Rock Hills School Board Meeting May 2026

001Did the lights go out? >> Oh, the lights went out. Yes, that's what happened. >> Okay, it's 1:00, so we'll open the meeting to order. Uh we do have some additions to the agenda. There will be a 6F facilities. 6G immunization requirements. 7A driver's ed contract. >> [clears throat] >> What was G? Immunizations? >> Yes. F facilities, G immunization, and 7A driver's ed contract. >> Move to approve contract. Oh, good board. Here you got contract with the brain now. I move to approve agenda with correction. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. Set agenda. Are there questions? >> Um one thing real quick. It's the seniors going in June, correct? >> What did I put? >> Juniors. >> I had seniors, sorry. >> I asked her this morning this morning and she's like, "Yeah,

002that's when we're going." I'm like, "I'm going to give them a bad time." >> It's going crazy. >> I know. >> You know this time of year. >> Yes, I do. Okay, that was my only question. I move to approve consent agenda. >> Second. All those in favor? 7-0. >> Janet, do I need to get that changed so that it goes in the paper correctly? >> Actually, it won't go in the paper anymore. I learned I don't have to publish those and so I quit typing all this into the minutes but then the packet if somebody wants to come and see it. But yes, if you want to correct that and I'll put it in the packet. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, we are ready for a presentation from the second graders on their lemonade

003stand. >> Well, it's great pride and honor to have our second graders come to this today. Um they had their annual lemonade stand um with their teachers, Mrs. Eichler and this is Rice. So they will be presenting today. >> [clears throat] >> Hello, my name is Bruce Gates. On Monday, April 27th, we held our second grade lemonade stand. We sold cups of lemonade for $2 each. We had many people from the school community and across the county come to support us. >> Hello, my name is Tyler Watts. >> We didn't have a specific dollar amount as a goal. We simply wanted to learn through this amazing experience. >> Hello, my name is Cannon Shorter. We earned $1,085. >> Hello, my name is Carson Andrew. We donated $1,000 to Mrs. Batchelor for the youth theater on

004April 30th. >> Hello, my name is Cole from the fourth. While working on lemonade stand, we learned valuable skills. Like teamwork and collaboration, greeting customers, handling money, and providing change and smiling. >> Hello, my name is Olivia and we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended donating or any sound other way before the after school learning experience. >> Hello, my name is Jackson M. >> Hello, my name is Isabella M. >> Hello, my name is Tucker H. >> Hello, my name is Carter S. >> Hello, my name is Barton M. >> Hello, my name is Bentley B. >> Hello, my name is Dalton M. >> Hello, my name is Emma L. >> Hello, my name is Jordan O. >> Hello, my name is Kylie L. >> Hello, my name is Lily M.

005>> Hello, my name is Lily M. >> Hello, my name is Jackson M. >> Hello, my name is Victoria M. >> Hello, my name is Addison S. >> I think you. >> Guys, you did a great job. >> That was awesome. Thank you. >> Okay, um any board member reports? >> I don't think we got anywhere on our self-evaluation. >> We did not. >> So, >> I got to add that to the next one if that's okay. >> All right. anyway. It just popped back in my head a couple days ago, too. I'm like Okay. >> It didn't happen this way. >> We'll We'll get to that. >> Like >> Yep. Okay. Discussion items. A. Transportation wages. >> Yeah. Um [clears throat] Well when you compare us to other neighboring districts, I would say that

006we're pretty comparable. Um however despite a lot of different um advertising avenues, we haven't really garnered any interest. And so I wanted to um talk with you guys and see if you would consider raising at least the CDL uh bus driver wage to see if that can help um recruit some staff, but also um those that are doing it um the keep them employed with us. >> [laughter] >> Um as long as we can. So, um currently the current route [clears throat] and I guess my my recommendation would be look at increasing a little bit of all of them, but our our CDL the big bus routes are currently 35.50 a route. Um which is about 71 dollars a day. That requires a CDL and all that. And I know that those of you that

007have them that recently there's been a lot of changes to the CDL licensure and it's a lot more difficult to get. The The The tests have changed, not just the written, but everything else um from the driving test and the pre-inspection. It's all backwards the way it used to be. So, anyway um The 14 passenger is currently a dollar less per route. Um so that'd be 69 dollars a day. And then our suburban routes are 32.50 a route. Um I don't know if it's We won't know unless we try, I guess. But my my thought was to um consider it. the CDL 14 passenger give them a raise to $50 an hour which is $100 a day for >> Are you talking 14 passenger on that one? >> No, the CDL. Um maybe give the

00814 passenger up to 30 38 38 and a half potentially. Suburban routes I think that whatever they would if you wanted to do a dollar route increase on that but that would encompass their raises. >> Is it depending on the drive on this or is this >> No. Um There's there's some districts that don't offer insurance and our bus drivers get that which um I would argue is a pretty good um fringe benefit for it. Um my thought was again one of award those that are driving for us cuz it's tougher and tougher to find it and hopefully increase some entice somebody else to consider. >> How many drivers route drivers um have insurance but do not have full-time employment? >> Our route drivers only. Route or >> They're route drivers who are not full-time

009employees that have health insurance. >> I would say all of them. >> The whole department. All 20 hours a week. >> As as approximately. >> Okay. >> Some of them work more than that because they take a pre-K route. So they do 6 hours a day and then we have one who actually takes a sped route once in a while and so sometimes that's the only possible eight eight hours of pay. >> know we had some in the past that had them that were I'm I'm curious about the incentive of health insurance and if that's >> I would assume that those that are driving part of the whole is the insurance. >> Yeah. >> I just you know last year I think it was last year at this time, we changed the hiring bonus from

010500 to 1,000. I got any applicants. You know, we're we're an interesting district even compared to a lot of our neighbors just because of 770 square miles that it takes and if we can't get kids to school, we can't educate them. >> And there's several districts we're pretty close to that maybe might come this way. >> How many class A routes or CDL routes do we run today? >> Um, four. And one of those is either driven by Travis or Allen at this point. >> Cuz we have a vacancy in the bus >> how many 14 passenger Just the one 14 passenger route? >> Yes, one. A and P M and there's a there's two midday. >> Yeah, kindergarten bus. Yeah, okay. >> And three suburbans. >> And Sorry. >> Can you start at the

011top again? CDL $71 a route going to What's the recommendation? >> Um, if we go 50 a route, it would be up to $100 a day. >> Okay, 100. Okay, 50 a route versus 30. >> 35 50, correct. 14 passenger would go from 69 a day to 77 a day. Um, and I again, that's assuming they're running two routes, right? A and P M. And the suburban would be from 32 50 to 33 50. >> Per route. >> Per day. Per route. Per route, yes. >> Per route. >> 38, so that would be 76. >> 32 >> so I don't know. >> That'd be 65 to what? 67. >> 67. >> If you guys have have any ideas, I'm all ears. >> What's the I >> So >> You're saying 38 50 is what you're

012proposing? >> For suburban it's 33 50. >> No, for a 14 passenger. >> 38 50 bucks. >> And I'm open it like I'm just trying to >> [clears throat] >> What's the percentage increase on those? I'm sorry, I don't without seeing it, I'm trying to process that. Are we taking a five >> would be closest to your 3% on the suburbans. The rest would be higher. >> The dollar. >> Dollar route he that is recommended for the suburban drivers. We usually typically don't do exactly an exact percent on them because we need to be able to divide it in half. >> Yeah, no, that's that's fine. I just like I'm curious what kind of leap we're taking percentage-wise. >> Roughly 40%. Um that can't be right. >> It's 71 bucks. >> Yeah, about 40% for

013the CDL. >> Going from $71 a day to $100 a day on the CDL route, that's going to be a north of 30% at least in my mind. >> About 40 and then if you go the other route, you go from bucks. Am I doing my head right? About >> 10 11%? Does that sound right? >> And we typically help them pay for a CDL if they want to get it and we reimburse them for their um physicals and the cost of their CDL. >> Do you guys have a cost like a increased total cost to the district figure? Like without doing some quick math or >> [clears throat] >> It'd be a difference of what, 29 a day per driver? So times three drivers at this point. >> 29 >> When was the last

014time they had a raise? >> Doing water? >> Well, they're lumped in with classified, so they would have gotten Anytime we offer in the past, if we've done a 3% raise for all classified, they would have been part of that. So, I don't but I don't know we've actually I don't remember the last time we pulled them out specifically and raised that group. >> It's been a few years >> It's been a while. >> It's been a quite cuz I think I'm not even sure it's been since I've been on the board, so that'd be 7 years. >> Well, when I first came in, they went a couple years without even getting anything and then we started putting them in with the 3%, but we always round them up to get them closest to a

0150 0 or 50 where we can and >> So, so what >> difference of $29 a day for three drivers at let's say 167 school days would be 14.5. >> per driver >> No, that's that's for all three current route drivers. >> You're going to have your 14 passenger and your 71 passenger. >> Right. >> I just asked that question for >> Yeah. >> for a bunch of for well, just negotiations and all the things we're talking about right now. Just so I have an understanding of the increased cost to district overall. >> What about the activities bus? Like, I understand Mr. Belding isn't going to be around forever to drive the activities bus, but >> We had Allen driving Yeah, we had that last year. >> We had that last year. >> From 10

016to 15. >> Not for him as a coach, but for anybody else the drive time plus your seat time while you're watching. I think we bumped that from What was it? 12? >> 10 to 15. I think. >> up to 15. I was I think it was 12 before. >> And then they just get paid for seat time, so they get paid the whole time they're there. >> So, this would just This would be a route drivers. Um just the >> Oh, I I and but you're just clarifying now. you said that where we're at now is currently competitive with area districts at $69 or 71 71 a day. >> There's a few that are a little bit higher. Lakeside has one guy that's just completely different but comparatively speaking we're pretty close. Smith Center

017is a little bit higher I think. >> What's a little bit? Like you proposed a 40% increase. >> Do you want me to go get my figures? >> Yeah. I'm just like that's a If we're comparable now, I get why some increase. I don't understand the 40% increase. If there's a reason I'm all willing to hear it. >> If we can pull some CEO bus drivers cuz it's it the [clears throat] job itself is a very niche market. >> to me that the job's difficult and hard to find people. I I totally believe that. >> My thought was if we make it enticing to maybe get some other people to come here from other places so be it. Um >> Are the other districts full? >> Uh >> Are they I mean you know, wages

018but are they >> Beloit contracts it out so that one So then you can go out to Mukwonago full. >> That's a fair comparison though. >> Um >> I mean that that company is still >> Smith Center Uh I think they're they had their bus drivers calling asking they get a little bit higher route pay but they don't have insurance package. >> So Beloit >> I don't know if there's a >> Well, Beloit contracts >> am just pulling up >> Yeah, that's what I'm doing. But that that's a good point if insurance is in or not in these. I mean that >> Yeah. >> Who's who's paying for the insurance? A year. >> Washington County >> They're at 108 per day. >> But they if they don't have insurance in that that's >> Yeah. >>

019It's hard to It's hard to find >> That's not even >> But I I said I'm I'm all in favor of trying to do something here. I just wanted to make sure that you understand the budget ramifications and plan accordingly. >> Did they use their old the 8:30 in the buses or >> It just feels very arbitrary, the 40% increase, and I don't I'm open to I just went round numbers to $50 a route to see if we can pull somebody out. Uh it is a hardcore recruiting tool. >> I mean, if if we are if we end up going $50 a route throwing health insurance on top of that, like it might be something where it's like broadcast, not just like, "Hey, tell your buddy." Like broadcasting, "Hey, we're going to pay you $50

020to run a route plus you get health insurance." You tell me where you can go get $100 a day running a bus and get health insurance on top of that. I mean >> Yeah. Well, if it's if it's too aggressive, that's fine, but I think we need to we need to be pretty aggressive in trying to recruit city bus drivers. >> But Jeff, I apologize. I might have gotten rid of that after we started kind of look at different, but I can tell you that uh >> [clears throat] >> Lakeside has somebody who's making $49 a route, but it's a one-time thing. He's been there for 30 years, and everybody else is making about what we are. We were >> Including health insurance? Not including health >> No. No, most of them don't have health

021insurance and unless you work 30 hours a week, and so uh we were what we were one of maybe two or three that offered health insurance, but most of them you had to work a minimum so you had to do three routes in order to get the health insurance. Most of the two route people didn't. So, um >> [clears throat] >> we I mean, we were we were on the high end. They're you know, Smith Center, like Jeff said, is a was a little bit higher, maybe a dollar a route. Belleville was a a bit higher, and but they didn't have the benefits that we have like we have the life insurance they get life insurance and um most of the schools one of the Lakeside I think is going to offer health insurance this

022year for their two route drivers that was going to be something new this coming year. >> [clears throat] >> But you know they're all running kind of in the same trouble we are trying to find somebody to do it. >> Trying to find a bus driver. >> that. I'm trying to understand how we're paying health insurance and the competitive pay and still not is this only about and not be able to recruit. Is this only about money? >> I think our drivers are burnt feeling a little burnt out. >> I guess I guess that's like is this that if you can only pay so much at some point are you going to get anybody because something else isn't working and I don't and we can throw as much money as we want we may still

023not get the right people but I again I question the 40% arbitrary this is the right increase. If it especially if it's that it just seems seems really out of out of whack for what other districts are doing but that's just I don't know maybe it's burnout I don't know the answer to that but >> I mean like I said we're currently one bus driver short at the moment that's being covered with Travis and Allen driving those routes. >> And this year Travis and Allen drive almost 99% of the uh field trips. >> Well that's probably who we're in danger of burning out a little bit. >> Yeah. >> I saw Emily. >> It's it's it's it's that and and I mean they're they're really both contracted to be here doing other things not being

024bus drivers all the time I mean it's you know >> Yeah. >> I hate having a maintenance person head maintenance person gone driving buses all the time. >> Yeah, that's a Yeah. >> That's a totally >> And again, if you got if if you want to if you have other suggestions on pay, that's fine. I just my ultimate thought with this was we got to find a way to keep the bus drivers we have, but also find a way to recruit to where we have our maintenance guy being able to work on maintenance and not driving a bus. >> I get the I get the context of the main like making people do two double duty in that context. If there's other issues with drivers not being able to retain them, what is that reason?

025I And then so I guess do we know that? >> We have one who said she'll come back this year, but if she can't get some relief from another if we can't hire some more drivers so that she can take her days off. What's that? >> I don't know what that means. >> Means we don't have any sub drivers. So >> have any sub drivers. >> We used to have a sub driver that could jump in and do these things and we were full so that our maintenance and custodial, you know, it's all right to be a team and jump in and help where you when you can, but when it becomes your sub becomes your job. >> The province has made sure that everybody has taken gotten to take off the days they've asked

026for. Nobody has has had to not get to take off any days, but I that's a concern is that, you know, they hate to ask to take a day off one of their personal days because there's nobody to drive for them. >> I know we ran into this in the past with certain drivers that seasonally they were available, but some parts of the season they were and then we would like that I I know that was a previous issue and that went along with the health insurance thing as long as they couldn't commit all year we weren't we weren't willing to do that. We couldn't. So I there there were other issues that have gone along with this. >> I even reached out to the bus drivers that retired from us couple years ago and

027asked them if they would be willing to sub and they don't have any interest. So, I I don't even know who else to reach out to to find sub drivers, either. >> I remember we We even parked the bus up on the highway and bus drivers wanted and listed our salary and benefits and all that. I mean, I What's that? >> We didn't get any applicants. >> Well, >> That's convenient. One in an afternoon. >> Yeah, your day Your afternoon's cut cuz you got to be here by 3:00, you know, from 3:00 to 5:00. But, I mean, that's >> Needs to be a retired person that >> I think it's just like anything else. You have trouble finding help. You have trouble finding good help. So on and so forth. So, >> Ultimately, >> I

028don't mind being >> The person Kristen's going to be that retired person who has that CDL, doesn't have anything else to do, but [clears throat] it's finding them. How do you find them? >> This is casting Casting a line in the water to see if anything's going to nibble. I just If we can't get kids to school, that's a problem. I mean, that's That's why Travis and Allen have been driving around >> but we've got other I I I agree, but there are other positions that We I think we'd be very cautious on taking salary increases like this for one specific position that have ramifications in other positions across the district without whatever data that we're given to make that decision. And I'm >> If there was a teacher that wanted to drive a route

029before and after school, I'd welcome them to get their route paid, too. But, there's >> I look I look at the activity driver situation. We've talked about this before in a similar capacity. We have We We have made the decision not to pay coaches to drive to get their CDL and get paid to be bus drivers. So, we're forcing sub drivers We We don't want to reward We don't want to pay them for being a coach and driving the bus. We only want to pay them to be the coach and if they'll drive the bus, great. Thank you. I don't understand that policy that we have created. >> Phil Campsie is the only one that does and he is compensated for driving. >> Now, we offer that to other coaches? >> He doesn't get capers

030pulled out of his pay. >> No, but he he doesn't he doesn't get compensated for driving. >> Indirectly, he gets extra. >> But we don't but if if a coach wanted to drive the bus, a class A CDL or 14 passenger bus, would they get extra pay to take the kids or would be would they? >> For a CDL, I I've no reason I'd have no qualms with paying them for that. >> Um it would be hard to figure out because they're they're already getting a supplemental but then the uh activity bus pay is $15 an hour for the whole time you're there so that we'd have to know if are we paying them their supplemental plus $15 an hour for the 8 hours they're gone or 5 hours or whatever. >> I agree with

031that but if if a if an activity driver said, "Yeah, I'll drive." we're going to pay them. >> Right. >> Other districts do this all the time. I've never understood why we don't. >> I'm happy to do it. I just need guidance and for you guys to set policy. >> They're already getting the health insurance. They're getting most of them. >> Pay to coach to coach but they're driving the bus for 2 hours. >> It'd be makes sense to pay them route pay. >> The question's been asked by them. >> Yeah, I don't but but I'm saying there that's a policy that we have that we are not doing to potentially have have some more flexibility to who drives. I mean I That's what I see that as one piece of this issue. I I've

032read route drivers and Kenny, you were going to say something I know about. >> I'm not sure now. I mean I think I was just going to I appreciate the being aggressive piece of it long as you just understand that overall this year cost and I don't know if it's time to reward our existing drivers and and and be aggressive in that way but then still and maybe scale back the new new drivers for a year and then give them the raise >> What about longevity bonuses in this area? >> there, too, with all that. >> That I have no problem taking care of people we have because they need to be but that still doesn't bring new people. >> No, you're shooting so >> I know. I don't know. It's just it I If

033we continue doing what we It's all it's going to do is get worse and it's going to be harder and harder to get kids to school. >> So, I don't know if going I don't know if making it 14. What is that? 14.50? bump Well, you're only up in the one a dollar, you're only up in the next one $4 and then the you go to the next one. I I get that. I I'd say maybe 10. >> I'm open to whatever. I just say we got to get the bus drivers. What are we going to get bus drivers? >> I agree. >> Don't we have some sort of tracking device on the buses? Like they were using it for that. Is it on the activities bus also? Cuz then you could use that as

034a Well, we saw that that for this amount of time you were driving paying for the driving and then they're not driving so they get their supplemental and then when they drive again they get the driving >> I don't believe those things are working right now. I don't think they have have them working at this time. It's a pain. >> I take they are. >> I think Last I heard that some of them they they weren't working but they had something with the program but >> I mean, something like that to figure out but I don't see any reason why we couldn't just you know, budget. If the coaches are willing to have the CDL you know, to drive but yeah, the >> Who do we tend to get for subs for a route driver?

035Like is it >> Travis McDowell. only sub so that is it. >> There's nobody else that can drive it. All of our old subs won't do it. >> And you said one one of one of them at least is driving everyday. >> Yes, at least one. >> At least yeah. >> I think Travis does morning and Alan does afternoon. >> Yeah, that's how you see Alan in the afternoon. He comes out on our route. >> But like today Alan's at a field trip but he'll probably make it home in time to drive it. >> [laughter] >> See and that just doesn't make sense to me to have somebody in that position basically as a full-time bus driver now. That's >> Didn't he drive to golf last week? Yeah. Well but usually we have somebody I'm

036trying to help somebody. Because not all of them are qualified to drive a bus. I'm driving tomorrow but >> To give up a whole day of work to go and drive is a lot. >> Do you have your driver's license? I find you get it this year. >> [clears throat] >> After winning it every year. I guess what's up. >> I struggle to understand exactly what we're doing without having something in front of me to see what the movement is, what percentage is related to that. So I'm I'm still >> I guess so. >> You just want to go to a flat rate $100. >> Trying to find a way to recruit drivers. >> We don't don't probably have to make a decision on this today. This is probably a topic that can wait another

037month to decide but I I mean I agree I I think we need to be more aggressive in trying to recruit bus drivers. I think we need to do what we can to keep our bus drivers. I think we need to do whatever we can to not have people who are currently employed to be doing something else driving a bus all the time. That's that's not good practice. Um I think it might be helpful to make a decision if we had some of those comps with that I mean I'm hearing we're we're a little less, we're a little more, we're insurance not but could we have a little more >> Sure. >> I'll look for that. >> And and I'm not just saying let's compare us to the neighbor there, the neighbor there. You know,

038what I don't care if we compare ourselves to a Concordia or a Beloit or I mean we're pulling from the same potential pool. Um but I guess that would help me make a decision if I could see a little more comparison and then like Brennan said, what how does that how does that change translate to a yearly cost to the district? >> Well, just you know >> We're going to talk about insurance here in a little bit and we're going to talk about negotiations and >> And if there's >> it all starts to add up. I want to take care of what we need to take care of but >> We got >> We can't spend money we don't have. >> We got to know what we're getting ourselves into. And I guess if there's

039a way that you can make the make and I don't know how you do it for sure but Okay, so we have we pay this hourly rate and give insurance. They neighbors pay this hourly rate no insurance. Can we find a way to compare those by figuring in the the health insurance as part of the hourly wage or something? >> Oh, that bumps our hourly wage way up or actually actually our drivers make more than everybody else. Their cost is more than every other employee because they're only a 20-hour employee so it's based on a lower hourly. So when they >> You're dividing their insurance premium over the 20 hours instead of 40 then >> They get like they get like $14 an hour for insurance. >> Well, how can we how can we compare

040them? >> I think it's the right question to ask though and >> And if if it really if if we really are way way way ahead of everybody else because we're paying the insurance and why can't we get bus drivers? That's That doesn't make any sense to me. If if we're if we're paying like such exorbitantly higher amounts if you include the insurance than everybody else is I don't understand why nobody would want to drive. And if that's if that's the case then raising our rates probably still isn't going to bring anybody in. You can pay them $200 route. So >> Is there a way to uh Is there a way to give them the option of whether the essence are not full-time? And I know a full-time is a different, I don't know about

041part-time. Where if you if you took the health insurance, it's one pay, and if you didn't, it's another. >> Our plan says that we offer insurance to the 20-hour per week bus drivers. So, even an employee that only works 20 hours a week, we have a couple of teachers, they are offered insurance as well because they have met that 20-hour >> Okay, that's what I was wondering. >> plan? >> That's just >> Yeah. That's just part of our policy. >> Our health insurance policy requires that. >> Right. I mean, it's like we keep our retirees can stay on and pay hours lost our rate. >> Cuz for some, health insurance may not be an issue, and if we could increase the pay, it'd be valuable. >> And so, those numbers are counted in the number

042of the percentage that we have to be insured also. >> [clears throat] >> Yeah, I guess that's kind of what I was wondering. Is there anybody sat down with the bus drivers and say, "Hey, what's more valuable to you, a higher hourly rate or keeping this insurance?" >> bus drivers says it's the health insurance. >> See, I mean, that's a good thing. >> it wasn't for that, he'd be doing something else. >> That's a good That's good to know. >> I mean, I know that for a fact. >> And I know all of our suburban drivers have said that that's why they're doing it because they're can't you know, quite some of them can't quite get Medicare, and some of them can, but ours is still better, and they don't have to pay out of

043the pocket for it. >> I think looking at asking what the route drivers were employed even for a private company is relative. >> I'll get a spreadsheet. >> Give it to you. >> All right, we will I guess table that then. >> Okay. >> We can meet here. >> I think we should bring up health insurance. >> All right, health insurance costs. >> Yeah, we Blue Cross agent um stopped in last week and the preliminary increase for health insurance is 6 19.69%. Um, which the total increase in dollar amount is 150. So, you take 95% of that, it's going to be an additional $141,500 in cost. Um, and the district's share of that, so um, I reached out to IMA and they are working with trying to get Blue Cross to reconsider that. When I

044talked with him on Friday, he I I sent him our >> [clears throat] >> um, premiums since 2016 to show the the increases that we've been getting the last 8 years. Like, quite a few of them have been in over 10% increases. But, anyway, he wanted that for some data. He thought it seemed a little bit excessive. There's another district that is working with IMA that's also in the grandfather plan and they're seeing a 5% increase. Um, and so he's going to do what he can, but just wanted to let you guys know and he's hoping to get numbers by early to mid-June, um, to have solid numbers on what that is, but >> The explanation for the difference is they said we swapped this year. Last year our pharmaceutical was uh, extremely high. It

045was above what the premiums came in. This year our health was we've had quite a few surgeries, uh, that were extremely expensive and our our our our pharmaceutical was down, uh, below that our health ticked up. >> Last year was it was 6 in my mind. Was it a 7% increase last year or something? >> They started out at 20.7. >> It ended up being a 5.9. >> Yeah, they got it down to about 6%. >> Okay. I just could I knew it was pretty significant. It was lower than what we were expecting in the end, but still it goes up to read no matter what. >> Yeah. Just I just present that to you guys to know that information. >> What was the figure you gave me that that overall cost of the district

046has basically doubled in the last hour or any years? Four? >> Yeah, something like that. >> Can we see that? Like >> We've seen it. I just haven't seen it lately. >> Yeah, I'm just saying that >> that dropped that one year that we could do that. >> Yeah, I mean I'm just saying it. We put it together doubling the cost of insurance every four years. At some point we've got to have the conversation about finding a different insurance. >> Yes. >> I think we need to start now now and not wait till >> 60% >> Yeah, the state they're having the same issue at the state and and I think it's time that Blue Cross Blue Shield gets a message that hey, we can't keep paying this. >> That's it right there. >> Either

047they need to lower their rates or we got to find something else. >> Well, we've got we had about 6 years ago Blue Cross Blue Shield came presented on get what other plans would look like and what those would cost us. >> Yes. >> And I remember but I think that I think that type of presentation again would be very welcome in terms of A, where's our dollars going and B, what are other plan options look like. Um >> Is this is this not a service that we are paying for with IMA to help us with all of that? >> Yeah, that's >> They said that that they can put us out to market and see what else is there. I know you mentioned the state like they're going with Aetna. I don't know if

048United is United is probably better comparable but >> There's so many of them you can't see anybody clearly. >> It's it's doubled since 2019. 2019 it was 67 6800 for for a single now it's 139 almost 14,000 dollars of >> I do think it I think we have to be very careful though how we talk about health insurance cuz that's a very sensitive topic to all our employees. And so I I don't want to negate that as we discuss it. Every word we say is gets angst. And it should. Um But how we approach this I think is important as a board of how we want to have the conversation to ensure we can continue to provide it. There's a delicate balance of how we handle it in negotiations. There's also how we handle it

049with all the rest of the employees that aren't involved in negotiations. Um And how it needs to be transparent and have feedback but at the same time I we've got to look at all these options. >> 100% all And these are rough numbers but based on 64 I think is what he said employees that we have. Um It's about $870,000 that we're paying in health insurance. So. All right. It's not sustainable. I mean it You mean in the last >> That 800 I see on your last report 868,000. That does not So that's 95% of the plan cost. Is that >> I believe that my my formula is set up that way correctly. Yes. >> This is cuz it's to clarify we're $11,400 on your spreadsheet is what we pay. So that's not close to

050double but not quite double but the premium itself is double. I think I think that's significant if I'm an employee. The premium's double but I'm now paying a piece of that even even if 5%. So our cost hasn't completely doubled but the premium in total has doubled. >> Yeah. 2000 obviously things have changed but the spreadsheet goes back to 2007 for numbers. An annual health plan was 4 grand in 2006 or 2000 19-20 year, it was 77, now it's 13 9. It's a It's a It's a very nice benefit, but where's the balance if I want more in my salary line and less on health insurance? And that's just, you know, whether it's I I still think, and we talked about it last year, too, that having a three options and maybe the board considers

051the middle or upper level I will pay all of this and if you want the difference, you can pay the difference. That saves the district money that allows you to then to put that into salaries. But again, that's not a decision for now. I just It >> But when does that decision get made? I'm I'm also curious the process. As we're in the middle of negotiations, how does that discussion fit in when health insurance is part of negotiations? [clears throat] What How does that fit into then when the renewal happens? I'm I'm curious how you I don't know what the timeline would be of how you'd actually switch a plan like this. >> It's probably too late to do it for a renewal on September 1. >> When is the date? >> We can We

052can start right now. >> I'm just saying like if if we were to switch, what is the date we'd have to make a decision by to have enough information and and then go work backwards to when's enough information to make that? I I'm hearing This year's benefit may not be an option. >> committee meetings last We had what, two or three committee meetings last year with group of teachers who came in and looked at all that information and they said that they didn't feel that it was worth looking at at that point. So. >> What does that mean? What was it worth looking at? I guess I don't I'm just saying what does that mean, but it was Basically not saving enough money, not >> the Cadillac plan was worth it to them to have

053>> less in their salary line. >> And not as much in health insurance. But you get such a wide divide between those that you know some of the young healthy folks are like, "I don't want anything to do with this cuz I don't have 15 meds I take every month." And some of those older folks are So, if there's where the environment piece comes in where we have to be careful how we Um but again, in the end it's unsustainable overall anyway. That's where having those like mentioned those options for M and A. I mean, we're going to work and say >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I want six plans and >> But but but they but we in order to do that, you're leaving the grandfather plan. Like and that's what everybody didn't want to

054do and thought I was trying to take their insurance away, which is not the case. It was looking for one that is financially feasible moving forward. >> Some of the ones Blue Cross offered when they came in that that uh this past week and and they even said, I mean, it would it would cost a little bit less to the district, but the cost of the employee was pretty drastic like from a 1,000 2,000 deductible to a 5 to 7,000 dollar deductible. And so, the out of pocket was going to be quite I mean, it's going to was going to triple for the employee. And so, and they said for just a few dollars, that's not always worth switching those plans right now. But you know >> What's a few dollars? I mean, those kind

055of those connotations >> Like maybe 40 or 50 dollars one of them was that you'd save 40 or 50 dollars on >> On premium? So, you're talking >> person >> on premium >> 50 a month you're talking 600 dollars a year? Correct. I mean, those are the things I think that have to be taken into context of what's the cost benefit for And I don't >> But if we're going to switch, I mean, we need to start looking right away and and we may not ever get to giving Blue Cross this other chance. >> She's saying that it's not just a They need to make sure that they're And I and A didn't do a good job of it when they came in and sat with them. They and Blue Cross when they did come

056out with those, I don't even remember when that was, it was five or six years ago. But they need to have their current in front of them. This is what it's covered. This is what your deductible is. This is what your copay is. You need to have all that current. And that's the problem. Because they're seeing they're seeing that and they're saying, "Okay, this is going to be cheaper, but >> Yeah. >> this is going to be like she's saying out of pocket is going >> What about loaded deductibles and a very good prescription plan? That's the grandfather plan we're paying for, which is great. I I think we should provide a great plan, but where's >> I know. I'm listening. >> coming at a cost, though. >> I pay $2,100 a month for my

057health insurance. I'm selling it. We love the Blue Cross to go to. >> Yeah. >> Because of that. >> That's That's for United. Yeah. The first >> It's not an insurance plan. It's a health >> So, you're going to reach out to >> They won't take >> I am a zero >> I I got a medicine I'm asthmatic. >> I'd be curious in that same context a timeline. If we had to pick a different plan, what would the timeline be then for us to make that decision? >> If I remember I I go back I go back to look at my calendar. The first benefits committee meeting we had was October, maybe. And we met three or four times. And then I got enough push back that we didn't need to change. >> They need

058to know what your insurance Cuz it switches over. They need to know you can make your changes any any time 3 months beforehand. >> Yeah, I want to hear Aetna say, "I need a decision by this date." That That's what I like. >> It's got to be done a month over a month prior to when it's your new one's going to take effect. That way everything can be >> I I'm also curious, what are other districts doing? I mean, I see your feature that the analysis you put together, but that's really not specific to companies. It's They They are all over the map, it looks like to me. >> Most most Well, let's say most. Very few districts are on a grandfather plan paying 95% of their policy. There's Some districts will pay a mid

059to upper-level plan and then employee pays the difference or they'll pay a dollar amount towards the plan. I know where I'm going to did the the board pays $310 towards a policy and I don't know the employee. So, no matter what you choose the district pays 310 for towards an employee. Again, it's apples and oranges, different plans, but that's that's $11,000 going back to the employee. You know what I mean? >> Yeah, there's absolutely So. What you're frustrated with is, you know, we're finding this out now. >> Yeah. >> And and it's too late to do anything about it. So, but we don't know, you know, last year it was only 6 6 7% and maybe said we want to stay here and so that's what we did. >> Well, it it's you almost got

060to be just shopping every year hard. >> That this year >> Like you're really going to get it. >> At this point last year we were still looking at a 27% increase and then IMA came back and >> saved us 4.5%. >> Yeah, so I didn't even think it would stay there much. >> Saved 20% on that. >> I Yes. >> Okay. >> That's what you can get out of it. >> [laughter] >> There's this There's this whole balance of, you know, our employees working in a public service sector job for should have a good benefit. That's why you have a good pension system. And I I think that still I still should ring true for what we should provide a good benefit package. It isn't the private sector. Your salaries are not comparable to

061private sector. But it it's real dollars and we all know that. >> Should have that. >> But that that $860,000 is pushing 20% of my budget. >> But there's some they're just looking at the salary comparable to Yeah, corporate sector. That's hard. I get that. Anyway, I'll keep working with IMA and then that came last week and and uh let you guys see the caught up to speed on the monstrous savings you get. >> All right, we'll move on to construction update. >> We had our pre-construct We're we're meeting once a month with the construction company and the architect and that last last Tuesday um they're actually got a lot of stuff up in here and this week they're going to start um on the southeast corner starting to get back in there and pouring

062the the pads for the units on the gym. Um the one update they said is and things could change between now and the time but the DOAS units which is that's that dedicated outside air system um that might not get in here till September. You can still run the system it won't mess up anything on the system but that won't be fully installed probably till September um because that got pushed back on the um manufacturing that but they said things could change but they just wanted to let us know on that so um the system will still be up and running and everything else it just they won't have that full pressure return. Still might be better than the pressure we're getting now but they won't be fully done until that DOAS unit's been put

063in so just want to let you know on that. We'll have another meeting tomorrow um with all of them as well. Um just trying to as they get stuff up here and get started those will be um meetings will be a little bit more frequent. I also talked with them about I told them and so we're going to coordinate it with Wayne's with Doug but I want to be able to get pictures as thing as work gets done cuz I think it's important for us to communicate and show progress with the community as it's going through there. And so we'll work with getting pictures from them to update the public as we go through so that they're not just wondering what's going on. If they can see some of that progress in the pictures. We've

064got the can containers should be delivered 18th, 19th, and 20th next week. So that as we are ready to start emptying those rooms that need to be fully emptied at the high school, we can store them in there. So that the classrooms that need to be emptied are emptied. So that's still on the plan. Monday will be a lot of staff asking them to get everything boxed up in the room and all that. And then Tuesday through the rest of the week be working on getting everything out of those rooms that need to be out. So A little bit of inconvenience for everybody, but it's I think it's going to be worth it. All summer weight staff has been taken care of. That'll be at the armory and all that's set up ready to go

065too. I'll have a little bit more next month after we have that next meeting as I get started into work as well. Just wanted to let you guys know all that. Same as anything I forgot from our meeting. Thanks all. Yeah, then once demo gets started on the 25th, I'm sure it'll go pretty fast and furious for a while. >> Copy machines have just been moved. I told them between Monday and Wednesday. There's two that have to be moved from the junior senior high. One will be hooked up at the elementary. The elementary's copier takes such an abuse that we don't want the high school employees using it because it already is three times what theirs is. So we're moving their copier down to the elementary so they can go on and print there. We're

066moving Stacy's copier over to the work room so they can get flooring and so that's all should be handled at the same time when they that first of next week. >> All right. Anything else on that? >> That's it. >> Okay. Uh then we will move on to student adult meal pricing for next year. >> When when we look at reimbursable meals from the US uh USDA, we have to remain competitive. We're competitive. We're still behind. And Janet has those numbers, but obviously we don't want to gouge our families, but we need to proceed to stay those increases to where we get up to close where we should be with those reimbursable amounts. >> They recommend a 10 10 to 20% 10 to 20 cent uh per meal is hopefully not quite as much of

067a hardship. We're still about 80 some cents down, but they do not expect us nor want us to uh catch up instantly. And we with a 10 cent, we usually stay about the same uh amount down every year. That's usually what we do. >> Questions? Thoughts? >> Need a motion? >> You have a recommendation? >> Recommend a 10 cent for all meals. >> From Building 2nd. >> All those in favor? 7-0. Okay. Mapleson Miller. >> They called Janet last week [clears throat] um and with that I'm just like mid-America feeling like they don't have the manpower to do all their jobs. They're looking at all the contracts that were coming up and just dissolving those and so Mape's is no longer going to be our auditors since our contract is up. So we'll be working

068on >> Well, we we were wanting to switch that anyway, so >> That's what I That's what he When he told me that the other day, I said, "Well, we kind of had had that discussion in recent years of maybe it would be good practice to use a different company once in a while instead of the same one." >> contract was up. That's what we were >> Now is I guess it's before we have Now we have to be that whether we want to be or not, so >> And there's not a lot of them out there, but they gave us a recommendation and then of course I was at at a meeting and and actually spent quite a bit of time with Scott Lloyd with Lloyd Group. He does Bloyd's. He's a little bit

069smaller of a firm. There's Barney in Manhattan. There's BFG or something in in Wichita that that I was told did a did a good job. They're all bigger companies and then Scott Lloyd in Lloyd Group is out of Canton, Kansas. And he does like all the trainings for Yeah, for K Mag. He's the only one that does K Mag. And so I I talked to him at my conference and he's going to get with me next week to and >> Will they submit bids? Is that how that works? >> I'm Yeah, I'm going to That's what I'm going to ask him is is what they look at for, you know, to charge and and most is done virtual Is that electronically but they would would come out for at least a day to go through

070some of the files which is is good because we don't have the manpower to scan everything to them. So But anyway, so I will visit with him next week and then I can get a hold of also the one in Wichita and Patricia Sink and Gordon. I don't know I mean >> Who's that? >> Sink and Gordon Associates in Manhattan. >> Do they Do they school audits? >> I I went to several accounts that I believe they do. Um Sinks are from this area, but >> Spell that last name. >> S I N K, Sink. >> Okay. Okay. Uh Mix and Miller said they would still answer our questions and assist us until we find somebody to to replace them, so. Good. >> Uh we'll move on to facilities. >> Yeah, first thing there Lacy

071has [clears throat] been helping out trying to get some quotes, so give a little backstory. The asphalt playground at the elementary school, once we had the steps replaced everything last summer, got used and abused and had huge craters, and so in order to level back out, it's more or less asphalt fillings on there, which is far from conducive and dangerous. >> hazard to our students playing out there and um just having that that unstructured play out there, um they're not able to dribble the basketball very well, they're not able to play the kickball if they wanted to, but ultimately it is a safety tripping hazard. >> So the the It's been a while since I've been up to the elementary playground doesn't have any actual asphalt on it. >> It's more of like the millings.

072>> It's just dirt. >> It's permanent rock. >> It's all loose on top. >> Yeah. >> So I reached out got a couple of quotes. We got one from that They're in the They're in the drive um last year. >> Okay. >> Um cuz it got tore up pretty bad with those stairs. Um >> It's very It was bad. >> from the city >> from back in the >> Back in the day. >> Back when everything was in black and white. >> [laughter] >> The other one from American Asphalt out of Abilene. To resurface that. City's about 10,000 >> I'm assuming we asked them as a favor but like Just I doubt this is the business they want to be in the right Yeah, so if we had a cheaper bid we >> There's no

073hard feelings or so >> I'm guessing it They bid it to where they didn't have >> Probably. >> They did a good job doing that. >> I like the idea of keeping tax dollars local but That's maybe not the time to do it. >> Yeah. >> I assume that's Way too big to concrete, right? >> Yeah, that's what I That was my gut, too. I think you >> Unless you go about 3 in and >> Wait, that's that's up several carports. >> Just >> It says 14,000 square feet, so That's just the car chimes. I don't know what a square What a square foot of concrete is. Then you have to have probably what at least >> You figure what? 3 in thick? >> At least. I would say that's I mean I even sidewalks

074I think they do more than that, don't they? 4 4 minimum. >> And you're talking that's a lot of That's a lot of work on there. I would think you'd want >> Yeah. >> It's not going to be a lot of trucks, so you wouldn't need 6 in but At least 4. >> It's going to be cost prohibitive, I'm sure. >> Just the ground temperature got 150 yd there. >> [laughter] >> 300 bucks a yard installed? >> Yeah. >> 100,000 be double the cost. >> At least probably. >> And probably not as >> not as tempered with weather as the asphalt would be either. >> Yeah, I need to I'm guessing it would probably require a lot of dirt work to get that all leveled out enough to do concrete on it. At least asphalt

075can kind of go like this but concrete you got to have it all flat. I guess there'd be some pretty good site work to do. >> Trump Estates, are we we're doing some additional concrete work on the west side of the building over the summer? I was heard that. >> We are replacing some sidewalks between the two buildings. Um and then going from >> another avenue to the playground. >> Yeah, like where the band room is out out there. Yeah. >> We've had a purchase order. >> Yeah. >> Okay, so but you need a you're asking for a recommendation or a motion on the Who was it? I don't remember what the >> American asphalt. >> I'm going in the wrong direction on my votes here. Um >> Is everybody okay with that? >> I

076moved yeah, I'd say. >> I'll do it I guess. No, I'm not really good at >> What is it you need, Brandon? >> Oh, it is it is the >> It's a lot of money and and I >> Is this only about money? Is there are there are there safety advantages or anything else related to concrete versus asphalt? I don't know the answer to that. >> I I don't know. >> Mike. >> The only thing I can think of is like asphalt, like when it gets to be 100 degrees in in August, like is it sticky? The kids are going to come in with >> That's what it was when I was a kid. >> I I don't know. I I don't know. I've not played on asphalt. >> But that's a long time ago,

077Brandon. >> It wasn't sticky. It wasn't sticky, no. >> asphalt. My concern if we do nothing is that we're going to track in all that on our brain and carpet. >> So my my question is can you rubberize >> as it's wet or anything out there that will come in the building. >> I know exactly what you're talking about. Asphalt milling come out of the driveway. We constantly bring it in the house. >> I know. But that's what I said. And definitely not >> I just Are we even asking these questions? Like uh I appreciate this is the cheapest route. I'm just like is this the best route? And and I'm just throwing a number out there. Oh, some combination of Should there be like a certain part of it be paved and the rest

078of it concreted or you know what I'm like around where the Yeah, so that the place that's are at is that Should that be the concrete and then where it goes That's the rubber stuff. They always change that. That's true. That always rubber. Yeah, a lot of that was covered with a grant. >> I think you know, Bobby, if you remember we were kids it it it was asphalt but it um I know what you had dry rot kind of >> He's 3 years older than I am. He went there, too. >> Sorry, Marty, you too, I guess. But you know, it wasn't it was it never was sticky. It was kind of a greyish >> Yeah, asphalt. >> I just remember I have said I had a lot of >> It wasn't brand new

079anyway. >> from falling. That's why I said >> Well, when I Yeah. When I was a teenager the high school track was made of the >> same stuff. Yes, it was. >> Oh, wow. >> Oh, yeah. >> I know because that's why I said >> We need to work We need to move on one way or the other here. What uh Are you asking for other considerations, other bids? What do you need? >> I appreciate us trying to find the cheapest route but I do not If this is if this is what facilities budget and you are saying this is what's best and I'm fine with that. I >> I can't you they said at least 20 years this will be usable barring any major earthquakes or, you know, >> All right. Well, if you

080pour concrete, it won't last all the years. It'll have cracks in it all over the place. And that's harder to patch, you know. >> No, it's not every year you check the seal. >> in, too. >> Well, >> Okay. >> I move American Asphalt. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? 7-0. Okay. Um immunization requirements. >> There is a document out there. >> What's the format? Before you want to read it. >> the >> 6G on your drive. >> Here it is. Before we need to talk about the sound system. >> sorry. Sorry. >> for F's, though. >> Um >> Yeah, sorry. I moved on too fast. >> So, in the drive, >> Here in H back here. >> we had KCAV give us quotes. And then the last one that he presented to you

081guys was combined with the audio. Another company submitted their quote that Brendan got in contact with, come up here and looked at, and his was broken out separate. So, I went back and uploaded the KVA KCAV just audio one so you can kind of look at it. I am not an audio visual professional. So, there's another document in there that I put both quotes into a couple different AI platforms and asked it to compare it. I'm not saying that it is 100% factual, but that's going to give you a lot better information than what I I gave. And so, you can read through those. Um the the Sound Advice that um gave three different options. And so, I uploaded all three of those and compared it to the um compared it to the KVAC one.

082Um >> Yeah, I'm looking at it here. I was just reading it. There it is. 6F. Just so you know, I after our last meeting, I had a a new guy that did home theaters uh I worked with before. We have them do mine and uh I asked him, "Hey, do you know anybody" I was looking for a reference. And said, "Hey, do you know of anybody that does gymnasiums?" And he said, "Yeah, we've done like five of them." I'm like, "Oh, I did not know that." And then that's where it came up. It's okay. >> So, if you look at that, it it's AI comparisons. The first one was um when I used Google Gemini, which is just like ChatGPT, which is through uh Google. Um just in case you were unaware of that.

083And then compares the two um And if you look at their recommendations, so the middle ground would be the asking the people to swap things um one or the other, but it sounds like the best bang for your buck is the second option from the Sound Advice. But then you go to ChatGPT and you can kind of read through theirs. Again, its final recommendation says the package B. Um >> I did my own research, found that the mic information and everything to do with the mic and the the amp stuff, the Shure brand that was from the KCA B company was top of the line, you'll never have any cutout issues. But from the from the sound perspective, the Danley speakers from the other one is the best um speakers on the board. so I

084think the KVC is more if you're using if you wanted it to fit concerts, presentations, that is the the speaker volume isn't as powerful, whereas the Delaney it's more of has a subwoofer with it and all that. So, again, if we if we look at the package B from Sound Advice, it's 20,460. If we're looking at the KVC for the audio, it's 35,500. So, the package C from Sound Advice is about the same price as the KVC. But, if you want to explore options, and that's what we've got. Um So, on the >> Okay, can I just say that's the question I was going >> They get the uh this other company, this What are they called? >> Sound Advice, didn't they they're just putting in a bid for all an audio system. They're not

085putting anything in for a video. >> So, and then he sent this email I'm sorry, I wasn't supposed to No, you're fine. No, you're good. Um he said that he thinks that the most affordable option for video in the gym he suggests using three or 5,000 lumen Epson 810 parallel light projector, which you can buy on Amazon um and put it up near where the Huddle camera was with a fixed projector screen. Um so, the projector sells for about $3,300 on Amazon, and if you get two of those, two fixed screens, and installation, it would be under 10,000. But he recommended projectors as a zoom. But he said if you put them closer to this where the huddle cameras were, then you don't need as powerful a one cuz the light would be okay. >>

086Where was that at? >> Where was the huddle Where were our huddle cameras at? >> Uh the huddle camera just straight above the >> Right. >> Where would it be projecting then? >> That's what I was going to say. >> It doesn't uh it's called a short throw projector. >> Well, that's what's in all of our classrooms. >> Right. That's only not It literally sits like right above >> Yeah, it's like >> It almost like shines >> straight straight down down, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh where the huddle camera is, straight down is open. >> That's Yeah. >> That's your catwalk. >> Yeah. >> No, it >> Is there enough room up above that? >> Yeah, it'd be it'd be enough for a 150-in screen above it. >> Do you want to go all the

087way up in the ceiling? >> It'd be it'd be it'd be in front of the >> Um >> below the duct work. >> That's your duct work. >> You duct work? >> on each side. >> Yeah, you do two. You do one on each side. You could do one on the wall. You could do one on the wall. I Well, that's why So, that was kind of separate just like the video. >> that? We're buying it from Amazon and putting up screens. Like >> He said if you could buy it all there and then with his labor the total cost would be under 10,000. >> So, he was including it putting that stuff in for us. >> That's how it's normally required for >> Right. So, that's why I separated the audio visual or the

088the audio separate from the from the the video um because he kind of did the set of vice did, so that's why I went back to do the same thing on the KBA C trying to do apples apples as best I could. >> They're both adjusting projectors, though. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know what I don't I still think it's something that you can get it in place if you >> Yeah, I'm hoping I'm hoping the sound system's going to hold up Saturday, right? >> Well, you know, so you can't get all this done by Saturday even if even if we approve it today. >> Uh I'd hope to I'd hope to be there I'd hope to be there by now. >> Yeah. >> With new ones, not old ones. >> [laughter]

089>> I'll bring [clears throat] a bullhorn with me this time and so if it cuts out, I'll hand it to you so you can stand up there and talk like this. Um so, [clears throat] >> my understanding I want to understand the KCAC bids cuz the the the audio the video the video one's not in this >> [snorts] >> in our board documents. >> Yeah. >> Is it? >> Yeah, the 21,000 digital signage is the first [clears throat] one. >> And then it's >> It's the first it's the first 6F KVC. >> What it says >> Jim digital signage. >> So, package package B with Sound Advice plus their recommendation for these projectors for another 10,000, that's 30,000 total for digital signage projectors whatever that is. >> That's my understanding of it. >> And it's

090audio visual the KCAV is going to be 35 plus the 20. >> Yeah, when he combined it if they were to do all the work, I think it was right around I got to go back to that one. I had these numbers in front of me. >> It's 6F Sorry, I just >> Yeah, like >> I know. I'm the same. >> Cuz it's kind of all spread out. Trying to compare bids. So Okay, so I guess give it Can you give it to me this way? The audio and the video. >> That's the ACOVI 6B out there. >> audio across >> The audio is 35,500. >> renewal and for package A package >> 21,700. >> And then the other What was that the first one? device 35,500 on the audio. Is that what you needed?

091>> Yep. >> Sound device audio Um let's let's just for the sake of argument give them package C. >> 37,800 >> and including the video piece of it. >> 10 grand 10,000 >> So That helps. So for the top that top of the line package on the audio plus the video system we would still be >> $9,000 >> 8 or $9,000 less. >> I'd be comfortable with this team package. >> below that. >> option B >> And he did on the the package B from Sound Advice on all of those he said if you you could add one more pair of speakers on the court level to have so you could hear it down on the court versus spectator a little bit more. That was an additional $3,000. >> Assuming that might be something that

092could added and eat later if we weren't happy with our sound. I'm kind of with Brendan and I think saving a I mean I think that middle-of-the-road package will probably be a tremendous upgrade to what we currently have. And not be over 50 grand. >> This is in their description their description here it says package B is a Klipsch commercial level speaker upgraded size of subwoofer for more amplification. Package C is a Danley commercial level speaker speaker. It's a premium product often used by collegiate and professional facilities. Maybe a little overkill. >> Yeah, that's kind of what I was And our gym isn't that big. >> No, and I think our size gym for our league is good. >> But there are bigger. >> The the AI summaries I just put together because I had

093known nothing about those. I thought that was the best way to get a little bit more information for the conversation. But and I went with two of them. I didn't just stick with >> Yeah. >> one AI. >> So that's a little 16 that's $16,000 difference between the two bids. And so that would put us at a total on the $30,460. Plus or minus the amounts that have been pledged from some of the local banks. Which amounts to $13,100 currently. >> 16 9 left. >> And I have a feeling there's going to be another pledge come in that will be equal or comparable to those others that have come in. >> And we still have that money from Linda >> Linda Pierce. >> I don't know if that was considered in there either. I think

094it was like 1500 or something. So I was told we're down to like the 20 to 25,000 range to do all of it. If we include the donations. I don't know why we wouldn't. >> Okay, so which ones are we doing? With you guys? >> Sound advice will be plus Plus the donation, right? >> Plus the recommendation group. >> [clears throat] >> Video. >> Tonight >> Respectfully. >> So is that what this is? We switch recommendation. I'm looking at you guys. A I A. I've seen that though. >> So we would be >> I do not. >> making a motion to accept the bid from Sound Advice package B for audio plus installation of video. >> Cost and installation of video equipment. He said it would be 10,000 or less. We don't really have that

095quote for that. We would just want to approve and to make sure we cover that by >> There will be extra. >> And that's >> Or just approve it by them and then >> And his his rationale in there I don't know if sorry if it was mentioned that he said order those order a projector from Amazon because cuz then if you put it in your gym and you don't like the way it looks, send it back. Rather than rather than buy having him buy it and then we're stuck with it if we decide we don't like it. So which is fine. Probably good advice. If you get it in the gym and you can't see it, then there's no reason to keep it. Yeah. I haven't seen any other questions. >> Plus the three

096deductions. >> Yep. >> I know. That would be >> Sound Advice >> package B and plus >> Plus the video. Audio package B plus video. Recommendations from them. Correct? >> Mhm. >> I do. >> Second. >> All in favor. 7-0. >> Okay, one other thing I >> Yeah, I was going to say real quick. Um >> H back update, is that what it was? Oh, [clears throat] the upgrade, sorry. >> Remember we tabled our last um meeting, we had to make a determination on that. But I can't remember what was the add-on that communication. I'm trying to think of what what it's called now. Anyway, um I I signed in on the Zoom with Winson Company, the architect firm SPT, and someone from Trane explaining what that um at Brandon you talked a lot more

097about it what it was, but basically communicates errors and different things. My biggest concern with all of that, if you remember, was I didn't want there to be any proprietorship or anything else that says we have to go with them. Um and so I uploaded the answers that the guy from Trane gave me based on that. So, there's no annual cost or anything else, you can choose who you want to provide your services to. It So, basically there's no proprietorship at all um other than what that does that communicate issues with the machine, but again >> No annual fee, no >> No. >> It was $96,000. >> I don't remember what it was. I'll leave that. >> I I reached out to I'm glad Brandon's here to discuss. There was other questions I had related

098to um compatibility. So, understanding and controls once you go into control system, if it's not proprietary, if for some reason a rooftop unit goes out and we don't want a Trane unit, we want to go to a Carrier or something else, that's backwards compatible, so we could should be able to switch that to some other brand if that Trane's not available or something like that. It was also about will it have the capacity to um we are I never thought about this, but we're going from like one boiler, one chiller to a whole bunch of boilers, whole bunch of chillers on three phase, so it can stagger its starting system. You don't want to start all that load all at once cuz it'll drastically change our demand load for our electric bill. So, having a

099system that has that capability to start those things gradually over time and not all at the same time. They Those are I I sent >> I heard it goes out for a while. >> Yeah, I sent the I sent a I asked some questions. Now, I apologize. I just sent them to him today. I had them about 4 days in my computer and I forgot, but I feel confident that Well, it looks to me like this is probably capable of doing that and it can increase our capacity for some efficiency and maintenance and the and the relative cost per unit at that price considering where it's controlling so many units seems like the right way to go. I mean, there Controls is a whole 'nother thing. It's like, you know, you can have a any

100whatever you can have whatever furnace and air conditioner house you want, but there's 300 thermostats to pick. The thing is once you pick up We're picking a very expensive thermostat and it's more than a thermostat. It has a lot It should have a lot of capabilities to do that. So, I do think it's the right >> Will they program it for all those things so that >> Yeah, and then >> what we need out of it or what we want >> That's Well, I don't I can't I can't answer for Trane, but that's the right question to ask. That they're that they're able to, you know, do the programming and be able to teach us um Will it be able to stagger start on demand and be able to remote monitor it? Um >> Troubleshoot.

101>> Yeah, what what's it like for our networking? We have a secure network system. Will it be able to work on our network? We need a separate network for it. >> Do you have all those answers or do you have all the >> I have all those questions, but I feel pretty good that this would do that. I think it's worth the the investment because I the other risk is and I see why Sid so you put a 7-day programmable thermostat for each air handler. There's a lot to keep track of there. For in that we have a lot of air handlers we're putting up there and a lot to manage. This should give us much more troubleshooting and service options in the future. So, I I'm comfortable recommending this um So. >> Well, like

102I said, the biggest thing for me was the priority >> Yeah. >> aspect of it because otherwise you're locking yourself into somebody that's 3 hours away and >> and if you're unhappy with them, you're stuck. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> If you want to share those questions with them that or as long as I'm fine with that. I know that's probably approving this now. What do you need for this? Do you need it approved on it or >> Yeah, we need because we got to get back with Williams on the note make sure that they get that stuff ordered. >> I'll make that motion. >> Yeah, I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor. 7-0. >> Jeff, are you going to give him over the motion is? >> Yep. >> Okay. >>

103Um I although we have what's what's our I know but what's our relationship with Classman now? Cuz we are paying a service contract for them monthly. >> They still provide everything at the elementary from my understanding. >> No, that's provided out of um Omaha. >> Oh, I >> I'm saying I saw a Classman bill and I'm like are we good I don't I'd be curious you know I don't know right now what is that service contract look like once we replace the HVAC at the high school and are they is that just the elementary? Is there a separate service contract we'll do for the high school? Is that Ken? >> No no reason to be paying for a service contract that's still under the >> I'm sure they'll take our money. >> They'll keep taking

104>> With their service contract, that's only for them to come out and check any work they do we pay additional. It's not included in the bill. >> That's worth looking into. that. >> Yeah, I just noticed that on our checks and I thought, I don't know where that is. >> I just said what we paid them, that was for some extra work, but yeah, we don't need to pay them that. >> Well, this says service contract annually on the check. Yeah, it says Glassman annual service contract for $3,185. It'd be a good question to have answered. >> Yes. >> [snorts] >> Okay. Now, we're ready to move on from facilities. So, immunization requirements. I'll go over that. 6G >> I haven't looked at it yet, but I had Judy talk with me about if the

105board if this is a policy we need are we going to stick with the policy that if they don't have it, we're going to exclude them or we or we not? She just wants to make sure that whatever is in policy is the practice we're going to provide. Even at when she talks with parents that don't have them up to date, says here you can sign this form, you don't have to worry about it. >> Nobody signs that form. >> And they still won't sign it. Um >> Currently, she said we have students in school who are in violation of our policy, but we don't do anything about it and that has her frustrated. >> And these kids change age throughout the school year, so all of a sudden you're out of compliance if you

106haven't, you know, you turn 14 in October and now you have a new immunization that is now required because of your new age. It's a night it's a tracking nightmare. >> Do you know how long we used we decided to give kids to get in compliance if they're not in compliance at the beginning of the year or if they are then something changes, how long we give them? >> I believe she's been calling or sending letters since August. >> Cuz they were out of compliance in August. Yeah. We did finally have one family come and get waivers. And the thing is, everybody can say religious waiver, and then you don't have to worry about it. But this was the first family, uh 2 weeks ago they came in and picked up waivers. And she put

107that in >> They filled them out? >> Do you know if they've come back? >> Oh, we would have to talk later cuz I'm not quite sure which family it were. >> Oh, that's right. >> Okay. >> It I mean, you can exclude them if they don't. I would recommend not exploring that till after the September 20th deadline. Um >> [laughter] >> Um You know, for >> sent you the first name. >> For count day? >> I I don't have any idea. This is not a new problem. >> Yeah. >> We don't want to make it before count day. >> Can I ask this question cuz I have no clue. What if our child not immunized, kept out of all immunizations, and we have a polio outbreak at the school? Do we have any liability

108on that? >> Well, I think you would. >> If we're not following policy. >> Yeah, and which then Then they are, yeah. >> Yeah. >> And at that time I >> They're entering at their own risk is all. Yeah. >> I was going to say KSDE and the county would be getting involved in that anyway. >> Yeah. >> They have I've seen that that list of if there's an outbreak, if you're not immunized, you have to quarantine for 20 days, 30 days, 45 days, depending on what the outbreak is, but I appreciate her recognizing this. I I said my sister, this is nothing new. >> Well, she's a she's saying that we're asking her to enforce enforce an unenforceable policy. So, we either need to make our policy more clear or have different policy or

109something. >> I don't think we get a choice in the policy. I'm pretty sure the state selects our policy for >> thought. This one was a state. She's just wanting us to are we going to enforce it or not? We haven't enforced it and that's what's frustrating. >> is enforcing look like? Pulling kids out of school? >> Pulling kids out of school. >> Telling them they can't come back until they have a plan. >> Following what the policy says. >> Is that what's best for kids? For those kids? Nope. I wouldn't agree with that. Sad but true. >> But the conversations I've had with her is she's not concerned with them being in school without it as much as it is she just wants to make sure she's following policy correctly. >> And her license

110also is the license that the school operates on now that we have a school nurse. >> I appreciate her efforts. Will the county health department have the same concern in the last couple of years that that they had tried to call and get students updated on vaccines and just didn't couldn't get any >> anywhere and >> and had asked us the exact same thing are you are you guys going to enforce this policy or not? Cuz their hands are fairly tied if the policy isn't being enforced. So that's the question is do you want to enforce that policy? >> So >> Knowing what the Cuz I know that she's presented the form for parents to just sign that form. >> Oh yeah. >> Put it before they start. >> I've never got that form. And

111I've been getting a letter for Whitley for a year and a half. >> Did she put it in the in the letter though that it's cuz I know she gave me a stack here in case people came in. She said I thought she was putting that in the letter. Cuz that's I did finally have somebody come in and get them. >> I'll be honest I didn't read the last letter. >> I I mean I just >> Mine are all done before they go. >> Well, it it doesn't absolve us of the problem. Um >> So, is there a Kansas statute um states that schools may exclude students who have not completed the required inoculations. >> May >> Yep. >> is the key word in that. >> I know. >> Makes it our choice. >> I

112know. >> It is our choice. >> Um and >> Right now, ours What does ours say exactly? Ours says cuz I cuz we put in that they'd have to sign, right? That's what we That was what the deal was. I don't remember. >> Talk to the policy guys. >> I know. Boys. >> I'm looking it up. >> I'm like, find it for me. >> The simple fact of the matter is you're going to have some kids who you if you enforce the policy, you're going to send them home and you're not going to see them again for >> extended >> Whoever and who knows when. They'll just be out They'll just be out of school for days. >> So, is there any way God, this is so Just what you want when you're enrolling kids

113and you've got kids coming in. Is there any way I mean, we know what immunizations have to be roughly now that they go by age it makes it a little bit more difficult. But is there any way to know before they enroll or when they enroll what they're going to have to have do for immunizations? >> We handed that out at >> No, I mean I know we handed out, but when people come back in and if you don't get it, you say, "Hey, I need you to read this and sign this before you leave." >> And that's good for that day and then that kid turns 14 in a week and they have new immunizations that are now due and they're out of compliance again. >> Yeah, I mean, that's I've got a kid

114this today having a 14th [clears throat] birthday. Got one of those letters in the mail in the middle of the year. And we haven't had chance to go get that taken care of yet. So, that means he'd be he'd be home from school tomorrow. you know. >> But doesn't she usually just do it at the beginning of the year? To make sure doesn't she just do her audit at the beginning of the year? >> That's what she does. >> And then I mean, I think you have some leeway if if you get up to that age during the school year, the next school year you're going to be told, "Oh, you're not in compliance now." >> See, that's what I'm asking. So, is >> We we can enforce that without enforcing sending them home. We

115can just as a courtesy give them this at enrollment, but not >> And I think that's the underlying question is are they still able to attend school or not? That's what it comes down to. We can continue to communicate, try to get better but we're going to send them home until they have it or they get we get allowed them to be here. >> I don't think she much I don't think she much tracking it and sending the letters home. She just wants to make sure that she's following the policy that we're okay with saying may means we may not. Then I don't support us pulling kids out of >> And really it's this as simple as if they would sign the waiver then there's not an issue. >> She also can't >> That protects

116us. >> Force them to sign the waiver. >> Brendan, are you still up for that? >> I'm screening. I'm reading. And then the same JG and the >> I support keeping kids in the building. >> I'm not in favor of us removing kids because of immunizations. >> We have never done it. So, if we're going to change policy that's probably a lot longer conversation. It's not policy that we're going to change our practices. That's probably a lot longer conversation. It's some education needs to go out to parents, and then more concerted effort to get things in the ship righting. So, probably not going to make that change today. >> Any time. >> I appreciate letters and postage, but I don't know what it is what she mentions in are there other methods to be employed

117beyond letters and postage and phone calls. I don't know the answer to that. We're one of 280 school districts in the state. I'm confident we're not the only one dealing with this. >> Uh and our policy basically states what the statute says. It's like if you fail to provide documentation required by law, maybe may be excluded from school by a superintendent until statutory requirements are satisfied. And then it says we got a notice of exclusion given to the parents or guardians. But, they may be excluded from school during an outbreak. But, also it says the above requirements [clears throat] are not to serve as barriers to immediate enrollment of students designated law that designates homeless and foster children from ESSA. But, just says we may. >> I'm going to write that down. >> Yeah, I

118just I don't see how we change our practice right here today without and I know things have been done, and there have been initiatives, there is efforts all the time, but I think if you're going to change your practice, then we need to have a concerted initiative to like educate and pursue and like this is going to happen next year. And before we before we change our practices. >> Our guidance for nurse Judy though is this kids can remain and we'll continue to try to communicate with parents about getting them or signing it, but they will are allowed to remain in school. Is that my understanding? >> Yeah, that's what it says. >> Oh. I know when we got that letter, that's this one. Vaccine and need. Oh. Could you when you send out that

119letter, can you just on the backside of it or on another sheet include the waiver too? I mean, just keep getting that in people's hands say Here's the Here's the waiver. All you got to do is just sign it and send it back with your kid or whatever. I mean, I don't know. >> Yeah, that was my understanding as it was going in everyone. I don't know. >> I don't think so. It could very >> we got one per I would think what like this is due or you're I need to have this and I don't remember anything other than just a letter saying >> I I don't know what I'm saying. >> the waiver. >> Yeah, yeah, we can. Just make sure that every >> Take a picture with your phone and text it.

120>> Every mail comes home has the waiver. >> Make it easy to >> Try to get Try to get more of those signed. >> And maybe in a colored page that stands out a little bit. >> Okay, yeah. The guidance you need for that. >> Yep. >> Okay. All right, we'll move on to action items then. We've got the driver's ed contract. >> We tabled this because we wanted to see how many kids are going to enroll and all that kind of stuff. And so this has pregnant from around Mr. Myers the number of students. >> Yep. >> Where we can move forward getting our kids opportunity with some Excuse me. >> Questions? >> [clears throat] >> Move to accept. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. Okay. We're ready for executive sessions. >>

121We can wait on this one. >> There's two of them. >> You can wait on this one, but there's two of them. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes, yes, thank you. >> Yeah, we're um >> What do you mean? >> Personnel, Mr. Myers. >> [clears throat] >> Maybe go to 45. This one with Lacy, do you want her? >> Okay, so we just sent Casey, Mr. Myers for like 13 minutes. So, 2:45 you said? >> So, that would be 7 minutes. >> Yeah, sorry. >> Yes. >> Okay. Mr. President, we go into executive session with Mr. Myers and Mr. Sales present to discuss employee contracts pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under comma. The open meeting will resume at the board room at 2:45. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. Yes, we are back

122in open session. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> And then would you give that to Megan, please? >> There you go. >> Are you ready? And I'm ready. Motion to approve Courtney Slezor as the 2026-2027 junior senior high business teacher. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. >> Motion to approve Motion to hire Get it right here. Erica Flynn as the 2026-2027 elementary MTSS para. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. >> Motion to approve a contract for Larry Geist for superintendent of record for the 2026-2027 school year. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. >> Motion to approve Nate Myers for operations support. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 7-0. >> Nathaniel That's a covenant. >> Frank Frank I know. >> I have to go guys. >> I'm not going

123to Frank though. Kenny, do you know if you're coming to the um legend? Okay, that's fine. I'll have enough food for you. If you don't >> I'll be there but I just won't eat. How about >> No, there's enough There'll be enough food for you. Don't you worry. >> Thank you though. >> You're welcome. I always make sure there's enough food to feed anybody and some who might just stop in. >> Okay, we're ready for You want more I believe for negotiations. >> Yeah, but do you know if you're coming? >> 2 minutes? >> I don't know. Probably yes. >> Sure. Then mark you. >> Uh put me as a probably yes. >> Awesome. >> Okay. >> I think it's going to be really yummy. Who's motioning? >> Uh nobody yet. >> Okay, I don't

124know if >> You'll stay for negotiations? >> I might do. >> You're buying it. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, your time your time will come. >> If I find it beneficial for me, I don't mind. >> Oh yeah, so like >> Brandon, Bobby, is that it? >> You got input. >> What? >> You're going to manage whatever we got so >> Yeah, the negotiations one. >> How about how much time do we need so we can >> Um >> So we can you want to be in private. >> Yes, give me 5 minutes to begin this. I'll run through this real quick. >> Okay, 3:30. >> Thank you. >> Mr. President, do we want Sam? >> Uh that's up to him. I I keep him in. >> Okay, well Mr. President, we're going to go into

125executive session. Mr. Sellers, Mr. Myers, President Mr. Boyer, employee negotiations pursuant to the executive order employee negotiations on the common. You'll be meeting to resume in the board room at 3:30. Second. >> All those >> in favor? We are 6-0. >> Slacking on my >> Okay. >> Get it uh new teacher. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 6-0. >> Any teachers