001All right. Uh we welcome you all here tonight to our uh board of finance meeting which will be first. Um start out uh declare board of education as a whole will constitute the board of finance. We need a motion and second move. >> Second. >> Got a motion and second to declare the board of education as as a whole will constitute the board of finance. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? All right, passes. We need to elect the president of the board of finance. We need a motion. >> I move that we have the same officers as >> Okay. So, President being Scott Hopper, Secretary Kevin Bowman to be the board of finance. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? uh report on investments. >> All right. So, no change from
002last year, but outside of the numbers for 2025, uh we have two checking accounts uh that we pay claims and payroll from along with the savings account. um those commercial accounts allow us to maximize interest earned and also to minimize any banking fees on the balances of those accounts. Uh the interest that we earn is receded into the operations fund currently. Uh that can be changed to receipt into the education fund if we ever uh desired to do that. Uh, one of the reasons we do put it into the operations fund is to minimize the amounts that may be necessary to transfer monthly from the education to the operations fund. So, um, the interest rates on those accounts are variable. Uh, in 2025, the the high was in January, uh, 4.23% 23% dropped over the
003course of the year to a low of 3.62% in December. Uh and also I'll point out that in in September of 2025, we contracted a floor rate of 2% with first farmers through August of 2027. uh 2025 total uh just a little bit more than than what was earned in 2024 [snorts] by about $26,000. Uh and then I just broke out the the rates by month there at the end of that page. Other than that, that is the investment. >> Travis, our contract with a 42% is there, what's the other requirements? We have to have a certain balance or anything like >> uh no not spelled out specifically. >> All right. Any questions on the investments? financial report. >> All right. So, this again is uh the annual [clears throat] fiscal indicators report uh in
0042019. It was the the the DAB, the distressed unit, the appeal board was established and uh as part of that board uh requires all Indiana public schools to present a written report on the fiscal indicators. And so this uh slide deck satisfies that that requirement. Uh first one there just kind of a quick overview of uh the district's ADM net assess value and the estimated population. Uh >> can I say one thing? Sorry. Absolutely. Just so these uh the data is from December of 2024. So this is a year old data. So it's not as of December 2025. So the due app is always a year behind the current data. So just to clarify that point. Uh so I guess the first indicator is the uh the average daily membership and uh obviously MSD Wash
005County has stable enrollment of around 2100 for the previous three school years. Uh the the lowest that's represented on this chart was from the fall of 2018 at 2012 uh high of 2189 and the spring of 23. Um really the only thing that that I'd like to add to this is the consistency of our ADM uh makes it easier for us to budget and plan for education fund expenditures. No questions on this one next. Um this one uh just breaks out fund balances uh from the the large categories I guess of funds that we have and the district continues to have adequate fund balances. Um any negative balances that that that you see there below the the zero uh typically represent federal funds such as title one grant money and the reason those are negative
006is the requirement of using that money is that we spend it and they would request reimbursement. So it it creates a negative cash flow just kind of in and of itself just the way those funds uh were required to operate those funds in that fashion. And then the next one is the the surplus. Um again the district has consistently operated with an annual surplus uh especially over this 10ear span that's represented in this chart and has been able to grow that surplus over the course of the last uh three years. So we certainly wish for that to continue. [clears throat and cough] Um then the next one is uh this one uh I've heard from uh my previous experience that this is kind of the one that that the DAB looks at as arguably the
007most important of all these fiscal indicators that they provide the data for. um represents the comparison of our fund balances with expenditures. And just kind of as a as a benchmark, I guess 50% would indicate that the district has balances in the funds to cover six months worth of experience of expenses. Obviously, our district is and has been financially healthy for sever several years running as indicated by by those percentages. And then the next one is revenue by type. So this indicator is designed to identify any glaring anomalies uh in revenue sources andor a reliance on any operating referendum revenue. Uh obviously uh the district has no operating referendum revenue and uh the other revenues are within expected ranges for for the district. Uh then finally we have to it's required that we include this
008slide uh showing operating referendum revenue which is zero. So that's easy. And then finally uh the last three slides are just financial goals for the district. And uh the first two uh relate to uh fund balances. Uh the first one here uh shows education fund balance. The goal is uh to have greater than or equal to three months of expenses while increasing pay benefits and improving programming needs. U I can speak to the first three of those. Um uh I obviously the the balances are greater than the the three times the monthly average and um and I know for a fact that pay and benefits have been increased just since I've been here. So um and uh I I won't speak to improving programming needs, but I believe we're also doing that. Uh kind of
009the same thing with the operation fund. Uh we're well above that [clears throat] financial goal. Uh moneywise again uh increased pay benefits and uh I believe uh it can obviously be said that we are maintaining and improving our campuses as well. Uh then finally the rain day fund. Uh the goal there is to have at least 10% of the education operations funds budget uh as a balance in that rainy day fund and at the end of 2026 we we achieve that goal. Uh obviously the uh we expect and and hope that the education operations funds the the budgets that we get for each of those funds uh continues to increase each year. Uh so we'll keep an eye on that rainy day fund and and We'll be able to >> have these financial goals put
010in place by us >> things we discussed a while ago. >> Is there a point where the state wants us to adjust our goals? So we when we set these goals, I don't remember when the exact year was, uh it was probably when we started developing our strategic plan. So around that 2019 2020 time frame. Um the we based it off of what the state required us to do from our food service standpoint which was to have a threemon for greater balance in our food service. And so we kind of mirrored that off of that that line of thinking. U that has recently changed because now the state recognizes the food service budget as having six months instead of three months. They just changed that I think a year or two ago. And so we
011can follow suit at any time with that as well. Uh but we've not had any further discussion about that and we're happy to look at changing that to it be more of a six month balance versus a three month balance. I always learned growing up and through school as far as a just a personal savings was to have six months. [laughter] So I guess it could kind of mirror that as well. So when do we change that if we would want to change that? I mean is that take place tonight or is that something for future or when do you make that decision? >> Yeah, I don't know that that's something that would require board approval but I think that it would be something that we could easily change if we felt like everybody was
012thought it was a good idea to move towards that. Like I said, we had these discussions when we talked about our strategic and built our strategic plan and that's what we based it off of. >> Yeah. And so, um, we will be looking at kind of revamping that strategic plan a little bit. Not necessarily the priorities, but just as goals within the priorities and that could be one we could easily adopt. >> Good. >> Well, personally, that rainy day fund at the time seemed almost a possibility. So, where it's at. >> Good financial information. We appreciate work that goes into that. [clears throat] Travis, I guess Chris, you kind of mentoring. >> Travis started and we met all the goals. [laughter] >> Now we know who it was. >> Cleaned up. >> Appreciate that. Take
013care. I did see our expenses monthly average expenses went down somehow. >> Oh, see. [laughter] >> All right. You guys have anything else? >> If there's nothing else, I just close the meeting and start with >> Okay, we'll journ that that meeting and then we'll start with our school board meeting. Start out with pledge allegiance followed by a prayer. 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. [clears throat] >> Oh Lord Jesus, what a what a pleasure it is to be able to begin this meeting tonight and asking for your presence among us. We know that you contain all wisdom and the answer to every question we might have. Just ask that
014you might join us here at the table and sit among us that we can draw from that wisdom. Express our desire to please you. Also ask that you might be in the hallways and classrooms of all of our buildings. We have a wonderful group of faculty and administrators, but you know there's days where that certain teacher might be discouraged. And I ask that you might up into that room, bring encouragement to her, and be in the hallways with the students. A lot of these kids come from difficult situations, and they need to know that the school, but especially you, they're there to so that they might experience the kindness and the um love and the compassion that only comes from you. I just ask these things and to bring glory and honor to your name
015for it is always yours and will always be. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Future board meetings uh February 10th, February 24th, March 10th, all here six o'clock here at the administration building. No revisions to the agenda. We'll move on to recognition. Uh we got some donations. We'll get those all approved at the end. The recommendation to approve $300 donation from Ron and Deb Shinkle for Northfield Athletics. $100 for volleyball, $100 for basketball, $100 for softball. Recommendation to approve $300 donation from the kelp seeds for wrestling to Bill Campbell Memorial. Recommendation to approve $50 donation from Jonathan Floyd for the North Wrestling Bill Campbell Memorial. Recommendation to approve $100 donation from Shirley Fansteel for Northfield Wrestling for Bill Campbell Memorial. And that is all the donations. Motion second to approve those donations. >> Second. >> Got
016a motion and second to approve these donations. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any of those. All right. As always, we appreciate all those donations. Uh, school recognition. >> Yeah, we have a few uh recognitions. U Mr. Staer from Southwood Elementary would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mrs. Kim Weaver, uh, who is a former bookkeeper of ours, um, at Southwood Elementary for returning after retirement to assist with the transition of our new secretary bookkeeper position during a unique hiring situation. Mrs. Weaver was extremely accommodating and played a key role in keeping our school finances current and up to date, while also training our new bookkeeper, Mrs. Adrien Gomez. Mrs. Gomez has had a tremendous start in her new role and we are grateful for the support that made this
017smooth transition possible. Mrs. Moore from Metro North would like to give a huge thank you to our Metro North cafeteria staff, Ashley Schaefer, Angie Dyson, Sandra Frasier, and Christina Hulahan Willlet. And our head custodian, Shannon Pier. With our gym cafeteria uh renovations in the final stages of construction, these ladies have gone above and beyond to ensure that breakfast and lunch is served with as much ease as possible. Our cafeteria team has spent time packaging items to help eliminate spills. Mrs. Pier has made sure that all classes have everything they need in their wing area for meals as well as running trash and carts of trays and utensils back to the cafeteria. This team is extraordinary in the way they support one another and problem solve creatively creatively to keep things running smoothly. So, thank you.
018Mrs. Moore also would like to recognize, I believe her name is Soul Bay, a first grader who created her first ever newsletter titled the Metro North News. She drafted her first version at home and shared it with Mrs. Moore last Wednesday. Armed with a few ideas and a baggie of new writing tools, SV went home and created her final draft on Wednesday night. She had a specific purpose for publishing her newsletter. She is excited about the Metro North Girl Scout recruitment night next week. She wants all the girls to attend because being in Girl Scouts with friends would make it so much more fun. On Thursday, she returned with her final copy, learned how to run the copy machine in the office, and began posting her newsletter around Metro North. As we placed copies on
019doors and bulletin boards and the entrances to the girls restrooms, SV was already talking about ideas for her next issue. Congratulations, S, on being a published author. We can't wait to see your next issue. And I'll just show you, Mrs. Morg sent a few pictures of that. So, there's her putting up her newsletter poster about the Girl Scouts. And that there she is all smiles and recruiting. The kids are like, [laughter] "So, very fun learning experience for Soul Bay. Uh, next, Mr. Snider from Northfield wanted to recognize the Northfield girls wrestling end of season highlights. The Northfield girls wrestling program demonstrated significant growth this season, sending six qualifiers to the regional in Cookamo. Emerson Zebel, Fiona Schnelker, Olia Luffer, Amara Frerieden, Sheila Smith, and Isabelle Schulz. All six athletes compete with composure against elite competition
020with junior Amara Frerieden leading the way by securing a third place regional finish, advancing to the 2026 state finals. At state, uh, Frerieden earned an eighth place finish at 140 pounds, contributing five team points and finishing her season with a 26 and8 record and 64 career victories. Her performance was historic. She is now one of only 13 qualifiers and the fourth wrestler in school history to earn a spot on the IHSAA state podium, cementing her place among Northfield's most accomplished athletes. Thank you uh for uh first year coach Nicole Knox and assistant Spencer Miller. That wraps up my recognitions for tonight. >> All right, public comment agenda items only. Still frozen just >> we'll move on to agenda items. Uh we need to get a um motion and second to approve our regular meeting meeting
021minutes uh for Jan January 13th and the reorganization meeting for January 13th. >> Motion a second to approve those minutes. >> Second. >> Got a motion and second to approve those meeting minutes. All in favor say I. >> I opposed financial report claims and payroll. All right, we got another round of claims. Uh, nothing out of the ordinary there. Some annual stuff that were taken care of in January. Uh, and payroll is number 13. And again, nothing unusual on that. question. A motion and second to approve claims and payroll 13. So got a motion and second to approve claims of payroll number 13. All in favor say I. Any opposed? [clears throat] passes HR under resations. Uh Stephanie Griezley, right? >> Presley Presley, Southwood Elementary. Um that was detective 129. She's par professional. Employment Joselyn
022Bro, par professional for South Elementary, effective 116. and Larry Bud Wright, head coach, Southwood High School. All right. Sorry. [laughter] Zight, head coach, Southwood High School, effective immediately [clears throat] under retirement. Linda Felheim >> Felheim um classroom superintendent Whites High School that's effective at 6:24 and we have two leave of absence 198 leave will begin April or May 4th and through the end of 2025 26 school year and 199 leave will begin January 5th and approximately return date is March 18th. And looks like we got a lot of Morfield spring coaches. Kyle France softball Avery Esley assistant softball. Cory Fuller, assistant softball. Jamie Wright, assistant softball. Kirstston Wright, volunteer assistant softball. Matty Calberg, volunteer assistant softball. Joseph Mitchell, heads head baseball. Remington Muntz, assistant baseball. Keep Jeff Campus, assistant baseball. Sam Burkov, JB, assistant baseball.
023Micah Higgins, head JV baseball. Bruce Campus, assist of baseball. Kenna Leming, assist of baseball. John Higgins, a volunteer assistant baseball. Meredith Meredith tennis. Heather Heayen, head track. Larry [clears throat] Bond, assistant track. Dick Lemian, assistant track. Trisha Oswalt, assistant track. Hannah Brewbaker, assistant track. Sam Burra, JB, assistant. Baseball. We had him up there earlier. >> [clears throat] >> We have Joseph Delgado, volunteer junior high assistant track. Listen McKill, volunteer assistant track. Tom Gary, volunteer assistant track. Trey Cole, uh, head golf, Anthony Sor, JB golf, Chris Cartwright, junior high golf, and Brandon Ripinger, assistant baseball. Got a motion second to approve. [clears throat] >> Got a motion second to approve our HR. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? >> I'd like to just mention one. Uh Linda Felheim has been a staple at
024Whites for 21 years and she's worked in different various roles. So, we've appreciated her uh and her work uh with whites and white students over the those past years and wish her the best in retirement. >> Sure. Appreciate all those that stick around and [clears throat] make their impact on the school district. >> Okay. Reports. Matt department had their reorganization meeting last week. I got elected president. Uh we had some nice donations from Parkan up here on 15 and Kaylin Bour Kalin B Ever Emmeris there for being out for the welding classes. I don't know the values on that but it's sure nice to get pieces to weld with and stuff like that. So they've been very good about that. [clears throat] Yeah. I got a slate here you guys can look at. BPA, FCCLA,
025Skills USA, Cosmetology, and Cyber Security. They all have competitions and there's a list of kids that are going to that different schools. U we improved all that. And the big thing that we had, as I mentioned to you guys about precision ad class, they want to kind of go another direction or try to add on to what they're doing. and they were wanting to farm the 35 acres around the school. Uh, presently we have a tenant that's doing it has done a good job and no problems there and he's been gracious enough to say okay because that should have been done in the fall as we all know. Um, it's a good idea. I have reservations. I don't know whether these kids can do that in the two and a half hour period that they
026have in the morning and two and a half hour period they have in the afternoon who's going to uh [laughter] talk to you later. Uh, I like the idea and we had a meeting beforehand and I had questions for her that the the instructor. What's the plan? You know, you know, they gave a what I call 30,000 foot view. It looks good, but somebody on the ground has to do this stuff. And they didn't have those things lined up according to what I think they needed to to be prepared for this. And there a kind of a quick push between January meeting and February to get it done and without a lot of these questions being asked or addressed. I wanted [clears throat] to bounce it off you guys. We got a lot of farmers
027here. How are we going to get that done? If they use another farmer or you know use cooperative guy um are they g will that be any different than present person because they're not going to be in the tractor u our present tenant cannot have kids in there because they're ocean they can't have anybody under 18 working for >> so that that creates an because I always thought well if you can just put the kids in the tractors and you and see this stuff going. It would be interesting, but that can't be done. So, if you have another tenant farmer come in, cooperative farmer I should say, and do that or are they really getting like you were saying, how big equipment do you use? What crop do you plant? And I asked the kids,
028how deep do you plan? >> Right. Nobody had answers. and it's a good idea, but I guess my thought is if it's a good idea, it'll still be a good idea next year. Let's step back, get things planned out, get your equipment lined up, and things like doing it now. I don't I don't know. I'm I'm kind of giving you my leaning, >> but I I'm I'm willing to go other directions. Matt, what you're expressing there is kind of what my first thoughts were too when we said when you mentioned that we might discuss this tonight is that if you don't think the plan is cohesive that it's refined enough put together, then I I would probably say let's get it together and do it next year, you know. Well, I mean, there's nothing wrong
029with them having a learning opportunity this spring and this fall that they go and they learn from some local farmers and they go and they say, "Hey, you know, they learn how how they're planting it, you know, how deep they're planting it, what the fertilizer needs to be on." you know, they're learning those things and then this whole year they can figure out equipment because I I don't see a benefit of them going in there with a 24 row sign >> somebody else in 30 minutes >> and correct >> they're not going to learn anything. >> They're not going to spend any time and I mentioned to them your precision ad class. I want to see precision planting equipment. I want you to be able to see the technology. Are we going to change >>
030uh populations along the way? You're going to have different fertilizer wrecks. >> Yeah. >> And then you got to have the same type of thing in your combine. Who's going to do that? So you can pick up that data. >> Yeah, >> that's a very good point because they could develop the precision part of it for heading into next year. >> And then it is a variable rating. >> They could take they could take a six row planter. You know, you'll get one cheap somewhere. certificate or maybe they get >> donations to do that too. >> I think they get a lot >> but what I'm saying is they could get donations from you know true get >> true >> but they can build kind of their own planter with the precision stuff on it.
031They can learn what that equipment is actually supposed to be doing. I I just I think there I I just think that if there has to be more time, I don't think they have enough time. >> And the other thing >> unless they unless they figure out the only thing I can think of this year is if they had enough donations and they had a local guy that just wanted to come in there and plant it, they could learn a little bit about it. They could take that cash because they're going to make something. If they're getting everything >> they donate, they'll have cash. they're going to have cash that they could turn a certain value back into buying a planner or you know >> those are things have to be kind of lined up
032since we're just let's jump in. It looks like a good idea which is true but >> one of the things to keep in mind is the scholarships. Well, yeah. The scholarship money comes from the rental money. >> And this year, >> do you do that? Is that like would that be is it already funded for this year or is it >> halfway? So, because they take half the rent >> from the fall rent and spring rent, you know, >> at the end of the year, >> which they were figuring on paying that, right? Did I understand that right? The class they were going to try to figure >> it could be done because we've already got basically half of it. You'd have donations or other grants. to finish out for this year. And if they
033made the money next year, >> they were figuring to pay it, right? That's right. >> And then that's what I was getting at is they have that then whatever they had left over, they could maybe go >> could do something with. >> So I mean I I can see it both ways. You know, if they if they're able to find enough donations for fertilizer, seed >> Well, yeah, they they probably do, >> but but I mean again It's not anything different if one guy's going in there and planting it versus the other guy. It's it's so what are they learning from it? You know, I I see opportunities out there. You know, you mentioned soil testing. They can go out there and so test that ground out. Nobody is stopping them from plotting it out
034and taking it and checking from year to year. And my nephew, he likes to go out and check corn plants coming up. >> Mhm. >> They could do that, you know, they could take a whole >> Yeah. >> and flag this flag test. >> Yeah. Do flag test and stuff like that. No, there's a lot to learn without actually planting doing those things. I don't know whether that they explored those opportunities. So, so what are they seeing as the benefit of them doing it? >> Class to be involved. They can't do anything. >> I mean, unless they have their own equipment, they're they're not any not too many farmers are going to let them just go out there and [clears throat] go. I know, especially some of them that have had no experience. And we
035had, you know, people in favor of it, you know, they said, "Well, you got your welding class. They weld every day. You got your your cosmetology. They cut hair every day. That's great. You only plant three days a year. You can't do that every day. Yeah. That argument is true, but >> it's a bigger equipment. >> Yeah. And then I mentioned to a couple of, you know, kids staying there. I said, >> you know, who's scouting in June and July? >> That's I said, you're at the fair. You got a family vacation, >> you know. >> Yeah. He's taking care of them. >> Yeah. And if you got a senior, and I know some of the senior kids, they're very good farm kids, >> but they're going to be gone. >> They're going to be
036gone. They're not going to be here. They'll be at Purdue or in a job someplace else. One of them's actually working for other farmer. So, who's going to come do it? And you want to lay that on to the teacher? I don't know. That's why I'm bouncing off you guys. I I want no more input than >> I think there's pros and cons to both. I just like you said it's >> I think they need to put a better better plan together for this year. I don't think they should >> I think they got a big backing. A lot of people are going to help them. There's going to be a lot of >> There's going to be a lot of guys are going to I mean donate their their stuff. But again, I don't
037see the benefit of them unless they actually have their own equipment that they could actually run and plant and work the ground and harvesting might not be as big a deal, but I mean at least the that core part, but I mean they they're out at May 25th. Half the time we're not even planting by then. So So it's like what's going to happen then? Well, they had it penciled in between ch April 25th and April 30th. >> Yeah. Well, >> I do too. [laughter] >> But but that doesn't work. You know, >> you can't predict. That's what I was saying is I I there's >> and and you're working in the field. Those two kids are there in two and a half hours. They got to get out. They switch. Rain's coming at 4.
038>> Better have a big piece of equipment they get done. >> Well, I got track practice, so I got to get over to that. So >> there's a lot of things I think they have to think through a little. >> Yeah, >> I I agree, man. If you have hesitation about it, that's the position and recommend you support and then we get together with >> the rest of the board. and all the rest of the board were supposed to go to their boards and kind of bounce it off everybody. See what they >> We certainly don't want to be a obstructionist for something that would be good, >> but since it is a precision a class, you want that crossover and a lot of that could begin without you actually physically farming. >> Correct. So
039my hope was, you know, the president tenant could let them come in and write the guy and see how this precision stuff works and so but that's not possible because >> so would he allow them to do some of that stuff like you're talking out there >> and he mentioned that they can so test anytime they go out they can go out and do their flag test they can go out and plan. They can do the depths and they can do all those kind of things. But and maybe they're involved with the, you know, with the tenant to do a crop plan, you know, figure out some things, you know, >> maybe they can be involved that way. But until they have their own actual equipment to do it, I don't see much. >> And
040then you own the equipment. Where are you parking it? >> Well, that that could probably be figured out. Yeah. [snorts] >> But I just wanted to bounce it off you guys. >> No, I think you're in the right direction. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> Matt, was there anything that they talked about related to uh the Don Wood Foundation? >> Oh, yes. Uh they're going to pursue that a little bit more because Floyd's going to be the the lead on that. He liked the way it was doing and they kind of took a couple people off the the way direction was going. So he still has to meet but yeah they're going to pursue that grant and see things happen. Maybe get some of that money do some of this other stuff. Yeah. >> Did
041they did they also mention anything about that hospital space that park? >> I got an email today that that's the first time I'd heard about that. >> Okay. Um, that's only $125,000 a year to rent at this present time. That's all. >> No, that's just for the empty end on the west side. >> But they're willing to let the apartment have that for classroom space or whatever, but you know, they're taking a tour or something. >> Yeah, they're taking a tour next or something. in the Park View locally position is that they're very concerned about what who is the tenant >> in that building. So would be a good >> compet rather than a business that might not be >> not side by side. I think it's going to be the rehab >> right >>
042from the Y from there to there. >> But it could provide some additional space. >> Sure. It'd be great because across the street. So, they could have classes in there. Even the nursing classes could be right >> because we've had some of those up at Manchester College and stuff like that. >> So, it's 125,000 a year. >> Don't Don't I should have said that, but it was >> I think that's what they were looking for as a lease agreement. >> Yeah, >> but that that doesn't necessarily Yeah, that's negotiable. That's a good question because I just read that email today and I told my credit in that meeting. >> I didn't know if he had talked about it in the meeting. >> No, it was not at the meeting. I see that this evening before
043I came. >> All right. Superintendent report. >> Yes. Uh going to give you an update video here of uh construction at at Northfield. >> [music] >> Good job. [music] So that's our AR. [music] [music] And that would be a class for example. [music] >> [music] >> story. [music] So, a lot of the outside stuff is getting short up. So, a lot of work on the inside being done and you can see a lot of the spaces and rooms starting to take shape. So, moving quite a bit along. I know uh Shark Creek staff uh took a tour uh a couple weeks ago just kind of see what those faces were shaped up to be. So >> Metro North Metro North there to finish off the gym. That was kind of part of Mrs. Mo's comments
044about, you know, even in the classroom areas, uh, so that they can, uh, tidy up what they need to get the floor in and and some other fixtures in that gym space. And hopefully by spring break it can be done. Um just uh got a certification here just as a recognition that we uh as a board are members of the Indiana School Boards Association again for another year. Uh so that's good news. It helps provide a lot of uh professional development and information uh specific to uh school board and school board related items. legislative update. Uh not much more to really talk about. Uh there have been 747 bills filed, 86 that pertain to K through 12 education. Uh the conclusion of the second regular session of the 124th Indiana General Assembly is just six
045weeks away. Bills will need to pass out of committees in the House of Origin by noon on Monday, January 26th and then third reading by Thursday, January 29th to remain active in the bill process. The goal is to finish legislation by February 27th. So, not much time left for that. Uh the big one and I'll just mention it again is the Senate bill 78 the bell-to-bell cell phone ban that has passed through the senate and will move to the house. Uh it prohibits students from using a wireless communicate a communication device during the school day which includes smartwatches. requires teacherdirected use of wireless communication to be for educational purposes during the school day to occur only on school supplied communication devices. Uh and mandates the use of a no device policy or a secure storage
046policy when it comes to cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal devices. create certain exceptions to those devices such as if it's in an IEP, a 504 plan, medical conditions, authorized by the superintendent during emergency, and for language translation. So, we'll see how that bill shapes out as it moves to the House. And there's a lot of bills that are being are are dying in committees, but then there's language that's getting that's being pulled out of those and getting added to other bills. And so things start getting crazy as you get closer to the end of the sessions as things are getting thrown in there for things. So we'll keep a monitor on that. Uh but that was one thing that I want to mention for that. And then the last thing I'd like to mention
047is I made a little comment in yesterday's communication as far as weather is concerned as being the chief meteorologist for the school district. Uh we've had five delays and now six cancellations. And so um hopefully our goal is to get back in the school, but we want to make sure that it's safe and appropriate. uh and uh forecast for tomorrow doesn't look great. So anyway, we have eight e-learning days that we can use for cancellation processes. So we've been at six. We only have two more uh of those remaining and then we would have to shift to it would still be virtual learning but it would be synchronous learning which basically means there is live interaction between students and staff and so schedules would be built and there would be time periods where students would
048meet directly with teachers uh throughout the day. uh LO10. Is there anything that you want to add to that? >> Would that follow the the regular class schedule like we got right now? I mean >> short versions of it more for the upper elementary. Yes. But the upper the upper grade levels like high school and junior high. Yes. The elementaryaries would be a little different. Uh because obviously their schedules for a whole day, but you're trying to condense that into a shorter time period. >> How do the teachers put that out? Are they on Zoom or >> uh Google Meet >> Kind? >> Yeah. And so we will continue to meet with uh admin. Admin will continue to meet with teachers and we we started that process today a little bit. We've had a plan
049in place, but we've never really utilized it at this point in time. And so now we're in that preparation mode of getting ready to have to use that as we get to that point. And so we'll send out communication to parents as we get a little bit closer to that time period, but we're getting to a pretty close point with that. And so >> we'll continue to work through those details and you know, it'll be a work in progress as anything is and we'll we'll get through it and make it uh be the best that we can make it and we'll continue to make improvements as we go. Uh but there'll be a lot of flexibility uh in trying to implement that. A lot of schools around this just do sync days anyway. They don't
050they don't do the e-learning portion which is more kind of just on their own a little bit with with teacher guidance if you need it but can only do so much on a device whether it's e-learning or synchronous from day to day and so the weather has not been our friend when it comes to that at least this year. So, it's getting a little bit of a challenge. All right. >> Yeah. I I told you that the last meeting we're going to look at English books. So, that's this Friday. So, I'll take some teachers up to Fort Wayne to look at some books for grades 6 through 12. Our focus will primarily be 6 through eight to make sure they get the materials that they need. All teachers will go or sorry the English teachers
051will go from respective principles of hope to chief. >> All right. Well, we guess we got to pray for the weather. [laughter] Everybody go home. We need warmer weather. bow our heads [laughter] >> cuz it's it's obviously causing chaos and teachers lives and >> coaches lives and everything else that's going on. >> Students and parents teachers, >> we get them back in school best we can. >> Yeah. Have them begging to go back to school here soon. All right. Uh new business. Uh we have recommendation to approve an overnight extended field trip for Southwood seniors to Gatlinburg pigeon quarters Tennessee April 12th through the 15th. A motion second to approve that field trip. >> Got a motion and second [clears throat] to approve field trip. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes.
052Unfinished business. Any board policy, public comment, any items from board members? All right, we will journ.