001my camera. Testing. Testing. Is she in? All right. Okay. Welcome to our monthly board of education meeting. At this time, we would like to call up Principal Ogulby and student leaders from the Brook Park Bears Elementary School to lead us in our pledge of allegiance. [Applause] And with me today, I have William Morgan, Yarlon Marc, and Carly White. Please stand and join us for the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Thank you, Brook Park Elementary. Well done. At this time, we'll turn to Carla Johnson for the Above and Beyond and Superintendence Award. Good evening, Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the
002board. It is our honor to present to you Eric Walton for the Above and Beyond award. [Applause] Congratulations to Eric Walton, head custodian at Crest View Elementary, for being selected to receive the Above and Beyond award. Mr. Eric Walton, despite construction projects limiting access to classrooms for deep cleaning, had just one week to prepare the building for the new school year. Eric worked well beyond his scheduled hours, ensuring every classroom and space was ready for students and staff. He went the extra mile to assist teachers as they reentered the building and made certain Crest View was welcoming and presentable for families at Meet Me on a Monday. He takes great pride in Crestview and we are grateful. Thank you so much Mr. Walton to his principal Mrs. Carter. [Applause] And next we'll have the 2025
003Susan Jordan summer reading winners presented by Dr. Emily Hos Brown, assistant superintendent of elementary education. >> Thank you, Miss Johnson, President Norman, Dr. Smith, members of the board. So very pleased tonight to bring to you our district winners of our summer Susan Jordan reading challenge representing three different elementaryaries. I'll first ask each uh administrator to come forward and they'll introduce their student and tell you just how many minutes each student read. And we'll start with our first and second grade winner with the proud principal of Forest Glenn Elementary, Mr. Yearwood. Good evening, Madam President, members of the board. Dr. Smith Forest Glenn Elementary is very proud to introduce to you the winner of grades one and two, Susan Jordan summer reading program, Mr. Fox Foley, who read 5,651 minutes. [Applause] I'm very proud to introduce
004to you tonight representing Mary Castle and Miss Courtney Thomas, the assistant principal who is going to announce the winner of our third and fourth grade band who is a twotime district winner. All right, good evening and Mary Castle is proud to present Simon Flannry who read 11,690 minutes and his goal is to win every year until sixth grade. Let's make that happen. [Applause] and ready to introduce to you our fifth and sixth grade winner, the proud principal of Amy Beverlin Elementary, Mr. Jared Pennington. >> Thank you and good evening. I am proud to announce Miss Norah Ebling as the fifth and sixth grade most minutes read with 10,881 minutes. And next, Mr. Dan Kousnik, assistant superintendent, who will be sharing with you some secondary recognitions. >> Thank you, Dr. Hos Brown. Good evening, Madam President.
005Dr. Smith, members of the board, it is this time each year we bring to you our AP scholars. Uh we have a total of 140 that are on the list, but as you will unfortunately see, not all are here this evening. Unfortunately, every year based on when we get the data, this is when we're able to recognize them. And many are off at college already. So unfortunately, they can't be here this evening or they're involved in something else at the school. At the very least, to be recognized as an AP scholar, students have to receive a three or higher on three or more AP exams. Some students are recognized as an AP Scholar with honor, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all of their exams and
006a score of three or higher on four or more of those exams. AP Scholar with Distinction is to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all exams taken and a three or higher on five or more exams. Very impressive group as you can tell. Uh the last two are AP Seminar and research certificate which is granted to students who earn a score of three or higher in AP seminar and AP research and then the AP capstone diploma. They also receive a four on additional exams. Up first from Lauren Central, our proud principal, Mr. Franklin Bush. [Applause] Good evening. First up, Valerie Murray, AP Scholar. Lauren Cheney, AP Scholar. Evan Connor, AP Scholar. Gabriella Freeman, AP Scholar. Hunky Lou, AP Scholar with distinction. And final here tonight is Gregory Poe, AP Scholar
007and AP Capstone Diploma. I will now read the rest of our names into the record. Michaela Harget, AP Scholar. Elelliana Lutter, AP Scholar. Judith Vleus, AP Scholar. Jonathan Riley, AP Scholar. Kevin Rodriguez, AP Scholar. Daniel Rogers, AP Scholar. Alex Hernandez, AP Scholar. Katherine Baker, AP Scholar. Sage Baldman, Bowman, AP Scholar. Leanne Bradley, AP Scholar. Caitlyn Coleman, AP Scholar. Samuel Culver, AP Scholar. Chelsea Fields, AP Scholar. Jaden Harper, AP Scholar. Victor Jackson, AP Scholar. Jenna Jenna Leonard, AP Scholar. Will William Mills Craig AP Scholar Saman Makul AP Scholar Jonathan Price AP Scholar Habad Rita AP Scholar Nadia Reyes AP Scholar Elizabeth Robertson AP Scholar Ricardo Reyes AP Scholar with distinction Abraham Greenfield AP Scholar with distinction Aiden Oner AP Scholar with distinction Nathaniel Pickard AP Scholar with distinction Samuel Poffenberger AP Scholar with distinction. Bailey Workman,
008AP Scholar with distinction. Illana Heley, AP AP Scholar with Honor. Joyce Sweeney, AP Scholar with Honor. Leonardo Aceto, AP Scholar with Honor. Chase Hoverver, AP Scholar with Honor. Allison Burbage, AP Scholar. Felicity Davis, AP Scholar. Elizabeth Dickman, AP Scholar. Alexandria Dumis, AP Scholar. Jessica Heavner, AP Scholar. Maline Kovac, AP Scholar. Jaden Lancaster, AP Scholar. Laura Miner, AP Scholar. Jay Ocha, AP Scholar. Aiden Pierce, AP Scholar. Stephanie Hernandez, AP Scholar. Kenneth Rabb, AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma. James Seal, AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma. Isabelle Simson, AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma. Claire Risby, AP Scholar with distinction. Fernando Xway, AP Scholar with distinction. Abigail Tarianan, AP Scholar, AP Scholar with distinction and AP Capstone diploma. Nicholas Williams, AP Scholar with distinction and AP Capstone diploma. Mary Jenowski, AP Scholar with Honor. Lena Marris, AP
009Scholar with Honor. And Nolan Dixon, AP Scholar with Honor and Capskone Diploma. Thank you. All right, congratulations. Well done, Bears. Thank you for bearing with us as we read those names into the record because you know there's some parents listening at home that want to hear their baby's names called. So we appreciate that. Up next from Lawrence North, principal Jason Floyd. Good evening. It's my honor to read Lawrence Norris students this evening. First up, we have Micaia Gates, AP Scholar. Gabrielle Gomez Gonzalez, AP Scholar. Devin Kelly, AP Scholar. Mackenzie Langham, AP Scholar. Logan Makowski, AP Scholar. Maria Osuno Castanos, AP Scholar. Paige Payne, AP Scholar. Lydia Quinn, AP Scholar. Kai Washington, AP Scholar. Miles Watson, AP Scholar. Evan Kryson, AP Scholar with distinction. Wesley Drake, AP Scholar with distinction. Ean Herbert, AP Scholar with Distinction.
010Christopher Moore, AP Scholar with distinction. Benjamin Venoy, AP Scholar with honor. Clyde Gedry, AP Scholar with Honor. Tegan Hatley, AP Scholar with Honor. Sebastian Hovind, AP Scholar with Honor. Amoria Unfrey, AP Scholar with Honor. Richard Oendorf, AP Scholar with Honor. Nia Poe, AP Scholar with Honor, and Lilian Samira, AP Scholar with Honor. Unabled tonight, we have Cheryl Chin, AP Scholar. Bryce Armstrong, AP Scholar. Lucy Bdon, AP Scholar. Lucy B Lucille Brown, AP Scholar. Annias Clancy, AP Scholar. France Kenny Dorseline, AP Scholar. Gabriel Inchill, AP Scholar. William Fospender, AP Scholar. Kaden Hurt, AP Scholar. Wyatt AP Scholar. Isabelle Kuji, AP Scholar. Katherine Muli, AP Scholar. MD Rashid, AP Scholar. Emanuel Rivera Lopez, AP Scholar. Maxwell Slater, AP Scholar. Wyatt Snow, AP Scholar. Leah Tol, AP Scholar. Nathaniel Turner, AP Scholar. Julia Terrell, AP Scholar. Jada Vanoski,
011AP Scholar. Colton Vaughn, AP Scholar. Haley Wolf, AP Scholar. Kira Wright, AP Scholar. Simon W, AP Scholar. Maya Denunio, AP Scholar with Deni Distinction. Matilda Dean, AP Scholar with Honor. Adam Ulawi, AP Scholar with Honor. Alexander Lopez, AP Scholar with Honor. Emily Sentinel, AP Scholar. Regan Wri, AP Scholar. Gia Barlo, AP Scholar. Jalisa Boone, AP Scholar. Jasmine Delar Roa, AP Scholar. Lizzie Fuesz Sarrento, AP Scholar. Nyla Heater, AP Scholar. Tyus Hen Henson, AP Scholar. Jack Gent, AP Scholar. Victor Marquez, AP Scholar. Ruby Corino, AP Scholar. Kate Rosenbrock, AP Scholar. Nath Nathan Trinkle, AP Scholar. Braden Williams, AP Scholar. Aa Zahan, AP Scholar. Meredith Bruce, AP Scholar and AP Seminar Research Certificate. Gan Harshburgger, AP Scholar, AP Seminar Research Certificate. Griffin Sloum, AP Scholar and AP Seminar Research Certificate. Tri Chin, AP Scholar, Seminar Research Certificate.
012Luke Jackson, AP Scholar with distinction. Reena Si, AP Scholar with distinction. Kai Win mention AP Scholar with honor. Rosa Manila Boron, AP Scholar Honor with AP Capstone Diploma. Sydney Moss, AP Scholar Honor and Capstone Diploma. Amaya Pitman, AP Scholar Honor and Class Capstone Diploma. Jared Azimong, AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Bianca Candelero Rico, AP Scholar and Research Certificate. And Victor Guys, AP Seminar and Research Certificate. [Applause] That's the sound we want to hear. Congratulations, Wildcats. Well done. [Applause] Congratulations students and thank you parents. This was our first meeting doing student recognition. So this was exciting to use our new space recognize our students. We'll give just a few seconds as we transition. >> This is also our first meeting. Uh we'll miss Dunn will be calling is calling in remotely um per our board policy.
013We can have at least 50% of our members here present to conduct our meeting. So she will be um she is online line right now. Just wanted to make that clarification. All right. Okay. At this time, we are ready for our information items. 3.1 blue ribbon updates with Dr. Nesbet. >> Thank you, Madam President. Members of the board, Dr. Smith doesn't do much for the ego when everyone gets up and walks out right before you speak, but we'll hop right in there. I guess I'll do something first. Look at the overview of Blue Ribbon phase two. We've talked about this a little bit before. Fall Creek and Beler. We're going to cut the ribbon on those uh the first Sunday in November. So, we're just wrapping a few things up there. Craig Academy, you're get
014to see some pictures of here soon. It's uh it's looking different. Um classroom editions continuing at three of our elementarymentaries and then of course LACCCC LEC. We're wrapping up. So, let's take a look. Oh, yeah. And our guaranteed energy savings. Um still three active roofing projects going on. We're looking to have those wrapped up fall break definitely before snow starts flying uh in December. So, let's look at Craig County. That L on the left is Dr. Smith's old office. Uh, and then on the right is just outside Dr. Smith's office in that main hallway there. So, you can see we're digging in and getting in some plumbing work and installing new plumbing in different areas where we'll now have sinks and bathrooms and things like that. Uh, LCC that that picture is from middle of
015last week when we just had half the wallpaper up there in your board conference room and the canopy was just starting to get worked on. If you walked in, you notice today it's on both sides now. That blue canopy is up and work continues there. Uh Park Elementary roofing project is ongoing there. And before we did that, we wanted to get in and get these down spouts that for years have just emptied out the right next to the building, which is starting to cause some issues uh with humidity in the building. So, we're we're piping those out to the to the storm drain. Cresby Elementary on your left there is the foundation corner. On the right is uh what we call a rain garden now. Uh used to be be dry retention, but that'll be
016uh wild flowers and whatnot there. That'll be where rain water will go um to hold water as we're we had to accommodate for the where we're building new building. We need to have that rain run off somewhere. So that's where we're doing that and that's right there along 71st Street. And the next one is Mary Castle Forest Glenn. Uh exchair walls up. Uh the foundation exterior walls are there and uh you can see the it's getting flat in there. So we should look to pour that foundation soon. And then Mary Castle, they're winning the uh three team race there. They have walls up and uh I rest assured I I I make sure I tell the other contractors, hey, Mary Castle's winning right now. Try to have a little friendly battle with them. But they
017you can see all four classrooms taking shape there. Indian Creek roofing work continues there. Lawrence North, same there. We're just waiting on that sheet metal still and then that project will be wrapped. And that takes us through blue ribbon phase two. Be happy to field any questions. >> Thank you, Dr. Nesbet. There's always a lot going on in Lawrence. All >> good board. Any questions about the blue ribbon updates? Miss Dunn, do you have any? Okay. Well, if we don't have any questions or comments, we will move on to our financial reports with Mr. Matt Miles. >> Thank you, Madam President, Dr. Smith, members of the board. Tonight, I bring to you the August 2025 monthly financial report. And the first one you have in front of you is the transportation fund report. Happy to
018present the transportation fund uh ending balance as of uh August 31st is uh ahead of projected. see the balance there at the end 93,285. Um our state support um slightly ahead of projection as well as expenses under projection. So good place there. Similarly in the general fund we see the ending balance at the bottom of the report 12,681792 with uh state support trending ahead of projection and expenditures under projection as well. >> Thank you Mr. Miles board. Are there any questions or comments about the um financial updates. I know we'll be have the budget adoption later. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Miles. All right. This will move on now to 3.3, our board committee chair reports. First, we will mix it up and start with policy. Miss Pucket. Good evening to everyone.
019The committee is excited to bring forward special update 2025 for the first reading this polic In response to recent legislative changes and new laws in this package to be the most critical for adoption as we start another packet coming October thank you Miss Pucket Lawrence Parks and Recreation Miss Dunn. Okay, very good. Thank you, Miss Dun. Yeah, we can hear you. You're um our guinea pig on this. Now, we'll move on to the foundation with Dr. Maul Holland. >> Good evening, everyone. Um so, for the Lawrence Township School Foundation, they will have a week called LT Good Week. ship do good week that will be October 6 through the 10th and it says get ready for a week full of giving gratitude and impact. So just stay tuned for different announcements and activities that will
020be happening then um and ways to celebrate um impactful teaching, creative grants and other ways to um you know support the community through things that you can do through that week. >> Thank you Dr. Mahaland. And I know it's not the busy time, but did you have any input um on the legislative updates, Miss Lawrence? >> No, I do not. Thank you. But I I would say to Dr. Mahal, um I really hope that we um do not get stuck clearing brush because one year myself and um several of my colleagues all got poison ivy from from clearing from clearing the the brush. But No, it wasn't. In all fairness, it was actually at the parks, but it was the adjoining between Lawrence Township and the parks. >> Well, luckily, there's a lot of things,
021a lot of ways to get involved. >> No, that's great news. Thank you, board, for the updates. I will say legislatively, I'm sure Dr. Smith, we already kind of have to start thinking future forward for the 2026 session. Yes. Oh, yes. Um, all right. We will move on to our action items. Um, at this time, we will be doing conducting the votes by a roll call because we do have a member uh logging in remotely. The one item that will not be able to be voted on remotely uh by Miss Dunn will be the approval of the budget and that is just per our board policy 0165 and state statute. So, um, at this time we will go to 4.1, approval of the budget. I will have Mr. Miles present that. Thank you, Madame President.
022Uh, this is a followup to our public hearing which was held on September 15, 2025, uh, where we presented the budget originally and public comment was heard at that time. So, following state statute tonight, just as a reminder, uh our budget has been shared as as required by statute, including the bus replacement plan and the capital projects plan uh both on our website and at the DLGF website as well. I do have one followup to our prior meeting just as a point of clarification. Uh as we look at the budget summary um the 20 there's there's two pieces. The way they split out the budget summary is uh for the second six months of the current year. So that's what you have at the top section is is the last six months of 2025 followed
023by uh the full 12 months of 26 again first statute and how we submit the budget uh appropriate appropriately there. Um I have no additional information to share. Everything was shared at the original uh hearing once again on the 15th. And uh just present this the budget uh again including the bus replacement plan and the capital improvement plan uh to the board for approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Miles. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to approve the 2026 budget. Seconded >> properly moved, Miss Pucket and seconded, Dr. Mhalland. Uh before we move to a vote, are there any final questions or comments board? >> I just wanted to say, Mr. Miles, thank you for your point of clarification. I know in our last meeting, I was really confused and had some questions that pertain
024to kind of the discrepancy between last year's approved budget and this year's approved budget and could not figure out for the life of me the reconciliation of those two things. So, thank you. point of clarification, we're just counting more money than what we did previously and so that that accounts for the discrepancy. So, thank you for that. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Lawrence. Any other comments or questions? Okay. At this time, we will move to a roll call for the vote. Um, I will call out each board member by name. Miss Lawrence. >> Yay. For myself, >> Miss Pucket. >> Dr. Mahalins. Okay, four days. Um, all right. The budget for 2026 is approved. Now we'll move on to action item 4.2, approval of request for resolution authorization naming of Craig
025Academy professional development room. Mr. Dan Kusnik. >> Good evening again, Madam President, Dr. Smith, members of the board. At the September 15th work session, I presented a request for a board resolution. At this time, I recommend the board approve the resolution authorizing the name of the Craig Academy professional development room in honor of Mr. Troy Notre. >> All right. Yes, that's okay. Um, properly moved, Miss Pucket. Do I have a second? >> Seconded, Miss Lawrence. >> All right. Any comments or questions before we vote? >> Mr. Noter, I am so sorry I missed the retirement celebration on your behalf. Work obligations kept me away, but that is that does not You were not in my heart. Congratulations on a wonderful and very impactful career in this school district. >> Yes. Thank you. Well done, sir.
026Um, at this time, I will move to the roll call for the vote. Miss Dunn, >> Miss Lawrence, >> Yay for me. Miss Pucket, >> yay. >> And Dr. Mhalland, >> yay. >> All right. Five yays. All right. Congratulations, Mr. Not [Applause] one more time. [Applause] Mr. Noter always presented um information about the plan to move student achievement forward and one of them was the retired teacher cadre. So I'm surprised Miss Carla Johnson's not jumping up the bit to sign him up. >> That's true. >> Yeah. That's the other part. Okay. Congratulations and we know you won't be a stranger. All right. 4.3 approval of the 2526 and 2627 early enrollment window update. Dr. Hos Brown and Mr. Knik, >> President Norman, Dr. Smith, members of the board. You may recall at the September 15th
027work session, Mr. Kousnik and I also brought to you information regarding our recommendation for the application enrollment windows for the 2526 26 27 school year and we do recommend that those be approved as submitted. entertain a motion um for the approval. >> So, >> properly approved, Miss Lawrence, and seconded, Dr. Maholland. Any questions or final comments before we vote? All right, I will move to the roll call. Miss Dunn, >> Miss Lawrence, >> yay for myself, Miss Pucket, >> yay. >> And Dr. Mahaland. All right, the yays have it. Thank you board. And now we will move on to 4.4 approval of the board minutes. Dr. Molland. I present today for approval the minutes from August 18th and and September 15, 2025. Okay. Um, I'll entertain a motion for the approval of the board minutes
028from August and September. >> Second. >> Properly moved, Miss Pucket and seconded, Miss Lawrence. Any questions or comments? If not, we will move to the roll call vote. Miss Dunn. >> Miss Lawrence. >> Yay. and Dr. Mahaland. >> Yay. >> All right. The board minutes have been approved. Thank you, board. >> Madam President. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Pucket. Um, do we have a >> second? All right. Approve. All right. Properly moved and seconded, Miss Pucket. Seconded, Miss Lawrence for the consent agenda. 4.5 through 4. All in favor, we will do the roll call again. I'll start at the other end. Dr. Mhalland. >> Yay. >> Miss Pucket. >> Yay. For myself, Miss Lawrence, >> yay. >> Miss Dunn. >> Okay. >> All right. Properly moved, Miss Pucket, and seconded Dr. Mahal for approval
029of the consent agenda. We'll go to the roll call. Uh Dr. Mahaland. >> Yay. >> Miss Pucket. >> Yay. And Miss Lawrence. >> Yay. >> Miss Dunn. >> Okay. The yays have it for the approval of the consent agenda. Thank you for this board. Um I know this um was actually a very short and effective meeting. uh we've done a lot of our digging and questions and work behind the scenes the last uh three weeks. So uh thank you and thank you to the team for all of your work during this time. Um I'm going to move on now to our administrator and board comments. Would anyone like to go first? >> Thank you for being available. So, thank you for giving us >> second what bucket said and would also say. >> Okay. >>
030Thank you, >> Miss Dunn. >> Thank you, Dr. Mholland. >> I have a brief comment. Just wanted to thank the teachers for their time on Thursday for the parent teacher conferences. really um appreciate the the conversation and for both I have two kids that we had conferences for. So, thank thank you to all the teachers. >> Yes. Um I second all of that. Yes. Thank you. Um it it's really fun to be able to get back or to get into the classroom and see the work they're doing and see the different types of learning that they're engaging with our students. Um I'm actually wearing earrings that were 3D printed in my daughter's class. another way of like teaching math. So, it's just really encouraging to see the way that teachers are um meeting kids where
031they need to be met and how they learn. So, um thank you for that and thank you board. I will turn this to Dr. Smith for any other comments. >> Madam President, I don't have anything. Do you want to remind him of our next meeting date which is a national holiday because it's superintendent's birthday? >> Oh, you probably don't want to say the the the number. Yes. Yep. So, yes, our next meeting time will be here October 13th um at 5:30 and um at this point if there are no other Oh, I did want to welcome Dr. Thorp. We have a new person at the deis. So, welcome. And then at this time then I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Seconded. >> Properly moved Miss Pucket and seconded Dr. Mahalid. Thank you everyone.