001Order who rise for the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Hey, welcome everybody. Open it up to public comment at this time. This time we'll continue to move on till we'll have another portion for public comment. Moving on to consent agenda items. Entertain a motion to approve but presented. I'll make a motion to approve. Have a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Motion is second. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Superintendent report. Dr. Harrison. Beginning on page 13 of your board packet, you have a report. Start off with the facility improvement report. Riverton Park
002High School media center curtain walls. Looks like our glass is about 2 to 3 weeks out. Should be in by sometime the end of March. Framing done starting next week. Um I think one and a half to two weeks from start to finish. Once those are all installed, then we do all the exterior work there. The chiller replacement um scheduled to begin March 17th here at the high school. That includes electrical work, flushing, pipe, and installation week of 24th. And then startup is planned the week of first week of April. Monizuma, the chiller replacement again, we're going to do some some work beginning Monday. Electrical work beginning Monday. Flush and fill starts on the 17th. Pipe 17th and then start of first week of April. Rosedale Elementary, the chiller replacement. Again, similar schedule as to
003what we have in Monizuma. Lots of work starting the 17th with a planned start of the first week of April. In your board packet, you have construction invoice in the amount of 191,37758. That's for your review and approval later tonight. You have also in your board packet, uh you have the construction cash flows. You see how things are going with that. Also on my written report, we have a special election May 6, 2025. The ballot question is official and public and we'll do kind of a roll out on that here shortly. We've already received an invoice for from the county in the amount of 19,510 to cover the cost of the election. My written report, you see the calendar of events coming up. Spring break is definitely on everybody's calendar. We're looking forward to little
004time away. And then page 23 of your board packet, you can see the staff attendance report. That's all I have for you this week. And if you have any questions, I'll do my best to entertain any questions. Moving on to old business. Okay. Uh old business. We had some questions in February about 1782 notice for 2025. We've been examining all of that. So tonight we have asked our lead council, Mr. Mays, to provide us with a statement regarding that 178. Yes. Thank you, Dr. Harrison. Members of the board, I've got a statement on behalf of the board of school trustees for the Southwest Park Community School Corporation. Uh recently members of our community have asked about the projected tax increase for calendar years for calendar year 2025 from $16 to $1.1877 per $100 of assessed
005value. During 2024, the board submitted for public input and comment a proposal regarding building and financing an auxiliary gym. Under state law, voters could petition to have the proposal be subject to approval through a referendum. Voters submitted sufficient petitions in September. Hearing from many communities who support uh community members who supported the project, the board voted November 13, 2024 to submit the project for voter approval at an election in May 2025. Also during the fall of 2024, the board commissioned financial analysis regarding a possible general obligation or go bond for regular maintenance and upkeep of facilities unrelated to the auxiliary gym project. The board submitted this as well for public input and comment. And ultimately the go bond was approved in a process that started with board approval on November 4th, 2024 and bonds were
006sold in late 2024. GO bonds customarily have bond payments due on January 15th and July 15th to comply with state law and to match receipts from property taxes. Property taxes are paid in November and May and those revenues are distributed to municipalities, school corporations like Southwest Park and other local government units. They are distributed to these units in December and June. Southwest Park's financial consultants believe that Southwest Park would be would need to budget for one geo bond payment in 2025. That is the July 15, 2025 payment and one in 2026 for January 15, 2026. This understanding was based on the financial consultant's extensive experience over decades on what has occurred in hundreds of other school corporations. And this would have produced a debt rate of $1.7 again on assess per $100 of assessed value
007for 2025. Uh the debt rate for 2024 was 1.06. 0653. On Friday, December 27th, 2024, at 6:50 p.m., the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, which is called DLGF, issued its notice. The notice that officially sets the tax rate for Southwest Parks Rev. The 1782 notice included two geo bond payments in the same 2025 budget year for July 15, 2025 and December 15, 2025. That increase yielded a rate of one uh $1.1877 per $100 of assessed value to cover the second payment in 2025. The DLGF gave Southwest Park until Monday, January 6th, 2025 to submit changes. The increase from 1.0653 to1877 produces an annual property tax increase of $37 for the average home value uh which is calculated to be $98,490. An additional $15 annual increase for the average homeowner for 2025 would also be
008recognized due to the supplemental homestead deduction decreasing from 20,196 in 2025 to $18,000 934 in 2025. Moreover, the increase from $1.0653 to $1.1877 produces an annual increase of $3 for each average acre of farmland valued at $2,623. Nevertheless, Southwest Park recognizes in hindsight it could have been it could have better communicated these developments that unfortunately and rapidly occurred during a busy holiday season. Southwest Park is committed to better improving its communications. In the end, the board remains committed that its decisions are in the best interest of the community to balance the tax burdens while improving facilities and learning environments for students. And for those of you that want a copy of that statement, there will be one here. You pick it up on the way out. Also includes the tax u implications. There a couple
009of charts on the back there that you could review. There any questions? Thank you. Anything else under old business? Moving on to new business. First item is special election due to May 6, 2025. So we've been working toward the special election and May 6th of 2025. We have the official referendum question now. We will have also copies of this for all of you that want to pick these up and read them at your leisure. But this is what the question says. If I can read it all. Shall Southwest Park Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the school corporation by homeowners and businesses? If this public question is approved by the voters, the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a resident would increase by 14.20. 20% and the average
010property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property would increase by 14.20%. The political subdivisions may issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of all or portion of the construction and equipping of an auxiliary gym at Riverment Park Junior Senior High School together with the other related improvements, upgrades, equipment, equipping and renovations in connection there with which is estimated to cost $10 million over 22 years. School corporation has not previously proposed a property tax referendum. That language is actually prescripted by DLGF. If I'm say something improperly, you all just Yeah. The the percent the numbers in there are blank in the statute, but all the words are mandated by Indiana code. Okay. So, you look at that and that 14.20% suddenly seems daunting, but the calculation of
011that is a little interesting. Uh Damian Magos our financial advisor is here. Can you kind of explain how we got the 14.2% and then what that actually looks like in terms of net. So um on this the question um there is a chart. So the way that you calculate that increase uh is um the way that the the DLGF um wants you to calculate and then there's also a page there is a statute the way that you calculate kind of um as you do the cost you kind of fill in the blanks with the numbers provided. Um so it looks at the project in this case 10 million the larger amount we if you recall from the um the hearings we had to set a large a maximum payment maximum borrowing amount a maximum um
012term and a maximum payment. uh and so um they look at that repayment as a standalone payment as if the school corporation does not have any other existing debt. So if it was just that thing, if you look uh there is uh on the second page you can see when if you um put in it says um it's probably one the column it says auxiliary gym debt service payment. You can see it starts with 610,000 and then goes up to 1.5 million. So that's the new project. There's also a column that says current debt payments. that spout in 2025 and then there are no more payments after and that's not true because you do have debt that goes out. Um so you can see uh and it's highlighted on the far right that 16 cent
013would be a 16 cent increase if there was no other debt um in the school corporation. So then you go to the next page and you fill in the blanks. And if you go down to actually the last uh step six um 7 8 and nine. So step six is um the school corporation um uh total rate of $118. Step seven you can see is the 16 cent increase. And then if you divide 16 by the dollar 18 is 14.2. 2% increase. So that's how we come up with the 14.2 um increase. However, when you take a look at the real picture and that's the last page and the only thing that changes here is we add the rest of the debt. Okay? And you can see that this uh the way that this uh
014the bond issue is structured, if you go all the way over to the far right where it says the total, we there was a $672,000 payment in 25 that gets replaced in 26 by a $610,000 payment. And you can see that the increase is a little bit less. Uh but the overall rate stays at 118 16 slightly less. Now this is assuming that there's no increase in the assessed value and the school corporation if you look on the second column has seen um quite a bit of assessed value world. So if that doubt that it's going to continue that rate but even if there is a little bit that impact would be even less. Uh so when you look at the net the overall the true um it's not going to be an increase and
015the whole goal again when we were looking at um if you see uh in 2023 the tax rate was $1.21 it dropped to a$16 and that was all because of your assessed value growth and so the whole I think everything that we've been trying to do in the school corporation has been trying to was not stay at that dollar 21 but not get over that and we're a little bit under that. So um and you can see them kind of levels off at that dollar 18 for a few years and then in 2000 between 2030 2031 there is a drop. Um then again that's in school corporation uh in talking with um I think the uh architects and some of the other uh um um providers um all of the projects that we've done in
016the past this uh and with the go the school corporations pretty much set for the next five years or so and so that's why we're kind of keeping the right level and then um creating You may drop in 3031 if future board, future community, whatever would give you the opportunity to you need to address any issues um to address issues that questions. Yes, sir. In reading the information we have there and it talks about an increase for this the 14.2% 2% act actually being like a6 I'm sorry being.16 I don't remember yeah 16 cents 16 cents so what you're saying is that 16 cents is not to be added to that 1.1877 to get to the 1.35 or somewhere the next year yeah that that 16 cents is part of the 118 um however But
017the 16 cents is calculated I'm sorry 14% is calculated as 16 divided by 1.18.2% increase. So the assumption would be that increase would be tacked on to it and you'd be at like 1.35. The 16 is in the 106, the 118. The 16 is part the 118. Um, yeah, I think has come to think of it now when you look at it. A18 is the current rate, right? You're talking about 14.2. Well, so 18 is the current 16 cents is a new issue. Okay. Um that app or this is in terms of the way that the calculation occurs. Um, if that if that were to go through, it would be a 16 cent increase or a 14% increase. Nothing about this makes sense or the 14%. So um again taking taking a look at the
018net what is going to happen you're looking at no increase at the 18 the dollar that's going to remain at 118 this calculation here um the 16 cents based on 18 is 14% and this was certified by the DLG. All of this was sent into the Department of Local Government. We had to get their approval before this um can go through. So, this was the packet that was sent to them. Follow question. Originally, when that was submitted, it had a zero%. Yes. Because we were doing that. We were doing it with this the last page and they said no we have to take a look at that 10 as a standalone as if there were no other debt and we went back to them and said well that's not an accurate picture because there is
019debt and the way that there's a $600,000 payment that comes off that we're replacing with a $600,000 payment so there's going to be no increase no you have to take a look at it as a standalone And that's where the second calculation comes in and see the existing bet is gone and it's just this debt. Um and that's where the 16 I think you said that second page the second page. Yeah. Where that de I think you said where that debt goes away. That's not really true. So the way you said it while ago was on that current payment that debt going away in 26 is not really accurate. No, but this is how they want you to calculate the impact and that's where we came up with no where we came up with 14.2
020two is if you assume there is no other debt like we did and you put in this payment, it is a 16 cent impact. However, the true picture, if you look at debt, we have a $600,000 payment that goes away. gets replaced by a $600,000 payment and actually it's 670 and gets replaced 610. SL like if you had a car payment and your last payment was in 2025 and you've got a new car payment pick it up in 2026 and someone says calculate the increase in 2026 assuming you had no payments in 2025 that increase would be large but because we have payments in 2025 that are rolling off and being replaced by new debt, that payment is leveled out. And that's the difference between the way the DLGF statutory calculation is and the realities
021of the debt being there and rolling off questions. I don't want to dominate everything, but um I'm back to Mr. base. You said DGF put two payments into the one year. Is that a standard thing or was that something that could have been questioned and the board could have said no that's not the way we intended to do that because that basically put a double payment in that year? If you said they're normally July 15 and January 15. So what happened? Why didn't they do that? Yeah, I want to ask the finance team to respond to that because I I think based on their experience it was you could do it two different ways, but there are a couple of different ways you can the bond payments for all debt that's paid by property taxes,
022principal and interest will always be January 15th and July 15. And that is Mr. pointed out was because we pay our taxes in November and May and school gets its money in December and in um in June. So with holding court debt payments are typically typically made December 31st and June 30th and that is bud. So if it was December 31st and June 30th that's budget year 25. payments can also be made January 5th and July 5th. And the way that school calendar their their budget year ends in June. So now if you do it that way, you have one payment in in um 25 and one payment essentially in 26. So there's different ways that you can do that. We had both of the payments were put in for payment in December and the
023payment in June which made it budget year 25. So we had talked about changing that. However, because we were also looking at the possibility of a project that keeping it this way, we took the increase and now there is no increase. Had we split it into a payment and a payment, now we'd be talking of course an increase. So you're saying the entire bond would be paid in those two payments. I understand or the go there two payments regardless. Okay. How when you make the payment in terms of how it affects the budget and so I think it was um decided at the best. Yes, we can, but we'd be talking an increase. Now, we're talking no essentially. No, I mean, again, this is if all of this goes through now. Um, there's not going
024to be a 14% increase or a payment next year. So it's really up to the you guys. So that was kind of the thought processes. Yeah, we knew that but let's do this. And I guess back to the board, the initial information you had was that service rate about 1486 and the explanation is because of that two payments being put in the same question that was asked last provide this information you can do like I said no two school corporations are the same um however and it's used budget wise um whether you make them June December or you make them January and July um there are a couple you do have to it has to be 10 days before the 15th to allow statuto requirements. Um so essentially any time for the absolute latest that
025you can make a payment. Okay. Next item under new business is the football field irrigation system. Uh this will be paid for from the series 20.4 video bond there. Motion to approve. Make a motion to approve. Have a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. There's questions on the motion. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Next item is the approval of Lee Company quote for the Ruben Park restroom partition part project also to be paid for from series 2024 geo bond. The total on that project is 47,120 that includes partitions of installation. A motion to approve motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion second. Questions on the motion hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. We have the approval
026of a Lancaster shirt equipment quote for a walk-in freezer for Roseale Elementary Cafeteria. Total cost on that 84,930. Is there a motion to approve? I'll make a motion to approve. Motion. Is there a second? Motion a second. Any questions on motion? Hearing none. And all those in favor signify by saying I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Uh updated early kindergarten entrance policy. Mrs. Clayorn, would you like to hit the highlights on that? It was really just fine-tuning what we already had, making it reflect what we do. Just needed changes just streamline between us and Madison Elementary. So, it'll be used in both buildings. Is there a motion to approve? I'll make a motion to approve. Motion for a second. Motion second. There any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying
027I. I. Motion carries. Final item is the approval of the BDJ quote for purchase of Chromebooks. The amount on that is 10287.50. Is there a motion to approve the front rows? I'll make that motion. Motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion second. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. Carries. Moving on to personnel. First item is a recommendation to employ Aaron Kilzner, special education bus aid afternoon round effective January 22nd, 2025 at the rate of $50 per day. Is there a motion to approve? Motion approve. Motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Motion second. Are there any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. You have a leave request for the remainder of the
02824 through 25 academic year. This is an extension of her current her maternity leave. Motion to approve. Motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Motion second. Any questions on the motion? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. We have a recommendation to employ Bobby Sciota, homebound instructor for student with special needs, five hours per week at the day rate of $40 per hour. Michelo is uniquely qualified to meet the unique needs of this particular student. So I highly recommend that we hear in this pass. Is there a motion to approve? We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion second. Any questions? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Final item under personnel is a recommendation to employ long-term substitute Amanda
029Jukes. Motion to approve. I'll make that motion. Motion is there second? No second. Motion second. Are there any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Couple comment at this time if there is any. I'll just one other piece to add to this philosophical I guess but in September you did the capital projects public hearing I think had $105,000 projects over three years and then a month later had $600,000 project to do all these things kind of in hindsight might it have made more sense to have adjusted that capital budget thing rather than going through the bond process and paying interest on that I don't know the details of that I'm just throwing that out question. I mean, do you have any insight? I mean, as far as
030the timeline as to what we've done our past bonds, you know, instead of maybe one here, one there, like we had um, you know, I think it was as debt load rolled off as to why we done those during that time to meet statuto. Well, and I I think that Marvin Ward will be able to speak to that more, but I think the capital projects is funded through your operations fund. Um and it it has limits and the in the geo bond. So you're basically the levy limit on the operations on the on the operations and that's why you that's why you do bond projects is because you have the need. Uh the law gives you the ability to spread that financing out a little bit further. Um and allows you to to improve your
031facilities that way. Thank you. Any other questions, comments? I have some questions, sir. Uh that 672, this is just for letting the public know because I'm sure there's going to be lots of questions. Uh the 672 that's dropping off that is coming, that's from the geo bond. That's where that's dropping off from is from that geo bond. Okay. The geo bond payments will be in 2025. So that will drop off 202 auxiliary gym if it passes. Make sure Thanks, sir. Thank you. That's the old car payment example that I got dropping off the new car payments. Any other items? Question. So if it does drop off and then the um the gym would not get approved then since there's no additional everything's pretty good then you would just remain back at that current forable. So
032if you if you do not correct if the vote is Yeah. So then it would drop. So yeah, it would go back to assuming everything is constant. I like what she said pay drop payment would drop to the one to the left payment would drop. Yeah. This would be a million 352. Yeah. And then however whatever associated with that. Yeah. Now ultimately taxpayers may not see the full benefit of that because there may be other taxing districts that come in and grab that rate drop. So that's that's one thing to keep in mind is a lot of people think, oh well then now we'll have lower not necessarily because there's other taxing units around here. And so when our tax rate may be up, the counties may be lower, ours go lower, the counties may
033go higher. So that that's something to keep in mind as to what what could happen. So it may not translate into money in a taxpayers pocket. automatic. Okay. Correspondence. No claims. Many page 242 of your One more second. Everybody's had an opportunity to review the updated claims. I will entertain a motion to approve as presented. Motion to approve. Motion. Is there a second? Second motion second. There any questions on hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I Is there a motion to adjourn? Motion a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Motion to second. Hearing no objections. Meeting is journed.