August 21, 2024 School Board Meeting

001Call the regular meeting of the South School Board to order on Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:03 p.m. Agenda item two, announcements and amendments to the agenda. Are there any announcements or amendments to the agenda? Nothing from me. Thanks. Agenda item three, comments from the public. This is the community's opportunity to share feedback and concerns with the board. We ask that you keep your comments concise, two to three minutes, and that you refrain from using any information that would identify a specific person. Please raise your hand in the room or use the Zoom raised hand feature. We will only use the online chat to manage any tech issues. We are not able to take action on any issues brought to us during public comment. However, any board member may suggest tonight that the issue or question

002be added to a future agenda for discussion. We may also delegate addressing issues to our superintendent, Kyl Nichols. It is always helpful if you could email us a copy of your comments for followup. Is there any public comment room agenda item four, focus on student learning or student representative report. Um, our first announcement is that each elementary school is holding an open house on August 23rd. K5 students will officially go back on Monday, August 26th. So, please visit each school's respective website for more information about house timing. Um, the first day of school for 6th to 9th grade as well as for all new transfer students is Friday, August 23rd. Um, and then returning students at the middle and high schools will begin on the 12th to 6th. And good luck to all of those.

003And then high school students will have their school photo and ID taken during their English class on either September 10th or 11th. So talk to your English teacher for more information when you get back to school. >> Thank you. All right. Agenda item five, discussion items. Um, we were going to have an update on the finance committee. Uh, and Chris is not able to be here just now. Um, I know that we're still accepting applications until noon on the 30th for the finance committee. Um, >> just really quickly, I think Chris and I thought we were supposed to meet this weekend, but apparently we got our information process and we didn't we didn't touch base. We did meet the week before and just laid out some thoughts and uh we're trying to come up with

004a relevant timeline and such meetings so on and so forth. So it was early discussion. I think he and I are going to go really well committee. So looking forward to it. >> All right. And the next discussion item is the city charter committee. So on Monday the 19th, the city council had formed on their agenda um uh city charter committee questions. So the there's a committee that's formed to look at the city charter and make recommendations to the council. One of the questions was if the two board school board appointed seats were meant to be permanent or if they were just meant to be for the discussion of expanding the school board, which that discussion is concluded. Um, I attended the meeting on behalf of the board and just advocated that we keep those

005seats and and that was well received by the council. So that seems to be the plan moving forward questions. Agenda item six, reports by the administration superintendent report. >> All right. Thanks. Uh, good evening everyone. Um, so staffing update. Uh last week I reported we're in pretty good shape and um this week I have um to the actual number how we shake out. So um we are fully staffed for administrators. Um for teachers um we have very few openings. Um, we have one teaching position open um for our professional staff, which is exceptional. Um, I'm really proud about this. Um, there is an offer pending on this and so um that's that's pretty incredible. Um, it's for a special educator um at one of our elementary schools and again we've made an offer. So, we

006are so close to being fully fa uh staff for our teaching staff. Um, I have some interesting categorical data that I wanted to share with you. Um, for our most difficult positions, um, people in the room could probably guess our greatest shortage is bus drivers. Um, although I can, uh, share, um, a pretty fantastic update about that, which is that, um, we got two we have two interviews scheduled for this week for bus drivers, which is awesome. We hired one new driver last week. Um, and uh, we have a retired driver who has decided to stay on as a substitute driver and a trainer for new drivers. That's massive progress. And I know it doesn't sound like a lot, uh, but given the, um, you know, the universal struggle for anyone to obtain employees who

007have CDLs, this is, um, pretty unusual. I feel very fortunate. Um, thankful to the side letter, increasing the pay for drivers, paid training, referral bonuses. Um, you know, this is undoubtedly the best district to be a bus driver in. Um, I also want to shout out to One Take Gable in the audience, Mark. Um, it was the star of a commercial that he and I filmed and, um, he was fantastic. >> You were the star. >> Blair, again, my daughter, was also not impressed with the commercial. you found that to be boring as well. Um, but you know, post the commercial on your social media and share share with your friends, tell everyone, you know, I was at the eye doctor yesterday of recruiting bus drivers. So, um, but I think our our collective efforts

008are paying off and I really want to thank G. Marie Clark for that. Um, there is a there was a WCAX story that ran this morning on bus drivers. Um we had three new candidate um inquiries received today. Three in a day. I I don't know that that that ever happens. Um you know bad news student first is unable to provide us with any drivers. Um they cited the universal lack of drivers and they too are having a hard time uh with drivers. So, uh, I'll continue discussions with, um, Green Mountain Transit, but I want to cap the conversation on staffing first. So, bus drivers is our most difficult position to fill, followed by interventionists and para educators, lunchroom and recess monitors. We have one opening for an IT systems engineer. um we're competing nationwide

009with a market um of applicants who are used to total remote work and significantly higher salaries than we as a school district are able to pay those who have a skill set which is pretty competitively paid in private industry. So um this will remain a difficult position to fill. Um and uh so so those are our four categories of vacancy. Um, as I met with my colleagues in the Champlne Valley Superintendent Association last Friday, I feel incredibly lucky to be reporting. We are going to start the year with no teacher vacancies. Um, fully staffed administrative team. Um although, you know, of course, um, we do have two members on medical leave. Um, but that's unrelated, of course. And um you know looking at our positions, bus drivers and interventionists are probably the top two categories.

010Um again interventionists um have a a high burnout rate. Um their jobs are um often associated with um supporting the needs of students with individualized education plans and it's a skill set that um most people don't have. So um that's our greatest category. So, if you're listening and you're a great interventionist, give us a call. Uh, and I want to thank Karen Dancer, senior director of HR, for providing a staffing update um for you all to hear about this evening. Um, so back to school update, my favorite time of year. Um, we had an awesome welcome back social um, uh, last Thursday. And um for those of you who watched me scoop hundreds of scoops of ice cream last year or stood in line of a line of 200 people and waited for 45 minutes

011um and then we had run out of mint chocolate chip by the time you'd actually made it to the truck. Um this was not that. I got to connect with students and families and staff. Um we had ice pops. Um the uh ice pops were $100 in total, so a very affordable option. And it was a nice way just to connect. We had a cooler set up under the tree um at the middle school. The entire administrative um team was invited and most of them were able to um to come and welcome uh parents and students back. So it was really awesome. Um I got to talk to Alli's mom uh as well, which was nice to make that connection. She and I have talked before, but I didn't uh I didn't get to make

012that um connection until then. So, we had a great great welcome back. Um thanks to everyone who came and uh on Monday, we welcomed new teachers to the district and staff and that was really exciting. Um it was a dry run um for convocation today. So, on Monday, I got to welcome our new staff and you know, test out my uh ortorial skills for the year. my my bad jokes. Um, and I think it positioned me to be a tinge more engaging today. Um, but really grateful to have our new staff in the district. Um, their open house at the middle school also on Monday night. Um, and I was there for a meeting and so I just happened to be able to connect with Paris in the room um after that meeting and it

013was awesome to see so many familiar faces. Um, parents, kids were excited. So many parents said to me, "I don't know where my students are. They're they're having fun. They're engaged. They don't want to leave. Uh we're coming back tomorrow night for part two." Um so that was really good to hear. You know, you want to hear that our middle schoolers want to be in their building. Um it's great to see staff, too. Um so today was um convocation day, which is the day where all staff come back. We had a huge party on the auditorium today. Um, I got to thank Jody Valenport, executive director of learning, Chris Roik, executive director of education support systems, um, Tim Jarvis, Delina Gilroy, Meg Collins, um, all of our principles, assistant principles, our athletics director, Mike Jabbor,

014um, and the Julia Aguire, many, many, many other people who who made, um, convocation awesome. And uh we had a phenomenal uh keynote speaker, Fine Paris. And Finne is a local educator and storyteller. Uh she's also going to be the keynote at Women in Leadership hosted by the Vermont Superintendent Association and Vermont Principles Association. Um I'm taking a team of our female leaders to that. Um so it'll be um awesome to see her once again. Her message today was really simple. It was um give love and um you know create a soft environment. We we face so much hardship um in our daily lives and we don't want that to be the environment here. So um I thought the message um was really a simple one that resonated and I I talked to a number

015of teachers after and got really great feedback on that. So it was wonderful to have her. Um and uh other open houses are continuing this week as you heard elementary schools and um just just excited to welcome um some of our students back on Friday and then uh Monday the first day of school. Looking forward to it. You know, the life comes back to our schools. So um we'll do a quick update on the school tours. Um those are in the process of being scheduled right now. Um, thank you to the Delina who's working on those. I should have the dates for you all in advance of our next board meeting. They are so close to being nailed down. Uh, but we're inviting uh board members and legislators and state senators to tour our schools.

016Uh this is something that um I offer annually and uh last year at this time um which is um in the year before so pre-act 127 budget modification change I was trying to say hey check out our facilities we really need some construction aid and support legislators how can we work together to provide facilities that can allow us to have optimal learning conditions or at least ADA compliant funds. right? Um we've been grandfathered in, so we're not out of compliance, but it's not it's not how we want our children and our our students and our neighbors to be learning. So, um I think we got a little bit of traction on those and um the budget conversations have dramatically changed. Um, I, you know, I'm grateful for our legislators who, um, provide, you know, awesome

017communication with me about where we're at with the construction, um, funds. Right now, as, as a lot of you have heard, um, you know, North Country, other schools are dealing with significant closures and remediation costs associated with PCBs that the state hasn't funded. Um, so the message that uh I had a meeting um regarding PCBs uh two weeks ago with the uh state and the Vermont EPA and they said you're fine on PCBs now, no need for remediation. However, if you did need them in the future and we have one school whose results are pending, uh we have no money for you. So, um, again, I think PCBs are kind of, you know, a really significant piece of that construction conversation because the state is saying you've got to comply with these levels that we've

018determined and we don't have financial support and communities can't afford to pass bonds to uh address some of these massively significant costs, right? Burlington, case in point. So, more on that. Um, but that's where we're at. I'll I'll shoot the dates on the school tours as soon as they're available. I'll I'll share them with the board and uh provide the information in our next board meeting. Um, so to to I I provided a little bit of information on transportation. Um, I should have added this in the agenda and I'm sorry of um, modifications, but if I may take the liberty to to provide a quick update um, around transportation just in addition to the staffing pieces that I shared. Um, I I did I cover all of that. I'm looking back at my notes here.

019Um, I think I gave you all the highlights. We're getting new candidates. We are still in a very grave position right now. Uh it's all hands on deck to get things turned around um for the start of the school year. Um but we're hopeful and appreciative of the board for um modifying bus drivers pay so that we can be competitive. Uh but look for the commercial, share it with your friends. Um we're offering a referral bonus for any employee who uh refers a bus driver. Um we're getting a banner made for a bus. Um the I approved the um the copy on the banner the other day and it's beautiful. So uh looking forward to that. And uh we're continuing to boost ads on Instagram uh which is um $5 per host. So it's a

020a pretty extremely economical way of doing that. Um so those are the updates on transportation. um you know, please know that this is our number one operational uh need and we're aware of the concerns and really doing everything we can um with the board side being that final push that we could put forward. So, you know, a bus driver, reach out to us anytime and uh welcome them to the team. Uh so, I think that uh concludes my report. Thanks, Jessel. Um, all right. See, we have a placeholder for brief recess warrant for 6:45. Um, I'm guessing we don't need to receive that. Okay. Uh, so that would move us along to our action item. Um, and Laura will be joining us. I wonder if we could do I think Laura should be here for

021an action item. It just So, if we could do our other agenda stuff, she gets here. Um, let's move to agenda item nine. We'll come back to agenda item eight, reports by the board. So, first we have a policy tracker spreadsheet. Tim, do you emailed that to me. Do you want me to share my screen? >> Yeah, if you wouldn't, if you want to, that's fine. Just this will be really, really quick. I struggle with uh finding policies and looking them up online and everything. And I tend to work out of spreadsheets and like to filter and have a little more data. Um, so what I did send the board was u Google sheet that has a list that's I'm still working on it and building it out. You'll see a couple of tabs in

022it. You'll see just an intro and then the list of the policies on one tab and uh you'll see a pivot table where I'm sort of like here are all the policies under this category so on and so forth. But I have linked out all of the policies. I've also put into the tracker the uh brief description of the policy and I included how many pages it is because that's sometimes indicative of the level of of information you'll find in it. So, uh I will continue to build this out, but I also included the last time that the policy was approved or reviewed so we can see sort of quickly if there are, you know, would would maybe be something we want to consider looking at in the future. But again, it's just how I

023tend to approach stuff and I just wanted to share it with the board and everybody in case you wanted to uh take advantage of this. >> Great. >> There are a lot of policies. So, >> I definitely think that this is really helpful and as we approach budget season, I'm excited about the adult learning series videos that you're making. So, if I can help you with this to free you up for that project, let me know. >> Just kind of buckled it out. >> I have to tell you, um, I had a meeting with interim secretary Saunders and the Champlne Valley Superintendent on Friday and, um, I asked specifically um, I asked what level of assurance could be provided that, um, would there wouldn't be modifications in the ed funding formula. She said that's at

024the whim of the legislature. So, it was enough of a glimmer of hope that um I think our advocacy efforts that Grace Gracie had emailed me about advocating. So, we're going to kick that into high gear. Um but related to that um I said, you know, what's your timeline for rolling out and supports? And she said, well, we're going to be discussing educational videos um in September. I said, well, you know, our board is is doing that now. um because you know we've got a real need to educate the community. So any any materials um we receive I'll certainly share. It sounds like their timeline is going to be much later than kind of the education period that we're going to need to engage in. So I don't know if their timeline um will jive

025with ours because I think we'll be pretty deep in budget development at that point and we'll have moved from that education phase to more nuts and bolts. Uh, but I'll I'll keep you all apprised of any updates. >> Sure. >> As it relates to your video development. >> I I'd agree. And even if we're at a point where got a few of them in place and we'd like to have them look at them to confirm that we're on the right track in what we're saying, that would also be >> approved by the state. >> I don't know if I don't know if um not sure we'd get that level. I don't know if that that would happen, but >> I don't know what your process is, but if there's anything that can help make that

026I know editing changes my all the time. >> Creativity takes time, too. >> Well, I don't know if you've ever done like made a video before with a voice over, but it takes way longer to edit that than you would think. >> One thing I I you know, I I got an award to know screencastify number two in the district. to make so many videos and what I realized was you have to just be a one take wonder and if you make a mistake you make a mistake and you move on that that will be my thing and not one take I got to the point was one take one >> we already have >> we have a one take on an audience now we have one take Williams >> one take evil in the

027house >> yes yes our resident movie star all about it so yeah that that's Thank you. Unsolicited advice there. >> Um the next discussion for the board is recent or planned community engagement activities. You had a listening session last week. You want to speak at all about that? I really strongly encourage anybody who has anything to offer at all. Any questions to ask any come to the listen extension, we're more than happy to help and to be available to anybody and because there was just the two of us. We had a great Yeah, but it was great. the library was right and the next one's September 11th. >> So, and we'll see porch forum in the newsletter, right? And then is there somewhere else we should put it? >> People are busy in the summer.

028>> I know, right? It's true. >> That's what we said is probably August >> thing and school hasn't started yet and >> Right. So maybe we'll see. >> I think it's awesome you're doing that. People are gonna attend. I, you know, I've heard so many um so many folks asking about it. So we'll just keep advertising it. I think Front Forge Forum is a really great place to spend that message. So it's the time of year. Yep. Speaking of the Torum, I have now posted two updates from your school board on our behalf where I'm trying to outline the discussion topics in the meeting about our meeting, where it is, and how to access it. Have you guys seen that? >> Yes. Great. I think so. I'll keep doing that. >> Okay, great. Um, >>

029can I just suggest that you make sure it's all it's on the cell media, too? I don't I don't really use that very much, but I don't have any. >> I think that's that's all we have. Anything else to add? And then just to reiterate that we may not be able to answer everything, but we will definitely make strong note of it and discuss Yeah, >> I I attended convocation this morning and I was able to give an award on behalf of the board to a member of staff. It was really special. Um and it was just really great to see the energy and you know as board members we're not usually worthy to that sort of environment and it was it was really wonderful. Nice. >> Um, >> I don't know why this is

030just really sticking in my head, but Laura, remember when we were doing our evaluation of the superintendent, you mentioned that violence dry humor sometimes is like what keeps you in here. Um, you were saying you ran your speech by uh your four-year-old to try and see how your jokes would land. And I feel like there was a joke that came out of your mouth today that you did not plan at all and it landed very well. >> That's true. Um she was calling inviting someone onto the stage and she was looking for them in the audience but they were behind her on the stage already walking and it startled her and she said, "Oh, you're like a Prius in a parking lot. Couldn't hear you coming." >> Oh, that's good. >> Very good. >> It

031was just delightful to see you in that work mode. Like we see you in this work mode all the time, but you're just you're a wonderful leader. So >> anyway, uh >> it was good. Yeah, you drive appreciate that. >> Um, okay. So, I think that concludes agenda item nine. We skipped eight, which is our action item until you could be here, Laura, so that you could join us for the conversation. Are we ready to dive in? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, agenda item eight, action items. We're reviewing our executive limitations policy 2.1, treatment of students and parents and guardians. And this is warrant action. Um so superintendent, do you have anything to note on your report? >> Yeah, thank you. So um I'm reporting policy compliance in all categories. Um the u most significant

032change here um is the implementation of um for grades 6 through 12 um to have student phones in cell phone cases to allow students to learn and teachers to teach. Um there's been a a significant and growing body of research that has um provided a lot of clear information about um some of the the causes of cell phone use in classrooms. Um the anxious generation um Jonathan hates work is something that's gotten a lot of attention lately. Uh some of you might have read about this in um the paper. Um I we you know started this conversation I would say in the spring. Um started hearing from a lot of parents, community members, guardians about cell phone use. Um and you know I know the the board has been engaging um in the topic uh

033since that time. And um you know I I recommended that the board um look examine this topic through our treatment of students monitoring report. um you know what this could look like. Um and so from an operational perspective um you know we've made this decision and shared it um with the community. This is um something that a lot of our neighbors are doing. Um it's happening in uh Chinan County, Addison County. Um loo is the paper recently. So our neighbors um have done this some of them for some time. Um as uh we were doing some research um we learned CVSD implemented um a policy around this rather than a procedure um in 2018. And um so Essex Westward um you know actually implemented this last year and then this year um a no cell

034phone policy um for adults. Um so you know there's been a lot of conversation in the community. I know the the conversation will continue to evolve. Um but um in the absence of a policy um this is a an internal step um that we're making and you know there's going to be bumps in the road and a lot to figure out. Um it looks different at every grade level. Uh the elementary school is cell phone free. Um of course there are some parents guardians who choose to um you know whose students have phones. Um, so they're either in backpacks, not out on desks or anything. Um, mid year last year, uh, the elementary administrators made a change to disallow the use of smartwatches. So, Apple watches is more recognizable for some folks. Um, at the,

035um, middle school, uh, communication was sent to parents and guardians regarding this change. Uh, received a lot of really wonderful, supportive feedback. Uh, one really great question that we got from several parents and guardians was around watches and a lot of the emails looked like this. Thank you so much. This has needed, you know, this has been a long time coming. Glad this is done. And please just let me know if I need to provide um a good oldfashioned watch that ticks to my kids. And so um and so um you know that's uh at different age levels. you know, smartwatches are are more of a a question. Um, and obviously as students get older, there's more of a cell phone use. So, um, the, you know, this is not, um, a cell phone ban.

036Um, obviously it's not a a war policy. Um, and students in grades uh while students in grades 6 through 8 uh will have phones in the locked cases for the duration of the day and we'll retrieve them at the end of the day from um those classrooms. Um at the high school students phones will go in cases in individual classrooms and um we have ordered all of those cases and we'll be all hands on deck putting them together this weekend. Um, something that Amazon doesn't tell you is that they come in 47 pieces, these kits. So, like when I don't have fingertips on Monday morning, >> they lock. Do they lock? >> Yeah. So, they they do have the ability to lock um these cases. Um, so they're clear cases. Um, the high school is

037using some nice verbiage. They were referred to as cell phone homes, right? So, um, you know, there's a lot a lot more conversation that will happen. Obviously, the board, um, you know, it's talking about policy. Um, but this is an operational change. Um, that, you know, it isn't a ban, but it's absolutely, to borrow the words of a high school administrator, a step in the right direction. So, >> so what what do the what do the high school teachers say? >> So, yep. So the so this is all very new conversation, right? So um there I've gotten um you know I met with a few teachers this summer. We're like cell phones are a massive problem. We're not able to teach, right? Um this uh was discussed with the high school. So today is the

038first day back for staff, right? So um the uh case school staff um had their staff meeting where the specifics of the logistics were shared. Um and the staff had really great questions. You know some of them were you know things were noted like one one staff member said this has been a long time coming and like you know a lot of really good logistical questions. Um, I would say that, you know, and I'll let folks in the room or anyone who is a part of that staff um, speak, but you know what I heard is an acknowledgement that there's cell phone addiction and that we're going to have to work through that and it's on the part of parents and students. U, one thing that I really want to stress is that we know

039we need to all have shared communication. So, it's it's administration, it's teachers, it's students, it's parents, it's me, it's us all being on the same page. Um, when we, you know, when we learn from our neighbors, and Laura, I know you're in a district where, you know, you're in a high school where this happens. the the um implementation pieces that I've really been curious about learning about um have all yielded the same result which is consistency immediately applied uh is what is going to make this effective. If it's not then the whole um principle is eroded. Um and you know the importance of talking to parents and guardians about this is significant. Um so you know this is going to be messaging from me and my newsletter. Um you know from the board and front

040porch forums. Um I am working on a press release. You know we've got to be really making sure that we're communicating with the community about what's happening and why. Um, and then you know the high school leadership team and and elementary and middle all of our leadership teams are going to have to continue to have conversations throughout the year and fine-tune this. How's it going? What do we need to work on? How do we support students? highly support staff and parents um and guardians and um you know districts around us right now are a few years ahead of us and they're having conversations about you know some are having conversations about pull bands some are having conversations about um staff bands or some are implementing these things right so the conversation is happening and folks

041are in different places um So, two observations that I would like to offer as a mom of a middle school student. Um, first of all, I think that parents as well need to remember, and I'm so glad that Suzanne mentioned this in her letter to parents and guardians today, that all you have to do is call a school and they can get a message to a kid right away. You don't have to text your child directly. You can get a message to the school just like you did in elementary school and they can get that child right away. Um, the other thing I think is really important to remember, um, I ran a PTO pizza thing at open house. Where was it? I think sixth grade, the beginning of se No, the beginning of seventh

042grade. And um we had a QR code and parents and guardians had to go outside to have phone access. Phone access in the building is incredibly spotty. Part of the having an older building that is brick. Um they don't have red access anyway. So I think it's really important to know that they don't always work anyway in building. So, >> can I say I I understand I mean this is not sure how if we're really going down the path here with this discussion that really should be a warned item on the agenda. I understand it's part of battle, but this has a lot of potential to, you know, have a lot of feedback and I think it really warrants a lot of a lot more discussion and a lot more review, right? Um, so I'm

043just want to say I appreciate the discussion, but just not comfortable going much further with this without having an agenda item where the community is aware of the discussion can give me >> I can I can sort of feel that. So I think that this is where we're starting with this conversation. Um, and the board to be clear the board has not taken any action and and taking action on this monitoring report is not necessarily taking action on the cell phone topic. I think that this is actually a really nice opportunity for this team to start and potentially finish a policy discussion and from my view um we come like all of us have had experiences coming into different policies when it's already part of the way through the process. So this is the first

044time that this team as we sit here now will pick up an issue and take it all the way through the community engagement process, the policy review process, all of that. Um so just just to clarify like we will have a lot more discussion about this. Um I think particularly we need to decide do we leave this in operations and let let operations take this or do does our district need board support in policy to make effective change that's to the benefit of our students and staff. >> That's what I was thinking of. Um I've been collecting phones for nine years and kids were recording me on Snapchat and I I've never gotten over it was it was actually kind of a terrible experience and um anyway so what I'm saying is that I was

045doing that on my own which was exceedingly difficult to do. So, so um yeah, and I'm I'm I'm hesitant to get into operations and I would love to hear from teachers, although I I have yet to meet a teacher that doesn't think this is a problem. And even like if we even like say oh although not given the addiction aside you know these phones buzz about 25 times an hour is constant interruption and you know like and not not all kids have them but you know someone using the phone is distracting everybody around them and you know it's all the things but >> yeah it I I mean I do feel pretty strongly about it but again I don't know if that's our perview and I would hope that with teachers um and administration that

046there would be a very strong there has to be steps in place and that teachers cannot be left to deal with this on their own because it and for the most part my experiences most kids just do it in fact they're kind of moved it's really they they don't care it's 80 minutes whatever it I but it's if you do get into this, you know, you really do want the support of of admin and and honestly what what we have found at Essex is that it just takes one or two kids to have their phones taken away and then their only one floss in mind. So I you know again I don't know this is like if the high school teachers, you know, they're um on board with this. Um I would think like with

047nth graders it would be relatively easy because they're coming out of the middle school already not having phones. So yeah, I mean I you know that that I mean my and honestly as a teacher phones are the things that's going to drive me out of this profession. Um because I can't do my job anymore. I really just can't do it. But I but now you know but now that I have the I do have the support of of that and the phones are not they're not an issue and the kids seem to be dying. So any Yeah. So I don't want that certain number, but that's not in person. >> Laura, can I just clarify when you say they're not an issue? They're they're put into >> we have phone tags. >> Yeah. >> So

048yeah, and so it's like numbered one through 30 and and I and every child has a ID name tags and numbers and that number goes. That's how I take attendance. I take attendance just like that. Phone's not there, you're not here. You get one unverified. Oh, and the phone go, you know, parents get called. I mean I I'm you know I'm not saying this is what people should do. This is what has has worked for me and it has um has worked really pretty well now that you know um like that the administration was smarter but that everybody came together and faculty asked for that. So I that's why I'm wondering if if faculty are asking for this. Um but again I don't know >> I think largely I've heard it from parents emailing the

049board directly. I haven't heard it from so that could be the violet. >> Right. Right. Is I I don't know if that's something that >> um has has done a survey or there's been a survey done to teachers. I don't know about that. I did get an email directly from a student actually and I directed them I actually copied you on my reply and directed them to work with you as the board rest. Do you have and I'm sure you have input on this discussion. >> Yeah. Um well, we haven't heard anything from the person that emailed us. Um but Ally and I spoke about this yesterday and we both strongly support um the policy change. I guess the enforcement change. Um, and I'm honestly not sure how well it'll go over among students in

050the beginning, but cell phone use is certainly an issue and disrupts education and makes it hard for teachers to teach. >> Um, so yeah, I think that it's really great and like you said, I think it just making the standard consistent among all teachers will be really crucial to create an expectation for students like in all classrooms. Um, but yeah, I think that once it's in place for a few weeks or so, it'll just become the board. >> See, that's a good point, too. It's really And it's really helpful if it's if there if it's a if it's a rule, you know, as a teacher, I can say, "Hey, that's the rule." >> Exactly. >> You know what I mean? and and look, you got to go down into the office and turn that phone,

051you know, and that because it, you know, the the job of a teacher has become really difficult. Uh, and this is not making it easier and then if you add this on, it is really helpful to have um admin kind of take the heat for that >> and it does. Yeah. So is the question does it um should it be a part of the policy or or remain an operations kind of thing? >> Can I just Oh, we have to wait. Can we question? No. >> I'll just give you some clarity. We're going to have board discussion and then I'll invite public comment. >> Okay. And then >> I want clarity about the discussion you're about to have because I don't understand. >> Okay. Okay. >> I just move that we table this discussion. it

052should go into an into an agenda as a topic so we can take testimony appropriately. Um I I understand this because you can I think we're going to run the risk of getting into some sort of discussion that really we don't we we haven't warned appropriately. So >> but we're not taking action tonight. Um we're starting a discussion and then we can we can put this on the agenda for our next and and more after that. like we're not taking action on any policy. So, anyone who is here to comment on cell phones will have the opportunity to do so and in the future we'll have more opportunities for people to comment. Um, so you were just saying that Laura that it's helpful to have admin support as a teacher and following Gracie's comment that

053um, consistency among teachers is really helpful >> and yeah, sorry. Um, yeah, that was the main thing we had discussed was the fact that if all teachers are enforcing it, it'll go well over more with students. Yeah. Uh and then the other thing we had discussed was that the main thing we'd like to see is like good communication with students about options for contacting people outside of the school during the day since it is a big problem with social media and everything. But I think a lot of people are also on their phones to contact parents. So letting kids know like first day of school on announcements if you need to contact your parent there's a cell phone right in the office you can something like that. I grew up in um in a spot

054in the state that still does not have cell service. So, I actually remember using the office phone frequently to call my mom about things that I forgot at home. Um, I'm also interested to see with this operational change, um, I I think like it would be helpful for the board, and this is just my perspective, if we're going to consider a policy to be able to see how this implementation affects the schools over the next year and data. Um particularly I would be interested in noting if there's any decrease in bullying um harassment bullying because that would be really compelling uh data for me in considering the policy in the future. Um any further board discussion at this point? Um why don't we take public comment and then we will take action on the monitor

055and report calendar. >> Great. Thanks. I just this is not >> Can you state your name? >> Yeah. Sorry. My name is Lisa Hickeyi. I'm a parent of three kids in the school district. I am just confused about the conversation you guys are having with each other about whether this should be policy or operational. My understanding was that like I I don't really know, but I'm surprised to see that this is something the board needs to discuss and that the district can't just say this is how we do things. And so I'm wanting to understand the conversation that you, Tim, and Chelsea were having with each other about like, well, should we do it this way? Should we do it that way? Because that's not clear to me at all. Totally. >> Um, and also,

056if you're going to put it on a list of things that need to be addressed and dealt with for public comment, then it won't be implemented at the beginning of school. And that to me seems possibly detrimental to the policy in and of like your what you're trying to achieve. So I'm just trying to understand the mechanisms of how the board decides what's what. Yes. >> I I can answer this right now. This is a clarifying question. Um your question is about our governance model which is policy under governance. And so what the difference is our superintendent as the executive of our organization has the authority to make any operational policy procedure change that she sees fit for operations. That's That doesn't There are limitations. >> Well, there are Yeah, there are limitations >> within

057the limitations within our 2.0 limitations. Um and we're monitoring one of those policies tonight, 2.1 treatment of students and parents and staff. Um and so there is no policy from the school board on cell phones right now. There's an operational change on procedure within the schools under the authority of the superintendent. So the discussion Tim and I are having is can we leave it there? Is that good enough? >> Or as a board, do we need to take up the issue of implementing a policy from the board that says this is how the district will operate around cell phones? >> Right. >> And that process takes a long time. >> Yeah. >> So, um, so this will be implement this operational change will be implemented as soon as Violet says so. Okay. >> Um, yeah.

058Done. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. That's helpful because I didn't understand all of that. >> Yeah. Um, and I think her noting this in the monitoring report as a as a change is helpful. It's a helpful cue to us as something to look at. Um, and that's that's kind of it's it's arrived, I would say, after a lot of feedback and comments directly from parents and um, and one specific student asking us, hey, you should look at this. Yes, please come up and state your name for the record. >> Hi, I'm Erin. I'm a parent and a teacher. you guys. Um, you were asking about teachers. I can obviously only speak for myself, but I think this is a long overdue step. I think phones create an enormous burden for kids and um, you know,

059a lot of half an hour bathroom trips with your phone. A lot of really unfortunate things happen when kids are out of the room with their phone. And so, I don't care what you call if it's a policy or an action or whatever, but I think it's long overdue and um, I will be your biggest advocate. So, thank you. public comment in the room. >> Oh yes. So our cable bus number six and as is the norm, transportation was way ahead of the curve last year on this policy. Just kidding. But but we did have a no cell phone on bus six policy on Fridays. No cell phone Fridays. And uh and imagine how that went over the couple of times. I heard a lot of Mark, you can't do this. And I said, well,

060it's my bus. I can do whatever the hell I want to do. I didn't say that, but I basically and so and what I found was, you know, I have that great big mirror. You spend way too much time looking at I would just look up in the mirror and say, "Molly, are you looking at your phone?" And Molly would shove her phone in her backpack. And so the deal was one day a week. I didn't ask much, but asked they put their cell phones away and quote talk cordially to the neighbor next to them and maybe find something out about them that they didn't know before they got on the bus. And it worked. They didn't love me, but they did it consistently for all of three weeks at the end of school. We'll

061see what happens this year. But you know, my experience, call them out and they'll put them away. But there's always that one kid who gets off the bus and goes, "Hey, Mark." And it's like, "Okay." So the watch saying is, "Yeah, would be an issue. Thank you." >> Hi, Al South Burlington. Um, and I have a incoming sixth, fifth, and first grader. and um huge huge proponent of this, super supportive of it and I would be happy to come back and speak when this is officially worn. Um my question is I I guess I I'm tracking somewhat the diff the difference between a policy and procedure from a governance perspective, but from an action perspective, we're still saying you can't use your cell phone in school. So what's the real difference? Yeah, that's a good

062question. Um, I'm trying to figure out like a good analogy to explain it. I >> um I take a whirl. >> Um uh so because I as superintendent cannot um this is a um under governance I can say treatment of students cell phones impacts students. It falls under here. I could also say it it impacts teachers. Right. So at the end of the year when we monitor that report we can talk about how it's going, what's happening. Um the board could implement an outright ban and that would be something that would have significant operational changes that we would have to abide by. So there is no board policy banning cell phones. The board is as a body silent on any policy capital P policy for cell phones. that would require a lot of community engagement

063and that would um that would take a significant amount of time. >> So um this is an operational change in lie of an outright ban or any sort of directive from the board. Um some boards in the country and the state are implementing left and right outright bans. So, this isn't that um the the board would have to make a decision on a cell phone ban or a cell phone policy. Um other districts in Vermont are other communities are having this conversation if the operational pieces that we've implemented which are similar to our neighbors. Um is that sufficient? So the board is grappling with is it sufficient to have an internal process of how you know how are we handling devices um or does the board want to warn this and make a policy and

064say you know have a lot of community discussion and even change what has been implemented for the fall. I would also I would tack on to that that it's important that the board consider what the fallout of implementing a policy could be. So like I I would not encourage the board to go through a policy process and then have um things happen operationally that contradict the policy and make it difficult for our staff to do their job. So that's that's another piece that we have to like have a a zoomed out lens because it it's my philosophy that the broader the policy, the easier it is for our schools and our staff and our students to understand how they are to behave and what the expectations are. Um and the the more finite the policy

065gets, the harder it is to be creative with solutions, you know. Um, so that's part of the idea. I think of it sort of, and you can tell me if I'm totally on the wrong track here. I think of it sort of as like an amendment to the Constitution of the United States takes a really long time and lots of discussion. So, it's really takes a lot to make an amendment to a constitution. They can there be like small changes that are implemented at the local or state level that are not national. Does that does it sound like a reasonable analogy? >> Uh it seems like semantics to me but this is above my pay grade. So I will leave you guys to figure out where it belongs. But I do think just from a

066a tactical implementation of what I read from the email that I got which was from Suzanne because I have the middle schooler. I haven't I think I saw something loose from Lisa that came through um in her memo, but I would like to see something more firm come through on the elementary level because devices are absolutely an issue on the bus is one thing, but you got kids using their devices on the playground, asking their mom to bring them something they forgot at home or trying to text another friend that's at the playground. Um, so I just think the earlier we can put a stake in the ground on the fact that this is this is a place of learning and this is a place to develop your social and emotional learning at the same

067time and that means having face-to-face conversations with your peers on the playground and in the lunchroom. I think it's going to pay dividends and I'm just really pleased to see whatever stake in the ground this is procedure policy whatever I'm glad that there's going to be no cell phones. That's the way I'm taking it. So, thank you very much. >> We unmute Share Share. Are you there? And then prepare to >> Yeah. Can you guys hear me? >> Hello. Can you hear me? Hello? >> We can hear you. >> You can hear me. Okay. Thank you. Sorry, I'm on my phone. I don't usually take Zoom on my phone, so I apologize. Um, thank you guys so much for taking this on. Um, this I think is a really, really important issue. As a nurse

068and as a parent with three kids in the district, I have seen this um, become increasingly a problem over the years. Um, I am so excited you guys are forward thinking. I'm really excited to see the outcomes of this at the end of the year, both academically, socially. Um, I just think it's great. I will say I would love for you to consider um implementing a cell phone ban throughout the day. Um I sent uh I'm sure you're all familiar with Jonathan hate um height. I don't know if I'm saying that correctly. H AI DT. He's the author of the anxious generation. I actually know him and have a connection with him and sent um the email from the high school to him um to get his perspective. And actually I sent it in a

069like, look, you're making a big difference. even here in Vermont, we're looking at this. And his response surprised me. He was like, "No, not enough." He said, "This is going to help the teachers a little." However, when the kids are on their phones in the cafeteria and the hallways, it's not good. And I think as adults, we need to really be careful in how we implement this. I love that we're doing anything. So, don't take this as negative feedback. I just really encourage us to look at the big picture. Um, and I know we have to do things in steps sometimes, but um, we only get one chance to get this right at first. And I'm my my fear about this is that we are going to implement this in the classroom and um, then

070the kids, all the high school kids are going to run out, not run out, but you know, go out into the hallways and into the cafeterias and we're still not going to be talking. If any of you have walked through the high school during the day, which I have, um, everybody's heads in their phones, everybody. And nobody's talking. And I would really, really, really love to encourage the district to just take this head on and just think about the idea of really eliminating cell phone use during the school day so we can return back to a way that we should be communicating, teach our kids to look each other in the eyes and to have real conversation. So, huge kudos for taking this on. I'm obviously a massive advocate and I ask us to kind

071of like look even at the bigger picture um and just consider that anyway. So, thank you guys. So that's what like Jim was saying like that like an allout band that that is not I mean I've seen it done in you go to any high school in Japan there is no phone out from 8 to 5 ever. Same with Cuba when I went they all have phones but there's no phone out but that would take like an act of act of Congress right Elaine. >> Yeah. So >> that would be board policy. That will be board policy but that is something we are not >> well that's the question is what is the policy of the board and we don't have a policy so right now it's operational >> right now it's operational the question

072is do we want to implement a policy and what would that policy say that's the way my perspective is move forward I know we've we've consumed a lot of time with this conversation right now but it seems it strikes me that we will move forward with some type of policy specific to cell phones because there is a lot of energy around this. I just want to make sure that we are hearing all perspectives and we are not having a conversation where people a month later come back and say, "Hey, I heard you talked about cell phones. >> What we didn't even know you were talking about and we wanted to participate." So that's my concern right now. >> So reminder, we read our policies three times. So they're on warned agendas three times before they're

073adopted. So and and I think it would be this is a great conversation to have community engagement. I think people will be really passionate and maybe we'll come to a listening session to share their thoughts. >> Yes, that would be great. Actually, >> I think this is a great opportunity for us as a board to engage our community because I think this is an issue people really care about and I haven't really heard the other side of the argument at all and that would be part of the process if if there is one. So, >> so should it be tabled until then? Okay, just to be clear, the board is not taking on the operational changes that Superintendent Nichols and administration got >> are implementing for this school year talking about that. >> The reason

074we're discussing it is because Superintendent Nichols noted it in the monitoring report. Got it. >> But we're not taking any action on cell phone policy at the board level tonight. We will be taking action on the monitoring report that encompasses the entire 2.1 policies of treatment of students and families and variance. >> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. There will be ongoing discussion on board policy which this is not this is operational and it's not a ban, >> right? >> It's just the start to why we need to have the policy discussion. >> That's what this is. Yeah. Thank you for your patience. >> No, no, that's okay. I mean it's it's helpful learning opportunity too because it is complicated and confusing policy under governance. I've said this before and I'll just keep saying it. When

075I joined the school board I was not doing what I thought I would be doing >> and then I learned what policy governance is and I completely believe in it and understand and I I'm glad that we are a district that uses it. But it is confusing because you can't just >> you can't just like come here and be an activist. You have to be a policy maker. Yeah. >> Um very different very different things. >> Okay. So let me is there any other public comment on this for now? >> So any other notes from your monitoring report board discussion now on any other questions comments about the monitoring report 2.1 I always get when they say fail to but it's like a negative in there. No, it's a statement >> because the executive limitations

076which is the constraints we were Chelsea referenced earlier. Um it says that the superintendent then shall not fail to >> it's double negative. >> A double negative are we going to talk about each individual portion or do we just want to provide comments back to to Violet? So on um just a couple of comments, Violet, uh detailed policy number one, elicit information for which there is no need. I liked your interpretation. Um my only comment on that is uh you you mentioned requirements to participate in district, state, or federal programs. I'm wondering if that also and you may think of it this way, but I didn't see where it said anything about being in compliance with state or federal law. >> Yeah. Um so we are in compliance. So one of uh the state and

077federal components here that we elicit um feedback is through title one which requires a certain amount of engagement and feedback. Um so those are those are areas where um we are in compliance and you do >> I just mean I don't I don't I I think I think you're fine from the evidence and everything. Um I just didn't equate a program to a law, right? Because a program doesn't necessarily >> imply that you're adhering to a law. So from an interpretation perspective, I just wanted to >> call that out. So >> I'm sorry. I want to take >> I think why don't you just go through >> Okay. I've only got a couple here. Um my other uh comment. Um, so detailed policy number four, fail to operate facilities with appropriate accessibility and privacy. So

078I guess this is a question to the rest of the board as we consider this. Um, you have your statement uh with voter passage in March of 2023 with the $4.55 million bond, etc., etc. These conditions will be addressed in due course. My question is, are we typically out of compliance then? because we don't have these fixed, but there should be a compliance or plan put in place for this. >> Yeah, it's a great question. Uh Tim and I had a fair amount of discussion about this this year as we did the last time we prepared this report for you. >> So, um should this not some of our conversations went like this. Should we be out of should we report policy non-compliance? What we would be required to do is to put a plan

079in place. What we have is our facil facility stewardship plan which shows our planned maintenance and what is scheduled to be done using the bond money. So by from a technical perspective even though I referenced earlier in the high school for instance we have weightbearing um loadbearing walls that cannot be widened to meet ADA standards. However, we've been grandfathered in. So technically there is not a lack of compliance, but from our end we recognize that as a need. Um and so as we talk about um the need for a rebuild of the high school, one of the reasons for that is because we know from the Dor and Whittier studies that the renovation of that to move those weightbearing um pillars is a comparable cost as a as a rebuild. So, this is a really

080interesting piece here and I could have gone either way and reported lack of compliance. Um, what made us switch from the So, this is the third time I've prepared this report for you. The first time I reported non-compliance, then we got the bond money and we got the ZMS. And so, that was enough for me to say we've got a facilities stewardship plan with teeth behind it because we have funding. So um some of these so I feel because of that um we have a plan to address these and yet it is still very much true that um we are in grave need of middle and uh high school level facilities. So >> Laura and Chelsea, do you recall? So when the last time this was reviewed, was it reported as non-compliant and then there

081was a plan in place or how did that >> That's kind of what I remember. It was compliant last time because we'd passed the bond, right? The first time three years ago, so the not three full years, but the first time was non-compliance because it was pre-bond present. >> So there was no ability to make the changes that you needed to. So even if you put a plan in place, you didn't have any way to >> it was like there was no end in sight here. >> And so you know, we started to put some of the pieces in place. You know, again, Tim and I have had a fair amount of conversation on this, you know, over time. And, you know, I could see this going either way. Again, when I report, you know,

082I'll remind the board and and folks in the room, if I report non-compliance, it comes with the compliance plan. So, the compliance plan here is the facility stewardship plan, which articulates how we're going to make these upgrades. >> One of the other issues, though, is we're still dealing with shortages. So this summer we put uh heat pumps to allow for air conditioning in two of our elementary schools. The high school project had to be tabled till next summer, the summer of 25 because we couldn't the the company who won the bid. So we have to put everything out to bid. So the company that won the bid didn't have the labor capacity to do the high school even though they won the bid. So, um, it's nuanced and I could I mean, you wouldn't have

083to twist my arm for me to say we're out of compliance, >> but it sounds like legally, right? Like >> legally, we're grandfathered in. So, it's not a technical violation, >> but functionally >> functionally and we need to do some we need which we know. >> I only So, that's just why I'm asking. So, I chose we vote on this if we >> right because I do remember this now. Yeah. >> Um, okay. Thank you, Violet. I appreciate that. And my my only last question um is going back to detailed policy number three. And this involves uh methods of collecting, reviewing, transmitting or storing student family information and failure to protect against improper access. The systems that we're using um do they support audit trail and break glass? Out of curiosity. >> All right. You

084have uh exceeded my technical understanding. So, so break glass is basically like in a medical piece of departmental software if you look up a patient record there is immediately a trail that you've looked into it and this is used a lot say in situations in hospitals where you have celebrities um and you somebody goes in and looks at a record that's considered break glass if it's been flagged as such audit trail is really an audit trail you did look at a record everybody gets treated the same from a perspect so so I'm just curious because we've got a lot of these systems that you're talking about and I just want to make that. >> So Sher, you can say no to me here, but we have um Sher is a nurse and she uses our

085SNAP software, which is the it's it's where our medical student medical records are shared. Um Sher, if you can hear me and and you're you're willing, do you know whether SNAP has I I highly doubt it does, >> but do you do you know off the top of your head whether um there is a record of who looked up what and SNAP? So, for instance, if I looked up uh you know, Violet Nichols 10th grader um health records, is that something that uh a systems administrator would be able to see? >> Um, most likely yes. Um that's typically the way health records work. I I don't know from a nursing capacity within the school, but I think the administrator would know. Um, it's a great question for Cara, but most health care systems have a

086way of finding that out and I'm pretty certain you can see who's accessed a medical record within that system. Um, but don't quote me on that. I don't I haven't gone that deep into it. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. Um, I'm going to find out the answer and I'll let you know. >> Thank you, Shar. >> It looks like we have um someone who might have >> Oh, Sarah Pana, district nurse. >> Yeah, right. Training doesn't say anything. >> Can we please allow her talking? Thank you. Hi Sarah, can you hear us? >> Hi, I can. Sorry for butdding in, but I just heard that question. We do have that. >> We do have that capability. >> Thank you. That's really helpful. Thank you so much. I'm I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were on

087the call. I would have asked you. >> Um, and thank you so much. >> No problem. >> Wow. >> I only asked and that's the the health related software, but the other software that you have, I'm just curious and I don't see as an issue with the compliance report. I'm just wondering to what level you can track who looks up what information because there's significantly more personal information in these systems than you would like if somebody look up grades, right? There must be a way to >> because I just did my vector training today, but they don't mention this. There's no mention of those two things that you just said. >> And for employees, it would be helpful for them to know that there is an audit trail that there is. >> I I've never

088even heard of this. So >> So yeah, excellent question then. Wow. That's it. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Great questions. Oh, >> okay. At this time, are we prepared to take action on this monitor in the third? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, as a reminder, I'm going to read the global policy first. Then I'll read each policy detail and I'll ask if we have a reasonable interpretation, if we have adequate data, and if we are in compliance. And the board will answer yes or no. And then after we go through each detail policy, I will reread the global policy and ask those three questions again. And based on our responses, we will either um approve this monitoring report or not. Okay. 2.1 treatment of students and parents and guardians.

089With respect to interactions with students and parents and guardians or those applying to be students or parents and guardians, the superintendent shall not cause or allow conditions, procedures or decisions that are inequitable, untimely, vague, undignified, or unnecessarily intrusive. Further, without limiting the scope of the foregoing by this enumeration, the superintendent shall not one elicit information for which there is no need. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. uh adequate data. >> Yes. In compliance. Yes. >> Yes. >> Fail to solicit appropriate uh failed to solicit appropriate input or obtain necessary information to fulfill the district ends policy or comply with the district's policy limitations. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. >> Adequate data. >> Yes. >> In compliance. >> Yes. >> It's way easier for me to read this on paper. Three. Use methods of collecting, reviewing, transmitting, or storing

090student family information that failed to protect against improper access to the material elicited. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. >> Uh, adequate data. >> Yes. >> In compliance, >> yes. >> Four, fail to operate facilities with appropriate accessibility and privacy. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. >> Adequate data. >> Yes. in compliance. >> Yes. I'm hesitating because I forget it says shall not throwing me. So yeah, I'm with you now. >> Would it be helpful if I read? >> No, I've got it now. I've got it. Y >> I think I will though. It's It's better for clarity. Okay. >> The superintendent shall not fail to establish with students and parents and guardians a clear understanding of what may and what may not be expected from the district. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. Adequate data. >> Yes. >> In compliance.

091>> Yes. >> The superintendent shall not fail to limit the use of live security video systems to crisis situations and the immediate need of administrators for safety information. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. >> Adequate data. >> Yes. >> In compliance. Yes. >> The superintendent shall not fail to limit the use of security video recordings to inquiries by the police. and the superintendent about potential criminal activity to ensure student, staff or community safety. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. Yes. >> Adequate data. >> Yes. >> In compliance. >> Yes. >> The superintendent shall not fail to inform students and parents and guardians of this policy or to provide a way to be heard for persons who believe they have not been accorded protections under this policy. Reasonable interpretation. >> Yes. Uh adequate data? >> Yes. >> In compliance? Yes.

092>> With respect to interactions with students and parents and guardians or those applying to be students or parents and guardians, the superintendent shall not cause or allow conditions, procedures, or decisions that are inequitable, untimely, vague, undignified, or unnecessarily intrusive. Reasonable interpretation? >> Yes. Adequate data? Yes. >> Yes. Incompliance? Yes. >> Yes. The 2.1 treatment of students and parents and guardians monitoring report is approved. >> Nice job. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that concludes our action items for this evening. Uh would we like to take a brief recess or do we want to move right on to agenda meeting? Agenda. >> Right on. Yeah. Okay. Agenda item 10, agenda planning, set the agenda for September 4th meeting. >> Uh or does everyone uh who wants does anyone have anything to add? Sorry, it's been a long

093day. >> Discussion items or can we include finance committee again? Is that going to sort of be a standing item? could do that. >> Yeah. And the listening session and which we're hoping to get and we can is it the finance committee? >> Yeah. So finance committee we have on suggest that we >> Yes. Um and by September 4th the applications for that committee will be completed. >> Oh okay. >> But it will be will that be enough time for you and Chris to have selected? So perhaps at the September 4th meeting you'll be able to announce >> uh that's our next meeting right? >> Yes September that's a really tight turnout. >> So let me and I haven't talked with Chris since we met the last time so might have to let me follow

094up. >> No promise it's warmed. So whatever the update is we'll be able to provide it. Um you wanted to add listening session as >> well just as a state that it's on September 11th. So on reports by the board recent or planned community engagement activities at that time you'll be able to highlight it. >> Um we are reviewing our financial conditions and activities uh limit policy monitoring. Um I'm trying to be sensitive to our meetings being less than two hours when possible. Uh, I have I just met with um city manager Jesse Baker and council chair Tim Barrett and Violet this earlier this week. Our steering committee meeting is going to be September 18th. Um, and they're going to come here to to us and what we're going to do is at 6 we're

095going to have the steering committee meeting. We'll conclude the steering committee meeting and we'll have the rest of our regular board meetings following. Um, so I want to make sure we keep our meeting agenda on the 18th for our schoolboard work as light as possible given that we'll have a steering committee meeting. >> Um, so in terms of board meeting work, our September 4th meeting needs to be anything that's urgent that you wouldn't want to wait until October. Um, so we have some time before we have to warn this. if you need to email me anything you'd like to see on the September 4th agenda. Um, and I will email in my update any information about the steering committee meeting that you need to know, including once we have a draft agenda started, I'll make

096sure you have an opportunity to add anything that you think might be important to discuss at that meeting. Great. >> Okay. So, anything else at this time for September 4th? Do we want to have do we want to set a time to have more discussion or something about the cell phone thing or what do you want to do with that? >> I think I mean I think the stage that we're at right now is research. Um but perhaps we could come up with what our we'd like our our process to look like on the fourth and you know including like how much time do we want to spend on research? Um, how many do we listening sessions or um how many meetings would we like this to be on the agenda for community members to

097be able to come? >> People can come talk to us. It was just me on the on the 11th about that, right? >> Yes, that's what you said. >> Just what you said. Sorry. It has been a long day. >> That's where I got the idea. Why don't we are you amendable to adding to our discussion items on the fourth cell phones in schools as a discussion topic? >> I think the topic should be potentially what's our plan just to lay that out. What I hate what I don't want to do is get into a discussion of whether they should be banned or not. I think it's more appropriate to say what should the actions be for the next few months >> so that we can work around that. Be more comfortable with that. >>

098We've got cell policy development discussion. >> Exactly. I love that cell phone. Okay. Anything else? We are just clicking that. I'm so glad you're here for this, Laura. >> You missed the last one. We're looking at it early. >> I know. >> I left my other meeting running, so they're probably wondering where I am. Sorry, that's what happens when you cut it out. I just That's what happens when school starts. >> Agenda item 11, consent agenda, approval of minutes, August 7th. Um, I just need to check something really quick. I did have a It was just an edit that I felt needed to happen, but it doesn't, but it's changed. >> Did she take mine? I was listed as there was >> and you're not there anymore. So, that is there now. effective accurately. Um,

099has everyone had a chance to review the minutes from our August 7th meeting? >> Yes. >> Any questions or changes? >> No. >> Hearing none, the August 7th meeting minutes are approved. Approval of AP orders. Has everyone had a chance to review AP? I have a quick operational question. Um, why sometimes is there a minus sign for the same amount, but it's not red? this. I'm just not an accounting person. So, um, for instance, on 1028 there was an amount of 34,468.70 and then a couple minutes later there was minus $34,468, but it wasn't red. So, it wasn't like I I just don't understand what the minus means. Tim, are you able to answer that question? Sure. >> May I May I invite you to provide um clarity on um would you be so kind

100as to join us at your usual spot? >> Yeah, we got to say it again. question on the AP orders because I'm so not an accounting person at all, >> right? >> There is like a figure and then a couple lines later a minus sign, but it's not red like you're subtracting it. You know what I mean? So, I'm just wondering what the minus sign. >> Uh, I'd like to see an example, but it's probably it could be a void check. So that I mean we don't make it red but the minus sign would indicate u most likely a voided check. Okay, >> which would have been put into the system originally as a positive number and then if it's voided it's >> okay specific example we can uh support you with here >> on

101uh 1028 uh okay >> there is a quantity of $34,468.70 and then two lines later it's minus 3468 check >> there's a void They're often not. I mean, you don't see very often, but when a check is voided, you would because the like I just said, it would have been input into the system originally as if it was a regular payment. Sometimes you find out that the amount has changed >> and so you would cancel or reverse out the original check and then rebook it for 35,000 or whatever the correct number was. But >> who was the pay on this particular example? I do not remember >> what page or >> it was 1028. I think it was the first or second page. Maybe it was $34,468.70. >> Okay, I see it. Uh 34,000. Uh

102that I have one for 375 to amplify for math and literacy supplies. >> We can follow up offline too. Yeah, I mean that's really the only scenario I can think of of why it would be negative. >> Okay. And there was another AP order where it appeared a couple times. So I I wondered what's that mean? >> It means it the amount was wrong. >> Okay. >> I don't >> or in some cases I mean another scenario might be that it was already paid. >> This is powers school. There was um our IT director noticed that we were being charged inaccurately. Uh P school has a number of services that they offer. So um we noticed that there were inaccurate charges and we were being build for services that we weren't that we didn't have.

103Jody, I'm looking at Jod. She she knows I think probably the technical pieces here. Um but this is a so we have a number of negatives from powers school here on uh the third uh the fourth page of the AP order 1028. So we're working with P school on basically we're cracking down on money and we're pinching pennies and if we're we're looking at bills. Um do you want to add anything to that? Do you have any light to shed? I believe they were just trying to get invoices paid that were services that we had canled. >> Yeah. >> So the we in contact spent a lot of time straightening that out. >> Yeah. The original envoys had subscription items that we were not renewing for fiscal year 25. So they need to be backed

104out. So, >> one of the ways that we were able to retain staff last year is through cancelling a lot of things like these services. And you see on the fourth page of AP order 1028, you see right in a row charges negative 34,548 $35001,500 46005,000. We are and you're going to see a lot of these for apps. We canled a number of apps totaling about $25,000 this week. Um we are really looking at pinching pennies at this point. You know in our budget we made overall spending reductions in lines like technology. So these powers school um and app areas. You're going to see these coming up. And this is us um trying to preserve our people and our staff by cuting down in lots of areas, you know, and um it's across the map.

105So this is an area where Edward, our IT director, has been really helpful. So great question. Thank you. Thank you. Um and Jody, too, >> can I just follow that statement up with just a quick ask because I think that's really an important observation you made. um as we head into the new budget cycle uh considering the kind of pressure we're going to be under um if you have anecdotes like that and maybe could make note of them so that we can pass it along to the community to show that this is at the forefront of what we are thinking and what we are doing because that that stuff sort of gets hidden all that great work and look at control >> because they're happening they're just not people at this point they're there other

106things >> yeah so right now Seesaw app book creator uh ed puzzle are a you off the top of my head, head puzzles extremely costly. There are many great things that we're having to cut. Cell phones, we have we have 81 district cell phones. Um, you know, many of our neighbors have one phone issued and it's their superintendent. We're we're we're making efforts to try to pair down to 30. Those are staff members that we could have. Um, another off the top of my head looking at um, you know, we have our big industrial printer copy machines that have large ink cartridges. Um, we also have in our buildings many many individual printers. And of course, all of these things are great. So, you know, please understand, I don't think I I don't want to

107cut any of these things. And yet, when we made the decision to keep staff, we made cuts on things like general supply lines. And that's what this looks like in reality. So um you know individual copiers saying to um our administrators you know what can you do without um there's a lot of workarounds like for when I print confidential things I scan my badge. We have find me printing so I don't need a confidential printer in my office because I can stand by that machine scan my badge and it comes out right when I'm there. Um again it's it's these are adjustments we're having to make. Um, you know, again, I'm reminded by my superintendent colleagues, like these are things that a lot of districts have already um cut down on and we just haven't

108had to be in this position. So, it's still really hard, you know, as I have to say to our teams like, you know, no more food for interview committees, things like this. It's like they're they're things that I want our district to have and yet um I want to prioritize staff because that is what I have heard over and over and over. Preserving staff, preserving programming and in order to do that, we've made the decision that we have to pair down in all of these other areas. So, um it's it's it's really difficult and given that we had a $3.2 million surplus. So quick math at 100,000 a staff member that's 62 people. We don't have that three $3.2 million surplus next year. So the idea of taking away you know pairing cell phones from

10981 to 30 is not isn't going to do it. So I I just want to be really clear like this isn't going to save us but every penny does help at the same time. So it's hard. >> Okay. Has everyone reviewed AP orders 1028, 104, 1043, 1089, 1094, 1095, 1096, and 1097? >> Yes. >> Any questions? >> No. Just want to say Tim, thank you for the Excel format. It speaks to my heart when I pivot that stuff. So, thank you. >> Okay, the AP orders are approved and we have some hires. Yep, we do. So, finishing uh rounding out our teaching staff here. Um welcoming Tyler Beaks, math teacher at the high school, and he's filling an open position due to a resignation. >> Um has everyone had a chance to review the bail

110request for the tech equipment lease? >> Yes. >> Any questions? >> No. >> Okay. Good. Uh the bid is approved. >> Okay. Um agenda item 12, executive session. Do I have a motion to enter executive session under uh BSA section 313A1 for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations and that premature public knowledge of this topic would put the district at a clear disadvantage. >> Do I have a motion to go into executive session? Laura move. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> 10 seconds. Just one second. Please take some minutes. We'll get better at that. >> All right. The motion uh all in favor. Any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor? >> I The motion passes unanimously. Laura, Elaine, Violet, Tim Warren, and myself will be entering into executive session, and we

111will not return to open session to adjourn the regular session. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you.