001All right, we're ready to go. We're going to start with the bond hearing first and then we'll go to the regular meeting. So, we have the uh 1028 bond project hearing first. >> Yeah, I'd like to welcome Mike Thurber, Jeff Quacamush, and Jim McIntyre. uh they're here to present um on our 1028 bond project hearing for 2026. We'll go through that process. Then we're going to do a second hearing for the 2830 bond. And uh gentlemen, thank you for being here. And I'm going to hand the floor over to you. >> Oh, okay. Good evening, Mr. Deo, Mr. President, mad members of the board. Jeff Quacenbush with Barnes and Thornberg. It's a pleasure to be with you this evening. Tonight we have the first public hearing is on the 2026 project and that's going to
002be specifically focusing on doing improvements and renovation at the intermediate school, doing some outdoor extracurricular facility improvements and then also doing some additional HVAC work at the high school. they we are also authorizing some additional work to be done in connection with uh all the facilities to the extent bond proceeds are left over uh once we get done with those primary projects um we will at this public hearing this evening we will have a presentation from Mr. Thurber on the financial information like you've seen in the past on other projects. Then at the conclusion of that presentation, you will then open it up to the public to provide any comment on the uh project or the financing as presented. Then we will close that public hearing. Then we'll move to the second one. This is
003the first of two public hearings that were required to have by Indiana law. We will have the second one of these at your December board meeting, December 16th. Um and so we will go over that same information at that e that uh meeting as well. At the conclusion of those public hearings, we will then present two resolutions to you. One for the 2026 project and financing and one for the 2028 2020 2030 project financing. And those will then be considered for you for approval as preliminary determination to proceed with the rest of the legal processes. If you decide to approve both of those that evening, then we will publish another notice in the newspaper about that action. And then we will wait 30 days for the community to respond to those if they want to.
004If they don't, then we'll come back with additional financing processes and and meetings in 2026 for both sets of projects. So with that, I will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the process or the general project for 2026 as I've described it. And if you don't have anything on questions regarding that, then I'll turn it over to Mr. Thurber. All right, hearing no questions, I'll turn it over to Mr. Thurber. >> Thank you, Jeff. Uh, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Um, for those who do not know me, uh, I am Mike Thurber and the name of my firm is Thurber and Brock. and we have been the corporation's municipal adviser for many years and we are serving in that same role for um both of these proposed bond offerings. So
005um thanks for having us in. Uh it's always nice to be here with you. U Kyle, you're expecting too much of me here, I think. Hello, maybe not. So good. Um so I will just briefly go go through the slides that um you all uh can see up on screen. Uh this is a picture of all of your currently outstanding bond issues and the payments that you are making on those outstanding bond issues per year. Um as you can see in in 2025 um the amount of debt service that the corporation is paying is roughly $5.2 2 million. Um, and that uh outstanding amount is scheduled to go down yearly um every year and then when we get down to 2034 and beyond, you uh have those small amounts of annual payments. Um, so, uh,
006look, there is, uh, as you can see, there's room, um, for additional debt, and the goal, um, is to do these additional bond offerings without an increase to the amount of debt service you're paying every year. Um, this slide is a schedule of your scheduled debt service levy by the year. Um, in 2025, the levy is scheduled to is currently $4.8 million. It is uh scheduled to go up a little bit next year. However, the debt service tax rate uh will go down a little bit next year because you experienced another increase in your assessed valuation. Your 2026 net AV um has has increased which enables the tax rate on that levy to um to be a little lower than if the AV had stayed the same. So the rate is scheduled to decrease just
007a little bit next year and then every year beyond that um the levy is scheduled to decrease. Please stop me at any time if I'm being unclear or if you have any questions. The next slide um is the same slide as before only. The the areas in blue represent the debt service that you will be paying on the project. Uh those bonds will most likely sell toward the toward the end of 2026. We we may wait again until later in the year to have the bond issue uh for the simple fact of having your AV by the time we sell bonds, but we can always uh do that bond issue close on the bonds before your AV comes. So, the timing has not been determined when we'll sell those bonds yet, but it'll be sometime
008in 2026. uh and the first levy or the first payment on those 2026 bonds will occur in 2027. Uh so you as you can see even with the additional debt service that will result from the 2026 bonds um there will be a decline annually in the total debt service. Um, and the big reason for that is to make room for the next series of bonds that will uh most likely take place in 2028. This is just um an illustration of where the bond proceeds um will be spent. So, the amount of the 2026 project that's being approved is $8 million. And of that 8 million, about $250,000 will be spent on issuance costs. Um, that money will go toward the municipal advisor, your bond council attorney, um, your local attorney, Mr. Quacenbush, and Mr. McIntyre.
009Uh the underwriting fee will be paid from that uh pot of money, if you will. The trustee bank will be paid. Um the standard and pores rating fee will be paid out of that 250,000 and some other miscellaneous fees also will uh will come from that uh little slice of 250,000 that you see. And the rest of the proceeds will be spent on the actual projects on the bricks and mortar and um all of the upgrades and improvements that are listed um as the as the project for this bond issue. So this next slide is um the required information uh that we need to have on hand for these hearings. Excuse me. So um I'll just go down line by line on these things and I'll be happy to elaborate on any of them or
010u talk more in detail if you like. For the 2026 project, the maximum par amount or principal amount of the bond issue is $8 million. The maximum term of the bonds is 20 years. It may not take that long to pay the bonds, but it is not uncommon for us to specify a term of 20 years uh in case we need to take that long to pay the bonds off. The maximum interest rate is estimated at 7%. Now, we only put that 7% figure in there to be conservative. If the bond market should um suddenly become unstable or if interest rates should rise unexpectedly, we need to protect against um that unforeseen increase. Uh if you were to sell bonds today, you would do so at an interest rate of roughly 4%. So we just
011include that buildup or that increase in there uh simply to be conservative on the rate. If it if the bonds were sold today, it would be uh the yield on the bonds would be a little under 4%. Actually, the maximum interest cost is estimated to be $5,995,000. That's a high amount and that is based on that high rate allowance of 7%. U if bonds were were to sell at 4% you'd be looking at a much lower total interest cost on the bond issue. the um maximum uh principal amount plus interest would be $13,995,000. The annual principal amount plus interest would be $2.9 million. And what that means is your annual payment on the bonds uh is scheduled to not be any greater than the 2.9 million in any one year. The 2025 or current debt
012service fund levy is $4.8 million. The current debt service fund tax rate is 59 cents or 0.5955. In 2027, the estimated debt service levy is $5,76,500 and that debt service fund tax rate is estimated to be 56.95 or roughly 57 cents. uh the percentage of maximum annual debt service divided by your net AV is roughly 3/4 of 1% or 74% and the percentage of outstanding and overlapping debt divided by your net AV is roughly 7%. And that is just a calculation of the principal amount outstanding of the school corporation's debt issues combined with the principal amount of bond issues of other units that share that you uh that overlap with you or or are underlying with you. Harrison Township, Honey Creek, Monroe, small section of the city of Cookamo, the county, etc. Uh, and that
0137% is very much within the uh the boundaries of what we typically see for a school corporation. Um it is a it is an amount or a percentage um that is is customary and even a little bit lower than a lot of other units in comparison in case you're you're wondering. So that is the nuts and the bolts of the financial information or data that we're required to have on hand for you on the 2026 project alone. and I will be happy to explain in any more detail, answer any questions, anything like that if if you might like it. >> You have an approval of this one before we go on. >> We don't need to approve. This is just information only. So, I can just do public comments or comment questions for the board.
014>> Do we appro? >> So, two questions from my standpoint. Uh, number one, maximum term of the bond 20 years. So there's no, like you said, we could pay off early, no penalty for that. Correct. >> Well, once the bonds are sold, once we are locked in on the rate and the term, >> um, you you are stuck with, if you will, or you will be paying that term, whether it be 15 years, 18 years, or 20 years. There is the opportunity to refinance the debt >> at some point down the road. It won't be for a few years after uh if refinancing is an opportunity is is economically viable but once we are locked into that term that is the term of the bond. Um so it might a lot of it depends on
015the interest rate >> okay >> that we um that we lock in at the time we sell bonds. Um, does that answer the your question? >> Yes, you're good. >> Okay. >> And then the the second part is um the impact on on the taxpayer and Kyle, you may need to lean in here for that. So, we talked about net AV, you know, increasing so forth. We're we're taking on. So, if you go back to slide uh was it slide four showing the debt service that's that's being added for the 2026. What does that impact look like for the tax pay taxpayer in terms of their tax rate and and so forth. So just for those in the audience >> more in layman terms >> last year our total tax rate was $11431. >> Yeah.
016>> Uh this year for 2026 uh we will be 1.0821. >> So it's actually gone down. >> Now our levy has gone up. Now we have more a to pull from to get there. Now what we've communicated as our plan moving forward is to maintain that 2026 levy. Now, we do know SEA1 is going to have an impact and pull up that tax rate over time. We along with some others around the state were fortunate that RAV did spike 10 and a for us 10 and a half% this year. >> Nope, that's good. Just want to make sure just for common knowledge. >> Motion to close have opportunity for >> Yeah. comments. Any comments from anyone in the audience? >> Evan, >> make a motion to close the uh the 2026 bond hearing. >> I'll
017second. >> All in favor? >> Now to the 2020 bond project hearing. >> All right. So, it's going to look a lot like what we just did, but we gonna have Mr. Quacush back up here for our um our start of our public hearing for the 2830 bond project. >> Good evening again. So, this project is a lot more uh broad in its scope in that it is identifying use and and improvements at all of your facilities, existing facilities. Uh you may remember that a couple years ago you did a facility assessment and identified um significant amounts of mechanical uh operational uh costs and maintenance that need to occur at your buildings just to maintain the status of them like updating HVAC, updating roofing, updating lighting, flooring, wall covering, uh floor coverings, all of that
018sort of thing. And so this project would continue that program that you started back in 2024 with the bond issue and uh that will not be addressed as part of the 2026 project and financing at that point in time. So it is for a much larger amount of money. Uh it was it is authorized to be issued in one or more series of bonds when we get to the resolution in the December meeting. Uh and it's contemplated that you may issue these bonds in multiple series as you see certain needs arise and as you get certain bids in for projects and while we do uh present this as one bond issue for purposes of the financing just to make it simple for everyone. It is contemplated that you may do these in two or more
019series over the course of two or three years as you get into the needs and identify different facilities, chillers, boilers, etc. that need to be addressed more quickly than what they otherwise might have been identified in that original facility assessment study. So, uh, with that, I'll turn it over to Mr. Thurber to go over the financing of this part of it. Uh, and then you'll have public comment opportunity again and then we'll close that public hearing. Then we'll come back in December and once again have another presentation and public hearing on this project and financing. And at the conclusion of this public uh hearing in December, we will then present a resolution that encapsulates all the financial information and project description that we've identified in the public hearing. So with that, I'll turn it over
020to Mr. Thurber. the 2028 2030 projects as Jeff mentioned um the amount of that financing can be done as one bond issue or it can be split up into several bond issues. Uh the information you see on screen as Jeff also mentioned is is presented as one bond issue. Um the maximum Is there another slide? This is a little easier um to see than than the other bar graph that we that we presented for the 2026 hearing. The sections in green represent the debt service on all of your issues inclusive of the 2026 financing and the next financing or financings that are being approved at this current hearing if that makes sense. So as you can see again um the debt service levy is expected to remain consistent uh in 26 through 2030 and then
021it is uh it will decline uh every year thereafter. Um but in the next four years it's to remain consistent. your rate um is dependent on your net assessed valuation and if that NAV should be consistent or may decline a little bit. There's a lot of talk about uh a potential decline. Um, you know what we do know is the levy, the amount of money we uh are asking to pay these projects will remain consistent uh in 26 through30 and it will decrease after that. Um, there we go. This is the same um the same uh piraphph that you saw in the previous hearing. the issuance costs. We are allowing a little bit more uh 270,000 on this one. And the main reason for that is the increase in the maximum borrowing amount. anytime there
022is a bond issue or issues uh that are greater in principle. Uh the the fees you pay may increase a little bit, but $20,000 over the cost of issuance allowance for the the 2026 project. and then the rest will go toward hard and soft construction costs. And the maximum maximum borrowing amount for the 2028 2030 projects is currently 14 million $220,000. And what that figure is, it is 1% of your current gross assessed valuation. And that is the maximum amount that the state of Indiana allows um for projects of this type that are subject to the petition remmonstrance process. However, not subject to the referendum process. So it's essentially the maximum amount allowable now. Um and that is 1% of your gross AV. Uh maximum term of bonds for the 2028 2030 projects is again
02320 years. Uh we are allowing ourselves that flexibility. Maximum interest rate allowed is 7%. Um again if you sold bonds today you'd be at roughly four. Um so probably a little less than four. Total interest cost estimated 10,800,000. Again, that is based on the 7% interest rate. Uh very high by today's standards. Um aggregate principal plus interest is 25,20,000. Maximum annual principal plus interest is $3.5 million. That would be the maximum amount of debt service you would pay in any one year. Uh the 2025 debt service levy 4.8 million. The 2025 debt service tax rate 59 cents. In 2029, the first year that the impact of this 2028 bond issue is felt. The estimated levy will be $5,76,500. The estimated debt service tax rate is again 56.95 cents or or 57 cents if you will.
024Uh and those two amounts, the 2029 levy and tax rate, uh like in the previous hearing, like for the previous uh or like for the 2026 project, they are inclusive of both these new financings. the uh percentages are the same as what you uh saw in the last hearing. And again, that's required information to have on hand. I am happy to answer any questions or expound on anything if you'd like. >> Any questions? Let me go back to the I think it's the first slide. So this assumes that we floated all the bonds up front, right? >> This is after all the bonds have sold >> in what time period? >> Well, we will well the plan is I should say to sell the 2026 project bonds in the year 2026. will sell those bonds
025next year. >> U and this this illustration also assumes that the 2028 2030 project bonds will be sold as as one series in the amount of 14,220,000 or that can be split up also into more than one series of bonds. It could be split up into two series or three series or more. Um I would my guess is that it'll be two or three series max that it wouldn't be split up into any more than that. >> The fact is it's not our intent to need or spend all that money >> in those three years. >> So how long can we wait to flo float a bond portion of that? I you can yeah Jeff may want to chime in on this. >> There there is actually no sunset provision on the approval process. So
026once these are preliminarily approved by the school board until the school board will make a decision to resent that action that authority will stay out there. So in theory, while we're calling these the 2028 to 2030 projects, if you get into 2038 or 2028, 2029, 2030, and you decide you only want to issue a portion of them because of the facility needs and with respect to what's happening in the economy and with respect to what's happening at your facilities, then you can do that. If you want to push that out further and issue some of these in 2031, 2032, as long as the school board does not take any action to resend the approval, that authority will remain with the school corporation for infinitity. Um, the other thing I would add as well that as
027you do push that out further in time, while we are having some rather um, generous assumptions here as far as interest rates being at 7% as opposed to 4% and terms of 20 years versus something shorter, you do start to run some potential of interest rate risk by not issuing the bonds earlier than you otherwise thought as you move further out in the time horizon. But you will have authority that will be in place until you authorize and issue the full 14.2 million. >> Is there a minimum out amount? I know the cost would go up if you break it into two smaller pieces, but >> from a market standpoint, there probably is a minimum amount. You don't want to probably issue a bond issue of less than a million dollars because you'll have fixed
028cost of issuance with that and by the time you would get to your project, it would it would not give you very much bang for your buck. Um, typically the more you can issue uh that you know you're going to spend within a 2-year period of time in this interest rate environment, you're better off doing because you're actually able to also earn some interest on those bond proceeds and that interest earnings can then go back into the project and do more project for you. So, if you start to break it up into multiple little small bond issues, not only do you have um larger fixed costs you have to pay over time, but you'll also not get as much interest earnings because you're spending that money more quickly. So, we typically advise people to look
029at a five in this sort of situation where you're doing a $14 million authorization to look at doing it every time you may have enough to spend over the next two years. Whether that's $5 million, whether that's $7 million, whether that's $14 million, it just really depends on what your project needs are and the time horizon for those. Since this slides up, uh the cost of issuance, that that's solid $270,000, like like regardless if we broke it up into three or four for the 2028, >> it actually gets a little more expensive if you start to break them up. Some of those fees will go down because on a percentage basis, for example, the rating agency fee is always based on the principal amount of bonds that you're actually getting rated. So, if you get
030all 14.2 million rated at one time, that's going to be a higher fee. If you do two 7 million, that may end up being more because they have a minimum threshold. So, so those will be potentially more. In addition, um the cost of doing the financing as far as uh preliminary official statement, offering documents, those will be a little bit more. The one fee that won't really change too much is the underwriting fee or the bond purchaser fee because that's based on a principal amount of bonds versus a percentage of the bonds being issued. So that won't change whether you do a $14 million or whether you do $7 million. >> Thanks, >> any comment? make a motion to close out the 2028 uh bond. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Thank you both.
031See you again next month. See you in a few weeks. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, now we're ready for the uh normal school board meeting. Start with the prayer from >> I'm going to do that >> and then pledge of allegiance. >> All right. Heavenly Father, we're grateful to you for this opportunity tonight for us to come together to celebrate teaching and learning as well as serving our students, our educators, our families, and our community. As we consider the important decisions that we will make tonight, help us to be respectful and compassionate in our disagreements, thoughtful in our choices, and united in our desire to do what is best for every child. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.
032One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The agenda, any changes to the agenda? >> Yes, I've got two changes that I'd like to make to the agenda. Uh the first one is I would like to add Miss Lauren Thompson. uh Western Intermediate temporary uh STEM teaching position um to the personnel and um I sent an email with the credentials on that one. And then also um we have um had two bond hearings so far today and we've had some young people in the crowd and I would like to move the uh Panther Pride in front of the mission moment so that our little people can get home at a good time. They've been doing a great job, but I've been there before. Mine are all teenagers now, but I've been
033there, done that. So, asking for that move. >> Make a motion to approve the agenda, the changes to the agenda. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> All in favor? Approval of minutes. >> I make a motion to approve the minutes. >> Second, Cindy. All right, any questions? All in favor? Up to Panther Pride. >> All right, we're going to move into employees of the month. So, we have Jacob Bright with Western Middle School. I think Heather, are you here to do that? Okay, Jacob, you get to come on up. Yeah. >> Okay. So, Jacob Wright was nominated by uh Kelsey Holt and Matt Weaver. So Kelsey is here to read the nomination. >> Yeah. >> All right. Awesome. So, Jacob Wright has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in his role as a seventh grade
034math teacher, WA WA middle school representative, and a valued member of the guiding coalition. He goes above and beyond to make math engaging and accessible for his students, creating a positive and motivating learning environment. Additionally, Jacob info, sorry, Additionally, Jacob does an awesome job of teamwork and generosity by supporting his crossallway partner with um commitment. He willingly shares his notes, homework, quizzes, and tests with new teachers. So, I've been here four years and this is his third year and just goes above and beyond. Um helping to foster um collaboration, ensure the success of the entire seventh grade. Uh, Jacob's contributions have had a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues, making him a standout employee and deserving of recognition as the employee of the month. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> I will
035just say one one little side note. Jacob was a student at Northfield Junior Senior High School. My first year as an assistant principal. So, I'm sorry, Jacob, that you had to deal with me as an assistant principal. >> I was never in the office. >> Good answer. That's even better. All right. So, now we have Stephanie Krua. >> So, Stephanie was nominated by Mrs. Nancy Herb. Uh, Stephanie has done a great job in her position for the last two years. She not only demonstrates care and compassion for the students she works with, she also demonstrates compassion for the adults she works with. She is always willing to step in and help anywhere need help is needed. Stephanie is dedicated to helping all students and wants to see all students succeed. And we are truly lucky
036to HAVE YOU. GREAT JOB. >> CONGRATULATIONS. And if we could have Bo with Western Primary, right, this is Bo Marley. Bo is uh nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Rawlings. Bo is in kindergarten, and I'm going to read her nomination. Bo has so many great qualities. Bo is a wonderful example in class and always doing what he should be doing. He is an amazing student and he is so sweet. And at just 5 years old, Bo has the ability to understand the needs of others. We have seen this on the playground. Bo is able to organize a soccer game that ensures each student gets a turn while also being calm and understanding of students with sensitive needs that are playing. Bo is also selfless and ensures that others go before him or if he and another
037student get to the ball at the same time, he will let them have it. I'm so proud of Bo and so happy to have him in class. Nope. I'm not seeing these people. >> Nope. I'm out of here. We'll do Knuckles. We'll do some Knuckles. >> Oh, yeah. Knuckles translmed school. >> This is Emry Eids and she was nominated for student of the month by her teacher, Mrs. Kio. And so Mrs. Kio is here to read the nomination today. >> I love this. She's so modest. I said that earlier today. Like, you're so humble. >> All right. Um, I am happy to nominate Emory Eids. Emory comes to school every day with a sweet smile, always has something silly and funny to share, and gets right to work. She's a friend of many and is
038always lending a helping hand. She stands out for being such a hard worker and is always wanting to make sure that she has completed a task accurately and to her best ability. As mentioned earlier, she is a friend of many, always makes it a point to include others, whether it be in my classroom or out on the playground. We have a lot of open discussions in my classroom, and she never excludes anyone. Although she is, for the most part, quiet in my classroom, she is usually the one initiating conversation with others, making them feel seen or heard. This is such a wonderful trait, but when even more but even more so when a young child possesses it. Emory stands out to me for many reasons, but her kindness, her hard work ethic, and her positivity
039make her absolutely shine. She represents being a Panther in the best way. I'm so proud. Good job, Emry. >> Good job. >> You must get it from your mom. >> All right. Next is Jace from the middle school. >> Hey, Jace was nominated by Andrea Turner and Izzy Johnson. Uh Jace has demonstrated new leadership skills. He has taken the lead in completion of projects in class, the social studies ancient civilization project, and in science, the completion of labs. Jace is willing to step up in class to assist his peers in understanding math problems, not giving them the answer, but actually walking them through the steps. Jayce has increased the use of his coping skills to remain in the classroom and has begun advocating for himself by asking for clarification if he does not understand their
040assignment or as I witnessed asking for some extra work so he could work harder. Um, Jacece is the first student to ask to help others. He will teach on the whiteboard and is always willing to lend a hand. Jayce is a very hardworking kid and truly deserves this award for always going above and beyond on his school work. >> Congratulations. Thanks, >> Jace. We'll keep the train. >> And we have Kase from the high school. I got to read it off my phone so I can make the phone get everybody so they can see your shirt. Okay. >> I always give a hard time when he wears the mistake shirt anyway. Okay. Kase is a student in my Spanish 2 class this year and from day one he has worked hard, has a positive attitude
041and good energy in our classroom. We recently got a new student to our class who is originally from another country and he is also an English learner. At the end of the first day, the new student was in class with us. I overheard Kase introducing himself to this student asking the new student his name, but even more so than that, he wanted to make sure he was pronouncing it correctly. I mentioned it to Kase the next day and learned that he and his friends had invited this new student to sit with them at lunch. And Kase also invites this new student to be in his group whenever we are playing a game or doing group work. and it warmed my heart so much to see his actions. I imagine it has made our new student
042feel seen and welcomed to Western. And I am proud to nominate Kase as the student of the month in recognition of the kindness that he shows his classmates at Western. >> Great job. Congratulations. Hey, congratulations. Jerry want a producer. >> Just checking. >> I know his grandpa would be proud with that uh Ohio State shirt there for sure. So, um just a couple other things for Panther Pride. Um we did have Cody Dehaven present at the HECC conference. Um so, he sent us a a selfie of him and his group. I don't know if it it's it can be up there or not, but that's okay. Um, and then also we had Andrew Bowers present at a um a language conference as well. He told me that. So, it's nice to have our staff going
043out and presenting. And then also uh to congratulate Ryan Barryman uh for his 2026 Hall of Fame uh IHSBCA nomination. So, yeah, there's there's Cody there. um had a lively group and then um obviously there was a memo about or um um a press release about Ryan's uh nomination or acceptance into the Hall of Fame there. So, congratulations to him. >> And that's all the Panther Pride I have. >> So, we're going back now. We're going to the mission moment now. All right. >> So, I'd like to invite the intermediate school up uh for their mission moment. and I saw uh this uh as a practice presentation before you presented to your staff uh on dose. So uh thank you for joining us and uh looking forward to your presentation. >> Awesome. Um are we
044able to use the clicker? That will be awesome. >> Okay, so this is um just a few members of the resiliency team at Western Intermediate. Our resiliency team meets every Tuesday morning at 8 am and we leave it open for anyone that wants to be involved in that. Um we are working on um various strategies to implement in our building, but um we've had several people come and go, but these wonderful ladies are there just about every single week and are a huge part of that. So, I'm going to read you our mission statement that we came up with um first semester because this is the first year that we have uh used a resiliency team. And so, our mission is to move our building from isolated efforts to consistent buildingwide practice by educating and
045equipping our staff to use common language, brain aligned regulation strategies, and relational routines across classrooms so that every student in every room experiences safety, connection, and readiness to learn. So, a big task that we have, but we're committed to it. Um, we did a presentation, this one, when we had our e-learning day back in September. We had um several staff step forward and do peer-led training, which was really, really neat for our building. And this was one that went over very well and our staff really appreciated it. And so we are not going to be doing the full presentation for you today, but we're going to give some highlights of what we trained our staff on um because we just think it's really uh good information. So the title of the presentation is dose. That
046is um an acronym for all of the happy chemicals that your brain will produce. So dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. So there's that. Um, and what our goal for this uh, professional development for our staff was, we wanted to continue to equip our staff with the knowledge of the way that our brain works, but we also wanted them to walk away with at least one strategy that they could implement that very day if they wanted to. So, um, we are going to go through just some of the different, um, happy chemicals and I'm going to turn it over to these ladies. Yes. All right. So, I'm going to talk to you about dopamine. Dopamine is the part is the brain chemical that is for regulation, motivation, reward and pleasure, attention and memory. So, when dopamine
047goes up, so does learning potential. Okay, we're all familiar with that sleepy student that's low motivated and the one that we want is the one with the higher dopamine levels that's attent and ready to learn. Benefits for students of increasing dopamine is better focus and concentration, improved memory retention, elevated mood and less anxiety, and more motivation and attempts to engage. For the teachers, they get the added benefit of fewer behaviors, higher student participation, and better classroom energy. And then there was a whole list of things that they could try. And during our training, we actually had some music play and everybody had to get up and have a dance party. So, we're not going to make you do that today, though. Don't worry. So, that's just the quick and down and dirty about dopamine. >>
048All right. Mine was oxytocin. So, oxytocin is our love drug that our brain releases. So, it helps reduce stress um in our midbrain. Our midbrain is always asking who loves me? Am I safe with these people? How am I connected to them? So it increases empathy in our students also cooperation and motivation. We know that our students or even our staff are showing signs of um lower oxytocin win. We have that social withdrawal. We have kiddos that are not willing or ready to participate. Um a lot of our students, especially our newer ones, come in with trust issues and they just need to know that they are loved and connected. um increased anxiety, stress, especially during our testing, um lack of cooperation, so our kiddos just are not wanting to work or they don't want
049to work in groups with others. Um low motivation to get up and get going. Or we can have those kiddos that we know have behavior challenges as well. A couple of things that we can do that is really easy. We wanted to give our teachers something they could go right back with morning greetings, specifically by name. Making sure that we have those concentration games. So things like um our connection games like everybody steps over to our kiddos that maybe do not think that they are like anybody else. They're new to the school. They don't know anybody. Making sure that they have some sort of commonality, common ground with somebody in their room. It's even more powerful when adults make sure that they join in on this um belonging. So this also can increase attendance. We
050can make sure that we have classroom jobs. noticing when our kids are absent, wishing them well. So that all of our kiddos when they're there, they know that we are missing them and that they are valued in our room. Touch, high fives, hugs, things like that. Having chance, classroom mottos, and building community in our rooms and having having those high expectations that Western's known for. Okay, I'm going to skip and I'm going to go to this because I'm going to explain serotonin first. So serotonin is the mood stabilizer. It is important because it helps keeps us balanced. When we are study and we are balanced, our mood is well and we learn well. Um it makes us feel calm, happy and confident and we handle our stress better and we feel better about ourselves when
051our serotonin is balanced. So one of the ways that we do this in our building and it is building wide. You guys came in a little bit later so you didn't get to see it but we put up different sensation uh matched with pictures that go with it out in the front. And what you do is you take a post-it note and you just kind of put it on. You can put your name, a symbol, whatever you want. You can leave it blank if you don't want people to know that it's yours. And you just put it on the sensation that you can connect with and you identify in that moment. So it's thinking about your body and the sensations within your body because those lead to feelings, the feelings lead to actions. Actions lead
052to, you know, learning responses, behavior, all of that. So, it's just becoming self-aware. And this is a big part of understanding your levels of serotonin is with this check-in. So, we do it in each classroom. Every time we leave a classroom, go into one. Um, and it's based off of something like that. Um, there are ways to recognize low sermon in yourself. We stress that with the adult, it's the most important because we are the ones leading the classrooms. when we are stressed, when we are unaware, that trickles down to our students. So, these are just ways um that you can notice if your serotonin levels are low. These are ways that you can notice it in students. Um when we notice it in students, then we can be proactive and we can give them
053strategies and we can give them time and try and boost that serotonin and get them back in step because if they can't, then they're not going to learn. So, and then these are just strategies that we use. mindfulness. Um, a positive workspace kind of like for us as adults. I know like if you walk around the classrooms and you see the spot where the teacher is set up, you see a lot of the pictures of their families. It's considered an anchor. It's that's what makes them feel better. It kind of brings them back to that positive note. And then um the sun is a huge thing that can boost your serotonin since we're inside all the time. Just literally walking outside the natural way to boost it. And then for kids. Um, giving them a
054quiet spot to relax, gratitude sharing, um, giving them jobs. When you give kids jobs and they feel important and they feel like they're doing a good job, then that automatically boosts their serotonin. It boosts their confidence and then they feel like they can do more and that just gives a trickle effect. So, there's other ones there. The activity that we did um, in the training, we just got in a big circle and then um, whoever was on your right, you had to share one something that you liked about that person. Um, it started off kind of silly and then like by the end we actually kind of got a little deep and everyone was kind of like, "Okay, we need to move on from this." But it was nice because even if you don't know
055the people like you have something nice to say and everyone smile. So it was a natural way to have endorphins. Um, endorphins are basically produced in the body and are similar in function to So they act as a natural painkiller. Um they are mood boosters and they create a sense of wellbeing and can elevate your mood. Um some triggers that will trigger endorphin release um is just some exercise, laughter, um other enjoyable experiences, even eating things that you enjoy like chocolate wine. You have some chocolate cookies if anybody. >> She said no wine. I don't know why. I asked for you. But um really what what this is for is because in the classroom and even in the um school setting as a whole um it improves attention, focus, um a sense of belonging and
056enhance learning, um increase confidence and stress reduction similar to the other happy chemicals. And when I did my activity, I kind of focused on doing something that you could do from a seated position, maybe at your desk that wasn't quite giving up because there are all mornings where we don't feel like getting up and doing an activity with the group. Maybe we can do a quiet more calm one in in on an individual basis at our desk. So, I passed out little post-it notes and they had to draw tiny little emojis that was something about themselves and then they went up each person did and they shared what each emoji meant to them. So, for instance, I believe mine was a um a book, a paw print, and I can't remember the others, but then
057I shared, you know, a book. I love to write and read um paw prints. I love to um focus on shelters and animal uh rescue and things like that. So, that not only lets your peers know something more personal about you, it creates like a bonding moment, but then it's just something simple that they can do. And drawing is a natural and easy way that have an endorphin release similar music. >> All right. So, we were talking about how we would like um to give one thing for our teachers to give back. And if you know anything about teaching, we like to get as much bang for our bunk and very limited amount of time. We got a lot to do on our plate. So, we would like to invite everybody to experience a dose
058of all these happy chemicals together. We're going to do one of my favorite games. It is called double double. So, if you stand, >> this was the interactive portion. I'm sorry. >> All right. So, we're gonna get all four of those happy chemicals going. So, we're going to make sure that we feel connected. We're united. We're going to make sure that we reduce stress. So, everybody is going to hold our hands up. You need to make sure that you are close to somebody else. Okay. >> With this is a concentration game. It'll also get your students ready. So, we'll start really slow. So, first we're going to anytime we say double, we're going to clap each other's hands. So, it goes like this. Double double this. And we'll flip over this. This flip double double
059flip that. That double. >> I'm already messing it up. Now you are not your endorphins have not kicked in yet. So now we go a little bit faster. >> Oh my gosh. Double double this this double that double double that. >> I was good. Here we go. As fast as you can. So, as you can see, you're all feeling a boost of those happy chemicals. I see lots of smiles. We're going to wrap up because Carrie did bake cookies for our training and we wanted to give you the best part of that, our car's double chocolate chip cookies. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. Hey, thank you to the intermediate school. >> And do any of the board members have questions for the intermediate schools? >> Thank you. >> Oh man,
060>> I need to check my heart rate, I think, because it's a little elevated in your classroom. >> Any questions for >> Wis. Okay. >> Hey, thank you all. >> All right, we have opportunity for public comment. We have Mr. Tracy Pal with us. >> So state uh your address >> 922 North 200 East Typton Indiana. >> That is a hard act to follow. I don't have dessert, >> so I'm in trouble. I just wanted to come and introduce myself. Um I am county commissioner in Typton County, Indiana. My second term. I am on the Indiana County Commissioner Executive Board. I'm a treasure on the executive board. So I spent a lot of time at the state house. Um I am running for state senate district 21 in your area. Uh meeting a lot with
061uh I appreciate Mr. Deo and Mr. Zan here met with me a week or two ago. Had a great conversation. I've met with three other school corporations and I've got the rest of them on my schedule trying to hit all the school boards if I can looking at some of the as I've heard you guys talk a little about SEA1 and things of that nature. I think it's just very important that we get people down the state house who understand local government. 90% of our students are educated in a public school. So I think that's very important and what SEA1 did to the schools, to the towns, to the libraries was devastating and I don't think they realize that. They many of them have told me there's consequences. So I think we need people down
062there who understand local government, people who are going to stand up and actually come and talk to the constituents, talk to the school boards, talk to the libraries and see what's needed before we make rash judgments. So I just wanted to introduce myself and I appreciate you guys telling me giving me the information. I definitely take that state house. I talked to the other representatives and senators now explain to them how it's already affecting and we're hoping we can make changes on sea 1 because I don't think it's done yet. They promised us there will be some tweaks. So hoping to make some tweaks that help all you guys out and our students of this state of Indiana. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> PAL for Indiana.com. >> And we
063have the treasure report. Kyle, do you have cookies? >> I was thinking as uh it gets larger here. You'll see that the end of the month balance total 20,884,566.14. Uh investments in CDs that we still have out total $680,845. Those will come back into our accounts for good. I'll explain why for good here in a little bit, but those come back in in March. Uh the interest that we earned this last month totaled $72,410.78. So our fund totals with the CDs total 21,565,411.14. As a reminder, a significant portion of that is the 2024 bonds that we sold and continue to to spend out as we complete the projects above us, around us, uh, and I guess in the walls with the electrical. The payroll claims that we're being submitted for approval total 1,645,788.67. That is
064two and a half pays. I I say half because the retrop pay uh is in there that was paid out on 1017. Vendor claims that it's being submitted for your approval total 2,290,84265. Other things to report out uh we have a new first farmers bank and trust interest rate agreement. As a reminder, what we had over this last year was the Trust Indiana 7 70 7-day average uh minus 8 basis points. Uh we have that same calculation, but rather than being eight basis points, it's five basis points for this next year. So, in our advantage, uh, I'll say that it likely would have been higher than the eight faces points we had last year, 10 or above, but we were able to sell them on our high cash balances, which is to their advantage. Uh
065we also have made the pledge over this next year we'll keep all the money in the first farmers account and won't do the the CDs which as you guys have heard me when I reported out uh the CDs that we've had a lot of this last year have tracked almost identical with the interest that we received from the bank. So I don't see us losing anything by keeping the money in for farmers with this competitive very competitive rate that we are getting. Now, we know and we just heard uh Mr. Thurber talking about the interest rates are coming down, which when you're selling bonds is good, but when you're drawing interest in your bank means you're not drawing as much interest as high interest, and that's something that we'll have to uh tweak within our
066budget probably for the next foreseeable years to come. The other thing that I'll report out is our 1782 notice was sent to us late last week. uh no surprises which is a good thing. The appropriations that we requested for rainy day debt service education operations uh were what we requested with the exception of rainy day. Uh we asked for $400,000 which has been our custom not with the intent to spend but with the kind of safety valve that is there if and when we need it. They lowered us to $346,518. The reason for that is when you have an appropriation, they assume you're going to spend it. Uh, which wouldn't have been a problem. We still would have got our full asking appropriation, but we also have part of our rainy day fund out in
067CDs, which they don't give you credit for. So, my response to the 72 notice will be to ask for them to kind of reconsider this and I'll have them lower our current appropriation for 2025 by the amount that's the difference between the 346,000 in change and 400,000 and then increase our 2026 appropriation. Again, of 2025, we haven't spent a cent of it, but it's there for kind of our safety that if we would need for a rainy day, it's there for a rainy day. uh it keeps us having to go to ask for additional appropriation if we do need it. Uh also on the 1782 notice uh I want to let you know that the levies that we requested they lowered them slightly very slightly about $300 in operations uh debt service they lowered just
068a little bit more uh due to our end of the year cash balances being a little bit higher. Uh our total tax rate then what we projected we'd be when we had our budget hearing or budget meeting was 1.0846. What we came in at was 1.0821. And as I mentioned during the bond hearings this is down from the 1.1431 that we were for 2025. So, if we have community members that tell you or us that, you know, their tax burden uh went up this LA next year in 2026, uh it's not because of our tax rate. It's most likely because their AV went up and their property and home is worth that much more in 2026 compared to what it was in 2025. Uh that is all that I have to report out. more than
069happy to answer any questions, but you've received my supporting documentation. I submit for your approval. >> I'll make a motion to approve the treasures report. >> I'll second it. >> Any questions? All in favor? >> Thank you, Kyle. Lindsay, director of exceptional learning and testing. >> All right. So, you've had an opportunity to look at my report. Um, as far as title and eel, um, we did have Nathan Williamson who we are working with to move from targeted to schoolwide. He was in some observations in the current rate intermediate um, there at the end of October. Um, and we had a follow-up meeting with the principles. Um, he had he had lots of good things to say. Um, but we're we've got some improvement to make in some areas too. Um, so he's reading through
070our school improvement plans to kind of get us all aligned with that schoolwide approach. Um, we had several of our e teachers um, attend the multilingual um, conference through. Um, I think we had eight or nine attend. So, that was really great to see that. Um, that's funded through our title three grant. Um, as far as special ed, um, just continuing to do case conferences. I know here in November we had about 10 or 11 moveins in the primary building. Um, and so we're trying to get all those wrapped up and finalized. December one count is coming. It's on Monday the 1st, which is right after Thanksgiving. So, um you know, we're trying to get everything finalized and wrapped up um before Thanksgiving so we can be all ready for that. But we'll see how
071that all rolls out, which they'll work on with P school and trying to get >> all the kinks out. >> Yeah. Lindsay, could you could you give them just a reader digest version of some of the challenges with Power School? >> Sure. Sure. Absolutely. So, we've had um a lot of the information that's being inputed into case conferences and isn't necessarily carrying over to the specialed program. And so like the least restrictive environment may not be coming be carrying over into DEX, which is our um data exchange program. Um and so that's creating problems and errors in our decks. Um and we're having to go in individually to that specialized program and put in those LRES, put in whether they're nonp we had all the nonp kiddos that we have at St. we had to
072go in and individually put in their nonpub um L number as well. So, it's just it just takes a lot of time. There are power school webinars weekly. Sometimes there's multiple per week. Um I know this week I Susie and Wendy were going to the North Central Round Table um meeting on Thursday. So hopefully there'll be there'll be more information. Whether it will be very clear, who knows? But there's just a lot a lot to this new power school system and making sure that everything is carrying over so we get the correct number and the correct amount of money that we need for all of our students. >> And this is a statewide issue, not just a western issue, but kudos to Lindsay, Susie, Wendy, all of our special ed teachers. I mean, not only
073is there a learning curve, but to have the learning curve and issues on top of that, it's been a lot of work, a lot of extra work. So, thank you all for doing that. >> Uh, any questions about my report? >> I had something, Lindsay. >> Yes. >> I in three months you had 116 case conferences. >> So, do you think you have most of how many special ed students are there? >> Um, it's hard to know the exact number right at this moment, but we're 400 426 of our >> So, you still have quite a few. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> No, I'm kidding. Goodness. >> And that Not always those numbers don't always include what's happening with our administrators either because they are helping with a lot of case conferences as well
074which I very appreciate. >> Can I piggyback on that? How much time um in planning conference and followup? What for one case conference, what's a ballpark time that it takes to to do the planning >> for >> well >> let's say >> for whoever's involved >> I'd say an accumulative total. >> Yeah. >> I mean I would say you know when we actually have the case conference we try to keep most of them to an hour hour and a half max. Um there are some cases where we have to reconvene or there's some um cases where parents have a certain block of time. And so we try to um allow for that when we can. Um but it's hard to have that because we have so many other duties that we need to we need
075to be servicing kids. Um but for a teacher to plan through like the IEP process, getting the notice of case conference out, which is like the invitation, you know, making sure everybody's schedule aligns. Um I mean, it could take an hour, an hour and a half, maybe longer to even write the IEP. Um and then you're, you know, you're sitting in a case conference for an hour to an hour and a half. Um there there may be things that you have to update after that. Um and you have 10 days to kind of do that. So again, you're looking at three plus hours. Um you know, for sure. And it depends on the case because every student's different and every lead is different and um so but I would say three three hours would be
076a little low ballpark including the conference. Wow. 150 hours almost in September. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Uh, quick question. Um, did they just do some like iLearn prep here recently or I read prep? >> I think we did I read prep. >> There was a checkpoint just recently. >> Do we know how any results from that? Those should be coming out in the um parent portal. >> Okay. I'm just curious just see >> our our second checkpoint has opened. It opens yesterday. >> Okay. >> So, and it goes through January I think maybe the beginning of February. So, that should be coming out portal that information. >> Any other questions? >> Craig. >> Yes. Good evening. I just wanted to give a quick um rundown real quick on um the new website. I
077know I've been mentioning it for the last few months. Um Natalie Nuland who is um working on the website, she's actually going to be is writing a lot of the content. Um the bones are there for the website. So each school has its own site. Everything's there as the layout. We're just now Natalie's putting the data in, if you will. So the actual details for our school. Um we're still looking for I knew I mentioned Thanksgiving. we bumped it back to December 1st for a release date. Um that's still somewhat tentative because the amount of data we're trying to get put into that site. Um but we are trying for a December December 1st launch date um for our new site which I'm excited about and it'll be a lot easier to use, a lot
078easier to manage and um better for for everybody in the community as well. Um it'll be a good good uh site I believe. Um, another other item I wanted to highlight is u some projects we're working on during the breaks. We have a couple of things. There's um we're going to be upgrading. I know I mentioned in the last couple months about upgrading our internet access. Actually, the last step is going to be done hopefully on Wednesday before Thanksgiving uh to bump us up to that full u doubling our speed for our internet for the district. U also just uh basic projects and -ate. I put in here again because this time of year our question time frame ends tomorrow. So vendors have the ability to ask questions and um at that point uh the
079project closes, they give a bid and we can uh purchase our hardware and licensing for our network equipment. Any questions? >> Okay, great. >> Thanks, >> Mr. Bates. Thank you, Mr. Gaskins, and good evening to everyone. A couple updates um from from my office. Uh wanted to thank the um elementary administrators for allowing our school bus uh safety uh week in their each of their buildings. I know that takes away a little bit of the instruction, but it's well worth it in the end um with those kiddos. Also, um just another update on safety um planning with the administrators um to review our reunification plan um which is at North View Church. So um we'll be working with them this month to review that along with staff and I'm happy to report that we're um
080almost fully uh completed with our statemandated safety trainings for our staff. um updates on transportation. Um you guys will have in front of you this evening a recommendation for a new uh minibus SPV order. So hopefully you guys will take that under consideration. Um I know a lot of our SPVS um we currently have six on the fleet right now. Two of those um are approaching 200,000 miles. Um so they're getting to the end of their life and just want to make sure that our our students have good transportation there. Um, also happy to report that we do have one uh new driver who will be going on Friday to test for their CDL. So, we're excited about that and also are getting a lot of good uh quality aids for our bus. So, we're
081we're looking forward to getting those. Uh, finally, updates on curriculum. Um, was able to attend a meeting along with Mr. Edwards on school accountability, um, which is going to be coming very, very soon. Um, and there's going to be a lot of impact um, all the way down into the primary building for that. Um, so stay tuned for more information on that. And, uh, tomorrow we'll be having, uh, Jordan Pridemore come in, uh, to help with some of our teachers on curriculum mapping. So, I'm looking forward to that. Um, that is my report for November pending your questions. >> You're looking ahead. >> Ladies first. This Jordan Pridemore um you said with helping with curriculum mapping. Is that for new teachers? That >> uh no it'll be for looking at all of our curriculum maps
082um and also making sure um that they're vertically aligned so that way that each grade level um you know knows the current standard and also isn't teaching something that isn't on there that might already be taught at another grade level. Um so working with her and I know she's also worked with uh Mr. on and uh Miss Hurst. So looking forward to having her in front of our teachers. >> There also in that curriculum mapping there's resources like aligning resources because I know that's some of the concern from our teachers is resources. So instead of getting a box curriculum, looking more at a layered curriculum to be able to meet their needs and to help them align and um just have their resources available to them instead of searching and trying to find things to
083teach. >> So is this someone who's coming in like several times? He's or she is not going to be able to do this in one day for Yes. I I believe tomorrow she's coming in at the intermediate. She'll be there all day and then we also have um another meeting set up for her to come with the primary. But yeah, as of right now, yeah, it'll be multiple days and she'll be spending a little bit time of time with each grade level. A lot of it's to get feedback from the teachers and like walk and walk through that process so that it's not adding work to our teachers, but getting their input to have a product that they feel confident with to be able to >> to teach to the high level that they >>
084is all the way through high school. >> Eventually, we'll get there. We got to start we got to start somewhere. The end end goal is to have it vertically aligned >> K through 12. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's good. >> SPV, you're recommending a Thomas. Is that correct? >> Uh, no, Thomas. It is a international. Um, it is something that we we we sent you guys three bids. Thomas is on there. Um, went with International because we currently have Bluebird and International on our fleet and our bus drivers have parts for those, know how to work with them. We currently don't have any Thomas, so that's why we tried to stay away from them. >> All right. Sorry, I missed that. >> No, that's okay. That's no problem. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you,
085>> Mayor Mark. >> Yes. Thank you. You've had a chance to look at my board report. Just a a couple things. I've been attending a lot of things and collaborating and meeting with a number of people, but uh one of the highlights to to point out, um collaborated with Meridian Health. uh they've had some changes in in staff and so met uh a new uh individual there who will be overseeing uh the nurses and some of our programming, but they've been very pleased with the referrals that they've had uh for behavioral health and uh feeling like they uh could see at some point adding uh some more skills builders to um to the the buildings as we see more referrals made for behavioral health. So that is encouraging because I know that was an area
086that um we weren't uh getting that support in as much as we were hopeful for. Um also um attended the Lions Club uh fish fry. I want to give a big thanks out to the the Lions Club as uh this is part of um for our scholarship here at Western um supported by the Lions Club. It was great to see big turnout. had a really great weather. Um, when you talk about having snow on Monday and 70 degreesish on Saturday, that's uh that was a blessing to have a great day there. But really appreciate the um just the community support from them. Um and also um we've been um attending a number of different meetings with Barton Coilma on updates on our roofing. Um, you can't tell right now, but the roof that is above
087our head is new. Um, and what's encouraging is I don't see any wet tile after a day like today. So, that that's a good sign. Um, but we did replace this roof over the last two weeks. You can probably see that we have a couple areas that are blocked off because they're uh moving things from that standpoint. But um we're aligning a lot of our roofing timelines, our electrical timelines with our solar timelines. Uh we're going to start seeing delivery for uh some of our connections and electrical stuff for our solar project here in December. um panels will probably show up in February, March, and they will start over at the intermediate school, work through the primary, and then um probably that'll go through April, and then through uh the summer, they will be putting
088the panels, middle school, high school, this roof. Um so that's exciting to see that that's moving and shaking. And so we've like even today we had backtoback meetings. We met with Very on that that timeline and construction work and then we met with Bart and Co and um Eninsley roofing and so it's just it it's a lot to align and and Barrett and Kyle and John have been involved in a lot of that and I know we're going to pull Craig in here pretty soon with some things with technology. It it's it's it's a team effort and so thank you to all the people involved in that. But um it's exciting to have these projects go on. It's also um takes a lot of flexibility because I know like I told Susie today that uh
089it's going to get really loud in her office next week because we're going to be taking her roof off and putting a new roof on. Maybe we'll see about putting it back on. But um uh but but I mean it's just it's it's it's nice to see these projects in action. it's encouraging to um start taking steps towards future projects as well as we start seeing some of the uh feasibility study um take action. So uh that's my report. I will answer any questions that you may have. >> Mark um is Meridian providing therapists also? Yes, they're they're doing the therapists and that's one of the the nice things is they're getting kids through this process where we have the referral, they have the therapists, they're doing the intakes, and then they're connecting with skills
090coaches. So, we're seeing a quicker turnaround than just everything getting backed up. >> Are these in person? >> It's not. >> Yeah, they they're actually in their in Melissa's building. I Jamie, do you have one in your building, too? Yeah. Yeah, they're mainly uh housed in the intermediate and primary school. >> Okay, thanks. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Mark. We have design criteria developer contract. So, as we start moving through the um bond process, we're kind of working this simultaneously so that um we can hit the ground running if everything uh goes as planned and is approved. But to do the design build process that um we are walking through um we need a design criteria developer and we are making the recommendation for Dan Rollins to uh be that um uh DC
091um DCD I believe is what it's called. Yes. Um and that's part of the requirement by law to do design build. It's he represents us in this process. he helps and and actually develops the RFP, goes through the RFQ process so that we um he he's our representative, so to speak. And so that's uh recommendation is to approve Dan as our DCD. >> Make a motion to pres uh to approve the DCD contract. >> Second. >> Any questions? Well, that's a new name for me. we used in the past. >> We've not done a design build process before, but like when we've done RFPs and RFQS before, we've had like Bart and Co. do a project like that for us. >> Aren't they doing the project for us now? >> They are doing our current
092roof. Yes. And they don't do design build. >> Okay. They they're an architect firm which we could I mean they can do RFPs and RFQS but we we can choose multiple architect firms if we so desire to do that. So um we've uh made the recommendation for for Dan to do the design build portion of that. >> When you I guess I'm not quite familiar with like design build. Are they designing what's going to be done? So he will he will set the criteria for what we want in the design build process. Like we've been getting estimates to kind of get an idea of what our bond is, but we need a third party to actually create the criteria so that we as a public entity, we have to have that to protect us rather
093than just say, "Oh, okay, that that looks good from somebody who just gives us a an estimate." So that's where Dan's on our team. Not that I mean everybody's on our team. We want to work together, but Dan is there to write the criteria, help us score the RFQS. So if we have multiple uh design build companies say we want to do this project then um then basically Dan will help us score that with his expertise um in that area to then make sure that we have the right company and meet that scope of project that we want to have. So he'd be involved all the way till completion >> just up front >> through the through the um RFP and RFQ process and then who we choose in the design build process will then
094take over as the the designer and the builder of that project. >> Any other questions? All in favor? >> Projects and finance information. Financing information. >> Actually, >> oh, I'm sorry. I go the other way. Sorry. My bad for the end. Appointment of technical review committee. >> Okay. So with that, Dan will work with a technical review committee and we are making the recommendation for that technical review committee to um include and this is in accordance with Indiana code. Uh this would include Dan um Kyle, John Barrett, myself and then Adam Wedell would be uh our local electrician who would serve as the contractor in that. Adam has worked in our buildings for years, knows it inside and out. Um, so we're asking for uh that group to be um appointed as the technical review
095committee. >> I'll make a motion to approve the technical review committee. >> Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? high school classes. >> Making a recommendation um from the high school classes with technical math, technical English, AP psychology, and AP pre-calculus. Uh these classes are um being um presented to you tonight as part of meeting uh some of the new pathway and um graduation option requirements for the students moving forward into the new diploma. And Steve, did I miss anything there? Okay, >> I'll make a motion to approve the new high school classes. >> Second. >> Just a quick question. AP pre-calculus college class pre-calculus, >> Steve. AP pre-calc. >> Okay. >> You might have taken it if it was up offered, right? Any other questions? >> PP. >> All in favor? >> Uh, curricular
096approval. >> Yes. And this is um uh to follow up, we've had a 30-day, actually a 58 day review of um uh CPR, creating positive relationships. Uh this would be the uh human sexuality uh curriculum for the middle school. We've used this curriculum, I believe, for 10 years now. Um, but with the new um, state law, we just wanted to bring this back in front of the board to get your approval for uh, that curriculum. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> All in favor? SPV recommendation? >> I'm going to pass this off to Mr. baits since he likes to buy buses, right? >> Well, sure. >> This is still Kyle's cookie. Move on. >> Okay, we're back. I would like to recommend to the board a 14 passenger gas uh SPV at
097$106,593. Um attached were three quotes. Uh those quotes were from Bluebird, Thomas, and uh Case International. Uh we were looking at the international case. Um as explained to Mr. Stevens. Um, we have those buses on our lot and our mechanics are very versed in working on those. So, I wanted to recommend that to the board and my apologies for having ice and >> so move. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> Are you drinking milk with that? >> Second. >> All in favor? Just just on a note, it it's hard to believe that, you know, six years ago we were buying SPVS for $65,000. >> So just a just a memory note there. That's amazing how much it's increased. >> Neola board policies first read. >> Yeah. So we have a number of Neola policies. Um
098thank you Laura for um the organization and and laying all this out. um she does a great job with um making it all colorcoded and reader digest versions to be able to understand what we're changing. But um we did meet with um uh Mr. Snotty and went through a number of Neola policies. There's a number of things that are going to be rescended over this period of time. There's going to be some updates and then there's also four technical corrections. Um, and they have asterises next to them. So that's policy 5462, policy 8121, policy 8405, and policy 8500. Those are like fixing grammatical errors. It doesn't actually change the policy. And so we can actually approve technical corrections on the first read and then we can just move everything else to the second read. So
099obviously uh these are just for your review. So there's not a vote on any of this other than if you would be willing to approve the the four technical corrections on this first read then we can just remove those from the list and you don't have to worry about those. >> Can we remove the ones that were just crossed out? actually that actually has to go I asked that question because um the ones that are rescended we still have to go through that process to formally resend those as well. So yeah I tried but I I was told no. >> So we asking questions now or not? I got a question. >> Well you make a motion if you want to do we want to make a motion first to >> make a motion to
100non >> four technical corrections >> approved. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Okay, now we have now questions. G. >> Uh, yeah. On PO0142 September 2025 election eligibility, did a law change or did I miss something? Why Niola change the age from 21 to 18 for being eligible to be elected as a school board member? And my questions are, I know 21's only 3 years more, but when you get out of school, life changes and the life experiences and things you need. This position is very involved and there's things going on at the school every day, every week that take a lot of different things of life ability or skills and awareness. And it seems a little rush to change that to that when and I know you can >> you can be drafted, you can
101be join the service, you can um vote and all that stuff, but when you start having to get a job and maybe change your life and your positions, where you live, how you work with other people and interact every day, it just gives you more life skills and more abilities maybe than you would have at 18. Is there something they have to do this or can we? Because Neil also said we could choose to adjust the policies accordingly for our school system if we need to. And if we can, my recommendation would be put it back to 21 instead of 18. So, I just didn't quite understand why they made that change. >> Yeah, I'll have to I'll get some clarification from Ryan on that. Um but um yeah, I mean you as board members
102can pretty much choose how you want to create these policies or or >> yeah, unless there is some law that's forbidding us from do it, but I I will follow up with Ryan on that. Um >> I think that'd be a safe adjustment. >> I'm just trying to visualize the school board made up of all recent high school graduates. Anyone want to vote for it? >> And and you know, sometimes you do see that. I mean, you see that on the news every once in a while. So, >> a lot younger. >> Yeah. >> Be in high school. >> Do we see a mayor at 20 years old in Frankfurt or something? I'm not sure. But >> yeah, but I I'll I'll follow up on that. >> Um >> on that with Ryan for sure.
103>> Any other questions? >> All in favor of the four technicals being approved tonight? Unanimous. Okay. Okay. So, that takes those four off the next three and then we'll do the other approvals next month. >> Yeah. And I'll I'll follow up with Ryan on >> Okay. >> Greg's request. >> Can I Can I just ask a question? Is it okay to ask a question? >> Um I just wondered who our corporation compliance officer was >> right there. Yeah. >> I didn't know. >> Yeah. So, watch out. I know it said in there that maybe you should have a a male and a female have two. >> Oh, so we do have two. >> Interesting. >> All right. Thank you. You two. >> Thanks. >> Donations and grants. >> Yes. So, asking the board um for
104their approval for the grants that are presented, but I also have uh Wendy and Susie here. I don't know. Would you guys mind just giving a quick shout out? I know Wendy Wendy did some major leg work on this and so this is a big grant. This is really exciting stuff for KEX. So give them a little explanation here. >> Okay. So, um we were gifted the community foundation grant $37,000 and then um also applied for the solidary uh federal credit union which is another $1,000 all in to support our 18 to 22 year old invest program. Um it's a cooperative program. We talked about it before. Um this is our second year. So with the first year under our belt, we were like, okay, this is something new we have never explored before. Now
105in our second year, we've really tried to think outside the box. Okay, what do we do to prepare um our 18 to 22 year olds with disabilities for the workforce? What skills are we giving them? What opportunities meeting them where they are, soft skills included. Um but a lot of our students don't even know um what it is that they might like to do. Um so what this will purchase um is a system and it's all inclusive um training included for our staff and um basically they're going to be able to do hands-on um training and assessment um whether it is um uh consumer services uh construction technology a lot of things that you know we we try with our high school class to do job trials, community um service events, things like that. We
106have the great coffee shop here with uh Nikki Rodman's classroom. But again, it's it's having putting a a drill press on. I mean, it's something that we've never really thought of before, but again, it's very structured. Um and the assessment is there again to create that independence, um the confidence and the things and even the families. Wow, my can do this or this may be bridged into something else. Making those connections within the community because a lot of I mean the students we've had since they were three and when they leave us it's like okay we want them to be able to to continue and be successful. So we're really excited and um it comes uh December 10th and 11th. It's three pallets full. It's a sewing machine um all kinds of things but it's
107our invest program is at Taylor High School and There are 11 students in the program right now. Five are Western um and then we hope by next semester um to really get it up and going. But Lexi Hunt's class will go, Nikki Rodman's class will go. Um we're hoping to have an open house um once we get it open and then we'll let >> And Spencer, that will be a great story. So >> yeah. >> Who was the community foundation? What do you mean >> is that through community >> emerald? Okay, that's the Howard County one. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> She's great. >> Awesome. >> So, if we could get >> Yeah. If we could do a motion on that. Yeah. >> I'll make a motion to approve the donation and grant money.
108>> Second. Any qu any other questions? >> I have just one question. Uh, did you have a a teacher for this class? Because didn't you have one and then you didn't? And I >> Yes. >> Now we do. >> Now you do. >> Outstanding. She's taken the initiative to um she looked up the program that we were talking about and starting to acquire and began to put pieces of that already in place in the classroom to get the students that are there. And it was almost like our vision was it's going to happen. We're just going to have to happen. So, um her name is Alice Williamson and she is >> Thank you. Good. >> Good job. Any other questions? All in favor of the personnel. >> Yes. Making a recommendation for the personnel presented.
109Also, please note uh the authorization of the one-time end ofear stipend is in that as well. So move. Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? Development? >> And please uh approve or please uh see the uh request for PD for November of 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? Sure. Um, I was still looking through, by the way, congratulations on the RoboCine grant. Um, again, I appreciated the mission moments, the the students and the educators of the month. Um, as we're coming up on Thanksgiving, it's um, affirming again to hear about all of the cool things that are happening. And I know there aren't a lot of folks in the room, but there is a newspaper reporter. So, when I get the Cookamo Tribune and there's a story about Western
110about our coaches or athletes um uh at 7 a.m. in the morning, I'm very happy to to open and read those things. So, I appreciate your reporting. But again, I think it speaks to >> it's a release of the endorphins. >> It is a release of endorphins at 7 a.m. when I'm trying to wake up. So, >> so if you're old like me, you have a cup of coffee and your newspaper. >> Um, thank you all and happy Thanksgiving. >> Sorry, Jill. >> Okay. >> I also would like to thank the uh intermediate teachers who presented the mission moment a great um also congratulations on your donations for the invest program. It sounds like that's a great thing for our students to prepare them to go out into the world and and be able to
111be productive citizens because that is our mission and um and to and to like Cody De Haven and Ryan Barryman, you know, it's good to see teachers be recognized um because our teachers do such great things. We we do have a lot to be thankful for, including buying buses, Barrett, because when I was at that that last conference, I think, you know, schools were saying how they had their buses are so old because they can't afford to buy new ones. I thought, not us. We are buying school buses. >> They can buy them from us. >> They should have a good deal. >> Um, first and foremost, um, I I had the opportunity um on Halloween for uh Mr. Lazar's class, sixth grade, to be a ghost reader. Uh, so I really want to say
112thank you to Kay uh for that opportunity. Uh, I dressed up, of course, in a scream ghost costume. Uh, really enjoyed it. Um, and I think the kids really enjoyed it as well. So, it was always fun to to see that. Um, but to reiterate what was already said, really thankful for our school corporation, all the personnel, staff, admin, everyone that goes into this. Um we have a lot to be thankful for because not every school corporation has the opportunity that we have here. Um so very blessed with that. A lot of great things that are going on especially over the next year really with solar panels and some exterior upgrades and some interior upgrades as well. So a lot of great things. So really appreciate everyone's um commitment and what we've been able to
113accomplish so far this year. Harry. >> Well, I want to thank the intermediate school for teaching us about chemicals and for putting us on public television doing that exercise. So, thank you for that. Um, I had a chance to go to Panther Perk and the high school uh leadership club came. Jill was there and they were just so impressive. I mean, those kids, they just introduced themselves and we had a chance to interview like four or five of them one on- one and I could see them on the school board. Yeah, >> they Yeah, they could be >> 18 >> maybe. I think >> it's tremendous, Mr. Barryman. Hall of Fame, young age. Jas, that's tremendous. So, really good stuff. And once again, our staff and everybody involved our teachers or students and all that.
114Also to Mark and Kyle and Barrett and probably even behind the scenes, Laura, your hard work and effort in this bonding and trying to get the economics figured out and sort out so we can continue to take care of our school facilities and make them better than they already are and renew what's been there 50 years, some of it. So, I mean, it's great stuff, but thank you for your efforts and I know it's part of your job, but you're also going above and beyond. I know you are because I know the work it takes. So, I appreciate that. Thank you so much. I normally don't say a whole lot, but Lindsay, with special ed teachers being in the family, I know what you're going through. I know what they're going through, and please convey
115my thanks, you guys, to all of them because it's pretty incredible what they're having to do right now. Uh, the projects, Mark, you guys, thank you for all that. Looking forward to everything that's coming up. Um, Mr. Pal, thank you for stopping by, introducing yourself. I appreciate that. Sorry you're from Typton, but I'll explain that after. Okay. >> Oh, man. >> I did enjoy I have attended I missed yesterday, but the leadership, it's been interesting to listen to the teachers interact. That's been awesome. And I got to follow Joey so far as the ghost reader. Okay. And I was told how sweaty Joey was. Oh, it was so hot in that costume. >> So, but mine had a mesh face. Okay. So, it was black cuz the kids didn't know. I'm probably the only person
116that had to cut holes in the side to put my readers on so I can clean it. But, uh, it definitely was a great opportunity. It was fun being back in the classroom. >> Anything else? Everyone, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your families and, uh, see you next month. >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Yep. All in favor? Yes. >> Yes.