001Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hello. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Good evening. would like to start and call the meeting to order and start with roll call. Brett White >> here. >> Morgan Brown >> here. >> Dusty Wear >> here. >> Brian Jones >> here. >> Becky Engel >> here. >> Christina Shark >> here. >> Dave Wilder's here. Adoption of agenda and declaration of a quorum. >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh have a motion, a second. Any discussion? All in favor raise your right hand. Those motion carries. Uh citizens speak. We are now open our citizen speak portion
002of the agenda. We would invite anyone in the audience who has completed a green comment card or others who would like to address the board to step up to the podium. State your name and address so that the board secretary can capture it for our minutes. We ask that you limit your comments to three minutes to allow sufficient time for all those interested in addressing the board and ensure all other agenda items receive attention in an efficient manner. Please know that while the board is always pleased to hear citizens who would like to address them, we are not able to engage in conversation. If you'd like to further engage on any specific topic, you may always contact board members before and after meetings or you can find our contact information on the district website. That
003being said, we do have a green card. David Smith, come on up. Right there. Yep. Podium. Yep. You're good. David Smith 107 East Golf here in Atama. So this evening I wanted to present to you feedback regarding the ATM music programs specifically from a Liberty Middle School parent perspective. And recently, my wife and I have had the distinct privilege of attending multiple music events that have been enabled by this board. And we want to say thank you and we appreciate your support. Some of those events include honor band activities as well as honor orchestra that are either in a regional or even a state level competition. those activities and opportunities for the students are not made without decisions and support from this table here. So on behalf of a parent that has enjoyed and participated
004in that, thank you. We look forward to being the best in the classroom athletics, but also in the arts. So, a huge thank you to the board, but also the staff members that are behind the students in enabling that, giving up weekends, long days to really allow students to succeed and be their best. So, with that, thank you very much for the support. It is noted, it is appreciated. Thank you. So, David, I'll get you the schedule for the rest of the board meetings if you'd like to speak every every time. Yeah, that'd be fine. Thank you. Okay, moving on to the consent agenda. >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion a second. Any discussion? All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Okay. Board priority. We will promote and monitor
005growth in student achievement and all students will be challenged with high expectations that meet or exceed measurable targets. And we have a fun one tonight. Uh the University of Iowa invention convention. >> Maria and the presenters are going to come forward and uh the teacher as well. And Maria's going to introduce uh the students that qualified uh for nationals. Um, I also have to admit that they look a lot nicer, dressed a lot nicer than I did tonight. You guys look sharp, so I respect that. And, uh, I will turn it over to Maria. >> Hi guys. Tonight, we're proud to recognize the incredible work of our talented and gifted students at Liberty Intermediate and their participation in the invention convention. This year, 75 sixth and seventh grade students engaged in the learning experience using
006free curriculum created from Iowa educators through the University of Iowa in the Jacobson Center. From a tuma, 13 students were selected to compete at the Iowa State Invention Convention where they joined 105 finalists from across the state. Even more impressively, only 11 students advanced to the invention convention US nationals in Dearbornne, Michigan at the Henry Ford Museum. a tremendous accomplishment that reflects our students creativity, problem solving and innovative thinking. Today we have Mrs. Erinson who is our talented and gifted teacher at Liberty Intermediate and her students and they are going to present on their learning experiences. Thank you. >> Hello. Uh I wanted to say thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to speak tonight and show you what we've been learning. um and show the students that they have an authentic audience,
007that there's someone behind all this learning that cares and you know helps and monitors that. Um, so this is a picture of all the students um that competed at the University of Iowa uh at the beginning of March, I believe is when we went there. And um it was just a tremendous event and um the curriculum itself is great because it teaches the kids the invention process. Um, but they also learn about networking and how to promote themselves with other people, how to ha make like handshake, how to make eye contact, all the things that sometimes people take for granted, don't necessarily teach specifically. Um, listening skills. Um, and then they learn about how to prototype, um, how to problem solve for other people. Uh, like so their inventions are crazy. Like they help so
008many people like real people. And that's what makes me so happy because they actually found problems that existed. And the when they go to nationals, they'll have the ability to speak with the United States Patent Office and actually have the opportunity to possibly apply for a patent. And that's real. Like that's and that would change their lives forever. So that is very exciting. Um so uh let's see here. Do I need to? Oh, there we go. Um, so the curriculum in general is a hands-on K12 educational framework. Uh, what's nice is that it is free to all Iowa educators. Uh, anyone outside of the state though has to pay for it. Um, some states offer a curriculum as well, but the Jacobson Center at the University of Iowa does do this for us. Um in
009and in case you weren't aware of the Jacobson Institute is a K12 educational outreach of John Papa John um College of Business at the University of Iowa. It's an entrepreneurial center there. Uh students do learn problem solving skills. They are guided to design a unique prototype for their real world problem. Um and the modules are all online and um pretty easy to go through um and challenge the kids a lot. Um, as Maria stated earlier, uh, 75 students, um, are in the TAG program at Liberty Intermediate that I have in sixth and seventh grade. Um, 13 students, uh, from a Liberty Intermediate qualified for this Iowa State invention convention. Um, there were 105 finalists and 11 students advanced to state and three of them were from ATMA. So, that's pretty amazing to me. um and
010really makes me proud that people can see what we have produced and done here with our curriculum and our um talent in in Atama. I wanted to highlight this. Um so in the well my left hand side here um there's two this is the um inventions that were um recognized with honorable mention awards. We had two students on top of the three that were selected for nationals that also received honorable mention. McKinley Ree and Naomi Marble U had two inventions as well um that were very close to also being um at that invention convention national level. Uh and then the three over here will be presenting their projects to you and showing you um prototypes and um everything that they've created um to go along with that. Um, at nationals they will present, so they
011will get their speaking and listening skills. Um, they'll meet and engage with other student inventors, which is great because that's the networking. Um, they will have professional experts, special guests, mentors that will actually meet with them and talk to them about the process and what they could do differently and how they can build on this each year because they can continue to create inventions for this. Um, and so it culminates with an award ceremony. Each qualifying invention is eligible for over 80 grade level awards by category, industry, and then the patent application awards, cash prizes, and scholarships. So, it's pretty great. And so, that is um basically what I have to tell you and then the kids are going to show you the real great um presentations that they've created. >> Okay. >> Um our
012first presenter is Gavin Stout. >> There you go. Uh, hi. Oh, that's loud. So, my name is Gavin Stout and I made the GS Solo Stride and it is a crutch for a one-handed person and I was inspired to make this by Jim in the blue shirt. Uh, would you raise your hand? Um, so I am he, as I said, he inspired me and I just want to take this opportunity. This is such a great opportunity to really just help people in need. And like I said, it's a crutch for a one-handed person. So it it would go on like this. and their arm would go down in it and it would I have the microphone so I can't really have another crutch. Sorry. And you would hobble along like this like so, like you
013would do a normal crutch. And it would just uh allow them to use the crutch like any other normal person would if they've broken their ankle or foot or anything like that. Thank you. Hi, my name is Claire Lane and I invented the Footy Life. The Footy Life is a bunion adaptive shoe that helps people who can't have surgery yet and who want more comfortable option. I invented this because I have a bunion and the do the surgeon told me that I can't have surgery yet because my bones are still growing. Um, a bunion is a growth um, a bony growth that forms on like your joint of either your big toe or your little toe which causes your bone to grow out like curves out. Okay. My bunion my bunion hurts me when I
014run jump and it can affect my daily life and things that I do like soccer or dance. Okay. Footy life is a Footy Life separates your Thank you. Footy Life separates your big toe from the rest of your toes to align your big toe with the rest of your foot, which takes which relieves your pain and in decreases rubbing on your bunion. I have researched other options like gel separators and braces, but the braces were too bulky and the gel separator slid around. So that's when I came to this conclusion. I also have a sock that goes into the shoe that would the sock separates your big toe from the rest of your toes to fit right in. Thank you for listening. Let's put up a fight for the foot. >> Hello everyone. Uh my
015name is Charles Smith. I'm a seventh grade dual- enrolled student at Liberty. Uh and my invention is the hydrant blast bolt loosening safety tool. So I've wanted to be a firefighter since I was one. And all of my inventions have been for firefighters because I'm really passionate about like helping them um and finding problems in their jobs and creating solutions that are unique to help benefit them. So my device is a device that firefighters and maintenance workers can use to safely open fire hydrants without uh getting severe injuries like back injuries from attempting to remove them with a hydrant wrench. So it's a drill operated device. So, it uses an existing power source. So, here's kind of how it works. Just a second. So, it's a lightweight metal device that would be made out of
016aluminum. Uh, it has gears inside and it's it's powered by a drill. So, you take the drill and you would put it put the device over the operating nut or the cap bolt. And when you insert the drill into this hole, it turns a gear uh that creates this this tightening mechanism and it tightens the hole on the bottom so that it can fit a stucker frozen cap or operating nut and then also you can utilize the drill to open it safely um without straining muscles. Uh I've done research to see if there's existing solutions that are similar similar. There are no existing solutions that are similar to this concept and this invention it's very beneficial to society and can impact the world. uh because 43% of all fire ground injuries are from strain, sprain,
017and muscular pain and there's 8.9 million hydrants in the US and this has the potential to allow the firefighters to be able to open the hydrants not only safely but also in an efficient manner without having to move to other hydrants to test those to see if they're stuck or frozen during emergency. And because of that, it can save property damage because of the delayed response time that would be caused. So it can save response time, save lives, and save properties. Thank you. Hey, uh, Charles, since I know you and I can embarrass you, um, why don't you tell them about one of your first inventions and what that led you to? Where did you get to go and be on? What show did you get to be on? >> So, my first invention, um,
018this was my first invention. I was in kindergarten. It's called the Bench Beacon. It's a device that that firefighters can use uh to show the exits in smoky buildings to guide them safely out. It also has other purposes such as like lighting up road cones. Um and this invention it went to the national invention convention and eventually I got to be on Good America with the invention. >> Oh yeah, he was he was as eloquent then at 5 years old as he was tonight. I' I've seen several pre presentations also from Charles and um he I think also always makes his family go on uh trips every summer to see something to deal with firefighters I think you know so you I I have so much respect how passionate you are about wanting to become
019a firefighter >> and the other two of you congratulations we're very proud of you also Any other questions? >> Well, thank you. You did a great job, every one of you. And we wish you the all the best, too. And Nashville, I was going to say feel comfortable unless you want to stay for the meeting. That's fine. If you want to leave, that's okay, too. Also, I'd like to give you all my business card. >> Thank you. >> Call anytime, day or night. Right. >> Always on. Okay. >> Yeah, they were. Yeah. >> All right. Moving on with the agenda. Uh we will go to item F. Uh board priority to be the best. We will create a positive learning and working culture for our stakeholders and embrace our community partners through communication and transparency.
020And we have one action item under that heading. It's board policy review first and final reading. >> Yeah, these are these are policies that uh didn't have any changes to them or edits um or recommendations. So, it's a first and final reading of that 500 series of the unchanged policies. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thank you. and board priority. Through the board's financial stewardship, we will provide operations, technical, and curricular resources to staff, teachers, and administrators so that all students have consistent and sustained achievement. We have a few action items uh tonight. The first one will start with the baseball softball complex engineering agreement. >> I'm going to uh first provide an
021overview. Uh tonight we're going to provide the board an overview of um the civil engineer contract agreement. Um as well as uh an overview of the safe baseball softball comp conceptual design. Um the first one I'm I'm going to kind of uh give you an overview of and and feel free to ask questions as I go through it or at the end. Um the baseball uh complex engineering agreement. Um, basically we're we're invoking or you utilizing a civil engineer for this project largely because uh this type of project really only requires a civil engineer. It doesn't really it it doesn't mandate uh having an architect. Um I may have mentioned this before is that if we would have went through an architect, they would have probably hired a civil engineer to do the work. So
022um we thought it may just made sense to go with a civil engineer. We we we vetted it with other school districts that had done that and they've had a lot of success with it. Um what the contract is is is stipulating is at 3.7% contract on the $5 million. Um they give you some type of a comparison to what a architect would charge. Normally on a $5 million project, an architect would probably be somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5. So, it it's a significant cost savings by going with the civil engineer. Um, and I and really I think um we're utilizing this as an opportunity to save costs on this project. Um, and you're also going to hear uh when the conceptual design is is presented to you, other ways that we kind of think
023we can save costs on this project to stay under the $5 million as well. So with that, I would open it up for any questions the board has. >> So the engineering is based off of 5 million. Is that that's what you're saying? >> It is, Ryan. Yeah. And what usually with these type of agreements like if you go lower, here' be an example like if you go lower to like 4 million say um uh they're going to charge a scale and they'll charge you more. They're actually going to this this company would charge you the exact same if you they would go up to like 4.3% at 4 million which would equal $180,000 and this one is at 3.7 for 5 million. So we talked about it makes a lot of sense to utilize
024them uh for the to the full capacity. So, we're predicting we're predicting $5 million to do renovations or whatever we're doing in turf and all that stuff. That's what we're predicting, right? $5 million. >> We're Yeah, we've allocated that. Um I think our hope is is that we can bring the project in under that. And then and kind of like I I mentioned, this is kind of one example of how we can save money by and with the hope of bringing it in under that. And >> we already have that. What's that money? We already have that money somewhere something set set aside. Correct. >> Yeah, it it's it's Brian it's been allocated um and I think what um the board should feel good about there is that um we've allocated the money and it
025won't impact any other projects and also it doesn't impact uh as far as any increased cost to taxpayers as well. Any other questions on the engineering side? >> If there's no more questions, the board can I can go on to the next topic if you want and then you could you could approve both at the same time. >> That sounds good. >> Okay. Um the next topic uh shortly I'll be turning this over to uh the presenters this evening. Uh but I wanted for kind of full transparency the conceptual design tonight. uh when you when you get the overview of that, what part of the conceptual design, what they'll be asking you to approve is if you approve of the turf field for the baseball field and the grass for the softball field. Uh that's
026part of the conceptual design. Um, so I really encourage the board to ask as many questions as you would like if if you have them uh about the concept and then also uh I encourage the board to approve this because um this is the this is a great time to either approve or not because we're going to start incurring more costs because we're putting the bid packages together. So it this is makes a lot of sense to either approve it or not approve it right now. So, um, with that, um, kind of, you know, due to my, as the board knows, my impending, uh, retirement, I'm going to turn this over to this group, and these really will become your point people, uh, for this project. Uh, I think we're at a great place with
027this project. Uh, the the city has graciously agreed to donate the necessary land we need for the project and then also uh, we have the $5 million allocated for the project. So, it's a great place to be in. Um, and they've done a wonderful job putting a presentation together, kind of an overview of what we've done since the last time we talked to the board. So, I will turn it over. I think Brandon's going to lead. >> Yeah. Thanks, Mr. McGroy. So, just some updates since the last time we talked. Um, one of the things that we were able to do is meet with two uh pretty reputable turf companies. um two companies that uh several school districts have used in Iowa um lately. Learned a ton about both groups. Um that kind of led
028us to uh be able to take a visit to the University of Iowa. Um they Rick actually reached out and offered to to show us around and talk to us about his experiences. he's done several of these projects and um provided some really positive insight for us that I think just helped kind of reinforce the you know committee's decision to to go this direction. Um you know a couple of the highlights and I know some others will chime in on the highlights from Rick and the University of Iowa complex. But a couple of things that really stuck out to me were um the quality of of the material that they put in. But two things that really I think contribute to our program would be um you know just time. Getting time back for our
029coaches, the number of reps that players are going to get. I think Rick's quotes like he's talking thousands more reps um than what they would get on a grass field really due to not having to prepare it every day. Um but also not having to stay off of it so long. Um even even here, you know, we stay off the infield quite a bit to let it grow and and develop. Um but then in between games, you know, preparing the field for game two or in the evening, you know, preparing the field and that type of thing. Um we're going to be able to get on it sooner and and a lot more frequently. Um the other thing that does is creates excitement. I think his his comment was he really thinks that doing it
030this way uh can bring baseball back into creates some excitement for kids. Um you know, he goes all over the country recruiting kids and you know, he he says kids want to play on turf. They want to they want to have that experience and they get excited about it. It looks good. And so that was really a a positive piece of of that visit. >> Yeah. And we we took several of us there uh to visit Rick and just see the uh facilities. And I think like many committee members, you know, there was um throughout the the process, we kind of went back and forth, but after visiting with Rick and hearing his deep knowledge of just the pride and history of Atama region baseball and just the things not only can do for our
031students and our kids and uh the future of Atumba baseball, but also I think just for the region, you know, we can kind of be that hub for um traveling groups, colleges, um exhibition players. we can kind of be that uh like a tunnel used to be really that pride of the whole region for baseball and um Rick shared a lot of lessons that he's learned over the years of putting in multiple different kinds of facilities. And I think one of the biggest takeaways for me was just the little things we can do um even sometimes midame just to maintain them to get far beyond the years that uh I think most of them market at. Um he he just gave little tips and tricks that he's learned um and also is going to continue
032to be a resource for us. You know, he's a regional guy. he has a lot of pride in the region and uh um wants to see us be successful, but um could and there's his contact information if he said anybody's welcome to reach out to him at any time. Um but I just really appreciate it and Jared feel free to expand um the lessons that he's learned about just little maintenance things we can do to really extend the life of it and you know other things we didn't think about other programs that can use it when baseball's not in session. Um and also like Brandon mentioned just the number of reps that our kids and coaches can get with their athletes youth program. um not just uh taking care of the field and all the
033maintenance like a wet stretch that we have right now. So guys that were on there feel free to kick in. >> So no after talking with coach Helier um at first I was a I was a grass guy. I that's that's where I that's where my heart was um after doing all the research and really talking to the coach Helier up there um changed my mind. Uh really did. It's uh I I have a lot of maintenance background. That that was the questions I had about upkeep and how to make it, you know, the best that that it is. If you're putting in this kind of um upfront cost, we want to make sure we can maintain and and keep it uh just as great as it was on day one. I feel like uh
034that this is this is the answer for for a worldclass facility. Um he he shared he shared a lot of of uh safety issu safety things with us. How how there's a more consistent playing surface uh for the uh players and uh little tricks and tips on uh uh rotating, you know, the pitcher mound and the batter's boxes uh to extend the life. Um be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have on on the maintenance side of things, though. So on a daytoday or weekto week basis during the season, do they just show up and play and that's it? There's not really on a dayto-day or week to week basis. Do is there anything that really so I'm sure at the D1 level there's probably I don't know they have their
035own people that do stuff not just the coaches but like Joia like a lot of the coaches do the stuff there. So you know obviously turf would save a lot of time for those coaches but I didn't know if like at the D1 levels they have their own certain people that do that stuff. So on a day-to-day or week to week basis, you show up every day and just play and there's really nothing really nothing to do. >> Yeah. I mean, it's it's it's very light maintenance between games or on the dayto-day. Um between innings, you know, the seventh inning stretch or whatever, they might go out with a bucket and put some more of the fill in in the sliding pits or in the in the batters boxes. Um sweep it in and and
036just to maintain those surfaces, those high wear, high contact areas. But uh yeah, it's it's uh for the most part on the day-to-day very low maintenance. >> So is that something that our coaches all have to be trained or shown how to do? Would that be correct as far as rotating >> the stuff and getting >> Yep. I think our coaches would be pretty well versed in being able to to handle a lot of that. Um they're doing a lot of it right now. Rick's Rick's comment to to your point, Brian, is, you know, he he don't think he said, "I don't think I could go back to a natural field." And when we went to turf, he didn't feel like he was doing his job because he had so much more time, >> you
037know, to recruit and to work with kids and, you know, to have him on the field actually practicing. Um, he he didn't spend as much time obviously taking care of a field. So, he felt like he was, you know, getting a little overpaid maybe or something because it was like, you know, I'm not doing not doing my full job anymore. But um yeah, he's he's been pretty happy with the time that it's given back to the program. >> Yeah. And the big thing he he he mentioned with that was was how the coaches can be coaches and and and they can actually uh coach their team instead for instead of having to go out there and do the grounds uh you know between innings or dragging the infield every three innings or or whatever. he
038can actually be a coach and and at this level um with the high school level, I think that's huge. >> So, some other things that we've been able to do um since we talked last is just kind of develop a conceptual design. So, I think you guys all have that. But, um, this kind of lays out, you know, sort of what we have had, um, a little bit more detail and and we'll get more exact specifics obviously as we get ready to prepare a construction package, but, um, really what we're looking at as far as amenity improvements, um, turf obviously for baseball, uh, reduce outfield distance, which is something we've discussed, um, for a couple reasons. I think obviously Legion is really big and that's been kind of a desire is to um reduce the
039size of that field and we think we can accomplish that by moving home plate back which will kind of get us both directions. It'll get us closer to the back stop which is we feel like beneficial. Uh it'll remove foul territory and bring the fence in. Um so it really kind of helps playability but then also um obviously we're going to have a pretty substantial cost savings uh with the turf material uh pave seating area. Then we get to softball. Obviously it's a brand new complex. It's just an open field right now and so um we're pretty much doing everything. Um grass, red ball infield, uh bullpens, dugouts, storage building, batting cages, uh we'll do irrigation on that field, obviously lighting, grand stands and warm-up area. And then the third field that we have at
040the site is currently a Babe Ruth field. Uh it's where we play middle school baseball and we would uh upgrade the lighting to that and uh do a do a remodel to the plank surface. >> Do we know yet what we would bring the the footage into? What what so what what would be our right left field line or center line? We have we've thought figured that out yet? I mean it's not that it's super important right now, but >> yeah, we we threw some numbers around. I mean, we're talking 30 maybe potentially 30 to 40 feet shorter than than what it is now. >> So, the middle school field, if we're doing turf on the Legion field, what's the rationale for needing the middle school field? >> So, we would play like we play
041three levels of baseball right now um at the just at the high school level. And so, really it's about a levels thing. Um, we play like an A and a B team at the middle school level. Um, so having four teams practice at at one time at just time a day. Um, and being able to to have enough time in the day to to get all those practices and games in would be >> So it's more practice than game consideration. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> I say if we've got the turf field, we might as well use the turf field because, >> you know, if we got it, use it >> 100%. And I think that's something that's been discussed like, you know, obviously when we're talking about, hey, we're going to
042be able to get on this field, you know, on a nice day in January or February to to let kids get some reps in. I don't think that's, you know, seclusive to just high school baseball. I think, you know, other programs would be able to get on there, too, including softball or a middle school program, uh, to be able to get reps earlier. Um, but yeah, really, it's just about timing and the number of games that all of our programs play and having that many levels is just not realistic with one field. I guess um you know I respect what Heler you know went over with you guys and definitely what U of I does at their field. It's an awesome facility. Um I guess how does that translate to us? Um cuz I almost
043think it's apples to oranges just cuz they're uh you know their season's in early spring, you know. So they they obviously benefit a heck of a lot more when we're going to be, you know, late spring, summer, um not dealing with weather quite as much. In fact, you know, I don't know what I think turf would probably be a lot hotter in early July, things like that. I don't know how that translated us or what you guys thought on that. Yeah, I think obviously Iowa's unique and we're the only state left that plays summer baseball. So, you know, in the event that we would at some point move that, that obviously would be even more of a factor uh on the positive side for us. But, um I think just I mean stuff as you
044know, right, is all year round and starts earlier and earlier and so um there's constantly groups that that you know want to get out on fields sooner and and sooner and including our programs. So, I think anytime we can give our kids an opportunity to get out there and get extra reps in is is going to be beneficial and compounded over, you know, from middle school programs up. >> Yeah, I know Brad touched on it. So, I just wanted to I wasn't sure what all this will be used for. So, you mentioned youth programs could be used. So, we're looking at more not just high school program. We're open to, you know, community stuff, things like that, just not to get more use out of it mid May through mid July. I mean, I think
045with a field like that, we can get a lot of use fall and and whatnot. So, >> there are even years, you know, I coach middle school football, uh, and that field at Evans used to turn into concrete, you know, so when that happens, there's no reason that our middle school football program can't be bust over there and use that facility. I think Brandon and we were having a conversation, we could stripe the field so that they're like in 10 yard increments. They don't have to paint it or tape it or anything. can go over and use it as a very functional uh fall venue for marching band, for middle school marching band, for middle school football, for a lot of different uses. And like I mentioned earlier, uh and a lot of these ideas
046were Rick's just it could be the regional complex that a lot of people rent and use. And um you know, we caught some really nice weather days in February. There's no no reason that you know, on a turf field you can't be out there when the weather permits it year round. Well, there'll be >> busing kids from the middle school there then >> if we had to. I mean, even back when I coached, there were times when that field turned to concrete. We'd bust them over to where down was at. >> That build character. >> What's that? >> Builds character. >> Start running, boys. >> Fair point. And we're actually we're actually doing that now quite a bit with the grade level alignment and getting kids to the right school to practice. And so, we're
047doing a fair amount of busing anyway for practices. But yeah, >> I think one thing that impressed me too with the conceptual design, the numbers really small, but we're um forecasting we're 500 parking spots in that in that lot that's just shown there. And I think there's some other um perimeter parking too. So, it's going to be just an amazing complex and uh couldn't be happier with where the conceptual design's at right now. >> Will the engineering company pick um the grade level? I guess I mean like what Rick has. I mean, there's different grade levels of the turf, I'm assuming, right? So, I mean, and you're going to get more life expectancy out of something like probably what they have versus So, will we pick that? Will the engineering firm pick that? >> Yeah.
048Yeah. So, that's something we've had quite a bit of conversation about and we can um you know, get pretty specific on what level of quality we want in the in the bid package to be able to make sure that you know, we don't just throw it out there and then end up with >> like someone say like carpet, you know, for turf. I mean, we're going to definitely get get the right stuff. >> That was one of the things, Brian, if you're on the committee that we went into a lot of detail about. We had um a turf company come and present to us and I was shocked at the technology and really kind of mimic grass without the maintenance of grass. And so those were the a lot of the details that the committee
049really dug into to understand how far turf has come. I think sometimes you picture like the stuff you put on your porch or whatever and it is it's light years ahead of that as far as the technology. I was really impressed with it. I think it does run about 8 to 10 degrees hotter to play on it though what I've from what I've heard and seen. So that'll make a little bit of a difference. >> Okay, any other questions on that concept? We move on to the timeline. >> So just a brief overview of the uh project timeline. As Mr. McGory mentioned earlier tonight, we'd be seeking a conceptual design and contract approval. Uh moving into July, we'd have a construction design package approval um that we'd bring to the board. And then starting in
050early August, um we'd open the bids for the project and look for approval at the board meeting in August. >> When the first go ahead >> be the first year we would use this then next year. >> The hopes would be next summer we'd be we'd be full go. Do we have like an updated cost comparison like from the what turf would be and what grass would be still like we I know we discussed a few meetings ago was about a $1.1 million difference but I think that was before we'd shortened the fields and everything. I didn't know if there was an updated number on that or what the the difference would be. >> Yeah, I think uh I think at the last meeting we talked about we're seeing numbers like 1.2 2 to 1.5.
051Um, >> what would the the difference be I guess between if we did went like a grass route? >> Uh, is it like 7 750 I think. Yeah. >> I guess my concern is just I just want to make sure we're getting the most bang for the buck out of this $5 million pool we got. Um, so I know baseball fundraising started some stuff a few weeks ago and one of the things they had listed out, you know, it was for equipment travel and but then part of it was facility upgrades that they had asked for fundraising stuff. So I guess I didn't know what other facility upgrades we might need and I just want to make sure everything's being taken care of because if we need some other upgrades somewhere else, we could find
052$700,000 to to upgrade about everything else. So, I didn't know if you guys knew of anything else that they're wanting to do or if this is everything else is good and everything else is going to be part of the project. >> Yeah, we have folks from that from that group on the committee and I don't I mean I don't see anything that's been asked for that that isn't reasonable for us to get in the project for both for baseball and softball. >> Yeah. Yeah, and as Brandon shared, you know, I don't want to throw a number out there, but there's going to be significant savings by changing the size of that field and, you know, bringing the the field in. Mr. McGory wants to fashion it after Yankee Field, Yankee Stadium, but we vetoed that.
053So, that's got a short porch to right field. But, um, no, I think there's significant savings with shortening the like Brandon mentioned, the the foul line perimeter and the the back stop and then bringing the fence in. And you'll see a lot more home runs. You know, it's a headline maker right now when they hit home runs. We'd like that to be a more common occurrence. So, there's significant savings there. Chicks dig the long ball. That's what I heard. So, >> just to kind of address that, like Brandon said, we had current and past baseball coaches on the committee and they both threw in kind of their list of what they'd like to see the field have. And I think um there's enough money there really. It's a good opportunity to get what every program
054wants right now. I didn't feel I agree with Brandon. I didn't feel like there was anything that got cut right off the bat. >> So, is there a is there a number So, we're hiring the the engineering company tonight. Is there a number that we would say or because we have the 5 million, we're doing it anyway. Is there a number that we would say if it comes in, I'm talking just turf alone that comes in that we say no >> or is it >> Yeah, I think there absolutely is. Brian, um I think like Brandon said, is that the goal with some of our uh cost-saving measures is that we can bring this in between 1.2 and 1.5. And and a big reason for that is the point B Rhett's pointing out is that
055uh you start widening that gap between what it costs to put in a grass field and it it obviously then you have to start asking yourself more are you making the right move and so we're going to try to bring it in at that price point. Um, and but the board will when we bring back before we put it out for bid, the board will be able to approve uh the bid package and and then when we get it back, you'll be able to approve whether you want to do it or not based on, you know, what the costs are. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? Uh, mine's more of a comment. Um, yeah, we've been talking about this for a long time. There's been a lot of I've been on the board a long
056time. I know I've said that a million times, but there's seems like there's been more thought put into this than what I've seen put into a lot of other things we've done in the district. Um, so I feel like the committee is well informed and I'd like to think, you know, with the presentations and stuff, um, a lot of questions have been answered and there's still going to be questions obviously when we get the bids and all that kind of stuff. But I I think at this point in time, I mean, I'm in favor of, you know, moving forward and and, you know, approving the conceptual design and contract and the and the engineering firm. Um and let's start moving forward. But it is an action item. So we are two action items actually. >>
057I'll make a motion to approve items B and C. >> Second. >> A and B >> or yeah A and B. Sorry, I almost got you. Hey, >> so I have a motion from Morgan and a second. Dusty, is that correct? Okay, so have a motion, a second. Any further discussion or questions? If not, all those in favor raise your right hand. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, gentlemen. And I think Brad's staying probably for the next one. >> Yeah. Uh, so we sent this out to some of our program sponsors and administrators just to update the fee schedule. No major changes and I believe you have that in your uh, packet. >> I make a motion to approve the 2627 student fee schedule. >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion a second. Any questions or discussion
058on this? Not. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thanks, Brad. Uh, moving on. Mike, superintendent report. >> Thanks, Dave. Um, I wanted to first start, uh, this won't surprise you, with graduation. Um, I think, and I think the board would agree with this, I think, uh, our community in a general sense really embraced moving, um, graduation back to Schaefer. Uh, I think for the tradition, but, um, I I've always felt there isn't, um, probably a better venue to do a graduation than on a field. And uh um I thought it went off uh very well. Uh it was embraced. Uh looked beautiful. Um and I have several individuals I want to thank here. Uh I want to first thank our maintenance and custodial staff. They did an amazing job of getting
059and they put in a lot of hard work to get Schaffefer Stadium just looking beautiful. Um um you know, we we I you know, I I oftenimes said I'd learn more about turf and than I ever thought I would. I I learned more about weather this last week than I ever thought I would, you know. So, um uh they were really they came through and they rolled with some things that we really appreciate. I also want to uh thank our high school staff and administration. uh they did a great job um organizing it and ensuring that our graduation I thought was a huge success. And then I also want to thank uh Landon Allen and his technology staff uh for making sure the whole event there's a lot of technical things that go on in
060something like that that goes off without a hitch. And one thing uh Landon and I like is pizzazz also. So it had pizzazz. So um we appreciate that. I just thought the added touches were really a nice added a lot to the the graduation. So, um kind of changing courses um on an incredibly sad note, I want to extend my condolences to the Canuth family. On the loss of their daughter, um last night, Ashlin was killed in a traffic accident. Uh our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those that have been impacted by this horrible loss. Um if anyone is interested in supporting uh the fi the family financially you can do so through Venmo. Um and again we we will keep the canoe family in our thoughts and prayers. Um lastly
061I have uh the school c calendar calendar discussion. Um what you have in front of you board members is uh the calendar for next year. There aren't a lot of significant changes. So, one thing I think board members always want to know is how many meetings per month. Nothing changes uh with that. Uh you you have one during the summer per month and then you have the two during the school year. Um uh the only one you only have one in is March. Uh one change there is on July um is that uh that has been changed to the 20th uh rather than it it normally would have fell on the 13th just for logistic reasons. Um but besides that there aren't a lot of changes to the calendar. So, I wanted to just make
062sure you had this in front of you and see if you have any questions or concerns about it or uh because we'd be glad to take feedback if there is something that uh we can look at. Any questions, concerns. Okay, that Dave is all I have then. >> Okay, thanks Mike. >> Y uh board member topics. >> I just got one comment. I want to echo what Mike said to all the staff and yesterday was it was beautiful up there. um all the hard work that they did and I just want to say thanks to the district for hold I mean a lot of people were posting they were changing theirs and moving it inside and so it's uh it's pretty gutsy to hold off I think and and and to get it outside so
063I'm I'm really glad we did um made believers out of people but it was so beautiful up there and such a great job to everybody um just a phenomenal site especially if you're looking looking from up above looking down it was really good so thanks to everybody involved it was Great. >> Thanks, Brian. Um, also echo that. It was beautiful. And when you mentioned the maintenance staff, I know there's a lot of staff involved, the maintenance staff, what they did, and then seeing all the confetti flying in the air. Um, yes, I'm sure they're going to have some more work ahead of them, but yeah, it was great. And it was, yeah, it was end up being a beautiful day. Um, anything else board member wise? If not, we'll move on to adjournment. >> Motion
064to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion a second. Any discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. We're adjourned. Thank you.