001[Music] Good evening. I have 5:30. I will call the uh school board meeting to order. Roll call. All board members present as she's here. Uh this time I would invite everyone [Music] 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. [Music] Yeah. Thank you. Um I'm going to start off. Uh we're we're waiting on Max from it, so hopefully he'll come uh as they're talking. But yeah, just like I've done the last several years. Um I invited four of our uh student leaders here at the high school who are involved in a variety of different activities uh that they'll share with you, but I think it's important just to get their perspective um you know, the
002things they experienced here during their four years. They're also uh a part of my student leadership team here at the high school. So, we meet monthly uh do do a lot of leadership training and then also um gives them give them an opportunity to share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas on on how to make our our school better. Actually, Max is running down the hallway, so that's um new. Also, this year, uh after that, I'm going to have four of our teachers come up. I I strategically picked teachers who have spent their entire career at Crawford'sville. Uh some who are brand new right out of college, some who have a lot of one who has a lot of experience but is relatively new to Crawford'sville and then one who's transitioning. So I want them to
003also just kind of share a little bit about their school year and then I I am I'm going to honestly keep it to like three minutes. I just want to give a brief update. Yeah, Jenny's going to time it. two already. This doesn't count. This is just the introduction. Uh because I do want to give a quick update on the new diploma. Just kind of talk about where we're at with our planning and and uh what we're thinking moving forward. So, at this time, I'm going to ask all four of our student leaders to come up and uh I'll let them introduce themselves and they'll share a little bit about their experience. How are you doing today? Okay. Hi everybody. I'm Lily Hmel and I'm the granddaughter of Jerry Overman and Rick and Debbie Chapatello.
004And I'm heavily involved in school and the activities that Crawfordville High School has to offer. I've been a member of the volleyball team, the gymnastics team, and the track team for all four years of high school, as well as a four-year member of student council and numerous other clubs. I'm also an enlisted member in the Indiana Army National Guard. My plans for next year include taking a gap semester to go to basic training and AIT training at Fort Sil in Oklahoma. And then I will be attending Purdue University studying law and society on the pre-law track when I get home. Crawfordville has assisted me in making very big life decisions by offering the CTE program through West Central CTE. And it was through taking my criminal justice CT that I got to confirm my love
005for criminology. It helped me meet my army recruiter and it has set up a lot for me to like move down the right path. There have been multiple staff members who have had a positive impact on me. Whether it be Mrs. Scaring pushing me to be my best in the weight room and the best athlete I can be or Mrs. Fuller and Miss Grace challenging me in the classroom or Mr. Strickland and Mr. Bart challenging me to be a better leader for my peers in the athletic arenas and in the hallways. What has been most important to me though is how every teacher I have had and every staff member I've come into contact with has treated me like a child of their own. It has always stood out to me how the staff at
006CHS treat their students. It's no secret that my life has not been a cakewalk and my best example of this kindness is this year. In September, I went through the loss of my mom. Being a teenage girl in her senior year of high school and so much life left to live, it makes it really hard. I found out after a volleyball game and I got comfort from my coaches and my teachers who were also like a family to me. But it was most important to me how Mrs. Fenwiter, Mrs. Tubby and Mr. Chandler and Miss Mrs. Chandler and Mr. Strickland were all checking up on me the next day making sure that I was okay. They reminded me that CHS just isn't just a place to learn and grow in education, but also a place
007to grow and prosper relationships. I got cards from teachers and friends and they continued to help me see through the rough time. It's moments like these that I remember for the rest of my life. and those relationships that I'll carry with me throughout the rest of my time at CHS and after graduation. That's Hi everyone, my name is Ellie Walker. I'm the daughter of John and Jodie Walker. Um at CHS I'm involved in many different things. Most notably, I'm the captain on the volleyball, swim, and track and field team. I'm also president of spirit club and vice president of student council, the senior class, and national honor society. Next year, I plan to attend the Air Force Academy and pursue a career as a pilot. Actually, this month I received my final confirmation, so fingers
008crossed that everything works out. I credit my experience at CHS, both academically and athletically, second only to my family and shaping me as the individual I am today. I've made many connections and gain an experience that will benefit me well into my future. One of the most impactful takeaways I've gathered is the ability to adapt and thrive when change occurs. Freshman year, we started with masks on, a brand new principal, Mr. Strickland. I was in a new building and I had all new coaches for my sports. The change didn't stop as a freshman either. Each year there were new teaching changes, retirements, and my own p passions and interests changed as well. At another school, I may have struggled to overcome these challenges and fallen behind. But at CHS, due to the leadership and example
009set by upper classmen and teachers, a few notable names being Mrs. Beach, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Race, and Mrs. Gearing, I was able to learn and grow from the changes happening around me. Another reason I was able to thrive at CHS was because of the community school spirit and pride shown. An example of the impact the spirit had just this year was at the Sugar Creek Classic. Our basketball team was young and we were definitely not favored to win yet they ended up on top classic champions which was coincidentally the game where we had the most student involvement in the pep session and it was also one of my favorite memories of senior year. I believe that school spirit and morale were paramount during my time at CHS. It truly is what sets Crawfordville apart from
010other McGomery County schools and beyond. It makes me proud to be a student here. Overall, I enjoyed my time at CHS. Others may not say the same, but it's hard to not enjoy if you get involved and take pride in your school. Teachers, coaches, and administrators are always rooting for you and working for the benefit and success of their student. This leads to peers wanting each other to succeed, promoting a culture of success in sports and school, ultimately leading to graduates who contribute to society. This fulfills the motto, enter to learn and go forth to serve. Thank you for letting me share my experience. Hello, my name is Nyra Bard. I'm a senior here at Crawfordville in sorry, Croville High School. I'm the daughter of Spencer and Chante Chastine and I intend to go to
011Purdue next year to major in pharmaceutical sciences and later maybe achieve my mers in public health. Um, before coming or even entering high school, I didn't really know what I wanted to do in life. But something that I really value about our school here is just the endless amounts of resources and opportunities that they've granted for each and every student to prosper outside of high school. Like for example, the job fair that was hosted here today. Um last maybe like a few months ago, they talked about new core for people that didn't want to go to college after school and like the thousands and thousands of emails I've achieved from my counselors about specific and just like um just college offers for my major that I wanted to do. Um whether that be, you know,
012a student's specific major or their ethnicity or groups that they um you know identify themselves with. And to uh dig deeper into ethnicity, I am a proud Haitian and Bahamian student here at Crawfordville High School. I came from Avon Middle School. So, I had a huge culture shock coming to Crawfordville, but I didn't feel alone for too long because just maybe a month or two of my freshman year here, um former pre I mean, sorry, Principal Melon and current principal Strickland like they were very quick to help redevelop the diversity club here. um that helped um we also started uh celebrating Black History Month more um what was it um or Hispanic Heritage Month and then it also helped us develop um culture night which we'll be celebrating later on this year where the French
013club and Spanish club and diversity club will come together to celebrate our differences all together. So that's something that's great. And one last thing that I really really value about this school is just how every single student has an opportunity to shine no matter where that is. To say that I could do band and to be like cheer captain and to also be a track star all at once is just something that I could never imagine. I always thought I had to choose one, but they made it an option. They made it possible here and I just love that. Like whether you want to do fine arts or you want to do, you know, sports or academics, there's a spot for you here in Crawfordville to shine. I'm so proud to graduate as an Athenian.
014I wouldn't want to graduate as anything else. Thank you. All right. Uh I'm my name is Max Brummit. My I'm the son of Kyle and Stephanie Brummit. Uh these three have summed up our experience at CS pretty well. Stole a lot of my talking points. So um you know one of the things that I have valued most about CHS and and Ellie put it perfectly is the culture of success. Um, I have been able to develop and grow as a leader here at CHS unlike anything else that I've I've ever experienced. I'm a captain on the soccer and cross country and track teams. I'm class president. I'm president of student council. I'm the president of our new youth civic engagement council. I I've gotten to uh start my own uh community service organization through ESL
015Extending Education and all of these different opportunities that I've been able to take advantage of and grow from are just so unique to to this tight-knit of a community. Um, you know, I'm not going to take you through all the same things that they already said, but it's just been such a wonderful opportunity for me to to grow in in every single area of my life, in the classroom, in my academics, in my athletics, uh, in my community service, my community leadership. Uh, and each of those different pit stops, each of those different activities has allowed me an avenue to grow as a leader. and and that is the the thing I think is most unique about Crawfordville High School through athletics. I get a chance to meet and uh you know associate with a
016lot of different student athletes, a lot of different leaders, captains from other schools and I have yet to find a school with such dedicated leaders, such people so dedicated to their sport and to their teammates and I think that culture here at CHS has really shaped who I am as as a young man and who I I know I will be uh through the next four years. Um, I plan to go to Wabash and study uh premed uh and with a minor in Spanish uh and hopefully you at the end of my four years enter into an MD/PhD program to help with drug development. That's my my passion and CHS has been such a wonderful place to grow that passion to explore my interests. Uh and I I could not be happier with my four
017years here. Thank you all for your time. Here we go. Sorry. Sorry. I want to thank each of you for your testimony here. I would say and I think I speak for the entire board. Your testimony today reminds us why we serve as school board members and the the success stories that you all share. We really appreciate hearing. So, thank you very much. Thank you. I want to thank you guys. [Music] Good luck. Old to young or young to old. Young old. [Music] All right. So, I had a spiel, but after that, like I mean, if I get to walk in the doors, first of all, 25 years. If you count 26, cuz I student taught for Larry Pile in the exact room that I'm in. I know. God bless him. He was a great
018mentor. But I get to walk in and teach kids like that. I've had my you I've had all of your children. I love science. You guys give us the ability to the freedoms. Um we have great leaders that you've helped hire. I mean, it's just an incredible place with relationships that we can make with these kids. Um, I mean I I could have probably gone somewhere else over the 25 years, but there was never never an inkling that I would want to do that. And I tried to tell our young ones and I tried to tell the ones coming in and ones that I had as students that this is the place to be just because of not just the relationships with the students but with the board. I can go to any of you,
019talk to any of you, um, admin, Jay, you know, Chris, anybody. So, it's just a really special place. So, there went that. That was not what I was going to say, but after hearing them, I had to just comment. It's just a great place to teach. Um, my name is Payton Sudter. Um, if I haven't met you before, I know a lot of you guys already, obviously. I've had some of you guys as teachers and coaches and other things like that. So, um, just to hit on a couple of main points. Um, the one reason that I am here is because I am introduced to teaching. Um, as far as help that I've received during that throughout this year, it's been great. Um, Jay has provided me with a lot of resources on how to
020get the ball rolling on that. And then as far as actually executing it, um, and I'll say the same thing about the department math-wise, but like I can lean on Craig, Carol, um, Montgomery, Fenomore, these have all been really, really, really good people who've been helping me get through this program and get set up and get in the right direction as far as that is concerned. Um, the way my year's gone, like I said, it's very, very collaborative here at Crawford'sville. if I have any problems with anything or just a question in general. Um, being hired the way I was, I naturally had a lot of questions in general and I was able to lean on people like Mrs. Fuller, Turner, um, Carol as well, even though it's was his first time here. He was
021even an amazing help to me. Um, I've been able to bounce everything off Mr. Strickland. um whenever I get feedback from him, his door is always open for me to go down there and receive more feedback or if I disagree with the point, I can discuss that with him in a manner to where like I don't feel intimidated or I feel scared. Like I feel like there's open doors all throughout the office. And then um as far as like my why as to why I would do this, it kind of builds off what a lot of the kids testified up here. Um when I was in high school and middle school, um I wanted to be here. Um, I don't know if every student can say the same thing, but I didn't want to be
022at home. I didn't like the way it was at home. And I didn't like the adults I had in my life at home. The adults that I had in my life here, like Beach, like Strickland, like Mrs. Swick, like Sean Gerald, like uh Lisa Warren, all these different kinds of people were the ones that led me in the right direction and made me feel like I was doing the right thing and I could, you know, achieve more than what was going on at home. And if I could provide that to one kid, I mean, that's more fulfillment than I'll get at work in any other job, especially when I can do it at the place that made it possible for me to be successful. So, that's all I have. Thank you. Um, I'm Jenny Sims.
023Um, this is my third year in Crawford'sville and one of the questions that we were given to contemplate is, you know, why CHS? And I just have to tell you, I can kind of sum it up in a couple words. Living the dream. Um, I've been a lot of places in, you know, my 26, 27 years of teaching, and this by far is hands down from top to bottom the best place I have ever experienced education. Um, one because it's it's a family here at CHS. We take care of each other. We don't just help each other with our academics. We genuinely care and respect each other as professionals. We care about each other as people. Um, thank you is common. Shout outs, cheers, and you know, and that starts with leadership. We start every
024faculty meeting with shout outs where we get to recognize each other for for great things we do that maybe you wouldn't see or it it's not something that's going to make it out on a report or show up on data, but it's something that's we notice about each other that we know that is special that they do for kids. um the collaborative and open safe environment to have those professional discussions and really dig in and debate and figure out um Jay has always challenged us he he inspects what he expects and it's that continuous improvement of okay we can always improve what can we get better at how can we get better at um but there's a lot of grace in that so as we muddle through and and we have those discussions and we're
025figuring out what is the best way to do it. Um the question that always starts every conversation here is what's best for kids? How is this going to support kids? How is this going to help improve their life? And the personal relationships that um there is not a teach a kid in this building that doesn't have a teacher that they can connect with. And we all know that relationships is a huge piece of education and that's something that I see in droves here at Crawford'sville schools. Um the programming that we can offer, every kid has a pathway to success. Whatever their division, their goal or their definition of success is, there's a way and there's a team of people around them, whether it's from their teachers collaborating with, you know, mental health or with counselors
026or with admin coaches to make sure that kids are in the direction and they find that niche where they feel welcome. And and that was my first impression of Crawford'sville. On my first day, um my department cheered I felt welcome and that's huge and I think that is just a testament to our staff um and to Crawford'sville. I've always been able to go to people and ask a question and um get the answer. And so that welcoming and environment is something that I think is unique. And so um I just think that's something special that you don't find everywhere. And so I hope the kids feel it. Um, but I definitely obviously Payton felt it. But I think that's something really unique and how the community just comes together support and and when we find
027something that kids are interested in, we figure out a way to make it happen. And I appreciate that because that doesn't happen everywhere. So thank you for Hi, I'm Takashi Griner. I just graduated from Wash College last year. because this is my first year teaching at Crawford'sville High School. Uh my dad is a superintendent at West Lafayette. My mom is a teacher of Japanese here at Crawford'sville. So I'm familiar with the area. I graduated from Southmont, decided to work here. And uh my very first experience right after I got a position here, I teach biology and ICP to freshman and sophomores. my very first experience with Crockerville. After my interview, I was reached out to by Jenny Beach and Jay Strickland and they helped get me into this program that they made where I was
028given the opportunity to come in and observe once or twice a week, see the classrooms, see the kids, experience what a classroom should look like at Crawfordville High School. So, that was something that was really helpful to me and that's what I want to be talking about for my portion of time. It's the support system that I've been very blessed to have here at Crawford. So with that um couple months that I had with the opportunity seeing the classroom, seeing the kids and being able to experience that, it's very helpful for me because I'm a transition and teaching student like Payton. So I didn't really get student teaching or any experience like that. It was really a good opportunity for me to be able to see that a good experience. So, I'm thankful for Jenny
029and Jay for allowing me to have. Now, during the summer, I had a lot of questions. I asked Jenny a lot of questions over the summer. She helped me out with that. Uh Sean Gerald helped me as well. He got me the Canvas pages, showed me how that worked, got me set up there. Coming in on the first day, I was really nervous, but once again, I was able to ask questions to Jenny and Jay at any point in time, and they would reply right away or I could go to the room. They were always present, able to help me. Just very thankful for that. Um, going into the school year, um, I had a lot of help from this them as well. I needed help like figuring out like what to do about discipline
030or what to do about sitting on my lesson plans or how I can make up that extra time at the end of the hour that may may occur unexpectedly. If my lesson goes too fast, I had a bunch of questions about that kind of stuff. I would ask Jenny, she would give me some advice. I would ask Chloe, she would give me some advice. the other science people in the science department always help me out with that kind of stuff. Another thing that is helpful, I've been observed several times by and I really appreciate that too because it's an opportunity to get some really valuable feedback that because I'm not I didn't get a traditional program for transition teaching. It's something that I really need to be able to grow as a teacher. This first
031year has been uh interesting so far, but I've learned a lot and I've been really thankful for the mentors and the support system that I've had and it's a the reason why I want to stay at Crawford'sville for a long time and keep learning and keep growing as a teacher. So, someone really near and dear to me just had her doctor dissertation defense. Did she maybe give a shout out to someone in her defense about having her for class and being taught the hot known and how important that was to her understanding love viruses that who would love viruses that much but I think it's it's testament that you know it's a lot it's 11 years later we're still thinking back to Mississippi and great things happening here they really do thank you guys you
032cannot [Music] Let me just So the first page I'm I'm sure Dr. Riker has shared this with he should have. Um so I'm not really going to go through that piece. Um but I did want to just kind of share this next piece right here is kind of our So obviously the new Indiana diploma um has been on the horizon for quite some time. Uh we here at the high school, our two counselors and Chris um and myself have had numerous meetings for many many hours trying to figure out, you know, what this was going to look like at the high school. Um thankfully, we offer as as the students have mentioned, we offer a lot of different courses in person, inhouse in our building. Um and so the transition is not as large as
033it will be for I feel like a lot of schools especially in the area. Um so we're obviously thankful and grateful for that. Um we are as soon as this came out we did kind of make the decision in house that we want to h uh strongly strongly recommend that students uh pick up a seal. So, they're in addition to the new Indiana diploma requirements, uh, they now have an enrollment seal, an employment seal, and enlistment seal. And then underneath each of those, there's an honors, which is really the plus side of it. So, there's enrollment plus, uh, enlistment plus, and employment plus. And so, um, our goal, uh, is to implement this for the incoming freshman class next year. we we've already really started doing that with the scheduling process and then uh and
034obviously start having them identify uh which seal they're going to go get and honestly I feel like it's very doable for students to get multiple seals uh which we feel like is very important and so the documents front and back uh one side's the enrollment seal the other is an employment seal um and I think basically I'm just going to highlight a couple quick changes that are different than what we've maybe done in the past. Um, obviously uh and and I would say this too and and it was echoed here that the obviously this is 25 years for me. Um, I was an administrator, a teacher here. I've I've worked under a lot of different leaders and been a part of a lot of different admin teams, but I would say our current admin team
035is much more collaborative than it ever has been at any point in my career. Um, and so as much as I give Dr. Riker a hard time and and I'm probably a huge pain to him multiple times per week. Um I do want to give him a shout out. I think the collaborative nature that he has brought to our admin team has trickled down. And so when we get something like this, um you know, Tammy and I at the middle school have been working very hard together to make sure that we set our middle school kids up for success with the new diploma. And honestly, you know, 10, 15 years ago, I'm not really sure that would have happened. Um, and so I do want to give a shout out to to Dr. Reker. And
036same with Dr. Bokart. Um, he's been super helpful and obviously he's sometimes my direct point of contact for a lot of these issues. And, um, he's come over multiple times to talk through this and and ask questions. And he I go a lot, this won't surprise a lot of you because you've known me for, I go a lot of the gut and I just charge into things. He is uh he analyzes things, he thinks. He his brain works a lot different than mine, which is actually a really good thing. That's why when we're together, I feel like we work really really well together. So, he's also been very instrumental in that. But at the eighth grade level, uh we've always allow allowed or uh given kids the opportunity to get a world language credit and
037algebra 1 credit. Uh recently we've actually started having kids go ahead and do PCC um which is the career class preparing for college and careers class and then also health. So recently even before this we we had started to kind of slide that down into the middle school and and again Tammy's worked really hard with her schedule because that does open up opportunities and possibilities for kids when they get up to the high school level. ninth grade. Uh I would say the biggest change is computer science. So now it's a required class now for this freshman class. We'll all have to take it. It is an introductory level class. Um and so they'll take that. It's a one semester credit class. Um and then after that, um I think one of our goals would be
038to try to create a pathway for computer science. We're obviously not there yet um on several levels, but I do think that opens the door for that. But that's the biggest change freshman year is that becomes a required class. So, all of the incoming freshman, which I have a freshman coming up here uh next year, they'll all take computer science. Sophomore year, uh probably the two biggest changes is speech is back. Speech is back, which is exciting because I love to talk and I not a surprise and I took speech here and and that was probably one of my favorite classes. Um and so we're bringing that back and we're going to pair that with um English 10 for lots of reasons. Um, but again, we want to we want we feel like it's important
039to do there are a lot of other options to get the speech credit, but we really feel strongly our English team feels strongly that they should be up actually taking a a speech class. And so, while we want to offer some flexibility, we're going to encourage our students to do that. STEM science is probably the biggest overall change to our programming. So the state is really pushing with the new diploma that we offer STEM science classes. Uh we haven't really done that in the past and so we're we're getting very creative with the people that we currently have on our team and seeing how we can utilize some of their strengths. And again uh obviously that's Jenny leads that team, but there is a lot of talent and abilities and all kinds of interest in
040our science group. Um, so we feel like we're going to be able to offer some really cool STEM classes that are going to help kids for the future and also in their interest. Um, junior year stays fairly similar. And then obviously senior year is personal finance is new. So that's a required class. We're only about 20 years behind every other state in the United States that requires that. And having been in another state, I think I can say that comfortably. Um, so we're going to kind of pair that with uh government. Econ is off the books technically now, which which seems strange. We wanted to offer and we may still I think there is a couple recommended under review uh global economics that we might try to bring back in there, but we were very
041disappointed in that uh move, I should say. So, um anyways, that that's a little that's way longer than I was supposed to. Jenny's got me like 11 minutes. I was in the same word. If you have questions, I I I I feel very comfortable talking about this. We hosted 65 uh principles from around the the state here from ISP. Um I've been talking to I've got a lot of really really good connections. That's what happens when you do this for a really long time um at ISP and they've been a great resource to us as well. So I feel like we're we're way ahead of the game. Um, and Madison Smith is actually at a conference out of state where I'd have her up here because this is all her. Like I don't do these.
042I I can talk it that she puts it all down on paper and her and Mary Shidler and Chris have been a huge help uh just trying to figure out how we're going to make all this work. But I'm very confident. Uh, I think it's going to open up a lot of new possibilities and they've already started scheduling kids with the mindset that, you know, we're really trying to make we're trying to set them up for the next step after high school. We're not just trying to fill their schedule. Uh, no offense. I feel like when I was a student a long time ago, like, hey, you need seven periods, here's your schedule. Um, they have spent a lot of time this spring meeting with kids individually and really trying to figure out like, hey,
043if you're wanting to go to a four-year school, here's what you need to do. if you're wanting to to go, you know, a different path and and go into the workforce, here's what you need to do. So, a lot of great things happen. This is not a lot of people were flipping out about it and panicking and and we've definitely viewed it as a as a huge bonus for us. So, we're really excited. All right. Jay or Jenny? Yeah. Well, I don't know who wants to feel it. Tell me the difference between STEM science versus the chemistry, physics, biology. STEM is No, go right ahead. Honored to have you here. Yeah. After listening, I I I'm almost encouraged to come back about that too, Rick. Um, STEM is f ST STEM brings in like a
044lot of the engineering side like some of those engineering courses can count. Um, there's a there's a bigger focus on exercise science. There's a lot of those classes. Um, technology plays a big role in that as well. Um, and so, yeah, we're excited. We think there's some cool classes in there that we can definitely get put into place. Kudos to Jenny. She's for a veteran teacher. She's very open to change and wanting to do things the right way. So, I appreciate that. Yes, we have our battles, but yeah. Are we still offering the what used to be like the project lead the way those pre-engineering have those moved away so this may take the place? They've moved away, but we have a strong desire to get them back. We've just really struggled. I don't want
045to talk for Dr. director, but we really struggle to find the right candidate and get somebody in here to do that. And then uh but I do think the state recognizes that a little bit. And so I think when you read when you look into the I mean I've read it a thousand times, the Indiana code for this um does lend itself a lot to that engineering and computer science track. So we have a desire to do that and uh yeah, it's definitely on our radar for sure. Strictly I can't tell you how much I appreciate the students staff's comments here today. Thank you. All right, moving on. Um, first item business is approve the previous meeting minutes. We got some chairs. Any additions or corrections? So moved. Second. All in favor? All right. Uh,
046no business. We'll move on to new business. The first item is concern the student international travel. Hello everyone. We spoke last year over um last year we launched one of the most successful travel programs in the state of Indiana. Um my partner at EF said it was the fastest they had ever seen two full buses fill up in any school in the state. Um with that that means 79 students are coming with us to Europe next year. Uh and in order to um kind of alleviate that strain we would like to launch um our 2027 trip moving us from a every other year system to an every year system. Um the goal of this is to be able to reach more students, have the community be um kind of able to trust that we have
047a system in place um and also kind of help bring the number of students that are going on each tour down in order for us to have a more impactful kind of uh relationship process with them throughout their trips. Um we will still maintain our 6:1 uh student to chaperon ratio. None of that has changed. Our uh department or our um community sponsor with EF is not going to change. Um we are just going to a different hemisphere this time. Um I would like to um and in your packets you see um our itinerary for a trip to Costa Rica. Um I in keeping in mind that we have 79 students traveling with us in 2026, I wanted to pick an itinerary that kind of reached out to a different group of students. Um so
048on that list on that schedule is kayaking and hiking and snorkeling um to kind of approach a more adventure focused student. Um, it is also coming in at a lower price range than our Europe trip to kind of make that more accessible to our community. But, uh, yeah, we saw amazing growth uh, with the 2026 trip. We're excited to go. We're in the planning stages for there. Um, but if we could launch a 2027 that would allow more students to travel with us and to keep our our groups a little bit more manageable. You ensure you continue to work proper schools and you don't leave us to go work for tours. I'm assuming they're seeing your recruiting ability and you must pay back every trip fee for every Can you write that up real fast?
049So given that this is in 27 price lock in or is that So it will not change. I've been assured that that number is going to be our number until we Okay. So, they have they're still going to have two years basically to do the fundraising. That's why we're doing Yep. That way and we can alternate years where we get back from a trip, we launch two years, we get back from a trip, we launch two years. Going to make sure we don't have to launch two at the same time. Um, and also can keep a pattern consistent. Imagine it gives the kids then an opportunity. Well, I can take this trip next year or in two years. So, they can kind of gauge which one would be their preference either financially or just which
050is better interest. Absolutely. We had so many students uh come up to me after we launched our uh mentoring poster for 2026 saying like I'm a senior. I can't go with you. Can I come back? Sorry. Yeah. The excitement is definitely definitely here. Well, if they failed, couldn't they just I'm sure graduation [Music] rate big jump because my oldest went on one of probably one of the earliest Mr. Lucas, it was Italy and Greece 12 14 years ago and I think there were eight kids and and you know so that was which was exciting and was an amazing opportunity and and you know but now we have 80. Yeah. So I mean that's so exciting. That's so exciting. Great. There are benefits cost and benefits to small groups versus large groups for sure. All right.
051Any other discussion? I move approval of this project. I second. All in favor? I thank you. Thank you. All right. Next is to consider the CHS students. Oh. Um one last second change. I would recommend approval of the CHS presented. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. Okay. At least that was the middle school handbook. Yeah. Uh I recommend approval uh as presented. My only suggestion is the um I don't have any issues on substance but the the yellow font for all the headings burned holes in the reds of my eyes. Uh, if that could be changed to match the official board approved color scheme of the main, that would be my preference. I'm not putting that in the motion. I move to approve as it's submitted, but I strongly uh hope that
052they will change this. The heat of a thousand sons yellow official colors, right? Official color. Okay. All right. I would second it. All right. All in favor? Hi, Mr. CHS. Okay, Virtual Academy. Um, did a few changes, had some good interaction back and forth, and I move to approve whatever the final piece looks like that I've not seen based on the changes that we The yellow. Yeah, the yellow looks fine on that one. Yeah, we have this conversation over these colors a lot. what it looks like on a screen, what it looks like painted on drywall, it looks like painted on metal. What was the joke when Wes standardized their reds? They did a survey and there were like 78 different reds being used on campus and they standardized them several years ago. Same thing.
053All right, there's a motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. All right. Thank you. Uh moving on to county community foundation restricted grant application for the spring cycle. Yeah. So here we would be looking at um submitting for some safety requirements um in our um childcare area, specifically our toddler room. So, through all the work we we did last year getting things up, we still have one piece that we need to work out with some um exit that would need to be out of every room for anybody any kids under the age of two and a half. So, one of our rooms currently, while it does have access through another room and then outside, it does need direct access out. Um so we are looking to apply for the grant for uh
054funding for that piece in our tug room. So uh we don't have the exact um precise budget yet for that but it will come in somewhere around $12,000 mark what we would be submitting for based off of what we've gone through so far with uh the contractor. So um there's any questions happy to take those. Other words, I would recommend approval for submission for that grant. Any discussion? Move approval. Second. All in favor? I must conserve approval for the technology advance from the common school fund. Yes. So, uh we do these loans twice a year. Um we did just submit these. This one was submitted last Friday uh for the due date. So, this is a formality to get it approved. Um the loan that we have applied for this round is 238,000. This will
055be funding for software purchases for student systems as well as um equipment and Chromebooks for student instruction. So I recommend board approve that would sign off on that. Yes. So just add in the recommend or reminder that we um qualify for a common school fund technology advances, construction advances and those sort of things all because we're such a low assessed value school corporation and our tax base produces you know a smaller amount of property tax that so then we have access to these funds. All right, we have a recommendation as a motion. So move second. All in favor? I thank you. Consider policy 48420, law enforcement relations. This will be a first reading. Yeah. So here um again first reading uh there and it is a essential uh policy. Um so we currently do not
056have this at least in its detail that is within this draft. So, um, basic pieces with this policy are the just the desire to work, um, and cooperate with law enforcement, um, but but certainly do that within federal and state constitution protections for students and working with with families and parents and guardians as well um, throughout that process. So, so is that drafted using ISBA? It is taken from an ISP sample policy. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, we will bring that back at the meeting. Uh next time is consider corporation administration address change. Why are we doing that? So if you haven't noticed, we have a new building. Um this is just a formality to get the official corporation address changed from the 1000 Fairview to 3 West Athenian Drive. Um, we have to
057file this with the school accountability office who then sends it on to the board of ed to be approved for the DOE. So, I recommend that approval. Move approval. Second. All in favor? Okay. Thank you. Uh, three. So, is it three Athenian Drive or three West Athenian Drive? Because like the high school is just one Athenian Drive. Yeah. Yes. I saw the west in there. We found that they are synonymous with each other. Okay. Are we going to change the high school to one west at the end? Probably not. Some things is one west but the official address is one. One west. Okay. The next item is consider school amendment for Athens Virtual Academy. Yeah. So here um we would be looking to submit accreditation to add sixth grade. So, Athens Virtual Academy is currently
0587 through 12. Um, many things we've learned in year one. Year one is that that secondary transition is also a natural transition there as well. And so, um, it's our staff has worked with students. Um, it makes sense for that to to at least be an option there and an opportunity there. and we would submit to the UE uh for accreditation uh there as well for adding sixth grade to admin virtual camp. So I would recommend approval for submitting that amendment that's just filling right any discussion motion so move all in favor. All right. Thank you. Moving on to personnel. All right. Yeah, I would u recommend the board accept resignations A through C. Um we'll talk about that Brian Bartlett come back and um was our middle school part-time band director, which was a
059perfect fit. We kind of hoped to get a couple years out to help continue to grow our band program. Brian did a great job. I Bryant has been even in his letter talked about that the amount of time he you know he's no longer a young man. So the amount of time he found himself wanting to put in afterwards made him kind of think well this probably is like a probably will work for us in some manner but he thinks that being a part-time band director or a full-time band director at CMS we're having to work through that one. um is that for somebody who's young and ready to go. So he thought if he hadn't spent 8 years away from it, he still could still do it. But times change. So he it was
060great. I do think he I've heard numerous compliments on how well the middle school band sounded. So we're working through that kind of replace him. Um and then consider resignation. Also D there for Michelle Ricardo for so I recommend you take A through D. All right. All right. I move approval. Second. All in favor? I one recommendation. All right. Super excited to recommend one. I will call her one of our own even now. Yeah, we let her be educated somewhere else. But um I'm assuming Jenny's comments here also probably helped us recruit. Um so definitely recommend Sydney Beach to be a host elementary teacher who Mr. Burton is now working on her for coaching. Um and we are looking forward to this. Um yeah, it's nice for those of us who've been around over 20
061years to see the youngsters coming in. So it is a traditional program called Uhhuh. So strongly recommend board approve Sydney Beach as a elementary teacher. So I'll jump to make a motion. I'll make a motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I All right. Yes. Thank you. Um just some news. Um our payroll specialist Sarah Walters and I will be traveling to Fort Wayne uh the first full week of May for the Asmo annual conference. Uh this conference does offer us numerous opportunities for professional development over the three days and just meaningful networking with others that do the same job as us across the state because we are the only ones that do our job here. Um last week I did attend the final session for the leadership academy on Tuesday and Wednesday and pleased
062to share that I did graduate from the program. Thank you. Yes. Um the experience was valuable to get the leadership training as well as the wealth of resources that I gathered through that and strategies to be able to implement into the business office team. Um business office items, we are beginning the transition from a 26 pay schedule to a 24p schedule. Um we've had meetings over the last year discussing that. Um, our anticipated effective date will be July 1st over the summer and we are working on transition documents and we'll get those sent out as soon as they are available starting 1st and 15th. Uh, we right now are looking at the 5th and the 20th. Okay. Um, we do continue to monitor legislative activity in the general session. Today and yesterday were very busy
063days for us. Um, we are continuing to watch those bills as they pass through the second house and go through the committee. They have until Tuesday to pass everything through the second house, go back to the original house that there are amendments. Um, we're hoping that that goes through pretty quickly and then by the end of the month know what our restrictions are for the next two years. Um, we will keep you up to date on that as it comes through. Um, our selection committee has met to go through our RFQ for insurance. Uh, we have some interest in insurance agents and we look forward to presenting a recommendation to the board at the next meeting. That is my report. Thank you very much, Dr. Yeah. So, three West Athenian Drive is getting closer and
064closer, but not quite there. But um it's looking very sharp and and getting into the final stance there. Interior punch with CSO has been completed. Uh and Steve and Randy did a great job working working through those pieces very very quickly inside. Um we have actually received our occupancy certification. Um and a couple main items to be completed yet are the board desk. So the everything is in except for the counter. So be behind that we would be sitting at. So um so that is yet to come. Um working through fitting that in the paneling with the vinyl logo behind the board desk. Uh paving of course out front and some additional exterior work outside as well. They framed up the final pieces in the back today. I believe that will be poured for sidewalk.
065And um if you haven't gone by, there's some shrubs out front and so we are we are close. Uh just uh grounds t the season uh spring. So um outside working with some early mowing, seating, edging, air rating. So weather certainly has been challenging. This week's been better so far. Uh hopefully things can continue to dry out um a little bit. So, um, appreciate the the outside efforts with SSC, getting to those areas while trying to to navigate. So, looked outside the other day and Andy was airrating the islands out here when a little sleep came down. And so, as we all know, spring spring can be difficult. So, uh, school safety, um, officer Tony Bowen, who will be with us next year, has, uh, started shadowing just within our schools, starting to get integrated,
066um, lay of the land, so to speak. Not that he doesn't have a little bit already as a CPD officer, but um getting in the buildings um and so definitely appreciate the proactive approach integrating Officer Bowen and um look forward to to him joining next year and appreciate officer Taylor since that is the spot there and and his well- earned earned retirement. So, uh curriculum instruction assessment. So I learn testing window opens April 14th. So buildings 3 through 8, grades 3 through 8 have been working through practice test this week in preparation for that testing. So that will be coming up here. Usually takes about 2 to three weeks to get through all that start to finish uh especially with the makeup testing. So, uh, elementary coaches and classroom teachers recently received some professional development
067with UFly, which is, uh, phonics phmic awareness, uh, resources and, uh, they are super excited about that and what they're seeing with it. And um we're grateful there for the the opportunity to meet with Melissa Gil who provided that. And um I've heard a lot of good things from neighboring schools as well within our our network and and fellow IPLI networks that we we have with our team of principles as as other schools are seeing the benefit too. So I know they're excited uh to continue to integrate that into their classrooms. uh reading curriculum. Just an update there on selection committee recently met to discuss K5 uh reading adoption. So currently looking at uh two resources um and and the the different strengths that they offer. So next steps gathering financial quotes um to be
068considered within that process and look to come May boarding with a recommendation uh there. Monty joined us um there as well. I don't know if you have anything you want to add there. um findings to that process and where we're at. That was it was just really enlightening to to hear the perspective of the of the committee and taking into consideration not only the the teachers and how they would utilize it but but really how it was going to affect the students and you know what was going to be the best to how was it phrased scaffold up and down or something to that effect. So yeah, it was really good. Glad to be there. Uh lastly, IPLI, Mrs. Hos and Mrs. Hall both graduated from their two-year program with Indiana Principal Leadership Institute. So,
069um again, that two years, year one focuses on um the the individual leader and year two turns to school improvement and they get to bring two teacher leaders with them. So, uh this past year, Mrs. Hall had Paxton Mer and Miranda Patton and so appreciate their um leadership with with Nichol Nicholson alongside Mrs. Hall and then Mrs. Hos had Lexi Carson and Lisa Tat and so appreciate the the work that they've done and um and the the growth in in their leadership and their schools and I know Dr. director and I are are proud of their commitment to their personal growth and achievements and what they'll be able to take take from there as they continue on. So congratulations to Mrs. Mr. and your assistant superintendent I think record. Yes. All right. Thank you CHS
070folks who are still left. Um yeah for hosting providing a student focused presentation. Um we love that like Mr. set it. It is nice because we don't get to deal with the students on the daily basis or even the teachers every day. So we're all Amen sister. So feel so much more comfortable when the newspaper is not right here probably watching online. Um yes, thank you Jenny. Um Jenny filled in while Lexi Carson was out um is the teachers representative. So it was kind of nice to get a text with her different times of the day and hours of night, those type of things. But yeah, I mean just I mean that is one of the things that is so great that even you know she's representing the teachers and represent administration the board and
071these things. But because we have a relationship and a connection it just it yeah it is a wonderful place to work from this side because of connections with the teachers. So we'll work through everything. And so I'm grateful for my team. Um, you know, as Andrew talked about that, you know, you watch this legislation and some of this legislation is going to um have some effect on what our decisions that we have to make. Um, and now I know so um that every two years it's going to be a little gut-wrenching and they've said that this is about the worst it's been since 2008 has been the unknown. Um, but trying to work with the what-ifs and trying to figure out what's the right time to wait, what's the right time to figure things out
072now, but you know, it's conversations with administrators, with our office, with the teachers, leadership to try to prepare those things. So, um, couldn't do all these things without a great team. So, I am very lucky to get to serve and work with an amazing team. Um, and all these people work to provide the opportunities that you heard our seniors discuss. Um, so that's wonderful. Um, literally that's I felt like we should have just done a couple more videos tonight. Um, you know, we talk about what's best for students and this is the time of year where what's best for students, but also what's best for students and how we pay for it. What's best for students and what is affordable? What's best for students in the facilities? what's best for students in the schedule um
073and those type of things that come along and again can't do these things and can't do them well without a good team. Um so blessed there. Thank you to Newore. So they provide a signed sponsorship of a significant amount to take care of a batting project cage that we're working through. And that's just a great little example, right? You have a gift that comes in. Have some baseball parents who are eager. You have some community members like Roger Aar who donated a lot of time to spec out the batting cages and parking at the tennis courts and those type of things, but it takes working with Andrew, Bryce, Brent, um, and all sorts of folks to get those projects up and running. So, um it it's wonderful to have a community that can support that.
074Um trying to figure out how to make it all work and it comes in um educational instructional leadership. Dr. Bkart's doing a great job leading us in there in our professional development and textbook selection. Um enjoyed having Monty there. Um Monty, great job on scaffolding. So So you you use the word, you pick up the vocabulary, you're ready. Um yeah, working through staffing um right the opportunities trying to figure out where we're at um and do those things and how do we best provide the environment that motivates and engages our students. It's good. Congratulations to Andrew Nicodemus. He's the recipient of the ISBO Early Impact Award. um award honors individuals who have made notable contributions or shown outstanding engagement in a short time emphasizing their active participation and positive impact as newcomers to the field.
075Um Andrew's background and his capabilities and his capacity, you know, already healthier. We're going to be in one of those years. Um what happens is that yeah, as as your home Yeah. your personal and business property tax comes down and the homestead act come off as a homeowner you're going to love it like right our net assessed value of our homes is like going to disappearity of our tax worst four five in year six um and so that those are not the fun things that we'll work through and we'll figure it out and um you know met with Jay we've met some other people like what are the little things we can do now? What can we do here? Because you know that's a million dollars. Millions dollars state that for the record as a
076million dollar as a a million dollar loss by then and you think about that you know in our operation funds we only received about three. Yeah. So um it's it's fine. Now, we will see. Representative Thompson did say, "Trust him. He will work with us." And I've worked with him twice and he has been honest and lived up to his word on both times. So, yeah, he's and so I think there's some thing I do think there's some things coming down the road that are you can they are making hard shifts in education. Um Jay touched on it and we talked about this. We are almost just the right size. We are the right size to be able to offer so many programs. We're the right size to have our kids be able to be
077involved in many things and we're the right size to be able to weather some of these things. Um so, but we're going to be smart. We're going to do the best we can for schools. Um working with Thrive, with the mayor, you guys know those things. Check in your board updates. That's kind of the new thing. do respond with any questions um that we put out there. I'll try to give you that maybe every two weeks. I don't know. Or if you just have something like that update sheet that the other one I provided you that kind of has other issues, I'll show it to you. Okay. So, um sorry. Okay. Yes. ISBA spring regional meeting um May 5th and change of buildings. So, that's good. Uh, please let Stephanie know. How are we doing,
078Stephanie? Have you heard from everyone or do you need kids? Okay. All right. Uh, diplomas are at central office to be signed at your earliest convenience. Which central office? Yeah. Which central office? Why do you need that? We are the next board meeting is Tuesday, May 13th at 3 West Athenian Drive. Um, we will have an open house. You have this at 4:00. Um, Shmani, sorry you're out of town. Um, teacher appreciation week. I know you guys have done something the last few years. Um, giving you the heads up that that's May 5th through 9th. And I say I'm giving you a heads up. Stephanie, she takes care of all this. April Athenian Oracle is in there. State championship color guard team. do give thanks to North Montgomery for having our hosting our host kids.
079North McGomery's FFA. We don't have that program. Um, so our kids got to engage with some farm animals and some high school kids. Love it. I wish we could do that program, but we can't offer. Who knows? We'll see. Jail. Um, hose and CHS. You look in there, they did their collaboration with the art class over the book Wild Thing. Nothing makes me happier than seeing that collaboration. You also see some collaboration between CHS and Hoover for their freedom crossing and I'm Rick Striker and I'm grateful to be [Music] in any other business board communications hearing none comments hearing none I would entertain a motion to move second all in favor Thanks everyone. Thank you.