001Testing, testing, 1 2 3, testing. >> Mhm. >> Listen to Elizabeth. You haven't seen her, have you? Yeah, I'm here. All right. Thank you. Call the meeting to order. Roll call, please, Madam Secretary. Ms. Wilfalk. Here. Ms. Venegas. Mr. Sawalesh. Here. Dr. Hall Here. Zietz Sum Breast is here. Mr. Gallegos Here. Mr. Brown Here. >> [snorts] >> Let us stand for the pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Mr. Gallegos and the mission statement read by board member Janey. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Our mission statement is to engage and empower our students to positively impact their community and future. Thank you both. Have any public comments? No. Great.
002Board update Yeah, I had one. Um Tuesday last last week Tuesday I went to an IASB meeting and at that meeting um Dr. Hall and I were recognized for board uh established board leader. So, there was a certificate and a pin. And then Mr. [applause] Brown Mr. Brown, you have something I didn't open it, so I am not sure. I wasn't even there. That's good. We get something Thank you. But, you know what, Bill? If you don't mind I'll give you the privilege. Go right ahead. Oh. I don't know what it is. It's a bill, keep it. Here. It's a pin. Oh. Thank you. My retirement plan. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> The meeting was pretty interesting. The the main speaker talked about AI um in school districts. So, I know it's a new
003thing. Um it's a little strange uh and scary and exciting all at the same time. And what I mean by that is the speaker was talking about possible employees or teachers could use it if they want to help develop lesson plans, uh go through certain things in the curriculum, it could help them as a tool. However, when it comes to students, my personal opinion is I just don't know you know, it's like anything else. We're asking kids under 18 to go on the internet and some of the choices they make sometimes aren't safe, right? Just because there's so many scary things. Well, AI is is computer generated. So, it's really a scary thing for me when I look at it with kids cuz they don't know the difference. So, he had made that point that
004years ago, say 10 years ago, kids always said, "You believe everything on the internet." And now because AI is so prevalent, now they're all saying, "We don't believe anything on the internet." So, how it's changed in a decade. But, it was pretty interesting um to go to the meeting and listen to what he had to say. But, AI is going to just start introducing itself into school districts more than we maybe some of us more than we want to, but we just got to figure out what's safe and and what's right. But, other than that, the meeting was pretty productive from that point and uh they talked about the upcoming uh convention in in November and stuff like that. But, it was pretty good meeting. I think that was a recognition pin, the same one
005used to They didn't give me a certificate in the in the envelope. Okay, well, thank you. Thank you both for participating in that endeavor. And I guess anybody else? Anything else? Yeah, um so there was a STEM lab grand opening at Creek Elementary School. I don't remember the date. Um when we in the Creek Hill Monifa So I attended the one where they made the road show and visited Creek. Um I loved it. Um one of the things that I took home from it was the idea that STEM is an identity that can be applied in cross every single industry. >> Mhm. And so what I liked about it was sometimes we think of STEM as you have to be a scientist or mathematician and you have to go into engineering, but no, helping the
006kids understand that that STEM principles are in every single field. You could be a hair stylist, you could be a cosmetologist, you could be whatever you want and there's STEM principles um that can be identified in every single industry. So I really liked that, especially teaching that message to the kids when they're young so they don't feel excluded, but they can be included in every STEM conversation, no matter what their choice of future looks like for them. So I loved it. It was really awesome. The CEO came down from San Diego and it was kind of cold here still. So it was kind of funny that she was here from San Diego experiencing some of our our weather. Um but it was it was it was awesome. So thank you for that and I'm so
007glad I got a chance to go and represent the board. Mhm. Just to let you know, it snowed in California yesterday. Oh, wow. >> Take that. >> [laughter] >> Take that. Excellent excellent report out. Uh anyone else? Well, excellent and AI it is going to be with us. And I think the roles may flip. We become the AI and they become the humans. >> [laughter] >> I mean, that's how the one of the founders of AI, I heard him say a couple weeks ago that AI is we just have touched the surface that it can even replace him, the inventor, one of the inventors of AI. Just think about that. Think about that. And still I use STEM on a personal level in my household. Especially with my wife, I'm always analyzing [clears throat] how
008to keep him doing work for her. She's not there. Okay, anything else? Um Mr. Brown, were you going to say anything? Oh, yes. Oh, okay. Just kidding. Go ahead. Okay. All right. >> [clears throat] >> Uh I got a few things to report. I'll I did attend the speed uh that Alex represent. And we do have a automotive Do we have automotive lab here, technology and all? Automotive lab now? No, we do not. Okay, we'll scratch that cuz they donate cars. Oh. Okay, I said I wasn't sure, but I'll find out. But it was a productive meeting. Again, they formalize and do some things different. The board, just the parliamentary approach. But it's good to hear perspectives. We have, I don't know, eight, nine, 10 school district board reps there, so And also Dr. Perkins
009sent out something in our job brief regarding the dental program. More to follow on that. I had extensive conversation with Dr. Perkins on that. What transpired for us as a district to tweak our process to make it better. Okay? And probably the last thing here I did have the opportunity. So many colleagues, Dr. Burgess was there. I think our assistant superintendent Jason was there at the funeral of the kids, the grandfather. So I had the understanding. I thought the kids was going to be funeralized last Saturday, but that was not the case. And we [clears throat] had a great turnout from the district. And our [clears throat] principal, high school principal, he recited a great highly felt recited a great resolution at that funeral. So being said, board member Janine, she reached out to me
010and saying basically said, "Can other things be done from the board perspective to involve ourselves in the community?" Uh usually our superintendent represent us in flowers out and condolences and things of that nature. But I think Janine Janine had a good point on that. I would have loved have given a resolution from the board perspective. It's not slating our superintendent, just from the board perspective to let people know that we are there. We have had a lot of tragedies just my tenure here on the board. [clears throat] A lot of tragedies happened within our district. And the district as a whole have came out, but I I think I actually have a policy here. And Dr. Coggins and I are supposed to talk a little bit about some things she wanted to share with me.
011But there's a policy 8:10. It says connection with the community. It doesn't list specifically that we are to involve involve involve ourselves regarding condolences and things of that nature. But it does lend itself for us to do things just to show during those times of bereavement and >> [snorts] >> and troubles and things of that nature. It says, "Earn the community." This is It's about seven eight bullet points. It says, "Earn the community goodwill, respect, and trust." I think showing ourselves like like uh Principal Hollyfield did and all of our representatives from the school district. I mean, they stood up. They stood up and got recognized. There was a lot there. [clears throat] So, I'm just looking I'll be reaching out to see where we can better tune this up to represent as a representative
012of the board to say, "Hey, we're here for you as well." Again, our superintendent is basically our our leader, not basically, is our leader here. But, at the same token, the board has a footprint. We was recognized, the board was, about less than 2 years ago, of one of few districts in the state of Illinois as being a highly effective board. So, anything we can do better, it just add that much credence to who we are. So, there's a probably some Many of you probably heard of Stevie Stephen Covey. He's a book writer out there. I had it in my MBA program, business program, my corporate world, Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Person. So, we're looking at highly effective opportunities to make our board better. So, Janine submitted to me some ideas. I plan
013on I plan on attending the kids' funeral, the three kids, this Saturday, correct, Dr. Perkins? >> I believe it's the 25th. Oh, the I'll check and make sure. If you can make it Okay. Okay, FYI. And I know some things got it was communicated to the board and maybe the staff that this wasn't the most conducive place to attend because of the apparent neighborhood you know, violence things of that nature. I will attend. I grew up in that neighborhood. I [clears throat] find no factual evidence that it's as bad as better than any other neighborhood that I go through Chicago on a daily basis. So, I'll be if it's okay with the board It was. I'm sorry. It was not said to staff. But it was said in an email to us. Yeah. Yeah, I
014and I think I passed it on. I I think I replied back to Dr. Perkins and I think each one of you got a separate copy of that reply as well. So, we are here. We are a big family. We are family. And regardless on some personal things going on out there among this tragic death, I think as a district we already you know, as a district we well represented but as a board, I think we can also show we're out in the community. I hear all of you talking about events that you went to. Well done. Excellence in the field and this just a compliment. And I don't want to get into the religious basis behind this but just the sympathy showing we're there. We are family. So, I will be attending whatever day
015that is of these three kids. Again, I thought it was last Saturday only to find out it was more Correct me if I'm wrong. It was more for the grandfather. Yes, there was a lot of not clear communication. Yeah. A lot of family involved. Yeah. Yeah, cuz I I thought the venue had changed when I think Sheryl made us sent it out or whatever. I said, oh, I expected everything to happen that day, but unbeknownst to me, it didn't occur that way. So, but you know, no hard feelings. I was glad to be there. I was glad to stand up when he said when Dr. Holyfield said, "Stand up, representatives from Cree." I was glad to stand up, be one of those representatives. So, I would like to give some type of resolution from the
016board similar to what Dr. >> [clears throat] >> I mean, or Mr. Holyfield, principal did. And I don't know if Janine, would you like to work with me on that? Is it okay? I'll pass it through the board. Again, it's it's just say, "Hey, we're as a board, you know, da da da da da da da da da da da and present that to I believe the father or family member." Sure. Okay. Thank you. And if we can invoke some of that verbage and language into this policy, we can do it or keep it and just use that bullet note. Again, I want to continue being a highly effective board, and I think doing things like that is just showing the public that we're here for you. Did you want to speak more? Yeah, I
017just had a question. Um how is the format of notifying us about the services? Cuz I I didn't know the grandfather services was on Saturday. And so, I may have missed that I that email. I don't know if >> Yeah, I think Shonda sent it out. He sent it out to the whole board, I think. Yeah. Okay. I'll I'll I'll go look for that. But um it that's the way to just is that Yeah, and in that email, it said the funeral service for the kids. Was it Was it in some other email? Was there other information in that email? Or was it just that >> was that for that date. And again, I >> Yeah, it showed the location. Mhm. And had the location where it was at, what time. >> It showed the
018time, the location, and the date. >> Okay. Okay. Fair enough. And but the previous email showed a different venue. And when this second email came, I thought things change. Got you. >> things were not going to be involved >> It was in a different village, the second one. The different >> Different location. We had no when I sent that out, there was no information at that time on that. The only information I sent was from the aunt that she'd given to me that day. That is what I passed along to you, and that is what I passed along to the buildings. Mhm. Um the buildings um And it shows it actually showed the kids, too. So it actually showed the I believe I I believe it may have only showed the kids. I could be
019wrong. But anyway that's what I assumed. And after the services, I talked to Dr. Perkins and Principal Hollyfield. They said, "Oh, no, they're going to have another service." I said, "Oh, okay." So All right. Anything else on Janine? No, thank you. Okay. And I'll share some things that Janine had recommend that we do possibly. And again, I don't know. This could be perfectly good, but if you want things to be consistent, you got to have it in some type of standard, some type of procedure. [clears throat] And so, but again, I don't want to make this a religious No, there's That's not my point here. But again, those are times when the grieving opportunity lends itself, those are times where the board should should be there. Were those ideas that you came up with, or
020how did you get those? Yeah, cuz I remember I think you sent out an email saying, "Do we have any ideas on that?" So I submitted some. Yeah, I sent that email when this first transpired. I said, "Hey, you know >> [clears throat] >> and I started looking up things and and and different services just for me being behind this in many capacities, different services do things different. >> Sure. And this was an opportunity for they In this particular case at the funeral, they call people who had a resolution, they were specific, had a written resolution to come up and please read it. And then I There's been other places where if you're not If you don't contact the family beforehand, knowing that you're going to do a resolution, you cannot give one. So, I
021said worst case scenario, if we did have a resolution, I'll And we're not able to read it out, I'll just be able to give it to, I believe, the father. Mhm. I'm sorry, what is a resolution? Like cuz I think of when I think of a resolution, I'm thinking like, oh, you like a policy resolution. So, I'm not understanding. >> so, uh I smile because I know some people got mad upset with me when I didn't want to do the resolution when it came to the uh the immigrants who were coming over. Um and basically, I because we had a policy, I felt like the resolution was useless because we already had a policy stating, this is what we're doing. And it's just kind of like a goodwill gesture to state, you know. >> It
022is. It is. It's It's you acknowledging and sharing with the family that it's resolving, you know, the love of your loss. We're acknowledging and we're just sharing [clears throat] with you as a family that we're you know, here for you and things like that. So, your loved one is is gone. That's something they do in the churches' life. Okay, so it is a religious thing. No. >> No, not necessarily. Not really cuz a resolution can be any resolution. No, no, no, I know that, but I'm just cuz it's not something that has ever been done in the religion where I am from. So, this is this is why I'm asking. And that'll be a good point. That's No, no, I was just asking for clarification, like I'd never heard of a resolution. I only thought
023they were done legally or procedurally, but this doesn't seem like it has a legal or a procedural component to it. So, that's why I'm asking. >> That's why I want to filter and and vet it out to make sure that we're not doing anything, we're not crossing any line. Because I think, matter of fact, I think Principal Hollyfield he's a pastor of a church. Uh-huh. >> And he kind of he kind of read the resolution from his church. But he kind of brought in and wrote in the district, too. >> Mhm. I think that's how he did it. Yeah, he kind of wrote and, you know, I'm I'm such and such from my church and I'm here to represent, too, Creek Monroe School to a One U. He mentioned Dr. Dr. Cogdill's name, Dr. Perkins'
024name and said, "On behalf of da da da da da uh be it resolved um that I'm I'm Just so we're clear, that seemed I don't I'm not Look, that seems like a conflation than of Yeah, and like I said, uh again >> questioning like and we can do that. Like I I just want to know how that works legally for separation issue issues. >> Sure. And this is again, that's why I'm putting it out, make sure it's legal, make sure it's not offending anybody because if if this is something that that if we do it, I want to I want everybody to feel comfortable. I want it to be a consensus. I mean, unanimous, okay? And I I definitely respect everybody's opinion on this. And if nothing else or whatever, if I feel from
025a religious point, if I feel strongly on it, I would do it on behalf of me. Sure. Right. Right. >> Right. On behalf of me and my church. I would do it like that. So I could just read the definition. It's a formal written document or speech that officially recognizes, honors, and pledges support to the family in this when it's for the sake of a funeral. Okay. Um of the deceased commonly within church communities, but it highlights the departed's good works, legacy, whereas clauses to list their accomplishments. So we would say something as a board, you know, we're providing this resolution to the family of blah blah blah. Or statement. It's It's really a statement, so resolution is just a high-level word that could be applied in any setting. I think that's where I was
026going. That's the definition I think. We're thinking resolution cuz I'm in the same boat. I'm like a resolution is you're coming here and doing something you know, legally or passing that. It's like a statement of support. It's a statement. >> I think is misleading. Yeah. Yeah. Statement of support, that might be better. >> Yeah. But again, it may be it may it may be again if I were to do it, I'll keep any type of spiritual, biblical scriptures, and things like like that out of it. So it's one it's not to be offensive. >> What the board might consider if you're looking at looking at our policy, we could do an administrative procedure where we could have a generic Yeah. statement Yeah. that could be read so it's >> You You can list it as
027res but then in parentheses put statement so that Yeah. >> certain people will view it as a resolution. Some I would view it as a statement cuz that's what you would go up and do. Yeah. So Dr. Hall, I'm good with that. I just didn't understand the choice of the word I'm good with all of it. I just wanted to And I And I think what happened is because I think Janine asked to the question when I said, "Yeah, we we do things acknowledge and we do things what we call resolutions." And And that was just an example that I threw out there. But the intent is board recognition Okay. And now just support. something that happens like in a church setting, which is why I would Well, I think like what Dr. Hall was
028saying, we could we could have provided a resolution to the migrant community, a statement of support saying, "Hey, Right. Well, they they definitely wanted to. That was part of why they got mad at me. Mhm. But But I I viewed it different like you did. I didn't view it as a statement, I just viewed it as We have a policy. >> You already have a policy. That's how I understood the determination of what resolution It's the way I think about it. >> Yeah. So, when I look at it, I'm like, "Why are we doing a policy when we already have one in place?" It didn't make any sense. >> But I don't know. Yeah, I think in this case it was four organizations that came up and read resolutions doing this doing this time. Mhm.
029Thank you. All right, so I'll put some things out there for, you know, for the board. I'll put something out there, I'll work with uh Janine on it, and and we'll pass it by, and I will only do it move forward if I get everybody's consent on it. I don't want any ill will, any bad feelings, or anything, because that's what we are a highly effective board, okay? All right. Okay. >> One more board update. Go ahead. So, I think it was it's been almost a year. So, you had asked to have a student representative on the board. That's true. >> So, I reached out to Principal Grace from Oswego East or from Oswego um district, and he was great to talk to. He sent an email with a bunch of information. So, I'll probably
030have to get with Dr. Cabaniss to figure out, cuz besides having a school board uh a student board representative, he advises to have a superintendent student advisory committee. And some of the things that fall within that, he showed me the application they fill out, so thanks to Mr. Okrzynski, you know, telling, you know, personal friends with the principal over there, um reaching out to him. He was actually very easy to work with, so and he'll help us with whatever I need. So, I think moving forward, I'll get with Dr. Coglianese so we can start that and hopefully have something bring it to the board, everybody look it over, and I guess the goal would be to have something implemented by maybe September so that we can possibly for next school year have a student, possibly
031a student uh board representative. That is excellent. And and see, that's the whole precept about the community board engagement, students. They have a voice at the table. Okay? And we want them to actually have a voice at the table. And we can get out in front of things that because we're hearing from our students. That just give that much more power. >> And some of our students in that in in that are going down that path, it's amazing experience. >> We We saw We did see some of that. I mean, just look at some of the things that have been presented to us in the last 7, 8 months. Some of our students I'm telling you, amazing. So, it's just if you're going to go in this sort of whether you're going to go in
032this field, but you're in that arena, you know, coming here and having that kind of experience, listening and learning how it functions, Robert's Rules, following them. And maybe one day they will find themselves officially behind this table with that with that big income. Just kidding. All right, thanks, Phil. Thanks, all. Madam State of Updates. Um I've got a very special news to share uh this evening. I believe I sent something out to the board a little while ago about our very first spelling bee. There's a spelling bee that's conducted at the regional office. Yeah. >> [applause] >> And I believe this is our first time we've had a declared winner. >> Oh my god, I got to get this on video. >> Ms. Frisbee so to come on up with our young [applause] gentleman. Oh
033my goodness. Oh man. And hi. >> Kingston McGee. >> [clears throat] >> Hi. This is Kingston McGee. Kingston's our sixth grader. He's 11 years old and he is representing our county at the DC Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. Oh my god. We're so excited. Oh man, that's so >> [applause] >> good. Absolutely. First ever in the history of Cooper Middle School as far as we know. And so there's no record of anyone else. So he's a record holder as well now with us and we're super excited for him. Yeah. Do you want to say something? >> [laughter] >> You don't have to. Well, let him spell a word. He can spell some words. I love it. What was the word you went you won with in our building? Say
034it again. Okay, what was the word you won with at the county spelling bee? Blasphema? Blasphema? Spell it. Yeah, cuz I'm like what is he saying? B l a s t e m a Yep, I didn't know how to spell that one. Yeah, it's a great [laughter] He's Kingston is very Did you did you ask the question, can you give me the origin? Or can you use it in a sentence? Did you use those things tools? Did you did you get to that point where you had to ask those questions? No. Oh, that That just means you're that much better. I just say he was very confident at the building spelling bee too. He was super confident. I'm trying to How do you spell What I heard he was really good at it when went
035through all the rounds at the county bee bee so we were super proud to hear that he won. It was a surprise for all of us. So I'm sorry, what's the next step? DC And when is that? The Scripps spelling bee. And when is that? Uh end of May, May 20 late May. So he could be on ESPN? Yeah, he could be. Oh yeah, so we can watch? Oh yeah. Oh man, get the popcorn. You can watch it on it comes on ESPN. Are you It's on the ION uh network so on TV. On TV. Oh okay. Okay, party's over your house? Let's go get the popcorn. >> [laughter] >> Wow. He's been practicing every day. So I was going to ask that like how do you practice to be the spelling bee champ? Like
036do you just randomly open a dictionary and you find like eight letter words or what does that look like? Well, no I actually prepare myself. I focus on root words in Greek and Latin. I do a word list with my family daily. Sometimes I do put it off but a lot of the times I do [clears throat] it. Okay. >> I can't even spell Latin. Ashton >> [laughter] >> The district the county provides overall spelling lists to the children to speak more of the spelling bee and they if they can access them. And and Kingston practiced quite a bit beforehand where from I'm sitting practiced a lot. And then as soon as he won the school spelling bee, we gave him a whole other list and he practiced with that list and now he has
037a whole other list of words for the Scripps spelling bee. So he's been super busy practicing with his family been super supportive so we thank them immensely for really being there for us. I can see him on Jeopardy too. Excellent excellent job. Excellent. Excellent excellent job. Very proud. >> Excellent job. You keep doing it young man. You keep succeeding. You keep progressing, okay? >> [laughter] >> That's what it's about. He want to spell another word. >> Extremely is the word I know. Um, okay. Extremely is the word I know. How about you remember the word onomatopoeia? What? What? >> favorite word. I didn't even know there was such a word. P p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n Excellent. What's that word? Personification. Oh. Do you remember
038onomatopoeia? Do you remember that one? Yes. Okay. o n o m a t o p o e i a Well, but I [applause] do want to get I do want to in in in principle For years up until last year, there's a song called, I think it's is it Space Cowboy? I don't know the song, the Joker, I think it's the Joker. >> Okay. Okay, years back in the '70s. And some lyrics in there say, "Some people call me Maurice." That's why I remember. The puppetess of love. And come to find out there's no such word as puppetess. They just made it up. I just found that out just last year. >> [laughter] >> Now, if you can spell that, young man, you're good, okay? >> [laughter] >> Thank you, James. Yeah. The puppetess of
039love. I love that song. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, they're good. They're so cute. I'll get you. >> [applause] >> Excellent job. That's that is so encouraging. So cool. That's That's isn't it? >> We continue to have excellence in our district. >> We do. Across the age span, across the grade span. So, good job. We have other good news I have to share so and that's actually going it's actually going in I'm I'm I'm harping on it board members getting a check. No that that's would not be good news. Yes well it might land into the next one so I want to kind of blend into this cuz I feel like it's actually good news it's under our business report it's under titled sponsorship funding update and we've got Andrea Powell here we Jason and
040I have been working to really start talking about how we're going to get more funding and revenues we've got this awesome Stadium now so we're trying to find ways to elicit our alumni in this to get the name on the new scoreboards that we have and uh We have one. We're we're going to be getting one so anyways she's going to be sharing we're going to be debuting this and opening this up so this is really exciting so I'm going to introduce Andrea and Andrea talk about the community partnership initiative we've got. Yes all right so good evening everyone as my superintendent [clears throat] just said I'm standing before you to present our community partnership initiative is designed to strengthen our connection between our school and district and our broader community so that's our focus
041and our goal. This initiative is grounded in a simple belief that when schools and communities work together they both thrive. As the community liaison and funding partner my role is to serve as a bridge between the district and local businesses and organizations and stakeholders. Um The purpose is to I should just say the goal is to feed fill our students needs in multiple capacities so we're trying to approach it in a variety of ways. Um and we just want to make sure that it's strategic and impactful when we actually communicate with our stakeholders. So so far efforts and I'm just starting from January of 2026 um I have actively engaged in a variety of community facing efforts to build relationships to increase district visibility, um to identify potential partners. And these efforts are listed in
042a variety of ways. So, we've attended town hall meetings, um multiple Chamber of Commerce meetings in each of our towns and villages. Um I've had business partner meetings and oh other casual and social community events that I've also been a part of as well as I've directly reached out to our past and current vendors to communicate our initiative and our efforts and our desire to build stronger relationships, um hopefully engaging them in these new opportunities in these aspects of the district that we're trying to implement. So, the focus once again for this meeting today is the sponsorship opportunities that we're launching this month, which is very exciting. Um so, first let's talk to the benefits of the district. This initiative it offers several key benefits. So, one being the increased funding opportunity. Um we want
043to enhance the students of our I mean the experiences of our students across, you know, multiple levels. So, through academics, athletics, and even our extracurricular, um programs. Um we're looking to expand our resources without placing additional burdens on taxpayers. So, ideally sharing our responsibility to our students through our other stakeholders. And we want to make sure that we are innovative about this approach and we are looking to grow each and every one of our programs at, you know, whatever capacity we can hold. So, that is the benefit for us. And then this is not a one-sided investment. So, we want um our community members to benefit as well. So, as you can see in the list, the goal is to have positive brand visibility. We want to allow them to have, you know, at when
044possible direct engagement with students and families. Um our opportunities will ideally support the workforce and develop our future talent. And then most importantly, we want to align this mission that a prioritize the youth and community growth as a whole. All right, so I do want to take a moment just to look at the sponsorship um website that once again will be launching this month. And Don, I apologize. I'm seeing the page, but I'm not seeing it on the projection. What do I need to do? Hit the Chrome? It did. It just All right, so our wonderful communications Our wonderful communications department has been working with um me to launch this webpage. Um, we've we've also been working with our athletics department as well, so they've done a lot as well as our building principles. So,
045once this is launched, it will be located in the community section of our main page. And this nice blurb just gives insight and information about how this program will benefit our students and our um initiative. So, this first page is just pretty much an overview of all of the lists I mean, all of the It's a list of all of the sports and activities that we offer at the high school and the middle school. And once this is finalized, there will be a Google Form linked at the top of the page, which I should Can you see my arrow? Yes, okay. There'll be a Google Form linked here for people to um inquire or to sign up for these opportunities. So, I just kind of want to scan through the pages. Um Our sponsorship packages
046are in place so that ideally it's a cost savings. So, if you decide that you want to jump on board with this initiative, you'll be able to do so at multiple, um, at with different tier levels in place. So, I do want to just walk through a few of the highlighted moments, um, something that may be new to the district, um, so that is new. So, like for example, we'll have our all sports pass. If someone decides to invest at this level, they'll have four passes for any sport that they would like to any sporting event that they would like to attend. Um, and then we also have the sponsorship logos, which will be, um, added to our mailing publications, which would be typically our newsletter, but we also have our, um, postcards that we
047send out as well. And then we have a banner, which can be added to the athletic website. Uh, we have the ability to change it at will, so it would be given to whomever decides to donate, um, in in that season that they decide to or in that season of choice, let me say it that way. Um, so social media shout outs, of course, we'll make sure we implement those. We will have a Parent Square blast for the organization or the business. We will also have a full screen video board advertisement, and this is for the outside field. Um, and then business name and logo giveaway, so it whichever events of your whatever events you decide, we will allow you to give out your promotional material at that event. Um, and then of course, vendor
048booth tables, um, the auditorium screens, which are located literally outside of the auditorium, there are two, and then the opportunity to have your logo printed on staff t-shirts. And I want to make sure I say it clearly, staff t-shirts, because Knecty has warned me we cannot add anything to jerseys or any official gear, so this is for staff t-shirts. Um, this next page just gives us like an ala carte version of what we are looking to, um, advertise or provide, I'm sorry. Um, and we have different ways, so of course, through print, digital platforms, the physical signage, which is indoor and outdoor. And then we have the live events, opportunities, and the apparel, which would be the staff t-shirts or in the game giveaways. Some things I do want to highlight cuz there are some
049exciting moments in here that may not be the norm or something that's just, I guess, new to the advertising world. We will be able to have the individual business advertise on live games, like during the streaming of live games. So, our platform allows us to add logos or small pictures or images. So, I think when we do the live stream, I think that's exciting. I thought it was cool. It's just something I um I think it'll be beneficial because it'll just sit on the screen throughout the entire stream. So, I like that. Um in addition to that, something else that's unique would be the radio ads. So, right now our athletic department has a subscription to a platform that basically cleans up any music that is played. So, it it won't allow us to play
050any music that's not school appropriate. That's what I'm trying to say. So, with that, we can embed um advertisements in the playlist. So, that would be something that's new and different. So, um that's in addition to, you know, announcements during the games that will be available to them or, you know, whether it's football or indoor games or I shouldn't say football, outdoor or indoor games. So, um it's a lot of cool things that, once again, I've been working with our communication department and our athletic departments to try to really be creative in this initiative. And finally, we'll have like events listed, and these are just well-attended events, and we're just highlighting them. Um and it's just in case there is some form of creative sponsorship that someone may want to be involved with, and we
051want to keep the door open. Um once again, this is a new initiative, so we're just kind of trying to create um trying to be flexible and create new ways and, you know, engage our potential sponsors. So, this is pretty much it. This is what's what's coming soon. Not yet. No, it's not yet. And I do want to say this while I'm thinking about it. Um we are making sure to vet all applicants. So, anything that's not district aligned or that may be um what would I say call it red flag as an industry that we cannot be connected to, that was that is something that we are embedding in our Google form to make sure that people or the application to make sure that people know like, "Hey, unfortunately, we can't have accept sponsorships
052from those businesses that are not aligned with our district values." So, I do want to bring that to play. Um >> going to ask, are you um I know you put up for the outside scoreboard. What about the inside scoreboard? >> It's on there, too. Do you I can go back to it, but we do have it for both. Okay. I thought I just saw it. Oh, no, it's um >> have to go back. I believe But I do want to bring this up, too, since you said it because that's a good point. Um at the bottom of the page, just to give people further insight, we've built this digital version of what it would look like if you decide to advertise just to give them an idea of where they can advertise. Now, ideally,
053this page will be updated soon, but um for now, we just gave them like, "Here's a layout just in case they're not familiar with the building or they've never been inside, they'll kind of have a guide for where their advertising will actually go." Any other questions about the pages of Oh, I just had a question. So, if I bought a sponsorship for the scoreboard, um how what how are the funds distributed? Is it put into a general operating fund? Does it support athletics? Depending on where you sponsor, if I submit a t-shirt ad, how are the funds allocated? So, that's a funny question because we've actually had that conversation. Um I don't know if you want me to say I know if Jason want to say premature. The goal is to support the general fund
054of all activities and things. We don't want to just pinpoint I don't know how to say this. Um we don't want to just designate it to one group. Um but there will be so there is a unique circumstance to that where if you decide to do like a senior banner. So that would allow people to have a flag of their senior. If they decide to do that, that would go towards that specific group. But other than that, the goal is to kind of contribute to the greater good and the larger pot. We are looking to promote other extracurricular activities and this is the fund to do this. That's good. But if you do I will say this if you do have like a vent that you want to sponsor any event like a live event.
055That could be designated for like I don't know like let's say the event has an expense like a registration fee or something. That could be designated for that purpose something of that nature. I don't know if I'm answering good enough but well enough I should say. So when Mr. Brown donates just the big package is going to cover all of that. When when he goes for the gold When he goes for the gold, yes he will have >> background donates to the Ed Foundation. $5 to the Ed >> [laughter] >> Still waiting for my paycheck. Word is so I I do have a question. >> Yes. Regarding tax exempt All right. We are a tax exempt institution. For those who just want to donate, can they have a write-off on that or how do we
056handle that at all? I don't know. Jason, could you address that? Generally what we've done in the past is we supply a in-kind letter as a donation. So since we're not technically a 501c3, uh we're not a technical nonprofit but we can generally a letter on district letterhead uh acknowledging the amount of the value is sufficient most likely. You can You can also go through the foundation and designate it there since they are a 501c3, they can do that. So, again, we we work in conjunction with them so it can help provide that as well. Okay, for people the public who wants to know that, you know, big donors. Okay. All right. Um so, I'm just going to say this briefly, just a quick look ahead. We are kind of working in phases. This is
057a new initiative so we're going to build as we go. Um we understand that Rome was not built in a day. So, the right now we're at the stage of just building the framework. Um and this phase pretty much is just us finalizing the sponsorship packages, finalizing some of the partnership guidelines. Um we want to make sure that we have an internal alignment so we're trying to make sure that all internal stakeholders are aware of what's happening so we've started some of those conversations. Um and then we want to make sure that we are identifying and prioritizing some of our community I don't want to say organizations that have already been present, but we want to make sure that they are I guess like I said, prioritize. We want to prioritize those community organizations that
058have already been involved with the school district. So, that's something that's going to be huge. Um We also want to make sure that we're hosting at least one community event um annually and I want to acknowledge that the high school, which you guys have the correspondence in front of you, is hosting an event on May 2nd. So, thanks to the shared vision and the initiative of our um high school principal and our community um business associate, I can't remember his technical title, I'm sorry, Kevin Lentz. Um they had already kind of started the groundwork of thinking of something of this nature so we just kind of worked together and so on May 2nd we are having a community event at the high school. So, um and so as these phases as you can see on
059the board, as they build, we will continue to grow and develop and um make this something great. Okay. So, um, I'm going to summarize only because I've been up a lot than I anticipated, but are there any other questions or thoughts or ideas that you guys would like me to expand upon or I don't have anything on I thought um, that, but I was just wondering um, do we have any sponsors waiting on that site to go live cuz they can't wait to hit the button. Do we have any that are anticipating that may be in our pipeline? So, I would say this and I don't want to speak prematurely for any organization. Um, in so I'll speak to last week's meeting at I went to I was in Park Forest. Um, there were a
060lot of there were the response was well received number one and it was I didn't know this was a thing. Like I didn't know this is a possibility. So, I think we're truly in the discovery stage. Um, I've had one or two like I'm jumping on board as soon as you can. Someone asked me to send them the brochure already. Um, but you know, we don't know until it actually comes into play in the sense of I don't want to count, you know, my eggs before they hatch so or my chickens before they hatch. So, um, but I have had positive response. Just us being face-to-face and having a conversation about what we're doing here and I'm really looking forward to this event because it'll be a nice open house version of things for our
061community members. So, if anything the engagement piece is amazing right now. It really is and and I I I I I want to I I appreciate our superintendent she's been very adamant about just let's let's get as creative as we can get. Like let's do what the people want us to do. So, they've been like informal conversations about what do you guys want to see or what do you guys want to happen and it's been in every municipality or every town and village I should say. Um, so the engagement piece is high and I I anticipate it just it's going to be I think it's going to be great. Awesome. Yes. Well, it's it shows. It shows that you've been working on this initiative for a year or so, or a little bit over a
062year, or right around there? Um less than a year, but So, this was but just so you know, this was based on the goal you guys gave me at the beginning, and this was how are you going to increase revenue? So, we started doing uh just efficiency plan. This is what came out of that. As you recall, we provided that extra stipend for her to go out there and do the night events, to go out there and engage, and that is what you are seeing. And so, the excitement piece is I think we've got it built, and the launch of it, we're going to start looking at this for next year as we start looking at our first games, cuz our first target for me is that first homecoming game. What are we going to
063be able to do? You saw the energy that we had this last year. And as you know, we've got this ribbon-cutting ceremony with the softball softball is coming up soon. That's going to be another piece that we start. So, we've got some really good pieces in place here, and I think Andrea has done a fabulous job out there. She's going out there and engaging with our community. She's going out to these night events. I can't go to everything, you know, but she has been able to hit so many things. And I think the excitement that we have from people saying, "Oh my gosh, you know, we didn't know this was possible. We didn't know about this or that." This is now connecting all these dots. So, this is to me just a just a triple
064win for us, truly, about doing this. It's a revenue, it's an engagement, and it's showcasing our our district very well. So, I'm pleased about this. Absolutely. You may have said this. Uh is there like you remember a couple years ago we went to an event that University Park had at Governor's State where they had um music and business food and I think you came as well. Is it possible to do something like that to try to kick it off and invite businesses out? Like a social at it at the golf course or at the high school or whatever and just have, you know, well, we if if they had other than soda, they couldn't do it here. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think those are ideas and again, the sky's the limit for what we're doing.
065So, I appreciate the ideas um because it does get us to start thinking differently about how we're going to engage people cuz people want to come. They do. They really do and they want a voice. >> [laughter] >> So, yeah. They and they have talked about the business after dark aspect. Uh that's what they've been calling it and each each each municipality literally has spoken to that experience saying like, "Hey, we need to invite each other to our businesses after dark just so that they can, you know, expand and share I guess technically their I don't want to say their custom but it's really their customers. Like they want to be able to say, "Hey, you can come here and, you know, come to Monee and come to Crete or Park Forest." So, each of
066them have soundly spoken to, "Let's try to get something together." I would love for it to be us hosting because we're the middle guy. >> [laughter] >> But If we do that, I'm going to Because again, you know, and I think Dr. Hall, I I thank you for this vision you had years ago is the sports does bring people together and this with all the communities coming in and putting their logo, this becomes an our place. We have that four communities. I think just it ties everything together so well. So, anyway, I think this has been exciting for me to watch this kind of all come through. This is exciting. I went to this um conference and one idea that one school district was doing to incorporate the parents um was because a lot of
067families may have businesses who are actually business owners and parents of the district. And so, they created a parental business directory. So, if I could call my local plumber who's actually happens to be my neighbor. A 201 you discount it. A 20U [laughter] discount or whatever. I thought it was a pretty creative way. >> [laughter] >> Bill, you ready? He just sit here with ideas how he's going to which pack which two packages he's going to buy. Exactly. Ready to give you a Menards rebate? >> [laughter] >> Mr. Swallish's business. You know, like how many people knew that my neighbor who's my best my kids best friends dad also is an electrician. Who knew? I don't know. I thought it was just an example. But my point is as the bringing the parental community as
068business owners to the school district in a directory format. I thought it was pretty creative. So, I share that now. I don't know who is the who is the right person to hear that. However, I hope that this forum gets to the right place. But I thought it was awesome. So. I think that's amazing and I'm going to highlight the principal middle school principal. Today they had the career day and a lot of the parents to your point were were guests. And so we had presenters that were like, "Hey, I'm a parent and I have a I'm an electrician. I'm a parent I have this medical whatever or I'm a parent I work for Power 92." So, to your point I think that'll be amazing because even when I saw the gentleman that was the
069DJ for Power 92 I was like, "Wow, he could have DJ'd X Y and Z for us just to keep it as a community engagement piece." I think that's a amazing idea and thought. And to reciprocate that as far as a contractor, not only contractors could provide or we seek out a contractor in the neighborhood or whatever. But when we have this is basically directed toward Jason. When we have jobs or buildings and facilities that we want to bid out then we have a list of local contractors that we can solicit that we can seek if they are, you know, experienced and got got the right fit. So, We'll have that readily available. Well, >> Cuz I don't think we quite have that, do we, Jason? No, we don't. But, one belief I do I
070firmly believe in is >> Keep things in-house. >> Yeah, keep you know, you want to circulate [clears throat] your dollars in your community as much as possible. You want to make sure that they make their rounds. So, I am agreeing with that, President Brown. Also, you know, Andrea spoke about the community partnerships. This this has room to grow with our alumni. And for those students that go to college and think that they have an idea of what they want to do when they go to college, but then life kind of happens to them and they find themselves back at home. This could be a a venue for them to turn to and if they need employment or other types of things. Um when I was a division leader at the high school, uh there was
071a class called Incubator EDU. It was kind of modeled on the Shark Tank uh model, but students can create their own products and then now with this formation of what Andrea is creating here and Dr. Cara, now they can actually pitch their ideas to actual businesses. So, I think the the possibilities are endless and I'm glad that, you know, she's taking the lead on this and anxious to see where we can go with it. Yeah, just a lot of work and I can hear it all in your voice and your personality about the passion. >> Okay. And I don't think you'll you know, in conjunction with our leader here, Dr. Cobb and Neace, driving this initiative to where it is now is phenomenal. I can see it just looking at the data, looking at the
072presentation. Just a lot of effort went into it. If I heard nothing about it ever before, just listening to you, seeing the presentation, I said, they put a lot of work behind this. Well, And and I'll say >> You're going to get a proof. Good job. Okay. Yeah, kudos to you. We appreciate I'll say good job to you and anybody else who supported you on this. Um I say I hope the athletic department's listening because we have a DJ that in the in the district. So, there's been requests to have a DJ at the basketball games. Um All right. All right. Some things I don't know. Okay. I know I know he's probably going to kill me when he sees me. >> [laughter] >> And >> to do it. Did we know about the career
073fair at the middle school? I like I mean, I can't say we didn't cuz I might have missed not read something cuz I would have liked to, you know, about that. I don't know. I think it was put out. Was it put out? I don't remember seeing it. >> if we passed it along or not. Well, it was definitely a phenomenal event. We We don't get the news about it. I'll blame it on the person. I'll blame it on her. Okay, you >> [laughter] >> But also, district didn't share with us. No, [laughter] district didn't share didn't share with us. Okay. Oh. Yeah. I think you'd like to present. No. >> [laughter] >> I do want to come. I would I would like to. Thank you. Is that Okay. All right. Thank you so Thank
074you. Thank you. Very good job. Excellent. >> Thank you. See, it was more good news. Yeah, that was really good. >> That was excellent news. Great news, right? Okay. Do we have any old business? You have any new business? I have one. It's a new business. Again, I mentioned that we were acknowledged to be a highly effective board within the state of Illinois, one of one of a few, which is a major accomplishment. And I would like to continue on that path being a highly effective board. And being said, I will and I have been looking at different ways that we can continue making things better and formulating ideas. So, I'll be reaching out to each and every one of you over the next week on an individual basis to share some things with you
075and possibly take action at our regular board meeting to make the things that I'm looking to propose to you come to fruition. Okay? That's the new business. I don't want to get into a detail cuz I'm still working work in progress. Everybody okay? Uh I have I have a question. Yeah, go ahead. Uh what what day of the week is graduation this year? The week of the graduation? >> [laughter] >> We know. Yeah. Eighth grade is Eighth grade is uh May 20th. I just have that date. I was going to put that in the FYI this week at 6:00 and then the other one is I think the week after, the other Wednesday. It's 28th. Thursday. May 28th. >> Thank you. That's it is. Woohoo! So, May 20th >> those? May 20th and the 28th?
076Yes. Which one is first? Uh middle school Middle school is the 20th and then 28th. High school. Is high school and we will send out advertisements for you on that to make sure it's on everybody's radar. Okay. Uh eighth grade is it the high school? Uh No, we're at we're Eighth grade is at the middle school. At the middle school. It was at the middle school last year. Right? Yeah. Was it? Yeah. No. No, it was at the high school. It's always been at the high school. It's always been in the high school. Yeah, I'll clarify that. We have to speak So, she just left too, so I can It was a topic during our operations meeting. I'm pretty sure the middle school graduation is at the high school cuz there was some discussion about
077Yeah, it's the end of May competition gym cuz Yeah, well, we'll talk about that in cabinet, but In the high school Tilly Park. >> Oh, I thought we were doing it at the stadium. The reason the reason because we have concerns about rain and especially with our weather and it limits uh people bringing their families. You're all good. I just Wait, the stadium does? Why does that limit people bringing their family? Well, it does have Yeah, people on the outside chairs only, but I think the predominant reason is for rain. Okay, cuz I was saying shouldn't cuz we never we didn't even give out tickets for the stadium when we did it before. Not here, but I think I've had a couple that we had it outside. And the way the weather is looking these
078days, I am telling you I don't want to >> [laughter] >> And it cost about the same. Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah. No, it's all good. I just didn't know where it was being held. Okay. All right, great. Uh Uh Well, this is So, that was new business. Any other new business? Okay. We do have a reason to go into closed session as soon as I find the reasons for it. I have it here. Mhm. Okay. I would like a motion to go into closed session for the import appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees. Moved. Moved by Bill. Second. Second by Dr. Hall. Any questions or comments? If not, roll call, please, Madam Secretary. Mr. Swalesh. I. Dr. Hall. I. Ms. Woolfolk. I. Zeitstumbrus is an I. Mr. Gallegos. I. Mr. Brown.
079I. All right, we are in closed session. Do you have any idea how long? About an hour. About an hour we will be in closed session and we will not take any further action thereafter. Thank you, board. Uh thank you, public, for joining us this evening. We appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your evening and be safe as you go about your business. Take