001up um some questions and then there'll be time for public input at the end. So, uh the first item on the agenda is for the board to hold a project hearing on the proposed bond project. If you're interested in speaking at the hearing, please make sure you've signed in and we'll get to that later. After a presentation by the administration and its adviserss, there'll be an opportunity public to make comments about the project. At this specific hearing, we ask the topic be limited to the proposed project under consideration. The notice of this hearing was published leg as legally required. At this time, I will ask Mr. Jernigan to explain the purpose of this hearing. >> Yeah. Pursuant Indiana Code 20-26-7-37, before a school corporation may spend more than a million dollars to build, repair, or
002alter a school facility that will be financed by or lease or bonds. Um, it must hold a public hearing which explain which explains the potential value of the project to the school corporation and community uh that is given. This public hearing um and the consideration resolutions represent the beginning of the legal process. The resolutions presented at the meeting established the financial terms for the proposed project. >> We will now hear from Mr. Jernigan about the process of determining and communicating the project to the community and the need for the project. >> Sure. And I think Chris has some slides there as well. So over the course of the last 18 months, u I've worked with the board as well as the the administrators to identify a priority list. This priority list is pretty extensive. Uh
00320 or so different items. Uh the number one that came uh number one that came to to light was uh tunnels at the high school. Some people may realize there's tunnels at the high school, some people may not, but there are. Uh they're full of uh piping, which is both domestic water and also chilled and and heated water. I think a lot of the board members have been down to see that. So Chris will kind of flip through some of those um scary pictures of the of the tunnels. Uh you can see there there is insulation on those pipings which is in in disrepair in a lot of cases. Um there's some damp areas because some of those pipes have have leaked. In fact, Miss Kitner and myself were just down the tunnel uh to
004find a leak this week. So um the first phase would be uh remediation of that asbesus or what is thought to be asbestous on that piping and then um the second phase would be replace pipes that need replaced uh because with that asbestous insulation um some of those pipes are pitted and I think there's one picture that's pretty good uh of that. There they are. um some of those are pitted uh which could potentially mean we shut down school if one of those pipes breaks especially if it's domestic water line. So um that is the the project uh the extent of the project uh that we would we would move forward with with this $2 million bond issue. >> Okay. So we now hear from Superintendent Jernigan about how the proposed project meets the needs
005as just described. >> Sure. So the the big uh the big issue here is any of these pipes bust um it will shut down school. I mean we can't we can't run school without uh heat or air. Um most importantly we can't run school without domestic water. So those are all essential uh functions of uh what we need to have happen at the school. So that's how it will meet the needs um by going down there uh replacing the insulation. It also will make it run more efficiently. So all those pipes that are right in there with cool water or hot water that don't have insulation, don't have proper insulation, they're not running very efficiently. So it'll help those run more efficiently as well. >> Thank you. Moving out here from Michael Schumacher u about
006how the proposed project will be financed as well as information about the effect on that typical property taxpayer. >> All right. Thanks, Mr. Dane. Good to see you all again. I think you've probably a lot of you have seen this some sort of presentation before. Uh do you want to project it or do you want to everybody have it? >> Uh everybody hasn't. >> Okay, perfect. Let's go through this briefly. So the first page you'll see shows your outstanding debt service levy. That's your property tax levy associated with the bond issues that you currently have outstanding. Um, what you like to see is the bars going down, which means that you have an opportunity to do this $2 million and not increase the levy from where it has been historically. And the reason we focus
007on levy, you know, as a school corporation, you used to be more focused on tax rate. You're obviously somewhat up to speed with Senate Bill One. Um, assessed values are inevitably going to go down over the next 5 years. The tax rate will reset higher, so it's more difficult to manage that tax rate. But most schools are looking at their levy, trying to keep that the same to tell taxpayers that we're not asking for for any more money year to year. So the next page shows uh the 2 million of bond that we're talking about and the dark blue bars are how we would repay that and how that would come onto the levy. Um and we would be uh targeting a levy that that you had in 2024. It went down slightly in 25.
008You didn't issue any bonds and had assessed value growth. So it it we would be restoring it to where it was in 24. And then you see um we're repaying it as quickly as we can. I know interest cost is is important to the school corporation. Um so repaying that you know within 6 years with a large amount of principal being paid in the first two years to keep interest costs as low as possible. Um and again you can see you would be able to come back in 26 if you have future needs. Um and we continue to layer those bonds on and and keep that levy where it is. The last page is just some legal parameters we need to go through. These are all very conservative. Maximum par amount of the bonds 2
009million. Estimated cost 150,000 which would leave you with just under 1.9 million to spend. Again, that's highly conservative at this point. Final maturity no longer than 20 years, but as I said, we're going to try to keep that five or six years. Uh maximum interest rate we set high because we don't want to have to come back to the board again and ask for something different. We set at 6%. And if you were issuing this today, you're probably 3 3 and a/4 type rate. Um estimated interest expense, again, that is on a 20-year maturity, 773,000. Uh the six-year repayment that I showed you is about 245,000 in interest cost as of today. Um and again, keeping keeping the levy in line with where it was in in 24. >> You're running interest cost at the
0103 and a quart. You running it at the six? >> Uh the 773 is at the six. the 245 is where rates would be today. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. So, I know that was pretty short, but happy to answer any questions. >> Anybody have any questions for Mr. >> So, I know we went back and forth on the 20 year, the shorter. So, we kind of landed on the recommendation of doing the sixyear deal. So, as I as we work back and forth, uh we think there's some capacity, even if we do a six-year deal, there's still some capacity in that 26 to come back, uh if we choose as a board to to do those projects. So, I think that's probably our best bet. >> Yeah, we're trying to keep them as
011short as possible. And then in the future, depending how much you maybe there may be a point in time where you just have to extend it longer, but we're trying to keep them as short as possible in the meantime until you would have to do that. So tonight we're just concentrating on the $2 million tonight for the 2025 bond and then in the future then we can revisit where we want to go. If we want to borrow more money or we need to borrow more money then we can definitely look at longer terms. If we need to spread it out but for tonight's purpose of this meeting and the general board meeting where we'll approve these resolutions is just dealing with the 2025 bond. And after talking to Mr. Durn again a couple different times,
012I I think a lot of it's overwhelming a quite a few people because we really are not sure where we want to go or where we want to end up. Um I think the big number that scared everybody was what the interest payback was and we looked at all the fees and we were basically borrowing two and a half bond right at two bonds just to pay interest. And I after talking to a lot of you guys outside of the board meeting um personally I I kind of got the indication that let's get through this first one and then move on from there. So when we have more time to decide. So >> thank you. >> Okay. Moving ahead. We will now open the public hearing. Uh remember if you would like to speak, please
013sign in on the sheet which is over by the door. As I mentioned earlier, we ask that you state your name, address, and limit your comments for this hearing for the proposed project and financing. May I have the signin sheet now? And I'll be calling the name of who's interested in speaking. >> There's nobody on the sheet. >> Nobody on the sheet. Okay. All right. So, we'll move on then. Is there anybody in the room right now that would like to speak? Okay. All right. Thank you to all who are participated in this hearing. We appreciate your time and interest in the projects and the future of our community. Please note that this is just the first step in the legal process. The board will continue to work with the administration and its professionals to
014look for efficiencies to conserve tax dollars while meeting our educational needs. And with that I will close the special meeting. So and now we will move on to the regular board meeting. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Great. Lord, we come before you and we just thank you for the opportunities we've had. We just thank you so much for our community support. I ask you, Lord, to keep our kids safe. And I ask that you give us wisdom in helping accomplish the things that would do that and to increase their educational opportunities through this wonderful McConnA school system. In your name, amen.
015>> Amen. [Applause] >> Amen. With that, we'll call to order the MCO School Corporation of Board of School of Trustees, August 27th, 2025. Roll call, please. >> Rexner, >> here. >> Andrew Adams here. Greg Benson >> here. Beth Cheney >> here. >> Tim White here. Robert Dane >> here. Okay. Item 1.2, additions or deletions to the agenda. >> None at this time, sir. >> Okay. Hearing on item 1.3, I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda as given. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions, comments on the agenda? >> Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Item number two, excellence and education. >> Yeah. Uh we're going to postpone the data um meeting until next month. uh we will have some updates on the data
016as we get more released from the state. So uh those just got unmbarged about three or four days ago. So it gives us a little more time to look at some other area schools. We can give you better information in September. So the principles will work on that for September. >> Okay. Thank you. Brings us up to item 3.1 approval minutes regular meeting dated July 23rd 2025. Entertain a motion to approve the minutes as written. So, >> second. >> Does anybody have any questions or comments on the minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor of approval signify by saying I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Brings down item 4.1 4.2. Financial business. Mr. Journey. >> Ask for your approval. Pay payroll claim listing check date at 81 of 25 amount of $371,6759. Check date
017at 8:15 a 25 amount of $444,45348 and then accounts payable register from through82125 amount of $646,3289. Ask for your approval as written. >> Okay. Hearing that, I'll entertain a motion to approve the financial business as presented. >> So move. >> Second. Any questions on the docket hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. Motion carries. Brings up the visitor comments. Ted. >> Mr. Ted. >> Thank you. Um, thanks for the opportunity. Just like to present you with this letter. Um what that is, we just received um today from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. It's the actual formal approval uh for the ready project to construct 114 homes on County Road 800 South. Unfortunately, it didn't come with a check. >> It's in the mail. >> Yeah,
018it's in the mail. But, uh, >> we do have our, um, reimbursement request in for enough money to close, um, uh, on the project by or close on the purchase of the land by September 15th is our current extension or extended closing date. So, that's our goal, we hope. Uh but this does put us um on the books and the commitment from the state >> to provide that funding that 5 million that will then also uh by the letter uh we believe that's going to generate about 51 a little over 51 million in new investment. Um so we look forward to it. I appreciate it. Just thanks for the opportunity. just wanted to come out present the letter uh today and we'll keep you uh in the loop but be I'll answer any questions you
019might have right now. >> See if I have any questions. >> How many rooms did you say? >> 114. >> Okay. >> Is what we're shooting for right now. We hope um assuming everything closes, we'll start on the infrastructure uh extending the water and sewer and roadways uh this fall and winter and then hope for the first home construction in spring of next year. >> Anybody else? >> I just like to thank you, Jim. You've worked hard on this and you've been relentless and we appreciate it. >> Well, the whole community has lent their support for this project. So yeah, it's going to be great for South Miami County. It's going to be great for the whole community. So appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jim. >> Great news. >> Hopefully that'll help with
020the the A. >> Thank you. Okay, that brings us down to item 6.1. Uh 6.2, 6.3, the personnel report. >> Yeah. Under recommendations, uh, Joel Flint, Flintcraft, varsity, assistant football coach. Ariel Warden, uh, sixth grade volleyball coach. Mason Yur, boys tennis coach. Alice Ramsay, freshman volleyball coach. Alyssa Ramos, cross country coach. Uh, Stacey Jberg, special ed teacher. Uh, Tara Bach, high school instructional assistant. Leah Quinn, cafeteria. Deanna Hogan Hyde, uh, cafeteria. Patrick Redmond, co-ed tennis. Uh, Lannne Bales cafeteria. Savannah Rose, cafeteria. Danielle Chapman, eighth grade girls volleyball. Mallerie Garnett, cafeteria. Uh, Madison Bailey, artfacts teacher. Travis Spurgeon, project leadway teacher. Susie Plow, director of CNA program. Resignations. Desert Elliot, junior uh assistant varsity uh junior assistant varsity football coach. Ariana Friend, assistant caregiver. William Woodruff, project lead the way teacher. Kristen Hart, cross country and
021girls track coach. Diana Hogenberg or Hogenheim, get that right one of these times. Cafeteria, Christa Brown, instructional assistant. Dan Summers, NJHS and student council adviser. Uh Michelle Wybrook, um co-director of the auditorium. Nanny Strick, bus aid. Brianna PCL, media clerk, Vanessa Hogerhide, that was closer cafeteria. And under miscellaneous, uh, John Kenzero, retirement, first grade teacher, and Roger Murray, also retirement as a bus driver. Ask for your approval. >> Okay. Hearing the personnel report, I'll entertain a motion to approve it as given. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I second. Any questions or comments on the commission report? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Brings down old business 7.1 uh C125 policy update. Uh this is the second area second reading and we are up for
022approval. So I'll entertain a motion to approve policy update C125. So moved. >> Second. >> Questions or comments. [Applause] >> Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor of approving policy update C125 signified by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. Motion carries. Brings us down to item 8.1, facility update. I think uh the last meeting we kind of left off that uh custodial staff maintenance staff was wrapping things up for the summer. So we took a 2-hour afternoon. We have a a p custodial that works at Mac Elementary that also has a CDL license. And we took a uh we all went took a bus ride into the ice cream stand. All 23 of us spent about 2 hours together. Um, some of them said, "Well, can I drive my own car?" I said,
023"Nope. This is quality time together." So, suck it up. So, here we go. So, it was a but they had a good time. It was a It was a that welld deserved by the people. Um, I also asked Missy at the Mack Elementary as head custodial. I said, "First week, what was it like?" This was her response. worked 46 hours, 35 miles on my from 6 to about four every day and she put in 35 miles and then 46 hours. So that tells you how much these hidden custodials are just knocking it out during the week. So um the same the same custodial staff, she sent me a text. She goes, "Um, I just changed a balance in 7 minutes." So, that's kind of the time frame they're working on as they're hustling throughout the
024day. Um, I think some of you probably saw a uh video, you had the middle school custodial, hit custodial dancing with students as they were coming in. And, uh, then we had uh Todd at the I showed Craig today. We had Todd as a ho at Pipe Creek trying to pick up a little one to get them to go to class. So they don't only just clean up messes and change balances. They're working hard. So um we got a lot accomplished. The sports complex now is secure as far as every gate working. Everything's locked to protect the field and equipment out there. That was a big concern. So that uh that is done. Uh Craig myself been working a lot on these bomb projects. had a lot of people in doing a giving us a
025lot of feedback of what they have seen because the same project was done over at Loaden Sport and they did it within a year while school was still going on. So, we spent a lot of time talking to those people. Um, we had a handicap railing ready for the home football game this week. So, uh, Miss Grove said she'll make sure she sends me a picture of her going out this week. So, So, the lower gym is uh complete. We There's a a few minor uh items that they're going to come back at fall break and look at and maybe make some corrections, which they were willing to do. So, that was a and it was really neat. the high school staff, the comments they heard on the first day of school to go into
026an art room that looked the way they it did and had LED lighting, not 1968 lighting, and the way it made them students feel walking in there was pretty unbelievable. Um, we are at a good spot on PMs. We have all of our boilers and air handlers and chillers. Ping. I think the last one's done next week at Pipe Creek and we've got those pretty much wrapped up. So, that's kind of where we're at right now. They're just putting out fires even on night shift. Uh maintenance staff is going around. You can only imagine how many little things get broke right now or jam blockers. That's pretty much what they're focusing on. So, do you guys have anything for me? >> Good job. Good. >> Thank you. Thank you. Brings us up to item 8.2,
027donations. >> Yeah, we had uh five donations um that are in your board packet. $150 to the choir and band memory of the Marborers. Uh $1,565 to the FFA in memory of Tom Dhy. Um $1,000 from the Miami Cass RMC to the STEM club. Uh Holland Reality, $500 for FFA. And then Miami County Health Department. Uh we got a grant um for $28,561 or $6761. And that's going towards the middle school. Uh they're going to do some um oh hydroponic type stuff and then also some things in the courtyard with with growing vegetables. >> Okay. Hearing the donations, I'll entertain a motion to approve them as presented. >> So move. >> Second. Second. >> Any questions or comments on the donations? >> Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >>
028Oppose. Same sign. >> Item 8.3, bus purchases. >> Have Heather step up and talk a little bit about this. She's done most of the leg work on it. >> Good evening. Uh we are looking at purchasing a new lift or handicap bus and an additional mini bus to our fleet. Um this slide up here on the screen shows our current um lift buses with mileage along with the daily route miles traveled. Uh we are asking to trade in our current bus 31 and 39 due to high mileage and age. Um you can see up there bus 31 has 319,000 miles on it. um we pulled that off the road this past school year, so it has become a spare bus for us. And then um 39, it also has high mileage. Um but that one,
029it's a 2009, so with its age, it's starting to become more problematic finding parts and and things like that. Um you'll see where um and I think it was in your packet, the the specs for like the new buses and stuff. Bluebird is willing uh to give us 3,000 in trade per bus, which is more than we've received before in trade. Um and then you can see the the cost breakdown where the Bluebird bus for this lift bus minus the trade would come in at $174,486. [Music] And you can also see there where international comes in a little over 180,000 along with Thomas as well. Um, this includes the tariff amount of $5,000. You'll see that on the back side of that. Um, Bluebird has been saying they they've really only seen about $2500 of
030that $5,000 applied in tariffs. But if they are not needed when we would, you know, if we were to order these and receive them, then that would come off the the cost right there. um or you know maybe like $2,500 but not they haven't applied the full $5,000 yet to any purchase. It will just depend on on the tariff. Um before I move on, do you have any questions about that? >> About the lift bus. Okay. The next slide it shows the mini bus. We we've gone back and forth a little bit on this one. We had an opportunity and I think that was part of your your original packet. um to purchase a white mini bus from Bluebird that was their demo bus for 125,000. Unfortunately, that got sold on Monday. So, we we
031weren't able to get that one. So, we moved back to looking at a yellow mini bus. I like this idea because it gives us a dualpurpose bus. We can use a yellow mini that will have a stop arm on it so that we can use it for like those specialty routes. we wouldn't have to pull into driveways because it has, you know, the stop arm and all of that on it. Um, making it much safer. But then we can also utilize it at the end of the day of the ECA bus. Now, any coach that would need to drive that bus for an ECA would have to obtain their yellow card, which it is moving that direction anyways for coaches to drive any mini bus. So, we would kind of be ahead of the curve
032if we went that way. Um, the original quote was for 130,000, but I reached out to our camera system, which is 247, that company, and they are wonderful to work with. We have pulled off a camera system off of an older bus that we no longer have, and they are willing to install it and or donate, give us a new camera system, depending on whichever works out better, um, with an installation charge of $750 to $1,000. So that would save us a little over 2,000 off of the purchase price. So then that would make the new price for this dualpurpose yellow mini um the new price point would be 124,557 [Music] up to 127,557 just depending on tariff amounts. Once again, another really important um thing to point out with Bluebird is they have a
0336 to 7month turnaround time from purchase to delivery where Thomas is still 12 to 18 months out. We almost hit the 24 month on the last two buses that we just received. So for us, that's a little hard because we only have, you know, x amount of buses in our fleet. Chris, would you go to the next slide, please? this side here. >> We got to do 8.3 first. >> I'm so sorry. >> Yeah. Well, no, you're fine. You're fine. I was just going. No, >> you're fine. So, we'll start with 8.3. And this is the purchase for the two two new buses that were presented. So, I'll entertain a motion to approve the purchase of the two new buses first. >> So, moved >> and a second. >> A second. questions for for Heather.
034>> The yellow bus. Do we have any right now? >> We do not. >> Okay. >> And are we going gas engines on both buses? Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, that does away with turbos and actuators and all those expensive diesel parts. I sat in on the presentation with Bluebird and was quite impressed with not only the quality of what they're bringing to us, uh the turnaround time and they also um talked heavily about going away from the diesel because of the after cost as they get a couple hundred thousand miles on them. They're quite expensive to maintain as we know. So, >> um I think Miss McKinley has done her due diligence and brought us a really good proposal here. So, >> does anybody have any other questions before we vote? >>
035The yellow the yellow card that you mentioned. So, for the other activity buses that we currently have, >> anybody can drive those, right? Like without >> Yes. an employee. Um it really comes down to moving forward into the safety aspect. even though they are a mini bus, only 14 passengers along with the the one driver, you're still transporting children. So, I I am in favor of moving forward to anyone driving a student, they have to have more qualifications to do so. And then is it, and this might not really have anything to do with bus purchases, so I'm sorry, but um is it the like preference that if a coach can drive a bus, they do drive a bus because if a driver like a bus driver drives a bus, I'm assuming we have to
036pay them their hourly. >> Correct. >> Right. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Well, they get ECA pay. >> Okay. >> Which is $15 an hour. >> Mhm. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And what does it take to get a yellow card? They would sit through our yellow card meeting. So, it's uh videos that come from the state just going over new laws, regulations, and and things like that. Then, they would also log with myself or our trainer um time behind the wheel and observation. And that gets them their yellow card >> with the state. >> So, it in our discussion and I think you you were part of that discussion as well. We probably will come to the board here once we look at that or get that bus and say, "Okay, are we going
037to go a step above instead of just getting a training from from our maintenance person? Do we want to also make all drivers of those buses do a yellow card?" It's a it's an added safety feature for us and it's something that we we will look at. What does that look like for us um moving forward? So, we'll come back um sometime in the next few months to look at getting that yellow card. It's not it's not like they have to get their CDL. They don't have to go to the BMV and get >> no >> all that stuff. It is they go through a training um and watch some videos and have some discussions and answer some questions and then get that >> card. >> And yes, and we take them out and log
038driving time that we have to then um put into the state website and then that they receive a a blue card basically saying that they're training. And then once those hours are logged and you know we are comfortable with their driving skills with that then it turns into a yellow card. >> I think from a liability standpoint too if we were ever to have an accident with one of those if we went above and beyond >> what's required I I would have to think that would have to hold some value. >> Yep. >> It's a one-time commitment, not an annual renewal. >> It is an annual renewal. So, as long as they come to the the meeting every year, we could we do it right here on on property. They wouldn't have to go anywhere
039else to renew that yellow card. >> Okay. >> And then will your hope be as the other um minis age out that we would replace them with the yellow? >> That would be my preference. Yes. >> Yes. Because having a yellow mini, it gives us a dualpurpose bus, not just an ECA bus or, you know, we can use a white mini currently on one of those specialty routes, >> but we have to pull into driveways, which isn't always easy. >> Because it doesn't have the >> correct. Okay, makes sense. >> And the difference in price between the yellow and just the regular mini, as I recall sitting in that meeting, it's not a lot of money. It is not. >> So, >> it was roughly about 7,000. >> Yeah. >> But then Bluebird stepped up
040and said, you know, um with trying to get our business back that they would give us an additional $1,000 per bus that we were going to trade in. So, making that a total of 6,000. >> So, will this be a requirement that we see from like sport coaches moving forward if we implement the yellow card? Because there's only a handful of sports. Maybe there's more than I'm thinking, but that actually can use those that 14 passenger bus. >> Correct. And then we also have uh day trips like with say FFA and and things like that. Um so like I said earlier, it is my preference to go above and beyond with safety. >> Do any of our coaches have yellow cards now? >> Not currently, but we're not trading in one of the white mini
041buses. We would add this mini bus as an additional. >> Mhm. >> So we still be running three >> three white. Yep. And then we would have the yellow. Um and Mini John is is getting up there in age and and miles. So that is that is a concern. >> Okay. So during that transition time, your coaches could be that don't have the yellow card yet would be driving the white buses. >> Correct. Okay. Okay. Any other questions or comments? >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. One last thing to add to that um to your question is our yellow card meeting is September 17th coming up. So, if we go this route, I will invite every coach to be able to come to that meeting and get that process started here, you know, in the
042next couple weeks. >> Right. Thank you. You're >> welcome. >> Any other questions, comments? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor of the bus purchases signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. >> Okay. Now you can do eight. >> They are asking the board to approve um the salvage bus six and bus 4. We have pulled as many usable parts available off of them for future use. Um for example, bus four, we took the understory off of that and put it onto another bus that had had some damage. uh saving us thousands of dollars uh there. And then uh bus 38 was our unfortunately our bus that was involved in an accident and insurance money has been received on that one. >> Okay. Undertain a motion to approve uh getting rid of
043the surplus buses. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? >> So my ignorance is going to show what does it mean to salvage bus six and four. take it to the salvage yard and get >> all right. I know nothing about >> and they'll weigh it and then give us give us money for that. >> Yeah. >> Come pick it up and then So we have a we have a person who is willing to come pick it up and not charge us salvage price. >> Yes. >> So any other questions or comments? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I >> oppose. Same sign. Okay, get rid of the job. Okay, >> and I'm going to point out too, Junior, our our mechanic, he has done a great job
044pulling everything that he can off of these buses. So, I I do appreciate everything he's done that way. The last thing that I have is uh looking ahead at the budget for next year. uh with the rising purchase cost of buses and rising cost of repairs, we may not be able to purchase two buses next year like we currently have been. Um we are doing everything we can to streamline routes, repair costs and etc to alleviate some of the financial burden in transportation, but this is a real concern. We have 30 daily dedicated routes, 42 buses in total in our fleet, including the three minis that we currently have. 13 of those 42 buses are 12 years and older. So that's almost half of our fleet, requiring them to be inspected by the Indiana State
045Police twice a year. Our average cost after one inspection, our total bill on average is roughly $40,000. So we do that twice a year, that's 80,000 right off the top of that that budget. So, I just wanted to make everyone aware what we're facing. >> Is there a threshold that you said they expect twice a year? Is there a threshold a year of the bus that they don't inspect twice a year? >> Any anything younger than 12 years? 12 years. Yep. So, 12 years and older, they automatically get two inspections a year. >> One inspection otherwise. Okay. Yep. And then you also have breaking kingpin twice a year. So, every six months. And that roughly is about $1,800 per breaking kingpin inspection. >> Okay. >> So, next year, how many buses will we have that
046are over 12 years old? If we have that many right now, and if you don't know, that's okay. >> Nope. I actually have it right here. So, if if we don't buy anymore, we will have an an additional three that will add to that. Um if we buy two more then we will be >> one. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> For the folks who are new to the board, there used to be a bus replacement fund and we used to purchase four buses every single year. >> That there's no bus replacement fund now. So that's all done out of operations. And so when we're talking bond projects, all that comes out of that same pot of money once that service operations, but it it still impacts your tax levy. >>
047Okay, moving on. Item 8.5, insurance rem renewal. I should say removal. >> Um, you got this in your board packet. Uh, very favorable insurance renewal. Uh, you can look there. $410 premium increase. Um, I've heard of other folks in the area going up tens of thousands of dollars on the premiums. Uh, there's some caveat to that increase in the auto and employee liability insurance um from a,000 to 1500 on the or 15,000 on the deductible. Um, and then an increase of property deductible and and pay attention to this one a little bit from 5,000 to 1% of the building value. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that our deductible could be between three and $500,000 for one building. If by chance we had a tornado come across the campus and destroyed every building,
048that is 1% of every building individual. So, she is working. Um, I spoke with her today. uh she is working to get that capped at a number a lot lower than that, but you could be looking at possibly $1.5 million or something came across and and really did some damage to multiple buildings. So, ask for your approval um of that renewal. Um we did try to quote Astra again, they would not quote. We did try to quote selective again. they would not quote. Um it it's a very very tough market right now and a lot of that from what the insurance person told me is because we live in a rural area. We're not close to a fire station that that is rated and you would have a better idea of that. Um not that
049Pike Creek doesn't do a great job, but uh it doesn't have the rating that maybe if we were in a a more metropolitan area would have. So ask for your approval. $410 a month premium is not terrible. And that's for all of our >> that's auto >> liability and >> auto liability uh buildings. Um and then there's a lot of umbrella type of coverage in there that's going to cover if there's an employee that does something that we get sued over. There's cyber sec cyber security in there as well. Um they're all listed out there and I can't read them off of that uh because it's too too small. But all those things that were the same coverages that we had last year again this year. So to have a $410 increase, I I'm feeling
050pretty fortunate. Really >> good on the increase. Run that deductible thing by me again. We're at $5,000 now. >> Correct. >> And we're going to 1% per building. >> Correct. >> That's a huge change now. >> Huge monster. >> That's That's why I said pay attention to this that 1%. And And so I asked her, I said, "Hey, that's She" She said, "You're one of the only policies that still have a $5,000 deduction. Everybody's under the 1% because those insurance companies are in it obviously to make >> So they suggested this kind of a suggestion. >> It's not a suggestion. It's >> it's a requirement. >> Correct. Yes. We're not purposely moving away from a $5,000. >> I was wondering if you're because of a premium issue or something. >> We we got a letter
051in the mail that said, "Hey, this is this is the tentative renewal agreement." >> Okay. Determines the value or replacement value of the building adjuster. >> Correct. specializes in schools or something. What's that? >> Would that would that be a person that specializes in schools and stuff >> or at least commercial buildings? >> So, everything is have one policy that covers everything. Buses, >> there are multiple policies in there. >> Okay. But it's with one >> It's with one carrier. >> Y Okay. >> Um there's one carrier that's different and that's our um workman's comp. And I again I can't read that. It's business first. Everything else is CS region and then cyber is travelers. >> Correct. >> And then everything else is CM regent. >> That's surprising that the cost on the cyber went
052down. >> Well, they do and this is to speak to the good job we do in our tech department. They do an audit and so that's what brought that down. >> Okay. Entertain a motion to approve the insurance removal as presented. So moved. >> Second. >> Any additional questions or >> just um thanks for explaining the 1% thing because I think it's easy to look at the 1% and think that that's really low. >> It's really not. >> It's really really high. >> So I was shocked when it only came back another less than $500 on the premium. >> I figured they were going to hammer us again. In fact, he sent me a text that said, "Sign it today." >> Really? >> Before they find the page that they didn't put on. >> So,
053you don't think there's any really much of a chance of it being a a stated dollar amount instead of that 1%. >> No. And from what from what she said, and I actually reached out to another company, Patriot Patriot Insurance out of Cooko, he said the same thing. It's always 1%. And some of them are 2%. >> It's a way to shed a liability. >> Well, that way they're not getting a $35,000 claim. >> Yeah. And you're going to pay for the small stuff on your own and >> correct. >> Move on. Okay. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Oppos. Same sign. insurance is renewed. Brings down at 8.6 the project resolution. So we heard from everybody in the work session before
054this meeting. So so we'll read through this uh boiler plate with this and then have some resolutions we need to vote on. The project resolution is required when a school corporation is planning to finance more than a million dollars on a given facility. It contains the estimated hard and soft construction cost and the cost of the issu issuance and establishes the total project cost. This also contains the estimate estimated tax impact. So I'll entertain a motion and a second to adopt the project resolution that was presented earlier. >> So moved. >> Second. Any other questions from the earlier meeting? Okay. Hearing none, we will do a roll call vote, please. >> Rex Spencer, >> yes. >> Andrew Adams, >> yes. >> Greg Beington, >> yes. >> Tim White, yes. Beth Cheney, >> yes. >> Alan
055is absent. >> Robert D. >> Yes. Sorry. >> I know. I'm just sitting over here. >> Just kidding. >> So, we'll move on to the next portion. It's the preliminary bond resolution. Um, this deals with uh approving the financing mechanism of it. So, could I have a motion and a second to adopt the preliminary bond resolution? So, entertain a motion. I move that we adopt that resolution. >> A second. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion on the preliminary bond resolution? >> Okay. Hearing none, I will ask for a roll call vote again, please. >> Rex Spencer, >> yes. >> Andrew Adams, >> yes. >> Greg Bington, >> yes. >> Beth Cheney, >> yes. >> White, yes. Robert Dane, >> yes. Okay. And the last resolution that we have, this will deal with reimbursing any
056expenditures we have before the bonds are sold. Uh the next resolution is a reimbursement resolution relating to the financing of the construction project. This resolution permits the school corporation to reimburse itself from the bond proceeds for any cash which it may might spend on the project prior to the closing on the bonds. It is required by federal tax law in order to preserve the school corporation's ability to reimburse itself. So I'll entertain a motion to approve the reimbursement resolution as presented. >> So move second. >> Second. >> Questions or comments on how that works? Hearing none. Roll call, please. >> Rex Bman, >> yes. >> Andrew Adams, >> yes. >> Greg Bington, >> yes. >> Beth Cheney, >> yes. Tim White, yes. Robert Dane, >> yes. Okay, that got us through that portion. So, we
057move on to superintendent comments. >> All right. Um, go ahead and scroll forward if you would. If you notice, board, we're going to try to do a little bit of both. Um, so we can post a PowerPoint after the meeting so these online folks can read some things. Um, I was asked to look at what does our attendance look like. So, we'll start with early learning. Um, early learning is pretty close to where it was last year. We're about 80% capacity. Uh, we have some kids in the queue. So, why do we have kids in the queue there? Why are they not in attendance? Well, in an early learning center, some kids aren't born yet, but they have spots reserved um to to be able to get there. They haven't reached that six week um
058pillar yet either. So, we're at 80% which is about where we were last year. um which is not a bad place to be. Uh a lot of daycarees are running um 50 to 60%. So um to have that the same as it was last year, I'm pretty happy. What you need to pay attention to is those numbers there on the side. Um you can see the expected um income revenue is is different than it was last year. So last year we raised just about um $780,000. This year it looks like a projection is going to be $538,000. What's the difference? Uh we've talked um over time about vouchers and and how vouchers have one been limited. So they don't they're not issuing any new vouchers and the vouchers that are out there uh for child
059care have been cut um very very significantly. So some of them from that $3 $400 mark down to the $1200 mark. So you look at that and say okay what does that mean? Um it's not panic time yet. Uh we profited about $120,000 off that program last year. Um which is good. We had some other sources of income uh that helped out um with that. We also know that some of this some of that prek is funded by title. So it looks like we're going to get a bigger aotment in title money this year. Um so we can offset some of that. Those are numbers we need to look at closely as a board moving forward. We don't want to run an early line center at a at a cost negative um because it just
060it will eat away um at our bottom line. So we'll continue to monitor those and these are just preliminary projections. um that number could go up to 85 and the it it could even out a little bit um once we sit down I think tomorrow or the next day and I are going to sit down and look at at title money that can even that out a little bit as well. Um so just want to give you a heads up of where we're at. It's still a neat thing if you walk over through that building and see those little guys, little girls. Um and it's a great service the community. So I think you need to look at it as that as well. uh because there's not a lot of daycarees around uh to be
061had. It's also a service to our teachers. Remember, they get that at a lower tier. Um and there are several of our teachers that are using that daycare um which is an incentive for them to come to us. I want to flip ahead. >> Can I ask a question? Sure. >> Um do you know why the income was like why it was higher in December and January? I mean, it's a good thing, but why? Uh I do not know why it was higher in December and January. Um >> because we're they're closed when we're closed, right? >> Not no. >> Oh, so do you think that could be why people were on break? >> So So one one speculation that I have is um some employees were off yet we still had kids. >> So
062if you're hitting those quotas, meaning you can have eight kids in a in a classroom with two people. Well, we just have eight kids in a classroom with two people. You're going to make more money with that program. >> Okay. So, the closer you can get to hitting those quotas, >> the more money you're going to or revenue you're going to see come in. >> Does that make sense? >> So, they would have been running a skeleton crew during those months. >> Are there also other income that that comes in that might um skew those months? >> Uh, probably not. >> No, probably not during those months. Okay, other questions >> on the So you mentioned 120k was profit brings out roughly to 660k I'll see more than what you're projecting. Is there any way
063to get to a break even? >> So again, we're going to look at title money. Um some are some of our preschool special ed. So we'll look at how that plays in there as well. So we get some additional special needs money there as well. And then being very cognizant of making sure we're close to those quotas. So if we've got four infants here today, we don't need two people, you need one. >> So managing that as well. >> You think that that would affect employee retention though? I mean like would it be a matter of like, hey, you don't need to come in today. We only have four infants here. um that that group of employees um usually is are ready to go home if you say hey we only need >> okay >>
064x amount of people I mean >> if it gets to the point >> correct >> okay >> so if it gets to the point of hey we're sending you home and you can't make a living and I don't think that a lot of them are younger girls um >> and so they are willing to stay home if that they're asked to do so >> okay >> in fact sometimes some of them come and say hey looks like we only got four kids in this room. Can I go home? So >> Mhm. >> that's how you that that in the world works. >> Okay. >> Any other questions on the early learning are a relatively small number of people uh pay are fully paid themselves. >> The top tier is relatively small. I figured that. So
065less than changing rate. Oh my. Okay. Then rate changes would make no difference whatsoever. Correct. Okay. Yep. You want to flip ahead there, Chris? All right. What you see here um is our ADM count. So, if we were to have a certified count today, the number is 1781.73. How do you get 73 kids? Well, we have a number of kids that come in part day. So, some homeschool kids come in two or three periods, they count as not a full person. I know it sounds weird, but that's the way it works. Um, so what does this look like historically? Oh, one other thing I want to point out there as well. Transfer kids, if you look there, that's that's pretty good number. 285 transfer kids come in from out of district. Good number, right? >>
066Uh, I want to say two years ago was 176. So, we got got a few more of those. >> So, Chris, go ahead and flip ahead. Historical ADM. If you look at this, if you go all the way back to 2008, 2411, um, that was the high in the last several years. Uh, if you scroll forward to 2019, you're 2077. If you look at a five-year average, when I took over, you were losing 60 kids a year. The last two years, we've lost about 30. So from that October to October count, we're losing about 30, which is a lot better than losing 60. It's not where we want to be, but at least it's slowed a little bit. So um last October at 1814.26. Uh now we're at basically the same ADM we were uh
067in February last year. So that's good. It's really good because by the end of last year, we were closer to 1,700 kids. So, if you've read some of the stuff that I've sent out, we we popped back up since the end of last year. Now, some of that is because you have midterm graduates, some that is because at the end of the year, um some students choose to stop coming to school. >> So, that's that's kind of where we're at. Uh any any questions about ABM? Where we're at number wise. >> When's the channel? >> October. What is this year? October 14th. >> Yeah. >> So, can we triple up a couple more? That's good. >> Um go and flip ahead there, Chris. The ambassador program. So, we had in fact one of our ambassadors,
068actually more than one of our ambassadors, one of our ambassadors is not on the board, uh is is here today. Um and then we also have Karen Groove and Mrs. Leman um who are here with us as well. So we met for the first time this month. Had some good discussion. I planned about two hours. Uh the discussion was so good we stuck around for about two and a half. Um and then our our next meeting, if you want to flip to the next one, our next meeting is September 23rd with that same group. Uh during that meeting, uh you're going to look at finance, HR, operations, uh food service, and transportation. Got a little uh got a little in store. We met with that group today. So, our directors are the ones here leading
069that. Um stay out of the back parking lot. We're going to let them drive a bus. So, that is legal. Um they will have a supervisor there. We're also going to let them serve some food in the cafeteria. So things that the normal person's not going to get to do. Um they're going to get to see kind of the other side of that serving line and and maybe the the bus as well. Um Karen and I already know you know how to drive a bus. Um but but that's going to be an exciting time and and a lot of great questions uh came out of of our first meeting. and I look forward to a lot more great questions coming out of meetings in the future. So, you can kind of see there that's on
070our website as well. Um, we have nine people this year. This is something I would like to do annually um and and get more and more and more people uh involved because we all think we know how school operates because we went to school for 13 years, right? But to see the other side of it you guys have seen as a board. It doesn't always work the way that we remember it working when we were a senior in high school. It's a lot different. Um and and really the functionality of what legislators have done is makes it a lot different. So we'll continue through that. Chris go ahead there. Uh stand out this week our varsity volleyball won Cooko tournament. Uh they are now 10th in the state in max prep and fourth in 3A
071uh on max prep as well. So, um I watched a lot of volleyball over the last five to seven years and probably saw some of the the best mechanic ball volleyball I've seen um in that in that time period. The girls fought through some things and and uh really put it out there to to win that tournament. It wasn't I mean it wasn't slough teams. They beat a what is they 5A is Pike 5A? They beat a Pike 5A team to to secure that. So, um that's good. our varsity football opener. Uh we won that one 60 to 20. That was uh it probably could have been 60 to6. I think they ran back the initial touchdown and then they scored some in the fourth quarter. But that's that's looking up also for the football
072program um there as well. So those are the standouts for the week. Upcoming events for the board, you have the ISBA conference coming up 14th through the 16th. Uh reservations at the West End. If you've not gotten that confirmation in your inbox, you need to see Montana. Uh she'll make sure that you get that. Um Brown and Brown dinner on 9:15. Again, that's a that's a that's sponsored by Brown and Brown. Um anybody can get the meat sweats because I think they go to Fuka Chow. So that'll be that'll be good. Um if the board would like to meet that Sunday, uh I do have an avenue to um get us dinner that that Sunday if we want to meet um >> we're getting there. Right. >> Correct. So if you want to come in
073Sunday and say we meet somewhere at 5 or 6, we can do that. Is that what you would like to do? >> Okay. McDonald's. Okay. >> Steak and shake. Okay. Um, I will I will get a reservation going on that um and and send that out to the board here this week. Uh, pre-negotiation hearing. We by law, by statute, we have to have a pre-negotiation hearing. Uh, typically I would like to have had it during tonight's meeting. Um, the MEA couldn't get somebody to come tonight. So, uh, I propose we do it on 9:30. Um, it usually is like five to 10 minutes long. So, it's you come, you have the the hearing, and then we can start negotiating on the 15th of September. >> And we can even do that like at 5:30 and
074>> anytime you want to do it >> if that's okay with everybody. Everybody make it by 5:30, 1:30 question. >> It's a Wednesday. >> Yeah. Next Wednesday, a week from today. >> Yeah, a week from today. >> There aren't any volleyball games, I don't believe. >> Tuesdays and Thursdays, right? >> Correct. >> But I'm sorry. What time? >> Just do 5:30 if everybody can >> Okay, >> I'm good with that. >> I can do that. >> Yep. >> Um, also coming up next board meeting, we're going to do the budget hearing. So, you're going to see bus replacement, a lot of which was kind of covered today. You're going to see capital projects. Remember, these are these are kind of outdated things that we still do um that have been done for several years. Um
075but we will have those plans in place. Uh Kath and I are sitting down um here in the next few weeks and looking at capital projects, bus replacements already done, and then you'll get the proposed budget moving forward. So that will be next month. Uh also you'll have the bond hearing which will do additional appropriations um additional appropriation resolution and then also the the bond resolution next month um as that goes through. So if you have questions through that then especially the new folks that are on the board that haven't done it. Uh please ask those questions. Uh but there were some good questions this time. Michael was really good about getting back with me and uh getting a good flow of that information back and forth. Um, one thing I want to point out
076to you, there are two different places. So, it's good to see board members at different events. So, there's two different places um that you're able to get that information. So, that MAC Braves website and and you have this in your inbox, you can link right to that that gives you every athletic event that we have right there at the touch of your fingertips, no matter whether it's fifth grade or 12th grade. So, get on there and take a look at it. And then also um the principles are working on up there you go updating our calendar which is right here. So if you click those on the right uh whatever building you want to see uh those will be on there as well. So there's other extracurricular activities. So like there's a robotics or a
077band or a a choir concert those will be on there uh as well as the time. Those are the best places to look on them. I wouldn't suggest printing them because these are real time. So if we have to cancel something, they're canceled in these events and that way you you know where they're at or not at. Um so uh that's all I have. >> Okay. Uh principal comments, Mr. Derkus. Uh first off, school to my third year, third year. This is the best start. I'm not jinxing myself, but it's off to a great start this year. Uh we've had we've had some really good additions at the high school. Uh Cammy Hersburgger, career specialist is is really helping take some of that load off that the guidance counselors were were bearing myself and um
078being able to look at some things a little bit different. Um, it's also opened us up to, uh, you know, with our pathway. We got our healthc care pathway. Uh, we needed a program director. We've got a great one in Susie Plow. Um, she is, she's fantastic. She really wanted to see this program go, so she's excited to be here. And then our, uh, we got our instructional assistants that, uh, are doing a good job. Our teachers are good doing a good job. Um, I sent out an email this morning and I looked down the hallways and I'm going, "Okay, it's uh year three. I'm going and go, man, kids are in the classroom. They weren't late. They were on time." And that was, you know, it's uh, you know, again, it were we're changing
079uh, you know, getting that culture going the right way and things. So, a lot of good things going on. Uh besides the sporting events that they're that are happening, we've got uh tennis, I believe they're 2 and 0, you know, we know about the volleyball, which is great. Football's great. Uh home game tomorrow against Carol going to be a Oh, no. Tomorrow, Friday. Home game Friday. Uh keep in mind this year we've only got four home games. Uh we got spoiled a little bit last year because of some some scheduling things. Uh I believe with the scrimmage we had like eight or nine home events with football. So going to be a little bit different. Probably going to be a lot going on each one of those home games. >> Um also, uh we've got
080homecoming coming up September 12th. Um believe it or not, that will be our second game. September 19th will be the Peru game and then we only have one more left. >> Uh FFA, we went to Beex Days the other day uh last week. Uh if you've never gone, you know, I'm a kid that grew up on a farm, you know, dad and brother still farm. You go there and you see some things and you go, "Wow, this is this is like uh you know, to age myself, this is like the stuff that Jetsons would have been talking about when we were kids." And it it is amazing because it is becoming a science. >> I mean, it is a science and very precision. So, uh, last few things, uh, our room looks awesome. Uh, you
081know, we got some rooms that were we got some other flooring in. Uh, the school looks really good. The, uh, the custodians are working very well together. Um, you know, Mike Chis on first shift and, uh, you know, there's a lot of stuff, a lot of moving parts. It takes everybody to make this happen. and and I feel like we are we are getting going a lot earlier than what we've had in the past. So, good things to come in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Derkus. I have uh something I wanted to mention to you. I visited the students who were taking the IBT class that was kind of like the holding until they started their dual class this past week. And it was so funny because a bunch of those
082kids were bummed that they didn't get to take the dual credit English class because typically the kids on a CTE pathway don't need that class. And also usually those kids are not kids who want to take a dual credit like gened class, but they were like we just wanted to have Crowder so bad. we hear that his class is so cool. So, I love that cuz like if I didn't do what I do, I would want to be an English teacher. And to hear kids who usually don't care about that say that they wish they could take an English class made my heart real happy. >> He does very well a few English dual credit classes this year. >> Yeah. Which is exciting. >> Mrs. >> I had the pleasure to talk to you about
083both schools, both Pipe Creek and Mel. um things. We've had a great start to the year. Um we've got at Pipe Creek, our kiddos um are working really hard to practice some of those self-regulation skills. So, as they are working with that and the teachers are working with them, um we're getting through that process. They're they know all of their routines and the things that they need to do as far as going through their lunch line, going through getting on the bus, and all those fun things that, you know, as teachers say, you forget each year that at the beginning of the year, you don't have first graders. you actually still just have kindergarteners. You don't have, you know, second graders, you actually have first graders. And so trying to remember of all the things
084you have to go through, but it's great to see them coming together. It takes a little time. Um, but they've done a great job with that. So for our um kindergarteners though, um, we have to do actually kindergarten through 2 grade, we have to do the dyslexia screener for all of our students and that's required for all of those students. And this year, um, it has gotten changed a little bit. And so as a result, there actually is a component that they have to do these literacy tasks which are for which are additional tasks that have some of them have to be done one-on-one with the students. So I want to give a huge shout out to Joy Harwell who is our new title one interventionist and she has really gotten into all of that
085information and she is actually we're making that connection between Pike Creek and Mel and she is going to m going to Pike Creek helping administer some of those testing to our kindergarten and first graders. is coming back to Mackel and working with our second grade students. We're even going to be having some of our um related arts teachers helping giving some of those literacy tasks um as they have any free time in their mornings because it's a lot. It's a huge undertaking. And so our little kindergarteners are taking the kindergarten readiness assessment. They're doing the literacy tests and the dyslexia screener and they're doing their I Ready beginning of the year. So it's a lot of baseline data for these kiddos. Um and they're really doing a great job. So, a huge shout out to
086all of the people who are helping make that happen. Um, as well as I want to give a huge shout out to uh Shauna Loren who is also going back and forth this year. Her role as a literacy coach is between both PIP and Mackel. And as we can see and as I know we'll get into data talks later, but you know huge shout out for the fact that we've increased our I read scores um by a significant percentage even above what the cadre schools um had done. their average percentage increase I believe was 5 to 7% and we were at 9.3% increase and so that speaks volumes of our teachers speaks volumes of um our program and so huge shout out to Shauna because she is working now with kindergarten through third grade um
087to provide that literacy support for all of our teachers and she's even able to kind of provide a little support for our fourth and fifth grade teachers um working with that curriculum making sure that our kids needs are met and so we've seen great gains and look forward to more of that and are really happy with that all All of our kiddos at um Miguel also are working on their I Ready baseline scores. So they're doing their the beginning of year assessments and that information teachers use then to be able to guide um small group instruction and see where kids are um to be able to get the year off on the right foot. Um the other thing I forgot was that um Pipe Creek was 10 days of beautiful colors and so it was
088great because they had all their color days every day and it was so great to see all the kids come in dressed in all their colors and hear them talk about their colors and color their pictures. And so that was fun because I haven't gotten to experience color days before. So that was that was kind of cool to see them again. Um lots and lots of hugs to do. Love them all. We are promoting the fact that please everybody wash your hands. Keep your hands to yourselves as we as lots of germs as the whole school everybody comes back together. So we're promoting that as well to kind of remind folks of that. So with that, we have a great start and thrilled with both buildings and we have great staff in both buildings. And
089so my final shout out is to both um Cassandra Barker and Bob Frigy who are doing absolutely incredible jobs of some of the daily running as I'm going back and forth between both buildings that I couldn't do without them. And so just huge shout out to all their hard work. So >> thank you. >> Kelly, I skipped over you, but do you have anything? >> I do. >> Okay. >> I'll try to keep it brief, but you guys know better >> for me. So, I I too want to give some shout outs. Big shout out to our special education staff. Um, if you remember back in May, um, we talked a little bit about special ed and, um, the new platform that the state, the DOE has rolled out. Um, my grandma said, "If I
090couldn't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So, I won't really talk about the platform, but if you'd like to hear my opinion, I'll share that with you later. Um, however, teachers do what teachers do, which is take care of kids every day. and our special ed teachers are um meeting that challenge. They're getting the job done um despite a really rocky um implementation of this new software. Huge shout out to Trevor Brown in our tech department. Um I think at this point Chris probably thinks that he's my assistant and and doesn't work in the tech department. Um but Trevor and I work a lot together on um a lot of these pieces because the data flow that has to happen between the new platform and um the DOE is critical. And so I
091spent a lot of time talking to Trevor. I actually sent him a chat today because I was afraid he might have missed me because he hadn't heard from me by about noon. Um wanted him to know that I was still alive. Um and uh the other thing I want to mention is our special ed behavior grant that we were um granted last year. We kicked that off the last week of July. Um and we had about 70 staff members that participated in that over two days. And we have Kevin Dill on board. He is a national consultant um that works with schools on um student behavior and how to redirect and regulate students who are disregulated. Um he was here for two days in July. he will be back um during first semester. He will
092actually be in our buildings providing support um and technical assistance. So, he will be with us throughout the year. Um my goal in this grant was that it wasn't going to be a oneanddone training that had to be somebody who could continue to offer support. Um so, that's super exciting to have him um with us for the coming school year. The other piece really quickly is you may may not know that um a small portion of my job is new teacher training. um and we kicked that off in July. We have a great group of new teachers as well as mentors. It was super fun for me because a lot of our mentors that um were mentors last year um were so excited that they wanted to be a mentor before we even knew if
093there was going to be an opening in their building. So, we have some returning mentors and um we'll have our um we'll start our monthly afterchool meetings um next week and we'll be preparing them for our first virtual learning day in September. Um so, it's it's super cool to see our mentor teachers work alongside of our new folks. That's so important in our profession. I appreciate those folks, too. So, that's it. >> Thank you. Okay, it brings us up. Uh board member comments. I got everybody, didn't you? Next >> night, >> Andrew. >> Nothing. >> Greg, >> nothing. >> Oh, you know I have. >> You know it. Okay. So, the ambassador program was so cool. I'm so glad to be a part of that. And I know this is recorded, but I had a
094dream the night you told us we were getting we could drive the buses. And Heather, I had it on two wheels and Durkas caught me. So, but that was a dream. This did not really happen. It's probably because I'm always the last one to drop my kid off at school and I'm like coming in hot. Anyway, I will not be applying to be a bus driver. Um, I've loved the Katherine, you mentioned the Facebook videos. It's been so fun to see your staff. I just think people who have fun at work like they stick around. They enjoy their jobs. Um, Jim Ted, because you're here, I love the splash pad. has opened. It's false fall, so I'm hoping that it's still hot enough to go out there and play in it. >> So, that took
095a while and it happened. I was part of a leadership group, Miami leadership when like we that whole project started and that was almost 3 years ago. >> It was. >> Yeah. So, it's alive. >> Believe it was. We wish we could have opened it up in May of this year, but >> grant funding, >> right? Exactly. Um, so yeah, more things for our kiddos to do in our community that are free. And Catherine, I don't think I mentioned this at the last meeting, but you took us in that tunnel and I thought it was going to be so cool and I'm good to never go down in the I'm good on that. And then my last comment was Mr. Kenzer's uh retirement congratulating him. I think that when I started kindergarten, he was a
096sub. >> So it was a few years ago that I was a kindergarten. So congratulations to him. That's it. >> Just thank you to you and your staffs. It's always hard in a native school year. It's exciting, but we know it's work and you guys have done a great job. >> Okay. I'll start out by echoing Tim sentiment. Um, everybody's really doing what we need to do to to keep the ship afloat and making things work. um going above and beyond trying to find cheaper buses that are better buses, but they're still more economical to where we can keep them. Katherine with her staff and making sure the the buildings are clean and ready to go and everything's done and the principles and had a little conversation with Kelly before the meeting and I could
097imagine some of the steps that she's going through, but you know, the good old state changing things again just never seems to amaze me. So, um, Mr. Tid, thank you for working on this project to bring the 114 homes in and really means a lot. Your group at Makita and um, I was part of that initial initial group on that and >> the houses. >> It was a long time long time getting here, but it's it's finally going to happen and and I think that's a great thing. So, appreciate all your all your work you did on that. So, um, what best said to Mr. Catzero retiring. Gosh, it's another one. Um, you know, how many years >> plus 30 something. >> Yeah. >> So, it's another bittersweet one. >> I talked to him the
098first day of school out there this year. He didn't lead on that. He was retiring. So, I don't know what happened these first two weeks, but uh but yeah, he turned in his papers. But who cares? Might have to find out. Watch the cameras or something. But uh kudos to him. You know, been here and done a great job for us out there at Pipe Creek. So, uh the ISBA is in two weeks. And if anybody's plans have changed, please let Montana know so we can uh make some arrangements on cancing some reservations and stuff. So other than that, thanks the board for going through this bond process. Um, I really felt like there was a lot of due diligence done this time around. A lot of questions asked, a lot of comments back and
099forth. So I like that, but I don't I don't feel like we just all came in here and said, "Okay, let's do this." And >> we all had a lot of good questions. So I appreciate that. So >> I have one other uh question, too, for the board. Um the buddy bags crew reached out. They were like for the um board to pack buddy bags one evening. They do it at um Macel in the cafeteria at 5:30 and I sent in a group text the dates that we could choose from. So we don't need to pick a date tonight but just if we could look at that and then maybe when we're all together for the ISBA thing we could pitch them a date that we would be available to help and maybe the ambassadors
100would want to help too with us. >> That would be good. that that is a great program. It helps a lot of our underprivileged folks within our community and our school corporations. So, I think everything we can do for those kids to help improve their life, we we need to be involved in it as a board. So, it's kind of like working at the food booth. It's just something to give back. So, appreciate you heading that up, Beth. So, okay. With that, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So, move. >> Second. All those in favor I. >> Anybody opposed? So move. We're done. Thank you.