001All right, we welcome everybody here tonight to our school board meeting. We'll start out by a pledge of allegiance, start followed by a prayer. I aliance 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. Our father in heaven, we are grateful that we are able to uh come here together and as friends and employees and and neighbors. We're grateful for the safety that we provided as we travel here. We're grateful for the opportunities and for the things that have some of the peacemaking that's happened throughout the world. We're grateful for all the blessings that we each enjoy. We ask thee as we meet here tonight that the things that we discuss and decide that will be
002pleasing unto thee. We ask thee for thy direction and guidance. We are grateful for all these things and we say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [Laughter] >> You're good. We uh future board meetings November 11th uh December 9th and January 13th all here 6:00 at the administration building. There are some revisions to the agenda. Um we'll get to those. Um recognition. We have some donations. We'll get these all approved at the same time. We got a recommendation to approve $250 from Joshua Bower for Southwood bands. Recommendation to approve $100 from Rowan Covered Bridge Lions Club for North Northfield Robotics and Wrestling. So $50 each. Recommendation to approve $200 from Man and Swine Rick Farms for Northfield Girls Golf. Um, recommendation to approve the anonymous anonymous donation for $67 for Southwood Theater. A
003recommendation to approve $150 donation for family and friends of Wilson. Not sure what that goes to. Recommendation to approve $25 from Phyllis Jri for Southwood High School robotics. We get a motion and second to approve those generous donations. So >> second a motion and second to approve these donations. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? >> All right. School recognition. >> School recognition. We will start with uh we have a couple individuals from Sharp Creek Elementary here to be recognized um as being recognized by their peers for the teacher of the year. and the staff of the year. And so we'll start with Mrs. Miller. Would you come up here, please? You have to stand so we can see you. >> A good angle for a perfect time. >> Yes. Yes. >> So
004Ariel was recognized as not only Sharp Creek's teacher of the year, but she was also recognized as our elementary district teacher of the year for last school year. So, I just wanted to highlight a few things that were mentioned about her. Uh, Ariel is passionate about teaching and makes it fun. You can see her getting involved with her kids on dress up days and makes learning a good time. She is a hard she is hardworking and driven to do the best that she can and help her students be the best that they can be. And I can attest to that because my daughter has experienced working with Mrs. Miller before uh from a teaching and or coaching standpoint and so and I've seen her in action uh with the Northfield girls golf team and junior
005high basketball and she does an excellent job working with all students. Mr. Martin, would there be anything that you would like to say? >> I had brought a whole bunch to read about what her colleagues said about her, but uh I you've said some of it. So I just I appreciate Ariel. She's She's a natural talent when it comes to handling the classroom and she's fully committed to the kids and that's those are both great things. So, we're lucky to have her. >> I didn't know I'm supposed to talk about how good you are. >> No, no. I I guess the only thing I have to say really is that I it's an honor to be at Sharp Creek because that's where I grew up and that's I had some amazing teachers that taught me
006what it looks like to work hard and I wouldn't be there without them and I still get to teach some of them. So that's cool. They're not old though. They're still in the front. >> Very good, don't they? right? She's done. >> Um, and that's one thing that's really awesome is the fact that she came back and worked in our district. And so I think that says a lot. Um, we'd like to recognize you. Uh, we have a sponsor for our staff spotlight. First Farmers Bank and Trust sponsors $50 uh to where you can go to our online store and purchase some swag. All right. >> So, we appreciate what you do. Thank you very much. >> Mr. Martin, >> no, I don't want to. >> If that's what you want, please smile face. >>
007Perfect. Thank you. [Applause] >> Next is our staff. um of the year for Sharp Creek and that is Miss Morgan Blocker >> and my wild. >> That's all right. >> He's more than welcome to join you here. >> It's way easier. >> So Morgan is a social worker at Sharp Creek Elementary and just want to mention a few things that was mentioned about her. Um Morgan is the best for many reasons. She helps so many of the kids work through their problems outside of the classroom. The problems that she helps the students are more personal and harder to solve. Morgan is very sincere, caring, and yet firm. Morgan embodies everything that embodies our mission. Morgan is the definition of a creative problem solver because she is our social worker. Her job is unpredictable and everchanging.
008She has to come with the best way to solve each situation as it as it walks into her office, off the playground, off the bus, out of the lunchroom, and other places of the building. She is driven and takes initiative as she manages the more complex issues that arise in the school. Because of her job expectations, she has no choice but to be ethical, honest, and trustworthy. She is the safe person for many students at Shark Creek and we are really glad she's here. >> So, Mr. >> I would summarize with a with a few thoughts. Uh, one is Morgan is very thorough. A lot of her background comes from a place where documentation is and she's she's very thorough. She's very uh well-versed in documentation, confidentiality things which is important. Maybe the biggest thing
009is though, she she serves as a resource to myself, uh definitely to students, definitely to families, and as was kind of mentioned, she's a good resource for the other staff members as far as teachers and those who are working with kids to pick her brain and her background, her experience for approaches that make sense. So, we really appreciate having >> um no, just thank you so much. Um and it's been to come from like those different places like the DCS world actually to now the school world where I can still do what I love but without that intensity of like oh my goodness this is like the worst of the worst. So it's nice to be able to still do that piece of my job and also work with people like you all and teachers
010too that also feel the same kind of beliefs and background I guess that I share or like I have. So that's nice and comforting I think. Well, we appreciate what you do with your efforts and so on behalf of First Farmers Bank and Trust, we'd like to give you a $50 gift card there for our online store. >> Thank you so much. >> Let's give one. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you guys. This your second award is that you're free to go. You don't have to say if you choose for introduce your business. >> Yeah. Yeah. Which husband? >> Oh, this is my husband, Dylan. >> Hi, Dylan. Nice to meet you all. >> Thanks for coming out. >> Thanks for coming. And we got three. Can we introduce the kids? >> Yes. These are
011my kids. This is my first born, Arlo. My second born, Adler, and this is Anson. >> And what are their ages? >> 5, three, and one and a half. And dad is farming if you can believe. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you guys. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> See you guys. Byebye. >> Can you tell everyone back? >> Uh along with that, I just want to give a few more school recognitions uh from our building principles. So, we'll start with Southwood High School. Mrs. Lewis uh would like to con uh let us congratulate uh Olivia Rank, McKenna Hunter, and Bailey Petro for being selected for the Indiana All State Honor Choir for 2026. Also like to send out a congratulations to senior Madison Chinowit who represented a SHS in the girls
012golf regional on September 26th. Madison's solid performance included a hole in one on hole number 17. >> I've never seen one. >> That's so cool. >> Very awesome. Uh Mr. Christoff from Southwood Elementary uh said that on Thursday, October 2nd, they appreciation day and he wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank uh our incredible Southwood Elementary custodians, Teresa Baker, Jennifer Miracle, and Danny Stout for the amazing work they do every single day. They keep our buildings clean, safe, and welcoming, and their efforts play a huge role in making South Elementary a great place to learn and grow. We truly appreciate all the behindthe-scenes work they do to support our students, staff, and school community. And then lastly, from Metro North, Mrs. Moore uh received the following communication from a parent. I just wanted
013to share with you that Mrs. Patrick is hands down the best. You definitely got a fantastic teacher with her. I gave her a heads up that our daughter was extra emotional today because she woke up to find one of her fish had died. >> Mrs. Patrick and our daughter shopped for new fish to send me pictures of what they want of what she wanted. Mrs. Patrick printed off some fish coloring pages to help her feel better. You only ever read about the bad in schools, but not with you guys. You guys all deserve recognition for being so fantastic. So, thank you, Mrs. Patrick and all MSDWC teachers and staff for continuing to go above and beyond for students. She'd also like to mention that on October 3rd, Metro North PTO hosted our mom and son
014night of fun. The weather was beautiful, the activities were a blast, and our guests were the absolute best. We enjoyed roasting hot dogs and s'mores, pony rides, the petting zoo, water balloon battles, dodgeball, the bounce house, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting, and more. Thank you to our PTO for an incredible event and all of our volunteers that work behind the scenes to make this night so much fun. I was able to attend that event, and if you've never been there, she's got it all organized, all set up, and it's like a mini carnival for the most part. She does a great job with that. It's a good time for moms and sons uh to hang out. That's all I have. >> All right, we will move on. Public comment agenda items only. >> All right, we
015will move on to our agenda items. Uh we need to get a motion second to approve our September 23rd minutes. >> So, we got a motion and second to approve those minutes. All in favor say I. Any opposed? uh approval of financial report. Uh claims and payroll number six. All right. So the claims uh pretty much in line. We uh on this one we did have some uh classroom and office supplies. Uh it's normal for this time of year. Uh but this something not used to seeing so much of uh on this claim sheet. Uh payroll, same thing. uh pretty much in line. Uh this payroll number six does reflect the uh retro and the increases for the area program folks. Questions or anything on those? If not, let's give a motion in a second
016to approve claims and payroll September six. >> Second motion second to approve claims and payroll number six. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Uh financial summary. >> All right. End the month uh end month for September of any balances or staying consistent. Glad to answer any questions if anybody has any but outern. move the cash flows again same uh everything's staying pretty much in line. Uh with these each will get updated since we've had our official fall count date um with those uh actual numbers. So I'll be updating the last quarter for next quarter. So see a little bit of differences in the education fund uh next month. Any questions or anything there? Thank you. Uh we'll move on to our 2026 budget adoption. You get a recommendation of approval in a second
017to approve the 2026 bus replacement plan. >> Yep. There's been no changes uh since we first started talking about them. So, um glad to answer any questions if there are any, but there have been no changes. So, just asking the board to approve six replacement. >> Real quickly, is there guidance by the state? Would you have to replace? >> No. After 12 years, then you have to have them inspected more than once a year. >> That would be it. that will be there. But we used to be required to provide a 12year plan. But now they move on the bus replacement. Second motion and second to approve our six bus replacement plan. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? and recommendation to approve our 2026 capital projects plan. >> Yep. Same. It's it hasn't
018changed since the the first time we talked about it a couple months ago. So, just asking the board to approve the 2026 capital project. >> Make the motion to approve. >> Second. Got a motion and second to approve our capital projects plan for 2026. All in favor say I. I. Any >> opposed? Uh recommendation to approve our resolution for appropriations and tax rate from is that form four from >> form four. Yeah, it was budget form number four is the is the one that spills out the tax rates. the adopted tax rates and again uh the the adopted tax rates that are shown on the screen there uh will change uh once we uh upload all the documents to the DGF they did 1782 notice they sent it to us we we do our thing
019the anticipation is that the tax rate will be$110 overall the total tax rate will 10 for point comes after the which is where we're at right now. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Same rate as 2025. So just asking the board to approve the 2026 adopted budgeted recommendation. Have a motion and second to approve the resolution for appropriation for tax form four. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? And a recommendation to approve the resolution for appropriation modification. Yeah, this uh this document just gives us the authority the the approval to to make those changes with the DJ once they send us the 172. It's a standard angle resolution that allows for that to happen. >> Make the motion to approve the resolution for appropriation modification. >> Second. Got a motion, a second to approve
020the resolution for appropriation modification. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Move on to HR. And there is quite >> buckle up. >> I don't know what's we have to get with Northfield and find out why this double. Not sure what's going on there. All right. Uh we don't have any resignations. So unemployment. Uh Shirley Haynes, substitute cook for North schools. That's effectively effective at 10:20. Brillan Pearson, secretary bookkeeper for North Elementary, effective 108. Victoria Plank, substitute nurse for all schools, effective immediately. Jeff Bowling, custodian at South High School, that's effective 1016. Angela Kn, substitute cook for all schools, and that's effective immediately. Michael Rehawk Rehawk substitute teacher for all schools and that's effective immediately. Uh, Norfield winter coaches rehyr head varsity basketball. Matt Brown, assistant boys basketball. Cody Gibson, assistant boys basketball.
021Scott Hopper, junior high boys basketball. Jackson Peas, eighth grade boys basketball. Joe Holderman, seventh grade boys basketball. Michelle Puce, sixth grade boys basketball. Jason Daw, sixth grade boys basketball. Troy Hopper, fifth grade boys basketball. Matt Hines, head varsity girls basketball. Dave Hines, assistant girls basketball. Brian Double, assistant girls basketball. Kevin Alip, assistant girls basketball. Jason Crum, JB, girls basketball. Ariel Miller, eighth grade girls basketball. Faith Cox, seventh grade girls basketball, David Culver, sixth grade girls basketball, Andrea Beaks. Fifth grade girls basketball, Melissa Allen. Fifth grade girls basketball. That's only half of them. Ed Sheffield, head of varsity wrestling. Greg G, assistant wrestling. Jim Olinger, assistant wrestling. Scott Pennington, assistant wrestling. Eric Kurtland, assistant wrestling. Spencer Miller, assistant wrestling. Justin Sammons, volunteer assistant wrestling. Grant Warmouth, volunteer, assistant wrestling. Haley Shock, assistant varsity cheer. Stephanie Bart
022Barton, assistant cheer. Britney Gos, head junior high cheer. Brandon Pearson, assistant junior high cheer. Mick Jarrett, sixth grade boys basketball. Bener, fifth grade boys basketball. Mick Copper, third grade boys basketball. Daniel and Hill Whitman, third grade boys basketball, Cox, assistant wrestling. Southwood coaches Christian Perry, head of varsity boys basketball. Brian Basset, assistant boys basketball. Jim Hogan, JB, boys basketball. Mike Barrett, freshman boys basketball. Aiden Busler, eighth grade boys basketball. Cory McKay, seventh grade boys basketball. Kevin Deon, sixth grade boys basketball. Kenneth Norman, head varsity girls basketball. Rod Cole, assistant girls basketball, Jason Horn, assistant girls basketball. Cindy Hen JV girls basketball eighth grade girls basketball Sean Klein seventh grade girls basketball Casey Stopper head varsity wrestling Bart stopper assistant wrestling Brian Sweet Assistant wrestling can get a motion and a second to approve HR second
023that got a motion and a second to approve Approve our HR report. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Report Hartland. >> Wow. Meeting tomorrow. Tomorrow you'll have something in a moment. >> Yeah. >> I hope. >> Superintendent. >> Just a few things here. Uh just um last week of school before we head into fall break. So our fall break is next week. uh October 20th through October 24th. Uh this Thursday uh will be a busy night in our buildings because we'll have parent teacher conferences. I know staff uh and and principles have been working hard on on preparing and getting u parents signed up uh for that evening. And then lastly, uh we have signed off on our ADM uh count. And so for the fall count, we are
024at 2090.47. And so that doesn't mean we have four 40 half of a kid. That just means uh some kids are dually enrolled. And so they're not there all day. Uh our total enrollment is 2237, but that doesn't mean all kids are counted for ADM such as prek kids. Uh so we you know our count is 2090 but our actual bodies in the buildings are 2237 and so we estimated last year uh what our costs would be going into this fall uh and budgeted for 2070. We ended last year at 2072 and last fall we were at 21109.84. And so with that final number of 2090.47, that's roughly 19 less than last fall, but 18 more than the end of last school year and 20 more than what we estimated. So positive outcome of that.
025That's all I have. Anyone have any questions? >> All right. Excellent. You don't have >> no need to know. >> All right, we'll move on to new business recommendation to approve the 20 2527 MSDWC teacher contract. >> Yeah. So, we at our last board meeting, I believe we had our tenative agreement meeting. We laid out all the provisions and changes updates in the contract. This is just the final ratification and approval uh of that written out in contract language. So um if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Otherwise, we are recommending to approve the two-year terms of the contract. Make the motion to approve the teacher contract for 2025 2027. >> Second. >> Got a motion and second to approve the 25 through 27 teacher contracts. All in favor say I.
026>> I. Any >> opposed? Right. Motion passes. Recommendation to approve the 2627 school calendars district and whites. So we uh gathered input from our teachers association. We gathered input from our admin. We've gathered input from some of our surrounding school districts as we partner with Parkland and 12 batch program to come up with what we feel like is our best calendar. Um this is my first calendar that I made. So I wanted to make sure I had those days right and hopefully I do. They just all these numbers start blending together. But uh our recommendation is to um pretty much mirror what our calendar looked like this year. And so based off on how how all the months felt and the days fell within those month, we were able to make that uh pretty close
027reality to what our current con our current calendar looks like. Um, so school would start August 12th uh for students and end on March or May 27th with our graduation being on May 30th and last teacher day May 28th. So we will be done with regular school in the May. The current that we're in right now, we have fall late next week. Teacher conferences Thursday. >> Do we think we'll see attendance suffer on Friday? >> That's something we can definitely track. >> It's a It's always a possibility. I remember back a number of years ago when we discussed the Friday before spring break, >> right? >> And the superintendent at that time said she was going to watch the football. We want to just stop. >> I understand rain and stuff. >> I just wondered
028how they set it. get set up this year with the Thursday, Friday, and the week question. >> Yeah, we and we obviously don't have a lot of control in what is decided by the parent at that point in time. Um, and so even if we didn't have a day or I mean they can take over. >> Yeah, I would throw in there like we're in the PSAT SAT testing window and so tomorrow as part of that testing. So there's so many variables that go into that day because it's tough. It' be nice to do it on the Wednesday. Report cards are coming out and so like yeah, but it's a good question for sure. I'd be curious to see that, too. >> Yeah, I I know. >> I know some places that have moved their
029PT days to that Friday, >> but then you may not get enough parents. >> All the parents will be gone. Yeah, >> they've already taken. probably know. Yeah, you did it on Friday, but we only got two days. >> Yeah. Well, that's what college still is, >> right? >> I don't even remember if I I maybe I did. I think I just took it. break used to be harvest break a little bit different. >> No, everybody gets tickets, >> but that is our district calendar. And then obviously Whites has a different calendar because they only go four days a week. uh still meet the 180day requirement, but uh their school actually starts in July and will end in June. >> All right, we get a recommendation to approve that. So a second motion. >> Got
030a motion and second to approve the 2627 school calendar for the school district and whites junior senior night. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Got a recommendation to approve an overnight extended field trip for Southwood 8th and 9th grade classes for walk to Washington DC April 9th or gosh April 8th through 11th. That' be 206. Yeah. All right. Um I get a motion second to approve that. >> So move. >> Second. >> A motion second to approve that overnight field trip for South 8 nth grade. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? And we got a recommendation to approve an overnight field trip for Minds and Action level three. Students participate in summer uh 2026 trip, right? >> November 21st through 22nd. >> It's kind of like a reunion trip.
031>> Oh, this is a reunion. Where are they going? They just spend the night at Metro. They just spend time together >> at it does say at Metro North Elementary. So >> they have spent the night there before. >> I don't know if they've got things. >> I think they're going to places, but I do think they're staying the night at Metro. >> So that's November 21st, 22nd at Metro North. So it's overnight trip. >> We get a motion second to approve that. So >> second >> have a motion second to approve the lines of action overnight field trip. All in favor say I. Any >> oppose? Finished business board policy. First reading. >> Yeah. So just a first reading on a removal of board policy 3230 which is the teacher appreciation grant. So when
032the teacher appreciation grant came out, they required the school boards to approve um the grant processes every year. Uh and so it to make that a policy. Well, legislation has changed that has completely restructured how teacher appreciation grants work. So this policy is no longer valid and so we just need to remove it. um from our book. So the changes in HA 101 modifies how TRA tag is distributed and HA102 removes the language for highly effective and effective ratings as part of the teacher appreciation grant. So this policy is no longer valid. So we just need to remove it. Do you have to have two readings to remove it? >> I I would assume yes because otherwise we spin the room. We'd have to have it all. >> I was just saying speed up the
033process. >> All right. Any questions on that? If not, any public comment on all items? Any items from board members? >> All right, we will