001Mhm. You lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Sure. Still perfect 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. word. Make sure you join the meeting. First item on the agenda is the adoption and modification of the agenda. Second modification of the agenda this evening. If not, I would entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. So move. Second. I have a motion. I have a second. Any other discussion? If not, please vote. Okay, next up 8.0 approval of the consent agenda items. The consent agenda consists of regular session minutes for March 19th, 2025, bills for payment for April 2025, OPA contract amendment 2024 2025, academic calendar recommendation, UMKC dual credit agreement, panorama contract,
002personnel report for April 2025. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. So move. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. I have a second. Do we have any discussion on the consent agenda? If not, please [Music] vote. Next up, 9.1 comments from the audience. So, do we have any comments from the audience? No. Okay. none. Um 9.2 correspondents. Yes, we have two correspondents from staff members who lost close loved ones. Just saying thank you for the board's generous gift and the note that goes along with that. So, um thank you for to continue that. I think our staff really appreciates it when we lose someone close. Okay. Nothing else on 9.2 9.3. Superintendent of Kos. Yeah, we're going to take advantage of how many people are here. Um,
003and just say thank you. Last Tuesday, we had both of our initiatives that the board put on the ballot back in December, shared that information about the levy transfer as well as the no tax rate increase bond initiative. And just want to say thank you for the tremendous report we re we received as a district. What this opens up for our students is is going to be amazing. Um, for my son, the biggest thing he got excited about is he learned that where they play kickball and um, soccer is going to be turfed. And you would have thought you made his He's like, "Well, when will this be done? This is the greatest thing ever." And then my I have one daughter at the high school who will not get to see the renovations that
004are done, but another one who may get to. And it's just going to make a huge impact on a on a multitude of learning spaces for our students. So, just want to say thank you. Um, we did have a full cake that said, "Thank you, Smithville community, for your tremendous support." But it's it's slowly been eroding in a really good way as people have eaten it. So, we want to remind you guys as you after we celebrate you and leave, please grab some as well. Um, but just from from the community, thank you so much for the support. Um, please know we take any dollars we receive from the community very seriously and always want to ensure that we are good stewards of that money. So, thank you guys so much. All right. Now, we
005are going to move on to student staff recognitions. I would invite the board to the front of the board table and I'll turn it over to Mrs. Hedge. have a big um we're going to start off with our art students recognition. So, Smithville High School art students submitted pieces to the annual high school jured art exhibition in St. Joseph, Missouri. a jured exhibition where the host hires a set of judges to come in and critique work based on craftsmanship, originality, technical skills, and overall idea. This year, there were roughly 155 artists with about 168 p works of art, and Smithville High School swept the show with many outstanding awards. So, students, if you will stand, or if you're already standing, then give us a wave when your name is listed. Um Hannah Rudd received honorable
006mention in the story for her piece within. Aiden Thornton received second place in the drawing monochromatic category for his piece back alley. and Bailey Freeman won best of show for her sculpture unrolling in order to receive this award. Judges all agree that this work of art stands out amongst the rest of the artwork and there were nine different categories. So they are joined tonight by art teachers Tessa Kerto and Diane Migwitz. Good evening everyone. My name is uh Tessa Kertoys. I am the messiest high school art teacher. I teach ceramic sculpture in AP3D. Um so I actually graduated from St. Joseph in Missouri Western. So being able to send students artwork up to the Albbright Kemper up there and then bring home awards and honorable mentions is super exciting for me and kind of nostalgic
007for me. Um it's really exciting. It's super inspiring to have kids that come in and love art just as much as I do and are sometimes even better. And I'm like, "Okay, wait a second here. Wait, the student teaching the teacher." So, um, yeah, I'm super proud of these kids and excited to see like how much more the art department grows in our building. Um, but yeah. Oh, real quick, we do have a district-wide art show. It is April 25th. It's a Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 and then Saturday, April 26th from 9:00 to 11:00. So, I hope to see you guys there. All right. Yeah. Thank you. someone that loves you very much. Yeah. My name's Bailey and my mom Sarah Freeman, my dad Scott Freeman came with me. They're pretty pretty cool. So,
008my name is Aiden and uh just my mom here, Jessica Ste. My name is Hannah Rudd. I'm here with my parents, Brad Harrison, Kelly Harrison, and my brother, Seth White. Hi. We would now like to invite the teachers and the students to come up and shake hands and get a picture with the board. Parents, please know that we will pause and give you guys a chance to take a picture as well, but students, please come up. Teachers, please come up. All right. You guys get to be up front. No, you're great. I'm sorry. Okay. Right here. One, two, three. Perfect. Thank you. It's okay. Okay, next I would like to introduce Kate Crim and Ammon Carden. Um, they have earned the prestigious spots at the 2025 Missouri Scholars Academy. This highly selective three-week residential program
009hosted at the University of Missouri recognize and nurtures the state's brightest rising gifted juniors. And they are joined tonight by our um gifted teacher, Paige Shy. So basically they have multiple programs that are the state funds for gifted education and this is one of the big ones. It's Missouri Scholars Academy. Um, it's basically where you get to nominate a certain percentage from your high school. We get two slots and then you typically have to, it's not just a chosen thing. They have to take an ACT. They have to take all, they have to be the highest of their whole group. And so, it's four different things we have to look at because we want the highest chance of our kids getting in. And so, both of ours, of course, got in and they work extremely
010hard to be able to do that. I'm just very excited for them because it's three weeks. They get the full college experience. They get um lecturers and professors from all over the country come in and live at Missou with them. So, it's just the choices they get to do and just kind of live on campus like a Missou student. It's just amazing. And I love getting to go in the summer and sit in the classes with them. So, I mean, I'm just as excited for them. Um, I'm Kate Crim and I'm here with my parents, Shelley Crim and Mike Crim. I'm Ammon Carden. I'm here with my mom Heather, father TJ, and my sister Natalie. So, she's not here for me. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Everybody, parents, ain't this good? And Miss Shy, don't go too
011far. So, you're on the next one, too. So, um, Emily Dukewitz has been accepted into the esteemed Stanford Stars internship program. Emily is the first Smithville student ever to achieve this incredible feat. This rigorous 7-week program at Stanford University provides gifted students with hands-on experience in healthcare and biomedical research working alongside leading clinicians and scientists. Emily, are you here? Oh, there you are. Front row. I miss you. Okay. So, but row before Yeah, I'm not used to somebody sitting in the front row. Um, before we go too far, I'm gonna introduce her for another reason. She's being recognized twice tonight. The other is that Emily earned a blue ribbon for her display titled a comparative study of antimicrobial substances on both gram positive and gram negative bacteria at the 74th Greater Kansas City Science and
012Engineering Fair. This fair aims to help our community grow science, engineering, math, and technology, also known as STEM literate workforce. So, congratul um this person, this girl, I mean, basically came up to me and goes, "So, Shy, I need to do hands-on re research. I'm going to do it." And she goes, "I know I'm young. I want to be in the lab, but I want to do something hands-on and I want to do it now. We will find it. And of course, what are the universities that do hands-on research in biomed or neuroscience? It's Stanford or MIT. And they actually have gifted programs for the summer. They only take 20 students out of the whole nation. Okay, that's why I'm like shaking. I was so excited for her when she told me. I think I
013almost cried and like ran ran and jumped at her. I think Kate was there, too. I mean, I'm sh guys. It's such a big deal. I mean, she had to do multiple papers, multiple interviews. And mind you, the interview put them together and says,"Wh are you all here? What do you have in common? Go." That was her interview. And she passed that. I mean, it's just I couldn't be more proud. She's such a self-starter. I mean, she gets to literally work on stem cell research with a neuroscientist and biomedical scientists at Stanford. So, anyway, just beyond proud. Yeah, my name's Emily. I'm here with my mom, Sarah, my dad, David. Thanks for being here, guys. awkward. Okay, stay shy. I can't see you. Okay, that's better. Ready? One, two, three. Keep clicking. Stay there. Okay,
014parents. Okay, next up we have Lily Burns who earned premier distinction which is the highest degree in the National Speech and Debate Association known as the NSDA Honor Society. This puts her in the top 3% of NSDA members across the nation. Lily, will you stand up for us? Right. And she is joined tonight by coach Nikki Wagner, who also is being recognized tonight um for earning the Donis D. Roberts Coaching Excellence Award in the NSDA Honor Society. Receiving the Donis Award is a remarkable achievement and it indicates that Nikki has earned 10,000 SCO coaching points accumulated by her team's achievement. Congratulations. Okay. Um, so speaking of Lily, um, she has put four years into this activity. This is her senior year and it's it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to
015that 8,000 points. Um, which helps me to get to the award that I received. Um, so I just want to like it's a it's great to see uh the kids do these things and make these achievements. Um and Lily and five other kids will be competing at state next weekend. First we should debate to see how they do. And then I'm Lily and I'm joined here tonight by my mom Pam and my dad Tony. Okay, next up we have band. So, the following students received exemplary rating at the Misha District Music Festival, which qualifies them for state competition. We have Kylie Ballinger, Sophia Dixon, and Kirsten Clancy with their saxophone trio. If you're here, please stand up. If you're already standing, please give a wave. Okay. Uh Brooke Bolan, Emma Marshall, Avery Mains for their
016flute trio. Morgan Lrand for her clarinet solo. I think she had to work tonight. So, um Jackson Liry for his Mallet solo. Gage Mlanahan for his snare solo. Glenn Gray for his alt alto alto saxophone solo. Bull Hazen also for Ala. Oh my goodness, I'm trying to combine those words. Sorry. Alto saxophone solo and Alli Potabomb for her flute solo. and they are joined tonight by directors Tom Brockman and Connor McNair. Uh just really brief about these students really quick. Um this is something that they choose to do on their own. It's not a requirement of the second semester of band or anything like that. So this accomplishment is theirs. They they took it on. They took the the practice time to do it. The parents had to listen to it in the bedroom. Probably
017them yelling at their music, probably not getting it right, screaming, but they they kept at it and they kept going and this their reward is the benefit of going to state in a couple weeks to Missou. So, they get to do it all over again. So, we go to the state level and they perform again. But again, this accomplishment is theirs because we don't force them to do it. So, it's a huge uh credit to them. So thank you. Yeah. Hi, I'm Emma Marshall and my mom Kristen and my dad Jay brought me. Parents, please wave as well. Hi, I'm Brooking. Hi, I'm Avery Mains. The rest of the band the rest of Hi, I'm Ally Podbomb and my mom brought here me here tonight. I'm Jackson Liry and I'm here with my mom Monica.
018And Karen pointed out that I missed one student. And so Colin Knight also um qualified with the snare and Tony solos. That's okay. You look great. We'll work around here. You just stand. We'll work our window. Do we have more? It's okay. Okay. Okay. And last but not least, um we will talk about state choir qualifiers. The following students received exemplary rating at the Misha District Music Festival, which qualifies them for state competition. Natalie Carden, Asia Graham, Sophia Oxy, Marissa Quinn, Hannah Smith, Elena Westoff, Cara K. Wilson for their SSA7. And you guys can explain what that means to the crowd when you get a turn. Okay. Um, Maddie Bedau, Natalie Carden, and Maddie Hoys for their SSA trio. Lynn Hernie for her solo. Emmy Holt for her solo. Aubrey Mory for her solo and
019Elena Westoff for her solo. I'm Natalie Carden. I am here with my mom, Heather, my dad, TJ, and my brother, Ammon. You already know he's not here for me. Natalie, will you tell us what seven and an SSA trio are got it. Okay, thanks. So, an SSA 7 basically means there are seven people in the group. Uh you can also call it a subtype. Um and then SSA 3 means there's three people. All right. Hi, I'm Hannah and I'm here with my mom, my dad, and my best friends. Hi, my name's Emmy and I'm here with my mom and my grandma. I'm Lynn. I'm here with my stepmom and my best friends. Hi, I'm Maddie. I'm here with all of you. I'm Mariss Quinn and I am here with my mom, Kelly. I'm Maddie Ho
020and I'm here with my mom Rose and my brother Wyatt and my name is Sophia Oxy. I'm here with um my mom Janelle Oxy and my dad Louisis Oxy. You guys nice and close. And then parents, we'll make sure and pause to let you guys. Okay, board members, find a window. Okay, I see everyone's face. One, two, three. Um, Susan, maybe just one way or the other a little bit. There we go. One, two, three. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Any parents want to come up in the middle as well? So as we transition you please you are welcome to stay if not you are welcome. We appreciate you guys coming. Not working. Comments. I mean, nothing. I'll I'll reinforce that. These are very directional. Oh, okay. State approving supplemental paying an increase in that. But
021yeah, it's awesome. What's that? Oh, it's amazing. She was the first person at Rock. would have more national private. Never heard of that. No, I never heard of that. No, good. Thank you. All right. Early admit to MIT, early admit to Harvard, early admit to uh Brown. Never heard of that. And it could be I don't know. So that you know I was at Rockbridge 15 years ago. So I don't know that amazing amazing It takes so much work to do this. That's awesome. So much work there. I want to like go cure cancer is what she gonna do. We're gonna laugh. Really cool. It's funny. Her brother was so loud. They said we always put the fellowship in the if people don't sit down. You have like a breathing sign that thing and they
022never sit down. That's the only thing I can think of. The bra's not working. It disconnected me. Okay. As we make the transition, we just have a I just have a couple more updates. We were able to last week go to the Kaufman the real world learning Kaufman initiative had a retreat and we were able to go with the team Dr. McInness, Carol Noker organized that team. We were happy to have Mr. Nichols join us as well. Had a great time. It gave really the team a chance to and this is a big thing that they do. Okay. Like you're about halfway through this process because our goal is by 2030 to have 100% of our students graduate with a market value asset. So it being 2025, how are we progressing? gave our team the
023chance to kind of build a 30, a 60, a 90, and even 180day plan to think forward to that, which was good. I was able to take part in the first part of that. Um, we also had four of our student ambassadors who you guys met a couple weeks ago, um, share about their experiences and also give us some input on things they would like to see us do to maximize the students that can experience those real world learning, whether it's an internship, client connected project, an entrepreneurial experience, um, three credits of college credit, any of those pieces. So, really good um, experience. Dr. McGinness or Mr. Nichols, anything you guys would want to add or share? No, it was a it it was a good experience. Obviously, there's a lot of districts that are
024quite a bit further down the path than us, and there's a lot of districts that are, you know, on the front end of their journey, but uh it was good to see some of the ideas uh that other districts are doing. Um it was good to see opportunities that we have in the program. Um some of the things shared uh were really really applicable to some of the work Carol's doing. other things were uh a little bit different than what what what it looks like for our district, but it was good to see a broad scope of opportunities. Yeah, I I would agree. It was time well spent. It was uh the right teammates at the table to dig deep into the work. Uh what I really appreciated was the the students. Uh there were
025several student presentations and it's really special when when you can hear from them. about their experiences, kind of what's working for them, what's not working for them, and we can vigorously take notes on on what we need to do in our next steps. Uh, with that, I think Carol and I met for probably about an hour and 15 minutes. It was scheduled for a half hour today and it just kept going. So, uh, lots of ideas, lots of excitement. We are excited to see where it goes. So really good time spent as you guys saw the experiences that we were able to whether it was choir was our young lady who's a picked of one of 20 our two students that are going to Missouri scholars academy when I think about that bond and our
026levy transfer recommitting that to our students recommitting that to our staff is exactly what we need to do. We have tremendous students. uh you guys saw examples of that and then the work that the adults did la I think it was last Thursday and just thinking through those different pieces at the real world learning retreat. We're always trying to get better and a lot of those spaces that will be redone at the high school are directly related to real world learning as well. So I'm very excited for that. Um I wanted to provide a quick legislative update just so people are aware. Um open enrollment has passed and lives in the Senate for the fifth year in a row. There are two versions of this bill. The version that currently sits in the Senate is
027similar to what you've seen before, which allows schools to opt in. There is a cap to the number of students that a district uh could that could leave their district. There's the scheduled hearing for it to go out of committee, but it's unknown if it will make it onto the calendar for the full Senate to vote on. The only thing that I find it challenging with this legislation is probably about 60% of our money comes local and 30% of our money comes from the state. The only money that would follow a student leaving or coming to our district is local or is state money. So trying to make up that other for us 60% of what that student would not come with would just be a challenge that we would have to figure out as
028it comes. Um there's been a little I would say push back at the state level even for from some legislators to say hey we've got to find a better if we if this is something we want to do we have to find a better way to support those districts that would gain and then there's concern from a lot of smaller districts that um they would lose students and would they still be able to maintain a school district. So um just an FYI there. There's also um several bills out there about capital gains, corporate and income cut taxes. Um certainly things to be considered. Nothing that we would have to worry about in the immediate. Um it would be more long range planning as we look at potential income or um income decreasing. For instance, the
029capital gains is estimated to be about a $340 million decrease in state revenue. So it's just a question of how then the legislation legislators a year from now would decide where to um cut that 300 million $340 million from. So just things for us to be aware nothing for us to need to do now but when the state reduces that general revenue which we have seen that the history of that how that impacts schools becomes a little bit more unpredictable. Um luckily what has come from the house followed exactly what the governor governor had suggested. So what I shared at our finance workshop is what the house passed followed what the governor shared. Just yesterday I learned that the senate appropriations committee is actually requested more funds go to public education to fully fund the
030formula. So what will probably occur is the first week of May, the House and the Senate will get together and decide where that truly ends up because by Friday of that week, the first full week of May, they have to leave with an approved budget before the last week. So, um I believe in what is that May is that May 8th that first Friday or May 9th we will have a much clearer idea and you'll hear later what why we move that finance committee to truly understand what our revenue at the state level will will come from. So, um just FYI, there's also a bill that um I if anyone owned a used car the year after COVID and saw what happened to that, there's a bill that lives out there that would no longer
031allow that to happen. So for those that may not be aware, used car, the value of those rose significantly, 30% in some cases. There is a bill living out there that um I can tell you from a a district standpoint, we never count on used cars going up in value to increase our revenue. So if that bill were to pass, we completely understand and support it because that was an anomaly and not not something to plan for and also had to hit a lot of people very awkwardly um when that came. So, not all bills are are home for all. I just wanted to bring those to you just to make awareness. Nothing more. We did have a great meeting last week, the superintendent advisory council. What we do, what we've done in March and
032April, last year was in March, this year is April, is we actually have the upper classmen meet with the youngerassmen to give some advice. So, our eighth graders met with freshman and sophomores to talk about what that transition to high school was going to be like. And then our juniors and seniors met with seventh graders to talk about, hey, here's what you need to be thinking about as you transition at 8th grade, finishing up middle school, going into high school. The the conversations are very interesting, comical in some ways, but also there's a lot of really good advice like, hey, if you're thinking about this, think about these pass or make sure you take this class. There's a lot of opportunity that comes out of it. So just really good to hear them talk and
033discuss and share that as our seventh and eighth graders look at that transitioning. They also decided last year this was the last meeting for seniors but they moved the meeting up. So on May 2nd we are going to celebrate our seniors that are in superintendent advisory council. Uh the biggest thing that they requested was a Sunday bar. So we're going to have a Sunday bar for them on May 2nd. But really proud. We've had three of those seniors go two years and we've had one that joined their senior year. They they give a lot of sound advice to our our underassman and seeing us grow as a advisory council over two years has been uh really good as well. So uh the only other thing that I was going to mention as well but our
034art teacher mentioned it is please mark your calendars for April 25th and 26. the district art show. You will enter through the pack and it goes into the auxiliary gym as well. I believe it's 5 to 7 on Friday night. Everyone's looking at me seeing if I'm right or I'm seeing if anyone's going to correct me. 5 to 7 then 9 to 11 on Saturday morning. It is you saw us celebrate several of our u several of our art students and you'll see even more. Uh the other piece that you guys have an invitation for in front of you is our showcase for our cadet teachers which is a a stop in come and go. Those students will be there to answer any questions that you have in room 204 May 5th from 1:15 to
0352:15. Be happy to answer any other questions. Okay. Next up, um 10.1, uh general financial review. Okay, the money still continues to be fairly consistent from the state. The transportation is a little bit underfunded, but we're talking 1%. So, very minor. The supplemental budget, the supplemental budget was approved last time I shared that in the March meeting. We've been informed by Desi we will start to see an increase in our state payment. So Karen and I will be looking for that on April 21st is when we receive that payment on the 21st of every month. Uh but we'll see the DESIE always withholds a certain percentage of money. Then after they feel confident that they can meet the formula fully, which they felt throughout the year, we will receive that. We it will not be
036an increased revenue for us. We fully anticipated them um funding the formula fully. Is there anything else you'd want to add, Karen? No. Okay. But the only other thing I would share is we've spent a lot of time since the levy transfer passing digging into um you know we kind of had a high and low projection really digging into that projection really looking at what we anticipate from state aid what we anticipate from the formula all those different pieces and dialing in some of those I would say ancillary things like our flood we get because we're next to a huge lake, there's actually a payment for flood. We're trying to figure out what fines counties are going to pay and when they pay that in frequent. So, really trying to dial in and be specific
037about the information we bring to you in May for that recommendation on compensation now that we have that clearer picture with the levy passing. They're very excited about what we'll be able to provide for our staff for compensation. Great. Any questions on general financial review? If not 10.2 Navatas projects before you you got the Navatas final contract. It has been extensively legally reviewed. Um spent a lot of time with that and came to agreement on many many fronts with it. Um we've talked about this for the last three months. Are there any questions? What we can do is take a motion and then we'll get a second and if there's any other discussion we can go over it again. Good. So, do I have a motion to approve the Navas contract as presented? So moved.
038I have a motion. I have a second. Is there any other discussion on the Navas project? Just to review the the memo, I guess briefly. Uh looking at a $4.5 million project. um portion of that would become from our remaining bond proceeds, right? And correct. That that remaining bond proceeds has to be spent by June. So, okay. Correct. We good? If so, it's good. Please vote. [Music] Okay, next up 10.3 construction manager at risk sign they're here tonight. So this is full service right here. Jeez, I didn't realize this is like getting into a contract with Navitas. Just make some copies on your way out. Leave them on one of the desks in there. Thank you, Dr. New Hart. The And thank you. Thank you, Luke. When Dr. New Hart talked about the the contract
039negotiation, there was more back and forth than probably either side wanted is what I would say, but they came to a very good agreement. I just got to follow along from the sidelines reading the traffic. So, okay. And thank you guys for coming. Yeah, I appreciate it. Thanks. Thank you for your work, Dr. New Hart. Next up, construction manager at risk recommendation for RFP. We have a motion to approve the RFP construction manager at risk bid process as presented. So moved. We have a motion. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Have a second. Do we have any discussion on this process? Nope. Does Dr. talk the um Thank you guys. I I think the only thing that and I'll kind of fill the space before Dr. New Hart comes in is
040we brought Mr. Winterbore, Mr. Moore, Mr. Corkran as well as invited um cabinet to come and review the RFUS. I appreciate the process that Dr. Newhart had laid out with the RFQ as well as the RFP. We were able to review all of the responses from the firms that we received and Dr. New, if you want to share what our recommendation is. Yes. Basically, uh we've got three firms for the high school middle school renovations and then uh two of those firms also bid on the um baseball softball um renovations and then we also had two other firms um bid on the baseball softball elementary turf renovations. So, we've got three for the high school, middle school, and four for the turf projects. The RFPs um are attached uh the main body. There are some
041other attachments, AIA documents and things that go on with it, but um those are prepared ready to go out tomorrow and there's a schedule laid out there um that we're it can be changed, but we're going to attempt to follow it. Um we're we're in control of this and that that's the important piece. So as we go forward, as you go forward as a board, my hours are dwindling, guys. So as you go forward as a board, you have control of this process and that's the biggest thing to understand. Did we ever decide on the baseball softball that our focus is separate or what you see in that RFP and this is just hot off the press. So understand that, okay? in in regards to getting things finalized, legally reviewed again, a whole bit, you're
042going to see basically um three options and it's whatever options you want to decide as a board or as you know to give Dr. Moss direction um whatever that ends up. Okay. You can receive bids on that. We're asking for three option bids on it currently. And um the high school middle school actually is a per square footage cost provision and the baseball softball is a turnkey uh ask basically proposal. And you you're going to find out in this that when you get to final contract negotiations that that's when you're going to nail down that final guaranteed price and you know that's going to be dependent on Dr. Moss and that negotiation finality, but you're going to work with this CM throughout, you know, once you get it selected and get a contract finalized. And
043you know, that's a process that you're going to be able to collaborate with throughout all this. And I think that's one of the biggest differences because in the CM process, they've got skin in the game and it's going to be important to them. So as you go through that uh you know nail down the design that that you want that that's really in in the complex you want within the price frame that you got. Yeah. So thank you. Yeah. Yeah. So if you look at the uh RFQ under section four then line four it does uh request that the uh proposals include um estimated budget for each option. So we'll have a uh better idea. Uh obviously we had some very rough estimated costs on those options previously and as we discussed um getting some
044better numbers around those to help us make a decision is going to be pretty critical. So, and then uh just to save a little time later in the finance committee, we did talk a little bit about the contractors uh and construction managers that did apply for this and their qualifications and um we we we should obviously be very happy. We got really good experienced contractors that that are interested in working with our district. And that alone in itself is really exciting. Um you know, just to have very large firms have an interest in the work that our district is going and try to partner with us. It's pretty exciting. Any other discussion? Be an exciting process going forward. So, we actually have a gentleman from Universal here. Okay. That came we've been able to get
045to know him and their firm. Like I said, they're a family-owned firm out of Lee Summit area. Fair to say that 80 plus years of experience and very excited for them. And of course, Barry's there who's been done a ton of work with us with Midwest Turf. I did finally have to Google your official name. It's not Midwest Turf, but I put the full proper name in there so you could feel represented. But thank you guys for being here and we're excited to share with you guys. And I I believe Dr. Am I correct that there'll be an email sent out if the board approves these firms to receive it? I've got it ready to go once we're once we get through it. And then that will include a a link to a I don't
046know a pile of documents a significant number of documents that insight design will be putting in uh so that way our firms will have better idea and then there's times for them to answer questions. We will then share any of those answers to those questions with all the firms to share the same information with with each of them. Any anything else about that process? As long as cash is inside design's ready to go. That's what got He said tomorrow afternoon. Our our email's ready is what you're saying now. Our email is ready. I've got it all in draft form. Ready to go. It's ready to go. Okay. Great. Any other discussion? If not, please vote. Great. Uh, next up, 10.4, board subcommittee. Throw this back over to Patrick. Yeah. So, I touched on our discussion
047of uh the uh construction managers at risk. uh we did uh meet and talked about our uh obviously the result of the uh election uh which was fantastic and then um we won't be setting our public tax rate uh hearing will be in September. We discussed that um we looked into uh giving Dr. Moss and his team some direction on compensation scenarios which they're going to put together and uh provide to us in May so that we can start looking at that what our options are. Um obviously with the tax levy transfer passing it it provides us a great opportunity to continue our progress on compensation. Um and then we went through some of our projections that Dr. Moss and Karen have put together for um our budgets next year and so far so good.
048I guess you could say there's some definitely some uncertainties and unknowns, but uh overall look to be in a really positive direction for the district. I would say with those uncertainties even trending in the right direction. Yeah. Yeah. It's very positive. Very positive. One other note I would make is that our next meeting will actually be May 14th, the week before our regular board meeting at 4 o'clock. Right. And uh Okay, that's good. Next up, Miss Whitaker. Um I wanted to do something. Um, April 20th, next week, is board secretaries week and I wanted to give something to our board secretary board because she does a lot for us behind the scenes and if you ask her to sign you up for a meeting, it's done. So, I we just all appreciate you and all
049that work. Pretty good. A whole week. week. Yeah. Day whole week. Week is what it says. Thank you very much. I appreciate Thank you. Thank you, Karen. Wouldn't that Karen be able to remember to send out emails for treat because I'm gonna forget later? Forget. Um, great. And uh also earlier this evening uh the board had an opportunity to meet with the architect um to kind of start discussing uh um design for exterior of the of the high school and the foyer and stuff like that. And I I do believe that conversation is going to carry forward and there's a potential for a field trip to another high school to see um some designs and how it looks like in person. So that'll be exciting. Anything else on board subcommittees? Okay, great. Oh, I guess
050just to clarify, are we still looking in June for retreat? Um, yeah, June for retreat. Okay. Yeah, but I think uh design exterior design is going to be has to in the next couple weeks, next week or two. Yes. So, yes. Yeah. Okay. All right. Great. Thank you. Next up, 10.5 MSBA 2024A policy update for the third of three readings. Do we have a motion to approve the MSBA 2024A policy update for the third of three readings as presented? So moved. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. I have a second. We have any discussion on this? If not, please vote. [Music] Next up, MSBA 2024D policy update for the third of three readings. Do we have a motion to approve the MSBA 2024D policy update for the third of three readings
051as presented? So, move. I have a motion. And um Mr. Nichols, you have a second. Yeah, I'll take Okay, there be the second. Do we have any discussion on 24D? I do. On um policy BDC, the closed meetings, um MSBA believes that the intent could possibly be a provision to school districts. It's not specific to, but um line 16. Um it's wanting to make a closed meeting for records relating to reports of allegations of improper governmental activities made to the state auditor. um because we are, you know, we we're responsible for the tax dollars. I don't think that that that we should adopt line 16 of that. I know the city right now is going through some transparency stuff and I think us to come in and adopt that line 16 would be messy and
052I don't think we should do that. We should always be transparent with our funds. That's my opinion. The majority will decide, but that's my opinion. It's line 16 on EDC. BDC EDC. Everybody can get that. Take a look. Number 16. Number 16. Right there. I just would make a motion to strike number 16 on policy BDC. Yeah. My concern would just be uh you know without knowing the RSMO that they're qualifying, you know, if we if we make a change, MSBA is our advisor on this legal and such and they're recommending that we do it. If we go against their recommendation, then we're putting ourselves in the full risk as opposed to just I did talk to Susan and she said these are just recommendations, their interpretations. It's not that's why they worded it when
053we talked about it what they believe the intent. Um, of course it's not proven. So I don't know if we need to I mean that's my first motion. It it can die and I'll make another motion that we table this and maybe just ask specifically with MSBA in writing um the purpose and what the harm the risk for us would be to remove number 16. I think the word allegations I mean that's saying any Joanna, sometimes you have personnel issues and misuse of funds and that personnel wise you need to keep in close session. Now from the standpoint of just allocating the funds and talking about you know fundings were spent where it's more general in nature you want to keep public. Uh but if it's dealing with a personnel [Music] individually, you know, siphoning
054funds or stealing money or whatever, that personnel item should be kept public or excuse me, close session private until you're able to release that information. This wasn't that's the only thing I could think of. It wasn't specific to personnel. It's just allegations. Sure. of improper governmental activities made to a state auditor, which I know if they if an auditor came in and actually performed an audit, that's public record, but I don't know that we should try to hide even an a report. I would tend to agree with that unless it specifically was pinpointing an individual um are you Yeah. Are you incident or something? You made a comment about misuse of funds or something. Was there comment? I don't see it in here. So, I'm just trying to follow. It wants to close records relating
055to reports of allegations of improper governmental activities made to the state auditor. So, Susan had made a comment that these are just I mean these are just their interpretations and she said no district has to adopt anything they give. They're just giving they try to pivot and dissect and try to come up with I mean they're attorneys that's what their job is to do. They they come up with risks that may or may not be realized. But um when I read that I more related it to you know right now they're a group that's trying to audit the city and that's been very transparent of what they want to do. So, I think if we turned around and and said that we want to close this into private session, it makes it look like the
056district isn't being transparent. We want to hide those records when there's a it's bad timing in my opinion. But, so my motion is still on the table. If nobody seconds it, I'll make another motion to not adopt this until we get written explanation from MSP. Okay. I I guess the confusing part is you're comparing us to another entity because they are having potential funds that are going to be investigated where this doesn't specify funds here. This is you can make a report to the state auditor on any improper activity that has nothing to do with funds either. That's the confusing part when you're using words describing another entity. Well, it's still a it's still a complaint to a state auditor either way. And so I'm just saying that we should be as transparent as we
057expect other entities to be because it's all tax dollars. So, well, I don't I think I think that we actually are very trans. No, I'm not saying that we're not. I'm saying this this line 16 would make us be able to not be transparent if there was an allegation. But I don't think that this so this is a list of clothed topics in pursuit of the sunshine law which would capture meetings records and votes but that doesn't restrict us from having discussion about a potential violation or a potential allegation. I agree in a public session. So it's not restricting us saying you can only talk about this in close session. You can't ever talk about in public. That doesn't restrict us. No, I know. Just having it in here puts it to where it's the
058topic is a topic of discussion in a closed session, but that doesn't restrict us from not being transparent. We we never have to go into close session under RSM 610. It's not a requirement. It is an allowance. So, I understand that this wouldn't require it still is an allowance, but it does give a loophole for us to close that door. I'm just saying shouldn't and it should be transparent. I think like to Dr. your new Hart's point, there probably would be circumstances where this should be in close session potentially. I think but that doesn't personel, but we would have our policy here to back this up for when we needed to go into close session for reasons and and personnel. I I think you you had two different positions. You had you had one to
059just strike it completely and two the second one you said just correct me if I'm wrong uh table it for a month send a specific question to MSBA to get it answered and then take it back up next month. Correct. So, um, so I can withdraw my motion to I'll withdraw my motion to strike number 16 and I'll I'll change my motion to table this until next month until either the board president or the delegate can get clarity from MSBA in writing of the purpose and what the risks would be if we adopted. Have you not done that though? Have you contacted I didn't get anything in writing for it's just me talking to her. Okay. So, that's pretty casual. I think it should be the delegate or maybe the president that get clarity just
060for that and then bring it back. It doesn't harm pausing this for four weeks. We've already been talk I mean they've been on the table for three months. We haven't this is the first time it's coming up. I feel like they give us a reason why they've made these suggestions within their update explanation. Um so I I don't know why we should bring it back up again for another month. I I had originally asked these to be paused that all the readings to be paused until after the vote of the of the bond. And so, you know, the assurance that I got is we had two other readings prior to and I didn't want to distract the bond issue with this. So, I didn't dissect it until the third reading is why I'm bringing that
061tonight because that's what I was kind of I totally respect your opinion as far as how you feel about it. For me personally, because we use MSBA for this stuff and they're the experts at it, I always will have a hesitation to going against and we have we don't have to take any of their advice. I totally agree with you and in some circumstances we should talk about that like we are now. But just for me personally, I would have a lot of reservation in any circumstance uh given that they're the expert in this ma in these situations as far as giving us advice for me to go against that advice knowing that that puts the full responsibility of that on us and if we make a mistake we're then it would have to either
062reverse course and go against our policy or change our policy at that time. So for me that just creates a lot of reservation for me. Like as always I'll submit to what the majority believes there. Any other policies in here you have questions about I guess we have a motion on for this first. So if that dies it died. This is um wait a minute. Our first motion was to approve, right? She she's removed that. Okay. And so now we have a motion on this. Um, this would be pulling out BDC, correct? Right. Just BDC only. Yes. The other one I'm not pulling out. I'm just have clarity. Okay. You're not you're not going to ask that for that's what I want. So, so the motion on the floor for clarification purposes is to pull
063BDC uh have cl uh have a question presented to MSBA for clarity on number 16. uh and uh bringing just BDC back up next month uh and voting on the rest of the policies this evening. Um that is the motion on the floor. So that would be Joe making the first motion. Then who was the first on that? Right. Because I have Station Patrick as first and second. So who was the second on Joe? Um so we only have a motion on the floor. We do not have a Do we have a second on this? We don't have a second. Um, okay. So, do we have a motion for MSBA 2024D policy updates for the third of three readings? We we do. Yes, wea and Patrick. Okay. And we have the we have motion second.
064Okay. We're still in discussion. Oh, we're still in discussion. Um, on this. Okay. The only other question was on GCBA, professional staff compensation. And I was just bringing this up because Mark and I talked about it and I thought I'm maybe I'm the only one that had concern, but the the change is under it's under four. It doesn't really have to do with four, but it's it adds on salary schedule placement to um my concern was that the school board may differentiate placement of teachers on the salary schedule. Mark had pointed out that it was specific to hard to staff. Yeah. Um it wasn't like someone can just give raises to somebody in like, you know, the math department. It's more hard to staff. So, I was just saying it for clarity. And I don't
065know if anybody else had that question. And that's all I was going to make a comment on. Great. Sure. Thank you. Yeah. The the hard to staff has a very procedural process. The same way that we to hire a retired teacher has a re um procedural process as well. This does too, which ensures that it's not just I like Susan, so she gets a 10% raise on top of what she gets everywhere else. Yes. Great. Thank you. Okay. Do we have any other discussion on 2024D? If not, please vote. Okay. Next up, new business. Bond and levy transfer. next steps. And Randy, if you wouldn't mind pulling up Raymond James presentation and I saw Dr. Reich was able to join us. I believe he's going to pass out some hot off the press booklets for
066us for our geobond as he's passing those out. Uh, I added some things in there and spoke a little bit more of the subcommittee where I shared earlier in March just not having a really good feel from state and or sorry, state and county revenue that I marked there as a potential of a $500,000 shortcoming, I'm happy to share now after the work Karen and I had done, we can reduce that by $200,000. So cleaning up our numbers, really digging in, getting more clarity of what we see coming out of the state has really helped us with that, reduce that total unders and we'll continue to do that before the May 14th finance committee. But it's been really positive to go through those things and then um I would like to turn it over to
067Dr. Wright to share a little bit about our next steps, our geobot. Okay. I know there's a uh resolution on the agenda later on. But first, a little bit of information about the market. The good news is you pass the bond levy. The not so good news is the market is extremely turbulent right now. Probably seen the headlines uh mostly they're focused on the the Dow Jones and Cox equities. Uh but it has played heck with the uh municipal bond market as well. In fact, uh, grades have swung a 100 basis points over the last week. They're up about 75 net since I ran numbers for you in December when you approved the election resolution. And so what that means is that as of right now, if I were pricing today, um, you would have
068a project of about $1.2 million less than what I showed you in December where market rates were at that time. And really what this comes down to is when the market goes up, you're generating less premium with your 5% coupon. And when the market goes down, hopefully that's the story I'm talking about next time I'm with you. Uh you're able to generate more premium with a 5% coupon. Uh and so the good news going from bad from good to bad to to good news again is we have time and time in our is on our side. Um, so you know, we're hoping that we're monitoring the market closely. Uh, I'm probably updating Mark more than he wants to be updated, excuse me. Uh, but, uh, but I I want to make sure that there's no
069surprises when we get down to pricing your bonds. And so I will keep my eye on that closely for all of the districts that we're working with. Uh, we also have the ability to modify the coupon structure. So we are showing you 5%. Uh we did uh in Black County in 21 we did five and really what it comes down to is modifying the coupon structure is uh you know utilizing what what the market rate is currently modifying the cubit coupon structure so that we're maximizing your project fund and minimizing your interest cost. Okay. So, we know you have a work that you would like to do and and projects that you would like to fund and so we're trying to maximize your ability to do that at the lowest interest cost possible to to
070you. So, uh with the market turbulence and I know Dr. boss has communicated this to a certain degree, but um you know, we have a t timet in here where we would we've already requested your uh S&P rating. We're working on your preliminary official statement. Um and we would be back for a final resolution in June. However, if the market takes a term turn for the better and we feel like it presents a window, uh I will communicate that with Dr. Moss, assuming all of our legal documents are in order. We've received our rating. Um you know, if if I can give you three to five day notice, Dr. Moss said 24 hours would suffice, but I know that we all including myself are interested in getting the best deal done for Smithville R2 school
071district as possible. So if you will hang with me and be uh agile around our timeline uh I think that will serve us well. Uh so uh with that there is lots of information in this book. I'm not going to go through page by page. If there's anything just about it you and you want me to to address directly I will. This is the exact same presentation you received in December just updated for the current market. The last thing I'll I will show you is on slide I think five or six on slide nine last presentation. This shows you uh the uh rate sensitivity. So, if you look, just follow me down that uh column on your left is the title. Go to the first column called current market rates. That's where we are today.
072So, follow me down that column. $18 million par amount, $225,000 premium 18225. That would produce project fund of 18,01957260. backing out the cost of issuance and the underwrite discount below that. Okay, so that's where we are today. So if you go over to the right, the first column is if we get a 20 basis point improvement or a 02% improvement market rates, that's where your project would be. Just kind of focusing on that middle column. So as you kind of move your way over, you're increasing by about a quarter of million dollars project. And so you know, you look at 100 basis points and it has you going up, you know, $1.3 million in your project fund. It sounds crazy that, you know, could it be possible that you would go that rate would go
073up 100 basis points? Well, they or down, excuse me. Uh yes, it is possible. that gone up recently 100 basis points. So, and I saw I've seen similar uh downward momentum and we when we priced Marshall, we saw an improvement about of about 50 basis points in the last three weeks before we crossed. So, it is possible. It's something we're going to monitor. We'll also uh deal with the coupon structure hopefully coming back to you at some point in the very near future with an optimal uh financing. So, any any questions? So these I mean to your point these rates and improvements all of these are within the realm of potential. Okay. They out you know uh yeah you only need to look at last week to know 100 basis points change is is definitely
074possible. We've got more than we you know we're if we follow our timeline you know we're pricing on your on the day of your June meeting and I would be here that night to finalize with a with an authorized Sure. So to your point, um, we have time on our side to be patient. However, if we see a drastic improvement, we don't necessarily have confidence in having a large window to make a decision. Is that fair? Yeah, we really have to be nimble because if there's a window where we feel like we can strike and maximize before our our timeline would suggest, then we should do so. But by the same token, and you alluded to this as well, it's possible we may put the brakes on and and try to price this in August
075and ju just like your resolution on u or the the election resolution that you approved in December allows you to reimburse yourself as Dr. Moss mentioned earlier. So, a month isn't going to make or break the, you know, the bank here, uh, pardon the pun, but, uh, you know, really we want to make sure that we're in the market at the right time. And does that require board approval? It does. And if you want to ask your question, that's up. So, my question would be like, are we able to so we can be flexible? Are we able to give a window to Mark and Raymond James to say if it hits this we'll accept that or do we need to have a formal board meeting? Yeah. Um that's a good question. We we do that
076most commonly with refunding uh or refinancing of of outstanding bonds callable bonds. And usually we have a range of let's say the board would approve what's called a parameters resolution that would say okay Mike if if you're producing savings between 4% and 6% then go and uh so we typically do that with refunding. We talked about this with bond council actually um because of the turbulence in the market with with a new money uh issuance of this size I would like to have and so would bond council we would like to have your approval as a board as long as you're willing to be nimble it really accomplishes the same thing. Yes. So if I you know if we can if we can get you guys if I can call Dr. MOS on a Tuesday
077and say can you get can you get your folks here on Thursday then that's the same that achieves basically the same objectives that's we can do that meeting by virtual if necessary for board members question the action is on the the resolution uh Mhm. Yeah. Do you want to talk about the Yeah. So, you have a legal document uh for your approval. Looks probably pretty similar to the election resolution. Um in fact, this is these these resolutions are the shortest legal documents that I get to review. So, I love them. Um but pretty straightforward in what we're we're doing. Taking action. You're You're authorizing uh Raymond James to uh market your bonds. You're authorizing Hardwood Law Firm to provide legal services and special counsel. And uh and this action tonight will allow us to get
078out into the market and start to work on pricing the bonds. Take this in order. was ready. Ready? Okay. All right. So, let's go back. So, that was 11.1 discussion and 11.3 discussion and let's go back to 11. 11.2. Yeah. 11.2. Yeah. Yeah. Just 11. Oh, 11.2. Oh, sorry. Okay. I may change. Well, it should. Yes. We moved on. Okay. On what you originally had, we moved two to four. So I apologize. Okay. All right. So 11.2 go to market resolution for general obligation box. Do we have a motion? So move. Okay. We have a motion. Second. We have a second. I'm not gonna talk anymore. And the discussion. [Music] Uh I know it's been a long day. Uh if any other discussion, please vote. Let's vote. This is okay. Next up, 11.3. Do you
079guys have any other questions for Dr. Wright? If not, thank you. Would you want to go? Yeah. Congratulations. Thank Thank you for being here. Leave the microphone on. Yeah. Yeah. And you can also always call me Marky Doodle. That's what my mom called me. So Karen does it ever so often. Mike. All right. The the res the resolution you see before you, same resolution we passed last time we went out for a geo bond, which is we may have expenditures for this before. our ability to be nimble and adaptable for Raymond James. We may have expenses come in before we sell our bond or receive those proceeds. This would just allow us to reimburse ourselves for any direct costs we have related to the geo bond. Correct. Happy to answer any questions. And as Dr.
080Moss said, this is something we did last time too with the last walk issue. So, makes sense. Any discussion on this? I think we have it for him. So, um, do I have a motion to approve the resolution for for capital expenditures for the geo bond as presented? So, second motion. I have a second. Do we have any more discussion? If not, please vote. Next up, 11.4 lease of purchase council recommendation. Do I have a motion to appro approve the lease purchase council recommendation as presented? I have a motion. Do I have a second? And I have a second. Do we have any discussion on this matter? If not, please vote. [Music] Just try to move everything around and confuse you after. All right. Do we have fun? during the meeting. So moved. Second. Motion.
081Second. All right. Any discussion? If not, please vote. Oh my gosh. There we go. Sometimes it'll kick you out, too. Great. Thank you. You can go up to your boat and go. I can absolutely do it.