001Community Schools Monday, December 15th, 2025 regular board meeting at 6:30. >> Please rise the 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. >> Thank you. >> The mission of Smith Green Community Schools by focusing on excellence in education and providing opportunities for all students to succeed, we strive to be the best small school in Indiana. Please join me for a moment of meditation. >> Thank you. >> What was so funny? >> Most exciting part of Good evening. >> So clearly Mr. Gasma brought the introverted quiet. >> We're just going to pass it off right to Mr. Polley and the girls to talk about their sound masters program. >> All right, we're good. All
002right, ladies. You want to go ahead and line up right along here like in front of that doorway? Not like in a long life, but just decide just like that. You are good. Look at you go. Well, good evening and uh thanks for letting us have a little segment here. So, uh we are going to talk about our sound masters group and uh they're a group of fourth and fifth grade students that meet once a week uh during uh a time within the school day that's known as the enrichment period. So, they meet on Thursdays. We have another music group and a couple other clubs that also meet in different points through the week. Uh we have with us this evening uh Lillian Jetmore. Lillian, if you can give a little wave. There we go.
003Zoe Crider is next to her. Mariah is next to me. Leila, and then Charlotte is bringing up the rear there. Um, feel like I'm blocking somebody, but uh, so about our choir. Um, so we have 24 students currently in it. U, we may open enrollment back up here in the spring and allow some new kids to jump in. Uh, but we have 24 kids, again, fourth, fifth graders. Uh, and, uh, they've been they've been busy doing, uh, small performances here and there. Here's a list of our kiddos. I was going to list them off or read them off, but that seems a little redundant. And uh but again, a good group of kids. Uh and it's been been a lot of fun. Uh they've been very faithful in attending all of their performances and things
004like that uh that have been required. So, our first performance that we were able to do this year was our Veterans Day program. This program this year uh we tagged on to one of our regular Friday family meetings, which is our monthly meeting that we do at the elementary. and we were able to take most of that time taught our veterans. Our Legion came in uh and uh presented colors and did some other demonstrations. Uh in addition, we were able to do a presentation of families of our students or veterans of our families rather uh through a PowerPoint Canva presentation and then our choir sang a few songs and our student body sang a song as well. Uh so that was just a neat time. It got them uh kind of got their feet wet
005and performing with a group and uh that was pretty fun. Uh also fun but also very cold was the town Christmas tree lighting. Uh that had been rescheduled from the week before. The roads were bad. The second time the roads were good. Our fingers were cold. Uh but it was short, sweet event. It was really well done. I was very impressed with the town and how they did that. And uh we had about 12 or 13 kids uh come to that. Again, I build these events as as optional um for our kiddos and uh and it was really neat. So, this group that I have with me tonight are girls that both attended the Veterans Day and then this one. We had to narrow the field of 24 down and so we said, "Hey, let's
006let's get some kiddos that can speak to both of these." Um, am I blocking you, Dr. >> No, sir. >> Okay. All right. So, that was the town Christmas tree lighting I had down below, aka Cold Caroline. Uh then This past week we had our second and third grade program. So as tradition has it these uh singers Carol in the foyer of the high school and uh aka warm caroling. Um so that was that was fun by for me that was by far our most fun uh singing event we've done so far. Um girls I didn't give you time to speak uh into those other two slides. Anything you guys you ladies have to add to either Veterans Day or Cold Caroline? That's Charlotte. >> Um, when we were doing the car, a lot of
007us couldn't even flip the pages cuz our fingers are so flipped for us. >> That's right. We're conducting the kidnapping. Yeah. Yes. Zoe, >> in the warm period early, uh, there was some people that had secret choreography. >> It is a good tell. They'd be all too happy to demonstrate, but we're keep things rolling along. >> Very good. Anything that anyone else has to add about one of these? All right. Um, so we have a small sample that we took um of our group. There we go. There we go. small sample that we took. Uh Mr. Gaff came in and with his high-tech cell phone and skills of resting his cell phone on a mic stand took a very nice shot for us. Um again, this was during a rehearsal. Uh it was uh the
008sound was turned to loud. The kids were pushing vocally a little bit. That gives you an idea. And make this big. And uh I took it down to just a little one minute segment. I'll move up out of the way here. I don't know what the sound is said on this board. There you go. >> This is America. Americans program. Come through. A land of true. A land of Christ. A land of >> All right. So to wrap up this this presentation, um just future performances and then seeing if anything the ladies have to add here. uh in March on the 14th and the 15th. We'll be at the Fame Festival in uh Fort Wayne. Uh that's Foundation for Art, Music, and Education. That's always a really really cool event. So, I would encourage you
009to stop in there even if it's not a time that we're singing. Um it is a really really cool thing where area schools converge both in visual and uh performing arts. And then they'll also be performing on the fourth and fifth grade concert uh later that week, I guess. Uh it's tight, so March 19th. And uh so and then some other things to be determined. I'd love to get them into a nursing home or something as well to do some singing and that's always a good thing. So ladies up here, anything you guys have to add? Do you do you enjoy being in >> choir? Good answer. Any question that any of you guys have for these ladies? >> No, and so thanks for the privilege. privilege of doing what we do while we aren't
010in schools. That's the big one. And uh it's a good good thing. Yes, Charlotte. >> Um we have a lot of performances like uh that kind of kind of like helps me get like singing and performing in front of a lot of people. >> That's great. Very good. All right. Well, thank you ladies and thank you for your time. Get you all there. So, we got a picture. Everybody >> ladies, >> thank you very much. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Good thing it takes a long time to load buses. >> Mr. Kohley is due to our staff. He's the first staff member I've ever hired and he got a round of applause before his first official performance. So when I introduced him at the concert last week, everybody gave him a round of applause and he
011hadn't even performed a good impression on the kids in the fantastic. >> Nowbody that was here for student spotlight, you're more than welcome. >> Yeah. Stay. But we heard you say, >> "But you're not hurt. You're not You're not gonna hurt anybody's feelings. Get out of here. >> Thank you for coming." >> You all right? >> Yeah. I'm fine. >> Yeah. I don't care. All right, we're ready to move on. Holy cow. Um, staff spotlight. I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Her fourth grade teacher in our elementary is highlighted and selected as our staff spotlight the month. She was nominated by eight she was nominated eight different times the person who's been nominated the most so far of all my students some of our students and this is what they had to say because
012she helped me a lot in fourth grade why she's uh she is very nice and she always been kind to all our students she made school very fun and enjoyable she helped me like math and let me have lunch with her. She works hard every day to make sure her students have fun and are safe. She helped me learn along the vision. Because she is a kind, funny, sweet, and amazing person, and this is the one I love. She got me through fourth grade math, and I've been awesome at math ever since. So, I can tell you um She is just again and I say this every month it seems like but it's the truth. She is one of many many uh just outstanding staff members who are dedicated to the profession and more importantly
013dedicated to our children. So we feel very fortunate that she's on our daily celebrations and donations. >> Yes. Celebrations from the principles. We took our winner in day for our kindergarten through 2 grade students last week. showed significant growth. Um the number of kids that are blue on the report which is above grade level is significant. It's increased a lot more a year ago. So teachers are working hard. Students are working hard and the growth is starting to show. Thank you. >> Um I'd just like to again thank Mr. Per for everything he's done. on the Christmas program second grade the other day. Then the other news just like to share is Mr. Clark uh under donations. We have several donations uh that came from or came to our chair for athletic equipment sales. They
014raised over $1,900 for that. David and Dina Beck, the Deco Foundation, Ricky and Jennifer, Jenny and Mike, and then a cash donation roughly $360. The Deco Foundation also gave a matching gift of $50 to the boys basketball program. And Dr. Michael, is it makeover to clinic and clothes for hygiene supplies to our nurses. So very generous community uh public comments next since we don't have anybody signed up to speak we will skip over we'll move on to the consent agenda. Yes. Look at the set agenda. Uh just one thing I'd like to bring to your attention and that's a proposed field trip. Uh the varsity boys basketball program would like to go to Frankton, Indiana on January 2nd and third. All those bigger. >> Next we have report and item I'd like to unfortunately business
015manager of resation. I I can tell you uh I feel very privileged to have the honor to working with Susan. She is very dedicated to her job and her profession, very dedicated and very detail oriented. And I think that's one of the things that makes her good at her job and just for me um she's just a great friend and somebody I can count on and trust and I think not only she had my back but also the corporation's back and I think you know a lot of people ask me you know, you know, how's your job? How's it, you know, kids are great everywhere. So, that that's a wonderful thing about our job, but it's really the adults that kind of make make or break our jobs. And I feel very blessed and very
016fortunate that I get to work with some great people and Susan is one of those great people. She's >> very good at your job. >> Hang on. Motion to approve the personnel agenda. >> Okay. I'll motion to approve the personal agenda. >> Legislative report. >> Oh yeah, they're back in session. Sorry, that's me. I felt like I went for so long that it's a special session. I didn't have anything. Um, cell phone use is a big topic, student cell phone use, but we have a policy in place for that. So, it shouldn't affect us a lot, right? >> Tightening our brains maybe a little bit. >> Yeah. What they're proposing is belto. >> I I think that puts a big challenge >> not in the building. >> Correct. I think that places a big challenge
017on That be cool. >> Well, we can have a pay phone >> or they go to the front office and say, "Can you call my mom?" >> Yeah. So, that's that's one of the big talks. Um, this one seems like an odd one, but they're allowing it passes commercial advertising on bus or school bus. >> So, let's start getting some corporate partnerships right here at Smith Green Community Schools. um school curriculum they have um state bill 58 is making um handwriting cursive and spelling part of the curriculum now again I guess where it used to be um there's also a kindergarten readiness educator or indicator state 66 to kind of make sure that these kids are ready when they get to the school age um and some talk about the sale of school buildings in
018There's like 20 of them. Those are kind of big ones. >> I was hoping they do one discussing what they're going to do now. The tax changes >> kind of screwed that one. Let's figure out what we're going to do now. >> Business. Uh first thing um as uh Mr. Arman asking to do a presentation on proposed common school loan and what uh we like. >> Yeah. So good evening board. Um it is time again for our common school loan second one this year. Um so on December 10th the state board approved our loan application in the amount of $17,414. Um and we are asking for your approval tonight to purchase um 95 laptop laptops for staff. Um our current laptops that they have are out of warranty in January. Um they're 5 years old
019and they are showing their age. So it's time to get those replaced on on the replacement schedule. Um the other items on there for this time around is a new projector and a new projector screen for room 134. Uh we've kind of turned that into a big presentation room. Um, and our current solution, which is one of these boards, um, just isn't big enough. So, we're going to put in 120 inch screen, um, and a new projector to f fit that room a little better. Um, and then also included is installation services for that projector, projector screen for that room. Um so again asking for the uh approval to purchase those in the amount not to exceed 107414 um uh from the 20 2025 fall common school loan fund. >> Thank you Mr. >> Thank
020you. >> Any questions? How long ago did we buy the 95 staff laptop laptop? >> Five years. >> They're on a they're on a 5year replacement plan. So every five years they get new ones. We put on a 5year warranty, but at the end of five years they are definitely >> Well, technology changes a lot. >> Smartboard from 134. >> We're going to keep it in room 134. We're going to have the projector and screen and then put this on this put the one that's in there on the side wall. >> Um so we could have just just another option for smaller groups if needed. >> What percentage of the teachers? >> That's all teachers. >> That's all certified staff with a few extra just in case we need them. So we replace everybody at
021the same time. That's correct. seem like a big task all the time. >> Um it can be we roll them out um in small groups rather than just doing everybody on one day. Um so I'll meet with individual teams and individual grade levels. Um so I do them in small groups. Um help get everybody logged in at one time. Go through a couple setup features with small groups rather than just handing them out and letting them suffer, right? as I would say. So, yeah, I try to individualize it and and give them um some time and I'll be there to help and answer questions as as they have them. >> Giving them all that at once would not go well. >> Certainly not for keeping the sand. >> No. >> Oh, and theirs. >> And
022not so much mine. It would be theirs. They would throw them against the wall very quickly. >> Yeah. Other questions? >> I'll make a motion to approve the common school this year. >> All those in favor. >> Thank you. If I can add one more thing, >> no approval needed. FYI, I already asked for money. It's okay. Um, Mr. Krider and I and Susan and Paul have been working on a uh new phone solution for the past year. We finally have come to a um agreement for a new phone system, a new company called Goto. Um that they're going to install a cloud phone system um in June. Um we vetted a couple, well, three or four phone systems. This one came out on top. Um talked to a couple school districts that use this
023system. They're very pleased with them. Um so that's going to be coming in June. Um the I believe the upfront cost is going to come from the safety grant I believe. Is that correct? I don't want to put you on the spot. >> 100% sure. >> Okay. >> So we're working on the cost. >> Um so anyway, FYI, we're going to have a new phone system in in the district. Um our current system is about 15 years old and obsolete at this point. Can't even get parts for it anymore. I can >> I can tell you this discussion's been almost two years now. >> Yeah. >> And David has brought me several proposals and I tell him no. I go back to the drawing board and he comes up with another solution and uh I
024look that one over and we discuss it and told him no again. >> It's his favorite word. >> Yeah. Well, if you get one, you get the other. >> But, uh, he has kept his nose to the grindstone and doing his due diligence and he kept every time kept finding a better and better program, better system. And I think this one really good by far the cheapest cheapest and it works well. Like I said, the school district I've talked to have very pleased with the system. Um, they gave us a really good end of year deal on top of it. So, it's going to work out really well for us. >> So, this is one thing that him and Wayne are excited to get off the plate. >> Yes. >> Utilize a instant messaging system.
025>> We have it. Does it get utilized? No. We have Microsoft which is an IM feature. The new phone system will come with its own. Um, so u all licensed users will have a desktop version of their phone so they can use their computers as their phone um which will have a instant messaging service on it as well. >> So I've been kind of excited about it since everything's going to be in one spot. So we'll have a desktop phone as well, but they'll have a a desktop or a desktop app for their computers. It'll be separate from teams. >> Yes, it does have a teams integration as well. So, we can sync up the team's calendar, the go-to calendar, and make that work. >> But yeah, separate from teams. >> I can tell you
026once we get done with this project, our next one's kind of system is outdated as well. >> Thank you. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> We did. >> It was approved me. We told you. Uh next is uh we are asking for approval for the mileage reimbursement rate per policy 6550. Uh we have to approve this on a yearly basis. We're going to stay we're not asking for an increase. We're going to stay with the state at 49. >> Motion to approve the mileage reimbursement rate. Next thing we would like to ask is for you to determine a January board meetings date. We have to do a reorganization meeting by January 15th. So it has to be like that. I think >> that is your >> No. Are you available the fifth? >> Yeah.
027Uh >> yes. The only day that I am available. >> Oh my good. >> Yeah. >> Is that like a regular board? >> Yes. We will put everything together. Originally we used to have two board meetings but for the last couple years we tried to be more efficient with their time and try to condense all. Um the only thing is you may not have uh some of the December correct treasur reports like financial >> but we will bring you up to speed in February or December >> February's meeting would be the 16th. Amen. >> At 6:30 still. >> Thank you very much. >> Um, other business that is done. >> Then the next item is just me policy review. This is the first reading, so no action needs to be taken. Item 38 number one.
028>> How long do we have before we have to do something? So I wait the last second reading in the January 5th board. >> There's been like three or four times where like they used a synonym like the words they changed. Like this is synonymous with what you said. You just said it like >> whether >> All right. Uh We do not have any public comments for this evening. So comments for Christmas. It was a really long twoour delay. The week gets better from here. >> Oh no. >> Supposed to be warmer. >> Although I will say calmly is cool. I went right in and set my alarm back for another >> Thank you. >> That's it. >> That's all I got. >> Nice job, Mr. >> We're ready for your book report. >> No,
029I It's not a book report today. I I was going to say something very similar. We are also feeling it on our We definitely ready for the break. We um we have had a lot of student celebrations. So, I just want to quickly share, you've probably seen on social media, um, Sher Busco had two of the three um, Lily endowment finalists for Whitley County. Neither one of our students won, that they will still earn scholarships because they were two of the three finalists. Um, and we are waiting patiently to hear if one of our four of 10 in Noble County has been awarded. So, pretty pretty big deal. I was reached out to by both counties to tell me um personally that that's the most students that Chair Musco has had in as long as
030of years that they could remember. So um that's a big big celebration on our end. Um uh we also have four rising star students which is a national recognition program for students that excel in in all areas across the board. Um pretty great um recognition. They will likely join me at January's board meeting because we really want to celebrate what they're doing. Um And so we've just got a lot of really cool things going on that we haven't been recognized for in quite a while. So just wanted to share that. That's really all. We're getting ready to take the break and then hit the ground running pretty hard um as you know the state kind of adjusted some of the graduation requirements again and some of the course offerings that we are going to be
031required to have. So I will be bringing all of that um to to January's meeting. Maybe not January's meeting though if it's as early as the 5th because we're still waiting to hear some guidance. So, it might be in February, but just know that that's coming and we are going to have a parent meeting to put all of that information out um and have been trying to kind of um reach out to families that might qualify for some of the new diplomas that we can offer. We are able to have some of them and so we're going to try and do some of that with our students who again are achieving pretty highly. So, um yeah, things are going well. We are definitely ready for the break. Kids have been working really hard and it's
032final week on our site. So, that starts tomorrow. Can you elaborate just a little bit on the rising star? >> Sure. So, um, they have to excel in AP. They have to have had so many dual credit courses. Um, they have to then also score a certain level on the PSAT and we have students that have done each of those. So, they have been in the top tier for each of those assessments. And so then they get tossed in and basically get recognized and start earning merit scholarships. Basically, their names are put out and colleges say, "Yep, we want you. We want you." Even if they haven't applied. So that's pretty great. >> Fantastic. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um just to let you know that Mrs. our curriculum director, she is
033in Indianapolis tonight and tomorrow. She'll be here tomorrow. at a high ability complex with a couple of our teachers. Um, as far as I go, as far as my report goes, I would simply like to wish all our families a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. Um, like to report that students and staff last day is this Friday. Um, and students and staff will reporting back January 5th, the same day as uh the chair bus chamber Christmas party is this Thursday, December 18th at 6 p.m. you would like to attend. just like to kind of put on your calendar our strategic planning um has still been moving along all year and in February we are going to have the first session and then we'll have one for the next four months
034of things and uh I think uh today was just another quick example was a quick board meeting. I'm very proud that we had a lot of things going on wheated staff for kids. It's exciting. >> How did the safety day go on Saturday? >> Was it Sunday? Sunday. >> Sunday. Well, from >> the old picture that you sent out there. >> Two people are on the list. >> Happy to be on the nice list. That's it, sir. >> Uh, I would like to just say thank you to our ladies that popped in from Sound Masters. Um, having children that have gone through the program, I know what a joy it is for them to be learning the songs, and be out in the community singing and like talked about fame and whatot. So, It certainly
035I love all those things. So near and dear to my heart for sure. Congratulations to Mrs. Hoover. Um as stated being all of the nominations that she's had, I've heard I hear so many things about her um from students when I speak with them and I talk with them about seniors. So not a surprise at all to hear that she has been nominated that many times from the donation side of things. Once again, uh you know, we have such generous community um and it really just it takes a big weight off of um the school by having those type of um financial means coming in from our community. It really helps ease that pain and those struggles. So, we certainly appreciate all of that. I would like to say from the NWA results, our Lily
036finalists, the rising star candidates. Wow. Right. Uh we are just we hear so often how well our kids are doing and it it you never get tired of hearing it. It's just it's really it really speaks to uh the great staff that we have uh and how much effort they're putting into our students as well. I'm just super excited to hear those every month um of all those academic as well as athletic achievements that we see uh in the recognition that those kids are giving. So Susan um definitely thank you for the advanced notice as well and certainly we look for your as we try to replace you. So, thank you again. Uh, last thing I have is yeah, Christmas break. I know my family's ready for it as well. So, so yes, uh, I
037want to wish everybody a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year when they return next year. >> That doesn't say anybody Um said, "Mr. Fulley, I've heard so many wonderful things about you." So, thank you for everything you do. You've got two of mine and they sing your praises. So, um thank you for everything you do there. Um like I said, everything he said. I wanted to add the choir and concert was wonderful. Um got to see that and they did it all did a great job. My kid was last up so Um, but they were great. Um, I also wanted to say teachers of e-learning. So, I texted Jeremiah and uh, Casey on the first e-learning day and said like, "Are your kids prepared?" Because I had a couple parents text me. I had
038two parents from this is their first year with us text me like, "What are we doing?" And then I had another person who had been there text me the same thing. And so I asked my kids, of course, my six-year-old says, "I don't know." I'm like, "Okay, dude." They knew exactly what they were doing. There was like no questions. They knew where to go, where to sign on, where I mean, their teachers had been even in my middle school, we missed a couple things because that's her personality. But, um, I mean, the other ones just got it down. So, like, I just really want to commend our teachers because I was worried that we were not okay for e-learning when we first called it. And they >> she was very worried versus the text, >>
039but she had me worried. on your home investigation. They are fine because my six-year-old, yeah, I don't know what I'm doing. And then she's like, "Oh, yeah." But like she knew exactly what she was doing. Um, so I just like want to admit like our teachers did a great job. Parents might not know, but all the kids knew what they were doing. Um, and merry Christmas and happy new year and happy birthday. >> Just to add on to the e-learning, I felt like we've had that it's gone smoother this year than it ever has. >> From internal to my home, >> I felt like it was just much smoother. >> And I like that you're learning so much better than whatever we what other stuff during co because I don't think they were learning anything
040and at least now I feel like it's engaging and you know I see they're learning something as opposed to just sitting staring at Well, all those sentiments as well, especially the don to the clinic >> ends up on people's pockets that are very gracious for doing that, but thank you to that doctor for his donation. >> Susan, congratulations. I know we got seven more months together, so I'll say that you're like tomorrow, but donations of course that darkness committee is just amazing it has been for all the seven years that I've done with the board masters great job you're always good things you do so that's amazing and congratulations and I hope all you guys enjoy your couple >> it just sounds like a broken record in here but we I felt like last year
041we got such a great edition with Miss Bully um And she really came to life once we added Mr. Pulley. So now the police together are quite the >> She was she was alive last year. >> So I I definitely think the addition of the second pull and all of the children um have really added to our community. You know, just like being at the Christmas tree lighting, it's something I don't I don't know that we've we've had big presence at some of these things. And so I do commend um all of our teachers that go beyond just our school walls to engage our community. Um and that shows through the donations we get and things like that. So you know kudos to everything you're doing. Thank you. Um you know we we always thank
042the teachers. I want to thank our administration. I feel like this year communication has stepped up. I feel like kind of everything because I've got packages always they call me. Um, I just feel like we our additions that we've made in our administration, the communication, just everything has been stepped up and, you know, kudos to all of you. You know, the the NWA scores, the staff administration that we have that cares to see those things, you know, where they were and take them to the next level. I appreciate that. I appreciate all you guys are doing. even the safety stuff that we had here on Sunday, you know, sending out that notice to the community to just let them know like don't freak out when you see all these safety vehicles because it would freak
043you out. Um, I just appreciate that. That heads up that communication. Really cool. So, thank you for all of that. Um, Miss, congratulations to her. Again, I love our our staff spotlight because it does it highlights the good things that people are doing every day that sometimes go unnoticed. Um, winter sports, we haven't talked about winter sports at all. So, kudos to teams and what they're doing and you know working through this this um winter sports season. Um and Susan, congrats on retirement. We're all heck heck on you, but we we are happy for you. >> Um you know, and I just I want to kind of look at that moniker that great things are happening here. Um so our our small school is definitely getting recognized on the map and you know what our
044kids are doing at high school level and what our kids are doing level. So kudos to It's nice to hear that people are noticing the work that our staff is putting in, but I can assure you we are not keeping up. >> Okay. Anything else? All right. In closing, our next board meeting will now be January 5th at 6:30. And with that, we will adjourn the regular for the Smith Green Community Schools of Monday, December 15th, 2025 at 7:16. >> Thank you.