001December 15. >> Mrs. Dress. >> Sorry, was fixing the microphone. >> President Ragland, we have a full board present. >> Thank you. As our custom, will you please stand to recite the pledge of allegiance? >> I aliance 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. >> We are now ready for good news. Jason Wber. >> Thank you very much, President Raglin, Superintendent Hooper, members of the board. Good news to share with you this evening. So, we'll start by talking about our student athletes that have just done a phenomenal job here in our fall sports season. We had some good traditional media coverage out of this story as well. So, congratulations to student athletes um who
002earned all city scholar honor. This means they had a 3.5 GPA were above they had earned a varsity letter and you know you can imagine and for individuals who were involved in athletics when they were in school too really the dedication and the time management you have to have when you are doing everything possible to be successful in your sport but then you're also getting it done in the classroom and that's what it means to be a successful student athlete and that's what we like. So for these 335 students, I know when we did the interviews for media coverage, this couple of the students at Wrights High School, just hearing them reflect on that and their dedication and their pride. You can tell that really meant made a lot meant a lot to them. Uh
003speaking about pride, let's take pride in this student. Congratulations to a senior at Harrison High School, Isabella Rosselle. She was the November Courier and Press Student of the Month. not only a senior at Harrison High School, she is also a senior in the Academy of Science and Medicine. Um, and I just I have to read this quote out loud that Harrison put out. She exemplifies the qualities of leadership, academic excellence, dedication, and compassion that define the very best of our warrior student body. Um, so again, real proud of these students who were so successful. Uh, wanted to shout this out because GLA took a lot of pride in this. there was a sidewalk, not by the school of course, but up by the street. Uh this area of the neighborhood had never had a sidewalk
004in this area. And so really to help the neighborhood out, uh they worked with some of their community partners that are listed here. And a school like Glennwood and so many schools have so many business and community partners that really come together and and help to get things done. So they were able to put in an extension here on the city sidewalk where students and families and neighbors in that community are walking. So uh they were very proud to show that off. So kudos to them and again great thanks are in order to all of the partners who work together so closely with our school. Just I know some of you were even there that day and just seeing you know you can tell the relationships you have there too because you see partners coming
005up at the school and they're hugging and they're so excited for the work they got done. So really is a team effort. So, thanks to everyone who was involved with that. Last thing want to recognize here, we had some traditional media coverage on this today as well. Central High School and I will say so many of our schools do this type of thing during the holiday season, but uh had been talking to Central for the last couple of weeks about this and they weren't doing this to get credit, but they just their principal Dr. Freeman was so proud of what the staff does. They come together and they very carefully select students that may need just a little extra for Christmas. And it could be for a number of reasons. Maybe somebody's lost a job
006in the last few months or someone a parent is ill and their family needs extra support. And so the staff members, not just the teachers, but secretaries, custodians, you name it. Anyone at Central High School, they come together. They were able to pull together and get gifts for 50 of their students. Um, and it was just great hearing. This is one of their counselors, Dr. Freeman as well reflect on that. They've done this for seven years and they're just able to get more and more students every year. So, uh really a big thanks to them and all of our schools who really go out of their way to make sure that they're supporting their students and families during the holiday season. And President Raglin, that's it for good news. >> Thank you very much. >>
007We are now ready to move into public commenters. >> Thank you, President Raglin. We have two um regulars for the microphone tonight in the order in which they have signed up. Larry Samples would be our first speaker age before right tonight. I have a a Calbert Cheney story for you. Back in the late 80s, early 90s at Harrison High School, I was a volunteer. I'd be a ticket taker at the gate for basketball games. Uh back then Harrison had some outstanding athletes. Calbert Cheney, Walter Mccardi, Kevin Hardy, David Ranklin, Andre Thomas had an outstanding coach also. Will Wyman a class act also outstanding coach. Um in Calbert Cheni's senior year on Friday night, uh he was highly recruited colleges across the United States. Some coaches would come. I saw Bobby Knight come to Harrison, Rick
008Patino coaching Kentucky back then. a lot of coaches. Calbert was highly recognized. All State is a sophomore. All State is a junior night, senior year, considered one of the best players in Indiana. So on a Friday night, I'm standing at the gate taking tickets. A policeman beside me and Cowbert's mother came through and I think she was a single parent, but I'm not sure. But the policeman pulls her over to the side said, "Mr. Cheney said, we want you to tell Cabbard to move his car." Said, "Cowbert's parked in a no parking zone. We don't want to put a ticket on Cabbert's car." And I was surprised by Mrs. Cheny's response. She says, "I will not do that." Said, "You treat Calbert like you treat everybody else." And he he gets no special favors. And
009turns around and walks away. >> That's what he is. >> Uh, next we have Uh Lori Young >> trying to get this case settled. >> All right. Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, superintendent, and colleagues. This first semester, I have had the opportunities to spend time in classrooms across the EVSC, and it has truly been energizing. I have visited schools, worked alongside educators, and helped where I could. What stands out most is seeing learning in motion from English to orchestra to physical education in every class in between. Students are engaged, asking questions, and making meaningful connections. I see teachers creating lessons that spark curiosity, encourage growth, and invite students to believe in themselves. Being present in our school has been a gift, and I am genuinely thankful for the openness, access, and collaboration
010that have made these visits possible. That level of trust and transparency matters. It sends a clear message that seeing schools in action, listening to educators, and understanding their work firsthand is valued at the leadership level. On behalf of the Evansville Teachers Association, I want to express sincere appreciation for that approach. It reinforces our shared commitment to supporting the people and programs that make learning happen every day. I wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a healthy, hopeful new year. Thank you. >> Thank you. And the artwork, if we will look on the wall, um is by Lincoln School. So, please be sure to u look that before you go out the door. Thank you. We are ready to move into consent items. Dr. Hooper. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board of school
011trustees. We have 15 consent items for your consideration tonight. They are 3.01, consideration of the minutes from the November 24th, 2025 executive session and regular board meeting. 3.02, 02 consideration of the allowance of payments including invoices, net payroll, and payroll obligation for a total allowance of payments of $22,459,56.58. 3.03 Consideration to approve grant proposals. 3.04 Consideration to approve the resolution to transfer from the operations fund to the rainy day fund. 3.05 05 Consideration to approve the resolution to transfer funds from the education fund to the postretirement severance fund. 3.06 Consideration to approve the resolution to approve reduction of year-end appropriations. 3.07 Consideration to approve the transfer from the ED fund to the operations fund. 3.08 Consideration to approve the transfer from operations fund to the self- insurance fund. 3.09 09 consideration to approve the resolution
012for event link online payment services. 3.10 Consideration to approve architects for potential construction projects in 2046. 3.11 Consideration to approve private music agreement with Nicole Bitwin. 3.12 Consideration to approve the renewal agreement with Move to Learn. 3.13 Consideration to approve the renewal with JWF Specialty. 3.14 Consideration to approve the renewal of Fuel contracts 3.15 consideration to approve the resolution regarding workers compensation settlement. These consent items are presented for your approval. Move to >> approval. Second. >> Motion has been made and second accept the consent items. So are there any questions or discussion? >> None. All in favor signify by I. I. >> Same sign opposed. And that motion carries. >> Thank you. >> We're now ready for personnel recommendation. Um Chanel, I'm sorry. My child >> my child. >> Michelle with Chanel Williams. Thank you.
013>> Good evening, President Ragland, members of the board. Dr. Hoover. Tonight's personnel recommendations include the following: retirements, resignations, terminations, regular appointments, adjunct teaching appointment, position reassignment, temporary appointment, leave of absence, resignation from extra duty, appointments to extra duty, reassignments to extra duty, reassignment of administrative appointment, transfers, after school appointments, and consideration of the administrative appointment of Dante Hawkins, head football coach at Col High School. These recommendations are presented for your approval. >> Move to approve. >> A motion and a second have been made to accept the personnel recommendations. Are there any questions, discussion? >> I I have a couple questions about the business um position. We're going to move one teacher to another school and bring in Can you explain that move? >> It's a It's the current department chair at Wright's High School who
014will That's an administrative position. she's an administrator. She will leave that position and become the virtual academy director with your approval. Um that ends up position are halftime teach halftime um leadership. So we will need to backfill those three teaching periods with a sub and they're working hope they're hopeful to get um maybe a retired teacher into that position. >> So it's a b it's a the business chair. >> Correct. >> So what does that mean? I I'm I'm gonna show you. I'm gonna tell you something. I I cheated. I looked on AI. For a high school business teacher should teach fundamental fundamental business concepts, financing, marketing, operations, uh entrepreneurships, uh using engaging methods like projects, real world examples, integrate technology, mentor students for career planning. Wait a minute, I'm not done. manage curriculum, access
015performance, and stay current with industry trends to prepare students for future success in business and life. So, that is a lot for a person to do. What what type of um training or education do they get? Of course, they they get a license, but what how does this I can tell you this when I got out of high school, I had zero marketable skills. That was my choice. bad decisions. Um, but I see it now as as a very good thing. I mean, all of these things, there were so many opportunities for kids. And I'll give you an example. I drive down the street and there's lawn guy cutting a lawn across the street. He's pulling trailer and then there's another one down the street. And then before I get out of the subdivision sometimes,
016there's two or three of these guys. And I think how lucrative because I've stopped and talked to them. Hey, how do you how do you do with this? and they they do really well. Um, and I'm just amazed. Are they are they being trained like this at EBSC? What is the >> Yeah. So, that sounds like a teacher's job. There's a lot to that, right? And underneath it, a business license. So, there's a business 512 license. Some of those skills are embedded within different courses. So, we don't try to cram all that into one course. But a business teacher, depending on what course load they have, they could teach accounting, they could teach finance, they could teach marketing foundations, they could teach intro to business. A lot of what you describe, they kind of scratched
017the surface in the intro to business course. But in terms of licenses, teachers who have a business 512 license, which is probably our most common license, you can teach a majority of the classes in business. There is one exception to that that I'm aware of, which is marketing. for digital marketing and strategic marketing. It's a little bit higher level marketing class. You have to have a specific marketing endorsement. I think it's a marketing 512. Now, with the new diploma coming in, there are some new licenses that I'm less familiar with that are uh CTE colon business information and technology. There's some new titles, but um yeah, for that business 512 license, there's a whole umbrella of courses that you can teach and they stay current. I think I think the way they stay current in
018a high school, there's usually like, oh, this is our accounting person. So, that teacher probably stays current on what's happening in accounting and is probably a member of professional organizations networking with teachers across other schools in the state to know best approaches for accounting. Same thing for your finance person or your person that really loves digital applications, for example. Most teachers have their their specialty area under that umbrella. To me, it's just amazing that a high school student could get out of high school and if it wasn't college, they wanted to do um they could start a business. I mean, they would have some they would have some knowledge at least where to get started and if they pumped their teachers a little bit, they could probably hit the ground running. I think that's just
019crazy good. >> Thank you. We made a motion in a second. >> Yeah. >> Discussion. >> Okay. Um, we are now ready for a vote. Are there any after the questions? Hearing none, no more I should say. Um, all in favor signify by I. >> I. >> Same sign oppose. And that motion carries. >> Thank you. Good evening again. For the rare instances in which an administrator's contract may be not be renewed, I'm requesting the board authorize the superintendent or designate to issue written preliminary notices of the board's consideration of non-renewal as well as written of the board's decision to non-renew administrator contracts to those administrators whose contracts may be affected. Tonight, I present this for your approval. Move to >> approve. Second. >> A motion and a second have been made to accept the
020authority and the superintendent to issue notices of renewal. Are there any questions or discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by I. >> I. Opposed. We are now ready for district spotlight. Dr. >> So tonight I asked Katie Elmer to come to talk to you and share a little bit about something that I wasn't familiar with prior to stepping into the superintendency but Vanderberg County School Safety Commission and that group came together on December 2nd. So I asked Katie to be here tonight to talk to you about the function of that group. >> Absolutely. Thank you very much for having me. uh if you know me that you know that I am u very passionate about school safety. So I'm very passionate about this commission as well. This commission brings together key partners from
021across the community including emergency management. I'll go ahead. There we go. emergency management, fire, police, the sheriff's office, the Vanderberg County Dispatch, juvenile court, mental health, higher education partners such as USI, UAV, IvyTech, and representatives from other schools throughout the county. The goal is to ensure coordination and collaboration across all agencies involved in school safety. School safety is foundational to student learning and overall well-being. It extends uh beyond instruction to include physical security, digital safety, emergency preparedness, and effective crisis response. Collaboration is critical to both student and staff safety because no single agency or school system can address every aspect of prevention, preparedness, and response alone. When schools, first responders, mental health providers, and the courts work together in advance to reduce confusion, improve response times, ensure consistent uh decision-making during high stress situations. This
022coordinated approach not only strengthens physical safety, but also supports early intervention, threat assessment, and mental health support that could prevent incidents before they occur. The school safety commission has met regularly since July of 2019, allowing the group to remain proactive rather than reactive. Topics addressed include reunification planning, crime data and trends, physical safety measures and equipment, law enforcement coordination, funding and grant opportunities, emergency preparedness and drills, statutory and legal compliance, inclement weather planning, threat assessment protocols, and student and staff mental health. The commission has also planned for large scales or unique events such as the eclipse to ensure that we were making the decisions in the best interest of all students across our county. Overall, this commission strengthens partnerships, improves communication, and enhances our collective ability to protect students and staff while maintaining a safe
023and supportive learning environment. >> Happy to entertain any questions you have about the commission. >> I'll ask a question on the 6.02, know too, but we work with them like uh do they because I know with our police officers with our department have to do firearms probably EVOC a number of different things. Do they work with with either EPD or sheriff's office to utilize their facilities or be a part of when they're going through it every year? >> Absolutely. Tim is here and uh he coordinates and works with Evansville police and and uh VCSO all the time to ensure that we are fully trained. Um, and they even use some of our facilities for their training, too. >> Okay, great. >> Anything you want to add, >> Katie? So, as you meet quarterly or how
024often you meet, there's got to be, you know, findings and information gathered. Uh I just recommend that u you put a report together and make sure that the state legislature gets copies of that because basically they control a lot of the funding that we get and I think they need to know about the need about what we're trying to do with on a shoestring budget. Um the other thing was the fact that you know I I don't think they distributed it uh the funding as um equitable as it could have been because we got the same amount as maybe one or two parochial schools got. So I think they need to relook at that. We've discussed that with uh a couple of our local state legislators and uh hopefully they'll they'll make that adjustment. But,
025you know, it's those kinds of things from Indianapolis that can have a big bearing here. And if we keep giving them information, maybe it'll be an easier cell. >> Absolutely. We have we have done that. I update and add all of our agenda meetings. Every year we have to register to show that we are in compliance with the law and we're above compliance. Um, you only have to meet once. Most often we meet twice a year just to really ensure those conversations are fresh. Um, and uh, I really appreciate that because we will definitely continue to tell Indianapolis everything that we can. >> In addition to that, are we doing any drills? >> What kind of drills are you talking about? >> Critical incident drills and those kinds of things. >> Yeah, our schools do
026um, I mean they have compliance drills that they have to do every month. Um, and we oversee all of that to make sure that they are um, you know, putting all the drills and and quite honestly, most of our schools go above the requirement for drilling. Um, and as a district, we have done reunification planning because that's what we would be involved with. At the district level, if there was an incident at our school and we had to reunify parents and kids offsite because we could not reunify at the school, we've done definitely crisis planning for that as well. It includes so much everything from not only the uh frontline teachers but bus transportation. >> Absolutely. >> There's a a huge coordinated effort. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks,
027Katie. >> We're now ready to move into our action items and we'll have Rick Cameron 6.01. >> Good evening, President Raglin. Members of the board and Dr. Hoover, consideration to approve property and capity insurance renewal was presented as information at the November 24th board meeting and is presented tonight for your action. >> Second. >> A motion and a second have been made to accept approve the property and casualty insurance renewal. There any questions or discussion? hearing none. All in favor signify by I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion car. >> Thank you. And you have 6.02 as well. >> Yes. The office of chief of staff recommends approval of an agreement with national school safety and security services for a comprehensive school safety assessment. proposal was solicited with from firms qualified to conduct this work, including
028recommendations from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. After an extensive review process, including interviews, a cost agreement was finalized with National School Safety and Security Services. This comprehensive security assessment will include preassessment review of security and emergency preparedness policies and documents, on-site interviews, interviews with key community partners, a review of crisis and emergency plans, examination of physical security measures, and a final report with observations and recommendations consistent with evidence-based best practices that can be used in the strategic plan for school security and emergency planning. The cost of this will be $215,750 and will be paid from the operations fund. >> Second motion and a second have been made to move into the agreement with National School Safety and Security Services for comprehensive safety audit. Are there any questions our discussion. >> Yeah, I just I'll
029make it Mike. Did you have something? You go ahead. I just want to make sure that, you know, they've done numerous studies like this and that this is something that we're in a an area now that you know it can change daily and uh so just to make sure that they understand uh the complexity of our corporation, the number of students that we have and all that, I'm thinking that that will be part of finding. >> Absolutely. And this was one of the firms that was probably one of the top uh recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security. Uh and uh I think I counted today there were like 20 pages of reference letters from sizable corporations and other folks that they have done this business with nationally. >> And this is not the first
030time we've done this. So, we we continue to learn to to look at these areas to make sure that we're doing all we can do and that we're doing it in a way that is cost-effective and that uh less disruptive to our regular school day as as much as possible. But the main thing is to make sure our students are safe. Absolutely. Absolutely. >> It's not necessarily a question but a comment. I mean, I think our main responsibility as a corporation is one to educate our kids, but also to keep them safe and secure when they're in our custody. So, I mean, I think that's the importance of a comprehensive safety and security assessment. You know, uh it helps us ensure that we're making the most informed, responsible, right, uh decisions, prioritizing safety, um reduce
031risk, uh and uphold public trust. And so again, before we have change policy and we start to spend a bunch of money, I think it's critical that we have a group like this come in and I look forward to that. And then once we get that done and we and we review it, you know, I I believe where they going to come in and then share it with us and maybe we're going to potentially have them share with the public so we have that, you know, public trust is there and they know what's going on uh with it. And then I think we need to look at that assessment very hard and say, "Hey, yeah, this may cost some money, but it's going to keep our kids safe and secure and really maybe enact some
032of the things that they put in there." So, agree more. >> I do have a question. Good evening to you. Did they give you an estimated time of completion? >> An estimated time of completion? I don't think we have an estimated time of completion, but they did give us an estimate of when they could start. >> Okay. >> We talked about as soon as we were able to get an agreement that uh we would send our documents for the review, which is the first part of this, them becoming familiar with our corporation with the folks that they would be interacting with to uh get things scheduled and everything. And also the trans looking at our policies and procedures and protocols. uh what uh Katie just shared with you, our drill structure, uh what things we're
033going through with our safety committee. So, getting all that reviewed is the first part of this and then getting the on-site interviews scheduled in >> Do you have anything else additionally about the schedule? >> He he said that the on-site would take about three weeks >> to go through all of the buildings and to do the comprehensive interviews and um so >> Oh, yeah. I I thought you were looking for an actual date, but no, >> it says in there they anticipate about 15 days. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry about that. >> That's okay. Thank you. I'd just like to add a comment uh for you and and Katie and all those on the team just to thank you for uh your thoroughess and being very methodical about this rather than have a knee-jerk
034reaction to another tragedy you know that that um unfortunately many people are becoming desensitized to and so um I just really appreciate that um you brought on these these folks who can who have the experience experience to take a look at our schools and many of which are kind of long in the tooth. So, you know, we can guess what we think might, you know, what changes might need to be made. But I think um um and I took a look um at this organization and I'm just really pleased that u in the direction that we're going and that we can um say without hesitation that we have taken a look um and and brought in the best experts so um so that we can make sure that our students and teachers and staff are
035safe when they're in our buildings. >> I agree with you and uh this is not easy work. It's the right work like uh Mr. Kefir said, educating students, keeping staff and students safe, uh, is the most important work we can do, but it does feel good to have a supportive board, especially for this team, so that we're all on the same page moving forward. Uh, this is going to be a lot of work and it's probably going to create some work and some, you know, some things that are going to come out of there budgetarily. It's nice to know that we have a supportive board that really prioritizes this work. So that makes that part of a bill we don't have to climb feels good. >> And I just I just thought about this when
036she said this, but I like the fact that it's data driven. Okay. And you know, the goal is to try to mitigate something from happening. And we always think about maybe worst case scenario. we can stop it here to where it never gets to that worst case scenario and then if it does get to a really bad situation, we know how to respond quickly afterwards to try to mitigate any additional damage. So I think that's really one of the values of doing a very comprehensive study >> and this firm is uh uh I wouldn't say deeply seated but definitely some of those initial conversations have been around the mental health piece of mitigation with behavior threat assessment uh and those things. So yeah, you're right. >> Questions. >> All in favor signify by I. >>
037I. >> Oppos. Same sign. >> And that motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Now ready. Steve Sheller. Good evening, President Reagan, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center Cosmetology Renovation Project 2026. Notice to bid was advertised on October 10th and October 17th, 2025. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on October 21st. Bids were received on November 6th. Our recommendation is to award the contract to Ark Construction for the base bid of $828,300. >> Approval. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been made to approve the award contract for this Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center cosmetology renovation project 2026 to our construction. Um, are there any questions or discussion? >> That's a lot of money, man. >> What I mean, okay. >> You want me to tell you
038a little about it? >> Yeah. Can you can you >> Sure. Absolutely. So, it's going to have 20 styling stations, five barber stations, six blow drying stations, uh, six hair washing stations, four pedicure stations, four manicure stations, two facial stations. It'll have break rooms with locker rooms, laundry and storage, a secure reception area, uh customer restrooms, and the great thing is I just checked again, they have 192 applicants already for this. So, it's pretty exciting for 40 student uh 19. >> David, um Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Will there be some, you know, you said for for potential customers to come, they need those to work on, right? Will there be some signage that kind of says this is the whatever we're going to call it so they know you can see it from Lynch
039Road? >> Abs. Absolutely. So, it's going to have a whole separate entrance to come in and then it'll have a lobby area where they get buzzed in and a secure ent. >> Is that in the old news or is that where we're putting it or where we putting it? >> It's it's in the old graphics communication lab space. >> Okay. Okay. trim down the >> ask the question how much money will they capture to I mean what's this is this going to be it's it's almost a business is it not I mean are they going to they're going to charge >> they are and I think the plan is to make it Carrie you can help me with this one that it's we hope that it's relatively self-funded by >> that's what I was getting
040at so it's going to carry itself sort of >> right Okay. >> I mean, the good news is it's almost to your point about the business question earlier, but there are opportunities for high school students now and increasingly so all the time so that they have it's a real integration of what they're learning and all the soft skills that go with working with people. In this case, they're going to work with the public and those skills whether they end up going into cosmetology or not after high school, those are skills they can take with them, you know, to any occupation. >> And a part of that curriculum is entrepreneurial. >> Yes. So if they've got the entrepreneurial spirit or entrepreneurial, so if they want to go work for somebody or they want to open their
041own business up, they can do either one and those skill sets are taught and part of that curriculum. >> That is definitely what we need in Vanderberg County is good paying jobs. Absolutely. So thank you. >> I just want to say thank you so much. I know I have asked probably a lot of questions um during this time and even just in the passing. I know some young ladies that have applied for it and they are very excited. Um, and I think even even if they're not chosen, right, just given the opportunity that we're able to now do this because it's a growing industry. It is a very it's a fast growing industry when you have young ladies and young gentlemen, right, that are literally self-taught. Um, and just imagine being self-taught and now being
042able to take the skills into a brick and mortar that will eventually give them their own brick and mortar or somewhere else. I mean, possibilities are endless. And again, this is to me, this is what inclusivity looks like. It really does. You know, sometimes everyone isn't made for a two-year or four-year college andor university, but this here is a gateway and it opens doors. So, thank you so very much. Thank you. It's going to be a beautiful space. I'm excited. >> I'm excited, too. Thank you. >> They'll be able to earn their license during that time. >> Yeah. There's a What's the number of hours, Carrie? >> 100. >> Yeah. So, it will be it's possible, but that's why we're looking at it'll take more than just during the just during the school day. If
043they go for a half day program like traditional at career tech center, they will have to extend those to evenings and probably weekend hours. But we're trying to build in that so that the students who are extremely motivated to get that number of hours will have an opportunity to get that number of hours. >> But it's not integrated in the curriculum. It it prepares them to sit for the exam or which is it? >> Yeah, they'll be prepared to sit for the exam. >> Sit for it. Okay. they reach those hours. >> So, uh, hi again, Steve. So, we um you said that there were 40 spots and we have 192 students who have applied thus far, >> correct? >> Um, can you share a little bit of what the what that rubric is when
044you're looking at applications? >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, so I can talk to that. We're really kind of shifting that to school boys at this point, too. and really understanding from them which students have expressed that this is their pathway. Um they're looking at fit for the program. They're looking at things like attendance too to make sure they'll they'll come up and get those hours in. But we're really shifting that over to the schools to make those recommendations, >> okay, >> for who they would recommend for those spots >> because they know those students better than anyone because of what they >> Great. Thank you. I think once they see that space and how amazing it's going to look, I think there's going to be even a higher demand for it. >> It's a multi-billion
045dollar um business cosmetology. So, any other questions, discussion? >> None. All in favor? I >> same sign opposed. >> That motion carries. I think we're now ready for 6.04 Joel Herodine and two >> I'm sorry 6.06. Thank you. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. In our November 20 uh 24th meeting 2025, you were presented with an information item concerning the award of a competitively bid technology infrastructure project for wireless access points, cabling, and associated services for PC Quest. The solution price for 5 years is $875,26964. [Music] Following eligible e-ate discounts, the cost EVSSE be $175,53.93. [Music] The funding source will be the fall 2025 common school fund. At this time, I'd like to recommend that you approve this award. Thank you. >> Second. A motion and a second have been
046made to award the access points, cabling, and associated services upgrade bid to PC Quest. Are there any questions or discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by I. >> Same sign opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Also in our November 24th, 2025 board meeting is presented with an information item concerning the award of a competitively bid technology infrastructure project for structured cabling associated service. Let's go back a technology infrastructure project for uninter interruptible power supplies UPS as they're also called units associated uh services to DWG. The solution price for eight years is $61,9187. [Music] Following eligible e-ray discounts, the cost to EBSC will be $120,383.77. The funding source will be the fall common school fund. At this time, I'd like to recommend that you approve this award. Thank you. >> So move. >> Second. Motion and
047second have been made to approve the award to the uninterruptible power source UPS units and associated bid to CDW-G. Are there any questions or discussion? You mentioned that it was uh there was clean power involved in this. So that's sun I suppose. >> What's that? >> It's sun I suppose. >> Sun. No, not by by clean and dirty. I mean the uh the power spikes you have with power. Okay. Either the electric company or a generator, it's not all an even side. Electronics sometimes uh they like clean power and that's part of the process what these uh these UPS units do. They take some of that dirty power, it's often called, and make it clean. Uh so these units last longer. So when you plug electronics like your switching and your access points and all
048those things into it. >> So so sensitive uh things. >> Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I didn't understand till just now. Got it now. Thanks. >> Any other questions, discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I sign opposed. Motion carries. Now ready for 6.06. Now I'm on the right. In our November 24 25 2025 board meeting, you were presented with an information item concerning the award of the committedly bid technology infrastructure project for structure cabling and associated services to replace old cabling to PC Quest. The solution price was $35,7760. Following eligible e- rates discounts, the cost to EBSSE will be $7,152. The funding source will be the fall 2025 common school fund. At this time, I'd like to recommend that you approve this award. >> Move. >> Second. >> A motion and a second have
049been made to award this structural cabling and associated service bid to PC Quest. Are there any questions or discussion? hearing none. All in favor? >> Same sign opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Now ready for Michelle Williams. 6.07. >> Good evening again, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. Tonight, I'm requesting your approval for the renewal of our reinsurance agreement with the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for stop-loss coverage. As indicated at the last meeting, this reinsurance agreement protects the EBSC from substantial loss due to high-cost healthcare claims. The deductible for high-cost claims remains at $325,000. The total cost of the renewal is 2,386,463. The funding source is the operations fund. Tonight, I present this for your approval. >> Move to approve. >> Second. Okay. A motion and a second have been
050made to consider uh to approve the reinsurance renewal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Are there any questions or discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> Same sign opposed. And that motion carries. Thank you. We're now ready for information. >> I'm sorry. >> That's okay. 680. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. The Office of Schools and Instructional CPS recommends approval of the program of studies for the 2026 27 school year. The program of studies indicates new course titles and/or number changes requested by EVSC high schools. All of the courses have been reviewed by the appropriate content director, chief administrative officer of high schools, and the assistant superintendent to ensure alignment with the IDOE approved courses. At this time, we uh present this for
051your approval. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been made to approve consideration uh to approve the agreement with strategic classroom consulting. I'm sorry. This is to approve the program of studies. I'm ahead in information >> be next. Sorry. >> Any questions or discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> Same sign opposed. That motion carries. Thank you. And you have under information 7.01. Um the office of schools and instructional core is recommending approval of an agreement with strategic classroom consulting to provide some job uh embedded SCOP implementation support through on-site coaching and virtual um professional learning. SCOP is a researchbased approach for effectively teaching multilingual learners across all content areas. And this professional development is designed to deepen educators understanding and application of this model. Um for the school
052year, the consultant will deliver three weeks of on-site um services along with six one-hour virtual sessions that are tailored to each participating school's identified needs. Services will include embedded classroom coaching, observation and feedback, coaching of multilingual learner coaches, and leadership consultation focused on planning, monitoring, and sustaining SCOP implementation. Upon completion of this, teachers, instructional coaches, and building leaders will have a strengthened capacity to implement SCOP features with fidelity supporting improved academic language development and content achievement for MLS. The total cost of these services will be $54,900 and this will be funded through title multilingual learner funding. This item is submitted for your information tonight and I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you. >> Going on with the information, we now have uh Steve Sheller 7.02. >> Good evening once again,
053President Raglin, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. The Lodge Community School second floor renovation HVAC upgrade project 2026. Notice the bid was advertised on October 24th and October 31st, 2025. A pre-bid meeting was held on November 5th and bids were received on November 13th. The board has received a bid tabulation sheet for this project and I will recommend awarding the project to Ark Construction at the next scheduled school board meeting. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. So there's any questions? >> Thank you. >> Again 7.203. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. The Office of Technology recommends approval for the purchase of 1,00 Apple iPads to support K1 classrooms. These devices will replace the current eighth generation iPads previously deployed during the 2021 2022 school year.
054The total cost of this purchase is $324,000 with Apple serving as a sole source provider for private and public K12 education institutions in the United States. The funding source will be 2025 spring common uh common school fund. Uh please feel free to ask any questions now or reach out anytime for our next meeting. Joe, I do have a question in regards to the durability of the Apple. You found that that's u machine and piece of equipment that's pretty durable. And do we put them in cases? We do put them all in cases. Uh and our K through one uh iPads, they stay in the classroom in carts, so they usually don't get as much damage as our Chromebooks that we send out in the middle uh school and high school area. Uh Apple in general,
055we're kind of we're doing a a cost benefit analysis on the durability of Apple, and they're pretty comparable, if not maybe a little better so far than what we've seen with the Chromebooks, but they are more expensive than what we pay for Chromebooks. So, it's kind of trade-off you kind to look at. What about the u uh the charging instrument that goes to it? Is that something that is pretty universal or >> Well, it is now. They've all moved to USBC charging cables. Uh and in our charging carts, uh we have replaceable cables in those carts that we use uh that we can swap out if they're damaged. Now, just like any cable you have at home, the same one you probably use on your cell phone, they do break and we do end up
056spending quite a bit of money on replacement chargers, but that's just part of >> if they break it, they bring it back and we replace it rather than >> It depends. Uh, a lot of times if if we can tell that it's it's maybe um not accidental, then we'll charge the the uh the family for that. But for the most part, uh we do replace those and we do pictures on hand. >> Yeah. And they usually between $10 and $25 depending on the quality uh device you get. On Amazon you can get a little less quality. We recommend a medium quality around $20 or so for those. >> Then the ones that they take home. How do we monitor what whether they're trying to get through a firewall or or put something that shouldn't be
057on there? >> Well, we have um filtering services uh through a company right now through called GG Guardian. We also have what's called DNS filtering, uh, which filters the information that goes in and out of our network. So, by law, we have to filter all the content on there. And then on our, um, Chromebooks and some of our other devices, we use a a a service called Crowd Strike uh, to monitor our our network and our devices that way as well. >> So, if something is is brought up on it that shouldn't be, then you get notified or >> immediately notified. We actually have 247 uh they call ENO team uh that monitors those devices. If something comes through, I get an email and um sometimes if if if enough was warranted, a call uh
058saying you need to check on this. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> We're now moving to 7.04 04 C Williams. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. Uh bring forward you tonight for your information, the recommendation to increase our extended day summer um camp rates. The extended day summer camp is an extension of the regular extended day program and serves EVSSE students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The summer camp program is separate from our before and after school daycare that happens during the school year. This operates uh from June 1 to July 24th this year from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The summer camp fee has been $100 per week since 2020. Uh the extended day summer camp fees were recently reviewed and compared to local summer camps
059and that data showed that EVSC rates remain significantly lower than the comparable offerings within our community. Based on this review, it is recommended that the summer camp fee increase by $10 per week, bringing the total to $110 per week per attendee. This cost does include many things. I'll list a few of them here. A camp t-shirt, field trips, arts and crafts, community partner, volunteer workshops, enrichment activities focused on character and leadership development, physical fitness, academic support, and student learning. Of course, breakfast and lunch are certainly provided for each student through the summer food service program. I'd be happy to answer any questions at this time if you have any. In >> regards to the meals, do we get any reimbursement through the federal government for that? >> Yeah, we work with Nora Burgess, our director
060of food services program for that yet. And it's held at a site where it is a voucher accepted. So, we have them from when to when? >> Datewise, it'll be June 1st to July 24th. Timewise, it'll be from 6:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. >> and offer all that. I mean, this is a value. >> It is a value. And they do a great job. Carlaua Patterson, our director of extended day uh centers really does a great job making sure that the students have learning activities available. Also, it's just not daycare. It is learning taking place. And the extended learning outside of the classroom, right? They take off-site uh field trips as well as bringing things on-site uh to these students. >> And if I recall, many times a lot of these field trips are experiences
061some of our kids may never >> We really try to do that, right? Something that is more than what they may go on with their family, >> right? >> Excellent. Excellent. Thank you. >> I do have a question. Good evening. It is good seeing you. Um though I agree with everything and I know that the price is inexpensive compared to our other counterparts if you will and or organizations without in the community. Um just because we are living in a world field of financial distress and economic distress, right? How are we going to convey this message? Hey, I know we're increasing and I know things are tough across the board for everyone. How are we going to convey that message that it is still valuable? >> Yeah. I I think >> $10 is it's a
062lot for someone in in a world we live in right now where >> the economy is just questionable right now. You know, poultry prices are high. >> Um all the other things that come with just basic living necessities. So, how are we going to make sure that we are conveying the message that it's still valuable? Yeah, like anything that return on investment and those families are investing in us and I think with that rate increase that investment we're willing to put forth that time and effort and making sure some of these things that I listed off here are there but also the safety of the students are involved as well. Uh it's a great opportunity. We have many high school students coming down also working. It provides um opportunities for our staff to work through
063the summer that they wouldn't have to help with their benefit as well. So there are lots and lots of benefits and I think that return on investment the families have said over uh through their application process that this isn't what they want uh because we are at capacity every year. >> Yeah. And and I agree with what she's saying too, but I'm just thankful we can afford to do it for 110. We're making an investment in the, you know, the community in my mind in this regard because, you know, if not, what would happen if we didn't offer it during the summer? >> You know what I mean? And I think it also is that nexus from end of a school year to students engaged, they continue to learn. That's invaluable. >> It really is
064a great opportunity. And I've seen students make friendships that they wouldn't otherwise have, right? They're friends with their their students and and their friends at their own school, but this is from across the city and they come together. Um, and it's neat when they see each other that they hadn't seen all year, but they know they're going to be at the summer camp. It's like any summer camp if you went to that. That's again that return on investment. I think that is when a student sees another friend or makes another friend and they do a great job of making sure that takes place. >> Yeah. And is there is there anything similar to a free and reduced uh fee that for children that their family struggling or whatever that that we can help on that
065or >> Yeah. And we work with that. Um especially they're able to receive the voucher through the CCDF voucher. Uh and we accept those during the summer. >> Mhm. >> So we b basically have these kids 55 hours a week. >> We could, right? Right? I mean, if you drop them off at the beginning and drop them off at the end, >> and at $110 a week, doing the math, it's $2 an hour they're paying us. That's not >> kudos to our staff, right? That >> Yeah, that's amazing. >> Because they do it. I can't imagine any students and our families and our community >> understanding that is a deal especially with the prices the way they are now giving them lunch and and providing all these services that's a >> okay I know there's
066lots of interest in the cosmetology but there's some foam that takes place also during the summer uh at the extended day and also Kona Ice so I uh I'll send the information right now >> oh I do one more question um I saw all I guess a couple of weeks ago where their park extended their hours uh for swimming which is absolutely amazing and great swimming is that a part of the field trip >> we uh have in the past used Rochelle >> okay Roelle okay thank you >> and really what we've done now we take them earlier and work with the swimming directors uh in the summer when no other public are there >> so it's a great time for just our kids to be there >> okay you And I have a question.
067Um, so the since this is a U summer day camp, the corporation will or won't be impacted by um the decision to not have child care vouchers um available for 2026. >> Not sure if I understand what you're asking. So will that we're not going to get the state's not going to get childcare vouchers in um in 2026. So if families have worked with them, there is certainly a wait list for the vouchers, but if you're on it and you are able to receive that, then we can take that voucher for summer separate maybe from um prek, we can take that voucher and because we do that right now for our extended day program, we take if families are on a voucher, we take that voucher and apply it towards their extended day rate for
068their AM and PM that they utilize. So there's no there's no new vouchers available, but families that are already on the vouchers will still get. That's good to know. Okay. >> Yeah. And we're hopeful at some point that that uh weight list is lifted or expanded. >> So just so I have clear if a stu students getting a voucher, they choose to go here. That's the you're talking about that this then we have the prek voucher which is separate that may not continue once. Okay. Correct. >> Okay. Thanks for the clarification. Thank you very much. >> We're now ready for seven 7.05. >> Dr. Underwood, you have six, seven, and eight. >> All right, just take us on home. Shut down here. >> President Raglin, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover, I do have
069a proposed site lease for you tonight as well as November month end items for the site lease. The Office of Business Affairs is uh proposing to enter into a site uh lease with Express ATM for the installation and operation of automated teller machines in our EVC high schools. Uh the placement of the machines is intended to provide convenient access for students and families and visitors during school events. Express ATM. The vendor will be responsible for all costs associated with installation, maintenance, cash loading, customer support, and operational services. Uh, EVSC will provide the designated space, and as part of the installation, each of the ATMs will be professionally wrapped in the official logo and school colors of the high school in which it resides. Under this agreement, EVSC will receive $1 per charged withdrawal, and all
070revenue will go to the schools. Happy to answer any questions you might have about that. >> Be in rights colors. Yes. >> Amen. >> The money is in North's colors. >> Still spending. [Music] >> Okay. Maybe the money. For the education operations month of review, as of November 30th, uh we've expended 90.23% of the education fund budget, leaving a balance of 48,221,45.38. In the operations fund, we've expended 79.61% with a balance of 11,594,621. Summary of cash balances by fund. These are the balances in the debt service, education, exempt debt service, and operations funds. Expenditure ledger summary report. This is a breakdown of expenditures by function and object code and revenue summary report. This lists revenue as of November 30 for the education operations debt service and exempt debt service fund. Happy to answer any questions
071about those reports. >> Thank you very much. >> You're now ready to move into continued business. I'll start. So, as we approach the end of the first semester, I want to thank the board and the entire district team for the support over the past several months. Um, I am days away from finishing my first semester as superintendent and I am truly grateful for your partnership, your collaboration, your guidance, your trust in me. And so, um, thank you all for that. Also, I want to thank the board for those of you that were able to go on school visits last week. We were able to visit three of our elementary schools. And I know I was very proud to show off our schools. I love that you got to see firsthand the hard work of our
072staff and our students and the things going on in our classrooms that every day we could have we chose three schools. We could have gone to any of our schools and we would have seen great things. So, thank you all for taking time to do that. >> That's it for me. >> Big shout out to I'm sorry. >> No, I was just going to say anything to >> add to what Jason was saying earlier. We have uh churches that that have angel trees in our in our foyers and stuff buying presents for kids. We have countless hours of volunteers. Um, just thank you to those people who went to a PTA meeting at Dexter and those kids are benefiting so much from their efforts. They had donuts with grown-ups and they had they they just
073and and they just it's just amazing. Even Halloween, a lot of these kids, the Halloween trunk or treats and stuff and the Christmas stuff, these kids don't they won't go to Disney this summer. You know, th this is the highlight and some of them wouldn't get a Christmas present if it weren't for some of the churches and and different organizations and people. We we can't thank them enough. Um it's it's heartwarming when you see it. And I'd like to say something else. Everything's dead. I mean, the trees, there's no leaves, the shrubs, it's always cloudy and it's dark. What a great time to celebrate the birth of our savior if it weren't for all of the Christmas lights and everything. I wonder what Christmas would be like. It's just it's just a great time. People's
074awareness is heightened. It's just amazing to me. And I I just like to say merry Christmas. I'd just like to say I really appreciated the trip to the three schools and and specifically the three schools that you picked out. I thought were really really good. I mean I got to see teachers really welcoming the students and the students were coming around hugging these teachers when coming to school in the morning. Uh I learned some things like the huddles I thought was really cool. PLC's. We sit through a PLC. I thought that was very informative and very productive of what I seen. Um, but I just, you know, everybody's there was a kid that was kind of acting up and I think it was the vice principal. She's walking with us. You keep walking and just
075responded immediately, you know, to that student. So, just everybody's doing just fantastic work. And you know, we see it, you know, and I thought really thought I know we don't do this and I've been told 100 times, but you know, there's going to be a teacher, there's going to be all these dunes and rolls and stuff and I go in and man, it's just dynamic, you know, and it's just going and moving and stuff. And I thought this is fantastic. So anyway, thank you for that. I look forward to more of them. And yes, merry Christmas to everybody. Just to piggyback on what uh Trusty Kefir said, it it it was really um heartwarming and encouraging just to see um the care and love that the staff had for the students and students for for
076the staff, but also just the welcoming environment and I mean we know they're schools, you know, and and but just to see that there was so much um pride in the students artwork and attendance even, you know, where they were getting special recognition on their lockers. And what really hit me um was at one of the schools was the number of children who grabbed that free breakfast. And I wish those that hold the purse strings in the state would would um would know what it feels like to to go without breakfast and to have that available to our students and how incredibly important that is. And it also makes those those children feel um seen and understood that somebody knows I'm hungry and they care enough to provide this for me. Um so uh I
077love that I would um love the opportunity to go again and if it's cold I'm going to ride with Trusty Keeper because he has seat warmers under. So that was part two. I would like to say I'm sorry that I didn't make it with the broken back. I am limited to the steps that I can make, but it broke my heart that I couldn't be. I'll be at the next one if I have to roll. >> I'll be there. And I just want to say to all of you, >> you know, it's a blessing to serve on the board with each and every one of you. All of you administrators, all that you do all the time, so often we don't say thank you. And Darla, I can't say enough in a few months. You
078have been terrific and thank you for how you have opened up so many areas and the people are receiving it so well. Merry Christmas everyone and God bless. [Applause] >> I guess what I'm going to talk about I mean merry Christmas. Everything's great. I think Darla's doing a great job. But we started our good news with um our student athletes and you don't hear that phrase much anymore. >> Um probably just forgotten it when they implemented NIL it became you know nothing but you know about the mighty dollar. Uh kids can transfer from school to school and all that and you just don't see the the teamwork like you used to. Um, I think having our students 335 with a 3.5 or above average is monumental. And I think it speaks to the testament not
079only of our teachers but of our coaches and insisting that these kids, you know, are doing well in the classroom as well. I I know that some some coaches, you know, send their athletes if they're struggling a little bit to a study table and uh I'd like to see more of that. I'd like for college to pay attention to that. So, merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy being on the board with you and Darla. Um you haven't screwed anything up yet, so keep it up. >> I was just going to say first and foremost, merry Christmas to everyone and Dr. Hoover. Thank you for making yourself available to have uncomfortable conversations in comfortable places. >> Amen. >> Thank you for that. >> Um sometimes we don't realize that there has to be a shift in the atmosphere
080>> and something has to happen in order for it to break. So, thank you very very much. And it has truly been a pleasure just this year serving um again with the board and just seeing parents and students out here and administration and able to just see smiling faces and know that people are concerned. And I would just say my wish from Santa next year is to see seats filled out here. >> That'd be nice, wouldn't it? >> That is my wish. >> That would be >> with a candy cane. That's it. Merry Christmas. Um, I want to say that I so enjoyed um the uh school visit and it was funny you know at one point you asked me and I'm like all in the table at the math and you had asked me
081do you miss teaching and I mean I felt that you know I like that rush u so just being with them but you learn that each school has its own culture it has its own community and yet uh and I I think each one we went to, it was just, you know, its own uniqueness. And um I really uh to see cafeteria workers, to see, you know, your support staff as well. And does anybody remember in um what when they they're lost and found and they how what did he say? What did he call that? >> What did that guy find today? >> Yeah, that is what he said. >> I mean that was and everybody just responds and and you know it could be a water bottle, a t-shirt. I think it was like
082several water bottles that day. But I mean just you know just those little things that uh you know like who left this again can't find something. But I I really appreciate I appreciate our board. I appreciate our our uh staff support. All right admin it um we're all trying to work jointly together here and Darla's hit the ground running and u appreciate your leadership and all and everyone. Thank you. Thank you all for the opportunity for sure. >> Karen, one last thing. Uh it's not easy sitting in this desk. I've done it several times before. I will tell you that when you have a year where you replace superintendent the first time in 14 years, you have negotiations with contracts for different uh organizations and groups that that we work with. Um a lot of
083moving parts to it. Karen, you've done a great job. >> Great job, Karen. appreciate it. Thank you. >> But and the only thing is I haven't heard anything from shoulders yet. I think there's a football team a little bit up north. >> Come on, Pat. Somebody do the Heisman pose. [Laughter] >> Heisman. >> Well, that all happened since he got off the board. There you >> good. >> Yeah, I give you [Laughter] speechless. >> He's looking for the microphone. >> Um, I'd like to acknowledge our Do we have any visiting students in the audience? Okay. If you would come forward, please speak into our microphone and state your name and school. Very much appreciated. Thank you. Good luck. >> My name is Dylan Fetcher. I'm from Rice High School and I do know >> and
084I do half days at the Shepard Academy >> or Wilson. >> That's good. >> I'm Emma Early and I'm from Memorial High School. >> I'm Audrey Hagen. I'm also from Memorial and we're both from Youth Resources. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for visiting with us. >> You need signatures? Any of the board members here? >> Glad to help you. >> Christ now. Um I have a holiday thought for this season and um it says holidays are a reminder that life is meant to be lived, experiences are meant to be cherished, and memories are meant to be made. So wishing you peace and joy this holiday season and throughout the coming year.