001Good evening everyone. It's 7 p.m. Today is Tuesday um October 14th already. So we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order and we'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. Please rise. Ready, begin. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Music] >> Okay, Dr. Finch, any changes to the agenda? Yes, we're actually going to remove 8D, the resolution. We'll remove that and we'll bring it to the board at the next uh board meeting. We had some additional information about the um impact of the lowering of the tax rate by the defeasence of the 7.5 million uh lowering the tax rate for taxpayers. So, we're going to uh do some additional work
002and make sure that that is uh appropriate as we bring it forward to have the lower tax rate. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. mention also moving on to item five, communications, response to public comment. >> That's included as a placeholder. >> Okay. And item 5B, staff retirement recognition. >> Is Tina White here this evening? Is Tina here? Okay. Well, we wanted to recognize Tina White. She's retiring from the West Valley School District. Six years of service as a parent educator at West Valley High School. So, we can give her a positive clap. [Applause] All right. Thank you. We'll move on to item six on the agenda. School presentation. Tonight we have some of you elementary and principal a less. >> Yes. Very good. We'll go ahead and have the board join the audience. See
003the overhead and have the presentation by our students. I see student leadership here this evening. Before I let the student leadership uh start off, I just want to give a huge thank you to the school board for supporting having a behavior specialist in every building. I cannot tell you how much, and I love that you show to my Jenny, how much we appreciate her here. Um, it's not easy being a kid. And while some kids do school, they do school, other kids, they come in and they need big, big support. And by having heard here every day, I know that when we're having conversations of, hey, we maybe need to get a FBA or a BIP, or we need that, she's not going to be like, yeah, I'll try to be there on Tuesday. And
004then she says, sorry, I'm being called out. And while we have had amazing behavior people in the district for many years, their spread so thin and we are seeing the results here at Summit View and I have um I have two statements I just was talking about couple um one of these kids has come back from the behavior program and another just tough I could probably talk to everybody at some of you that could have given me a statement but um a huge thank Thank you, Megan Jennings, for being the driving force behind our behavior interventions at Summit View. Her presence in the building daily has made such a difference, not just for the students that she supports, but for the skills and support she has given to the entire staff. She's really coaching us,
005and that has been great, too. She helps to ensure that the classroom is a safe learning environment for all students, allowing teachers to focus on instruction. She shows up every day with patients care and an incredible ability to connect with kids even in tough moments. Whether she is helping deescalate a situation, reaching out to parents, collecting critical data that drives the program, giving a student a safe space to reset, or just offering a calm, steady presence, she does it all with heart and purpose. Her support has meant the world to me this year. She steps in without hesitation, offering patience, perspective, and hands-on help that's made a huge difference. And then this is from another teacher. So View Elementary is so fortunate to have Megan Jennings as our behavior specialist. Megan is extremely knowledgeable about
006students with intense behavior needs while being very calm and kind. Megan has very high expectations for behavior implementing check in check out along the preview program and providing the much needed scaffolds for our students. This also provides consistency and the shares of expectations and supports are clear across the school. Students are included in their general education classrooms but provided support when needed. Along with other self practices in our school, we are creating an environment for all students to find success every day. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> So then with that, this is my 12th year as principal at San Elementary. Um and I have wanted to leadership program started for so long and for just this reason, that reason, whatever it was, it just never came to fruition until last year. And maybe it's cuz
007I had these four women plus, you know, Katy Hury and Fil, the former leadership figures through the West Valley School of History. A piece of that passion along with Kim Began and Susan Olden who are just passionate about kids. So, With that, I'm going to turn it over to these guys about Oh, wait. Before leadership t-shirts, logo created by West Valley High School graphic design and printed by West Valley High School students and maybe a typically goes in big high stress moments. Technology is new in so leadership kids are going to come up here so you can see their beautiful faces. They will not be pictured on the screen. It is not doing its thing. Um, >> what was my test? >> So, that's okay. They the slides are in the minutes. So, if you
008want to see some beautiful pictures and some bullet points of what we're going to say today, you can go look at those there. Um, but these are our lovely kids and they're going to tell you a little bit about what we do at Summit View as a leadership group. >> Do you want the microphone? You guys you guys voices can be >> very [Music] uh what I like about some of your leadership is that we get to bond with the teachers a little bit more and the fact that we get to have the whole experience of some of you. [Music] Um, one thing that I like about um being a community um Eagle Leader is probably helping a lot with the teachers because we get to do a lot of fun stuff and just help
009around with the school. Um, I like to be some of you on leadership because I like to um help out around the school and yeah, >> go ahead and Hello, my name is Angie Bio and I I'm a part of this leadership and I think it's the best thing to be in. I want to become part of leadership because I think it would be very cool to say that I'm part of the team that's hard to get into. Also things that we get to do with leadership is in my opinion it's super fun to do like being the recess rooms after recess ends or being to hand out awards during awards assembly or being do more announcements. Lastly, I think that leadership is so fun to be a part of Jacob. >> One thing I
010love about leadership is helping other kids by holding doors and handing out awards. So, some things that our leadership kids do, they hold the doors after recess for all three sets of doors when we have 500 kids coming in. It's a big help to get kids in efficiently and effectively. And they've done a really good job of not only holding those doors, but helping grade levels come in calmly and get ready back for class. um they pass out awards during our awards ceremonies so that Miss Les can be focused on getting those next kids and getting through those awards so we can get everybody celebrated. Um and also nutrition. >> Okay. So they they worked last year we um worked with child nutrition on the menu um when some they were incorporating some of the
011different menu options. They were some examples before the child nutrition came. We had the nutrition kids taste the food. Also on Fridays, the majority of them and other classmates go to classrooms and first grade classrooms to do like art project or any kind of activity and reading with the kids, the kindergarters as well. Um, so it's kind of just like it starts with the leadership kiss as beginning to like do the helping out, show the leadership, but then it kind of ties into the rest of the fifth graders where they're able to go to the other um littles and like the class, the kinder first grade classrooms just to kind of show them um what it is. >> And one of the biggest things that they do is our expectation walks. So, at the beginning
012of the year and then throughout the year when we have those long breaks and need reminders of what it looks like to be a kid in school, we walk around to specific places in our school to remember what does it look like to come in from recess. What does it look like to walk on the stairs? There are all of them that we take them one by one, not four by however many you want to go by. Um, so our leadership kids get the opportunity to present what they know in front of their peers from kindergarten to fifth grade. And you've seen them speak here today. You can tell that they've been practicing and that they've had that opportunity to share in front of their peers, which is awesome. >> I think that's about >>
013I just wanted to ask since you guys are our second group, when you saw the first group of leadership kids, what went through your mind? >> The light. Um, I thought that it was uh really cool and that they were great leaders and it just made me want to be one. >> I thought the first thing that came to my head is like, cool, I want to be one of those things and I looked up to them all year, crossing my fingers that I'd be one of them. >> Um, I thought that it was really cool cuz they got to hold the doors and give out awards and I wanted to be on my ship. I thought it was really interesting that I get to learn a bit more on like how to hold doors,
014bending out words, and also I found it easier to go into it because I've already been helping my mom and some other teachers with like stuff like getting stuff, stuff like that. >> Okay, Andrew. I think that seeing the people of last year's leadership made me think that I think that they were great and a lot and the rest of the school and I think that leadership >> and last year we connected their leadership skills that they're learning here to the real world. We took a field trip to Cheers and they told us all about how important leadership is within their business model and then got to test their product. >> Do you guys have any questions for our awesome kiddos? >> So, just fifth graders, right? And uh what what's the is the selection
015process, application process? How did you how did you all get to be selected to be up front? Um, I think it's like for the kids that were showing respect, making good decisions, and solving problems. >> Well, congratulations then for being selected. >> Jacob, go. >> I think it's also kind of your teacher thought you would you have lots of leadership skills that would help you be better at leadership. I think it was also in just the showing evil standards and being kind and respectful. >> Um, I think that they our fourth grade teachers picked kids that they thought that were doing really good in class, helping out a lot and being good. >> I think they picked kids who were slightly more experienced with leadership. So like through third and fourth grade they might have
016been leaders in their projects. >> Well, you're all very articulate to speak in front of a group of adults mainly. So congratulations to all of you. >> We do have 15 kids. So this is a small sample of our kids and they are chosen um with our fourth grade teachers help since I don't get to meet many of them until their final year here. >> I have another >> Yes. That's really nice. You have 15 students this year. >> Yeah. >> And we actually are kind of in a process right now. We got some new fifth graders in that are brand new to us who had they been here K4 or even just even fourth grade pro might have been excellent candidates. And so we're kind of in the process of we probably add a
017few more kids, right? And it is it does, you know, really tie into the whole culture of safety and walking. >> The other thing we do is on the lake days, we they come and eat um lunch with us. So we and then that's kind of when we do the business and what things they want to do and what their interest and so that's like our last thing. >> So students from some of you leadership, we have two students from our high school leadership that are members of the school board. So Gracie is here as a student leader from the high school. Maybe you want to share up at the high school that something they could look forward to. Not Gracie, sorry, Georgia. Why? She looks just like my niece whose name is Grace. Georgia.
018Georgia from the high school. Maybe share about the high school leadership. >> Yeah. Um at our high school, it's a class that we take during the day. Um, for me it's my sixth period and we do all sorts of stuff and it is so much fun. We don't do a lot of door holding, but we do sometimes. >> There's a lot more kids up there. Um, we we just made some arts and crafts for teacher appreciation. Um, we just had a homecoming. We help plan dances and we help plan fun activities like volleyball games after school. Um, and every football game we help organize spirit days, um, all sorts of stuff. And so I encourage you guys to keep doing leadership into middle school because the teacher is great and I had her and I
019loved her. >> So Georgia, thank you for sharing. And students, that's something you can look forward to as you go to the middle school and the high school. There's always a need for student leadership. >> So I have a question just um, if you start talking about it. What is the transition process? I mean, is this a one-year program and then what happens at the end of the year if you want to continue the next year? How does that work? >> Currently, we're a one-year program. We'd have to connect with the middle school a little bit more to make that happen, but they do have leadership opportunities for seventh and eighth graders at the middle level. >> They have advisory reps for sixth grade. It it does the kids like how they were explaining they
020start seeing it as last year was the first year when they saw the picture so they kind of start looking up to it. So like fourth graders they kind of start getting ready for that. Like Andrew for example he started helping a little bit last year with the yearbook stuff and it's just kind of cool um how they started to kind of see things and just follow the others. And just share again for our students here that is Tiffany Williams who teaches leadership at our middle school. So you'll have opportunity at the middle school to be a leader and at the high school as you heard. >> I look forward to seeing all your faces. >> Yeah, it's great. [Applause] >> Can I let these guys Well done. [Music] >> Sorry, Georgia. >> It's okay.
021>> My goodness. >> You caught yourself. It's okay. Good catch. >> All right, we'll give them a minute to exit here. >> Thank you. [Applause] All right. Next on the agenda, item uh six after the school presentation is public comment. And again, I will read the disclaimer here. Uh members of the public who would like to provide public comment will sign in. Speakers will be called in the order that they signed in to speak. Speakers will be given three minutes for their comments. Public comment is not the proper form to address concerns about a specific staff member. If a person has a concern about a specific staff member, they should make an appointment with the superintendent to address their concerns. So, with that, we'll go ahead and first we have Miss Mole. Heidi, are you
022there? >> Yep. Do we have a microphone or no? >> I think we >> What? >> No, there's the microphones on the cameras. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, though I just wanted to make sure we got audio. All right. Thanks. Um, good evening members of the board. My name is Heidi Mokll. Um, I wear many hats in the district, but tonight most importantly, as a parent, um, I'm also a staff member, a taxpayer, a voter, and a committed member of this community. I'm here to express deep concern about the revision to the procedure that happened last spring regarding policy 2020 uh which addresses the instructional materials committee which states that parent and community member positions on the instructional materials committee may no longer be filled by a staff member who is also a parent. Let's
023call this what it is, discriminatory and exclusionary. I reviewed the recorded board meetings from last year and at no point did I see a discussion regarding this happen in public. So that um leads me to believe it was a um secret discussion. By enforcing this policy, you're sending a message that district employees who are also parents are somehow less valid in their roles as stakeholders. But my employment does not cancel out my identity as a parent, nor my rights as a private citizen, nor my responsibilities as a taxpayer in this district. This policy effectively tells staff parents, you work here. You can you can trust us with your children, but you may not fully participate in decision-making as parents because of where you collect your paycheck. Mr. Heed, Mr. Wilcott, and Mr. Kart, during your
024campaigns, you emphasize that parents are the primary stakeholders, but now that you're seated, it seems that only some parents qualify, specifically those who aren't employees. That's a contradiction I hope you'll recognize. The district speaks often of equity, inclusion, and honoring stakeholder voice. This policy runs counter to all three. It silences and sidelines a group of highly informed, deeply invested parents simply because they serve the district professionally. I urge you to reconsider this policy revision. Don't force parents to choose between serving their children and serving their schools. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Next, we have Brad. Is it Heiser? >> Hansen. I'm sorry. Are you Mr. Hansen? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Do I need to come up there? >> It would be helpful. Thank you. >> Perfect. First time caller, long
025time listener. Uh, good afternoon, school board. Uh, my name is Brad Hansen. Uh, my both my kids attend West Valley Middle School and West Valley High School, and I'm here today to talk about the bond issuance, in particular, the absence of an upgrade to the middle school auditorium in that bond issuance. Um, currently there's approximately 1,200 students at the middle school, sixth, seventh, and eth. Of that, about 500 are in band and choir. Um, simply put, you have a 40-year-old auditorium. And um I am of the understanding that that auditorium is not meant to be refurbished or um I guess completely renovated with the potential bond issuance that's going on to ch to uh upgrade the middle suite. Um the square footage of that auditorium doesn't allow for the band to fit. It doesn't allow
026for the choir to fit and it limits the size and kinds of productions that they're able to do for theater. um watching my kids grow up as uh as a trombonist and a saxoponist. Um we find ourselves on the uh elementary school or the middle school gym floor for sixth grade and end up trekking ourselves up to the high school for seventh and eighth. Um my understanding is that there's a discussion about maybe upgrading the auditorium or um looking at the plans of this after the bond is passed. I don't know how I think about that. Um, I will say that if there is a discussion and that doesn't fit in, we all know things down the road generally don't cost less than they do today. Um, so with inflation and other things, I would
027just say that including the auditorium upgrade now is a financially prudent move if the district is invested in the arts and a space for middle schoolers to perform both safely and successfully. So, I hope you guys will consider that. I really appreciate all you do. Thanks for listening to me. >> Thank you. Thank you for your comment, Mr. Hansen. And I think that's it. I don't see anyone else on the list, so I will open it up to anyone in the audience who would like to make a public comment at this point. All right. If if not, public comment is closed. We will go on to item eight on the agenda, action items. Um we can start with the approval of minutes. Is this a consent agenda or n these are just individual? >> Yeah,
028take take ABC take them separately. >> Take them separately. All right. So first we have the approval of minutes from the September 23rd 25 board meeting. Um and then we also have minutes from the October 20 October 1st community forum. So if there's no discussion on any of these items, we'll entertain a motion to approve these items. >> So move. >> All right, we have a motion to approve both um the approval of minutes for the September 23rd and October 1st board meeting and community forum. We'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries 5. Next we have approval of travel requests. And there are two items there. Uh I will open it up if anyone has any comment or any concern that they wish
029to raise at this point. Otherwise again I will entertain a motion to approve those two items. >> I'll make a motion to approve those two items. >> All right. Uh thank you Mr. Keart. So we have approval of travel request for Haley Moon and for Dr. Finch. We'll go ahead and take a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries 5-0. Next, we have approval approval of jumpstart credit. Um, there is I think an item in the packet there if anyone again had any question on that. I don't Is there anything new in this particular Dr. Finch? >> Well, just it was included in the cover memo, but there was a review of the classes done last spring. Uh, as a as a result of that review,
030we have taken the art classes off of the list. And so this is an updated list for the school year. Uh the recommendation by the administration is to approve the jump start credits as presented. >> All right. Thank you. There are no particular questions on this. I'll entertain a motion to approve the jump start credit. >> I'll make a motion to approve the jump start credit. >> Thank you, Mr. Heed. We have a motion to approve the jump start credit. We'll go ahead and take a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries 5. We are I guess striking item D for this meeting. >> Correct. Well, we move I uh 8D. >> Okay. So, we'll move on to AE approval of OSSI school improvement plans
031um for the middle school and the virtual academy. So again, if there are questions or comments anyone would like to make, it's time to make them. Otherwise, I will entertain a motion to approve those two items, the West Valley middle mid-level campus and West Valley Virtual Academy on school improvement plans. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Corner. We'll go ahead and take a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries 5. Moving on. All right. Next, we have discussion. Item nine on the bond proposal. Um, capital projects. There's a PDF in your package. Um, would anyone like to start a discussion here? Or Dr. Fish, do you have anything you would like to say? >> Well, we have the community forum and so this is our
032first uh board meeting after the forum. I wanted to give the board time to have a discussion and kind of process what we heard at the forum. So opportunity to do that here under item A bond proposal. After that we would have uh time for discussion about the levy proposal as well. Uh at the forum all the comments were about the bond. Uh there were no comments about the levy at that time but we do need to eventually make a decision coming soon. Uh no no need for a decision tonight but uh probably at our next meeting. It'd be nice to get direction from the board so that we can begin working on what the language will be that's presented to voters because that language needs to be approved at a future uh board meeting
033as well. So, we're kind of in the development process, but wanted to give the board time to discuss the community forum and what you heard there. >> Dr. Finch, what would be the ideal time if you were to put like a time frame of the steps? So next board meeting ideally to approve levy and bond resolution. >> No, the next meeting would be to give direction to the administration on what the timeline would we on on when to take the bond and the levy to the voters and then what the amount should be and then we could come back at the meeting in November and have that language for the um that would go on the ballot. have that language approved by the board at that time. >> Yeah. >> So, it' be giving direction
034to the administration ideally at our next board meeting uh at the end of October. >> Yeah. >> And then we come back in November and you make the approval of that language in November. >> Well, I I I shared with Dr. French earlier, but um as best as we can um uh you I want to see levy and bond passed and obviously the bond has a harder harder road to pass because you got to have 60% rather than 50. Um but um when I consider the uh the economic temperature, you know, around our valley and stuff and just from our voters um talking outside of um ju just in the public, I think April would be a more ideal time to run for the the hope of it passing and getting the 60%. Um I
035think uh the just that that economic temperature I think would be at a better place and my hope is that both of them pass. Um I think I talked to Mr. McDaniel um he brought up a good point um in that um we need if the levy does not pass then you need a plan B or you need to be able to adjust um you know finances based on the deficit that come from the levy not passing. I do think we have a pretty solid chance of seeing the levy passes. The bond's going to be the hard thing. But my my thoughts have been to maybe go for an April um month for that ballot, but I'm curious what you guys were your thoughts on. >> Yeah, I I agree with you. I think that
036getting the levy to pass and the bond to pass are important. I'd like to see them run at the same time. I think if we do it in January, then we can calibrate if it doesn't pass. But it's things that we don't know in April. It's things that we can't predict and then we don't know how to react to it. I'd rather get it out first and then see how to react and maybe they both pass. And if we get them both pushed at the same time, we have a better chance of getting everyone out just for the vote. >> February, not January. >> Yeah. I I I think I sort of think the same thing. What we heard from the consultants was that you had a better chance of passing both if you're aiming
037for that one place. And if I remember right, even the high school bond uh it failed the first time and you worked really hard and got it passed I think two or three months later actually. >> Right. >> We didn't wait a long time. So you >> you know you could actually look at it again in April, May, June if you needed to. >> Mhm. I think it's a more targeted approach if you don't take it. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't I know what you're saying, but I'm I'm not sure I'm I'm just weighing what the consultant said about you have a better chance because you're you're pushing toward one goal. >> Yeah. >> You were >> No, I I I I concur with that. Um it's not really what the consultants said. It's
038what the consultants shared with us from a data analysis perspective. It's not their opinion, it's statistical analysis. And so, you know, I I I think obviously as school board members, you know, the the we represent the community, we we we feel the temperature, all of the things that Mr. Kart mentioned are are are valid. Um but statistically uh the information that we've received is is that um we have a higher likely of passing them both running them together in the month of in the month of February. Um with regard to the high school, uh that was my recollection. Some of you in Apple Valley's bond um uh passed in February in the February election um and at least as far back as I can remember relative to the levy, we've always run those and had
039a very high degree of success in the month of February. So again, not to discount uh the feelings um things come up in conver you know taxes come up every single day of my life in as as in my in my job. So I I can certainly appreciate that. Um but on the levy side of things um it's it's very concerning. Um um uh I also had conversations and and uh with Mr. McDaniel and Dr. Finch today about what happens if we don't pass in if we if we wait on the levy and then it doesn't pass in a in April, some of the budgetary and staffing consequences associated with with that. And so um hopefully we don't have to go through that. But um uh again uh our our history as a district and
040the and the statistical uh information that has been provided to us uh um state in statewide elections for bonds and levies. Um I I I lean toward uh a February February ballot for both. Yeah, I I also find myself in agreement with the three of you, not to take anything away from your argument, Mr. Kefart. Um, you know, it's it's good to go through the exercise of what if what if this doesn't work or what if this does work. I mean, we need to to really seriously evaluate those things. Um, I do feel we have done a good job of that. Our our consultant um and Mr. Thorner pointed out quite accurately. I was actually going to say that. I don't know that that would say it was his recommendation, but he was basing that
041information on the analysis of previous data from I don't know how many years, but I think it's a longitudinal piece of information that is valuable to us in terms of making this decision. And then I go back to one of my age-old arguments that I have made along for many years for a long time is that every delay that we make costs go up. Um, and I think I heard somebody talk about that earlier. Even though it's just a few months that we're talking about, you you still have to look at the planning phases and stages of it, what impact does that delay have on maybe people are gone during the summer when we have to, you know, get in and get approval for certain things from the city or whoever. So, I don't think
042we want to delay on this. And the other factor that, you know, really crosses my mind is, you know, we're we're we're giving back a big chunk of money to the community. And I think that's a fantastic thing. So, this is a good time to, you know, build upon that success that we've talked about before and trying to go back and say, see what we've done with this and we want to do it again for our community and our students. The more we wait, the longer we wait, things begin to fade and time passes and all sorts of things happen. So, I think that we should go with our initial idea and plan, which was to introduce and try to get these things on the ballot for February. I mean, history has proven that that
043is really the most effective time to try and do it. So, I I I stand with my other colleagues on the board and going for that date. But again, value your input there and your thought. >> No, and I'm glad Yeah, I'm glad I'm just glad we're having the conversation. And so, I'm um I I do see that more value in April, but I would 100% support you guys in that. And um um I think with the board majorities for that, let's I would I would support in going for February, you know, cuz I do Yeah, I think Mr. McDaniel made some really good points about, you know, if you have to pivot and adjust. Um then >> it gives us some time to do those kinds of things if we we know early enough.
044So >> I want to ask does anybody have any specific comments or questions or discussion on levy? Because we did Dr. spent shared some new information in Mr. McDaniel um recently. So, this is a time to discuss that if there's any thoughts that I haven't had a whole lot of time to digest it cuz I got it yesterday like most of you, but has anyone had any initial impressions. >> So, I'm I'm totally good about talking about the levy. I do have two other things that I'd like to say about the No. And and and these are not like uh these are just some thoughts that I've had since the community forum and not so much about the timing but a couple of things that we've talked about and I just uh not necessarily for
045resolution but but I throw them out for the for the good of the order. So, number one is um I I believe we received um some correspondence um from somebody that did not attend um our community forum uh and they said a number they they made a number of really good points and and um I don't think this is is is part of a bond resolution uh in the language itself, but one of the things that they they they indicated was um having uh a bond oversight committee which we we had uh done with um Apple Valley and Summit Pew and I and I and I largely view that as a as as a positive uh good process um that that that we did. I would encourage uh uh I again I don't think that's
046part of the bond resolution, but I would encourage the board to um go through that similar sort of process. Um we had It wasn't just the committee. It was the people on that committee that made it really work. It was just some really smart uh highquality individuals that had a a diverse range of experience uh with uh finance and and building and construction. Um and so it wasn't just the fact that we had a committee, but it was the individuals that made that committee up that were that made that very very positive. And I think that's important. So um I did want to say uh that for the for for everyone's edification. Second thing um um about the bond resolution itself and and I believe um we had an earlier discussion and and Dr. Finch
047conferred with our legal counsel about putting some uh language in at the end of the resolution that says that if there are remaining bond if there are remaining proceeds that those would be defeased back to the taxpayers. Um and if that language is in there, I'm going to vote for it. I'm not going to say no, we're not voting for that. I I I think that's fine. The only thing that I would throw out for um just consideration about is is whether or not that is going to generate the desired effect that we hope to achieve. And here's what I mean by that. Um there were a number of reasons why we have remaining bond proceeds uh at in in the Apple Valley and some of the feed project. Um, if we have that language,
048would it encourage us not to be financially prudent and spend every single dollar of it, whether we would knowingly do that or not? And so I I I again, I'm not saying that we shouldn't put that in there. I just think I just offer that for everyone's consideration about whether or not that's prudent to put in. Not that we wouldn't strive for that. Um that but uh I just throw that out for consideration. Again, if that's if that is not enough to stop me from oh no, I'm not going to vote on if that's in I'm not saying that at all. I'm just I'm just raising that for consideration. >> Wasn't there a legality about not being able to put that wording in? >> It was a question that I had and Dr. Finch conferred
049with our council and we actually can put that in and since then and you know I do a lot of driving in my car and figured out a lot of things and so uh uh it just just something that occurred to me that I wanted to share with the rest of the the board for for your consideration. Thank you. >> I I appreciate your thoughts on the bond oversight committee. Sorry. Um I I Mr. Thor I've given that a lot of thought as well and you know my previous positions on some of those things. Um I think I agree with what you're essentially saying is that um my biggest concern is by having language that says we will do that. We lock oursel into we could get into minutia. Suppose all that's left is a
050couple hundred,000 in a big bond like that. Are we going to spend the money to try and figure out how to defease it? Or could we better save time and be more efficient by just using that small amount? That's one question that comes to mind because this last go around was pretty unusual to have that kind of money left over. I I mean, I don't think we've really heard of that happening before and so it made sense to defeat a big chunk of that money. Um, I would just be concerned about locking oursel into something and suppose there was, you know, near the end of this an emergency that came up that we couldn't foresee. You know, we could still go back to the taxpayers and talk to them about it before doing anything. That's
051always an option and it's always the option is always still there to defease the funds if we so choose to do it. But locking ourselves into it, I don't know if that's our our best choice. So, I hear your language and I those are good points to make and I'm just adding to them. I don't I'm like you. I'm not saying I wouldn't vote for it if it were there. I'm just simply pointing out the wisdom of trying to not lock ourselves into one posture or another because where we are today might not be where we are in two and a half years. It could be totally different. And so the circumstances could dictate what we should really do, but we wouldn't be able to with language that says this is what we must do.
052So I just bring that up as, you know, I'm sure all of you have thought of that and considered it, but it's something that, you know, in what we're doing here with the school district, we want to be very careful. I think >> I don't want to get into too much minutia with this and I'm going to >> but but another option sort of in between the two is have a percentage of >> that's an option too. I agree with you >> from here on. Yeah, we can use that and but if it's tons of money, no, we can't give it back. So we I think we can word it with our council to make it balanced. I I think we should have some and and this is just my thought and I'm just spewing
053it out on spur of moment. I haven't had time to add additional thoughts to it, but I think it should be largely dependent on how much money is left over that we're talking about instead of >> a flat we're going to do this regardless. I I just think that makes more sense overall. I don't think I agree. >> Yeah. I don't I don't I mean I don't necessarily want to put language in there that locks us in. Um you know, I think anytime you do any type of a project, you're going to have unforeseen costs that come even after you finish the project, whereas like, oh, we got to go back and do that or that got missed. Um you know, so I don't I wouldn't want to have language that would lock us in.
054But I think communicating that the intention that if there are remaining funds and these projects are completed that we intend to defeze that. I think communicating that to the public and our the people that um support West Valley is really important. But I I wouldn't want to necessarily have a language that would lock us in, I guess. Um, >> yeah, I I totally agree with it and I think that's the avenue I'm advocating for as we communicate with the comm community with the community. Find out what's on their mind, what they feel, present to them all the options. Let them know financially where we are, what's ahead of us in terms of projects and things that either need to be done, must be done, or are nice to do. You know, those kinds of things.
055And let them weigh in on the final decision. I I think that's critically important. So, I'll stop talking here because I could go on and on. Well, I got I got questions for you for for you guys. Um, when you the bond oversight committee, >> what was the process that went into selecting that? >> Boy, uh, I bet Mr. Marini could probably answer that better than better than better than better than me. But as I as I recall, um, as I recall, we have an application process. um if it's okay uh if I mean we don't normally ask the public to uh I don't want to I don't want to misspeak but if it's okay with the board I know Mr. Marinaci could probably weigh in if it if it if it's okay with >>
056it's okay. This is an exception just given what we're talking about. >> We have a member of the bond oversight committee here. I think some other ones I was going to say I think some other ones do. Yeah. Now there's >> Where's the mic? >> It's just you'll pick it up. >> Well, apparently I owe Mr. Thorn a check of them. They offer the the compliments earlier. Um, I do think that it was a combination of having a committee and the people who are on it. I think there was a core of us at the and there four of us that were very engaged. Um, and not saying I'll do it the next time, but I would recommend having a bond oversight committee. And Mr. Strong, you might remember one July when I did a
057follow-up report, you asked me the question why it's so difficult to get people involved. you really have to have the board empower this group of people to feel like they have a say and that's why it worked. if it's just um you know a group of folks that are more like a show piece, it it it doesn't work. And I truly think that some of the benefits of the group and the feedback that we provided to the project manager and the folks at the time really did lead to some good stuff like the trail around you know uh the walkway like stuff just came up and there were some unfortunate things that came up but we you know we dealt with it. So I do think having a bond oversight uh to that point it
058uh it was opened up I think the mistake that was made the first time through it was opened up after the project manager and the architect was chosen and I think it should be uh set up before then so they have a say on that as part of the process. Those are two fundamental things that are taking place and the school district is entering into the contract. could be the same firm, but they should be involved in that process as opposed to afterwards. So, I'd suggest that as well and as long as I'm up here just hearing the discussion, um I think you definitely need to put in the language in there that some amount will be returned to taxpayers cuz all this discussion is just like a movie. If you don't and maybe put
059a governor 500,000. >> Yeah. >> Not as keen on the percentage. I think a static amount because all you're going to do is relive the hardship. >> Of people questioning why is there access if there's unforeseen cost there always is on construction projects that's prior to. So in other words, all the cost. The typical contract that you have with the contractor is going to include a budget for contingencies. So that's already embedded. But if it goes over that, that would happen if there's excess money that's after the fact. So I like the idea of maybe putting a dollar amount. But don't none of you guys want to go through the same experience. >> So that's my the answer. No. How was the bond oversight committee selected? It was people who volunteered. They sent out a
060>> We were nominated. >> Yeah. By >> by superintendent. >> Okay. M >> that was the part that I didn't recall or remember. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> What? Um >> how many? >> So you said four. What was >> was it originally started with nine? >> Okay. And is that And so started with nine and then the other five just kind of >> keep the commitment. >> Got tired. >> Gotcha. >> of the hassles. >> So let me can I >> Yeah. Come on. Come on up. >> Come on down. >> There was nine people that were just community members, parents that were involved. also the superintendent said, "Okay, come be on this committee." Right. And I think he was using it as a showcase like what you said. Then it became clear the
061four people of us that had some industry expertise and we invested and volunteered a lot of time and became like a subject matter expert in a lot of ways because the school district had never built a big project like this before, at least like the people that were in charge at that point. So the people that weren't really experts in the industry or had some sort of knowledge kind of fell off because it got really technical. >> It got What do you say, Peter? >> Yeah. And that's what felt like >> and a big and a big time commitment, too. >> It's a big time. It's like a part-time job or >> um what what would >> Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. What What's I Maybe you don't maybe you can't say this. Um what was
062the background of some of the people that with the expertise? So, um, Peter works in finance and banking. Um, we had another person that's involved in, um, construction, project management from like a high level oversight. Um, and I work in planning and strategy for, um, large hospital capital projects. So, I built hospitals. So, building a school is somewhat similar, right? So, I looked at the floor plans for the this school that we're standing in and I looked at the analysis of um the growth projections and how and the capacity of the school and I said we don't have enough classrooms. Remember this >> and we added on four classrooms to each school. So, but I had the background of because I work in strategic planning. >> Mhm. Um, >> I'd say Cory I'd say Cory
063was really good on the project management and also he I had some previous construction claims um background from early in my career and Cory was really good at that and Steve who works at Central Washington University was involved in a whole host of building experience up there. So I'd say those were >> those are the four >> and then you had and then you had a member of the board that you know is a lawyer and doesn't know much about anything other than I can be conversant about a lot of things. So, but uh it was really the four of them that it was really the four of them with a member of the board participating assistant superintendent at the time uh also involved and and it was that and and and the committee in
064particular really did was very engaged and did a lot of work and it was um it was it it was uh it I I'll say this, it ended up being a very good process. And just to add to that, we had a monthly meeting that was public, open to a public. We took meeting, excuse me, meeting minutes. >> We we started with bylaws, >> right? >> So anyway, >> yeah. >> Well, thank you both for your time and um >> well, it's fun being in this school now. I I can't speak for it at this point, but I think having having both your your input and value and possibly being on the bond oversight committee if you can do I think your experience would help that process a lot. So I we can't decide that
065now. >> No, no, but I would definitely invite that. And when I brought that up, it was with the it was with the goal in mind that that what we had before and what what was built by this committee, not necessarily volunteering them to do it again because it was a lot of work. And we have a lot of other talented people in this school district. It's not just it's not just them. Um but uh but a lot of what they started, the things that they developed, I think we can we can replicate hopefully in in another bond passage. And and I just I I wanted to say in the in the and I would you know should the bond pass I'm not necessarily just because I won't be on the board anymore doesn't mean
066that I'm going to go away and I'm going to I will advocate for this again when it when it does pass and as to the importance but I wanted to say now while I'm still on the school board that that um and to Mr. Marinaci's point is I I think is exactly right. This thing passes, we should be we should be convening uh the bond oversight committee immediately. >> Mhm. >> So anyway, but thanks for the added uh context and flavor from our audience members, which we don't normally do, but uh I think it was good. >> Okay, public comment is closed. Sorry, I I didn't mean to. So that just so so I appreciate the entertainment on my comments for the bond. Anyway, go ahead. >> Can Mr. Strong, could I ask a question
067on that same topic? >> Sure. >> Um, so um if we approve uh for the resolution for Friday or not, excuse me, for February to have it go on the ballot. Um, at what point would we begin to assemble the bond oversight committee? Would it be prior to February or would it be after the it passes or hopefully passes? >> I don't have a good answer for that, but I would think it's going to take us a little time to assemble a group in the first place. So, we might want to get as early a start as possible. Um, I would think, you know, after it after it hits the ballots, um, I think we should start. And that's my thinking. Um, Mr. Thornne, you were around when I was at the same time. Any
068other >> when we convened the bond oversight committee? >> Yeah, when we started putting it together. >> Not so much when we did, but when you know I think the the suggestion now is to prior to selecting the architect, how the builder like >> put that at what point would >> That's kind of a tough question, too. Um well, if if my memory serves correctly, um when we passed the bond, after we passed the bond, um there was a temperature, there was an appetite to convene the bond oversight committee immediately at that time. Um and it took a little it took a little bit of time and there were some selections already made. So, um, and I think if to maybe do it over again to Mr. Marinac's point, congratulations. We passed the bond. We're
069going to get started on this process, but first order of business for the board is is to install uh and empower a bond oversight committee. Um I think that's one of the first things that um maybe to do in hindsight uh from the Apple Valley and some of you project that we would have started that process maybe just a a a scoch earlier. Um because as I remember it was really not until the late summer and and fall where like the charter and the and the and so forth really came together. And I think if we could have finished that by the end of school, we would have been a little bit we would have been just that much better off. I mean, we still ended up in a good place, but I think we
070would have been better off. And and the good news is is again maximizing on some of the things that we had in the in the Apple Valley and some of you campaign. We're not having to reinvent that wheel totally. Um and we can and and we can use some of the I would hope that we could use some of those materials at least the the charter and the bylaws and so forth to to springboard us. One more thing to make a a dot on my national sorry but the importance of having the bon site committee said ahead of time is it develops a relationship with whoever the project manager is so they know that oh this school district wants them all because that's not true in most of the other school districts we found about
071and I think that didn't really get us off on the right >> right right >> path you affirm that statement >> thumbs up >> okay no I think I think that's right there any not really any downside to begin choose once the board votes on putting it on the ballot. >> It seems like at that point you begin asking folks and saying, you know, you don't want them to start heavily getting into the charter and all that until it passes, >> but at least start assembling so they can hit the ground running. Is there a downside to >> at least asking you beginning to start to solicit >> right after we pass it? Yeah. >> Well, I don't know. I I think there's some merit in not putting the cart before the horse here a
072little bit, but we do need to we do need to solicit and start looking at expertise from individuals you might be willing to serve. >> I I think the thing that maybe is I thank you for the discussion. And I I think the thing that I hear that is so encouraging is is that we seem to be in consensus that having a bond oversight committee is very important to the school board and that we want to do that because we want to do all of the right things that we can that are within our control um should we be fortunate enough to get this bond passed. And um I'm really pleased about that. Again, um we learned a lot, I think, in the last project, I think, and and where that that bond oversight committee
073really, um is a is a played a big role in our success in building this school in Apple Valley. And so, um we need to we need to evaluate what went right in the last bond campaign or in the last bond project, maximize on our strengths from that. All right, since we kind of beat that one to death, why don't we go to the uh any any thoughts on the levy since we got the information? That's kind of a pressing issue also. Do we want to discuss it now? Do you want more time to ruminate on this or how much time do we have before we need to decide on this, Dr. P? >> It'll be good to have some discussion now. Uh we still have time for discussion next meeting, but it'd be nice
074at the end of next meeting to really have some direction. so that we can then come back at the meeting in November and have the ballot language ready to approve. >> Okay. Anyone want to start on that? Um my little pack gave me in my car. >> I appreciate uh Mr. McDaniels. I think uh setting the um the assessed growth rate at 6%. Um I think it's a pretty accurate um assessment. Um my question would be so there's option one, option two, and option three. Um, are these based on on actual proposals here or are these based on the property rates go increasing? So, if you go to option two, it's levy rates $135. Option three, levy rates $1.25. Are these are these proposed rates or are these um if the values continue to increase?
075Does that make sense? That question >> I had shared with each board member separately. So, this is the first time that you have an opportunity to discuss this, but just looking at uh if you wanted to keep the rate the same and if you're looking at an assessed value increase of 6% per year, then that would generate uh funds for the district. um the point on sharing the $1.50 that would generate funds for the district and it would allow us to capture the local effort assistance the LEA funds from the state. So just for the audience um the state provides they call it levy equalization. It's assistance for um um basically the property the the districts in the Puget Sound area are considered more property rich and then areas um outside of Puget Sound are
076more property poor and so there's a you're able to raise more funds in that Puget Sound area um with the tax rate and so really it's an opportunity to have this levy equalization so that a if you're able to pass a levy at the local level then the state provides additional assistance through the local effort assistance funds. Um but to to get the maximum of that you need to be at the $150 per thousand. Um we had shared with the board separately um what would the rate look like if it's the rate $150 what would that generate if it was less than $150 was $135 or $1.25 what would that generate? And so those are just some things to consider as we're looking at the the upcoming levy. Um, and it really needs to be
077a board decision because the board represents the community. Um, and you do have a sense of what the community is going to support. Uh, you know what our needs are as a district. And as we look at a 4-year levy, we're really projecting that those funds will be collected in and then 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030. So, we're really projecting out to the end of 2030. Um, there's going to be some uncertainty on the financial situation from the state and national level. And so, the more that we can be certain of the funds that we're collecting here locally and the local effort assistance, that gives us stability as a district. I do like uh it was fun having conversations with you separately. Um, one of you had said this is actually opportunity where when we have
078a tax, it's a local tax and it's staying, that money is staying here locally and it's not going off to Olympia. It's not going off to Washington DC. It's right here with the West Valley School District. We're supporting our kids with that tax funds and it generates additional state match, basically a local effort assistance. So the funds stay here and we generate some additional funds from the state to come our way >> and we can spend it on our kids in the way that this board here decides. So there really is there really is a strong reason to try to maximize the amount of the local assistance that we get from the state. >> But we're choosing between the these three options basically at this point. We can adjust but that's >> yeah those were
079just for the board to consider. Um really it's the board will make the decision on what what is the amount that we'll put on the ballot >> and we I was giving you that information there that if it was $150 here's what the would be on the ballot and here's what it would generate from the local effort assistance. >> If it's less than $150 well here's what it would generate and here's the you know it's not the maximum of the local effort assistance but it's not totally eliminated. It's just a reduction of the local effort assistance. >> So those were just uh some scenarios to take a look at. Yeah. >> So, so just to maybe make sure that >> Sure. >> Uh I think I know what James asked and I want to make
080sure that >> I'm I'm thinking about the right thing. So, we know what the total assessed valuation for all property in the West Valley School District is for 2026. And what we did in in projecting forward is is a 6% growth to that 2026 total assessed valuation moving forward. Is that right? Okay. So, it's it started with the we just just came out with the total 2026, right? >> I think that's what you were asking. >> That's the start, >> right? I I guess I guess my question is um cuz we are going to approve not approve to go forward. I mean, I'm I'm assuming we're going to approve to go forward with the levy obviously, but we're my vote would be to get the $150 matches. And so I would say the higher amount,
081but are we choosing at this point between these amounts? >> Yeah. So un so this is the clunky part of the this is a this is sort of it not clunky, it's just the way it is. >> So when for the levy resolution to put that on the ballot, >> the ask is a total dollar amount for the for the district tax. So that whatever 9 or 10 million or whatever it says on there >> and it's a guesstimate. So if it's >> it's our best.9 million >> it's our best guess to land the plane at $1.50 but we don't write that the tax rate is $1.50 per thousand. It's an estimated tax rate >> to be precise. So, yeah. So, >> we're trying to minimize what we're I think what you're trying to say
082is you're you're you're not I don't want to put words. You're leaning toward you want to you you want to estimate that the the dollar amount that we come up with is as close to $1.50 as possible to minimize >> the uh minimize maximize the >> L. Exactly. To minimize what our loss or to maximize the LED. Exactly. So, so it could be that you use the maximum at the $150 at the tax rate, not the not the revenue. And so next year you can drop to a buck 45 based on the revenue and quote lose some of the LEA funds anyway. You're starting >> if the assess right if the assess value goes up more than that 6%. >> Right. Yeah. >> Right. That's why we we we built in that escalation of the
0836% on assessed value >> each year which we didn't have before because before it was consistent before. >> Exactly. Before it was a set number without the >> prediction of of assessed value going up and and and the actuality is that assessed value has gone up 11% over the each year for the past five years but you know over the 6% is being more conservative. >> Yeah. And I agree everything we talked about, you'd like to go to the $150 if you can, but the question was what is the feel of the community? And and that's a really tough one right now because I mean the city's asking for 6 million a year and our assessed rates have gone up quite a bit both years and and you everybody everybody I talked to is going,
084"Oh man, I can't believe how my my assessment just went skyhigh and now my taxes are going up." So, I'm hearing that, but I'm not hearing anybody say it in context of a levy. It's just they're just saying everything's more expensive tax- wise because because of the assessment. I mean, the last two years assessments >> and and it's different for different people in different areas too based on what the sale prices were general area. So, it's really hard to get it down. They can be hard to lose out on the state funds as well. I mean that >> and we don't lose them all. It's only >> I know but I think we need to take advantage of it and maximize as best we can because that represents the best avenue for our community in
085terms of taxpayer dollars what we get in return. And you know it I look at this one line it just it's it stands out more than anything. The line that says lost revenue. you look at the options two and three, you can see how much we would lose. And then you go to option one, it's all zeros across there. I mean, it makes that a very compelling argument when you see that. Um, and I agree with you, Mr. Walcott. It's what can the community stomach? What are they willing to take? You know, and that's a question we need to ask them. You know, we can talk about it all we want, but we really need to find out from them how they feel about this in whatever vehicle we can. That's, you know, that gives
086us the best opportunity to hear their voice, try to respond to it and make a good decision. You know, we have to make a balanced decision. You know, weigh it against what the community is telling us against the programs. I heard a gentleman talking about today doing something about the auditorium in the middle school. We've middle school. We've been talking about that a long time, but we need the funds to do it and we got to figure out where to get those kinds of things. Are we including that in the bond or are we including it under deferred maintenance? There's a lot of places we need to look. But all this is interrelated in the sense that money we don't spend in one other place, we may be able to use something somewhere else that
087serves some of these other purposes. So again, I'm just going to the point of and I'm agreeing with you essentially and and I think Mr. Thorn as well is trying to maximize the opportunity here by going with that $150. And >> the other thing to remember is even with the $150 and the proposed bond rate, we would still be very competitive in comparison to neighboring districts. In fact, we'd be one of the lowest and and that would continue in the future with the even with the assessed value going up, then the bond rate actually goes down even more. >> And so I think we would still be we would be very competitive in looking >> at neighboring districts. Um Yakim did just pass a levy at $2.50 50 cents per thousand. And so what we're
088looking at is the dollar 50 per thousand. >> You know, it's kind of unfortunate when you look at how much we had lost by not being there already. It kind of, you know, sticks to my crawl a bit because it would have been so easy >> at that point to really, you know, well, maybe it wasn't that easy. >> Can't say that. I know, but it feels like it could have been easier than what than what >> turned out here. But that being said, we're in a position now we try to fix what we can, but we need to do it with the blessing of the community. >> That's my only point. >> So, so timing then ideally next board meeting we would approve the resolution to go forward with um when to go on
089the ballot >> and we'd also approve levy amount >> and and is and what else would >> and the bond >> and and the bond. So >> basically you would direct the administration to bring those uh language back at the next the following meeting. >> Yeah. >> I would say you know my my thoughts is I would go for the higher option one here. Um the um I I think because of where we're at like I mean we are we're we're next the second to lowest in our area when it comes to to those rates. Um, and I think West Valley has been fiscally responsible and and I think the only thing we do have to do is we we need to and I know we say this, right, but I think we need to
090keep coming back is how do we communicate this to our the community and and I don't think you can overcommunicate. Um, but I think there's a lot of wins to communicate here because um, like like you said, like that's a really great point is that this is local money that's staying here local, you know, that's something that we need to communicate, you know, and and how that we get to maximize the LEA and still remain a dollar below Yakima school districts. Like we need to communicate that. But, um, I I would be in I'm I'm in support for, um, the the higher amount levy. That's my personal one. And, >> um, I'm I'm in support of going February on the ballot if everybody else is. So, >> um, >> it sounds like kind of clear
091direction. I don't see anybody shaking to the negative. I agree with uh what James said and I think the communication piece is important but and the fiscal responsibility is important but it really starts with we have a fantastic educational program in this school district and that's thankfully we have the resources and and we've utilized them well. But it's really it's really the educational program that's the star and that's the and that's the message that that um we need to maximize as well probably more so than the fiscal responsibility. >> All right discussion >> all right good discussion everyone um you know I'm just wondering is it inappropriate to share this with the community? >> Oh yeah we we can share that. Okay. So they can see what we're talking about. So for those of you
092out there, here's a chart that was prepared for us showing the various options. So some point that'll be available for you to see and and peruse for yourself and give us some feedback when the time comes. All right. So moving on, um we'll go to item 10 here. Public comment regarding discussion items. So again, um I'm not going to reread what I wrote before. Most of you know it by now, but if anyone has any comments that they would like to make or would like to step up and and speak, here's an opportunity to do so on the items that uh we just discussed. Mr. Mayor, [Music] all right, I just want to say I had a chat with Ryan when the document on September 23rd meeting came out and I talked to Dr. finishes
093before this meeting. Can I say Ryan really, you know, good job laying out the presentation uh was easy on the eyes. Um I'll look forward to that follow-up document. The one thing I wanted to touch on just as a suggestion is um what Mr. Thorner and and um James are talking about, Mr. Keeper. Um it's that communication piece. So as a taxpayer, yes, it's good. that we could get full advantage to get to the $1.50 and so we could get the LEA which 3 million bucks. So essentially we're taking the last four years at 6.9 million and then it's going to go to 9 12 million 10 million 10 million 11 million like Mr. Thorner said it's a dollar amount. It's not a rate. That's what goes on the ballot. And as a taxpayer, so
094if we hit that hit the assessed value, then there's an additional was it $3 million plus in LEA. Well, from a taxpayer standpoint, we know it's all mixed in the general budget. We know it goes to enhanced programs. We know it goes to staff. It's all good stuff. From a taxpayer standpoint, I think we just need to do a little better job of articulating what the differential. We do have inflation in there which there's a little bit of a discussion. I think it could be enhanced on real uh inflation rates. I think that could help out. We already talked already about setting aside money for deferred maintenance which is excellent. So what are we talking about out of that amount? Is that a you know ballpark a million? Um I did listen to the tape
095cuz uh I I was out of town last meeting and I do agree that there needs to be flexibility. However, I think we could put some parameters around it. you know, maybe this goes towards just high level about 10 10 staff members give or take, you know, a nurse, paras, whatever. We're hoping to maintain those great services that we have. Somebody's making vacant focusing on our academic and we want to stay there. That's great. However, right now, it just from a taxpayer standpoint, and I think the communication is really key, give the folks a reason why this is a good deal for them. Who doesn't want to get free money? But it isn't. We're getting free money because we're going to spend it willy-nilly. We need to tell the folks how we're spending our money.
096That makes sense. Maybe that's my two cents. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Notch, for your comments. Anyone else in the audience? All right. I'll close the second public comment section, item 10, and move on to item 11 on the agenda. Item arising. Items arising. Anything the last hour. >> Sorry. >> Item 12, superintendent report. That's in the package there. If there's any additional comments you would like to make about it, uh, Dr. Finch? >> No, just included in the packet. >> All right. Um, item 13, board reports, board development. Anything? All right. All right, next we have item 14, executive session, performance of a public employee. I think in looking at what we have, maybe about 15 minutes is enough time. >> There won't be any action taken. We will It's 8:18. We'll be back
097here at What's 15 minutes? 8 uh 8:30. Objection turned to 8:19 now. So, we'll say um 8:34. Okay. There's no action to be taken. Yeah. Action to be taken. Board members, can you take your chairs in there? >> Oh, the conference room. [Music] >> We need to roll our chairs into the conference room. [Music] We are going to extend our time. It's currently 8:34. We're going to extend it to 8:45. Uh the board meeting uh is adjourned after an executive session at 8:43 p.m. with no action taken.