001to our monthly board of education meeting. At this time, I would like to call up Mr. Keer and student leaders from Indian Creek Elementary to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> All right, thank you for having us this evening. We'll get things started. I have three representatives this evening. I have Mina Sloan, sixth grader, uh, basketball rebounding machine and front office assistant right here. And then I have Isabella. Uh, Isabella is in second grade in our dual language program. And then I have Benjamin Lopez. Benjamin was one of our first students to be able to run and operate both the 3D printer and the laser cutter all by himself. So I wanted them to represent Indian Creek tonight. So I'm going to hand it over to them for the pledge of allegiance. I
002aliance 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. >> Thank you, Indian Creek. Well done. >> At this time, we'll move on to our recognitions. 2.1 Superintendent and Above and Beyond awards, Miss Johnson. Good evening, Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board. We are so proud to recognize two above and beyond staff members from Lawrence Township Schools. Tonight, we have with us Shantaa Honeyut. if she could come forward. >> Congratulations to Shantaa Honeyut, CIS family liaison at Mary Castle for being selected to receive the above and beyond award. Shantae is the heart of Mary Castle. Beyond her CIS family liaison role, she builds community, supports families, and brings Dr. BL's vision to life,
003most notably through our annual school family community Thanksgiving lunchon. She partners closely with PFO, serves as our cheer coach, and helped launch our recreational volleyball club. Shanta shows up for students and staff both in and out of school. Always going the extra mile. She is truly MEC through and through and exemplifies what it means to serve with passion, purpose, and heart. We are honored to present Shantaa Honey with the Above and Beyond award. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. Thank you. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Next we have Marvel Ramos. Mel Ramos is a retired teacher, but she's been serving at Mary Castle, and we are glad that you are receiving the above and beyond award. Mel Ramos, who has gone above and beyond to support Mary Castle twice, stepping in to stabilize one of our bilingual high ability classrooms when
004teachers departed in both first and second grade. She has been steady, trusted presence, ensuring high quality instruction and a warm and structured classroom culture where students continue to thrive. Students adore Mrs. Ramos and our staff does too. Her deep expertise in dual language education has also strengthened our teachers, especially those still growing in this area. If she weren't retired, we would hire her full-time again without having We're honored to present you with the above and beyond awards. All right. Thank you, please. Two, three, >> both of our stars have their cast with them. Mel Ramos, will you have your stand up. And Shante Honey, your family, thank you for supporting me. >> Introduce it. >> And next we have Dr. Emily Hosbron as she introduces our star elementary students. >> Good evening, President Norman, Dr.
005Smith, members of the board. But I'm so pleased to bring to you tonight the winners of our district elementary robotics competition. Yes. Now, we have several two categories we're going to be uh honoring tonight. The first award is the excellence award. And I'm going to invite Mr. Kevin Keer from Indian Creek to introduce his team of awardwinning students. >> All right. Once again, thank you for having us. Uh tonight with us winning the excellence award at this year's league championships is Quinn Keer. Quinn, head on up. Leah Barn, head on up. >> And unable to be with us tonight is Laniah Goodman and our coach uh Mr. Seenor East. on each side. >> There we go. Now, if you've been to a robotics competition, you understand that there will actually be two teamwork award winners.
006The way robotics works, two teams work together to get the highest score of the competition. And so, to start with one of our two teamwork awards, I'm going to ask Miss Franklin from Scalest Elementary to introduce her team. Good evening. We have Sebastian Kendall, Nicholas Gudro, Harrison Miller, >> Piper Mccan, >> Austin Morris, and our amazing coach Dave Schaefer. >> You guys on each side this side, get right behind you guys right there. Come in here. >> Right there. Down a little bit more. Look. >> Perfect. >> Look. All right, test looks good. >> Happy birthday. >> Thank you. THANKS. >> And to introduce the counterpart to their teamwork on the other side of the teamwork award, I bring Mr. Yearwood from Forest Glenn Elementary to introduce his team. >> Everyone, I'm very proud to
007introduce to you these Robo Pumas. Their team name is the Duncan Ducks. Mr. Kyl Kyler whe Medina, Xander Price, Connor Christ, a fabulous coach and STEM teacher, Miss Anne Club. Congratulations. Congratulations. All right, boys. Take one step back. >> You're good. I want to take one little step. >> And now I need you to take step to your >> There we go. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Right here. One, two, three. Get in there. Get back behind you. Take the picture. >> Got it. CONGRATULATIONS. >> And to continue with student recognitions tonight, our chief of secondary education, Dr. Crystal Thorp. Good evening, board president, Mrs. Amy Norman, Superintendent Dr. Smith, and members of the board. MSy of Lawrence Township has a long-standing excellence, a long-standing tradition in excellence in the arts. Tonight,
008we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our secondary schools in the performing arts. The criterion for individual recognition includes excelling in competitions such as all state ensembles, all regional ensembles, um the Indianapolis Symphonic Orchestra side by side, just to name a few. So, we are going to take pictures after the names are read. So, tonight we do uh have Bzer Middle School will be represented by Miss Lano, orchestra teacher. So, come stand by me, please. Then we'll have Fall Creek Valley Middle School read by Mr. McGarero, principal. Lawrence North will be presented by Miss Mezer, orchestra teacher going after Lawrence Central, which will be presented by Miss Kayla Smith. So, I have Miss Good evening. Um, our first uh recognized student from Belzer is Emma Herrera for participating in the Indiana ATA Central All Region Orchestra
009playing the bass. Our next student is uh Leana John Lewis uh who also participated in the INA Central All Region Orchestra playing the cello. Um next is Amari Kimble for participating in the Indiana ATA Central All Region Orchestra playing the cello. Our next student is Natalie Mory for participating in the Inasta Central All Region Orchestra um playing the viola. And our next student is Jackie Ooa for participating in the Indiana ASA Central All Region Orchestra playing the violin. And then we have uh Genesis Perdomo Ellis for also participating in central all region orchestra playing the violin. And our final student who participated was Nvea Wilson in the Indiana AA Indiana Asta central all region orchestra playing the bass. So those are our students from Beler. There you go. Perfect. >> Got it. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >>
010Good evening. Thank you again for recognizing our outstanding musicians from Fall Creek Valley. Uh we will start with the students that participated in the all region honor band. >> First is Morgan Ellson playing the French horn. Next we have Sergey playing the tener sachs. We also have Griffin Schwitzer played the bass clarinet. Noah Short playing the alto sachs. >> Elise Taylor playing the trombone. Our next group of students will be recognizing who participated in the all region honor orchestra. >> First is Jennifer Bartlett playing the violin. Next is Emily Bulock playing the cello. >> Next we have Angelene Espinosa Garcia playing the viola. Next we have Brunwin Height playing the violin. >> Penelopey Holtz also playing the violin. Ashley Lenerys Pinto playing the double bass. Maxwell Murphy playing the viola. CONGRATULATIONS, >> Jacqueline Till playing
011the cello. >> And representing our outstanding performing arts staff is Miss Amanda Kamacho, our orchestra director. >> Ladies and gentlemen, two in the back. Come on back. Come back here. You over here ladies in the middle. >> Actually, I need him to step out just a little bit. Bring it down just a little bit. Second row. We're looking good, guys. You guys take one step back. Just back a little bit. There we go. >> Perfect. Will you take one small step to your >> Perfect. All right. One, two, three. One, two, three. One more time. >> All right. Freeze. Don't go anywhere. Parents go quick. >> Here they go. CONGRATULATIONS. All right. Cool. Thank you, sir. big. >> Hello. Thank you so much again for recognizing our performing arts students and for all of your
012support of our programs. Today we are recognizing um from Lauren Central Oliver Heyman. He was in the All State orchestra playing the French horn. Samuel Cover also all state orchestra um alternate in French horn. Dominic Morgan, a junior all state in the trumpet. Uh we have Alex Aia Hernandez um was in the all region orchestra playing violin and Hungi Leu uh in all state orchestra. Oh sorry all region orchestra in the violin. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> The middle man, you come on one side. >> Yeah, you front >> and we'll just come up front. We just all step up forward. Just all take a step up. >> I can't step up. >> But then we need then we need Dr. Mullen to come forward, too. You guys have created kind of a second row. >>
013He's going to keep this forever. >> All right. >> That's right. >> Hope you guys are all doing whatever. It's okay. >> Wildats probably in the same spot. >> Hello, I'm Lori Mezer. I'm the orchestra teacher at Lawrence North High School and I have three students to recognize for participating in the Indiana High School All Region Orchestra. Unfortunately, none of them are here, so it's just me. Uh the first is Christine Fox, who played violin. uh Ruth Barbara Bonitz who also played violin and Annabelle Keith who played bass. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Thanks so much. >> That's right. >> Performing arts. Absolutely. One, two, three. Two, three. >> One more time. >> We're done. >> All right. Congratulations again to all of our award winners and thank you coaches, teachers, and parents for all you do
014moving into our information items 3.1 blue ribbon updates with Dr. Nesbbit. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the board, Dr. Smith, let's jump into the blue ribbon phase two. Uh similar slide you've seen here in recent meetings. McKenzie, uh our design work continues there. We're honing in on that. Craig Academy continues to move along. We'll look at some pictures of that. And then our CLA classroom additions of course at Crest View, Forest Glenn, and Mary Castle. Um, as we talked about before, the chillers are going in at Weininger Ridge and Weining Ridge LC and ELC Mary Castle. And then we're gearing up for our other work here this summer. In fact, we have a meeting later this week with the principles to go over the summer work for our guaranteed energy savings. Let's take a
015look at some pictures. Crest View, there's a look from the outside and then as you walk into the building and that's a bathroom there on the right, believe it or not, you can see the plumbing down there. And then here's a look down the main corridor. And that's one of the four classrooms. Uh, pretty similar looking most of them. One of them is a little larger. That's some music room that's going to be a little bit bigger than the others. And then Forest Glenn, we have the sheathing there, the outside. If you drove by here in the last week, you've seen the roofing going on. I don't think I got a picture of that on this day, but we do have roofing going on. And I think I have a few more pictures from inside
016there. Yeah, you can see the structure coming along. And you can really make out the six rooms in there. Now, Mary Castle, we could we could have class in there this week if we wanted to just about. Uh we actually have inspection going on um Wednesday um for occupancy. Uh but we're we're pretty well just about wrapped up. That's last week. You can see there is a kitchen sink still sitting there. Uh but you we're just about done uh with Mary Castle. So well ahead of schedule. Very excited for that. And that's going to be nice to have that one done uh as we go in Craig Academy. There's the PD room. Uh so that's where the old stage was. Um and that's where that's going to be a big stairwell there now. So that's
017on the picture on the left. That is on the main level, the PD room. And then the picture on the right is looking down uh from the top floor and that's the the hole that's currently in the PD room ceiling. That's they cut the deck out and that's where the large stairwell will go out and that will look out into the gymnasium. As you go down, you can see there at the bottom picture, they see that hard hat. Boy, did that guy. And we each gave ourselves a scare cuz here I am leaning out to get a picture and here he is 20t up in the air painting the window well. So, uh that was funny. But um anyway, that's that's the gymnasium's wrapping up painting there. And uh that's the blue ribbon phase two.
018>> Thank you, Dr. Nes, but board. Any questions or comments on the blue ribbon updates? >> Miss Lawrence. >> Oh, Miss Dun. I just wanted to extend my gratitude to Dana for ensuring that the families I saw because of the renovations that are being done at Craig Academy that the sharing place has moved locations and um just really feel like you guys have done an extraordinary job of making sure that the community is aware of that move. So just want to make sure again on this forum that we're able to share that that's moving to a church. Is that correct? >> Yes, temporarily. >> Temporarily until May 25th is what is that what I saw or sometime in May? Yes. The end of the school year. >> So, just thank you so much for that
019communication and for making sure that we can still serve um the students and families of Lawrence Township. Much appreciated. >> Thank you, Miss Lawrence. >> And not just our families. Um, I just wanted to commend all of the work that's going on because I know we've had lots of snow, we've had lots of ice, we've had lots of setbacks and yet we are still ahead in some of our elementary schools according to what we heard in our last work session. I just wanted to clarify, Dr. Nes, for anybody who's wondering why we're not moving folks into classrooms. We had talked about this in our work session, but just for the record, could you explain? >> Sure. Mary Cast will be the one that we would be able to, but during any construction project, we really
020try our best not to move a teacher more than one time. Um, and the teachers that are currently in the portables are not bound for those new rooms. They're actually going elsewhere than people that are elsewhere are going into those rooms. >> I'm sure teachers are very >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments, board? Um, I did get a question from a constituent. They were ask inquiring um what grade levels will be moving into the addition at Forest Glenn or if it has been decided. >> The the the rooms are designed with bathrooms in them so that we could handle kindergarteners or the lower level grades in there. Um, and then I I have the luxury of usually let letting other people uh assign them. I I sometimes joke I I'll I'll get it
021built for you and then you can decide what you do with it. Yes. >> Okay. So, turn them to the building principal for clarifying questions. >> All right. Thank you for that. >> You're welcome. >> All right. >> If there are no other questions, we will move on to 3.2 2026 budget tax rate update with Mr. Miles. >> Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, Dr. Smith, members of the board. Uh, at this time of the year, we bring back the final budget order. Uh once that is ironed out from the state, we typically receive that right around the first of the year and then there's a few weeks that it takes to uh uh process and and confirm that. Once we get clearance back from the state to release that, then we do so. And
022that's what we're doing here tonight. Um we'll share that in three different slides. Uh the first one is uh revolves around the actual budget. This is the amount that we um are legally have authority to spend in each of the funds. uh would highlight at the bottom of the slide our assessed valuation. That's the the cumulative value of the real estate in our township. Um and it's always good to see that increasing. Uh not every uh location in the state, school district in the state has that and we have a great strong uh total assessed valuation over 7 billion dollars in total assessed valuation. Um it increased uh by 6.8% 8% this year. And then there's a second uh AV rate and that is for our referendum as that's exempt from our property tax caps.
023That that number is a little higher and um is just over 8 billion um at this time and increased by 7.7% this year. Those are great things that that helps to keep our tax rate down. Um, again, back here on this first slide, you can see the actual budget from 2025, the advertised budget that was approved by the board back in the fall, uh, for 26. Um, and then to the far right, you'll see where the actual budget came in, uh, across our education fund, debt service, uh, retirement, uh, pension bond funds, our referendum, and our operations fund. So, this first slide has to do again with the, uh, authority to spend. That is our budget. The next slide goes to the uh rate, the actual tax rate. You can see last year's rate um
024over on the far left at a $11259. And then if you go to the far right, this year's rate actually decreased a little bit. We're down to $1877. That is driven primarily by that increase in AV. And then on the last slide, we will look at the levy. Um you will see that there is no levy for the education fund that's driven by ADM as you know u but there is a levy uh that's the actual money we expect to receive from the state across those funds and we did see an increase uh a slight increase this year in levy and that amount was flip the page um 2,639,455 is an increased levy from 25 to 26. So we'd love to see that going up. That's about 3.25%. Um so that's a that's an a
025good thing to report as well. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Miles. Board, any questions or comments? Yeah, Miss Lawrence. >> First, Mr. Miles, we should all be very proud of these members and not just not just especially you um and your team for keeping us strong as we are as a district. Um I think some people don't really recognize the difference between the operating in capital referendums. I wonder if you might quickly explain and then also explain how many other school districts around compare to us when it comes to referendum. >> I'm actually glad you brought that up. I the operating referendum versus a capital referendum is is is a good question. Uh capital referendums are in place uh when we want to go out and borrow money for a specific construction project typically
026and we did so um to to finance our high school renovations as well as touching every building across the district as part of our blue ribbon phase one um project. So we do have that um that that dollar amount is fixed when it goes out to the the to the voters for approval. the voters approve that and then over time as that referendum gets paid down typically the uh the rate falls uh with with AV increasing. Operating referendums are a little different. We are unique in Marian County. We're one of only two districts in in the county uh that do not have an operating referendum and so we're proud of that. The uh the operating referendum is more in terms of use more uh for paying your bills um whether it be uh salaries operation
027operating dollars. So day-to-day operations, um, a district may have to go to its taxpayers and ask for additional funds if they don't have enough money coming through their budget. >> M, just a quick followup question as a point of clarification. Uh, blue ribbon phase one was paid for with operating part part of it was paid for with operating or with the capital referendum that levied >> um as well as the two high schools. Um, could you very quickly and you might not know the answer, but I know you >> how old were our high schools when we renovated. >> So, just as a point of clarification, the high schools were not a part of blue ribbon part one because we pulled those out and did those student referendum. Both high schools, uh, the last time
028Lawrence Central was renovated was in the early 2000s. LN officially really had never been renovated. When was it built? It was built in 1978 to be exact. I believe is when we moved in the building or 77 correct. >> Yeah, 76 is when it opened. 78 was first graduating class. >> Okay, that is correct. That is correct. >> And uh we we did the fieldhouse edition in 96. That was the only addition we did to it or that hadn't rubed. >> It was all >> So somebody who was in 79, >> I feel aches and pains. I'm sure the foundations, all the things that happened at LN all still felt aches and pains and probably was through a beautiful little facelift that we provided through the generosity of our taxpayers. >> We were almost 50
029years when that building was renovated. I do remind the taxpayers, you got your money's worth. You certainly did. >> One other quick question because this is the time of year. What is our what is our uh bond rating? So, our bond rating, uh, you may recall from last fall, it was increased. Um, we've always had a strong double A+, uh, bond rating. Um, and the the we will have the next time we issue bonds again, um, we will get an update on that. And Dr. Smith, correct me if I'm wrong. Um, we went from we're now double A+ and the second rating. >> You were you were A+. A+ to be higher too. So the last Thank you. Um >> so very strong very few school districts in the state of Indiana um or any
030municipalities for that for that matter have have that rating or certainly any higher. >> So if you could translate that to what that means when we are are are going out and and cashing in our bonds. What does that mean for our taxpayers? >> We pay less interest. >> That's right. which means it's cheaper for them. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> And board members will be back with you. Uh obviously we are bringing forward to you the McKenzie project and we will have a bond rating this year. So we cross our fingers Mr. Miles and his team polishes up everything. But we want a very good bond rating as we go back out renovations for that important building. >> Okay. Thank you for those questions. board. Any other questions or comments? Okay, we'll
031stick with Mr. Miles and move on to 3.3 financial update. Thank you, Madam President. Uh at this time, I share the January 26th month end financials uh for both our general fund and our transportation funds as we do each month. And uh both are in a favorable position right now. Again, we're just just out of the starting blocks here for with one month under our belt for 26. Um, and you can see in front of you uh that revenues uh both for we'll just start with the general fund here. Um total revenues just slightly ahead of expectations and and expenditures just slightly below uh putting our ending balance uh just a little ahead of where we thought we might be at this time of the year. Uh expenditures in January uh were a up a
032little this month. That's primarily because it's a three-pay month for us. Two times a month or two times a year, we will have a month that has three three pays. So those in those months, we adjust for that in our projections for our salaries and benefits. Uh the next slide, we'll have our transportation fund. Similarly, uh happy with where we're at one month in uh in transportation. You can see the uh the revenue comes in twice a year. Uh we won't get that until June. Um and then again at the end of the year in in December um our expenditures just a little under uh about a little over 100,000 uh under. So glad to see that and ending balance in a good place uh out of the gates at transportation. >> Thank you, Mr.
033Miles. Board, any questions or comments on the financial update? >> Yes, sir. Dr. Smith. >> Mr. Miles, we forgot to remind the board. They already know, but the public needs to know what our tax rate. >> We have one of the lowest tax rates in Marian County. Is that correct? >> We certainly are. Our total tax rate is and now just over a$18. And I'm going to get it exactly here. $1877 is our total tax rate. Uh down from A12. >> One of the lowest tax. >> One of the lowest in Marian County. Absolutely. us and that will change as a referendum. I won't say the district is not a basketball game. >> That that that lack of operating a referendum um really helps us tremendously to keep our tax rate down. >> So we'll
034be probably one of the lowest tax rate until we decide to do a referendum. >> That's done. And I just I think it's important to know too and and I know as I look around and I see the buildings that we have in Lawrence Township, it's we are competitive in the facilities that we have, in the salaries that we're able to pay. And so that lower tax rate, I think it's really important for everybody to understand that that is not by accident that that is by the um judicious u budgeting that occurs by obviously you Mr. miles in our superintendent. And so just I think it's very important that um we celebrate that, but we also know that that's not something that happens by accident. Um especially when we look around and we have such
035I look at where we are right now. We have beautiful facilities, we have wonderful teachers, and we're able to pay staff um a salary that is um competitive in nature. So kudos to the district. I may add one other thing just just for the public's knowledge and and I I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments uh that we've shared here tonight. Um one thing we will watch as we move forward um with with the new uh sea 1 that went into place or will go into place this year. Those rates um they're the AV is going to be uh reduced going forward and those rates will um they may move around certainly from district to district. So, a lot of districts and we would probably in this category as well, we will want to watch
036our levy, which is the amount of dollars that we receive uh just equally to what we're looking at that rate. So, that's something we'll watch. And and I did point out earlier our levy went up this year about 3%. So, uh right in line with where we would want it. >> Miss Lawrence, >> apologies. I apparently have lots and lots of questions tonight, but I know all the answers. I'm just asking to prompt you. Um, I think members of the public, as we've been talking about assessed values and we've been talking about tax rates, I think it's very easy for members of the public to to think that we're spending from one giant pot of money, which, you know, I I think if you're thinking about a budget, right, the operating versus uh capital referendum
037might seem like just kind of mincing words. you're giving money, but can could you explain how we are obligated by the state of Indiana to spend those funds differently that it's not one bucket that might appear as though to the general public? >> Yes, I I would be happy to do so. those line items that we saw uh in the budget that we looked at earlier this evening. um education fund, debt service fund, um the retirement uh bond fund, capital referendum fund, operations, those are um in essence their own unique buckets um that are funded through different functions um within our tax rate, different functions within our ADM and enrollment and that we are statutoily limited as to how we can spend those dollars. So that is Alth we want to see all of them
038grow. Um and in in some essences we do look at it as as one big pot but they do have unique places that they come from and they do have unique places where they can be spent. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments board? I just had one one comment from my deep thoughts on the treadmill. they come to me. But um I was thinking about the reports that you shared and the the money and it does require a lot of money to to do what we can for our students and staff. Next year will be the 27 budget session. So it just was a reminder to me of our impact as board members and community members to get out in front of it because there are entities and powers that be that are
039slowly trying to chip away at the pot of money. So just staying ahead of it, engaging with our state legislators, writing letters, um starting early. So that was my my comment for the night on that. >> But thank you again. >> Thank you. >> We'll move to 3.4 board committee chair reports starting this time with policy. Miss Pudget our short session. The policy committee is eagerly awaiting the end of the 2026 General Assembly short session. As of now, we are in the back third of the session with one more week to go. The upcoming week should be busy, decisive, and a last chance for lawmakers to either pass or let die significant bills before the session formally ends on February the 27th Feb or Friday. Looking forward, we anticipate the next revision packet volume 38
040number two in mid to late March. It is a short it is a short session because this is not a budget year. So people are wondering what is a short session. We do not have budgets this this year and it's reviewing amendments and so forth that need to be made. So want to clarify that as well. >> Thank you for that. Hopefully it'll be a less busy policy year for you guys >> wanting. Yes. Very good. Moving to Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Miss Dunn. >> Well, we had a very successful Black History Month right here at the fort on February the 11th. Um we also um continue to have the Forever Young Clubs game days or Thursdays at 5301 North Franklin Road. Um that is from 11 to 1. And then Fridays rotate. So um
041this Friday we have yoga from 11 to 12. Friday the 13th. March we have fitness. We also have something new crafts that's in the evenings on Fridays um from 6:00 to 7. So um lots of great things happening with our parks. Um and don't forget too that our parks, we have Oakland and youth organization baseball. We have FC Pride. Um we also um have Circle City athletics for our adults. So, there's lots of opportunities for people of all ages to get involved here in the city of Lawrence. >> Quick question, Miss Dunn. Do they still have the bingo on Tuesdays? >> No, >> they do not. Oh, >> no. >> But I will say that there has been um a proposal to perhaps bring bingo back. >> I I agree. I'm a big bingo proponent,
042but we'll see. >> Thank you for that. And I think pickle ball will be opening again soon this spring. Yes, pickle ball definitely is happening at home. >> Oh, wow. Okay, ready. Great. Thank you for that report. Moving finally to foundation. Dr. Mahaland. >> Thank you, Madam President. I'm happy to share uh we briefly talked about it, but the Lawrence Township School Foundation Celebration Gala will be this March 20th. Um and the theme is Once Upon a Time, and this is LTSF's largest fundraiser of the year. and it really brings the community together to support uh my favorite three E enriching educational experiences uh for students and staff. And um it will take place at the BuiltWell Event Center. So that's a little bit different but there is free parking which is nice. And be
043ready for a royal feast, delightful treats and whimsical entertainment. I took that from their website. Um it'll be again Friday, March 20th at 6:30 at the BuiltWell. And I encourage everyone here to consider attending or helping spread the word. Um proceeds from this event will directly fuel the foundation's work and mission um of powering student success. Thank you for that update. Less than a month away. All right. Thank you for the updates board on the committees. Now we will move to our action items. 4.1 approval of board minutes. Dr. Maholland. >> Okay. So, I present to the board for approval the board minutes for January 30th, 2026. Board minutes um also for January 30, 2026 for finance and then the board minutes for a uh February 9th, 2026. >> Do we have a motion? Okay.
044Properly moved, Miss Dunn. Do we have a second? Second. >> Properly moved, Miss Dunn. Seconded, Miss Pucket. Any other comments about the board minutes. All right, we will move to vote. All in favor of the approval of the board minutes, say, "I." >> I. Any opposed? All right. The board minutes for January 30th and February 9th have been approved. >> Madam President, I move that 4.2. >> All right. Do we have a second? Second >> properly moved Miss Pucket and seconded Dr. Mahaland um to treat action items 4.2 to 4.8 as consent agenda. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it to treat 4.2 to 4.8 as consent agenda. >> I move approval of consent agenda. >> So moved. >> All right. >> Second. That's fine. No, that's fine.
045Um, properly moved, Miss Pucket, and seconded, Miss Dunn, for the approval of the consent agenda. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it. At this time, we already approved 4.2, which is our personnel reports. I'm going to ask Miss Carla Johnson to come up to the microphone to introduce um a personnel matter. Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board, we are proud to present our new head football coach for Lawrence Central. Coach man Russell Man is here with us tonight. This evening, the board of education of the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township has approved the appointment of Mr. Russell Man as the new head football coach for Lawrence Central High School. A leader in the central Indiana football community, man has held several Metropolitan Interscolastic Conference Mick
046head coaching positions in his 23-year career and holds four 6A state titles. man is committed to success and is confident in his ability to lead the Bears to sustain championship level success while setting a standard of excellence that positively impacts the entire school. My leadership style brings everyone together in the pursuit of excellence, says man. I know what winning looks like and I'm confident that with leadership, hard work, and tactical analysis, Lawrence Central will quickly become one of Indiana's most dominant football programs. According to Superintendent Dr. Sha A. Smith, our community is ready to get Lawrence Central back to state champion status, and I have every confidence in coach man to take the Bears to the next level. I know firsthand the high quality football program develops young men, creates school unity, and positively impacts
047the morale of the larger school community. Coach man is a 2003 graduate of Butler University and holds a BS in secondary education in mathematics. He is a career educator who uses football as a platform to teach students of athletes life lessons including the value of hard work, integrity, and striving to be the best version of themselves and everything they do. Please welcome Coach Man to the Lawrence Township and Lawrence Central. >> Okay. Thank you for having >> welcome. Great to be your teammate again. >> Congratulations to Coach Man. He is already wearing the Bears collars on his top. HE KNOWS THE DRILL. AND COACH, COULD YOUR FAMILY please wish everybody happy birthday? >> Congratulations again. Moving into our administrator and board comments 5.1. Would anyone like to go first? >> Okay, Miss Lawrence. >> Yeah.
048So, first I just want to wish everyone a happy Black History Month. Thank you to uh Dana for posting all of the things that she's been posting all month long. It's been really inspiring to see um to see all of the uh information that is out there and available for our community to um to absorb. I pulled this up on my phone because I wanted to make sure that I set it right because um also within this Black History Month, we lost uh Reverend Jackson and I was reminded of uh by a friend of mine who is both an activist and leader in the unions in Chicago just how active he was for the totality of his life fighting for change and justice. And uh what my favorite quote from Reverend Jackson is both tears
049and sweat are salty but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy. Sweat will get you change. And in a year uh where we have been at odds sometimes with our state house in a month where our uh kids at both Lawrence North and Lawrence Central walked out of our schools in protest. I just say to this community, tears get you sympathy. Sweat gets you change. That means voting. That means advocating. That means making your voices heard because sometimes one voice for a long and d and for a long period of time like Reverend Jackson can actually make incredible change in this world. >> Thank you, Miss Lawrence. Well said. board. Any other who would like to go next? >> Dr. Mahaland. >> I'm surprised that nobody mentioned yet that it is public
050school week, but so >> but we've already been celebrating on social media. Again, thanks to to Dr. Almire for that. Um, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts. Um, and and also again recognize that it is is public school week and how deserving it is that we celebrate it. Um, because our our public schools are where our students build relationships, they build their dreams and aspirations. Um they really develop the skills that will carry them into adulthood. And so the work happening in our public schools is truly transformative. And um my background is actually you know teaching in post-secary ed and my my research was around the community colleges. So the history of community colleges. So I also want to say that public education does not stop at high school. It continues uh
051with community colleges, places like IvyTech, public uh state public community college system and that extends the education and training and opportunities and career development beyond you know grade 12 and um you know so we have a a wonderful system of public institutions and how important they are uh for economic mobility and for our communities. So, I I wanted to celebrate again that we have a public education that is an ecosystem working together. We're we're so lucky to be in the Lawrence Township public school system and um it reminds us that we need to invest in strong public K- through2 schools and postsecary education pathways because we can strengthen the long-term vitality of our entire community and the futures of every student we serve. Thank you. Well said. As parents, we appreciate the partnership with IvyTech,
052too, and the dual credits earned. So, thank you, Miss Pucket. >> I have nothing to say. >> All right, Miss Dunn. Uh just I know we uh have our consent agenda, but I would be remiss if we did not give gratitude to Caston Christian Church for their donation for staff appreciation at Crestview Elementary. Much appreciated. And also I think many of you know that recently we celebrated the birthday of the wonderful Sheila Blankenship. So compliano amiga goes without saying Sheila that you truly are the backbone of this board and the township. So thank you for all that you do for all of us. Much appreciated. >> Yes. Well said. Um I just wanted to second the comments about Black History Month. I was able to attend my daughter's school's roots and wings celebration and it
053was packed and it was truly a heartwarming community event. Um, as board we look at the whole Lawrence community, but then kind of selfishly it's nice to come back to our own kids individual communities and and see just the involvement um the happiness, the celebration of culture and community. So, and I know several of the schools were doing similar events. So well well done. Um and then also it's I believe you served on the board before. It's American Heart Month, Dr. Smith. So just a reminder to get your checkups, take care of your heart, and thank you to our community health partners who support our staff and students. I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Smith. >> It's that time of the year. Grant Nesb, we had a busy weekend. Update the board and tell
054them what to expect in the upcoming week. Yeah, we had a busy weekend. Uh, obviously our LC girls fell a little short. They did make the final four, but fell short to an undefeated team and presumably the next state champion. Uh, but we did have a state champion over the weekend. Uh, our wrestler at Lawrence North capture a state title, capping off an undefeated season. So, that was exciting. And next up, uh, we have some basketball going on. Sixth grade basketball championship that's coming up on the 13th of March. That'll be Friday at Lawrence Central. Uh, so about a week little week, a little over a week and a half from now. And then the boys basketball sectional draw came out last night. And so that all those games will be at Tech and those
055are about a week away from a week from tomorrow they'll start up. So uh look for that coming up here and we'll have more information as they as they get the brackets finalized and and in a clean form. >> And I believe the boys on opposite side of the bracket which is good. Yes. >> Instead of playing each other the first game. >> Yeah. So hopefully hope we have an all Lawrence final there at Tech. >> Yep. All right. The next monthly board of education meeting will be here Monday, March 16th, 2026. It'll be our combined work session and board meeting for the month and will begin promptly at 5:30. At this point, I will take a motion to adjurnn. So, >> second properly moved, Miss Lawrence, and seconded, Dr. Mahaland. Thank you, everyone. >>
056Thank you. Don't keep your >> will be here at