001like to call to order the Monday, July 7th, 2025 hearing the board of education regular meeting. If you could call the board or the role, please. Mrs. Henners here, Dr. Lefay here, Mr. Ragger here, Mrs. Hartley here, Mrs. Mass here. If everyone could please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. Next, we needed approval of tonight's meeting agenda. So move. Second. Mrs. Hartley, yes. Mr. Regger, yes. Dr. Lefay, yes. Mrs. Hers, yes. Mrs. M. Yes. Thank you. Um, item number three, audience community comments. Is there anyone in our audience this evening that has anything they'd like to address the board? Okay, we will
002move on. All right. So, on to administrative reports. The first we have I'm going to turn over Mr. Abs to recognize our boys uh track team. Yeah. So, um, we brought some girls too to recognize. Um, you know, we had a lot of state finalists, so or f participating in the state finals. So, first off, um, want to thank them for coming tonight. We, uh, we had a very successful regular season. A lot of meets where we're finishing top five, top three, winning, getting league or MVP honors, you know, at the Uclid relays, and I think Riley got MVP there. I know Joel got a couple MVPs, too. So, really exciting for our, you know, track team. very successful and you're you know the entire season I'm sitting there thinking like you know are we
003going to do it again? Is it going to happen? And sitting there kind of anticipating I know coach and I had a couple conversations and it it got you know to that point to where you know SBC's hit and they both went for the first time in school history. Both went at the same time which is really cool. Um you know kind of ran that meet and then we go girls go into postseason and they have you know really good postseason too. They go through, they advance a 3200 meter runner, a 1600 meter runner, and a 4x2 to the state finals, which is really cool and exciting. Um, and then the boys were very well represented as uh as well. They went SBC's, districts, regionals, state, undefeated postseason, didn't lose once, and you know, you're
004sitting there win districts like, okay, you know, that was good first step, right? Then they win regionals and it's like, oh my gosh, like this is crazy. Then they win state and I can tell you right now, I know uh Tim Lamb was down there with me and we were sitting there and I swear we jumped 15 ft up in the air about every finish. So, it was pretty exciting. So, um you know, they they're great group of kids led by an amazing coach, amazing teacher, amazing dad, and I have nothing but great things to say about coach Lein. So, I'm going to turn it over to him. He's going to talk a little bit about some of the um individual successes of some of these kids, and we'll go from there. Great. Thank you,
005Matthew. Uh first of all, thank you for having us here. I always love an opportunity to brag about them. Um, and yeah, it was it was definitely an amazing season. I can't even think of all the stuff that happened. I tried to type out a couple things that highlighted especially the seniors. Um, first of all, just getting to state is really, really hard. So, I've said this a few times to our our seniors have probably heard it a bunch of times, but we've been making a lot of really abnormal things look normal over the last few years, and I don't want to take that for granted. And um I just want to kind of point out a couple things individually. I know that she's not here today, but um going through the six qualifiers for
006the girls just to kind of highlight the seniors. Um, Megan Harker Road is going to leave here as a four-time letter winner, three-time school record holder, four time all SBC athlete. She was part of two SBC titles, team titles, which the girls, but there's only two other girls, I should say, one girl here that has been part of both of those. Um, because there's only three in the whole school's history. So, that's pretty awesome. She was a state qualifier and academical Ohio. Uh, Sam Lnik is here. She's a senior. Well, I guess she was a senior now. Now you're back to being a freshman. She will leave here also as a four-time letter winner, a seventime school record holder, an 11time all SBC athlete. Uh she was part of two SBC team titles. She's going
007to be a lead is a six-time state qualifier and she also qualified four years in a row. Uh three-time state placer including a state runner up in a 4x8. She was also a two-time national qualifier. And my favorite thing about this is she's a three time Ohio. So, not only did she make it four years in a row, but she if she if she could qualify as a freshman, she would have done a four time Ohio, but it's only a sophomore through senior recognition. And as much as it pains me to say she's going to Ohio as a purple myself, but um she had a fantastic career. Really excited to see her go to the next level. Um, and our last girl, Elelliana Cozy. She's also a four four year letter winner, two-time school record
008holder, 10 time all SBC athlete. She was also part of those two SBC titles, four time state qualifier, also somebody that qualified four years in a row. And she's going to be running for College of Worcester. Um, so it's pretty cool to see our kids do well here and then also advance to the next level and keep doing it. So, um I think we've had I want to say like six or seven years in a row we've had kids continue on to the college level. So, that's really cool. Um and one more thing about the I'm going to go back to the academical Ohio thing. We took 12 kids, six girls, six boys, and nine of the 12 were academical Ohio. So that is again I guess being a teacher thing, but I just love
009to see that part of it because it's very hard to be a non-athlete and still be having a 35 GPA. Uh they did that plus all the other stuff that they're doing. So it's just another tip of the cap to them for all the stuff that they do. For the boys, I'm going to start with senior Jackson McNelte. Um he was a track rookie as a senior. We got him very late, but um he was amazing. If you know Jackson, you can't be in a bad mood around Jackson. He was just one of the most loable dudes on the planet. And I've had the pleasure of knowing him since he was in seventh grade, maybe even a little younger from my young life stuff, but he's been the same guy. And he's got a little
010bit taller, but um he he is phenomenal person. Uh he's a he's leaving here in his one year of a of track as a two-time RSBC athlete, a two-time state champion for the 4x1 4x2, obviously a team state champion, and then he also was part of the the national qualifying 4x1 team. They didn't end up running this year, but they did qualify. Um and I'll go I don't think Sage is here. Sage Sage is I'm gonna kind of quickly talk about him just because he was kind of like the forgotten number last year because he didn't score. He ran last year, but he didn't score. I always bring this up. I've said it a couple times, but when I asked him about, you know, getting our state championship rings last year, he said, I don't
011want to get one next year. And here we are a year later. And I told him like, I don't think you know how hard it is to do that. I don't know if we're going to get a chance to do it again. He was a cookie. He was one of the reasons why we ended up winning this year because of his two performances in the mile and two mile. So he also was a regional champion, three-time district champion, three time SBC champions in the ball Ohio and that was just this year. So can we get him back next year? So um and then the uh I got two more. I'm sorry. Uh Joe Joe uh Joe is here. Joe Schaer's here. Um he this year broke the school record in the 200 twice and that
012record was actually held by his older brother Connor. Um he has the district meet record in the 200. He broke the stadium record for the regional the regional meet. Uh he was the SBC meet MVP. He won the 100, 200, and 400. Uh district champion three times. Regional champion three times. Uh two time state champion. He was the runner up by that much in the 200. Um, and he also finished as an academic call. So, and we get him back for another year. So, he was an amazing amazing human as well. Um, happy to have him back for one more year. And the last person that I'll highlight here is uh Austin Brun. He's a also a new freshman. Um, four-year letter winner, 11 time school record holder, five time all SBC athlete. He was
013part of three SBC team titles. Um, four time state qualifier, four time state placer. Every time he went to state, he won. Um, so that's a nice little feather he has in his cap right there. Um, two time a two-time state champion, obviously, first ever backto-back team titles. He was a three-time national qualifier and also an academic island. So, um, again, I could be here for another hour if you everybody else here knows from my banquetss. I talk a lot and I know there's a couple parents up here that have that have experienced some of those things. Um, but yeah, I appreciate again you having us here. Um, other members we have here, we have Sasha Fry. She was part of our 4x2 team and we ate her for two more years and she is
014another phenomenal human. Um, she is a person that we actually have to like tell to stop doing stuff. You can see the boot she has on right now because she does not know when to stop. So, it's a great thing mentally, but physically it's obviously want to make sure that she's as healthy as possible. super excited to have a personal year. So, yeah, thank you. I want to also publicly thank Don Hardy for all the videoing he does. He is at everything. I don't even know. Do you know how many miles you actually drive in in one season? No. A couple thousand. It's got to be. Um, but he is amazing. It's awesome to just go back to Facebook or YouTube and be able to look back at all the stuff that we've done the
015last couple years. So, again, thank you for having us. Appreciate it. Thank you. [Applause] You want a picture with you want it with the red background? I think we should do it that way because that way camera Okay. I don't think we [Music] or Where's the black shirt? I'm dressing for the board. Okay. Grant [Music] Everybody and honestly, this is the most of the mirror we've ever gotten. Oh, done. Stay put together, then I'll help you out. Perfect. Thank you. [Music] I forgot where [Music] Michael Hello everyone. I hope your guys December is going well. Really don't have much to talk about. There's not a ton, but obviously Riverfest is this weekend and I know that the band cheerleading and trackation, but other than that, I don't have much. Nice job. It was super fun
016to be down there. I got a chance to go. It was great. All right. Well, uh, two weeks ago we had a little chat about our federal programs. So, um, I wish I was in a better place to give you an update on that, but um, I appreciate Mike's patience with me the last few weeks with because it is not going well. Um, so two things. Okay, that's awesome. They don't have all the tomulas for not really that. So, um, the next communication we got was, um, here's a place for all the rest of what you got previous. So, um, okay. So, we still held the July of hitting the button which did not work correctly. Um department so up to date and I were talking today trying to figure out salaries and benefits and
017I was like so um Columbus told us they're already back all the um theocations will be readjusted for title one. We have no idea programs coming if it's coming at all. whatot. I am so sorry to hear that. But thank you for all you're doing. I mean, really, you and Mike and James, I mean, this has got to be incredibly frustrating. Is this is this the first time something like this has happened? Oh, yeah. Um, so Back in the days it was you got your allocations June one you had to have everything turned in by July one then it kind of creeped up to like mid June and everybody was looking it's it's never been like this. I mean last year I think we had June 16th you know we know what we're going to
018do and you kind of guesstimate what your allocation is and as soon as I saw the title one allocation I'm like I don't think so that's like way off. So um yeah so then when we kept getting I went to a meeting actually up in the 25th and I felt so bad for the O for the EW folks because like their stress level people stress because I mean we don't get to move the date it's July one it's federal whatever and they can't give answers and I think it came down to um the 11th hour 59 minutes where they wiped the coding out of the system because they have error for everybody so that these two could hit theur put in a budget. So, I mean, it just it's So, how how do you I
019mean, I I know they put in placeholders for you, but it's not real it's not real amounts. It's just a placeholder. How How in the world are you able to plan for what you're going to do in August? I mean it's um so the biggest impact right now is um our nonpublic services because we um provide that service. It's um and then we also um we pull in with other districts. We do the things like they they pick up our kids over there with we have no idea how much dollar amount that is. So I can't tell our service provider how many hours they're going to get to work right now. And so they're like uh okay. So do I still have a job? And I was like you still have a job. I just
020how much is one and that's really a bad not good feeling to say right so um as it's somebody's livelihood and then um another example be like our 2A funds we use for professional development and they told us that the meeting is currently do not obligate anything for next year as a placeholder do not go into contract with 2A funds tied to it because and I they must have had ink when it was coming so um so what we've done in the past to help with title one cost we actually you're allowed to take from two and put it into one. So that helps us bridge the um what's not covered. Can't do that. So that's going to hit general fun. So it's just kind of it's just super messy right now. And I just
021don't it it's not a here on thing. It's the whole state of Ohio thing and beyond in in other fields too. Like it just um my sister works in the health department down in Dayton. You know her funding was that it was two weeks ago and she found out yesterday kind of thing. So, I mean, it's just not us, but it's just a lot of I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but thank you for how professionally you're dealing with it. And you can still smile. Okay. So, and it may be because Mike, I know there was something I was thinking like I saw a document that had like federal funds on it. So maybe both of you, but that's is that the total that we're anticipating or as a placeholder, but we don't know when we'll
022get it. I'm sure that's the placeholder amount. And then with everything we're hearing after they do their review on FY25, we'll get some sort of a real allocation. I threw it on there because those are the numbers that are actually in the CCIP for us right now. Okay. So, I just figured we'll put it in there. We're not going to obligate any of the funds to anything just because I don't want to have to then use general fund. Um, but we'll get it set up like this for now and then and then go from there. Um, this was these came in pretty late. I mean, like Julie was saying, it was really late. I mean, I think at the last board meeting, I even told you I didn't have any. Um, yeah, that was under
023June 20. Yeah. Whenever that we still didn't and it wasn't like the next day we got it. It was real close to June 30. And IDA was June 30. Yeah. Yeah. We kept walking and of course when everybody was logging into a broken system didn't it kept kicking us out. I had I have a really long email chain with one of our consultants saying I can't get in. I can't get this July one day. He's like no this is it's fine. You just go in there and you go to the asurances page and then you click the asurances and it's fine. I was like no I don't think you understand. I can't even get to that. I'm assuring you that this is not happening. So it's it's been a this has been a different year
024for sure. So these federal funds they flow through the state. Okay. And so it's the state system the platform from the state that changed that is creating barriers being able to even access the information. But then there's an additional delay somewhere between federal and state in even marking the allocations to put it into the system that doesn't work that people can't get into. And then you have to turn around by July one submit to the state how you will use the federal funds. And so that's all up in the air. I guess my question is what what do we anticipate the impact will be on students if any like what's a best case scenario? What's a worst case scenario? Yeah. So the best case scenario would be the money flows and so we can continue
025with services. Worst case scenario is uh the money doesn't flow. Uh but we're not going to necessarily stop services that we provide students in house. So the general fund will have to pick up that difference until the money flows. And if the money doesn't flow the whole year, it'll have to pick that up. So we'll have to look at that. That's going to impact our five-year forecast that will come up in in November. Um but ultimately, uh a knee-jerk reaction land that our federal government has put us in right now. We we don't want to make a knee-jerk reaction that's going to negatively impact kids without fully knowing because we could wake up tomorrow or next week and the funds are there and we're kind of back to status quo. Um so it would have
026to be weathered by our general fund. But what I think we need to be mindful of is not allocating monies that we don't have for things that we don't necessarily have to spend it on. Right? So, professional development for staff, it's important and you have to do it consistently in order to always stay on the cutting edge of uh instruction and learning. Um, but if we have to pause on that as far as buying a service, yeah, then we'll lean on our uh experts in house and have them do some PD for peers and things like that. We'll lean on North Point that we'll probably be looking to fill some gaps for districts, all the districts that they serve. The other would be like the non-pubs that the money flows through us and we pay
027the service provider to provide service. Um our general fund should not pick that up because that's uh a service through the time pub. So the question is would would that dascese pick that up or would they say pause the service? Um so there there may be an impact on those kids uh that get that service. Um because I don't think our public dollar should be funding that. Um, so it's really just continue to monitor, wait and see. Um, and yeah, we're gonna have to start making some tough decisions here in the next couple weeks. Yeah. And just I don't remember what this list is under the public section, but for right now, it's $548,000. So it's not an insignificant sum. And uh so and then I'm thinking on our conversation with the county budget and
028the ribbon commission which I know we'll probably talk about more in your report but they're all about like the local taxpayer how can they save them money talking about school districts and maybe you shouldn't collect as much. These are the things that we've been talking about at the state level, not even talking about federal level of all of a sudden if $548,000, the bulk of which is for special education. That's, you know, we have to private education because like you said, we have to minimize the impact on students, being mindful of the impact for the local tax base because that's all they're doing is shifting it. If those federal funds don't come in, we've got to make it up from the local tax base because we have to serve students. So, okay. Thank you, Julie.
029[Laughter] Not bad music. It's an opportunity. Checking. Um, okay. So, end of the fiscal year, revenue projections, we were we were over a little bit on uh revenues. All funds were at 107. General fund were at 105. I think um a lot of that was back in November like when we actually established those and before that we didn't really know what the new valuations were going to be. So obviously it came in a little higher. So that's the reason for the uptick there. And then expenditures um we were in the low 90s 91 and 92% for all funds. So um that's that's a good that's a good thing. It it does align pretty closely with the 5-year forecast that was presented in May. So all the balances are real close to that. So I'm pretty
030confident in in that document. Um, donations $7,675 for a few different scholarships, the eighth grade field trip and the boys tennis team. Uh, C was the federal funds. If you have any more questions on that, let me know. But it's a little bit of a dumpster fire at this point. But those are the amounts that are in there that uh that we currently have set up for us. Uh D is the transfers and advances. Um there's some that are transferred back to the general fund and then a lot of them are for like the grant funds that had a negative balance at the end of June transferring back to the two that I wanted to talk about for sure with athletics. Uh is it just the transfer of $24,6396 and then food service was higher
031than I was anticipating. It was $139,26.50. We didn't get our Jul June payment in June. It's coming in July. However, I don't know that the payment is going to be as high as I was originally anticipating. So, I will get you that number when I have it, but as of right now, that's the number that was transferred to food service to to zero us out for the year. Uh, on on the flip side of that, um, we could either transfer that back if we wanted to, some of it, or we could leave it in there because I'm sure by the end of next year, we're going to be transferring money back uh to food service. So, I I'll let you know that number and we can maybe have a discussion on that later. Like where
032does that payment come from for food service? The one that's delayed until July. Federal. Okay. Yeah. Just checking. Just verifying. Yeah. Um some other updates. James and I went to that blue ribbon commission meeting on June 30th. It was uh it was only about 40minute presentation that they did and then there was some question answers. They covered a lot of different there was an article in the paper. really what they're kind of saying is like, "Hey, we think school districts should consolidate with each other to save money." So, honestly, it wasn't really what I was anticipating them coming out with. So, it was a little bit different. But, um, that's kind of I sent you guys the report, too. It's in there. And the It's really long, but 209 pages. The education section isn't terribly
033long. And then, if you go down to the bottom where the attendants are, like it just says uh, what was it, James? It was a administrator count for school student administrator count for the last about 10 years. for all issues. Yeah. So, it's in there. I, you know, not what I expected, but the report's out. So, are they suggesting a countywide school system by chance? They didn't really have the suggestion of anything other than we think you guys could save money if you consolidated with each other. Well, I think if you go in and you read read the education part, I don't they don't really come out and say that, but that's what they're right. If you read that part of the report, I did um I and I'm not I'm not surprised, right? But
034I I mean I'm just not surprised that they they did. Um which school should consolidate? So I'm sure I think we should all consolidate just that works really well in other states like family because I think Mike you had made the comment when we met for a gender review that you know they've done this blue ribbon commission or or committee for half a year and I think your kind of take on it was they said okay well here's all the information you guys go figure all figure it out. That's kind of what it was like. It's what it felt like to me at least even at the meeting I was like not really. I mean they're offering I guess I guess in some form they're offering solutions but for you to take and run with
035not you know it was I guess like I said it wasn't really what I thought report was going to do. Well, yeah, it's certainly an interesting thing when they are suggesting that political subdivisions dissolve themselves and cease to exist for potentially saving money, right? Savings are there based on Yeah, I agree. I've tried to run through some of that myself know where this large sum of savings would be to but yeah, so that's their report. Uh the last thing I have is uh Dwine had 67 mintos. The biggest one here for us is it removed the restrictions related to the carryover balance um and the fix some levy. So those won't be included in the 20 mil floor. So as of right now um I don't think we need to hit the panic button on
036anything but I don't know what's coming down the coming next. So uh we'll keep an eye on all that. But that was a good sign. Um what it will do is it'll have us have some more conversations finance committee and things about uh the transfers. We don't necess we wouldn't necessarily have to transfer to keep our carryover balances lower. Um but like you guys know we have facility needs and things. So maybe that'll be something we still look at at doing. So there will be further conversations on those items. to kind of see where the pockets headed though. You have a new governor who's set to be elected right who may have a different type of governor. So probably just something to and I don't know if I think House does have they might still
037have like a majority like they can override um but I think they have there's a time span they all went home to their districts and there's a time span I think by which they'd have to reconvene on their summer break do that. So, I don't know. There's been some talk about it, but uh before I get to my agenda items, the only other I mean, we just met two weeks ago, but the only other item not yet discussed is I I just want to thank Stacy Hartley and Chris for going to that county budget commission meeting. Uh so, we met with the county budget commission representatives. I felt like they were uh productive conversations about their um indicators of what they're looking at for different school districts, what potential legislative changes would come. Uh as
038discussed here, some of those vetos stopped some of those conversations. Um but it was a good opportunity for us to share our story as far as what we're trying to do with facilities. Uh continuing to adjust staffing based on students enrollment, student needs. Uh and so um I just want to thank you two for being there. and then um you know recognize that that county commission exists and uh there was potential for them to have a little bit more uh teeth in their uh purpose for schools uh but at this point it has been vetoed out so that was good. Um on the consent agenda item uh just a few we have personnel. So first is uh resignation of uh one of our teachers. Um she's returning to her alma mater. So wish her the
039best there. Remployment of two teachers that retired at the end of last school year. So uh Katie Michel Ingred Ritsler. And then some additional summer services um based on submissions that they did after the last board meeting uh cut off date. And so those are there. And then Megan Hill uh returning to Hirona alumni and she'll be our next uh socialized teacher at the high school level. So she's here today in the audience and we welcome her. Uh personnel classified items. Uh we have a resignation for a year from now uh from one of our maintenance workers and then we have remployment uh of a retired bus driver um coming back for next school year. And then supplemental. These are um so these are supplementals that have been previously filled. So this would be the
040last quarter supplemental for football uh drill team, the Tigerettes. She's u coming in as a volunteer and then uh potentially going to advance to a paid position, but right now volunteer. And then Amy Johnson taking on that junior class adviser that uh Darius Schaefer uh left. So that's it for the consent agenda. Are there any other questions? Right. So, sorry, I forgot my computer. Yeah, you're following along here. I just wanted to say Megan was the ball girl on the basketball team back in 95 96. Yes. And so, Megan has been serving Kieran Tigers since I think before she was in school. So, welcome home. You're welcome. Yeah. All right. Nope, I'm good. So, we are at um we need the consent agenda. So, thank you. Okay. Any qu further questions or discussion? Okay. Mrs.
041Hartley? Yes. Dr. Lefay? Yes. Mr. Rger? Yes. Mrs. Hennters? Yes. Mrs. Mass? Yes. Congratulations. Yes. Congratulations. Great. All right. N uh excuse me. Items nine item the items in number nine are uh recommendations from the superintendent that are outside the consent agenda. Consent agenda as a reminder is for expeditious meeting uh of typical things. So these two items are not typical. Um, so I'd like to just talk a little bit about this woodland sheltered walkway. So one, um, one factor for this is that there's anonymous donor who'd like to make a donation for this, that would show up in the August agenda. Uh and then the other is that when the facil community facility group was doing their work and the current state subcommittee went and toured the the different buildings, they noted uh that,
042you know, it's a long walk from the curb drop off that parents drop off to the building and that's a potential safety issue. And we're like, yes, we know, but we can't just move the road closer or the building closer. So, uh so we explored, Mr. Carter, uh Mr. Baros and I, we explored options for creating a safer walkway. And so this sheltered walkway would provide both sides and top uh shelter so that uh wind and rain and snow won't won't be impacting the kids. Also then at the end of the day, instead of having them line up in the building, which then takes time for them to walk towards the curb, they can be lining up in the sheltered walkway. Um so that is the purpose of that. Um, and again, it's going to
043be uh subsidized through anonymous donation. So, any questions about that? We're looking for a recommendation. Question. It's uh just the name on the invoice. It sounds like maybe is it like a prefab type? What I'm guessing is like without firm uh capital plans, if it's something that like that part of the building gets changed, is it something that maybe could be relocated? Um, obviously there'll be a labor cost, but is it components that could be moved if if that changes? Yeah. So, this vendor that we're looking to to purchase from, they uh have a contract with the city of Sanduski doing the bus stops, those covered bus stops. Um, so that's one product that they put out. And then another would be uh the cart corrals that you see at all the large grocery stores
044and whatnot. Uh, they do that product as well. So, yeah, it's a preab. Uh, it'll come in in pieces. They'll put it together. It's going to be on the concrete sidewalk from the curb up to the building but not touching the building, not a fix the building. Uh and in some of the conceptual uh renditions of renovation at Woodlands, uh it that would be an area that wouldn't be touched. So, um if it ultimately is, then that could be uh removed and moved. So, it's going to be a fixed like with bolted down to the concrete of the existing sidewalks. Um but yeah, it's one of those that um it potentially won't have any impact on renovation or you know add-ons, additions to the that property. Yeah, good question. Just a quick question on are
045we required to bid out a project like that or Yeah. So I checked with legal counsel on that and they said because of the uh security element of the project. There is uh an OC exception to the bid project and so that resolution's on there for the board to review. Uh but that was done uh through support of legal counsel. Do they install too or is it our staff? Yes. Oh, I see. Labor cost. I just saw the ship. We have to take action on it or information point. No, this would be action. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, we need a a motion to accept the um proposal for the woodland shelter. So, move second. Any further questions, discussion? Okay. Mr. Reagger, yes. Mrs. Hartley, yes. Dr. Lefay, Mrs. Henners, Mrs. Mass. Yes, thank you. Please
046extend our gratitude to the donor that it's very generous. And then uh 9B is uh so working with the teachers union. We've been talking with them about how we'd like to enrich student experiences uh before, after, during school. What are ways that we can enrich? And through those conversations, we're working on having teachers pitch or submit proposals for new supplementals uh or stipens. And uh but in that conversation, they also brought up, you know, we have some in the collective bargaining agreement that exist that haven't been filled for a long time. If we have people interested in doing those, can can that be part of the conversation? So I said, of course it can, right? Um, so looking at the three on the list here, so biddy cross country and track, uh, middle school, power
047of the pend, and then woodland special choir. Uh, I would say these, what's that? That's great. Yes. I would say these are three supplementals that aren't duplicates of existing supplements. These are going to be enrichments, new experiences for kids, or restored experiences for kids. So, what the uh recommendation here is asking is just for the board to say, "Yeah, we want to restore those three supplementals." then it'll have to get posted for all the members. They'll submit interest. We'll interview and select the most qualified candidate to fill those supplementals. Um, but it's on this list because there's someone in the association that says, "I'm interested in that." I've talked with Julie, the principles, and said, "Is this a value to our kids?" And it came back, yes. Um, so that's the the purpose of this
048recommendation. Um, so I'd like to make a motion to recommend the um supplementals of Biddy Track, Power of the Pen, and Special Choir. Yeah. Second. Uh, Mrs. Mast. Yes. Mrs. Hartley. Yes. Dr. Lefay. Yes. Mr. Ragger. Yes. Mrs. Henners. Yes. Item 10 for board discussion. Uh item A is first reading of policies. So there's two policies this month. The first I'll talk about I guess in reverse order is uh the policy relating to promoting parental involvement. So the board just had a first reading and then passed it in May. Um, and it was based on legislative changes, legislative actions. And after we approved it, or after the board approved it, OSBA sent out a, hey, we've um, refined it to be more aligned with the with the legislation. I still think there are some parts
049of it that are maybe uh, unclear or overly broad. Um, but they're they're recommending this policy be revised again. So, that's what's in front of the board tonight uh, based on those legislative uh, directives. And then the second one is um policy about artificial intelligence. So this is not required by legis by legislation or Ohio revised code. It is uh setting starting the conversation for what are our expectations? What are our u expectations for students and staff use of artificial intelligence? How are we going to um embed it into learning? What is going to be appropriate uses? What are not going to be appropriate uses? Uh we did get some input from the committee uh the technology committee. Um we got um obviously uh guidance from OSBA. Do I think this is a perfect policy?
050No. But I think it gets us started. Uh it gets the conversation and it ties it makes it clear to everyone that there's recognition that artificial intelligence exists and it does make an impact on learning instruction uh and operations at the school. So, I anticipate um when students and staff get back and we start digesting the policy there uh will probably be ideas for refinement um and those those will come to the board. But this is the first reading. Um uh we could have the second reading in action in August. So, we're hitting the ground running for the new school year. But those are those two policies. Questions on the policy? The motion first before questions or there's no motion needed. So, it's just discussion. Okay. So the development of the policy, can you talk
051me through that? I say it says OSBA sample but not structur is that just we didn't obviously adopt that language. Yeah, correct. So the sample part come out. Okay. And do you think that they did I know that Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has what did they assemble? They have an AI education coalition that works in conjunction with Innovate Ohio. So I know they had some recommendations on there for local schools as well as for higher ed uh and state or I can't remember. Um so is there I think and one of those groups one of the recommendations was for the local schools to like convene a task force. So I understand like tech committee looks at it. Um does tech committee is it an internal group? Are there any folks from industry sectors
052that are on that? Uh no. So the tech committee is made up of uh certified staff, teachers, okay, administrators, and then our tech staff. So tech staff, they have a pulse on like tech things and how that integrates into the school, but no like outside group like uh from the state or from a county or Yeah. And I was thinking more because because the way that the state of Ohio frames it and the way I think we're preparing students for life outside of K12. And what I'm thinking is for folks in application, I know Stacy and I have talked in the past like she's at a large enterprise. I'm at a large enterprise and we use Microsoft. What are the tools we use? What are the performance tools we use? Um for me, how does
053higher ed, you know, how does how is higher ed wrestling with it? But I think it might be interesting if we have any capacity for it whether it's possible to add some folks out in in the workforce or if it's something that maybe through BAC maybe it's a it's a group for BAC where they already have people in workforce in there because if we're trying to prepare the students like what are the applications what in what ways is it actually being used so that we can build home kind of focus on those skill building Um I think that's a good I I like that idea getting the business perspective um because we are developing students for workforce readiness. Um and so you know bringing it to the BAC is a good starting place and then
054from there there might be someone that it resonates with. Uh, also with our our um educational partners at BGSU Firelands, they might have someone that is kind of on the cutting edge of that. And um I do know that um you know with CCP courses, those courses have like the the institutions code of conduct and everything else that they have to follow as well. So um so making sure that what we're doing is in align at least in alignment with what they're expecting. So when our kids go off, whether it's college or work, um you know, we're building them to that. Um so yeah, I like that idea and as a chairperson of the BAC, I can get that on the agenda. So that's no problem. I think when when I when I Mike and
055I talked and you were joined us by phone, um like that day, the hospital came out with a huge policy on AI use. Um very specific for all sectors of the hospital. So it was you know kind of interesting even you know our sector there's a big after the state which was interesting because it it kind of looks like the innovate Ohio work was being driven maybe by the former lieutenant governor because when he left it it stopped and there's no press releases there's no news announcements or anything which is concerning to me because that is a field that is it's not just every month or every week. It's every day there's something new and there's a there's a large concern around the large scale models and that they've exhausted all of the English speakaking
056formats and so now they're really looking at what are additional data sets they can acquire. So it's really looking at even collecting biometric data from people people when they think they delete their chats their chats are actually being saved and archived and used to data mine for. So like there's those kinds of implications too. The same way that we've had to look at the platforms and comply with state law there there's that thing going on. So I can see healthcare like especially with um open AI they there's a separate thing that they're doing with biometric data collection. Yeah. And I would say like educators we still have that Senate Bill 29 standard where we can't just be going to open source information loading up our student or staff information. Um so we need to be
057mindful of that. And I know we have the magic magic school AI. Uh that's a tool and it it's approved through that Senate bill standard. Um so we need to make sure staff are using that and not other free versions that are potentially pulling in um school data that is inappropriate. So um there's a lot to learn uh at related to artificial intelligence. I also don't want to hear teachers going around being like don't do anything with it because I think if we do nothing with it then uh when kids go off to that next level whether it's work or college they're going to then face the struggles there and I'd rather they face here in school um where it's a safer environment and uh lower stakes still critical but lower stakes than um you
058know workforce and now you're a job. So, um, yeah, I think there's a lot to do with that. And I know we've been talking about, um, like staff PD at fall, we have those two staff PD days. There's going to be a lot of focus on artificial intelligence and appropriate and inappropriate uses, coaching our teachers so they can coach the kids and we'll all be better. Yep. The only I think the only to me the opportunity we talked about this James is I think building by building to be specific with uh you know students, parents and teachers on like what is and isn't permitted. Um if we are permitting it is there like a citation guide. I know that's an approach that that a lot of schools are using that like okay if you use
059that kind of we'll go back to encyclopedia for those of us right like we weren't allowed to use in if you used a book um you had to explain like what you cited right and and so that someone could go back and make sure that your citation wasn't just a lift and shift right so you know our our like kind of a more practical guidance so that I think our kids and teachers are on the same page I also think you know on the teachers side like what tools are they using uh to identify AI use and and how are we making sure that that that's appropriate right because it's a big um there's a lot of tools out there some down to being able to see keystroke to keystroke what kids are writing deleting
060right and that sort of thing and is everybody on the same page with you know with all of that information so I do think we we probably have some work to do building by building in very practical terms probably with elementary kids it might be easy don't need it, right? Um but as we start to shift up to um you know more advanced learning, like how do we just give kids clear guidelines and teachers clear guidelines on um what is and isn't familiar? Fully agree 100%. inconsistent across all classrooms. Uh 10B um investigation update. So I know in May the May 19th board meeting the board approved the outside private investigator uh to look into allegations complaints of allegations of wrongdoing. Um the information's been shared with them as far as the content of the
061complaints. They're working through it. Uh I know that a couple things. One, it said that it's they're approved for up to 80 hours of service and they'll bill us after the investigation's complete. They have not reached out to my office asking for additional hours um because it says that, you know, additional hours pre-approved by the client or designate. They have not reached out for additional hours. Um, I also know that in that agreement it said 40 turnaround 45 days. So if you're doing calendar days, that's July 3. If you're doing work days, uh, that's next Friday. So, um, the contract wasn't specific if it's calendar days or work days. Um, calendar. What's that? Then it's calendar day. Then it is. Yeah, you're probably right. Um, so again though, that was an estimated time range, not
062an exact. Uh, I do know that they've reached out for me. the investigator has reached out to me asking to coordinate meeting space for interviews. Um, so I'm anticipating that those interviews are happening. Um, but other than that, they haven't shared anything because I think that's part of the nature of an outside investigator. They're not going to share things until they're complete. Notice the contract 2 said meeting was the 19th and I think it said it would start start on or about May 19th. So I don't you know we could have had lag time of I don't know a week or so before I I don't know when they actually started and you started working with them and they were actually actively collecting information. It's all flowing through legal counsel. So you know what I
063gave to legal counsel they might have got to a day or two later. So right so but that's what I have. Great. So I guess on that item number, we'll wait to hear from legal counsel from if we need to amend any days or hours or correct. Yeah. So um so if they called tomorrow and said, "Hey, we're going to need another 10 hours." Uh the contract says that the design can award that. So that would be Mike or I. Um so it doesn't like because our next regular meeting till August 18th, right? Yeah. So, we wouldn't want to wait that long to come back and say, "Yeah, go ahead." Um, so, um, so yeah, that part we'll keep it moving on that. Okay. Great. Um, next we need to do our final treasure and
064superintendent evaluations. And I I had Mike list them separately just for completeness. So, um I guess we will start with treasure. Is does everyone have a copy of these? So, do you want me to read to read the um description under each key accomplishment and then we can have discussion on that? So I think since we're doing this in public for the benefit so um all right so expect a key accomplishment number one to create and present the board with the detailed analysis of the district's current financial picture including identification of key opportunities and threats and recommend strategic financial priorities. ities and actions to implement for the next three years to achieve financial stability. Yeah. Mike, you want to like talk about you have anything you'd like to say? Yeah. No, I like to add
065Sure. Uh, I mean, you know, uh, coming from the community school world into this world, I know there's a lot of similarities and I found there's a lot of differences as well. So, uh, I think honestly as far as that goal goes, I think I I've learned a lot and I know that there's a lot still left to learn. Um, I will say in the last 12 months though, um, I've picked up quite a bit. And I can tell you even from like, uh, closing out the fiscal year this year. Last year, I mean, I had I was having a kid at the same time. So, there's some other added pressures, but I will say like it went much more smoothly this year. So, I I can see that um, with time it'll get better
066and uh, I hope to continue to get better. I was jumping in and say noticeably and I think even when you were coming in some of the stuff was still water logged and you know unfounded and so I I would say I think the white paper um it's not specific to just a general plan for the next three years a strategic but it it came about because of you know a change in the dynamic which the finances as we're hearing in the meeting are incredibly dynamic at you know the local level at the state level and at the federal level. Um so I think the white paper uh that you and James worked on uh for review by the finance committee and then the board was really helpful um explaining and being something that was
067I think really accessible for folks and especially for the board and then you know as a way to kind of think about the strategic priorities of the board that was established by the district and to think like how do these things align so how are we showing up with where we're going to invest our funds in anything you want to add on this number one. I think Mike is, you know, meeting this one in my my opinion because of, you know, the work that the improvements since last year too on all the reports, the um work with the finance committee and then how he has a good handle on the five-year forecast now too. I think is uh especially with all the as Stacy mentioned the changing finance things. He's been a good guide for
068us to like maybe if we you know look at things and the ways you know taking that under guidance of what might be changing at the state levels or funding that's been good conversations in finance committee that is a perfect segway to the next one. I know so key accomplishment accomplishment number two utilize our finance committee for community partnerships and communication to build trust and transparency with external stakeholders. What did you want to talk about the finance committee Mike and how you're utilizing your Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I know you guys used to have a finance committee and then it kind of took a pause for a little while. So, I mean getting it started back up. I wasn't really sure what to expect exactly, but um I think after the first few meetings
069we were able to kind of hit the ground running and and there was a lot of changes like you guys said. Uh, so we were able to run that through a committee that in involved, you know, admins and community members. And I think it's good. I think the community members we have are are good as well because I think they're influential in the community and they can actually get what we talk about there and and if people have questions, um, you know, they can relay that message well. But, um, we got it started back up. Uh, it's still developing. It's still growing. And that we're after everything that's happened recently, we'll probably have to set it at our next meeting soon. So, I think I mean school finance is complicated. It's like the opposite of
070intuitive. And I think there's a it's a kind of a tricky balance to to be, you know, intelligent enough to understand it all, but then also be able to teach it to a community that really fits the bill for it in a way that's not condescending. Uh and and we we've had that, you know, historically we've we've had difficulty finding that balance. Um so, and I appreciate Mike, like I think you find uh that balance and communicating um to the board, but then also, you know, kind of breaking it down in a way that's uh understandable, but you know, not in like a condescending or impatient sort of way. So, I think that's a really really important. We don't I don't think we've oversold anything. I don't think we've undersold anything in terms of like
071the the state of things, right? We're not sat in the panic alarm if if we're not panicked. Um and I think the community appreciates that. Um, key accomplishment number three, collaborate with the community facility committee to develop and implement a comprehensive master facility plan aligned with the district's strategic financial objectives, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and effective resource allocation. So closely with you on it, I don't know if you have your own things to say, but it's just been really impressive how much I can just say this preemptively um going over for James too like how much you guys have put into it and just always been there and um again numbers are hard to explain and you know the facility committee was quite large and so there'd be different members there at different times and
072you know always showing patience reiterating things have anything you'd like to contribute to this? Like do you have anything you want to share? Yeah, I mean I think uh you know when I look at the facility committee and everything we did it's going to tie in real closely now especially with the finance committee as well and then moving forward with you know establishing this 070 fund and then the PI funds and things. I think it's all kind of connected there. So, just continuing to um work on those for future facility plans and and where we plan to go from here. Great. Anyone else have anything in that section they want to add? We need to do the actual rating. Um I mean, we we can I mean I just I figured from the conversations I
073felt that these were on target. Uh that's for mid for the final we have to use different language. What language would you like to use? There's exceeded or met and they think all of them are at least met. Okay. Uh I guess interested if somebody feels like you know there's some of them and and this gets into like philosophy too how people do their own okay performance management. everything. Others are more like, "Yep, doing a great job and that's here." And save it for like, "Nope, absolutely could not be any better." And this kind of conversation. Okay. Yeah. I guess I guess I I subscribe to that philosophy, right? Like we we know that that you guys are a professional, so I think there's a baseline expectation that you do a pretty good job, right?
074that would be our meeting our expectation I think is one more like whoa like that was really good and I think Beth you know to the extent Beth talked about the master facility plan like that would be something you know staying late um working with the community asking good questions sometimes having to go back to the drawing board so I I guess I propose and by all means co I would do for one for two weeks You're good. Okay. All righty. So, we'll move to uh leadership standard number one. Participate as an integral member of district leadership team. Work with the district superintendent and board of education with input from other stakeholders to review, develop, align, and implement policies and procedures. Participate with the district superintendent and the board of education in the development and
075implementation of the district's strategic plan. Establish and manage sound fiscal practices to support the educational process. Lead and manage personnel under direct supervision of the treasurer. support the effective use of data for the communities. I guess benefit if they use like points. These are things that detail like a state model on evaluations. So they sound a little boring. This is where we get them. But I think they're they're pretty comprehensive of of all the things. And Mike has a staff. Um he's he's lucky I think he inherited a staff that has been with us a long time and and does a an excellent job. Um even in the face of a lot of change over the last few years, right? So we probably owe them this rating as much as anyone else for being a
076part of your onboarding, right? Absolutely. And did such a great job, but by all accounts, you know, the the first year has been a good one and relatively no news is good news on the on the personnel front side of things. Mike, I know there's like a wide range of things that are six six different points in here that are different. How about for you? Do you are there any that you feel like there you really enjoy or you really hit your groove in those? Are there any in there that you're like, I'd like to continue like honing my skills in that area? Oh yeah. Like in general in looking at these points within the leadership. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I I one thing I look at when I read it, I look at the support
077the effective use of data. So, like really one thing I want to really improve on are board reports. Like I feel like when I got here, I kind of did what I used to do and it was kind of boring and it's still kind of boring. I give you the cash delivery and all this stuff. Um, but really taking some of our data and kind of breaking it down a little bit more, making it a little bit more detailed, even if it's quarterly, uh, just to get a little bit, you know, we do the five-year forecast every six months, but maybe in between there giving a little bit better breakdown of that. So, I mean that's actually something I enjoy and that's something I really want to like improve on. I think for myself working
078with honestly all the admins, even when I first got here, they're all super welcoming and it's been really great working with everybody. So, that's been um Do we want to go ahead and then do the rating for this one while we're here? I would I would I would say it's an expectations. Okay, let's move on to number two. Financial management. Collect, analyze, and interpret financial data for budgeting, forecasting, labor relations, and decision-making. Effectively manage district financial accounts, including cash, budgetary, debit service, revenue, and grant management. Demonstrate knowledge, performance, and accuracy of standard accounting practices and auditing procedures. Demonstrate appropriate transparency and accurate financial reporting. demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with state and federal laws. Quite an awkward conversation if you want, but um we'll go on to number three. Facilities, property, and capital assets management.
079Acquire and maintain capital and tangible assets. Secure financing for capital projects and master facility planning. Develop and monitor risk management practices to protect district resources. Provide financial oversight and analysis of fiscal in implications that may affect district support services. communication. Yep. Um, demonstrates confidence in transparent communication of financial reports to all stakeholders. Communicate effectively and openly while demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with internal stakeholders. communicate effectively and opening openly while demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with external stakeholders. I will just say Mike, I think you do a fantastic job of communicating this to the board. Your little blurs you give us before the meetings that outline are so helpful um you know to those of us that aren't financially minded. it just it helps make it readable and understandable. So, I really appreciate that. and
080and the times that you know we've been able to see you when we've had you know more public hear or anything you communicate very well it's really worth appreciate that and I think what's important about the communication that I find is you know because we get a lot of there's the news there's OSBA sends us financial updates and things but just because something comes out of Columbus that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to affect us. So I find it very helpful when you're working through and you're discerning like this is going to have an impact on this and this is going to impact us in this way. Um because that is not so I don't have I don't have the knowledge of that. So I really appreciate that he made that very accessible for us
081and kind of highlight like where do we need to be focusing our attention? What do we need to be following and what actions can we be taking to help you know improve the outcomes for the district? Okay. Um and then we'll move on to number five. Professionalism. Understand, uphold, and comply with professional ethics, including the lensure code of professional conduct for Ohio educators and the Ohio ethics laws. Model and expect fairness, honesty, and consistency in the performance of duties. Maintain compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and district policies and procedures. Maintain a strong commitment to continuous professional learning. Collaborate with peers for the advancement of the profession. Likewise, Mike, I think I think folks are comfortable with you. just to see like your your peer administrators of boosters. I know
082the board question, you know, your responses and I have confidence that you you give us I mean obviously you have to do the things you have to do by law but good job but like table stakes but that next level of people say you know say what you mean especially you know coming out of the gate like super challenging on the financial tired, right? Like every day is a new adventure, you know? Keeping us up to speed in a clear, but then also just like I think, you know, in the turbulence of really important because it is what it is at the end of the day. Whatever the plan for you on that. But and I I just appreciate, you know, if you're asked a question, you're you're very honest if you say, "I don't
083know the answer to that, but I'll find it out." And I and I like that. I like that someone is able to admit that I I don't know, but I'll find out. So, I I commend you for that. Not everyone's able to do that, you know. That's funny because that's exactly what I was gonna Stacey said that because if we're gonna model that we are a learning organization like we acknowledge like you don't none of us has all the answers to everything even if it seems like maybe I should know that but I don't know that and I'm going to be honest about it but I'm going to find out and tell you. Um so I think I think it's good because it models for everybody that we don't have all the answers. we make
084mistakes and, you know, we're gonna we're gonna push forward and do what we can. I try not to uh BS or anything like that. So, if I don't know it, I'll let you know and I'll I'll find out. who can also communicate extremely well. Yeah. Not everybody's wired like their brains are wired usually at math and finance. That is done. Thank you guys. I appreciate it. I uh appreciate you hiring me. 18 months ago. I've really enjoyed it here and just thank you. Yeah. Thank you. I just want to make sure I have the right one because this is I don't Okay. Do you have your evaluation form from the last from midterm January when we did it in January like a sign? Uh from that I have a letter that you Right. But that's
085all I have is the letter. Okay. I have I have the one that I I'm pretty sure I have the right one because I think it has the wrong the midpoint. This is the midpoint. I think the I don't have it marked. I have it. I just make sure I have it right. We don't have all the answers right now, James. Apologies. Yeah. I just Right. And I went back to like where is this? This is not the same. Okay. Just use yours. Okay. A lot of the relevant notes online. That's okay. All right. So we will start with um expected key accomplishment number one. strengthen alignment across buildings, departments to improve interdependent functions within the district. James, would you like to speak to that? Sure. I provided you that written uh summary. Do you
086want me to just read from that or Sure. Okay. I mean, however, however you would like to do it. That's fine. So, uh, I wrote that continue to uphold the values of the hashtag one hereon with district-wide decision-making. Uh, reallocated resources for instructional enrichment and student benefit with the examples of project lead the way, moving from staying at the middle school, but also moving down to the upper elementaryaries and then also bringing in a reading enrichment for next school year at the lower elementaryaries. Um and then we addressed the administrative staffing levels at the elementary school and um they sort of self-corrected at the high school and we're going to see how that goes for the start of the school year. And then increased communication between departments for improved operations. Uh the example I provided
087was the admin meetings. They used to be once a month and they would three plus hours and people's like heads would be like roll in by the end. So we split it into instructional and operational. They ended up being no more than 90 minutes. Yeah. And people were focused on those topics. We were able to make progress on items that needed to be decided on and uh move forward. So that was a that was a good change. Lead uh planning of critical programming for improvements. The examples were the restoration of high school bus incoming this fall and then also refining the high school GPA calculation. and then uh initial review um of the complaint process and refined approach uh to all aspects. So that's coming with the uh board work session here next week on
088the 17th um sort of the uh next step of that process for reviewing and refining that. So that's what I have for that goal. Anyone else have anything you would like to add? Um, how would you like to rate that? really big there administration. What I'm okay with mutes. I mean, are you being more towards No, that's fine. But that's why we're talking about it. Um Chris, did you have anything you wanted to add? This one was a little bit harder for me. I I kind of had him at a meets here just because there's still it's such a direct category it probably kind of hurts as well but like improvement to you know keep striving for more improvement I think it's close though I mean I don't think right and there's nothing wrong with
089meeting the expectations meet is good is good okay okay number two engage the heron community to strengthen connections between the district and other organizations Uh so in my writing I had my uh participation in Rotary so helping with some of their events and ultimately it created that connection for a school affiliated international travel group to have a fundraising entity that nonprofit status. um our partnership with Second Harvest at the November uh PD day, they were able to deliver the poverty simulation for all staff uh which brought in uh reflection and thought about what experiences our students and families are going through and how can we better support all students uh not knowing what their uh their life story is. Um and Second Harvest did that at no cost to the district and I thought it
090was a pretty good day. uh we had community partners there uh helping with uh facilitating the different stations and um you know people left with a deeper perspective for what's many of our students go through. Um there was a Heron public libraries doing a podcast of local uh entities and leaders. So I was invited to participate in that. um the Hiron safety committee. I attended that meeting where they were talking about traffic concerns at Woodlands and then out of that came some changes with traffic flow and um I think once people learned the new traffic flow uh it made a positive impact and definitely delivered a safer uh before and after school experience for kids especially those uh walking and on bikes. uh we facilitated a site visit with the CEO and executive team of
091project lead the way and also the leadership from Ardall so the local business project lead the way which is a national uh curriculum group and we were able to showcase our program at McCormack uh by Miss Dunn and she does she does an excellent job and that's part of what encouraged that movement downwards to the fourth and fifth grade uh also organized uh the blue ribbon committee uh public engagement opportunity at McCormack the the McCormack staff was uh excellent when they were challenged with we need to find something for the kids to be off-campus safe. Uh they came up with uh educational field trips or uh end of quarter incentive. I think bowling was one of them and then also some of their um sources of strength programming they did at um BG Fireland. So
092it was a great way to invite people into the campus while still keeping our students safe. So thank you to the McCormick staff for that. And then um the collaborative meetings that Mike and I both have with the county elected officials. So our annual county auditor review meeting uh we met individually with uh the county treasurer and then last two weeks ago we attended that county budget commission uh meeting as well. Uh I serve as a chairperson for the Erie County Business Advisory Council. Uh co-lead the meetings uh draft the agenda, facilitate uh conversations. the career summit. I served as a presenter for that. Uh which is related to the business advisory council. Um I engaged members in the greater Sunduski partnership. Um Hiron chamber. I was a panelist for the Hiron state of the
093community, one of the educational panels with uh the librarian and the dean of the college. and then um increased communication with the broader community uh through uh opinion letters that the Sanduski registers would publish. And then we also developed and issued a community mailer that went direct mail to all residents, not just families, but all residents uh in our district. Um so that's how I felt they met those goals or that goal. I think J, I just want to add one thing. I think your participation in the um facilities committee I think that that is afforded you you know facetime with a lot of different community members and people groups too. Yeah for sure. And that committee was a good makeup of the representative of the community. So I got to interface with people who
094I don't see at sporting events or you know school events and functions like that. So it was it was good to meet other circles of the community. Yep. Okay. Um, how would we like to label this? I have this one as it seems myself. I think there's quite a few areas of community engagement that have gotten better, especially this last year. Is that agreeable? Yeah, because I think it goes more than just um participating in groups like James has taken on leadership of the business advisory council. So, it's taking on you know more responsibility with regards to some of the the positioning. All right. Great. All right. Number three, support the community facility committee with devel development of a master facility plan for implementation. Um I I think that kind of speaks itself. you haven't
095done that. That's um kind of self-explanatory. Um would everyone agree that that meets our expectation? Okay, let's move on then to leadership standard number one. Develop a shared vision for the district. Expect, model, and support the effective use of data. Create a coherent plan with a limited number of goals. Implement the district plan and monitor the strategies for achieving the goals. Review um progress and revise the strategies for achieving district goals. Communicate the district's vision, goals, and focused plan. Uh, no. I would just say the last two years at each organizational meeting, we've reviewed those board priorities, which is a spin-off of the strategic um the strategic plan. I know we've talked a couple years ago about with the pressing uh interest of facilities to do a strategic plan, we'll probably all funnel attention towards
096facilities. So, we're trying to make progress on that. and then we will circle back to a strategic plan um like more robust program. So that could be on the near horizon here. Um and I think just continuing to focus on um what are the priorities of our district and I always write about it keeping uh developing a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for students and for everyone students and staff. Um there have been times there have been times this year that's been challenged and so we have to continue to to focus on that continue to work on that. It's not something that you achieve and then you check the box, you're done. It's something that you're continually working on, continually thinking about developing that culture and then, you know, feeding the culture. You're either building
097it or it's going the other way. So, so as I was looking at it and realizing and thinking like how we've talked about like a strategic plan and why we haven't gone through that process because we know it takes a lot of time to go through like that formal process. Um, but I was looking at the language in here about the goals and I thought, you know, we probably could come up with something in this year because we are doing things outside of just the capital planning. we were we're focused on delivering um high quality education, you know, all the priorities and maybe it wouldn't hurt for us to set some of these goal like we are working towards these things and maybe we can just go ahead and write them out and what are
098a couple metrics that we know I mean we've got a state report card right like we heard from you last month you know where kind of where we were inferring I think where different building leaders hope to be and then what steps are going like you're doing the work. So maybe we can document it because we're doing it anyway. You know, we're going to do a work session on student safety. That's one of our that's one of our priorities here. So I think it's I think it's okay if we for this next year if maybe um we think about some of those things. And I don't and I'm not saying going through the whole like we know what a big strategic planning process and I don't know that we need to do that right now
099because we're like you said we're so engaged in it with these other huge projects but let's figure out ways that we're documenting the good things that we are doing that do align with the vision and the values. Yeah. No, I think that's an excellent idea and I know Julie and I and the admin team we talk a lot about you know the instructional focuses that we have. It's that science of reading, right? So that the state is pushing that. It's probably a good thing. So we're going to uh get behind that and push for that. And then the other would be the workforce readiness. So how are we preparing students uh for that next step for uh work, whether that is a stopover at a higher institution or directly to work. And really both those
100things apply to everyone pre-K through 12. I think you would say the the younger grades have more focus on the science of reading and flirt with uh workforce readiness skills. And then the upper grades definitely are focused on that workforce readiness. And then they should be flirting with that science of reading, making sure they're engaging students with reading, comprehension, uh critical reading, and and uh written expression so that when they uh continue to move forward, they're ready to uh perform well in those those venues. So yeah, I think that's a good idea as we uh get ready to in August, September, you know, focus on the new school year. We can be looking at that stuff. All those things outcomes, we're working on the attendance and increasing attendance and addressing chronic absenteeism. And sometimes it's
101this first point, a safe learning environment. If kids either don't have transportation, right, we've taken action that's going to there's a financial implication for that, but the board take action based on your recommendation to restore high school busing, to remove that barrier. Um, but we've talked about culture and we're going to talk about safety. So, if there are things going on, these other factors, you know, we we're looking at those things, too. So, true. Um and I think as far as like strategic plans go, I I don't think a strategic plan has to be a huge document. I think we can have very simple goals and a strategic plan like three. Doesn't have to be document and we and we stick to those. we um you know progress if they've been met when something's been
102met then we can add add one more thing you know and just keep it's a living kind of a living right are we um what are we in agreement with as far as our thinking on this is that agreeable Okay. All right. Number two, communications and collaboration. Demonstrate communication competence with all stakeholders. Develop, implement, and maintain effective communication systems. Communicate effectively and openly and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with the board of education, the district treasurer, and the district staff. Communicate effectively and openly and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with external stakeholders. Yeah. And I would say the only one um maybe that I haven't talked about yet is the communication between Mike's office and my office. We're we're constantly talking. We're in each other's office in a good way. Um at least every day.
103Uh and I think that ensures that um you know programming or initiatives that my office is trying to lead uh align with the funding sources for that and um his funding allocations align with the needs of the district. So um but yes, I think I think you do a great job communicating with us too. I love the weekly reports and that maybe caught me off guard was the hearing in the checking out other jobs, but I do still hear from, you know, certain building staff that I think they they would love to see you in their buildings more. Just want that um affirmation. It's not I I don't even think they feel like you're you're making sure they're doing their job. I think they just want you to see what they do what they're doing.
104And I think if there could be maybe a schedule of some sort that you know, you know, on certain days you go to this building, on certain days you go to that building. It's not like you have to spend all day there. Maybe five or 10 minutes in in a couple classrooms and then the next time you go to some different classrooms, but we think it means a lot to the staff. that um the administration cares and wants to see what they're doing in their classroom because they're proud of they're proud of what they're doing in their classroom. So, I think I think that would be something as as a goal. Yeah. No, that's fair. I think, you know, year one, you're trying to make connections with everybody, so you're really purposeful in that. And
105then years two and now year three, you start getting sucked into like, you know, other things, right? Um, but yeah, I do need to be more meaningful with that. And there there were times this, especially in the spring, where I'd be working on stuff and then I'd look and all of a sudden it's like 2:45. I'm like, "Oh, well, everyone's heading home now." So, uh, so I need to be more purposeful with my time management, too, as far as there's emails and stuff I can answer after 3:00. I'll do that, but I should be in the building and the kids and staff are there. I do enjoy the kids. I do enjoy the staff. So, that's an easy task to accomplish. Great. Um, anything else anyone has they want to offer? Okay. Can we say
106um needs? All right. Um, standard number three, policies and governance. Review, develop, and recommend policies for the district. Implement and continuously assess policies and practices. Identify and respond to societal and educational trends that affect the district and community. Advocate for children and families, model and expect professional comment. And on the policy, I probably get a closer view of that, right? Um, no, I think listen, the general assembly comes up with a way to like make life different. I'm more complicated, change the names of things for no apparent valuable reason. all the time. So, I mean, it's a constant flow of having to update sometimes just words or names of things. Uh, and James does a good job of staying up to date on that. I do think, and I think it's a little early days,
107but going to this next year, you know, we're at kind of a crossroads here in in public education, um, I think for policies and governance of threading the needle between compliance and culture. Um, and I think that's going to take, you know, a lot of um, a lot of work and not falling into a trap of politicizing uh, public education. I it's easy to do. I don't know that it serves kids uh, to do it because like, you know, and so, you know, we saw we saw a few of those um, issues play out over this last year. um you know the the treatment uh for weeks for religious instruction was one of those I think as a administrative team you know as a district I think you know we were respectful of everybody's opinions
108um you know and ultimately we'll comply with the laws as we need to so I imagine we'll see more of that uh in the days to come and and I think you know maintaining that I'll use the word even peeled again but even tone of I mean we can all have opinions of course we can have opinions but at the end of the day like our mission is to to serve kids and we do have to do that within the guardrails of complying with the the law regardless of our so and things I know in in our talking to that we don't spend a lot of time talking about like what we wish things were or weren't it's like here's the here's the card like you know how do we play this in a way
109that um again complies with our obligations under the and at the same time, you know, serve kids to the extent we have discretion to do that. So, I appreciate that. I think it's a it's an ever growing set of complexity. Um, and I appreciate that working through that in a timely basis stuff can stack up. And I would just add um for some of that housekeeping, keeping up on it. Lan, my assistant Lann does a nice job keeping me on task and saying remember you got to review that. I said, "Okay, thanks." So, uh but no, making sure and I think really 3.4 that advocate for children and families, like doing what's best for kids, doing what's best for families. Um you know, providing them the services that we can provide them. Um and you
110know, making sure policies align with that. I feel like we've kind of been tested by fire with the advocate for children and families and model expect professional conduct lately. I think, you know, it's it's a culture shift and it's a culture change, but I appreciate what you're doing to facilitate that. I do. Um, it takes time, doesn't happen overnight, but by product here, uh, for what it's worth, I think it's been a challenging challenging year. Um, and I think, you know, I don't think slow down in that that regard. We only get three jobs here, right? As a board, we manage the two professionals, the executives. Um, and then we set policies and that's our job. So, I love, and we've talked about this before, but the practice of introducing having a reading so we
111can talk about it, we can get informed on it, we can think about it, we can get feedback from the public before we come back and actually decide on something. Um, I think that's really important. But the policies, the governance, it's the framework for how we're running the entire district. So I totally agree that this is a very strongs. You know, we've got a lot to do. I mean, you didn't inherit a welloiled machine uh necessarily and you got to kind of eat that element like one bite at a time. How do we, you know, what do we first keep moving? Um, you know, we have a lot to work to do on government policies around just making sure that we're getting better on getting the ball rolling on. Number four, instruction require district-wide use
112of established curriculum. Ensure the development and implementation of high quality standardsbased instruction. Set expectations for and guide the creation of a comprehensive assessment system for the district. Ensure that the district curriculum, instruction, and assessment program are designed to provide full access and opportunity to all students. Implement processes to monitor and assess the district-wide implementation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Provide for highquality professional development for all staff aligned with district goals. I think you and Julie work very well together with providing curriculum um and providing, you know, curriculum that is relevant and and speaks to all kinds of different kids. So, I I do appreciate that, you know, it's not like Yeah, I would say um like a captain of a freighter, you know, I can set that direction, but then the real people doing the
113work are next to me. Uh so Julie and really Dana too with special ed services they both do an excellent job and they raise the bar uh and they deliver so that staff have engaging professional development which leads to um designing engaging and meaningful lessons for the students. So um thank you both and hear the low machine on the one here. I think you did hear fairly well. I mean keeping it real like like you walked into something that you've been not fortunate. We've had, you know, great people that done hard work. Um, but it's also hard to stay on top, right? Like we talked about the the rating system, which also changes like year to year. But, you know, once you get that five star rating, like can only go down, right? And so
114that becomes its own its own challenge. But yeah, there definitely needs some expectations in this. And I think sometimes the the mark of a good leader is to recognize when you know people that are doing the heavy lifting are doing it right and just give them what they need to continue to be successful. So we appreciate is everyone in agreement with these expectations. Um, and our last one, efficient utilization of resources. Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain quality staff and oversee human resource management. Organize time and schedules focused on district goals. Manage and prioritize fiscal resources to align expenditures with district goals. Identify and equitably allocate materials and technology to support district goals. oversee the district's facilities and operations. I mean sure I you know I think the the rhythm has been a good one. It's
115you know in a constant state of evalu we know that our enrollment is changing. We know that the challenges with change. So everything from you know consolidating down from four schools to three uh was a challenge over this last year putting this board office here when we had you know a fair amount of space that was just kind of like not being fully utilized that used to be a computer lab with like actual PCs right like nobody was really using that. Um I think that mindset has been you know even as like staff before we rinse and repeat and replace something just because we can you know the question has been should we um and you know even most recently with you know I think leaving this maybe we just try for a year and
116see you know how things go before we pony up another six figures you know for us and I I appreciate that because I think it's responsive to the here and now uh of our district. Um it's responsible to the community, right? Like we're not we're not utilizing I do appreciate I mean I know you mentioned like the opportunities in the buildings but I think uh that you've done that maybe not everybody knows about is transportation challenge uh for for every district like finding people who are sober and certified to to drive kids safely is no small thing. Um, and so jump on school bus and I think it's set an you know an example to other people in the district like some of our part employees that guy's doing it and you know he's in
117charge maybe I can help help too. So I appreciate that because I think being part of like I don't know uh going where you where you need to go where you can make the biggest difference and certainly getting kids to school is I would rather um do we have any any anything else anyone wants to I I I guess I'd just like to say I I appreciate um and this is just a single incident, but you know when I had to have a meeting with the you know police chief and I asked you to come with me and it wasn't like a plan thing. I I just I appreciated that you you didn't hesitate and you said absolutely I will be there and I I appreciate that. I appreciate that you Yeah. I mean, I
118just I appreciated that you were there to support and it meant a lot. So, I appreciate that. I really did. All right. Um, I will be compiling a letter for both of you that will go in your personal files. Um, I'm not going to promise that I will have that done this week, but I will get it done and then you'll have that. Um and then we is there new business that needs to come through? Just I guess a question on the that sort of the new cycle of performance management like when will we have our I guess setting goals and all that. We want to get that kind of started now. Can we can we get a session? That might be a Yeah. Well, I know you wanted to get you wanted to work
119on your goals. You're going to do those like August, right? The start of the new year, right? Well, yeah, start. So, like August. I think that's fine. And I think If we set some um like some district goals based on the strategic priorities, just a couple of the things I think that would kind of cover the other bases of like what are we striving for as a district and then your performance goals are literally your personal performance goals. Is it something that the board would want to schedule a work session in August to talk about The only thing I throw out for James obviously tax season right for getting kids ready for you know this start of the school year teachers ready. I wonder though if we can commit to like a little homework among
120ourselves so that when we go on the 18th we're ready to go with you know we can have we can do it as an agenda item like we're doing here but we'll be we'll be prepared these guys will be prepared and we compile you know hopefully because the goal would be to have going into the start of that new performance cycle with us set a goal. So, can I ask, you know, if we're going to do our homework on our own and set goals, do we want to have we want to whittle it down to how many goals or how many like how many areas are we wanting to hit with these goals because it it you don't want it to be too expensive. Yeah, I think that's right. So, I want to clarify. We're
121talking district goals, not their individual. They're working on their individual goals for Right. Well, but I think I don't know that we can set up because I feel like they're the ones I mean, we could we could guess on what's like what are the things that are going on based on these? No, I I mean I'm they're they're setting their own individual goals. We need to talk about um district. Yeah, but that's what I'm saying. like provide high quality education and experiences like we need their input on that and like what's a measure for that? What's something that is that is uh measurable that is achievable that you know like who set smart goals I absolutely want their input on it. So maybe audience first is you guys you can talk to us we just
122can't talk right so I I can talk back and forth with individual board member I can't survey a bunch of people and come in and say here's the collective thought yes right but maybe agreed but but maybe just so that we're on the right side of of open meetings what if you guys with that in mind if you want to propose your kind of individual goals I think that would help us again the district goal, but I think it might make more sense and like propose some things and then we can be on that describing it earlier. It's almost like we're making a list to check off the things that we're already doing. So, can we just make a list of the things that we're already doing and and then see if those are are
123our goal? You you kept saying we're already doing this. So, that's So I Yes. So I right and it's and I think it's more like how how are we going to measure like let's measure the work that we are doing because right now it's not measured anywhere like we come into a board meeting we talk about it there's no way for anybody unless they're going to read the even if they read the minutes they wouldn't necessarily know all the context of things that are going on there's you know like do we eventually create a dashboard I know other districts have done that but then there's who's going to maintain the dashboard how are those goals you know so just being something that's reasonable but something that we're documenting the good work that's going on here,
124but also like what are the things we're working towards? And so what are those goals? And I mean, could the board set one maybe, but I really think it's got to be the administrators who have that best knowledge like what's what's an achievable goal and then how do we measure that? And so then they would say like, "Yep, we've got everybody rowing in the right direction and this is what we're trying to hit by this date. Do you remember when we had vision? Oh yeah. So there was a document that was created in but there was a document that was created a living document and it had the goals and they were red, yellow, green. And so you knew kind of what was going on. And you know, back before you know, most of you
125were on the board, we didn't go over that plan every single board meeting, but you could you could see it and then you could go back and look at it and see if things have changed, when have they been met, ask questions about it. I'm wondering if we need something akin to that that's not that extensive, but at least some kind of document that can track the progress of some of these goals. So we're not we're not forgetting to talk about it and we're not just saying okay goals and then it no I I like I like the feel like I sprung this on everybody and we need more time to think about it. Well I don't want to be cynical. I don't want to be like well if we're already doing it let's set
126their goal back something. I don't think that's what any we want to challenge ourselves to say like how but you know if you look at the key goals or accomplishments right now in the and it makes sense because these folks were new goals right year one year two build relationships. Okay, cool. But now we're going to need something that's like more measurable, right? So like what's kind of what's the deliverable? Not in like aspirational or generic terms, but like what's a deliverable that we're we're holding to? And I think that's what we need, James, and and like that's where we want your kind of help and and helping hold yourselves accountable is like what deliverables can we can we as a board hold you to in certain really key areas? um so that we can
127say here's what these leaders are and then here's how do we have to have something I mean what if this is like a work session but what if it's something that we wait until like September or summer like we get let them focus on prescribed um the teachers um professional growth documentation that they have to do with protest. So my ask is if we're going to have big district school that all trickles down to alignment and have those plans ready to go by September 10th like that's our that's the building that's when teachers are turning that go now we um set up in that like let me just use literacy because everybody's got a literacy goal for each building um and it's typically 10% growth to meet the 80% proficiency rate right and then you
128figure out you're not meeting it or you are meeting it and then you double back that work. So if if I'm understanding the conversation correctly, are you thinking it gets to that level in alignment? Because then if so, September 10th comes real quickly. I think that would be ideal. We might be a little off on time, right? like that might be a goal for us for next year starting earlier, but it would be helpful. Can you see what a recycle that was last year just so that we can start to back into that? Maybe not until next year, but I think that makes man, if you're talking about alignment, if if we could do that, that would be ideal, right? Absolutely. From my viewpoint, but at least on one event, right? We know that beyond
129just there's other things for that we're implementing this year but um we have the new cycle starts next year. So that would get us on cycle with the state too to say on the academic side of the house. This is just in one plan again. It's a state thing that has federal funding and all the things aligned to it that says what are your goals for this year and then I have to go through those principles and say what did we do? Did we need it? Do we not? So this year science of reading training everybody got it in everybody got done. Great. We checked that box. Now what are we doing with it? Like are we implementing the things we're doing things? So what then I have to go back and say is like
130what's our adult implementation rate of the science of reading. Now I'd like to report it 100%. But I'll be real it's probably not because it looks different in different classrooms in different places. Looks different in preschool than it looks in class. Right? So those are the things that we'll be working to do early that are based on Those are does for in that example with literacy is that showing up in the state report card somewhere only for like a limited snapshot at a certain at certain grades. Um it is showing up but it also is like controlling for variables is also tough. So can I pinpoint this one exact practice is the reason why we're doing the thing? Yeah. No, we have to come at it from the fidelity of the thing. Right. So that's
131a conant that we're the professional development and James has talked about, right? So maybe one of the action steps in literacy is to continue to do Gillingham training for our hire people. Well, we didn't get it done last year because we couldn't find anybody to offer it. This year we have a friend over in Oregon City Schools who's like, "Hey, I got open seats and we're sending people." So that adult invitation is going to look a little better this year than it did last year. Things like that. But that's an action step related to our literacy. I guess what I'm thinking at the a board level or district level uh would not be as granular as an individual plan for individual grades or individual teachers like we know that those things are serving this like
132because the goal is to for successful outcomes for the children. We know they need to be able to read. They need to hit certain literacy marks. That's us providing a high quality education. Um so I think what I'm I'm envisioning so it's kind of I look at these four points ensure a safe learning environment what are we doing what are we actively working on what is a measure how do we measure that right now and what's a measure by which we want to improve that outcome so we're striving towards we're working on that to improve it to improve it to improve it so that I didn't mean to like be flippant earlier like when you were saying those broader our goals earlier. You were rattling off the pimples and I think we can take those
133and then set goals. I still want their I think this is a this is a work session. Turn it into it. Again, my apologies, but I think this topic is a work session. Um, and obviously it probably isn't going to happen in August, but it could be a September, October book session topic. Yeah. That we could get together and just hash out goals and things like that. So, I I think that would I think that'd be a good and and I would say there's resources that already exist. Uh so in my last district we were doing work with uh Brave Ed which is a uh national accountability school accountability uh system. Uh John Tanner was the creator of it and um there's a lot of research behind it and everything but ultimately he comes down
134to the development of um seven pillars for educational benefits. So it was developed through the voice of parents, student, community members responding to three simple but powerful questions. Those questions are what do you expect from schools in exchange for your trust? What are your hopes and dreams for your child's education? And what benefits should schools be responsible for providing? And so through that they've developed these seven pillars which is student learning, student readiness, engaged well-rounded students, well-being, effective adults, community connections, and effective systems. And so going through his process, what they do is they create a survey with these uh se three to seven indicators underneath each of those pillars and they ask the survey respondents, are we doing this well? Is this something we need to do better? And then the survey generates out.
135So, not me and Julie and Mike deciding, not even the five board members deciding, but the community who completes the survey helps identify what are those indicators that we're doing really well and we should keep doing that and what are those that we need to improve upon and we need to focus on improving upon. And then year after year, you have that survey completed with the the idea that the community is telling us, hey, you're still doing these things really well and these things you've made improvement on. you're still not there, but you're making improvement, right? So, that's a whole sort of uh resource that's available. Um, we could try to steal some of it, but we probably won't do it. Well, so is this was this a presentation or a book or a workshop?
136Uh, he has books, he has white papers, he does presentations. It's um there's like a whole there are districts that say we are with Brave Ed and we are setting um those educational benefits for our district because while the state accountability system does its thing and it reports out and everyone looks at that when someone in the local community says yeah I get that but what is this district doing that benefits my kids benefits my family benefits my community they would look at these metrics in order to share and you would share over time how that you're making progress because you're not perfect in everything. Yeah, I mean you can make it as big or as little as you want as far as your involvement with it, but um that's interesting. Yeah, pretty cool stuff.
137So, well, I think I think we have some work session topics for the fall. Yeah. Um and maybe James in before September, October, maybe you could get the board some more information regarding great bed. Sure. So, for our work session, um I know we kind of talked about like um I think that work session is going to be pretty it's going to be guided through what Weston heard council. So no need to come and I and I think through that conversation it'll identify the immediate things we need to take action on because that's going to drive the facilitated presentation to all staff at the convocation day. So there's several things we're going to talk about. I think through the conversation we'll tease out what what are we seeing as the high priority and then what
138is the continued conversation after that staff PD. So um we are going to enter executive session. I don't have the statement. We're going to go into executive session for the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, promotion, and compensation of an employer, official, investigation of charges or complaints against an employee, official, or student unless such individual requests a public hearing. The board will not hold an executive session with it one of its members for conduct related to the performance of his or her official duties or for his or her removal from office. So we need a motion for executive second Mrs. Hers. Yes. Mr. Rger. Yes. Dr. Lefay. Mrs. Hartley. Yes. Mrs. Mass. Yes. Thank you. I need Um,