001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Good evening. Welcome to the Crown Point regular business meeting of the Board of School Trustees this 27th day April 2026. Uh we're going to begin by starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence led by Miss Mason. If we could all please stand rise to our feet. Thank you. We'll move to item uh two 2.01 uh the board I'm sorry item two the Board of School Trustees resolution accommodations awards tonight board uh we have several accommodations 2.01 the Crown Point High School Latin Club for winning second place in the Helen Wampler spirit contest second place in the Dennis M. Barlow publicity contest third place in the local publication contest third place in the overall sweepstakes competition and third place in the intermediate Sertoman competition. 2.02 Crown Point High School
002Ink Slingers newspaper for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star award the state's highest recognition and first through third Rowena Harvey awards at the Indiana High School Press Association state competition. 2.03 Crown Point High School Excalibur yearbook for receiving the 2024 and 2025 who's your star award the state's highest recognition and first and third place Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association state competition. 2.04 Crown Point High School CPTV and radio broadcasting for 2024-2025 who's your star award the state's highest recognition from the Indiana High School Press Association at the state competition and 2.05 Crown Point High School Crown Point High School Crown Town media for receiving the 2024 and 2025 who's your star award the state's highest recognition in second place Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association at the
003state competition. May I have a motion? Second by Miss Vason. Second Second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? There being no questions or comments we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. And we'll show the vote carries 4-0. If we could bring in the Crown Point High School Latin Club at this time. Right. Thank you for for being here tonight and congratulations again. Mr. Walker Mr. Collier congratulations to you guys individually. As you know in the past we've seen you several times up here for different awards and different combinations so welcome back. I'm going to ask that Mr. Walker Mr. Collier if you'll step over to the podium. The way we're going to do this I'll have either of you make a statement talk about your season
004and your performance say something positive about your team and then we'll call out the the students' names and hand me the award and the student come forward for a handshake which one of you gentlemen who like to speak to >> The tournament is a a Jeopardy-style competition based on the classical classical world. We have teams at three different levels and our intermediate team consisting of five of our sophomores uh wanted taking third place in the state at this year's competition. So, we wanted to congratulate them for the job they did. >> And then the the club as a whole competed at the state competition as well and had several places in the top five, but also had several individual ones. Luke, how many individual first places did we have this year? 11. How many in
005the top five did we have, Asher? Maybe one. How many of you had a first place award this year? Look at that. Congratulations. We had 15 young people go with us this year. A lot of them are doing other things tonight like this band rehearsal. So, um they couldn't be with us tonight cuz they're busy kids, which is a good thing. And some of them are studying for their upcoming AP tests. So, they're they're they've got their priorities in the right place and we're happy to honor the ones who were able to join us tonight. >> So, do So, make sure that this becomes part of our minutes and when I read the uh resolution of commendation, okay? So, the Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend the 2025 and 2026 Crown
006Point High School Latin Club for meritorious achievement. Be it hereby resolved that the Board of School Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations for the 2025 and 2026 Crown Point High School Latin Club for winning second place in the Helen Wampler Spirit Contest, second place in the Dennis M. Bartlow publicity contest, third place in the local publications contest, third place in the overall sweepstakes competition, and third place overall in the Catterman for Tom intermediate division at the Indiana Junior Classical League State Convention. The Board of School Trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity this 27th day of April 2026. Congratulations. I'll hand it back to you to Jacob Borin. Gabe Blake couldn't be here tonight. Same with Julian
007Borin and Lincoln Vickers, Sophia Barrick, Lola Coyle. In attendance tonight, we have Asher McCalvey, Luke Walshmidt, Annie Jacoby, Addison Kirkus, not able to be here tonight, Sean Ippolito, Jack Watson, Kenneth Ouyang, Joseph Williams, and last but not least, Jeremy Yancey. Well, thank you again and congratulations and uh know that you're now part of the minutes for the history. All right, so uh if you stay there, they're going to take some photos and uh we'll dismiss you after that. Parents, as soon as she's finished, you may come up and take her photos as well. >> If we could bring in the Crown Point High School Inkings newspaper. Next, please. Mr. Angel's going to present. All right. Resolution of accommodation. Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend Crown Point High School Inkings newspaper for
008meritorious achievement. Be it hereby resolved that the Board of School Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations to the Crown Point High School Inkings newspaper staff for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star, the state's highest recognition, and first through third Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association competition. Board of School Trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity date this 27th day of April 2026. Congratulations. I'm going to have our the coach, Jennifer Bianchi, come and say a few words about the staff, introduce everybody, and then I'll shake their hand and give them their awards. >> Hello, everybody. Uh I'm Jennifer Bianchi, the adviser. This is part of my Inkling staff. I have Devion Outten, Anna Sarosi,
009Allie Landgrave, Peyton Spargo, Iris Estrada, Mason Urbini, and Dan Dommer. Uh they All of these have been on staff with the exception of a couple just for for two, three years now. So, this is a staff that has stuck together for quite some time. This past year was quite a large year for us. We won um about seven individual awards, and uh this was probably the largest sweep that we've had in quite some time. And then we won the Hoosier Star Award, which is, as you said earlier, the highest honor for the state of Indiana. Uh they work hard. They work to write authentic journalism and to be authentic to themselves. Uh they work really, really well together, and uh they produce quite the product. So. That's it. Yeah. Dan Dommer. Mason Urbini. Iris Estrada.
010Allie Landgrave. Devion Alton Anna Sorcy and Payton Spargo. >> We could ask the Excalibur yearbook team to come in, please. Thank you for coming out this evening. I'm going to ask your sponsor Lisa King to join me and help me out after I read your commendation. You guys have a a large group and that's excellent. So, make sure everybody gets their award. And uh Hopefully you don't mind saying something about your your journey, accomplishments of the of the team, but I'll Let me get started with this here. So, your resolution of accommodation, the Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend the Crown Point High School Excalibur yearbook for meritorious achievement. Be it hereby resolved that the Board of School Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations
011to the Crown Point High School Excalibur yearbook staff for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star award, the highest award in the state, and first through third in place in the Rowena Harvey awards at the Indiana High School Press Association competition. The Board of School Trustees publicly recognizes this achievement, renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity dated this 27th day of April, 2026. Um So, congratulations. You guys all deserve a round of applause for your accomplishments. Ms. Keen, would you give us a couple words about >> Absolutely. Uh so, I'm really proud of this staff. They made all their deadlines, and we keep adding to the book. The book just just keeps getting bigger. Our population is getting bigger, and we're selling more books than ever, uh about 500 more books than
012we did um when I took over 15 years ago, and it's just uh just keeps growing. We're fortunate to have two classes of yearbook now, and then we have editors hour, so our program keeps growing, and the skills that they're learning now, it's not just the writing, the photography, the design. It's going so much uh beyond that now. There's a lot of organizational and managerial tasks that go. Our budget is up to about $140,000 a year. So, they run a $140,000 business, and they keep it in the black every year. And uh even have a little bit extra to do things like our awards banquet that we had yesterday. It was fabulous at White Hawk. And uh they're getting uh they're also getting some national recognition now when they go to the national conventions. Uh
013it seems like we're starting to win more and more on the national level, which I really appreciate. And then this year we were fortunate that the um one of the biggest companies Varsity yearbook, it used to be Herff Jones. They chose us as one of the books to be in their Ideas That Fly book, which is a book that they send out across the country to say, "Oh, look at these uh what the school's doing. It's cool ideas for you." And so we were honored to be chosen for that as well. So I just hope that they're learning and having fun while they're doing it. >> I'll just add to to all you students that it's excellent that you come to the point where we're having such success programs winning these awards. But don't take
014don't let that be taken lightly. I mean, these are these are serious accomplishments that you guys should be so truly proud of. And everyone's sitting behind you. Um you should understand that your community and your teachers and sponsors and all of us are are so proud that you represent Crown Point the way you have. So just uh yeah, thank you. And I'll do something a little bit different. There's You guys had a large group, but it looks like there are nine of you here. Start with the gentleman down in the blue. Just take a step forward. Introduce yourself, and then we'll also give you your award and we'll uh shake your hand with you both. Get your award, but let everybody know who you are. Just say hello. Uh introduce yourself. >> [laughter] >> Uh
015all right. I'm just going through the >> that. >> Yeah. So we have 44 people on staff, but they acted like there was going to be a storm today that was going to you know blow out the >> Sorry, you're a little bit ahead of me. >> Yeah. Well, and then of course he's W, so we might be I started with Miles. Let's see. And then there's also um all of our orchestra kids, they got a big concert coming up um this weekend, so all the orchestra kids wanted to make sure that they were there getting in as much practice at the as they can. Yeah, it is. It is good. Nobody's Nobody's lazy or bored around here, that's for sure. Miles Warren Who Who would have thought? Here we are. All right, and then
016I'm just going to go just call you guys up if that's okay. Alicia Anderson Alicia is going to be our next year's She's the editor-in-chief next year. She's already got big ideas for Danny Bukovac Danny's also going to be one of on the editorial board next year. Elena Hayden Kennedy Shaw She's also going to be on the editorial board next year. Brian Clark, one of the best photographers I've ever seen in my life. He was at the state game for the basketball taking pictures. Addison Gregan Addison is running the Crowntown Media website. Um if you haven't had a chance to check that out, Crowntown Media, it is exploding. There's so many kids that are involved in putting that together, but she is in charge of it. Uh Natalie. Natalie is also going to be on
017our editorial board. And Sophia Snyder. And Sophia was the one collecting and managing the money this year, our business manager for us. Thank you. All right, can Can we please have uh CPHS, CPTV, and radio come on in? >> Welcome. All right. Um, thank you for being here tonight. We're going to read your resolution of commendation first, and then we'll have your sponsors come up and say a couple words. Uh, the Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend CPHS CPTV and radio for meritorious achievement. Be it hereby resolved that the Board of School Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations to CPHS CPTV and radio for receiving the 2024-25 Hoosier Star Award, the highest award in the state of Indiana in the state at Indiana High
018School Press Association competition. The Board of School Trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity. Dated this 27th day of April 2026. Um, and so we have our sponsors, Brent Barber and um, Chris Gloff, who would like to come up and say a couple words for us. >> [laughter] >> All right, so I'll have you say a couple words and then when you're ready, >> Thanks. Nice. Uh, this is an incredible group of students. I can't say enough uh, great things about them. Um, we were we just had this awesome day. I don't know if Lisa and Jen talked about we just had our banquet at White Hawk yesterday and it was a celebration of everything we've done. And the thing I said to them
019at that banquet yesterday was, if you ever doubt how much your parents and your teachers care about you, uh, this is Sunday afternoon on probably the most beautiful day of the spring and we are together and it's all about you. We are just celebrating everything that you did this year. And when I look back to this year and think about we broadcast every home football game, every home boys and girls basketball game. We're in the process of getting our softball and baseball stadiums set up as soon as we can connect with uh computer services and get that all worked out. Uh we're going to start broadcasting those games. There are opportunities abundant for these students. Um but that is because of the work of them. If they weren't there to do it, we wouldn't be
020pushed to keep providing that these opportunities. Um this year along with Jen and Lisa and their groups um in winning the Hoosier Star for the best uh broadcast in the state, we are the fourth we've won our fourth national Emmy for the best newscast in the country. Um we are we are nominated for 12 nominations and we are we're headed to uh those awards on Friday and we will find out including three of the five nominations for the best talent in the Chicago region are our students. Um they're going off to study at Mizzou and Ball State and all over the place for communications. And those that aren't studying communications or or broadcasting are studying uh political science, uh marketing, public relations. So, they're taking these skills that we're providing them every day and doing
021stuff that I could have only dreamed about back then. But I'm so incredibly proud because they're involved in multiple activities, hold jobs, take on special activities when I call them and ask them to shoot pictures for me at the last minute. And they get a constant stream of criticism. I like to think of it as constructive criticism. Uh in education we call it assessment, but it's tough. It's real world and doesn't come with a box of tissues when it's from me or from our program and from each other. And they have held each other to a standard that is sometimes I think beyond college level. I'm incredibly proud of them and uh grateful to the school corporation for all that you've provided us. Um it's been a blast for me to work in this corporation
022the last 18 year 18 years and um and it's been an especial blast to work with all of you guys and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things you do down the road. Without further ado, we had everybody booked here but this weather is throwing us off tonight. Um Luke Basin. Gavin Chambers. Aidan Highlema. Taser Komel. Megan Kordum. Josie Mykrantz. Jalen Miller. Ariana Pantoja. Mikey Pascarella. Raina Stevens. Gabe Trevino. Braden Zamoyski. That is our group. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, guys. All right, so next up we will have, which I think we have a lot of the same um students in this one. We have the CPHS Crown Town Media. You can come on in. Let me know that he is in so you can come right back in. >> This
023is quite the group. Look at the turnout. Best turnout yet. All right. So, I will read our last commendation tonight for you all. Resolution of commendation. The Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend CPHS Crown Town Media for meritorious achievement. Be it hereby resolved that the Board of School Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations to the CPHS Crown Town Media for receiving the 2024-25 Hoosier Star Award, the state's highest recognition, and second place Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association competition. The Board of School Trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity. Dated this 27th day of April 2026. So, um which sponsor would like to join us this time? While you
024guys are walking up, decide rock, paper, scissors who gets to come for this one. Um I have to say so so these last two have been Oh, is he getting out of it altogether tonight? The these last two have been um especially fun for me to recognize tonight. My son was able to participate. So, I've able I've been able to experience a little bit um closer to first-hand how much time and energy goes into everything that these students have done. And it is really incredible to watch the productions that they're putting on. And I've said this about our theater department. I've said this about so many things that we do here at Crown Point High School. I truly believe when we watch our students and what they're able to do with our sponsorship. It looks
025like a professional production and it is truly incredible when you think that these are students who are balancing friends and growing up and working and getting good grades and all of that on top of putting on a truly professional production and it's just amazing to watch. So, I will let Mr. Galof take over, but congratulations. You guys are really exceptional. >> So, really quickly, this this award right here is because of the collaboration of really cool colleagues. And I said this yesterday at the banquet, we're incredibly lucky to have four friends who work together. I met Lisa 20-some years ago at another school. She just had two baby twins and was getting ready to get out of one career and come into another and lo and behold, 10 years later we end up working together
026and um I was visiting Southern California and I was at USC Annenberg School of of Communication Broadcasting and they had this incredible setup where all of their media was together. It was converged media and we had heard about this for years and we said let's make it happen and because of our our partnership and our ability to work together and like working together, we created Crowntown Media and which is the website and it's everything together. And if you get a chance to get on that website and see Lisa and Jen have taken it way beyond where I where we first envisioned it early on and it is because of their perseverance and specifically the students. What you guys have put into it, how clean it is, how it promotes our school, but it it's also
027truthful about what's going on in the world today. You've done an exceptional job and they were recognized for that this year. >> Oh, boy. >> because they put >> They they do want to help out here. >> You know, they've already got the Do we want to do this here? >> Do you want to? >> Or do we have any >> Everyone's got >> Everybody's got one. Just so you know, we could do this at school, too. And then it's just the time. >> Is everybody okay? >> Yeah, cuz you guys Yeah. It's okay. Yeah. Yeah. We'll do it at school. >> Okay, perfect. >> Thank you. >> Rule 9 item 4.01 patrons registered to comment on educational issues tonight. We have two individuals registered to comment. The first one is Julie Windorff. If you
028could come forward to the podium, please. Just a reminder, Ms. Basin's going to keep track of time. We have 3 minutes. When it gets to 30 seconds left, she may give you a warning. Thank you. >> Sure. Before you start my time, I do want to say that I had one of the CPTV people interview me recently on library legislation and SB1 and I've been interviewed a lot in the last 2 years and they were the best prepared reporters. I was really impressed with their level of understanding. I was really it was really it took me aback really. I was really surprised. >> thank you. We we appreciate it. We're proud of them. That's for sure. So, thank you for sharing. >> Um Julie Wendorf, director of the Crown Point Community Library. Uh reside at
029478 East 114th Avenue. I just wanted to come today as April being the national American Library Association's month for celebrating school libraries, but also national library week was last week and just wanted to put together this document to show you all the great ways that the Crown Point Community Library and the Crown Point Community Corporation partner with each other to really lead um I think our community and to make us stellar. And so, I'm really proud of that. I think some of that comes out of my past. I actually worked in the corporation for a number of years as a substitute. Uh but also was an educator prior years in in another state. So, it's something that's really strong for me. But I did want to walk you through the report to do some highlights
030on some of the key collaborations on our cardless digital access. The front the Friends of the Library actually spend dollars each year to create each one of your elementary schools and the exceptional learners building to be an essence a branch of the public library so that we can give you guys cardless digital access for our database there. Saves you guys dollars and we love to see that use of that database. We also make sure that we by doing like a bookmark contest and our and some of the other outreach and other things that we do really builds in that excitement for learning. We really are excited as you turn the page our summer reading bee competition last year. You'll see the asterisks that some of those schools had over like 700 almost 750 hours extra
031than they had last year. The The spirit of competition with especially the elementary schools is fierce. Uh we have the last 2 weeks of the um of July they can actually turn in to get their prizes, but they turn in their paper to get their prize tickets, but they retain their papers so they can wait till the last day to turn in their last bead for each hour they read so they can make sure that their school wins the contest. Uh last year was very fierce because at Lake Street was trying to beat Solon and Solon held onto their win from the previous year so they were really um really excited about that. Um the Friends of the Library actually help um to um support that with prizes as well as um other community partners.
032Uh you can see that quite quite a few of those readers in our community are uh school corporation readers so we're really excited about that. Um library mini golf is something we've been done done done since 2013 and each year we give uh prizes to uh schools that participate most of them being the corp- corporations uh schools. Uh each year we give over a thousand dollars uh when we have that um uh event and our course was actually built in partnership with the high school carpentry class way back in 2014 I believe it was. So we really are proud about that. It's a fundraiser for us but we give back to the community and those dollars that they get back $600 for first place, $300 for second place, and $100 for third place and then
033a participation prize on top of that if you just come out and do it $100 goes to their school library. Okay. Uh and then one book uh school corporation and then also our art month um it's really exciting the kids uh putting their art in the library hallway in our our our gallery. They feel like they are in a museum and it's really exciting. We actually had to make it two different months because we had so many people participating that with their parents. So uh as you can see there's lots uh more that I can go on and on and on about the partnership but I just want to uh bring your attention to the way that we are um partnering with you to make our students and um are more successful in the in
034our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Thanks for appearing and we appreciate the partnership and the work you did here tonight. Thank you. The second patron registered to comment tonight is Phil Anderson, but I don't He was here earlier. I don't know if he is he is present now, so um Do we want to see if Mr. Anderson's available in the hallway? If not, we'll move on. Okay, he might have just signed in cuz his daughter was getting an award. Okay. All right. Thank you for checking. We'll move on to item four, the consent agenda, Dr. Terrell. >> Thank you for your consideration this evening. We have 4.01, the executive session minutes from March 23rd. Uh also the regular business and public hearing minutes from March 23rd, and then our special
035session minutes from 4:15, and lastly our executive session minutes from 4:20. It's been a busy month. Also, we have 4.02, our personnel agenda, and then 4.03, the the voucher of registered checks as listed. >> Thank you, Dr. Terrell. Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration to approve item 4.01, March 23rd, 2026 executive session minutes, March 23rd, 2026 regular business meeting public hearing minutes, April 15th, 2026 special session minutes, and April 20th, 2026 executive session minutes. 4.02, the personnel agenda, and 4.03, voucher registered check numbers 180088 through 180401, and vouchers numbers 311803 through 312516. May I have a motion? So moved by Ms. Basin. >> Second. >> And second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments before we vote? With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. Uh
036all in favor of approval of the consent agenda, say aye. >> Aye. >> Nays? And the vote carries 4-0. Dr. Terrell. >> Thank you. At this time we want to pause and welcome Melanie Poltek. She will be the principal at Solon Elementary School. And Laura Floric will be the principal at MacArthur Elementary School. Both of these candidates have served as assistant principals in their respective schools and look forward to a seamless transition. But again, congratulations to them and welcome uh to the building principalship. >> Thank you, Dr. Terrell. Move on to item five, action items. 5.01 policy conversion second reading approval. Dr. Terrell. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Akiwa was not able to be here with us this evening, so I am bringing this back that he brought to us last board meeting uh for
037first reading. And tonight we have these policies for you for a second reading and adoption. Crown Point Community School continues to convert our policy language from NEOLA to ISBA. Today we are sharing policies for approval that will be converted to ISBA language. Approve ISBA 6250 and retire NEOLA PO 6470, prepayment for invoice claims. Approve ISBA 3340, retire NEOLA PO 8462, reporting child abuse. Approve ISBA 7030, retire NEOLA PO 7455, fixed assets. Approve ISBA 6120 retire Neola PO 6900 material loss and theft. Approve ISBA 6130 retire Neola PO 6151 collection and forgiveness of debt. Approve ISBA 1103 and retire Neola PO 0144.1 board member compensation. Tonight our my recommendation is that you approve the second reading and approve the new ISBA policies along with the retirement of the corresponding Neola policies as listed. >> Thank you,
038Dr. Terrell. Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration uh for the approval of the ISBA numbers that were cited by Dr. Terrell along with the corresponding Neola uh to retire those Neola policies. May we have a motion to waive the second reading and approve the new ISBA policies along with the retirement of the corresponding Neola policies? >> So moved by Mr. Angel, second by Ms. Basin. Are there any questions or comments? If there be no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Nays? And the vote carries 4-0. Thank you, Dr. Terrell. >> Thank you. >> Move on to item 5.02 textbook and resource adoption uh Dr. Kuchina. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. For your consideration this evening, we've got a textbook
039and resource adoption for use beginning next school year in 2026 2027. Uh the resource listed with which uh I prefer to not name because we do some special reveals with that if that's okay with the board, but you could see it on the agenda there. Uh that resource uh will support our elementary school's one district one book uh approach for next school year where we reinforce reading instruction, family engagement, and building a community of readers. Um this year a portion of that purchase will be paid for from the Crown Point Community Foundation grant, and uh the remainder will come from the education fund. Uh the story is a really really exciting one. Um kind of an adventure story um about [snorts] making friends, uh but I think our district uh our elementary school students are
040going to love it next year. Uh the administration recommends the school board approve the resource adoption for use beginning in 2026-2027. >> Thank you, Dr. Carney, and thank you for the warning to not name it, cuz I certainly probably would have done that. So, uh board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of the resource adoption materials for use beginning in 2026 and 2027. May have a motion. >> So moved by Mr. Warne. >> Second by Ms. Bazan. Are there any questions or comments? >> I just want to say thank you. You know, I think I've said every year this is my favorite time of the year, although it can get a little chaotic at home trying to get those chapters read um in time each night, but um this is such
041a wonderful collaboration, and I have love how much in the past our community has even become involved with local businesses. So, um thank you for your continued efforts on choosing a great book. I haven't been disappointed yet, so I'm excited to get into this one. >> I think everyone's going to love this one, and Dr. Carney has already been in touch with uh the library to get some plans together for that partnership for next year. So, thank you. >> Yeah. Fantastic. With that being said, uh we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. A. The vote carries 4-0. I just want to add a thank you to the Crown Point Community Foundation and the grant that they provided for this. We always appreciate the support. Move on to item 5.03,
042uh resource purchase, Mr. Jim Farmer. >> Thank you, Mr. President, board members. Um in your board package is the 3-year renewal contract for Parent Square. Parent Square is our all-in-one secure communication platform since 2022. Really serving as a central hub for school-to-home messaging, including emails, texts, and app alerts. Just some statistics on ParentSquare for you. The system reaches more than 92% of our families via text. More than 74% of our families use the direct message feature to contact teachers and staff. And since adopting ParentSquare in 2022, we have sent and received more than 7 million pieces of communication through the system. Um the administration recommends the purchase of ParentSquare Engage Premium for continued use in 2026 through 2029 for the total cost of $202,382.67. >> Thank you. Uh board members, you heard the recommendation of
043the administration for the purchase of ParentSquare Engage Premium for continued use uh in 2026 through 2029 for the total cost of $202,382.67. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Seconded by Ms. Bazin. Are there any questions or comments? >> It's a great point. >> And I'll I'll point out um from a parent perspective, it has been very nice to have all of that communication in one place. So, um thank you, Ms. Allen. I I'm sure you were a huge part of uh that coming to um to Crown Point, but having the ability to to not have multiple apps and having it in one place. And I know they're very diligent on making sure the communication is streamlined and not over-communicating or under-communicating. So, um this is a really important resource
044to make sure families are involved in what's happening. So, thank you for this. >> Well said. Anything else? All right. Move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Nay? Vote carries 4-0. Move on to item 5.04, uh donation Bulldog Wrestling Club, Mr. Reese. >> Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board. Tonight I bring before you a $5,000 donation from the Bulldog Wrestling Club. These resources will be used to purchase new wrestling mats for the Crown Point High School wrestling program. Administration recommends approval of the $5,000 donation to the high school. >> Board members, you heard the recommendation uh to accept the $5,000 contribution from the Bulldog Wrestling Club for the Crown Point High School wrestling program. May I have a motion? So moved by Ms. Basin. Seconded by Mr. Warning.
045Are there any questions or comments? There being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Nays? Uh there are no nays, so the vote carries 4-0. Uh just want to say thank you to the booster club for continuing to raise those funds for to support our our student athletes. Always helps a great deal. Uh we'll move on to item 5.05, uh donation Crown Point Music Boosters Association. Back to you, Mr. Reese. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh tonight we bring before you a donation from the Crown Point Music Boosters Association. The the the donation's for $6,108.08. Resources will be used to purchase new instruments and music stands for the band programs at Crown Point High School. Administration recommends uh accepting the donation from the Crown Point
046Music Boosters Association. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Board members, you heard the recommendation of administration to accept the contribution of $6,108.08 from the Crown Point Music Boosters Association for the band program. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel. Seconded by Ms. Bazan. Are there any questions or comments? >> Just like to thank all those involved in the Boosters Association. I know fundraisers are done, all kinds of activities to raise that money. So, greatly appreciate appreciate it for those volunteer efforts of those involved. >> That being said, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Nays. The vote carries 4-0. We'll move on to item 5.06, 2026-2027 school meal prices, Mr. Reese. >> Thank you. And tonight we'll bring bring before you an increase in school meal
047prices. This is a 10-cent increase across all categories except for middle school breakfast, which we're asking for 20-cent increase. Now, with that I want to make sure we announce the the prices that we're talking about. For breakfast, the elementary will be a dollar eighty, the middle school and high school will be a dollar ninety. For lunches, we range at 2.65 at the elementary, 2.85 at the middle school, 3.20 at the high school, and Trinity and St. Mary's at 3.75. So, with that we're recommending approval of the meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year, a 10-cent increase in all prices except the 20-cent increase at the middle school breakfast. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of the meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year with a
04810-cent increase in all prices except a 20-cent increase in the middle school breakfast. May I have a motion? So moved by Ms. Bazan. Seconded by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Nays. The vote carries 4-0. We move to item 5.07, food to school purchasing cooperative contract awards for 2026-2027. Mr. Reese. >> Thank you, Mr. President. We are part of a cooperative for all of our food service purchasing that we do. With included in this cooperative is our HPS Gordon Food Service. The secondary distributor is Commercial Food Systems. The dairy distributor is the Dairy Farmers of America and then Shankles. The bread distributor is for Alpha Baking Company. The cooperative from districts across the
049state all pull together, do one large bid for the group of schools that are part of this. And with that, we're recommending approval of the food to school purchasing cooperative contract for 2026-2027 school year. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of the food to school purchasing cooperative contract award for the 2026-2027 school year. May I have a motion? So moved by Mr. Angel. Seconded by Ms. Basin. Any questions or comments? The only question I have, Mr. Reese, would be whether or not is how does the cooperative work in the way it's structured? Or do we have a representative on there? Is there a representative in our region? Or could you just briefly speak on that? >> Yeah, so our director of food service participates as
050far as the cooperative is one that evaluates the bids. We simply submit the information in as what we believe our quantities are going to be. They use that to compile and process data. Obviously, you can get a really good price when you compile which are you consider all the school corporations across the state. So, Christine's very involved with the food to school purchasing. The vendors have been very good to respond back when we have issues for us Uh she works really closely with those vendors and really the corporate side of it at that point becomes a one-on-one relationship with the vendor. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? All right, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> The vote carries 4-0. We'll move on to item
0515.08, life and uh AD&D insurance policies, Mr. Reese. >> Thank you. I'm excited to bring this one to you. We have been for the past 30 years. This is the last piece of benefits that have been split between the Teachers Association and everyone else. We combined many of our benefits back in 2009. This is the last piece that didn't get combined. This is the life insurance and AD&D policies that we have. Uh so with that, we have Madison and Sun Life for two vendors that we work with currently. We're We're Starting June 1st, we'd like to combine those two vendors into one vendor working with Madison National. Uh we did uh send out quotes for both parties to see uh who came in the best. Uh I'm excited to announce that not only does this
052lock in our life insurance and AD&D rates for 45 months until December of 2029. It's kind of hard to believe that's on the verge of 2030. Um but we lock in our rates and with this save the corporation about $14,000 over what we're paying currently with those two vendors. So combining them into one from an administrative perspective it's going to really streamline uh what Karen Peace Pierce can do in our benefits department can do. So we're finally excited to bring this to you uh to move uh all of our life and AD&D to Madison National Life. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Uh board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of the termination of the Sun Life insurance coverage and to join the Madison National Life uh life insurance coverage plan. Do
053I have a motion? >> So moved by Ms. Brazeau. >> Seconded by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? >> Mr. President, I'd be remiss if I stepped in to second. There are no changes to the benefits for any any of the groups. That was the largest piece to get through with the different classes of employees we had. Getting them to match those benefits for everybody was the the most difficult. So, no change to any of our employees, their cost, or the benefit that we're providing. Just wanted to make sure I made that clarification. Sorry about that. I think that was a question that was going to come your way. Thank you for your due diligence on that and thank you for continuing to proactively look for ways to save the corporation money. >>
054Thank you, Mr. Reese. With that being said, any other questions or comments? All right, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Okay. The vote carries 4-0. Move on to item information recognition items. Item 6.01, Superintendent's Discussion Groups. Is there anything from Mr. Yerrick? Mr. Angel, anything? >> Mr. Winfield? >> I'm waiting to get a call back from a member regarding some of the redevelopment things that have been brought up in the Winfield area. So, as soon as I have some information from that individual, I will pass it on. >> Okay, thank you. And I know Mr. Vasser's not here this evening, so we'll bypass him. We'll move to item 6.02, Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Cascino. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. A few items tonight. First
055off, I want to take this opportunity, bless you, to congratulate and recognize Maryann Bucko. Recently, Ms. Bucko announced her retirement. She is, believe it or not, finishing her 30th year as the principal of MacArthur Elementary School and her 38th year, I believe, in education overall. So, personally, I feel very lucky to uh you know, have the opportunity to work with Ms. Bucko for about the last 10 years or so. Um I've really enjoyed working with her, learning from her. I know our elementary leadership team is really going to miss uh her presence and her knowledge on our team. Um she means so much to that MacArthur community. She means so much to our Crown Point uh community school corporation community and uh just wish her all the best. And uh just very grateful for all
056her service and her leadership and uh an incredible career for her. Um switching gears a little bit. This time of year it is uh our end of the year testing season. Um our youngest learners in grades K through 2 uh will be taking their end of the year NWEA assessments. Um starting that window will open up uh May 4th, um wrap up May 15th. Um we will send home parent reports to our K2 parents uh at the conclusion of that testing window. Um for our older elementary students in grades 3 through 5, they have been working really hard uh on their ILEARN assessments. Uh typically, we receive results for those ILEARN assessments during the month of May. Um this year's a little different, however. Uh the state is doing something this summer called standard setting
057and they're creating new cut scores for those ILEARN assessments. So, we are not going to get ILEARN results um until uh they haven't said exactly, but uh one document they sent out today said September. So, um it's going to be a a wait uh to get those ILEARN results. Except in science, they did new cut scores in science a couple years ago, so uh science scores will be rolling in uh during May, but um that is a big change. Just wanted to note that. Uh finally, uh on April 14th, uh Solon Robinson hosted our area Math Bowl competition in the Colonel Wheeler gym. It was a big night for Jerry Ross. Jerry Ross took home state runner-up honors. So, they only missed one question. There was one other elementary school that had a perfect score.
058I think down in the Indianapolis area, but Jerry Ross was state runner-up, which is a really huge accomplishment. Colonel Wheeler is always very gracious in hosting that event, and great job to the Solon team for organizing that for our kids. Thank you. >> Sorry. Thank you, Dr. Kachur. We'll move on to item 6.03, Director of Secondary Education, Mrs. Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. Tonight, I would like to also thank our teachers, administration, students, families for all of the excellent work preparation that they have put forth in preparing for ILEARN, and now executing ILEARN at the middle level. Another big set of assessments that are being handled at the high school are our AP testing for advanced placement that will start next week and will follow for the following 2 weeks. I
059really am very grateful for all of the work that Mr. Wells, the administrative team over there, and Diana Smith have done in overseeing all testing throughout the corporation. Along with testing that we have going on, of course, I want to thank our educators. It is Educator Appreciation Week next week, and as we had the opportunity to meet with the finalists for our Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year candidates. It's really just so inspiring and so such a good reminder of why we all got into education and remain steadfast in our belief of the work that we do every day. So, I really am just very excited to be able to celebrate educators next week, and thank all educators. And I think that Dr. Terrell has done an excellent job of making sure
060that we don't only call it teacher appreciation week, but educator appreciation week and that everybody that works in our schools is educating our students and makes an impact. Along with being um impactful are many of our extracurricular activities and I want to highlight Green Machine, which is over at Crown Point High School. They, along with the art club at Crown Point High School, um partnered together to celebrate Earth Day and they created rain barrels to um really, I think, explain to others in our community the importance of water conservation and the opportunities that we have here to partner with our community through production of these rain barrels. Animal shelter drive was held by our Pulse Club, which is a service organization that helps problem-solve. They bring together um student leaders from various clubs and so
061they made donations to the Lake County Animal Shelter and got to go over to the animal shelter not only to provide the donations, but then to see some of the animals as well. So, really big impact to our community. And last but not least, I want to thank Taft. They um started a construction club this year and so students recently learned how to pour and form concrete as well as how to drive nails. And um we were able to see in Super Things the construction club over at Colonel Wheeler. So, it's awesome that both of our middle schools have had this experience. So, just want to thank all educators um throughout our corporation for everything that they do every day from academics to extracurriculars and co-curriculars. >> Excellent. Thank you, Ms. Morales. We'll move on
062to item 6.04, Director of Exceptional Education, Ms. Vasquez. >> Good evening, President Smith, members of the board. Uh I'd like to take a minute to thank my team. We held our annual transition fair last Wednesday. Um and it really was truly a team effort um to organize and um implement the fair this year. So, we had about 50 vendors um and and a few staff volunteers and our families came through and were able to um get some information from those folks about life after high school and maybe some supports and services available now to them. Uh I'd also like to thank um the Wheeler National Junior Honor Society in partnership with Ben's Blue Bags. Um and I don't know if you're familiar with that organization, but it's one of our uh fireman Matt Kodicek here
063in Crown Point has started a project where he creates bags for first responders to carry in their vehicle um and it contains all kinds of sensory items. Um so, when they respond uh to try to help out maybe a student or child that struggles with sensory needs. So, the Honor Society at Wheeler took time to put together bags and um he made 25 I think they made 25. So, each of our applied skills rooms will get a bag. And the Honor Society students and um Darlene Varga, their sponsor, are going to take a bus Friday morning next Friday morning and deliver to our five in-town elementary schools and meet the kids and deliver them to the rooms. And then just make sure you have in your calendar Wednesday, May 20th, best day of the year,
064Crown Point High School, 10:00 to 1:00, Unified Game Day. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ms. Paskis. Move to item 6.05, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Gene Farmer. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Well, you know, after the directors are done, they have picked the bone pretty clean, but thankfully, we have a lot of good things going on in the school corporation. I usually can find something, so No, that's great. They're They're doing a great job and they they love to brag on our kids and our teachers as they should. Uh but I do have a one really I think exciting thing. Uh we had seven students at Crown Point High School that are National Merit Scholarship Qualifiers. So, let me just put that in perspective, you know, over 1.3 million students take this test and about 50,000 are
065considered qualifiers. So, that's pretty impressive. So impressive, I'm going to read their names for you. It's okay. So, Aaron Grady, Gabriel Perez, Bernardino Perea, Thirusha Malladi, Austin Hunt, Emma Kaylin, and Brandon Lopez. So, congratulations to those students. They'll go on and potentially end up semi-finals, which gets moved down to 16,000 and then then you get to the national finals. So, congratulations, that's pretty impressive. And then uh just my one other item is just congratulations to Mrs. Buckle on her retirement. Um you know, you can't say enough for her time spent at MacArthur. Um just all the young lives she's shaped over the years and what she's meant to that school and our school corporation. We're just a better place for having been with her all that time and really excited for her for her retirement.
066Wish her well and just congratulations on a really remarkable career. >> Thank you, Mr. Dean, for me. Item 6.06, Chief Financial Officer Mr. Reese. >> Good evening. I'm happy to report that this afternoon we received our certificate of no remonstrance being filed in the debt issuance that you had passed the resolution for the preliminary determination at the last meeting. Um we're excited about that. What that gives us now is the opportunity uh when the timing is right to go ahead and start moving forward with issuing some of that debt when we need it, but also keeping in mind trying to figure out ways to minimize our interest cost for that borrowing. One thing I I'd like to clean up, there's been some uh misunderstanding from what this is and what it does for the school
067corporation. Uh and I just want to reiterate again, this provides us flexibility. This debt issuance does not solve our financial problems. It's one piece of our financial plan uh moving forward. Uh this we anticipate this debt issuance taking place uh anywhere from potentially towards the end of this year all the way up into maybe 5 to 10 years from now uh as debt is rolling off uh uh as we pay it off. So, I just want to make sure that you all are aware, but also the community is aware uh that this is simply one piece of our financial puzzle. Uh it's an important piece uh and I want to thank you for support and I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me on this topic in the next say 5 to 7 months. >>
068Thank you, Mr. Reese. Uh item 6.07, director communications, uh Mrs. Allen. >> Thank you. Good evening. Um Friday of next week, so not only is it educator appreciation week, but on Friday, it's also school communications day because there's day for everything, so why not that as well. Um I just want to take a second to thank the more than 350 staff members who have submitted good news to our communications department this year. Um 1,500 pieces of good news, in fact, that we've shared reaching more than 4 million people online. In particular, I want to thank our social media people within the buildings themselves because not only do they share that content to help reach family and community, but this year they did it with some new guidelines for accessibility required at the federal level. So,
069it's not just as easy as posting pictures with the nice content, they also had to meet some new um descriptive text things that we had to do internally. Those individuals are Pam Rector, Jenny Myers, Rachel Bruno, Heather Corsey, Alicia Bellamy, Jenna Connell, Brandy Newell, Mary Jones, and Lisa Keen. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Allen. Move on to item 6.08, Superintendent Dr. Terrell, Superintendent of Schools, sorry. >> Thank you. Uh this evening, echoing some of the thoughts that have already been expressed regarding Marion Bucko and her retirement. Uh Marion is an amazing educator and I truly believe has impacted thousands and thousands of kids and people across our communities. This year, her 30th year, they're doing different groups are taking a week and doing something for her on the big wall as you walk in
070and it's just like the perfect swan song for her as she heads off into retirement and wish her nothing but the best. Also, in our personnel report tonight, Marty Freeman has decided to retire. Um Marty is our director of transportation. Uh Marty came here when our transportation department uh was in need of some reviving, if we will. Um challenge of getting bus drivers and has done amazing job uh with that as well. And so, we just want to congratulate both of them. Uh Mr. Ramirez, as mentioned, Educator Appreciation Week, as have a couple others. Again, we Teacher Appreciation Week is Educator Appreciation Week here and we refer that to all employees and we thank each one of them for all they do and we will have some uh special opportunities. I know PTOs get really
071involved in this. Some of the uh spreads that they put out, the teachers eat on for a couple of days next week. So, um I'm sure that our teachers will be eating good uh next week, for sure. Lastly, I just as we uh look to the financial situation that we are in, uh want to just make a comment regarding that. We have spent the last 7 months planning for the financial shortfall that we as a corporation are currently experiencing as well as what is coming in the next several years. As a reminder, this financial pressure is a result of several things. Slow and slow enrollment limits our new revenue despite community growth and as you hear repeatedly with all the new houses going in, we're still uh not experiencing great significant growth each and every
072year. So, that's been uh kind of a slow and steady growth. Um the impact of vouchers and an additional 100 to 150 students per year over the last 4 years now that the state has no income uh requirements or restrictions on vouchers. Approximately $2 million annually annually lost due to the changes in the textbook curricular funding uh that was passed in 2023. Uh our exceptional education needs continue to increase. Our student population has grown at a rate of 2.5% and our exceptional needs student growth is at 31%. Uh requires more specialized staff and services. All All of this is also compounded by uh SEA 1 and the additional burden that is going to be uh that is going to place on our operations fund uh beginning this coming year and going forward as well. In
073December, we reduced a million dollars. We will be adding to that total and reducing an additional 6.3 million. We have realized significant savings through attrition and at this time we will not RIF any of our classroom teachers. More information will be shared with our staff and communicate with our community members later this week. Please understand that even with these cuts and the impact of SEA 1 will result in significant funding shortfall and we must take the appropriate steps to avoid additional reductions and keep Crown Point schools strong and innovative in the coming years. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Terrell. Uh I think we could roll into the 7.01 and maybe we can discuss Dr. Terrell's comments if you guys wish to do so with that. So, this is other board business of the board
074at this time. Does anybody have anything to share or comments? >> Uh question going back to Mr. Chiquena. Um is there any did did our elementaries at all lean on those I learn results at all for um high ability placement or Uh you know, you mentioned that that's not going to come out and we won't receive that until September. Is there any impact or modification needed on for not having those results? >> Are you referring to high ability identification? >> Yeah, did we use I'm basically general statement. Did we use those results as a school corporation for any you know, help in where or with students? >> Yes. >> Yeah, exactly. >> is the first year of the I learn checkpoint through year assessment system. We piloted it last year. So, even though we don't
075have those, we will not have the summative results on ELA and math here in May, we do have last year's summative results as well as the three checkpoints from this year and we've been using those in a number of ways. >> Okay. So, no impact for the I mean, in a nutshell, it's not going to >> It would be great to have those time It would be great to have results in a timely way, but the state is working through those new cut scores, um and we're uh you know, we have data from other sources that we're using, but um at the elementary level, we'll be meeting with teachers over the next couple weeks to update our curriculum maps and things like that. So, yeah, using the data we have available to make make decisions.
076>> At the student level and district level. >> Okay, when you walked away that thought popped in my head so I thought I'd ask, but thank you. >> Yep. >> Okay, thanks. >> Just like to mention the other of the meetings coming up. We have our last strategic planning meeting next week. An early board meeting this year month of May not because of the labor day Memorial Day, I'm sorry. >> I I think just to add to that, May is always busy with events as well, so what I'll do is try to communicate to each of you see if we can get these major events covered like the military stole presentation. retirement lunches and dinners and all that stuff. You have uh Yeah, I think there's a luncheon for Yeah, that's the internship partnerships. So,
077I just want to make sure we got some coverage there. specific hangouts certain events that explore the I'll try to get the key ones down on these, but if you know you're attending if you can let me know that would be Um number two, I think it's appropriate at this time. I think Brook uh board members you guys each have something that was presented to you that outlines the budget reduction key points, uh ongoing pressures, and it explains it does a great job of explaining how funding works for schools between the education fund, operations fund, referendum fund, and debt service fund. Um I'm being told that Miss Allen put this together. At some point it may be released to the public, but I think I just want to say thank you cuz this is like
078uh note cards. You You ever seen like if you read a book you got these Cliff Notes? That's what this is. It's perfect for a guy like me. All right, so thank you for taking the time to put that together and assisting with >> And if you'll notice that QR code it's [clears throat] a video series of seven like minute minute and a half max little videos that go with each of the different areas that just to kind of give you a little bit further explanation and all will be posted on our website as well. So, people can go there and find this information. >> The only other thing I want to say in response to Dr. Terrell's comments and in my 10th year on the board, I know we've all been on the board
079a few years, some longer than others, but I think this is one of the few times where we've had to make tough decisions and it's unfortunate. It's not anything that anybody wants to do or has to do, but we have to do it as part of our responsibilities. I know a lot of thought has gone into it, so it's difficult times, but I know we've always had support from our community. I anticipate and expect we'll have continued support from our community. They've always been great and blessed us and our students, our teachers, and our staff. And I have no doubt that we'll be able to steer the direction of this and get back on track despite some of the changes and the financing changes that are thrown our way. So, I know I have great
080trust in our administration, our leaders, our building leaders. We'll do what's right. So, we just may get a little rocky for a little bit, but we'll hang on. We'll be we'll get back on track, so. >> Brian, to that to your to your point about the the budget and challenges, I think it's very important that anyone who has questions knows to ask them. You know, there's there's we've learned there's there there are answers. A lot of them are spelled out through Dr. Terrell when what you had to say, this piece of paper. Um but there should be really no We don't want confusion and different fears that that that are just aren't necessary. >> Throughout the rest of the week, there's a very extensive communication plan in place where individuals and different groups will be
081receiving different information at the at the appropriate time. Um information will be explained for next steps and uh just a little bit more about what's what's going on in your cabinet. So, as you mentioned, questions, please make sure that those get to the right areas. Start with building level leaders and >> Thank you. We'll move on to item 8.01, board statements of appreciation and recognition. Mr. Waring. >> Well, as we said that with Ms. Bucko's retirement and so many key retirements in our corporation this year, I just wanted to share that with Ms. Bucko. I was you know, in formal settings, she would present at a board meeting, or we'd see her in a in a situation that um I knew of her, I knew what a great job she was doing at MacArthur, but
082then I was uh given the opportunity to do a walk and talk at one point in time. And just we walked through the building, and I actually did two. And what the second one, I believe, was with Mr. Smith. And um and I like truly gained uh an appreciation and a respect for what she did, um how she can you know, ran her building, and and conducted her work. And uh so, I I just feel like sometimes it's uh you know, if that little little pieces uh of acknowledgement to what we saw what I saw and how she had the respect of her building, it means so much it always meant so much to me, but seeing it in person was really special. And I'm sure that's the way she uh um was always viewed
083around her around her building. So, congratulations, and thank you for all the years of service. >> Mr. Angel. >> Uh yes, congratulations to Mary. And I got to know her being here a pretty long time. And the extras that are needed to make sure MacArthur stays on a level playing field with uh parent things and issues like that that some of our schools don't deal with on a daily basis. I can vividly remember a uh story she told where a parent had left her minivan open overnight and then brought her kids to school late and overnight a raccoon had gotten underneath the seat in the back. So, literally got there and then the raccoon, as the kids were getting dropped off for school school were found in there and Marion had the resources and that
084to make sure that that raccoon was going to get out of that van before anybody else went back in it. So, just uh one of the stories I'll never forget in my work with the kids here because uh I'm sure a lot of people would have probably freaked out in a different way and things might have not have gone as planned knowing you have kids in there on the way to school. So, congratulations to her and also to Marty. Uh Marty hasn't been with us a whole lot of time, but I can tell you this. If you think about what goes on on a daily basis in a transportation department of a school this size with 9,000 kids and getting kids back and forth in a safe manner, getting athletic teams, band teams, you name
085it, every which way but loose to their destinations in a safe manner, managing those bus drivers, making sure the bus uh inspections are up to code and that we're passing all those. I mean, I can't imagine uh sleep especially maybe in wintertime when you have to make a decision whether or not we're delaying school or closing school because what's the number one priority? Keeping children safe. So, congratulations to Marty. We're going to miss him because um our prior uh main stay that we had in that position for a long time was very good at the job and he filled that role to put sustainability in there, uh make sure that we're in a position where we're in today trying to find that next position to lead that department. So, congratulations to him. >> It's amazing.
086Just want to echo um the congratulations. Marty has done a fantastic job leading our transportation department, so he will definitely be missed. Um hopefully he enjoys retirement. Uh same to Mrs. Bucko. She um when I think about the way that I know her was as a second grade teacher with her leading a different building, not the one I was in. Um, if there's one thing that you could definitely say is that she loved her kids and her families. And, um, and I so admire her constant pushing for the absolute best education that she could provide for her students. So, you know, I think at times it's easy to, you know, you get a few years into teaching or into any job and you kind of, uh, let your foot off the gas and think, all
087right, I kind of have it figured out. Maryann was was really, um, always one who kept pushing for what can we do better, what can we do more, how can we, um, continue to drive results with students. And, um, and I I really admire her, um, doing that for 30 years. So, that is a huge commitment. She has touched so many lives in our community and, um, we really appreciate her years of service. Um, had the opportunity to, um, to attend our Laude ceremony that we had a couple weeks ago. It was wonderful to see all of our students, um, come across the stage who are receiving, um, their stalls for their, uh, GPA levels. And it is incredible when I look at some of the GPAs that we have. Like, I'm really not certain
088how that is possible, but those students are certainly putting in the work. And, um, and the most touching part, the reason that that is one of my favorite ceremonies, we have four students who read a letter to the teacher who has touched them the most. And, um, and the reason I bring that up is as we are approaching our, um, educator appreciation week, I think that one of the best things that you can do, um, for the educators that you appreciate is to make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them. And and if you can give them a specific thing that you really appreciate, I challenge you to write that in a card, have your kids write that in a card, or on a even a note paper, and make sure that
089you're, um, sharing that appreciation. I think so many of us hold gratitude for these amazing educators in our lives and and an appreciation for what they're doing for our kids and our students. Make sure to share that. It's not an easy job. It's not an easy um thing to love doing. So, I think anytime you can hear the appreciation from families, that is especially meaningful. So, it was great to hear that at the ceremony. Hopefully, we can share that with our educators next week. And um the last thing that I want to end with is I was able to attend Shark Tank at the high school. You guys are probably sick of hearing me talk about all my favorite things, but that is one of my annual favorite things. I got to be a shark
090and listen to our future entrepreneurs pitch their ideas for various food trucks. And every year that I've attended, it has continued to get better and better. I told Mrs. Duncan this year, it's amazing that she can take where they have been and continue to push this class forward and she's another one who is constantly evolving and it was really awesome to see. She was even telling us how she's used AI and allowed the students to use AI in a way that I think is fantastic in the way that we kind of have talked about, which is letting that be a catalyst to get more work done. So, instead of they used to have to make phone calls to get pricing on things, she allowed them to use AI for that, right? Like that's not the
091most critical piece, but allowed them to focus on the rest of what they were doing. So, super fantastic and right after that, we were able to see a presentation from three of our brightest students that we have at the high school. And these ladies have an invention to help students or everybody, I guess, in general who has diabetes. And so, they are pitching their product at the Big Sell at Purdue Northwest coming up here on May 2nd. So, we wish them the very best of luck. These these um have invented something themselves and really put a ton of work in with um the assistance of our um really everyone across the board at the high school. Um so, it's wonderful to see the collaboration um and our amazing students not allowing barriers of age or
092where they are in their life to stop them from doing amazing things. So, on that note, I will turn it over to Mr. Smith. >> Well done. Just speaking of the laude presentations and hearing them students speak, I mean Lenny brought that up a day now cuz hearing the students speak about their teachers, the one thing that rang a bell for every every teacher that spoke was that teacher believed in me. When nobody else really believed in me, their their circumstances were different, that teacher believed in me. And I just think that resonated with me so much because I think uh as a student, as a child, somebody young, you know, that I think that's half the battle. It's just getting somebody to believe in them. And and now we got people creating inventions. I
093mean, how fantastic that we have that opportunity. I just want to echo that uh uh first with Ms. Bucko, what David said. Yeah, we went through there and I think it's ironic that you talked about the wall that they're going to honor her on this wall because when I went through there, I don't think there was a wall there when I went through the building. And and the it was amazing cuz I was blown away. I felt like I was going through trapdoors and and she just kept it rolling, you know, through those changes and that building construction and um all the people were happy and they were excited and I'm sitting there going, it looks like a war zone in here, you know. So, I felt like more than all the other buildings it
094was really modified and she did great, but what what came across and really uh touched me with her was her her genuineness. I think she spoke to us and we had an opportunity to listen and it was not a hey, this this this this. It was like, this is Jenny, these are the issues I have in the school, this is my kids, this is what our school's about, and these are this is what I have to deal with. And that really helped. I mean it really helped and I think when Todd you came aboard and it changed things and I think it just it it you could feel the passion that she had for her students at that moment and that time and her and her employees in her building. She cared. She genuinely cared
095and so uh just an incredible career. Thank you. It it just you know, say it every time. Can never be honored. 30 years of work and it feels like 10 minutes. Thanks. Hey, great. Appreciate retirement. But it really really does resonate and make a difference in everybody's life. So thank you and Marty just came in and settled the waters. He just did a fantastic job. Yeah. Just uh I heard a story about Marty when I first came on and it just made me so happy and that was uh there were some issues before and and things resonated but when Marty came on Marty was not a guy that sat in his office. He was not a guy that sat in his room. Marty went and had lunch with his employees. He sat at the table
096and I think those kind of things makes a difference. He listened. He heard. He created relationships. He created bonds. And I think uh that's the expectation for all our leaders that you would be personal sit with our people and and build those relationships. So thank you Marty. I know you're an East Central guy. Hopefully you're staying around. I don't know. All right. And uh we thank you for all your work. I know we didn't have you a long time but man, what a difference. So All right. With that being said, I we can uh look for a motion to adjourn. Uh moved. So moved by Mr. Angel. Seconded by Ms. Faison. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Nays? Vote carries 4-0.