001and call meeting to order at 7:01 a.m. Friday, March 14th, 2025. In the central conference room, we will stand to state a budget 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. Okay. Thank you. We'll have the agenda before you hopefully. Um I get um so I'm looking for a motion to approve the agenda and the script. Make a move. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? All the same. Motion passes. Um the occasion welcome visitors. We had a thank you note from the Steiner family. Um, dear OPI board admin team and fellow co-workers, thank you for the wonderful library memorial in honor of my mother-in-law, Connie. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. Simon family
002on the passing of um we have our teachers Lynch and our representatives from Pride Digital here with us. So with that we will hand it over to a fine digital stand by the fancy little podium. Yeah. Perfect. Yeah. Good morning to everyone. My name is Martin Vega. I'm the director of community operations for Apply Digital. Um I I met with Brian a couple of months ago. um he he came out to one of our facilities and we we just quickly talked about some of the things that he felt were important for for Oaks and and the school district and kind of understanding, you know, what that process would look like from a perspective of receiving funds, donations, scholarships, uh different programs that we potentially have available. Um so you talked to us quickly about, you
003know, some of the issues with the school that need to be repaired. I think he talked about a bond that you guys were potentially trying to to seek at one point um to repair some of the air conditioning or heating and and windows and things like that. Um so I told him I' I'd come out and I'd introduce myself. We're we're going to be implementing a program that ultimately allows for um individuals to submit applications for sponsorships or donations. Um so what that look like is it's going to be a program that you'll be able to have some sort of application process. um you'll go through the process. You'll you'll pretty much tell us what the needs are um and and ultimately what a funding program looks like, attach some bids, things like that. And
004then from that aspect, um we're going to create a nonprofit organization that's going to have uh by by annual meetings um where they're going to decide how much they actually want to donate and contribute towards some of these these programs and some of these events. Um I was also talking to Brian about our grant writer that we've hired for the community. Um, so we partnered with Strength and ND out of Bismar, um, and have hired a community grant writer that works at no cost to the community. Um, so I told Brian if you guys had any grants or any any paperwork that needed to get completed, um, I know sometimes that that becomes an issue just because of, you know, the lack of resources you guys might currently have. And everybody knows that filling out
005grants isn't isn't an easy process and it's it's hard to believe that there's people that actually enjoy doing it. Um, so I I told Brian that that was available as well. Currently in Elendell right now, she's working with three or four different organizations. She's working with the school board on the bond that they uh recently just approved um for their their community fitness center that they're building out there. So, she's sourcing out a bunch of different grants. She's working with the local fire department as well to um look for a grant on a new fire truck. She's working with the police station on a new grant for a new police vehicle. Um, and and again, all of that is at no cost to the community. Um, so I told Brian that if if there was
006any interest in in ultimately exercising that route that we would provide the grant writer to you guys and and give you guys her contact information so that you guys can reach out to her and and just with the understanding that her time is is very limited in terms of all the organizations she's working with. But if there's things that you guys find or or need that you think is important for what you guys are trying to progress with um that the grant writer would ultimately be the best resource in that position. Um, and then from an aspect of cost matching or cost sharing for some of these grants, that's where the application process would come in through applied digital where we would go through an application process with you guys and then understand, you know,
007what the funds need or or what the ultimate projection is from that grant and then establish some sort of limitation and and proceed from there. So, um, there's a lot going on in Ellen right now with a lot of the advancements. We're we're kind of working on trying to understand what the immediate needs are. Um, it makes it difficult because it seems like when a big company comes into town, suddenly all the needs are are present and everybody has. Um, so it's that's that's where that application process comes in. We're trying to filter out some of those donations that you know maybe are not a need but more so a want of individuals and it's it's trying to get through that process and you know very early in in Ellenell so we're still trying to
008figure everything out but um we you know we we've had individuals that have came up and said hey can you fund a new coffee machine you know $50 coffee machine for our you know our our lounge or whatever and for us it's like well I mean we get it you guys need coffee but is there something else that makes more sense right? Is there is there heating that went out for the students or is there you know a new whiteboard that needs to be purchased or something else along the lines. So um we we have to filter those out right now manually and and just kind of have those 30 minute long conversations to find out that people want to ask for a coffee maker at the end of the conversation and it's like well
009doesn't quite make sense. So with that application process we we hope that everything would be a lot more streamlined. Um, and we have like I would say about 150 to 200 contractors staying in this general area. So there's there's contractors traveling from Oaks every single day out to the facility. So we we think it would make sense to also kind of expand our outreach and work with communities in Oaks and we're working with Edgely as well and things like that. So open to any questions. Just wanted to give a formal introduction and let you guys know what you know what and what we plan on doing in the next couple of months. spell. Yeah. Last name Vega B E Ga. And what was your title? Director of community operations. Do we contact you? You know,
010if you come up with something that helps. Yeah. Yeah, of course. I actually have a business. Yes, you do. So, when I first got into Ellen, I started handing them out like they were pieces of candy and I'm down to like the last couple. So, I only have one. Um, but Brian also has my contact information. He has all my email address. and I have actually been chatting over the course of the last couple weeks. Um, we have a community liaison as well. Her name's Andrea. Um, she does a lot of this work as well. However, she couldn't make it this morning. So, I figured I' I'd come and give the introduction and then a lot of the a lot of the work would go through me, but more so her representation would also be
011present. So, thank you for for being here. Yeah, of course. I think it's it's exciting to see what rural North Dakota looks like. I'm used to, you know, bigger areas and getting to understand the ruralness of North Dakota and how it operates, especially with, you know, all the political entities and organizations that are being formed. And it just makes it exciting to understand that, you know, these this is the backbone of everything going on in the school and just just always a good feeling to to know that there's people there advocating for the for the youth in the future and if Apply Digital can help in that process, we'd more than happy to. Great. If there's no other questions, then uh you guys have my contact information, reach out. I I do have to pull
012away at 7:45, but I want to be part of this as much as I can be. Um but just just to let you guys know ahead of time so it's not disrespecting or anything when I walk outside. Yes, no problem. Thanks. We'll move on to student councils and guard rails progress monitoring number one reading. Okay. Uh this month we are progress measuring uh goal number one again which is our reading goal and um find you'll fill it up. Okay. Is it asking you to um Okay. So, you know, we talked about or I've talked to you about, you know, the slide that we have. We did experience a slide in K2. Not not a drastic slide, but we had a little bit of a slide, but we're still well above our our goal line. And
013so, I drew the trend line for you. I don't know if it's drastic, isn't it? We had that drastic drop last year and then now we have this drastic rise to where we're at. So I think it's interesting. I'm glad Sue suggested throwing in that trend line because it helps us to see from the same time of the year testing event which I appreciate that piece of it just to stay focused on that. So um for one one two well and actually one three I guess I can talk to them as a whole all three groups are above the trim um above our goal line. We our our trend is upward. I feel that we are on track obviously I shouldn't say obviously last year we thought we were on track too right for our
014NDSA and we didn't meet our goal for ADSA but I mean if we look at our data in all three groups using measure are hoping it is or what you know we know statistically it should be we should be on t are on track to meet our goal for NBSA. Um, and as you know from last year when we didn't meet our goal in we had a plan, we tackled it head-on. We've been dedicating our time on our late starts. We've been dedicating our PD. We've been doing the things that we um need to do or at least that we feel at this point that we need to do in order to meet our goals and meet the um NDSA. One thing though for this testing event because we had moved our meeting up. We
015had our late winter testing window. This meeting fell right in the middle of the late test window. So we were kind of pushing the teachers to get that stuff done. And then in the high school we had illnesses. We have teachers out on maternity leave, you know, so we've got a lot of little things that have been thrown in our way. But Mr. Lynch did a good job of getting as many kids tested as possible, but we were still missing some kids on there. So, it'll be interesting to see how that affects our screen data um on there. But I I did put in some data that I thought was interesting. 71% of our students in grades K6 scored above the 50th percentile compared to 51% at the same time last year. It's just a
016stark difference and an amazing amount of growth. We talked about cohorts. I mean, we had that too, but we still saw it in all three groups. You know, we didn't just see it. So, I think and um Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Gree are here and they're going to share some stuff with you, but I feel like the changes that we're making are making a difference for us in our programming and our focus on the science of reading. So, we'll continue to use our star test data to improve instruction. Um, we were just talking about this. Does NDSA start in October? Third week of October. What week does that start? I'm sorry. What did I say afterward? Yeah. No. Um in April. Wow. I feel tired. You confused us all. I bet I did. Greg's like
017a confused October. It's just a trend of the book. Um let's see. I talked about the testing window, but um we're just going to continue on and doing the things and looking at what we're doing, but I feel like I don't know. I just feel like we have our heads wrapped around where we need to be. And then if in this learning cycle, something comes up, we make changes, we look for interventions, the principles are working hard on making sure that they're talking to their teachers, we're using our data, and you hopefully I don't know if you guys are going to talk about that at all, but I mean, these two are champions. like they're they're spending extra time. They're going to do extra training for us. We threw them into the arena once again
018and they're doing some um getting some coaching using their new program, their CKLA and Amplify. Um there those are their new programs. They're off and they're working as a team to try to better themselves all of the time. So, you know, we're grateful that teachers are doing that, staying focused on our what we're doing. So, I just feel like we've got our heads wrapped around where we need to be a lot better than we've been in the past. So, anybody have questions of me? Principles have a deeper diet. Oh, I just I feel like I'm like wrapping up my fourth year on the board hearing it finally feels like why I got on the board. Well, what year for you? Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I can't calculate today. Sorry. I just It was lunch.
019all the teachers for guiding for this really yeahis said for all the times that I was testing it or whatever I'm glad that we have it because for years we said what are what are our goals what what are we working for and now we know and we've got that focus as group so even though at times the teachers probably want me to in October. They wanted me. They're they're actually doing dual duty. I'm here for OA, but I said, "Okay, Anna texted text us with um a duty to uh get our kids to explain some of the things that they do in ELA in four through six. So, um we put together actually the kids did a lot of it. Um put together a PowerPoint they like things that they like. Um and this
020is just a little bit of it. Very flattering. I don't even know. Yeah. Fire. favorite part. What is this? This is our word count wall that's in the fourth through sixth wing. And um our sixth graders will explain and then I'm going to explain our mystery unit that they did. Okay. Then um we did uh units on um the idea in fifth grade and the sixth graders did one on gods and goddesses. And they did a time like a front page of a time magazine and then they developed it into like the fifth graders did their musher and they put their musher on the the time um template and then the sixth graders did their gods and goddesses. So this is my um pro uh tech guy from sixth graders sixth grade. So he went
021into the fifth grade to show them how to do it. So kind of the teacher part. So that's part of the product finished product. So, we do a lot of um incorporating fourth graders going down to the lower wing, sixth graders, going to help the fourth and fifth graders. We just work a lot. Um between Mr. Greenar and I, we have kids that go down to read with the weekly like three times a day or three times a week. Okay. Hi, my name is OnePlus. It's a really good book. I like being [Music] I was maybe tell them okay you you're a veteran what do you guys what's the difference between CLA and Amplify and what we used to do what makes it better what makes it what's the difference that you're uh veteran side.
022I put together my whole curriculum because we didn't have anything. So, um we took our priority standards and we built pathways. We built we just put things together, resources, found resources, and and built them. Um through the years, um we've had anywhere from four ELA teachers now down to two. And we just worked together and and put things resources together and built pathways. Now with CKLA and Amplify, we have it. We have everything there. It's a standard. Um we can put in our priority standards. We build pathways throughout. Um this is what Anna referred to with the coaching. Um, we have a a Northern Cast teacher that we meet with once a week and he helps us put use CQLA and put it into empower and build pathways and and make it more inter engaging,
023would you say, uh, with the kids and so we're we're really excited about that because this is what we used to do a few years ago and now we we can put it into empower and we know what we're doing and and the kids are more engaged. the kids like it. Um, it's very heavy on writing. Um, and writing is kind of where we don't where we have a downfall. Um, yeah. So, similar to what she said, right? It's very structured I feel like but it is heavy on the writing aspect and that is where a lot of our kids struggle in in terms of writing clearly spelling but it gives them tons of practices on that and there are shorter writing prompts longer writing prompts and what we've kind of done is we've changed
024it. So, for example, with my fourth graders right now, they're going to write their own historical fiction. What it wants them to write about is strictly about like the medieval times and the rise of the Muslim religion. It's just what they're reading about inside of it. But, I've expanded it that they can pick any historical period that they're comfortable with. That way, they enjoy the writing. And I'm hoping that reinforces that that that good feeling like I get to write about what I want. It's that enjoyable piece, yet they're still writing about the historical fiction side of it. So, Hutcher and I work together about, you know, taking the curriculum that's there and making it more engaging. Um, taking some pieces out, adding some pieces. Um, it's worked. You know, we still have a lot
025of work to do. Um, so hopefully by next year when we start in the fall, we'll be ready. we will know what units we want to use and um added the things that we have and have it all into a power. So, it's all set up. And so, the rigor is definitely there though, right? It is. The vocabulary is is uh off the charts really. And uh the kids are being introduced to it. they're not uh they read about it, they write about it, you know, it's it's just within the whole system and it's things that we wouldn't normally read about like fourth graders are middle uh middle ages and the sixth graders are gods and goddesses. There's a geology unit in one of the classes. Now, sixth grade is more online. It's it's all
026online, but they're reading um about well gods and goddesses. We're just finishing, but um we're going to go into it. Yeah. So, sixth grade, what they've done in the past is they've read a little bit of Rald Doll. They had the boy, which is his personal narrative. So, they did a lot of personal narrative. They also had um Yellow Fever and Sherlock Holmes. And I feel like Sherlock Holmes is one of those series that doesn't I never got it all the way K through 12, but then they're getting it at sixth grade. And I think I would have really enjoyed Sherlock Holmes, just the mystery side and solving the crimes and kind of piecing things together. And that's what it did. It combined Yellow Fever and Sherlock Holmes because it compared the doctors to detectives
027having to pick up on a silent killer. There was no, you know, in the 1800s they didn't have the medicine we did today. So, how did you track it down? And they kind of had to map it out like they were the detectives. And I think they really liked that. And then the the extended piece was what they I talked to you about where they had to develop their own mystery story. They really liked that. And then they took it down to third, second, and first and presented it into a large group or a small group. And they really liked that. Just one more thing. So you talked about the voice and the choice and some of those things. Tell us how you are able to personalize it. So you know the scaffolding that you're
028able to do with the know the different groups and Oh yeah. Um you know there's a unit piece and then I can modify within so that um kids get different types of questions. Someone would have a longer prompt, someone would just have a drop down um option vocabulary app. They have the vocabulary app where the fourth and fifth graders have the boost boost which is vocabulary um and it's on their own. They take a assessment beforehand and so they're working on vocabulary at their own level. Yeah, it's it's a good program. It's very intense. Um we're learning a lot. They're learning a lot. they have there's a lot of voice and choice and work at their own level. And we're we're also trying some new things where um we put them in groups. I I'm
029trying it with sixth grade and it worked very well with the last unit or last lesson in the unit where I group them and then I just let them go at their own pace and they have certain pieces that they have to do have to do but then they can go off and do their own thing within that group. Everyone want to come and visit? You're welcome to visit. to see how the kids. Okay. So, I'm looking for a motion to accept the full progress monitoring of goal number one reading. Carlson move second. All in favor? I post same. Motion passes. Um we'll move on to our board quarterly self evaluation. Um so I think you guys all got the email as to why we moved this up. Um and I believe it was objective
030number four to be partially proficient. We had to do a um a quarterly board evaluation within 45 days of our superintendent evaluation. Since we're legally required to do an evaluation in March, um by March 15th, we bumped up our work for early evaluation that partially prevention objective first. All right, so we'll start at the top. Um objective number one, the board has adopted student outcome goals. Um the one quarter ago we were at a 12 insight and the any where where you see us at on objective one we are still at 12 as well. um going through it. Did you all understand what I um said about how Sue wanted to go through it, check off everything that we've accomplished so that we're not just looking at um I think that we would be unadvanced
031with but we do not have that broad community. That's you know that's a process that we're um I believe we're out of 12. anybody that we're going to get to a 15 by next quarter or not either. So I also there moving on to objective number two. The board has adopted student goal progress measures align to each student outcome goal. Um we were at 12 before. Again the advanced means that broad community ownership we are not at and I do not see us achieving by the next quarter. So, does anyone object to a 12 this objective number three? Board has adopted guard rails. We were at a 13. Um, looking ahead to the advanced there, we we do check off that first box under advanced. Um, but the second two under there again, the broad
032community ownership. Is everybody in agreement that we objective number four? The board has adopted monitoring calendar for each student alpha goal and go progress measure. We were at a 16 last um the last quarter any comments in Okay. Um, so I believe we're still at the provision on that to get to advanced. Um, I think that'll come with our superintendent evaluation. Correct. As by the time didn't aren't we going through one cycle of this current evaluation tool and then it will after coming into November it'll be um the performance is going to be indistinguishable from system performance. um evaluating the superintendent only on results of progress to fail and um superintendent. So um I don't foresee us getting to a 20 on that simply because we will not do our next evaluation November. So are
033you okay with that? All right, we'll get on to number five. The board has structured operations for success. Um we were at a four. Are we still reviewing the policies? Correct. So we are still in the process of reviewing the policies. Um and we have not completed adopting sending doing any of that and we expect to be done by June by June. So um I had a four for this quarter. I I did put that we would be out of 15 by um by our next quarterly evaluation because we will have that completed and we will do our evaluation. Disagree with that because going down the advanced column I had all of the box check. Okay. Moving on to number six. The board promotes act of teamwork and advocacy. Um, we were added to the
034previous order. I have us at a six this quarter. Disagree with that. I'm not certain why we were at a two before. Did you guys remember? Um I I know that we worked on that because we weren't really involving students and teachers and now we started Yep. the first one under that um provided time during regularly scheduled boards to recognize the accomplishments of the students and staff um regarding progress of student outcome goals and I believe that we've been doing that the last few board meetings. So, um, that's why I I checked that off. Um, and looking forward to proficient. Um, we we do need to work on getting our pools and guard rail or our pools and our school progress measures displayed publicly. So, on our website in the building and then looking at
035some more of those, it's it's the leading or co-leading some of those trainings with Legendary. There's been talk with Maria that I don't see to add 18 in the next quarter. So I would enter okay with that. Okay. So my total for the current quarter um I have 63 and the quarter for next or the next quarter um anticipated would be a 74. Down at the bottom, we had student outcome minutes of square. Everybody in agreement with how's my math? Wow. I thought there was an error in too, but there was a 13, but I fixed that. That was a 12. I don't know. I did this at 5:30 this morning. So, I promise adding 11 to Okay. So I um entertain a motion to June will be our next to I'll let Madam President,
036I have your 63 this quarter. Next quarter, you're anticipating 74. Correct. And they have 58.7% of our meeting minutes are spent on student minutes. Correct. Yes. Um, so I'm looking for a motion to approve this. Motions. Can I get a second? Some seconds. Um, do we do a roll call on this? Okay. All in favor say I. I. All. Motion passes. We bring it back in June or July when it back in June. I'll look back. Okay. I know it's on the um we got to do some things on the calendar, but that's not bad. I think I'll work on that. Okay, everybody have the very very lengthy consent agenda and our board packet with all of our policies. Um just maybe to like bring this bring this out to the public. The the reason
037behind all of these um all of these policies the first second readings recentment amendments is because through our the legendary instruction we are going through a policy diet. We are ensuring that our policies are board work not something that superintendent works over that it's appropriate for their policy um that it's still current and that it's not redundant with anything else that we have. So that's um that's why we're seeing a ton of these being sent our way. And thank you to Patty Carlson and Brian Sire and Mel for all of their work going through these. I know it's been a lot and tedious, but very much appreciated. Um so the consent agenda as presented. Could I get a motion to a motion? Seconds. Um followers. Sure. Patty Carlson. Yes. Sheila Nagel. Yes. Brian Sire's absent.
038Rhonda Day. Yes. Monica. Yes. Motion passes 40 and absent. Um everybody had the reports in their packet and the ability to ask questions on those. Um, moving on to item number five, items for discussion and possible action. Um, you guys all received a copy of Superintendent Cell's evaluation, I believe Tuesday. I don't this week you guys got this. So, um, I met with Cell and we reviewed this. There was no concerns. Um, would anybody like to share a comment on the evaluation or I just appreciate all the hard work that you did. Um, come a long way. I know I'm new to this community, but stunning job getting the kids where they need. Yeah. I want you to tackle all the things that you put on your plate. So, appreciate Excellent. Okay. And then I
039also just want to point out I did this during our last um superintendent evaluation in November as well, but um under item C under board relations um the question is does the superintendent have the confidence of the board? And once again the superintendent sell that 12's all the way across from every board at first. So I think that's really telling um our trust in you and your trust in us. So we very much appreciate that. After Monica and I talked I worked up some goals. So, I'll get those to you. The biggest one is the strategic plan, which we know that that's part of it. So, that's one of my projects for this summer because we got everything kind of in place. So, that should be the easy do. So, I'll I'll give you those
040goals. But, I appreciate the feedback because then that just gives me my areas of goals that I want to always feedback. There you go. does very much. Um, so I am looking for a motion to approve the state that she's Oh, sorry. So, um, superintendent still did score satisfactory and all um all four points under that. Um, and the overall rating uh based on the total score um was satisfactory uh by all board members. All right. So, I'm looking for a motion to approve superintendent sales March 2025 superintendent evaluation. Second, Brian Cers absent. Ronda, yes. Patty Carlson, yes. Sheila Nagel. Yes. Monica Hook. Yes. Motion passes 40 with Sire absent. Um moving on to OEA's petition for recognition of representative organization. Um that was an I sent that out separately the other day. Um, so
041our job is to investigate that and determine that there is a that the signatures on that form um represent the majority of those seeking representation. So give me one second to get to you have the wording for that or is it on the um don't know I have that I got to hear what's the The dates all signed February. or I just call my um so we're looking for a motion to approve OA's petition for recognition of representative organization. Um motion wolves. Do I have a second? Cross seconds. And Rhonda Day. Yes. Brian sireers absent. Sheila Nagel. Yes. Eddie Carlson. Yes. The motion passes 40 with sire absent. So, the school board has investigated the petition filed by the Oaks Education Association requesting that the association be recognized as the representative organization for the negotiating
042unit and has determined that the education association does represent a majority of the teachers within that unit. The board recognizes the education association as the representative organization for a minimum of one year beginning today, March 14, 202. Okay, moving on to item C, negotiations. So, um the next item on the agenda is teacher negotiation strategy. This item may be discussed in an executive session only when an open meeting would have an adverse fiscal effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the board. The legal authority for closing this portion of the meeting is North Century Code section 4404-9. The topic or purpose of this executive session is teacher negoti negotiation strategy. At this time, a motion would be in order to discuss the next item and executive session opening. Is there such a motion? So
043moves. Is there a second? Um, any discussion on the motion? Shannon, call the roll, please. Brian is absent. Ron the day. Yes. Sheila Nagel. Yes. Carlson. Monica. Yes. Motion passes 40 with Sire absent. Um, the executive session will be recorded. All members of the governing body are reminded to limit their discussion during the executive session to the announced topic. The prohibition on taking final action during the executive session is modified to providing guidance for instructions to our negotiators. We will now ask the members of the public who are attending the meeting to leave the room. Um we anticipate adjourning the executive session and reconvening to the open portion of the meeting at approximately um I would say probably 8:30. The minutes will show that the executive session began at 7:49 a.m. and was attended by
044board members along with superintendent cell and Mr. try our best to be on your way. Okay. So, I need to Oh, there it is. And we are now back in open session. Next item on the madam president. The meetings will show that the executive session was adjourned and the public and the public has been invited to return to the meeting. We are now open session. Correct. At 7 or 8:21 a.m. Okay. Um, so we are at item six. We can meet an open meeting. Um, future meetings, our regular meeting, we did move that. Take note. We are at Thursday, April 17th at 7 a.m. to avoid Good Friday. Um, and then our regular meeting in Friday in Friday in May, Friday, May 16th at 7 a.m., which is our last day of school. Um, so
045is there anything else for the good of the order?