001She's starting beyond. Ready to run wires? Yeah. I'd like to call the meeting of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation School Board to please to order. Welcome everyone. Appreciate you being here. First on the agenda is roll call, Amy. President Duckworth, we have a quorum present. Thank you. As is a custom, we ask you to stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance, please. I 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. Thank you. You may be seated. Next we have good news, Jason Wootenberger. Good evening. Thank you very much, President Duckworth, Superintendent Huber, members of the board. Let's go through good news since the last time that we met. Great news to
002start off with this evening. We had this year for the Vanderburgh County. Always like to make that clear. It's not just within EBSC, the Vanderburgh County Educators of the Year. This year we had the principal of the year, the high school teacher of the year, and elementary school teacher of the year. Two of these fine individuals are with us tonight. I'll make you wait just a second longer though uh to hear from them. They're going to be with you for district spotlight, but certainly proud uh to have these individuals representing EBSC and dedicating themselves to our students and their families. Um speaking of some more great news, uh as you remember back in the fall, we certainly received a lot of uh positive attention in EBSC for the work we've done with early literacy resulting
003in such progress on the IREAD test for primary age students, uh the state required reading test. Um and that was great back in the fall and then three of our schools uh were invited back to Indianapolis recently to the Indiana Department of Education, uh where they were recognized because they surpassed the goal of 95% of students passing the state's IREAD test. So, congratulations to McCutchanville Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, and Scott Elementary. Well-deserved recognition uh for them at the state level. Um speaking of more great news, and that is New Tech. I know we spoke about this last time. They were on their way to their fourth consecutive robotics state competition that they qualified for. That in itself is amazing. So, that was this weekend. They certainly represented New Tech and the EVSC in fine fashion,
004uh but they also received uh the first ever, this was the first award this year, the team spirit award. So, that that really said a lot and again, just witnessing these students in action, they are so dedicated and so talented and none of this happens without them spending an incredible amount of time uh to be successful. So, congratulations to New Tech and I'm sure we'll be talking about this again next year. Uh we want to say congratulations to uh such a strong individual in our uh office of business, our business office, uh Robin Muter was named the Indiana Association of School Business Officials Region 9 School Business Official of the Year. And she will be recognized at the May 7th annual conference in French Lick, but I know Dr. Underwood speaks so highly of her
005and she has been a great addition to the EVSC and nice to see her recognized um by the Association of uh School Business Officials. Um and then let me take you through this briefly. I'm going to do um um uh just kind of talk to you as we show this drone footage of a couple of key projects that are taking place. Uh Reverend Gamblin, hold on. This first one I know you're going to like. You're looking at, of course, the historic Wright Bowl. Just incredible progress on that project. If you see there, what you're looking at is the portions that are mostly completed, and then this is in action. But, recovering of those seat seating surface areas with aluminum aluminum and new seating areas. Everything ADA compliant. If you've ever walked up and down those
006steps in the past, you knew they were not standard. There weren't handrails. Now, they're all standard. They all meet compliance. You see that flat area at the top and bottom that is wheelchair accessible. Um so, individuals in wheelchairs can certainly enjoy every single activity going on there. Um but, you know, an incredibly historic venue we're so lucky to have. Speaking of historic venues, we'll move over to Ingold Stadium at Bossy High School. Keep in mind, this project started about 6 weeks after the Bowl project. Uh same thing, recoding. That's getting ready to start any day now with aluminum on those seating areas, and then new seating will be put in place. As you can see, that flat part at the bottom will be uh wheelchair accessible and platforms for wheelchairs uh to be uh individuals
007in wheelchairs to be, so they can too enjoy any type of activity going on at Ingold Stadium. Then we're going to get take a look underneath the stadium. This is also a key part of this project. If you remember restrooms and concession areas located underneath there, total redesign and enhancement of the concession area. And then, the restrooms, totally brand new restroom areas uh that will be under the stadium areas. Uh it will be completely ADA compliant as well, this a venue that everyone will be able to enjoy. I will say, I know Stephen and our facilities department are staying in well, really daily contact with our contractors to see this project coming along and they are also staying in close contact with our school administrative teams looking ahead knowing that we're about a month out
008from commencements. They'll keep an eye on that progress hope for continued good weather which we have had this spring, but I will say too and Stephen certainly knows this, all of our school administrative teams are always working on contingency plans knowing that of course Mother Nature can always have an impact on commencement ceremonies. So, a lot of work there will continue as quickly as possible and again once that's finished just like the bowl, it will certainly be a tremendous historic venue that we can be proud of. Thank you very much and Stephen, thank you all for providing that drone footage to us. I'd like to be updated from time to time. I think the addition to ADA compliance is going to be so well welcomed and and helpful We'll continue to do that President Duckworth
009too just so that then we can post that on social media because we know a lot of folks from those school communities that are very interested in projects and that's good news. Thank you very much. Okay, we're going to move into consent items Dr. Hoover. Good evening. Okay, we've got one public comment Sorry. Did I leave you out Larry? My my bad. My bad. I tell you what, I just I just didn't slap my grandmother to leave you out. Want to go back to Andy Freeman just a minute. He told me when he was a student at Bossy High School he ran track. He claimed he holds the record for the 800 at High School. Check the wall if you ever go to Bosse, Randy Freeman's name. The uh On March 18th, I attended the
010Leadership Celebration Leadership Awards from uh That's uh Leadership Everyone. They do this annually. And I was impressed with the number of EVSC pr- uh programs, projects, and individuals that were nominated that night. Several. I'll read a few here. When I walked in the door that night, the first thing I saw First person I saw was David Smith. The uh Individual awards in community neighborhood, Susan Harp. She's a retired teacher at Dexter. Had Had a 40-year career. Education, Brian Bobbitt, North High School, STEM educator. Rick Cameron. Nasha Dilworth. She's a student success mentor at Evans. Sandra Moore, EVSC literacy leader. Lauren Nordine, vocal counselor. Brittany Welch, educator at McGary. In government, Ariah Lairy. She's a North graduate. She was an outstanding athlete in track at North. Projects and programs. Th- This is what impressed me. Flavor
011Lab, innovative after-school programs for Bosse and Glenwood students. EVSC I Read Tutoring Program. Heilman Park STEM Academy, Land Between the Lakes. Mr. Austin Cunningham, that principal's back there tonight. New Tech High School STEM Fest. Arts and Culture, Bosse Instrumental Band Boosters. That's a non-profit. For all all the students in the Bosse district, they help them. Inspire band participation. Thanks, Larry. Thank you, Larry. Appreciate it very much. EVSC's biggest cheerleader right there. I'm telling you. Appreciate it. Next is consent items, Dr. Hoover. Good evening, President Duckworth, members of the Board of School Trustees. We have five consent items for your consideration tonight. They are 3.01 consideration of the minutes from April 6th, 2026 regular board meeting, 3.02 consideration of the allowance of payments including invoices, net payroll, payroll obligation for a total allowance of payments of
012$15,951,574.79, 3.03 consideration to approve the renewal with PowerSchool for School Messenger Communicate, 3.04 consideration to approve change order number one for the Bossier High School Stadium Renovations Project 2025, and 3.05 consideration to approve a week care rates. These consent items are presented for your approval. Second. We have a motion and a second. On the consent items, is there any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor do so signify by saying I. I. All those opposed? The motion carries. Thank you. Next personnel recommendations, Michelle Williams. Good evening. Good evening, President Duckworth, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. Tonight's personnel recommendations include the following: retirement, resignations, terminations, regular appointments, resignations from extra duty, appointments to extra duty, reassignments of extra duty, transfer, after school appointments, and consideration of the administrative appointment of Bradley Elliott, head
013girls basketball coach at North High School. Consideration of the administrative appointment of Chase Fisher, head wrestling coach at North High School. Consideration of the administrative appointment of Lenis McLain, head girls soccer coach at Wright's High School. Consideration of the administrative appointment of James Patton, head boys soccer coach at Harrison High School. And consideration of the administrative appointment of Jordan Williams, head volleyball coach at Harrison High School. These recommendations are presented for your approval. Move to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second on the personnel items. Any questions or comments? Hearing none, all those in favor do so signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? It passes. Thank you. Okay. Next we go to Dr. Hoover, district spotlight. Yeah. So, tonight it is my pleasure to recognize three outstanding individuals who represent the
014very best of our school district. These educators were selected through a rigorous process that starts with a nomination. A committee of educators, community leaders, and business professionals review those. And there's an interview process and observations in the field. Uh these three were chosen not only for their excellence in instruction, but for relationships they build, expectations they set, and the lasting impact they have on students, families, and colleagues. They reflect what really makes us strong. Tonight we have with us high school teacher of the year, Maren Smith, from North High School. We have Andy Freeman, principal of the year, from Central High School. And the elementary teacher of the year, Holly Carey, uh is from McCutcheonville. She cannot be with us tonight because she is traveling with the cheerleaders who are competing in a national competition.
015Hopefully you have been able to see the video and um watch them talking and a little bit about their celebrations and some student interviews that go along with that. Um for both of you, on behalf of the district, thank you so much, not only for being here, but just for what you do every day. It is awesome that you are winners this year. At this time I'm going to let them say a few words. Sure. All right. Um thanks for having us out. I appreciate it. I was truly honored to receive this award after 20 years in education. The recognition means a lot for what it reflects in terms of the relationships and growth and passion that I feel every day as an educator. And teaching to me is more than just a job. It's
016an opportunity to make a difference in students' lives. What it makes What makes this so meaningful is not just the big things, but the small things. It's a student who finally gets a concept that they've been struggling with, a quick conversation in the hallway, or a laugh during a lesson that's not going like I thought it would go. Um and at the heart of all of this is relationships. Um because without strong connections, learning just doesn't happen the same way. And so in the classroom, every day looks different for me. Some days I'm teaching um content, some days I'm offering advice, some days I am simply there to listen. And I believe that every student deserves to have at least one adult in the building that they trust, and someone that sees them, someone that
017supports them, someone that reminds them that they matter. And I hope that I can be that person for my students. So I'm grateful to be a part of this profession, uh and continue to make a difference both in the small and big ways. So thanks for having me out. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Yeah, so I just want to start by first of all, thanking you guys. Um you know, this is my 22nd year in education, and as as Mr. Staple mentioned, I'm a proud product of the EVSC, and the EVSC holds a very special place in my heart. Um so I just want to start by not only thanking you guys for the opportunity, but the support um and the resources that you've given me to be able to thrive in this
018uh in this job. Um and so I'm so happy to be a part of the this wonderful organization. From a principal standpoint, you know, um I I share a similar past with Dr. Hoover in that I started out as a chemistry teacher, and and as I thought that I loved science, it it quickly uh I could quickly realize that it's not the science that I love, it's the people. And so as I was able to transition from the classroom over to administration, I I really was able to to focus in on what makes me happy, what fills my cup, and and what really matters to me. And at the end of the day it it is the people, you know, as the principal test scores, budgets, school accountability, all things that are important, but they're
019not the most important. What's the most important is those kids that walk through the door every day, their families that are sending them to me, and and the teachers that that I need to to support so they can do wonderful things for those kiddos. So, I am just like Marin, I'm so grateful for the opportunity and so humbled and honored to be a part of this and and thank you guys for everything you've done to allow me to to do my work. Thank you. Congratulations Marin and and Dr. Freeman. It's It's real easy to see why you made the selection so easy for the committee. You exemplify what we want our administrators and our teachers to to sound like and look like and and be like to our kids. Gosh, Dr. Freeman, I remember when
020I called you Andy and you wore a little league outfit. So, you've come a long way. Still can't hit a curveball, but that's all But thank you very much for for all the work and and your passion. And I think that's what that what shows than anything. So, thank you. Next, we will move on to action items and we have Good evening, President Duckworth, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. Tonight's action item 6.01, in accordance with ISBA legal counsel and as part of the corporation's ongoing policy review and cleanup, the office of the chief of staff recommends that the board entire policy is 4113.02 and 5610 respectively. Uh the first 4113.02 implemented provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act has been superseded by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The second 5610 reflects an
021outdated program evaluation and accountability framework and neither policy is required under current state or federal law. Okay, so moved. Second. Are there any further comments or discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Carries. You are first on the agenda for information items. You want to take 7.01 and then we will talk to Tony Hamilton and then we're going to let Dr. Underwood take us home. I got to clean up tonight. >> go. Yes, 7.01 for your information tonight, policy 1131.1 or no, 6660. As part of EBSB's ongoing policy review, the office of chief of staff in collaboration with our insurance carrier and legal counsel has completed a redraft of policy 6660. This policy establishes a comprehensive framework governing the use of personal vehicles for corporation business. The office of chief of
022staff recommends will be recommending the approval of redrafted policy 6660. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have tonight. This will be brought back for action at the next meeting. Just one question. Those employees or folks that are going to be driving, do do they have their license copied? Do you check that out anyway to make sure that everything's above board and Yep. Actually, that's really about what this policy is about is amending and clarifying those definitions and the requirements and the addition of the motor vehicle report. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Any questions or comments? Okay, we will we will move to information item 7.02 consideration to approve parent pay rates for pre-K. Tony Abbott, Tony, good evening. Good evening, President Duckworth, members of the board and Dr. Hoover. The office of
023early learning recommends establishing pay rates for the EVSC pre-K parent pay program. A review of regional providers was conducted to ensure the proposal rates are competitive and aligned with the local markets. Establishing these rates supports program planning and enrollment. Specific program sites will be finalized in the near future. These options are designed to support kindergarten readiness through a research-based curriculum aligned with Indiana learning standards. Our goal is to provide high-quality early learning experiences while building strong positive relationships with our EVSC families. At the next meeting, I will ask for approval. Tonight, Dr. Greathouse and I will be happy to answer any of your questions. Any questions or comments? I mean, you you went over that, but it really explained the importance of this pre-K Was it three and four three-year-olds and four-year-olds or is it
024just three? Three and four-year-olds? Four-year-olds and why it's so important for their future growth academically. I mean, yes, it is recruiting tool, I think, for us, but really the important thing is that it prepares them. I mean, there's been research done on that. That's right. Can you just expand on it a little bit? Um I will say, especially since COVID, we've seen a lot of kids come to us um in pre-K without social skills. Um and those are in numbers going to kindergarten without that as well. And so, like, we know historically it's been there, the research is there to show why, um but even more so now, the the kids really need to be in pre-K before they come to kindergarten just so that we can give them the experience they aren't getting um
025to be better prepared for kindergarten so that the kindergarten teachers can then move them forward in the learning. And I don't know if I read someplace maybe I did or didn't but I read scores everything goes up. I mean the sooner you get start educating these young kids social skills are critically important but that aligns with the academic side too. Right? Okay. Absolutely. Unfortunately we have to look at this the cost and I know that the parents that's a big chunk out of many of their their salaries and it's very important that we continue to to watch this and and try to keep it as close as we can and I know Dr. Hoover and staff have have done that. So we'll keep looking at it and of course seeing if there's other ways that
026we can help but at this point we have to move forward so All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay Dr. Underwood the rest of it I believe is pretty much your show other than I'm going to turn it back over to the superintendent. I would love to President Duckworth members of the board and Dr. Hoover do have March and first quarter month end uh items for you tonight. For the first one the education and operations monthly review as of March 31st the education fund is 23.44% expended leaving a remaining balance of 45,130,690.95 cents. Operations fund at 22.54% expended with a remaining balance of 12,491,862.13 cents. Summary of cash balances by fund. These are the current cash balances as of March 31st for debt service education exempt debt service and operations funds. Expenditure
027ledger report this report is a detailed analysis of expenditures broken down by both function and object codes for the period ending March 31st. Revenue ledger summary outlines revenue received as of March 31st for the education, operations, debt service, and exempt debt service funds. The three-year expenditure analysis presents a review of spending trends across the major funds as of March 31st for the past three fiscal years. As does the three-year revenue comparison for the same time frame, lists revenue received across the debt service, operations, education, and exempt debt service funds. And then finally the self-insurance first quarterly analysis lists our self-insurance fund and wellness clinics claim activity and balance reports for the time period. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have over those items. Dr. Henry Wooden, questions at this time? Thank you
028very much. Thank you. Okay, we move to continue Yeah, I'll start. Um One of the things that I love is that I can experience things as a parent experience things as a parent and as a superintendent. And what I'm going to begin with is something that I've been aware of but never uh participated in, ever gone through it. So, this weekend our student athletes had the opportunity to complete their required athletic physicals through a partnership with TriState Orthopedics and Pro Rehab Physical Therapy. Um the staff donate their time on a Saturday morning and make this a very convenient, inexpensive option for families. It costs $10. And that amount is actually donated back to our schools. And so, um my son has gone through it before but just seeing it that there are hundreds of kids
029there and very efficient and just a great way for us to get those physicals done for students. Second thing is also athletic related. Student leaders from Central High School's Slack group, which is their student leadership athletic council, and Harrison High School's Halt, which is the Harrison Athletics Leadership Team, recently attended an athletic leadership conference at Ascension St. Vincent. And just hearing about it from a group of young men from Central that were just really excited about the day they spent there. There was leadership development and team building. Aaron Barrett, OT Steps, Luke Zeller, Max Dedman presented to the students and had them doing some workshopping. What I appreciate about these student leadership groups is it's just their service back to their schools. In addition to being good ambassadors for their schools, they are tutoring and
030mentoring younger students in their high schools. They're connecting with feeder schools. They're volunteering out in our community. And they'll wrap up this year at both schools doing a a version of Shark Tank where they're pitching ideas to their school leadership teams for how they could improve their respective high schools. So, just another example of cool things that are going on in our building that are learning opportunities for young people. And then finally, I'll end with Forvis Forvis Mazars recently completed our audit of financial statements and federal awards. There were no significant deficiencies, no material weaknesses, and no findings to report. That really speaks to strong systems in the financial stewardship across our district. So, I want to congratulate Dr. Underwood and his entire team for that. >> Good job, Carl. Yes. Yeah, I've got some
031I just want to prepare to I respond to a Courier & Press article about nepotism I'd to read. It's short. I would like to briefly clarify comments attributed to me in a recent Courier Press article regarding nepotism. In a district the size of the EVSC with approximately 3,400 employees, it is not unusual for family members to work within the same organization. Education is often a profession that spans generations. The key issue the key issue is not whether relatives work in the district, but whether employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and fairness. As I stated, my concern has always been direct reporting relationships or situations where a conflict of interest could reasonably exist. If an employee is not in a direct supervisory supervisory relationship, I have not viewed that alone as a problem. If a
032conflict were to arise, then appropriate reassignment or other corrective action should be considered. I also believe we must be fair to employees who happen to have a family connection. It is not right for someone to be viewed as viewed only as the spouse of or the son or daughter of rather than as an individual who works hard, performs well, and earns evaluations or promotions on their own merit. Every employee deserves to be judged by the quality of their work, professionalism, and dedication to students. My position remains simple, maintain clear safeguards, prevent real conflicts of interest, and ensure every employee employee is evaluated fairly, professionally, and on merit. Thank you. Thank you. Any comments? Come before the board. All right. Appreciate everyone's attendance. We have artwork from Wright High School. Take a look at that. Appreciate
033you being here. Also, I believe we may have key students here. If you're a student, please step to the microphone and tell us your name and what school you attend, please. My name is Genesis and I'm a senior at Sig Tech. Uh my name is Dylan. I'm a sophomore at Wright's and I go to the Shepherd Academy. Hi, I'm Lauren. I'm a junior at Duke High School. I'm Clara Voss. I'm a senior at Signature School. Hi, I'm Hoda and I'm also a senior at Signature School. I'm Fatima Yusuf and I'm also a senior at Signature. Okay. Thank you very much for attending. I think it's real evident the awards that our teachers and administrators get, value that we have here, seeing our students come forward and and it's just nice to be a part of
034EBSC. With that, is there any other business to come before the board? If not, I'd entertain a motion to adjourn.