001[music] All >> [music] >> right, we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. If we can all stand for the pledge of allegiance, please 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. >> All right, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom, here. [clears throat] >> Miss Layman, >> here. Miss Lewis >> here. >> Mr. Nally >> here. >> Mr. Price >> here. >> Can I get a motion to approve the minutes from the organizational meeting and the regular meeting uh that were on January 12th, 2026, please? >> So move. >> Motion by Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Lewis. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes.
002>> Miss Lewis? >> Yes. >> Ms. Layman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nally? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. Motion's approved. Moving on to legislative report. >> Uh just a couple things. Uh there's not a whole We had talked in finance committee last week. Plus, I was doing a little bit of research and there [clears throat] hasn't been a whole lot actively going on with the legislature uh yet. However, um I did pull off there was one bipartisan bill that talks about um doing some limit the education choice expansion scholarships and and it and it talks a little bit about uh kind of the dollar range for families. Uh it it's House Bill 643 and it also uh deals with the area of inflation. What I thought was significant and it repeats a lot of
003the things that we know are going on. What I found interesting is that it's a bipartisan bill. Um, which tells me the ranks are being broke a little bit in terms of um it's like it's not a hard voucher uh system and a few of the people on both sides of the aisle are starting to look at what are the implications of what they have in place now. And uh what I would just encourage the rest of the board and public um there's with vouchers um just to keep following what's going on there. Uh, one of the things that you can do, uh, all of us can do and the public is if you are a Facebook person, you can go to vouchers Ohio and you receive the same information that we receive as board
004members via email. So, um, it's it's just another way to follow what's going on there. Um the greatest concern uh again is that the legislature continues to kind of abandon the fair school funding uh doing things that are abandoning the fair school funding plan and hopefully that gets turned around a little bit. Uh there's still um major lawsuits going on in terms of the constit um constitutionality of um vouchers and that system. Uh and I'm sure that that's again not a quick thing that's going to be determined, but it's ongoing. So just wanted to mention those few things that are actively going on. That's all I had. Okay. >> Thanks, Don. >> No walk- on items tonight. >> No, sir. >> Moving on to the community aspect if anyone would like to address the board,
005but I believe everybody in our audience are guests. >> That is correct. Of >> ours. So, we'll move on to superintendent report. >> Fabulous. Thank you very much, Mr. Price. Um, first of all, uh, this is our last meeting in January. We mentioned, um, board member appreciation month, um, as we celebrate the entire month. We've talked a little bit about that at our first meeting in January. Um, and I would just like to point out to all of you, um, you have some wonderful, very creative, very fun, um, appreciation items in front of you, and I want to give full credit with full disclosure >> to me. >> Uh, [laughter] yeah. Um, to to my wonderful, wonderful administrative assistant, Gina Heinline. um she is definitely the creative and crafty one of the bunch. Um and
006she has really done some very fun things for you. So we very much on behalf of the entire district, we very much appreciate all that you guys do. There's so much above and beyond and outside of um sitting here, you know, for for an hour, hour and a half, twice a month. Um so very much appreciated. So enjoy some sweet treats. There you go. even take those home and and have those. >> Just a real quick word of warning to the rest of the board. Josh Matz is here. So if he tends to walk towards the table, we take these and we put them down. [laughter] >> Yes. Yes. >> Just to be on the safe. I know caffeine is the first vice, but [laughter] >> chocolate might be right behind there. Good call, Mr.
007Price. [laughter] And you that leads me, that's a perfect segue. Um As we've decided throughout this this school calendar year, uh our second board meeting of the month is an opportunity for a work session for our board. So, it's an opportunity um for me to bring a piece of the district and share that at a little bit deeper level with not only um you as our board members to keep you highly informed um and engaged with our buildings and our the work of our district, but also an opportunity to share with the members of our community who who are watching. Um so, this evening I have asked uh Mr. Dr. Joshua Matz, who is the principal at Otis Elementary, one of our four elementary buildings in the district, um to share a little bit of
008the working that takes place at Otis Elementary. Um we've had a couple different things on our schedule, so it's been a while since Mr. Anne Wei was here representing Fremont Middle School back in I think October. Um and gave us a glimpse of what Fremont Middle School looks like um in the dayto-day. So, I'm very happy to welcome Mr. Matz with us and he has a team with him that I will let um him introduce and he has some things to share with you. So, thank you very much. >> Just like elementary school take her down. [laughter] >> He can follow those directions. >> Well, first of all, thanks so much for having us out this evening on Cold and Blustery will not stop us. We're glad to be here. Also, a special thanks to
009Mrs. Hurt. uh she promised me 90 un uninterrupted minutes tonight which I I'm going to take full advantage of. But [laughter] what what I really want to make sure of is that the community and that the board is aware and to celebrate a little bit too a program that is happening at Otis Elementary in conjunction with the high school that was started by three amazing individuals that is Jules Jordan, Abby Dosert and then uh Mrs. carrier who is at the high school. And in all of this, the roots are simple. It is when there's a need, you address it. It's a hole, you fill. There's a problem, you fix it. And whether it's all across education, you take pride in this. But we certainly do at Otis. If you find a need, you take actionable
010steps to address it. And what I can tell you is the three amazing people that I mentioned certainly took some actionable steps to fill the hole to address the need. and in doing so created some partnerships between the high school and elementary as well as I think inspired not only this program but inspired a whole bunch of kids. I think you're going to learn that they empowered our high school leaders as well as some of our amazing little people. And in the bottom line to all this is that there's benefits. There's benefits not only for our kiddos, but there's also going to be some benefits uh for our for our high school um kids as well. So, with no further ado, I'll be done talking and I'll really turn it over to the fabulous Mrs.
011Jordan so she can explain her program of the Rising Giants mentoring. >> Okay, I feel like he told you everything, so [clears throat] I'm good to go, right? [laughter] Uh, I'm Juliana Jordan. I'm the school counselor at Otis, and I've been there for about 5 years now. um finally figuring out that I know how to do my job. It took 5 years, but I got there. Um and part of finally finding my my position and and knowing what to do. I've been able to branch out and start some new things and and like Mr. Mad said, fill some needs. Um, so one of those needs uh came up in uh a student that we had in second to third grade noticing his teachers noticed that he could probably use a bit of more support, a
012bit more mentoring, a bit of a an older student to look up to. Um, with that in mind, uh, with some push for some teachers and from Mrs. VA. I suck out seek out um some partners over at the high school to see if they had anybody over there that would fit that role. Um and in doing so was connected with Mrs. Carrier over there, the NHS um supervisor and when we kind of got talking we said why stop at one when we can do many. So we currently um let me start with our leaders first. So um some of the leaders here in our RGM program is is me of course and then Mrs. Doster is our our school psychologist and she's the one that keeps me sane um as I I plan these
013things and helps me get things ready. Mrs. Carrier, our high school partner, National Honor Society adviser um who helps coordinate the older students. Um, of course, special support from Mr. Matz and Mrs. Veila, who are always very enthusiastic and willing to help us uh get this program going and our transportation team, of course, who helps bus our high schoolers over once a month. Um, our mentors are honestly just an incredible group of people with so much patience. Um, such great leaders, athletes and scholars in our community that go to Ross um, and give up a lot of their time to go and talk to these students who who really build these connections. And then our mentees um about 20 third through fifth grade ODA students who are very kind and intelligent enthusiastic learners who are
014willing to grow and willing to make some connections get outside of their comfort zone. Um [sighs] so what do we do when we get together? So again like this happens once a month. Um before any meetings, both the students and the mentors fill out some interest forms so we can kind of understand what they're interested in, what their goals are, and hopefully match them up with the best students possible. Um and then when we do get together, we spend a lot of time communicating, a lot of time um discussing what our goals are. That's kind of our first session is a lot of downtime just sitting there and and talking and getting to know one another. Um, I have the pleasure of being part of the ACE mentoring program. I I mentor a middle school
015over here. Um, and a lot of that's kind of the adult figures out what you're going to talk about. You you make those goals. It's very much do it yourself. And I love that about it. But when you're doing high schoolers and elementary kids, it's got to be a little bit more planned, a little bit more structured. So, um, we always have some type of agenda, something that we're doing, and it's going to be focused around a skill that we're building. um something that we are trying to teach these students and to help build these connections. Um so some of the skills that we teach are like teamwork, communication, confidence, goal setting, accountability, responsibility. Um a lot of these students struggle a little bit with social emotional um issues. They also struggle with um communication,
016trying to make friends. And a lot of that is discussed through the activities we do. And some of these activities include things from as simple as writing and drawing to this year. I mean, last year we've done uh we made a tower building activity using marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti. We've um done a scavenger hunt throughout the school. Um which I think the high schoolers liked a lot more than our other elementary student. [laughter] Um we've also done crafts. We've done games and more. Um, and we're currently working together to try and pull together some type of field trip that we can take all of them on. Um, okay. So, why do we do it? Um, the impact of this program has far exceeded whatever expectations that I had going into it. Uh, I constantly have
017students asking me, "When's the next time we're going to see our mentors? When are we going to see them again? Is it this week? Is it next week? When are we going to see them?" Um, because they're just connecting. They're making such good connections. They're making such great relationships. Um there's just something about having a role model to look up to that's not someone you see on TV or someone who plays sports cuz that's not always attainable, but somebody in our community, someone that you can connect with it. It's very powerful. So, something that I keep in my little box of kudos is this Facebook post by a mom um that Josh was nice enough to hand out to all of you um that she posted at graduation last year. Um she said that one
018of our menty connections made that this this possible. Um this I have to go back a couple pictures because this connection right here, you'll see a picture of him. Um, this connection was special. Like they just clicked so well. They had such a good uh relationship and they just laughed and smiled. Um, our high school student here dyed his hair blonde and Roman could just not get over it. He was just like, "Don't even show it in the picture. Like, I don't want anybody to notice." So, um, even some of our students who are just too cool for for a lot of activities really connected with this program and really made some amazing, uh, connections with other students. So, we do have one of our mentees here today. Uh, one of the most incredible kids
019I've ever met. So kind, so wonderful. Her name is Chloe. And it's okay that she's a little bit too nervous to come up here today. But she has given me permission to read to you some things that she has written. Is that okay? Do you want to stand with me while you read it? I'll give you a candy bar. [laughter] >> That's okay, kiddo. >> That's okay. I'll take that smile. [laughter] Um, she says, "Hello, my name is Chloe and I am a fifth grader at Otis. My mentor's name is Sophia. And one thing I like about my mentors, she is kind and trustworthy. When we met, we do when we meet, we do things like play games and talk. My favorite part of Rising Giant mentors is when we made snowmen ornaments um, and
020got to talk about our feelings. Uh, being part of Rising Giants made me feel happy when we talk together, when we also play together because we can get to know each other more and I love doing this. Thank you for letting me share about a program that means a lot to me. Thank you for letting me join you guys. It makes me feel comfortable talking to you and my mentor. So, connections like that mean so very much to me. Like that is,000% why I do this job. So, I am so happy she was brave enough to let me share her words today. But I just am so happy you guys got to hear some of the stuff that we do cuz you know in your position, you don't hear the boots on the ground a
021whole lot of the times. And I feel so lucky that I'm in a district that can go out and do these types of programs. Like I and I have admin who are luckily just so amazing that let me do what I want because they know it's going to benefit the students. So, I just want to thank you again for your time today. Um, and thank you for any support coming forward from this program. >> Oh, yeah. >> Any questions for Jules or Josh or Chloe? Any questions for them? >> What What um I guess have have there been any hurdles that you've had to overcome? Um how'd you do it? and maybe what are you what what's the future look like? What are maybe some goals or some things that you want to look forward
022to? >> Great question. Um we've noticed that some kids just don't take to the mentoring. Like there's just been one or two that you know they think it's really cool at first but then like it kind of fizzles out and and they don't really want to participate. Luckily we have a school full of kids who are are very excited about it. So you know we have these discussions with these students. We urge them to keep trying it out but when it's time we we let them part. We don't want to force them to do it because at that point they're not getting any benefit. So then we do enter in new students and there is a hurdle of okay well now we have to get this new student in and they have to understand and
023now build that connection uh in a shorter amount of time. So we do have that hurdle. Um, we also it having time to plan the activities and and get all of the materials together and think of every little thing that could happen in half an hour. Um, it it takes a lot of stress and a lot of time, but um and and every time it starts, I I sweat like a pig cuz I just [laughter] know I don't know what it is. I planned it for everything, but gosh, I'm sweating like a pig. Um, [laughter] a little bit of an overshare. You're welcome. Uh you're not you're not sweating right now at all, right? [laughter] >> Not at all. Not at all. Um but I I have such a wonderful team that just knows me
024and um I think one day, a couple days um the bus didn't show up to pick up the students for one reason or another. And and Josh knows me at this point and he knows that how I over plan and overthink these things. And it's almost like he's telling me that like a a like a family member died cuz he has to be like, "Hey Jules, I got to tell you this. [laughter] Didn't show up because he knows like the tears are coming." But [laughter] again, all hurdles that we've overcome, it's just made me stronger. It's made me more adaptable. >> I hope that answers your question. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Um in the future, I'd love to spread this program to the other elementary schools. you know, it's all about do we have
025enough high school students? Do we have enough people to help um coordinate this because it isn't a big undertaking, but I'm hoping if I create all of the the plans and the lessons and I I pioneer it, then maybe it's going to be easier to pass on and then [clears throat] we can affect more people with it. >> Nice. One of my most fun elementary school memories was involved like high school students coming to the school just to talk to us little, you know what I mean? Elementary school kids and I just thought that was the neatest thing. So to be able to spend like one-on-one time with them or even in a group activity where it's just about you as the mentee instead of like our whole class was, >> you know, there. That's
026that's a really neat experience and and I'm glad I'm glad that we get to have that in our in our district. >> Thank you for saying that. >> When do you guys usually meet? >> Um it's somewhere in the middle of the month, usually on a Wednesday. um with the snow days are this one got cancelled this month unfortunately but next month we were hopeful um to reschedule it but it's usually during our fourth graders recess time and our fifth grader specials time. It is kind of hard to carve out a half an hour when multiple different grades are >> uh free but we make it work >> and the teachers are are wonderful about adapting and allowing this to happen too. >> Awesome. Mhm. >> Thank you very much. >> Keep up the great
027work. >> Thank you to all of you for coming in this evening and providing us a a glimpse into Otis Elementary and a very unique and worthwhile project that you guys have made part of your building plan. Um and and keep that going. So I appreciate all of you. Thank you for taking the time this tonight to come and share with all of us little piece of that. >> Right. Um and [laughter] And like many of our um like many of our groups and many of our pieces, we do have that always have that goal to get something started, pilot something. Um especially where it is authentic project and growth. Um but that's how our men with manners started. >> That's how our goals with girls with goals started. Um so it it's it's fun
028to see how things come up. So, a very unique piece of one of our elementary buildings and happy that they were able to to share that and give you that glimpse. >> Um, if you're okay, Mr. Price, I'll continue. >> We'll move on. >> Um, let me take care of >> All right. Um, item I would ask that you your approval for beginning with item number one. Um, we have just one donation this evening. St. John's Lutheran Church has provided us with some hats, gloves, and scarfves. um of which we are very happy to have um for our children. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve item one, please? >> So moved. >> Motion by Miss Lewis. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Nally. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please.
029>> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Miss Landon, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. >> Thank you very much. Um next on our agenda, we have some staff items. Uh beginning with item number two, um we have a resignation of one of our Ross High School math teachers. Um item number three, we have some appointments of some certified staff as well as um some or I'm sorry, some substitute staff as well as some individuals who are joining us either in a new role in the district or uh new to us altogether. So we're very happy to have new team members in Fremont City Schools. Item number four, we have some supplemental contracts for um some spring coaching positions. Item number five, the same.
030Um and item number six, we just have a status change from an individual who used to be one of those split elementary secretary positions and is now moving into um the main secretary position at Lutz Elementary. So wonderful. always I think when we see our staff who are working hard in our district and then find opportunities to advance themselves >> and a graduate from Fremont. >> Yes. >> So, all right. Uh, can I get a motion to approve items 2 through six, please? >> So, move. >> Motion by Mrs. Bloom. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Layman. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. >> Miss Layman? >> Yes. >> Miss Lewis? >> Yes. >> Mr. N? >> Yes. Mr. Price. >> Yes. Motion's approved. >> Fantastic. And
031that is all I have for you this evening. >> All right. Moving on to report of the treasurer. >> Uh, good evening. See, trying to wrap my brain around what's going on with all the different cancellations and everything. [clears throat] Um, some items going on in my office right now. We are, as crazy as it sounds, getting ready to wrap up the month of January. Can't believe we're there. Happy to report to W2s are in buildings as of today. Um notice went out to staff that they could go pick them up. Hopefully we will be in session today or today, tomorrow or Friday and they can go pick them up. If [clears throat] not, they will be collected on Friday and then mailed out to individuals. There is also a a digital option for staff
032as well that you can go to the ESS um link for the district and get your copy there as well for your own records. So, just a little update on our W2s. It's I we they um get printed for us in Tunduski and they emailed last Friday and said we're trying to get everybody's done due to the weather and I called Friday afternoon and said hey where you at with getting them printed cuz they were individually mailing each district and she goes you do know you are like one of our biggest districts right? I was like yeah she goes you're we're getting there but yours is going to take a little bit. said, "Okay." So, when they serve I don't know how many different um Yeah. >> 35 plus maybe. >> Yeah. And we're the
033one of their largest that they have to print W2s for. So, we always joke around that we're their favorite. We're not. [laughter] So, staff can pick those W2s up though. Those are in the buildings. Um, and our admin as well as our 12-month employees are working even though we have days, calamity days for students. Um, so they have access to the buildings if they would choose to come in and pick those up. >> Um, um, our audit should be our fiscal 24 audit should be wrapped up. Um, they're state auditors are coming in tomorrow to finalize some final details and then we are also rolling on our fiscal 25. So hopefully that'll get smooth. No issues, no waiting on back and forth and that one will get wrapped up quickly as well. So, and then
034for my December financials, uh just a couple quick highlights on that. Um our lowest cash point of the year is January and December. Um emphasis on the cash portion that is money that we actually have on hand in our accounts. So when you see that cash balance on some of these reports, it starts looking a little bit low in December and January. That just has to do with our real estate collection times, which is our one of our largest sources of revenue. So with those being in um we usually see those start we did get one advance in January but it was very I don't want to say very small but it was not as significant as what our total collection will be for the first half of the year. Um and then we'll see
035more in February and then the final is done in March. So, this is our little bit low time. We start having to move a little bit more money around in the accounts, but if you look at our bank statements, you will see that this is kind of getting to where it's those um dollar amounts are less. But nothing to be worried about. Those revenues will pop back up in a couple the next couple of months. Uh the new financial forecast requirements mean that we have to submit a forecast in February without knowing what our final real estate collection is going to be. Just a little pointer. [laughter] >> So that's neat. >> You know, we always I'm not going to give my opinion on that. So just just something to be aware of when I
036go to present that. Um, normally we would have a lot more closer to the fiscal year end data for this year to make assumptions and base off calculations on. And this is going to be a lot earlier for us. So those numbers won't have that um historical data for us. And then just a couple of things with our expenses. Salaries are up just over 2% for the first 6 months, which we expected. But just to [clears throat] kind of give you an idea um with the rising cost of um employment kind of where it's supposed to be, medical insurance is up a little bit. Um we just had a rate increase. So that kind of bumps that number up >> higher. We are just like everyone else. We are seeing an increase in our utility
037bills. Electricity is up 12% for us. So >> that's significant. >> Yeah. >> Turn the lights off. >> I was going to say, so [laughter] if those in the back go off, we're just going to let them go. >> Schoolboard meeting by candle light. We'll do it. [laughter] >> Um, but you know, a lot of technology based stuff and it takes a lot to run. We do participate in consortiums to keep the district in some um lowerbased rates and so that we can get a little bit of of relief from that. But we are seeing increases like everyone else >> in all of your if you don't mind real quick in all of your like professional memberships um discussion like that similar across other districts and >> everybody's like did you I mean it's probably
038like anybody else have you seen your electric bill like my staff was having that about their own homes today but that's when you go to meetings everybody's like did you see your the electric bill how much it's gone up. Everybody's feeling that. So >> sometimes I think I mean we're our own district, but sometimes I think it's helpful for the public to know that it's >> Yep. It's not just us. >> It's not just us across the >> Yeah. >> across the state, I'm sure, across the country. >> Oh, yeah. I was going to say that I think is more of a um nationwide discussion piece that I've heard as well along with the rising cost of insurance and salaries and all of that. >> Everybody is seeing every industry, not just schools. Like it's
039not just school districts seeing it. It's everybody >> certainly. So, [snorts] >> um, so those are a couple things I wanted to highlight about the financials. Nothing else really out of the ordinary for us. And then just a quick note that our um, the other item I have on tonight is for the middle school library that is from a they had gotten a donation and would like to spend those funds. So um if we can move on to approvals, Mr. Price. >> Right. Um first one, item seven, uh just for the financial report. Can I get a motion to approve the financial report? >> Move. >> Motion by Mr. Nally. Could I have a second? >> Second by Mrs. Bloom. Any discussion? Just a a comment that came up at uh our finance committee meeting
040and that is that some of our bonds are coming up um for the opportunity to refinance and just commend our administrative staff and the entities that we work with that they're looking at that and uh that we'll see a benefit for our district in uh kind of in the long long term on that. So, um, just wanted to mention that. >> Yeah, actually, thank you for bringing that up. I was going to mention something I forgot. Just for the rest of the board's um, information, you will I'm meeting with our bond underwriter on Friday and she's going to kind of go over timeline. So, I'm going to be sharing that out to you guys just forformational purposes. And then probably at either one of the board meetings in February, we'll have um board [clears throat]
041approval on the agenda for refinancing those bonds. But um just want to let you know that is going to be coming. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. Then item eight, uh, the appropriation for the middle school library. Could I get a motion to approve item eight, please? >> So move. >> Motion by Miss Lewis. Could I have a second? >> Second by Miss Layman. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Miss Layman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. Motion's approved. Uh, moving on to board member communications. Lori, >> seems like it's been forever since
042we've been in here. All the holidays have come and gone so quickly. Um, just want to thank St. John's for the the gloves and the hats. There was a little discussion somebody had posted on Facebook from Clyde about she was a bus driver encouraging the parents to make sure the kids wear their coats and stuff on the bus cuz they get cold. what if the bus breaks down? And I just I put out there I said, "Well, I know in Fremont we have coats that were donated." So, kids should have coats and I know we get hats and gloves, so I know that we can help supply that, too. And if not, I'm sure that somebody could help help them get that if they don't have it. And then with Juliana, that's I mean, that's
043pretty cool with the whole mentoring and all that. and I babysat her [laughter] when she was in grade school. Her and her siblings [clears throat] used to come down to my house and they and then they'd go to school. They don't walk to school together. But it's neat to see her doing this now after having seen her. I think she was like first or second grade or something like that. She was little. But yeah, it's it's just neat to see the kids grow up and and now mentoring and helping other ones. >> [clears throat] >> And that's it. >> Laura, >> I don't have much. I just want again, well, I can't say again, tell Gina, >> we talked a little bit earlier how uh crafty and thoughtful and nicely put together your gifts was
044that you gave us. We greatly appreciate it and we appreciate everything you do behind the scenes. I know there's way more that you do that we don't even know about. So, we just really appreciate you, Gina. >> She's our glue. >> Yes. I think she's definitely the offic's glue from what I see. Yes, I [laughter] hear. >> Yeah, [clears throat] >> we had a small glimpse at one time what it would be like to not have Gina and I think it almost all fell apart. >> Probably [laughter] people like that are very important to have around. >> Absolutely. >> You got to acknowledge them. >> Yep. Good glue is a good way to to phrase that claim and that is very true. >> Okay, Sarah. Um, just thank you to um, Miss Jordan, Mr. Mattz,
045and Chloe, was it Chloe that came in um, to talk about the Rising Giants program. I mean, mentoring is one of the the things that we can do as a district that is low cost, high impact. Um, and there's I know I've said this before, uh, there is plenty of data to support um, how important mentoring is uh, in the lives of our students. Um, so it's it's one of those things that um, it really is a gift to the to the district that we have um, multiple different mentoring um, opportunities throughout the the district. Um, just kind of my shameless like I don't want [clears throat] to say plug, but attention grabber for our seniors. Um, we are halfway through the school year. Um, and before you know it, we won't be talking about
046snow and windchills, but we'll be talking about um, last day of school and graduation. Um, and that time is going to fly. And I've just had enough conversations this week with different parents about how do I how do I uh apply for scholarships? How do I what apprentice programs are out there? And what type of uh assistance is there for my my senior for life after uh high school? Um so I I'm like, well, I'm going to do some research. So, I looked on our lovely nice new website and got to the Fremont Ross High School um page, if you will. Um, and if you go under um student support and then school counseling, um there are just resources right there at your fingertips. Um, if you are one of those people who likes to
047research on your own and at home and get some get some information first before you have a conversation, plenty of things um whether you're a collegebound uh kiddo um or you're entering the workforce um career assessments and different types of um things regarding financial aid and scholarships and all of those things are right at your finger. fingertips. I would also encourage any senior student and parent to get to the school and talk to um you know the senior guidance counselor um make an appointment, do whatever you know you feel is necessary um to advocate for your kiddo um so they're not living with you for the rest of their lives. No, but in all seriousness, there are resources out there um you know to help apply for every scholarship even if you don't qualify because
048you just never know how those things end up. Um so seniors, let's get after it. And then just lastly, um these are hard times right now. Uh we just talked about our own electric bill, but everybody's electric bill is high and the snow is piled up. So just encourage everybody to be kind. Be kind to your neighbors. um help when you can. Um be a helping hand to to to somebody and and especially our kiddos. Um kids kids sometimes feel like they have limited opportunities to help and there's just plenty of things that they can they can do to be helpful. >> That's all. >> If I could just jump in real quick just Miss Lewis, if I could just piggyback with something that you said. Um, I know sometimes parents will say to me,
049um, well, it's hard for me just to call the school because I don't even know who I'm asking for. Um, so I would very comfortably like to use Caitlyn Snowberger, Miss Snowberger's name, um, as our senior counselor. Um, she is definitely the place to start at Ross High School for those kinds of pieces. Um, and I think that that should make all of our parents and our families um, feel a little comfortable to have that name in hand. It definitely is the starting point. She may be able to direct you otherwise to Mr. Walker might be the contact or maybe it's Mr. Norris or but at least you have a starting point at that at the Ross High School and I think that that's important. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Done. Um
050just wanted to mention uh had the opportunity to attend the uh Martin Luther King Day [clears throat] uh event uh sponsored by the Fremont double in NAACP. Um, and it was very impressive. Largely, um, it was a nice program, but largely, um, having our students, uh, from the Fremont schools involved in, uh, making a few presentations. Um the young lady Sam Mariah >> Mhm. um uh played some music for the group and uh you know it was just uh it was just a very nice nice event and you know just would encourage people to um you know because we get off that day you know in the future really think about you know attending an event um uh it's it's not strictly Martin Luther King It's it's it's a community event and it brings people
051together. Um earlier this week I think um we had the board here we had we received um superintendent and treasurer evaluation forms. Um just would encourage you to get those filled out within the next couple weeks. Uh again, like we talked in the past, um contrary to what was written on the email that we want to start and continue to do that on an annual basis. That way when it comes up with one, it's good to do that evaluation annually, but two um when we come up on contract renewals, we want to have that information done in the beginning of the year, you know, December, January. So, just would encourage you to get those turned back in and um and then we'll report back uh next month just to the community just to kind of
052give a you know that they were good evaluations or they weren't. But we know um the hard work that our administrative um superintendent and treasurer have been putting in and I think you know uh have a pretty good handle on our uh day-to-day operations of our district. Uh the final thing is just stay inside stay inside and stay warm. That's all I had. Thanks um for me thanks to our guest from Otis. Um great program. It's a great way for students to help students and we can't get better than that. Sometimes adults can't help them. So >> kids helping kids is always is always a great thing to have. So uh thank you for coming in on this day off for most and cold out there and everything else. So um I know it's weird
053at school all the changes and the snow days and who are we having school? Aren't we having school? So it's up in the air. I know it's hectic for everybody involved. So, um, keep getting through it. Next week it's in the 20s, so we should be good to go. >> Gateway. [laughter] >> Um, and then also just, uh, thank you to all the staff who are working when students and teachers are not working. Um, all the parking lots had to get plowed. All the sidewalks had to get shoveled. There were practices. There were still things going on at schools. We had a board meeting here. So, we got to come into a clean parking lot. That was quite a bit of snow. So, thanks to all those that are out there getting that stuff done
054for everybody when they come in. So, >> good call, Mr. Price. >> Tom, any anything special going on with any of the sports teams right now? >> Um, we have some wrestling tournaments coming up. There's a basketball game tonight, I believe. >> Our boys basketball rescheduled it, I believe, tonight. Might be like the third time, but they're playing against Bowling Green as we speak. >> Yep. >> So, um, couple big wrestling tournaments. Uh, boys are going to Akran, girls are going to Iron Maiden, which is down in Bell Fountain. So, >> um, weather needs to stay away. It's going to be cold, but as long as that's just it, we're okay. Um, >> swim meet this weekend. Big >> swim meet this weekend. That's right. Yeah, big one here at home. So, if you're looking
055for something to do, the Natiatorum, I guarantee you, is always warm. >> Sure is. And so [laughter] if you want a Saturday in the warmth, it'll be going on and you can watch some great swimming right here in Fremont. So >> thanks. >> Um with that, I'm going to make a motion to move into executive session under item J. If I could have a second for that motion, please. >> Second by Miss Lewis. Any discussion? The only thing I will say to the public is there will be no business taken after we come out of executive session. We'll adjourn immediately. So there's no new business afterwards when we come out that. So with that, uh, roll call, please. >> All right. Mr. Price, >> yes. >> Miss Lewis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes.
056>> Miss Layman, yes. Mr. Nally, >> yes. >> Motions approved. We are now in executive session. [music] >> [music] [music]