001Good evening everyone. Welcome to the January 12th, 2026 board meeting. Um, you might be wondering why I'm talking. I temporarily run this until we elect a board president. Um, could I have everyone observe a moment of reflection, please? Right. If you'll join me in a pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I call this meeting to order. It's exciting. and that's the only time of the year I get to do that. Um, Mrs. Rans, could you read the guidelines for public comment? >> Meetings of the Anderson Community Schools Board of Trustees are open to the public in accordance with Indiana's open door law. Prior to the board meeting, members of the
002public can sign up to provide public comment. During the public comment portion of the meeting, the board president will call individuals signing up to the podium one at a time to speak. Speakers will be asked to state their name and address for the record prior to sharing their comments. Generally, each speaker shall not exceed five minutes to address the board and cannot give their minutes to anyone else. Public comment should be directed at the board and not individual board members. Shouting, loud statements, threats, name calling, offensive language, or other improper conduct is not permitted. An employee speaking on matters involving his or her own individual employment matters will be reminded that ACSC has grievance andor complaint procedures which have been designed and established to address those types of issues. Those processes provide a more thorough
003opportunity with greater time allocation in which board members are involved as a step in those processes. Comments concerning an individual's an individual employees employment will be deferred to those processes. When appropriate, the board will refer questions to the superintendent. Some concerns may be addressed at that time. However, others may require further research to ensure the information provided is both accurate and complete. In those instances, the board or a member of the administration they designate will follow up with the individual sharing public comment to ensure their comments or concern is properly addressed. >> Thank you, Mrs. Rens. Um, at this time I normally read uh an open door law statement, so I will do that. The Indiana General Assembly enacted the open door law with the intent that the official action of public agencies be conducted
004and taken openly unless otherwise expressly provided by statute so the public may be fully informed. The intent is codified in Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-1. In accordance with the open door law, public bodies, including school boards, provide public notice of meetings and conduct official action and deliber deliberations in meetings that are open to the public, except where law specifically allows for an executive session. The open door law has been in place since 1977 and at times can be complex. Members of the public who would like more information about the open door law, including frequently asked questions and guidance on how it applies to public meetings, are encouraged to visit the Indiana Public Access Counselor's open door website. All right, with that, we are going to depart a bit from our normal agenda. Um, Indiana statute holds that
005before we take a vote on anything, we have to allow public comment. Um, and since we are reelecting officers, we are electing officers tonight. That's a vote. So therefore, on advice of council, I am moving comments from patrons. So all comments from patrons, regardless of why you want to speak, will happen now. And so first up is Mary Baker Budessa. Come to the podium and state your name and your address and uh try to keep it to about five minutes. >> Good evening everyone, members of the board. Can everyone on the board hear me now? Want to make sure. Okay. Um I'm Mary Baker Bodisa and I live at 1236 Flat Rock Drive in Anderson. And I am here because I wanted to um to offer my support for the board with regard to being
006accountable and to um continuing into this new season of accountability. I think that's really important. And so some thoughts that I have on just things that um the board might be able to help with and as you consider who you're electing um to be the new president, vice president um for the board in in the coming year. And it's worth noting that a lot of times I've been up here at this podium, not everybody has been able to look me in the eye or has given me the respect of doing that. But I want you all to know that I am here to give you the respect of speaking directly to you about what it is that that I think and what I'm concerned about. So, um, I work in the field of anti-trafficking. Um,
007it's not easy work. I wouldn't call it fun, but it's definitely something that I'm passionate about. And a common sentiment among the people that I work around is that we hope to eradicate anti-trafficking. So or trafficking so that one day we work ourselves out of a job and that's because we value the impact over any position we might have. You know there's a um something that one of my colleagues has said to me is that we lease our positions. We don't own them. And what I have observed on the board is that there haven't been many changes in who gets elected to be the president or who gets elected to be the vice president. And I think it's been shared by probably just a few individuals over time. But my challenge to the board is
008in thinking about what's ahead of you for the next 18 to 24 months in this season of trying to um initiate a process to find a new superintendent um when Dr. Kron retires and also the things about special education that are critical and important and the way that funding is changing and the needs that our district has. Um, and I think also engaging with the community that if we continue to do things the same way, we can't expect different outcomes. And and quite frankly, I think that it is your challenge as a board to say what can be different and to recognize that it's really about the impact of the board and not the positions that you hold within the board. Um, I think it's critical to consider what new voices need to be engaged.
009What might they bring to that leadership to working closely with Dr. Kron and to work closely with the next superintendent who comes in to make some things um grow significantly in the district and to move things ahead. Um I think that each board member and I ask that you would consider the possibility of bringing in fresh leadership to the board. Um even our city council um they change president every year because they have a system by where they have a prom who the next year can assume the responsibilities of president and that's by design. I think it's intentional. It gives representation from the people who may have different partisan interests but it also says that as a council the position of president isn't one that's owned by any one person and it shouldn't be owned
010by anyone party. And I think the same is true with our Anderson Community Schools board that it can't be owned by one person. It can't be owned by two people who share it or who, you know, bounce it back and forth. So, it's really important to think about that as you vote. And I would encourage the people who've had positions over the years to think about who would I nominate, you know, who could I nominate among my colleagues that can step into this role in leadership um and can learn the Robert's rules if that's what you're using that there's nothing that says that you can't. I had to do it when um when I served on a board and I had no idea. So, I think that's really important. Um I guess the final thing
011that I want to say since we're offering all of our comments about everything now is that I encourage the board to go ahead and initiate the search for a new superintendent. I know that we had a lot of conversation when we were looking at Dr. Kron's contract and thinking about the extension and the raise. And one thing that was promised and I think was heard over and over again is we want public input. We want to this to be engaging process. We want to think about, you know, take the time and really have the intention and that's what I want to see. But I think it's initiating that search, making sure that you build in transparency, communication with the community, and even, you know, based on um I think what is a precedent in a
012lot of other districts for these searches that the public should have an opportunity to meet these candidates. When you get it down to like, you know, the final candidates, that's one point for the community to be involved, but you should be surveying the community, surveying the teachers. And I don't mean something that is the school system is sending it to teachers and it's identifiable. There should be anonymity and there should be a third party um that is conducting that survey so that people feel protected and don't have to fear any repercussions or or retribution for being completely honest in what they think a superintendent should be and how they'd like to move forward with the process. So, um I just want to say that for me as a parent of kids who came through this
013school system at different times, um and someone who is now a community member, sees the kids get on the bus in my neighborhood. I want what's best for kids. I want what's best for students. And um you know, I haven't been able to be as present as I wanted to at schoolboard meetings because my previous job represented kind of a conflict of interest um because I my client was the state of Indiana. So, there are a lot of things that I've heard and seen and know um about our district from another side. And so, now I just want to make sure that I'm the best community person and advocate for kids that I can be. And I hope that you all will continue to be as well and that you will think very, very carefully
014about how these elections are conducted tonight and the decisions that you make in terms of who you vote for, who you nominate. And that's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up will be Nancy Horvath. Good evening. My name is Nancy Horvath and my address is 6800 South Cowan Road, Muny, Indiana. [clears throat] Before I start with what I'm going to say here, I just want to thank the board for recognizing one of our own and taking the appropriate actions on Wednesday so that those who knew her could move with her. I come before the board tonight though to speak about a recent survey that was sent out on Friday, December 12th, 2025 by Randy Harrison, president of AFT 519 to the entire AFT 519 membership across all positions, buildings, grades. There was also an
015option for the PAR educators across the district to respond to this survey as well. The stated purpose of the survey was quote to gather your feedback to determine if you are feeling supported or not end quote by special services. However, the survey asked about a fellow employee in addition to administrators and therein lies the real danger. We have a grievance process in place. But when the grievance is with the very entity meant to support you, who then do we turn to? Let me state for the record that I personally am witnessing positive changes from our current special services leadership and appreciate the team approach they are now implementing. The tone and tenor of this survey felt very wrong as an employee and as a duespaying member of the union. If the union is trying to
016assuage fear of retribution from ACS leadership as a partial purpose of this survey, I feel much more fear from the union to which I belong than any administrator in this corporation. my sending by sending this out the AFT set the precedent that they will go after one of their own. Any employee could be next in the AFT crossfires. I feel that this should not have been sent and all results should be purged and the following explains why. This was my my response to the survey as submitted to the AFT. I am responding to formally express my concerns regarding the recent survey distributed by the ACSC union AFT 519 pertaining to support from special education leadership and one of our colleagues. First, it is important to state that I strongly support constructive feedback when it's designed
017and implemented in a way that is transparent with a shared goal of improving services for our students and families. However, the structure, timing, and framing of this survey raise significant concerns. The survey appear appears to place all staff belonging to AFT 519 in a position of evaluating one of our colleagues. It also invited PAR educators to complete it as well. Many respondents do not work in the same buildings, do not collaborate directly um and do not have sufficient knowledge of specific roles or responsibilities of any of those referred to in the survey, but particularly a staff member that is not an administrator. This approach potentially pits colleagues against one another rather than fostering collaboration and support, which should be a core function of the union. For this reason, I can unequivocally state that this year,
018much more so than in the past years, I feel much more supported by our administration in special services than I do from AFT 519, whom I pay to support me. Equally concerning is the timing of the survey. No comparable surveys were issued in recent years despite widely acknowledged inconsistent adherence to article 7 and lack of follow-through with students, staffs, and parents. In contrast, this year has seen measurable improvement, including closer adherence to legal mandates and clearing up past operational practices. The selective timing creates the perception that the survey is less about systemic improvement and more about targeting specific individuals. I'm I am further concerned about the lack of clarity in regards to how the survey data will be used and who will ultimately receive it. Staff were informed that survey responses would be shared with
019appropriate personnel. Yet no definition of who that would be was provided. It is reasonable to ask whether positive feedback will be shared alongside concerns, whether findings will be presented in full context and how the information will be used to support staff rather than undermine professional performance. Are these are there safeguards against only bringing criticisms to light? The survey states that concerns have only now arisen during the fall semester of 2025. However, it was widely known that significant issues under prior leadership resulted in formal complaints and audit of special services and employ and involvement with human resources as well as discussion with members of the Anderson Community School Board. Many challenges being experienced now are residual effects of those earlier issues, not the result of current practices. Although there is room for improvement in a few
020procedural areas, accurately distinguishing between past systemic issues and present leadership is a critical is critical to a fair assessment. Finally, the credibility of any review process depends on consistent standards. Do the administrators not already go through a review process? And if not, is it the responsibility of the union to evaluate them in the form of sending a survey to those who may or may not work with them directly? If performance, support, and compliance are being examined, those expectations should be applied to all individuals involved in special education work, including those serving in union leadership roles. To ensure equity and confidence in the process, I respectfully urge the union to reconsider both the intent behind and the implementation of this survey. Our shared goal should be to strengthen the services we provide at ACS for our
021most vulnerable students and working conditions for staff, not to undermine professional reputations. Respectfully, Nancy Horvath, thank you for your time and consideration tonight. >> Thank you, >> Lindsey Brown. Good evening everybody. Well, I thought we'd be able to speak out there. You know, we heard some stuff. So, one thing I'm going to say is make mine real quick. Let's look at the order. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Could you speak right into the mic there? >> All right. Can you hear me better? All right. I would say going in 2026, I would like to see a change made from the board where you where you allow people to speak on issues that after the issue have been laid out from the board. So then comments can come from the floor on that particular issue
022instead of having this alley cart type of you know like everybody's going to expect to know how everybody's feedback or thought process is on a certain issue then you just give them a entire agenda and say okay now go speak for a free fall. That's not right. You should rubber rules orders you speak to the topic and the comments should come from the community from the topic to the topic not just up here just speaking. That's all I have to say. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. And our last speaker is and I Carnita Carita Wilson. I I can't read it, but I remember. >> You're welcome. >> It's still better than mine. >> Happy New Year, everyone. Happy New Year. Happy prosperous new year. I just want to talk about um what I've
023been speaking about the family engagement. Um it's time for our school board to be to to have some accountability for not holding someone accountable. [clears throat] It's not the It's not the school board's job to put a parent advisory uh committee together. It's the superintendent's job. And we haven't held the superintendent, not just you, but superintendent previously because when is the last time we had a parent advisory board? And title one says it must include a a parent advisory board. Section 116, parent and family engagement. The guide says title one must involve parent and family members in the planning, review and improvement of programs and specifically made in may include establishing a parent advisory board compromise of sufficient number and representative group of parents members to represent the student population. why we don't have this
024and why it's so hard for us to get this together because the parent and the community is ready. We're ready to put this together. As a matter of fact, I have laid it out. I've structured it for you. In the preschool, we can have one parent representative. In the elementary, we can have two parents representing each elementary. In the high in the middle school, we can have three parents. In the intermediate school, we can have three parents. And on the high school level, we can have four parents. It's not hard. It's not hard. But it takes the school board to hold the superintendent or the title one manager accountable. You would if we weren't doing our jobs, somebody would fire us. So what makes you guys different? We elected you to do this job. We
025put our trust in you to do this job. And where's the accountability at for parents, for students, for teachers? It would be nice for somebody to go and say, "I know a teacher that needs this. Is there anybody on the parent advisory board that can help, but if you don't give us an input on anything that you do and everything is behind closed doors, where is the community and the parent engagement? Where does the parents and the community have a voice to speak? Where is our voice at the table?" And that's the only question I have. Before you make this decision of electing officers, please make sure that when you elect that officer, he he or she is be will be willing to not only hold the school board and the superintendent accountability, but themselves
026accountable. We're all learning. This is a this can be a clean slate. We can start from scratch. 2026, we're what 12 days in. We can start from scratch. doesn't have to be a past. Talk about the past. Let's talk about the future. Let's talk about the present. So, by February the 1st, when we come to the next schoolboard meeting, let's have a parent advisory board put together. And that's all I have to say. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> All right, that's all for public comment. Um, we are now ready for reorganization of the board and I'm going to move over to the podium so I can see um who's who's nominating and who's voting and once we have a president I will turn the meeting over to the president. All right. I am opening the
027floor for nominations for president of the school board. Do I have any nominations? >> Members of the board, I would like to nominate myself for president. >> Mandy Webb nominates herself. Do I have a second? >> Second. Okay. Do you have any other nominations for president? >> I nominate Joanna Colette. >> I'm tired of nominating myself, so I would nominate her. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Do we have any other nominations for president? All right, I close nominations for president. What I'm going to do is pull each board member and each board member can tell me who they vote for and four votes wins. Okay. So, Mrs. Green, >> Mr. Bookart, >> Mrs. Colette, >> myself, >> Mr. Rens >> Mandy Web >> Dr. Hill Mandy Web >>
028Mrs. Webb >> myself >> Mr. Chamberlain >> Miss Colette >> looks like uh Mrs. Webb has it four votes to three for to overjoin the collab. So, Madame President, I will pass the gavl down to you when I get down there, but uh it's your meeting. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I asked for grace [laughter] since I have never done this position before, but I appreciate the class and uh those of you who voted for me, thank you for your confidence. Um okay, so we Oh, thank you. Okay. Uh so we're going to move on to um the other officers of the board and we are going to ask for nominations for vice president. >> Madame President, I nominate Joanna Coat. >> Okay. Any other I second that. >> Okay. Any other nominations for vice
029president? Okay. Uh we will do it the same way Dr. Kron did. Um Martha Green, >> vice president. >> Okay, Mr. Bookart, >> you want to collect. >> Okay, Miss Colette, >> myself. >> Okay, Holly. >> Dr. Hill. >> Dr. Dr. Hill >> myself. >> My votes for Dr. Hill. Mr. >> I nominated her. So Joanna Colette. >> Okay. By a vote of three to four. Dr. Hill, you are our new vice president. Okay. Next we have secretary. Any nominations for that seat? >> I nominate Holly Rens. >> Okay. Any other nominations for secretary? >> None. Okay. In the same format. Martha Green. Oh, well, we only have one. So, yeah, my apologies. We only have room one. So, um, secretary is Holly Rens. Okay. And, uh, let's see. Assistant Secretary, any nominations for assistant
030secretary? Nominate Rodney. >> Rodney, do you accept the nomination? >> Accept. >> Okay. Anyone else for nominations? None. Okay. Congratulations, Mr. Chamberlain. >> Thank you. >> You are the new assistant secretary. >> Okay. And Dr. Krunk, we have three that you need to take care of. >> We have three proformas that the board needs to approve. For treasurer Tyler Elmore, deputy treasurer Wendy Alen, and clerk of the board as Jesse Seymour. I would ask for a motion to um approve them. >> So move. Okay. >> Yes, there was a second. >> Okay. So, >> all those. >> So, yes. Uh, it looks like >> um all in favor of those three, Tyler Elmo more for treasurer, deputy treasurer Wendy Allen, and clerk of the board Jesse Seymour say I. >> I. >> Um, all those
031or any of those not in favor say nay. >> Okay. Eyes have it. unanimously. >> Thank you, school board. >> Okay. >> Um >> and then I go down to >> Yes. So that's conflict of interest. So that's you. >> Okay. Um we are ready for it looks like on our agenda conflict of interest disclosure. Um Chuck, if you could help remind me what is required for this one. Um um you just have to uh you are submitting a conflicts of interest form. >> Uh you just have to present it to the board and of the uh you would as chair note that you are presenting it and it has been received by the board. >> Okay. So yes, I believe that I am the only board member that will be submitting a conflict of
032interest. uh though I do not have that filled out yet and we'll present that in our um next executive session on the 26 >> next board meeting. >> Okay. I will meet with you and uh we will submit it at the February meeting. >> Yes sir. There is there is no action uh scheduled to undertake the by this board tonight that would conflict with uh constitute a conflict with that conflict of interest. >> Okay. >> All right. So, moving on to the approval agenda. >> Approval of the agenda. Board, you've received a copy of tonight's agenda in your packet in your mailings. I would ask that you approve that adding one item and that's the approval of George Selenus for seat number two on the Anderson Public Library School Board. >> Okay. So, um do
033we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve Mr. Selenus. Second. >> Okay. So, is that something? >> All those in favor? >> Okay. I was going to ask um all those in favor of this >> say I. >> I. >> Any opposed say nay. >> Okay. Eyes have it unanimously. >> Thank you. School board. Also in your same packet in your same mailings, you have received the minutes of the December 8th, 2025 school board meeting. I ask that you approve those. >> Okay. If we could have a motion to approve board meeting minutes. >> So move. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor of the board approval of board meeting minutes say I. >> I. >> All the opposed say nay. >> Okay. Eyes have it unanimously.
034>> Thank you. We'll move on to superintendent's comments. First, as I have of late uh at some point tonight, look at the back wall. We have art from third grade Erskin Elementary School. Um I believe those are ice castle representations. So those are very nice back there. Um I think since you've heard me talk quite a bit tonight, I'm going to turn it over to Miss Kim Williams of United Way. She's going to dazzle you with reams of information. At least 45 minutes worth, I hear. >> Uh no, not at all. >> Okay. >> A few minutes. few minutes, but thank you for giving me a few minutes tonight. Uh, I am Kim Williams with Heart of Indiana United Way. Um, and I'm here to give a brief wrap-up on the United Way campaign that
035happened here at ACS this year. Um, this year was especially meaningful as Heart of Indiana United Way is celebrating our 100th birthday and ACS really kind of leaned into that and helped with se celebrating in some really meaningful and fun ways that you will see tonight. So for as background for anyone that may not know you, our work at United Way focuses on helping children succeed, supporting families in achieving s stability, and ensuring communities have strong resources in place. And that mission really aligns very closely with the work that ACS does every single day. Through our partnership, ACS students and families benefit from programs um that we do throughout the community and some specifically just with ACS. Read United is a program that we have been doing at all of the second grade classrooms across
036the district um helping our young readers be successful on uh in school. Um also Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a program that United Way um manages here and helps fund in our community. Thrive Network, financial coaching, our community diaper drive that provides diapers out to families that are in need of those locally, as well as access to vital supports for food, housing, child care, health care, and more. Um, we also provide to all of the teachers and schools quick resource guides that help connect families to where all of those supports are available and makes it really easy for teachers to do that. Um, and know that the ACS campaign is part of helping. Last year, United Way was able to serve over 51,000 people just in Madison County alone. Uh, we are a Yes, it
037it the need is great, but so is the generosity. Yeah. Um, our United Way serves five counties, and that was just one of the five, but just know what a big impact that that has. Um specifically, um ACS staff raised over $20,000 this year with over 150 donors participating across the district in a lot of different ways. Every single gift, whether it was large or small, helps ensure that those resources are available when families need them most. And as you could see when we talked about how many people were served, they are greatly needed throughout the community. Um the bigger picture is that over our partnership together um ACS staff has contributed almost $900,000 um to help provide the services that United Way is then able to give out in the community. [applause] >> Yes.
038Um that sustained generosity has helped generations of students and families right here in our community. And um it has been going on for so long that you guys are such great partners. I mentioned we have five counties. You guys have been in one of the top performing campaigns year after year after year. So it's it's it it means a lot that you guys are our partnership just means a lot to our organization. Um, now these campaigns did not happen on their own and I want to thank a few people specifically for their help and leadership. Um, you had a few great campaign leadership team people. Um, Brad, Jesse Seymour, Marissa Mir, and TVA Bostic helped put together the campaign this year and helped make that happen. um to Neil Weber in payroll makes it happen
039all year long and so we could not do it without her but also to all of the principles and other individuals in the buildings that helped kind of communicate and get people um encouraging participation and make sure that things went smoothly. I want to thank all of them as well. And I also want to thank all of the ACS students who jumped into supporting this year's campaign with creativity and enthusiasm which I'm going to tell you about here um right now. So, in celebration of United Way's 100th, several of the schools hosted spirit days. And my personal favorite was dressed like your 100th day. Um, and so you can see on the left a few pictures of um some of the kids out at South View dressing up like they were 100 for the day
040and just really embracing um the fun of helping us celebrate that in a really fun way. This year we also introduced change wars which brought students into the campaign in a meaningful way and just reinforced the idea that giving back is something that everybody can participate in. So you can see pictured at the top there the Anderson intermediate school uh student council who played an active leadership role in supporting this effort. And then you'll see right below them the special education class at Anderson Intermediate School who raised the most money. And so we hosted a party for them where they had um you know cupcakes and other things and we brought a fun photo booth in so they could um take some pictures and just um feel celebrated for all that they helped do. Um
041the Anderson Intermediate School Student Council were inspiring in their leadership and enthusiasm. Um it's a powerful reminder that generosity starts early. Um and they're actually here tonight and I'm gonna wrap up by having them come up here because they want to present the check for all of the money that they helped raise um through change wars this year. [applause] >> [laughter] [applause] >> All right. I'm just going to say a few uh words real quick. Um, for those of you that don't know me, Frieottton, principal at Anderson Intermediate. Um, thank you again for inviting us tonight. As you know, it's been a rough week. Um, but I would really like to briefly thank everyone for their continued support and outpouring. It's been phenomenal and it has meant a lot. All right, get that out of
042the way. Okay, so under the guidance of Miss Burgess, some of our AIS student council members are here to present a check. um our student council uh led change wars and through that they raised over over $200 at Anderson um intermediate schools. The program was a win for everybody. I asked the kids kind of give me their thoughts. It kept students included through daily hands-on activities. Gave our treasurer and members of our council a great chance to shine and use their realworld skills. There's a lot of counting and a lot of graphing. Um there's a lot going on. Most importantly though, it empowered the whole school to unite as a common for a common goal uh raising the amount of money for charity. So, um again, couldn't be done without our kiddos. They did a
043great job. We have over 60 students. A handful showed up tonight, but um again, if we could just give them a round of applause. Thank you so much. [applause] All right, I think that's it. Um, I just have one more comment. Wednesday the 16th, no, Wednesday the 14th. Well, 14th, Wednesday the 14th will be an asynchronous education day here at ACS. And so that's a teaching staff, students, and paras stay home and and uh learn asynchronously. And we did that so that any staff members that would like to go to the funeral for Nancy Staley, one of our beloved educators, would be allowed to do that. And so, um, rather than try to have school that day, we went to an async, uh, learning day. So, I just want to make sure everybody knows that
044call went out, I believe, at four o'clock. It's been on our website. Um, if you have any questions about where any of that's at, um, it's online and and and I believe in our message, so check your emails. So, with that, um, I am, uh, done with superintendent's comments and turn it back over to Madame President. >> Okay. So, it says here, board president's comments. Um, and that's me now. Hey. [laughter] Um, no. On a serious note, um, I am honored to be in this position and it's something that goes further than the school board. To me, it is a personal thing as well being a graduate from ACS and I do take this position very seriously. Um, and uh, I am thankful for for your guidance. Um, I know I've come to you with
045lots of questions and and I appreciate appreciate that. Um, I there are some things that I personally uh want to work on and speak with the board about um implementation wise and work together on um communicate with and as well as our community. So, I look forward to really um putting all of my energy into that and I'm thankful for the opportunity. So, okay, let's see what we got. Okay. Uh next on the agenda is Anderson Federation of Teachers, Mr. Harrison. esteemed members of the board, administration, all of our colleagues that are streaming in and those in attendance. Um, I've heard the uh new year wishes. Welcome back. A prosperous year, but as our friend Fab just stated, last week was a little rough. Um, we got some healing to do. Sorry. [sighs] based on
046what had transpired that day, Thursday, before school started, there was a lot of hurt and moving forward, I appreciate what we're doing to have the asynchronous e-learning day. Uh the ability that uh there was truly no contingency plan for something as challenging as that. We've all experienced loss in my role as an officer for 30 years. Um, we've had people pass away, but not literally as the children are getting off the buses and being dropped off by their parents. And by the time I could leave my classes, things were in motion and a heck of a support plan was in place. We did the best we could. And I guess I didn't have much time to shed the emotion in the moment because I had to be in the role of the president saying, "What
047can we do? Who's here? Who's doing what?" And buildings released their um social workers sent over extra subs in case teachers couldn't keep it together. And I will say a lot of them doing a better did a better job than I am right now to uh carry out the day. But moving forward, um, we've got a visitation, a big visitation tomorrow evening and the funeral services on Wednesday. And in light of that tragedy, if I can find a silver lining is we truly are a school community and that is truly a building of a family. So, thank you all for the support. keep that school family, those students, their hearts were, it was gut-wrenching to hear them when they got the news. I don't want to hear that again. And then, uh, NY's family, herself,
048we can only imagine, routine was normal. went to work out, saw colleagues at the Planet Fitness, was either on her way home to get showered or on her way back, and now she's no longer with us. That's totally unexpected, unplanned, and we're doing the best we can. Just keep that family, her family, that school family, and I know many of us across this district, as I am tonight, are feeling a lot of pain. So, let's get this tragic event behind us and finish strong as we always do in ACS fashion. Thank you and good night. >> Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Um, next on the agenda, board actions. Um, let's see. So, financial report. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President, and members of the board. I would like to direct your attention to the financial report
049located in your board packet for the approval of the monthly claims to 105270 and the numbers 3183 to 3222. These are all the purchases that have been made by both the school corporation and food service department in the last month. They have been properly reviewed and approved and I ask for approval through resolution R-2026-01. >> Okay. So, we will ask for a motion to be made for the financial report. >> Madam President, I make a motion to approve Tyler's report. >> All right. Thank you. >> Second. All righty. All right. By roll call, Miss Green. >> Hi. Okay, Mr. Bookart. >> Hi, >> Miss Colette. >> Hi, >> Ms. R. >> I, >> Dr. Hill, >> I for myself, Mr. Chamberlain. >> I >> Okay, eyes have it unanimously. >> Thank you. >> All right.
050And next, human resources report. >> Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board, teachers, administrators, and members of the public attending tonight's meeting. In tonight's human resources report, we have resolution 2026-2, which is the recommendation of the monthly consent agenda addressing personnel recruitments, leaves of absence, retirements, and resignation agreements. Thank you for your consideration. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. A motion uh needs to be made for the human resources report. >> Move to approve. >> Okay. And second. >> Okay. All right. By roll call Mr. Chamberlain >> I myself Dr. Hill >> I >> Mrs. Rens >> I >> Miss Colette >> I >> Mr. Bookart >> Hi. >> Miss Green >> I >> Okay, eyes have it unanimously. And next up is field trips and conference leaves. >> Thank
051you, Madam President. Members of the board, in your packet you will find field trips and conference leave requests. All have been properly reviewed, approved, and their funding sources identified. I ask for your approval of these items in the accompanying resolution R-2026-3. Okay. Thank you. All right. A motion to approve field trips and conference leaves. >> So moved. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> All righty. And by roll call, Miss Green, >> I. >> Mr. Bart, >> I. >> Miss Colette, >> I. Mrs. Rinse >> I >> Dr. Hill >> I myself Mr. Chamberlain >> I >> okay eyes have that unanimously and Dr. Kron, we will uh have you discuss the uh next board meeting dates. >> Yes, as we do on the organization day in January, I ask the board's approval to approve the
052upcoming board dates for the following year. For this year, they occur on the second Monday, except one exception that I will note. That would be February 9th, 2026, March 9th, 2026, April 13, 2026, May 11th, 2026, June 8th, 2026, July 13, 2026, August 10th, 2026, September 14th, 2026, October 19th, 2026. That's moved due to fall break. November 9th, 2026, December 14th, 2026, and then we always approve next January because that's organization day, and that will be January 11th, 2027. So, I would ask the board um to approve these dates and we'll get them published to the appropriate um news medias. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Kron. Um I'm asking for a motion to approve the 26 27 board meeting dates. Madame President, I approve uh the report or the dates that's given by Dr. Crock.
053>> Okay. And do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. And in uh roll call fashion, Miss Green. >> Hi, >> Mr. Bart. >> Hi, >> Miss Colette. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Rens. >> I >> Dr. [snorts] Hill, >> I myself, Mr. Chamberlain, >> I. >> Okay, eyes have that unanimously. Thank you, school board. >> Okay. Next on the agenda, uh, guidelines for public comment reoption. And I am going to ask that a motion be made to assign to legal counsel for revision. Um, and with that, we want to make clear that the current guidelines stay in place um, until revis or revisions are made and voted upon. So, if we could have a motion for that, please. >> So, move. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. In roll
054call fashion, Mr. Chamberlain, >> I >> myself, Dr. Hill, >> I. >> Mrs. I >> Miss Colette. >> Hi, >> Mr. Bookart. >> Hi, >> Miss Green. >> Hi. >> Okay, eyes have that unanimously. All right. And Mr. Rub, it is time for the next agenda item, board compensation. >> Thank you, Madam President, board members. Um um this organization meeting [snorts] also is a meeting in which the uh board compensation um salary u is to be reviewed and uh set for the coming year. Um there are no pro uh changes in the uh proposed um uh pdam for meetings, but the annual salary um uh the statute allows that salary to be set at up to a maximum of 10% of the lowest teacher salary. 50,000 is that salary. So the maximum would be uh
055$5,000. So I am proposing that this um board compensation uh for this coming year be set at $5,000 with no other changes in the PDM. Um, I'm proposing that and I'll need a motion to approve my proposal along with a second. >> Okay. Do we have a U motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Uh, by roll call, Mr. Chamberlain. >> I. Myself. Dr. Hill. >> Nay. >> Mrs. Rens. >> I. Miss Colette >> I >> Mr. Bookart >> Hi. >> and Miss Green >> I. >> Okay. Uh one day uh the eyes have it. >> Okay. Dr. Kron. Um this is the item we added under approval of agenda. Um Anderson Community Schools has two appointments to the Anderson Public Library Board of Trustees. Um, our
056appointment number two is up. Anderson Public Library has requested that we reappoint George Selenus into that role. That will extend his term through 2030. I ask that you approve that um that request. >> Okay. Um, a motion needs to be made to approve George Selenus. >> Move to approve. >> Okay. A second. All righty. Um, by roll call, Mrs. Green. I >> Mr. Bookhart >> I >> Mrs. Colette >> I >> Miss Rens >> I >> Dr. Hill >> I for me Mr. Chamberlain >> I >> Okay, eyes have it unanimously. >> Okay. So we are at adjournment. >> Madam President, >> yes. >> Um I notice on the agenda here we do not have a place for uh old old business new business. Okay, we can check on that. Um, let's see. I think
057>> just or >> I think that might be because >> we just omitted it probably. >> Yeah, we uh >> it was a lengthy agenda >> because of the reorganization meeting slash um >> finance meeting, but we can have discussion for sure to make sure that gets back on. I think it was clerical, Madame President, because you went from 11 to 14 and 12 and 13 should have been old business and new business. So, I think it was just a clerical mission. >> Okay. >> All righty. Well, thank you for bringing that to my attention as I'm learning. Let's see. Did anyone have anything else to add? >> I'd like to add the old business. you would like to have old business. Okay. Um, at the last board meeting, um, I asked that all of
058us who have responsibilities here at ACS adopt as their New Year's resolution accountability for all. everyone that works at ACS, parents, bus drivers, custodians, parents, cooks, secretaries, teachers, staff, every last one of us has a responsibility and every last one of us need to be held accountable. The FO, fear of retaliation, it's rampant here at ACS. And I get that from the source. I'm not making it up. Again, I was a 41-year teacher here at ACS and a 41-year AFT member. Most of those years on the executive council. Word gets out that I'm I'm I'm not pro- union. You know, I'm pro was doing right. And I don't give a rat's real who you are. You have to do what's right. Otherwise, you need to be you need to be dealt with. There's some things
059going on here that the morale I don't know who you've been talking to. I talked to a lot of people across the whole spectrum. Uh morale is not very high. Teacher support not very high. And this comes from teachers. I don't make it up. I don't make it up. But you know, until you guys that are being messed over that you feel like you are until you start standing up and speaking out, guess what? The second verse be the same as the first. They're going to keep right on messing you over. Union, you know, you guys that pay about I think about 1% of your salary to be represented by the AFT. Hold those guys accountable. Otherwise, you're paying for nothing. Taxation without representation. The union's primary responsibility on any level, protect his workers. No
060worker should be afraid of speaking out when they've been done an injustice for fear of retaliation. I don't care who you are. And I know people on every spectrum here at ACS that will not speak out when they feel like they've been wronged for fear of retaliation. The two people that should be making sure that this is not an issue. Our superintendent and our union leader. Who functions well in the fear? No one. No level. We all have a job. The good old blood network is alive and well. And people don't speak out because or what they think is going to happen to them. And it's going to continue to happen people until you stand up. Very the uh the very first night that Dr. Kunk accepted his uh superintendency. I spoke and I said
061the school corporation can run without these people up here for a while. They can't run without bus drivers or cooks or custodians or nurses or teachers or secretaries and all this stuff here for a while. So you need to make sure that the people down on the bottom rung don't be looked down upon because they're the one that keep you up at the top. And and I and I I and I I I am I am one board member. I would tell you I wouldn't lie for my mother and she wouldn't lie for me. I'm not going to lie for anyone up on this board here. Whatever I mentioned it last time, teachers. Oh, one thing I want to make sure I don't forget here. Someone mentioned about having evaluations of this and that the
062other. I think and we'll do this in new businesses some other time. Teachers should have the right to evaluate their building administrators. building administrators should have the right to evaluate their superiors and so forth. Done in a way that they won't feel threatened, but if it gets back, they're going to get nailed. Um, we we have a we have a building right now that has finally decided in the more in the immortal words of pop out of Sailor Man. I've had all I can stands I can stands no more and they are now standing up and they are speaking out. And guess what? They're getting our attention as well as the administration attention. It doesn't take much. >> I just like Oh, I'm sorry. my second year teaching, we went out on strike. I was
063so poor, I couldn't pay attention, but we went out on strike. You know what? And it was a very, very small fraction of the teachers went out on strike. We shut the whole thing down there, the whole thing down. You know, everybody wanted to go to heaven, but nobody wanted to die. a teacher being cussed out by a student, that student better have some serious learning disability or emotional problem or they got to go home for a few days and think about whether or not they want to be students or adults. You know, and you know, and I tell you, you guys may not hear this around here, but I'm telling you, they don't think the support from the downtown administration is very strong at all, but you know what? They're afraid to say something
064about it. That's where the union ought to come in. You know, I think about in 2014, Indiana became a right to work state, which simply means the union, you don't have to be in the union for the union to represent you. I'm not anti-UN because I tell you what, the best thing a union can do is organize your teachers and their strength numbers. And you know, and the primary job of the union president is support the people in the union. And if if and if they mess up, they got to pay up. I I can't I can't I can't defend you because you're in the union if you're not doing the right thing and it doesn't matter who you are here and you know and then you know uh a lot of the things we're
065doing up here you know you know if you get four votes you win period but you know the primary job of a building principal is support his staff period and if you building principle will will adopt that let somebody try to mess with it and see what happens you won't have to fight them. They're going they they'll fight for you. Okay? But and I'm one I speak for myself. You can contact me anytime you want to. I'll give you I'll give you suggestions as to what you need to do because we got to go through the chain of command. I'll give you ideas of what you can and can't do, what you should and shouldn't do. If I don't know, I'll find someone. But until teachers start feeling safe that they're going to be supported,
066you know, and these kids aren't going to run them over and then all of a sudden they're asked, "Well, what did you do to set that kid off?" Oh, I just asked him to behave. Went off. I've been in two buildings and I've been in, we saw two little kids about this high here, destroy a room. Destroy it. Literally destroy it. And all the teachers and staff could do was stand there because they hadn't been trained how to whatever that thing is you do. And and that's not the teacher's fault. It's whoever makes these rules here. This kid, you know, the only time the teacher would intervene and and the assistant principal was there was when he did something that would could hurt himself. Otherwise, he just they just gave him free free rain. I
067was at another building uh just uh right before spring break Christmas break. I was there for about two hours. I left there drained. I left there drained. Almost every teacher I talked to in that building almost started to cry when they were telling me about what was going on out there. Almost every teacher I left I I it was so bad I called Mr. Barnell. I called Mr. Bell said, "Mr. Bernell, if you get this message, you should be out here at this school yesterday. Couldn't find out he was already on his way." That's the kind of support we need because we're all in this here together. Parents, if you mess up, you got to pay, too. Teachers, you mess up, you got to pay. No one gets a free ticket here. Every last one
068of us has a responsibility. And unless we're held accountable to our responsibility, guess what? It's free reign. If they're we was talking to someone today about the the discipline matric matrix, it's not being followed. Well, if you don't hold the person responsible, it's not going to be followed. And if that kid that messed up on this particular thing here is not told in some certain way that that's not the way to behave, guess what? The second verse will be the same in the ver the first and it's just going to escalate. you know, we we we got to step up. Otherwise, this place is never going to be what it could be. We have great things going on here, but it could be 10 times greater, you know, and like what uh Terry Thompson, one
069of my most favorite superintendents to dislike. One thing about him, this guy was all over this community. All over this community. And he he said one thing in the meeting, about six or seven% of the kids cause 95% of the problems. And we seem to have this idea at Anderson Community Schools that we may we we will sacrifice the masses to try to save a few. And guess what? Those few don't get saved. And the masses are out here. This rights and responsibilities handbook. This is my Bible. I ran for school board in 2016 to try to help make the teachers lives and staff lives a little more pleasurable because this book here, which is endorsed by every last one of our schoolboard members up here, the stuff is like the old PGO commercial. It's
070in there. It's in there. But teachers, if you don't hold these guys accountable for it, you know, the kids are going to go buckw wild. They're going to go buckw wild. Oh, he they got every excuse in the world to justify a kid being flat out disrespectful. And so many of these kids, some of the way they act They probably like the same way at home, if not worse. But then you have some parents coming in defending them like they're Jesus. My son and daughter would never do that. Oh yes, they will. And they do do it. They do do it. But when we when we when we cow tie to them and I this is not speculation. I've experienced myself and I've experienced going around to the buildings here. We need to be held
071accountable. Every last one of us. Sorry about the thing. I would like I I I feel like rules need to be followed. Bucky has um knows about rules because in his classroom he had about 11 pages of rules that his uh students were to sit still have their hands placed sit with the straight back. He focused more on the rules than he did on um the academic portion. But um >> Oh my gosh. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Would you I don't I didn't hear any of you any of you say anything about anything he said. I don't expect to hear from you either. Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm not telling lies. And you be quiet. >> Who's going to gather him out? >> He needs to go. No, listen. Listen. We all need to
072take a breath. Let's not shout back and forth. I'm asking kindly. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so what needs to be said is that um there is there are school problems. Of course there are. There is no institution, no district that has problems. However, if you have a problem, don't just go to Bucky. Go to the entire board so that we can hear because we hear nothing about any of you teachers um having a problem specifically. So, we all need to hear about it so that we can go for solutions. Now, with Valley Grove, we were there and we are working on solutions. So, um so that was that we've done that um and we continue to do that. But if you have a bone to pick, it needs to be to all of us
073so that we can all know what's going on. That's what we talk about when we talk about transparency is knowing what's going on. And so, um, I would appreciate if you would send me an email. I'm on your ACS email. Um, and I I'll leave it at that. >> Mrs. Renz, I'm so glad you said what you said. I have two things to say. One, thank you to every one of you Valley Grove people who showed up out here tonight. Thank you. You are the start of what we're talking about. If you don't show up, we can't help you. Regarding Miss Ren's comments about sharing with the board, I would like the Valley Grove people to know that there were two board members who went out to your school after Bucky and I were there
074and met with a group of you. I have no clue what happened at that meeting. I haven't heard word one. I don't know what was said. I don't know what Patrick and Holly heard. they didn't share with the rest of the board. So, if we want to talk about being transparent and communicating, then let's start with us. >> Perhaps you should read your emails, Miss Colette, because there was an email that come back from the the rep out there. They had a complete breakdown of everything that was talked about. >> So, >> where was it? >> In your email. >> It's in your email. >> Well, there was a breakdown of what was being done. >> Yeah, that's what we >> That was what was talked about. there there was no communication of what was
075said by the teachers. I didn't get any comments. I didn't see here were the teachers cons. All I got was a list of things the administration is doing. I don't even know if that's okay with y'all. I'm not hearing a four people hear everything on this board. Okay? And you all know who they are. The rest of us don't hear it. So that's why you go to Bucky or you come to me or you come to Rodney because we don't hear and if we weren't the ones selected to go out and talk to you then we don't hear back. All we hear is well here's what is the conclusion and we're going to send this principle. We're going to do this. This person will be here then. That doesn't tell me anything. That just tells
076me you have people there. So when we want to talk about being transparent and showing up, continue to show up. That's the only way that we know. And thank you for doing that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. >> One last thing, Amanda, please. I I do want to thank the uh the building rep out of Valley Grove for keeping us a breast, telling us a breast of what happened. We were told that only two board members to come and I I talked to her today and I just told her if no one I am here to support you. You guys are in the classroom. You're leading the charge. You need to be telling us what you need, not vice versa. You know, you're you're you're the professional in the classroom. And I
077I I I the things I heard today when I went out to visit, I wasn't very pleased with wasn't very pleased with then, you know, and then then the process and this this is really a tough time when you have two administrators uh your principal and building principal apply to C. You know, that's that's a that's a tough to adjust for and now we have like several several several people that's going to be administrators out there in this transition process. >> Mr. Bart, just really quickly, I apologize for cutting you off. Is this something because we still have the finance um meeting after is this something that the board is comfortable with discussing um either at an executive session at a as a whole or a possible other Well, the thing I I want the
078public to hear straight from us because a lot of time what happened in executive session it didn't get to be made public. >> Okay. >> Everything personally we talk to the people. >> Okay. Well, let's let's um let's not argue. I am I'm asking um that we adjourn and discuss this as a board. And I definitely am acknowledging that I I have my work cut out for me in regards to uh communication, better communication um in regards to the board and um with our educators and public. So I am willing to work hard towards that. Um I am asking um that we move forward and adjourn this meeting. Okay. We're also uh once meeting We'll be back in five minutes. Um, reconvene. Oh, go ahead and reconvene immediately. Okay. Well, there you go. We're going
079to start our finance meeting immediately then. Um, so, uh, regular schoolboard meeting adjourned and we will call to order the finance meeting. >> Thank you, Madam President. If I may go ahead and begin for our uh board of finance meeting for today's date, January 12th, 2026. The first board, first order of business is the election of officers. Uh we will need a president and a secretary of the board of finance for calendar year 2026. Uh just as referenced, last year in 2025, Miss Colette was president and Miss Webb was the secretary. So That said, I would like to go ahead and take nominations for the president of the board of finance. >> Okay. Do we have nominations for president of the board of finance? >> I'd like to nominate Jo. >> May I get a
080second? >> Miss Colette, do you accept that nomination? >> Sure. >> May I ask for any other nominations for president of the board of finance? with none other. Um, by way of no competition, I congratulate Miss Colette for being the nominated the president of the board of finance. And so with that, I will now yield the meeting to her for the nomination of secretary for the board of finance. Thank you, Mr. Elmore. I will open the floor for nominations for secretary of the board of finance. >> I nominate [laughter] >> I second. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded for Martha. All in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? >> Martha's secretary. >> We're ready for the investment report. Mr. Elmore. >> Madam President. Yes. If I may begin with the uh investment report that
081is located in your board packet. Uh in summary of that report, we utilize Old National Bank for the financial institution here at Anderson Community Schools. Uh they uh as far as our investments for calendar year 2025, we did four purchases of CDs that were all in the amount of $10 million. Uh the four dates that we purchased CDs and they were in six-month increments was March 14th, May 27th, September 16th, and December 4th. And so for those four uh CD investments which are certificate of deposits um for those that are unaware of that uh aspect of it we along with some uh money market accounts and some highinterest savings andor checking accounts that we have for the corporation in 2025 we earned a mass total of 1,195,000 just north of that in interest and so
082I will be a little hard on myself for uh comparing 2024 we had earned just a little north of that with $1.239 million. And so we did have lesser interest rates in 2025. And so I think given the interest rate environment, I thought we did very very well with the interest that we earned. And just for some other numbers just to give a little bit of history of the last prior years, 2023 we were at 1,73,000 and then back in 2022 the interest rates were uh supremely low at that that end. And our interest 22 was 66,947. And so, uh, just to give a perspective going into 2026, uh, we are seeing slightly declining interest rates for our CDs and things like that. So, I would estimate that our interest in 26 will be less
083than in 2025. And so, with that, I conclude my investment report. May I ask for any questions from any of the board members? I just have one comment. Thank you for everything you do, Mr. Elmore. Um, our money is safe in your hands. You are always looking out for the best deals, the best places to park money for interest. You're taking good care, um, and being a good steward of the finances for ACS. So, thank you very much. >> I greatly appreciate that, Madam President. >> The president of the board of finance Thank you. Thank you very much. Well, if there's no other uh questions or comments for the board, I think it's appropriate to adjourn the meeting. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I make a motion. >> I second. >> All
084in favor? We return. >> All right.