001the meeting of Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 to order. And we did meet in executive session at 6 pm. There we go. And if everyone would stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands andice board. Attached are the minutes of the regular session meeting held on June 19th, 2025. Your pleasure. Like to make a motion that the board approve the regular session minutes June 19th, 2025. Second. It has been motioned by Mr. Schultz and seconded by Mr. Porus. Is there any discussion? As there is none, board, please place your vote. and we have a 70 vote. Thank you board. Next item on the agenda is financial reports and we have none. Are there any comments? I'm just looking at our student board reps. They usually
002read the financial report and this is their last official board. Are there any comments on any agenda items from the audience? As I see none, our next item on the agenda is personnel. Dr. Buffington board, in your packet, you have a copy of the personnel report for July 1. Board action is requested. Like to make a motion that the board approve the personnel report as presented. Second. It has been motioned by Mr. and seconded by Mr. Rogers board. Is there any discussion? If not, please place your vote. And that passes 70. Thank you, board. Next on the agenda item is recognition of our 2024 2025 student board reps. Dr. Buffington. That's right. This is our last meeting for the audience. purposes. Um we have Isis Fleming and Kayla Davis. Uh they have served us for
003an entire year as student board reps and um they will be missed. Uh obviously they graduated everyone. This is their last time being with us and we just want to thank them for the leadership that they have given the school district. So I mean I could tell stories when they first came up to the high school um and I'll never forget this. they were doing their freshman orientation tool uh tour and they told me that they were gonna they were going to enter in uh innovate within. They knew as incoming freshmen that they wanted to compete and they wanted to do great things. Uh and I can just say, you know, I I'm their superintendent, but anybody that knows them knows that they are leaders that want to have impact and help other people. And
004it's always been about service for them. And even though they were competing on on a product that they made, um it was always about the environment. Uh and then it came, you know, like uh patchables, their dog toys, cat toys, whatever. Um they soon discovered that, you know, like the textile industry with the waste that they were doing for the environment, but they also discovered what could they do to help disabled people have a job. And um you know every time you talk to them they are about doing something to help other people and it's not about them it's about other people and that's what we loved about them as student board reps. Uh they would come to us and they would talk about a food drive. they would talk about maybe we need to
005do this. Um serving on uh the council of youth for uh for the mayor and just always recognizing that there's a bigger cause out there that they need to be a part of and support it and they do it in such a gracious way. Uh and so we appreciate that with them. They've offered us insight on a student perspective and you know they have voting privileges here, but they've had to attend meetings every first and third Thursdays, and they give us a perspective that's very important. We need to listen to our students. And so, um, we couldn't say thank you enough for all that you've brought to us. Um, and we want to just recognize you here tonight with your service. Uh, we know that you're going on to bigger and better things now for
006your future. You have finally finished your formal education, but you truly are leaders and you've displayed that in every respect and we couldn't be prouder of you. Um, I want to open the floor for the board to say some a few things about you. You can say a few comments and then we have a token of appreciation for you. Can we can we make sure that you're talking in your mic? You got it. I just want to say for um the audience's purposes and obviously everyone up here that I am so absolutely honored to have shared um this seat up here with you for this past year because this group that we have up here is some of the most loving and caring people I've ever met. And there was not one day where I
007didn't feel supported. And there was not one day where I couldn't come in here with full confidence and say what needed to be said and like not be taken seriously because you guys take everything so seriously and that is such a a virtue and I really appreciate it. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being here for me. Thank you for promoting my education. Um and for just really being the kind and caring people that you've been this past year and always. But yes, thank you. Thank you Isis. And Kayla's turn. Yes, I second all of that. It's very moving. Um, I agree with everything she said and I feel like knowing you all coming into this. I didn't have a doubt in my mind that I would get to love you guys more. I
008don't think I've met someone in this building who didn't approach me with love and kindness and support. So, that wasn't a surprise. And I've become very fond of all the people I sit around here. And um, also just the opportunity itself has really shaped my perspective of being able to understand local politics and be in an environment like this and the importance of it for students but also just in the future and I think once I move into my future continuing to be in spaces like this like this has really inspired me to do that. So I appreciate that on your end just making sure there's always room for the students here to grow. Very well said. Does the board have comments for our our student board reps? Anybody would like to say a few
009words for them? I'd like to start if that's okay. Um, Kayla and Isis, you guys were both very instrumental in the referendum and just communicating with the students and what it was about and what it was for and and how it was desperately needed for us and we really appreciate that as a board as well. You ladies both speak very eloquently. You represent us very eloquently and we couldn't be prouder of the students that you guys are and that you will continue to be. So, Kale, are you telling me when I'm done um in like six years or so you'd like my spot? That would be great. That would be great. So, I know I'm leading in good hands. There you go. We should say that their uh representation, which by the way, the majority
010of the audience out there is from the transportation department that the referendum supported. Um but for the audience's purposes, um they knew that they could not politic inside of the school. And so they took their cause outside of the school um and used their platform on social media to inform the public. And so um that's how they participated in the referendum. I just want to say Kayla and Isis, thank you for your time that you put in. When you think about two meetings a month for full calendar year, okay, two hours is like kind of average. You're nearly 500 hours in really some of our extra long meetings. Um so thank you time as a senior and all the things you're involved with. That really was a commitment and both of you were so incredibly
011committed to your goals and I just can't wait to see what you do next. Congratulations to both. Anybody else? Um going back to time. Um so those 500 hours were an incredible amount of time and well spent hopefully. Uh but you also have a very busy schedule. You got uh all your club activities, your sports, and your studies. And so, um so I'm glad you're able to manage your time to to fit us in. So, good luck. Um you're just barely scratching the surface of your greatness and come back and anybody on that end. Yeah. If I could just say that I think you're both such great examples of the work work mentality. It seemed like every time we saw you there was just so much that you were doing so much going on. I
012got to get my mic. I just like to uh thank you very much for all you've done. You've really been a big help. Always a big help. And most of all, we appreciate the fact that after you read the financial reports, if there's a discrepancy, you've always been willing to make up the difference. I would just like to say uh didn't get to spend as much time with the two of you as some of the other board members being that we're newer board members, but um from what I have seen just uh two amazing young ladies and your future is so bright. So congratulations and absolute best of luck to both of you. appreciation. I recommend both at the same time because they're the same. Thank you to Pat Skoon that helped me with this.
013So, if you could tilt it down Isis so that they could see that. So, one of things that we recognize with our students that become student board reps is that they find their true north in leadership, right? And so we uh recognize that with a compass and we know that they always have a true north uh or they wouldn't be sitting here, but we are well aware of the fact that they will take whatever leadership that they've learned from us and they will continue to use it in other places. So if we could give another big round of applause for them. All right. Thank you, Dr. Buffington. The next item on our agenda is the administrative appointment for the director of transportation board. In your packet, um I am going to go over a recommendation
014for uh an administrative uh recommendation for director of transportation. Um I will hold discussion uh until after the board accepts my recommendation. The recommendation for the director transportation is none other than um Becky Rosenbomb. And Becky Rosenbomb has demonstrated organizational and administrative tasks that are very apparent and evident in our service center. Uh she's always worked on the service side uh with Felix Perry um assisting him uh with project management and uh custodial service, maintenance, etc. Uh her organizational skills and just uh being a face of the office up there uh really demonstrates what she's capable of doing. She's so organized. Her credentials from her college uh uh transcripts all the way up through certifications that she's earned on administrative organization speaks volumes about the person she is about learning and wanting to be the
015best at the job that she does. And I would just tell you that, you know, struggling with just the fact that like she's so good on that side of the office to move her to the other side, but it's really very apparent that I needed someone that people could trust implicitly. and um you know when you call the service center there's lots of people willing to help you there but she's always been a key person there to make sure that we're we're firing on all engines and we're going to take care of business and it didn't matter that it wasn't in her area or her department. She always stepped up to the plate to see what she could do to help them. Um, as I was telling uh the transportation uh those that were working
016this past summer um that she would be the recommendation to take on the director of transportation. uh the office roared with approval and that's a clear sign that people recognize the talent that she brings to the department and so I am bringing this recommendation to you um that she be the director of transportation and let me go over the details of her contract. Her contract would be a two-year contract, no different than any other administrator, beginning July 1, which would be today uh July 1st, 2025. And I'm recommening her this two-year contract at the starting salary of $93,445 which it's a $260day contract and it's long hours and hard work. Uh when people wonder why it's $93,445 she will be tied to a phone and a radio which she happily agreed to do that. I
017would just say uh it's very important for us to recognize people that work hard in the ranks and Becky is one of those people that has worked really diligently to prove that she has the capabilities to do uh an administrative job. And so I think that speaks volumes about the people that work here. They work hard and they want to be promoted when there's when there's an open. And I couldn't be to present her to you um as our recommendation for our new director of transportation. Board action is requested. [Applause] I'd like to make a recommendation that the board approve the appointment of Rebecca Rosenbomb as the director of transportation as presented. Second. There's been a motion by Mrs. Hillen and a second by Mr. Cospade. Is there any discussion? Well, we we need to
018let the board vote, everybody. So, hold on one just one second. Give me just a moment because just one second. Yep. Because under um the comments, I just would like to make note that I will be abstaining from the vote because Miss Rosenbomb is my sister. So, I will be abstaining from that. But that doesn't mean I don't approve. I'm just saying that I have to abstain just from this vote. I work I work at the food pantry and if you ever have a really bad day and you need some desserts, you just come down and we'll make sure that you have whatever you want. All right. Board, you may vote. All right. And we pass with a six and zero with one obst. All right. So, at this time, if you would like to
019make a comment, um, Becky, I'll let you uh reserve uh to the end, but you you do because this is for the audience's purposes. This is the first meeting that we're streaming live. Um, and so uh if you want to be heard, you have to step over to the podium and use the microphone so that the audience that could be watching this live can hear you. So, if anyone would like to make some comments about Becky Rosenbomb, please step on over to the podium and we're we'd love to hear what you have to say. Thank you, Felix. I knew you would accept the offer. This is Felix Perry. He's our director of support services. I want to say that I couldn't be more proud of Becky. She came to us about eight years ago in
020a temporary assignment uh fill in for um clerical help. And uh she demonstrated quickly her abilities with Excel and other things and helped us uh really refine our utility bills and some things uh like that that were going on. And uh it it was apparent um that she would be an excellent fit. And upon the time that uh Debbie Bartell's retired, um Becky was hired in that role. And Becky continued to grow throughout her time at the service center, taking on every challenge that was given to her and uh never faltered. Okay. Flawlessly. And so she's done an excellent job and there's nobody uh more deserving of this than Becky. So thank you. Yeah. Thank you, Felix. [Applause] All right. We have anybody else out there that'd like to say a few words? Come on
021up. Come on, Dan. You can. This is Dan Rosenbomb, everyone. I just like this is all the hard work. Very well said, Dan. Okay. I Are there other people out there? Because I see like they're looking. Here he comes. Come on up. Yeah. I'm Becky's dad and Ricky's dad. Nice to have you here this evening. And I'm very proud of what Becky's accomplished from all the things that she's had to overcome in the last 20 years. And she deserves this. Yeah. Well, [Applause] brickies like to work hard. Becky is one of those brickies. Other people out there, I don't want to miss anyone. Come on up. Thank you for holding your mom's hand. Well, he has to come because he he's part of our story. So, there you go. Becky is our neighbor and she
022welcomed us to our neighborhood instantly and she, you know, even we went camping together and my father-in-law bought her camper. We didn't even know. So, we have her popup camper. Yeah. Long story. But um so I came to food service for my interview and she was there and she welcomed me and I I didn't even know if she worked there but she was welcoming and everything like that. Well, I didn't know I was pregnant with him. So along came Maverick and our kids. But um they are wonderful neighbors. They're wonderful people. They're wonderful to work for. So now I'm a bus driver and I am super excited to work with you. So and I know that you're going to do a great job and I know you're just going to do, you know, you're going
023to be yourself and you're going to be stern with us, but you're going to be friendly and it's going to be like a family, like a neighborhood. We are all like a community, a family, a neighborhood. And you are I'm very excited for you. So, thank you. That was beautifully said. Thank you. Anybody else out there? Okay. So, I'm Ryan Rosenbomb. I'm Becky's mom. I mean, de son, sorry. Uh, but, uh, I just wanted to say I'm very proud of my mom. you know, from middle school and I think even high school, I'd see her come home doing homework on her computer, just going after it. And, you know, it's just crazy that today I finally see it paying off. And I just really want to say that I'm very proud of you. A thank
024you, Ryan. Thank you everyone for showing up for my mom. That's really nice. Thank you. Good job. It's right. Anybody else? There are some tears out there. I think they're tears of joy. Yes, I know. I was in the office with all of you. You were all crying and then you were applauding. All right, let's invite Becky up to the podium. [Applause] All right, I was I'm a little bit ready for this, but not I don't know. It all happened so quick. But I definitely want to thank Dr. Buffington and the board for having the confidence in me to be able to run the department. Um I I it's really a bittersweet moment for me because I am leaving a really great department, the best custodial coordinator ever, Cheryl. Cheryl, an amazing mentor, Felix. Um,
025and but I know the sweet part is that I'm going to another department that is just as great. Uh, yes. And I will have an amazing assistant in Holly and an amazing router with Denise. And I know I'm going to be learning from a great director, Matt. Um, so I'm really excited. I'm really looking forward to it. I've learned so much over the last eight years. Um, and I couldn't have done it without all of you. Um, my family for their support. Appreciate all of you and thank you so much for everybody for being here for me. And I promise to do my best to serve the school city of Hbert in this new role. I'm really looking forward to it. Thank you. All right. So, hold on a second. for the audience's purposes, Felix
026was on vacation and I want to tell you the amount of of dedication that she has that she's bringing to your department. So, by the way, to all of the transportation department that came here this evening and Cheryl and Felix obviously um from um our our support services and of course, you know, the family. Um, I want to just say that it means a lot that you came here to support her, but it's easy to support somebody that works so hard, right? And you see it. She's a role model. So, I tell this story because Felix is on vacation and poor Becky, she had to learn how we take care of weather days. Um, and she couldn't even go to sleep. I felt so sorry for, you know, of course I don't sleep very well
027either during weather impact. I didn't want it to be her. I'm like, "Just set your alarm for like 3:30." Oh, no. She's up at 2 o'clock, 2:30. Um, communicating with me at 3:00 in the morning. And she just took it so serious because she knew Felix wasn't here and she didn't want to let me down and she didn't want to let our kids down and she wanted to make sure that our transportation was going to be fine even though she was over on the other side of the department. This is a woman that takes her job seriously and she will give you everything that she has and that's what a true Brickie is. I had to chuckle at her uh because of the banter back and forth and I told Felix I'm like she's going
028to have a nervous breakdown. And so just for the audience's purposes, if you ask any superintendent, they that is the worst part of the job is calling school because you ne you don't make anyone happy, right? You don't um but it's such a serious thing that we have to do and that's how she'll approach this new role and I will assure you she will be fantastic at it because she will not stop until it's done well. And so I couldn't be prouder of you and thank you for taking this challenge on. More importantly, I think that when you have this many people that are here to show their support for you, that says volumes about the person you are. So congratulations to you and we are so proud of you. Oh, we have more. So
029I have to say now that I'm your assistant, can you talk in the micro microphone first? I'm Becky's assistant now as Cheryl was but they have taught me so much just being in their position and my position given the circumstances how I became this position and they've helped me with everything invoices and computers. Yeah, lots of computer work. All that they've been amazing. So for Becky to come over with us. We'll still have Cheryl with us. It's amazing. So I'm so happy to have you. We've got this. I'm so proud of you, Becky. I knew you could do it. You deserve this. And I'm I'm just happy you still get to see your face every day. We've still been trying to position the desk. By the way, yeah, we're moving around the office. We're still
030going to see each other. And yeah, this is the time to do it because you know it's going to happen in a month. Month and a half. Yes. Just remember drivers, I love you dearly. Don't ever forget that. Especially when we're at the early learning center. Yeah. Thank you, ladies. Okay. I would tell them the kids if the kids were here that they could be dismissed to do homework. But if you guys have anything that you need to do and you don't feel like you want to stay for the meeting, you don't have to. We are more than welcome to keep you. if you'd like to. With that, I'm moving on to the next item on the agenda, which is the recommendation to accept the IDOE digital learning grant. Good leadership, Alan. Felix them all
031out. Thank you all for coming this evening. All right. Um, Madame President, if we're moving on to the the recommendation to accept the digital learning grant, uh, I do have Dr. here. Um, and it would be appropriate that I turn that over to him. Um, even though we collaborate on it, um, I think he would do an excellent job explaining our digital learning grant. Um, and thank you for that. Dr. Craig, take it away. So, as you can see here, we did, uh, get awarded the digital learning grant. Uh, it, at one point, um, it's changed a lot over the years. Um, and it's now a competitive grant. Uh we were one of 76 recipients for it. Um I will tell you that the amount there of the $15,175 um is a lower amount than
032would typically be uh that we would have requested for the grant. And the reasoning being is because uh we do have a good working partnership with Khan. Um and as such uh they're continuing to evolve the product along with us and some of their other key partners. And one of the big developments is uh trying to further sync up curriculum instruction assessment. And so we are piloting um some of their assessments that they have. We did it last year for some selected math courses um and then this year for ELA. What we didn't know, which was a nice surprise, uh is they said, "Well, because you're piloting these at the secondary level, no no charge for um the student conigo uh AI tool." Um and so that was really exciting for us. So that allowed
033us to only request 15,175 uh which covers the other grade levels to have KIGO. The other thing that's important about this is to know that because of uh don donors and partnerships and the way that things evolve, um we're also in a position where Kamigo for teachers is free. Um and so that's free of charge now as well. So excited about that. Um I believe July 8th we have a meeting with the DOE along with the other uh recipients. Um and so we'll get more information then. And for the board's purposes, you may remember some time back that first digital learning grant, as much as it is a competitive grant, I believe the first year only six schools or something like that received it. Um but because we were a con pilot school and if
034you will well note that we we are part of their research and development and so we offer lots of feedback to their tools and and quite frankly we believe in their tools and we want them to be the best tool possible for our teachers and our students. So, it's a privilege to partner with someone that actually listens to educators, right, about what we need. And so, I'm really proud of our teachers. I'm proud of our students for interacting with uh proper AI tools that legitimately display what you are capable of doing. Um, instead of just going out to an AI tool that doesn't have guard rails on it. Um, but the fact is is that this as as more competitive that that this grant becomes there would have been lesser dollars available without our involvement.
035I mean like it it to say that we would have gotten fully funded would be hard to say. So I want to thank um you know Dr. Craig obviously and and our teachers that do amazing work with this and our students are the recipients of it. So, with that, we'd ask that the board approve uh the digital learning grant for $15,175. I'd like to make a motion that the board accept the IDOE digital learning grant in the amount of $15,175 and authorize the superintendent to execute the necessary documents for the grant. Second. We have a motion by Mr. Keane and a second by Mr. Schultz. Board, is there any um discussion? just say good job kind of applying for it. I know it's a lot of work and a lot of hours spent putting into
036that. I think uh Khan Academy is something that um and Kigo are something that are very good tools and very strong tools and it's good to see us getting some money to help keep those things here. Yep. Thank you, Dr. Craig. 40 may vote. And that passes 70. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the recommendation to accept the 2024 2025 donations for the Early Learning Center at George Earl, Joanne Martin School, Liberty School, Veteran School at Mandelle, Hobart Middle School, Hobart High School, Hbert High School athletic department, Brookies from the Start, the food services department, and the administration office or this is this time of the year where we bring all of the donations that h have come to our school district by people that just selflessly give of themselves. Uh, and this is
037the monetary aspect of it. You really truly don't get to see the humanistic side of it where they're just volunteering all of their services and just giving back um to our school district. So, we can't thank our volunteers uh and all of these people that make this monetary uh donation available. But more importantly, it's important to recognize that that it's people giving their time and and and that's because this community supports our school district, and we're so grateful for it. And so, let me go through the the summary of this um that uh Pat Skoon has prepared for us, our executive assistant, and you'll see how remarkable it truly is. uh the early learning center at George Earl School, a total of uh $9,850. Uh and you can see that came from the ELC, PTO,
038and the Hobbert Community Foundation. Uh Joan Martin Elementary School, $16,485.26. Uh you can see a tremendous amount donated by the PTO, uh the Allison Simone family, uh the FOP, uh Victory uh USW uh Liberty PTO, Veterans PTO. Uh these uh were donations for the hovercraft. And so um we'll get into that a little bit more for the coming school year. Uh Liberty Elementary, $12,33843. Uh Liberty's PTO, $11,934.89. And classic photo with Tom Lane. Veterans Elementary, $18,026. You have the Maraveville Rotary Club Veterans PTO. Uh a tremendous amount of money coming from their PTO. Our PTO's are just amazing really. Uh looking at Hbert Middle School, $2,350. Uh you have their PTO, the Retired Teachers Association, uh Laura Weller, and Tom Lee. Hbert High School $10,68957. Uh specifically the Hoverbert Educational Foundation uh giving uh some
039grant awards to a couple of teachers here. The Hbert Moose Lodge, Hbert Triappa, Kuanis, uh, Donna Jackie Rogers, Cliff, uh, Cleveland Cliffs, Northern Indiana Federal Credit Union. Hbert High School athletic department, $97,67018. When you look at the athletic sponsors, the Hbert Moose Lodge, Kona Ice, uh, Smart Snack Vending, General Insurance Services, SNJ Management, um, with McDonald's, uh, Dan Butler, Sunb Belt Rentals, uh, you look at uh, basketball sponsors, baseball sponsors, and they have people underneath them. Um, and you have our football sponsors. Um, and just a tremendous amount of money coming into those boosters and specifically the the the football boosters. I mean, all of our booster clubs. Tremendous effort by all of them. Um, then we take a look at uh the school city of Hobart, which by the way, I forgot to mention,
040let me back that up just a minute, with our football sponsors. They have a ton of sponsors underneath them, softball and wrestling. And then, of course, uh, School City of Hobart, um, $126,500. The Hbert Educational Foundation, uh just looking at the PTO's and what their uh donations were, uh Triricappa Kuanas early learning, uh food service department, and the school city of Hbert had some miscellaneous donations. the Anderson Foundation. Um, again, Hbert Educational Fan Foundation, the Indiana Bar, Hbert Fire Department, uh, Gibralar Design, the Pope Family, the Legacy Foundation. This is a grand total of donations of $326,875.50. We cannot do the things that we do without the people that give so generously to our school district. And I want to say thank you um to people that work so hard to raise that money to
041get back to us and it doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated and we thank you sincerely. With that being said, um I would ask that the board accept the donations and gifts as presented. I'd like to make a motion that the board accept the donations and gifts as presented. Second. There's been a motion by Mr. Schultz and a second by Mr. to accept the donation donations and gifts or is there any discussion? Just wanted to say that it's it's obvious that the community cares about our school district. Um if you look at where those donations came from, parents, you know, that the work they put in, they don't just give cash, but they do fundraisers and they work hard. and you know when they do a fund fair or something like that the work that is
042behind it is unbelievable. So I'd like to thank our families who have put in the time and those that come to those events and also um with the Hbert Educational Foundation they have been very instrumental and um Hbert Community Services too. Mrs. Hillen did um mention those that very well. I would also like to say that um as Dr. Buffington said the time that goes into all of these different things just to make events happen, to make the fundraisers happen, uh the booster clubs happen, it's a lot of time, it's a lot of effort, and like I've said before, when it comes to volunteering your time, that's things that you can't get back. You can always make more money to donate. You can always do that, but you can't get that time back that you
043gave. So, that's very important to recognize that. And I'd like to just say that I forgot one thing. Um, Mr. Cosby, the time that you give is incredible. So, I just want to recognize you and Holly for the time that you give as well. It's tremendous. I appreciate it. Board, if there aren't any further comments, you can place your vote electronically, please. Thank you. Passes 70. Next item on our agenda is the teacher evaluation category aggregate report. Dr. Buffington. Um board. I'm going to review this with you. Um in addition, uh we will give a copy of this to the Hoverbert Teachers Association. Um it is part of a statute that we report this every year in terms of our evaluation results of our teachers. And um just to give you the district totals in
044terms of highly effective teachers, 96% uh effective teachers, 4%. And then you can see the breakdown by building uh at the early learning center 94% highly effective, 6% effective. And then you can see Hbert High School 97% highly effective. Effective 3%. Hbert Middle School, 98% highly effective. Effective 2%. Joan Martin Elementary, 100% highly effective, 0% effective. Uh, Liberty Elementary, 100% highly effective, 0% effective. Uh, Veterans Elementary, 87% highly effective, 4% uh, excuse me, 13% effective. Um it's important for the board to recognize that there's two other categories in terms of uh needs improvement or unsatisfactory and we don't have anyone in those categories. You know when you talk to the teachers and you talk to the administrators they they all want to be highly effective. We give them very important feedback with our observations with
045our administrative staff. And then there's also when you're looking at um and you look at different parts of this and you start to think to yourself uh for instance when you're looking at Veterans Elementary, one of the things that we have to consider there is that we we have new teachers there. So when you have a first year teacher that is really trying to learn their craft, it's so vitally important that we're giving really great feedback to make them highly effective teachers, right? And so what you're seeing here, take a look at some of uh of your other schools where your staff has well they have a lot of experience, they have wisdom. Uh, and so I think that you have results that are truly representative of people mastering their craft. Now, with that being
046said, I think you can master your craft, but I also think that you have to adapt to your craft to the changes in society, right? And so when I think you know our team for AI, the technology they use, adapting their curriculum, that's vitally important, too. None of us would want to go to a doctor that's not up to speed on what the latest is in healthcare, right? We feel the same way about our teachers. We have high expectations and our teachers definitely deliver. And so as I present this these results to you, we're extremely proud of our teachers. Um they are hardworking brickies and they want to do what's best for their students and I think these results are representative of that. That is for your information. It's a report only. Thank you, ma'am.
047Um next on the agenda is the online auction for the school city of Hbert and the city of Hbert. Dr. Buffington. Right board. It's that time of the year where, you know, it's kind of like spring cleaning at your house. Um, as we review things that are no longer being used, uh, we are actually partnering with the city of Hbert. Um, that way we have a larger draw uh, to this online auction that we will be doing on July 31st through craft auction. Uh, some of the surplus auction items are two used vans, our ambulance that we no longer need. um because we have everything that we need inside of the school versus the ambulance and they now go on ambulance rides as a part of their clinical. Um we have excess mowers and excess
048furniture and equipment um that are aged and um we will be um auctioning those off and so that is another report for the board. Thank you Dr. Buffington. The next item on the agenda is comments and we'll start with you. Well, board, I would just like to say that uh we had uh a great time here on Monday uh as we had Northwest Indiana, the superintendent study council had their administrative staff come and we had uh Jimmy Casses uh who is a well uh known renowned speaker in terms of education and culture and leadership. Uh, and we had a great time here Monday just uh collaborating with other leaders in um, Northwest Indiana and we were the host. Um, although the superintendent study council paid for the speaker, uh, we were all able to garnish
049lots of great information from him. By the way, he is our keynote speaker for opening day. Um he is an incredible speaker, very motivational, but true to what is our mission and our vision and the culture that you create in your school and culture is everything, right? And so, um I'm looking forward to it. He's real. Uh he's realistic. Uh and he really does help you understand that we are the champion for our students and we would never want anything less than that. Uh, I do want to thank uh our food service department did an awesome job doing the catering for that event and uh Chris King and the technology department, Russ Melon. They did an awesome job making sure our technology was all set up, ready to go and it was just an incredible
050day here and I want to thank everyone that um that participated to make it run well. On top of that um we are extremely busy preparing for school to start. People always say, "What do you do in the summertime?" We we we we try to breathe. Um getting ready for school to start. And so I want to thank the directors uh in their departments, and you know, we've got everything from bus inspection, uh food service, um our technology department, our curriculum directors. I mean, um and then of course my office taking care of logistical things. Uh we have some open enrollment things that we're taking care of. Obviously prepping for annual notices, prepping for teachers to come back, professional development they're required to do. I think that sometimes people they they they really do not
051understand what happens in the summertime. But I can assure you it is a busy happening place and I am very proud of the people that work here. Uh because we are preparing for kids to come back and that's why we're here, right? We serve kids here. So that would conclude my comments. Thank you, Dr. Buffington. Mr. King. Well, Kayla and Isis, um, I was very happy to have gotten to know you while you were here. Um, I would reiterate everything that the board said during the agenda. I would add that I think something about the two of you both that I've noticed across the year is that I've always felt like when you made comments and talked about what you've been doing, you really inspire hopefulness. And I I think that's amazing. I think no
052matter what you choose to do, big or small, it's forward to that and I hope the next steps are that was well said, Mr. Melon. Um, you know, so I don't come to these quite as often, so I I'm uh I don't get to say much here. I I do want to say a lot of what Chris just said. It's been nice watching you guys and seeing uh your contributions to the board. Um and we're going to miss you a lot. Um I also want to say that this new video system has been a little bit of interesting fun tonight as we Chris and I have been trying to tweak it and uh making it do what we want. So we got some ideas to make it work a little better maybe for the next
053time around. Yeah, we thank you too for that. Thanks, Dr. Uh, I'd like to congratulate both of you as well. Um, among your many accomplishments, I think what's most interesting to me is, you know, Dr. Buffington told us about these two freshmen, you know, and what you were doing um with Patchables and then here we are four years later. Uh, and how cool is that? Um, so four years later, you you both uh have associate degrees, right? I mean, so you are uh high school graduates who are now also college graduates uh who are going on to do even more. Um how amazing is that? Um so congratulations to both of you. Um I will tell you we've had many other uh student board reps who've come back and done visits and all sorts of
054things. Um and so obviously the doors open in that regard. Uh I want to congratulate Becky. I don't know what else to say other than when the room is full on July 1st. Uh that's a testament uh to her um character um and the enthusiasm that they have for her. And then last, I would just say um when you look at those donations and you see as Dr. Buffet scrolled. I mean, those are numbers and those are, you know, typed words. And to her point, the people, the manh hours that that go behind the scenes to make those things happen, that's amazing. Um, and so I think as she said that, I'd like to just echo. Um, to consider like that's how people feel about the school city of Hobert. Um, and that was beautiful
055and we get to see a little bit with it. um for your involvement, Dave, and uh you can't calculate the hours, right? Um and so to consider that there are people that um want to show their time and their effort and their monies to support our school system, I think is very humbling. Um and so thank you for sharing that. Um and yeah, it's busy. It's good. Um I got to see a little bit behind the scenes of all the setup in here. And Chris and I were talking uh um before the meeting started. You know, even this is a testament to what we do here comparative um to what resources other schools have and personnel um and you know this isn't a law we have to do this but we do it with fidelity
056and we do it with integrity um and we're very thankful for that so couldn't be prouder of our tech gurus as well uh and so again congratulations to both of you Mr. passing. Uh, I'd like to echo a lot of what was said there. Uh, Mr. King and Mr. Melon, thank you for setting up all this and and putting in all those hardworking hours. Dr. Buffington, you to you and your staff. I'm sure you guys are working diligently to get things ready for the school year. Um, the only other thing I'd like to comment on is I was uh attended the Hubbert Education Foundation meeting last week. Um, not a whole lot coming out of that meeting other than it looks like we are, uh, leaning towards moving harvest, homecoming, taste of autumn, whatever you
057want to call it, uh, to the here to the high school uh, and having it in the great hall. Um, which is going to, uh, tremendously help our cost savings and hopefully our profitability on that fundraiser for the education foundation. Um, we're still trying to shore up a few of the minute details on menu and things like that and ticket pricing, but it definitely looks like that's the direction that we're leaning. It's going to be more of a a brunch uh idea instead of a late evening dinner on a Sunday. Um I think it's going to bring out a different group of people and um I think uh overall I think it's going to be a great success. So just thought I'd share that. Mr. Rogers, I just like to thank you both for all
058the all the time you've given us. It's amazing how much time you give us and then also to the school system. So I No doubt that you'll do the same in college and you'll be back taking one of our places. I probably will be the first one you can take. So, good luck to you both. Mr. King. So, I'd like to start with Kayla and Isis. I want to wish you the best wishes going forward that you do, but I think it's very clear you're going to do great things. of you are going to be very successful in whatever it is you decide to do. Um so good luck and uh have fun. Remember to have fun. Um Dr. Craig, thank you for what you put into a lot of these grants and a lot
059of this the curriculum that you have to deal with. I know that it's constantly moving target. Um and I think you do a great job. um with my two kids being in the system in the district, uh I can see that it is working. So, thank you for that. Um and really, I just want to thank everyone uh that gives those donations and gives that money and gives that time uh because it really wouldn't be what it is without the community. And you can see how strong the community is uh in that that reflection there just in the amount of time that people are wanting to put into the kids and the schools and the generations that are coming up uh behind us. So it's really good. Mr. Schultz getting ready for the summer. You
060guys do it all year long. So a big thank you. I've said it before. Things don't run smoothly like they do here if it wasn't for all the work that you guys do. And I mean everybody, including the people that were here earlier and Isis and Caleb, you guys are unbelievable. My son talked about you a lot. So, I kind of had an idea and spoke very highly of you and I was glad to get to meet you as well. And I wish you the best of luck. Kayla say thank you again to all of you. I really did appreciate this experience. I think it's kind of sad like you know graduating leaving everything but I can say that I've um enjoyed the opportunity and not only that like leaving prepared which is always the
061goal I think for any student is to leave high school prepared. So, I know that I've left with more than that. More than prepared, left with so much connection and love and just genuine care and support and a place to come back to. So, I think that's one of the best parts is I'll always have a home here. And so, I just really appreciate everyone here and everything you guys have done and given to me and made it such a place to want to come back to. Um, for me, when I think about community involvement and, you know, doing your best to help other people every day, you think about the the metaphor where you can only pour into other people's cups if your cup is full. And the community of Hobart and the relation
062to it with the school is a neverending fountain because the education that we get here propels so many of these lovely people who want to give back, want to contribute because they know it's going to a good place. Um, so all of sorry everything that I've ever done here um and all of the people that I've met have poured into my cup immensely and I am so eternally grateful and I would love to come back um and share with all of you what I'm doing because I want you to know what your impact as like how how much of an impact you've had on me. Um and I feel like words right now um cannot say enough. So that time commitment commitment to coming back definitely helped me in that. So I'm excited to come
063back. Um and I'm absolutely honored to have had this position. So thank you all for putting your trust in me. Um thank you all for creating a space where my cup is always filled when I come here. It's never like, oh, I have to go to a board meeting. Like no, it was always like, oh my gosh, I'm going to get to go see everyone. I'm excited. Like what are we going to talk about today? Let's go open an agenda. So, it was already it was always so fun. Um, and I want you guys to know that I never dreaded a moment here because you made this so incredible. So, thank you, Madam President. Yeah, go ahead. Thank you. I think Abby did. Yes, Abby did the the lemonade and we're going to bring her
064back. Okay. Yeah, it was delicious. It she's she's incredible. We'll celebrate her at another meeting. I if you could give me just a moment to recognize them um and the tears that are coming out of their eyes and I could cry too. Um you know it's always rewarding to to see your students be as successful and have impact on other people. And um I truly know um from the moment I met you uh how successful and how willing you were to learn and to grow and to share your knowledge with other people and and apply what you've learned and it will be very difficult to let you go. You know I always say that at graduation it's tough to let people go. Um, I hope you take us serious that you come back. Um, because
065we couldn't be prouder of you. And I have watched you and I have been to more awards ceremonies to celebrate your success and I'm sitting in the audience. Those are our students and couldn't be prouder of you. And I know whatever you choose to do, you will do it well. And I do mean that from the bottom of my heart. I've never met anybody like you two. Um, and it is extremely difficult to let you go, but you'll always be in our hearts. Mr. Porus, follow that. [Laughter] They're like my little kids. So, well, it was definitely my honor again to uh send it to you guys for this past year. Uh I'm not going to try to say too much like Dr. Buffington, but I know you're going to do well. Good luck and
066please come back and visit and how you're doing. Um, it was also great for uh Becky Rosenbal uh to uh be our new transportation director and by the size of the crowd uh she's well loved and respected and I'm I'm sure she's going to do well and even though it's the middle of summer, uh hopefully our administrators could also have some time to relax, recharge that battery a little bit and not not work too hard. Thank you, Mrs. Hen. I've already said quite a bit before, but thank you again. I just had so much fun. We are going to miss you. But you know the compass is to find your true north but also I talked about volunteers too and I forgot one big volunteer who gives up their time and his That's Coach Rogers.
067That's right. Coach Rogers, you are an incredible human being who's always giving I know. I know. I usually don't like that. Going out live and you're saying you're an incredible human and we appreciate you for your time. Exactly. Are there any comments from the audience before I do mine? That would be you, Mr. Fleming, if you have a comment. Be proud. Be proud. You have an incredible daughter and an inherited stepdaughter. All right. Um, I'm going to start with the ladies. Um, Isis, you said something about how it's always so positive in here. You guys contributed to that as well. I just want to say that every time we come in here, there's always something. There's a smile on your face. You always have something positive to say. And even if there was something that
068may have had maybe just a little bit of a negative undertone, your girls spun it in a way that was always positive. Um, Mr. King also said that you guys were hopeful and you guys are and um, you were going to do amazing things and it's going to be so nice to be able to watch it. Um, and please don't forget about this. Um, my sister, now I get to cry more. Um, can I just tell you, I'm going to say a little story real quick. When I was seven, uh, I prayed every day for a week for a sister and that's what I've got. She is amazing. She will do great work. I promise. Um, because we come from good stock. So, she's running the director of transportation and I'm here. So, if that
069tells you anything, that'll tell you anything about kind of our work ethic and how things worked at our home when we grew up. Um, we don't leave any stone unturned. Um we're always very giving. I don't know who's nicer, her or me. I think that could be up for grabs, but um she sibling rival, right? Um she has a big heart just as much as I do. And um I know she loves the school city of Hobart just as much as I do and she will definitely serve us well. Um to the technology department who had to do all this fun stuff this evening. As much as we don't like it, um as much as we're not really excited about doing it. Um, I just want to say thank you for putting forth the effort
070and making it happen. Um, to those that are watching, thank you for tuning in. Um, to those on my right, thank you for participating as always and putting kids first to the left of me. Um, I know it's summer time like everyone said, but you don't ever stop and we know that and we appreciate that. And, um, I think that's it. With that being said, I will adjourn the meeting