001[Music] I love the school. Um, the students are like 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 all the teachers that's here so now I can express to what I'm feeling. and what I need to act, [Music] my friends, you know. Yeah. Cuz you know the education is pretty good. The the teachers are great, you know, but my friends is the best part. I like most about him Central is definitely the students, the people, you know, all the people I met uh since I've been here cuz I moved here uh middle school. So like the people have been great. I made a lot of memories
002since 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 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 for me. >> It's good. There's never any like problems or nothing and it's always like good vibes. Everybody's like chill. [Music] I like the people. I like the community. I would definitely say it's fun. It's definitely creative. Like, you definitely don't know what you're going to get coming through the door every day. In a in a good way, though. Um um I would say it's safe. It's
003loving. Um it's definitely welcoming. >> The teachers the most about the school. Yeah. Say my experience in War's pretty good. I don't have any complaints. atmosphere is good here and there's there's good people here because um when she teaches it like actually makes me want to actually try the things she teaches cuz when she she does it is uh so like inspiring to me nation let's Hey, hey. [Music] I love the school. Um the students are like 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 all the teachers that's here. So now I can express to what I'm feeling and what I need to ask, [Music]
004my friends, you know. Yeah. Cuz you know the education is pretty good. The the teachers are great, you know, but my friends is the best part. I like most about H Central is definitely the students, the people, you know, all the people I met uh since I've been here cuz I moved here on uh middle school. So like the 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 like 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
005really just chill for me. >> Good. There's never any like problems or nothing and it's always like good vibes. Everybody's like chill. [Music] I like the people. I like the community. I would definitely say it's fun. It's definitely creative. Like, you definitely don't know what you're going to get coming through the door every day. In a in a good way, though. Um um I would say it's safe. It's loving. Um it's definitely welcoming. >> The teachers the most about the school. Yeah. In my experience is pretty good. I don't have any complaints. the atmosphere is good here and there's there's good people here because um when she teaches it like actually makes me want to actually try the things she teaches cuz the way she she does it is uh so like inspiring to me
006nation let's rock Hey, [Music] I love the school. Um the students are like really nice. Um the teachers they really positive and yeah like the teachers at my old school I never ask questions with my teachers. And now at this school since my mom went here so I basically know all the teachers that's here. So now I can express is it on? >> Good evening. Welcome to uh School City of Hammond's Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 regular school board meeting and public hearing. Uh call this public hearing to order. First agenda item, Mr. Selenas. Good evening everyone. Before we begin our official uh school board meeting, we are going to be having our public hearing and we're going to call Mr. Daniel Dalton to the podium. >> Call to do the roll call. >> Roll call,
007I believe. >> Oh, roll call. Um, Trustee Guierra, >> present. >> Trustee Stanford, >> present. >> Trusty Candelera, >> present. >> Trusty Blake King, present. We have a quorum. Thank you, Mr. Selenus. >> Mr. Dalton, thank you very much. So this is can you hear me? This is the public hearing uh regarding the bus replacement plan and also the same public hearing for the capital project plan. Correct. And so the bus replacement plan and and the capital project plan are required by the state statute to be approved each year um by every school district in the state of Indiana. Um, we have prepared drafts our uh of our capital project plan and both of our our our uh bus replacement plan. And so at this point in time, I would um welcome the opportunity for
008uh opening public comment on both of these plans. There's nothing that I really need to run through because both of these plans were involved in in the agenda packet. >> Thank you, Mr. Dalton. Do I hear anyone from the audience to speak on our uh bus replacement plan or our 2026 C capital projects plan? Is anyone from the audience wish to speak? Is there anyone from the audience wish to speak? Hearing none, public comment is closed. So this portion of our public hearing is now adjourned. Now we're going to open to our regular school board meeting. Uh call to order. Let's stand for our pledge of allegiance, please. >> 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
009for all. >> Thank you. Roll call. Trusty Guierra >> present. >> Trusty Stanford >> present. >> Trusty Candellera >> present. >> Trusty Blake King present. We have a quorum and we're ready to proceed. >> Mr. Selenus. >> Thank you. Trustee Blake King. At this time, we would like to call Mr. Daniel Dalton to the podium. He will be presenting our monthly financial presentation. Mr. Dalton. >> Thank you. Trust our superintendent and good evening trustees. As in prior months, I am presenting on the uh monthly financial update. So through September 30th, if you might flip to the second page for me, as you will see here, the education fund our our September 30th cash balance was 24,237,040 and our projected December 31st 25 cash balance is 22 million. Um, our debt service fund is currently negative
010$2.6 million. However, we'll be replenished with property tax funds, which will end the fund at a positive $3 million by the end of this current calendar year. In our operations fund, our current cash balance is $19.1 million. We anticipate to end the year with about $18.3 million. >> And in our rainy day fund, no changes there. self- insurance fund. Our current balance is $3.2 million and our projected December 31st cash balance is $4.2 million if we make any additional transfers into that fund. Um down below in that second chart, you could see the listing of the current balances for each of the title funds. Much of those, as I've said in previous months, are negative, but they're all reimbursement grants, which means we spend and then we ask for reimbursements. So to end the year,
011we anticipate many of those to be at a zero or positive cash balance. Moving forward to the next page, this chart shows the revenues and expenditures for the education fund. It's pretty stable across the board. Um, you will notice that actually there's really nothing abnormal about this because the education fund is mainly payroll and so it's it's pretty standard across each each individual month. And please next slide for me. This is the revenues and expenditures for the operations fund. You'll notice quite a substantial increase in June for revenue that is property tax revenue which occurs twice each year, June and December. Um, every other individual month, January through May and July through today through September, pretty standard revenues and expenditures across the board. And if I'm moving too quick, feel free to stop me and
012ask any questions. Next p next page, please. debt service fund. This one looks a little bit wonky, but that's because we pay debt service in uh January and July, but we get revenues in June and December. So, this one looks a little bit kind of off off balance. >> But the good news is we will have enough revenue in our debt service fund to afford our debt service obligations through the end of this current calendar year. So, there is no concern there. And then this page is probably the most important one. This is our budget versus actual for those three funds I just went through. Under the education fund, you'll see we budgeted $95 million in 2025. We've spent roughly $60 million, leaving 37% of that budget remaining for the next three months. Debt service,
013we have paid almost all of our debt service obligations. Therefore, we only have 7% of the budget remaining. So again, no no concerns there. Operations fund, we budgeted $30 million and we've spent $18 million through September. So 39% of our budget is remaining for the final quarter of this current calendar year. And so that concludes my September financial update. Are there any individual questions? Yes. Thank you. So, what you're saying is when we get to December, it looks like we are going to be okay because we are controlling our expenses. >> What I'm telling you is we are spending under the budget that was approved last year. >> Yes. >> So, we're trying to watch out for what we're spending. Excellent. That's excellent. >> Yes. >> Are there are there any other questions from the
014board? hearing none. Thank you, Mr. Dalton. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Selenas, >> thank you very much, Mr. Dton. At this time, I'd also like to call up um two very important uh leaders who are going to be recognizing our administrators. As you all know, this is principal appreciation month, and who better to do that than our leaders who lead and inspire our our uh elementary and secondary principles. I'd like to call up Dr. Denise Eisman, our acting director of elementary education, and then also Mr. Jeremy Hicks, our acting director of secondary education as well. Dr. Eisman, Mr. Hicks. >> Good evening, president, board members, superintendent, ladies and gentlemen. When I call your name, please come forward to be recognized. Melinda Hawkins from Burns Hicks. Edison Ray Harding, Mary Rifle, Jackie Ruez from Irving Alan
015at Jefferson Elementary, >> Taylor Garrison from Lincoln Elementary and Denny from Old Bandon Elementary. [Music] We also wanted to uh recognize the secondary principles. Uh most are are in attendance and we do have some uh people representative of the school. So for Hammond Central High School uh principal Dika Harrison in place we have Mr. for Bill Denko for Edgars Middle School. Dr. Johnny Goodlo for Scott Middle School. Jen Reichertz and Morton High School principal Christine Wheeler. So we wanted to celebrate um our school principles um and also our administrators principles uh that work in the building. Uh so we had uh composed something to to read uh if the board if we're okay. In every hall and classroom of the school city of Hammond, there is an anchor of strength, a steady guiding light, and
016a champion, our school principles. During National Principles Month, we pause to honor the extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment, and compassionate hearts of these individuals who shape our schools and shape our future. Each principal stands at the intersection of responsibility and opportunity, balancing the needs of students, teachers, families, and community. They arrive early and stay late, listen with empathy, decide with integrity, and act with vision. In the school city of Hammond, our principles do more than run buildings. They cultivate environments where students feel safe to explore, empowered to ask, and confident to grow. To our principles, thank you. Thank you for seeing the potential in each child even when the path isn't clear. Thank you for rallying your faculty, for navigating challenges, for celebrating victories both large and small. Thank you for believing that every student deserves
017someone who supports them and for being that someone. As we recognize National Principles Month, let us raise our voices in appreciation. Let us celebrate the hearts and minds behind our schools, the principles who help turn buildings into communities, lessons into opportunities, and students into leaders. We are grateful. We are grateful for your leadership, your dedication, you and your unwavering belief in the power of education. Here's to the principles of the school city of Hammond. You make the difference every day. Thank you. Let's give them a standing ovation, please. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Selenus, for making uh this portion of our board meeting possible. It is important that we applaud the work that our principles do. We don't take it lightly. We are building, we are restoring, we are elevating because of each and every
018one of you. I am humbled and appreciative to know each and every one of you. I've been in all your buildings and I appreciate what you do. Board members, anything you have to say? Thank you. You guys are all amazing. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> And I would be remiss if we didn't ask, can we please have a picture? >> We we we need to get a picture. Of course. >> Of course. >> You guys get to take pictures with the bright crayons tonight. >> Yes. >> Somebody will explain these, right? Trust explain the reason. Someone will explain the rationale later. We are Hang on. >> Yeah. >> One, two, three. Thank you. [Applause] We now have a special announcement. Attorney Harris, please. >> Yes. Hopefully, everyone can still take
019my announcement seriously, despite the fact that I'm wearing a crayon costume. So, uh, well, thank you, Madam President, to the board, and to the audience as present. Uh, I'm pleased to report that on September the 5th, our acting superintendent, Mr. Selenus, took the required exam to obtain his superintendent's license. Uh, it's been a long 6 weeks as we waited for the results. However, on Friday, October the 17th, the results were released and we were informed that Mr. Selena successfully passed the superintendent's exam on his first attempt. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, at this point, Mr. Selenus has officially applied for a permanent superintendent license with the Indiana Department of Education, which will be issued within the next two weeks. Uh on behalf
020of Mr. Selenas. He would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and their support. Thank you. >> Thank you, Attorney Harris. >> Moving on with our agenda, public expression. And uh Attorney Harris, I have a question. I just got an emergency call. Someone has to chair this meeting. Who Who would do that? >> Uh your vice president. >> Who's not here? >> Secretary. >> The secretary will be the next officer. >> No idea what I'm doing. >> I'll help you. Go ahead. Yeah, >> be quick, please. >> All right. >> So, our next agenda item is public expression. Trustee Stanford. >> All right. Our first speaker for public expression is Dr. Michaela. Good evening everyone. >> I feel like last time everyone was dressed up really well and then I'm like, "Oh, I have to
021dress better." And then I showed up and everyone's dressed as a crayon. Next time I'll just start dressing up as a crayon preemptively. Um, congratulations on passing your exam. >> Purple crayon. >> Yes. advance for purple crayons everywhere. Um, I really hope now that we're having more discussions about superintendent licensing and superintendent exam, maybe we can revisit the conversation around having like a very I know we had started it at one point and we got off to a couple of false starts, but I think this is a beautiful time to revisit having a very open superintendent search process at some point, right? being able to have a number of candidates that we can talk to and having Mr. Selenus be able to showcase himself as well for all those purple crayon folks out there. Um,
022I do hope to, um, in my rush to dress so nicely and, you know, barely make it here, you know, like I haven't yet had a chance to look at all the things, especially cuz I found the agenda a little confusing, honestly, because like I know we were supposed to have a public hearing portion, but then we're also supposed to have some other portion of the regular meeting. And I I know in Gary, we get kind of confused with the same thing, right? Um, so I don't know what order everything's going to go in or or whatever we're supposed to even be speaking about right now necessarily, but I do hope that that we we've paid attention to the hiring thing. Um, because I I really hope, you know, and I don't know if we
023have people who can speak to financials again here tonight. um that whatever shape we're in now, we can continue to grow on that moving forward cuz you never really can rely upon, you know, the federal government and stuff, right? So, um you have the funniest look on your face right now and I'm just I I'm I'm trying to not keep laughing about the crayon thing. But um having said all that, you know, like it's a really good time to start that process because like most of the time, you know, you start it in like the fall of the year before. I mean, it it just gives you time. It gives you time to do everything the right way. There's no rush. There's never rush. Um because I mean like your temporary license is good for
024until like 2030 or something, right? So, uh we we can take our time. we can have a fully confident, you know, kind of decision that's made with the public input and all the things that past boards would not do properly. And I'm really looking forward to that. I'm really looking forward to see see where things are headed. So, uh, all right. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Wanda Pucket. Uh, sit down. Sit down. >> Good evening. I got a question, >> too. You can tell me I can do it now or the next section. First question I want to ask the rumor going around on the street that we f to get rid of Kelly service and if we are who going to teach our kids that's what the parents
025now are concerned about if we do get rid of kale serve y'all can't keep nothing from the community find out everything anyway who is going to teach our kids we know testing is coming up. We need qualified teachers in the classroom to to test them kids. Now, we don't want anybody coming in cuz you know once miss they bring it to Miss Wonder, Miss Wonder going to bring it to the mic. So, anything y'all think y'all can get past me, you're wrong. Cuz I'm going to find out whether you want to know it or not. at every school district. I know what's going on. Don't think I don't. So, if y'all going to get rid of, let us know. The parents know something before y'all do cuz we concerned about our kids getting that education
026and who's going to come in and take over. That's what we want to know. Number two, school city got another job fair coming up. We would like to know when is it because I have a couple parents asking about our job fair. They want to apply and attend the job fair. I'm sending them down here to 41 William Street. Where do I send them to? Cuz you got a lot of p We got a couple parents do want to apply for school city. Do I send him to 41 William Street or send him down there on Michigan in Columbia to that school down there? So, y'all going to let me know. Let me know. That's all I got to say. >> Thank you. >> Oh, that's all. I'm sorry. That's the last speaker. I'm taking
027it. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Selenas, >> thank you. The next agenda item is unfinished business. There is no unfinished business tonight. So, we will move on to the minutes. >> Trustees, we have minutes to approve. What's your pleasure? >> Madame President, >> Trusty Candelera, >> I move for the approval of items A, B, and C. the approval of the executive session minutes September 2nd, 2025, September 23rd, 2025, September 30th, 2025 as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second by Trusty Guierra that we approve the executive session minutes for September 2nd, September 23rd, September 30, 2025. Are there any questions? Are there any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. oppose. Eyes have it. Okay. Items D and E. What's your pleasure? >> Madame President, >>
028Trusty Kendalla, >> I move for the approval of the school board meeting minutes of September 2nd, 2025 and September 23rd, 2025 as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been moved and properly seconded by Trusty Guerrero for the approval of schoolboard minutes September 2nd, 2025 and September 23rd, 2025. And these are regular schoolboard meetings. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Thank you. >> Our next agenda item is our consent agenda. What's your pleasure? Uh, trustees. Madame President, >> Trusty Candela, >> I move for the approval of items A through E as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been moved and probably second to approve the consent agenda items. Accounts are payable, donations, extracurricular purchases, payroll, schedule,
029voucher, and personnel report. Are there any questions? >> I would like to read the accounts payable docket register. Trustee Stanford >> dated October 21st, 2025, consisting of $147 pages. Total claims 2,900,24924. Total payroll 2,454, $31966. >> Thank you. Are there any other questions? All in favor say I. I >> I any oppose? >> Abstain. >> One abstension. Eyes have it. Uh is approved. Thank you. Okay. Item eight, adoption of our 2026 budget. Mr. Selen, do you have any comments before we move forward? At this time, we are going to request that the approval of the resolution for the budget appropriations, tax rates, our school bus replacement, capital projects, and these are all um projects and uh uh resolutions that have been presented uh by Mr. Daniel Dalton for the public to be aware of. >>
030Trustees, do I hear a motion? Madame President, >> Trusty Candela, >> I move for the approval of the resolution for the 2026 budget appropriations and tax rates item A as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second by Trusty Stanford. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. Approval of resolution 2026, school bus replacement. Do I hear a motion? Madame President, >> Trusty Candelera, >> I move for the approval of the resolution for the 2026 school bus replacement as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second by Trusty Stanford. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Motion carried. Approval
031of resolution for 2026 capital projects. Do I hear a motion? Madame President, >> Trusty Caneler, >> I move for the approval of the resolution resolution for 2026 capital projects as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly seconded by Trusty Stanford for the approval of resolution 2026. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carried. Item D, approval of resolution for 2026 fund transfers. Do I hear a motion? Madame President, >> Trusty Candelera, >> I move for the approval of the resolution for 2026 fund transfers as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly seconded by Transfery Stanford for the approval of resolution 2026 fund transfers. Are there any questions? Any
032questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Motion carried. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Selzas. >> Thank you. The next item is new business for approval. >> Approval of school city Hammond clerical contract. >> Madam President, >> trustee Trustee Attorney Harris. >> Yes. So the uh proposed clerical contract was distributed um to the board and myself late this afternoon. I don't believe that uh the board and I know myself have not had a sufficient amount of time to review the final version of this agreement. And for that reason, I would encourage the board to table this matter until the next meeting. >> Trustees, wish your pleasure. >> Do I hear a motion protect to table? >> Madam President, >> trustee Candelera. >> I move to table items A on the
033consent agenda under new business, the approval of the school city of Hammond clerical contract. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been moved and probably second uh for the appro to table the school city of Hammond clerical contract. Are there any questions? Any questions? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Uh uh item B. Mr. Celinders, could you explain that a little bit? >> Yes, ma'am. The next uh item is the approval of the Hammond Education Foundation Acorn Grant for Irving Elementary School. Uh this grant will supply students with headphones to use during class and test assignments. >> Trustees, uh do I hear a motion? >> Madame President, >> Trusty Candela, >> I move for the approval of the uh he a grant for Irving Elementary School
034as presented. >> Is there a second? Second. >> It's been moved and properly second for the approval of the ATF ACORN grant for Iran Elementary School. Are there any questions? Any questions? >> Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Approval of agreement between school care and school city of Hammond. Mr. Selenas, please. >> Yes. This is um submitted by our uh supervisor of health services, Miss uh Kelly Flynn. The school care platform um for health services will assist with organizing student care in schools. Students with good care and mitigation strategies helps with students attendance. Schoolare will help health staff provide patient centered care for acute and chronic conditions so that students can be included in school without less health worries. School care also has an app for
035parent communication about health office visits. Nurses can be build with Medicaid for nursing services via the school care that is provided to students uh on Medicaid. So this is part of our health services department. >> It's for all students. >> Yes, for all students. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion for item C? >> Madam President, >> Trusty Candela, >> I move for the approval of the agreement between school care and the school city of Hammond as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second for the approval of the agreement between school city school care and the school city of Hammond. Any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carried. Item D, approval of the agreement between school city
036of Hammond and Fax Education Solutions for Andrean High School. Now, that's going to take some explanation. Mr. Selenz, >> I'd be happy to. So, the next items, uh, item D, item E, and item F are for approval of items, uh, for the parochial schools in our area. As many of you know, when we receive federal funding, we have an equitable share that has to be shared with our uh parochial schools. And so again, you may ask, why are we sharing u money with Andrean? And that is because there are students who attend Andrean school who are Hammond residents. So we have students that attend St. John the Baptist, St. John Bas Basco. Those pro schools are in Hammond and so we have a a share of our federal dollars that goes with them. However, if
037there are students who attend prochial schools even outside of the city limits of Hammond, but they are Hammond residents, we are obligated to share money with them. So, that is a federal federal obligation because we are a school corporation that receives federal dollars. And so, what I wanted to share is that uh fax education um is a professional development coaching and instructional services that uses evidence-based products and training methods. So the staff at that school who will be um provided this professional development, it is for their benefit. However, the uh federal dollars from our school system will finance these u this professional development for those schools. And again, people may not understand or agree. We do not have a say in the matter. It is a federal obligation that we have to do. >> Thank
038you for that explanation and I hope everyone understands. All right. Do I hear a motion for the approval of of item D? Madame President, >> Trusty Canalera, >> I move for the approval of the agreement between School City of Hammond and Fax Education Solutions for Andrean High School as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly seconded by Trusty Kendalla that we approve the agreement between school city of Hammet and FEX education solutions for Andrean High School. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. Item E. Do I hear a motion? >> Madame President, >> Trusty Kennelera, >> I move for the approval of the agreement between School City of Hammond and Fax Education Solutions for City Baptist as
039presented. >> Do you hear a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second. Uh that we approve the agreement between school city of Hammond and Fax Education Solutions for City Baptist. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carry. Item F. Do I hear a motion? >> Madame President, >> Trusty Candella, >> I move for the approval of the agreement between School City of Hammond and Bax Education Solutions for Hammond Baptist School as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved and properly second that we approve the agreement between School City of Hammond and Fax Education Solutions for Hammond Baptist. Are there any questions? Any questions? All in favor say I. I >> any oppose? Eyes have
040it. Motion carry. Thank you very much. We have completed the new business. >> Our next our next agenda item is the upcoming calendar of board meetings. Our upcoming board meetings are Tuesday, November 4th, executive session 5:15 p.m. The same day se uh November 4th, that is a Tuesday, uh regular school board meeting at 6:00 p.m. On Tuesday, November 18th, uh an executive session 5:15 p.m. here at the administration center. And on Tuesday, November 18th, uh school board meeting 6 6 pm. So there'll be two meetings in uh November and possibly only one meeting in December. And I always like to remind everyone at this time that we are we do have openings for our WJO show every third Wednesday of the month. So we're looking to uh to applaud any of our teachers, our students,
041our custodians, our powers. It's up to you. You just notify Mrs. Lopez at her office and we'll get you on WJO. Someone you should know and we have a ball with that show every morning. Thank you very much. That's our uh calendar for the month upcoming month. Mr. Lance, >> thank you. Our next item is public expression second period. Trusty Stanford or the yellow crayon. >> All right. Our first speaker is Dr. Michaela, we managed to get through so much business lately just so quickly that sometimes it's like, oh my gosh, I feel like I was just up here. Um, I did notice on the personnel report that we have two new positions allegedly coming out of education fund. Um, and I was kind of like questioning that because one of them even sounds like
042it would not necessarily be just general education fund. It might be something else. So maybe we can just receive some clarification all these new positions at some point and where things are actually coming from cuz sometimes you know like maybe things get miscommunicated or things like that. Um but I do think that helps in terms of like transparency things. Um I think somebody had mentioned something about Kelly services. I think obviously there's a history there. people are are eager to return to a time where there's more things done in house and I think that a lot of districts have gone through that right you get stuck with a weird contractor for a while and then you have to just kind of reassert that you know that that's a thing you need to do for yourself
043and I really do think that you know I I have full confidence and hope in your HR department that they can do the full extent of their job as they did before you know and we have some newer people in there I think that will do a great job in that respect. So um very very excited hopefully that that's the direction things are going. Um I was looking for my notes about of all things like the the I read the this that because I still had some things that I wanted to highlight but I don't think I can find my notes tonight unfortunately. We'll see. Um I do think it's really important like we've had a lot of situations across many districts um where either there's threats because somebody hears the name of a school
044and they think it's a school here and then they start saying crazy stuff and then you know I think that might have been a more like uh whiting thing or something. Um, but between that and just like when you see like federal enforcement people out on the streets and there's guns drawn and stuff like that, I am just of the the the very firm opinion that a gun is a gun is a gun. Doesn't matter who's holding it. Like if people have weapons that are brandished anywhere, like that should be treated just the same as if two dudes on a street are getting into a fight and somebody, you know, pulls a gun. Because if you know a student gets hit by a stray bullet or something like it's not going to matter who held
045the gun. That student's still going to be like injured and hopefully nothing more than that. But uh prevention is always really important. So like whatever we can do to make sure that you know everybody knows you know if worst comes to worse and something scary outside is happening that we take every precaution we need to and that's something I think a lot of districts are thinking about these days. So thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker, Wanda Puck. >> Okay, I'm back. This what I like to know. Superintendent got his license. We ain't going to hire. We ain't going to do no job fair on him. He in house. We don't need no out house coming in in house. He already got his license. We're gonna keep him. I'm serious on that.
046So when it come down to vote him in, he already in. Y'all don't want me to get the neighborhood rally up to bring him down here so he can stay. Right. Right. You good with me? I don't know about nobody there, but you good with me. Now there's another thing I want to know. While y'all sitting down here and we talking about these babies, parents, I will walk your kid to school to make sure they get to school safely. Now, y'all know I ain't scared of nothing. As long as I got the man upstairs first cuz I'm covered. Our kids is crying. They scared. We don't need to We need to calm them down. encourage them to come to school and nothing going to happen to them once they get there. Babies are getting to
047the point now we got to come together divided we are going to fall. When we come together as one we can congress anything. We can climb that mountain and come over that mountain. Stop separating. Come together. This is all we need to do. Whatever the different is, put it aside. We talking about us. I mean every color. I don't pick and choose who I represent cuz I represent all colors. Now you think you can't get with me and represent all color, you can step back out that door and don't knock on mine. come here for everybody. That's all I got to say. >> Thank you. >> That concludes second session public expression. >> Superintendent's report. >> Good evening everyone. Um I have several updates and reports for for this evening. Uh first and foremost, I
048I I do agree that as we're trying to restore and elevate uh information is critical, transparency is critical. Uh a lot of times when we when people see the the the term u new position, the the the the whistles go off about dollars and cents this is costing. But one of the things that people do have to understand that as as education is evolving and education is progressing, the Indiana Department of Education is also requiring new courses, new graduation pathways, things that we've never had before. For example, computer science, right? Those kind of things are courses that we've never had before. And now that IE is saying you must have and you must offer. And so our challenge is to first of all find licensed people who have those credentials, but we also have to
049make sure that we offer those. So um back in the day there were courses that we didn't have to offer. Now, as we look at uh again graduation requirements and and different requirements for not only graduation but for even our elementary students, there are different uh course offerings that we must offer. With that comes having to create positions within the district. So, these aren't things that we necessarily just do because again, we think it's cool or nice to have. a lot of times the requirements um to do that but I I do understand the the the concern and so my job is to be as transparent as possible whenever we have uh situations like this. So again that those are some of the reasons why we have new positions. The other thing I wanted to
050state is that um I've been very blessed to be out at several buildings. Um I will I want to thank Mr. uh Dr. Goodlo for inviting us to STEMtober. Uh we had an amazing time at Edgars. I'm sure the board members will talk about that a little bit later, but um we had middle schoolers, I have never seen middle schoolers so excited to be at school. Middle schoolers loved coming to school. Um and they were proud, they were excited. Um it was the evening and they said they weren't even uh interested in going home yet because they were so happy to be there at Edgar's Middle School. So, congratulations to all of you and thank you for sharing your beautiful students with us. And I think we even uh met some um entrepreneurs there as
051well who were uh who had a side hustle on top of going to school. Right. So all these fantastic things are happening. I also was at Jefferson Elementary in one of the first grade classrooms reading. Uh Mrs. Raquel Sterszic invited me to to to read. And when we asked the students, first graders, what they thought the superintendent's job was, they all said, "Your job, and this is profound, from the mouth of first graders, your job is to take care of us." >> Wow. >> So true. >> I looked at them and said, "You're right. That's it. Your job is to take care of us, right?" That put everything into perspective. It It put everything into perspective. Uh Mr. Alex Sarajooki uh was our latest WJO guest and he had uh students talk about makerpace which
052is pretty impressive that uh many of our students know what they are, love them and are using them for everyday life. Uh so just another highlight of uh the great things that are happening in the school city of Hammond. But again, >> hats hats off to the principles, right? Um thank you again for everything you guys do in terms of leadership, dedication, creativity. We know it's a hard time right now. It's a very tough time, not only in our community across the country. And you show up every day and you're there for your staff. You're there for your families. You're there for your kids. And sometimes your buildings are the safest places for them. Those are where they get their hugs. That's where they get their encouragement. That's where they get their meals. And that's
053where they get their smiles, their high fives. And this wouldn't happen if we didn't have the principles that we do in Hammond. So, thank you for everything that you do. Please don't ever think that you don't uh are not appreciated. We all appreciate you. I think you all know how I feel about you. Thank you very much, principles. Several uh district updates. Uh we have an event coming up. Step in and step up is our substitute job fair. Wednesday, October 29th, 9:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. here at 41 Williams in room 118, which is the room we're in today. We are hiring substitutes for multiple positions, including teachers, aids, nurses, bus staff, and food service. So, this is our step in and step up substitute teacher job fair. Wednesday, October 29th, 9:00 am to 4
054pm here in this room. The Hammond Early Learning Center Fall Family Festival. Tuesday, October 22nd, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Families are invited for an evening of fun and community connection with our youngest learners here in the school city of Hammond. Believe it or not, we are right around the corner with our parent teacher conferences and our e-learning day. So, we're going to have an e-learning day where kids are at home, but it is not a day off. Kids are going to be e-learning. Monday, November 3rd, conferences will coincide with an e-learning day for all students. Parents, you will receive information in terms of dates, times, and expectations for that day from your from your school. Very excited for this one. We are going to have the um open house for Survive Alive. How many of
055you remember Survive Alive from back in the day? Right. Uh, thanks to the leadership of Mr. Jeremy Hicks at the Area Career Center, we are bringing it back and we're having an open house on November 3rd from 12 to 6:00 p.m. This also includes a pasta dinner, which is a fundraiser, $15 per person from 12 to 2 and 4 to 6 uh at the area Career Center. And as always, we are kicking off our kindness campaign, coffee and conversations Thursday, November uh 6th, uh 4:30 p.m. at Harding Elementary School, open to the community as part of our district-wide kindness kindness initiative. And as we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to take a moment to recognize an alumni from the School City of Hammond, Mr. Rudy Chapa, class of 1975 from Hammond High
056School. He is a state champion runner, a national record holder who went on to disting to hold a distinguished collegiate and professional career with Nike. He's he's his success embodies perseverance, excellence, and community pride. And we could not close the month of Hispanic Heritage Month without recognizing Mr. Rudy Chapo, one of our very own success stories out doing great things in the world. And in closing, we remain dedicated to fostering excellence, inclusion, opportunity for every student. We acknowledge we acknowledge how scary it is right now for our community. We do. And again, I cannot thank the schools enough for making those buildings and those classrooms a safe place for our families. Thank you. We acknowledge that it's scary. We will do everything we can to make School City of Hammond a welcoming and safe place
057for all students. Thank you. Have a great evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Selenus. Now, our agenda calls for our reports from the board. You have any reports from the board? >> I would just like to explain why we're dressed as crayons. We don't do this all the time, but since it is the month of Halloween and we won't be meeting before Halloween, we wanted to wear something school related as our Halloween costumes. Some of us are just stubborn. [Applause] >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> I have one >> from the stubborn crayon. Um he touched on the coffee and conversation um coming up November 6. Uh I wanted to remind everybody about the reflections deadline that is Halloween which is next was it next Friday? Oh my goodness. Um, we've got some good some awesome
058uh submissions so far. So, just keep encouraging your kids. Thank you principles talking about principal appreciation month every month for you. Seriously, thank you so much um for helping us with that. Um, and then in the spirit of that as well, I wanted to share some trunk retreats. I know um I believe Miss Carmar shared them earlier on the school city page. Um, Jefferson because this is most of them are hosted by PTAs. Um, so Jefferson's is this Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30. Um, Morton's is this Friday from 5:00 to 7:00. >> Um, Franklin's is they're combining theirs with a book fair. Um, and a reading night that is this Friday from 4:30 to 6:30. Um, also Friday from 5 to 6:30, uh, is Burns Hicks trunk or treat. Uh, the trick-or- treat at Irving
059is next Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30. Um, a harvest trunk or treat is at Hammond Central um October 30th from 5:00 to 7:00. And I know um, Harding's trunk or treat is also tomorrow. Mr. Lisky, can you remind me of the time? >> Miss Han. 55. >> Our our reigning champion over there, Miss Morgan. Um, you said 5 to 6:15. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, and I don't think Edison's was on here. Mr. Grim, I know you guys have one coming up Thursday. What time? >> I put you on the spot. I'm sorry. >> 30 seconds. >> I'll give you the 30 seconds. Um, while he's pulling that up, I wanted to share the Hammond Council PTA. We finally got a Facebook page, so so follow that. Um, follow along with us as we post
060and share everything that's coming up, especially that Wizards game. We are so excited. Um, the Wizards actually created the event for us, so we'll be sharing that soon. You got that for me? >> 5. >> Awesome. Okay, so that's Thursday from 5 to 7 um at Edison and I'll shut up now. >> Wow. Uh, send me that list. I just knew of two. My goodness, a lot a lot of running around. >> Are there any more? >> I just have three announcements. Um, I first of all, I would like to thank uh state representative Carolyn Jackson. She provided school city of Ham in 200 uh booklets and it's the guide to higher education in Indiana and it has it lists every school and university every college university in the state of Indiana uh to attend
061with all the information numbers phone numbers the how to do your your forms and uh we got them to our counselors. So parents, if you're listening, especially juniors or even seniors, if you think you want to go to Indiana College University, this booklet is a wealth of information and for her to provide that for us is tremendous. And so I Carolyn, state representative Carolyn Jackson, I really appreciate her for that. And secondly, our own uh Chef Jack, he did it again yesterday. They hosted the first uh culinary arts arts program hosted their first ever international chef's day celebration. All of our middle schoolers I didn't get to go. I don't know how I missed it, but we were just all over the place. Students from Edgars and Scott Middle School joined them for a day
062filled with testing uh chef chef demonstrations, educational stations, and just some of their partners was just outstanding. Uh all of the major restaurants in the in the area, asparagus, I can just a rose bud. They helped our our culinary program. Mr. Hixon, am I missing something? It was just it was just so tremendous. You'd have thought it was a intern. Well, it was international, but it was beyond international. Here in the city of Hammond, here at school city of Hammond, Ali City hosted the in first international um day of culinary uh events. So again, hats off to Chef J. He's such a tremendous gentleman. He is definitely a resource uh to us and all of his students. So I just want to say thanks to him. And last but not least, uh our reporter Jack
063Helms, uh he has another article out, uh our one of our own students, Hammond Central, uh Junior, and um he writes for the great news.Life student voices and his article is entitled Hammond Central's fall season brim with energy and heart. our own put this story together and I suggest you go to greatnews.life and read that article. It's just heartfilling that our own student a junior volunteered and his writing skills are impeccable school city of Hammond. This is our own. We're elevating and we're restoring. Thank you very much. That concludes my report. Is there anything else? Superintendent um superintendent um well anyway is there anything else to bring to our attention? Well, do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. Second >> adjourn