001Yeah, I got it. You did think that was >> as I've explained to my sister in worst times families like >> Go ahead and call the meeting to order. >> And can we start with the roll call, please? >> Friedrich >> here. >> Himkin >> here. >> Corey, >> yes. Moyer >> here. >> Meyer >> here. >> Schumacher >> here. >> Search right. That gives us a court. Every stand will recite the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Awesome. Thank you. Welcome visitors. Got a good crowd tonight. Great to see you all this evening. Thanks for joining us. Do we have any public comments? Floor is
002yours. Anybody? Nope. Okay. Moving on. Correspondence, I believe, is going around in your packet. And we'll write right into our consent agenda. Dr. Bro, if you'd walk us through that, please. >> We have two resignations. David Kemp, custodian, and Christina Beaver, Food Service. Um, we have one extracurricular assignment. Ty Wolf, who's currently our cross country coach, is going to be the assistant track coach. Um and then we have uh the custodian and the and pair professional to be posted as vacancies and that is a very light consent agenda but the administration recommends you approve that as presented. >> Perfect. Any questions, concerns or comments regarding consent agenda? Hearing none. Maybe we like to make a motion to approve as presented. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you, Kelly. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you,
003Tyson. Roll call, please. >> Moyer, >> yes. >> Cory Corey, >> yes. Hempkin, >> yes. >> Friedrich, >> yes. >> Meyer, >> yes. >> Schumacher, >> yes. >> Search, >> yes. >> Perfect. Move on to our building or administrative reports. Our building report. Dr. Gocher. >> Hi. Um I'm super excited tonight um to talk about it. If you know um our specialized program here in Colia has always been the foundation of inclusion, acceptance. Um, and there is a group that has been going on at the high school called the Best Buddies program. And, uh, they have just elevated that philosophy to the high heavens. Um, and it's just so exciting to watch it. And, um, they are here tonight to talk about it and what they do. And also, uh, because of what they've been
004doing at the high school, the middle school has also picked up a, uh, Best Buddies program. Um, and I think and they're going to talk a little bit about the high school, but I don't have a middle school here, but they um started it about a month and a half ago and they asked students who GenEd students who wanted to be a part of it. And I think they had 30 applicants and 30 kids interested uh to be involved with the students. But they're going to explain what the program is to you guys. And hopefully you enjoy. We have lots of pictures I think too. Come on up. >> Is not working as of right now. I just want to >> Oh no. At least they're live here. >> I don't know what happened. >>
005I don't know. >> Taylor, >> should we turn it off? ready? >> Yeah, of course. >> That's what they tell you. >> All right. Um, >> good evening everybody. First, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Skyler Durban. I'm a current senior um and the Best Buddies president at Columbia High School. Um, first I want to talk about like what is Best Buddies and what it means to us. So, I want you guys to now imagine living in a world where you regularly feel in invisible. you're you're excluded from ex excluded from jobs and excluded from full participation. Sadly, for many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or IDs, that's not a hypothetical. It's reality. That's why organizations like Best Buddies exist. Best Buddies is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world
006where people with ID are included, not overlooked. Their mission is to build an international movement that fosters one-to-one friendships, promotes leadership development, supports inclusion in schools and communities, and encourages involvement for individuals with ID. The goal is simple but powerful. Through Best Buddies, a person with an intellectual or developmental disability can find a friend, someone who sees them as a peer, who values them, and who shares real experiences. That connection can break through the isolation. Best Buddies is more than just a club. It's a community, a family, and a place where everyone belongs. At Columbia, we bring that mission to life by creating meaningful friendships, fun activities, and events where everyone can be themselves. Over the past 2 years, our chapter has put a lot of effort into planning events that bring people together. We've
007held many activities that were fun, inclusive, and that helped our buddies and peer buddies connect in real memorable ways. Now, Eli can talk about some things that um she personally has. experience through Best Buddies. >> So, this is my second year being in Best Buddies. And last year at the beginning of school year, I had no idea what it was. I like I knew it was a club, but I had no idea it would all included. And then one of my best friends, Alina St. Clair, she u invited me to go to one of the meetings and she was like, "I come with me." Like I mean, she doesn't know what it's all about and stuff. So, I came with her to one of the meetings and it was absolutely amazing. I loved seeing how
008everybody interacted with each other at the meeting and just how much of like a safe space it was for our buddies. And that is also where I met Lucy. Um Lucy has changed my life for the better in so many ways. She she has shown me truly like different outputs on life and different ways to look out on life. And I couldn't have asked for a better girl to meet my junior year. And well, in our presentation, we have a student thought off of um Lucy's Facebook page this year when we went to the Polar Express. Um me and one of my friends, Molly, we brought Lucy to like by ourselves. we drove her and we thought it was going to be a fun little experience experience and it was and um little did I
009know that this was Lucy's first outing without her parents and >> it's awesome >> and I like did not know about this until afterwards. But I kind of like felt um a little nervousness with her parents going to go pick her up and drop her off. But honestly, she did absolutely amazing. I had this was my favorite thing I have done like any of my clubs that I am in in high school and I I just love being in Best Buddies and being included and making these memories with everybody and making sure that they are included in everything that they want to do. >> Well, that being said, each month our club meets during home room. So, we enjoy time together. We get to interact and build relationships. We do several fun activities inside but
010also outside as you can tell through the Polar Express. Um in our presentation we have a few photos from our different activities. Um but our first one we like to do throughout the year is um Friendsgiving. Um it gives everyone a chance to sit down, share food, talk, and bond in like a relaxed family style environment. Um it wasn't just about the food, it's about being present with each other, making new friends, and celebrating the start of the holiday season together. and our buddies in Mrs. Adair's class get to prepare the entire meal for us which is very special. So they they did that all for us and we really appreciated that. It was really good food. >> It was >> Do you want to talk about food express? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> So
011um I really proud of Best Buddies. Um I was going to thank them to um with your support. Um um I just um made some things with um with Mr. Air. Um I um I did all my chores like Well, yeah. Polar Express. >> Okay. So on Polar Express um I always drink hot chocolate and cookies and and a Santa there >> and then >> Exactly. question >> and and and we just like go back next year. So So everyone like like respectful and and respect to each other and we always read stories and and thank you for listening. Um I I always bet for my best buddies because because I seen him a very long time and then I saw J Barber there. I saw Mikey there. Yeah, I have a friendship. >> You
012want to build your friendships? >> Yes. >> And I just want to my best buddies because I really love my best buddy >> and so I I love these people. >> Sorry, but We have a few more highlights. Another big highlight >> Thanksgiving. >> I know. We're going to miss each other. >> All right. Another big highlight has been our annual trip to the zoo which gave everyone in our club um who participated throughout the year the chance to go out into the community and actually spread more awareness. Um we got to explore, laugh, enjoy the day. Um it's probably my favorite throughout the year just because like it's just so like special to me to go out and see um all the interactions with other people just like you and me. Um and then
013another thing we ought to participate in was the Best Buddies Friendship Walk. Um this event connects us with the larger Best Buddies movement, not just like our school, but schools around our community. Um, this year our community had the most signed up walkers and actually we actually got our school logo on the back of the walk t-shirts. Um, so we participated with many schools around the St. Louis area and walked into support of the mission of Best Buddies, a mission to create a world where everyone regardless of ability is included in love. And of course, we had plenty of other outings throughout the years including small hangouts, meetups, moments that seem that might not seem big on their own but really made an impact. Sometimes the little things like grabbing ice cream, going out to
014a game together, dancing with each other at prom, or just hanging out that create the strongest bonds. These past two years, I've been blessed with the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana over the summer, which has been an incredible experience. Best Buddies Leadership Conference brings together thousands of student leaders, advisers, and volunteers from around the world. I mean, I met people from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, all with the same mission and goal in mind. Um, I participated in workshops about leadership, inclusion, event planning, and how to create strong connections within our chapter. I learned how to better support individuals with ID, how to run successful events, and how to build positive relationships in our school. Being surrounded by people who share the same mission and are so kind and considerate was extremely
015motivating. I wanted to bring this back to our chapter and to our community. It helped me come back with new ideas, more confidence, and a much bright broader understanding of the impact Best Buddies has globally. It made me realize that even small moments we create, like saying hi to someone walking through the hallway or waving to someone at the grocery store, matters way more than we realize. Overall, Best Buddies has brought joy, friendship, and inclusion to Columbia High School. I'm grateful for the memories we've made, the relationships we've built, and the impact this club continues to have. I'm proud of what our chapter has accomplished. And as we look ahead, I hope we continue building this community, one where every student feels seen, valued, and included. >> Thank you for supporting our chapter, allowing us
016to come in and talk to you all, and for believing in the power of THE >> WELL, hold on. That's the >> Thank you guys. >> Did a great job, especially with the visual not That's great. Thank you so much. >> We got a little out of order there. So, like give those guys a chance to get early in the meeting so they don't have to endure the rest of this. You have a very important uh presentation. >> Two of them. Exactly. Um first one is Mr. Joe McInness from the Collinsville Area Vocational Center. >> How you doing tonight, everybody? >> Really well. And I apologize. I think you're going to have to go rogue if you're okay with that. I I will share a tough act to follow with those. >> It's an extremely
017tough act to follow. So, but if they can do it, I can do it. >> Possible to move to the middle. >> Absolutely. >> Um, how you doing? I'm Joe McGinness. I'm the director of the council area vocational center. We're one of the 27 area career centers that are currently in Illinois. Um, coming tonight just to sharehil um as an option uh potentially for Columbia students in the future. Uh currently we serve 12 school districts. Um starting with uh East Alton and Bethalto in the north all the way down currently to Mosscuda and Dupo um into St. Clair County. Uh and then out out east we go all the way to Lebanon. So uh we have 15 current programs um auto body, auto mechanics, building trades, electrical trades, cyber security, cosmetology, CNA, uh dental assisting,
018criminal justice, uh landscaping, urban agriculture, what else? We got a couple more walking down the hallway. Um >> Oh, thank you. early childhood, K12 teacher prep. Um, and then we have some new programs that we're bringing online as a part of our expansion. So, we are currently under construction um building a a separate facility that will house our industrial programs and then we'll be renovating our existing facility for that program expansion. Um, so new programs that we'll have for next year is an HBAC program, EMT, and aviation mechanics. uh that takes us in about a three-year future timeline. And uh a part of that timeline, we're also looking at an avionics class, which is essentially wiring for airplanes. Um so, as a part of our expansion, it allows us to bring on uh more students.
019We currently have 575 seats um at our facility. Uh with the our program expansions and and the renovations that we have going on, that'll take us up to 900 seats. Um, so with that, we're we're trying to reach out and make sure that we're offering the opportunities that that we have here at CABC to uh all the neighboring districts. That was really quick. If you have questions, I'm happy to answer. Um, but specifically, if it comes to logistics, anything like that, >> where are you located? >> So, currently we're on the the campus of Council High School. Um, our expansion is across the street. Um, so we'll have a a tunnel that goes underneath Caseyville Road to get to both sides of our our facilities. >> There's like a ball field there now, right? >>
020There's a football field there. Yeah. Um, and then if you happen to drive by, there's there's a ton of construction going on. They're they're currently building a a sports complex behind the high school and then our construction is going on, like I said, across the street. >> Now, your aviation program is that I I was just reading something last week on Granite City's program. >> Yeah. So, uh, >> hand in hand with that or is it on your own? It >> it'll be on our own. Um, we'll be in partnership with SWICK on that. Um, so that we can offer dual credit. Uh, we are not going to be a complete uh&mp program, but we'll be able to get them ours towards their AMP license. Um, strong interest in the area from Gulfream and So,
021uh, Westar uh, Aviation, which is in Bethalto, and then Boeing um, at both their MSUA campus and their St. Louis facility. Y >> can you touch on the student selection process? How do you select the students for your seats? >> Absolutely. So, as I said, we have 575 seats available. Uh the past two years we've had 800 applicants for those 575 seats. Um which is a good problem to have. Uh at times it's challenging that we have to turn students away. Um, but as we've grown and kind of shifted uh how we operate and um our outcomes at CBC, uh our our tightness with the the local business industry um has led us to say, "All right, we're going to try to produce um the best quality high school student that could be a future
022employee for all of those businesses that come and visit us every year," which ranges between 80 and 100. Um so for those uh programs that are uh very hotly contested which auto mechanics, auto body, building trades are generally the top three and they change in order on any given time. Uh we have 44 seats for auto mechanics. This past year we had 96 applicants for that class. Um so what we do is we rank the students based on attendance. We do that because in talking with those businesses every single year and asking what do you value most in a new employee? almost every single one the first answer they have is someone that's going to show up and be on time. >> So, we also value that because uh that's the product that they're looking
023for. Um and it's also a way for us to um help our area schools that that are sending us students to to push attendance um at their level and and make it a value that the students need to have. Uh so for example, those 44 kids that got into auto mechanics for this year, uh student number 44, who I won't say is last, but they were the the last one there on the list, missed three days of school, which uh as a lot of you probably know for a high school student nowadays is very good. Um and we see that across almost all of our programs. Um that we have strong attendance, good grades, and very low discipline. Did you do an intern program or is everything in on campus or? >> Uh right now
024everything is on campus except for our cosmetology program. Um we currently partner with school heights precision point school of cosmetology. Uh but as a part of our renovations uh we'll be building a the cosmetology classroom. Um and we'll bring that on campus. That'll allow us to increase the number of students we have in that program from 24 to 48. Um and then we are uh going to be trial running our first internship program um with Carpenters Union next year. Um we we think it's going to be successful. Uh so what we'll do there is uh kind of take our our high performing students out of the building trades program that that came through as a junior and offer up that opportunity to them as as a senior um for them to instead of building the
025house with us, we'll place them uh with a couple area contractors um and they'll run essentially their first year of apprentichip uh under the carpenters union. uh that was, you know, the first one that is available that uh we think we can manage well uh and there's many more that are asking and and waiting for us to make this u this first jump into it, but that is something that will be coming more in the future. >> Did you guys build houses then? >> We do. Yep. We're about 14 months per house. Um, currently we're uh building in a subdivision um in Caseyville. Uh, first this house will be done in uh I'd say two weeks. >> So about the week after we get back from Christmas break, it'll be done. Uh, and then we're
026hopeful that our excavator has the foundation dug over Christmas break for the next one which is right next door. So >> we've been waiting for about eight weeks now. >> That's so cool. >> That is awesome. >> So close. >> And what about job placement? So, we we'd like to tout that any any student that walks through our doors, if they're interested in a job, we will have them a job before they leave. Um, already we had about 15 kids hired between auto mechanics and auto body um in September and that has just continued to to go kind of crazy and throughout all of our programming. Um, so yeah, it's that's kind of our one of our missions is if by the end of the year if a student's wanting to take that next step
027and and have a career in one of our fields that we're going to line them up and with a a good opportunity. Um, and and so far we've been extremely successful. >> Okay. >> I don't think it's going to work. >> We have a few internal um classes especially with construction trades and I know when Mr. Reeves and I attended the tour with you. You talked about how it's not to take away from what we're doing on our current campus, but it it deepens it. Can you speak to that a little bit? >> Absolutely. Um, so most of all, all of our partner schools um have their own CT programs in house. Uh, and what I always say to them is, uh, we're not here to take your programming or steal your students from you.
028Uh, we're here to to be an augment to that to enhance those opportunities for your students. Um, Triad, for example, has very robust welding program. They have four different welding classes that are available to their students. Um, my my message to them and my message to you is if you have students that are highly interested in going into that trade as a career, have them go through all of your classes, have them come to us their senior year, we're going to get them more seat time, and we're going to get them access to those businesses um to get them employed. If it's a uh a direct to work situation, you know, we'll we'll be able to help facilitate that. If it's a career that requires uh post-secary training or those next steps uh before the
029workforce, we have between 15 and 20 colleges a year um trade colleges that are coming through um presenting to our students and and showing opportunities of that route that they can take as well. So, we we like to say that we're we're there to really get kids started in a career set off and and hopefully a great life and to be able to come back and support their communities. >> That's uh with our education prep program. Uh that's something a lot of uh the school districts have started is grow your own programming. Um sometimes they are a little difficult to support. So that's why we are taking a regional approach to our program and uh if students come in and and take our ed prep class are getting 12 credit hours of dual credit through
030SWIC um we're currently in talks with SIUE on a accelerated pathway for any student that has taken both of our ed programs. Um, and then if they are able to take a a college English one and two in their home district as a dual credit as well, then SIU will offer them a three-year pathway to be an educator versus a four-year pathway. Um, with that being said, what we do is uh we have the the students come to us. Um, but then we also place them back out in their district schools for observations and simulated student teaching experiences. Um because as students go through and and decide that they they want to be an educator, when they get to college, they most likely won't step foot back in a high school or elementary classroom until
031they're a junior. Um and that's a lot of years of students to decide, is this for me? Is this not for me? To change their mind. Um and we've seen time and time again that that students get to that student teaching phase of of college and get into a classroom and say, "Yeah, this wasn't for me." So we want to give them that experience upfront so that it helps make sure that this is the right job and and the right career choice for them. >> Okay. Did you touch on cyber security and the support you give her certificates? >> Yep. Um so we we just purchased uh our first round of certificates for that this year. Um so we we have two years of a cyber security program and each year we offer the students
032to take one of two cert certifications. um the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security Plus certificate. Uh both of those uh we pay for for the students. Um CompTIA was just running a deal that if we bought them now, uh they offer the students a free voucher um for a retest if needed. Uh but if a student is able to to take and pass both those certificate tests, they are directly employable right out of high school. Uh generally making between 50 and $60,000. Um and that industry is very certificate driven. um and and students are able to to drive their own ship and create their own path um just by doing some uh homework on their end and taking more certificate tests. Um we also see a very strong interest in in the military out of
033that class. We had nine of our 27 students join the Air Force last year out of our cyber security program. Um and if they are able to gain and maintain a a security clearance um once they leave the military and enter the cyber field, it double triples their salaries. So it's um pretty impressive that you can have a 22 23 year old student that is uh no college debt making in the in the mid six figures. >> Well, thank you so much. You did that very well with the lack of technology. I have your presentation up there. I know. Is there are there any slides? >> We got some pictures in there. Uh you can you can go run through them really quick. >> Um some of our CNA students uh we just renovated their
034classroom and is kind of a part of our expansion is uh we are working to have all of our classrooms sponsored uh by local business or a national business. So Anderson Hospital, who's located in Mville, is sponsoring our our CNA program. Um, and they've actually changed some of their hiring policy so that they can hire students at 17 versus 18. Uh, because they that was one of the things that we pointed out was uh there's still a decent amount of uh seniors that when they graduate in May aren't 18 yet. So they've changed their hiring policies to be able to capture those students. Um, and if a student comes with us, comes to us, gets their CNA, and then, uh, goes into Anderson directly through us, uh, Anderson is committed to paying for them to
035go on and achieve their LPN or RN or even their BSN, depending on on what that student wants to do. There's a list of our programs. That's Seth. He's painting a truck. Did a really good job on it. And then that's going to be our new campus there is a part of our industrial programming. So, we'll be relatively split uh with eight programs there. Um and then as we grow our existing campus, we should be up to 12 to 13 programs um in our renovated facility. Top left, we got some of our education students u working with third graders at a uh a STEM day. So, those are some VR headsets uh which are also available to Columbia uh through the Southwestern Illinois Leadership Council. uh you can shoot them a message. They'll they'll come
036down and and run through a class of students through those. Um they have between 50 and 60 different career simulations on those VR headsets. Super cool. Uh landscaping students building the retaining wall. Uh this is our village trades class framing some basement stairs. There's a little sample of grinding, lots of grinding and welding. Um that is our current auto mechanic shop. Uh it's about half of the view this and the other half. Um and then our CNA class runs two blood drives every single year. Um so that's the students going around posing for pictures as they post that. >> Awesome. >> Then uh our CNA class, our dental assisting class, and the soontobe EMT class. Those are our semester offerings. Everything else is a year-long and all of our class times run for two and
037a half hours. Uh so generally and we're we're open for students to come in the morning or the afternoon. Um but generally we find that uh if a school chooses to send in the afternoon, they'll start their day usually go first through third periods at at their home school. They come to us and then and then they're done for the day after they're they're done with us. We're piloting uh two programs with with Collinsville High School right now. Um it's a vocational English class and then we're going through the curriculum process on a vocational math class. Uh the vocational English class we rolled out for the first time this year. It's going very well and we're hoping to be able to expand that to all of the districts that send us students um to be
038a way to help seniors out that if it's a scheduling challenge at their homeschool um English being one of the the required credits as a senior that we'd be able to to offer that and we've tailored that to the working world. Um, students aren't writing papers and and reading, you know, Romeo and Juliet. Uh, they're reading technical manuals. Um, depending on if they're in a welding class, they're going to be reading some technical welding manuals. If they're in our nursing class, they're going to be reading uh nursing manuals. Um, and then they also are are learning how to write professional emails. Um, have professional communication between themselves, their instructor. Um, and then they just had to do a uh a hands-on project. Uh, kind of stole stole it from uh science classes. They had to
039write the manual for a egg drop competition. >> And they each had I think there was eight groups per class. They each had to design their own egg drop. And uh it was a set set of materials and they had to write the directions for how a teacher would build the egg drop device. And then the teacher got a box had to create that based on their instructions could not do anything else but their instructions. Um and so of the 16 groups there was there was a morning and an afternoon class. Of the 16 groups we had three egg failures but there was 13 successful drops off the third story roof of the building. So that was a a pretty challenging one for me. >> Very good. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much. >>
040Awesome. Thank you for coming. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. Our next presentation is Mr. Travis Wellen from Shu for Boil Accounting Firm. >> See Travis, you're supposed to do all the talking. >> My name is Keith. Yeah, exactly. >> I don't want to make this too brief, so if you guys have questions, please ask. You know, >> we really feel that you're in great hands with Jim and Jesse and Dr. Bro have been more than responsive, you know what I mean? So, it's all been good. Um, there really no big entries or anything. I don't want to short change this. There are basically at the end of the day there's three findings and I they're they're minuscule to me, but I don't want to leave and somebody say,
041"Well, they didn't tell us this." But, I mean, basically, one is one person didn't have their economic interest thing on file, right? two oh two or three years ago is wants you to put your activity funds and include that in your budget. So when you didn't do that that caused you to spend over your budgeted amount technically. Do you understand what I'm saying? >> It doesn't mean too much to me but that technically that's right. And then when we audit those federal monies, they we pick idea monies and all we're suggesting is that we we're not saying anything was misspent. We're just saying, okay, well, here's some general ledger codes or if you allocate that that you can really just see where that federal money is and you got one account number for it, that
042would be better. We met yesterday. They were all in agreement, I think, unless they changed their mind behind my back. >> Yeah, the economic interest form is our treasurer and he's a chief business official of another district. So, there just was we didn't have the paperwork. Um the uh idea grant is really more of us indicating the revenue funds when we do a salary code. And so, if we're paying the salary here, we want to make sure it's got a tag to it to idea so that they can have an easier time to >> Right. to backend it out. And so the monies were right. It was just that. And as far as the activity fund, um Jim's like, "Yeah, no, I totally will just throw that into the into the account." And so the
043budget over here for the activity fund and the actions in the activity funds will just get put into fund 10 and and then our we won't have any issues then because we'll have it budgeted. So >> yeah, from an overall concept, that doesn't even make common sense to me. I will say that Sheffield Bole did a great job of coming in and asking a lot of really good questions. They had Kim and Jesse kind of okay and answering things, but the checks and balances were there and everything was answered well and so I feel like we had a really good audit. So, thank you. >> Well, no, thank you. And I mean Travis does all the work. The few times I was here though, I got the inkling though they knew what they were doing.
044You know what I mean? And you can usually tell. And yesterday, what I like is they had drawn on the wall how to calculate a payroll check. And it sounds kind of simplistic, but it's not. So, I'm kind of glad they care enough to do that. I mean, that they can get complicated and can be a big mess in a real big hurry. So, I I was just impressed. >> So, I know it's not as exciting as his best buddies or anything. >> You have a a draft copy of this? if once you guys approve it tonight, he'll get us a real copy and I'll send it to the ROE and everything. >> Probably got to get Travis will email you those things you got to sign off on and if you want to go
045through them, but I mean, >> yeah, page 88 is just where the findings are. You can take this home with you and read all the numbers to your little heart's content. It's good to get some sleep, >> right? But does anybody have any questions? >> I don't want to be too brief, but usually they won't. You don't go on a school board to hear the accountant talk properly. >> I don't know what you got. >> Adam there. I'll look to Adam. >> Mr. Hempkin, what would you like to ask? >> I have no questions. >> That's a fantastic job on your >> That's a real feather in the cap. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. Continue now with our assistant superintendent report. >> Yes. Um a
046technical apology to our special ed department. I apologize. I will go through. >> It's funny how it's working now though. >> I know. I know. That was all our our our tech person over here. It was not me. Um I will go through those slides uh to bring some pictures to what was being spoken about. Obviously, a lot of amazing things are going on with our special ed department and the teachers in which flourish that every day. A lot of happy smiles. The Polar Express, which I think was a highlight that was spoken about. Of course, our annual Asa Olympics, the zoo, So, a huge thank you also to Mrs. Gocher for helping make sure the department is successful. We we appreciate you and all of your hard work. I wanted to touch base on
047um kind of speaking on our vocational efforts with the high school. I am very happy to announce and um I already told Mrs. Corey about this. We have two pharmacy tech students that are interested in the program and they have already filled out the CHS application for that and sent that to our school counselors to which now the counselors reached out and said what are our next steps? We are going to have them prepare their resume. They're going to get two teacher recommendation letters and we are orchestrating interviews to have Mr. Corey come in and sit with myself and Mr. Reeves and a school counselor to have an interview before they go and do their internship hours at Corey Pharmacy and complete their online hours to become a certified pharmacy tech. I am beyond thrilled
048because this was the conversation as of last May and it it took a little while to get off the ground but just like you know patience is a virtue and we're here and we're excited. Um and I'm very thankful for the Corey's to help us support in this effort because our students are excited. So, I'm excited to see where that goes. The Dupo electrical pathway, I just wanted to touch base. We know that there has been some changes happening with the instructor um at Dupo School District. As we get more information, we will share that. Um I shared some information with the board on some of the options for second semester. Dupo is doing all that they possibly can to ensure that they can continue that electrical pathway program. um especially for the end of
049this year. We are very thankful they were able to finish it up this semester um so the students could finish the program, get their dual credit and finish with a Swick instructor. Again, I can't say enough to how hard Dupo is working with us and and communicating with us to make sure we know how they're going to continue to help serve our students. Very thankful. And then I just want to finish up. I mean, Christmas break is right around the corner and I'm already thinking about our inservice day on January 5th. We have our schedules all outlined for our staff. We do have PD and training for our staff with the ELA curriculum in addition to continued collaboration efforts on how our high school and junior high with them being singleton teachers is what we
050call them. Sometimes you just have one geometry teacher. So, how do you help those teachers collaborate? We're going to get some of that training as well on January 5th. The other part and piece to that inservice day would be a co-c collaboration with Sparta High School. Sparta High School reached out and asked if the Colombia ELA high school department would collaborate with them and talk about scope and sequence, what we're using, what they're using. I'm going to help facilitate that meeting via Google Meet that morning to really spearhead and see how we can collaborate amongst two districts. Some exciting things are on the on the forefront. Any questions? All right, that's all I have for tonight. >> Last but not least, our super This is going to be somewhat brief. Um, everything happens for a
051reason and it always works out for the best. But there were some technical difficulties with my uh posting of information regarding the e-learning plan. So, we're not having a hearing tonight. We will do that on Tuesday, January 6, when we got out. Um, I had no technical difficulties this time with the posting of the information because Casey was good enough to do it for me. Thank you, Casey. But, uh, the postings of the agendas and everything got out there to everyone. And so, 6 pm on January 6, Tuesday, we'll have our hearing and then we can, uh, vote on that. But, we're also going to add some new classes for the high school to that agenda. Correct. >> There's one course that we're going to add so that the kids can look at that as
052well. So it's it's not just a one thing meeting. We'll actually have two things. So that made me feel better. Um our skid steer has been ordered and is being delivered to the Fenton Fabic um site and I believe on Monday, uh Kurt Steve plans to go out and and get that. The trailer that I sent you information for technically did not meet the specs. There was some communication issues there. So, we're pulling that one from the agenda and we will um update you later on that and there's no need for executive session, but those that's pretty much my report. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> All right. Got a little work for the board to do now. It's items for action. First one is the approval of the fiscical year 25 audit. We just heard
053the >> You've heard the report. administration recommends that you approve the audit as presented and then when they send us the official draft, I will make sure it's posted to the ROE and all the other people. Bond council Chapman needs this because of the uh bond sales as well. So, perfect. There's a few places I got to send it to. Any questions, concerns, or comments regarding the audit? >> Adam, good because they left. >> That's right. >> It was very brief. >> That's great. All right. May I like to make a motion to approve the fiscal year 25 audits? >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you, Andrea. Second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Tyson. Roll call, please. >> Friedrich, >> yes. >> Cory, >> yes. >> Moyer, >> yes. >> Search, >> yes.
054>> Schumacher, >> yes. >> Meyer, >> yes. All right, that approves. Next one is approval for the 2025 tax levy. >> And there, this was presented um last month. There were no comments, no questions, no concerns about the tax levy. I'm not saying everyone loves their taxes, but um administration recommends that you approve the tax levy as presented and I will deliver it to the county courouses tomorrow. Perfect. Any questions or comments regarding the tax levy? Hearing none, may like to make a motion to approve the 2025 tax levy. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank you, Adam. Second. I'll >> second. >> Thank you, Lisa. Roll call, please. Meyer, >> yes. >> Schemacher, >> yes. >> Search, >> yes. >> Freeder, >> yes. Simkin, >> yes. >> Corey, yes. Moyer, >> yes. >> All
055right. LMC is always a fun one. The approval for the early graduates. >> Yeah. They have done everything that they need to graduate. And so, um, administration recommends that you approve the early graduates. They will be able to come back and walk during our graduation, but they would go off and start earning money before they go off to college or maybe even go off to college now. All right. Any questions regarding the early graduates? Hearing nobody like to make a motion to approve the early graduates. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Andrea. Second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. >> Norin. Sorry. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Perfect. All right. Next one is the approval of the student trip to Europe for 2627. >> And this is getting added so that
056we are on an every other year and it's more stairstepped. And so, um, do you have anything you want to add to that or >> No. Uh, Mr. post reached out because we do we are right now in the same cycle as the German and the Spanish trips and he went ahead and he uh did a survey to see if there were student would be student interests for this upcoming year and there was probably not as many as attended the meeting. I believe 55 students attended but he is hoping to get 20 possibly for next year and then that would put us on an alternating year schedule with the German and Spanish students. So that is why it's on there this year or on the agenda today. >> So when you say next year, that's
057summer of 27. >> Yes. Sorry. I'm like school years. There's calendar years and school years. >> Well, and next is >> Yes. >> Open for interpretation. >> Yes. >> Good clarification. >> With those clarifications, the administration recommends that you approve >> the trip. >> Right. Anybody have any questions on the student trip? So, we're talking about 20 students is the goal. And how many chaperoons? >> Three. Um I think they are at 18 for this year and they have three um chaperones going. >> And that's the plan for next year as well. >> Yes. Yes. Again, it's all based on interest and if there is a if there's 25 that are interested and can make then we would do adjustments accordingly. But the goal is 20 not less >> or somewhere about there. >> Yes.
058Okay. Yes. Any questions? Anyone else? Hearing? None. Maybe like to make a move. Motion to approve the student trip for year for 2627 school year. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Lisa. Second. >> I'll second. >> We'll go a roll call, please. >> Fredick, >> yes. >> Timkin, >> yes. >> Corey, >> yes. >> Moyer, >> yes. >> Search, >> yes. >> Schumacher, >> yes. >> Meer, >> yes. All right. Letter F is the uh sorry E is the approval for the bid for the driver education car. >> We went out bid with went out to bid for the driver's education car. Weber Chevrolet was the only bid that we received. Administration recommends that we um ex approve their bid for a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer for frontwheel drive four-door LS. Um it would
059be 25,327. >> Any questions regarding the driver's ed car? So, this is actually it's an SUV, right? >> It's Yeah, an SUVesque type of thing. Yeah. >> All the cars look the same to me. >> Which probably not a bad idea because SUVs are a little bit more popular than cars these days. So, >> you also want your new drivers in a bigger car than a, you know, a tiny little thing that could >> withstand a crash. >> And I still know how to parallel park a big car. It's good to have a >> They're pretty small vehicles, but >> Yeah. Bigger than a driver's ed car that we've had, >> right? >> I don't think so. >> You don't think so? >> I think it's a little more compact. >> A little bit longer.
060>> Yeah, but you're right. >> They're just really not making sedans anymore, I don't think. >> Yeah, there's the market's getting pretty small. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions, consignments, concerns here? No, you'd like to make a motion to approve the purchase of a driver's education car. >> I'll make a motion. >> Thank. >> I'll second. >> Thank Andrea. Roll call, please. >> Search, >> yes. >> Schemacher, >> yes. >> Meyer, >> yes. >> Moyer, >> yes. >> Corey, >> yes. >> Himkin, >> yes. >> Freda, >> yes. >> All right. Dr. Groy mentioned earlier the approval for the hydraulic uh trailer is going to be tabled. Um, basically the specs that we received were not exactly what we are looking for. Um, we're looking for an equipment trailer that's going to hold a skid
061steer, which is considerable weight and needs to be built correctly. We don't want to cheap out and have to buy another trailer in a couple years. We wanted to buy something substantial. Um, it's still going to be, I believe, what was it? Two months ago, the board approved the parts of a skid steer and a trailer. So, we're going to be well within the, if I remember, I think it was 75,000. >> We're going to be well under that with the skid steer and the trailer. So, >> And attachments. Yes. everything. We don't compromise. We want it all. So, >> what are we doing though to get it? Because here we are are in the thick of just we could get hammered with ice again. >> Uh pretty quick. So, >> the skidster we're actually
062getting on Monday. >> Yeah, skidster be here on Monday. So, >> trailer to move it. >> We're going to borrow a trailer. >> Okay. >> To move it to get it here. Mr. Myers is going to >> Okay. >> Allow us. >> For three other campuses, you wouldn't put it on the trailer anyway. So, it only be to go up to Eagle View. >> Yeah. is the only time we would trailer it if there's adverse weather anyway. >> And what they've done before to get the trailer, they they kind of go down. They do this sometimes with the mowers. It not I'm not thrilled about it, but they'll go behind Ace from from Eagle View that back on those roads to Ace to the park and then they'll take the park over behind the um
063where there used to be a utility uh you know where that path goes behind >> the maintenance shed back there. >> Yeah, the maintenance shed. Thank you. Okay. >> Which is not ideal, but >> doable if it works. >> Yeah. >> It's better than trying to trailer a heavy vehicle during bad weather. >> Yeah. Know how they >> Yeah. >> how they plan to do that. >> Okay. >> Well, I guess technically and I guess we should have the board consensus with this one. So, the board did approve the expenditure of the trailer. Um, our main thing is is the bid process. So, we do need to redo the bids and I've identified three different manufacturers that I think qualify. So, I think we're going to reach that back out to theirs. Um, since it
064is within our budget, is the board okay with once we get the three bids, we take the best bid and and go ahead and do it that way. We're not into January. >> I'll buy the trailer and then bring the bids for you to approve in January. >> We've already approved the purchase. So, >> not on the sixth, but in January. >> Right. >> Does anybody have any problem with that? So, we get a little sped up. I mean, >> approved. We approved not to exceed. So, >> correct. Yes. >> As long as we go with the lowest bidder. >> Perfect. We just want to be transparent. We don't want anything to >> trouble tonight. >> All good. >> Cool. And I'd like to see some enhancements since we we got the skid steer at
065a really good price. Um, it's a modern 2022 >> 2122 whatever. >> It's only a couple years old. Only has a thousand hours on it. idea, enclosed cab, heat, air, backup cameras, everything. So, we were It It took a little while to get it again. I mean, this is a $100,000 machine and we're getting for less than half that price. So, >> it paid off to wait a couple years. Yeah. And get exactly what we want. I know there was some disappointment where we wish we had this done earlier in the year, but this is one of the things that we kind of backed off and and made sure we got the right deal and uh didn't really rush into things. So, so sorry it took so long, but we are picky. >> So, it's
066all right. >> All right. So, we're going to table that one. Next is our facility study, our discussion items. We're going to start with a facility study study. >> Monday, they will be closing up the um what we're calling the temporary door into the choir room. They've been that one wall by the greenhouse where you see the big wooden the big hole that's going to get closed up on Monday or they're going to start closing it up on Monday. Um so that they can get the outside facade there. But that means that all the lifts that are inside of the auditorium and everything are be becoming out. Um it's really starting to look when you walk around the inside like an auditorium. Um, do you have any comments or >> No, the you or Greg
067I mean our last walk through they they've really made some progress. >> Yeah, there's a there's a lot of um a lot of movement going on at the moment finishing things literally working over the top of each other and you know just the way construction in a big building works. But uh the classrooms are they look amazing. uh the residence floors and all of our labs and all that. It's it really does uh it's really impressive and the classrooms are going to be phenomenal for, you know, not only just looking nice but increasing our educational capabilities. Um having all of our our vents and stuff when we walk through with the um was it the insurance guy? >> Yeah. >> That when we walk through he was >> builder. Yeah, the builder's wrist looking at
068all the stuff as far as the vents and all the, you know, safety equipment that we've got in there. I mean, we are light years ahead of where we are currently as soon as we can move into those classrooms. Um, you know, and then also our plans for the spring and the summer of actually moving our band and choir over into their new space. Um, and then being able to do all of our renovations over the summer. Um, so I'm really looking forward to the next six months when all this kind of starts really coming coming to a to a close and you'll see all the the fruits of the labor. But um I mean even if you just walk into the lobby of the high school right now, you can feel the difference there
069and just and then once we are done then all of the flooring will be the same throughout the hallways, the common spaces. Um, I mean, the entire look and feel of the the school is going to be completely different by the end of the year. So, >> I believe January 8th is when we walk through to get partial occupancy. And the goal with that is is once we get partial occupancy, the students will be able to go into the auditorium and um start practicing. There will not be chairs in the auditorium at that point, but they'll be able to get on the stage. the stage will have been had the wood flooring installed and everything so that they can start playing and then by February 15th they will be completely and utterly done with the
070chairs and everything for the um March. I'm not sure the exact date uh debut of Mamma Mia. >> But we're also looking at an open house in midFebruary at some point. >> Yes. >> For the community. >> Once we've got full occupancy, we will have an open house and just let everybody kind of walk in and wander and see how it all looks. That's through the city. You're saying the city is an occupancy permit? >> No, we go through the regional office of education. So, our architects and the ROE uh issue the occupancy. >> So, they just they go through >> city doesn't have to walk through. >> No, buildings all get done via the um regional office building. >> That's an interesting thing was the if we would have done that cell tower because
071that's not for educational purposes. we would have needed the city to do any zoning or whatnot on that. But as far as if it's an educational facility, then it is not the city, it is this >> like the fire department, do they do a walk through? >> Uh the fire marshall um is part of that. I don't I but the fire marshal works then with the ROE, >> the state fire. >> Yeah, the state fire marshall. >> But they've already signed off on the plan. So as long as we do long as it's built to plan, then there's no no concern of there being, you know, a hiccup. But our SRO officer will get all the emergency responders so that they're familiar with the building should they have to come in. They know where everything
072is. >> So, >> and I think the I don't know if the fire marshall did an official walkthrough, but weren't they here a few weeks ago? Just >> they were for their annual >> Yeah, they every every year the fire marshall comes through and so he when he when he did the yearly check at the high school, he walked through the new construction. >> I thought he was here a few a few weeks ago. >> How many or do we have any AEDs in the same part of the building? >> We would we will get one for the auditorium. Any place that you have an audience, you're supposed to have an AED for it. So, we'll have one for the auditorium. Uh there'll definitely be one in the gym. Um >> perhaps in the building,
073>> probably three more because there already some in there. They our nurse nurses department really handles that. Anything else? All right. Thank you for that update. Go on to individual board member comments. Anybody have anything you want to contribute tonight? Nope. All right. Board of President's prerogative. I don't have anything either. Dr. Gro said we have no executive session this evening. >> Merry Christmas and happy new year. >> Exactly. >> All right. So, no actions at executive session. We have one last thing is motion to adjourn. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Thank Kelly. All in favor? >> All right. That concludes our meeting. 7:56 p.m. Thank you for joining us. Great.