001test Just one moment. Thanks for your patience. My apologies. My computer decided to ask for a new password right now. So, I'm good. I'll I'll use this. So, at this time, we will begin our public hearing with Mr. Matt Miles. Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. Dr. Smith, uh from time to time, a need exists uh to ask for an additional appropriation. Uh this in this instance, it's for our education fund. And as the procedural uh steps in place to do so, we ask we have this uh public hearing first tonight uh and we'll give opportunity for public opinion at the end uh followed with a board vote um later this evening. This uh specific additional appropriation again is for our education fund. And the reason behind this is that when the state
002budget came out um the first of the year, end of last year, our appropriation, which is the amount that we're legally allowed to spend um in that fund actually decreased over last year. And as such, in order to um allow us to pay future expenses um that are expected throughout the end of the year, we do need to come to the board at this time um to honor that uh and entertain that additional appropriation request. So, it is not um an increase to tax rates in any way and we do stress that this just gives us the legal ability to spend funds that we either have already uh received or will receive uh receive through the end of the year. Thank you, Mr. Miles. At this time, does the public have any questions? Okay. Board,
003any questions regarding the public hearing on the appropriations? Yes, Miss Lawrence. Mr. Miles, thank you as always for the diligence that you do to maintain our financial well-being as a district. Um, just so a point of clarification, could you just um describe some of the changes that happened at the state level that are per and maybe I'm wrong and suggesting but but perhaps have an uh an influence over the request for these funds. Yeah, great question. uh the changes at the state level through the legislator legislative uh process this year and that were approved will go into effect next year um beginning actually July 1. These this additional appropriation it would preceded any of those changes. Thank you for that. Thank you Miss Lawrence. Any other questions? Miss Dunn had a question. And I just
004want to again say thank you very much for your continued efforts to ensure the financial sustainability of this district. It is extremely appreciated. Thank you board. Thank you Mr. Miles. At this time I will gave us to our regular board meeting. And now we will move to our information items on the 4.1 blue ribbon updates with Mr. Smith. Thank you madam president. members of board, Dr. Smith, Belzer Middle School. We continue to work on the uh two courtyards outside between the weather. Uh East parking lot is the last asphalt that went down end of last week and the cafe and the hallway areas continue their renovation. Uh Fall Creek Valley likewise, cafeteria as well. the common area floor, ceilings, excuse me, and walls uh continue continue on. The main gym floor is done and it
005is now ready for the new bleachers building. Uh the back dock, it'll be poured with concrete this week. And the front infrastructure is in uh curbs and sidewalks are next. and then ask new LEC site. We're um I want to say we're in the new LEC. Uh today was the first day for all staff to report. Uh we moved all contents uh over the weekend and they did their due diligence today, putting their office together and continued to work uh for the district. Uh offices uh looks like home. Uh interior on the south end, the commons area and the boardroom continue on and we're projected that for the middle of July. Craig here, uh phase two continues on now that we're out of here. They have full rain of the building. Uh they are working
006hard on the second floor to finish up classrooms for before school starts in Roof work in HV HVAC continues at Indian Creek, Harrison Hill, Scaff, and Crest View. And we have broke ground at Forest Glenn, Crest View, and Mary Castle on the new classroom. Thank you, Mr. Smith. a lot going on and I'm sure everyone's happy to be moved into the new building. So, um, board, any questions regarding the blue ribbon updates? Miss Lawrence, I have one very selfish qu question. When is our first board meeting in the new LEC? We're planning at the the only board meeting we have in 18. Yeah, August. That's correct. So our last meeting will be here will be just for the public July 21st. That's correct. And then we will close up shop. So thank you for that.
007The questions. Yes, Miss Dunn. I think this is the last time that you will be reporting on the blue ribbon updates and just want to again express our gratitude for all that you have done for Lawrence Township. What is happening the state-of-the-art facilities could not have been done without you. So thank you for your incredible leadership. Thank you. Mission accomplished, Roger Smith. No more duct tape and gorilla glue. It fixes a lot of things. Yes. Thank you, board. Any other questions or comments regarding the construction, the blue ribbon updates. All right. Thank you, Mr. Smith. At this time, we'll move on to 4.2 requests to transfer funds with Mr. Matt Miles. Thank you once again, Madam President, members of the board. Dr. Smith. Uh we bring this to you twice a year for your uh
008review and approval. And this is to allow us to transfer funds between our education fund and our operations funds. Again, uh do that in June and December. So we bring this to you in advance of the transfer not knowing what the final amounts are going to be and then report back in July. And again, the reason for this is to match up our funding uh sources with our with where the state board of accounts wants us to track our expenses and where we have tracked them um over the years. So, at this time, uh we bring this to your attention and we'll ask for approval later this evening. Thank you, Mr. Miles. Board, any questions or comments? Okay. At this time, we'll move on to 4.3 um 2526 student handbook updates with Miss Shawn Bush.
009Yes, Madame President. Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board, I bring to you this evening student handbook updates for the 2526 school year. And at the ELC and elementary level, we are remove we are adding that Ride share companies will not um transport students without a parent or guardian present with the student. Um clarifying that parents should listen to radio updates from the school district regarding before and after care when uh bad weather uh closes the rest of the school district. removing information that discusses textbooks and lunch uh fees because those are no longer applicable. And adding language around the legislation that just went into effect this year uh regarding the truance truency prevention um policy under middle schools. We are adding information about the superintendence award that is new starting this year.
010removing some information about testing at the high school level. Um, to make that more accurate according to current state requirements and changing the information about the top 30 to the to switch it to the distinguished scholars program that is currently in place. We also have a change in how um repeating a class for credit shows up on student transcript. So that is clarified there as well as adding some information about how what documentation is required when students need to repeat a class and how that shows up on transcripts. Thank you, Miss Bush. Board, any questions or comments on the handbook updates? Yes, Miss Dunn. First of all, going through a handbook is never a fun task. So, I I just want to point out that what I see is direct alignment between our board policies
011and updates to the handbook. And I just that is so critically important and it's what we've talked about consistently with the policies is that we want to make sure that they're actually being implemented. So thank you for ensuring that's happening. I just a couple of um just quick question. I'm assuming the ride sharing does not include students McKenna Vento students who may be um taking a ride share type of mode of transportation to get home as a result of where they are residing. So we don't we haven't typically had that. We do our very best to make sure that we work that through with our transportation department um to to find ways to get them here. Um so that that hasn't been wonderful situation with Mckin Vento. And then um the superintendent's award for middle
012schools. Brilliant. I think that is incredible. And then I know that some state reporting does require us to say, you know, a student's first entry into US schools, birth country. If that is not being collected, how might we get that information because and I'm sorry, I just this I just came to me because I was thinking about like our language minority report and some of those things. And so you don't have to answer, but it's just one of those things that I know for state reporting purposes, we are asked for first state of US enrollment. And I certainly am not wanting to say that that's because we want to see if students are here potentially without documentation, but I do know for state reporting sometimes that is required. Well, the the way that we have
013it updated in our handbook is that our legal has advised us of of that wording. And so Thank you. Any other questions or comments, board? Okay. I just um to go with what Miss Dunn had shared, I just um going through this process and connecting the dots. When the state law changes, then that also changes our policy. So, state law policy and then the changes then happen from the student handbook level. Correct. Okay. All right, thank you for that. Thank you, Miss Bush. All right, we will move on to 4.4, uh, the 2526 classified employee handbook update with Miss Johnson. Good evening, Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board. Tonight, I bring for information all of our changes various handles. And I'll start with our classified. In our classified hand, there are four
014I'll highlight that for you. Thank you, Miss Johnson. Board, any questions or comments on the handbook? Okay, thank you. Oh, did you have one? Oh, part one. Sorry, I jumped ahead. Yes, Miss Lawrence. We want to hold my my question would be very simple. What happens when we have two parents who both work in the district? How does how is leave handled at that point? Are are both parents eligible for leave, both paternal and maternal parents? CBA. Transportate that we're looking at since they're firstmin Second employee or out driver seat. other offenses child. We've seen a 20. Another category. Let's just spell out Safety is important and appreciated. Thank you, Miss Johnson board. Any questions or comments regarding the handbooks? I just have a quick comment that I appreciated the thought um that went into
015some of the guidelines. I mean, I'm someone who travels that area, so I was just educated on on the the thoughtfulness of, you know, um turns we don't take and make and it it makes a big deal as someone who drives that area quite a bit. So, thank you. Thank you, board. At this time, we'll move on to 4.5 student achievement part one update with Mr. Not. Thank you, Madame President, members of the board, and Dr. Smith. I'm pleased to bring to you this evening part one of student achievement and we will focus on our internal data this evening as state data is still embargoed and so we can't discuss that yet publicly. So this first board goal um just as a reminder is growth of 15% in the percentage of students meeting grade level
016proficiency on our internal district benchmark math and reading assessments and this is for all subgroups. So for 2425, our internal assessment was I Ready. And so that's the data I'll be presenting this evening. First, just some district level data highlights from I Ready. Um I'm really pleased to report that all schools met the board goal in both ELA and math. And this is the the first time um since we started I Ready that every single school in the district has met the board goal. At the district level, we had ELA growth of 28% and math growth of 32%. And that's in the percentage growth of students reaching proficiency. All demographic groups met the board goal, so they all grew at least 15% in both ELA and in math. And then I think it's important to
017look at um proficiency levels over time. So, uh, we're in our third year of our I Ready assessment as the board goal, and you can see the ELA proficiency rates have grown steadily over those three years. Uh, we were at 40% proficient in 2023. This year we're at 49% proficient, so a growth of nearly 10%. Um, similar growth in our math proficiency rates, 37% in 2023 and 43% this year. Um, we also have seen accelerated growth in our African-American and Hispanic subgroups over the last three years, particularly in ELA. This is just the the data broken out by subgroup. And so you can see uh green down the line. Um, every subgroup met the board goal. And and just as a reminder, this is a a more rigorous board goal this year than we had
018last year. Last year it was growth of 12%. This year it was we upped it to growth of 15%. So that's ELA and then the next slide is our math data and again showing exceptional growth here as well. So next steps is we want to continue to raise our proficiency level. Um we have significant professional development plan at the Lawrence Learning Summit and throughout next year in the following areas. Uh first our Lawrence language model with our increasing English learners um as well as all students needing to work on academic language, the integration of language targets and language goals into our instructional framework data systems um particularly taking action in the moment. So that really really short cycle data where teachers are monitoring in the moment and immediately taking action to support students. uh implementing
019instructional frameworks for both ELA and math specific to the 2023 standards and co-eing in core instruction. And this is really targeted to our special education and English learner populations. And co-eing is where you have a general education teacher paired with a special education teacher or English learner teacher to provide that core instruction. So really reduces the teacher student ratio. Um, we also want to continue partnerships and the data supports these partnerships to accelerate learning for students, specifically our retired teachers as well as Huntington Learning. We saw great growth out of uh those two programs and of course ongoing datadriven support for principles. Every school is unique. Every school has unique needs and so we've got to provide that different differentiated support for principles. The next internal board goal to discuss this evening is our rigor
020appraisal. So, this is our measure of instructional systems within each school. And the board goal is to reach a a year-end score of 9.0. Um, and rigor appraisals were conducted at 19 schools during the month of April and May. We did have five schools who had three appraisals throughout the entire school year. one at the beginning of the year, middle of the year, and end of the year. And I'm pleased to report for those five schools that we saw tremendous growth over the school year. Growth of 21 2.1 points with two of those schools reaching the board goal of a 9.0. As we look at the district overall, um we had the most schools that we've ever had uh reach the board goal of 9.0 with a total of eight. Six elementary schools, two early
021learning centers. Um 17 of our 19 schools showed improvement over their year-end score from last year. Our district-wide average when you average all of our schools together was 8.5. And a particular highlight um that really speaks to the work that our schools did this this year around data. So those data systems for continuous improvement monitoring students increased from a a that should be 7.8 in 2024 to an 8.8 in 2025. So a growth of an entire point in that data for continuous improvement that reflects the professional development that we've done this year. So next steps uh continue that differentiated support for principles and entire school leadership teams. Again, alignment of the Lawrence language model. This will be critical for us to continue to show growth. and then um the professional development that we're offering at
022the Lawrence Learning Summit coming up here soon and throughout uh next school year as well. Happy to entertain any questions or discussion. Thank you, Mr. Not board. Uh questions or comments regarding the data. Yes. Thank you to all the staff involved in this. Um, we knew at the beginning of this they were rigorous goals and we've seen really big jumps made. Even personally like my fourth grader made a huge jump in math and I I can see it all working. So yes, thank you. It's done. Super exciting to see the achievement gap continue to close and close and close especially accelerate. Yes. To you and your team. I have um just a couple questions. Language targets, are those similar to language objectives or how might those differ? They are similar to language objectives um tied
023very specifically to standards. So you'll have an academic standard as well as a language standard as well that is being incorporated because students need to understand both the content that they're learning as well as the language that they're supposed to be using. So absolutely outstanding. That's for all students, which is outstanding. Um, and then the appraisals, the rigor appraisals, who is conducting those appraisals, is that in conjunction with the school leader or exactly? Yes, we have we have an external evaluator that comes in and and conducts them, facilitates the process, but our building principles always participate on the team. Often they also invite teacher leaders to participate as well. That is outstanding. Thank you so much. You're welcome. questions. Uh board, any other questions or comments? Yes, Mr. Noter. Uh in the working session, I
024asked you the same question. So, I'll just ask it one more time for posterity. Um, what do we attribute these big jumps? Which, by the way, congratulations to you, your teams, and all of our teachers, staff, and administrators who have worked really hard to get these to get these uh achievement data up. So, uh, could you just give a sense for members of the public, uh, what what we can attribute this accelerated growth? Sure. Really three pieces. The the first is strong core instruction. In order to get students to proficiency, that has to happen during core instructional time. The other piece is adding in research-based interventions. So, students who aren't quite at proficiency or we need to show uh accelerated growth with interventions that are researchbased that are provided by um licensed teachers or instructional
025assistants. And the third piece, and I've mentioned this several times this evening, is the data monitoring. Really knowing where students are and then developing a plan for taking them to the next level and monitoring that data um frequently throughout a class period as well as through longer periods with larger assessments as well. Thank you for those questions. Any other comments? Some might come up organically. So, So part one sequel. Yeah. All right. Yes. More to come. All right. Well, at this time we'll move to the very fun part 4.6 Neola updates uh with Dr. Harshburgger. Madam President, Dr. Smith, members of the board, at the June 9th work session presented to you the revision packet volume 37 number two for first reading per statute. I now bring that same packet back again for second reading.
026Thank you, Dr. Harsh Barger. Uh board, any questions or comments regarding the 50 plus Neola updates? Yes. No. Any questions or comments? Okay. Well, I do want to thank the committee for your work on this. I know it was an extra busy packet year. Yes. Yes. More to come. Okay. Well, great. At this time, if there are no questions, we will move on to 4.7 financial update with Mr. Miles. Thank you once again, Madam President, members of the board, Dr. Smith. Um at this time I share with you our May end of May 2025 financials. We'll start with uh the general fund. Um at this time as of May 31 the general fund was in a great shape, great position. Um revenue outpacing projections and our expenditures were under our projections. Um so great shape
027there. Likewise, the transportation fund um not much revenue to report right now. We get that primarily twice a year. So, we'll have that to report soon. Um and expenditures are slightly under um expectations as of this point. So, leading to uh a balance on both both funds slightly better than than where we had projected. Thank you, Mr. Miles. Board, any questions or comments on the financial update? Green means good. Green means good. We like the checks. Yes. All right. No duct tape or Gorilla Glue needed. All right. So, but the foundation Dr. Maul Holland. Okay. Well, I wanted to share about the Junth celebration that was this past Saturday at the Arts for Lawrence campus. It was awesome to see the Lawrence Township School Foundation there. Um they're there every year. It was a very
028hot Saturday. So appreciate everyone who was able to come out, all the vendors and organizations um and the performers. It was such a fun a fun day. So I'm so glad that we have this tradition and that Lawrence Township School Foundation is a big part of it. That's it. Thank you. And I believe Dr. Smith, so the foundation has already moved. Yeah. So that so for the record, our uh Lawrence Township Educational Foundation will be moving to the new LEC. So they're in the process of moving with us. So we're excited about um Miss Johnson and her team joining us. So they were in the building today. That's great. Yeah. And I believe they're located on the first floor, correct? The new They will be on the first floor. That is correct. And some of
029my cabinet members don't even know where they're located yet because they're still finding their way around the building. But you're all happy, aren't you? We're happy today, board. Yes, that's a good point. Beautiful office on the first floor. Yes, first floor. All right. Well, thank you for that. Um, now we'll move on to Lawrence Parks and Wreck with Miss Dunn. Thank you. I also was going to share about the wonderful Junth event that was hosted um on June 20. Yes, June 21st. I unfortunately was out of town and was not able to attend. Uh all of these events for the city of Lawrence can be found on visit lawrence indiana.com. But as a reminder, the Forever Young Club meets from 11 to 1 on Thursdays at Community Park. Our farmers market is in full swing
030at the Lawrence Cultural Campus. That's on Thursdays from 4:00 to 7:00. If you have not been, I highly recommend it. wonderful vendors, great entertainment lots of times. Um just a really good time. Also, Fridays at the fort. Uh the 13th was supposed to be the first one and unfortunately due to weather it was postponed. And so June 27th, uh this Friday marks the first of the Fridays at the fort. And then obviously we've got the Fourth of July celebration where we will be participating in the parade, but there will be a lot of wonderful things happening um at the city of Lawrence. Uh the car show, the fish fry, which I believe uh our own Dr. Smith is frying up some fish. Not this year, but we've supported in the past. That is the uh
031Kuanas. that is the guanian that number of Lawrence Township employees continually support that. So a huge um thank you to as again Dr. Mahaland stated to the um the school district for being an integral part of our city and the events that we host. Thank you for that Miss Dunn. I do have a question and if it if I need to defer it to like the office. Um sorry do you know Hi. Okay. See if parks and wreck. Oh okay. So um there the fourth parade is open to any community or organization that wants to be a part of the parade. That is my understanding. Yes. And there was a way that would actually Dr. Nesbet who's an expert for us um give the just the board just a reminder on that. You do have
032to go through the city to be a part of the parade. So they have their own protocol where you could go and um sign up to participate. At this point Dr. But if it is closed, it is closed. Okay, good to know. I just wanted to see if that was true on the record. Yep. I people, different organizations like we we don't have anything. That's the city of Lawrence, correct? Okay. Yes, we have no control. And I know that's through their website. Okay. All right. Well, thank you and we'll look forward to participating. Yes. I think Dr. Nesbet, I heard you're going to be the driver. [Laughter] Congratulations on Dr. Nesb. is Roger Smith July one. Oh, that's before that's your new assignment, sir. He's ready. Yes. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Not covered. No. Yep. Operations.
033Wonderful. Okay. Well, thank you for that. So, now we will move on to Miss Pucket for policy. Let me first say that Junth and it was hot. It was hot, but the food was good and the fellowship was great. With that being said, Dr. Harshburgger, thank you for presenting the eight weeks of work, eight weeks of work that went into those 50 policies. So, thank you for that, sir. As we um shared, Neiola revision packet volume 37 number two for the second reading for approval. Uh there's another packet coming up here soon, the beginning of July. And thank you for all the efforts of our fellow board members, division leaders. I didn't realize how I am. Gratitude to everyone as we're sitting there working on on the packets, division leaders coming in who have so
034much work goes into all of this and so just thank you for all of you. So yeah, that's all I have to share with you. More fun coming up and I'll bring the coffee. So coffee is much appreciated. Sure. Thank you for that. Um, I know most of the work has moved from the legislative session to policy now, but do you have any updates at this time, Miss Lawrence? No update. Okay. Yeah. No, it's the the B the work has shifted now to policy. They're all they're all on vacation and yes, rightfully so. Yes. And they did. Yeah. Well, well needed. Okay. Thank you for that, Board. So, now we're ready to move on to our action items. We will go to 5.1 approval of the additional appropriations. Mr. Miles. Thank you, Madam President. Um
035earlier this evening, I shared information about a request for an additional appropriation to our education fund. And it's at this time I recommend that the board approve that recommendation. I'll entertain a motion for approval of the appropriations. So moved. Second. Second. Okay. properly moved. Miss Dunn, seconded, Dr. Mahaland. Board, any questions or comments before we vote? All right. Um, all in favor? I I. Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it. We will move on now to 5.2, approval of the transfer of funds. Mr. Miles. Thank you, Madam President. Earlier this evening, I shared information about a request to transfer funds that we do twice a year. And at this time, I recommend that the board uh approve the motion or approve the recommendation. All right. I'll entertain a motion for transfer of funds. So
036moved. Second. Properly moved. Miss Lawrence. Seconded. Miss Pucket. Uh board. Any questions or comments that we may have missed? Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Now we will move on to 5.3 approval of the 2526 uh student handbook. Miss Bush. Thank you, Madam President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board. Earlier this evening, I presented updates to the student handbooks for the coming school year and I would like to recommend that those be approved as submitted. I'll entertain a motion on the student handbook. Second. Properly moved. Dr. Mahalland seconded, Miss Lawrence. Any other questions or comments before we vote? All right. All in favor? I I Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it on the handbook. Now we will move to 5.4. Approval of the classified employee handbook for
0372526. Miss Johnson. Good evening, Madam President. Dr. Thank you. I'll entertain a motion board on the classified employee handbook updates. So moved. Second. All right. Properly moved. Miss Lawrence. Seconded. Miss Dunn. Any questions or comments? All right. All in favor of the classified employee handbook updates? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Now we will move on to 5.5 approval of the Neola policy updates. Dr. Harshburgger. Thank you madam president. Dr. Smith members of the board. Earlier this evening I brought to you second reading of volume 37 number two. I'd recommend the board approve policies as submitted. Thank you. I'll entertain a motion on the Neola policy updates. So moved. Second. Properly moved. Miss Pucket, policy committee member and seconded. Miss Lawrence, any other questions or comments? All right. All in favor of the
038Niola updates? I I I. Any opposed? All right. The eyes have it on Niola. Thank you. Madam President, I move that we treat action items 5.66 through 5.11 as cons as consent agenda. All right. Do we have a second? Second. All right. properly moved Miss um Pucket and seconded Miss Dunn for the consent agenda 5.6 to 5.11. All in favor? I. Any opposed? All right. I move approval of consent agenda. All right. We have a second. Second. All right. Properly moved, Miss Pucket, and seconded, Miss Lawrence, for the approval of the consent agenda. All in favor? I I I Any opposed? All right, the eyes have it. At this time, we will go back to action item 5.7, which is our personnel reports. And this is also available to the public on the link, Miss
039Carla Johnson. Thank you, Madame President, Dr. Smith, and members of the board. We thank you for approving our personnel report. And tonight I'm here to highlight and introduce to you um some new principles that have been selected to lead in Lawrence Township for this school year. I will start in alpha order of buildings. We will start with Brook Park Elementary. And with us this evening we have the principal, Mrs. Tasha Oakspay. Will you come forward? Your babies are so adorable. Oglesby brings 13 years of educational experience as a teacher and administrator in Lawrence Township to this new role, having most recently served as assistant principal at Winding Ridge Elementary. Oglesby shares, "I'm honored to join the Brook Park community and look forward to partnering with staff, students, and families to support a culture of learning,
040belonging, and growth. Together, we will continue to build a strong foundation that empowers every child to succeed." According to Superintendent Dr. Sha Smith, I am thrilled to welcome Miss Oglesby to this important leadership role. Her passion for elementary education, proven track record of collaboration, and student centered approach makes her the right choice to lead this school forward. We're confident she will have a lasting and positive impact on the entire Brook Park community. Miss Oglesby earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Ball State University in 2012. She completed her master's degree at Ball State in 2019 in educational administration and supervision. Congratulations [Applause] You're doing great. Congratulations, Miss Olesby. I think you have someone with you this evening. Yasha, do you have someone with you this evening? Yes. And with me I have my partner
041Andre Kuran and our very busy daughter Zenaia Kurin. Thank you so much for having us. Um Mr. Kuran, stand up. Stand up for me so I can see you. Pike High School. I remember you young man, don't I? All right. My former life at Pike High School. I remember this young man very well. You picked well, young man. You picked well. Thank you. And next we have the principal of Lawrence North High School, Mr. Jason Floyd. If you will come forward. Mr. Floyd brings 22 years of educational experience as a teacher and administrator to this new role, having served as the assistant principal at Lawrence North since 2015. Mr. Floyd shares, "My leadership philosophy is to leave things better than I found them. This is built upon four educational leadership building blocks: curricular focus, clear
042communication, building relationships, and honesty. As the principal of Lawrence North High School, I will be committed to being the best, not just as an educator, but also as a mentor to the students and faculty. My passion for being a role model and my leadership skills will ensure that focused and effective educational programs are executed more successfully to tame the school's goals. I am dedicated to Lawrence North High School's success and eager to contribute to its continued growth and excellence. Dr. Sha Smith shares that Mr. Floyd's deep knowledge of our students, staff, and families, combined with his unwavering commitment to educational excellence, makes him the ideal choice to lead Lawrence North into the future. He is a true leader of teachers. Mr. Floyd has served at Lawrence North since 2003, teaching all areas of science until
0432015 when he transitioned into administration. During his ten years as an assistant principal at Lawrence North High School, he has adeptly managed to a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including overseeing student discipline, supervising staff, managing school safety protocols, implementing academic programs, and fostering a positive relationship with students, parents, and community. He earned a bachelor's degree in science education with a primary focus on biology and a secondary focus on chemistry at Indiana State University in 2003. He holds a master of science and educational leadership 2014 from Butler University. Congratulations, Mr. Floyd. some point. Congratulations, Mr. [Applause] Uh this evening I have my husband and major supporter Kelvin Quac with me tonight. [Applause] And next I'd like to present to you the principal of Sunnyside Elementary, Mrs. Sherifa Blackwell. You'll join us. Mrs. Blackwell brings 20
044years of bilingual education experience as a teacher and administrator in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, having most recently served as the principal of Global Prep Academy. She is honored to join the Sunnyside Elementary community as principal. It's a privilege to lead a school where bilingualism, bilingualism, I gota work on that, academic excellence, and cultural pride are at the heart of learning. I look forward to working with the school's dedicated staff and families to support every child's success. According to Dr. Smith, he's very excited to welcome Miss Blackwell as the new leader at Sunnyside Elementary. She brings valuable experience in education and a strong commitment to bilingual learning. I'm confident in her leadership will strengthen both academic achievement and cultural connection in our dual language community at Sunnyside. Mrs. Blackwell holds a earned bachelor's degree in Spanish,
045formerly Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis. She holds a master's degree in teaching from Southern Oregon University University in Mexico. Her master of arts is in educational leadership is from the teachers college of Columbia University. Welcome to Lawrence Township and congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations, Miss Blackwell. And we are her new family. New family. All right. This is a a great night. At this time, we will move on to our board and administrative comments. Would anyone like to start? I I actually do. So, Dr. Smith, you're gonna appreciate my comments tonight. I did write them down and she I know you'll need it for the record. I'll send it to you after. Um because today marks the 53rd anniversary of the passing of Title N. Uh the federal civil rights law was passed in 1972 and was championed
046by Indiana's own Senator Burch B. The law states, "No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." 53 years later, it's easy to forget how radical that sentence was. It opened doors, literal and symbolic, for millions of students many, many years ago. And I I went back because I kind of fell into a rabbit hole with the uh ability on vacation to do so. But many many years ago when I was working at the NCAA, um I had far fewer wrinkles um and the unique opportunity to interview several prominent icons in the athletics community about the impact that Title N had on their lives, but none more iconic than Billy Jean King, whose battle of the sexes took
047place a year after Title N's passage. I was reminded of that interview last week while watching the excellent new documentary about Sally Ride where Billy Jean has several uh brief cameos. So, I rewatched that interview that ranged from the importance of the law to her own struggles with her identity. She said something that struck a chord, especially in this divisive and politically charged atmosphere. quote, "Unless you've been excluded, you don't really understand inclusion." Title Nine was never just about sports or education. It was about changing hearts and minds to match the law. And as Billy Jean said to me, "We're used to getting crumbs, but no human being should settle for crumbs. Everyone deserves the icing." So on this anniversary of this very pivotal law and in honoring Pride Month, I think it's important we
048say clearly that Title 9's promise of equity must be in must also include our LGBTQ plus students because as Billy Jean so courageously shared, it took her until she was 51 to feel safe enough to live as her full self. You can't come out unless it's safe, she said. That means we as educators, as leaders, as allies must continue to create that safety. Let's all remember the measure of Title N success isn't just in trophies or scholarships. It's whether every student, regardless of gender, race, or identity, feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Yes. Thank you for sharing that. Any other or comments? How does one follow? Yeah, I know. Yes, you did. Thank you. I I just first of all, congratulations to the new leaders um in Lawrence Township. It is super exciting to see our
049superintendent continue to lead in a way that brings the best and brightest to our township. And so, kudos to you and thank you, Dr. Smith for your continued leadership in ensuring that we hire the best and brightest that central Indiana and really all of Indiana has to offer. So kudos to you all. Thank you, Miss Dun. Great. Brief. Yes, Miss Pucket. Seven forms of rest are physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual. So, I'm going to need y'all to guard those vehemently and know that I will hold space for you in my quiet time. But, I just wanted to just run that past you. Guard them and hold them, especially in the times that we're in. Guard your seven places of rest, you guys. So, that was it for me, Miss Pucket. Good. Dr.
050from home. I know I had already shared about the Junth festival that happened this past Saturday, but I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed going over to the LT the Lawrence Township District booth and u meeting a couple of staff members from the transportation department and they really held it down that whole day. Um just made it so much fun. And we've got we had the LTSF booth and then Lawrence Township right next door. So, it was just a wonderful day and so I appreciate the um the staff that spent the day and and just their energy and and how much fun we had. So, thank you so much. Thank you. Um I just had three brief things. Uh first of all, I wanted to thank the entire staff for the work put in
051during the summer learning academy. I still see the yellow buses. I think we're in the final final week, correct? Yeah. So, thank you guys for that. that's going to impact student achievement and outcomes. Um, secondly, to to go with Miss Dunn's statement, welcome to our new building leaders. Um, I think it's a testament that your current building leaders are here to support you. So, uh, we look forward to to this new year. And then, um, finally, um, I know we've had a lot of celebrations, but I just wanted to again say thank you and happy retirement to Dr. Gagline and Roger Smith who are in the room with us tonight. Yes, their very last meeting. Don't look too happy. No, we will we will miss your sense of humor and your smiles, but um you
052have a welldeserved retirement coming up after what over 80 years of combined service to public ed. So, thank you both. And yes, sorry. I do think that it is important for us to hold just a moment um to remember the young scholar at Amy Beverlin that passed away um unexpectedly. Um just if we can take a moment of silence and just hold a moment for him and his family. Thank you. Thank you for that. Yes. Um at this time I just wanted to make the announcement our next monthly board meeting will be a combined work session and board meeting the last one here um at the current 6501 Sunny side and that is July 21st at 5:30. After that point, we will be moving to the new LEC, the new boardroom. It's really cool looking.
053So, um, at that, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. So, moved. Second. All right. All right. Properly moved, Miss Dunn and seconded, Miss Lawrence. Thank you all.