001We'll get started in just a minute. [Music] Five. Okay. >> Okay. Well, >> Tom hasn't called in yet either, has he? >> I'm not seeing it on there, Michelle. >> That's not Tom on there, is it? >> Oh, there we go. Nope, that's you. >> That's Everyone else has left the call. [Music] >> Good evening. [Music] Are we the only ones? [Music] >> Really? >> My apologies. [Music] >> And I'd hate to see that guy's medical. >> I shouldn't joke like that. Please, dear God, don't strike me down for that. Oh, is is Where's Joanne? She's She's sitting tremendous. She's [Music] Welcome to Google Meet. Enter the meeting pin followed by the pound key. Thank you. You're joining a call with more than four people. Please mute your phone. >> Hello. >> Good evening. It
002is 503. I am calling to order the Wednesday, September 3rd, special board meeting. >> Mrs. Schul, can we get a roll call, please? >> Yes. Juan Romero >> here. >> Joanne Rue >> here. >> Megan Miller. >> Brian Nichols >> here. >> Tom Henkins. >> Okay. >> Yep. I heard you. Uh Amy Levy and Tia Johnson present. All members are present except Amy Levy and Megan Miller. >> May I get an approval of the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Brian Nichols, seconded by Joanne Rue. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. The first item on tonight's agenda is the board clerk address. I had the great disappointment of having to um receive and accept our board
003clerk's um resignation and um this is his opportunity to uh address the board and his constituents. Mr. Romero. All right. So, I had to write something down for everybody. Um, good evening. Tonight marks my final meeting as more as a member of this board. And as of September 5th, I will leave the seat behind with peace in my heart and fire in my voice. And because I respect this community, especially those who put their trust in me, I won't leave without being honest. You deserve the truth, even if it stinks. And that's the only way things will ever change. I was only here 9 months before announcing my candidacy. And in April, I was elected top vote getter with 37 3721 vote votes. And I was told that was the most for a single board
004candidate in many years. That support meant everything to me. Not just because it was a win, but because it is what it represented. Electing a brand new bloer showed that a desire for change. Every voter who supported me. You are the reason that I still believe in this community. You reminded me that courage and conviction still matter. That people will show up for someone who speaks plainly, listens openly, and doesn't hide behind politics. You saw something in me, and that I will never forget. But I wouldn't be honest if I didn't speak to the other side of this community, too. The part that loudly claims unity, diversity, and inclusion while privately gatekeeping, backstabbing, and shaming everyone who dares to think differently. I've heard the whispers floating around the community about those five endorsees, how we
005must be in collusion and if as if the only explanation for people thinking independently, challenging the status quo and standing up for accountability is some kind of conspiracy. That mindset's not insulting. It's it's dangerous. Let's be clear about this. We're not puppets. We are individuals who came forward because we are tired of the hypocrisy. That's not collusion. It's called courage. I came to this role as a concerned Mexican-American father, a chico, a new bloider, a nonpartisan voice who does the research, listens before speaking, then follows through. In other words, I'm what I am what many of you claim to champion. But instead of being welcomed, I was attacked by many endorsements, dismissed for my views, my intelligence questioned and talked down behind closed doors. even heard rumors of community figures suggesting that there's no way
006I could have written policies on my own. That's it's demeaning assumption that couldn't have been more wrong. As Hispanic people, we're we're more than just hard workers. We are just as intelligent as anyone else. Don't call us marginalized. That words of crutch shoved into the minority populations to make us believe like we're unseen. No one should be seen as less regardless of ethnic origin. We are not invisible. We are here. We are visible. And our students deserve to see that reflected in our schools. Malcolm X once warned about false allies, people who broke who spoke the language of justice, not to uplift others, but to gain power and control. That warning still applies today. Too often, words like inclusion and diversity are used not as commitments to equity, but as tools of moral superiority. And
007in this district, we see it tightly woven into policies. In many cases, not to drive real change, but to signal control. The status quo of this board has been to allow board members to take meetings hostage under the guise of clarity in what should be discussion often turned into grandstanding monologues not for answers but possibly for things like ego or re-election theater whatever the case when votes are used as performance and when decisions get dragged out on they get dragged out instead of being made progress stalls. It's not just frustrating it's harmful. Our kids don't have the luxury of waiting for adults to get past politics. They need action now. Vision without execution is just a dream. This district doesn't need more talk. It needs results. Our kids need clarity, accountability, and follow-through. When things
008like safety are treated as an afterthought, discipline is ignored and attendance is lacked, then the student achievement has no chance to thrive. I've even heard sentiment at Bullet Memorial that somehow it's acceptable for kids to miss class because others would make up the slack. Yet, that kind of thinking lowers the bar for everyone and our kids deserve better than excuses. My honest constructive advice for this board, stop performing and start governing. Stop letting the loudest voices dictate direction. The direction of this district should be guided by the student needs, the real data and the duty that we all choose to serve, not by who can speak the longest or the loudest. Hold on to each other. Hold on to hold each other accountable consistently, not selectively. And don't be afraid to make those hard decisions
009cuz we have to make those here. holding off and dragging things out. It only weakens this board and this district and it hurts our children at the end. Without closure, there is no progress. Remember the brokerage and without progress is the students who suffer. You are you are all strong members. Reach out to each other to support one another in everything, not just the big stuff. I really I really did enjoy working with everybody at one point or another. And I can honestly say that each of you has taught me something. I still remember walking into my first meeting as a public member and thinking to myself, who's this who's this guy Robert? Why isn't he here to show the board what he means by that rule? Yeah, it made me laugh, but it also
010made me curious. So, I listened and I went home and I studied and little by little, I started to understand. I wouldn't say I'm quite as fluent in Robert's rules, but I got fluent enough to hold my own. Um, to call out things when things weren't right. Despite it all, I am grateful. This experience, and as difficult as it was, it has forged me. I've been tested, dismissed, and challenged. But I've also grown and I've learned and I've become sharper, more resilient, and more certain of who I am and what I stand for. I didn't learn this work to form to perform it. I lived it, I carried it, and I'll carry those lessons with me always. I'm leaving because it's my time to take care of the ones who gave me everything except my
011foundation of who I am, my parents. Their unforeseen health issues have made it clear of where I am most needed, and I refuse to compromise my priorities. I could never ask a district to put students first if I wasn't willing to put my family first. for salisch. To my supporters, you didn't just vote for me. You fueled me. You believed in a newcomer. You trusted a stranger to speak on your behalf. And that trust hit me right in my core. You saw something in me before that that many never even bothered to look. And I didn't take that lightly. Not for one second. I carried that trust like armor and it became my fire on the hard days. My clarity when things got ugly and my reason to keep standing when the pressure said to
012sit down. To those who misunderestimate or to misjudge me, I was never here to prove you wrong. I was here to stand in truth and the truth always outlast the politics. To the community as a whole, give each other the benefit of the doubt. I'm not saying forget the past, but don't let it blind you to the future. your opportunities. Don't assume the worst of people based on background or rumor. Judge actions, not stereotypes. Because when adults waste time on misinformation and personal battles, the kids are left struggling. Some still can't read at grade level in middle school, but that's where that's where we're at. Let's keep the focus. And that's where it must be there. To the kids in the district, all the students here, everybody, keep reaching for those stars. Search for what
013is right. Ask the questions. Don't be afraid to stand up and and for what's good and true, even when it's hard. And above all, be kind to each other. It will pay off in the end. I promise. To my son, never be afraid to question the narrative. The world will try to hand you readym made answers, but wisdom comes from digging deeper. Think for yourself. Stand on truth. And remember, integrity will carry you farther farther than any popularity ever could. Most importantly to my wife, Paige. Thank you so much for showing up every day with me. You weren't my support system. You were my strength. You are my You still are my strength. And I taunt to our next chapter much. I can now leave the seat in my dignity intact and my conscious clear
014and my soul unshaken. I leave knowing I stood on the right side, not the loudest side. #ite proud. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you, Mr. Romero. Thank you for your time served here. Although it was short, it was very productive and I owe you a great debt debt debt of gratitude for all you've done and the research and work you've provided. I'm Thank you. Mr. Romero, um I just want to say thank you for being a board member. Um I know the work in any board seat is hard. Um a lot of decisions have to be made. Some decisions are made, you know, right on the spot. Sometimes it feels that way. You know, sometimes decisions are made and and there's a lot more to come behind it. And so there's a
015I like to call it as a recipe, right, to this work. and you were part of the recipe to the work that's that that was happening here in Bo over the over your course of your time frame here. I wrote down some thoughts that I wanted to share. Um but you know you so eloquently pretty much shared everything that needs to be shared from your perspective. Um I I I do this one thing with the other board members as they exit. You know one word that describes my time with you and I want to say consistent. Um, you know, every time we talked, every time we had conversations or our conversations were consistent. They weren't all over the place. We both shared our thoughts. We both shared our opportunities and things that we wanted to
016kind of work on together. Um, things that I could actually do better myself um as a as a superintendent. And so, I just want to make sure I put that thanks into the room because again, our conversations were consistent. Um, that's my one word for you. I can give you some other words as well. diligent, you know, diligent, steadfast, you know, I always, you know, throw that other thoughts out there, too. But again, thank you for your your time on the board. Um, I never thought that any of your questions were out of place. You know what I mean? I know sometimes people think that, you know, they have all their thoughts about what we are thinking. Um, but I thought that your questions were questions that we just had to answer and try to
017figure out what's the best way to deliver that information to not only to yourself, but also to the community. You did speak for the community while you were here. the people that voted you in, I do believe you move with their voice and that's appreciative as well. Um, one of the things that, not one of the things, a lot of the things that board members have to do is they have to keep, you know, of course their their finger to the pores of both, you know, what's happening in the community and what's kind of happening in the district as well. And that's a delicate balance. Like I talk about that recipe, right? Um, you know, if you put too much on one side, it can kind of mess up the recipe a little bit. Put
018too much on the other side, kind of mess the recipe a little And so you're steadily learning that recipe as you kind of work as a board member. And for me, it's also a I'm a part of that recipe as being a superintendent. So I appreciate how we were able to kind of navigate some of our our conversations, whether it be internal from the school perspective, community perspective, or Dr. Garrison perspective. We worked on that recipe. So I wanted to say thank you to those things. It's kind of my thoughts in a nutshell. But again, thank you for your service to the school district. And I know that you will probably end up doing something like this in your next stop as well. So don't take it off the table once once once you throw
019it out there. It's kind of you kind of, you know, kind of you you kind of have to do it again. So always the board members always scratch their head like how did I come a board member again? Or why did I get back on the board? It's because y'all are board people. You know, we need people like you to to be a part of the conversations, right? And help help with decision conversations. And so again, thank you Brian. >> Yeah. I thought I was done at the at the policy committee meeting, but I'm just not after hearing that hearing your speech or your your words, not speech, but your words. And they are so they are so fitting one. And um I'm so proud to call you a friend and um as I said
020earlier, I just wish you guys nothing but the best. May the Lord watch out and bless you whatever you do and wherever you end up. And again, we would certainly welcome you back to Boyd if that ever happens, if that were ever able to happen. And um uh I love the I love the area you're talking about going to. So if you do decide to run for board, let me know because I want to become to come and be the first public speaker at your first meeting. So uh um I could add some some good comments to the to that board for you and the community. But yeah, you've you've you've sh you've shined in the community. uh you you gave the numbers obviously it was it was heartfelt. It was meaning meaningful to the
021community and uh I think you know I think the community is going to miss you too. Um and uh hopefully those that that will will reach out to you via email or text or whatever. But again, thank you for thank you for everything you've done for this board and uh you you've accomplished a lot in a short period of time and you you're to be commended. you've got a great family and uh and they they do come first and uh we we understand that. So, Godspeed. >> Thank you. >> Thank Thank you. >> Our next agenda item, board member appointment. The purpose of this item is to inform the board of the attached policies and the process for a special appointment of a bo new board member. Uh the other policy that also is combined
022with this is policy 132, the board member resignations. As um announced, board the board clerk submitted his resignation effective at the close of Friday, September 5th, 2025. Um being that it is from the board clerk, I have accepted this and informed the other board members. If the vacancy if the vacancy is posted on September 5th and 12th, the closing could be September 25th. That would be the 20 days. Applications can be shared with the board on September 26th. Special meeting is on September is on Tuesday, September 30th for interviews followed by deliberation depending on the number of candidates or interviews. This would allow a selection member to be sworn in and seated on October 7th. These are tenative dates and are subject to change. This is a timeline that is based on what we have
023in policy. However, the board can choose to extend the application process, which would inevitably change these dates. And please note that per policy 133, the vacancy must be filled within 60 days. Also attached um on the board docs are the samples from the last open position, board position from 2023. and we can use those as um samples for our vacancy postings for the uh board applicants resumeumés and for the declaration of candidacy candidacy by an elector. Any questions? Any comments? Dr. Garrison President. >> Go ahead, Mr. Henkins. Um I just wanted to throw in something that I have learned and you and I have discussed and I have with Dr. Garrison also that this term of this uh candidate only it will end in April and that uh then the position seat will be reopened.
024So, we're asking for applicants to serve out a how many months is it? Seven seven month uh term. And I think it is duly noted that that is the process and uh and correct me if I'm wrong, but it's restated to the public that what we're advertising for. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank Thank you for bringing that uh to my attention, Mr. Henkins. You are correct. In policy 133, rule one, item number nine, um, addresses the length of appointment when a vacancy occurs in the office of a board member who is in the last year of their term or when a vacancy occurs after the spring election on or before the last Tuesday in November in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of their term. the appointment shall
025be until the next spring election, which is the case here. Um, if the vacancy occurs after the last Tuesday in November and on or before the date of the next spring election in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of their term, the appointment shall be until the second following spring election. Seeing as how this is um not on or before the last Tuesday, the board member who is selected will have to um if they want to continue on the board, they would have to run in April. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? Dr. Garrison, >> it was just a comment and that was actually what I was going to share. Um so I don't have it coming anymore. Um I will say but um I will say
026too in this process naturally again the what's in front of you is the the timeline that's followed by the board and if the board did choose to change the dates in which we were going to work from um we would need to know that naturally because that's what's written here so we can put a different thing out to the community and to of course to the board. And so we just need direction if this is or direction we want to move in. Um I didn't put a motion to vote on this time frame. I don't think we have to do that. We didn't do that last time, Michelle. No. So just want to let you know that that's why you don't see a vote on the paper. Brian Nichols. >> Also, uh just just for
027for future reference for the individuals that may be thinking about running running, they would be running in the spring or in the spring, but they would have to have their paperwork in by January the what? I've got the January calendar up. Would it be the 5th or the second? Friday's the second. >> I think it's the first Tuesday. >> The first Tuesday. >> First Tuesday. Okay. That would be Jan uh June January 6 then at 5:00. Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Our next Oh, Joanne, Mrs. R. >> Um I just I I really loved that we had a Spanish-sp speakaking person on the board. And so, um, those of you that are out there that, uh, you speak Spanish, I strongly encourage you to consider so that we can,
028um, make sure that all of our constituents are represented. >> Thank you, Mrs. Row. And then I just want to clarify in order to get this um if you're going to follow this suggested timeline by board policy in order to get this in the paper and published on the 5th I would have to submit it to the paper like first thing tomorrow morning. So if that's what you're wanting just please say so are does anyone have any objections to this being submitted tomorrow to the boy Daily News? >> I don't hear any. So please do not. >> Thank you. >> Oh, >> do we need to vote on that? >> No. >> Next item is executive session consideration of personnel concerns and consultation with legal. A motion may be made on a vote taken to
029convene the board of education into close session pursuant to section 19.85 85 parent one parent B of the Wisconsin state statutes relative to the considering to considering dismissal, demotion, licensing or discipline of any public employee or person licensed by a board or commission or the investigation of charges against such person or considering the grant or denial of tenure for a university faculty member and taking of formal action on any such matter. Provided that the faculty member or other public employee or person license is given actual notice of any evidentiary hearing which may be held prior to final action being taken and of any meeting at which final action may be taken. The notice shall contain a statement in that the person has the right to demand that the evidentiary hearing or meeting be held in
030open session. Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. Motion by Brian Nichols, seconded by Juan Romero. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mrs. Schul. >> Joanne Rue. >> I. >> Brian Nichols. >> I. >> Juan Romero. >> I. >> Tom Henkins. >> I. >> And Tia Johnson. >> I. >> Motion carried unanimously. Thank you. The board of education may reconvene to public session in order to take any action if necessary on items discussed in close session. Thank you and have a good night.