001Good evening everyone. Happy St. Patrick's Day. >> We're going to start out with a prayer by Joey Dyer followed by the pledge of allegiance. >> All right, if everyone please bow your heads. >> Dear heavenly father, as we gather for this school board meeting, we seek your guidance and wisdom. Bless the members of the board with clarity and insight as they discuss the future of our schools. May their decisions reflect a commitment to excellence, equity, and the well-being of every student. Help us to foster collaboration among educators, parents, and the community, ensuring that our schools are places of growth, safety, and inspiration. Grant us the patience to listen, the courage to act, and the grace to support one another in our shared mission. We thank you for the gift of education and the opportunity to
002shape young lives. May our efforts today lay a strong foundation for a brighter tomorrow. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. 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. >> Approval of the agenda. There are no changes to the agenda this evening. >> Okay. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. Second. >> Any questions? >> All in favor, please vote. >> Okay. Motion passes. Minutes. Someone like to make a motion. >> Make a motion to approve the minutes listed. >> I'll second. >> Is there any discussion or questions? >> All in favor, please vote. Say that again. It's not coming up that it passed. >> Did you vote on it or no? >>
003Oh, it didn't. >> Did it's not coming up. >> Okay. >> I'm assuming it passed. >> I think it >> it did. It It carried 70. It just didn't It just didn't pop up on the screen. >> Okay. All right. Mission moments. Mission moments. >> Yes. So, we have Mr. Flickinger from the middle school with a a group here to present about flex time. So, thanks for joining us. All right. So, I brought along a few of our teachers. Um, Mrs. Freeman, eighth grade uh math, Mr. Bright, which is seventh grade math, and then back behind me, Maddie Pearson, sixth grade social studies, and Ashley Rump, which is sixth grade science. And one thing that we kind of wanted to we've talked about it a little bit um but kind of kind of give you
004guys an update and talk to you kind of how we're using flex period. So about three years ago when Dr. Paige came to us to start looking at our PLC process um kind of one of the areas that we looked at the middle school that we wanted to kind of improve on was our our tier 2 uh intervention and enrichment areas. And so it took about a year to kind of plan out and this is the first year we've kind of implemented it. So, I kind of just wanted to give you a brief overview of kind of how we're using it, what we're using it for, and then I was going to let um these teachers, you know, briefly describe kind of how they use it individually because it's all different. So, if you want
005to go to the spreadsheet or the PowerPoint. So, basically, what is flex period? Man, that's a little small for me to read from there. I'll get one of these. Um, so flex period, if you don't know, it's basically a common time throughout the day where the teachers have access to all students. Any student that they need, they have access to them every single day. It's scheduled into our schedule. It's a scheduled block. Um, we at the middle school set up our daily schedule to coincide with the high school during their SRT time. Their SRT is similar to our flex where they can pull students for various things. Clubs can meet and all sorts of fun stuff. Um students are based are assigned based on their need and it's focused on intervention enrichment and other areas
006of need. Kind of how it works. Every student's assigned a flex placement every single day. It's not always the same place, but every single day kids got a place to go that's assigned. Either it's teacher assigned, student can assign themselves, or you know, administrators can also place them in certain areas. And we'll talk about some of those activities. It's fluid and changing every day. And one of the things with the PLC that we've really started looking at even more so was the data. So all these decisions and these placements are driven by the data. So if a student, you know, struggles on an assessment or a certain standard, you know, they're placed in an activity to to touch base on that type of stuff. This is a nice little flowchart. So we use our essential
007standards that all of our teachers, you know, um identified. We have an intervention cycle which are priority days and we'll talk about those a little bit later. Um and then as a student if they take a an assessment on an essential standard they go through an intervention cycle you know whether it's math or English science or social studies and then that teacher will reassess that essential standard to see if that student is proficient in that particular standard. That way we can guarantee you know what we're teaching them on that what intervention looks like. So the need for tier 2 intervention is based on their student performance on an essential standard that's assessed among other data used and some of these teachers will explain kind of how they use that. Teachers have access to those students
008twice a week for 30 minutes. So, it's 30 minutes that they can pull a small group in to just focus on one particular standard, whether it's fractions, you know, linear equations, they use big words like that. Um, and then reassessment is used to determine if or when a student is proficient in that particular standard. types of interventions that we use during this time. We got small groupoup retaching, skills-based remediation, there's missing work support, like if they have a bunch of missing assignments, we have a group that does that. And we also have things where they work on organization and study skills. In addition to the intervention part of tier 2, you have the enrichment. So, a student that does get everything, does well on their test, does a very nice job. There's enrichment activities that
009are offered for those students every day. Um, those can include some extension activities, whether it's in math, science, social studies, um, whatever. There's independent or project-based learning activities. There's leadership or exploration opportunities. And also, there's time for clubs and other student organizations like SAD, um, the academic teams. So those type of enrichment activities as well and we can talk about some of those later. In addition, the flex period helps us support tier three. It gives extra time for IEP and 504 services. Um it can provide intensive academic intervention, you know, if it's in reading or or whatever. And it also provides some time for AEN or behavior supports for those students who need it. So, it's very individualbased by the student based on what their needs are and what we see and how we can
010help them with the flex period. All staff members participate. None of them get out of it unfortunately, I'm sure. Um, so in addition to their intervention days, so for example, Jacob Bright as a math teacher has two priority intervention days where he's focusing on his essential standards in his particular class. In addition to that, they offer enrichment activities on their non priority days. So, some examples of enrichment activities that some of our teachers have decided to do and we we encourage them to think outside the box, do some cool things, do some fun things. We've got like a Lego builder club where they work on that. Um, deduction puzzles. There's math help kind of sessions. Um, Mr. Mr. Schmidt did a thing in the library for the maker space for STEM type of activities. Um,
011jazz band was one. Brain games, I think Mrs. Freeman does, and there's tons of other ones. I mean, you guys know Kayla Zar, she's always thinking of some crazy ideas that can offer some enrichment. So, I mean, with flex period, it's helped with missing work and failures in their grades. It's helped us to intervene earlier rather than waiting till the end of the nine weeks or the semester to see who's not doing well. It's helped equity of support and it's helped the staff use their time more effectively and really target those certain areas that we're seeing how we kind of monitor and improve flex period or our tier 2 teachers and staff. They'll regularly review the student progress data, the intervention exit rates, and their essential standard data and assessments. I think Barrett a lot
012of times will throw up essential standard um data for you guys to see periodically. Um so they're using that. They're using their Wednesday mornings to go over this stuff to plan out their their next days, their next weeks, their next um quarter flex period. It's not a punishment. Okay. I run a group that is all missing assignments. If they have a certain amount of missing assignments, they get to come see me and we sit down and we cross those off the list as we go. So, it's not but it's not a punishment. It's not free time and it's not a replacement for strong instruction. It's an addition. It's an additional support. Um, it strengthens our core program and it gets every student what they need when they need it without sacrificing that core tier one
013instruction in their normal class periods. And so now I'm going to turn it over to these guys behind me just to briefly describe kind of what they do, how they use it, and what they see for it. So whoever wants to go first. >> So as Mr. Flickinger said, I have two um priority days that I use. Mine are on Wednesday and Thursday where it gives me some time. Usually for math, a lot of times there's a quiz or a test given on a Friday. So, it gives me time to get that data and then I know which students I need to pull on those days. And the cool thing is that if we give a test over an essential standard, um, we're focusing on one standard, those students have the ability to test out.
014So, we may spend Wednesday reviewing and then Thursday giving them opportunity to test out so they don't have to come back the next week. And the kids are always looking for opportunities to test out because they want to jump in in the other fun stuff that's going on. Um, so there's incentive for them to learn it the second time. um and uh do better the on the the test out assessment. When I am not doing my prior priority days, I'm either meeting with my acade academic uh math Super Bowl team or I'm doing pre-alggebra enrichment with my advanced class. Um or I have a group of students that likes to play basketball in the gym. Um so if they're not already being pulled for tier 2 intervention by any other uh staff members, then they
015can sign up for that. >> Okay. I wrote mine out. I might be a teacher, but I don't like public speaking, so just bear with me. All right. During flex, what I do depends on where we are in a unit and what my students need at the time. If I've recently assessed an essential standard, I pull the students who didn't show proficiency and retach it in a different way. Sometimes that's guided practice. Sometimes that's more hands-on. For example, after our recent moon unit, students built models of moon bases that could support life. They had to apply what they learned about the moon, that it has a lack of an atmosphere and extreme temperatures by using materials they were given to design solutions that would allow someone to survive there. If I'm not currently assessing a
016standard, I use that time to support other needs, especially reading comprehension. I work with the language arts teacher to pull specific students, and we use science-based non-fiction texts set up like I learn so they're practicing reading skills while also working on our science content. I also offer optional extra credit during flex through content based challenges that are more active and performance-based. So students are applying what they've learned in a different way. On the non-intervention days, I focus on enrichment and I do the Lego challenges where students are given a limited number of pieces and a specific task. They don't always like that I limit their number of pieces. Um but it pushes them to problem solve and think more critically with what they do have. I've really enjoyed Flex and it's been an effective way
017for me to respond to what my students need in the moment while also allowing for more hands-on learning. >> All right. So, I'm social studies, so I really appreciate this extra time because one week um I'm on the Byzantine Empire, next week I'm on the Middle Ages. So, like I need that remediation time. Um, so on my priority days, I just like as the previous teacher said, I use my data to remediate those kids that maybe missed a few things on our essential standards, but I'm also working with my language arts teacher to kind of prepare kids for I learn. So, I work with reading comprehension, reading non-fiction text, um, non-fiction, research writing. I can kind of hit some of those things that maybe we can't hit in class just because of time. Um, and
018then on my non-priority days, I do the Myrtle deduction puzzles. So, um, over Christmas, for instance, we kind of worked through a whole puzzle book together as a group. So, we were solving little mysteries every day, and the kids really enjoyed it. They kind of kind of bought into the characters and stuff like that. Um, and then also I work with my social studies academic Super Bowl team on those days, too. So, kind of all sorts of things, but this time is great. It really helps me out. Hi, I'm Mrs. Freeman. I teach um eighth grade pre-alggebra and algebra. And Mr. Jacob did not um or Mr. Sorry, that's what I call them to the kids, his little kids. But um he didn't mention it, but since we do teach two different classes, unlike the
019other subjects in our middle school, our two priority days can sometimes and often be split. Um my days are Mondays and Wednesdays. Mondays is um guaranteed for my pre-alggebra kids. Again, it's off the Boulder standards that might need to be remediated and retested, but um oftent times, not so much this semester because of snow days and stuff, but oftent times my algebra class, if I really feel like they're behind in something or they need extra time in something, because those are the kids that often do need um some extra time just to make sure that they're right, um I will pull them on Wednesdays as well. On my non-priority days, I do Brain Games. It's an interactive TV show on Disney Plus if anybody's been interested in it. and it makes you think outside the
020box. It gives them puzzles. Um, it has the audience participate kind of as they're going through and doing it. Um, but it focuses on the brain, the different parts of the brain, how the brain works. It brings in a lot of STEM, science, math, technology, engineering, um, things into it to kind of help solve the puzzles and problems. Um, and it just kind of, it's a short 20 minute show, but it's really fascinating for some of the kids to kind of get the interactive feel of that. Um, one thing I do would like to mention is that I wish we had more time. I just wish we had more time. Um, especially being math and having split, um, if I'm only getting kids every Monday for pre-alggebra for the 30 minutes and I've got to
021retest them, they're they're going to lose focus. They're going to forget the stuff that they were retaught three weeks ago. Um, so if I had more time, um, I really think that we could do a lot more with it. But I understand that we've got social studies and English and science, you know, and everybody needs these kids all the time. Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Great stuff. Great stuff. >> So, I I would This is great. I remember when we took away club time, I wasn't really thrilled about that. So, I'm glad to see it back. But with it moving around, when do they club meet? Because it seems like it's kind of a moving flex time. >> You mean like during the day or >> Yeah. Um, so we have a specific block
022from 10:50 to 11:20 every day. Every day of the week is when these clubs meet that we, you know, schedule it out month, couple months in advance. For example, like Jacob's math team might meet every Thursday. We have a system that we use. It's called Smart Pass where we sign them up and kids look at their iPad before that class period and say, "Okay, I'm going to Mr. Bright today." And they can see where they're going. an entire week or month. So, >> that's helped out tremendously, too. >> I just want to say thank you and great job to you and all our teachers and staff at all the buildings for the programs like this that you have to help our students gain more strength and traction in their education. It's a tremendous thing. Thank
023you. >> I had a question. How are the um enrichment activities for students assigned? Do the kids pick them or >> um a lot of times the enrichment is typically student picked to be honest with you because how we've set it up and this is the first year we're doing it. So we've seen some tweaks that we need to make going into next year. But the first priority is the teacher picking the students that they want to see based on their, you know, their data that they're seeing. And then if they're open then they can pick from brain games or basketball that particular day or whatever. Um there are some enrichment activities where the teacher has to select the sad club when they do it. She had she knows who her members are. So she
024assigns all of her members for that club meeting that a lot of times it's student picked for enrichment activities. >> It sounds like it would be so complicated trying to get everybody It was fun. >> That's where Smart Pass comes in. >> That's why I answered my question. >> That's what I was curious how >> else, >> but everybody has some place to go. >> Yes. >> So, a lot of times there's always some stragglers sitting up there and Heather and myself normally about 9:30, we get on there and see who's not anywhere. Okay, you're gonna go here. >> Well, thank you very much. >> That was good. Thank you. >> Great. Okay. Panther Pride. >> All right. Perfect. >> Well, first want to uh ask to come up our maintenance team. If you guys
025would please come up here. Come on up here, guys. >> Well, first off, I have the uh distinct pleasure of uh talking about all the good things these gentlemen behind do for us. Uh behind the scenes can be a thankful job. Um, and these guys, I can tell you, they respond quick and they follow up. And we have one of the best maintenance teams, uh, here, especially this morning. A great example. Um, I mean, not only do, uh, Mr. Dubo and I have to hit the road early in the morning to make calls, uh, these gentlemen are here even earlier than we are because it takes several hours to get the parking lot cleared off, salted. So, um, I first off want to thank you guys because I know it has not been an easy
026winner. Um, and these guys are here all hours of the day. Um, so I just want to thank them. Uh, they were nominated by uh, Sher Helberger and our admin team. Um, Miss Helberger wanted to say that the maintenance team went above and beyond to fix an issue on the grounds that a community member had pointed out and that was really appreciated because of their quick response and followth through. Um, also with some of the summer construction that we have going on that'll be going on this um this summer, the these guys, I mean, they will be, you know, helping out, doing things whenever they're called into need. Um, they do a great job. And when you think about having a building with uh 2,600 people in it, there are always things going on. Whether
027that's today having nacho cheese in a urinal who somebody took care of to um you know somebody making sure that things in the pool are taken care of um waiting around in the sewage plant. You name it, these guys do it and they do it uh with a smile. So I just wanted to uh tell them thank you to the team um for for working hard. We could not do things without you guys, especially your early mornings and dedication uh to help ensure our staff and students can arrive safely each day. So, thank you guys very much. Um I know everybody is here except for John Scott. Um but John does a great job uh organizing and getting these guys to to help out, too. So, big thanks to everybody. Thanks again to these guys.
028>> That's right. >> Thanks for appreciate it. >> You sure not at the principal's office, are you? >> Thanks, Brian. Thanks so much. >> Thank you so much. >> No problem. We'll get maintenance on that. >> No problem. Thanks. That's okay. They are important. >> Next up, uh, will be the intermediate school, uh, Mrs. Xstein. Good evening. Um, tonight we are here to recognize Kylie Moyers. Um, she works on behalf of our students and staff at at the intermediate building. She has a deep love for her students and holds high expectations for every child while taking time to truly know and understand them as individuals. Kylie meets students where they are and builds from there, consistently identifying strengths and capitalizing on them. Sometimes strengths that not others see. She is a strong advocate for who
029ensures needs are met both academically, socially, and emotionally. Kylie is an educator who consistently goes an extra mile for kids. She sees a need and takes action, never wanting, never waiting for someone else to step in. She collaborates with others and her and if support is limited, she finds a way to ensure that the students needs are still met. The toughest challenges are her specialty. Kylie leans in. She problem solves and she remains focused on doing what's best for students even when those conversations are tough. Beyond her work with students, Kylie is always willing to step in and support her teammates. She builds others up. She contributes without hesitation and she navigates challenges with resilience and grace. She's a leader in our building. She's she leads her PLT. She is a member of our guiding
030coalition. She contributes to committees and she actively engages in work that strengthens the school environment for both our students and our staff. Her commitment to collaborative problem solving has had an impact especially this year. Kylie is passionate about the work that she does. She builds capacity in others. She mentors students and she also mentors colleagues. Her empathy, leadership, and student first mindset makes her an exceptional educator. Kylie seems to find time to do this when maybe her schedule is more busy than many of us around, but she always finds time to support and be a listening ear for her colleagues and and most of all for students. Kylie exempli exemplifies a very special heart of what I would call a special educator and I I and we are very very thankful that we have her
031serving our kids. Congratulations, KYLIE. GREAT JOB. >> Thank you. All right. Next up, we have Boston Scott from Western Primary, who was nominated by Mrs. Nichols. >> All right. All right. It is with great pleasure that I get to write and nominate Boston Scott for the student of the month for Western Primary School. Boston's the kind of student you dream about having in class. He's hardworking, attentive when you're teaching, and uses his time wisely when he finishes. In fact, when Boston finishes his work, he can be found helping others with tasks they're struggling to complete. Sometimes that's reading directions, repeating where something belongs, or where to find materials that are needed for a task. And sometimes that means he's acting as a tiny teacher explaining the work that was just explained. Our classroom this year
032has students with many varying abilities. And having Boston as part of our classroom family and supporting his classmates truly warms my heart. Boston has earned the love and respect of his classmates. He's viewed as a role model and absolutely a stellar friend. The seats next to him at lunch are always in high demand. Boston leads quietly. He can always be found setting an example for his classmates regardless of where we are in the school building. He's an incredible helper and does so without reservation. He does not look for attention or recognition. His quiet personality comes out a bit louder at recess. And I've loved watching him grow this year. All of these things make Boston an incredible kid and so very deserving of being named Western Primary Student of the Month. >> Way to go,
033Boston. >> Good job, Boston. behind us. >> Congratulations, Boston. >> Next up is Brenlin Hunter from West Western Intermediate School, who is nominated by Lorie Rail. >> I have nominated Brenlin Hunter for student of the month. Brenlin is an outstanding citizen and consistently hardworking student. She's a natural leader who serves on our student council rep or she's our student council representative and she's also a member of the leadership council at WIS. What truly sets Brinland apart is her dedication. She never takes a day off with her effort or her engagement. Day in and day out, she is actively participating and eager to answer questions. She is genuinely excited about learning. I've never had to remind her of expectations. She not only meets them consistently, but she exceeds them. Brenlin is kind and respectful to both
034her teachers and her peers. She does the right thing even when no one's watching. I've never seen her be unkind to anyone. And she's always willing to help others. And she leads by example through her actions. Because of her strong academic effort, her exceptional work work ethic, her compassion, and her leadership. Brin truly deserves to be recognized as the WIS student of the month. Good job on the green. >> Great job. >> Good job, kiddo. Congratulations. >> All right, next up we have Western Middle School. And we have two uh one was unable unable to attend in February. So we will start with that one. Um which would be Oh, Miss Monroe is not here. Okay. Well, we will make sure that she gets this. Um moving on to the second nominee for the middle
035school um would be Whan Reagan from Western Middle School who was nominated by Hannah Sanifer and Izzy Johnson. >> Hello everyone. So, I'm Miss Johnson. So, I work with Miss Turner in the resource room. So, this is Whan. Um Whan is an outstanding student. He is one of He is a workhorse of our classroom. I'm beyond proud of him. Um his work he does pretty much is A+es all the time. He never really struggles. I call him Albert Einstein because he never fails a math test. So, um he gained so much confidence this year in the resource room where he gets up and helps the class if I'm ever uh like overloaded with a bunch of students. He's like, "Miss Johnson, I'll help you." and he'll take a student over and he'll help him do
036the math. So, it's just been um very u cool to see him grow as a student and um he always has a great attitude. He's very respectful to everyone that he reacts with. And if any kid deserves student of the month, it is Wayan Reagan. SO, >> good job, buddy. >> Hey, congrats, buddy. Purdue would look good, too. All right, last but not least, we have Mr. Ashton Castillo from Western High School, who will be recognized by Mr. Lewis. >> Good evening. This is Ashton Castillo, and he was nominated by myself, Mr. Edwards, and Nick Harmson, our guidance counselor at the high school. We wrote this. Throughout his high school career, especially his senior year, Ashton Castillo has continually set the standard for academic excellence, athletic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and leadership at Western High School.
037Recently, he was one of our two KO scholar finalists, the first that Western has had in two decades. Was a part of the school record swim relay team, which won their fourth straight conference title, and was also a winner of the 2026 business case competition at UNDI. As a student council and SAD leader, he helped plan and execute Winterfest, student appreciation week, and many other events around the school. As part of our student leadership academy, he has stretched himself to grow and polish his leadership influence, which he consistently portrays throughout the hallways and classrooms. He is authentically kind, respectful, and personable to all he encountered. And we take a poll with all our student leadership academy representatives, and we ask them who they admire most in our leadership academy. and it was far and away
038he was the number one vote getter. Um, in my 20 years in education and 14 years as a head basketball coach, I've been around amazing students and amazing human beings being a coach. And I'm not sure that I've ever been around anyone as impressive as what Ashen Castillo is. He is someone that is going to make this community very proud, his parents very proud. Um, and we're very, very lucky to have him here for four years at Western High School. Ashen Castillo. Good to see you again. >> Great job. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Just a couple things to add on to Panther Pride. Um we do have um a number of um music students that are participating in um uh percussion right now through ISMA. And we also have our vocal
039jazz choir participating in the state finals this Friday at Franklin Central. So, a couple um really um outstanding uh groups there. So, just wanted to add that to our Panther Pride. >> All right, everyone is welcome to stay, but if you were here mainly for Panther Pride and you wish to leave at this time, feel free. >> Thank you. It's funny cuz when I told that guy got ESP on there that says pretty >> good job, Boston. >> See, Ajax. Bye, Aurora. >> Kids like you too, Joey. >> They're my neighbors. The kids play with Preston and couldn't play with them all the time. They were right behind us. >> That's great. >> Okay. There's no public comment tonight. So, reports treasures end of month balances you're going to see on the report total 17,696,764.95.
040uh investments in CDs has not changed for several months now totaling $680,845. Uh that will change in the coming 10 days, 10 days from now. The last of the CDs will come back into our accounts and for the foreseeable future. Uh we won't have any money in CDs as part of our agreement with first farmers that got us a better rate was to keep the entirety of their funds uh within our accounts. uh interest paid for this period, this period being February, total $50,18.90. The fund totals totaled up, CDs and our balances is $18,377,69.95. Payroll claims that are being submitted for your approval total 1,57,665.14. Vendor claims that are being submitted for your approval total 2 million. $911,44646. Um, as kind has become custom, that is running high due to the amount of construction that
041we still have going on in the building. I will also mention there is a number that's a little smaller in italics there at the bottom. That is the student iPad payment for 2026. That totals $28,168.94. Uh, those are I'm looking at Craig to confirm this. It's four years that we have for the iPads, correct? or >> yes two after this >> two after this all right so last year this year and then two after this uh that is not part of the total it is not on this docket uh we'll pay that in the coming weeks but I did want you to see that make that part of your approval because it is obviously a large payment other notes that I will mention I want to mention a few things on uh some legislative updates
042that are specific to finance uh these are what I'll call good news items you know often we kind of be we can be critical of what the legislature imposes on us. However, in these cases, I think we do owe them a thank you. They didn't do away with some of the things they didn't like, but they did delay them, which helps us out to capture some additional revenue in the coming years. But then also, I would argue even more important, to plan for those negative financial impacts that are coming. And that time to plan uh is significantly valuable. And then it gives us time to put things in place to reduce expenditures to seek additional revenues although limited where we can. Uh but the three parts that I want to mention uh two are tied
043to House Bill 1210. Uh the first part moves the effective date for local income taxes from 2028 to 2029. Uh while we have never received direct payments from local income taxes, many school corporations do, uh we do benefit benefit from PTRC's, property tax replacement credits. Uh once these are eliminated, our circuit breaker is going to go up significantly within that year. The hit was to come in 28. Uh they moved it back to where it's now in 29. It's still going to hit, but we're able to capture one year more of revenue and again, as I mentioned, one more year more to plan for it. >> Also, as part of House Bill 1210 in 2026 only, we can choose if the loss from the new homestead credit that we've detailed and talked about before uh
044is divided proportionally between debt service and operations or if it just hits operations. after 2026, debt service is protected and the full hit has to come to operations. Uh we thought initially this was always going to be the case. It was kind of an oversight that debt service was impacted within the last session SCA1. We thought there'd be a correction, but we didn't think as was early on showing in the legislative session that they would protect debt service this year. Because if they had protected it this year, it means we would had to reduce our operations budget revenues by $200,000 plus four months into the the budget year. Uh so this was a big help. Again, allows us more time to to plan. Uh last thing I'll mention is the 4% cap that has been
045on our operations levy uh will not continue. It's in place for 26. It's been a place, don't quote me on this, but I believe it's been the last three years. Uh, in 27, the levy will no longer be capped by 4%, which means it's governed by the formula that is the MLGQ. Uh, early estimates are we'll see a 6% increase, which means our operations levy can increase by that full 6%, which will allow us to capture a little bit of additional revenue. So again, things that we can uh thank our legislators. The big the big theme I keep coming back to is more time to plan uh is very beneficial and we are grateful. The other thing that I'll mention is the TX upload for 2526 has been uploaded to the state. As a reminder,
046TX is something Western's done for a while, but full implementation of it. I think we're on our looking at Florida confirm this third year now. Third year doing this. This allows us to upload our past due payments uh onto the system and then as tax refunds come into place, there is a hold on those uh to where we get at least a portion of those funds that are due to us. I will say it's nice that we get those matches and right now we've already got 59 matches as of, you know, two weeks into it. But what I think is even more impressive is since the upload happened, and we always notify people, hey, you're on the upload. And this triggers, as you might imagine, some people to pay those past dues, uh, we have
047received an additional people paying their dues, $10,67120. Um, it sounds easy that you just do this upload. It's not. There's a lot of numbers, a lot of data from the four buildings, from current students, and from past students that have to kind of be consolidated into this one spreadsheet, this one file. Uh, it's a lot of work on the ECA's part, and it's even more work on Laura's part. Um, it's I I want to say weeks, but it's probably a couple months to where uh she's spending a lot of time putting this together. Um, but as you can see, the payoff is uh significant. Uh with that being said, I submit for your approval. More than happy to answer any questions that uh are needed or asked, but you have my supporting documentation. >> One
048other thing to add really quickly about the TRE system. In the past, what we would do is go to small claims court and that was very time consuming and exhaustive for it was uh Melissa at that time in this seat. And so that eliminates all of those processes and procedures. So that's another big benefit through this program as well. >> You say it was Senate Bill 10. >> House Bill >> 1210 >> was the one associated with lit being pushed back a year and for allowing us to take the loss for the homestead credits and debt service and operations for again this year only. Uh the 4% cap was not something that was tied to a bill but it was something that just wasn't renewed. >> Okay. Thanks. I will say the likelihood that it's
049gone away for good is is >> probably not good. Uh chances are the levy will be allowed to grow more than the 4% for 27, but if I'm placing a bet uh 28 and beyond, it'll be back. >> I make a motion to approve the financial report. >> Second. >> Are there any questions? >> Do we have any more iPad payments this year? >> It's just the one for each. >> Just the one. That's okay. Any others? >> I Joey, I will say that that number I gave you is just the student iPads. The uh the staff iPads is a different invoice. >> All right. Vote. >> All right. passes budget report. >> What is that? Okay. Well, never mind. That exceptional learners and testing my reporting on that. Um, as far as testing, um,
050we're kind of right in the snack middle of testing right now. Um, I read that window closed last Friday. I learn opens up after spring break, April 13th. Um and um then the second I read administration summer window will open back up. Um as far as title and e um I participated in the PLC for directors uh statewide which is really helpful and interesting um just to learn what's going on out there and the different questions that they have um regarding title grants. Um I've also met with um our staff um and the high school staff to kind of work on streamlining um we did that with the primary and intermediate um in the fall streamlining communication and services for EL students. Um that's just been one thing that we've done there. As far as
051special education, same things, case conferences, power schools still informing our side. Um you know, we'll have updates over a weekend. Um for instance, just a couple weekends ago, we had an update that was done and every student got a behavior goal in their um IEP. So, we had to go in and update those and delete them as we make them. So, it's just continuing to be not easy to deal with, but we're pushing through. So, um and then as far as high ability, um we do have coat screenings going on now. Um second grade is completed, fifth grade is has winded down and we're looking at those that data and then kindergarten is working on that assessment this week. >> Any questions? Where did you come in? Two weeks >> in March. >> Anything else?
052>> Okay. Thank you. >> Technology. >> Just a few items I wanted to highlight this evening. We're getting ready for uh summer projects. Um we're planning for normal the normal iPad uh collection, but also the intermediate build is going to be um interesting. Uh plus just some normal hardware updates that we normally do during the summer. Um just been trying to plan those with the with the team trying to make sure everything goes smooth with that. Um I wanted to make sure mentioned as I think I have before parent square which is the website. We also have the mass communication piece. Um which actually I'll say a little bit about that parent square is going to replace school messenger which you know I wanted to mention. We've had a couple issues with that. Today was
053was one of those days um which they have private ticket open. have issues with calling certain phones, certain numbers where um the call won't go through but it leaves a voicemail and then I had somebody who got a voicemail five hours after calling out which is kind of crazy but we are actually moving away from school messenger um June 1st their contract expired to parent square which will do the exact same notifications but it'll also um allow for two-way messaging um between parents and teachers. Um also teachers can send announcements. Uh parents or admin can send announcements. It's going to be an allin-one place for communication uh for top down from mass communication to individual building to actual teachers. So that's coming up. More information will be sent out after spring break. Uh we'll have
054to wait till a little bit further in before we send too much information. We're not going to go live with the whole um communication piece until next school year with the individual communication. The mass communication will start July 1st. One other thing which mentioned testing in full swing. Um high school did great. Sherry and her team and the guidance office they did a great job with SATs and that finished up pretty well. Any other questions? One question uh with parent square coming in, are we eliminating like remind and class dojo and >> yeah that's it's going to be one encompassing communication tool. So so yeah it's going to be nice to just have it all located in one >> I'm using both right now. So just >> and then yeah I meant I meant to
055mention that it's going to roers everything should be good a good enhancement. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you >> assistant superintendent. >> Thank you very much Mrs. Newbie. Um and good evening. Uh just a couple things that we have going on in our office. um updates on school safety. Um was able to attend the advanced reunification training um and uh working with our administrators on um doing a tabletop exercise for our reunification here um if we ever had to have one offsite. Um also participated in tornado awareness uh which was last week. Um some of you might have heard the tornado drills going off and um some of our students uh participated in that last week and also today they finished up those drills. Um updates on transportation. Um we've had a lot going
056on. Uh want to thank everybody in the transportation department. We had our spring bus inspection by the uh Indiana State Police and all 40 of our buses passed. Uh so big thanks to everyone there including our mechanics um who helped make that go smoothly. Um, we did receive our two new buses and our SPV. Um, and those are very, very nice. Um, so thank you to the board. Um, just quick note as as you kind of look around the state. Um, we're very lucky some schools are reducing their transportation or getting rid of it. Um, so it's it's just a big blessing and I want to thank everybody who um, takes pride in that, making sure our kids get to school safely. Um, updates on curriculum. Um we've got um Miss Jordan Pridemore coming in
057tomorrow um or excuse me, not tomorrow, Thursday and Friday to work with um our elementary continuing with curriculum mapping. Um been doing a great job there and uh the teaching staff seems to be really enjoying that. And um Saturday I'll have some data to update uh you guys with at our board retreat. Um be able to dive into that a little bit deeper. So pending your questions. Um that is my report for March. A quick question on are we looking at another SPV next year? >> U good good question. Um I know really it'll be working with um you know Mr. Dubo and Mr. ZH to see kind of where financials fall. Um we we've got a lot of really really good buses but the SPVS um they get used and abused a lot just
058by you know trips and things like that with our sports teams. So, um, we're hopeful that we will be able to get one, but we'll just have to kind of see how those numbers come in. >> I have a question here. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, the um teachers that were going to participate in a webinar. I think it's the literacy leadership series. >> It said it was from 2 to 3 during the day. So some of those again this is the state's infinite wisdom when they when they do these um some of them are from two to three um a lot of them they've been focusing on um in this series has been um upper level grades so some of our teachers have been able to see some of it. They are pre-recorded so
059they're able to get on afterwards and see those which is a big help with um with things being on Zoom. So they are they are able to get on there and see those. Um >> Okay, good. >> They're not live, so that helps. >> Thank you. The flyer says too that teachers can earn PGP points. So that's helping their contract or uh >> Yeah, they're licensed. Absolutely. Yeah, it makes it very convenient. >> Are we trading those buses in or >> Yes. So, uh the the vendor >> for sale, Jill, >> be great. Um, >> yes, we we did. We we were lucky enough. Usually there we can go to public surplus and put them online. Um, we we usually, you know, might get $1,500 to $2,000 out of them. Um, but with Midwest Transit,
060who we worked with to get these buses and SPVS, they um gave us money towards some of our older buses, and that knocked off the final price. So again, they they gave us maybe a,000 to,500. >> So I know >> over 12 years. Yeah. You think you get a bigger investment, but >> they do make nice apartments and campers and things like that. So food trucks. >> Okay. >> Superintendent's report. >> Thank you. Um you've had an opportunity to look at my report, but just a couple highlights. Um, we had a really nice collaborative discussion with the teachers association regarding synchronous learning days because of the times that we had um with the bad weather there in the end of July or end of July. I wish it was July uh end of January. And
061um you know it was it was really productive discussion because um I I think they appreciated the consistency uh with continuing instruction with the students. the schedule for school as well as um just discussing like the improvements that we can continue to make, you know, of you know, how to to work uh Google Meets better, um how to uh deliver uh things, uh in a in a better medium. And so, uh that was a nice discussion that we had. Also, I want to give a big thanks to the um calendar committee. We do have a calendar up for uh approval tonight. So that was a nice um uh group to work with and develop the 2728 calendar. And then also um we have communicated uh to the teachers that are impacted by the 2026 renovation
062at the intermediate school. We kind of gave them a a timeline of here's some suggestions on to move out or pack or prepare for move out so you're not filled with a bunch of anxiety two days before move out. So there's like a a timeline of suggestions of uh things to be able to to do in that time period from now until uh the end of May. And also we have the dumpster out there. we have boxes that are available and so on and so forth uh to people. Now, also a big thank you to our uh band and choir directors and the high school for hosting the 69th annual Howard County Music Festival. It was a wonderful evening. Um and then also thank a big thank you to those that were involved in the
063Carl Coons Memorial uh community celebration event that was hosted here at the school corporation as well. And um uh also one other big thank you to our custodial staff and the sheriff's department for our um unexpected uh visitor uh early mornings of uh it was a Friday Friday two ago. Um so thank you for their uh help in that uh matter. So uh that's uh my report. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer anything on that. >> Quick question on the calendar. Are we somewhat stable? that's a consistent kind of thing or are there lots of different things that change in that every year because it was >> it pretty much it pretty much stays the same. the the the biggest challenge with the calendar is um getting what I'm seeing is
064we're starting earlier and earlier in August. >> But one of the challenges with that is you finish first semester before your Christmas break or at Christmas break >> then starting second semester. I think in the past the way we were able to start later in August is first semester would creep in after Christmas break and you would have your first semester finish after when people would come back and then they'd take finals and then you'd start second semester and then you'd maybe start a little bit or end a little bit later. And so that's one of our bigger challenges is is that piece there. It just seems like we're starting so early year after year, but then you throw in three days at Thanksgiving and and a week of fall break and some of those
065other things planted in there, it makes it a little bit more challenging. And so trying to keep the semesterers as balanced as possible. >> Um and then also trying to finish first semester, especially for the high school students, um right there, >> which I think would be better because retention. So >> yeah. And then even with students that are involved in uh collegiate courses now, that is another animal that we're having to navigate in that calendar. >> Um the Indiana Media Group you met with for communication tools for marketing and promotions, would they be working with Natalie? >> Um I haven't talked to Natalie about that yet. they met with me and just kind of gave me some I didn't even realize what some of their capabilities are with um like geo tracking and geo
066fencing with um and and I I'm going to speak Craig's language here like clicks and hits on websites and different things like that. So um that would be something uh to talk to Natalie about. I I just haven't done that yet. But um there's some things with just even advertisements at graduation that they've they came and met with me about. There's a big award a sports awards banquet. They're wanting some advertisements there. But they were just they went into the whole geo tracking and geo fencing is a very economical and efficient way to target specific areas in your community. if you want to um promote kindergarten roundup, you know, that's something that they can send um notifications through your phone like they're popups that come up and it can target certain zip codes. Um it
067can target different age groups and so on and so forth. So, you know, instead of a, you know, a mailer that is.7 cents or whatever to send out a piece of mail that you don't know if that person even has a kid that age and it goes to all of these different groups, it's showing up on your phone, you know, 30 hits in the next 30 days for a very cheap price because it it's connected to technology now. So would it be a way of just putting out there some other things about what's going on at Western or is it strictly for >> We could I mean that's that that's what we would have to decide what we would want to use that for and for what groups we would be sending it to. So
068I mean it could be come June July when registration starts if we would want to send out a registration popup. You know, it could say we could create that advertisement. Could link to our registration. We could do all sorts of things. I I was actually I >> Does it have to be tied into an app though? >> It it it's >> like Do they have to download like a >> I think it's based off of like when you get on Google. >> That's what I was just curious. >> When you get on Google or whatever, it just pops up. And so it's it's I I'm so um behind the times with technology. It was kind of blowing my mind what it can do, >> but it's also something that um I think the capabilities that
069they have are far more reaching than what we've ever been able to imagine in this day and age, especially with, you know, how many people have devices. And I think Craig could probably even tell you too with our new website, it will tell you how many people are accessing our website through cell phones or mobile devices versus like laptops and which is a much larger amount. And they also uh the communications group also gave us uh kudos to a nice website because they did their research on our website >> beforehand too. So that was also a positive. >> Well, could that be tied into Parent Square? I I I don't know exactly. I I don't know from that standpoint. it it's going to be more of if we want to target uh maybe a an
070age demographic of school age children on kindergarten roundup, we can ask for that kind of specific information to then be sent out to those individuals so that maybe grandparents aren't getting kindergarten roundup notifications, things like that. So I I all I know is I I'm used to getting 10 to one unwanted emails and now I'm getting text messages >> from politicians and other places that I didn't ask for. I just don't know if we want to be part of that invasion. >> Yeah. >> Privacy, but maybe we do. >> They they mentioned how, you know, by sending blasts out like in Facebook, there's a lot of noise on Facebook. That's what they were calling it is noise. this is more, you know, a targeted message, but but I totally understand. I get those same text
071messages that I just click spam >> block. >> Does this group work with other school districts in Indiana across the nation? >> They they do they have a couple that they've worked with. I think that that this is kind of their campaign to go around and try to get more school involvement. Um I don't have any like data of like how effective like that that would be or whatever, but um there are some I know over in the um um Anderson area that are using it. >> How much just out of curiosity, we may not know. How much do we actually spend on the mailers and things like that that we send out? >> Not not much. >> Yeah. Hardly any. We don't do mailers anymore. No. But like we do have a contract with
072Natalie so she can use like um Facebook blasts or whatever. >> A small budget there. >> All righty. Disposition of checks. >> Indiana code 5-11-2.5-2. All awards or checks drawn upon public funds of the subdivision schools included that are obtained unpaid for a period of two or more years as of lasting December of each year are void. Uh so all checks that have not been deposited as of or on 1231 2022 uh are voided and brought back into our accounts. Uh the total of which is $1,16024. uh seeking your approval to bring these back into accounts. I will note um if you can think back to previous years, this number continues to decline uh which means we get a little bit very little bit less revenue. But I do think that's a good thing. This
073is money people are entitled to. The reason for that is we've moved less and less away from issuing paper check and more and more to a payments. This is something that Vicki spearheaded a couple years ago and each year we have more taking the on that and it's something that we will continue but as I got sidetracked on I seek your approval to bring these funds back to the council. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> Any questions? >> Please vote. >> Carried. Okay, great. Thanks. All right. uh resolution delegating authority to the superintendent to approve scope additions for the 2024 bond funded projects. >> Yes. So, thank you. Um what we're asking here is the resolution to give me the authority to continue projects that we are kind of coming to an end of
074our 2024 projects on roof, electrical, and envelope. And so if we have we've already budgeted the 20% in these projects, so the money is already there. But if we'd want to continue uh to finish up work that we already have the contractor on site, they've already given us the um the quotes or the bids for those uh those amounts. This would allow us to continue that work without having to wait until the next school board meeting to just continue those projects. So just asking for your approval on that resolution. Second. >> All right. Are there any questions? >> Right. Please vote. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. >> Okay. 2728 calendar. >> So, um asking for your approval for the 2728 calendar. Just a couple things to note. um what we did um to because
075we for the 26 27 calendar that's the first year we have a Sunday graduation. This one um we had a pretty large gap between the last day of school and that graduation date. And so we did add um um we added a date at spring break that Friday before spring break. And then we also added the day after Easter um which is April 17th that year. That date what we are calling a snow makeup day but it's only if we are moving into a fourth consecutive uh synchronous learning day. That's how that would be used. It wouldn't be used at the beginning of that. It would be at the end of that. And so it'd be a very high highly unlikely that we would be using that as a snow makeup day, but that is
076u something that would, you know, give somebody, you know, Good Friday and uh the Easter uh break there to have an additional day. And so then that moved the end of the school day uh or the school year to the 25th that then gave us the time for the records and then the graduation. So that's that's really the biggest adjustment that that um calendar had um from that group. And I know Jill and Cindy, yeah, you guys were on the committee. I don't know if you noticed anything or had any other details to point out. >> So, just asking for your approval. >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Any questions? >> All right. Please vote. Thank you. Uh band and choir trip to Disney. >> So the high
077school is asking for approval for a Disney band and choir trip uh to um the year. Well, it'd be May 28th of 2027. So asking for your approval for that trip. I believe they do that trip every other year or somewhere every three every four years. That's right. >> Make a motion to approve the Disney trip. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> Please vote. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Contract for Williams Mowing. >> Yes. asking for your approval for the um landscaping services by Williams Mowing. Uh we've had them for the last number of years. Uh I believe they've done a really nice job of making our facilities look very nice, especially curbside appearance makes a big difference. And um I know John uh asked for a couple quotes from other businesses and uh Williams
078had the best responsive bid. >> Is there a motion? >> Second. >> There any questions? >> All right. Please vote. >> Community day. Yeah, a great tradition here at um Western that we have a community day that our seniors participate in in Rushville. And so Mr. Edwards has submitted the community day um for April 23rd with a backup rain date to be the 24th. Um and this is just a a neat uh day if you ever can come out and join us. It's uh it's a lot of fun. >> A motion to approve the day. Second. >> Any questions? All right, please vote. >> Thank you. >> Legislative update. >> So, just a brief statement here uh from our legislative um session that was ending. So during the 2026 uh short legislative session uh Indiana
079focused on a few major education issues uh that matter to our school and families. Those include school operations, schoolboard governance, um facility policies, math and career readiness, teacher lure, and um probably the most talked about um at least that people are aware of is cell phone use. And so those are the main topics that were hit this legislative session. The thing that um a lot of us have talked about in the APSS and with uh my colleagues is we're really waiting for governance uh to come and and kind of tell us how we're going to have to follow these rules. And so, um, fortunately, I have a meeting this Friday with IAPSS and again on April 1st to, um, hear some of the, um, governance that's going to be handed down. And then also, um,
080ISBA has their April 13th meeting where you'll hear a lot of those updates as well. Um, you know, one of the things that I've I've heard a lot of the chatter on, um, like the cell phone use is inaccessible. Like what is the definition of inaccessible? And I think that's something that we're waiting on because that's going to determine is that a locker or is that a locked bag or is it not on campus at all, you know? And so I think those are some of the conversations that we're waiting to hear because I don't I don't want to create a policy or get too far ahead of the game until we know exactly what's happening. So So those are just some of the things just to be aware of that are are going to
081be coming in our updates here and those are uh great meetings to be a part of to hear what's happening. >> So that will be K through 12, you know, >> the cell phone. >> Yeah. I don't know. I don't know how many kindergarters have cell phones, but they do. And >> really? >> Yeah. Or smart uh watches or meta glasses. I mean, there's there's a lot to this that I mean, you know, what I don't like is and and I understand there's a process to it, but we don't get updates until April, May. We have handbooks that are coming out in May, June. And you know, our year starts in from from the IDOE, from our associations to give us guidance on how to work through these these different matters. And so it just
082doesn't give us a lot of time to respond. Um, and so that makes it a little more challenging, but I also don't want to get too ahead of things or worked up over situations that we don't know exactly how things are going to be um, deciphered. Jamie, do you think the majority of your students in the intermediate have cell phones? >> I wouldn't say the majority, but there are a lot. >> This does not affect teacher cell phone. >> No. >> All right. >> Yep. >> Any questions? >> Thank you. >> Donations. >> Yeah. Just asking for your approval of the generous donations that we have received. >> Motion to approve the donations. >> I'll second. >> Sorry, I'll second. Any questions? Right. Please vote. Thank you. Personnel >> and asking for your approval for
083the personnel that has been presented. So moved >> second question I always in scope of conflict with conflict of interest or no >> no >> I think it was >> all right who second did that me >> okay thank you all right any other questions all right please vote >> carried >> okay thank you professional development >> and just asking for your approval for the pre professional development that's been presented. >> Motion to approve the professional development. >> I'll second. >> Any questions on professional development? All right. Please vote. >> Okay. Round table. >> Did we start with you last time, Harry? >> I don't remember. Okay, let's start with you. Great. >> Okay. Hey, I just want to say u great job to all the students and teachers and everyone that's been helping uh
084especially with the FLB business leaders group and all that, Mr. Putt and the eight students who did well as well as Ms. Johnson who is a vice president of our state from our school. Tremendous stuff. Uh, also too, last month, one of the uh, students that was um, student of the butt came up and give us a thing to go to IU to see the art. Still going on through April 2nd went. They did a great job. Eight students are there from our school with multiple exhibits. They've done a great job and I just want to say great job for continuing on and Western should be proud. Definitely. >> My turn. I just wanted to say thank you to the Western everybody at Western for supporting the um carnival and memorial this weekend. We had
085a lot of folks um custodial staff. Um I know there was a lot of setup beforehand. So thank you all on behalf of Turnabout. Thank you. >> I was impressed with the number of vendors and stuff that were there and the people that donated. That was a nice event. Um, also the Howard County Music Festival. This is the first time I had attended. I was very impressed. What's once every four years? So, and Joey and I happened to be at at a Cooko basketball game. His daughter, but Vincent Lance, a former student, was recognized. Uh, he got an award for state teacher of the year, which I thought was pretty awesome. >> 2003 high school graduate, >> best class. Uh, Um, I do want to say, um, reiterate, same thing. The the Carl Coons, um,
086celebration was very wellreceived, I think, within the community. Very well attended. Do want to say thank you to the primary. I know you guys just went through the kindergarten roundup. I know it's it can be exhausting, so thank you to the team there. Um, so that's all I got. >> Uh, recognize Lisa Walton. She came sixth in the nationals shoting. And on a sad note, an old teacher Oiler passed away last week. >> She was here 25 years, I think the choice. >> She's my middle school math teacher. >> So, one of the sports we don't hear much about, but gymnastics, we've been in the news and, you know, it's good that we have a team. We We haven't even always had a team. Um, so I drove by the new sign. I want to
087thank Rick Compus and the Lions Club. The sign is just wonderful. It's on the west side of Roochville with all our state championships and there are going to be two more. Is that put up? Is that right? >> A small point of clarification though, it's from the tiff the the redevelopment uh committee versus the >> Okay. >> But Rick Humpus, yeah, he led the efforts on that. >> So anyway, great job. Thank you for coming. I always appreciate you being here. Um, I just want to say every day when I take my granddaughter to school, I see more and more solar panels out in the back. I mean, they are growing. >> Acres to cover. >> There's a lot of them out there. >> So, I never get tired of looking out here and seeing
088you guys, you faithful few. >> Thank you for always staying to the bitter end. So, do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> What? >> 8 a.m. Saturday for a retreat. It'll >> be