001October. I was the only one that I think read the construction contract. $300,000. No one had any questions. I was raising all kinds of questions, but I felt like I didn't know what I was talking about. Big big money. And no one had Andrew voted against it, but no questions about just spending $300,000. So, this is very recent. This is all in the last 12 months. So, I think that I mean I I get where you know I'm I'm the new person here with the gavvel and you know I'm gonna try my best but I I don't think the posture is a whole lot I I think if anything I think I'm more engaged. I think that there's certainly um I think a lot more communication uh I I think there's communication with me and
002um uh almost all of the members up here and I think more regular communication than I had experienced in the past. So I feel good about it. >> I just want to make one more comment and then then then we can get on on with this. >> Sure. When when we did look at those additional positions, Tom, >> we we scrutinized those pretty heavily. If you recall, there were twice as much many when we did that and we we worked with the team and, you know, because of cost, right? We're always looking at that. >> I I'm not saying they weren't justified. I I was >> No, I'm not saying it wasn't justified. I'm just telling you that >> I I was advocating them for a year prior. they were sitting out there that they
003should have been voted on 13 months before. >> And when we approved that 8 and a half million, there were uh different expenses and things that occurred after that, Tom. Uh you know, we had contracts that were approved, a lot of different things that made those expenditures rise. So yes, we were looking at that. We would not have had the same projections here at that time. I'm just saying that there was there wasn't a single point raised about this is going to be I mean if you go back I mean just because I was here for I was actually sitting over there but I was here and um I mean it I mean you go back a year before that I mean I had brought forward something different that was going to be $3 million
004and I mean I I couldn't get out to my car fast for safety reasons and run from this building. And then the the very next year, nothing else dramatically changed in the marketplace. We tripled the money. I had no visions of a track or basketball courts or anything else. We had no conversation about it. Tim brought it up at the last meeting. We didn't talk about the design. We didn't talk about anything. The board almost unanimously approved it. us three for sure. And then I mean the four million's getting a lot of scrutiny, but again I'm not going back to the early 2000s. It was just a year ago and um I think the four million's maybe getting a little too much scrutiny and the eight and a half didn't get any. I think it
005got negative scrutiny. >> I don't think she's talking about the four million necessarily. It's the whole >> She brought up the whole picture. You're overlooking. >> I'm overlooking the whole picture. I'm just going to say some for someone that wasn't on the board beforehand like special education, they needed the funding a long time ago and it just seemed very surprising that right before elections is when finally the board approved to allow you know bring more money money and bring more positions on when that was needed a long time ago. So the previous boards you saying they were conservative they didn't care about what was actually important special education. So if we would have did it a long time ago, then we would have been spending a little bit at a time versus all it coming
006down in 12 months. >> I Okay. The previous board did, and I think Tom would agree with me, care about special education. Absolutely. We we made sure we were in compliance and we looked at that because we knew where we were going to be. And uh I guess we could go back and we could talk about everything that happened prior, how we voted, and did this and that. I'm looking I'm forward looking looking here based on the projections that we're having. I can see and I think and Dr. German I I think you would agree that when you put this together you can see that is that would you agree that it's not sustainable where we're at today? >> I said that verbal >> correct me. >> We're not it's not sustainable. I'm moving forward.
007I want to ensure that this district remains the district it is. >> I think everyone sees what you're saying Teresa. I'm just telling you that having having interfaced with everyone here at the table. I don't believe that this board has the interest or appetite to take on uh programmatic changes for on the expense side or look at Dr. Dearman's uh revenue solution at this time. >> How when when would you want to look at that? I Mr. I well if if I'm wrong on what what I just uh said in terms of my impression of the members you can say I don't know I'm telling you the almost to a person though I I don't think they have the the I I didn't get that coming away from people >> I don't think at this
008time it's like we're at a drastic fork in the road where we need to make that decision one way or the other but I do think we're on the same page that it It's crucial and critical to dial in and see where we can, you know, make some corrections on what that trend looks like moving forward. And there's going to be some difficult decisions and conversations to be had. But >> that trend line that he and Dr. German said that thing same quote verbatim for the last three years, the trend line, you know, we could see this coming. We knew about gonna tra take it to the past. We're finally getting a new wilder weight school. You know, there were discussions about that five years ago before I even ran for the board. So, we
009can talk about pushing things out and this and that. I think it's important that, you know, our goal here is to move our district forward in a positive light for our kids and our students and at the same time be fiscally responsible for our taxpayers. And I think we can do all of that and we can agree as we move forward if you want to. The only thing people probably don't know we're all on different committees. We all dedicate our time to be on different committees. So this is just one more committee. We can have two board members on it. If you want to head it and another person wants to be on it, I think we would all support that. um and see if we can be constructive and I'll get the information that
010I got from Matt out to board members too. I think you'll find that interesting. >> I just want to make sure and I just want to comment to you and I agree with that. I just want to make sure that we don't get to that point. I want to be proactive now so we know where we're going to be >> and take a look at efficiencies now because if we can take a look at where we're at now and find those efficiencies that's going to help us moving forward and and we don't want to cut any programs for the students. But we need to look at it now before we get two years down the road and we're at a $3 million deficit because I wouldn't expect our prop our EAVs to continue to rise
011at the rate that they have. if you look at historically they go up and down or they don't go up as much. So, uh we I just think we need to take a look at that. And I know in the past when we've had finance committees, I've been on this board for quite some time, 10 and a half years, I it was the whole board. We would have them prior to board meetings. So, um, >> yeah, we've had we've had one finance committee meeting in the last 5 years and, um, and yeah, we we can have that meeting. >> Prior to to that time, Tom, I >> Yeah, well, you're the one that just told me we can't go back in too far in time. >> We're looking forward. >> Prior to that time, Tom,
012we had finance committee meetings. That's what I am asking for moving forward. >> Yeah, I think we can do that. Okay. But I think though the idea though is I mean aside from well it goes back to that board member's question to me is what is the charge of that committee aside from just looking at the numbers. I mean I I think you'd have to make it I mean certainly Mike McKenzie avails himself his time to go over information with people. I mean, if we're going to get the group together, I mean, what what is the what is the charge? And when you talk about efficiencies, that's why I mean, the first point I wish Dr. Andrew usually sits right there, but I mean, the first thing I wanted to talk to him about was
013I wanted to again verify uh Dr. Dearman's assertion. It wasn't his. He was just bringing it forward. 95, 94, 96, whatever he was referencing in terms of our our efficiencies and where we stand against other districts because I wanted to make sure that those were I knew they were real sources. I just couldn't speak to them. They are I vetted those. And uh I mean I I think we're unfortunately I think we're pretty efficient and so I think we're we're really going to have our our hands full and looking for there's not there's not lowhanging fruit to be had. I don't believe >> wonder if I could just make a couple comments. >> Time is up, Nick. I'm sorry. We're over. Go ahead. Sorry. >> So, I want to say I I am in support
014of a financial committee. However, I would note that in that committee to your comment, Tom, I would like to see, you know, something tangible that we're doing. What are what exactly are we looking for? What are we looking at? Um, I have someone that I know personally that recently started working in the school district and she's been in the district about three or four weeks and made a comment that I'm starting to really understand what makes Dunlap such a great district. And to me, what that speaks to is our staff, the programs we offer, the people that they encounter every day. And I think that's something we really can't lose sight of with this conversation. When we talk about programs and faculty, obviously, you know, making cuts, etc. I want to make sure that if
015I have to look someone in the eye and say, "Hey, your job is gone. This program is is gone." that I can justify or tell them the reasons based on conversations that have been had with administration about the programs, the finance people in terms of where are the options and what does that look like. Um otherwise I think we're making uninformed decisions and no one wants that. I know Dr. Dearman has mentioned our tax rate before. I don't want to be part of a board that raises taxes. I don't think that's ever an attractive thing for uh anyone in our position. But I think we have to look at all the options here and really consider what it is we're facing. You know, I don't want to be part of a board that erodess what
016we have to offer here and watches Dunlap district, you know, become something where people are flooding out of our district to other districts because we no longer offer the programs and opportunities here. So again, I think the committee, if we're going to look at programs, faculty, staff, these kind of things, we need to really understand what programs are we taking advantage of here. What are the students benefiting from? And that would be what I would like to see is not just listing different programs that we could, you know, eliminate tomorrow and here's the money we would save, but how does that impact our students? How does that impact our faculty? And what does that look like? And so, you know, those are generally my thoughts on it. >> Tom, if I could jump in as
017well, I agree wholeheartedly with everything that Nick just said. One of the concerns that I have about this committee, whether we do it with two people on a committee or we do it as the whole group is what is the outcome that we're intending today. I understand Trace's comment about wanting to have a plan in place for when because if it's a different board setting up here, they're going to make that decision. Those of us who are here will. Those of us who are not won't. And so I don't know that we can today create a plan that's going to be ready to go for something that happens in four years. We can create a plan that happens now. And is that the plan that we really want now? And so I I think Mike
018the only thing that concerns me about this is to to Tom's point if we're looking to get to a point where we're making concrete decisions that are going to go into effect now then call the committee and we'll see where we come up in the end. But if instead it's a projection forward so so that well if two or three years from now there hasn't been this change uh then we have some plan in place. No, we don't because that that board is going to make that change. And we know simply from the time of the vote a year ago uh on the on the uh training center to what happened after the election, elections back and people are going to the people here are going to end up making the decision when the time
019comes. So unless we're unless the suggestion is that we need to make decisions that go into effect now, I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be for the for of that committee. >> I think >> anyone else want >> Let's move on. You're not getting anywhere. >> I mean, I think we all agree. >> I'm not getting the board. >> The board's not getting anywhere. >> Okay. person have to look at in the future and we will just doesn't have to be today. Well, I would say all right, I'm going to move on, Tim, but I I will just I will just finish with um if the members here, I mean, I've got I heard Teresa and Tim or Tim >> Andrew in the affirmative, but get back to me and we get
020a majority, we'll schedule finance committee and we'll see how it goes. I'm all for it. I'm here anyway. Thank you for everyone's comments. I think everyone spoke. Appreciate that. This concludes the information discussion items segment of the meeting. The board will now move on to the consent agenda. Are there any questions or discussion regarding items on the consent agenda? Could I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? I move to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Andrew, is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Yousef. Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Paul. >> Hi. >> Wagen. >> Hi. >> Y. >> Hi. The bill list, treasures report, district investment report, and bank statements are included in the board packet. I have a motion to approve the payment of the bills. >> I'll
021move to approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $4,987,736. >> Mick, is there a second? >> A second. Nick, is there any discussion? Roll call votes. >> Hi. >> Tyra. >> Hi. >> Belman. >> Information regarding the resolution of intent to issue not to exceed 44 million of funding bonds has been included in the board packet. Could I have a motion to approve the resolution? I move to approve the resolution to intent to issue not to exceed 44 million of funding funds as presented. >> Thank you, Andrew. Is there a second? >> A second. >> Teresa, any discussion? Roll call vote. >> Wagbach. >> Hi. >> Y. >> Hi. >> Felman. >> Hi. >> Paul. >> Hi. Holer >> I >> Tyler >> I >> Okay, motion carried. Uh, information regarding the
0222026 bus and fleet purchases has been included in the board packet. Could I have a motion to approve the purchases? >> I move to approve the 2026 bus and fleet purchases for Yousef. Is there a second? Second. Uh, >> any discussion? Roll call vote. >> Tyra. >> Hi. >> Wagner. >> Hi. >> Y. >> I. >> Belman. >> Hi. >> Paul. >> Hi. >> Okay. Motion carries. This concludes the action item portion of the meeting. Right. No one got to me before. Does anyone have anything that they want to I have something for close session. Does anyone have anything they want me to throw? I think we needed to >> Is there a motion to adjourn to close session? >> Is that right? >> Yeah. Because it's the superintendent search, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
023That's the one I have. I that circle. >> I was going to say that, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. >> Well, let me just say this. Is there a motion to adjourn to close session? And so I'll move to adjourn to close session for the following purposes of stated open meetings act. A the appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees. Is there anything else anyone would like me to add from that list? Okay. Is there a second? Second, Andrew. Any discussion? Those in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Okay. 655. Uh we'll be back. >> No, I don't mind. No, >> I need everyone there. >> Thank you for coming. >> I know, but not do that. [Music] I just >> That's my career. He's like me with
024either of them or like I wear regular prescription glasses now. [Music]