001Carrie Hoyer too. He works at the food pant restoration ministries down the road and he was asking he said they were going to stand alsible [Music] with liberty and justice for Father in heaven, we thank you for each person that works here at this school. We thank you for the families and the students. We pray your blessing on them, watch over them, give them the desire to learn, keep them safe. We pray that you would guide us through this meeting tonight in Jesus name. Amen. >> Okay, welcome everybody. Mission statement, excellence in education, preparation for life. Note that all members are in attendance. We have public comments at this time. We are on live feed, right? >> So, make sure your hair's com. >> Your hair looks funny. >> Minutes. Oh, sorry that was going
002right into personnel. You may have questions, comments on the minutes. Okay. How about that? Claims and payroll all presented to you in your voice packet. Christine is here. Okay. Personnel, >> new hires. I'd like to recommend Jacob Moffler, JB baseball assistant coach as a volunteer. Jolene Ruckers, middle school temporary care professional. Sophia Damsky, varsity boys tennis assistant coach. Glenn Null, middle school football assistant coach as a volunteer, and Jennifer Sears, part-time nurse for a student that uh considered medically fragile. Uh reassignments, Lauren Parr as middle school football assistant coach as a volunteer to a paid position. And two resignations, Casey Anthony Davidson, boys track assistant coach, and Robert May, middle school football coach. >> Great. Anybody have any questions on personnel for Mr. We have a motion to approve consent items. >> Motion >> I'll
003second. >> Heather, all those in favor? Motion carries 5 to zero. At this time, we'll have our public hearing for the 2025 budget project CPF plan and the bus replacement plan. Go ahead and start the hearing, Mr. Le or Christine. >> Yeah, Christine's got a presentation for you. So, >> go ahead, Christine. >> Okay, we're gonna try something new. I've got the slides on the screen. I didn't put them for you guys, but um and I apologize for my voice. Try my best. Um this is the same presentation that I sent you guys early last week. So, I'm just going to go through that. Uh this first slide is what we asked for permission to advertise at the last meeting. just the notice to taxpayers that gives them information on the budget. Um just some
004general information on the meeting days and times and different um budgeted funds and uh the amounts there. So we'll go over each of those funds a little bit more. So the referendum fund revenue uh the main source of revenue there is property taxes. Um something I want to point out there is that middle line, the property tax cap impact. That's something new that I haven't presented before. It's always been there, but it's something that's really going to start affecting us um come 2026. So, for an example, 2025, our property tax cap impact was 13,000. For 26, that'll be 173,000 between three different funds. So, that's going to be just a decrease in property taxes for us. And what a property tax cap is is a limit on the amount of property taxes that a taxpayer
005pays, which then decreases how much property tax we receive. So then our referendum spending plan, this is similar to the prior years. Um it's just a plan. It's nothing we're held to, but um we budget for improvements to buildings and grounds in the specialized co-op bill. And then here's a comparison from year to year. What was advertised in 25 versus what the budget actually came in at and then what we're advertising for 2026. But we I just want to remind you guys we always advertise high to make sure we get everything we're entitled to. Um this tax rate should actually land at what was approved by taxpayers um when we initially went out for the referendum at that 21.43 43 cents. Um, rainy day gets just one slide because pretty simple. Um, the only revenue
006here are transfers in from other funds and the state limits that to 10% of our total budget each year. Um, we always carry a budget in the rainy day fund just in case we need to spend it. it's much easier to do it in advance than to go out for an additional appropriation from the department. So then debt service fund um again property taxes are the main source of revenue here. Uh with that new lease rental bond coming on I did consult with Steel to get these numbers from them because we don't know what that will actually close at. So when that new um amortization schedule comes in, I will forward that to the department and they'll adjust this to um reflect actual numbers. So this is just the current bond that we hold, the
0072019 go bond, and that will be paid off in December of 26. Um here's our comparison for the debt fund. Um and again we're asking high uh steel estimates that that tax rate will actually land at 9 cents and then 15 cents in 2027 and beyond. Um so then these next two funds education and operations is where the majority of the activity happens. Um education fund revenue is driven by student counts. Um, the biggest change you see here is that curricular materials line at the bottom. Uh, we have zero in there because the state has decided that they're not going to send us a distribution for that anymore. They're going to roll it up into the state tuition support. So, I think that could cause some issues in the future um with funding, but we'll
008see what happens. Oh, and I did want to point out that interest line at the top. I always budget conservatively. Um, which the feds uh just told us that the feds did drop interest rates and they are lowering our interest rate in the um the main checking accounts I think next month. Is that what you said? Soon. >> Yeah. Christine. >> Yeah. >> The curriculum materials that's textbook rental. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> That's a old correct uh Next slide is our um some historical daily membership numbers from 1314 and beyond. Um you see those last few years we've been pretty consistent on enrollment numbers. Um I did check today and we're at 1340 right now which is pretty consistent a little lower but um I always in my budget estimates I use 1330. So
009we're still sitting pretty good there. and official count day is October one. So then the next slide are education fund expenditures. Um 95 94.53% of those are salaries and benefits. Um we also pay the impact bill, curricular materials, Chromebooks, that sort of thing from here. Um education fund comparison. There's not a whole lot to compare here. Um, I did just note at the bottom there that that curricular materials expense is basically not going to be reimbursed anymore. Um, the next fund is the last fund, the operations fund. Main source of revenue again is the uh property taxes. You can see that the tax impact is felt the most here, that second line. Um, and I do want to point out under other local income taxes, 444 445,000 of that are local income taxes, which will
010go away in 2028. So, in the next few years, we're going to feel the operations fund is going to feel some um decline in revenue. So, something we're looking at paying attention to. um operations fund expenditures. 42% of those are salaries and benefits. And then we pay for transportation, utilities, projects, and um just keeping the buildings and the grounds going. And then our comparison here, um just again, we're asking high to make sure we get everything we're entitled to. The DLGF does um Department of Local Government Finance. They do set a limit on how much we can raise in property taxes and that limit this year is right around 4.6 million. So, we're asking just a little high to make sure we get all that. So, now we've got a couple of graphs here. Uh
011net assessed value history. Um again our assessed value went up in 2026 1.95% in total. Um 3.5% in Lrange County and.9% in Stuat. So we weren't sure what that would do but it did go up. I think that'll drop off here eventually but we'll see. And then as that went up our tax rate continue to go down. Um, you see that last column there, the 2026 estimate, that's what I actually estimate our tax rate will come in at at 68 cents um, versus what was advertised in the slides before. So then we've got our bus replacement plan here. Um there's two sections to this this time because you notice um in section one there are no amounts in column 2026 because we're not trading any new buses in 2026. Uh the state says we have
012to hold them for 12 years and we don't have any that will be 12 years old. So Gayen's going to take a 10-year-old bus and put it in the subpool and purchase a 78 passenger to replace that. And Jeff and I did meet with him and talked about um potentially looking at leaving buses on routes a little longer in the years to come to help with those revenue losses. And we're not held to that. We can evaluate that every year. And then this next slide is our capital projects um that we see coming up in the next uh three years that are $10,000 or greater using operations fund money. So this doesn't include any of the bond projects that we'll do. Um and we just keep these consistent each year just more repair type things
013like asphalts, bleachers, doors, that type of stuff. And again, we're not held to this. These are just um just a plan. And then the last slide here are the capital assets that we plan to purchase in the next three years. And again, same as the prior slide, we're not held to this. We just keep them the same every year. Um just some things that are on the horizon. >> And that is it. Do you guys have any questions? I just have one quick question on slide 16. Um, and I know I think I texted you about this. This was on the s on the operations fund comparisons. >> Okay. >> Under the salary enhancements for the purpose of the budget, I think, didn't you say we used 1,500 for both years for that? >> Yes.
014>> Okay. Anything? >> No. You guys have any questions for Thank you guys. >> Thank you for >> Okay, so we need a motion to close the hearing a second. >> Justin moves second. All those in favor? Motion carries five to zero. action items. Recommendation to approve a field trip for the third grade at the Commons Park. >> Brian, you want to talk about what's going on over there? >> Yeah, it's Civil War days in Engle and they're going to go see a Civil War reenactment. >> Sounds like fun. >> Yeah, I think so. That'd be right up my alley. So, >> okay. Any questions? Have a motion to approve. So move >> all in favor. Motion carries five to zero. You have favor before you here or construction manager for the projects. Mr. Yeah.
015So so far we've hired Garmin Miller as our architect for this project and then we need a construction manager or CNC construction manager as a constructor. Uh that's what we're looking for. So, we received three bids uh from Michael Keran Sons, JICI Incorporated, and CME Incorporation. And uh so, Brandon and I took a look at those yesterday, talked about it. U so based on price, uh Michael Kinder and uh GIC were really close when you figure out that cost. And we figured out when we're talking about how many months they'd be working um and what that dollar amount would be, we figured three months at four million. That's kind of what we were looking at. Hopefully, it's under that four million on the parts that they're going to be doing. That's just kind of how
016we estimated their cost. So, uh Michael Ker Sons was just a little bit cheaper. Um but yet they've done a lot of work that Brandon's had a lot of knowledge of. He's worked with them quite a bit. Um I talked to Angola superintendent this morning. He said they've done projects within the last five years and uh they're great. So, under budget and and within the amount of time that they say. So, um I'd like to recommend that we go with Michael Kery Sons for this project. Any questions? >> No. Okay. Jamie moves. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Jess. Those in favor to zero. [Music] >> Yeah. When we're on that project, just a couple of updates. We had a kickoff meeting with Garmin Miller last week. That went well. Uh we met in
017here for a little bit then walked around the facilities and just kind of looked at things that we'd be touching. Um I've met with the staffs in all of our buildings just to kind of reiterate what we were talking about what our priorities would be. Um just to reflect on that. The high school it's ceiling grid and lights in all the classrooms and then some of the hallways. Uh some flooring issues. Um restroom renovations starting with our student restrooms first. Uh that press box out on the football field and then classroom furniture. So, um, as I told our staffs, it'd be nice to be able to snap your fingers and all this would be done, but there is a reality to how much you can do in eight weeks, right? And then still give our
018custodians time to clean the building. So, um, so as we go through this planning phase with with them, um, we'll have to outline what exactly we can do uh, in year one. So, um, I'm hoping to get a lot of the grid and lights done, the press box, and maybe some of the restrooms. That that would be my goal for year one at the high school. Uh, middle school and elementary, we have that two roof sections to do, one over the fifth grade wing and one over the fourth grade wing. Uh, flooring, again, all of our car carpets old, needs replaced. Uh, student restroom renovations in there as well, classroom furniture, and then playground. So, um, again, as I told them, you know, you only can put so much carpet down in eight weeks and
019bring in new furniture and get rid of old and, uh, so we'll just have to see again as we go through the planning phases what all we'll be able to do in year one. So, so we meet again with them next week and uh I'm sure Michael Ker's sons will now be part of the conversation and uh we'll start working on getting some of those estimates. I do have a guy coming um to talk about furniture next week and the purpose of having him come is just to walk through some classrooms and give me some ideas, say, "Hey, if we were going to replace all those cabinets, give me a guesstimate for that. If we're replacing all the student desk in here, the teacher desk, uh just those types of things, we can have an
020estimate. this is what it's going to cost per classroom to redo these. So, um, so I'm looking forward to that. Um, hopefully that comes in at a good price and not too scary. Uh, see, uh, so that's kind of where we're at on the project right now. Um, just want to touch base with you on some welding equipment that Ron Null has. Um, we have two welders out there. Uh, one's a TIG, one's a MIG, I believe. Um, anyways, we're not using those. they pull too much power for what we have out there. So, he would like to sell those. Um, he thinks they have a value of around four grand, four grand or so. Um, so if it's you guys, I'll just allow him to sell those. Kind of a thing of maybe a
021minimum bid and then submitting your bid what you want instead of just the first person you saw that gets it right. So, we'll kind of work some type of bid process like that. Um, but he just did get three new Miller welders from IvyTech. They're not brand new. They're used, but they're in pretty good shape. Um, they do all three types of welds, stick, MIG, and TIG. So, uh, so we got some new ones to replace both those. We weren't using those anyways because they they pull too much power and, uh, we, uh, breakers. So, so anyways, we're going to go ahead and get rid of those. Okay. Um, we've been planning that suicide drug overdose awareness event along with the Bowen Center. Uh, that's scheduled for next Wednesday, September 24th, 5:30 to 7:00 at
022the high school track. I believe we have 15 or 16 resource vendors coming, which is a good good turnout. And so far, last time I talked to Christina from the Bowen Center, we had well over a hundred people registered to come. So, which is higher than we've had, you know, this has been hosted at Lakeland now and Westview. And uh so we have the highest amount registered so far. So, so hopefully the weather cooperates. I know it's been sunny and dry forever. It looks like a little rain next week, but we'll see how it goes. Um the four main sponsors for that event will be the Nor Eastern center crossroads genetic way the warehouse and uh Park Lip Range. So September 24th, next Wednesday. Okay, that's what I have. Brian, what's going on in your
023world? >> Um so we the PTO just wrapped up their fundraiser. Um they did a little bit different this year. In the past we've used the company step it up, but this year they decided to try and do all independent. Um they didn't raise as much money. They raised just under $25,000, but because they're doing it all themselves, I think we're going to bring in more um than we have in the past. And I mean, that's awesome. So, I I'm really proud of what our PTO was able to accomplish. And then we're going to cap it off with our it's now called Panther Hype Day, previously the day of awesomeness. Um that happens tomorrow. So, if you want to see me and dump tank, I'll be there. Um so, yeah. So, lots of fun stuff
024happening. How much how much does that cost? >> Um, free for you. >> True. I mean, yeah, you're welcome. But kiddos had to earn $50 or bring in $50 per ball. So, yeah, they had to they had to earn it. But there will be a lot of staff members out there, not just me. But fun stuff. Um, staff members are going to be dressed up in inflatable costumes and racing each other, I guess. So, yeah, a lot of wacky things will be happening. >> He's been talking about it for weeks. Well, I've been looking forward to this. >> I'm sure you have. >> So, yeah. And then we also had a really cool opportunity from Try University. They reached out a few weeks ago and the Philarmonic was coming out to do both music and
025a readaloud for some of our younger students. So, we kind of moved quickly and took advantage and our K1 students went um I believe it was last week. Um we got to see that. Super positive feedback, really great opportunity. Um, we have a lot of students that wouldn't get to have that experience otherwise. So, very excited for that. Um, Andy and I have been meeting with Cassie Scarcella um to talk about PD for literacy moving forward in the school year. She'll just talk to her today. Lots of things in work for that and I'm really excited for what our staff's going to get out of that. Um, we have homecoming college go week coming up in just a week. >> Yeah, a week. >> Next week. >> Um, so we'll have dress up days. Mr.
026Troyer has been doing a great job of organizing things that go with those. talk about different types of career paths um and then college pathways as well. But one thing he always organizes is a touch a truck event. So we'll have police vehicles, fire trucks, RMC, just a lot of different representation there from the community and kiddos get to see and talk to the individuals that will drive those vehicles. We also have the island checkpoints coming up. We're starting practice tests next week and the actual checkpoints the week after. So that'll be new for our staff this year, but I'm looking forward to the data it gives. And then also in addition to our panther hype day tomorrow, we're doing a hat day to help support the volley for a cure um heavenly Katie. Um
027so dollar wear a hat to school tomorrow. So lots of fun things going on throughout the building right now. Brian touched on a lot of things. Uh I'll hit on the PD2 uh in addition to the reading PD which is going to be elementary middle school. Uh middle school is doing some math PD. Uh we've had a chance to meet with her. The teachers have too. um very positive so far just kind of you know getting things going on that but uh it's been a been a positive relationship and uh you know looking for for good results from that. Uh Brian touched on their fundraiser. We had a successful fundraiser as well. I can't thank the community enough for for their uh you know generosity. Um you know pretty pretty special on that. We were
028right around $25,000 as well. So pretty pretty awesome on that. Uh we just got done with NWA testing. Um we're only testing NWA in the fall and the spring and reading in English. Um you know look starting to look at data on that and see how that that uh you know goes and you know make some uh you know plans on that and see how we progress through that. Um recently did some parat training um with the help of uh mentor Becca Rassler and Cassie Wool heater um just working through our IAS with some things and they really appreciated that because um they don't get a ton of training. So uh the information that they got was uh they felt like it was good and it's something that's practical and something that they can use
029and you know better their practices. And then the last thing uh based on student recognition um got some feedback from staff that they wanted some change up on how we do uh student of the month. So we are going to change that up and call Panther Pride of the month. Recognize a few more kids. Um you know do some uh you know things with that and uh you know just trying to change it up a little bit and freshen it up a little bit. We'll have our first uh one of those here coming up from the start of the year in uh October 3rd. So see how that goes and hopefully that's good. That's what's going on in the middle school. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Anybody else have anything announcements? We'll be a journ
030at 6:27. Thanks for coming. We have executive session right after this. I think you guys will be happy with Michael Kinder. We do a lot of work with heard good things about it. Yes. >> Yeah. They're a good company. They'll they'll do a good job. >> Okay. Have a good evening. >> You too.