001[laughter] Good evening and welcome to our first meeting of 2026. At this time, we will move to our board reorganization per statute and um MSDLT board policy. The board of education is required to reorganize by electing officers for the coming year. It is recommended that officers be elected with the effective date beginning today, January 12th, 2026, and continuing until January 11th, 20, 2027, or until the next officers are elected. At this time, I will open up the floor for nomination for board president. >> I nominate Amy Norman. Okay, >> seconded. >> Okay, thank you. Are there any other nominations for board presidents? Okay, we will move to a vote. All in favor of nominating myself, um Amy Norman for board president, say I. >> I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you, board. I
002accept the nomination for board president. Moving on to vice president. I'm opening up the floor for nomination for vice president. >> I nominate Crystal Pucket. Second. Okay. >> Nominated and nominated by Dr. Mahalid, seconded by Mart, Miss Marta Lawrence. Are there any other nominations for vice president? Okay, we will move to vote. All in favor of Crystal Pucket as vice president for the school board, say I. >> I. Any opposed? All right, the eyes have it. Congratulations, Miss Pucket. Do you accept the nomination? >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I accept the nomination. >> Very good. Moving on to our final role. Secretary, opening up the floor now for nominations for secretary. I'll nominate um Dr. Shayla Mhalland. >> I second. >> All right. Properly um nominated myself, Amy Norman. Seconded, Crystal Pucket. Any other nominations
003for secretary? All right. I'll close the nomination floor for nominations at this time. Um, all in favor of voting for Dr. Mahhalland for secretary. >> I >> Any opposed? Okay, the eyes have it. Congratulations, Dr. Mahalland. Do you accept the nomination? >> Yes, I do. Thank you so much. [snorts] >> Thank you, board. Moving on to our appointment for the financial leadership. This is the appointment for the corporation treasurer and deputy treasurer. I'll enter entertain a motion to appoint Matt Miles, CFO, as treasurer and Renee Hull as deputy treasurer. >> So moved. >> Okay, don't worry, Matt. [laughter] We're good. >> It's okay. It's okay. All right. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Properly moved, Miss Lawrence, and seconded, Miss Dunn. >> All right. All in favor? I >> I any
004opposed? >> Okay. Congratulations, Mr. Mile and Miss Hull. Uh you're now officially appointed as the CFO, treasurer, and deputy treasure for MSDLT for 2026. Thank you, board. Our third item is the board appointed committee members, the Lawrence Township Foundation Board. I hereby nominate Dr. Shayla Mahalland to serve on this year. Do you accept this nomination? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. We don't have to vote on this item. Liaison to the Indiana School Board Association. I hereby nominate Miss Marta Lawrence. Do you accept the nomination? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um and then finally, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Board. I hereby nominate Miss Jessica Dunn. Do you accept the nomination? >> I sure do. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Moving on finally to Dr. Smith for his appointments. >> Thank you, Madame President
005and board members. Uh, as you know, we have to have our work with policy which is near and dear to your heart. It is the work of the entire board, but we ask that we continue to have Mr. Pucket serve in that role and work closely with my cabinet members and myself on board policy. Mr. bucket. Do you do and then we always have mad president legislative committee. I remind the board that is the work of the entire board of superintendent. So all of you are on that committee along with the superintendent as we do the work of working very closely with our lobbyists and our local legislators. >> We accept. Thank you Dr. Smith. Looking forward to it. Thank you board. We are now moving on to our information items. 3.1 blue riven facility
006updates with Dr. Nesbbit. Oh, I'm sorry. Let me let me pause. I got ahead of myself. >> Oh, yeah. >> Sorry. We only do this once a year, so I'm a little rusty. [snorts] Thank you, Miss Blankenship, and congratulations, board. Looking forward to another year. All right, Dr. Nesbet, we are ready to hear about the blue ribbon updates. >> Thank you, President Norman, members of the board, and Dr. Smith. Let's jump into the blue ribbon facilities update. Uh we'll start off our overview. Um uh tonight we will um ask for approval for um our construction manager for the McKenzie project. Uh Craig Academy we moved downstairs over winter break. So LA is now downstairs as we continue our renovation upstairs. And then we have the continuing work at the three elementary expansions. And then on
007our next slide, uh happy to see some green in there now. A little earlier than expected. We had some chillers come in that we weren't expecting until spring break. And so we're going to target MLK day to start that work and get three new chillers put in. They will be very welcome before the spring weather hits us. And then let's look at the buildings right now. The elementary expansion at Crest View, you can see the outside is getting close to finished. And then inside there, um we're getting good. That's picture one of the four classrooms. Forest Glenn, we're close to sealing the envelope there. Uh looking to get some uh get heat in there soon. and then Mary Castle. Uh on that one, we're we're targeting about seven, eight weeks to be complete with that
008project. Uh thank you, uh Dustin and the Powers team on on that project running well ahead of schedule. That's permanent grid work and permanent lighting in there and and heat is going. So, uh moving along very well at Mary Castle Craig, excuse me, Craig Academy. That's a view downstairs. That's looking from O inside door three up towards uh the old door one. And then there you see inside one of the new classrooms that's now occupied with LAA students. And then also look at that gymnasium. Doesn't that look nice? Um that was uh last week we took that picture. So it's wrapping up. We'll be using those gyms starting January 24th with LTVL games. Uh both gyms have been repainted and refinished. So that's your blue ribbon update for this tonight's board meeting. >> Thank you,
009Dr. Nesbet. Board, any questions or comments regarding the updates done? I had the opportunity to visit um Craig Academy and it just looks absolutely fabulous with um the renovations. I did have a question pertaining to furniture. >> Will there be new furniture for all the programs and when can we expect that to be delivered? >> August 27th when we open up Craig Academy is when we'll have the whole building outfitted. So yeah, right now we're still using exist existing material and furniture, but yeah, that's that's the plan. >> And that includes all the programs there. >> Yes. >> Outstanding. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Dunn. Any other questions or comments on Craig or any of the blue ribbon updates? Okay, sounds like it's coming along great. Thank you. 3.2 requests for approval of the
010CMC for the Mackenzie Center of Innovation and Technology Renovations. Dr. Nesbet. >> Thank you again. Yeah. Uh back in November, you approved us to put on RFP for construction manager as constructor for the Mackenzie Center uh transformation. And I'm happy to say that we did interviews back on December 9th with a very qualified group. Had plenty of interest in that project. Very big project. And tonight we'll be recommending Powers and Suns to be our construction manager as constructor for the Mackenzie project. >> Thank you, Dr. Nesbet. Board, any questions or comments regarding the approval of the CMC for McKenzie? >> Just that uh Miss Norman, you and I both sat on the selection committee for the construction manager. so impressed with the presentations that we received, but uh it's really great to see Paris and
011Sons back working with us again. >> I also just having um had the opportunity to go to the legislative breakfast on Friday and to see the renderings um and to see those shared with the community um is such a proud moment because when you look at that um it really you know Dr. Smith, you were saying that this could potentially be the largest in not just Indiana, but the state. And so to see that Lawrence Township is leading the way um as it pertains to um the pathways work is um is incredible. And I also just want to give credit to you, Dr. Smith, because we see what is happening with the graduation requirements and the shift that we're seeing. And you have certainly positioned Lawrence Township in a way that we are ready to
012accept the challenge. So kudos. >> Thank you Miss Dunn board. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. So just uh one one quick question again after we approve this then the next step will be in the process will be what? >> We'll have a preliminary determination hearing uh soon but we're already in the planning stages and uh developing some scope and budget and trying to get everything that we we need to get in there. So we we're already planning week we meet weekly with uh director Shante Smith, the Schmidt and P teams. Um we've done that a couple times and we're meeting each week. So every other week we're meeting at McKenzie with departments. So the different departments they have there. We're meeting just to make sure we understand their needs and then the off
013weeks we meet here in the operations conference room and go over everything of the project. It's it's eating an elephant with a project this size. No doubt. >> Oh bet. But well worth it. >> Yep. >> Definitely a big ROI with bipartisan support. I mean this is an investment in our future workforce. So let >> me remind the board of education Matthew that the board will have to go through steps to approve all of the finances. So the final presentation from Dr. Nesbet and his team will come but there also will be some additional steps for the board of education to approve. So those steps will come later after we actually have go through all of those steps coming very soon to the board meeting. Thank you very much. All right. 3.3 Nola policy updates
014first reading. Dr. Harshbarter. Madame President, Dr. Smith, members of the board, I bring to you this evening revision packet, volume 38, number one. The packet encompasses 31 revised policies and is a response as it always is to recent legislation and subsequent updates to local and state and federal law. This is a first reading. >> Very good board. Any questions or comments regarding this first reading on the NELA updates? I did have a question >> um regarding policy 3220 the staff evaluation. >> So am I to understand that we are removing and repealing the category requirements of highly effective effective needs improvement and ineffective is that the way that reads >> I'm gonna have Carla respond to that. >> Sorry and if we need to come back to that this is fine. I just I was
015and I apologize that I didn't share this earlier. I mean, there's so many and kudos to you all for the outstanding work. So, I just was wondering if that was happening, if we were getting rid of that language or if we were still going to be having those four categories and we can come back to that. >> Currently, at this time, we are keeping our categories. >> Okay. >> But we're just this board policy is just in the event that it's not required. That's the way that I read it. And I just wanted to make sure that I understood that. That's that's the way Indie states it. Yeah. >> So that we have the opportunity if we want to go and make it A B C D we could or whatever. >> Not that we
016would but >> I mean that's what that option line is there for if you're going to write in other >> types of um you know situations for salary. >> And that was on 3220. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> That was my assumption is that we were keeping it, but I just and I know that we have to do this having served with you for two wonderful years um that we have to make sure that our policies are updated. So, my assumption was that we were keeping it, but I just I wanted just clarification. So, thank you. >> Yeah, I think that's the transitional period and that's why they did that. >> Okay, >> perfect. Thank you. >> Yes, Dr. Maholand. I just have a comment that I appreciate u both of you the work
017that was done the extensive work um quite a few PDFs uh to review there but um it would just the amount of detail and um keeping our work up to date and um with current standards and um I just see and then also in our notes for today I appreciate the how you've highlighted what those u main changes are so that we can follow along carefully. Um, so thank you for the for the good work. >> Yeah, we always try to be transparent in this first phase and make sure everything's in there. So good partner makes it makes the job easy. >> We appreciate the board reading the policies. >> As you said, it's the detail that matters. >> Yes, Miss Lawrence. >> Yes, and echo the thanks. I know that this is not uh
018not easy and um I can't say thankless. you but but we appreciate all the work that goes into this. Um Dr. Smith, I wonder if you might just for a matter of public record explain how these policies come down because these are not things that we are making up. >> No, they're not board members and you do your due diligence very well as a reaction to both state and federal law. So many of these policy changes are [snorts] directly related, Dr. Harsh Barker to Indiana statute changes andor federal changes. So the board of education is on top of their work to make sure our board policies as they always have to do they have to align with state and federal laws. These guys take an oath to say that they will follow state and federal
019guidelines federal laws and they are. And that's why we have the committee. That's why we have the attorneys and my cabinet and all cabinet members that look these over to make sure that we're well in line of state law. So all everybody in this room's responsible. >> Yes. Thank you. Any other miss >> the labor a point? But yeah, thank you to everyone. That's one thing that I um with being on the policy committee on how things are combed through with the fine tooth comb on how it goes to each committee, how it goes to each group. And so I thank you that I've learned a lot um from you all on serving on this committee. So thank you for that. It's a lot of time and a lot of diligence that goes into it.
020So, thank you. That's it. >> All right. If there are no other questions or comments, um we'll look forward to second reading in two weeks. >> Thank you, Dr. Harshburgger and Miss Pucket. Okay, moving on to action items. 4.1, approval of the CMC for the Mckenzie renovations. Dr. Nesbet. >> Thank you, President Norman, members of the board and Dr. Smith. Uh, as earlier presented, um, we are recommending the approval of Powers and Suns to be our construction manager as constructor for the Mackenzie Center renovation. >> Second. >> Who wants a Okay, properly moved, Miss Lawrence and seconded, Miss Dunn. Any final questions or comments? All right. All in favor of um, Powers and Suns for the CMC say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Congratulations. And did you want to >>
021Sure. And and I know that uh walking in right now is May Powers the third. I knew he he did notify he's going to be running a little bit behind, but he's just here. You hear that? He just timed that entrance so he could, you know, have it right as we were talking about him. Uh so May Powers the third. Uh the president of the company and the director of construction, Dustin Thalman, are both here with us. >> WELCOME. [applause] Great time, >> Mr. Powers. I think you had that plan to walk just in right on time. >> He was standing right outside the door. >> Exactly. Right on time. Congratulations. >> Thank you. All right. 4.2. Approval of the personnel reports. Miss Carlo Johnson. >> Madame President. Dr. Smith and members of the board.
022Um, HR is seeking approval of the personnel report as submitted. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Properly moved. is done and seconded. Um, all in favor of the approval of the personnel reports say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? The personnel reports are approved. Administrator and board comments. Who would like to go first? Anybody? Miss Dunn, I'll call on you. >> Well, thank you. I um just want to say that it is very exciting to start another year here as a board member working with Lawrence Township. I um am super super super excited about the work that we continue to do. Um when we were in this room for the first time hosting our legislative breakfast um I was reminded of how grateful I am to live and work in a community um as fabulous
023as ours and to have people that are coming together. We may not always agree, but it was so lovely to see Republicans and Democrats and um independents um people from our, you know, senators, common council, um and board members all coming together for one purpose and one purpose alone and that is to talk about the great work that is going on in this school district and how we can continue to maintain it. And how we continue to maintain it is really exceptional. And it was a very um I was very proud to to sit here on this day as and to work amongst all of you and with you Dr. Smith. So um thank you for that opportunity. >> Thank you. Well said Miss Lawrence. >> I don't have any comments tonight except just to
024say happy new year to everyone because this is our first uh our first meeting of this new year. I hope everybody had a relaxing break and now it's time to get back to work. Thank you, Miss Pucket. >> I actually have no comment. Enjoy your evening and I look for I am expectant to this year with all of you. Like I'm You guys are amazing and I'm expectant. I'll just leave that. >> Thank you, Dr. Mholland. >> I just want to wish everyone a happy new year as well. Um, I do want to mention quickly that the Lawrence Township School Foundation has their scholarship opportunities open for both high schools and that will close on January 26th, 2026. And um, so just want to just share that last uh, reminder again. >> Thank you. That's
025timesensitive. So I appreciate you sharing. >> I don't have a lot to say. I just uh, my word for the year is reset. And I hope that everyone had a chance over the holiday break to get some time to just unplug and and ready for 2026. So, thank you everyone for the work you're doing. And I'll turn it over to Dr. Smith. >> Madam President, we're ready to work. Uh remind the board we do have uh the Indiana General Assembly is meeting downtown. So, they're at work and you're right behind us. So, we had our legislative breakfast, but now we will do the work of meeting one-on-one with our local legislators and others who will meet with us and listen to our story. So, we have work to do. And a lot of people don't
026understand that's a big part of the responsibility of the board of education is to meet with our state legislators because, as all of us know in the room, they fund the majority of our budget. And so, we will meet with them to advocate for our students and our families in in this community. And that's what this board is responsible for. So we'll get the work done. >> Thank you. No go Hoosiers. >> Sorry. [laughter] >> We I didn't want to start anything. We love Purdue Carla, >> but today is IU and next Monday will be IU for a while. So >> I'm tying it into what we're doing because we have Lawrence grads on the team. >> Lawrence. Yes. I and along those lines, I saw that there was a petition to the governor to
027have a two-hour delay on Tuesday. [laughter] >> So, I uh I don't know how many kids are going to be a little tardy on Tuesday. Dr. Smith, >> I know we got to win the game first. We'll let the governor do that. Make it easy for us board governor to make that decision, but go IU. >> All right. Thanks, everyone. Our a reminder for the public, our next uh monthly board meeting will be here January 26 at 6:30 p.m. We will start off with recognitions and then move to our board of finance meeting followed by our board meeting. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Properly moved, Miss Pucket, and seconded, Dr. Mhalland. Thank you, everyone.