001Dr. Mario >> present. >> Dr. Pak >> present. >> Miss Robinson >> present. >> Miss C here. Miss Wman >> present. Stand for the pledgece 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, board. Um, we have a super exciting night. So, that was such a fun way to kick off, uh, this evening's meeting. I don't know, I might feel like spoiled like we might want that every time. But, um, we have enough talent in this district. That is for sure. Uh so we are celebrating arts and education week and so we wanted to bring forward some of the amazing educators and students that um just fill our halls and our rooms and our um
002minds with creativity and so much amazing talent. So I'm going to invite Mr. Francis to say a few words and then we're going to introduce the educators and students and then we will have you up for a quick photo once they all tell us who they are and also take a look around. I know you came into a loud room, but there is art everywhere, including back here along the along the ledge. It is incredible. So, take a take a look when you have a chance. Thank you, Teresa. Tonight, we welcome a number of our talented students and our dedicated educators to be recognized as part of Arts and Education Week. Through their passion and dedication to the arts, our educators open minds, spark imagination, and nurture creativity. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom,
003shaping futures, building confidence, and inspiring dreams. With gratitude, the board of education honors your extraordinary contributions to our students. Educators, please share with us your name, your role, and the school you work here in our district. >> Thank you, John. My name is Michael Scrum. I'm the department chair of fine arts at Asiggo High School and and uh just excited that you all are recognizing lots of uh familiar faces and uh I'm going to pass the uh microphone over to Mr. Craig. >> My name is Randy Craig. I'm actually the pottery teacher here at uh Asiggo East, but I was at Thompson Junior High for 17 years. So, you may recognize me from there. Former students over here. >> Hey. Hi, I'm Heather Senage. I'm the fine arts department chair here at Asiggo East. And
004um thank you guys for having this tonight. Um the artwork that we have up on the easels are art award-winning pieces. Um and if it's not the original, it's the print of of their piece because some of their artwork has gone back home with them or they were up in other places. We've had uh these have been either state award winners, national award award winners, and congressional award winners that are in these frames. So, thank you guys. [Applause] Um I'm Angela Robinson. I have been teaching for 30 years, 22 in this district, and I see many faces I recognize for over that tenure. Um thank you again everyone for having us this evening. I'm at Thompson Junior High. >> Thank you. [Applause] And to our students, we thank all of you for showcasing your talents
005and your work with us this evening. If there is any student here who would like to introduce themselves, please come on up and share the art that you created. >> It wasn't an option, John. >> Hello. >> Hey. >> Our saxoponist, we have Mattie Phillips. Our trumpet player, we have Ava Maxwell. Our trombone player, we got Gabriel Velasquez. Our basis, we have Betsy Krauss. Our guitar player, we have Carninal Long. I play drums. I am Wesley Tiller. >> Thank you so much, John. I think we have some some artists back here. >> We have more artists. >> We have Yes. Don't be shy. >> Mr. Scar is making you come up. Hello, I am Ava Rose Mikolan. I'm a senior. Um, my art piece is on the wall right there. It's um of that little
006poster of the two guys on there. Um, I love drawing digital um, portraits of people. Uh my name is Kimberly Busamante and I'm also a senior and I like to paint uh specifically oil paint and my painting is that one of the girl getting her hair dyed purple. >> Yeah, I think we got one more next to you there. >> Hi, I'm Nico Peter and um I'm on the NHS and art club board and I'm here representing them. >> Thank you. One thing I did forget to add and you can see this in uh it'll be posted I think on with YouTube um is that our jazz performers uh this whole uh day from fourth period 7th period performed and then we had a a visiting artist named Lewis Aenbach show up and that was
007his action painting behind here. he has made himself known on the west and south side of Chicago and other venues within the jazz community and that he actually goes and does action painting to the music and so these students have had a number of years to have that experience with uh Lou the the uh phenomenal artist. So we're very very fortunate to have him come over here. Um so I can't thank you enough uh for uh making this day. This is actually a dream of mine to see something like this happen. So I'm really really grateful. Thank you. >> All right. We do have a certificate for each of our schools honoring the arts and music educators who are inc who are incredibly thankful for their contributions. We will get those to all the schools
008this week. >> So board if you have any comments or anything you want to share and then we'll do a photo. So is there anything you wanted to >> I have a comment. Uh I am a lifelong musician. So I encourage all of you to keep playing and keep painting and keep drawing because you enjoy it now and your life will be a lot fuller as an adult if you continue that. So please keep going. >> I concur. Um what most people don't know about me is that I attended a visual and performing arts school sixth grade to 12th grade. and I just know how impactful um participating in the arts and engaging in the arts. And so when I walked in, my heart was just filled to hear the jazz, to see the art.
009So, thank you so much for showcasing your work and being a part this evening. >> Um, as a former band teacher, it made me very excited to come in and see you all and hear the jazz tunes and everything. So, um, again, like everyone on the board has said so far, just stick with it. Enjoy it in whatever capacity works for you. Dr. Robinson, a shout out because my boys love your art class. So, thank you very much. Um, so thank you for being here, students and staff. We really appreciate it. >> I want to give a shout out in addition also especially to our educators. One of the things that I love about our programs here is that you really make art come alive beyond the practice itself, but really connecting it to the
010broader world of arts education and that um you know the arts are really they're both an internal process but you can also use it to give back and you can make it a vocation and get a job doing it right. So that's the thing and that's so exciting. um uh it was very much very much common back in the day where you like I want to be an artist like well you're gonna be poor you can't do it right and so you've broken that barrier for our students in such a powerful meaningful way that when you meet them they're confident they're excited beyond learning the craft they're really learning the vocation and when you look at college programs and so this is part of this is that college programs now are no longer about the
011arts practice like defining the art but they're really about the entrepreneurial spirit of and the the practice of the business of the arts and you all are doing that here in high school. And so that just puts our students at the front edge of really learning that celebrating the arts and and and lastly art's good, right? It's one it's it's really good. And I and I've shared this with some of you, but before I came here, the summer before I got uh when I was appointed to the board and I was at a meeting and um way up by Shamberg somewhere, there was a a business symposium and I I shared with somebody that I was going to go. They're like, "Oh, and literally this woman stopped and for the next half an hour wanted
012to tell me about all the amazing band teachers and artists that were in this district that she followed them." I mean at some point I was like you can I'm going to go over here but she just followed me all night. She said no everybody follows us we go. So kudos to all of you. I know it takes a village. There's no competition but the competition of working together to ensure our students succeed and you are make us extremely proud and we can learn from you every single day. So I just can't say enough about your program and appreciate everything you do. If there's no other comments, could we invite um our board to the middle so we could do a photo and then we invite our educators and students to come up as well.
013And we'd like to do a photo >> next to you. Pretend I'm taking Our phone camera just died. Yeah, >> Dais is taking off all his face. [Music] Thank you all. >> You guys have pizza next to our They got pizza. [Music] You want to go take some, right? All right. Um before we move to the next agenda item, um Dr. Kgatti going to speak. Yeah. >> Good evening, board. Just uh it was important um before we go get started and uh it's uh it's difficult given the celebration we just had of our students. Um but I do think it was important that we move before we move into our formal agenda that I take a moment to address an extremely serious concern. Um one that has impacted our community um this evening. um in
014cases of abuse, harassment, or misconduct, we thoroughly and unequivocally denounce these actions. We stand firmly committed with all of our victims. We support their voices and we are committed to continuing to ensure that they are heard and cared for. We as a district are especially provided committed to providing environment in our school community that does not condone any form of harassment and that provides a safe and supportive environment. We want to and invite anyone who may be a victim to contact Dr. from Maresha Mitchell, our assistant superintendent of human resources at 6306363091 or by email at title 9 at sd308.org. This information is on our website and we invite you to use it or you can email of course any member of our team. We are committed to meeting with anyone who has been impacted
015and are committed to providing support and taking action within the scope of our authority to ensure we support those individuals. We also strongly encourage anyone who may have been a victim who has not done so to make a report directly to law enforcement in addition to our supports internally. The success, safety, the dignity and well-being of every student and staff member in our care is of most primacy. I want to now invite our board president to also share some remarks from the board of education. >> Vice sorry, our vice president, Dr. Heather Martin. >> You know, it's um >> it's title. Yeah. >> Correct. Yes. Title 308.org. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Dr. Katti. Um good evening. Thank you for being here tonight and for those joining us on the live feed or later um
016by watching the recording. As a board, we echo the same sentiments that Dr. Kgatti has shared. At no time is it ever permissible for an adult to threaten, abuse, mislead, or take advantage of a student. Furthermore, it is never acceptable for anyone to infringe upon the rights of our students or our staff to learn and work in a supportive and safe environment. As a board of education, we take these matters with the utmost seriousness. The district utilizes appropriate board policies to issue a notice of limiting an individual's access to school property when warranted as permitted under board policy 830. Our commitment is to protect the safety and well-being of our students and staff. To that end, the board has charged Dr. KGI and the district attorneys to continue to review past reports, consider new information,
017and review existing notices that ensure necessary individuals are restricted from being present on district property without explicit permission as according to board policy. We encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of abuse, either as a student or a staff member, to come forward and make a report with the district and with law enforcement. An incident reporting form is on the homepage of the website. You can also email title 9, which as Dominic said is title ex308.org directly. Contact Dr. Mitchell um as well as Dr. Kgatti mentioned. This information is also on our Title 9 page of the district website. Thank you for your concerns, for your advocacy, and for your partnership as we work together to support those who need it most. >> Do we have any Yes, that too. >> All
018right, we're moving to 5.1. Uh, opportunity for the public to address the board of education. On behalf of the board of education, I would like to thank the public for attending tonight's meeting. We value the feedback we received from our members of the public and encourage everyone to take an active interest in their public school system. Individuals interested in speaking to the board this evening are asked to have completed a comment card and presented it to the secretary to the board. When the secretary calls your name, I ask that you come to the microphone, state your name for the public record, and provide your feedback. Please note that comments are limited to five minutes per person. The board does not participate in discussion during public comment. Comments should address the board of education as a
019whole and not be directed to ind to an individual board member, audience, or staff member. Followup to your questions or concerns may be addressed by administration through the contact information provided on the comment card. Thank you, >> Eric Eavaria. Should be it. It doesn't seem to be on. >> We're getting out. My name is Erica Chvveria. I live in Asiggo. I'm deeply disturbed by what's happened here in the past from a former employee of the district. To my understanding, he was terminated or let go some years ago. And to my understanding, no less than seven people have come forward with accusations of harassment. It has come to my attention this morning that this person was allowed to return to visit school district properties, which is deeply upsetting to me. Now I have two young children.
020I that go to South Berry. I'm here as a dad to let you know that person people like this do not belong in this community let alone the school district. I also learned that this individual was a a coach at the OITF football program. My daughter is a cheerleader for that football program. And I was deeply deeply concerned and upset that this person is allowed to be a coach for this football organization. Now, it has nothing to do with the district. I understand that. But I did reach out to that organization this afternoon and expressed my anger and frustration that this person be allowed in contact with children as part of their coaching staff. I received an email just a few minutes ago that was forwarded by my wife from that organization that have released
021this individual from coaching. Now, I understand this is not a court of law, but this district does have the obligation to protect its students and staff from terrible people like this. I have not been directly affected, nor have my children, but I stand here before you to let you know that this is not acceptable. As you can see, I'm a little aggravated. I'm a little passionate. But I'm here to express my deep, deep, disturbing and very impactful feelings that I have towards this subject. This person belongs in jail. He does not belong in our community. I know this person cannot be named directly, but he knows who he is. If he's here today, he doesn't belong here. If he's watching on the internet, there are many people who know his name and he does not
022belong here. He needs to be held accountable. And this board needs to live up to their mission and core values which include integrity, humanization, dignity, and courtesy to those have been affected by this disgusting human being. I thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Annie Fish. >> Yeah, of course. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Did you want a chair? >> We can grab another chair. >> No. Okay. Yes. >> Yes. >> Good evening. My name is Fish and I come here tonight not just with my own story but carrying the voices silence for I apologize. Um to all those survivors who are out there speaking your courage to share your story gave others the strength to speak. You named what happened, even when the district's response was silence, avoidance, and neglect until
023it became a social media headline. He reminded us that when multiple students and their own teachers were brave enough to speak, districts still failed to act. And too many adults enabled him by defending him, excusing him, and prioritizing the reputation over the safety of students. This is not just about one predator. This is about a culture. A culture that protects long-term residents, football coaches, and favorite teachers while pushing victims into silence or exile. A culture where harm is hidden to preserve image. A culture where the message to victims is your safety, your future, your voice do not matter here. But we are saying tonight they do matter. And as an asgo native with deep ties, my own great uncle was even the athletic director of Aiggo High School. my brother, a proud coach of the
024Esboa school district. And I myself am a part of many different projects going on in the school district that I love to be a part of. I still stand here heartbroken that the school we all tried to build, the school that we thought we could belong in, was never safe for even me, someone who's involved in a part of building it. But now, decades later, it's still unsafe for students who trust this district to protect them with the decision to let this man on property and to punish the teachers and students that decided to be brave enough to go against the faith. So, I ask you, would you choose to dismiss predatory behavior as something that just looked bad, or would you name it for what it was, abusive and unacceptable? Would you choose to
025defend someone as a good guy because he is popular and well-liked? Or would you believe the students who risk everything to speak out, even their own education? Would you choose to let a predator predator resign quietly only to return years later to public school events? Or would you finally take action to protect victims from having to see the person who harmed them celebrated in their own community? Would you choose to protect reputations, traditions, and the favorite teacher image? or would you choose to protect children? Would you choose to protect predators? Or would you choose to protect students? Because over and over again, this district chose wrong. And the cost of those choices have been carried by students who never should have had to pay the price. This has gone on too far and for far
026too long. And I commend the brave bravery of Natalie and every other student and teacher who has spoken up. I call on you leaders of this district to do what has been avoided for years. name the harm and the silence and protect our students because if you cannot then you are part of the system that protects predators instead of children because it matters what you would not do in only in theory but also in practice and what we will practice as survivors is truth and holding them accountable. We thank you for inviting us to the table and we look forward to continuing the conversation. Thank you. >> Thank you. That was just the two. Okay, thank you. Moving on to item uh 6.1, superintendent report. Just give me my thoughts. Good evening everyone. Um we
027are well into the school year. I want to thank um again our many talented students who came this evening. What a tremendous and I think you heard my sentiment about the arts idea really spoke again to the the gift of having an investment from our district. It is truly um many programs around the country and the the district struggle with arts programming and we are fortunate to be in a community that prioritizes them. Just a few weeks ago we were uh Mary Joe and I and Dominic and Erica were at the uh the end of band camp, right? is that with our uh band week prep, the marching bands preparation week. I apologize. Um and just to see the way in which families rally around our artists and that's really such an important feature of
028this community that it's not just a student by themselves, but it's really a community effort to value the arts. And one thing we know is that the arts heal. The arts bring uh healing and they are a source of great hope. and the music and the transcendence that we can find in the arts. Um, as we think about uh the the struggle in our country right now, um, I hear artists starting to speak up and if it wasn't for those investments of our our schooling programs, we wouldn't have the voice of our artists and really the artists are at the front of social action. It's not something we talk about very much, but the artists are at the front of social justice. It is the artist who raises the song. It is the artist who
029says the poem. It's the artist who makes the effort and and for those reasons um along many others right and we think about from a vocational sense but from the point of justice it's the artist when we think about the Harlem Renaissance when we think about the efforts today in our world to confront injustice the arts can really be a wellspring of support. Um I want to shift gears then and really talk about last week we had a s not surprise we we knew it was coming it was just a couple weeks he gave us but Dr. Tony Sanders, our state superintendent, came around and what a joyful visit. I want to thank the senior leadership team, our principles for their effort to show out and show up. It was really tremendous. Uh both we
030were we got to visit Weiggo High School, hear from our coalition, and they talked about rightful presence in such a powerful way. um they really stood tall in the fact that we belong. That whether you're a member of our LGBTQ community, if you're a member of our black community, Hispanic community, um our diverse learners community, you belong and you belong to have a rightful presence at this table. And they made that so strong that we came out of the meeting and his entourage was like, "What's this rightful presence or what is it rightful presence?" They were like, "We'd never heard this before." And they were googling it right away. And uh really powerful. Um, and another highlight of our visit was we got to visit two more highlights I have to take. I apologize, but
031we got to visit um, uh, Boulder Hill to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our dual language program. That's something we're celebrating this year. and just uh to visit kindergarten classrooms, first grade classrooms and just to see the work of our students and the the commitment to the seal of biiteracy and to know that this program has withstood u attempts to take it down so powerful. And then the second highlight was we got to go to Long Beach and there we celebrated the house system. This board has invested and oh in the house the house system blue team here. Thank you. We um we uh Tony Sanders got recruited into the Green House, I recall. Yes. Green. It was remarkable. He thought he'd land in heaven. So, it was just really such a celebration. And really
032the the last thing and I don't think he would mind me sharing this but he did share that when he applied to be state superintendent at the governor's um in front of the governor he talked to the governor about this idea of having a teacher residency program where we would grow our own within our school districts where we would be able to invest in this. and he said and with tears in his eyes um and I don't think he'd be embarrassed that I said that but with with with deep emotion he talked about just being able to see the fruits of that and to have students for us to now have representation because representation matters in our places where we had not been before among our educators. So that was very moving um this month
033is uh and so again I just want to thank one more time our team um who really helped coordinate the day. Uh it was it was a team effort. Next uh this month we are really honoring our month of feel alcohol spectrum disorder awareness month and tomorrow is that awareness day and this you know this is something that knowledge is power and when I have sat with parents in my office who've reached out to me said what do you know about this and we've sat down and we've talked about it it's very impactful and I think for our educators and for our staff and our community it's really important to understand it and the influence it has um There's a lot of information out there. Um, FASD is incredibly important and I want to thank
034our educators and our staff and our community for investing in the learning required for this. On September 11th, we will pause um as a community to reflect on uh September 11th, 2021, 2001 and on this time of tragedy. And I would say that what stands above and beyond when we think about that date on September 11th and that it's also an opportunity to recognize that this is a day where um we we we were reminded of our shared humanity because of the tremendous loss and survival. But I would also say when we reflect on that day, let us not remember let us not forget that it's also uh a basis for a lot of bigotry that comes out of it. And so I do want to name that we do not tolerate um any kind
035of uh um prejudice or or hatred based on our understanding. Unfortunately sometimes for some of our students board uh and we've worked very hard over the years that we don't want the first time a person understands about what other faiths are is through this event. There are lots of richnesses in our culture and we want to make sure and so I would just say that this is a day of courage and this is a day of our our diversity in our country that came together to fight this unimaginable tragedy. Last but not least board, I am um just so grateful for the board's support um in recognizing the need to invest in our our facilities. Sometimes when you drive around you see these pretty buildings. You think, "Oh, why do they need a long range
036facility plan or why are we even doing this?" Well, this this building itself was subject to a faulty drain. And I don't think it was faulty, but whatever the drain was couldn't handle the rain. And that rain came into our building and we shut down this building for quite a bit of for two days at the beginning of school year. I've never missed anybody in here raise your hand. Missed two days of school in a row. No. Nobody. Right. So, let's be real. Let's be candid. That is that is significant. And so if you're watching, I want to invite you to come out and join us this Wednesday night. We are in the next phases. This session these sessions on Wednesday night. If you care about our facility, if you care about turf fields, if
037you care about um uh uh cheer uh what do you call our stadium seating where we can come in and cheer that they're rinky and broken. If you care about any of these things, uh you care about the the heating and the cooling on your classroom or any of this, uh send if you can't come, send somebody, pick somebody, reach out, tell your neighbor, come. We as a community have to think about how we prepare ourselves for the future of our district. I mean, I said this last time, I'll say it again. Our kindergarten teachers, our first grade teachers, all the way through 12th grade, they prepare for students to return for the first day of school. 99% of our students did not return to classrooms that didn't have chairs, didn't have materials, didn't have
038resources. We today as a community have a chance to prepare for our students for 5 years. And if we don't, in 5 years from now, we will have mobile units because that's the amount of problems that we could potentially have if we don't invest in changing modes. And if you're not sure, that is not hyperbole. I think there are very serious concerns and we want to make sure that we invite you. Your voice matters. It's a part of our strategic plan. It's not just willy-nilly. It's a part of the work we've committed to doing that we brought to the board. So, uh, this Wednesday night is just one of many. And I would invite you to join us in lending your voice to understanding the needs of our buildings and taking that next step. And
039with that, I want to invite uh uh the board. I want to thank you for your moment of reflection and sharing some news related to other good news of the district. So, we're proud to celebrate that according to the latest US News and World Report rankings, both of our high schools rank in the top quarter of all schools in the state. >> This achievement highlights our district's dedication to preparing students for success after graduation. Congratulations to Asiggo High School and Asiggo East High School. SD308 in partnership with Aramac received a healthy meals incentive recognition award. The innovation in the preparation of school meals award recognizes recent improvements in both nutritional quality of school meals and creativity of new menu items. We are proud of this partnership and eager to continue delivering the best possible products
040to our students. Hi Wardo, a sophomore at OS had an incredible performance at a golf tournament last month. She shot a 59 better than me. Setting a new course record at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club in gaining attention from local media for the incredible feat of breaking 60. Congratulations, Ally. That is impressive. >> Feel like you can tell which board members golf and which ones don't. >> Very mixed reaction. Excitement and curiosity. All right. Um, OHS students and artists Mea Pierce and Ava Michelan are joining their peer Madison McNana in having their artwork displayed at the Extra Credit Art Educator and Student Exhibition 2025 in Chicago. Congratulations, Mara and Ava. And I know at least Ava was here earlier. So, those of you that are here, absolutely take some time to look at the artwork around
041the room because it is beautiful. There will be a series of open gym sessions for elementary students with special needs hosted by our elementary adapted PE team and the exceptional parents of exceptional children um EP or EPIC the district special education needs uh PTA session will take place at Churchill Elementary School this Tuesday September 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 students and their families are welcome. Before I jump into my announcements, so I want to give kudos to and I do apologize. It's at OSugu East um because I dropped my son off early in the morning. I know, shame. He should be riding the bus. However, um as I'm dropping them off, there are typically um I'll call it faculty members standing at the door greeting the kids, which I sincerely appreciate. Sorry, I'm still getting
042over my little sinus. But with that, I just want to say thank you to the staff members that are standing outside greeting our kids. I think that's so important because that's the first face that you see. So I think that is tremendous. So thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Going into the um speech. Um Advent Day is Friday, September 12th. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognize the impact of this program in our schools and others throughout the nation. Join us in celebrating the positive ways in which AVID has served so many of our students. And finally, as a reminder, the deadline for submitting health paperwork is next Monday, September 15th. Please visit the SD308 health requirements for more information about what is needed and contact your student school nurse with any questions.
043>> All right. Thank you. Are there any board member comments? >> No, I just want to go back to, you know, the arts, right? I I can't leave it alone. again. Um I was a drama major for I'd say six years and I think that it is so important that we do focus on the great work that we're doing here in the district. It is my absolute favorite part of the board meeting when we give shout outs and I just thought that it was an extra layer of um of what warm and fuzzies just watching our students on full display uh listening to the jazz band looking at the art when I walked in. And so again, an incredible job to just um our educators and the leadership within this district. Thank you so much.
044>> It's wonderful to see. >> I do. First of all, whoever did the Polaroid camera on the back, whatever student did the Polaroid camera, I want it. It's amazing. It's It's just so cool. Anyway, um I want to give a I I want to bring some recognition to the uh to the girls flag football teams both at OE and O. Um I have been to several of the games on both sides and let me tell you um these ladies are these ladies are tremendous. This is not what you would imagine uh girls football to be back in the day. This is these girls are tough. They're talented. uh they have a lot of heart um and they can compete both teams can compete with anybody else in the um um in the in the immediate
045area. Um I know from hearing from uh hearing from the athletic director and that um IHSA is still working out the final rules. So the rules have been kind of a floating issue as it started as because this is a pretty much an inaugural year for us and you know still early in the game for for other teams. Um but um I I think it's a great addition and um again the girls are great. They're so dedicated and talented. So kudos to them. >> Can I can I So we were at the game and uh Did you ever figure out down in distance? Um, I found out No, because the rule the rules are literally changing during the game. >> Oh, wow. >> So, um, yeah. So, >> it's going to take a while. >>
046It's Yes, they're still figuring it out. >> Okay. >> It would be like >> what what you would think was first and 10, it would be like first and 39 or something. >> Now, I want to attend a game. I ease dropped this weekend and listened to my daughter's friend who plays black football. I want to say she said she got several touchdowns this weekend. So now I want to go >> the OE team. They're slippery. >> Holy cow. They just they just go >> and I and I ended up going to >> slippery is a is a I know >> Barry Sanders, you know. I don't I'm sorry. >> Maurice Jones Drew. >> Well, I and I've watched so much flag football that Friday night I went to the boys varsity game and of
047course that's not flag. And I, you know, kept expecting I kept expecting guys to kind of, you know, kind of dart to the side a little bit more to avoid having their flags ripped off. I It's tough making the transition, but it was all good. >> Yeah. Jim, any Okay. All right. Moving to 7.1 consent agenda. Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda, please? >> I make a motion to approve all items under consent, including 7.1 minutes from the board of education meeting on August 25th, 2025, open and close sessions. 7.2 to acknowledge the foyer requests received by the district. 7.3 to approve field trips for overnight and or more than 200 miles. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. >> Miss C. >> I. >> Dr. Martin. >> I. >> Miss Robinson.
048>> I. >> Dr. Pock. >> I. >> Mr. Cerrone. >> I. >> Miss Wenmouth. >> I. >> Dr. Mario. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. Move to uh information item 8.1 emergency approval of Asiggo High School Performing Arts Center repairs. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So what uh we found out uh about a month ago or so is that the intentin that is in the uh pack building which is not too far below us here started peeling and that paint is actually especially designed to uh to flames in case of a fire. And um as a result of that, architect advis us not to use that space until such a time when it's been fixed. We know that our students use that space for instruction and it's also storm shelter in case of uh storm.
049So what we've done is we believe without any doubt that this is a health and life safety repair that needs to be done because of two reasons. First, it deprivives our students of the academic experience that they enjoy from using that space. And two, the uh the fact that we use it as a storm shelter. There's no space big enough to be able to do that. So, what we've done is we reached out to four architectural firms and asked them to to provide us estimates and the process we use is somewhat different. We use what is called design build. It's a construction project process whereby we combine the architectural design of the repair with the construction into one. And that way the uh the firm will do the management of the project from the beginning
050to the end. And we did that as a way to to get good pricing and also to be able to get the work done as soon as possible. So of the four architectural firm that we contacted will receive vary their prices and the project will be the the firm whichever firm we select will be involved in doing all the work and as soon as we get approval from the board today we'll give the go ahead for the uh for the winning bidder the winning uh firm to proceed uh on work on doing the work and we've included the pricing that we received from the three firms that responded out of the four that we contacted. And we're recommended that the firm with the lowest price, all three firms have the ability to be able to
051do the work without any doubt. But we're recommending that the firm with the lowest price be awarded the uh the project so they can start doing work. >> I was just going to say, so this is going to come for uh information and action. So now is the time. Mhm. >> to get any questions out. >> Um, anything. So, go ahead. >> I just have one question about the process just for my own education. >> Um, how this is different than a request for proposals because of the emergency nature of it that you would reach out to the four >> and then ask them to submit. Is that the reason? >> Yes. Four qualified firms that have done the work. They have the expertise to do the work. Okay. >> They've done similar work in
052the past. >> Okay. >> With the experience of working with them. So we know they can do the work. >> All we ask the employers just estimate on what the the pricing will be. >> Okay. And you can do that because it's an emergency. >> Yes. >> Got it. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Assuming we went with the um recommended company, what's what's the timing and and when will students be able to use the performing art? >> So what we are hoping for is we should have it completed by the end of November. >> Okay. That's what we the timeline that we talked about with our four firms that we contacted. >> And how soon will they start? >> If we approve if the board approves it tonight, we can inform them tomorrow and
053they can get rolling. >> Awesome. >> Was the timeline comparable for all firms? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes, it is. >> So, is that a decision point? Is the timeline oftentimes are you looking at their timeline and ability to do it within >> Does that make sense? >> All refirms provide a similar timeline. Got >> as to when they can do the work. >> Thank you. >> So what is different is really their pricing because all three firms we've worked with before we know they have the ability to be able to do the work. So that's not in question. And we also set up a period of time for them to come and actually do an examination of the site. So can get they can get a really good idea of the amount of work
054required for them to do it. And the the the process that we use, design build, is one that allows for the work to be done more quickly because what we ordinarily will do, we'll break the pro uh the process down and have the architect design the repair and then we will go out and bear the construction part of it. And that if we were to do that very easily, we'll be looking at spring before the work would be completed. or by doing a design bill, which is a a very it's not unusual for this type of project. We're trying to do in a way that is economical, that's practical, and is cost effective. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Are there liquidated damages if they are not finished by the time deadline? That will be once
055the board approves it tonight, that will be part of the contractor project that we negotiate with the uh the firm. What we normally do, we have an AEA agreement that we sign with them, American Institute of Architecture. We have our attorney work with them to to negotiate that and that will be a provision that we put in there. And that is a provision we put in all contracts that we done since uh I have been in the district. Uh what uh is the uh what is the projected lifespan for this kind of surfacing? >> Gosh. >> Like when will we have to worry about this again? >> Honestly, it should last at least 20 to 30 years if it's done right, which we will have a warranty and we'll have a bond uh taken out
056in case we have issues during a reasonable period of time. So it should not be an issue. Okay. >> So, this this is this is the process that's established by law because of the emergency factor and student impact and all those types of things, safety and all that. >> Um, >> so you said that they came out. Were they the ones that put together the summary of findings and scope of work? >> Uh, confirm it. So, I >> was so detailed. That was part of what we actually laid out for them as the steps required for us for the work to be done. So it was a collaborative effort >> and they came checked it out. So that's it. >> I don't mind any surprises I guess >> right all all four all three firms
057came out and checked it out. The fourth firm we never heard from even though we reached out to them. >> So they came out. We requested that as part of the process. We actually wanted to bring this forward at the last board meeting, but we wanted the firms to have an opportunity to take a really good look at what they will be doing. We didn't want them to come back with a change order, say, "Hey, since you all did this so quickly, we missed something. It's going to cost additional X or Y." So, we delayed the process of bringing it last month to this one to allow for them to actually have their their cost estimator go up and take a good look at the uh the site. >> Okay. Um Randy, any anything else?
058>> You always call me when I'm doing something I have noticed. I have noticed that. This is the second time. Just a little joke. No, no questions. >> All right. >> He's got a teacher Jean. >> Um, all right. We're moving on to uh information item. >> 8.2. We were going to vote. >> I got it. I see. Sorry about that. >> I like how you broke this up. >> All right. Um, emergency approval of Asiggo High School main gym floor. So, as part of the flood that happened just a couple of days after school started on August 16, we had uh I know we had close to 7 in of rain in a very short time and there's a courtyard at O and the courtyard has got an intake that takes water into the
059municipal drain. But the level of water that came down was so fast, so quickly in such a short time, the we believe the municipal intake was not able to handle all that water. So what happened is the water backed up and since the courtyard was pretty much filled up. There was nowhere else for the water to go. It started sipping into the bottom of the building and the uh the courtyard is actually located by door 39, which is the athletic department. So that area in the athletic office was flooded as well as the hallway and the gym there was flooded by water too. And uh fortunately we have insurance coverage. We contacted the claim adjuster and the claim adjuster um we were able to get uh remediation company to come in and remediate that and
060clean up the water. But the damage were done to the wood. And the one thing that is clear is water and hardwood floors don't mix. And by the time the the remediation company came, they they cut a hole in the wood just to check how much water was in there. Water was actually bubbling. It was like like a mini river. What it meant is that we have to replace the whole wood floor. So, in in getting the uh the repair company to come in to repair to repair the hardwood floor, they pull all the hardwood floor out. We found out that the subfloor was actually not constructed correctly when that hardwood floor was installed in the first place. There was some there was some divots there. There were some holes that were just patched very
061quickly. So, the the floor was unstable in the first place. But fortunately, since we are an insurance claim, the insurance company is going to pay the majority of the cost of fixing it. And what we're paying uh the side of the the uh the hardwood floor of the gym that wasn't damaged by rain, but was damaged nonetheless. So that's the cost that we have to come out of pocket with because it wasn't part of the the flood damage that we experienced back on the 16 and the 17. So, our cost for doing the work that wasn't impacted by the uh by the flood is 41,000. The the cost the total cost is closer to 200,000 uh 300,000. The insurance company's going to pay just about everything and we only have to pay the 41,000 that
062is not related to the flight. >> Wow. And just similar to the situation here in this building, the gym is used for a lot of athletic events that cannot those spaces cannot be used. And since we have the ability to have the insurance carry on the majority of the cost, we thought it made sense to just get the whole place completed so it can be done. And part of what we actually found out as to the areas where we have to fix there were bleachers that were sitting on that side that over time we didn't use those bleachers but the way they were constructed damage those outer area that we need to fix. We've asked the for those bleachers to be removed those bleachers were never used and now we will just fix it and
063we won't have to worry about the bleaches damaging those areas that we fix it now. Okay. >> Any questions? >> Yes. Same same questions as before. Timing of it >> as soon as possible. >> Okay. I I guess I'm looking more >> We've actually started work on it. We started work on it already. >> Potential end date. >> They did um the date they gave us also was the end of November. >> Well, that's really not bad. >> That's the That's the quickest they can do it. They actually started the work already. They removed the uh the wood floor already. They uh they're waiting for the okay to start doing the demo on the soft floor to fix it. Once they get the okay, the insurance company's giving up the okay to replace the uh
064the wood floor. We were waiting to get the okay. We didn't want them to start and then have to come back. There's uh a startup cost, if you will. So, as soon as the this is approved tonight, we'll let them know that we get the okay and they can start doing work and we can try to make sure they do it as quickly as we can or well better than than what we started with. >> And is it just me or or or does it seem like every time something happens, we dig into it and it was put together with a band-aid? >> Sorry, that was just a comment. >> We have a lot of issues we try My question is also similar to previously I understand that because just again for my education my
065understanding is that because this is an insurance claim we can go directly with the recommended vendor from the insurance instead of going to an RFP. Is that right? >> Yes. And not only that, this is a very specialized work uh working on bleachers, replacing bleachers. And there are very few companies all over the country that actually >> uh have the skill set to be able to do it. And one of the top company is actually that's the reason why the insurance company contacted them and they are they are renowned all over the country. They out of Wisconsin and I've used them in different places where I've worked when it comes to bleachers. There are not too many uh hardwood floor. There not too many companies that will do the work. Some may claim to do
066the work but don't have the expertise or the specialty to be able to do the work and do it well in a way where the flow will last for 20 30 years without any problem. >> You might not be able to answer this, but to what extent will um will these repairs impact basketball season? I know that starts like in November, correct? We are hoping to be able to get it done by the middle of November is what we are hoping to do, which is why we need for the project to be approved and so they can they've done the demo already. So really all they have to do, they need to fix the subfloor. Once they fix the subfloor, then they can start installing the the wood floor. But he can't do any of
067that stuff that we are responsible for since it's over a certain amount of time until the board approves it and we can then give them the go which we intend to do by tomorrow morning if approved by the board tonight. >> Anybody >> do are there plans to uh prevent this from happening again in the future? Yes, we've actually we've uh we've started conversation with our civil engineer and uh I've actually experienced this at another district where I work in that particular case it was actually a school and every time it rained we had significant rain the school will flood and it was unfortunate the kindergarten was actually in the basement so every time it rain there will be not just water be sewer too the sewer line will be so we have to get
068that mitigated So in working with the civil engineer, what we came up, we came up with a pipe that actually runs over the uh the roof of that section of the building. So every time it rain, the pipe will direct the water the water away from the building when it gets to a certain level. So, we're talking to a civil engineer and trying to come out with a similar solution so we don't have to do this again because we believe it would be stupid on our part to have the incident now and to spend all the money fixing it only for it to happen again. We have to come out with a solution to mitigate that. That's what we are working on. >> Do you think that uh if we do go forward with that
069project that there would be a cost savings on our insurance? Honestly, yes, it will be, but not directly. Okay? And I'll explain why. Because insurance is a business. I tell people that people who own insurance company ask investors to invest with them and they also engage a service of a reinsurance company to pass the the risk around. So what happened is the amount of premium you pay every year depends on your claim history. So if you claim a higher proportion relative to how much you pay, investors want to make their money back subsequent years. So if we can if we can mitigate this and in future uh strong, we don't have the same problem, it will impact us and allow us to save money moving forward, not immediately but in the future. >> Okay. >>
070Any other questions? Okay. Move to action item 9.1, approval of bills for payment. Can I have a motion, please? >> I make a motion to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of 9,774,778.87 as presented. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. >> Mr. Cerone. >> I. Miss C. I >> Dr. Martin >> I >> Miss Wenmouth >> I >> Dr. Mario >> I >> Miss Robinson >> I >> Dr. Pock >> I >> Motion passes 70. >> Action item 9.2 emergency approval of Asiggo East High School Performing Arts Center um repairs. Can I have a motion, please? >> I make a motion to approve and award the Asiggo East High School Performing Arts Center repairs to performance services. >> Any further discussion? Oh, any further discussion? Dr. Mario I >> Miss Wmouth I
071>> Dr. Martin I >> Mr. Cerrone I >> Miss Robinson I >> Dr. Pock I >> Miss C >> I >> Motion passes 70 action item 9.3 emergency approval of Asiggo High School main gym floor. Can I have a motion please? >> I make a motion to approve and award the subfloor and gym floor replacement at the Asiggo High School main gym to stalker sports floors. >> Second. Any further discussion? Okay. >> Dr. Pock I. >> Miss Robinson. >> I. >> Mr. Cerrone. >> Hi. >> Miss Wenmouth. >> I. >> Dr. Mario. >> I. >> Miss C. >> I. >> Dr. Martin. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. >> Action item 9.4. Approval of personnel report. Can I have a motion, please? >> I make a motion to approve the personnel report as discussed and
072presented. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Miss Wenmouth. >> Hi. >> Miss C. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cerrone. >> I. >> Miss Robinson. >> I. >> Dr. Pock. >> I. >> Dr. Mario. >> I. >> Dr. Martin. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.