001Good evening. Welcome to our school board meeting. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. At this point, we'll open up our meeting for the first opportunity for the general public to make a comment about something that's on the agenda this evening. All right. Moving on. Next, the consent agenda. Before we start this, I am going to abstain on two issues. uh one being uh in item number four, medical leave. Uh my daughter-in-law is uh leaving from maternity leave and so that would be a conflict of my interest to weigh in on that opinion. Secondly, uh in the personnel section, uh my
002son Tucker is uh joining is part of the school improvement team and we're voting on that this evening. So I will abstain on both of those. So beyond that, we have a motion to accept the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Uh any further discussion? Let me read let me read the items that are on there. Let let me just give you the consent agenda. uh is the minutes of the July 28th, 2025 regular score meeting, personnel recommendations, donation request, the treasures report for June, claims, and the consideration recommendations to approve the superintendent's annual incentive bonus. >> Just so I'm clear to you, you're going to be voting on everything but those two items. You're abstaining on just those two items. >> I'd say this is a consent agenda, so they're
003packaged together. So abstaining all together. >> Yes. >> So you can't blame me audiences. I hope not too. >> Yeah. >> Well, I have the rest of my kids and I don't all my conflicts. Uh, okay. Uh, is there a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> You did that right. I'll do it again if you want. Okay. All right. Okay. All those in favor signify by I. >> I. >> All those oppos. And there's one abstain. >> Motion passes. There you go. See, >> you you were sweating there, worried about that. >> Okay, next is an information segment and that this is something very positive. Uh discussing the committee eligibility provision, the free meals for all students, Mr. Josh Skinner. >> Welcome, Josh. >> Yeah. Well, thank you. Thank you. Like I said, this
004is my first board meeting I've been to, so bear with me here. Um, no, as soon as you'll come back, so just Yeah, I'm Josh, the food service director. Um, so >> otherwise known as Mr. >> Mr. Lunch Lady, Mr. >> The elementary kids kind of get confused by, you know, a man in the lunch lady role. So, you know, I've embraced the Mr. Lunch Lady, you know, title. So thank you. >> Um so we recently uh part or took part in the community elig eligibility provision or simply C. It's a program that um is part of the national school lunch program or the national um or the school breakfast program. We've been a part of those two programs for a long long time. Um so this is just the definition. It just allows schools
005with a high poverty rate to offer free meals for all students. Um so you know we we qualified for that. So taking advantage of that. Um this is a federally funded program so it doesn't affect anything local or state. Um it all comes from the federal on that. Um so we kind of give just goes based on our direct numbers. So those kids in our corporation that are directly certified. Um 55% of our students actually qualify into that direct um category. Um, and then they take that number, times it by a multiplier that the federal government gives us of 1.6, and that's where we get to 88% at the free claiming rate, which is a very good number to have, um, does a lot better for our program. So, the more kids that eat, um,
006just the first four days of school alone, um, comparing it to last year's first four days of school, we've served 613 more kids at breakfast and 1,17 more kids at lunch just based on those four days. Um all of last year the high school uh was doing I would say around 600 to 650 lunches a day. Um yesterday or today we hit like 790. So we're knocking on the door of 800 kids at the high school which is enormous for us. Um the uh um yeah also for food service uh we are partnering with the uh we're or we're going into the school year starting in September. We're going to be a part of the fresh fruit and vegetable program. That's another another federally funded program um that doesn't cost us anything um that we're
007going to be a part of. Um it provides a variety of f uh free fresh fruit and vegetables to children who are eligible elementary level. So for our buildings, it'll be uh K through six. So we'll be able to um do that at all, you know, four of our or three of our elementaryaries and then the intermediate school. Um, we're actually partnering with Todd Sailor at the high school culinary. Um, so his students are actually going to do the do a lot of the preparing for us and then our staff will distribute that out. So we're kind of partnering with Todd with that because then his students are allowed to uh get community service hours that go towards that. So kind of a two for one there. Um, this this program just encourages children to
008try new foods, learn about seasonal project or produce and set healthy eating habit eating habits. That's all I have. Yes, >> I guess two questions. Uh you mentioned the formula takes us to 88%. >> What number is the trigger that qualifies us? >> So, um the actual number is that 55% is actually the one. Um so the to to even be eligible to apply for it, um you have to be 25% direct. um the the like my uh person at the state would recommend against people to not do it if you're not even over 40%. Um so with us being at that 55%. So then when we get to that 88% so the claiming rates um breakfast and lunch are a little different. So we would do 88% at the uh free rate and then
00912% at the paid rate. For breakfast that is $2.94 at the free rate um 40 at the paid rate. And just for context, the average breakfast cost to do a plate is like a $120 30 is what we're looking for. So a little over double for the reimbursement for that. And then lunch, the free claiming rate is $4.69 and the paid rate is 53. So >> if this volume sustains, do we have a personnel for that volume? And then I guess the second question would be has that increased the line weights and do kids have enough time to get through the lines now? >> We haven't seen anything increasing with like the weight times um so far. I mean it's only been 4 days but we haven't seen anything that um yeah as far as
010the uh um the kids Yeah, like the kids coming through like which the high school again is our is our big one and they've got the uh the four different serving lines the kids can go through. Um, so kind of the one uh the berry basket line, it's always kind of been just like a spicy chicken sandwich or a cheeseburger or something like that. And we're uh kind of revamping that too and doing like a uh like a salad bar you like you'd see at a restaurant a day or two a week. Then doing like a build your own sub kind of giving those kids a little more freedom and flexibility to kind of make their choices that they want. >> Personnel, we're good. >> Oh, personnel. Yeah, personnel. Yeah, we're good. We haven't seen
011anything like that. So, so far >> seen a lot of positive press on social media. That that's rare that we get something positive. Um, and so it's I think people in general are are understanding and are behind this 100%. So, thank you for your >> Well, that's a great thing because we know like, you know, breakfast gives a strong foundation for our kids and in the getting a lunch every day. So, and and it it really hits home, I think, for those families that were kind of right there, you know, struggling where they don't qualify necessarily, but it's it's hard for them to either pay for school lunch and and or pack a school lunch. Um, and then also when he talks about the price of our lunches, we have to remember, I think most
012of you remember this, basically the state tells us what we can charge based on our our percentages because if you recall, we've we've had to raise them before. even though we didn't need to raise them, they made us raise them um because of some formula that they have. So again, I think that's federally driven, too. >> Federally driven, too. Yeah. So, >> these adult meal prices for lunch went up to $5.20. But I mean, again, they get the same options like the kids get. So, um something cuz we do offer versus serve. So, kids can get as little as maybe two or three items on a tray or all the way up to seven. So, they get plenty of options. And so same thing with the adult. >> Thanks, John. >> Thank you. >> And
013I think that people people I've talked to through the years, there are some people that are right at that line and they just miss it, you know, and obviously there's some stuff in this stuff where those numbers are showing that and and there's al I've had people that that are are too proud Yeah. >> to take help and and so they're again their kids are potentially suffering in some cases. So I just think I think it's great everybody can just embrace it. Um and it it's wonderful to have. So again, I appreciate your work. >> Thank you. All right. We will now open a public hearing on the matter of the superintendent's raise in her salary. Um the way this is done primarily is is Mrs. Starky is not only a superintendent, she's also administrator
014and a teacher. And so typically when there's a raise that comes to different groups, she is included in that category on her her raise. So this year's average raise to our administrative staff is $1,000. And so Mrs. Starky, we're proposing that she get that uh $1,000 a year raise on her salary. Um we're now open for any questions and comments from the board and or the public. Okay. In that case, we'll close the public hearing and move into an action item, which is the uh recommendation to approve the proposed thousand raise in superintendent salary. Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signifying by sign of I. >> I. >> All those opposed, same sign.
015>> Motion passes. Congratulations, Mrs. Turkey. >> Thank you. >> Don't spend it all in one place. Uh, next is the uh consideration and recommendation to approve the superintendent's contract extension. And I've lost my paper as to what that's to. I'm sorry. >> Essentially, it's to adding the eth 8th addendum. >> January 8th, 20, excuse me, to June 30th, 2027. >> Okay. So, we're going to extend her salary to June 2027. that paper. But anyway, uh do we have a motion to to accept that? >> So, it's only through 27. I I was thinking it was through 28. >> It's through June 30th and 28th. >> Oh, what am I reading? >> Trying to pull up this. >> I have to find my paper here. >> The nth of the 9th. >> Don't force me. >>
016Yeah. June 30th, 2028. The one in your packet only has >> paragraph three. >> Yeah, because there other one expired in 27 June 30, 2028. >> Okay. So, we're going to extend the contract through June 30th of 2028. >> Thank you. All right. Uh did we get a second on this? >> Yep. We're discussing it now. >> We need further discussion. >> What a bunch of idiots we are. Uh >> speak. >> I do. I knew I should have got my I had my paper. I couldn't find it. >> All right. All the attendants are >> I know these superintendent just hanging around and hanging around >> using Roman numerals. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Not that long. >> All right. All those in favor of extending the contract of Mrs. Starky till June
01730th, 2028 signify by sign of I. >> I. All those opposed, same sign. The motion passes. >> Okay. The next is a consideration re recommendation to join class action versus social media companies. Do I have a motion? If we don't have a motion, then I will say we are not going to uh accept this item. >> Will the action dies without motion? >> Actionize that motion. >> I will communicate to the individual that I've been communicating with about you know joining the class and just letting them know that it was declined essentially respectfully. Thanks for your work on it though. >> Yeah. Yeah. I learned a lot. >> All right. Uh, next is the consideration of recommendation for authorization to secure 2026 school buses. Um, >> I would go ahead, Greg is not here. >>
018Um, I would just go ahead and say like this is coming a month early, but because of I think as we shared information, um, we found out that um, if we wait till our normal time, the price of each bus is going up $10,000. So, by us moving forward now, we're going to save $30,000, which is critical and would be money not budgeted anyway. So, but we have to get the buses. So, that's why we're really bringing it a month early. >> How often do we need the We're buying a new special education bus? How frequently do you know? Is that every 10, 11 years? >> There's a They're on the same rotation. Yeah. >> Which is somewhat like that. 10. >> I think it's 12. as well. >> It's 12 years, but yeah. >>
019Okay. The board would like to thank Mr. Cre for staying on top of this stuff. I know that he's not here, so he would have been embarrassed. I've never seen him blush. So, I guess that's uh we're going to be So, anyway, thanks to Greg. I mean, say watching all those things come through the pipeline and picking out something that will save the school money, especially this year. That's really appreciated. All right. Um, make a motion to approve. >> Yeah. Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by sign of I. >> I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. All right. Next is the first reading on uh policy changes. U. Um, I thought since this is being recorded and people are streaming this, they may want
020to know rather than me just spin off a bunch of numbers. I'll try to give you a just a of what catery comes into these all these proposed changes to our policies are here at this at the administration building. So, you can feel free to come if something I say strikes your fancy, come on in and you can and see what those are. Okay. Uh policy 22 22 2121 it's on mandatory curriculum 2410 audio video and digital recordings and meetings 2414 reproductive health and family planning and human sexuality in instruction 2416 student privacy and parental access access to information 2461 record of IEP team meetings case conferences uh 2623 student assessment 3220.02 Sublemental payments for teachers. 5111 DE uh determination of determination of legal settlement and eligibility for enrollment of students without legal settlement in
021the corporation and proof of residency. Uh 5200 attendance 5223 release time for religious education in education and instruction. uh anti- 5517 anti-harassment 50 5517.01 1 bullying 5600 student discipline 5605 suspension expulsion of students with disabilities 5610 suspension and expulsion of students 5611 due process rights and 5771 search and seizure I might mention how this process some there's an organization called Neola that reviews our policy manuals and then makes recommendations to us about things as laws change in the state or the federal government they make suggestions to us or in cases where they has some experience with something was misunderstood or whatever. They give us recommendations what we should change in the the policies that we have. Um anyway, >> I would say just the majority of these if not all of them I believe just
022bring us in line with the newest laws that came out the legislative session. >> Right. >> So anyway, and this is our first reading, so we will not vote on these this evening, but they are available at the office. So feel free to come in and take a look at those. Next item is a discussion items and it's the discussion of transfer of 709 North 6th Street from the Loganport School Corporation to the Logan Sport Redevelopment Commission, sometimes known as the RDC. Mr. Rosie, I don't know if you want to say anything here or I can try to summarize or >> I mean, you know, I think most of the board members are fairly aware with what's what's going on, but basically, you know, many moons ago, we attempted to facilitate this transfer of the
023Sixth Street uh warehouse, which was the old vocational school, I think we called it El Tipwa back in the day, to um the LED by means of a certain statute that's created so that municipalities can move property properties around for economic development purposes. And so we utilized that uh statute. Uh the board had previously approved the transfer of the property through a resolution to LRC, Lucasport Redevelopment Commission, and u essentially we were more or less kind of waiting on LRC. I'm not saying that they were delaying, but waiting on them to kind of accept the gift, if you will. Um, and then they would repurpose that and use it to promote some economic development. And they they found a partner um or a a suitable uh company for that building or that structure. But they
024never took uh we never recorded the deed because the parties were working together. That is actually all three parties, the school corporation, LRC, and the ultimate recipient. And we there was a decision made to do some a phase one environmental study on the property just to kind of I mean I think I can use the word the letter C ya u would be the right letters um in terms of making sure that everybody was fully aware of what they were getting because it's no secret in the community that across the street there's a manufacturing plant that's been around for a long time that has um a little bit of a history of some environmental issues. Uh and so we had the phase one done uh recently and uh essentially the results of the phase one
025were pretty much what we all knew we were going to get which was that this adjacent site was contaminated. It's been you know monitored by IDM for many years now. there's ongoing testing that the site is definitely in a remediation phase and frankly maybe pretty close to being fully remediated but because we have the adjacent site um there are still I guess theoretically some questions about what if any impact did our um has it had on our site our property the school's property that is and essentially the recommendation was that we would do a couple of things before or at least in conjunction with moving the property to LRC. And one of those is is that there be some restrictive covenants on the property which kind of speak for themselves. You can't, you know, use
026it for residential purposes. You can't um you know, there are some groundwater restrictions in terms of use there, but it's in the city so that really matters much. Um and you know there would be some limitations on moving soil and things like that uh just to not disrupt the the integrity of the soil underneath it without some IDM oversight maybe is probably a way of putting it. IDM being the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The second recommendation I guess is that there may be some value in doing some vapor testing which I think is not a real surprise. This is kind of what I I kind of expected that was going to come out of this and that is just hiring a consultant to come in and stick a probe in the ground into cement
027literally um and then and take some samples and then also do some some general testing in the environment in there um to determine whether or not there's any vapor release from underneath the soil. uh and that that would then possibly, you know, depending on the outcome of that, there's really kind of two ways that could go. One is is that you're under the standards or the you're you're within standards and you don't have any remediation issues or you're not and then you got to get IDM involved. Um and so that recommendation has been made. I wouldn't say it's a recommendation that we do that as a school corporation before transferring. It's just a recommendation to the extent that whoever's assuming ownership or whoever is going to assume the assume the use of the property should
028be aware that this is something they you know that could be done from a health and safety standpoint. So, um so that's kind of where we are. There's another layer of this I don't want to get into in a public hearing just because it's complicated and I'm happy to discuss it individually with each of you um or in some other forum. But basically, this transfer is kind of stuck in neutral right now because LRC is not really wanting the property until they've done their CYA work. we're kind of maybe more eager to get rid of it because we have some difference in opinions amongst the lawyers about what needs to be done to pass it on but um I share the phase one with John Michael Price who's I think the President Bill Mike you
029can is he what is he at the LRC he's vice president I'm the president >> conflict of interest >> yeah over here >> I'm full of conflict I'm very conflicted >> yes at all times um >> so essentially what So what I've tried to do is kind of keep him kind of the buffer. They have a LRC has a procedural thing they follow that Malcolm Gerald who's a RDC member vets through anything environmentally to give them thumbs up, thumbs down recommendation, all that stuff. So I think what they will want is for John Michael to give that information to Malcolm so he can make a decision on their behalf. I think >> I kind of thought that's what he would do when I sent him the report last week. >> Yeah. That that's you LRC
030is kind of now in their response period, if you will, to our phase one. >> So, I I think that, you know, we're we're moving forward, but this we're inching forward clearly and I did reach out to another uh environmental specialist about the vapor testing. So, I do have the knowledge and the understanding of what all that means and what it'll cost to whomever decides to do it, if anyone, and I do have some opinions about how to deal with that. But, it's not really anything we need to talk about today unless you want to ask me about it or you want me to talk about it. But, that's kind of where we are. There's another layer too I don't really want to get into because it's just I don't really think unless somebody wants
031me to talk about clearance letters and things like that. I >> you know those are things that I can talk about with um with the LRC. I think the sum the summary the summary to this is really right now it's a government property we can turn back into a taxable property for the betterment of the city and some funds come to the schools from that and then you know we have done in the past with some of these properties we've had stipulations where you may say this building can never be a daycare or this building could never I can't think of some other things but there's we if we have any if we have any questions as the school corporation is thinking you know we probably we had something very similar when the the redevelopment
032commission um purchased the All Saints parking lot across the street. So, it's the old Burger Chevrolet or whatever used car lot and that church at that point had some conditions and said we don't want that there. We don't want it to be a bar, a strip club, you know, they had a whole long list of things that they did not want to have there. And so, when we bought that property to help further development downtown Loganport, they had some conditions. we probably to be safe want to make sure that we have some conditions our said you know it's it's great for manufacturing it's great for this and that kind of kind of stuff and you know in this case here I don't think we ever probably want to have it ever you know torn down
033and disturb the soil that's below you know the actual foundation or whatever so we can work that through but we've had some experience in that and Malcolm Gerald is is quite an expert he's an engineer he did a lot of work on the WSP thing for love and sport he has um you know he take these these reports like a thousand pages long and he read last last month he wrote he read three of them yeah he wrote like 3,000 he read 3,000 pages I got off easy then didn't I >> so anyway yeah >> the goal would be Malcolm will review the next couple weeks if there's anything to get back to you well before the next meeting and there's anything we need to do here next meeting would be we could execute it
034but the goal is he'd be through that next week or so >> yeah I need to talk to Greg too when he gets back he's he's involved in all this so he is >> so as it stands right now which one of the three parties would be responsible for conducting further test or paying for >> well that's the further testing question right now >> we continue to bear the burden we being the school corporation >> um primarily I think we have the interest in getting rid of it at some point and it doesn't seem like maybe LRC is quite as aggressive about wanting to bear that burden we I'm not speaking for them I'm just that's my impression from talking with, you know, frankly with Bill and and John Michael and, you know, Kelly Leman
035and, you know, that side. Um, but the, you know, there may be a point where it's like, okay, where does this end? Like, how once there's disclosure, full disclosure, which I don't think anybody's surprised about what we're learning, >> you know, where does this end? And because I think it really could go on forever, >> and we're paying the freight over there. I can tell you all the numbers on the utilities right now that were >> Did the manufacturer across the street ever actually own that property? Were they ever on that property? This is just residual from being across the street. >> Yes. >> As far as we know, they've never actually >> No, no, no, no, no, no. This is all seepage stuff. >> Yeah. And there's not even any proof that those petroleum
036products are under our building technically because there's never been any test wells there. There are only test wells in other locations around that in that neighborhood. So, you know, we're on a slab and I think it's all pro probably it's all fairly reasonable to expect that we're we probably have some petroleum based seepage under our building. But technically that's not even been determined yet. >> And when I talked to Malcolm Gerald about this, if something were later on to happen, it kind of goes back to the the manufacturers there. But there again, are they still in business? Are they, you know, I mean, there's just a whole bunch of whatifs that would what what 30 years from now be part of that. So, um, >> there's a there is a process. This is again, this
037is can go on forever. There's a process with Brownfield which Brownfield is the governmental organization that handles all the toxic sites generally. They do a lot of other things but there's a process where you can get a clearance letter from them and there's an application and there's testing and all these things that have to be done and they basically rubber stamp you with okay you're all good from a liability standpoint. you know, that process is available and maybe could be applicable here. Um, I think the big question is is just legally what do we really need? Do we need a Cadillac? Do we need a Buick? Do we need a Chevy Cavalere? You know what I mean? I'm not I'm just saying. And you know, I certainly take environmental issues seriously, but I also understand
038that full disclosure means a lot in my business. and we have a very willing ultimate recipient >> that has no doubts about the condition of the property. So that's kind of where we are with >> we can get it. >> And originally we had I think four or five local vendors that were interested in that property and they they went through a vetting process went through to see what they were going to do, what their plan was. Yeah. Yeah. >> Um so you know it's you know this town has people have desire for this thing but there are things that have some you know danger or whatever in them and I say but it's not there's nothing proved yet that's under there that so anyway the reality is and I mean this is really I
039mean this this is just a product of where we live and the history of our community. There is a large swath of real estate or in the city of Loganport that has the same conditions because of all the manufacturing plants that we've had over time. And so this isn't really unique. It's just we're trying to move it from one municipality to another and then to a private owner. see why to continue this, but the Jefferson Street lot has the sim a similar issue that LRC now owns. >> We're just trying to avoid some bumps along the road to get to the next owner. So, yeah, you're right. There are a lot of things going on in other properties, too. It's not just this one >> there. So, >> if anybody's interested in being a backup
040offer for that property, >> I have a feeling you got to find some people that are interested. You had >> four five. >> And I think one of those was looking to do some residential stuff. That's not a real good idea. >> Well, and I and probably later on in just in Malcolm General's Gerald's case, who is an expert in this stuff, >> um he was kind of pushing against that residential because of that. Um and and so you know again I mean everybody involved wants what's best for Loganport wants Loganport to be safe but I had one of these guys come talking about it and and he said you'd be hardressed not to find many properties don't have a trace of something yeah >> in the entire city. >> Problem is none of these
041groups have asked their insurance company their thoughts and I know that question is going to come up. So, we're trying to get them to the point where the consolidated unions of the world will be okay with the end product and not >> Yeah, sure. >> start this process all over. >> Okay. >> This is a bunch of red tape honestly is what it boils down to and some chain oil. >> Like chain oil. >> Quench oil if you want to be technical. >> But across the street from this manufacturer, right next to our property is residential area. >> Oh, yeah. So the the manufacturer is still across the street from residential area. >> So >> yeah and I mean in fairness they've remediated they've done a lot of remediation on that site. You know there
042were >> vaults that were emptied and I think I gave you that information. I mean like >> big time vaults underneath the ground that were emptied and there was a lot of petroleum in them. So I think they've >> been pretty um prudent about their remediation efforts. >> Okay. Sorry. >> Never know what you'll learn. >> Yeah. But you learn a lot in a school board meeting, don't you? We're always about education. All right. >> I also love >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Mr. Lunchman will be back. He You want more of this? >> Lunch lady. I'm sorry. >> You could be like Mr. Economics. Let me work on that. I think I think that would be good. It's catchy. All right, moving on uh to departmental comments. >> I have an update. >> Oh, okay.
043Mr. Starky, you are speaking for Mr. Correct. >> Yeah, he just a project update. All classrooms are operational, including their HVAC units. Temporary cooling is in place for the admin and available for the gym while the final connections are being completed for the rooftop units. Um maker space updates will begin next week. We knew that one wasn't going to be ready to start when school started, but that's okay. temporary walls in place so the rest of the library continued to be used. Um that's where the maker space is. Um the temporary walls in place in the egg area. So if you go if you go by the backside of the junior high and you see where they've cut out bricks and they put a board up every day because they're in there working, there's a
044temporary wall in there um so that they're not the kids are on the other side of that wall and they're not right there. Eventually uh a garage door and a door goes in there. That's the egg area. Then someday we'll have a greenhouse out there, too. Um, Greg said, "We've had some nice comments from teachers in their renovated spaces. Cafeteria looks really nice with the goal of three lunch shifts." It's actually a reality, right, Mr. Storm? So, it's good work. And then over fall break, uh, Mr. Skinner's crews will come in and they will do the, uh, decoration. So, it'll it'll be kind of similar to what we've got at LIS. The cool thing uh he's incorporated the actual pictures on the wall will be our actual students. So not just some they took from
045someplace. So there it's very cool. Um and then they'll have new furniture too. So that'll be great. And then um tomorrow they have another project meeting. So we'll have a another update after that. And I would I know Greg would say this too. Hats off to Greg was there. Brad Rosie was there. Mr. Storm was there. uh what did we have 10 or 12 custodians across the district that Saturday before school to make sure that building was clean and ready to go for Monday. So because if you'd have been in there on Wednesday or Thursday before you've been like you're going to have school in here it's filthy. Um but lots of hard work. So we we appreciate everybody's efforts on making that happen. >> We need to do some vapor testing in there. >>
046I got a guy two for one price. Yeah, right. We get a punch card. >> All right, that those were Mr. Correct's comments. >> I think you said temporary cooling for admin. Is that working? >> It's better than what they have. >> It would be worse. >> That mean a fan or what? >> They're actually portable air conditioners. Oh, >> okay. Those funeral home vans like >> All right. Moving on. The technology report. Mr. Fall uh school has started. We got a couple hundred tickets in the first week. So, they're just plowing through those trying to get everything out, get the kids their computers, but everything's going well. >> That's all I have. >> Getting late. >> Yes, we managed to There you go. Any questions or comments? All right, moving on to the curriculum
047report. Mrs. Rosie and Dr. D. >> Um, so in the words of Mr. Fall, school has started. Um, prek to six is rolling. Um we have already begun or some of the buildings will begin screening um for early literacy. Um we are using a program called Acadience this year. We had used MClass since 2019. The state changed that this year. So now we're using Aadience and it basically does the same thing. Um but this gives us not only do we have we actually are required to test all K to2 students in the first 90 days of school to screen for for uh dyslexia. And that test actually doubles um as an early literacy test and gives us an idea of where our students are um on their reading skills. So it's helpful. We've already started
048doing that. Um first through sixth grade has already started uh diagnostic testing in mathematics. So that gives us a baseline of where our kids are in math as well. Um, next Wednesday, um, there will be an I read update given to the state board of education and then those results will be, uh, released after that. So, it's always interesting because we're always crunching the numbers, um, trying to figure out where we are and so it'll be interesting to compare what, um, the state releases compared to what we have. Um, we have three IUK residents this year. So essentially we have three students who will be student teaching for an entire school year from IUK. Um we have one in kindergarten, we have one in fourth grade and one in chemistry at the high school. Um
049we have 18 paraprofessionals so who are working toward their degree in education. So 18 of our paras are currently um a lot of them are getting pretty close to being finished um with their degree in education which is exciting for us. One of those pair professionals is actually one of our residents this year. So that's the first time we've had that happen. So she will be finished this year. So that's exciting for us. So there's a lot going on. >> Thank you, Dr. Deal. >> In terms of secondary land, um our career center, they're still riding the high from the first day of school and the governor visit with you guys. Um with with the high school the past weekend LHS girls golf ended up winning their home invitational with a score of 354 with
050Izzy Lundy leading it for the berries shooting an 85 and she finished fifth overall. Also Loganport High School open house is taking place this Wednesday from 6:30 to 8. So all families will be welcomed in male and then there will be um opening remarks from both the high school and career center and then students and parents are able to visit meet teachers and and tour the space. One other initiative that we're doing um at the secondary level is working with a consultant and her name is Dr. Jenny French and she is an expert in secondary literacy. And so you hear about science of reading all the time, but science of reading and literacy doesn't just stop in third grade. And so what we are noticing is that there are still some gaps with our students
051in the at the secondary level. And we know that, you know, it's going to take a little bit for these third graders who are doing I read to make their way up to the junior high and high school and so forth. So we also have to fill in the gaps and build our linguistic capacity within our students at the secondary level just in general. And so Dr. Jenny French, she specializes in the science of reading for secondary students. And what's really good about her is that you know as secondary people we go to school ready to analyze and um you know look at vapor levels like right away. But we also have to be able to support our students when it comes to um literacy initiatives which also builds just better writers. And so Dr.
052Jenny, she is doing on-site visits primarily at the junior high and the academy this year. And then with the second year, we'll be onboarding our 9th grade teachers at the high school. So just to kind of give you kind of context with that, she'll be meeting with administrators for a half day in August, August 25th. Then she'll be doing some school visits. So she always comes for two days and then we have monthly admin check-ins. So the reason that I that I preview that is because the junior high we are starting to collect a lot of diagnostic data specifically with two programs. word flight which is looking at our students literacy levels and seeing if they are on track um for their grade level and then also we are looking at um math scores by
053using the program Alex which is built into our math curriculum. Um Mr. Storm also would like to publicly thank all of the custodial staff like that's always that has already been mentioned for chipping in their extra time this summer and making sure that it was ready for students. And then from the academy, they are excited about being involved in the in our new reading initiative with Dr. Jenny and they also are switching to a new platform called Courseware. And this program is an offshoot of Apex which they have been used to. But what makes this different is that it offers more electives and graduation pathways so that our students can get more um individualized instruction towards their needs and interest. All right. Questions, comments. Okay. All right. Moving on. Thank you. Moving on to Mrs.
054Starky. >> First of all, I would like to say um thank you to the board for your confidence in me in leading uh the school district and the place that I love to be at. So, um thank you. Also, I was going to say the governor's visit went extremely well. We were very thrilled. Last week was kind of legislative week. Tuesday I met with Senator Scott Baldwin who was one of the a co-authors of Senate Bill 1 and then um we had the governor and then I attended um the chambers uh meeting with um sen or congressman um Rudy Yakam. So very interesting. Um we have gotten school underway and it's been a smooth start to the school year minus the sweat bees outside the high school. Like it was You're fat, but only at
055dismissal when you're out there sweating profusely trying to get I don't know how many kids were trying to get on buses. I'm just getting the little ones transferred and but it's been it's been great. It's gone very It's gone smoothly um for the start of a school year. Last Friday, Mr. Isles and I met with Chef Ryan, who will be uh in charge of the community kitchen and and it was so exciting. Um, we remember conversations back with Becky um, Indiana Deanna when they were just writing the grant about what could be and and then he came and met with us and and and Bob just kept saying this is going to be really neat, right? >> So exciting. So, we gave him a tour. Bob gave him a great tour. The career center took
056him up to meet Mr. sailor and sailors and um it was great just the not just for the culinary kids but all our different pathways at the high school and and how this can feed into it and what we can do with the students just yet another opportunity for our kids and for the community to become involved together. Um very exciting our um SR our two SRO's that we employ. So um Officer Ferris and Officer Kpinger are very excited uh about having their cars now. So, they each have their own um police car uh which which are great. Um they've already used them just to basically, for example, Friday we had a kiddo get on an intermediate school kid get on the wrong bus and he's clear out at Adamsboro. So, Officer Kpinger meets the
057bus driver and takes the kid home. Just those kinds of things so far, which is which is great. But they're both both very appreciative. Um, and I will end uh my comments today by I got a text message from uh Melanie Lang today from the preschool and daycare and said um there's a there's a reason why God made the little ones cute. So, they're all trying to get in their routine out there. I haven't been out yet. Um, but you know, you've got infants and and toddlers and they're getting in their routine, but uh you forget, you know, where you ended the year, you forget how you start the year. So, anyway, >> it's all good. I Miles comes home. Okay. Right, Mr. Miller? Right. Must have been red day because she sent me a
058picture of all of them in red shirts. >> So, anyway, good stuff. We We did add 20 more kids out there in preschool. So, it has added to uh the chaos, if you will, especially at uh the pickup chaos in the afternoon. So, but good stuff. >> All right. Thank you. Any comments, questions? All right. Moving on to public comments. This your second opportunity to provide information. Give us your name and address. Come to the podium. No. Gosh. You guys can always make public comments, too, if you want. All right. Uh, moving on to members comments. Mrs. Bird. >> Well, uh, first of all, I'd like to thank Josh for all your work on the, um, application for the C. That's just, I mean, it's wonderful for the community. Really appreciate that. Thanks to Bob
059and everybody that was involved in the, uh, governor's visit. That's a lot for the first day. It's a lot for any day. Um, but for the first day, you guys did great um, representing what you do and the corporation. So, and it sounds like we're off to a good start. >> Maria, >> I just want to thank um M. Starky and all the administrators for a great start to the to the the new year. Um I also want to point out you mentioned the fresh fruits and vegetable. Um I just my son would not eat fruits and vegetables and he was exposed to this as a sixth grader and because you brought all this into the classroom, it was kind of cool to eat fruits and vegetables and he became hooked. But I mean, previous
060to that, and I just I just think, you know, because of everything with the C, we kind of overlook that, but the fresh fruits and vegetable program is is fantastic. Also, I'm really excited we have that. Um, I also wanted to thank Mrs. Bird. Um, I don't know everybody realizes how much work went into evaluation and and getting um everything on track. And then today, we met to talk about goals. And I get some of the credit because I've worked with her, but she's really done all the work. So, I just wanted you all to know that. No, she has. And thank you so much because uh it was a big job and your expertise has been fantastic. Thank you. >> Great. Probably ready to take on some more stuff. Probably >> Mr. H. The
061newly retired Mr. Hess. >> Well, he's he's due for new stuff, too. >> Yeah. There you go. >> Free time. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you, too, for taking care of that bit of business that takes a load off Mike. >> That's us where we need to be. Uh, welcome back to everybody officially. Now that you're in the trenches, it's easy to see who's survived and who hasn't fared too well in the first few days of school by who's not here. So, so congratulations to you who've withstood the first few days of school. And yes, thanks Mr. Isles. You did a great job on the tour. I'm so thankful that you kept Mr. Lang at a distance during that tour of the career center that that you were our spokesman and Mrs. Stark you were
062a spokesman. I was so afraid that that Mr. Lang was going to get close enough to start throwing some comments in there and I was concerned about that. But you did a great job of sort of keeping him at arms length. So, thank you for that. >> You're not wrong. >> You would not be able to deny that. That's it. >> All right, Mr. Cppy, >> I noticed how we blew right by Mike Shannon's room, the governor visit, but um hope that was strategic or not, but >> no. Uh they did a great job. I know I've repeated it three times now, but um they professionally conveyed our challenges to the governor. Some would just get, you know, you don't get anywhere with that. So they heard he but to his credit he asked. He
063let any question come at him and he's not afraid of our of us asking questions. So but they professionally did it. Yes. Thank you for for that. >> That's all I would piggyback on that. I I don't I know it's politics, but the governor said in more than one comment that he was really impressed with Loganport because he had not seen many places that had their complete act together. So you guys fooled him. Um but no, so I mean I think he he seemed very sincere. I say it's hard to tell the politician, but it seemed as this is being recorded, isn't it? Uh, but I I I was really proud to go through there and have him make comments about comments that we made about things we were doing and that kind of stuff.
064I I often times think there's an easy path that we could take. We rarely do in the school corporation. We take a harder path. And I thought of that with with Mr. Skinner's presentation this evening and about the food and stuff like that. Um, it's no secret that I sometimes work late and I often drive home. I always drive home on George Street here. And there are typically people at 1, two in the morning that are in the dumpsters down here behind Ruler Foods and and and last night was the first time I saw somebody at Little Caesars and he had a flashlight under his neck and he was opening up boxes of pizzas in the dumpster. And um and and I think about I I thought to myself, what if this guy's a parent?
065You know, I I don't know people's situations, but it it it is common for me to see people and often I feel very blessed when I drive by because I don't when people say their cupboards are empty, I don't know my cupboards ever been completely empty with not a single piece of food to eat for my kids or whatever. So anyway, this kind of a program I think is just it'd be easy to say we're too busy. Let's look at it next year. I see us in these meetings we have over and over and over again where there are teachers, administrators, um, community members that that take the harder path and do something wonderful for our kids and for our school. And so I thank you for the extra work you did and anybody else
066that helped him. And as I say, and I say if you want to if you want to reflect on that more, drive down behind the the parking lot here. I say it it just really hit me last night because I I was reading through I was talking about this kind of stuff and I thought how many how many of these people are there at night time getting food out of those dumpsters have kids and now they're guaranteed to have a breakfast and a lunch each least every day. So anyway, all right. That's all I got. Now it's times for board signatures. We are adjourned. Thank you all.