ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 1/13/26

001[laughter] at this point. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's >> you're right. >> Right. Exactly. Well, and you know, like I never know how I'm gonna feel like am I show, you know, nacho? like for [laughter] sweet, Julie Tyraki. A A that's very sweet. >> That's really nice. A that's very very kind. I never know which way to turn. Hi, how are you? Good. I never know which way to turn my computer. I always get it upside down. Oh god, I'm getting Why are there so many people here? >> Hi. Hi you guys. Hi everybody. >> It's gotten quiet, so it must be 7 o' or 6 o'clock. >> 6 o'clock. >> Oh my gosh. No kidding. >> Waiting for seven. >> Yeah, I know. It's like old habits die hard, >> right? Just a happy hello

002to everybody. It's nice to see a full room. So hi >> if you put that he put on screen. [laughter] >> Yeah, there you go. That's the only way. >> That's it. >> Some hometown pride for us. >> There you go. Mad made the statement that he will make it a pride moment. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Or excellence. >> Or the most embarrassing moment. I think we can. >> All right. Thank you everyone for coming out to uh our January 13th uh meetings. We have a number of meetings uh uh tonight. Um our uh first meeting will be uh our organizational uh meeting. I will call that to order. And if you could please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. You may be seated. Under our agenda of the organizational meeting, we have

003uh the uh election of president, vice president, and secretary uh for the uh next uh board's year, calendar year. Do I have a motion on the slate? >> Could you please state the slate? Uh the slate will be uh >> Scott President, Kelly Mullins, vice president, and uh Mike Bernett as secretary treasure. >> Did I get it right? >> You did. >> No changes. >> All right, good. >> Thank you. I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and I have a second. Uh all in favor say >> I. >> Opposed? That passes as motion. Thank you, Mr. Weaver. Uh, next on the organizational meeting, I have uh the conflict of interest disclosures uh from the board. We have three individuals um that are disclosing their conflicts.

004Uh Miss Davis, we can start with you first. >> Uh I have the school's insurance. >> Thank you, Mr. Weaver. I have a uh a portion of the school's insurance >> and myself I am also a beneficiary of the fringe benefit package uh for the school district. Are there any other uh conflicts of interest that needs to be disclosed tonight in our organizational meeting or seeing none I will move on? Uh Miss Ross, could you please uh present the ne next resolution? Good evening, board of trustees, board president. Uh, the administration requests um your approval for the following board of trustees um for the following resolution um including the treasurer of Elcart Community Schools being myself, Ronda Ross, the deputy treasurer of Elcart Community Schools being uh Erica Pervvis. Uh the copy fee for records

005obtained through the secretary to the board of school trustees in the amount of 10 cents per page. Um the officers and members of the board of finance shall be the same as the officers and members of the board of trustees with the ability uh for an alternate member to be named. The board of trustees compensation for 2026 shall not exceed 2,000. The cash management provider for the 20 for 2026 shall be Lake City Bank. Um the Elcart Community Schools Board shall appoint Barnes and Thornberg as legal counsel. Elcart Truth and Gan New shall be designated for 2026 for the advertisement of legal notices. Uh mileage reimbursement shall be the IRS rate effective January 1, 2026 in the amount of of 72.5. And finally, um, bonding approval is requested for the various treasur treasurers, including myself,

006the deputy, and the building level treasurers. Administration requests your approval of those items. >> Thank you, Mrs. Ross. Do I have a motion? >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion. I have a second. Do I have any uh questions or comments from the board regarding the resolution as presented? Seeing or hearing none, all in favor? >> Opposed bill or the motion of the resolution passes. Thank you, Miss Mrs. Ros or Miss Ross. Um, that concludes uh our organizational meeting uh for January 13, 2026. At this time, I will adjourn that meeting and I will call to order our board of finance annual meeting. And Miss Ron, adoption of uh the resolution. >> Yes. Thank you. The administration request uh the board of finance does authorize

007the treasur of Elcart Community Schools, myself, to invest funds from the depository balance instead of from a specific fund balance in accordance with the provisions established by Indiana code. The administration requests your approval. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. >> I have a motion. I have a second. Do I have any questions or discussion from the board regarding this resolution as presented? Seeing or hearing none, all in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you. Um, next on the, uh, board of finance annual meeting, we have the review of, uh, the investment history and investment policy is stipulated. >> Thank you. So, um, Elcart Community Schools does not have, uh, traditional investment vehicles. Uh however we do have um accounts where

008interest is earned. Um so to that end um our interest is primarily gained from Lake City Bank at a rate of about 5% um APR and in 2025 our interest earnings were 1.4 4 million down from the prior years due simply to a a larger cash balance that could uh be multiplied by that APR. >> Thank you. Uh [clears throat] do we have any uh questions or comments from the board regarding our investment history investment policy? >> Thank you. We can uh move on uh to financial indicators. >> Absolutely. Thank you. as required by the uh distressed units appeals board. Um each school um is to present to its board um the corporation's financial condition using the state's fiscal indicator. So it's not just Elcart, it's all schools in the state of Indiana. So um

009you have the uh metrics in your packet, but I also would like to refer you to um the audience to the the screen here. You may also access this and I encourage everyone to look here. You can essentially choose your school here um Elcart Community Schools for example and find these same indicators. This is a more interactive um feature. You can actually see the numbers associated with um um these fiscal indicators. This will also be placed um on our finance dashboard um tomorrow. By tomorrow, you will also have access to this. But just things of note, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to pull it up here. Um, however, um, items to note that you will see that our student enrollment is declining. You'll see these eight metrics that they use. Let

010me see if I can scroll this up. Here are the metrics that they walk you through. These are the fiscal indicators. And let's see. I don't have L cards up, but these are the metrics. Let's see if it'll let Yep. hard to see. Essentially, it goes through our um some basic information. It's essentially the 2024 financial information, although it does uh dip into a little 2025 ADM, but it's our 2024 financial information. Um so, when you do go on here, I suggest you um choose the PDF, print all charts. But for example, what is of interest are our fund balances and our annual deficit and surplus. These are of note. Um, good thing is we talk about this on a monthly basis, the story of the district. So, this just dovetales into the story that

011we've been telling. We have a declining enrollment situation which is in conjunction with um uh staffing levels that need to be more strategically aligned in the education fund. If we don't do that, what is and since we haven't done that uh just quite yet, even though we're working on it, we are eating into our cash um balances and um depleting some of our funds. So, this is what the story of this if you once you take have a moment to take a deep dive into this, you'll see that story being played out and it's the story that we kind of talk about each month here. So with that, um, we have to just my recommendation is that we just continue to make strategically sound staffing adjustments and it's imperative for both the short-term stability and

012long-term sustainability. >> Thank you, Miss Ross. Uh, do I have any questions or comments from the board regarding the financial indicators as described? Okay, then that will conclude our board of finance annual meeting. I will now adjourn that and I will open up our January 13, 2026 Elcart Community School regularly scheduled uh board meeting. And we'll start off with uh Miss Mullins's uh the Elcart Promise. >> Yes, the Elcart Promise. Every student is known by name, challenged and supported by highly effective staff and in partnership with community will graduate career college ready and life ready. >> Thank you very much, Miss Mullins. Uh next we have our invitation to speak protocol. Um everybody should have received uh one of these on your on your chair when you sat down. If you'd like to speak during

013the meeting, please fill out this form. Um, you can speak on any agenda or non-aggenda item. When your name is called, please step step up to the microphone, state your name and your affiliation uh with the school. You'll then have uh or the district, you'll have then have three minutes uh uh to uh give your public comment. Um I always as a friendly reminder because of the family rights and privacy act um this is not the uh please do not publicly discuss personnel or personal student information uh while addressing the board uh during public comment. Did I did I just jump over D? >> Yes. >> So I was so excited to talk about public comment. No, I I was uh my apologies. Um, next on the agenda, naming uh of the new superintendent. I

014think uh we we'll go back to we we're going to go to this and come back to public comment. Just everybody's prepared with the rules now. So, it's important. Uh I think everyone's aware um of uh Dr. Huff um physician within uh uh the district and announcing his uh resignation. Um you know we we are very fortunate uh to have Dr. Huff uh uh for the time that that we had and because you know the district made great advancements uh both academically but also uh structurally um you know we received multiple awards and and and good work is being done. Um it's going to continue to be done. Dr. Huff is uh um committed uh to stay with us through the school year. Um, and the board uh felt it was important to immediately start

015a search for our next superintendent so they can uh be able to work with uh Dr. Huff his team and in the cabinet and to make the critical decisions that you know you've all heard about whether it's consolidation uh you know academic improvements um that we've been discussing you know our finances our strategic plan for that over the past uh uh four five six months. So we started a search um it was an internal search we had uh we were very fortunate to have qualified applicants uh apply for this um it was a uh um a decision that uh was not easy um in the sense that uh you know we we looked at everything as a board and the board really came together uh on this and and you know we we discussed uh

016many things and we discussed the future and we discussed you know what is the impact going to be for the district and uh you know we we have made a decision that um I think uh um is is puts this district in a very good position moving forward specifically with Dr. Huff still being here during the transition uh bringing uh the next superintendent up to speed from a superintendent perspective. Um and you know we'll be able to continue down the path with really out missing a beat as far as uh where we are in the consolidation process where we are in the financial strategic alignment. Uh so with that said, I would like to announce and I have a prepared statement here because um I I would tend to ramble if I if I didn't.

017Um the Elcart Community Schools Board of Trustees has approved Michelle Ree as a district's next superintendent effective July 1st, 2026. I think most of you um know if you if you work for the district uh know of uh uh Miss Ree, but if you uh don't know, here's a little bit of her background. She brings more than 38 years experience in public education and currently serves as the assistant superintendent of elementary schools for ECS. Her career includes service as a teacher, as a principal, as a central office administrator, and a superintendent. And those were all qualities that we looked at uh you know for the person to lead this district into the future. We felt it was important that they had that type of experience. Uh throughout her career she has demonstrated a strong record

018of improving student achievement, strengthening instructional systems and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Obviously, again, very important to this district and the board to have that type of background. Um, to ensure a smooth and effective transition, Miss Reese will continue to work closely with Dr. Huff, as I stated, through July 1, 2026. This collaboration collaborative transition period positions her for success and provides continuity in leadership, decision-m, and district operations. Miss Ree has already worked side by side with Dr. Huff, the cabinet, and district staff, particularly in the district's ongoing consolidation work, and the board int anticipates no delays or disruptions in these efforts. In her current role, Miss Ree has uh provided district-wide leadership for elementary instruction, supported principles and teachers, overseen budgets and resources, and guided initiatives to improve outcomes for all students. Her leadership is grounded

019and collaborative throughout the use of data and a deep commitment to the Elcart community. Previously, Miss Ree served as superintendent in two other districts as uh and as an assistant superintendent overseeing again academics, human resources, and operations. Her experience includes leading strategic planning. She has experience in district consolidation efforts and major facility projects while maintaining fiscal responsibility throughout. The board extends its appreciation to Dr. Huff for his leadership in moving this district forward academically and making the difficult necessary decisions that you have made in your tenure here um and will continue to make during the consolidation process. Uh your continued leadership through this uh transition period will further support stability within the district, progress within the district, and long-term success for Elgar Community Schools. Miss Ree holds advanced degrees in education leadership in administration from

020Purdue University and has been recognized for academic excellence in the schools and districts she has served. The board is confident in her ability to lead Elkcart Community Schools forward and look forward to working with her in her new role. Additional transition details will be shared uh in the coming weeks. So, I just like the uh opportunity now to to welcome you, Miss Reese, in in your new role, and we look forward to you uh uh working during the transition and and effectively taking over on July 1. [applause] >> [applause] >> We will um from a timeline perspective, we are uh uh in contract negotiation and hope to finalize that soon and uh uh we'll have public notice uh regarding the contract uh here soon and and hopefully uh we can ratify in the time frame

021for our next board meeting. You know, the board's committed to continue the path forward and um uh by getting it done in this time frame will allow us to get that behind us and continue to roll up our sleeve sleeves and get the good work and continue with the good work that we've been doing. All right, next on the agenda, public comment. Anybody have any questions on how it [laughter] works? Go ahead, Dora. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Uh first, uh Tiana Wadell. [clears throat] >> Good evening. >> Oh, sorry. Good evening. My name is Tiana Batis Wadell. I live at 330 Kofax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana. On December 16th, 2025, I sent an email to Dora that should have been forwarded to the board president, Troy Scott, and Superintendent Larry Huff. The email is

022in regards to the recent data that is reflected in the Elcart tenur site SA report. This report indicates that a significant number of black youth are being disproportionately exposed to the schoolto prison pipeline in your school system. The data presented has raised serious concerns among families, community stakeholders, and education advocates regarding student discipline practices, equity, and the long-term outcomes for the black youth in Elkcart Community Schools. Are you aware that increases in exclusionary discipline, school-based arrest, referrals to law enforcement, and disproportionate impacts on students of color, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students have profound and lasting consequences. The outcomes reflected in this report are not only undermining educational equity, but also weaken trust between schools, families, and the broader community. I'm from South Bend. I respect respectfully request clarification on the following. What proactive

023steps in the district taking to reduce are you taking to reduce exclusionary discipline and law enforcement involvement while ensuring student safety? How are restorative practices, traumainformed approaches, and culturally responsive interventions being implemented and evaluated across your schools? What specific anti-racist and culturally responsive training and workshops are your teaching staff and support staff participating in to actively dismantle harmful stereotypes, implicit biases, and deficit-based assumptions that impact black students experiences and outcomes. I received confirmation from Dora on January 2nd that the that she had forwarded the email to the board president and superintendent in schools. And here we are, January 13th, and I still have not received a response to my inquiries. Why do you care about the black youth in Elcart Community Schools? If so, what action will you take to mitigate the racial bias that

024exists in your school system? Thank you, >> Andrea Hardy. Good evening. I'm a parent in the district. >> Can you hear me? Okay. I'm a parent in the district. I want to briefly place a transportation continuity and safety concern on the public record. On more than one occasion, my child has been transported to school on buses and by drivers that were not the assigned route without any prior notification to me as the parent. While my child arrived at school safely each time, the lack of communication creates a significant gap from a parent standpoint. When I've called transportation to ask for clarification, I've been left on hold for extended periods long enough that my child is already at school before I'm able to confirm what occurred. I want to be to be clear that this is

025not assigning blame. It's about continuity, accountability, and parental notification during c custody transfer. From a family safety perspective, not knowing who is transporting your child, even briefly, is not acceptable. I'm asking that this concern be formally acknowledged and addressed. And I note that this is one example of a broader continuity issue I intend to raise more fully at a future meeting. Thank you for your time. Thank you, >> Don Miller. >> Good evening, members of the school board. I am the seventh grade computer science teacher at Northside Middle School. Before I say anything else, I want to thank you for your time tonight and for the work you do to support all students across Elkhart Community Schools. I know there are many needs competing for attention, and I don't take a moment like this lightly.

026I'm here because I love what I do. I love teaching. I love watching students, especially middle school students, discover that they can build something, fix something, and solve problems they didn't think they could solve. In computer science, I see students light up when they code when their code finally works. When they realize they can create a game, design a website, or make an animation that actually does what they intended. For many of my students, that moment is bigger than the assignment. It's confidence. It's identity. It's a future they can finally picture for themselves. But right now, I can't give them what they deserve because we do not have the basic equipment needed to teach computer science the way it's intended. I'm respectfully asking for immediate action to install a computer lab or provide desktop computers

027in our computer science room. Full desktops with a keyboard and mouse or true laptops that are not very old and in desperate need of repair, such as the Chromebooks I was given just yesterday. Students need a real computer setup every day. This isn't about preference. It's about access, standards, and students opportunity to learn. The Indiana K through2 computer science standards for grades 6 through 8 expect students to understand the relationship between hardware and software to apply troubleshooting strategies to hardware and software problems and to select appropriate tools and technology to create and publish work. Those aren't iPad skills. Those are real computing skills and they require real computers. Right now, iPads do not work well with code.org and the tools we rely on. iPads run iPad OS, which is a mobile operating system more like

028what runs our phones than what runs on a desktop or a full laptop. That matters because so much of computer science depends on how students interact with files, programs, browsers, extensions, and development tools. Many code.org activities and other classroom tools are built for a keyboard and mouse environment, not a touch first device. And while I appreciate the Chromebooks that were provided, Chrome OS is limited for the kind of computer science work we're responsible for teaching. It's web first and restricted in ways that make it difficult to do what a real Windows or Mac OS computer can do. Chromebooks can help students type a document or computer complete basic tasks, but they are not a replacement for actual computers in a computer science classroom. I want to be very honest because the stakes are real. Without

029the right devices, students will fall behind in very in the very skills our state standards require. And the students who will be hurt most are the ones who already have the fewest opportunities at home. Some of my students don't have a computer outside of school. School is their only chance to learn these skills in a way that prepares them for high school classes, careers, and the world they're growing up in. I've been patient since the beginning of the school year. I was told my classroom would be fitted with Mac computers during Christmas break. I prepared for it, planned around it, and told my students help was coming, and it never happened. Since then, I've continued to adapt and make do because that's what teachers do. We improvise, we problem solve, and we keep showing up

030for kids. But I'm at the point where making do is no longer acceptable because it's not fair to students. When a student asks me why can't we do what the stu other schools are doing I don't want to answer to to be because we don't have what we need. What a student is when a student is excited to learn and I have to say we can't run that on this device. I can literally see the disappointment and over time that disappointment turns into disengagement. That is the opposite of what we want for our kids. I'm not asking for something extra. I'm asking for the basic tools required to do my job and to meet the expectations we've set for students. I'm asking because I care about outcomes. I'm asking because my students are capable of

031so much more than what these devices allow. And I'm asking because the wait, the longer we wait, the more learning we lose and we can't get that time back. So tonight, I'm requesting immediate attention and a clear plan either install a desktop lab or with keyboards and mice in the computer science classroom or provide true laptops again, not Chromebooks, so students can access the same learning experiences they would have on a real computer. I will continue to give my students everything I have, my energy, my patience, my creativity, and my heart. But I need the district to meet us halfway with the equipment that makes computer science possible. Thank you again for supporting all students in Elkart Community Schools. And thank you for listening. I'm hopeful we can solve this quickly for the sake of

032our students and for the future we're trying to prepare them for. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that ends our uh public comment section. Next, we have representatives from Barnes and Thornberg uh to uh uh present the resolution. Good evening. My name is Adrien Carrier. I'm with Barnes and Thornberg. And the resolution you have before you today is the first step in a multi-step approval process for the financings of two proposed projects. series uh proposed series 2026A of bonds would address renovations at district elementary schools and proposed series 2026B would address renovations at proposed district secondary schools. These two financings are identical in structure to those done by the school corporation in previous years to address um the long-term capital facility maintenance and updates needed throughout the district. Um the maximum PAR amount authorized in this

033resolution is 13,730,000. Um and that is paid over a 20-year term. Um and it also calls for public hearings at the February 24th meeting of the school board of trustees uh to further consider um these projects and more and the next steps in the approval process. Are there any questions? >> Um, before we get to questions, do do I have a motion uh to accept the resolution as presented? >> Do I have a second? >> I have a motion. I have a second. Now, do we have any questions um regarding this resolution? Okay, more to come on this, but seeing or hearing none, um all in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Next on the agenda, uh we have Elcart High School freshman division report. Uh Miss Bonds,

034welcome. [laughter] >> Good evening, President Scott, members of the board, Dr. Huff, and our community. Thank you so very much for this opportunity to share with you the amazing work that we are doing at the freshman division to positively impact student learning and growth. So a few things that we focus on at the freshman division is building relationships, attendance, relative instruction and assessment as well as parent communication. And our overall goal is to create an atmosphere where all students pursue academic and personal excellence. So this year all freshman students is the first time had the opportunity to participate in PSAT testing. While there is clearly work to be done, we know that the more opportunities our students have to engage with these assessments, the better they are when they take the test later on. So

035their test scores will be a little bit better each time they have time to practice. So to help at the freshman division, our students and e in language arts and math have the opportunity to practice weekly test questions for just to help them become um accustomed to what's on the test. So, as we continue to build a connection between the freshman division and the 1012 campus, our students have the opportunity to take some of the principal courses. These principal courses require that students earn a C plus or better to meet their graduation requirements. So, we are very proud of the work that our teachers as well as our students are doing to meet that requirement. We are also celebrating the fact that 599 of our freshmen completed a project learning assignment. Um what this means

036is that they are fulfilling box two of their graduation. Our attendance rate we work hard following district protocol as well as doing our best to build community to get our students to attend school on a regular basis. We're proud of the 93.31% but we know that until we have 100% of our students attending 100% of the time there is more work to be done. So we will continue to celebrate perfect attendance celebrate those students and make sure that we're meeting with parents and families. As we continue the connection, we also have to look at the fact that the freshman division has two transitions. First, students transition from 8th grade to high school. So, to help with that, we have parent nights. We have great eighth grade visits, which this semester will be in February. And

037to help transition our freshmen to the 1012 campus, we have career center visits. Our students will visit the SOS campus as well as some of our students have the opportunity to visit colleges. Another way to get students or encourage them to attend schools is making sure that they have a community that they can fit into. So our freshmen have the opportunity to participate in all athletics that Elkart High School offers as well as the pro the performing arts programs. So then the fall we had a wonderful freshman choir program and the students were excited about it and they did an amazing job. We also have activities and clubs at the freshman division. So our students do participate in the global programs such as student government SSAC but we have some locally or building created clubs.

038We have karaoke, we have book clubs, we have sports clubs. So, every student has an opportunity to find their own niche or their own community within the freshman division. Last but not least, we love celebrating at the freshman division. We just need a reason and we're going to have a party. We're going to give out some candy. We're going to do something to celebrate and motivate our students. We have amazing students at the freshman division. And so, to celebrate that, we have opportunities for them. Perfect attendance honor roll. This Friday we will celebrate 328 students who met all of the requirements for ABC celebration. You may wonder ABC at the freshman division attendance behavior credits. This means that students attended 95% or more. They have no behavior referrals and they're all of their credits for

039first semester. So we are really proud of those 328 kids because we know that students have things going on. So it it's awesome. They will have movie and popcorn. So come on over at 210 if you would like to participate. Lastly, feel free to like our Facebook page because Mr. Fairbotham is all >> is always posting students. He um takes time to if you look at the picture up there, the students are getting their awards. Every Friday we have PBIS celebration. So, it is all about making sure our students feel loved and feel a part of the community. I would also like to take time to thank my EFD team. I appreciate those folks. Their help to me and to our students is invaluable. Lastly, thank you for this opportunity. We are EFD learning, growing,

040soaring. [applause] Could you have your Could you have your team stand up that's here to be acknowledged, please? >> EFTD, go ahead and stand. [applause] The assistant principles who didn't want to stand, we have any uh questions from the board. >> Any uh room for the karaoke club, >> Mr. Fair? [laughter] >> [gasps] >> You know, if you need somebody to lead one of your clubs, you might start a new one called the dance club. I know there's a board member that might be able to help you out with that. >> Eric, [laughter] >> we actually have had students ask, so do not tempt me with a good time. Don't tempt me. Okay. [laughter] >> Great job. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. Great job. >> Thank you. >> Can I share some comments?

041>> Yeah, please share. >> I'll be very brief. Principal Bond's outstanding presentation. You uh are definitely nighttime caffeine when it came towards our boarding. [laughter] Um but but I want to say in your presentation, you would be an easy person to follow. Um creating a community that is that is inclusive, creating a community where kids want to to be there, where adults want to be there. We know that school is a very complex place and it's just going to continue to be even a more complex place. The way that you're leading and leading out loud, I I just want to say thank you and the things that you shared tonight, I I don't want to gloss over that. Attendance rate is huge at the freshman division. We know that is a substantial increase over this

042time last year. U we know kids do better when they're under our care. So, but kids also have to have something to look forward to in school. And so you're creating an environment where kids would be happy and to want to be engaged and I thank you to the teachers who are doing that as well. Um I just want to say that is a this report u was exemplary and also those 328 kids that you have there and I know that number is going to continue to grow. Thank you for acknowledging their hard work. That transition year that they have at that freshman division is probably a super complex time that's happening in that mind. I'm not connected to this campus, [laughter] but I'm here. How can I make this one year I got with

043them special? >> For sure. >> And you're doing that. So, >> look at me. My caffeine is going up. It's [laughter] so And this is not my normal uh like my normal I'm more of chill like that. So, I just want to say thank you. Great job. >> Appreciate you. Thank you all for the time. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Mr. Schultz. Uh, [laughter] >> good luck. >> I have to follow that. >> Yes, good luck. >> That is what I'm following. Thank you, Miss Bonds. That's fantastic. >> All right. All right. And we're good. Right. All right. All right. So, uh, President Scott, school board, Dr. Huff, community, thank you for giving me this opportunity to come up and talk. back in August when we were signing up as principles to do our presentations.

044Um, I signed up for January 13th and Mr. Anderson said pretty much, "Mr. Schultz, by January 13th, I really thought that this would be an excellent reflection of my first 18 weeks as principal of Elkart High School and um, one semester. This is a it's been a fantastic growing experience been fantastic just being part of the community. [snorts] So with that being said, one of the first things I wanted to do as coming in as executive principal was establish a focus for Elcart High School, including the freshman division. This is one. And we um so so often I I I heard of the schools operating independently and we really need to come together under one roof and even though we are independent schools, we need to have some of the same practices. And so we

045developed as a team to those those relationships and the attendance, instruction, assessment, parent communication to be our our focus. Um I want to brag for a moment about what happened before I came here. And that's a great part about um being here and following Mr. Anderson is I've I I've had the opportunity to uh um kind of I I was I was given opportunity [clears throat] to take credit for the unified track team taking state championship last year. And I said, "Well, that wasn't really me." Um, I was given credit, a little bit of credit for the health and strength center that we opened up today, and that wasn't me. And 95.1% graduation rate wasn't me. So, Mr. Anderson, just uh, thank you. Just just thank you for uh, [applause] yeah, team, that would be

046and and to be clear, that includes the admin team, the teachers, and everything that is part of our community of Elkcart High School. Um, and so some of these uh you're you're going to see again in in our presentation. So, let's let's move along. And you heard Miss Bonds talk a little bit about the first time students are taking the PSAT. What we see if you if you on the far left are three buckets. The 120 to 450 range and this is PSAT math scores. Those are the students not there yet. The 460 to 500 are the students almost there and the 510 plus are the students who have proficiency. Take a look at the cohort groups of 10th grade. When we're looking at the gold bar for 599 in 10th grade in 2024 and

047the number of students that reduced to being in that not there yet bucket to 464 is a good 30% drop. The 460 to 500 those are students moving down from that that bucket. And take a look that's a 35% increase in the 510 plus. That is significant. Now that's for for the for for math. And when we look at ELA or for or for or or reading and writing, take a look at that bottom score, that 460 plus for proficiency score. That's 100% increase the number of students. So, as students progress and taking the PSAT and as Miss Bond says, they're practicing taking the P the SAT questions in class and they they have experience in taking the test. We are showing growth. Every single year, our students are showing growth and we are moving

048students towards proficiency. That once again, it's a tribute to our teachers and admin team. Fantastic job, guys. We keep track of our credits. We need to know where our students are towards graduation. This just gives you an example of the number of credits earned for our 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. It's very important as we go into the class of 2029 that everybody recognizes that this class of 2029, they're under new rules for graduation and for state accountability for for our schools. We have to know what credits students have at every given point going through their high school career. attendance. Right now, we are 2% higher than we were last year. At this same time, we have work to do and it's hard work. Collectively, our SOS principles have made hundreds of phone calls and

049meetings to parents in in regards to our district policy um following the attendance plan. And when I say hundreds, collectively hundreds of phone calls. Attendance is something that we we're stressing every day to our parents, including or parents and students, including starting a new attendance initiative where students earn points for various prizes throughout the school. We're talking about preparing students for transitions. Did you know that the University of Notre Dame and Bethl College came to our campus to offer students help with FAFSA students and families? And did you know that IUSB and Bethl College or I'm sorry, Goian College gave direct admit days to our students where students apply to college. They have an on-site interview and they're told pretty much right there on the spot whether or not they come right there on the

050spot. Direct admit days. Our students have gone to more than 15 schools have come to Elcart where students have opportunity to have lunch and learns where they sign up, they have lunch, and they learn about colleges. More than 700 students have collected over 5,000 dual credits, saving us already $1 million, saving our students and families more than $1 million. And did you know we have 40 IVTech dual credit classes just right over there? We've got five, six, maybe seven I IU credits or I'm sorry, IU classes just right at Elkart High School and two Ball State classes just just right here. all the opportunities for students to learn athletics and perform performing arts kind of the window into the building. That's including activities and clubs. I've got to go over a couple of these things.

051Marching band, semi-state, six all state choir, five all state band, two NIC coaches of the year, uh 26 um academic allconerence, 26. We have five all state. We've got a the boys soccer champs for NIC athletics, performing arts doing fantastic. and students who aren't more into the athletics, but they want to participate in after school activities. We have a club for everyone in 18 weeks. This is a little bit, but I had to write this down and because I know I'm going to leave a club out, guys, the sponsors. I'm so sorry. I know I'm going to leave a club out, but I just have to talk about some of my favorite things in the last 18 weeks. Student government homecoming, fantastic. Probably the best homecoming I've seen. A week's worth of activities celebrating Elcarta

052High School and community. That was a fantastic good job. um our future farmers of America, the state treasurer is coming to visit in February for an entire day to visit with our students. She's so excited about coming to a school that has their own farm. That's a true story. I'm not making that up. I'm not making it up. I promise you. National Honor Society hosted a blood drive, 85 units of blood for the community. Um we have a Dungeons and Dragons group. 50 students every Wednesday come and hang out for three hours and they're just laid out all over the floor in the media center and it's fantastic. Dungeons and Dragons, that's leadership right there. To be a dungeon master, [laughter] right? I mean I mean they're they're doing things and speaking things that I

053don't understand, but the kids get it. The kids totally totally get it. We have a Society for Better Earth. And this is probably the last one we'll talk about. Um so Society for Better Earth. If you've seen the pollinator garden that's right behind the high school, that's our students and sponsors planting that. and it's one of the best gardens I've ever seen. I would love to have that at my house. Um, I have to add in here though, one more thing. We have a bowling club that won sectionals Saturday afternoon. So, Sunday afternoon, I'm sorry, that was Sunday afternoon. And they go to regionals in Fort Wayne this weekend while they're holding up. They go to regionals, a bowling club. And it's a big thing. I went there and it is a thing. It is

054a total thing. >> We are the state champs in bowling. So >> in 23 so so I I got correct on that. Miss Ker told me in 23 and 24 state champs and we're looking for we have a strong possibility of having state champs again. And Mr. Anderson, I will take credit for that one. [laughter] I will. All right. Okay. So we also love celebrating students. I I I want to stress that our our SOS principles do a great job celebrating students and they have a student of the month. Um, but I want every opportunity possible for students to go home with something in their hands to show the pride that we have in in our school. So, one of the things we do is that teachers and staff have opportunity to recognize a student.

055Um, sometimes, you know, we get 85 teachers recognizing the students, but sometimes we have 135 teachers recognizing a student. But I want every teacher and every staff member at our school and the freshman division because we are one, um, to be able to have that opportunity to go home because every student, I don't care what grade you're in, you love putting your certificate up on the refrigerator. Everybody loves doing that. Lastly, want to recognize Joseé Nava, first generation university student. Um, there is no student more deserving of this. Humble, gracious, quiet. He does his work. Um, he is a Lily Endowment Community Scholar. He gets four years tuition fees stipen for books and equipment. He can go to any accredited college or or university in Indiana. We did this presentation to him and his family

056um right before Christmas break. I turned to him as we were on the stage of the little theater and said, "Hey, so what school are you going to anyway?" Yesterday I got accepted to University of Notre Dame. I said, "That is amazing. >> That is amazing." So, um thank you. I might have gone over my four minutes, but I just wanted to thank you community. Thank you school board for allowing me this opportunity to brag a little bit about Elar Height High School. I'm so proud to be here. >> [applause] >> Can >> you have your staff st first up? Yes. Oh, please. Your staff. >> And uh Yeah. And everything that I'm talking about is a tribute to our amazing administrators or staff. If you guys could please stand up just around the board.

057Freshman division every these are amazing folks doing everything every day. [applause] All right. Thank you. Any questions or >> Yeah, I I just have a couple comments. Uh one outstanding job, Mr. Schulz, uh talking about all the all the opportunities that we provide kids at the at the 1012 building. Um great job. You you sat back and were very intentional about your reflection. I would say um for someone who's looking at their first semester, you have absorbed a lot of what is happening at the high school and that cannot be done without intentionality. That cannot be done without clear focus and that can't be done without connection. So, I just want to tell you, um, one, you're good validation to hire a great person for the high school, [clears throat] but but but two, you

058can't do that work unless you have a clear passion for that. And so, I just want to say, Phil, thank you. It it shows up in the way that you show up every single day. You cannot be around this person know that he does that he cares for kids. You're a great guy. Um, also your explanation on PSAT and how kids are navigating through our school system, I thought was stellar. um breaking that down in a way that was easily to understand if someone's watching this at home. I think you also are very data focused and humble when it comes to that and I expect to see continue movement in that area. So and then lastly um just making sure that you personal touches that you're that you're that you're included in in your presentation.

059I just want to say Phil thank you. I don't know who told you four minutes. I apparently we've shrunk in [laughter] the time but um >> it's a thing going around the principles. [laughter] >> Sorry I just Yeah. I don't know where this is coming from, but uh great job. Very proud of you. Uh wonderful first semester. Um I'll turn it back over to the board if they have any questions or comments. >> Thank you, Dr. Huff. Uh board, any questions or comments? >> Yeah, I just like to make a comment. I I you know, shout out to you. I know a lot of this was on under Car's leadership and so to have a 95% graduation rate, that's not easy. um it's like that last 10% takes um 150% more work than it did

060to get the first 90%. So that's greatly appreciated and that beats the state average which we're always striving for. Um secondly, I'd like to um shout out um the focus put on um the PSAT at the 9th grade level and to see the growth that occurs to that. That's that's when people see that they know that great things are happening and they're seeing great change. um when when you raise the expectations for kids um and yourselves, wonderful things happen. So, huge kudos to you and Carrie and the entire high school team. Um our kids can do tough things. Um and um when we um love them and give them the support they need, um they surprise themselves. Um so, thank you to all of you for all the hard work you've done because this is

061really this is exciting to see. It's been a long time coming. um and and you all deserve it and our kids are obviously benefiting from all the hard work that you're putting in. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> And just real quick, although we've had leadership change uh at that level and will have some leadership leadership change at this level, the expectation has not changed and and it's it's clear and so we appreciate that as well. >> Right. >> Yeah. And I just want to say that it it's of course exciting like Mr. Anderson did a lot of great things and you have a great co-partner in Frank Kurt. I mean, amazing with what he does for academics and leading in discipline and all your principles. But the exciting thing is the kids and

062the way they talk about how he's everywhere. And I mean, they're like, he's got his running shoes on and we just don't know where he's going to go. He's going. He's going. And so, I think that that is huge. The way that you stepped into this community in this small amount of time and the way that you have immersed yourself and celebrated it was such excitement. And I love to see how you work with Carrie. I love to see how you work with Frank and I love to watch you when you're talking to your other principles. It is a welldeveloping community and we are going to benefit from it. So congratulations and kudos to you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. [applause] >> All right. This is keep

063the positivity flowing and uh Miss Woods, excellence of Elkart. [clears throat] Thank you, President Scott, members of the board, Dr. Huff, community members. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share highlights in the areas of academics, arts, and athletics. First up, at the freshman division, the librarian, Miss Majors, hosted a pop-up library in the Elcart freshman division cafeteria just before [clears throat] winter break, giving students the opportunity to select a book to read while away. This creative initiative supported reading for enjoyment and helped keep students engaged. I also want to highlight Elcart High School, its 95.1% graduation rate, the 795 students that receive diplomas, the 10,74 college credits, 83 career and technical certification, and a 2 million annual savings. In arts, Woodland's library second graders read Just Snow already and then illustrated and wrote about their

064ideal snow day. They did an amazing job bringing their snowmen, sledding adventures, and snow angels to life. Shortly before winter break, Westside Middle Schools held its annual musical, Wildcats on Broadway. Students confidently performed a variety of show tunes, bringing energy, creativity, and teamwork to the stage. For athletics, this past week, the Elcart High School girls basketball team dominated Leaport with varsity winning 62-35 and JV taking 48-10 victory. And the Alcart High School boys swim team also had an outstanding week defeating Marian 137 to6, Washington 137 to 21, and overcoming St. Joe 91 to 84. In our future happenings, July 19th, I'm sorry, January 19th is no school. >> I'm moving on. [laughter] >> It's no school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. January 22nd is elementary VEX Robotics Competition. January 25th will be our gentleman

065and scholar spelling bee. And January 31st is the wind percussion string solo and ensemble. And as always, you can follow us on Facebook and in parent square. Thank you. >> You I always appreciate that part of the agenda when we have the reports [clears throat] from the schools and the exits of Elkcart. Uh this is your first time uh attending a board meeting. Um it falls off a little bit uh here as we go into consent items and contracts. So, um, still exciting for some, but, uh, we'll go to the consent items now. Do I have a motion? >> I move. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion. I second. Do I have any comments or questions regarding uh, the consent agenda? >> I thought it was exciting until

066you said that. >> For some, you do a great job. >> Uh, first of all, let's celebrate a retirement, and that's Brenda Schaeer of our commissary food service. 13 years in serving our students in various roles. So we hope she thoroughly enjoys her retirement and we are so thankful for what she has done for us in our commissary community. And at $37,000 we received multiple donations. The Monger PTO gave back to their own school at $10,000. And that is for them to be able to use for extracurricular activities, incentives, and anything that they need for staffing after school. Um two anonymous donations were given to the boys basketball team. one at 10,000, one at 15, or one at 5,000 equaling $15,000. Julie Weaver donated $1,000 for our AFJOTC military ball that will be coming up

067and you'll hear a lot about that. Um, it's very exciting. Tom Abbott donated a 1970 Porsche valued at $5,000 for our automotive technology training facility, which is great because that's like foreign parts. So, like that's another dynamic of being able to like tool apart a Porsche and like really learn from it. So, that's a great donation. Um, Cene Excavating, this is really cool. They donated um $5,000 in apprec appreciation of a promotional video that our own students at the Elcart Area Career Center made for them. So, they gave back to the community based on something that our students did for them. So, that's an exciting adventure. And two donations for our robotics club, which this is just the beginning, you guys. It will happen at every meeting. One donation for 500 and one donation for

068$1,000 from both B uh Big C Lumber and Rico at Michael's restaurant to grow our robotics club. So at $37,000 our community came through again. So thank you Elcart community. >> Thank you Kelly. >> You're welcome. >> Do I have any uh questions or comments regarding the consent items or seeing none? All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion passes. >> Next, we have old business uh contracts. Uh Miss Ross or I'm sorry, >> I got out of order >> as normally. >> Thank you. Uh the administration presents the following contracts for final consideration. Crow LLP and Barnes and Thornberg LLP. >> Sure. >> Thorn. >> [laughter] >> Good evening. Thank you, uh, President Scott, members of the board, Dr. Huff, the administration presents for final consideration the final contracts, University of Notre Dame, DUK, Professional

069Benefits Administrators, Inc., City of Alcart, and Salant Health LLC. Mr. Thorne, Miss Lozano. >> Good evening, President Scott, members of the board, Dr. have the administration recommends and presents the contracts for final approval and consideration for all one health well LLC. >> You do I have a motion uh from the board. >> Uh Doug that. Yeah. >> So I I have a motion for the board to to accept the contracts uh as presented. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and I have a second. And do I have any questions or discussion from the board regarding uh the contracts hearing or seeing? None. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. On to new business. Um Mr. Rhodess. >> Uh good evening, President Scott, members of the

070board, Dr. Huff. Uh the administration presents contracts for the initial consideration ADTE. This is for Consulting. >> Thank you. Uh this will be coming back uh on our next board meeting. So board members, if you have any questions or comments or need clarification, please reach out to Mr. Roads for that. Uh next, Miss Ross, we have in focus. >> Thank you. The administration is requesting to wave second reading for the infocus contract. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion to wave second reading and approve the infocus contract as presented in our board packet? >> Do I have a second? >> I have a motion. I have a second. And do I have any questions or discussion regarding uh this contract with in focus? Seeing or hearing none, all in favor? >> I >> opposed.

071Motion passes. Thank you, >> Mr. Thorne. Board policies. Thank you. The administration presents for uh preliminary consideration the following policies. Board policy 3220.01c, teacher appreciation grants. Board policy 3413S, support staff working hours, compensatory time and overtime, and board policy 6700, Fair Labor Standards Act. >> Thank you. Uh should the board have any questions or need further uh information regarding these, please reach out to Mr. Thorne uh in the next two weeks prior to our January 27th board meeting to get those resolved. Uh next, Mr. Thorne, we have a resolution. >> Thank you, President Scott. The administration recommends approval of a resolution authorizing an incentive for eligible certified staff to give advanced notice of their intent to retire from Alcart Community Schools uh on or before March 1, 2026. >> Do I have a motion uh

072for the approval of the resolution? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion. I have a second. Do I have any questions or discussion regarding this uh resolution? Seeing or hearing none. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Uh Mr. Thorne. Uh another resolution. >> Thank you. Uh the administration recommends approval of a resolution authorizing supplemental payments to teachers in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan who providing instruction to students beyond the normal load expected of classroom teachers. Do I have a motion to uh accept and approve the resolution as presented? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and I have a second. Do I have any questions or discussion from the board? Seeing or hearing none.

073All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Thorne. >> Thank you very much, >> Miss Ross. We have a consolidation update. >> It is a busy night. Thank you. Good evening once again. So, as part of our consolidation update, I'd like to present um our financial dashboard, which is, as far as I understand, new to Elcart Community Schools. Um so, the finance department along with uh the superintendent's office and um communications and it um collaborated to put this together to present this to you. So it is coming back up in one second. No problem. But essentially what we want to bring um to the community is a transparency dashboard here. Um we start the uh dashboard with some financial highlights of the district highlighting um student enrollment kind of looking at

074our education fund and what percentage that education fund takes up of our budget. just some general highlights at the beginning of the dashboard. And as I'm >> waiting for him to pull time, ladies and gentlemen, [laughter] he's buying time. While uh while Jake uh pulls that up, one of the things that we've tried to really do during this um conversation about consolidation actually goes back to March 25th. We that was our first financial update that kind of led to this. We need a place where people can actually see in all the things that we're making from a financial p perspective the decisions like when you're ar when you're making these major tough decision and I'm also biding time as well I want people to see the amount of work one that needs to be done

075but two how we've been spending our finances not just this year but historically and you make some decisions on your own and and I think districts that are really run well make their just make their finances public. And so one of the things that was that we committed to was creating a financial dashboard. We did that for the consolidation page. We did that for the state of the district. We did it with our surveys. And I think one of the miss not missing pieces, but the next piece is our financial dashboard. And so in this on this page, as Mrs. Ross and I won't steal any of your thunder. At the end of tonight, you'll be able to go in there and see all the things that we have been talking about, but archived going

076back what almost a year and you can see some of our cost savings, some of the things that we some of our challenges, but we made some tremendous strides over these um last nine months. So, Mrs. Ross, I think I filled in that blank while Jake has gotten there and I'm going to turn it back over to you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> No problem. Okay, so we're here at the dashboard as you see our financial highlights and then we go into a little bit about uh school finance in Indiana. Um it's not actually intuitive. So if you're not dealing in it every day, sometimes you need to come here and refresh and you can see our funding sources here primarily federal, state, and local. Um going into how funds must be spent. Um

077people have questions in terms of how are you building um new facilities or getting um you know a strengthen you know health and strength center and we are looking for raises. Well because those are different funds we the funds have to be spent on certain things and so this website kind of spells that out too what each fund can be legally spent on. So um then we get into so that's the high level then we get into our actual budgeted revenue for 2025. Um we are currently working on the 2026 budget and that'll be updated soon. Um so you'll see the uh makeup of our budget and you can see here the education fund um primarily funded by state tuition support comprises the majority of our budget and so forth. So, it's interactive and you

078can see the actual dollar amount and percent. Um, a little more detail here. If you're like, "Okay, education funds interesting. Let me see a little bit more about it." Just come on down to the education fund to learn more and get a little um overview there. We do this for each fund, operations, debt service, etc. And we will have here we have here our cash balances as we update this at the monthly board meeting our with our financial presentation. These will be updated accordingly. So your cash balances and your budget versus spend will be updated um following each uh finance uh board presentation update. So you can see where we will be at um in terms of our budget to what we spent. Um, we have run into the holiday, so we do have to

079get uh November's data here. We all kind of everyone went on break, but we're back and we're going to update this with the latest for financials. And just concluding our website, you'll learn about our challenges, what we're facing as we consistently and constantly tell this story of um our declining enrollment. Um we talk about our staffing levels consistently at the board meetings and um Senate enrolled act one sea 1. We'll have a presentation at our next board meeting from our partner policy analytics to dive deeper into um that um area that will affect our operations fund and our tax supported funds and other challenges. We're also looking at you know the federal landscape uncertainty with funding there and right sizing our district. So uh not only learning about our finances but some of our challenges

080and how we uh look to address them and this is uh essentially our cost-saving mechanisms that we put in place and you can see what we saved in 2025 to just to name a few and you can drill into what those savings uh consisted of. So you could see uh for 2025 essentially rounding out this whole pie was over $3 million in savings that we collaborated on across departments to start looking at other savings aside from consolidation. What else can we do? And here are some of the efforts showing up. And and finally you'll see uh the financial updates of the past. So, our board meetings, um, uh, the budget hearing, budget meetings, even our, um, audit reports from the state board of account, and we're going to add the, uh, distressed unit appeals board,

081um, um, indicators that we saw earlier today. That will be here. Thanks for putting that placeholder so fast, Wendy. And you can see the rest of here's additional financial reports will be all of our monthly financial reports going back for some time almost a year as Dr. Huff mentioned and then rolling into our frequently asked questions. So that's a preview of our finance dashboard which will go live this evening. Go live this evening. So thank you. >> That's excellent. Very simple to navigate through. That's great. Thank you. >> Thanks you guys. >> Thank you, Miss Ros. You you've done a great job. You your team's going to great job and and and this is so important when when a district is is is doing what we're doing going through consolidation. We need to be transparent.

082We need to have this information, you know, not not hidden away, you know, on on a website, difficult to find. It needs to be easily accessible. It needs to be easily understood. and and and people need to be able to ask questions when they have questions when they actually take the time to review it. I'm probably going to sound like a broken record, you know, for the the stakeholders, the parents, the community, you know, please utilize these resources, dig into them, you know, um ask your questions. I I think it's uh so vitally important during this process specific consolidate the consolidation process that you know we all understand and have a grasp of of what is going on what we are doing to you know turn this around and and most importantly you know why.

083So I think you know this isn't something that you can do a a search or jet chat GPT and it's going to pull it up. you're you guys have spent hours upon hours uh developing this and putting this all together. So, uh thank you very much for for the effort. >> Thank you. If >> I can just add one thing to they've been working on it for three months >> um gathering information. Um I I want to give a a huge thank you to uh Wendy Wood. She's been extraordinary working with our our web page, our web masters and all those things. DJ Rhodess um for getting all the technical pieces and Rhonda um Mrs. Ross, sorry, Miss Ross um has done an outstanding job of really taking on um some really difficult work and

084and and you didn't you didn't get a long runway to you had to jump right in. And I just want to say um it this is just not me saying it. We've had outside u entities come in and talk about because we've had to have some additional meetings with other people and they've shared um and I'm going to paraphrase the work that we've done here in Elkcart should be not only commended but it should be celebrated. Um, we are not just I don't want to use a turning the corner. We're making the necessary tough decisions to do what's right for our kids and for our staff and our families. And I know everyone doesn't get to see all those details, but we sit in all those meetings and we sit and we hear people who

085are experts in this area. U we mentioned DAB multiple times this evening. When you're on the phone with them and you're on a video, there is no faking it, right? They they have your finances. They have it in front of you. They know where your projections are going. and for to hear them say, you know what, I'm not just only pre pleased, I am impressed with all the movement that you've made as a school district. That can't happen without an outstanding CFO. And so, um, Ron, I just want to say thank you. Yes, Ron, I am. Look at me. I'm doing it. [laughter] So, so I just want to say thank you, RON. [applause] >> And that and that and that work will continue. So, I I just want to say I'm very proud of

086you. And again, another example of when people roll up their sleeves and do the work and committed to doing the right things, they may tell you not all the things that you want to hear, but they'll steer you in the right direction. And so, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um, Dr. Huff. Oh, thank you. The floor is yours. Oh, thank you. >> Um, lots of uh mixed emotions today actually and I didn't even know I had them. But um, one of the things that I was very uh very proud of is one I can't I can't emphasize enough the graduation rate. So, if you're still in here from the high school, hats off to you. you you are not uh from our counseling department to our teachers to our administration to

087our parents who who get their kids to school even though they still drive crazy out in this parking lot. Um every single one of those percentages that we had, it matters and and and I would wear that on a t-shirt. I'm very proud of of where we go. We still got 4% of the kids that we got to get across that finish line, but Elcart is doing an amazing job with that and we can't echo that enough. So, I just want to tell you again personally to anyone who's here and anybody who's watching and to the high school team. You should be very proud of that and um and again we we don't compare our state average state average should be comparing themselves to us. 95% is where they should be. We're already there. Get

088join us. And so um very appreciative of that. Um, and also I want to respond back to um, typically I don't do these in our in our meetings. I typically just talk about um, the things I'm seeing around the district, but we had some um, pretty um, sensitive things spoken about during public comment and I want to make sure I respond to them in real time. I am very proud of the way that we serve all students here in Elcart Community Schools. Teachers are too. We make no differences in expectations for kids. In my two years here, high expectations are for everybody. And I'm sure every teacher in front of kid has same expectations for everyone. But you know what? It's not just what we say. We have state validation. I want to read you

089a letter from the Indiana Department of Education. It has to do with indicator 4. Indicator 4 is from Indiana uh from IDA that says that it talks about your disciplinary practices with students with disabilities. that person read uh a a letter that said that we were not meeting the standard of some report that I have not personally seen. Mr. Scott, I want to speak for you. Have you person? >> I I have not. I I I looked for it. I I could not >> I couldn't I couldn't find it at Well, but I will tell you a public record that was uh delivered from the Indiana Department of Education on one nine of 20 of 1 nine of 26. So, you know that was what last Friday. And it says that this memo is a

090response to the information department of education on uh 912 related to leas that's our local uh our local agencies that's us uh having significant discrepancy in the long-term dispar removal of students with disabilities particularly students of color that we had that for the three years before we got here for before I got here. I I am proud to say that the IDOE said in their latest letter to us, Elcart Community School is is compliant in this indicator and no further action is needed. That you are at at this time that your your practices, the things that you do, your disciplinary rates are equitable across the school district. That is [applause] I can't do that. that wasn't going to be very professional, but I wanted to make sure that um everyone knows that we have high

091expectations for all children. >> We really do live up to the Elcart promise when it comes to that. Also, the other things that we do in the school district all we are the only school district from from what I understand, Mr. Thorne, that Oasis says that we meet their standards when it comes to bullying prevention. Correct. Yes or no? >> Correct. The only district in the state of Indiana who has been audited by Mr. Thornne. >> Yeah. Get out there. >> I want to make sure everybody hears Uh if we're yeah we are the only school district in the state of Indiana that has been audited by OVES which comes out of Vanderbilt University >> uh in terms of our bullying practice in the fact that we are fully compliant with the uh precepts of

092Oasis in terms of bully prevention strategies that are utilized within the school district. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I will say disciplinary um disciplinary infractions are are down tremendously this year but it doesn't mean that kids don't have have expectations or consequence we we're a school system we have to have those things and and we need to support our staff and it's supporting the student discipline means care right that's what it is um so I just want to make sure that when we are coming here and we're saying things let's have receipts about what we're talking about because I will find them and I will make sure that we are we that we protect this school district at all costs. And so I'm very proud of the work we do. I'm very

093proud of that every kid that goes across uh 95% of our kids graduate increase graduation students increase opportunity for kids going to college of students of color and as a person of God I take that very personally. And so as the first African-American superintendent in Elcart school history and hopefully not the last but you can be here forever as long as you want. [laughter] I say that we all should be fervent when we hear things like that. And so again, my nighttime caffeine has kicked in. So praise uh Mrs. Bonds. But uh we take those things seriously and I want to make sure that everyone knows I'm proud of the work that our teachers staff do, our administration do on a daily basis to make sure that we're making lives a difference of kids and

094particularly kids of color. So that's all I have to say when it comes to that. Um, next I want to talk about we also had an opportunity to to go to two of the coolest places in Elcart Community School that are not called the cafeteria. Um, we were able to go to the if you went over to the career center, you've seen the expansion of the criminal justice um criminal justice. It is wonderful. Our kids are getting access to professional uh quality um workspaces. Uh I got to talk to R.J. I think his last name is R.J. today talking about pre-law, man, the things that the investments that they're making in in the kids. I just so I want to say thank you to the school board and to our teaching staff and Mr. Eekings,

095I don't know if he's here or not, um for his work. And then the health and strength center. Um raise your hand if you've been to the health and strength center. Raise your hand if you've not been to the very goal to make that available to the staff as well. It is work. See what happens when you make these promises. You don't know how you're going to follow up on them. But I but we will. That I'm committed to. We got to do some things. But it is world class. I we spoke to core core construction said it is the best health and strength center in the state of Indiana. It compares to what you see in colleges. It is wonderful. It has our It has our our logo. It has our colors, but most

096important it has what we stand for there. Motivation. It is an uplifting place. That place and seeing kids and their reaction in the health and strength center. Um that I didn't assume that was the girl volleyball team. Was that who was over there today? >> Basketball. Sorry. Basketball. What? They were all taller than me. [laughter] >> So that applies to both teams mostly. But I would say that to see kids come in and, you know, really [clears throat] take pride in the spaces that they're in, man, you don't miss those opportunities. So, I just want to tell you, thank again to the school board and what we what has been accomplished in that. So, it is world class. I would put that up against anything. So, again, um Elcart has another thing to be um

097very proud proud of. Um and also very also want to take a moment to just talk about the transition. Miss Ree, congratulations to you. you're getting a a wonderful gift. I've grown a lot in [clears throat] these two years here and you will continue to grow well in your new role and I'm committed to make sure that you're successful. Um you and I have you hired hired you for your role there. We never know where life is going to take us and and thank goodness that we had people here ready to step up and in charge who know all the work that we have to get done. We heard from an outside expert if we chose a different direction. I'm not talking about individual. We chose to go outside of school district. Mr. Scott, you

098were there and Mrs. Ross. How far do they say we would set the school district back? >> They they they said we've been set back two to three years on our trajectory, you know, our financial trajectory that we have been presented and working through and uh uh they did not know uh that we had uh taken the step that we did and gone internally and and made the decision. >> So I think that's important. We we now we have someone who quality qualified and also a good person. I I am so happy for you and I will do anything to do to make you successful in your role. Um this is a great place. So very proud of you. >> Back to you, President Scott. >> Thank you, Dr. >> You are caffeinated a little

099a little [laughter] bit tonight. >> Hey, that's because we start these board meetings at six o'clock. That's we do that a little bit earlier. No, I am. But again, I get I get fired up when people um >> we live in a world where people can go say really anything they want, right? And that that has its drawbacks. There are always the people who who say terrible things out there in the in the world and often me I I read a lot of comments, but I try to stay off social media because it's typically not a great place for your mental health. Um we're finding that out. It's just not and typically most people regret and wish they shouldn't have said that. Um, but I do think when you have a chance to inform the

100world with the truth, you have an obligation to do it. And I, that's not my obligation. That's for everybody. We're all connected in this school system internally, externally. We have to defend children um, in our school system. And I take that super seriously from my seat and I know everyone in this room does. And you know what? When they talk about one of us now, Carter, they're talking about all of us. So, let's make sure that we are standing up for each other. The first person to be kind to is to yourself, but definitely be kind to somebody else. And I and I don't take too much of that. So, um, yeah, I am fired up. Uh, President Scott, who is this person? >> I know. >> So, I'm No, seriously, back to my regular

101mo. Back to you, President Scott. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Are you sure? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, board, any comments? >> Yeah. Um, Dr. Huff, um, the truth and also the receipt, uh, will that letter be posted on the school website? >> I certainly can. has no uh no identifying information. We certainly will post it out there. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> No problem. >> Okay. I know you guys want to go home, but I can't help it. I'm still going to do Kelly's Corner. It will be so quick. I promise. It is a celebration of the Pep Band. If you have never been to one of our sporting events and you see them, for example, last Friday at the football game, they're in a bleacher situation. Basketball. Oops. Sorry, I

102meant basketball. Oh, Lord. Sorry, Coach Bender. Um, it was like the pep band sitted right. They were sat in these bleachers with pen parents all the way around them. They strategically spaced themselves out in the bleachers so that the sound just barreled across the the court. And they did an amazing job just keeping the energy up no matter what direction the game was going. So, here's this small group of kids that are giving so much of themselves after school. So when you have an opportunity to go to a sporting event and you see the pep band, just go by and give them a little dance, a little shout out, join with them, but celebrate these kids because they are giving back to us in spirit. So Kelly's Corner celebrates our pep band. [applause] >> Anything

103else from the board? I would like to say a big thank you to the board. Um, when I uh uh got the phone call, I was uh in Florida. I don't think he anticipated that I would be traveling. Um, and uh he informed me of of his decision. And quite honestly, it was it was a it was a shot to the gut because I I I see >> So, where's this going? >> I don't know. Hang on. I I've seen everything that we've done, everything that we have uh in play. uh the achievements, the acknowledgements. We go down to Indianapolis and and and not only does uh Dr. Huff get acknowledged, our leaderships uh you know, our building principles are acknowledged, our our teachers, our counselors, >> our secretaries, they're all winning awards and being

104acknowledged and we're and we're on a great path and trajectory. And so, you know, literally I was on the 18th floor on the ledge and uh I had to to to to step off and I and I called the board and I informed them, you know, what what is uh transpired. And I and I want to thank you guys for coming together having the dialogue that we had um saying, you know, we we we are going to find a solution. we need to be uh quick about this, but we need to make the right solution just like when we selected Dr. Hoff to lead this district. And it was, you know, it was a collective effort. Um I I also want to thank Dr. Hoff for your hires that you brought in. You made this

105decision. um you know, not not an easy one, but we had qualified candidates that had experience um you know, in the superintendent's office. uh you know with finances with consolidation. Um and so from being on the ledge when I originally found it out to going through the interview process knowing that we have a great superintendent uh Miss Mrs. Re coming in that's going to be able to continue the good work not miss a step. You know today we are at ribbon cutting for a new facility at the career center. exciting. We were at the uh health and uh uh strength conditioning weight room. Uh unbelievable great things are happening. I have confidence now that uh um you know we will we'll be fine. We we we are in a position now and you know not

106that it's it's going to be different without you but my confidence is with this new leadership in this district we're resilient and we will we will continue down a path of excellence. So I want to thank the board for coming together taking the time. It's always it's always tough over the holidays saying hey we need an executive session. Hey we need to meet off site. Hey we need to get together. Do you have I always say do you have a couple minutes for a call and and they turn into hour conversations with with the board members. But guys, thank you for your commitment. Thank you for the time you put in. Thank you for uh making a difference within this district. So, I just wanted to make sure that uh you know, this isn't one

107of the things where you know we we reach into a hat and go, who's next? you know, this this this board, you know, thought long and hard about this decision and and I'm confident that we'll be in great hands come July one. So, um, thank you for everything. >> Good job, President Scott. >> Yeah. >> Um, and and that just [snorts] just as one, thank you for the very kind words, uh, President Scott. Um with this also being board uh u appreciate school board appreciation month pe people don't understand you the weight of the decisions that the board make and the has has to make when it comes to hiring a leader when it comes towards approving recommendations when it comes to the budgeting when it comes towards uh approving curriculum you you give up

108countless hours of time and you're absolutely correct hey can I talk to you for a minute and it's two hours later >> it is >> that's not always a comment but I'm to say like [laughter] but but but the the amount of work that it takes to get things done in the school district behind the scenes so people can just focus on their job >> hopefully it's a lot and so the commitment that you have made as board members um cannot be understated and I just want to tell you in my two plus year I I I really appreciate the guidance and support that you've given me um it has been a wonderful experience and I think um as having this this very small window, Mishu will get to see the same thing. So again,

109I just want to say thank you um as well, school board, uh the things that you do um don't go unnoticed, but they often go criticized >> and um because people don't typically come up to you and tell you you do a great job on the internet. They don't. No, >> you can tonight if you want to though, >> but we do often go on there and criticize things that we have very sliver amounts of information about. And I just hope that um people understand the amount of scrutiny that that you have to go to as as as public figures. Um I I have a a little bit of experience with that, but I just want to tell you thank you for your commitment and for your fortitude, but most importantly, thank you a lot

110for your friendship. It's been a great ride and um it will continue to be so. So for me, the work doesn't stop. You know, I'm going to be the same person that I am going to be until the last day on June 30th. Um but um I just want to say again, thank you board members and um and definitely happy appreciation month and you definitely are earning your stripes this month. We appreciate you. >> Thank you, Julie. Uh and whoever helped with you these wonderful gifts for our like appreciation, we appreciate that very much. And to the to our lovely strong ladies up front, leadership, I'm very excited to watch growth between Michelle, Amy, our whole administration team. We are going to rock this year and transition. We are going to knock it out of

111the park. So, let's do this. Let's go, Elkart. I'm part of the pep band now. Let's go. >> All right. >> Thank you. Anything else, guys? Yeah, I have I just want to say that a leader is only as good as this the team you have. And when you start a new position, you don't always have the um builtin team that's highly capable to help you do your job. And so Dr. Huff built a great team, but you uh Michelle are are walking into a team that you already know, you've already built trust with. Some of you might not know, but her and Dr. Rous have worked together before and they make a great team. And I just want to say to Michelle and Dr. Roush, thank you for choosing Elkcart. Um, I'm sure when

112you chose this job after you got here, it was probably a little more than you thought it would be. And so I want to thank you for choosing Elcart every day because I know you get a lot of offers. You have a lot of opportunities, but your commitment to Elcart has shown. And I know the commitment to Elcart will continue to show under uh Michelle, your leadership. And I just want to say thank you, Dr. Roush, for all that you've done to support Dr. Huff and to make him successful. And I know that you'll continue to do good work as a team. And to also the rest of the cabinet. There's a lot of new cabinet members here, but we appreciate all the hard work you you do, how you've supported Dr. um Huff and

113brought his vision to life. So, thank you again. We have been in this position before and it was terrifying this time. we had hope and we knew we had a clear path forward with some capable people, internal people that could take over. We know that we've been through a lot of change and the district just probably couldn't take any more change. So, we are very excited to name you as our new superintendent to continue the work that Dr. Huff has done, but continue to heal the district and move it forward without starting from scratch. So, thank you for choosing us and we are excited to work with you moving forward. >> Yay. [applause] both of you. >> Okay, >> get that hammer, babe. [laughter] >> Meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone.