001Oh, okay. They're gonna Okay. >> Hi everyone. I'm so happy to see all the kids. It's just the best way to start a meeting. >> Um, we're going to call this meeting to order. Uh, can you call the role, please? >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> here. >> Dr. Beers, >> here. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> here. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levermore, >> yes. >> Okay, we're going to um do the pledge, but we're going to have the kids of Westwood Elementary help us. So, how are we going to do that? >> Stand and we'll come over here. >> Sure. You want to come on over too? >> All of our wonderful. >> What do I do next, guys? >> Are we ready? >> We have to stand up. >> Okay. Ready? >> Sure.
002>> Go ahead. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> That was the best pledge I've ever heard. That was so good. >> Okay. Um, are there any additions or changes to the agenda? >> Yes. On item 2025-12434, we've added two WestG Educational Foundation grants for the amount of 15,500 and500 >> for three grants. >> Okay. >> So move. >> Second. Any discussion? Call the RO, please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clay. >> Yes. Mrs. Goldman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levvenworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Okay. Okay. So, program reports and presentations. So, oh my gosh, we're getting some feedback today. Um, thank you um board
003members for being here. And today we have a special presentation and board report. Um for the next few months we will be hearing from individual buildings. Sometimes I think um while we're doing the difficult work of the board um it seems somewhat removed from the day-to-day wonderful beautiful instruction and fabulous things that our kids are doing in the buildings. And so we thought that we would bring the buildings to you because it's hard for you to go to the buildings during the day sometimes. So we thought we would bring our buildings to you. We have some of our fabulous staff members here from Westwood and um I'm I've just been hearing about all of the wonderful things going on at Westwood Elementary School and I was just so anxious to be able to brag about
004it and have our students show you themselves. So today, Mrs. Watson is going to work with her students to give us a little bit about the exciting things happening at Westwood Elementary. Perfect. Um, yes. So, we have a number of students who are going to talk to you about, um, their favorite thing that's going on in the classroom academically, literacy wise, um, which is one of the key components to our K2 building is to build strong literacy skills. Um, and that, oh gosh, microphones in me make me nervous. Um, and then they're also going to talk about just some of the different, uh, ways that we engage with our community, that we engage within our own school community. um and kind of some of their favorite aspects and parts of Westwood. Um but I'm going
005to stop talking. I'm going to introduce them and then they are going to do the ones to be able to show why their school shines um primarily because of all of them. So we will start with our kindergarten students. So if we could have um is uh Savannah Montgomery and Betty Cullis come up. They'll be our first speakers. All right. Are we ready, Betty? I'm gonna have you go first. Okay. >> Okay. >> What book do you have for us? >> Um, the three Billy Goats Gruff. >> And why did you like The Three Billy Goats Gruff? >> Because it's funny. And it's funny because the troll gets headbutted into the water off the bridge. >> And then what's this on your shirt? >> It's a golden paw. >> What are What do you get
006golden paws for? >> For being good, respectful, and responsible, and ready to learn. >> Do we get those every day or just once a week? >> Once a week. Cuz who nominates you guys? >> The teachers. >> Our teachers. >> Is there anything else golden that you guys earn? >> What about in the lunchroom? >> A golden tray. >> Uhhuh. And who wins the golden tray? >> Um the good classes that are good during the lunch times and when we're eating. >> Very. Thank you so much. You did so good. Thank you. >> You ready? >> Let's talk. Can we talk about your book and how it brings joy >> just like your middle name? >> Do you want Victoria to come up here with you? Victoria, honey, come with your sister. >> And Megan,
007if you can when you're asking questions, >> sorry. >> Okay. We've got Victoria and Savannah Montgomery. All right. So, okay. Victoria, can you tell me what book does your sister bring? >> Um, she brought Rap Tap Tap. >> Rap Tap Tap. You don't want to You want me to? Okay. So, Savannah's a little shy or sorry. Uh, yes. Savannah's a little shy. Savannah chose Rap Tap Tap as her favorite book because they bring joy to everybody through dancing. And joy is really important to her because joy is also her middle name. And so she really loved to share joy with everybody. Okay. All right. Great job, kindergarten girls. You guys are so great. Thank you so much. All right. Next up, we have our first graders. Why do I feel like this? Um, we have
008George Pora, Amelia Merith, and Lucy Shrier. first graders. >> All right, George. Oh, >> see was supposed to click. That's kindergarten. >> Okay. RBTO's the best. Once a month, the whole school gets free popcorn at lunch. We all know it's popcorn Thursday when we smell the scrumptious popcorn. Every September we have the Westwood Rock. It is fun that every lap we get a wristband. We all we also had popsicles, apples, and tattoos. My class won a prize and we got to have a tie-dye party. Last week we had the holiday shop. I got to buy presents for my family. We also got hot chocolate and candy canes. Thank you PTO for all the amazing things you do for us. >> Great job, George. All right. Well, Miss Lucy, >> Westwood students and staff have enjoyed
009the many things our PTO does for us. Some of those fun and exciting things are Fabu baskets, scholastic book fairs, and lunch with a loved one. >> Great job. I got to change the slide for you cuz you're about books. My favorite part of Wum Wisdom is the creature feature. First, I like learning about animals and their features. Next, I enjoy writing an informative paragraph. This week, we learned how to wrap up a paragraph by using a conclusion sentence. this. Oh. Um, last we really learned a lot about creature features. >> All right. Now we have our second graders who are ready to present. We have Malachi Pimmel, Savannah Monsour, and Ava Hanley. All right. Who wants to go first? Oh, wait. >> Oh, and Jameson Fistle, I'm so sorry, Jameson. Okay. I don't know.
010>> You're up at the top of my list, too. I read from the bottom up. That's my problem. Would you like to go first? >> Okay. Here. Let's turn around. We'll face this way. My favorite part, my favorite book from Wisdom is the buffalo are back because it is non-fiction and teaches us how people were trying to do what right after learning what was wrong and gave them a second chance. My family or my favorite when wisdom activity is in the vocabul vocabulary workbook. I love mystery reader because my mom picked a truthful book about life that made us all think. >> Great job, Jameson. You want to show them the book? >> Good job, Jameson. see if there's stuff to call. >> Um, my favorite book in Whitten Wisdom is A Color of His
011Own because I liked the message that it's good to be different. My favorite activity in Whitten Wisdom is the Socratic seminar because I like to I like to share my ideas and knowledge with other people. My favorite activity is working with high school students like Miss Jasmine because it's nice to have another person helping us. >> You want to show them your favorite book? Hold it up so they can see. >> My favorite book from Widden Wisdom is John Henry. I like John Henry because it is narrative non-fiction with great illustrations. My favorite word wisdom activity so far is making the timeline. I love mystery reader because my mom picked out a fun book that made us all laugh. We have a kindergarten buddy class, Miss Wolf's class. It is fun to read geodess with
012our buddies. I read to them and they read to me. It is fun to see them get better each time. The first book they read had no words. Now they can read words. Wit and wisdom. My favorite book we read is The Little Yellow Leaf. It inspired me to make a book called The Little Scarlet Leaf. I like I like when we notice and wonder about art. >> Oh gosh, that's so great. Can you show them both of those that you brought both? So, here's the book and then here's the book that she made. Great job. So, as you all know, you uh allowed us to bring the preschool back this year, which we are so still so appreciative and thankful for. Um, we did not ask them to come talk. We thought that might
013be a little much. But we did bring Miss Hess here um to represent them and to share our wonderful news with all of you that we did receive the gold rating in the step up to quality. Um, we got that news just a couple of weeks ago. So, we were really excited to be able to share all of the hard work that the preschool team is doing to ensure that all of our littlest learners are doing so great over at Westwood. And Megan, thank you. I wanted to acknowledge too, we have lots of staff members here. So, uh, Miss Hess, if you'd stand up and Mrs. Spiser, I see, and Mrs. Javoric, Mrs. Trentonelli, Mrs. Wolf Hope. Am I Did I see everyone? So, these are our staff member. Kate, I didn't say sit down.
014How dare you? So, these are some of our staff members. I That's right. But I think, you know, one of the things that I know that Megan and and our staff members wanted to convey to the board is it's one thing to adopt a curricula sitting at a table and it's quite another thing to see it live in a classroom. Um, and I think one of the things that was appealing to our team when we adopted Whiten Wisdom was the idea of real books held in hand. Um, yes. And so when I'm hearing these when I'm hearing free Billy Goats Gruff, I'm thinking trip trap trip trap right in my own head. So I just I'm grateful to the board and I think uh what's better than to hear it from our children who are
015experiencing it and the daily and I mean let alone the popcorn Thursdays. I mean noted on the calendar Thursdays at Westwood moving forward. So thank you. Yeah. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for our staff for coming tonight and most especially to our families and our children. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. It was fun to hear it from you guys. So, thank you. Thanks. >> Thank you guys. >> And you may leave, but you probably want to stay, right? No. No. >> Thanks. Good job. >> Thank you, Kate. Congratulations. You may go home and sit down. That kind of emptied the place. >> That kind of emptied out the place. >> We know how to do that. >> Yeah, >> I'm going to wait until most of them are
016out the door so that >> Yeah, >> perhaps we should just wrap it up then. >> Okay. >> Move. move to a journey, >> right? >> But it is awful fun to see all of those titles that you think about reading a some myself and some that I read with kids through the years. It's it's fun to see. >> I listen to all about the Yellow Leaf book when I was doing an observation in a fourth grade class because the kids were still talking about it. >> Two years after and I was like, "Oh my god." To get them a fourth grader to remember a book from two years ago and to talk about it and to tie it to Oh, I was like, "Stop There are some really >> I know it was really
017good. >> Yes, the kids love books. >> I know. I would I mean I'll read an ebook but if I have to but I would way rather have one in my hand for sure. >> Terry wanted to come back for more. >> She scadadled. >> Yeah. All the time. All the time. >> Okay. Great. It feels a little bit like when I put my kids to bed. Like after like it's like they're so cute, but like then you take a deep breath when all the kids are like good. Um, okay. So, we're going to move on to public remarks. Michael Kilroy, silent. >> My name is Mike Kilroy, 9465 Marshalk Run. I have a lot of little children here, so I'm going to >> can't hear you. >> We have a lot of little children
018here, so I am going to tone down my comments. Um, but it's very important to know that everybody gets report cards and it's very important to do your homework and it's very important to study hard because the school board needs to work on learning what their constituents want. The school board recently there was an election and the school board got graded. The grade was not very good. We need to work on a better master plan. Don't get nervous over there. We need to work on knowing about substitute levies. We need to work know about the roll back and not costing the taxpayers some roll back by by being greedy. We need to work on budget commissioners meetings. We need people who know their jobs. Somebody somewhere should have known about substitute levies. Somebody somewhere. It's
019not a function of shooting the messenger. It's a function of doing your homework, paying attention, listening, and trying to do the right thing. We'll go into it in more detail when we have the new board, but change is good. It's very important to have change and I hope that at some point um two of our long-term board members will retire at the top of the the game and uh have an opportunity for further change for the good of the school district. Thank you for your time. >> Noted. Okay. Uh moving on to routine items and more positive things. resolution 432 to approve routine matters of the West Local Board of Education. >> So move >> second. Any discussion? Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Clayole, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss
020Levworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Financial resolutions 433 to approve warrants for the November 2025. >> So move. Second. Sorry, I had a little brain blur for a second. Sorry. >> Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayole, >> yes. >> Resolution 434, resolution to accept donations. This will include the three donations that you have as an addendum to the uh >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Miss Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clay, >> yes. >> Resolution 435 to approve the advent
021of funds. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Call the RO, please. >> Miss Levvenworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. Resolution 436 to accept the increase and decrease in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations as noted. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. Resolution 437 to approve student activity statement of purpose and budget for the 2025 2026 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Do you want to say anything? N I mean Dr. Ben & Kasa. Sorry. >> That's okay. Ny's good. Mrs.
022Ben & Kasa works too. Um so we have an opportunity at the high school to um begin what will be a speech and debate club. We currently um will have in the second semester one person um interested in participating and we will use that as a foundation to move forward and grow the opportunity. Um we are looking at it in the middle of the year. Um so too as the interest of the student is garnering that kind of middle of the year entree point. Um but we have long wanted speech and debate, long wanted a speech and debate program and tried um we've had some attempts at it and I think um this is our best chance and so we're excited to do it. We have a volunteer um who will be leading that charge
023and and later you'll approve her volunteerism um in the agenda. But we're so grateful for the opportunity um that she'll bring um to the district. So >> we had debate at one point. >> Yes. But it's been a long time. >> Yeah. So >> like was that was like pre80s and 90s when I was here. We It's been or was it in between when I was cuz it wasn't here when I was here. >> I I I've never known it to be here. It has been >> I mean I'm just a newbie at 13 years. >> Been here too long. >> No. As said need to leave. Well, it is it's a rigorous I mean speech and debate is a rigorous programming kids. Uh there's a great deal that goes into preparing for speech and
024debate. Um but obviously the life skill um is beyond and if you've ever um been to a speech and debate um match or experience, it is something else. It is very high academically and and kids are doing really amazing things. So, I think it's a it really is a terrific opportunity for our kids. So, we're hoping that we can grow the program. >> If I'm correct, we had a a um bus driver who who worked at US and he um was the debate he was a debate coach and and uh he was really very good and quite successful and um >> you have to have the right person. Yes, absolutely. that knows it and and has an interest in >> growing it. So >> that's our hope. >> Do we um do we have speech
025as a curriculum? We do. Yes. >> As an elective. So we're we will utilize the one two and see if we can garner some interest. You know, we have we have a lot that kind of feed it academic challenge etc etc. So I think I think there is a population of students that would do well. >> Yeah, it's a very important skill. >> Yes. >> And I think one of the ones that is often the weakest when you enter the workforce in my >> career trying to debate with people who like to conflate things >> well and even just speech. >> Absolutely. speech. It's just um and it's something you can learn >> and and it is again like I've noticed in the business community it's often you know one of the weakest areas. So
026I'm glad >> yeah me too. >> It's good for our kids. Yeah. Me too. We're grateful. >> Okay. Call the roll please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Levvenworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood. >> Yes. Resolution 438 to approve a then and now certificate. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Resolution 439 is a resolution to approve appointment of a confidential administrative assistant. And if you would get it on the table, I'm happy to speak to it. So move >> second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> So we have an opportunity. Well, I
027don't know if you've looked forward into your board agenda, but there is an impending retirement. I can't believe it. And I'll talk more to that when we get there, but um we have a retirement on um at central office and currently um a member of our staff on leave. And so um we have not filled that position. This um position will fill two for now. I mean, we won't work or double. Um, but we uh will fill one in real time and then we will be short one until summertime. Um, and uh we'll have an opportunity to see what staffing looks like again at summer. Um, but this is a filling position. It is not a new position and it's actually filling two positions. So, we're under we've we've been short staffed here for a
028while and um we are glad to welcome Kristen Montag. Kristen has been with us at Westwood Elementary. She is the lead secretary at Westwood and has been for several years. I had the joy and pleasure of interviewing her for her Westwood position and hiring her as a part of that. And um this week I called uh Megan Watson and I said uh good news and bad news. Which do you want first? And she said uh lay the bad news on me. And I said uh Kristen Montag's coming to central office. And she said what's the good news? I said I just hired a superstar. Uh so uh Westwood's loss certainly as central office has gained. Kristen um is a consmate professional. um she handles and and takes great care of our families and I know
029she'll do that now at a district-wide level um and always a pleasure to find opportunities to um promote within. And so I think this is an opportunity for us and because I know the great care that Kristen has for our Westwood families, I'm pleased that she'll be able to spread the love to all of our families K12. As for Megan Watson, well, we'll get busy. Um, working to find the perfect person for Westwood. Uh, I promise you that. But, uh, right now it looks like the bad news is raining supreme in Megan's world. So, so, uh, I'm glad to introduce Kristen. She's here to say thank you to our board after the vote. Uh, so thanks Kristen for being here. Call the roll, please. >> Mrs. Kman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levvenworth, >> yes.
030>> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayole, >> yes. >> So, welcome to your new position. >> It was hard to clap. It was hard to clap. >> No, it was not. It was not hard to clap. For the record, when she when she told me the bad news, I said, "That's not bad news. That's sad news." very excited for her and proud of her next venture. But we are sad for not >> We'll share back here and there >> if you play your cards right >> resolution 440. Was that 439? 440. >> 440. >> Um is a resolution to approve certified long-term substitute assignment. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Miss Levvenworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >>
031yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Skullman Walsh, >> yes. >> Resolution 441 is a resolution to approve certified stipens for work outside of the 2526 contractual year. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> What's SUQ training? >> This is step up to quality. So this goes back to I mean, talk about stealing all of the thunder. I mean, those Westward children just they stole it all away from us. But this um step up to quality, this rating, the gold star rating is um important for us. It's important to establish our preschool drug programming. Um and this is really the work of Amy Davis, uh Megan Bellon, Jen Norman, Megan Watson, and so we're very proud of them. And of course Kate Hess, the fabulous Kate Hess, um our preschool um instructor.
032So, we are proud of their work and and grateful to them for all that is and part of the stipens that you're seeing here as a part of the preschool programming. >> Call the role, please. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Goldman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Resolution 442 is a resolution to accept a certified staff retirement. So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> This um boy, these next two are they're a little tough for Dr. Ben & Kasa. Um Mrs. Defanson was one of the very first teachers that we got to know very well at Newberry um before the transfer occurred. She was in a role um where she had access to all of the classrooms. Um and
033she was very much um a bridge I would say for me, for Amy, um in many ways for Karen about Newberry and getting to know personnel at Newberry, getting to know our Newberry students before we actually finalized the transfer of the school district. And so, um, Bernardet went from really kind of a coaching position into a classroom teaching position when she came over to West Giaga. But in many ways, she has served as um someone that I've been able to ask questions um to mitigate some of the issues as we were welcoming people from Newberry. And she was always just a very kind um resource for us as we went through. and she's one of those um individuals that you just think is kind of always going to be around. So you she emailed me
034and I had to read it a few times. I was like, "Wait a minute, what?" Um and so we will miss her. We're happy for her retirement. Um she certainly earned it, but uh we'll miss Bernardet. And so I'm I'm grateful to the help she's given me personally and to our district as that territory transfer was finalized. So, um, we wish her well, but wow, it's crazy to see it. >> So, >> but she's retiring effective March 1st. >> She is. Yes. >> Then we'll need a long-term sub. >> We think we have an idea in mind that's going to work out swimmingly, but we're not ready to bring that to you quite yet, but we're hoping to in January. >> Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >>
035yes. Miss Levworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Resolution 443 is a resolution to accept a confidential administrative assistant retirement. >> So move. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> You go first. >> Wow. You know, there are things in this world that we refer to as legends. And certainly Diane Martin would be one at West Giaga schools. Um, Diane is everyone's mother. Sometimes I close my eyes and when she's speaking it's like I'm hearing my mother, which is very disturbing, but also very, very um, rewarding and um, soothing. I will tell you Diane uh, really takes great care of people and that I think is what makes Diane incredibly special. She um I have seen people at their worst moment very very emotional um and when they run
036into Diane they feel so cared for and I think it is a very special gift that has been an enormous presence and gift at central office and even when we're having bad days she always has some silly story to tell us to make us laugh and remember what it is all about here at central office. So um I see her name here. I cannot imagine walking through the doors of WestG and not seeing Diane Martin if I'm being honest. So you can vote yes. That's fine. But until the day I see her not sitting here, it will be the day only day I believe that to be true. Um we are certainly grateful to Diane. Uh she's going to be with us until summertime. So we don't have to say goodbye now and I'm not
037going to until the bitter end until I have to. So um we are of course happy for her. Um proud for her, happy for her family of which we know she will go and spend tons of time with. But um it's a hard one to put before the board certainly. So there fine Diane, I've said it. That's all I have to say. >> She is one of those people that regardless of who you are, she's always very kind, too. Like when I got my job here, she was nice to me when I was like just a teacher. And then I registered my kids for school here and she was excited for us >> and then I became a board member and she's just the exact same. She's always just a kind kind person. So >>
038yeah, >> we're in the people business and she is a people person. >> That's so true. Yeah. So true. Okay. Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leverworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Resolution 444 is a resolution to accept a classified staff resignation. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> No. >> Call the RO, please. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Resolution 445 is a resolution to approve a classified staff appointments, pardon me, for the 2526 school year. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Call the RO. Oops. >> So, our efforts have
039been successful. >> Yes. I think we're going to have some subs in this grouping. >> Oh, that would be lovely. >> That's great. Okay. Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh? >> Yes. >> Miss Leworth? >> Yes. >> Resolution 446 is a resolution to approve a change in classified staff contracts for the 2526 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Glipel. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Skullman Walsh. >> Yes. Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Resolution 447 is a resolution to approve supplemental contracts for the 2526 school year. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Mrs.
040Slay, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. Resolution 448 as a resolution to resend service contract for the 2526 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh? >> Yes. >> Miss Levworth? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayole? >> Yes. >> Resolution 449 is a resolution to approve service contracts for the 2526 school year. >> So move. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I'm just wondering why we have a uh rescending of a person and then following immediately hiring them back again. >> They had a contract. We originally approved her with a with a contract, a paid contract, and she's
041going to be >> a volunteer and someone else is taking that contract. Mackenzie will be taking that contract. >> Call the RO, please. Oh, sorry. Are you done? Who's taking the contract? >> I believe McKenzie is taking that one. >> Second one. Yes. >> Got it. Okay. >> Call the RO, please. >> Miss Levvenworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Skullman Walsh? >> Yes. >> Resolution 450 is a resolution to approve student teaching placement for the 2526 school year. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Sherwood. >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Levworth. >> Yes. >> Resolution 455 is a resolution
042to approve the 2627 open enrollment guidelines and caps. >> So move. >> You said it's 451. >> You said, >> excuse me. Resolution 45. Those numbers. >> I am. >> Resolution 451. Pardon me. It's a resolution to approve the 2627 open enrollment guidelines and caps. Pardon me. >> So move >> second. Did you want to discuss to just because I think that there is still I think or may always be some lingering question about open enrollment and the the function of it and the fact what what we're trying to do with it because I think there are some people that still push a narrative that we are open enrolling kids because it makes us money. >> Yeah. Yes. And then also is there a change to these? >> So to >> Sure. And I don't
043I have my numbers not with me but I can speak to um open enrollment when I just for uh some ideas of history. When I arrived in 20 gosh 13 I think you had 256ish students that were and don't quote me on that but I do think it was something right around there. um students that were open and enrolled to West Giaga. Um at the time we um had there was money that you got when you open enrolled students. Um so that when students came here through open enrollment, money followed them. Um that in the course of history has changed and it is not necessarily the case. as the school board, not necessarily this board, but as boards from 2013 on, um, decided that open enrollment that they would kind of put put a cap
044on the numbers of open enrollment. I'm getting a spam call. They don't know, I guess, that I'm a superintendent. Um, excuse me. So, they put a cap uh or pardon me, the school board at the time decided that they would allow students who were currently enrolled through open enrollment to finish. We would never want to interrupt or they did not want to interrupt anyone's education that had been served at Westiaga schools, but that they would stop allowing um great numbers of open enrollment because as too as you broaden open enrollment, it impacts and implicates staffing. And so you don't ever want to really get to a point where you're hiring staff to accommodate students that aren't our students that are here for open enrollment. And so it's a tricky, you know, sticky wicket, if you
045will, in terms of balancing the number of open enrollment students that you can through your own capacity um serve well at West Giaga schools. And so just to give you a frame of reference, currently we have 25 students open enrolled at West Giaga. So through all of that time from 2013 to now, um we have allowed our students to naturally and organically roll through West Giaga school system. And then we have set numbers and limitations on caps as we have to do through open enrollment um through the uh Ohio Department of Education requirements. We have not allowed additional open enrollment numbers to come in. We still have lots of people calling and asking about open enrollment. Students, you know, families want to use us as open enrollment. Um, but we are really just phasing out
046open enrollment um as students move through our system. And so that's where the numbers are. We I believe next year will be we think roughly at 19 students that will be open enrolled. >> And go ahead. I I want to say the funding model changed as well with the new fair school funding plan, the open enrollment. We don't get that additional uh payment for that open enrolled student. We were sitting on the guarantee. So that funding mechanism went went away. >> The other comment I was going to make is that the 19 does that include the uh children of the teachers as well because that's a contractual >> that is contractually bound. Yes. >> Yeah. So, I'll say we'll more or less never get to zero open enrollment as long as we have teachers who
047bringing their kids here. >> Correct. >> That's what I was going to ask too is like can we ever have a policy where we don't have open enrollment but we do accept um teachers children for a con because it's >> yes >> that's what I thought. Okay. So, at some point we would even get to a point where we could have a policy discontinued. Okay. And I know >> and I think the way that the board has done it has been a kind and gentle approach which I've appreciated because it's um taken care of our families that are West Giaga families through choice all the way through and I think you're getting closer. I we were I hadn't looked at the numbers in isolation for a long time and and when Amy and I were
048talking about the numbers with Karen, it was I was surprised that it was going to be 19 that we were in a teens number because it hadn't been so long. >> I do think it's important that once a child starts here. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Through the >> So, we had siblings too. Yeah, >> siblings that were um and I think I don't know whether Bill or um but for a period of time it was um contiguous school districts and then and then it was um anybody. >> Correct. >> But we had the choice when we first started open enrollment that it could be just contiguous school districts >> or it could be the entire state. >> Yeah. >> There was no it was one well there were three options. No open enrollment >> contiguous
049districts or the whole state. So you couldn't pick and choose that we wanted kids from Columbus but not from Mayfield. >> No. Right. >> And we opt in to the open enrollment every April. Is it May or April? You have to sign up. I can't do that. >> I'm not sure of the timing. >> It's and we do it for the next year. >> So we do it for the for the next year so people will know. >> Call the RO please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Skullman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levvenworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Resolution 452 is a resolution to approve the second and final reading of the revised policies 2210, 2220, 2510, 2520, 5136, and rescended policies 2140, 2530, 2540,
0509143. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Okay, sure. Sorry, I was daydreaming there a little. Um, I've read these so many times and I understand why we're here, why they're so I get all that. Um, but this doesn't in any I've read them carefully. That doesn't diminish anybody's role with regard to curriculum and >> it's just a change. Some of that stuff was just not needed. It was so redundant. >> Correct. >> Right. Okay. That was more of a routine. Let's look at >> as we go through policies, we look at each one. Okay. >> Yes. These were part of the grouping. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I remember. >> Y >> and and frankly it's the way we are doing business. So it just matches the reality
051of >> our practice. >> Okay. >> And we're getting caught up on the policies now because I know you said there were a number that >> should have. >> You mean you don't want 30 policies in January? >> Well, I think we're getting we're honing in. We will have another grouping that will be the six month the typical cycle coming up. But yes, we are um I don't even think we're in a rears. I think we're literally caught up. But I will verify that with Ed Holland just to make sure I'm telling you the truth. >> We typically get one in January, a big >> grouping in January and then one in August. >> Okay. Mhm. >> And we don't have any more that were missed or whatever during that period of time. >> I
052hesitate to say that, but yes, that I know of. Correct. >> You looked and there are a lot. >> Yes. >> Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. Resolution 453 is a resolution to approve the West Yaga handbook for administrators and supervisors. >> So move second. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I think you've got a couple more dates in there to get changed like the effective date. >> That's what I was Yes. >> Okay. >> Amendment or amended date or something or >> something like that. Yeah. >> To show that >> I'm not sure that I saw anything else. That's that's minor, but >> perfect. We'll make sure it's accurate. Thank you. >>
053Call the RO, please. Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gel, >> yes. >> Resolution 454 as a resolution to approve Mcgown and Markling Company, LPA, as legal counsel. >> So, second, any discussion? >> I just have a question. We have a lot of different lawyers. What What is their special? >> Yeah, this is uh we have a case going on that we have with our insurance company. So, he's handling that insurance company claim for us that's with uh our public records request. And so, we normally it's being paid by the insurance company, but we normally don't have to put this on, but during the audit, he had to fill out a audit request form. So, there will be a bill.
054So, I wanted to have that in here. So, it's part of our Fazby 5 requirements on if there's a liability. Will we have to add them too at the organizational meeting? >> Um, I hope not, but >> We should just go ahead as a as a part of that. >> Mhm. >> But our insurance company is paying for his legal fees. >> Okay. >> Call the role, please. >> Miss Lemworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. Resolution 455 is a resolution to approve the service agreement between Safe House Preparatory and West Local Schools for the 2526 school year. So >> move second. Any discussion? >> Is this a I've never heard. Is this new? >> No, it's just
055a renewal of a contract that we have ongoing. Is there much of an increase? Same kind of fees. It's different. Okay. They're each individual and unique and >> Got it. >> You okay? >> Yeah. Okay. I think she's talking. >> Yeah. >> Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Goldman Walsh? >> Yes. >> Miss Levworth? >> Yes. Resolution 456 is a resolution to approve a service agreement addendum between ABA outreach services and Westiaga Local Schools. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. >> Miss Levworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. Resolution 457 is a resolution to approve the agreement
056for educa educational consultant services between the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center and West Local Schools for the 2526 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Yeah. Would you explain the different uh educational consultant services, educational service center, etc. >> I'm happy to. So this um actually is a consultant that we're using who is associated with North Central ESC um which is just the ESC that he happens to be associated with but he is working with us in terms of some curriculum and instruction and some data servicing um really working at looking at our curriculum looking at opportunities to scaffold and um garner access for our students. students. And um he is also working on a specialty project alongside Megan Bellon um that will individualize instruction in a um quantifiable way through
057an online platform which will allow staff to look at student need paired to standards and um look at ways to garner access for students of varied abilities. So he is building programming that will individualize instruction and serve each individual student for personalized achievement. So it's hard to quantify because he is building something new with our staff that if successful I think can um make an enormous impact on the way that we are able to serve individual needs of kids. >> The support for the students alone is like I mean from a teacher standpoint it is like that's like magic stuff there that is so helpful. Well, it can be. >> And if they pull it off, we're going to try to, you know, it's going to be something >> big special. Yeah. So, >> this
058is coordinated with the grant that the Ed Foundation um just recently put together. And when when it came to us, a teacher that's part of our um board was over. At first, she was feeling like when she read about it, um she wasn't so sold. And when she listened and heard what Megan and what he presented, she was totally blown away and said, "We should all be really looking at this and thinking and and thinking that the potential that it has." >> So the Ed Foundation is paid for this. >> So we Yeah. So this contract will be some foundational services that he provides for us along the lines of curriculum and instruction and looking at data and opportunities for us. Um the ed foundation is a level two that we probably couldn't afford and
059the ed foundation is offsetting what will become the platform for intervention and um individualizing instruction for students. So they will build the the ed foundation is um funding an opportunity to build a platform for that work. >> Is this for all students or is this for special needs? No, this is all students. all students. >> It'll be interesting to see more because honestly right now I still don't >> right now it's gate exciting. >> We would tell you what it looks like but we don't know yet. >> We're building it but it's going to >> The other challenge I have with it a little bit is that it's dated August through July and we're seeing it now. So it's like are we already doing this? >> Um >> it's like we're already doing it but
060we're kind of improving it. He's working on some foundational elements of curriculum and instruction with some of our PLC's and looking at what our data is telling us, what the needs of our students are telling us. So, he is working alongside Megan Bellon um to meet with teachers, walk them through here's what data is telling us. This is a student need areas. These are the instructional pieces that we might be missing or that we need to utilize to close the gaps for some of our learners. This is what broadband the data is telling us. Um what we want to build is something that will take generalized information about serving populations of students and help us individualize it per student and that would be the 2.0. So >> and that's this >> and what you're looking
061at is the 1.0. The ed foundation is the 2.0. >> So we're kind of approving it after the fact. >> Well, go ahead Karen. Uh the third there's a amended number two and then number three would be the ed foundation that's from November to July. So they sign they had proved it through their board in November that they would offer this service. So we would we we haven't done anything yet for until you approve it. So this is number three that's attached to that. Is that on the back? >> What about number two? >> That's services that we had already approved earlier this year. >> We already did this. Yes, we you did number two and you've added to number two. That's why it's amended. So, you approved that contract in uh beginning in August.
062>> I know it's just amended for the amount. >> Mhm. >> So, was the original contract for a shorter period of time? >> It was I don't remember the exact period. >> I think it was for the for the whole year. It was for the whole year. >> So, then >> and that's being paid out of title title funds. That's paid out paid out of federal funds. >> So, then why what's revised about it? the uh additional services, >> but that's that that's what's on the back side. >> Still confused. >> So, what's on the front side? >> There's two different contracts. >> Yeah. So, the >> number two is $15,000 dated August 1st through July 31st. Is that what we're approving? >> You're approving two contracts, >> right? I get the number three. I'm
063sorry. The number two, >> but it's this one's an is revised. Yes, it says number two revised. So we already approved some funds. >> Yes, you did. >> And this is additional >> in additional funds that we're approving to >> Thank you. >> So what what's the additional funding going towards? I mean >> so there's additional things that we so we started the work that you already approved and now we added we are proposing to add some additional things. So like math back fluency training for our teachers um with some additional rubrics that K5 would be using. So there's some additional projects as we've got to work with him. He's looked at our curriculum, looked at some of our grading practices and such and now he's saying here's the the next part. >> We're adding
064to the scope of the original. Yes. And did we know at the time when, forgive my memory, when we approved this originally, did we know that there would potentially and probably be additional funds needed to >> But we did we did we know that if it tests out, there will be new funds because I think going forward that's something we want to we want to say going forward just just so we're more clear so we know, right? You know what I mean? like that this is potentially because we're kind of really approving more >> because once you start something like this you're not going to stop in the middle >> and say oh >> none of it's good right >> you know what I mean I think it's important and at least this me personally
065think it's important to know at least what's the potential scope here what's the potential liability that we would have or incur you know just just for >> the other thing I would say is that this should be written as a uh change of scope addition rather than just a revision It should be clear on there that that um what's being added cuz from here it doesn't look like anything's being I mean it just says revised. I don't know what that means. But if you have a contract that you're delivering a certain amount of stuff and then you have a change of scope, then the the way I would look at it is a separate line item that would clearly state change of scope an additional $5,000 or whatever. That type of thing. Think about if
066you were having work done on your house and you had a remodeling job that was being done and they were pulling out a wall and all of a sudden discovered that there was all this extra hidden stuff back there. You would want a change of scope contract with them to do that extra work rather than just handing them the money. Okay. >> Call the role, please. to get out of Pam. >> Mrs. Clay. >> Uh, yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Levworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood. >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Resolution 458 as a resolution to authorize the purchase of school bus chassis and bodies from bids received through Ohio schools councils. >> So move. >> Second. Any discussion? I I just want to say, you know, I
067thought Melody did a really nice job on preparing information and also I was glad to see that we're going out for other bids or getting a more aggressive what we're not just going to take with this. You know what I mean? >> Yes. >> And we did we got some less expensive bands because of it. So I appreciate that. >> Call the RO, please. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Leel, >> yes. Resolution 459 is a resolution to approve the purchase of a nine passenger transportation van in the 2526 school year. So >> move second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Miss Leworth, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Dr. Beers, >> yes.
068>> Miss Clayool, >> yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh, >> yes. Resolution 460 is a resolution to approve the purchase of two passenger transportation vans in the 2526 school year. >> So move >> second. Any discussion? >> Just so everyone knows too, we discussed this in finance and looked into, you know, why we're getting them and the mileage and all that. So it was an extensive review of, you know, why we're >> Yes. And again, as you noted, these are contracts with a local um vendor as opposed to through the Ohio school councils because we were able to get better price when when it went out for local bidding. >> They're holding those vans. >> I'm sorry, I'm laughing at the names on the >> I'm I'm I'm I understand. >> Sorry, I'm none of those
069people. Uh call the role, please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Levvenworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood. >> Yes. >> Resolution 461 is a resolution to approve girls high school flag football as a club sport for the 2627 school year. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Call the role, please. >> Dr. Beers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clayool. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Leworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood. >> Yes. And that's for the 2526 school year, right? Because that's spring it will happen. >> I don't remember what he said in that if it's a fall sport or a spring sport. >> Spring sport. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> so 26 27 is right. 25 26
07025 spring school year 25 beginning of >> Yeah. Girl in spring. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Thank you. Did you want to vote again or are we good to call it the 2526? >> We're good. It's passed. >> Okay. Thank you. Resolution 462 is a resolution to appoint President Prom for the organizational meeting meeting in January. >> Make a motion. Right. I make a motion that Bill is the president. >> I think it's you just have to >> read the resolution. It's >> You want me to read it? >> Sure. Okay. >> That'll be better. >> All right. Be it resolved that the board of education of Westa local school district hereby appoints William Beers as president proempor for the organizational meeting of January 12th, 2026. Do we need a motion? So
071moved. >> Second discussion. Call the RO please. >> Mrs. Clayole. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh. >> Yes. >> Miss Levworth. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? >> I'll abstain. >> Good idea. Okay, we're moving on to discussion of new business, suggestions to be included on um future agenda. Um and I think I will just take this time, this this is my last meeting um to just thank everybody um here, my fellow board members. It's been a pleasure most of the time. >> Why'd you look at me when >> No, no, not your fault. Listen, I think that you sit up here, you get good at taking barbs. Um I I you know we already had one today. Um so I am I have learned so much and and this is
072coming from my life as an educator and you know I was naive when I came into this. I'm naive going out too but slightly less. Um I'm just so happy that I've been able to come back to this district that I love so much. um that I graduated from, that my kids graduated from, in a place that we still live and call home. And I'm so proud of the work that this district has done and will continue to do. Um and I'm just I'm I'm happy with what we've done. Um we've learned things because and we're not perfect. So, there are going to be things that we get wrong and and I think that our intentions are always pure because we're being led by what's best for kids. and I wouldn't do anything differently because
073it's just regret is just a silly thing. We'll just learn and move on. So, thank you everybody. I appreciate your support and getting to know you and you know, I'm happy to have been a part of this. So, that's what I have to say. Um, >> thank you >> for your leadership and for being such a good school board member. >> It was my pleasure. It was a tough two years and you did a great job. Yeah, >> it was a tough four years. You should have been here the first two. Those weren't easy either. Those were not fun. >> It seems like four years. >> Yeah, it Yeah, you just wait. Um, no, it was Yeah, it it it takes a toll, but you know, I'm always here if you guys need anything. So,
074>> good. >> We'll remember that. >> Okay. Dr. Benasa, do you have superintendent report? >> I do. Um, I wanted to uh point out just a few things for the board. Um the Chester police um as you uh allowed held their toy drive here on Saturday. It was wow. It was really something else. It was packed with people. Um I saw Jungle Terry live for the first time. It was an very exciting day until the snakes came out and then my daughter Susie and I scadaddled. We found something else to do. But um our band played, our choir sang. Um our students love Jungle Terry, they decorated cookies. Um and that was just happening on the side because the real um I think special part of that day was the giving. Um the box truck,
075the amount of toys that we were able to be collected by the police department was really something else. It was such a cool event and I was so happy that we could house it. Um, we did literally none of the work, but we were glad um to have it here and I think our students came together and saw a really awesome community event. So, I just wanted to get back to the board and thank you for the usage of the facilities. Um it it was just a really special day and I thought it went well. And um according to um Chief Young and Captain Sherwood, um they're at least telling me that it was the best donation year ever. I don't know. They might have just been saying that to make me feel good, but
076um >> Can I stand? >> Yeah, I'd love for you to Jeeoff. Yeah. >> May I approach the bench? >> Yes, you may >> approach the bench. I I I really wasn't prepared to speak. I wore a uniform, but I'm happy Chief Young and the Old Chester Police Department and our trustees. We really want to thank the school for allowing us to our location change. We could use the plaza this year where we normally had it. It was our best year according to JFS. Um if we don't bring in our donations, they can't fulfill their their needs for the kids that that really wouldn't have something to run at on Christmas. So, it means a lot to our department, means a lot to our community, and we want to say thank you to everybody for
077watching this. We really appreciate it. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> Um, along that same vein, um, this has really been a season of giving and holiday spirit around West Giaga schools. And I just wanted to point out, I don't know if you've read your newsletters, but um the buildings are um doing so many good things for families and um Lindsay just uh for an example donated 18 Thanksgiving baskets with full meals to needy families. Um the middle school sponsored a family. Um the high school um and central office sponsored some families in need. So, you know, there's just a lot of really wonderful community things happening in our schools. And I thought um around the holiday time, I just wanted to recognize the efforts um of our staff and students to give back to
078our community. And I think it's so important um in a community like West Giaga to give back because they give so much to us. So, I I'm proud of all that I've seen and um pleased to report that to the board. And then if you'll indulge me just for one minute. >> Hold, please. >> She put us on hold. >> Let's just leave. I think she just um so >> Yes. Okay. On behalf of the entire West Giaga community, we extend our deepest gratitude for the dedication and truly exceptional service of our two outgoing board members. Your four years on this board were marked by an unwavering commitment to our mission and a profound clarity of our purpose. You consistently demonstrated the highest level of integrity and professional courage, always prioritizing the well-being of the
079organization over personal comfort. Mary Michelle, you did not just serve, you strengthen our institution. Your most lasting impact comes from your commitment to constructive inquiry. You consistently ask tough questions, challenge the status quo, not out of opposition, but out of a deep-seated desire for excellence. Your dedication to our district improvement is a defining characteriz characteristic of your leadership and we're grateful for your impact. Christina, we particularly want to honor the unique qualities that made your service so invaluable. You brought straight talk and conviction to every discussion. You were never one to shy away from difficult conversation and your willingness to step up and courageously defend our mission even when it meant challenging those who disagreed is a quality we deeply admire and respect. Thank you for your fierce dedication and for always bringing your best
080most authentic self to the table. We are a better organization today because of your service. We look forward to seeing the amazing things that you do together in your next chapter. I hope that this very small token of our appreciation will remind you of the students and the families lives that you have changed and dedicated yourselves to serving as well as to our staff that you have supported. We are so very grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you both very very much. >> Appreciate that. >> Yes. I'll give you a high. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. >> She can't get rid of me. We're still together. >> I I know. We are We are still together. Who would have thought I four years ago? >> Well, I
081think >> turned that right up on its head, didn't we? >> Yes. I do think um you know, one of the things that serving in the role of assistant superintendent and then now serving as superintendent, one of the things that I have learned is um the perception of serving on a board of education is one of a monthly meeting where you come and say I and off you go. And I think the misperception I don't want to scare too perhaps of our new board members but the misperception um is that the hours and hours um of time that it takes to prepare for board meetings to understand um the financial impacts to understand the different world of education because as much as people liken it to a business education is not a business. It's a
082very standalone different thing. So, and we like to use acronyms and be very confusing to people. So, um I I just want to say that I have appreciated over the course of my career the amazing board members I've gotten to serve to know um and you two certainly have been in that particular audience for me. I I've learned a lot from you both and I've appreciated your support and um you have done a lot to serve our our students and our families and we could not be more appreciative. So, thank you so much. Truly, I mean that. >> Thank you. Um board reports. Anybody have anything to talk about? >> Yeah. Um, I guess this could have been under suggestions to be included on future agenda, but I was really thinking it more of as
083a board report when I was thinking through it because I've been thinking for the last I'll say month about the fact that the uh levy that we put on was rather clearly defeated. And as we uh heard earlier this evening that uh you know we need to understand better what the community is thinking. And when we put that on, we thought we understood what the community was thinking because we had people in the community and elsewhere in the tax commission telling us that a substitute was the right way to go. But clearly that was not the general feeling of the the public. And so I think that we've got to uh get a better understanding of what the community is thinking. And uh I know that Nancy and Amy have been out in the community
084with small groups for the last several months and developing a lot of relationship with them. But the board needs to be getting that kind of information as well and um directly I mean not just through Amy and Nancy but directly to the board members in some way. Um, I don't know exactly how that can be done. It can be through um public meeting kinds of things. It could be through surveys, although I think it's probably really hard to do surveys these days. Uh, who answers their phone to do a survey anymore? Um but somehow or other we do need to get a better pulse on the community's thinking about this before we try any more levies. Um so I would just suggest first of all discussion now as to whether anybody else is feeling the
085same way and if you've got any other suggestions. I've I've got one in mind sort of, but any other suggestions about how we um get a better understanding of community support and have the community understand what we're thinking? I mean, that's the other part of it as well is that we haven't apparently been getting our logic out well enough. Here, I'll just say this for for what it's worth as my last I'm going to say what's on my mind >> piece, right? >> Is that >> I got my information from the people that I'm around and I'm around positive people. My surround myself with people who are positive and caring and and see the future differently and that's where I got my information and and I'm not ashamed of that and I'll never be ashamed
086of that. So, was that is that everybody? Obviously, it's not. I think you're right. I think that there's an avenue to get a clearer picture. Um because I won't go into the gutter to get my information. So, we'll have to find it in a better way. That's all I'll say. >> Well, yeah. And I would agree, Bill. I mean, we we definitely need to before we do anything more with any kind of funding outside of what we currently have, we're going to have to get more. >> I can't hear you. Is is her mic on? >> It's on. >> I know your mic's on, but I'm here facing the other way. >> Well, I just agree I agree with with >> Dr. Beers that we definitely need to do to get more information from the
087public directly uh before we do any further funding recommendations of any sort and and understanding all our options. And you know, we've done some of that already in terms internally here, but um with with the finance department, but we'll we'll need to do more. I don't think I have any, you know, big idea other than the community meetings of some sort. Um I don't know how well they're attended. Um you know, we don't get very many people at board meetings. >> Well, but yeah, but community meetings are are different and we've had varying responses in the past. Sometimes we've gotten a lot of people to turn out and other times we've gotten no one to turn out, right? >> And so you you never know exactly how that is going to go. >> Um >>
088well, the two ways is to to to push and to pull, right? Yeah. we we have community meetings where we have we advertise we generally invite people in and then I guess there's also um the other way would be for us to attend uh functions and meetings and other organizations that are already taking place and and push our way in if you will and so those are options I get that we have it's going to take some planning but I think it's something we have to do >> go ahead Kathy >> well I don't want to totally disagree with do um and I think definitely we can do a much better job um of communicating with the community although our hands are somewhat tied because of what the legislature has done to us of not
089allowing board members to participate or superintendent and treasure. Um, it's difficult when you have community members who are putting at best misinformation out to the community and it's hard for the community not to buy into that when they think it's going to save them money and when our county is not helping us as well. So, I guess I'm saying that um we do need to do a better job of communication, but we also do better I mean of of hearing from the community, but we also do need to do a better job of standing up for ourselves and and for countering the negative information that is out there and that is uh being put forward. And I um you know, we could we could debate that back and forth, but I I think there were
090plenty of misinformation. >> Well, I I agree with you. I mean, I think that's part of the communication, the two-way communication includes facts, you know, giving giving information that we need to give and countering some of what was total misinformation. The problem we had that was we did do some of that. I know you did. I did. Mhm. >> They didn't I guess they didn't trust us because they didn't believe us. They believed the misinformation. >> Um so that gets back to I think the communication and developing some kind of a mechanism for having some direct communication with the public will help to foster um better relationship if you will. Um, for some reason, you know, I'm not I don't think it was our fault, but there certainly was. >> We can do better. We
091always can. And um and you know, we've got some criticism and we take it to heart and we will do better. >> Great. I guess I was going to suggest that I don't think that any of us well maybe that's overstatement but I I don't see uh professionals in communication on the board or in our central office. I mean there are people in the central office that are very good at communicating but for instance if we wanted to run a survey as just as an example we would not be the folks to do it because um our understanding of sampling size and contacting and all those other kinds of things >> is not here. We don't have that expertise. So maybe what we need to do is to get some idea as to uh some
092professional that can help us understand how to develop the right kind of communication plan. >> I mean that's that's the simplest way for me to put it. And so I was going to suggest that uh we ask Dr. Dr. Benasa and her team, whoever else is appropriate to see if they can come up with some recommendations for us on how to um find that outside professional and help us to figure out how to move forward on developing better communication. Maybe that went somewhat by the wayside, but I had suggested a group out of Columbus um year or whatever ago, but that's exactly what they do. >> And they have a fine record of helping to pass um bond issues and levies. So, we can look at them. >> And I'm sure there are other organization,
093other groups out there, but right um >> we chose not to. >> We we chose not to at that time. And I I think Kathy, you're right. We should choose to to look at them and whoever else at this point. >> Well, I because I think the scope is broader than just just getting advice on a bond or levy. I think I think that this the communication scope is broader now. I I agree with you at the time. I you know, hindsight's 2020. Maybe we should have, but um I think it doesn't hurt to talk to, you know, to get that input and to find out what's out there. But I do think we're talking about communication with with the public in general, not just >> right >> about a levy. That's very specific. >>
094The communication has to be better before we can talk about a levy. >> Yeah. >> Get the cart before the horse. The horse before the cart. >> Yeah. I think um we obviously have made it a priority area of um starting in the fall. I don't know what to call but this school year um moving forward to connect with community members in a way that's a little bit more um direct and direct access etc. And um in in that vein, I have been in communication with a group um that does some of this work. Um I hadn't looked at it or thought about it, frankly, in this way that you've presented, Dr. Beers, but I I've seen them present and talk about some things that they've a been able to do. Um and I've been
095talking with them. So, I just I mean I it's one of others I'll take a look at, but I know of one because we've been talking about something along the lines, but not exactly that. So, I know that there are organizations, there are not a lot of organizations, honestly, because I've reached out to some of my colleagues and peers across Northeast Ohio to find names for this type of work. um just as we were prioritizing it, I just wanted to have some things, you know, have a cadre of connections in case it we would need them. Um so I didn't get lots of names per se, but I do have some. And so let me let me talk to some folks and see um what is out there and what we might be able to
096to work on. >> I just had another thought. You said there aren't many uh groups that you know of right now, but >> my guess is that the people you are talking to in other schools >> are specifically thinking about those that are dealing with educational systems >> with these kinds of things. And it may be that we need to cast the net a little more broadly and find out if there are people that do these kinds of things for other either nonprofit organizations that are not schools or maybe even businesses that haven't ventured into the educational before but are doing the same type of work like finding out what customers think about products because in essence that's what we're talking about in in one way. >> I agree. >> I think that's what these
097groups do. >> Makes sense. >> Yep. We'll we'll take a look. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Um All right. We're going to make a motion to adjourn. Our um next board meeting is the tax budget hearing and organizational board meeting at 5:45 p.m. followed by the regular board meeting around 6 p.m. on Monday, January 12th, 2026 here in the board office community room. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Call the role, please. >> Mrs. Coleman Walsh? >> Yes. >> Miss Leworth? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood? >> Yes. >> Dr. Beers? Yes, >> Mrs. Clay. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much.