001Start with the pledge of [Music] allegiance. I aliance 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. Amen. [Music] Okay. Tonight we are going to start off with the uh spotlight. We have three students that we're spotlighting um on that. First one, Preston Good um who reached the state level at the solo ensemble in band. [Applause] Congratulations. Congratulations. Second one is Dakota Willoughby, state wrestling participant. [Applause] Congratulations, Dakota. And we have William Armstrong, state diving participant. We have some videos that share a little bit about therapy. So, I just want to lead in a little bit. you know, it's important for us here at Fountain Central to to make sure that we're celebrating celebrating all of
002our students accomplishments, but especially when we have big time accomplishments out of a group of students. So, um, we hosted a couple of, you know, I guess we kind of call it, we don't have a name for them, maybe like popup pep sessions where we did some some new things this year to to wish Dakota, Will, Preston um to send them off and wish him their best. Um, Mr. Wolf, our assistant principal, graciously captured those things in vid on video and then within like an hour of the event had a couple of videos. I know I shared these with the with the families um once they were produced. So, we're going to view those tonight and then just kind of one more time celebrate the achievement of these three fine young men. [Music] [Applause] [Music]
003are you? [Music] All [Music] night. Turn up the lights. Baby, [Applause] [Music] [Laughter] Now, addition to this, as it's playing, this is where Preston came in and the night before, just before Mr. Shady had spoken to him like, "Hey, is there any way you can play the the piccolo going down the hallway?" and he's like, "Yeah, that's cool. Can you play this song?" Which was the song that Will chose or liked for the introduction. That's why he's playing right now in front of everybody. So video [Laughter] [Music] [Laughter] Hello. Hello. Baby. [Music] All right, everybody. I want to thank everybody for being down here today. Um, a couple of things. First, if you noticed, we had Preston Good obviously leading the procession today. He yesterday I gave him a lot of notice. I think I
004pulled him out of class yesterday at 2:40 and said, "Hey, can you learn like the intro really or L to All Light by Kanye West?" And he's like, "What's that?" So then I listen to the song. I sent him home. I said, "Look, if you're struggling, you want to back out and you can't do it. If it doesn't work, I'll be on my computer all night. Email me, let you know. We'll make up alternate plans." I didn't hear a thing from Preston until this morning when I got him. I said, "You good to go?" He said, "Yeah, I got this." So, he learned the song last night. He led us through the hallways today. Tomorrow, we will be participating in the state solo and ensemble um competition playing this flute along with an accomp accompanied
005pianist. Say that again. is going to go down that list. He showed a lot of gut, a lot of courage, a lot of confidence to come through the hallway today. Can we give it up for something last week to celebrate? We wanted to add a little twist. Also want to give a a big shout out to Mr. Wolf. Yesterday afternoon, we were hunting for video. We were hunting for pictures. My main man, Mr. Wolf, sat down and pulled that little hype video together in about two minutes. He's back behind us right now. Give a round of applause for that. All right. Now, let's take a minute here to talk about Will Armstrong. Will Armstrong is obviously a sophomore diver here at Fountain Central. Will If I'm not mistaken, you are making your second straight appearance
006at the state diving meet tomorrow. Will is going there for the second time in two years. It's a huge accomplishment. What I want everybody to understand is this. When he ascended to the level that Will has ascended to, this isn't him getting into the the in the pool to start swim practice and then hanging up his speedo once swim season ends. Will's season never ends. Will's committed to to joining clubs and opportunities and receiving coaching outside of South Central because he found a passion and he found something that he's excelled at and he's pursuing it with everything he has. Will this whole season practicing and competing without a fool here. As we all know, our pool's under construction right now. So, that's been a challenge. Also, those been dealing with a significant injury this year.
007He hasn't made excuses. He's battled up until middle of this week. We weren't even sure if Will is going to be able to to continue at the state tournament, but he wants to go down there. He wants to give his best for himself, for his family, for our school, for his swim program. Will's going to go down there tomorrow and represent. I can't wait to get to see him. Can we give I need Will to feel some passion, some energy from you. Give it up for [Music] appear one more [Music] time for today and ultimately John. Thank you for being here. Both these guys are going to do have a unique opportunity tomorrow. [Music] One more time for Will and Brush. [Music] Go right into the nextbody. [Applause] Somebody know somebody that knows something about
008Let me go down with the murderers and the killers and the crush. Got to get the celebrity. Imagine that. This right here is going to the Indiana High School Athletic Association wrestling state finals today. [Music] this the first time we had a wrestler in this state level tournament. We've been fortunate enough to be able to set some athletes in the past. But when to go to the champion this year at a very competitive weight class at 144 as a sophomore has got everybody really excited. I know he's ready to go today. He does this year. He's dedicated himself to preparing for this moment. Dakota, we talked a little bit last Friday before you left. um you've earned this and we're very excited. We're very proud of you. That said, um students, staff that have been
009around me for a long time, you know that it's hard for me to give somebody else a spotlight. And when we were talking about this today, I was thinking, okay, Dakota, this is a great accomplishment, but back in my day, I mean, I was a really good athlete in high school. I mean, it's finished at the top of a lot of different events. I've never wrestled before, but I have. I mean, I watched WWE growing up a lot, big guy, and I'm like really given an opportunity, I can literally easily get [Music] to real quick. All right. [Music] the [Music] sharpest [Music] home in the cafeteria real quick and then we're going to get here for a [Music] picture that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. So, thank you You got that workman's account
010claim? Yeah, finally sorted out. It'll be on your desk Monday. I'm not sure we we pay for anything you volunteer for. All jokes aside, you know, um I do want to congratulate all three young men one more time. And realistically too, it's important to congratulate the families. I know I talked to Aaron and Audrey at the at the event that we had for Will at school. In order to get your kids to be able to follow the dream, their dreams to this level, all of them sacrifice a great deal of time, a great deal of energy, a great deal of their finances to to help propel their kids and they do it because they love them and they want to see them succeed. So, if we could one more round of applause for the students,
011this this is an awesome thing. And and when you see these videos, how how the school gets behind these kids. I mean, that that says a lot, right? You know, Dakota could go to that wrestling meet and not had that. Um but, you know, when he's up there wrestling, he knows he's wrestling for the whole school. Same way with Will swimming and and pressing when he's, you know, playing that. Is it the flute? Flute. Yeah. I'm impressed you could play that and walk because I know I wouldn't play that. So, yeah, congratulations you guys on that. It's it's it's something to be very very proud of and we're proud to have you here at our school. So, thank you very much. Thanks, guys. Thank you. You're welcome to stay for the board meeting. Um, if
012you choose to go now that we've honored you, that's fine, too. It's entirely up to you. Thank you. Good job, guys. Yeah, it's awesome to have those kind of spotlights. Definitely. Um, okay, moving on. Um, we're going to go to the adoption of agenda. It's recommended that the agenda of the April 10th, 2025 regular meeting of the board of school trustees be approved as presented. Motion second. All in favor? Approval of minutes. It is recommended that the minutes um of the February 13th, 2025 regular meeting of the board of school trustees be approved as presented. Motion. Second. All in favor statement questions from the public. So we have Jeffrey A. Williams. Yes, sir. So before you get started, um we'd ask you to state your name. You have Jeffrey A. Williams. You have three minutes
013to speak. Oh, well I thought it was two and a half. Nope. I'm going give you three minutes to speak. Um, the board reserves the right to terminate a patron's address should an individual become abusive, belligent, or disrespectful. So, we ask you to stay calm. Oh, certainly not. Yeah. I understand that comments shall be addressed to the board as a whole, not to specific individuals uh either on the board or in attendance. The board has no obligations to reply to comments at this time and no names are to be used. Okay. All right. And then when you're ready, go ahead and start start your address. Uh may I uh may I approach? Sure. Yeah. May I pose no threat? Yeah. Do I look threatening? No. No. I just we read that to everybody at the
014um I was uh terminated from employment. Um couple of dates here. Um, that circled would be the thing you'd really want to take a good close look at, which is what I which is something I'm still fighting right now to this day. I cough up a minimum of six ounces of flem and got a whole bunch coming out my nose, too. I uh immediately after being released from the hospital after three days in Williamsport went straight back to work. And I personally feel I did a very good job before I had to be admitted to the hospital with my chin on my steering wheel because it was that bad and they had to hold me for three days. Um, I was administered four course of antibiotics and I still have pneumonia. Um, I was terminated.
015I don't feel that was fair. Uh, I won't need the entire three minutes. Um, uh, I I I don't think my termination was fair. In addition to that, a teacher at the high school junior high, um I would say bordered on abusing my child, uh a substitute teacher by the last name of Duncan. No names. No names. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. A substitute teacher abused my child. I can't use my child's name either. No names. Your child is My child was abused by a substitute teacher at this school. There's no way to figure out what to do about it without names on that. So, um those that's it. I was for uh battling with pneumonia immediately after being discharged from the hospital in Williamsport. I immediately and I remember the date I was uh discharged
016from Williamsport. It was July the 29th. I know that because it's my birthday. And uh that evening I immediately went straight back to work uh over the following evening. I went right back to work and for my uh soldiering on my congratulations was to be terminated and I thought I would bring that to your attention. That's all. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. You're welcome. See, no. Swear nothing. Hopefully it wasn't entirely prop. You did. Thank you. Um, we'll move on to administrative recommendations. claims recommended that the prepaid and February and March claims numbered 102746 through 103007 be approved as presented. Motion second. All in favor personnel. It is recommended that Brooke Patton be approved for hire as an instructional assistant in the life skills program at Southeast Fountain Elementary School. We're excited to welcome
017Brooke to our life skills team. Um she's very eager and seems like she's been doing a great job so far and we hope that she enjoys it here and it continues. So I have a motion. Motion. Second. All in favor? It's recommended that Hannah Holiday be approved as lead educator in the life skills program at Southeast Fountain Elementary School for the 2025 2026 school year. Motion. You got you got you guys want to talk about her? Sure. Go ahead. Um Hannah is a Fountain Central graduate. her husband and her are looking to get back in the area with their young son. Um she is a registered behavior technician and has worked in ABA therapy for the last six years, but she would like to move from the clinical to the educational setting. Um so she
018is coming back here to work in our life skills program in the second lead role and we are very excited for her to bring um that behavior expertise to that role um just so we can learn a lot from her um and give a lot of assistance to our staff down there. Perfect. All right, I got a motion from Tyler. Second, Kim. All in favor? Scott, one second. Go ahead. Was it ever determined? Is she starting next year or is she starting? She's starting this year. Um, she's meeting with Green All Perfect. It is recommended the resignation from Henry Schmidt be approved as presented. Motion second. All in favor is recommended that the resignation from Sue Frzy be approved as presented. Motion second. All in favor? It's recommended the resignation from Grace Smith be approved
019as presented. Motion second. All in favor? It's recommended that the maternity leave request from Abigail Hogland be approved as presented. Motion. Second. All in favor? It's recommended that the contract extension for Greg Dean as Fountain Central Junior Senior High School head boys basketball coach for the 2025 2026 school year be approved as presented. Motion second. All in favor? Is recommended that the contract extension for Herb Kane as Fountain Central Junior Senior High School head football coach for the 2025 2026 school year be approved as presented. Motion. Second. All in favor. It is recommended that the estimate from Town and Country for new cabinetry countertops in the high school nurses office be approved as presented. the countertops and cabinetry um when we had the water leak that came through and um messed up a lot of
020that and we did look at putting it through insurance but the price for this is just a hair above our insurance deductible. So in conferencing with the treasurer and deputy treasurer, we determined that it's we should just pay it instead of putting the claim in one more thing to drive up into your insurance. Motion second. All in favor. It's recommended that the invoice from MCOR in the amount of 13,000 be approved as presented. Um this was a bearing replacement. If you recall, we had to have temporary heating in the aux gym for a while while we waited for this repair. And so this is part of that motion. Second. All in favor? It's recommended that the quote from MCOR in the amount of 32,000 be approved as presented. Um, and this for HW mixing valves
021to supply and install new expansion tank, hot water mixing for hot water. Um, that we had to have because we ran out of hot water in our when it stopped working. We did not have hot water for our kitchens, for our restrooms, for motion. Second. All in favor is recommended that the quote from red eight in the amount of $26,33 be approved as presented. This is one of the projects um that we have talked about with using I'm sorry this is the TVs for we've been um expanding finishing our um plan for the TVs like that that go into each classroom. So this will finish that up. Motion. Second. All in favor? Because it is recommended that the quote from McGraw Hill Open Court for a new reading curriculum in kindergarten through fifth grade be
022approved as presented. The curriculum was presented in an open work session meeting and available for anyone to see. It's a one of the options that the state gave us and um Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Good and the committees here at Southeast Mountain Elementary did a great job of really vetting them and finding the best fit for our district's needs. Motion second. All in favor? It is recommended that the quote from Hardcore Floor Coding to resurface the floors of Fountain Central Junior Senior High School be approved as presented. This is one of the things we have talked about with some of our interest money from the go bond. We were able to do some additional um facility improvements and this is one of those improvements because as you know some of the tiles in there are
023crumbling and um becoming a hazard. Motion second. All in favor? It is recommended that the quote room patents furniture and carpet to resurface floors at Southeast Mountain Elementary School be approved as presented. And likewise, this is the same type of work here except um they will have carpet in their hallways instead of the tile. But um when you think about the the amount of traffic in each building, that's why there's a difference between the two. Motion. Second. All in favor. Moving on to other business. It is recommended that the SEFC school board grant for admission to the corporation to request additional appropriations in the education fund resulting from the statemandated transfer from the curricular materials fund to education fund. Okay. First of all, when the state took over paying giving us the um fee money
024um as opposed to collecting from families, they had us put it into one specific curriculum material fund and then midway through um they changed their mind and it had to be moved into our education fund. However, when we approved the budget, that wasn't the thing. So, so we have the money, but now we have to get your permission to to move it where the state wants it moved to. Motion. Second. All in favor. It is recommended that the overnight field trip request from Ashley Brown and EF Tours be approved as presented. Um, this trip actually took place last fall. If you recall, Ashley Brown came to the board and did a presentation about it. Um, and then when she did submit to get since it's a um, overnight field trip, we unfortunately had to cancel
025last month's board meeting. So, you're getting it after the fact, but word has it they had a great trip. Motion. Second. All in favor, excuse. It is recommended that the overnight field trip request for the FCHS girls basketball team be approved as presented. And that one hasn't happened yet. Motion. Second. All in favor? It is recommended that the Fountain Central Junior Senior high school curricular fees for the 2025 2026 school year be approved as presented. Again, even though families are not charged these fees, we still have to determine these fees, submit them to the state, and that is how we get our reimbursement from the state. Motion second. All in favor? It is recommended that the Southeast Fountain Elementary School curricular fees for the 2025 2026 school year be approved as presented. Motion. Second. All
026in favor. Now it's time for the South Fountain School Corporation projects update. Um there will be a more detailed email coming out tomorrow to all staff corporationwide board members as well. Um so I'll just give a brief overview. Um I met with MCO last week. Phase one of the pool project which is the ceiling that is all done. Ceiling roof was all finished up. Um just a few small things to tidy up on their end. So we are ready for phase two. um that is a little bit more of a struggle than we thought it might be um in terms of getting people in and getting the project started. They have told me um that the projected opening date of pool has been pushed back to October 1st. Um they assured me that that was
027the the furthest back it would be pushed. Um I'm going to stay on to make sure that that happens. We need to have a swim season in our new facility next year. Um HVAC work is beyond the high school. Um if you go over there, it looks a mess. Um ceiling tiles are out. Hallway prep is being done right now. Um once school lets out, they will um start a classroom to make sure that that the work is um being completed as quickly as possible. They don't believe they're going to be able to get everything done over the summer months. Um, so they will still continue some work once we get back in the fall. Um, Phil and I talked today. I'm hoping that like end of first semester is is like a I think
028by spring semester 26, we should be all finished up. Again, that's just my thoughts and opinions. I could be very wrong on that, but I will keep you updated. Um, uh, because you approved it, a new flooring at both the elementary and high school will be completed over the summer. um rather than me coordinating with flooring companies and MCOR, I put the two in touch and said figure out logistics as far as what it's going to take for the floor prep and floor implementation and then also, you know, what parts of the building can they be working on at certain times and then they can figure out all those logistics and I'll just oversee that as that happens. Um, the last piece of information that I got from the meeting with Empor last week, the
029elementary HVAC rooftop units, those were scheduled for a midsummer delivery here. Because of the size of them, they have to be craned on top of the building and so that work has to be done while no one is here. Their hope was to get that done over the summer. However, the day of delivery has been delayed. It is now late August, early September. So, their plan is to do those to to set those rooftop units over breaks. Um, specifically fall break and Christmas break. They mentioned something about they can't travel on interstates over Thanksgiving break, I believe, due to increased traffic. And it's a it's a regulation that I don't that I don't know. So, that's what I got for my update. Did they give you a reason why they're delayed? They were not able
030to. Um they said that this was the only project that they were delayed in and so I'm not really sure why it us but if I have an answer at some point I will sure. Thank you Josh. Okay. Thank you guys. Moving on to elementary report. Um, as we mentioned, Sue Frasy, we want to thank her for her years of service here. Um, you know, it's bittersweet to see her go, but we know she's following a passion of hers and and wish her so much luck um as she pursues that role. Also, thanks to Grace Smith. Um, you know, she spent a year with us here and was able to find, you know, her passions as well and they're going to lie outside of education, but we thank her for her service. Um this evening
031we had our Fanny May fundraiser delivery, but we really want to thank Aaron Rom and Abby WS and they spent a lot of hours uh counting money and order forms and cross referencing. Um I think they were very relieved to see you all the door tonight. So we want to thank them um just to spend that time because we were able to make a lot of profit um for our kids. So I mean that's what really matters. Um we also want to thank um Katie Farthing, Jill Sillery, and Mary Gregory. We had our spring program last week. Um music program and art show. Again, a lot of preparation goes into that. Um you know, they start right after Christmas. And so for them to spend all that time outside of school um to make our
032students shine, we really really appreciate. Our PTO has been very busy. Um they have hosted the carnival. They have hosted parents day. They'll host another one tomorrow and field days coming up. So we appreciate all they do and our families for coming and making those events really special. Um, as we look ahead, we have 70 students um, who are signed up for kindergarten roundup next week. So, that's really exciting. Um, already just that roundup number is larger than our current class. Um, and we'll probably gain a few more for the summer. So, we also to see those numbers back up um, towards the 80s for us. We also begin testing next week for third through fifth grade. Um, it's a big time commitment for our kiddos and for our staff. And so, again, it's another
033big relief when we get through that. um as long as it is and as stressful it is, our kids always give a 100%. We're all just amazed by how willing they are um to to persevere um and do their best and so we know they're prepared to do that. And then lastly, it is um assistant principal week and so I want to recognize Mr. Mains. Um you know, we joke and give each other a hard time a lot. Um I know it sounds cliche, but truly I cannot do this role without him. He's such a good balance. We're so glad he's here. [Applause] Do you have your speech prepared? Yeah. Thank you very much. You're welcome. High school reporter. So, I'm quickly realizing here I I I don't feel like last April was as stressful
034for me as this April has been so far. And we're only 10 days in. um when when you move an office over down the hallway, it it becomes a lot more demanding of your your time and your attention. And um so right now we're in the middle of of testing season, scheduling season, planning season. I feel like we've got one foot in this year, one foot in next year. We're still trying to make sure we're in the middle of learning season, too. Um in April has been been pretty wild. We are getting ready to start our I learn summited exams for our junior high students next week. Our ELA and math departments will be testing first followed by our sixth grade science students and then our 9th grade biology students also have an end of
035course assessment that they will they will be taking right up until the end. I think we conclude May 16th um with our testing with with like a week break in between. Um, a special thanks to Lindsay Good for helping to ensure logistics are taken care of. Um, and also doing a bangup job in the classroom for us right now. I can't tell you how many times I've said thank you to her over the last couple of, you know, six weeks for everything she's doing for us. Super excited about next Thursday, April 17th. I believe this is year three for this program. I was trying to verify that. It's certainly not year two. It's either year three or year four. Teacher for a day. Mrs. Foxworthy started this as part of a grant that we had
036acquired several years ago. It's really simple. We take high school students um and place them in classrooms with teachers in both our building and and the building over here. We have 30 students participating this year. Um it's just it's such a treat. I I'm going to make it a point for me to get around and make sure I'm visiting a few more classrooms. But even after the fact, when you see the pictures and you see your students in those settings, it's just part of an initiative to foster an interest in in education as a professional field for students. Maybe just get one student who didn't think it was a possibility and maybe get them to pursue that. We've talked many times over the years about creating our pipeline and and growing our own here. Um,
037we continue to add the Fountain Central alumni to to both buildings. This is just another step for that. It's just a great thing. Um, speaking of great things, tomorrow night, want to encourage the board to attend our fine arts festival. That is tomorrow night from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. We have music and choir performances. There are also art exhibits. That event gets better and better every year. We are also tying a fundraiser effort to that or or an outreach effort. Um, as you you're probably aware um or can be reminded here, another thing that we added to our high school this year to enhance our experience um for our students is our internship program. Um we have students that are placed in with various businesses for half day throughout the area. Um one of those
038students is Aaron Vulk. She is placed at the Hope Springs Safe House in Attica. she approached us just a couple weeks ago uh to inform us that that facility um experienced a fire which disabled their their ability to run the operation there. She came to me and said, "Hey, can we do a fundraiser? Can we do the food drive? Can we do something?" Um I said, "You know, let me get back to you." I kind of had an idea. Um essentially, I brought my idea to Aaron and I said, "Look, here's she's a senior. Here's the steps that I would take if I was trying to organize this." this and I kind of gave her a bulleted list. Um, and then she took it from there. So, in addition to the fine arts night, she
039is coordinating a food drive to help Hope Springs that's going to go on there tomorrow night. She took steps that every step along the way was all her. Um, she spoke to Mrs. Ward, our art teacher, to ensure that she would be okay with doing it. Um, I instructed her to then get in contact with Dr. Grimes. It was it's really a cool thing to see a student who's been placed in that internship to now, you know, be so motivated to give back to that organization. And and again, we also had our facilities maintenance class travel up there today. Um Hope Springs has a temporary home. Um Noi Gonzalez took his his CTE class up there um to help them move some things into their into their home. So, there's been a lot of outreach
040there and that's important to us and we're happy about that. Um, one thing I want to brief you on, I'll be as brief as I can. Uh, we started a leadership advisory council. We asked for for teachers who wanted to be a part of working closely with administrators um to to, you know, make their case known that they wanted to be a part of it. We've got 11 teachers who have joined Jake and I for two meetings now. And essentially, it's it's a place for me to pitch ideas before I pitch them to staff just to get a temperature check. here's some ideas, some initiatives, shoot holes in it, tell me why I'm a fool for doing this. And then they it's been honestly it's been really good. It's been really good. The last, you
041know, we spent two hours, two and a half hours together over the course of two meetings and I just leave there feeling so good about my day. It's it's a it's just a great experience to collaborate with our teachers in that regards. um assistant principal week. I was showing Jake that it's on my thing and I will don't Kelly did call me and tell me hey just so you know this week but I knew by Monday but I told her at the beginning of the year anytime there's a week to celebrate email like call me and let me know you she's great about that just if you help me at all this year make sure I know when all the celebration weeks are. Jokes aside, Mr. Wolf has jumped right in here at Fountain Central
042and he's been exactly what I wanted him to be and exactly what I expected he would be. He's been committed to our students. He's been committed to going the extra mile. Um he's my right-hand man. He he he shoots me straight, which is exactly what I need. He brings ideas to the table when it's time for him to do that. Um he helps me in every way, shape, or form. We're super lucky to have um the leadership that we have here, and that extends from everybody up front to this row as well as Mr. Davenport. I I can't be happier with the direction we're going in. Mr. Wolf's played a big part in that. My last thing tonight, you know, I know Dr. Grimes has worked really hard to to get the improvements in our
043building that we that we need. I know that the board has been extremely supportive of that. I know that Mr. Davenport has done a great job all year of keeping me informed of of of pushing projects through, of of troubleshooting, of being transparent. I certainly know that the projects aren't getting completed at what we had originally hoped. We all knew that whatever timeline they said it was going to be different by the end. I appreciate Dr. Grimes' efforts so much. I appreciate the support of the board for for making the enhancements to our building. And my it's natural to get impatient. It's natural. I I smirk sometimes when I just walk in the building. I look I'm like, "We don't have ceilings right now." You know what I mean? But everybody has pushed through. I
044have not fielded one complaint. I have not heard a squeak out of anybody. When we came back from whenever was it spring break and we didn't have ceiling tiles anymore, a couple of kids were like, "Where'd the ceiling tiles go?" And I'm like, "What are you talking about? We played dumb." Not a single teacher has made a complaint. They all know that that we are well supported by this group here in front of us. So, I I truly thank you for all of that. know that we're patient because we know that that what we're going to have over there is going to be worth the wait. So, thank you guys very much. I appreciate that. Thank you. Okay, we are on to We don't have student representatives right now. Nobody. So, we'll go down to
045discussion items. Um first of all, you did approve um a couple overnight trips and one after the fact and so forth. One thing I do want to mention that you do that because it's in a board policy. I do want to look at that board policy because one of the things that and it's a good problem to have. We had teams that suddenly went to regionals or stayed or went somewhere and you find out today that they're going three days from now. So there's not necessarily time for board approval for some of those things. So, I will be bringing to you a a recommendation for a modification in that policy so that there are some that can be approved directly by the superintendent instead of So, why is it like that? Is that just one
046of those things? It's always been like that. Nobody's ever changed it. That policy's been since 1978. That's what I figured. That's why I asked. We run into that. So, yeah. So, that's where it came from. Okay. Um, second thing I wanted to bring to everyone's attention. Um, certainly our state government is working to um, reduce the burden on Indiana taxpayers um, for property taxes and as property owners, you know, we can celebrate that, but as a school superintendent, it makes me a little nervous. um SB1 which went through today, it's now going back to the house and then presumably um for the governor to approve. There has been some adjustment to um what was initially proposed for the budget and how it will affect schools, but in its current um standing that went through today
047through the Senate, um Southeast Fountain will lose about 2.8% 8% to 2.9% each year over the next three years from our operations funds because the tax dollars is what pays for transportation and maintenance and um anything other that's not instructional. Um so in all it's much better than what the initial proposed budget was um when this all started at the state. But at this point um as I said we'll lose about a half million dollars over the next three years. So, I want you to know that we're working um both in the district and I'm working with the board to see where we can make those cuts that will cause the least amount of hurt to the district. We know that we've got to figure out ways to to um to do what we still
048do, have the still the programs we have and the operations we have, but find out ways to do it and save some cash in the process. So, we're working at that. Um secondly, um I just want to go on to the statements from the superintendent. our students have left. But I'll tell you, of all of the things that I get to do in this district, celebrating our students is the best. Another thing I got to celebrate this week, every year, we take our top 10 seniors to lunch and and I got to go and sit with those kids and ask them about what their plans are afterwards and and just get to celebrate them. And you know, between those kids, these kids here, and all of the kids that walk through our doors, there's something
049to celebrate every day. And and it's just truly a pleasure to do that. Um, but not only do we celebrate our students, sometimes we have some staff members that get called out by their colleagues, and when I get those acknowledgements, I like to share those with the board. So, I would like to share an email that I received on March 14th from Officer Rainey, our SRO that works primarily here in this building. He said, "I wanted to let you know how much Mr. Baines has done for our elementary students. I was working in Hillsboro last night when a fire call came out in Malot. I responded when I heard there was a child at the house. I arrived and found out everyone was safe, but all belongings in the house will be a total loss.
050I recognized the child as one of our students. After I confirmed this, I contacted Mr. Baines. He was at the school for a wrestling meet, but said he would grab a toothbrush, deodorant, and clothes for the student. Mr. Baines arrived on the fire scene and comforted the student not long after I made the call to him. He gave the student all the items, then gave the family food that he had left over from a pigeon that they had had at the school that day. I wanted to let you know because this makes me so proud of him and of our school for his caring actions. The student needed a comforting face and the kindness that was shown by Mr. Baines. To me, this is going above just being a great assistant principal and a good
051man. But this went above what he had to do and he represented our school corporation in a great way. Again, I'm just proud to be able to work with someone with that big of a heart and proud that my kids can go to a school with someone that cares so much for his students. So, thank you, Mr. Baines. Um, and congratulations on receiving an accolade from your colleague. I know you don't do things for the accolades, but we're very pleased to have Thank you. Okay. Statements or concerns from the board. I just want to reiterate what Mr. Shady said and I because we we are and I know we say it a lot, but we really really truly appreciate and we really mean it that we are so happy with our leadership and admin team.
052We are. We're just You guys do such a great job and we just enjoy you and Yep. Thank you. I'll piggy back on that. I have that wrote down that we are so proud of of the administrators and very happy administrators and the and the admin staff that we have. That's that's all of you, right? I mean, when you get a group of you together like we have that it brings the school spirit up. I mean, I'm so happy that we That was one of the things we talked about early on. Um, when I first got on the board, it's like this is not the school I went to, right? There's no school spirit here. Now, we've got it again. When you see those videos and the kids are out there cheering and rooting for
053each other, man, it it's, you know, it just gives me that cold chill that, you know, we're getting back to that uh what it used to be, you know. So, um, thank you guys very much, very much for that. Um, I am I am extremely proud to be a part of this school corporation. I just want to say that with what's been on uh my family over the last couple weeks, I appreciate it very much. I just want to say that I know with Marcus being here, I feel very uh proud and humbled that you guys are willing to take care of you. I just want to say thank you for it. Anybody else? Okay, we call for a motion for adjournment. Uh, sorry, I'm a terrible group speaker. That's why I came back. Okay,
054but you you only get to three minutes and you used your three minutes. So, if you if you want to come back to another meeting, you can sign up. speak again and a half. No, you spoke for three full three minutes. Yep. So, if you want to come back to another meeting and sign up, you're you're free to do that. But you we only have this agenda. We go through the public speaking. You get your three minutes and that's all you get. So, sorry. You'll have to come back to another meeting if you want to speak again. I'll just address Mr. Baines directly. That I like you. You're a good dude. Anybody that wants to write down the phone number 630-854-6482 854 6482 uh in in reflection on what uh paperwork was presented earlier. I
055appreciate it and know I did not speak three minutes. Motion for adjournment. Motion second. All in favor?