001somewhere I can go that I can see who the other people are on here and four others. >> There's a little icon. It's is two little people next to each other and there's like a little number. You click that and a little window pops up. >> Oh. Oh, okay. Where did that pop up? Tricky. Oh, interesting. >> No, we are streaming now. >> Okay. I will go ahead and call the meeting to order. Um, this we start with a pledge of allegiance. So, I just kind of stand and do it. So, >> I pledge allegiance to the flag >> flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under indivisible. >> Thank you. And is uh start the roll call. I is uh Joseph joining us tonight.
002>> He was he was going to his mom asked me double checked last night if it was >> okay. I don't see him online yet. So we'll start the roll call then. Uh represent student representative Joseph Howard. I don't think he's on. Director Russell >> uh here. Thank you. Uh, Director Walker >> here. >> Vice Chair Smith Reed >> present. >> And Chair Yort is present as well. >> Hey, you skipped me. >> What about Melody? Yeah, >> I'm sorry. Director Melody Killings. Sorry. Yeah, I'm trying to scroll between pages here and missed you. Sorry. >> Okay, at this time we're going to recess into executive session. So, we click out of this link and join the other one. >> Before we move to executive session, I have something for the record. Um, so I
003need to place several things, several items on the public record before uh for the district directly involve transparency, public access, board authority, finances, and compliance with Oregon law. Um, so this is the second public meeting in which the public is only allowed to attend virtually. The decision to close tonight's meeting format was changed to virtual because Chair Yort reported feeling unsafe. To to be clear, um, no threats were made. The comment by a community member during an open session referenced was, "If someone puts hands on me, someone would have a broken nose." Um, that is not a threat. It's a conditional statement about self-defense, which might reasonably indicate that he felt threatened. Um the individual was trespassed by the superintendent for a year. A decision to close public meeting to the public um uh to
004close the meeting to the public should not be made unilaterally without board discussion or a vote. While the board chair has the authority to construct the agenda, this should not be confused with the authority to decide how the board as a collective will meet particularly when the co-member with equal uh board authority expresses disagreement with the same format. >> I think that would be appropriate to discuss with your board report. >> So I want this on the record before we go into executive session. And there are >> allow it any further because it's not not right. >> Okay. Well, here's the next one that is accurate. >> Thank you. We're going to go into executive session. >> You have to exit. You have to exit all the way out and then try the other one.
005>> What? >> I don't even understand what just happened. >> This is where I get lost every time. Melody, I believe you have another link in your email for a different meeting. >> Okay. So, I just >> So, you'll log out of this one and log into the other one. >> Go ahead and sign out of it completely then. >> Okay. >> And then you'll come back in after you recess from executive session. >> Okay. or Kim looks like she's lost in cyberspace there for a minute here. >> There we go. Sorry, my mic muted when I transferred over. Is everybody made it over? Okay. Are we ready to resume? >> Do we have Kim with us? Looks like she's left in cyerspace there for >> Okay. Okay. We'll resume regular session. We're back in
006session. Um item four. Item five, agenda approval. Items may be added or removed at this time. Um is there any addition somebody wants to make or changes? And if not, is there a recommendation motion? >> I move that we accept the agenda as stated. Was that a second I heard? Sorry. >> I'm sorry. I didn't hear anybody. Did somebody make a second? >> Will there be discussions? >> Yeah, I just haven't heard a second yet. I thought somebody made a second, but I haven't read it. I second. I didn't know how to unmute it. I'm sorry. I was talking and no one heard me because I don't know how to work this. I'm sorry. Back to you. >> Okay. A motion's been made and seconded to approve the agenda as stated. And is there any
007discussion? Okay. No. No discussion. We'll go to a vote. Director Walker. >> Yes. Uh, Director Killings, >> she's muted. >> You're muted. Click on your screen. There you go. >> Sorry. >> Okay, Director Russell, sorry. >> I did have a question. >> I was questioning whether if is this where the um trying to find the right documents here. the city is that we're joining the city on a contract. >> Is this in that? >> That's consent agenda. Director Russell, this is approving the agenda. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'll rerun the rerun the vote just to be on the safe side. Director Walker, >> hi. >> Uh, Director Russell, >> hi. >> Director Killings, hi. Vice Chair Smith Reed >> Imperior is an I as well. I'm scrolling between documents there. Uh number six, ASB
008public representation uh relations representation Casey Warner. I think I see you there. >> Hello. How are you doing today? >> I'm good. How are you guys? >> Not bad. Thank you for joining. >> Okay. I need to share my screen at this time. Correct. Yes, please. >> Okay. Is it showing? >> No, it is not. >> There we go. >> Start presenting. >> Okay, perfect. >> Hasn't popped up yet, though. >> Okay. So, >> so this presentation is going to be a little bit about November and December since we don't have a lot of school for either. >> Okay. >> So, the agenda we're going to be talking about the blood drive, band events, um our last thing Pink 5K, thankfulness week, and what's coming up on the graduation timeline. Our blood drive we held
009on December 2nd in our library. We had 34 students donated that donated blood. Um, we got a total of 24 units. >> Very nice. >> And we had a drawing for anyone who donated. And we had a winner, Dominer Butler, got a basket of just like appreciation stuff for donating. >> Um, we will be holding another one I believe in February. Um, this is something I forgot to put in the last presentation, but band had went to Disneyland over Veterans Day weekend. Um, 50 members were there. Uh they traveled to LA and they performed in the Disneyland parade. It was very nice. >> Wow, that's very nice. >> Um also this last Saturday band went to a festival at Skyhigh High School and they had placed fourth out of 16 schools that were there in
010the league. >> Very nice. >> Our last ThinkP 5K was at the St. Helens High School track. Also, it was kind of looped around the high school. Um, we had I think we had 15 runners, but it was all in support to raise money for Knights Cancer Institute. Thankfulness week was the week before Thanksgiving. Uh, we set up tables for students to write thankfulness cards for family, teachers, whoever they felt like. Um, each person after they submitted a card into the basket was able to have a raffle ticket for a chance to win $5 for our coffee cart. I think um our two winners were Kayla and Isaac, I believe. I don't remember the last name, sorry. And this is our ASB team. Um but one thing I wanted to just bring up was the
011next thing on our senior timeline for anyone that's watching that has a senior. Um the next thing that's coming up in February is it's very important that to submit senior photos for the yearbook and for the senior slideshow. >> But that is all. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay, moving on to item seven, new business 7.1, budget committee vacancies. Looks like we have a bunch. >> Um, you should have all received a notice of uh that we'll be using to publicize the budget committee vacancies. We have five budget committee vacancies this year, uh, which is five of five. So we'll have a whole new budget committee. Um and part of the reason why we have so many is there was already one vacancy last year. Uh so that is still
012vacant. Then we had um director um chair Reed Hort was on the budget committee last year, but he can't be on the budget committee. He'll be on the budget committee as a board member this year, not as a budget committee member. Um so that position became vacant. And then we also had a budget committee member that is now a teacher. So they are not able to be on the committee um either because of that. So all five positions and then two expiring um positions. So we'll be reaching out to those that have served in the past once this goes public and we will be publicizing um notice um about that, sending it out on all of our platforms to share that vacancy. So I encourage you all to share with um folks that we have
013those vacancies and encourage people to apply. Um any questions on that notice? >> Can I just make one one statement? Um the superintendent equity advisory committee that's part of part of um the guidance from the state is that one of those folks would be representative on the budget committee. So that had to be community members, right? Because we have multiple people on there. But um I have some community members on it that might be interested. So they might apply. So that's good news. Be great. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> No. >> Thank you, Christie. Appreciate it. >> You're welcome. >> Um, new business 7.2 integrated guidance SIA and St. Helens 2024 2025 report card. >> Thank you. Um, can you share the presentation, Ed? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Here it comes. >> Thank
014you. So, we will be talking today about an integrated guidance overview. Um, we'll talk about a budget outcome, budget outcomes and strategies and progress monitoring and part of that progress monitoring is our report card data which is called the at a glance profile. And then um we will be looking at the St. Helen School District 2527 bienium. We have um the part of this presentation will be looking at the SIA um grant because that's something that we do um u every time we have an agreement that comes through and then um we will have a public comment um later regarding um this presentation. You can go to the next slide. Thank you. So currently within um integrated guidance covers um a a few different grants and so within those grants um just wanted >> oh
015lost that wanted to share with you that we have um 22.86 FTE budgeted in our integrated guidance plan. Uh the bianial uh it's a bianium budget and so for the bienium it's $7,426 and $426,000418. Um within integrated guidance there are investments in cell social emotional learning um mental health student support staff including social workers, counselors, restorative justice coordinator. There are um budgets for early literacy and instructional coaching. We have CTE and AVID supports within the budget. We budget for our data systems which include synergy analytics which is an MTSS tool that we use multi-tered systems of support. We have middle school and high school athletic participation. And we have inclusion and instructional assistance. And we have professional development. Those are just um some key items. It's not everything, but those are some key items um
016that we've budgeted for uh in our integrated guidance programs. >> Great. Thanks, Christie. So, um with this, we have outcomes that we're hoping to accomplish during the course of this year. Um broken down into five subcategories. One is early literacy, which is K3 uh reading levels. Um to measure this, we're going to look at our third grade LA proficiency level and with the hope to increase by a minimum of 2% annually every year. And in a minute, I'll talk about kind of how we did last year relating to these outcomes. Um to our student success, we want to be able to increase the graduation rate by at least 1% annually. And one of the ways we're going to put hopefully potentially do this is by increase attendance K12. We want more uh opportunities to provide
017uh college and career readiness. And we want to be able to potentially increase that by 10% in post-secary access. Whatever that college and career ready could look like for all students when they leave St. Helens High School, we want them to be able to have as much access as they can in their area of need or their area of desire of what they want to work on. Um engagement and well-rounded education. One of our goals this year as a school and as a as a district is to increase student engagement. We want our kids to be more actively involved in their own learning and not a situation where the teachers are talking at the kids but the kids are actively involved in their learning because we really want to remove participation barriers. We want all
018students to have access to AP classes, CTE, um all sorts of different opportunities that we know are positive outcomes for kids. And then lastly, our systems capacity. How can we as a system within St. Helms be more data driven? How can we be more equity centered in our decision- making as well to make sure once again that all students that we're we're thinking about all students within our district that they all have access to whatever they potentially want within St. Helens. And then add if you'd go to the next slide. Uh we just recently received our uh school report card at a glance data. Um I'm going to talk a little bit about this now. Um, and there's a few areas that we're going to come back at a later date that have not been
019released yet, and that's with our results relating to special education and ELLL. Um, but as you see, the circle um for regular attendance is that 61% of our students in St. Ellens are at regular attendance. And if you look just to the right of that, that arrow, it shows that's an increase from two percentage points from the last year. So, we met that goal last year of a 2% increase, but we want to continue to provide uh we want to continue to encourage students to be regular attenders here in St. Helens. Uh our third grade ELA results, as you can see, last year we at 31% of our students were meeting standard on the state assessment, which was once again a 2% increase from the previous year, but we're hoping to continue to on that
020trend, that upward trend, where it's just a minimum of two percentage points. Um there isn't a specific goal relating to this, but as a school district, we're always focused on student learning and student learning outcomes and how can we provide uh more opportunities for students to learn. So our eighth grade math statistics last year, we're at 19 percentage points or 19% of our students meeting standard in this assessment, which was once again a 2% increase from next year. But you can see we've got a ways to go and a lot of the work that we're doing with professional development and student engagement is to help support students in the specific area. Um, our students high school success on track to graduate. Our students last year were 86% which was a 7% increase which was awesome.
021Great. One of our greatest gains within the district. Um, so how can we continue to keep them on that path? Um, let's try to get up over 90%. And you can see that's the one that is the closest to the state average. It'd be awesome if we continue on that trajectory to be above the state average and are on track to graduate. Um, because it's one of our main purposes um, here in St. is to prepare for kids for what's next in their life and and part of that is to make sure that they're graduating high school. The next um area is our ontime graduation rate. So, we want to and a lot of that starts in fresh our freshman year and that's an area of growth with us in the district that we're providing
022more emphasis on this year and I met with Robbie and and and Mark and Matt about what are we doing for our freshmen to help better prepare them to be on time to graduate. And a lot of times that's where it happens freshman and sophomore year. By the time they're seniors and they struggle freshman and sophomore year, there is only so much they can do to graduate on time. So we really want to help prepare students in freshman and sophomore year to be on time, ready to graduate when they're seniors. And as you can see, that was uh a decrease from the previous year that we really want to see growth in that specific area. And then our five-year completion rate. We really want to make sure all of our students are graduating within that
0235-year completion rate if need if possible. And there was a slight decrease in that specific area. So, these are some of the indicators that we're consistently looking at throughout the year to measure how we're doing relating to our um integrating guidance over our SAA plan. >> So, can I ask a question? >> Sure, Joseph. >> How did the on track to graduate percentages go up but on time graduate go down? when if you were on track, you'd be on time. Right. Right. >> Right. So, um if you can look a little bit on there, but you can see um sometime it's it's based on if you in on track to graduate students earning one quarter of graduation credits in their ninth grade year. So, that first one is really tracking our are kids doing what
024they need to do in ninth grade. But then the ontime rate is our kids graduating within that fourth year. >> That makes sense. Thank you. >> Great question, Joseph. Really great question. Just to notice that this is um on-time graduation and five-year completion for the 2324 school year. It's always a year behind. >> So we'll do um next last year's >> this time we'll be doing 2425. Exactly. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> Great question, Joseph. I really appreciate that. >> Yeah. All right. Next slide. Thank you, Jeff. Um there's um part of the integrated guidance we have to work alongside Oregon Department of Education to come up with strategies um for supporting outcomes. And so in our narrative um the strate some of the strategies for supporting our outcomes, we talked about our
025common literacy assessment, our professional learning team cycles and tutoring, um our social and emotional learning supports, um student support specialists, our RJ coordinator, um instructional coaching, curriculum adoptions, class size reductions, inclusion and instructional assistance. Um we also talk about CTE expansion, AVID college level English equity tools and the TACA which is teachers analyzing common assessments and synergy analytics. Next slide please. And some of the progress monitoring um we're doing are around we have early um progress monitoring 1-4 which is um community engagement equity tools data teams lit lit literacy inventories and we have intermediate which is um PM5-10 which is that two-way communication for that engagement um and then student voice interventions and literacy plans. I wanted to stop for a minute at student voice because they are our most important shareholders and we gather
026um their voice through listening and learning sessions. We do it through um participation on principal advisory committees on the school board um superintendent equity advisory committee. There's lots of places where students and um a diverse group of students um get to share their perspective and their lenses. And so, not only is it very important that we gather student voices and we hear them because they are our most important shareholder, it's also required by the state of Oregon in order to have these funds. So, I wanted to draw attention to that. And then there's the long-term um which is progress monitoring 11-15 around partnerships and resources our stewardship um assessment systems and system systemic barrier removal and that's typically around our equity work and the next slide goes to Jeff and this portion will be around
027our SIA um the pieces that we need to um speak to around that agreement that's in the consent agenda um for today. Okay. So, I'm passing this to Jim. >> Right. Thanks, Green. Um, so this is an area that I've talked a little bit about previously, but the purpose and the authority relating to SIAS, this is money to help provide the student success act to improve student mental health and academic achievement. Like, we're using this money to potentially help support students in their areas like mental health and behavior and things like that, which is going to lead to increased academic achievement. And then how can we focus on reducing disparities among historically underserved student groups, special education, ELLL, students on 504s. Uh how can we give all students that access to um to learn grade
028level standards to which is then going to increase to lead to student achievement, increase graduation rate, increase on-time graduation rate. That's our purpose and authority within our SAI plan. Then it's Christie >> and just talking a little bit about the SIA um and the funding and duration of that grant agreement. So um we sign a grant that again it's bianial funding. We sign an agreement for um each year of the bienium but the bienium covers July 1 through June 30 July 1 2025 through June 30th 2027. Um we have a full bianial allocation and then annual budgets with a year 1 carryover. We don't have year carryover for year two but year one we can carry over into year two. And then um part of that grant agreement if you looked at the financial part
029of it um can be a little confusing because they have put in a mechanism for projected funding for the second year so that we can access funds a little bit earlier. So that coverage period is from July 1 of 2027 through September 30th of 2027. So if that funding in the grant agreement looks a little um it looks a little different than it has in the past. So that would be why. >> Great. And some of the key activities that we use um the funds for are support for instructional time um student wellness, equity focused learning opportunities and reduced class sizes and funds. Um when we use these funds, they must be um used for the allowable activities detailed in the integrated plan. So we um really focused that integrated plan around um equity and
030inclusion which is and a sense of belonging um and I was really proud of that when I was reading the narratives from the previous team that actually wrote um the original um SIA agreement. So thanks and then um reporting and reflecting. What I really like about the integrated guidance program with the state of Oregon um now that it's integrated because it used to be all separated out um these grants is that um we have a lot of time for reflection and growth as a district and we come alongside Oregon Department of Education partners to do those reflection um pieces and Jeff had the opportunity to do that for high school success um recently with our high school team and our quarterly report that came due in November. So we have quarterly plus annual progress reporting.
031We have um those progress um marker ratings that I had read earlier, the PM-4, those ones. And then um the narrative, we have narrative highlights. And some of the things that I want to make sure that I share a little bit about today is around some of our budget reductions. And we talk about um um some of the shortfall. We've mentioned a 2.5 million shortfall in our budget. um when we are um looking at that, we would always want to consider all sources of funding in how we reallocate funding so that we can alleviate general um the general fund. And so as we move into um this next um budgeting season that um Christie was talking about the budget um committee folks coming on board um we will want to be um looking at all
032funds and how and our priorities around those funds um and then thinking about what those narratives and the highlights in this integrated guidance and um just it it all helps in the in the in the long run. So lessons learned when reviewing this and reflecting is that we do have um sports participation in both high school and middle school in the SIA grant and over time we and we've talked about this in previous years is that we need to find another funding mechanism um for our um school sports because integrated guidance um and SIA wasn't really intended for that. And so, um, we would need to just make, um, note of that as we're planning forward in our budgets in the future. All right. Thank you. >> Thanks, Karine. And then lastly, and part of
033and she Karine mentioned this earlier, um, I really believe in just this work because we are aligning all of our finances and and our budget to what our kids need to be productive members of society and how we can better prepare them for whatever their next step in life is. When it's kindergarten, it's first grade. When it's fifth grade, it's moving to middle school. and it's eighth grade, it's moving the high school and when it's high school moving on the community. So, how can we better prepare our kids for what's coming next in their life? And then also um aligning to what our community believes in. And I know our community in St. Helens believes in strong schools to better prepare our kids for their life after that. And by doing this, our targets like
034I mentioned earlier, literacy. How we building in strong readers up to third grade so they're ready to more of that read to learn type information fourth, fifth, and middle school. We want to increase that graduation rate. We want to provide kids all all kids access to CT in some capacity. We want to increase our attendance. Kids can't learn if they're not school. We want them that well-being, the positive well-being and believing in themselves. Those inclusive practices run in special education. I'm really excited to dig in in St. Helens and and just continue to enhance that so all students are inclusive uh within our district. And we're going to continue to do this by strong monitoring. That's part of why we early release on Wednesdays for teachers to analyze student work to be able to make
035instructional decisions to support kids. And then us as building leaders, our district and building leaders, we're constantly taking principal meetings to analyze student learning data and see where our common our current realities are so we can provide additional supports in this area so we can all continue to improve in our practice and get better results for our kids. So I believe strongly in this work and thanks for giving us the opportunity to present Thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> Uh we'll move on to item eight, public comment only regarding the SIA grant and not exceed 30 minutes. Uh the board welcomes and valued comments from district patrons that improves students education quality. The board to their discretion will recognize email comments set in 72 hours in advance of the board meeting. Public comment
036opportunity is not a discussion, a debate, or a dialogue between the speaker and the board. It's the citizens opportunity to express opinions on issues of the school board business. Um, we must require that all complaints go through through the administration or resolution. Um, comments made during the during the session must be free of abusive language. Personal attacks on district personnel and not directed towards any department which is due to low staffing would amount to an attack by effectively naming the district personnel. We ask that your presentations be limited to three minutes and no more than 30 minute public comment. And board secretary Michelle Hall, is there public comment on the SI A grant? Yes, we had one. Is he here? H. >> Yeah. >> Okay. He's coming in right now. >> Okay. Thank you. >>
037Hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Hi. >> Um, thank you. Uh, Patrick Berkeley, St. Helens resident. Uh I had actually wanted to uh give comment on something else but then when I saw the uh restrictions placed on this I found a backtory. But no, I am going to stick to the uh SIA, but I must express my um disappointment with other members of the community who have not been able to uh comport themselves uh with respect and dignity uh in at at public meetings in such a way that would allow you to conduct your uh meetings in person. As a former schoolboard member, um I I empathize with you greatly. Anyway, concerning the SIA, uh, a lot of the notes I had, I was wanting to, a lot of my questions
038have been answered. Uh, but I would like to make some comments based on my experience. Um, both as a retired teacher, uh, those were some of my third graders that are included in the, uh, the results and, uh, as currently as a substitute teacher, um, who has substituted this year in two of the district schools. and um the spouse of a district employee who works in one of the kindergarten classes in one of our schools. Um I would say basically from my experience last year, one of the most uh difficult things for me was I was very rarely I felt able to teach and uh that was due to a lot of the uh behavioral issues uh manifested by the students. So I would say that uh absolutely um the priority needs to be on
039addressing these students health and safety issues not only for the children who um are exhibiting these outofc control behaviors but for the impact on the rest of the students as well. Uh our our teachers cannot teach unless we have students who are uh capable of of learning. So uh whatever you can do to uh support that I know that you will do and I hope making that explicit with uh the staff and very clear with the staff and including them um in how that is being done. Um secondly I would also say um and of course you can't have good um learning without um good teachers. I would say in my experience um both as as an employee and currently as a substitute, St. Helens has some fantastic teachers but who are not always adequately
040supported and I understand that that is due to a number of reasons uh based on decisions that were made in the past for financing and stuff. But I plead, plead, plead. We have some young teachers who just need more support um and an active presence and guidance uh for them in their classrooms so that um you don't lose these uh good and dedicated teachers. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now we move on to item nine consent agenda. The board on basis prior to the meeting has reviewed all material. All financial reports are available for review by the public in the business office. The board considers consent agenda items routine business and will be acted by the board in one motion. There will be no discussion on these items at this
041time. The board votes on the motion unless members of the board, staff or public specifically request items to be discussed and or removed from consent agenda. So, we're discussing items 9.1 meeting minutes. Um 9.11, November 12th, 2025 regular session. 9.12 November 12th, 2025 executive session 9.13 November 24, 2025 executive session or I'm sorry, work session. Um 9.2 Penserve Contract 9.3 ODHOC rehab I believe that is voke rehab pret. floor financial records 9.5 OD mandatory lead and water testing grant and 9.6 SIA agreement 9.1 the HR report and IGA and the city of St. Helens and the uh St. Helens School District. >> I move that the board approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Okay. >> Second. >> There's a second. Okay. I think this is where director Russell Sorry, this is the consent. I
042think you wanted to pull something out. So, I just was reminding you that was this one. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. >> Oh, what did you want to pull out? >> I just want to discuss the IG. >> Oh, so just going to wait till discussion. Sorry, I was just reminding. So, then you would just wait till the discussion piece. Okay. Sorry. >> No worries. Thank you. >> So, it's talking. >> Sure. So, do I not approve it? You don't want to take it out of the consent agenda. >> We're gonna make a The motion's been made and seconded. >> Okay. I'm sorry. >> A motion's been made to approve the consent agenda and it's been seconded. Now, is there discussion? That's where we >> Thank you. >> I think Russell has a discussion. >>
043I just would like to know a little bit more about this IGA contract between the city and um the district and what this is about. Is this something that had to do with the property that they wanted? >> No. Jeeoff, you want to speak to um the parks parks and recreation and um Shanda and um this is that >> do you want to speak a little bit? Yeah. >> Yeah. I um I'm not sure if I'm prepared to Oh, it's okay. Speak to that >> partnership we have with the parks and recreation, right? Um, and it's it's where they um use our facilities and we kind of we use theirs as well, but it's the um child care before and after school care. I mean, not before school, after school. We don't do before anymore,
044I don't believe. So, but that's what this this is about. Um, >> the partnership. Yes. I'm sorry. >> Partnership with them. Yeah. >> So, I'm I'm curious about if they let's say we have kids playing. It's is this. So, are we responsible for the kids in the afterchool program because it's on their property? I'm trying to understand how this works. They're they're on our property and there are students. So, um Christie with liability. Do you want to jump in on any of the liability stuff? >> I could look specifically at that. I don't have the verbage. I don't have the I can look at it. But we both have both parties have liability. We have a liability certification that we use um for both of them. So they would have liability and we would also
045have liability, but I don't know the exact um >> are we ever using their properties and parks and Okay. So my question with that would be >> let's say the property at the park has a hole on the field and our child steps in it, breaks their ankle. Who is then responsible for that? The fact that they didn't take care of that property accur like properly. Are we then responsible um do we require any inspections of the property to guarantee that it's done, you know, that it's up to to code or that we're safe so that when we have something happen, it's covered. oftentimes, this is just my experience from my past career, and obviously we probably would need like legal, but oftentimes the property owner is responsible if an injury occurs on their property,
046not the person who is caretaking. >> So, when you read a contract, it doesn't quite sound like that. >> I might be wrong. I can't remember. >> This whole program was is pretty much all city. So if the even though they are on our property, maybe we might be liable if we had something unsafe, but they're on the city's property. That is the city's program at the same time. That should all fall on the city if if I'm correct. But, you know, unless we have some little cute clause in there that um even I wasn't aware of when we first put this together. I thought I saw something in there considering indemnification. >> I think there is an indemnification, but I I again I don't have that language here. I'm pulling it up right now
047so I can look. Um, oftentimes there will and I and I will say that we both have liability coverage and we do confirm that and we get a certificate of insurance for their insurance for them and they would also then request a certificate insurance of insurance from us so that if we are found liable for anything that happens on our property. So say we hadn't, you know, taken care of some type of equipment or and the same for them if they had been negligent in some way and usually it would be like an insurance adjuster would get involved at that point and determine whose liability it is. So um because insurance >> it's on page three I think number eight that you're referring to um director Russell about indemnification. Do you want to pull that
048up Christy real quick? Yeah, I've got it up. >> Okay, it's the there the last sentence and it says in no event shall either party be liable to the other for damages except as provided by for indemnification. I think there is another ind. Yeah. So number 13 says, "Subject to the limitations of the Oregon Constitution and the Oregon TOR Claims Act, city will indemnify the district, its officers, officials, employees, agents, and insurers against any and all liability for personal injury or damage to life or property arising out of or related to the use of district property by the city, including but not limited to program participants under this agreement. However, the city will not be required to indemnify the district for any such liability arising out of the negligent or wrongful acts of the district,
049its officers, employees or agents. And then the same then applies to number 14. Subject to the limitations again district will indemnify the city. Um uh >> so if we're sponsoring an event on their property >> and they don't fill in a hole and our kids step in it, we are responsible. >> Although it kind of sounds like if they're negligent in maintaining their property, that would fall under their responsibility because they were negligent in maintaining their property, >> right? If it's just a kid that slid into second base and broke their ankle that way, then it would be on the district because we're borrowing their property. Um, and vice versa. Yes. If they hadn't maintained their property and that was the cause of the injury, then it would be on them and vice versa. >>
050That's that's the way I'm reading it. Yeah. I just I'm not reading it that way. I'm just wondering if we can get clarification >> before we join in on this because I am not reading it that way. Well, absolutely. I mean, that's that's fair. You can take it out before you vote. I just know that it is coming um they're going to be want they're going to want it by a certain date and it doesn't we can just push it out. It doesn't matter. We'll just say we want to um review it again to make sure. Um but absolutely, it's not a big deal. >> Yeah. That was all I >> need a motion to remove the HA with the city from the consent agenda >> if if that's what I mean. Yeah, it does
051need a board vote. That doesn't just mean say yeah I I remove it. I can't do that. So that's you guys. >> I move that we remove the IG um agreement with the city. >> We have we have though um a motion on the floor to accept. So, we've got to say no to that first before >> No, because of a second. Okay. >> Getting this one again. >> Yeah. Okay. >> It's a cheeky one. >> So, Director Kllins, you might have to walk me through this one. So, we need to do a motion to undo the vote motion we were taking. >> Or do we just vote and say no? No. >> Yeah, just just vote and say no because you already have the first and second on the consension in the first place.
052>> Just double checking. Okay, >> that's okay. We'll we'll move to a vote. Um, Director Walker, >> no. >> Director Killings, oh, I'm sorry. >> No. >> Director Russell, >> no. >> Uh, Vice Chair Smith Reed, >> no. >> And Chair is a no as well. >> And now, I'll move that we remove the J agreement with the city of St. Hollands from the consent agenda and prove it approve the consent agenda >> with that edit >> as modified. >> I second that. >> Okay. Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we remove the IG city of St. Helens and SH SD agreement but can um but uh approve the rest of the consent agenda. Is there any discussion around that? Okay. And we'll take a vote. Sorry. Uh Director Walker >> I. >> Director
053Russell. >> Hi. >> Director Kllins >> I. Vice Chair Smith Reed >> I >> and Chair is an I as well and >> Okay. Uh action items. >> I need to I need to ask a question since >> since this um agreement is expiring. They were counting on us to approve this tonight. They're having a meeting on the 17th. What happens when there's that overlap? >> Um, exact. >> Hi, Michelle Hall. Yeah, I'm saying I already said there was a timeline. We can go ahead and just push it out. We'll just let them know that we're we didn't feel comfortable signing it off so um quickly and we will um get back to them next board meeting. It's not it won't be that big of a deal. Um we just need to let them know
054that and then it'll be fine. So um I don't um I don't would rather not rush things. I'd rather look into the questions that the board has and make have and make sure that we're um responding accordingly and I'll and I'll be fine giving that message to um the city as well. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. On to action items 10.1 202526 budget committee. It looks like we're declaring positions 1 2 3 and five open. Is there a motion for that? I move that we accept action item 10.1 the 202526 budget committee openings. >> I second. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we accept 2025 2026 budget committee openings. Any discussion around that? >> None. Director Walker. >> Hi. >> Director Russell. >> Hi. >> Director Kellings. >> Hi. >> Vice Chair Smith
055Reed. >> Hi. And I'm an I as well. Let's see. Scroll back down. Item 10.2, executive session, board action on kale complaints. Um, so we'll start with item number one. >> So this is each complaint separately, correct? So they're not lumped together as like the four for you and >> No, they're all they're all separated and by the number that um we were provided >> like one through six, right? >> Yes. >> I got a list here and I'll just go >> and I just want to make it clear that if we had followed um public meeting law and it was shared in public instead of in executive session, um we would not be voting. It would just be a discussion. >> Okay? because the community doesn't even know what's going on. >> 10.1 uh
056item number one, executive session in board action on kale complaints item number one. Is there a motion? >> What item? I I think I kept mine in order, but is there a way for us to reference these to make sure we're all on the same page? >> Which complaint? >> This the live streaming one. >> What's that? >> Is this the live streaming one? >> I'm not sure. I just kept actually I just kept list as we went through them. >> That's what I did, too, I think. But I just want to make sure we're right too. Okay. >> This is >> with all the same file numbers and all the same dates. It's making >> Yeah. >> Um I think that the first one that they went over was um >> be careful what
057we're talking about. >> You could do what you could do exactly what Director Russell said to do, which would be you would just list the the title of the complaint. It's on each one of those documents, I believe. Um and then you would just say um your motion to what that title was the complaint against um Chair York or whoever um you would do that and then you would vote on it. I think that would make it clearer >> so that since you didn't keep track of one what was one was two what was three um because then you'll know what you're voting on. I would I would do that. So, >> okay. >> If that's makes everybody more comfortable, right? >> Yeah. >> I'm not board member. I just was trying to just saying.
058Yeah. >> So, can we just start with one then >> and >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Okay. I'm trying to get to the top. So, complaint against Superintendent Karine Barry Brown from Ashley Chrisner. Um >> Oh, okay. >> Is that what we're talking about? Is that what we're saying that the subject? >> I mean, yes, we're we're saying the subject with the exception of >> Is that Is that what you were trying to say, Russell? I don't I don't remember. I was trying to help out here. What were you trying to say? >> I think she was saying that we should have discussed all of them in public. >> No, but you had said just probably want to be clear on what we're voting on. So, I thought that might be But if you guys
059want to do it a different way, you can do it a different way. I was just trying to be helpful. So you can go ahead and read what the complaint is about. Like read the you can you can go ahead and read the name of the complaint. This one is regarding complaint against superintendent Karine Barreris Brown from Ashley Chrisner. >> Okay. Okay. I move that the board take no action and delegate authority to the vice ch or wait to the chair to respond to the parties. >> Second. >> Is that a second? I'm sorry. >> Yes. Second. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I'm having a hard time hearing. Um it's been moved and seconded on that uh kale complaint that the board no take no action and delegate vice chair Smith Reed to respond. >> Oh
060no delegate your >> delegate I'm sorry >> delegate board chair I've got so many written down over here. >> And then you um director Walker I >> director Russell >> no. Director Killings >> I. >> Uh, Vice Chair Smith Reed >> I. >> And I think I can vote on this one. And I'm an I as well. One second here. Sorry, I got to get back and forth. I'm working like two different computer screens tonight. >> Do you want me to go with the next one? >> Yeah. >> Okay. The next one is KO complaint against Jerry Hort uh reboard nomination procedures. >> Okay. >> Which one is this? There was four. So we need to know which complaint against him this was. >> She said the board nomination procedure one. >> So is uh
061there was >> you can say the name of the person. I think that would be better. Like who was it from? >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Oh, that one is from Kendall Flory. Okay. >> And because it would >> we have Kim Kim say again how she worded it. Please. >> Okay. Can you read this again? Hale complaint against Jer re board nomination procedures from Kendall Fiori Flory. And >> I can't make a motion because it would be mean to read it because I'm the vice chair. And I'm sorry, I just couldn't I couldn't hear her first couple words either, so I wasn't sure which way she was making the motion to go towards. Sorry, >> we haven't made a motion yet. >> I don't think she made a motion. She was just saying this
062is the one we're we're discussing. >> For us, everyone could get to it. >> I'm staring at it now. Is there a motion on this one? I move that the board take no action um and delegate authority to vice chair to respond to all parties. >> Is there a second on that? >> Second. I guess I can >> What's that? I'm sorry. >> I was just questioning that one. Um only because she's making a motion for herself. No, I wasn't sure if I could because it was >> I think it was the right motion. I just think you can't be the one to do it. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. Great. Thank you. >> No problem. It's okay. This is such a mess. You'll never get a good idea. >> Melody, maybe you should clean it
063up by making the motion. >> But I was like going, "Oh my gosh, I think that's wrong." But I couldn't remember. So anyways, okay. So, um um Oh, brother. Let me think. try and take how to word it also to make sure that I say it right. >> Can I make the motion? >> Yes, Kim, go for it. >> Anyone can. >> I move to take no action on the Kale complaint regarding the board's nomination procedures and to de delegate authority to the board vice chair to respond to the complaint. >> Okay, I'll second. >> Okay, moved and seconded. Uh, go for a vote. Director Walker, >> I. >> Director Russell, >> I. >> Director Killings, >> hi. Vice Chair Smith Reed >> I >> and I will claim a conflict and not vote. >>
064I can't I can't make the motion for this one either because I um against the complaint against short for actions during November 12th board meeting by >> Ashley Fisher. All right. The next one is a complaint against board chair Hort for actions during November 12th board meeting from Ashley Chrisner. >> Okay. Is there a motion on that one? >> I can't make the motion. >> Kim, can you do it again? >> Sure. I move that the board take no action on the complaint against Chair Hu and delegate the board vice chair to respond to the complaint as discussed. >> Second. Okay, it's been moved and seconded um that board take no action on the complaint from Miss Kitner on the live stream of the November 24th board meeting. >> Dr. Walker, >> I. >> Dr.
065Russell, >> um I would have liked that the public heard this and then I would have voted I. Um so because the public isn't hearing this, it's no. >> Okay. Vice Chair Smith Reed. >> Hi. >> And I think I need to back out of this one also. So I won't vote. I'll climb a conflict. >> And you forgot me to vote. >> Hi. >> Apologize. Sorry. >> That's okay. >> The sheet rolls around while I'm looking here. Sorry. >> I now have three screens going. >> All right. One more. Um complaint agent against chair Hort releged policy and public meeting law violations from Anastasia Rigby. >> Is there a motion on that one? >> Go for it, Kim. >> All right. >> One second. Okay. >> People always make fun of me for printing
066everything, but see it comes in fut. Okay. >> I just don't have access to a printer this time. >> This one doesn't have the massage. >> Okay, got it. I move to take no action on the kale complaint regarding board chair short um releged policy and public meeting law violation and to delegate authority to vice chair Smith Reed to respond. >> Second move and seconded the board take no action against chair on the alleged policy and public meeting violation law violation I'm sorry. Um, Director Walker, >> I. >> Director Russell, >> I again think if we followed Oregon meeting law and shared this publicly, I would have voted I no. >> Okay, Vice Chair Smith Reed. >> Hi. >> And I will sit this one out also. I claim a conflict. >> I'm gonna best
067you if you forget me. >> Gosh, I'm sorry. >> Written out. I'm sorry. It's okay. I dare on that one. >> I apologize and I will take I will not vote on this one as a claiming of conflict. >> The next one is Kale complaint from Ashley Kushner regarding live streaming of the November 24th board meeting. >> I thought we did that one. >> Did we already do that one? Did I print it twice? Wait, did we already do that one? H I think we got all the ones that were the ones about um Reed done. So, it's got to be one of these remaining ones here. And I'm pretty sure I think it is >> Did we do the complaint against Superintendent Caris Brown from Ashley Chriser? >> Yes, you've done that. I think
068you've moved on. Now you need to move on to >> you need to do the complaint against me from >> Okay. >> Um >> this one the complaint against director Russell from Superintendent Briars Brown. >> Okay. Is there a motion on that one? >> I move that the board um have a third party investigator Sorry. I move that the board accept the complaint um and request Wait, no. Sorry. Pause one moment, please. >> Okay. >> Not this one. No, I don't want to do a hearing. I want to do an investigation. Um, I move that the uh move to accept the complaint against Director Russell and to de delegate authority to the board chair to retain an investigator for the purpose of investigating the complaint discussed during executive session. >> Is there a second to
069that one? >> Oh, go ahead. >> Thank you. Okay, it's been moved and seconded to accept the complaint and delegate the authority of board chair York to retain an investigator and respond to the parties. >> Scrolling up again. Director Walker, >> hi. >> Director Russell, >> I'll set this one out. >> Okay. Director, I'm sorry. Director Killings, I'm trying to you again. I apologize. Oh, I'm sorry. I Yes. >> And cherry, I'm I as well. Let's see here. And we're on to I think that takes care of everything. Um we're on to item 11, financial reports. >> Thank you. So, I provided some financial reports in the board packet for you. um estimating our 2425 as we still um uh reconcile 2425 uh the estimated ending fund balance un audited ending fund balance uh at
0701.2 1,236,892 which is $89,798 more than last than reported last month. Um then for 2526 uh we are looking at an estimated ending fund balance of 1,58,333 which is just a little over $1,000 more than reported last month. So happy to take any questions about those reports. Chris Christie, I noticed that in some of um our line items were saying that we're paying for last year's payments. Is that accurate? So like >> can you tell me exactly what you're referring to? >> There's some KOSA payments and rate payments and it looks like it's foury year 2425 >> that was on this month's report. >> Well, I looked at all the reports so now it could just be coming together as one. So in general, have we had some that have come over from this year
071that were owed last year? >> I would have to look into that. Like I mean we we often will pay things that you know we didn't get an invoice in it during last fiscal year. We pay those invoices in last fiscal year for a few months but at some point we cut that off. So um it is possible that that happens if we receive invoices late. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome. Am I correct, Christy, that it's I wouldn't say about right now, but pretty close is because we then are going into auditing and trying to put everything together and then it's got to be brought to an end, right? And didn't you tell us then if something was to come in six months from now, it then has to fall in the next year.
072Correct? >> Yeah. It's it's too late now. So, if we were to get an invoice now for something that was an expense that that occurred during 2425, we would pay it out of 2526 because we're not paying anything out of 2425 anymore. >> Okay. >> Um, can I ask a question, Christie? I I know that you're, you know, in the middle of an audit and there's a lot going on and everything, but can you remind me, are you changing financial reports for >> for the January board meeting? Yes. >> Okay. So those ones that you had looked at, I believe it was from Ashland. I have copies of those and have it on my calendar during winter break to be working on those and starting on those and figuring out how to incorporate our data
073into a similar format. >> Okay. >> What audit are we going through right now? >> Our annual financial audit for the 2425 school year. >> Okay. >> Which is a requirement, right? You're required to have an annual audit. Yeah, it is. >> And just just remember you guys, that is for the 2425, not now. >> Right. Yeah, because they don't audit until your books are closed. Correct. >> Correct. >> Right. Any further questions on budget? >> Thank you, Christie. >> Welcome. >> Thank you very much. Okay, we'll move on to board reports. Um, we'll start with Director Walker. Thank you. Um, I just wanted to mention that I had a really, um, good coaching session with Greg Kint, who is board chair of the Vernon School District, um, and also our OSBA um, region representative
074uh, board member, I guess. Um, and he shared a lot of, um, insights on some of the things they're doing in Fernonia. And um just, you know, as a new board member, it was just really beneficial for me to um get some input from another board um to see how how what I'm supposed to be doing. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> Anything for Okay. Uh Director Russell. >> Yeah. So, I'll go ahead and finish my um where I was cut off earlier. Um Reed, I just want to make it really clear that when a board member is putting um something on the record, you as board chair do not have the authority to just cut them off just because you're a board chair. Um so I will just continue with my statements. Um so
075the discussion to close the meeting uh was not unilateral. Um while the individual who was trespassed for a year was disruptive um um I just want us to consider the fact that we have teachers um non-stop in our schools that are being threatened that are in surgeries that have broken noses that are kicked um and then the very next day we are asking them to go back and be in that very same classroom. they do not get the same privilege that you are taking here to remove us from a public meeting. Um, and I think that um is something to really consider when we're in the midst of of watching so many teachers struggle with this. Um, also when we have, you know, the heels of the November 24th session that we had a complaint
076about not following board meeting laws, um, the OGC will find all of us. And so when you make a decision that when someone complains about and is wrong and that it can likely find all of us because of an a unilateral decision that you make, I believe it should come back to a vote and not fall on all of us because you made that decision. Um I also just want to um address the decision to restrict public comment. that change was not brought to the board either for discussion or vote and decisions affecting people's participation should be made by a full board. Um there is currently an ongoing lawsuit concerning this very issue. Um, and at this time I respectfully believe that we this should not be something we are doing. And I was going
077to ask for a vote for that to be changed, which is also within my right, but I was cut off. Um, when we allow discussion, we build trust. Um, I also wanted to address the complaints that the chair and vice chair were bringing forward in executive session concerning board members. These complaints must be shared publicly and discussed publicly under Oregon law. Complaints involving an elected board member cannot be handled in executive session. We are not considered public officers in the sense of someone like the a commissioner who is paid. So public officers are not able to be um uh you can't punish us or discipline us in any way and in doing so um it it's just not accurate. So be uh I need to clarify that something for the record also regarding statutes that
078were cited OS 1926602F was not the appropriate statute for discussing board member uh complaints. The Oregon Attorney General's public records and meetings manual specifically states that subsection F applies only when the board member or when the board is reviewing or receiving legal advice on documents that are independently exempt from disclosure. A complaint against an elected board member is not exempt from disclosure. Uh the board does not have disciplinary authority over an elected official. Um, if there's complaints, they need to go to the proper state departments. It needs to be heard publicly. Section B involving complaints or charges would normally be relevant to the statute. However, section B only permits executive session when the individual being discussed can be disciplined um or dismissed by the governing body because the board cannot discipline, suspend, or move an
079elected board member. Subsection B does not apply here either. So, for that reason, none of those complaints should have been heard in executive session. Um, I also wanted to just address some financial concerns. Um, a statement recently made by Chair Yort that approximately $40,000 has been spent on KL complaints. He stated that he found that number online in our budget after I had challenged un challenged unequal access of information. I have carefully um reviewed our budget documents, our forecasts, and historical presentations and acknowledged thus far this school year there are payments well over 40,000 to legal. However, there is no location where the number exists specifically for KL complaints. Um, I am requesting that our financial director identify if she can identify where Chair Yort found or Chair Yort, if you can identify where you
080found this figure um in no such line item where this no such line item exists, then we can understand how that number was represented publicly without verification. Um, and then I just want to share that over the past several months, I've taken time to review our district's actual financial records, not summaries, but the real distribute dispersement reports, check registers, AC listings, and budgets to actual documents from 23 through uh 23 24 year through the present. And my purpose is simple to understand what actually caused this shortfall based solely on the district's documents. Um I think it's really important for our community. And so as I worked through each month, a pattern emerged that tells a very different story from the one our community has was initially given. This is not about pointing fingers. This is
081about transparency and accuracy and accountability. So before we I just kind of want to go over this timeline really quick. Um I did find that it was not COVID funds or ESSER payment or permanently fund that they didn't permanently fund the positions we kept. Um it was not construction bonds fund uh bond funds are restricted and cannot be used for those operations. It was not overhiring. It was not substitutes and it was not a sudden revenue collapse from the state or federal uh revenues. So, the shortfall was driven by timing, volume, and um not revenue and and staffing. So, the timeline um there's a month by month. In June of 2024, high credit card usage begins and we paid $53,000 $53,728 to credit card um companies. Typical credit card spending for a district R size,
082Michelle. Yeah. Sorry, I'm just taking notes. Could you repeat that number? Yeah, it's it gets a lot higher. So, but it's 53,728. >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah. And then the typical credit card spending for a district our size is about 10 to 20,000 per month. So, we've already doubled that. Um I'm not sure what controls um existed over credit card usage at that time. this was before all of us were here. Um or why these amounts were so high and not flagged. They may have been flagged. I just don't know. We weren't here. Um in July of 2024, there was no slowdown. It was a little lower. It was 37,000. Um and then in August, there was quite a spike and it went to 61,000. And this seems seems to be far outside
083normal ranges for a district our size. In September, the discretionary purchasing continues and the credit cards were again 50,000. Um, and at this point, we were already trending towards uh fiscal distress and there was no spending freezes at this time. In October of 2024, um, it appears that we had unusually high costs with KOSA, $10,000, uh, $10,600. When I looked online, KOSA typically charges 695 to,300 per administrator. Um, I'm not sure if that's annually or monthly. However, it doesn't equal the the three more costs that come into play because it adds up quite a bit. So, in November though, the largest credit card payment so far was at 77,000. Um and that appears it it just appears to be many times what similar districts spend monthly for us. Um, so those are those are the
084reasons behind a lot of my asking questions that I I get a lot of um flack for or I'm told I'm harassing or those are the reasons why and it continues. Um, in December more discretionary spending is continuing um from the general fund. Um, in January we paid another 43,900 to credit cards. Legal is obviously pretty high last year around this time and as well as KOSA. Um, ESS is our substitute services and that was well over 100,000 but we did have a lot of teachers out on leave and so that is also um something we expected. Um in March of 2025, spending escalates instead of decreases. Um we had legal, which was about 80,000 substitute services, which at that time I had suggested doing what Reineer had done and taking it in-house for substitutes
085instead of last year we paid $121,000 for substitutes. Um often we didn't even have substitutes fill all of those portions. Um, we had KOSA, another KOSA payment for 7,920 and we paid Durham um busing uh 234,000. Um, and then another credit card payment of $18,000. So, a little closer to where we want to be. Um, and then we see another $10,000 COA payment more recently. So, it's a total of $30,000 in those three separate months. And I'm I I'm not and I don't really know why we those are things I have requested. Um, so those are things I'm asking for and I just want the community to be aware of what I'm asking for so that it's just very, you know, I'm very apparent. I'm very um just it's I'm just being very uh letting
086you guys know exactly what I'm doing and why I'm doing it so that there's no cons concern that I have some nefarious plot. Um the adopted 2425 budget and the 20 the proposed 2526 budget were previously posted online but they are no longer there. uh during the period of shortfall that was being discussed. It's concerning that this is not there. Um I I'm curious at who authorized the removal of the budget documents um from the district website and when they will be restored. Um these are public documents. >> You said >> yeah both 2425 budget and then the proposed 2526 budget. >> Thank you. Yeah. Um, so what all of this means is when I put together an entire timeline, the picture becomes clear. There was no shortfall to staffing. It was not because of
087COVID funds or because we hired too many individuals during COVID funds and kept them on. That those were not the cases. It wasn't because we have construction and it wasn't caused by substitutes. Actually, as of last year on paper, we went in and Melody had confirmed this. We went into the year pretty good, but by the end of the year, we were 6 million. This was a it was a cliff. And it was a cliff that should not happen in one year. Um, and that is something Melody has brought to me numerous times and had concerns with. And these were where I could find the numbers. Um, I want to say that the money we're spending on investigations or to pull an attorney out to uh hear about me just to stamp a substantiated or
088a Yep. We we find her guilty of this. We could have had a forensic audit and we are now going to be paying thousands of more dollars to investigate me on um harassment and bullying. >> Can I I'd like to call >> Oh, it's it's about me. I actually get to say it. >> It's about me. So, I get to speak about it. >> Attorney privilege. You do not get to shut me down, Reed. This is not This is about me. >> No, you're just file a complaint. I'm gonna finish. So the short um if we take the money that we have on those areas, we can definitely get the documents that we can really figure out what's going on with our budget so that when we are looking at another 2.5 million in cuts,
089we can figure out where other monies can come from that can go to the classrooms, which is why the budget is so important. Um, so this isn't to assign blame. This is about transparency, responsible stewardship and public funds and restoring the trust. Um, I also noticed that there's significant reduction in financial transparency this year. So last year at this time the district provided a full financial packet every month including AC voucher reports, check registers, operating dispers dispersement reports, monthly credit card statements, budget to actual reports, monthly financial statements, revenue and expenditure summaries, incumbrance reports, general ledger detail. Um this was in the packets and we haven't received that this year. Um this is a drastic change from prior year practices and it removes the tools the board needs to conduct real oversight. Um, we need
090to understand why a reports and check registers and credit cards um and the standard monthly financial documents that were provided are no longer um let's see so the dollars that we just want to make sure we can support classrooms especially at this time when we are looking at $2.5 million more in in cuts. Um, I'm asking these questions because I believe in protecting classroom dollars and keeping teachers in the classrooms. I believe in stability for students and I believe this community deserves honest answers about where money went. And instead, I'm I'm being um treated pretty unfairly when people are cutting me off when I'm just making public statements. And um yet I'm the one being accused of harassment. And so I want to share publicly why I'm doing these things. So um my responsibility is
091to protect instruction and to protect students and the cuts not fall in the classrooms when they should fall in other places first. This is not politics and this is not personal. This is oversight and this is what Oregon law and OSBA governance standards require from every schoolboard member. All of you should be asking these questions and all of you should be looking at the budget this closely. Um Oregon's uh local budget law um they're clear or O RS 332 school boards are responsible for reviewing expenditures, ensuring funds are used appropriately and protecting the instructional program. But it is equally clear that board members must ask questions, request documentation, and hold the superintendent accountable for fiscal decisions. These duties are not optional, they are our charge. So when I see credit card spending that appear multiple
092times higher than comparable districts, when I see administrative memberships appear far more than normal cost and then when I see other, you know, spending continue even when a district is in crisis, um there's concern and when the public budget documents are removed from a website during that same period, I'm not overstepping to ask these questions and I'm doing exactly what the law and the public expects me to do. Oversight becomes micromanagement only when a board member interferes with staff operations and I have not done that. I am reviewing financial documents, the board documents. I am asking the questions, the board's duty, and I am protecting classroom dollars, the community's expectations. So, if spending is occurring outside the classroom, it's our job to know that. And if dollars meant for instruction are being consumed before they
093reach the students, it's our job to correct that. Uh if cuts are being made, it's it is our job to ensure that they do not harm students learning because of misallocated or unnecessary expenditures in other areas. This is not a one board member's agenda. This is a fiduciary responsibility and this is transparency and good governance. And I want to be clear about something. The district's financial crisis did not originate in the classroom. It did not originate with teachers or students. It originated in the spending patterns, timing decisions, and funds allocations that did not align with our priorities. And it is both reasonable and necessary to ask why. My commitment is simple. I will continue to ask questions even though the like I often feels like I'm standing on an island. Um I will continue to
094pro protect classroom dollars. Um and then I just want to talk about um there should never be have been a hearing on me uh involving the elected uh or involving any elected board member. Um, in the weeks leading up to that hearing, I emailed district or the district's attorney Elliot Fields asking very clear, direct questions, including what policy did I break and what policy was I alleged to have violated. Um, none of these questions were answered and I do obviously have emails documenting that and it is clear now why those questions were unanswered and it's because the board has no disciplinary authority over an elected official and therefore the hearing has no legal basis under Oregon law. Despite this, district's attorneys drafted the hearing format, directed how it would operate, and attended after business hours.
095That had to have cost us a ton of money. During the hearing, Mr. Phils instructed the chair on what I could and could not say and intervened in ways that implied the board possessed disciplinary authority it does not have. Attorneys also read com the attorney also read complaint statements that he read aloud and structured the process as though it was an adjudicative pro proceeding. The district's attorney do not independently choose what matters to involve themselves in. They may only be engaged and directed by the superintendent because the complaints originated from the direct district office um employees. The superintendent's role is authorizing attorney involvement is a significant governance concern and it places legal counsel in a position of supporting a process initiated with the superintendent's own administrative chain against an elected official. A process in which
096no legal standing h has no legal standing from the on the outset. This creates an appearance that the process may have been used in a way that was political in nature or carried out an intimidating effect regardless of anyone's intentions and that appearance alone is deeply problematic in public governance. I am not saying that that process was initiated to be political or intimidate but given that the board has no authority to discipline an elected member and given the leave the level of legal involvement authorized it is difficult to identify any other practical reason why such a process had been pursued. I am so saddened to know how much money that has cost us in the brinks of a $2.5 million cut. It's just devastating to me. Um given the attorney involvement in board discipline is
097not permitted under Oregon law, legal counsel had a professional responsibility to recognize that process was to recognize that it was not authorized. When I stated this to an email to board chair Yort, he told me he would always trust the legal um which then removes the reason for a board. If we are only going to take what legal has to say, there's no, like I said, there's just no reason for a board, especially when we're not offered the opportunity to vote. Um, so it makes it appear as either the attorney failed to inform the superintendent that such a hearing was not legally supported or the attorney proceeded with extensive work despite knowing the limitations resulting in thousands of dollars in billing for a process that could legal could not legally lead to a board to
098board action. Um, the this level of attorney involvement cost the district thousands of dollars for work that attorneys knew or should have known was not permitted. I did contact OGC and got confirmation on this. Uh the fact that this work was authorized at all raises serious questions about how district resources are being directed and what oversight exists for legal expenditures and how we ensure that process involving elected officials are conducted within the bounds of Oregon law. Additionally, tonight's meeting format was changed and I talked to you about that. And I just want to wrap that back around before I close here that we have teachers who have suffered multiple injuries, taken medical leave, and returned to the same classroom where they have been assaulted. We have students who have begged for safety, presented evidence of
099threats, and yet attend classes alongside individuals who have harmed them. With these realities in our school, how does it look for a board to remove itself to a protected virtual space while expecting our teachers and students to persist in an unsafe environment? We did not have a threat against us. Yes, it was a disruption, but it should not have brought us to this. Um, it just does not justify the decision the decisions for this. it must be taken seriously as seriously for our classrooms as you are taking it here. And I think that's just 101 respect for our teachers and students. Finally, I just want to thank all the community that are that are continually participating um and watching and you know reading the updates and I just encourage you to keep doing so. Thank
100you. >> Thank you. Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. >> So, are payroll complaints discussed in executive session? >> They are, but when they're against a board member, they should be discussed publicly. >> So, now that you have because you had attorney client privilege, I'm assuming. So, then now that you have publicly eliminated that fact by mentioning it in the board meeting, does that mean you your KO complaint would be publicly record? >> My KO complaint is public because it's against me. So I have the right to talk about it also. >> Discussed in a public meeting again. >> It can all it should have been in the first place. So just because we have attorney client privilege on a document if the if the document that he's marking attorney client privilege on is
101not attorney client privilege like the subject matter then it's not attorney client privilege. Does that make sense? So the subject matter was never attorney client privilege. >> Oh yeah. Thank So you can't just put a stamp on it and say and actually our deputy district attorney I think his name was Mr. Gibbs out of Multma County stated as much when he talked about um attorney client privilege with the Noatne report. So >> thank you so much. >> Yeah. >> Director Killings, do you have a report? >> Yeah. Um can I ask you a question Christie? um the credit cards that um first of all and that Michelle's referring to from the whole last year's usage and even anytime actually are any of those amount >> I'd like to step in real quick just real quick
102because I'm I want to protect my staff as well. So Christie I I mentioned that board reports really isn't aren't a time to ask people questions that was during the financial statements and I would really appreciate it if Christy doesn't want to answer. she doesn't have to answer. And so I want to go back to, you know, board reports really are meant for you to report out to the community and not technically ask Christie questions, but because that could have been done during the financials. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I mean, Christie, do you tell you what I was was report on is that I wanted to clear that up to make sure that everybody understood before they'd so they'd know what I was going to request or or not request. I shouldn't say that what
103I was going to suggest is a better idea. Um I I just wanted to know if credit cards could ever include any of the expenses that we have going out on bond measures. >> Could that just as easily been? >> Do you feel comfortable answering that? >> Yeah, I can answer that. Um yes, credit card expenses are sometimes there are some vendors that will only accept payment through credit cards. So that is sometimes the use of credit card is for a vendor that only takes credit cards and sometimes that includes um bond expenses as well as grant expenses. >> The credit cards I mentioned though Melody were out of the general fund. >> Okay. That and that's how that's make sure too that we are all straight on the credit card part. Um, one of
104the things that um, first of all, I want to say is that um, I want I do appreciate um, that I had to be gone for a few days and that Relle and her husband stepped in and flagged for me at McBride and made sure that nobody ran over anybody. So, I do want to make sure that everybody knew that. I greatly appreciate that. Um, second of all though, I did want to suggest something on um past times for as many years as I think clearbacks at least since probably 1998 whenever we've had um budget especially really rough budget time periods and there would be the 98 through 2000 or so and then there was again uh 2009 through 11 were some really rough times economically everywhere not just in schools but we had budget
105cuts pretty considerable of about 2 million a year during all three all years each of those years during that time period. But one of the things that we did is not put it all on a superintendent shoulders or a Christy financial mentor shoulders to figure those all out. Um, every single time that we had that, we brought in together um, not only the board um, and we did all five board members so that we were all on the same page, we had um, of course the superintendent, financial manager, um, some of our administrators, we would get community members, we would get staff from both um, the elementary level and at the secondary level and we would sit down and work on that. and if we needed to bring in people um to the meetings that
106we had specific questions of even their program or how it works or whatever. But when we did it, it I have to tell you the difference was is first of all, it didn't put it on one or two people's shoulders what what's going to happen possibly at the end of this year if we do get hit with that absolute 2.5 million cut. But what it does is it puts everybody not only working together, it gets pretty much everybody on the same page and people are able to go into it without being angry or hurt or you know um expecting something that a perfect solution out of somebody that might not actually even be out there. So um and so I wanted to that was one of the things I wanted to actually request tonight. So
107the discussion on budget stuff um just brought it into it and that was why I just wanted to clarify on the credit cards but I just think that maybe it's something that we could all talk about doing right after the New Year's and put it as our New Year's resolution is what do we want to see and who could we include and put together so it isn't just one person having to figure this all out. Um, and also I wanted to clarify one other thing too that I've learned over all the years even during the rough ones and the good ones is when it is rough a lot of times still a lot of your small schools count on the Portlands and the Eugene and the Salems to um try to help at least to
108reduce that number on across the board for everybody at a um upper level at the state level. And so a lot of times we can sit here and stress our brains out about a 2.5 and it it could end up being only two million. It could be end up 1 million. But I just think that, you know, we can look at that great number. We can figure out where we are. But then we know where to add back and work back. But as a team, it sure works a whole lot better than to have anybody having to try to do it by themselves. Do we as a board have any I don't think we get any say over how um riffs go or who or how that happens or how the finances um change but
109I do love that Melody that you're you're thinking about it and how it can be done. But yeah, unfortunately our um biggest bet is to just look at the budget and see how we can get more dollars back in the classrooms versus other expenditures because that's the only thing we really have over >> Well, we can and riffs does fall back on your your unions and and you know, anybody's seniority over someone else or sometimes it's just that you only have a staff member that can do a job and nobody else has that training and then you do keep that person even if they don't have seniority over somebody else. Um, but as far as the money part, you you definitely have a say in it. And by putting this team together, um, most of
110the time when we do budget things, we don't even really start having budget meetings. >> Feels very operational. >> Yeah, it's it but it's also we're changing the agenda because we're having conversations in board report. You just do a board report and now we're kind of changing the agenda. So, I want to make sure that we are aware that there are public meeting laws about following the agenda. So, I wanted to say that out loud. And so, then um so, whoever, you know, I don't mean to cut you off, but I think Melody, do you have something else you want to share? And then I think we need to stop having conversations around the budget and all that stuff just because we didn't put that on the agenda. So, >> anything further, Director Kellins? Okay.
111Uh, Vice Chair Smith Reed, >> you know, last year I went to um no board meetings um and I did watch them online. Um, and I I have a husband who is a teacher. So I and I have all daughters and I also was a sexual assault um survivor in school and outside of school. And that situation was very personal to me, but not in a I'm experiencing it last year situation, right? But I listened to the community talk about how the superintendent was corrupt, the principal at the high school was corrupt, the entire school board was corrupt, and we have replaced 80% of the school board, replaced the superintendent, replaced the principal, and I'm still hearing the community say all those same people have who have now been replaced are also corrupt. >> And
112it is disheartening to be someone who I know I'm not corrupt. Um I mean I'm sure people who are corrupt say that too, right? But um I feel like we are constantly fighting this misinformation and this one-sided stories that are happening um by the community on Facebook because people only listen to Facebook. They don't see the people who are doing the work. I mean, our superintendent told us the very first thing, the credit cards were out of control and she's going to make and we have people who are here to make changes. We have all these people here to move forward and make changes. Why are we standing in the way of these great people trying to make changes >> by asking questions? >> I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to everybody. >> Okay.
113I I that's not asking questions is not the problem. >> Asking questions is never the problem. It's getting in the way of everybody trying like let her do her job sometimes. I'm sorry, Karine. I know this I'm I'm not trying to be evaluative. It feels very, you know, I I'm fine being attacked by the people who think that I'm in the superintendent's pocket. Um because I support her because I see the good work she is doing. I see the changes. I hear from as many people how who work in the schools who see great changes. But the community only listens to the negative. And being on the other side of it feels disgusting. Feels disgusting because there's so much good work happening. and all people want to focus on is the negative. I just that's
114my only Also, I sat with Vince um from OSBA in a uh board chair cafe today with Reed and I didn't really learn anything. So, that's all I have to say. >> I have nothing. So, I'll turn it over to the superintendent. >> Kim, did you already >> Sorry. Yeah, I'm following the list. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> I'll turn it over. Superintendent. >> Hi. Um, first off, I want to be um really transparent around that we're all in this for students and that all of us, every last one of us, um, Christy and myself, when we're having conversations around the budget, our number one priority are our children. So, I want to make that clear. Secondly, um we had a wonderful walkthrough of classrooms um Miss Director Kllins and I at the high school.
115We got to see amazing things happening up there. Um and I um for example, I'm not going to say any names, but I got to see a classroom where a teacher was preparing for a Socratic seminar, and it was fantastic. Joseph was actually in that classroom. Joseph, you okay? And I um um was very excited to see the higher level of thinking and the preparation that the students were taking to prepare for their um Socratic seminar. And so um I was excited about that because whenever I see rigger I'm like yay because rigger could be joyful because they were laughing, they were communicating, they had academic discourse. It was just fantastic. One of the things that I noticed though at the high school, and Dr. Kllins can also um attest to this, is that there's
116a there's a lot of large class sizes. And so when you're stepping into a classroom and you can barely get in, um the principal was with us and we're like backed up against a wall because there's all these desks, it really does shine a light on that we have to start considering when we're um um reallocating funds and looking at our budget and when we have all these reductions that might be hitting us hard that that we are still looking at class sizes because to squeeze into a classroom, right? It was like whoa. But the students, it was fantastic because students and um were doing the work. They were collaborating. The teacher was on top of things. It was just a really amazing hum in the classroom despite the large class size. But I was
117still like, I feel uncomfortable in here. Like I can't imagine being in there for that, you know, class period and the length of that. So, it it's wonderful when I'm out and about in schools two days a week because I do get to see what's um happening in spaces and I get to acknowledge the good work. I also get to ask the challenging questions um when I see things. Um, and so, um, I just really enjoyed my time and I invite any board member that wants to come with me on learning walks, um, through classrooms to see all the exciting things that are happening for our students because we have amazing staff and I, um, value them greatly. Um, and our students are also very amazing and I, um, just really appreciate the time that
118I can spend with them. Um, and uh, I want to spend more than two days a week in schools. And I'm hoping that after winter break that when things start to um, click with all the budget road shows that Christy and I are going to get into um, schools even more often and get priorities and feedback um, from our staff and our community and our students around what are our priorities when it comes to the budget. And then in February um, because that'll happen in January. Um, in February, we will present to the board the priorities that we heard. Um, and I might even ask Joseph to help co-present that with me. Um, so that we can all be on um, the same page that this is really student driven and that we have to
119have to protect our um, studentf facing um, staff and our classrooms to make sure that um, we're not um, you know, we have to do the good work. And I want to see more Socratic seminars. So, I'm going to come next week, Joseph, so I can see you do yours. Is that okay? >> Yeah, totally fine. >> All right, that's all I have. There isn't anymore. Thank you for all you guys do. >> Okay. Uh, we are at the end of our agenda and I will call an address. >> Can I say one more thing? I'm so sorry. Can I say one more thing? Um, the budget is on the website. Just >> FYI, >> do I have a board report? >> The 2425 here. >> 2425 and 2526. Did you slip through the pictures
120of it? >> I apologize. >> All right. Girls basketball is going great. Boys are doing well. I think our girls are two and0 and our guys are one and one. Wrestling has had two tournaments. One girls only where we rocked it. We had multiple first place winners. Uh the second tournament we looked great. Uh going to be a good year. I'm hopeful. Uh we had multiple boys and girls across all that were fighting for first and second. Um, today we had class decorating. So, the CLA like different classes are decorating different hallways for Christmas time. So, kids are getting ready. There's lots of music throughout the hallways. You'll hear different teachers playing Christmas music. And there's a good vibe. It seems to be a lot of fun. >> And we have a state uh state
121wrestler, right? Like a state winning. >> Yes, we do. >> Wrestler. >> World wrestler. Cool. >> We have a we have a girl who is a two-time triple crown state champion. So, she is >> uh freestyle and collegiate and she's hoping to go again. I think she's the most winningest person >> in St. Helen's history. >> That's amazing. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah. >> Um Christine, the link is there, but you need to click on it because the the papers are not, >> but the link is there. >> Oh, okay. >> It's just not connected to the budget itself. >> That's awesome. Thank you. I actually found the document. >> Oh, good. >> Bye. >> Wait, do we just click out? >> I don't know how to do that again. Just hang up. >> Oh,
122hi. Bye.