001should be the first part. All right. >> Okay. According to IC code, we did meet in executive session and I'd like to call this meeting to order by the pledge of allegiance. Please, if everyone would stand to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Board attached are the minutes of the regular session meeting held on October 2nd, 2025. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the regular session minutes of October 16, 2025. >> Second. >> Board, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> We should correct that motion to say October second. >> Yes, please. I apologize. The recommendation does say October 16th, but it should be for
002October. >> Correct. >> Sir, I'd like to amend the motion uh that the board will approve the regular session minutes of October 2nd, 2025. >> Thank you. a second. Thank you. We have a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion in regards to the motion? If not, please place your vote and that passes 70. Thank you, board. Next on the agenda is financial reports. You have your microphone. >> It's yours. >> It is yours today. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to do my best to not cough during this. Apologies in advance. So, starting we have school education $627,75367. Education form curriculum materials $27,56056. Exempt operating post209 $92,11586 school operations 393,5746 construction 07001 181,141440 school lunch 107,4 $474.85 Selfins insurance fund 154,734.91 Building Brickies $27249 School City of Hobart Educational Foundation $3,20.99 Early
003Years Initiative Grant $700.3 Healthy Hobbert BFTS $960555 Community Partners $3546 Safe Supporting Addictionfree $2,73512 Career Coaching Grant $73522 Title One Part A Fiscar 24 um $197.34 Title One Part A fiscal year 25/26 3,95823 Medicaid reimbursement federal $20086 title 2 part A fiscal year 2526 $2,6240 clearing accounts $294,56652 2 Self insurance clearing 37,431 thou 37,43185 clearing/flexible benefits AF $62,93.90 prepaid food $223.50 clearing/ insurance account $16,13823 credit card clearing $4,225.75 and then this adds up to a total of 2,14,959.7 for this period. >> Thank you, Shu Jing. Board, your pleasure. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve payment of the vouchers for October 16th, 2025. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. The board, is there any discussion? >> Thank you for reading. >> Nice job. Very nice. If there
004is no discussion, please place your votes. >> Thank you board. And that passes 70. Our next item on the agenda is comments on agenda items. Is there any comments from the audience in regards to our agenda items? And that was perfectly on right on the dot. I like it. >> That was great. Our next item on the agenda is the personnel report. Dr. Oh, yep. Dr. >> Buffington, in your packet, you have a copy of the personnel report and that would be ending on October 16th. 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. Is there any discussion, board? If not, please place your vote. And we pass 70. Thank you. Our next item on
005the agenda is some recognition. Dr. Buffington. >> Well, we are really honored tonight to have some of our students that have special recognition and we're also honored to have our director of school counselors, Mrs. Adams. And she's going to come up and talk a little bit about the um the awards that our students um have received and then we're going to call them up and celebrate them with certificates of recognition. Thank you for coming, Mrs. Adams. You know what? Because we stream live now, you got to go. You got to go there. Yeah. You have to go over there, everyone. We We are live now just in case you wanted to know. >> Okay. Sorry, Chris. All right. So, we give the PSAT every year here at Hobbert High School. In fact, we just gave
006it yesterday um to all of our sophomores and juniors and our freshmen took the PSAT 8 and nine, which we have not done for a long time. Um and so I'm going to read this press release from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship program by taking the 2024 preliminary SATN national merit scholarship qualifying test which served as an initial screen of program entrance. The nationwide pool of semi-finalist representing less than 1% of US high school seniors includes the highest scoring entrance in each state. From over 16,000 semi-finalist in the country, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level and we'll find that out in February. All National Merit Scholarship winners are selected from this group of finalists. And
007we are proud to announce Haley May has been named a National Merit semi-finalist from Hobart High School. Congratulations. >> So following that announcement in late September 2025, um the rest of the 50,000 high scores on the 2024 PSAT were notified that they were qualified as commended students. Although commended students will not continue in the competition for national merit scholarships, some may be candidates for special scholarships provided by corporate and business sponsors. We are proud to announce that Lou Cohen and Delaney Williams are our commended students. [Applause] Well, first of all, I mean our realm of world proud of them. I know you're proud of them and thank you for [Applause] And these students are always just doing wonderful things. I mean from sports to um the performing arts and the athletics and the clubs that
008you guys are all in and um can't say enough about how fine they are and so thanks for everything. And by the way um not to take anything from anyone but someone you today so just just so you know be excellent on purpose. I received your your nomination late this afternoon. So thank you. All right another round of applause. Congratulations to all three of our students. Um, I do know two of them personally and they are great kids, so you know who I'm talking about. All right. Um, next on our agenda is recognizing the Brookies from the start program. Dr. Buffington. >> Um, I'm gonna call up Um she is our coordinator of early uh education with Ricky's from the start. Thank you Deian. And she has a whole entourage in the back if you
009didn't hear her. And we are so glad to have you because we are recognizing Brickies from the start. It's gone through a couple of name changes um because people were always getting it confused with preschool and all kinds of other things. This is our program where we go birth all the way up to kindergarten transition. Um, and we're all about and we've been about this since 2009. This is a self-supporting program. All the grants that we um that our team does an amazing job writing. Um, I don't know what else to say except for we do wonderful things for people that are parents that did come with an owner's manual and so they do a great job. connecting with our parents from play groups to toilet training uh to you name it, they do it
010all. And I'm just proud to have the group back there tonight. Thank you all for coming. And I'm gonna let Deian take it away. So, go right ahead. >> Thank you so much. Um and yes, I have this beautiful group back there. You want to wave everybody? >> Yeah, we'll be introducing them a little bit. >> You can introduce them if you like. >> Yeah. Um why don't you guys stand up? I'm gonna bring them up here. >> Sure, let's bring them up. >> Come on up. >> Yeah, >> here's my staff. So, Cara Soldquist, Jill Renan, these are >> just huge grant that that you all wrote. So, we can tell a little bit about everyone. >> So, Cara and I know it's always awkward to know where to stand, but why don't you
011stand beside me? >> Stand right there by me and that's where the camera is. Um Cara and Jill are certified parent educators and uh we did receive um a $118,000 grant for to be able to hire care for three years to do our um basically our infant and toddlers um outreach from Early Learning Indiana. It's a Lily funded grant. Um and uh Jill has been on staff since 2012. Carrie actually was on staff before and came back um after she raised her kids. >> Yeah. since 20 since 2015. Um and uh she's she is um she holds down the for in the playroom and with home visits as well and uh really focuses on helping with some with our data collection and analysis as well. So I'm very thankful for that. Then we have Crystal
012Raa and Crystal is our grant writer and playroom coordinator. So, she um she spent how many years at the library as a children's 13 years as a children's librarian, and she does magic in the playroom. Like, she can lead a baby group and a circle time, a reading time in our playroom like no one else. So, we're very thankful for her. And we just added Patricia Frell, Patty Frell. And uh Patty is actually um one of our parents um as part of our our program, but now she's on staff. Um one of the wonderful problems we had is that we got three really big grants. Um so then grants management became a much bigger deal for us. And so um Patty is coming on board. She actually has a master's degree. They both have master's
013degree in library science. Um, I have a very talented, well educated staff and um, Patty's love and passion is numbers and details and systems and so she has come on board to uh, for 10 hours a week to help with that so that we make sure that we're accountable and ready for grant audits and all of that. Um, so I'm very thankful for that and I will have these guys um, stand up in just a minute. I want to start the presentation if I could though. >> You sure can. There we go. So, if we go to this Yeah, go ahead and go to this. There we go. Okay, go ahead and move. Go to the next slide. There we go. Um, most of brain development happens in the first five years of life before
014kids get to kindergarten. So, go ahead and go to the next slide. There is a short video. Let's see that. Um Sarah Gutierrez, our um director of early learning, wanted me to show you this. So, if we could just hit play on that. Maybe it won't let me do that. I don't No, that's okay. Um essentially what she says is that most of brain development happens by what we call serve and return, meaning parents and children or caregivers and children interacting. And so um all of that happens and more of brain development happens in the first three years of life than it will in the rest of their lives put together. And so it's very important. So we'll go to the next slide. Why we invest in early childhood. If you look at this, this
015is actually um based on a lot of research that's come out of Indiana University that talks about the dollar fordollar investment is much higher in the preschool before five years old and it gradually the the value of that the return of investment decreases over the lifespan. And so you can look at that on your thing. So pol policy makers are realizing that early childhood dollars and the investment into um birth to five is worth immense amount of investment. So go to the next one. I want to just tell you real fast that in the spring and summer of 2021 we had 268 incoming kindergarteners that we screened. Of those 62 students were flagged with potential concerns. Just last year, we went back and we looked at what happened with those those uh incoming kindergarteners in
016third grade. By third grade, we found that this group was highly predictive. 95% of those students that were flagged ultimately required early intervention or special education services while 5% did not. On the other hand, 202 students were identified as showing no concerns at entry. This screening result was also accurate. 98.5% of these students continued to progress without needing additional services while only a small fraction 1.5% required intervention. So when you look at us all together, we know before kids come into kindergarten how they're going to do with third grade. >> Can we just talk about that for just a moment? Because what's really significant about that um we do we administer something called the dial and um looking the predictiveness of it. And so Sarah Gutierrez, Deian, Janette, um, and myself, it really Sarah and
017Deian really dug into that data. And what we could find is we were starting to see predictive behaviors of not passing Irene. Um, and so that's significant to us as potential at risk. And so we're we're doing things differently with those groups now. Now that we have the data, we have the action research behind it, and we see that potential at risk, and we see the correlation, um, you're seeing us do some things differently at the early learning center because of that. And so, I'm really proud of these are the gals that all administer the dial. Um, and now we're knowing what we're doing with it um, for that early intervention. So, I'm really proud of Deian, Sarah, and the crew over there because we've got something that's really we think is going to help
018us with our I read scores. >> Yes. And that definitely it gives us twofold um things. What she's saying is that now we can make some different decisions starting in kindergarten and also we have data to prove why Brookies from the start should be funded from grants and grtors and funders, right? and from the state. >> And from the state if we could get it. Um because look at that. That tells you how important those first five years are. We know what those kids are going to go if they don't get that first five years. So that's what Brooky's from the start is all about. um if we can if we can trust and make sure that we know when they come in the doors right from the very beginning, we see them from birth.
019And so we start working with these families right away. And a lot of it is about serve and return. And so one of the things that we're going to focus on is talking is teaching. And uh I'll get into that in a minute, but I want you to meet a couple of our families. Come on up, guys. And these families have been involved. Oh my goodness. How long have you been involved for? >> Lindsay, this is Li Lindsay Commons. >> Since 2021. And these are this is a beautiful guy that was making sure that he was been known here. Yes. And this is Go ahead, Kristen Sawyer. >> Yeah. Third year. So, um, these are our reasons. These are just a couple of them. We have over 275 families that are involved in our program.
020Here's two of them. And as you heard, they they've been staying in the program. One of the greatest privileges that we have, too, is that they have more kids. I've I've had families in the program for nine years. Um, so we build long-term relationships with them. We've been able to go back into the homes for some home visits for our highest need families. And um we also teach social skills in the playroom. And so >> going since birth because we moved here when he was three weeks old. >> Wonderful. That is great news. >> So Lindsay, do you have anything that you want to say about the program? How it's impacted? >> Um hello. This isn't nerve-wracking at all. Um, I I just would like to say that I'm very appreciative of the program because
021um, not only did my husband and I not have the greatest educational experiences growing up, um, there was a lot of concerns when we first had children with him. He's currently in first grade at Liberty. Um, are we doing everything right? Are we doing everything we're supposed to be doing? and being exposed to and supported by these ladies and by this program. I can't put into words how immensely it has affected my life, their life. Um, it's just there's I can't put it into words how fantastic it has been and it's sir sir >> they're dancing but um it's it's really been immensely amazing and I'm very very appreciative of it. >> Well, we're glad that you are having a great experience with it. Thank you for sharing with us. Hi guys. Um, I just
022wanted to say that these ladies are all some of the nicest, most caring women that you could ever meet. Uh, they never stop working because they truly care about what they're doing. I actually met Miss Deian at a park randomly. We were there, me and my daughters, on the day that they were doing a park playdate, and I told her that I wasn't sure. I had a lot of concerns about sending my older daughter to kindergarten. and she sat there and just talked to me and chatted with me and let me address all of my concerns and she sat there and was a voice of reason and it was a really great experience being able to meet her that day and from that day we have all looked forward to going to the playrooms each
023week. I don't know which one of us looks forward to it more. We get to I get to meet the other moms and parents and talk to these ladies and she gets to meet all the kids and interact. It's a really great experience and they do so much for the community. We really appreciate you guys. >> Thank you so much. And that's true. I mean, Dian um is is a great leader in the program and um I can say too because you all have such a wealth of knowledge when the children come to kindergarten, we know a lot about them and so they're able to share that with the teacher and it just gives them an even greater start when they're in kindergarten. and we can't say enough about you. And the reason why we're
024here tonight is because we're recognizing them tonight and um just the hard work that they do and trying to calm some fears and give you some confidence that they can help you and just the social skills and the early diagnostics that they can do. It's just such a a an important program and you can see why we're trying to sustain it with everything that we have. And um I'm so grateful for all the grant writing that you do and any type of fundraising that we do for Brickies from the start. Make sure that you participate because we count on that as well. Um and so thank you to our families for sharing with us. We're really appreciative of that. >> To our our our lovely people out here. >> Thank you all for your support.
025Um I do just want to tell just briefly tell you a couple of big things. Um we are officially um a talking is teaching site that's a national program. We are one of we are the third one in the state of Indiana. Um and we are actually being mentored by the too small to fail campaign um from a foundation in New York. We also are going to be um one of the first uh testers and part of a research study on a program called Fathers and Babies um as we're partnering with Northwestern University. Um the three of us have all been trained in um parents and babies, mothers and babies, but now they have a fathers and babies program and we're um going to be um participating in a study come this um spring doing
026that as well. Um and finally I would say that um I just want to say that we are also partnering with the health department and um increasing vaccination rates and we did discover through our work with a grant writing there that Hbert um Hbert in particular is the one of the lowest vaccinated rates um in the state of Indiana. Um and so um the health department gave us a grant to be able to work on that. So, um, thank you so much for your help. Thank you for my families that came today. Um, these women, by the way, uh, work very hard. Um, Kristen won't tell you at all, but she's been our PTO president for how long now? Her third year at the ELC being the PTO president and oh gosh, I'm sorry. She
027said she owed it to me that she's been third PTO president for 30 years. and they both are part of a parent group that is um helps us with fundraising and support and volunteering. >> Yes. >> Oh, he's asking if he may say something. >> Absolutely. >> So, when I was in this school, I actually went to here. >> I loved it. It was the best school I ever had. >> Great job. >> Um Steven went to Ricky Kids at the high school here. So, you liked Bricky Kids. >> Okay. >> Oh, she's a fabulous teacher, isn't she? >> Well, thank you for telling us and we'll pass that on to her. Okay. >> Thank you so much, everybody. >> Thank you. We do have a resolution for you. >> We do. Mr. King, if
028you could put that resolution on the screen and if it's okay with the audience, if our secretary, Mr. Porus, would just read the title. >> If everyone is okay with that. Yes, we have a resolution uh from the school city of Hbert resolution number 2025-26 recognizing the brickies from the start program. >> Forward. Your pleasure. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board adopt resolution number 2025-26 recognizing the brickies from the start program. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion from the board? Excellent job. Excellent. >> Yeah. With uh with two kids that both went through I was building brickies back then. Um Miss Jill was to the house multiple times. Identified uh some fine motor skill issues with my son and identified some speech issues
029with my daughter that we got help for. Um it's it's very near and dear to me. I appreciate what you guys do. Um it is helpful. It helped us when we were young parents and didn't really know what we were doing, you know, kind of getting out there. So, uh, thank you very much for what you do and I'm glad to see that it has continued and it has grown and and I'm very happy that you're here. >> I just wanted to say thank you for your hard work. Um, thank you for sharing the screening outcomes data because that's really important information. Um, having taught first grade for a long time, remember the spelling inventory and um the the the data we would get from that you could make those same kinds of predictions but
030it wasn't until first grade, middle of the year, end of the year. So now we're getting that information, you know, before they even come to kindergarten. That's valuable, valuable information. So thank you. Um, I would also like to say thank you to three of those ladies up there as I know that um, they've been to my house before and um, the program is very invaluable and it's just amazing to see that you ladies are still here working with us which we appreciate greatly and the impact that you make on our youngesties is more than what you know. So, thank you for your hard work, your dedication and we appreciate you. >> Thank you all so much. You know what? Let's let them vote first. >> Yeah. Or if you have Oh, well, see, I was
031the last one. Sorry. Um, we now passed 70. There you are. >> All right. Big round of applause. >> And we have a roll call as well, Mr. If you would do the roll call, please, to make it actually official. >> Okay. Uh, Mr. David Cosby, >> hi. >> Okay, welcome back. >> Thank you. >> Don Rogers, >> hi. >> Brad Ke, >> I >> Steuart Schultz, >> hi. >> Frank votes I. Sandy Hill, >> hi. and go. >> I um and if any of you all have homework, you may run away and and leave as I know some of you have already done. So, um the rest of you that are left, if you have homework or you know, dinner or whatever, >> please feel free. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Bye
032bye. >> All righty. Our next item on the agenda is Month of the Young Adolescent. Dr. Buffington. um for in your packet um um Mr. Secretary has a resolution recognizing the month of the young adolescent. Um we we all know how important uh that age is and how awkward that age is. We're really grateful for the teachers that serve at that level um helping our our our children basically discover things about themselves. and um we couldn't be prouder of the middle school staff and it really does speak a lot about the middle level child. So with that I'll turn it over to our secretary. >> Yes. We have a resolution number 2025-27 month of the young adolescent. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board adopt resolution number 2025-27 recognizing October as the
033Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> Thanks to the staff at the middle school. That is a tough job. >> Mr. Forest, if you would do a roll call vote, please. >> Yes. David Con. >> Hi. >> Don Rogers. Hi. >> Hi. >> Steuart Schultz. Hi. >> Frank. Hi, Sandy Hill. >> Hi, >> and Ricky. >> I And that passes 70. Thank you, board. >> Our next item on the agenda is another resolution to transfer amounts from the education fund to the operations fund for budget year 2026. Mr. Glover, >> we have a string of resolutions here. As we discussed back over 5.9 million that's 16%. >> I'd like to make a motion that the board approve resolution 2025. Second. Mr. Forest, could you read the resolution, please?
034>> Um, sure. Okay, we have the resolution uh 2025- 28 to transfer amounts from the education fund to the operations fund. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on the item? And a roll call vote, please. >> Yes. Mr. David Cosby. >> Hi. >> Don Rogers. Hi. >> Brad. >> Hi. >> Steuart Schultz. >> Hi. >> Frank. Hi. Sandy Hill. >> Hi. >> And >> I And that passes 70. Thank you board. We also have another resolution on the next item for the agenda and that's the resolution in regards to the form four of appropriations and tax rates. That's Mr. Glover. Our next resolution authorizes as well as tax as we discussed in September. Rates are intentionally advers So those cost. >> Thank you board. Your pleasure. like
035to make a motion that the board approve resolution of appropriations 2025-29. Second, >> we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> If not, may we have a roll call vote, please? >> Uh, yes. Uh, David Cosby. >> Hi, Don Rogers. Hi. Brad. Hi. >> Steuart Schultz. Hi. Vi Sandy Hill. >> I passed that 70. Thank you, board. >> Our next item on the agenda is the adoption of the 2026 bus replacement plan. Mr. We are required to replace September price of buses to I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the resolution number 2025-30 to adopt the year 2026 bus replacement plan. >> Second, >> Mr. Force, if you would read the title of the resolution, please. >> Yes, we have resolution uh 2025 resolution to adopt a year
0362025 bus replacement plan. >> Thank you. And we have a motion in the second. Is there any discussion? >> If not, uh, roll call vote, please. >> Yes, we have a Brad, uh, David Cosby. >> I, >> John Rogers, >> hi. Hi, >> George. >> Hi, >> Frank. I >> And that passes 70. Thank you, board. >> Our next item on the agenda is the budget reductions for the year 2026. Mr. The final resolution authorizes operating balances whether or not matches that process. >> Thank you, Mr. Forest. Resolution, please. >> Yes, we have the school city of Hbert uh resolution number 2025-31. and your pleasure. >> Like to make a motion that the board approve the budget reduction resolution number 2025-31. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion?
037If not, that would be a roll call, please. >> Yes. David Cosby. >> Hi. >> Don Rogers. >> Hi. >> Brad Keen. >> Hi. >> Steuart Schultz. >> Hi. >> Frank. Hi. Hi. >> And >> I that passes 70. Thank you, board. >> Our next item on the agenda is the recommendation to accept the IDOE formative assessment grant. Dr. Buffington, >> in your packet, you have a copy of the formative assessment grant. Anderson works on this. Tim works just a tad on it. And of course, I'm going back and forth with on what we actually are going to do with this amount of money. You know, assessment is a complicated thing because our assessments in this state change all the time. Um, and really what this was centered around, uh, we could apply for K2
038and we could apply for our ninth graders. And so you can see that the total grant amount was $19,620 and we decided to apply that toward Ready. I Ready is a diagnostic that we give three times a year and it's able to tell us how they're doing in language arts, math. And um we uh brought back the PSAT for our ninth graders. Uh giving them more of a chance to see how they're going to do as 10th and 11th graders when they take the PSAT. Possibly be uh one of the award recipients that you saw this evening. And then again taking the all important um for uh you know college entry and also that's our accountability test for our high school. So um the money will be spent accordingly and I do want to thank
039Lorie Anderson for the work that she did filling it out and board action is requested. I'd like to make a motion that board accept the formative assessment grant and authorize the superintendent to sign necessary documents to execute the plan. >> Second board, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? I just thank Lori for the work. Thank you very much. No other discussion. Please place your votes. And we passed that 70. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda is the legacy foundation donation from the Pope Family fund. Dr. Buffington. >> Well, this is a lovely family that just keeps giving to the school corporation and uh you know, they gave several times last year and this is going to be our first donation for this coming school year. It's a
040total of $3,000 for this particular one from the Legacy Foundation and the Pope family. Um, as uh you will note that their family is rich history. Uh, Shirley Langford Pope and Kenneth Pope both graduated from Hbert High School. Um, and that's their parents and uh played in uh the Rebell uh national uh titles that they won. Also, into the rusty pipes. And then of course um we have um the lovely who remarried and she was just part of she was one of our first dispatchers as a female in our state at police department. Um just an incredible lady who raised an amazing family that just wants to keep giving back to the performing arts. And so um there's a special notation with this particular grant um when it came uh it indicated that the funds
041are for scholarships and because they had already supported a scholarship this past spring, there was some clarification on what the funds could be used for. So, we went ahead and attached that for you. Um and so, uh the funds currently uh they can be distributed from the HF and we'll use them for different things besides scholarship on whatever the need is in the band. So, with that being said, I want to thank the Pope family uh for their continued uh support that they give the school district and the performing arts. And I'd ask that the board accept their donation. I'd >> like to make a motion that the board accept the donation from the family fund as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? If not, please
042place your votes. And we pass 70. Thank you, board. Our next item on the agenda is a resolution authorizing appraisal and sale of property not needed by the school city of >> Mr. Longer. >> Board, as you will recall, we uh decided to authorize the employment of appraisers for the uh property. And we're talking about a residence on Union Street immediately south of the high school property when we acquired additional acreage south of the high school. This was part of that acquisition. And so this resolution determines that the residence on that parcel is not needed for school purposes. the uh the residence itself has been uh been improved somewhat and uh the property has been appraised and Indiana statute uh provides for a process for the sale of unneeded real estate. In this instance, there
043are really three options. One would be to auction it. One would be to list it with a broker and sell it. And the third would be a a procedure outlined in the statute where you publish a notice, indicate a minimum bid, and allow not more than 60 days for biders to submit bids. It's an open bidding process, so anyone submitting a bid can see what the other bids are. And each bidder can uh elect to increase their bid. So, you have a resolution before you. Since the property was appraised, there have been some additional improvements to the property and there has been uh consultation with an additional local real estate professional to get additional information regarding what the property could sell for. So, I'm recommending that you approve the uh resolution that you have before
044you. Uh by law, you cannot sell the property for less than the appraised value. But the uh the the notice contained in the resolution does not have a minimum bid. uh because I'm suggesting that you authorize the superintendent to set that minimum bid once she's obtained the additional information u from that local real estate professional and we've received any feedback from the appraisers as to their opinion based on the additional improvements to the property since it was appraised. Um, so you so you have that before you. Um, and I'm recommending that you uh you approve that action at this time. And the resolution includes authorizing the superintendent to exercise the discretion to opt to hire a broker or an auctioneer. And that option is available at any stage of the process. So even if a
045notice is published, if there's a determination made that we would be better off to hire a real estate broker or an auctioneer, this would authorize the superintendent to do so. The reason for the the process as far as the appraisals and what have you is to make sure that you're getting fair value for something that was purchased with tax dollars. So there's no cap on what you could list it for sale at or or set as a minimum bid, but you cannot set it lower than the appraised value. >> Thank you, Mr. Longer. Board action is requested. I'd like to make a motion that the board approve resolution number 2025-32 as presented and authorize the superintendent to set the minimum bid based on outstanding appraisals and opt to hire a broker or auctioneer at her
046discretion. >> Uh second >> Mr. Force if you would read the title of the resolution please. Guess we have a board of school trustees of school city of Hbert resolution number 2025-32 a resolution authorizing appraisal and sale of property not needed by the school city of >> thank you board is there any discussion >> longer thank you for your hard work over there appreciate it >> this is the same process that was used when we sold the property known as the dust bowl >> board. We have a roll call vote. >> Yes. David Cosby. >> Hi. >> Don Rogers. >> Hi. >> Brad. >> Hi. >> Steuart Schultz. >> Hi. >> Frank. Hi. Sandy Hill. >> Hi. >> And Ricky. >> Hi. And that passes 70. Thank you board. >> Our next item on the
047agenda is updates, announcements, and reports. Dr. Buffington. >> All right. Well, we have an official count form and I want to thank Chris for the really hard work that he does keeping our data system. Um, I mean, as clean as it can possibly be with the data exchange with the state. Um, and you know, you're just dependent on other school corporations with ins and outs and transfers. Of course, Bobby and I are watching it all the time. Um, Bobby now knows how to look at it. Um, me, I'm in my car and I just call Chris. I'm like, what what's the number today? Uh, we finished with 39 3919 um is our official ADM number. And you know, um, enrollment is very hard to predict today, uh, with school choice. And so, you know, there's
048three different options out there um that people can choose to take um their money and go elsewhere. We provide an amazing education here for kids and you can see from birth um all the way up to early college and um I just wish that people would come back. Uh, I would like to say too when you're looking at this, uh, and you can get a free college education here and save thousands of dollars and have all the support that you have, particularly students that are choosing online school. Um, I would encourage them to come back to live school. Uh, there's so much more engagement, collaboration. We can put you in in these settings that simulate real world activity. hard to do that when you're at home. Um and so um that would be something that
049I would encourage people to bring if you're choosing an online program that's out there. Um bring your children back to home. Would love to see our numbers go back over 4,000. Um but with that school choice that's out there, they can take their voucher. they can go to a charter school, a private school, or they can choose an online school if that's what they choose to do. Um, we are down over 300 students, um, with that school choice. And so, um, I'm asking people to come back and give us a chance because we provide a lot for people. When you see that we have over, um, 30% of our kids graduated with one year of college, um, 22% graduated with an associates degree and 41% of them left here with a certification or a credential
050and um that's not including the kids that went into the military. We offer an amazing education here. So come back to us. Anyways, um do you have any questions on the ADM report? >> All right. Low birth rate, that's a contributing factor as well. We'll see what Cresport does. 61st Avenue. Hope that we get some new enrollments and um we go back over that 4,000 mark. That would be nice. >> Thank you, Dr. Buffington. Um next is updates, announcements, and reports with school information. That again is Dr. Buffington. >> Right. You have your weekly agendas from all of our schools for our staff um at each building. Um and then of course you have the the brick center newsletter um and you can peruse those at your leisure. >> Thank you. And our next updates,
051announcements and reports is upcoming activities and events. >> All right. Um I need to open that up here. Take a good look at it. Um so, um all test day October 15th. Um, I'm hoping for uh some more uh scholarship winners perhaps after taking the PSAT. October 20th through the 24th is fall break. I would say that everybody needs that break. Trust me on that one. Um October 28th, uh Bricky Parent Academy. This is our continuing education for parents. Our first one is on school safety. Uh and I'm really hoping that we get a lot of parents that want to come and about how we provide school safety here in the school city of Hbert. October 27th through 31st is red ribbon week. Um we have a variety of dress up days for that. Uh
052November 4th is an e-learning day. Uh that is from 12 to 6 because that's also parent teacher conferences that day. Um so all of that learning will be done on in Canvas. Uh that their teachers have prepared ahead of time and um and of course the aquatic is taking reservations uh through December. >> Thank you. >> Our next item is the school city of Cohort Educational Foundation's Harvest Homecoming. Dr. Buffington. Well, um I was made aware that um our board member David Casp requested that I read the speech uh that was awarded at the educational uh harvest homecoming and it would be my pleasure to do that. Um I do want to thank everyone for attending the harvest homecoming. Uh we made $13,000 this year and we're really proud of that and the venue was
053fantastic. We had um from the high school working with us that made it even extra special. The baskets were terrific. The attendance was wonderful. Our catering system did amazing with the food and I think people just had a wonderful time. And I can't say enough about the volunteers that are a part of the Hover Educational Foundation. As you know, we give grants out to our teachers and we provide lot scholarships for our students. It was a wonderful Every year we uh we pick someone I don't know if I need these now that Russ gave me this fancy machine. Um but anyways every year we pick uh recipients for the Golden Yan award and this year uh it was our our privilege to award this to Don and Jackie Rogers and I agree with Mr. that
054it would be appropriate that I share this publicly and this would be on the record. So thank you for suggesting that Mr. So today we celebrate two remarkable people whose lives have been devoted to service learning and love for children and that would be Don and Jackie Rogers. When we talk about what it means to live the Ricky motto all my life I want to be work work and be excellent on purpose. Don and Jackie are the very definition. Their story is one of steadfast commitment to education, to our community, and most importantly to our kids. Jackie began her teaching career right here in Hbert in 1968 and dedicated 39 years to shaping young minds before retiring in 2008. Nearly four decades of teaching, that's generations of children whose lives were made brighter because she
055cared. Because she showed up every day with patience, and that every student would succeed. She still stays in touch with her students and if they miss something, I mean, she contacted me for a letter for one of her students that needed to have a letter for their they just wanted their letter and Jackie just reaches out to all of those people. Don joined Hbert in 1986 after already serving 19 years in giving him a combined 41 years in education. 22 of them right here with us in Hbert. Beloved coach in football and wrestling but retirement didn't slow him down. Instead of stepping away stepped up, he became a school board member for 17 years beginning in 2009. lending his voice, his experience and wisdom to guide the future of our schools. Together, Don and Jackie
056have served on more committees than we can count. From the Hbert Educational Foundation to volunteer efforts across the community, they've tutored students. They support our food pantry. They cheer from the sidelines and they are devoted fans and they're also mentors and we are grateful for them. Even after decades of official service, they continue to give back. When most would take a welldeserved rest, they found new ways to serve. Whether it's uh tutoring a struggling student or volunteering at an event or quietly helping where help is needed because they are very humble people. Don and Jackie continue to make a difference. They may be retired, but they are certainly not done. Their legacy lives on in every child they've taught, every student they've helped, and every person they've inspired. So on that day, we honored not
057only their years of service, but the spirit in which they give it humbly, consistently, and with hearts full of love for kids and community. Donna and Jackie, thank you for showing us what lifelong service looks like, for your dedication to excellence, for your faithfulness toward schools and our students, and for your unwavering belief in our education. Thank you. >> It's my great honor to present him with that. [Applause] And I know they were quite surprised. My husband was sitting at the table when they found out they were getting it and they were a little surprised by it, but you shouldn't be surprised by it, coach. Um, >> not today. >> Good. Um, but I mean, Jackie and you are amazing human beings and we are honored to be able to with you and thank you
058for all that you've done and continue to do and um we hope that you'll just keep doing it because >> it's not just a popcorn, right? >> No, not just a popcorn. >> It helps. That's awesome. >> That was beautiful. Thank you, Dr. Buffington. And the next item on our agenda is comments. And I'll start with you again, Dr. Buffington. Well, um I would just say um that again I want to just thank the HF committee for the the wonderful event and um and still honor Donna and Jackie. I do want to say to our students that were recognized for the um for the PSAT scores that they had. And you know, Shuing, I know you're right up there too, sweetie. I don't know why they didn't choose you, but you know, I'll fight for
059our brickies if I have to. but I'm not on that committee. Um, but I I think our kids work hard on those and it's a hard test. It just truly is and I just appreciate the dedication that our kids put into that. I would just say too um as we're going into fall break ending the first report card uh the first quarter uh this is where you know we really are able to talk with parents uh with parent teacher conferences and ask them to partner with us as we continue through the rest of the school year. Uh we need we need to work as a team and so that would be one of the comments that I would make too. I want to just thank uh the staff uh for a great first quarter and
060uh looking forward to the second quarter. And that's all my comments. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I should one more. >> Cooking with friends today was hysterical. I would say that we had a great time in there and it was all fall harvest type of uh food and you can ask your daughter who was blanketed and baking uh cake flour and it did turn out pretty well. I will just say for the kids that come in there, they look forward to it. But here's what's most important. We also have uh our our life skills students in there that are our special needs students and all of the kids that sign up for voice and choice. They take really good care of them and they make them feel a part and they are a part of
061it. They're in all of our groups and they're cooking and they're really proud of the the product and so we have a great time in there. I will just say no to the students who think that I should do it more than once a month because I cannot. But we did have a So that would be it. >> Thank you, Mr. Glover. >> Quickly, we did sell bonds this week. And thank you, Mr. Glover. Um, a lot of hard work down in his office, my office, um, steeple policy analytics involved. Just a lot of players in this. And our directors, you know, Chris King, uh, Russ Melon, Becky Rosenbomb, uh, and Ryan involved with it as well, too. It's just a lot of hard work, uh, maintaining our facilities and, and our resources. And so,
062the bonds did sell well. Um, so we felt good about that. Um, and uh, we'll just wait for the proceeds with closing. >> Thank you, Mr. King. >> Um, well, I want to start by saying happy bosses day to Dr. Buffington. >> Um, I know she she doesn't like the word boss, but um, but it's a it's a deserving recognition. And I think she likes to say it's a team effort. And though that's true, um I don't think our leadership would be as strong without her leadership from the top. So So happy boss. Happy leaders day. How about that? >> All right. Thank you for that. >> The uh HF um fest was great. This was the first year I've gone. Um I brought my mom with me um who's up from uh the island
063where she lives and she had a blast. she was in a little bidding war with somebody else and it was it was a lot of fun. Um, so I really enjoyed that. I thought um I thought it was a great time. It was a lot of fun. The food was good. The baskets were great. So, a lot of fun all around. And um also just echoing the recognition for um Don and Jackie Rogers. Um I I just think the world of both of them. I had Jackie when I was in school. She was my honors algebra teacher and I've never been a math person so it was tough. Uh but she was a great teacher. Um I never did have Don as a teacher but he's always been around and I I do absolutely love
064being able to work with him now and I do find them both um just inspiring with everything that they give back and that they do. So deserved recognition. >> Thank you Mr. King. Mr. Longer. >> Couple of things. Uh, first of all, with regard to our budget process, Mr. Glover talked about advertising the rate higher than we know it will end up. And I thought for our student board rep and maybe some members of the public that might be watching, uh, I might explain that just very briefly. The levy is the amount of money that is needed to operate the school district in a given year. And some of that money is raised through property taxes and you determine how much you you need with the levy and then the property is assessed and you
065have an equation. You have the levy, you have the value of the property and that determines the tax rate. If you visualize it like a uh like a seessaw with a levy as the fulcrum. On one side you have your assessed value. On the other side you have your tax rate. As if your assessed value goes up your tax rate comes down. But if your assessed value goes down your tax rate goes up. Sometimes the assessed value does go down due to corrections in the calculations made by the county or what have you. And if you advertise too low and the AV drops, you can't come up high enough to cover your entire levy. So you advertise high to make sure you have enough money to operate if the AV drops. That's that's the the
066reason for it. I know it's kind of confusing, but people say, why would you advertise higher than you know you need to? Well, that's the reason. >> So when you do the equation, it comes out. >> Yes, it did. >> Okay. All right. I I feel compelled to mention that Shirley Pope, in addition to uh being dispatcher for every police department in Hover Township and all the other things she's done, when I first uh well, in the 1980s, I was a deputy prosecuting attorney and I got to know her because she worked for every police department that filed cases that I prosecuted. Um but when I became city judge. I found myself suddenly uh going from a staff of three to a staff of one. And that one person was Margaret Hoots who was in
067her mid70s at the time. And so I had to operate a court with a sudden drop, you know, twothirds of the uh the staff. surely stepped up and came to work for me as a court clerk and made a huge difference in my ability to get things running the way they should be. Uh, and I I I don't know if I was doing her a favor or she was doing me a favor, but I know what the end result was. And it made a big difference to me as city judge that she came to work for me. And of course, she knew everybody, including every police officer in every department that filed cases in the city court. So, she was a tremendous help to me, and I felt a great >> compelled to to add
068that. >> Um, my congratulations to Don and Jackie. Um, Jackie continues to serve. She's recently agreed to accept a position on the board of directors of building corporation. she was nominated by the existing board members and agreed to accept that position. So, she's continuing to to serve in in other ways. Um, I appreciate you both leading by example and it's not just endurance. It's I'm proud to be able to uh claim both of you as friends. Thank you. The paperwork for the bonds uh was sent out by bond counsel, but I did not receive it by five o'clock this evening. So, I will be in touch with the board officers seeking out signatures sometime in the next week. >> Thank you for that. >> Thank you, Mr. Longer. Mr. Casp, >> uh first of all,
069I'd like to just say thank you. Um good to be back. Um, thank you for all the kind words and the prayers. Um, it was much appreciated uh while I was recouping. Um, uh, just to kind of cap on what everybody else said, the Harvest Homecoming was a huge success. Um, I think financially I think we're going to see the gains that we made um, year-over-year and I think it was just a it was a great idea to move it to the Great Hall um, to save that cost of venue. Um, and I think we're going to continue to build on that and and make more improvements year over year. So, that was great to see as well. Um, and I'm glad the coach didn't disown me since, uh, you know, bringing up the topic
070of him and Mrs. Rogers. Um, but, uh, just to highlight on that, um, you two people that are just a great example, uh, to look to look up to and, uh, everything you guys do is doesn't go unrecognized. So, we appreciate it. That's it. >> I do want to go on the record though because you know I really worked hard on my dog basket. >> Oh, I was going to get to that. >> It was the top earner again. >> I was just going to get to that. Okay. See, now I don't have to ask when it's my turn. >> Okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to steal your It was fun watching people to go after it. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Mention to a lot of the people that there was a dog inside
071the basket. It was a small line. May have helped. Mr. Rogers, your comments are next. >> Bring a puppy. Remember, >> you're up next. >> I think the food display of food at the event on on Sunday, Saturday was just outstanding. And I think that staff needs a >> um you know what, I'm I'm a little bit ahead of you because I agree with you and Becky is in the process of making their so here. I agree with you >> and I would just like to thank everyone for their prayers. My brother passed away on Saturday. He was home with his family and not in any >> Thanks very much. We're sorry for you, >> Mr. Keane. >> I I guess I'll start from just through with the meeting today. The uh purchase from the
072starts always hit close to home for me just because they helped me so much when I was a young father and with my wife being a young mother. So very thankful to have that program and glad to see it's going strong. Hopefully it does for a long time and I would encourage people to continue taking their kids there to get help from there really all I would say is thank you to all of you for the hard work Mr. Glover. I know it's a hard time. I know. And then lastly, I'll just say to you, congratulations. It is extremely welldeserved. I haven't known you for as long as many people here, but as long as I've known you, you standard for helpingunt Mr. Schultz, >> I would say congratulations to coach and Jackie as well.
073Two very special people lucky to have them. I would also like to congratulate the students that did so well on their their test and sure did represent us very well. And for the break, I hope you guys relax a little bit because thank you for all the Right. Oh, well, I want to start by saying congratulations, Mr. Rogers. I've never had you as a coach, but it sounds like uh you've made quite the impact. So, I I feel this I sense the greatness even though I've never had personally had you. Um, and then actually I was very happy that I came in tonight and we had so many um, attendees tonight for tonight's meeting and I was even more happy to find out that a lot of them are my good friends. Um, not only
074were they being recognized, but I thought that um, it's definitely welld deserved. I'm very proud to call Haley Lou and Delaney some of my closest friends. So that was very exciting to see. And then actually I was here yesterday for um, all test day because I took the SAT. So, not once, not twice, but thrice. And hopefully, >> and you know what? Every time you take it, your score goes up. I mean, that that's what the research shows. So, >> yes. Yes. >> Good for you. >> I feel very good about that SAT. So, fingers crossed. Hopefully last time I'll be taking it. But, >> but yes, uh I thought quarter one ended really good. We're heading into fall break. Um all test day went really good. And I want to all of you for
075your hard work. I think you are all very overdue for a nice and relaxing break. So, I hope this fall break you guys can uh spend time with your families and loved ones. >> Okay. So, you just looking at I remember two things. So, um we have our first mentee meeting tomorrow at the high school. Are you ready for it? >> I'm very >> That's right. We've got the H and we're sporting Ricky mentors on the back. And we would be remiss not to mention and I really thought you were gonna do this. >> Do you know what I'm thinking? You're gonna say I mean like we were the the state student section for Jed TV. We won that award and our kids deserve it. I mean they are all out at these games and
076chosen the the student band section by Jed TV for the state. That's a pretty big deal. And I want to thank Johans's Army. I want to thank the H Club. And I want to thank Mike Black and the sponsors. Um they've done a tremendous job, but more importantly, our students. You can have all these sponsors, but it's up to the students to decide to do it. And your spirit this year has been fabulous. And so I want to say congratulations. Mr. Porus. >> Um, yes. I would also like to congratulate Mr. Rogers and Mrs. Rogers. Um, I actually knew Mr. Roger before we moved in from wrestling even since back then. U been a great role model for a lot of the younger uh wrestlers and students. And um, as far as math, I would
077say your wife is a little bit better, but >> I was wondering if somebody He was gonna say that Frank. So there you go. >> So So uh so congratulations. >> There's no question. >> I don't even >> I was going to ask about the basket, but u I guess we found out. >> There you go. >> And uh from the breakage from the start, that was very inspirational. uh the hard work that these ladies are still doing and even probably the best part was the comments from a young man. Um just kind of shows he uh endorses um and likes and laughs and and still learning from u >> Thank you, Mr. I know he just loves all the attention of everybody saying how wonderful he is. N is for him to be recognized
078in some ways because his humility and Jackie are such humble. >> She is a fantastic math teacher. She did I didn't have so I don't know if you're a great math teacher but I have a feeling you probably are because I know a lot of students that you t over the years that you've helped when you didn't have to be high school into college. um they have this phone number they can call for help and you know on a Saturday morning saying help I'm stuck on this problem and you guide students you know I think about the twins and how much you talk about the twins they are great so thank you for being so committed to our I I will say one thing though. It's a whole lot better ting now than when I
079first graduated from college because at that time it was a collect. >> We appreciate you. There's no doubt. Every person sitting at this table thinks you're the best. >> And then I just I wanted to talk real quickly about um the month of the adolescent um adolescence is such a tough time for our kids and it seems like there's more and more pressure on kids than ever before starting at you know from the start there's pressure to reach different goals as they go along but by the time they get to middle school they not have that pressure they have. They're going through puberty and there's all of the other things that go with adolescence and they need people who care deeply about them. And I always hear such wonderful things about the staff at the
080middle school. >> They really are. >> You don't hear that about middle schools. You hear that about high schools, elementary. It seems like the middle schools are the ones left out. So, I just wanted to such great people. Thank you for that. >> Um I'd like to start by um recognizing those students with the National Merit Program. Um I unfortunately I don't know Haley, but um Lou and Laney, both very well-rounded um people. Um both very kind and um great kids. I know them both. And I'd like to congratulate all three of them, but those two especially since I know them well. um to uh the Brookies from the start, which I know as parents as teachers. I'm going way back now. >> It's still parents. >> I'm going way back to parents as teachers.
081Um I was not a young parent like Brad, but um any help that you can get as a parent in regards to your kids is um invaluable. Um I had both Cara and uh Jill at my house. Um Cara especially has that She's drawn to the littles, to the babies, to the toddlers, and that is really her passion, and you can tell um that it is, and they're both, as well as Deian, she's been at my house as well. Um all three of them very passionate about their program and you can see it in how they presented this evening. and I'm so thankful that they are still with the program and I'm very thankful that they are dedicated to our young brickies and that the program is still as successful as it was back then.
082Um it's important too with the data that they have that we can start even earlier. It's important um that we have some actual proof in the pudding I guess to say. Um it would be great to be able to point that to our state legislators for um some funding but we already know how that will go. Um, Mr. Cosade, welcome back. It's good to have you. And, um, Don and Jackie, um, I've been, uh, working with Jackie for quite some time on EGF. And unfortunately, I had to work on Sunday, so I could not make the event. Um, I would have loved to have seen that award being given. But, um, working alongside Jackie for gosh, I don't even know how long now. It's been a long time. She's a fantastic woman. Not only does
083she but she just is so good with it doesn't matter what she does it she does it well um and it shows and the care that she gives to not just um students and her former students but the people around her it's very evident I don't know how she married Don I don't I just don't get that one um >> marriage was easy the future after >> no in all honesty um I will say there's a little story. Um I came to a board meeting one night and um there was a envelope with pictures that Mr. Rogers took of a baseball game from the back of the football stands um of a night that my son just happened to pitch and pitched very well. They beat Balpo that night um and not expecting it, never
084asked for it. um just so thoughtful then and that's just one of the things I can and I can say about you but that was so thoughtful. It's a game that my son will never forget to have the pictures for them because it was just a random day you happened to be there. It just worked out. Um but I thank you for that and I thank you for all of those other little things that sometimes we don't say thank you for. And so we thank you and we appreciate you. I do. I know the rest of the board does as well. Um just a testament to the kind of person that you are. Um And to those on my left, um, at least there won't be any children or staff in the building next week
085to worry about. I do know there are other things to worry about. >> Kids at this building. There always are kids at this building, >> but it's it's a little less next week. So, we um we are so thankful for that. We are thankful for your work as always. And um with that statement, I'm going to