001I'd like to start by the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationy and justice for all. We are board. Attached are the minutes of the executive session and regular session meetings held on November 20th, 2025. >> Like to make a motion that the board approve the excuse executive session and regular session. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? All right, you may vote. Thank you board. And we pass um six uh zero six with an extension. Mr. Pors was not in attendance. Next on the agenda item is financial reports and we have none. Are there any comments on the agenda items from the audience? That would be none. And personnel report would that be you Dr. >>
002Yes. In your packet, you have a copy of the personnel report for December 4th. And you also have an addendum. Action is requested. >> We have a motion and a second. Board, is there any discussion? Here's your Thank you, board. And that's a 70 vote. Next on the agenda item is a consideration for a trademark license agreement with KLK Holdings uh DBA level 10. Dr. Buffington. This would be a license agreement for 10% payable quarterly. Uh the term of the agreement is 2 years effective November 6 through November 5th of 2027 and at this time they are planning on selling action. >> Make a motion that the board authorize the superintendent to sign the trademark license agreement. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Thank you, Mrs. I was going
003to ask some questions. The next question I had is are they only going to be at strax or have they been elsewhere or are they currently elsewhere? >> I don't know. Content >> or is there any other discussion? At least the word is out, right? >> They start selling other. There we go. 70 is the vote on that. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda is an overnight study trip for the We the People State Competition for the Hoverbert Middle School students. >> Yes, let's look at those middle school students. So, we the people um they're sponsored in El Harist. Uh they will compete at their respective state competitions in Indianapolis. Uh the middle school groups first as we know at the regional competition. There are 20 students participating and the group will
004travel by school bus leaving on December 8th. December 9th. Uh in addition to Mrs. Harrison, assistant principal Courtney will be attending and our staff member Stephanie Oika from Veterans will be shapering as well as seven other parents. The Indiana Bar Foundation has awarded Mrs. Harrison an $800 grant to assist in covering the group's overnight expenses and she applied for a grant from the school city of Educational Foundation. Obviously will pay for the buses and action is requested for this fantastic overnight trip that we hope that they bring back some more approve overnight study trip for middle school students to participate in the people competition. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion board? >> Good luck. So proud of the work they've done so far. Mrs. Har has
005taken quite a few classes down there in her tenure doing this already. All right. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. >> The recommendation to accept the Indiana Department of Education highquality early learning curriculum grant. Dr. Buffington. >> This is a really outstanding award that we have been honored to receive. Uh it's a competitive grant that we filled out serving children from birth to age five and it's designed to help with research based curriculum aligned to Indiana's uh early learning standards. The funding was awarded based on the number of eligible preschool and early childhood classrooms within the district. The grant will support curriculum purchase for the Ricky kids preschool at both the early learning center and high school as well as from the start. The grant funds uh will be used to purchase approved instructional
006materials from the state's vetted list of highquality curriculum vendors and align developmentally appropriate resources for infants toddlers and preschoolers. It directly supports our early learning vision by strengthening our curriculum alignment. It will increase instructional quality and support our youngest and their families. I should mention that the early learning center we have been involved in a research uh based cohort with the Indiana Department of Ed. We've been meeting probably twice a month um with a a group from the early learning center which helped make us for this as well. The whole concept would be to make sure that we are transitioning kids ready for kindergarten. And so this is a great opportunity and a lot of money and I'm very proud of the work that we've been doing there. And of course the team led by
007Sarah Gutier, myself uh their grade level contact Bailey and she got married and it just like throws me off. Um they have done amazing work as I'd ask that the board accept this grant and we'll continue to work hard to get things I'd like to make a motion that the board accept the IDOE highquality early learning curriculum grant as presented. >> We have a motion and a second board. Is there any discussion? >> This is this a grant that we had last year as well. Well, I wouldn't say that it's called the same thing. We became eligible for this one because we're participating in this interactive group from the state and they're trying to learn from us. Sarah and I, Sarah Gutier and I served on an advisory board for transitioning uh to kindergarten and
008we a lot with preschools and so they reached out to us. I think that's what helped make us eligible for this as well because we're actually teaching >> I'd like to thank you guys on that side keeping that program in the area to save money. I will say it is difficult and I understand our neighbors for whatever reason, but we've never started. So whe HF gives 5,000 every year we have done some participation from title whatever amount that we could but of it has been And I give a lot of credit for that as well as the rest of the team over there. It's a struggle. Our services are they have to change. I mean after things just change drastically for everybody but we have a very good program there. I think the the fact
009that we even have services where we communicate with schools trying to get them to be on the same page in terms of what our curriculum expectations and social emotional um standards would be. One of the things that we did and we actually completed it Thursday or Wednesday we actually met in cohort over Zoom with the state and we have prepared calendars by month of transitional things we're doing with preschools um for kindergarten and so it's pretty comprehensive and that's thanks to the team that I'm working with you will see some different things but a lot of things that we already have in place any other comments All right. And we have a vote of 70. Thank you. We have another recommendation to accept the Indiana Department of Education highability program grant. Dr. Buffington, you have
010a copy of the award notification for the high ability grant that was filled out by Dr. our director of secondary education. And this grant is for $46,915. Last year was $46,4s that I'm seeing at the elementary, our math scores have gone up. I can't say the same about English because I'm not quite sure what's going on with the test with English. The statewide average on checkpoint one was like 35%. I mean, you have to ask yourself what is going on with this testing program. Um, I will say the math uh their math state is about 40% the elementary on checkpoint one most of them were in the Kristen OA is our math coach at that level. Uh she does pull out and she pushes in. And so she's helping coach and she also addresses all
011of the high ability needs for math at the elementary. And so with that being said, I'd ask that the board accept that grant award as well. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board accept the Indiana Department of Education high ability program grant as presented and authorize the superintendent to execute necessary documents for the >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion board? >> Thank you board. That passes 70. Our next item on the agenda is a consideration for resolution ratifying acceptance. And that looks like that would be Mr. Walker. As you know, we have a possible resolution accordingly. >> Mr. Porus, if you would read the title of the resolution, please. Yes, we have a school city board of school trustees resolution number 2025 resolution acceptance of the
012office real estate and authorizing exeution. >> Thank you board. Your pleasure adopt resolution number 2025. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion board? I would have because the office set >> well thank you for being ahead of the game and I'm happy that we sold fairly quickly. Mr. If you would do a roll call vote, please. >> David [clears throat] >> I passes 70. Thank you board. Okay. Updates, announcements, and reports. Dr. Buffington. >> All right. We change in January meeting dates. There are numerous Thursdays in January, one of which is so um we are going to change our board meetings and adjust them to January 8th and January 22nd which is kind of normal for us around those dates. So we want to just make everyone aware of that. >> And then next one
013would be our school information. In your packet, you have copies of weekly agendas that we do with our staff and you have cafe monthly as well as the brick center newsletter >> and upcoming activities and events. >> Well, we had an amazing career fair. Um, I see shaking her head. I want to give a shout out to Mrs. Adams. It was very well attended. I want to the local uh colleges and businesses and people that that supported the career fair um that were hands on quite a few businesses taking time out of their day to come and uh and treat kids about their career field and I will just say how professional our kids dressed for this event. Um I was very impressed by that and it was just extremely well received. So I want
014to thank the people that came and supported it and make sure that I thank our our guidance counselor department especially Mrs. Adams and Mr. OA the principal one of the co-principles a lot of hard work on that as well. You also have the Hbert Community Band winter concert that is at 3:00. Tickets are on December 7th. December 11th, we have the huge Christmas concert that we put on at the high school here and it's on the gym floor here at the high school. There's hardly anywhere to sit. Uh so if you're coming, you better or you are going to be at the top of the nose section. I mean, we do have to open up everything. There's so many people that come to this. It's very well attended and it's really a beautiful performance. So,
015I encourage all >> it's a cool show together. It's pretty spectacular. Uh December 16th, uh this is our choir concert for senior citizens. They will have their special Christmas dinner that the Legacy Foundation supports the dinner. We support the concert. Obviously dinner at the concert. Are we going to have a beautiful light show? >> Yes, we will. Okay, just check. And then um on December 17th, we have the choir Christmas concert at 6 p.m. December 19th is a professional development records day, no school for students. And then December 22nd through January 2nd winter break and people will be in hibernation and celebrating Christmas and the holiday season. >> All right. And we are now up to comments. Dr. Buffington. >> Well, I do want to give a shout out to our maintenance crew that has
016had to do tons of snow removal um salt and um just always on guard up in Adam 330. in the morning. Um, and we're just making good calls to keep everybody safe and it's been a long winter already for them. And so we're not we're not even close to being done. So we can just hope that January and February will be mild. I have no idea. They say it's not going to be. So we'll have to see. But they've done a really nice job. And Ryan, this is his first winner. He's getting baptized by fire. Um, he had no idea when I told he will be my best friend that he was truly gonna be my best friend at all hours. So, um but he's doing a great job as are the maintenance crew and
017so I just want to make sure that I give them a proper word of thanks. Um as always, I want to make sure that I thank the longer um you know, very very advantageous to us as we're going through the sale of this property and um I had an emergency on Tuesday. I had to help one of our staff members and we had a last minute item that we were trying to get on the text messaging and emailing. We got it on the boardful because we needed to get that and as far as that goes, Chris always a great one in December. So, I'll hold off on any other holiday wishes, but I hope that you take partake in some of our schools Christmas program. So tonight there's lots of nutcrackers going on at Liberty
018and at Veterans um I think Martins is tonight. So yeah, all three elementary schools have nutcracker going on tonight and then of course those are coming up. >> Thank you Mr. King. Thank you, Mr. Longer. >> Thank you, Mr. Pas. last few years or so make sure >> you appreciate I work 100. >> Yeah, and you are absolutely right. Um part of the snow removal team as you're suggesting. It's not just been our lots. We're trying to get the stadium ready for the bowl game on Saturday. It has been a lot. So once they're done with our lots, they're off the football and you're right. Thank you for that. >> It's amazing because I said Mike one side. We will not onlyall minimum 400. >> He would chalk that up to his workout for the
019day. >> Thank you, Mr. King. Mike always funny story about the snow removal. We were driving by saying, "Do you think we'll have school tomorrow?" And my wife says, "Uh, have you seen the parking lots?" They're perfectly fine. That is the key to whether or not >> that's perceptive. Um I will say the very first snowstorm, the second wave that hit us, it really wasn't us. It it was going to depend on the city and so you know I talked to the mayor like I'm really wondering what's going to happen here because it wasn't looking good and um you know they have a lot more than we do. And he said, "Can I call you back in two hours?" And I'm like, "Sure." Um, and they were really worried that our football team would get
020to practice if I called school off, which I would let them practice if it were safe to get, right? Um, but they had a different way that they could just huddle up and and zoom and that was fine the first day. I wouldn't have wanted the second day either. But how about that? The city workers didn't thought that they would practice. They were like, "We're getting it cleaned up." So, hats off to them, too, because they've been working really hard. >> That's much appreciated, too, because perspective jobs. It's more than just people. So, I did send out that was before we got a lot more. So I may have to do a second one. >> And then the last thing I want to say is thank you to the side to everyone who does these
021grants. A lot of work. There's a lot to learn when you're going through applying for these grants. different systems that they have to go through and process. denied one small box that's not checked. It's a lot of work and it's a lot of extra work and it's not something we try to do because we should >> well the federal grants I mean obviously the title one is so important to us for staffing and intervention. Um the other title grants we've always tried to use them for extra personnel to address whatever we could with those. So the federal funds we've done ever since I've been school districts that we do with Tammy like the early learning center from the start those are grants that we go after um and so you're right we purposely go after
022those grants to bring that money in and they are a And I think the thing that's really important about that determining if you're eligible number one and then number two making sure that you're highly competitive, right? So you have to have ideas that are visionary in order to be the competitive one. And so I am very proud of people that that are a part of our grants and just do a great job of bringing that money in because it saves the district and it also allows us to have that others don't have. >> That's all I'm saying. That's the last thing I just >> Thank you, Mr. King Schultz. >> Thank you. Great. Um, I just want to say I'm excited for all of the Christmas events that are coming up with the arts and
023stuff with the band. I've been to that concert before. It's a very cool experience. And then also with the two choir concerts. I think this year Mr. Wolf is looking to maybe have the middle school also be with us for that. They usually have their own. So, um having it together will be a cool experience and hopefully the audience will enjoy it to uh get more uh people singing up there. Another new thing that is going to be happening at the high school for Christmas activities, well not really Christmas but like winter, we are doing like a winter homecoming. um not with the dance, but we're going to have like the whole like week of activities like we do for um regular homecoming, but it'll just be in the winter and I believe it's going
024to be around like basketball season and so I assume it's going to lead up to a basketball game. But um Johan's army is being the head of that and the student council is kind of helping with that. So some exciting things happening on the side and I am glad that you brought that up about the dance. So we should just kind of talk about that a little bit. Plenty of people ask me about why we don't have a date. >> We went back and looked at the records and the ticket sales and they're dismal. And so then I'm like, well, what if we just have it for free? We could have it for free. Um, but someone would have to sponsor a DJ, whatever. But here's when you talk to some of the kids, they
025have to turn around and buy And so it's not only the tickets, then it's they're buying another. The last set of tickets that we sold were so bad that we ended up in the class had to bail them out. And so, you know, those were sponsored by each grade level. And so, I know you've asked me, uh, a lot of people asked me and I did the homework on it. And so, I'm going to put that to rest because there's not enough interest and it's too costly. So we are welcoming the activities that you are going to provide because that maybe will make everybody forget about the dance. Right. So thank you for that. It's interesting. They just like bypass everybody here and say, "Can't you tell them to let us have a dance?" And
026I would love to do that, but I have to be able to qualify and quantify it. And I can't do it. I mean, if you're going to lose money on something like that, I can't say like, "Go ahead and do that. That's not >> Mr. [clears throat] for kind words of support that traffic. I just once again want to wish our we the people I don't want to say good luck because it's not luck. I hope um they perform at their personal best and um bring home some accolades as I know they will travel this state. I'm just looking forward to concerts coming. I would like to start by saying thank you to those on our left for just continuing the hard work that they do on the daily with grants um with multiple wearing
027multiple hats and doing different things all at the same time. Um they're fantastic at it and we appreciate it. Um I'd also like to give condolences to some recent um people passing and their families sending condolences um Mr. Bigler's family, Mr. family and the family as well. Um just some big losses there for the school city and um I just like to express our condolences as a board um Frank to you as well. And um just to the kids, you know, you're we're 10 days. Hold strong. 10 days and you're halfway done. I told you it go by fast. >> Yes. [laughter] By fast. >> And that is all that I have for this evening. Um and that's >> could a few words about the Absolutely. Um just for the historical purposes, John was one
028of the co-chairs of the feasibility study when we were studying this piece of property and all of our buildings. Um and a very unpopular decision made by that study will remember this as well as longer um that they came back with a recommendation to build a high school when we afford to build the high school, we could afford to build a middle school and um you know obviously the board had the board took their recommendation. We waited until we could afford to build a high school. One of the wise things that they did, we spent months um I was their administrator that was on that project with them and we had toured every building and it was a bold decision to come back and say like we know you can't afford it but you better
029just And one of the reasons that they made that decision is they wanted us to be competitive with our neighbors. Crown Point had a new high school. Portage had just built on to their high school and Lake Central was uh getting ready to do some serious renovation. So, um I have to commend the leadership there because it was a tough it was tough sitting out in that audience and you know you could build a middle school and you come back and say no, you wait. you could build a high school and look what we have. So, for those of you who did not know that, I bring that historical perspective because I worked with Mr. He um for probably a good year touring all of our buildings and um just a wonderful individual. He and
030his wife both were just amazing. Um then on top of it, um you know, when you want to talk about Daveler serving on the board here, um Little League I mean, he just provides a lot of community service and he just always wanted to give back. So, we commend him for his service as well. And Becky just many people do not realize that she was a city council woman. Um, now she worked in the school district and she was an incredible media specialist, but she was very and um, you know, took her own position as a politician. about some change that she thought was necessary. And so these are giants in this community and we just have to recognize that we need more people like them, right? So that's what we hope to instill in
031our students and the other people that are around and that other people pick up the torch. So we thank them and their souls. >> So thanks again for >> You're welcome. And Mr. H also did a lot of things with the different commission too. And with that, I'm going to adjourn the meeting at 7:36.