001Good evening. It is 6 o'clock. This is the Wash City Schools Board of Board of Education meeting. It is Monday, December 15th. Roll call. All board members are present. >> Having a quorum will call the meeting to order. Please rise for 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. >> City schools provides a relevant and rigorous education founded upon relationships to ensure each student is college and career ready for success in a global community. Welcome. Um tonight's recognitions, we have the boys cross country team. >> All right. We'd like to invite Mr. Evans to come on up. Tell us a little bit. >> Tell us a little bit
002about your season and you can have your boys introduce themselves. >> Perfect. Um so I'm Coach Evans for those that don't know me. Um the season in retrospect was I very very successful. Um, these guys have been putting in work probably that most people don't know. They they they just they just do what they need to do. Um, no seeking a recognition. Um, they're just putting in work for each other on the team so that the entire group can get better. Um, we started throughout the summer putting in miles. They've had a lot of fun together throughout the course of the season. We ended up uh winning the TRC meet this year. I think it was the eighth time in the last nine years that they were able to win TRC. Um we ended up
003coming fourth in sectional, advanced to regional. And then at regional we ended up sixth place, which is the highest place of any school of our size in the entire state, I'm very happy to say. And then we were fortunate to advance Ezra to the state finals where he did better than his previous year. Um, so that makes him, I think, a qualifier either on a team as individual all his years so far in high school, which is really, really remarkable for a school of our size. So, I couldn't be more proud of the effort that they put in. With only having 10 guys on the team, like you don't have room like other big schools have, if someone happens to get injured or other unfortunate circumstances occur, like the next guy has to be the
004one to to step in and only 10 guys, it's very limited resource. So, a credit to them for sticking through and and just working as hard as they can throughout the entire season. So, I'll let them introduce themselves. >> Say your grade, too, please. >> Hello, everybody. My name is Ezra. I'm a junior. I've been running for six years. I saw him. Hello, I'm Kaden Bashett. I'm a senior here. I've been running for two years cross country and two and a half for track. My name is Landon Fischer. I'm a freshman and I've been doing cross country since sixth grade. Yeah. Hi, Isaiah. Uh, I'm pretty sure I've been I'm a senior and I'm pretty sure I've been running for six years. >> Hi, my name is Kayla Mabry and I have been running for
005three years and I'm a freshman. >> Great. Um hi, my name is Kate Taro Nagahama. Uh I started cross country um for uh this summer from the last summer. Um this last summer and then uh since I'm student from Japan and yeah, I left the team. >> Hi, I'm James. I'm a junior and I've been running cross country for three years and track for two or three. >> Hi, I'm Matt Niles. Um, I'm a senior and I've been running for 5 years. >> Great. Thank you very much for being here. Um, as a former cross country runner, you guys all amaze me. I know how hard you work to get to the level where you're at. >> Thank you for coming. >> You're welcome to stay or you're welcome to leave. Some of them are
006already up. >> Okay. Yeah, I'll sit back. >> We have no revisions tonight. Um, is there anyone in the audience that wishes to comment on an agenda item? >> Okay. >> The consent agenda. We have minutes from December 1st, some claims, no donations tonight, and we'll have financials tonight. I'll accept a motion to accept the consent agenda. So moved. >> Second. Discussion. Um, we will start with our November revenue and expense report. So, for November, our revenue was up um just a little bit, about $12,000 more than what we had projected. Um our accounts payable expenses were just a little bit lower than what we had projected, about $9,000. And our payroll expenses were about $100,000 less than what we had projected last year. Um, so we had projected to have a net loss this
007month, but because we had um lower expenses, we were able to see a net income of just about $36,000 for the month of November. When you move on to our key fund balances, um, our ED fund is just under 1.8 million and doing a little bit better than we were last year at this time. Our operations fund sits at um at the end of November was minus $117,753 and that is significantly better than what we were doing last year at this time. Um rainy day fund has dropped to 38,368. Um we used rainy day for the first payroll in December. Uh and now all of those um the operations expenses that we were paying with rainy day have been moved back into operations uh for the rest of this month. So our payroll for this
008week will come out of operations. >> Um when you look at the total of our key fund balances last year at the end of November we were at 771,441. This year we are at 1,716,690. So almost a million dollars better than we were last year at this time. That's great. Um, moving on to our appropriations report. Um starting with our ED fund, you can see we have collected about 89.8% um of our revenue. We knew that we were going to our target for this month is 91.7. >> Um we knew that we were going to be below on revenue just because of our enrollment dropping and we are getting less in our basic grant. Um, when you look at the ED fund with the various lines, we have a few that are over that target
009of 91.7, but nothing that is terrible or anything that we didn't already know about. Summer school, we knew that we went over. Um, our our hardware and software costs are a little bit over. When you look at it as a whole though, we are at 85%. So, well below that 91.7. So, that's really good. Um, moving on to operations, um, which this is the one that, you know, we're kind of holding our breath on. Um, we have collected 89.5%. Um, knowing that we only get our tax draws in June and December, we know that we're not going to be um, close to that 100% until we get the draw in December. um we have several lines that are um at or above our target of 91.7, but as I went through, some of them were
010things that we already knew about. Um and some of them are going to be really close. Like the first one, you know, our our payment for um H Heartland Career Center out of operations is about 11,100 a month. We have 11,559. So, we'll be right on target with many of these. Um, like I said, some of these were things that we did move to rainy day because we knew that we had gone over. Um, overall when you look at where we're at, again, we wanted to be 91.7 for the entire fund. We're at 87.8. So, um, about 4% below the target. So, again, doing really well. Um, as we are getting close to the end of the year, um, and like I said, we've really been keeping an eye on our operations. I've done some
011projections. The board, I sent this to you just so you could see. Um, our tax draw in December could be right around $497,000. And we usually get close to 100% of that draw. Um, but I still did some projections of what it would look like if we only got 95%, 90% or 85. Um, so adding in that tax tax draw and our ED to operation transfer, we have um an operation balance and then we still will have to pay the $150,000 for our tax anticipation warrant. >> And then we still have some um expenses coming out of operation. So, our payroll for this month, um, end of end of month, um, expenses that we have for insuranceances, I think I've estimated those high, but I would rather estimate high. >> And so, my predictions, we
012could end, you know, if we only got 85% of our tax draw, which I don't think it'll be that low, our operations would end positive at about 38,000. If we get the full 100% or pretty close to it, we could end operations with about $112,000 in it. Um, and I think we've said that's the first time since did we say 2019? >> Yeah, it's before actually >> that it's been positive. So, >> so yeah. So, I'm still waiting to get that that final tax number. >> When does that normally come in? >> Um, it's just sometime Yeah. What's it based on? I mean, They would give you 100. Well, that's if they've collected them all. That's what >> it's up to the taxpayers, right? >> sorry. >> We have a history of of getting over
013100% of like usually it's like a 101 like they've done a really >> in terms of collecting. >> Yeah. It's usually really good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Good. >> I did have a quick question in operations about the legal services. I saw there were like a lot of money. So, >> well, I think it's because we didn't get paid for a while last year. We uh should have submitted invoices and so we just discovered it back. >> It's all good. I I assume there was a reason behind it. It just didn't seem like >> No, we got an invoice for last year and for this year, so we paid. Does she know anything about our finances? >> I know you need to be. >> I'm glad I saw that. >> Are there any other questions
014from the board on financials? >> Thanks. >> Okay, I'll accept a motion to accept the consent agenda. So move. >> Second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, January 5th, 2025 here at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. There will be a board of finance meeting prior to the regular board meeting at 5:45. There's some items of communications. There's no old business, new business. We have a Wash High School student council update. Are they here? Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm Martha Stellar. I am the sophomore class president. >> I'm Missy Miles and I'm the sophomore class vice president. >> I'm Alexa. I'm Alexis Indritz and I'm a sophomore class representative. >> Right now we're doing we're not doing much. We just have dress
015up days for the week which today was red and green and tomorrow will be Christmas accessories. Um, our winter sports update is uh that the boys basketball team played the 12th and won and the varsity team won. >> Yeah. >> Girls wrestling wrestled at the at a three-way way duel with Taylor and Norwell on the 11th. And boys Apache wrestling placed fourth at the Western Invite with Adrien Han being the first in his weight class. >> That's great. >> Now, a couple other things going on this week. It's finals week, so it's happiest time time of the year, but also the most stressful. Um, >> and we have 95 days left of school, >> right? >> How'd the food drive got go, you guys? >> It went great. We had lots of food. >> They
016got lots of How was Harvest fall? >> It was a lot of fun. Um, it went pretty well. >> How was it attended? Pretty well. >> Yeah. >> Okay, good. Did you guys have a good time? >> Yeah. >> I want to know. Thank you. >> Okay. Item B, we have PCAP students will be presenting. >> Good morning or good afternoon. Sorry. Good morning is usually what I TELL THESE STUDENTS EVERY morning because they get me first. Uh for those of you who may not know me, my name is Chelsea Parson. I work for Groash County, but I also get to be a bit of a double agent every morning and work with the PCAP uh PCAP crew that you're about to meet. Um, and most recently, we did a really exciting project. I know
017Dr. Sivley was there. I know Rhonda, you were there. Um, kind of talking about the restoration of the Spose Seat building as one of their projects. Uh, Mr. Evans here is going to kind of explain a little bit more about the project and how that contributes to some of our learning. >> Yes. So, um, for those that don't know or less familiar with the program, we're incorporating, uh, a couple different classes together into one to do kind of a hands-on projectbased approach that involves the community. and Chelsea is doing an amazing job connecting us with community partners to make it more of an authentic learning experience because when they can see what they're learning and how it connects to the real world or to, you know, something that's out in the community, I think that's
018much better um wholesome learning experience. So, for this latest project, we probably spent uh a majority of the first quarter on redesigning the spoy building, which is right there a couple blocks away from here. Actually, it's on the top 10 most endangered landmarks in Indiana. So, we uh connected with Indiana landmarks and uh took a tour of the building, took a tour a couple of their other buildings around town and kind of got an idea of what it's going to take to restore that building. So we went in did measurements of different uh things from for the floor for planning purposes and then each group was tasked with redesigning the building based on a specific theme so that they could then present that to a panel of people from the community. One of them being
019um Indiana landmarks and then other people that were interested in coming to see the uh final presentations. >> We had Mr. We had Dave Heist come in. We had Dr. Sibi. Um, we had uh Silus Zartman here from the building department. We had some members of the redevelopment commission. So, a lot of people that they did not know, a lot of adults that they did not know that know the Sposey Building well and they they held their own. >> So, yeah, they had to not only make the presentation and come up with a budget, but they also had to make a scale model of each floor and what they would put on each floor. And then they explain that to these uh community members and then answer questions at the end. And keep in mind
020these are just ninth graders that are doing this. And uh one of our groups today um which we'll have them introduce themselves here. They uh presented theirs and got they were the highest scoring group of all. Not to say that the other ones weren't done very well. They all were done very well. But this group happened to be the one that scored just a little bit above the rest of them. and they're going to present their idea of their redesign image of the Sposey building. >> And all the students you see in the audience with the black polos and the khakis, those are some of our PECAP students. So after the presentation, if you want to ask them any questions, you know, we can even leave the room if you want. Um, if you want
021to ask them any questions, they're prepared to answer questions about their experience. So, but for now, Tinsley, Griffin, and Aya, come on up. Just tell me next slide and I'll move it. Okay, let's have you guys kind of cheat out so that both sides can see it. Face face this way, guys. Out and then you can also see though. So come on this side. Come here. >> Yep. Come here. Come here. Stay here. So then you can see both. She doesn't want to be rude to us. >> We're used to goodness. >> It's theater in the round. >> I'm Tinsley Cra. I was the public relations in the group. So, I was kind of doing all the presentation stuff and I was coming up with what all we were wanting to say to everyone. I'm
022Aya Barber. I was their project manager. So, I was basically their leader. I was watching over what they were doing, making sure they were on task and kind of guiding where what they were supposed to be doing. >> I'm Griffin Palmer. I was the architect, meaning I was in charge of uh designing all of the floors and making sure everything was to scale. >> So on our first floor for the next slide. Um, so on our first floor, we were wanting to have a bakery where you could get like catering food items for like birthday parties or and there's also little seating arrangements. So, if you're just wanting to get like like maybe breakfast or something, then you could get that. There's also a public restroom and a kitchen. Next slide. And then on our
023second floor, we were wanting to have a men's clothing store where you could buy anything from a nice suit for like a meeting like this or you could also find like work wear and clothes. And then for our next floor on our next slide, we would have an event venue where you could host like a birthday party or you could even have like meetings and you could also have like family reunions in this space. >> Next slide. So our mission statement is to be able to connect small businesses in a community space. So it's able to bring more people together and also bring more people into Wabash and it benefits these small businesses because it brings support to them by bringing more people into Wabash. >> Next slide. And our vision statement we is to
024bring in the population that we like the most which is young adults. give us more retail spaces and entice people to stay around and notice the already to hear small businesses. Next slide. For our implementation plan for our first phase, it was our planning or preparation phase. This is where we're basically making our models and we were making our presentations and we were getting our plan set in stone for this project. And then our second phase would be our funding phase where we'd find out where we're getting the money for this project and where we're getting like if we were getting grants from some sort of business. Then our third phase would be our construction where would actually make the plan come to life. Then our final phase would be our grand opening. >> Cool.
025>> So I'm sure you guys know the background of the SPO building. It was made uh by a Russian immigrant and he had built this in 1890, but then it was given over to Apes Bose Seep and then eventually eventually closed and has been left abandoned. but it has a major risk of being torn down and so we want to save it since it has such a historical significance to Wash and restoring this could give us more retail spaces and more employment opportunities to the people in the town. Next slide. >> Okay, so you're all probably thinking that this sounds pretty nice, but how much would it actually cost? Well, the renovation for the outside, which is written down as 3 million, uh we were corrected on that by the by someone from Indiana Landmarks,
026and he said that it was actually closer to 1 million. >> Oh, good. >> Uh and then the renovation for the inside is estimated to be about $750,000 for all three floors. The electrical costs, which are installing generators and wiring, would be around $21,400. The uh heat the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning uh is estimated to be $280,000 for all three floors, which is um around $85,000 per floor. The estimated supply costs to keep the businesses running. So that would be clothing and uh raw food materials for the bakery is around $37,500. Then the things to keep have the business actually be there, which is ovens, refrigerators, furniture, the clothing racks to actually hold the furniture, that totals up to, I believe it was around $30,000. Um this brings the estimated total costs excluding of
027course the like single order dollar that it costs to buy it boils down to roughly 1,119,550. This excludes the 1 million which is covered by India landmarks >> for our community impact. So this would benefit anyone seeking a job. So if you're wanting to like pursue a baking career, you could work at the bakery to get your name out there. Or if you're wanting to work on your public skills, you could work at the men's clothing store to just kind of work with the public and see how customers would be. And then for it would also give you new opportunities for new residents. So they would be able to see retail spaces that we have that they would be able to benefit from benefit from. And then for old older residents, they would be able
028to see more retail spaces coming into our town and be able to see like our community growing. And then it would also be able to connect citizens. So people would be able to come into the bakery and they'd be able to talk to each other and just kind of connect more with each other. So we're asking you to help us move forward with this this idea. Help us find a good construction company that would allow their workers to work on this idea. help us find any funding, grants, and such to help fund this idea and guidance on what we can and cannot do on our idea. >> Thank you. And please ask us any questions you may have. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. Yeah. Hey you guys, how did you decide what
029businesses you would do on each floor and stuff? Did you like talk talk about what's going on in Mob Bash and what you thought was needed? >> So, we kind of just looked at what kind of businesses we didn't already have and what businesses we thought that would do better because I know we did have some bakeries and they did pretty well and they were also able to >> bring in more people so that more people were noticing the bakeries. And also for like the men's clothing store, we had one downtown, but then it shut down. And I know there was a lot of people who were very upset about it shutting down because they did a lot of shopping there. >> Yeah. >> What was the best part of the project? >> Um, I
030think the best part of the project was kind of just working together, seeing how all of us work together as a team with our own specific. >> You were the project manager then. >> Yeah. >> Whip in a chair, make these guys. >> Yeah. So, how how's your class broken up? Like, do you um did you break into groups then on a daily basis and and uh come up with the plan and everything? And then when did when did you do and I want to talk to the kids, not to you guys. >> No. Yeah, please. >> Um how did you guys divide up then to did all of you work on the scale furniture and the measuring and stuff like that? So, our architect, which was Griffin, he did most of the like floor
031plans and stuff like that, and he did all the scale modeling. And then I made I did like the presentation. That was mostly what I did until it came down to like the end when we were all finished. Then we all came back together and did the building part. >> You two guys who were in cross country, you haven't said a word. What have you done? >> Um, I was a part of a different group, but I was the >> What What group were you on, huh? Uh our group was uh like health like places that you can get help from. Uh healthcare. Yeah. Uh so I was the PR person. Uh and I created the slides and stuff. I'm pretty sure my partner Lily Hall is in here too. >> She used to be
032a project manager and then her group got switched or something. But >> there were four different groups. Right. Is that right? Five. Five. Five. >> How many kids are enrolled? How many classmates do you guys have? >> 17 of you. Okay. So, divid division of labor. I want to know. Okay. I know that, but I remember when that building was a metal yard, but no, I was not there when it was built. >> Were you guys like overwhelmed when you walked in there and thought, "Oh, no." >> Or >> Yeah. Did it take did it take a while for the vision? Because I'm thinking if I was in ninth grade and I walked into a building like I'd be, "Oh no, I'm out of here." But that's um really really great. And I can't believe
033um what do you think is going to be the most difficult part? Writing the grants or getting the workers? What? >> I was thinking the most difficult part would be finding the funding because I feel like people have just seen it like kind of rot away and they've seen how it closed down. be like >> kind of skeptical of the whole thing about it. >> You know, you you look around Wobbash though, we have such a rich tradition historically and stuff. I think about the Red Apple and and now it's Charlie Creek and the vision that Richard Ford had and stuff and I'm thinking how cool he would he'd be really tickled. I'm really impressed. I used to teach ninth grade. Loved it. Loved every minute almost every minute of it. But I'm I'm really
034glad. What have you guys learned from this? would you say? >> I feel like what I've learned most about it is kind of like the like the grouping part of it. You have to figure out how to communicate amongst each other. >> Absolutely. >> Even if there's like people that you haven't really talked to before, you have to find a way to get over that and talk to each other. >> Young lady on the end, I haven't heard from you. What What was your role in this? >> I was with Lannon Fischer. I was the architect. >> Cool. I was the one of the top project managers and then things changed. I changed groups. >> I really liked my group because I hadn't really talked to them at all this year and then I got
035to know them. It was really good. >> I enjoyed it >> and they were really on task. We communicated really well and it was a good project. That's so important. >> Now, does Indiana Landmarks do they plan on investing the million dollars before somebody buys it or just if somebody buys it? >> If they was Jason, you want to take that? You're on the RDC. >> We just from my understanding is once it's once it's purchased, then they're going to step in and like come alongside that person. Is there any So somebody has >> No, that's why that's why we we weren't working with Indiana landmarks because it was RDC that owned it if I remember correctly >> and we didn't have any traction at all forever and then we got Indiana landmarks to come
036in and help us out to try to get more traction. That's why it's listed with Lark, right? >> Lquist Lquist. Sorry. I work at the Lark Lungquist uh to try to get more, you know, visual on it outside of just Wash, right? What's the price? >> $1. >> But there's a caveat of like investment, right? It's not just $1. You got to invest in it. There's got to be some like, hey, skin in the game, right? And you can't you have to have money to be invest in this property. If you ever seen it, I haven't been on the inside, but >> it's a cat hotel right now, or at least it's cleared out. And >> actually, I don't know. It's cold now. There might be something in there. >> Yeah. So, it's it's one
037of those things. You have to have skin in the game. that's going to cost some capital and that's why the fundraising is a big thing. Well, you guys have done the yman's work for I mean great presentation and I want to compliment all you guys on your poise. You've been all right. >> I have a question. >> Can Hardland career center be grouped in with this? Can they u the building trades people come in on this? Uh probably >> there's an opportunity there's an opportunity they build houses. >> They do they do build houses. Um this is kind of separate from that right now, but if the career center came around and said, "Hey, we loved your supposed ideas. Can we make it happen?" We wouldn't say no, but I don't think they have any
038plans currently to do that. >> What was your role in this? >> I was a project manager. >> Okay. >> Uh we had for our group, we had entertainment and restaurants. We chose to just go on the more entertainment side >> instead of restaurants because we have too many of those. >> Did you guys go out and then you talked to to builders and that kind of thing to get some idea of what things would cost and stuff? Did you like talk to anybody in a restaurant? Have you done any like public relations like that yet? I mean, I know that's a stretch, but no, >> that's semester two. We're gonna talk about funding projects >> with First Farmers Bank and Trust. They're gonna be working with us. >> Could the Could could all of
039you uh just kind of tell everybody what your role is in the PECAP, the adults, like what do you teach? >> Uh I'm Sean Eer. I teach the intro to construction, intro to advanced manufacturing, and the design processes part of it. Um so they would come to me daily with their their projects and so that's we would work on the the scale model and making everything after we took the measurements. Uh we converted all of those to 1/4 scale. Uh they learned how to read an architect scale and then um you know obviously went through all the safety protocols in the shops and stuff and and they would come to me and and build their models. So >> again I'm the crew person. Crew is kind of like the soft skill. So first thing in
040the morning we do everything from talking about professionalism. We talked about gratitude recently some core values. Uh even we did sometimes when uh you know when we know people are coming in we make them practice shaking hands with each other and introducing themselves before people come in. So I'm kind of the that part as well as workbased learning. So I help bring industry partners in to come alongside them on projects kind of answer the question of what are we ever going to use this in the real world? um and hopefully translating those uh those connections into maybe someday work-based learning opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, whatever. >> Um I'm Kyle Kelmer. I am the English teacher. So they did a lot of they did a lot of uh uh like proposal writing here. So they had to
041write a proposal and then they took that proposal and then they pushed it into the presentation. And so I also teach public speaking. So they did a lot of feedback sessions. >> These guys did. You're poised, you guys. Really, if somebody had asked me to do this at ninth grade, I would have gone, you know, and I'd have called in sick, I'd said, I got you guys. Well, >> I think one of the best parts about this is that they have a long period of time to be able to have a lot of feedback that you don't traditionally get in a classroom setting. So, and they give each other feedback. We give them feedback. So, >> be able to perfect it, I think, is really key. >> Great. >> Randy, what do you do? Mr.
042Leage Page. So, uh, Randy Page as the school counselor and I do a lot of the behind the scenes stuff u to make this happen and figure out how it works with transcripts to make suggestions who what kids are in. Uh, which is getting really interesting for next year because this year um we we had to dig to find some kids and next year uh we already have twice as many entrance as we can accept. So, that's gotten really >> What's the number for acceptance? Well, originally we shot for 14 because that's what fits in a mini bus, but uh we're at we were at about 20 with this group and a couple kids moved away and did some stuff. So, we're targeting about 22. >> Um we'll have some kids within this population that'll
043move to a different school. They'll just do different things. So, >> uh that'll leave us with about 20 in each section. So, um things like that is a lot of what I do. But I I I really like if I can take a minute just to brag on the team, the kids. I mean, they do a great job. There's no question. And you saw that. Oh, yeah. >> And we get to see the impact. Caleb, when you introduce yourself for cross country, you would not have done that at the beginning of the year. You did an excellent job. >> Good boys, all of it. And I think that's largely a result of Mr. Keler talking about communication. So, the team of teachers that are here, you can just see the individual part, what they do
044to contribute to the group. And that's been so fascinating to watch because each one brings their own discipline, what they're passionate about towards a group project. So, it's it's been a real joy to watch and just see all this come together. >> I teach our science resource management. So, we got a chance to talk about what materials are useful, not and so forth and so on, especially for the cleanup part of >> I was going to ask >> because there's a lot of uh >> contaminant metals >> that have to be uh mitigated in the surrounding uh area and that will have to be it'll definitely cost some money for that to take place. I wanted to ask the parents how do you how do you guys hear about this at home and stuff? Okay.
045Yeah. >> We do hear a little bit um because but again what we hear may only is only a small fraction because if that's what they're >> particularly focused on but um >> as a dad having her as manager we did get to hear uh a little bit more of the other things some of the other kids were working on especially but she might have found interesting that wasn't part of her normal stuff. >> And this is your son right here, right? Okay. Boy, >> they only open up to, you know, they're like clams to expel waste and take in food. And I mean, it's like Yeah. pulling teeth together. Do Do you guys Did you guys hear much at home? >> No. Okay. >> I wish I wish I could tell you I was
046surprised by that, but I'm not. Did mom back there? >> I heard every day. I got updates every day. >> Oh, that's great. That's great. I have one more question then I'll shut up. I don't know if I ever will, but um has this changed how you guys feel about school? >> In what way? In what way? Seriously? >> Yeah. In what what way? Finally, you know, there's a purpose for all this or what? >> Well, originally it just felt kind of pointless to sit in a classroom just stare at a screen. >> Yeah. And then coming to this classroom, it's just amazing to get the group work. Uh, always hands-on instead of scratching my finger on >> hard paper on a desk or >> star an iPad screen. But it's really nice to get
047that hands-on work. >> Anything else? Yeah. Anybody want I'll say something. >> These are boys talking. Uh so we do have like other classes like we go back to normal classes uh in the afternoon and so for me when I go back into those classrooms I'm just like so bored I got art and I thought that was supposed to be fun but I'm just like I wish I wish we had this in PCAP but >> uh yeah and it also really just helps uh PEAP really helps with just like communicating and stuff. >> What would you guys like to see this do next year? I mean this two-year program and stuff can do you have any vision for next year yet? Nope. Or leave it to these guys. But >> okay. >> All right. I
048won't ask anything else. >> Actually, I have something to say. >> Um, one, the class actually feels useful now because I'm actually learning things which is uh pretty sure that is important in school, right? >> Yeah, that's what I heard. I don't know. Ugly. >> But like Uh before I knew almost all of the things we were doing, >> which gets pretty boring and repetitive after like 9 years, but now I'm actually learning new things, which is really nice. >> Um also, so I have something to add for the building. On the first floor on the blueprint, I had put down a sofa. I don't remember if I had written this down, but it was supposed to have a view of one of the windows. >> So, I just wanted to clarify that. >> Okay.
049>> Oh, well, I just want to say great job. I got to be there the day when all of the groups presented >> and I will say I was shocked at how well you all did getting up in front of a large group of people that some of them you had no idea who they were and being able to get up there and present and that is something that conquering that at an early age will serve you so well in your future. >> So keep up the good work. We cannot wait to see what happens second semester and what you do next year and beyond. >> Absolutely. >> I'll be in to visit. Okay. I'm retired. I got >> 8:30 to 11 every morning. >> Okay. Cool. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >>
050Nice job. >> You're welcome to stay or you can go up. >> See you later, ladies. Ah, you're off like a dirty shirt. >> Almost like normal. All right. Item CD and F. >> Item CD and F. Um, board will hold project and second preliminary determination hearing. >> Uh, the next item on the agenda is for the board to hold a project and prelim preliminary hearing on the proposed project. If you are interested in speaking at the hearing, please make sure you have signed the signing sheet, which should include your name and address. After presentation by the administration and its adviserss, there will be an opportunity for the public to make comments about the project. At the hearing, we'll ask that each person limit their comments to three minutes and that the topic be limited
051to the proposed project under consideration. The notice of this preliminary determination hearing was published as legally required. The first preliminary determination hearing was held on December 1st, 2025. At this time, I will ask that Dr. Civy explain the purpose of this hearing. Pursuant to Indiana Code 20-26-7-37, before a school corporation may spend more than $1 million to build, repair, or alter a school building that will be financed by a lease or bonds, it must hold a public hearing at which explanations of the potential value of the project to the school corporation and community are given. Similarly, pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-20-3.5, a school corporation must hold two public hearings and adopt a resolution to preliminarily determine to issue bonds or enter a lease for a project for which has a total project cost in excess
052of a non-controlled project or if the school corporation has a debt service fund tax rate above a certain amount. These public hearings and the adoption of resolutions are the very beginning of the legal process. These resolutions establish the maximum financial terms for the proposed project. Okay. Uh we will now hear from Dr. Simley about the process of determining and communicating the project to the community and the needs for the project. Um so as I mentioned at our last meeting, we are finishing up some of our major projects with our most recent bond money. Um, our boilers are up and running. Still some things that need to be tweaked. We had roof repair. Um, we had parking lot repair, but even with all of that, we still have things that we need to um continue to
053look at. Um, we know that the middle school high school is in dire need of more repairs, not just the section that we did. Um, we also have some HVAC HVAC projects at both the middle school, high school as well as OJ that need to be taken care of. Um, windows at the high school. Um, so all of these are things that as we look to do another bond sale, we will be looking at to do um these projects are what we will be doing. Really, we should always be doing something. The age of our buildings, we always should be doing something. Okay, we'll now hear from Staple, Nicholas, and Company Incorporated about how the proposed project will be financed, as well as information about the effect of the on the typical property tax payer.
054>> All right. Is it fine if I stand right here? >> Yeah, right there. Perfect. Uh well, good evening, Luke Brman with Steve. Good to be in person this time. I know last time we had some snow. This time it's just like 10 degrees outside. Uh but this is the exact same presentation uh that we walked through a couple weeks ago. Um, please stop me with any questions. The the biggest thing now is that the first hearing, there was no action being taken. What's on the last slide, the maximum parameters, those will be set forth, those numbers will be in set forth in the resolutions in front of you tonight. Um, so first thing that we start with is the school corporation's current debt service payments. You'll you'll see here uh from 26 to 27
055again in 28 and again in 29 you have some debt falling off in your payments which really allows for these projects to be done. Whenever we sold the bonds in 2004 24 we structured this manner knowing that there are always ongoing needs that a school corporation has. So if you flip to the next slide that is the current estimated debt service fund levy and it really mirrors the footprint of that prior slide. Uh again, you'll see that that drop off in levy uh as those payments drop off. This really just factors in some miscellaneous revenue and and cash on hand that the school corporation has. But you'll see that from 27 to 28 there is a drop in levy allowing for a potential project to do so and do so as uh tax levy neutral.
056In blue is the proposed authorization of $8 million. Uh this would we're showing this illustration to be for all 08 million issued in 2027. More often it's more likely than not this is going to be a small portion of that project issued in 2027 and then come back a handful of years later to issue the remainder again to tackle some of those ongoing needs. So this should be a worst case scenario because in this illustration you're paying interest on all $8 million upfront. If you issue three, four, five million that means you're going to pay less interest up front. let us pay back that principal a little bit quicker. Um, we're assuming an interest rate of 5% uh because this really is the first step in the legal process. If you sold bonds today, you're
057going to be around a 4% interest rate. But again, you'll see that the goal here is to maintain the estimated 26 debt service levy. So, we're not increasing taxes with this project at all. What makes up that $8 million is broken down in this uh piraphph here. 500,000 for cost of issuance, leaving seven and a half million for uh hard and soft project costs. That 500,000 again uh like all the numbers in here are meant to be conservative and also plan for multiple issuances over the life of that $8 million authorization. Anything below that 500,000 is just going to allow for more dollars to flow into that se into that hard and soft project fund bucket. Lastly is the maximum legal parameters. Once these numbers are set, we can always come down from them, but
058once they're set, we cannot go above them. Uh, so the the first row there again, the $8 million that you've heard me mention for the total authorization amount, uh, 500,000 for cost of issuance, leaving 7.5 million for hard and soft project costs. Estimated interest rates of 2 to 7%. Again, we're around a 4% today. Uh, the estimated term of the bond would be a maximum of 20 years per series. We can always pay off shorter than that, but that is the maximum uh that we're allowing for this bond issue. The total interest cost based on that 5% interest rate is 6,644,875. The maximum annual payment that you can make in any given year for this specific bond issue is 2.4 million. That's not 2.4 over 20 years. That's just the maximum in any given year.
059Uh if you simply divide that by the school corporation's net assessed value, you get a maximum tax rate impact of 6819. But when you factor in the debt that is rolling off over the next handful of years, the net impact to the debt service fund levy is 0. Uh a couple of ratios down there at the bottom again that will be in your resolution tonight. uh which is a school corporation's max payments as a percentage of your net assessed value is and then the direct and overlapping debt as a percentage of your net assessed value is 18.88% and that is just factoring all of the other property tax back debt uh that a W bash city taxpayer would see. So that's your county, your library, your city, township, everything like that and the school corporations
060divided by your net assessed value. Uh, again, I know we we went through this last time, so I went through it fairly quickly. Happy to answer any questions. >> Okay, we'll now open the public hearing. If you'd like to speak, sign in on the sheet which is located Mr. Stone. As I mentioned earlier, we ask you state your name and address. Um, and limit your comment to three minutes. Um, there were no names on the sheet. So, is there anyone else that would like to speak? Thank you for all who participated in the hearing. We appreciate your time and interest in the project and the future of our community. Please note that this is the first step in the legal process. The board will continue to work with the administration and its professionals to look
061for efficiencies to cover tax dollars while meeting our educational needs. Dr. Mr. Sibley, could you please summarize the project resolution? >> Um, the project resolution is required when the school is planning to spend more than $1 million per building. It contains the estimated hard and soft construction costs and the cost of issuances. Um, these are what Luke shared with you and it establishes the total project cost. It also contains the estimated tax impact. >> Okay. Can I have a motion in a second to adopt a project resolution? So moved. >> Second. Is there any discussion? Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> Motion passes. >> Dr. Civy, could you please summarize the preliminary determination resolution? Uh the preliminary determination resolution is required when a school is planning to finance
062more than a certain amount for a given facility. It contains the total project cost, maximum annual payment and lease term and other financial terms such as the estimated principal amount and tax impact. Okay. Could I have a motion and a second to adopt the preliminary determination resolution? >> So moved. >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Dr. Mr. Sibly, could you please summarize the reimbursement resolution? >> Uh, the next resolution is a reimbursement resolution relating to the financing of the construction project. This resolution permits the school corporation to reimburse itself from bond proceeds for any cash which it might spend on the project prior to the closing of the bonds. Um, it is required by federal tax law in order to
063preserve the school corporation's ability to reimburse itself. >> Okay. Could I have a motion and a second to adopt the reimbursement resolution? So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Thank you. All right. Item G. >> Thank you. >> To approve the following retirements effective at the end of the 2526 contract year. Number one is Christy Clark, kindergarten teacher. Two, Nicole Sears, third grade DLI teacher. And three, Cath Kathy Wilson, LH Carpenter principal. So moved. >> Second. >> In discussion. Uh we want to thank all three of these ladies for their many years of service to Wabash City Schools. I think combined they have 95 years with the district. Um as we move into the new year, we will get the
064posting for Mrs. Wilson's position um posted very soon. And as for the teaching positions during the second semester, we will evaluate our teacher full-time equivalency needs and post as needed. And finally, I just hope that these three ladies enjoy their retirement. All those in favor of accepting the retirement say I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion passes. Congratulations, ladies. Item H. Board to approve the res approve the resignation of Lucas Helton effective December 19th, 2025. So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. U. Mr. Hilton has accepted a position um at his alma mater where he graduated from. We want to thank him for his service to Wash City Schools and wish him good luck in the future. After reviewing the middle school and high school specialed case load, we will not fill his position at this time
065um as we have our seniors graduate and look at our incoming fifth grade. We'll determine whether or not um this position is needed to be filled for next year. >> Okay. >> All those in favor of accepting the resignation say I. I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item I board to approve the resignations of the following classified staff. One, Astred Burns, effective December 19th, 2025. And to Alex Stall, effective December 1st, 2025. So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> We want to thank these ladies for their time and service to Wash City Schools and wish them good luck in the future. >> All those in favor of approving the resignation say I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item J, board to approve hiring Sarah Webb as a preschool pair professional at a rate of
066$12 an hour beginning January 5th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second discussion. >> Miss Webb will take Miss Burn's position at LH and we're excited to welcome her to Wash City Schools. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the hire say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item K, board to approve Angela Baleiff as sixth grade language arts teacher at an annual salary of $43,000 prrated for the days remaining this school year and effective January 5th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second discussion. >> What's her does she have an English degree? >> She has a degree in English and she is going through alternate licensing to get her teaching license. um she has been filling in as a long-term sub. Now that that position um has been vacated for second semester, we're
067going to move her to a teacher contract. Um her pay is going to be prrated based on the number of days remaining from this school year. >> So she'll start that January. >> Yes. >> But she has been the sub in that. I had a parent approach me at uh the basketball game Friday night and said that's a good hire. >> Oh, cool. >> So, really? Okay. Good. >> All right. All those in favor of approving the hire say I. >> I. >> Those posted. Motion passes. Item L, approve the following tutors for the 2526 school year at $2,000 at a $2,000 stipen. Sarah Kirkpatrick, Britney Baker, Barbara Morgan, Melissa Lang, and Alicia Galani. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Um, these teachers do I read remediation tutoring at OJ. This was paid out
068of the Eisenberger donation we received a few years ago and that donation was specifically meant to support at risk students. >> So these kids who are tutored are the ones who who didn't pass >> as second years. Yes. And so they start tutoring with them in the fall >> and then they'll retake. >> Yes. We'll do um I read in what is it? February, March, and then we'll do another round of tutoring again before they do their summer testing. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the tutors say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item M to approve the following PECAP stipens. These stipens are funded through the PCAP grant. one industrial technology teacher, Shaun Eer, in the amount of $1,762 and two lead learners in the amount of $500 each. A,
069Randy Leage, B, Shan Eer, C. Ryan Evans, D. Kyle Calshimer, and E. Justin Denny. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Why is Shan Eer so much more than the others? >> We would have to ask Mr. Blossom on that. These were all written into the grant. Okay. >> Um, and so >> I can't tell you >> why his is higher. >> Okay. >> Um, like like you mentioned, they're all funded by the PECAP grant. Um, we do want to thank these teachers for being a part of this program. They did have to go to training um uh high-tech high to learn about hands-on um instruction. So, they had to do some learning the students. >> Yeah. I'm not I just wondered why was a little bit more. And then um they also have
070to write their own curriculum too. So that's that's not an easy thing. Okay. >> Will they be getting the statement every year? >> Um as long as we have the grant. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? >> Motion passes. And board to approve the following additional stipens for extra work performed to assist the athletic department for the first semester. one, Justin Denny in the amount of $3,000 and two, Amanda Jones for $1,500. >> So moved. >> Second discussion. Uh Mr. Denny as our assistant AD and Mrs. Jones as the um athletic secretary both took on quite a bit of extra work during Mr. Stone's absence. I know I would see them at events that they normally probably wouldn't have been at. Um I know Mr.
071Denny came in early, counted cash boxes, things that he normally wouldn't do, and they all did it without even adding a without even batting an eye. They just said, "What do we need to do? We're here to help." >> Um, so this request is to compensate them for the additional time and work they took on. Um, and again, we cannot thank them enough for the extra help that they they gave. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the statement say I. >> I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item O, the board will discuss and potentially approve a performance stipen for Dr. Amy Sibling for her contract. Now, in her contract, we had that if we ended the year positive in our operations fund, we would give her up to a 5% um bonus for
072the year. This is not a um this is not something tacked on to her salary. This is a bonus for the year. >> Um, and we also know that we have been unable. Sorry. Was it tied to having a positive operations? >> It was just >> it was. >> Yes. Because if we were negative, I would >> Okay. I guess I felt like we were saying that it had to be positive. You were not getting it at all. >> Right. I didn't think Okay. >> Now, we know that we have not been able to give >> Dr. civily a raise since she's been here because she has not asked for one because of our finances and she is long overdue one and so I would like and we have discussed it to give her the
073full 5% of her salary u for the bonus which would be um $5,959 for her bonus for for the for the year. Can I have a motion for that or is there any discussion on that? >> No discussion from me. So >> I mean I Yeah, I think >> I wish it could give you more but at this point that's I'd say >> are you sleeping better? Um I did wear my mouthpiece last night. So >> no, I think it's very deserved. I guess that's what I would like to say is >> I mean I don't think people realize how much >> work work it took for her. I mean, we were a million dollars in debt just a year ago. >> I know. >> And now we're >> left >> in the positive and
074then what? Two uh it's been three years, right? We were three million in debt. >> Uhhuh. >> I just think it's crazy to think how far >> out of debt we have come >> in three years. >> So I think it's miraculous. Yes. And >> and it has not been easy and we thank you. So I think it's welld deserved. I wish I could give you more. on that. >> So I will take a motion. >> I already motion and a second. >> I will second. >> All those in favor of a 5% bonus on Dr. Civily's salary this year say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. >> Thank you, Amy. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay, items from superintendent. Um first I want to congratulate our boys cross country team. I
075know they all ski daddled, but um what another great season. Um I also want to say kudos to the high school for their work with the PCAP program. I love that we are doing something different for students to help ensure that all of our students have access to programming that allows them to be successful. Um we've made it to the last week of the semester. I know that we have finals going on like they said at the middle school high school. We have a week filled with more holiday events. I think there's a preschool program going on right now. Um, so my calendar is booked this week. I was booked last week going to a lot of different things. I'm also looking forward to the county attorney that we host on December 26th and 27th.
076Um, I want to wish the board merry Christmas and happy new year. I also want to say thank you for always trusting me and supporting me. That means a lot. Um, and finally to our students, families, and staff, I hope you have a relaxing break, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2026 items. We have no administrators here. Brian, do you have anything tonight? >> Um, I just want to say it was neat to to see the presentations and kind of reiterating what Dr. Civy said about engaging those students. >> I heard Mr. Lea, Mr. Le page say he had to dig to find these kids. >> You know, students walking the hallways that can't really pass a math test, but that can be a project manager on something like that. I think
077it's great that he was looking for those students and it's growing. So, that's neat because not everybody needs a four-year business degree. And >> I too want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. >> Thank you. You, too. Okay. um items from I just skipped Matt. Sorry, Matt. >> It's okay. The only thing It's okay. The only thing I have is I just want to thank all of you for taking care of the people who took care of me. So, um I don't know what we'd have done without those two. So, thank you very much for taking care of them because they deserved it. >> Well, we're happy to have you back. >> I'm glad to be back. So, >> okay. Items for board members and don't forget your
078committee updates. you were on one. Show them. >> Um, hey, we hit that $20,000. We actually hit 21,000. Then we put in five more,000 after that. So, we get 26,000 >> for the park board. >> Park board for that little uh park. And we're getting uh 25,000 >> on top of that. So, we should be in pretty good shape. >> U part of that uh pickle ball area got paid, but it didn't get the final topping on it. So, there's some fencing going up there where it can't be destroyed over the winter time. So, hopefully in the springtime that'll be taken care of once the weather's taken care of. >> Well, and those courts will be ready to go then for tennis and the >> Yes. Once it gets uh above a certain temperature for
079put the final coating on because it's got to be a certain temperature. >> That's all they have left to do is a final coating. >> Uh yeah, protective some type of protective coating. >> Okay. Thank you, Jay. >> Yes. So, H Heartland Board, um I just have one thing that I would like to brag on them about. Um they got a call in November about a regional welding competition. They normally host it in Miami County. Um the place that they were hosting it at said we couldn't do it for this year. Hartland opened up their doors immediately and we hosted a regional welding competition out there December 2nd. I believe we haven't had our meeting since then, but I believe it was a success. Um, and I got we got to see some of the
080welding stuff that they do out there at our last meeting and some of its really nice pieces. Um, so I just want to, you know, congratulate them on being a place that >> opened their doors and hopefully it kind of generated some interest in H Heartland um, from just the other counties. So, I just want to congratulate them on that and update you on that little success story for them. Okay. Thank you, Jason. >> Uh, couple things. Uh, Kedan Eison, I believe is how you say his name. Uh, he's like a a rock star in the youth NASCAR racing world. I don't know if you guys have seen this, but he won several championships over the the season and he's like was the racer of the something really cool. Um, and he's in eighth grade,
081I believe. Mhm. >> Uh and he's done awesome work and I know he was just like uh recognized over the last week down at Indianapolis and so I just wanted to shout out for that. Um really good work, really cool to see that happening and he's put some hard work in. I know his his mom works at OJ. Um so she's put in a lot of work too, I'm sure. Um PCAP, I really like this. Uh it's hitting a group of kids that as some said, hey, pen and paper is not my thing. your screen, you know, scrolling on screens on a thing, but it's unlocking potential opportunities for them to like, you know, this is I want to go on to management. I wanted to, you know, go into learning more about architecture maybe.
082I mean, that's really cool. And I'm I'm just so happy to see this being an opportunity for our students and then the fact that they're doubling and just how the the excitement of the program is already growing already. So, that's really cool. um for RDC. Uh really the last meeting was kind of procedural stuff. We're talking about next year's meetings and some uh there's some rental land agreements being drawn up. Nothing uh really awesome to like share as like hey thousands of dollars raised and stuff like that, but uh good business being done stuff that's keeping the you know the land rolling and uh money coming into that uh RDC. So, um, outside of that, merry Christmas to everyone here. >> Um, the kids who were here tonight are near and to my heart, you
083know, and, um, it's great to see what's going on. And I noticed the one kid who hadn't said anything when I said, "How's it changed school?" Did you notice he he piped right up, you know, and everything? This reinforces that Wash City Schools offers something or attempts certainly to offer something for every kid at every level. We have vocational school and we we encourage that for kids because four years is not ed higher education and getting it so much anymore and that kind of thing. And I hope to see p what do I want to call it? publicity for the school, public public relations. Yeah, I want to see us get promoted a little bit more in terms of what we're doing and so because so often we hear what we're doing wrong. You know
084what I mean? Facebook can annihilate things and stuff, but I want to get the word out about what happens at city schools because I think that's this is the only corporation that you should send your kid to. >> I I really do and you know we scholarships and the whole bit and this just reinforces it. So, thank you. Um, a library update. We had two successful second interviews with our director candidate. So, we have a meeting tomorrow night and so I'm sure we'll be deciding which one we'll make an offer to, but both excellent candidates. I'm excited about both of them. >> So, um, that's all that's going on at the library. Oh, there's a Jane Austin night. Tomorrow night. I don't know. Um I hope I hope it's well attended. >> I didn't realize
085that. >> I wish everybody a merry Christmas and I can't believe we're halfway through the year. >> That's great. >> So with that, Richard, thank you. Thank you. >> So you guys fired Jane as the