001foreign we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all foreign thank you well it is a it's an honor to present to you young ladies and Coach I've known your coach since she was this big so congratulations on not only a state championship but a runner-up and two individual two other events as well so that's a first and the second two seconds in the state of Indiana not sure if that's ever been done in Crown Point or or anywhere else for that matter so well done young ladies so we'd like to present you with accommodation from the School Board of Trustees and we are I'm just going to read this to you we're
002honored to commend the 2022-23 tap dance team for meritorious achievement be it hereby resolve that the Board of Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations to the 2223 tap dance team for being named state champions in junior high double a jazz and state runner-ups and Junior High double a palm and Hip-Hop the School Board of Trustees recognizes his achievement and rendered it permanently to its Ministry preserved for public posterity dated this 24th day of April 2023. coach I'm going to have you introduce your young ladies as I give you the uh certificates as well all right Riley Bowman Libby Brown Tyler Eberhart Aubry gadino Braylon mccrady [Applause] mcrady Claire Peterson [Applause] Ellen Richter Gabriella Rivera [Applause] Leah Sullivan Sophia borwald right you didn't skip anybody okay thank you ladies
003[Applause] all the fun um so this was actually one of the best seasons that Taft has ever had um they had 14 out of 18 wins this season which is pretty unheard of especially in middle school dance so it's just a true Testament to how hard these girls were willing to be pushed by me and Coach Ryan and just their hard work in general so way to go ladies we are both very very proud of you thank you parents that were here for the dance team if you want to go feel free thank you come on up here all right excellent we'll let them clear out and we'll get started okay well this is familiar territory for you because I think in the six years I've been on the board you've been up here every
004year if I were if I'm if I'm accurate and correct so what an achievement to be inducted into the national Scholastic press association's Hall of Fame uh 10 straight years of the highest ranking what an accomplishment it's not easy I used to write from high school newspaper you know we've talked about that um we're nowhere close to as efficient as this so well done I'm going to read the resolution of accommodation at this time the Crown Point border School of Trustees is honored to commend at Crown Point High School 2021 and 2022 inkling's newspaper for meritorious achievement be hereby resolved at the board of school of Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation wishes to express sincere congratulations to the 2021-2022 cphs inkling staff for receiving the Gold Crown award from Columbia Scholastic press
005Association and being inducted to the National Scholastic press association's Hall of Fame for earning the highest ranking for 10 consecutive years the board of school trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity congratulations Mrs Elston I know you work hard I know you're dedicated to this what a blessing it is to have you and your team always if you want to speak for a moment about the 21-22 year or team specifically then also over the 10-year period and just give us a view and if you have any comment at this time it'd be great is he on the newspaper too it should have been yeah you're welcome we uh we are thankful for you and all the years of service you did and you're just
006talking to your husband before about taking organizations and leaving them better places than when you arrived or where you where you started and you certainly have done that so thank you and thank you for all your hard work and please extend our gratitude and congratulations to the rest of the team we're not here thank you Mrs Nelson [Applause] for you thank you oh see I'm surprised Brooke didn't tackle you before he got back the individual and on board or do you want oh oh it's your turn because I have the members of our community patrons for the ambassador program please come forward at this time and face the crowd so you get your well-deserved adoration for completing the course I don't know how I remember that word so this is our very first Crown Point
007School Corporation ambassador program these are the individuals that completed it so I will read that resolution accommodation a board of school the Crown Point Board of school trustees is honored to commend these individuals for meritorious dedication and support be it hereby resolve at the board of school Trustees for the Crown Point Community School Corporation was to express sincere appreciation for these individuals Community patrons for going above and beyond their commitment and support of quality education for students in the district by completing the Crown Point School Corporation ambassador program the board of school trustees publicly recognizes this achievement and renders it permanently to its minutes to be preserved for public posterity dated this 24th day of April 2023. Dr Terrell before I read them individually can you just Again cover all the subject matters that these
008individuals went through or do we have somebody else that's willing to do that I would ask Miss Allen because she and the reason I'm doing that is simply because she put so much work in behind the scenes to get this program to where it needs where it ended up being that I think it's important to recognize her all of her hard work well in this case then Miss Allen this is all all yours are then right now thanks you're welcome okay Let's see we had six different sessions over the course of this year we started with understanding District finances and a broad overview of the district um instructional technology inclusion student services and support departments what am I forgetting we did a job shadow of our administrators in our buildings assessments yeah testing I might
009be forgetting one how is student support I should have like had this ready to go you know six all good ones hopefully and just learning more about the district how it runs and hopefully they all learned something okay fingers crossed well on behalf of the board congratulations to all of you because once again now you're a little more informed of what it is we might deal with on a monthly daily email basis so you can be our spokespersons now there when one of my biggest pet peeves is the social media rumors that jump out when something jumps out there that one person heard or seen and then it explodes into a conversation that's nowhere close to the truth so now you guys can take on added responsibility as being graduates of this program to move
010forward and help spread the correct word of what it is now people try to get out there and say the right things but then others you know as that works sometimes the truth always isn't what's out there so congratulations on behalf of the board now if I I apologize in advance if I mispronounce your names Anna Lee wheelbaker wellbaker out here tonight Christian Washington Jessica cribari I say that right Janet Ellis Jennifer Rosenbaum Jennifer you're in you're in congratulations Julie wendorf Kristen nemec Catherine Rios Melvin Sewell Rick fluka Stephanie Owen Susan yadron is that right Theresa kowalczyk all right I don't mean to put anybody on a spot before pictures would anybody just like to say a few words about what they experienced if no one does that I'm okay with that but I figure
011I'd give the opportunity being that you're the first class by the way I did miss one Ashley Perkins okay anybody else just even if it's simple it's I mean people that are behind the same you know we see the students we see the teachers but we don't always see the people that are behind the scenes and keeping everything organized and running you know you can take your child out to the bus stop it's going to show up you know I mean it just this is really nice keep it safe and keep the food going well we'll see things I thought it was just a wonderful opportunity and like you said uh I'm going to be able to spread the correct information Neighbors I'm concerned about the population grows and things like that so tell them
012exactly what's going on well we appreciate your dedicated effort to make sure this went through being the first class and experience you know some things that might have not all but sounds like for the most part everybody enjoyed the experience so we're grateful that and the Miss Allen for leading you on that path and obviously we'll look forward to the class next class next year correct so again on behalf of the board congratulations thank you [Applause] and ambassadors feel free to stay or not we appreciate you guys maybe a sauna in just a few minutes tonight being said okay did I say that right correct it'll pick you up right remember just name and address mirror and then you take your time and you'll be okay my name is Marion Lambert and I live at
013311 West 117th place and I am currently a fourth grader at Eisenhower Elementary I am right on the redistricting line and I'm forced to go to Solon Robinson for my final year in grade school I've been like since kindergarten everyone there is like my family since the announcement I've been very upset I've worked hard to achieve goals that only would happen in fifth grade I've worked to get good grades that I could be and be a good citizen so that I could in my schools that I could be chosen for Honor Society other I looked forward to working the Haunted Hallway at Ike fright night as an Honor Society member with me sorry I look forward to our trip Tecumseh I look forward to our trip to Camp Tecumseh I have been working on my
014communication skills so I can run for Student Council with my classmates who know me and what I'm capable of I look forward to joining Library Club I worked on a business plan with my best friend for our table at mini economy I learned how to build a team in robotics we won the VEX IQ Elementary Excellence award for our school and we went to Indian the Indiana State finals for our first year I was looking forward to working with my team with the lessons we learned this year to try to make us to World Finals I look forward to the fifth grade walk where I could visit all my teachers in classrooms and give the proper goodbye to my school and my teachers I look forward to one last year in school I grew up
015in before I had before I had to readjust to a new school Dr Terrell said that every school has the same resources that we will make new friends that we need to learn resilience and to adapt minor school does not have fright night they don't have Camp Tecumseh they don't have any economy I will have to reapply for the robotics team and hope I get in I still have to find out whether I had to reapply for Honor Society I will have to leave my friends who live in the neighborhood behind mine to make all new friends and have to do it again in a year we are the kids who spent the last several years adapting we are resilient but to rip so many of us from our friends from our teachers from the
016family from the ike family that we have built is not right why can't we have an opinion to finish our final year at the home at our home school like the last redistricting did why is my school losing more kids than MBR than are coming in the next year if our parents are willing to provide our transportation why can't we stay for our last year I asked you to talk to us the students talk to our families work with us to find a middle ground where we can finish our last year with our elementary school families that we have made I know I'm not the only student in the district who feels this way thank you for your time good evening board members Lynn fessel 6980 West 115th Avenue in Crown Point actually Center township
017my grandson attends Douglas MacArthur Elementary School and I just want to say how very pleased we are the principal the teachers the staff and they are absolutely diligent about keeping those doors locked which of course we can't appreciate anymore I just want to come before you as we hear week after week after week about security being breached and I know that it has to be if not your top priority and absolutely high priority to keep our children safe so I hope you just continue to move forward just taking every Avenue that you can possible just to keep our our children safe if there's anything at all that you would think of that that parents or grandparents could do in a voluntary role I'm sure there would be many people that would be happy to do
018that thank you very much for your time thank you item four tonight is our consent agenda Dr Terrell thank you for your consideration this evening we have 4.01 which is our business meeting minutes 4.02 our Personnel agenda and then 4.03 the voucher registered checks as listed you've heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of the consent to Jonah agenda I have a motion motionless bazen second by Mr Smith questions or discussion leave maybe in this course other businesses board there's a final resolution presented actually by me the final resolution States the motion is there am I correcting I'm trying to pull it up now I got to get there hold on one second I believe in what you're saying it sounds right Tim but under final resolution yes yeah okay the motion did not
019carry thank you Mr Vassar any other questions oh go ahead sure something called like the uh under resignations the number of special education paraprofessionals I think there was four it seems like a pretty high number all resigned other than people's lives and things like that yeah we can get gather some information if you would like and bring that back not prepared to answer that yeah caught my eye yeah okay any other questions at this time all's in favor please signify by saying aye aye those opposed motion carries five zero Dr till is going to fill us in with a little bit of the recent changes based on that Personnel agenda yeah so just want to take this opportunity one um It's Time of the Year where there's a lot of movement both for those who
020are retiring and we want to thank them for their time that they spent and their careers and the impact they made on our kids also we want to welcome those who are coming into our district um for people to come in and gain teaching positions here they go through quite a process and and we really appreciate the work that they put into that as well as our teams here as they interview teachers also with that uh We've we have some reorganization of our administrative staff want to announce tonight that we are creating a position of assistant superintendent and want to congratulate Mark gianfermi as he will be our assistant superintendent uh here so appreciate mark thank you also Jim is going to be moving from the chief academic office position to the director of Grants
021and assessments and many other things so appreciate Mr hardenman and the work that he has done for us and will continue to do for us with Mark's move into the assistant superintendent the director of secondary Ed is open because of that and Sabrina Ramirez is going to be moving from director of Elementary Ed into the position of director of secondary Ed so congratulations to Sabrina and then leaving the director of Elementary Ed open tonight we have principal Nick Gina from Timothy ball who is here with his lovely family and Nick is going to be stepping into that role as the Director of Elementary Ed this summer and Nick has earned his EDS degree which is his superintendent's license and is currently working on his Doctorate um appreciate Nick and his dedication to our district and
022look forward to great things to come from Nick as he steps into that role really believe that this gives us a very strong team as we look at making sure that it's the best that it can be to provide those services for our our students for our staff for our administrators as well so congratulations Nick and everybody else as well that is yeah through a review of the policy it was noted that section b2a of our wellness policy had a statement in it that I don't think anybody would agree with and it also does not is not substantiated by the National Health and physical Educators therefore we are seeking your approval to repeal that statement uh it's uh it's a statement that uh in some way just got overlooked and uh was I don't think
023was ever intended to be as part of the wellness brought policy that we have so this evening we're seeking your approval to uh to repeal that statement you've heard the recommendation of the administration to appeal and remove section B to a from the Crown Point School Corporation wellness policy 8510 they have a motion motion by Mr Smith second by Mr babjac question or discussion all those in favor please signify by saying aye those opposed motion carries 5-0 and thanks for whoever was responsible for bringing that to our attention so we could get that fixed item 5.02 the purchase of student Chromebooks Mr Hardman yes thank you first of all I'd like to thank Brian Gill for his work in uh going through the process of of our refresh cycle we are currently in an annual
024refresh now where we bring in new computers for our kindergartners we do a refresh at grade five and also grade nine and this year we are going to be uh hopefully ordering purchasing 2 400 devices for for those students that also does include some additional devices for growth as well as for a damage to our uh to our devices we are purchasing these devices through an agreement with the midwestern higher education compact this is an organization that does advance the corporation or the cooperation resource of sharing in higher education which gives us a good pricing on this so seeking your approval this evening to purchase 2400 Dell three one one zero touch screen Chromebooks and their management licenses for a total cost of 756 thousand five hundred four dollars these devices do get paid from
025the rainy day fund and the rainy day fund is paid back uh annually 25 each thank you Mr Hartman you've heard the recommendation from the administration for the approval to purchase 2400 Dell 3110 touch screen Chromebooks along with 2400 Google management licenses from electronic strategies in the amount of 756 thousand five hundred and four dollars may have a motion thank you Mr Vassar second by Miss bazen question or discussion all those in favor please signify by saying aye all right those opposed motion carries 5-0 thank you easement agreement with the region Holdings Mr Reese thank you Mr President members of the board tonight I have for you an easement agreement with region Holdings when you see that in the agreement I want you to thank althoff homes they own the property between our two endpoints
026where we're starting the water line for the new middle school and also on our property we need to come across their North part of their property on down the would be the east side of Gibson down to 121st to connect to our property they've been kind enough to give us that easement for free in return we will not charge them any only region Holdings if they were to sell the property at some point it would not pass on to the the owner of that but we're give them we won't charge them tie-in rights to that water line since they're giving us that easement for free so with that we're recommending approval of the grant of easement with Regent Holdings you've heard the recommendation of the administration for the approval of the grant of easement with
027Regent Holdings may have a motion motion by Ms bays and second by Mr babjac question or discussion all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye those opposed motion carries 5-0 Mr Reese thank you for your work on that I know that was a sudden issue and need to bring all parties involved and never easy when you're dealing in that that field so to speak so thank you for your work behind the scenes on that one to bring that to the Limelight and to get fixed thank you appropriate accolades can be given to everybody involved Indian American Water oltoff homes but Dion with the Skillman Corporation Dr Terrell everybody got together in quick order when they said we couldn't do it in quick order and uh we got this done and very excited to
028get this completed on time thank you 5.04 the new Taft Middle School Landscaping award Mr Reese thank you Mr Angel members of the board we ask for quotes for landscaping at the new tap to comply with the requirements of the planned unit development with the town of Winfield with that quotes were requested and one was received from hubing or Landscaping in the amount of 142 506. so with that recommending approval of that proposal here for the recommend you've heard the recommendation for the approval of hubinger landscaping Corp to complete the Landscaping work for the new Taft Middle School in the amount of 142 506 dollars may have a motion motion by Mr Vassar second Minister babjac question or discussion uh I know I see Dean on the audience Mr Reese any idea why there was
029just one I know we normally get multiple bids just the scope or okay all right just it's usual unusual just based on we usually receive multiple vids on many so I was just curious nothing more so it's always good to work with a local contractor so happy that we have that resolved and thank you and it should be noted the contract came in any other questions all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye those opposed motion carries five zero environmental remediation Mr Reese thank you Mr Angel members of the board prior to raising the Taft Middle School some environmental remediation is required of that site sealed bids were requested three were received we are recommending approval of the low bid tonight which is a safe environmental Corp in the amount of 203 817
030dollars motion by Mr babjak second by Miss Basin question or discussion all those in favor please signify by saying aye those opposed motion carries 5-0 thank you and last on the action items 5.06 Winfield Elementary School additions Renovations and related work project bid packages Mr Reese thank you Mr Angel members of the board tonight we're bringing to you a recommendation for the construction at Winfield Elementary the next step of our Renovations at our our current school buildings excited to announce that the total bits for this for 6 million 335 508 against the budget of seven million 223 even so with that we had 10 categories 26 bids received and the administration is recommending the approval of those 10 contracts which I'm sure Mr angel will go through and read thank you Mr Reese you've heard
031the recommendation approval of the contracts for the Winfield Elementary School additions Renovations and related work project as follows General trades to Larson Danielson in the amount of one million 941 thousand for masonry to A1 group in the amount of 806 thousand nine hundred dollars for roofing the EC babilla the amount of 536 thousand five hundred ninety three dollars for aluminum entrances glazing to Lazzaro companies the amount of 303 250 for metal studs drywall and ceilings to collector Interior Systems in the amount of 237 330 for flooring to master tile in the amount of 141 200 for food service to Great Lakes whole hotel Supply in the amount of 803 988 for plumbing to Gatlin Plumbing and Heating in the amount of 211 400 for mechanical to Gatlin Plumbing and Heating in the amount of six
032hundred and thirty three thousand two hundred ninety two and for electrical to Amcor higher Electric in the amount of seven hundred twenty thousand five hundred fifty five may have a motion for the approval of these bids for the Winfield renovation project motion by Mr Smith second by Mr Vassar question or discussion uh just one I assume Dion being that I see you I see uh being that I live in that area uh Gatlin has moved into that location how soon is this started or are we already into the project okay so waiting for school to finish but you know one school's off that's all it actually starts and being that we're with the county usually no hold up so to speak as far as moving things forward great and well said I'm I'm believing it
033at that the only question I had is all these contractors we just named are we have relationship with all those contractors in the past thank you any other questions comments all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye those opposed motion carries 5-0 thank you for all that were involved in any of those action items and a lot of the work that's done behind the scenes to bring that uh so we can at least look at and evaluate where we need to be thank you again item six tonight information recognize recognition items the superintendent's discussion groups um I'll start just with the any of the Cities before we get to Mr Vassar because well we'll throw you in under this category that all right for the legislation report okay okay anything all right Mr
034Smith we'll start with you first uh just this past month they went through the budget um for the Redevelopment commission and Crown Crown Point so I I talked to Mr Reese a little bit about that nothing pertinent obviously there's some more businesses more ribbon cutting ceremonies which are all great for the city of Crown Point in our community so but nothing that's impactful in the schools at this point and um nothing further on that great thank you Mr Basher before before we get the legislation I'm going but if you have something on the initial from Cedar Lake Cedar Lake Redevelopment we met earlier this month uh the the big issue down there now is the Old South Shore Golf Course the why was going to originally purchase that that kind of fell apart developer bought
035the property and uh it was originally zoned for 130 home lots the developer now has come back and wants those lots to be smaller for more houses and it's actually a pretty big to do going on down there about that right now how does that affect us that's our our our school kids come from that area so more more to follow I'm sure on that if I might just jump in there for so when we were going through the redistricting planning we were aware of those changes that were proposed or that they're working through right now and went with the um the greatest impact oh yeah of what that would be so yeah that's what we based our numbers off of yes it's that subdivision and of course the another big one that is just
036uh east of Robin's Nest Lakeside and then one more East goes from 133rd All the Way South down to 141st that's a mile that's that's a lot of homes the the Senate approved uh on their budget proposal on April 13th it's just the next step in a process it's some similarities to the house some significant differences to the house budget they started their conference committee late last week on into this week the session has to be wrapped up by the end of this week so we're looking forward to getting some more information on that just waiting to get the end of the week and excited to get started on our next two-year plan thank you Mr professional details from the report yeah you're quite welcome um there's a lot to cover in seeing is that
037the assembly only has until the 29th uh so that is till Saturday to finish all of their business uh two months ago they were talking about they're going to be able to finish early and uh I don't think that I don't think that's going to happen but as Mr Reese just said with this budget the the actually what's on the table right now is very nice for schools um is I gave you that hand out there for that first bullet on the state viennial state budget the increase uh in 2024 of just under five percent and in 25 9.4 percent which is an incredible increase because it was really just supposed to be two percent so that's fantastic if if that continues to go through anything can change here in the last week of the
038assembly as as we well know also an increase in special education funding by 240 million dollars I think that's that's great the elimination of textbook rental fees with the separate line item prop appropriation of 160 million dollars a year as a categorical fund um and as Mr Hartman mentioned paying for those uh the rainy day fund through textbook fees that will still be in place if this goes through so that I think that's a that's a good thing as well um it did not increase funding at this place for the choice scholarship Voucher Program I think if anybody in public education would be fairly happy about that it is a concern of mine though that as I talked about last month that we have 252 Crown Point students that don't go to Crown Point schools
039on on vouchers um that that's in the neighborhood of two million dollars that's I there there has to be a way we could find out why why aren't we getting those students I don't know how to do that I really don't so I any of the administration here if you could we could figure out a way to find out why our parents are choosing not to send their kids to our schools um I think that's that answer will help us in lots of ways whatever the answer is I think that's important one thing on this budget though as you see on the under when I listed under negative results it removed the dedicated funding for the CTE programs that's that's huge that that's huge I don't think anybody in this room could could agree with
040that um hopefully that changes House Bill 1608 I'm not go not going to go through all of those bills at all but um both houses have approved mandating that schools notify parents when a student asks for a name or a pro be called a different name or to be called by a pronoun as their name parents need to be notified I think that's a good thing um a bill has gone to the House of Representatives for agreement on the changes and we'll see if that gets passed Senate Bill 72 moving along that's about school curriculum requires a few things I'm not going to cover all of them but the two big ones for us would schools would have to provide a uh well Mr Cucina you might be interested in this one that the schools
041will have to provide whether or not they're providing instruction on cursive writing we have to now provide that if this goes through additionally uh eliminating practices in the classroom and teaching things that are considered obsolete so think like typewriters when they become obsolete things like that nature it's pretty interesting bill it can also because of covid could take students back from the school school years 19 through 22 and they could take any class retake any class that they took as a virtual class if the student elects to take any such class the student must receive full credit for their class and the grade earned by the student must replace the grade the student received when the school when the student took the class virtually why do I mention that well that could change things in
042class ranking that could change valve Victorian to salutatory and things things of that nature I don't I wouldn't foresee students coming back to take a class but it is in the language so far um Senate Bill 380 that's uh under various education matters um this this has to do with uh the library books you may recall that about banning books in the library and removing books in the library this language is considers material harmful to minors requires school boards which is us to adopt a policy to publish each student's each School's online public catalog on the website of each school and allow a parent or guardian of that student enrolled in the school or a resident of the school corporation to submit a request to remove material from the school library that is obscene or
043harmful to minors we have that policy in place isba is recommending that all the corporations revisit their policy to make sure it's in line so that could be something we need we need to take a serious look at as we move forward in that um on the next page House Bill 1483 it has to do with prohibiting bullying in schools this would this could be a big change principals know this that this amendment would also require rules to include Provisions that allow a parent of a student to review any audio visual materials that's a big change because that didn't used to be the case so if this goes through that would be a big change in the schools for uh for our administrative staff inside of our schools under house bill 1635 and by the
044way these these reports will get shorter next month just okay but I feel as though you gave me the job to do I'm gonna I'm gonna do it for you so um the most significant provision is limiting to the number of students that graduate through a waiver okay and I know we're under these numbers it's it's nine percent for next school year six percent for the school year after but then down to three percent in 2025. so looking at those graduation numbers we cannot be above three percent for our our waivers and more more on that in just a little bit um and lastly there is a huge typo that I put on the last sentence that I wrote it should say the last day for the Indiana assembly okay I forgot to include that
045on there so is there is there anything I can answer I know that's a lot to digest but that's why it's in writing for you appreciate your efforts Mr Vassar in getting this information to us I think the next report you give will be the one that summarizes what actually did take place I sure so that'll be the helpful one and yes and let's hope for the benefit of kids in this state of Indiana that they think what's best for kids as most of us try to do on a daily basis thank you you're welcome any other questions for Tim item 6.02 director of Elementary education thank you Mr President I want I want to Still Miss Ramirez I just wanted may I cut you off for a sec just one second sure I had
046a few other things that are new business but can I go back to those I don't think any of those are going to be we should have uh new business will be coming up uh okay other business aboard under seven thank you yep sorry to interrupt you not a problem um I just wanted to commend and thank Heather corzie staying our math bowl on April 11th it was quite an event um to see all of the families caregivers that showed up um it's really inspiring to get to see six of our elementary schools who were competing um really get together and then to see the success that was achieved Lake Street did achieve the number one place out of our schools and place in the top ten in the state and it really is a
047strong effort on Heather Coursey and Jennifer pollitt's plate to organize such an event I also want to really thank our future Educators it's an exciting time in May gets really kind of crazy with hiring placing student teachers and it's exciting to get to meet teachers who are interested in joining us here in Crown Point Community School Corporation to understand their why of wanting to serve in our community as well as their belief in the success that each student can achieve is really an exciting part of the process of welcoming new teachers into our Corporation and so as we're going through interviews it is just a great reminder to all of us of our why and why we started an education and why we continue to be passionate educators I'd also like to thank our administrators
048they are going to be meeting with with the students who will be redistricted at the elementary level the weeks of May 15th and May 22nd to start welcoming them into their new school Community as well as then they have started to reach out to families as well so I have every confidence that our students will be well supported throughout the transition and that our families will remain in constant communication with our administrators so that they have proactive information and can engage with our schools just like they have been but in a new location any questions about any of those shares thank you thank you 6.03 director of secondary education Mr G infermi thank you Mr President board members it's always easy to start with bragging about our fine arts department but let's talk about some
049Middle School accomplishments in in Fine Arts they competed at the state isma competition recently Taft Middle School came back with all music awards and choir and Orchestra and Colonel wheeler came back with all music awards and band choir and Orchestra one of only three middle schools to achieve that top ranking of all three getting that gold status so really proud of what they do there and I know that the high school also performed down in Florida recently and did very very well too is they would down there at Disney World on April 12th we had a new business open on 109th if you haven't noticed there's a new McDonald's open and at their grand opening they were the owners the lubesnik family were kind enough to give a generous donation of two thousand dollars to
050our Colonel wheeler Builders club and what the builders clubs are in the middle school is all about community service and creating Community Partnerships so it's great to see that a new business is coming in and we've already established a great partnership with them they're also going to support the one book one school program for Colonel wheeler so it'll be even out coupons for kids to get some free cheeseburgers and hamburgers or whatever they may want to use do that so great for them and we really appreciate that family reaching out to us and and to our our clubs the Taft cyberdogs coach and science teacher Miss Rachel Walker was named the Indiana VEX IQ Middle School Mentor of the year so congratulations to her what's kind of neat about this is the year before that
051Mr early was named the mentor of the year at the middle school level so for two years in a row a Crown Point robotics mentor has earned that status of mentor of a year and we just see that as more and more of our teams continue to qualify for worlds Beyond State um so if we keep on supporting them and it's just good to see that that program just continues to grow at Crown Point High School they just completed sat testing 97 of our 11th graders completed the mandatory SAT test at the high school now we're moving on to AP exams May 1st through May 12th What's significant about this is we have 1 560 exams ordered that is up from 2022 when we ordered 1 329 exams so we continue to move forward and
052get more and more kids involved in those AP classes and taking those exams also want to help acknowledge the Community Foundation Crown Point Community Foundation who supplies us with some funds for students that are experiencing hardship and can't pay for the fee for the test so they pick up for that annually for us so we do appreciate that so kids don't miss that opportunity to take that exam um prom was last Saturday so thank you to all the administrators teachers and people that donate their time to pull off a dance that includes 920 students at the halls of St George and successfully do that that's a lot of work and it's a time-honored tradition at high school that continues on and we appreciate all their work and everything else then still here they are you
053guys made it all the way to the end I just want to you know Brian did a great job of acknowledging Julie and all she's done in her classroom but this family Brian and Julie just great teachers really admired working with you for 10 years at the high school just all the things that you have done not only in your classroom but in your extracurricular coaching sponsoring clubs I just can't appreciate you guys enough in your family and thanks for those two great daughters because they were wonderful too so thank you editors I makes it easy yeah you guys sacrifice a lot of time beyond your classroom we appreciate you as much that's all I have thank you thank you Mr Gene for me and just so we can get the record straight combined years
054between the two of you in education people are watching at home and I'm sure now after all those accolades it just would be curious so 66 years accolades well deserved we're trying to stay away from the issue behind the scenes all right but congratulations to both of you and thank you a director of exceptional education Mr pass Miss oh sorry I know her husband I just missed his passcous we're good I apologize I apologize of the board and just ditto Mark's statement on the elstons I think I have a child at home that's the president of the Elston fan club so thank you for all that you've done to inspire these young minds just a note that I don't think I had mentioned in the past last summer we received one thousand dollars donation from
055the Knights of Columbus here in town and they said they had a member who wanted to donate their tag sales profits to us so they wanted it specifically to go to exceptional Ed and we talked a little bit about I explained one of the things we wanted to do was have a parent picnic for our extended school year summer school so it was great we had a parent picnic at the fairgrounds at the end of our esy and we had kind of one of the traveling petting zoos come and that's something we wouldn't typically be able to do without that donation so thank you to the Knights of Columbus um to talk a little bit about hiring season as you see tonight you approved we're very excited we have another speech pathologist joining our team
056next year a school psychologist and a resource teacher so we're in really good shape for April to get these hires and people want to come here they're seeking our district out so thank you for helping us make it what it is here uh Wednesday night is our transition fair and this is all of our students with IEPs once they turn 14 we have to start considering their employment interests and skills independent living and Education and Training so this fair is going to be at the high school starting at 5 30 Wednesday and it goes beyond just colleges it's going to have like day programs where students can once they age out after 22 years old with us some of the day facilities that are in the area we do have some of the trades there
057some banks come because some of our students require some special accounts their parents set up just really all kinds of great information I think last year we had around 40 booths and this year we're up to like 70. so it's the turnout is is really increasing um so if you can stop by Wednesday night we'd love to see you and then to put on your calendar Wednesday May 10th is our unified game day at Crown Point High School from 10 to 1. that's where we cheer on all of our applied skills students with their peer bodies and they compete in a array of track and field activities we have some generous Community donors that we'll talk about next month that are helping to make it a real special day so if you're available we'd love
058to see you um yes Mr angel I wanted to recognize about 3 600 students right now are participating in iLearn uh this is a kind of an intense time in our school buildings at grades three through eight uh also want to include in that we have students that are participating in the I am that's the alternative assessment takes a lot of work and students are the primary goal of trying to uh you know for us ascertain their their proficiency levels and to uh take a look at and analyze our programming to improve it also as we go through this teachers and staff are vitally important to the administration of this test and to maintain its Fidelity and then the parents who are putting up with all of this as we go through our testing season
059and then when uh Chromebooks break down which they don't I think all of you might be really surprised that the uh the technology that is in the backbone of this assessment we have very minimal issues with the technology uh so again thank you to Brian in the work of his staff as he prepares also for this so Test season is Mark is alluded to his uh is is here and uh school years coming to a close quickly after this thank you very much thank you Mr angel I have a couple items tonight the first is Miss Toriano the district-wide head nurse asked me to pass along some some thank yous every year first graders are required to have a vision test we've had four eye doctors who have volunteered their time over the years two
060of them have been with us the last two years uh Dr Yadi um from Community Health Net and also Dr kucera from Moses Eye Care they've both been up with us the last two years they donate two afternoons of their time to do all their Vision tests the two other the last two I want to mention though are Dr Sheila Bogart she's from Midwest Eye Consultants she is one who organizes and Gathering the rest of the doctors to come in and help us out with this she's been doing it for 32 years the last 16 of those have been with us so we can't thank her enough for coordinating this for the last 16 years and also providing that service and last is Dr Gary Circe he's with Eagle Eye uh let's see Eli and
061the amazing part is retired me still does this and he's been doing it for 40 years for us so I just wanted to make sure that as I butchered those names and their businesses thank goodness the certificates won't be read in my voice they'll be on print and they can read it for themselves so not to have me butcher their names anymore I just want to pass along those thank yous for their their contributions and volunteer work to our organization to the school district uh and helping get those Vision tests completed also the the next item I want to pass along is uh on Thursday April 20th we closed on the last round of bonds for our building construction projects I'm happy to report that in issuing 32.9 million dollars worth of bonds we've added
062about 36 and a quarter million dollars into our project funds uh do some premium on those bonds I'm happy to go more in detail if you're interested let's just say it was a good Bond sale the average interest rate I'm not Bond sale was a little under two and three quarter percent uh so still even though interest rates have risen uh since the initial Bond sale back in uh 2021 uh really excited about where we're at now uh with the closing up this last round of funding for the projects and and think we'll be there to complete these projects now without any further funding with that being said since our last meeting tax bills have also gone out we received a couple phone calls regarding the tax bills and what they look like and if
063you notice want to acknowledge that as part of these projects we talked all about not having a tax increase and I think what's important to note is while the tax bill that received in the mail shows a tax increase from 2022 to 2023 of about 10 cents it's important to note when you go back to when the project started in 2021 we've actually seen a decrease of a little over two cents on our overall tax bill we had a small dip in 2022 on that tax bill and 2023 is coming back up it's actually less than I'm going to repeat that less than two years ago by over two cents so we've done we're doing all these projects we've actually seen a reduction in our tax bill for further evidence of that if you look
064back over the last 11 years while we've been in the referendum period nine of those 11 years the tax rate was over a dollar Thirty in the last three of the four years the tax rate's been under a dollar Thirty and that's even with doing these projects it's important to note that tax rates are trending down even though we have done these projects in the community so it's important to note while the tax bill shows you a two-year comparison last year this year if you look back over a time period especially over the last 12 years we're actually seeing a decrease in our tax rates even with all the construction going on so to make sure we as you say Ms strange earlier with the Ambassador group we get the right information out it's important
065to note that the information is not wrong in the tax bill we did see a 10 cent increase from 22 to 23. but most importantly it's actually a decrease when the project started in 21 until 23 and we anticipate that going forward into the future thank you Mr Reese director of communications Miss Allen good evening thank you I would like to thank Sue smooten from our buildings and grounds Department as we've started nearing the opening of a couple of our buildings and we finished some sections of Timothy ball and others um interior signage is something that people never think of they never notice no one thinks about the locks on their doors and having the right key and Sue and I had to sit down over the last couple of weeks and determine every single
066room number every sign make sure everything was correct I just said yes to the color but um Sue's job was to make sure every piece of that information was accurate the spreadsheets would make anyone's head hurt it's just an amazing amount of information and no one thinks about it because Sue gets it right so we don't have to think about it so I just want to thank her for her work thank you Miss Allen superintendent of schools Dr Terrell thank you so when I come back uh last board meeting we spoke about the naming of schools and buildings policy I want you to know that I've been working with isba and we have now about 14 different sample policies from around the state so in talking with Mr angel I'm going to work with cabinet
067and we'll bring you guys some of those kind of mushed together to get input and then changes and I anticipate that we'll do that throughout the summer months as we work through first reading second reading to get those policies where they needed to be but wanted you to know that that we are working towards that as we indicated uh building projects update I want to let you know and Dion's out here and he can help if you guys have questions on this but right now we're in a really good spot um you know it seems like for the last I don't know 12 16 18 24 months we've been talking about this and it's really coming to life right now and as you start to get closer to where we're opening buildings as Brooke mentioned
068seeing Furniture being delivered classrooms full of carpeting flooring is in at the new Taft we're right on track with where we need to be furniture will start being delivered here in the next couple of weeks at May 10th at Taft and when that happens it's just carpet went in it was a whole new thing white boards go up on the walls and you're like wow this is really when cut when Furniture starts getting there it's going to be an amazing thing to see so again thank you to Dion and his staff it's crazy when you think about the number of projects we've got going on and I'm telling you the number of hiccups we have with those projects is incredibly minimal now Dion's sitting out there thinking yeah they have no idea but it's a
069credit to him because all we see is that steady moving forward and know that behind the scenes Dion and his team they're working daily to make little changes here and if this is going to be delayed how do we do an end around and come back on this side over here and uh those contractors that we talked about with the Windfield bid tonight so many of them are doing projects in other places in our district and it's a credit to them as you walk through those buildings they're you can tell they're enjoying working for their own Community to that end so we do appreciate all of that legislative update Mr Bass appreciate what you're doing there with working with that you know it really comes down to we're at that point where those things that
070are going to happen are happening behind closed doors is the impact we've made up to now with different groups and the the conversations we've had just continue to work forward with that I still believe we're going to end up in a really good place but stay tuned and we'll have great things for for our community I also want to remind you just of our board cabinet Retreat coming up May 9th look forward to having you here and we will start that uh with dinner being served first and then we'll have kind of a working dinner and plan on staying until about nine o'clock that night so look forward to having you guys here and meeting with cabinet during that time 5 45. we'll start at six everybody's got the Down May 9th thank you Dr
071Terrell um item 7.01 other business the board of course somebody else can start I just want to make sure um I know each individual kind of mentioned the contributions made by Our Community Partners including the new owners in the McDonald's I want to make sure we don't forget about that the Community Foundation is probably number one behind that but there's so many more Knights of Columbus were mentioned and things like that that they kind of get overlooked sometimes and I want to make sure that they get their just Due based on just other than you mentioning them and we are extremely thankful for all those Partnerships that work with the donations being given and everything they do to help us out in areas of need and it's done way more than they it comes to
072the Forefront at a board meeting so I want to make sure that they do realize that we do thank them for everything they do whether it's just you know contributing when those individuals contribute at the middle school for like career day they volunteer their time to come and help kids kind of learn about finances and everything else that goes along with that so all of that doesn't go overlooked on our behalf as a board so I want to make sure that they they do get their acknowledgment start time is five not six I'm sorry that would have the record shortest yeah no five and we'll start serving food will be ready at 4 45 so if you want to get here a little early great moving on to other businesses of the board I know
073Mr Vassar you had a few things I think central starting uh the next school year alternative thank you hear me now yep is starting an alternate diploma for students with cognitive disabilities this state just approved the alternate diploma I don't even think it's been a month so we have a group of students that will graduate with that this year fantastic I just think that's I think that's wonderful as a former special educator I just think that's absolutely wonderful uh second thing I wonder about is when we receive our board packets for personnel and we are to you know either approve or not approve those people are working before they're approved that that could lead to embarrassing situations um what can we do about that to streamline that a little bit don't have to have an
074answer now but just so sometimes based on timing of those fill-ins hires things to be it's almost impossible to address like to fix some of those but I'll let Dr Terrell speak in regards to that as far as the overall process of that yeah so Mr Angels correct in the fact that we try to have those be after the fact there are some of those especially like if you look at ECA positions that are part of that so background checks all of that has gone through and has been processed before and part of it has comes up with the timing of it all so one of the things that you will see on our next board meeting is beginning in May and then going throughout the summer the board will give me permission to hire
075before the next board meeting so that way we can benefit on not waiting three weeks four weeks two weeks whatever it might be to be able to get the best talent and recruit them as well so that's that's kind of that process there again we try to make sure that we when we can that we hit that Mark there's just a few exceptions thank you for that I just didn't want to know all of the background stuff obviously is done well before they're at that approval state which our ours have gotten really extensive from the years I've just been on the board with General moving into pretty much a full background check some things can obviously slip through the cracks and uh just don't want to put anybody anybody us staff or that employee in
076an embarrassing situation um just want to reiterate about the 252 voucher students I think that's important if we can find reasons why that happens um let me so we know where those students are going the majority of that number are going to religious schools and that's where we're seeing those students go so that's that's the biggest part can you clarify that 200 252 students or 252 students who are pulling their voucher 252 voucher students that's the report I received so I I don't know and you know I think we can make conjectures and surmise about they're going to go to that school anyway which I'm sure is true in many cases I'm not sure if it's true in all the cases so I just want to make sure that are we are we capturing what
077we need to be capturing for the parents and for the students it could be a lot it's something that can be a subject matter at The Retreat Retreat we'll make sure yeah and and isba also is recommending that we review our policies which I'm sure we're going to be doing after the retreat am I correct in that for any for any existing policies that need review or that hasn't been updated now because once again we've switched carriers yeah yes Terry has really hit hard on that one as well so let me comment on that so we have monthly reviews with them and quarterly reviews with them where we continually review our policies and then bring changes if they are needed to the board yeah well I don't know if he was speaking in terms of
078what happens with the assembly if that was fresh on his mind because I just received that on Monday I believe it was no last Monday not not today but uh continue our practices and make sure that those are addressed yeah and then and then lastly it just hit me when the the TAF students were up here seeing all these kids walk up which was which was wonderful in 2005 State mandated at every school every public school in the state has the Pledge of Allegiance every morning if followed by a Moment of Silence why don't we do the same I mean to set the example for our schools I mean we do the pledge but we don't have a moment of silence is there any reason why we don't do that because our schools do that
079the first mention of it and I have no objections and we can discuss that as a board to move forward with that don't see any issues with it but make sure we're all on the same page on that okay thank you any other any other board new business at this time uh Miss pascus again apologize for the first time what was the time of the thing next Wednesday the event unified track May 10th for 10 a.m 10 A.M May 10th thank you well I had made 10 000 but I had no time so I want to make sure if I can make it I can get the right time Time and Time perfect any other new board business this time okay moving on to 8.01 board statements of appreciation and recognition we'll start with you
080Mr Vassar if any Mike please thank you Brooke we'd like to I like to compliment you uh here's why I received a personal phone call from a resident uh parent has two students at Crown Point schools to complement whoever put together on the website um the transferring of students with the redistricting and said it was incredibly easy to follow and any question that she had she found the answers to so just wanted to say thank you Brooke for making all of us look good and for your efforts on that thank you Mr Vassar Miss Basin anything this evening uh yes I had the opportunity last month to attend and I'm probably going to butcher what the actual name of it was but it was the the academic honors awards banquet is that did I get
081that accurate uh alongside Dr Terrell Mr Hardman and Mr gianfermi um and it was where we were acknowledging and celebrating the students who had gpas of 3.85 and higher is that correct and it was uh a really exciting event besides seeing all of those smiling faces who were very excited to graduate but the students they selected I think three or four students who had the opportunity to speak about the teacher who they felt had the most impact on them and Mr Alston were you one of those so I feel like while we're on that train of recognizing some Excellence um it was really to what Ms Ramirez had said kind of reminds you of your why and why you're here but hearing the impact that those handful of teachers had on their students and hearing
082the emotion come out of those students was very impactful to me I think there was one that like made me tear up and I'm sitting there on stage thinking wow like a very powerful speech by a student very powerful emotions that they felt towards their teacher and then recognizing that that is just a small sample of what all of our teachers are doing across the corporation that these few were recognized for but just the Deep Impact that that our teachers are having on students and and getting to kind of hear that and celebrate alongside everyone was very very impactful and and kind of reinvigorating and also made me miss teaching in my classroom a little bit a lot of those students I had had in second grade or had come through Eisenhower so I appreciate
083the opportunity to attend that that was wonderful um so thank you thank you for the invite for that thank you Mr babjek nothing from me tonight thank you Mr Smith I had a list on my cell phone and I left myself on our work so I'm going to have to come back next next month more prepared so your attorneys work harder than all of us so I don't know how you keep your head on straight I'll pass uh for tonight oh Mr angel can I sneak back for one more absolutely I I do quickly want to acknowledge and thank Dr Terrell um for his communication through the number of things that have come up just since we've been on the board Mr Vassar and I in January we're always made aware of of big things
084or things that might hit the media or those things in advance and it's very nice the transparency the communication um and just feeling like we know what's going on and we know how it's being handled is very uh like it's it's very comforting I guess to know that that's all being handled and very much appreciated the communication that you provide as well so I didn't want to forget I I forgot I knew I had a note somewhere and then I didn't see until after so I did want to thank you as well for your communication Dr Terrell yeah all right just know if you're getting yours at five mine started probably about a quarter to four I don't even know where to go with that one just because trying to convey to four individual board
085members individually and then wait for each individual response to make sure things are all coordinated uh makes for some interesting mornings and early afternoons but I do appreciate everyone to raise the community or whatever well when you're a member of a five board panel you have to make sure that things are conveyed in a professional manner yet at the same time acknowledgment so that everybody's on the same page moving forward knowing that we're responsible for the 9 000 kids and everything else that's on in this community so thank you on in that regard as well uh I don't have anything individually other than um as a reminder graduation I think I can speak this accurately for the first time ever will be in the month of May is that probably right Mr Hardman just being
086that you've been here a lot longer than I've been here and that you were a principal of the building at one time but so May 31st the Tuesday after Memorial Day so please put that down in your calendar it's always and now they moved it outdoors and I like that atmosphere a lot better even though the Radisson and Star Plaza theater was nice Outdoors just seems to have a little extra special to it knowing that it's they're held on the ground so all looking forward to seeing everybody then that day um I don't have anything else other than once again I'd just like to say kudos to those individuals that went through the training and the uh ambassador program once again I think it's a great thing and we look forward to continuing each and
087every year and expanding that and making our community more aware of what is out there and what's done behind the scenes which I think is more important than anything so with that I will look for a motion to adjourn motion by Miss Basin second by Mr babjek all those in favor please signify by saying aye aye those opposed motion