001Okay, I'd like to call this meeting to order, please. Mr. Cathy, can you lead us in the pledge? Okay, now um we have an established time for public comment session. You get three minutes each and we will go. First up is Amy Barker. Thank you. Uh, I am Amy Barker. I am a community member. I'm an alum. I'm a teacher. All the things. All the things. Uh, and also a massive nerd, but I think you all know that my husband and I spent 12 hours of Thanksgiving break watching the Ken Burns American Revolution series. So good. so good if you haven't watched it. Um, and it really got me thinking because one of the the thesis was basically just once the idea of freedom got out, it was so contagious, right? Nothing could contain it.
002If you get to the last hour, one of the cool things is uh that Ken Burns talks about all the different other places then that were inspired by our revolution uh to get freedom for their people. I mean, it was it's it's really cool. And now here's where the real nerd part comes in. A lot of this inspiration came from the writing of the time. you know, good old Thomas Payne, Common Sense, that kind of thing, and how they would, you know, in the town square read from Common Sense and and some of those other great documents. And it just made me think how wonderful it is uh that our students currently have so much access to so much material through our county libraries and how our libraries really are a cornerstone of our democracies.
003And who knows what amazing ideas our students are going to get if they continue to have access to all that wonderful information in the county libraries. And I also thought, is it common sense for us to pay for something that we are currently getting for free? And then I had the further thought that if you lived in Glendale and you were paying for the county library, why would you want to pay for both the county library on your personal property taxes and the Kirkwood School District if it's for the same materials? I believe that the way we have given students access to the county libraries right now is important to us. And I'm just going to say it, although it may sound like hyperbole, but important to us as a democracy. Uh, and I also
004think it makes common sense in a fiscal way for us to continue to do that through the county library since they're not charging us. Thank you. Thank you. And then we have April Maldonado, please. Hi everyone. Um, I am April Maldonado. I am a teacher and a coach in the district, also a parent. Um, tonight I'm here as a teacher. First, I want to say thank you for all of your leadership and all that you do for each of us, not only all throughout the year, but especially at this time of year. In your role, I believe it's imperative that you hear all sides of things that are happening and what is not happening. And in this case, for teachers, for all teachers, Kirkwood teachers are all grateful for the many hours that are put
005into the collective bargaining process that is currently underway. In the past, I have personally personally spent numerous hours and countless evenings serving in that role. So, I understand the commitment it requires. Here are a couple of facts that are currently the facts. Last week, collective bargainings began the meetings and while many teachers and parents may not be aware of the timing, these meetings are scheduled during the school day as outlined in the bargaining agreement. This results in a set number of teachers being out of the classroom with students for the remaining nine days of the second semester. The community is now becoming very aware of this and I just thought that you all should know it has it has impact. Fact number two, this is the second consecutive year that KMSTA leadership that I am
006a part of has requested that a member of our group be able to sit in the room during the bargaining process during the meetings. Not to negotiate because that would not be the role but to serve as a listening ear and promote transparency. I believe transparency is important. As it currently stands, um only NEA members are permitted in the room with an administration and that is stated in the CBA. So, it's correct. Um last year we were told that this request would be considered that another member of another union could be in the room. The answer was no. This year we were told that administration denied that request and it has been stated that the request was not brought forward during the ground rules meeting in either year as a teacher. U as a result
007teachers who are not members of the NEA only have one formal opportunity per year to share their perspectives through a survey. There is no assurance that all survey responses are fully included or meaningfully considered. Ultimately, it's not required that everyone be represented or incorporate all voices, concerns, or priorities of the teachers. These are the facts. Thank you for your time. Thank you. We're moving to 2.02, approval of the agenda. I need a motion to approve the agenda for the December 15, 2025 business meeting as presented. >> So moved, Sharm. >> All those in favor, raise your right hand, say I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion passes. Now 3.01 consent agenda approval. I need an action or a motion to approve the consent agenda. Items 3.02 2 through 3.13 as presented. >> Oh, numbers are wrong.
008Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You're all looking at me. I'm like, oh my. >> So moved, Heburn. >> Uh, agenda items 5.01 01 through 5.13. >> So moved, Shan. >> All those in favor, raise your right hand and say, "I." >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. And now we're moving to >> Okay. Okay. Now we're moving to new business. 6.01, 01 the 2024 2025 financial audit report. I need a motion to accept the 2024 2025 financial audit report as presented. >> So moved. He >> second. Sharon >> Mr. Cook. >> Good evening. I was a little nervous. I haven't gotten to watch the last episode of American Revolution and I was thought she was going to spoil it for me. We didn't get to the outcome which was good. So, uh, glad to
009have Christina Jacquwin from Han Camp with me this evening here to present the 2025 audit. Uh, as as you all probably know, the audit is a little a little bit more complicated than normal. Not on our end necessarily, uh, but but, uh, school districts required to approve that by December 31st. And federal audit compliance supplement was was released much later than normal. and it really put a lot of stress on firms across the state to meet that deadline set forth by Desi. Uh so so we were just really grateful and thankful to Han Camp and specifically Miss Chakwin who went above and beyond to make sure our audit was ready tonight for your consideration and approval and uh thankful for all the work that went into making that possible. So I'm going to turn the
010presentation piece over to Christina and here is Do you have that presentation? >> Oh, there we go. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to briefly present the results of the 2025 audit to you this evening. My name is Christina Jwin. I'm an insurance senior manager with Han Camp and I was the manager in charge of the Kirkwood School District audit. Tonight, I'd like to discuss the following. provide a summary of the 2025 audit, including a brief discussion of the financials and the required communications with the board. After some comments, I would be happy to answer any questions that the board may have. We performed an audit of the district's financial statements for the year ended June 30th, 2025. Our responsibility is
011to plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement. On page one of the financial statements, you will find our independent auditor's report. In this report, we give our opinion on the financial statements, and it is our opinion that the district's financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects in conformity with the modified cash basis of accounting. With regard to the June 30, 2025 financial highlights, the district ended the year with total governmental fund balance of approximately $63 million. This is an increase of approximately 6 million from the prior year. In the operating funds being the general and special revenue funds, total fund balance was approximately 58 million. And of that amount, approximately 42 million is unassigned or unreserved. This represents approximately 44% of the
0122025 expenditures in those two funds. The remaining fund balances are restricted, committed, and assigned for other purposes. For 2025, the district spent the remaining CO 19 federal relief funds. Total COVID related expenditures were approximately $100,000 compared to overall federal expenditures of closer to $1 million. The major federal program for our audit this year for 2025 was the child nutrition program. In addition to federal compliance, DESIE requires us to perform certain procedures over state requirements such as attendance and transportation. The results of those procedures are summarized in the schedule of selected statistics section of our report. I'm pleased to report that we noted no internal control deficiencies or instances of non-compliance that we are required to report with regard to the federal or state compliance testing. Finally, we are required to communicate certain items to the
013board at the conclusion of an audit. These items are detailed in our governance letter. This communic communication indicates among other things that management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies which are described in note one to our report that we did not encounter any significant difficulties in completing our audit that there were no uncorrected misstatements and that management has provided us with representations in relation to our audit. And finally, I would like to thank Mr. Cook and Mr. Harmon for their assistance during the current year and I'm happy to answer any questions the board may have. >> Thank you, Miss Pangborn, Miss Andrews, Dr. Shern, Mr. Cathy, Miss Eburn, Miss Neman. You did a great job. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Board, I'd also like to thank Christina. There
014was a lot of pressure and I had a little bit of a panic about a week ago when we were worried this wouldn't be complete. So I know it was a lot on her team and I know she recognized Scott, but our director of finance is here also tonight, Scott Harmon. You know, Mr. Cook and I are new and we get to celebrate this, but Scott's been doing a lot of work in the past year with Mr. Rome um to make sure that we're in a position that we could get this audit finding. >> We need to vote to approve the motion or to approve. Yeah. All those in favor raise your right hand and say I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Moving moving
015on. 6.02 financial statements. I need a motion to approve the November 2025 financial statements as presented. >> So move second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Operating revenues for November down about 31,000 from October at 1.71 million. Local revenues uh we're up to about 5% of expected revenue at this point at added 835,000 to that this month. Happy to hear from the collector's office today that we can expect a payment tomorrow. Um that is something that there's been delays in St. Louis County and you probably are aware of some of those as as residents that the bills went out late and so some of the collection has been late. Uh there was also a change in processing software. So a few uh CFOs around the area have been a little nervous about uh when those payments
016would come in, but we heard from uh the collector's office today that we could expect a payment tomorrow. So Scott and I are excited about that and uh anxiously awaiting that. Those those tend to come throughout the month as well, but uh we did receive a a little bit in early December that'll show up as well in next month's presentation. So excited about that. our our fifth Proposition C payment for FY26, 640,000, up about 2,000 from last month. No no revenues in from the county. Uh state revenues, we we received 731,000 in November. This was down about 131,000 from October. Um just under 400,000 in basic formula, which was down a little bit at 15,000. Second straight month, SAT at 68.99. Uh so that continues to to be below what the expected SAT would be.
017Classroom trust fund, you may have noticed, uh was down about 108,000 from October. So a big chunk of our downturn in state funding came in that CTF uh line. So uh not enough gambling, I suppose. So I'd encourage everybody to get out there and gamble a little bit between now and the end of the year. Uh transportation, you may notice, was also down this month, uh at 75140, down about a little over 15,000 from last month. So, if you dig into the numbers there, the appropriation cap adjustment increased in November, sort of reflective of the fact that they didn't have enough money to hit uh what their commitment was. And so, there's a percentage that governs that. And we went down about 15,000 from last month. And we'll just continue to watch that over the
018course of of the year. uh more payments from educational screening and PAT. Uh we did receive a DESIE grant for evidence-based reading of 23,840 as well. Uh some federal revenues as well this month, lunch and breakfast reimbursement, some title one and title two and a little over 8,000 in title two and title 4A. So starting to see some of those federal revenues come in. We're at about 34% our expected federal revenue uh at this point in the year. Operating expenditures for November, 6.6 million. Uh we're uh just over 31% of our budget expenses for the year and we're 41% of the way through the year. So trending good there. Uh looking forward to uh building our revenue up in the in the next month or two and continuing to monitor the the balance between expenditures
019and revenue. Uh self-funded insurance uh balance was was another good month there. uh claims were outpaced by premiums by $20,000 this month. So, we're at 1.16 million fund balance in the insurance fund. Uh this time last year, just under 500,000. Uh so, we're in much better shape at this point in the year than we were this time last year. That that's uh that can be a tricky thing, right? Uh it just takes one bad month for that to be off again, but always excited when we're outpacing where we were a year ago. So, any questions on the financial statements? >> Miss Neman, Miss Hern, Mr. Kathy, Dr. Sherman, Miss Andrew, Pangorn. Thank you very much. We need to vote to approve the financial statements as presented. All those in favor raise your right hand and
020say I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. I need a motion for 6.03 facilities 5-year maintenance plan. We need a motion to approve the request to seek bids for the 2026 2027 maintenance plan as presented. So move >> second he Mr. I've got a few slides connected to the the maintenance plan just to maybe better spur on some questions and and understanding of of where we are here. So, uh maintenance tech maintenance and technology levies uh date all the way back to 1993 here in Kirkwood started out as a 20 cent levy for maintenance and it's through the Hancock amendment been adjusted down to 13.55 for this year and that's happened over the course of several years. Um so the the five-year maintenance plan was developed uh or connected back to these plan projects that came out
021of a comprehensive study in 2324 school year. So you'll notice in the presentation or in the document that you were given there is a column that tries to connect those projects back to that uh comprehensive plan that came out of a a collaborative effort from the community and staff. And so we we bring these plans to you uh annually for early approval. And really the the main goal we have there is so many of these projects are disruptive to the educational process. We try to get them done this summer. So we we have an opportunity then to use uh the time between now and and May to June to to plan those get bids and bring those uh bids back to you for ultimate approval at the board level uh and and get those projects
022done this summer. So tonight we'd we'd be seeking approval to spend 3.285 uh 285 from the maintenance fund from the FY27 budget and uh looking back at last year and similar to last year we'd be asking for approval of two other projects to occur outside that uh coming out of the operating fund. Uh these are revenues that were generated due to the reclamation of that voluntary roll back um connected to that uh money and that was approved by the board in September of 24. And so these two projects that we would ask approval of uh would come from that uh $750,000 from from that budget. Uh annually we sort of anticipate that to be at about two and a half million. Uh so still some money left there uh for other projects uh as needed.
023So So from the maintenance fund, uh Mr. Liry, our director of maintenance, builds a certain amount of revenue every year into those unanticipated and anticipated repairs and maintenance that that we encounter. and we've encountered several of those already this year. We've got an ongoing project now to fix some sewer issues at North Glendale. We still have a project out there to to repair some things at the North Kirkwood campus here around the gym. And so there are these things that pop up and you'll see in in that budget line that there's some uh accounting for that to to be ready in case those things come up. really two pretty expensive, relatively expensive projects that make up the bulk of what we're requesting this year uh from the maintenance fund. Uh just just last weekend, we
024had a chance to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the construction of Walker Natiatorium and um the time has come really for the district to invest some money into taking care of that generous gift that came from uh the Walker family. And uh as as Natiatorium facilities age um really this ongoing maintenance that's that's connected to there and it's a very harsh environment and and so uh we we need to be careful to to keep those uh pieces of the natiatorum going in a positive direction in order to keep the facility at the at the level at which we've enjoyed for 10 years now. So as we begin our 11th year, there's there's two big pieces that you'll see on the the screen connected to that ongoing maintenance. it it is time to replplaster the surface
025of the pool itself. Uh that uh is a very labor intensive and somewhat dusty proposition. Uh you you drain the pool, you remove the old plaster, you prepare the surface, and you refinish that. And so a labor intensive process to say the least. It's tented uh to contain all of the dust and debris that's created by that process. And so that's one aspect. There's also this this rebuilding of the pool pack uh that's in the the Walker Nadiatorium as well. The pool pack is a dehumidification device uh that's used in indoor pool facilities. Back in uh 10 years ago was built inside a cinder block uh room with no door big enough to get it out. So the only way to get it out would be to cut a hole in the roof and lift
026it out and replace it. uh the recommendation has come to instead disassemble it inside the room, carry it out piece by piece, bring the new pieces in and rebuild it in in that room. Uh so that sounds probably as complicated as it is, I would imagine. Um they haven't asked for my help in in doing that, but that that would be the process to go through uh this summer as we rebuild that pool pack. Uh the total cost of that project is is estimated to be at about 1.25 million. there is a chance that will come in under budget there and there's a few other minor things in the natiatorum that may get added to that. We're going to cross our fingers, but those are the two major pieces that would that would keep that
027facility going. So, uh the second major project out of the maintenance fund is a new playground at Tilman Elementary. Uh we we plan, as you guys probably know, for playground replacement on a rotational basis. Tilman was was probably not quite next in line, but there have been uh some some concerns about accessibility compliance through ADA at Tilman that we would like to just move them up and address those uh sooner rather than later. There's also some frequent closure issues that happen there from flooding. Uh, and it's a mulchbased uh, structure there underneath the playground that that causes it to be closed for many days where other playgrounds open much quicker. So, uh, the the old play playground would eventually be removed, but it's going to be in left there in the interim. Summer school is
028mostly going to take place at Telman this summer, we think, and we want that playground to be functional. So, uh, a lot of work going on behind the school this summer. Uh, but we should be able to use the old playground until the new one is operational. Uh, always amazed at the price tag of those. And it's not the first playground that I've seen renovated, nor you, I'm sure. And those price tags can be higher than you than you might think. But excited to to check that box uh this summer to to kind of bring that playground into a more accessible era behind Tilman. uh the two projects from the operating fund uh that we would like to to recommend and ask for approval. There's the the north gym roof at Nifer has has started
029to experience some issues. Uh it is nothing catastrophic at this point, but to be able to knock that out this summer would be a big benefit to that campus and so $350,000 for that. And then there's some projects that at the Turner building uh that need to be undertaken. We have about 20 windows uh that are just really urgent to be replaced there at Turner. Uh there there's some complications around the historical design there that uh make that a little more expensive than than it might normally be. Uh but we're we're excited and happy to be able to to replace some of those windows. And I think some of the folks sitting around the table will be very excited to not be rained on uh in the in the near future. There's also some sealing
030and tuck pointing included in that request uh to help seal up the outside walls. As you might imagine, the bricks are very old, very porous. We can get those sealed and some tuck pointing done and prevent some water entering into the building. So, the the cost of those two projects would be about 400,000 uh to to knock out a lot of the work uh at Turner as well. So, one of the the pieces of that, as you know, we have a lot of tenants there, and uh in order to keep those tenants, we'd love to maintain their spaces at a a place or a quality that would encourage them to stay and be our partners in the long term as well. So, there's there's two two facets to that request. So, any any questions about
031any of the fiveyear year plan? It sort of seems to me looking back over time as a rolling five-year plan that we're always trying to to look out five years and I think that's wise to do it in that way. >> Thank you, Miss Pangorn. >> Um, thank you. No, I do have a couple questions. Um, I'm going to start with a Tilman playground because that one kind of surprised me. >> It It was unexpected on my part, too. Yes. And if there's ADA issues, we should be addressing them. Period. So, I'll just start there. But I would ask that we go back and look at what was done with the grading during Prop R. >> Okay? >> Because if there are flooding issues out there, we should be making sure we don't need to
032be holding the designer, the engineer, the construction team accountable for their work. I believe that was all done during PRP RAR. And again, if there's flooding, that should not be happening just a couple years later. >> Sure. Um, and I don't want us paying for something that is somebody else's problem. >> Okay. >> Um, so that would be the first one. Um, I'm also curious if we're again ADA issues aside because I think we should be addressing those. Are we looking at other playgrounds and spaces to make sure that all of our elementary schools are getting similar evaluations? And I say that because in the past what was built out there was why what PTO's could pay for. And I'll use Robinson for example >> wasn't able to raise as much money and they put
033chain wire fences out where other schools got rain gardens and you know beautifification included in theirs. Um I don't think there's a lot of there's there's a lot of discrepancy. So I would just kind of throw that out there if we're talking about playgrounds. I I appreciate that perspective too and that so so my understanding of the history there is that the district has a level of contribution uh and then I think in the past there have been PTO contributions to add to those projects and I I think it is something to keep an eye on to to try to maintain that equity between facilities. >> They're not equitable if you compare them. Um, so anyways, just just that um I do also appreciate some of the just clarity on some of the other issues
034from the operating fund that need to be addressed um and you know bringing that to our attention and how some of that's happening because the dollar values seem really big but in reality it is a lot of work. So appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you >> Miss Andrews. Um just to kind of piggyback off um what Miss Pangborg was saying about um the playgrounds is I mean other schools have been responsible for um providing new playgrounds for for their schools. Um, and so, um, I think that this is something we've got to to look at, um, you know, and be ready to be able to support, um, at our different buildings. And so I see in here that, um, you know, we have budgeted um, the following year for some work at,
035um, NKMS. Um, but you know what? I don't see anything for Westchester or um or Kaiser. Um, and so I would just ask that we kind of look at that because I know that Westchester Woods is >> we actually just finished a project at Westchester a week ago. So we we're in better shape there than we've been. >> Okay, perfect. Okay. um just because that is a um you know a district resource really that at one time was used by all of our elementaryaries and um from what I understand that is not happening now because of um just different things that need to happen in the Westchester woods >> in in the woods themselves. Okay, I'm with you. Okay. Um, so I would just make sure that um we um are are looking at all
036of those things and and I guess I am a little bit surprised about the ADA compliance issues on the playground because those >> it's it's a brand new playground. Yeah, I'm not >> I mean it's our not a brand new playground, but it's within the time frame that it needed to be compliant with ADA. So, was it >> I'm not 100% familiar with when Tilman was installed to begin with, but I I do know there were a lot of conversations last spring in regard to access for all students >> and and so some of these these this work to be done at moment is in response to some of those concerns. >> Yeah. So, I I would just just say I would just make sure that um that we're taking a really good look because
037from, you know, if we're talking about ADA compliance, I guess I I would like to kind of understand that a little bit more. um because of course that is not acceptable. But I don't know how it would have ever been able to be installed and not be compliant. >> I think that my understanding was that there was a lot of work put into accessibility for accessing the playground itself, but there were many of the items on the playground that were not accessible by all students, if that makes sense. Uh, so the accessibility piece was towards access to the playground, but we could do better on the equipment side. So again, I apologize. I don't know what year it was was renovated most recently, but >> yeah. Okay, >> I I will definitely find out the
038answer to that. Yeah, >> there's there's also been a shift and I don't know which playground is, but this ch the transition from wood chips being accessible to a poured surface um for wheelchair accessibility. At one point in time, wood chips were acceptable for wheelchairs and it's no longer seen as the standard for ADA accessibility. >> I do think that's a big piece of the change, Dr. Rumpus. So, the surface itself is not only causing problems from a weather standpoint, but also access it plays a role in the accessibility piece. Well, I I mean I know that I believe Robinson is also wood chips. >> Okay. So, I'll I'll make a note as well. >> Oh, new reports in actually it just got updated. >> Dr. Sh. So, I have a question about uh replace
039the stadium turf. So, I believe in 2829 there's 800,000 um that's slated for that. But then it says replacement cycle will be two years out of warranty. And my question was just um is it possible to get whatever repairs or update whatever we need prior to the warranty uh running out to possibly save? >> So, yeah. So, that's a great question there. Uh there's a couple of aspects that go into the turf replacement. There's GMAX testing that takes place on an annual basis to make sure that the safety quality of the turf is acceptable for for play, especially in regards to football uh and contact sports. So those tests go on annually to make sure that we're continuing to be in compliance. uh the the warranty piece generally you can get uh 12 years out
040of of turf and I believe that's the timetable that we would be hitting that 10year mark if I'm not mistaken. Uh so the warranty expires at that that point in time. Um I I think that it's a pretty big price tag but I think it's worth looking into seeing if we could get work done there before the the warranty runs out. I think uh good to have that placeholder there, but we always have to be responsive towards those concerns for safety in particular. So, uh appreciate the question and the point and we'll we'll make a note of that as well. I think the mo the key aspect that we're always looking at is is it safe from a a player safety standpoint and as long as we're meeting that standard, it's most important, but the
041warranty piece is important as well. So, >> absolutely. Thank you, >> Mr. Cathy. Yeah. To the 750,000 out of the operating fund. Just to and bear with me. Sure. Continue to educate me. Is that you mentioned that that's revenue that was going into the operating fund as a result of the tax roll back from last year. >> That's that's correct. The the voluntary uh roll back of the of So, we we sunseted prop and then took back that voluntary roll back. I just want to make sure I'm using the right verbiage. >> And I think Go ahead. >> Yes. Well, that that money was was placed by Mr. Rome into facility accounts uh for the purpose of uh these projects that were outside of the maintenance. So, we also have uh the we have the
042ability to use it in some other ways as well, but that it sits in a facility account now specifically for these types of of things so that we can keep our fund balance in the maintenance fund at a level at which we're used to having it. Yeah, I I bring it up just because I want to we've had multiple conversations about those dollars in the past and keeping track of where they're going. I think we did cameras with them like a year or so ago if I'm not correct. So, this is kind of the similar >> It's similar. I think that this year's projects were a lighting enhancement and uh a roof project over at the at KHS. Uh so, those were the two biggest pieces of those funding from last year. >> Okay. And
043then about the Turner building, I I know we've discussed what's what's needed and necessary there. Is that going to you can't predict the future, but are we back to maybe even ground with the building itself as far as you know, or is there more work that needs to be >> I I think I think given the age of that building that we're we're continuing to learn that there's investment needed there. The roof is in good shape and that was a big expense. Um, the windows are the next big piece there >> and I think as we stabilize the walls and the windows that we will be in a much better place than we've been since we moved in. Uh, but I think just given the age of that that we can continue to expect to
044put some district funds towards maintaining that building over time. But we're we're really hopeful and optimistic that that this will get us back into I think how you put it a level playing field where >> just regular routine >> hopefully just routine maintenance from this point. Yeah. >> Thank you. Separ. >> So, this has been explained to me before by people, but maybe you can give me a elevator pitch, a little bit of a recap. Um, something that comes up sometimes in the community around the natiatorum. um is that it was a gift and that you know that there's a lot of conversation that takes place of who pays for it and who where the maintenance gets paid out you know and things like that. So given that it's on this list and we're talking
045about some significant dollars that are going to um the natiatorum, can you just explain a little bit about what the district's responsibility is just to refresh people who need to be refreshed and to give me my talking points a little bit and help me make sure I'm prepared for those conversations? >> Sure. That that makes sense. And and I'm a relative novice as well, so I'll do the best I can under my understanding. But uh uh so there was this ongoing donation and fund that was intended to to fund the operations of the facility and and I do know that there are funds available that continue to contribute toward that end. I I don't think the funds were available for for uh expenses of this magnitude. Uh I think these are those big pieces to
046make sure that we're taking good care of it. So I was I was trying to think of it today as you know someone gives you a gift of of of a vehicle and at some level then it's your responsibility to try to maintain that and take good care of it over time and it feels to me like uh this is a a first really big investment on the behalf of the district to say hey we we're thankful and grateful for this gift and we're ready to contribute now towards the longevity and making sure that we don't need another $10 million gift down the road to build a new one and let's take care of the the one we have. And so I respect those questions because it it sounds to me as though that was
047a big piece of the conversation the first time around. >> Uh but there is some skin in the game I think from the district standpoint to just say, "Hey, we we think this is a wonderful piece of what we have to offer our students." And so we we were able to budget into the maintenance fund to do that without really sacrificing too much elsewhere. uh felt like a good year to do that and it felt like a good year from an accessibility standpoint that to to communicate with all the folks that would be affected. So I I hope that answers your question. I think that that that that there just isn't enough funding there to undertake this this type of large expense that's needed at this point in time would be probably the best answer
048to that question. >> Sure. I think that makes sense. I I like the the vehicle as a gift analogy and I would go so far because I I know we do and I try to explain to people that we do have an ongoing, you know, we do have ongoing maintenance funds that, you know, do not come from the district. So, I mean, using the vehicle example, it's, you know, our oil changes are covered, new tires are covered, you know, the gas gets in there, but yeah, if >> it's time for a new transmission, I think, >> yeah, then something like that, you know, that we need to we need to take care of that and, you know, absolutely. I I was blown away by the 10-year celebration and just thinking of all the value that
049we're adding to our students. So, I think it's well well worth it. But I appreciate just kind of adding some clarity to that conversation and in case it pops up again. Thank you. >> Appreciate that, >> Miss Neman. >> Thanks. So, I really appreciate you sharing out of the gate that the five-year maintenance strategy and plan is kind of a rolling strategy and plan because I'm sure that's the nature of maintenance is that you have to think about, okay, what now? Um, and things you might not be able to anticipate. Can you share some of the criteria that's used to prioritize projects as they arise? Um, and also what criteria are used for trade-off decisions? So, when you say, "Okay, we really need to do this now and we're going to have to hold off
050on this for another year." >> I think if I think to be completely transparent, there there are certain pieces of these projects that are are urgent from a standpoint of just maintaining the long-term viability of facilities. And so I think that's where we ended up with the pool for instance of if the pool pack failed or the surface failed then it would just really impact the long-term viability and then we might find ourselves with a closed niatorum for long period of time when we're trying to use that. So I use that as an example really of I think that we're uh trying to address the the issues that uh are the most urgent. So in the case of the natiatorum urgent from a standpoint of uh just long-term viability I think when we look at
051a a playground with ADA compliance issues uh urgency in regards to student access. So uh I I think that those are the type of discussions that we would use to prioritize those things. I'm going to be honest. I'm going to be more in the weeds in this process too in the planning uh and the implementation the longer my feet are on the ground here too. U leaning heavily on what's happened in the past, but I think uh as as I'm here and putting my own eyes on the needs of the district, I think that I'll be uh more involved in the what gets put off versus what gets prioritized as we move forward. So, not to say that I'm in disagreement with the plan that's put before you tonight, but I'd love to have a
052greater understanding so that the questions that come from the right side of the room roll off easier than than maybe they did tonight. So, uh, I think that's that's the long-term goal, but but certainly as we look at that, um, that comprehensive plan from 23 24 and I think we touched on this last week at the work session that that we're kind of just chipping away at that. And so what's the highest priority uh from a student need aspect and just from a viability of facility aspect and we're chipping away at it but it's it's going to take a long time to address all those issues with just the three million or so that we generate in the maintenance fund every year. So uh something to continue in conversations about what's the best way to
053to knock out some of those in the in the short term as well. >> Yeah, that's helpful. I think it's helpful for our community members to understand. It's hard when you feel like you've been waiting on a list for years for something to happen and then it might be your turn popping up and something else gets shifted. So, just um you know, it sounds like you're really looking from district-wide perspective and thinking about the assets. >> I appreciate that perspective, Lisa, because I do think as as folks at the different campuses are are are waiting for their turn, >> unfortunately, sometimes things just rush to the urgency there and bypass those things. And so, the was definitely one of those from my understanding that we knew there were things that needed to be addressed there
054and I I think we knew that as soon as u you know last last winter spring and so the t the conversations and planning uh but but really it wasn't something that um we had hoped to have to undertake at this point but feel like it's really important to keep that facility going and I think the it's it's humid in there anyway and if the pool pack fails then will have even more issues arise as well. So, but but very good perspective. I appreciate that. >> Thanks. Just one other question. Um I'm curious about whether the amounts that are identified annually for kind of ad hoc things that pop up. You kind of mentioned that estimation of things that can't wait. Um has that generally been sufficient to cover the costs or >> in in
055looking back in the last few years, it seems that that is is true. Uh that the estimations have been estimations. I put some placeholder numbers out in 3031 to be honest because I think that we were underestimating the amount we were going to spend. I would encourage the addition of another row of unplanned projects rather than just maintenance. And so we know that there'll be big expenses out there, maybe not quite as familiar yet with what they will be, but uh just trying to accurately reflect what the district's expenses are going to be moving forward. But it it sure seems to me in the last two or three years that we've done a good job of planning for those and hitting the mark. And so I give Mr. Liry credit for that foresight. We've had
056a lot of partners that they've used in planning for that. And so it's been helpful, too. >> Yeah, that that's great to re-evaluate how accurate our estimates were so that we can get even more accurate going forward and not >> unintentionally sell ourselves short for how much things might cost. >> Thank you. >> Just one other point of clarification. We got some information that it looks like the playground structure we're talking about at Tilman was actually put in back to 2013. So there may have been some work done at part of prop related to grading or other pieces of the playground, but the structure itself is actually a little bit older. >> Thank you for that. Uh Miss Pangborn, >> I appreciate that. Uh Dr. rumpus. So, um, can we still verify like if we're
057having flooding issues on the playground and we just added a building, there should be calculations to account for the water runoff for the new building and if that flooding is related to it, we should be holding somebody accountable for that design. >> I'm on it. So, not to discredit what you said because that's a separate issue, but we shouldn't be paying for flooding if it's related to the calculations from our prop investments. So, that just to clarify the difference there. Um, we all in 2017 we also approved a renovation to the playground. So, I just want to make sure that you know in terms of ADA um that we >> it it seems to be that what you're asking for is some some very diligent oversight to make sure the same thing doesn't happen again.
058Would that be fair? >> Well, I mean, yeah, because we've had a history of um these things um you know coming back to um you know be major major problems. And so um That's what that's what I would just ask. But we, you know, >> I think I think that's good advice and I think uh something to bring to the table as we talk through the the planning phases there 100%. >> Thank you, Mr. Cook. Everyone asked questions that were on my list, so we're good. Thank you. I need um a vote now to approve the request. All those in favor, raise your right hand and say, "I." I. >> Those opposed? >> One opposed. Motion >> Two opposed. Motion passes. >> Okay. Um 6.04 Navigate on call owner representative agreement. I need a motion
059to approve the navigate on call representative agreement and authorize the district administration, the assistant superintendent of finance and operations andor the director of buildings and grounds to sign the contract and ancillary documents as presented. >> So happy to take questions in regard to that presentation. >> We need a motion first. >> I'm so sorry. Okay. >> Can I make the motion or >> I do it all the time. >> Just kidding. >> Second. Sure. >> Now, Mr. >> Okay. Okay. I happy to take questions as I thought some might arise, but uh honestly, this support has been provided by Navigate from time to time for the district when it comes to these large projects. Uh as you know, we have had a vacant construction project manager position that's been vacant for some time. and uh
060the maintenance team could use some support especially on front-end documents when it comes to RFP and RFQ documents to prepare for those larger projects. I think the key aspect to about the navigate agreement is that it's an on call agreement. Uh there's no upfront commitment that we have to use them so often that we it's it's at the district's discretion to do so. Uh and that they're able then to to serve in that role of really protecting the district's interest. back to some of the conversation we just had of having a set of eyes there that are representing us alone and and so navigate to to to serve in that role. U I have been very impressed with them and the short time that I've gotten to know them and their involvement with things in
061the district and I've heard nothing but quality things from them in the past as well. So this is probably just more of a formal extension of a relationship that's been sort of ongoing with Navigate over time. uh and uh would appreciate any questions you have there as well. >> Miss Bangor, I don't remember where we started. >> I I just want to make sure I'm reading it correctly. So any task orders though, we would still get approval for each of those. >> Uh yes, we would bring those to the board. Uh I I believe to get approval to initiate that, >> okay, thank you. So just to make just to make sure that this is replace this would be um you know kind of in lie of the >> I think in lie of is
062a great way of putting it. It wouldn't necessarily replace it because we may have a vision to hire in that position down the road. >> Okay. >> But we we felt like we could cover the number of projects that we have going on right now with just this relationship. >> Yep. Okay. That sounds great. and and I would you have gotten to work with them a little bit. Um we've had a great relationship with them top notch. >> Yeah, they've done a great job. So >> Dr. Shern and just a clarifying question. So this will be I know you said it's on call or as needed basis. So we paying them a flat fee or is it per occurrence that >> it would be per occurrence but it would be a flat fee each time
063for the different aspects of the role they would take. So that was important to me that I didn't feel like it would be worth it to have an ongoing cost to have that relationship. So the fact that we drive the bus there so to speak of hey we need your help here and that's when we enter into that discussion at that point. >> Thank you. So, not to jump ahead, but to maybe clarify what what this is going to look like. Is our next action item correct with the task order. So, yeah. Okay. Yeah, that helps. Thank you. >> At this point, I need a vote to approve the motion. All those in favor raise your right hand and say I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion passes. And now we continue with our navigate fund.
064I need a motion to approve the request for the task order number one agreement with Navigate Building Solutions as presented. >> So moved Andrews. >> Second. Nean. >> Mr. Cook. >> Well, we would jump right into task order one, which is to help manage the the Natiatorum project this summer. uh and some upfront work is already done, but we'd be happy to turn uh the keys over to them uh for the front end and scope of work, documents, development of those uh taking care of the vendor proposals, seeking bids, coordinating with vendors, all of the major tasks that would go on over the course of the spring and summer. And uh believe there's some pricing involved in what you saw as well there. So felt very very good about that tradeoff as as compared to
065trying to think how to say that diplomatically. I was I was pleased with the way that that that was played out. So >> Miss Neon, no questions. Thanks. >> Penguin. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> No, you're good. You're good. get into this stuff because I know it. Okay. Yes, you're on a roll. Do we usually provide compensation lumpsum basis for this type of work? >> I think in this case um that's a good question. I'll just have to admit that I'm not sure how we have paid Navigate in the past for this type of work. Uh uh this was the request upfront so that regardless of the number of hours that they put in, we had a predictable cost there. Right. >> That was the what we were seeking in the first case. Yes. But I
066I would get back I'd be able to get back to you as to how that's been done in the past. >> That's fine. I think either way, and I agree with that, there's pros and cons, but in this one, we may actually win with how many hours could be related to the Nitorium. Um I would just ask in the future that for task orders, we don't always just assume lumpsum. >> Sure. That we might itemize there. Okay. >> All right. All those in favor raise your right hand and say I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion passes. 6.06. New business. I need a motion to approve the KECC and Adventure Club tuition rates for 2026 2027 as presented. >> So moved. Heard >> second. Sh. So, so as I provide background on these topics, it's as
067much education for myself sometimes as it is for the board. I'm sure you all are much more familiar with it than I am. But as as we plan for the KECC tuition increases uh and the tuition proposal this evening, just a little bit of background there. We we operate our KSD early childhood programming as as a self-funded initiative. uh that the revenue uh that's generated by tuition and grants offset the expenditures and uh all of our expenses in regard to our non-special ed uh programming at KCC come through that KCC fund and so we also include in that fund the adventure club expenses and revenues. Uh so that is included there as well. Certainly I think as you look at that KECC fund it is a healthy fund right but uh we have seen some
068increases uh in expenses especially in the last couple of years as we move to a certified model at KCC for the prek education piece and then as well as some pretty significant increases to the adventure club salaries as well. And so these changes that are recommended in the tuition rates are really to help us uh to offset which was an unusually uh small growth in that fund in 25 and we're seeing a similar trend here in 26 that while we're breaking even we're certainly not growing at the pace of what we were used to and so we want to be cognizant of that as as we move forward there that that fund continue to stay healthy. So uh on the screen is uh the recommended uh tuition rates for prek. Uh we we generally in
069the past that I've looked back towards looked at a two to 3% increase in those tuition rates and this year would be 3% generally across the board. You can see some of the increases are just a bit below or a bit above to hit a round number. Uh but you can see u a pretty standard increase there in regard to uh the tuition for for the prek uh programming. Uh the adventure club tuition increase is a little bit more and that's I'd like to speak to perhaps a little bit more and maybe take questions over, but um in visiting with our admin team at KCC, we we settled on a 5% increase for Adventure Club this year. Uh we were far and away the the the least expensive program for before and after school care
070among our peer districts and have been for quite some time. And and so it felt like as we look back at the receipts and revenues in FY25 that were below expectations that this might be an opportunity for us to take a look and maybe make an adjustment that would put us more towards the the bottom half or the middle of the pack in regard to our tuition rates for Adventure Club. Uh so we we have generally a 5% increase across the board there. still consider that to be in line with our other providers and uh consider that to be more likely for us to keep up with our expenses than perhaps what we had in FY25. So, a little bit more of an increase there. Summer Adventure Club, on the other hand, hit hit the
071mark exactly as expected and and so we kept that at it looks like a 2.9% but really the goal being 3% for an increase for summer adventure club there as well. uh feel an obligation really to make sure that we're keeping an eye on that fund to make sure that I I I don't think we have this intent or a need to grow that fund, but I do think we have a responsibility to try to maintain that and not see it take a step backwards. So, I think what we are proposing here would accomplish that goal. I don't think we're looking to to make money there and grow that fund, but but we do want to be sure that we're not going backwards in a year or two. So, we're we're starting at this point
072and we'll see what the result is over the course of this year and be back next December, see how how we made out. But, uh, happy to take any questions. >> Miss Neman, >> thanks. Do you mind speaking a little bit to the 3.5% increase in the Robinson preschool classroom? Why that looks to be a bit different than the percentage increases for the other >> I got I got off track on that. I can't I can't answer that. I was trying to backtrack to my slide that I I got off. Um there was a request from admin at KCC to bring that classroom in line with the cost of the others. It was behind and so there was a larger increase there to match uh the tuition rate at that was ongoing at KCC itself.
073So it's a been a separate program at a separate building >> and they wanted to bring in line the costs for for those two programs. Does that make sense? >> Okay. Yeah. Um um is that from the administration standpoint? Is it the administration standpoint to bring those in line? >> Came as a request from the admin. >> That's correct. Okay. And then um the um what I was gonna ask you. I'll go ahead and pass until it comes back to my mind. Go ahead. So the the primary driver is the certified staffing component. >> I think that I think that was the biggest driver of increased expenses certainly and uh well worth it. I think it's contributed to an increase in quality of education there. I think without question we would say that it's been
074a worthwhile investment but it did drive up uh the cost there of staffing in particular. And my understanding too was there was a pretty big investment in salaries at the Adventure Club as well. And I think that contributed as well. But I think also worthwhile as we've had much steadier employment there and higher quality folks uh serving in our adventure club. So I think it's been a worthwhile investment in both cases. Thank you. >> Dr. Sherman, Miss Andrews, Miss Pangorn, I actually have a couple questions. Um how many tuitionfree spots do we have? >> We have currently 27 tuition free spots. So, um, yes. >> Thank you. And how many out of district spots? >> Oh, I'm not 100% sure on that one. Okay, you caught me. >> I Well, I'm curious. >> I know
075that there's a waiting list. You're supposed to get your kid on the list like when you're in labor. >> Um, before >> um So outofd district families can get on the waiting list as well. >> I I would I would defer on that one to someone who's more knowledgeable. I I do know that we have a waiting list and and >> you know common sense would tell you that we're serving our Kirkwood families first. I know we have some staff member children that are also okay there. And my guess is that those are probably primarily the out of district folks but >> that makes sense. >> I couldn't say with 100% certainty but that would be my guess. All right. Thank you very much. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand
076and say I those opposed. Motion passes. Alrighty. You did great. Um we now have 7.01. And this is not a motion. It's just information. Superintendent Board reports about the Educational Equity Task Force report. Dr. M. Good evening. All right. Thank you, uh, President Motika and to the board. Um, I will go through our education equity task force report. I won't necessarily go slide by slide as I know that you all have had these. So I will share as we come through ones that I think are significant and and worth making sure that you have some background on and we'll go from there. So um this report is something that really comes specifically out of the task force report back to 2016. Um and so in 2016 that report was approved. Um and the board had
077and within that a number of efforts within the and objectives within the plan. Um and so we really this report focuses on effort 11. Uh and so effort 11 looks at expanding existing efforts to retain, attract, and hire diverse staff with an intentional focus on buildings positions that are currently less diverse. Um I think that one of the things I do want to make sure just as I go ahead with this piece now um I don't think that this alone addresses issues of gaps within anything within our organization. Um I I like to think of the of gaps as educational debt um that's owed to our students as something that was denied them uh intentionally for a period of time in our history as a nation. And so I think that while this effort and
078the things I would explain tonight will simply be facts and data based on where we are now, I don't believe it's the only thing that addresses the things that we have to address. And so u I do want to acknowledge that as but I but acknowledge also that this is what has been asked of the report. And so that's what I'm giving you at this time uh in addition to anything else that might come out as a request. So effort 11 is aligned with objective five. Uh and this is something that actually did continue into um you all might be familiar with the vision of the of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our district. That's a one-sher and one of those three things uh that we talk about as a district is being able to
079have all staff member all staff members successfully meet the varied needs of diverse learners. And so that one specifically is one that we do continue and that uh in that vision and that aligns to this effort and objective that you see here. So I do want to note um that the some specific things around how this comes about. I'm very grateful uh in collaboration with a number of my colleagues and departments across our district that we're able to come up with a lot of this information. A lot of it really comes out of our finance plus and infinite campus systems. Um those systems are not things that we have great control over simply because they are systems that give us data. And so for example, one of the things I know has been asked before
080is relation to multi-racial and that being a category that's addressed within our uh within the system because it is a not recognized as a federal code. It is not something that comes in through those systems. And so while we may sure be able to go in and ask individuals, it's not something that we have currently in the data that we have access to that information. And so that's why we don't see multiracial as an option within the things that we have designated there. In addition, uh again a challenge and I talked to Dr. Rus about this as well and I know that we've talked about it in the past as well. If someone for example is of Middle Eastern descent and they choose, you know, obviously the as what you can see there, those are
081the options of what they could choose. They may not identify necessarily as Asian. And so that's not something that's some going to be recognized. And so oftent times those things will revert to white within the systems that we have. And so for your understanding, I want to make sure that I clarify that with the board as well. Um, I do want to also just uh throw out a shout out and thank you to uh my assistant Kaylee uh Kaylee Weiss in my office that helped to bring a little bit of pizzazz to this year's with some pictures and things that we added as well to make it a little bit more uh allow you all to be able to see a little bit more of our district. And so um again I'm not going to
082talk through the numbers here because it is information that you all had and I don't want to belabor things and talk about things that you know are in little bitty print that you can't barely see on these. Definitely encourage people if you would like to see it is it'll be available there uh as well but also for the board's benefit it is something that you all have access to as far as the numbers. Um overall uh as a district and this is again that picture is hard to see but that's this fine team that you work uh get to see us here in uh on uh getting ready for Thanksgiving week this past year and so great got great grateful to be able to get a picture together with our team there. Um but overall
083we do have 15.41% of our staff is staff of color or identify as staff of color. Um you'll notice I know that one of the things that we always talk about a little bit obviously that total staff number does things vary and change throughout years and so that's one thing. Another thing that I was very diligent on this year that I think I'm definitely diligent on the past but was more diligent this year is trying to get rid of duplicates and different things around our organization. We do have staff members that might operate in a certified position but also maybe support our adventure club and different things like that. And so in being able to kind of really go through and make sure that those things are not duplicated in different places, that's how we
084got to the number that you'll see there. Does it include things like subs? Doesn't include coaches. And so those again were some of the variations that may you might see compared to years past. Um again, I'm not going to go in depth through these, but certainly year-over-year, not a whole lot of change in terms of our staff uh demographics. um right around 84 85% of our staff white um and then all of the other designations you can see throughout our organization uh in a in our staff population there. Our students uh this slide is coming directly from uh Dr. Bailey's presentation that you got back in October. Um of our student population across the district, we do have about 78% that are white. And so that leaves about 21 22% that are students of color
085throughout our district. Um and again you can see that broken down throughout as well. We'll acknowledge as you as we talked about before um multi-racial is a designation that we can do within our state systems and and infinite campus and that's why that is represented there for students. And so um you know one one of the questions I think we often have and think thoughts we get is well is is are we really working towards like what's the goal? Is it just that we get to 20% and I don't think that that is true as I've said to this board before. I think the goal would be to be representative of really the world more so than even our current local population within Kirkwood. And so obviously I think our goal continues to be that
086we continue to have more diverse staff. I think that that's the goal and that's what we will continue to work towards across our organization. Um again I won't speak to again the individual uh pieces here but I'll give the some numbers there. 12.65% 65% of our certified staff are staff of color of our support staff. 18.6% are staff of color. Um, and then again, I building by building. I'm not going to take the time to go through other than to make sure that you get a chance to see all the wonderful pictures. Um, but we do have uh different variations of total staff of color across all of our buildings. Um, some buildings more than others. And so that's definitely something that we of course take note of and I get a chance to meet
087with principles and I'll talk about this towards the end. Um but certainly we it's not something that just goes by the wayside or is to address. The reason this report exists, the reason that we continue to have conversations about it is it's something that's important to this board and to this district. Um and it is something that we work to continue to make sure that we continue to prioritize We do also include st uh information for our staff members that are not specific to a building. Uh and so we also pull information from our chartwells uh partners and also our partners over at first student and so that data is also part of that as well. Finally, uh, SE special school district is also something that we make sure that we pull set data from
088them as well because they are not specifically our employees. Uh, but we do make sure that we get that information from SSD as well. So again, all staff across the district, uh, just a slide explaining that. Again, these and these numbers we pull around November 1st just because again, we try to make sure we have a stagnant time that we that we pull the data. I do want to continue to make sure that I highlight uh our what our applicant pools look like throughout our organization. And so while this one because there are so many years here is hard to read, I did just throw in another slide where we just kind of pull out the last four years um where you can kind of see where that where that lands. And so um the
089last complete year would be the more kind of orange slide uh or orange piece there which is about you can see about a fourth of our uh applicants usually are or will who tell us are s are people of color. Um and then we do always have a some percentage that choose not to respond. Um the numbers for this year obviously that's an ongoing number so that's why it is very low comparatively. We do also look at and want to make sure that we let the board know about retention. And so again, while this is all the years and you can see for our certified staff, retention particularly this year is pretty high. Uh almost uh 90 93 94% there. Again, just pulling out the last four years there for you all. Um again, you
090can see comparatively staff of color to white staff actually pretty close in terms of retention. uh and both of those numbers being close to uh you know above 90%. For support staff uh again all the years there for you all as well but also want to just point pinpoint in on the just the past four years. Um you can see where we are now is a little bit lower than we have been historically but still up upwards above 80 80%. We do have a little bit more of discrepancy there as far as staff of color comparative to white staff as you can see in the slide there. Uh, as I do always want to make sure that I help the board know a little bit more. Um, I do want to uh utilize Dr. Patina
091Love, which is that reminder that learning how to retain black teachers needs to be a focus for the entire school. Retention needs to be a recruitment tool. So, in order to recruit, we're going to have to show that this is a place where people want to be. And so, making sure that we focus on retention really comes from that piece there. I know that you all have seen this. This has not changed. So I do want to make sure that uh this is something that the board is aware of here and so that's there in the slides for you as well. We do have some additions here and some of the action steps and things that we as a uh as an organization are doing still. Um so you'll see there we do still meet
092uh Dr. Rich and myself with our principles quarterly to talk about retention and recruitment across our district and specifically to look at this uh priority goal area. And we talk about and look at that specifically with our principles and talk about different ways in which they can be incorporating it throughout their uh hiring seasons as they get ready uh with that throughout their buildings. And then also opportunities for our diverse staff to connect in affinity spaces. That is something that we continue to have with our Kirkwood teachers of color. uh that continues to meet regularly. We do also have through and thank you to our board uh the Kes building liaison that continue to do work within our buildings again to provide specifically that opportunity for staff that maybe is not certified to have that
093same opportunity for connection and uh and relationship. And then finally, intentional focus on belonging with students uh as well. um with that intentional focus on thinking about returning to Kirkwood to be teachers as well um is an opportunity that we have within our organization. A couple of newer things I want to add uh a little bit of context for um our educational equity task force and even with our conversations with principles with Dr. Rich and myself, we've really been looking at ACIB uh policy ACIB, which is the board's policy on educational equity. Um, passing back in 2021. It really focuses on three questions, which is whom does this benefit? Does this differentially impact legally protected groups? And what should be included to decrease or eliminate disparities? And so those are questions that we are often
094asking our principles to be thinking about um that we are asking ourselves as we uh think about it throughout our organization. And so really making sure that that is a policy that is followed and not just something that's on paper is something that we are really trying to put into practice across our organization. Um I get the opportunity to really collaborate and do different things across our uh community. Um I know I stepped out unfortunately out of the board session last week. Uh that was because I was going down to the MNIA uh end of the year celebration and so try to make sure that we continue to have those partnerships and work with our community to really continue to make ourselves um you know someone who community wants to work with. Um I've also
095had the opportunity uh the Kirkwood Historical Society. Um I've worked with them over the past few years in their Black History celebration that they do in February. And so this year, one of the things that we're working on is uh recording oral histories from black people within our community. And so we actually had recordings last week. Um we had a high school student that was working and helped us record some of those stories um so that they can be curated and figured out uh for in preparation for February's uh event. And so really trying to be intentional around the things that we do to continue to market and make sure that we connect with our community. do want to highlight and I always talk about I know you all uh are aware of our work
096with restorative practices. Um we currently have had up over 160 staff members that have participated in restorative practice training over the last few years. Um and continue to have offerings for that throughout again our goal is to just continue to have those offerings. We have a session in uh January, two uh half day sessions in February and then also in April. And again, the goal is that those would continue uh without an an end in sight is my goal as long as I'm in this role. Um and then finally, continued advocacy for staff members and community members uh who have difficulty navigating district systems, excuse me. Um, I know that that's been something that we have we often navigate. This office has often navigated is supporting families um when they do have things that come
097up that that are happening uh that need advocacy. And so uh both through myself uh Miss McWoods as our lead mentor for teachers of color. Uh those are often places and avenues where that continues to be uh done as well. Finally, uh thinking about next steps. Again, both of those other pieces there were also part of the next steps, but this one also uh highlights it. Um stay interviews that we continue to do with district uh employees that uh we have principles completing that throughout this week. Um and then I'm also going to do some with staff members that are not assigned to a building. So again, that category of other you saw there. Um going to make sure that we continue to include those voices as well. It's not something that we had done
098in the past and so that is new that we're adding as well. Um and then our diversity collaborative recruitment event is happening again. It'll happen in January uh at Webster Groves High School. Uh again it is ourselves Lindberg, Webster Groves and Maplewood Richmond Heights school districts. Um, and then also we have our principles again working with HR to make sure that we know about hiring that needs to happen earlier so that we can work to make sure that we get those positions out to the most diverse group of applicants. Um, and then continuing to work with our principles to be a part of recruitment and networking events. Uh, and our task force, our education equity task force has continued to do equity walks as part of our meetings. Um, usually we we've been doing our
099meetings in different buildings and then making that making sure that equity walks a part of that process. So, um, I'm sure there's more that I did not cover, but certainly I want to make sure that I, um, provide time for you all to have any questions that you have come my way. >> Miss Penguin, >> I don't have any questions. I just have a comment. I uh I'm really glad that we're also including Chartwell's SSD and for student in this conversation. I don't know if we've always done that in the past, but they do have a really big impact directly on our students. Um so just again really appreciate that. And if it was done before, I apologize. I missed it, but again, thank you for that, >> Miss Andrew. Dr. Sherman, Mr. Yeah, just
100a quick question and this might have been part of past presentations, but um can you speak to the opportunity about filling openings earlier in the hiring season? So, is there um a gap there? And I ask in the context of knowing um the labor market is increasingly competitive and there's less applicants across the board. That's not we have we're in a good position still. I don't want to say we're not, but that is a a force that's coming. So is there a like is there a notable opportunity there from a process perspective? >> And I'll let I'll let Dr. Rich if he has anything to add add to it as well. But I think you know we this is as you all know and saw even in thinking about some of our uh the personnel
101report as well. The reason we have EIP and learning and getting all of that information early is so that we can know what positions are available for us to be able to post. Now, um we, you know, our I I would maybe argue obviously all educational institutions are a competition. Um Clayton Leoo are a couple of the bigger ones that usually are the first to get positions out. I think I saw a post uh from them already about positions that they have. And so that's really the goal is try to make sure that all of us know no matter what district is getting out whatever openings they have earlier so that people can commit. I think what happens is you get people, especially as we get later in the season, contracts have to be signed
102as do our contracts within our district even. And so the earlier people can know what a vacancies there are so they can consider applying the better. And so our goal is to make sure that we get our vacancies out there as as quick as we can. >> So do we think we can be earlier? >> Dr. Rich doesn't have a microphone, so I'll chime in. Um, we'd love to be early. You know, there's competing interests, though. do want to um there are some districts that have the authorization that their HR representatives can offer a contract um at a hiring fair if they find the right candidate with an assumption that the offer would be made. Um we want to post early um based on the ESIP retirements that just came in. We'd like to post
103those positions where we fully anticipate that position still being needed next year. um a couple of the internal processes we've had in place historically um have delayed some of that decision-making as we watched enrollment um because we also the other side of it is we want to be responsible from a budget standpoint and if we commit too early and then if we were in a situation based on enrollment that we'd have to make any changes that could negatively impact us. So Dr. Rich is working with his team um we've committed to our administrators to try and solidify as much of that data as early as possible. So we feel confident about the openings we are certain we will have next year so that those can be posted very quickly and we move forward. >> No,
104I I certainly recognize we're threading the needle here, right, with with multiple things, but if there's an opportunity to be >> first to market, right, we want to try to do that. So thank you. Appreciate it. He sne um so you mentioned the percentages have remained steady um for both the kind of the recruitment and retention um over the last few few years but we don't necessarily have a particular goal or target. Um so how do we know whether or not our recruitment and retention efforts for teachers and staff of color has been successful? Like what is the benchmark that we use there? I mean, I I think right now our benchmark is comparing white staff versus staff of color, but I think that and and that again that data specifically we have HR, our
105HR department and particularly Christina TA, thank you to her for a lot of this information, but they do they're able to track how is that changing year-over-year. And so we do have specifically how many black staff, for example, yeartoyear are actually retained. And so those are numbers that I think are there. And so we definitely continue to analyze that and make sure we have a good understanding of it. I don't know that there's a specific goal. I think the goal would be ideally you retain everybody. Obviously that's not necessarily possible. But the highest possible retention would be my personal goal. >> Okay. So the goal is for retention and to just retain. It's not necessarily to increase. It's just to retain. I in relation to that it is retention but then also yes the goal
106is then recruit and then increase the overall staff of color is the goal but as far as that we're saying recruitment needs to happen with retention as the focus. So if you recruit six people but you lost five then you still are only at a net of one. So really focusing on retention to then also that impact recruitment is what I what I mean by that. >> Yeah I think it's important for us to know at some point what our target is if we have a particular target. I know you said as many as possible is kind of the target. Um but I do think it's important for us to really set that to know whether our you know the investments and the activities are having the intended effect and if they're not should we
107be doing something different should we adjust our way of thinking whatever. Um so I do think it's important for us to figure out what that target or goal is so we know you know like I said whether our actions are having the intended outcomes. Um I think similarly it's important for us to measure the impact of these efforts on how it may move the needle for decreasing the achievement gap. So of course you mentioned at the beginning that all of these efforts are really rooted in the goal of um minimizing the the um achievement gap. And so I I don't know, do we have a direct correlation in some way or do we measure any impact of recruitment and retention of teachers of color to um decreasing the achievement gap? Like is there a tie
108there or is it just one of the steps? Does that make sense? >> I think it's one of the steps. I think that um you know we absolutely this team has already committed I know Dr. Rump has talked uh with me already in terms of thinking about what as an or what we as a group continue to do to work on the educational debt and I think that that is something that absolutely this is a piece of it. At the same time I want to be clear I think that when we talk about students of color achieving it really focuses on staff staff of color staff who are white believing in them to achieve. And so I don't I don't I don't think that hiring staff of color alone is going to change that. I
109believe that our work lies in our work around restorative practices and our work around making sure that our teachers believe in each and every student. Um and that's what I believe is the work that we have ahead of us in order to decrease the ed to decrease the gap um to repay the educational debt that's owed to our students. Yeah, I definitely think that that focus on um decreasing the achievement gap is, you know, the the kind of primary focus here and want to make sure that again we're putting all of our resources and time and energy toward things that will move the needle there. And so I think where we can find direct impacts from the activities that we do, um it it'll help us make sure that we're putting our resources in the
110right places. So love to see in the future if we can make that tie between these activities and how that specifically addresses the achievement gap. And maybe that's not possible. I don't know. But I I think it'd be helpful for us to see that um you know how these the combination of these activities actually move the needle. And I hope that we have planned um goals to talk about the achievement gap more robustly. Thank you. >> Thank you for all your work on this. Dr. Matt, one question. How is the diversity recruiting event publicized? >> So, uh, we are fortunate usually the hosting district kind of leads the work within all of that. And so, um, as hosts, Webster Grows has just gotten us a flyer that we are working with our CRD team to
111continue to figure out ways that it can continue to be used. It has historically been in our insider and spotlight, I believe. And so we'll continue to utilize those piece those places. Um I do make sure that it's on our uh direct executive inclusion website within our district as well. Um and so then social media, I mean it's probably the biggest tool that we use. Um but that's that's kind of the realm of how it all goes out. Do does does the host district or do we reach out to the colleges the education programs to let them know? >> Yes, we want to be here. So we are fortunate um you know with through this partnership we work with diversity equity inclusion offices and also human resources offices across our those districts and so they
112through their organizations like uh SHERM which is the uh human resources organization for the districts um and different entities like that it is something that goes out through other universities. Um, we've been very fortunate over the last couple of years we've been able to have some type of local news media source that will pick it up as well. And so we'll be reaching out to them as well to try to make sure that we continue to publicize through some of those means. >> That's great. And um, one last question about how many candidates show up on this day? >> So Kirkwood has had a historically called a minority recruitment event. Um, uh, had a few of things that happened with it. Uh even back to it was more of a every twoyear thing and so
113historically that's just changed throughout time. Um Kirkwood eventually then took it on and had been doing it by themselves. This is now the third year that we will have done it as a joint uh effort. The first year not so great uh what I say participation I guess or attendees. Um last year about I would say probably 50 or 60 we ended up total throughout the event. Um and so hopeful that that number or better is where we end up this year. I think again with word of mouth even people seeing and being a part of it year-over-year um hopefully we'll help continue to make that grow. >> And what's been our success rate in landing some of these folks? >> I would say it hasn't been quite what we would hope yet is but
114to be perfectly blunt. Um, I think that ultimately, you know, our goal and we we are very fortunate. Um, we do have many of our try to make sure at least one representative from each of our district levels, so elementary, preschool, uh, middle and high school administrators are at the event. That's not something that I can say every district usually has their administrators present. So, I'm grateful for to our administrative team usually is making sure that they're there. Um, and so it it all then results in then even I think that even though the event is great and I think that we get to be able to meet a lot of people, it also then incumbent upon them to apply for our our position. Um, I I don't know that I can look at specifically
115how many we get from there to then apply. But as far as true hiring and coming all the way into the organization, um, I wouldn't say that that's always the most big route to which that happens. Well, thank you for all your efforts with this. It's really important. >> Real quick, uh, future events, Friday is the last day of the semester and the kiddos will then be home for two weeks. So, have fun. >> Dr. Rumpus, do you have anything? >> Yeah, just as you said that, it made me realize this is our sixth business meeting um with this new team. It's hard to believe that the year is halfway over at this point already. Um so as we get ready after four more instructional days and then one more staff um records day. Um
116just want to thank all of our teachers and our staff for the incredibly hard work they put in um to the first half of the school year. We know everybody spends the holidays and break a little bit differently, but I hope that all of our staff have an great opportunity to rest and relax and our students enjoy time with their families. I want to thank this incredible team of people that I get to work with each and every day. um you know, I get to come here and kind of sit here while they do all of these presentations, but um it represents a lot of incredible hard work that really the team is doing as a group. Um and to thank the seven of you for your um commitment to the district and the time
117you give up to be here and um volunteer to support the Kirkwood School District. So, thank you to everybody and I hope everyone has a great winter break. >> We're adjourned.