001I will call this meeting to order. We also please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America stands nationy and And we'll go super representative Joseph Howard >> here. >> Director Rich Russell >> here. >> Director Gillings >> here. >> Vice Chair Christine Smith >> and Chair Reed is here. Your three uh agenda approval may be moved removed or added at this time. We need to put [Music] Oh yeah. Um I for the >> So it's 101 121. >> Yeah, we were we just reached a tentative agreement. We're gonna talk about that in executive session, but we have to approve both of them tonight. >> Okay. So, we'd have to remove that for now. >> Yeah. OCA fur days agreement. >> So, it's 101 and 12. >> And
002then I would like to add to the agenda. >> Make a motion. One second. big portion of this sh that out. >> Do we have to do it on each one individually? I guess we Okay. So, >> a motion to to >> Yes. >> Second. >> Okay. It's a movement actually that we remove item 101 uh OC days agreement and 121 agreement again. Uh is there any discussion on that one? Director Russell. Director Killings. >> I don't have anything. >> I think we're voting. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. No, I'm sorry. We're just hoping to take >> Yes. >> Okay. Director Killing. >> Chair Smith. Yes. >> Chair agreement with it also. >> Sorry. >> I guess I make motions and forgett. >> Okay. off. I'm sorry. >> Oh, you're there. Yes. >> I
003just wanted to get that other one taken care of first. >> Yeah. No. Under 3320752, each board member has the right to bring matters before the board for discussion and action. Our own board policy PD and BBDC affirms that process. I've submitted multiple agenda requests in writing and none of them have been placed on the agendas for tonight's so um those include oversight of how special education complaints are handled, a board vote on superintendent classroom observations and special education with written plan of for safety and equitability support through a review of DHS oversight as well as financial oversight of teaching and learning grants and related staff expenditures. So uh therefore or I move to amend tonight's agenda to include these items before discussion possible action. >> Can I I can ask questions for discussion? >>
004Yeah. Or do we need to >> we need have a second? >> Oh well I don't mind second we can discuss this question. So what what I wanted to know is though for adding things, do you have the information that we would need to be able to do those tonight? >> I do. I do. I have them right here. Special education and the oversightes. >> I did send these out last week um on the 17th. asked for confirmation on the 20th and then again yesterday. >> These are the same things that were emailed. >> And any of these would we need to be referring them to certain people and personnel? [Music] But this is typical for a board member to be able to put these out. My concern is that this is more personnel related
005and beyond >> there's no personnel listed in this. >> No, I mean like the staffing of classrooms. You haven't talked about superintendent just like it should probably at least start out an executive session. >> It doesn't fit an executive session at all because of this is all public discussion. Like this is stuff that's discussed in public. It's just about qualified staff. I'm not comfortable talking about that in open session personally. >> Yeah, I have to say little pieces are personnel pieces of um trans >> like even um when you're talking about different things like just that stuff. >> Yeah, those things. There's no names about anything in there. >> You're also talking a small town in a small district. Everybody would know who you're talking about most likely. But even certainly these things are even
006under um negotiations or with contract with those guys. So you have >> So I was turned down for being in executive session as well. So I guess I'm wondering when they can be talked about if I've been turned down for executive session on discussing anything and turned down now in public session for discussing any of these things. >> Have you tried having a one-on-one with the superintendent? >> I have off I have asked her to have one with the attorneys as well as re and then I didn't get a response. I'm feeling really comfortable right now. I just want you to know that publicly. I feel uncomfortable with this discussion because I feel it's evaluative and I making this on public record did not say that you could evaluate public. I'm not evaluating. It feels
007evaluative. The conversation does. I'm respectfully asking that we stop talking about the superintendent. >> Yeah. >> I'm just talking about that. I've tried to put it on the record and I'm not allowed anywhere. There's been a motion made to put these agenda items on there. Is there a second? >> No. >> We approve the rest of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? Is there sorry? >> Is there a motion that we can approve the agenda? >> I make a motion that we approve the agenda as with the additional finish that she had put in. >> Okay. Second. >> Okay. A motion made and seconded that we approve the agenda. Is there any discussion? >> Okay, take a vote. Director Russell, >> no. >> Director, >> yes. >> Smith Street, >> yes.
008And I am also set agenda. The board on an individual basis prior to this meeting has reviewed all material. All financial reports are available for review by public in the business office. The board considers the consent agenda item is routine business and will enacted by the board in one motion. There are no discussion on these items at this time. The board votes on the motion unless members of the board's staff or public request the specific items to be discussed and or removed from the consent agenda. >> I move that we accept the consent agenda as stated. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded that we accept the consent agenda. Is there any discussion? >> Okay, we'll go to a vote. Director Russell. >> Director Killings. Yes, >> Vice Chair Smith Reef. >> Yes. >> And
009chair yours, I'm your yes as well. >> At this time, we're going to recess into executive session. OS 192.660 660 or subsection 2D N O RS1926602F to conduct deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations and to consider records exempt by allowable public inspection. St. Allen School District will now meet in executive session pursuant to RS192 660 2D and 2F which allow the commission to meet in executive session to conduct deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations and consider records exempt from law for public inspection. Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session convened under 2F. Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any on any or otherwise disclose any deliberations at any time uh subject during these executive
010sessions except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced. No no decision may be made in executive session. These these topics discussed in executive session are limited to topics from ORS 192660 for which the executive session is entered into under O19-040-0000201. When the ex when the Oregon Ethics Commission hears complaints regarding an alleged executive session violation, the commission will investigate all members of the board in attendance even if some of the members are not mentioned in the complaint. C O R A O O R A R1 1990400253. This may lead to a finding of violation by all board members. If the executive sessions occurring and unauthorized topics are being discussed, the Oregon Ethics Commission guideline board or guides board members to object to discussing an unauthorized topic and if necessary announce they
011are leaving the investigative session and leave. And at the end of executive session, we will return to open session and If you're underage meeting back session. Um, number seven on the agenda is monthly financial report. >> Good evening. Hi. >> Hopefully you guys all had a chance to review the reports, but I'll just kind of go over them briefly, talk a little bit about a couple highlights that are different from um this month. Um an update from last month's reports. So, we're still at the point where we're still doing 2425 reports and 2526 because we haven't quite closed out the 25 2425 school year. So, um you have the 2425 uh general fund revenue report. And if you will look at the bottom of that first page on that one, you'll see that um currently
012our estimated ending fund balance for the 2425 school year is looking better than it did last month at 876,944. So, as we're wrapping up all of our spending and invoice paying and and whatnot, um it is looking better, which is which is good. Um going on to the 2526, of course, that impacts the 2526 um estimates. And so, last month we were about 220 negative is was my estimate. Now, we're um positive. So, this is good. an estimate right now ending fund balance for the 2526 school year of 314,750. So still well below the 925,000 or excuse me the 8 and I got that number again. Um the 800 and 9,000 that we budgeted as an ending fund balance. So we're still off from that. Um but it but it is looking better. So uh
013we have been talking about ways to bring that back up. And then you have the dispersement report. So um with those things said any questions on any of that. I don't have anything additional for you if people have any questions. Thank you. Now we're on to item eight, superintendent report. >> Um I have just been um very excited to be in schools. Um I'm at the high school every Tuesday spending time with little ones and big ones. Um, I had uh an opportunity to be at um 7th 2 last Thursday. It was awfully fun. And um tomorrow I will be at Lewis Clark. So I'm really excited to be there. Um it is uh and I was at McBride today. I got to go visit some amazing classrooms and students um at lunch at PE
014and actively in the classrooms. Um too bad we didn't get to recess. Um, Jack went with me. Uh, it was I'm just the hum of our staff and our students um is just really precious and it reminds us of why we're here and um why we're here doing the good work um even in complicated times. And so I just want to thank all the staff that are here this evening for all the work that you're doing with our students. And um it was really funny. I was in the hall with my high school the other day and there were, you know, because I when bell rings, I'm out there like, "Okay, go to class." Shuffling kids to class like you would in a secondary level and there were some students sitting there. They were talking
015and I was like, "Hey, it's time to go to class." And they turn around, they go, "Oh, there's another teacher." And I said, "Superintendent." And they went, "Superintendent." They started running because I behind the door. I'm like, "Okay, go to class." And they all went to class. It was so cute. Um, but I um I love it. It's um so much fun and I'm just very lucky to be here. So, thank you for all that you do. >> Okay, and we're on to board reports. So, I think I'll start with our student representative. I'll go down to uh Director Russell Killings and then just kind of work our way this way if that's okay with everybody. >> Okay. >> Do you have anything you want to add for your >> Okay. Sure. had a great
016two weeks or something. Yeah, which is really good phones have been okay. Students are on their cell phones at least in class which provides good like student like you see students more hanging out so much like you see students at tables like actually talking to each other. So just like traps by the screen so that's nice and like talking to more staff about the school. >> Thank you. Yeah, director Russell. Um, I'm gonna piggy back off yours just a hot second because I had one parent tell me that their child is now reading because they are not um on their phones at school anymore and so they are carrying a book in their hands and I was like, "Oh, they're speaking my language." Um, I visited well so I did I did go out and
017um help schools when they first started with just their comingings and goings. I visited Columbia City um and McBride and then more recently this last week I made sure to try and hit Columbia well sorry not Columbia City Louisis and Clark and McBride and just kind of peek in on almost every single classroom just spend a few minutes in there getting to know like their teaching style and they sang songs and they did art and steam was fun and it was just we have the most amazing teachers. And I I think sometimes everyone gets lumped in with the very few the very very few that um have done damage. And it is by far so many teachers that are just phenomenal and who have been here for decades and who love these kids and you
018can see it and feel it and it was just an amazing experience. Um, I think the hardest thing was witnessing some of the special education struggles and seeing the difficulties in those rooms that some of them are really experiencing and just um just making sure that we find ways to support them um because I think when we it's bleeding over into our genet as well and so it's becoming a bigger problem and so I just I hope that we can really find some ways to work around that. But even they are showing up every day and I will tell you that I left one classroom just feeling sick because I was so sad for what they are going through. And I'm just so impressed that they show up every day and that their dedication to
019these students that they love they still talk about how much they love them despite what they're experiencing on a daily basis. So, but overall it was just a lot of fun to be in those goals again and see the kids and the teachers and staff and all the things. So, >> well, I just have two things. One is that I've waited made it through week number three flagging and not one person has yelled at me, screamed at me or any other things and I've been told thank you over and over again. That is impressive. >> I can attest I made it through a couple times without you yelling at me. Yeah, I always got accused of that. I was like, anyways, but um and the other thing I want to bring up too is Chad,
020am I right? Is this Friday night the football game at SC? >> No, it's next Friday. >> Next Friday. >> This Friday's home game. >> Okay. So, this one's a home one. So, I just want to tell everybody to tell everybody they know to be at that football game because both of them. But that was probably the saddest I bleachers I've ever seen at any football game. And I don't want our community to not be there for our kids. So that one's cool. But I also don't want us to have a football game in Scampoo and we're not there either. So anyways, and so I wanted to point out, Ted, is what you guys might not know is that we've had a competition with Scampoos as board members for quite a few years now. And
021I'm pretty sure we still have the trophy right now because we kept winning it. But they they come up with a game when it's their year that we have to do against the board and vice versa. So I remember if you could check in with them and see if they're wanting to do that so that we can >> I can honestly speak out. The board chair from Scapus reached out and said, "Hey, you guys want to do a board competition or >> Oh my god, I'm very competitive." >> But I don't know what you're talking. >> It's awesome. He's very competitive, but we keep eating. He said more information to come. >> Okay. Okay. Cool. So, I just want to make sure we were all on the same page. Everybody knew about that. So, you
022could put it on your calendar to get to football games. >> Cool. >> Not to exclude any other sports. Just tell >> the volleyball game. We went to the game. >> Um I had a I'm done. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay, great. Um, I had a tour of the high school that was kind of fun and that's the first time I've seen it since it's been open and completed and it's it feels massive and new and nice and that's pretty fun. Uh, easy to get lost. I got lost twice. Um, yeah, I got lost trying to find my husband's class. >> It is totally very different because what used to be outside is inside and the different the library is not the library anymore anyway, but if you go outside and you start over and
023when you get lost. >> I don't want to get lost out and have to defend. >> Um I also had a chance to be a part of the listening session last week with uh students and families about the cell phone ban and that was at Plymouth High School and that was really enlightening. It's also really cool to have just dialogue so that they understand this is not us trying to enforce or you know come up with these new rules but we do have to enforce the law and to see and hear how it impacts them. Like a couple kids talked about um that they were just their time management wasn't good because they couldn't look at their phone and their smart they're all wearing smartwatches. I mean I me too. And so like the idea
024of maybe we need more clocks around and um and also the safety concern and we took all of that into consideration when we had our first read through of the um policy which was really nice to have student input as well. Um, we also were successfully they started a middle school PTO and they're already making money and able to bring back some of the items that have been cut from the budget which is awesome. And I think that I tried to stay off social media some um, but there's a lot of negativity out there and I think a lot of people just want to move forward, make sure that nothing is swept under the rug, things are changed. we would want to move forward with hope and sometimes rather than talking about what's broken, finding
025ways to revive something. My my oldest daughter is 28 and she didn't have outdoor school. She survived. She had a great childhood. Does it suck that we don't have outdoor school right now? It totally does. It's not forever. It came back and she was just g um but it came back eventually and that's what's going to happen here. we're going to get through a financial hardship and things will come back when they can. Um, and finding ways to still encourage imagination and um, and the love of learning. I think that we can do that and be creative and talk to more of our community members and see how they're willing to contribute. I mean, a lot of the discussion um in the community has been about the lack of uh buses for field trips. And
026as a former PTO member, we raised a lot of money at our school so that we could have field trips and fund them. but the equity in it and making sure that all schools have equal access to things. There's so many things that can be brought into the schools that give everyone an opportunity and then you can use your PTO money in a different way that benefits and or save it if that's what you want, but use it for benefiting your school in other ways because kids imaginations if you tell them they're losing something, they'll know they're losing something. if they see something else that's exciting. Maybe it's not the zoo that you were hoping that you got to chat. But there are just are so many ways that we can be a positive impact
027in kids' lives um that don't require field trips. So I don't know, just finding the hope in things instead of looking at all the negative. That's kind of my takeaway from the last couple weeks. >> I don't have it dressed up as a line. >> I can do I can dress up as >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm not going to be as eloquent as you folks. >> So, people don't know, my wife and I were a foster resource in Columbia County, and we took in a young foster kiddo. So, I braved lunch duty at McBride, and you think, you know, it's not that big of a deal. I go, I got this. This is no problem. So, you know, nobody really showed me the ropes. So, we kind of all go in there and I'm
028watching all the kids come in lined up and they go to their tables and following their teachers. All a sudden, I see hands start going up. I'm going, "Oh, what's all this going on?" And so, I walked over and asked somebody and they said, "Uh, they're raising their hand because they want something." I said, "Oh my goodness." I must had six or seven kids with their hands up around me, you know, dealing with all their little requests. It was so fun. I enjoyed the heck out of it. But uh it's a blast and I enjoyed myself and I plan on doing much more of that to different schools too. Um one thing I was really happy to see is Dina Nobel. Um they were threatening to close their plant but they ended up selling it
029and it looks like the plants could be kept open. So fortunately for the families that uh that work there um hopefully they can still stay in the community. Um there's other I attend uh council meetings and there's another industry coming into town some kind of a mill and I can't remember the name but they're in they're in negotiation with the city right now to start doing that the last time they were talking about water rights so it must be getting close and that's all I have does anybody have anything else birthday >> oh no thank you thank you I've heard that so many times I got some after heard this other time if nobody else has anything to add. Okay, we'll go on to 10.2. Declare school board positions vacant in the next steps. So,
030um we received the email from Billy Aos on October 27th, 2025 that announced he said, "I'm retiring my position on the St. Helen School District board of directors effectively 827 2025." And he signed a billless. So with that um we need to open up position or posting going out saying taking applications for replacement board member. So um we'll be coming up with that here soon to make a motion make a motion here. Can I wait a little further down action item? Oh, thank you. Okay. Sorry. I was kind of crisp. Somebody wrote over a little bit too much. Okay. So, um we'll be making a motion and opening up that position. Um get that rolling. Uh in 10.3, excessive sexual molestation library liability insurance. >> Um SML quote from SHS. We are really excited um
031that we um have been offered more liability insurance because we originally when I first started >> right before I was transitioning in we don't have any liability insurance and I went what so we worked really hard to get a very minimal amount and I'm gonna let Christie talk about that realized I didn't introduce myself last time for the public I guess Christy Woodard um chief financial officer um yes So, we uh as we worked with our um insurance provider last spring to look at what our coverage would be for this year, um we had some challenges with that and um were told that uh we would maybe not have any sexual ab sexual um molestation liability coverage. um we ended up coming in and having 2 million by our provider which um was a significant
032decrease from what we had previously. Um we then worked with our broker to see about going out to excess um coverage providers and so we were able to get 6 million uh total. So an additional 3 million from the excess provider uh for a total of six million. So they did give us three million from our regular >> Yeah. So um anyway, so we've been we've advocated with our broker. They've been really great to work with. We've been cooperative. So they um so anyway, we we're now at six million. So the additional cost for that is 240,000. Um we did budget for a significant increase as we knew that that was coming. We were advised early this year that uh it would be a significant increase potentially double and it and that's what it about
033is compared to last year. So, between our regular coverage and this excess coverage, um we're about double what we were last year, but the additional will cost us $240,000. >> And that is for what effective dates? >> Um so, we um I talked to um our leadership here, HR, Dr. Paris Brown, and um we were able to sign a letter saying that we weren't aware of any claims back to July 1. So, it will go back to July 1. So that will be July one of 2025 to June 30th of 2026. >> So prior to that we only had a $2 million. >> No, we had I realized as we were sitting here I was like what was it before? It was at least 10 million. >> That's an average. 10 million is an average.
034And um they when you have um a lot of claims it it you know it's your your risk ratio a lot higher. So as we move forward, they've really shared that a over time we can see that the the liability will go up and the cost for it will go down, right? Um and so it starts this one would start July one could be what retro whatever. >> Yeah. July. >> Yes. Yes. So what we're bringing it to in transparency because it is an extra 200 some thousand than what we agreed to when you we brought the brown and brown to you originally and so we just wanted to make sure we you know had it on you know in the public that we wanted to share this with you. We've not just put it
035in a consent agenda item because it is increasing. >> What did we have in coverage last year? >> 10 million >> that was 10 million. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any questions? Any further questions? >> No. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> 10 point. Financial reports to the school board. Any discussion around those? >> Oh, sorry. >> Come on back. >> So, um you know how Christy always asks, is there anything else that you need um at the end of the financial statements and you you know any questions and stuff? So she we wanted to hear from the board if there's and it was actually requested by a board member too like what do we if we want more information from the finance department that the board would take action on what that information would
036look like but also being able to understand the impact that it has on a department or an individual employee. So we we're open for that discussion as that I think that's what that was about. >> Okay. So, that would be probably me. Um, I'm just wondering if we can get answers on the grants that funded teaching and learning. Um, uh, the details of the training and travel expenditures for last year and what roles were funded by those grants. >> And then travel and training. >> And she's just sharing they have to vote, right? I'm just writing it down. >> Yeah, I've just had a number of um teachers express um just some concerns and I want to make sure that the teachers know that we're we're up here fighting for what they are asking for
037as well. Um because it just their money is missing too. So um but then uh also a full accounting of district issued credit cards. It's my understanding that they didn't have to have any reconciliation reports. Could be wrong. I'm just wondering if we could get reconciliation reports or monthly statements on the credit cards that were issued for the district. >> When you say when you say reconciliation, >> just like monies that went out and that monies that what they were accounted for or was it just like did they have anything that they needed to receipts just anything? always 100% every month. >> Yeah. So, if we could just get that, that's all I'm looking for. >> So, what what are you looking for? Is that just the statements and the reconciliation reports on credit cards
038that went out to our district employees? >> I think that there would need to be a discussion at this point about um for board business. What would you need that for for board business, I guess, is what my question is because >> whatever you're asking Christie to do takes away from all other stuff, right? And so I want to make sure that there's a conversation around business. I mean, you know, what is what is this information like when she says, you know, what do you need this for? what is the um debt? So >> also important to understand that our role as the board is not to spend the money but to say here is what the money we have to spend your job. >> Right. But we do have oversight. And when we have
039this much in funds missing and we hear from teachers that are coming and saying, "Hey, money is missing >> or at least believed," I want to be able to say, "Hey, we did our job and did our oversight and looked into it. And if it's here, it's here. And if it's not, it's not." And I want them to be able to be comfortable knowing that we did our part and we are also fighting for what they're asking for. And it is our job as oversight to know where funds are going and if they're missing then we it is our job to find out. >> I think that it is missing the right word. >> Well, I'm just going off of what I've been told. I don't know. I kne I know that funds have been
040moved between accounts. Um my understanding is that special education had money missing uh or or they don't know where it went. um as well as uh a shop teacher um had a certain account that so you're right missing is not we just don't know it's just our job as oversight to make sure that we're asking the right questions and we are in the negative a lot >> and I just want to make sure that we're doing our job to make sure it's moving in the right direction and you know that we've pulled back business or credit cards from the district that we're now doing ordering differently. It's possible too that departments don't understand the cuts that are happening too. I mean that can possibly be where like they maybe had funds that they are used
041to that they don't have anymore. So that there's a possibility for that. Well, >> this would be able to answer that for them. Okay. >> Maybe at some point we could do is and I know we did it once before is that we just allowed a certain time period though that we had the staff was able to send questions in whether you and her together that they have and they get their their answers to them and it doesn't need to be something that's our involvement. just make sure that they have that availability to do that if they if they have some real questions, >> right? And I also do want to make sure that it is um clear that when sometimes when we're asking specific questions about things over and over again or that we're
042um we have specific um staff members that want certain things, I think it's better to think about what does this board need to do, right? Like we talk about that balance governance, right? In the roles that you sit in to monitor that circumstance, right? We're getting into that season where we're going to be starting that audit and then we're going to be starting to do the budgeting for next year, right? We've already talked about how there'll be reductions and that I'm reorganizing um the district office. And so I really think that those types of conversations um you know you getting the update on the financial statement you have this overarching balance of that right and I feel like getting into the the weeds of it really isn't a good use of the time at a
043board meeting or a good use of her time to have to produce specific reports. That's just my opinion and my recommendation. Um and as our board and superintendent operating greeting agreement state that um careful consideration of each recommendation made by the superintendent that was my expectation at our um work session. So I would ask that during this time where we are trying to um rightsize and audit left and right trying to figure out like because we've come into a circumstance ourselves right and we're trying to figure out lots of things in the departments and I think that that is um I just feel like it's I would like to know clearly what the purpose of all of those are. Well, we've had a a huge interest in in a financial audit like an overall um
044what was it called read the >> the forensic audit and we do not have the finances to do that and we have been asked by so many community members. These are their tax dollars. And it was something that was mentioned over and over again when I ran that they wanted to know where their money was going and they wanted this audit. We cannot provide this audit. And so the best thing I can do is try and answer some of these questions that isn't hard to pull a 12 month uh statement, 12 months of statements or I'm just I am trying to make sure that we are being transparent with this this county's money or our the monies that our citizens are putting into this. And so when you ask why, it's because they have wanted
045to see a forensic audit and we don't have the ability to do that. So, I'm trying to honor them the best that I can, >> right? Um, my opinion though is a forensic audit is very different than asking for credit card statements, >> but it helps them get to where they're trying to be or asking for teaching and learning grants. Like, these are they seem feel very specific and a little targeted. I'm just going to be really honest. And I feel like that transparency needs to be here because this it it it shouldn't be like this, right? When we do an audit, that's specifically an external audit. When people come in and look at the dollars, when we are going through this year, I recommend that we do line item budgeting. We've talked about it
046in departments. We talked about it with um union leaders that we know exactly where money is and where it's going because that hasn't been done here. >> It's a I know. So that's that was though a board adopted budget that happened last year, right? People adopted a budget. We also adopted a budget that was what 2% ending fund balance when you have a 5% policy. We have a 5% board policy. So for us to say that those two items are going to help figure out any >> those are the two items that I have teachers questioning the most that I have people saying help us understand how this works. Those are the those are the questions that I have received the most on that's all that's why those are chosen that's where the transparency is.
047I mean they can come up and I think that some have reached out. So >> I think it's important for my opinion that these requests have to come through the proper channels. >> They have to reach out to their their supervisors and if they don't get the proper answer then work it out that way. And >> you're the ultimate in charge person of all the money >> between you and Christie. But there's a lot of stuff that that it's not about missing things necessarily. There were a lot of things that we all came in wanting things to be a little bit different and that's just not the reality. And so I mean our agreement with you is that we trust you to do your job and you're doing that job. we trust you to do
048your job because she trusts you to do your job. I I am not disagreeing with you, but I think that there's a lot that we just don't have clear answers. And that's part of this thing is that she is trying to get clear answers and she is trying to get clear answers. And by having all of these requests, you're taking time away from them trying to get clear answers and how to fix things, how to fix the budget, how to and people are certainly welcome to go to budget meetings. They are open to the public, but I did go to the budget meeting. The budget did not look like what we have. >> So did I. And but here's my let me just say the Nati report the very first page and it was from
049Melody. We trusted too much. It was the very first line in that statement. We trusted our superintendent too much and we did not have oversight. I am simply asking to do my job as oversight. That's all. And it doesn't mean that because we stepped in to a bad problem, it doesn't mean that just because we stepped into a bad problem, we don't want to go back and make sure we don't make the same mistakes again. >> Yes. But I I really I I really want for what you said to be heard. It's not just one thing, two things, three things. We got a lot of stuff coming at us. And it feels like a little targeted and strategic is what I'm going to say very clearly. >> And it's not okay because it takes away
050from the work that all of these wonderful people are doing on a daily basis. >> And I want I would like to I would like to maybe at a board 2 by two that we could have a conversation about what it specifically is it that you want. >> But I've made that clear. Hold on. Because now I feel like this morning you just a few minutes ago you were like, "Hey, I feel targeted." >> Well, I feel like you wanted it to stop. >> Absolutely. But I'm saying I'm responding to what this board member just said about that you and there's extra work. >> Okay, that's fair. You're absolutely right. Absolutely. But I am going to remember that we all trusted too much and it got us into a position we're in. And I it's
051okay for me to ask for things for oversight. That's our job. >> Absolutely. And it doesn't mean that I don't respect you or the respect all the work that's being done, but we don't just we can move on, but you still have to take accountability or at least look at what happened beforehand or you don't know what to fix in the future. >> I feel like we need to give her a chance to make the changes though. >> Absolutely. And she is she's making great changes, but it still doesn't mean we stop doing all the other oversight. But your the oversight is specifically oversight for the things that we cannot tell you before. And what I don't understand is is how oversight came into very specific details on very specific. >> We sat here with
052RNR while he went off on, well, if I want a loan, I just call up Superintendent Stockwell and he'll give me $13,000 for a bus. I don't have to. I can just do an inner office loan. Okay. Where's that documentation? Well, like that's really unfair. Like you're saying, >> but that didn't happen. It didn't happen. But >> that's what was said. And so hold on, please. Just give me a minute. Because when a board member comes in here and starts stating how he has all this money and he can do whatever he wants and when he wants something, he's going to call and get more things. And then you want us to just be like, "Oh, I won't ask questions." That's not fair. And it doesn't question you're asking, "That's not the question. >> I
053already did and got turned down." Because he didn't actually ask for a third. I mean, he didn't actually do the things that he said. I think you find that out >> because it was said, >> right? I mean, >> no, I think in the board meeting, yes, it was. Christie said when he was talking about the 13,000 overbudget >> about the bus >> and you said there was 13,000 over budget and that happens a lot in funding where you're in a grant and you're there before the house sells. >> This had nothing to do with over budget. This had to do with he wanted extra money to buy a bus and he asked for an inner office loan and Scott just paid too much. I don't recall that conversation and I wasn't sure what happened.
054So >> yeah, and it's okay. That's what I'm going off of. And so and he did say that but he also >> no disrespect to him said a lot of things >> that you know or always >> but I don't know that but I don't know that right >> and neither does >> but neither do everyone else who has the same type of questions for that and so to just ignore this community's questions on topics like that when we have statements like that and just be like a he is wrong. I mean, I can clearly tell you don't want to do it, and that's okay. I just wanted to put it out there on the record that I'm requesting it. And if it's denied, that's all right. That's everyone's that's your job to you can
055vote. >> It's not that I'm saying that I don't want to do it. I just don't understand like I still don't understand the purpose behind why. And so maybe that's a deeper conversation at some point. um and having an audit or coming up with RNR program or giving some detailed budget and history behind it. I think that is leg that's a legitimate question. I'm not saying that's not a legitimate question. I said bring it into the board and this is the time you could bring it to the board, right? You didn't talk about RNR in your first request. You talked about >> No, I No, no. I'm talking about at the board meeting tonight. Okay. Yeah, that's what I'm talking. >> There's a lot of parts. Yeah, it was there was credit cards and the
056grants, but but I don't didn't hear specifically the partner, but >> it's in there. >> Either way, here's the thing. I'm just doing what I've been asked to do, and I'm going to show up for our teachers and staff the way they're asking me to. And if they're not getting answers, following procedures they've been asked to follow, and they come to me because they trust me, I'm going to put it out there. You don't have to agree. You don't have to vote for it, but I wanted on the record that that's what I'm doing and that's what I told them I would do when I was here. >> We had lots of times over lots of different years that were different, but I have to tell you in this whole last year, it's probably in
057all the years I've been around, it's the most chaotic and changing number of people that you could ever have had. Let's hope never ever close or worse. But to keep up with it to me, I feel like you haven't had enough time and you even to even go to work with so many different people and so many different things occurring for that last full entire school year. It's going to take a while to for you to even know what page that you guys are all on. So we got some we're gonna just going to take some time to even come up with all the answers. >> Can I Sure. Um, I I understand where you're coming from and that you have some specific questions. In my experience, I think what would be helpful is if
058when you're discussing this, if you have very specific questions, I um was told ABC and I'd like the superintendent to look into this. I've actually said those things to her. But we're talking about at the board meeting, you have to do that because as an individual board member, you can't email the superintendent. That's why we were going to bring up the board superintendent operating agreements. And so I feel like if you want something that's this is the place like she's asking you to ask her the questions. The board determines what we do. >> Teaching and learning needed. So many special education teachers needed people in their classrooms. They needed bodies in classrooms. They are lacking the bodies in classrooms. While teaching and learning took over 80 trips across the US. One was to a trip
059in Lincoln City where there wasn't even a conference. It was a bonding retreat. Um was that paid for on school diets? I would think that those teachers that are working really hard in their classroom that could use bodies that a teaching and learning like grant could have funded them to still be having a body in the classroom that could have paid for that instead of a trip to I don't know Lincoln City or first class to go see the Grand Old Opry um with their friends. um they made trips, but none of those equal bodies in classrooms that could have helped that super special education classrooms that are drowning right now. They would go on trips and post trips and teachers would say, "Hey, that was >> Yeah, that would have been great if instead
060of you guys on that trip, you could have been in our classroom." And I have teachers here tonight and I would love to hear them back me up on that. They watched those posts go out constantly every month. Eight at least. Some of them flew first class. Those that's why that's why I haven't I would like to know why didn't we put those teachers in classrooms last year. I'm just so >> that is a teaching and learning grant that I want to know >> why we didn't offer it. We don't have teaching and learning grant. We have an integrated guidance grant. So I don't I'm not sure what teaching and learning I gave you those components of what the grants that we have. Um is that for this year >> or both last year? It's
061been with the state for many years. It's not just this year last year. But I want to address some of the things I heard about staffing. Jeff and I went into several special ed classrooms today. The staff to student ratio in those classrooms is a lot. There's there are a lot of staff. There's one class that has seven staff. >> Yeah. There's and there's classes that have three, four, um, and one teacher. Um, at the high school, there's quite a few adults in the classroom. >> Definitely. Yeah. So I think that the comparison I get where you're coming from about how money is being spent and where you know that we want more FT in certain areas and certain spaces but that has to come around from like staffing and m and looking at the
062classroom itself and and what's students needs that wouldn't necessarily mean like >> I'm going off of teachers who are saying we needed help in classrooms, whether you feel that way or not, >> they needed it and they felt like instead of getting it in a teaching and learning grant or whatever, because I wanted to know what it was supposed to cover, why we didn't use them to get teachers in classrooms to help out some of these classes that are struggling. That's all. So I don't know if I we could even answer that the specifics behind why >> the funding can be used in multiple ways and to include putting staffing in special ed classrooms. >> The pro the one thing about staffing in special ed classrooms is there's as well maintenance of effort right and
063so you have to monitor how much money you're spending each year and making sure that you're maintaining that maintenance of effort. So, I don't know if those decisions were made based on any of that because we have a really high percentage, right? 20% um with students with special needs. So, those types of question increase. Yeah. The staff has stayed the same or a little less% increase. >> In the last five years, we had a 20% increase in special education in the last five years. So, it's gone up 20% and we've actually gone down in staff. >> Oh, okay. because that's not what the auditing says to the Department of Education around the MOE, right? That the enrollment of our students. So, I I'm not quite I'm just saying I'm not I don't see that information.
064I don't I don't see that that's that drastically. I've heard we have 20% of our students are um with special needs and we only get what 13% 11% Oh, it's gone down. 11% from the state, right? And so that that's huge, right? And so I the I don't think that what you're requesting is going to get to the gist of that other than this is what happened, right? This is what you think happened and this is what happened. Right? Is that what I'm getting at? >> I'm just trying to these teachers questions when it comes to hey, we saw this, this, and this and we're in here drowning and have been ignored for decades. We have a 20% increase over the last five years. And we've actually lost teachers in the classrooms for special education.
065And so if I can provide answers for them, I'm going to try. And they specifically mentioned teaching and learning. And and I saw it myself. I mean, they traveled. They felt like they were out of the schools more than they were in. They're not doing anymore. >> Well, they're not. You're right. >> And that's great. But it created a problem to where now we're ready. We're almost I worry that some of these teachers are just so close to walking. They're tired. They have been ignored. >> Yeah. >> More ways than one and not just teaching. >> Yeah. I don't I don't know like what specific financial statements would get to resolving that. I think lots of conversations would help like and um the work we're trying to do with um leaders even next week I
066think is a good conversation with union leaders and um district leaders and really focusing in on special education and what inclusionary practices should look like. Um but I don't think that I'm just not understanding how how that will get bring the other than giving them hey this is what I looked into and this is what I found. >> Absolutely. If that's what they're asking for, then if that's where they think, hey, we were really really ignored and the money went here and it shouldn't have, let's call it out so we can stop it from happening again. And maybe maybe teachers will talk to it tonight. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. But >> I got to encourage the staff to work through their chain of commitment, too. I mean, my company I
067work at, if I go around somebody, I get in so much trouble. I'm not trying to use that as a bad example, but I always have learned to have to work through the chain of command and then has to get to the superintendent if she has to take care of it. >> Well, and I think you also have to have some compassion and empathy for the fact that a lot of these teachers worked through the chain of command for decades and their files went missing or things were removed or I mean we have it in the Noatne report that there was destruction of documents. It was something that was given. Okay. Oh, just keep on working. >> Let's move on to board operating agreement. >> I uh I brought this up because I Pearl Harbor
068the teacher here a couple the superintendent a couple times. A couple things I asked. It's probably not appropriate way. I dropped the bombshell on you and I didn't realize it did it. Um, and I had to reread this whole agreement. And I want to make sure I got publicly apologize to you for doing that. And um, I said I was going to do this agreement. So, I have reread this agreement a few times. And I just want us to all remember we all sat down and agreed to it. And please, let's follow it. Now we get to go on to 10.6. Oh boy. OSBA August 2025 policy second read. Everybody wants to switch over to their >> There are some that we didn't even really get to last time. And and I think at least
069two of them were sort of a priority. >> We got to do tonight. >> You guys did get all of these. >> No, no, no. >> These are the ones we didn't get to. >> Which ones do you recommend we work on? You had at least a couple staff members that needed a couple of them done before. >> So, um, she still sit there at the table. So, and these were to you already. One was the DV DB the balance and the other was EA, the student transportation services. >> Yep. there in the attachments of the agenda items that was sent out. >> So I guess can we talk about fund balance first? >> Yes. So, um bringing fund balance policy um DBDB to you to review because it does say in board policy that
070um uh so below the numbers one through four says the board directs the superintendent to manage the currently adopted district budget in such a way to ensure an ending fund balance ending general fund balance of at least 5% of total adopted revenues. As we've talked right now, the um board adopted budget for the 2526 school year was adopted with a 2% ending balance. So um I think the board recommending that the board consider either changing policy or doing something to recognize that we have a 2% any fund balance in our current. So, but I think what also is that the board and budget committee, you know, acknowledged that they were spending down to 2% and then you then the board adopted a budget with 2%. So, they publicly did that, right? But it's not it's
071against policy because our policy goes something different, but it's so dangerous because if we change it 2%, you know, we really want it at 9%. So I don't know if we say like for the 2000 just for this year because that's what the board adopted budget had we had agreed to. I don't know how you like do it. So we were trying to acknowledge in some way that we're we kind of have the conversation we're either going to change it or we're going to recognize that we aren't in um we aren't following our current policy right now. Right. And that our goal would be to get when we plan for next year's budget that we make sure that we don't go below a 5% and meet that balance >> and then change it back. I
072don't know. That's kind of where the sticky wig is right now. So I say to be to be legal since we aren't there but we need to say that we aren't there but that is our goal is to be there by the end of the start of beginning of next year to the best of our ability. not locking yourself into doing it if we are not able to. >> I know you you can still make that kind of a policy though and vote to drop it for temporary and it's still your goal to put it back. But you've got school districts in our state that never are in the black. They don't have the money or they don't have the amount of students necessary to even get them going. They take out loans. So there's
073lots of different ways still to do it without being like illegal or doing it wrong. Just got to be up front. >> We adopt it at 2% currently and then we start looking at next year's budget and then we say as a board maybe we can kick it up to 5% and change it back over or >> amend it again. >> I just don't like the idea of having a this >> right and it says the super And I'm not maintain. Are you asking us to change the policy? Yes. >> Well, to 2%. >> To 2%. >> My worry is that because it does say the superintendent will maintain and I had no control over the us making it a 2%. I wasn't here for that. Right. And so we need to acknowledge that. >>
074So I think >> is it actually less than 2%? >> Right now it is. It's less than 2% when we consider the fact that they added property and it wasn't sold. So, are we how much really truly are we when we take out the $450,000 that they counted as monies that we don't have? >> Where you are right now at three, right? >> So, tell us what it is. >> We at 2%. What is it for 2%? >> It's a little So, I don't know how. So, what are you wanting us to say? We're only going to be at 0.05%. Z 5% to actually make it to where we're at. >> So I I guess I'm wondering like how that's why we brought it up is brought it to everybody's attention because we felt like
075we don't know if people knew that by the when we adopted the budget that we felt it needed to be there needs to be transparency around >> so we just wanting to be transparent but not touch this because I don't know how we can touch it and bring it in at a 05% is where we're at right now. Well, and our current budget is sitting at 2%. >> Do we actually have the money for that budget or are we still short? >> We're working on that. We're making adjustments. And that's where in my mind that's where it's like um manage the currently adopted district budget in such a way to ensure an fund balance. And so that's so that's what we're currently working on is ensuring that it stays at the 2%. But um so
076I think it's just for the board to consider to say again like Dr. whereas Brown was saying acknowledging um publicly that it is that we don't currently meet board policy um or adjusting board policy temporarily or at least this this is for you I think to decide and we're we're just bringing it to your attention so that you can make a decision about what you want to do about the fact that we currently are being I think that for my I would think that we would just acknowledge or we're gonna have this never ending I agree Okay, next one. >> Um, you're welcome. >> Um, next one is policy EA, which is student transportation services. Okay. >> And, um, there is a discrepancy in the second paragraph. So the second paragraph says elementary students in
077grades K through 8 who live more than one mile from school will be transported and secondary students in grades 9 through 12 who live more than 1 and 1/2 miles from school will be transported. Um so unfortunately OD transportation manual um just says elementary students and secondary students. But um my recommendation is that we align this policy to how we as a district recognize elementary students and secondary students and that we change elementary students to be in grades K through five, K through five instead of K through eight and secondary students to be grades 6 through 12 instead of 9 through 12. >> And that's the only change you're suggesting. >> That's the only change I'm recommending. And then we're recommending that we do the one read and adopt. >> Yeah. I Yeah, I would
078like you to consider seeing this for the first time tonight. Minor change aligning with our practices at transportation and aligning with the way we recognize elementary and secondary as a district and so consider first read and adopting tonight. >> So that can be changed. Thank you. >> What other ones do we really need to get looked at tonight? Is there any other >> Are we ready to do the phone reading? We were Okay. So, the ones that you see on the action items, those are the ones. >> So, 12 through 12. >> Thank you. Those are the ones I have prepared for you tonight. >> The one that I think that you may want to look at is the cell phone because at our work session it was pretty back and forth about a lot
079of things. I thought we really got it down. >> I feel like you did probably but you went through. >> She want to make sure she get it correct. >> Yeah. I want to make sure it's correct because everything looked good and then you decided on the thing. Oh, well then that's going to change that. So I just want to make sure that it is the way that I want you guys to >> when she tried to listen it's hard to hear. So >> yeah, >> it was hard for her to hear back to make sure she marked them correctly doing minute. So if we you want to pull it you want them to pull it up or >> one quick takeaway from our last meeting. Um people reached out and said one person speaking.
080um when we're all talking that little mic is picking up every conversation and it's really hard to understand what's going on when folks are online >> every movement on a table. >> I will I will do more better job at regulating everybody to one conversation and then moving on to the next one. >> I also the first reading through of the cell phone policy was way different than the first reading we had of the OSBA policy when we were at the summer conference. So for us too reading it, it was there were a lot of there was a lot more flexibility in the policy that we could >> adopt than there used to be. So >> and it could change more, >> right? And like you will Yeah. >> I think as I went through
081it with her the other day, I think we got it up to speed, but we wanted you to take a look at it. Make sure >> There we go. Make it bigger. >> Yeah. And also um if you if you got your work packet and the agenda, there's a agenda link in there that'll take us right to this policy. I'm staring at it on mine from the agenda and it's all marked up the same way. So this is this is someone's version that we ended up and I went in and I edited a little bit with her because she didn't remember and I think it >> I think this is all good. I think going >> further down. What is interesting? Yeah.