FHSD Board of Education Meeting-December 11, 2025

001start welcome. So, good evening everyone. We want to thank you for attending. Uh this year we have had our pledge of allegiance led by elementary school students and our pledge leaders for tonight are from Harvest Ridge Elementary. I'd like to welcome um Mila or Mila uh London Railen Malachi, Natalie Bryce and Kinsley to come forward and they will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. [applause] Will you all please rise? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [applause] Thank you. Great job. Thank you. >> I thought something was missing to the pledge of allegiance. I turned around, I knew what it was. She came and join us. The last part was

002absolutely the best. So, thank you all for joining us. Um, we have a moment to have a superintendent welcome. We've had a lot of uh great things happening in the life of this district over the last few months. And in my opinion, one of the absolute best things that's been happening has been watching Mark Delaney um serve as our interim superintendent. Uh he has functioned in a way that has added just a level of calm to uh a boat that sometimes has some rocky seas uh over here in Frances how uh we voted unanimously um to offer Mark the position um to take away the interim title and for having him to function as our superintendent. Uh you saw some of the press releases, but uh one of the things we shared is that Mark

003had two decades of service to Francis Howell. He's an experienced leader. He's respected by parents, community leaders, and staff throughout the district. He is the right person to lead us into the next chapter and deliver on our goals in our strategic plan. Um sometimes social media can have people who are like pro and against. I don't know if you guys ever realized that, but uh all these announcements of Mark Delaney will be our superintendent. It was just person after person from a different angle of Mark's life, different part of his uh tenure here who have said what a great hire. And I just want to say thank you to Mark Delaney um for stepping up to the plate when you were asked to serve. Uh we appre appreciate the way that you have uh exhibited

004some calm confidence, strategic thinking and anability to get things done. And we are so thankful to be able to extend to you the contract as the superintendent of the Francis South School District. And we would like to all applaud and take a picture with you. [applause] If you want to take a photo, put a tear in my eye. Don't do that. [laughter] >> I cut it short, too. >> Here. You want You're in the front and then >> Don't worry. We'll stand on our [laughter] >> You made me the happiest guy. >> One, two, three. One, two, three. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm just a president standing from a superintendent. [laughter] >> Will you be our super? >> Oh, no. [laughter] That would be great. Do you need to speak? >> And thank

005you very much, Mark. Uh we look forward to your superintendent comments near the end. And so board, we have a motion to approve the agenda for December 11th, 2025 as presented. Second, >> Director Brousard, Director Ponder. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any post say no. >> Motion passes. Uh next we have a strategic actually before we do the strategic plan update we've been seeing this on a regular basis and just as a way for the board to continue to own this ourselves uh we're going to share our vision again for 2030 and invite uh director Oli to say the first one by the year 2030 the France school district will be >> recognized as one of the top five% high school high performing districts in the Okay. >> The employer of

006choice for talented educators, leaders, and staff. >> Fiscally sound with a track record of smart, long-term planning. >> Known for graduating well-rounded students who are equipped with the skills and experiences they need to be successful in the world. celebrated for the work we've done on culture, morals, and ensuring all members of our community feel safe and welcome. >> Trusted by families and the community to make good decisions and do what is best for students. We just approved a strategic I'm exced agenda that helps us follow our strategic plans. And now I'd like to invite uh Miss Joles to come forward and share our spotlight. Thank you, President B Blair. Um, very brief strategic plan spotlight uh this evening and then we'll have that bigger presentation for you in January where we do have each pillar

007leader come forward and share the progress that's happened on the plan over the the last quarter. So really tonight, we just want to call your attention to the board docs agenda, which you can see up here. And if Miss Heepler wants to scroll down just a little bit, you'll see some new parenthetical statements after each agenda item that just shows which pillar the item is aligned to. And that really serves two purposes. It's a small detail, but it helps our leaders think about how their work aligns with the strategic plan, and it also helps educate and reinforce our priorities with the broader Francis How community. And as a reminder, you can find the full strategic plan and what those pillars are and all the strategies on the district website on the about section. And if

008it's okay with you, I'll just roll right into special recognitions. So tonight, we are excited to have in our presence this evening the Missouri Class 5 State cheerleading champions, our very own Francis Howell Viking cheerleaders. And um yes, [applause] so for the first time in school history and after multiple final four appearances, Francis Howell Varsity Cheer clenched the state championship trophy. The competition was held November 1st at Missou. And hopefully you had a chance to stop by the reception area earlier tonight to see the trophy and congratulate the team. We believe this is only the second time in district history that a cheer team has achieved a state title. Francis House Central earned the honor in 2016. And I'm going to turn it over to Howell High Activities Director, Dr. Jake Adams. [applause] Try to

009knock this over, I guess. Um, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, the board. Thanks for having me here tonight. Um, as Miss Joel said, I'm the activities director at Francis How High School, and it is my pleasure this evening to be here to introduce our 2025 state champion Francis How cheerleading team. One more round of applause. [applause] Uh, if you haven't had the the privilege of going to to a state championship cheer event, you really got to do it. It's incredibly intense. It requires a nearly flawless performance to get the job done and win a state championship. and this group of incredibly hardworking and talented athletes did just that. Um, our faculty and staff couldn't be more proud of them. And at this point, I'll turn it over to head coach Alex Bonner. [applause] >> Um,

010first and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for um inviting us out here today and taking time out of your meeting um for our team to be recognized. Um, we are truly honored to be here. Uh, my name is Coach Alex Bonner. I'm the head coach of the Francis Hell High School cheerleading program. As a Francis Hal graduate and former cheerleader myself, this program has held a special place in my heart for many years now. Um, and I can say with full sincerity, there has never been a moment that has made me prouder than standing here today celebrating our first ever state championship. Um, these athletes behind me are not just the loudest voices on the sidelines. They show up everywhere. Um, every football game, every basketball game, every girls

011basketball game, um, community appearances, they they truly lift and support our entire school community. But beyond that, they have their own dreams and their own goals. Um, and an intense competitive season that demands a lot, if not everything that they have. Their excellence doesn't end on the mat. This team thrives in the classroom, too. Um, maintaining an impressive GPA, average GPA of 3.5. Um, on top of three or four practices a week, games, social lives, other activities, homework, um, all of the above. They balance all of this while performing at a high academic level. and their dedication to being well-rounded student athletes is something that all of our coaches are very proud of. For anyone who may not be familiar um with the sport of cheerleading, I'm just going to paint a quick picture. It's

012subjective. It can be frustrating. Um and sometimes it does feel a little unfair. We spend hundreds of hours practicing, reviewing film, conditioning, and perfecting details. All for the opportunity to perform a 2 minute and 30 second routine just one single time. Yet, year after year, these athletes choose to rise to the challenge and come back. And every May to November, we will sit and we will drill the same routine over and over and over again. Because like Dr. Adam said, "In this sport, to win it, you have to be near perfect." Um, in my 5 years as a head coach of this program, I have seen these kids make history over and over again. Um, 2022, we got our first ever top four finish. 23 and 24, our first ever back-to-back state runner-up finishes. Um

013and now in 25 we received our first first place regional um title and now our first ever state championship. A climb that took discipline, heart and commitment. Um none of this would be possible without the support of our activities department and Dr. Adam Dr. Adams. Um, in a sport that's not always cheered on ourselves, we get a ton of support from the Francis How High School Activities Office and District. Um, along with that, I have to give a huge shout out to our boosters and parent involvement. They are absolutely unmatched. Um, and then of course our incredible coaching staff that we have in the room, Alyssa O'Brien, Abby Daniels, and Sydney Callahan. They all bring something unique to the program. Um, thank you from me for pouring your entire hearts into these athletes. We are

014absolutely crazy about them and obsessed with what we do. Um, so they really are a coaching dream team and have officially raised the bar. From I'm almost done. I promise. [laughter] I just have to do it justice. From the very first practice, this team chose to fight for one another. They pushed through late nights, injuries, setbacks, and every time that I asked them to do it just one more time. They never back down. This championship is not just a trophy. It's a testament to their grit, their trust, and a bond within a team that cannot be broken. To our team and our coaches, you didn't just win a state championship. You made history. The first ever in our school. The first ever in our school's story. You set a new standard for what it means

015to compete, to lead, and to love something enough to give it everything you have. I am endlessly proud to be your coach, and I know I speak for all of the coaches. We are endlessly proud of how you show up for one another and for yourselves. This moment belongs to each and every one of you, and I hope it's one you carry with you for the rest of your lives. And finally, before we come up here, um we're going to show a quick video of the routine. Um it's a beautiful routine and it's the highest scoring routine Francis How has ever put on the mat. Um and our first routine to ever win us a state title. Something you should be very proud of. [cheering] >> [cheering] >> Vikings, let's go. We R I N

016G S Vikings, LET'S ROLL. B I K I N [cheering] G S blue >> golding. Let's roll. B I K I N G Sing. Let's roll. >> Gold biking. Let's roll. Gold biking. Let's roll. >> Clear. They got to the radio. But when you wake up, no reality with the greatestbody. Anybody can get it. going We were going to sing it down. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. >> [applause] [applause] >> That's the best video we have. Thank you. Um, [laughter] and now it's my pleasure to bring up um our coaches and our our varsity team here who won the state championship. We're missing quite a few due to sickness and other activities and things they're involved in. Um but yeah, I would love to um bring you guys up and we'll get a picture. [applause]

017Congratulations on being the >> best. Do you want us to scoot back? >> Uh, yeah. Actually, let's do that. [laughter] >> All right. I know. [laughter] Got short people back here. >> Okay. One, two, three. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. [applause] Thank you. >> Great. Next, we are excited to introduce our student board representative for December. And as you know by now, the purpose of the student board rep program is to honor and recognize talented students, elevate student voice, and provide growth opportunities in the areas of public speaking, leadership, and governance. Students are selected for this honor by their principal with input from the student body. They have an opportunity to prepare and deliver a short speech to the board and the public that is focused on their school or the district. And

018with that, I'll invite Dr. Rob Goff to the podium to introduce our student board rep from Francis House Central. Good evening everyone. It's my pleasure to introduce Drew Duncan as our representative for the board from France South Central. Drew is a junior at French South Central. He previously attended Cosley and Brian. Uh he's represented the Francis South School District in Missouri youth government Moyak since 8th grade as a legislator, writer, debater, and voting on bills. In his sophomore year, he served as House of Representatives clerk. In this year's conference, he authored a bill addressing consequences of drunk driving inspired by an incident in August where two of his close friends were struck and by a repeat DUI offender and severely injured. Uh his bill was passed by both houses and signed by the presiding uh

019governor of youth and government. Additionally, he ran a campaign for governor and was elected to preside over the 2026 conference alongside other officers from Francis Hall School District. Uh this is the first time in the history of the conference that a representative from France South Central uh delegation will be the presiding officer. So Drew ultimately is going to be the governor this year uh coming year for youth and government. Uh he he wanted to thank Mr. Pearson, Mr. Van Horn, Miss Jant, and Miss Resnik for giving him the opportunities to learn what it took to get to that point in youth and government. Uh Drew also competes in track and field. He throws the javelin, is in the top 10 leaderboard at Francis Central for the javelin. Outside of school, Drew is a competitive mountain

020biker. Uh he participates in the National Intercolastic Cycling Association. There's over 600 high schools that participate in that. He and uh some of his teammates from the France High School in France North would love to expand this at some point uh to have a school team representing the France School District. Uh Drew was considering all of his options after high school, uh including the National Park Service, maybe a firefighter. I can really see him in government service. So, it's my pleasure to introduce Drew. [applause] >> I'm going to be 100% honest. You hit most of the points that talk [laughter] about. Um, good evening. My name is Drew Dunan. You know that, uh, I'm a junior at Central. Uh, I've been a student in this district for 12 years now, uh, ever since kindergarten. Um,

021I'd like to thank the school board for having me here tonight. And I'd like to thank Dr. Goff for, uh, choosing me to represent our school. Um, I'm very honored to be here and representing my school. And, uh, yeah, I really appreciate it. So, thank you. >> Oh, and uh, thank you to my parents. Um, [laughter] and uh, congratulations to our new superintendent. Um but yeah, [applause] and director will kind of get you squared away up up where you need it. windows. >> We're the short ones [laughter] with you. >> Yes. Just a little bit ang. >> All right. One, two, three. One, two, three. Thank you. >> All right. Welcome to just nice to meet you, kid. >> All right, Drew, welcome. And we're super glad to have you here with us tonight as

022our student guest member on the board of education. Please feel free to ask questions. You have a microphone to your left and you have an iPad that will load the agenda. I'll help you with that in just a second. Um, and if you have any questions, just ask. You're not allowed to vote yet. Okay. Okay. Um, but your input is super valuable and we'll do our best to help you navigate. Okay. Thank you. >> And again, welcome. We are moving towards the patron comments part of our meeting tonight. Uh I want to remind everybody uh that during patron comments residents of this district and staff members are invited to address the board of education on issues related to the school district. Speakers are called forward in the order to sign up and each speaker has

023three minutes to make the remarks. Please remember that only one speaker is allowed at the podium at a time and combining time or giving your time to someone else is not permitted. The board appreciates that you have taken the time to come this evening and we value both your input and your perspective. I would like to remind everyone that we expect that speakers will remain civil and respectful when giving remarks. If anyone fails to comply with board policies, regulations, and rules, we reserve the right to cut those three minutes short. We also ask the patrons in the audience remain quiet in order to be respectful of the speakers allotted time. And our first speaker tonight is Harry Harris. Welcome you to come forward. [clears throat] >> All right. Thank you. Uh, and good evening board.

024[clears throat and cough] I'd like to first say uh congratulations to Mr. Delaney in accepting the position as superintendent. Um, not to be too nerdy, but I'm happy you get to be our Optimus Prime, which is a transformer reference. Uh, if you didn't know, cuz there's a whole lot of Decepticons out there, and uh, we really need good leadership. So, congratulations and thank you. Um, but that brings me to my point for being here tonight. Few short weeks ago, I sat in the back of the room after not being to meetings for a bit. It was great to hear all the updates about the district, and it it always is. Uh but we got to a point the evening that in some ways I still find unbelievable that it happened. While sitting back there, I

025suddenly heard uh Director Pushcar utter the slur for black people that many will refer to as the n-word. I'd like to say it took me by surprise, but it didn't. This board member has consistently shown a pattern that would lead to this. taking part in removing the anti-discrimination and racism resolution and going after students who protested said removal and ultimately deciding to put that word into a video into the uh annals of FHSD history. Oddly enough, doing this knowing that we are mere months removed from a janitor scribbling those words on a bathroom wall and sending some in our district district into a state of panic. And let me take a moment to acknowledge that the word was in a book that apparently is available somewhere in our district. It's The Glass Castle by Janette

026Walls. It's a great book. I read it years ago myself. It's a semi biographical story of the author growing up dirt poor in West Virginia. She recalls an uncle using the slur and talking about it. Now, you may wonder why it's okay in the book, but maybe a problem when announced from the deas. [snorts] Well, one way is an attempt to recall the history of an era that is thankfully gone by. And the other is a publicity stunt meant to get a rise from people. An irresponsible use treading on the bigoted history of our country just to score points. A use that should be condemned and not sanctioned. And to choose to make that statement out loud shows a severe lack of decorum and frankly common sense. History should not be hidden in some closet.

027We need to tell our kids and our kids' kids that people used slurs like that, that they used blackface, they lynched all in order to control and intimidate those who didn't look like them. We do that through education and not gross pandering moments in a board meeting. It does remind me though that soon students will sign up for next year's classes and I encourage all of our high schoolers to look into our black history and literature classes that we have here in our district. and maybe we can save a few seats for some board members. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Up next is Carrie Zoski. >> Hello. Um good evening. Um merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy um socks and crocs day at my school. Um at last month's meeting, I was shocked to hear

028director Pushkar read a message read a passage from the book The Glass Castle containing the n-word. When asked to provide the page number so the public could read it for themselves, Director Pushkar said she didn't have them. Then she continued and read the full N-word several times, a word I've known better than to say, sing, or read aloud since I was a child. I have discussed this word's complex history with my kids, and how highly offensive and harmful it is, especially when said by a non-black person. Yet, Director Pushkar read this word aloud without sharing any context of the memoir itself. Why? sensationalism, feigned outrage, not caring that it could be hurtful to black families in Francis. How I certainly do not control condone using this word in any context. But after the meeting, I

029wondered how the word was used in the story. So, I checked out the book on Libby and I read it. There's not enough time to describe the whole plot, and Harry just did, too. But it's a memory of the author's childhood, which was tough. Her family moved around often, bouncing from state to state, often to escape legal legal matters. My teacher lens immediately noticed that her whole family had brilliant minds. The parents and the kids were very gifted although not identified. Uh but the parents were ne neglectful and their dad was an alcoholic who was very angry and destructive and the kids often had to fend for themselves in unsafe situations. Despite a dysfunctional childhood, three of the four children were resilient and used their talents to leave West Virginia and move to New York

030finding success. So how is the nword used in the glass castle? About halfway through the memoir, the word is used several times, not by Janette, the author, but by two of her relatives, her creepy uncle and her mean grandmother. The book is set in the 1960s, and Janette befriends her former bully, who's a black girl. Janette asks asks her uncle for a ride to her friend's house, and the uncle uses the n-word as a slur towards her friend. Then, Janette's grandmother uses it several more times again to describe the friend. Here, Janette stands up to her grandmother, yelling at her, emphasizing that her parents have told her never to use the N-word and to treat everyone equally. It's absolutely clear in this book that using the N-word is wrong. Context matters, and that's what director

031Pushkar failed to mention. Literature serves as both a window, a mir mirror and a window. Students experiencing hardship and trauma might relate to Janette, a mirror, but others without childhood trauma might read the awful situations and experience empathy. a window. Is my opinion about the book and its use of the n-word the only one or the right one? Might I change my thoughts based on the perspectives of others? Maybe. Absolutely. Policy 6241 outlines the challenged materials procedures outline allowing for conversation about books and giving people from different backgrounds a chance to share their interpretations. The critical analysis piece through listening. My viewpoints could be challenged or reinforced. When we stop stoking division in our community, we can open our hearts and minds. I urge everyone to read the books, listen to other people's lived experiences,

032and approach things you don't understand with curiosity and empathy. Let's focus on things that matter and directly provide support to students without causing harm. [applause] >> Thank you. Up next is Jamie Martin. >> Hello. I'm holding a book called The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. the favorite in our family and there is some content that you might find inappropriate. The herd and children smoke and swear and steal from other kids and even beat them up. But every year this book makes me cry because in the end it's the herdman's who have nothing who give up their Christmas ham for a bit for an idea bigger than themselves and remind an entire community what actually makes their holiday season sacred. I'm also holding a list from 2021 that only I would keep. Uh, one shared by a

033parent at a board meeting. I saved it because I was surprised to see some of the books had no graphic content at all. Uh, this one was about Greta Thornberg. And now we have a new list of 100 challenged titles in our district, including two Tony Morrison titles and Judy Bloom's Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret. While we can all agree that graphic content can be damaging when children are exposed too early or without context, these lists often come from political organizations like Moms for Liberty or Turning Point USA, whose main concern isn't appropriate content, but ideas that make some adults uncomfortable. Now, when it comes to education over protecting children from ideas can backfire because it denies them perspective and critical thinking opportunities. Last month, director Pushkar demonstrated exactly how book challenges go

034too far when she read the n-word aloud in our board meeting. In historical context, this word represents some of the worst acts humans are capable of. So, when students read historical fiction in the classroom, educators like myself handle this language with much care and explain that the n-word is a still a powerful and dangerous word and that teachers will not read it aloud in class. But, Director Pushkar, you offered neither context nor care. Instead, you flung sexual violence and racial slurs for shock value, even after being cautioned. Our community froze. No one called point of order or made clear that your demonstration was not welcome. But silence is hurtful. So, I'll say now what should have been said that night. Shame on you. >> If an adult in your position does not know, >> pause

035the pause the time. Um, I understand we are elected officials. They can share their opinions about us. >> How is this civil and respectful? Again, >> I I have ruled that this has allowed for somebody to criticize what we do as a member of the court. >> All seven of us you can criticize. >> Thank you. Again, shame on you. If an adult in your position doesn't know better, it is because you refuse to know better. And Francis Hal is not a place where you can hurl this language without consequence. Board, this is not the first time Director Pushkar has behaved egregiously. She's violated the privacy of students with disabilities, harassed staff, sent unauthorized funds, and threatened students. Pause again. That that is an untrue statement and not allowable under free speech. >> It it

036is a reference to a past board meeting and that this person has an ability to continue her speech. You have free speech to share your perspective. >> Lawyers come and talk about >> Thank you. past board meetings and radio shows. So careful there. Her disregard for the safety and dignity of our community has become more dangerous than the content of any book. I ask that you formally strip her of her community duties and make it obvious, send the message that Francis Hal will not tolerate this behavior from any student, staff, or leader. Thank you. [applause] >> Up next is Grayson Joseph. [applause] >> Good evening. Um happy holidays. Uh I got a few things to say, so here they are. Um, first I support um policy 340 because if people who worked here, whether it's

037a teacher, a staff member, and yes, a board member say negative and hurtful things about our district staff, teachers, students, and especially our librarians. They need to suffer the consequences of their actions. Whether it's on social media, interviews and podcasts or radio stations, people can't just come to work and then love coming to work and saying negative things after their shift is done. For many years, I've seen couple of board members past and present during the the even at the last board member uh board meeting when a racial slur was said by a non-black person was spoken. I feel that if people don't like working the job or a district, then it's their choice to leave. But if this person continues working here and then say negative things about their work and not getting away

038with it, then that's a problem. Vote yes on policy 340. As for the book fiasco, I find it laughable that a board member thinks that real life issues of in parts of a book should be banned in high school level libraries when real life issues are already happening all around us, whether it's on TV, movies, news, and yes, social media. Banning books, or this board member called them, censoring won't help their cause. I trust the system with challenging books, even though some some don't like that system that's in place. Fun fact, there is a memorial in Berlin, Germany, where you look at a square glass on the ground, and you'll see a white room with empty shelves that can fit 20,000 books. That memorial was when the Nazis burned those books of knowledge for the

039people of Germany to read, but will never do to a person or a group's ignorance of different views and knowledge of real world issues. Third, there's been a book that's been questioned viral. The fight against AIDS in America should uh shouldn't be banned because the book is part of our US history and it should belong both middle and high school level since the book's target audience is young age ages 12 plus. If this book gets banned, what's next? A book of uh the book of history of COVID. Stop erasing American history by cherry-picking the books you dislike. Students in middle school and high school level need to learn the full history of America instead of a cherrypicked version of which a certain race, religion, and sexual orientation want to have it their way. Plus, diseases

040like AIDS are already talked about in health and sexed classes, both levels and grades when I was a student. Why ban a book like this? Because it started in the gay community and African women in Africa. And the only way to get AIDS is either by transferring blood in surgery or sexual intercourse. Protect books like viral. I hope every teacher, staff, student, and board member have a safe winter break. And I hope everyone have a happy holidays and a great and a fabulous new year. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Uh up next is Christine Mclofflin. >> Good evening. Congratulations, Sir Delaney. So happy you're here. Um, I want to speak about something that happened in a recent board meeting. Something that has continued to weigh on many in our community. During the meeting, while

041reading from the glass castle, a board member came across the n-word. She paused. She hesitated. And then she said it out loud. That moment matters. Because even with the hesitation, the choice was still made. This occurred in a public setting with black community community members present and the recording now lives on YouTube where any child of any age can access it without warning or context. And regardless of intent, the impact was real. Let me be clear, The Glass Castle is not the problem. It is a meaningful and educational book for high school students, one that helps us understand a time in American history when dehumanizing language was normalized. The issue is not the literature. It is the decision to vocalize a word that has been used for centuries to harm, degrade, and terrorize black people.

042Educators everywhere understand this distinction. Many choose not to say the word aloud, even when reading directly from text, because they know it carries trauma. They know it can alienate students and silence voices. They know that once spoken, the harm cannot be undone. When the word was spoken in this room, despite the hesitation, it still caused harm. It still reopened wounds. It still made people of color feel unsafe and unseen in a space that should honor their dignity. As board members, leaders who set the tone and expectations for our district, you hold a responsibility to model cultural awareness, respect, and care when dealing with sensitive material. So tonight, I'm asking for action. I'm in agreement with Jamie and two believe this board member should be stripped of her committee committee roles and censured. I'm also asking

043for training that helps board members understand the weight of their words. And I'm asking for the official meeting video to include a content warning so families can make informed choices for before viewing. This is not about punishment. This is about accountability, healing, and doing better going forward. Choosing not to say that word is not censorship. It's dignity. It's empathy. And it's the kind of leadership our students and our community deserve. Thank you. [applause] >> Up next is Marissa Pollson. >> [applause] >> Hello. Happy holidays. Congratulations and lucky to us. Thank you so much. We're very excited to have you, Drew. I'm so excited to see you here. I've known Andrew when he was Andrew. He grew up a street over. This is awesome, buddy. It's so cool to see you doing the Web Obviously, I

044have the stuff, too. Um, but I'm Marissa Posian. I'm a parent of three in the district. I've been a resident for 17 years. Um, I agree with what other patrons have said tonight. I'm here to speak specifically about Director Pushkar's egregious use of the N-word last week. She chose to read that passage from a book she did not have in front of her and could not site the pages the page numbers for. That leads me to believe that she has not actually read the book, that the excerpt was probably handed to her without any verification or context. After lengthy debate over whether she should be allowed to read it, she moved forward without providing any context. She said the n-word out loud. I have sat in this room many times while black community members and

045students have stood here courageously and pleaded with Miss Pushkar to not rescend a resolution against racism and discrimination. They shared deeply personal stories about about how harmful that word is specifically to them and their children. Despite hearing those testimonies firsthand, she still chose to say that out loud. I've also sat here as black parents and students explain how vital it is for all students to learn black history and literature. They have repeatedly told us how representation in curriculum books and classroom discussions impacts their sense of belonging and safety. And again, despite having heard all of that as we all sat here for the past few years, she chose to say the nword out loud. For years, Mrs. Pushkar and her supporters have raised objections to numerous books and time after time they pull out single

046sentences or isolated passages and label them offensive while insisting that the larger context does not matter. But as we've heard tonight, context absolutely matters. It always matters. It matters in literature. It matters in education and it matters in leadership. So I'd like to offer a thought experiment. So imagine how unfair and it would be wildly unfair if someone took a short clip of what was said just with that sentence or just that word and used it against you in the campaign c the campaign trail. Imagine someone circulating a video of you saying that word. Would context matter? That's exactly what's happening here with these books. Context is being discarded when it's convenient, but suddenly it might become essential if it's about an adult. Director Pushkar believes a single out of context sentence is enough to

047condemn an award-winning book. I disagree. Patrons disagree. Context is important. And I will echo Jamie. I believe that director Pushkar should be centered and removed from her committee roles. So I thank you everyone. Have a great holiday. [applause] >> Up next is Amy Gueon. Excuse me. Amy Easter is first. I got to put my glasses on. It sucks to be old. Um, hi. My name is Amy Easterling. I have lived in the Francis Hal district for over 20 years and proudly graduated two kiddos. One from Francis Hal Central and one from Francis Hal North. Tonight, I'd like to talk to you about leadership and what I expect from those elected to serve our community. Director Pushkar, in my opinion, you have continued to let us down by confusing political theater with the responsibility of leadership.

048Interestingly, you may disagree with this, but you and I share a Christian faith. So, I'd actually like to read two short scriptures that guide my own leadership, if you'll indulge me. Philippians 2:es 3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interest of others." And James 3 16-17 reminds us, and this is one of my favorites, for where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder in every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peaceloving, considerate, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. In my own professional life, I've found that humility and sincerity inspire teams to follow. And as board of education directors, your team is

049our teachers, our staff, our students, our parents, and our community. And I will acknowledge that's a heavy responsibility. And you you're never going to be able to please everyone. But at the very least, the bottom, you need to at least avoid actively harming those you serve. Jane, you have failed. When you speak about vulnerable children on the radio, you fail. When you spend unauthorized funds for politically motivated consultants, >> you fail. >> Oh, wait. >> That's not a fact. >> There there is a backstory to that. And without getting into the he says feel free during your board comments to correct if you want to correct it. >> And when you turn public comments into theater, you fail. And when you use racial slurs for shock value, you fail big time. Leadership requires humility, accountability,

050and respect. Jane Pushkar, your actions show either a lack of understanding or a disregard for that responsibility. I'd like to join some of my fellow patrons in saying that I urge the rest of the board to censure Director Pushkar and remove her from her responsibilities. Thank you. [applause] Up next is Amy Dion. She is not here. Up next is Grant Killian. >> Good evening, board. It's good to be back. It's nice to see everybody. I know I've not been around lately. Uh college has kept me pretty busy, but the proposal for tonight, the 0340 proposal, did catch my attention. I'd like to just give a few things for the board to consider guided by the discussion at the first reading. I have a lot to say, so I'm going to talk like a burning house.

051First off, a question was raised about definitions. There was a lot of discussion about some of the words and how they may be ambiguous. Certainly, some more or less than others. As director pointed out, inaccurate isn't super ambiguous, but other words like rude or belittling can mean drastically different things to different people. Sure, there's a lot more agreement than disagreement on those terms in our society. But the edge cases are what's going to matter here because keep in mind, if it's being brought in this process, then that means at least one member of the board did think it was okay. You know, I think there's going to be some discussion tonight about what these terms mean. Some examples might be hypothetical, others not so much. I think it'll be clear that there is significant ambiguity

052and disagreement. That being said, director Elki, you also said that if there is a question about the definition, then the board can come together to have that discussion. That could be trouble. You know, the definitions of words in a rule are as much a part of the rule as the words themselves. So, if the board were to meet post hawk to decide the definition of a word, and if certain conduct qualified, then the board would basically be making an expostfactal rule, making a rule, then applying it retroactively. And that's unfair because not only does it mean nobody knows really what the rule is, but it puts an immense chilling effect on everything a board member might say. Director Oeli, you also talked about model behaviors and core values, how they could guide those definitions. The

053issue is that's not in the proposal. So while that might be the intention now, that might not be clear 10, 15 years in the future. As Director Owens said, this is for future board members as well. Director Owens, you also mentioned guiding those definitions is anything detrimental to the district. Well, the voters elect you guys based on what they believe and what you campaign on being beneficial or detrimental to the district. And we see disagreement on that all the time. So that would be a very broad standard. And again, circling back to director's suggestion that's not written in the policy. Director Harmon, you raised two concerns that tie into each other. One, that this might be in response to specific occurrences and two that this might subject the board to group think. Regardless of if

054this is the result of a specific occurrence, something to think about is that when board members campaign on doing and saying certain things and then when they are elected proceed to do and say those things, they are reflecting the will of the voters. So while a board member might disagree with those things, the proper course of action would be the campaign process and voting in an election. All board members are required to be residents of the district. So you all have a vote in schoolboard elections, these issues can continue to be decided at schoolboard elections rather than board meetings. Director Ponder, you talked about maybe requiring a supermajority vote. The issue with that is the state statute specifically gives the power of the board to a majority of the board. That's 1.050 RISMO. So with

055this, if you require a greater threshold, you're unlawfully binding the hands of a future board. So that's all I have. Super appreciative of the work you guys do for the district. Super appreciative of the Francis High education I got. When I showed up for my first day at the University of Tennessee, they said, "Oh, you're our guy from uh Francis How, right?" They were really excited about that. I think it's a testament to the great things that happened in the district. Uh especially the great stuff that I got at my high school. So, thank you everybody. >> Thank you. And our last speaker is Jared Pillsbury. So, give me a second here. [clears throat] Good evening, board. So, I'll start with just a comment. Um, Director Pushkar, whether you know it or not, you've been

056given a gift tonight, that of feedback. And now that you know better, I think I speak for the majority of my community in saying do better. Now to my comments. It's that time of the year when announcements are made and we learn who's throwing their name in the hat for FHSD Board of Education. Once again, for the uninitiate for the uninitiated, please allow me to take you through it. We have sitting board member Jane Pushkar. If you'll recall, Director Pushkar has made quite a name for herself these past three years, going after patrons and students, going so far as to call for an investigation of a 15-year-old and to call a parents workplace, threatening law, threat, >> reclaiming my time. >> Pause the I will recognize that you have mentioned that you have a a

057different opinion on that matter. Thank you for sharing that. Continue on with your >> Thank you, President Blair. going so far as to call for an investigation of a 15-year-old and to call a parents workplace, threatening lawsuits against those who would disagree with her, blocking patrons from communications, and most recently reading a racist slur into the board meeting minutes. We have Lauren Greenwood, aka school watch list, aka Amber June, online, who has waged a onewoman hate campaign toward teachers and counselors in the district over optional reading assignments and use of pronouns in an email signature. Mrs. Greenwood has gone so far as to dox a teacher online and spends much of her time going on extreme talk radio blasting our educators calling for book bands in our schools. It seems Mrs. Greenwood would like to

058make the choice for everyone what is or isn't appropriate for your children to read. And finally, we have David Jorski who took to the podium to express his deep concern over bathroom policy. Bookbands and bathroom bills. That's what we have to look forward to, folks. At no time have any of these candidates indicated any focus on robust funding for our districts, making sure we attract and retain top teaching talent, or improving district morale for our educators. And if I'm being honest, there's kind of an anti-teer [clears throat] leaning there in my personal opinion. We can have that or we can have serious, well-qualified people. I'd encourage you to vote for Jason Adams, Sarah Dillard, and Kevin Maguire. three candidates with deep ties to the district, considerable experience, and all who want students to continue to

059have the opportunities they or their children have experienced. April is coming. And if you get to and you get to decide the kind of district you want for Francis Howell, one all about book bands, kitty litter, bathroom ridiculous hysteria and bullying, or a destination district where people serious about education go to learn, teach, and be part of a community that strives to do better for everyone. The choice is yours. THANK YOU. [applause] UP NEXT is uh FHEA. >> Good evening. My name is Francine Hill and I am the president of FHA. We want to congratulate Superintendent Delaney on his appointment to the position of superintendent. FHA looks forward to having a collaborative working relationship during his time in this new position. We also want to congratulate all the new and renewing national board certified teachers

060in our district. This is no small accomplishment and requires much time and [clears throat] expense to obtain the certification. FHEA wants to thank everyone that is interested in running for school board. We know this position requires a great deal of time and energy. We look forward to talking to any of the candidates that wish to speak with FHA. Francis Hell is very lucky to have wonderful parents and great PTOs. We know what a busy time of year this is for everyone and the appreciate the appreciation shown by our PTOs has been wonderful. FHEA was impressed with how the staff, parents, and community pulled together to make sure all our students made it home safely during our last snowstorm. It was a great example of teamwork. Thank you to the staff that stayed to make sure

061our students were taken care of and all the parents that brave the weather to pick their children up early. Their patience was appreciated as we work to dismiss students safely. FHA hopes everyone's celebrations over these winter holidays are fun and relaxing. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Uh up next is Peace. I'm not switching. >> Thank you, President Blair. Good evening. Well, I lost the bet last month and so now I'm here reading the speech as the Facebook vice president of interpreters. My name is Tracy Edelin and I've been an educational interpreter for 31 years, a mom for 27 years to two amazing Francis Hall North graduates, a licensed and certified ASL interpreter for Francis Hall School District for 18 years now. [snorts] They said to introduce myself. Uh we are thrilled to congratulate Mr.

062Mark Delaney on his his appointment as superintendent through the 2028 school year. In his previous role as director of HR, Mr. Delaney worked closely with FISPA to recruit and retain our valued support staff. We look forward to continuing this important partnership until under his leadership. And now we're going to switch to something completely different. We understand that the odor has returned at FHN. We hope that the district is actively monitoring this situation and will continue working with district staff to address this concern. On December 1st, the St. Louis area experienced a sudden midday snowstorm, making travel hazardous. Staff across the district acted quickly to ensure students got home safely. We sincerely thank the entire Francis How community for your dedication and teamwork during this challenging weather event. I am a fan of snow days. A

063special thanks to our maintenance grounds and custodial teams for coming in the following day to clear parking lots and sidewalks, allowing school to resume smoothly on Wednesday. As the first semester comes to a close, we wish our students the best of luck on finals next week. We hope everyone enjoys a restful and rejuvenating winter break. >> THANK YOU. [applause] I APPRECIATE her calling out that your presence here, Mr. Delaney and the smell of Francis Aldor are [laughter] not connected. That's >> not synonymous. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's not your fault. >> Yeah. It's it's an important topic and I appreciate all the time you've given towards it. I just laugh because she was making a comment that you're connected to it. So, I appreciate calling that out and we'll continue to look forward um improvement in

064that area. So board, do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda for December 11th, 2025 as presented? So >> moved. Second. >> Director Pushkar, second by Director Ponder. All those in favor say I. >> Any oppose say no. >> Motion passes. Board, do we have a motion to accept the financial audit as presented? >> So move. >> Dr. Pushkar, second by director [clears throat] Ponder. Uh deputy superintendent of finance and operations, Dr. Amy St. John, will introduce Miss Jack Quinn. Um and then we'll [clears throat] have conversations after that. >> Yes. Thank you very much. I would like to introduce Christina Jaclyn, the senior manager for Hawham when she will present our annual financial audit for the 2425 fiscal year. This is a normal process in a school district that must be completed

065and filed by December 31st and I will turn it over to her to perform the presentation. Good evening members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to briefly present the results of the 2025 audit to you this evening. As mentioned, my name is Christina Jwin and I am the assurance senior manager for Hanam. We have issued the following reports as a result of our audit. The first is the financial statements which includes the required state reporting and we have also issued a governance letter which includes a report to those charged with governance and a report on internal control. After some brief comments, I'd be happy to answer any questions the board may have. The first report we issued is the financial statements that were prepared by management on the modified cash basis of accounting.

066We performed an audit of the district's financial statements for the year ended June 30th, 2025. Our responsibility as the independent auditor is to plan and perform our audit procedures to be able to determine that the financial statements are free of material misstatement. On page one of those financial statements, you will find our auditor's report. And it is our opinion for June 30th, 2025 that the district's financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects on the modified cash basis of accounting. This is otherwise known as a clean opinion, similar to those obtained in prior years. In addition to the audit of the financial statements, DESI requires us to perform certain procedures over certain state requirements. These results are presented in the schedule of selected statistics section of our report which includes areas such as attendance

067and transportation. We did not identify any instances of non-compliance related to the state compliance testing that we are required to report. We did note a few internal recommendations for improving attendance and transportation reporting. Regarding the federal programs, little bit of a change in the presentation tonight regarding the federal programs audit. As you know, since the school district receives more than $750,000 in federal awards, a single audit is required to be performed as is historically been done. Normally, we are able to finalize and issue the single audit portion of the district's financial statements together as one audit. And I'd like to provide some background as to why that is not happening tonight. Every year, the Office of Management and Budget issues a document called the compliance supplement. This document provides guidance for auditing federal programs and

068is essential for performing a single audit. It typically comes out in the spring or early summer of every year and applies to audits of entities with June 30 year ends and forward. For 2025, the compliance supplement was significantly delayed and it was only recently issued in late November. So, it's very very late. Because of this timing, we were not able to incorporate it into the audit report for tonight's board meeting. Auditors are required by both the Office of Management and Budget and the American Institute of Certified Public Accounting Standards to use the final compliance supplement when performing single audits. Therefore, we were prohibited from issuing the single audit report because the compliance supplement wasn't out. Desi has acknowledged this delay and has extended the deadline for submitting the single audit to January 31st. We have

069completed all the other audit procedures required to the extent possible and the remaining work relates solely to the single audit requirements. We will finalize and issue the single audit as soon as those procedures are complete and in conformity with the January 31st deadline. The second report we issued is a report to those charged with governance which contains required communications from auditors to the board at the conclusion of an audit. This communication indicates that management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies which are described in note one to the financial statements. That we did not encounter any significant difficulties in dealing with management during our audit and that there were no disagreements with management. That there were no uncorrected misstatements and that management has provided us with representations related to our audit.

070I would like to thank Dr. St. John and Miss Walsh and their staff for all the assistance extended to us during the current year and I welcome any questions you may have at this time. >> Thank you. Uh board, any questions? >> Uh the official term is that the audit went through and everything was free and clear or what's the correct use of uh phrase for us to understand that we passed the annual audit? So the opinion on the financial statements is that they are fairly presented. So that's the clean opinion, fairly presented financial statements and that there were no findings that were reported. >> I appreciate that. I just want people who are watching not only here in person but watching us online um that we've been through the annual audit process and came

071past uh a clear clean uh and all things appropriate. >> Yes. uh the opinion that was issued is the highest level opinion that can be issued in this type of audit. Okay. >> Thank you for that uh clarification. Anything else board? >> All right. All those in favor uh say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. Motion passes. Thank you for your time today. >> Do we have a motion to approve the financial report as presented? >> Director Pushkar. >> Second. >> Director Harmon. Dr. St. John. >> Yes, that's me. >> As we are pulling up the presentation, I just want to thank you for the opportunity to share an update for the 2526 school budget as it relates to strategic plan pillar 3. An effort to keep both the board of education and

072the community informed in a timely manner. Each month we share an update in the areas of the operating budget, including any amendments as they are necessary, the bond financials, self- insurance, revenues and expenditures, and each month a legislative update as provided to our patrons. With this first slide, regards to budget amendments and transfers, we do not have any for this month. Um, that was something that we did bring to you last month, as you might remember, as the numbers were coming in from the fall, but this time of year, we do not have any midway through the budget. You will see we have a balanced budget that is still being presented. And each month, we do review all revenues and expenditures, budget to actual, and we ensure that they are on track as to what

073we expect. this time of year, you might see purchase services or supplies to be uh running a little bit uh higher in percentage and that's just simply because as you open up the school year, you get those um things going um to provide those for the students in the current school year. This is a familiar slide to you and I'll guide your eye to read this chart focused on the green column. This is the 2526 school year projection based upon the board approved budget. Each month we continue to track both those revenues and expenditures to ensure that we are meeting the projections. As we review the FY26 trajectory, I will remind you that the assumptions for those projections are beyond to the right and into the next three school years. These projections are through the

074school year 2829. And with those, the called out box to the right indicates that we have uh an assumption of 2% increase in revenues for our nonassessed years. And in the reassessed year, we show a 3% increase in state revenue. We are showing that currently as a flat, no change for a conservative approach. And within the expenditures, we show a 3% increase for overall salaries in sum total and an 8% increase for benefits as well as a capital transfer of $5 million each year. That brings our fund balance for the current year that we are in at 27.59%. This is the same information in a graphical form. As you can see, this is just to show you with those conservative revenue assumptions that and the um slightly higher on the expenditure side without any course

075correction. This is what the trajectory would show in three years as a 14.35% balance. And as a reminder, board policy ask us to keep it at 15% and above. Each of those years, we would continue to talk about and recalibrate as we go. Not much changed with bond financials this month. You heard from Saloon Stutzer last month in regards to moving into phase two of the bond funds. This still indicates we have just over $600,000 in remaining funds for those initial bond financials. At this time they will remain unallocated or unnamed until we finalize the phase 2 and we'll see if there are any um unexpected expenses through that. This is our self-insurance fund financials. This is something that we are reviewing as the employee insurance committee each month in great detail. This is the

076rolled up version. I would draw your eye to the top where it indicates the total revenue that's coming in. And you'll notice that that total revenue is down by 20%. and the line below it is the total expenditure and that has increased by 13%. As compared to the year prior, this is something that we are definitely looking into and monitoring each of the expenditures. We're working handinhand with MA MMA which is our health insurance. I was going to say cooperative but that's not the right word. I've lost the track. >> Broker >> consultant. Thank you. just lost the word there for a second. Working with them each month to indicate um what those um increased expenses are and what is causing some of that. We're also pairing this with a wellness committee to reboot and

077work proactively against some of our top medical areas that we are seeing in our claims. And those areas are inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. And we're looking for proactive ways to work through that. And those are through funds that are provided directly to the district by Sigma. So, it's not additional cost to the district to work through that. Next, I'll provide the legislative update. We have seen the language that will go on the ballot for April 2026 for Senate Bill 3. At the time of this presentation, it has not been named. Um, we know it will receive a name and so we'll look forward to seeing what that will look like in the coming weeks, probably in January. I will remind you that Senate Bill 3 is intending to freeze property taxes with Francis House School

078District relying on those local taxes in our budget at about 75% of our revenue. We are estimating a $4 million loss to the school district should that ballot measure go through. In addition to that, I would give you an update that just came in before this and is not on the slide, and that is the outcome of the senior tax freeze, which was Senate Bill 190. we will receiving those um calculations from our [clears throat] county, excuse me, that is a detriment to the district or a negative1,33,387, meaning the senior tax credit will lower the amount of local taxes that we will receive. And that is a glimpse of what Senate Bill 3 would look like. Just wanted to be able to provide you that update. To the right of this slide are three House

079joint resolutions that have been combined to work towards eliminating personal property tax. And that would be a cost detriment to the district of $20 million in one swoop in one time. That would be effective January 1st of 2028. Those are things that we are continuing to monitor as the next legislative session opens up. Continuing to connect back to the Senate Bill 3 update, we know that there have been lawsuits that have been filed. No additional information on that except for in October of 2025. We know that the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform is now also looking at considering legislation to silo property into subclasses of residential, commercial, and agricultural for tax purpose, aiming to address issues causing by rapidly high rising home values. And so again, it's just something that's continuing

080to look at tax reform and we're trying to keep um our eyes on that and making sure that we understand how that might connect back to the work um and when we're calculating our budget for the in the upcoming years. And I also wanted to provide to you school funding modernization task force. So this is our state funding that comes um that is related to what's called the state adequacy target. Governor Kho brought together a task force and they have met four times and it will be a final decision a year from now. So it's one year into the process and it will be delivered to his desk in December of 2026. There are three sub areas. Funding targets work group, a student counts work group, and a local effort work group. And so what

081it's looking to do, we have a current calculation for the state of Missouri that is 20 years old. And so you might expect some of the ways that it's calculated uh may need to be brought forward into a more modern thinking. Um things like the dollar value modifier which is intended to across the state equalize how the cost of living is different for each of the school district areas and how the money gets allocated. In addition to that, they're looking at exploring concentrating the weights of students and expanding special education counts, updating the weights for our ELLL students, gifted, homeless, and CTE students and recalculating how that is working. And then finally in the local effort work group that is connected back to a district like ours that is 75% locally funded and how that

082affects the funding formula from the state. So will we do not receive a full state or student adequacy target due to our increased local effort and they're looking to see if that is something that would remain in the formula moving forward. Finally, the next three slides just show the same chart that I mentioned earlier what the effect of the three things that we know and that we are watching. So the first effect is that Senate Bill 3 and what that would do to the funding fund balance percentage and as you can see if we were removing 4 million 8 million and then 10 million over the next 3 years this is the effect it would have on the budget. So it would take us down to a 6.53 fund balance. On the next one, if

083I layer on the House joint resolution effect, and that would be removing $20 million in the school year of 2829, you would see that we would be at a negative. And again, that's keeping those same assumptions of still providing um increases in salaries and increases in benefits and then decreasing the amount of funding that we would be receiving. And then finally, as we have talked about as possible on the horizon is a debt levy transfer. And so that would be putting money back into the operating. And so I wanted to see what that effect would have. And so that would be adding 5.5 million into so that would be an April 27 ballot measure that would be in effect in the school year 2728. And you can see that it does give some relief. And

084again, these are making assumptions that these things would be occurring. We're just modeling some of the things that might be happening in the future. And then I'll end with the things that are going on in this area and some that I've already touched on with the wellness committee, the employee insurance committee as well as finalizing our audit tonight. The state audit which should be coming to an end next month is what we are hearing from that group. We're also talking about um planning for the next school year for tuition rates and that is information that would come to you in January as well for early childhood. In the news, you may have heard of some of the things that are going on with the Central County Fire and Rescue Firehouse that is at Jung Station

085Road. And so we're in conversation with some of the work that they have presented to the city of St. Peters and to their planning and zoning. And then as I mentioned, legislative updates and our team met with House Representative Scott Miller this week and really just trying to build relationships with our legislators so that they know who to call if they have a question about education or funding. And then a look ahead is the facility master plan final report and presentation will also be brought to you in January as well as the FY27 staffing report. And then Mr. G and I are continuing to walk walk through um what would look like technology over the next 5 years and we plan to present that in February. And with that I would see if you have

086any questions. >> Any questions? >> Yes, Miss St. John comment first. You're just a bundle of good news. I have to hand it to you for that. >> I smiled the whole time. >> You did. You absolutely did. I appreciate all of the information. Um, I wanted to go back to the medical insurance fund where you state that I think it's slide three and where you state that the revenue is going down by 20%. I I'm not sure, forgive me if I if I missed it. I'm not sure what justification we have for making that assumption. I assume that's an assumption >> that that is just the money that was guesstimating from what they say this is how much you should be paying in your premium is coming in at a lower rate than it

087was a year ago and we have not put any money into the account where at this time last year we had already put $4 million >> in from the operating budget. >> So that would go away if we transferred. >> You would right it would work back out >> for Yeah. Okay. I get it. And I understand the catastrophic yes expenditures they come. It seems like they come and go being here for a few years before it was >> really bad and then it got better and now it seems like it's gone back up again. Very high >> unfortunately. Yes. >> Cost of of medical care is at the all-time high. >> I just have one quick question. Uh, talking about the modernization task force, >> are do we have any exposure into that or

088do we like >> I watch >> I know you're watching are there like do we know who's involved in this stuff? >> Yes. Uh I've I have direct access to a couple people that are on it. I touch base with them and this is just me personally. Um Mr. Delaney is also connecting to it. We get a weekly update from we have a bulletin that gives us weekly updates on that information, but um all of their information is online and and I watch them um or if I'm not able to watch it when it's happening live stream. >> Okay, that's helpful. I just there's such >> and that's why I really wanted to bring this tonight because it's really rounding out sort of that first big round of meetings that they've had um the fourth

089meeting. And so I just wanted to kind of give you all an idea of the the three buckets that they're working on. Um but the legislation is likely happening before >> this would be done. So like that >> that's the mystery of it a little out of order >> which is also why I wanted to draw your attention that there's a local effort work group because uh the connection there seems to to be a natural thing that um one would have to connect to the other. Um it's not been fully revealed but definitely something I'm paying attention to. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Any other questions? Uh, each month I've been uh making a small statement uh because the admin cannot give persuasive information or try to get people to vote one way or another on

090a ballot initiative. Your job is to inform, but board members are allowed to speak persuasively about different ballot initiatives. And because we have on average around 800 people who watch us online, those of you who are here today, uh, Senate Bill 3 is just as scary as the numbers would say. Um, we spent a lot of time trying to make sure $10,000 here, $25,000 there spent completely uh, well, efficiently. This would take away $4 million in year one, and in five years $20 million. This is not a red issue. It's not a blue issue. It is a green issue and as we get closer to April, we'll be saying this a little bit uh louder and in longer and in different ways. Um but Senate Bill 3 has the possibility of devastating how we fund

091our programs, our staff. It is in many ways wrong. There's no uh backup options that are being presented regarding how do you fund schools? In other words, we'll do this, but as long as we do this, we're fine. None of that's being presented. And so I just want everybody to hear, those of you in here, those of you watching us online, to pay very close attention to Senate Bill three, and to be prepared to vote against it, and to tell everyone if you care about the uh health insurance programs we give to our staff, you care about the quality of our facilities, the 3 million square feet that we have to take care of on a routine basis. Um 2,000 plus employees. I just want to say that clearly. Uh, Senate Bill 3 has a

092large amount of hazard. It's not a red thing. It's not a blue thing. It's a green thing. And we should be ready to be prepared to fight against it. Uh, because it affects the whole county and all the county will vote on it in April. So, thank you for allowing me to um say things that um an admin person cannot say. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, board. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. Motion passes. Uh board, do we have a motion to approve the purchases as presented? >> Director Pushkar followed by Director Ponder. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed say no. And our next agenda item is an agenda item for the book uh viral. Um, and next on

093our agenda, we have a book decision pertaining to the title viral. >> Can I make the motion or >> what is your motion? >> We have to I just the I want a motion to or move to retain the material without restriction. >> Second. >> We have a motion to retain the material without restriction. I have a second. So now we will discuss on the book viral. U this is being presented to the board based upon policy 6341. It admittedly went to a uh review committee, but because a review committee did not have quorum at a meeting, um the first action on this book comes directly to the board. So there's no review committee who has made an action before this. This is coming before the board for us to decide tonight. So at this

094point, uh we'll make uh an effort to have a balanced amount of people who are sharing. Um but if anybody wants to share their thoughts on this book, this is the time to do so. I have a question. Are we following the same question or the same questions that they follow in the regular committee? >> Uh we are following the same um standards that are listed in everybody's board docs regarding um regarding the book challenge. >> I'll just make a quick comment. So, I was on that I was the board member that was assigned to that review committee and we met and we had a quorum, but one person had to like call in and that's not allowed the way the policy is currently written. So, talk about that later, but I'd like to amend

095that because in this day and age feels like we should be allowed to zoom or something. Um, but anyway, the uh everyone on the committee for what it's worth um voted to retain without restriction. I read the book. um honestly was not excited about reading the book, but it was actually really fascinating [laughter] having grown up in the early '9s. Um thought it was very educational. I actually learned a lot that I didn't realize. So um yeah, I definitely think that this is actually a book that I would recommend people to read, whereas before I was like, why are we viral? What? So, >> uh, >> is this book only in the high schools? >> I think it's a middle and >> it's a middle and high school. >> On the on the committee, we

096took votes on whether or not we wanted to separate >> middle school from high school. >> That would be with restrictions or something. >> Yeah. Yes. So, we're voting on without restrict. current motion is without restriction to keep it in its current the way the librarians recommend. >> Yeah, the current motion is to keep it in middle schools and high schools. If this motion fails um then we will go to um one of the other two options whether it's to retain with restriction and to bump it up to the high school only or to remove entirely. So right now we are voting and discussing on retaining it at both the middle school and high school level. That's what's before us. It's in all of them. >> It's not in every single middle school. It's just

097in a few middle schools. Um, and each of these reviews >> in all the high schools and a few in middle school. >> I'm not sure how many. It's at It's at the middle school level. It's at the high school level. >> I know we had to buy more copies so we could do this book review, >> right? [laughter] Mhm. >> And I tell I I read the book um >> one of the things that stood out to me was uh share that uh in 1996 age was the largest cause of death for men and women 25 to 44. Um I mean this is history. Um personally um my experience is I grew up in a certain version u of Christianity and that version of Christianity led me to uh use um anti-gay uh slurs

098to my friends on a repeated basis as we teased about this and that. And it wasn't until going to seminary and sitting next to a man at World AIDS Day named Farley uh that I realized that the people who I had been vilifying for a long time were not villains. And I did not learn that. I did not allow myself to learn that until I was able to find myself experiencing the empathy um for those who went through the age crisis. And uh I think not only does this give good history, but it could potentially provide a window into some people's experiences and expressions that might be able to change um hearts earlier um than people like me and their hearts changed. So I appreciated the book viral. there's a lot of uh death and

099I mean I know what that is fact. I'm just not sure that the younger minds the youngest in the middle school are quite ready to absorb this type of information. and it too was around and um spent a lot of time in the gay communities and understood what it is the challenges that they face and the way that AIDS was treated at that point in time made me believe that nobody deserves to die such a horrible death and my heart always always did go out to him fortunately they've made a lot of headway in treatments and medications and we now have very long-term survivors which I I'm very happy for. I'm just not sure that the the youngest of our young in the middle schools are quite can quite absorb all the death and the

100and the dying that goes on in it and some of the graphic descriptions. >> We had a lot of death during co too though. >> We've had a lot of death during wars >> and we've had a lot of death throughout our history. And I as a middle school teacher who teaches these types of issues with compassion and empathy can tell you that um the young students with their parents' permission handle these topics very sensitively in most cases. >> Right. But that's that's where the restriction then because the parents have to give permission >> which we have already set up here at Branch's Health. >> Okay. But that it's voted without restriction. A vote without restriction means to keep it at the middle school and high school level. It does not mean that parents don't

101have to be notified if their kid wants to see that book. Is that correct? >> Is that safeguard in place for this book? >> Actually, yeah. Because >> Well, hold on. Let me ask uh >> Mr. Delaney, I [clears throat] think parents have the ability to observe what their what their children have checked out. Um I don't know that there's a restriction uh thing um parameter that can be put in place in advance of uh a person checking out. >> Right. So do you retain with uh without restriction means that there's still opportunity for parents to choose it or not choose it? >> I believe so. I might let >> Mr. Hancock speak a little further about he works closely with our librarian lead. >> Okay. And yes, parents can uh call the lead librarian

102at the school and make a request that the author or book is not one that they uh select or check out in addition to signing up for getting any uh getting the email of books that students have checked out. They can sign up for that. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> And just to be to clarify that, didn't you I think you said that there was some sort of a time frame to allow for that when the parent signs up. It's four weeks or can you something like that? >> I'd have to double check the days, but they couple weeks. >> Right. Right. Um, for me this was a, you know, I went both back I went both ways on this one. I I on one hand I I in my mind with our

103with our children, I I just I really try to preserve the innocence as long as possible. they're only that innocent for a little while. And and and and to really, you know, it's like, you know, all of the things that we try to go through with our kids that we that we um try to celebrate throughout the years, Christmas is coming up, things like that. Um for me, it was it was, you know, preserving that innocence as long as possible. And then next thing you know, they're in junior high and and what are they doing? They're they're their hormones are raging. They're they're they're finding themselves. They're trying to figure out if they, you know, if they like that girl or that boy or whatever it is. And and you know, it's part of me

104in this book. I was just thinking like there's a responsibility that comes along with that. Maybe this book could teach them the responsibility of of of, you know, their their, you know, possible activities going into the future. And um I just thought, how how do I how do I manage that conflict with with myself? How do I try to do what I can to preserve the innocence of the kids while also making sure that they're educated going forward? And this was a tough one. It's it's one of the tougher ones that I've that I've been through. And and uh I too grew up in the ' 80s and '9s where this was all over. It was everything that everybody was worried, you know. I remember hearing about one of my heroes in Magic Johnson and

105and that was a that was that was huge for me. I was like, "No, not magic. What what's going to happen to him?" And you know, it just got to a point in this in this book where I was very conflicted. I I I I did not know um exactly how I how I thought about that. Even even once I got past it, I and and at this point, I still kind of I'm very conflicted. So, I I don't know. I I I don't know whether to um um to to um do this without restriction or or lean towards the pres preservation of the innocence of the kids. I I I I just don't know. It's tough. >> Anybody else want to make a comment? >> Um uh I found interesting. Well, I guess I'd

106forgotten because I grew through a lot more decades than you did. >> You did? >> Uh yes. through all those decades uh when this was happening and I had forgotten the political aspect of this where politics and Christianity um actually hindered us from coming up with cures and u you know protocols for uh helping these people with this disease and that made me sad and I think that's a very good lesson for us to remember that maybe we shouldn't listen to politicians all the time. We need to do the right thing and health is important and we shouldn't let politicians run things like they are doing and it and it's it's pertinent to today when we don't you know pay attention to what's hurting us and we've got to be careful and student you know

107kids need to learn this that hey there are many factors in progress and in health and in just in living life. So I the historical value of this book I thought was very important. >> Any other comments? >> President everybody else has shared >> I thought this was I thought this was going to be a short discussion but so um keeping politics out of it. Um I found it to be just a historical book um retracing steps that I live through. Um I remember a lot of the news. I remember um and quite honestly I thought more people died from it when I saw the the graphs. I was I thought more people died from AIDS. Um but keeping the politics side of it >> out of it so that we can I see it

108as a historical book. Um data was referenced. >> Um it it did it did not um that's just the way I see it. I'll just leave it at that. Thank you. President up there, our student guest, would like to speak if possible? >> Yes. >> Um uh this book speaks on a very um relevant uh historical issue that um haunted our nation in the '9s and ' 80s. And it's something that to not allow this book to be in our libraries is kind of sheltering the students of our district from learning about a a a very important uh historical event. And the the death and um you know disease part of the book is is gruesome and hard to read about. But so is the Holocaust. So is um you know the Spanish flu. These

109major historical events are almost always landmarked by death. And um I think that to simply get rid of that book because of that is kind of sheltering our younger generations that might not have lived through that um from gaining valuable knowledge on our nation's history that could [clears throat] be very helpful if a a another event like this ever happens in the future and it probably is very likely to. So >> thank you very much. Uh every board member has said something. Anybody else? You made your point one. You good? >> Can I ask one question? >> Sure. Can you answer? >> Just to guarantee that kids, the parents of the younger middle school children have an opportunity to decide whether or not their child should read this material in advance, >> just a guarantee.

110>> Yes, they can contact their lead librarian at their school and let them know that they don't want that book. Um, >> are they given a list of these books or I mean what my point is what if the parent doesn't know the book is in the library >> or how are they told what's in the library? >> So online so on our website we have a list the way that they can go on to Destiny and look at the books that are in each of our libraries at their school. Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you for the question. Thank you for the answer. Um the motion is before us to approve without restriction. Okay. So >> and so we have a first second. We're going to do a vote. Do you want to do

111a roll call or we'll do a roll call vote for this one? >> Treasurer Owens. >> I. >> Director Oli. >> I. >> Director Pushkar. >> I. >> Director Ponder. >> I. >> Vice President Grder. >> I. >> President Blair. >> I. >> Director Harmon. >> I. Motion passes. Okay. Board, do we have a motion to approve uh 0340 as presented? >> Second. >> Who was the first person who said it? >> Pushkar. Then Ponder. >> All right. Uh any discussion board on 0340? >> Question. >> Sorry question. You have a question. Okay. >> I do. Um, can you define disrespect? >> What What is considered disrespectful? Is it disrespectful if a board member gets some walks out during another board member's comments? Is that disrespectful? >> Ask the u >> I guess not if

112they have to go to the bathroom. Is it disrespectful to interrupt another board member's comments? >> I'm going to take ownership on that one. Uh the people who are interrupting last meeting, uh they should have said point of order and asked me to make a decision whether or not you moved forward or didn't move forward. Um I'm going to own that one. The people who are interrupting you, >> um they should have said point of order first and then I would have made the action. Um, but yeah, you can make a claim that dis uh interrupting a person over and over again during a board meeting would be considered disrespectful. >> My intent, President Blair, was not to make you take ownership of anything. My intent was to kind of, I guess, make it make

113everyone here aware that these terms are highly subjectable. >> And I appreciate you taking ownership, but I don't necessarily agree with you that it was your your pro. I don't think it was your problem. However, I I think some belittling I mean what how do you >> how do you define these words is my point? >> May I speak? >> Um >> I think Mr. Delaney addressed this earlier that all of our policies have words that are not defined in there. Is that correct Mr. Delaney? Uh I think if you look at uh board policies certainly there there are interpretations that individuals could look at words differently. Um and you know that at times um you know the board would would vote to take action on something. Um, and as uh one of our patrons

114commented earlier, as long as there was a majority board uh board vote, uh that board could uh determine um by majority what their thoughts were on that matter. So what I'm hearing you say to also answer director Pushkar is that it'll be for the board to interpret what those words mean and realizing that there's a certain level of subjectivity within that and any definition usually has a word in it that also needs to be defined too and sometimes it creates like a little bit of a tutology but um other questions about 03 340. >> I [clears throat] I don't have any questions, just comments. I guess I just variety of directions I could have gone with this, but I'll just share a few thoughts with you and it it because we've already established that 10

115years from now this this language is going to mean something totally different. So, it u just a few things that bother me. It's board members are expected to model respectful communication and avoid remarks that could reason be reasonably perceived. I guess that depends on the person who's doing the perceiving. >> What is reasonable? Um or inaccurate towards the district. I mean, that one scares me the most. >> Define inaccurate. We're just coming out of a an age where we had wild misinformation. We still have misinformation out there that people misunderstand about CO. So, we didn't have accurate information at the time. We still have people believing in accurate information. [clears throat] So, who defines what is inaccurate? Is it just because a a majority of the board believes at the time that it's accurate or

116that it's inaccurate? So okay as long and then you then we walk up scroll up the board the roles of the board members of the board are to respect and encourage the right of others to hold and express opinions. Should we add a comma there or some should we add a little something there that says [clears throat] as long as they're in agreement with the majority of the board. it. It's what? Why? I don't want group think on a board. I don't want group think in a classroom. I don't want group think with teachers. I don't care what the majority thinks. You should be able to discuss it openly. And if you if you don't like somebody's opinion, vote them out. We have April coming up. You have the opportunity. Some of you people out

117there are clearly wanting to get after somebody. Well, guess what? Leave it to the voters. Stop trying to put who are what are you the you're the president said and now all of a sudden you're the bastion of truth. >> Yeah. So, I mean, and then what about what about this? And then and then you could go through what is disrespectful? Could you is it disrespectful to stand sitting in the back of an audience because you don't agree with me? You can automatically just shout out. We have no mod no sense of decorum. Is that disrespectful? >> So I think I'd like to say >> I mean that is why >> I would I would recommend that the conversation is about board behavior versus audience behavior since we're talking about board code of ethics. >>

118So correct. >> Shame on me. I could have been censored right there [music] because I was disrespectful to somebody that was part of the stakeholders. I I I think the idea is >> so so I I I I understand what the idea is. I I just think it's it's overstep. And why are we trying to slap somebody down? Why are we so consumed with trying to slap somebody down to think like me or shut up? So that I and I thought about pro hey providing or making an amendment proposing an amendment to this stuff. I I'm just I'm just not for it. So, I'm just going to vote no. I'd rather not just play the game of doing the amendments. >> That's just why I'm going to vote no. >> Thank you for that. >>

119I I agree with Ron. Um I think this is a slippery sto slippery slope. Um and and I'll give you a hypothetical. He brought up a a uh u a hypothetical that that's let's say that you know Ron actually Ron is constantly wrong. Um, however, let's say he's wrong about something that we all disagree with. >> He's more right than you are. >> You're probably right. However, we censure him because he was wrong because we disagree with him. He was adamant about it. He was disrespectful. Whatever that definition is. Next meeting, he does it again. We censure him again. Next meeting, we we do it again and we remove him from from his committees. And then we find out 3 months later that he was exactly right. Then what happens? This is a very slippery

120slope. This is from everything that I can see is is um against Missouri statute. This this should not be be allowed because it it it especially if we're going to and and to the patron that that spoke earlier, I looked it up when he said it and I was wrong. The only way that I would ever be on on even remotely on board with this is if every single person in this day was was in agreement. I would never be uh for this if we had just a simple majority because then politics can play a part >> and I am absolutely against that. >> Are you making a amendment to make it a super majority? >> No, because that's that's against Missouri statute. >> 1.050. I looked it up. We cannot make a super majority.

121We can in this particular instance. Mr. Delaney, can you look that up? >> What are there any votes right now that are passed by supermajority? This goes to proarian. I guess my point to that, President Blair, is this is this is a very slippery slope because if we have a simple majority, then politics can play a part if we don't like someone else's politics. And that has no place on the board. This is not our job. And not to mention the fact that let's say four of us don't like what Carol Lee says. Essentially, if we do this, we are silencing the voters that voted for her, and that's not fair to the voters. We are here to represent the people that voted for us in the election. To Ron's point, the fair way to

122do this is to allow the voters in April to either elect or not elect the people that are running for this board. Out of curiosity, is there anything that a board member could do that would make the rest of the board want to censor them? Okay. >> Instead of waiting for two years or three years, I think that's up to the people that elect us. They elected us because here's the the problem with that statement. The problem with that statement is that if we go down that slope >> and we start censoring people for what they ran on, then they are we are essentially silencing their their votes. >> I will I will say in here I do not see anything that says you can be censored for your ideology or for your politics or

123your political viewpoints. >> But what if what but what if that becomes disrespectful? What if what if the points that they're trying to make because you disagree become disrespectful? Then can they be censured? Yes. In in in this case, yes. >> Yeah. Um like [clears throat] I stated at the last meeting, I started thinking about um you know the code of conduct that students are required to follow and there are consequences when they break the code of conduct. And I think we should be setting a high bar and setting the example for students that we will hold ourselves accountable also. and um school board censure went to the Supreme Court and was upheld that it was a valid thing to do when and it it's happened in school boards all across America. It's it's this

124isn't a new idea. >> This is this has happened in many places. I think Sarah you were telling me about >> Rockwood >> was it Rockwood? Would you talk about that please? >> Yes. Um um two years ago, 2022, there was a board member in Rockwood uh who made some very disparaging comments, I believe in public about um LGBTQIA students and staff. Um and the board did uh take action to censure that particular board member. >> What were the consequences of the censure? uh removal from committees and I believe um I don't know all the details but I know removal from committees was part of it >> resigned also >> she eventually resigned um due to some other things that she had done in public even though >> yeah so I mean there was other

125issues there but um the board did act the board did take action >> but that doesn't necessarily mean it's correct Just because someone else has something doesn't mean that we should do it too. >> Is there a statute does allow it? >> Right. Um yeah, we can have that vote. >> Um >> you want to say something? >> I'll Yeah, I'll just add that Yeah, that was Rockwood. I had I was familiar with that one as well. And I'll just say I don't think that there are any patrons or anybody in the district that are necessarily electing people to be disrespectful to the district and to belittle the district. I would expect that there are different values and ways they want to see policy, you know, amended and everything, but I don't think anyone's signing

126up for people to be in the, you know, this district to be in the news for what I would think are all of the wrong reasons. Um, and I do agree that, you know, we already had in the policy belittling, shaming, rude, and disrespectful. Like, that isn't changing in the policy that was already there. Um, I don't love the whole feeling the need for this. I feel like we should all be adults representing representing our district and our students and our teachers with dignity and grace and expect adult behaviors and responsible behaviors. But I don't have anything against this. I just wish that it, you know, wasn't a thing. So add that. >> Can I say one more thing? >> One more thing and then we'll move on to the >> uh and students don't

127like consequences either. Uh I I would just say part of it is >> students aren't voted in though. >> Correct. >> For me for me part of it is it is not our job up here as board directors to be instilling consequences on other board directors. So if if if this is going to happen then I would suggest that that we should amend it from the consequences for violating or red line the consequences for violating all the way down to the by to committed by the board president and getting rid of that because it is not our job to instill consequences on other board members. Centering them is one thing. Making sure that they understand that they did or said something wrong, disrespectful, but to remove the voice of the of the public that actually

128voted voted them in by, you know, verbally berating them and and with a written warning or public censure or removal from board committees, I think is absolutely irresponsible because again, if the shoe's on the other foot and Caroli does it, >> I suffer the consequence of that, >> right? But that's my point. It's one thing for us to call each other out and say, "Hey, you shouldn't have done that. You should." But that's not our job. Our job is to help these folks run this district and and and so now we're getting we're we're diving into us not liking something that someone said in in a board meeting and censuring them and removing them committees where they're representing the public that voted for them. This is not our job. So, I'm I'm going to move

129to strike the consequences part of it and and go from there because if we're going to do this, then then we need to take that into consideration. >> So, I hear you say motion. Can you say the motion clearly? >> Motion mo the motion is to strike the part of of of this policy that would that says the consequences for violating this section all the way through um >> all the way through number three. Yeah. Okay. There's a motion on the floor to strike the section beginning with the consequences for all the way through removal from board committees. >> That is we have a second. That is now the motion before us. Discussion on the new motion. >> I wish we didn't have to do this. >> Me, too. I wish we weren't here. I

130wish that a simple ethical, you know, decorum could be maintained. There are some words in this that I am struggling with. Um, I'm not a fan of the word all. Um, but in terms of just Mark's motion, the consequences for violating this section of the policy, there are still some things that I think we need to discuss. Um, I would recommend um adding a word. Can I make a motion to add >> vote on his I don't know. Sorry. >> Actually, can you do a motion to amend the motion? >> Amen. The motion. >> Can I amend the motion? Okay. >> Yep. >> What is your Wait, >> President Blair, can I just do a recap for everyone? Here we are. >> Yeah. So, initially we had a motion to approve policy 0340 as presented.

131We received a first and a second. We now have a motion to amend the motion to strike the section consequence [clears throat] number four blah blah blah. We have a first and a second on that. So that is where we're standing right now. So you are asking director Oki to amend the amended emotion. >> We didn't amended a motion or >> Well, no. >> No, you can you can amend the amendment. >> So we have a motion to amend the amendment. Do we have a second for >> what's Well, you want to share? >> Okay. The word will be. What if we change that to may be imposed >> and allow that to be a case by case basis of >> the consequences >> of course >> allowing it to be a case by case

132basis >> well it would be because you would decide I think May would be would be fine >> yeah well so that is now a motion that's in front of us >> sorry I'm sorry >> which is weird I'm trying to think through because it is such a substantially different motion >> to what he just said. So I don't think you can amend his motion by >> Yeah. So we need to vote on his >> We need to vote first to get rid of that. >> Yeah. So I would say I will rule that that motion currently is like out of order. >> Okay. >> And if you want to come back to it after vote. >> Okay. >> I appreciate that. >> Yeah. Fair enough. Any other questions about the motion, the amendment to

133the motion to make it become the main motion? So, voting Listen, this this is sounds silly, but a vote for yes for this will make the alternative motion now the main motion. >> Correct. >> What? >> Right now, we have a motion to amend the motion to strike section 4. So, we have a first and a second. We need to vote on that, right? I don't know what do you want this what what happens is yeah so we don't paragraph >> this is a vote to make this amended motion the main motion >> to remove the consequence >> to to remove this paragraph >> okay so we're voting on >> so we're voting on removing the section from the consequences for violating all the way to removal from board committees >> okay and this vote

134would be just to >> remove >> approve Approve the amended motion. >> Yes, this is a vote to approve the amended motion to strike that section. So we have a first second. Any other conversation on this? Nope. Okay. So now we will vote on the amended motion. Um so yes is to amend it and cut it out and no is to not amend it. >> Right. >> All right. [snorts] >> But yes is to amend it. You're saying yes because you support Mark's uh motion, >> right? So, roll call. >> So, a yes is to support Mark's motion. Roll call. >> President Blair. >> No. >> Treasurer Owens. >> No. >> Director Oli. >> No. >> Director Pushkar. >> Yes. >> Director Harmon. >> Hi. Director Ponder. >> Hi. >> Vice President Grder. >> No.

135Okay. >> That motion fails. Uh we now have uh 0340 in its present uh form in front of us. >> Motion to amend when I speak. >> Okay. I'm struggling with the word all. >> Where is the word all? This includes all forms of communication, whether in or out of board meetings about the Francis House School District, about other board members, patrons, staff, and students or their opinions. >> You're struggling with the word all. >> Well, this is where you would make a motion, then somebody will second can explain what you would like instead. >> Okay. Um, >> do you have a motion? >> Yeah. Motion to Am I gonna say what I want it to be revised? All right. >> Do you want to be public? >> What? Quick, let her >> I'm thinking

136public, but I'm I was I was going to say this may include forms of communication, including No, I'm wrong. I'm going to say this includes public forms of communication whether in board meetings about the Francis Howell School District about other board members, patron, staff, students and their opinions. >> So you want to public you want to amend by striking the word all and replacing it with public. >> Yeah. >> I'm saying >> that is the motion. The motion before us is to strike the word all in the first paragraph under number eight and replace it with the word public. There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> There's a second. Any discussion on changing the word all to public? >> Okay. If there's no discussion, we will vote on changing >> that word

137from all. >> Do you want to say it? >> Okay. How about we say includes publicly accessible forms. This was Drew's recommendation. >> We have a motion in a second in front of us with the word public. >> There we go. Sorry. >> So yeah, I would be curious what the really if it's a form of communication. It's something that >> the difference is like you could say to a friend or something or >> Yeah. But it's >> you want to talk on the phone, you want to text your friends, you want to email a friend, you go right ahead. But if you're going to go out in public and start saying >> if a friend is not truly a friend who shares that, >> well then that's secondhand knowledge. That's a whole you're in

138a whole lake now. You're >> But you're still able to be censored by this. No, you got I don't know. >> Public or if I if I send you a text, it's a private text. >> Yes. Yes. Just you and me, Ron. >> Private. >> We have never done that. >> Yes, we [laughter] No, of course not. >> All right. We have before us a motion to change the word all in um that particular line on point 8 to the word public. That is the motion has been seconded. Any other conversation? No other conversation. We will vote on the OKI amendment. >> I like the sound of that. >> The OKI amendment. All right. Uh, roll call. Yes means you want to make the change. No means you don't want to make the change. >>

139President Blair, >> I. >> Treasure Owens. >> I. >> Director Pushkar. >> No. >> Director Oli. >> I. >> President. Vice President Grder. >> I. >> Director Ponder. >> I. >> Director Harmon. >> I. Motion carries. >> Okay. So now we have a new version of 0340 with the word public instead of the word all that is in front of us. Does anybody else want to make a motion or to um share any final comment? >> What was my previous >> the will be? >> Oh oh oh okay. Motion to amend again. >> Okay. >> Sorry. um making this a case by case scenario using the word hold on where did it go second paragraph will >> or inaccurate >> consequences >> maybe yes instead of the word will we're going to use the words

140may be imposed progressively >> that is the motion >> allow to be case by case >> second >> that is a second so that is before us any discussion on changing the word will to the word Okay. Uh board, we will vote on the second um oki amendment. >> I feel powerful. >> To which the word will to the word may. >> All right. >> I know she was a first, but who was the second to this? >> No, no, sorry. Thank you. >> All right. Uh by roll call again I is a vote to change the word will to may um may space may space. >> May may space be two words >> not maybe. >> Thank you. >> Got it. >> All right. It's all before us. >> You know what you're voting

141on board. >> No. >> All right. Roll call. >> Treasurer Owens. I. >> President Blair. >> I. >> Director Harmon. Hi >> Vice President Grder. >> Hi >> Director Oli. >> I >> director Pushkar. >> Hi >> Director Ponder. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. We have a new 0340 in front of us that now switches the word will to the word may. Any other comments regarding 0340 as it is before us? >> Mr. Did you check on that statute by chance? >> I was not able to find um I found things both ways. Um I believe a simple majority is all that it takes, but um to to put that firmly in record, I I I I wouldn't want to do that from a Google search that I'm doing here. >> Why not? >> It's

142too early in my term, [laughter] Mr. Right. Oh, that's right. >> Smart move. >> Yeah. Two years from now, it's going to be a flood board. [laughter] >> All right. We have 0340 before us in its revised um uh form. Any other comments? >> I'm thinking about making a motion. >> Okay. >> Number 14 to avoid any comments which may be interpreted as undermining the administration of the district. may be interpreted. >> Okay. I don't see a four. I don't see 14. >> I don't see >> Oh, sorry. 11. >> No, wait a minute. Where are we? >> Number 11. >> Yeah. 11. >> So So number 11 will be strike, but it'll be the bullet point that is referring to number 11. >> What? >> That's not a change that we that was being

143made this month. >> Correct. Correct. >> Want to change it? >> But but are you saying to avoid any comments which may be interpreted as undermining the administration of the district >> and you're wanting to make an amendment to that? >> It's too ambiguous. What would like to make the amendment? >> Strike it. >> Okay. So, we have a motion uh by director Pushkar to strike the bullet points associative number 11 right here. >> Yeah. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Yeah. You second? >> Yep. >> So, motion by uh director Pushkar, second by director Harmon. Now we can discuss um you want to share why you would like to strike number 11. >> As I repeated >> it's too ambiguous. Um not that I don't think there's that's in that is

144something that is unethical. It's an interpretation and is ambiguous as we were just talking about just a few minutes. >> So because of ambiguity you would like to strike that all together. >> Okay. If there's a motion, there's a second. Uh, is there any conversation on this amendment? >> I would Yeah, I would just add to this that uh we've heard people I've heard comments that it's a we have to do this. >> Mhm. >> And it's just as I was reading the book viral and I talk all the time, choices are critical. whatever choice you make during the day, you're going to have to live with the consequences. We can choose to do this or not. We don't have to do this. So, just like I don't have to vote for Jane's proposal, but

145I just wanted to add that little bit that we're not bound to have to do any of this stuff. We're we're choosing to do this. So, >> that there is wisdom in a future board to decide how to apply this. Got any other conversations about the push car amendment to 0340? >> Seeing no uh comments about the amended version of 0340, let's move to a vote uh on 0340. Again, a yes on this is to strike number 11 from 0340. A no is to retain it by roll call. >> Director Pushkar. Director Oli. >> I know. I'm sorry. The English teacher and he is struggling with us right now. Um, got it. Just time for this conversation. No. >> Treasurer Owens. >> No. >> President Blair. >> No. >> Vice President Grder. >> No. >>

146Director Ponder. >> I >> Director Harmon. >> No. >> Motion fails. Uh we are back to 0340 in its current form with only the two changes already mentioned through the two OKI amendments. Any other comments regarding 0340? Any other motions, amendments? So 0340 is in front of us. Um by roll call. >> Director Ponder. >> No. >> Vice President Grder. >> Yes. >> I. >> President Blair. >> I. >> Treasure Owens. >> I. >> Director Pushkar. >> No. >> Director Oli. I >> Director Harmon. >> No. >> Director. Oh, and that's everybody. >> Motion passes. >> Welcome to group think. >> Board. We have a motion to approve the policies and regulations as presented. And this is a different agenda item than what we just talked about. >> Director Pushkar. Second by director Ponder. Any

147conversations? Okay. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose say no. Motion passes. And next we have superintendent comments. Want to pay attention. It does not say interim superintendent comments. Superintendent comments. >> Thank you. Thank you, [clears throat] President Blair. And first off, I just want to thank all seven board of education members uh for placing your trust in me to continue to serve as superintendent and lead this uh amazing district. Um this district's been a part of my life for for 21 years as an educator, but also as a former student. It really holds a special place in my heart. I look forward to continuing to work with our staff, our families, um, and others as we continue to implement our strategic plan. This is an amazing place with a long history

148of academic excellence. I think we can all attest to that. But it all but it's also more than that. It's a place with caring, committed individuals that give every day all they they have for to do what's best for kids. I've been fortunate enough to experience that while watching my own kids go through this district and I'm forever indebted to all those educators and other staff that have supported them and I look forward to proudly serving alongside of them for the duration of my time in this in this uh institution. I also want to take a moment to recognize and thank our staff and our families for their patience. as some other people alluded to earlier, their understanding and flexibility during last week's unexpected early dismissal. I have to say that is one I hope

149doesn't happen again. Um, every forecast and the National Weather Service estimated that snow would not arrive in our area until a little after 4:00. As we all know, the snow came much earlier than anticipated and prompted an early dismissal. Unfortunately, roads quickly became impassable. And I don't know for sure, but maybe in the first time in district history, we temporarily paused running buses until we thought it was then safe to re resume those routes. I know this caused lengthy delays and confusion for parents. I want you to know and I hope our community understands that it is our practice after any weather incident, safety incident, we as a leadership team debrief. We are always looking to do better and we will do better. But the one thing that I'm proud of on that day is

150at the end of that day 16,563 students arrived home. And that's because of our drivers, our teachers, our support staff, our building leaders, and also our district office administrators who stepped up to do anything and everything required on that day. I want to thank staff for their commitment. And I want to thank our families for their grace and understanding. We had staff members still in school buildings at 6:30, 6:45, 7:00 at night waiting to make sure that every student got picked up and every student got home safely. So, I want to say thank you. Shifting gears a bit, I want to share a quick reminder about the community resource fair coming up this Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 8:45 in the Francis Hall North Athletic Commons. Our alternative learning department teams up with community partners

151each year to make this event happen. It's a simple way for families to connect with groups that offer support in areas like assisted technology, mental health supports, recreation, behavior supports, and more. If you can, if you can, please help spread the word to anyone who might benefit. This event runs alongside our annual Special Olympics basketball tournament and the community is invited to come out and support our cheerleaders and our Special Olympics athletes. A couple of other reminders before I close. Board candidate filing for the April 7th election is now open. Three seats will be open in April. Filing will close at 5:00 p.m. on December 30th. Information about how to file is available on the district website via the board of education page. Other calendar reminders. Finals for our high schoolers begin next week. We

152wish them all the best. Friday, December 19th is an early release day for our middle and high school students. And Monday, December 22nd is an early release day for all students and the last day before winter break. Teachers have a workday on Monday, January 5th, and students will return to school on Tuesday, January 6th. I hope that our staff and our students take the time to rest and recharge. I appreciate all the work that's taken place during first semester, and I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, are there any board comments tonight? >> No, I have comments. >> Nobody else. >> Um, couple things. I'm I'm going to ask uh M that Mr. How how old are you? >> 16. >> Okay. I'm going

153to ask that um at this time if you would take your leave because I'm going to be reading some things that >> are inappropriate for my >> Let him stay. Oh, actually a couple different things. In this case, we actually have the parent here. >> So, the parent wants him to stay. >> I am comfortable with him being part of whatever this discussion is. >> Okay. >> So, thank you for that. U it is a [applause] >> Yeah, respect for that. I will not leave. >> Got so I appreciate the heads up. Um and those for you watching us online, uh I appreciate the heads up to give them space to move. Uh let me share this piece um because I'm uh I will allow Jane to share sections um from uh books. Uh Jane,

154you are free to share your viewpoint. If you choose to read from a book, I would appreciate if you would give the name of the book, its context, and whether it's in a middle school or high school. Um I would appreciate if you paraphrase any sections uh that are graphic or maybe you bleep certain words. Um if a word has the the nword in it, I would ask that you would use the term nword. um you and I can give a heads up before you start so that anyone watching at home can have a moment to redirect as well. Um just the way we would also give uh parents opportunity to um review what their kids are reading. So um I just want you all know um I am choosing to allow Jane share sections

155from books. um your viewpoint, your perspective um is free speech just like the free speech from um patrons, other board members and you can make a comment right now. Um and I give you suggestions, preferences, but um it is your decision to go forward how you want to go forward. >> Point of order. How long are we allowing this to happen for? Um we have not identified a length of board comments but if it feels like one person's comment is longer like if it hits 15 minutes and like before whatever that number is >> 15 minutes >> like there is there will be a limit to the length but not a limit to the topic of the acceptance of free speech is not acceptance of endless speech. >> Can we agree on a threeminut time

156frame? >> Um we had not done that before. Um, and so I would recommend against >> make a motion. >> Um, I I would say if you wanted to do that, it would be more of a changing board behavior going forward. So it would not be just today, it would be going forward. And I would recommend that that would be a conversation for next board meeting. >> So we'll put it on the agenda next board meeting >> if we want to. If the board wants to have a certain length of board um member comments, um the board can make that conversation next meeting. [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Okay. Before I get started, I'd like to remind this board that on November 20th, we had for a first reading policy 412. Um a second

157reading did not occur this month. So, I would encourage uh President Blair to get that and and Mr. Delaney to get that on the agenda for next month. I don't know how it got overlooked, but that was the uh policy that talked about um patrons only have dividing up a five minute talk among three people, giving them a minute 45 seconds or so each. That did not >> I'm not 100% sure. I'd have to ask Jane Hebler, but I I think that went for a second read last month and and was approved by the board. >> Okay. Because it's it says first reading on Okay. >> Well, we will look into that. Yeah, please. Sorry. >> I think the impression of the board is that we have voted to approve it, but we will look

158at further into that. >> Thank you. >> And so again, the board will practice allowing full board members comments to go. Another thing that I wanted to um discuss and to rebut uh one of the comments made this evening about anti-teer leaning uh by me personally, I I'd like to remind this person that um it was the I was part of the conservative board that voted to uh change the problem with the steps that were missed by teachers due to no raises given a certain year. I forget how exactly how many teachers um were affected, but each teacher now is on the step that they were supposed to be on, and I do not call that being anti-teer. So, thank you for that. Um, also, congratulations to the cheerleading team. That was a a really

159great, fantastic um victory. I was honored to be a debate coach at France North last Friday night. I'm always extremely impressed at their hard work and dedication. that hard work will serve them well in the future as well as the short term. Was sometimes it was hard to choose a winner, but I wanted each of them to that participate to know that they're truly a great example to their peers. Okay, I'm going to start reading some things um from a book. Some guys like to watch girls getting off all by themselves. Make it look good for the camera. I was never into into touching myself, but it isn't so bad, especially when I'm high. Besides the occasional H, Brenn supplies me with Bud, mediocre seated Mexican, and prescription downers. Not sure where he gets them,

160and I don't really care. As long as I'm buzzed, the things he asks of me are easy to do. And hey, anything's better than wasting wasting way in Santa Cruz. I beg for a buzz. First pot won't do. It has to be smack, and three long pulls of the acid smoke barely take me to the place I need to be. Oscar watches, waits impatiently for the H to kick in. You should use a needle. Smoking the lady is a waste of good dope. Fear queasy. I stumble down the hall into the bedroom. Oscar follows. Shedding clothes. Bodies lean, muscular. Another time, another place, I might find him attractive, but attraction is about choice. I have no choice but to do as he has paid me to do. Within seconds, I hate Oscar, too. He breathes

161beer, sweats onions, and there is no uh beer. There's no more there is no move when he bites my neck and lower. I [clears throat] I'll wear his teeth marked for days. Stop. You're hurting me. You think that hurts? You ain't seen nothing yet. His teeth close even harder and his hand squeezes my arms like a vise. Now bruising pain. I give myself to the morphine shroud, denying the pounding between my thighs. Something makes me look towards the door. Brenn stands there staring from a different book. Mom, Uncle Stanley is behaving. >> What was that? >> You I have the floor right now. >> We can't We can't interrupt to ask the name of the book. I just I asked if you could, but she does not have to list the name of the book.

162>> Mom, Uncle Stanley is behaving inappropriately, I said. Oh, you're probably imagining it, she said. He groped me and he's wanking off. Mom cocked her head and looked concerned. Poor Stanley, she said. He's so lonely. But it was gross. Mom asked me if I was okay. I shrugged and nodded. "Well, there you go," she said. She said that sexual assault was a crime of perception. "If you don't think you're hurt, then you're not," she said. and my last book. She felt his cold fingers yank up her sweater and squeeze her breast roughly. He pulled her sweater off and then after some fumbling her bra and dipped and dropped both pieces of clothing on the wet ground. She could feel her nipples pucker and tighten in the salt and wind. He began to suck them hard

163and she grimaced, looking over his head. It didn't occur to her to tell him to stop. With his free hand, he yanked at the button of her jeans, pulled down the zipper, and stuffed his hand down her underpants. He found her warm opening and twisted two fingers inside. Her breath caught sharply on the tights inside of her unnit and gave way and that's all I have kind of and gave way then the strangest thing happened the pain of what he was doing to her somehow made her feel better and that's that's all that I have for this month um I thank you for listening I thank you for the efforts that for uh the people that believe that these these uh words are inappropriate for teenagers to help get these books out of the school

164library and to keep them out. Thank you. >> Thank you, Director Pushkar. Uh any other board comments? >> Question. Was the first book Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis? >> It's not a conversation. >> Oh, sorry. >> Yeah, you you just share your comment. >> Yeah, you can share your comments. >> Oh, >> but but not to ask questions. Oh, comments. Oh, >> these like this is your un uninterrupted time. >> Got you. I got comments here. All right. I would like to take a moment to address the concerns we've heard tonight about library materials. I want to be clear. I trust our professional librarians and I trust our teachers. They use established selection criteria that consider age appropriateness, literary merit, and educational value. These are not arbitrary decisions. They're made by trained professionals

165following our district's policies. I also want to address the underlying assumption that we've heard that if something makes adults uncomfortable when we read aloud in a board meeting, it shouldn't be available to students. I respectfully disagree with that standard. Context matters. Hearing excerpts read aloud out of context in a formal meeting setting is very different from a high school student choosing to read a book that addresses difficult topics in a developmentally appropriate way. Our students, some of whom are adults over the age of 18, deserve access to diverse narratives that reflect the complexity of the world that they're growing up in. Literature that deals with difficult subjects like violence, death, sexuality, discrimination, or trauma have legitimate educational and personal value when it's age appropriate and approved. I also want to remind our community that we

166have systems in place. Parents who have concerns about a specific material can follow our formal book challenge process. Additionally, parents can choose to be notified about what books their children check out, and they can guide their own children's reading choices. That is appropriate parental involvement. What's not appropriate is one person's comfort level dictating what's available to all students and all families in our district. I value intellectual freedom. I trust our parents to make choices for their children. and I trust our librarians and teachers to continue doing their professional work. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh any other board comments? >> I have something I'd like to Oh, >> we'll go. >> Just go real quick. >> We'll go to So just a couple things. One is there was a curious email that and I've heard

167it I haven't heard so much recently, but regarding marijuana and vaping in restrooms. >> I wonder if we could somehow find out what we're doing about that. what actions are being done, what can be done, what's your practice to somehow address that issue and not right now. Not right not right now. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, but I mean I think that's appropriate. So, at the next meeting, if not before if you want to share with the board or the whole public what's being done. >> So, thank you. >> That and then and then I I would say um tonight was a perfect example of why parents need to be involved in their kids' education because the topic of a book came up and the parents were involved. They said it's fine for him to to

168read the book. If a parent all all the policy says is a parent should be able to challenge a book to see if it's appropriate to be in a school. I don't see anything wrong with a parent being involved because one of the most dangerous things and if you paid attention any in history the one of the most dangerous things somebody can say is trust me. Trust the expert. That scares me. So if we trust the expert, hey Mr. Delaney, you don't have to do any more reviews. Trust your team. They're doing their job. You don't have, trust your team, guys. You don't have to do any more reviews of your teachers. Everything's fine. They got their teacher degree. They're perfect. No mistakes will ever be made. Their jobs will be done 100% of the

169time. No questions asked. That's not reality. There should if there's trust, there should always be what's this expression? Trust but verify. So, and that's all we're saying is, hey, we are trusting the administration to do what they're supposed to do. We're trusting teachers to do what they're going to do. We just want allow parents and the administration, whoever to verify. That's all that's all this the the schoolbook policy says. So, parents be involved. Thank you. Thank you, Director Harmon. Uh, Treasure Owens. >> Um, yes. I wanted to share something of, you know, I was thinking about happy holidays and you know, we say that very lightly and you know, everybody doesn't have a happy holiday. So, you know, I'm always thinking, how can I make things better? and I contacted u Grace Painter >> who

170serves families in need in this district and she made it very easy for me to help some families in need so they can have happy holidays. So I wanted to share this information so you too could join in in helping these families have happy holidays. All you need to do is write a check to Francis House School District adopt a family. put that on the title of your check and then bring it to the central office or I guess you could mail it and give it to Denise Foster in finance and then you can help a family that needs help so they can have a happy holiday. Thank you. Uh, other board comments. >> I'd like to please um, as uncomfortable as this has been tonight for some, some may have liked what what was

171said, some may have not, I wanted to just kind of in just state for everybody watching and everybody here that this is this thing working. You know, I I've said it before from from the seat that there's strength and disscent. Um, you know, to Ron's point, you know, we we don't want a group think up here. We want people to have differing opinions. We want people to be a be able to speak for the constituents that voted for them. And what you saw tonight, everybody, is this working. I I have have a lot of respect for the people that are sitting up here because they they stepped up and over the course of the last few years, you know, I I've come to really understand that that it takes a lot of um um courage

172to to come up here and put yourself in public and do this for not just us, but for our families as well. And um I I just think that we really have to understand that we are not just here saying these things because this is what Caroli Owens or Mark Ponder or Sarah Okokei think and feel. We are representing the people that voted for us. And while I may not say the same things as President Blair or or Director Harmon, um that's the strength of this body is the fact that we do have differing opinions. We do share them with each other. We do respect each other up here. And and like I said, as as uncomfortable as this can become, the the strength comes from the uncomfortability. Um so, you know, as we're working

173these things out, we are up here trying to make this district stronger and better for the kids of this uh of these schools. Um, so just everybody keep that in mind and try to try to understand what we are going through up here as we are um um uh going through all of the trials and tribulations of passing policies and voting and things like that. It's it is I if you think it's uncomfortable out there, come over on this side. Um it gets a little little worse over here. Um the so just again we all have to understand that that when we are saying things we are saying things from a point of view that we believe that the the this the stakeholders um that voted for us would want us to to um put

174out to the public. Um second thing the uh cheerleaders of uh of uh how a a very very big congratulations uh to them. I was I went to high school with um um a uh another state champion cheerleading team the year that um I believe that they won the year that we lost in soccer. So um it was very rare for us to lose in soccer, but they won the year that we didn't. And boy, do we never hear the end of it. So um enjoy your win uh everybody and uh congratulations on on a very very powerful um hopefully um continuing legacy of cheerleader wins in Francis House. So thank you. Great. Thank you very much. Uh, director Ponder Drew, is there anything that you wanted to share? >> We always give the student

175representative a chance to say something at the end. >> Usually they don't state. [laughter] >> Um, I'd like to reiterate again, uh, thank you very much for having me. Um I definitely think that there was some uh you know uh fruitful back and forth between the um school board members and I would agree that that is uh kind of you know representative democracy and action. Um, and I don't mean this to target anyone in particular, but I think that if a person is going to give a speech and then ask if the only kid in the room is going to leave the room for that speech, that it might not be something that should be said out loud um, and shared to hundreds of people watching from their homes and more people out in the

176audience out here. Um, but you know, just food for thought. >> Thank you very much for your time. Uh, I just want to wrap it up. Did you want to share anything? Wrap up. Just a couple things. Um, number one, I love having student representatives here because it reminds us why we do it all because every once in a while, I get kind of forget the fact there's, you know, kids and students involved. Um, Drew, I appreciate you being here. Uh, maybe we should call you governor. Governor Drew, we should do that. Um, and just highly appreciate it. Uh, high highly appreciate your involvement tonight and, you know, in all your classes as well. Wish you, Beth, with the best of luck going forward. Uh, I also realize that after this, the board is going

177to take a photo with uh, Mr. Delaney um, in the hallway with better lighting and we'll see how his face is different from the beginning photo to the end photo. Um, but uh, he's known us for 20 years and he's here. Um, >> yeah. So, we're glad that you're here. Uh, want to share that I do want to reiterate what every one of us agrees uh is that there should be a book challenge process. You know, how it is and what it looks like to take shape and you know, a book that was uh chosen by a librarian 15 years ago. Maybe today's librarian thinks something different. That's completely okay and it's okay for conversations around it and I welcome it. Uh, I definitely want to emphasize, you know, parental rights, that a parent has

178the right to choose what their kids read. U, but, I get a little, uh, scared when a parent decides what other kids can read. Um, and, um, for me, one of the things that drives me is this idea that we're talking about book challenges and not page challenges or sentence challenges. So, being able to know the whole book is helpful. Um, and to be honest, um, there's other books that are pink challenged right now. There's multiple books that have been challenged. um at one middle school and you can be able to see what those review committees have said in response to them. We invite you to look at those as well. Um and so I do want to share one two uh compliments. One uh FHN Coral had a concert and their coral concert they

179announced that they're going to like a regional competition that required three years of like back uh video of all their different performances. And I was told because my singing voice is awful. >> It is. I've had I've had friends tell me, "Steve, stop singing. I like this song." Um, >> yeah. I don't think it's going to help, >> Carol. >> They did. It was a long time ago. >> It feels weird now, doesn't it? >> Um, Marky Mark. Um, >> but what I heard was that what they are competing in is similar to going to state >> but harder. So when we celebrate somebody going to state, we celebrate. Um but apparently this is going to a regional level. Um and I appreciate that I was there happened to be uh Vice President Grder and

180uh Mr. Delaney who are there. Um and they asked whoever sang in the past to come up on stage and Vice President Grryer joined um the choir of alumni Francis North choir and she sang. Um and I I think everybody else who went up there was like 21 years old and lower. So, it's a whole bunch of like 21-year-old and younger people coming up on stage as alumni and and Amy waving. Um, but congratulations to FHL Nor uh Coral. Uh, also thank you to all the bus drivers. You're so important. We see you. We see what you do. We see you. for all the uh custodians who have to mop up the uh slush that comes in from snow and every single teacher has to put up with the squeaky shoe sound in the hallway

181through hundreds of kids doing it. Uh it's not easy but small little parts of their experience. We appreciate your patience through it all. Um with that, um I just want to say thank you all for being here tonight. Um merry Christmas uh to those who celebrate Christmas. Happy holidays for those of you who may not celebrate in one way or the other. Um, but for all of you, I want you to know that the very best days of Francis How are still ahead of us and to the superintendent, to the admin, to the teachers, you have a strategic plan. You have inspiration, experience behind you. Um, you are equipped and trusted by this board to go forward and educate our students, make us the very best education for all students. So, thank you all very

182much. I'd like to have a motion to close. >> Motion by director Pushkar. Second by director Ponder. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All those oppose say no. >> Motion carries. Thank you all and have a good night.