001Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> This >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. N. [music] Heat. Heat. Wonder. >> [music] [music] >> Last school town of Monster Board of School Trust. Trustes meeting for the calendar year 2025. Let the roll call show. All members are present. Let's stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Ready? >> Here at the school town of Monster, our
002mission is to cultivate excellence, empowering every student to realize their full potential, and achieve high levels of learning. Our vision is to be a school community where all students have a sense of belonging, take ownership of their learning, and find joy, passion, and purpose in their continued growth. >> Item 1.5, public comment information. We currently offer two ways in which the community can participate in regular school board meetings. The first public comment section on the agenda is for addressing current action items that are on tonight's agenda. These comments must be submitted by noon on the day of the meeting. The procedures for submission are posted on our website under board of school trustees. The second public comment section is for general comments and does not have to be specific to an agenda topic. If you
003wish to address the board during the general public comment section of the meeting, please put your name and topic on a card and give to Deb Hayes at the start of the meeting. Deb is raising her hand. All public comments are limited to three minutes per individual with a total of 30 minutes allotted for each public comment section on the agenda. Item 2.1, comments regarding current action items. There are none. Item 2.2, to general public comments. >> Okay. Item 3.1, Frank Hammond Elementary School spotlight. Miss Borisma. >> Good evening. Oh, that's loud. Uh at this time I would like to introduce you to a superstar fifth grader in our building Prrennav Ramaswami who has started a afterchool chess club play whatever you'd like to call it. He'd like to share more with you. So PNAV.
004>> Hello everybody and good evening. My name is Prana Brahma Swami. I'm a fifth grader at Frank Hammond Elementary School. I'm here to talk about how I made a chess club at Frank H. Uh a long long long time ago, January 2024. I went to a Indiana chess tournament and I saw that other schools could play against were playing against each other. I thought to myself, why couldn't Frank H be one of those schools? So the next day I went to I went to Mr. Sanchez and I said to him on can I announce the chess club except we didn't even have one yet. So then I went to Mrs. Borsma to ask if we can work on a chess club and that is what is now called Make Your Move. It's an afterchool chess
005club that uh or for third through fifth graders who just love to play chess. Except we had a big problem. We we needed parent volunteers. So I asked my mom if she could be a parent volunteer and she said yeah. And then I asked another question to her. Can we make Can you see if any other parents could supervise us? She also said yes to that. Now we have many parent volunteers who four times a month come and supervise us while we play chess. And then Mrs. Borisma asked a couple of people on the high school chess club if they could come almost every week to play and teach us chess. They said yes. And now we have three people who come two times a week, two times a month to come and teach us
006chess. They are so awesome. In the future, I hope that every person in this chess club goes to a chess tournament and plays. I maybe in the future we might have another Magnus Carlson who play who was born from this chess club. Thank you. >> That's awesome. [applause] back check. That's all true. Everything he said, he came running in. He's like, "I have the t-shirt design already ready and I want to announce it on the announcements and I have the uh the tournament all set." And I'm like, "We we don't we don't have a team. We don't have a club." So he gave up probably four, five, six, seven, six, seven different lunch and recesses to help plan this whole entire thing. And he started last spring and then he came back to me this
007fall and said, "Okay, I'm ready." And he's persistent for sure. His little eyes are standing at my office door even when I'm busy sometimes. And he's like, "Today's the day." I'm like, "Not today." Uh, but I'm super proud of you because you are truly making your mark and you have launched this make your move because that's based on our theme which is make your mark this year. Chess is more than just a game. It's a time for your brain to exercise. It's time for you to be creative but also strategic in your thinking. And these are all things that we are teaching you as a portrait of a graduate here at school. And you are definitely the reason why this club has happened. but you're also the reason why kids are getting smarter at Frank
008Hammond. So, we're really, really proud of you. And as you know, Mr. Sanchez always says at Frank Hammond, you will >> make your mark >> every day. So, you're doing that and we're really, really proud of you. [applause] Um, I'd also like to introduce um Ezekiel Gal Galbolingo. I'm sorry. Ezekiel and Nolan Thompson, who are our high school chess club members, [applause] you want to talk? I said, if you want to talk, let me know. [clears throat] [laughter] Um, they have dedicated their afterchool time to coming to our school to help our kids, too. So, again, I can't say thanks enough. And Mr. Nick Ronson, you are here as well. Thank you so so very much for making this happen. [applause] And at this time, I'd like to introduce you to some of our chess
009club members because they are also here. John and Dmitri Fed, you want to come up? Come on up. [applause] Aiden Thomas is a member. Matthew Gyos, you're here. I know. Come on up. Ask Haj is is a member. Evan Harris, Jaden Perez, Gavin Gray, [applause] Nicolo Manolovic, Daniel Bellicov, Francesca Tartac, Amelia Galushka, Alex Wong, and Carson Peterson are all um kids that are giving up their afternoons to just come and have fun. And it's not because there's a tournament and it's not because there's a t-shirt. It's just because they're playing. >> So, way to go, guys. Thank you also too. [applause] And then just a quick shout out to the parent volunteers that come consistently and that's Mr. and Mrs. Ramos Swami. I can't say thanks enough for u making your child's dream come true.
010So thank you. [applause] So Mrs. Manolovic, Mrs. Gyos, Mr. Gray, and Mrs. Tartech have also been parent volunteers for us. So I'd just like to publicly be able to announce or to be able to congratulate them and say thank you. So thank you very much. And at this time I am formally presenting Prrenav with the proud recognition of your outstanding initiative and leadership in founding the Make Your Move Chess Club at Frank Hammond Elementary. It says, "Your enthusiasm for learning, dedication to strategic thinking, and commitment to helping others grow truly embody our 2526 schoolwide theme, make your mark." Your vision has created a space where students can think boldly, challenge themselves, and discover the joy of the game. Thank you for inspiring others and for making a difference in our school community. You embody the
011portrait of a monster graduate. Congratulations. [applause] The rest of you, I have awards for you at the end of our chest sessions when we're back at Frank H. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Good. Come over here. Right in front of the monster sign >> up here. >> That way your mom and dad are here. Thank you. [applause] >> Oh my gosh. Okay. Item 4.1, Monster Education Foundation grant presentation. really excited to share that we've awarded $55,000 in grants this school year alone and those grants go AC [applause] grants go across all five monster schools. Tonight we're going to recognize eight recipients of grants from this past quarter. Um Wendy's is going to describe the grants that were awarded to, but just some phenomenal displays of innovative teaching and experiential learning across Monster. >> Thank you. >>
012All right. First up, we have Miss Weir from Eids. Um she received a grant in the amount of $975 for a book entitled Out of My Mind for the fifth graders and the Aspire program students to work on a collaborative book study together. [applause] Uh, next up we have Miss Tabby from Eids in the amount of $2,600 for the Rocket Math Fact Fluency Program at Eids. [applause] And we have Mrs. Stacy from Elliot in the amount of $2,000 for the Generation Genius Program at Elliot. [applause] Next up, we have Mrs. L flesh from Mster High School who received three grants for this cycle. She received one in the amount of $3,500 for prototype funding for her business classes. Uh a grant another grant for $3,500 for her business classes to start a snack shack after
013school, which was a need that they found, you know, that was needed. >> A freeze dryer. Yes. Which is great. Um and then the last grant was in the amount of $1,750 for her business class to obtain obtain Excel certifications. >> [applause] [laughter] >> Uh, next up we have Mr. Sarah from Monster High School in the amount of $6,000 uh for him to receive digital media production cameras for his business class and Blue Ocean Strategy Club. [applause] Mr. McInness from Monster High School in the amount of $5,000 to hire Dr. Garrett to compose an original piece of music for the Monster Corell to perform. [applause] >> We have Mr. Kier from Munster High School in the amount of $5,000 to support the robotics program at the high school. [applause] And last, but certainly not least,
014we have Erica Erica Glamicki, a monster parent in the amount of $3,000 to support the science olympium program at Wilbur Wright. [applause] So this cycle we awarded $33,344,000. So it was great. Thank you guys. [applause] That way people can >> [applause] >> Thank you everybody. Wendy and Jenny, thank you guys for all of your hard work as always. Item five, consent agenda. Mr. Trippen Feldus, Mr. I want to make sure the mic's on. Before we begin, just if you were here for an awards, it's okay if you leave. It's all right. It's not You don't have to stay for this if you want to. We encourage you to, but people tell me I put people to sleep, so I'm not sure if you want to do that. I know. [clears throat] We'll move forward with
015the consent agenda. The consent agenda contains items 5.1, including the minutes from the uh November 10th regular school board meeting, the November 10th uh public work session, the November 14th uh special board meeting, and the uh November 20th uh public work session that was held. Item 5.2 Two is approval of the accounts payable voucher register as presented. Item 5.3 is approval of the payroll voucher register as presented. Item 5.4 is approval of the personnel report with the following recommendations for employment as displayed on the screen. The following resignations as displayed on the screen. Leaves of absence as displayed. And again, this is available on the website. Uh item 5.5 is approval of overnight field trips for the Monster High School speech and debate and girls basketball for the dates that are listed. And with that,
016the administration recommends that the board approve with one motion and one vote the consent agenda items 5.1 through and including 5.5 as presented. Would any of the board like the it any items be broken down individually? >> The ones that were already known have already been. >> Is there a motion to approve consent agenda consent agenda items 5.1 through and including 5.5 as presented? >> Castro. I move we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6.1, donations. >> The administration recommends that the board approve the donations as presented. >> Is there a motion to approve donations as presented? >> Schwarz Wolf. So moved. >> Is there
017a second? >> Second. Any further discussion? >> I would like to display uh what the board is voting on the donations for Mster High School uh as presented as you can see for speech and debate, robotics, wrestling, choir, football, and then a general donation. Um and again, the individuals who provided those uh donations, we greatly appreciate that. donations for Elliot uh for a fundraiser for the mayor family and then donations for uh Frank Hammond robotics team as you can see from the various families that are there and probably participants of that and that to totals a donation of $1,780 as stated and that concludes the donations. >> All those in favor of the motion please say I >> I >> Any opposed? Motion carries 50-0. Item 6.2, corporate athletic sponsorship donations. >> The administration recommends
018the board approve the athletic sponsorship donations as presented. >> Is there a motion to approve the corporate athletic sponsorship donations as presented? >> Wartzwolf. So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Smith second. >> Any further discussion? All those in >> Well, you I'm sorry you could see the display. I know you didn't want to mention it because it's you Kyle, but uh the ones there is for the Cal Dempsey Insurance Agency. So, we appreciate that. >> All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And I will abstain. Motion carries 40. Item 6.3, fundraisers. >> Uh the administration recommends the board approve the fundraisers as presented. >> Is there a motion to approve the fundraisers as presented? Castro, I move we approve the fundraisers as presented. >> Is
019there a second? >> 412 will second. >> Any discussion? >> I will just show you. It's displayed on the screen. There are fundraisers ranging from ASL cheer project bio orchestra spirit committee, girls basketball, choir, and then the step program uh for the high school. And then the middle school shows uh Wilbur Middle School cheer and best buddies. And because uh Miss Cinder's husband will handle the cash for the fundraiser for the dog treat uh fundraiser, which is very exciting for our pooches, um she'll have to also abstain. >> All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I abstain, but my dog highly recommends the dog treats. He's been taste testing them. >> [laughter] >> Motion carries 40. Item 6.4, the assignment of the contract with the law
020office of Angela M. Jones LLC and Pillar Jones LLC. Dr. Hicks, >> this is a formality. Uh, attorney Jones has uh joined firms with attorney Pillar and in order to continue our relationship and keep our attorney, we now have to uh join a contract with the new firm, which we're very excited for both attorneys. They're both uh excellent. They both work with us, and for them to be a powerhouse uh law firm um that also represents us is great. We just have to sign a new contract because their entity changed. >> Is there a motion to approve the assignment of this contract with the law office of Angela M. Jones LLC and Pillar Jones LLC as presented? >> Astro. I move to approve the assignment of contract law office of Angela M. Jones LLC and
021Pillar Jones LLC as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Smith second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6.5, project for the MH MHS stable lockers. Mr. Begley. >> This project will be the installation of 120 Hollowell openfront sports lockers that will be 24 in wide, 24 in deep, and 72 in high. Uh this will be a project that starts off as we start improving all the facilities over on the uh athletic side. Uh this will get that um locker room up to speed and then uh we want to continue with some more projects down the road where we update the bathrooms and the other locker rooms on that side. Is there a motion to approve project for
022the AIT MHS stable lockers as presented? Schwarz. So moved. >> Is there a second? Castro second. Any further discussion? >> Were you going to show pictures tonight? >> Uh, yeah. >> Um, yeah, I could. >> All right. That Okay. >> Would you like me to put them up now? >> President, do you want to vote first or see them first? >> Well, let's see them and then we can vote. I have to drag it over. >> There it is. >> There you go. >> Okay. And this would be what the um lockers look like. Um, I believe we're going to go with red. Uh, there'll be 100 [laughter] 120 of them. Uh, it'll have a uh a pad and shoulder pad rack with each of them. And this is how the layout will look like
023in that uh large room stable area. So, line the walls and then they'll have a few bays. And then they'll also be able to watch film uh down on the other end. So, it'll kind of be a meeting room and locker room. Any other discussion? All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6.6 for the project 2025202 for the MHS stable control replacement. Mr. Begley. >> Uh, we have currently a Jace in there. That's a U type of control with a a different company. Uh we use ALC controls in most of the facilities. Um we've kind of had peace meal with Johnson Controls Precision throughout the district. We're trying to consolidate to get to one type of control. This one is failing. So
024which it means we have limited control, the ability to turn the mechanical stuff on and off. Right now we have it full on because it's winter and we don't want anything to freeze. But it is not economical. Um, you know, we don't have to have it in, if we were able to control it, we wouldn't have to have it full-on. We'd be able to have better control over it when it's not occupied, obviously. So, what we'd like to do is get the controls switched over to ALC. Um, you know, there these have a bunch of dyken units, which are smaller units, so there's 21 of them. So, it is a large labor uh in this project, but this is something we need to get done to get this updated. So, uh, we have control over
025the heating and cooling in that building. >> Is there a motion to approve the project 2025 1202 for the MHS stable control replacement as presented? >> So, move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Um, I was just curious if it pending board approval about how long you said it's going to take some time. It sounds like a pretty involved project. Um how about how long like what's the timeline? >> We're hoping we can get it done by January. In January >> right now we we did some other projects that didn't meet the threshold. We had to get board approval. Um I'll speak about them later, but they they were able to get those done about a month. It's really waiting for the parts to come in and then we get
026them right in there. And it's not occupied at this time. It's a great time to get it done and and hopefully we have it done prior to the lockers coming. I I just want to bring that up too, like that's kind of the challenge with your position. You know, got to wait for board approval before you can do stuff, before you can acquire some of the parts, waiting for things. I mean, [music] there's things you can kind of prepare for, but that that furthers the process. So, we're glad we can help you get that done. And I want to say thank you for getting the pictures and the explanation of the uh stable control replacement because I don't I didn't know what that was and I don't want to vote on it if I don't
027know what it was. So you got everything to us today and I wanted people to get to see that as well. So thanks for the extra time. >> All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6.7, comfort dog for Wilbur Height. Mr. Yvanovich. All right. Uh, first of all, thank you guys for giving me a chance to talk about this. I feel like this is a a long time coming. So, um, we've been talking about doing something like this for the last five, six years. Um, and I'll just kind of jump right into it. Um the research is pretty clear on uh the benefits of having a therapy dog or comfort dog at a school. Um lowering an anxiety um students that are around
028therapy dogs have reported to have lower levels of depression. Um and then the presence of those therapy dogs for students on the autism spectrum um or students with emotional disabilities um it has been shown uh to have a a positive impact on them. Um, also the presence of having a a comfort dog, just uh having a fostering a sense of belonging, so helping with school culture. Um, we've also uh seen the benefits of this for staff as well. Uh, quick example today, Officer Kulie was in there, too. Um, we had Sky from the high school at the at the school for five minutes and just everybody just lights up uh here at the end of the day. um just a wonderful way to lower stress levels um higher job satisfaction and then you know we're
029all talking about uh mitigating or trying to limit burnout preventing burnout in in staff and teachers. So um again uh research shows that this helps. Um the process is again it's been it's been a while but we had a parent who was uh the PR one of the principles at uh Cremon schools and just talk to us about um the benefits that that she saw in her building uh just having one dog. Um and so we started to talk to her about what that process was. Um they use Paws and Stripes. This is Brev County in Florida. um and just that impact that they have had um the one dog and then it turned into seven dogs straight from this uh from this program. Um they use rescue dogs. It is an 8-week uh training
030process with professionals. They also use Brever County inmates to help train the dogs. Um and then those graduates uh get a chance to become comfort dogs. Um this is a nationally known uh group that that has done this and we're officially signed up for April. So, April 6th through 10th. So, on the back end of uh spring break, which is exciting. Um, this is from Creep Mon. So, a couple of pictures here. Um, you can kind of see that in some cases it is their SRO, some cases it's their social worker. [clears throat] Um, they have an like a a secretary that has the dog. Um, and then a principal. So, um, I also I love that they did this and I I I picked I think the cutest one from their website. Um but
031uh they have like a like a baseball card so that when people click into uh their their website they can see what the dog you know looks like. Um you know some of the certification stuff that parents sometimes want to see. Um but also like kids they they say the kids love this too. So um we talked about like what the process is with them. So our our you know uh tentative plan here is that uh Officer Kulie who's in the room and Natalie Mezer, one of our secretaries, uh will go down in April um and train for those five days with one of those graduates. Um at the end of those five days, they will drive the dog back to us. Um during the day, the dog will primarily be with Officer Kulie. Um,
032but in those moments where he is not able to have the dog, maybe he's out on a training or is doing something where uh the dog is not needed, in that moment, the dog will be with uh Miss Mezer. Um, the dog will also live with Miss Mezer. Um, we've talked to Brevard County. Um, I'm sure there's going to be more that comes from them about best practices while we're down there training. Um, but Cremon Valpo Schools um is is somebody I've been in contact with on best practices, but we've also spent just a ton of time looking at best practices for our own individual community in our school. Um, a big shout out to Valerie Zamidas, who I think this is probably her third year retired, but uh former AP at at MHS, um,
033who did a lot of leg work on this, uh, before her retirement. So, kind of setting the ground rules and and and, uh, kind of setting us up for success. Um, we've also, you know, talked to our personal insurance company. We've talked to um Angie on kind of just setting all of this up so that we can bring this to uh fruition. A couple of schools around us and then there's a couple of schools across the state who are well known for this. I know Dr. Hicks comes from uh several schools where they've had dogs. So, um we're not the first to do this. Um and we've talked to those people and they've talked about kind of the the positive impact that they've seen in their schools. Um the I guess the the worries or
034maybe the heartburn that comes up is like the cost. So, the cost is actually free uh to to get the dog. Uh for a three-year certification, um it does cost $100 for the dog to be certified as a comfort dog. Um we also have the cost of two people traveling to Florida and back. Um so, that is something that we have talked about within our school and our PTO covering that. Um ongoing cost, so donations for food, treats, uh through us and our PTO. uh kennel in school uh materials for the dog again PTO and our school and then uh we had a a parent that has volunteered uh the veterary costs and the upkeep of the dog which is which is just wonderful and and it allows us to possibly again do this um
035the application at Wilbur Wright and the ways that we're we're hoping to use uh the dog one it's just those those regular incentive regular classroom visits uh we run if you follow our newsletter we run I feel like a lot of um advisory kind of competitions and things like that through the grade levels um where you could potentially earn time with with the comfort dog, but then also just having a dog in a room, especially potentially one that is a difficult uh situation or or coming back from some kind of trauma, um things of that nature. We also are really excited about the possibilities of our tier three uh tier 2 kind of interventions with some of our kiddos that really need uh some of that extra support. So, emotional regulation um uh and and
036a student in crisis having a chance to be with with the comfort dog. Again, uh schools have sh have told us and and again the uh the research shows that that it's really really helpful in those moments. also guided sessions, you know, talking about patience and taking turns and um you know, coping strategies. And I'll give a huge shout out to uh Miss Leil and Miss Cowan who uh just about a month ago went to the social workers conference and there are two social workers at Wilburite and they went to a session on comfort dogs. So many of these things come directly from best practices uh from our our social workers. Um the last couple of things here that I wanted to just highlight um the application again at Wilburite uh assigning tasks around the
037dog. Like we do it now a little bit with uh the turtle that we have or a couple of turtles we have. Um and and my fish who are they're they're sort of making it well we're uh that's a whole different subject. Um but giving giving a kid a task um you know and and supporting their executive functioning skills is huge. Um but just behavior supports again incentives and then the participation piece. I know that was a question that kind of came up. What if a kid doesn't like dogs or a staff is is scared or whatever it might be. Um it is 100% voluntary. Um allergies uh the best practices are if you you know we have a list of who has those allergies. We also know um that the best practices that a
038dog shouldn't be in one spot for too long unless you know if those allergies might um you know be worse in one spot. So, we've we've talked about where this might be, where we would service the students if they are with the dog, those kinds of things are all things that we are uh have planned ahead for. So, I really do think uh you know, again, the process and and what we would do uh pretty well planned out. Um I'm I'm totally open to questions if you guys have any. Um and I'll do my best to to answer any of those. I know I sent the uh the presentation, the slide deck uh to you guys. There's a couple of like videos on the training process and you can kind of see it. It's a
039little bit of an extensive video so I didn't feel like it was appropriate tonight. Um, but you can see it. They don't they don't mess around. It's like eight weeks and those the top top dogs I guess um are the ones that uh are able to graduate and move into that that service um you know component. So I'm happy to answer any questions um if you guys have any. >> Mr. Yvanovich. Um, as a parent of a of a child with an autism service dog, I appreciate all the research that you your team has done in preparing. Um, I think the education to the adults on how to interact and when expectations for the dog are the most important part. And I would also say that I think a service dog um is not appropriate
040in this situation. You know, he's trained individually with per child um or adult. And um this type of dog has amazing training and I think um expectations for what can be accomplished, how we can support our kiddos and probably our adults too um is fantastic. So I'm really excited about this. >> Thank you. So are we. >> I'll just say thank you for the presentation. I have heard nothing about this. So when I saw it on the agenda, I'm like what? And then um I thought well I'm going to have a lot of questions. I have no questions because your uh presentation was so thorough. So, thank you. Excellent. >> Thank you, Brian. >> All right. Thank you, guys. >> Just two two notes. Two notes real quick. First of all, I've worked in two
041school districts where we've had these these dogs in the building, and it is a night and day experience uh pre and post having these dogs. And um secondly, the the reason that we went tonight was we were on the wait list for January. And we like I don't know yesterday or Friday or today we found out that we we we didn't make it which is why it was kind of pel we were like oh gosh this this pouch may show up in January we better work through this this deal. So and I hadn't realized that that that you guys hadn't been a prize. So but uh the the process is typically that there there is a board vote to approve each dog that comes into the district for two reasons. one so that you have
042knowledge that we have new colleagues uh that they're going to maybe accidentally pee on the floor and secondly so that um it's covered under our insurance uh so the part of it is covered under our insurance and boyon and I have had a conversation about insurance part of the liability does fall on the the dog owner and there's an umbrella policy that their homeowners insurance can they can add that's not super cost prohibitive but also part of the the liability is ours and so it has to be board approved so that it's on our insurance policy. >> Is there a motion to approve the comfort dog for Wilburite as presented? >> Send or so move. >> Is there a second? >> Smith second. >> Any further discussion. All those in favor of the motion, please
043say I. >> I. >> Motion carries or excuse me, any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6.8, classified staff stipens. Mr. Trip and Feldus. >> Oh, snap. Let's see if I can reload this page. Uh, the administration recommends that the board approve the classified staff stipens as presented. And I'll go into specifics during the discussion portion. >> Is there a motion to approve the classified staff stipens as presented? >> 12. So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Castro second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes. Uh this has been something the board has done now for I I do believe five years where we do a stipen for our uh classified staff for longevity uh in December. Uh and it's been a really wonderful thing that we've done and a lot of staff appreciate it. Uh you
044can see that we basically range from $100 to $500 as a stipen and they will be paid as of December 19th, 2025. But uh it's wonderful that we can continue to do this. Um, so I just uh I'm very thankful to the board uh for this and I think our our uh staff really do appreciate this small little gesture. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. >> Item 6.9, non-renewal of contracts. Mr. Tribeldus. >> Yes. The administration recommends that you approve this motion. This is some a motion that we do every December. Uh it has no specific uh tie to anyone, but it's something that our attorneys usually Angela is here to explain this, but it's something that we have to
045do per Indiana code every year to make sure that if there are contracts that have to be renewed later on, uh we have to go through a process. So, but before January 1st, you at least have [clears throat] to do this. Uh and we do it because we never know what can come up in the future and just have it ready to go. Uh but again, it's not for any individual person, but it's just given us permission if that if that need ever arises in the future, we have the ability to do that. >> Is there a motion for the superintendent to issue written preliminary notice of the board's consideration of non-renewal to those administrators in the school corporation whose contracts may not be renewed as recommended by the superintendent as presented? >> Schwarz Wolf.
046So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Smith second. any further discussion. >> The only thing I will say that uh obviously this is just a motion you do for that if it was ever going to happen that's going to come to a board vote and it'll be in a public meeting. Uh we don't anticipate it but we also make sure we make sure all of our options are open in the future if needed. >> All those in favor of the motion please say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 5-0. Item 6.10 10 resolution number 890 to transfer from the education to the rainy day fund. Mr. Melby. >> Yes. The administration recommends the approval of resolution number 890. >> Is there a motion to approve resolution number 890 to transfer money from
047the education fund to the rainy day fund as presented? >> Castro. I move to approve resolution number 890 to transfer from education to rainy day fund as presented. >> Is there a second? Ender second. >> Any discussion? >> Uh just really quick, this is something that we've done uh historically over the last couple years in December. Uh looking forward forward with Senate Enroll Act number one, this is probably going to be the last uh movement of that moving forward. So um we this is something that we've done often in December. >> All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Item number seven, I don't believe any items that may properly come before the board. I believe there are none. Item eight, general information and discussion
048items. 8.1 for the newsletter communication. Miss Pyrick >> at your November 20th um public work session. My name was mentioned a ton which I'm excited about um with a shift in communication strategies per se um and just kind of enhancing some of the things that are already in place. Um, one of those, um, mentioned, um, well, a few things that were mentioned, but online presence, social media, um, a video, a doing different things with the website as a communication tool. Um, and then I wanted to highlight another way that we do things, communicating um, with our, um, stakeholders, our press releases, newsletters. Um, and then there were some different things brought up of ways to spin those so that more individuals, not just those that have school age children, are receiving information of the amazing
049things that are happening within our school district. As well as why certain things are occurring um in our school district. Um sharing uh for example, the multi-purpose um building uh stating why that um project is important. um the different needs that it will be satisfying, the different um educational impact that it will have as well as housing um potentially the new central office and and those type of things. So um from that meeting um when I listened to it a few times, it appeared that um even though we all know all the things that are happening, it's really really important for us to share that information out to the public. And it's definitely something that has been on my radar. Um however um focuses have changed which is wonderful. So I just wanted to share
050a little bit um a few things that I had in mind to um kind of go through and meet on the points that you discussed. So um one of the things a newsletter. So you had shared um in regards to getting information out to not just um our school um components or stakeholders but also the community and sharing um that information and in the past um Dr. Schwarz Wolf had done a newsletter on an annual basis sharing out different things. So, when it came to that newsletter and that discussion, um, one, I wish I was there, um, so that we could have had a little bit more detail, but, um, a few things that just came up that I'll I'll share, um, in regards is having to make some decisions on format, frequency, um, who
051is our target, and what is that information that we're really wanting to get out. Um, and I I feel it's going to depend on what type of time of year in which we share this information because that messaging is going to be different across the boards. Also talking to Dr. picks, making sure that we are looking at um all of the areas financially responsible. um trying to find um the best partners that we can in terms of getting the best pinching printing prices, the bulk mailing rates, but also um we had talked just today about possibly um doing something with people who already do mailings within our community and seeing if there's any way that we can do some cost sharing across the board because I think everyone is going to um need to have
052some savings in in regards to cost going forward, especially with all the things that are happening within the school um funding. So, if you want to talk for a second and then I'll finish up. >> I just we we had a discussion about newsletters. I wanted to share with the board my my experience with a communitywide newsletter, not to be confused with what we send to all of our families. Our families are uh probably uh very saturated with information through their schools and what we send out on our social media feeds and they follow them because they're parents. The target audience for a back to school newsletter would be the entire community. And my experience with it is you share the great things from the year prior. You talk about the things that you're previewing
053for the year to come. and you use it as kind of a lastditch reminder to talk to to the community about enrollment in case they've missed the boat and they live here and they have kids and what our dates are just so the whole community knows well maybe on that day at that time I'm not going to drive down Colombia you know people appreciate that level of uh of information but we're willing to move that forward if the board has a different vision the the mailers that I saw previously had a very similar bent But I didn't ask what time of year those were sent out and I don't know what the history here is. So those are all things that we those were questions that we had in our mind. And then I know
054we talked about social media campaigns. Uh many of our neighbors just pass a referendum. I know referenda are at the top of the community's mind because they watched two of our neighbors pass one. We continue to talk about uh Senate Enrolled Act One. We want to make sure that people at least understand what we're doing with our current referenda fund long uh long in advance of before we we would ever make undertake the decision to go out for for a new referenda which for those of you who don't know they do expire. We have to consider that question. Not today and not anytime in the near future. But the question came up how do we spend that money? Fair question. we can work on making sure the community has a good uh uh idea of
055that and you have a great idea to do that with so I'm gonna stop talking. >> So I created a website um that is not um public facing. It is just an internal website that um we have up on the screen here. Um at the very beginning it just discusss why this um page is important trying to make sure that the um facts are all well that our community is well informed of the factors that go into our budget. Um and then um did a short mention of SCA1 um why um what type of impact it is going to have on schools and then further down you'll see that I have um created something that just is kind of school budget 101 this is definitely a work in progress um but each of those tabs
056so education fund um it goes through and explains what that fund is utilized for so that our community understands that even though this bucket over here has all of this money Um the state does dictate what can be spent out of each of those funds. So we can't pay teachers out of the same fund that we can um do any type of capital improvements. So if you would scroll down to the referendum fund. What I've done here is I've explained I've made this one much more detailed because this was definitely something that um had come to Dr. Hicks that our community was was asking about as well as the board in regards to what is a referendum, why is why do we need it? Uh as well as if you scroll further down um you
057will see that um I answer a few questions. Um we provide the rate and then this um infographic does very much detail what each of our what that what that fund um utilizes the expenditures for. um making sure that you can see quite largely um the percentage as well as what it includes the number of teachers for example um the aids instructional assistance and going forward and then you'll see at the very bottom of this infographic you'll note that um this percentage allocation is from November of 2025 this shifts um depending on um different changes in our staff different changes in our needs but this is something that I will make sure that um as long as it's something that is wanted by the board as well as our administration um this is something that
058I can continually work with the business department to get those updates um in order to make sure that this information is accurate at all times. So the goal would be very brief uh final editing and then make this live and then start to I you know draw attention to it uh in the near in the near-term future so that the community knows that it's here and we can feature it prominently on our website so that folks know it's here. And then um I think that we will continue to have sort of a uh an education campaign so the folks know how we spend our money, what we're doing with it. Uh because in a in a very near time, we're going to have a confluence of two very uh contrasting uh money questions. On the
059one hand, we're going to be erecting one of probably the tallest building that will have ever been built by the school town of Monster. simultaneous when we're watching our funds uh deplete because of a result of the change in our assessed valuation. Now, when you guys went out for bond a few years before I showed up, a couple years before I showed up, um that wasn't even an idea that had been publicly vetted. And so you guys made great stewardship choices to build this building to fix this uh scheduling concern that we have that keeps our kids out late at night among other things. Great decision then. Right. And now it's going to be in this time where we're going to start to see some need for mild austerity measures. We may have to consider
060some hard decisions as we move forward. And the confluence of those things are going to be simultaneous. And that's the thing that we've got to make sure we're crystal clear about is this money that was decided about before this law was ever enacted has nothing to do with this other problem. And the more education that we can engage in to help the public understand how our finances work and how these decisions were and are made will help them understand that it's not what it looks like. even though it looks like what it is, for lack of a better term. So, yeah, we want to make sure we're crystal clear about how all those things came to pass and why we're making the decisions that we'll have to be making as this um Senate Enrolled Act
061One continues to uh limit our resources, for lack of a better term. One other addition to this website will be um an area where community members can share um their concerns, questions um in some type of form that will um be then shifted to someone who could answer that particular question whether it's related to curriculum or capital improvements or something along those lines. So, wanting to just make sure that you saw that this is something that is it's alive um and ready to go. Um but we just need to make a few little tweaks depending on what um focus everyone here wants to make >> and really want to make sure that we honor your wishes. I came away from the conversation last time with a a clearer uh concept of what we wanted, but
062I think that I had an idea in my brain based on my experience of timing for things. But I think that's a discussion we need to have in terms of newsletter timing of uh social media campaign as we roll this out. Just want to get your thoughts on that. Mostly so that I'm not playing telephone for Kim so that she hears it straight from you guys. >> Um if I could comment. I just want to first of all thank you all for the work you've put into this. Um it's it's a huge undertaking. I appreciate that. And I want to clarify this isn't necessarily just our wish. It's it's the communities. We want to make sure that we're communicating this information to community members. Um obviously this the the school district, the parents, the families
063here, um the stakeholders here, but also as you mentioned the greater community, um the the the greater neighborhood and and folks in Monster because information, no matter how clear you try to be, no matter how many presentations, no matter how many movies, videos, commercials, whatever you do, somebody's going to say, "This is an outrage. I never heard this. I've never seen this. We're going to do everything we can to get to to get this information disseminated to the public. Um and and as you're mentioning, use multiple forums and multiple media. Um and we're going to do the best we can and and to explain the hows and wise. This isn't uh a shadow campaign [music] to to start a a referendum process tomorrow or to to sneak something under the wire or it's truly about
064helping people better understand what's going on because it's confusing. I mean, we we've been up here for years in some cases and have had to put a lot of time and effort and work together into understanding this. I mean, Dr. Dr. Schwarz Wolf and I when we first came on the board and then they changed everything around a few years back and how how those buckets work um and had to kind of relearn that process and and working with the team and Mr. Melby and [music] his team um and Mr. Trip and Felis and everybody up here to really understand this. So it there is a lot going on, but I just I want to I mean I'm we're passionate about this. I really want to make sure that we're spreading this information properly and
065uh as you said there's still tweaks and it's going to be ongoing and updating. It's something we take very seriously and um we'll just do what we can to keep people informed. So, thank you very much for everybody uh putting their time into this. >> Thank you, Miss Pyrick. Item 9 9.1 administrative reports. Dr. tricks and old school. >> Since the last time we had the opportunity to meet, I was able to attend the IAPSS annual meeting downstate in Indianapolis and had a chance to to catch up, learn from other folks what the how they're addressing their Senate Enrolled Act One financial concerns, uh teacher appreciation grant concerns. that that epic was kind of during during that time frame. So really grateful to the board for the support for professional development for me and for
066the team and uh grateful to have had the opportunity to go and learn there. I had the opportunity to attend the uh Chamber of Commerce's planning session for fiscal year 2026 um as I will be installed as a member of the board of directors this Thursday. And I'm grateful to to this board for the support and to that board for appointing me and I look forward to liazing with them and continuing our robust relationship with them. and they've been great partners to the school town of Munster and I'm grateful to have a chance to step into that role and and help the local business owners which is who the chamber serves also have an understanding of the educational things that we have going on so that our students can have great opportunities here in the
067town of Monster. Also, I've been continuing to work with the town of Monsters's new uh town manager and their team to continue to foster the relationship. You know, the the symbiotic uh relationship that we have with the town of of Monster is is beyond compare. We are very grateful for the work that they do for us, the the opportunities that they have to step in and and help us and the opportunities that we have to step in and help them. I'm very excited that that we will be having a joint work session with their board so that we can continue to foster that relationship and that we work to be there for one another. I know there have been times when when it has been drawn into IT issues that they're having. We had an
068I we had a salt augur go down uh this in the recent past and when we called them and said, "Hey, can we just borrow your augur?" They're like just just you know we'll work together to work that out in the form of a truck and they they helped us. So the the relationship is very strong and we're very grateful for it and we're we're engaging with them on multiple levels. I have my monthly meetings with the town manager. I know that um Mr. Melby, Mr. Begley and I met with the town manager and what is Sergio's actual title? what his exact title is, but he does everything. >> He's a Yeah, he's a do everything member of that team. And we really had the chance similarly to the public work session, we were able
069to lay out sort of what the what the strategy is toward our construction projects uh forthcoming and they were able to give us some technical advice as to making sure that we rounded the edges properly before they went through their approval process. community development director. >> We'd like to tell you that Sergio is the community development director. Excellent partner, Sergio. Thank you. >> So, >> yeah. And and so that work is ongoing and and just could not be more grateful for the town of Monster and its support of of the school town of Monster. Had the opportunity to be a community reader at Elliot. Uh it's my my second elementary. I'm excited to go uh hopefully, you know, score the hat-tick and community read at all three. Um it is a great reminder that when
070you come in and you're an expert in many things, you get to read a story to uh I think it was first grade. I think I had first grade this time and um they they don't care about my job or what I do, but they like the fact that I do voices when I read a good story. So guys, uh applicable skill. Um I attended the fall sports banquet. It was my first one and it was it was overwhelming in three regards. One, I'm still amazed at how good that auditorium looks. I don't know when the fresh paint smell comes off of that place, but it's not yet. I can tell you that it was great to be in that space and I just marvel at it every time I'm in there. And I could
071not believe the number of student athletes we have given how high our average GPA is. And then when we got into the awards for team average GPA and the number of academic uh what is it? Scholar athletes. That's what they're called. Scholar athletes. They almost ran out of toner ink trying to bold all those names in the program. And so it was a wonderful night to see the success of our students on and off the field, but most importantly to me in the classroom that the kids are uh balancing very robust athletic schedules and they are coming up aces in the classroom. So, it was it was a great night. I had the chance to introduce myself to the Lions Club. They asked me to come and speak. And for me, it was a a
072memorable day, almost one of the most joyous days I've had because we had our Thanksgiving meal here for lunch. And then when I spoke that evening at the Lion's Thanksgiving dinner catered by uh Straxs, it was it was just from a culinary standpoint, great day in the Hicks belly. But more importantly, I had a chance to uh uh introduce myself to to a great group of uh very caring individuals who do care a great deal for the school town of Mster and they're excited for all of the opportunities that we have to partner. Uh we do have a lion present. Thank you to you as well. Um but I also want to thank uh Ron Robbins for inviting me and for the group uh for having me. Last and final piece of information that I
073have to share pending any questions is we have interviewed and we are in the final stages of off making an offer to a new director of exceptional achievers. Uh you'll learn more about this individual once we clear the background check and the the few remaining references we have to check. But should this all go through, I'm very excited to bring that candidate to you in January. and that candidate is very very excited to come and be a part of our team. Are there any questions I can answer? >> All right. >> Thank you, Dr. Hicks. Item 9.2, assistant superintendence, Miss Bergen. >> Thank you. Um, just a few reminders and also congratulations. Um, we have nine days left of school till the end of our first semester of the 2526 school year. I know it's
074going really fast. Um it's that time of year. So we have finals coming up. Um last year we be implemented half days at the high school on Thursday and Friday for finals. And that's again same this year. Um this week we also have the choir band and orchestra uh concerts for the middle school and high school occurring on the 9th 10th 11th choir band orchestra. And then next week we have elementary and I'll let Miss Yo share those dates. Third, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I don't remember the order. Um, I'd like to say thank you to Mr. J. On November 17th, we had the idea meeting. Um, and he did a phenomenal job. Miss Cinder was there. Um, we her and I were in a group. We got the opportunity to talk with a couple kiddos
075and really hear their perspective on um, the way we embrace all students within our district. And that was powerful to say the least. Um, I'd also like to say Mr. Ivanovic shared with me that um Wilbur Wright student Alex Gyos um received third place at the in the congressional app challenge. Um I did a little bit of reading because I had to figure out what that actually meant. So they work with our representative and they develop an app. A student can develop an app and so they ended up being third out of in the country. So congratulations to Mr. Jay doing great things at Wilbur Wright and inspiring our kiddos. So that's all I have for today. Thank you, Miss Bergin. Mr. Truman Feldis, >> I've talked enough. I don't have a lot, but I
076will share one thing. Mr. Melby and I were able to attend the Indiana Association of School Business Officials uh annual seminar. And as Dr. Hicks stated, almost every session had something to do with Senate Enrolled Act One. And I know I'm not going to steal some of Bill's information because uh he's going to do a short little presentation regarding some of those things tonight. But this is something that that us as property owners or as constituents need to take a look at. Uh this will dramatically decrease the amount of revenue that's available for schools, townies, counties, towns, libraries. Uh it will be very uh it will be very devastating to some school districts um who are kind of at the margin right now and maybe cannot pass a referendum. Um, but I do have to
077add this, and hopefully I don't steal some of Bill's thunder, is part of the issue we have is our current referendum was passed under a previous law. And when the new law takes effect with property taxes, we will see a reduction in the amount of revenue that we can gain uh from that because the whole idea is lowering uh for taxing purposes the net assessed valuation of a home. And so, Mr. Mr. Melby and I are working on some different scenarios that we're going to hopefully show to the ambassadors and bring in future months for you guys so you can see if that law was active today what it would do to the property tax revenue that the school town of Monster would take in in years 2025. Um so that's one of the things
078that we just want to bring up. I can tell you uh when Dr. Dr. Larry Dbor who's a uh professor emmeritus am a emeritus at uh Purdue speaks. He is he is what you call a superstar when it comes to business officials. So, he's not probably the most entertaining person for most individuals, uh, but for school officials, he's our superstar. And when he got up on the stage and stated, well, I I can't tell you anything good, so I'm going to try to do it in as uh most entertaining way as possible just so you could say at least I feel good about the way he presented the information says a lot because there aren't there is not a lot of good news out there. U, but I'll let Bill talk about that more. Uh
079but it's something that we're going to have to discuss as a board, as a team, and to our uh property tax owners just so they understand the dramatic changes that are going to come in the future. Uh and other than that, I'll just I'll leave it at that. Uh and I'll move on. Sorry, Bill. >> Thanks, Mr. Tripldis. Item 9.3, Chief Financial Officer with uh Mr. Melby with all the good news. No. Well, I'm going to start I'm going to start I realize I have a myriad of emotions up here today and there's a lot of reasons why. First thing is we have a young man that came and he has he's talking about chess, right? And he's starting this chess club. I'm like that is so cool. And from a math guys standing, I
080think that's awesome. Then my brain goes to I wonder in the halls of Elliot, are they still talking about the 1981 second place winner? And I'm wondering I'm thinking the answer to that is yes. Uh but then I shifted to [laughter] all I could think of is am I smarter than a fifth grader because I know presenting is one of my worst things that I do and he was really really good. And then it only made it worse when a presenter put a dog in his presentation named Snickers that was really really cute. So I am very sure nobody's going to listen to anything I have to say right now but I will do my best. All right. First I want to thank MEF. I mean, schools are so envious for what they do to
081us. I think it's absolutely fantastic. If you look at our I'm going to spend very short time on the cash sheets because I do want to defer some more of my time to the presentation that I have. Um really there's nothing in the education fund that is out of the normal. We're projecting as normal, a little bit conservative, Mr. Castro, as always. Uh but we came in a little bit ahead of the numbers that we had projected in the operations fund. I do uh want to point out in all of our debt uh bearing funds and our tax bearing funds, we did get an early tax draw. We want to make that money work for us. Let's get it in our banks as soon as possible so we can earn the interest on it. So,
082you'll see that up uh top. You'll also see it, which I found was a very great number, believe it or not, on our utilities cost this month. It went down significantly. I was very excited about that. And then you will see maintenance and repair as well as purchase of mobile fixed equipment. Those are a little bit higher than normal. Our mobile and fixed equipment, we did have a smart net renewal which was our highest cost. And then for our maintenance and repair, we had a Cisco hyperflex agreement. And if you need to know exactly what that is, ask Mr. Potsk. But uh those are the things that drove those numbers up. Referendum fund is right where we expected it to be. And our debt funds, we did get an early tax draw. You will have
083a couple um things in front of you. The first one I wanted to bring to your attention is the investment income. You'll see our board our policy uh 6144. So I've talked many times about the investment money that we make and we talk about oh you see the one line item in our operations fund but there are money that go to other funds as well. So I just highlighted the five funds that the monies go to. I actually broke down 2024 what funds they go to. Uh so the operations fund, the school lunch fund and so on. You can read them there. We are tracking to be right about where we were last year in overall investments. Uh we have one month to go. So if that's I wanted to point that out. Next month
084is going to be a very very busy month, right? We're going to be naming a treasur. We're going to be talking about closing the books. We have to do our fiscal indicators report. So I'm trying to give you some stuff today uh that I wouldn't normally give you. All right. Mr. uh Trip and Fellowis did talk about uh Senate Enrolled Act One. I've talked about it at several board meetings, but I always find it nice. It's one thing when Mr. Melby says, "Hey, we're going to have to increase our tax rate in the future." It's a different thing when experts say it as well. So, I want to go over some of the information from Senate Enroll Act uh review and impact. The first thing I want to state is again clearly, and I've said
085this probably 10 times in my 10 years here, I was given two directives and I remember them and I remember them very well. Never let the district to get in the same financial situation that it was. And number two, do everything you can to keep the tax rate around a$141 and do what we can for our taxpayers. That was very clear from our board. Over the last five years, our tax rate is significantly lower than what the board promised our uh our people. In 2021, it was approximately a$130. In 2022, it was approximately a$132. In 2023, it was approximately just under a$130 again. In 2024, right around that $130 again. And then 2025, we actually got under a$127. That is significantly lower. And that is because of the direction of our uh school board and
086our superintendent doing an amazing job and this is great work. But I've said many times before, we're going to have to make a pivot on some of these things. This is not a Bill Melby slide. This is a policy analytics slide. Policy analytics is a um financial advisor for the state of Indiana. This is Monsters data. So if you look at this uh slide, the dark blue is the actual historical data of monster. Those are the increases and there was one slight decrease in 2017 by 7% on the net assessed value. Net assessed value is a very good thing, right? Uh you have gross assessed value is basically what your house is worth, right? Net assessed value is what your house is worth after they take out all the adjustments that they're going to make.
087The homestead uh why is it deduction? Thank you. All the deductions that they make. So that's your net assessed value. Why is that important? Your levy is based off of that net assessed value. So the levy is how much money the school town of Monster receives. The formula is very simple. The levy is equal to the net assessed value uh times your tax rate divided by 100. That's it. It's pretty simple. When your uh net assessed value has gone up in the past, that's one of the reasons we've been able to drive down our tax rate. When you have a higher net assess value, you don't need to go up as high in your tax rate to receive the same amount of levy or even a little bit more. What's going to happen due to
088Senate enroll Act number one is what you see in years uh 2027 28 29 30 and 31 in 2027. This is policy analytics. This is not Bill Melby. This is experts saying the school town of Monsters net assess value is going to drop 5.5%. Now what you need to know is it doesn't rebound the next year and go to 4.2. It drops another 4.2%. And then it drops another 3.7%. It drops another 4.6% and then another 4.9%. I've said this in the past and I'll say it again. It's sort of you're playing a football game. Touchdowns are worth six. Everything's great. The Bears were down 14-3 at half. They can come back because the touchdowns are going to be the same in the second half. Well, if they were told in the second half now
089the touchdown's only going to be worth four, that would be daunting. So, the game has changed. After 2020, uh, 2031, excuse me, then they're expecting rebounds of approximately 3.4. If you take all these years ahead of time, you average it out, it's going to be around a 3.4% increase. So, this is another way of sort of looking at the same data, but this was done slightly earlier by policy analytics. You'll see the green line is our grow gross assess value. This is where they think it's going to be, and nothing has changed. Senate Enroll Act One has not changed anything on our gross assessed value. The blue line is what they believed would have happened if Senate enrolled act number one didn't take place. The orange line is what they believe is going to happen
090because of Senate enroll Act number one. So again, it's a pretty simple formula. If the net assessed value decreases, that means revenue decreases. The only way to fix that is to increase the tax rate. And I will tell you, Mr. Castro said something and I wrote it down. It's a little confusing and you heard a lot of things. Well, guess what? We're in a room of hundreds and hundreds and I don't know, maybe a thousand CFOs and confusing was said a lot. The experts gave the speeches says we don't know the true impact because we won't know until it happens. Am I correct on those statements? So confusing, sir. It's not confusing. You you know exactly as much as everybody else does on this. So, uh you're not going to be confused. What I want
091to say though, with the net assess value going down, you either receive less money or you increase the tax rate. And I believe in 2031 toilet paper will cost more than it does in 2025. I believe a bus will cost more in 2031 than it does in 2025. I could keep on going over other supplies, but I believe almost everything will cost more in 2031 than it does in 2035. Mr. Trip and Feldus, and I will tell you from a a math guy, I laughed out loud during a very depressing uh presentation at least 20 times because he's very very funny. Uh but he is a professor. Uh uh he's when you I thought you were going to say I was a stud when it came to CFOs. You said he is the stud for
092CFOs. Yes, that is a factual statement. He's just awesome, very intelligent person. This is what he did in 2025. This is the actual average tax rate for schools, libraries, uh, towns, everything combined. So, this is the average tax rate, $2.38. Then what he did was roll it everything in and push it to 2031 rules because, you know, it's not a one-year change. There's a slight change and a change and a change and a change and every year it gets a little bit worse from now to 2031. But if you push it to 2031, this is what is going to have to be the equivalent tax rate. This is not Bill Melby telling you this. This is a um economic expert his opinion. they're that average unit is going to have to drive the tax rate
093to over 3.2 to receive the same levy. Now, I'm going to tell you, Bill Melby's expert uh not an expert opinion, but my opinion is I think schools are going to be able to drive the tax rate up, but will still receive less levy because of all the little nuances of the rule all the way through. So, I think every single school is a little different story. I think every house inside of every district is a different story. Uh we've actually have a breakdown of how many houses are between this range in monster and this range in monster and this range in monster. The districts which have higher value homes in your district will have a harsher impact because of Senate enroll Act number one. So this is just the average area. We may be
094a little different than the average. So in 2025, as I said earlier, our tax rate, our actual tax rate was 1.2688. Using just a simple proportion proportioning it out, we're saying if the Senate enroll Act was now, we would have to be at a $1.73ish to receive approximately the same levy. And again, I would tell you if we were at a $1.73, I think we will receive less levy in 2031. Are there any questions? The other thing, Mr. Castro, and I I've never do this and I'm going to steal a little bit from my ambassadors. I decided I'm young and I can do great things. So, I put into chat GBT the impact of SEA1 on the school town of Monster and the state of Indiana. And you I would like everybody to try to
095do that. One of the things said schools in the state of Indiana will lose approximately $800 million through 2031. That's daunting. But then later, Chad GBT said it could be upwards of $1.8 billion. My first thought is if I went to Dr. Hicks and said, "Our budget's going to be somewhere between 800 million and 1.8 billion," I think he would fire me on the on on the second. But that's the range. People do not really know the impact of SEA1. But tax rates are going to have to go up unless we're going to receive less in our operations and debt service funds. Mr. Trippenfeld, anything that you want to add? It was a great presentation uh by But it was very sad. >> Uh Mr. Malv, I just want to thank you for your presentation
096um for your hard work as usual. Uh and just to reiterate this is not this is every school, every municipality, every county, every government entity in the state is going to suffer from this. Um so this has nothing to do with fiscal irresponsibility here or for many districts across the state. It we're going to suffer together. Um it's daunting and I appreciate the work we've done. you know, we've we've come to a point where we do have some surplus, and I'm glad that we have it. Um, you know, to put it in terms, I hope people understand it wouldn't be like working. You have your mortgage, you have your expenses set, you've been responsible, you've been playing, you're paying your mortgage, you're paying your bills, everything's good, your car payment, and then your salary gets
097cut by, you know, 10% and then 5% and then 5% and then 10%. and how do you continue to pay those bills? And you know, it just it upsets me when people say, "Well, hey, you need to learn what to live within your means." This isn't this isn't living within your means. This is something completely different. So, we're working together, working with the community. Um, and again, Miss Pyrick and and the information that you're going to put forth. Um, just all we can do is is be as educated as possible and and work as hard as we can and reach out to our legislators and tell them like this is not this is not a a wise way to continue in the future and we'll see what we can do. But thank you for for
098your work. >> It it was hard. There was a lot of conversations that were had amongst other CFOs and when you hear yeah we couldn't give a raise this year or yeah, we had to cut a lot of people already. I'm very glad of the work that our board and our superintendents have done to put us in a great position to be successful moving forward. >> You the one thing I'm sorry you asked me to add and it's not your presentation was phenomenal. They had a panel of superintendent um talking about what they're going to have to do. It ranged from closing the doors to well we got to tell our uh community that there will be no more transportation. We're ending it. >> Guess they got to give three years notice on that. Right.
099>> Right. But and so it's it's very interesting. Um and those school districts who have not passed the referendum will have a hard time surviving. There's no other way to put it besides that. Um and so I was and as you said, I was very proud of the past decisions that the school board, the past superintendents, and Mr. Melby have made to put us in a situation. We are in a far better situation than most school districts in the state of Indiana because of our sound fiscal policies that we've had over the last decade really if you think about it. Um but it's still going to be difficult for us but we will as Mr. Melby said we will easily I wouldn't say easily but we'll survive it. Uh and we'll be able to maintain
100a lot of things that we can do but there are going to be some changes and there going to be some things that we may have to do differently to adjust. So, um, it was it was a very good session and I apologize for taking your time. M >> pending any other questions? I just confirmed a fifth grader is a better presenter than I am. So, if that's it, I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Mr. Melie. Item 9.4, director of operations, Mr. Begley. >> Thank you. Uh, let me give you some updates on construction, maintenance, and facilities. Uh, 35th Street parking lot in storage. We're waiting for delivery of a new gate and siding and that will complete that project. Uh the new tennis facility we're conducting we conducted a pre-construction meeting last week. Uh
101the contractor Pangier uh plans to start in February 2026 weather dependent and have that substantially completed at the end of July 2026. Uh parking lot lights at Eids and Elliot. I will be attending the town of Monster Board of Zoning Appeals meeting tomorrow. I'll see Sergio and get an an attempt to get the variance for the lights. Uh we did the mailings uh to all the affected properties. We u put up the um sign outside the properties and we did a uh newspaper article or not newspaper, a newspaper posting. Um I did get some questions from the neighbors and if anyone's watching, all we are doing is replacing the parking lots that we have. We're not putting anything different, but the parking lots we have uh don't meet a very strict uh town's ordinance. Uh
102they have very limited types of lighting that that you can put up there. Uh so we want to have the cobra heads that point the light down. And um you know, you see that many places throughout the town, that type of lighting, and all those people have to go through and get that approved. So pending their approval tomorrow, we'll move forward with that project. Uh the new multisport building central office and campus circulation met with the principles and the SRO's to discuss circulation for pickup and drop off with the new configuration. Uh going to meet again uh with the traffic consultants and other school town of Monster personnel to complete the new circulation plan. I'm receiving quotes for underground locates and soil boring testing. So we have to do that soil boring testing to make
103sure we're uh getting putting uh building on a good uh foundation. And then we have some surveying to complete. Uh the Eids outdoor classroom uh project is underway. Uh we're waiting on some improvements in the weather in order to continue the project, but this project is going to enclose that uh outside area a little bit better, provide a better surface. We're going to put some turf down and that's going to be more of a uh a playground area for our our students over there at Eids. We're also updating key access and mag locks, several doors to Eids, Elliot, and Frank Hammond. Uh lighting controls. Uh we wrapped this project up at the high school earlier this um week. Uh if you notice, there was a couple times the parking lot lights looked like they were
104off. That's because we had no control over it, similar to what we're doing at the um uh at at the stable. So, we're going to those have been done. So, now we have complete control over the lights in the hallways and in the parking lot. And it's uh much working much better for us right now. Uh and with your approval of the stable uh controls project, we'll get that going and uh again get those ALC controls put in over to stable and we'll have better control of the mechanical equipment there. Transportation, I have been keeping a constant eye on the weather. It seems to be a little bit more snowier this this year. Uh working with the mechanics and maintenance to keep the parking lots and sidewalks clear and salted. I want to thank our
105mechanics. We did have that salt truck down go down. And uh Matt Santino uh and Fred Yates, they did a lot of welding and some uh maneuvering to uh get that thing back up and running. And you got to think about that. That thing is constantly covered in salt. So it's under a very inhospitable environment, a lot of rust to it. Um so they got that thing back up and running. And like Dr. Hicks said, I do want to thank the town for letting us borrow that salt truck that day that we we were down. And then finally, food service. We have our new serving line coming to Eids uh December 23rd. So, we'll be taking the old stuff out, putting that down to the service center, waiting for the auction, and getting a brand
106new uh serving line for our students over at Eids. Penny, any questions? That completes my brief. >> Thank you, Mr. Begley. Item 9.5, director of computer systems, Mr. Pazdall. >> All right, since I have nowhere near as much as these gentlemen gentlemen over here do, so I'm going to be quick. But in addition to the weekly board briefs that you guys are getting, um I can now proudly say that flet is in the cloud. We we were able to move it over today, [clears throat] you know, outside of our district. So that's one less thing for us to worry about. Um we are already looking at our next big project which is going to be deploying uh identity services so that we can start locking out our network even more, you know, from what we
107are doing today. And we were able to also get ready for the winter, you know, potential snow days and whatnot by uh getting some chargers, extra charges for our kindergarteners and first graders. And hopefully tomorrow that will be distributed to the buildings. Paining any questions? That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. Bazdall. >> Item 9.6, Director of Elementary Education, Miss. >> All right, just a few quick announcements. Testing season is officially upon us. So, we're gearing up for our Kogat assessment, which opens up January 5th, and our WEDA access assessment, which is our English language proficiency assessment for our EL students, and that opens up on January 12th. I'll be excited to share out the results of all of those assessments with you all when we conclude those. Our elementary ELA textbook adoption committee
108has a follow-up meeting on Wednesday. This week, we have our second vendor coming out to do a model lesson for our team. so the committee members can see and have the opportunity to observe the natural eb and flow of instruction and see the materials in action. So, we're excited about that. Our elementary administrative team also had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Hicks uh last week to review feedback from our elementary student advisory group. The team enjoyed hearing feedback from our elementary students on the ways that we can make school more exciting for them. We have already scheduled several follow-up meetings to address the themes highlighted by students and to begin planning how we can show them that their voices lead to meaningful positive change. Our elementary schools are also preparing for their winter music
109programs next week. So, we look forward to welcoming families as they come out to enjoy these performances and celebrate the hard work of our students and staff. Thank you. >> Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. >> Yes. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Auditorium usually two shows a night. >> 5:30 and 7. So if you need to get in the mood. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Miss Use. >> That's true. >> Uh item 9.7, director of communications, Miss Pyrick. >> Hello. Um, so some additions um that I'm continually working on as well aside from the budget um website um will be a community or capital improvements projects that I'm working with u Mr. Begley on to get some before and after pictures short description of projects focusing on educational impact and this is going to be for each of our campuses.
110So again providing that um further information for our community. I am also working on enhancing our internal staff portal for our um employees. Um we get so many emails in regards to things that are happening whether it's an update from human resources or technology or even from um Mr. Begley in regards to operations. So what I am trying to do is make sure that there is one central location where they can go to to see benefits and they can look up um different things that are happening within our technology whether it's um new tech tools that are available or some changes that are happening in regards to our Wi-Fi or whatever it might be because it's really difficult to rem try to remember what email that was that that information came from. Um, I also
111am making weekly visits to all of our schools, um, different campuses to try and not only um, capture some events that are happening, but just those day-to-day um, activities that we want to highlight um, for a few different reasons. One, again, to share the great things that are happening, but also to increase our video and photo um, catalog so that we have some opportunities to make videos and do different things um, for marketing purposes. And then finally, um, our quarter 2 newsletter will be coming out soon, um, for our staff members, um, and we often do, um, staff shoutouts that I get information from, um, our principles. Um, again highlighting department updates um to make sure that our employees are up to date on all of the great benefits that we have offered to them.
112The tech tools again as well as those howto um things that um might come up at different times. So for example, one that is going to go out soon is going to be um opting in for the electronic format of our W2. So, um it'll then be an additional reference where they can continually go back, um and find information as well as highlighting our CBA elements, raises, and that longevity stipen to make sure that our employees know that we are working really, really hard to um try to help them in every way possible. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Pyrick. Item 10.1, individual board member reports. Dr. [clears throat] Schwarz Wolf. >> Good evening. Uh, I attend the town council's coffee with the counselors on November 19th where they invited the public
113to come in hear about their boards and commissions. Um, all five town councilmen were there. I went mostly because on the 20th and we had a meeting that we were going to discuss communications and I just wondered what their attendance would be like and how they presented. So, it was more of a kind of see what the town was doing. As a le legislative leaison, I'm following the current session, which weirdly started in December. Um, you [clears throat] may have heard that the Indiana General Assembly was asked to come back for a special session in November. They chose not to do that, but they did move the session up. So, December one, the House started, Senate started today. Um, they still have, it's still considered a short session. So, by law, they have to be
114done by March 14th, but because I started in December, it will probably be more sometime in February. Um, as of yesterday, I've had a very busy day at work, but yesterday there were no education bills that were on the docket for this week. Have a great holiday season. Thank you all. >> Thank you, Dr. Schwarz Wolf. Miss Cinder, >> um, I just wish all our students and teachers good luck on finals and hope all enjoy a restful winter break. Thank you, Miss Cinder. Mr. Castro, >> um, want to quickly thank m Mr. Begley and his team since it the weather decided to be February uh, in November. So, I know that people don't realize how that really triples up and quadruples up your work. So, thanks to all the hard work and cold that you
115guys are dealing with. Um, want to mention that uh I was at the redevelopment commission November 17th meetings November 17th and December 1st. And usually I have nothing to report, but this time there were some fireworks. Um, uh, on the November 17th meeting, they passed a spending plan and there wasn't full agreement by the town council as to how this spending plan should proceed. um to the I even asked the question which I I not a voting member but I felt it was uh important to ask about how this is a lot of Senate enrolled act one they're they're dealing with issues and and spending and trying to find ways they don't have the option to have referendum uh like we do so they're going to have to make some some changes um one of
116the issues was spending for uh expenditures related to capital and operating expenses specifically for police and fire services. Um this was this was a strange thing. It's a spending plan. It wasn't necessarily a budget, but it was kind of to say if we were to spend this money based on what was available for the DLGF, they just want to know kind of what your thoughts were. and they had that number at $7.1 million um when other one one particular town councilman had asked that to to lower that to 1.2 million. Um so they were kind of back and forth. It was an interesting conversation, but in the end it sounded like this isn't really a budget necessarily. It's just a plan in case we had to spend money. So, it was a strange thing that
117that the DLGF asked for last year, and it's a it was a law that they had to put forward. The next meeting, they did pass their budget. Um, and this was the annual meeting of taxing units. So, I will make sure that Dr. Hicks gets a copy of this that he wish he should have received one, but I'm not sure that he did. So, I'll make sure that uh everybody here, if you would like to have one, I'll make sure it gets passed to the other board members and uh to our finances team. Um and with that, I just want to say um even though we're working through these difficult times, thanks to that bond we passed and uh what was the end of 2023 um and the community support, there's some cool things coming.
118there's some things that we're working on in terms of capital projects that are exciting for the district um and always improving and even in these tough times we're always working hard, always trying to improve. Um so we're going to do our best to work through that and uh do some some neat things as Dr. Hicks mentioned as um you know dealing with this while trying to do this. So uh and lastly just want to wish everybody a happy holiday um upcoming season. Uh so stay safe and stay warm. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Castro is Smith. >> Thank you. I just wanted to wish everybody a happy holiday season and s sincerely thank all of our staff for all their hard work and dedication to continuing to try to make our school district the
119best school district possible. And we recognize we have challenges at times um but we do our best to address them and that hard work that goes into it and putting our children first. So um happy holidays and thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Smith. I would like to echo those those comments. Thank you everybody for everyone's hard work. We have a lot going on in the school town of Monster right now. A lot. And everyone is I don't want to say putting it putting in overtime it doesn't give it justice but um the work Denver seems like it it doesn't slow down and it certainly isn't slowing down. So thank you to everybody. Um, I am the Monster Education Foundation liaison for the board and they just had their holiday lights fundraiser this past weekend
120and I've heard that uh it was a huge success. It every time I go to a meeting or hear about grant presentations or how much money we were able to raise it reminds me that uh you never doubt when a small group of individuals how much difference they can make in in an organization the size of the school town of Monster. And make no mistake, we are a business and we have to operate like that. And and Jenny, how many how many are on MDF? How many board members do we have? >> 23 individuals that make a huge difference in in this organization, in this school town of Monster. So I just wanted to highlight that. Uh and last, I hope everyone has a great holiday season. Um announcements. Our next meeting is our next
121regular meeting is scheduled for January 12th at six o'clock. Uh followed by on January 26th, we have a public works session and that is the one with the town. Right. Um and with that being said, I'd like to entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Schwarz. So moved. >> Cash second. >> All those in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. I. >> Motion carries. Five Z.