001Board of Education is called to order. Please rise for the pledge. I pledge algiance 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. >> Mr. Shiraldi, please call the role. >> Mrs. Mahalis, >> here. >> Mrs. Click, >> here. >> Dr. Schneider, >> here. >> Mr. Mr. Achim >> here. >> Mrs. Fuller >> here. >> All right. We begin tonight's meeting with special recognitions and we'll start with the quiz bowl team. Did you want to introduce? >> Certainly. It would be my pleasure. So, uh, our quiz bowl team has had some outstanding success and it was actually Mrs. Mahalis's idea that we bring uh, coach Walker who's also a math teacher at the high school uh,
002and invite some students in to tell us about their season. um they have qual they qualify for the state competition and have qualified for the national competition are going to be competing here uh this weekend Memorial Day weekend. So, Coach Walker, if you and your team would like to approach the podium over there uh and tell us about uh the success of your team uh and what you have coming up, uh we would love to hear about it. Hi, I'm Annie Walker. I'm uh coach of the quiz bowl team, teacher at the high school, and I'm just so uh proud of these kids and just really really excited to take them to Atlanta this weekend. um getting to be coach of the quiz bowl team and watch them grow and learn and get excited about
003Shakespeare and philosophers and you know to advance to national tournaments. There's just nothing better. So we're very excited. Thank you all so much for your support, community, uh board, administrators, family, everyone. Thank you for everything. >> Uh thank you all for inviting us here today. It's nice to see you all. Um had a great season. We're excited to go to nationals. We're going to Atlanta. We're leaving this Friday. We've had an excellent season. Came first in our county and we made it to states for OAC. Um >> Ohioademic >> Ohio academic competition. >> When you guys come up to speak, do you mind introducing yourself just so they can put a name with the face too? >> I think um sure. Uh my name is Ben Hersick and >> uh hi my name is Morgan
004Savage. Yes, you heard that correctly. Uh, thanks for inviting us. I'm really excited to be here and to go to Atlanta. >> Uh, hi, I'm Elijah Brown. Uh, I'm very, although I'm not going to nationals, I'm very excited. Had a great year. I did pretty good. Uh, our entire team did very well. Um, I think what I think, uh, we had a couple people in like the top 10 players for our region. um which is really great and yeah very excited. >> Hi, I'm Santosh. I'm one of the seniors on the team. Uh been really happy with how the season's gone. This is my last season is as well. Uh we also have one junior who wasn't here, Chase, but uh next year is going to be his last year. Uh just wanted to thank
005all the teachers uh the board and especially our coach, Mrs. Walker, for everything she's done this season. I'm Robin Hill. I'm a sophomore and I'm really grateful to you all and to Miss Walker for giving me the opportunity because this has been really fun. >> Board members, do you have any follow-up questions or anything you'd like to ask Coach Walker or the team before we recognize them? >> I have a question. Do you study for this? And if you do, what do you study? Are there boundaries? How do you know how do you know what to study? >> There's a lot that we have to study. We're given um categories in advance. we know the distribution of them. There's a lot of online resources for us and we do spend time both in our meetings
006and outside of the meetings studying so that we can perform better. Uh we've had a lot of that this year. We've had multiple meetings in the last few weeks actually where we meet in the cafeteria. We spend a few hours after school. >> Typically with our uh competition, there's multiple uh categories. So each member on our team tends to specialize in one or two areas. Of course, everyone tries to study everything to cross reference, but everyone tends to focus on one little subset. So then within our team, we're able to cover a vast array of subjects and >> really perform well. >> Anything else? >> All right. Well, thank you for coming. Congratulations. We wish you all the best and we'll be excited to hear how you do. And no matter how it ends, it's
007quite the feat getting to where you're going to Atlanta. So, congratulations. >> Let's give them all a round of applause. >> Coach Walker and students, thank you for being here. If you'd like to take a picture back there just to commemorate you being here uh at the board meeting and being recognized, you can do so. And then feel free to leave. No need to stay for the business part of the meeting. We appreciate you being here this evening. >> Yeah. Go study up for Atlanta. back. >> I'm gonna wait just a minute. >> Yeah, just give me a second >> before we go on. >> Oh, that's a big part of our crowd there. There's one third. >> I used to do something. Thank you so much and good luck quizbowl team. >> Okay, next
008we move on to exhibit A1 which is a resolution to recognize excellence. The Aurora Board of Education is proud to recognize and congratulate Brian Hagen for excellence in classified service for this school year. May I have a motion, please? moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Shy, please call the role. >> Mrs. Mahalis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Click, >> yes. >> Dr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fuller, >> yes. >> Mr. Achim, >> yes. >> And would Mr. Hagen please come forward up to the table here, shake our hands, and then Mr. Warders will introduce you. Congratulations again. Happy to see you here. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Good evening, Mrs. Mahalis and members of the board of education as well as Superintendent Dr. Milstitch and Mr. Hayes. I want to thank you for allowing me the
009time this evening to recognize an extraordinary member of our Leighton Elementary family. Tonight, it is my absolute honor to celebrate Mr. Brian Hagen, the recipient of the 2026 Excellence and Classified Service Award. In my short time as principal at Leighton, it has become it has become clear that Brian is vital to our daily operations. But more than just that, he is a crucial part of the heart of our school community. I would like to read a direct quote from just one of the several nominations from his peers. Brian always goes above and beyond to help keep our building clean and functional. He gets things fixed or set up immediately and goes out of his way to help where needed. He is extremely pleasant, reliable, kind, helpful, professional, and overall just a wonderful person to work
010with. We are so grateful to have Brian at Leighton. I probably could stop right there, but I have more as the quote articulates. so perfectly. Brian possesses a rare combination of compassion for his craft and a deep care for the people he works with. He is intentionally and consistently building positive relationships with both adults and students every day. Mr. Hagen checks in routinely on our staff and me, which I sincerely appreciate, just to see how everything is going and to see if there's anything specific that may need done. You can often find Brian at dismissal, taking the time to talk and put a smile on the faces of our students with severe disabilities as well as the pair of professionals who support them as they wait for their transportation home. It is a small daily
011interaction that makes a massive world of difference to our kids. No matter the task asked of him, whether it is setting up for a major school event, dealing with the clogged bathroom, which happens a lot in a 345 building, just so you know, or moving an unexpected delivery. Brian does it with a genuine smile and always asks, "How else can I help?" Brian is that person at work where the moment you mention his name, everyone responds the same way. I just love Brian. That kind of universal admiration doesn't doesn't just come from a stellar work ethic and a willingness to support the team. It comes from how he treats people. Brian treats everyone with respect, profound kindness, and a genuine interest in their well-being. Simply put, Brian is exactly the type of person you want
012to surround yourself with. The way he approaches his work and the way he treats others is inspiring. He genuinely makes you want to be better at what you do. Mr. Hagen without a doubt symbolizes the green standard, which is what we strive for and expect here at Aurora. Leighton Elementary is extremely proud of Brian. We do not feel this award could have gone to a more deserving or worthy or worthy individual this year. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Mr. Brian Hagen. And Mr. Hagen, I just want to say I'm glad to meet you tonight because I've become friends with your wife Mary through Heinens's and long before tonight she's told me what a great guy you are. And we do thank you for your commitment to keeping Leighton safe and clean and welcoming
013so our students can learn and grow. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> I work with a lot of good people, too. I'm surrounded by awesome. He's humbled, too. >> Do pictures. Yeah. >> Sure. >> That's great. All right. Exhibit A2 is another resolution to recognize excellence. The Aurora Board of Education is proud to recognize and congratulate Steve Horvath for excellence in teaching service for this current school year. May I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Second. >> Mr. Mr. Shaldi, please call the role. >> Mr. Akum, >> yes. >> Dr. Schneder, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mahalis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fuller, >> yes. >> Mrs. Click, >> yes. >> All right. Would Mr. Horvath please come forward? Congratulations, >> Mr. Horvath. This picture, it just captures everything that goes on in your room. Um,
014and I'm going to be speaking a little bit just to the awe and the wonder that Mr. Horvath creates in his classroom, but I did ask Mr. Hayes to share this with everyone today because his passion for teaching um, catches fire literally. There's a quote that beautifully captures one of Steve Horvath's most admirable qualities. Wake up early every day so while others are still dreaming, you can make your dreams come true. That quote perfectly reflects one of the earliest risers in the greenhouse. Someone who often beats the sunrise itself. Arriving each morning to AHS by 6:00 a.m. at the latest, ready to serve students with energy, purpose, and consistency. His co-teer Brennan Gallagher shared, "Steve did not miss a single day this year. If that doesn't scream commitment, I'm not sure what does. To watch
015Steve in action is to witness excellence in teaching and learning. He serves every learner with intentionality, masterfully expanding access to chemistry for all students through universal design and thoughtful instruction. There is no doubt that helping students grow both as thinkers and as people is Steve's dream come true. It is inspiring to see someone so deeply skilled in education foster awe and wonder, cultivate meaningful critical thinking, and authentically treasure students for exactly who they are. Steve's impact extends far beyond his classroom. He inspires not only students, but also colleagues fortunate enough to work alongside him. This is witnessed by so many of them that came tonight. Keegan Sheileely wrote that he has learned so much from Steve about making activities accessible and optimizing access for all learners. Even the power of a word can make a
016difference in fostering confidence for struggling learners to flourish. His ability to reach all kids is amazing to witness. Grant Hyle, one of our new chemistry teachers, shared that Steve masterfully translates his experience with chemistry into analogies, examples, and techniques that inspire interest and make it relevant to students everyday lives. His acumen has been intentionally crafted over decades to help students excel. What what may be most remarkable about Steve Horbath, however, is his selflessness and service to others. This year he intentionally dedicated his professional goals to mentoring Mr. Sheileely and Mr. Hy and their words are a testament to the impact of that investment. Mr. Hy wrote that Steve consistently sacrifices his time to mentor myself and Mr. Sheileely and even gave up a week of his summer to attend an APSI for AP chemistry with
017me even though he knew he would not be teaching the course. A year ago today, Steve also attended the board of education meeting where I was approved as principal, intentionally showing up to support the transition and welcome me as a building leader. That spirit of support is simply who Steve is. He does it every day as reliably as the sunrise, helping others achieve their dreams while quietly and humbly living out his own. To celebrate a colleague who embodies selflessness, excellent, and genuine care for others is one of the greatest honors our district team can have. Steve Horvath is extraordinarily deserving of this award, and it is my absolute pleasure to congratulate him today. Steve, we know what a music fan you are and wanted to show our gratitude. So, we also hope that you appreciate
018this very special Grateful Dead album. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Steve. We We know that the success of our district begins in classrooms like yours. So, we thank you for your dedication and your passion for teaching. >> Thanks. you do pictures >> and Horvath supporters, family members, don't feel like you have to stay either. Thank you for coming and supporting uh Steve. Yes. >> Are here. It's great. All right, we'll move on to the approval of minutes from the regular meeting of April 27th. May I have a motion, please? >> So moved. Second. >> Are there any comments or edits additions to those minutes? >> All right. Then Mr. Sheldy, please call the role. >> Mrs. Fuller, >> yes. >> Mrs. Click, >> yes. >> Mr. Aim, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mahales, >>
019yes. >> Dr. Schneder, >> yes. >> Minutes are approved as written and we'll go to the superintendent report. >> Yes. Um, I will go first. Uh, and I did uh share a link with the board of the capital improvement plan. I see that um you have a printed some of you have a printed out version as well. Uh I want to talk a little bit about the uh the importance of this document and the process and what we've done to create it and then also how we will use it moving forward and then also you know the implication of the essential plan in terms of uh passage or non-passage. So, uh, the first piece of this, um, this was obviously a major, uh, undertaking, a major, uh, project that we began, um, and something I
020talked about, uh, with the board. I think going back to, uh, even last January, uh, as I was, you were in the process of hiring me. I was about creating a capital improvement plan and having a facilities plan that would accompany um, our bond issue, uh, attempt with the essential plan. So, uh, we did that. Uh I would say that all of us have contributed and all the principles and the head custodians and Mr. Powers. Uh we began this if you recall way back in the fall with walkthroughs at all of our different buildings and athletic facilities. Um and really looking at what are our needs throughout the district from a facility standpoint. Um some of them uh sooner uh you know higher priorities, some of them you know could wait. but looking at you
021know potentially what would we need to do from a facility standpoint and to say next 3 to 5 to 8 to 10 years. So that was uh you know part of our process. This is meant to be a strategic facility plan. Uh I will remind the board and everybody else who's listening or here uh we know we were still paying off the latent cops you know the latent uh debt essentially um and paid that off in December of 2024 uh you know the year 25 years before that. Um essentially, you know, we were we were paying that from general funds, some of that from our um permanent improvement funds and we were also drawing out of our permanent improvement funds and setting aside funds to make sure that we could replace turf for the football
022field and track, you know, all those things. So, we really, you know, and then we also had to do a bus rotation. So, I would say we really only had a few hundred,000 each year on on uh facilities. So, very limiting. So, we have now reached the point where we were able to create a document uh like this because we are done uh paying that off. So, this is a a fluid document. I know you have the paper copy, but this is the reason why it's a a monster spreadsheet uh is it's meant to be a fluid document that we will use as we're looking at our facilities um plans and and what we need to do each year uh the next few years. Um I I am going to do a show and tell
023uh here in the next couple. pull that up and and and talk to you about that. But you will see as as I pull this up that we have it split out, you know, by the different buildings, athletic facilities, and we've really tried to um put our highest pri priority up the first few years. And then you can see that we've also some of the bigger uh projects, we've tried to split those out over say two, three, four years uh uh when we decided that it was appropriate to tackle that. So, um I definitely feel free to um Oh, thanks. Feel free to uh ask questions. I want the board uh you know to feel comfortable with this sheet, but I think it's going to be a great uh planning document for us as well.
024You know, as we look at, uh our um our plans, you know, we really were not in a position, unfortunately, to be uh proactive um with our maintenance and with our facilities plans for a long time. Um and quite frankly we are right now as I sit here today but we are taking that step to have this plan to address our facilities both with the bond issue and uh then looking at this. Um I will tell you that the triage lists you're well versed with the triage list which are all those facility uh items that are uh addressed in the essential plan. Those are all included in here. You also have three to four million dollars worth of projects that would be included if we were to have to keep credit just you know basic
025things not to update it but just things like roofs that would have to get done. So um you know if the essential plan were to be passed there's there's about $24 million that would be taken care of with the essential plan triage list which would be obviously be be uh huge. So let me just walk you through this and I'll show you some uh some tabulations at the bottom. and I'll take questions. So, you can see it uh it's split out from district items. The the uh green highlighted items are ones that we've already done in fiscal year 26 or are set to be done fiscal year 2728. Um blue right there are just some of our you can see on the bottom those are some of our ro uh rotational I guess uh or
026annual uh amounts that are pulled aside to replace the turf and the track. Uh and also the tennis courts. Uh so we do take money out each year of our PI and just set it aside that we can use later. We're hopeful that the turf will make it uh seven years. That's our best guess right now. Uh I think I mentioned this the board in the summer when we were doing the track we um when we when we fix the track this summer that was a patch. When we do the turf we will have to redo the entire subsurface of the track and not just the surface. So, and we're aware of that and we're setting aside funds, but that's going to be a very expensive project in about seven years that we'll be prepared
027to do uh with our um permanent improvement funds and district funds. So, that's uh some of the color coding and you can see it it stretches out into fiscal year 20 28 29 30 31 32 33 34. So, that's where it takes us. Um some of these things and I'll just I'll use a couple of these as example. Greenman Way and AHS parking lots. Those are both uh very expensive items. Both uh you know, each one is about $2 million. And so what we've done is that's obviously in the triage list, but you can see if that were to not pass, we're proposing that we'd have to look at that in fiscal year 28, 29, 30, and do sections of it over time. Um we simply cannot do it all at once without the essential
028plan. Quite frankly, we would barely be able to do it. Um, well, we would be able to do it with the essential plan, but without the essential plan, uh, in just permanent improvement funds, we could hardly even do it in sections. We would have to do just that and nothing else in terms of repairs around the district. So, uh, that's just using that as an example. So, you can see all of these listed, parking lots, um, item other items that are, um, there uh, from a district standpoint, turf, track, tennis, uh, bus rotation, and it goes on and on and on. I won't go through every single one, but those are all district items um at the top. And some of these we would like to get into position where we're starting to redo some
029of the carpet tiles, more of LED lighting, uh parking lot lights on a rotational basis as well. So, we did list some of those district items and that's pretty typical, you know, in any obviously large uh organization is to have some type of uh rotations. So, uh, after that, you'll see we have AHS, um, and that's some of the priority items that we would, uh, need to tackle. Kitchen equipment, you know, that's on the the triage list. You can see auditorium, seating, scoreboards, the the stage, you know, a variety of things, as well as HBAC. So, those were all listed uh at the high school, Harmon. We've actually Mr. Bavich has been very needed this year. You can see a lot of green there. Uh, we've been addressing a lot of things over there at
030Harmon. uh none of which were his fault but just things that happen and need to be done and you can see some other items there for the next number number of years. Leighton um big ticket items, HBAC, kitchen equipment would be some of the largest ones along with along as uh with windows katic. You can see we listed the items. Uh we did do tuck pointing this year. Obviously, if the essential plan passes, none of these will be on this list. They would all be removed. Uh but they are uh on there right now. Miller, you can see playground equipment. U windows be some of the most pressing ones. uh students desk tables. That's something that's definitely needed at Miller. And then you can see a number of different items uh in athletics from bleachers,
031uh scoreboards, you know, things like that. Uh gym painting, which has been on the list for a long time. We did actually get $10,000 from Meyer uh donated to the Aurora Schools Foundation, which is really technically supposed to be four scoreboards, but um we need about 20 more thousand dollars of uh corporate sponsorships to hopefully do those and take that off this list as well. Uh so that's in the works. So that's just sort of walking through that. We do, as the uh board knows, we do have a bus rotation that's currently in effect and will go through fiscal year 31. some of that from general funds, some of that fun from the permanent improvement funds. We are hopeful that at that point maybe we could pause it. Our fleet would be in good enough
032shape, but we'll take that yearbyear. So, I know I'm I'm uh taking a lot of time on this, but I do want to make sure the board understands that some of the bottom things are um just uh projects that we would tackle eventually. They're listed out there, but there's nothing in them right now. Um, so those are just uh that's why those are down there, but they would be uh possibilities if we did do set aides from general funds or have certain projects that we would uh tackle like turf and track later. But what I want to show you before I take questions is I want you to look at what is that 131 there. I'm pull my cursor up. You can see uh the next couple Well, this is fiscal year 25, fiscal year
03326, fiscal year 27. We are pretty close already to allocating all of our funds, permanent improvement funds for next year already by fiscal year 28 without the essential plan. Um the projects we have listed would put us uh well we we couldn't do that. would be $5 million in the whole. And you can see that by fiscal year 34 um we we would require uh around $29 million 28 um you know.7 million to complete all these projects really just to to get a spot where our facilities are addressed. Uh but remember that if the essential plan passes that's about $24 million that would be off of that. So then you're only talking a few million dollars. some of those could be delayed or uh you know maybe we um are able to find corporate sponsorships
034for some of them. Uh maybe some of them we just do not tackle. Uh quite simply we just won't be able to do it. But I guess my point is we have a plan. Uh this is a living breathing document. It's how we're going to make facility decisions you know from a priority uh standpoint moving forward. And if the essential plan passes, um we will be at a place where the you know in fiscal year 34 um if not sooner where the district is in solid stance uh with our facilities. Um and we could actually begin to be a little bit more proactive uh with our maintenance instead of only fixing things basically when they break or fail or when we have potho holes all over the place, which is where we find ourselves right
035now. So um a lot of work went into this, a lot of thought has gone into this. I'm really proud of our our team putting the work in in having this uh document. Um and a lot hinges on uh the essential plan for pass. I feel very good about where we can be as a district with our facilities. Uh if we do not um I quite honestly don't have an answer uh for the board or for our community or our parents because um you can see the amount of uh money that's really uh necessary to address our facility issues. So questions. I know I just threw a lot of information at you, but you do have it to to look at it more deeply, too. So, >> Mr. Schroy, did you want to add anything
036to I know you've been pivotal in the creation of this. And >> Mr. Arquilla, >> you hit a lot of the important stuff. Um, right now, our PI brings in about roughly $870,000 a year. Um, so you know, even though we did kind of put this plan together, depending on what happens, there are a lot like again, Greenman Way, even dividing that up over three years, it's $700,000 a year. So it's not really feasible to do that in one year because that takes up the entire PI fund. Um, so, you know, if the bond doesn't pass, we'll be doing a lot more work on this to have to spread things out and uh really prioritize what's going on. Um, and we we understand that. Um, so there's, like he said, it's a living document. Um,
037it'll continue to change as um, you know, our needs and priorities continue to grow and and change as well. So, >> one uh thing that I did forget to to add um, which some of you might ask, we did work with TDA in order to have these prices and then if you look at like fiscal year 30, 31, 32, we actually built in uh, inflationary costs. So those items are actually more expensive than they would have been say if we were tackling it in the next year or so. And they helped us build in what those uh inflationary values should be whether it's 3% 6% 10% depending upon the fiscal year. >> It's very impressive document and I trust it'll be useful as we continue to disseminate information to the community questions about what the
038plan is, >> how the money will be spent. Be good. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, anything else? I have a question. Um, is there anything that you, assuming the essential plan passes in November, is there anything that you might foresee >> that um might need to be replaced at Kratock in the interim before we start the building process or >> the goal would be no. Uh, the goal would be no. We would right away start to tackle the triage list in in terms of uh starting to do some of the paving and roofing and some of those projects which are absolute necessity. um and then tackle kitchen equipment, you know, as it comes and then and then get in the building project. So, no, our goal is to not that being said, we
039do have a $100,000 boiler, you know, over there. We have roofs. I mean, things could fail uh before we build a new building, and we may be forced to sink, you know, a couple hundred,000 into credit, but we would uh try not to if possible. Okay. Thank you. All right, Mr. Hayes. You guys good for my report? >> What? >> Are you guys good for my report right now? >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Thank you for allowing me to have a little bit of time. I want to uh take my time this evening to help inform the board as well as any of our stakeholders about the landscape of the testing season that our students and staff members have been uh taking on over the past several months. Um and I want to
040start by kind of framing this with intentionality. So we we never view standardized test scores as that that end product or end goal. Uh we talk all the time about valuing the process over the product. Um and I've talked about that in my written report that I provided everybody. uh but our outcomes on these types of assessments are truly uh the byproduct of a higher purpose and that's focusing on the holistic child really nurturing those roots and and upholding uh you know our green standard with as much fidelity as we can. So um tonight's about you know detailing the immense effort it takes to embody that green standard during this high stakes testing season. So just to kind of get things started I want to give you guys a sense of scope and sequence regarding
041what's going on. So, uh, starting with gifted testing, uh, gifted takes testing takes place in second and fifth grade, uh, goes out to our that that begins with our gifted coordinator, Becky Quinn, uh, doing KOAT and Iowa testing. Uh, that that's just meeting basic state, uh, state gifted requirements. We also have English language learners uh who Stacy Levy and Liz Flannry uh they conduct those English Ohio English language proficiency assessments uh for all students in our district who are eligible for EL which is English language services and that's really gauging their progress and uh to determine if students um are ready to maybe exit those services as well. And then we have uh Mr. Magleanico over here as well as our 612 special services coordinator Mr. Torres, who collaborate with the rest of our special
042education staff to conduct alternative state tests for eligible students. And this is a group that typically represents about 1% of our of our student population. Uh and then then we kind of jump into some really heavy lifts here. And in April, we we shift uh gears to end of course testing, EOCC's. These are what we also might refer to as OSTs, Ohio State tests. And of course, you've heard me talk many times about our our testing uh in the fall when those uh official scores and uh state report card are released. But uh this really impacts students in grades 3 through 11. And so uh all students in grades uh 3 through eight are taking English and math. And then in grades five and eight, they're also taking science. And so if we're looking at
043approximately 200 to 250 students per grade, many of those tests are split into two parts. And so, you know, you have kids in third grade taking maybe four straight days of testing. If you're in fifth grade, you have, you know, potentially six different days of testing spread out over several weeks. It's a big undertaking. Uh then when we go into uh the high school, we've got uh six different assessments, algebra 1, American government, American history, biology, English language arts 2, which is their sophomore year English class, and geometry. Um, and just to talk a little bit about some of these these tests, uh, it really requires a massive shift in our building schedules, room assignments, and just ultimately the instructional flow of the day. Our building principles, counselors, teachers, and proctors, they do an incredible
044job ensuring that uh, despite the pressure of these high stakes uh, tests, the atmosphere for our students remains calm, positive, focused. That starts with teachers who are caring for our kids when they come in the building. You could walk down the hallways at Leighton and see signs supporting kids, making them feel cared about. Uh members of our PTO who are out there supporting our kids with little goodies and things like that, pick me ups at the start of the day. So, it's really a communal effort there. Um but beyond u the data, there's also real world implications for our students. you know, these EOCC's are are tied to um their gradu our students graduation requirements and then uh specifically students must reach a competency score in algebra and uh English language arts too and then
045other scores in certain tests can actually or uh help students earn seals that can be attributed towards other graduation aspects. Um then over these last two weeks, so we do pretty much uh OST or EOCC testing throughout the very end of March through the entire month of April and then we shift into advanced placement testing, otherwise known as AP testing at the high school. Uh and this year is particularly noteworthy as we've reached another milestone in our district's history. So AP testing wrapped up this past Friday, although we do have uh the national uh window for makeup testing is also happening this week. So we do have some students who are still taking some of those tests this week. Uh but we we had 467 students last week or the last two weeks take over
046150 AP exams um which surpassed the record which we set last year which then we which was set the previous year before that. So each year we've been breaking those records and that's across 26 different uh subject areas that we're testing at the high school. So um you have 26 different tests spread out over 10 days with all sorts of coordination that's going on uh every single day. and and we mentioned this back in the fall uh and even into the winter. Those are the types of things that allow us to earn the things like uh AP platinum designation from a national uh perspective. And again, this is a huge undertaking. It's led by our our counseling team at the high school, but really there's coordination and planning required to uh from a multitude of
047individuals uh from the physical spaces to the utilization of subroctors. So we have people at the board office who are helping get proctors. We have building secretaries who are doing just that. Um and then we have teachers who are doing it as well while still maintaining their everyday uh duties. So it's a it's a big undertaking. Um I also want to just talk about when we look at the whole whole landscape of testing in general. I really do want to take a few minutes to showcase appreciation to all of our principles and assistant principles who've done a wonderful job coordinating the process. Uh also want to give a special shout out and uh thanks to our new Leighton Elementary principal, Mr. warders and new Leighton uh counselor uh Mrs. Watkins, they both hit the ground
048running uh this past spring and and really made sure our our testing processes for our youngest test takers was was phenomenal. So, they did a great job. Uh and then speaking of those in new roles, we had uh New Harmon assistant principal Dr. Jeremy Roststein along with longtime AHS principal Mr. A who did an excellent job working with their staff. Mr. I see Mr. Broncosio back there as well. I know he even helps with some of the logistics uh getting all of Harmon's testing to run smoothly uh for all of our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. And then continuing on at the high school from Dr. Patch and then really Mr. Torres, uh that's one of his primary duties is helping to uh orchestrate all aspects of the end of course testing process at the
049high school. Uh while Mr. Baker, our other assistant principal, he he has a lot of dedicated efforts really running our PSAT, which is in the fall, and then our SAT, which we do a national SAT day in early March. And there's a ton of logistics that go uh into that. Uh I also want to showcase appreciation to our maintenance and custodial teams uh across the district. They do a tremendous job uh whether that's making sure that the environment is uh clean, ready to go, desks are in the places that they need to be, especially in those bigger environments. Uh every day there's a different number of students. So, for example, last Friday you could have 120 students taking AP environmental science and that and the day before that you could have had 67 students taking
050uh you know AP world history and just having the facilities ready to go every single day in an environment that was uh that foster positivity for our kids to be in a good space to take those high stakes uh assessments. They do a tremendous job communicating with all of our principles and administrators. So, I can't say enough good things about all of our maintenance and custodial staff in that regard. Uh I also want to uh showcase gratitude for our tech inte our tech team. Um we have our tech integration specialist, Mr. Andrew Sams, as well as our our new networks uh operations manager who's in the back here, Mr. Joel Marino. Uh both of them have done an outstanding job with making sure that our Wi-Fi and bandwidth can handle all these tests that are
051going on. We had one day where the fourth grade assessment was not loading up correctly. And within five minutes, Mr. Ward called me, Mr. Sams, and I had it ready to go on their device in a few minutes. And that was just the ability to troubleshoot effectively, make it happen so all those kids could take their test at the right time. But Joelle, Andrew present every single day making sure that tests are working, internet access is working. Uh so they they did an outstanding job and it goes above and beyond just that those particular testing days. Uh we're looking at things like uh state testing. they have a particular platform that they're using on our Chromebooks, but then when you go into something like PSAT testing or SAT testing or ACT or ACT or even
052AP testing, they're using different platforms. So, to make sure that our students have access to all of those apps, if you will, on their Chromebooks and they're working appropriately. That's all uh through them making sure that rosters are uploaded, Chromebooks are set, ready to go. Again, they do they did a great job. And then even when we talk about non-state required testing uh the last couple meetings you've heard me talk about diagnostic testing over at Miller or KROC when we look at things like Ames web Aadians I ready making sure that all those devices are uploaded with uh student rosters uh the appropriate apps and everything like that to make sure that our kids are able to perform without an additional layer of pressure. So again I want to make sure that our our tech
053team gets their due diligence because they're doing a great job with everything there. Um, and then so ultimately just uh knowing that there's a lot that goes into this landscape. I just want to thank all members of our of our staff and uh it's it takes a great deal of teamwork but also having just a positive spirit, keeping our students at the center of everything they do. So we have staff members like I said at Leighton who are creating signs and things like that to create create a positive learning environment. People being intentional about how they speak to kids when they come into the room. They could say, "Hey, put your backpack against the all, but instead they're doing it in a really kind way to make sure that our kids feel uh positive when
054they're going into this environment as opposed to feeling pressurized or anything like that. So again, it's a team effort. Uh and and once again, it just proves that Greenman Nation can come together even with, you know, their state required obligations. Uh they do so with excellence and never losing sight of the whole child. And uh again, I just want to say thank you to everybody who's been involved in that process from our entire district and thank you to the board for all this support. So, uh, thank you to everybody and as always, go Greenman and I'll take any questions that you have about our testing season. >> Well, we thank you at the table and those in the audience who continue to invest in whole child development over the mere test scores and we know
055it's working and despite what Mike refers to as the robust robust testing landscape. Thank you. And I appreciate it. And I will say we did get from the state um lens last week social studies uh science and math scores were released and then this Wednesday uh English scores were released and again scores were outstanding. So I can tell you like 97% of our kids passed uh US government. Uh there was a huge spike in um our sixth grade math which was a really big priority uh aspect this year that we were really focusing on. So, it was awesome to see some of those results. And again, we'll share more of that information across uh you know, the fall when everything comes out and is connected to the state report card. But it was reassuring last
056week and a little bit relieving when people see those things because you feel like you're trying to do the right thing by nurturing the roots and then when you see those outcomes come in, it's it reinforces that. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Shley. >> Uh financial reports for the end of April 2026. For the month of April, expenditures exceeded revenues by approximately $135,000, which is typical for this point in the fiscal year following our spring uh property tax settlement cycle. Uh despite this monthly operating loss, overall general fund cash balance has increased in the beginning of year uh up to $24.3 million through the month of April. Uh total revenues are 4.5% greater than prior year while expenditures are 2.1% greater than the prior year continuing a favorable trend in overall financial performance
057for this fiscal year. Um revenues April revenues total $3.8 million which is $775,000 higher than April 2025. Uh this increase is primarily attri attributable to the receipt of a refund of prior year expenditures from Portage County for a real estate uh appraisal fund reimbursement. Uh I think I mentioned that to you last month. Um so that finally came in and like I said was unexpected revenue but greatly appreciated. Um this was a one time occurrence that we do not project will be received again throughout the life of our current forecast. Year-to-date revenues through April totaled 52.3 million representing an increase of 2.2 million or that 4.5% compared to the prior year. Uh the largest favorable variances include real estate tax collections. Um and obviously the higher refund of prior year expenditures. Um revenue collections remain
058favorable compared to forecast assumptions. uh and we are currently continue to trend uh in favorable compared to the forecast. Um expenditures, April expenditures totaled 3.9 million which was approximately $284,000 lower than April of 2025. Um monthly variances were impacted by a decrease in other expenditures and salary and benefits. Um year-to- date expenditures through April totaled 42.5 million which is 875,000 or that 2.1% higher than prior year. Uh the largest expendure increase from prior year uh continues to be health insurance costs. Um expenditures continue to track closely with forecast assumptions and are currently trending approximately 183,000 uh favorable compared to the forecast. The district's total cash balance for all funds at the end of April was 26.6 million with the general fund balance totaling 24.3 million. Uh compared to the prior year, revenues are higher by
059approximately 2.2 million. Expenditures are higher by 875,000 and cash balances are higher by approximately $2 million. The current 5-year forecast analysis projects a fiscal year 26 year end cash balance of approximately $16 million representing a net favorable variance to the forecast. >> Okay, >> that's all I have. Any questions? >> Are there any? We'll take a motion first. Exhibit D1 is a resolution to approve financial statements and reports. >> Move. Second. Are there any questions for Mr. Shirley? >> All right. And please call the role. >> Mrs. Mahalis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Achim? >> Yes. >> Dr. Schneder? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Click? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fuller? >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. That concludes your report. >> Yes. >> U. We'll move on to personnel resolutions. We have exhibit E1 B1. I'm
060going to take uh seven of them together, then I'll get a motion if that's okay. All right. Exhibit E1 B1 is a resolution to approve the introductory appointment of support staff. Exhibit E1B2, a resolution to approve a position change of a classified staff member. Exhibit E1 B3 is a resolution to award supplemental contracts to district and non-district personnel. Exhibit E1 B4 is a resolution to award summer supplemental contracts. Exhibit E1B5 is a resolution to employ support staff. Exhibit E1B6 is a resolution to award a teacher a one-year limited contract. And I understand he's here, so we'll introduce him in a minute. Uh, and exhibit E1B7 is a resolution to adjust the contract days of building level secretaries, library assistants, media center clerk, and transportation dispatcher. May I have a motion for approval? >> So moved.
061>> Second. Are there any comments or questions? Mr. Shroudy, please call the role. >> Mr. Achim, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fuller, >> yes. >> Dr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Click, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mahalos, >> yes. So, resolutions are approved. Would you like to introduce Mr. >> Certainly. Thanks. Microphone here. Yes. Uh, we have Mr. J. Aaron, who is going to be our newest member of the Aurora High School English Department. uh very excited to have him uh join us from Lake School District. Uh we u it was an extensive process uh actually that we went through and uh he rose to the top and we're uh excited about his alignment uh with u with our values here and know he's going to live up to the green standard. He's going to do great
062things, you know, for for our kids and for the staff for for a long time. So I don't know if you want to have him stand up and say anything or if we're just going to say welcome. >> Did you want to say anything? I'm excited to be here. >> He is definitely excited to be here. I can attest to that. Full of energy and passion. >> We're excited to have you. Thanks for coming tonight. >> Okay. >> All right. Moving on. E1C is a resolution to accept and approve the graduating class of 2026. May I have a motion, please? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? I hope not. >> All right. Mr. Shy, please call the RO. >> Mr. Aim, >> yes. >> Dr. Schneider. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Click. >> Yes. >>
063Mrs. Mahalis. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fuller. >> Yes. >> All right. Um, we have no discussion items tonight. Under board items, I would just like to ask the board, you all are agreeable to moving our um meeting times in June and July up to six o'clock. We typically do that. If you think if you need to get back to me, you can, but it helps. So far so good. Okay. >> Confirm that. Yes, I can uh confirm that uh with our space usage and then also on the um the calendar invites that I sent everybody. I'll move those up to um 6 pm for the special board meeting and then both of our regular meeting in June and July can take care of that. And then um the grad alphabets you got the board members
064are all set for Thursday night. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. Any other board items? >> Okay. Could I please have a motion for adjournment? >> Second. >> All right. Mr. Mr. Shy, please call the role. >> Mr. Achim, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mahalis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Click, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fuller, >> yes. >> Dr. Schneider, >> yes.