001I will call this meeting to order. We stand for the pledge of allegiance and the moment of silence. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, let's get started. [snorts] Our mission statement is excellence in education preparation for life. [clears throat] All board members are in attendance. Do we have any public comments? Okay, no public comments. Moving on to consent items. We have the approval of August 17, 2026 minutes. Approval of August 25th, 2026 and September 10, 2026 payroll. Approval of September 2026 claims. Anybody have any questions about those items? >> Okay, moving on to personnel. >> All right, new hires. I'd like to recommend Steve West, uh, maintenance. Brad Allen,
002middle school pair professional. Valeria Ro Romero, part-time pair professional at the elementary. Sierra Stout be doing a maternity league for us at the elementary. Uh Mandy Geese be doing a maternity league for us at the elementary. Tony Castle, varsity girls tennis assistant coach. Christine Matthews, varsity resident assistant coach as a volunteer. Jackson Garmin, freshman boys basketball coach. Kevin Ash, middle school cross country coach as a volunteer. Brandy Ston, middle school fall cheer co-head coach and middle school winter cheer head coach. Andy Art, seventh grade boys basketball coach. Couple reassignments. Brent Ber from eighth grade boys basketball to JD boys basketball. Isaiah Levitz, varsity Russian assistant coach to the same position as a volunteer. Josh Klein, seventh grade boys basketball coach to eighth grade boys basketball coach. And two resignations, Lisa Combmes, elementary pair professional and
003Dusty Wilhelm, varsity soccer assistant coach, and he's a volunteer. >> Any questions about that? We >> a motion, please. a second. Take it to a vote. Passes 5 to zero. [cough] [clears throat] We'll be opening the public hearing for the 2027 budget, 2027 CPF plan, and the 2027 bus replacement plan. >> Yeah. So, I will present the budget this year. Um, if you guys have any questions, go ahead. So, we'll start here with the notice for taxpayers. This is a statuto requirement. We're required to post this notice at least 10 days before the public hearing on the Gateway website. um we did meet that requirement and we also posted it on our website and it just gives taxpayers some basic information about the meetings and um the budgeted funds um how much we're budgeting and
004then the estimated money to be raised. So um we'll start here first with the referendum fund revenue. um the referendum fund main source of revenue there are property taxes and as you can see in the 2027 column there we're um advertising zero for this fund because we're allowing our referendum to expire in 2027. Um we've reserved we've held a lot of reserves um in preparation for this so we're well prepared for that. Um and then we have a comparison here. Here we're just compar comparing some different um aspects of the budget like the AD the levy and the tax rate for each of the budgeted funds. Um and here I just want to point out our advertised budget um for the referendum is a little bit higher this year because we had to alleviate the
005education fund some expenses there and move that into the referendum fund and I'll talk a little bit more about that in the education fund when we get there. um rainy day fund just gets one page here because uh revenue the only revenue source that we see there are transfers in and we always carry a budget there just in case we need it. Um I don't anticipate that we'll need [music] this year at all for 2027. Um so then a third fund here is a debt service fund. Uh the main source of revenue here is also property taxes and those are driven by our actual debt. So, here's our current debt schedule for the um 2025 lease rental bond. And that's the only debt that we'll have in um 2027. That 2019 go bond will be
006paid off at the end of 2026. Um the comparison here for the debt service fund um you'll see that the budget that top line item that budget is a little bit higher than 2026 because our um in 2026 we're only paying interest on that lease rental bond. So then we'll add in that um the [clears throat] principal also in 2027. that budget went up a little bit there. And then you'll see that advertised tax rate of 17 cents. That'll actually fall like around 14 or 15 cents, but we always advertise high to make sure we get everything we're entitled to. Um so then moving on to education fund. That's where most of the activity happens. Um you can see that that middle line there, the state tuition support that is um the main source of
007revenue in the education fund and that's driven by our student counts. Um the state tuition support is made up of the basic grant which is an amount per student um that sits in the classroom as well as other things like the special education grant and the CTE grants. But um that's that basic support has continued to increase each year. Um from 24 to 2425 to 2526 we saw an increase in the amount of 3.8%. So it went from like $7,100 to $7,400. But now in 2627 we're seeing a small increase there of 1.4%. So, it's only going from $7,400 to about $7,500. So, that's why we're seeing that need to move some expenses into the referendum fund because the the income just isn't keeping up with our expenses. Our expenses have increased almost 8% this
008year. So, it's just not keeping up with those revenues. This is just a chart of our um historical membership counts. So you can see over the last six years there we've been pretty consistent in our um student counts and whenever I budget I always use 1330 as an estimate. So it's a little bit conservative there. Um I looked today and our count was at 1340 but official count date will be October 1 and that's what will um be used to calculate state tuition support for the year. And these are just um expenditures that come out of the education fund. As you can see the green and the blue there, those are 95.34% of our expenses and those are salaries and benefits or just our people. Um we also pay for things like classroom expenses, um
009classroom supplies and curricular materials for students. And then this comparison here, um, the biggest thing I wanted to point out was that budget from 26 to 27 looks like it decreased, but it really did. We just moved some of those expenses to the referendum fund and that totaled about $1.5 million in the special education programming. We moved to the refund fund. [clears throat] And then the last fund here is the operations fund. Um the main source of revenue here are property taxes. Again, um the state budget agency sets the percentage that we can increase our levy from year to year. Um this year was 6% which was a little bit of an increase over prior years. And then we have um other local taxes coming into this fund as well um which include that local
010income tax which we know will be going away here in a couple years. Um hopefully legislation changes that but we'll see what happens. Um education or operations fund expenditures here again a big percentage of that 45.45% our salaries and benefits and then we pay for things like transportation, utilities, repairs and maintenance and projects out of here as well. And then our comparison here, um, I just wanted to note that our actual levy will land around 4.9 million, but again, we always ask high and make sure we get everything. And that tax rate should be about 38 cents. Those are all of our funds. Um, this is just a little [clears throat] chart with our assessed value history. Assessed value is a big factor of creating the budget during the process. And um you can see
011down there at the bottom the 2027 levy we're seeing another increase again of about 2.6% which is more than last year even. Um and I looked back I started in this position in July of 2020 and since then I've seen a 63% increase in that assessed value which is just crazy. Um and then another part of the budget is uh setting tax rates. So here we've just got a chart of different tax rates over the years. Um this year that 2027 estimate is what I estimate we'll actually land at and that's about u 52 cents. It'll be around 52 53 cents this year. And then um these next three slides are more statutory requirements for the budget. the uh school bus replacement plan. Um statute says that a school bus has a useful life for
01212 years. [clears throat] Um so we have a chart here at the top um over the next five years the different buses that we plan to replace um that will be 12 years or older. Um with the exception of this box here at the corner. Um, we I met with Gayen and we do have a special ed bus that's um that's only I think it's four years in route and special ed buses are on route a lot longer during the day than a regular >> [snorts] >> um school bus route. So this this school bus by the end of the school year will have about 175,000 miles on it. And in comparison, a regular route bus at the end of 12 years has about that number of miles on it. So, we're just asking for
013permission to replace that bus early um during the 2027 budget year. And then um the capital project plan here, these are projects that are anticipated [clears throat] or could happen over the next three years that are $10,000 or more in cost and um are paid for with operations fund dollars. We keep this consistent from year to year. um it's nothing we're held to. It's just things that we expect could happen during these next three years. And the same is true for this last slide, which are the um assets that could be replaced over the next three years that are $10,000 or more in value. So that is all that I have. You guys have any questions? 52 cent tax rate. That's that's pretty low. So feel really good about that. We've been in the mid
014at least mid70s before. So uh feel really good about the tax rate. >> And that should remain the same over the life of that bond as long as nothing major changes. >> Yeah. >> 52 to 54. >> Okay. Thank you for proceeding. >> We'll need a motion to close the public hearing. [clears throat] >> Second. >> Take it to a vote. That is item zero. >> Action items. >> Okay. [clears throat] First one, a recommendation to approve the student operated spiritware store policy. So this year we started that student run business of the spiritware and uh Christine had reached out to state board of accounts about having a policy in place for that. So uh we went ahead and created one and Christine's looked that over. Um but that just just a good system of
015checks and balances and some internal controls on that process. So you have a copy of that in your packet unless there's any questions on that and go ahead and recommend that we approve that policy. Can I have a motion to approve the student operated spiritware store policy? >> Motion second vote 5 to zero passes. >> Okay. Our next one also in your package you have a copy of the Garmin Miller proposal for the culinary kitchen. Uh we had talked previously about needing to replace the exhaust system in the in the kitchen. Got deed by the fire marshal for that. So, their overall proposal is about a $3,000 design fee for that. Um, there could be a couple other fees if they have to submit different documents to the state, whatnot, but they would not be
016significant. So, um, this is a project we want to move forward with, um, have to move forward with. So, um, anybody have any questions on that? >> Okay. Have a motion to approve the agreement with Garmin Miller for the culinary kitchen exhaust system. So second >> take to a vote pass is five to zero. >> In your packets you also have another document from Garmin Miller. I'll I'll come back to that one here at the end. So uh next one next couple we have some field trips that were not included uh back last spring that either been changed or added. Um our first one recommendation to approve the seventh grade field trip to the Fort Wayne to Fort Wayne. They're going to be going to the youth theater at Allen County Public Library and then
017they're going to go to the history center in the afternoon. >> Second. >> Take it to a vote. Passes 5. >> Uh the next one is recommendation to approve the fifth grade field trip to Try University. This will be a short one. They'll only be gone about an hour and a half, but they're going to go see the Phil Fort Wayne Philarmonic at trying. Motion to approve the fifth grade field trip to Try University. >> Second to vote. Passes five to zero. >> Then our last field trip there. Third grade field trip to Ryan. Help me pronounce that one. >> I wish I could [laughter] ken Farms. Okay. >> Motion to approve the field trip to Ken Farms for the third grade. So to vote, pass this back to zero. >> Okay, before we get
018into my other things, I will go around real quick. David, what's going on with the high school? >> Um, we're getting busy. It is homecoming week. Uh, we have our dance this Saturday. Next week we have the, uh, academic recognition at the football game. Uh, we have senior parent night coming up. [cough] >> [clears throat] >> Uh we have the heritage festival on the 11th um the end of the nine weeks on the 12th and our first dream teacher conference on the 13th. Um we also have a guest speaker coming Wednesday Nathan Harman. [clears throat] Um, our big celebration right now is our fundraiser just wrapped up and I don't know if you've already seen it was pretty publicized, but we raised $42,637. Um, it was a new fundraiser format this year. So, a big
019kudos to our PTO and to our community. Um, we had a lot of prizes that were donated, things like that from local businesses. And then we had our Panther Hype Day last Friday. So, a full day of fun stuff just to celebrate the great success in our community. Um, right now throughout the building, we have different committees that kind of spawn off from our leadership committee and each one's doing a book study. So, that's what our professional development looks like right now. So, we're doing five different book studies, which is pretty exciting. We're learning a lot of different things in a lot of different areas. Um, hopefully improve the building that way. We have picture day. We have college week going on right now. We have a cool event called Touch a Truck that happens
020on Thursday. Mr. Troyer kind of organizes that a lot of different vehicles from different professions and kids can see some of the different options for them when they get older. Um, and then we're wrapping up before we meet next time. We'll be wrapping up quarter one. We'll have our behavior incentive rewards and field trip and [clears throat] then parent teacher conferences. So >> Brian, what was the dollar amount again on the fundraiser? >> $42,637. Okay. It's pretty crazy. >> That's amazing. Like 10,000 from last year or something, isn't it? >> Yes. At least. [clears throat] And and we get to keep like 97% of it. So it's >> amazing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Couple things. Uh number one, in your packets, you have the other document from Garmin Miller. Back when we started talking about
021the bond project, one of the projects on there in a long list was the possibility of a restroom facility out by the softball, tennis courts, and soccer field. Um, and then I had asked you guys if it was okay to ask Garmin Miller uh what it would cost just to design that. We know it's a it would be a big dollar project if we were going to pursue it. Um, their design fee would be around $33,000 just for the design. And then also keep in mind whatever that final price comes out to be on that project, they would probably give about 5.75% of that as well. So that's just their fee for the design part, right? So um not asking you for uh any conversation or decisions on that today, but I wanted to provide
022that information to you uh just what it would cost just to have them design that. So um next month in October we're going to talk about uh the next projects in line and um maybe we'll have some more discussions on that then if you want to pursue that or not. So questions on that for now. Something else to think about too. Um again, no decision on that tonight, but do we want to look at the portable route too of of having Jag create a trailer for us that has portable restrooms in it in it? That would be a little bit nicer of a setup than just a portaot out there or people having to walk back into the school. So that'd be a much cheaper option obviously. Um, but something to think about. >> Uh,
023[clears throat] I'd be nice to have that available next month. You know what it would cost to do that next month because [clears throat] this 33,000 to do it just for drawing >> to what? Design a million dollar project, you know, that's kind of >> at least the way it goes. So, yeah, be >> Yeah, the portable one would be nice because we can then take it back. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Heritage Festival and stuff like that. And so, um, something to think about. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, just FYI for you, I signed a service agreement with Bowen Health for mental health services again this year. Uh, we've been partnered with them a long time. That's also required by law that we have to have an agreement with some mental health uh, organization out there.
024So, we'll continue with Bowen Health. Um, also in October, our principles will talk about data from last school year. Finally getting the final results of iLearn coming in. So, we'll have presentation for you that in October again along with uh Dustin and I are working on projects for next year uh this summer. So, we'll kind of have a list for you to go through on that. Um preschool data. Again, just an FYI for you. Um Midi PET kind of compiled preschool data when kindergarters registered. Um I know we've had some conversations in the past about trying to get a preschool here. Again, not sure where we put it, but um we out of 93 kindergarteners, we had 30 that did not attend any type of preschool. So about a third of our kids had no
025preschool. Um there were eight students that listed miscellaneous or private daycare prek. I don't know what that means. Uh my guess is not all eight of those attended a >> structured >> Yeah. structured uh preschool program. So, just something to keep in mind because that conversation keeps coming around. Um, ISBA regional meetings are coming up November 19th at 5:30 if any of you want to attend those. That'll be down at Fort Wayne. I believe that's a Thursday night, November 19th. So, just let me know on that. Um, and then just a reminder, we have our school board form on September 30th at six o'clock in the middle school cafeteria. So, That is all I have for tonight. >> Okay. >> Meeting adjourned at 5:22. Don't Yeah.