001Well, it is 5:31 and we're going to go ahead and get started. Good evening to everyone and um and to those who are live listening online. Welcome to our work session. Policy review is our discussion for tonight as a board itself. Our our main goal in uh reviewing our policies and is basically to um review them and and familiarize ourself with them as a board so that we can um better in a more professional way operate professionally and confidentially as a board uh for uh to our community and to our district. So that is um our reason for looking at our policies and reviewing them. And this is the first of several work sessions this year that we will that we will have on policy review. Um we may discover that there are some policies
002that um need to be amended or revised. We may discover that and then we may discover that uh continuously that some are just fine the way they are and the way they read and the way they were uh presented. So that's our um reason for for doing our policy review. Um the general power act um by the assembly general assembly has uh delegated the power and authority to the school board trustee the corporation. So uh s simply put uh we have been given the the authority by the general assembly to exercise the local education powers uh that has been entrusted to us by the legislation and legislators. So that's where the board gets its authority and its power from and uh we want to certainly make sure we are doing that with excellence and uh
003and doing that in a profound way. We we have our board counsel with us tonight. So if we stumble along the way, she can certainly help us and help us back on track as we look at policy. So tonight, um we ask you to bring your computers. We'll be looking at uh bylaws. I hope you have found your way to policies is where we are tonight. Uh as we look at board govern board governance and we did uh point us to the bylaws and so hopefully we've already and if not we have been familiarizing oursel with the bylaws but we'll take a deep dive into into them now. So, uh it is uh number 000000 which is bylaws is where we will uh begin tonight. And uh some of these are self-explanatory. So we'll we'll
004just walk right down them. For instance, policy number 00100 which is definitions. Um, that's where we began tonight on definitions and uh definitions of just what they are. I saw them, but if anybody have any questions on the on the definitions and what they mean certainly you we can uh pause and ask questions on that. But uh here we have uh definitions which is what does a board what is the definition of a board? the definition of bylaws, certificate, employees, classified so forth. Do we see that? >> Any questions on that? So, we move on from definitions we can. And then next is the name. Um u I think that's pretty self-explanatory too on the name, the purpose. Um I think we can stop right there. Let's let's let's go over purpose. That's number policy
005number which is uh the purpose and so the purpose tonight and if and if anyone else certainly want to read I call on you certainly you can read once we get as we continue to go down through these policies. The school board exists for the purpose of a governing system for providing a free public education in grades pre K through 12 for the resident children and children of qualified employees who may be allowed to transfer into the school corporation as required by law attending the Metropolitan School District. District of Pike Township. So, are there any questions? Any comments? You want to talk about that? Is that self-explanatory? Is that good enough for you? Um, anybody? Okay. And um and that's and that's by and that is Nola. Now, now you may need to help me
006out uh Dr. Bishop or or Janine, but I I sat with Niola for probably two years or so, two to three year uh doing policies. Uh Mrs. Randolph and I was always on that team. Now, Niola is the help us with Niola. Explain to us who Niola is. Yeah, it's an organization that that does kind of model policies and monitors legal changes and advises school boards on amendments they may need to make based on changes in the law. um often will give the boards um an an option among um several different legally permissible policy options that some may be more stringent, some may be more permissive um and gives you kind of a say in how you want to craft those policies. They're not mandated. um they're just recommended and kind of um gives you
007um something that you know is legally sufficient but also a starting off point if there are things that that you want to look at slightly differently. >> Yes, it's one of a couple of organizations that run in policy. Um but NEO stands for the Northeast Ohio Learning Association. Um they handle Indiana, Ohio, they cover Florida as well. They cover several states. They have a team of lawyers that um work with uh representatives to provide that feedback to us um and to make sure we're in compliance with the updated um laws and amendments that come through throughout the the sessions that come across. Whether it's a short session or a full-fledged session, we we generally know we're going to get um some adjustments. And sometimes some of those adjustments are um they're not necessarily changes in
008the policy as much as they are changing the wording of it or going from um removing his or her and making it plural and those types of things. So sometimes they are just technical corrections, >> changing code citations. >> Yes. Correct. Yeah. And so that's who that's who Pike um has um certainly leaned into to help us through u legislation that we need to be aware of and laws. And I think Dr. McKesc I think that's I think that's his name. Dr. McKes McKis McKes he he used to tell us when we were um going through policies with him especially if it's state he would he would tell us this is not debatable this is not up for grab this is state or or or policies that that we could probably lean into and massage
009he would let us know the difference between them so and I don't know who y'all have now >> so Dr. Dr. McCabe was great. He was a longtime educator and then did um the Neiola representation for many many years. He retired almost two years ago. And now we have Dr. Reid, very similar, former superintendent um also is working at the um college level, but she too has that lens. Um and very similar to Dr. McCay, is very clear about what is and is not >> um a point to discuss. um and she's been great with us and transitioned pretty seamlessly um when she took over for Dr. McCay. >> So, whoever's on that team, I think you will enjoy I think Miss Kelly and Miss Barnes have set over the years on that, but but
010you will enjoy uh that information uh on that team. Okay. So, we we move on to boundaries. Uh uh Mr. Anderson, you want to take boundaries? >> Excuse me, Mr. President. What team were you talking about? >> Uh the the leg the what is that? the policy the policy team and >> do you know do you know who's on that team? >> You and I. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. So, y'all y'all will enjoy y'all will enjoy that. It's very informative, very educational. >> Okay. Okay. Mr. Anel, you want to take boundaries? >> Boundaries. The Metropolitan School District of Pike Township is comp is comprised of area in the description on file an administrative service center. And that's all I have in this side here. So, that's pretty to me. Anybody
011else have anything on that? To me, that's pretty self-explanatory. Um, let's see. My computer has done something. All right. Address. Now, Miss Kelly, why don't you take address in the next one since address is just what it is. Address. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> All right. Address. the official I am sorry looking at >> Did you go blank? No, I'm looking at not our other things. >> You want to pass >> for the moment? Yes. Okay. Come back to me. >> What about you, Doc Mo? You want to take those two? The address uh which is u PO 15115. The official address for of the school corporation shall be 6901 signs dealing after city 462 uh 68. the board authority which is uh 0121. I might uh say the superintendent of the corporation shall be
012conducted by the board of education here and afters sometimes referred to as the board which is uh constituted and is governed by the laws of the state of Indiana. >> All right. So we we have any we have any feedback any comments on that there the board authority >> I got you know maybe uh maybe a question but when it talks about supervision you know sometimes you know when board changes that definition becomes subjective uh depending on you know as I've said on the board we see board member come and go. Definition of super uh supervision changes. So what is that exact what does that entail when it says the supervision is that we're just watchers or there are times where we see something like okay you know we have to make a recommendation or
013we have to get involved. What is that what what does exactly that means? The supervision of this corporation shall be conducted by the board of education. >> Supervision. I say super. We know what to talk about. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yep. The supervision, right? >> Supervision. >> Yes. So, Mr. Anderson asked what? And and and mind you, none of us was here when these policies were created. So, so so so we don't know what was intended. I think it's now it's encumbering upon us to find out as Mr. Anderson has a question. What does that mean and how far does that go? Does that make sense, Janine? >> I think so. I mean, I think the key points I would say is that, you know, as we've always said, you guys are the legal authority
014um for the district. It's in your name that the district sues. It's in your name that the district is sued. Um and I think as we hopefully go through some of these like board powers, that might help kind of flush some of that out as we go as we go too. I think board powers certainly will will flush some of it out which is the next one up. Steve, if you want to take that are we board powers [clears throat] policy 0122. The school board shall be a body corporate and as such capable of suing and being sued, contracting and being contracted with, acquiring, holding, possessing and disposing of real and personal property, and taking and holding in trust for the use of benefit of the corporation. any grant or device of land and any
015donation or bequest of money or other personal property. The power of this board extends to those matters expressly granted by statute or those matters which may be necessarily implied from such powers specifically delegated as being necessary to carry them out. The board of education in exercising any power granted to it by the Indiana home rule statute shall retain the power to act through written policies in situations in which there is no action required by statute or by statutory prohibition to act. The school board shall have the management and control of all facilities and programs in the corporation and the employees, students, and other persons entering up on its premises. And then there are several Indiana codes referenced at the bottom which I'm sure dictate a lot of what's in that policy. And uh one of
016the things that I saw when reading this and interpreting this and my interpretation is sideways and y'all help me. But when it talked about the school board should uh the school board shall have the management and control of all facilities, programs and corporations and and employees, the students and other persons entering upon the premises. Now, I thought that I thought that that that's broad, but I also think that that's important. Uh what you have tonight uh is is a amended uh policy uh proposed. And so you'll see some language there and this is a proposed a amending to one of our policies actually based on this policy already that's in place. For example, uh many of us have um have uh credit in credit in our community and and and things get to all of
017us uh by way of one or another depending on where we at in the community. And so I think it's ultra important that we the board knows who's coming into our district who is who is mentoring who is who is volunteering around our children because number one in our wheelhouse other than policy number two in our wheelhouse is safety. And if we uh are not aware of who's coming into our district, they have not, let's just say, we don't know, but we can't leave it to others such as principles or others. We we can't leave it to them to make sure that people have been bedded properly. For example, if something happens, and I had this conversation with Dr. young. Uh if something happens in our district to our children, thank God for our superintendent
018and thank God for our principles and everybody else, but they're not responsible. Who who who will be uh responsible? It's the school board. And so I think it's ultra important that we understand that and and put in policies that insulate us as a district and protect us especially where they need to be strengthened at. And you'll see some of that in this policy right here because um we can't afford just because maybe for a lack of a better word just because maybe little baby want to come and and and mentor our children but we don't know about little baby. We don't know who he is or she and uh we could be letting anyone uh uh in and in and handling our children. That's just one example. Anybody else on that line? >> Uh Mr.
019President, >> Dr. move. >> Um the question is I always hear you often say that you you've got great tenure on the school board. Uh when you look at this particular policy, do you have a list of people who will be using the properties >> who are using the property? >> Yes. Do you know who's using the property this month or next month? Do you know according to this policy? >> No, I don't, D. >> No, I don't. And and and that's why and I I'm glad you brought that up. And that's why we are going over policies because because we need to know what is our reach and what is administration's reach. We need to know what has been already put here in writing so that we're not grabbing for straws what is our
020governing. And so yes, I'm I'm glad you brought that up. One of the things um that that we have took note of is that yes there are to answer Dr. Moore's question yes there are certain people using the building and using our properties but but we have left that in in the hands of I think it's uh building I think it's I think in this case would be a Mr. ruber. Um but but these are things we should know and we should be included. Uh even even if not well I just think we should be included and what that looks like. I think we need to define that. >> So I do have a question on that. What what is the procedure today if somebody wants to I know I was at the um food
021pantry one day and a bunch of people were coming through and it was pretty easy to tell this was not all pike people and it was I think Lebanon had was renting out the um performing arts center. what what is the process for somebody like them to >> Well, I I can tell you this, Steve. Let me let me go back to something that happened to to to me and I'll just use it as an example uh that happened to my church years ago. We wanted to we wanted to use Giron uh because we was coming over into the district moving from the north site and our church was not ready yet but but we were coming to Pike and we reached out to Pike to use Duron. We emphatically got shut down said Pike
022doesn't do that. It's a separate church and state and I just said okay. But coming to the board, I learned differently. So that's that. So so when you ask what is what is the procedure, I do know that you go through the at that time it was the athletic director which which I don't mind saying it was it was Mr. Perkins. >> At that time it was Mr. Perkins. Mr. Perkins emphatically said no. It's separation of church and stay. I think now it's it's Mr. Gruber. I think >> that the Am I right? Um Dr. Bishop, am I right? I was asking Dr. Bishop. Sorry, I didn't Well, so that >> So, Dr. Bishop, are we right? >> We You are correct. We have a um non-athletic facility agreement form and an athletic facility [clears
023throat] agreement form. Those forms are completed and returned to Mr. Guber, who works closely with our building principles to determine if there is even the possibility. He works with Dr. young to make a determination if we're able to move forward with the agreement. Um and along with those there are uh rental guidelines and pro processes when um that is granted. But there is a formal process that is submitted to Mr. Guber who works closely with Dr. Young and the building administration of the requested building to make a determination. Um if I may, um Dr. Webster, I will also say that um we also keep a calendar of events so that we know who is in our building based on the facility usage um whether it's non-athletic or athletic. I think it is just a matter
024of sharing that information with you because it already exists. That is something that we generally cover every Monday during our cabinet meeting. Um Mr. Gruber places that information there for us to access. And we especially know in the evenings. Um, for example, we we have a partnership with a local soccer organization who is in many of our buildings in the evening. Um, and so it is um it is there, the information is there. It's just a matter of making a determination of how you all want that shared. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. Um, so that's that's good information and I'm glad that we're, you know, we're um refreshing ourselves with the the policies because, you know, a lot of us when we first come on to the board, you know, we go through this and
025then we get so caught up uh with, you know, being a board member that sometimes we forget to come back and kind of refresh ourselves. So I see that here. I was not aware of that. Uh but when you look at the the policy here, school board should have the management and control. But how can we have management and control if we don't have that information? We don't know who's coming in. So that's something that it could be in the bylaw somewhere. I guess when we get further down, we may come across something that I don't know. So I won't speak out of term, but that's something that I think that we should put on our list um to to take a look at. And also uh the motivator behind that is that first sentence
026the school board shall be the body corporate corporate and as such capable of of suing and being sued. >> Y >> so when it talks about all programs all facilities of the corporation and employees and students um that right there is like a reminder to me. I don't know about everyone else, but that's a reminder to me that yeah, that we have to know these policies so that we can act uh within our jurisdiction to prevent being sued or we have to sue someone. Um, Mr. Vice President, um, I think it uh, thank you, Dr. Bishop, for that information. I think it's important that we understand that the board needs to have access to monthly activities um, whether we attend them or not. uh if we are liable as a corporation uh we ought not
027to have to hear out in the community that this group is meeting here. We ought to be able to look at our schedule and say um this particular organization is at Deer Run this month or this particular organization is at uh New Augusta. Uh I I think that's only fair. Uh uh because um people don't like to hear this in many cases. Uh you work for us, we don't work for you. >> Yeah. >> And uh uh that's what this says right here, whether people realize that or not. Uh and it's important for us to understand how these facilities are used. >> Understood. I have jotted this down and I'm sure we will have a discussion upon Dr. Young's return. >> Absolutely. >> If I may, Dr. um so I'm in year three, four of
028policies. Um and one of the conversations that we have had in the policy committee has often been even with cabinet is the magnitude of policies. Um, when you're talking zeros and bylaws all the way to the 9,000s, you're talking about almost 800 pieces of documents. And it is at times a daunting task to know what each one of them is and how it specifically relates to you and what specifically it may be asking of not only the board but administration or staff or students. Um, we have long toy toyed with trying to find a better way to make this information more accessible to you all because as much as I appreciate Nola and I understand the system, it's not always user friendly when you go into and try to type a single word to get
029a specific policy. Last year, we reached out to Niola to determine if um there was another way to potentially provide you all with maybe even hard copies. And their response was, well, you can print them yourselves. [laughter] Great, we can. But that was a mute point from trying to make it more user friendly to you all. So we began the process of trying to at least go through and comb um all of the policies to determine responsibilities and we began that process. Then we were gifted um the last group with 65 new updated policies and an additional 13 revisions and that that has pushed the work back. However, now I'm at a place where Dr. Reid has been very very helpful and what she has done for us is um created a PDF version of
030all 700 pages um where you can type in a single word and keep you out of completely the Niola system. so it becomes more manageable. On top of that, today I was able to at least finalize a draft that lists all of the policies that will give us an accountability system in regards to checking that things are met. If it says we're to do a report yearly, that report is given. If it requires the board to do some things, it comes a check system. I am in the rough stages of that document. I want to share the folder with you today so that you know the direction that we would like to go to manage this very massive document that man that we all rely on >> when we're making decisions. So, I I'm excited
031about the fact that we've somewhat gotten over the hump of trying to wrap our arms around such a large document and how hopefully it will be easier for you to find things sooner uh quicker and have an accountability piece for all of us in somewhat of a dashboard to uh make sure that we're on top of all of the things that we're supposed to be on top of. >> Dr. Bishop. >> Sir, >> um my secretary is working on I have a notebook of uh of policies >> that are the core of and the nutshell of it and so uh it's in my my vehicle. I didn't bring it in and I didn't read it. So if I have a policy issue um I have a notebook with uh I started uh so I can
032car it anywhere I want to go. and every policy that I I I I'm working on a specific area of policy right now. And so um every policy that I have so far, it's been transformed in a notebook >> in a hard copy notebook >> and it's just easy to go to and and it's been helpful for me and um I've heard a lot of things uh since I've been putting that together. um a lot of policies have been you know tampered with in some way and not the right way because when you do it that way for your understanding and to see how the policy works because it's a living document. >> it is a living document and so um that's how I work with it similar to what you're basically saying um I
033create my own uh policy >> I I want to go back to Dr. Moore and and Mr. Anderson on this on this here. Um, [clears throat] one one of the things that that we talked about in our retreat was uh communication and I think that is um I think that is one of the board goals this year and I also administration go towards communication. Um, again, it's it's a matter of of we the board, the governing body, seeing what our role is and and then seeing to it that that we that we're getting the communication and we're communicating both to H3 um what our wishes are and what the wishes of the administration is and and so it could be uh And uh I I like Dr. Moore's point to the it's a it's a
034matter of informing and how however we choose as a board to receive the information. It's a matter of being informed about who's using our facilities ABCD EFG. And so we can we can fix that as a board. Um now let's go back to Mr. Anderson. Um and I'll just use me. um you know for the first six [clears throat] four, five, six years we've been on the board I me personally I have looked at policy when I get a chance I haven't looked at as you said some nine but but there are those that I do look at that I know wait a minute here's an issue and so I go look at like the human dignity but since I've been drilling down now specifically on policy and what and what and what the role
035of the board administration and all that some of the things that I see we have run into is already here and all we got to do is lift it out, abide by it and see to it that >> yes >> going back to vice president um one thing he mentioned that because of elections in and out >> um we have never created in my thinking an on boarding type of situation for new members and and on that on on boarding type of situation. Uh there needs to be a a simple way to get to bylaw. That ought to be one thing that uh uh uh people need to to address coming in because being in the organization that I'm in, bylaws really don't come into play unless and hear me well, uh bylaws are just
036not important unless somebody is violating them, >> right? >> Nobody really addresses bylaws in most organizations unless you have to. And that goes back to leadership. >> Yeah. >> If the leadership knows how to work with people, bylaws will never come into play because there's a a great sense of respect and and and and work ethic with people to where bylaws will never have to come into play, but they are the safeguard. As Miss Barn, >> They are the safeguard. And I think it's important. But going back to Vice President Anderson, I think it's important that we create a a a an on board uh booklet for uh new board members. Uh uh I'm not going to be here forever and some would like for us to leave today, but we have to wait for
037the next election for it to take place. Uh but in many cases, new board member members need to have an on on board type situation when they come come on this on this particular board. Um because I had to learn cold turkey and I probably didn't learn the right way for some people. Uh there's a certain I've learned that there's a certain way people want you to to to learn on this board and I ain't built like that. And uh so uh that's why you need to create that an onboarding uh concept needs to be and those bylaw and those excuse me not by the policies uh need to be somewhat u uh in introduced and hopefully what you're doing now uh can be fitted into that hand into that on boarding type of handbook
038that I think is necessary. I nobody else probably think that but >> well Dr. more um as you drill down and and we'll probably get down to it depending on time. So my on board, Mr. Anderson's on board and we had Dr. Floy, I wondered why and my my my thought was why is the superintendent bringing on school board members and on boarding them? That that was my thought. and and and and I've been thinking that for and and and I' and I've I've listened to all of us including the Miss Miss Lomax uh uh time on the board and I've listened to all of us talk about the on boarding which is true the handbook but when you drill down into these policies you're going to find out policywise the superintendent well it's under
039orientation so you'll know so go go to orientation you'll see it and I don't know if we're going to get there or not day but but but in orientation which is onboarding it it's the superintendent it's the uh budget the chief the chief um the c the CFO uh it is the board president it is uh it was a few more all of them attend and have a part in the orientation and they and and it's already in the policy and they and they talk about the board uh policy bylaws, what to expect. If y'all go to orientation, you will find that. Now, what do we do with that? Uh if we like that, we could take that, enhance it, as you just said, Dr. Moore, put it in a handbook. Here it is. Or
040or we change it. But so, you know, it's already there. I I I I I found it last week and I said, "Wow." because I was thinking why do the now I don't know if Dr. Young has um has uh participated in orientation but I know Dr. floor did and so uh it's there because it's part of the policy. So we just need to lift it and then decide if we if we if we want to make this something different or anything on that Janine? >> No, I would just say that these bylaws are hard to read in a vacuum because if we get to the proposed amended policy that goes down to the operations that Dr. Webster was talking about. So then you have to go all the way into the 9,000 section to
041look at how we deal with various groups that want to use the facilities, which could be people who just want to use it on an ad hoc basis. It could be something like the Boy Scouts who are going to meet once a week at such and such place. And we kind of deal with those each a bit differently. Um, and I think what Dr. Webster's goal is is to try to funnel a little bit more at least the ones that are going to have connection with our students more directly through the board so that you do have a lot more transparency on those pieces. attorney carriage. Uh what I and I agree with what you're saying, >> but when you talked about the the 9,000s, getting into the 9,000s, >> I think that there needs
042to be some areas that you don't have to give all bylaws, but there need to be some areas that people need to know uh about. It might not even be 10 bylaws. >> Yeah. If you you can have five serious bylaws that will serve as a movement towards venturing into whatever bylaw you need to the most serious bylaws coming in as a board member. >> Doesn't have to be all night. >> Okay. Yeah. >> You see what I'm saying? Does that make sense? >> Yeah, it does. And I think another thing that might be helpful is when the board does have questions, if we can then pull the specific policy for the full board because often um if I if I have a question from an officer or typically the president of course then we'll
043talk and share that policy but whether that's sub disseminated to whole board maybe that would be helpful um just for some additional context but you you know we're here to work for you so you tell us how >> you want us to address that stuff. So that would be one that we as a board, Dr. Moore and others, we we would say, "Hey, this is what we want and and this is how we want to see it." >> And that's what we kind of do with this one if we get to the point of going through it. >> Absolutely. So um any other any other comments on this uh board powers here? I think that's where we at, right? Board powers. Um let's go to board philosophy. Who's up next? Miss Miss Barnes. Actually, I
044do want to go back. >> Okay. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go back. >> Just one thing for us, I guess, to keep in mind it in the third paragraph, it does say that >> we retain the powers to act through written policies in situations where no action is required. So, a lot of our action is taken by setting the policies that then the administration works with. Right? So if we would not do this but if we wanted to say we're going to have a policy nobody can use the school buildings we just put that in a policy and and then that's done. Obviously that is not what I'm suggesting we would do but so you if if we have policy guidelines that then they are executing on. I still think it's a good idea to
045see what's going on in the schools. Honestly I would like it just so I know when the schools are having plays I can go to them you know it's a little easier place to see it. Um but so just just keeping that in mind that as we're affecting things we affect things a lot through these policies which is probably why we have over 9,000 policies also because of that. >> Okay. Any anybody else on that? >> So what so what's your ask uh Mr. No, I was just saying like so when we're saying like you know we uh if there are things I wasn't sure really where we were going with some of I guess the original ask even of like what what people are having. If we're just wanting to be informed on what
046people are using the buildings, I think that's 100% appropriate. >> If we wanted to approve everybody that's using the buildings, you know, that's a different thing and I think then that becomes a policy issue is more where I would with it. Okay. All right. Miss Barnes, if you would do um philosophy of the board. >> A school board is a legal entity for providing a system of public education within a geographic area of the state of Indiana. The system was created by and is governed by state statutes. The school board has the dual responsibility of implementation implementing legal requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the desires of the citizens. While the board has an obligation to determine and assess citizens desires, it is understood that when individuals are elected or appointed to represent
047citizens in the conduct of specified educational programs. They at the same time are endowed with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility. The board declares and thereby reaffirms its intent to a maintain twoway communications with citizens of the corporation. The board shall keep them informed of the progress and problems of the school corporation and the citizens shall be urged to bring their aspirations and concerns about the corporation and its schools to the attention of this body. B. Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. C act as a truly representative body for citizens in all matters related to programs and operations. The board recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rest [music] with the state. But
048the board of education has been assigned specific authority through statute and the board shall not relinquish or fail to exercise that authority. >> Y'all, that is a lot. That's a lot. Anybody want to dive in? >> I do. >> Go ahead, Doc. I knew you did. I almost called your name. >> Thank you for the compliment. Um I I think sometimes we lose >> Yeah. >> that we work for the citizenry. >> We lose that. >> Yeah. >> Um some of us do don't I don't think we realize that we we work for the citizenry of this district. And uh if I could use the word work or we serve let me use the word serve. And um we we must not be afraid to exercise the living document, the policy. Um and the community
049has uh a right to know um what's going on inside of this district. Um and um not just certain organizations know but all elements of the community must know and I think it's important that that that it's it's unders we understand that that we are elected by the citizenry and we must make decisions and policies from right Miss Garage that will govern our district and make sure that the citizenry understands the movement of the board as it relates to what's going on. Am I misspolicy? Am I out of order on that? >> No, you're not. >> No, you you're way into it. You're way >> and then I think what's ironic about it in this particular situation um we cannot be afraid to be an authentic board member. We cannot be afraid to do that
050because we have a lot of responsibility in making sure policy is living and moving uh in the district. And um sometimes we can get sidetracked for that board members and um we let things get away from us when we should be moving in a way in a direction that uh the community can see that this board is working for the community for the betterment of education of our children. So I think and then and then we'll anybody else would want to weigh in, but this this is my my weigh in at this point. And so I think it's important again um that we that we remember that and and I can I can emphatically say I've not and I will not let me say it again. I I I have not and I will not
051lose sight that we have dual uh commitment here. Uh and I pro that's probably why I can be in the grocery store or I can be at church or I can be I can be at the healthlex so anywhere and the community going to remind me of something uh that either not going well or going well or they have a complaint and I cannot be I cannot be and I said this when I first came on in orientation. This was this was me. I said this then I cannot be dismissive of the community if they have concerns that and I'm a board member because you know we were we were we were hit with the with the hush and and the open door and which it is and you got to know the open door
052law and we were hit with all of that and we were hit with how much we can say how much we can't say. We were hit with all of that in orientation and I get that. We should be. But but I cannot be dismissive of the community who put me in a position and if they see that there's some injustice going on in our corporation and and it's and and and it's spoken to me, I'm going to have to know how to digest that and and and and I'm gonna have to know how to handle that. and and and and when we see this because we'll get to this area, we'll we'll we'll remember that that I'm not just the whole board. So, and he talks about that down there. It's seven of us. >>
053But we have to know how to be inclusive of all seven of us. I just can't promise a a a a community member something and and I'm going to go take care of it. I can't do that. I I have to know how to listen objectively and then get it back to the board to say, "Y'all, this is what I'm hearing." And so so that's that's we got to know how to balance that. And that and that's and that's major. I think we learned that some of us learned that quite quite tough. Uh when we went through the the the um this is a prime example. When we went through the um the teacher negotiations, the community let us know, hey, what are y'all doing and they and they they sounded off pretty good. The
054beauty is that we understood board, we understood board policy, we understood what we could say, what we couldn't say legally. So I think here we are again and we got elected again. So so these are things that are crucial to me but but we got to know how to adjust those. Anybody else want? >> So yeah. So I think you know we talked about how one policy affects another. Right. So this one very clear on our communications to the community how important that is. Agree with everything everybody said. Communication we have to go communicate with them then communicate with us. They elected us. They put us on here. There's another policy. It's good bit further down 143 that maybe I don't know if we'll get there tonight or not. >> Go ahead. Put pull out.
055>> Significant communications from students, parents, other citizens, staff members, and other individuals and organizations to individual board of education members or to the board as a whole or to be conveyed to the office of the superintendent of schools for dissemination to the entire board. I that gets touchy to me. Okay. Well, one, what's a significant communication, right? That's a little >> Read that again, Mr. Huffman. >> Significant communication from students, parents, other citizens. That's a key one in here. Staff members and other individuals and organizations to individual board of education members or to the board as a whole are to be conveyed to the office of the superintendent of schools for dissemination to the entire board. And I just I feel like policies like that and there probably one or two other out here that
056that I think follow the same thing >> if they give an indication of us not hearing directly from the community but hearing things through a filter. And I want to be fair. So like nobody needs to talk about this administration. This was adopted in 2011. >> This was adopted before it any of us were on the board. >> But it didn't have Niola at the bottom of it. >> It does have Niola at the bottom of it. 2010. But that's what I don't know. I don't know where this comes from. If it came from a previous administration, if it is something that is a legal requirement, in which case we just need to figure out how to how this works. But it it was one that I thought directly kind of contradicted or or at
057least >> works in tension with with this particular policy that we just read. >> Let me ask you a question. Say it another way. What you just read. Say it another way if you understand what I mean. Well, I understand what you mean. I don't want to say it another way, though, because I don't know. I mean, that's me interpreting a legal document. What I hear it saying is that communication to the board is supposed to funnel through the superintendent would be an extreme way to hear that. Um, but people could take it to that extreme. It does say it says significant, but significant isn't defined. So um it worries me that that we would have a policy at all indicating that the community can't come to us directly. >> You said >> Mr. Anderson
058>> Mr. Um so we've run across this especially with during the last um administration board members we're getting uh different information and know but when it says significant it's still subjective you know >> it it's going to depend on what you view as significant but I may not view as significant so if I catch word from the community that uh I don't want to use u some let me do something else like we're going to have a protest you know to me that's significant depending on what the protest is about. That's significant. Yeah. You know, I'm going to report that to the the superintendent like, hey, I called word from the community that something's going to happen with a protest. This is it. Now, if it's something that say if it's something that maybe involves
059someone in the administration, uh, that you can only share with the board members that we may only have to go to Janine about until we can figure out, okay, it could be a legal matter. >> You know, where does where is that to your point? where's that defined you know and so I've never you know that's a good question I've never seen where it's actually the you categorize what is significant what is not significant so I think as we reacquaint ourselves with these policies >> [clears throat] >> uh it brings us all up to speed uh in unity so that way we're kind of all on the same because attitude reflects leadership so our interpretation if we can all get on variable pretty much the same page our interpretation of these policies you know moving
060forward I would say Dr. Bishop, do you know or will we need to get guidance? Is this the wording have to be >> exact? >> No. As the example that Miss Carriage and I worked on and Miss Carriage put the wording in, you have the leeway to add, remove anything that's not legal statute. >> Right. There you go. >> Right. And so, um, this, um, 9500 that Dr. Webster is going to be speaking to you about is a perfect example of the board having the ability to uh revise a policy based on information you feel is needed. So this policy uh Niola shared with us in 2010 is another opportunity to clarify or expound upon um Mr. Anderson's thought process in defining or uh speaking about what significant is. Miss Carriage, anything you want to
061add? I would just say that that no um Mr. Hooper, this is not a legal requirement or language from a statute. Typically, you can tell if it has a code citation at the bottom. A lot of these are kind of like I don't want to say they're aspirational, but but they're more like the these are the the ideals that the board is setting down and then we're going to get into the nitty-gritty of them um further down. But but yeah, I agree with Dr. bishop that if there's language you guys want to explore differently and sometimes what I'll do is I can pull for you what other districts have and sometimes a lot of them also use Nola but they may have tweaked things differently as well so you can kind of do a comparison
062which I think can be helpful >> that helps because I knew the ones clearly if they say I see whatever one I read that's a really badly written policy and I'm like oh well it's by the state [laughter] >> there you go that's >> but the nei wasn't sure how required codes were. So, okay. >> And and that's your code. That's your code. Um >> the states are your codes >> with the numbers down. >> Yeah. >> Um and so so so this is where I would ask a Dr. McKay on something like this. I um now is this state. What do we do with this? He would usually say it's up to the discretion of the board, but I highly recommend. Now, let's go back. Maybe we don't like the language. That's that's why
063we're here and that's why that's why we're a board. Uh so that if we don't like the language, we we get together with the board and decide and the superintendent and decide what we do. >> Right. Well, and in as much as one, I don't like the language, but then two, I also don't like having two policies that seem to contradict each other. >> Yeah. >> In some way. And that is problematic because then you Well, which one do you go to if two of them contradict each other? So, >> well, I like the fact that this one here, I I didn't know that >> it's not illegal, >> you know, of course. So, that kind of gives us a little leeway, >> but then, you know, depending on who you have >> on the
064board or in the administration, I mean, >> some people can use this gray area as a weapon, >> right? >> You know, so that's that's I like that you said when you have those two >> situations there, somebody will use it >> for their benefit. Yeah. >> Now, what I would hope y'all is as we go through the policies, because this won't be our first, we're going to take a deep dive on these because because we may be we may have to be the group, some of them wrote 13, 14 years ago. We may have to be the group that that make the amendments or make the changes. But what I would hope because there again all of us are seven board members plus a superintendent that's absent. We all can be gone and at
065some point including the superintendent but I would hope that our intentions for making or amending or and I would hope that it was good intentions here Mr. Hoer you have two that the intentions were >> not to weaponize any policy but but for the good >> of the district. And so I would hope that that's our that's our intent as we drill down and look at them. >> Absolutely. >> Um Dr. Webster, if I may, just as a um so that everyone is aware as a board, just as Dr. Webster reached out to Miss Carriage regarding wanting some adjustments. The policy [clears throat] committee has met and there have been policies that have been brought to us that we've worked through and said, you know, not what we have a process. we don't need to
066add it. Okay? >> And so you have the ability to um do that if in fact there isn't something that's legally required, right? Um, so when you're going through your review, if in fact you decide, I don't believe this policy is pertinent because this dates all the way back to um as an example, right? You also have the ability as long as it doesn't um remove required legal obligations to remove it off of the table. Um that really is a process where we would work with Niola miscarriage of course to make sure we're legally aligned but just as easily as we can add we can remove. >> Thank you Dr. Vish >> and if I saw right I think one of the policies I was looking at last night preparing for this and I wasn't
067aware of this going into so you know talking about how going through these is good to approve or amend a policy it's not just majority vote it was five out of seven have to have the vote. So that's something for us to keep in mind also that >> All right y'all we trying to get on through. We got we but but but I knew this would be be be a big one. Any anybody else? We don't want to deprive anyone or not. >> I have a question. >> Yeah. Go ahead, Miss Miss B. >> And maybe this is a Dr. Bishop question or maybe it's um miscarriage. So in regards to the policy that Mr. Huffer brought about what we've heard the the the con side of that policy. Could you perhaps speak to the
068pro side of the policy? >> Um I would think that the original intent of the policy would be so that the board and the superintendent were all aware of major issues that could affect the district. So you don't have a certain board member who's getting this information and not sharing it or a faction of board members who are working together but they're not, you know, bringing in the full board or the superintendent. So I think it is highest and best that that would be the intent behind it when it was adopted. I mean I can only surmise that >> goes back to communication. >> Yeah. And and I think having a policy that says that you need something to the effect of any board member or superintendent who here's a significant complaint, we'll bring it
069to the board. I mean, I agree. The last thing you want is some Well, one, none of us can do anything by ourselves anyway, so you have to bring things to the board. It's a body that just makes sense to do. Yeah. >> Okay. That it, Miss Barnes? >> Okay. All right. Well, let's move on to um bylaws policy and that would be Miss Wilson 1311. >> Okay, back up. [clears throat] Bylaws and policies. The board shall adopt bylaws and policies for the organization and operation of this board and the corporation. The bylaws and policies may be adopted, amended, and repealed at any meeting of the board, provided the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal shall have been proposed at a previous board meeting. And once proposed, shall have remained on the agenda of each succeeding
070board meeting until approved or rejected. I have my mouse. I got to play with this thing. Um, any resolution? Is that where I'm at? I keep skipping on this. I'm sorry, guys. Any resolution under the emergency conditions shall expire automatically at the first public meeting of the board following the abatement of the emergency unless the board moves to adopt and resolution as a bylaw or a policy. Bylaw shall be adopted, amended, repealed or suspended by 2third vote of the full board. present is a manner authorized by law. Policies shall be adopted, amended or repealed by a fifth and five uh 57th vote. Um five to seven of the vote full board present in a manner authorized by law. 2/3 of the five member board is four members. The adoption, modification, repeal and suspension of a
071board bylaw or policy shall be recorded in the menace of the board. All bylaws and policies shall be published in the board policy manual. Any policy or part of a policy that is succeeded by a term in a negotiated agreement shall no longer be enforced and effect as a policy. Further, any policy or part of a policy that is inconsistent with the law or with a decision rendered by the court of competent judic jurisdiction shall be shall no longer be enforced in effect as a policy. The board may adopt, amend, or repeal administrative rules of order for its own operations by simply resolutions of the board passed by a majority of those present and voting 2022. So I want to add I I want to go back up to just to that to that um
072last one and this is the last further further any policy or part of policy inconsistent with the law. So this is why we always always u consult with Niola so that they can keep us uh a breast. Seven board members we're not a breast. So that's the reason why we consult with NEOA so that they can keep us a breast to make sure that we are that our policies are in line with uh with with with state. So that I wanted to point that out. Anybody else on anything else on this? If nothing else on this then we'll roll on to uh the superintendent selection. Um that would be that would be me. Um policy 0132.1 superintendent selection school board shall exercise executive power in part by the appointment of a superintendent who shall enforce
073the statutes of the state of Indiana administrative guidelines of the state of of the state school board and the policies of this board. Any comment on that? Okay. No comment. Then we will move Mr. Anderson to administrative authority. >> The superintendent shall consult with the board with regard to the development and/or revision of policies. The superintendent shall be shall prepare guidelines for the administration of the corporation which are not inconsistent with statutes regulations of the state board andor the policies of this board. See policy 1230.01. The superintendent shall be delegated the authority to take necessary action in circumstances not provided for in board policies provided that such action shall be reported to the board at the next meeting following such action. >> So any comments on that >> one I like to read that bottom
074one that bottom line again. The superintendent shall be delegated the authority to take necessary action in circumstances not provided for inboard policy provided that such action shall be reported to the board at the next meeting following such action. So uh depending on what the circumstance is and it's say Dr. Young had to do something that's not in board policy. I don't know depending on what it is if the next board meeting is a safe place to report it to the board, >> right? >> Uh because it could be something that's confidential. Uh but you know, policy states, >> yeah, >> you know, and that's Indiana code there. >> That is Indiana code. >> Yeah, that's Indiana code there. That's legal. >> Well, this refers to the general authorities. This code provision refers to the general
075authorities, the board. I have a hard time imagining something that is not provided for in board policy. I mean, any employment action certainly is covered in board policy. Student [clears throat] discipline actions are covered in board policy. Um, I I don't Dr. I mean, I'm trying to even like come up with an example. I mean to me this would be an unusual circumstance where maybe the board then has to ratify um an action that the superintendent took. Um maybe some I don't know I mean even emergency operations are covered in policy. [clears throat] >> Um so I'm I'm struggling to even come up with an example >> example. >> It doesn't state how it's reported to the board. So say if we just by chance we come across a situation like that and we all
076get a note. Does that I mean it doesn't state how we should. So I'm assuming that even if we got a note if it's something that we don't want to in the middle of a board meeting hey by the way board such and such kept that too you know. So >> yeah I mean I think when we have Dr. Young here to talk about the superintendent. I mean, I I would again I can't think of a single example that would not be covered by one of our policies. Like if we terminate an employee, you're going to find out on the HR report if we >> um I I'm just trying to think of anything. Yeah. And I just can't. So, can we put a pin in that because I think it's an important thing to
077kind of drill down into, but I'm just coming up kind of a bit blank honestly. >> All I [clears throat] was going to say was I assume I mean, you know, Dr. I was going to use wisdom. If it's something that came up, we came to be outside board policy, but it should not it falls under what would be an executive committee thing, then he he would call an executive session and give it to us. Then >> we we we could we could put a pin in it and then and then when he because he will be in on these policy reviews, [clears throat] he can perhaps give us some some insight. >> It seems like almost a catchall. I But yeah, I mean, I'd like to hear his opinion on it, too, because I'm
078just not really That include hiring. >> Well, we have a policy for hiring. >> Yeah, we have policy for hiring. >> We have even a policy for wellness for example. You know, co taught us a lot um in regards to how we there is a policy for that. There's a policy for purchasing that would cover something that we lost overnight. >> Yeah. An emergency purchase. >> Correct. And so there are many elements within the bigger categories um that we have from a a Neola [clears throat] standpoint that that honestly um with miscarriage it covers just it covers quite a bit. So, we're hard we're hard uh stretch to find something that's not out of policy that you would have to >> instinctively not to say that it wouldn't exist because you I'd never say never,
079but um it it's there is quite a bit covered in policy. >> Okay. >> So, we will we will we'll pin that one because I think this next one is very interesting on the judicial. >> We do have about 15 minutes before >> Okay. Yeah, I see that. Um, but I want to we we'll make this one our last one. It's cuz we want to give y'all a short break before we get to But let's go to this one though. This just judicial because I think we have had um some examples of this. Uh who's next? Miss Kelly. >> Policy 0133 judicial. The board may assume jurisdiction over any dispute or controversy arising within the corporation and concerning any matter in which authority has been vested in the board by statute, rule, a contract or
080a policy of this board. In furtherance of this it in furtherance of its judiciary function, the board may hold hearings which shall offer the parties to dis offer the parties to a dispute on hold. The board may hold hearings which shall offer the parties to a dispute on notice duly given a fair and impartial forum for the resolution of the matter. >> Anybody? Uh I I I want to weigh in, but I'll wait to see cuz this this will be our last one, but I'll wait to see if anybody else want to weigh in first. I think this one is important here because u again um one of the things that we were told in uh in our onboarding is that um we have to be careful how we receive information and take information because
081not only are we the the governing body but we are for lack of a better word the Supreme Court too in the district. So uh when um when when we are receiving information, we have to be careful because because once we receive too much then we we would have to recuse ourselves in matters uh that are very important. And so I thought that this would I thought that I would remind us of that. And that's why I'm always uh careful about what I what I take in from the community. Um because I also realize that you know we if we have to give a hearing the court of appeal that's us. So anybody else on this? >> I see uh it also gives um well how I interpret it it gives a lane >> for
082the superintendent to operate because it said the school board may assume jurisdiction over any dispute or contra controversy arising within corporation. So if we deem uh board action necessary, then we can assume that that jurisdiction. >> Uh if not, you know, we don't deem that it's necessary and we feel that whatever superintendent sitting in that seat is handling whatever the controversy or the dispute is, fine, we can, you know, it gives us an option. And I think that's just something that, you know, we reacquaint ourselves know that, >> you know, do we want to get into the the weeds or the lane all the time? No. don't want to, but if we have to, we may assume that jurisdiction. >> Well, unfortunately unfortunately unfortunately, as you all know, though, I think it was just you
083and I probably that was left. Um um we had to we had to exercise this. I don't know if Miss Barnes and Mr. Hot was on the board or not, but but but we had to exercise this and so um unfortun Oh, Miss Kelly, I think she was. We had to exercise this and so and the I go back to Dr. Moore's statement earlier. The board ain't no light place to tread this. We have we have a grave responsibility and our grave respon and we we can't play games. We can't play favoritism. We have a great responsibility. It as we talked about do we have to drink coffee? No. No. Yes. But we do have to be mindful of our judiciary responsibilities and it and they're grave and unfortunately sometimes, you know, it may it
084may be it may rule against and even our behavior we we'll get down to that and in the policies we we have policies governing our own behavior at a board and so you know it's it's always daunting and and and and awakening uh uh to see your responsibilities. uh Miss Charity is going to take us down uh our that policy that we had some amendment to and uh for your for your reading tonight. Thank y'all so much. Uh >> so this is I won't keep you guys too long because I know you need a break before the board meeting and I'll let you read this on your own, but this is a draft and it's for discussion purposes only. It's not being we haven't gotten to the point where we're introducing it. Um but this
085would be a um revision to policy 9500. So again, getting down into the operations part and this was brought to um us and Dr. Bishop and I worked on it together because Dr. Webster was concerned that we're bringing in groups that work directly with our students, but they're not presenting to the board and they're not getting approved by the board and sometimes you might not know. Um so these would be groups that are much more a meshed with students not somebody who just wants to come in and rent the you know library for you know a oneoff function or something. So what this what the proposed um change in the red line would be is that um any such group would have to come to the board and do a presentation. The board would have
086to approve that group coming in and it would be subject to an annual approval. Basically, you'd be guided by the best interest of the district and its students. And then it clarifies that any um individual working for one of these organizations is subject to our um same criminal background check. I I think that's covered in other policies. Anyway, we just wanted to kind of belt and suspenders that within this policy. So, that's not not to say people are coming in without that check. We just wanted to be, you know, extra cautious with that language. So, I'm happy to um discuss this further if you guys want to read it on your own and you have questions or you want to talk about it next time. >> Can I ask one question before you dive into
087it? Do we by putting I understand the reason behind this. I think it's probably similar to the reason why we vote to approve donations, right? There might be something that for some reason we wouldn't want. Do we run into any legal risks of first amendment rights or anything? If we were to approve organization A but not approve or organization B, would we be opening opening ourselves up to? >> So, [clears throat] I mean, somebody's approving those groups, right? It may not just not be the board. So, and if somebody approves this group and somebody else wants to sue because they think this has happened before and they think they should be allowed in here, it's going to be you that's sued anyway, so it may as well. [laughter] >> We might as well have the
088policy have the policy and and and and my and my reasoning, Steve, again, let's let's go back again. All of us or are in the community and and and here we go again with dual responsibility. community look at us and say, "Hey, y'all have so and so over there and they are ABCD EFG." In other words, they're a book. They're a werewolf. >> Yeah. >> Well, we may not know that, >> right? >> And all of a sudden, they in our buildings, but they're hand on our children. >> And it's a safety issue. >> Yeah. >> And uh so, uh that's why we now we we really need to look at look at this and have people look at people. Actually, Mr. Anderson asked for um what is it that you requested um all of
089the uh mentoring organizations I think um uh be presented to us and um they were and this one organization was not on there and the community was talking about it. So that's why we said oh we need to we need to look at this and see what we're doing. So >> did you have something Mrs. Barnes? >> I do. I'm wondering if does this apply this uh the red line part apply to groups performing arts? So there's I don't know a puppeteer group that wants to come in and do a puppet show at one of our elementary schools. Would this policy apply to that performing arts group? >> They're not mentoring. No, I >> performing but they're still in proximity to children. >> Would we would we have previously put such a group under this
090policy? Because we we wouldn't because we have the more like out of >> groups that come in or they just want to do like a presentation. >> Yes. Generally those um we run them through um background checks and all those layers but that type of example would not fall under um this particular policy. If you notice the title of it is educational institutions and organizations and so we're really kind of narrowing down who this would be applicable to. Um, so I'm not necessarily convinced that a a puppeteer or performing arts would be would fall under those parameters. >> I [clears throat] guess then my follow-up question would be several of performing arts group for children do uh market themselves as educational. Mhm. >> So that's why I was I mean I feel like it's a
091it's gray to me, you know, if I have a Shakespeare troop and we perform for children to teach them Shakespeare, why why does this not apply to me or does it? So it's just gray to me. That's all. >> So these are more talking about programs and training we would give the students. So, like an ongoing [snorts] um interactional um experience versus like I'm going to put on a play and let you guys ask questions afterwards and then you're never going to see me again kind of kind of thing. >> And um my men we we um we did the father's what was it? We did the we did the Friday night football um patrol and Mr. Uh this was way before we've been doing it for gosh 14 years. This was way before I
092came on the board. 14 years. But one thing Mr. um uh Sidella One thing Mr. Cidella handed all of us was an application for a background check. >> Oh yeah. >> And and and we had to get background checks turned them into Mr. Cidella and be approved. And unfortunately some didn't get approved uh because of what came back in their background their history. So I think that uh when we talk safety again uh we have to be overly concerned as a as as a as a board when it relates to safety. So I think that that was why you know we felt that that that we should look at that. So was that it? >> Yeah. And again, I know you guys just saw this, so please read it, ask questions. Again, it's just in
093a draft form at this point. So, we're open to suggestions and questions and thoughts. And >> so, was tonight helpful you all? >> Yes. >> All right. All right. So, we're off to and we'll be doing them again um uh down through the down through the year. As a matter of fact, if Dr. Young doesn't have anything scheduled for us in a work session, then we'll just do these uh in place. >> Okay. All right, y'all. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Webster. >> Thank you. >> I think this is really great. Yeah. >> After