Regular Meeting of the Board of Education - January 20, 2026

001[laughter] But we're going to be in the multicultural affair in central office April 8. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. That was wonderful. Thank [applause] you. [cheering] Thank you. [applause] [applause] [cough and laughter] Thank you. >> Thank you very much. [applause and cheering] >> Thank you. [clears throat] Ask a question. >> [snorts] >> Okay, it is now 6:01 and we are out of closed executive session and we will now reconvene the regular meeting of the board of education with the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. I pledge allegiance 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. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Diesel, >> here. >> Mr. Herrera, >> here. >> Mr. Hy

002here. >> Mrs. Here. >> Mr. Mueller. >> Mr. Piggy >> here. >> Mrs. Yon >> here. >> Okay. Okay, before we start the regular mo uh meeting of the board, as a reminder, all board members are expected to follow our approved meeting norms and board protocol. Are there any items? Are there any items on the agenda any member of the board would like to amend or move? Okay, hear none. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda of the regular meeting of the board of education on January 20th, 2026 as presented? So moved. >> Second. >> Member Piggy made the motion. Member Hal seconded the motion to approve the agenda of the regular meeting of the board of education on January 20th, 2026 as presented. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please.

003>> Mr. Piggy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. H. >> Hi. >> Mr. Diesel. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hempy. >> Here. >> Mr. Mueller. >> This is how >> I got Oh, >> this is Young. I'm so sorry I threw you off, [laughter] >> Mr. Herrera. [snorts] >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Okay. Well, okay. Okay, [snorts] we will now have our district celebrations and I would like to turn this portion of the meeting over to Dr. Shug. All right, we have a number of really fantastic celebrations today and we're going to start with Belvadier North High School. I thought I saw several members of the North team here. Uh we want to congratulate Belvadier North High School which has been named to the 2025 AP school honor role of the bronze level. This is the first time

004that uh Belvadier North High School is being recognized for this award. The AP school honor role recognizes schools whose advanced placement programs are delivering strong results while expanding access and participation for students. This recognition reflects a school's commitment to building a collegegoing culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and supporting college readiness. Schools may earn AP school honor role recognition annually at one of four levels based on meeting or exceeding criteria across three key metrics. College culture, college credit, and college optimization. To qualify for the 2025 AP school honor role, schools must meet the criteria for recognition level in all three metrics. Huge congratulations to the students, staff, and ad administration at Belvadier North High School on this well-earned recognition. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated each day

005as students prepare for success beyond high school. [applause] >> Did you did you want to say anything Mr. Frema or anything uh from your team? >> Yeah, absolutely. Um obviously brought a couple teachers with as well uh of our AP teachers and we've seen a lot of growth in our success over the last few years. Um a lot of their dedication to prepare our students uh for the test and pushing them into taking the class. Some kids are a little nervous going into it. Uh one thing the district does is they greatly reduce the cost of the test. What provides the access to our students. All right. test is around $90. So by cutting that cost, that's what makes it so accessible for so many of our kids. How we get so many take up

006more that take it now more and more successful. Appreciate the district's uh commitment to helping us out with that and uh supporting the kids, our staff the right way. So thank you. [applause] Miss Hadley's coming up for another one. >> Yeah. Yeah. Stay up there. There's There's more pictures to be had. [laughter] >> I just noticed. [laughter] >> Subtle. It's subtle. >> All right. Uh, huge congratulations to North High School on that. It really is an impressive honor and especially exciting uh because they've been working really hard on this and to see that accomplished this year is really fantastic. Uh, we now are going to move on to our Golden Apple Foundation uh Golden Apple Award finalists. We are also so very proud of these individuals. Congratulations to our finalists. Ley Bill Bilba Lori, Belvadier

007South Middle School. John Deiri, Belvadier High School. Sean Donnelly, Belvadier High School. And Andrea Waldman, Belvadier North High School. These outstanding educators truly exemplify what it means to learn, innovate, and lead every day by supporting students, inspiring colleagues, and strengthening our school community. These teachers will be observed in their classrooms by trained community volunteers on four separate occasions between January 20th and February 18th. The process culminates with the selection of five teachers who will receive the prestigious Golden Apple Award in March in surprise classroom presentations. We are very very proud of being this far in the process. It truly is a rigorous process and we are really excited to have you uh all here this evening. Uh so please come on up to accept our congratulations. [applause] >> Thank you Congratulations [clears throat] and [applause]

008good luck on the next round. And we also have some individuals who've been nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in D 100. Uh we want to recognize them for board shoutouts. Uh and thank you uh all out there for continuing to send your shoutouts in so we can continue to celebrate some of the great things going on in our classrooms and in our schools. First is Karen Vafforte Santiago. There she is. Come on up. She's from Washington. Mrs. Via Fuerte promotes a safe and engaging classroom environment for her students. I can tell a huge difference in my daughter's comfort level when it comes to speaking Spanish. All thanks to Mrs. Via Fuerte. She encourages her students to embody their roots and helps them practice as much as possible. I can tell she

009has her students best interest at heart. Thank you so much and congratulations. [applause] Megan Zanako was not able to be here with us this evening, but she's at South Middle School. Megan has returned to South Middle School this school year as our seeds teacher. From the supportive classroom she has created to the way she partners with parents. Her passion for education is felt by everyone. Megan brings such extensive knowledge in special education, but more than that, she cares so deeply for the kids she works with each day. It is a privilege to work with her each day and witness the incredible growth her students are making in her classroom. Congratulations to Megan Zako. [applause] And we have our sh a shout out for our D00 tech team. Uh Tyler Bell, Richard Bennett, Robert Hunter, David

010Kenny, Andrew Lumbaran, Adam Smith, Chris Stein, and Linda Weber. Come on up. Our D 100. Yeah, we can plot. I'll read it, [applause] too. OUR [cheering] D100 tech department has gone above and beyond to support our ICT team and staff members across the district. They have responded to issues quickly and efficiently and have reached out to meet with our team to help problem solve. We are so grateful for their collaboration and support. Uh and they do great work in so many different capacities. It's really great to have this opportunity to recognize them as well. So, congratulations [applause] Right. And again, congratulations to all of our uh board shoutouts and celebrations. Uh so much to be proud of in this month of January, this cold cold month of January. And that's it for our shoutouts. Thanks.

011Um, at this time I would like to invite any board member who would have anything or would like to give a shout out to anybody. >> Uh, just want to take a minute to recognize the work that Dr. Carson is doing on the portrait of the graduate. I went to the meeting last week and very impressed with how many different constituent groups were involved, how the input was gathered and start to see things And >> I just want to double down on that and say it really was spectacular and uh Dr. Carson arranged for student facilitators for all of the uh combined community stakeholder groups and they were so very impressive and uh that is no small feat bringing that number of people and stakeholders together and having the students uh really exercise their voice

012and opportunity uh to facilitate that was was incredible to see. Nice work. >> Anyone else have a board shout out? >> Okay, moving on. We will now have our board committee report starting with the business services on January 12th. Mrs. H, do you have anything you would like to highlight or share from the business services committee minutes? >> I did. Um, we're talking about a lot of these things tonight. the audio enhancement RFP. I just wanted to show um Brent Warren from Nexus was there and I think he's here tonight, right, to answer any questions we have tonight about that. He gave us a lot of good information. >> And also down um on other matters, the EAB um I know we received a concern about this, so I just wanted to point it out.

013Um, in the notes we put admin will share more information with unions to push out to their members so that all of our members can use that. Um, and I think that was a concern, but we um, we did talk about it at that meeting and they were going to work with the union leaders to get that information to our staff so they could take advantage of it as well. >> That's all. >> Yeah, um, does anybody have any questions for Mrs. Hul or Mrs. Armstrong? I do want to reiterate that starting in February, we will be rotating our business services meeting. So next month on February 3rd, it will be held still at 4:00, but it will be at Seth Witman Elementary School. And we will have tours available of the building starting between

0144:45 and 5:00. So as we rotate each month to a new location, we will try to stick to that same time frame of 4:45 to 5:00 to start building tours. if anyone in the public would like to come uh to those meetings. You don't have to stay for the whole meeting, but sometime between 4:45 and 5:00, we will be taking a tour of the buildings that we are. >> Thank you, Mrs. Armstrong. Any questions again for Mrs. Hop or Mrs. Armstrong? >> Okay. At this time, members of the public and employees of District 100 may make public comments. As a reminder, any person appearing before the board is expected to address the board only at the appropriate time and follow the directives of the board president to maintain order and decorum, identify oneself, limit comments

015to three minutes, and conduct oneself with respect towards others and abide by board policy 8 uh colon 30 visitors to and conduct on school property. First up is Pamela Zoe Norwood. Okay, thank you. Extra rap. speak I speak from there. >> Yep. Right from the podium. >> Yeah. My my my name Well, it'll be okay. Don't worry. [laughter] My My name is Zoe Norwood and I'm on the Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza steering committee. In the packets that I brought, you'll find a folded copy of this speech in including email addresses. The Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza is an artwork located at 200 Y Boulevard on the river on the riverfront be behind the Rockford YMCA. It it is a mosaic sculpture, a community project, and a visual representation of local and national history of voting rights

016for women and all people. It it emphasizes the importance of voting and the roles of local and national women who are suffragists and civil rights leaders. The sculpture was designed by artist Susan Burton and was created by over 200 local people in 2020 and 2021 celebrating the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. We created a 42page activity book piece by piece which tells the story of the plaza a and its construction. The activity book answers these questions. What can we learn about voting rights and suffrage? Who are the suffragists and activists of our region and nationwide? What is the importance of voting for our community and our and our nation? What is the 19th amendment? What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964? Why is the sculpture a mosaic? And what does that mean? The activity

017book also contains puzzles, word searches, a glossery, a suffrage timeline, and biographies of local and national suffragists and activists. Our steering committee offers talks on on site at the plaza or in the classroom with illustrations. Teachers in history and art classes can use the activity book as part of lessons on the importance of voting, women in history, and mosaic art. Activity books are available by contacting Barbara Simon or Martha Burns. The cost is $5 each or $4 each for 20 or more. Free tours with Guide can be scheduled by email. Your your packets in include a rack card, bookmark, and especially each includes an activity book which we hope you will pass on to the appropriate people in in your district. We welcome the opportunity to talk to groups of students or adults in the

018classroom or or on a visit to the Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza. There's more info in rockfordsplaza.com. Thank you, >> Mrs. Norwood. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Would Mr. Matt Zickert uh come up? Thank you. Originally, I wasn't going to come tonight. I was going to take the night off, which doesn't happen very often in the last 10 or 15 years. But I got a phone call about Perry and that that obviously motivated me enough to come, at least for the first very part of this. Um, but I'll get to that in a minute. Two other things I wanted to say is whoever's idea was for this entertainment and before the board meeting. I may be critical of a lot of things, but that was a great idea and still is. A lot of

019diversity, a lot of great things. I think it's very, very positive. The other thing I'd like to congratulate Belvadier North on for AP scores. Mr. Frazz told me about that at the car wash a little while ago, back a month or so ago. And as critical as I am about some of our test scores, how we do academically, that's a positive step in the right direction. And whether I think we should have been doing that before or not is immaterial, the fact that we're doing it now is very important. And hopefully we can build on that, get even better. And I'm sure they they're moving us in the right direction. We will get a lot better. Um, back to Perry. Um, we voted well over it was probably a year ago or more ago to

020do something with Perry. And then I get pictures on the mold on the walls. We've talked about fixing the roof for at least five years now. and we have mold on the walls and things like that and the roof still hasn't been fixed five years later. Then I hear that there was all alleged that they were told that nothing's going to happen for a year or two there that we're not going to do anything. So that'll be what three years after we voted to do that and some of you people are on the board then. I mean I take that personally like okay we know that we really didn't want that outcome to happen so we're going to wait them out and hopefully you know we can change the outcome on that. Whether that's true

021or not that's how it begins to look after a while when you look at it like that. The other part I wanted to talk briefly on was finances. I mean, I've talked about I've talked about how our budgetary problems were going to happen. Lo and behold, they have I said for a while back the federal government wasn't going to give us as much money. They're probably not. I told us that we we have $142 million budget for 7,000 kids, but 15 years ago, we had an $85 million budget for 9,300 kids. So, the money's there. I mean, we have plenty of money. I still think it's a priority of spending. Then I see the um oh god the RFPs on there and it brings back fond memories of our facilities plan study for $600,000 that

022maybe we were a little misled on when we did that as a board back in the day and some of you will remember that fondly back in the day. Um I also look at how we spend money. I mean we're spending we spent 500 grand excuse me to do have a project manager for a project manager on the stuff we haven't even done yet. Now, when we do all that stuff, that's a million dollars. That's a lot of money. We talk about being 16 million in a hole. Now, Rockford's 13 million. They have a half a billion dollar budget. Ours is 142 million. So, I think we need to really look at our priorities and spending. And we also need to look at who told us that that teacher contract was doable and we wouldn't

023have any problem with that. and how much money have we spent on things in the four years of that teacher contract that have nothing to do or that don't directly touch kids. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Zickert. Is there [clears throat] anyone else that wants would like to address the board at this time? >> Okay. And none, uh, next on the agenda is our consent agenda items. Are there any items on the consent agenda any member of the board would like to take out for separate consideration? Okay, hearing none. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> Second. >> Okay. Member H made the motion and member Peggy seconded the motion to approve consent agenda items 2 through 15 as presented. discussion. Okay. At this time,

024I'd like to acknowledge the following donations. $150 from First United Methodist Church of Belvadier for Lincoln Elementary School and Perry Elementary School. School supplies from Belvadier Women's Club for Washington Academy. $100 from Boone County Conservation District for Belvadier North High School ac cappella, $200 donation from Badir IOU Club for Belvadier North High School Coralers, and $250 donation from Belvier North High School Music Boosters Association for the Belvadier North High School [snorts] Music Department. Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. H. >> Hi. >> Mr. Piggy. >> Hi. >> Mr. Domeer. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hempy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Young. Hi. Mr. Mueller. >> Mr. Herrera. >> Hi. >> Okay. Next of the agenda I uh on the agenda is our roll call items. Banking Services RFP. Do I have a motion and a second to

025approve to approve the award of the banking services RFP to First Mid Bank and Trust? >> Okay. Member Hal made the motion and member Piggy seconded the motion to approve the award of the banking services RFP to first mid bank and trust discussion. Okay. And just so you know, I will be abstaining from this um because my employer was part of this RFP. So um I will be abstaining just so we know when we get to roll call. Any other discussion? Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. H. Hi. >> Mr. Piggy. >> Hi. >> Mr. Diesel. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hempy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Young. >> Hi. >> Mr. Mueller. >> To make it official. Mr. Herrera. >> Abstain. >> Okay. Motion passes. Do I have a motion and a second to approve the

026award of the audio enhancement RFP to audio enhancement in the amount of $614,17944? >> I move. >> Member Hempy made the motion. Member Hul seconded the motion to approve the award of the audio enhancement RFP to audio enhancement in the amount of 614,7944 discussion. >> Are we going to get any kind of an overview presentation at all or relying on us just to have read? >> Mr. Winters, do you want to speak a little bit to the audio enhancements RP and >> [clears throat] >> the uh the approach that we're taking is beyond the the uh typical way that we look at a PA system. We have a a need in uh obviously three of our buildings where the PA system is not stable. We have classrooms that are being missed. Uh we have uh

027outdated equipment. We have one system in one building, one system in another building. We're calling multiple vendors for for different uh for different means for the continual breaking down. We have gremlins over in in um in Seth Whitman that uh it doesn't work when they're there, but we get there, it's working fine. Um so that's the basic need of having to upgrade or change over the PA system. We looked at this as an opportunity to not only change the PA system, just making basic announcement announcements, but how do we change the classroom? How do we change how teachers interact with students? And how can we turn this into a learning a learning tool, learning environment? So, oddly enough, I was talking to two reps from audio enhancement in my office. Dr. was at a at

028a conference sometimes I believe uh speaking with uh >> yes >> yeah speaking with uh a rep and she said this audio and hands I find it really intriguing yeah me too we're I'm talking to the two reps right now it is a holistic approach to a building to to building management but classroom management as well um typical classroom third grade 30 will have four teachers in it. And what the idea there is is that when a teacher speaks, a teacher is writing on the whiteboard, the teacher is moving across the classroom, there are words that are that are not heard by and not everyone realizes that they have a hearing issue. Uh I didn't find out until physical that I that uh that my hearing was bad. Um, so this allows the teacher to

029actually perform their their their duties, whether they're writing on a whiteboard without worrying about making sure that they're hitting the person back in the corner. Everybody hears the same. And with this approach and also up to a 10% increase in escorts, even if we get 1%, I'll take the 1%. There's also a safety aspect such as every teacher has a lanyard and with this lanyard you obviously can talk to the uh talk to the uh students but on the safety side you can push a button and there is a silent alarm that goes goes to whomever we decide in the building whether it is the SRO the principal doesn't matter whoever there's also a two-way communication between the teacher, the staff member and the um the office. Oh, there's a digital display in every in

030every classroom and off of the digital display uh when they're uh the office can chime in and it's a little announcement. So, uh the teacher's aware that that uh somebody's trying to get a hold of them, they can they can turn it into a one room announcement, two room announcement, 1050. home. Another change for us is that uh we or we will be able to do our own bell schedules. Currently, we have to hire a company to come in for most of our schools [clears throat] to change a bell schedule. Bell schedules will also be multifunctional, meaning that a principal can decide that they want different bell schedules for different different zones of a building. There is a safety aspect that u it will tell you there'll be uh and you contacted every teacher door

031and it will tell it will tell administration which doors are open which doors are closed especially when you are doing hot dogs. It is it is a multiaceted for me a really approach on how we uh teach our our staff sorry our our students. Um it uh takes it it takes away the the barriers to learning. One of one of the cool things that they are are releasing right now. Let's say that um you English as a second language. We can give the student a device so when they go to a classroom they can scan what language that they want to learn and it will as the teacher speaks it will translate that to their language so they have an understanding of what the teachers there like I said this is an ever evolving platform

032dynamic it is constantly growing and we are going to be one of the fortunate ones to be the first in Illinois. That's why this company is being aggressive with the first one. Uh we have sent two of our of our staff members certified for the company and which means that we can save $250,000 ourselves work on our an issue. we can do this versus putting somebody else in for anywhere from two to all the way up to three $4,000. I know I'm going on and on about this, but this is such a fantastic system. In my opinion, it is a game changer for all teachers each in the classroom and all students can learn. Any questions? So Sean, all the all the functionality that you mentioned is [snorts] included in the package that we're purchasing.

033It's like their epic system or whatever. >> This is their best their topof. And the reason why we can do this again because we we are we save the $350,000. We're able to install ourselves. So that that put it uh as something that's attainable for us. Uh, one other thing I forgot to mention too, every classroom will have a handheld microphones so if a student has a needs to speak. Same thing. All everybody else will hear. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I watched the video. It's great. >> Yeah, I watched the video too and it does seem like a really cool option. I guess my question is I know in phase one we approved the spending for a new PA system. Like how much did we approve and are we in that range? Like cost effective?

034Are we spending what we can? >> Not I mean I I know it's a a want but is it a necessity I guess is my question. Financially >> yes it does it does come within our range. Uh is it more than a conventional system? Absolutely. We're also asking it to be more than a conventional PA system. Uh you know we spoke about clocks a cost for a clock about $135. Uh what we will be moving to as these clocks start to fade out is that we will purchase a small monitor for the classrooms. That's going to be our clock. That's also going to be our sport for emergency fire drills or anything else like that announcements. So uh yeah it is it is an ever growing system. It's very innovative. um it is beyond the

035PA system where we don't have that big box that you know typically there's only about this much we can do but uh we are a little over budget but we are confident that we can absorb that in our phase especially once we get to the point of knowing what we like about the system and maybe some other things that we don't necessarily >> and I'm not necessarily opposed to it I like the concept us fixing it ourselves. >> I just worry again with our budget, are we being responsible with what we're purchasing? >> Yep. Good, good question. Um, and from my chair way I look at this system is that again I I look past the PAL [clears throat] brings everything else in. It brings in the val brings in uh PA. It brings in

036the room to move which we are losing. That is one of the things that Washington where we're we are losing the room to room communication. It's a system so old that I can't buy anything new enough that that is within a fiscal responsibility to reactate that room to room. >> So room to room we don't have phones. We do have we do have but there is a in speaking with our staff with teachers. One of the things that they do like that they they do they do like to have that onetoone communication with office beyond the telephone. Now the one thing that the um this system brings is that it is a canvas communication. So if I'm a teacher, if I'm in the back of the room and if I have a situation I need

037I need to communicate or the office with me I don't have to go answer the phone I can answer it here it is clear is [clears throat] digital sorry digital displayable it uh it's just one more facet of this system is that why we're buying it no we're not buying because of the one that is something that just comes along with it's nothing that we're hanging ahead on or I like the safety aspect of it. the ability to tell if doors are closed or open. That's huge. In some situations, I don't want to get too far down on the road and talk about the tragedies out there, but [snorts] it is a proven fact. There has not been one situation where anyone's been harmed. And that is something that we can not only carry carry

038to the classroom or Also the doors on the exterior of the building. Are those doors closed? Are those doors being or there is a local alarm that will go off but also an alarm in the office. Okay. I can see where somebody can say if it'll be this part or this aspect. I look at as the whole package and I do look at this as something that is in the future of class. um innovation, you know, the second the second word of our of our beautiful new assignment. This does, you know, we talk about innovation since I've been here. Here it is. And we are putting our feet in the water. We are not jumping into >> well and just to also come back around to [clears throat] uh we're going to do a full

039phase one um update uh this evening. So we're going to hear from Nexus. We're going to hear about all those phase one projects. We'll be talking about the priority needs spending. And part of our commitment is that we are not going beyond what has been board approved in terms of uh what it is we're going to spend on that phase one. Our hope is that we're going to have some projects that are coming in under budget. There's some sense that that is uh likely in many different cases throughout that. But definitely this is a higher spend than what we had originally anticipated. We have some that are coming in as lower spends. Uh but we do believe the investment makes sense. We did really task uh audio enhancement with bringing their price way down. uh

040and we did uh encourage our team to go out and get trained so that we could uh bring this system on board as opposed to going with another system that would be very similar in price point uh but not offer the same level of service that I think we're getting out of audio enhancement. Uh so I as we continue to work through this um we're just seeing some of these first projects sort of come up at this point. So, as we continue to work through this, we'll look at that priority projects, that phase one, and we'll see what it was that we anticipated, what the and what the actual spend is, what's been completed, what hasn't been completed, because we also have some projects on that list that we've been able to complete internally uh

041at a lower cost. Uh so, we are definitely going to be keeping that information in front of the board, and you'll also see it in your board update in that project update monthto-month. So, I understand that, but you're asking us to vote on something before we can see the big picture of the reconciliation that you're undertaking for a deficit budget. >> So, it's very difficult for me to I mean, I want it. It's awesome. I would love to have it, but it's really difficult for me to say I fully accept saying yes to it without seeing the big picture of how are we reconciling our >> our budget this year. That's the challenge that that I face and [clears throat] maybe understanding the urgency a little bit better of this particular project could help. It

042is with our system when when you're in a building there's nothing more urgent in the communication and when when the office or somebody else makes uh makes a an announcement you cannot hear that that for me that's something that that goes up up a level nothing more important but these three buildings we do have some significant issues with Washington has the original distribution. It looks like the little games you play Cracker Grill. Honestly, you take the little pegs out and that's how you um distribute the information. So, yeah, it from for my again for my chair, the communication aspect of it, this PA system is critical. Absolutely critical. It's also important to remember that this is part of the capital plans and facility master plan and these funds are not in any contribution to your

043deficit budget. These are not operating funds that are being used for this. This is fund 60 and fund 90 uh because there is a security component to it. So this is not where your deficit is coming from and any cuts we make in these projects aren't going to impact your deficit budget. Your deficit budget has to be addressed in the operational funds. This is the the $10 million you moved from operation to capital projects last year and the bonds that you issued. So this this funding isn't it can't be redirected to do your um budget deficit reconciliation. These are approved projects that were done in the future. So I 100% am very cognizant of the deficit and what we're trying to to do to rectify that. But these uh facility master plan projects are not

044part of that deficit at this point. Those are already um committed funds that you have moved into that to pay for these projects. So where we have to recognize where uh the facility master plan came in at $1 amount and you guys board approved a revised amount when they were reassessed two years later. Um this is where we have to do that reconciliation of what are we doing within there and that's as we're seeing you know the cl the clinic may come in less the Everest may come in we're seeing some of these project this is the first RFP that is coming back from this plan so if we if we hinder on the very first one there's we we have to bid them all and we can't bid them all to tell you where

045we're going to come in or out under until we start doing this but if we push pause on all of these contracts. We're not going to start making progress forward, but it is a completely separate bucket of funds um that are paying for the master. >> And I do I do understand this concern like Joanne said, we we all share this concern. Uh we are going to be coming forward in February with some additional talking points. We know we also have the BEA contract, the BESA contract. We have a lot of contracts that are also going to impact uh what that future looks like and what that's going to what that's going to hold for us. But it is important to also note that as we bring these forward uh we already experienced since the

046facility needs assessment uh increases in costs that are significant. The longer we wait, the more those costs are likely to go up. Again, we can always hit pause on these. Every one of these projects is coming to the board for approval. Uh but we in order to implement those next steps and some of these that are health life safety projects and that we purchase the bonds for uh we are going to need to be approving these sorts of projects monthto month to month moving forward. So it is it is challenging uh as people see a deficit budget and then hear about a purchase that is significant that's going to impact these other schools. Again we hear that we feel that as well. Um, but I don't see the costs coming down in the future. And

047I do uh see that this is coming out of that phase one project list that we have. >> And this is the cost for three buildings. >> Three buildings. >> And is there an additional like cost each year after that? do I mean we're going to fix it ourselves but is it like a membership or a subscription or anything and then assuming that eventually >> yeah the same platform I honestly I think you're going to get >> we talked about that at business services specifically and So, uh, we anticipate that other buildings will want this as part of their phase two and we do those conversations and say what what do you need? Um, those we would anticipate would be done based on need as well. So that the schools that don't have communication tools

048that are effective right now u from office this the security side is is a huge component of it. We would address those by on a need basis. Um, you know, it'd be fantastic to have it everywhere, but is it realistic to put it everywhere this year? No. Um, you know, I I do kind of look out further to see what's going to be available. This will all come down to phase two as well as we want to expand it. I'm not going to pretend that even if we pause on phase two, that we're not going to have issues that come up that need to be fixed. Uh but I would anticipate that these types of security and communication tools would be >> what did we allocate for this for renovating the PA in these three

049schools? >> The original uh budget was at 469 333. So it's about 1446 they did when that first proposal is not and that's on the this summary the um you said that we are going to install ourselves. >> Yes. >> Is are there some hidden additional costs associate? How are we going to do that with without incurring additional costs? I plan on having our district on staff person typically have summer helps have one more >> seasonal health. We also talked at business services that this would be a great opportunity to use some of our technology interns um some of our students over the summer to get them in. It's a lot of data pulls. It's a lot of cable in just pulling cable. So it would be a great opportunity to give them some as

050you can't take the cables up. You've got to be >> I think that's a I I like the consideration of that for sure. But that that is the really don't know their expense plan with this >> and at this time you they have capacity to do that. You don't have any anything else slated for the >> else [laughter] falls within because it's a big job. I mean it's a huge job. It's I can't I'm I'm I'm surprised you could say you can do it without incurring any additional cost. That's a huge job. >> But but that's also keeping in mind that we have multiple projects and multiple buildings that we plan on work with Nexus because they take ceilings down in certain areas such as Washington when they get the new Hback the building Washington.

051So when they when they go to pick the ceilings down, we'll be right in there with I'm very confident having seen some of the the things that my staff have done. It's awesome. It's humbling. I think that this is also something that can give our my points down to only wire the wires. Let me know if you need any volunteer help. >> What kind of timeline is there for this kind of project? How long will it take to implement all this? >> I'm giving myself two years. Uh I'm going to under promise And that's the nice thing about working [cough] with a partner with Nexus where we can work together on these projects. Um that I'm very confident my staff I'm very confident this is I I just I cannot wait Any other questions for

052Mr. Winters? >> How did the staff feel about it? >> Oh, staff. >> Yes. >> Uh as an >> Yeah. Uh I've talked to a couple teachers uh mostly with the principles and that that's because of frustration working. Um one of the things that this will also take care of one of the biggest complaints that I get is that it's gym and you got a bunch of kids around the go. Who knows that what's going on? They can't hear But these were strokes. So when these stroes are going up, that's telling you that [clears throat] many many benefits. But >> what happens to the kids that are outside >> still, you know, since they're still still outside? >> So you can still hear things like will their lanyard or something go off? >> Yep. an

053uh an individual uh volume adjustment as well. So that's a nice again not a nice thing that you can adjust the volume in the class individually which [snorts] again that's been another >> and and there's no doubt that we've had we've heard from the staff uh that this need is is there and is an ongoing concern. I was at the school today talking with the librarian her telling me of the challenges that she has three rooms there that there's no there's no secret so it is the ongoing beyond these three >> the other feedback we received was um you know when we had earlier talked about [snorts] the recctor um security is there was some concern with it geolocating the These ones are specific. They are not uh registered until you push the button. So,

054it's not tracking. So, battery life is 10 times more than what we would have with Raptor because it's constantly monitoring. So, the need to plug it in or or recharge it is not as much. But, um it also gave some peace of mind that you're not being tracked everywhere you go in the building. So until you hit those panic buttons, which is not a simple one push and you know a kid's not going to hit it by accident, a teacher is not going to hit it by accident. You know, it's you could push it three times and then you're going to see something start. You can talk to somebody. But the big component that staff was also concerned about is was it constantly monitoring where you and this does not. It does not activate your

055geol location until you actually push the buttons and that will find you outside. It will find you, you know, if you have an emergency personally in the restroom, if you see something happening in the cafeteria, no matter where you are, whether it's your signed place or where, will find you at that point and locate where that incident and that assistance needed. But it is not a 247 and find you wherever you are. >> It's a lot of lot of battery powered devices that we don't currently have to send with. Is there a is there warranty or battery life warranty >> replacement one year on the batteries I know that >> they're not rechar they don't [snorts] recharge I don't have the answer for that >> I knew until you until until you asked I I

056can't get you an answer that I I do believe that they are rechargeable. I don't know. Is that a website? I thought it was >> I thought they were recharging. >> I thought they were rechargeable. >> Yeah. It seemed like they' done everything else right. Why would they do that wrong? >> And it all started from a a a mother who had gave birth to children. Fantastic. Oh, uh, I just want to make a couple quick comments. One, uh, thank you, Mrs. Armstrong, for the clarification. >> These are paid for. Go >> ahead. >> They are returned. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> And thank you, Mr. arch for clarification that this this particular piece has been paid out of the uh fund60 fund 190 the health safety transfer that we did. Um and then

057also Dr. Shug um thank you for your interest that you mentioned we're going to as we look at this of course this is the first of many RFPs but I think we are going to look to stay within that phase one budget if you will. So my while this might be a little bit higher, you know, right out the gate, we're going to have the opportunity to look at other projects coming through in phase one and uh I guess to to evaluate those uh and to see, you know, where how we can come into the budget with those too. Um because that's where the that's where it's going to be. This one might be a little bit higher. This might be some items that might not come in as high, but I think there's a

058commitment to get get with stay within budget. >> [clears throat] >> I was just [snorts] >> Any other first further questions, comments? >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Hempy. >> Hi. >> Mrs. H. Hi. >> Mr. Diesel Meer. >> Hi. >> Mr. Miller. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Young. Hi. >> Mr. Piggy. >> Hi. >> And Mr. Here >> I motion passes. Okay. The following items have been added for discussion or we be coming up for further review and or possible action in the future. Background information has been provided and the board may ask questions and or request clarification at this time. Um I'll hand it over to Dr. Shu discuss vision. >> All right. Uh so as we've talked about over the past uh several months um we know that we're still utilizing um

059the next steps in our 5-year strategic plan. Uh but during that strategic planning process, one of the things that we did not write was a vision statement. We did uh profiles for our uh staff, for our um students, but we didn't have a clear vision statement that was a component of that strategic plan. As a result, we've spent a lot of time as an administrative team um and bringing back to you and then bringing back to the staff for feedback uh a vision statement that really pulls together uh that strategic plan. Um and the branding process wound up also contributing I think to the our thinking around the vision statement. So a vision statement is really defining what we aspire to become as a school district. Uh serving as a guiding compass helping us with

060our decision-making process and our long-term direction. Uh again, I think it's something that is really important as we look to ending and sunsetting this strategic plan and refreshing and looking to a new strategic plan in the coming years. This would be something that would stay the test of time. So this is something that we would uh continue to have in place. Um, so what we have come to you with this evening for the purposes of discussion, so it's not on here for a vote this month, but maybe we'll be ready for a vote next month, uh, is community rooted, every child included, learning, innovating and leading, thriving today, and prepared for tomorrow. Um, really we, uh, used a lot of the key words we had in our mission statement, a lot of the work we

061were doing in our strategic planning process. Uh and then also looking to our vision tagline uh that we've put together as a result of that branding process as well. Feeling like that learn, innovate, and lead uh really represents uh who we are as a school district and where we're going. Uh the vision statement gives us a little bit more capacity. So here again we have community which was a recurring theme throughout uh our stakeholder input and our strategic planning process. Every child included. Again, this was a huge component of our discussion uh and our core values as a strategic planning team uh is that inclusion and that every child matters. Uh again, we have the learning, the innovating and the leading thriving today. So, wanting to make sure that every child is thriving today, really

062looking at that present and then aspiring towards the future where we are prepared for tomorrow. Uh which is really uh we know an increasing challenge as the world before us is changing. uh dramatically. I believe that this vision statement then sets us up for success in the profile for graduate work that is currently ongoing that's really going to talk about that prepared for tomorrow piece. So I am looking for any feedback here. Uh how does that sit with you? How do you feel about that as a vision statement? Um do we seem like we're on track? We have gotten again uh stakeholder feedback on this. Uh, but I wanted to bring it to you one more time to see how you felt about it before we looked at putting that on as a roll call

063item for next for next month. Um, jump in. Um, I do like how it does um relate to our directly, right? >> Yes. >> Learn, innovate, lead. It's It's literally right in there. >> Not by accident. Yes. [laughter] So, I like how we tied that in there, of course. Um, and that's the message, right? That's the message we're going to take out. Um, [clears throat] with us and our and our school district when we're talking, right? Um, so yeah, I I do like this. I like the community reference. [clears throat] Yeah, [clears throat] I'm impressed that you encompassed kind of every aspect that I feel is important generally as a mission. Not not specifically, but it probably would have taken me a paragraph [laughter] to >> this wasn't our first >> to convey that. And

064um I I I like every aspect of it. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> Including every chapter. I think that's important. >> Yeah. Every bit of it I think is relevant. >> And you like all right. >> Well, it's it's a >> catchy. >> Yeah, it's a synced. It's a synced something we can really easy to remember. And back to the to the community comments, every child, you know, important aspects, thriving today and prepared for tomorrow. all that again very succinctly worded there. Yeah. I mean for all the iterations I guess that you looked at. [laughter] >> In my opinion, this looks really good. >> All right. Well, I'm going to take that to the bank and uh we will uh bring that back to you then as a roll call item. I'm really excited uh

065to have that come together and I think again uh really nicely aligned with the portrait portrait of a graduate work uh that we're doing as well. So, I think that'll help inform that as well. So, thank you so much. I appreciate your support for that. >> Okay. Next on the agenda items, uh I'm sorry. Here we go. Facility masters plan phase one update and review. Um Dr. Shug, we we do have the folks from Nexus here today. >> Yes. Well, and this is very timely as we just had a great deal of discussion about uh this phase one. Uh we really felt like it was important to take a step back and share with you what in fact is in that phase one. uh what does that look like uh school by school and uh

066what and get any feedback uh from the board as necessary on those next steps. Uh and you will have Nexus here to answer all of your questions as well. So I'm going to turn it over uh to the team from Nexus. I'll kick it off. All right. Thank you so much for having us here tonight. It's a pleasure to see all of you. Happy New Year. we haven't seen you since last year. So, um, as Dr. Suge said, we wanted to come tonight and give you an update on where we are in phase one. Um, and so if there are any questions as we go through this, please feel free to stop us. Um, but the goal is that we have brief agenda. Um, and what that really looks like is the highlight and the

067overview of where we are um, in phase one. We have it broken out school by school so we can show you what that budget is, what the improvements are that are being made in each of those schools. Um, if you can advance to the next slide, that would be great. Thank you. Um, so we'll have that uh kind of the meeting goals and expectations. I'll give you a summary of what we uh have done in December, what we're doing in January, where we are looking in February. Um, like I said, we'll talk through each of those schools, where we are um as far as the description of work, the design process, where we are with design, and then we'll take some next steps looking forward at uh what we'll be bringing back to you in

068February. So, as I said, please feel free to stop us as we're going through this. Uh, next slide, please. Uh, so just looking ahead at December. Um, completed the design for the new clinic. So, I know that um thank you to Joanne for sharing the summary updates that we've been submitting over to you. Um but we did complete the design for the new clinic. We have held secure entry user group and site walks for all 10 schools. We have reviewed 75% design milestones for the secure entry projects with the district. We've had a lot of good discussions um in our design leadership team meetings that are held every third Friday of the month. uh phase two walkthroughs and concept development for food service CTE and early childhood center have been accomplished. So we're excited about

069that as we are working through in January. The clinic work is out to bid and due back in uh at the end of January on the 27th we have mechanical plumbing electrical reviews scheduled. So those will be happening in this month. We have the secure entry for phase 1 schools at 100% design due at the end of this week on Friday the 23rd. And we [snorts] have design work on phase one scope for Washington HVAC and the admin uh building beginning also this month. Looking ahead into February, we have the draft phase 2 FIM summary. So as you remember as we were talking about phase one, we brought to you that uh that intense FIM schedule. we will have the same exact uh template for phase two. So, we will be bringing it back to

070you in that same format and reviewing all of those different scopes uh that have been previously identified as priority um as part of phase 2. Uh we will have the review with administration first. We plan on being here um at business services in February and again in front of you at the board meeting and uh meeting with the district uh 100 team to plan for those January and February meetings. So, as we look forward, we have all of those things coming up. And as I previously said, um we continue to have those uh weekly meetings with the team um the admin team and with the team at Nexus. So, uh lots of things are happening and and things are moving. [clears throat] Um lots of things to be discussed. So, we're excited to share that

071with you. And I will turn it over to Hans and he will Yes, please. >> Could I ask a question? >> Yes. And if you could go back, it's in the lower left. the phase two walkthroughs and concept development for >> Yes. >> Can you elaborate on what that activity is? >> So, >> yes, absolutely. >> So, we've had our our our partner subject matters going through looking at everything from asphalt to roofing. Uh revalidating items that we looked at in phase one, identifying some additional stuff that has come up since uh either were there new issues or just reiterating those priorities. Um some of it is uh architectural so looking at some smaller remodels considering some smaller models. So we've gone through a couple different we're looking through those options and hoping to get

072back to the principles >> for everything on the phase two go [clears throat] >> correct and what's the and the concept development for food service CTE and early childhood. >> Sure. So, as part of that, um, in phase one, we're doing a new freezer at, um, Elier High School. Um, as part of that, we're also looking at some other food service updates, looking at potential to upgrade holistically upgrade, uh, kitchen serving um, at all the schools, potentially eliminating uh, disposables and adding dishwasher tray returns uh, at those buildings. That makes sense. So, I mean, kind of a gamut of of food service improvements. we're considering and looking at that answer your question >> within the CTE and early childhood center. >> Yep. And and same thing we we talked about the the the CTE and

073early childhood center. We're continuing to develop that and refine that program. We I spoke to her earlier last week, refine that. Um we've got a couple concept items. We're again said already we're still refining it. I'm hoping to present that to you folks either in February or March. >> Just to clarify, we're not looking at a CT center. We're looking at EC center and upgrades or models of CTE spaces in existing. And >> thank you for that. If I missed the kind of throw them together, CTE center point that I was trying to zero in on. >> Yeah. Thank you. to [clears throat] um as well. Nexus has been walking with principles and getting input and so kind of soliciting some of that input of what they are looking for um as well uh but

074still identifying the priority projects that need to be done um that were not included in phase one but they have been >> Thank you for that clarification. >> Yes, multiple meetings. Um so similar to what we did with phase one um you know we have certain user groups within each of those buildings and then we have um the extended user groups which is some of the admin teams and so and then obviously as Hans uh reiterated our subconsultants and our subject matter experts. So, lots of different um you know, meetings and discussions so that we can refine and bring back to you uh what meets those priority phase 2 projects um and also make sure that we've vetted and and spoken to all of those people that are going to be in those in those

075um areas and using those systems. >> Thank you for that. >> Thanks. >> Appreciate that. more detail but simply put we we identify an issue whether it's from the user group particular teacher principal um staff member we working internally to understand what that ex is what the solution is put a budget to it come back work with Sean's team work with the principles is this solution adequate no or yes or no revise it some of the things are are pretty easy if there's a roof leak okay we need do we need to replace the roof or does it need to be um can it be patched up Right. Other things are more difficult like the the early childhood center, right? So that's takes a lot more time. So there's >> Thank you. So looking ahead,

076um the [clears throat] way that we've broken this out is we wanted to kind of put the elementary schools um on one slide and kind of give you that update um on those buildings. We'll move into the middle schools, the high schools, and then the additional buildings within the district. Um, again, if you have questions as Hans is talking through this, please feel free to to stop and ask. >> So, good kind of good segue on the earlier discussion of audio enhancements. Um, what we're showing here again is is the building original project budget, quick description of the work. Um, where we're at in the design process, you're going to see a lot of these are at 100%. Those are at the buildings where we're just doing um um secure entry. We're doing the PA

077system, the audio enhancement system. We're doing some card access items. [clears throat] You're going to see buildings that are at close to zero or near near zero. Those are larger larger projects that we deferred to later for a number of different reasons. Um they're going to start on the heels of this first this what I'll call the first phase of our phase one uh being done design. So uh Calonia, Lincoln, Mihan 100% done. Um those are as as Lauren said they're going to be bidding next week. Hope to have bids back end of uh to February here. Um Perry we have not started there again. We made that critical because that's such a large remodel adding elevators. It would not it would be cost prohibitive to really focus on that secure entrance there. um they

078really need to be done at the same time um logistically to meet ADA but also just feasibly you wouldn't want to do a secure entrance and not have the rest of it done. We're trying to uh keep the economies of scale, mobilize contractors at one time, fit it as one package. It's more attractive for contractors, one bid package. So, uh we'll get better pricing. Seth Mc Whitman is in that uh boat with uh that it's 100% done. Again, Washington like Kerry, very large HVAC upgrade. We were able to do the main office there, but there's still a multi-million dollar HBAC upgrade that as you see the in the schedule, the GAN chart I'll show later is planned for a little bit later so we can get this machine going. Really focus on those secure entrance

079uh secure entrances that the buildings were touching. I think there's eight of them. Focus on that audio enhancement system. Focus on the uh secure access. And then we can then we can start focusing on single buildings which are uh Washington Elementary, Perry. Um the next slide, >> South Middle School. >> Middle schools will be South Middle School again has a very large HDC upgrade. So we're deferring that one till on the heels of this design being completed. Um Central Middle School again, secure entry and uh uh access control system there. that's 100% complete. That'll be bid uh out for bid shortly. Should be having bids come back end of February. High schools, um again, North High School, Everest, Secure Entry, you're going to hear me repeat, secure entry, access control, some site work we were

080able to get in there. Belvadier High School's got some roof work. There's that walk-in freezer that I talked about earlier. So, those are two items that we're holding off on. Um some of this comes down to um lead time on equipment. These departure projects um because we started design four months ago. Again, I said we want to focus on those secure entrance. Even if we had gotten design done fit out now, those are going to be a little more difficult to get lead time on. So, deferring them, focus on the stuff that we could starting design on the next phase. Now, uh we've got a little longer lead time to or runway here. proper design, work with the user groups, get those out to bid, get the contractors mobilized, get those long lead time items

081like electrical transformers, elevators, pet, um HVAC equipment, uh that we know we're going to have issues with uh clinic. That was actually the very first item we were tasked with getting getting that design. Uh that is bidding. Did we say that's bidding next week? >> [clears throat] >> uh this week as well. >> Yeah, it's closing on >> remember the exact date of that. Um central central office is another one. This building another major HVAC upgrade really slots in well with some of those other HBAC designs. And then the ops building just access to So with that, this is a a kind of more [clears throat] picture repeating what we just said. Again, we've got a very large project that we're we're we're trying to tackle here, $50 million. We're hitting those secure entries first,

082hitting the um clinic first. Those are we feel pretty comfortable. We're off and running really well. Uh but it really is only 24% of it because like I said, the big projects um are really going to start rolling right now on heels and your entry entry designs. So again, kind of reiterating what I just said, this is uh the past five months, we've been working on those eight, nine schools, getting kind of the blocking and tackling going. Right on the heels of that, we're going to be working on these multi-million dollar projects. Washington, this building, South Middle School, Perry Elementary, South or Yeah. South Middle School, this building, Washington, and then Perry. That uh make sense? questions, comments. Unfortunately, like we said, the the audio enhancements the only thing we've had budget um bids come

083in on like Joanne said, but shortly here we'll have the uh client building. We'll have this this first group of phases and right then we'll start kind of slotting things in. we'll know where we're at for those and it's figure out if we need to cut back some more if we have a little bit more more money to um spend on these buildings. But that's why we do it as a a large portfolio, right? Some things are going to be coming over, some should come in under and as we we keep kind of uh the trend keeps moving, we'll we'll we'll get we'll hone in on where we're at and have more more comfort on where we sit with the $50 million. What what's the orange bar again? >> Orange bar is bid phase. >>

084So yeah, tough to see. >> Um dark blue is our design phase. Got about four four weeks of bidding where they're out to bids. Contractors are areing up for that bid date, sending their bids. We've got some downtime there where we're uh working with contractors getting contracts with them, start getting them mobilized, start reviewing um equipment, getting that stuff ordered. And then the uh the kind of the turquoise there is when you actually start construction. Um the the blind green is uh close out. There's still kind of >> punch lists. There's commissioning going on. So we want to recognize that we're still in the building doing work, but 99% by >> Great question. >> We have access to this presentation. >> I Yep. I sent it over to >> Yes, it will be in board

085docs. We just received it. Uh so we will Yes, but you will have No, no, you will have absolutely you will have access to it moving. >> Great. Thank you [laughter] Barbie for mentioning that. Yeah, >> I I kept looking for it. I'm like, >> any other questions on the schedule? Otherwise, we can take a quick look at some of the next steps. Um, really, it's more just the iteration of what we've talked about. Um, if you can go to the next slide, please. Um, so really next steps, uh, we look forward to coming back and sitting with you all in February, um, at business services at the board meeting. Again, we're going to get more into the um discussion of phase 2. Obviously, at any point in time, we're happy to pause and give

086you um phase one updates and and answer any questions um about where we are in phase one, but um with the expectation you're going to see us um really coming up at all of your meetings. Um it won't just be Hans and myself. We have Brent Warren. Um so, he's part of the construction team. Um we also have Courtney Kates and other people that will be uh attending the meetings with us so that they can be providing updates as well as it pertains to the work that they're doing. Um so again as part of the phase two we are looking at it uh similarly as what we did with phase one. So, it's identifying what those priority projects were uh that the board uh had previously approved, coming back to the administration and those user

087groups um and validating those, rep prioritizing and making sure that we have accurate budgets for all of those different scope projects. Um so, we're going to go through that scope summarization um at each one of those facilities, each one of those line items. um make sure that we have that update updated prioritization that we will be going through with the board um in the next month or two. Um we'll be using that same financial planning tool. So the FIM sum is something that the board is uh hopefully getting accustomed to seeing. Um but that's where we will break out each of those scope items uh line by line um and associate how it is being funded um you know what the projected timeline is for that um and all the associated uh things for each

088of those line items. and then obviously work with the team to make sure and stay on track, stay on budget. Um, our goal is obviously to ensure that we're being fiscally responsible um and mindful of where we are with our budgets and as we go through this process, giving me updates in real time to the administrative team and to the board. So, that is what next steps look like and I think if you just move on to the next slide, it's just a summary of the agenda. Um, any other additional questions at this time regarding phase one? Um, or potentially looking uh ahead into phase two. No problem. This is pretty much the last slide, so we we are good. Yes, there it is. Thank you. Any discussion? >> How often are are you giving

089these updates? >> Um, we'll be here really looking uh ahead pretty much every month. Um, [clears throat] we'll be with the board either um at business services and at the board meeting. Um, just so that we can have that thoughtful conversation and be mindful of the time spent at this meeting. Um but obviously we are here whenever uh whenever requested but uh it is on our schedules to have uh to have representation here every month moving forward >> and that thim sum will be continuing to be updated. Absolutely. Say where we are in terms of the project. >> Absolutely. >> Month to month we should be able to follow that and you should also see it in your board update what we're doing monthto month to month. >> Yes. >> And we can bring Nexus

090in whenever too. So feel like >> we need more. They will bring us more time. >> Absolutely. >> So you you'll raise red flags when there are red flags. We don't have to >> you don't have to guess. >> Keep track guess or >> you got it. Absolutely. We are we're keeping a running um a running tally of uh what the original projected budget was where we currently are sitting. Um, and so we will continue to give you those live updates, but if there's anything that we see that would cause um, you know, any conflict with timeline, lead times, um, budget increases, we will definitely make sure to to pre-warn you before before this. >> And there were none today, right? >> Not that we've seen today. Not um, Hans, anything that you >> Well,

091we I mean, we talked about we're in the red right now on the on the audio enhancements. I know um at Everest we were able to skinny up that um that secure entrance. So that we expect to to save some money on that side. So again, as we kind of keep going through these, we're going to be cognizant of where [clears throat] we sit and if we need to uh skinny up some areas or kind of tighten up expectations or if we we get ahead, that doesn't mean we there's an open pocket, but we're working with Joanne and Sean and saying, "Okay, there's some other areas that we need to be cognizant of and And our target is to come in under budget on phase one. Yes. Because whatever comes forward for phase two, uh

092we are not going to be able to do all of the projects that are a part of phase two. Correct. Uh we're not going to be able to address everything that's on that facility needs for the price point that was identified for us [snorts] by steepel and PMA. Uh so it is our target to come in under budget on phase one so that we have more opportunity to do additional priority means projects on phase two. uh it is in everyone's best interest [clears throat] for that to take place and we are definitely keeping an eye on that if that's reduced costs on carpet or yes uh whatever the case may be we are looking for where we can carve something out um but I do think an investment in the audio enhancement piece makes a

093lot of sense long term >> and just to reiterate um you know part of uh the partnership that you entered into with Nexus is that once we come to you with the design um and we give you that budget if that uh design comes comes in over the budget, we redesign that at our cost. Um, so we feel confident um that, you know, this is what we do. We are bidding projects every single week. Um, so we really have a good feeling of of where we are. Um, but it is it is our commitment based on the level of expertise we have. Um, that we put uh our money where our mouth is. And so when we design something, um, like we said, we stick by that budget and if it comes in over that

094budget, we will redesign it at our cost. So there's just that assurance I wanted to remind the board of. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> And just for clarity, I do meet with Nexus with um monthly at least to review the bills. So red flag when I'm seeing the RFPs. I'm seeing the invoic I mean I'm going to be bringing them to him before you know they're Nexus will bring them to attention, but we're watching the shop as well. I am desperate to stay under budget office. So we will uh when we saw the inflation over the two years we already know we need to be us conscious though it is not just Nexus watching that shop we are also watching it very regularly >> and we meet u I know Miss Armstrong meets with

095Nexus multiple times a week >> I I have multiple mult multiple communications with Nexus daily and >> we're trying to streamline the process So, [laughter] >> but we every meeting you're always looking at things. >> It is a it is a passion not only doing a nice share but >> absolutely. >> Thank you for that. we are we are very cognizant, very mindful and it is uh definitely one of our pillars to make sure that we are being fiscally mindful and responsible and and doing everything we can to limit um that impact to the districts and the communities that we serve. So, thank you for sharing that. Any other questions? If something comes up, obviously in the meantime, please always feel free to um you know, directly reach out or pass it along to your

096administrative team. Um, we're happy to answer anything as as the process go ons, but we look forward to sitting with you in February at business services and at your board meetings. So, uh, we look forward to many continued conversations. >> Thank you, Laura. >> Thank you. It was nice to see you all. >> Any other further discussion? >> Yeah. Um, you know, I I just kind of reflecting on 10ear plan here tonight. I think it was [clears throat] was actually the night I was sworn in for the previous night I voted out this first three years projects. Um I think it's a fair assessment that most of the projects are extremely deferred maintenance projects that should have been done many years ago. Some of them are extremely safety issues. the fact that we don't have

097all the festivals secured at this point time. We're way behind that. So there are really meaningful projects in that first especially that first um you know and then I think Joanna had a really good point. Illinois is a fund based accounting system and what we put in fund 60 and 90 we can't spend that much. We've embarked on a journey here to to start to to these critical items. Um and there's some things that are first up that are really important. All that being said, I think, you know, given where we're at, costs have increased significantly. I think it does make sense for us to go back and revisit some of the projects that are in phase one. Ask ourselves whether or not still want to go think of some examples of the money that

098we're there's an opportunity for us to still good stewards of go back and it's probably we ought to probably consider doing that just because they have a process that you start to keep that Okay. Um, >> no, absolutely. Other for feedback. So, the projects at Washington, the projects at Perry, and the projects at South Middle School that are still not out for design >> and uh or very small percentages in that design process and just sort of bring those back in front of the board and then we can take a look at that and get some additional feedback on what those pieces look like. Can absolutely do that. other feedback. >> What kind of community sentiment can we get or gather on some of these projects >> if we're going to look at revisiting some

099of this? What kind of community input can we >> can we gather um >> point I think that is a good point and I know that that's something that we've talked about in regards to the early childhood center. Do you uh and so we've talked a little bit to Nexus about the possibility for some some community input on that. Do you want to >> Yeah, I just um I appreciate the conversation and I apologize for stepping back up to the podium. Um but I thought that I could share some insight um of what we've done with other districts. You know, when there's been tough conversations about um community buildings or you know which directions to go. um some of those tactics that we've used uh to engage with the community have been um things like

100polling. And so if if that's something that the district is interested in, again, as I've said, we've we've worked um with a company uh very credible company, um the Morris Leatherman [clears throat] Group, and um what they do is it's their goal to, you know, work with any community and it's really of any size. Um the goal is to get 400 um randomized polling samples from community members. Um they have a very uh great system of how they get that database. Um they actually use utility database. Um so it's not through voting records. Um they go through utility databases and they truly have a randomized sampling of 400 different community members. And the way that they build this polling um kind of questionnaire is they start off at that very high kind of 30,000 foot

101view um so that it's a it's a true um response that they're getting back when they when they ask certain questions. Obviously these questions come forth before the administration and the board. Um and we work and make sure that the questions [clears throat] that you desire to get feedback on are included in this questionnaire or in this poll. Um but the results that we receive, they have aided in multiple different districts um helping them strategically figure out um how to move in certain directions and using scientific data. Right? We are it's our job at at Nexus to be consultative and to make sure we are supplying you with the right resources. Um and we truly believe in this kind of community engagement. Um there are a number of other things that we will do to

102help with community engagement to get you that feedback and that data. Um but I would definitely recommend having a discussion with this board um maybe in greater detail about what polling can do for you because it truly will give you um that scientific feedback and that data of where is the community sense on certain items that the district is looking to have direction on. Um, so whether that's questions about Perry, um, or maybe it's questions about early childhood, you know, we would be able to sit down and craft this poll questionnaire together and make sure that we really truly provide you with a an unbiased approach where we're giving you scientific data to help you make decisions. >> What's the timeline on something like that? >> That's a great question. Um, so typically, you know,

103this is all they do. This is their expertise. Um recently we were working with a district where the board they were a little late to the game in making a decision to go out for polling. Um they the district I'm referring to they were looking for assistance in helping them make a decision for an operational referendum or an operational levy. And so they decided in December um I think it was the first week in December that they did want to do a poll uh but they also knew that they had to file the resolution by January 27th. So they had less than 6 weeks to get this done. Um typically the polling needs two weeks for the phone calls to occur. Um we can sit down and and based on timelines right they're very good

104at u meeting the needs of the districts that they work with. Uh preferably we would love a six month or a six-w weekek time frame um so that we can sit down uh bring the polling uh company in and sit down and work with the administration have a conversation with the board uh make sure that we have the right questions in the poll for you. Um and then like I said the polling would take place over two weeks. They need about a week to pull the report together and then we would be able to come back and present uh those findings to to the group. Um, and as I said, it it's amazing at how they can tell you a story um, based on this communication and the feedback that they're getting. And um, they're

105extremely accurate. They will tell you that uh, whatever the the response is, you can um, you can pretty much bank on that plus or minus 5%. Um, and they go into all the different atmospherics. They go into the different demographics. they really help explain how the science works behind the polling. Um, but I feel very confident that based off of the the data that I've seen, um, it has led districts to make decisions based off of science and data, based on what their community says. Um, and it helps take some of that emotion out of it. Um, and that is our goal is to help provide you with real data. Um, and so we would be happy to bring you additional information regarding what that looks like. um and kind of more more uh uh

106timeline. Uh uh [snorts] but yes, it's something that we would be happy to to help engage this district in and I think it would help help direct you and making some of those tough decisions. Questions on polling? I'm happy to answer anything right now >> response and something like that just district survey I feel like all the time. >> Yeah, I can talk, >> right? I can talk a little bit about the serving um and the difference. You know, definitely there are certain districts where um surveying is is applicable and it and it makes sense. Um what we've seen is that typically the response when you send out an opt-in survey um the science shows that the people taking the survey um either strongly really feel one way about it or another way about it.

107It's very hard to get people that are aren't vested in um what you're asking them to take an opt-in survey. Um, and so typically the response rate, although very good and can still provide the board and the district with with accurate data, it doesn't give you um as as much direction um or as much scientific data as what a polling would do. Um, definitely surveys are are are useful and they have purpose, but I think based off of what we've heard, the data you're looking for as as a team and as a board, um, we would recommend going the polling route because we think it would provide you with more uh, direct information >> and what would the costs for? >> That's a great question. So um when you partnered with Nexus uh you partnered

108with us to provide these services at risk and so um that's something that Nexus incurs. The cost is something that we would provide or that we would incur um and we would take on for the district. Um and so the district would not have to uh have anything come out of their pockets. It would be something that Nexus feels um we really need to invest in understanding what the community what their feelings are. Um, you know, we understand the challenges that the board and that the district has faced in the past. Um, and we truly believe in getting consensus and getting information back from your community. Um, so that we can provide that to you. And so as part of our service to you and making sure that we can get you that that accurate

109data and it's not just coming from our team. Uh, this is what our recommendation would be and it would be our expense that we would incur uh to make sure that we do that for you. How would a poll look or how will that process work? >> Yeah, great question. Um, so Peter Leman is the gentleman that we use from Morris Leatherman. Um, he sits down and they have a a good template based off of obviously all the work that we've done. Um, we worked with the Green Bay School District recently and and they had um about a year ago a number of different questions that they needed help and direction on. Um, they had about six or seven different schools that they were looking to consolidate or close. And so the polling really works

110because you're able to craft those questions. We start out, like I said, with very broad questions, um, getting some atmospherics, getting some demographics, just getting kind of a baseline for where people are in your community, and then we dig into more specific questions. We're not asking them immediately um, a direct question about A, B, or C. We really want to help build a story and ask them certain questions about where they are um from a community's perspective on investment um and where they would like to see the district go and and make decisions. The way that survey is crafted will get you that very um direct data that you're looking for, but they do it in a way that doesn't lead the respondent to um give kind of one or the other answer. They don't

111know what questions they're going to be asked when they pick up the phone. So when this randomized polling comes out, they do not know that they are taking initially. They do not know that [clears throat] they are taking a call um as it pertains to the Belvadier District 100 school district. So um it this is their job. They do this all the time. They commit to whether you have a community of 5,000 or a community of 50,000. They commit to getting 400 uh different randomized people to take their to take their survey or their poll um via telephone. Um typically it takes about 10 minutes to go through the questions that the pollsters ask. Um, in the district that we were just presenting at on Monday night, they had uh it's a smaller district, but

112they had a number of community members that wanted to spend 45 minutes on the phone with them um once they kind of figured out what what was going on. And so uh the information again provided or the questions that are asked in this poll um give you this information that you are I think so desiring to help you make some of these decisions. So that process um again we sit down with the district uh we craft those questions obviously go through the template that the pollsters have. We would um verify and adopt that those are the questions you want to be asked during this randomized poll. We let the pollsters work their magic. Um this is something that is done all over the country um in every different city. Um it's very similar to GOP

113polls and and things like that. So they they know what to do and how to get the information. Um, and then after that two-week polling window, they develop uh the the data and then we would bring a report back to the board. Um, and and Peter Leman, again, the way that he is able to help you make some decisions based off of this information, I think will really be insightful and and eye opening. So, I'm excited for that process if the board uh decides to go in that direction. Um, what I can also do is provide a sample of a poll uh that has been done in another district. I'd be happy to share the presentation and then the actual data that's come out of uh one of the other districts that we've worked with

114so that you can see an example of what that looks like and what you could expect um to see happen in Belvadier. >> And sort of to your question, Miss Young, uh I mean there's some urgency to [clears throat] to move this along at a relatively quick pace. I think I could meet with Mr. Herrera and Mr. diesel uh and sort of process this feedback and you could uh provide some information to you so in February's board meeting have something for >> uh the board to take a look at. >> Absolutely. >> Um we could maybe have some input of business services. Is that Mrs. Armstrong? Were you? >> Um, no. I just I wouldn't know if it was okay if I asked a question, but you can [laughter] >> It is definitely okay if

115you ask me a question, [clears throat] but I think we can put together some of those pieces. We know we are looking for some feedback on the possibility of the early childhood center, and I think we want to revisit uh the board would like to see some of the detail with Washington, Perry, and South Middle School. The other projects are already underway. We are not looking for feedback on [clears throat] those projects. Is that an accurate statement? So, we'll look at those pieces. I'll work with Mr. Herrera and Mr. Diesel Meyer on those next steps so when we come back next month, we can get some feedback on what that might look like. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. And in the meantime, I'm happy to provide a sample from another district so that you guys can

116see what that looks like. If >> you can send it, >> Absolutely. It's it's it's wonderful data. I'm excited for you all to see it. >> And we think 400 is a lot. >> Uh 400's the magic number. So [clears throat] it like I said they I've asked that question and it it's it's incredible. But they said genuinely it does not matter uh the size of the district whether it's a rural or urban. Um 400 is the number that they need to get their data. Um asking more or getting less really doesn't move that needle. So, uh I I believe that they've been doing it maybe 35 years and and that is the formula that works. So, I I would yeah be happy to have uh when when Mr. Leman is is here um or

117even if he can zoom in uh possibly at another board meeting, he can answer more specific questions about how his firm does that. But, um yeah, it's it's incredible the science that goes into it and and how accurate their data is and and that they stand behind it. [snorts] I know. >> Let me tell you. >> And they say this. Yes. [laughter] >> Yes. >> That's my question. We talked about this very broad just to get community input on EC and possible phase two projects. Yes. >> So, we didn't dive into this and wasn't thinking about doing it like right now. But >> it's incredible. I know. >> We don't we don't answer unknown calls. I mean that's just who absolutely now you see unknown color you don't answer it you go to voicemail >>

118you are not wrong >> it is it is incredible I I don't have the science behind it but we were working uh in another district um genuinely it's Gillet Wisconsin so a small small little community um they said there's no way we can even get 400 people um they through their atmospherics again how they get their data is uh through a utility utility company through a utility database. They actually know in your community how many landlines uh are in your community, how many homes uh just have cell phones, how many homes have a combination of both. And their team has figured out uh there was a gentleman in the audience on Monday evening's board and he said, "Did you guys try calling from a Wauaaw number because I got like five calls from a Wakaua,

119Wisconsin." He said, "No, that wasn't from us, but they make us they make our job hard our job harder." Um, but they they have the list of people that they talk to. They have the uh those phone uh those conversations recorded and it is they hit 400 people. They guarantee it. Um so I I am happy to have Mr. Leman talk through that, but um it's surprises me. It's the question I ask. You know, it was the first question I asked. Um, and I think it is if it's not the first question out of a board's mouth or out of an admin's uh team's mouth, it it would blow my mind because that is genuinely how do people answer the phone again to numbers that they don't know or you know if it says charity

120call or spam risk, these people figure out how to get a hold of you and how to get you to answer these questions. And so kudos to them, hats off to them. Um, and I I am happy to share their report uh and have Mr. Leman uh either via Zoom or in person uh to answer some of these great questions that you have that I unfortunately don't have all the secret answers to [laughter] >> but great questions. >> What why do you say that um cons under consideration is only limited to things that are not currently in the design phase. >> We can do whatever the board would like to do. So I I mean we have uh the pieces that are in you know here maybe we can show the slide with the >>

121schools [snorts] we have those that have the 100% of the