09/08/2025 CWLS Board Meeting

001order. Hi. Hi. This is Vangela Barnes and we president of the Canal Winchester um school board and we call this meeting to order on September the 8th um 2025 at 7:02 p.m. We do the call to order, please. >> Barnes, >> present. >> Mr. George here. >> Miss Green. >> Mrs. Styley >> here. >> Mr. Twist >> here. Next on the agenda is our pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um, thank you. The next thing on our agenda is um, >> where am I at? >> Additions and any changes or deletions in the agenda. >> We did have one deletion to the agenda. We removed a

002classified uh, recommendation from the agenda of a Mr. Shua Cody, I believe. Um, it was incorrectly on the board agenda as a hireer where it should have been a transfer. >> Was that out that was out of consent, right? >> Uh, yes. >> Okay. >> It is correct on the printed forms. >> Thank you. Um, we got an approval of the uh agenda. >> Motion to approve the agenda. So move with the noted amendment. >> Second. >> Can I take a a vote, please? >> Mrs. Tally, >> yes. >> Mr. TW, >> yes. >> Miss Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. George, >> yes. >> All right. Next on the agenda is our presentations. Um the district tech um technology update. Okay. Technology, right? Yes, indeed. Indeed. All right. Um, thank you very much. Uh, speak

003about technology support uh the inventory management uh our uh infrastructure review, application review, cyber security and then we'll talk about some future initiatives that uh uh that we have here. So as far as the team is concerned, I would like to introduce uh John Paul Hoffman. He is uh um our um he manages our student information systems as well as the what we call a chrome depot which is our program uh where we work with the uh with high school students where they learn how to repair and provide repair for the Chromebooks. Isaiah Cole, he's our uh help desk specialist, the go-to uh individual in the district. Uh we have uh uh we have David uh Dewise, he provides integration for for our applications specifically on the um education technology side. Sheila, she is our

004administrative assistant, the one the glue actually that keeps the team together. We're very thankful. Will Melton, he is the infrastructure specialist uh in charge particularly about for our infrastructure uh network as well as the physical component, the wiring and so on. and Heather, she's also our infrastructure specialist and she is in charge of the system administration of our uh various systems. It's uh uh I'm I'm very proud of the team and I'm very proud uh for for everything that that uh everyone uh has has contributed and and how everyone is moving us toward uh accomplishing our vision which is our vision has four words right consolidate, integrate, innovate and celebrate. Used to be three words but then we with four words is better. So what do they mean? On the consolidate we're looking for ways

005not only to reduce cost consolidation but provide better services as well as better support uh for members of the community, students as well as staff. Integrate. We're looking for ways to integrate systems so that we don't have to do double data entry as well as uh uh um um um reduce uh the uh errors in our data and increase reliability and innovate. It's primarily simplify. If a process is too complex then it's not simple enough. First thing is to to simplify the particular process and celebrate uh not only personal achievement but as well as the uh uh what what what the team is able to do and as we get new technology requests uh we are reviewing it through these four words. The first one is the consolidate is do we have we have a

006business need. Do we have a current system to address that particular need? And if we do, we're going to take a look at that one. If we don't, we're going to ask the question, does this system integrate with another system with the one that we have? And if it doesn't, then we'll have to ask the question, is is is this a right system for us? But if it does, we're looking for simple ways of addressing business needs as well as celebrate our winners. So on the support side, technology support we're able to reduce the resolution time from 2.7 days based on data um to less than seven hours. So this is tickets that are coming around based on the data before um um u before our team uh took over used to be about 2.7

007days. Now we're are seven hours during the back to school three weeks time uh where everybody had hands on deck it was 2.7 hours uh that It's not sustainable and our goal is it's it's eight hours on average to resolve technical requests. Uh remote support we are in a position where we can quickly address supports from our desk here at the technology department. Um but however though we will travel uh to a particular school or office when the need arises. And finally we uh with the request of the board uh as as well as it's it's part of our vision as well to to to implement phone support for parents as well as for internal request. So on the inventory management we introduced procedures um to manage our inventory for staff and students and uh

008through consolidation and savings were able to find about a thousand Chromebooks um and we had a win here. We did not procure any Chromebooks for this particular school year. So that resulted in that's about $300,000 on those Chromebooks. So we're able to to address it with the inventory that that that we have in place as well as we're implementing systems and uh configuration to move toward automating our inventory and the way we manage our inventory utilizing primary data. Now, infrastructure had quite a bit uh we're able to um update the way that automate the way that we update our Microsoft as well as third party uh uh uh systems in in our district. We reduced our server by 50% uh by consolidating systems in in fewer services servers as well as by uh migrating some

009of the applications to the cloud and uh when I came here within within a week I was hearing quite a bit about radios those are handheld security radios or bus radios and this is broken this is here the antenna fell down and so on. So we're able to reimplement together with a vendor the entire system and uh uh we haven't heard much uh problems ever since. So so I will take that as a win. On the infrastructure uh we reimplemented various mobile device management systems to manage our iPads and tablets as well as our smartboard. The PA system was uh was was one of those that we had to call the vendor pretty regularly. Now, now we uh uh we increase reliability with with some configuration changes and uh March radios, those are radios that

010we have in all of our schools to open a direct line to law enforcement um to increase security in our schools and infrastructure. Again, the the MDR, XDR, some um some fancy stuff to say that the our anti virus is not looking at files that are corrupt, but also context uh network. There were network upgrades as well as backup systems upgrades. Now applications, we implemented single sign on. The single sign on was something that we heard very regularly from teachers uh as well as from staff that this was this was one of the wins. Um there used to be uh all all of us used to have more than one username and password to log into system. This system has this username and password. This system has that and that and that. Um we were

011able to log into all of our systems frankly at this point utilizing only one username and password. Um and uh um that makes the experience of utilizing our our applications uh much easier. Um the HR systems we reimplemented the current systems with new workflow and processes together in collaboration with various departments and the biggest thing on the application side was the introduc introduction of Senate Bill 29 which uh uh uh where we work with vendors to negotiate over 230 applications to comply with Ohio law. So this in itself took some time on cyber security. I'll talk a bit more here. Uh there was a presentation done about a year ago by a third party vendor who conducted some cyber security audit. Um and we have taken their recommendation as well in this area. We implemented

012the uh uh MFA uh the the multifactor authentication um to to to prevent us from uh from accounts being hijacked. When it comes to security um there are many schools in Ohio as well as in the country. When it comes to security, how secure you want to be? Well, just like just like you know, if we're all being followed by the bear, all you want to do is just be faster than the other guy, right? So so so this is what we're attempting to do. Uh in this case, it's it's we we understand that we cannot secure our environment 100% but we want to be in a place where we do due diligence. Dark web scanning, we're scanning for passwords as well as username deplete in the dark web as well as we're working uh

013hard to to to remediate vulnerabilities by introducing automated updates. Um when uh uh when the audit was conducted a year ago, it was determined that we were at risk and uh there was a proposal conducted at that point by by the third party uh company to for for them to to help us with the security. And we're I'm I'm happy to say we're somewhere between stronger and advanced today at 10% the cost proposed cost. And uh um I can I can go in more more specifics here, but for security reasons I I would not, but I'm happy to uh to present further. Um so we're we're very much uh cost conscientious as well. We're working with the Ohio Cyber Reserve and uh we're on track to declare safe harbor which could reduce the liability of

014the district case. Uh we we we hit a cyber event. Um and uh um now as as as you are hearing uh uh all of this before I get into the upcoming initiative, it's uh what might be going to mind is hey this must have cost a lot of money, right? But a bit of implementation. I'm happy to say that's not true. That's not the case. Uh we've been very uh very wise with the way resources have been implemented through the consolidation. We've been in a place where uh uh where where that is not the case. Although today I'm not prepared to to answer that specific question. It's we uh we are at the point where we're not uh our expenditure is not greater than the previous year. Um as we go forward, our focus

015is on uh the C CW promise on the experience on the user experience. Um we are uh uh going to to develop our own technology section in the CW promise and also we're looking into our into the technology from three different perspectives. Parents we have parents many of you who are interacting with these tools and I'm sure you have never asked the question where do I go to do this? Um and so we we want to work in a process where we can consolidate services. The same thing we want to do for students as well as for teachers. Um that is that is that is the way we're thinking about our capability as well as the services that are being provided to to to these three communities the parents the students as well as the

016staff. Um and as we as we proceed in the future as we move on we'll be uh working on the AI weapons detection system. Um automation of various processes particularly the onboarding as well as the onboarding as well as we'll be looking into the ways to adopt AI made the automations as well as generative AI into into our functions as you can tell this is your has been specifically related to infrastructure not as much on the educational technology as I wanted to be and that is going to be one of the areas where where we would love to uh to help and provide value Okay, that is it. As I said, I'll be short. Happy to take any questions. If not, >> um, go ahead, Monica. >> Okay. Um, so I'm sure you're aware, but

017but budget bill, the budget bill last year, um, added some unfunded cyber security requirements. Um, how do you think we're positioned to be I think I think the compliance for those requirements is January 1. How do how do you think we're positioned for that? the uh the first component of the compliance of this is the um house bill 96 is that we declare and adopt a cyber security framework and by September 30 we have already adopted the cyber security framework so we've met that uh that particular uh regulation we are working with the cyber reserve in order to be in a position to to to be compliant by the uh by the time noted so we looking in a pretty good shape. >> Excellent. Um, you also talked about SB29 requirements. Were those funded or

018unfunded requirements? And that may be a question for Nick. >> They were not funded. They were not funded requirements. >> Okay. >> So, it was more of a privacy, right, requirement for uh for for our relationship between the school district as well as the vendor, which >> we had to do quite a bit of paperwork and renegotiation of our relationship. Was there a cost associated with implementing those requirements? >> Most of the cost was time. >> Okay. >> Time going back and forth with attorneys, going back and forth with various vendors as well as there was a minimal cost of us being part of consortium of a legal consortium in order to to put the list together. >> Okay. Um, this is definitely a question for for Nick. So, if we if we declare safe

019harbor, if we get to the point where we can declare safe harbor, will that reduce our cyber security insurance costs? It's already went down. Yeah, it went down pretty drastic this year with the things that we implemented. I think we were at 11,000 or so last year and it was 6,000 this year on the premium. And okay, >> I asked that question. Did the things we implemented help the premium and our agents said absolutely it did. >> Okay. >> And then last question before I hand you over to Monica. Sorry, Monica. Um, so for AI adoption, because you talked about AI adoption, um, can you run us through kind of risk versus rewards, maybe maybe the maybe risk versus rewards of AI for dummies, especially in in kind of public sector because AI is touchy

020in public sector and governance around it. >> It it is it is so whenever I look at AI, AI has two components. The first component is the uh opportunity to automate and so I'll say this is primarily opportunity for us to conduct utilizing AI the functions that are uh on a daily basis utilized by or conducted by a human being. So in that area it's it's a tremendous opportunity. When it comes to generative AI on the other side I think this is a bit more tricky because generative AI supposedly has has has the ability to make some kind of decision which which might not be the most beneficial for for the school. So that needs to have the proper guard rails for safety for students as well as the proper guard guard rails to to

021advise the staff um in accordance with the policies laid by the board as well as well as with the laws. um Gemini it's it's one that the uh the district is using at this point which is within the Google ecosystem and it has the the appropriate guard rails developed by Google >> but we're happy I I I personally believe the automation is where the most of the benefit is as far as >> Okay thanks >> Hi Dr. Kulie, thank you for your presentation this evening. Um, I'm just interested in uh what your role or the impact that you and your team uh have on our CW online academy like if you're providing supports, technology supports. We're working with department of teaching and learning in order to develop the integrations uh between the online academy as

022well as the other uh the other technologies within our ecosystem and uh so that the online academy is like another school just like the other schools. It has it has services similar to the other schools and there are various other platforms around the online academy that that need to be integrated. The information has to flow from one to the other and uh in order to make the system system directly would would help the student provide support to the students and the staff just like what we do with the other schools. >> Yes. So um are there any particular challenges that are unique to the online academy students from your perspective? >> From my perspective at this point there aren't challenges that we have achieved that we that that we have seen yet. Uh we're prepared

023to help and adopt in any way. But uh but so far so far we do not see any any challenges that are are different than the other. >> Wonderful. That's good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um I did have one question. Um you said that um working on a seven-year plan for the department of technology is um I don't think you said that in your presentation, but it was in your report. >> It was in my report. Yes. >> And I wondered um what would be part of that plan? What's included in that plan? >> There are 52 items as part of the plan and uh and and and the major component of that it's our infrastructure. And we're going for sevenyear plan because um we keep one of the technology point for seven

024years. And the idea is that as we have a sevenyear plan, once you go to year eight, you can come back to year one because that's how long it takes for one technology to be at the end of life. The cycle of technology point. So it includes our hardware as well as whenever whenever we do plans uh we we make plans and uh uh we we know more next year we know a bit less the following years and and but we we're putting uh uh places we're putting uh projects in place for us to evaluate various technologies close to when the contract expires or close to when we think that we might might be time for us to ask that question see how we can improve in that particular area. 52 points. So, this is

025a comprehensive plan at this point. >> Do you know when that'll be available? >> The plan >> um it's uh it's not finalized yet. We're still in the process. Probably some more internal meetings that need to happen here and uh at that point once once we're ready, probably soon we'll communicate. >> Right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Next on the agenda, we have the C.WEA um report. >> Hello, I am Britney Link, kindergarten teacher at Indian Trail, and I am here to give a snapshot on what is happening across some CW classrooms. This month, classes across the district have worked at building relationships and setting classroom norms to ensure success for all students across the district. The Brockwalk Community Service Project did wrap

026up over the summer. It was the 11th year for the project and our sixth grade students helped add 17,591 items to the Canal Winchester food pantry. Yay. They also, this also included about $10,000 in groceries from Meyer where they did a field trip and students learned about how to budget and how to make shopping lists and plan ahead to buy groceries. And to date, the Brockwalk Project has added nearly 200,000 items to the Canal Winchester Food Pantry to support our families with their um in need with food assistance. We are very proud of our students for carrying on the tradition of helping others. We are also very grateful to Meyer for continuing to invite our students back to their store and help us teach them the life lessons of shopping on a budget and giving

027back when we can. Thank you. Any questions? Next, we have public comments. Um, we only have one listed for public comment, but there are several people who Is there anyone else who intended to speak for public comment? Okay, Mr. Bennett. >> Um, you didn't you didn't list a subject. What do you >> I didn't. And I I really just uh I'm just here tonight to kind of uh you know thank the board um and this body for you know used to be in the past we would have same meeting schedules so we didn't really have the opportunity to kind of cross-pollinate and attend each other's meetings but um appreciate you guys u making that opportunity viable so that we can I know Mr. George was uh has been at one of our meetings in the

028past and so it's just great to be able to kind of you know see what's happening in each other's worlds. So I just want to express my appreciation for that. Um and as well you know wish um you know take a moment to wish everybody well who's seeking election. Um that is not an easy task. Um getting out and shaking hands, meeting people and um you know uh everyone who does it does it for you know to help advance the schools um and and help the community. you know, um just wish everybody well who's up for reelection and those uh seeking seats in the future. So, um but that's it. Nothing nothing really uh other than just a you know quick pop in to say hey and thanks. Um and wish everybody well. >> Thank

029you, Mr. Bennett. And I and I guess you know from my perspective I'd say the same thing on the council side since we since we were able to switch our meetings. I know several times we've had uh council people uh Mayor Steager's been here a couple of times. So I I agree. I think the the the ability to attend meetings and understand what's going on on both sides is is beneficial to all of us. Um and I've heard from district personnel that that it seems like the relationship between the city and the schools is much better over the past, you know, 18 months or two years than it had been maybe in the far distant past. So I appreciate that. appreciate that partnership. >> Thank you as well. >> You know, I agree. I appreciate

030you being here and thanks for bringing that up because that was one of my major things when I first came here was how could we separate these out so we could get to both because I never was able to get to either or. And you know, if I got to one, I couldn't get to the other. There was a lot of things going on, I think, around that time four years ago. So, it's been nice to be able to go to either one and be able to make those meetings. You're right. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Bennett, for coming. >> All right. >> Is there something else? >> Oh, yeah. >> Still asleep. >> Wasn't ready for that. Okay. My name is Kevin Ellen. Thank you guys so much. I'll be

031very brief. Um, I'm here really just to uh I'm a parent of three kids in the district now. Uh, third grade, second grade, and and preschool will be in the district. Uh, and wanted to get more involved, especially after Labor Day. I think it was a really great weekend in the community. We were out for wreck night on Friday night at the football game to watch the comeback win against Tillier Davidson. Um just a little bit about me. Uh I was a 13-year club member at Canawan Chester and so was um many of my family. My brothers over here 13-year club member and some people I went to school with. Um so we'll have uh three generations of Indians in our family married to the same situation. So uh it runs deep. Very passionate about

032our school district. Um and had a great Labor Day festival. Uh it our town has changed a lot. Our city's changed a lot, especially since I went to school. And um just what I saw this weekend was a ton of pride in our town. And it there's different people, there's different families, there's different groups. And uh to see how everybody behaved and and was like so happy to be at the festival throughout the whole thing. The parade I thought was amazing. So many of you I saw at the parade uh campaigning uh it was just it it made an impression on me and so after the parade I wanted to know more about all all those of you who were running for schoolboard re-election thinking I need to get more involved and I went through

033some of the meeting minutes and and saw a note about all of the future athletic facilities that were planning which I know my family's really excited about um and wanted really just to introduce myself um to try to be a voice um from the community to help as you guys go and plan branding and logos and all these things. I know that um it's a touchy subject in our community. Um what what logos are involved versus not involved and I don't really intend to start that conversation, but I would love to be a resource as we go along that conversation. I'm probably close to my time, but I will say that being an Indian means the world to me. And uh my son, it's his birthday tonight, which is why I wanted to speak because

034I'm going to run out of here to go be with him. But it's important because um I'll maybe I can send the picture. Uh my son, we went to a birthday party uh for him yesterday and he brought his two friends that he met from school. And one of his friends, his name is uh Storm. Super sweet kid. Another one of his friends, his name is Cruz. Another super sweet kid. His first time they all got together as a friends group. Um, and I will say this, they all have very different backgrounds. Um, and Andrea and I, my wife, we were talking about how cool it was that he doesn't think about their differences at all. Like, if we were to mention anything to him about their differences, then he would act like that was

035strange and that was weird. Um, and and I think it's just a representation of how far our community's come, but also how proud I am to be an Indian and how proud I am to be a part of this district and all of the different people who are going to, you know, maybe they're first generation Indians here and we're going to be able to to grow this together. Um, so I'm trying I want to be constructive. I know there's a lot of people on that topic that won't be constructive. Um, but I think uh what an exciting time to build the future of this place and I'd love to to be a part of it and uh be more involved in in in helping you guys do what you do. So, thank you guys so

036much for serving. Very much appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> And you're just now at time. So, you had two more seconds. >> I did. >> I will share too. It's actually Dr. for Kulie's birthday as well. So, uh, some birthdays today. >> Happy birthday. >> Yes. >> But you have to stay till the end of the meeting. >> But he has to stay till the end. Absolutely. Right. >> Is there anyone else here for public comment? Okay, great. Thank you. All right. Thank you. The next on thing on our agenda is the executive reports. The treasures report, please. >> Good evening. I'll be uh medium, I guess. >> Probably not short. No, I'll be short. Um we're through two months of the year. Uh there's a couple things um kind of standing out on

037the report to me. I'm in the preparation of prepare preparing the five-year forecast. Uh we'll approve that next month. uh state legislation moved that up. This year we have an October deadline. Next year it's going to move up to August. So uh we've been used to November May. So next year it will be much quicker out of the gates uh for approval. Um so we've talked about this in the past, but uh we received real estate tax um year-over-year. Um we're pretty much break even. Uh we're down on this tangible p personal property, but we're not really down. We've talked about the one taxpayer in the past uh that kind of got off track and they paid that there. Um so really this this is I consider a wash uh in terms of uh real

038estate year-over-year. Um Fairfield County just went through a reappraisal. So I am expecting to see a bump in the August settlements um from the real estate taxes that's in the forecast. Um income tax was a wash. Um, I was hearing statewide, um, that income taxes were up over 6% and we were pretty much break even. So, I kind of wanted to look into it. So, I looked into the numbers more. Um, and income tax is broken out by your earnings on your W2, your self-employed individuals who file quarterly, and then you have delinquencies and other things. We are up about 3% when it comes to W2 earnings and self-employment uh earnings, but our delinquencies and other were way down. So that's why we were break even. I'm not sure if they got caught up last

039year or delinquencies. It's not one of those line items that is kind of known. It's um kind of variable. So maybe that comes in in quarter two, quarter three. But I say that because typically quarter one is where we see the vast majority of our increase in income taxes. Uh so it is a little worrisome that we're break even when when the rest of the state seeing a five six five to six% increase. So that we've only collected one quarter. We've got three left. So we'll see where that plays out. Um unrestricted and state uh restricted has not been updated yet. Uh we know the foundation was changed. Uh but they have not made the changes to the formula yet. It was very minimal changes. Uh no base cost change. So, I don't expect that

040to change too much next or this year. Next year, we're probably going to see it uh change quite a bit. Um, expenditure wise, couple things jump out. Um, we're through two months. Like I said, we should be at about 16.7%, but we shouldn't be at 16.7% yet with salaries and benefits. Meaning most of our employees, teachers, aids, bus drivers, bus aids, new salaries did not happen until September 5th. For perspective, last year at this time we were at 13.2% of our forecast. We ended up being right on target last year. Benefits were 15.2%. We ended up having to increase those by 400,000. So, what I'm saying is I think these are probably going to need to be increased. Uh, personal services probably by 4 to 500,000. Employee benefits probably by a couple hundred,000. So, we're

041seeing about a net $600,000 on the forecast from last year there. Income tax, this is already fallen down to about 74 with the updates. So, we're seeing about $800,000 $900,000 swing out of the gate. Um, and then we still have the unknowns of uh unrestricted. The only real unknown in the state, we're going to be somewhere in the ballpark on unrestricted. They changed the way that they did um disadvantage funding. I don't know the impact of our restricted line. That's the one big piece that I'm waiting on from a revenue standpoint. Um, once they update that, then I'll be able to know for sure. I'm probably not going to know by next month. So, I'm it's going to be a guess. I'm going to air on the side of um conservative. So year-over-year, you can

042see revenues not really doing much. 222,000 up, expenditures up 1.3 million. Um that's a trend that will continue year-over-year. Cash balance, we were almost in the exact same spot as we were last year. 49.2 49.2. Um so that's a great sign. So, we are sitting with some some cash to kind of take the offset of revenues starting to stable out. Um, sitting with 102.4 million. Now, a lot of that is bond proceeds sitting there. Over the next 18 months, we're going to spend down about $21 million of bond proceeds and things on the performing arts, the athletic complex. So that cash balance, this will be the largest we we see it probably in the next 10 years. Uh Kevin and I were pretty pumped when this exceeded 100 million. It was the first time in

043our tenure that we can remember. Um but it's a lot of other a lot of other funds. I wish it was general fund. >> We have plans for it. >> Yeah, there's plans for it. Um so starting in about January, we'll start really spending down some of that on on the uh project. Uh interest earnings are still doing well. U we're still sitting in somewhere in the 42545 range. Um we do have a lot of things in our portfolio that are out in the fiveyear at that are 525. So haven't heard much noise from the Federal Reserve lately with interest cuts. I think they're expected to do a couple more 0.25s, but I know President Trump's putting pressure on Jerome Pal pretty much wants him out of Federal Reserve. So, he doesn't want to see

044the rate cuts. So, we'll see how that works out. Either way, I think we're sitting in a good spot. Um, you can see it's a pretty significant earner for us when it comes to other revenue. Um, so 5.4 million is what we're estimating. Uh, and it's that's a lot to do with the interest earnings that we have. So any decision that we're making over the next couple years, it's going to try to be to hold on as much cash as we can to keep earning that interest. Otherwise, losing state money, losing a little bit on the income tax or stable and then also losing the 500,000 to a million dollars in interest earnings will off also offset our revenue. Um, so we'll have more for you next month, obviously with the I guess it'll be

045a four-year forecast, but I'll probably still have a five-year forecast on there. I have the fifth year. Um, but any questions on the report through two months? >> I have a question. >> Yeah. >> Do we have a way uh or any indicators that tell us how the jobs report affects Ohio or even our area? like did we go up or down in in employment in our area that would affect our numbers moving forward? Do we have any numbers on that detail level? >> No, the unemployment really doesn't have much of an impact on us. Um inflation does. I mean if you if you've got inflation of 5 to 8% then yeah it's going to make everything we do more expensive uh including the project. Um, but it seems to be somewhat under control according

046to them. So, we're not really anticipating any surprises in the next 12 months before we really start getting into the project. >> Okay. >> Uh, but we could I know >> the tariff noise is starting to really impact other countries on imports into the country. So, they're telling us that they don't think that's going to have an impact, but any of those things could. I mean, if you we had a shortage of technology chips a couple years ago and we saw things go up. It's just it's unpredictable. But the actual unemployment rate really doesn't have much >> I was thinking more income tax like if you're not employing as many people, you're not pulling as much income tax in. So I wondered do we have any numbers that tell us if we've lowered our number

047of jobs or there's been ex excessive layoffs in our area that we're just not aware of or do we have a way of looking at that? Yeah, there's probably a way I can look into that and see if it had any impact on income taxes being at 3%. Like I said, W2s were still up. So, that tells me that we're still in probably pretty good shape. >> Uh, if the W2 earnings went down in comparison to the state, then that would be worrisome and I would have to dive a little quicker. Have to call the Department of Taxation to see kind of what was going on to get some more information. But with our with ours being up 3%, I still feel fairly positive that we're heading in the right direction from an income tax

048standpoint. >> And do we still have the same expected amount of growth right now? Is anything changed with our growth potential for what's planned in this area for um like the houses that are going to be built over off of any of the other projects that are being built right now? Do we anticipate anything that's going to impact the school the district. >> I'm not aware of anything. Are you aware of anything? >> No, not we we've got some stable numbers I think now once we're in September looking at enrollment numbers and predictions. We are actually up when you look at grades 2 through 12 as a whole. Uh but really with kindergarten first numbers, that's where we're just trying to get a trend on what to expect. Okay. >> But nothing that would be

049I we call it a gradual enrollment, which is what we've had over time. So, nothing that stands out at this time. >> Anybody else have any questions? >> Thanks, Nick. Um, superintendent report, please. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening, board members and community members. Um, I'm excited to share some updates from around the district. I'm going to start off first with our uh first 2025 Knocked Our Socks Off for the year. Um, we're excited to recognize our September 2025 recipients of the Knocked Our Socks Off awards. First up is, and she is here, Miss Kim Shiplet. Kim was nominated um by Julie Carson. And Kim is our Project Lead the Way teacher at Canal Winchester Middle School. Kim is currently teaching three different Project Lead the Way courses. She has developed many hands-on activities

050for her students and works hard to keep her classes interesting and educational. Kim has great classroom management, which is so important in a class that uses tools and incorporates so many group activities. She spends countless hours working to improve her class and finds unique ways to increase student engagement. She is also helpful when you need to bounce ideas off of her and is willing to listen when you need to talk to someone. Not only is Kim an amazing asset to the related arts team, she is a team leader and a building union rep. She has been a member of the STEM team as well and is always a team player. I don't think enough people realize what cool stuff is happening in her classroom and I feel she deserves the recognition even though that is

051not why she does it. So Kim, congratulations. Come on up. [Applause] And I will tell you also um if you you're ever in the middle school, I always wake make my way down her hallway because you never know what's going on in her classroom, but every time I go in there, she's like, "Can I get power tools?" So, she is great. I mean, the and the kids every time I'm in there are always engaged. So, thank you. Welld deserved. >> Yeah. Right. Um, next up we have uh Carrie Jenkins. And Carrie Jenkins is a preschool par profofessional at Indian Trail and she was nominated by Andrew Cadell. Mr. Cadell says, "Mrs. Jay has been the PAR professional in my classroom for my first year at Indian Trail and has been amazing in every way. She

052shows love and patience to our preschool students every day. She always has fresh ideas to solve problems and never gets down. She is she is an amazing asset to our students. She also is always sharing a kind word to our team pod and even fills our candy jar in the copy room. She is amazing. And Carrie is unable to be here, but I'll make sure to deliver those to her this week. So, congratulations as well to Carrie. And last, but certainly not least, uh we do have one final recipient, and this is a first. We This recipient was um nominated by members of the board of education. So, I'm excited to um share that Megan Anthony has been uh is a recipient of the September Knock Our Socks Off Award. Board members stated, "Megan is

053the person that we rely on for communications from the board of education. Her ability to craft messages ensures we are communicating in a unified and appropriate manner. Megan has an exceptional ability to align our communication efforts with organizational goals which strengthe which strengthens our overall mission. She has also worked with individual board members to ensure their messaging fits their personal style. She remains calm and effective under pressure skillfully navigating challenging situations with professionalism and grace. Her creativity, adaptability, and expertise is you in using various communication platforms to reach different audiences make her an invaluable asset to our team and community. So, this was a little bit hard to keep because Megan does our Knocked Our Socks Off award. So, Megan, congratulations. >> Yes, if you don't mind. I got the look, too, by the way.

054Did you guys see that? >> All right. Congratulations again to our recipients. Next up for the report, um the new year is off to a great start and we are already nearing the halfway mark of the first quarter. On September 22nd, we'll hold our first professional development day of the year where we will welcome Scott Iran, known as the Kid Whisperer, to provide behavioral leadership training for our staff. This training will give teachers additional tools and strategies to support student learning and behavior act across all grade levels. Our Canal Winchester marching band had a fantastic start to their season. The band earned first place in class A at their first OMA competition along with best percussion and best color guard. They also received an overall superior rating and placed second overall out of 16 bands,

055finishing just behind a band nearly twice their size. While they haven't yet qualified for state finals due to competition rules on show length, this performance shows tremendous promise for the rest of the season. We're especially excited to host the Winchester Classic at home on Saturday, September 20th. Congratulations to our students, staff, and families on such a strong start to the season. I'd also like to highlight the outstanding work of our bus drivers and our bus aids who have been busy supporting student safety both before and after the start of the school year. In early August, our transportation department partnered with the city of Canal Winchester's safety city program to help incoming kindergarteners learn the basics of bus safety. Leading up to the school year, Madison Township Fire Department provided fire extinguisher training for all of

056our d drivers and aids. And at the end of August, our students practiced bus safety drills to make sure they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Thank you to our entire transportation team for keeping safety at the heart of all that they do. And last, later this month, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will release new state report card data for all districts. Preliminary information indicates that Canal Winchester schools will maintain our fourstar overall rating. Director of Data and Assessment for Teaching and Learning, Bill Whit Latch, has been providing monthly updates in his board reports, and he will share a detailed presentation on our report card results at next month's meeting. That concludes my report. Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and our schools. >> Thank

057you. >> Um the next on the agenda is board committee reports. Um there were several board committee reports submitted. Um has does anyone have any questions on them or want to bring up any specific things about them? district reports. Um, let's go ahead and get um the board com board reports for CWJRD. >> Anything? >> Yeah. So, um, this, uh, an exciting time for the JRD. We're deep into our fall sports. Um, kids are playing and enjoying themselves. And at the same time, we have open player registrations for the next season of sports. So, right now, basketball is open, wrestling is open, and karate are open. Um, and then we also and and always this is kind of an ongoing uh we have the IES sound bath if you're looking for a relaxing, enjoyable experience.

058And other than that, I don't have anything else for the JRD. >> Like, has that been a hit? sound. >> I don't know if it's been a hit, but there are people who use it pretty regularly. So, >> cool. >> Um, OSBA Monica. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. I have just a few updates I'd like to share. Um, one of the updates uh would be uh next week the um OSBA uh fall central region conference will be taking place on the 17th at the Villa Milano. Um, also regarding the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, they recently published a commission study evaluating the needs of economically disadvantaged students, identifying effective services to address those needs and assessing the costs that were involved. Um, the study's findings are significant, but they're not surprising. The study

059revealed that Ohio currently underfunds economically disadvantaged students by an average of $3,294 per student. And the state would need to invest about 48% more per disadvantaged student in order to adequately meet their needs. Among its recommendations, the study calls for multiple changes to the current funding system, including a replacement of the existing disadvantaged pupil impact aid formula with a different weighted measure. Um, secondly, the governor's property tax reform workg group has been meeting weekly throughout August. members have heard invited testimony from the fair school funding work group and they continue to debate recommendations. The work group is expected to share its ideas by the end of this month. Public comments are being accepted through the governor's uh office portal. So there is an opportunity for community input. I'd also like to mention that State Representative

060Gary Click has recently introduced three new bills, often referred to as a trilogy of property tax reforms. These bills could uh restrict which levies are available, potentially require more levies to be placed before voters, and impose higher thresholds for passing more expensive levies. Um lastly, on September 4th, I attended a virtual back- tochool briefing hosted by Parents United for Public Schools. The meeting drew more than 80 participants and it focused primarily on state, local, and federal challenges that we are currently experiencing to adequate school funding. Uh the discussion highlighted the real implications that these funding issues have on our districts and our comm communities. As we move forward, it's clear that funding remains a critical issue for Ohio schools. We must stay informed, engaged, and collaborate in our advocacy efforts so that our students and

061communities can benefit from meaningful positive change. Thank you for your time. I would like to add too that u Monica will be um recognized at the um fall central region meeting right um for an award. So that's going to be exciting to be there. Again, congratulations on the award. >> Thank you, President Barnes. >> Um student achievement liaison is not here, so we'll pass on that one unless someone has something they wanted to add. All right. Now, we're going on to the district reports. Are there any district reports that anyone would like to discuss? >> Yeah, I have several things here. Um, first, I wanted to thank and congratulate CW, the Canow Chester local school district for becoming a handle with care uh school district. I don't know if everybody out there knows what that

062is, but uh uh believe Mrs. Anthony has been putting some some things out on Facebook and that's how I found out that we are official. Um I'm very proud that we are taking that step going that direction because uh I was in a school district that that had handled with care. Um and what that is just so we're all we are all on the same page. Um and I just kind of want to read it here make sure that I I don't miss anything. Um don't want that. Of course. So, uh, if a law enforcement officer or other first responder encounters a child during a call, that child's name and three words, handle with care, are forwarded to the the school, the child care agency uh before the school bell rings the next day. The

063school implements individual class and whole class tra excuse me, trauma sensitive strategies so that potentially traumatized children are handled with care. If a child needs more intervention, on-site trauma focused mental health care is available at the school. So, that's a quick snapshot of what HWC or handle with care is. Uh, and basically, it's just a uh an opportunity for us as staff to give that kid a little bit of room, a little bit of a a little bit of slack that day. And I think it's uh it's going to really help out. And Mr. Roberts, what this cost the district? Do you have any idea? zero, >> zero doesn't cost a thing. So, uh kudos to the leadership for bringing this on. Uh Winchester Trail uh is going to be hosting uh Nationwide Children's Hospital

064on 9:18. They're they're they're coming in to partner with us and a uh from 5:30 to 8:00 managing, fighting, and aggression parenting workshop. This is not anyone for just the elementary schools. It is for the entire district. So, if there's a high school parent, middle school parent that would like to attend that, again, that is on September 18th. Uh they are also hosting on September 23rd dealing with disobedience, a parent workshop, again 5:30 to 8. And then mark this on your calendars because on September 29th, uh the mini pitch dedication ceremony will be held over there at the elementaryaries between the trails uh at 6 pm. So those are the things that are going on there. Uh I also wanted to piggyback on what Mrs. Hunt said, transportation department. I just wanted to give a

065shout out. Thank you for your patience, your diligence, uh getting all of our students to school and back home safely. uh beginning of the year. It's it's we take everybody takes transportation for granted and uh we shouldn't because it's it's I believe the most important aspect of our school day. Uh we all if something negative happens, we're the first ones to point fingers, but when things are going smooth, uh we're the first we're the last ones to to say thank you. So, I just wanted to say say thank you to the transportation department. That's all I have. >> Anything? >> I do. Um it's more of a inquiry into um our special services Marcus training. I was hoping to get a little more background information concerning the Marcus training sessions. >> Mr. Wlin, can you

066come up and speak on that please? Uh, good evening. In regards to the Marcus training, that is something that the special services department and myself took into account when we wanted to look at how could we meet the needs of all of our students in a way potentially if they're disregulated or they're having a high emotional day or they might be in crisis. And so we have all been trained in the past those that worked with those students in CPI, which is a much more hands-on approach. This approach is much more into the verbal deescalation using tools and resources prior to ever needing to actually put hands on a student if we ever had to get to that point. And that would be obviously way down the road. Um, but this training specifically gives you

067two days. Uh, the first day is the the verbal deescalation piece that you get. So, it's more of a sit and get training. And then the second day is training on particular holds that you may be able to use that are different than restraints because the CPI focuses more on restraints. Um, and Dr. Hipler and I decided that it would be best if we took that approach and so it is something that Nationwide Children's Hospital currently uses and other districts in central Ohio use. Um, so we looked at multiple districts throughout central Ohio that have transitioned to that. Um the company uh MCPPP is actually out of Atlanta, Georgia and works with their their hospital and it's based in a clinic clinical setting. Um but they have then transitioned into the school setting. And so

068I did a 4-day training along with autumn uh in June to become trained trainers and so it's a much more cost-effective way as well. And so we've been conducting that. We host our first training last Thursday and Friday. We have another one coming this Thursday and Friday and then the following Monday, Tuesday. So that'll get us about 50 staff members throughout the four buildings. they're going to be able to be more equipped to meet the needs of the students that might come into those crisises if if they arose. >> Sure. And would this training be applicable to any any of our students or just the ones that are receiving special services? >> It could be for anybody. I mean, anybody could show signs that they're disregulated. And so, this will give them that approach, even

069if it's as simple as just walking down the hall and having some calming strategies, things of that nature. So it really focuses on that verbal deescalation piece before ever getting into an escalated situation. So it could be for anybody that might be disregulated. >> So that could somehow like be integrated with the handle with care as well >> potentially with handle with care. Sometimes when the parents reach out specifically, it may just be a heads up and they actually don't want you to address something that happened. But it also gives you the opportunity to interject if the counselors need to as well. So it could be in partnership or in conjunction with Yes. Okay, great. I think that's a wonderful example of uh another way that our district is empowering all students for success. >>

070Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Just a quick question. Um how are we doing with cell phones? Any any major issues? Are students doing okay with it? Miss Burley, you want to come address that >> since it's mostly >> come up so you're on that you have a microphone? >> Yeah. The changes are 912. >> Hi. Um we actually just looked. We're sitting at 145 incidences as of about an hour ago. Um so we're we're about halfway through. Um So that's actually not bad to me for how many kids we have. Um, so you know, you see them talking more in the cafeteria. They're playing Uno. Um, just collaborating with each other in the classroom. So it's been great so far, I'd say. >> Anything else? >> Um, is it Well, I know you're

071high school, but um, is there any difference in the middle school or >> There were no changes to K8. So the changes that we put into place all came into place for >> 912. K8 was already restricting uh cell phones. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. No problem. >> You have anything else specifically for Miss Barley to bring her up? >> I don't think so. >> No. Okay. >> Want me to bring somebody else up? All right. Next on the uh agenda is There any more reports? Anybody had any more questions? Um, moving on through all these members. All right. Uh, next is the consent agenda. >> I move to approve the consent agenda items. >> Second. >> Thank you. So, we're going to start off with number two is the minutes. Uh included

072here are the minutes from the August 4th, the August 11th, and the August 28th board meetings. We move on to number three. We have donations. We have several donations from the Mosley family in memory of Eleanor and Louisa, for some donations for junior senior class, for girls soccer, for the performing arts, Canal Winchester High School choir, and the marching band. We also have a donation from OSAA to the high school athletics athletic enrichment fund and from the roofing guys for Cano Chester Middle School staff t-shirts. So we want to thank all of those donations. Um thank you. Number four is our certified personnel. Uh we do have one teacher recommendation Sterling Austin as intervention specialist. uh he will be at Indian Trail and he will hopefully start tomorrow. Moving on to number five, we have

073our classified personnel. We do have two resignations. Um one resignation is for the purpose of retirement, Dennis Propes. He is works in our maintenance department and that will be effective January 1st. So we want to thank him for his many years of service to the district. And then also resignation from Sherry Tall as a van driver. We do have one request for a leave of absence. the end. We have several classified recommendations. Uh we have two bus aid positions, a career readiness coordinator position, bus driver position, and then also an aid for the high school uh alternative learning classroom. And then moving on, we have our classified substitute recommendations, which would be for substitute custodians and a bus aid. Moving on to number six, then we do have our supplemental personnel and stipens. The majority

074of these are for our resident educator mentors. Um, so you'll notice that depending on how many mentors that they may have uh will depend on what their stipend is and those go across all the buildings. And then we have uh Haley Richardson who we are recommending for assistant high school softball coach position to be split and volunteer coach for Mary Hartzell to be swim and dive. Number seven, we do have three requests for new student activity charters. The first is the senior class. Um, this is one that is currently set up with the junior class. So, they're together and we would like to break those out to have a senior class activity account and then also a junior class, also the high school print shop and the tribe nation club. >> And that is all

075I have for this evening under consent. >> I have a question about the print shop. Okay. >> Um, it says such as selling spirit wear at an afterchool event. Where do the funds for those sales go to? >> So, it would go back to the brick shop. >> Yes. >> The separate fund. >> Yeah. >> Special revenue fund for that activity. >> So, they will treat that kind of like the school store. a little step up hopefully from a with all the printing >> equipment we have and what they what they're capable of. It would be some it'll be very similar except they'll be making it, selling it, doing everything from start to finish. >> Another thought is that the school store will be able to do work with the print shop. So also learning

076opportunities there. Um and also down we're really hopeful that this is a way for us to have uh work-based learning. So students that need to get hours for even work-based learning for graduation. Um some of the obstacles that we run into are transportation for them to find work and be able to get to work. So we're hopeful that this would be an opportunity for them to learn the equipment and be able to work in the print shop and then get paid for it as interns that would work. Um and that would be with the funding that would come from the print shop. Again, dreaming big. Is this something that they could work with like our athletic booster organizations and do like mass prints for teams and then the boosters could then sell the items? So

077>> that's Yes, that's exactly the hope that we have for it. Um, this year it's really a building year to get it up and running. But yes, that is the goal is that then we would be able to print different items, not just t-shirts across the board for different groups that we have internally. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have is there any requirement for liability purposes and all that that somebody whoever is running this that they have um identified somebody who's the treasurer and the reporting like there's checks and balances in place so that the money's tracked the the property's tracked whatever inventory is tracked so that we ensure that there's No foul play during this process. While we're building it, is somebody going to be putting that together? >> Yeah,

078I mean the teacher that's there in the print shop will be a part of it overseeing that with the students and then because it's an activity count, Nick then would have also another layer of that. >> Not also. It is my responsibility to make darn sure that that that gentleman knows exactly what he's doing. Mr. Watson will make sure he follows every >> T and Q. Okay, great. I just want to make sure the students no one gets in trouble with the students or anything. >> Well, we will definitely >> Mr. Wodson's already been working with with Mr. Pence. So, >> okay. >> I feel fairly confident in what they've done so far. >> And I've definitely been waiting on this for a while because I've been asking Kai. >> There's a lot to it,

079though. I mean, they're going to have to get the store. Man, >> there's there's a lot to it. They're going to be tracking. I mean, there's going to be significant inventory with shirts out there. Um, and replenishment of the vinyl and all those things. So, it's going to be quite a bit, but I think Mr. Pence has the experience, it sounds like, of doing this uh with his prior employer in North Carolina. So, Kevin seems very confident in him. So, >> and lastly, um what can we expect from Tribe Nation? So, Mr. Ramsey, do you want to speak on that? >> Sorry I put you on the spot, but I know that's something you've been working on. And Miss Burley, you guys together? >> Um, me and Miss uh Burley have had the pleasure of

080uh kind of working with those that group of students want to create a more um formal organization for those kids who are leading our student sections at different events. They have some brilliant ideas as to how they can generate funds and generate uh student interest ipating and being available at our athletic events. So, we're just trying to uh we wanted to give them some foundation, some tools. Uh we thought by creating this club, it would create an opportunity for them to have something similar as a print shop, an account that they could then generate funds and then also expense some of the things that they're trying to do, some of the um gadgets and things they use at our events. >> Any question? Any other questions? >> Excuse me. I'm sorry. >> I think that's

081a great idea. Thank you. Thank you. We take a vote to accept this consent agenda. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. >> All right. Uh, next we have some action items. Uh, the first one is the, uh, resolution approving the schematic design for the district-wide improvements. Um so this is a motion to approve the resolution accepting a schematic design stage submissions and authorizing the design professional um professional to proceed with the design development phase for the district-wide improvement projects. And I'll um I'll motion first. >> I'll second. And um Adam, I mean, I'm sorry. Um Nick, I know you're going to talk about this, but I just want to say that this is um one of our steps in um getting

082through the process, some of the things that we've been talking about with the PAC and the fields and different things like that for those who are listening on the call. So, um Nick, take it from here. >> Yep. This basically takes us from 20,000 foot view to ground level view. So schematic design um you're developing the square footage, developing spaces, but there's no details. We're now we're going to move into the details. Uh legal thought that we needed to approve this. It's not required, but it's a nice step to do to for the board to endorse moving forward. Uh if you read the resolution, it's very specific to indicate that we need to get the project closer to budget and cost. Um we worked with CMR and the architect and they're going to move forward.

083They agreed to move forward into DD knowing we've got some work to do on trimming the budget down. Um so that's their directives, but this basically gives formality to move from the SD stage to the DD stage. prepare to take a vote. Anybody have any questions? >> Miss Barnes, >> What's the cost associated with with moving between with moving to the next step? >> None. Uh so you got four different steps. You you get into when you when you take the project out uh and you do qualifications and proposals, you get a estimate at that time. And then the SD, you get an estimate on what they think is going to cost. And then we move into the DT and more details come in. So the cost gets better and better and better. And then

084we move into the GMP process or construction documents where the GMPS and then we lock in the pricing. So as we go through each of these steps, hopefully the budget gets better and better and we've seen the top end of the budget and now we start to trim and get into the details of the project to know exactly what it's cost. Right now they're throwing very round numbers on certain things almost everything. So now they'll get into detail on okay this is what a backs stop for baseball costs. Okay. >> So >> but there's no cost involved directly with this. That's already built into the to the >> it's already built in. This is just exercising what do we >> what's the project going to look like the final steps and what's it going to

085cost. That's what we're working toward through all of these phases. >> Yep. So when we get closer and closer, when you say better and better, you more or less mean um like a 90% or close, it might be the number might be as close as 90% or it might be a 95% or it might be 98% of what we think the cost is going to be. Each time we're getting these these numbers from them is basically >> squeezing in the number that we think that the estimate is going to um cost us so that we can say it's no longer a plus or minus 50%. We're way up here now at about 95 or 98% once we get this. >> Yeah, they're throwing an estimate. Think of it in this room. So, schematic design is

086there's electric in this room. So, they're going to give you an estimate based on that. As we move into DD, it's going to be there's four light switches, 18 lights, six receptacles. So, now they're into the detail. Now, they can go to the subcontractors and say, "Okay, here's the scope of electrical. Now, tell me what this costs. And then we good. Now we know that those numbers are more realistic and it's not an estimate. Now we're getting closer to what the actual project is and what they're going to probably bid on. So CMR doesn't want to be surprised when we get to final GMP. They're they've already known through talking from DD to construction documents. They know by talking to their subcontractors about what it's going to cost and they don't want to be surprised.

087Okay. So, they're going to be surprised. It's probably going to be on the low end, not the high end. >> Take a vote. >> Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> All right. Next is the resolution um owner's representative services. And um that is um a motion to approve the resolution selecting and authorizing an agreement with MCS and Associates LTD to provide owners represent representative representative services for the districtwide improvements project. >> So moved. >> Second. So they worked with us on the end trail project. Um I look at the owner's agent as peace of mind and gives us an expert. Um a lot of times in these projects treasure and superintendent and sometimes you're fortunate enough like we are to have

088a good facilities director. Some districts aren't. And when they're sitting in these rooms and they're talking hundreds of pages of blueprints. We don't understand how a wall meets up against a roof, but they do. So, it helps us to understand that they're not just telling us something. We've got an owner's agent in there that's an expert that can kind of see between the lines and call them out when things aren't exactly being built to the standards that they need to be built. Um, so it gives I think it gives the biggest thing for me is gives us peace of mind that we're going to end with a with a product that's really really high standard. And I think that's what we got on Indian Trail. I think they know that our owner's agent knows his

089stuff and I don't think they really try to blow smoke at all. I think it's straight and narrow and it helps us to have that expert sitting in there in the room when they're talking all of these different building codes and factors and all these different things. Now, obviously, we're hiring the CMR and architect, but they have incentives, too. So, it just gives us that one more person that works directly for the district and gives us that uh expert opinion and peace of mind. >> All right, any questions? Take a vote. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. >> Great. And then the next thing we have is maintenance fun uh maintenance fund transfer. This is a motion to um fund a

090fund transfer from the permanent improvement fund 003 to the classroom maintenance facility fund 034 in the amount of $28,380. Take motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Uh this is a routine annual item. We're uh required to do this as part of the 2017 high school renovation addition project uh with OFCC. Um we're required to move this amount of money into the 034 to make sure that building and any building that was built by OFCC maintains its standards and we use it for maintenance um roofs, paving, bigger things. It cannot be used for custodial and custodial equipment and supplies and all of that. that has to be towards the actual facility, the building itself to upkeep it and make sure the OFCC's investment is taken care of. >> Okay. Um, any questions? All right. And

091we take a vote. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. And next we have the fiscal year 2026 um appropriations. This is a motion to approve appropriations for fiscal 202526 as presented. Um I I'll motion >> second. >> Another routine item annually uh appropriations gives us the authority to write checks for fiscal year 26. Without appropriations, we cannot legally write a single check. So, this appropriates at fund level uh for every fund that we have uh takes what our beginning balances was, estimated resources, and appropriates the dollars that were that we think we're going to spend for the year. This will be filed with the uh Franklin County Board or Franklin County Auditor's Office. Um that's pretty much it. So, any questions

092on appropriations? >> No. Can we take a vote? >> Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. >> And the next one is uh the final approval. Motion to approve the following board policies as presented revised. >> So, moved. >> Second. All right. Thank you. So, we've talked about this one for the last few months. Uh but this one is our final uh policy for updates to the personal communication devices. So, what would be the changes to the cell phone? Again, there were no changes K8. This was just specific to the high school. Uh but this then reflects those changes. >> Any questions? >> Yes. I just wanted to um clarify that in the policy where it says possession of PCDs on campus, specifically students

093are permitted to possess a PCD on their person as long as they remain stored out of sight and are not used. Um, we can safely say that if there's a watch that's on their person, it's out of sight because their sleeve is covering it and they're not using it. Is that acceptable? >> Um, I'm going to have Yes. I mean, if it's out of sight and they're not seeing it, um, Mr. more or and or Miss Burley. Would either of you like to come up and address that or no? So, as far as the smart watches go, as long as the cellular feature to the smartwatch is off, absolutely. It's hard to tell whether the smart watch is off or on because I can stand here unless I move my arm. So, you don't know

094whether it's on or off. Kids are pretty crafty with still texting and Snapchatting and doing those things on their smart watches. So, it's kind of a gray area for us. As long as it's out of sight and they're not on it, it can be okay. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, it is ambiguous. So that's why I wanted clear clarity. >> Miss Burley, how many of your violations so far have been have involved smartwatches rather than cell phones? >> Okay. Okay. >> Is this something we think we should track? >> I'm not sure. I We could I would just think it's going to be a lot to track. So, Miss Burley had mentioned today, I don't know what I don't remember the number. Oh, I have it here. 145 incidents that you've had from the beginning

095of the year till now. uh of dealing with cell phones at the high school. So that's they've and you guys have been hitting it pretty hard. That's been a focus of theirs for sure because they knew coming in that that was something that was a huge change for them. So um they would have to go back and change their practice to uh note that specifically >> roughly 15 days of school. Is that what we've been in? So is it 10 a day? >> Math. Well, sir. >> Yeah. >> I guess my question is it's always difficult to go back and get data if we collect it along the way. Um are we collecting data as to what level of classroom it is? Um whether it's um a watch or a phone. Um whether they were

096suspended or warned. How many suspensions have there been? Um >> we would definitely be collecting any of that kind of information as we go along rather than come back and say, "Well, we should have >> sure that put it in would be the one that saw it. They should be the ones putting it in, where it happened, time of day, uh what consequences were." All of that will be tracked and is being tracked. The only difference is that it's not we're not designating whether it was a phone, if it was an iPad, if it was a watch, if it was a but it's a PCD. >> Okay. And is that um that appliance that the that we that was brought to our attention, is that considered a PCD as well? The one we got in

097email, was is that a PCD? >> It is. >> So, are we requiring a student not to show that they have that too, even if it's an an emergency allowable device that they can wear? >> It just here's the thing. The what it is. >> They if as long as it's not a distraction, >> they're not they don't have the You guys could speak on this. I know we've talked about this earlier this week, but they're not >> they don't have time to go out and police like, "Hey, show me your arm when you come in the door." They just don't. So, if a student though is if you know it's the class and I'm sitting here playing, they're going to address that because it is a distraction and they can tell that they're on

098>> their smartwatch device. So, that would be the the difference. Okay. >> Yep. We can talk more about that. I just don't want to make the decision right now that we'll go further. I don't know what they're doing in their building to tell teachers what to write down. But, uh, if we need to track more, we'll have conversations around that and make decisions on whether or not we want to say if it was a watch or a device. >> And I'm not asking you to go any further. I just want to have an understanding kind of what and that. I I would leave that up to you guys to figure that out. But um I would like to just um you know throw the thought out there of what we're doing. >> Yep. Absolutely. >>

099Just understand better what what level of detail we're going to. All right. Um is there any questions? >> Any further questions? All right. Can we take a vote? >> Mr. Twist? >> Yes. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Okay. And then the next one. U payment in lie of transportation. My favorite. It's a motion to approve the additional payment in lie of transportation applicants based on the terms of the 202526 payment in lie of transportation resolution as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> Nick, can you um tell us again what the maximum payment amount allocation is per per request. >> Uh, it's up this year. I didn't know that a week ago. It's in the 750 range. No, it's up. No, I think

100it went up. It goes up every year based on pration. I'm probably going to get text by a text by Kevin here in a minute. Uh, it's in the 700. I do think it went up. >> I thought I saw 700 somewhere. >> I'll find out for you for sure. I know it cost us somewhere in the neighborhood. It cost us 39,000 last year because I just did the T2 report for transportation. Year before it was like 50,000. We hover somewhere in that 45,000 range of what it cost us annually for the payment in L. >> Can we take vote? Mr. Tally, >> yes. >> Mr. George, >> yes. >> Miss Barnes, >> abstain. >> Mr. Twist, >> yes. >> All right. Um, next on the agenda is classified personnel. Uh, this motion is to

101approve the following individuals for one-year limited contract for the 2025 2026 school year, provided um all pre-employment conditions have been met. It looks like we have um two people on the classified recommendations. Alli Dau and Jordan Wilson for um special education aids. >> Did I miss something? >> Need a motion? >> Yeah. Motion. >> Second. So on this one, uh we we met uh a couple weeks ago uh with Dr. Hipler to dive into some of these items. Um and both there was a intervention specialist that we voted on earlier that was uh that was voted to uh to employ uh and this is for the aids that are that are being requested. Also uh these positions were requested last year from the previous Indian trail administrator Leah Cobb and and it was not up

102for discussion. Um this year three aids in the inter intervention specialist have been requested. We've had discussions with the treasurer Nick Roberts concerning the new state budget and how it will affect CW schools moving forward. If these three are if the excuse me, if these three positions are vital to the success of Indian Trail, I'm confident that the district officials can find these people and other job responsibilities around the district and can move them to Indian Trail. Uh it's my 1A responsibility uh as a board member uh I believe to do what's right and best for students and my 1B responsibility being on the board is what's best for for staff. Uh, so I'm balancing this by approving the intervention specialist, but I will not approve I will not be voting yes for for the

103aids. Um, question I have, I guess, for for Nick is is this in our five-year forecast? >> Uh, the current five-year forecast, no. Uh, because it was done in May. Uh, we just found out about this first middle of August. Um, so in the updated forecast, it'll be coming out next month. Yes, it would be included or I was planning to include it in u because it's a fluid forecast and as things come up and uh positions are proposed and things like that, I start to update the forecast based off of what's happening. >> Um so what do these positions do for our financials? >> Uh just the aids in particular. >> Sure. Um, the minimum cost is for annual 96,000 and the max is 178,000. It's a big difference because I don't know insurance

104wise what they're going to take, but salary wise it's 96,000 with retirement Medicare and workers comp outside of insurance. So, if they all take family, you're looking at 178. If they all take single, you're looking at 138. Over a 5-year forecast, you're looking at a minimum of 480, maximum of 8.90 for five years. So, if I could, I'm just like to share a little bit uh publicly with where we're at. So, we have restructured the entire special ed uh delivery model at Indian Trail. So, we currently have uh and Dr. Dr. Hippler, you might have to come up and help me with this, but I believe we currently have um four resource rooms that are dealing with our uh pretty high needs students. And that would be what we are looking at the additional classroom

105for. Each of those classrooms currently have a teacher and two aids to assist with the kiddos. Um the aids that we have asked to add here, we would be looking at uh restructuring one of them to go into the new classroom. Um, but there would be another aid that we would need to help out so that you would have two aids. Uh, two of these new positions are actually one-on-one aids that are needed for kiddos. Uh, we the two that are here, I mentioned actually when we met in the work session that we would need three when we talked about it. So, um, one of the these positions are for one-on-one needs that we have for students. Um, one was a kindergartener last year that's moving on to first grade and we were able to

106use some of the aids that we had in the kindergarten classroom last year. We actually have already with the restructure into the special ed resources, we've already taken our kindergarten aids that we've had. U, those were in place years ago. I I don't Mr. Roberts could could remember when the report card came out and we added three kindergarten aids to the regular uh, ed classrooms. really being kindergarten being the only place where we had aids at that weren't dealing with special ed um other than potentially a study hall or in that role. So, we actually took those aids from the kindergarten classrooms uh and moved them into the special needs classroom when we did the restructure. Um and so we were looking at where we could find those students. We also had actually I said

107four, we actually had a fifth student move in. We have five new students who all five of them are being placed in these new classrooms that we were unaware of when we were scheduling for last year. So, um, looking at comparing it to last year, I'm not sure we can do that. Um, but really looking at the students this year and and the needs that we have and really structuring it for, uh, students that we are seeing with behaviors, uh, with just needs that are far beyond what we've seen. That's that's why the request. So, I do appreciate the sharing and and belief of and looking at where they're coming from, but it it's not done uh just to add. The other piece is that we're really we've had conversations here at the table talking

108about um students that we can't service here and paying to send them out and the cost being extremely high to do that. And so, we're really trying to focus in on the K2 level to see if we can keep students in the building by servicing them in the building so we're not sending them out. And so these aids do help us that to keep uh the students safe and other students safe uh in the classrooms. So >> do you think that without these two positions you would have to send one of these five students out um because we wouldn't be able to service their needs in our classrooms? >> Dr. Hutber, do you want to come up and speak specific to that question? I think I'm asking this question specifically on the one-on-one needs. I'm

109just trying to understand how that correlates. >> Yeah. Um, one of them in particular that has a one-on-one is capable of being in the general education class for a lot of the day. Um, by law, that's what we have to do. Um, serve them in the least restrictive environment. But this particular student has some aggression issues, has some issues that he needs somebody there to help support the regulation when he may need to be removed from class to keep him safe, the others safe in the class. Um, he's one of the one-on-one students that we have. The classroom that we've added is really to kind of spread out the students that we have in those other classes. They were all high in number as we kind of discussed and by spreading them out we're hoping

110that we can keep them in as they were before with as many as we had in the classroom. It was just pretty impossible for the three adults that were in those classes to really keep those students safe. There's one trying to get to the door, one climbing up over here. Just a lot of unsafe behaviors. So um by spreading them out that additional teacher it allows us to kind of make our class sizes a little bit lower but we also need the pair of professional support for that answer. >> I guess my concern is you know we're we're adding new headcount. So, I I I think in in general as a school board, I I think that we need to be more diligent about about how we how and when we decide to bring new

111employees into the district and and then secondarily um have I mean just honestly, have we inventoried I mean that's not really a great way to to talk about personnel, but have we inventoried our aids where we have our current aids and and what is our ability to move around our current stock of full-time employee aids and is there an ability to free up an aid from somewhere where they're not as needed? Um and and you know it's it's it's it's a bit push and pull in this situation, but you know at some point especially in the budget crunch that we're starting into now and and is probably going to get worse over the next three or four or five years, we really need to start being diligent about moving people where we can move people.

112>> So I guess that's that's a a question and and since I missed the work session, I wasn't able to ask it then. >> So we did have this discussion and we have looked at it. It's hard to do in the middle of a year. So, it it is tough to do. Um I'll publicly say that one of the conversations came up about the library aids about if we looked at the library aids to move them into these roles we have. Um we can make that move, but then the work that they are doing they they took some work off of the technology department um with the Chromebooks. So, they're very they're responsible for the Chromebook uh distribution and other things that are happening within the classroom. if that goes away, which again can be

113something that we look at, but then we're talking about where does that fall on somebody else. Um I had knowing >> um qualified to do the same type of work though. >> I I don't know that if there when we are interviewing we're looking for individuals >> require training. >> Yeah, we're looking for individuals who are able to work with the students. I'm not sure that that would be something that >> would be interested to try to cover these kids. other positions within the building and it was just leaving the space where that we were pulling them short and putting those students at risk because we were pulling this one to help this kid. Yeah, we we were we've been doing that so far this year and that's just >> another thing that we actually

114did over the summer was we um had moved a special ed teacher from the middle school because of numbers and we moved that special ed teacher to Indian Trail to provide the supports of looking at trying to provide these units inhouse to be able to offer the kids resources and then uh at the middle school Mr. Moore has had an increase of do you have the number Dr. Dr. Hippler of how many new special ed students we had at the middle school that we weren't expecting. >> We had seven or eight at the sixth grade level alone. And yeah, so >> Yeah. So I think 15 or 20 new special ed students at the middle school level that weren't on our radar at the beginning of summer. So we pulled and now we're, you know,

115we've got the middle school saying we need another we need another teacher and we're saying we need you to work with what you have. the numbers and when you we can really look at numbers and it's a great point you make. You can really look at the numbers because of the ratios that you're allowed to have, but it also comes down to them being a safety and what you can work with with those numbers. Um, but those are all conversations that we had. I've said that really if you know we're we're really trying to be proactive and looking at where we need to go when we look at what you said like a what do you call a head audit almost like really like being able to spend the time in the fall to look

116at what we have as we move forward and say, you know, are we high in one area where we can shift the responsibilities to somebody else. Um, and that that would be something that I have said uh to the group here, the the the board to say that is something that we absolutely are planning on doing and sitting down and talking in the fall to plan for next year. So, if we if we hired these people, are they hired for just a year? Is it a one-year contract or >> Well, it is a one-year contract. We have found that through attrition like a lot of our there's just movement. So, that is something that potentially could happen. But if we're looking at that route, then we'd have to make those decisions. We do not want

117to obviously, and we've had conversations that that's not the route we want to go, but we would need to have those conversations as we look forward on where we're at. financially, >> but it's pretty typical to bring new employees in on a one-year contract, right? >> Oh, yeah. Every every new employee uh for classifi certified are come in on a one-year contract. Yep. >> I was just thinking along the lines of if it's a one-year contract and we have the fall to look at next year or the next year. It's not necessary that they'll be here for four years. Maybe by fall there's some positions that leave and we can decide that whether or not we need to replace those positions if these are needed um for these um high uh needs students. >> From

118a forecasting standpoint, it's not going to jeopardize re revenues over expenditures this year. Now, we are trending towards break even next year. I don't know exactly where that's going to be. Uh it's going to be a lot closer this year. It's probably going to be in the one and a half to 1.8 million range of revenues over expenditures. Next year that gap's going to close and then in year three that gap's closed and then we're on the other side of the coin. Year four we're really on the other side of the coin. And then year five we're we're we're swimming because legislation remove the ability to renew the emergency levy of 7.1 million. We've got all kinds of challenges in that fifth year regardless of this decision. There's going to be a levy. There's new

119levy proposal. There's going to be a lot of things happening in year four and five. Um so we're going to have to definitely attack it starting next year. um intervention special the four of these total when you're just separating the aid out I guess it makes it a little less impactful because all four of them together is a cost of 165 to 275 annually 825 to 1.4 4 million in a forecast piece of that. Like I said, 480 and 890 are the aids. So the intervention specialist adds a pretty nice tick to the cost. Um so I guess my point is I mean if we're looking at the intervention specialist, I don't know why we wouldn't look at the aids when we're still revenues are over expenditures this year. Um and we're going to have

120to continue analyzing it in next year and then the year after and then the year after. Um I think we face a lot of challenges like I said coming up. Um legislation's not done. Uh I read the same three things that that that you read. Property tax reforms going to happen. It's already happened to us with the elimination of the emergency levy >> and 220 some other districts. Uh the other piece of that was inside millage. They're still attacking inside millage. They're still attacking whether you can levy continuing or not. And they're still attacking um the voter percentage on what it takes from a range of 1 mills, 3 mills, 10 mills. So, we're going to be facing a lot of legislative constraints. Um this wouldn't be a significant worry for me this year leading

121into years 2, three, four. Yeah, we're going to have some concerns. personnel supplies, a lot of different things that we're going to have to tackle and streamline budgets as much as we can. >> And the other piece, and thank you for sharing that, the other piece to also mention is if if we cannot service our we're required to service our students. If we cannot service our students, we have to send them to potentially a facility who can. And then you're talking what what would you say on average a student cost that we send out? Obviously on average I don't want to >> call out any students but >> I think we went up as high as 120,000. >> No new new story the high is 119 and some change call 120. >> Uh the minimum

122if we could send kids to MRD that'd be awesome. All those kids are >> next to nothing but we don't have that. So you're ranging in the 55 to 120 range and that's assuming they have no one aid no other services. doesn't include transportation, which is very costly. It's usually oneonone private. So, those things do add up. Um, >> and then I heard Monica say that the um I thought she said that the um developmentally disabled were already underfunded for that >> economically disadvantaged. Okay, that's different. So are >> we're in a we're we're definitely in a position that's really tough because even going into this year with the restructure and really looking at how can we service students and focusing on K2. We did our best to not add any staff and we didn't.

123We moved and we restructured and we looked at okay how can we do this and then we get new students that we weren't accounting for. And that's been that's really what when you look at the new students across the board, that's where this addition is coming for those new students because then they add you can't just add a new student to the classroom when they have these high needs. >> So it it's it I I want you to know that we are looking at it. It's not as if, you know, I'm asking you to add these extra individuals and don't understand the cost and and I do I just don't know what alter our alternative is for those for those positions and for those students. >> So, if these positions then are not approved tonight,

124you're telling me that you're we're going to be sending these kids out. >> I I'm are not necessarily >> specific kids, but kids amongst the groups for sure. >> Yes. There are at least a few at Indian Trail that we would be having those conversations if we couldn't spread them out and add the support. >> Yeah. And that that's kind of what I was saying is is moving and transferring aids. If it's if this is important enough, if that's the what we need, then that's what we do. >> And so, >> and like Mrs. Hunt said, last year, um, we moved a teacher internally mid year rather than hiring a new one and really kind of blew up some people's worlds and kids, you know, had to get used to new teachers and then um

125same thing with the middle school having to move one of those to Winchester Trail this year um to replace the one that we moved to Indian Trail. So, we definitely try to move when we can when we've got the staff out there. We will look at reassigning, but right now we just I mean Indian Trail it's really got a lot of needs and that's kind of where we're trying to focus right now. So what you're telling us right now is there's really no one you can move there into that position that's day ready to start from anywhere else in the district. >> Not in the special ed world for sure. >> And in order to move someone, they would have to come up on a lot of training to get to that point. >> Well,

126everybody, no matter the people that are going to be hired are going to have to be trained, right? >> Though they might not be train need to be hired or I mean they may not need to be trained in special needs. They may have that training already, but they might need to have some internal training on things that we may do particularly here, right? I'm just saying >> we um have had some decent candidates for those positions, people with experience. So, that's a positive for us dealing with some, you know, some hard classes. >> What's the time frame? And what's the what's the time frame and and what's involved in in training someone? I'm assuming it's a certification of some sort for special needs. >> Um, we try to get them Marcus trained, you know,

127just to give them some of that basic information. And there's also a training coming up through the ESC that we've got at least four and potentially more of our pair of professionals attending that um gives them some training specifically in working with kids with autism. Um, our new teacher also will be able to go to that ESC training on autism. And so it's really a lot of it's on the job. Our BCDA is mainly based out of Indian Trail. She's across the district in all the buildings, but she's kind of housed there. So she provides a lot of support. >> Are aids trained in CPI? >> Um, they'll be trained in Marcus. Many of them were trained in CPI. Yes. So we're kind of between years. So we have a lot of still have that

128CPI certification, but they'll get the Marcus. >> So, let's say we had an aid, totally hypothetical, let's say we had an aid transfer from another school district. They were an aid in another school district. They came to our school district and they were just an aid and hadn't done this training. What how long is the training to get them prepared to work in a special needs classroom? I mean, do they have to have do they have do they have to have >> there's nothing that they Okay. Okay. >> They just need a professional certificate through the ESC. Um, when they come to us, we try to give them some of the on on the job stuff. If they're working with some of our medically fragile kids, they may be trained by the nurse in regards

129to some of those procedures, things like that. Um, >> specific hours and and then for the Marcus training that you were talking about and then the CPI training, how long is that training like through the ESC? >> Two day training. >> Okay. >> So, that's two full days. Uh, the ESC trainings that I was referencing are one full day. >> Okay. Okay. >> One of the things that we also did with getting Mr. Alison and Autumn uh trained in the Marcus trainings so that we have somebody in-house that can do the trainings where we used to send out and pay quite a bit to send out. So they are trained and that's why we're able to offer so many sessions and we're really hoping to get that. We're at 50 by the end of the

130next week and we're even offer looking at putting more on because the training is so beneficial. >> How long does it take to get a pair of professional certificate? don't take much time at all. >> It doesn't take much time. It's it's it's it's a process. You go in and you fill out the paperwork. There's things you have to do to get it. Um, so depending on uh the ease at use of technology and like being able to >> fill out the applic Yeah, that's the piece that sometimes we run into, but it's a quick process for the paraper license. I just wanted to say um what's obvious here to me is that there is a need and um I believe that our administration and staff they do their due diligence prior to making a

131recommendation to the board. So um they're there on the ground with the students um evaluating and um just with their expertise. Uh, I do support that and I feel that we do have an obligation to make sure that our students, all of our students are receiving the um resources that they need to be able to uh grow, to thrive, and just to be better. So, um I do support this motion completely. >> I I agree with almost everything you said. Um, I I don't know because I haven't seen it. I don't doubt that due diligence was done to verify that we need these aids and that we can't pull them from some other position, but I haven't seen justification there. There was been no I don't think and even in the work session, at least

132from my understanding, it wasn't shown, you know, hey, here's here's here's here's the number of aids we have and where they're at and and here's why we need these aids. So I I I I don't feel comfortable saying that the due diligence was 100% done. >> Actually, they did show the numbers and they show the numbers per class and the number of students in each classroom and the levels that they were. >> I I don't doubt that we need the support for the special services. I don't doubt that. I believe that that I mean that's statemandated anyway. So you don't really need due diligence for that. But where the due diligence says that I'm not sure of is did we look at every aid and justify every aid position in the district, not for special

133needs in the district, and say, "Hey, here's some that maybe we can move, maybe we can't. I don't know that I don't know that that level of detail was gone through." And I'm not saying it wasn't. Maybe it was. I don't know. I just I don't know that that that was presented. >> Dr. I know you didn't present that specific scenario, but did you guys do that? >> We have conversations. We'd be moving somebody midyear out of an established role that has a lot of responsibilities. So, in regards to that big picture, I don't know where we pull somebody from that we wouldn't then leave that group short-handed. Like already, I think out in the buildings, we're hearing a lot from all of the principles in regards to we need more help. We've got a

134hard group of kids, you know. Um, so I don't necessarily know who all the aids are, but I know they're all busy, you know, and they're all working and in mid year we don't want to pull somebody from one position to another unless they're clearly available. And >> I just I don't feel I mean we're 15 days into the year so I don't know that we can necessarily say we're mid year, right? And and then, you know, to the principles, I 100% can see that. I mean, I'm in I'm in a leadership position in my regular job and I never have enough people. >> Um, you know, that's that's the way we are as as leaders and whether we have it or don't. Oh, yeah. Absolutely. >> I'm sorry to interject. >> I don't know

135about all the other schools name. >> I'm Dr. Copel. Sorry. From Indian Trail. >> She's our principal at Indian Trail. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, at least at Indian Trail this whole year, probably the second day of school, we have sat down, we've evaluated every single kid, what their needs are. We've evaluated every single parah, where can we put them, who could they best fit with, what are their skill sets. It seems like every new student that we get has a special need that's extreme. So then we're pulling paras from somewhere else and we're leaving somebody else uncovered. Then we're not meeting their IEP goals and minutes. And so then we can legally get into trouble for that as well. So, when we're asking for things, we've done even today, we sat down with Brooke,

136we sat down with um Mitsy, our special ed coordinator at our site in preschool. We went through every single student, every single adult, who can we mix so that they are equitable classroom so that every student is learning and we're still short. So, I I don't know what else to say. You guys are more than welcome to come into any classroom all day. We need the help. And we would love for you guys to see that we're trying and we're struggling. >> Yeah. And I I there's no doubt and and I'm not doubting that. I'm just, you know, this is the the discussion that we have to have, I think. >> And I'm kind of going back to Nick's uh comment. It doesn't um put us in jeopardy today. Um it's a one-year contract. We

137have the ability to review or the staff, the superintendent has the ability to review um current positions for next year to look at where we might be able to move people around if we or through attrition not replace someone else um for the salaries that we may be allowing for these two very much needed positions. Um, and I'm I'm more concerned with the fact that if it was a regular classroom, maybe not such a big deal, but because these are such highly high needs kids, and because we're trying to keep kids in the district and not send them out, if we if we are not staffing or properly staffing a room, then are we and we end up sending the kid out, then what was the whole purpose of not approving these two? That's kind

138of my concern. In addition, I just wanted to point out, I believe we discussed in our um work session that um we are projecting that there are to be um we're going to end up receiving more students into uh Indian Trails with special needs. So, there's a future projection why I think this is necessary as well, not just the current situation. Um, the special services report that we got has 805 students that say there's special education enrollment. There's 805 in our district and Indian Trails has 156 of them and Winchester Trails has 167 and the middle school has 123. Do we know that? We This doesn't tell us what the difference is from last year like the increase, but there's 805 in our district right now. the largest that it's been. >> That's very high.

139>> Okay. Um well, are we ready to take a vote? Um, so for the uh motion for uh classified personnel, um, can we take a vote, please? >> Mr. Twist? >> No. >> Miss Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. George? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tally? >> Yes. >> Okay, motion passes. And next on the agenda is um discussion items, proposed policy changes. Um believe we had a couple of items on um the agenda that um we want to table until um is that what that is? >> They don't say what they are, but we had two items. Just one. >> Okay. Um, is this the one for >> Just looking at anonymous complaints >> for the anonymous complaints. >> Yes, we would like to um >> What about the logo? >> We're tableling that too. >>

140No. >> Okay. So for the anonymous complaints, um we were wanting to table that until um we can review that further um at a later time because we had some more discussion around that one that we wanted to to talk about. So um is anybody in opposition to us tableabling this one? >> All right. Do we have to take a vote on that or just this discussion. >> All right. And um there's nothing else on the agenda. So um we don't need to do executive session. Is that correct? >> Can you give us a reminder of what the date is for us to provide the updates for the >> September? Sep I was wanting to say the 19th and I kept going. Is it the 19th or the 16th? Okay. So September um 16th for

141both Nick and um >> that's back to me. That's back to you by the 16th. >> Back to me by the 16th. >> Nick and Kai, are we assume we're out of school on October 13th? That's the second Monday. >> Are we still having meeting that evening? >> When that is indigenous people. >> That is indigenous people's day. >> Yeah. I mean that's that's when Yeah, I believe when we put it >> I hope we are forecast is due the 15th. So >> day, isn't it? >> I believe it is a school day. >> It is a school day. Yeah, >> I believe so. >> I wanted to make sure. >> Yeah, you guys are like, >> "Okay, >> second." >> Take a vote, please. >> Miss Barnes, >> yes. >> Ali, >> yes. >>

142Mr. Twist, >> yes. >> All right, great. Good meeting. Thank you, everybody.