001August 25th, 2025 evening. I'd like to call the meeting 6:02 p.m. Uh, if we could all please stand as Mr. Ambassador leads us in the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. Item two, board of school trustees resolution accommodation awards. Tonight we have the 2024 25 Crown Point High School Crowntown Media CPTV Dog Radio for winning first place national awards and newscast CPTV News Quick Cut from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science and Best Talk Show for Morning Bark from the John Drury High School Radio Awards. First place state award for school video newscast CPTV News Quick Cut from the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters. And first place regional awards headline news CPTV News cut and sports program dog pound chalk talk and dirt from the National Academy of Television Arts
002and Sciences Chicago Midwest chapter. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Vasser and seconded by Miss Basin. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Vote carries. 5. All right. If we could have the Crown Town Crown Point High School media team come in. Welcome. >> All right. Congratulations to all of you. I'm going to go ahead and read this accommodation award as it reads. Resolution accommodation. Sure. It's going to be yelled. Resolution accommodation. and the Crown Point Board of School Trustees is honored to commend the 2024 2025 Crown Point High School Crowntown Media CPTV Dog Radio for meritorious achievement. It hereby resolve that the board of school trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation. Wishes to express sincere congratulations to 2024 25 CPTV Dog Radio for winning first place
003national awards newscast CPTV News Quick Cut from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The best talk show non-sports for morning bark from the John Drury High School Radio Awards. First place state award school video newscast CPTV News Quick Cut from the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters. And first place region awards headline news CPTV NewsQu Quick Cut and Sports Program Dog Pound Chalk Talk and Dirt from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science Chicago Midwest Chapter. The board of school trustees publicly recognized this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity day this 25th day of August 2025. Congratulations to all of you. Rather than me ruin one of the names on this. I'm going to go ahead and read the two coaches and then if you
004guys could help me and then I'll give them those awards and shake their hand. So, first, uh, Brett Barber and Chris Claw. >> So, if you want to go ahead read those, you want to say something first, go ahead and feel free to shake hands. >> Sure. Um, Crowntown Media is our our whole journalism department of which the Dog Radio, Dog Sports, and uh, CPTV Sports and CPTV News and Quick Cut are all encompassed in that along with the the uh, newspaper and the yearbook. Um, these students work incredibly hard. Um, I can't say that enough. We've won the National Award for the best newscast in the nation three years in a row. something. If you would have told me 30 years ago that I would be competing in media, um I would have said
005no way. Um but it's incredibly competitive, especially in the state of Indiana. And after we were fortunate enough to win about 10 years ago in the state, we took it to the regional. Uh we were fortunate enough to win at the regional level and then about four years ago, we started competing nationally. And there, if you've never seen some of the student work that's come out of Texas, California, New York, San Francisco, it's really, really good stuff. So, for us to compete and to be competitive with our newscast and then take it further with uh everything we're doing on radio and now website, social media, I'm incredibly proud of these students and grateful to uh this board and to our administrators at the the high school, um friends, colleagues that have supported us and done
006some great things for us. Um this job would not be nearly as fun if we didn't have people that supported us like that. And like a good neighbor, your school board members there. Uh, I'm going to read some names of the people who are with us tonight. Rico Artister, Brandon Bowling, Gavin Chambers, Mray Fernandez. Um, I'm going to share a story here really quick. Mer is in college. Um, he did not have a great start to his time at Crown Point. Uh, he played football. He was going to be a good football player and things didn't work out. And, um, I just kind of had him in class and he was a really fun kid. And then he started working really hard and he took um, not so good grades and make them made them
007really good grades. and um he is doing what he dreamed of doing. Somewhere around sophomore year, he's at IU and he is studying media and with his hopes to become a sports broadcaster someday. Um and I'm so really proud of him. On top of all that, um he lost his father unexpectedly last year. So in the middle of of everything um when he was he won a a scholarship from Natis um he uh excelled he won a number of awards over the course of the last couple of years and uh on on the day we came back from the state competition. Um I got a call later that night that he he had went to go check on his father down the street and he had passed away. So I'm really proud of him. Sarah
008Leasco is a senior and she is studying uh in college as well. Aiden Hilma is uh sick. Was in school today working and did did their internship and um uh but they're they're ill and not here tonight. Trent Jocelyn, Jordan Monoovich is studying media in school. Ariana Pentoya David Peneda is in the Marines. Cameron Qualls, R.J. Swedles, uh, he is not here tonight. Gabe Trevino, Gabe, here's now here's another thing about Mer. Gabe uh, took a liking to Mer Mer to Gabe and they worked together on a lot of good things. Uh, and at a very young age, uh, that group, Mer, Ryan Welsh, and Gabe won the National Award for the best sports talk show on television. Ryan Welsh is studying at IU. Braden Zamoyski. And this is to our whole group back in
009the lab. Crowntown Media. Thanks so much. Who am I missing? Reena. Stevens s e v. >> Thank you. She'll give you a chance to get a picture. She's Okay, to item 3.01, patrons registered to comment for educational issues. Tonight, we do not have anyone registered to make comments. So, we'll move to item four, consent agenda. Dr. Ter, >> thank you for your consideration this evening. Uh, our consent items, we have 4.01, the regular business meeting minutes from July 28th. 4.02 our personnel agenda 4.03 recommendation for employment of candidates pursuant to Indiana code 20265 11.2 and then 4.04 are voucher registered checks as listed heard of recommendations from the administration to approve the consent agenda 4.01 July 28 2025 regular business meeting minutes 4.02 2 the personal agenda 4.03 recommendation for employment of candidates and 4.04
010voucher register check numbers 177302 to 177768 and vouchers numbers 305734 through 306511. May I have a motion? >> So moved by Mr. Angel, >> second by Miss Basin. There any questions or comments? >> Yes, I I have a few questions. Mr. Ka could probably answer these for me. I apologize the tardiness of getting these questions, but it's been extremely busy. So, um, in terms of and I in terms of, uh, I I know we have new coaches, athletic coaches for girls flag football and lacrosse, which I think is great. Um, how do how do we arrive at their stipen? Uh is it based upon the length of the season pretty much or? >> Yeah. Yeah. Length of season uh number of athletes. Uh we try to find a parallel sport u that we can you
011know measure it up to to try to come up with those similar metrics especially in the case where there's not an already existing sport for the other you know gender if you will like wrestling you know even then you know based on the size of the program. So, Bill Derilla and athletics does a pretty good job with Russ, Mr. Marc over there to kind of come up with sort of an equivalent when it comes to all those variables they have to consider. >> I know lacrosse has taken some time flag football came out quickly. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Nationwide. >> Absolutely. >> Uh second one question I had was and and this is just for transparency reasons for the on 4.03 03 recommendation for employment of candid candidates pursuant to India code 20. Correct me
012if I'm wrong, but this is to gain approval from the board candidates who may have had some type of misdemeanor activity in the past. >> That's correct. >> Am I hitting the nail on the head there? >> That's correct. Is there um is there a and I'm asking this because I honestly do not know. Is there a uh a gap of time where say somebody was let's take something simple traffic violation. Okay, that's pretty simple. Is there a gap of time between when this was committed and to when their employment before we consider them or >> Yes, there's a number of variables. So, we want to make sure we're taking uh any violation into consideration and what that is. Obviously, the safety of our our you know students and faculty is kept in the highest
013of regard there, but we're looking you know, approximately 10 years in the past and then like very nothing on record since approximately. >> Okay. And then if there's any felony, they're they're out. >> It's very clear law. >> Yeah, that's actually states these very specific infractions where we are unable to employ individuals. So whenever there's a hit on a background check, you know, we're going to check them against two lists. The list that absolutely prohibits us from employing an individual and then the list that has us consider possibly employing somebody and they need to be broken out in a separate board agenda item like discussing right now. >> Okay. So I did notice I mean one of the candidates that we're voting on tonight I I don't know either of these people. I did some
014a little research on that. The one started did have a felony. Nine years later, that same case was pleaded down to a misdemeanor. Does that have any bearing at all? >> I'm not able to speak in details, but there's a very clear specific list of the types of infractions that would prohibit us from deploying employing. >> So, it's the type. >> Yes. >> Any way you could shoot me that or send me a link to that. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> So, I won't have to keep asking those questions that I ask you all the time, you know. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Take it to a vote. Uh all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Nays. >> Nay. >> The vote carries four to one. Mr. Basser the
015day. Moving on to action item five. Uh 5.01 approval to apply for and receive funding from the Indiana Department of Education Formative Assessment Grant 2025 and 2026. Mr. Jame Furmy. Thank you, Mr. President. Board members, uh, annually, the Indiana Department of Education provides a non-competitive formative assessment grant to support schools in implementing highquality assessment tools. Uh for the 2526 school year, the school corporation intends to apply for this grant to support purchasing the following assessments for grades K through two MCL class with dibbles NWA math growth and map reading fluency dyslexia screener for grades 8 PSAT 89 fall administration for grades 9 10 the PSAT 89 PSAT 10 assessments based on the IDO funding formula Crown Point is projected to receive approxim ximately $68,000 to offset assessment costs. With this, the administration recommends school board
016approval to apply for and receive funding from the 2526 ID EO formative assessment grant. Thank you, Mr. D. Fermy. You've heard the recommendation administration for approval to apply for and receive funding from the 2025 2026 OB formative assessment. May I have a motion? So moved by Miss Basin, second by Mr. Angel. Are there any questions or comments? >> Uh Mark, does the the 67,34740 does that cover the cost or we still have more to pay? >> No, it does not, but it offsets it greatly and then we we pay the rest out of the education fund. >> Yeah, I mean it seems like a pretty big number. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Is this one that we have received in the past? We applied for this annually. >> It's annually
017and we do we have received it and you know we purchase all these assessments that kind of fill in those gaps that aren't I learn uh checkpoints or sumatives or the SAT so keeps us going. >> Thank you. And do we know how this compares to what we usually receive? Is it pretty similar? >> Very right there. >> Thoughts, questions, comments? Take it to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Nays. Vote carries five to zero. >> Item 5.02 approval to apply for and receive funding from the 2025 2026 IDE STEM integration grant. Back to you Mr. >> Yes. Uh this grant is being offered by the department is a competitive STEM in integration grant and it to expand and access uh high quality STEM instruction and advance student achievement
018in STEM disciplines. Um, the corporation would like to use the funds from this grant if we apply as we apply for it for elementary K through five expansion of our SAM lab subscriptions and hardware to support the weekly STEM specials and for our middle school code HS proteer license for the computing foundations for digital age courses which all eighth graders will be taking for a high school credit coming up here. And then also there's some money that would be left for professional learning stipens for our STEM instructors. Um this grant would impact approximately 4,700 students. Uh Crown Point would request the maximum award of $37,500. And with that being said, the administration recommends the school board approval to apply for and receive funding from the 2526 IDO STEM integration grant. >> Thank you, Mr. Ch.
019Fermy. You've heard a recommendation of the administration. uh the school board to approve and be granted to apply for and receive funding from the 2025 2026 IDE STEM integration grant. I have a motion. >> So moved by Mr. Vasser, >> second by Miss Bas. Any questions or comments? I would just make a comment that it's always great to see STEM as we've said the progress here and that go get these grants. It's wonderful for the students. So very excited that STEM program's moving in the right direction. So any other questions or comments? All right. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Vote carries. 50. 5.03. Resolution number 863 supplemental payments. Mr. Akiwa. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President and board members. Um, if you may remember or recall in 2023, uh, our
020uh, agreement between the Crown Point Community School Corporation, uh, our our union, teachers union, um, the herb, Indiana Education, um, employment relations board runs everyone's contract through a rubric and they will find whether or not certain components of your contract are, uh, deemed what's called, you know, to be compliant. There was a feature in our contract uh with the supplemental payments uh regarding, you know, deposits that are made into 403b in the first three years and then a $3,000 raise uh in year four. We needed to remove that from the contract language, continue the practice. So, we need the board's approval as we enter into a negotiations year once again u to continue this uh by calling it a supplemental payment. Um and so as you see here in our resolution tonight, uh the resolution
021is uh asking uh for us to continue this practice. Uh and we would seek your approval this evening so we can continue this just like we did in 23 in the contract for 2023 to 25. >> Thank you, Mr. Kiwa. You heard the recommendation administration for approval of resolution number 863. I have a motion. >> So moved by Mr. Angel second by Mr. Warick. Are there any questions or comments? Okay, there being no questions or comments, we'll take it to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Nay. >> The vote carries. 5-0. On to item 6, 6.01, superintendent discussion groups. >> Cedarly. Thank you for coming. >> Mr. Angel, >> redevelopment meets next Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. >> Okay. Uh we'll move on to item 6.02. Director Elementary Education.
022Dr. Cacina. >> Thank you, Mr. President and board members. Tonight, I would like to give a brief update on our I read results. Uh, two weeks ago, the Indiana Department of Education finalized I read scores. They actually finalized them on the first day of school for us. Um, this is for last year's third graders. I'm excited to share that our district iD percentage, which was 92.4% in 2023 and 92.4% 4% in 2024 rose to 94.6 uh for 2025. We have a goal of 95%. Uh four of our schools last year surpassed that goal. Uh MacArthur, Eisenhower, Solen Robinson, and Jerry Ross. Uh in addition to our third graders doing a really really great job, our second graders also did an exceptional job in their first year taking this assessment. Uh if you remember back last
023year was an interesting big year for iid uh with retentions being uh really enforced uh for third graders that didn't pass and also for second graders having to take this assessment for the first time. Um so just really proud of our our students, our parents, our teachers, staff members, everyone involved. Um, this improvement really is a a reflection of everybody working together and strong communication, but most of all really really strong classroom instruction and interventions and remediation um and looking at data and figuring out how to help each student succeed. So really proud of everyone involved. Um, on a different note, uh, we are starting something new coming up in a couple weeks in September. On September 9th and 10th, we are going to uh host two high ability parent nights. Um we have some
024goals this year with High Ability. Um but one of our big goals is to be excellent communicators both with our families uh and with our school teams so everyone has a clear understanding of how we are supporting our high ability students and how we can work together to best meet their needs. So these parent nights are kind of our first step uh with that and these will be for families of students in grades three through five who are identified for uh those high ability services. Um just want to thank everyone. The start of the school year is uh just a incredibly busy uh but exciting time. just want to thank everyone working with our elementary students um kind of making the focus uh and the priority that all seven of our schools are places where
025kids want to be every day. So, thank you. >> Nick, can I ask may I ask a question? >> Absolutely. >> U Thank you for the report. Number one. Number two, uh congratulations on the increase in the scores. >> Uh the 5.4% four% of students. I'm assuming that's combined second and third. >> That's third grade only. >> Yes. >> So for those previous third graders >> um what what has happened to them now? >> Great question. So, um, to protect all students privacy, uh, I will just say that a an extremely small number of those students did not qualify for what's called a good cause exemption. Uh, or have, you know, if they have an IEP or a individualized um, plan for language, uh, or, um, maybe, uh, they passed the math ilearn, which is
026a new good cause exemption. So almost all of those students moved on to fourth grade, but they'll have an individualized reading plan that goes with them to fourth grade. >> Thanks for clar >> Yeah, absolutely. Any other questions? >> Thank you, Dr. Cina. >> Item 6.03, Director of Exceptional Education, Mrs. Pascus. >> Good evening, President Smith and members of the board. So uh we are tracking our our moveins to exceptional education. This time last year we had about 75 new students to process. Uh right now we have 89. So they keep coming uh special programs. So the state uh decided to move to a different platform for our uh statewide IEP system. So it went live July 21st. Um, to say it's been clunky is an understatement. Um, but I have to commend our staff
027who have been eternally patient. Um, and calm as we wait. We kind of get things breadcrumbmed each day, updates, changes, uh, wait, don't do it that way, do it this way. Um, so I just appreciate the way that the staff has handled this and being patient. Um, we got a 12page Q&A document today, so hopefully there's some new information hidden in there. Um, also all summer we have been working with a consultant out of Westfield to help us get our special education parent advisory council going. They call it a CPAC and it's mentioned in the law and there's only about eight in the state and it's really parent driven. So it looks different than what we used to do in the past where we had some parents come in and it was almost like a
028PTO. This is very different. We're finding representatives from each school uh coming together at night on a zoom so far as we build it. Um the consultant joins us um creating a vision, a mission, bylaws. Um and then this school year they have already scheduled four training sessions with insource our state advocacy agency that will come in um throughout the school year and do some parent trainings. So we're we're just excited. This is kind of a new approach for us. Um Mr. Gian Fermy has joined us several times and we have um probably about seven or eight teachers that come regularly. Um, and we're really close to having at least one parent from each school, if not multiple. Um, so we're just excited to see how this plays out. >> So, so just so Heather,
029just when people get used user friendly, the Indiana >> I know. I actually do think this will be better. It looks better. It's just working through um everything just talks data talks to data now. So, it's like it all is dependent on what we push out and then it gets um uploaded into this system. So, I do think it'll be better. I'm very hopeful. >> Clumsy at the start. >> Very clumsy at the start, but we're going to be okay. We're going to get it. >> Mrs. Basque, just want to add real quick. Thank you for always, adapt, see what's out there, how we can make things better. Obviously, the more students that we take in, >> we have to be willing to It's always scary to change. I appreciate the fact that you >>
030Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to item 6.04, assistant superintendent. Mr. J. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, kind of echo Dr. Ina's uh words and just thanking everybody to get the school year off, our teachers, our staff, uh students showing up, but then another group um our first responders and in particular our Crown Point police officers and in particular the ones that are working directly with the school. We have some new faces uh joining us. Um we have Officer Nolan Fish who will be an SRO at the Crown Point High School. Nolan is a Crown Point graduate, so he's very familiar with us and we're familiar with him. Does a great job. Leslie Malwitch is still there at Crown Point High School as an SRO. Uh Brandon Norris is at TAC Middle School
031and he's starting his fourth year as a SRO with us. Uh Officer Wayne Helm is a new SRO at Colonel Wheeler his first year. So welcome there. And then we have a new DARE officer, Officer Brad Hassie, who's been with the Crown Point Police Department for a while now, but he's uh moving in be working with our elementary students. Of course, me and Don Jamik, retired officers, SRO trained and he's at our ED center. Dave Coulson standing in the back, our supervisor safety and security keeping everybody in intact and working with those guys. But it's a big lift to get everybody in and we know what that looks like uh at arrival and dismissal time. So again, another thank you to Sergeant uh Jim Polling who who schedules all those offduty officers and EMA personnel
032that help us get that going. It's just a lot and we really appreciate all the help they give us. Uh just one more uh item of information for you. In the summer we received a digital literacy grant. Um Reese Corporation did but we did receive that and we are focusing that digital digital literacy grant on AI with professional development and we alo also purchased a platform called magic school. Now there's all kind of AI platforms out there. We know what they are. Chat, GP, Gamma, all these different things that are out there. Magic School is a platform that we're going to use to help our teachers understand AI and come alongside it and use it, but it's not what we consider AI in Crown Point schools. It's just a tool that we are using. As
033we go through this, we really want our teachers to understand what AI generative AI is, which is now putting something in and AI producing products for you. Um, and everybody's using it and kids will ultimately be using it and are using it right now. So, um, our our angle in doing this is to understand that AI is going to be part of our lives, part of our students lives. So, how do we use it responsibly? How do we create polic that are good for not only our staff but also our students. We really like the Magic School platform because a teacher has to assign students into a classroom with specific AI features in order for the students to be using it. So, um we're using that grant to try to get better at something that
034will be affecting all of us will have to work with in the future. So, really appreciate um our directors and in particular our uh director assment, Diana Smith, who has a lot of background in uh this technology, who's kind of leading this to help our our teachers and ultimately our students do this the best we can because it's going to be part of our lives. So, just wanted to give you an update on that. >> Thank you, Mr. Fermy. Item 6.05, Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. >> Yes, Mr. President and board members, we had a wonderful day today because our good friends from the Crown Point Lions Club uh made their annual visit to donate anywhere between 25 and 30 backpacks with supplies. So, Carla uh was very colorful, fun individual, brought her friends from
035the Lions Club this morning. Um they purchased the backpacks, they fill them with supplies, they tie these colored ribbons on them so that we know that um if the supplies would go towards a high school student, middle school student student or elementary student. And that's, you know, appropriate supplies within each bag. But a great group today. We had them all uh up here today and we took a picture together and uh thanks Brooke for coming in for that photo op. Uh but we really love uh this organization that supports our families here uh in Crown Point. And I just want to thank Carla and her team from the bottom of my heart. We look forward to seeing them every year. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ka. Item 6.06, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ree. >> Thank
036you, Mr. President, members of the board. Um, tonight I want to talk to you a little bit about enrollment as we got the school year started to give you a brief report. Um, we are currently showing up around 75 students over last year. Now, fair warning, last year at this point, we were showing up about 50 students and we ended up up eight. So, we anticipate that that trend continues. So, while we're up around 75, we're anticipating around 40 only being up 40 or 50 as we move forward. Many of those students don't if they've moved to Illinois, school doesn't start until Labor Day. So, a lot of those records have not been requested maybe from students who have moved but haven't let us know that. So, that's why we see some that take place
037between now and when ADM count date is, which is October 1st. Some interesting points uh to point out though. Uh if these numbers hold, we're currently at 9,032. If that were to take place, that'd be the first time we're over 9,000 students. We would have our first class uh that would be over 800 students. That would be a sophomore class at the high school, which would be a neat fun fact. Uh one word of caution though regarding our enrollment, this would be the third year that our kindergarten enrollment would be declining. So just as we're looking into the future and what that means, just shows the true growth we're seeing is all as we talked about uh through redistricting and through the referendum we're seeing it as families moving in already have their kids our
038school age when they move into the district but with that we started talking about budgets for 2026 you probably read some items newspapers other municipalities school districts are working through that process uh we are doing the same with anticipation that we should ask for excuse me something for you as we move towards the deadline of the end of October as we normally do With that, just a word of caution as you've heard about Senate Bill one uh obviously the state budget bill obviously taking all those things into account very rough estimates at this point as far as what that looks like. Uh to give you an example, normally we are required by statute to have our assessed valuations by August 1st. Uh we have yet to receive those yet from from the state. So still
039flying a little blind as we preparing for the budgets for 2026. Thank you. Thank you, Murice. Item 6.07, director of communications. Mrs. Allen, >> thank you. Good evening. I want to give a special thank you to Mary Hurt, our communications and HR secretary. Parent Square, our communications platform, made quite a few changes over the summer and very conveniently launched those changes about two weeks before school started. Um, so we had a little bit more work than we typically do to make sure parent contact information is correct, make sure things were functioning the way that we prefer. And without her help, I don't think we could have gotten that done. Um, we are really proud to maintain a 100% contactability rate in parents, which means someone in every single family is receiving some kind of messaging
040about their child, and we check that number every single day. So, on Wednesday this week, we'll do our annual emergency test message. Think of it as like our snow day message. We won't send it at 5 in the morning. We'll send it after school. Um, it's just a test, but we'll continue to monitor that data and make sure people are receiving messages. Sometimes parents don't know that they're not receiving the messages. So, we kind of go through the system and give it a quick double check before we have any upcoming fog delays or anything similar. >> Thank you, Mrs. Item 6.08 start. >> Thank you. Uh so we're just going through a very exciting time of the year with our start of the school year. Things are off to a great start. Thank our teachers,
041our administrators. U unfortunately because of some personal circumstances, I was not able to attend our opening day. I want to thank the gentleman next to me as well as the rest of our cabinet members who stepped in and ensured that our school year got off to a great start. did an amazing job. It's helped me personally a bunch. Also want to thank I've received cards and emails and comments from so many uh staff members throughout our district and just want to tell them I appreciate it and thank them for uh what they have shared with me tonight. I'd like to also recognize Brian Gil who is in the back and none of us ever think about Brian but all of what's happening right here is taking place because Brian is in his office working make
042all of this happen. So, appreciate Brian and his abilities, but also the way that he goes about his responsibilities to make sure that we have seamless meetings and everybody can hear who is saying what and what is being presented. Thank you to Brian. Thank you, Dr. M to other business of the board of school trustees 7.01. I don't have any other business, but if I could take a minute share some of the experiences of going back to school from a parents perspective. I think there's a couple things that um I forgot. I had actually a little note card of things I wanted to mention and I forgot it. I've been jotting down a few things that I can think about it, but as Miss Allen said that parent square um seems to be like almost
043we have a student that said now at Wheeler and the messaging coming through is very clear and formative and helpful from a parent perspective. It seems like it's almost much it's possible coaching or emphasis on how to message uh just really really good. Um we have kindergartener also. So, kind of rewind that. I feel like it's a little bit of a cherry on top that we offer the Dr. Chino. We called it like the preseason a couple days ago for a couple hours before the school year starts. you know, not something we have to do as a school corporation, but after having the opportunity to do that. Um, and all the efforts that go into it, I think, are much appreciated for I don't think if your student misses it, you're not shouldn't feel guilty.
044If you don't send them, it's not a problem. But if you're a little bit concerned, it was a huge help for our family. It was kind of nice. Um, I'll also share that the meet the parent night at uh Wheeler Dr. K, you're always you're also there. I would think that if TAP is not doing something very similar, they should have a conversation and be on the same page, right? Because that was amazing. Uh we went to each block of time. Um the teachers were prepared for 10 minutes to tell you exactly what they expect in homework and what they're going to learn this year and you know how much they're going to be on a Chromebook versus paper or group work versus individual work. Um you know, so I I do know we're in
045a uh a thought process as a district that we're sharing ideas from one building to the next and just that is one to me that I I just felt you know all the people walking around we're rolling from place to place with different groups of parents. It's very rare to me that you're in a group like that that you don't hear people making comments under their breath about doing this or this should be like that. Not not a not not a want. If anything, the only thing they said was like, "Well, I wish we had the money to pay for this utility bill because it's quite cold in here, you know." But so that did that that was, you know, it's like a 90 degree day and it must have been very comfortable in the
046buildings. So, um, just a great experience, uh, all the way around as a parent with a kindergarten at Lake Street and they did their meet the parent night and, uh, sixth grader at Wheeler. Um, I think that I'm very focused personally on the academic achievement as well. That's what we're here. We're here to learn. We're here to You're all here to teach and learn how to teach better, get these great grades. But to scratch the surface on the outside, I do feel like you can't really worry about all that if you can't get the little things right to begin with. and just year in and over and over and over again from a parent, schoolboard member, thank all of you administrators and the leaders of the building that I just I'd love to hear someone
047question the effort that goes into doing it right. I just it's uh unbelievable that there seems to be always that personal touch on everything and the lessons being learned there. You know, if you can't if your student can't pick up from that, what are the academics going to do later? So, um, really appreciate all of you guys getting that set up and off to a great start. >> Anybody else? >> I'll just let David know, wait till the high school event when you go there. It's a >> complete learning experience. Four four times over and over and over for four years each. Interesting evening. Just I'm going to preface that. So, you got what, three years from that? >> All right. I'll be looking forward to that report when you get done. going along the
048same lines. I have my youngest is a freshman now and I still get lost in the building. That's what you're going to but it's amazing how well and how the staff is trained to help and assist allow other students to help other students come in. It's piece of cake doesn't get overwhelmed. It's just amazing within a day or two locked in. So, it's always impressive all these things well. Other business of the board, I know we talked about the fall conference. Diana, do we have everybody answered that you need take care of that? But I think that's that's what I have. >> And we haven't received any emails yet on the regional conference yet, have we? >> The regional date. Okay. I don't remember. Exc. All right. Uh board uh item eight, board statements of
049appreciation and recognition. Back to you, Mr. Warren. >> Uh not this evening. Thank you. >> Angel, uh the back to school thing, uh obviously I filled in for Mr. Smith to give my little just encouragement uh for a couple minutes, but with the band there, uh kudos to our band directors for having them there, the cheerleaders, and just making it like I've been to a lot of those now, and I just tell you, it gives that I, you know, that first day of school feeling even though students aren't there. for all of our teachers and everybody else, bus drivers, you name it, all there. It's just one of those events that I love to see every year with the excitement, you know, and I know some of them, you know, we might have a few
050that are dreading it knowing they're going back then for the next 180 days. Um, but you can't tell that. Let me just say that. They they they hide it well if that's the case. Everybody's there, you know, excited to see their fellow teachers, people that they see on a daily basis. I didn't see, you know, one negative thing is, you know, the people I've known for years and years. They're always, "Hey, how are you? Good to see you again." And it's just I love that event. It's just a great kickoff to get everything started and uh it's the warm friendly thing to where everything's kind of a little laid-back, but we want to make sure that they realize their support there and at the same time encourage them for another year of what they do
051and what they do really, really well. >> Oh, I'm sorry. to all those that orchestrate the event. Uh Arty, your department, and I know you uh thank those people that day. Make sure you pass that along for the board because we know that's not easy trying to get all of our employees in one place at one time or as many as we can and make sure that it's structured enough to get them back to what they got to go do back at the schools as soon as possible. So, thank you, Mr. Vessor. >> First, I'd like to recognize Lucy Basin. You're an impressive young lady. This is boring, isn't it? I mean, so you've been so well behaved. I think your mom should be taking you to Dairy Queen after. If she doesn't, let me
052know and I'll take you instead. Okay, good. Great job. But I'd like to thank our bus drivers, too. That's that's our uh if they're not walking or riding with their parents or a neighbor, whoever, they're getting on the cheese wagon. And for people to drive a multi- ton vehicle with that awful diesel smell um and then turn their backs on 60some kids, that's that's impressive. And still uh maintain the road. So kudos to our bus drivers. Thank you for uh everything you do there. And and the mechanics for making sure they're running correctly, too. Many thanks. >> I'll just echo the sentiments uh from my fellow board members. uh seems like at the three buildings that my kids are at, they're off to a fantastic start. Um the thing that always impresses me the most
053as I still have an elementary um student is I'm not sure how many people realize that when you show up on that first day for the kickoff meeting at the high school, which is awesome and super fun and energizing, and then you go back to your building and you're in some meetings. And for three, I think of our schools, if not four of our our elementary schools have back to school night, that first night where their classrooms, you know, for them, they want everything ready and perfect by that evening so they can welcome their students and families in. So, um, it does not go unnoticed, especially for me, but I know from we've got kindergarten down there with Mr. Warney, um, having all of those things look just right and having feeling uh, welcomed as
054a parent and having the kids feel welcomed. um knowing full well how much work has had to go into it really before official contract time. So um thank you for all of our teachers getting ready for our students, especially those who have had to put in extra work on the front end. Um everything has gone so smooth from transportation in the morning. Uh kids are enjoying cafeteria midday and to our custodial staff for welcoming all those kids back and all of the uh the extra work created there with having them in the building all day. So, um, thank you to the administrators, cabinet for having everything run smoothly. Um, and cheers to a awesome, uh, 202526 school year. >> Thank you, Miss Basin. Uh, I just want to start off tonight by Dr. Kacina, something
055you said earlier, I think it goes to Miss Ramirez as well, just the changes that we've had at the education at the elementary level over the last few years have been pretty significant. But I was happy to hear that you're giving attention to the high ability program. I know that's something that Dave and I have talked about for several several years and it wasn't a pressing issue when you had all this other stuff going on, but really pleased that you're addressing that. So, thank you for doing that. the SRO's um I know how much of an impact they have on our students and the relationships with these students and so thank you for all of those individuals who are stepping up to take on those roles because they really have an opportunity to have a
056profound impact on uh children's lives and then tonight I don't know if it's proper or not but I'm going to do it anyway. So uh we know that you lost your your mother Dr. And you know, I'm sorry about your loss. I want to speak on behalf of everybody in this room and the board. We know how tough and difficult that is. But I also look at everybody on this table here. We all are parents. We all have children. And good people don't just happen. They don't just get raised and kids don't raise themselves. And uh we've received the benefit of your mother's hard work and keeping you in line. And uh so we're grateful for her. It was a lot of work. I'm sure it was I'm sure it wasn't always a walk in
057the park with you, but having known you for so many years and uh seeing what you bring and the blessing you bring to our community and our school corporation and the job that you do, I want to say thank you to her for her efforts important to you for all the years and I hope she was properly honored and I hope your family thoughts and prayers recognize her. All right, with that being said, I think that's everything. So ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved by Mr. Angel. >> Second by Miss B. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Vote carries 5.