001I love the school. Uh the students are [music] like really nice. Uh the teachers, they really positive. And yeah. Like the teachers in my old school, I never asked questions with my teachers. And now at this school, since my mom went here, so I [music] basically know all the teachers that's here. So now I can express to what I'm feeling and what I need to add. My friends. You know, yeah, cuz [music] you know, the education is pretty good. The The teachers are great, you know. But my [music] friends is the best part. What I like most about him at Central is definitely the students, the people. You know, all the people I met uh since I've [music] been here cuz I moved here um uh middle school. So like the people [music] have been
002great. I made a lot of memories since freshman year. Uh sophomore year, all the years, [music] you know. Some days you going to have days where like you don't want to come. But like like the days I come like it it get [music] funner and funner as like I get in the older grade. But it's not it's not easy, but like when you [music] do what you got to do, it become easy. So it's really just chill to me. It's good. There's never [music] any like problems or nothing. It's always like good vibes. Everybody like chill. I like the people. Okay. I like the community. I would definitely say it's fun. [music] It's definitely creative. Like you definitely don't know what you're going to get coming [music] through the door every day. In a In
003a good way though. Um Um [music] I would say it's safe. It's loving. Um >> [music] >> It's definitely welcoming. The teachers are the most [music] about the school. Yeah. To my experience, the morale is pretty good. I don't have any complaints. Okay. Atmosphere is good here. And this There's good people here. Because um when she teaches, [music] it like actually makes me want to actually try the things she teaches cuz of the way she she does it. It's uh so like inspiring to me. Go nation. Let's ride. I love the school. Uh the students are like really nice. Uh the teachers, [music] they really positive. And yeah. Like the teachers in my old school, I never asked questions >> [music] >> with my teachers. And now at this school, since my mom went here,
004so I basically know all the [music] teachers that's here. So now I can express to what I'm feeling and what I need to add. My friends. You know, yeah, cuz [music] you know, the education is pretty good. The The teachers are [music] great, you know. But my friends is the best part. What I like most about him at Central is definitely the students, the people. You know, all the people I met uh since I've been here cuz I moved here um uh middle school. So like the [music] people have been great. I made a lot of memories since freshman year. Uh sophomore year, all the years, you know. Some days you going to have days where like you don't want to come. But like like the days I come [music] like it it get funner
005and funner as like I get in the older grade. But it's not it's not easy, but like [music] when you do what you got to do it become easy. So it's really just chill to me. It's good. There's [music] never any like problems or nothing. It's always like good vibes. Everybody like chill. I like the people. Okay. I like the community. I would definitely say it's [music] fun. It's definitely creative. Like you definitely don't know what you're going to get [music] coming through the door every day. In a In a good way though. Um Um I would say it's safe. [music] It's loving. Um It's definitely welcoming. The teachers are the most about the school. Yeah. To my experience, the morale is pretty good. I don't have any complaints. Okay. Atmosphere is good here. And
006this There's good people here. Because um when she teaches, it [music] like actually makes me want to actually try the things she teaches cuz of the way she she does it. It's uh so like inspiring to me. Go nation. Let's ride. I love the school. Uh the students are like really nice. Uh [music] the teachers, they really positive. And yeah. Like the teachers in my old school, I never asked questions with my teachers. And now at this school, since my mom went here, so I basically know all [music] the teachers that's here. So now I can express to what I'm feeling and what I need to add. My friends. You know, yeah, [music] cuz you know, the education is pretty good. The The teachers [music] are great, you know. But my friends is the best
007part. What I like most about him at Central is definitely the students, the people. You know, all the people I met uh since I've been here cuz I moved here um uh middle school. So like the people have [music] been great. I made a lot of memories since freshman year. Uh sophomore year, all the years, you know. Some days you going to have days where like you don't want to come. But like like the days I come like it [music] it get funner and funner as like I get in the older grade. But it's not it's not easy, but like when you do what you got to do it become easy. So it's really just chill to me. It's good. There's never any like problems or nothing. It's always like [music] good vibes. Everybody like
008chill. I like the people. Okay. I like the community. I would definitely [music] say it's fun. It's definitely creative. Like you definitely don't know what you're going to get coming through [music] the door every day. In a In a good way though. Um Um I would say it's safe. [music] It's loving. Um It's definitely welcoming. The teachers are the most about the school. Yeah. To my experience, the school is [music] pretty good. I don't have any complaints. Okay. The atmosphere is good here. And this there's good people here. Because um when she teaches, [music] it like actually makes me want to actually try the things she teaches cuz of the way she she [music] does it. It's uh so like inspiring to me. Go Nation. LET'S RIDE. I LOVE THE SCHOOL. Um the students are
009like >> [music] >> really nice. Um the teachers, they really positive. And yeah. Like the teachers at my old school, I never asked questions with my teachers. And now at this school, since my mom went here, so I basically know [music] all the teachers that's here. So now I can express to what I'm feeling and what I need to ask. I'll call to order. Welcome to our School City of Hammond Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 public work session. Uh those that can, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat] >> Roll call of of trustees. Trustee Guerra. Present. Trustee Candelaria. Present. >> Trustee
010Blake-King, present. We have a quorum. We can move forward. Um Mr. Okay. I'm sorry. Let me take a deep breath. You may proceed. Thank you. Good evening. Uh thank you. Good evening. Uh welcome to tonight's public work session. The first agenda item that we have public expression, Trustee Public expression. We currently do not have anyone signed in for public expression. Thank you, Trustee. Our next agenda item is our state of the district presentation. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us tonight. My name is Anthony Salinas, and I am proud to serve as your acting superintendent. On behalf of the School City of Hammond, I would like to welcome our community members, families, staff, and our School Board of Trustees. President Trustee Carlotta Blake-King, Trustee Manny Candelaria, Trustee Evangeline Stanford, Trustee Melissa Guerra, and
011Trustee Kelly Spencer. Tonight, we come together to share our story about where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. This is not just a presentation. This is a collective journey as a district. At the core, this is who we are. We are one district, united in purpose, committed to excellence, and grounded in the belief that every child can succeed. We are leaders. We are learners. We are proud to say that we are SCH. That belief drives our work through our guided theme, restoration and elevation. We are restoring pride in our schools, and we are elevating outcomes for every student. This is not just a slogan. It is a commitment. A commitment to align our systems, our people, and our purpose around student success. Our district strength is built upon the dedication and
012leadership of our central office team, our directors and administrators, who serve as the pillars of support for our entire system. Their work empowers our outstanding building leaders with the resources, guidance, and collaboration needed to lead their schools. From early learning through graduation, every department, every classroom, and every staff member plays a role in ensuring our students' success are supported, safe, and prepared for the future. We endeavor to operate as one system with one vision with excellence. Together, this unified leadership structure ensures that every decision remains focused on what matters most, supporting our students and creating the conditions for their success. The School City of Hammond proudly serves a diverse and vibrant student population that reflects the strength of our community. Our district is composed of 47% Hispanic students, 40% black students, 8% white students, creating
013a rich cultural tapestry that enhances learning and connection across our schools. Additionally, 14% of our students receive special education services, and 23% are English language learners. These demographics represent the unique strengths, talents, and needs of the students we are committed to serving every day. We embrace this diversity as an asset and remain dedicated to providing equitable opportunities, targeted [clears throat] supports, and high-quality instruction to ensure every student succeeds. That work begins with understanding where we are. Under the leadership of Mr. Adam White, our assessment and data team ensures that data drives our decisions. We are building a culture where we don't just collect data, we own it, we understand it, and we use it to prove outcomes for students. Guess who else owns the data? Our students. Our teachers are having data conversations with our
014students so that they know and track their progress. This increases student engagement and investment in their own learning. Our extracurricular programs and student offerings are an essential extension of the classroom, designed to develop the whole child and ensure every student has the opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive. Through a wide range of opportunities, we are committed to igniting innovation and strategic thinking, empowering students to explore new ideas, and develop critical problem-solving skills. We proudly showcase creative excellence and artistic passion through our visual and performing arts, giving students meaningful platforms to express themselves and shine. At the same time, our athletic programs, JROTC, and student organizations cultivate character, discipline, and district pride, reinforcing the values that defined who we are as a school community. These experiences go beyond participation. They are where future leaders are developed
015and community-minded citizens are shaped. Most importantly, our extracurricular offerings provide every student with a unique space to belong, ensuring that each child feels seen, valued, and connected as part of the School City of Hammond family. Because students deserve to learn in the environment that reflects our value, under the leadership of Mr. Ted Bryiak, our buildings and grounds teams ensure our schools are safe, clean, and ready every single day. Our facilities matter because they shape the experiences our students have. We also recognize and thank our dedicated custodians and maintenance staff who keep our buildings going even during the strongest winds and the coldest temperatures. And none of this work happens without strong stewardship. Under the leadership of Ms. Alicia Pritchett, our business services department continues to demonstrate exceptional fiscal responsibility. With the highest audit rating and
016zero findings, we ensure that every dollar is aligned to student success. We believe in providing training and support so that accountability is shared at all levels, from central office to the school office. We recently held a very positive training opportunity on school fundraisers to ensure all staff was clear on the expectations, policies, and procedures. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds were provided by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic to help school districts respond to unprecedented challenges. These funds were intended to support the safe reopening of schools, address learning loss, invest in technology, enhance health and safety measures, and provide additional academic and social-emotional supports for students. ESSER funding gave districts the opportunity to respond quickly to the immediate needs of students while making strategic investments to support recovery and long-term
017success. At this time, I would like to welcome Mr. Daniel Dalton to the podium to provide further insight and updates. Thank you, Superintendent Salinas. Good evening, board members and members of the public. Uh thank you for that introduction to ESSER funding as well, Dr. uh Superintendent Salinas. So, in total, the district received roughly $64.4 million split across three different ESSER funds, ESSER 1, ESSER 2, and ESSER 3. So, you can see the on the left side the funding summary. ESSER 1 received about $4.6 million, ESSER 2 $18.6 million, and ESSER 3 $41.4 million. Um on the balance side on the right-hand side of the page, you'll notice a small negative balance for ESSER 1, a small positive balance for ESSER 2, and uh fully reconciled balance for ESSER 3. So, these balance are not indicative
018of overspending. Uh what they reflect normal timing differences between when when funds were spent and when reimbursements were received. When this is normal for federal grants. And then also in this pie chart here, you'll see the breakdown of what type of category the ESSER funds were spent against. So, you'll see uh instruction, support services, you'll see operations, facilities, and then other. What what what what is other? That that is uh that represents allowable ESSER costs such as administrative support, contracted services, program implementation activities that don't fall into the other categories listed here like instructional and support services. Um but that other category is still fully compliant and documented allowable by the Indiana Department of Education and the federal government. So, how ESSER funds were invested. Significant portion of ESSER funding went towards staffing and direct
019student support as you'll see listed here. That includes virtual teachers, interventionists, social workers, paraprofessionals, all roles that directly support students academically and emotionally. Um there were also investments in stipends and retention efforts to maintain staffing stability during a very challenging time period as this was post-COVID. Um or during COVID, I suppose. On the facility side down there at the bottom of this slide, about $13.5 million was invested into improvements across the district. That includes major projects like the Columbia Welcome Center, as well as health office upgrades, HVAC systems, roofing, electrical work, and overall air quality improvements. Uh these investments were focused on creating safe, functional learning environments while also supporting long-term infrastructure needs. So, overall ESSER funds were used to support both immediate learning recovery and long-term improvements that benefit students and staff. [clears throat]
020So, what is the purpose again? Superintendent Salinas had kind of reviewed this, and then what are the allowable uses? What were the allowable uses of these ESSER dollars? Um these funds were again provided by the federal government in response to COVID-19 um with a primary focus on addressing the loss of learning experienced by students. And I'll mention that again. These dollars were provided by the federal government with a primary focus on addressing loss of learning. Um ESSER funding was designed to support academic recovery, student well-being, safe learning environments, um and then at the bottom there in terms of allowable uses of ESSER funds, the funds could be used for a wide range of activities including tutoring, uh intervention programs, curriculum, student support services, technology, staffing, facility improvements. So, a whole host. Um as you've seen
021in the previous two slides, the district's investments align with these federally defined allowable uses and reflect a focus on supporting students and schools during and after the pandemic. So, in summary, this report is intended to provide a clear and transparent view of how ESSER funds were received and utilized during the time period. Um at this point, I would be happy to turn it back to Super- Superintendent Salinas. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> As we reflect on ESSER investments, we are proud of how we supported our students during a very difficult time. These resources helped us address learning loss, expand supports, and strengthen systems across our district. But we also recognize that hindsight is 20/20. If those funds were available today to us in any form, we would be even more intentional making mindful collaboration
022collaborative decisions that directly support student learning and optimize our facilities for student success. We would invest in technology that removes communication barriers for all families, ensuring every parent stays connected and informed. We would continue to strengthen our safety and security systems because nothing is more important than protecting our students and staff. Above all else, sustainability would be the driving force, ensuring that every investment has a lasting impact well beyond the life of the funding that maximizes student learning and success. This is the lens that we carry forward as we continue this work. At our Early Learning Center or ELC, our work starts very early. Under the leadership of Mrs. Barbara Gustin, our Early Learning Center is thriving. With full enrollment and strong family engagement, we are building the foundation our students need for long-term success.
023This is where kids come to learn to actually learn how to do school. We have over 500 3- and 4-year-olds at the Early Learning Center within our packed, Head Start, and Special Education Preschool programs. And that foundation continues to grow. Under the leadership of Dr. Denise Isemann, our elementary schools are seeing progress in literacy and student achievement. In 2025, our elementary schools had a 6.7 increase in IREAD-3 passing rates compared to the state's 4.8 increase passing rate. Our educators are doing incredible work, and our students are rising to the challenge. On Thursday evening at the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, we will honor the work of one of our elementary literacy coaches, Kelly De Mary, who helped Edison Elementary achieve a 76% passing rate on IREAD-3. Under the leadership of Mrs. Allison Lenzo, our
024federal programs ensure that resources reach the students who need them the most, such as our McKinney-Vento program, which provides assistance to our students who are experiencing housing insecurity. I would also like to add that about a year ago, our federal programs were being overseen by Mazie Education, an outside consultant. The School City of Hammond made the decision to return to in-house operations of our federal programs so that we could ensure that we were able to accurately and efficiently use our federal funds to maximize supports for our students. With full compliance and strong accountability, these programs are making a real difference for our students. Because we know students cannot learn if their basic needs are not met. Under the leadership of Mrs. Lynn Sturl, our food service and our 120 dedicated food service professionals serve nearly
0255,000 breakfasts daily and roughly 1.2 million lunches a year. They do it with a smile and oftentimes dressed in costumes and school spirit wear. They are fueling not just our bodies, but our minds and the futures of our students. Supporting the whole child continues with health services. Under the leadership of Ms. Kelly Flynn, this team supports over 10,000 students including our preschool kids. From daily care to accidents on the playground to ambulance calls to complex medical needs, their work ensures students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn. And sometimes a simple Band-Aid can change a kid's whole day. None of this happens without great people because great schools begin with great educators. Under the leadership of Mrs. Latera Smith, our human resources team is focused on attracting, supporting, and retaining high-quality staff. Our HR team
026seamlessly took over our substitute service program in January of this year. HR has also continued to support emergency permit teachers who have completed coursework and have become fully licensed teachers. Mrs. Smith serves as the chief negotiator for our school district and has successfully negotiated contracts and handbooks with many of our employee groups. We also recognize and celebrate the diversity of our students. Under the leadership of Mrs. Christina Sanchez, our language development program continues to grow by providing support for students who are adding English to their language repertoire. Additionally, Mrs. Sanchez and her team have successfully grown our dual language immersion program at Irving Elementary from kindergarten to sixth grade, where we proudly serve 335 students in our dual language immersion program. Our kids are becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural beginning in kindergarten. We are not
027just teaching language and culture, we are building opportunities and global pathways for our students. And can we say about Mrs. Carimar Weeks? We are strengthening trust, engagement with our community one post at a time, one camera click at a time, and one newsletter at a time. Our schools are not just buildings. They are the heart of our community. Mrs. Weeks convened district leaders and stakeholders to secure active volunteer commitments, deepen community partnerships, and foster sustained support for schools at our 10 times better community breakfast. We provided targeted dignity-centered support for 60 over 60 families and 293 students, including the distribution of 500 snacks, kits, and essential holiday resources to families, and where she called her she turned her office into a holiday bodega. >> [laughter] >> And for our Thanksgiving initiatives, we co-hosted a landmark
028event with the PTA that united staff, city officials, and community leaders to celebrate school spirit, proving that our district is a place where we can come together and build unity and district pride. That was an exciting time when the Harlem Wizards came to play basketball with our students and our kids. Mrs. Weeks is a School City of Hammond employee, community member, but most importantly, she is a parent of School City of Hammond students. She is deeply invested in our school district, and we thank her for her efforts. Above all else, safety remains our top priority. Under the leadership of Mr. John Suarez, we continue to strengthen systems, expand supports, and invest in safer schools. Mr. Suarez leads our digital threat assessment team, where we examine the digital footprint of students and look for sudden changes
029in mood or personality withdrawals, isolation, or escalating anger. We take threats very seriously, and we make the appropriate decisions to ensure the safety of our students and staff. It is also our goal and responsibility to keep students in school and reduce the number of expulsions. To that end, we are exploring alternatives to discipline, such as restorative practices and teen court for minor infractions. Train safety is also top of mind for Mr. Suarez, as we have had several students who cross railroad tracks to get to school. Next week, the South Shore train will begin operating directly next to Eggers Middle School. So, we have to be proactive and keep student safety a top priority as our kids navigate their routes to and from school. As students grow, so do their opportunities in the School City of
030Hammond. Under the leadership of Mr. Jeremy Hicks, we are expanding pathways for college, career, vocational, and trade opportunities. Our secondary students are simply amazing. Many of these students wear multiple hats. They are not only students trying to figure out their futures, but they are also caregivers for their younger siblings. Many of them work to contribute financially to their households. Still, they find time to be top-performing athletes, exemplary members of JROTC, incredible robotic teammates, and many are part of our district's top 20. I was recently with some of our students over the weekend, and they taught me a very important lesson. They reminded me how important it is to always exhibit gracious professionalism. Our students are leaders, and we have a lot to learn from them. Believe me, they can teach us more than we know.
031Although our graduation rates continue to improve, we know that there is still work to do because every student matters, and every student must cross that stage. We are preparing students not just to graduate, but to succeed in life. We remain committed to serving all learners. Under the leadership of Mr. Tim Seaman, our special education program supports over 1,400 exceptional learners. We are building inclusive environments where every student can thrive and focus on their ability, not their disability. We thank our special education staff for your dedication, patience, compassion, and your willingness to advocate for your students. And we continue to support students beyond the classroom. Under the leadership of Mrs. Marilyn Hampton, student services ensures access, compliance, and support for families year-round. Our Welcome Center is the first stop and the first impression for many of
032our families. Sometimes our families simply need assistance with registration, enrollment, or may have a complaint to file. Whatever their need, we thank Ms. Hampton and Ms. Angie Flores for always providing top-tier customer service. In today's world, technology is essential. Under the leadership of Mr. Ken Benish, we provide one-to-one devices in our classrooms, secure systems, and innovative tools to support learning both in school and at home. We must also remember that our technology department makes it possible for us to view our meetings on YouTube, and they do a lot of work behind the scenes. They are often the unsung heroes of our school district. They are an essential part of our graduation ceremonies, board meetings, and special events. Tonight, we send a very special thank you to Mr. Brian Tucker and Mrs. Tabitha Poling for their
033constant support, dedication to our school district, and making our board meetings run smoothly. For thousands of students in the School City of Hammond, our transportation staff are the first and last face they see throughout their school day. Under the leadership of Mr. Ed Peterson, our transportation team ensures thousands of students arrive safely to and from school. Our drivers have operated 34,000 school runs and have traveled over 500,000 miles. We've provided in-house CDL training, produced enough drivers for the first time in many years. Additionally, we've trained bus monitors to become drivers, and have created trainings to enhance the relationship between students, bus drivers, and monitors. As we look towards the future, we have many initiatives and um things that we'll be implementing in the future, and also also there are lots of legislative um requirements that
034we must meet. The first one I'd like to talk about is Senate Bill 78, which is the bell-to-bell restriction of cell phones. We will implement an updated cell phone policy beginning with the '26-'27 school year, where we will provide guidance and communication for students and families to ensure a smooth transition. So, currently cell phones perhaps are allowed in the buildings, but must be put away. According to this bill, it is a bell-to-bell restriction of cell phones. We are also returning to letter grades. The A through F letter grades are returning for schools after being paused since 2018. Schools will begin receiving grades again by the end of 2026 with a transition zero year first period first. Instead of relying mostly on test scores, the new model uses point-based systems. Students can earn points by state
035test performance in reading and math, attendance or what they call work ethic, graduation diploma attainment, college, career, or work-based learning expectations. And a school's final grade is based on the average of all student points. After spring break, we will be gathering feedback on a possible return to the uniformity of color for next school year. Surveys will be distributed to students, parents, and staff. Final decisions will be made in collaboration with our board and community input. We will also be forming an exploratory committee to study the current school start and end times for the '27-'28 school year. That is not the next school year, that is the school year following. The committee will review research on student learning, sleep, transportation logistics, and gather stakeholder feedback as well, and analyze potential impacts on families and staff. Mrs.
036Weeks is developing a comprehensive and user-friendly scholarship resource. This tool will increase access to post-secondary opportunities, simplify the scholarship search process for families, support our students in achieving college and career goals. We are also proud to announce the release of our school calendars for the next 2 years. This is part of our commitment to clearly communicate and be proactive planning with our community. Calendars will be released before we leave for spring break. We will be launching a superintendent student advisory panel. This group will provide direct student voice and feedback. They'll help inform district decisions and ensure we better understand the student experience across our schools. As superintendent, I believe our students must have a seat at the table. We will be launching a new reading curriculum across all elementary schools. This aligns with our focus
037on the science of reading and literacy achievement. Additionally, we will be prioritizing funds to implement targeted supports in mathematics to accelerate learning. Our goal is to elevate instruction and improve student outcomes in core academic areas. We are very proud to share that Frank N. Elementary has begun the process of becoming STEM certified. This initiative will expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. This is a very exciting step forward in preparing our students for the future. Upon our return from spring break, we will also be applying for the next chance school improvement grants that will help us move from school improvement to school transformation. In the planning year, schools will receive $300,000 and up to $3 million over 3 years. Currently, seven of our schools are eligible for this competitive grant, and we look forward
038to applying and receiving these funds because we are not just maintaining, we are moving forward. None of this work happens alone. We are grateful for our community, our partners, and our families. Together, we are making a difference within the School City of Hammond. And at this time, I'd like to call Mrs. Weeks to the podium, who will share a few closing thoughts. Thank you, Mr. Salinas. Good evening, Madam President, trustees, School City of Hammond community. Since May of 2025, the School City of Hammond has been on a focused journey of restoration and elevation. What started as a reflection quickly turned into action. Improving our schools, reconnecting with our community, and building a shared sense of pride and purpose. As the time At the same time, we have focused on culture and climate across the entire
039district. Throughout consistent communication, recognizing our staff, and engaging with our community, we are rebuilding trust and restoring pride. By celebrating our students and building strong partnerships with families and community organizations, we are reconnecting our schools with the community that we serve. As an urban school district, we face real challenges. High socioeconomic hardship and access to resources, but we do not shy away from them. We face them. We grow from them. And we use them to drive our purpose. These experiences are shaping not only stronger systems, but stronger students. Grounded in resilience, grit, and perseverance. Mr. Salinas. Over the past 10 months, we have worked intentionally to align our district, strengthen teaching, learning, and ensure every decision reflects what is best for our students. We have expanded support for educators, improved instructional practices, and used data
040to drive meaningful progress. We are planning for the future by addressing facility needs, enhancing safety, expanding early learning, and creating opportunities that prepare students for college, career, and life. Through it all, our team has remained committed to moving forward together. Today, March 24th, 2026, it is clear that the School City of Hammond is building momentum. While there is still important work ahead to be done, we are restoring what was and elevating what is possible for every student we serve. We cannot always control the income of a school district, but we can control the outcome. This work is not about programs. It is about people. And if I ever forget, if I ever forget what my job is, all I need to do is walk into a classroom. I visited a group of first graders at
041Jefferson Elementary and asked them, "What does a superintendent do?" Their answer was simple, honest, and powerful. They said, "Your job is to take care of us." And they're right. That is our job. And at the School City of Hammond, we keep expectations high and excuses low. We make no apologies for who we are. One hope, one future, one SCH. This is us. And at this time, we'd like to invite you to join us on our remarkable journey. >> [singing and music] [singing] [music] >> Sorry, we're having some technical difficulties. Oh god. >> [music] [singing] [singing and music] [singing] [music] [singing] [singing and music] [music] [singing] [music] >> Time. >> [music] [music] >> Time. >> [music] [singing] >> So, that is who we are. We thank you for going on this journey with us. But, again
042Um as leaders, we don't work in front of people, we work alongside people. And I could not do this work without several people. At this time, I really just want to take a moment to thank whoever it is that you think put that video together. Mrs. Cara Marwick. >> [applause] >> We had tons of help from our IT department, especially Mr. Tucker. We had lots of >> [applause] >> editorial advice from Mrs. Lopez. >> [laughter] >> Oh, yes. But, at the end of the day, as you can see, uh this is who we are. And I would like to just thank everyone for being here tonight, trustees, community, staff. Um as you saw in the video, we have several groups who are going to be traveling this weekend. Our Morton [snorts] track team will be
043traveling to Indianapolis. >> [applause] [applause] >> Our robotics team will be traveling to Lafayette. They're leaving on Thursday, I believe. So, we wish them luck. >> [applause] >> And the rest of the corporation will be on spring BREAK NEXT WEEK. >> [laughter] [applause] >> SO, WE HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND RESTFUL BREAK, and we will be back on Tuesday, April 7th. Thank you for attending, and have a great evening. >> [applause] [applause] >> At this time, I'd be happy to take any questions from the trustees. Thank you, Mr. Salinas. An incredible, fantastic, stupendous, and I can go on and on with all kinds of adjectives to describe this moment in history for School City of Hammond. Are there any comments from the trustees? No comments? I again, we just applaud the whole team. You
044need to stand up and give yourselves a round of applause. We couldn't do this without [applause] you. Everybody, every department head, stand up, TAKE YOUR BOW. >> [applause] >> AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE every teacher, every paraprofessional, every custodian, every employee who makes it work, who puts it together, who keeps that glue going. And we're just going to continue to elevate and restaurate uh as we move on. I I can't imagine what 26 27 going No, 27 28 is going to look like. So, anyhoo, I'll just stop talking. Uh uh motion to adjourn? So moved. Second. Um meeting adjourned.