001a lot of updates and changes in statute. So, we did add a new item in there that indicates if we need to make changes in the handbook that we certainly communicate that with parents. U could be more changes with cell phone usage and things of that nature. Just want to make sure that we've got something in place there to say if we need to change this, we can make an update, let parents, families know. Um, for the high school, Mrs. De you wanted to have there that we included in there. >> For the most part, I think we're in pretty good shape. Um, our elementary grading, there's a minor change in there regarding K one and two. We've tried to make it more grade level appropriate standards based not standards based but um driven by
002the state standards whether students can exceed meet or progressing towards some of those standards can they do things and driven by driven by staff it's nice change there great state so that's an update there as well is it that one I had question on that this is obviously I saw a change I appreciate the highlights so we can pinpoint the changes um >> this is it clearly is going away from the traditional ABC D. Um, are other schools doing this? Other elementaryaries or are we first one like how's it >> I wouldn't say we're at the tip of the spear out front on that one. Many schools have utilized some version of such a state report card. It's measuring what students can do as opposed to everybody understands and they mean well poorly. This ties
003to um specific type of skills to let parents know your this these things and um our staff members at those primary levels feel like that's a more reflective way to share with parents here's how your kids really doing because sometimes everybody as I said A means you're doing well B means you're doing pretty well but this ties to what can my kid actually do so um that's the intention many schools use versions of this I don't know that ours exactly the same as others but it's it's not a brand new thing but it's brand new to us in Troy Did that help Levi to answer? >> Uh, yeah. That, you know, we're not the first one to do it and it's and I didn't know if it was a Ohio Department of Education requirement change
004and it sounds like it's not. It's it's a just a choice that we're choosing to make here. Um, since it is a change, maybe in the the back to school letters, um, rather than waiting until grade cards go out, it might be helpful to put that notification out that, hey, you know, okay, one, two, you'll see a different grading scale this year, just rather than reacting once the parents get that. >> And I think we do that already. Um, but certainly that's a good place for a reminder to make sure parents are be sure during open houses, too. I have an over complicated question, but could you break down the AI when you were talking about that? Is that in correlation with cheating or how is that? >> It's actually listed in the cheating section
005of the handbook. And uh Sarah, you're testing me now. I think it's for policies 5200, I think. I'm not 100% sure on that where it references the ability or our ability to use artificial intelligence. And that what's in the handbook in that change is straight out of the policy that what we want to make sure is if a student is unclear on the expectations. The expectations are on this assignment. Yes, you can use AI. If it is an expectation, this is going to be completely original work. We don't want you to use AI. It's described in that sentence. Um there's a lot more to that, but we try to keep it simple in the handbook of make sure you're clear on what the expectations are from the classroom teacher before. Um, I mean, I'm sure
006no adults ever use AI to draft or anything like that, but to make sure that it's clear what the expectations are for the teacher. Um, because there are levels of levels of research that can be complete with AI that it can be very effective. And I think within the next generation or so, it's moving so fast. There's going to be um many many opportunities to utilize that as part of a research project to gather information and then synthesize that information maybe to write your own report. We just want to make sure that there's an expectation that you communicate with your teacher. >> So, it's the teacher's discretion. >> Yes, it's teacher's discretion to communicate as well that what the expectations are. What I wouldn't want, we're all well, many of us are parents here too,
007>> is have uncertainty about what the boundaries are, so to speak, what the expectations are. >> Um, so we want to try to make sure it's in there to be clear. This is what the expectation is. Anything you want to add on that, Alexis? >> The only thing I would just is um where are we placed in that is under that plagiarism right so it's really the idea behind that is that they're not claiming that that is their own work right so when you use AI to do research or to help you assist and write things when you then pose it as your own work >> in submission so the teachers give the students pretty specific parameters on what their references need to be how many references need to be articles or books or you
008know what their websites um things like that can be. So it's really under that plagiarism part of not saying that what you got from AI is your own work. >> Got it. >> Mr. Price. >> Yeah. We have another question. Any other questions? >> I don't mind if they don't mind. We got a question from one of our leadership Troy members here. >> I'm just curious how do we how do the teachers and how does the staff how are they going to monitor whether it's AI submitted versus own work submitted? Like how are they able to tell do even is there a software that they run everything through or is this honor policy or >> there are a couple things there. One, we have a AI task force team we're working on as a district
009for those type of things. There are many types of software that provide you with feedback and those aren't new. There's always been something called Turn It In. That's been used for a long time at the university level and at some high schools as well. Our staff members now are currently trying some different things because we haven't settled on just one tool to say this is the tool that you run things to test check that out. Um, and also I would say to be fair to our staff members, our staff members are pretty good I think at looking at something and saying there are >> I'm going to say symptoms [Laughter] >> things as simple as vocabulary, grammatical updates and things like that. So then they check it. But >> I think it's done best with
010a conversation with the child. >> What's going on here? And sometimes that leads to a further conversation with the family as well. >> No, I mean that and because you know identifying plagiarism is age old, right? In in education in general. So um there have been some online tools, but they're not perfect anyhow. And so at this point, we haven't settled on anything. and our teachers have done a pretty like you said they they are pretty clear students um they use the way we write papers they don't typically write a big long paper and then just turn one blank thing in. I mean there's so many checkpoints along the way they're looking at their drafts. They're looking, you know, they're turning in um and getting feedback from teachers. So they're they're looking at things along
011the way so they can kind of see when something looks really out of place compared to what they've been working on, you know. So right now we haven't settled on anything specific. >> I just kind of wonder as a parent growing up and then >> you know teachers a lot of pressure on them to discern. So >> thank you >> Mr. Price. >> Mrs. Borchers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fox. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Davis. Yes, >> Mrs. Packard. >> Yes. >> May I please have a motion for approval of the administrative handbook to move? >> Thanks. Second. Thank you, Mrs. Davis. >> Mr. Piper. >> So, I took the opportunity to share revisions with all of you. Um, following some work that Mr. Dilone had done looking at salary comparisons for our area, similar schools
012to us. So, just a couple of things. We've recommended some minor tweaks in some salary indexes and also change in the vacation day aotment to more match uh local averages here in our area. >> And Mr. Piper, I just you and I had a conversation about this. You've had a conversation with individual board members as well. >> Can you just remind us of the men max index and kind of the work that went into that or >> Yeah. So I'll add in where I where I leave out. So Dave, we get a lot of information about salaries. Everybody's always collecting data for salaries locally so we can make sure that we're appropriate. So Dave collected some information, looked at similar districts in our area, um districts that are like us that we're competing with for
013for talent. So when we hire a principal, who's who's our competition to hire in the hiring market? So he looked at that information, looked at their averages and adjusted our indexes, some down, some up, but just to make sure that we were calibrating with the local market for for salaries. Um, Northmont, Beaver Creek, >> Vandal, Butler. >> So our size, >> yes, similar in size and districts that we compete with. So I started with the OD similar districts. They'll give you 20 or 20 most similar districts. Um, and then from that list, I merged it with the local districts. Um, and then I found some of those districts that were listed on there, um, and looked at their similar districts until I found enough locally that I could feel comfortable with using that as a
014comparison. Um, and really the the beginning of this is it it's just been a long time, a number of years, um, since we've updated these ranges. Um, I would I don't think they've been updated since I've been in the district, uh, for 14 years. So, It's been it's been a long time coming. So, it was >> good work that needed to be done and um was happy to do it. >> Something we should do more than once or 14 years. >> Thank you for putting that time in. >> Yeah, it's very prevalent in the private sector to do such things. So, yeah. >> And then the other piece, this doesn't affect anyone's salary today. This is just as we go and hire or as we do. >> Correct. It's simply it's simply adjusting our ranges.
015It does not mean that every administrator is getting a raise by any stretch. In fact, I think it would mean that none currently would. Maybe one. >> Thank you. Any other comments, questions? >> Okay. Mr. Price. >> Mrs. Borchers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Davis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Fox? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Packer? >> Yes. Uh, may I please have a motion for the 2025 2026 student fee schedules for the six elementary schools, Van Cleave, Troy Junior High, and Troy High School? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Fox. Second, anything change? >> Anything change, Michael? Um, only the general fee for all students kindergarten through 12 has not changed. It's $40. if we we rarely get any more half day kindergarten children. That's still half of that. The only change to the high
016school fees were things that were recommended by the career center for our satellite courses. None of those changed. And then ceramics in the art program. I think that's just based I'll let I think that's just based on an increasing cost of materials uh that we're seeing in that program. Aside from that, there was nothing else. And uh we try to try to stay on top of those and keep those fees lows for our children and So, >> I was going to add it's been a few years since I've seen a comparison, but the last time I saw a comparison, our fees were very low >> compared to other districts around us. >> And do parents have an opportunity if they wanted to speak to you or their school if they're having trouble with their fees?
017>> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Isn't it tied to free and reduced lunch application? Does it go straight like they apply to that that >> long as they check the box on the free and reduced form? >> Yes. If they get free or reduced lunch, then their fees are waved. And to your point, anyone that has questions about fees is welcome to talk to their building principles or call our office. >> Has anything changed with those fees? I did see some people >> saying some things about like if they aren't paid by graduation. >> I'll I'll share a little bit and I'll open up. >> Forunately, I'll pass this point, but you can explain that. >> And actually in our student handbook revision, we spoke about this. What has happened and Dave mentioned 14 years earlier
018at least that long, I think. longer that the gatekeeper for unpaid fees has ended up being walking across the stage at Hobart. >> And um what we are trying to do this year at the recommendation of our high school principal, Mrs. Dedrick and also Mr. Piper's on board is to start that process much earlier to make sure families are aware. We feel like we have a process in place that families know if they have fees they haven't paid at some point and try to start that discussion earlier providing some incentives to make sure that people one understand they do owe fees, two that they need to pay those fees and it's really great if we don't wait for the very end. And um when the student handbook, we had added that there can be ways
019that we can work with families to say there are other things that you can do in school, but you don't have your fees paid up. We may restrict some of those activities. And um nobody wants to do that, but it's one of the only effective ways to get folks attention. And and also some families rotate. Some years they're free and reduced, some years they're not. And as that happens and and co was difficult for that because there weren't um everybody was eligible for those lunches that made it more difficult as well because people think I don't have to fill out that form anymore but they do and um we're trying to start that discussion and even work with families on payment plans and such things of that nature so that whatever number uh Mrs. Dedric
020has to chase down before graduation. We can limit that number and also start the discussion sooner with families and we're talking as soon as primary grades as well to make sure we can stay on top of that. We're adding some methodology to communicate with parents sooner and get some acknowledgement like yes, I've been told that I owe these. So, anybody else? >> And any family that is experiencing financial troubles, of course, we'll work with them. We just need a good faith effort on their part to just communicate to us they're having those difficulties and we'll we'll work with them. >> Understood. >> That answer your question. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Price, >> Mr. Fox. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Davis. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Borchers. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Packer. >> Yes. May I please
021have a motion for the for exhibit K for July personnel items? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Second. Thank you, Mr. Fox. Mr. Dylan. >> Hello everyone. So, uh, although lengthy, fairly light, uh, agenda this evening, most of these are supplementals. Couple things I do want to point out. Um, if you recall a few months ago, uh, we hired Shelby Fritz as a new teacher. Um, he was a custodian, went through our process. He had gone back to school, blew us all away with his skill set, his interview, um had offers from other districts, and we landed him. So, the reason that I bring Shelby back up is that what you see is that we have Caleb Ulr Fritz, who's his brother, who was the second shift custodian, who is now replacing Shelby as
022the first shift custodian. And I ask if they have any other family members because very happy with the whole Fritz family right now. So, um, that's, uh, that's one of the highlights. And then we have a special guest tonight, um, who was actually hired at the June 30th meeting. I don't want to steal any thunder, but I'm going to turn it away or turn it over to Mr. Dylan. >> Hi, everyone. I'm Mr. Dylan. I'm Matt Dylan, the principal at Kyle Elementary. Gracie Miller is here. Gracie, give a wave. Gracie is going to be joining us in first grade as a first grade teacher. She's a graduate of Ray State University, also Cooken Elementary and Troy High School. So, she's full circle coming back home and we're excited to have her. So, anything you want
023to say? >> No, I'm just very excited to be teaching back on this year. >> Congratulations. >> Can I can I add to the team? I'm sorry I'm talking a lot tonight, but Gracie came in some nice thank you notes for the interview team out of Kyle and for Mr. Dylan and got her got her helped out on that, too. Very nice. >> And if you don't recall from the June meeting, uh you may know Gracie as Gracie Morland. it's now Gracie Miller. So, we're excited to have her come back home and um teach the next generation of Troy Trojans. So, congratulations, Gracie. >> Um most of the other items here, again, fairly standard. Um you'll see a lot of supplemental contracts there at the bottom of the first page and and second page. So,
024happy to answer any questions that you have. >> Mr. Price, >> Mrs. Orchers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fox. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Davis. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Packer. >> Yes. >> Um, next we do have one person whisking wishing to address the board. >> Mr. Francis. >> My name is Mark Francis. Concerned parent for all the students of >> Troy. >> Oh, Mark. Can you please state your address? 1915 Green Bryer Drive. >> Thank you. >> Uh at the end of the school year, I received a letter that came home with my sixth grader and it was the immunization requirements for seventh grade. U just read it real quick. All incoming seventh grade students will need a decap booster in a manak prior to the start of the seventh grade year. Please schedule an appointment
025with your doctor now or with Miami County Health Department immunization clinic. Please provide documentation that your son or daughter has receive the vaccine before the school starts. This is a state requirement. Your ch child may be excluded from school. Um Troy has been very good about allowing the exemption forms very easily to easy to work with from that regards. Why is there no mention of an exemption form in this? >> Mr. Price, is that I >> is that let Mr. I'm sorry. Is that letter I'm just Is that a like just automatically generated letter? >> It's a state requirement. We send that notice and that's a state requirement. >> So this is a a state letter that has to come out. >> I'm not I haven't seen the letter. >> There you go. >> Okay.
026So my question is why is there no mention of an exemption form available? and Troy has, I will reiterate, been very gracious, very easy to work with. Why is there no mention of its availability? >> I'd be happy to talk with you about this availability. I I I think the letter and the wording in there is extremely leading without any kind of, you know, showing. I believe in informed consent. That is not informed consent to me as far as what how the school district, you know, views that topic and I would make a request almost a demand. Can we add that language in there for the next time that letter goes out that at least the parents know that there is an exemption form available should they choose that option? Thanks for bringing that up,
027Mark. I parental choice is a a huge thing that's very important to me. Um so I appreciate you sharing that letter. Um it is to me a little bit I'm not surprised. I I've seen I've seen plenty of letters over the years. Um and whatever it is, whether it's a school, whether it's an employer, whoever, whenever it was the last few years, they make exemptions really hard. And I would hope that we we wouldn't um we wouldn't make it, you know, extra work for for parents to know that you can you can turn in a simple form, a simple statement, a simple letter. I I know it. I do it for my kids. And um I think I think it could help um if we did just have an extra line on that letter of
028here's a link to an exemption form that's likely already on our our website. anything like that. So, um, as things go in the future, that's I'd love I'd love to see that that parents have have the option and we make it we don't make it hard on them to uh we don't try to scare them into doing something that they don't they don't want to do. >> Mr. Ver, can we review the letter at some point and back to Mr. Francis? >> Back there's some other documents here. Did you want to throw it back? I guess my question, what's the legality on that or and you know because those go out um I also sign the exemption forms as well. Um have you had any issues with the >> I want to be very clear
029I've had no issues >> but I want my question is why is that not made available to parents so they at least know? >> I guess that's my question is there a legal issue with that you know because >> including the exactly including the exemption with that? No, this is the first this has ever been brought to my attention. So, >> okay. >> There's a lot of questions. >> So, it's a topic that we could discuss. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> That's what I would I would just we discuss it amongst ourselves and then, you know, >> talk about it and discuss changes, but I don't think the intent was ever to be negative or >> No. And had I had more time to to consider your question, I probably would be answered tonight. But
030>> this is the first time it's been brought to my attention. So, okay, >> Mr. Francis, I wrote down what you said. I just want to make sure that I worded it correctly that your question is, including the mention of the extension form and the language in the parents letter. >> Yeah, I I feel that, you know, this is almost medical intervention. I can see some negligence when you start talking about things like aluminum and theosol. These are things that are in there that potentially can harm. Um, if anybody's been paying attention to the news and some of the recent uh information that's come out, uh, it should raise some questions. And when I hear like all required, must be excluded that is driving something, but there's an alternative out here should people choose it
031that's not made known. And I'd like to know why. I mean, I think our intent is to to follow the however our values code and create letters. So, I I understand what you're saying. I just think it's I I think we hear you. >> We're going to discuss it. >> Yeah. >> And follow up with you. Is that a fair >> for tonight? Is that a fair >> That's That's fine. I I I'm still curious as to why that was never included or thought to be included because I will reiterate for a third time. I've never received any push back. Everybody has been, you know, here here's the form, fill it out, turn it in, we're all good. >> I would like to just let Mr. Piper do his investigation. I don't think there is
032an answer that we have right now. I think it's fair for him to do his investigation and for us >> and look into the the legalities of that. Well, and I would add that any communication we send out, there's probably a better way to write everything, right? So, I don't think we're litigating everything we send out here tonight. >> It's probably one of those. >> The question is, let's give it some time and let's consider >> it's probably been that way for 15 years and no one's brought it up. >> And to your point, like what I do is my daughter is going to be a senior, right? I've gotten two letters in 12 years. I fill it out, send it back, and I don't think twice about it. But, but I understand what you're
033saying. Okay. >> No one's probably No one's just brought it up. >> There you go. I brought it up. >> Thank you. >> We also have Casey Wenty from Kids Read Now here this evening. >> Hello. Um Casey with also with Leadership Troy. So, thank you again for having us at your meeting. Um and address is 55 Mbel here in Troy. And I guess I would be remiss if I didn't ask about what the plans are for summer reading in 2026 and maybe what costs are for that >> specifically kindergarten through fifth grade >> for summer reading programs. >> Yes. >> Dr. Mort, >> um we don't offer what I would call what folks imagine as a typical summer school where they come in for x amount of hours per day. What we typically do
034is work with families on our I Ready program which students to work independently with their families at home on that program to practice their skills and things of that nature. Aside from that, um we don't have a lot of things. We do have some special education students participate in something called extended school year services or uh to avoid um significant slide regarding some of our students identified. But um for the most part, that's what we offer there. We've done some things in the past um various levels of measurable results and things of that nature. >> I miss anything, Chris? >> No, I'm sure there's details that I'm not aware of sitting here right now, but >> partnering with the library present. >> Tell you that's I like partner Imaginarium thing is pretty cool as well.
035We do have a lot of art. That's a good point. This is Sarah Wagner, Haywood Elementary School, >> doing a great job for us. You know, she's she's helping me out >> leadership. Not yet. >> We do partner with Shel Library. Mr. Dylan can verify that as well. >> Good point. >> Casey, I I guess I would encourage if you have some any new ideas or anything like that. Dr. Mor probably the appropriate person to reach out to have a meeting with. >> We definitely we have a new CEO that you've not met that is not me. >> Um lots have changed in our program. Um the selection costs, the way it works. Uh, and so if that is an option where we can meet again, I would love to talk to you about some
036of our program changes. >> Okay. >> We'd love to have Troy back. >> Happy to talk. >> Thank you, Casey. Thanks, >> Dr. Mort. Have any other second hearing public >> before um Mrs. Roer? >> Hi. Obviously, we have some guests. >> Yes. Um, we have about half of this year's leadership Troy class with us. Um, so September is education day and leading up to that, one of the requirements is to come and see how the um, school board operates and to attend this meeting. Um, just to kind of compare it to how um, city council works as well. >> I know I am a leadership Troy grad striper. Chris says um I loved my time with leadership Troy Mone I think you are Mrs. Dietrich. Um, a lot of people in this room. It
037is a wonderful program. Um, it is eye opening on every level and every part of Troy. I think it makes you love Troy just a little bit more. >> Thank you for joining us this evening. >> Thank you. >> May I please have a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss matters with our attorney? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Fox. Thank you, M. Davis. Mr. Price, >> Mr. Fox, >> yes. >> Mrs. Davis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Porchers, >> yes. >> Mrs. Packer, >> yes. No decisions will be made during the executive session. >> Thanks for coming, everyone. Thank you.