments. We strengthen the participation to contribute attendance, readiness and overall well-being. Uh, one way we drive this engagement is through our limiting limited time offerings or our LTO's. Uh, these are menu innovations that keep students excited about school meals and
115encourage participation. These are a few of the ones that we've done over the last few months. You can see kind of we've grown quite a bit from where we are to where we are now. Uh the last month we did uh around 3,000 of these LDO meals from you know just a few hundred. So we saw a real influx of engagement with students. They really enjoyed it. They gave us that feedback and now we're actually going to put that into our regular rotation on our menus. You know we're trying to empower their choices. We're hearing what they like and so we're going to give them what they like. Yep. >> Which brings us to our student engagement and student success through our surveys. Um student engagement is strengthened when students have a voice in their
116menu choices. So by involving the students directly through the taste tests, our feedback surveys, the student led focus groups that we've held and the culturally relevant menu options, we reinforce student connection. Student input increases participation and satisfaction. Through the tools like our daily your voice count survey, the annual student viewpoint survey, and the principal poll survey, we gather that feedback which helps us to improve and align our services with what students and school leaders want. So with the your voice counts daily survey, that's something that um allows us to gather real time data um which we can use to correct customer service issues on the fly or to gather specific requests. um to our delight since implementing it at the high school, we've actually seen um some results back. Most of it is good feedback
117on our um staff and the friendliness of the staff. So, it's good to see that feedback and also some really good menu suggestions. Um we also have the student viewpoint survey which is still in process and the data is being collected. Um it's currently being analyzed along with other results across the nation. Um we know that we are in line with the national averages. So this data is going to help us to assist us in action planning for overall program quality. And then the third survey that we did this year as was brand new for us this year um was the principal pulse survey. So I think over half of our principles did participate this year. Um the overall satisfaction rating was about 86% with 100% of them recommending earmark. So that was good to
118hear. So we're hoping um we're going to do another uh survey I believe in the springtime. So we'll have some more participation there. Uh so student success another part of bringing that home for uh the district and for us is is through the events that we hold. U this slide kind of highlights the uh student focus programs we've done including our friends giving celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month menu offerings and the interactive sampling. So when we run one of those limited time offers, these LTO's, we'll do a sample of it ahead of time to get kind of a a temperature of of the kids, what they like, you know, give them a sample of of what is coming up to get some positive feedback from them. So uh these events celebrate school spirit, make and make
119dining a positive, memorable part of each day. Um, our second pillar is the operational performance. Um, that's one of our key focus areas. So, we've been working to raise the bar on food quality through batch cooking of food. Uh, that way we're not just throwing a bunch of food in an oven all at once and then throwing it into a warmer. So, by the time that the fourth period child gets to eat, they're eating something that was cooked early in the morning. I've kind of come in and tried to break some of those bad habits that that cooks inevitably have. Um, we've done brought in our staff to do training programs and we've worked really hard through our quality assurance and food safety to make sure that the food is cooked in a timely fashion
120and fresh for each meal period. Um, we've enhanced program standards uh to make sure that every meal meets high expectations for nutrition and student experience. Okay. And of course, um, none of this happens without a strong team, which takes us to our third pillar, which is the team development and engagement. Um we have committed heavily this year to investing in training and developing um our current staff and we've actually been able to promote quite a few people up to management roles as well which has been really exciting. Um we have extensive back to school training which includes topics of safety, cash handling, compliance, menu, civil rights and service excellence and beyond. We also host a monthly managers meeting where we train on specific department topics, discuss operational excellence, safety, and best practices. And then we
121have um opportunities like the e-learning days where we're um able to add additional training for the staff. Uh most recently, chef and I did host an all day um in-depth training with our cooks and our managers that led them through the whole food management cycle process from open to close, including all the safety obser safety procedures and compliance. Um and we were also able to partner with Jennifer and Chief on that same day to complete the wrapper training and the warrant safety protocols training. So that was a a really good training day for us. >> Yeah, it was really fun because that was when we were leading into that very popular limited time offering. So, we brought the entire staff in and we got to make sure that we were all on the same page,
122that the students were getting a consistent offering from school to school. >> Um, along with that, um, with Airark's rigorous food safety standards, training is imperative to ensure consistency across all of our locations. Um, even beyond the local health department and our own internal audits, um, we source thirdparty food safety auditors to keep us accountable as well. We just most recently just this past month um had a few of those third party thirdarty audits and received outstanding results. Um one of our locations even received a platinum audit which means there's zero violations. So we're super excited. That location is Stonybrook if you just want to know. So congrats to that team. Um we super proud of that team. So from our continuous meetings and trainings to our food safety assurance and culinary expectations, we make
123sure our staff have the tools and knowledge to succeed. Uh the fourth pillar of our mission and the anchor to everything we do in hospitality is service. Uh we not only provide service through student meals but also through the Warren community uh through the um upscale caterings that u I've brought in as the new chef uh bringing in a new catering menu implementing the new cater tracks program to help us keep everything in line with new catering orders that come through and to make sure that the guest the client Warren Township uh is getting the best possible service that we can possibly give to them through our concessions uh partnering with athletics through band orchestra and science making sure that we're uh collecting and bringing a little bit of peace back to Warren through through
124that revenue. Um our community partnerships like the backpack event we did at Morehead. Uh we provided families with a meal while they got school supplies. Um, we provided box meals for Warren's cleanup day. We provided opening day breakfast celebrations uh to the Warren staff. We um also um I think a lot of people in this building have noticed an increase in the quality of food at the payday lunches uh which I've been very excited to bring uh here for everybody. We've partnered with Jennifer Pope uh as she alluded to earlier with the harvest of the month. That's been something we've been very passionate and excited about to bring those through culinary and educational nutrition to these kids that they get to try something that maybe they haven't tried before. And that's been that's been huge
125for us. Um, you know, bringing um, you know, a few months back we got to do the board retreat which was extremely fun for me. I hope it was as fun for you all as it was for me. It was very nice to meet you and and interact. I had a great time. I feel like there was a really good rapport there. So that was that was very that very fun for me. So thank you very much for involving that. Um we also had a culinary special event at the Colts facility where we were able to partner with some of the culinary students in the program at Warren Central High. Uh we brought them in. I provided the food and then gave these students direction of how the food should be should look and how
126this catering should be set up which gave them some kind of in the field experience through a catered event. Uh and then through our reimburseable special events uh for students uh we've done several at WA at the Warren online academy and recently Dr. Hansen had a outreach group with some with some students at the high school. We did a hot cocoa bar and I set up a little action station made the kids some pasta. I had a heck of a time. It seemed like the kids really enjoyed it. So, thank you. >> Okay. So, through those four foundational pillars that we've established, the student engagement, team development, operational performance, and service, um we are really excited about where our team's achievements are headed. Looking ahead at the spring semester, a few of our initiatives that
127we have in the in the works. Um, we have partnered with Jennifer to create some promotional yard signs to increase participation. Um, to get some promotion material out about our student meal opportunities and some local resources. Um, we're continuing to enhance our menus as we're gathering that student feedback from our surveys and principal surveys. Um, we're making menu changes. We're increasing some offerings at the the middle schools as well as increasing some offerings for hot breakfast items. um kitchen manager training which is continuously ongoing but we're going to be starting a new um leadership training with them as well so we can further develop our team in that aspect and then continuing to drive our consistency in our operational performance every day. So together with the continued support of the district and the community we're
128confident we can reach goals to enhance the warn community dining experience and provide nutritious meals to every student's success. Uh and I just I just want to emphasize before we finish up here uh that none of this would be possible without the partnership of the district. Um together we're creating an environment where students thrive uh academically, socially, and nutritionally. Uh thank you for your trust and support as we continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students. Thank you. And thank you so much. And with that, we are on to do we have any yellow cards? >> No, Madam President, we do not. >> Excellent. And with that, we will do the very exciting thing of opening up our preliminary determination hearing for our 2026 2028 secondary schools project. One last time
129before you go. >> All right, we're going to get it in. >> Uh, President Burke, Dr. Hans, members of the board. So, yes, I would like to formally open a preliminary determination hearing this evening. We're going to be discussing um an additional round of construction that would pair with the work that the board has previously approved. Uh we're going to talk about the work itself. We're going to talk about the financial implications. Um with us this evening we have Hannah Clintenning. Um Hannah works for Barnes and Thornberg. She's bond counsel for us. And so if she is willing, I'm going to ask Hannah to come up and just set the table again. And I know board, we've been through this process before, but set the table for what preliminary determination hearings are uh and the
130steps we're going to take this month and we're going to ask the board to take next month. >> Good evening. It's good to see everyone again. Um so I know we've done this several times over several years at this point, but it can all kind of blur together. So I just want to give a quick recap of what exactly is happening. Um, so for projects like this, capital projects of a certain size, under Indiana law, the first step that is required are two public hearings called two preliminary determination public hearings. The main goal of these is just for us to provide information about the project, maybe get feedback, um, and like Matt said, go over a number of financial implications such as the effect um, on the debt service tax rate in particular. Um, so
131tonight, this is the very first step. This is the first preliminary determination public hearing. There would be a second one that we're asking to be held at the January meeting. Um, tonight there's no action item after the public hearing. We just hold it, open it, allow the public to come up. If they have any comments, close it, and that's it. Um, after the second one, we would ask the board to consider a resolution making a preliminary determination. And as part of that preliminary determination, it determines a need for the project and then also sets all of the maximum parameters like the maximum um par amount for the bonds, uh interest rate, the project, it'll state the projected tax rate impact and things like that. It doesn't bind the school corporation to anything. Um it just
132lets them proceed with that project um with those financing terms. Um, I think right now we don't really have any specific timeline for the steps that would come after that for first mortgage bonds and general obligation bonds, but I think roughly it would be on a comparable timeline as the other project that you approved earlier this year um with details to be figured out later on. So happy to any answer any other questions, but otherwise I'm going to turn it back over to Matt to give you more details on the project itself. Thanks. >> Thank you, Hannah. Um, so we're going to walk through um two slide decks briefly. One's going to cover the projects and then one's going to cover the finances related to the related to the debt issuances. Um so we're calling
133these the 2026b um projects. So board, you'll recall this past summer we went through preliminary determination on a $75 million set of projects split between Warren Central High School and the three intermediate middle schools. This is a separate set of projects um but are they're going to be at the same campuses and it's going to allow us to take on additional work past what we've already asked the board for approval on. Uh in terms of schoolboard uh goals, strategic plan focus areas, um the projects we're going to discuss this evening touch on academic excellence and achievement warrant student journey and meeting the needs of the whole child um and family and community engagement, particularly with the fifth project that we're going to discuss. Um, so board, it's $40 million bond issuance that we're going to
134ask uh for approval on. We anticipate next month. We're looking at five significant projects within that $40 million. I'm going to have one slide a piece discussing um each of them, but the goal here is to make sure that we're maximizing our Warren student experience. We're going to have a lot of things this evening that cover extracurriculars. We're also going to get into the classrooms um especially at the intermediate middle school level. Um so the first project that's um that we're looking at is an indoor practice facility. Um so this would be a new standalone facility on the campus of Warren Central High School west of the football stadium north of the fieldhouse. Um it's meant to be a multi-purpose facility to house athletics uh and performing arts. Uh specifically for practice, not likely a
135competition facility. Um, so we've identified likely users are boys football, girls flag football, unified flag football, which has boys and girls participation, performing arts, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, other athletic and extracurricular programs. Um, likely to be a 70,000 square foot facility. We we anticipate a 100yard field on the indoors um line for a variety of sports and extracurricular activities. Second major pillar would be tennis courts. We discussed tennis courts at our November work session, as you'll likely recall. Um, our tennis courts, it's it's a function of age. Um, our tennis courts are hitting end of life. Um, we have an option where we could try to keep them going at their existing space. Um, it's likely a band-aid. Um, if we were to take that route, we think that the better long-term route
136is to move them to the location that was on the master facility site plan that you'll likely recall north and west of the existing location likely to be built with what's called post-tension concrete. So, that's a a form of of holding the concrete base in place for an extended period of time. Lifespan on on that kind of product is typically 50 years. Um, so this is something that's going to survive for generations. Um, we would also anticipate doing some level of renovation with the existing tennis courts. Possibility is there to convert them into pickle ball. Um, but otherwise ensuring that, you know, there's still some long-term use for those facilities, even if that's not competition tennis. Uh, third major component is IMS, so intermediate middle school classroom and interior renovations. These would be renovations on
137top of what's going to be within the 2026A or the $75 million bonds. Um, we anticipate specifically finishing classrooms at Raymond Park that aren't currently part of the scope and then getting into common use areas at Crestston specifically. Um, and most likely restrooms at Crestston as well. Uh, fourth set of facilities would be intermediate middle school athletic facilities. Um, so similar to tennis at the high school campus, um, our athletic facilities are used heavily um, and their past in many cases, their useful life in the condition that they're in today. Uh so specific facilities that we would anticipate being renovated or touched as part of this process are the track at Crestston, uh baseball and softball at Raymond Park, um some stadium improvements, I'm using stadium loosely, at at Raymond Park, modifications to the seating
138um there, potentially tennis at all three of the schools. And then finally, we have a project that I'm calling right now the youth athletic complex. Um so this is a proposed project at the former ESSA site. So, for folks that have been around for a long time, northeast corner of Prospect in German Church, Caddy Corner to Crescent Intermediate Middle School, used to be called the East Side Soccer Association. Um, this is land that that we own and is still used um today for soccer, but probably not as heavily as it once was. Uh we've got a proposal to install a turf field on the northwest portion of that area um to be used by a mix of our middle school athletic programs um but also to be used by youth athletic and extracurricular programs um
139throughout the east side. Um really a neat opportunity to make use of that space in a way that's you know kind of more modern and and um something that I think makes sense in 2026 and beyond. Uh in terms of timeline um so as Hannah mentioned it the preliminary determination process involves two hearings and the schedule today is December 17th and then January 21st. We would anticipate in January asking the board to adopt a resolution declaring a need for the projects. Um design and estimating work is underway. Um so design is design facilities estimating is further refining those cost estimates. We'd anticipate going into public bid late spring or early summer. um bond sale most likely in fall of 2026, construction to occur uh 2026 to 2028. This portion of it, while it's not the
140same project, is that approved by the board, these steps would likely occur concurrently with those others. The bond sale is likely to be at the same time um as the $75 million construction is likely to occur at the same time as $75 million project. As Hannah mentioned, u this could be one single first mortgage bond and as we get into the financing, that's what the plans are calling for right now. The board would have the option to split it into multiple first mortgage bonds or first mortgage and general obligation bonds at a maximum amount of $40 million. Uh I'm going to get into the finance part of it next, but I'd be happy to pause for just a moment if we want to talk about the projects themselves at all. Okay, >> I do have
141a question. >> Okay. Yes, sir. >> When is the first preliminary determination board be held again? >> Tonight. Tonight is the first preliminary determination hearing. So, we we're >> at the January board meeting, January 21st. >> So, if you want uh input or you provide input, uh we need to do it between now and the January. >> Right. Right. We're going to ask the board in January to uh to declare the need for the projects at that point. >> We have input to you. We need to get on the telephone and call you and let you know what our thoughts are. >> If you if you could that would be great. Yes, please. >> Okay. The question is uh whose idea was it for pickle ball? >> Mine. We had to, >> you know, it
142we don't know the price tag for that yet, Mr. Dorsy. Pickle ball is very popular these days. >> Oh, really? >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> This is it a separate court or you do you convert that tennis court to a pickle ball court? >> You would convert it. The footprint of pickle ball is smaller than tennis. But >> you told us about the floor level or the type of material that's on the court or >> Well, that would be for the new tennis courts. the new tennis courts themselves be the post-tension concrete for the for pickle ball. Assuming that we go that direction, it would likely be just a new top layer on top. It'd be a much lighter construction project. >> That would be more of a community use. >> It it would be
143Yeah. >> You know, one one of >> one of the challenges we have with with tennis right now, and Mr. Clayton can do far more justice to this than I can. One of the challenges we have with tennis right now is its location adjacent to baseball and softball. I mean, it creates a safety issue when we have athletes that are participating on the tennis court at the same time that foul balls can be flying over from baseball. Um, so that's a part of the idea, too, is to relocate to relocate that to a safer location and then those community participation opportunities would probably be at a time where we could, you know, guarantee safety. >> You recommended Clayton, right? Were you recommending that he's the expert on pickle ball? >> He's more expert than I
144am. I'll say that. >> Dr. Anderson's actually our our expert on on pickle ball. No, >> I am kind of sort of I'll take that. >> Gentlemen, do we know a cost to tear down the tennis courts? Do we do they did they give us anything on demolishing them? >> We we we actually really haven't explored in any depth tearing them down. We could find that number for sure. Um I think our default plan has been in some form those tennis courts or conversion to pickle ball courts are going to live on. >> Yeah. Mr. Dorsey, I'll get the research on pickle ball for you. >> Okay. >> College sport I >> No, JT, they offer JT a scholarship for pickle ball. He doesn't want to play though. But >> I I I wasn't giving
145you the impression that I didn't understand the popularity of pickle ball. >> Not my scratching off the burger tree. >> Okay. I'm going to I'm going to move into the the finance component of this. So that was the projects. Now we have a responsibility during preliminary determination to discuss the financial um implications of this action. I do want to take just a moment in the same way I mentioned earlier. I don't like being the center of attention. There are three folks from the business office in the room, Annne Lewis, Ruth Nelson, and Amanda Dowy who really don't like being the center of attention, but I'm calling them out anyway. And I'm saying it because um they play an integral role in helping us with bond planning and construction oversight, working closely with with Marcus and
146myself. Um so a lot of the credit for the work we're able to do is thanks to the hard work of those ladies. I just want to acknowledge them and thank them for their work. So um board, this is um a picture of what our outstanding debt looks like today. Um, this doesn't count the $75 million issuance. As we discussed at the November board meeting, there's a really clear pattern here when we get out into 2027 and then again in 2028 that there's a drop in the payments that we would be required to make. Uh, and so this is the opportunity for the board to take on the $75 million project and to consider taking on the $40 million project. And we're going to look at this again in just a moment with those projects
147layered on. Uh this is the data that we make available about the potential project. Um maximum borrowing amount be $40 million. We identify a m maximum interest expense. I'll note this is at a 7% interest rate. Um we're going to assume in just a moment 5% interest. Actual market interest rates are below 4%. So we're estimating conservatively high on what that interest expense could be. Maximum amount that we could repay each year would be $10 million on these bonds. And these bonds alone considering these bonds we don't anticipate having any impact on the debt service tax rate or the debt service levy above and beyond what we have today. So board this is what u the package of the $75 million bonds and the $40 million bonds could look like in terms of repayment. Um
148so bonds of this sort are typically paid over 20 years. Um, we've done um we've done one in the past that we repaid over 15 years, but typically the first mortgage bonds are paid over 20 years. We're assuming a $40 million issuance up front. That's the teal that's in the top with a repayment schedule that takes us out through 2046. Um, this is the same data in number form is what we just looked at in the chart. It indicates the property tax levy or the payment amounts um that would be required to to service that debt. And then so that's going to reflect what we're going to ask the board to approve. I guess I I'll pause there in case there's any questions, but I also want to transition to just a little bit of
149sort of larger capital project planning as well. Are there any questions I can answer about what we've seen? Okay. Um so I do want to speak to just larger capital project um planning as well because I think that's important, you know, kind of to to take a look at the bigger picture of what we would anticipate doing over the next few years. Um we've laid out um in the first two columns or the first two columns with numbers the $75 million the board's approved the $40 million we'll ask the board to approve. Um and then board as you're aware um we issue general obligation bonds typically um on a yearly basis. Uh we use those bonds to purchase school buses and service vehicles and take on small projects, medium-sized projects um like we're getting ready
150to do the HVAC. the boiler and chiller at Highlander Park. That's taken on through general obligation bonds. To me, I I I believe this is still an important part of the district's strategy to take on that kind of work. This is work beyond what the operations fund can likely sustain. Um so, I do want to show what it would look like if we continue to layer in general obligation bonds paired with 75 million and paired with the $40 million. Um this is what our annual payments would look like um and the tax rate um for looking out over those years. Um, you know, I think what's noteworthy is when we take on this project, it it does fill up um, you know, a lot of our capacity and that's a that's a choice that we
151can make. Um, and and they're worthy projects, but I think that's just, you know, kind of one of the important considerations for us to have in mind as we we consider the implications of this project. We work closely with Baker Tilly and Stifl. Baker Tilly is municipal adviser. Steifel is underwriter on our bonds. They help prepare a lot of the materials. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the projects or the process. I had an odd question. Um, so going to the illustrative, I always cannot pronounce that. Is there a reason that the 2026 bonds only get repaid over two years, but the 2027 and the 2028 are over three? >> So there there is um that was largely a tax rate management strategy. Um, so you know, the terms of the bonds that
152we repay um have an impact on the tax rate that that our taxpayers pay. So this is trying to keep that tax rate relatively as level as we can. But it is a reality of of taking on the the 75 million and the 40 million. We're going to have to frontload a portion of those bonds which is going to reduce the capacity for one and two year paybacks. And so likely those are going to get extended out to um two, three, and four years moving forward. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your thorough presentation, but I do have a question and maybe I overlooked it. So, does any of this funding um go towards the fifth graders and how we need to move with them or extending space wherever they are? >> Um so,
153it' be allowed to be used for that. That's not in our current plan. I mean, the there's not a plan to expand the footprint at the intermediate middle school levels um with these dollars. These are all items that are within the existing footprint or the exterior facilities, >> right? I'm saying um I know it's not in there, but I guess my question would be if we are focusing on our fifth graders, wherever that lands, why aren't they not included in any of these equations? >> Well, yeah, fair question for sure. I mean, this work is geared toward, you know, Warren Central High School in the intermediate middle schools. Uh, I'm assuming if we're talking about expansion, we'd presumably be talking about in other buildings. I may I may be misunderstanding the question. Um, >> you're
154not. I'm just asking in general, has any consideration, hypothetically, if they're staying at the middle school, has any consideration being put in the blueprint of expanding areas, giving them more space, or even increasing our capacities at our elementary? >> Yeah, fair question. Uh, no, the answer is no, not explicitly. Um the bonds could be used for realistically about any project we'd like to take on within those buildings. Um so you know if the need was there to shift direction that's an option. Um that's not been in the plans right now. I will say too the intermediate middle school buildings even with four grade levels so grades five through eight they still have you know capacity in those buildings. So I just in my opinion I don't know that the need to expand the buildings is
155there. I do think that, you know, we could have conversations about what the, you know, site needs to look like, especially for fifth grade education. Um, we've had conceptual conversations through the redistricting process about is there more of something that's kind of comparable to the nth grade academy at the high school, but at the intermediate middle school levels. Um, the funding could be used for something like that. That's not part of the plan I'm bringing to you today. >> Yeah. So, we don't have any funding for our elementary schools, right? the these projects are focused on the middle schools in Warren Central. >> I'm going ask you a clarifying question. Is that the focus or is that the only thing that's permissible? I guess is what I'm asking. >> I I do believe the resolution
156I'm going to lean on Hannah. I believe the resolution's written in a way that you could get into other facilities, but I don't want to do Do we need time to study that? >> It's broad, but it's not quite so broad to allow anything, but it's related improvements are generally authorized. So at those facilities you want to explore beyond that we have to have some conversations. >> Thank you mayor. >> Thank you. >> Let me let me I don't want to let I don't want to let go of this right now. I just want to ask stay with it just for a second. The last time we talked there were about four scenarios on how to do that fifth grade thing. middle school. Was any of these dollars applied to those particular scenarios and how
157that money would be made if those scenarios were placed were in place? >> Can you can you tell me more about the four scenarios? >> You have various scenarios that were given uh oh man what about four or five weeks ago uh that were part of the the loop and it talked about each scenario and a little bit about capacity, >> okay, >> as well. And so each scenario showed how many, you know, how many kids were in each other school and what would happen if we went with one scenario over another scenario. I'm just curious to whether any of those scenarios included the allocation of these funds to help support some of that. I think it's in line with Mr. I think you're referencing the capacity charts from Walpert. >> Yes. to kind of
158connect Mrs. Triplet's comments and and your comments. This does focus on the 68 experience. You know, taking this funding in alignment with the Lily funding does address the middle school renovations. A decision has not been made yet on the fifth grade placement, you know, through the up through the enrollment management process. In the event that they move to the elementary schools, this would not apply to our elementary schools. In the event they stay in the middle schools, we would be able to use some of this funding to think about what does that structure need to look like? >> Can I ask the question? Uh, you know, um, we're getting a lot of funding coming in. Okay. So, it's good that we are trying to renovate the middle schools and things like that, but since we
159were talking about putting the fifth graders back into elementary school, if there is a need to make additional room, my question is where can we get that money from to add on those additional spaces so that we can make it happen? So, would you be able to answer that or Matt or? >> Yeah, right now we've not made a decision on where fifth grade is going for next year. I think that's going to have to, you know, I think the January 5th, we're still getting information from Walper right now on enrollment projections, which is a key factor in that equation because whether we're growing or not growing is going to help determine what does it look like not only for the 2627 school year, but what is it going to look like for five years
160down the road? Will we have room for them at the elementary level? >> I think >> the only reason Oh, the only reason I was asking because we have the money now. We would just want to make sure that if it's uh if need be, we would be able to take some of these monies to make those renovations to make it happen. If we decide that, you know, this is the way, like you said, the final decision that we would go that route, we don't want to just approve all of the money because he was like, we're we're going to be approving it next time. So, we don't want to approve everything to be directed and then we don't have the funds that we need if we should u decide that this that we definitely
161want to make more space in the elementary schools. And I I think for um for me to see a full comprehensive scope of renovating and adding tennis courts and other things to our um to our district when we have a prop proposal on the table or option to what are we're doing with our fifth graders. For me, it's unsettling not to even see anything mentioned on that possibility. Like, do you understand what I'm saying? Um, just like you presented ideas to say, I'm presenting pickle ball, but that doesn't mean we're going to do pickle ball, right? But it's still an a dollar amount attached to it. I think some time should be spent into what is a dollar amount would cost us so we can make some informed decisions on what we want to do
162especially when we're talking about u $75 million $40 million to bring us a comprehensive package with everything that's on the table because for me this is a partial package because I don't see anything about the fifth graders either way wherever they're on what that would cost for them to stay and get this experience or going back to the elementary. Good point, Mr. Blood. I think the January 5th will provide some clarity for all of us through this process which will give us um a little over two weeks, you know, between the next preliminary determination hearing. >> We also have meeting on the 7th too, right? >> Thank you. I understand those meetings, but we're bringing it up here in the board meeting and we have our community and everybody else is watching. So, I just
163think it's also important to flush that out while you're doing your presentation. Great presentation. I just think it needs to be more transparent on everything that's possibly out there that we may have to expand or reconstruct. Thank you, Matt. >> Thank you. >> Okay. making I think we're good. So the next question is do we have any public comment okay hearing and seeing none I will close the hearing. Thank you so much Matt. And with that we are on to action items for this evening beginning with Dr. Hansen and some alterations to the bylaws >> board. Last month I brought to you for discussion three bylaw revisions. All of these are related to new legislation. The first one is board pol bylaw 0142. This one is related to election and eligibility to serve. They lowered
164the age of eligibility from 21 to 18. And this one also um mentions the required components of an um for a candidate to indicate their political party affiliation, independent status, or a statement of no party affiliation for ballot purposes starting in fall of 2026. I ask for your approval of this bylaw revision. >> Do we have a motion? I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Terry. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you so much, Kevin. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing and seeing none, it will go to a vote. And the motion carries. Next, um, bylaw 144.1. This bylaw is related to board compensation. This revision reaffirms that board members may receive a basic compensation set by a board resolution at the annual organization meeting. The new statutory language restricts that this
165amount may not exceed 10% of the lowest starting teaching salary in the district. This time I ask for your approval of this bylaw revision. >> Do we have a motion? I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Terry. Is there a second? I second. Thank you, Lanna. Is there any discussion hearing? And seeing none, we'll go to a vote. Motion carries. Um, next item is I pulled it up incorrectly. Um, bylaw 167.2 on executive session >> board. This one is related to legislative changes to open door policy provisions. Um, this one updates and expands the conditions under which the school board may hold an executive session aligning with this bylaw with the current Indiana open law provisions and YOLO 2025 updates. Um, you have the additional criteria that we can use for um an executive session.
166These additions broaden the board's ability to meet an executive session for complex personnel procurement and financial matters. I would ask for your approval of this bylaw revision. Is there a motion? >> Thank you, Howard. Is there a second? Thank you so much, Gloria. Is there any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, we'll move to a vote. And the motion carries. And the bulk of heavy lifting is going to Mr. Simkins tonight. President Burke, Dr. Hansen, members of the board. Um, last month for discussion, we brought forth a series of policies kind of loosely grouped in chunks of revised, replacement, and recision. Um, of course, these uh these policies are big, they're bulky, they're complex, but um uh as one of them eloquently uh mentions, you know, any form of discrim discrimination, harassment can truly be devastating
167for an individual. It can really negatively impact, you know, their academic progress, their sense of self-worth, their ability to interact with people. And so we take those seriously and these policies do provide that structure so that certainly like an HR we can we can act on reports or allegations and there's a a method to investigate those and provide due process. Uh 2260 is non-discrimination and access to equal education opportunity. Uh 2260.01 is section 504 ADA um against discrimination based on disability. 2266 is non-discrimination on the basis of sex and education programs or activities aka title 9 compliance. Uh all three of those are revised primarily uh by incorporating um updated definitions of bullying based on house enrolled act 1483 from 2023. There's uh from the feds updated uh criminal sexual conduct definitions and some other
168key revisions. And in case you forgot, they've moved the US, uh, Office of Civil Rights from Chicago to Denver. So it's on all three. Uh, and so, uh, that's really, like I said, primarily it's intact, but there but those are the some of the highlighted revisions in those policies. Um, would you like me to just keep going or do you want to vote on those first or >> stop? >> Okay. >> With the microphone, we'll take a stop there. Um, if the board is okay with voting on those three policies together. So that is 2260 2260 01 and 2266. Do we have a motion? So moved. Thank you, Julie. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you so much, Kevin. Is there any discussion >> hearing? And seeing none, we'll go to the
169vote. The motion carries. Please continue. >> Just in case anyone was wondering, uh, discrimination and harassment in any form or fashion and will not be tolerated at Warren Township Schools. Thank you. Uh, going forward, um, 1422, um, the next the next three are non-discrimination, equal employment, opportunity, and anti-harassment. 1422 is for admin, 3122 is professional staff, 4122 is for support staff. Um, these are the replacement policies because they're supercharged to incorporate the other ones that are going to be rescended. So, corresponding with admin, professional staff, and support staff. Uh, it rescends uh the non-discrimination based on genetic information of employee policies. And then there's the third group of um anti-harassment policies that are also rescended. So hopefully that makes sense. Okay. Can I have a Oh, sorry. Could we have a motion for 1422? We
170will do the replace and one and then we will resend. >> So moved. >> Julie made a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you so much, Howard. Is there any discussion, >> Rachel? Yes. Um, did we combine >> We're just 1422 or did you do them individually? >> So, it's all of what's in 13.07. Sorry. So, that's 1422 3122 4122. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> I apologize. The motion carries. And then if we could have a motion on 1308 and 1309, which is rescending the policies that we just put in 1307. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Terry. Is there a second? >> A second. >> Thank you, Mr. Dlett. Is there any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, we'll go to a vote. >> Motion carries. And we
171have cut your number of policies by six. >> Hey, thank you. but made the ones that still exist really really long. So >> really long. Yes. >> Thank you. >> And finally, for the last time, Matt. >> Okay. Good evening again, board. Uh we've got two um policy uh changes to propose and ask the board to adopt this evening. Um one is for policy 6320. 6320 is the school board and school district's primary purchasing policy. Uh House Enrolled Act 1198 from 2025 modified the threshold at which school districts and other types of local governments could self-perform work as opposed to outsourcing it. We've got a really talented team at Porter Services Center. The new threshold is $375,000. And so what this policy would mean is for a project up to $375,000 um if we believe
172that our staff has the capacity and capability to take the project on, we can do it with our own staff. I'd ask for your approval on this policy. >> Motion. >> Gloria has made a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> And Julie has seconded it. Is there any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, we'll go to a vote. Yes, Gloria and Julie in that order. And the motion carries. Last but not least, >> and our last policy for the evening, policy 7455 is titled accounting system for capital assets. It's really just a couple of technical minor changes within the policy. One indicates that the CFO will follow guidance from the board of accounts in the department of local government finance when establishing asset values. The other indicates that the cost recorded in our
173accounting system is the cost of the asset as acquired or constructed plus any reasonable fees associated with that acquisition. ask for your approval. >> Do we have a motion? >> So moved. Thank you, Julie. Is there a second? Thank you so much, Gloria. Is there any discussion? Hearing and seeing none, we'll go to a vote. Motion carries. Thank you again. >> We have no discussion items for January. Um with that, we will go to closing comments. We will start with Kevin. >> All right. I got to keep y'all 9:07. We're getting better. We're getting better. So, our goal for next year, Miss Gloria, it's 9:07. 2026. All right. 2026. We started 30 minutes earlier. All right. 2026, we gonna be on this thing. All right. Uh, have a great uh holiday everyone. Merry Christmas. God
174bless. >> Shout out to Porter. I did forget to mention them earlier. They've moved thousands of food. Um, and over the last couple weeks, they have moved thousands of toys. Um, Raymond and John and Carrie, she orchestrated everything, but they did the heavy lifting. But shout out to them. Our team is awesome over there at Porter. So, enjoy your holidays. Love on your families. Check on a neighbor. and take care of yourself. >> I'm going to pick up on something that I thought was impressive too that we need need to touch on with Porter and our custodians at the building. Thank you for pushing that snow, putting that salt down. I always walk like a penguin through the parking lot and on the sidewalks. um know that we have more weather coming hopefully um you
175know no more delays and that way families and uh teachers can do what they want to do on Friday with their kids. Um but just be safe. Um I like the idea of the snow buddies. Um it makes me think of some of my elderly neighbors and my husband always is kind and takes care of my neighbors on both sides. But um >> I'm never speaking to you again. It's a great idea to pass on. So, just take care of everyone. Um, just know that we are here for you. Um, MCRC, additional food resources and stuff throughout town. Um, and that we will see you next year to our kids finish this last week strong. >> You stole my thunder. I was going to talk about and thousands of pounds of snow to reporter. Um,
176next month starts our um, legislative reports. Um, just so you know, there are cellular telephone use bills floating out there for both Senate and the House. Um, a lot of it child care funding, um, commercial advertising on school buses, um, sale of school buildings, stuff on, um, cursive handwriting. Um just a lot of little stuff. There's not much yet, but um it's not hit the last day that they can file either. So, we'll have a nice time next year. >> Thank you. >> Mr. >> Um just everybody be very careful out there. This is very dangerous times. Uh, merry Christmas, happy Quanza, and happy Hanukkah. I just want to say everyone be safe uh going home and throughout, you know, Christmas and New Year's. And I just thank again, thank everyone for all that you
177have done this year in 2025. And we just look forward to doing even greater things in 2026. Unfortunately, you guys might not see me in January because right after I get married, I'm supposed to honeymoon in Hawaii. So, I may not see you guys until February. So, just Woohoo! Aubrey on the beach. >> Thank you, Miss Williams. Uh, it is time for my annual when school gets out, everybody go home and forget we exist for a little bit for a while. Um, spend time with your family. Forget about your job. Forget about us. We will still be here come January. I promise. You can do whatever you want between now and then. Um, Matt, thank you for the past four and a half years. We have truly appreciated your service and we are um a
178better district for having had you. Katie, welcome. Um, we're excited to bring you on as well. Everyone, have an amazing holiday season. We have two more days and then a really busy Saturday and then we are out. And with that I will adjourn the meeting at 9:12.