001Um good evening everyone. Well, I'll wait till till You ready? We're good? Okay. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call uh the Manatee Union High School District number 14 Board of Directors meeting to order. It is 5:33 p.m. on May 20th, 2026. Um First on the agenda this evening are public comments. Do we have any public comments? I don't see anybody here in the room. online Anybody requesting? >> No. >> Okay. Um Next on the agenda uh is the consent agenda. If there are no objections, I'd like to um bundle minutes, warrants, retirements, resignations, and nominations into one. Um can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> I'm wondering for that. We have field trips on the consent agenda. Or ordinarily we don't. Are we just going to move those or do
002they need any attention? >> Do they need Do the field trips need any special attention? If there are questions regarding field trips, we can once we once we have a motion, we can have that as part of our discussion. As we're moving all of them. >> works. Yeah, I just wondered. It's not like >> Yeah, yeah, no no problem. Um So, do I have a motion to move the consent agenda? So, move Move mission made by Dave. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Uh second by Katie. Any discussion? >> Again, I'm I'm I'm asking that as a board we're giving our blessing for these two trips to happen. Should there be any discussion around them? I've heard of one of them before. I think it kind of made the rounds about
003Germany. But the London one is this is the first time I'm seeing it. >> Yes. >> Yeah, so >> Any background that you have >> I have a comment. This is this is Leon. Uh field trips are included budget and they've gone through and oh the approval of the principal and and the superintendent so that we uh can review and we can ask questions. You can always do that. But they they approve these as part of the curriculum uh for the for the high school. >> Excellent. >> I don't think I'll take up any more of the of our time on that one then. >> Do you have any any thing you'd like >> Just to um and build off of what Lynn was saying. Yeah, the Germany one, that's been happening for the past
004couple of years part of our German exchange program. Um so it's our opportunity to send some of our students over to uh Germany in the same way that we hosted the German students here in the fall. Um so excited to keep that program going. Uh the London trip, that is a new one organized by uh Lynn Sweet at the high school bringing five of our um five of our uh drama theater club students with her to London to experience um the uh the culture over there. >> Is that Raven? >> Raven. >> Is it just >> Appreciate everybody chiming in there. Thank you. >> I just have a quick Is she she's bringing five students? >> There's two, her and one other chaperone. >> Oh, that's what I was going to ask. Is it Is
005there another chaperone or is it just her? >> Emory Jarvis. Joining her. So two adults. Five students. Yes. >> Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Are there any abstentions? All right. Moving into finance, there is nothing for our um business tonight with finance. The same with operations, which was number four on the agenda. Nothing there. Um policies. So, uh Leon, I might ask you to help me with this or somebody who who knows when when it comes to warning these, we have to do each of these individually. Is that right? Leon, did you hear me? Okay, so moving into policies. Um first up is number 6100 library material selection. We have to warn that. Um can I have a motion to warn 6100?
006>> I'll give you my motion. >> Motion made by Glenn, seconded by Dave. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? Next up, number 4261, substitute teachers. May I have a motion to warn? >> So moved. >> Motion made by Dave. Can I have a second? >> Move. >> Seconded by Leon. Any discussion? >> Seconded by Leon. >> Yep. I That's what I said. Any discussion? >> with the Leon thing. >> All right, hearing none, all those in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? All right. Number 4276, supervision of volunteers and work study students. May I have a motion to warn? >> So moved. >> Motion made by Katie, seconded by Glenn. All those in any discussion? Okay. All those in favor, please signify by
007saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? >> I. >> Last up, number 4100, alcohol and drug-free workplace. May I have a motion to warn? >> So moved. >> Motion made by Glenn. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> So moved by Leon. >> Second by Leon. >> Seconded by >> Seconded Seconded by Leon. >> I'll be you to it, Leon. >> Yeah. Uh any discussion? By hearing none, all those in favor? >> I. I. I. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? All right. Um item six on the agenda, uh administrators' reports. Um we do not have any student representatives here with us this evening, so I will go to um high school and Principal Carmichael. >> Thanks, sir. Yeah, our students are not able to join us. Um just AP testing happening, and
008I encourage them to focus on their studies and preparations for their exams. Um so, miss their presence, but um fortunately, all you got is me tonight. So, um I'll get to the report. Uh lots of highlights and some important dates coming up, busy time of year. Uh so, I'll try to hit all the important things here, but move efficiently. Um so, uh this past month, I do want to highlight uh while she is I think still on there with us, want to thank uh Ms. Lynn Sweet and uh Marge Rowan at the high school for helping prepare our students for the uh Vermont All State Music Festival. We had 17 students attend uh May 6th through May 9th traveling up to Missisquoi Valley Union High School where they had the opportunity to perform uh in
009band, orchestra, and chorus and jazz ensembles um with some guest conductors. Uh three days of intensive rehearsal before their performances and from all accounts it was a wonderful trip and experience for all involved. So, another Thank you to uh Miss Sweet and Miss Rowan. Um Uh another highlight for us, I received word uh ACT Bennington Youth Appreciation Awards uh were given out to uh or are being given out to seven MAUHS students uh recognizing Bennington area youth for their leadership, kindness, and efforts to make the community a healthier place. So, we're very excited to hear that. Um I that will be announced in the banner. Uh student names will be included, but um watch for that announcement of uh those seven students from the high school who were recognized for those of awards. Um in
010addition uh the American Legion uh is presenting their good deeds award to four students in our Patriot program. Again, I would watch for that in the banner. Uh so, recognition for several of our students for some community awards here um that we're very excited and proud of. Um as I mentioned, one of the reasons that our student reps are not here, uh it's been a busy month with AP testing at the high school. Uh last three weeks we've had AP testing running um wrapping up this week. Finishing strong. Uh we had students participating in uh 15 different AP exams. Um so, more than the courses that we offer at the high school because we are we have uh um had some home school students and students from um that are taking some courses uh AP
011courses online and they're doing the exams with us over the course of this last 3 weeks. I just want to say a quick thank you to all of our faculty and students at the high school for being supportive of the last 3 weeks. They've been navigating without bells or announcements at the school to avoid disruptions to the testing environment and make sure that the students that are taking the test can focus. I want to specifically thank our AP coordinators Tony Buchiero and Ashley Lewis along with the rest of our guidance department and administration for all their efforts coordinating and proctoring these exams. We're in the home stretch here, so looking forward to seeing more promising results following up with last year's successful AP exams. So um Now looking ahead uh again busy end of the
012year here. Coming up tomorrow night, just want to invite everybody and encourage you all to come over to the high school for evening of the arts and our spring concert tomorrow evening. Uh it begins at 5:30, so the art department and the students will be displaying student work from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the school. Uh and at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium, the band and choir will perform the spring concert. Uh it's free admission to this event, so I encourage everybody to come out and see the wonderful work from our students, their artwork and then the performances to end the night. Uh next Wednesday night, we have our underclass awards night beginning at 6:00 p.m. Uh so we're looking forward to that and recognizing some of the achievements from our underclass uh freshmen through
013juniors. Um Seniors, final week in school is next week. Of course, we have the Memorial Day weekend coming up, so their final week they planned it well. They have a four-day week. Um their last day, of course, will be Friday, May 29th. Uh just a reminder for seniors and their families, uh caps and gowns are being handed out beginning tomorrow, May 21st. Uh and then next week their final exams will be May 28th uh with blocks 1, 3, and 4 in May 29th with blocks 2 and 5. Um so again, strong finish for the seniors, and following that up with Well, that will be their last week of classes. We, of course, then will welcome them back the following week for uh some senior activities to end their high school time. So, on Wednesday, June
0143rd, uh we have senior awards practice at 10:00 a.m. followed with the awards night for seniors and their families uh at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4th, we'll have graduation practice at 1:00 p.m. at the school, and then that night we will be having the junior-senior prom from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Colgate Park. So, reminder that's the junior-senior prom. Sophomores can be invited as guests of juniors and seniors, but there will not be any freshmen at the prom, and I know that uh they're all excited for that evening at Colgate Park. Then uh the night that everybody's waiting for, uh Friday, June 5th, um start the day with senior breakfast and graduation practice at the school, 8:30 a.m. on Friday the 5th, and then that evening we will host graduation at 6:00 p.m. uh and
015excited to see the students finish their careers at the high school and walk across the stage. Uh, looking forward to that. So, mark your calendars for a busy week that week. After the seniors leave, we finish up graduation, we still have a few events uh, at the high school on Wednesday, June 10th for the underclassmen. We are going to host a field day and awards celebration during the school day. Uh, we will run a half-day schedule on the 10th. Uh, we will host a student staff barbecue lunch. There will be field day activities after lunch for the students to go out and enjoy, and we will be um, celebrating and giving the students their department awards uh, that afternoon. Uh, out on the out on Spinelli Field. So, looking forward to that. Um, the final
016week of school uh, will be well, underclass will underclassmen will have their final exams beginning Friday, June 12th. That will be a full day of school, blocks 1, 3, and 4 exams. Then we'll come back for another full day on Monday, June 15th, where they will have final exams for blocks 2 and 5. And then our last day of school at the high school uh, will be Tuesday, June 16th. We're on a half-day for students. Uh, just a reminder, made this very clear for the students, attendance will count on that half-day for the last day. Uh, we will have an opportunity for exam makeups um, for students that need that, and that will bid them farewell and have a nice summer to everybody. run down for the the final weeks here. >> Lots of stuff
017going on. >> Into the green. >> Yeah, it came on fast. >> Thank you. >> Always does, right? >> Thank you. Uh next on the agenda would be um the middle school principal, Maguire. >> Thank you. All right, I have a similar sort of report. Just a lot of busy things at the high school or at the middle school and high school too. But that's the middle school um and I have a mix of I don't want that pen. I like that one. Uh I have a mix of just some cool activities and events that have been going on, but also upcoming dates. So let's start with something that I mentioned last time I was here, but it had not happened yet, the career fair. Um it's a you know, annual event at the middle
018school. Uh it's really grown into an awesome uh you know, event involving a lot of community uh businesses and I think it's a nice way to get you know, community businesses talking to our students and encouraging students that are going to stay in the area to you know, pursue some careers in these areas. Also gives them a lot of idea of what else is is out there. Um I want to thank Hannah Green uh who's school counselor uh at the middle school. Uh she has organized this event for years and uh continues to just you know, bring kind of new uh flavor to it each year and it is just uh you know, really um popular with the students and then the community. Um we have activities that are tailored uh developmentally appropriate activities for
019different grade levels. So like what a sixth grader uh is asked to do when interacting with uh guests at the career fair looks different than what a seventh and eighth grader is asked to do. Um we kind of boil everything down into career clusters, so students can kind of think of categories of careers and then they can kind of hone in if they're really interested in this sort of type of career, what options are there within that cluster uh to pursue. So that's a really uh positive thing and thank you to Hannah Green and the rest of the guidance department for putting that on. Um we had students uh go on the trip to Canada, to Montreal. Um, they were gone uh April 30th through May 2nd for those 3 days, Thursday through Saturday. Um,
020they had a great time and actually uh this is a trip that's been going on for a number of years at the middle school, almost like 20 years or something like that. And um, the staff that went on the trip uh who have attended many times said it was kind of the one of the most fun and well-behaved and engaged groups that they've ever brought before. So, um So, my motivational speech before they left worked. Um Uh so, transitions of middle school, there's a lot of transitions at the middle school. We're stuck in the middle, so you know, we we we transition a lot of students in and we transition students out and so we have a lot of different activities planned for that. Um, most of which have already taken place except for one
021tomorrow. Um, so we have rising 6th graders, so in other words, uh students moving to the 6th grade uh open house on Thursday, uh uh May 7th. It was really well attended, so always makes us really excited when, you know, a lot of parents and families and students show up for these sorts of events. So, that was really well attended. We had rising 7th grade open house the following Thursday, which was the 14th. Um, again well attended. We, you know, there was less people at that event, but that makes sense because we welcome There's more students entering as 6th graders than entering as 7th graders because obviously we have some of our 6th graders already in the building for that transition and it's you know, it's less They tend to attend less when they've been
022in the building for a year for these events. It's really kind of an orientation sort of night. Um, but we're happy with the attendance. We also do welcome So, those are in the evening, um, you know, and family students. We do a uh We go over kind of the school schedule, school program, uh then we give a tour. And Mr. Lee uh gives what I call the world-famous tour of Mr. Lee. So, if you're in his group, you're you're lucky. You don't you know, they always want that group rather than me. Um and then I try hard though. And then welcome days, we have students just visiting with their sending schools. So you know, they come up on a bus during the day. We do a student panel. So we do this for all of
023the entering sixth graders and all of the entering seventh graders. And we do a student panel. They do tours. They join lunch their grade souls and or join the cafeteria for a lunch block and they just get to hang out with you know, sixth and seventh graders a little bit and see what the experience of the middle school is. I really like the panel where they get to answer where the my students get to answer questions of the incoming students. It's really really cool to see kind of some of those things that they were worried about and how they navigated those things throughout their school year. So those are all transitional things that I want to highlight. Um Probably my favorite thing to highlight is our annual challenge day that the we did a little
024different this year. We split it into two parts. So half of it already took place at the end of March. That was like your the stuff that we gather in the gymnasium for the team cheer, the the lip sync battle. So there's some events happening in that already took place. But this part is the outside component where we have a bunch of different activities where teams visit different stations. They solve different challenges, solve different you know, games, puzzles. So there's definitely like a transferable skill critical thinking component to this day even though you know, kids come in and it you know, feels like a big awesome field day. But there's definitely some like transferable skills that are being worked on. Teams compete. But we also we've really formed in this event through the the many
025years that I've been able to participate in this and uh like a non-competitive option for students if they if they don't want to participate in those, you know, competitive games and things. So, it really is differentiated as middle school activities uh should be. Um we do a school-wide barbecue um and we end the day with a kickball game that's centered around our math our map growth our measures of academic progress or our testing that we do uh where we celebrate students' growth that they've made uh on on the test. And and it's very uh pointed in particular how we can go about doing that where we identify some students that have made top growth they're able to everybody it's a event that everybody gets to participate in, but there's kind of little accolades for students
026that have made like significant growth measures. So, it's it's a fun uh way to to uh you know, end the day and it's a just a day full of cool engaging activities for students. It's this Friday. Uh so, just in a couple days and I encourage you to uh come on up and check it out. And uh it's pretty pretty neat to see. My favorite day of the year at the middle school. All right, so then I have a couple more. I have our uh annual and this will be taking place at Adams School, but our uh annual fifth sixth grade track meet. Um so, we have sixth graders that will be attending that that's a long standing uh event that is scheduled for uh May 27th uh with a rain date of uh May
02728th. And so, we'll be sending sixth graders uh there. We don't have any fifth graders obviously, but fifth graders from the elementary schools will be will be joining uh the meet. Um and then I have my eighth grade celebration, which is scheduled for Monday uh June 15th uh from 6:00 to 9:00 and historically uh you know, board members have reached out to the superintendent if they're uh interested in in coming and can can you know help coordinate that. We'll have a if you're interested in coming to attend that event, we'll have you know seats up front for you. So, you can you can come in you know have a place to sit and and see the ceremony. It goes from 6:00 to 9:00 but the ceremony I always speak to about an hour. Um it's
028a you know it's a a goal of mine always. Nobody wants to see me talking up there for uh extended amount of time. So, we keep that to an hour then we follow it by a uh with a dance for them for the eighth graders. Um I said only two more things but I guess I made a mistake there. I have award ceremonies as well. Uh those are taking place the following day. I'm really excited that the celebration and the awards and ceremonies are on different days this year. That's a that's a fair of a day when they're on the same days but we have award ceremonies for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders respectively throughout the morning of the 16th. That's a half day, the final day uh for students and uh partici- students receiving
029an award receive a mailing uh so their families can come in watch them receive that award. Um I covered that. Half day and final day. Yeah, we end with you know faculty and staff on Wednesday the 17th as you guys probably know. We do a um annual luncheon uh for staff where we get some rewards to staff and we recognize years of service and we kind of celebrate the year together. And then uh that's faculty and staff teachers final day is following day Thursday uh 6:18. I think that's everything. Lots of >> Just like Adam said a lot of you know it's kind of a sprint to the finish line. A lot of lot of fun milestones along the way and uh it's a blur. >> Thank you both. >> Cool. We're going to flow
030we look forward to >> Yeah. >> Uh up next on the agenda item seven teachers and support staff function. >> Uh that's actually we're going to strike that. Um the teachers have not ratified their contract yet. So, that they'll have to come back next week, or next month. >> Okay. Um Superintendent's report. >> Um Tim, a man of few words. >> He likes his one-pagers. >> So, um first of all, he's not here tonight. He is attending the Superintendent's conference. Um so, he is he went up there tonight um and will be there Thursday and Friday. So, I'm sure when he returns, he will have um some things to share. Um so, he's looking forward to that and I'm excited for him to to go to that and to connect with some of his fellow
031superintendents. Um the only thing that he really wanted to emphasize was Well, first of all, from just my perspective, I want to thank the middle school in particular because I know the panel students went there and had a phenomenal time. The the students that were on the panel were just so well-spoken and very informative. It really eases a lot of the stress that our sixth-graders feel and maybe some anxiety about going to the middle school next year. But, the day is always a really great day and your staff and your students that are there just do a really great job of welcoming welcoming them. And I got to witness that, too. So, that was really really nice. >> I should have said this Don't mean to interrupt, but that school counselors do I give credit
032where credit's due. Just like the career fair, they do all all that organization and that planning with students kind of practicing questions and things and you know, just making sure that, you know, it's it's the same. So, thank you. >> Yeah, you can go. Um the only thing that Tim wanted to share was that he really encouraged and extended an invite to all of to all of you to reach out if you can attend either of the graduation ceremonies. He wants you to reach out to the school so that they're aware that you're coming and they can set aside some seating. Um I mean, it's great if you want to give him a heads-up, too, but just in particular, reach out to the school so so they can be prepared to welcome you there and
033as was shared June 5th and June 15th both at 6:00. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> And that is all I have for that. >> Could I ask you if you do when you reach out so if you could reach out to myself and Sarah Hollister for the middle school and Sarah Hollister will she will be on it. Sometimes my emails get a little little wonky through the day and Sarah keeps me on on track so if you could reach out to us both that'd be great. >> I'll give my version of Christine Chris message and say reach out to myself and Christina Gabers at the high school and I will try to be as responsive as I can but I trust she will be much more responsive so we'll have places for you. >> All
034right, next on the Thank you. Next on the agenda would be the SVSU report. I realized in looking through the packet for tonight's meeting that last month when we were to give an SVSU report I missed one key item that I think would be nice to to have here in in the minute in the minutes for the MAU board and that is in the I believe it was the April meeting of the SVSU board. We had Richard Bump who has been giving our do had done our minutes for I can't remember how many years it was exactly but a very very very long time. Um had retired and so the board recognized all of his work. Um and certainly all of us on the MAU board benefited from his work over the years too so
035I wanted it to be known here as part of the MAU board our appreciation of all the work that Mr. Bump did um for us over the years. Um for the chair's report I don't have much other than one thing that it was requested that I bring up and that is to ask all board members to make themselves available for a special meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd. Purpose of the meeting would be to hold an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. So, it doesn't have a time. I would trust probably 5:30, 5:30 our normal time. Again, Wednesday >> to be a Zoom option, right? >> Again, Wednesday, June 3rd. 5:30 p.m. And that's all I have. Next on the agenda would be for your information, budget status report, and treasurer's report. I don't either
036of them needed input back in. They were there to be posted. >> Are there warrants to sign? >> I think I usually do. And we have an executive session. >> And we have an executive session. So, um with that, may I have motion as per the SD section 313A1 for contracts to move into executive session. >> I motion >> Second. I'll make the motion. >> One first motion Motion made by Glenn, seconded by Dave. Any discussion? >> Okay. >> Can you invite the superintendent? >> Oh, and as part of that, and if you need to amend your >> I would amend it to include the assistant superintendent. >> Thank you very much. All right, any discussion on that? All right, hearing none. All those in favor. >> I. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? All right.
037And will there be action coming out of >> Yes. >> There will be action. >> You're good. >> All right, so coming out of executive session, what I need from um what I need is a motion to empower the SBSU representatives to negotiate a salary increase for non-union employees of the MAU. >> May I have that motion? >> Motion made by Beth. >> Seconded by Nelson. >> Any discussion? All right, um all those in favor? >> Aye. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? Okay, sounds like it's unanimous. Um with that I believe we have exhausted our agenda. May I have a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Motion made by Dave, seconded by Glenn. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Those opposed? Any abstentions? Thanks, everyone. >> I'll give you a tour
038of this magnificent building. >> Uh-huh. >> I'll give you a tour.