001Welcome everybody. Anybody online? >> Uh Christy, Newman, Megan Curley, and Samian Jamie. >> Hi. Nobody's here. All right. We'll call the meeting to order. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. So, as far as attendance tonight, all right, good evening. Mike Boswick is at superintendent training, whatever it is. And so, Craig will be representing the district. All right. With that, Kevin like to ask for consent motion for items 1.03 03 on the recommendation of the superintendent to approve the August 4th, 2025 regular board meeting agenda. >> Second. Okay. Any questions on the agenda? >> All in favor? >> Any approved? >> Any opposed? I mean, I'd like to ask I'd like to ask
002for a consent motion for item 1.04, 04 approval of the regular um board meeting minutes upon the recommendation of the superintendent to approve the July 21st, 2025 regular board meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Any question on the minutes? All in favor? >> Any opposed? So moved. So >> all right, nobody's here. No student body report tonight. With that, nobody's here to speak publicly. Administration will speak at the next meeting, is it? >> So, with that, um, I guess we're going to turn to you, Greg, on behalf of Mike Frost. >> So, Mike prepared a little a few notes for you that I can share with you on some things that have been going on since we met back in July. um you really want to focus on the administrative team and that we're really primed
003and ready to lead the uh amazing 2526 school year. Uh we have been having ongoing meetings to focus our efforts on setting a very positive tone. Uh one of the our major areas of discussion this summer has been developing and redefining our internet enabled device protocols. Um we've been intentional about involving families and students in the process. Uh we've sent out some surveys, invited some feedback, uh hosted a presentation in July. Um we had some Q&A sessions to hear concerns and provide clarity on on our policies. And then we've also created a document that outlines daily expectations um with a helpful FAQ section at the end of it just to kind of share our our process and and how things are going to work on a on a daily basis. Um, so we feel like
004we really highlighted that and we'll continue to promote it and communicate it out um, as well. I think it's starting to pick up its pace a little bit in the news um, and things like that. And I think as we get closer to the start of the school year, I think we'll get more questions and things like that. But feel like we have a pretty good plan in place K12 um, with some good things moving forward there. And our meetings went really well. We had some uh good positive comments back from the people that attended and also gave us some time to reflect on some of the things that we are doing to make sure that we tweak and retweak some things to make it better. Um so that's one thing we're looking at. Uh
005beyond that work uh we had a full day administrative retreat last uh week um where the administrative team got a chance to kind of step away from our day-to-day things um and really work on establishing us as a leadership team and where we're going. Uh we worked on some things with tightening our attendance policy. Uh we worked on some things prepping our staff for opening days and then reviewing many of the day-to-day logistical items. Um we also spent some time discussing how to improve our communication practices and uh both within our team and also across the district and communication with families. Um it also included conversation of how we want to provide consistent and meaningful updates and presentations to the board of education. Um, so I think Mike will be meeting with you guys to
006make sure that we are giving you the information you want and presenting things and and giving you that. So I know he's going to reach out to you and start working on that as well. >> Um, the conversations were very meaningful. Uh, we worked on dedicating some time to building our team as well. Um, as were a lot of new new positions and new in uh, the district here. Uh, so we explored our individual leadership styles, got to know one another on a deeper level. Um we had honest conversations um about how we're going to commit to a unified stance in our approaches and to support everyone. Um there's a strong belief among us that we will show up as a team, set the tone for the entire district. Um and that's the kind of
007foundational work that's going to help us collaborate more effectively and lead with intention um throughout the school year. Uh one of the most powerful parts of the work was uh we created a whiteboard session. He he's good with Canva. Uh so we created this nice activity that uh we had to work on Canva with but we really could scope out our our full scope of work ahead. Um we were able to categorize some things in a variety of areas, assess our systems, our needs. Um and we're going to that'll help us start shaping some timelines um to guide our actions throughout the school year. Uh that process is going to be ongoing. Um, and it's giving us a clear picture of how to move forward uh, strategically throughout this school year and and and in
008the years to come as we look at those things. At the heart of all this is culture. Uh, that's where our main focus is this year. We're committed to strengthening the culture of G GCS. Uh, just not at the leadership level, but also district districtwide. Uh, creating a more unified, inclusive, positive environment for students, staff, and families. and we're planning a number of activities and initiatives throughout the year uh to bring people together uh foster some trust and celebrate the incredible work happening across our schools. Um and we're really working on that starting now here in August with our our back to school kickoff events elementary wise and a middle school high school one that we got planned on the super event conference. So hopey that'll get momentum and and help with that culture. Um
009Mike has also spent much of July uh meeting with people one-on-one. Uh he's met with staff, community members, families. Uh he's been participating in a lot of meet and greet events. Um they're helping him learn the culture, the values, um and the hopes people have for this district. Um these conversations are going to continue into the fall, so he'll have many more of those opportunities and and continue to meet with people and make sure that he has a good understanding of of GCS and where we want to go. Um, so we're really entering the year with a clear sense of purpose, a strong foundation as a team, and a deep commitment to making Jio a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and proud to be part of something special. >> Go Blue. Yeah. >> So,
010that was his report. But if you have any questions, I can answer >> any questions for ask. You'll notice a little later in in this agenda that there is going to be a a new section called board president and board comments. Uh not so much tonight, but going forward we will we will include some additional commentary. Uh I would add just two to what Craig just said. Mike and I, Mike Fostwick and I, Superintendent Fostwick and I meet every week, every Wednesdayish and or sometimes Thursday, and we'll we pick a topic and and right now he's still I would I would characterize it. He's still drinking from the fire hose, okay, so to speak, and a lot coming at him. He's he's assessing and evaluating and and just trying to take it all in from
011that perspective. And uh so we we pick a topic. We kind of go through a variety of topics. I think you all know the topics. There's nothing of any great significance yet. We just started and we're not anywhere into a a deep conversation yet relative to district goal. So I would I would appeal to all of you to kind of start thinking about from a district perspective what do we as a board want and how do we ultimately translate that I've to the district and to the through the administration and so on. I've spent some time with Mike on what I'll I'll refer to it simply as policy deployment or goal deployment process and it's it's a way of conducting strategic planning keeping it relatively simple and at the same time being able to identify
012what are the individual goals that ultimately translate to every individual in an organization. So when the individuals understand their particular role and how it relates to the to the initiatives we want then I think we all have complete alignment and unity. So from that standpoint we're just starting that conversation but more to follow on that. So that's kind of the next big topic. We did talk a fair amount and Craig touched on it about communication internal and external and what's the best way for us to reach the various constituencies throughout our community both from a format as well as the content perspective. Maybe you can elaborate a little bit. I think I don't know if I have this completed. You you I mean the principles will be providing is it monthly? Yeah. And then Mike
013will be working on something quarterly. Is that fair? >> No, I think the plan is as far as we can, we'll push something out from a building level like um either at the very end of a month or the beginning of the month and then when he pushes something out be more like the middle of the month. Um right. So it won't be like backtoback emails notifications. So it'll be like a couple weeks in between um notification and things like that. So that's the plan is to try to do it more that way. Okay. Craig, when you and Christie do that, you have your monthly um I don't have access to that on parent square. I was just hoping that the board could also >> Yeah. >> That way we can sit the phone on
014the bill. >> For sure. Yeah. >> Is that something we talked to John Health about? >> Yep. We'll get this set up. I I know we have done this and and I don't know why, but it seems like periodically we're at it and then we're kicked out. >> Yeah. >> So, for some reason, we need to just get in there and stay in there. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think what's happening is you're in the district. So if we send something out K12 districtwide, you get it. But if we send something out specifically through either the middle school, high school, I'll make sure you're not connected to one of those groups in there. So we'll make sure that you get added there. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> All right. Um >> thank you. Yep. new
015format. So I'm trying to follow this here. Do >> you want community relations? >> So let let me let me kind of look at this again. Come back just a Okay. Committee reports. Um audit finance tonight or not? >> We have not met. >> Okay. >> We'll hopefully meet. >> Okay. >> Probably in September, I mean. >> All right. I thought they were going to have going to have one tonight, but I guess not. >> That's not here. >> Okay. All right. So, next meeting or thereabouts, right, Kevin? >> Anything on policy? Just the secondary reading is going through for the internet and device policy started second reading. We don't have any um significant changes or concerns and it'll go for vote of acceptance at the 18th meeting. Now my understand you were at the
016public session. Was there anything brought up at the public session that would alter the policy? >> Um no no not really policy. Only question basically is you know I mean how if my child has a medical condition and so on so forth how do we you know access that or monitor it like some stuff is monitored via phone and Craig answered those questions. What kind of a good that is permissible and it's the work with each student individually that has a need just this the family needs to bring the need forward so we better address >> okay >> yeah that was the biggest concern I think >> yeah yeah I don't think there's anything from a policy standpoint that would be changed but I mean it's more if anything needs to be tweaked and changed
017it's more daily practices of how we address certain situations or instances thank you >> on the um on that policy where it says at the very end of it um that it if someone violates the policy that they it does not mean um suspension, right? Do we do you have a plan of what it does mean if they violate it? Is that not going in the policy? >> So, that won't be in the policy per se, but we have a we have a um our daily expectations. So, okay. If they do violate it, there's the first time they violate, the second time they violate, the third time, and so on. So there's things worked out. Um, so the first time is the phone's taken away, um, kept in the office, student get it at the
018end of the day. The second time a parent would need to come in and get it. >> Um, and then the third time would be more of a whether it's a five week, you turn your phone in when you come in in the morning, get it in a day, >> and work through there. There are consequences given like lunch intentions and things like that but there would be no suspensions related to the cell phone violations. The suspensions would be related to insubordination and refusal. >> The other thing I would characterize is is board sets policy district sets procedures. >> Right. I just so to make sure you outline the procedures which is good. >> All right. Um Megan's not here. Are you anything on GC? >> Nope. We're all good. Okay. All right. Personnel under
019personnel like to ask for consent motion for 8.02 through 8.18. So motion made and seconded. Any before I speak any questions on any of the personnel items? I just had one about the volunteers. Um, one of the volunteers, their um, CPR is expired. I'm I'm just assuming that everyone once will be current before they start. >> Yes. Yep. >> So, a couple of resignations that we did look deeply into and and you know, understand. So with some regrets to the teachers who are resigning for variety of personal reasons, nothing related to anything that we need to be concerned about, but you know certainly missed them and uh appreciate their service when they were here. >> Can I just ask um at least at the middle high school level, how many more positions are open that
020you need to fill before school serve? >> Yep. Uh we have a we have 1.5 foreign language left to fill which we just posted last week once we got the resolution. Um and then we have three teaching assistant positions. So teaching wise we're pretty good because the TAS is another important aspect of our school always working on some interviews today. So hopefully we'll we'll have some people that Yep. Just a comment on the the foreign language. Does it affect us starting September? >> Um, it could if we don't find somebody or if we don't hire them to the 18th and a school district decides to keep them 30 days, it could impact below that if they're at another school. But, uh, >> is there a plan for what that would entail? Because we know that's
021a tough position. >> Yep. Um, we're hopeful we'll have somebody. Um, if not, we'll make sure that we have someone in place to start the school year and that class have in place to make it start smooth. All right. Thank you, Scott. >> And made second. All in favor? >> Any oppos? So, new business, new business to ask for a consent motion for 9.02 through 9.13. I hear a second. >> I just would second. >> The uh the only thing I would add is at some point we start including not to exceed for consulting. With that said, uh any questions on any of the new business items? These are health and wellness. some any question on the cost of some of the transportation significant >> so for the transportation contracts the way that we do
022it is we have every single run that we could possibly need for our special ed students approved um just in case the district is not able to transport those kids right now we are only going to be contracting out four of those runs um four of them are going to be inhouse >> okay >> this So there is there >> and also um the Leavonia and candidate were payments for special education needs. I could ask you check. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Seconded. Any all in favor? >> Any opposed? So, um, under the business office, I'd like to ask for a consent motion for items 10.02 and 10.03. Thanks, Lawrence. Thanks, Rake. Normally, I would ask the finance audit if you are comfortable, but all right, we're good so far.
023All right. All right. Any questions on any of these. All in favor? >> Any opposed? So moved. Okay. Don't think there's any old business at this point. Right. We'll do the board president's report starting in September. No executive sessions. Okay. So adjournment uh motion to adjourn the board meeting at 7:21 p.m. made second and all in favor. Any post? So moved. Okay. Thank you everybody. >> Quiet meeting. spectating once uh school year starts.