001via Zoom. The laws governing the boards of education require that their work be done where the public can observe their actions. Please remember that this is the board's meeting for the public to observe. Others may participate only with approval of the board. Please rise for the 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. >> Okay, next up we've got next we're going to do the oath of office for the newly elected board members. And Aaron and I have elected to read the oath aloud together at the same time. >> Okay. >> So on three, you ready, Aaron? >> I think so. >> All right. Here we go. On three.
002One, two, three. I, Brettsteagle, do so or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Oregon, and the laws thereof, and the policies of Cascade School District. During my term, I will faithfully and impartially discharge the responsibilities of the office of education school of education school. >> Office of Board of Education the best of my ability. >> I win. >> Nice job, Eric. >> Yeah. Sorry, that was on me. All right. Next is C. And that is Hang on. My machine already stopped. Next is C. Election of board chair for the 2526 term. >> I move I move to nominate Brettsteagle for our chair again >> for the 2020. >> All right. >> School year. >> And do we have a second? >> Second. >> All
003right. It's been and I accept. It's been moved and seconded to elect Brettsteagle as chair. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. >> Motion carries. Uh 1D election of board vice chair for 2526. So, do I need to do that then? >> Sure. >> Uh uh I nominate Ruth Stevens to uh board vice chair for 2526. >> I second the motion. Um it's been moved and seconded to nominate Ruth as board vice chair for 2526. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. >> Yeah. Motion carries. Congratulations. All right. Last on the list, has anyone here not signed up on the guest list? >> If you haven't signed, please do. Have you signed? >> Thank you. >> You signed. >> Thank you. And
004next we will move on to approval of the minutes for the exec session of 6925 and the regular board session of 6925. >> I move to approve the minutes of the school board of the June school board meeting and the June special election meeting. >> Do we need to second that or are we good? Yes. >> Yeah. >> So second >> it's it's been moved and seconded to approve the executive and regular board meeting from Mar what is that June 9th 2025. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Prioritize the agenda. Mr. Drill >> should be able to go right down the list. All right. Sorry we were distracted a little bit. I'm here to clean the offices and I don't think it's on their new list that
005we have a board meeting tonight. >> Not a problem. We'll get through it. The good news is it's uh a little more informal tonight. So we're okay. Got it. >> All right. Going on is 4A is superintendent report oral. Mr. Drill. >> Sure. Good evening everybody. Uh welcome to July and uh the beginning for you guys and what we would call the the quiet time here at the district. Um everybody not everybody most everybody is off. Um with regard to teachers and classified folks um many of the administrators are taking their time off right now. Some of us have taken our week or two and are back and some of us have just started. So, uh that is a uh a good way to get things done. A lots we have bunch of other people
006that work year around. Olan's sitting in the front. So, he's worked today and and is back here today. So, I appreciate that. Um but it is quote quieter right now. Um which is a good opportunity for maintenance and everybody to try to get things cleaned up, picked up, put together. And uh that's an opportunity to uh for us to to kind of just evaluate buildings, how things are going. Uh we've taken a look at HR uh to see what we're missing right now. Uh what we need to hire, where that where that's happening. We have uh one one more resignation that's coming uh past you this evening that happened the last couple of weeks. But beyond that, uh we really are in very good shape uh with regard to personnel. Um I will also get
007a chance tonight to uh introduce our two new administrators to you that we spent a lot of time uh calling through and getting a chance uh to to have here at Cascade. I think they're both excited and uh they both asked separately to be here tonight so they could introduce themselves to you guys, which is great. Um, financially, you know, we talked in May and June about the difficulties that we were having, the flat number of kids that we ended up with, not as much funding coming through the door. Uh, I think a couple things happened. We uh spent the last 60 days of last year um really evaluating every detail uh at every level about do we really need to pay for that? Do we is that something we need to buy? Um, with
008regard to supplies, you know, in some areas like like maintenance and things like that, absolutely. But in other areas, particularly in buildings, do you really need those supplies? Do you have something that's already set aside? Lots of people had stuff that was already set aside. And teacher mentality, pack mentality. Uh, administrators are the same way. Uh, they have some things set aside. So, we saved some money and that helped us, I think, financially uh the last 60 days before we finished out the the the fiscal year. So, we're excited about that. Um, we did finish up with the negotiations with our teaching staff. Uh, we, uh, tenatively settled on two and a half% two years in a row plus a 2 and a half% increase increase in insurance for both those years. Uh, the administrative
009group has indicated that they will agree to that as well. Uh, that really leaves us down with classified. Uh, we will meet again tomorrow. uh there was some headway uh made uh the last time we met which was the 24th I think of June and that we have some some headway going. I think that'll be the case. Um I think they're they're from my perspective they're being very clear and careful about every detail that they want to do. I I think our administrative team, myself included, were a little surprised by how many details uh classified put in their ask, but at the same time, uh it was a full open. They have every right to do that. So, we're working on that, trying to make sure that we are uh clear of what we can
010afford. Uh the upside to it is that after um se settling at least tentatively settling with teachers and tenatively settling with administrators uh we know fairly well about what we have left to work with uh with regard to classified. So in one way that that financially it makes a little more clear and another way sometimes it makes a little more difficult to settle because there's a limit to what we can uh offer this time around and what we can accept. So we're working on that. Um, I'm uh hopeful that uh tomorrow's negotiation uh will get us closer. I think we're a couple of sessions away from being done. So, I'm I'm hopeful that we can get things uh wrapped up so that their association can vote uh before school starts in August like our teachers
011will do and uh we should be able to have um smooth sailing going forward. If not, we will continue to negotiate. And um you know, we almost always have settled before school gets out, before school starts, but there have been a couple times where we've negotiated into the fall. And u you know, hopefully that's not the case this time, but we'll see how it goes. And then finally, what I'd like to do um is get a chance to uh introduce our two administrators here. Um William, Mr. Wong, is going to talk when we have his oral report for finance. So, I'm going to let him kind of introduce himself then. But, um, Jay Weekes is here and our new, uh, human resources director, uh, directly from, uh, Kirk County, uh, school district by way of
012Madress School District, by way of Salem Kaiser School District. Did I miss any anybody? Those three. um former building administrator, high school principal of McKay um and uh um Roberts here in the Salem area and also over at Madress u before he went and became the personnel director at um at Kirk County. So is now with us. So I don't know if I stole too much of your thunder, Jay, but please go ahead and introduce yourself to the board and we'll go from there. >> That's okay. Nice to meet everybody. Jay Weekes here. Excited to be here. Thank you. at Cascade School District. Uh some of the thunder there from Darren. I am I am a recovering high school principal. Uh high school administrator of 12 years uh before jumping into the personnel director at
013Krook County. Was there three and a half years on the personnel director, HR director role there as well. So I really enjoyed it. Love the education. Kids are always the paramount of everything. They're what we're here for and everything we do. How we support, you know, human resources, we are the ultimate support ultimate support department across everywhere. you know, everyone comes to human resources because they need help and that's what we're here for is to help that individual as they show up into into our area. So excited to be here and serve and help the community and the kids. So, thank you. >> Any any questions for for him or you want to save those for later, guys? >> Save for later. >> Okay. >> Thanks. That's great. >> Yep. So, I think that wraps
014my report unless you have any questions for me? >> Nope. I'm good. Okay. >> So, moving on, we've got the financial director's report. And is it Mr. Wang or Wong? >> Wong. Okay. Welcome. Good evening. Uh very happy to be here. I moved to America two years ago. So um English is my third language and I learned English in a public school in China. So I have strong faith in public education and that I come from a very underprivileged family. So um education always hold a very uh unique it's a very unique motivation for me to work in a public school. So prior to Cascade I was a business manager for a public schooling Batesville Arkansas Batesville school district about 32 thou 3200 kid about 600 preschool kid that's how uh how how many kids
015we support. Uh so at the end of my first year I was very honored to be awarded by the uh association of school business official international to be the emerging leader uh for uh the whole nation because um my superintendent uh highly recommend me because I was able to communicate very strongly with the community with the board about school about our school budget and I was able to communicate very strong across different departments. explaining how budgets work within different departments especially I title you know student activity grants. So I'm very excited to continue to be a very impactful but also at the same time humble communicator in a public school like Cascade. And um I chose to be here because when I called different school leaders in Oregon and I said, "How is this school
016district?" And everyone says, "This is one of the best school district you should work for." And uh a quick story, I was looking for a rental house for my family. I have a four-year-old and a one-year-old and Emily is my wife uh wife's name. and we uh I was looking for a rental and this lady had 85 applications and one day he caught she called me. She said, "I'll rent it to you just simply because you work for Cascade School District." >> And that's the moment I I knew that I chose the right place to be. >> Wow. So uh hopefully in the next um couple months uh I get to I was just had access into the accounting software called envision on Friday. So Scott and I have been working really close to caught
017up with our access and reporting. So in August I will be able to present the documentations and reports to the school board. But uh I'm very excited to be here. Um I'm really um looking forward to get to know the community and get to know everybody. And um I already know I already know in my last very short six days this is a wonderful community. Uh kids are very good, teachers are very good, people go be above and beyond and this is why I choose to be here. >> Thank you. >> I want to ask you are are you living in the community? Are are in the district? Will your kids go to school here? >> Yes, they will. If I >> if there is enough positions because I I've heard in Turner Elementary School
018is very tight. You kind of have you kind of have to get your way in. >> That's another sign, >> isn't he? >> Yeah. What's that? >> He's already in though because he's an employee. >> It helps. >> We're But we're full, man. We're full. Talking about this just really awkward. >> Yes. Now, now if if I may, uh, William is actually renting the lower level of Scott Pillar's house. >> So, they talk they talk every night. So technically he's in Turner right now. >> Right now he's good to go. >> He's in Turner. >> He's good to go. Have to accept him. >> Well, welcome. We're happy to have you. >> Thank you so much. >> Wonderful. >> Any questions? >> Not yet. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks so much. >> Yeah.
019>> Okay, that moves on to discussion and communication. I'm assuming that's you, Mr. Drill. >> Uh, I think so. Let me roll this up real quick. >> Staff resignations. >> Yeah. Uh, we've got You got that? Okay. Well, apparently my HR director's already on it. >> So, he's got it. Look at this. >> Look at that. >> Nothing better than jumping both feet in. Look at that. So, we do have one resignation to prepare or give you tonight and that's from Cloverdale. It's a Kristen Holmes. She's resigned. Uh, we do have that position. It's underway of hiring right now. It's posted out there. We're working through that and anticipate having a hire for you here at the August board meeting in order to propose that for you. >> And what was her position? >> She
020was a four five teacher. >> Got it. >> Okay. Nice. >> Good. That's it. That's it. All right. Wonderful. Thank you. >> Yep. >> All right. Moving on down. We've gotformational items. Staff resignation. I think we just did that. >> Yep. >> All right. So, moving on is public comment, which we don't have any. We're moving on to >> eight. Is moving >> resolutions. Well, Darren told me I had to hurry tonight. >> Can we do them again? All right, hang on. I'm stuck here. Okay, we did the number one and or seven, what is that? 7 A and B we already did. So 7C resolution regarding annual organizational structure and business designation for 2025. >> So in the past we have done these as separate resolutions all the way through. after doing um some
021research um not me but the the two very capable uh folks here Jennifer and Lisa did a bunch of research and said you know there are other districts that do it where they can combine that all into one resolution so you don't have to read nine of them so that's what we did but they're all in there so my suggestion would be is that for the record you read them all once somebody seconds that uh and then they don't have to reread it again but we can get them all done in one resolution That's fine by me. >> Am I missing something, J? >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. So, Ruth, you're >> okay. So, you want everyone read instead of as follows? >> I think for the record, since you guys are on record,
022I would probably read this once through if if um whoever whoever is it you, Ruth, that gets that. I would probably read it the first time, but then Aaron can second it and and Bre can say >> what she said. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That way you've got it for the record and so nobody's missing it. Right. Since we're recording, >> they second it after each one or >> you going to read all of it one time and then they'll second the whole thing. >> Okay. Be it resolved the CS board of education moves to approve the following or organizational structure and to designate, establish, and authorize the following professionals to assist the district in conducting business for effective July 1st, 2025. Number one, designate Superintendent Darren Drill as the district clerk, chief administrator, and
023budget officer. Number two, designate fiscal director >> William >> and the deputy clerk authorized superintendent Darren and deputy and the deputy clerk. Um, can I just say Mr. Wayne? >> Yes. >> Okay, Mr. Wayne to sign or use a faximile signature to written for legally obtained and authorized school expenses on behalf of the district. Number four, designate deputy clerk, Mr. Wang, as the custodian of funds and to invest in accordance with OS 295.165. Number five, authorize deputy clerk, Mr. Wang, to approve bills to be paid. Number six, authorize Superintendent Darren Drill to conduct labor negotiations. Number seven, designate the legal services of WD and OSBA, Garrett, Herman, Robertson, Polish Jennings, and Comtock PC firm, the Hungerford Law Firm, and Lisa Freely as legal counsel. Number eight, designate US Bank, Columbia Bay, Wells Fargo, Riverview Community
024Bank, Maps Credit Union, Wamut Valley Bank, and Oregon State Treasury as deposiitories for district funds. Number Number designate assured partners of Oregon as agent of record. Number 10, designate special districts association of Oregon's PACE program for the property liability auto insurance and safe corporation for workers compensation both brokered by assured partners of Oregon. Number 11, designate Valley Financial of Roseburg, Oregon as the district's financial auditors. Number 12. Authorize to maintain crime limits for all employees at 500,000, including employee dishonesty and faithful performance, meeting statutory bonding requirements. Number 13, establish monthly meeting dates for the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings will take place in the district office boardroom unless otherwise noted in the public notice. Number 14. reserve the fourth Monday of each month to schedule any required alternative bond meetings as
025needed. Number 15, establish the minimum daily rate of pay for certified substitutes at $2602 for the 202526 school year. >> Second. >> Good job. 7C resolution regarding annual organizational structure and business designations has been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Can I just get some clarification on number one? What is the district clerk? >> It is the legal it is the legal it is the legal definition of and the Oregon legal definition of what I do. >> Oh. >> Going back probably almost a hundred years. trying to remember, but somewhere in there in the 30s or 40s, that's what they ended up calling. Before they called it a superintendent, they were the district, the person that was in charge. So, >> kind of the same thing because just the top >> Yeah. >>
026Okay. Okay. >> So, before you if the district were to fold, right? So like a few months ago, had Jervis not passed their bond, they were having conversations about folding the je the Jervis school district and then splitting the the district into four parts to connect to others. The last remaining employee would have been their district clerk which was their superintendent and then then on that last day she would have ended her job. >> Okay. >> So that's the process. >> Okay. Are big districts like Salem Kaiser, do they have a separate chief administrator and a separate budget officer >> and a number of others? Yes. >> But that's why we have those three titles all lumped into one. >> The second person left, right? I'm the very last person left in this district. The
027second the person right behind me is >> right. >> I see. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And the people the two people with the most liability are >> us. >> All right. Fair enough. >> Yeah. Okay. That's that's kind of how it works. >> Okay. And that's it for Good, good question. It is a good question. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. >> And that moves us down to future agenda items. Mr. Drill. >> So, um, you had asked Mr. Steagle about uh the form that got sent out from our auditor. And yes, they are going to ask for you guys to fill out the form and talk about the auditing process that we got. Yes, you got an email process. Um, uh, William
028and I were having a conversation today and you guys have all been here long enough to know that when we had Paulie Rogers as our auditing firm, things didn't get taken care of amongst the other 35 or 40 school districts that didn't get theirs taken care of either. This auditing firm is on top of it. And so at the beginning of each year, what they do is they put out a form that basically goes to board members in the last four or five years that basically says, "Please review the form, fill it out, right? Did you notice anything?" It's I haven't read it, but I'm guessing it has something to do with, "Do you know anything about fraud? Do you know anything about how this works? Do you do you have any concerns?" That >>
029it's legit and we need to go. >> It's a legit thing. Uh we'll make sure that um William sees it. I'll talk with William again and then we'll get it out to you. I'm not quite sure when they want it, but I'm sure by mid August they'll they'll want it back. >> Okay. >> Because they're doing a lot of pre- auditing work. So, we finally get to the auditing time, which is October, November, December. >> And if and and all five of us got one. >> Yes. >> And I'm asking for a friend. If they deleted that email, is there a chance of getting another one? >> We can certainly get another one. I will ask I will ask um Mr. Wang to help us make sure that we get that all taken care of
030because when you guys get one done, then they're going to send one to me, right? And then they're also going to visit me and have a formal meeting with me about that as well. >> And that's just checking off the list of things that before we got to uh the pandemic that happened pretty regularly. Not the part where you guys filled out forms, but they would come see me. When we had the former uh auditing firm, it didn't happen at all. >> Right. Okay. >> So, okay. >> We were essentially get things done. We will make sure that gets resolved and um we can I can bug folks on our side if needed to get that out >> crucially. Number two, uh the other thing is that our conversation in executive session in June um
031has yielded some results already. We are working on uh continuing to work with the vector program. Um Jay and I have been talking we talked today about that the first day we had a chance to talk to each other uh not over the phone. And so we're talking about how do we expand that those programs with regard to to coverage and making sure we have that conversation. And our high school and middle school principles talked before they took some time off to talk about how it is we're going to approach working with our kids and talking with our particular our sixth grade through 12th grade students. Well, we already have a program that we do kindergarten through fifth grade that we talked about second step, but we want to have a conversation about what else
032can we do? We are doing some things in the health department around that kind of thing, but we wanted to talk about what else can we add to that process. >> Okay. >> So, that's the update >> and also with the teaching staff. >> Correct. >> That's the part that that Jay and I are talking about right now. Like what else can we do beyond that? There's limited amount of time and a lot of that time is done at the district meeting day and those kinds of things. So, we're going to have to figure out how to brush into and and maybe step into some of our late start time to do some additional work as well. But it's on our radar. We are following through with that. >> Okay. >> That's the two things
033that I have right now. >> Anything from either of you? >> No. All right. Well, >> it might be a record. >> Okay. >> You have to say it. >> Meeting and adjourned. Thanks everybody for coming. >> All right. And welcome to the new