001All right. >> Okay. Welcome everyone. We did not meet in an executive session today. So we are going to progress to our pledge of allegiance. If you would all please stand. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Next item on the agenda is the approval of minutes for the meeting held on December 18th. I'd like to make a motion that the board approves the regular session minutes of December 18th, 2025. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion from the board? >> If not, please place your vote. And that motion passes 70. Thank you, board. Financial reports is our next item and we do not have any. Any comments on the agenda
002items from the audience personnel report? Dr. Buffington, you have a copy of the personnel report for January 8th. Action is requested. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the personnel report as presented. >> Second. We have a motion and a second board. Is there any discussion? If not, please place your vote. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. At this time, the board will reorganize for the 2026 calendar year. We will be need meeting needing to elect a new president, vice president, and secretary. At the moment, I'm going to the nominations to the floor for president. Your pleasure. >> All righty. Do I Is that a motion, Mr. Rogers? >> I think we have a good motion. >> I second motion. >> We have a motion and a second to um
003elect me as the president again for 2026. Um, I'm going to put that on the vote here. There you go. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Our next would be the nominations for vice president. >> I'd like to make a motion to nominate Sandy Hill for vice president. Mrs. Do you accept the nomination? I accept the nomination. Thank you. And board may vote on that. >> I did. >> We have That's a six one vote. And the next would be nominations for secretary. >> I'd like to make a nomination. Nominate Frank Boris, the secretary of the board for the 2026 school year. >> Are you sure? >> All righty. Mr. Forest, do you accept that nomination? >> Yes. >> Dave, you nominated Who was the second on that? I'm sorry. I thought I heard
004several down there. Gotcha. Thank you. There's the vote for that. >> And that's a 70 vote. Thank you, board. We now move on to the appointments of treasurer and deputy treasurer, Dr. Buffington. >> As you all know, we have Tracy Petrusa Brumley as our treasur and Judy Henry as deputy treasures respectfully. Both of these employees are bonded and I would recommend that the board um honor their appointments and continue their service. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board appointed by the superintendent. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second board. Is there any discussion? If not, your voting block is available. Again, we have a 70 vote. Thank you, board. Next is our appointment of the school board attorney, Dr. Buffington. >> Um, board, in your packet, you have a
005copy and my recommendation to continue uh the amazing work of attorney Longer, who has served us well in a very long capacity. Um, in addition, um, I do want to recommend uh with that appointment that we increase his salary. As you all know, he works for a very nominal fee, but um we try to keep whatever his salary is with what the teacher salary increase was. And their increase this year was $1,2 the board school attorney as present. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion board? >> Yes. I was going to say, Mr. Longer, thank you for your service and we appreciate you. >> That passes 70. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the establishment of regular meetings. Um the establishment of regular meetings according to Indiana code
00620-5-32 establishes the parameters for regular statuto and special meetings and we will need to reestablish the time and place of our regular meetings. Presently our meetings are held on the 1st and third Thursdays at 7 p.m. prevailing time in the boardroom at the Hover High School. Statuto meetings are set by status or rule and special meetings of the government body shall be held on call by the board president or the superintendent of the school corporation. Um board if you would like to continue those meetings as specified. We will just need a motion stating that I'd like to make a motion that the board establish the parameters for regular statuto and special meetings as follows. Insert days, time and place for regular meetings. Special meetings are established by state statute or rule and special shall be
007held on call by the board president or the superintendent of the school corporation. >> Second. >> Um, we need to specify daytime and place in the motion. Sorry. >> Meetings are held uh at Hbert High School boardroom uh first Thursday and third Thursday of each month 7 p.m. >> Thank you. There you are. Any discussion? And if not 70. Thank you. Okay. Sorry. audience purposes. This is the first meeting of the new school year. They have to establish these. So, thank you for bearing with us as they set up for the new school year with reorganizing. So, we appreciate your patience. >> Sorry, board. I'm pulling up some information that I needed to. There was a state um law change in regards to um payment for school boards and um I wanted to get that
008up. So, currently we are paid the $2,000 cap plus the $100 per meeting. Um, we do not receive compensation for special meetings. And, uh, with the change in the state law, um, we are able to change, um, the compensation up to 10% of the district's lowest teacher salary, starting salary. Um, which would mean we could take a significant jump. Um, however, as board president, I would recommend that we stay where we are considering the challenges of SEA1 that we should remain the same. Um, you all would like to make a motion in regards to that and then we can discuss that would be great. >> I make a motion that we maintain our present salary. >> Thank you, Mr. Rogers. >> Second, Mr. pull up the voting blocks and we can discuss further if you
009would like >> with that you may thank you board. Our next item on the agenda is the board of finance. Board of Finance according to Indiana code 5-13-7-6 requires sorry pardon me requires the board of finance to organize yearly after the first Monday and on or before the last day of January. The board of finance must conduct the following business as annual meeting elective president and a secretary for board policy. The board of finance is the same as the regular board and the officers are the same. Therefore being myself and Mr. that should be acknowledged in the board minutes for this meeting by motion and as outlined in board policy. Um we are to review a written report that summarizes the investments made during the 2025 calendar year. Review the overall investment policy of the
010school corporation. Review the disposition of old outstanding checks. Receive and review a written report on the financial condition of the school corporation. And the school of I'm sorry, the board of finance will meet on January 22nd. your motion. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board that per board policy the board of finance is the same as the regular board and the officers are the same. The board of finance will convene a meeting on January 22. >> Thank you. >> Is there any discussion board? And that passes 70. Thank you. Next on our agenda item is the proclamation of school board recognition. >> Well, I find it appropriate that as you were trying to decide uh what state law permits you to make as school board members that you elected not to do
011that. Um and for the audience purposes, this truly a service that you provide for the because you really don't get paid anything. Um, this is for you um serving the community. And so um it is National School Board Month and at this time we would like to recognize you for the service that you provide to our students and the community abroad. And so with that being said, um I'd like to just um read the proclamation on behalf of the school city of Hbert. Whereas an excellent public education system is vital to the quality of life for all citizens and communities. And whereas local school board members are committed to children and believe that all children can be successful learners and the best education is tailored to the individual needs of the child. And whereas schoolboard
012members work closely with parents, educational professionals, and other community members uh to uh to enhance the educational vision we want for our students. And whereas the school board members are responsible for building and maintaining the structure and provide a solid foundation for our school system. And whereas schoolboard members are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public's expectations to the district. And whereas the mission of the public schools is to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society and an ever changing world. Now therefore, I do hereby proclaim that the school city of Hbert proudly recognizes the dedication and hard work of its school board members and the
013month of January as schoolboard recognition month. Thank you for all that you do for our community and our students and we do thank you for all of the service you provide to us. >> Thank you. >> Our next item on the agenda is a presentation from the Hbert branch of the Lake County Public Library. >> There we go. We have um a brief presentation about the readathon from the Hbert branch of the Lake County Public Library. Uh Joe Bonner, our branch manager, is going to come and talk to us about that and she has a guest with her this evening. Welcome. >> I'm uh Joe Bonner. I'm the branch manager at the Hbert Branch Library and with me is >> Should I speak in the mic? >> Yes. >> Hello esteemed board members. My name
014is Aiden Aashan. I am the new teen assistant librarian at Hover Branch Library. Um, essentially I design programs which create a space that is welcoming, uh, hopefully intellectually stimulating, uh, allowing teens and young people to connect with one another to perhaps build friendships and go on from there. I also am in charge of the space for teens and the branch library. I have a marginal impact on the collection development of the teen collection at branch library. And firstly and foremostly, I am a librarian, which means I connect individuals with quality resources specifically in the domain of young people and youth. I might be able to help write a resume, find scholarships, fill out those scholarships, tell them about college, um, help them write a report, help them write, help them read. Pretty much anything that
015has to do with the question, I am a good person to ask. Um, but enough about me. on to the main point which is readathons. A very exciting fundraising initiative in which students from grades preschool to fifth grade um eighth grade are asked to read. Um each book they read they gather a sponsor which contributes a certain nominal fee for each book that is read. One third of all funds that are created or are gathered by the students are sent directly back to the schools uh for whatever important discretionary spending is necessary and twothirds go to the Lake County Public Library Foundation which most of that goes directly to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If we're not aware the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a program that connects uh parents of young children 0 to
0165 with monthly home delivered books that they can read to their children. Um so this is essentially a great way to gather funds for yourself to help along the Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There are currently currently 2700 active members in the Lake County Public Library system for Dolly Parton. And also it is a great way to promote reading which I believe I heard it just a moment ago. I believe also leads to competent, productive citizens, democratic society. And now on to the details of readathon or more details. That's it's Joe time. So the readathon starts on Monday the 12th. So it's coming up. Um it will go through February 23rd. Uh the papers that you have in front of you should tell you more about that. Um basically the students participating will gather
017sponsors as Aiden mentioned. They will read uh books of their age level or grade level um as many as they can and then they will gather that funding and it will be turned in by March 2nd. Um if you had uh there are prizes, there are ribbons if they've earned less than 20 trophies. If they've earned more than that, um there are eight per district. So there will be eight for Hbert um that will get gift cards and be the top one will be recognized at a breakfast on May 20th um with the principal of their school and uh Aiden here. So, um, we're very excited to have this, uh, starting and if you have any questions, feel free to. >> Joe, did you drop these off at the schools? >> They'll be getting dropped
018off Monday. >> Okay. Excellent. And I do know that we we did receive cash dollars from the last time. So, thank you for um spearheading this and it's really a great cause. So, we appreciate it. >> And one last thing, um, if anybody would like to reach out If they have any great ideas or are seeking collaboration with Lake County Public Library, feel free to call my number in the extension or email me at any time. I'll get back to you within 48 hours. 24 hours. >> We'll hold you to it. >> All right. Thanks for coming out tonight. We appreciate that. >> All right. Next on our agenda is the presentation recognition of the 2025 fall athletes at Hoverbert High School. And before we proceed, if you have a student that's being recognized up
019here up front, if you need a picture or would like a picture, please feel free to move around the room as you need necessary to get a good angle and and we'll hide behind them appropriately. All right, >> there we go. Well, thank you for your patience and we're going to be bringing up our athletic director that'll be bringing up our athletes and their coaches and we again just are appreciative of your of the here supporting us. And we'll call up Mr. Black. Come on up. So, thank you to the board for the invitation. really had a terrific fall season for sports. We won two sectional championships and we were in the running for even more than that. Um we had multiple kids advance individually in individual sports in state tournament and had a four
020time state qualifier in cross country. So overall it was really exactly what we hoped for. It was a lot of fun watching our kids out there competing and representing the Um, before we start our show highlight Don't want to wait till I put it on another day by build up and stand ahead behind it. Now you got to run to get is right about yesterday. Come on. Turn this thing around. >> Hey, tomorrow. >> Come on. catch your mags only by a fraction a on your face. Just one other turn around. >> Hey, it's your tomorrow. Come on. It's everything >> mag. What are you waiting for? Yeah. Hey, it's your tomorrow. >> Come on. It's everything. I can't do it right now. Right here. Right now. watch that realiz excitement when the school year
021starts and then our kids again took some great journey there during the fall sports season. Um so let's go ahead and get to the real reason why we're here and that's to distribute some recognition awards. I'd like to start with boys soccer. Um Coachell could not be here tonight, but he did send me some information. Looks like we got a couple of guys out there. I see Spencer and I see Michael. Why don't you guys come on up? Let me just share just briefly a little bit about our boys soccer season. First of all, these guys playing with their third coach in three years. Talk about We need consistency there for sustained success. I'm looking for consistency. It's tough to do when you got three head coaches in three years. And somehow our our boys
022have done a great job. Um this year our boys finished 98 and two overall but they did win six of their last seven games by a combined score of 276. That run included victories over area powerhouse programs like Chester at home and then beating Valareerezo in sectionals to get the championship for the third time in five years. I think the most important thing that I enjoyed really about watching our guys from the beginning of the year at our jamboree in the middle of August until that sectional championship game against Crown Point. It's something that that coaches always look for and that's consistent improvement from beginning to end. Um, you don't want to be playing your best soccer in August. You want to be playing your best soccer when it's needed, and that's in the postseason.
023And our guys certainly built and grew throughout the year. Really had great season. Uh, these two guys that are here to represent. Uh, first of all, let me talk about Spencer here briefly. Spencer Province is fortunately only a junior, so we get to watch him play for another year. You can is a pretty big strong guy that he carries a presence with him in the middle of the field and played a lot of minutes for us. Didn't score a ton of goals. He wasn't our leading scorer there. He wasn't our leader in assists. Um he did have a very memorable goal against that sectional semifinal like a laser from about 40 yards out that basically gave us 31 leader does all the little things that every successful realizes how important that role is anywhere on
024the field. Michael is also an underassman, just a sophomore. Both these guys are multi-year starters already for our program. Michael plays goalie. This year he had 138 saves uh including 10 of them in that semiinal against ridiculous 138 saves though that's in class 3A in all of Indiana. So really pretty impressive and our defense collectively obviously out there by himself. guys around him to help protect that. We did post this year again watching these guys as close to the potential by the time. >> All right. Uh next up we will go with boys tennis. I saw a couple out there. Boys tennis, come on up. >> All right. Um, Coach Brumley could not be here this evening. So, he sent me a few things and I notes here. Boys tennis finished 12 and six overall.
025They won our seventh IHSA sectional title in school history. And for the first time ever, they went back to back. So we won in 2024 and then won again this year in 2025. We do get to host a sectional. It's always nice to do a great job. This year overall they finished third in the Northwest Crossroads Conference. That's about as high as we finished in the NCC that I can remember in my eight years serving as athletic director. We had an early This is for Coach K. We had a tough loss against K. But we did come back and beat Highland upset win and Highland beat KB earlier in the year. So again, similar to our boys soccer team, they got better as these guys did the same thing. And then we ran into number
026six ranked South St. Joe in the regional and that was a little but just a terrific year for these guys. Our JB team went massive improvement this year. the guys that joined us here tonight. First of all, we got Mah went 147 this year as our number three singles player, just a sophomore, so a couple seniors in front of him. I'm curious to see where he plugs in next year, but he had a great year for us and I have some other statistics as well. Maverick carries a 4.14 GPA also baseball. Next, we got Cody Patter. Cody, member of our sectional championship team. played mostly JB this year really did a good job for us though obviously coaching on the school board also 4.41 GPA. Next, we got Teddy Hope. Teddy earned obviously sexual championship
027team. Uh I'll just talk about Teddy and Angel here. Angel Gomez is here as well. Those two guys teamed up for our number one doubles team. And we had a couple of shifts in who was playing number one doubles and number two doubles. And it was different at the end of the year than it was at the start. And it's because coach K was really trying to find out what lineup was going to give us the best chance to be successful. These guys ended up together at number one dubs and they were fantastic. Um they earned 17 all conference honors which is terrific in NCC with schools like Bster and then obviously part of our sectional championship team and they both carry a GPA of overpel >> just for the audience purposes. A lot of
028these kids are in college and those are about our students that are athletes and carrying a heavy load as well. >> And when you think about the IHSA, which is our governing body, we're a member school. Their primary focus is the fact that this is education based athletics. It's not transactional. It's designed to be transformational where these are learning about lessons that will help them in life. And one of those lessons is hard work. Not just in your sport, but also everywhere else you are. And these guys are clearly in the classroom and defining what it means to be a student. So picture All right. Thanks, fellas. Next, let's bring up cross country in coach A. THERE'S NO >> just for the audience uh knowledge, coach A is our longest 10 years coach here currently.
029He's been our head cross country coach for 22 years. He's been recognized by the associates coaches as a coach of the year also times of the year and also he's well known to be his own. So I learned a lot from this. I guess I'll say some extra notes on those handlishments. Once I started looking at what did every single person on this list But it teaches you a lot of patience. It group things like also So for us she was a member of three regional qualifying teams all conference runner She was rel. 4.5. Sorry. lesson basketball player. She's an excellent sprinter in track and she stretchable was a huge So another I mean technically I guess I should call athlete. She is member. I really think another sort of lesson. really sort of outce
030all Just again stepping out of your comfort zone. I know you're Audrey, one of my favorite people together. two sport athlete for us. But in addition to that, Audrey is high school. She is leader mental health, social Awesome stuff there. That's just great people. Audrey number 29. all time for us. You may not know scholarship but all state Again, this is from high school. He kind of kind of helped helped me stinkage. Come on down, Sammy. >> In case you're wondering, is number one in the senior class. So, Sammy, three sport athletes. Okay. Great attitude. person and just an outstanding team. So Sam was conf in terms of goad and I'm really glad she stuck around after You know, I'm glad this year She was looking interested in trying Lopez. She is also a she's
031a two time following footsteps very successful older join us. One of our only ran two more years. talking about her accomplishments. She als Yes. Do it. Do it. We're going to make you hold that as long as possible. Lot of fun with our cross country program. All positive stuff every time out. All right, next we'll go with cheer. I think we've got two here and come on up. Angie could not be here tonight but I'd like to report what she ladies they both earned academic allconerence. Now, even though cheer is not a sanctioned sport by the IHSA, we certainly view our cheer team as full member of our athletic department. And that's why we do still include them earning all conference honors, particularly for their academics. In order to earn academic allconerence, they have to
032be a senior. They have to maintain a certain GPA or higher. And they have to have test scores that are at certain level in either the SAT or ACT. or the top 25% of their class. Both of these young ladies obligations first year, she has a 4.5. Lizzy is known to our team as the mom. She's our goto for healthare and our yes ma'am has been for 10 years always maintaining the highest standard when it comes to academics shy and timid around others butceful as this is her last year with us couldn't be more proud she's always been so exced We got Elena. Elena carries a 4.02 GPA team and true team player. Quickitted and wise beyond her years. She's been a From the day I met her, she works incredibly hard in her sports
033while academics seem to come effort effortlessly to her. Being a multiport athlete while still meeting the requirements certific truly captures who is unstoppable. Next up, we've got Come on. Mondays through Thursday. All right. So, we have a couple girls that aren't here. Every day we work to improve as an individual benefit every this year from last year. So that was our team record this year and 122 at conference. finished. But it was the best in our school history. was named to the second team all conference and I believe that's the first time the was our first regional qualif her birthday. So that's one. So that's why she did talking about academics. So young ladies that are here tonight and Lily right here. GPA 4.59 academic fall conference again because they fulfilled the criteria laid out
034by the Northwest Cross. Also, you saw them on the video multiple times. One of the things that I look forward to every year when we're coming back to school is our lady. It's our very first event of the year for athletics. It's like fourth day of practice and it's the first first or second day of August every year and we've been very fortunate. The weather's been beautiful last few years and I just love going out there. I like golf anyway and I just go out and walk around and watch too much coach. Definitely one of my favorite events to be a part of these girls. >> So the scramble just so you know that's kind of the team aspect comes in because we have five girls play together against eight other schools. So this year
035we tied The thing I was about conference academically and also was carrying our low scoring average. So she was also the recipient of four awards. We don't do an MVP over most of the best score fast. All right, next up we have girls soccer out there. Come on up. So, our girls this year, um, That's an amazing year. And then this year we only had one senior see next year. I think it's going to be the best. They're a great bunch of girls. They really, you know, we do a radio show here and we had Piper, I think 31 goals last year, which was a school record. And they asked me like wholes. If I were a gambling person, I would next year. Basketball practice. Kira also earned first team all conference and was soccer
036association all state and sports a 4.1 GPA while also starting basketball team and we have a sophomore this year. Riley's a very good athlete. We were trying to kind of find a home for her first couple seasons. So freshman year Batman Robin scoring we moved her position about halfway through the season. She ended up scoring 17 goals had 11 assists. second team all conference this year in the NC4. So if you were going to ask the most important person on the field for our team, I would say unfortunately for her end up having to shut down. But she was a great team all year program athlete as a member of our girls sectional champion wrestling team. is headed to the regional on Saturday. She earned the association academic all this year for girls soccer and
037has a 4.60 is also a sophomore starter on the team. I believe she played seems very all conference honorable mention and has a 4.3 another starter on our team. She stepped up and filled in one of those graduated team also wrestler actually this year was the first year we had coming out of season does academic all state for the ISA with a 4.24 GPA and as said she's a wrestler started on our wrestling team. Super proud of Olivia. Um, so we also coach the middle school girls team. Olivia came to all those practices. She helped train those middle school girls. She's very dedicated to the program. She works very very hard. There's a lot of always works really really hard. She is a starter on our defense and we don't give up. So proud of
038her. all conference and all conference. She is also a member of our girls wrestling and sports 4.2 Before we go on to girls volleyball, which our last sport tonight, uh, coach Toby has stepped down from his position. not returning next year and I just want to say here in attendance how thankful we are for the job you've done here at I got hired you were one of the first people we hired program and as difficult as it is to find coaches these days it's even tougher sometimes find really good who want to be coaches and and Toby is just that intentional kind of people we try to bring in and he set the bar really high was how we tried to develop from the ground up. Um he's involved and has been since he started
039with our middle school program and youth levels. Uh when he started we had trouble fielding a JV team and I don't want to sound bad. We got girls soccer as they come up through the ranks. A lot of girls playing a lot of good young players. And this year was the second best record we've ever had in school history because last year was the best record we had in school history. And so Toby, you really did a great job building this thing up and thankful for everything. Nothing very meaningful to my life. All right, girls volleyball. We only have a couple of them out there and come on up. Coach Maddie could not be here. She actually fill in for her. Our girls volleyball team this year 12 and 18 record overall. But I don't
040want that. I don't want anyone to use that to judge how competitive watch games and I feel like I had more fun watching this year than two years ago. They were super competitive every time out. They had multiple five set nights. And I'll say, you know, as a former coach and someone who loves sports, I love those games. And as an athletic director, we've been here since early in the morning. You're kind of thinking, let's just win this as opposed to going to five sets. But but they were warriors this year and really did a fantastic job. had great matches and played very competitive volleyball all year long title over so they really did a good job. do have some statistics here. Riley Weber over there, multi-year letter winner for volleyball. Also a sport athlete.
041She started in basketball. She's a starter in softball. Um, she hit a ball last year in soft but on our team second overall in digs, second overall in kills and second overall in receptions. There's probably not a lot of volleyball players that are that versatile in the things that they do and how they contribute to the team. Great job. She also carries a 4.2. Mad dog lands here. One of our team leaders. Uh really had a fantastic I would say career in volleyball. uh starting her freshman year and then just kind of taking over the libero position as a sophomore back. Um she was our team leader this year in digs, also our team leader in receptions. And she also earned second team all conference and both of these girls earned academic allconerence. She's also
042one of our girls on Saturday. love athletes and these girls like a lot of kids tonight. >> That's good. Thanks for your patience. >> Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you to our represent. Thank you for supporting them. And could we give a big round of applause for our director? >> Oh, see you guys already got the memo. I didn't even have to say anything. If you all have homework and things to do, you are excused. Please don't feel like you have to stay and keep us company. >> Thank you for coming. >> And thank you for coming. >> Okay, board. We're going to move on to the overnight student trip for the JOTC 2026 markmanship national championship competition. >> All right. In your packet, you have the overnight information and that's February 12th through
043the 14th and board action is requested. >> Thank you, Mr. Black. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the overnight student trip for the junior to attend the 2026 marksmanship national raider competition Perry in Ohio as presented. Second, >> we have a motion and a second. Um board, is there any discussion? If not, please place your vote. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Next on our agenda is the school city of Hbert Educational Foundation grants. Um Dr. Buffington, that would be you. >> Yeah. And so John Mach who is the grants committee chair for the HF. Um he brought these grants to the HF committee u to the HF board I should say. Um the titles and amounts of the three individual grants approved by the foundation total 2500. Um
044and you can see those attached grants above. And um first and foremost, thanks to the educational foundation for being that champion for innovative ideas that people have and um I would ask that the board approve these grants and we will distribute them. >> Thank you. Board, your pleasure. I'd like to make a motion that the board accept the grants and donations from the school city of Hbert Education Foundation as presented. >> Second. >> Board. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you again for HF. >> Great way to support HF is coming up. Mr. Casp can give us updates later um for the board when we're interested. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Uh, next on our items of agenda is the potential conflicts of interest disclosure. Um,
045Dr. Buffington, um, in your packet, you have a copy of the conflicts of interest disclosure statement that's required of us to do. Um and these are uh are filed um with the state board accounts and the lake county clerk and that would be Ricky Guthrie, Bradley, Frank, Steuart Schultz, Peggy Buffington, and Casey Allen. In most of those cases, it's usually because someone like you have a relative that works here. That would be one of the things that you would disclose. I would just like to give some examples of that. Um one of the disclosures for myself would I'm on the board at St. Mary's even though there's no compensation there. Um that could be a potential um you know uh conflict of interest. So um there you have it and um I would ask that
046the board accept those uh statements and we will get those filed. >> Like to make a motion that the board accept the disclosure statements and direct the superintendent to file the documents with the state board of accounts in Lake County. >> Second. >> 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. Next, we have a consideration for the sale of real estate. Dr. Buffington, or is it turn that over to Mr. >> Longer? There's been some conversations about possible recommend February information. Your pleasure. >> I'd like to make a motion to set a public hearing on the possible sale of Ridge View to reduce our operating fund expenses and generate additional revenue for deposit to the operating fund and
047to authorize publication of the notice for public. >> Second, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you, Bill. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Talking All righty. And to further comment on what was saying, um, we are we did let charter schools participate in the referendum and so that's what exempts us from that. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda is the recommendation to accept a legacy foundation grant. Dr. Buffington. >> Um, in your packet, you have a copy of a grant um from the Legacy Foundation uh that is for $4,000. And the grant is for $1,000 grants to corporate teachers who are exploring new initiatives in education. Um I I actually was talking to the foundation last year um trying to to drum
048up support for the start and um and they offered this to us. So I never turned down money. Um De Janette helped write it with me and uh we'll be putting out some guidelines for people to apply for those grants for initiatives and we're grateful for the legacy always coming through to help us out with things. And so action is requested to accept those four 1000 teacher grants that we can do with the legacy >> board. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Uh, next up is updates, announcements, and reports. Dr. Buffington, you have a copy of the weekly agendas and the brick center newsletter and life from our JC. And the next item on our agenda is comments, Dr. Buffington. >> Well, welcome
049back. Happy New Year to everyone. Um, I will say that, uh, I think that we're back starting a new semester and, um, just happy to be back and, uh, ready to get second semester going. Um, I will just say, um, I had a successful day, uh, down in Indianapolis today talking to some of our legislators about Senate Enrolled Act One and hopeful that perhaps that they can find some resolutions to help some school districts that are are not going to farewell because of it. I mean, I think all municipalities and governments are taking a hit because of that. Some of us hurt more than others and so um hopefully I was able to illustrate that with our school district and there will be some resolve with that. So other than that, >> thank you, Mr.
050King. Hope everybody had a great holiday. >> Thank you, Mr. Longer. >> It's been my honor to serve as attorney for the board and I appreciate the opportunity to continue doing so. >> Thank you, Mr. Casping. >> He's the best. >> Couple things. I ran into the mayor last night after his board meeting regarding the data center and all that craziness that's going on within our city. Um, and he wanted he came up to me and shook my hand and wanted to thank me and to pass along to Chris to you and your staff last night >> uh for just putting on a seamless event for him making it he said you guys just do an amazing job at everything you do. I I wasn't at the meeting, so I'm not quite sure everything that
051went on there, but um he wanted me to pass along thanks to you and I told him I would make sure we recognized you, you know, on the in the minutes or on the >> Yeah, Dave, thank you for doing that because he called me right before the meeting, too, and wanted to acknowledge this. So, thank you. >> Also, athletics, uh what can we say about our kids? Um grade point averages are amazing. Um I think that's just unbelievable the load that they carry when they can do those things on top of being multiple sport athletes um and being members of the community and doing things uh clubs etc. One of the things I I like to always point out to is with Mike um one of the people I don't think you get recognized
052enough is Pam. Pam is Mike's secretary in the athletic office. Pam is amazing lady. Uh she does she wears more hats than uh anybody I know and um she's just always got a smile on her face. She's never stressed out. You always call her. She always is helpful. Um I've never talked to her and felt like she was angry or upset about anything. She just learn >> she does a great job. >> Um and as for what Ricky had said earlier, um the education foundation, uh we are still looking for for people uh to come join the board. Um so if you know of anybody who would want to help out or be part of that, our meetings are the last Tuesday of the month uh at 5:00 uh held in the media center here
053at the high school. Um we are currently looking president as well. And um we just found out the information on one of the biggest fundraisers next to um harvest homecoming is our moose bingo, our moose bingo. Uh the date for the HF bingo is March 14th at the moose. Doors open at 5. Bingo starts at 7. Um so please come out and support the education foundation. >> When is that date? When is that? >> March 14th is a Saturday. Okay. >> Oh, that's I've got a little time. >> And Saturday, since I have the mic, I won't uh over Football's bingo is on the 28th as well. So, there >> that's all I have. >> That's March 28th. >> March 28th. >> Sorry, I'm putting bingo in my calendar here. Sorry. Sorry guys. Mr. Rogers,
054>> uh I just like to congratulate all the athletes tonight. It it is truly amazing the GPA that those people carry. I can't I can't believe it. I feel totally inferior every time they come and do that. I thought at first that they were on the Purdue schedule of 6.0 GPA, but I guess it's not. They're on the 4.0. And I would like to thank Peggy for all that you've done in the last forever, but this last weekend trying to save not only our school and the financial part of our school and the city, but also for the other schools. I can't think of anybody that would be a better representative to go in against the senators and representatives or committee members because I doubt that there's very many of them that can handle it
055as well as you do. But I mean I just think that I had I had the right people give me the opportunity to do it and they were they were willingful um participants today listening which is extremely important. Um and so I I'm thankful for the time they gave me today because I've been down there before when you know like they've got sneakers on and they're going room to room and um I can tell you that the the the senators and the representatives. I I spent at least a half hour with each with each set of people that I was with. So, I'm very hopeful. Um, you know, they're in a tough spot because it's it's a short session and you're finishing the bienium. So, you know, I think they you know, my concern is
056look at the schools that are being hurt the most first, right? I mean, like you have schools that are not any operating revenue because of this. And so I think that I think they are hearing that they knew that it was causing issues. They didn't realize how deep some of those issues were. And so I'm hopeful that they'll come up with some solutions. Um again, it's a short session, so they don't have really a lot of time to be trying to figure it out. Offered some solutions. They're probably not the greatest solutions. Um and hopefully they'll something that's even better. Um, you know, for many of us, you know, you look at our high school that's almost almost 20 years old. You can kind of say it's hard to believe that. >> Um, when you're
057looking that this could be paid off in 2028 and you know, they they as well a little bit because of the way they've structured this new law. Even when the debt rolls off of this building, it's not that much relief. And that's because you have other taxing units in Lake County. It's not just our debt. It's everybody's debt. You know, um we're highly residential. We just don't have a lot of industry here and that and you know, a little lower assessed value. And so when you look at it as a whole and what we do in this school corporation with the amount of money that we're receiving from the revenue is just incredible. And you know I think one of the things was is well what if we allowed you to um to take more
058from your education fund and put it in operating. Well I'm just moving it from one fund to the other and I'm going to have to cut staff and programs if I do that. um I've cut just about all I can cut, right? And the public really doesn't realize that, you know, through attrition, through look raising class sizes and little things that we've done to just like make those appropriate cuts preparing for this sort of thing. You could only cut so much, right? And so at that point, I told them the cuts would be deep. And that's why I went down and talked to them and hopefully they were uh you know they were hearing me and I was able to demonstrate uh through policy analytics exactly where we were. I think it was a little
059bit of a surprise um to take a look at 26 and 27 where our district will receive zero property tax revenue and they didn't they weren't they weren't realizing that and and so and then what do you do when it's 105% or 110% and they'll take it out of your debt service and so it's it's a really big problem and I that I was able to bring that to life today. And so, um, let's just be hopeful. That's what I I'm very hopeful for that. >> Mr. Ke, I like to watch the kids come up here, see how happy they are, how much they enjoy what they're doing. They're playing their sports. They're having fun. They have friends are here and they're also doing fantastic in the night because they're up here. They're having fun,
060but they're not just athletes. They're my favorite celebrate. Thank you. It can't be said enough. The leadership you're providing is invaluable. Mr. Also, thank you for helping us here with usecally. to Ricky, Sandy, and Frank. Thank you again for serving as president, vice president. So, thank you for taking care of that for us, >> Mr. S. All right. Okay, ladies. Who's first? >> Okay. All right. Well, I hope everyone had a good winter break. First of all, a break is always nice for me, but I think I'm honestly happiest when I'm back in school. You know, you get to see everyone come to the board meetings. Like tonight, we had like a whole room um which was full, which is really cool. And then today we also had for the high school we had our
061winter homecoming pep rally from Johan's army which I thought was really cool. Especially as like a second semester senior it feels great to come back to school and everyone's energized and ready to finish the semester out strong. So I love the energy today. Um as a second semester senior I'm ready to finish this semester strong. Um no no senior slump none of that. >> I I admire that. >> Yeah. Can you like just wave the magic wand that it's that way for everyone? >> I hope so. It better be. >> It better be, right? Um and yeah. Um thank you everyone for the holiday wishes and gifts. Thank you Mr. Rogers for the cookies and the nice container. It's reusable. I love that. And then I also brought some sweet biscuits for the afterwards. I
062have them right here. But yes, my family's restaurant. So >> she knows they're my favorite. Um, all right. I'm just going to say basically the same thing about break. I hope everyone had an amazing uh Christmas, amazing New Year, and also a recharge. Uh, I know I needed it. I'm sure you guys needed it as well. Uh, I'm happy to be in second semester. It's crazy that I'm already halfway through, almost done, and I'm gonna run through the finish line. Um, but seeing all those familiar faces out there in the audience was great today. Um, most of those are my friends and then just people that I interact with on a daily and to see that they're going out there and they are doing what they love and they are doing it well both academically
063and um, athletically and it's great to see that our school um, admires that and recognizes that because that's extremely important. It'll keep them um, to continue to do those things and it'll encourage kids who aren't quite there yet to push to do those things. Um, Yeah, that's all I have. That was beautiful, Mr. Chorus. >> Okay. I also love the athletes that were here. Both the spirit, their joyfulness, and their GPA were very impressive. Like to thank Dr. Buffington for going and representing not only our school district, but basically all the school districts in the state. And hopefully the politicians are able to see the light and make And for the all the seniors, especially these two right here to my right, enjoy your last semester. Good luck. And I'm sure >> Mrs. Um, just
064congratulations to Dave and Congratulations to you. It really is. and people at least I couldn't agree more. You know, one of the things that was really interesting is that they're like, "Why haven't we about the circuit breakers been 2009 and I said, "Well, keep in mind Lake County and St. Joe wasn't affected by this until 2020 and we did we did a referendum for transportation and that really took care of our problem." I said, "Because we've been making it, you know, I mean like we're not going to overt tax our patrons. Um, we run a very tight ship and and I said we were making it. We were making do with what we have and they're my best. I think They were really they were happy to see that that you know like we don't
065have this crazy cash balance. We don't have this crazy like um e rainy day fund. It's very frugal and it's very well managed. And then when they were able to see that and then the devastation that just 20% more out of that fund, what it does to a school corporation and they just really were they were very willing participants to listen to what I I had to say. So again, I couldn't be thankful enough that they were just willing to let me come and talk to them about it. Um, you know, I know it takes a lot to to change a law. Um, but I do think that there are some things that they can do in this short session for some of the people that are hurting the most. And that's really what I
066asked them to take a look at. And I think that they will um I think that they didn't realize that there are some school corporations that will be they will be devastated by this. Um, if you're barely getting by and then you take them like our case we're not going to get anything and so what do you do when you get and so I think they were really good listeners couldn't be I will I will be disappointed if something can't be done I don't think that you're going to see huge imporing My experience just a happy new for me. Um, ready to start a new year and working with the board again. Um, and Dr. Buffington as always is our fearless leader. We thank you for doing what you do and doing it well. Mr.
067Longer, thanks for being along with us on the ride. >> And yeah, partners in crime down there. >> And um, ladies, um, best wishes on the rest of the semester. I told you it would go fast. Here we are a little bit more than halfway. And with that, I'm going to adjourn the meeting.