001It's It's good. Okay. >> Good evening. It is 6:01. I am calling to uh to order the March 4th, 2026 Kingsbury Country Day School Board meeting. Um Ally, could you please take your role? >> Uh Jody Cresenberry, >> hello. >> Dandy Buckley, >> here. >> Adam Stewart, >> present. >> Kyle Jackson, >> Dor Hegby, present. Michael Eix, >> right? >> All right. So that is a quorum. This is a makeup meeting from our Thursday of last week meeting that we had to cancel due to a lack of quorum which was a alternate date due to the president's day. So here we are um having our February meeting on March 4th. Um at this time I am going to invite I believe our second graders. Are you guys from second grade to say the pledge of
002allegiance and us in the Kingsbury pledge? All right. So, if we all stand up, can you guys lead us in first the pledge of allegiance? And the clinic is right over here. Go ahead. indivisible. >> And now, would you please lead us in the Gainesberry pledge? Thank you guys very much at the board meeting. Is there anything you guys would like to share with us before we get our meeting going? Can you say no? Anything? No. >> School. >> What's your favorite thing? >> Anybody? >> Penguin project >> anywhere. >> Penguin project. the second grade is working on a penguin project that's actually is it still hanging over here? >> What about your new project from today? >> That's pretty cool. >> That is pretty cool. um all the muscles in um uh uh and
003it also shows where the um where they are is standing on the uh dog and on the um there has to be 12 um dog 12 to 16 dogs to um Oh, >> so that's a pretty cool thing. >> That's very cool. That's very cool. >> Anything else anybody else wants to share? >> Well, we appreciate you coming in and doing that. >> Thank you so much. >> Thanks, Mom's first. >> You guys did a wonderful job in both pledges. Thank you. >> You guys can stick around for the meeting if you'd like or >> listen to a parent and be pretty >> go eat dinner. Okay. At this time, I would call >> Thank you. >> Um, at this time, I would like to open it up for public comment regarding the agenda item
004that I listed. >> Seeing no public comment. Um, I would see I would ask for um or I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda. >> So, move. >> Adam moves. Is there a second? Sandy seconds. Adam has moved and Sandy has seconded. Is there any further discussion regarding the current agenda? Right. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposition, please say nay. Hearing no nays. There's u hearing no opposition. Excuse me. Uh the approval of the agenda has passed. There is an item on member six, the marketing and communications presentation. due to the nature of today's meeting being a makeup um we are going to table that section so that we can get um the marketing communications people from choice actually to be present to pres present and I believe
005that will happen in April in the April meeting. >> Um so at this time I would entertain a motion for the approval of the January 29 2026 meeting minutes. Sandy moves. Is there a second? >> Dora seconds. It has been moved and seconded. Is there any further discussion regarding the minutes? Hearing no further discussion. All those in favor of approving those minutes, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposition, please say nay. Hearing no opposition. Those minutes have been approved. Uh board correspondence. Um we received the charter collabor collaborative SVSU 2024 2025 annual governance compliance and financial report. Uh we also received the 2024 2025 SCSU academic annual academic report which is um it contains information and academic information that we had previously gone over. It's just the SCSU um version of it. We also
006received the island insurance review and we are uh compliant. So yay. And the um final thing that I am aware of as far as board correspondence is um Mr. Jackson Kyle has uh informed me of his intention to resign at the end of this school year term. So I believe it would be June 30th. >> It would be effective June 30th of 2026. So um I am hoping that I'll get another opportunity to thank you pa for everything that you've done for this board and for this school. Um it is a very big time commitment and I know that your work schedule has um also been amplified in responsibilities and time away. Um, and so while I will desperately miss having you board, I understand that for your family and for yourself, you need to
007be doing this. But I just want to thank you for the time that you have put in and hopefully we will see you at more meetings before the end of June. Um, and with that um, knowledge of Kyle's resignation and I am kind of skipping ahead because uh, Mike does have his term ending. Um, and I'm not sure where he's at with the reappointment, but we have previously discussed dropping our board down from a seven to a five. Um, and especially because I last week we had to cancel our meeting because we had a lack of forum. So, I don't know if that's something that anybody would want to further discuss. We had talked about it previously. Um, I don't know if that's something that we want to discuss now or just kind of have
008on our rate um, so that we can be as efficient as far as making sure that we have a forum to each. So if we drop to five a quorum is three. A quorum is three. So that means we can't have committee meeting with three people. Correct. >> Um anybody else aware of any board sign that I did not touch on? should >> I mean it's entire if if that if somebody wants to um given again Kyle's resignation won't be until effective the end of June um I don't know if it's if anybody's comfortable with discussing the the idea of dropping the board membership down so you see all >> she'll be right back she's something from the printer >> stepped away but I think she's told us in the past and we've heard from
009SPSU that five seems to be a a more manageable thing because we've had to out of the last three board meetings, we had to cancel two because we had a hard time getting forum. Um I was just asking a question. We're talking about dropping board size to five. Um, with all of your other boards, I know that you commented on this before and I thought I remembered you saying that five was a manageable size or >> Yeah, I my board some of them had seven. We've had hard times finding people that want to donate their time or can donate their time. Um, and so many have reduced theirs to five and function just fine. Um, my last board that was at seven just pulled back to five because they had a couple resignations right away
010as well. Um, and they hold a lot of historical knowledge of the school and so they they're continuing to function very well. They're not any more or less efficient based on the numbers. Um, I would say though in terms of whether or not you change that if you do know sooner than later that you're going to change that helps SPSU and you're open for open applications right now for open seats. So, um, for people who are interested in applying and SPSU, I hate to waste people's time and then go through the application process and then we say we don't actually >> we don't need. >> Yeah. We don't move. Yeah. So, I'd like to make a motion that we reduce our board size to five effective July 1st, 2026. >> It has been moved that
011we move our board size from 7 to 5 effective um July 2026. Is there a second? >> Dora seconds. Is there any further discussion regarding um the size change from 75? One thing I think um you said um for committees for instance, we could still for instance have a financial subcommittee um with other people who aren't on the board involved in that conversation but who have the right background. >> Yeah. or other committees as well and bring in more of the community to support things that we're trying to >> almost all the schools charter schools I saw all five the public schools were a little higher but every school with all >> and those are elected state so they're far less likely to change in size based on >> the non part of their traditions.
012>> Quick question on Kyle. Do you have access? You as Andy are on the bank. Do you know who else is on the account? >> So before you were to go, if you can get some other people added >> because every uh bank's different on how to do it with making people go in in person or bring it to the board and everyone could sign. >> We're not going to let them take off completely. >> Yeah. And some banks are easy. They just send you their card. You could do it at a board meeting. I'll make you go to the everyone has to go to the branch. So I wasn't sure >> everyone has to go. Okay. >> Okay. >> You should figure invite them to a board meeting. >> Really? I think it's a
013great idea. >> I I don't know about all of your schools. Most my other schools have every >> try to get as many as we can on just in case there's turnover, >> right? It was a difficult time too. Now >> I think it was new. >> Yeah. >> But it also allows for if we need a different check signer because somebody's out of the country, it allows us to pivot and send that information to them. >> And usually it's a board treasurer and then somebody else like if someone whoever's filling that role could be the other signer on the checks. >> Those two. Yeah. I just want to bring that up just so thanks for helping do that Freddy. >> So any further conversation regarding the reduction of the board right all those in
014favor please say I. >> Any opposition please say no or nay. There is no opposition. Um the motion to reduce board size from 7 to 5 effective July 1, 2026 pass. Um, anybody else have any board additional boards? Right. Um, well, let me ask this. Given that you're still acting and you still are on the board, is it wise to maybe get another person on the on the bank account now or is that something that we can wait on? I I don't >> Okay. >> I can transition to whoever the new you'll electing the treasur what >> in July. >> July. In July. >> Yes. But I would >> I would think we would before. >> Yeah. I would ask that we just change that we amend our officer ranks. Okay. >> Um so we
015can do that anytime. So you could even next month move but you could still leave him on the bank. >> Yeah. but and then have people but we can change officers at any point. So if you would like that between now and any of the next meetings just let me know and I can put that on the agenda. >> Thank you very much. Okay, that would be for April, not March because we still got our March meeting. >> We still have our March meeting in a couple weeks. So we'll do this again. >> Okay. >> So let's maybe that's something we consider to have either on our March or April board. >> Okay. Okay. So, January 2026 financial state. >> Who am I looking? >> Yeah. >> Nothing nothing stuck out to me on the
016on the financial savings. So, question about financial savings, but we're we're in good shape. our cash is where we expected actually a little above where we expected. We'll see that in the amended portion, but I think majority of the discussion is on the amended. Um, I guess this would be a good opportunity. I know I sent an email to this board. Um, we are I've been doing some benchmarking where we stand. I mean, we've come a long way. We were on this savings mode for a long time where we just a couple years ago were pulling out loans to pay teacher salaries during the summer and the staff salary during the summer. Uh, we're well beyond that. Um we are currently at 40% plus uh fund balance with the amendment the anitement coming through. We
017at 44. We knew we were going to dip into that. Um choice and Brian and everyone with choice has been doing an amazing job managing our budget including everyone in the front office watching the spend. It's been incredible team effort here. We thought we were going to go deficit by 164,000. That was our original current uh plan. The amended budget in front of you guys today reduces that to 49,000 with $160,000 of increased revenue and only 46,000 in additional expenses. So, uh, favorable about 114,000 there, bring it just to 49,000. So, one of the things I wanted to challenge this board was as we move to this next phase, we're now one of the top fund balances that I could find. I couldn't find another fund balances in the 40s. I know Ellie mentioned that
018there was one of the first schools set at 42 for a while um but was saving up for repair. We had no major repair, no major expense coming up. So it's starting to get to a point where I think it's almost um unresponsible to continue saving at this rate and I think we need to start investing in the school. I think we need to debate and discuss how we invest into the school. >> I think our next finance committees can be really helpful. So, if anybody has ideas to pass on to the finance committee of >> and then >> and I know we're still doing some things. We're trying to get some fundraisers, but I don't even know if we need that at this point. Some of these things we should just agree to as
019a board checks on. >> Okay. >> In my opinion, >> problem to have. Congratulations. >> Nice. >> I remember the old days. And when we're talking about where to invest this money, I just want to make sure that I understand based on some of the conversations that I had. This is a right now we're at the 40% fund balance, but it's not necessarily going to refinish itself. Is that correct? >> So, yeah, that's a good point. So, there was talk about do we make changes such as increases that would hit year after year. That's that's okay if we didn't. It's all going to come down to the count in the coming weeks. Right now, 348 is break even. that Brian's been tracking to for next year. Um, and we would have a little bit of
020a dip in there. Um, you can see the latest numbers here are 368. If you hit those, then you're going to have the problem you saw with that graph that I sent the second graph and student count is our student count declines. So, we were able to save even look at the population. But once you start seeing that growth, even if it's just a little bit of growth, you better help your current cost. Okay. But not in in the budget in front of you. There's $126,000 of the 31A money we received that can go towards the other schools opted out. So they reallocated. >> Oh, it's more money. >> So now we got even more because most of the traditional schools did not take the money. >> 126,000 and that money 124,000 just 125,000. So
021that's unaccounted for in the budget. So that's for safety, security, mental health, whatever. So that's all new. That's not in this budget. It'll be we if you want to do something before year end, great. If not, it'll be there for next year. So that's a big jump than what we thought we originally getting. So So that's not in here. And the golf savings or not savings, the what the golf um earned is not in this budget. It's kind of deferred. All I have in here is reflected is the cost was 14 my and that's all the revenue shows. So the money that was made is stuck in like a reserve account to to go towards something as well. >> So that's not in this budget either to spend. So that's got to >> we didn't
022want that revenue without the expenses. >> I didn't want to show like oh we came even better because it's not. So >> yeah. So anyway, so um yeah, so you guys are in great shape and like next year like even put in like the raises and salary adjustments and then where your count is where it's at. We're not concerned. didn't include the governor's 250 per student proposal. It probably if she threw out 250 more likely house and the senate will come in around 250 um at that point. So that's not even factored in like a quick projection for next year. So, >> but I think >> Jody was starting to talk about >> great strides in addressing teacher salary. >> Yeah. >> This isn't something that's stagnant. We are still running around 90% of of
023what is available in the in the public schools. And it's probably prudent for us to take a look at what would it mean if we decided to go to 93 or 95 because you know where we're where we're sitting right now. Um and we have teachers who may be reaching retirement age or and so we're going to have to be attracting some new people and we're going to have to bring them in at competitive salaries. We want to also keep our teachers who've been with us a long time um at competitive. We don't want to be bringing in new people over what they're making. So, so I think that's seriously something we need to take a look at as as we think forward because budget development for next year is going to be happening pretty
024quick. >> Understand how much of this we could chew up to try and make that go up even better. And I I think that would be great if as a charter school we can get closer to 95 value. >> Yeah. As long as your operational Yeah. If you can get your budget to operationally not have to dip too much every year with the the salary adjustments, that'd be perfect spot to be in. And then if you needed something to come up, whatever responsibility we have for the building or extra programming or new curriculum, like a onetime expense type thing, then use fund balance for that. You have it there. So >> is there any revenue that is not headcount related that may be a carryover from COVID that is showing up as revenue but could
025go away >> that should have all cleared your books last year on the last audits. Yep. >> Budget for leftover of like a grant is the educator compensation money that they gave us. They took gave us took it back to back there's 48,000 that's on the books that'll be used for next year. So that's one time thing. And then at the state, if you guys have heard about the weighted average, weighted average that they would get rid of 31A funding and then give it to students. It's not a big increase for you guys, but you would lose the restricted use of that. So right now your 31A funds are going towards intervention or social worker. You can just take the money in the general fund, use it whatever you wanted. So that would eliminate restricted
026use. Here it wouldn't really affect how you spend the money. But other schools that have like a hard time spending it could use it just on anything. So, but as far as if the governor plan does go through, it's not a huge increase of uh revenue. You just should lose categorical. >> But to be clear, we're still committed to interventionist. >> Yeah. You still have it. You >> still use it towards what you're using it for. >> But there was, you know, little pockets of a thousand of literacy and it's like, well, that doesn't do anything. Can I put it to better use over here? No, >> no, it just leaves a lot. >> Some schools don't know what to spend the money on additional computer systems, but they don't really need them, but they
027got to spend the money. Like those schools would benefit for not having restricted, but like we can, you know, get a discount if we bought three years at a time instead of. So we're able to we have enough funds to be able to do that. We can help ourselves and also help the teachers because we made a commitment of three years. So this is through better planning. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> At this time I would entertain a motion to receive the J the January 2026 financial statement. I move. Is there a second? >> We have a second. It has been moved and seconded. Any further discussion regarding these financial statements for Jan? Right. All those in favor uh please say hi. I any opposition please say no. >> Hearing no opposition
028since those financial statements have been received. Now moving on and I think Kylie briefly address the amended budget but is there anybody that has anything uh regarding the amended budget specifically presentation before duration? >> Is there anything Brian you wanna No, the biggest jump is the count. You came in higher than with the original budget. It's always comes from count where the increase comes from. So, >> yeah, I just want to thank uh Sandy and Kyle for being on the committee. It really helps having the board invested in the committee level to go through all the numbers, the budget from the school's perspective and to help build these things. So, thanks for the teamwork because it's hard to you just throw numbers together if you don't know like what's important or what the school needs.
029So, I appreciate that. >> Yeah. So >> yeah, but that's it. Just a count. So >> there. Okay. So at that at this time then I would entertain a motion to approve to approve the amended budget. Kyle move. Is there a second? We have a second. It has been moved and accepted to accept the amended budget. Is there any further discussion? When is your next um subcommittee financial subcomm >> theoretically? >> Usually meet the week before. >> Yeah, it's usually the Wednesday before >> the Wednesday before the board. >> It's all we have it in the books. >> So I guess my question is will it be a meeting before the next meeting? Because I I think having another financial sub prior to >> discussing the whatever >> say think it's just the financial think
030about I would like opinions from different perspectives because I'm cheap um frankly and if it's up to me I'm probably not going to spend a whole lot >> um >> and you don't want me the same way. Well, I provided. >> So, I think I think we all need to determine what is the best. Is it curriculum we want to look at? Is it try to get that reoccurring boss so we can get the staff? I think your point I think you need to have those discussions and I don't necessarily be in alignment, but we're going to have to see uh what our priorities are. >> So, I also encourage you to go back to your strategic plan. Um so, this is an opportunity that you have that's unique. Um we've been exploring a food
031service program. Um had surveys go out to families because we are engaging with some uh local local places. Um but for us it's there would have to be a modification to the building so that could be utilized for that. I just don't know yet that we have enough interest that a company will work with us yet. So that's why that survey went out is we're trying to get a feel of how many because there's not a business that's going to work with us to serve 15 meals a week. It's not worth their time and energy >> and the families do a fantastic job of sending really great meals with the the students. So >> the ideas and we get them over to the team and then maybe have those bullet points for the and then
032we can kind of force rank those in the next meeting that might be a >> because usually in May we'll bring a preliminary budget. So, if we can get something by the April, like in the good numbers to kind of go with the build off of will help with the May meeting to have like um and just looking at the 112,000 that safety money set out. There's a list that they've been put together like a five-year plan. Bus cameras, door numbering, walkie-talkies, security camera upgrades, door replacements, windows. So, I guess fill that bucket. If 112 is good to cover all that's fine. If it needs more than this, that would come out of like a fund balance as well. So, that Uh I have to look at that. I I would probably guess not because
033that's something we need to do. But it's worth asking the question. We also as a part of the safety, right? There's the mental health component of it. And so we have been spending previous 31A on having a social worker in the building. You guys are very lucky to have a full-time social worker. Um and so those would be things that we would continue and looking at programs and partnerships that those could also so when we think safety it's not just solely around physical >> yeah one of the first ideas you think you got to defend me and I guess too if it's a reoccurring cost what you estimated cost you think will be per year if it's a onetime expense and then I can try to do some summaries for the next one. Okay. >>
034The other thing I'd like to bring up when it comes to the teacher compensation, if there's some way that we could get creative, instead of just perhaps increasing the salary, we could do something that may be tied to a retirement benefit. So that compensates the teachers, but yet it rewards extended service and longevity. I don't know if there's a tool that >> or do they want money? You know what I mean? >> I hear what you're saying. >> You understand that? Yeah. >> Yeah. We actually >> But something that Yeah. >> Okay. What kind of books? >> Yes. >> And I don't see where the next financial subcommittee meeting. >> Yeah. I just realized because they were looping on to like random weekend days. So, >> well, and and because it was supposed to be
035next Wednesday, but there's a fourth grade field trip to the Henry, >> right? You said you weren't able to make it. >> We can. >> So, Kyle, you let us know the week of the night. What for you? >> Yeah. And then, yeah, tell us what time zone you're >> Okay. curling screen. >> So, any other discussion regarding the amended budget? Okay, hearing no further discussion. All those in favor of approving the amended budget as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition, please say nay. Hearing no opposition. That amended budget has been approved. The annual education report is uh the next thing in the packet and I believe I'm correct in saying that this is something that SPSU compiled. Um, >> no, we compile it. >> Oh, it is from you guys. >> Yeah, it's
036standard. We do them every state requires them. >> But this is all the information that we've previously gone through with the NWA and >> what we share is far more extensive than this. What Sagenov Valley shares um it's on >> 66. The template is designated by the state. So, it's most of it's the same things you see every year because your school hasn't changed. Um, >> and that's where you guys head would reach out to. Yes. Yes. >> Yep. So, it's posted on the website. It's legally required. I always like boards to know what's out there. So, I like to put it in board packets. Um, it doesn't require any approval or anything. It is a requirement. But, >> and do we have the winter results from the NWH was given us to the March
037meeting? >> Yes, it's at the March meeting because this one wasn't supposed to be >> Yep. was February. >> It was February. >> Yeah. >> Anybody have anything regarding that annual education report? >> And you said the report itself is on our website. >> Yeah. >> Go to any school's website and you'll find it. >> Okay. Old business fundraising committee update. part of that. So it can be kind of looked in well everything. So we'll have full update for the board >> the second meeting. >> All right. Can I ask um as a part of that, right, we're trying to do some research on a sound system for jazz. If any of you know reputable vendors that you're aware of, please send them our way so we can um right now it's kind of cold
038calls, but we always know that if anybody has knowledge of a business that we feel like we could trust to come out and take a look. Um, we are looking for someone to look at it acoustically, not just simply to add speakers, but >> it really needs that. >> That really needs >> somebody needs to know what they're doing >> because that was something that your committee had wanted to consider, but also talking about >> fund balance, right? So, >> yeah. So, I think that was the other point too was maybe all that into next meeting and what we do with those funds um as a adding that playground whatever that might be especially as we're approaching September but like I was mentioning you know fundrais >> and then you would save what goes into
039the cost of the next one. So, yeah. >> September. They also did ask for quotation and archery in which is right after the um annual education report. There is a flyer in here that well Nikki you want to >> Yep. So um this was for the February meeting, but it starts u March 6 um and then for a couple weeks after that. Um and then I have an update later for the summer, but this one is just for the spring session that we'd like to run. >> Okay. >> And it's everything is the same. It's for the same grades three through $50 per student um with the times right after school. >> Okay. Any questions? And does this require >> This one does because it's new. It's not a change in date, okay, if you
040will. >> Um, so all of those Well, I guess I would entertain a motion to approve this 4 day archery. Um, lessons camps of summer moves. Is there a second? >> Second. Dora. >> Dora seconds. Is there any further discussion? specifically that was last >> summering the archery camp and getting people registered before Friday, please say I. Any opposition, please say nay. Hearing no opposition that archery camp has been approved um to ask you this, but is there a way that you can send something out? >> I'll send it tonight. Yeah. Okay. >> Yep. >> Maybe remove the register by March 4th. >> Yes, I will do that. >> And uh thank you, Mr. Gorell, for running these. Know that I'm going to be having some students that are probably going to ask me short.
041So, thank you. Um moving right along, the new business, uh the fall 2025 board policy update. This was something that was introduced I believe at the last board meeting um for us to take a look at with respect to the best practices updates that um or legal changes that have been there page 72 and it just lists the changes if I'm correct in okay so I would entertain a motion to approve this board policy I so moved moves is session. I have a second. It has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion regarding the board policy? Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor, please say, please say I. I. Any opposition, please say no. Nay. Hearing no opposition, um those board policy updates have been approved. As we had briefly discussed with our
042motion and our approval, seven member board to a five member member board, excuse me, effective July 1, 2076. We do have a board member who is up for uh via appointments. Um and that is uh Mike Elick. Um, and I might confuse receivedology application and stuff that you need to do and maybe I don't want to put you on the spot answer, but >> yeah. >> So, there will be one um application then that you will need to make sure to or one spot that will need to be filled after the July one. So, um I was prepared to Kyle, be ready. I'm not yet regretting ready to say goodbye to you. Um, so I'm hoping though you'll stay on with respect to making sure that we get that fundraising, especially the golf outing um,
043picked off for next year. Not actually stay on through the end of your term, but certainly to make sure that we get everything. >> Thank you very much and thank you for your time. Um, again, I I I don't think unless you're on the board and serving, you really understand, especially over the past couple of years, the transition that has taken place and that it requires to put in. So, thank you very much for your time and effort and getting the ball fab going last year. >> Resurrecting that was kind of I know it was tough and I really appreciate that you you got it going and we were as successful as you said we even though it was >> but um so thank you. I am saddened to hear that you will not be
044seeking reappoint but again I understand which to do what's great for family and yours time as well. So thank you for any time you've had served on the board. >> All right. Nobody else is allowed to. Okay. So there any other new business Ally that >> I don't have. >> All right. Is there any other other business that anybody is aware of at this time? >> All right. the Sagenov Valley State University rep update. >> It was scheduled that our previously scheduled >> that SBSU had representatives here to walk through the building today. >> Yeah. >> Is that Can can we get that in this time? How did that go? >> Candace Casey came out with the provost. Um um so uh we want to thank Sagenov Valley uh for choosing one of just a
045few schools that they um went out and toured today. Um Nikki took them on a tour of the building and the facilities. And you know what I'm always amazed by? So I'll take my piece and then if Nikki noticed anything different. What I I think is so profound and something this community should be so incredibly proud of is that it takes a person minutes on campus before they realize how special Kingsbury is. Um, and so while there's deeprooted um, traditions and some of us that, you know, some have been here for far longer than others, uh, people new to the King community that don't know anything about it find it so special just walking in through those front doors. And so, um, when she left, she had noticed asking questions right along the way. Um,
046and we were talking about the trails and the trail system that our students um, actually painted out um, and what's done with those trails and she asked if she could take some of the ideas back that they could utilize for their trails at Sagenol Valley. And um, and so that that kind of special um, thing doesn't happen places where it's not nurtured and it's not in a collaborative space where you see that. And so I I thought it was really fantastic and I didn't I felt strongly she didn't want to leave quite yet. So >> yeah, she wanted to stay around. Yeah. And she's hiked our trails before. She's very familiar with the area and um she was very excited to be here and we peaked in a few classes and she's like this is
047amazing. >> And the bell tower you showed her the bell tower. >> She was very surprised. The bell tower she's like that's awesome. It >> was a very nice fix. Well, thank you. Um, moving on to school beater report. >> So, mine is on 80 and actually we'll start with the separate sheet that is the new enrollment numbers because I feel like these are really exciting. Um, so this was pulled these numbers were pulled the day after lottery. Um so if you look at the column that says lottery day, those are the current numbers that we have for people that have um committed to enrolling. Yes. >> Correct. Paperwork was sent out today and yesterday for them to start coming back. So this is our hopeful projection. See how how many? >> Yes, we will
048add. >> Yeah, >> reenrolled was 29. >> The total reenrolled is on the actual school leader report because it was done prior to lottery day. So, this is the >> Yes, they're going to trickle in. >> Yes, they will. >> Yes. July. >> Last year we tracked it through paperwork submitted. So we have our applications and then we added a problem. We didn't want to add that now and caused confusion. Um but we will start tracking the number with paperwork turned in by grade as well. So >> I've added that there. Yep. >> So it's looking very healthy if all these numbers stay. >> Even our, you know, seventh grade >> Brian has dollar signs. Even our sixth and seventh grade that were low this year. Uh sixth grade with these numbers is full >>
049and then seventh grade is at 35 >> and eighth their eighth grade numbers that's a full seventh grade >> transition from this year seventh grade to 8th grade. >> Um >> and so you'll see first K through four. So, we are hitting a little higher than we did last year um for getting those classes filled faster. What we couldn't do much of is get a lot of students in that middle school range. So, it's really really important and exciting to see our families staying um because it's far easier to adapt to a new school K5 than it is in a middle school. So >> about this time of year, you're hitting 259 last year was 259. I can't remember what last year was. 26 million last year. I know we had obviously a different situation,
050different undertone of the time. Uh we heard rumors and people were playing games with submitting and that's going on at the last minute. At least my sense is I haven't heard that and I'm a little bit more confident in these numbers than I has in the previous years. So >> what I know of as of right now, we have um two families that are not returning and it's either a move or a personal choice >> and those are pulled out. >> Yes. Yes. Yeah. We have a a very in-depth um Audrey has a very very in-depth spreadsheet. Um she has a part of her spreadsheet that talks about those families who aren't going to come and anybody who is in passing maybe have mentioned they weren't sure. We track those as well >> and of
051those uh so the lottery has been held. So we are now these are all the accepted. So we'll gather the paperwork. Anybody coming in next is first come first serve or first added to the bottom of the weight list for the classes that have weight list. Um, and so you'll see those numbers adjust between now and August for some, but you know, it's come up before that we've had students who win a seat in the lottery and then have a sibling who did not win a seat in a different grades. Um, and so just to clarify for the board's understanding or friendly reminder that the sibling capacity that rule works when you're an enrolled student, but if you are brand new to Kingsbury and win via the lottery, you are not considered an enrolled to
052get that. So your sibling doesn't automatically bump up and surpass that sibling still sits on the weight list. So I just wanted to make sure that everybody was clear on that. And then um of those Audrey like I like Nikki said she's doing a fantastic of monitoring and she was able I said how many of our kids one spots and their siblings did not we've got two >> so those are ones that we always do question whether or not um but >> only two >> yeah so two that are leaving that we know two families and then two siblings that didn't get in >> there's still a lot of time for any shifting for those families who are looking to move off the weight list. >> The number six started in sixth grade and I
053completely carried over. >> Yeah, it did. >> Opportunities for seven jumping ahead. I know it has strategic discussion for next meeting. I don't know if it's marketing dollars but something to deal with retention to see if we can even bolster those numbers. >> That's why we've been focusing a lot this year on retention and listening to our community and trying to um to hear those so it's not a deep undercurrent. We want people to come directly to leadership if there's something. But um the trick is that you don't the hope is that you don't have to market your seventh eighth where they just come in for the one or two years and and go. So the the filling with our students is what we obviously want most. But um we don't often see a large
054amount of seventh and eighth graders transitioning schools unless they're going to a school that they can go to for the long term. But it's not uncommon. And we've had several middle schoolers join throughout this year. >> Yeah. >> Charters to get seventh and eighth. >> Yeah. Um it just depends on >> Yeah. their K8s. Um so it also you've got to watch your local schools when do they make those building transitions because those are important points that you know sometimes if you're thinking about where you want to go to high school sometimes you do want to go and start a little early. I think I would say from the Kingsbury standpoint, what you have is a really solid, tight-knit middle school that you don't see in the big schools. And so, you get to go
055through those years of your life with your best friends um very close with staff who are really interested um in knowing the kids and where their future goes. Um, but seventh and eighth grade can be that is a large challenge because often I want to get in and start to touch teams that maybe I'm going to be available for. Um, but it's not uncommon. Well, and I think you know in the past we've heard a lot about what Kingsbury doesn't have in terms of electives sports and that's why people are moving their kids out >> and that they now I'm hearing more about people concerned about their kids socially assimilating into the high schools. >> Yeah. >> Because it's kind of a shock to the system. One thing I'm not sure that we've talked about
056a lot. I know Vicki and I have talked a little bit about this is maybe there's something we can consider on how do we bridge from our middle school into the bigger high schools locally >> and maybe provide some ways to do more of that bridging from our middle school into high schools. um you know whether it's shadowing days and just doing more things like that or having you know field trips to the high school football game or to so that kids sort of get a feel for what that environment might be because some parents are also concerned for their children too. So maybe we could do some brainstorming around how we might be able to do that. Back in the olden days, um they used to have high schools come in and talk to
057the middle schools, whether they were the private schools in the area and and the public schools like Lake War and Romeo and um Oxford for instance. But I think if we got back to doing some of that, that might help some of the anxiety that that kids and parents. >> I do know that a large group of eighth grade students and parents went to a high school orientation evening. So I believe opportunities even if just getting and again I don't know how I would assume getting that information out either a newsletter or something would be okay for >> yeah we had a flyer that we sent that came through from Oxford. So I I because again I believe they are very >> this Southgate school the creator they have a high school night and they'll
058host they all the high schools come in and put up tables to >> talk to all the eighth graders to try to recruit the because they want the kids coming from the monastery school. It's usually better behaved or they come to this and they just want to sell their school. They put up tables and they the school lets them in uh help the parents out like you said to give them like a >> what's coming. Kingsbury versus kids coming from um Oxford Middle School or school. So I think if we could be just a little more intentional about bridging >> Yeah. We've also held um like information for kids and parents where we send home the school choice information so that they know like the time starts now. um here's the access to applications. If
059you need help, let us know and we'll help you fill out the application or answer questions. Um so to that same like how do we make it very simple for people to find where their next home is postings um because we want everybody to be successful. >> So the typical student in eighth grade here can go to four or five different high schools around here is how they kind of the history of private schools is one >> and I don't think there's a bad one my schools um receives they there's a local private school that offers a lot of scholarships so when they come into our school and talk about it so it it isn't even we could be very open to potentially private >> well it used to be um Detroit country day cranber
060sacred heart um roer >> dro Yeah, Notre Dame for sure. Um, and then there's also the international high schools which aren't private, but those are something that we've had Kingsbury students apply for go to. So, >> just so people understand the realm of the possible. >> Yeah, >> we have a high school. >> I like the high school. >> I can reach out to >> sort of in a similar vein. There were at least two Oxford alumni who I believe are freshman this year and graduated Kingbury from April last year who were a part of the Frozen play at Oxford High School and it was really cool being able to see that they were a part of um somebody like >> it's just such a in my book it looks like such an intimidating thing
061and for them to go and be a part of a past that you know was very new to them I think that that says a huge amount about not just who they are but where they came from But I think Kingsbury kids are pretty well adjusted anyway. >> Just hanging out and having >> Exactly. And so to go into a new situation is pretty easy for them for example very >> a lot of times they have I can't speak for Oxford specifically but they have PALS or some other type of program where they then are paired up with groups of students or individual ual students, but it's worth asking about. Doesn't hurt to ask. >> Yep. We do that one in my schools, too, is that they come back from various places and ask question,
062you know, come back and say, "Was I well prepared? What are the things you should be doing right now?" And those are great conversations for eighth graders, but I actually think they're really great qu um for se sixth and seventh, right? so that you're building up those habits of a high school a successful high school student. So, so and we have a really strong alumni group that is willing to do a lot of >> support and coming back. So that might be something >> and just wanting to come back because >> just wanting >> if we can schedule mentoring days on the ski hill all the bus place and speak louder. Let us know if we fail. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. >> It's okay. It's okay. >> Talking to families about the
063concerns with respect to the reason that they maybe um >> you know move at certain times versus others. you know, I don't think there's enough that we can brainstorm. We're trying to figure out what could help um maybe ease that concern. >> Yes. Yep. >> So, back to Okay. So, then um I want to thank the KTA for providing us lunch on our half day. Um they fed us uh that was midFebruary before we had our professional development. Uh very delicious food. So, thank you. Um, and then we've um just got the final updates to our CRG safety maps. Um, so that'll be something that we'll be um updating in our emergency operation plans and then using that to um number all of our doors and our windows for emergency preparedness if there's an event
064and that it's coordinated to the map and they can say, "Okay, room >> room one." And they know where it's at. So that'll be done um as promised for the summer camp for archery. Um Mr. Baralin is going to run those camp um the week right after we get out of school. The only available time. So it's June 15 to June 18 after Miss Miller's craft camp. Um 2:30 to 4:30 and I will put that in the newsletter um for this weekend. >> There's also that free week, right? There is a free week. Um, but Mr. Barllin is not free that week. This is what aligns. >> Yes, this is what aligns to his schedule. So, we will have him do the camping. >> Thank you for updating us and thank you for making the
065adjustment so that it is available for the community for Thank you. >> Yes. >> And then the final update I want to give you is on the sugar shack. Um, so we have um Mr. Fleming requested um pictures and drawings from Miss Winger. They're helping um put this project together. Um that request has then gone off to the Amish committee who is going to do the build. So there's a little bit of a delay on that, but um being that it's time to tap now, um Mr. Fleming is a little bit more relaxed on getting this done quickly and we'll have it up and running, you know, between now and a summer project so that it's set to go for next year so that we're not trying to rush while he's trying to also tap.
066So, he's still doing things just a little bit slower in the background. >> Please keep us updated. >> And are we sure that next year it is prepared and ready to go? >> Yes. >> Asking for donation. We're not yet because we're we're waiting for the drawings, okay, to give to the trust so the trust can approve the space um the location. So, the proposed location is um behind Mexi Field about 500 ft in to the woods. There's like a hill area. It's off um kind of behind the um classroom that he likes to use down in that little area right there. >> It's it's an email that he sent to me. I had had it after this report was done. So I printed the email. Yeah. Yeah. So that's the proposal. Um and as
067soon as we have the drawings that will go to the trust. The trust have already discussed it. So they they know that it's something that we're bringing to them. >> That's part of the questions that they're asking with the Amish builders. Um and then with the trust as well. Those are questions that will come after we get those because insurance we would take the build and send it to insurance and say is this an added piece to our coverage or >> um >> does this require architect? Is it this big how big this thing is? Because the Battle Creek tried to build just a simple shed $20,000. It ended up being like they had to get architect involved and all these plans drawn. So I wasn't sure if it's that type of shack. Okay. >>
068So, we're saying 10. >> Okay. >> Yeah. About 10. >> But in outside of that, just some things to note. Um, as as some people may have noticed there, it takes a little bit more time to get things done. And it's not because anybody's trying to push ideas off or make people wait, but there's a process. Um, and we have the process so that we can ask these questions in advance so that we don't build something and somebody come in and say, "Actually, that's not okay." Um, and so I I do know that it feels slow, but it's because we're doing things the right way, and the right way never moves fast. So when ideas come to us, we'll probably be doing some background information, come to you, get some more information. And so what
069we're seeing with this is typical. You you won't we won't see buildings or sheds or canopies erected in a few weeks. I don't know if that's something that's been done in the past, but >> along this place structure >> the system. Yes. And that's we knew we needed it, but we had to do the right things and make sure we got the best deal for >> um >> Well, and you've also you can fund raise. You've got a little bit extra time so you can fund raise. >> Yep. And figure out in the budget where we want to pull things from. So, yes. So, >> well, please keep coming with ideas, but just try and get a little bit more. >> Yep. Yes. >> Because we have a community that is full of >> full
070of great ideas. Yep. That was all I have. Any questions? >> I am going to, if you don't mind, highlight that March 11th and 12th, is that still s'more sales? >> Oh, yes, it is. Thank you. Yes. >> Yep. That's still on the on the >> right. Just wanted to make sure because I think that there was some hiccups. I think it was too cold. >> It was too cold, so we had to shift it. >> Below me anything? >> I'm not sure. I know. Is there a specific um what what the the >> for the s'mores? >> No. No, because it's the third and the fourth grade >> and health report. >> Yeah. So, I won't um read everything to you um but just want to pull out some highlights. Uh obviously we have
071the cell phone ban um signed. Uh I our community, thank you parents. Uh for students who have phones um that's not something we're challenged with here. We know that there's phones on campus because kids have to reach out to their parents, you know, in the mornings or after school. Um but those wouldn't be permitted in any ways in classrooms and we don't and frankly I don't hear a lot. Um, so our kids and our parents are are doing the responsible thing with those and we appreciate that. Um, that we do have a funding package as Brian alluded to. Um, the governor has released um, some of that information. um with the $250 increase that's not on here because it came out post this, but a $250 increase, like you said, uh some of the weighted
072allowance for funding instead of um by by categoricals. Uh at the $250, you're looking at less than a 3%. So, just so that we acknowledge the attacking of um staff payraises, the 250 is like a 2.8, eight, something like that. Um, so that that's not reaching the inflation costs that schools are are burdened with right in the supply and demand chain. Um, our winter testing, we'll have it for you in a couple weeks because this was our February meeting. Um, we did host uh an event at Topgolf for all of Kingsbury staff and board members and um another another cold night on the books, but they do a fantastic job out there. Um, we had food and beverages and we're really grateful. I know it was a a weekend or a weekday event um but
073excited for the people that could find time to come out. I think there was a lot of great community building and always appreciate opportunities to get to know people outside of the school setting. So, thank you to everybody that came. Um, those are always a joy to be a part of. >> Thank you for hosting and it was really fun. >> It is. It's nice to just nice to connect and I think a lot of us left school um out of the picture and so that was fun to talk personal. Um so we uh have worked with Nikki, the HR team has worked with Nikki on engagement survey results and focuses. So um building cleanliness was something that came up that Nikki um has been working very closely on um with the staff. Uh student
074behavior was another focus area. Um so those are some areas that she has a plan and that she's working on. she connects with Jackson um on the status of any of the work being done within there and then we'll see uh spring staff engagement surveys coming out um in the next month or so. Um we had uh virtual team talks. Oh yeah, sorry. >> For positions. We have fifth grade open right now. >> And then we have a one >> a one to one >> one professional. >> Are you getting any bites? >> Not for fifth grade recently. >> It's a challenging time. A lot of teachers are looking to finish out their year before they look I >> the >> conversations with recruiting for this >> may look like finishing the year with what
075we have but getting somebody in and interviewing right now that may not be able to commit until next year. um but we're looking for right now, but recognizing getting somebody to leave their current teaching position in school is a challenge for most in the profession. Um we continue to do a lot of training with our special ed. So they have a once a month meeting. It's either in person or virtual. Um so showing some tools with them around AI. Um, most importantly, they're doing special ed's doing a lot of trying to customize for the goals that they're trying to reach. So, outside of the curriculum. So, um, some really great tools and creating, you know, given the the goal that they're working on and being able to create a story with some with hockey as
076the, you know, subject area that it's focusing on. And so, um, instead of the teacher having to do that at home, they're able to get creative and produce produce an end product just a little bit, uh, less time invested. Um, we are upping our internet speed and we are transitioning to AT&T. Um, so we got a great deal with them. So, we that will be being installed in the coming months. Uh, and we should hopefully see some some better speeds as we look to add additional technology and replace some that's been here for quite some time. Um, it's really important that you're staying up to date with your current speeds um because they drain quickly um the more devices that you attach. So um just the update there. Um, any questions for me about my
077the report or anything else? >> Thank you. >> I'm sure every school has its own Wi-Fi contract, but is there leverage across choice schools that you could go to a carrier and say we have this many campuses? It's actually leveraged through um and so they put it out to bid and then all these companies and many of them are very familiar with working for schools and so you'll see them come in especially at the renewal. So -ate works on a five-year cycle. Uh and so they know getting in good in the first year. Um so they've got that booked. And then each year you look at it and you may update your bandwidth, you know, as as you progress, but we haven't changed internet. I don't even I don't know when you changed internet last
078or even reviewed it to see. Um so being in a new cycle allowed us to >> What are your other schools using? Are they also using AT&T? they come in. >> Down river is all liquidity Comcast. Um, Battle Creek's got metronet. They're out much out that way. Um, so >> we run. It's just about what's accessible. >> Yeah. >> But they came in with a really great rate. But AT&T is not unfamiliar to >> is there >> spectrum. >> So they put the bid out and everybody who's interested comes in. >> That's great. >> They don't go out asking people to. >> That being said, let us know if you experience anything next year. Is there anybody who would request a close session at this? Okay. At this time, I will open the floor to
079extended public comment. Here has heard my long spiel before. So, I would just ask that you be respectful and responsible in anything you may have to say. And please identify yourself before you speak. At this time, anybody like to say anything? Do you have anything to say, young sir? No. Okay. Do we have a date? Maybe for Bear. >> Thank you. >> I saw an email. I just want to make sure we people had it in advance. So, >> thank you. >> All right. Any additional public comments? families, if you can help with the fair, I'm sure information will be coming forward on how to help with that. All right, very cool. So, please pay attention to the school for helping make the fair a success. In fact, the next regular board meeting is going
080to be 6 p.m. March 16th. So, in just 12 short days, we'll see each other all again. Um, please, if you have an issue with that date or you can't make it, please reach out to Alli, myself, or Shashara. um that we can make any adjustment that is necessary. With that uh if anybody has or there's nothing else, I will ask their entertaining motion to adjurnn. Moved. Dora moves to adjourn. Is there a second? Madam second. Any further discussion? All those in favor of adjourning, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposition, please say nay. Hearing no opposition, we are adjourned at cell 712. Excuse me. Have a good evening everybody. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay.