001Okay, it's six o'clock, so we will call this meeting to order. Um, we do have one addition that I've been requested to add to the discussion items and that will be 5e board member conduct. There are not any other additions to the agenda. I would accept a motion to approve it. >> Move to approve edition. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 70. >> Okay. Um, next item on the agenda is a recognition of guests. See, we [clears throat] have a few more than we generally have here. Um the way we have handled this in the past when we have a number of people here is that uh we can allow a few minutes for uh several people if they have something that they want to say on behalf of the group. But in the
002interest of time I probably can't allow everybody to stand up and speak. But uh if there is anyone that has something that they'd like to say I would give five or so minutes. Mr. Duffy, >> I have two letters here. Um, one of them is from our high school English teacher, Jennifer Walker. She can't be here tonight. She has some kids wrestling through those and just add a few comments on those and that will be it for me. Uh, this first one's from Jennifer. Members of the USD 107 Board of Education and Superintendent, I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent situation involving our high school agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor. While I will leave the investigation to the appropriate team, I am concerned about how this situation was publicly disclosed. When any
003when any school district representative reveals sensitive information, particularly information about an unresolved person personnel issue, I fear that he or she undermines confidence in our district's established procedures. These procedures should be designed to ensure fairness, discretion, and respect for all parties involved. This is the this has the potential to damage the reputation not just of one educator, but of our entire district by suggesting that our district's issues are handled through the media. This reputation in turn has the potential to influence both teacher retention and teacher recruitment at our school district. As an educator myself, I worry that if I ever make a mistake, I could also potentially face public scrutiny. I understand that my actions have consequences and that accountability is essential, but I expect that my mistakes will be addressed by established procedures. Just
004as we teach our students the importance of integrity, our school district should model that same value through professionalism, discretion, and adherence to to process. Our community and schools are strongest when our students, employees, teachers, administrators, and board members uphold these values by both words and actions. Respectfully yours, Jennifer Walker. Now for my letter. USD 107 board members and superintendent. I am writing this letter on behalf of myself, my family, the Rock Hills teachers that are here, and all Rock Hills Grizzly family members who take pride in and protect our school and this community. I am deeply concerned about the manner in which one of our school board members handled the most recent situation regarding our A and shop teacher. While I will never condone conduct that is detrimental to student well-being, what happened to the
005right to due process and innocence until proven guilty? What precedence is this setting for every other professional in this building who may get accused of something? Will I find myself on the nightly news the next time a board member has a personal vendetta against me, guilty or not? If we are in the business of creating a quality education that nurtures and fosters lifelong learning in a safe environment, then we need to make sure we are protecting our educators as well. Many people move back to this area in hopes that their children will have the opportunity to grow up in a small community and school that stands up for what is right, no matter what those consequences might look like. Sadly, this is being destroyed by a select one or two who would rather carry out
006a personal agenda to bury someone than do what is right. It isn't courageous and it isn't brave. It is self-s serving. It's selfish and not at all what this school or our or our school board stands for. What is worse and extremely disheartening is that we have a large number of community members who think that these actions are normal and okay. If we want to keep quality people people in our building, we better start looking at those who would rather find a win for themselves and address their wrongdoings. I can confidently speak for multiple teachers in this building tonight who are very troubled by this situation who are now open to other options outside of this school and town. Good teachers and more importantly great people who love this place are scared of what might
007happen to them. Continue down this path of not respecting your teachers and giving them the professional courtesies they deserve and you won't have to worry about finding anyone. We won't have a school. This letter should not land any one of these people on a bullseye or a list. A large majority of the people in this room were taught how to dis disagree with someone and still show them basic human decency. These great people have families and careers that mean the world to them. Please keep that in mind if your knee-jerk reaction to this letter is, "Let's go after one of them." At the end of the day, right is right and wrong is wrong. The actions that took place by that teacher were wrong, but so were the actions of one who was supposed to
008advocate support for our school. Two wrongs don't make it right. I hope the other board members and the staff will come together to stand up for our teachers, students, and other staff members. It is a fair ask of these teachers in this room, community members in this room who want a thorough investigation from the board as to who amongst them leaked this information. We need board members who have integrity and believe in due process, who are promoters of unity and helping this school. Personally speaking, not speaking for them, I don't want to, nor will I continue to be a part of a district that doesn't promote and practice integrity and honesty both through words and actions. There is strength in numbers and we need to stand as a grizzly family to defend what is right.
009Every one of every single person in this room has family members, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers who could have made mistakes in their lives, professionally or otherwise. If my son or daughter were to make a mistake in their professional life in the future, I would hope those around them would have enough decency to give them the right to due process, to think of their family that would be affected by those actions. Even in the wrong, I would hope that those around them wouldn't go out of their way to make sure life for them was never the same again. It isn't about condoning the action. It's about having enough respect to provide an investigation that doesn't blast them to the world. There are another handful of teachers who probably would have attended but felt scared to come
010tonight because of the repercussions that might follow. What does that say about the current state of our district? Speaking personally, I love this place and I have since I was a seventh grader when I started playing basketball with classmates here. But if there is a small group of people who are going to hold enough power to run me out of this place because of my opinion, that's a pretty damning sentence for this district. I'll be sad to leave, but I'll take my family. I'll pack up and I'll never look back until I see a newspaper clipping in 15 years that this says this school shut down because no one wants to teach here or the ones that do aren't worth their salt. Please keep that in mind. Thank you for your time. Is there anybody
011else that has anything that they would like to say at this point? Okay. Uh we will move on then with business and I do appreciate everyone's time being here tonight. Um we will move on to the consent agenda. Anybody have any questions on that? Not. I would take a motion to approve the consent agenda. Move >> to approve. Second. >> All those in favor. 70. This time we have board member reports. Um I I'm not aware of any. Um, I do have something I would like to share though as a board member report. So, you would give me a little bit of time. I've had a number of people recently tell me that being a board member is a thankless job. And I can confirm it often is. In fact, recently it feels like even
012less than that. But I choose to find the thanks in other ways. I see it in the small moments. Watching our kids and our staff greet each other in the hallways, shaking the hands of seniors as they walk across the stage at graduation. Hearing our students perform at concerts or cheering them on at games, waiting in the school parking lot at night as the team bus pulls in and my kid steps off, tired but happy. It's moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. Being a member of the school board is being part of a team. Though we don't get to ride home on the bus together, every member brings something unique and it's up to us to recognize [clears throat] those strengths, empower each other, and figure out how each
013part contributes to the whole. A successful team shares a common goal and a common vision. One that's built by the team itself. I can honestly say this group is one of the best teams I've ever been a part of. Over time, I have witnessed your individual talents, your judgment, and your commitment to service. The combined effect of these strengths far exceeds the sum of their parts. For that, I want to say I appreciate you. I appreciate the talents you bring and the effort you give day after day, month after month, year after year. This is my way of saying thank you in what's often a thankless job. Of course, being on the school board also means we won't always agree. This is not a flaw in the process. It's a fundamental fundamental part of it.
014Our differing perspectives are what ensure balanced and thoughtful decision-making. It's why there are seven members on this board, not just one. We've all been part of boats that didn't go the way we wanted. And sometimes we voted for something we didn't fully agree with because we knew deep down it was what was best for our students, our staff, and our schools. But let me be clear, those disagreements should end when we leave the boardroom. It's my responsibility to make sure every board member has a chance to both hear and be heard. I may not always get it right, but I do my best. And this, our board meetings, is the place to share differing views openly and respectfully, not in the general public, not on social media, and not through other outlets. Our board operates
015within a democratic framework. Once a decision has been made and a vote has been taken, it is our collective responsibility as board members to respect that outcome and move forward together. regardless of how we may have voted individually. This is not group think. It is respect for the process and for each other. There are also times when discussions must be held in executive session to protect the privacy of individuals. Those conversations as well as communications from the superintendent must remain confidential. Breaking that confidentiality is not just inappropriate. It can have dangerous and damaging consequences. It undermines trust both among employees and within our community. And I simply will not be a willing participant of a school board that threatens and harasses its own employees. These are the accepted practices of a functional ethical school board.
016They are not merely suggestions. They are expectations. I share these reflections tonight as a reminder of our shared duties and responsibilities. The role of a board member requires us to balance the public interest with our responsibility to support our teachers, our staff, and above all our students. It may indeed be a thankless job at times, but is it is also an essential one and one that must be carried out with respect, professionalism, and integrity. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share these thoughts and for your continued dedication to the work we do together. Are there any other board members that have any reports this time? Okay, we'll move on to discussion items. Item A is negotiation team members for 2026 2027. >> Yeah. hard. It's hard to believe that we are um at
017that time where we start this discussion for our um establishing our board negotiations team. And so I guess I'll leave it open for discussion on >> I'm on Bobby. >> Thank you. >> My turn. >> That was quick. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Unless there's anybody else they want to fight for those spots. I mean, it's it's open for conversation. >> Okay. Um, >> believe we need a motion to uh establish those negotiation team members. >> I move. >> I'll second. >> Okay. All those in favor? 70. >> Okay. Item B is a a board governance book. >> Yeah. I you know this is obviously follow up from last month. Um I don't know how much time you guys had to look at it. I had a couple people reach out and find a few things
018that needed updated to truly match practices. Um but I made changes to that. Um, again, it's just something that I think is important for us to have in place um, anytime we have um, any board members have questions about um, policies, procedure, anything else, but also for any new board members that come on that it's kind of a, for lack of better words, a playbook to help them as they step into that role. So, >> everybody have a chance to look through it. >> Yeah, I think that's great. It's a great document. >> Yeah, something we've worked on a long time. So I I'm excited to >> have it in place. So >> absolutely. >> And I I guess I would say too if if we move forward with adopting this and then if we
019need to make change it's it's obviously going to be working document too, but at least it provides a good framework for us to move forward. >> You want a motion to adopt it? >> I'll move to adopt it. >> Second present. >> All those in favor 70. >> Yeah. Thank you. We'll move that printed up. Get you guys a copy as well too. Yeah, I appreciate you working on that. >> Um, facilities. I just want to give you guys an update on some of the facility things that that we've had in placed. Um, we talked a while back about the the sewer line at the elementary school and we had Hood come in and they think they found a a better alternative, but they feel like it's going to be intrusive enough that they want
020to wait and try to look at doing that over the summer. Um, it's functioning well enough the way it is. We've got our custodians got their their closet back correctly. So, >> I think >> so that that way Tandra is not having to go across the building for that. So, um I would say it's a short-term fix, but it's a fix till summer. So, they're going to come back and explore that this summer. Jackson Glass finished up our our last um I guess hight traffic door at elementary school which is up by the fourth and fifth grade halls up above the stairs. Um, if you remember right, we didn't do that this summer because the stairs are getting fixed. Um, and so that's there. Um, next tech will be here December 2nd. I believe the
021Monday first December 1st um to get that key fob reader in that as well. And so then that will be up to go on that one. So, um, we've got KVK is coming back again hopefully in the next couple days to, um, fine-tune the the heat at the junior senior high. Um, Allan and Travis were alternating checking it throughout the weekend. Um, and each time they checked it, well, couple times on Sunday, it was it was down again, so they had to fire it back up. And so, we'll just continue to monitor that. hopefully um the use 60° temperatures that they're promising tomorrow um come pretty quick so that um if it isn't working properly that we'll be okay until they get back here to fine-tune that stuff. So I think that's it. We, you
022know, we we had them look at the sewer line at the high school out of the kitchen. Um, and that too is they're going to wait to explore that more, but right now we feel like we're it's functioning at this point and so we'll wait until a better time to address that. So, just some updates on some of the stuff going on. Questions questions on that? appreciate the staff's work in getting our building back up after Wley can see doing some preventive measures trying to look for those uh um pinch points in the future if something were to happen. Yeah, I tell you when, you know, when we had that um that waterline break, um brought a lot of pride to see how many staff members that showed up to just give their time to
023help with mops, vacuums, everything else. And we called Lemonion as soon as it happened. By the time they got up here, our between our custodial staff, teachers, kitchen help, everybody was out there that the the hallways for the most part were dry at that point in time. surface water and then they came in and did all the remediation and got all that stuff. So, fantastic job by everybody just pitching and help out to get us back up to make sure that we could have school. Well, technically have volleyball >> that Saturday um and then school on Monday. So, yeah. >> Any other questions on facility stuff? Okay. >> Um I guess just moving forward with the bond. Um I put some stuff in our packet to look at. Um I reached out to Williams and
024Company just asked them to give us you know cost analysis of HVAC safe or the secure entrances piece. Um, you know, I guess the the first thing that when you look at that, need to understand that when you minimize the scope of the work a little bit, a lot of the overhead costs don't change a whole lot, them coming out, the architect fees, engineering fees, and all that, while it might be reduced a little bit, cutting a a big chunk of the work off doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to cut a big chunk of those expenses off. Um, and so you should be able to play with that spreadsheet that's in there. Um, I print it off just to be easier, too. But, um, and then I've got kind of what that So, HVAC
025alone, nothing but the HVAC with CM fees, architectural engineering fees and all that. Um, the project was 6.168. So, if you remember right, um if you're talking about a bond election, they round that to the nearest $100,000. So, that would be 6.2 million. Um for that, if you add on the obviously the addition at the elementary would be an addition for the secure entrance like it was in the previous project. the junior senior high that was going to be used as a science room to repurpose in the office and then create a new space for but without that new space that would remain science and so have to be a new addition um for that one as well but so for the HVAC the HVAC by itself is 6.2 2 if you add in the
026secure entrances um that that cost is 7.7 um million. So I looked at too someone had mentioned a lease purchase. So, if we're looking at a lease purchase, uh, with the help of some local bankers here, just like with the bond, we're figing about 5 a.5% interest. So, lease purchase, most of the time lease purchases are five to six years. Um, but I think with it being a capital lease purchase, they might be able to push it to 10 years. But for the 6.2 2 million on a 10-year note at 5 and a half. Our annual payment for that would be $823,000, which is nowhere close to what we have in the budget to be able to do. That would that would equate to about roughly 68 $69,000 a month. Um, if you look at
027the 7.7 million, which would include that, it's a little bit over a million dollar a year, which would be about $85,000 a month payment on that. So, I give you those numbers to to tell you and it's something we can share with the public, too, that in order for us to get this fixed, it's going to require a bond of some sort. And if if it's if it's not a lease purchase, if it's an if it's any other type of loan, we're still looking at about that same depending on the term of the loan. >> That's the amount there. generate about 480 in our capital outlay. >> Correct. And about 290 is allocated for >> salaries and and stuff of our maintenance and custodial staff. So we have about 200 roughly 200 fluid dollars. So
028it's not great news, but I mean that's that's that's where we're at. >> Good to know. just if there was a way to stretch it out with some kind of a loan situation. I mean, I don't know what without getting out an amortization table what how long it would have to be to be something that we could even fathom to afford or raise the mills every year to the to the maximum we're allowed >> without. But that's what I'm saying. It's continued death by a thousand [clears throat] cuts rather than a one-time bond, so to speak. it would still take probably longer than the lifespan of what we would be installing >> so >> to pay to advertise so we could I guess is what I'm saying >> and there's some of the community meetings
029people had mentioned US the USDA loans or grants whatever well there's nobody to talk to at this point because they're on for furloss and so I couldn't get you any information um at that point on that but um again those are still loans loans require or incorporate interest as well. Um and so um th those are the numbers. Um so then the next thing I I guess I ask you guys to consider or think about is remember if we're if we're if we're going to explore a bond election in March, we have to have the resolution passed next month. And that resolution has to have the scope of the work, the cost and ballot language in order to do so. If we can get to that point and we feel that it's there, the next
030thing I ask for you to consider is it is possible if we hire the architect firm to continue to do the drawings over the winter. Again, there's a cost with that. Well aware of that. But that would allow them to if the bond were to pass in March, there should be enough lead time to get equipment there to where they could still work in the summer um to to begin >> secured funding in March. Then there would be time for them to still be able to get it in place such they were talking about original >> correct because the drawings would be done at that point. We would just have to pay for those. Um otherwise we're another year. Um, and again, our our track record this school year isn't great. Um, we've had a
031leak August, September, and October. Um, so far. And so, um, to me, that's the again, you're committing money that if the bond wouldn't pass in March for whatever you chose to put on that, then yeah, we're out that money to the architect, but at least it sets us up to be ready to get work done in in March or in May. So, a lot to unpack there, but I also put in there, um, if we're talking about a bond for the 6.2, that based on our valuation is a 8 mil increase. So, again, talking about those dollar amounts that we used, it's about um $100,000 home is 767 a month. um for the 7.7 which includes the safe the security um for our staff and students be 968 a month um commercial property and so
032on it's all in there. Um dry crop land for the 6.2 is 97 cents an acre. Uh the save the security add-on to that on top of that would be $122 an acre for crop land and grassland 17 cents and 22. So, that's all there for you to look at. Um, but I I realize it seems like I'm full throttle right now, but at the same time, if we're going to make that, >> we've got a lot to discuss between now and December 9th for an export meeting. So, >> I guess that want to let you guys open up for discussion at that point. Uh it's this it's a secure entry piece. Um you know, yeah. So we without a negative facility, we'd have to add on to the high school to do that in
033some capacity. I there's two things that have kind of make me think we should one is uh I I I I struggle to not have some type of security piece in the next bond whether that is all is one or whether that is an AB process. Uh, but I I it is too important to not at the very least give the public the option to be able to add that kind of next level security. I I don't know how we'd all address ourselves if something were to happen and not do everything we could to try to address that. So that's that's it's got to be a part of that. So I appreciate having that what that addition looks like. The question between for me between now and December is what's the public input piece look
034like? Um I think and h you know is it how could that look? I uh would I hate to bounce right off November 4th and go right to you know 30 days from now and make a decision without having obviously we've gotten a lot of input. I' I'd like a more formal process of input um from the community of of what that could look at what that priorities look like for them. We we've talked and I talked a little bit about that. I think he has some ideas for doing that >> to I guess the way I the way I looked at it is feedback that I felt received a lot of was a lot of support for the two pieces that we have here but not so much for the the new tech and
035trade center. Um and I appreciate we got to get as much input as we can from the community with this turnaround. To me I feel like we've gotten a lot. Is it best for us to create a survey that we try to disseminate every way possible to get feedback on? Hey, as a taxpayer, would you support a bond election for 6.2 for the HVAC replacement? Would you support 7.2 for security of our buildings plus the HVAC? And I guess at that point that to me that gives you the information that to at least move forward uh with an at that point. But um and if the taxpayers say you know yes to both greatly say no to both then um then we figure out a different avenue to go besides a bond. So, but I
036I I mean we could put together a survey pretty quick and get it disseminated as early as this weekend and you know try to gather input before Thanksgiving to have a little bit of time to process before December I think December 9th I believe is the next meeting. That sound right? >> Eth number eight. Is there any way to have a special meeting later in December and or is it and still have a mark? >> I believe the date is December 12th or 15th. >> The 15th is what was just at my meeting. >> Yes. But >> one more week basically. Okay. >> Or we're having another special meeting here at the end of November >> before the December >> after we get some survey results back. >> It just depends on what this group
037wants to try to tackle. I mean, obviously we know time is of the essence, but I after last Tuesday, I don't feel like I learned a whole lot. So, I don't know. I don't know what to think, honestly. I mean, I want I [clears throat] want to keep moving forward because we need to >> Here's my concern that you're going to send out a survey that asks if the public would support a 62 >> 2 million project to fix just the Hback. and you're going to get immediate push back because the public has been misinformed that that's only a $3 million project. And how are we going to deal with that? >> Yeah. >> Well, my concern would be in that same context that the million dollars we had allocated out of capital outlay would
038would be not a wise choice for this board to make that same move with that. There's too many other needs that we are not going to be able to address. um by applying that a good part of the logic for including that million dollars in capital outlay was to help cover some of the remodeling piece. >> Yeah. >> And that's not part of >> and to show our good faith that that also >> we were going to contribute district dollars toward the project psychologically to help hopefully. [clears throat] Wayne, do you have any thoughts on that? >> Well, I don't know why we would not still kick in that million dollars. If we were willing to do it on the first bond, why wouldn't you do it on the second one? Was a totally different
039project. >> Still a million dollars. >> Yeah. But we're going to need that million dollars to do the remodeling ourselves because that's what we were putting it in there for was the remodeling that we were going to have them do during the project. >> Yeah. If there if there's one thing I learned over the last month, I did not re I'd heard it, but I had the message loud and clear from what we are asking of our staff to put into classrooms and accommodate in spaces around our building that we're doing the best we can, but uh we we need more space. And if if you look at those elementary grade numbers and those enrollment that all we're doing is shifting more kids going to be in that building in the next few years. does
040continue to be an issue. And I that that'd be my reason not to because I think we're still going to have to do uh some type of adaptation of our facility to accommodate more kids to the learning needs they have. Um our special ed folks, uh the individual learning things we're trying to do. I I think we've done the best we can, but >> I I I would be very nervous [snorts] to commit a million dollars to that and not try to address space in any capacity because what this this does very little to address any of that space. It's basically use temperature control, >> right? >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Well, I mean, we'll have we'll be adding a secure entrance that will move admins, but I'm also assume we're going to have to
041do some remodeling of one of those previous admin rooms and try, you know, hopefully we can adapt to some of that space. That's that's the best we're going to be able to do in this setting, >> right? So that would be my reason not to want to put a million dollars into this at this point without uh without taking all those other considerations of space and divide. >> What if we would step back and get bids on the HVAC system? Is wings actually going to do the work or are they going to sub it out? >> They bid it out. They'll be the ones taking bids. >> Why can't we take the bids? Look, nobody's going to give us a bid unless we can secure money to pay for it. That we would have to
042develop a design. That's the way we went down the road with HTK and change directions because we paid them to do a design process to see if we can cheapen up the the project. HTK eventually just we couldn't get that price down to where we wanted it. So, we reversed gears and said because they stopped and said, "Until you can secure some kind of way to pay for this, there's no point in you continue to pay us to design it." So that's essentially what we'd be doing. We'd be down that same path again, paying a, you know, mechanical contracting company architecture firm to design a building or a design HVAC system for us that we're not sure if we can pay for. That's that's the dilemma. And so you would go down that same path
043and go, okay, we got a great design. We have no way to pay for it. >> You don't think we can go to some major HVAC contractors and be like, >> we did. >> Here's what we want to do. >> We did. That's that was the HTK process like that's that was that whole process is what >> no they were the architects >> also in this in the in the CM process we chose we also defer all the risk to them by going to a design bid build process we are at the whim of the bid we get the process we've chosen through the last bond said whatever that bid is they will guarantee it gets built for that we would not be able to say the same thing because we have to win whatever
044bid comes in based on on that design. >> I'm well aware of that because they figured in so much flood that they'd cover their ass for sure. >> Maybe we need to assume a little risk ourselves. >> At what cost? >> Well, well, I regardless of regardless of how we explore fixing it, it's going to require support from taxpayers. I mean, when we looked at the VRF, the commercial money splits, that was 4.2, two I believe plus the um fresh air return doash units everything else on top of that. So, and then moisture control, humid, dehumidifiers, everything else would be good for that. So, I I I think we've explored every option. Um, and again, like you like Bren mentioned that the the AR part of that CM is what provides us the security that
045we're not going to go over budget >> even if disrupts school. >> Yeah. And if and inflation hits that cuts into their profits because they set that price and when we we would hope that inflation has dropped or gonna slow down, but >> out another $2,000 to everybody. So, we'll see if rates stay down. >> I don't know what going down a path with a different contractor if we hadn't already done this twice. I I I just don't I don't know what we gain by trying to do another redesign. I think we've all landed at this all landed at the place that this is the most coste effective least intrusive plan we can do uh for that building as it exists today. Is it is it ideal? No. Wasn't was that what that building was
046designed for? No. But can we make it work? Yes. I don't know what contractor comes in and says, uh, maybe we bid out for construction companies and we interview construction companies and I don't know what that I don't know what the alternative is. If we hadn't done our diligence at this point, I I don't know what diligence is left. And the problem with with the timeline on that is when we broke the contract with HTK and started new, that was another two-year process to get where we're at now. So, if we start that over again, I would assume that it'd be another two-year process to get back to this point. Just >> because we we still get bids like the CMR Press still gives us a bid. What it does then is say, okay, if
047they come in lower, then we and we had this discussion. If it comes in lower and we have extra funds and it didn't cost us, we can put that back towards the bond. But that fluff is built in there to protect us. So if there's something happens, a tariff, inflation, whatever it is on the mechanical units, we need that is [clears throat] protected and we are having to cover that cost and that's why that >> it's in there. But that's something that needs to be abundant made abundantly clear to the general public. >> Yeah, I think that's part of what we've been trying to do for the last month. Yeah, this process has >> different but we can differ on that. So, I I don't I mean, it's the problem you're going to run into
048after the epic failure of the first bond is the fact that there's a lot of people that are mad and they're going to vote against it no matter what you throw out there >> just because they just don't want to school anything like they don't want anything about your interpretation. >> They're bitter a lot of the folks I've talked to >> and that's because Well, we didn't like having 30 days to make a decision on it for the most part. >> Was there something we did that didn't, you know, effort we didn't make to try to explain what was in that? >> No. From what I've been told, I think it was the fact that you introduce the bond and then you got to make the decision within 30 days. People need a little time
049to warm up to it. I like that. >> I could appreciate that. We chose that timeline so we could ensure that we could get things moving for next summer. Uh that's that's the hand we were dealt given passing it in August. And uh >> if we would have met with a two-part bond, >> it might have been received better if this whole group was rolling the same direction, too. It kind of undercuts our efforts when we walk out of here. And obviously, one of us is >> I'm not going to support something that I don't believe in. I'm sorry. Just not going to happen. All right. I mean, I'll address the elephant in the room. Everybody's here for me, I'm sure. But you know what? 75% of the general public voted against it. You'd be
050surprised at the number of phone calls, texts, emails, voicemails I received thanking me for doing what I did. I mean, I alls I did was put the facts out there. I didn't put a personal statement. >> You didn't put the facts out there. You put misinformation out there. >> What's misinformation? that you told everybody that this could be done for $3.1 million. And I've got it in writing that you did it. >> Yeah. And according to this information, I took it right off of here. 4.5, which that has changed since then. Took off a million that we were going to kick into it originally. And that you >> didn't figure in any of those extra overhead costs. >> It wasn't figured into that up there. >> It's because that's not the total up there. That's
051just the the sum. >> You cherry the information. Everything goes over to the right. It all comes down to the bottom. Your sum is at the bottom. That's where your total is at right over there. >> 11 million. >> Well, so >> but that also figures in all of the extra stuff at the bottom that you weren't figuring in for the equipment and everything for the HVAC. Yeah, that's what it's going to cost us for the equipment and everything. That's not figuring in any extra labor would be my guess or any extra if they're having to replace anything else. And I respect the fact that the voters sent a clear message that that was not the bomb they're willing to approve and pay for. And that was a that was a big ask for the
052taxpayer. We all knew that coming out of here uh after we voted on that resolution that this a lot. You brought that up several times about what this was going to cost and we all discussed that we could not get to a place where none of it was less important than the other piece. That's why it was presented as as one piece. Um obviously the bo voters have spoken. because board's job is to then come back and take that input. Um and it's and I and again that that input is it comes in all different fashions. Uh I would and uh whether some is more positive than others. Uh so I you you say that you got these texts and phone calls saying great work. I heard the same input that I I appreciate what
053it is. It's just really expensive. That's a that's a in my mind completely different input that I got in terms of divisions there. But boy, I just don't know if I want to pay that tax bill. I respect that. I respect that a lot. Uh but it doesn't negate that. We still have to try to move this forward and thinking that there's another cheaper way. I'm all ears for a cheaper way. We've I but think I feel like you're disregarding all the work you and the rest of this board has been a part of trying to find that cheaper cost effective way to do it. You were a part of all these conversations for the last several years on these. Where was that cheaper way? >> I'm well aware I was part of these conversations,
054but I'm also well aware that we spent several years talking about second gyms and adding elevators and all this stuff. when Bully was here. We did. >> Well, I'm starting your >> don't >> I don't remember that. >> I don't ever remember. >> Well, so [clears throat] Jim did we ever receive. >> We I guess we >> say I said we >> we're going to have to What are we going to do moving forward? Because you give me some direction on where we need to go. Do you need to put together a survey for the community to in my opinion I really am not comfortable sitting for another couple years and just hoping that we can patch um to and I realize there's a short time turnaround. I I get that. But if not, then
055we're talking an August primary or November general election before we can go back to the ballots for a bond election. and that puts us another year behind where we're at now. So again, I know I'm the one that's going to be the the foot on the throttle and you guys can tell me to slow down, but I I I think we need to try to gather as much information as we can to to try to make a March election. But I don't think we have I think the best way to get the most amount of information from as many people as possible is to send out a survey every possible way. I don't care if we put an ad in the newspaper, go to this link to fill out the survey, you know, throw it
056out through Powers School, Facebook page, the website to the chamber, push it out, all the chamber members to all the communities push it out. I to me that's the best way for us to get as much information as possible before we're ready to move forward. But I don't think we can until we get that information. >> So, you want to end if we get that figured, we get that sent out hopefully pushed start next week. Sorry, I'm getting my foot on the throttle now. So, are we going to have um two week timeline, have it out there for two weeks, have it out there for a week and a half? I'm just wanting to know, are we going to have a deadline? that way maybe [clears throat] we can come back the end of this
057month we can gather information and then that way when December rolls around we say okay this is the resolution we want this is what we're going to do see what I'm saying >> I would like to try to get it out before the end of this week if if we're okay moving forward with the survey and then even if we have it collect it through the the Friday after Christmas good heaven >> good lord >> Friday after Thanksgiving um on the 28th because then that next Monday the first. If we needed to have a meeting, we could do it that week of the first before our regular schedule on the 8th. But, um, you know, and part of that is that the community is going to have to understand that we're not going to be
058able to sit down and have conversations with every community member. We're going to have to use a let them understand that this is the best way to communicate what they support is through that survey because we need those results to help tell us which direction we're going. So um and then I so again perfect world we do that we say it need we're going to collect the data on the 28th which would be a little over two weeks if we get it out on this Friday be two weeks we have that special board meeting and we look at that and we determine what that data tells us on >> right >> what the scope is we kind of already have the cost and again this is for discussion purposes it's not hard numbers but it's
059pretty good rough numbers and and determine the bond language whether it's 1 2 5 10 quite whatever it was going to be um but because that all has to be determined as part of that resolution on the eth right >> so to me that's our our best um step moving forward in my opinion but >> all we can do is try >> sounds good >> so I can work with SP well I can create a Google form if we need to if we wanted to do more form with the survey monkey. We can do that as well, but um I'll work to get a survey put together. It do you guys want anything other than just basically would you support a bon for this amount that is HV the HVAC? Would you support this amount
060for adding security to the HVAC for this amount? How do you want the questions to read? essentially yes I mean that where yeah prioritizing in terms of I don't again I gathered from community meetings that the HVAC was recognized as a priority uh number one so I make the assumption if it were to be an AV bond that would be a >> question is B and it is about secure interest and I may ask this question as you develop because the question is going to be relative to cost in those two um wings proposals for secure entrances for both buildings. Does that include the remodeling of all the old space and all those other pieces because uh we've >> my assumption would be no construction cost. >> Yeah, because that that's my concern about adding
061the million capital outlay back in is we're going to have additional costs beyond this. We don't. Great. We all know there's plenty of needs based on our facilities report that we could address that with. But >> okay. Well, >> because because the question becomes, is it a $8.6 million project that we're asking for a $7.6 million bond or is a $7.6 million bond? It's going to be the bond amount's going to be the same, but what's the project cost going to need to be? >> Okay. Yeah, I can work on that. I'll reach out to them tomorrow and help me. center work on the verbiage of those questions and have a pretty good idea. Um, and then we'll try to get that out as soon as we can to everybody and provide at least two
062weeks of I guess if I get it out before noon, we could put a link >> get it in the paper >> in the in the paper too. So, I'll try to get on it first thing in the morning. Okay. >> Any other thoughts? we will move on. [clears throat] Um, item E is board member conduct. I think I've already shared my thoughts on that, but if anyone else has anything they'd like to add to the conversation. >> I did not appreciate my cell phone being called on my cell phone actually. So, and not knowing what was going on and it I it just it unnerved me and it it upset me. I just Yeah. Sorry. I was curious like I look up like Mark I think touched on it pretty closely in what he
063said about uh I don't remember the words exactly but it's not a suggestion it's a requirement or something along those lines and I know we all take an oath to uphold the state or the United States Constitution and the state constitution school board but like what do we need to do as a board just to try to come together I know we have training coming in January and a lot of us participate in that. But I I don't know if there's and I know our governance broker helped um set some guidelines and expectations and things like that, but >> it does have some guidelines in there that address recent concerns. >> I just >> I think it >> I just feel like our job's got a lot harder in the last week and an already
064tough job. And uh like I said, I just it's >> I think we've worked so hard the last few years to try to focus on our culture. Like we want to be a place where we want our staff to work. We want our community to uh you know be proud of our school. And I just am so sad to see it try to be torn apart. Uh because it's I don't know what I don't know what's gained by it. I don't I don't know what what is gained by us trying to publicly display all our all our issues across the state of Kansas. I don't know what value that brings to us district. We should we should be respectful of that to all of our employees. I I think it's very dangerous precedent. very dangerous.
065It can detrimental effects on our districts and I uh that culture is too important. If we get that wrong, why are we here? >> Yeah. What's what is left? >> No, I know it'll sound like, you know, sour grapes to some, I'm sure. And I I am sour like I'm sorry. like you know we talk about where do we go from here and when when we didn't pull together and we had unfortunate news come out on election day. You know I know what that election looks like. That's all I learned. I know what that I know what those results look like but I don't know what may may have may have looked like otherwise. I guess I'm just frustrated and you you said it when when we all Yeah, we are only one of seven
066each of us and every one of us. But when it comes to a collective, no matter what, we all need to be a collective and we need to respect the decisions of the collective. No matter what the decision is and throw in roughly staff under the bus. It's just I it hurts my heart to think that anybody would want to do that. I just I'm a lot to build that. Okay. Um, are there any other thoughts on that this point? Okay, we'll move on. Um, we don't have any action items this month, so we will move on to executive sessions. [clears throat] We need which one we need. >> Just need Mr. Myers that email five. >> Well, we'll just do four to five. only five. >> Uh you you said Mr. Myers. >> Y
067>> uh Mr. President, I move we go into executive session with Mr. Cells and Mr. Myers present to discuss employee employee contracts. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. uh pursuant to the non-elected personnel except Sher in the open meeting will resume in the boardroom at 71. >> Let's do it. Yeah. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 70. >> We're back in open session. We do have some action. >> I move to approve Janice McMillan as 2526 assistant track coach. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 70. I'll move to approve Jennifer Urbanic as a substitute teacher. >> Second. >> All those in favor? 70. >> I move to accept resignation for Abby Elkins from the drama department. >> School play director. >> Yeah. >> School play. Drama >> effective immediately. Second. Is there
068a second? Second. Sorry. All >> in favor? 70 >> move [clears throat] to accept the resignation Jana Ryan a instructor and epa adviser effective immediately. All those in favor or not for substitute >> we're just going to be proper. >> Okay. Um >> do we do we want to discuss evaluation this month or just have it time to look it over and approve next month? >> That's up to you guys I guess. Does anybody feel like they need time to discuss that? You should have the information you can. >> I don't. >> Um I believe that is all the business we have to conduct. Move to >> journ. All those in favor 70.