001Good evening and welcome to the board of school of trustees for the Crown Point school board this meeting of January 26, 2026. I would like to call the meeting to order at 606. If we could all please rise as Mr. Angel leads us leads us in the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. All right. Before I begin this evening, I want to just have a roll call of the board members. We have two members that are appearing remotely uh via video stream and uh that is Miss Basin and Mr. Vasser. So, uh, per statute and per our policies, our votes tonight will have to be taken by roll call. So, uh, if I call your name, if you can just say present or here, and we'll start with Mr. Warning >> here.
002Mr. Angel >> here. >> Mr. Vasser, >> Miss Basin, >> and I'm here as well. And I just want to uh make sure Miss Basin, Mr. Vasser, you can hear. Okay. >> Okay. I'll try to speak in the microphone more. Can you Is that better? >> All right, >> Brian. Thank you. >> All right. All right. We're going to move on to item 2.01. Uh, suspend regular meeting and open the board reorganizations. May I have a motion to approve to suspend the regular meeting of business and open the board reorganization meeting. >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> And second by Mr. Warning. Um, we're going to take a uh Are there any questions or comments? With there being no questions or comments, we're going to take a roll call vote. Mr. Warning, you can
003vote yay or nay to to approve and suspend a regular meeting open and business reorganization. >> Is that a yay? >> Yay. >> Yeah. Mr. Angel. >> Yay. >> Miss Basin. >> And Mr. Vasser. >> And I myself will be yay. So, the vote will carry 5-0. We'll uh we'll begin the the board reorganization meeting. Item 2.02, election of officers. Um may I have nominations on uh for president uh for the office of president of the board of school trustees for the to nominate Mr. Brian Smith for president. >> Like to second that nomination. >> We have a first by Mr. Angel, second by Mr. Hornley. Are there any other nominees? Okay, we'll close the nominations. Are there any questions or comments? >> With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote
004uh to approve Brian Smith as uh president for the 2026 school year. Mr. Warney, >> I vote to approve Brian Smith president for 2026 school year. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. >> Yay for that one. >> Miss Basin. >> Yay. and Mr. Vasser >> and I'll abstain. And so that vote will carry 40. Move to item 2.03, electional officers, vice president for the 2026 uh school year or I should say annual year. Uh Mr. Warning, um any nominees? I apologize. >> I'd like to nominate Miss Basin for vice president for 2026 school year. >> We have a motion for Miss Basin. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Angel, are there any other nominees? With there being no further nominees, we'll close the nominations uh and we'll move. Are there any questions or
005comments before we move to a vote? Okay, we'll move to a vote. I'll start with uh yourself, Mr. Warning. >> Yeah, your name Miss Basin for vice president 2026. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. >> Yay. Uh Miss Baz. Uh okay, Mr. Vasser, we'll go to you next to approve Miss Basin as vice president. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> Okay. And I myself and a yes. Uh Miss Basin, are you abstaining from that vote? >> Okay. All right. We'll show the vote carry 40. And Miss Basin will be vice president uh for next year. Moving on to item 2.04, election officer for secretary. Uh do we have any nominees? >> Like to nominate Tim Vasser for the position of secretary. We have a nomination for Tim Vasser. Do we have a second? >> I'd second Tim
006Vasser for secretary. >> And we have a second by Mr. Warning. Uh are there any other nominees nominations? >> With there being no further nominations, we'll close the uh nominations and we'll uh are there any questions or comments before we begin to vote? No questions or comments. So we'll move to a vote. Mr. Warney, we'll start with you. >> Yay to approve. Ambassador for secretary >> Mr. Angel >> Miss Basen >> Danielle can you hear me? I'll vote for yay to approve Mr. Vasser. Mr. Vasser, are you abstaining from that vote? >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. Miss Basin, can you hear me? All right, we'll move the vote will carry 300 and we'll move along. Hopefully, we can get Danielle back on here uh with Mr. Basser abstaining. Uh item 2.05, appointments by the
007board, treasurer of the governing body and school corporation who is not a board member. Deputy treasurers of the governing body and school corporation who are not a board member. This is a vote to approve the appointments of Matt Reese as treasurer and Lori Cooper and Tracy McMahon as deputy treasurers of the governing body and school corporation. I believe this is basically a renewal of the same positions as in the past. May I have a motion to bring this to the floor? >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Second by Mr. Warning. Are there any questions or comments again? I'm going to try. Miss Basin, are you there? Okay, she's still off. So, if there's no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote uh to uh approve Matt Ree as treasure and Lori Cooper and
008Trace McMahon as deputy treasures of the governing body and school corporation. Mr. Warning, >> Yay. Mr. Angel, >> Yay. Mr. Vasser, >> Yes. And I'm a yes as well. Miss Basin, you there? We'll show the vote carries 4. Uh, moving on to item 2.06, establish board of school trustees meeting dates, times, and locations. Uh, I believe there's a link here. Um, and the recommendation is to approve to schedule the business meetings on the fourth day of each month at 6 PM, which is what we've done in the past with exception of May 18th, 2026 and December 14th, 2026 for the calendar dates. Um, may I have a motion? >> So moved. But that was the fourth Monday of each month. >> What? >> Just to clarify the fourth day. >> Okay. Fourth Monday. Thank you.
009I left off m on the day. So fourth Monday. Thank you. >> Uh any other comments or >> second that motion? >> All right. All right. So we have a motion made by Mr. Angel. Second by Mr. Warning. Are there any questions or comments? There being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. Mr. Warning. >> Yay. >> Mr. Angel. >> Yay. >> Mr. Vasser. >> Yes. uh I myself in the yes and I think we lost Miss Basin so uh at this point so we'll show the vote carries 40 and that will become the scheduled dates for the 2026 year 2.07 establish board stipen for services and perdm rate. Uh this is uh the recommended action is to approve the board stipen rate of 2,000 per year for board services, a per DM
010rate of $150 per day for regular business meeting, and a per DM rate of $75 for executive meetings, special meetings, and committee meetings when a board member is named by the board of school trustees as its representative to legally hosted public committee meetings. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Warning, >> second by Mr. Angel um questions or comments? >> I know Mr. Vasser previously at a meeting previously had um brought up possibly if board members looking into either forfeiting, suspending or whatever. Um I I gave that a lot of thought. Uh my position at this point would be due to the fact that that had nothing to do with what we were elected to do and the positions we do and that that was the Senate bills or the Senate legislator
011passing things that put us in this predicament. Um, I wouldn't uh be willing to not necessarily I'm not going to use the word give up, but I don't think we should penalize ourselves for the position we were elected for and have been serving all of us for more than a few years uh just because of the lack of uh let's just call it uh state uh and legislative wherewithal is how I'll put it. I I would uh just add I think it's important to note I believe these pay structures these recommendations are the same as years past as well. So >> it did d it did increase now to where the regular meetings are 150 >> and the exacts are 75 that did change. >> Okay. All right. So >> but that wasn't our recommendation.
012>> that's the statuto recommendation. Uh Mr. Vasser, I know you previously had some thoughts on this. Do you want the floor? Just a warning. thoughts. >> My my uh my comment would just be that, you know, I believe that the positions of the school board are critically important to the community. I believe that compensation is fair. I don't anticipate or expect anybody to ever work without compensation, no matter what the position is. And I think we want the best candidates possible. And so if you know to me to have people volunteer time on something like this, then it becomes a volunteer position, which there's nothing wrong with volunteers. It's important. It's it's instrumental to our community, but I fear that then it becomes treated like a volunteer position as opposed to an important position within
013our community. So, um, for me, I would say keep the pay. I think it could also set some precedent that is hard to undo in the future. I would say keep the structure. I personally, Mr. Vasser, understand your your concerns and what you're saying. And so, um, to me, um, you know, volunteering in the community, being involved in the community, having helped to run football programs, baseball programs, I know all of us do that and been on the church board and all that, I understand the importance of it, understand what you're saying. So, for me personally, I would just put on the record, I'm going to go ahead and give up my $2,000 this year. I'm going to take it and I'm going to donate it. I'm going to donate it to Best Buddies um
014and give it back into the program. I know we had a golf outing I think that comes every year. That's who I'm going to donate it to um and hopefully sew it back into some of the kids that may be impacted by the cuts. So, I think that that's what I'm going to do and I just want to make a statement. So, I hear you, Mr. Vasser, but that's the position I'm going to take on that issue. Miss Basin came in and then she came back out, I believe. She's having issues with it connecting. We send her picture of it as well. So, I think it's probably I want to jump in and just remind our public as well that state statute changed and such that the board could actually take as much as 10%
015of starting teacher pay. So, you guys are taking really about 30% of what you could be too. So, appreciate that Mr. Smith. Appreciate your donation. >> Yeah, it's my pleasure. happy to do it. I think it's right thing to do under the circumstances. So, all right. Uh, are there any other questions or comments? Okay, we'll move to a vote. Oh, here she is. Before we move to vote, I want to get her thoughts if she's there. Miss Basin, are you can you hear us? And do you have any comments? No. All right, we'll move to a vote. Uh, all in favor? Uh, I'm sorry. We got to move to roll call. Mr. Warney, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> And I myself am a yes. And I don't
016believe Miss Basin uh is able to vote at this moment because of techn technology issues. So, we'll show the vote carries 40. Uh item 2.08 uh appointment of primary law firm. This is a vote uh to approve Pillar Jones LLC as a primary law firm for the Crown Point Community School Corporation at the hourly rates for legal services to be provided in 2026. Just $250 per hour for partners, $200 for associates, and $125 per hour for parallegals build in quarter hour increments. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Second by Mr. Warning. Are there any questions or comments? U Mr. Smith, with you being the attorney in the group, I would just uh like to make sure you mention to the public so they're aware that that is a very
017uh reasonable rate for now for legal fees based on the state. >> That is uh I I can represent to the public that these rates are lower than the expected rates for law firms, especially with the experience that we have with Miss Pillar, who runs as our lead council. These rates are lower than what you would find in the general public, especially with her years of experience. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Uh, with that being stated, uh, we'll move to a vote. Uh, Mr. Warning, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> And I, myself and the yes as well. So, we'll show the vote carries 40. All right. Uh, moving to item 2.09, appointment of legislative leaison. Uh this is a appointment to approve an individual from
018the board as a legislative leaison for 2026. Uh do we have any nominees? I I I will personally don't do this typically, but since I spoke, Mr. Vasser said he'd be willing to serve in that capacity again. And so I would nominate Mr. Vassor for that. >> I'll second that. >> So we'll show a motion made by myself, Mr. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? Uh there's no questions or comments. We'll move to uh a vote. Mr. Angel. >> Yay. >> I'm sorry. When I'll turn Mr. Warning. >> Yay. >> Mr. Vasser, are you abstaining on that one? >> And I will uh I'm a yay. So we'll show the vote carries 30 with Mr. Vasser abstaining. Okay. Item 3.01. The This is a motion. We need a motion
019to approve the reorganization meeting and open the board of finance meeting. To close the reorganization meeting and open the board of finance meeting. I have a motion. >> A motion to close the reorganization meeting and open the board of finance meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. Uh do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Warney. Are there any questions or comments? All right, let's take a vote to close the reorganization meeting and open the board of finance meeting. Mr. Warney, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Basser. >> Yes. >> Miss Basin. >> Yes. >> And I myself yes. So the vote carries 50 and the reorganization meeting is closed. Moving on to item 3.02 board of finance election of officers. Mr. Ree. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the board.
020Uh tonight is our annual board of finance meeting. There are a few items statutoily we need to complete during this meeting. Uh the first is the election of officers. Then we have the report of investments review on the investment policy and then the report on the financial condition using physical and qualitative indicators from DAP. So with that our first uh item is the election of officers. It's been past practice to elect the uh board members to the same positions they hold on the actual school board for the board of finance. Uh so with that we're recommending uh that the board of finance uh serve in those positions currently with the board of school trustees. President Brian Smith, Vice President Danielle Basin, and Secretary Tim Basser. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Uh board, you've heard the
021recommendation of the administration that the same officers that you disappointed be appointed for the board of finance positions to serve in their positions. Uh currently with the board of school trustees, president, which would be myself, Brian Smith, vice president Danielle Bates, and the secretary Tim Vasser. Um may I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Warning. >> Second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. >> Mr. Warning, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> yay. >> And I'm also a yay. We'll show the vote carries 5. Item 3.03. Uh, back to you, Mr. Ree. uh report of investments. >> Thank you for the report of investments. I'm happy to announce tonight
022our interest earnings for calendar year 2025. We're 1,586,37.97. This is a significant decrease from pre the last two years which we've had quite a bit of balances mainly from our construction projects and those that we've spent down. Uh we're also uh tied because all of our investments are tied to the Fed funds rate as that has slowly decreased over the last year. Uh that's another why our interest income is down. You will notice though our interest income is still quite a bit higher than what it was in 2021 and 22 when interest rates were much lower uh as we went through uh coming out of the pandemic. Um with that uh our investments currently are in high yield savings accounts with First Merchants and Chase. We made the transition uh this year in 2025 to
023move the majority as we close out our Chase accounts and move them all into first merchants. Uh so with that uh that completes the report of investments uh for 2025. >> Thank you, Mr. Ree. Board members, we don't have any uh voting procedure on this one, but are there any questions or comments before we move on? We'll move on to uh item 3.04 then um Crown Point Community School Corporation overall investment policy. Back to you, Mr. Ree. >> Another requirement of the board of finance meeting is to review the investment policy of the school corporation. Uh there's been no statutory changes regarding our investment capabilities from the state. Uh so with that, we have no changes uh to recommend for our investment in investment income uh policy statement. And that completes the review of the
024investment policy. >> Board members, again, you heard uh Mr. Reese just say there's no changes to the policy, so there's no voting procedure necessary this year. Are before we move on to the next action item or the uh uh are there any questions or comments related to 3.04. Okay, being no questions or comments, we'll move on to 3.05. Board of Finance reported Crown Point Community School Corporation financial condition using fiscal and qualitative indicators. Back to your uh you miss Ree. >> Thank you. It's important to note on this report for the DWAB uh physical and qualitative indicators. Uh the majority of this information is in regards to calendar year 2024. Um we're still in the process of closing out calendar year 2025. Uh the board of finance requires you to review these indicators for the
025calendar year 2024. It's important to remember that. Uh on the first page of the report, you'll note that our fall student count in 2425 school year was 8957.3. Uh with that, that's a growth of eight students over the previous year. This past year, we grew by approximately 75 students, though not part of this report. If you go to page two, you'll see that average daily membership and demographics. uh historically uh the the two lines on that bar graph the first one or in this case the blue one is the uh fall inperson count the green one is the spring in person count is taken twice for the corporation on October 1st and February 1 and those amounts are then used to determine funding uh for our education fund we historically have lost a few students
026nor mainly due to early graduates uh the senior class at the high school for those students who graduated in December The next page, page three of your report is in regard to fund balances. You'll notice a little that this fund balance report is skewed specifically in 2021 22 and 23. That's the process we went through in selling the holding corporation uh bonds and then them reimbursing us for purchasing of our properties. Uh you can see the start to spend down in 2023 of that and then in 2024 that balance is down quite a bit. Just to give you a good idea of what's really going on in the school corporation, when you eliminate that one bar graph, if you go to page four, you'll notice there that our balances have stayed uh fairly similar uh
027to the previous years as we've gone through there on page four. Once you take that other uh $50 million out of our fund balances there in the early 2020s, as we move to page five is an annual deficit and surplus. Uh you'll notice there uh this includes uh the all of the funds again. So the spendown beginning in 23 and 24 of those capital funds which produces the large deficit you see in 2024 again to give you a better idea and you see it with the black line. The black line is the actual uh balances uh that we have for the school corporation you see those decrease as well. Next page is uh page six. Uh again you see that I've shown it without those uh capital funds being included in there and you can
028still see why we did have a deficit of spending down of our balances. Um you'll see that's not as dramatic as what you see in the previous graph as spending down those capital funds. On page seven shows our fund balances as a percentage of expenditures. This simply looks at uh the few funds of uh education referendum operations and rainy day. Uh those funds are included there and that's the percentages you see. Uh so as not taking does not take into account at all those capital funds. You can see we're moving towards our goal of spending down our balances and completing 2024 with about 28.2% uh in those funds of our percentage of expenditures. On page eight shows the revenue by type. Again, you see in 2021 the large increase there for capital funds or debt
029revenue uh coming in. A better show sign of the school corporation health is the revenue by type on the next page on page nine which shows our steady increases as we get up to 2024. Though you do see uh some slowing of those increases starting in 2024. The last chart I have for you today that they require they ask us to include in the report is operating revenue referendum revenue. Uh the important one to note there is you do see the growth in the referendum uh revenue and going inside with the rest of growth of our funds. You'll notice that those balance the the percentage stays right around 6% other than the one year in 2021 which does include those capital funds. It takes that significant dip there in 2021 down to close to 4%.
030That concludes the report from DUAB. I will say at the end of 2024, our fund balances and our percentage of expenditures uh were in line uh in fact still a little high from where the goals that you have set as a board uh for those. Uh I can assure you that when we have this discussion next year in 20 2026 for the 2025 indicators, it'll be a different tone. >> Thank you, Mr. Ree. Are there any questions or comments? All right. Uh, there being no questions or comments, we move on to item 4.01. Patrons registered to comment on educational issues. There are >> We got to close. >> Oh, sorry. >> We have to move to close the board of uh finance meeting. May I have a motion? >> So move to close the board
031of finance meeting and resume our regular business meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. Second by Mr. Warning. Are there any questions or comments? All right, we'll roll call for the vote. Mr. Warning, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> yay. >> And I myself and a yes. So, uh, the vote carries 50. We'll show the board of finance meeting closed and to resume the regular business meeting. 4.01. Patrons register to comment on educational issues. There are none tonight. So, we'll move on to the consent agenda by Dr. Tero. 5.01. 5.02. 02 and 5.03. >> Thank you for your consideration this evening. We have 5.01 which is our regular business meeting and public hearing minutes from December 15, 2025. 5.02 the personnel agenda and then 5.03 the
032voucher registered checks as listed in your documents tonight. >> Thank you Dr. Terrell. Uh, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So, moved by Mr. Warning, >> a second. >> Second by Mr. Angel. Uh, before we take a vote, I just want to say that uh we had a some discussions before the meeting uh to the best we can try to get a legal opinion as to our policies and the state statute and how that applies. Miss Basin, Mr. asked her since you're appearing remotely. Board policy 1310 and Indiana code 5141.5-3.5 happen to deal with the votes and in particular um individual board members who are appearing remotely do not appear to have the ability to vote on any items which make a reduction in personnel. And so tonight, we've asked
033that you guys uh not vote on the consent agenda because it would most likely conflict with items 5.02. Before we take a vote, do you have any questions or comments regarding the consent agenda? Mr. Vasser, you first? >> Okay, Miss Basin, have >> Then we'll move to a vote. Uh there'll be the three of us. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. And the vote will carry 30. Consent agenda is passed. Moving on to item 6.01, textbook and resource adoption update. Elementary math. Dr. Kacina. >> Thank you, Mr. President and members of the board. For your consideration this evening, uh we have an elementary mathematics textbook and resource update for use beginning in 2026 2027. Uh the resour listed below align with and support the Indiana mathematics standards for grades K through five
034uh in our elementary schools. Currently, we use Bridges Mathematics and these materials uh listed for you represent an update to the most recent edition of Bridges Mathematics. Uh so, uh not necessarily a brand new adoption, but an update to uh our math curriculum that we've been using since 2017. Uh, the administration recommends the school board approve the textbook or resource update for use beginning in 2026 2027. Thank you, Dr. Kina. Uh, board members, you heard a recommendation of administration for the school board to approve the textbook or resource update for use beginning at 2026 2027. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel, >> seconded by Mr. Warney. Are there any questions or comments? I can Mr. Vasser. Yes, >> so uh great question. We've had uh a group of elementary teachers
035from each school piloting this update. And like I said, this isn't a brand new adoption. This is um uh an update to our what we've currently had um been using in mathematics at our elementary schools since 2017. Um with a lot of success. However, uh this addition that we currently have will be sunsetted uh in the near future. So the the math learning center won't be supporting it um you know long term they're moving people to the third edition. So that's what this this recommendation is for. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? All right. We'll move to a vote. We have to do it by roll call. Mr. Warney. >> Yay. >> Mr. Angel. >> Yay. >> Mr. Vasser. >> Yes. >> Miss Basin? >> Yay. and I'm also a yes. So,
036the vote carries 5-0. Thank you, Dr. China. Moving on to item 6.02, textbook and resource adoption. Uh, Mrs. RmIrez is making her way up. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. Tonight, I am here to ask for your consideration of the textbook and curriculum adoption for use beginning in the 2627 school year for our health curriculum at both middle schools. This would be the recommendation for McGra Hills Teen Health and this text would support the teaching and learning of our health education standards at the middle school level. Participating in the review and recommendation of this um resource were both teachers from Taft and Wheeler Middle School as well as administrators. So, it is the administration's recommendation that the school board approved this curricular resource for adoption for use beginning in 2026 27. >> Thank
037you, Mrs. Ramirez. Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration to approve this curricular resource for adoption for use beginning in 2026 2027. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Second by Mr. Warning. Are there any questions or comments? There being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. Uh Mr. Warning, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. Miss Basin >> and I'm also a yes. So the vote carries 5-0. Thank you, Mrs. Ramirez. We're moving on to item 6.03, authorization of design for DOE excess cost applications. Mrs. Pascus. >> Good evening, President Smith, members of the board. Um, tonight I come to you to recommend your approval of designating Dr. Terrell to be the snee for our excess cost contracts. Um, occasionally
038we do have students that require services more significant than we can provide and um, we are allowed to apply for um, a contract with the department of ed that allows us to access additional funding for those requests. >> Thank you, Mrs. Basquez. Uh board members, you heard the recommendation administration that the board of school trustees authorize Dr. Terrell as superintendent to act as a signatory design for the purposes of alternative services and private residential school placements. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Warning. >> Second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? >> With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. Mr. Warning. >> Yay. >> Mr. Angel. Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> I'm also a yes. So, the vote will carry 5-0.
039Thank you, Miss Vasquez. Moving on to item 6.04, approval to accept precision machining equipment and dual credit curriculum from the South Lake Career Co-op funded by the Perkins Reserve Grant 2026 2027. Mr. G. Infirmy. >> Thank you, Mr. President, board members. Each year, in addition to the Perkins Career Technical Education Grant, the Perkins Reserve Grant becomes available um to support CTE programming. This is a competitive grant, so not all applications will receive funding. Uh, fortunately this year through a collaborative efforts of South Lake CT director Bob Phelps and director of grants and assessment D Smith and Crown Point High School associate principal Lynn Elk, Crown Point High School has been awarded $86,000 towards the precision machining equipment and updated Vincen's University dual credit curriculum. So that will allow us to complete our precision machining program
040pathways. Students will be able to earn up to 11 dual credits and the ability to uh earn further industry certifications be available to the students. Uh the administration recommends approval to be granted to receive precision machining equipment and updated sends university dual credit curriculum alignment through the South Lake career co-op and the amount of $86,000 to support the precision machining pathway. >> Thank you Mr. G. Affirm me. Board members, you heard the recommendation for approval uh to receive precision machine machining equipment updated Vincen's University dual credit curriculum alignment through the South Lake Career Co-op in the amount of 86,000 to support the precision machining pathway. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel, >> second by Mr. Warner. Are there any questions or comments? >> We just like to make sure we
041thank all those individuals involved in that. Obviously, with it being a competitive grant, extra work's involved to make sure we get to the top of that list. So, thank you to all those that helped out. >> Well said. Anybody else? No other questions or comments? We'll move to a vote. Mr. Warney, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> yay. >> I'm also a yes. We'll show the vote carries 50 6.05 5 resolution number 868 permanent transfer of funds. Mr. Ree. >> Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board. Uh, state board of accounts uh and statute requires us to uh get board approval when we permanently transfer funds. So, think of when we do the education operation transfer every month that you approve annually. Uh, this
042is one where we're using the transfer to close out some uh smaller funds we have in the corporation. Uh so with that recommending and uh just a reminder this is part of the year-end business office procedures that you approved at the last uh meeting in December give us pre-approval for that so we can do it and before the end of the calendar year in 2025 and we part of that we bring them back to you for your approval officially. So with that that's what this resolution is. Resolution 868 is a permanent transfer of funds. I'm going to go through the five transfers we did to close out some grants uh at the end of uh calendar year 2025 for $21.75 from the education fund to the alternative education grant. That's the uh current al alternative
043education grant or the one we just recently closed out. Uh $40,588.71 from the education fund to the alternative education grant. This is an older grant. It's been on our books for a couple years. uh $7,781555 from the education fund to Medicaid reimbursement, $4,767.37 uh from the fiscical year 22 title 2 grant to the fisc year title 2 grant, fiscical year 24 title 2 grant and then $2.67 from one foundation grant to another foundation grant. With that, recommend approval of resol resolution 868 and wave the reading of. >> Thank you, Mr. Ree. Board members, you heard the recommendation for approval of resolution number 868, permanent transfer of funds and a waiver of formal reading. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Warren. >> Second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments
044before we take a vote? Mr. Vass or Miss Basin, I do believe you're there was question regarding these resolutions. I do believe you have the right to vote on these. Okay? So we're going to let you vote on these as well. Mr. Warning, >> yes. >> Mr. Angel, >> yes. >> Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> yay. >> And I'm a yes as well. So, the vote carries 50. Moving on to item 6.06, resolution number 869, 2025, year end appropriation transfers, Mr. Reese. >> Thank you, Mr. President. This is a resolution that we annually do uh once the budget is approved uh 15 months prior to the actual completing of the budget in December of 2025. We obviously spend money as we spend money. We account for it appropriately. Uh we obviously don't
045hit our numbers each time on every single line that we have within the corporation. So stat statute requires that we adjust our appropriations to meet our actual expenditures within major classifications of each fund. So I want you to think of these transfers not like last time where we're doing a fundto fund transfer. These transfers are budgetary changes within each fund to get them to we match what the overall budget is for each major classification. We do the appropriation transfers for every line item that we have. So if you review the actual report of the number of transfers, you notice there's 370 pages of it. Uh this gives you an idea of how many account lines we have that we're tracking just in the education referendum operation or rainy day funds. So with that, we're re
046recommending approval of resolution 869, the 2025 year end appropriation transfers and wave the reading of the resolution. >> Thank you, Mr. Reese. Board members, you heard a recommendation in the administration for approval of resolution number 869 2025 year and appropriation transfers and a formal reading thereof. May I have a motion? A waiver of formal reading thereof. Thank you. >> So moved with waiver of the reading. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. Motion second. >> Second by Mr. Warney. Are there any questions or comments? With there being no uh questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. Mr. Warning, >> yay. >> Mr. Angel, >> yay. Mr. Vasser, >> yes. >> Miss Basin, >> yes. >> And I'm also yes. So, the vote carries 5. Moving on to item 7.01, superintendent discussion groups. Um, start with Mr.
047Angel Winfield. >> Nothing to report from Winfield. >> Okay. Uh, who's covering Cedar Lake? >> Uh, Cedar Lake. I'm going to be taking over for 26. Correct, Danielle? and uh the first few months of the year I'll have conflict on Tuesday. So we'll have to check in with them and as of right now there's nothing to report. Uh can you confirm that Danielle agrees? >> Okay, >> Danielle, do you have a big thumbs up? So it's it's all yours for the for the next year. So >> uh and Mr. Vasser from Crown Point. >> And in speaking just quickly, I know these appointments come from outside sources, but uh you're going to take Cedar Lake, Mr. Warney, for next year. Mr. Angel, you okay with Winfield again? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Vasser's uh wanting
048to stay on ground point. Anybody everybody okay with that? All right. All right. All right, moving on to 7.02. Oh, yeah, you guys can't see everybody, but the answer was yes. 7.02, Director Elementary Education, Dr. Kacina. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. Uh, touching on the bridges math update I shared earlier in the meeting. Uh, just want to take a moment and thank our pilot teachers that we have uh piloting this new addition uh from each of our elementary schools along with our uh elementary math specialist, Joe Bichc. uh these folks, all of their hard work um will really allow a smooth transition uh to take place from the second edition to the third edition uh next school year and allow our current success in elementary math to continue to grow. Um on
049another topic, this time of year, we are currently in the thick of our middle of the year testing window. Uh for K to2 students, that means uh we are finishing up our NWA assessments in reading and math. Uh this assessment occurs three times each year. It's a nationally normed benchmark assessment used uh nationwide. Uh still especially with the recent uh e-learning days have some makeups to uh happen but uh the data coming in so far at this point uh in the year uh looks looks great uh when we compare it to previous years. Uh parents of K to2 students will receive those reports um soon once the window closes in grades through. Uh students are currently working in that second iLearn checkpoint in math and ELA. Um this is part of Indiana's new throughear assessment
050model. Uh where students take three checkpoints on different sets of standards um in ELA and math throughout the school year. Parents will be able to see those results uh in the family portal through the Indiana Department of Education. >> Thank you, Dr. Any questions here? >> I have thoughts maybe while So I have something to bring up later, but while you're up here, Nick, I just have a question or maybe some comments from you about some report cards. >> Yes. >> Um not looking at it as if there's something wrong with the way they're sent out, but I just don't feel like there's enough emphasis. Um felt like when we were students or maybe in the more recent past, it was it was either a trophy or a butt chewing. And that was a good
051thing, you know, whether and it's up to every family to decide what that represents. I mean, I, you know, I felt, and I could be wrong, that's why I bring it up this way. I just felt like it wasn't advertised enough as much as we do communication through parent squares, um, or even individual te teachers. Uh, it kind of felt like it was just it came and it went and if you weren't a family looking for it, you Not even am I get lost? Could you have any do you have any feedback or may >> Yeah, feel free to tell me I am mistaken blasted everywhere. >> No, sure. I think we communicate uh those things in various ways. At the teacher level, uh parents square, the school level, and through our district parent newsletter.
052Um I think at the kindergarten level, it's a progress report. It's a standardsbased report about specific skills. And then grades one through 12, it's more that traditional A throughF report card. But I think the feedback about how we communicate uh that with our families about, you know, when it's going to be available in Power School, I think that's something that our team can discuss and work through. >> Is there a and I'm sure there's a why and a lot of it's just there's a lot of students and and um doing away with paper a hard copy. Is that something that would ever be considered to bring back? I'm sure there's a reason why we don't. Um, you know, I mean, it's pretty obvious why we don't. So, um, yeah, I just want to make note
053of it and maybe next next term comes around, check in with you a week ahead of time to see what the plans are. I and I know it was it was mentioned. I'm not saying it wasn't there, but nowadays communication's great, but oh, the ice skating's getting cancelled and this and bring your cookies and tissues are needed and all other stuff. And oh, by the way, report cards came out yesterday. You didn't even know about it, you know. So, uh, it's a little bit And I I think I remember I remember first grade like yesterday. I think I surprised my parents with a good report card and there was a I got something for it and I remember to this day what that was and maybe that helped me going forward with the responsibility of
054that trade. So >> I think that's something for our team. Uh I appreciate that feedback and we'll talk through. I think one big difference from when we were kids is a parent can log into Buzz or Power School and really their child's grades at any time and it updates daily. Um, and that's a big difference from, hey, when we were kids, it was, oh man, report cards are coming. How's this going to go? >> That's a very good point. >> Yeah. So, I think that uh instant kind of feedback that parents can if they choose to get it through Buzz or through Power School, that's probably the biggest difference there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Thank you, Doc. Appreciate it. Item 7.03, 3 Director of Secondary Education, Mrs. Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mr.
055President and board members. I just wanted to take an opportunity tonight to highlight the Science Olympiad event that occurred on January 17th at Taft Middle School. This was an all day event and it is a nationally recognized STEM competition. Jamie Liies and Pam Abraham who are two of our teachers were instrumental in organizing this event that really allows our students not just from our school district at the middle and high school level but also from surrounding local school districts to participate and it um has hands-on challenges, a lot of creativity and critical thinking. It's a really a celebration of kind of curiosity and excellence in the STEM area. They are able to apply learning to um all sorts of different events from the classroom to then of course um these hands-on they are awarded uh
056ribbons at the end and it was lovely that both Mr. Gian Fermy myself numerous um middle school administrators as well as Brooke Allen and her team were involved in um celebrating this event. Brooke was instrumental in publicity and kind of a press release about this event as we want to again continue know all how important these opportunities for our students are. And I would like to just generally thank our teachers, our sponsors, our administrators, our families and caregivers for the opportunities that they create, whether that's through theater, athletics, quiz bowl, chess club, Lego club. Um it really is amazing the opportunities our students have to make connections both curricularly and extracurricularly. So, I am very appreciative and it was great just to see students in their element really thriving and um bonding with one another.
057So, I thank the teachers and sponsors and um the administrators who were present. >> Thank you, Mrs. RmIrez. It's well said. It's quite a quite an event. I'm sorry I didn't get out there. I really wanted to and I tried and things just fell apart at the end there for me. But, u fantastic. So, thank you for recognizing the appropriate people. >> Thank you. >> Item 7.04, Director of Exceptional Education, Mrs. Ascus. >> Good evening. So, our special education parent advisory council has organized another workshop for parents. So, the evening of February 11th here at the admin building. Um, our two behavior specialists will be be presenting to parents who attend. um learning about what behavior means, what supports might help, and how they can advocate for their child who's having behavior um issues. So,
058our last event was very successful, and so we're looking forward to the next. Um I also have a Bulldog baller schedule for everyone. Uh the first game is February 5th at the high school at six o'clock. So, I will pass out schedules to each of you. And I know Miss Basin was excited to get a schedule. So, we'll make sure you get it, Miss Basin. >> So, I did get the perfect t-shirt at the last meeting. >> It is over. That's okay. They're talking about possibly opening up the order again. It was a big hit. So, I'll let the board know if it uh reopens. >> Thank you, Mrs. Bask. >> All right, click. Moving on to item 7.05, 5 assists assistant superintendent Mr. G. Furmy. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I had fully um
059anticipated to share some information with the board about the Indiana new accountability model that should be coming out uh should have been delivered by now, but it seems to be hanging up in the uh lawmakers hands. And as soon as we get some more information about that, I'll be sure to make sure we bring that to the board. And then on a lighter note, uh being at the T uh Science Olympiad's third year in a row, I've gone there to help pass out the awards. It is a great event and it's really grown and that's a tribute to Miss Abraham and Miss Liz as they organized that. But it's nice to see other schools from around the area and pretty far away. Some of them come and enjoy that facility at TA. They are there
060all day long competing and going through some pretty pretty interesting events. I know that Crown Point High School won the dynamic planet. Taff won the metric mastery and some of the other things we placed in Code Buster, Mission Possible Potions and Poisons. I mean, some really interesting stuff that they do. So, they put a lot of hard work in. They don't know if they're going to win those ribbons until they're in the gym. So, the excitement of the kids is a really great event. I hope it continues to grow. We have space for more. And I just want to thank one more person for coming out that day. Julie out top state representative came out to help us pass out some as well. So, great event. I hope we continue. >> Thank you, Mr. J.
061Firming. Uh, item 7.06, 106 Chief Human Resource Officer, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh board members, uh tonight, I just want to pass out a a thank you to our transportation department, especially uh during these days of inclement weather, um not sure many of you are aware, but on days when it is absolutely freezing or below freezing, uh they show up and they starting all those buses and keeping them running uh just to make sure that they're operational for when we do return to school uh on these e-learning days. So to Marty and all the folks over there uh in his office that are are taking care of these buses and and you know obviously transporting our our students safely in these elements. I just want to tell them thank you. >> Thank you
062Mr. Ka 7.07 Chief Financial Officer Mr. Ree. >> Thank you Mr. President. I have a couple items tonight. One I'd like to thank Mike Mask and his guys as Mr. mentioned with the current snow that we have uh falling. Uh his guys out plowing our lots and getting them ready to go first thing in the morning. Uh they do a miraculous job and and work some long hours. Uh long lonely hours at night plowing those parking lots to get them ready. The custodians with the sidewalks around the buildings, they really do a fantastic job at trying to keep everybody safe getting in and out of the building. And I want to thank them for that. Some odd and cold hours as well. Uh the second thing I have is month at the board meeting, we're
063anticipating bringing some conflict of interest statements along. Uh for those ones that we know and can identify, we're going to reach out to those folks, haven't fill out those forms. U little more emphasis. Um previously, we've only done those uh who had a business relationship with the school corporation. Uh this year, in viewing of our policies, we also have some potential employment uh issues we need to make sure we address in those conflict of interest statements as well. So, we'll be reaching out to those folks who are in those situations to update them on on that situation. >> Thank you, Mr. Ree. Item 7.08, director communication. Oh, Miss Allen, she's not present tonight, so we're gonna we're going to skip 7.08. 7.09, superintendent of schools, Dr. Terrell. >> I'd like to e echo both Mr.
064Reese and Mr. Akiwa with their department recognitions, but also take it a step further and recognize our teachers, administrators, and then also our parents. Uh, understand that weather related um situations and e-learning days are not the most convenient at times, but truly appreciate the way that people uh have supported those uh supported our students as we've gone uh through those as of late. So, thank you to all of them uh and all of you for your continued efforts as well. >> Thank you, Dr. Terrell. We'll move on to item 8.01, other business of the board. Anybody have anything tonight? We'll start with Mr. Warning down there if you have any. >> Just want to follow through on these closures and the the work that's been done. And um you know, it could be hit or
065miss with the remote learn days. I think that um I would hope that majority would agree with me that the growth that we've had as a corporation, the productivity that's done with the kids at home, I have three students at home and it wasn't always great. is getting so much better. I mean, and I granted the students are more familiar with what they need to be expected to do and things like that, too. But you could tell from the building leadership down to the teachers when uh Dr. Terrell, you're able to give a heads up ahead of time. I think that clearly gives them the wheel spinning. But um within our own household, the productivity is leaps and bounds above what it used to be. And it's should not be a laughed at day anymore.
066I think there's some real real real learning taking place. So, thank you all for the work you've done to make those days productive. >> And I might add to that with the head of time if it's temperature- wise, those very rarely miss. If it's snow related, that's pretty hit and miss. So when we can we try to give everybody as much as we can prepare for that understanding the challenges that may come. >> Thank you Mr. Angel. >> Uh just in relationship to that just for those that don't realize I'm not sure the number and I'm sure we can get a count of how many kids actually take the bus and when you're say it's a third of our students or over 3,000. It's probably closer to half I would say at least if not
067six 23. So that's 60. So around 6,000 students of ours out on bus stops when minus 10 15 degree windchills. It just doesn't make sense to do that when we're looking at what's in best interest of our kids. So kudos to those and those decisions that are being made with knowing the inconvenience and that might put on our parents. But once again, it's safety first and we've always stressed that. So that's one of those issues. Then the second thing is just to remind board members uh and anybody listening to the community about our second strategic planning meeting on Wednesday night. uh number one I thought was spectacular as far as progress made with teachers, business people in town administrators on the accomplishment that was made in three hours, two and a half hours to me
068was just astonishing on how uh that started on uh meeting one. So looking forward to meeting two on Wednesday night. >> Thank you, Mr. Angel. Uh Mr. Vasser, do you have anything tonight? Mr. Smith, >> other business of the board, >> Miss Basin and I I have nothing as well. Uh, let's go on to item 9.01, board statements of appreciation. Mr. Warning, >> nothing this evening. Thank you, >> Mr. Angel. >> I abs I do not have anything this evening as well, >> Mr. Vasser. Thank you, Mr. Vassor. Miss Basin, do you have anything tonight? will be able to participate seventh grade basketball women's basketball team. They're conference champs. So, congrats to them to relay the appreciation that was shared with me, but really is a full team effort with the candidate for getting outunication
069about the school closing. Obviously, possible to Dr. game started first. The boys are right now. So anyone >> hoping to get there as soon as I can. >> I'm feeling some pressure to wrap up then. Um, >> thank you, Miss Basin. Well, uh, tonight I just want to recognize their wrestling program, the boys and girls. I think both won team state in the competition. What a big honor and achievement. So congratulations to all the the the wrestlers, the coaches, the parents. What a what an awesome experience uh for you guys to experience that opportunity to win state. That's a big deal to win team state in wrestling and um you there's only one of those. So uh fantastic work and real proud of you. Uh also just the Bulldog ballers again. I I do this
070every year. It's just an awesome opportunity if you've never been there just to the public, anybody else to get out there. That gym will be full at these games. And what an exciting opportunity for the students, the fans, the parents, and they play February 5th at home at 6 p.m., February 12th at 5:30, March 5th at 6 p.m., and March 12th at 6 p.m. But I encourage anybody hasn't had an opportunity to go to one of those games, take your family, take your children, and attend one of those games and be supported. It's an amazing time. So, with that being said, also kudos to the the we've said it 10 times, but the early weather call. How great was that? So I appreciate everybody doing that when possible. So with that being said, I'll look
071for a motion to adjurnn the meeting. >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Second by Mr. Warney. Um I guess we have to take a roll call uh for this. Mr. Warney. >> Mr. Angel. >> Yay. >> Mr. Vasser. >> Yes. >> Miss Basin. >> Yay. >> And I'm also Yes. So we'll show the meeting adjourned at 707. Thank you. Thank you for attending tonight.