001What's going on? That's >> right. You mean the Yeah. All right, everybody. 6 p.m. Go ahead and call this meeting to order. Please join us in the because we're doing the election of our board office 2026. I will be presiding here momentarily until those elections are complete. Um board member roll call item C here under general business. Uh we have Scott Jensen joining us on Zoom. All other members are accounted for and our student representative Reinhardt is here for her last visual meeting as student board. Um item number two here on the agenda, election school board officers, chairperson, vice chair person, clerk and treasurer. Um first I would entertain a motion for chairperson to serve 2026. >> Yes, Mr. Kale. I would uh like to nominate someone that I think would do a fantastic job
002as chairperson and that is Taylor Jacobs. Second motion seconded. Any discussion? Any other nominees? Discussion on the motion. That all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose think I All right. Congratulations chair Mr. Harris if I may just briefly very briefly um it has been a tremendous tremendous honor to have the confidence and support of my fellow board members last several the years hopefully have positively impacted in a small part the kids of our district and hopefully served the members of our committee here well. Um, and with that, um, Madam Chair, I think it's time for us to change places. Bring it. >> Um, thank you Jared and thank you board for me and I hope to continue to honor and serve our community. So, next we have a motion for vice
003chair. >> You go. >> Uh, I would like a motion to nominate my Connell for vice chairperson. >> Second. Okay. Do we have any other nominations? >> All right. Let's take a vote. All vice chair. All right. Next up available is clerk. Do we have a motion for clerk? Madam chair, I'd like to nominate Mara Dans. A second for that. I'll second. Any other nominations? All right. All those in favor as clerk. I think that's it. Last treasurer. >> I'm sure I'd like to like to nominate Karen Hors. >> I will I will second. Can I Any other nominations? Hey favor. Hi. >> Right. Next order of business. Um item three, additional agenda items. Is there any other additions to the agenda? >> Yes. Um I would like to make a motion to add um
004an action item to approve a monetary donation from lore >> for shade freeze. We will add that to action item that >> uh we will >> vote to add it to the agenda. >> Um we need to we need to vote to add it to the agenda. We also need I have Um, Madam Chair, I propose we put an action item C. We're already approving multiple monetary donations for Lore. I don't know if that really matters, but it's consistent. >> Jared, do you have something to add as well? >> Uh, yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to also uh create an agenda for our personal health actions. Uh we have the resignation of our LVHS tax teacher as well as recommendations for coaching. So adding personal items for designation coaching would be added to action 6A.
005Okay. So we have two addition items. Can we get a motion for that please? So second all those in favor. Hi. >> Hi. >> All right. November 18th. >> So move second. >> Mr. Harris. >> All right. Sure. Um just before we move on just wanted to recognize and thank those that were on the uh the board out. Thank you very much for treasure. You're not going anywhere. Um and Scott Jensen, thank you for serving as clerk. We appreciate your guidance and all of your wisdom as well. Certainly. Um, with that, I want to mention a couple other things. We have some special guests here and I wanted to uh bring those forwards. Sue Sess is in the audience. Sue, could you stand please? All right. I will I will I'll start and I will
006let any of our board members show what they would like. Members of chime in. Sue Cesna came to our district several years ago. as a speech language pathologist. And then soon after I became student services director of the district, we immediately recognizing that Sue had a lot to offer beyond just students with disabilities at W Elementary. Um we started talking about how to bring the ideas and concepts of language instruction, what a speech language professional pathologist does to a broader audience in general education. um she took that and ran with it and has done amazing things not only in Ber Creek but that's filtered out now throughout the district. Um she was nominated by the board earlier this fall for the champion of education award and she was successful and was awarded that that recognition
007at the WSBA conference. So we have a black but before we present that I would open it up I suppose to other board members including screw who nominated assessment. >> Thank you Mike and thank you Mr. Chair. Um, I first met Sue many years ago when I was actually lucky enough to encounter her as a parent um of students at Baldwin Creek Elementary who had the wonderful good fortune of having her help them with their reading and their speech and just engage with them outside of the classroom and one-on-one time. and um her work in moving our district forward um while chasing new and better ways of engaging students with literacy has been just remarkable. Um and I think we've all benefited from that and so many students have benefited from her guidance and brilliance.
008Um, and then on top of it, I've gotten to know her more too, um, as she has been one of the number one fans of the Lander Valley middle school and high school ski teams. So, you know, I mean, you know, that's her alter ego is that she's there like engaging and cheering all of these kids on and following them throughout their careers. So Sue, thank you so much for everything you've done to make this district a really special place for a lot of kids. >> Totally. My pleasure. >> Well, Ste Congratulations. Um, also along the same line as the as the champion of education, Wyoming School Boards Association introduced a new award this year called the Shares Skipper Outstanding Service Award. And that award is intended to recognize administrative professionals who have served their
009local school boards with distinction. Um the winner of this award also came from Fremont County and this is a statewide winner. There's one in the state and this is the inaugural winner. So we're the first and only in the state this year uh to have a winner. Um this individual served in our district office for 17 years was an integral part of making sure that everything kept moving throughout the district office and buildings um countless hours taking care of board members things ran according to schedule getting reports to WDE breaking in new superintendent and much much more. So, the winner of that award was Carol Spence. Carol, could you stand received your plaque already? Um, so she's already got that hanging above the fireplace at home, but are there any other comments from board members,
010members of the public to thank Carol or >> if you're okay, I make a couple comments. Okay. Um, thank you very much. Obviously, this happened because the board made the nomination for me. Um, Mike gave me a very, very strong supporting letter. I truly thought nobody else even knew good existed so I was like the only person but it was very competitive and so I do feel very very honored. Um I have been I was here 17 years. Um I went to a bazillion board meetings. I've never sat in the audience before. Um I'm kind of in a normal PTSD when you guys started it like oh my gosh you it really did mean a lot to me and I I really do appreciate it. I I've loved working for all of you. I love
011my job, love my district and this is just a really nice honor. So thank you Madam Chair, I don't think we could I don't think we can let him get away without >> we have to have a picture. Come on up. My favorite spot ready. How much? from the newspaper. Thanks >> Zoom. Thank you. Thank you. There's something else. I never miss an opportunity to talk and tonight I did. But first of all, I want to thank you like I'm very grateful and humbled. It's fabulous to be recognized for work that is totally your passion and um loving every minute of that. It feels so good. But as we all know in education, any kind of recognition is about collective effort and you see collective effort here before you tonight. You know, Mike talked about
012how language literacy supports got started back when he was their special ed director. That charge was led by Jade Morton with Anie as his instructional facilitator. Annie totally gets a language of practice learning. Huge, huge support to the work that we've been able to bring to the classroom. The very few years later, she becomes our instructional leader. Blessed again to have another fabulous instructional facilitator. We can learn elbowto, shouldertosh shoulder, continue to bring good um learning to our teachers, which impacted the learning of our students. And of course, last but not least, and that's such a trike, but so important here are the people sitting in this room and all the quality educators that I got to rub elbows with day after day through their doors open to us to share our new learning. And
013because of them, language and literacy um skills have grown and become stronger and stronger. They're doing things that I didn't even imagine. They are the true implementation scientists. So I'm so proud to bring this award not just for myself but home to B. It's an amazing. So I thank you. >> Right. Next item for business public comment. Is there any other public comment for tonight for items on the agenda or items not on the agenda? Okay, seeing none, we will move on to programs reports and presentations. Here is board member reports first board member or something. Thank you. I had the opportunity to go to um a few weeks ago to observe the behavior program and the tier 2 specific behavior intervention that they have going and was just highly impressed with the whole team
014there and just the consistency and the overall like it just was amazing and I'm so happy for our kids that they had that opportunity and that you know we're meeting their needs because behavior is not the easiest to to deal with and so I think getting that support and intervention at a young age. It benefits the whole district and hopefully that turns more productive young people getting into middle school and high school and not having to be here in the way of their education because they can take care of it at that early age. So, just want to give peak and a big round of applause for that. All right. >> Um, Madam Chairman, I had the opportunity to attend the Wyoming School Board Association's uh conference down in Casper. Um, Scott was there as
015well and and I I guess it was a for me it was a it was a good conference. I thought it was uh well done, very professional. Uh there was a lot of school boards that had their entire membership there and their complete admin team as well which I thought was very interesting and and very uh very it enhanced the the discussion and debates and everything that happened at that particular deal. So, I thought that was a a valuable uh thing to go to and and probably worth worth our time to explore that next year and encourage everybody to take the opportunity to go with that. Um, they had other interesting things they talked about there like they told us that the average superintendent last 2.3 years. So, we're we're doing good. They said they
016had 41% of the schools districts in the United States last year had openings for superintendent. I thought, "Holy smokes, that's crazy." They talked a little bit more about about that. They talked about the the average term of board members is about 4.3 year average and before co the average was 7.5 years um average term for people that are on school boards across the nation. um a day um that they they added that uh school boards um 16% of people leave before their turn term is over and I thought that was kind of strange that we have that much public leadership around the country for schools. Um, but really I I looking at that, I went there. I'm always skeptical about going to uh some of those kind of events and activities. So, I didn't know
017what to expect from them. And it was very professional. It was well done. The speakers were uh very sharp and did a great job. And so, attendance on our part to go there next year. Scott, did you have anything else to add about the conference? I think you uh you nailed the nailed the the ham or the nail right on the head. It's uh I find those conferences generally to be uh worthwhile. Uh there's always something uh that I pick up that I think will be be beneficial for me as a board member. Um so I definitely encourage uh the other members of our board to to try to make it there next year if you can. Um like Mike said, the more of us that are there, maybe um that might spur better discussion.
018I particularly like the uh the legal updates. Uh this time um the part of the focus was on um you know the the actions or lack of actions that the legislature is about to take. Um and sort of how that might impact us. Some of it's kind of scary, but uh um I think it's good to be at least informed on where things might be going to help help think about what we're going to do when we when we face those challenges. So um anyway, that that's my take. Thank you. Any other board member reports? Mr. Camp. Uh >> Madam Chair, um two quick things. The first is pretty simple, but I think that uh Mr. Jensen is looking more and more undercover every day. weird. >> I'm uh I find myself getting old and
019my children have been making fun of me because now when I'm trying to look at things close up, I need to wear these glasses that I don't need for long distance stuff. So, it's a it's a sign of maturity. I think that's what I will that's what I understand. >> Well, at least his background tonight is like a white curtain instead of the one on that crew with the spotlight. >> Yeah. You don't know what time zone I'm in, so it could be uh I don't know what side of the pond. We'll see. >> The uh the second thing I wanted to mention, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a little time with Lynette Sinclair uh this week and we had a great conversation about sort of a mini passion of mine.
020I I would really love to see at some point in the future us to be able to teach a show somewhere in our district. I don't know whether that's in kindergarten. I don't know if it's a senior in high school, but uh somewhere along the line if we could do that and particularly if we could get uh foreign language credit for it, I think that would be wonderful. Um so I I talked to her about where they're at. She is not quite ready. She does have two people, two I think of them as kids, probably young adults in college right now that are uh getting their educational degrees with a focus on on native language teaching in native languages. And I I'd really love to see that happen in our district. She would too. So
021I asked her if she would please keep us in mind in the future. >> Mr. Tail, I just I don't know. I would support that too. That seems like something that could be I would think could be federal funding or grant money for and so maybe we all can keep an eye out for possible funding sources for that type of position, too. representative report. >> Thanks, Madam Chairwoman. Um, not much going on. We're about to Christmas break and I'm the most excited of them all, I think. But we have basketball in the Lander this weekend. both the girls and boys teams by playing at the straining classic. And then state drama or the drama club got third at the state competition this past weekend. And if I'm informed correctly, that means they have a a
022place at the national competition. So that's pretty cool. And then um yeah, I just wanted to say thank you. This is it's been two years and I've grown so much. This has been a large part of who I am as a student, as a leader, a person in general, and I just couldn't be more thankful for you guys and your support of everything that I've done. It's just it's been an awesome experience, and I promise I'll try and get somebody I'll try to get somebody to apply hopefully. But yeah, just thank you so much. Each and every one of you have had a large impact on it's been an honor to see you here the last two years. and and it doesn't matter what month or what day you're here and you're just been so
023impressed by your leadership and um if you are just in small identification of what other students at LHS are doing it's just pretty phenomenal pretty amazing and we know that you wear lots of hats in school right now and sports and everything and for you to dedicate your time to be here with us and support yourself help students and share sports and information we're very proud of very as awkward as that. >> No, he's not. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, it's holiday concert time. It's a fantastic time of year. I'm sure they would agree. Um, kind of go in chronological order. There's more of these than than I can possibly, but I think I'll try to get most of them. Um, I think Mr. also some of the great students at light of lander on
024Saturday. That was so cool. They sounded amazing if you happen to be there. Um these were kids that had scored fours on some of the music class so they knew what they were doing and despite the cold they were belting it out. It was very impressive. Um that was really really pretty. So thank you for sharing those students with the community. Um the community Christmas concert on Sunday was incredible as well. We have a lot of current former students um and staff joining with community members to make some amazing music um instrumentalist organ band uh and all kinds of ages. It was just really really cool. It was absolutely packed. I think I was really lucky to get a seat and I showed up at like 235 or something started at jam. Um along those
025same lines, LS and LBHS had their winter choir concert last night and we got to see it. It was absolutely beautiful. The kids sounded great. Um everything about it was first class. I don't know who decorated the stage was who did that. Do you know David? >> Um it was left over from the land performing arts by >> Yeah, it was beautiful and it just accentuated the quality of the program. They had like this garland and it was really really classy. So, um they've had a couple souls and she has a different hat on that hat. Um so, if you haven't had a chance to attend any of those performances yet, there are a couple more coming up tomorrow. We have LMS band at the LHS auditorium and then on Thursday again third graders have
026their concert. So, you're not out of time yet. You haven't got to see any of that. Um on a a different note, much darker note, the legislative session is coming soon. Uh it's right around the corner. It's going to be very busy on the education front as you all may have read or heard. Um on December 1st I was able to attend a Fremont County legislative forum with some local representatives and senators. Uh Mr. McDonald was there. Uh Dra Meer was there and Travis Sween was there as well. Kind of had an open style conversation on a couple different topics. Um it was great a very open dialogue I would say and a good start to some productive conversations I think with our local reps. Um, I also met with a smaller group of reps
027and u some superintendents from around the county Friday to kind of recap a lot of the conversation that started at that December 1st meeting. Um, and I'm just really really excited that the doors conversation are opening and uh, we're listening, they're listening and it's just been very very productive so far. So hoping that just continues all the way through the winter this session and into the future years. Um, I would say recalibration is the big focus. We all know that. But um we've also been looking closely at some draft bills. The K12 literacy bill is particularly interesting. The student discipline bill. I don't want to get too much into the details about either of those or recalibration because the proposals are bound to change uh dramatically between now and the start of the session. So
028I would just say uh everyone on the board here, I encourage you to stay informed and to stay engaged. Same with members of public administrators, anyone who pays attention to public education cares about the need in our state. These are big issues. So I would encourage you and be active and Mr. Chair. That's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. Um then we have the presentations from WSJ results. Oh, Brian is joining us. >> Hello, Brian. >> Good evening, Madam Chair. And let me begin with an apology. I am losing my voice a little bit, but fortunate for you, uh you don't have to listen to me for very long. We'll pass it on to Dr. Casauric here in just a moment to uh talk about your climate study. Uh I do want to begin with
029congratulations to you madam chair and uh other officers of the board uh on your positions and thank you to those other members who have served the district very well. Fremont County School District number one does uh represent well and there is a lot to be proud of. We uh conducted a climate study on your behalf here uh just recently and want to say a couple of things about that uh and then turn it over to Dr. Cassoric to talk about uh the the the information uh that we received and the analysis that we were able to provide. The first thing I would like to remind you is that a climate study is a snapshot in time of the perceptions of individuals within the district. So, we're looking at stakeholders uh and we're looking at what
030are their uh attitudes and their beliefs about the school district. >> It's also important to know that this is about the questions that were asked. And so, there are times where the questions ask about where could we improve uh or the questions ask about uh how could we do better. That doesn't necessarily mean that people think things are wrong in the district. It means that they are answering the question that they were asked. They were asked how could we do better? How can we improve and they provided some very good feedback for those sorts of things. So with that, I'd like to turn it over to Dr. Casoric who's going to tell you uh a little bit about uh the survey itself and then jump into uh the questions and the analysis that we were
031able to provide. >> So what Dr. Kasurk if you'd like to go ahead and tell them a little bit about the survey and I think you're going to share your screen with them as well. >> Thank you. And yes, Madame Chair, I would like to share my screen if I'm able to. It looks like I need to send a request to do that. So, I've done that now through Zoom. >> It should go in here just a second. >> Okay. Looks like I'm able to do that. Give me just a moment. Okay. So, good evening everybody. Um, if you don't know who I am, my name is Julie Casoric. I work with Brian. I'm the director of member services at the Wyoming School Boards Association. Um, this is the second climate survey I have done
032for your district. I did one back in 2023. Um, that was quite different from the one that we just did this past October. And so, um, I had talked to your superintendent at the beginning all of all of this about potentially doing like a a comparative analysis, but the questions were so different um that it just wasn't quite possible to do that type of analysis. And so, what you're going to see tonight is uh based solely on the survey that was taken in October by your certified and classified staff. And I just want to make sure, madam chair, that you and the board members can see my screen. Okay. >> Yes. Thanks, Julie. >> Okay. Um, so the first thing uh I just want to do is kind of lay out the survey itself. So,
033as you know, um, your board hired us to administer this survey, and you were looking for information about what you're doing well, some of the strengths that you can all capitalize on as you decide how you want to move forward with this information, as well as some areas where you could improve. And um the way that this was administered in your district is the staff had a professional development day or staff development day in October. So the majority of your survey takers took that during that time. Um there were a couple of instances where I reopened the survey maybe for some who didn't get a chance to do it during uh the original opportunity. Um but it was all done I would say within oh maybe 72 hours time everybody who um was able and
034chose to participate in the survey was able to do so and you got a really good response rate. You had 219 individuals take the survey um within that short amount of time. 157 of those being certified staff and 62 of those being uh classified or support staff. And what you'll see in the appendix, and I I'll get to that at the very end, but you're going to see um three items, and I'm just going to talk about the first two very quickly. Uh first is the list of all the questions that your staff members were asked. And those questions were based on the themes that you see bolded here in this paragraph. I'll read them out loud as well for those uh maybe in your audience who can't see as well. Um the themes covered
035job responsibilities, work environment, safety and security, operations and procedures, chain of communication, support for learning and overall satisfaction. And in the overall satisfaction section, um we do ask a question about um the staff members intent to continue working for the district for the foreseeable future. So, we'll uh talk about that more when we get to those questions. Um, your participants were um were kind of spread across the the gamut in terms of longevity with the district. You had some that have worked more than 20 years and then some who hadn't worked any more than 10 years and anywhere in between. um the longevity of your certified staff who took the survey um on average was longer than the classified staff who took the survey. And appendix B has a detailed description of who took the
036survey broken down by longevity and um by the percentage of respondents who worked in specific buildings on your campus. One thing we should note at this point is that all survey responses were confidential. They're not individually identifiable. And any place where uh you might have been able to ascertain somebody because of low numbers uh that data was generally combined with other responses so that there is no ability to individually identify any survey respondent. >> Yes, thank you Brian. And um as we go through the main part of the survey, uh you're going to see responses grouped by certified staff and then by classified staff. Um at the end of the survey, appendix C does have school level charts. But as Brian stated, if there are instances where we didn't get a response rate of at
037least 10 individuals from an identified building, we did one of two things. we either combined their data with somebody else with low numbers to reach what is called a minimum n of 10 meaning there needs to be at least 10 participants before we will include their information in a report and that again is to protect their identity. Um there was an instance where we did do that. Um where we combined a school with individuals who identified their work location as quote other um and that allowed us to actually get to a minimum n of 11 so that we could include that data. There was another um instance where you had a group whose minimum end did not reach 10 and so their information is not presented in this report to protect their identity. Okay. So
038I'm going to go ahead and jump into the results. U madam chair at any time if anyone has questions feel free to interrupt me. I can't quite see all of you. So just feel free to you know shout my name and tell me to stop and I will uh pause for questions as needed. So the survey itself was uh mostly liyker items and a liyker scale is something that we use to measure a continuum. Uh in this case we measured a continuum of perspectives uh positive p perspectives or perceptions uh all the way to negative perceptions. And um we did have a few open-ended responses for the surveys, but the majority of it was um likered scale items with the categories uh ranging from strongly agree with a statement to strongly disagree with a statement.
039And what you'll notice um as we get into the charts is when you see a lot of green and blue, I use a format. It's kind of called like a heat map. When you see a lot of green and blue in the bar charts, those uh signify more positive perceptions. And when you see orange and red on the bar chart, that is more negative perceptions. And then yellow will be your neutral perceptions. But there is one exception on the survey to be aware of and it is noted here. There is a question in the safety and security section of the survey. Um well not a s not a question a statement rather student behavior on campus presents a safety hazard to myself or others. In that instance you don't want to see a lot of
040blue and green because that indicates that they agree with that statement and and so you wouldn't want to see that. You'd want to see more of your oranges and reds for that one question. But for the rest of the bar charts you want to see mostly blues and greens. um in terms of positive perceptions if that's what you're looking at. It's a helpful tool because if you are seeing m maybe more uh orange and red and even maybe some yellow um then you kind of know as a board where you might want to focus your attention. Um I am happy to report though as we get into this that um on the whole based on the liyker items um your staff uh both certified and classified does appear to be very satisfied and happy um
041with their employment with your district and the experiences they have. And so I'm not going to go through each of these charts with you in the interest of time. I I understand you all have these reports. Um in the future uh or maybe even later this evening you might um have a a work session around the data here. Um but I do just want to um again show you that uh there are very positive uh perceptions based on these liyker items around um being a part of your district. And so here is uh the here are some charts related to job responsibilities. You see lots of greens and blues there. Um actually overwhelmingly um I do note that these are all distinct counts which means that each individual was only able to select one option.
042Um and multiple individuals were not able to take the same survey. Meaning they each had their own survey. they each logged in and individually took their own survey. And so, um, these are the distinct counts that you see here in the bar, 81, 99, and so on. Those are not percentages. Those are distinct counts. And then down here along the bottom where you see this 0 to 100, this is just showing 100 um responses are represented. 100% of the responses are represented here. Um what I have done is I've presented uh three charts for each area the all staff so this is all groups combined this is how they answered this question and then I broke it out uh to certified staff and classified staff in any case where there was a zero value that
043is not included in the chart. So an example of that job responsibilities with classified staff. You see this question here. My supervisor provides provides me with meaningful feedback about my work performance and all you see here is green and blue and yellow. You don't see any oranges and reds and that is because nobody for this question from this group disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement and so those values are deleted from the chart. I I just want to pause and make sure there aren't any questions just about these charts in general. Madam Chair, >> Julie, I think you're doing a great job explaining it. The colors, visuals help for sure. I don't see any questions or concerns so far. >> Okay. Thank you. And so again, in the interest of time, I'm not going
044to go through all of this. Uh but each of these pages and u categories follows the same pattern. All staff, certified staff, classified staff, distinct counts in the bars, uh showing that 100% of the respondents uh took the survey and answered those questions and they didn't have an option not to answer the question. These were all required items, so they couldn't move on in the survey unless they answered the questions. I do want to stop here on student uh excuse me safety and security and just point out that item that I told you about student behavior on campus presents a safety hazard to myself and others and you can see here um obviously more orange and red that's good in this case that implies that they disagree with this statement you don't have staff feeling
045as though student behavior presents a safety hazard. So, this is a good sign here. Um, and again, this question is the only question where you're going to want to see a pattern like this. So, I'm just going to go ahead and keep on scrolling through. And if those of you have the report in front of you, Madam Chair, if there's a particular question that's sticking out to you and you want me to go back to it and talk to you about it, I certainly can do that. But um I do want to stop here on the overall satisfaction. So on the overall satisfaction, we asked them questions like, "Do you feel valued um as a member of the school district? Do you think that your work um is positively impacting the students? Um do you
046consider your compensation to be competitive, particularly when you compare that with other school districts? And then finally, do you plan to continue working for Fremont 1 in the foreseeable future? Um, and you can see here, uh, I plan to continue working at Fremont 1 for the foreseeable future. Overwhelmingly, um, your staff said, yes, yes, they definitely are not making plans to, uh, to leave the district, which is always a very good sign. Um this question down here, I believe my work has positive impact on student lives. Again, overwhelming. Um they they see their hand in the success of your students. Um in fact, when we talk about some of the open response items a little bit later, um there was um there were many comments made about how much your staff enjoy the students even
047beyond the classroom, just their personalities, getting to know them, the daily interactions they have. So, it's really good to see this and I will tell you that the way that people um responded to all of the likered items, not just the ones that you see here on this chart, um correspond quite nicely with what they identified as what they love about working for your school district in the open response items. As to the question on compensation, you obviously do see um some degree of disagreement um or even strong disagreement and I would say that that is not necessarily unusual uh within the education industry. Um it is uh a challenging profession. Um uh sometimes uh compensation is not uh competitive with other like professions. Uh that is certainly an area that has been noted uh
048in recent litigation uh and with uh some discussion around recalibration. Uh so I think when they tell us that that is something that we do know that compensation is uh not necessarily where we would like it to be. Um so it provides a good point of discussion for the board. We do have a limited amount of resources. Uh we do have uh a funding formula that is somewhat uh prescriptive uh toward how we compensate our staff um as we move forward. We certainly hope that to be better. Uh but this is one of those areas that you can talk about. So you know what can we do here? what do we want to do here? And and that provides a great discussion for the board to have uh at at a future time and as
049you move along. >> Yes, absolutely, Brian. Thanks for bringing that up. I almost skipped right over it, but I did me I did mean to mention something about that. And I will I will say um I do quite a few of these climate surveys for various districts and I I would say almost always um I see this same trend um you know teaching working in education uh regardless of um where you're at classified staff certified staff um it is a it is a difficult job even though it does uh bring people a lot of joy and satisfaction overall it is still a difficult job. Um we know that uh the legislature is not entirely supportive of you know top pay for these professionals and you know hopefully that will change in the near future but
050I I will just tell you that this this follows trends that I see in other districts as well. Okay. So um on to the written responses. We asked uh each of the staff members who took the survey to identify something that they like about working in um Fremont County School District number one. And then um if they could change something, if there's something that is troubling them or they wish would be addressed, um they we asked them that as well. And so uh this section here I call strengths and challenges. And so uh there were three open-ended questions total. one asking, you know, what do you love about being part of Fremont County School District? Number one. Um second, the second opening question was, you know, what's something that could be improved? And then the
051third question was just kind of a catchall. Is there anything else you want to say um before you close out the survey? Um whenever there are open-ended questions in a survey, what I do is I read through the responses and then I assign them a code or a theme. um and I count the number of times that those themes appear and um when we get to the the charts that show the count of mentions I'll explain that in a little more detail. Um but I do provide um what those themes are um how they are defined and they are defined directly based on the responses in the survey um and then how many times did that theme show up. So, um, we'll go ahead and start with strengths from the certified staff. Uh, I'm not
052going to read this to you in the interest of time. Like I said, you do have the report in front of you. Um, but each, uh, section under this strengths and challenges follows the same pattern. I start with a narrative, uh, about the strengths and, um, start with certified staff and then I follow it with some charts. So I'm going to pause here and talk about these charts. So this is your again your certified staff. These are the items that they identified as what they uh see as strengths of your district. Um staff, students, work environment, community, and leadership. These definitions here in this middle column um again comes from what they stated. So these aren't definitions that you would find in Webster's dictionary and instead it's you know what what were the comments focused
053on related to students and related to staff and then I pull out some excerpts from the survey itself um to show you know what it is I'm talking about what types of comments um meet this definition of staff and then um I follow it with a chart which is the count of mentions. Um, and the reason that I want to pause here is because this count is the number of times that something was mentioned about staff based on this definition above. And it may be that an individual person mentioned something about staff zero times and other people who took the survey may have mentioned something about staff multiple times. So, if Scott Jensen was taking this survey and he mentioned um that he feels supported by his colleagues um that he gets along well with
054uh teachers in other buildings and things of that nature, that would count as two two times um that he mentioned staff. And so this number here could represent one individual stating things multiple times. Um, but also just remember that you may have had some individuals that didn't mention that at all. And then again, I follow the same pattern for classified staff. And again, in the interest of time, I will not read all of this to you, but these are uh this section is a narrative uh summarizing what you're going to see in the charts down here about what it is they identified as positive um aspects of working in your district. uh students, staff, work environment, leadership, and work life balance. So, a lot of similarities in the themes uh between your classified staff and
055your certified staff. Uh here's the definition based on their responses um for these themes and then excerpts from the survey. And um I I told Mike when I talked to him about the responses uh last week that and I don't know maybe I shouldn't overthink this but I am. But in the in the classified section I have just two examples and in the certified section I have three examples. And the only reason for that is because I had far fewer responses in the classified staff section. Um you know 62 individuals versus 157 certified. So um that is why you don't see as many examples here. Um, and then here are the count of mentions. Again, these numbers here are quite a bit smaller, too, just because we had uh fewer classified staff uh participate in
056this survey. >> Both groups show a trend of appreciating people within the system uh as well as elements of the system itself. So I think it speaks strongly that both groups identify the students and staff, the people within the system as being a great strength of your district. >> Yes, very much so. And then the challenges section follows the exact same pattern. We start with challenges that the certified staff um identified. And um again, I believe the question was what is one thing you would change about the district? Um, and so as Brian mentioned, uh, they are answering the question we are asking them. We didn't ask them a general like, "Hey, what do you think of Fremont One?" We asked them to identify challenges and so they did because we asked them to do
057so. Um, and so this is the table of um, challenges that were identified by your certified staff compensation and benefits. No surprise there. um given what we just saw in the liyker items, consistent expectations, uh communications and transparency, workload and staffing. Again, you have definitions here. These definitions are based on what was um articulated in the survey. And then here are some examples of what your certified staff said in relation to this thing. And so down here again, count of mentions, the number of time that each of these items were mentioned as an area for improvement or something that they would like to change in your district. And then same pattern for classified staff. Um their themes again very similar not exactly but similar to your certified staff compensation and benefits staffing communication uh administrative
058support and consistent expectations again followed with some definitions and examples from the survey itself. And then here are the count of mentions for each of those themes. And then the last portion of the survey, Madame Chair, was just that last question, just kind of a catchall. Is there anything else you would like to to say while you um you know have the survey in front of you before you submit it? Uh this question was not required. Um individuals could skip this question if they wanted to. Um, and I I guess I should mention that the the other two um were technically required, meaning it was set up in the survey so that they couldn't move without answering the question. But I did have a fair number of participants who would put things like no, none,
059or NA for the identify strengths, identify uh areas you'd like to improve. um they may have reached a survey burnout at the time or they may have ran out of time and just felt like I need to hurry up and get past these questions so I can submit the survey or they simply just didn't feel like answering those questions. And so I I do want to make that clear that even though the the two initial open-ended questions were technically required, I did have a fair amount who chose not to answer. Um and they were able to bypass it just by putting something uh in in the answer spot, even if they just put like a little period. A lot of people do that. They'll just put a period and then they'll move on. Um but
060for the additional um response or comments that this was uh optional. They didn't have to answer this if they didn't want to, but they were invited to provide additional comments. Uh, some were positive, some were negative, some were a mix of both in a single response. And so, um, this is just a summary here of what people um stated in response to that question, those of you who are those of them who chose to answer that question. And then this is the uh a chart of the top six themes um that emerged from their responses. This is all participants combined, certified and classified. And the count of mentions is just the number of time that anything was mentioned related to these themes, whether they were positive comments or negative comments. Just so you can see
061though that um you're seeing consistency between what you saw above with strengths and with things that they would change if they could and you know that those are coming up again um again both positively and negatively um in their overall responses. So, they're taking an opportunity to re-emphasize what they really enjoy about working for your district or things that they would change if they could. And um so that is the end of the report. Um depending on the district, most of the time I don't add a conclusion or anything like that. Um, we leave it to the the board to pour over the data, you know, make draw their own conclusions and certainly reach out and follow up if you have questions if you need to from WSBA, but really our role at this point
062just stops here with the data. Um, and we every once in a while a district will say, "Hey, can you can you add to the report? You know, what should we do? What should we focus on?" Um, I didn't do that here. Um but I I will just say that overall the perceptions are are very positive. Of course everybody or every organization has things they can improve on. Your staff were um were good about articulating those things. Um but on the whole uh they really felt a lot of pride in um being part of your community. They also feel very supported um by your community. they feel that your school district in general um is supported. They really enjoy the students. And I would say if I had to summarize, you know, how people are
063feeling, it would be this. It would be, you know, we know we're good and here are the things that would be, you know, nice to see to help us remain good and get even better. Um so there wasn't a there wasn't like a big list of complaints or anything like that. Um, and again, just want to emphasize as Brian did, they asked the or they answered the questions we asked them. They did so very well, very professionally. Um, and you can, um, get a sense of their level of commitment to your district and to the students. Um, this appendix here, these are just the questions. Uh, so you can see them right here if you want to read through those at some point. This is appendix B. This is just showing you who participated. So,
064there's your certified staff at the top um top left, classified staff on the right in terms of how long they've been in the district. And then the primary location here. And finally, um these are all of the building level charts. So, it is organized by theme. first the theme um in the order that they were asked on the survey and then by building in alphabetical order. So it's a little confusing I guess but the first section of the survey was about job responsibilities. So that's the first set of charts you're going to see here. And then Baldwin Creek um obviously comes before central office and the alphabet comes before Ganet Peak in the alphabet and so on and so forth. So, you'll be able to review these by building level. I do want to emphasize
065again that um we did uh protect anonymity in a couple of cases. Um the first being Pathfinder uh which is your alternative school um and the two individuals uh who stated that they uh were in other places and didn't identify where they were. um that allowed us to get to the proper um count to include this in the data. Um and then the second group um that we were not able to include were those who identified their uh building as transportation/warehouse. So those individuals unfortunately we were not able to get enough individuals um to be able to include their information in this report. So, Madame Chair, um that concludes my presentation and I stand for any questions. Ma >> maybe, Madam Chair, as you're thinking of questions, uh Julie did talk a little bit about
066next steps. I can tell you as a former school board member, um I I tend to have the tendency of looking at a report like this to say, "Okay, what do we need to fix?" And I will tell you that's probably the wrong attitude to have um when looking at uh something like this. That is that is one of the things you may want to think about. But you also want to think about where you are strong and where you are successful because it takes effort to keep those things. And so when you're thinking about our next steps as a district, we want to think about what is it that we need to do to keep what we're doing well and what is it, if anything, that we need to do to address those areas
067where we want to improve. So please don't forget about keeping what you do well and what's going to be necessary in order to keep that. Uh because my tendency, like I said, is just to look at is there something broken that we need to fix? And that's not the only thing that this data tells you. The data tells you overwhelmingly that there are good things that you'll want to keep as a district. >> Thank you, Julie. Thank you, Brian. Lauren, do we have any questions or comments for Brian or Julie at this time? We appreciate all the information and the thoroughess of this survey and the presentation. It was, you know, very helpful to dissect and interpret. And, you know, at this time, I don't think we have any questions or concerns. It's just later
068on we'll have a little bit of discussion. And Brian, I appreciate your input on next steps. Um, I think there's a lot we can discuss about what we're doing right, what we're doing successfully. So, we appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. Have a great night. All right, that leads us to we have here action items. Is that correct? So 6A personal personnel actions. So, we need a motion to approve the personnel actions with the addition of the resignation of the teacher at all in favor. >> And then next item would be the approval of the fall coaching recommendations from Mr. Georgia. Get a motion for that. So, move second. Any comments or discussion on this? Okay. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Sorry. Um action item B, consideration of
069early graduation request. >> Mr. Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we do have three students MHS that are looking to graduate within the first semester for various reasons. Their letters to you are attached there and they hand out the reasons vary that jump start on college or starting a career in the military. They're all over the place, but it's exciting to see our kids the credits they need early and they're ready to start the next phase of their their adult lives. So, Thank you, Mr. Harris. Wonderful students there and proud of them on their accomplishments. Can we get a motion to accept these? >> Okay, any discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying >> I opposed motion carries. Okay, we need approve or we need a motion to approve the montory monetary donations from
070the war foundation for $11,600 for technology upgrades at the pool. Um $7,783 for a water swimsuit water extractors like very official um for the pool and then another $10,000 for shade trees at the Bobcat. >> So moved Seconds. Any discussion? >> Thank you again, Laura. >> If I could just make a comment about two of these. So, two of these are student initiated projects just from the board's awareness that the swimsuit drying machines or water extractors rather swimming athletes even suggested that. And then the the green shaded outdoor space was from Gracie Lancaster who's now LMS. So cool to see our students stepping up. >> Thank you. All right. We have been moved and seconded to vote. All those in favor I >> motion carries. >> Next item D would be board meeting dates for
071the 2026. These are pretty standard of what we've had in the past. We have our regular meeting scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month with a few additional meetings for health here work session February May I think for the budget. Is that correct Mr. Harris? >> M. Yes. >> And then in November we have >> perfect Any let's get a motion I guess first to approve this discussion. >> So move >> any discussion on this feeling like this is adequate too much little >> I always wonder madam chair about uh the February third meeting and whe you know sometimes it seems like we scramble to find like fill that with something that we want. So >> it it certainly sneaks up on us too >> like after having the two meetings in November and
072then December kind of was quick following that it does seem like we sometimes scramble. >> Yeah, Madam Chair, I think that's actually would be and could be a very valuable session if we all committed to attending with thoughts about priorities for the year ahead. Um, I think it really would help the board as a whole to kind of come up with a collective idea about the things we'd like to pursue during 2026. So like would be a great time to go the survey maybe? >> Yeah, I like I think Eileen's idea of focusing on future goals for the board would be a great idea for that early February meeting. >> All right. and we will plan on keeping it and I'll meet with Mike ahead of time and we'll make sure we kind of agenda
073sent out but if everyone just wants to um you know I I like the idea of coming with it but also people wouldn't mind maybe sharing some ideas from other people then we can be a little bit more effective in our our time. All right. Um, so all those in favor of approving this calendar for the 2026 board meetings signify by saying I >> I opposed. Motion carries. I have to say just drives me crazy. I know figure it out. Um right, the next one would be um the school district calendar. We do have this as an action item tonight. Um I do have some thoughts and discussion on this. We can get a motion to get this discussion. >> So second. All right, let's open this for discussion. Um so Mr. Harris, I guess
074I have a a concern that in the past we you know every couple years we've sent out a feedback from um you know to our stakeholders and community and parents and I know that you know the last few years we've made a pretty big change with going into June um starting later having those um seasonal days and I'm just wondering what the board's thought is about you know making sure we're getting public input before approving this um calendar for the 27th. 208 school year, which seems far away, but I know creeps up on us very fast. So, I appreciate Mr. Harris trying to get this out for us. >> Well, I would agree. I think some feedback from and since we did make such a significant change to the calendar the last two years I
075think it would be great since we've done it for two years to see what what has help what is good about it I know traditionally in the past I feel like we sent something out via campus and you know kind of got a what people's thoughts were nice to adopt it as early as we have because then it seems like other districts have kind of followed suit. I know this last year things the first year was kind of we said it and then you know some districts that weren't following that and then it seemed like we said it early enough that the following year things kind of on that but I do have a little bit of concern on voting on this without getting some input. Um, so I just in proposing this, I'm not
076presuming to speak for anyone or take place of a survey or any sort of other feedback would provide. I just I'm following district policy IC which asks the superintendent to propose the school calendar um based on his or her best professional judgment in the words of policy. Um, I recognize fully there are tons of perspectives on school calendars. The last time we went through this was two years ago, 2023 in the fall when we voted board voted in December of 23 on the model that we have now. It's not perfect. U not everyone is happy with it. Um but at the time the board recognized and voted unanimously that it was the best compromise for what we the options that we considered at the time. There was discussion about 48 weeks starting earlier ending later.
077uh some information. We actually have 12 48 weeks in the calendar right now for students out of the 38 in the school year and I have some information about student attendance activities interplay with a Friday assets. Um so I have some information I'm happy to discuss with you all but certainly not opposed to delaying this. We are way ahead of the 27 28 school year, but part of that I believe is an advantage for us to hopefully get other Fremont County entities to match with our calendar, which some districts have already started to do. Um, so personally, I don't have a dog in fight. I do think this this model is a good balance between recognizing that we're here primarily to meet the needs of students, but we also have to try to maintain sanity
078of our staff and look out for likely needs of families in terms and u I'm always in favor of more feedback, but I would caution the board that swinging radically every couple years to a new calendar model could be counterproductive and and that's the feedback I got from some other trusted superintendent who get through this a lot longer more times than I have. So thanks on this just wanted to share that that info. >> Thanks Mike. I if you have information to share tonight I think it would be important on that. Okay, madam chair, so as I mentioned, the current model allows us to kind of get our 4 day week without fully committing to that major change with 12 to 38 weeks being short, not counting Thanksgiving or the week of the early release
079just coming up in a couple weeks here in the summer. Um Thanksgiving, uh that's a two-day week. I kind of threw that out as I analyze the data and uh get to that spreadsheet. I'll hopefully share my screen and show you what student attendance looks like on the average 4 day week versus a 5 day week. Um, see there. So this is student attendance so far this year fall of 2025. So the highlighted piece we had four days in that week for students. Um and I think the general trend in these columns this is top you can see sorry for scrolling. Column B is only C is D is LMS is LBHS and E is Pathfinder. Um these first few rows are the 2425 school year. So that was the first year of this new
080calendar model. You can see attendance 2425 starts out really strong and it just kind of tapers as the phone goes on. The week of Thanksgiving is is pretty poor, picks back up in December. That last week before the break is a little bit weaker. After Christmas break starts out pretty strong, but we we hover about 90% attendance for students regardless of whether it's a shorter week or a longer week. Um certainly those weeks before vacations and Thanksgiving are kind of the exceptions to the rule. Um I can show you where we are at this this year. So this is this year right here again LMS LHS Pathfinder. So, this is the overall staff attendance on those weeks or student attendance rather. Um, and I looked at activities and I apologize I don't have this in
081the spreadsheet. I just kind of have to the the sports schedules. Um, one of the big proponent or big arguments in favor the 4 day week is that you'll save those Fridays because there's so many sports activities going on on Fridays, which is definitely true. Um 51 I looked at all the high school sports seasons and I apologize Jan LMS I just looked at all the for now um but 51% of all the contests across all sports seasons involve Friday I didn't include state events because not every team and not every athlete goes to state um but at least through the regionals 51% Friday it varies greatly from sport to sport the lowest percentages are volleyball and soccer only 28 29% respectively of those sports compete on a Friday at least in last year's schedule
082the highest percentages are scheme and golf and scheme always involves Friday golf just about always involves Friday apparently in the schedules I look at the fall golf so while you would um have some benefit there for athletics you still have 49% of all the contests if the schedules look like they did last year 49% occurring on monthly and Saturdays and Mr. George here can talk a little bit more intelligently about scheduling. He's just had a scheduling meeting with high school activity. I think there's lots of conversation about contests of those meetings. So keep in mind 40 days a reference for us. Um so staff attendance I I did look at that also a regular week versus 40 week there's really not a whole lot of difference. There's a little bit of difference. There's a 15%
083difference. It's 4 day week. We have an average of 111 absences. On a 4 day week, on a 5 day week, we have an average of 132. Now, you might be thinking, "Oh my gosh, who are the 132 people gone?" That is any position, any length of absence. There's no other way to cut it into more finite data chunks in our frontline system. It just says somebody had an absence. That's the way the reports come. It would take weeks for Jenny and I to to pour through that for Jenny had to had to do quite a bit of front line flex work with flexibility in the front line to try to get these numbers. So average 5day 132 average 4 day 111 some of that is impacted by some of our 4 day weeks connecting
084with um other holidays. So, it's a little there's another piece of a process in there with the separate that's connected to a holiday or it's during the first 10 days of the school year or the last 10. Um, so you can see here some of these days. This is again 2024 2025 school year when school first started that first week only 69 absences then 112. You're not supposed to take time off during that that first two weeks but we inevitably have people for legitimate reasons taking some time off. Stays pretty good. And then as we get into September, we get some pretty heavy days and weeks weeks. This week had a Friday conference that was still 152. The next week was the B day 27. The next week was 5 day 37. Just to clarify,
085this is also for like um student sponsored activities and coaching right as well. >> Right. Madam Chair, this is this is any sort of absence for any um yeah not not allowing for or disallowing any type of absence reason. Second semester looks like this. April, no school breaks in April. So it's a tough time, tough stretch there sometimes for students and for staff. But keep in mind our state testing window was right in here in this this period of time. And then in May last year, this week, this is one of the reasons that Friday off was at least a couple years ago, the board considered that to be a good idea since we have all the coordinating events on that Friday. Even with that Friday 157 people meeting absences that week ended up, this
086is the start of this school year. and it's only through Thanksgiving break at this point. That's why I finally had some mercy on Jenny and told her quick the numbers. So I mean I guess to sum that up there is some benefit to a 4 day week in terms of staff absences about it's between 15 and 16% fewer on a 4 day week but that could be caused by a lot of different factors. Um so the other consideration with 4 day week in particular has to do with our classified staff. Um and the wall our pathfinder principal and my sound director brought this to my attention. I hadn't considered it as closely as I probably should have. Um but moving to a 4 day week would mean a reduction in hours for our classified staff
087and some some of significant including our our drivers and our kitchen staff. If schools aren't available, kids aren't needing transportation. For those folks, that's a 20% reduction. Some of those folks will then drop below 30 hours a week and they would lose their benefits. I don't have particulars on how many people that would affect. We can gather that. Um, but that's something talking with Mr. George whose previous district also went to 48 that was something they had accounted for and how that would impact employees. So, something to keep in mind. Another thing on on that front as well is the the childcare issue. Um, lights on is a resource for families who need child care and enrichment for students after school hours and in the summertime. Uh, currently they do not have coverage for all
088day lights on on Fridays. Um, to do so would be some significant hiring and with the constraints of the current grant. I'm not sure what the numbers would be that we could add because that is funded through the 21st century community learning centers grant which is a federal program and last summer we didn't even know if we're going to have that until August and school was right around the corner. show that there's some finding a location large enough to accommodate the full lights on program if it were to expand and cover all the students with on Fridays would also be a consideration. So um th those are the thoughts I have about 4 day week. It is successful in many places. I think in particular for for families and students who are already at or
089above the expected level of achievement is a great thing. More time with families, more time to travel to activities um and and do all those things aside from school work that we all love to do. Um, but for some of our struggling students, I would have concerns also that what would mean what what the impact would be if fewer opportunities to be in front of instructors and support personnel as they're trying to achieve the expectations we have for them academically. Not an easy question. Um, I certainly don't have all the answers. That's a little bit of information I looked at in anticipation for this this particular board meeting. Um, there's other data we could gather, but that's just kind of what I have at this point. board members. Any comments or thoughts? >> Madam Chair,
090uh Mike going time. I assume you're talking about like support staff in those cases because with certified we' be expecting 410, right? >> U Madam Chair, Mr. Kale, I'm not exactly sure how that would look. It would be 410 or so. Probably something less because we're not quite 40 hours per week. most of them are full-time certified. Um there may be some additional hours like for some of the positions like Paris custodians could probably get closer to their 5day work hour total. But for others for transportation and kitchen staff in particular, it wouldn't be possible because kids only need to go to and from school. You know, if they only do that four times a week, that's 20% less for the time that they need transportation. That's that's 20% less eat for kitchen because you're
091not serving lunch or breakfast. Um, so those are the two position position groups where I have particular concerns. Others would probably be close. Paris could probably approximate the current number of hours. Custodians maybe. Um, but there are some that be impacted pretty significantly. >> So I'm a little confused about something workies right now for a normal certified. >> Madam Chair, Mr. K not quite. It's not quite eight hours. I think it's on average 7.5 by this week. Any thoughts, concerns, comments? >> I was just going to say that that I think that there's a fair bit of research right now about the mixed academic of the four day school week and a lot of those studies have come out like in the last three to five years. So, I think that's a pretty important consideration
092as we look beyond just our calendar days. Um, but there were some pretty significant studies that show declines. I'll give my my two bits for um as a as a former teacher and coach for me the bull key to success was consistency consistency consistency. Every time that the that the calendar changed it we lost consistency and so you went backwards. So for me it was always difficult. Um like coming to work well I will say you know getting public input I don't think as going into June is necessarily a consistency. You know I I don't think we're necessarily discussing a 4 day school week although I know that's something that's been on our radar for a while. Um, I found research stating I think of course research can go either way because I found things
093that say, you know, if you're your teachers are out sort of coaching or activities and you're substituting the room and not necessarily while students are out, you're not going to get your teachers presenting new information and new content on that day because wasted days and catch up type of things. Um, but it is complex because you've got the high school athletic association and you've got to figure out, you know, we went to a 4 day week like I know their mom just did this year. I know Evston, I think, is looking at it. You know, if your activities still aren't happening, like you said, 40 90% are still happening other days. You're still having your students miss those other days. So, there is a lot to consider from a financial standpoint. You know, I was
094thinking at some point, well, we're, you know, having subs in the building and a lot of staff trying to cover others and Johnny and Jay, for example, on Fridays or whatever day scrambling because they've got people out um today, you know, those kind of things, it could be to look at that. However, not considering that what Cat brought up with the other staff is a big deal. um that that you know and obviously we would want to um our transportation and our food services. So there is a lot to consider but I do our responsibilities is to get public input and all things whether it's policy or and so I would encourage us me personally I I would love to see us going back to doing a survey and just um you know giving a
095couple options like we have in the past. Usually there usually isn't a significant difference between the votes on those and we usually always just go with what public input was even if the majority wasn't a huge majority. So um I I did see today why today posted something. I think Fremont County School District number six um posted their calendar with input and some of our own staff were making comments about oh how nice to get public input. So, um, those are things that, you know, seeing and being aware of. Um, since we are the head of this, I personally would love to see us just send out a survey. We can only have it, you know, doesn't have to be open for a long time, but I keep public input on our surve on our
096calendar with what we have currently working and maybe one other option. I don't think we have to complicate it with five different calendar options or anything like that. But I do think I find benefit in getting public comment because as a board member um at the end of the day we're voting on this and it's a lot easier for us to say look we sent this out public comment. You either didn't respond or you did if you did respond you're what the public said and this is what we supported. So um and I I appreciate for all that you've done and I realize that ultimately it does say responsibility to put it together but I know a board you know we're voting on it and we flat >> appreciate that madam chair if I could
097ask a question. >> Yes. >> Um so for the survey or the alternatives proposed this evening um there's only a couple ways to do this. So, by far probably the most negative comments that I've heard have to do with going into June. >> So, to gain back those that day on the 27 28 calendar, we're either shortening spring break, we're starting school on a Monday or we're shortening another break. Um, and for staff, it's two days that we got to gain back. So, we can start our staff development on the 12th of August and then have a weekend So I I don't know if there's any direction that you could give me on the alternative to the current proposal that you'd like to see at this point. >> I will I mean it doesn't really
098matter but um historically weather in Wyoming in June isn't great. August is usually nicer. So if I were to if I were coming back later in August then spending time out when it's raining chill but I like and I'm the same I always thought I would go to the gym more but we had a few years where last day school snowing and then we you know we did that people complain about that. So I know there's really any others from admin as far as staff what you think Bonnie you're struggling. Yeah, it's like everything else. We're usually a 55 45 slip and I talk to people and um there there's cost ad. And so I think considering attendance in June and really watching that is important to make sure that we're still getting good use
099instructional time there. Um I can speak for many elementary teachers particularly to That winter break is a really important time to rejuvenate and come back strong. Uh I haven't ever heard anybody at an elementary level. I'm sure there are people they just haven't said it to me say I need less break. Yeah. So I I think it is always about secondary Brad. I know in the past voice, you know, starting earlier because of kids are already here with athletics, ACT prep and all that kind of stuff. >> Yes, madam chair. Um, that's always been my stance on this situation is until the Y High School Activities Association switches and pushes back to a different model, I would encourage us to start as early in August as possible because 500 kids attend high school. you know,
10090% of them are involved in activities. And when they're starting their activities early to mid August, that pretty much cuts off vacation times and activities for activities for students and our parents. At that point, our coaches are back early. And so to me, it's it would make sense, but that's one third of the district. And so I get there's others decisions that have to be made. Also to be considered, one of the things that you'll hear from my teachers if you were to ask them the most is the difficulty of cutting off some of the time that they have to prepare for their testing. And I can see big shaking her head right now. Um when you consider AP testing starts in early May, um when we took time off of August and then extended
101it past when they're actually getting testing, it it put a lot of crunch. Obviously, our teachers did an amazing job adapted, but she's still filling it today because of the adaptations that they've had to make to to make that work within that schedule. So, that's something that over the course of the last few years has definitely still resonated and something that we're still struggling to try to make the best of >> and then the testing is done and students are trying to >> a lot longer time. Um, One of the pieces that we deal with is that our courses run on quarters instead of semester. And so when they are drastically different semesters to semester, teachers are cutting back instruction. Like one semester is five days shorter than the next one. And so they're trying
102to squeeze in all of first semester in that quarter and then the next semester is 10 days longer. And so if those semesters could be close to the same number of days long, does that make sense? It affects the course. Some of course are only a semester long. There's not a second part to it. So they can't do standards the next semester. So, we're looking at those days. Um, and I would just agree with Brad with high school students if they're coming back in the middle beginning of August because of sports and we have kids that go over and participate in those sports and those activities and those coaches are back again early in August. They're really not having that summer break when they're not getting out until June. Um, I ask this every year.
103Obviously, I can't get it through the thick skull what they answered. So, my apologies for asking the same question again, but a two-day spillover in June, doesn't that mean we incur the cost of having to pay benefits for all of June for uh certain staff members? I know that our our teachers are a little bit different, but sports staff, I don't know. >> Uh, Madam Chair, Mr. K. So our benefits costs are distributed across all paychecks for the year. >> Okay. >> Um for a nine month staff they can elect to take that over 12 months. So the only question in the past was what to do with Memorial Day because previously before the board changed the policy Friday was the paid holiday but the board changed it to Memorial Day being a paid holiday.
104So we >> so we don't offer any additional costs for that. That's my that's my understanding. >> Okay. From what I recall, it was just the idea of having to pay last staff for that memorial. It was what Travis was here. I think that's been said. >> Um, and Mike, I guess that doesn't really give you any more direction. Um let's let's say and you know and the otherity of this is that the reason we did this was because at one particular snow days and then you have this calendar and instead they enjoy the luxury of winners and not having to meet those. So, um, I would encourage, you know, the options from the board as far as like, but maybe just looking at not shortening Christmas break. I guess we could look at >>
105Can I can I a recommendation? >> I want to first highlight that in our feedback, one of the areas for growth for our district was transparency around decision- making for the administrative team. Um, and so soliciting input from our staff on this seems like a great way to make forward progress on soliciting input. Um, and I would say rather than like nitpicking or giving them options, we just send out a survey and say here's a proposed schedule. Do you have any input? And it may make take more input to analyze because we may be getting text responses versus like choose this versus this. But I also think we'll probably get less responses. I think the other thing highlighted in our survey is that people actually don't like filling out the in text boxes. And I
106think that would probably be easiest to administer because it would be a simple survey. Here's what we're thinking of doing that. Tell us what you think and then we can get the input. Um I bet there's even AI tools that would do an amazing job of telling and synthesizing things. So it would not be very much work to our administrators and I think it would make our district feel or our district employees feel very included in the process for a minimal amount work and and when we have sent out these surveys you know there's the check box in the past if it was a parent or a teacher you know staff member so um I agree with their staff feedback as well as community members so um Mike are you okay with that direction then
107just kind leaving it open as far as presenting this calendar and just getting feedback on this calendar. >> Madam chair, sure. Um I just wanted to since wasn't on the board last time we did this, I just wanted to point out that when we did this, we proposed a couple of options in 2023, we we did surveys from parents and with staff and we got 183 staff responses and as Miss Agel pointed out, it was a 5545 split. Um among parents, it was even closer. was like a 5149 between the two models. So, at least based on that data set, um you're going to have a large number of constituents who don't like the model unfortunately. They prefer an earlier start. They don't like going into June. They don't think snow days are necessary, which
108by the way are reduced to two in this 28. Um so, yeah, I think that I think the survey that we did in 2023, I will retool that for 2025. Um, and last time around, every single staff member that put up written a text comment responded and published responses for the whole district to view. Um, I don't think that that convinced anybody to change their mind on things, but happy to it and accept you all consider one question. It seems like we have pushed we're not as extreme as we were the first year. Is that right? It seems like we're not like we're still starting in August. I mean inservice is starting and we have a full week of school before August is done. It seems like we started later and then went further into
109June, but this doesn't go as far. Is that right? >> Madam Chair, Miss Arms, no it's just the natural way that the model itself hasn't changed. 2017 is a little bit but we try to stick with the same general parameters. Two weeks at Christmas, one week for spring break starting on the last day of March and because that falls earlier that's just a natural fluctuation of when a particular day falls that year's calendar >> it seemed like two weeks sorry the last day chair the last sorry I think the last day of school was June 5th and there was an inservice day on June 6th Thank you. It seemed seemed like June 18th to me. >> Right. So >> maybe, madam chair, >> Kayla's gonna refer you to me in that. >> Well, what what
110I suggest we do is table this item for this evening so that uh in fact I'll make that motion we table it this evening and so that Mr. Harris can uh do a survey uh in his you know using his judgment on what to put in the survey and then come back to us uh next meeting or whenever whenever the service results are ready for us to review this again if we get a All right. Don't mind a quick little courtesy break. Thank you. Back in a couple and we'll make it quick because I know we don't have much more to cover. All right. we'll get back to it. So, we're in discussion items now. >> Madam Chair, members of the board, so this question came up at a previous board meeting and at that
111time, Chairman Hale had asked for a recommendation um regarding the status of Jeffree City Elementary School and this memo is uh my attempt at that recommendation. As I see it, there are three potential courses of action. You could do nothing as board. Uh number two, as as Mr. Sweeney mentioned, could be closed, could be still as we've done with other parcels out there. And the third option is to mothball the school. Mothballing, as we talked about, is a technical term, the school facilities rules. That just means you're not enrolling students, but you're not closing it either. you basically have it paused while enrollment um either comes or doesn't come. It advises the the district time to figure out what to do and also lets people know that that school is not closed but temporarily not
112accepting students. Um I don't think maintaining the status quo is a good idea right now. Um out of concern for my administrators mostly having some students move to Jeffree City or suddenly seek to enroll there without a teacher either mid year or late in the summer could be a really difficult thing for us to accommodate in terms of hiring staff particularly if that student needed special education supports or other specialized programs. Um number two that option is not recommended either. Who knows what's going to happen to Jeff City. the price of uranium could spike. There could be rare federal money that happens. A lot of other economic possibilities that would necessitate a school being in that area. So, I would like to I would propose not going with closing the school, not selling the property
113at this time. I think mothballing the school is the best course of action right now. Um, but in order to do that, I wouldn't want to just say, "Hey, you guys should vote and mothball the school." We were out in Jeffrey City a couple of times last school year. I think it would be wise to meet with the community again out there on site in Jefferson City and explain what that exactly means and why the school district would want to do that. At the same time, we would inform community members about the enrollment process. February is a good time for that because that's when the online registration opens. We'll see which students, if any, want to enroll up there and then that will help us understand whether we can hire and then we hire typically
114in our typical hiring season in the late winter, early spring if at all possible. Um the third bullet at the bottom of that first page let community members know that fewer than 10 students total in all grades. If we have 10, great. If we have fewer than 10, we would not open across K through five. That seems like a high number. Um particularly if you look at the member portion of the agenda I copied in their enrollment over the last six years in Jeffrey City. Uh the reason for that is we've had students that enroll and they leave or even earlier. And so if we have 10 five, I think that's where we're going is to try. If we have 10, we're not going to end up with 10 and all based on the data
115that we've had the past recent past. Um, but yeah, with with 10 or some smaller amount over the course of the school year, I think that's a viable number to hire a staff member keeping in in line comparability with their duties versus other elementary school teachers duties. um and would give us time to to make all the necessary arrangements for food service, transportation, custodial, all that sort of stuff. Um and I forgot to skip over on them. The uh enrollment window, we would hopefully uh board would say that they would take action on modifying school at its regular about three months for the community members, parents out there to am I going to enroll at Jeff City or what are we homeschooling? Are we moving? Um, so that's the the general direction of the memo
116or recommendation, I suppose. Um, and I added a paragraph at the bottom on the second page there that regardless of what happens with the school, the community is very concerned about access to that building. And just like any other facility in our school district, they're welcome to use that building. There's a facility use form. It's typically free of charge as long as it's not for nonprofit. Um, so there could be basketball games, other activities out there if they wanted to regardless of what happens in the moment. >> And Mike, when we meet with them in the winter, would we encourage you and mention that enrollment opens in February? Would we also give them a date? We had talked about that at our previous meeting too. You know, when we make sure to get >> right,
117Madam Chair, that that is exactly what we talked about and that's where the April time frame come in. I didn't put a specific date because this was this memo was put together prior to you all approving the draft board meeting dates for 2026. Um, but since that's been approved, uh, that date would be April 21st. >> I think this, even though I think this is a great option, I especially like that really official there. Any questions, comments from Mr. Harris? I think this is an excellent plan and would support moving forward this with this and would encourage us to go to Jeffrey City that seemed really important last year to find other ways to communicate this with residents in Jeffree City and then to set a date um before our April meeting that gives you
118all enough time to figure out how many people have enrolled. I'm sure it it may be worth us figuring out which meeting we're wanting to go out there. We want to give them plenty of time to actually, you know, figure out whether they're going to enroll in April. So this in advance probably maybe the January frame just approved so we could look at the February 17th meeting thoughts on that if you had a work session and then met Jeff City on that 17th. That would be too long. >> Madam Chair, so the online registration will be open hopefully sometime in early January. That's usually what we shoot for. um the work session although there were some great ideas proposed earlier for ways to use the work session time. Another option could be integ two two
119objectives in one meeting. February 17th is also viable. It's just it's just tricky. I don't know what other business will be on that. We can certainly hold business there as regular board meeting >> and I think March might be a little too late. Um, what is your thoughts on having the February 3rd board meeting in Jeff City? Um, and maybe either having a work session before the initial meeting or after I obviously welcome the state work, but scheduling. Okay. Next to the USDA climate survey results very quickly. They did a nice job of that survey. What are thoughts and next steps and action items that you want to pursue with that information? Madam Chair, I think uh I I'm I'm pleased to that we've got this done and got these results in. I think that's
120it's a helpful uh baseline. I don't I didn't uh see anything there that I found particularly disturbing. Um it all seems uh like uh um you know they were saying earlier there's a lot of very encouraging results in there uh that are excellent to see. But I'm um I'm hopeful that over time this can be something that will help us know if there are particular changes that need to happen particular if we see changes in the results that uh suggest maybe we're headed in the wrong direction on on certain areas. But we would know that over time after further further surveys take place. >> Yeah, great point Scott. I'm I'm glad we did it. I know we hesitated and um Mike had a comment about, you know, what surveys do, but whether it gave us
121the information we expected or didn't, it gave us the information I thought overall was pretty chair. I thought one of the most interesting parts is that it's something that reflects the same concerns and same things that we've talked about here which is on one hand we saw comments about we want the salaries to and benefits to increase salaries to go up how much they paying benefits to go down which we understand and at the same time we also heard we want more teachers more support more parents right which are two things that when you have our own fixed budget um are direct directly close with exactly what we're asking the administration to balance. So I I just thought it was interesting that it reflected precisely the issues that that were struggling the work session um
122or sometime going forward have a more thorough conversation about how can we implement action steps and what is our next step in terms of reserveying as I think it was Brian mentioned this is a snapshot. Um this by itself does not tell us anything about growth or progress or change. Um but my kind of short list was first off huge thank you to all of you and to all the other teachers, staff, students in our district. It was so clear that the people are what make people like working here. Um so huge huge thank you. Um that is amazing. Uh I also wanted to highlight I think I think I successfully checked the public agenda but that these results are public. Correct me if I'm wrong. And so anyone in our district or our community
123could read them and I encourage folks in our district and community to read them and um also to provide feedback on the process of this survey. Um it's easy for us to sit here and think like this went great. Um, and who knows if it was a miserable experience actually taking it. So, I encourage the individuals actually taking the survey or if we missed someone. I know we missed a lot of classified staff. I think we only made 25% of our classified staff. Um, complete it to share input with Superintendent Mike Harris or with us as members of the board so we can make the process better in the future. Um, or maybe the process is great. Give us feedback on the process. Um, and then yeah, I wanted back to the pizza point. Um,
124into our earlier conversation debating whether we should cut staff to pay teachers more, pay teachers the same, to have more parents support staff. It seemed very clear from this that we need both. Um, and I would just as we move into the legislative session emphasize to the board that this is a really powerful piece of evidence that we could take to the legislature to advocate for. Hey, we actually went and asked our staff and they said they need more staff and they need more money, which I'm sure everyone in the state of Wyoming needs more money. So, um, but I think we have a really phenomenal document for advocating for why we just need more pizza if we're going to effectively meet our educational goals. And I would encourage us as a board to use
125this um, in working with legislators moving forward. Um, and then I'd love to have a longer conversation about next steps and how we look at some of our strengths and keep doing them and look at some of our areas for growth and work on them. Although I don't know that we need a diamond that night unless we really think we should. >> And Mr. Harris and Mara, just to clarify, I believe what this survey results the participants was out of the 219 individuals, 28% were classified staff, not that only 28% completed them. Is that correct? >> Okay, never mind. just to clarify that because that does sound good but small but I think what it was is that out of the 219 157 were 72% were certified whereas the other 28% >> thank you for
126correcting me that's a lot more reassuring >> because that would be a huge chunk of people >> yeah madam chair I think I'm gonna be really interested to to see how the school leadership teams um approach data >> and then also how um our school leadership team will share kind of their plans with the other schools because it seems like there were a lot of comments in there that kind of reinforced some of the the feelings of the silo um perspective. So, I guess I'll be interested in seeing what comes out of them. >> Yeah, I think those are all great diving into that when we have our work session that administrators maybe give them some time too to give us some feedback and their thoughts on it. Great. >> All right. And talking about
127the pie and all that and money, I guess that brings us into discussion item 7C, then the aquatic center and the usage. So we had some information provided. Very helpful information break down public use of the swimming pool versus district. Would you share that with us? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I think I mentioned this anecdotally um at the meeting in November on the 18th, but just looked got some information from Mr. Sweeney. First of all, on the budget, what's what's spent on the pool? Uh you can see that in the public agenda, the actual amount spent last school year and what was budgeted for this year, it's it's about $540,000 budgeted for the school year. Um originally, the overall operating costs were supposed to be shared between school district and the city. the
128city's no longer able to contribute. So the district is is shouldering this 100%. Um the way it breaks down between public and school district uses 80 20 it's 80% used by the public 20% used by the school district and uh you want the school district employs the people who work there as well including student workers. So I don't know what the what the answer is to that. Budgets are getting tight. I really understand and having had having grown up the lander it was I remember the old crappy pool at city park and getting that new pool and how cool it was um and to be able to swim lessons there and have my kids learn from groups. It's a huge part of our community. to see any um anything negative happen with it. And I
129think that's probably pretty common sentiment around Lander, but I just I don't know if I welcome any ideas on ways we can reduce expenditure here without compromising the quality of the facility and what it means to this area, this town in particular. >> Madam Chair, I think I asked this at an earlier um meeting. Do we have any idea of the the legal basis. the formal basis for that original city district agreement when the pool was constructed or the circumstances 10 years ago when the budget was challenging brew I I don't understand exactly how it came to be how that vote went down publicly the city of the school district. I have to look at some old board meeting minutes and probably some old city council minutes to find out exactly how that happened. Mr.
130Sweenie is not here tonight rec. I mean, I think that's a very good question and I think that, you know, we we've been talking about this from the record standpoint and I definitely think that's a area to consider, but I do think, you know, maybe presenting some of this back to the city and also putting that back helping with some of this burden nice to consider. Um, I know that we had brought this up for this meeting because um the board application time is open. Um, and I don't know if that's something as a board we want to consider applying for red application. That's something I've kind of thrown around a few times now. Um, but it I think obviously needs to be decision and agreement and I don't know how that would look. I
131don't know what dollar sign dollar amount we would, you know, ask for. Um, that's unfortunate for us, but I know time wise when is the grand? It's in January. Look it up, but um, yeah, I've been thinking a lot about this in regards to the red board. Um, it's it seems like it's a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul because it's really important to remember that Breard provides hundreds of thousands of dollars to other programs in our community that are enormously important for not just our our kids, but our, you know, adults and all of our community. And in light of this data here um this is this is pretty significant in terms of um you know the benefit from the community. So I guess my first um thought would be that establishing um
132a little more information about the city's perspective on this and their ability to contribute um or their their ability to commit um some kind of help to the funding I think would be what I prefer to see as the first step versus applying for a record grant. you know, the soft total of record funding available for grants this spring will probably be around um $250,000 for all of the, you know, 30 to 40 organizations that will put in applications. So, yeah, it's getting information. >> Yeah. And it it's you know you think about that whole $540,000 and just a portion of that going back to our channel fund to help salaries or compensation when you hear you know the competitiveness compensation was the biggest issue for staff but yet knowing we have this window that
133if we don't apply for that and nothing pans out with the city then we're back to a year from now trying to struggle with what we're doing. Um, and I would love for us to present this to the city and I don't necessarily know the steps of doing that. I also worry that just like with anything we might talk about this again still three years from now. So, um, that's probably the likely scenario, but I would be definitely open most of us would be to try to open that. that conversation that looks like. >> Madam Chair, one question that I have is about the fees for people to use the pool. Um I'm curious about where those fees are now compared to when the pool originally opened and whether those have even come close to
134keeping up with with inflation. I suspect they have. I suspect that we're I mean, I don't want to say that it's free to use the pool, but it is not very expensive to use that pool. Right now, if you back out our our 20%, we're paying as a district 431,000 for people to use that, right? U it just be interesting to see what those fees are if they were adjusted for inflation relative to that 431,000. And if the city would like to subsidize those fees so that we don't have to raise them to raise that $431,000 that the public uses, you know, if they if they want to subsidize those fees for usage or a portion of those fees, then I'd say the city should should do so. But if if they don't, I think
135we need to find a way to make the pool self sustain or as self- sustaining as it can be. Fees would be one of those ways. car or rec board might be another and then city subsidies will be deferred. Those are three avenues that I can think of that would be able to give up offset these costs. Madam chair, Mr. K, if I can just respond to that real quick. I had talked with Travis about how much our fees and club dues and things like that contribute to the overall cost of operating pool. It's about $110,000. Um the all the information on what it costs for the preschool classes or water aerobics or swim club general admission. All that is in a document that's on our school website, our school district website under the Bruce
136Gresley Aquatic Center. There's a school year information sheet that outlines all that. But yeah, that's the total terms of revenue that can help offset the district's overall cost. So it's we budgeted about $540,000 about 110 last year what came in. So our actual outlet is like 400,000. >> So if we if we back out that 110, we're probably talking 320,000 that we subsidize for the public, right? It would be 80% of the 539 or whatever is is 431. So then we we back out 110 which comes back to us in fees. >> We're still down 320, right? Um, and that's what I'd like to talk about with with the city and potentially the record. How do we how do we recover that 321,000? And when you start looking at the number of staff that is
137or the impact that could be have on benefits, it's not insificant. Yeah, Madam Chair, just to I guess pile on to what what Jared is saying, that's that's a significant amount of money that our students education is is being siphoned off of their education to subsidize these these adults and other recreational uses of the pool. And and to me, that seems like uh um that that's an inappropriate use of money. That's that's not where that money should be going. and some some way for us to reclaim. I know we can't ask the rec board to to cover that cost. Um that that would devastate our community in other ways, but um we need to approach the city um and ask them to to step up. Um they do they need to come back to the
138table and and meet their obligation at least in part. and and then maybe maybe the wreck board also. Um some of that money, you know, the rec board, you know, Eileen, you mentioned there that some of the things are funding are for adult adults in our community. And so we're taking money away from our kids and and and subsidizing adult activities and and you know, as all this money is moved around and we just shouldn't be doing that. Um there's there's got to be a better way uh to to fund this thing. So just sorry >> I was going to throw out a date that January 14th is the next city council meeting tonight. Um and I am free that evening and would be happy to go with a team of people maybe with support
139of Travis for putting if we want to move forward with talking to the city. I think we should go to one of their meetings and have it on a public record and have that conversation. in person or at least present information in person. Um, seems like we're probably not ready for a conversation. Um, I think that's a great idea. We could at least have some sort of formula document about the cost pool. Um, you know, just kind of where we're at as far as financial obligations. I think Scott brings up a very valid point that um, for a school district education should be our priority. We're very fortunate to be able to provide our students with a lot of extracurriculars and other activities and that's one of the benefits of this community but you know
140we we have to look at what you know our teachers our staff and focusing just looking at the admission. I pulled up the flyer and that's very helpful. I didn't know we had all that. So, adult regular admission is $4 for the pool, $2 for preschool through 6th grade, $3 for 7 to 12, and then there's lunch passes available. Um, swimming lessons are $36, which I don't think I've changed in 10 plus years that I can think of because that's what we started swim lessons. So, there's definitely things looking at, you know, that that could help and like you said, that could be an option. um during the city council meeting letting them know that one of our options to consider would be increasing our fees and if they would like to help you know
141offset that subsidize those increases that's one of the ways the city could help others as well. Um, so how does everyone feel with do you feel like we should address some sort of just document talking points city? Do you feel like January's maybe too soon about talking? What are your thoughts on that? >> M I think sooner and better. we'll have a clear, you know, sense of what our revenue is going to look like after legislative session, but the sooner we can start this conversation, start put together with the city. I can't sorry I'm sure um I can't help but wonder if rather than go to a public meeting and have that kind of discussion it might be better for us to to have have Mike have a conversation with with the mayor and have
142start those conversations in that way rather than make it >> big and public and you know I think you can you can make a lot more progress that way that's my that's my two cents a >> I agree with chair and madam chair. And I also think that the kind of the historical background um is necessary to understand what the original agreement was and where we can take it from here. And I I would point out just to um add a little more information to what you said um Scott, you know, the lander district board, I I said it provides programming for adults. It provides programming for our entire community and it does amazing things and it really should be able to continue to do that. Um that said, those monies would be available in
143part um for desperate desperate needs, but um it really does a lot of extraordinary programming for all of us and for all of our families. So it would be terrible if we capped that simply for our pool in my opinion. >> Well, I think um in the city, you know, they might not have that ideation back to the drawing board that they might have Mr. what that original was. So, >> we're g the problem we're going to run into, I think, is that with property tax reductions, the municipalities are getting hit pretty hard, too. So, they are not going to be exactly flush either. So, I mean, it's budget cuts all >> just a thought on that too is that because they're the city, they might be able to access for recreation. So maybe they
144would be able to access Madam Chair, one more question on this topic. I think we started talking about the pool initially when we were talking about how to fund softball and I want to make sure we have a plan in place to fund softball. Um, yeah. Or I'm curious if the rec board is an appropriate year one source of Yeah. And really it would be helpful if Travis was here, but I want to make sure we have a way to fund that. >> I'm sure we do have a plan. Um, Mr. George back here, athletic activities director could probably speak to the specifics. I don't remember from your presentation, Mr. George, exactly where different funds were coming from. I I know there was some grant money for equipment to help us start up >> for
145year one. for year one both for continued years that will be the district >> and do you think they tapped into the record through their I remember this year as well so that equipment beginning operating budget but yes have to that's part of my been added now for the other parts of the for next year also All right. Reviewing board committee and building liaison. Currently we have that. >> No. Do we want to make any changes? Is there any thoughts as far as um building zones or community changes that anyone do we want to keep that they are thoughts? What's going on with the giving powers? Not to say madam chair we can we can erase that whole point >> that's been like five years that we've been talking to >> that has been dissolved
146>> great through that committee there'll just start down with you maybe and go down the row and see if there are any changes what you're happy to stay on salary >> keep them all We're not in action by that second. >> What about building the everyone feel good with where they're at? Well, we'll just we'll just keep things the same. And if anyone wants to change, I certainly know some big deal as far as >> Madam Chair, you might want to consider your role in some of this because you're going to have a lot more going on now. >> So, I mean, we don't you don't have to sign up next, but something to consider. Thank you for that. That's a good point. I just noticed are you did you and I change for the
147salary? >> I think I was on >> Yeah, I that is me. That is Scott. So, but I >> Okay, great. We'll just there. >> Okay. upcoming events and reminders. Um December 19th early release. It's the start of winter breakth. >> Um we've got one actually on Wednesday, December 17th. This is an on board um agenda. But just a reminder, we got an email from Bin Creek. They have their fifth grade market day as a board invited to that. And um I encourage anyone, it's a great way to see our fifth graders, um really putting their learning in action. tomorrow money then do great project to do some Christmas shopping. So that is uh starting at 9:30 on that correct? Okay. So you're invited to that. So any board members particularly with that, please put
148that on your calendar. January 5th, professional development day for staff. No students recruiting students on the 6th of January, end of semester, January 16th. Staff and service on 19th and our regular school board meeting for January 20th. If there's nothing else, can we just say we're going to adjourn immediately?