001It is 7:01. Call the meeting to order. We have a quorum. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance. I 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. [Music] Okay, there are no amendments to the agenda. No one is signed up for public participation. So, we will start off with department report. All right. Hello, everybody. can't believe it's already August and everything has flown by in the blink of an eye. Um, so I have been out for the past six months on maternity leave. So I'm just going to give you guys just kind of a quick update as to what I'm aiming to do this school year versus what I did towards the end
002of last school year because obviously my time was spent a little bit differently this past year. All right, so a new school year is great and it's exciting, but for a lot of kids it is not. It can be a nightmare for a lot of students. There's, you know, a lot of different challenges, social, emotional, academic. Um, and I know that it's been said in the years prior, but truly we are living in a mental health crisis. There have been five suicides in our area in the past six months, one of which was my cousin. So, we definitely are all kind of seeing that hit home and definitely seeing it in our students. They are dealing with a lot more than just homework and, you know, social issues. They're dealing with things at home. They're
003dealing with the mental health disorders and other things, you know, that we don't see on a regular basis. And they're really good at hiding. They're really good about putting on a smile or just hiding away from the world. So, my goal this year is to have all the students know how to reach out for help and how to get access to those mental health resources. A few of the ways that we are doing that is at the middle school, Victoria, Michael and I are making a page through Canvas where we can put our contact info and it'll take you directly to our emails where they can email us. It'll also have resources, coping skills, mental health links, and things of that nature. Um, I'm going into the high school class, um, the health class to
004give a QPR discussion, which stands for question, persuade, and refer. It's a suicide prevention program. Um, at College Corner, we I will be doing monthly lessons in the upper grades on mental health, other topics, um, coping skills, organizational skills, things of that nature. Um, we do continue to partner with Meridian and Centerstone for outside support. They are wonderful and we're great to we're very grateful to have them. Um, and hopefully they, you know, add more people to our, you know, school program here because we're in desperate need of extra help. Um, and also for the middle school, we need volunteers for challenge day. Challenge day is where some raw and unfiltered emotions come out in a very supported environment. We have people that come in lead us through different exercises. So, if you or anyone
005you know might be interested in volunteering for the day, please let us know because we still need about six volunteers for that. >> That is August 26th and it starts at 8 a.m. >> Yep. It is coming up very quickly. >> It starts at what time? >> Starts at 8 a.m. and they're usually done by 3:15. Who who should we let know? >> You can let me know or you can also email Victoria Michael. She's the one that's in charge of it. I'm just kind of trying to find volunteers to help her. >> So, yep, we would gladly have you come and participate. Um, most of the time volunteers are paired with five or six students in a small group for the group led discussions. Otherwise, the rest of the day is everybody as a
006whole doing the exercises. What day of the week is that? >> I'm sorry. >> What day of the week is that? >> That is a Tuesday. >> And how many are you looking for? >> We're looking for six more volunteers because the smaller the groups for challenge day, the better conversations can have versus having bigger groups and it's a lot harder to meet all the objectives of the day. >> And is this for everyone? This is just for the eighth grade. >> Eighth grade. >> Yep. >> And it is sponsored by Reed Health. >> Hi everyone. I'm Ashley Knock. I am also the social worker for the high school and for Liberty Elementary. Um, so we're also trying to implement some things like Sierra said, trying to make sure that everybody knows how they can
007contact us. Um, this year I'm going to a lot of high school classes and their seals as well as the health classes to kind of introduce myself, what I can do to help them in the school and how they can contact me as well. We also started at the end of the year last year started a Google document where if they need me or any of the guidance counselors they can go to that Google document request whatever they need a short description who they want to talk to and then that automatically gets sent to my email so that I can be very productive on that. Um, with the elementary, I do social emotional learnings with the fourth and fifth graders. That went extremely well last year, and they all asked if I would be willing
008to go again this year. And so, we are going to be starting that next week. So, it's 10 lessons for each of the grades. Um, and then we go over a little review if they have any questions, just go over any coping skills and stuff like that to kind of get them through the year and get them ready for middle school as well for those fifth graders. So that's kind of what we've been working on and hopefully continue to do that this year. Thank you guys. >> I would tell you that we got to meet the other day and the plan that these young ladies have put in place for the school is excellent and you know just to hear what they're planning to do. I look forward to a great year for them. >>
009Anyone have any questions? I wondered where do you see the highest need grade level wise? I mean, I know it's everywhere, but um I can't speak for Ashley because I don't, you know, work specifically with our population too much anymore. Um last year I would say the greatest need was with our maybe seventh graders or so. Would you guys agree? We had kind of a rough patch there with the seventh grade. Obviously, all of the grade levels need some extra support and we are starting to see a lot more mental health needs in our fourth and fifth graders at the elementary level. A lot more suicidal ideiation or, you know, selfharming in that area, which is very scary because those kiddos, you know, aren't supposed to be, you know, as grown up in this real
010world as they are. Um, which is why Christina and I talked and we want to, you know, just try to get to those kiddos a little bit sooner. Um, Ashley, do you >> Yeah. So, um, kind of in the high school level is where I see it the most. Um, not so much at the elementary level, at least this past year hasn't been as high, but definitely in the high school levels, it's been the younger ones. Kind of ninth and tth graders have been the hardest ones. Um, a lot of if not suicidal thoughts, it's threatening others as well. So, kind of making sure that where that's stemming from and how we can help them in those situations. But we have a lot of crisis stuff in place for that and people have been really
011good about contacting me like, "Hey, we have this person's threatening themselves or threatening others. A good process for that, making sure we're contacting those parents and getting them the resources they need to make sure that they're safe and protected outside of school." >> That was my next question about parental resources. Like is there a family night or parent resource night or anything like that or would it be beneficial? >> Yeah. Um, we did that. Um, I think my first year here, um, Oh, cool. Thanks, buddy. Um, I did that my first year here and it overall didn't go very well. I think we had less than 10 parents show up. I'm not against something like that. Um, but typically what I do to try to reach those parents is if we have a crisis, I
012have packets of whatever it is and I give it to the parents whether it's suicide, whether it's risk, mental health resources and I just send it home with them directly and that seems to work better at least in my areas. Anytime that we have a crisis situation like that, I always recommend and send them those packets where we have the local therapists and counselors that if they want those outside services or we also have center stone and meridian. I always make sure like, hey, I'd be more than happy to help you kind of set that up. Talk to our centerstone and meridian and make sure that that process goes smoothly. for the elementary level. Whenever they have math and sciences days, I work with Lisa on having my own little booth where we I will
013bring those resources as well. So, if anybody walks by and they want any of those resources for additional information, it's there. >> And when is that? I'm sorry. When you do >> um so the past was when they had the the costume the um >> was that the wax museum? Thank you. Yeah. And then the other time was when they had was it the math math day, math and science day where parents come and they look at their children in their wax museum or uh different science and math projects. So once in the beginning of the year and ones more towards the end of the year. >> So my question is and maybe as min everybody has an open house, right? I mean I'm sorry it's been a while since I've had one but like
014high school has open house, middle school I know elementary has open house. Do you make yourself available at the Do you say anything at the open house so kids know is that before they even come in or parents know? Are you guys >> presenting at those open houses at all? >> I personally haven't been. I don't know if you have been, but I did call uh we had a SWAT meeting this morning with the high school where they want our presence to be known there and I was more than happy to say yeah um go to those open houses and give those resources and talk to parents too. So I think that's a great idea. Um, I know you said you haven't done one since you're here, but I'm just wondering, uh, with you mentioning
015the suicides in Union County, um, I think it it might be a good time to have another parent meeting and if if you bring up the reason is because of the suicides in Union County, I think you might get a lot more parents attending. I mean, it might be the time to do it. >> Yeah. >> I just thought the open house would be a good time that you might think about because it's not targeted for a certain topic. It's we're covering everything. It gives the information and the non >> non I don't know. You're not singling out people. You're just here presenting. >> Yes, definitely. >> What was your I'm sorry. >> No, I was just telling them good luck. >> Thank you. >> What was your average case load in the high school
016last year? Um, so it ran anywhere from 20 to 30 kiddos. It was pretty high. Um, to where I had to do kind of every other week type sessions just to make sure I was covering it all. But probably roughly around 20 to 30. It is less this year because a lot of the seniors were on my case load. Um, but I do see with the upcoming freshman and getting back to that number as well. you see or how many >> I would say at the middle school probably that 30 range at college corner probably closer to 15 and a lot of those kiddos graduated up to the middle school and I think Ashley unfortunately is receiving quite a few of mine from 8th grade so we've already met to discuss those transitions and what
017that looks like for this year especially because I was you know out so I'm not sure who who needed it and who didn't. So, we had a pretty good conversation and game plan for that as well. >> I even wonder I know prevention the prevention program is here too. Do you guys do anything about I know you're really drug and related, but do you do anything about >> Actually, there's a loss a guy that wants to put a loss team here in this county and he's looking for people to join that lost team. >> And the reason I know about him because he's he's funded by DHA like I'm funed by DHA. So he's like in my realm. So I can forward you his information because he does want to start a lost team that
018they call it. >> Yeah. >> I think we're so little. We don't have all the resources, but when we all work together, we can get it done in hand. >> Definitely. >> I'm glad to hear Centerstone and Meridian are still a part of it. And I assume that they kind of go from you to them like if you see that they're needing the additional support, but you're probably still checking on them. >> Yep. >> Yeah. We um we try to you know meet the need when the need is no longer met we move on right to outside services. Um a lot of the times if they're doing really well in those outside services we try to take that step back and then move in the next direction of the next family. Um we do have
019some kiddos though where it's everybody is on the same team and we are just constantly you know trying to surround them because they just need a little bit extra. >> Well thanks for all you do. I hope you take care of yourselves too because that's a heavy >> Thank you. >> load. >> Thank you, Nick. >> Moving on to building updates. Know everyone missed being here last month. Uh we'll start with college corner. >> Good evening. Um, you can see enrollment numbers there. From this time last year, we were at 266. So, we are down. However, four of our kids went to Liberty for the Applied Skills Room. So, we're down about 10 kids. Um, so definitely definitely down on enrollment. Um, some upcoming events, we have pep rallies coming up the next couple months.
020There's the September one and the October one where we celebrate our character treats. Um, winners of the month. We're doing a fall fest we do every year in the fall. Uh that's going to be on October 3rd. We've had a great start to the school year. Uh last week I think I was living in a dream world. Today the honeymoon fell off just a little bit. It must have been the Monday, but it's all good. Um we had some new staff there that are doing an awesome job. Um Trisha used to teach uh Title. She is back as an aid and um is loving that. Um Talon is is working in kindergarten and Brandy came over from Liberty. She's teaching kindergarten. Um so we're welcoming them. You can see lots of smiling faces there. Um,
021in the first week and first couple days of school, fourth graders make duct tape wallets. They do a token economy and they have to keep track of their money and pay rent and all kinds of fun stuff. So, that's that picture there. But, we've had a good couple of first days. Any questions? >> Oh, how's your building? >> Oh, that's a great question. Yeah, I thought about that afterwards. I said I should have put pictures in. You need to come in. It really looks a lot better than I I honestly thought it was going to. Um it it really is going to be I think more secure. I mean, they can't get out into the school building. Um still some kinks to work out with the construction being right up until school, but honestly, it
022looks really nice. >> Are they done? >> Mostly. I'll say mostly. >> Yes. Yeah. Thanks. >> Moving on to the high school. thought I was going to last. >> I'm just going in order of how I got them. >> Okay. Um, if you look at enrollment, we're a little bit ahead of where we thought we would be last year, but uh, I printed this this morning these statistics or enrollment numbers and we lost one today. So, we're down to 351. We do have two or three students that we think are going to withdraw. Mike and I made a home visit to College Corner today and we had a student whose mother came to the door. They're moving to Camden, Ohio, and she's going to enroll him in an online school. So, we're going to go
023up and down the next week or so. Probably by the next board meeting, I'll have a firm rumor, but uh if if you look at the projections, we were projected to be at 351 and that's exactly where we're at right now, but I think it's going to drop two or three more. Um that's that's okay news. Uh, some good news is we have two programs that we're trying to improve upon. Our band and our football team. I will tell you we currently have 27 students in band. They're all going to participate in our pep band at the football game. There are three students who because of their schedule couldn't get a band class in their schedule, but they're doing independent study. They're going in during our SRT period. And there's even one that uh his
024grandmother brings into middle school early. So, he's meeting uh with Mr. Albbright at the middle school before he walks over to get uh classes started at the high school. So, we're we're expecting to have pretty close to 30 kids in our band. When we ended last year, we only had uh low 20s and all of those kids didn't participate in the pet band. So, things are looking up there. football. We if if you followed the football team last year, you know, we ended the season with uh somewhere around 22 23 players. Not all of them were healthy and and playing at the time, but they were still on the team. This week, we have 35 players. So, that's a good start. So, Mr. Albbright and Mr. Higgins are doing a good job of recruiting. If
025you haven't had a chance, stop by the high school, come into our new alumni room. It will probably be locked during the day, so come and get me. I'll let you in there. Uh the alumni group here in Union County is very active and they're wanting to grow and and I think this room will be something for them to to show off and be proud of. Um we did get a new window to our bookstore where the applied skills and other treats in the morning. Um so stop by sometime in the morning and get some coffee from the kids. They are learning to deal with the public, deal with their peers, and deal deal with me. I give them a hard time. I'd like to thank Jeff Circle for getting that nice sliding glass window
026put in there so you can actually see all the merchandise inside the bookstore. They're selling shirts and hats and things like that. You couldn't necessarily see it all last year with the the door that lifted up and it was a a much smaller window. Um there's a picture of open house. We have 107 freshmen and there's only 15 of them that did not show up to get them their schedules. So, we're very proud of that turnout. Next year, I'm going to try to flex the teachers schedule so they come in a little bit later that day so they can stay later in the evening and be present during during the open house. Um, just some summer school information. We had 43 students enrolled in high school summer school. Those 43 students earned 67 credits. We
027don't allow them to get more than two. Some only needed one, so they only got one. On top of those numbers, we had 33 students earn supervised agricultural experience. Many of you know that's called SAE uh during the summer. So, we actually had a total of 71 students earn 100 credits for the summer. And that puts them well on their way towards earning a high school diploma on time. Last thing I want to mention tonight is we are struggling to find an athletic trainer. The organization that supplied us with the trainer the last few years can't find anyone. Reed Health can't find anyone. We do have most of the football games covered, but even then they told us that if someone gets hurt at another event, they're not going to send that that trainer that
028they're going to send to those events. So, um, we're struggling right now. So, Dan and I and Ryan are going to try to work on a plan to get a trainer for our other athletic events. This is something new. We've had for the last several years we haven't had to pay for for one. We've had those donated to us by Reed Hospital and what's the other health allied. >> Um so we're going to have to come up with a plan because we absolutely have to have a trainer and if we spend a little bit of money now to hire a trainer, maybe we won't be caught in a situation that cost us a lot of money later. So I wanted to run that by you and let you know that we we're struggling. We're going
029to we're going to start recruiting and and hopefully find someone to take that position. >> What does that consist of? Like what what do you have to have an athletic trainer certification or is that a >> I don't know anything about it. Like a four-year degree or what is it? >> I would Yes, it is. Yeah. and uh >> certified. >> Dan's mentioned that we may contact Miami to see if they have any people that are already certified, have their maybe even hire someone that's interning that we could have an adult with them and and supervise them. Uh but we're we're in a pickle right now. And we're not the only ones. There's a shortage just like there's a shortage of teachers, there's a shortage of athletic trainers right now. So I know it's a
030great expense for the hospital and the organizations that have been supplying those to us in the past. So if we can come up with some money towards that, we'll have a much better opportunity to hire someone. But we have to have someone. >> Didn't a few years ago Mcculla High um supplied it because I was going to physical therapy and he >> he worked there and he was a Union County trainer. >> Yeah. They they aren't supplying anyone for us either. Brian's talked to them. So, we'll have to probably put some skin in the game to get someone. >> So, as of now, just so I'm clear, we have coverage or we don't or >> we have coverage for three of the home football games. >> All right. >> There will be trainers that work
031for Reed at they've looked at the schedule at two more of the football games. So football, we're in decent shape, but we don't have anyone for volleyball. >> Okay. >> Cross country, >> soccer. >> Yeah. And we definitely need someone for soccer. >> But you lost me on the if something happens. Are you saying if there's an event, another football game at Lincoln, someone gets hurt over there, our representative is going there and then we're without a one or you had said something about it, but if someone gets hurt >> sort of like that. Yes. If if >> so they're covering they're staying here but covering other locations or >> they are Reed said they're not going to allow whoever they send us to go to other events right now because that they need them
032to work for other schools. >> Now there will be a trainer let's say we play a team that has a trainer supplied by Reed and they come here. They will help out in an emergency situation but they're not going to wrap ankles before the games. They're not going to do any evaluating. they'll just be there on an emergency basis just like the EMS guys that will come to our game. So, we need to make sure all of our athletes are being evaluated by someone that's certified. If they need to be sent for an X-ray, we need someone saying, "Go get an X-ray." You have to be careful because sometimes you go to the emergency room, that doctor will say, "Well, you need to stay off the field for five weeks." Whereas a trainer who's certified
033might say, "Well, let's evaluate this as we go along and you might get your athletes back a lot quicker." So, it's not a good situation to be in, but uh Dan and Brian and I see what we can do in the next few days to hire someone. >> Have you tried Henry County? >> I don't know if he's tried that or not. >> Ketering Health has also kind of moved into the Oxford area. I don't know if that would be another resource. >> Okay. in their county has tripled their program last two years. >> Even has places in like an eaten and things like that they've got. >> Any other ideas? Those are good ones. >> So, as far as like football, soccer, those are just the most common sports for concussions. Who is doing
034evaluations if there is any type of concussion? We don't have any other than what the coaches are supposed to go through their online training to look. >> Yeah, we'll have to send them to a position. >> Okay. >> Hopefully they have insurance. >> All right. All right. Moving on to the ales. [Music] Good evening. We um are sitting at 328 students. We are down 21 from last August and that 328 includes Christina's four. So, not great news there either. Um we had a great open house. We did a nice spy theme this year. Um, we had 293 of 328 families that attended. So, it was a packed house for the hour that we were here. The kids were excited to be back. Um, we did chalk the walk the day after that. I had several
035families show up and they kind of decorated the in front of um, alas and down the sidewalks just to welcome the kids back. I put some summer school statistics. Christine and I both just um focused on second and third grade based on the IE scores that or I read test that was taken. So I had 14 second graders and seven third graders attend. We also included some math remediation. We have a lot going on around the um building. Um as you walk around you'll see lots of things going up on bulletin boards and students already working. I walk down the kindergarten first grade hallway and stop dead in my tracks cuz the first graders who are still kindergarteners, right? They're babies have complete sentences up on the wall and they're um they read the first
036day jitters and then wrote about their jitters and it was just amazing to see the progress that they made for when they came in at the beginning of kindergarten last year. And then I put some more pictures of our ice spy theme that the teachers did around the building. We had um word searches with class lists on them just kind of cohesive and made it fun to enter the building this year. Any questions? >> I know it's sad when enrollment's down, but your class sizes are smaller there. >> There's benefits. >> Yep. Absolutely. Y Middle School. >> Good evening. Um looking at enrollment, we are almost exactly where we were at the end of last year. We lost 107 um eighth graders to freshmen and we picked up 105. So um but through some new
037enrollments we're actually up to um than what we were last year at the end of the year or last year at the beginning um beginning of year this time. So we are doing okay on enrollment. Um we had open house on Monday. It went really well. Um a lot of families showed up and picked up their schedules and got to meet um meet their teachers. I kind of took away the sixth grade locker fiasco and didn't let didn't let them go to their lockers, which is usually like our big um headache. We let them practice with their locks, but we kept all our stuff in our SRTs and the teachers kind of walked through how to organize their locker and kind of gave them some more direction. So, we really liked the way that was
038set up. We also extended our open house for another 30 minutes for um just sixth grade, sixth grade orientation to kind of get the building a little bit quieter and let them calm down and kind of settle in um so that they had some time to ask those personal questions and things to to help parents feel confident about sending their kid to middle school. We know it's kind of a scary time. So um we were really happy with that turnout though. Um this first week we've been doing um rise stations. So, uh, every morning during our SRT time, our student resource time, we set up stations around the building, um, with different staff members leading those and where they just leave little talks about how to show respect, integrity, safety, and empathy, um, in all
039the aspects of their day. So, you can see that if you get a magnifying glass, it'll help you read it maybe a little bit better. But, um, just like the different expectations around the building just to reinforce that everywhere they go those first weeks. Um if you flip on the back side, I did include our iLearn um data. Our iLearn data is there at the top. Um we are below state average right now um across the board. When you compare to the other schools in our area, our sixth grade is standing out as being well below some of the other schools in our area. But if you think about how we run our sixth grade compared to how they run their sixth grade, their sixth grade a lot of times are in their elementaryaries or
040even if they're in their middle school, they have a more elementary schedule and so they're spending more time on that math and language every day than what we get. Um so we are looking at some strategies to combat that this year. Our sixth grade instead of taking a fourth elective, our sixth grade is going to have math every day instead of every other day. um our language. We are working on um ability grouping and providing some more opportunities for some high ability classes and to get some smaller class sizes um and then also working on multi-tered systems of support during our SRT time and looking at some grouping and some options to be to be able to provide some support there. Um, but we do we do find that the block scheduling at the middle
041school level kind of and even regular like with an eighth period day, it really reduces our math language time when you compare it to the other schools around us in that sixth grade level. When you look at seventh and eighth grade, we're more um closely like connected to the other with other districts in our area with what they do with their sixth or their seventh and eighth grade. And so our scores are more in line um with the areas around us. Then we broke it down with different um um free and reduced lunch, special education, male and female. So you can kind of see us compared to the state and how that broke down. Um and then also if you wanted to track sixth grade overtime, seventh grade over time, eighth grade over time, and
042then down below that is that cohort. So um that eighth grade class last year, what their scores look like at the bottom um from fifth grade all the way up to eighth grade and so on. So if you wanted to look at that data a little bit further, ask some questions into those. Um but just wanted to share that data with you. And then we are also still part of the library aid which we've had a couple interviews um with we'll probably end up going ahead and moving forward with a hire so we can get fully staffed. Um but we have been actively uh seeking and filling all our roles. So that's some that is our last one to fill. that was or when our office was working out of the library. I wasn't um
043too quick to put a librarian in there because we were using her space or the space. So um we will be moving forward with that because on Friday our office was able to move in to the new office. It's not completely done but it is moveable. So we are we are up and ready and using the facility as intended. >> So these scores are current sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade or last year >> last year. Yeah, this this is last year's data. >> Okay. >> If I were to ask you what you think it contri what contributes to this as I've just saw these so it looks like it's really been the last couple years that I see the delta getting bigger. I think we're around state whatever but when I see 10%
0448% difference just curious if you have any obviously with you doing the math every day you're starting to address that but I'm just curious if you think what are some contributing factors I >> I think there could be many contributing factors to add like we are getting this you know co kids through so there's the last couple groups have hit like third fourth grade some critical thinking years in there um it is when we switched then after that to block scheduling And so not saying the block scheduling is bad, but um teachers having experience with the extended class working um it's a different style of teaching. So and then the commitment to that and um our kids like used to being in a middle school with the middle school kind of freedoms and responsibilities but
045also focusing on that um But we also have had a lot of staff turnover. We've had a lot of admin turnover. We've had, you know, so it's all there's >> You're not alone. Let me just that really could go into that that we could, you know, >> talk about that a lot. But math I know has had um and and big things that we couldn't avoid but so for teachers to be out or you know to be on extended leave. >> The co stuff makes sense. So >> yeah, >> UCMS 25 was last year's sixth graders, seventh graders, and eighth graders. >> Yes, 25 was when we took >> and that would have been the first year of the block scheduling. >> No, the eighth graders, you mean would have been the first group? >>
046Mean, >> your eighth grade when they were in sixth grade? >> Was that the first group that did block? Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. How many years you've been doing block scheduling? Didn't that just come in year and a half ago? >> We did it during CO or during the year after CO. So 2020 um 2020 2021 was block scheduling and then they went back to a regular schedule, >> right? >> And then they went back to so 2122 they went back and then 22 23 they went back to the block schedule. >> So that's been three years, right? >> I don't know. I'm trying to understand. Isn't that what John put in was block scheduling? >> I think so. >> Right. He was only here what a year and a half >>
047or was that at the high school? Was that was there a discrepancy like the high school was going to do >> has been on blocks since 2020? >> Since co >> Yeah, since 2020 and we got off it but then went back on due to the amount of teachers we share um to >> No, I'm not I'm just I'm just looking at things and trying to figure stuff out. I'm not saying Right. I'm trying to get my facts straight. >> Yeah, that is something >> because if that's something that you think is not good, you know, >> maybe we need to look at that. I don't know. I guess I'm asking your opinion >> exploring that it we have really kind of adopted the mindset when it comes to hiring and teachers and that we've
048provided more um elective teachers in our building that work there all the time. And so to just flip a switch and go back without block, we we don't have licensed teachers to to kind of flip that. >> Not saying we would. I'm just trying >> something to explore and definitely something to talk about. It's a data point. >> It's just a trend. I'll just I just want to keep an eye on it and I'm just trying to figure out if there was a trigger event that >> Absolutely. And that's something it's definitely something to look at and to to discuss further. >> But the CO thing definitely makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. Okay, moving on to accept donations. We have a total amount of $715. >> So move with a motion. >> Second.
049Any questions or discussion? All those in favor. >> All those opposed. Moving on to consent agenda. Dave >> with a motion. >> Second with a second. Any questions or discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Moving on to old business. College corner board updates. Okay. Um, there is a new parking lot now where when you pick up your kid, it's >> it's also very nice. >> It's really nice. I experienced it Friday. >> Waiting on the striping to occur, but like it is really nice. >> Yeah. I I even parked in it the other day. So, that it's finished except for the striping. >> Yeah. And it really looks nice. So, that's well done. Um, the renovation I saw it and I agree with Christina, it looks so much better
050than I anticipated. It's really nice. I'm quite impressed. >> So, but if you'd been there 10 days ago, you could have taken bets whether it was going to be done. >> Um, as far as the school board, we approved uh the yearly reports and they went to the uh auditor's office. So, that was taken care of and that's about it. >> I had a question. I saw that striping on Facebook. Is it going to go the other way? >> The right way. That's my husband and his daughter skills. >> Okay. >> I can't believe I did that backwards said it's already done now. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it'll be right. >> I was like, "Oh, it looks so great. I wonder if it's going to go the other direction." >> Because we've been parking that
051way all day. >> Yeah. Oh, one more thing. Len is gone and our new superintendent took over at our meeting last week. >> Bill, so we've started the school year with the new superintendent. >> Things going on okay so far? >> It's gone perfect. [Music] >> Okay, moving on to item nine. Uh, superintendent contract discussion. >> Did you want to address something with that? >> Yeah. When uh when I was uh recommended for the position uh by Dr. McDaniel, there was a difference in what the contract read when I received the contract. I was to a reimburse for mileage and I said I don't want to be reimbured one way from my house to here. That's what happens with most employees. They don't, you know, get pulled back back and forth two way. So I'm
052just asking for the board to consider that. >> So on the contract that we approved the last meeting in July, the mileage was not on >> the amount was just not the mileage. >> Yes. Do you need a motion? >> Right. I see it on here, but I didn't see a motion. Second motion. >> Okay. So, I will entertain a motion. >> So, move. >> Susan with a motion. >> Second. Any questions or discussion? Yeah. >> Any questions or discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> If you want to save some time, that probably just be an amendment to the contract. >> Have y'all signed it? Because I don't have the signed copy yet. >> Should have. You should have a signed copy. >> Whatever is easiest. If it hasn't been signed, you
053want to put another line in the contract, that's fine. But deal with contract, you could you could just amend it last time. So, we need to put that on so we can sign. >> All right. Just go ahead and add it to the contract. >> I didn't sign. >> Okay. Moving on to new business. FFA field trip request. Second all the motion just for the second. Any questions or discussion? Everyone's got a copy of what that includes packet. I hear any questions or discussion. All those in favor. >> All those opposed. Uh item 11, first merchants lock box. That's >> at first merchants. We have our lock box where we keep all the titles and everything in. It still has Zach and Debbie on there. And I don't know if you all know that Zach
054passed away a few weeks ago. >> And then we're going to add Sarah and Lisa on so they can also go drop stuff off and get things out as >> Dave with a motion. Second with a second. Any questions or discussion? >> How's that motion read? >> How's it going to read >> to change the names on the >> Yes, it will. It will say >> they told me how to word it. Um I don't remember what it said right now but uh first merch is the change in the agreement for who can access the lock box or something like that. >> Who can open it? >> You mean who can open it? >> Right. Because we have a key and they have a key. But right now um Debbie, Zach, and I are the
055only ones allowed to do that. >> They have the signatures. So technically nobody can get in the box right now. >> Oh, I mean >> yourself. >> You want to amend your motion or just state anything specific? >> Just the signature card is all they need. >> That's what they call that. Yeah, the signature card. >> Okay. RG card. Will they allow you to put a title versus a name or do you have to be specific? >> Be specific. >> They actually have to. >> Yeah, I know. But if you put a If you >> Drew, are you fine with that signature? Correct. Okay. So, Dave with a motion. Drew with a second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed? Okay. Item 12, joint agreement with ECIS. And everyone's got that
056copy the packet as well. >> Twice. >> Got all the corrections in there. Daryl >> got red light. It's easier to see on that one. >> That's a lot of paper. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion. So move [Music] here with motion. Second. >> Did I mishar something down there? >> No. >> Okay, Darl. Okay, >> you said that. Susan. >> Daryl and Susan. >> I did read it, too. >> Any questions or discussion? >> Dan, this is this is one way if you want to help us. I' I'd love to see if we can find different options for this. >> And I don't know with your connections or whatever as long as long as you've been in. I I'm voting yes only out of because I don't have another option. >> Understand? >> Okay.
057>> Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. All right. Item 13, board policy, second reading, volume 37, number two. Volume 35, number one. I'm not voting on that one tonight. And then item 14, board policies, volume 35, number two. Volume 36, number two. Volume 36, number two. Is that a typo? [Music] Okay, so let me start over with that one. the board policies volume 35 number two volume 36 that one should be number one then volume 36 number two and volume 37 number one we are voting on this one I'll intend motion >> these are all state statutes therefore so move with a motion Second. >> Second. Any questions or discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Moving on to item 15, July
0582025 corporation update. Board policies, admin guidelines and forms. >> Okay, I'll entertain a motion. So move. >> Second >> Susan with a motion. Dave with a second. Any questions or discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> I >> All those opposed. >> Okay, moving on to item 16. Approve publication of 2025 budget items, capital projects plan, bus replacement plan, and the notice to taxpayers regarding proposed fund appropriations and tax rates. So >> move second. Dave with a motion. Drew with a second. Any questions or discussion? >> All those in favor? >> All those opposed technology over approving the disposable of a is in your packet. I'd like I hold on a second. Okay, I got it. >> Is that just a single page? >> Some move. >> Second. >> Jesse. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
059I have a motion in a second. Any questions or discussion? >> How are we disposing? Are we just throwing them away? Here are we seeing are they usable by anybody or >> we recycle >> would someone Okay, >> right again have a motion and a second. Any other questions or discussion? All those in favor? I >> all those opposed. Item 18, transfer of remaining balance and is 1310 the total >> that's fun 1310. >> Fund 1310. Okay. For ECISS at the end of the month of Western land. >> This is because they moved. Yes. >> With a motion, >> Jerry with second. Any other questions or discussion? >> This is still not the end of it because that's funds running a year and rear. Correct. No, this fund is not uh this one is but
060the four corporations that put together for like legal fees and different things. It's not like the salaries of everybody. >> Okay. >> And this applies this is very limited. This is not the main budget >> and we may not get it completely squared away by the end of the month, but that way we have permission so I can be >> okay. Any other questions or discussion? >> All those in favor? I. >> All those opposed. >> Moving on to public participation. >> Hi, welcome back. >> We'll move on to superintendent's comments. I just want I just want to make board aware that uh I'm the only one that should be approving change orders because they cost us a lot of extra money in construction. So, just to make you aware, I I say no until
061we make sure we talk here in this board because if someone goes in and says, "I want this changed or that changed and the construction people do it and we pay for it. If it's approved by me, then you know, and I don't approve very many to be very honest. So, I just want to let you know. The other situation is u we've already discussed moving on with board policy and and since we've approved some tonight we just want to make sure we continue that process because we need to make sure we have all that in place. So that'll be coming forward too advisory groups and I'm used to having advisory groups and I would like to have let you know I believe in having a faculty advisory group probably in each building you know
062people can join. It's not a complaint session. It is what can we do to make our school better. Also, parent groups, I believe in that. I believe in student groups and we're going to try to have some of those to come forward. I found out if you give students a pizza and a Coke, you can find out a lot of information. You know, they'll tell you a lot of stuff. And we just want to make positive things for the school. you know, not that we don't have positive things, but I think it can be better to have open discussion and you know, the parents, all those type of people. It's not one where parents come and complain about a teacher. That's not what we're here, what we'll be here for. We're here to find out
063what can we make our school better. You know, also I say this, a huge thank you to everyone who works so hard this summer. our custodians here, our maintenance guys, uh, technology department, the bus drivers, all central office ladies. They've done a great job. I'm very happy to and lucky to have them. They've done fantastic and I want to especially thank those ladies. Principles, you're very fortunate to have the principles that you have because I think they're super. They do a great job. You know, they just support your school in a great way. You know, I get little notes, you know, things going on and I do my best to try to write them a little note back. I don't get them all until I got the computer all hooked up like I supposed to
064because I looked in, there was 180 some notes I had to return. I didn't get them all done. I'm getting close. Um, also, you got amazing teaching staff, I said, and other staff members. I'm really really uh grateful to be a part of this corporation right now, this district. Looking forward to a fantastic year. Um you know, I don't understand though, going down to Liberty Elementary, the lunch ladies, they've done a great job. But I'll tell you, I got so many dag on chicken fingers the other day and I couldn't eat them all, you know, and that but I always laugh. I go in the lunchroom and I said to a couple of kids and I said also out at college corner on the opening day I was out there and I commend everything they're
065doing. You know if you go up to little kindergarten and you say what do you have in that lunch bag today and they say oh I got Lunchables or I got this and you say can I get some? The answer is no right off the bat. And I say well Miss Karen didn't fix me in lunch today. How about it? or you go down to the cafeteria and eat down there. I've not made all the rounds to the cafeterias. But, you know, they do a great job with the lunch program here and I very good. You know, I I didn't have the cheeseburger today though because Miss Karen fixed cheeseburgers last night. So, I said no cheeseburger, but I'll take the other stuff. So, that was it. So, it's great. Thank you very much. We
066also want to have and I didn't put this down but I really think you have to do things to honor people and I'm asking each one of the the schools to bring a student of the month to you and the teacher has to recommend them and then principles bring them to you and the teacher and the parents and the student here and I I'm not a big certificate person just so you know that we're going to find and get them a little plaque because you give them a plaque it's going to go on the wall or someplace at home if you give them a certificate cificate has gone in a drawer or maybe even in the trash. So, I'm going to push that forward and we'll try to have one, you know, every school have
067one a month and that I just think it'll work. I've had other places and it's just honoring people and students, you know, and parents, you know, they're going to come out to see that happen. So, we're going to do those things. So, thank you very much. >> Board comments. If you're hungry, check out my granddaughter if you're done Liberty Elementary. The word on the street where she didn't even eat her lunch the first day because she was too busy catching up with friends. >> What sort of lunch bag she has? >> I'm sure she packs good stuff. You know, >> I want to thank the community for continuing to send money in for lunches. I think that everybody's in the plus. So, that's all because of the community. Um, I brought some in tonight. So,
068thank you if you're watching >> on that. Can I ask a question and whoever has the answer can give it to me? We had a discussion about there was a certain limit that if we could get to a certain point, everybody was free lunch or something like that and we were going to try to make an effort. Am I crazy or where are we going to try to So are we past that point or is that point still >> okay >> we're not quite there but Jenny came in this morning said she was going to be talking to some of them that she knows the family cannot afford that they did not fill out the pre-in reduced online >> okay >> and see if we can get people to help them do it because they
069may not know how it's not an easy process looked at it I can't do it >> okay okay >> and if I understand right it it doesn't necessarily really matter if you qualify. If you're applying that can be influential in what the district can >> and they need to understand too that just because you don't qualify today changes the circumstances or you know you got to work with comp injury or something you don't get paid for seven days apply at that point because you will qualify then and it's good for the rest of the year and they can qualify it 30th for this school year. I mean, is it worth putting in a student's packet or I mean, do you feel like the word is out there? I mean, I don't want you guys dialing
070for dollars basically, you know, calling one individual to come. I didn't know if there was some way we could reach >> Ashley. I've talked to several people and have uh done the applications for them online for permission. They'll give them all their information because a lot of cell phones, you cannot do one on a cell phone. You get through them. you got a better service than I do because mine doesn't work on the cell phone any of the stuff and that's what most people have. They don't have the computers or stuff, >> right? >> But they don't work. >> Well, we got some unusable ones if they need more. >> Yeah. >> That's why it worked kind of worked better when they had the in everybody got together for the >> inerson registration because somebody
071was there to help but now that it's all online. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. Just asking. I mean, a lot of them will come to their schools and make an appointment is what we've helped them when they call us. >> We sent dojo messages to our entire our entire population and then we targeted some specifically. So, we have been really trying to hit the ones that we know need it, but >> I can't >> appreciate the effort. I just think there's an easier way or >> Yeah. I just spoke. >> Do you feel like you got to respond? >> I don't because I can't >> You don't see it. >> You know what I'm saying? Like it's like I'm doing all this work, but I don't know if I You know what I mean?
072Right. Yes. >> Are we at like the same number from last year percentage wise? Do you know >> getting started? I don't think we've got even what we had last year yet because they haven't got processed >> but they can come to school and somebody would help them here. >> Yes. And the same way for >> I think any school >> if they have a SNAP card already. So they just have to put that SNAP number in. Yeah. >> Okay. Any other comments? Dur the public meeting at 8:04. There is an executive session follow.