001Our first business is to a pledge of allegiance. If everyone will stand, please. >> I pledge algiance 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. We stole your thunder. >> Oh, >> got ahead of yourself. >> Got ahead of myself. >> We can do it again. >> We're gonna >> I doubly >> I apologize. Jumped right into >> We are going to talk about it though, aren't we? >> So, we'll come back around to that. Uh, next is the adoption of the agenda. Mr. President, I move we adopt the agenda as presented. >> Mr. Alexander who second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Counts. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed.
002And I do want passes 40. I wanted to point out uh Mr. Daniels is not with us this evening. Has a had a family vacation going on this week. Okay. under recognitions and presentations. Our first one is CG Spotlight Middle School North. Now, Mr. Harp, Dr. Harp. >> Thank you, Mr. Russell, and members of the board. I'm thrilled to talk about three wonderful individuals. Uh here we have a student and a support staff member and one of our teachers. Um, just because I can't wait to talk about him, I'm going to talk about our student first. Um, Isaac Hayden is an eighth grader at Middle School North. He's an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates kindness, curiosity, and strong character in everything that he does. Uh through his involvement in national junior honors society uh and
003our awardwinning state ranked spellbo team uh Isaac has shown genuine passion for learning and contributing to his school community. He leads with a quiet confidence and a strong sense of right and wrong uh that positively influences everyone around him. Isaac is known for his quick wit and his sense of humor. Do you want to tell him a joke tonight? No. Okay. Uh, which make him a wonderful friend and classmate. Uh, he's a kind of student who's easy to root for and we are so proud to have him at Middle School North and, uh, he's got a bright future ahead of him. So, congratulations, Isaac. To my right here is uh, Victoria Hayes. And Victoria Hayes is uh she's been a valued member of our Middle School North team for the past three and a half
004years. Uh she has become an incredible support for all students, especially students with IEPs. Um the patience that she shows uh for our students, especially some of our most challenging uh students, even even behaviorally, uh is truly remarkable. Um she approaches each day with compassion and positivity and a great sense. She also has a great sense of humor um that makes our learning fun at our school. Victoria consistently comes to work prepared. She's very flexible and uh she's ready to collaborate. Uh she deeply cares for every student that she serves and works tire tirelessly to help them succeed. Victoria is a tremendous asset to our school and our corporation as a whole. Thank you, Victoria. And our teacher tonight is Amy O'Brien and uh Amy in the blue here. Amy is an outstanding seventh grade
005math teacher at our school. Uh she's been here for uh the past six years and she consistently demonstrates what it means to put students first. She is also a quiet leader um and has a remarkable ability to assess student learning, proi provide meaningful feedback and uh corrective instruction and then celebrate the achievement after that. Beyond the classroom, Amy sponsors our best buddies program. uh and she organizes monthly breakfast uh in our cafeteria uh with our cent skills tap students and um other peers. And these are truly just fantastic celebrations. Um good time had by all. She also leads our MSN sports and entertainment uh student journalism club and um through her club and her time. Uh she has told the story of Middle School North on our social media like we have never been able
006to before. So we're very proud of her for that. Her dedication, leadership, and care for students will make a and continue to make a lasting impact on our school community. So, thank you very much Amy O'Brien and to all three. >> Yeah, it's June that we don't do that. I'll do it. When you have kids like that, you have a great school and teachers, sorry, staff. Okay, next is the recognition and presentations. Our first one is the CG spotlight on Middle School North, which we just did. And Center Grove High School choir achievements, just a few. >> We'll turn that over to Mrs. Dice and Mr. Norman to come up and talk. I have a big long list of their accomplishments, but I think Mrs. Dice and Mr. Norman can cover those. So, >> I
007think they can. >> Well, thank you for for having us here today. Um, we are very proud to be representing our school. Um, this past year we've had some really exciting opportunities. First, I just want to give the opportunity to each of these kids to introduce themselves. They're all a part of our leadership council and so they'll tell you which group they're in, what grade they're in, and what their role is. >> Hi, my name is Ellen McMahon. I'm in Deb and I'm one of the company managers. >> I'm Wler. >> Hi, I'm Addie and I'm one of the managers of the city. Hi, Grace. >> A couple of the um neat experiences that we have had this year is with CG Singers. We were able to travel to New York City over fall break.
008Um we got to have a talkback with the Queens from Six. Um we worked with a vocal coach. We went to AMDA, did a dance class there. They got to see um three Broadway shows while they were there. They went and explored the city in terms of cultural um um icons as well. And so that was a really great experience for the 70 children in um CG singers. And then later that year or later that um semester, we were invited to sing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on their film series for Home Alone. So the students they the orchestra plays the soundtrack and the kids were the vocal soundtrack. So that was a really neat experience for them this year as well. And then for our varsity show choirs, um during our competition season and
009second semester, sound system and debts both had an undefeated season capped off at um show choir nationals in Nashville, Tennessee at the Grand Old Opry where they also both were named grand champions while they were there. Um and this capped a three-year mark of undefeated seasons for Sound System and a two-year mark for Dubton. Um, and so we've just had some great uh excellence in music education these last couple of years with these groups. >> No pressure to continue, >> no expectations in the future, >> but we just like to thank you for your continued support and um we it is our goal to provide our students with an exceptional education and music education. Um I think I said that right. exceptional experience in music education and um we appreciate everything you do to support
010us in that. Thank you. >> So, one comment before you guys run off. Um I didn't share this with either one of you, but I did something I don't >> I don't normally do. I walked out of the front of the house at the opery and there was a group of people walking out in front of Dana and I and everybody said, "Man, do you see that group from Center Grove?" And there and and the guy said it and then the guy was like, "Yeah, there was Center Grove, then there was everybody else competing for second that and these were people that were from totally different schools and the the bar I don't know how to explain this, but the bar that these guys set at these competitions when you're walking out and there's people
011from another another school talking about, well, yeah, there was everybody else competing for second place." And that was obvious with both groups this year. There was there was a difference in the level that Center Grove brought and the other schools were great, but Center Grove was here and that that's that's a legacy that's hard to hard to repeat. So, >> it is and really it's all due to the the hard work of our students. Um they really put in so much effort. Um and truly they just work out they outwork their competition. um and they put in countless hours and their dedication to the process and to the program is what has made us successful and will hopefully keep us successful in the future. But thank you >> and I just wanted to add it
012is not just learning the dance steps and the words to the song. These teachers teach what goes behind that music uh where maybe it came from and and about the illustrator and all that is is part of being in in the choir here. Same with orchestra. Um, you know, I will say in my day, we learned the notes, we started and ended at the same time. We were happy. >> It's very different now. >> They know a thing or two about music theory and sight reading. >> Scott, do you want this? >> Sure. Oh, we got it. >> This is We used to put our hands down after lunch. >> Okay. Our next uh rec recognition is the U high school orchestra string cretet. >> Mr. Dben, you want to do the introductions and speak
013about your accomplishments? >> Hello, my name is Mr. Chris Draven. Uh, and this is my first year as the orchestra director at Center Grove High School. Um, and I truly feel like I have the best job in the state right now. Uh these two groups represent two of the five quartets that we had uh that competed at the district level and then qualified for state and all seven of these earned a gold at state as well. Um this is Matthew Anko, Kayie Hersonson, Landon Spivey, uh Netri Christian, Ellen Noah, Cleo, uh Victor Zimmer, um and Jeff Sweeney. Uh and you both hear them play a Devorjac piece, uh and a Telmont piece. So we're really thankful and proud to have them be able to perform for you. Uh and then a big thing this year,
014it's been about 20 years Center Grove has had a full symphony orchestra combining the band and the strings. Um, and because of their hard work and doing a lot extra than it's been done in the past, uh, we put together a full symphony for the first time. Uh, performed at Christmas, took it to contest, uh, earned a gold rating there as well. So, we're very excited about what's going to happen in our future as well. >> We were very excited to hear about the gold this year. Uh, and I'm just going to say it. There's a whole new personality in the orchestra area among the kids, among the directors. So, we're looking forward to You've set the bar. Same with you guys. So, good luck. Okay. Okay. Our next order of business is public comments.
015>> No comments. >> Oh, and I see we have no comments. And next is our consent items. Do I have a motion? >> Mr. President, I move that we approve or I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> No discussion. >> Um, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> I. >> Motion passes three to one. Yeah. Three to one. >> Uh, next. >> Mr. or Mr. Russell, can I introduce someone tonight with us? Uh, I'd like to introduce uh the to the community and to the school board, Mr. Trent Morehead. Uh, Trent's here with his wife. Uh, I just read a little bit about him. He brings four years of head coaching experience from Hower High School in Hope, Indiana, where he built the
016program into one of the state's elite class A programs. In his time leading the Jets, he compiled an overall record of 79 and 27, including a 26 and3 mark this past season, the program's best since its 2006 state championship run. Under his leadership, Hower earned back-to-back semi-state appearances, three consecutive undefeated uh midser conference titles, two regional champ and two regional championships. He was also named the 2025 and 2026 who's your basketball coaches association district 3 coach of the year and along with being named a south team coach for the Indie Star boys all-star futures game this coming June. Uh Mr. Morhead holds a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics education from Indiana University. Sorry for you Purdue board members. Um but yay for us uh hooers. Uh but I think interesting enough that uh Trent comes
017from a one of Indiana's most storied coaching families. He's the grandson of Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Gus Morehead and the son of former South Dearborn head coach Rob Morehead who happens to be with us tonight as well making him a third generation basketball coach in the state. And his brother is also a basketball coach at South Dearbornne. So, uh, Trent and his wife Bri have a seven-month old daughter, Juliet, and they're also here with us tonight. But Mr. Morehead, you want to stand up? Do you want anything say anything? >> No, I appreciate that. Thank you. Uh, just and I and Juliet are thrilled to be joining the Centerrove family. Uh, just from a, you know, stand back perspective, obviously familiar with just the the success in athletics, but being here tonight, just
018a great reminder, the success and excellence and everything Senator has to offer. We couldn't be more excited to to join the community. Uh really thankful for Mr. Joe Bronella, Katie Fischer, Tracy McMahon, all the administrative team that has made me feel really welcome. Dr. Long as well, just making this a really smooth transition this spring. So blessed and fortunate and excited to be coming to Center Grove and excited to build high quality, high character young men in the basketball program uh that can represent Grove with pride on the basketball floor as well. So thank you for tonight and we're super excited. >> Thank you, Tracy and Joe. Tracy and Joe send their apologies. They're at B baseball senior night. You know how the end of the year is and so they couldn't tear themselves in
019half and split themselves, but they of course welcome you as well. So, >> were you going to say welcome? >> Is he teaching math, too? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I didn't catch that. I guess >> you know the whole degree from IU mathematics >> that part >> she'll be in first grade before you know it >> herself known tonight >> we got to get her from center >> do we have a cheerleader in the works here >> basketball >> okay uh cassim passed so our next is action item 7.1 approval of the adoption of curricular materials >> um >> who we pass uh Mr. Shannon Carol Fry and um Miss Megan Curtis that will they'll tag team this for both the secondary and the elementary piece. >> Well, thank you for the opportunity to
020bring a purchasing item to you again. Um as is the annual tradition. Yes, I know. I know Mr. Alexander's got good questions. Hopefully, we've prepared a succinct and uh good explanation for you. question. >> Um what you are going to see is >> first slide the challenge right to provide high quality curricular materials within the funds provided by the state. I believe Dr. Taylor is going to address that a little bit later in this brief presentation, but we want to just um that might lead you to the question, why even purchase them, right? We have onetoone devices. We are very blessed. We have had Canvas for a long time. Um we have high quality teachers. Why do we need to purchase those additional resources? And the picture that's on the screen, if you can see
021it, it's the Buffalo Bills Wild West. We do not want our students experience to be the wild west. We need to provide and Dr. Simmers has has you know really championed this work, right? We want to provide highquality curricular materials that support the implementation of a guaranteed and viable experience for our students across all learning experiences. We also want to acknowledge that our teachers are juggling many many things. They are humans too. You will see them in the grocery store. They do need to go to their children's baseball or basketball games and be able to have a high quality of balance of life. And providing those curricular materials for them allows them to have a resource that they can lean into to be able to help provide that high quality curricular um experience that's consistent
022across settings. So, how do we address reducing spending? if it's not going to be that we're not going to purchase things, how can we pull back? And so some of the things that you're going to see us um having done this year at the high school level um in as many ways as possible, if we can keep our current paper materials, we are doing that. If we uh need to purchase materials, we are doing our best to purchase class sets instead of onetoone, which again, we can still lean into the Canvas course materials. So, this doesn't mean we're leaving students without resources, but if we can, we're pulling back to class sets. If we have novels, which this year is English language arts at the secondary level, so we have novels. That is typically if
023you have, and I know several of you have kids that have gone through the high school, right? If you're in some of those higher level courses, sometimes you've had multiple novels that have been necessary. There are still times when we need to prioritize buying consumable novels. Kids still need paper at some points, but whenever possible, we're going to invest in hardcover sets that we can check out and reuse from year to year. Which means this year we may have a higher level or a higher expense, but Romeo and Juliet, we are not going to stop teaching. And a student doesn't need to annotate every novel. So, there are ways that we're still giving them paper. We're still um investing in things that that are high quality, but we will be able to reuse them for
024hopefully longer periods of time. We also at the middle school, oh, also we're reducing consumables like workbooks when we can. Um you will see that in some of our adoptions, we're suggesting a three-year period for consu for purchasing a consumable workbook. That three-year period over a six-year adoption cycle allows us enough time to have a good exemplar, use the pieces from that exemplar to set us up a good scope and sequence, not copy the material, but invest in our teachers in that time to build out our own resources, whether it be in Canvas or some other resource, and then by the end of year three, be ready to let go of that consumable or come back to you and say, "Look, Just like we said with novels, there are sometimes we have to have this,
025but so you'll see a three-year purchase instead of six, which obviously also reduces the cost. >> The question, >> yes, of course. >> Sorry to interrupt, but if you're going to pull back on workbooks, is it going to cause a lot more worksheet to be copied? >> That is some a process we can't have happen. Otherwise, we're not seeing the cost savings, right? >> That's what I'm Yeah, absolutely. That that's Mr. Russell. We have to in that process we have to identify um a replacement that doesn't require a paper if it requires a paper copy we have to then go back and look at was it more costefficient >> for us to right so those are the conversations that we will have and having a three-year period of time to make that um allows us
026to bring back to you in three years a a viable and reasonable request hopefully it's that we're we're we've planned well and we're able to stop making that purchase. But if it isn't, we will make that request if it's in students best interest. At the middle school level, you're going to see that we've invested, we've made an opposite um direction. We're actually not seeking to purchase paper textbooks and instead we're looking at a digital only. Now that may sound counterintuitive based on the reasons I just gave you for high school, but the reason is that um for middle school language arts, the digital product that we are recommending which is into literature from HMH also has assessments and those assessments can be analyzed if we use their assessments down to the standards level. As you
027know, iLearn goes through grade eight. So, by offering the digital product and not partnering with paper, we're saving the paper side of it and we're able to have a curricular resource that we believe is better to prioritize digital in in middle school. >> So, do the classrooms still have a classroom set of books from long >> when we need those paper resources? The same answer as I gave you before, Mr. Russell. it it's going to be that we make sure that we have the paper resource if we need it in the classroom. The the types of um again you're going to see that we're still investing in hardcover novels. So there are key texts that we're going to need to have paper for but we we believe that we have the resources that we need
028in paper already and we'll be able to do well with the digital. >> We all know get them in a book. >> Yep. No. So true. I love that you are on to the SO stuff. I'm pretty sure that this lady appreciates that too. So, I've given you a little bit already about the curricular materials. I want to point out you have this in your board packet and for those that are watching online, the board docs does include the list of actual materials. I will you can't read it right now so I'm not going to bother having it up on the screen long but you will see HMH again is the recommended resource for middle school that is on the Indiana highquality u curricular materials list which we are required to adopt from um for
029um language arts adoptions at this point at the middle school level and again I already talked about some of the things that we're doing to pull back in in our in uh costs The other thing English at the high school I also talked about that again you have a link and you received it in your board materials. This has multiple departments on it. So you'll see if you look on the left there there are many pages. I am not going to make you dizzy by pulling that up. So let me just hop back to the slideshow and talk a little bit about world language which I had not talked about yet. So world language is one of those areas where they felt they could keep their paper materials. That has been a huge cost savings
030for us. Um it is not every course that we've been able to do that. The um AP exam for instance has been updated for uh AP French and AP Spanish. As a result, we need to make sure that our scope and sequence is going to align to that preparation for those students. So there are some um materials that are not a readoption but whenever possible the way we reduced was by keeping our materials that we have um and I really appreciate and I want to highlight um Christy Fleck is the world language department chair and Josh Surface is the English department chair. Those leaders worked very hard to um really review our current materials and the materials that were out there to make a recommendation that would be fiscally responsible and also not shortsighted in
031our ability to support high continued highquality curriculum. So, um I most of the other things that I've talked about on there are the are the same um strategies for reducing costs. Um and then the last thing is there are always a few courses that are not a complete department. We may have had a course that uh came to us as a new course off cycle from their department. And again, we have a variety of publishers. Um and and whenever possible, we're prioritizing our language arts and our math materials because of their importance to accountability. Um, and so whenever possible in those other courses, we're keeping our materials and um, purchasing class sets. And that takes us to elementary. And I'm going to be very brief because uh, this year we were just looking at a
032science and social studies curriculum or resource curricular resource. And so what we did um was I put out a survey to our teachers and based on that survey data um from our teachers based on the current adoptions that we have for science and social studies um that feedback coming back to us was that that the the resources that we currently had they were not really utilizing or loving. Uh and so when we went to look at it because of the science of reading in our curriculum maps and trying to embed all of those materials together uh we started to look at some they needed text contentbased knowledge to build that content background. So what we started to look at was Newella. They were looking for those those richbased articles that were differentiated. Uh so we
033went out to Newella and they had a science or STEM science and then social studies two different areas. And so, um, you will see on the board report that there are two different documents. And so, in order for us to be fiscally responsible when you start looking at that cost, we're going to look at a two-year u recommendation for New Zella as a digital resource as well. Um, this is what this is what our teachers are asking for right now to really embed that reading and writing um with that content knowledge and non-fiction uh and see how that goes. And then that will also lead us to uh an adoption in a couple of years for ELA. So that'll give us that option to be able to look at what is that on that high
034curricular materials list. Uh so we really wanted to be fiscally responsible in thinking about what what are our teachers using? Are they using what we currently have? They they weren't. Um, and the other piece to that I'm I want to mention is that there was a lot of discrepancies like kindergarten and first grade were using something different than what our second, third, fourth, fifth grade were using as well. And so again, when we talk about the wild, wild west, right? Like trying to just really align and get everybody on the same page. Um, and so that was really important to me to make sure that everybody was on the same page. And so creating those uh overviews for science, creating those over overviews for social studies. Nuzella has been really great to work with. They're
035um going to help embed those those state standards with us um and finding those resources to align for our teachers. So we're really excited um about the opportunities >> about consistency of materials, especially >> uh kindergarten, first grade, and second because of the testing now. >> Yes. >> Consistency has got to be >> Yeah. So Mr. Russell, to your point, the accountability model is going to be really important. And so they not only in our instructional minutes, they will have 25 minutes to teach uh science and social studies every day, but now also we're going to embed that content within the reading block as well. The reading and our reading block is also going to contain our writing block as well. So they're going to build that background knowledge in that block and then also
036then teaching it separately in that 25 minutes as well. And it's really important. So yeah, so we don't have a slide for this, but I just want to and and before we say thank you really big, um I want to make sure that you know that we did follow the the required protocol of posting that our materials were re are downstairs and they are available and today we had a community member come and look at them and that was very reassuring because it doesn't always happen. So we really appreciate that. >> Isn't there a committee? How many committees? >> There's a committee in there. Oh, >> that has community members. >> The entire department works with the with all of the courses. Absolutely. And reaches out to parents to make sure that they have had
037a chance to review. We of course include looking at bias. We look at making sure cultural relevancy is a part of them. We look at um outside sources such as ed reports and of course the Indiana high quality materials list that needs to be there. That's just my question every year. >> Yeah. No, I appreciate >> who makes up the committee. >> Yes, these are important. >> So, I I just have a couple of questions and I not a school teacher, but I was an accountant in a former life. So, >> I was just curious about, you know, since some of these things are on this kind of three-year cycle, like what is year two? Is it 5% less, 10%? Do you have like projections or are you able to do that? So we purchase
038upfront. Yeah. >> So when we're recommending a three-year, we are purchasing now materials andor access if it's digital that will last that entire period. >> So if on your list it says um for instance on the elementary it said two-year that digital access we will pay now. There will not be additional funds that we will have to spend next year. Is that your question? >> Not exactly but you're close. So it I was just trying to get a sense of so in year two when you've already paid this year are we is it 10% cheaper? Is it >> it's it's 15 like if if it's $15 one year 15 >> I mean total >> so it's $2 million is what we have as the total right as our shortage. Am I reading this right? >>
039Yeah. I'm looking to talk about >> I haven't seen that. >> Okay, I'll just wait. I'll just wait. >> But I will tell you that it is um it is important to understand about the purchasing that. So this year is English language arts. >> Next year social studies >> so you can't just assume correct that's what I was trying to figure out. So each year the state used to have a required sixyear cycle and everybody like departments went on that and then that has >> that is no longer a requirement. However, fiscally >> we can't just all of a sudden buy new books for every department. So we've maintained at the secondary level we've maintained that okay so next year is social studies and we will do that same review process where again I will
040be challenged by several by by everyone right to reduce costs wherever possible and and yet provide a high quality consistent curricular resource. Okay, I'll pick on Jason. Thank you. Thank you. I'm just kidding. >> Any other questions? >> Oh, I will, but they're mostly going to be for Dr. Taylor. >> Okay. >> Because everybody knows why this is my favorite motion I make every year about the about the funding. And >> thank you for all your work. >> Oh, of course. It's teachers. >> It is. >> Sorry, Dr. Taylor. I'm about to steal your I'm about to steal your positive note. Did I hear sit down? I'd be happy to sit down. >> I will say to answer Miss Dunigan's question, Dun's question, um, we do look at a one, three, or sixyear option, sometimes
041two-year. The six year is always the most attractive. They don't reduce year-over-year. And honestly, when we go down to three, it goes up. >> Their price structure is still archaic and build on a six year adoption cycle. >> Um, and it's very difficult to manage. Um, and so that's why we have this slide. Um about three years ago, the state um did remove the burden of paying textbook fees by parents. Um and they decided to give the corporations an amount of money for that. They were limited in their funding and they've continued to be limited. Um this most current year they took that funding out of an additional fund or or or bucket um and put it directly into the education fund. Um you can see in the blue column the money that comes from
042the state. It's $158 per student and how that plays out across our three levels. Um, you can also then see our average cost per student across the three levels. And that does vary a lot from student to student. Um, I'll be honest, the rising costs in here are these software subscriptions and the devices the students use. They have both been highly impacted over the last two years and continue to grow at a rate that is making it difficult to reduce these cost. I will also say the slide I have up does not include any of the reductions that these two ladies and their teams have been working on this year. This is data from the fall um that we report now. We'll do it again next year for you. Um but it's everything we had
043spent in a fiscal year really. And so I wanted to share it with you in that forum. You will see the bottom line bottom far right column is the shortage in this area. So we we have tried to reduce these fees every year. you'll see the funding was about half of what we needed per student and it remains at that level. And so what we're forced to do is make up that shortage because we don't want to do without these resources and that money comes from the education fund and the majority is coming now from debt service as it's really going to the devices and software. >> So there is I want to ask this there are students that are still going to have charges >> at this time. We'd really only charge for lost
044or damaged. We would charge for college credit and some really special unique situations. We have not returned to charging any types of fees. It is something we will continue to consider year after year and many of our neighbors and around Marian County have decided to start charging additional fees back. We are still charging very charge because of >> Yep. >> a unique situation. >> Correct. It's typically loss or damage that we're charging the most for. But but some courses just have that extra >> Yeah, dual credit is a good example. That's that student and family's choice. And so we do pass that fee along. It's not a requirement that we have to graduate from here at this time. That may change um as some other things change, but that is one that we do still
045pass along some of those college related fees. Okay. >> Wish we did. >> Any any hope for additional funding from our friends at the state? >> No, no, no, no. Nope. And um our best strategy is to keep reducing that total cost by by student and that's what we're doing, right? >> Um and we're establishing goals to keep working that down every time we adopt, but we're still going to prioritize what we have to have to provide the exceptional educational experience. >> Any other thoughts? No, I I as always, I appreciate the work that the teachers and and the directors and the curriculum department put into this. I know it's a lot of effort and a lot of work and my protest in this every year is the lack of funding from the state. So,
046>> do you feel like groundhog day because you just stop on one and start over? >> And as long as you say yes, I love it. It's not your fault that you know I continue to protest as we can't make any headway with the state. So >> yeah. So do I have a motion? >> I'll move the board approve the adoption of the curriculum materials and associated fees as presented. >> I second. >> Thank you Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Counts. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes 40. Next 7.2 Two, the approval of the 2026 27 school calendar adjustment. >> Dr. T. >> Thank you, Mr. Russell. >> Pass. Pass. >> Yeah. >> This evening, we're recommending a revision to the proposed 2026 2027 school calendar to
047begin the school year by using two performance qualified student waiver days. Um, this would result in a change for the first day of students. They would be in attendance now on Wednesday, August 5th. That's the official first day of school for students. Um, these days would be used for staff professional development, all staff meetings, and classroom preparation for the school year. We know how valuable that time is for our teachers. Historically, we've used one waiver day to begin each semester. And this year, we will actually just use two to start, recommend using two to start the first semester and not starting the second semester with a waiver day. We will still have a built-in teacher work day before the second semester, but we will not use a waiver day. And so for 2026, both waiver
048days will be used to to start the school year beginning beginning and none in the second semester. This does maintain um 178 student instructional days and due to the performance waiver that we did receive notice we received again this year. I received that earlier this week were able to turn in our instructional minutes instead of number of days and that's what makes us available as state accountability has come back. This is something that we continue to watch. We do keep the waiver days until accountability rules kick back into place. So as we discuss this moving forward, we will look at another type of waiver day if we have to. Um, and we'll we'll navigate that path down the road if we need to. But for for the next school year, we do have those granted
049and we will put them to great use. And that's our recommended recommendation this evening. Miss Leslie has it up on the screen as well for you. >> I think it's important, Dr. Taylor, that these are student waiver days. They're they're not teacher waiver days because teachers are contracted for set amount of days. And so these are just for the students. Our our staff will still work. Correct. I like the idea of two days for the staff. >> Yeah, >> it's just I like that they can have their time in their classroom but also their meetings and get a lot out of the way before students at the building. >> That's one of the things that we heard from our teachers and guiding coalition when we talk about this is that was one of their requests.
050So, you know that this is meets the teachers where they ask us to be. >> Good. That's a great point and I appreciate you bringing that up, Dr. Long. We did work with the guiding coalition on this particular topic. We worked actually multiple meetings with them on future calendars and that's something we are going to bring back in in next school year. Right now, this is the last approved calendar that we have for the board. And so, we will be working on that over the summer and gathering more input as we talk about future calendars. >> Any other discussion? >> No, I'm good. >> Do I have a motion? I move to approve the 2627 school calendar as presented. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Denigan Smith, and thank you, Mrs. Counts. All those
051in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion passes four to zero. 7.3, the approval of the supplemental personnel report. >> Thanks, Mr. Russell. The board's asked to review and approve the supplemental personnel report, which outlines recommended additions, changes, and updates to staffing outside the standard personnel cycle. Uh, this action item includes temporary, part-time, or seasonal positions, as well as adjustments necessary to support operational needs. Approval of this report will authorize the administration to proceed with the outlined personnel actions. Recommending the board approve this. Thank you, Dr. Long. Do I have a motion? >> I'll move that the board approve the supplemental personnel report as presented. >> Thank you, Mr. Alexander. >> Second. >> And thank you, Mr. Denigin Smith. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those
052opposed. >> Motion passes 40. 7.4. The approval of the bids for the Centerrove High School construction lab renovation. >> Thank you, Mr. Russell. This is part of our continuing project, multi-year project to renovate our schools as needed for additional elbow room. And this time we have some need in our construction labs. It's a very successful program at the high school and we are going to expand the current construction lab um to make more room for more students and more equipment in there. Um we're also working for future phases in that area, but this is the one that we're ready to work on this summer. So after a thorough evaluation, the administration recommends awarding contracts to SCS Construction Services Incorporated for the general trades, Harold Fish LLC for the mechanical plumbing and fire protection, Maverick Electrical
053Solutions for the Electrical Techn and Technology. They were the lowest and most responsible and responsive biders with a total base bid of $356,425. Recommendations based on the bidder's qualifications, experience with similar projects, and adherence to the project specifications. Pending approval this evening. Work will begin as early as June 1st with an expected completion date of July 26th and funding from this will be sourced from the bonds that we did issue and sell last school year. We're recommending this with for approval this evening. >> Go ahead. >> I'm sorry, Dr. Taylor. I didn't catch Will this be ready to go next school year? >> It will be and they're okay with a little bit of dust, so they gave us till July 26th. All right. But yeah, it'll just be moving in the equipment at that
054time. It's okay. It's it's not a heavy renovation. It's just the duct work for the machines that we're reusing and moving around. >> Are we getting new machines? >> A few additionals and a few they actually don't use as much that they want to remove. Their goal is to get more space inside. If you've been by in the past couple weeks, we got a nice little wood shop outside in the parking lot there. Um they're building some actual storage units for some of our elementary schools to store equipment um for snow removal. So, it's been a great process. We build some picnic tables around the corporation, too. We're buying the supplies, the kids are putting them together, and then we deliver them. >> Makes sense. Yeah, it's working great. >> Construction. >> Do we have
055any idea how many additional students will be able to >> I don't have that answer. I'd be happy to follow up with that though. I just >> they're overcrowded now. So probably just accommodating what they have. >> I know they're overcrowded now. So >> yeah, the the next phase we talk about will be an additional that will even help more. >> This will help with the crowding and then Okay. >> Make for more a safer environment with more room to work during the elements. >> Any other discussion? Do I have a motion? >> Mr. President, I motion to approve the bids for the CGHS construction lab renovation. >> Thank you, Mrs. Counts. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Duncan Smith. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >>
056All those opposed. Motion passes 40. And finally, 7.5, the first reading of amended policy 5136. Dr. Long or right to you, >> Mrs. Murray will present that. Mrs. Murray, >> um, this amended board policy aligns with the new Indiana law, SA78, and this limits the student use of personal wireless communication devices from bell to bell school day. This will help reduce distractions and support student learning. Students are able to bring their devices to school but must have them powered off and stored away in a locker or a backpack. Um, however, we know that some students who might have a medical need or an accommodation, an IEP or 504 will be able to use that as approved um in their buildings. We recognize that this represents a significant change for both our students and families. So,
057we will work on communicating the updated policy um next steps once this has been formally approved. In addition, we will make sure to spell out the language in our handbook um to match this as well. And we will bring that handbook to you next month to be approved. And then we'll also bring back the second reading um of this policy to follow the law. >> Any questions? >> I'm sorry, which handbook are we talking about? >> Next June, I will bring June board meeting, I will bring all of our handbooks, which will include more detail. In addition to the board policy, we will also be putting it in our handbooks for parents and students. And I'm assuming once it's approved, there's a communication plan to go out to the Stacy. >> Yep. >> To the
058parents ahead of the school year. >> Yep. Stacy has already been working on some visuals just to share what's been changed, what's different, what's new, and um what will be allowed for next school year. >> Exciting. >> I appreciate that's one of the reasons we brought this now to give us time to to do the two readings and to communicate that out to our our families because it is a big change uh for our kids and our families. Any other >> any other questions? >> Do I have a motion? >> No motion. >> This is this is first reading. I'm sorry. First reading. >> Okay, that's the last of our action items. Uh on the back, the announcements we have May 31st is the Sen Grove High School graduation at the Race Gilman Stadium. Hopefully
059the rain will not make an appearance. June 18th is the public works session at 4 pm at the ITC learning hub. June 18th is the executive session immediately following the public work session. And June 18th is the regular board meeting which is here. The other two are over at the ITC. Any comments? Mrs. Counts? >> I think none for me. >> Okay. Um Mrs. Reiko, do we are all the books digitized now? >> No, not yet. >> Yeah, the second half has already since been sent, right? Yeah. And we are working on the um hall of fame situation for alumni. Um Mr. Alexander, >> no comments. >> Mr. Russell, I would like to acknowledge Mrs. Sierra Hunter before she leaves this evening. She's um not a new us, but she is joining the elementary team
060as the new assistant principal at Pleasant Grove Elementary. So, I did want to make sure that she was here. >> You were at you were at North, right? >> Yes, >> you were at North. Yeah, >> are you doing a tour of the buildings? >> We'll see what we could do. Anyway, well, welcome. Good good luck in your new position on that one. >> So, as I see nothing else, meeting Jim >> and we have signing to do. Oh, well, >> well, he'd like to talk to