001See what else teacher well class >> this seat's available. This person's not If you if you want a chair here, this one is too. >> Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. Uh there's there's chairs, right? [clears throat] There you go. must be getting. >> Why is she getting three? >> That's good, Crystal. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Good evening. Welcome to the area schools board of education meeting sepmber November 24th 2025 >> Julian >> here. Tim Tar >> here. >> Deborah Wilner >> here. >> L Kakowski >> here. Travis >> here. >> Richard >> here. >> Luke. Oh, Matt Malar. He's not here. He's absent. >> Did we Did we call Luke? Did we call your name? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> So, >> please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to
002the 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. >> Before I dive into our agenda, I'd like to remind everyone about our public comment process. If you wish to address the board, we ask that you that a public participation form is filled out before we get started. That's our district pol policy. When it is your turn, um I will call you up by the sheets. So, um if you have a sheet that needs to be turned in, if you could get it right in that corner pile any time throughout this meeting, but it's supposed to be in the beginning, [clears throat] but it's it's it's just put it right over there. Um, okay. So, the first thing
003on our agenda is the best part of our agenda, and that is the student recognition. Um, so >> um Ben, >> oh, Rick's gonna go first. >> Yeah, we're gonna do first. >> Okay. Switching it up. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh, hello. My name is Mick Kangas. I'm the social studies teacher here at MMS Academy. Uh, and we do our student spotlight. Um, we like to call it spotlight because we like to focus on students who are not just succeeding academically but are also uh succeeding in all of life's challenges. Uh, so we have two students. Uh, so we're going to do our in-person student first. And this month we are recognizing Gavin Lash Chappelle. Come on up, Gavin. [applause] >> [applause] >> Gavin is a new student. Uh Gavin's a new student uh
004to our uh school this uh semester. Uh he came to us from the high school and I believe you're planning on going back after this quarter. Correct? Yes. Uh so Gary Kane does get his uh come up on his credits and he's been doing a great job passing his classes uh and overall being a good for a positive force in the classroom. Um I've had Gavin in a couple of classes. Um and overall it's been a very positive experience and he adds a lot to the learning environment. Um so congratulations Gavin. Here you go. [applause] Uh our next student is a student from our virtual academy. For those who uh do not know, we both uh have in-person students uh who we see in the building every day, but we also have a lot of
005uh virtual students um who we communicate with email and who uh complete school on our mental program. Uh and this month our virtual student is Novea Richie. [applause] There you go. All right. Uh so uh here stand up here. So uh Novea is also uh new to our program this year. uh and she's been working really hard with us and uh has been communicating every week and has been very respectful and been very good about getting her work done. Um I know that Na joined us so that she could be able to focus better and achieving her goals uh which seems like has been going very well for you. Na also uh plans to u be a kindergarten teacher after um you know after school and her favorite subject is also English. >> All right.
006Thank you. [applause] Thank you. >> All right. Good evening everybody. My name is Marty Mix. I get to represent the high school this evening and we are going to start first with our seventh grade students. Is Cory here? >> Not here, but I'm going to read it anyways. >> During the first marking period in seventh grade, Cory has performed very well in her seventh grade science class. Cory has shown a very good focus and interest in the subjects that we have covered thus far. She takes it upon herself to verify work and that her work is completed as required is inquisitive of the subjects that are unfamiliar to her and she has shown her trustworthiness in class. It is therefore with high honor that we present the Schultz 7th grader of very good standing as
007my choice of student of the month to Mr. GREGORY. [applause] Next we have Gala Lozano. Is she here? [applause] Delila was selected by Kaylee Penny says, "I feel very fortunate to have Delila Delila in my US history class this year. From the very beginning, she has stood out not only for her strong academic motivation, but also for her genuine kindness she shows to everyone around her. Although she is naturally quiet, her focus and dedication are evident in the quality of her work and thoughtful way that she approaches every assignment. She treats her peers with respect and consistently brings a calm, positive presence to the classroom. Her consistent effort, positive attitude, and unaltered determination are reasons why I chose her for the student of the month. So, CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] NEXT, we have Duncan Spies. [applause] He
008is a ninth grade student of the month chose by Miss Morps. Duncan has already made a strong impression in advanced English 9. He not only excels academically but also leads by example. Leadership comes in many forms and Duncan embodies it through his actions and his attitude. He is a friend to all and consistently brings a smile to class even on days when smiling might be a challenge. I admire Duncan spirit and look forward to watching his journey unfold over the next four years. Congratulations Duncan. [applause] LET me make sure I have that right. Next, we should have Rose Langoff. Is she here? Talk about her. Anyways, Rose is an exceptional student whose positivity and dedication make her stand out every single day. She approaches every assignment with quiet enthusiasm and consistently goes above and beyond
009expectations. Rose is not only academically strong, but is also a kind, supportive classmate who lifts up others and contributes to a welcoming classroom environment. Her curiosity, her hard work, and genuine love of learning make her a quiet leader, and she has helped answer questions that I've had about school and what has been done in the past. For all of these reasons, Rose is my clear choice for the student of the month, and she was selected by Mr. Zimmerly in the art class. >> [applause] >> on this national. Come on up, JERSEY. [applause] He didn't just get out of practice, so he'd be dressed up. So that's all right. Okay. Jersey was also selected by Miss Wars. Says, "Jez has emerged as a student leader in the year and a half that he's been with us.
010He has been a valuable addition to our athletic programs as well as the classroom. Beyond being a great student athlete, Jersey is incredibly kind and helpful. Jersey is always the last one to leave my classroom. Also, it's a good one. Gets me often putting up chairs and picking up garbage off the floor. You never need to ask Jersey to do something. He does it and he does it automatically. Jersey has transitioned schools like a champ and we're very lucky to claim him as a chief. Congratulations on being named student. [applause] And last, we have Mr. Wyatt Kaylor. [applause] Kid might be the kindest kid walking the hallways of our school system. Just to throw that out there. >> So, it said, "Dear Wyatt, it has truly been a joy to watch you grow into the
011fantastic young man that you are today. I am confident that you will accomplish great things in this world, and I am proud that you represent Area High School. Your bright attitude and funny personality always bring joy to the room that you're in. That is from Miss Rank. So, CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> Congratulations to all of our students of the month. Uh we're going to get you a picture of them out in the hallway if we could. >> First of all, thank you. Thank you to all the parents and support who if you have supported the students become student of the month. you are certainly a part of of this celebration. So, I would like you to all stand so we can give you a hand and then after that uh we do need a picture in
012the hallway and if parents would like to leave at this time with their student that's perfectly fine too unless you want to stay for this wonderful stuff we're going to cover next. [applause] Just one way to clear the room, [laughter] >> but I wanted to stay for the minute. >> Yeah, right. Don't want to miss the approval. That's That's [laughter] some really good stuff there. Okay. So, the next thing on our agenda is approval of the minutes. I need a motion for October 27 regular meeting. >> I'll make that motion. I'll second. >> Okay. Motion made by second by >> any discussion. >> Yep. >> Richard Keon. >> Yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> Deborah Builder, >> yes. [laughter] The next thing on the board or board president report which I do not have anything
013and then superintendent report. So, we have um our audit uh was recently completed. Can you hear me? >> Can you hear me? >> I can hear you. >> Okay, great. Lauren, correct? >> Yes, Lauren. >> Okay, I'm going to see if I get on the big screen while we are [applause] waiting. Um, we can go ahead and get started. You want to share your screen, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Um, doesn't allow sharing, right? See if I can. Okay, you should be good. >> Travis, Travis, the door has to stay open because it's a >> it's good thought. >> Are you able to see the presentation? >> We are. We are working on it. >> There we go. Uh, we're good. It's all yours. And I think you can see the board here. So,
014Lauren, you work >> for our auditors, correct? And you guys, just want to give you uh a quick history. You guys came to the finance committee meeting, right? First, and talked talked to our three board members who are on the finance committee meeting. And we talked in great lengths. So tonight it was just going to be a summary, a short power presentation to describe uh the financial state of our school district in front of all seven board members. Correct. >> Yep. >> Okay. All yours. >> All right. Fantastic. Well, like he had mentioned, my name is Lauren Denny. I am a manager at Hungerford. Um and I work directly on the audit for area schools. And um yeah, this is it's kind of a full circle situation here. I'm from Sedangus. So, um, played basketball
015against Shboen growing up and, uh, so it's kind of cool to be presenting at four banks now. All right. So, [clears throat] in the financial statements, you'll find on page one is our independent auditor's report. And this report lists out uh the responsibilities of both parties during the engagement, uh, the basis for our opinion, and then of course our opinion itself. We gave a clean or unmodified opinion again this year. This is the highest levelure level of assurance that we can give that the financial statements you are seeing are free from material misstatement and that they are also in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Additionally, we take a look at look at internal controls or financial reportings. Uh we did not find any audit findings as it relates to your
016controls and there were no material non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. So, congratulations on on another great year, another great audit. Um, and we appreciate working with Laura and Dev as well. Here's kind of a quick uh snippet of the governmental funds balance sheets. Um, this is listed out by the different types of funds. So, your general fund, your operating fund if you will, your special revenue funds including your food service and student school activity funds, your debt service funds, and then your capital projects funds including your construction and building site funds. And then we kind of just narrow down focus on your general fund. Um as this is your operating fund. Uh for the statement of revenues and expenditures and changes in fund balance, we kind of give a four-year look back. As you
017can see, each year saw an increase in revenues and expenditures. And now this year we're seeing a decrease in revenues and expenditures. Um and there's a couple factors that kind of play into that. So there was quite a bit of ESSER funding which is the COVID funding last year that you still had and we're still spending down. This year we saw a significant decrease in that. Additionally, there was a decrease just a smaller decrease in the student or uh pupil membership counts. So you are receiving less state aid and therefore less expenditures as well. So that kind of contributes as well to that decrease. Here is the revenue by source in the general fund. So largest source is your state sources through your foundation allowance as well as any restricted state sources for specific programs
018making up 54.1%. 35.5% makes up um your local sources. And that's your property taxes, any tuition that you would charge for um preschool or any types of schools that you have or if you were to receive any contributions um for local support or admissions to any athletic events. Those are where you'll find that. And then intrad district sources make up 5.8%. So if you're providing services to other public schools, you might receive some reimbursement for that or any pass through funding from the ISD as well. And then lastly, the 4.7 federal sources. Um and we did do a single audit this year. We are not going to be providing um any information as far as conclusions on that. Uh the federal uh government did not release the compliance supplement that we are required to test
019to. So we can't conclude on those results until that supplement comes out and to date it is not out yet. The general fund expenditure by function uh as you can see instruction makes up 62.1% and supporting services make up 34.9%. This is pretty typical for a school district. Uh we tend to see anywhere between 50 to 60% for instruction and anywhere between 30 to 40% for supporting services. So, you're right within those ranges with the exception of the instruction. Um, arguably good thing that's over. Um, just shows that you are seeking to provide the the instructional needs or meet the instructional needs of students in your district. Then here is a general fund fund balance. This just provides the five-year trend. As you can see, those increases over the last four years. And then you're
020seeing the decrease that uh we have this year bringing the general fund fund allowance to around 8.5 million. And then lastly, we provide the letter to the board of education. This is a required communication regardless of how well the audit went. Um if there were any issues, we would be listing that out in this letter. We did not have any issues. There were no changes to the plan scope of our audit and we did not have any disagreements or difficulties during the audit. Um so you will find that this letter is very boring, very boilerplate language. Um there was one larger uh entry that we made for the food commodities that you'll see in that letter. Um not a huge concern here. Um but we do have to report any significant entries that made that
021were made. And then lastly, we provide a little bit of information on that general fund ending fund balance. About 8.5 million made up 36% of the 2526 budgeted expenditures. We suggest anywhere between 10 to 20%. Um maybe 15 to 20% would be better, but uh 36% is a great standing to be in as you're heading into 2026. So that just provides stable operating funds and avoids any need for short-term borrowing um for any cash flow needs. >> Are there any questions? >> Uh yeah, Lauren, um just want to uh double check. You said that uh your recommendation as the you guys have been uh our auditing firm for a while now, right? >> And you're giving us the highest rating of available. Is that correct? >> Yes. We cannot give any higher rating >> and
022there's no findings. >> No findings. >> Okie dokie. >> Any questions? >> Have a great evening. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Uh before we leave the topic of uh Thank you, Lauren. Before we leave this topic, can we look at the handout I gave you? Um it I this is this actually uh for those that are here too for public knowledge, this is our audit. It's 77 pages long. If you're ever looking for something to read to put you to sleep, uh this would be it. But I want to focus in directly on page 21, uh which I already copied for you guys, but if you want to turn to page 21, uh that's really where the meat and potatoes are for me. I just want to point out highlight a couple really
023uh extremely positive things about the audit. Uh just kind of lift those so everybody's aware of them. But our revenues, which was kind of odd, which she just showed us, if you didn't catch that, our revenues decreased this year. And a lot of people go, "Well, how does that happen?" Um they decreased because of of the co money, the esroer money, the Christmas money. All that money is gone. we received 5.3 million over the course of about 3 and a half years. Uh that money has now been received and spent and no longer on the books. So that's something that we don't control. We don't control revenue and revenue has actually gone down from last year to this year. Um how much did it go down? Um 23, you know, we estimated that we were
024going to receive for the last school year 24 25 school year. We estimated that we were going to see receive 23.5 million and we only received 22.1. That was 1.4 million less than we thought we were going to receive a year ago when we started planning for 24 and 25. So, and that's that's that's, you know, that was our best guess at the time. If you recall at the beginning of last school year, there was a lot of debate as to um what the amount per per pupil was going to be. There were some thoughts that the governor was going to increase it significantly and she didn't. So, I think a lot of budgets got blown out of the water right from the get-go because we guessed wrong on the per pupil amount. Um, they
025tried to increase that make up a little bit more for it this year, but they're also doing a little bit of a shell game, taking some money out of some other areas. So, it appears that we're getting more per student, but in actuality, when you total everything up, all sources of revenue, it'll probably be about the same. So, that's revenues. there's any question about revenues. Revenues were were less last year than they were the year before that. So hopefully they're going to go up this year, especially with the increase per pupil amount that we're receiving, all schools are receiving throughout the state. Expenses is the one that I want to lift up. Um expenses is something that is in our control. And if you take a look at the column that I have circled for
026you at the bottom, [clears throat] we planned at the beginning of the 2425 school year, we plan to spend $24.5 million. So, we were planning to spend more than we were going to receive. What I'm happy to report is that we didn't spend 24.5. We only spent 22.6. So, there was a difference of 1.9 million. And that has I have to give a lot of credit to our administrators over there sitting in the corner uh that are hiding uh because we, you know, we we we knew at the beginning of last year we had some ifs, ands, and buts in regards to the uh revenue piece revenue side of things. So, we wanted to make sure that we aired on the side of caution last year. They did a very good job of keeping their
027cost to a minimum. That's in our control and we were able to spend less than what we planned on spending. So, at the end of the day, the good thing at the very bottom is that we we we only had to tap into our surplus about $400,000 at the end of this last year. So, at the at the end of two years ago, at the start of the 2425 school year, we had $8.9 million in our surplus, in our fund balance, in our general fund balance, which is great. As she just mentioned, that's 36%. So, what that means is we could go almost a third of a school year without any new money and be able to pay all of our bills, right? 36% um that we could easily get through a third of our
028school year this year without having any new money, which is great. But I also want you to hopefully you you caught that when she picked out um what should we have um if you have less than 5% surplus the state comes in. So you you want to stay away from less than 5%. The uh the auditors most auditors as she did recommend that we have a surplus of somewhere between 15 and 20%. So we have 36%. So that's very good. I know uh years past and there's some veterans in here who can talk about that. You know, 10, 15, 20 years ago that wasn't the case in Shabboan, right? There were years I I think Julie, you remember some of those years where you had to go to the bank to borrow to make payroll.
029Okay, those were some lean years and people were getting laid off and there were a lot of cuts going on. We're far from that. We're in a very good financial state and um right now we have 8.5 million in the bank, which is a good thing. And um the future is bright financially. Any questions about the audit? Any questions about where we are financially? Okay. Thank you. Now, we're going to quickly move on to another Zoom meeting. If I can do this work this magic technology magic. Uh the next Zoom meeting that we're going to zoom in with is um Site Logic. Hopefully we'll be meeting with Becky, I think. Again, Becky's going to talk about the bids that just uh we received last week and she'll be able to answer some of your questions
030because I'm sure you're going to have some. And um we actually have motions for approval tonight to uh approve package 7 and package two uh for the elementary school. And then we also have we're we're recommending that we approve the controls for inverse as well. And there they are. There's Jake. Can you hear me, Jake? Yes, can hear you. >> Hi. And Becky, how are you? >> Hi, I'm good. How are you? >> Good. Good. Um, there's our school board. Can you see them? A couple of them. >> Yes. That's good. >> Um, so we uh we're going to be looking at I was just uh informing everybody here, we're looking at making some um motions for approval uh for package two and package 7 for East Elementary. Correct. >> Correct. >> And then we're
031also making a recommendation to approve the controls for Inesse tonight. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. So, let's start there. Can you tell us a little bit about how the bidding process went last Thursday and how you guys ended up uh uh getting it uh selecting these people to recommend for approval tonight? >> Yes, absolutely. So, we for packages two and seven, I'll I will open up the rebid tab. Um so, packages two and seven. Um, in the rebid, we both had we had three submissions for each of them. Um, Johnson and Wood resubmitted their a bid. Uh, we had Ballard did a reubmission and then Warner put in a submission. They were a new bidder for the mechanical package. Civil, we had Shaw, EF Wilkinson, and Tri County Excavation. Um, Johnson and Wood
032was the low bid. Again, they were the low bid in the previous um package and which we just decided to rebid. Uh and in work package 7, EF Wilkinson's son was previously the low bid. However, this today they withdrew their bid due to miss scope that they did not have in their bid and were able to guarantee their price for um so Shaw Transport is the low bid on that at $398,900. We did interviews uh Thursday afternoon and Friday with the contractors and were able to qualify them uh and happy to we're we're looking forward to putting in a recommendation for Johnson and Wood at $1,95,000 and then Shaw transport for 398900. what that looks like in an overall for the project. When we combine all of our low bids from the previous um all
033the previous bids is combining with all alternates accepted. We come at in at 8,497,749. We have a five we're suggesting a 5% construction contingency. this is something you guys own, but we do want to hold on to it just for any unknowns. It's an old building and we get into demolition. We want to make sure that we're covering ourselves. Uh that amount equals to 42 424,887. We have pre-purchase equipment with this for all the VABs and RTUs. That's 589,980. furniture and signage allowance of $140,000. Asbestous uh for 30,000 30,600. That one might shift a little bit based on how that the final uh numbers come out for the demolition of that. That is something that has to go up for bid. So, this is currently where our asbestous number comes in at. It's been coming
034in lower than anticipated. So, feeling positive about that. We hold a uh in allowance for special inspections that happens throughout the construction process. So this is for uh we have to test the soils again uh steel things like that. We're holding $20,000 and then we have some m miscellaneous other items for some of our preliminary reports for 27983. That creates a subtotal for the project of $9,731,199. Our build budget for the project was 9,886,500 and that gives us a delta of $155301. >> Can you go back to package number two, please, real quick? Can you scroll up? >> Absolutely. So Johnson and Wood, who was the low bid on the previous bidding process, was again the low bid on the second time that we did it. Correct. >> Correct. >> And they've been awarded the
035bid after you interviewed them. >> Well, it won't be awarded until you guys approve it. >> I mean, but you've checked they have they they have the scope covered, right? >> They do have the scope covered. Correct. And then and then package seven, you said one of them didn't have all of the information that they they needed to cover. Is that correct? >> Correct. EF Wilkinson and son, they withdrew their bid today. >> Okay. Because they they did not have all of the scope of the project within their bid and once they realized that they withdrew. >> Great. >> Okay. So now it's going to um you're recommending to the board to go with is it Shaw Transport? >> Shaw Transport. That is his name. >> Okay. All right. So that that would conclude all
036of the packages for East Elementary and then uh if approved by the board tonight, the next thing that we would need to do is start talking about a groundbreaking in the spring and then also start creating a construction timeline. Correct. >> Correct. Do you guys have any questions about these uh package two and seven? >> Did you have anything else to share, Becky? >> Want to look at iness again? Um >> yeah. Can we take a look atward? >> Can we take a look at the controls because that's what we're pushing forward lifting up today. Tonight, correct? >> Yep. So that um I'll just move over to the bid tab for that. We have only one submission for the inverse controls package. $21,000 >> and we'd like to get that approved so that we can
037get that work started. Those controls need to be uh replaced. Correct. the other bids have been tabled because they are over the budget amount and we have some ideas of how we might be able to get it back under budget. Is that correct? >> Yeah. So, I think we're going to want to look at that scope. >> Okay. But for sure, we need to uh approve the controls tonight because they need to be replaced. I know Chris is tired of being cold in her office all winter long. Is that correct? >> Correct. And if we do this controls work, uh, it doesn't overly affect the, um, the work for the restrooms that we were planning. So, it's it's going to make the building better and help Chris out in her office and the students so
038that everything can be more uniform. [clears throat] >> Great. So, that's the three packages, two for east, one for Inesse that we're pushing forward uh, for the board to consider and to approve this evening. >> Yes. >> Is there anything else that you want to share with us tonight? Not tonight. >> Is there any questions for Becky and for uh Jake? >> Yeah. What was the budget on controls? >> That's a great question. Do you have the budgeted amount that we had uh earmarked for controls? Was it more or less for Inesse? Uh, we had an all over I don't have it pulled out just for the controls work, but we had a build budget of 320,000 for Ingram. >> Yep. >> And the controls themselves are how much? >> 201. >> Yeah. >> And
039there were several bids on that and that was the only one that came in under. Is that what you're saying? >> No, that's >> we only had one. Okay. Okay. So >> energy Greg Salbury currently works on the controls throughout your school. So he has pretty good knowledge of what your district wants and he was the only one to put in a a submission for that. So I think it's safe to say that he he probably knows um what's going on in that building and what it needs. >> Any other questions? be interested to see what kind of shower room we can get for 160,000. >> I bet she'll be a nice one. >> Um, we had some a couple other ideas that we talked about in the finance committee about prevailing wage and some
040other stuff taking a look at the scope and sequence. So, but um I do think and that's up for the board uh to to discuss. Um if if we don't one of the thing, correct me if I'm wrong, Becky, but if we don't um approve con the control, these are expiring soon, correct? These bids. >> Correct. Uh they're going to want their bid lots back. Jake, you might want to elaborate more. >> Yeah, excuse me. It it depends. It really depends how hungry the contractor is for the work. You know, um by by bid and bid for a contract, they typically hold them for 30 days. However, if you're um they have leeway, they want to hold it longer if if they're anticipating the work. So, seeing that it's a local contractor that you're familiar
041with there, um they they may have more time, but typically it's about 30 days for bid submission. Okay, thank you. >> Yeah. >> Did you guys have any other questions? >> All right. Well, thank you guys for zooming in with us tonight. I appreciate the information. It was very helpful. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Have a good night. Thank you. >> You too. Thank you. >> Okay. So is there any more uh discussion about uh the bid number two? >> Bid number two. >> Okay. So, I'm looking for a motion to approve the East Elementary work package number two mechanical and plumbing submitted by Johnson and Wood in the amount of 1,998 1,989 8951,989500. And um if you would like to put other the other names and amounts in there, you are that is just
042a >> boiler plate. >> That is just a what they've recommended, but it is just a suggestion. We are not obligated to do what they recommend. >> I'll make a motion to approve East Elementary's word package number two. Support. Motion made by Tim, support by Travis. Any further discussion? >> No. Kakowski, >> yep. >> Richard Pion, >> yes. >> Tim Target, >> yes. >> Deborah Wner, >> yes. >> Travis Neville, >> yes. >> Julie Laa, >> yes. Motion passes. Uh, now we're looking at bid number seven. Any questions about or discussion about bid number seven? So, I need a motion to approve East Elementary Work Package number seven, civil submitted by SH Transport [clears throat] in the amount of $400,900. >> I'll make that motion. >> Support. >> Motion made by Travis, support by Tim.
043Any discussion? L Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard Pa. >> Yes. >> Tim Tar. >> Yes. >> Deborah Builder. >> Yes. >> Travis Neville. >> Yes. >> Julian Lao. >> Yes. Um we are looking at the bid the approval of Inesse Academy renovations work package number four control bids. Any discussion about that bid? Okay, I'm looking for a motion to approve Inberness Academy renovations with package number four, temperature controls bid submitted by Air and Energy in the amount of $21,810. >> I'll make the motion to approve the Inesse Academy work package number four. >> Support. >> Is that you, Travis? >> Yes. >> Support by Travis. Moved by Tim. Report by Travis. Discussion. Bill Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard Beon. >> Yes. >> Tim Tar. >> Yes. >> Deborah Bjner. >> Yes. >> Travis Navville. >>
044Yes. >> Julie Lao. >> Yes. Okay. Next thing on our agenda is the curriculum committee update. Uh we had a meeting on November 18th and um the first thing we talked about Julie Denise who is our truency officer came in and she highlighted the attendance by building um Chris celebrated seven perfect attendances with certificates in an ice cream party. Marty and Ben foster a warm welcome daily by greeting students every morning as they arrive. Um these are uh like Tier one MTSS interventions. Um, uh, East celebrates attendance monthly at an assembly where students are noticed and treat bags are awarded. 26 students were honored earned honors. Um, CIS. Ben off a offers a morning welcome accompanied by That's not Ben. It's Ben. >> It is Ben. Yes, Ben. >> Ben offers a morning welcome accompanied
045by music. Music requests are accepted >> and dance parties accepted as incentives. Right. >> Um tier two we're we're MTSS. The district has implemented target communication letters at five days and tier three 15 days. Students are referred to Julie Demuse to create an individualized attention uh attendance plan. She discusses what is inhibiting or barriers to attend to attend and works with the family to find solutions and improve. Reviewed numbers compared to last year at this time. Absences are simil similar. Chronic issues are discussed with resources always being offered to families but many refuse. NFIS program is a court is court ordered but it must get to that point. Uh logging has been very advantageous this year and principles all feel that things are the same or a little better than last year's. Marty says the
046letters are having an impact. Next thing we talked about was um special education, the 504 update. Um current numbers are 184 compared to 186 last year with three students being added this month. Uh we are down to three reads in elementary school. Amy Rubricer is doing a diabetic seizure epi pin training on the following at the following times. at East on November 25th at 3:30, CIS December 10th at 3:15 and CHS and Inertess at 3 3:15 and December 3rd. um MTS building updates. Uh they're using the savers and they're completing the at the at CIS and they and screening and it's complete to K6 SST continue to focus on behavioral and academic support for students who need additional support. Continuing to work through power hour implementation districtwide. Jessica attended an MTSS workshop and reported that
047other districts do interventions in a standardized way. MTSS implementation proves to be difficult due to the lack of a K12 system. So we are working on making our MTSS systematic. Teachers are developing common formative assessments and just will continue to to attend building SSTS SST meetings when notified. Then we had a round table. Jessica discussed U Mimax purchased to be used for interventions developing a resource list to ensure consistent use across grade levels and continuity between grade levels would appropriate. The assessment calendar is being created with the hopes of streaming streamlining the process and reducing the collection of duplicate data and WA was discussed. Jessica can help with pulling reports and going over data. Spencer at the round table distributed an AI policy, reviewed current enrollment. The audit went well. 31 AA grant information was
048revised. At that point, we tabled it until next month. February 4th, PD will um focus on curriculum with special education staff attending uh PAR educator boot camp and uh Paul and Quebec visited last week observations in the building. Next visit is December 10th through 11th and our meeting adjourned with our next meeting being on December 9th 45. Any questions? So the next thing on the agenda is um the acceptance of a retirement. Pete Maybanks, who's been in our district for many, many, many years. I don't know how long, but it's been a a long time. Longer than like I was there. I've been retired for six years. [laughter] So, it it it's a a long time and uh he is going to retire. Um, so I need a motion to accept with regrets the retirement
049of Pete Maybank, high school culinary arts teacher effective June 5th, 2026. Marty, do you want to say something? >> Yeah, Pete's just been an amazing addition to the community here in a number of different aspects. He's coached. He's done the culinary program. Ben and I have only had the honor to work with him for two years, but he's going to be missed. He really will be. But, uh, he's really excited to be able to catch these last couple years of PJ's in and Kate's uh, college careers as well. be able to see all their needs and whatnot. So, we wish them the very best. >> Okay. So, I need that motion. >> I'll make it. >> Motion made by Luke supported by Deb. Any discussion except for we congratulate him and thank him for his
050service and he will be missed. >> Christo Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard Pean. >> Yes. >> Tim Tar. >> Yes. >> Deborah Builder. Yes. >> Term naval. >> Yes. >> Julie Lima. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, next on our agenda is uh finance and building and grounds committee by Rich. >> We had a meeting on November 18th, 10 a.m. here. Uh, I'm not going to go through the audit thing again. We went through it pretty extensively, but appreciate But they did compliment the finance group here, especially Laura and the work and everything she's done. Uh, one thing I do want to make a note of is our fund balance dropped. Like Spencer has mentioned, our fund balance dropped by about 400 some thousand. Uh, but the percentage went up because the revenues went down. So
051I I don't like them say, well, you're at 36%. Well, at the end of last year, we're down to 30%. The only reason it went up even though we lost spit some down is because the denometer went down even more. So I don't like percentages. Just thought I'd let you know. >> Uh then Steve Fleming gave us a presentation on the bus routes that he's doing and keeping most of them under 40 minutes. Uh the number of students seems the number of students riding the bus seems to have leveled off. Uh we have 12 drivers, some which are dual position people doing some custodian work and stuff as well. Same with mechanics. Uh some of our bus routes we've been able to combine and reduce that's helped. But the biggest issue is and I've got
052this spreadsheet here is the number of buses we have from 2016. So, we're looking at 10-y old buses. And his condition he has listed here is fair, fair, fair, fair. There's one good one from 2017. Then there's a couple more fair ones from 2017. Pretty much all the ones from 2020 to now are in excellent or good shape. Uh the issue is is in 2020, we bought five or six buses at once at about $150,000 each. So, that's not a good thing to do. So, he is proposing buying about two buses per year versus six at once. We bought two, we ordered two last December and he received them in August of this year. So, it's a long process to get these buses. So, he's working on a schedule where we don't get hit with
053a huge bill anymore. We just slowly get rid of the older buses. Uh we did do the uh meeting with Site Logic at the time about bids. The bids were opened up last Thursday. Uh the track work uh has been paused for the winter. The there is ashvault down. The second one will be added in the spring. Uh I'm not sure who brought it up. I think Marty Mix brought up that for practices we only need two lanes painted, not all eight or 10. And the concrete company damaged the long junk pit. So they will be responsible for those repairs as well. 80 minutes. Uh we talked about a gym elevator at the high school and exterior installation would be very costly. We're looking at a simpler one in the uh inside of the building
054and actually someone brought up one of the north >> northwest corner of the gymnasium stairwell that's never used possibly eliminating those stairs and putting the elevator in there. So uh it's all to be PA compliant uh high school bathroom renovation near the near the offices and we also talked about that they threw up some models which none of us liked so we shot it down uh they're going to come back to us with a different setup and kind of what we need to do to meet with the ADA as far as getting that done uh and that oh and then the the athletic committee brought forth to us that uh the intermediate school bleach bleachers need should be replaced there. There really some safety concerns there and everything. So, we're looking at getting the intermediate
055school bleachers uh quoted out and replaced and then uh our meeting ended. Our next one, I believe, is on December 11th, I believe, at 10 a.m. here. >> That's all I have. >> Any questions, Rich? So the next thing on our agenda is the um board policy update. >> Oh, we do have to pay the bills. >> Thanks. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Okay. Um, >> I need a I need a a motion to acknowledge the payment of the regular and bond invoices in the amount of 230,000,644. >> I'll make that. >> Thanks, Rich. >> support by >> Travis. Any questions? L Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard Pon. >> Yes. >> Tim Tar. >> Yes. >> Deborah Builder. >> Yes. >> Travis Neville. >> Yes. >> Julie Law. >> Yes. >> Now we
056have that board up. All right. um policy met also last Tuesday and in your packet um behind all of the financials we have put together a first reading for um board operating procedures and um we've been looking at what the existing procedures were or have been standing Um, and after Julie and I attended the conference, um, and Traver City, we had some samples to choose from. So, we kind of blended two schools, um, what they already had instead of reinventing the wheel. And we feel that we've put in one place pretty much everything you need to know when you first start to become a school board member. So, there is a code of ethics in there. Um, we really would like to to read through uh the document in this next month. If you have
057any questions or suggestions before we adopt it next month, um, contact either Julie or I, we'd be glad to talk through those with you or if you want to bring it to full board and have a discussion. Um there are a few things I'd like to point out to you that the um in the packet where we're actually looking from some input. Um and they were yellow at one point in time, but when they got copied they probably aren't yellow anymore. No. And of course I didn't bring my yellow copy either. Um, one of them is back on page 14, um, where we have talked multiple times about, um, everyone getting the same communications on important issues. Um so we took um a part of one of the school districts where they actually laid out
058a green, yellow, and red level of communication for incidences that occur in the district. Um just looking for some feedback on that. doesn't necessarily we don't have to copy the colors that they use or anything but it does highlight well okay this is just an FYI that I'm sharing with you or oop something occurred not an emergency just need to know and a third level of communication is a protocol to follow um when it's something that we all absolutely need to know so um one of the other we've talked multiple times is about um community or uh public comment. So we currently have a five minute limit. Um and that was one area we wanted you guys opinion on. A lot of schools have dropped that to three minutes. >> I know the state does
059one one minute. >> So looking for a little feedback on that. Um and this would be the document that uh we all signed and agreed to. um follow as city board members. So, just wanted to present that to you guys tonight. Have you take a look at it before next month if you have any questions um reach out? >> I know it's big. It's a lot of pages. >> I had to retype the whole thing. I'm thinking careful tunnel, you know. >> Wow. >> It is big, but um it has all the information that a board member needs to know. It also would be a good thing to give if um we are getting new board members on turn into make an onboarding package with it. Good idea. >> And also even go back a
060little bit further. I would have liked it if when I uh put my name in there to run for school board if if I would have got a phone call and said, "Hey, you want to come in and see what you're getting yourself into?" you know, [laughter] so so that it would be so I mean that's another way that we can use it and also the onboarding is to just prepare people for what what's going to happen a little bit, you know, instead of going in blind. Um, also it has some procedures in here of how our board meeting should run. And um, today I had a discussion about uh, moving the student of the months right under the pledge permanently like we did today. And we did that for uh >> so that way
061they don't have to wait through that. So I So I just marked it on here and if you mark it, you just mark anything. Go through it. Any changes that you think need changed and then we'll just give it to Deb since she's already got carpal tone, which she did, fix it up for us. >> It just I know it's bulky. I know it's 19 pages, but it really did a nice job of putting everything that I've run into being new to the board. It's all in one place now. I don't have to go, oh, open meetings stack. Where did I put that 7 pound footprint? You know what I mean? That kind of thing. So, and it did it does have a great list of what should go in an onboarding packet for a
062new board member, too. So anyways, >> thank you Deborah for all the work especially with uh the policy updates that you've done. Our policy book is all updated. >> I know I get the most exciting stuff to do. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Any questions about that? >> Okay. So next we got Travis with an athletic committee update. >> All right. Facilities updates are progressing very well. The athletic bus has been painted as curing. Do we have an appointment for the >> uh yes Monday? >> I'll take it in next Monday. >> Really? It's coming up quick. Uh baseball and softball fields drainage issues are fixed. Task courts are finished. Landscaping is planned for spring. That's a big one because the task is looking pretty rough. Upcoming events include we've got a we're going to dedicate
063the basketball court to Scott Hancock. Been coaching for 50 years. That's going to be on December 9th. You guys should all go to that. Uh new wrestling mats are in. They look great. We went and saw them. They're over in the gym right here. Uh let's see. The cheerleading mats are we need those. We don't have them. So, we're looking at ways to help them out with that until we can order some uniforms as well. Good to have cheerleaders again. Uh old wrestling mats will be moved temporarily to the cheerleaders to use while Jason researches new options. Girls track remains without a head coach or assistant. Girls, uh we we talked about maybe restructuring this into one program, having a head coach and a bunch of assistants for boys and girls. That's a way that
064we could kind of get by until we could identify two head coaches, which is really the outcome that we'd want. Um, Bill Nesbet is going to be our winter weight room supervisor, which is extremely important position. Got to have that new weight room open for kids to work out after school, unless you work out in the morning uh at other places. Uh, let's see. Cheerleading is growing with 10 athletes and interest in expanding to seventh, eighth grade next year, which should also be great. We encouraged our current cheerleading coach to bring those girls into practices, involve them in any ways that they can uh just for exposure and and recruiting. On the administrative side, the district plans to roll out digital ticketing next year to streamline operations. Bigger districts do that. It's very efficient, works
065really well. So hopefully we can get that going. Jason reported a positive experience taking uh 20 students to the MHSA leadership sportsman sportsmanship conference. That was at Tra City, I think. Really interested in that. It seems like it went pretty well. Uh work continues on the athletic director position. We're go we're trying to create a good solid job description that fits our current needs. Uh Jason's been there for quite a while, done a great job, but times change and the district changes. So, we're going to see what we can do there to make the new one uh more appropriate for what we're doing. Uh finally, the committee discussed the issue of of administrators coaching. Um kind of went back and forth on it, but while no currently policy while no current policy exists, pretty much
066everybody around here allows that administrators to coach. Um and really we're a smaller district, it'd be a shame to shun quality talent as a coach just because they're administrator or vice versa. So, we're probably going to make that happen. Uh, our current coaching vacancies include JV baseball, girls track head coach and girls track assistant coach. And I just found this out today. I guess uh with volleyball there was a somebody dropped the ball and and our athletes did not get recognized or nominated for all I think it's all region. >> Yeah, regions. Marty, can you give us an update on that? You probably know it best. The I we just learned you told me about it today. There was a volleyball um situation that we're dealing with apparently. >> Yeah, kind of an unfortunate one.
067Um with a a form that doesn't get turned in at the appropriate time, it can end up costing opportunities for kids to be able to make postseason um teams. You know, uh all conference works much differently than your all region does. And if you're not on the all region team, you have zero chance to make all state. Some sports are a little bit different. take like your tracks, cross countries, wrestling, golf. That's all based on the performance at the state championships. Other team are other sports are specifically to the the um committees that make up the entity of the sport. In this case, it's MIA for volleyball, you know. Um basketball is a little bit different because you have your coach association, but you also have the associated press and the free press. There's multiple
068things for basketball. There's multiple things for football, too. But for a sport like um volleyball, it's specifically up to if you don't make the all region team, you have a zero chance at making the all state team. They're directly linked and sequential in order to be able to make that all state team that way. >> We assure you that won't happen again. We are going to look into it and figure out where the ball got dropped and and uh figure that out. We did also verify, Marty, you could say yes or no on this. It's not going to affect anyone's scholarships. are always in place before their senior seasons happen. >> Well, I I think it it would be unfair to say that it would impact a scholarship because that's all going to come down
069to a committee outside of that uh sport. >> Realistically, if you're a student athlete that's going to play collegiately at that level, they're not worried about that accolade. They're going to have you long before that happen the year before. Only thing where it could come through would be something in like um that's academically based where you're using that as some of your resources that you've had for accolades in your career to boost that portion of the scholarship program. >> Likewise, college applications aren't generally happening before now. >> Yep. Right. >> Many of which October is the hot month for those. >> Right. Right. Hopefully um didn't affect anyway. We'll figure it out. Won't happen again. So you mentioned there's different like I I at least I got the part for volleyball you have to be
070on all regions to be on all state but then you're saying football and basketball are different >> individual sports >> every sport is different. >> Yep. So all I shouldn't say every sport individualized sports those are all pretty much in unison like your your your tracks your wrestlings your cross countries um stuff like that but uh to make to make um the coaches association which would be your baseball it'd be your softball it'd be your um be your soccer it would be your volleyball there are a number of different sports that are specific to that specific sports coaches association that's the only way that making all state can happen in case like this with all region. Um they have until the first Monday, [snorts] I'm sorry, the Monday of the districts to be able to
071get your stuff into that. Um and if it's not turned in, there are no second chances. You have a deadline and if the deadline's not met, regardless if the association knows or not, sometimes it becomes I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine. we see that maybe a team like not in there that we know other teams, you know, their friendships that are going and not saying that that's what happened here, but it's very obvious that um it probably should have been noticed that the best team in the region had zero representation >> unfortunately and unanimous top quality players were left out. >> So, who does the I mean, who ultimately runs this? Well, there's a region there's a regional rep that would run that meeting. Um, but ultimately you would have all the coaches have
072a Google form that they have to fill out. >> No, I mean in Shabbo respons >> So all you have like 10 different head coaches and they all have to >> Well, yeah. Then they all have to submit their um all regional form. Um it's now done with a Google sheet. Uh two two short years ago, nothing was sent in ahead of time. you show up to the all regional meeting and you brought your stuff. Well, obviously technology is starting to take place of that. So, a lot of the um basically a lot of the conversations already eliminated before the meeting even happens by submitting that Google form. >> Is this going to be a responsibility for the new AD I mean ultimately he's in charge of all of it, right? >> And so that
073would be like a a procedure that he will follow. It would be one of his duties to do that. I'd say use one other word. It should be a procedural and a safeguard >> to make sure it's not missed. >> Is there any recognition we can do at our level? It just >> I mean, I'll be honest with you, the kids said they had their their night the other night and it was a beautiful night for them until they found out about the original uh selections. Um they were heavily accolated for a number of different things that they accomplished throughout the season but for the big dog is one that's left out you know >> there's not an appeal or any process like that >> absolutely none made a call state on it already and
074if it's not done through the all regional spot unfortunately it becomes a formality at that point if it's not done there then there's no chance for advancement >> and the person that was in charge of collecting the the data was the volleyball coach for Paskki is that correct >> she She is out of task. I don't know if she coaches her, but she is out of task. >> Y >> that's it for us. >> Any more questions for >> Okay. So, um there there is there there's a motion on here for athletics about the um administrators being able to coach. We did have discussion in it I think in every committee meeting. Um we are right now unable to have some uh coaches for some because we can't find track girls track does not have
075a full track. Is that correct? Right now >> three track positions and that's JB softball not baseball that we're still working for for the fall. We're full for winter. Uh we're still looking for I think three or four fall coaching positions. >> We want to make sure we have opportunities and um if our administrators are willing then that would be a way that we can keep those sports going. >> So I need a motion to approve allowing district administrators to be able to coach on a casebycase basis. >> I will make that motion. I'll support >> motion made by Travis. Support by Luke. Noki. >> Yep. >> Richard, >> yes. >> Tian Tariff, >> yes. >> Deborah Bioner, >> yes. >> Travis Neville, >> yes. >> Julie Lao, >> yes. Okay, we next we have
076an approval of an overnight field trip. Um, I have all the paperwork that we need. It was put on by Mrs. Kane and and Mrs. Morris how you say anyway she she um they are going it's a mass mhs d states is a leadership conference for the students um they have all their sample of their um of their permission slip everything's in order so I need a motion to approve the overnight field trip request for student Student Council on February 21st to 23rd to Grand Rapids MSC MHS States Leadership Conference. >> I'll make that motion. >> Support by Travis. >> Thank you, Travis. >> All I hear is men's voices down. [cough and clears throat] >> All right. Uh, Crystal L Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard Pon, >> yes. >> Tim Tariff, >> yes. >>
077Deborah Builder, >> yes. >> Travis Narrow, >> yes. >> Julie Lo, >> yes. >> Can I ask a question? >> No. >> Oh, no. It's over a week. >> It's over. >> Does that require us to get still? Okay. Even though it's on a weekend. >> Yes. Okay. Um the next thing on our agenda is um public comment and just I just want to um remind people that uh there um the board will listen. We hear you. We will not respond at this time, but we will get you to the right place. It's part of the reason for the paper is so that we can make sure that that paper gets that you get taken care of. So, I have um right me. Okay. Sorry, I had to bring the kid. That's all right. Right
078on up to that podium. [laughter] >> I have I have to go to that. Okay. I have some stuff for you guys. >> I'll just give you the stack there. You can pass look at it and pass it off. Um, my name is Wright. >> I am I have to like list my address. State your address. >> I live at uh 3129 Duncan Bay Drive and I am actually the I'm a mom [clears throat] of three little boys. My oldest being in kindergarten at East Side Elementary. And tomorrow is his birthday. He will be six. And um I'm here I only have a couple minutes. Forgot my timer. But um I got >> I am just a concerned mom because of what is fed at the ch to the all of the kids at breakfast.
079Um my son this morning had a cereal bar and a juice and that alone is about the cereal bar is it's on there. It's 20 grams of sugar I believe in just that cereal bar. Um the American of pediatrics daily value recommendation is 25 gram of sugar. So, and then he had a juice. So, he's already exceeded his daily value of sugar in that one sitting. I don't know how much protein there is probably like a gram or two like that's if you guys know any of um thing about blood sugar levels that will skyrocket your blood sugar which will lead to all kinds of um behavioral issues. Of course, that also sets you up for a path if you do this over and over and over again to diseases, heart disease, tooth decay, high
080cholesterol, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, liver disease, um fatty liver disease, excuse me, um and of course, obesity. And all of these children at our school, all these precious, innocent little children are being taught that it's okay to eat that much sugar for breakfast. And I mean, I've had my own health journey of like learning and getting better. Um, I just want to make this aware, make everybody aware of that. I don't have any problems really with the lunch menu. The lunch menu looks good. I just don't understand the breakfast menu. It is um highly processed um carbohydrates and sugar. And I have um I've I printed out examples of what is being served. Um I you know I teach my son what to eat and what not to eat. And um he's fine.
081You know he loves sugar so he he eats it. You know he said they used to serve checks but he hasn't seen plain checks in a long time. Um he says there's not really I don't know if it's true or not but he says he doesn't see fresh fruit. Um I think he said he does see like the little fruit cups there, but um a juice box of fruit juice is not actually very healthy. It might have a little bit of vitamins in it, but it's just sugar and there's no fiber. Um kids need a lot of fiber too in their diet that also helps with um counteracting the sugar so you don't get heart disease and all that. So, I am just I have another friend who couldn't be here, but she will hopefully
082be here next week, next time. And um I don't know. Oh, I have a on there a menu for the prisoners, a menu from the National Prisoner, Federal Bureau of Prisons. They eat much better than our children. They eat grits, oatmeal, brand flakes. Like, why can't we just do plain cereal? I mean, even actually the cereal options seem much better than the muffin, which was 32 grams of sugar. And often my son gets that for lunch. Um, 32 grams of sugar for a person this big. You know, that's kind of insane if you ask me. Um, I'm sure there's wonderful people working there in the kitchen. I I am grateful for them to be there. And um but I don't know why that has to why why that's being served as well. I just I
083hope for healthier [clears throat] options. And honestly, I will probably be holding my son back from breakfast and not bring him to school until after breakfast is served because then I have more time to feed him at home. I think that's all I have to say. Well, I we appreciate you coming and making the board aware of things that are happening, you know, any and we encourage parents to do that. Uh um I will make sure that this gets to um John, our um John, right? >> Yes, John. >> John, our food service manager. >> Okay. Yeah, I printed off a lot of the prisoner menu. So, >> you can take those home. We'll get back. >> I would give them all those. >> Thank you. Thank you. Hey. Um, next we have um president.
084I live at 2020 West US 23 highway. Um, hi, I'm Presley Chamber and I'm speaking on behalf of all of Shbboan student athletes. I am speaking up not just as a student at Shboan High School, but as a student athlete who has devoted years of effort, sacrifice, and pride to represent. It's not easy to come up here in front of everyone, and I never thought I would have to do this to stand up for myself. My concern comes from a place of deep frustration, disappointment, and heartbreak. Following the volleyball banquet last Thursday, varsity volleyball team and I were told devastating news. Although five players earned all conference recognition, we all looked at each other with confusion when there were no awards regarding all state or all region awards. Two of us girls had earned all
085region last year. So, who knows what we could have earned this year. Unfortunately, we will never know. Our head coach had told us that none of our names were submitted to be considered for all region or all state honors. She informed us that it was due to lack of communication between the midfield team that handles the submission of those honors. I'm not up here to put the blame on anyone, but the Shboan athletic department needs to be held accountable for this outcome so that it doesn't happen a third time. Put your feet not only in my shoes, but the shoes of all the other hardworking Shboan athletes. Think about this happening to your own son or daughter. Imagine what it feels like to spend years working towards something, something you dreamed about since your first
086game and then have it taken away because of administrative oversight. Not once, but twice to myself. As a senior during my final season of volleyball, I believe that I and my teammates should have had the chance to earn at least all region since a couple of us earned it last volleyball season and have only gotten better since. But most importantly, we had a great chance to be recognized as all an all state athlete for the first time for any of us. That honor was not handed to us. We pushed for it. We earned it through hard practices, long tournaments, injuries, and countless hours of determination when no one else was watching. It didn't matter the sport. We fought to be the best we could be because we believed that excellence mattered here. We believed our
087school supported its athletes. The first time my chance for all state recognition was taken from me following my sophomore softball season. I tried to move past it. I was told mistakes happened, that it was unfortunate but not intentional. I was told it wouldn't happen again. So, I believed them and I'd hope for the best for the next two critical years of my high school athletic careers. And then it did. This year, my senior year, the same mistake was made again by the Shabboan Area High School's athletic department. The same recognition our athletes spent years working toward was lost again through no fault of our own. And now, instead of feeling proud of everything we've accomplished, we feel invisible to a program we gave our everything to. We're asking you as members of the school board
088to consider how devastating this is for our student athletes who trusted that their school would support them. This isn't simply about a title on paper. This is about opportunities, scholarships, deserve recognition, and the sense of closure that should come at the end of a long dedicated athletic career. It is being about being honored for the work we put in. Work that we can never go back and redo. We only get one senior year. To have this happen twice that I know of sends a painful message, not just to me and the volleyball team, but to every athlete who has been affected too and those who will come after us. It says that even if you give everything you have, your achievements can be overlooked or dismissed. It says that the system is not reliable. It
089says that our hard work is not a priority. You have the power to change that message. We are asking the school board to investigate how this happened not once but two separate times and to hold the athletic department accountable for the mistakes that have affected us and could easily affect others. We don't want to put the blame on anyone. We want a change in how these procedures are taken care of. We are asking you to take steps to ensure that no future athlete has to experience the disappointment and pain that we have endured. We are seniors. This was our last chance for recognition in our volleyball career and we deserve better. We hope that you will take our experience seriously and use it as an opportunity to fix a system that has failed us. Please
090do better for the future athletes who trust this school with their dreams. Thank you for listening. Um, Presley, I just want to say to you that you are very poised and a very good speaker, first of all, but but secondly, we will take we I know you've heard it before. It happened before, but we we will take care of this. And I will get this to um the athletic director, Mr. Mix, and Spencer, and they will that is all it will be taken care of. There will be guidelines and procedures that are in place. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, next we have Nikki Chamberlain. My address is 2020 West US23 hybrid, Michigan classes. A lot of this has already been touched on, but I know I'm being timed, so I'll get through this. My
091name is Nikki Chamberlain and I am the parent of Presley Chamberlain. I'm normally not one to do this sort of thing, but I thought if my daughter had enough courage to come up here and speak for mine, then I should support her as well. I've been a parent of a high school student athlete for eight years now. I've witnessed a lot of greatness within our school and have always taken pride in our Chiefs community. I've also witnessed repeated mistakes that don't seem to be taken seriously and that's very disheartening. Here are some questions that us parents here tonight have regarding the concerns that Preca spoke about. We understand that this may not be something the board addresses specifically, but would like to be like you to all be aware. Whose job is it to inform
092MIKA, the Michigan Intercolastic Volleyball Coaches Association, of the change in the head varsity coach and provide new contact information. emails were going to the previous coach and things were supposedly miscommunicated. Whose job is it to make sure deadlines are met for submissions to MIPA or any other sports association for other sports? Whose job is it to make sure that our head varsity coaches, especially during their first season, have all the tools they need and are able and capable of following through with completing all processes. Perhaps there should be some some sort of orientation or training or new for new head varsity coaches or like you mentioned earlier onboarding tools. We asked these questions because all of this was missed. I've been I've been at my job for 20 plus years. I'm expected to know my
093job inside and out. Yet, my work is still reviewed by management. It's not that we aren't trusted. It's because we are human. We make mistakes and the more eyes the better to ensure the work gets done correctly. If it's not, that could negatively impact the lives of the clients that I work with. and I can't go back and fix that. When having this system in place, we are far less likely to make mistakes and far more likely to correct them before the negative impact occurs, such as to our student athletes. Teamwork is a necessity. When mistakes are not caught or resolved, it's easy to point fingers, but it's ultimately a reflection of the entire organization. So I asked this, why is there no accountability in our Shboan athletic department? Because of the lack of accountability,
094our student athletes have been robbed of something they have worked so hard for during the past four years. And all of and all they get is I'm sorry again. This is unacceptable and something needs to be done. Instead of trying to place blame and constantly saying the coach should have done that or we know that never should have happened, let's actually work on fixing the problem from top down. Please stop the blaming and arguing over whose fault it is and take action. Us parents are really tired of hearing that. Our our student athletes deserve much better than this and Shboan schools deserve much better than this. We want our student athletes athletes to respect CHS. Um, not only is it is it an honor to represent our school regionally and throughout the state of Michigan,
095but it's also a reflection of Shboen High School athletics? How are they supposed to do that if they aren't even given the chance? Why is this not a priority at our varsity level? Can we please do better? In closing, I would like to thank you all for listening. We would like answers to these questions if that means holding another meeting or providing written explanation and at the very least a face-to-face apology to our genuine apology to our varsity volleyball team. We hope this will spark change in our athletic department to work towards a better better process for the sake of our student athletes. Thank you. Thank you. That is all we have for public comment. We will get back to each of you um soon. So um uh I need a motion to adjourn the
096meeting. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. Motion >> made by Tim. >> Support by Luke. Luke Kakowski. >> Yep. >> Richard, >> yes. >> Tim Target, >> yes. >> Builder, >> yes. >> Travis Navo, >> yes. >> Julia Loila, >> yes. How you doing? >> Good. How are you? >> You can just assure them Friday99 please. [laughter] Steve, thanks for coming. >> You got to do out I didn't know I didn't see you there in the crowd.