001Right. >> This meeting of the board of education is now called to order. Please stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Like to welcome everybody to our meeting this evening on the first day of fall. Uh Trustee Noia and Trustee Crawford send their regrets. Um we'll be started by approving our agenda. Are there any changes to the agenda as printed? All right. Then a motion is in order on page two, please. >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education approve the agenda as printed. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor, please
002say I. I. Opposed. The motion passes. And uh we'll start where we always do the superintendent report. Johnny. >> All right. Thank you, President Vanworth. Uh just prior to our start of the bond project update, just wanted the board and community to know we sent out a press release about some upcoming engagement sessions. One about our 2025 bond. Uh those dates and times have been published. We'll do a uhformational night followed by a self-guided tour at both Central and Haver Hill. And then in addition to that, we uh encourage the community to come out to some listening and learn sessions. We'll hold those at the Port Zane Senior Center. Uh but that information has gone out and I want the board and the community to be aware that all are welcome to attend either the
003listening learner sessions or the bondformational sessions. >> Good. Good. So after that we have uh three portions to our superintendent update. Russ will handle the first part with our bond instruction update. Paula Johnson will follow the 2019 unallocated contingency and then Russ will come back to talk about our floods app. >> Good evening board. Superintendent Edwards. Uh just kind of give you a kind of a quick construction update. Uh we talked last time. Uh we're going to kind of go through the two elementaryaries that are almost complete. Uh the first elementary is Port Central Elementary, the Mustangs. And last we talked, we said they're going to be working best working on the hardscap and landscape outside the building. As you can tell, those are coming along nicely. Uh you see a lot of the softcapes
004planted, the barks in, the curbs are all in, and essentially you're starting to see grass grow. So this is the front of the building looking towards the main office there, the main entrance. Uh it's coming along very nicely. Very happy with the progress there. Uh the trailer on the side of the building has been re since removed since the last uh board update. And the two side landscapes are also in as well there. And just uh waiting for grass to grow, which we all know takes time. Uh and then a few more little touches up here and there on the hardscapes and the ready to go for landscaping. Uh they're still finishing up some of the punch list items inside the building. Uh those type of things that'll be going ongoing here probably for a
005few more months yet. Uh but the building's looking really well over at Central. Uh Haverh Hill is just a little bit behind. We had the same uh landscape company doing both projects. They won both bits. So they're kind of going back and forth between each one. Central is a little bit further ahead right now than Haver Hill, but Haver Hills, the hardscapes and landscapes are in in the front of the building. This is the front entryway. Uh you can still tell everything's up and running. They're tweaking the sprinkling system. So once that gets going, you'll start seeing grass pop up a little bit faster uh than it is right now. The storm last night helped and the rain we're probably going to get to get throughout the week will help as well. But until that
006sprinkling system gets on, the grass will be a little slower starting up. We're hoping to get that started soon because we know it's a really good growing season right now for grass. This is the side of the building next to the uh cafeteria, the outdoor learning spaces, the outdoor area next to the cafeteria. You can tell right there that is sprayed on grass seed there. It's kind of a grayish color. Um that'll be where grass is and everything. So, you're not seeing any grass yet, but as time goes on, you'll start seeing grass pop there as well. Uh they're still working on finishing up the back of the building, uh landscaping back there with the bark and everything. So, that's going to be ongoing for the next couple weeks for them to get that project
007going because they have to make sure they time it when kids and everything aren't there because big machinery will have kids glued to those windows like no other. So, they're trying to be uh you know, very focused on doing it when it's appropriate. Uh which brings us over to Woodland. And if you drive by Woodland, you'll see the building slowly starting to come up out of the ground. Uh so here I'm standing up on a dirt pile trying to get the whole picture. I need to get a drone is what I decided. Um get a good view of the whole building, but pretty much the foundation, the footings are in place, which is awesome. They are they are tracking right where we want them to track. A little bit ahead. Um knock on some wood
008real quick, but things are going really good there. Uh very happy with our progress. So see this is the foundation. This is actually on the north side of the building looking south. Uh things are looking good. So you're going to see this is probably if I'm correct this is going to be the gym area on this building. We got some steel going up which is exciting to see there now. There's a lot more pillars, a lot more steel hanging in the air. Uh which is good. Um they're moving right along later this week. You'll start seeing block show up and the masons will start throwing block down and you'll really start seeing the building coming out of the ground as they start laying that block and they'll start measuring how many blocks they lay per
009day and start figuring out how how fast that block will go up. And once they get all that figured out, then we'll make sure we have the other traits start showing up on site, electrician to put in the roughins and the walls and those type of things. So, it'll start picking up there. You'll start seeing a lot more traffic in and out of that site as as the building gets going. Um, see here's another picture. This one just had a lot of walls, so I thought it was a nice picture. If you look to these, there are a little Yes, there is. It doesn't show up on there. Does it show up on there? There we go. Right here. There's the elevator shaft going in. That's right here. And then you got some other stuff
010taking place in the background there. Bathrooms and uh you can kind of see the slope to the wall. That's because this the building slopes down to the next level there and everything. So, there's a lot going on. They're doing a great job catching all the little details to make sure the foundation is solid. And then this is a panoramic shot that I tried to take. Again, looking forward to eventually getting a drone up in the air to get some good shots of that. But, uh, you can kind of see the whole building. They are, when I took this, they were 95% done with the foundation. They said they're going to finish that up last week, Friday. So, I took these Thursday before I headed out for the day. So, that is that update on that.
011So, it was a real quick one. Is there any questions uh about the projects that are taking place or anything I can help answer? >> Looking good. >> Looks great. >> Awesome. >> All right. Paula will talk to us about our 2019 bond proceeds. >> Good evening and board of edent Edwards. Included in your board packet memo was an update regarding the 2019 unallocated contingency dollars. We've come to the board over the last few years with specific projects to use those um dollars for and Johnny came in June, I think it was the June 30th meeting to purchase musical instruments. So, we've put through POS to order all of those, but we've been highly advised by legal counsel and our auditors to spend down those funds as soon as possible. So, I would like to
012make a recommendation to the board that we allocate um demolition costs for Central Aland allocated contingency. This aligns with the ballot language. Um, I will I would allocate a portion now to pay for the musical instruments. Once all the musical instruments are paid for, I would come back and hopefully spend that down to zero as close as possible. So, um, like to share this idea with the board, this recommendation, and just so you're informed and aware, >> glad you're on top of it. >> Yeah. >> Paula, about how much is left unspent? Um there was 1.3 million before the instruments. The instruments were 370,000. Um the first invoice for uh the demolition cost will be 585,000. So I'm at I'm pretty close to spending everything down, but I'll have a little bit left over in
013interest earnings. I got to make sure we're caught up for arbitrage rebate, and then I'll just come in and and swoop everything down. But we were at 1.3 million before we started the instrument purchase and the demolition costs. >> Well, the the news is good. Uh we came in under under budget, so we have some some residuals left over and I know it's kind of complicated and there's all kinds of law and court precedent and all that as to how we can defend that. So, I'm glad you're on it. >> Looking forward to it. >> Any other questions? and Russ back again to talk about our new bus app. >> Good evening again. Um here talk about the uh my ride K12 app that the transportation department launched this uh this past uh fall, right?
014You know, they launched it a little bit before school started. Um so starting >> I'm waiting for it to connect. >> Okay, it'll be up there in a second here. But the uh why it's waiting, I kind of go over the background and the reasoning. Uh the the transportation department really wanted to find an app that would allow them to communicate effectively with their parents so they could send information to the parents. Uh that was p one of the primary reasons they wanted to get that information to the parents, but they also wanted to be able to focus that information to be to the parents that needed it. So if they had a bus delay or something, they wanted to be able to say bus number 52 is going to be 10 minutes late. Bam,
015it went out. instead of sending it to everyone, they wanted to send it to the parents on that bus. Uh so that's one of the things they're focused on. And then they also wanted before school started and really the primary focus was before school started to be able to communicate to the parents what their route times are. So when they're going to be picked up, where their bus stop location is, and what bus they're assigned to. So the app will their goal was to have the app hold all that information in it. And then they wanted to be able to communicate quickly to parents. So if there was a 10-minute delay, they didn't want to spend 10, 15 minutes writing it out to the parents where the bus already came and went at that point.
016So this app allows them for that really quick responsive communication when needed. So that was kind of their reason and their goal for going to the app. Um so they went to the K12 my ride K12 and kind of here's kind of the impact. They have over 2,000 parents currently using the app. That's number of unique phones that it's downloaded on. Uh which is really really good. But I think the wrership is right around that 2900 mark. So you got about 900 parents 900 parents potentially not using it. Uh but it's pretty good start for only being in service for a few weeks now. Um so they also they're seeing a huge decrease in the number of contacts like the phones at the office. People are able to check the app, get the information, and
017they're good. So, they've been really happy with that because they can send quick information out to parents and parents aren't calling trying to figure out where the bus is at and everything because they were able to get it out in a timely manner. And then so that it's kind of basically it's the it's reducing the amount of phone calls they're taking with the app is what they've been happy with uh so far. Um the features that they're using again these are the features that are currently in use here at Portage. Uh bus information. So parents can go on the app, they'll get their bus number, their stop location, their pickup time, and then any targeted communication to the parents like your bus is 10 minutes late. We need to change bus 52 to bus 35
018because 52, you know, they don't they just anytime they need to change anything, they can get that information out. Uh so that's the starting that's kind of how they're starting it. As we work through the system, we're looking at exploring some additional things um with the app because the app is pretty powerful. We're just basically touching the surface right now. So, we want to be able to do it. So, right now, we tell the parents, "Your bus is at roughly 7:45 in the morning." Well, with the active GPS and everything, with the app and the tablets that the kids will use if we going going that route, you can actually track the bus and say, "Your bus will be there in five minutes, three minutes, two minutes, get outside, your bus is almost there," kind
019of thing. So, they can live track the bus, which is nice. Uh the one that I really like is the student attendance tracking. Uh, this would be the ability for as kids get on the bus, they would tag in with like an RFID card that they're on the bus and then the parents can see when they get on the bus and when they get off the bus, which is kind of nice and also tells where they got on location wise and where they got off location wise. Vice versa, if they tap on the wrong bus, it be like, "This isn't your bus." So, it prevent people getting off at the wrong stop, getting on the wrong bus, and those type of things. So, those are things we're looking at with the app. And then we
020talked about real-time bus location. And then kind of a fun one is just the bus driver's name. So parents can know if they're say how they know the bus driver's name and they can pick some up. It's kind of nice. So those are some of the features that uh we're looking to explore as we move forward. I'm guessing you're going to hear me up here talking about how we want to move forward with some of these in the future. Um here's some of what the app looks like. So it kind of think of this as a screenshot of your phone. So when you log into the app, you have your student, you click on your student, it shows the different stop locations or different information. So tomorrow's ride, the next day, next day, you can
021click on that. And when you click on that, you get the information that tells you about. So very simple to use. Once you log in your once you uh put your students credentials in there, uh you can kind of see what they have for transportation. And then couple more screenshots. This is that scan feature we talked about. Uh it's obviously not available yet for us, but when we when and if we eventually go to that, it'll show up right there where parents will be able to go see when the kids stand on the bus and when they stand off the bus. And then the push notifications, this is something we're using a lot. We use test test a few times and whatnot. Um on this one student, nowhere. We just sent it to all the
022parents. Um but we can you can target this stuff. And this is actually uh Sean McDonald's uh daughter that is not she he just registered her uh so he could play with the account and see how it works. Um but that's what the push notifications will look like. You know it sends it out. You get the notifications kind of going on. So that's the app in a nutshell. It's a very useful app for the transportation department. It really reduces the number of phone calls just asking like where's my bus at? Those type of things because they're able to send that communication out quickly. And the start start of view really start of year really repeats the number of calls to the office of parents trying to figure out their bus locations, their bus stop time,
023and their bus number because it's all right there in the app. Uh is there any questions I can answer about the app? >> Do we know if we're an early adopter of this or are a number of districts doing it already? >> Um this is out there. It's been out there for a little bit. >> Okay. Okay. >> Great. I know of a couple other districts that use this and it's very beneficial for >> parent concerns. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's great. >> Yeah. We're we're big researching right now in terms of how do we want to get tablets on every bus because the tablets on the bus allow the other features to work. We'll have to pay for the features, but we want to really get that. For me, it's the wrership like knowing when
024kids get off and on and off the bus, especially for those the little ones. That's kind of like my kids are at that age right now and I'm like if they got on a bus I'm pretty sure Wyatt would get off the bus stop where his friends did because he wants to go talk to them. >> Yeah, >> I really like it and I think the you know anything that promotes communication between any staff member and our bus drivers are staff members, you know, and and parents and families. I think it's great. As a child, a young child, I was let off at the wrong stop after being prevented from getting off at my appropriate stop and ended up on a overly busy road with a police officer driving me home. I appreciate the ability
025for parents to then track what is going on because I know that my mother is not happy with that and that was not with Portage. That's good, but it was a very stressful situation. Um, and so I appreciate you thinking about that proactively. >> Thank you. And really, this is the head of transportation, Sean McDonald. He's this was his baby. It was all in place before he even got here. Awesome. >> Just make his help some of the things. Thank you. I'll pass this on. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move to our comments and communication section. I think we have some folks that want to address the board this evening. And our first speaker tonight is Cat Frank, president of the PEA. Welcome, Cat. Good evening. I'm excited to share with you
026a handful of what our fabulous educators have been up to since the last time I was here. The Portage Central Marching Band Invitational was held here at PCM Saturday and was a great success. Uh my students were so excited to tell me about it this morning. U Mr. Van Tol and Mrs. Russell hosted an amazing event with the help of they said about 150 dedicated staff and volunteers. Although everyone had to pivot to being indoors and work through a lightning delay, all of my students this morning said it was a great time. So thanks to Brian and Deanna for organizing all of that. Uh Timie Fuller at Central L wanted to share that moving into a new building with a new setup, new furniture, new everything has been a challenge, but such an amazing gift
027from an even more amazing community. She shared that quote, "We have more space to support students and our teachers are working together like never before." Uh we hope that all elementaryaries get to experience these new and updated facilities soon. James Phillips, who's a club adviser at Porter Central High, shared that uh his students are very excited for the first DND and gamers club meeting, which is tomorrow. Uh students get together to play electronic and tabletop games with with each other for about an hour after school. So, big thanks to James for facilitating that creative social opportunity for all of our students. Sarah, not who's an art teacher at Portage Northern, wants me to share how awesome her IB art students are. Each year to break the ice between IB visual arts one and two um
028students in that combined section class they get together to get their creative juices flowing um they have to design and create full body costumes out of index cards and scotch tape. Uh and I visited her about two weeks ago and saw some of them in progress. She just sent me some pictures of the final project. So best use of color copying ever. I have those attached so you can see some of the incredible outfits that these kids made from index cards and tape. So, way to go Sarah uh and those kids. She said, "This activity lets students have a funing, collaborative start to an otherwise academically rigorous, independent, and challenging class." Uh, and lastly, the PEA is participating in the Adopt a Highway program again this week. Hopefully, the rain holds off for us. We're
029planning on cleaning up on Thursday from about 4:30 to 6. Uh we've got our stretch of US 131 near Center Street. Uh if anyone here or watching this wants to participate, you can email me at portage education association atgmail.com and I will get you all of the information to help out. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Cat. Thanks for uh sharing all the good news. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> Our next speaker tonight is Lindsay Zerber. Welcome. I am here tonight to once again ask this district to stop the repeated use of violent texts in our schools. As we have been going through the curriculum, one thing has become abundantly clear. This tank has no problem putting violence in front of children time and again, beginning in first grade. I have brought with
030me Nazarene Secret School, a book included in a first grade unit being used by our district. This book depicts a little girl who is terrified as an armed gunman enters her house and takes her dad, never to be seen again. She is so traumatized by this that she stops speaking. Her mother goes out looking for him and again doesn't return, with the book later depicting both parents in the clouds after being killed. First graders in our district will also see images of armed gunmen entering a school as seen here. Our first graders, including my own daughter, are six and seven years old. To these children, their parents are everything. They are their sense of safety and security, of love and acceptance, and a safe place to land when the world is too much. To my
031daughter, her dad is her world, and you would force her to have to imagine him being violently taken from her. Is this the best this district has to offer? Portage once symbolized excellence. How we desperately long to return to those days. Those of us in education know that the early years are crucial in a child's learning journey. They should be enjoying stories that will fill them with a love of reading, but this has been stolen from them. Gone are the days of first graders enjoying Dr. Seuss, Eric Carl, and Charlotte's Web. Instead of using this time to introduce essential skills like beginning words and endearing, well-loved characters, we are bringing our children uncertainty and fear. You repeatedly justify this, saying you are helping the children build empathy. But children can learn to be understanding and
032kind to one another without exposing them to man's depravity at such a young age. If what you share with our children shapes who they are, why would you want them to see so much rage, hatred, and violence? Why wouldn't you want to share what is good, kind, compassionate, and loving? Right now in this nation, we are grieving with two children that lost their daddy to this kind of violence. He hugged and kissed them, walked out the door, and never came home. Would you hand them this book? Of the nearly 9,000 kids in this district, how many of their stories do you know? I know of at least two children that had their childhood shattered when an armed intruder entered their home and took their father's life. Do you know their names? Do their teachers know
033their stories? Will you sit there silently as they are handed this book and the fragile grip on childhood they've managed to rebuild is stolen from them again? This world will already give our children enough moments of lifealtering pain. You don't need to provide that. Don't force my daughter or anyone else's to wonder every time her dad walks out the door if she will see him again. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments, Lindsay. Our next speaker is Bethany Mezer. Welcome. I'm here tonight to address the issue and emotional turmoil this school system has caused in its students since the adoption of the fish tank ELA curriculum. These students are are already very self-focused. They prioritize themselves and what makes them feel good or what can fix their problems. With constant questions of how does
034this make you feel, their emotions are being focused on leading to a lack of sympathy and compassion for other people. The constant exposure to violence further desensitizes them from authentic pain, fear, and the feelings of others. Moments that used to spark horror and disbelief are now becoming normal. When all they see is the negative, the virtuous qualities of caring, helping, and loving one another begin to fade. The emotions of compassion and sympathy have been cheapened by a curriculum that believes children can only feel these things if they are being shocked and horrified. They are learning to devalue human lives, especially if someone tries to speak the truth into their lives. This establishes a mindset that people have only have value if they think, believe, and support the same things we do. This system has been
035compounded by the addition of this new violent ELA curriculum. It is furthering the harm done to these students for the sake of diversity. Shouldn't we be teaching these kids to care about the people around them? How can this school system and you as a board sit there and allow this level of violence, hatred, and death into the minds of these young and impressionable children? We want to keep guns out of the schools. We want to keep violence and fighting out of the schools, but we are allowing these kids to read about the same things and even more horrific details than they likely ever would have been exposed to. We are traumatizing the children, giving them nightmares, all for the sake of a diverse curriculum that doesn't even include 80% of your population in most of
036its units. Many children are already exposed to horrific images and situations long before they should be. And this school system should not be adding to those exposures. It should be protecting these young, impressionable children. This curriculum is hurting children for the sake of books that are not quality literature and stories and videos that are doing nothing more than spreading hatred, propaganda, and violence. It is never too late for a change. You all have the power to take back the classroom and remove this steady stream of violence from our school system for the sake of these kids. Violence can never lead to redemption. Only by shining a bright light on the positive can we ever truly repel the darkness. Give these students a chance to hold on to their innocence and focus on what is good
037and right for as long as they can because they are already growing up too fast. Please protect our children. >> Thank you, Bethany. And we have written written comments there. Correct, Robert? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> Okay. We'll move to comments from board trustees. I have some. >> Yeah, >> I wrote them down so I wouldn't ramble too much. Um, first of all, K, I appreciate you bringing up the PCMI invitational. I was going to comment on that. Um, first of all, yes, a lot of great performances. They handled the transition from the field to the gym extraordinarily well. And um I know some of the bands were a little confused as they came in and still gave very good performances. But even though that impressed me, there was
038something that impressed me more. And Johnny, hopefully you can pass this on or find pass it on to the right people. Uh when I moved into the gym, I had the privilege of seeing behind seven students who I initially thought were from a completely different district. Uh they were comporting themselves in such a way that I was thoroughly impressed. And the reason I thought they were from a dis different district is that they kept giving standing ovations to bands that did extremely well. Turns out they were from Portage Northern and they were there uh a group of juniors and seniors from multiple sections who were just there to enjoy the bands and to praise those who did well. I saw them start a couple different standing ovations, started uh start some extra cheering for a
039band uh that came in right as they the first band to perform after the rain delay and wanted to give them extra encouragement. So they started a cheer that ended up the entire audience cheering. Uh so very proud of them and what they demonstrated. They demonstrated what we want Portage Public School students to be like and it made me very proud. Um I also wanted to call attention to Portidge Northern High School and Cat. You probably know that they came together to support a staff person who'd had need. And I assume that this happens across our schools. But I thought that that was pretty amazing to go out of their way to do that. And although we don't want there to be a need like that, the fact that they came together when there was
040a time of need just made me proud to be associated with Porsche public schools and kudos to them for doing that in such a way. Um, what I did not have in my notes ahead of time, but you brought up Cat D and D. Do you realize they have been meeting every week since school started unofficially on their own because they just like to get together? They have been meeting at this Portidge Library without staff support doing very well and I'm sure they are excited to get back at the school. So kudos to creating such a strong community that they want to meet independently. out of them. Okay, those are my comments. >> Well, thank you, Kimberly. Anyone else? >> Maybe I would just chime in. Um reminded of the band competition at Central. Um
041so cool. And then I I recently learned that Northern has been having their competitions as well. And I think they come up in October. >> They come up soon. >> Yeah. And this had gone on kind of off off my radar. Um but um what yet another unique benefit of having those facilities um and these really neat spin-offs and um yeah I was looking at the number of schools that attended the the central competition and it was great and a lot of local schools a lot lot of schools in the county and and nearby are coming to that competition too. So that's wonderful. And then um I I was just reminded that I believe absentee ballots for those who are on the permanent absentee list get mailed at the end of this week. So we
042will be in election season. So So and Johnny appreciate all the work you and your team are doing to help educate the community um on the bot. >> Thank you. >> Thanks Bo. Anyone else? Um, I was unable to attend the Haver Hill ribbon cutting and I just want to thank my board members, fellow board members for being there and I heard from a lot of people regarding the ribbon cutting and uh, they just thought it was a great event and uh, of course people were impressed by the school and theseformational meetings that are scheduled on the bond are going to be at Central and Haver Hill. So community members will have another uh, chance to see the buildings. But uh I just heard it was a big success and I was sorry I couldn't
043be there for it. So anyone else? Okay, we'll move to our consent agenda. And our consent agenda is pretty simple this evening. It's the September 8th, 2025 committee of the whole work session and close session. Are there any exceptions to the uh consent agenda as um presented? Hearing none, the consent agenda is approved. We'll now move to our first action item, which is proclamations. This is a first for the board. We're going to use one motion for all four proclamations, but we're going to have opportunities for uh trustees to uh read over those proclamations as we go through this. And uh given that we need a motion, there's one on page 10, please. >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education approve as presented the following proclamations. National School Lunch Week Proclamation, School
044Bus Safety Week Proclamation, Red W Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, and the National >> and the National Principal Month Proclamation. >> Thank you, Kimberly. Is there a second? >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Uh, do we have a volunteer, please, to read the proclamation for National School Lunch Week? >> Start at this end of the table and we'll work our way down. >> Oh, no. Does that mean that I get red ribbon? >> Oh, yeah. >> All right. The proclamation for National School Lunch Week is October 13th through the 17th, 2025. Whereas the school nutrition program plays a vital role in supporting student health, well-being, and academic success. And whereas each day our food service professionals prepare and serve thousands of meals while maintaining the highest standards of nutrition, safety, and customer care. And whereas these dedicated
045employees demonstrate professionalism, patience, and skill in meeting the daily needs of students and staff. And whereas National School Lunch Week provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of our school nutrition professionals and to raise awareness of their impact on education. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education proudly proclaims October 13th through the 17th, 2025 as National School Lunch Week and commends our food service professionals whose service ensures the success of our school nutrition program. Proclaimed this 22nd day of September, 2025, College Public Schools Board of Education. >> Thank you, Mary Lou. Is there a volunteer to read the school bus safety week proclamation? >> I can. Proclamation school bus safety week October 20th to 24th 2025. Whereas school transportation professionals including managers, drivers, mechanics, and support staff play a critical role in
046ensuring the safe travel of students each day. And whereas transporting students across numerous routes requires skill, responsibility, patience, and unwavering dedication. And whereas our transportation team has established a proud record of safety and excellence, consistently meeting the highest standards during state inspections. And whereas school bus safety week provides an opportunity to thank our transportation staff and to remind all motorists of the importance of obeying school bus safety laws. And now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education processes October 20th to 24th, 2025 as school bus safety week recognizes the dedication of our transportation professionals and ensuring student safety and calls upon all citizens to drive responsibly and support efforts that protect students traveling to and from school. Proclaimed this 22nd day of September, 2025, public schools board of education. >> Thank you, Mark.
047volunteer to read the red ribbon. Are you going to do it? >> Yes. Proclamation of the Red Ribbon Week, October 23rd through 31st annually. Whereas Red Ribbon Week is observed nationwide each year from October 23rd to 31st to promote drug prevention and awareness. And whereas substance abuse among youth, including tobacco, alcohol, and prescription drug misuse, remains a serious concern. And whereas prevention education and open communication between parents and children significantly reduce the likelihood of drug use. And whereas communities across the nation demonstrate their commitment to a healthy drug-free lifestyle by participating in Red Ribbon Week activities. And now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of the Portage public schools does hereby support Red Ribbon Week and encourages Porter citizens to participate in drugreion education activities, showing our commitment to a drug-free community
048through education about the dangers of drug abuse and by setting a good example. Proclaimed this 22nd day of September 2025, Porsche Public Schools Board of Education. >> Nice job. Thank you. That that was well done. Um never sounded like Elmer Fud once >> as I making the motion past. Yes. >> And is there a volunteer to read the proclamation for principal month? >> Randy, I would. >> Not just a week, it's a home month. >> I would. Okay. >> Appreciate the opportunity. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Proclamation principles month October 2025. Whereas strong and inspiring leadership is essential to the success of our schools and to preparing students for achievement during their preK through 12 years and beyond. And whereas principles serve as instructional leaders, visionaries, community builders, managers, and advocates for students, ensuring that
049schools meet the highest educational and operational standards. hand. Whereas principles set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers and parents to develop and implement a clear mission, high curriculum standards, and performance goals. And whereas principles play a vital role in the success of students by creating school environments that facilitate great teaching and learning as well as continuous school improvement. And whereas the dedication of principles is reflected in the success of students, the strength of school communities, and the recognition of student achievement. And whereas principal month provides an opportunity to honor the important role of school leaders and to express gratitude for their work and dedication to education. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education hereby proclaims October 2025 principles month in the Portage Public School District and commends
050all of our principles for their service and commitment to educating our students. Every student, every future proclaimed this 22nd day of September, 2025, Portage Public Schools Board of Education. >> Thank you, Bo. Is there any discussion? I >> just want to make a comment. I don't want to minimize the other ones at all because all four proclamations are important but in the principal's month one here it commented that the principal set the tone of the school and as an educator I see this regularly fortunately in a good way. Uh but it is so important to the school culture and climate for the staff to have administration that sets that positive tone. And I'm very glad that we have highlighted that in this proclamation. >> Very true. Thank you. Um I I happen to read a
051study on the importance of principles, you know, and it's scary when I read educational studies, but the study said that principles are second only to teachers among inschool factors affecting student achievement. So, thank you to all our principles. Thank you to our great uh food service staff, Susan, and um thank you to all our bus drivers and keeping our kids safe. And we certainly are supportive of Red Ribbon Week and anything we can do to reduce the use of drugs. So, it's all good stuff. Any other comments with that then? Um all in favor of approving the four proclamations, please say I. >> I opposed. The proclamations are approved and our next uh item is administrator compensation increase and I think Brad's going to help us with that one. >> Good evening trustees, Superintendent Edwards.
052Good to be with you again. So, um as previously discussed, administrator compensation, we do not finalize that typically until we have all of our collective bargaining agreements settled with our recent settlement with the pea. It was our final one of the four settled for the year. Um we are asking the board to approve u mirroring the pea overall 4% increase for the administrative group. Uh there is one exception this year. We we do salary reviews on a routine basis of our groups and our elementary principles. We were actually recommending a 6.38% increase for the elementary principal group and that they are the only ones of this group that would be different than the 4%. So as we've looked at their counterparts around the state and around the region, we felt like they were falling a
053little bit behind of our starting salaries in that area. So we are recommending a little bit of a different increase for them. Does not inc anything else for their terms of their calendar or anything else just for the increase on their scale at this point. >> Questions for Brad? Um, I mean just just a brief comment, but Brad and the admin team, thank you. And pea, I know, um, I mean, it it took a little bravery from all parties there to get a contract done while the state budget is not yet done. And so that had to occur to set the stage for this, right? The administrative contracts kind of flow from that. So, a lot a lot of people work very hard um and very much appreciated that you know this is one of
054the the fewer districts that has this issue dealt with now. So, >> it is during we have our new teachers go through a new teacher academy and we got a question last week. We had our first session and one of our new teachers asking with the state budget what does that mean? And so we're fortunate. We have a good fund balance. We can move forward with with doing things. And he had shared he asked that question to everybody, but then shared with me after he has colleagues that he went to school with that are in smaller districts that they do not have that assurance. So we're very fortunate to be in a in a spot like that with with the fund balance we have that we we we can wait out a little bit of
055a state shutdown. >> Good. Good. There's a motion, please, on page 15. >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education authorize a salary increase of 4% for the administrative group with the exception of elementary principles who shall receive a 6.38% increase as determined by a salary review. >> Thank you, Mark. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. All in favor of the administration administrator compensation increase, please say I. I >> opposed. Uh the motion passes and we'll now move to our last item on the agenda, a discussion item about purchasing vans. And I think R is coming up again. Uh so I got to keep this quick. The Lions game starts in a little over an hour. Have a little bit of a drive to get to that. So joking
056a little. Uh anyway, um looking at the uh van van purchase uh request. Um a couple the couple weeks ago the district went out for bid for some passenger vans, some 10 passenger vans. Uh we got seven bids, seven competitive bids, which is great. Uh the bo the district would like to recommend the board approved the purchase of three vans uh for a total of $200,643 and that money would come from the building and site building site and syncing fund. the 2024 version. And those of you guys aren't familiar, the 2024 version actually allows the district to be able to buy vans, buses, and technology along with even the buildings operational as well. Uh so that's we'll be using that to purchase those uh three vans. Uh a little background about the vans. The district
057currently has nine vans they operate. Um you guys replaced three vans earlier this year. Um this will be placing three more of those vans. Those vans are well over 10 years old, pretty much ending their useful life for the district. Uh so it's time to replace those three vans. Uh it'll take a few months to get them in. More than likely they'll come in in 2026. We are looking at purchasing 2026 model vans. Um they have all the like all-wheel drive for safe winter driving. They'll have rear camera mounts in them, increase visibility and different things like that for when you back up. Uh so they'll be well equipped vans. They actually have cruise control in these ones. So when the coaches are having to drive long distances, they can set that cruise and don't
058have to worry about getting a little too fast for the traffic. Uh just a natural lead foot kind of thing. So the cruise control will be great in those as well. But um that's a recommendation we want to bring it to reading it tonight, discuss it with you guys tonight. Um you guys have any questions about the vans? >> Do we typically replace three vans every year? Is that >> No, we only have a we only have nine vans total. Nine. That's right. Uh oh, it's getting late. Uh so we only have nine fans. Um it's been a long time since you replaced I think the uh ones that are left in the fleet. So we'll replace three earlier. This will replace three more. The last three that are left uh is it 2006, a
0592012, and a 2012. So I'm guessing you'll probably see me up here within a year or so asking to replace the last three vans. So we have very functional vans for our our teams to take across the state and those things are checked out constantly especially during the winter season as we travel the state for competition. >> So we expect them to be functional for the district for 10, 15, 12 years. >> That the goal is we ride them as long as we can. Van usage has gone up over the last year over the decade. Uh people more teams are utilizing the vans to get places. So they're getting a little more wear and tear. Do we hope they last 10, 12 years? Yes, we obviously hope they do. Um, but time will tell with
060anything. I feel some stuff doesn't quite last as long as it used to. >> It's a mileage thing. >> Mileage thing. >> And Russ, these are for teams and clubs that don't have so many participants that you need a bus. >> Yeah, different things can happen. Cross country team going to like the state meet might take a van because you only allowed to run seven. Uh but they might 50 some on their team but seven of the varsity runners that are running might take a van to get there earlier get inside the stadium because they drive through a tunnel and the bus might follow with the rest of the team. U but you also have golf team that would take the van where they have very few athletes competing and things like that. >> Would
061the board be agreeable to take this item to action tonight? Uh because we have a motion to take it to action, please. >> Mr. President, uh I move that we take the van purchase to an action item. >> Thank you both. Is there a second? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Opposed. Uh the motion passes. Purchase of the vans is now an action item. Is there a motion, please? >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education approve the purchase of three 10 passenger vans from Tapper Ford LLC for a total of $200,633 to come from the 2024 building site and seeking fund. >> Thank you, Kimberly. Is there a second? >> I second it. >> Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor of purchasing the new bands, please say I.
062I. >> Opposed? The motion passes. The vans are on the way and we've completed our agenda and we're ajourned. Thank you. >> All right. We're shredding. Mail guys.