001board meeting October the 6, 2025 meeting is now called to order and we have >> President Ragland. We have oh sorry we have a full board present. We have uh Trusty Dere um on she's virtual this evening. She does plan to vote. So we'll want to do a roll call vote for the items. >> Thank you. And as our captain, we stand for and recite the pledge of allegiance, please. >> I pledge algiance 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. And now we will have good news by Jason. >> Thank you very much, President Raglin, members of the board, and Superintendent Hoover for good news this evening to start our meeting. Uh we had
002an episode of what's happening with Dr. Hooert post recently and this time we were able to feature our high school marching bands. You know, recently we had done one on fall sports and what it takes to get ready for that. This is so similar. These students work so hard and there's so many people involved with this. Um, and just when you talk to these students and putting this video together, almost everyone talked about the family atmosphere and how vital it is for them to be a part of this family. So, uh, really was great. Dr. Hoover got to record her introduction, uh, during Bossy High School's practice where she at one time spent a year in marching band. So, that was kind of interesting. And so, yeah, just a a great thing to be able
003to highlight for these students and all of their uh families that are so supportive of this activity. Uh we were able to uh post quite a few pictures of the renovations that continue moving along at Stadium at Fossy High School and at the bowl at Wrights High School. Um when you look through these pictures, it really is um it's just so impressive to see the work being done and how it is going to take these historic structures and maintain them for future generations of fans, members of our community and uh just in chatting with uh Mr. Sheller, he would tell you that these projects have gone very well and are on schedule. So, uh, really liked having the opportunity to be able to share this with the communities, especially fans who attend games and other
004activities in both of these locations so that they can see the progress being made. Uh, for the fourth year in a row, choir Palooa took place. Uh, this happens at University of Evansville. These pictures happen to be of our middle school choir students. they get to actually go to UV, spend a day on campus working with uh vocal music technicians and experts and specialists who are really working with them. I believe the day after this, our high school choir members were able to go on campus and spend the day. But uh just a great partnership between us and the University of Evansville. Certainly great for our students to get to be on campus and get to learn uh from these music specialists. There we go. Uh rock your school day. Last but not least, this
005was Friday. Uh several of our schools had a lot of exciting activities planned for Rock Your School Day. Uh these pictures take place or took place at McCutchenville Elementary and then also at Highland Elementary. I'll lift Highland for a second. Um they really did some interesting things because they included to really honor that feeder pattern. They had Central High School come down and their band was playing as students were arriving at school and they had uh members of their leadership group, athletes and other students who were there greeting the students and then they had other activities going on. You can see the central bear mascot is there, the cheerleaders. But really a great way, we love when we see our schools working together with that elementary or the middle or the high school to really
006honor that feeder pattern because we know these elementary students go home and they're excited talking about what's happening and how they got to meet people at Central High School. And it's neat for the older students to come back to their schools as well. So that really was exciting. And President Raglin, that is it for good news. >> Thank you very much in our schools. Uh it is now time for public comment and shoulders. >> Thank you, President Raglin. As we introduced this topic at the last board meeting, it is now known as a few minutes with Larry. >> Yes, famous or infamous. >> Famous. >> Yeah. Continuing on with Mr. Whitney family theme, I want to mention the Birkhard family at Bossy High School. What all they've done for Bossy. Father Shane Birkhard, head coach
007for the last 15 years, has established Mossi as a boys basketball powerhouse, has won sectionals, regionals, seate, developed division one players. Uh he's also mentored several area head coaches, which most people don't think about or know about, but I'll name you five tonight. Lamar Brown, head boys coach at Princeton. These coaches at one time were an assistant under Shane Burnhard at Bossy. Jason Roach, head coach, North Boys. Uh they both won sectionals. Mark Roar, he started at South Ridge, he won a sectional there. He's now moved to Gibson Southern. Head boys coach. He's won a sectional also at Gibson Southern. Kyle Brasher, head girls coach Gibson Southern. He won a state title two years ago. Coach number five, Burkart, Shane's son, played basketball for Boston, went to college, played basketball, returned as an assistant coach
008under his father. Uh last spring was appointed the head coach of Washington. As a side note to that, his wife was uh appointed head volleyball coach. So, several coaches mentored under Shane Birkhard. Kathy Ferris, AD at Central. She got her start at Bossy as a coach, but her her areas were track and soccer, but I'm sure she got some advice from coach Birkhard along the way. His daughter Sydney, most people don't think about her or know about her, but in 2013, she was an outstanding volleyball player at Bossy. That year, Bossy had two outstanding hitters and the outstanding setter, she was the outstanding setter. In volleyball, the setter is like a quarterback in football. They call the plays. They have to make a good pass to the hitter to complete the the spike. Uh that
009year they won a sectional. Bossy wins a sectional 2013. That was historical. First sectional ever for EVSC high school team. She later returned to Bossy as a coach for volleyball, was also a coach of Central volleyball. one of her dad's comments about hers that said she she never made a B in her life. >> Thank you Larry and President Raglin out of all the speakers we have. >> Thank you very much. We are now ready to move into consent items. Dr. Heather, >> good evening President Raglin, members of the board, we have four consent items for your consideration tonight. They are 3.01, 01 consideration of the minutes of the September 22nd, 2025 executive session regular board meeting. 3.02 Consideration of the allowance of payment that include invoices net payroll payroll obligations for a total allowance
010of payments of 12,499,35.83. 3.03 Consideration to approve the renewal agreement with CDWG for maintenance of the cooling system in the technology data center. 3.04 04 consideration to approve the permanent easement to Verizon America LLC regarding Rights High School. These consent items are presented for your approval. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion and a second have been made to accept the consent items. Are there any questions or discussion? >> I have a question on 3.04. We are selling them an easement and then we sell that to them and then we'll get better reception in our schools. We will get better reception at Writes for sure. Okay. Which is I think part of the I think that'll be welcomed by the staff there. But I don't know overall in that geographical area maybe, but certain
011it will improve for rides. >> So we're going to make money and get better reception. Usually they make you pay for that. I just got a plan and and I got money gigs. So So that's good thing. I like this. >> Any other questions? discussion. >> All right, hearing none. All in favor signify by I. >> We need to see we need to see Amy's face also. Let me go out. >> Where'd she go? Uh >> oh. >> She's not there. >> I'm here. >> Oh, I hear you. Yes. Oh, there we go. I think I see you now. Here we go. >> Sorry. Okay. I will start with President Ragland. >> Hi, >> Vice President Duckworth. >> Hi, >> Trusty Keeper. >> I >> trusty Hollingsworth. >> Hi, >> Secretary Moore. >> I >>
012and Trusty Gamblin. >> Hi. >> Oh, sorry. And >> goodness up there. >> Trusty D. >> I thank you. >> Thank you. Motion carries. We are now ready for consideration of personnel recommendations. Mr. Williams. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. Tonight's personnel recommendations include the following: resignations, termination, regular appointments, leave of absence, resignations from extra duty, appointments to extra duty, reassignments to extra duty, transfers, and after school appointments. These recommendations are presented for your approval. >> So moved. >> Second. A motion and a second have been made to accept the personnel recommendation. Are there any questions or discussion >> the termination? Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. You had your hand up. >> The uh resignation section A with the the two teachers when we see that, do they give you
013an explanation as to why >> in the termination? That's a no call, no show. Correct. >> Let me guess. cafeteria. >> It's notorious. I didn't have to look. I swear I didn't look. >> Miss Williams, I have one more question if you don't mind. So, when they are giving of course the reason explanation, are you keeping track of, you know, if there's similar foundations as to the reason why then how it can go back and I don't know if rectify would be the right answer, right? because I know everyone will resign for whatever reason, but if there's a commonality regarding one, what is it that we we can do? Because I I hate to see teachers leave, right? But I know life happens and things happen. What can we do? >> Yeah. >> And outside
014of making them stay, outside of pay and all the wonderful benefits. >> Yeah. And sometimes that is it that they're leaving for um private sector roles that we're not going to be able to compete with. >> Absolutely. um sometimes they're leaving to move out of state, different scenarios like that that we're not going to be able to control. Um but we are having those conversations and trying to establish what the common trends are across them and um working with different departments to see how we can correct that. >> Is it ever a situation where this is their first year teaching, they're going, "Man, this is a tough gig >> and I don't think I can do it." Is that ever a situation? Yes, >> cuz I could see that happening. >> Yeah. I will say
015um looking among this group they are pretty different. It's not that I can look at these and say this time it's all falling within one category and it that's not common either that it would fall within one category. We kind of find that everybody's got their own reasons for looking but yes that is absolutely a scenario that we deal with. And if I may, one more. So, piggybacking off what Tristy Kefir stated, especially with your very first year, you know, um just went through college, you're 21, 22, 23 in that young age range. How can we convey to them, right, that it's it's going to be tough, I'm sure. I'm I'm not a teacher, but of course, I've been a parent, which is totally different on the other side. But how do you convey that
016to them? just stick in there, tough it out. You know, how can we do that? Cuz again, I hate to see your first year teachers, especially if there's, you know, money involved, there's student loans, things of that nature. How can we make sure that we're giving that information to them? Yes. It's going to be tough, >> but in the end, right? >> Right. I do think um some of what plays in is their experiences that they're placed in leading up to that first permanent assignment of their own. I do think that we have really built a coaching model um that's different this year. I am probably not the best person to speak to that. I mean, we assign new teachers um coaching support and I've seen coaches this year co-eing with teachers, but teaching isn't
017it isn't easy and every day, you know, when you're responsible for that group of students every day and you're learning new curriculum and you're learning classroom management and you know, there's a there's a so much growth. I think the research says the first three years, but it's I mean any teacher in this room can tell you it's not it's not easy. >> Michelle, >> we do try to surround them with support. >> I'm just curious. No, I heard this. How many of our how many of these partic they don't have to do student teaching with us, right? Do we have a greater success rate of teachers staying if they've done their student teaching with us compared to a a different school corporation and then coming to us? Do you know? >> Um, we hire a
018much larger number of student teachers that did their experience with us. Um, I honestly I think when it comes to first year, a lot of that too is when you're hired. if you were able to go through all of our support programs that we offer in the summer um versus being a late hire. If you are >> have you licensed appropriately, have you already obtained your license? Are you working in an emergency permit? Different scenarios like that I think are playing in. Um I don't know that I could speak specifically to that, but we definitely hire more people who have had their placement with us than none. >> Thank you. questions, discussion. Uh, I think we're ready for roll call. >> I will start with President Ragland. >> Hi. >> Vice President Duckworth. >> Hi.
019>> Trusty Kefir. >> Hi. >> Trusty Hollingsworth. >> Hi. >> Secretary Moore. >> I. >> Trusty Gamblin. >> And Trusty Dere. >> I. >> Thank you. We are now ready to move into our district spotlight. Dr. Hoover tonighted to have a prek update for you. We have the principal of Culver Learn Center, Jennifer Harpenol here. And we also have counselor Hannah Cannon. We have other members of the team, but those two are update. All right. So, um, thank you for having me and, um, we are doing great things at Culver. Um, it's really exciting to see some changes that we've made. Um, real quick, just for an overview of Culver, we have, um, two district programs at Culver and one of them is a community preschool um, site and then we have the learning center.
020Um, the preschool is consists of four inclusion classrooms. Um we have three special educationonly classrooms, two developmental preschool classrooms, and we serve approximately 150 students in the preschool world at Colber. Um the learning center is a behavior-based program that houses um K through eight students. We have about 40 students right now. Um we have a life skills classroom and then four classrooms. We have a K1, a 2, three, and a four five and then a six seven eight classroom. Um, some really good things that are are happening at Culver. One of them is that we added a school counselor and then we kind of revamped our school social worker to be whole school. Instead of just separating, we're really trying to become one Culver. Um, so I have Hannah leading the pack on this. Um,
021and she can explain a couple of these items. Yeah. So, we have started a PTO. Um, we're working on getting our nonprofit status so that we'll be able to do some more things with that. Um, part of that is like our beginnings are like popcorn days. That's a big thing. Everybody loves popcorn. >> Everybody loves popcorn. >> Loves popcorn. Um, we have room parents. So, that's parents signing up to volunteer in their children's classrooms. Um, and then we're trying to do one community engagement event each month just to bring more families um into our school. Um, we have a closing clothing closet, uh, which we do giving days twice a year for that and that is open to the entire community. >> Yep. Yep. >> And then we most excitingly are starting a food pantry
022for all of our students. So, we recognized a need within our preschool population specifically because they can't receive the backpack program uh through the food bank. So, we are partnering with the food bank, Feed Evansville, and getting some grants to get that up and running. So, we're really excited about that. >> Yeah, it's it is exciting. Um, the academic piece of it, you know, we have created leadership teams both for the preschool side and then also for the learning center. Um and then we have a schoolwide leadership team that we focus on like tier one supports, interventions, making sure those are all in place and going as needed um with fidelity so that those students um scores can increase. And then preschool, we're implementing that curriculum. Um students are enjoying the hands-on learning walks and
023different things um throughout the school. And that is it. Please come join us. Please come visit us. I would love for you guys to come see it. >> Thank you for >> Thank you very much for what you do and the love that you have >> for the community. >> Yeah, it's especially that particular community and their family. So, thank you very much. My youngest son um was a product of Culver back to Evansville um in the preschool and his teacher's name and I hope I can can say the teacher's name, Miss Powers. But he had a very hard time saying P's. He would call them Miss Bower, Miss Bower. And she worked with him and she worked with him and she worked with him. And that was probably one wonderful um heart tug for
024me, you know, being a single parent and working with all three children of at different levels in their education, but Miss Powers took the time out to truly help him. And that was actually the first teacher that recommended speech therapy for him. So, I think when you have teachers that can identify and has that passion, you know, so thank you very much. Thank you. And I just like to say I had a I have a peer that her son went through the learning the culvert learning community. He has just speak glowingly of everything. So you guys are making a true difference. Thank you very much. >> One of our big goals is you know to make sure those students are ready to go on to their next educational journey whether they're going to kindergarten whether
025they're going back from TLC to their traditional school. So it it takes a village, but we've got a good village. So >> appreciate you >> for this year too. For you too. >> Y for me. >> You know, Culver has a rich history. I mean, it goes way back. I went to Culver K through five and still standing. So that's a >> There you go. I mean, >> but um there's been a lot of things happen and changes in that school and I think it's standing all the challenges thanks to folks like you all. So thank you. And I will add that my grandson attended Culver and thrived and I was really amazed at the staff and you know I sit in Cape Town just and I was just amazed at the supports that are
026there and it's helped him to excel and >> good good feel. >> Please come join us if you have time. We would love to have you >> for all you do. >> Thank you. We're now ready for our action items. And Dr. Carl, you have 609 through 603. >> Thank you, President Ryland, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. These next two items are resolutions that I'm bringing to you for approval because of our uh general obligation bond issuances. The first one um is a master continuing disclosure undertaking. Uh this is presented in connection with the issuance of our Evansville Vanderberg School Building Corporation first tax mortgage bonds. Uh this resolution authorizes the officers of the board to execute the undertaking and any necessary documents to proceed with delivery of the bonds in 2020. At
027this time I recommend your approval. >> Have approval. >> We have a motion and a second have been made to approve the 12 supplements master continuing disclosure undertaking. Is that That's correct. Right. Uh are there any questions or discussion? Hear none. We're ready for roll call. >> Okay. >> President Ragland. >> I. >> Vice President Duckworth. >> Hi. >> Trusty Kefir. >> Hi. >> Trusty Hollingsworth. >> Hi. >> Secretary Moore. >> I. >> Trusty Gamblin. >> Hi. >> And Trusty Dere. >> Thank you. And then >> motion carries. Thank you. Second uh action item this evening is the consideration of the amended and restated postisssuance compliance procedures. The original procedures were adopted in 2014 and amended again in 2019. This resolution accepts and ratifies those amended procedures and directs their inclusion in our administrative manuals
028and authorizes the designated compliance officer which is me uh to adhere to them. At this time I recommend your approval. So move >> second. >> Okay. A motion and second have been made to approve the resolution of amended and restated post issuance compliance procedure. Any questions or discussion? >> Hearing none. We are ready for roll call. >> Okay. >> President Ragland. >> I. >> Vice President Duckworth. >> Hi. >> Trusty Kefir. >> I. >> Trusty Hollingsworth. >> Hi. >> Secretary Moore. >> Hi. >> Trusty Gamblin. >> Hi. >> And Trusty Dere. I thank you. >> Thank you. And that motion carries. Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover, uh Michelle Williams, and I along with members of the Evansville Teachers Association are excited to announce that we have reached a tenative agreement and wanted to
029share just a few of the highlights of that with you this evening. This past Wednesday uh we reached a tenative agreement and in that agreement uh the compensation uh for the next two years uh was agreed upon. Uh I understand uhformational meetings are happening right now and we will be coming back to you at the next meeting uh with a a an approval but just for tonight as information. Uh this guarantees our teachers uh a $2,000 increase each year for the next two years. Our salary ranges for 25 and 26, 46,500 up to 90,200 and the following year 47,000 to 90,700. These are guaranteed base salary increases, which as you know uh around the state of Indiana is not something that's going to be very common. uh we were able to work that out uh
030and very excited to do so. These are recurring base salary increases. To sum it up, I'm just touching on a few of the highlights. We were also able to work out uh an agreement to increase uh sick leave buyback up from $70 to $100 and parental leave 15 paid days for birth, adoption, and still birth. Additional compensation. This has been on uh as part of a negotiation topic for many uh cycles. Extracurricular pay. We were able to uh increase that uh 10% and then some adjusted stipen schedules with increases uh for a few specifics as well. And these were just our guiding principles. I want to say that this entire undertaking uh was very collaborative. Uh it was the way a negotiation should work. There was give and take on both sides. Uh and we
031were able to put this together uh with these guiding principles of sustainability, fairness, and flexibility. Uh and given the pressures that public school corporations are under, uh I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish with this agreement. You know, to me, the ultimate goal here is to recognize the importance of our employees. And I think with what the hand we've been dealt, I think you've done exactly that. Appreciate that. And I hope that teachers and staff understand that we continue to look for ways that we can improve, you know, their pay scales down the road and make sure that this is a organization that they feel proud to work for. >> And we will have a vote after the uh agreement is >> there'll be a will be a public hearing at that
032time where uh testimony can be taken regard contract and then we'll ask for your permission to accept it. >> Thank you very much. >> President Rel, if I may real quick, Dr. Underwood and Miss Williams, thank you very very much. Even of course seeing the presentation again, you know me, I had to come up with just a couple of words. Um, but I see leadership, relationship, communication, respect, value, and worth. Um, so thank you. Thank you all very much. And again, thank you to the teachers. I know it's not easy, but this right here, what we're seeing, thank you. >> Yes. Thank you very much to move into information 0.1 Rick Hammond. >> Good evening, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. During the 2025 legislative session, House Enrolled Act 101 significantly revised the
033Teacher Appreciation Grant, the TAG program, including changes to the funding model and distribution requirements. Policy 3540 no longer aligns with these changes and is no longer required either. Therefore, the Office of the Chief of Staff recommends that the board resend policy 3540 to ensure alignment with current law and state guidance. EVSC will continue to participate in the TAG program. However, a board policy is no longer required by IDOE to do so. Bring this as your uh to you as information tonight and be happy to answer any questions. We'll bring this back next uh board meeting for action. >> What What will our options be? Can you can you tell us because this the 20% Dale, right? Yes, >> I'm sorry I'm losing my voice a little bit, but what what are different options that might
034be available? I'm just curious. >> Yeah, we've talked about a lot of options. Uh there IDE has issued their guidance and we looking at IDO's guidance on what TAG will be moving forward. Uh so there are options for the three tiers, options for three tiers. >> There's an option for three tiers. There's there will be a a set amount of money that is really based on the the lowest tier is 3500. If we would we can give that to more teachers if we use the 3500 than if we use the second tier which is 5,000 or the third tier which is 7500. So I imagine a a collaborative process with our teachers and certainly with um BTA if they want to be part of that discussion we would welcome that because it is difficult to
035to say you can only this can only go to a maximum of 20% of teachers. So we'll have to make decisions on um not only the criteria but even things like is it 20% of teachers across the whole district is it 20% within a building like there are decisions that will have to be made and then we have to get that approved by the state. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions discussion? >> Thank you >> very much. I'm now ready for 7.02. Thank you again, President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover, want to share with you tonight the proposed school calendar uh for the 2012627 school year. Uh so with this calendar, it has 180 days of instruction. Really looks very similar to the current calendar that we're on. One thing that uh
036was able to happen with this one because of when Memorial Day falls in 2027 on the last day of May, we were able to push the entire calendar back a week, which I think people will appreciate though like just a little more time before school starts in the summer. This does include the soft start. We always get a lot of feedback on that uh which is very positive. Also includes weekl long fall break as we've been doing now for a few years. Also very positive. of course, spring break, three built-in potential makeup days for inclement weather, and then just as we're doing this year, two staff development days, uh, one in the first semester, one in the second semester, and those we're able to accomplish because of our asynchronous options, uh, that come from the
037state of Indiana. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you. >> Uh two two months and a half of this year and it's over. >> It does look funny seeing 2026 27 school year. Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> We're now ready for 11.03. Michelle Williams and >> Good evening President Raglin, members of the board, Dr. Hoover. Tonight, I'm presenting information to you on the renewal of our employee dental insurance with dental health options by Health Resources. After a marker review, we have found Hri's proposal provides the least disruption to our network and plan design while keeping rates in line with benchmarks. We are recommending a two-year agreement effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. The agreement includes a 10 and a half% rate increase which the
038district will fully absorb through higher employer contributions for 2026 resulting in no increase to the employee rates. Rates are guaranteed for the full contract period and this adjustment follows several years of very low increases. Dental insurance continues to support employee health and well-being. The overall cost increase to the district is $162,221 funded through the operations fund. Tonight I present this as information. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have to seven report. >> All right. Tonight I am also presenting information on a proposal to engage NFP for compensation consulting. This project will allow us to review and refine the district's compensation structure through job data collection, market benchmarking, and the development of a framework that supports consistent and sustainable compensation practices across the organization. NFP will also work with HR and district leaders to
039provide tools and guidance that promote clear, consistent decision-making with attention to maintaining a responsible use of district resources. Several of our community partners in the Evansville area have engaged in FP for these same services, giving them valuable expertise and familiarity within our region. The total project cost is 49,500 funded through the operations fund. I present this as information and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. We're now ready to move into 7.05, 7.06, and 7.07. Dr. Underwood, well, 209 7.09. Thank you, President Ragland, members of the board, and Dr. Hoover. Tonight I'm bringing to you as information a recommendation to move uh our finance and HR systems uh from regional data services our current provider to boyce. Uh as you remember we started this transition just a few
040years ago as we were moving to power school we halted that uh and have remained with our current provider. uh given that time we've researched and are making our recommendation now to go to boyce system which is a recommended or a recognized leader in Indiana in finance and HR software with over 150 public school systems already uh adopted by voice. Um this will increase our capacity to do our work in HR and finance uh business office and recommending the approval uh for next time. happy to answer any questions you might have. >> Good. >> We're one of the few remaining customers of our current provider and uh this need uh this move is u definitely needed >> and this platform is more um advanced or up toate. >> Yes, it is very much so. All
041right. Have a question. In ray of training at $75,000, is that training at your discretion if whenever you think that some of your your people under your work? >> It is. It's some canned training for the uh enrollment process and then as we need it as well. >> Thank you. Is there a capacity for it as far as how many people can sign up? What's great about this transition is it is more flexible than the one that we undertook a couple of years ago. Uh and um they are converting several of our current providers right now and so they understand our current system so we'll be able to provide that support uh much better. >> Thank you. >> For just the the monthend financial items, I have August for you this evening. Uh so as
042of August 31st uh we've expended 67.09% of the education fund budget uh leaving a balance of 42,861,85630. For the operations fund we've expended 59.77% of the budget leaving a balance of 27,354,682.90. Summary of cash balances. Uh these are provided for the debt service, education, exempt, debt supper funds. Expenditure ledger summary report. This is a breakdown of expenditures by function and object code. And finally, the revenue summary report. This is a list of revenue as of o August 31st for the education operations debt service and exempt debt service funds. Happy to answer any questions about those. >> Thank you. Thank you. We are now ready to move into continued business. Dr. Hoover and schoolboard members, I can start. Uh I would like to thank again all the members of the negotiating teams both for the teamster
043contracts and agreement with our teachers. I think to be at this place in early October is a great place to be and I do agree. I wasn't I wasn't in the room, but just hearing the conversation, I do think it was a collaborative effort and that's I think that's really important for both um for both groups to come together in that way. So really proud of our team and just grateful for everyone who was involved. The second thing for me just to share is I was able to accompany a group of leaders from Evansville to Harlem um to visit the Harlem Children's Zone and it came about because we're part of the Evansville Promise neighborhood. And so we went a little trip um really right now we're in the we're in the middle of that
044$30 million grant that will go through March of 28. But we we wanted to go to learn about sustainability. we wanted to learn what they're doing, but also to have some conversations with their um how they're financing that. And so it was it was very cool to see like their mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. And they have a sort of a cradleto career approach um really ramps up at age three and continues um with very heavy involvement with families and students until um they graduate from college. And so, you know, that um it's kind of the model program for the other promise neighborhoods to kind of look to. It really started back in the 1970s with a truency prevention program and after school programming and then in the 2000s it ramped
045up to be we're going to concentrate on this one block in Harlem and see what we can do for this the students who live in this one block. and now it's over a hundred blocks of students that they're students and families that they're um providing support for. So, it was a um I think an inspiring trip for sure. The mayor went with us. We had the Welburn Foundation, UV, United Way, Cook Enterprises, um Evansville Regional Business Committee, um president was with us, Centerpoint, and Toyota. So, a big group went and I think all of us left with new ideas and um just excited for possibilities for Evansville. >> Very good. >> Anything else? Anyone? >> I I have something. Um last week um the PTAs hit a milestone with uh their book giveaway and as
046to date uh there has been given $252,000 worth of toys, learning toys and books to children in every school that has a first and second and on down. Um, thank you to all of you who really helped. Um, particularly Kim McWills, Annie Owen, Steve Sheller, um, Dr. Hoover, Janet Hollingsworth, and many, many more. All of these PTA presidents um, pitched in and helped out. They came and got books. We hit the milestone with one of our schools, uh, Highland. They took um I think $4,000 worth of stuff to their back to school bash or something. I can't remember what they called it, but they took these these learning toys and it's really enhanced uh the children's learning. I' I've heard just great stories and it's helped build our PTAs and I want you to know
047that the PTAs are the largest child advocacy group in the United States. They are a powerful powerful tool that EBSC we we really need to use them better because these people really really love their schools and they really really love children and they have done things for children that they don't even know and I just can't thank PTAs enough for all their support. Um it takes money. They their money everything about them. They've really risen to the occasion and uh God bless you if you're a PTA member. Thank you very much for all that you do. >> Thank you. >> I wanted to acknowledge the uh artwork. So if you look at that on your way out and um I don't know if we have any visiting students and audience may studying on Franklin Street.
048Well, uh, but I leave with you, uh, a quote by Eric Partaker, and I thought his name, last name was interesting for the quote. It says, "Your greatest skill isn't on your resume. It is how you show up every day. Be the person who makes things easier, not harder." And if there's nothing else to come before the board, meeting is ajourned. [Music]