001We are set whenever you are ready. [Music] I'm sorry. [Music] I have 7 o'clock. Would everyone please rise? to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Please remain standing. Let me see you. >> Mrs. Madison, would you do roll call, please? Wade Batty >> here. >> Cynthia Neil >> here. >> Geral Leonard >> here. >> Richardson >> here. >> Melissa Todd >> here. >> Monica Van Hoy >> here. >> Tom Shzel >> here. >> All seven members of the board are present. I will call this October 21, 2025 regular board meeting to order. Board members, you have the agenda in front of you. >> Mr. Mr. President, I'll make the motion to accept the agenda
002as presented. >> Motion by Mrs. Neil, second Mrs. To approve the agenda for tonight's meeting. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries 70. Thank you. Minutes from our >> Yeah. Well, we got three. Last month's board meeting, the budget public hearing on October 7th, the regular session board meeting on September 16th, and the budget work session on September 16th. um on the October 7th the budget hearing. I was not at that. Any other correction? >> I entertain a motion to approve. >> Well, Mr. President, I'll make a motion to approve uh uh minutes of budget hearing October the 7th, 2025, regular session meeting minutes uh for September the 17, 2025 and budget work session minutes uh September the 16, 2025 as presented. >> As corrected. Yes.
003Yeah, it's the file name, but that's not the minutes are correct. >> I noticed that as well. Wait a second. I needed motion by Mr. Leonard, second Mrs. call to approve the three meeting minutes as corrected. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries. 7. Thank you, Mr. Bainy. >> Uh we have a few quick superintendent reports this evening. First off, um I want to publicly thank TriRicappa for funding a district project that ensures that uh trauma response bags um and emergency response items are always within quick reach for any adult responder. This initiative certainly strengthens our ability to be able to respond effectively in high stress situation um for any safety or emergency response. Um, we are talking about, uh, correct me if I'm wrong,
004but 15 different response kits, uh, that'll be mounted on the walls and throughout our buildings and facilities, um, to be able to help with that that response. So, thank you very much to them. Uh, the Raptor visitor management system is uh, fully operational now. We're working through some minor improvement kinks. Uh but it has added another valuable layer of safety uh with minimal uh inconvenience to staff and visitors. Just make sure you remember bring your driver. Um our since our last meeting, we had our our uh first of the year um ADM count, our membership count that goes towards our funding. Um this year our official number was 1016. Uh that is down four students from from last year. Um looking at that data, we've seen a little bit of an increase in homeschool. Um
005that is something that we have seen across the state of Indiana for a variety of of different reasons. Um, so staying within four or five one way or the other. Um, you know, if we lose four, then I consider that staying staying very close to one another. If we gain four, then that's a big deal. So, uh, but we're staying right there. And and the last item is the building project update. And I want to give you a little bit of a timeline because this has been, uh, a massive piece of of what we have been working on lately. Um it's getting exciting because the bidding time frame will be uh for the month of November and um this whole thing is going to come before the board uh at our December regular session meeting
006and we will know by Christmas if we are full steam ahead uh and what that looks like. So pretty excited about that. Fingers crossed that this time our design comes in in a budget that is manageable and will not result in any sort of a a taxing. So um that's the focus that is that concludes my updates for the city miss item on the agenda. There was no register to speak consent agenda. Mrs. Madison, you want to read us our bills? >> Yes. For your approval tonight, I have claims from September 17th through October 21st. Voucher numbers 435751 through 435897 for a total of 1,759,92.38. In your financial reports, you will find the fund reports along with a cash flow for education operations, a transfer resolution, and one donation. for esportion to accept the approved
007second. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This included a transcript included 5,000. Correct. Okay. Consent agenda presented by Mrs. Ne. Motion by Mrs. Neil. Second, Mrs. Van Hoy to approve that. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos the same. Motion carries. 78. Thank you. Uh board policy second reading. Mr. B. tonight for your consideration. For second reading, we have three policies. 9700 relations with special interest groups. Uh 9150, which deals with pool visitors, and 2430 clubs, activities, and community programs. All of those are in the packet and also contain motion to approve on 9700. >> Second, Mr. President. >> Motion by Mrs. Neil, second Mr. Leonard to approve on second reading. Um following board policy 97 9150 2430. Any discussion >> you may >> Yes. These are
008from ISBA that are also >> just as part of our original It's not part of our retain that's where we are now. >> Any other discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries seven zero. Thank you. New business, teacher appreciation grant. >> This is a discussion item that I wanted to add tonight because it is um something that we are are going to need to make some decisions on next month. We're working with the teachers association for years now. The state of Indiana has uh provided school corporations with funding for a teacher appreciation grant which provides um a payment uh sometimes depending on the district between $250 to $600. Uh it's an additional payment outside of the teaching contract specific for teachers that are rated highly effective
009or effective. in that um staggers each year they change how those requirements are are figured what the differences in those amounts maybe. Um this year they completely gutted the program uh continued with the funding um but have put in some new requirements that create a situation where many of our teachers are not eligible to even compete for this. Um you have in your packet the most recent Department of Education uh guidance from uh Anda Schultz the chief academic officer with the state. um that goes through what some of the requirements are for for teachers. Um there are three different tiers of recognition stipen to be eligible for that. They have to be able to show that you've significantly impacted student outcomes using national or state assessment measures. So that is an area that extremely limits
010who's eligible and who's not. Um there are a lot of teaching positions that don't have a state or a national assessment tied to them. Um the stipens however have gone up tremendously. Only 20 teachers within a district can be eligible for one of these grants. Uh I'm sorry, for one one of these awards. The tier one award that we just mentioned is $3500. Tier two, eligible ed educators must have all of the requirements for the recognition stipen uh and formally mentor or coach another teacher to improve student outcome to provide instructional leadership to improve student outcomes across multiple classrooms or serve an I need or geographical shortage area. Um those aren't defined. There's no such thing as a definition to say what teaching positions are a high need shortage position or a geographical need uh
011position. Um and also optional criteria defined by the school corporation or charter school. Um there's a lot of mentorship that happens amongst teachers in in the building. We have found that as soon as you standardize those programs uh and take away the natural component of mentorship um you lose a lot of value from it. Um our mentorship programs don't don't just check a box uh which is what we're being asked to do here. Um and last uh that stipens $5,000. So significant tier three is $7500. And to be eligible, educators must again significantly impact a testing area, national or state, be a formal mentor or coach, uh serve in a high need or geographical shortage area, and optional criteria defined by the school. there. Those aren't any order. They have to be able to check
012all of those boxes. Um, as you can imagine, across the state of Indiana, this has become um a difficult a difficult thing for schools to be working out how they want to do this because um you're very quickly saying you're worthy and you're not. Uh and we know that that's not how schools operate. It is to the point where there are a lot of school corporations that have turned down this month. We are not one of them. Um and and we didn't do that because um the numbers are significant for people. You hate to take that opportunity away from the people that do qualify simply because some people won't. >> So go ahead. I'm sorry. Um I know why one school said no they went to their teachers and asked >> and the teachers come
013back and >> student >> because you can only do 20%. >> And when you're talking that much money you put them competing against each other and you take out the uh camaraderie they have among themselves and teaching kids. They've made it a competition. It's Mike Braum competing against well the teachers chose with this school corporation that I know >> not the uh and we still retain that option. This has been 100% teacher association and teacher driven. Okay. Um this is and that will continue. Uh the recommendation that we come back with will be that we are in the bargaining as you know we're in the bargaining process right now. This is not something that can be legally bargained, but that is a time where we are going to be able to have um a lot
014more pointed conversation about teacher appreciation grant and between userve directors and our attorneys that work with dozens and dozens of districts across the state, we're going to be able to put our heads together for what other ideas there. Um, but just wanted to plant this plant this seed for you tonight. >> I know it's not negotiable in the contract that their opinion matters. >> That's the only opinion that that really matters when it comes down to it. >> So, that will be our our focus. >> Um, next up is we have a Latin honors and we have some very special guests with us. [Music] I brought back up tonight. Um, this conversation kind of segus perfectly into what we're talking about tonight, the competition and the the different aspects on the student side. And so,
015Mr. Bainy kind of presented to you guys, I think back in the summer, that we were going to start exploring Latin honors and looking into how our teachers, families felt about potentially switching to Latin honors, starting with our freshman class because of the new diploma and things. So, we're kind of in that way. Um, so we began looking at different questions. Would that allow some of our top kids to take the classes they want instead of just chasing their GPA things? Could it take some stress away from our kids that are already overstressed? Could we reduce the competition between students and allow kids to compete against themselves when to reach a goal? Would more kids take elective classes, choose to go to vocational, choose to do work-based learning if the pressure of I have to
016take all 10 AP courses with them? Um, looking at the new Indiana diploma and leading toward more work-based learning experience and supporting student interest and where they want to go, we feel like Latin honors would support that. Want to share a little? So um when we talk about the Latin honors around the state, we know that there are several school districts um and there's a growing list then that have transition to this system. We know that it's already in place and working in other schools and why did schools make the switch. Um and one of the things was in fact that stress and anxiety that kids face all these classes that they try to take to back to um And I can say this as a school counselor at high school. Um I've seen these
017students come in crying. They don't think that they're going to get all um that they are very upset that um they want to outplay their own brain which get in a moment. And so hopefully by moving to an honor system we will reduce that stress. Um and sometimes kids are really taking the courses just because they're not taking because they're interested in them and they're not getting valuable of having other courses or opportunities that would allow them and would be a better fit for looking at their longic goals. The competition among kids creates a lot of stress and tension. I can tell you that is um changes their perspective to allow them to worry about themselves what their goals are [Music] about what their friends and their friends. So what look like at there are
018two different camps and the one that makes the most sense for our school is strictly academic focus and um that's what most schools have gone to because that system closely resembles college and if you are wondering in the back of your mind um what about and then a 2019 survey conducted by Association for college class rank finished in the ninth place of importance. It finished behind counselor. [Music] So what does this mean? What that might look like is that um if you're looking at that academic approach are going to their overall GPA and not about classes that better goals. It's my turn. I thought I'll just back up and here we go. So, I know previously we've discussed the new diploma and all of the opportunities that it presents for our students to really personalize
019their educational experience. So, we thought that this was the best time to kind of roll out this plan because it correlates with that mindset. So when you have kiddos that are able to do work-based learning, um they're able to immerse themselves in community service depending on what seal that they're going to be approaching. Then at that point, it's going to be a great opportunity for them to not put so much heavy emphasis on just chasing their GPA and being designated validator saludiatoran of their class. Now I understand like Miss Weaver said that there's times where a school may recognize a validatoran or solidictorian with scholarship money. We will still maintain a ranking for that student. So if there is a scholarship that they are um trying to win from a university, we would supply that
020to the university because we would not want that kid to miss out on that scholarship. So would not eliminate that. We also did not want to make this decision without having a wide survey from our stakeholders. So initially because we wanted to roll this out with our freshmen, we surveyed the freshman parents and guardians at our freshman orientation. That was overwhelmingly positive from those stakeholders. I think all but four, all but four, three undecided and one no from that entire survey was against this idea or unsure of this idea about transitioning to Latin honors. [Music] Yes, most were in support. Only four were not in support of I'm sorry. Um, and then same thing with our staff. When we surveyed our staff, all of them, with the exception of four, and they were just undecided.
021They had more questions essentially. I do know that the one parent that was concerned about this had a very high achieving child. So, they were concerned about how that would impact them moving forward. So, again, that's further conversations that we would have to have with them. Uh so what our recommendation is going to be is that if the board finds that this is something that is beneficial for our KHS students that we would give the designation with a 4.0 or better sumakum lad 3.8 to 3.99 magnaum lad and 3.6 6 to 3.79 kum lame. And that would also make some adjustments to our honors banquet where we would um identify those students that maybe achieve a couple of these and then recognize them at our honors banquet. So, so what has changed and what what
022we are seeing that's really creating um the need to consider this change is a great thing and that is that we have so many kids that are receiving college credit and so many kids that are taking advanced courses. They have to be weighted. If we've got a kid that's taking a college statistics class, that certainly is worth more academically than freshman algebra. Those opportunities for kids aren't just coming through our school corporation or our vocational cooperative. They can go anywhere and get qualified courses to be able to do that. Um, that's a wonderful thing. That's great opportunities for kids, but it creates a situation where if I'm a kid that has to work all summer long, I can't take all these extra courses. If I'm a kid that participates in these other things or I
023don't have the money to be able to do this, I can't take these other courses. I could be a kid that got a C in a class, but have the resources to be able to take three or four weighted classes during the summer or during the night that other kids may not have and be able to make up for that and pass other kids with validictorian or some. So, um this has become a problem. It's become a problem very quickly and we want to come up with a solution that uh protects options for families and doesn't penalize it in any way. Um our high school staff has worked very hard at that tonight. This is simply a discussion item for you. Um they want to gather some more more input and want to make sure
024that this is something a change that the community uh will be. Is this if approved at some point? We'll start with question current. >> Any questions? >> It was around 30 submitted back to us. And then all of our staff at the point we also want Another announcement. [Music] The last few years we've seen a lot of deciding not things that they would prefer to do. >> I'll tell you, I was against this when it was first brought to me. It felt like a participation group. Um the more that we looked at opportunities that different kids have and don't have is really what what kind of frame that we got to be careful somebody doesn't it wouldn't be all that difficult to do it used to be very easy to do when before we >>
025uh sure with the policy that we have someone has the ability As long as they get from Walmart, they can go and take a course if they want. You can see kind of that discrepancy. >> We've got kids graduating with almost a full associate degree before they get out of high school. >> I mean, the world's education is a different place for a whole lot of reason. I'll be What did that look like? We don't want any. Thank you. Personnel report for this month. New employee Rebecca current custodian APS Haley Poe third grade maternity leave. Katherine Nancy, special education ax. Jana Burke, title one, long-term sub, KISS. Danielle Davis, library media aid. Page in title. Allison Brewer, health assistant, KHS. Resignation. Ashley Hart, KISF media aid. Britney Underwood, bus driver, DCA assignment. Chad Cook, varsity
026boys basketball head coach. Canon Cook, varsity boys assistant coach. Dave Dry, uh, varsity boys basketball assistant coach Jameson Dunham, varsity boys basketball assistant coach, Joe Patton, JB, and eighth grade boys basketball, Charity Smunker. Seventh grade boys basketball, Lee Walker. Sixth grade boys basketball, Dusty McGee, varsity girls basketball coach. Jacob Aishan, varsity girls assistant basketball coach Lorie Thomas, eighth grade uh girls basketball, Jason Thompson, sixth grade girls basketball, Randy Gorman, fifth grade girls basketball, Kristen Crawford, varsity ahead cheer coach. Jen Johnson, varsity assistant cheer coach. Vanessa Redmond, varsity assistant cheer coach. Hannah Buckley, uh, JB and middle school head cheer coach. Joe Borman, JB and middle school assistant chair coach, Caleb Buchanan, varsity head wrestling coach. Austin Mullins, varsity assistant wrestling coach, Zach Arnold, Landon Carmichael, Jason Dishman, all assistant wrestling coaches. Jason Martin, JB, head
027wrestling coach. Aubrey Osborne, voice sponsor, KHF. that be included in the personnel report for this evening. Thank you those of you who are in attendance tonight. Uh assuming the board votes for you, you know, uh really excited to see what happens. Fingers across. Motion by Mrs. Toss, second by Mr. Richson to approve the personnel report as presented. Any other discussion? I don't know. A couple of Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those with the same. Motion carries. 70. Mr. Benny, are you or Mr. Madison doing the budget? Madison, >> I have for your approval tonight the 2026 budget. The levies in the budgets are the um same that we discussed in the budget work session and in our public hearing. Um we have a resolution for that as well
028as the capital projects plan and the bus replacement plan and all of those are in your packet. remind you separately separate items, correct? >> Yes, because they're all three different resolutions. board has studied this budget through a work session through a presentation through public hearing. Now we have to make a decision. Okay. Um Mr. President, I'll make a motion to approve u the 2026 budget as presented. >> Motion by Mr. Leonard, second Mrs. Fan Hoy to approve the 2026 budget as presented. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carries 7 capital projects as I understand isn't any >> correct. I went ahead and advertised the plan as is but there are no capital projects that will be out of operations fund that will be out of the
029bond. >> Yeah. motion by Mrs. Neil, second by Mrs. Van Hoy to approve the capital project plan as presented. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Both same. Motion carries seven and replace. These two will be coming out of the bond. >> Correct. >> Mr. President, I'll make a motion to approve the 2026 bus replacement plan as presented. >> Motion by Mr. Mr. Leonard second Mrs. Neil to approve the bus replacement plan as presented. Any discussion all those in favor say I. >> I opposed the same motion carried. Thank you. Any other business hearing? None. Uh, do we have any visitors wish to stand up to the microphone and speak? My wife and I had a few questions asked regarding the occasion. At last month's meeting, I spoke about how we felt about
030this incident and what we thought would prevent something unfortunate happening again children or children in the community. My questions are as follows. Has the position quote unquote medical assistant job title change to better the job? Has there been protocol added to SOPs or standard operating procedure for the physician to recheck their child for any injury within set time? Has a new position added at the high school been filled that would allow the licensed nurse to be available for school? is the health aid position at the elementary school and intermediate school offer a CPR certification or basic life support or PAL if higher than any outcome. If CPR or basic life support certificate searchs are not offered, can we look at a way to see that anyone who holds the title of school health aid at
031all three locations are required upon hiring to complete these search and or the combination with the affordability accessibility of these certific decision. We feel as if we and other parents have felt much more comfortable knowing that this position held be served. We recognize and appreciate the changes that have been made thus far. However, we are not yet confident in the medical care within the school system and our goal is to continue the aspects and brainstorm of their school system policy and protocol to keep children safe for our people. >> Appreciate Thank you. I've got some answers if that works for you. U first off, thank you for for your role in what is going to ultimately make our school safer for every building. Um has the first question and and jump in if I uh
032has the position name changed? It has not yet. The reason why it has not changed yet is I've had the opportunity to have a conversation with our health department and the head of that health department, Daniel Fox. We are looking at what we can do to standardize not just the CPR um and the PAL different certification, but what can we do to standardize training for anyone in these roles across the county? Um, for example, if you are a an instructional assistant at any school in the state of Indiana, there is certain training that you have to go through to be able. Um, the idea that health assistants don't have that um, as you guys have pointed out is not right, crazy. Um, so we can't start with it statewide, but that is the hope that
033we get there. So we are starting through the health department to work on standardizing that. Um is it ready yet? No, it's not. Um has the policy of recheck changed in our district? Yes. Um and also has changed regarding falls of students. There's also a standard height, but if kid falls from a piece of equipment that it's taller than them, then they need a licensed medical professional to check them out and a parent needs call. Uh, no matter if there are any symptoms or not, they need to be checked. Parent need to be notified. The new position at the high school has been filled. Um, they do require CPR and PALS. Uh, and that like I said, we are working hopefully countywide to change that. Um, and hopefully have in place by we're hoping the
034first of the calendar year. I don't know if it's going to move that quickly or not, but we can't do it can't do it countywide. We're still going to work on it and do it district. Um, and yes, that new position has been filled and, uh, Tracy Smith is now much more free to respond to other buildings. So, um, I hope I've answered all of them. If I haven't, let me know. And, um, again, thank you guys for your help in in making this problem making it safe. >> Just one point of clarification. When you refer to the health department, you are talking about the county health department. >> Yes. Yep. Henry County Health. >> Thank you again. >> Anyone else? Yeah, that's a couple Yes. >> Um, I want to thank Papa for their
035donation. bring awareness change. Well, first of all, um I'd like to say congratulations to the 28 new members at the intermediate school that were inducted into the n our junior national uh honor society. That's great. 28's a lot in my opinion. Big number. So, congratulations. 28. Uh, another thing I want to thank Stephanie for all the hours that you put in for the budget. We appreciate you very much. And, um, also, I guess there were 11 KHS students that were honored with College Board National Recognition Re awards. That's a big thing too, isn't it? And uh I want to say thank you to Tri Kappa for the grant that you let us have. >> He's no dummy. >> Pardon me. >> I said he's no dummy. >> I'm very fortunate man to have her. >>
036Yes. And also I I don't know if this has been brought up before, but I want to thank Monica Van Hoy, all the helpers that go to the Carry Center for that Arsenal crab. We touch many, many children's lives. What maybe have as many as 80 or so to go there every month. And I think that is so fantastic. I really do. So anyway, I want to thank man Monica and all of her helpers. I know M Miss V is there a lot of times, probably all the time. She keeps things under control. But anyway, thank you very much. That's all I had. >> Um well, every day everybody. Um, you're all here. Um, I wanted to say thanks to Frank and that help the other night. Um the other thing about the first one
037struggle a little bit with this might be a really amazing but there were a lot of other people I just I struggle with that strength You're put together. Application. Amazing sound. There's always. I got one thing to add. I want to thank Nestell Elementary School for achieving a goal this board set years ago for 95% I ask. Thank you very much. My question to Jed two weeks ago was okay now we hit the goal two years early but where do we go from here but no >> okay >> the best part is they ended up 963 >> and she wasn't felt like it should be 9 days >> okay you can work for 98 next year >> so congratulations Um that was a challenge set by the uh Katie Jenner and the department of education
038to all schools across the state. This board adopted that goal of 95% by 2027 two years ago. So thank you all of them for making that happen two years early. Okay. Um, >> that was my big. >> Uh, thank you all for coming tonight. Thank you for your input. Please continue to be here to push to strive to make us better. That's the only way we improve is that the community's involved. So, thank you. Thank you for volunteering your time to the kid of this community. With that, everyone have a good evening. We are >> ajourned. That's it. Square.