001I 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. Please remain standing. Maybe seen it. Like to remind board member to turn your microphones on, please. Mrs. Madison, if I may, would you do roll call, please? >> Wade Batty >> here. >> Cynthia Neil >> here. >> Gald Leonard >> here. >> Graham Richardson >> here. >> Melissa Tooff >> here. >> Monica Van Hoy here. Tom Shzel. >> We have six members of the board present. I will call this meeting to order. Board members, uh, the agenda has been posted. Uh, I'd like to add one item on new business. Item number 9.04 will be the approval to um post of draft of the superintendent's
002contract for the public to view. Mr. President, I'll make the motion to accept the agenda as presented with the addition of vote for being the approval to post the superintendent. I'm sorry. >> I'll second Mr. President. >> Motion by Mrs. Neil, second Miss Van Hoy to adopt the night's agenda with the amendment. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed the same. Motion carries 6. Thank you. minutes from our April meeting. >> 21st >> 21 Sorry. >> Mr. President, I'll make the motion to approve the minutes as presented. >> Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Neil, second by Mr. Richardson to approve the minutes of the April 21st, 2026 board meeting. Any additions or corrections? >> I'll abstain. Mr. President, >> all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries. 501.
003>> Mr. Bainy, is any visitors registered to speak? No sir. >> Manny, it's up to you for your district reports. >> Okay. Um couple things, exciting things to to present this evening. Um our construction project remains uh on schedule. Actually, we had a construction meeting this morning. Um and and knock on wood, but they're actually a little ahead of schedule. Uh they're ready for kids to get out of the buildings uh because they're ready to hit the ground running uh on the interior. Um, as you can see out there today, uh, we had a lot of steel delivery yesterday and today the skeleton is actually going up for the the elementary school. So now, um, you'll be able to see a lot more of of the progress. You know, you got to get pretty close
004to it or over it to see a lot of the work that's been done so far. Uh, but now you'll see you'll see that pretty clearly. So, uh, extremely excited about that. 100% of the foundation work for the elementary and the elementary gym are done. Uh, all of the masonry work is underway on the elementary gym and on that south stairway. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, demolition has begun. Um, in the existing mechanical room at the high school. So, late last week, um, boilers were cut up and taken out. So, the room for for new equipment in there. So, that's been pretty exciting. Um, the other item I have for tonight is yesterday we received notification that Nightstown High School uh has once again this year been named as a performance qualified high school uh for the
005the next year. That designation, if you remember, is is only awarded uh to high schools that meet established state accountability and academic performance standards. Um and what that qualification does is really provide some flexibility for planning uh for the administration and instructional delivery options in the classroom. So um always glad to see that um and we hope with all of the accountability changes coming that we will continue that that stre. So uh that concludes my reports for the evening. >> Any questions for superintendent? Moving on. Next on the agenda is the consent agenda. Mrs. Madison, would you read what was spent last month? >> Yes. Claims to be approved tonight include voucher range 436453 through 436636. a total amount of 1,248,99.38. We also have financial reports in your packet including bank balances, fund reports for
006the district, all three schools, cash flows for education and operations fund, a transfer resolution of $80,000 from education to operations fund. We have four donations. One from Geo Group for $4,000, one from Who's Your Feeder for $100, one from S Iota Sority, $150, and from Amanda Robertson for $300. What's George playing? Mr. President, the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Motion with Mr. Neil, second Mr. Richardson to approve the consent agenda as presented. Any questions, comments? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed the same. Motion carries. 60. >> No old business. No. No new business discussion. No >> new business action items. Personnel report. Mr. Be >> have a short personnel report as is usually the case in May. Um two resignations. Lisa Woods, the head custodian at KHS
007and Abby Thirsten, third grade teacher at KES. um two ECA assignments, Rachel Shepard and Carrian Brown, both for summer school activity ELA and math uh at DHS. >> Mr. President, I will move to approve. >> I'll second, Mr. President. >> Motion by Mrs. To Mrs. Van Hoy to approve the personnel report as presented. Any questions? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos the same. >> Motion carries. >> Creating a position. Sir, >> uh for for many years since the inception of of the special needs preschool um at Nightstown Elementary School, we have had our special ed teacher at that level also run um that classroom. Theresa Leisure has done that for us for a long time uh and has done a remarkable job, an incredible job. Um now that our preschool continues
008to grow and we are seeing more special needs um outside of just that classroom, it's become necessary uh that we create a new position to be that classroom teacher so that Teresa can be freed up to be providing services and minutes in our other preschool classrooms. Um that is a need that is is immediate for now for the next school year, but is something that will grow significantly in the 2027 school year when the early childhood center officially opens. Um I don't have details on specific pay or contract options for that yet because it will all depend on what type of credentials our applicants provide. um since it's not a typical teaching position, you may get uh any number of things. So, uh instead of approving that this evening with the creation, I would bring
009that contract back as a separate item for board consideration once we have found the right applicant. >> Well, I think um we know we have an immediate need. I think we need to heed the board to approve the creation so we can get started on that job description and uh performance and and pay come at a later date, but I think we need to move forward on creating that position. >> Was that a motion? That would be a motion. >> I'll second that, Mr. President. Motion by the chair, second by Mr. Leonard to create this position as needed. >> Any questions or comments? >> We have other pre teachers. So that whatever contract we came up with is not reinventing the wheel. It's going to be based on what already have >> depending. We are
010going to try to get somebody that has the same license as Teresa and also has that special ed background as well as the early childhood development. >> I don't know how likely that is, but that's what we're talking about. >> Any other questions? >> All those in favor say I. >> I post same. Motion carries. 250 year celebration. Mr. Bainy, >> I'm very excited to to present this one and announce it in and hope that we can uh get this moving forward. We have had a private donor come to us um who would really like to provide a big time fireworks show for Nightstown for the 250th celebration. Um, this would be done uh in in the name of Charles A. Beard Memorial Schools and Glen Cove Heritage Foundation. Uh, pending all of all of
011the approvals um from the state fire marshall and permitting and insurance and safety requirements. Um, we would like to host this event on July 4th at dusk back on our practice field. Um we have spent a lot of time taking a look at that bec of where the right location would be for that. Uh the construction of course has made that a little difficult but we think that we will have plenty of parking room and plenty of room for the community out there. Uh the fireworks would actually be shot off in the waterhed uh back at the very back of that that field. Um Nightstown Fire has agreed to help with that. we have to make sure that the type of fireworks that have been purchased um are they're allowed to, but if not, we'll
012bring in somebody private to do that. And again, this is a very very cool uh donation. I've been told if it gets out who the private donor is that I'm in big trouble. Uh and there won't be a 2501st. So, um the request this evening is for the board to approve. will continue moving forward with the project and relating planning efforts uh contingent upon all applicable legal permitting insurance and safety requirements being satisfactorily met prior to the event. Um I also hope to work with the town and the park and see just just how big we can we can make this for the year. Um, I've been working here what 15 close to 15 years now and I don't ever remember there being Nightstown fireworks for the 4th of July. >> So, uh, pretty pretty
013excited about this one. And the donor is is going um above and beyond with the amount of fireworks. I was told 40 minutes. >> Oh, wow. >> But I don't I don't know. But I I don't know that for sure. But that's what what we're >> so incredibly incredibly grateful to that person. >> Board's pleasure. >> I make a motion that we move forward um with planning or how how should we word it um for the 250th celebration. >> Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Van Holly. Second, Mr. Richardson to approve the continuating planning for the 250 year celebration. Any questions? All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carry 6. Thank you. >> Uh, anyone from the public wish to step to the microphone? >> You got a 9.04.
014>> Oh, excuse me. You're right. I do. Uh 9.04 was the this posting of the uh superintendent's contract draft to be publicized for the public to give feedback on. We need to approve the posting and >> Mr. President um will make the motion to approve the posting of the superintendent contract. >> Second, Mr. President. >> Motion to Mrs. Neil, second Mr. Leonard to approve the posting of the superintendent contract draft. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed the same. Motion carries 6. Now, >> there's a button right on the top of the microphone. >> Hello. >> Perfect. >> Make it quick. Um, KESPTO wanted to uh in order to help bring the school supply lists down. In addition to the optional school supply packs that we're offering to all preK through third grade
015students um for purchase to cover all those supplies at a reduced rate, we are going to be supplying each grade with a full set of clipboards and grade specific scissors. Um, we wanted to let the powers that be know that in uh in advance just so that those items can be removed from the required school supply lists. So, they'll no longer need clipboards at any grade level or scissors at any grade level. Um, PTO has taken that on to supply those to the grades directly. >> You guys have been absolutely amazing and I cannot possibly stress enough how appreciative we are of the PTO's work. Um, you guys really really have been great. >> Thank you. >> Do you want to take on PTO for the entire district? >> I do plan on partnering with
016them once we're all under the same roof. Yeah. >> But thank you. >> Thank you guys very much. Your work's very appreciated. >> Anyone else? I want to start by thanking you all for serving on the board because it truly is a thankless position and I know a lot of time and effort and thoughts go into what you do. So, thank you. I come today as I've heard and seen recent talkings of inappropriate conversations between a school employee and a student. I am glad the school andor parents turned it over to authorities and let them investigate. While I understand the school legally could not address this while an investigation was underway, I am under the impression that once charges were filed, you have been allowed to comment or make a statement. I question why any
017time in the last several weeks, at the bare minimum, Kis parents didn't receive some sort of communication and transparency about the situation. As parents, we receive Panther Press emails on a weekly basis. If a statement wasn't going to be made publicly on Facebook, I understand that it is a very heavy topic, but I feel an email could have been sent to the middle school parents. I have three daughters and I want to trust they're in good hands and that includes transparency. Parents deserve to know this stuff from the leaders of our school, not the internet. So my questions to you are why was with information held from parents? Are there potentially more victims that statements are needed from? And how can we as parents expect to be able to trust you moving forward? >> May
018I address that? >> Yes, you can. >> Um, first, these types of situations are probably the most frustrating part of of my job. Um, and what we can say and what we can't say. Um, what I can say today is if we were not made, the law enforcement agency that conducted this investigation did an incredible job and did an amazing job keeping us in the loop and keeping us informed. Had we received information that in any way indicated that there was more to this than what they had found through the serving of the warrants that they were able to serve, our approach to this would have been um completely different because student safety would have been still at the top of the list then. Um, so that's what I can say as far as why
019that wasn't shared right now. Um, hopefully this runs its course and there's more that can can come out after that that gives people more peace of mind. Uh, but it is extremely frustrating. >> It just feels too late. >> It's >> as a parent of daughters. charges are not >> I understand >> the end of the investigation >> innocent until we cannot say >> I understand that you don't have to name names you could just email and say we had a situation happen at the intermediate school we have spoken to the authorities and charges were filed back in April and at that point from the investigations I've done and the people I've asked at that moment you were able to make some communications to parents parents. And maybe I'm wrong. I could be wrong, but
020I >> Legal Council says you're wrong. So, I'll just cuz we've been advised by legal counsel. >> But was that before charges were filed or after >> that was last week process? >> I can only speak for myself, but I think everyone is let down about this situation. I've been considering moving my kids to school schools. I don't want them in Nightstown right now. Well, go ahead. >> And this is disheartening. I don't think I'm the only parent that feels this way. And I know that that's hard to hear, but transparency goes really far. >> I agree. And we will be very vocal when we can be vocal. And I will tell you that these situations happen. Every school corporation. >> The courier let something out. The courier got something out there before you did.
021They go through the legal channel. We cannot >> because of lawsuits. >> I I spoke to a dear friend that works in a lawyer's office and she said you legally would have been able to. But it's okay. I'm not >> I can see you're upset and that's okay. >> No, I'm fine. I mean, I'm just I've read those Facebook posts. >> Do you have daughters? >> Yes, I do. I have a grand. Don't you think he would have liked to have known except for somewhere from the internet? >> I think Facebook post created >> I'm asking you a question. >> Yes or no? >> No. >> You would have rather heard from the point of the the source, right? Not >> my child was involved. >> How do we know our children were involved if
022we weren't communicated with to say you need I need your phone. and I need to be going through it with the fine tooth comb. How are we supposed to check for that if we aren't made aware >> on the news every night? You should be checking children's phones. That's how this was found. >> I'm sorry if we're not >> I do my responsibility as a parent, but I'm questioning your transparency. >> That's all I have to say. Thank you. My apologies. >> I understand it's a safety situation, but I think there's been a time where it was about for you guys to comment and now it's too big because everybody already knows from the plan and that's what's disappointing. Well, >> what's even more disappointing is the fact that how how exaggerated the internet is.
023>> I read that last time exaggerating him offering to take her to the movie without his daughter there. >> But you the the pope the post were multiple children. It was trying to stir up trouble in the community. It had nothing to do with one child. In the reports, there's two juvenile victims. >> Who? >> I don't know their names. >> I'm not going to get into. >> Okay, that's totally fine. I'm not either of you. >> You're worried about one kid, but you should be about every single child in the school system. >> I am worried about every single child in the school system. That is our responsibility. >> Failure to communicate. >> Now, please you have your opinion. You're more than welcome to have. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Any others? >> Board
024members listen. It's that time of year when I have certain things going on. Parents are going to graduation or even more. Um First of all, I apologize. I love to attend the scholarship and award um ceremonies. The top 15 I was here for the department. Congratulations to all those that won scholarships and awards and their top 15 educators coaches that they chose as their um to thank this year. Um thank you to the four donations um that were given to the schools and various uh local organization and thank you. Yeah, >> we have to do work. But anyway, thank you for what you do. You're to the thankless job as well. Um, that's it. >> Um, I'm so thankful to the PTO and to all of our staff members. Um, I was able to attend
025the top 15 banquet and um, it's amazing the wonderful things that we get to find out impact kids features and appreciative on. Um, thank you to all the bus drivers. Um, we had a bus driver appreciation breakfast I was able to attend this morning. Um, and then the big shout out is to the elementary. Um, I attended the preschool program this afternoon and it was absolutely >> um I look forward to graduation as well and >> I too can't believe that a student is coming along. >> Well, I I too want to say thank you to the PTO for all that you do. I mean, it's amazing. You guys are doing a fantastic job and thank you so very much. And I I think it's exciting, you know, that we're happy to add a new
026classroom teacher for prek. Uh and hopefully maybe down the road we may have to add some more. Um, and also I think it's great that we're going to uh celebrate the 250th year and with all the fireworks that's going to bring a lot of people out and to take a look at C beard school corporation and hope everybody has a great summer. Thank you. Um I will say um I've enjoyed watching I haven't made it to any of the senior nights for the different sports but just recognizing all the seniors um the many different uh ways that are happening right now. All the awards banquetss um that are coming up in the next few days and um it's exciting time of year to finish out and at the same time get to see what's happening
027and coming uh forward over at the new build. So um thank you and appreciate you all. have a good summer. >> Okay, you guys um really appreciated the talk that came in this year. It was its usual inspirational time with some some of the students struggling to to keep from getting teeyed with with their just the way they honestly felt. It was an emotional but it was it was good because it was themselves and it was the usual very good evening. Um, congratulations in a blanket sense to all the uh, high school senior awards winners and all the programs that the different parts of the teaching areas have been put on. Thank you PTO for working on changes for the students supplies and you rock. um appreciation to uh the contractors working across the road.
028Uh wow, you know how good that that site looks over there as far as the the progress on it. I mean, I started on board 10 years ago. I heard about it, but I never saw anything until for reasons beyond Orb's control. So good. It is it was really nice to see this. And my last comment is to point the sponsorship of this morning's bus drivers for school bus drivers books. First people to see the children in the morning. They go out and go dark 30 and prepare their buses, inspect them and take off on their last year, then come back and pick them up. to the last season what they do the way they do. >> That's it. Good. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. It's always welcome even though we can
029agree to disagree. With that we are ajourned.