001Please to the republic for it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Are the minutes of the work session and regular session meetings held on April 16th, 2026? Your pleasure. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the work session and regular session minutes of April 16, 2026. >> Second. >> Board, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Okay. If not, um I'm going to have um we'll do an electronic and then Mr. Pors, if you would do a roll call vote so that we have it for the record, please. And thank you. I >> I and that's a um 70 vote. >> It does. All right. Next item on the agenda is financial reports, which are none. And the next item on
002our agenda is for comments. If there's any comments, audience on any agenda items. Thank you. And our next item is personnel report. Um >> report in your packet. You have a copy of the personnel report. You also have an addendum to the U personnel report. That would be for May 5th. Board action is requested. >> Like to make a motion that the board approve the personel report as presented. Second. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion by the board? >> If not, if you would please place electronic votes. And Mr. Porus, if you would do a um roll call, please. Thank you. Hi, >> I. >> Our next item on the agenda is the overnight extended student trip request for the Hbert High School band and orchestra students. Dr. Buffington. >>
003Yes. And out of the audience, I'm going to have him come up to the podium and talk a little bit about it, is our band director, uh, Mr. Dinkens. And um I want to just say that, you know, he did a really great job on the packet that he put together um with thanks from our lovely assistant over here, Cat Skoon. Uh we literally go to the to the files that we have of of teachers that have done a very thorough job when they are going on an extended overnight trip. And we handed it off to Mr. Dinkens and said, "Use this as an example." but he went above and beyond and he's got a really great um trip packet for you and so I I love that he's here to represent himself. He's going
004to talk about it and I'm going to turn the podium over to him and then we'll talk about some recommendations here. Take it away, Mr. Dinkens. >> Thank you. A little bit nervous, but that's okay. Uh so we have wanted to put together a uh extended trip for the band orchestra uh this Last year we finally were able to get all of our stuff together and so we are proposing a trip to Disney World during fall break uh fall 2027. So not next school year but the school year after. Uh the trip is open to any band orchestra student who is in grades 9 through 12 during that school year. Um the idea is once we get this established we will be able to take a trip like this every four years. So it kind
005of acts as a culminating experience for students high school band and orchestra experience here at Hobbert. Um so we will be flying out to Orlando. Um we're there for four days. Uh we'll go to every Disney park on Disney World's property and while we're there the band will perform at the marching band will perform and they will perform in one of the parks in March. The orchestra will have a chance to perform in one of the parks. They obviously will do a sit down performance and then both groups will have an opportunity to do a workshop with Disney sound engineers. So those are the guys that do the recording for the movies and they will walk us through how they record for movies. We'll get to see how all of that works and um it's
006a really cool experience. I've got a chance to do it as a student and as a teacher. Um so it's something that's really cool. And then of course we get to have fun in the parks as well. So, we're using it not only as a major performance opportunity, but kind of a retention and recruitment tool for the program. And you have the itinerary attached. Um, you guys have any questions for me? I'm happy to answer. >> Uh, one of the things that Mrs. noticed and and obviously I noticed as well um is the items not included and I actually sent you an email. I think it's important to let your students know that along with parents that you know could airfare possibly Yes, it could. It's actually something we're worried about, >> right? And so
007I think it's just really important that you mention those not included items for the board. It's in your last sheet of your packet. Um, and I want to thank Pat. She's like, "Did you see that?" And I said, "Um, so let's bring that up to Mr. Dinkens." Here's what I would say in terms of of our band and orchestra. We were at the Maria Reiner Center two weeks ago and they could not say enough about our band and orchestra and these were the senior citizens of Colbert that they just said we couldn't be prouder of of like they could they were they were naming songs that you guys were playing and and and it's really impressive that that you have such a following and I couldn't be prouder of what you guys have accomplished and
008I think that this is a great opportunity for our kids to go perform somewhere and it gets them into that mindset of like what would be next, right? Um and so and I I like the reward side of it too that they would be able to go to the parks. I want to thank you and the sponsors though because taking on a trip like this is a huge responsibility. Um and um and you are up for it and so I always believe in opportunities for kids and this is a fantastic Thank you for taking on the challenge. In terms of what you have in your electronic packet board, I would tell you that uh an excellent application and it has my full endorsement and I highly recommend that the board approve it. >> I'd like
009to make a motion that the board approve the high school band and orchestra trip to Disney World as presented. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Board, do you have any discussion or any questions while Mr. Jenkins is here while we have him? >> No, but I'm excited with the student that's going to be in band in high school during that year to be a chef. >> Oh, there you go. >> I think middle school, high school students orchestra. So, good chef, >> right? And one of the things that that I had to with Mr. Deans while we're discussing this is that, you know, giving a a mindset for does that actually fall on fall break. And so, Mrs. Mat and I have been working on the district calendar. Do we possibly have
010it forecasted out that far? We do. Um, barring no legislative changes, but I will say, you know, they changed the goal posting a lot. Um, but I will just tell you that we had already looked at that. Brandon was in my office. You know, we pulled up the calendars and we're like, that looks like that's it. So, this is a great time for them to be able to go. He's really crossed, you know, every tea, dotted, every eye, and um just really proud of the insight that he's put into it. Like I said, I got to go when I was in high school. We went to Disneyland in California and then I taught at K prior to we went to Disney World. We took classes that time as a kid. Yeah, both times it's been
011great. >> Yeah, we are looking at transporting their instruments with our trailer and truck. Um we do have an employee that is a parent. Um it would be Mr. Russell Melon. Um and we're going to work with him on making sure we train him to drive that properly. Um but the cost of transporting their instruments uh would really raise the cost considerably. So Russ actually volunteered to do it and I said to Brandon, "Okay, we'll make sure that we train him properly." Um so he's done every he's done everything right. and and I I have full confidence. They take the band a lot of different places, locally um and not locally to compete and I think they deserve this chance and I I just appreciate the work that's been put into it thus far. >>
012Very good. Board, um you may place your votes electronically. Oh, it was me there waiting on Okay, so that passes 70. Thank you, board. >> Thanks for coming. as well. >> Our next item on the agenda is the Hobart Middle School Hall of Fame. Dr. Buffington. >> Well, in the audience tonight, we're going to call up Mr. Wells. He can come up to this to the podium. And um you know, he started a Hbert Middle School Hall of Fame and it's for teachers that um are from Hbert Middle School. And so I'm going to let him take the program over and just talk about this year's uh recipients. >> Okay. Yeah. So just a quick um background I say every year I'm here but there's always new students. Um back in 2023 we started this
013program um I officiate high school football high school baseball for way too many years now 36 years for baseball um and I was inside of one schools changing and saw that they had a hall of fame for their teachers. I thought it was kind of a neat thing. And so I talked to Mrs. Neely at the high middle school and said, you know, I would like to take like that because we've had some excellent teachers at our middle school and again we have a chip on our shoulder middle school like the middle child neglected sometimes. So >> you are not neglected. I can assure you of that, Mr. Wells. >> I don't know. >> You're right. It's the middle It's the middle child syndrome. >> It is. I mean, does that be rational? Just >>
014Exactly. Yeah, I know. I get it. >> All right. So, we know it's a social emotional issue. >> It is. There you go. So, yeah, I have five boys now, so I understand that middle child. >> So, um but yeah, um so we um got our first class in 2023 and got some of the most excellent teachers we've ever had at our school between CEUS, um Rich Lane, um just really good group and I think this year we've done a great job. We've only picked two this year because we've done a great job of picking people the last three years and this year we've picked um two more people that are just some of the best we've ever had our school and so glad that we can announce that we're going to be um electing
015this year into our hall of fame um from our P department, Miss Deb Glass, she spent 40 years um teaching at the middle school and um she's not like me when we do this presentation at our school because she wasn't the mean one of the school of the um PE department. We were all more afraid of Miss Fun Counsel to tell you the truth because Miss Glass has a nice side to her that she kind of hid from us all. But you see it when you actually see her teach and know what she does and for those who've never seen our swim program that we used to have during the summer time, the time she put in there and just all of her efforts in that way. She also is an awesome official herself and
016has done several state um title games for volleyball. So her love for Hbert and what she's done for our school over the last 40 years was really evident and um she got actually what we do is we have a committee at the school um teachers committee and every member of the hall of fame gets a chance to vote as well and that was 100% everyone on the committee voted for her so can't complain about that. Um our second nominee we have this year will be um Diane Lauren spent 35 years teaching in our special ed department. Um, she worked with some of the best brickies to work with. Um, but probably the hardest group to work with because she worked with some of the students that had really special needs and just watching how she
017handled her classroom all the time. When I first started teaching here way too many years ago, I was next to her classroom and just watching her with that clientele and what she would do and how she loved on them and just um if you've never been in her classroom or near her classroom, she fought harder for those kids that they got a chance to learn everybody else than any other teacher I've seen at our school. she just the love she had for the kids is so evident and so it's one of the spots too where we took the vote and% of people said she deserves to be in here as well. It's kind of nice to see that we've all agreed unanimously on the teachers we've had. Um we've not really had an issue about
018how this person 12 people in the Hall of Fame and all 12 have been 100% accepted by the people on committee saying these people are the best that we've had. And so just really proud to give those people's names and hopefully we get their plaques done soon and get all in there. Now it's the hard part. We have the names out there. We have to do the hard part and have um our little presentation to them. Again, as I have every year, I would love to invite you guys. Um it's our last day of school. We do a 10:30. We do our little presentation where we have the member come in with family and we then present them with their with their plaque. We then go over stories about them, try to embarrass a few
019of them, just the fun part of it. And of course, and family can get up and talk about them. Um, and then after that we usually have a little lunchon. Um, it's something simple and easy. We go sometimes it go as simple as having you know chicken and whatever hot dogs hamburger just something simple and easy as end of our school year but we ended honoring the best that we've had. So glad we invite you guys to join us this year again. June 3rd at 10 is our celebration. >> Well, and we would just like to thank you for your coordination of it and your thought that you put into it to start it and uh it's a very rewarding experience to see people come back and be recognized and honored and um some which
020have they have gone on in past but their family members are there in of that award and that recognition and it means so much to them because they saw the dedication that went into the profession and the impact they had on children's lives and you know I always tell people this and I think Nikki Neely is the only one that really uh will run behind me with it but you know we are the hope for humanity and and and so educators play such an important role in kids lives and so So to honor people whether they're still with us or not, but show the world that they and their family and others how much they meant to us in this school corporation and the impact they had goes beyond saying it's extraordinary and um thank
021you for that. To be uh to be a person out in the audience and then of course to speak about some of them because I know all of them quite well. Um it's a pleasure to be able to do that and I I just recall last year and you know they're facetiming other people that can't come. Um they want their photo taken by the plaque on the wall and there's just such a sense of pride that they were part of a profession that changed people's lives. And so I want to thank you for that Chris and um thank you for coming and sharing all that information. And it's such a a great thing that you did. And um quite frankly let's uh end this with It takes a really special person to teach at the
022middle level. And and so, you know, we can joke about the middle level child, but I always say this, it takes a special person to teach at the middle level. And it's because they're they're you know, transitioning into uh you know, uh teenage years, but on top of that, they're a little quirky at times. Um they want their identity. Um they're it's just like a very awkward for kids and we all know that that are in education but we love them for that and the middle school adjusts to that so well and that doesn't bother them at all. Um they accept it, they love it. Um and they accommodate and they just are amazing individuals and you know you don't see tons of people say I want to teach at the middle level. Um, but
023there's people out there that do, and when they do, they find it so rewarding. And so I want to thank you for that because I do I admire all of our teachers on teacher appreciation day, which is today. Uh, and so we're celebrating our teachers tomorrow, but every level has a unique perspective on what a child needs. And so whether you are an early learning, kindergarten, preschool, first, second grade, whether you're intermediate, elementary, middle school, high school, everyone brings something different to the table. And and you recognize the skill set and the talent they have for that level. And I couldn't be prouder of our middle school teachers. And I want to just thank you for that. And all of our teachers that are out there, it's appropriate for us to say we honor you
024and celebrate you because you are the hope for humanity and you have huge impact on kids lives. So I also want to just say um on a personal note um to Chris and his wife um who are are fostering a child right now and so it goes well beyond just like all the hundreds of kids that they have as educators. Um they take they take caring for children very seriously. So on a personal note, thank you that you've done for this child. >> That was not expected. Yeah. Um we took our kids right before spring break. Um both his parents passed away and he's he turned 17 yesterday. We celebr when when mom passed away first and then dad passed away. after he was sick at the time and he said I'm happy going to
025this house because I know >> you've been a good soldier and a good just human being trying to help another child and for that admire you for that. So, thank you Chris. >> And one last thing you guys did, if you been to the old school, which is now her daughter actually went back last year was just so amazing. Her daughter retired and her daughter said, "This is what we do here." All right. Thanks again. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next item on our agenda is the trademark license agreement for CNC Custom Shirts LLC. Dr. Buffington. There you go. Um, with my trusty assistant to the left of me, uh, we have the license renewal, uh, for Courtney Ozgood for, uh, CNC custom shirts, um, LLC to use Johan. Um, you have some examples of
026her products. Um, and obviously she gives a 10% royalty back to the school district, which as you know, um, we give those proceeds to, uh, from the start because that's a self-supporting program. So, anything that we can shift their way, we absolutely try to do. Um, one of the things in reviewing this, this obviously isn't a youth group that's part of our school organization, which I would approve. Um, this is outside of the realm, and that's why it's brought before you. And I would just say one of the conditions here is that they know they cannot distort Johan, right? It has to be used in its, you know, exact form and shape. putting or adding anything to it. Um and so that is the agreement that this is a part of. She actually has some
027beautiful products. Um and so at that point um I don't feel like she is competing with our athletic department um with their gear or football boosters with their gear perhaps. Uh she's got a lot of different things to choose from. And so that 10% royalty is nice and with that um I would suggest that the board uh approved that trademark agreement and we would execute that upon your approval. I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the trademark license renewal agreement with Courtney Ogood doing business custom shirts LLC with the 10% royalty and authorize the superintendent to sign the trademark agreement. >> Board we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? If not, please place your vote. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda
028is the concessions agreement with DTF Enterprises, DBA's ES concessions. Dr. Buffington. >> All right, board. So, um, we're going into a new contract season for this. And, um, I would just, uh, mention that I include the profit share analysis for the their contract uh for Mike Black, our athletic director. And um this time when the contract came in um again, my administrative assistant, um she compared the two contracts and Mike Black had sent it to me and I had already sent it to to Bill Longer, the board attorney, to take a look at it and there were some considerable changes that were made on it. And so we went back and forth with these um on some of the changes that they made. Um they are now very minute in changes that were made uh
029that we kept going back and forth with and um Mr. Longer uh definitely has given this his blessing. Uh he is not here this evening, but he's reviewed this final contract. Again, I'm gonna say after going back and forth, it's uh more in its original format, very few changes to it. Um, you know, it really came down to like what happens if we end up having like wrestling club and they want to run their own concession. You know, they're a big enough organization that we can hand that over to them. Um, and so it wasn't worded exactly the way we needed it to be uh worded. And so we got all of that cleaned up and it looks like it's in pretty good shape now. Um, excellent shape to be uh frank and uh you
030do have your board attorney that has given it his blessing. So with that being said, I would ask that the board approve the de concession contract and that would take us out to June 30th, 2020. I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the agreement with DTF Enterprises doing business as DE's eats concessions as presented and authorize the superintendent to execute the agreement >> board. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Uh not quite. >> Not quite. Uh my my only ask is keep those concession lines down, right? And so that's important to us. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda is the 2026 teacher appreciation grant. Dr. Buffington. >> Well board, um this as you know changed in um last year's
031legislative session. And um this this was a change where you could only give this to 20% of your teachers. And um whereas in the past So, um, previous teacher appreciation grants, better known as tag, um, you know, in the past it would be that you could award any highly effective and effective teacher with the amount that was allocated to your school district and um, it would be a per teacher Right. And and so like at this point they changed the rules of engagement and this actually happened after the legislative session and teachers really didn't even really understand that that this is how you're going to get a teacher appreciation grant. And so literally they had very strict guidelines as to who could be eligible for this teacher appreciation grant. you know, in all of the
032years that I served uh in this position to to look at and to say that that every teacher is not doing their their best and their hardest at trying to make a difference. And I thought, why are we why are we trying to fix something that's really not grow? If we've evaluated you as highly effective or effective, I shouldn't choose the top 20%. However, you know, in talking with the the teachers and telling them I don't want to choose. I don't. However, if I put it out for a vote to the teachers and if you want to go through this process, we will do it. Well, it came back um it was pretty close about 52% the teachers 53 maybe um said 53% said they wanted to do it and I said okay well it
033was a very rigorous application process um and even talking with my colleagues uh that are other superintendent I said I'm going to make them apply for it um pretty soon around the region uh they were adopting the same thing and I heard other people like that's a great idea why put ourselves in a position where people choosing them because we have favorites, we're biased or any of that and I didn't want really anything to do with it. I want to recognize all of them and and so we had a rigorous process and an application that we put together and there were three different tiers that we could actually recognize them. Now, keep in mind, no matter what, you could only choose 20% of your staff. And they told us what that number was. It's 4
034By the way, the amount of the money that they gave us, if I chose tier one, it wasn't even enough to give 42 people that award. Now, we had to chip in a little bit of money from School City of Hobart to actually award all 42 teachers. Um, it was it was close to $1,000, not that much. But the point I'm making is you could have chosen that gave teachers $7,900. Um, and like then you couldn't award 42 people. So, you know, as I worked with, uh, Dr. uh, Mrs. Anderson, um, Mr. Mock came in toward the end, um, where I'm like doing figuring and I just said the other two tiers that recognize people in STEM, uh, special U and then tier three geographical areas if there's a shortage. So in other words, you
035were getting a stipen because you taught in an area that they're having a hard time staffing people. Well, I I don't have that problem here and I'm not going to award people for that in tier three when I don't have that problem. Right. Um out there in tier two, do I admire those people that TG are in STEM or in special needs. I do, but again, I don't have that stacking problem. And so, I chose with the team, I chose to eliminate tier two and tier three so that we could make sure that all 42 teachers were able to get a stipen. Um, when I go back to the list of how many people applied, I think I had 62 apply. apply, you know, and I had to break the news to them that they
036weren't getting it. But we spent weeks and weeks on this, making sure that it was as fair as it could possibly be with data analysis. They had to upload their data. They had to show us where the evidence was on being highly effective um in the area that they are uh that they were chosen in. And we comb through data. We we did so much data analysis and work on it because it was hard to choose 42 teachers, you know, and I I'm looking at all of you and I'm saying this to anybody that's listening online. There are amazing teachers in this school corporation. I did not to choose 42 teachers, but I did. Uh, and I want to thank Dr. I want to thank Mrs. Anderson, um, particularly because we spent an enormous amount
037of time on this. And then, of course, bringing in our HR director, um, with the final counts of the finances and getting ready to award it. Uh, we turned in all of our paperwork. We had to do that. We had to upload all of our paperwork to the state department, which we did. And so, what you're going to The teachers will receive a stipen of $2,985. Um the remaining funds of the 146,6022 will cover the cost of FICA and TUR as permitted by state law. And so you saw that in the last legislative session that you could actually take that out of the award. Otherwise, it's costing your district money, right? And so, um, we did put in an it's it's $800 to $900 to get those every 42 people that we could possibly choose
038that award. And so that's what we did. Uh, for the people that are out there, teachers that work so tirelessly and and give everything that they have, you know, if if they're evaluated as effective and highly effective, this grant should be for them. There should be no there should be no deciding but I don't make those rules I just have to follow rules right so I am going to recommend that the 42 teachers that went through a very rigorous application process data analysis met the requirements for tier one with this grant and uh at this point I would ask the board to authorize me to distribute those funds to these teachers I'd like to make a motion that the board authorize superintendent distribute 2026 teacher appreciation grant in the amount of $146, $16022 as presented.
039>> I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you for the hard work you put into it. >> It sucks that uh They've restricted the way you have to do it and they've limited the amount of money they want to give you to be able to do it. Um there are a lot of teachers out there. There's more than 42 teachers that deserve and that goes without saying there are some really great teachers in here after sitting in on the Zoom today. I I mean just that little taste of what they deal with every day is enough to really make you realize that their heart is in it um and that they're good at it because they handle it very well. If there is no further discussion board, your electronic
040vote is appreciated. And we pass that 70. Thank you. And our next item is the school city of Educational Foundation grant. Dr. Washington in your packet. Um you have a copy of an HF grant and the total amount for that grant is $2,500. And with that being said, um we'd ask that the board uh accept um the foundation grant and we're just appreciative of them supporting the efforts of our teachers. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> I would just like to thank the educational foundation for doing all that they do. It's a great group of individuals that work very hard to support this district and the little extras that um we're able to do like this. So, they're very appreciated. We're actually on a roll. Um we've uh distributed
041quite a few this year and so a lot to be proud of and our voting blocks are up for and that passes 70. Thank you. Our next item on the agenda is the second reading of resolution adopting updates for the Hobbert School Board policy. Dr. Buffington. So board, as you well know, we had a work session at our last board meeting and uh we reviewed the 19 exhibits um from our partner Neola that helps us keep our board policy in line with state and federal law and um the bylaws and policies of the school city of Hbert. We did our first reading at our last school board meeting and so uh there have been no uh additions or changes to what we did in the work session and your vote at the last board meeting.
042And as you know, there has to be a second reading uh and on an agenda in order for these proposed changes to go into adoption. And so at this point um there have been no changes. I would recommend that the board by resolution adopt the changes for the bylaws and policies for the school city of >> like to make a motion that the board adopt resolution number 2026-15 for the bylaws and policies changes in the comprehensive document entitled bylaws and policies of the school city of >> second or before we proceed with voting Mr. The secretary will need to read the resolution real quick, please. Thank you. >> Sure. So, we have a school state of Hbert Board of School Trustees Resolution number 2026-15, a resolution approving amendments to the bylaws and policies of the
043board of school. >> Thank you. And with that being said, um we'll do that as a roll call followed by your electronic as well, please. Yes. David Cosby. >> Hi Rogers. >> Hi Brad. >> Hi >> Steuart Schultz. >> Hi. >> And we passed that 70. Thank you board. Our next item on the agenda is updates, announcements, and reports. Well, there you go. Board in your packet. And for whatever reason, my screen did not move. So, there we go. Um, you have um copies of our weekly agendas with our staff and uh you also have uh the brick center, which is really great. And um I would just say I hope that you can look at those things uh at your leisure. And the next item is upcoming activities and events. Dr. >> Well, you
044know, there's a lot of things going on. Um, let's just say April and May are a blur. Um, but there's lots of fun things going on and um, you know, as you well know, we're in the midst of I learn testing. Um, I learn biology is coming up. I just came from sixth grade parent orientation and you know in doing sixth grade and nth grade orientation well actually I do all of them but with uh the team at each one of the schools it's very interesting to see a parents reaction as to what is expected of their child and uh things are just so different right you know so like when you're looking at an audience of sixth grade parents and nth grade parents there's always that apprehension because they're going to a new building.
045Um, you know, the kids obviously they always tell us they're always worried about lockers, getting into the lockers or whatever, but I think, you know, you could even talk to our students. It's what's in front of them and what's ahead of them and the opportunities that are presented to them. You know, when they were in school, they just had to get a diploma with credits. And, you know, sixth graders, ninth graders, now you have to have a seal, right? It has to be enrollment, employment, or enlistment. And it could be an honors seal or an honors plus. And how do you get an honors plus versus just a regular honors? And it it's workbased learning and how many hours for this and how many hours for that? And you you kind of look at the
046the face of the parents and they're like, what is happening here? Um, but we are equipped for that. We've been equipped for it for a long time now. Workbased learning uh will be a challenge of ours uh and we know it. Um but it's a challenge for every high school um since this has been enacted. But when you want to look on the side of enrollment, uh enlistment um and employment. We've been doing this for such a long time and we have so so much to be proud of with our early college program. what enrollment is early college, right? Employment would be more on that CTE side certification straight out into the job workforce, whether it's the trades um and all of the exciting certifications that they get on the industry side of things or
047how about our amazing JOTC program that are national champions, not just Raiders out in the field and the physical side of it, but the academic side of it in Washington. And so, you know, when I think about parents and I talk to them about being our partner, it's really about helping your child take advantage of what we offer here. And I always tell kids, you know, if I can make the choice for you, you obviously know that I would choose something that is so spectacular, but there comes a point in their lives when they have to make those choices, right? And we can't do it for them, but we can monitor them, love them, nurture them, keep pointing them in the right direction, and help them of advantages. And I can only just say from
048doing this and as many times as I've done it, the shock on their faces when they see what's required to graduate, it they just are they're they're stunned. Um, but here's the good news. We are equipped to handle that and we've always been equipped to handle it. Um, and we've been doing we've been doing career pathways since 1999 2000 and we just keep getting better and stronger and uh offering so much to our kids. The point and I know my students over there will say you have to take advantage of it, right? And it's a choice. So, I want to just say thanks to the parents that come to these orientations and help us help your children take advantage of everything we offer. I'm really proud of uh the students here at the high school
049that are running a community mental health care um that's being run by our students and very proud of Mrs. Hamilton that's helping uh she's a school counselor here helping do that. One of my favorite things coming up is the Triricappa art show. Uh these kids have enormous talent and you have to come see it. It's quite extraordinary. And of course, our last senior citizens event will be the spring choir. I'm sure there will be a light show, so you won't want to miss that. I always look forward to it myself along with the senior citizens. Um, we have first grade orientation coming up. That's always cool. Going from the early learning center to first grade is a big step. That's huge, everybody. Um, and then of course kindergarten graduation is so outrageous. It's June the
050second. We have we have a lot of people come to that. And the last day for kids, June 2nd, and of course, Memorial Day there. As we're winding down, there is there are events every single night. Uh, and I can honestly just say they are exhausting, but they are rewarding, right? So, like how do you keep the schedule from our kids to our administrators to our teachers and staff, our custodial engineers, our drivers for all the athletic events? I mean, how do we keep up with all of these things? And we do and they're so rewarding. And so I want to just say thank you to everyone that makes it possible for our students because we're nearing the end where we celebrate all of their achievements and accomplishments and they're extraordinary. Um and I'm looking
051at two of them right now. And so there's so many more and and so it's going to be a great ending to the school year as we finish this out. And I just want to thank all the people that make it possible. And I think that's it. Unless I forget something, I'll chime in. >> Yes, ma'am. Is that part of your comments or >> That's part of comments. >> You got it. Alrighty. Um, I'm sorry. I don't Karen, do you have any comments? >> Well, thank you. Glad that you're here this evening. >> Thank you. Uh, Dr. Craig, you're next. >> Academy by the attorney general accountability. Um, and speaking of teacher appreciation, yes, it's legislation, but at the same time, teachers are appreciative that there's some things that'll be in place that cateic, >>
052right? And I'll tell you what, um, I'll do a board presentation on that, um, in the summer when you don't have all of these things going on and all the activities. and I'll go over the presentation with you that I did with the staff and you'll be well informed as to what the accountability rules are. All right, we'll add that. >> Very good. Thank you, >> Mr. Teacher Appreciation Week to all of our staff and everybody who goes above and beyond to educate the children. amazing job and I wish there was more that we could do for them, but uh they are all wonderful people and they uh do a great job all around. Uh last week was our uh education foundation meeting. Um nothing really crazy going on there. We still have some uh
053funds for some more grants if uh for teachers to execute that if they have needs. Um other than that, yeah, wasn't a whole lot of talk. Um, we're going to start getting ready to gear up, start planning for harvest. >> And you know what? I I I should chime in. When you accepted the grant um for um ATF, I don't know if you like looked at it pretty carefully, but it's to have all of the makings of uh setting up their own podcast at the middle school. >> And so uh they are really into it at the middle school. Um they're constantly asking me to be on the show. Uh and uh so they I have a group that really publishes quite a unique one at the middle school, but I also have classes that
054are assigning it as a project and I really like that because then they can explain what they know um as a part of their podcast and it's um not using chat GPT to give you an answer. I'd like to hear what you know about your topic and persuading people and having a conversation with an audience and speaking skills. So, there's so many things you could do in a podcast and um as they were inviting me to the middle school to for all of this stuff and it was always about the podcast show and so I said, "Why aren't you guys applying to the ATF for a podcast studio?" And helped them and so literally the ATF said yes, we're very interested in that. So now they're going to have their own setup over there and
055I'm sure they'll be asking for help because they're going to need a little bit of help at the beginning. >> Also yesterday I got a chance to attend um Alex Tatum who we recognized a while back for being selected to the IHSAA student committee. Um he did a his service project yesterday here at the high school. Um had a little weather issue. We had to go inside and go to the fieldhouse to finish it. But he put on a kickball game um between Hobert and KB uh utilizing um our unified track team from our school and their unified track team from their school. >> Nice. um in a way to raise money and funds for Special Olympics and going towards I believe it'll help the school towards their champions together um banner school or I
056can't remember what the exact terminology that was >> fundraisers for that was going to also help the school uh do that but uh Alex did an amazing job and um he just put on a great event and it was it was great to see so I would share that with everybody >> he's a great leader Thanks for that. >> Mr. Rogers, >> I think it's always nice. Second thing is Saturday. around. It's a school city of Hbert food truck. And um our employee will be driving it, bringing it back. Um but yes, and um you know, obviously we give space to the food pantry and it just makes sense that we have our vehicle and transport. So we're grateful for all people. There's a lot of people that are hurting right now. Anyway, but thank
057you for all the service that you all >> Thank you, Mr. King. >> Thanks again for all the work you guys are doing. Mr. Schultz say thank you everyone on that side of the room. Small crowd today. >> Small but mighty. >> All right, Grace. It's been a while since I've been here. Um, recently I just closed my last theater production here at the high school into the woods junior. It was very fun experience to be on stage. This time um as Rapunzel had a little mishaps with my hair sometimes, but overall was a good experience. Um closing out like senior year has been like full of goodbyes and being very grateful for my experiences here at school. Um, which leads me to my next thing that I will not be here next meeting because
058it is my last choir concert. It'll be my uh senior solo and awards concert. Um, but the night before, but the senior senior citizen ones, you guys can come to that. Um, I suggest that you come. Wolf Gang is doing a fun little um, decades thing for our set. We're going through 60s,7s, 80s and um, we have helplessly hoping on there. So, that'll be a fun time for you guys. going to be that night, too? >> Yes. >> Cuz you have to tell Mr. Wolf. I I mean, I would be heartbroken not to hear you do a solo. >> Okay. Yes. All the senior solos are on both nights. Um, >> the awards are only on the 21st, but obviously we have a meeting, so you guys won't be able to attend that one. Um,
059but last week we had the Mayor's Youth Council recycling week. That was kind of a partnership with the school city of Hbert. That actually went really well. We uh recycled 18 73 items of uh pieces of recycling recycling. Um and we had a lot of kids participate with the spirit week and it was just fun to see that students do care about recycling and that they were getting the education that they needed on proper recycling because that has been an issue within our city was cause of um taking away the curbside recycling. So we were just trying to instill that in students and continue up um recycling and things like that. And then also teacher appreciation. As I mentioned, saying goodbyes. There are a lot of teachers who have impacted me a lot throughout the
060high school and the middle school. I'm happy to hear that Coach Glass is getting some recognition with her Hall of Fame um induction. She was definitely one of those teachers in middle school that uh I enjoyed going to her class and also having her as a coach in basketball. And yeah, that's all I have to say. Thank you, Shusheen. >> Okay. Like, it's pretty obvious, but please tell everybody. >> So, I'm I'm glad to be back finally after like three long weeks. Um, I made my school choice. Uh, I was before I came here, I was dropping off my like college commitment cake. So, I apologize for being late for that, but I picked that up and then we're gonna go eat it later. Um, I'm I'm I'm just very happy to be back. It's
061very surreal like coming back to like You know, like the other day they just sent out like the senior schedule with our senior activities and graduation and everything and it just doesn't feel real. Like I came back I was like this can't be real. Like having to do like the walkthrough like all our classes are starting to wrap up now too. We have finals coming up. >> Yeah. Like it just not it just does not feel real. But yeah, I don't know. It's crazy. Um I'm really sad I won't be here to experience like the band and orchestra going to Disneyland. As soon as I saw that I was like Mr. Jenkins, what the heck? Where was this? But I'll definitely have to ask my brother how that goes because he's in the band currently
062and he he'll be there for that. So, I'm super excited for that. Teacher apprec appreciation week coming up. I'm also very excited for that. We have so many wonderful educators here in the school city of Hbert. That's actually something I talked to Dr. Buffington a lot about. Like the biggest difference that one of the biggest differences that I noticed when I first came to was like, "Wow, everyone here is so nice." So, I love that we're having teacher appreciation week. Um and then That was a hit. I was a little scared. Like it was our first time. >> I was a little scared, too. But we got it pulled off. It's mainly on your side, but the logistical side on our side. >> Yeah. >> I was a little scared for that. But hey, we
063ended up donating 18,000 things. That's that's amazing. And now that Dr. is here, I finished that capstone right in the nick of time, so I can walk at IvyTech graduation. which by the way is Thursday which is why we're having a schoolboard meeting on Tuesday >> and um I will say uh Shuene was uh traveling the east coast out there um she sent me a picture of a couple of our students uh that are at Harvard with her right smack in the middle wearing that lovely shirt and she is uh definitely going to Harvard. She didn't tell people but you can see it on her shirt. Um that is her choice and she'll be a couple of our uh our alumni that are currently attending at Harvard and I couldn't be prouder of you and
064I'm glad that you made that um that choice and you now have some finality about that and um I will just say it's a big day for all of our kids in this class that are graduating Thursday and you know when I went through the list and I had um Mrs. Passion is on maternity leave and I to the graduation, but I had to do the meeting to prep people to go to the graduation. And um I had to go through the list and I had to tell one of the assistants in my office to run the handouts. And I had to run a 100 handouts, but I think there's almost like 90 kids if they all come um that are getting some sort of certification, one year or two years of college. And what's
065really rewarding to me is to see that sea of purple amongst all of the other high schools that could be there could be there. Um, and all of the IvyTech graduates that are in green and you see this huge sea of purple wearing their green cords. And as I told the students this, I mean like this is like a proud peacock moment, you know, like it's like ah look at my kids. Um, and they represent the community well, the school city well, and themselves. And they're just so accomplished. And it's such a beautiful day to go there and recognize you. And I'm excited for all of you. So can't wait for Thursday and Mr. >> Yeah. I just like to thank the um all the teachers here at uh during this teachers education week. >>
066Thank you for being a great teacher. and also the way they care about the students. Uh it's very special. And for the two teachers that are going to the Hall of Fame at the middle school, Miss Glass really got to know very well and she certainly is a character I would love to see her again very soon. Was that Warren? Was that the other one? >> Was she like what decades did she teach? She's been retired now for probably I'm gonna say probably six years or so. She's a special needs teacher. >> Yeah, they're both very well deserved. >> Oh, for sure. >> So, um for our two students here on the right, you had an excellent year. Uh definitely enjoy your last year of high school and good luck next Just real quick for
067teacher appreciation. Thank you to the teachers here. Um we do have an outstanding group of educators who have committed themselves to our kids and and I just want to talk about three real quick that affected me in my life here at Betty Davis. um when I was in third grade, she was my teacher and I was lucky enough to come back later when I was in high school and be her cadet teacher. And I think that that really helped shape who I am today. Um the other person, I don't know if Mr. Rogers remembers, Mrs. Coulter, she was quite a teacher at Foreman. Sorry, >> I was gonna say like Betty Davis. not known this culture, but I did teach with Betty Davis and Orman's finest. You know, I got to throw that in. >>
068Yes. >> For those that don't know, that's where Joy Martin is right now, but finest >> and Dr. Vanderol being there leading those teachers. What a what a great >> teachers make a difference in students lives. There's no doubt. And then um in high school, Mrs. Rogers was one of the people that really she was always a positive influence in my life. Is she do you think you're going to be a teacher one day? >> But teachers do make a difference and we're lucky enough here to have a lot of great ones over the years and currently happy teacher appreciation to you as well. >> Same to you Sandy. >> Thank you. Um first of all I would like to say uh happy teachers week as well. Everyone has made so many comments about the
069teachers here and a lot of our teachers go above and beyond just what's in the classroom. I think that they look at the overall well-being of the students and they go out of their way even for their social emotional um learning. They go out of their way and and it's very much appreciated. Um to also nurses week. So shout out to our school nurses. >> Happy nurses day to you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Yep. Shout out to our school nurses because they do a lot of They're amazing. >> They They go above and beyond, too. So, a shout out to them as well. Um, Grace, I saw your prom dress. It was beautiful. Just like your homecoming dress. I was not surprised. Um, and um I'm sorry that you picked the snow over the
070over the sand. I was I'm a little surprised, but you know, it's it's all good and I know that you will do wonderful things. So, congratulations to you on that. And with that, I'm going to adjourn at 8:18. Thank