001Number one, call the meeting to order. We have a quorum. We'll start with 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. Okay, there are no amendments to the agenda tonight. So, we'll move on to public participation. Uh, do you have two signed up for public participation? Um, Mr. McCurdy, you'll have to wait till the end. Just It shouldn't take long, but we'll we'll get to there, okay? Okay. Uh, and then Jenny. Okay. Good evening, everybody. I'm [clears throat] speaking for all my girls that are here tonight and the ones that couldn't make it. Um, I'm not against change. I don't want anybody to think that. I'm truly not. But,
002I really don't understand why we need or would want a food service management company in our district. Why would we cut 15 of our lowest paid employees? The food service department runs solely on federal reimbursed money and our snacks that are sold in our cafeterias. We do not get any money out of the school corporation. No one's insurance is paid out of corporation money, no one's salary, HSA, or other benefits. We are our own entity. So, I do not understand how it will save the district money. I also feel like being the food service director for 9 years, I should have been included in this decision prior to finding out with my girls. As far as I know, there have been no complaints about our food or attitudes. All is closed out February today and
003our fund is in the positive. March our for revenues are looking very good and will be in soon. So, I again ask, why will we pay $32,000 to Chartwells as a startup? When we will still maintain our own equipment. We aren't sure if Jeff and Scott will be able to work on the equipment when it saves nothing for the corporation. I hope you will take your time in making this decision and look at every angle. These women make sure every child in this district is fed and go above and beyond every day. I appreciate every one of them and I appreciate them standing with me tonight. I also know that my job as of right now will still be still be there whether we go to a food service management company or not. I'm looking
004out for them. Um, I'll be willing to talk to any of you if you have any questions. Um, and I really appreciate the time. So, if you have questions tonight, I'd be more than glad to answer them now. Most of my girls didn't want to talk, so and you all know I'm not a public speaker, so But, thank you for your time. I appreciate it. I hope you take into consideration everything before you make this decision. Just is there anyone else from the cafeteria that would like to speak? I know Jenny was the only one to sign up, but I'll give you the chance since you did take the time and effort to come out tonight. Um, my name is Rayetta. Gilkey, I've been the uh manager at the uh middle school cafeteria for 13
005years. Um I really don't want to lose my job with the school. Um, nobody does. Sorry. I'm emotional. I was told not to get this way, but Um we just when I signed up to work for the school, I believe I'm retiring from the school. And >> [clears throat] >> my view is if I have to reapply to get the job that I have now, I'm going to go somewhere else that I can make more money. It's not the money thing. It's just it's the fact that we've been here for so long. We don't see the need. Um, our kids are happy. Everyone's fed even when they don't have the money. I don't know if you can say Chartwells will do that. So, we want to stay. So, thanks. Thank you. Sorry. Okay. If there's
006no one else um that would like to speak, Okay, we'll move on to building updates uh starting with LES. Good evening. Our attendance is at 332 students. We are down one. I have some upcoming events um up there at the top. We're in the busy season of all things, testing, kindergarten roundup, [clears throat] uh book fair, and then all of our end-of-the-year activities. We have our students of the month there at the bottom of that first page and then um on the next page, we just have some things that we've done this last month. We had a family fun night that was a huge success. I'd say well over 100 people [clears throat] were there. We had lots of um community members that came in and did different activities as well as our teachers and
007staff. So, the kids had a great time doing beach-themed um educational activities. Um, we also had beach day right before spring break, which is always a student favorite. It's a little crazy for the teachers, but the kids love it. So, we ended the day with a dance party and they did all kinds of fun beach activities. Um, we had a pride rally when we returned to celebrate all the things for quarter three. We recognized our students of the month, um our students that made the honor roll, students that have perfect attendance, and then we celebrated three students who have been here all year, on time, stayed all day. They got to do a fun little activity for their um attendance award. We had a pie-in-the-face activity with PTO for a fundraiser. So, kids in Mrs.
008Hurdle's class had fun pining myself and several teachers. And then on the back, we have we just um before spring break finished up the first round of I Read and it's a little different this year. This is the first year that our third graders took it as second graders. So, the data looks a little um weird. So, I kind of wanted to explain that. I'll start with third grade. So, between third graders who passed it as second graders and then also passed it this time, we're sitting at 90%. So, we have um six students that we are um giving extra intervention time to and doing lots of things and then they'll retake that test again. Um It's actually the week before school's out. The window opens May 11th. So, hopefully we'll get several more of
009them to pass. Um, I didn't put it on here, but um LES was um honored at the State House last week. We were one of 400 schools that hit 95% or more last year. So, that was a big thing. So, that's our goal. We want to hit that every year, obviously. Very happy with 90%. We do have several students that haven't passed yet. If they don't, we can we have options. They won't all necessarily be retained in third grade. And then second grade, you can pass it, you're on track, or you're at risk. So, 50% of our second graders have already passed the test, so they don't need to take it again. 23% are on track. So, they will take it again at during that May 11th window to see if we can get a
010few more to pass, just give them another opportunity. Some of them, that was the first test like this that they've seen. Um so, pretty happy with those numbers that we have so far. Do you have any questions about I reader any of that? All right. Thank you. Thank you. And the high school. Good evening. >> [snorts] >> Isn't it interesting that the high school and LES have the same number of students? That's I'm going to challenge you for the rest of the year. I'm going to have more than So, we we had a student come in in March, and that same student [clears throat] left this month. So, just this week. >> [cough] >> I have a picture there of our I star students and the teachers that they nominated. I'd like to congratulate Casey
011Brubaker, Noah Robinson, Jordan Lowe, Cassidy Reed, and Shannon Hill. Carson Garrett wasn't there for the ceremony that night. She had play She had the first opening night of the play. So, I got a picture of Carson with Shannon Hill a little bit later. Uh the next group of pictures are Pam Shaw's digital marketing students work with Mrs. Hughes' uh class. They worked on leprechaun trap business plans. They created traps and short business plans ideas for the trap. They did some slideshow presentations. And they presented on St. Patrick's Day. And there's the pictures on the next page of the kids in their traps. They had a wonderful time. Both groups of kids enjoyed that opportunity to work together. And then, I can't say how enough about how proud I am of our world travelers group. I
012know Mrs. Barnhiser got to go with the group, and our kids represented Union County High School and Union County in general very well. You can see from the pictures that it was an amazing trip. And what an opportunity that our students have to to visit these places. Uh I would like to say for the first time that Luke Mills is going to be recognized by the State of Indiana Association of School Principals. He will be an academic all star. There is a dinner on the 23rd coming up soon. And he nominated as his influential teacher Casey Brubaker. So, there's two opportunities for Casey to be recognized tonight as an I star teacher and also for Luke. Uh Luke's currently number one in the senior class. And so, we're very proud of Luke. And then, just
013a few pictures of SAD. Um Jennifer Branam does a great job with FCCLA and our SAD group. Recently, they've been campaigning for safe driving for spring and summer. And so, there's some pictures of our SAD students, students against destructive decisions. And then, on the back page of upcoming events that you're all welcome to come to. Any questions for me? Thank you. Thank you. It's March corner. Good evening. We are up two students in kindergarten, actually. So, that's positive. Uh we're getting ready to start ILEARN summative. That's coming up starting tomorrow for the next several weeks. Um thanks to all who came to our basket bash. It was a success. Donated, who sponsored. Uh we made over $5,000. So, that was positive. Uh we had kindergarten roundup on Friday. We had 30 students who showed, and
014we've been still getting calls. So, um it's the number still going up. So, that's also positive. Uh we had our students of the month at our pep rally for honor. Those are listed there. Um I also included um I read, so you can see that is our current second grade. We had 30 out of 39 pass, which is 77%, which is up from 58% last year when we had second grade take it the first time. Um so, you can see there second grade the previous That was 58% passing. And then, our current third graders, we had 17 not pass total last year when they took it in second grade, and now we only have seven um who still have not passed. And we still have that other opportunity that Lisa was talking about. So, really
015proud of the progress um that we made in second grade now that we knew, you know, second graders were going to be taking the test. So, we're proud from that. And just it takes a village, and so it's not just second grade. It's title and everybody else who's kind of been involved in that. So, we're proud of that progress. Um some pictures we also built leprechaun traps. So, that's kind of fun to piggyback off what Randy said. And we did a flood drill on April 1st. Um and my favorite is this little guy in the preschool picture who's really mad at me because he thought there was a real flood coming. Uh so, it just made my day. Um and we had a lot of fun with that. They weren't so fond of me playing
016jokes on them, but uh it was >> to be there. Yes. Yes. It was fun. Yeah. [laughter] So, questions for me? All right. Thank you. Thank you. And middle school. Good evening. Um our enrollment is up three students. We're at 286 um this time. First up, our most recent goat, Mrs. Farthing, recognized Mrs. Persinger as our teacher greatest of all time for the month. She cited her many qualities such as dedication, [snorts] passion, but also her authenticity as a role model and educator to Union County students. So, we're congratulating her. Upcoming, we have um a ribbon run that the honor society is putting on. Um they're encouraging you to sign up, join, and come out, wear the color that represents the cancer that's affected your life. And all proceeds are going to go to the
017cancer association and the honor society. Um we're getting ready to start tomorrow our ILEARN summative test. That's going to last 4 weeks. Outlined there um for you to see. Um but that's going to be ongoing for us in our um English, math, and science classes. >> [clears throat] >> Our FACTS class this last month put together dog treats for our local shelter. So, there's some pictures there um highlighting some of those activities. They went out and donated those. And our eighth graders went and visited the Whitewater Career Center. That we take all the eighth graders out there to, you know, get a a view of what could come in high school level if they decide to to choose that path. So, as they're deciding their schedule for next year, they really wanted wanted to push
018them to look and make a plan for the future and and if that Whitewater Career Center was going to be in their path. So, that's something they could experience firsthand um and try some things out. As you can see, they're cooking, they're curling hair. They looked at the welding booths and small engines. They painted um cars. [clears throat] They didn't actually do the painting, but they saw some some activities there, electrical work where they boat they drew. Even they're doing a little presentation for them. So, one of our own students presenting to our kids was pretty pretty fun. And the health sciences at that top there with activities. Um wanted to highlight our FFA members. We had a lot of middle schoolers that placed there at the um last FFA District 9 leadership development event.
019So, we included them there. They had a really good um turnout and really good placement there. And then, just listed our upcoming track track and field and golf. We also don't have a school softball and baseball team, but they sure wear Union County with pride. So, we're also They're not listed here, but they, you know, they have games all spring. So, come out and see them as well. Any questions for the middle school? Thank you. And moving on to accept donations, we have a total amount of $285. Just going to make a motion. Second. Okay. Second. Any questions or discussion? I'm just curious, how did the Cincinnati Zoo get involved? Oh, so Kim Bondermiller used to teach ecology corner. She now works at the zoo. Okay. Um and so, I think they decided to donate
020to a charity for Christmas, and she just now got around to bringing it to me. Um so, yeah. I think that's the connection. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Um motion by Jessica, second by Betsy. Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay, moving on to consent agenda. We have a total claims for April $1,467,651.48. And we have several out of state overnight trips. So, there is on your online agenda It's correct that your written one there was one that should have been taken off the paper copy, but the online version is correct. As far as resignations or >> [snorts] >> So, which one is right? The one online? The one online. Okay, now I'm Can I ask you a question? You know. Okay. This far as this goes, uh we should
021just get a motion and a second. Is it I mean is it something you need clarified before? I don't think so. Okay. So, I'm going to Drew with a motion. I'll second. Betsy with a second. Now, your question. Okay, so if I'm looking at the online one, then this includes the coaching recommendation? Yes. Oh, then I need to abstain. Well, we're not Do you understand? You can still make a second. Okay. Okay, so I have a couple questions about this. When we go into athletics and we're talking about coaching, where are the coaching positions posted for people to see? What's normally done is that it's normally done is they're put on Twitter and then there's also an internal email that gets sent out. Um and you know, as as we talked about at least and
022I talked about it and you said we need to start getting on the website for whether it be Facebook or our website getting on there so it gets out to a greater number of people. And then when when it's posted on something like Twitter, obviously not everybody has that. They have access to the website, so I think that's a great idea. But how long is it posted on there before it's taken down? Like is it the same rules of the school? It can it can be posted I mean it can be put on there as you know, until the position is filled. So, open until the position is filled or it could be a general 2-week posting it could be I mean it all depends on what's what's been done. So, in the past it
023has been on the website. Is it not being put on the website anymore? Um a lot of the coaching positions I I haven't seen on on the website and I I mean it's I know it like I said it's been put on Twitter and you know, that's sent out like I said by an email blast throughout the district, but I I did not see it on the I mean we always do whether it be you know, secretary, teachers, all of that those are all put on the website. So, can we look into that a little bit to see I know we talked a little bit. I feel like I've gone a few months without anybody contacting me, but in the last week I've had numerous contacts about coaching positions. Right. And I couldn't answer them
024like I couldn't answer where do you find coaching positions posted and then people were calling in about I would have been interested if I knew. Um but I think one thing they you know, I want to make sure that I bring up is obviously we're thankful to have as many coaches as we can and oftentimes we get parents as coaches. And that's great, but I think sometimes that may lend itself to an equity among teams. And so, like tonight my message on my way in here was from a whole group of um individuals that are worried about fairness and equity in coaching. And then that brings me to like who is a part of the interview process for coaches? Right. Well, currently I mean Mr. Overhold does the interviews and does the recommendations for for
025hire. Um but I mean we're always open at how can we do things better? Um and I said we we've talked in your office that you know, we got to do a better job getting getting things posted so when it comes up cuz we're I mean we're always focused on you know, the parents, the teachers, uh secretaries, things like that and we kind of you know, let the athletic department do their thing, but we need to branch out there so we can get more people involved and get more people to to see those postings. And then I had asked earlier about coaching. Are we still asking coaches like to do some type of coaching training? They they are. They are. They're required there. I mean by the state. Do you know what what's the requirement?
026There's I mean there's concussion training, there's there's yeah, there's numerous online trainings, yeah. Heat related illnesses. I mean it's there's there are several We hold our teachers to the highest accountability and training, you know, like you have to know X, Y, and Z and consistently go back to school and get extra credit and do all these things. And I feel like sometimes our coaches are put in a position to we assume that they know how to coach kids and that's not maybe always the the situations I want to make sure if there's something out there that we should offer our coaches that we should. Right. Um and then one more thing about coaching and and sports, do you know if the end of the season surveys have been being sent out? No, I I've asked
027about that and uh I guess that at one point cuz you know, I talked about it and it was it was done one time. Mhm. And that's what the conversation I had the conversation that that morning when I talked to you then I met with Mr. Overhold and said that's something we need to look at doing just to get a better idea of where we're at. Um cuz last thing we need is I mean we're a great school district, but for students to leave because oh, I want to play basketball here or I want to go do you know, cheer there or whatever it may be. We need a better job just making sure that our kids are getting their needs met, but also a part of you know, I won't say big part of
028the evaluation, but we want to make sure that you know, how the season go? You know, it could be better. How can we help how can we help you get better and how can we make it better? Um just customer service-wise we you know, we need to get something like that in place. And I think you you said that that was like I said done like I want to say 3 years ago or something like that. >> 3 years ago we decided as a board that we that that survey would be sent out at the end of every season. It So, you know, you've got fall, winter, spring. Um where now we've potentially if it's only been out one time then we've gone 2 years without sending it out. And it isn't an I got
029you for coaches, it's more of a how did your season go? What was the best part of it? >> [clears throat] >> What could make your season be better? It's about the reflection piece more for kids than about their coach, but how quickly do you think you can get that going? Yeah, and I mean we we can like I said I I can do a Google form tonight when we get have drop-down box for what sport you do and you know, tell us about your experience. I mean we we can have it done relatively quickly. Like I said I was I was kind of you know, when you told me about it I was like man, I I that was the first time I >> [cough and clears throat] >> heard about it Tuesday or
030Wednesday when you and I talked. And I knew nothing about it. And I said it was done my understanding was done one time about 3 years ago and then not since. So. Was it just forgotten about? Couldn't tell you. Like I can't speak on that. I'm not >> a pretty big deal. That's why I'm wondering cuz we it was a real big deal. And just make sure that's going to go out to the coaches. Right. I like I said we can we can I mean I can have that in place by I mean today is Monday I can have it in place by by Friday. We have So, we can do it relatively quickly cuz I I I agree with you. I mean I think it's a it's a wonderful >> [cough and clears throat]
031>> reflection piece. So. So, when we're looking at coaching recommendations tonight and nothing personal, but we've got basketball, basketball, wrestling, cheer, and cheer. Is this something that has to be voted on tonight or can we get some of this stuff posted cuz I said in the past that we were going to do going Well, I know you know, we have I mean cheer we're going to have tryouts here usually that's done first week of May. With the basketball I don't know you know, basketball-wise I don't I don't know what open gyms you know, things like that they're doing. Um you know, wrestling you know, yeah, hopefully we'll find out what they're doing chance of their Um what their what their schedule looks like. But like I said cheer is kind of where we're on schedule
032where it's you know, they're all starting their tryouts. Cheering. And if we if you want to table those, we can table it and then you know, try and get an early start for get people in place so we can um have that ready to go for you that first week of May. And then I noticed cuz Vanessa Mitchell is our assistant coach, is she are we posting for an assistant coach? Uh if this gets approved then cuz right now there's currently not an opening this gets approved. Yeah. So, once that gets approved, then we can post it for the next meeting. So, I do have a motion and a second. So, either we vote on it or Drew can amend his motion. So, that's where we're at. Yeah. I'd like to see all that stuff
033get in place, I think. I don't know if I want to change set up to do tonight. So, you're not You want to keep your Okay. So, a motion by Drew, second by Betsy. So, we'll go ahead and vote. So, all those in favor. I. >> I. All those opposed. I'm going to vote opposed. And then abstaining. I. So, that motion carries 5 and 1 and 1. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, moving on to old business, College Corner board updates. Biggest thing happening at College Corner and Christina already touched on it was the basket bash. Her April Fool's prank went over, you know. I've got grandkids down there and they talked about that when they got home, so that was a memorable moment in that. But, we do want to thank the people that supported
034that basket bash. The teachers really get behind that. They get the kids involved with it. And so, when the kids show up that night, they see the basket that they were part of. And then they want to bring grandma and grandpa along, too. I got to show you this, you know. So, it sort of ties everybody together, makes it a tight-knit community. So, another good job done by Christina and her staff. Thank you. Okay, moving on to new business. Item nine is the approval to open up bids for outsourcing food service companies. Again, this would just be approving to open up. Obviously, what it sounds like, just bids. We're not approving a particular service. Daryl with a motion. Second. [clears throat] Drew with a second. Any questions or discussion? I have some. Um And just
035so everybody understands, you have to have a a motion and a second to even talk about it. Um So, if we're asking for opening up bids, what if we don't want to do it? Then we don't have to. This is what I wanted I wanted to make sure like saying that we're going to open up bids, do we have to do it? And the answer is no. >> Well, if we're going to vote to open up the bids and accept bids, if we don't like bids we get, we don't have to accept those. Okay. Tonight is just to be able to start advertising for bids. So, I know there's a couple comments about Chartwells. So, it's not like we're saying Chartwells is coming in. They're just a local company that a lot of surrounding districts
036use. Um so, that's how they've been involved. It's not like we're approving Chartwells tonight. We're just saying we're going to open up bids, see what we get. Um if we vote yes tonight. What if we decide that's not the best option with the bids, then we don't have to do that. Correct. We don't have to accept them. And there's no requirement as far as how many bids we could get one, we could get 15. There's no requirement as far as how many bids we have to get. And this will be advertised for This How long? Uh I believe it's for Cuz the the process when when companies put their information in, I mean, it's everything from their financials to where they're, you know, operating right now, what they can do for, you know, service-wise, what
037their process once they get into into a building or a district, what that looks like. You know, we went through the process of enrichment and I think it had nine different companies. And I mean, each one that came in to me was it was about an inch and a half, 2 inches thick because it was everything that, you know, they could they could do. So, like I said, everything from their financials on to, you know, what service they provide. When Jenny came in, I had asked if we could ask her a question or two. Um Jenny, this is for you. What do you This is all new to us, obviously. Like Right. This is pretty new a new thing. What do you want us to know about the whole food service process that we may
038not understand? With the food service management company, we as a community will not have the ability to choose what comes into our school school from the way I have investigated the food service management companies. They'll bring in They will use my commodity dollars because I've already used them for next year. But, they will use them how they see fit. And they do not the way I saw fit. So, we can I can bring my field specialist in. She can go into more detail about the differences between a food service management company and what we do. But, it doesn't matter if you have a food service management company or me, that money is still coming in into and out of an 800 fund. It still has nothing to do with corporation money. So, that's what mean
039That's what I have. So, yeah. What What is And you're talking to people that don't know. So, feel free to answer however. >> Okay. What is your biggest concern with an outside food company? That they won't care about our kids like we do. That our kids won't get the service that they get now. What What service? The fact that they know every one of these ladies. Every one of these ladies knows these kids by name. We cook home-cooked meals every day in every kitchen. Stop and have a meal. Come see. Wednesdays are big meal day. Wednesday, we're having fettuccine alfredos. Stop and eat. See how our food is. I mean, >> [clears throat] >> talk to some of the kids, talk to parents. When I took over as food service director, I decided that every
040menu in every building was going to be the same. I had three kids that were in separate buildings. Some would have spaghetti, some would have this, some would have that. This way, a family can plan their meal every night and they're not Oh, you had spaghetti? Sorry, that's what we're having. Your brother had this. I kept the menus simple. I kept them as home-cooked meals so that the families can plan around it. So, I did I was going to preface this by saying this. I did attend a meeting. Chartwells did come in and at least talk because of the concerns. [clears throat] Um I know they did say they would welcome they want all of you to apply. I don't know if that is an issue. I know I Ray had said she didn't want
041to apply for a position and I I get that. I understand. Um but, they did make it clear they do want this staff to apply because they do know the kids. Um Yes. Um They did offer my girls a 6% raise. However, if you go on Chartwells and try to fill out an application, they start out base pay at 14 or 15 dollars an hour. There are very huge children women in this work row that make 14 or 15 dollars an hour. So, even with So, even with Chartwells 6% what they [clears throat] make, somebody from Chartwells is going to make more than these girls. I had the meeting with Chartwells recorded. If anybody would like to hear it with the permission I mean, I got permission before we even recorded it. And I appreciate
042Matt sitting in with us, but we do have it recorded if anybody wants to hear it. That way you can hear what Chartwells says and what we asked because there were a lot of questions that were floated. Um, insurance was a big thing with my ladies. Um, they said they will offer insurance. There's four or five different companies, but they couldn't give us a base price on what insurance would cost. So, Some of us lose our doctor. Yeah. I mean, the Quad Med doctor that we have on site behind the middle school. So, But again, we're not approving Chartwells. >> I I realize they all know that. We've already had a discussion. >> to see what we get, so. >> We've had a discussion. And it also means that you don't have Am I under
043the understanding that you don't have to go with a food service management company just because you opened the bid. Yeah, if we >> Okay. If we don't like the bids, again, if this gets voted through tonight, if we don't like the bids, I mean, we're not going to accept something that's going to hurt our district. >> Okay. Thank you. And I hope it's been explained like this is nothing personal. Right. >> Like we're in desperation mode. >> I I know, but I don't understand >> It is personal to us. No, I mean, like we're not saying that you're not doing [clears throat] a good job. We're saying we're under a a budget cut of $3 million. But I don't understand how getting rid of our food service is going to make the corporation any money.
044If you can show me that in writing how you guys going to Chartwells is going to save the district money, Or in our circle. then I I mean, I'll sit down and talk numbers with you all night long. But, I don't see how it's going to save the corporation money because the corporation does not pay any We are our own entity. We run out of the 800 fund, which is federal dollars that pays for all salaries and everything. So, So, when you get reimbursement back like for food service, how much is that typically? >> Um, there's a check on Paul's desk for $59,000. That'll be in March revenue on top of our sales of trays and our snacks for the month of March. Plus our preschool money, plus other money that we've got from buying
045water for the I-Learn at College Corner, um, PTO in both buildings concessions for the middle school. So, yeah. The money we've spent that they're just reimbursing us for ordering them food. At the end of the year, how much money do you think in in that return comes back total? Well, um, so, last year we ended the year it said on 5,000 when we had our meeting in May or June when I talked to you. However, 30,000 hadn't been put in the account. The last four years we have not been in the negative. The year before that it was 79,000 in our account. The year before that it was 219,000 in our account. You were only allowed to carry so much money in your 800 fund or the state and federal will make you spend it.
046So, Yeah. So, And right now our negative balances are up, but as you know, they will be paid off by the end of the year because we have a community that will step up and give us donations to pay off those. Like they they count the the count here like kids that are in the red? >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you know what those are right now? We're about 58, 62, something like that hundred that are out that are out? >> Yeah. I just paid mine off today. They do? So, like 6,000? Huh? Christina paid hers off, so we're we're Mine was like 1,300. That was just me. What's your Yeah. >> Yes. Yeah. So, 1,300. So, we're probably around four. I haven't checked it. I haven't been in the kitchen the last three work
047days, so I didn't have that information. I can get it to you. I'll email it to you. Okay. Okay, so, if there's no other questions or discussion, uh, we do have motion by Daryl, second by Drew. So, I will entertain a vote. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Nay. Abstain? So, that carries 601 or 610, sorry. Okay, moving on to item 10, approval to move the June 8th board meeting to June 1st. Um, is something on there? Uh, no, it would I mean, two two reasons. One, I'm going to be out of town on the 8th. Um, I'd love to be here for it. But also on June we have graduation on June 7th. Yes. Which would be great to have everything done and ready to go, so then by June 7th we
048are good to move So moved. You guys got a motion? Second. Got to have a second. Any questions or discussion? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Okay, moving on to public participation. Um, Mr. McCurdy, CC presentation. Thank you for the time. Uh, Kevin McCurdy again with LWC up in Richmond. Um, just following up on the 4-H conversation we had I think meetings ago now or whenever that was. Uh, we did some of the homework that we were asked to do. Um, so we did manage to find a copy of the deed that transferred title of this if anybody wants a copy and highlighted the areas that really talk about the 4-H. Um, Give me one second. Here's those. Um, so it really does it was titled obviously to the school, but there is
049um, Thank you. documentation in there that are pretty clear that the intent was to make that space available for I think that was the question. That information in there is that's what I went ahead and took the liberty of highlighting in yellow just to And I printed it big so everybody could read it because it ain't half by 11. It was kind of just small enough to be annoying. Um, it's one of those documents that's like just vaguely, you know, vague enough. I think you're going to interpret it a couple of different ways cuz there's not specificity with is it two buildings? Is it six buildings? Is it you know, one building? It doesn't really say. It's more of a general for the benefit of 4-H. So, I think it's a little bit open to
050interpretation. There is some language in there, um, which I don't know that I highlighted that if there's a dispute between really the school and then 4-H it has to go to a judge that's going to arbitrate the thing and make the final decision, but I don't think that's in anybody's best interest to do something like that, spend all your money. But I think this does answer the question was 4-H really intended to be the beneficiary of that space and I think this document seems to indicate that that was the case. Um, the other thing that we did was really there was a question about kind of settling on the approach because we kind of had a couple of options. Um, so, this is our revised plan uh, that that really still has kind of the
051two parking lots that we looked at and kind of the gravel kind of trailer type area that was up there. You'll see it on your handout. The other thing that's on there if you look there's a a dotted line that's not as heavy as the edge of the property lines. We did also give the cross country course that's been overlaid there, so you can see that it really runs around everything that's being proposed, so it shouldn't impact other than the fact that we're going to have to figure out, you know, how much trees are left and things like that. Um, but it shouldn't impact any of the cross country courses that are involved there. So, that's kind of the additional information we secured since the last time. I think the the big question is, you
052know, is there a willingness to allow the 4-H folks to move ahead pursuing potential funding? I think it's really for two parts. You know, there's the buildings and there's kind of parking lot component. My expectation is there'd be different groups interested in different aspects of it. So, I think the group I'm speaking for you now. The group's going to have to prioritize, you know, what what buildings and what parking and kind of work all that out. And I'm assuming it's going to be like most things where can funding potentially come from uh, to fund either of those, but I I think they don't want to head down a path saying we're potentially moving in a direction, have somebody give money and then the board say, well, we're not okay with some of this stuff happening.
053So, I think that's really There's really no funding in place for any of this. I think it's been, you know, a chicken and egg scenario just not even wanting to get too far ahead of the board, make sure everybody's in lockstep if we're going to move ahead with pursuing some of this. But I think the intent is for it to be a shared resource at the end of the day. I mean, 4-H, you know, only is going to be using it a portion of the time and I think that's where in some collaborative fundraising potentially starts to come into play for some of this stuff, especially on the parking side, so. That's really all we had unless there's any questions or I think ultimately how do we get to a place where we feel like
054we can both move forward and 4-H can really start to put this out there to other organizations for potentially pursuing funding opportunities. If the board's comfortable with that. Jim Williams seeing this Uh I don't know. I don't believe so, but I can I can get it to them. So, this isn't something that we're obviously voting on. Um And really we're not in place to vote on it. It's What it looks like here is it's up to the 4-H what they want to do with that ground. I mean, the way I read that now, I'm not an attorney. Nor am I. But so I know just speaking for myself, I think it's a good idea. Um I don't know if it's something that really there's nothing to vote on, so I don't know if Jim needs
055to look at everything and just make sure there's nothing that we do need to vote on or if it's if there's any opposition from the rest of the board, says they're all know which way you're going to lean. I I mean, I think more more park I think the thing that makes it awkward for 4-H, just you know, having done this enough times where one organization holds the deed, but another one wants to develop something is ultimately you all are going to have to sign off if we for example go get a state permit. Like want to go get a state design release like because it's titled to the school, somebody with your organization is ultimately going to have to sign off on things to move forward. So, at some point >> [clears throat] >>
056assuming they got to a point they would fundraise enough to break ground on something or do, you know, move forward on this, they would it would have to come to you. Somebody would have to sign off and then it would kind of go back. So, again, I just think that would be What's your next What do you think your next step is? Don't have Uh next month when we have our board meeting, like we just want to make sure everything was copacetic. Like everybody was kind of on board that we didn't throw a plan out and people lose their minds like >> ultimately is to produce the plan to then start fundraising. So, it wouldn't cost you like it's your the next step doesn't cost you money or potential I mean, I don't know. That's
057what No, our next if Jim would say we have to vote on something No, our next step is just kind of trying to I don't even know if it'd be finalized, but but get a vision together of what we want the fairgrounds to eventually look like. And then release it Then release it. Start fundraising. Donations, work on grants. And see where we need to find grants. When is your next board meeting? In May? May 5th. 5:30 hours May 7th. May 7th. So, will this or the approval of this be accepted by the county or does the state have to does the state building the people have to look at this and approve like the width of that driveway going back? So, the state doesn't have to approve that. Any of that drive work would be
058here at the county level. Building stuff would have to go to the state and be approved if we were to put up, you know, one of these 60 by 20 buildings for instance, because it's public building, that would have to go to the state and come back to get the appropriate local permits. What are you proposing as far as these driveways going back to these parking lots? I mean, it at a minimum they'd be 20 24 ft wide, but part of this is you really need to get the survey and really get into doing some work and, you know, getting to that level and I think because they're still in a fundraising mode, they're really not even better yet, frankly. I mean, so but it would be kind of road minutes cuz the the thinking
059is that you're going to have trailers and things going side by side potentially for some of the 4-H traffic, so they can kind of park back in that area to allow more public side to not have that conflict of traffic. So, we need it wide enough to accommodate that. So, we'd have to work through what that is. Have two-way traffic there. The state I mean, if if the state doesn't be it won't be involved with it, that may may help some. >> Right. Cuz I'm certain the state's going to require 60-ft right-of-way through there. Yeah, and the state wouldn't necessarily be involved with something like that, so most of that stuff [clears throat] happens at a local So, it's going to be whatever your local zoning requirements are. I said that as far as that
060where the dotted line where the kind of the road splits in this diagram, that dotted line if I'm correct, um it's right in that area. That'd be the city limits. So, anything north of that dotted line would be County out in the county. Sure. The way everything's The line around the county is not ex- or the town is not exactly a square, so it But I'm pretty sure that is kind of the city line and everything north of that becomes the county. I I've never been given an easy project, so I'd expect that last and have to split 12 ways Sunday, so it's so >> [laughter] >> So, is our next step talking to Jim and making sure Yeah, I I don't want to require you guys to come back. Um If we can get
061something as soon as um as far as the calendar goes. Uh so, we don't meet again until May 11th. Um Is this pretty much how you think you wanted to look? I mean, ballparkish I know >> Ballparkish. I know you had three different designs last time. >> Yeah. Um I think as long as our attorney looks at it and if you guys present it to your board, then by May 11th >> [cough] >> I mean, it's disappointing. Well, board's tonight of May 11th. Um if we do need to vote, if we don't need to vote, if Jim says this is good the way it is, then then we don't need to So, I at least want to run everything by our attorney to make sure there's nothing we're missing. And I think you have this
062digitally. I can make a >> [cough] >> copy of this, too, so you can share that out. That way we can get Hopefully you can give us the green light and give you guys the green light to start moving forward on your end. Cuz I mean, I would think that the goal would be for them to kind of get this set up so that, you know, sports fair time you can kind of build, you know, some interest and some conversation just to see what kind of interest there is to have So, that's really kind of the bigger picture goal. Yep. So. See if I missed anything. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Appreciate it. Okay, any other public participation? I'm not hearing any, so we'll move on to superintendent's comments. I got a couple things. Um
063first of all, I had the great honor of being invited to uh the senior exit project that I had last Friday. And uh I just number one, just blown away with the I mean, I I've said it I've said it out loud. I mean, I've said it to everybody that's listening is that the type of kids we got down here in Union County is just awesome. Really just amazing. And uh the young lady got up and she spoke for I mean, went through the whole project. There was probably I'd say 30 people in in there. And uh did a phenomenal job. I mean, and then she's a great kid. But just seeing just the level of the time she put in and what she was doing was just just I was just in awe. I
064was just in awe. And uh like I said, just the fact that I was I was invited to be a part of that uh was was huge. So, that that was my first thing. And uh um I know Miss Barnes she can talk about it cuz I I read the packet. Miss, you know, Carla gave me a packet. Go figure. Um but she said that cuz uh she goes, "What do you know about this?" And I said, "I this is the first one I've been invited to." And she goes, "Hold on." She brings out this I mean, it was like a a binder that about this thick and, you know, she's got there on I felt like I was in a Harry Potter movie or something because she brings this out. She goes, "This is
065where you" So, it started back in 2000 and uh just the the the students have action goals that they have to they have to meet. And it was like I said, it was just it was just a neat neat thing that uh I've never seen it done. Never never seen it done in high school. And it was just an incredible job. Um like I said, the young lady um I think her whole family uh her teammates were there. I mean, everybody showed up for her and she showed up and showed out. I mean, she she did great. So, I was I was impressed. Uh number two, uh Sunday, um my had the fortune of going out to Cincinnati and and going through the Auschwitz exhibit. Um which I don't know if anybody else had the
066opportunity. I know Miss Brandon took her class through there in this year. Um Uh extremely moving and you know, as as we walked out, we got in the car and uh you know, talked to my daughter and then I said, "What do you think?" Cuz my wife and I kind of, you know, a little bit more well-versed than a than a 23-year-old, but you know, she said, "You know what? No matter what happens in life, it's not that bad compared to, you know, what what people went through." And I said, "Yeah, I you know, that's that's it." So, you know, just keep moving forward and you know, tomorrow's a new day. It keeps getting better. So, but nothing's, you know, life-changing. Um the final thing in in this is a little bit more of a
067serious note. Um in the last couple weeks, and I'll refer to them as the the keyboard warriors, that um you know, they want to get on there and they want to, you know, get on social media and blast whoever, whether it be the board, me. Doesn't matter. Um My office door is open probably 90% of the time, unless I have somebody in there or I'm on a Zoom. Anybody is welcome to come and just come see me. Um I I'd prefer if, you know, you came to see me and got, you know, facts and and truths. But um unfortunately with keyboard warriors is that those don't always fit their narratives. Um so, I will put that invitation out again is that, you know, instead of blasting me or blasting the board or blasting whoever, come
068in, come see me, be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Um I mean, it's real simple. I mean, come come talk to me. I mean, I I've said it before is that, you know, if you if you don't like what I'm doing, tell me. If you like what I'm doing, tell everybody. And that's what I I will continue to put that out there is you just come come see me. Um I I love the fact that I mean, uh Miss Jones called me the other morning. She said, "I've had people reach out." Cuz that's what you should do. That's what these people are representing the community. So, if there's a problem, come see Daryl. Come see Susan. Come see somebody and let them know because there's a lot of times, I
069mean, we got so many things going on that we don't always know, you know, what's happening here, what's happening there because if we don't know about it, we can't do anything about it. So, I once again I'll put that invitation out is come see me. My door is open. Love to talk to you. We can give you the truths, give you the facts, and like I said, we keep making Union County and and College Corner a better place to be. Because I I've said it is that with the level of students we have, the staff we have, the community support, the board support, the parent support, this should be the school district of choice, not just for the county cuz that's say, I mean, that's us, but for everybody around us. They should want to
070bring their kids here because we're better. We're doing things better. And heck, we're doing senior exits. So, that's all I that's all I'll leave with that. Um I appreciate all the, you know, comments and support. Okay, moving on to board comments. Does anyone want to talk then? Mr. Harris, you're right that I have a few. The first one is, can we please move the board? Like next time or cuz I think I've asked before and I'll move it. I don't care, but if we can move it over there or somewhere where we can see everybody, but we never can I never can see anyone. We can do that. It's super important to me. I want to see everybody. Okay, we don't have to do it right now. How about that? I think that's good. I
071think that was a great idea. No, I I want to echo what you said. Um the kids here in Union County are phenomenal, but we already know that. We're glad you're getting to know that. We're that's why we're here. That's what we do. That's why we live here. One of the saddest parts of this for me is the fact that we are facing such a crisis financially that Union County is not going to continue to look the way that it has. The reason that people come here to us is because of the small-town feel. We don't have the solutions, but we're open to hearing solutions. And when we entertain ideas, it's never personal for the fact that we're going after somebody. It's more personal about the fact of how do we keep our doors open
072to our schools. The unfortunate part, I'll get on a soapbox about this, is ever since Indiana opened open enrollment, we started losing kids to other places where they can go and they can play sports on teams that are consistently winning for what whatever that looks like, whatever the reason. And that now takes our small school and makes it smaller. And that cuts our funds. So, we have a very hard job, but we're just people in a bad situation not knowing how to um adjust to a financial crisis. And it's not just us, it's the whole state. It's there's federal funding being cut across the nation. Um if you haven't followed the Senate bill, you know, we're going in $3.2 million of a loss, Union County schools. So, that's why it's such a big deal. And
073that's why we have to look at every single small thing that can add up to a bigger thing. Um I know that uh I voted against some things tonight. I'm not in a bad mood. I typically don't do that, and it's not about a personal factor as much as it is about policy and procedure, and I really want to know that if we're hiring coaches, that we're we're interviewing and we have a process and we have more people than just one person in an interview, and we're bringing the best to our students so we can keep some students here because we all can agree that art, music, band, choir, cheerleading, football, all those things are what keep some kids in school. Um and so, it's very important that we are fair and equitable in our
074practice. Um so, I don't want any coaches to think tell your husband it wasn't personal. Um I I just I I just want to reiterate like Mr. Jones said, the door's always open. I've had a lot of calls today and last week um on things that directly impact our athletics, and I haven't heard things for a while. So, I feel like that maybe we need to look at what we're doing there and making sure that we're doing the right thing for our kids. And then finally, I just want to say, as an educator myself, we have to remember, no matter what is going on, the whole reason we're here are for the kids. And so, when we have to look at tough things like, and I'm throwing this out there even though I haven't heard,
075like if we would ever have to eliminate a teaching position or look at other ways to cut budgets, it is never a personal factor. It's more about how do we continue to keep Union County College Corner Joint School District open when what we feel like is happening is they want us to merge into other places. So, it's very important that everybody understands that, and I feel like it's been the elephant in the room that we haven't talked that much about. Anyone else? I just want to thank you for the captive staff for coming tonight. Um I know this is not a popular decision by any means. Um we just have to look at everything right now. Um and trust me, we're all thinking of every single one of you. Um we've talked about this in
076prior meetings. We're not trying to get rid of our staff. We want to keep our staff. We want to keep our staff happy, but we got to do things that Jessica said to keep the doors open. So, thank you again for coming tonight. I know it's time away from home, which is never easy. Um but yeah, I the surveys, I didn't know those were not being done anymore. I thought those more than supposed to be more than a one-time thing, so. And in fact, I got policy that we need That's why we need to do we need to vote on policy or procedure for that? Because if so, we need to add it to next month so that it gets put somewhere where everybody knows. Let me take a look at what policy, see if
077there's anything in there. Any other board comments? If not, I adjourn the meeting at 8:09. There is no executive session tonight. >> Mhm.