Business, Operations and Finance Comm. and Regular Board of Ed. Meeting - 6/3/2025 (5:00 p.m.)

001Good evening. This is a call to the order for the Tuesday, June June 3rd, 2025 business operations and finance committee. It's 501. Um Mrs. Shopee, could I get a roll call, please? Absolutely. Amy Levy here, Tom Henkins, and Brian Nichols here. Everybody's here except Tom Henkins who was unable to attend tonight. Could I get an approval of the agenda? So moved. Uh I'll second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. Agenda approved. Could I get an approval of the amendments? Oh, you were not here, were you, Mrs. Mrs. Levy? No, because as I put in our um interest form, I'm not able to come to meetings that start at 4. So, you may want to hold off on the minutes until the next meeting. Okay. We'll uh we'll move those

002to the next meeting, Mrs. Shopee. Okay, we're moving on to the monthly financials 2A. Uh, M. Wood, it's your turn. Thank you. Good evening and thank you to the committee members. Um, tonight I'll be presenting the financial statements for the month ended April 30th, 2025. uh materials were posted in board docs and made publicly available. Um attached was a detailed um review of the of the statements, but I'm going to highlight some of just um a few things. Um so I wanted to first start out with the cash and investment report. Um I'm not sure how much detail we had gone into before on the cash and investment report. So I just kind of wanted to give an overview. Excuse me. Excuse me. Yes. We don't we don't have a screen. For vice chair, is

003it ask if is it okay if I ask a procedural question? Absolutely. Would you like questions like as you're discussing that section or at the end? I think as I'm discussing them, it would be easier because then I'd be on the the Perfect. Thank you so much. Thank you. Um, maybe I'm not in the right I wasn't in the right Google Meet. Just one second. Yep. Just one second. Okay. Okay. Um, before you is the cash and investment report. And on this report are all the different banks that or bank accounts that the school district utilizes. The first two accounts on the list are the general fund checking account and what's called the ICS shadow account. Um, both of these accounts are at first mid and the IC shadow account. What it is is where

004we keep most of our money and then the funds sweep from that account into the general account as the money is spent. So that um we're not keeping um so we're only keeping a smaller amount in the general fund checking. And I I do see on here that we do get a higher interest rate, but it's also um structured differently for the the um uh oh for the um collateralized portion of the the investments. So the ICS shadow portion is collateralized differently and that's why it's kept in a separate um bank account. Um we do however have on the very bottom the general fund investments at PMA where we are getting a slightly higher interest rate. So we've been moving monies into there to take advantage of some of those higher interest rates. Um the

005other accounts on here um the health plan account is our self-funded health and dental insurance. Um, that's where we're keeping track of the ins and outs of those accounts. Um, the next account, the food service account, may look a little odd because most of the time it has a zero balance in it. So, that account, what we're using it for is all the deposits that come in through the um, food service department, which is a separate company. So, we keep those funds separately so that they're not having access to our main general accounts. Um the the next accounts are the debt service accounts and those are recommended by the DPI to keep it a separate fund because we levy for those funds separately would have a question. Yes sir. The um the general fund investment

006that you just mentioned that you're moving money into is that what was done this past month or or how and how much of that is interest? Do do you know that? I'm just curious. um at the general fund at the bottom because it's it's it's 915,000 more than it was last month. So, did you move money into that? Yes, that is correct. So, yep, we had um I talked to PMA and the they had like a $4 million investment that I could put the funds into and it wasn't just quite 4 million. So, yes, that's an investment that we Okay. moved money into there. There was um interest that we got back in um in March that was because those um investments we had about $6 million invested there that came due and now I

007put another investment in there and then those um funds um will mature June 30th and July 3rd and we'll get about 40,000 in interest from those investments. Okay, awesome. Thanks. Mhm. Um, let's see. Back to my list here. Um, the capital improvement fund is a fund 46 fund that's set up so that if districts do have extra funds at the end of the year, they can move move funds into that account to use for uh future capital purchase or capital improvement projects. Um, was there any other questions on the the banking? Okay, Mrs. Levy, thank you so much. If we could just back up really quick to the monthly summary report. Just one quick question. So, I noticed that our net change for April 2025 um was down about 3.2 million. And so, my question

008is, is this a similar net change for this time of the year or is that atypical? No, that is a typical change this time of year. So what happens in March is we get a large um influx of funds through our um equalized aid payment and then in April, May, June and those those funds continue to go down. So as um we go through um April, May and June um the expenditures will be a lot more than the revenues. Perfect. And then my next set of questions are for the section you just finished, the cash and investment report. Um, our net change for April, uh, as I mentioned, you know, not great, but seems typical. However, our cash and investments for April 2025 is about $3.3 million higher than April 2024. Am I reading that

009correctly? Um, yes. Okay. Um, because we didn't utilize the PMA accounts until this fiscal year. Okay, perfect. We did not have those accounts. And then you mentioned that the food service fund is usually zero, but could you just circle back and give me a bit more information? Like why is that fun typically zero? So we have um staff in the buildings for um chart walls that are not our staff and they have um deposit books for kids that bring in money for um alle cart to deposit into their accounts and it it's usually small amounts. I'm going to say there's maybe $1,000 a month that transits through there. So, at the end of um every day, the bank moves those funds into our general fund, but the um Chartwells people never have access to our

010bank accounts. They have this separate bank account. So, that So, kind of like a side door kind of. Yes. Okay. Um and then my other question, no, it's under fund balance. So, I'll hold that one. Okay. Thank you. So, next on the report is the monthly purchasing commitments. So, attached in your report was a report of all the purchase orders that were done in the month of April. And the only large one on here um let's see was the purchase of the 150 Chromebooks through the common school funds. And this purchase was approved by the board on April 15th. Um, were there any questions about any of the other purchase orders? Okay. And then moving on to the revenues for the month. Um, the let's see here. Um, like I stated before, the largest revenues

011um that the district receives are state equalization aid and that's received in September, December, April and or not. Yeah, April and June. I'm sorry, that's wrong. It's March and June. When I did my um autofill, I accidentally changed March to to April on this line. Um, so the large deposit in March makes it look like we have a lot more revenue. And then going into April, May and June, then um our expenditures are higher than our revenues. So in April, the largest uh revenue that we received was for property taxes, which was about 797,000. Um we also received common school funds or library aid, which was 446,000. Um and then um we also had um the interest on the investments um which was about 67,000 for the month of April. Um I grab this report

012here. So the yearover-year comparison um we're right on track to where we were last year for revenues about 62% year-over-year and that percentage is in comparison to budgeted numbers and then looking at all funds um the percentages are very close as well for year-over-year. Um, were there any questions on revenues? I have none. Board member Levy, do you have anything? No, thank you for checking. So, moving on to expenditures for the month of April. Um the majority of expenditures for the school district are salaries and benefits. Um salaries and benefits are about 80% a little over 80% of the total expenditures for the month. Um, the rest of the expenditures are made up with Whoops. of mostly purchase services. And a lot of the purchase services are things like um utilities, transportation, um some contracted

013services and um and oh and contracted cleaning costs. Um the fund 10 overall expenditures are down from last year and this is probably mostly due to wait further down here are down from last year mostly due to cutting of staffing costs, cutting of um cleaning costs, um transportation costs going down and um ESSER dollars from 2324 that we're not expending in 2425. five. Um, and if we look at expenditures overall, it will look a little odd. I'm going to go back up here for a minute. It will look a little odd because in um 2324, we did have a $14 million payment of debt service. That was a one-time payment. That will not happen again in the future. So, when we look at um year-over-year, it looks like we're way down, but a lot of

014that is due to that large um debt service payment that happened last year. Um are there any questions on expenditures? Board member Levy. Thank you. Um so, my question has a financial impact, but it may be more of an administrative question. I noticed that you mentioned that cleaning services um had decreased that expenditure. Has there been any like noticeable concerns in buildings like lack of cleanliness or cleanliness at a different level? Anything that that we need to be aware of? there's been some some some internal things that we have to work on mostly in the aspect of how we upkeep our own spaces um in the district. Um as you know we've had the wonderful opportunity of building more relationships um in the buildings based off of class communities and bringing lunches to the classroom

015in elementary buildings. Um however that has also brought about a lot of um um and I'm trying to be kind in how I say this. I'm not trying to you know point out anything but it's also brought brought about a lot of cleaning um opportunities in which we it is a huge challenge and so there's there's both opportunities and some of the things that we needed to work on and I think we also are working on a better remedy to that that space and so overall there has been some challenges with the red reduction of our cleaning opportunities um but you know there are these are the challenges that we faced due to um the lack of funding that we also So I guess my my kind of question and conclusion on that. So at

016the extreme end which I I'm I'm hopeful we are not there. There are like critters um as an issue of cleanliness or etc. Um so it sounds like this may just be an inconvenience. People got to chip in a little bit more. We are not at the other end of the spectrum. Is this something that we need to revisit and say, "Hey, I know this is a costsaving measure. Um, but like cleanliness standards are still being met. Are we are we in a good spot as with the expenditure that we're currently seeing?" So, I don't want to say we're in a good spot. I think we're in a make do spot currently. Um, that's where we are in the school district. I I believe we one could argue we would want more services in this

017space and I think the teachers and staff may say the same thing in that space. However, we have you know the staff that we do have and we're doing uh the best we can to keep things as clean and as orderly as possible because cleanliness is a very important part of you know academic learning if you ask me. And so uh we are doing the very best we can to keep that at a level in which we can you know continue with student achievement. Thank you. No other questions. Um I'll be moving on then. Um the last um section here that I wanted to um point out was our fund balance. Now, looking at the fund balance at this time of the year is a little misleading because like I said, we do have that

018influx of revenues that happens in March and then we spend it through the rest of the fiscal year. Um, so that is why our fund balance looks like it's inflated at this point. Um, is there any questions regarding fund balance? Bo member Levy. Thank you. Yeah, just one quick one and thank you for keeping us grounded in kind of the es and flows on a year-toyear like average. Um, where has our fund balance been hopefully for those listening at home over the past two to three years? So, our fiscal year ending fund balance has decreased over the last three years. So, there has been a deficit the last three years. Okay. Can you just give us a ballpark for those that may not be super familiar with our fund balance as far as the exact

019dollar amounts? Ballpark. Just ballpark. Yep. Okay. So, on this report that you're looking at in front of you, if you look on here, the ending fund balance from 2324 is this 10,493. Yep. Yep. Um I believe the previous school year it went down approximately a little over a million. The year before that was it two? I want to say it was around two and the previous year before that it was around either it was six or four. Thank you. That's all I needed. And then our estimated budget um I know at one point we were around 100 million and I think we're a little bit less now. Could you just give us an average of our like annual budget? Um, so if we look on the expense report, let me get back up to fund

02010 here. So the budget for 202425 is the 93,449, but that is only the general fund portion. Got it. Um, and hopefully for those listening at home, per our policy, we want to be around 15 to 24%. um to have that as a reserve in fund balance. So just to give folks some context. Thank you. That is correct. Now leading into the next discussion um um that I have here tonight is um the rating that happened with um for our bonds that we have. And um this rating um uh notice that came out from Moody's on May 21st did downgrade our rating from A1 down to A2. Um the rating is um based on a number of factors including the decrease in the fund balance that you just pointed out. um the um failed referendums

021that have happened over the last um two years and um just the overall reduction in um the count of students that we have and um uh the district's fiscal outlook. Um now the impact of this rating is really on the bonds that we currently have. So, if we were going to refinance them at this point, that would not be advisable because they did downgrade our rating. Um, which we're not looking at doing right now anyway. Um, if we were to go to referendum for a debt, then we would ask for a new rating to be done at that time. Um, this doesn't affect like our short-term borrowing that we have coming up. Um so but in essence we would want to improve our um ratings by doing things like working on our fund balance and

022improving our um financial situations. Are there any questions? I have none. Mrs. Levy, thank you. Um just a couple questions. So, one, um, is there a way to appeal a rating or does that happen by requesting a new rating after you've done something differently? So, um, um, the rating process is, um, the ratings board asked us to send in on a call. So I signed in on that call with Baird and um some other members of our team and we went through all of the things that we've been working on to improve our financial situation and we talked about you know the things that are happening in Bo that are positive new um construction that's happening the new um casino that's going up and stuff. Um then the Moody's board meets and then they make

023the decision. I I don't know that there's an appeal process for it. Um, I I did not ask that, but I can certainly circle back to that. It was just my curiosity, but it seems like like a known remedy is to ask for another rating and and I guess it would make sense after you've done some things differently. Correct. Okay. And then my other I was looking at the key takeaways. Um, and it says, you know, the the change from A1 to A2 reflects the district's weakened reserve position following three consecutive operating deficits. Now, it's my understanding that we pass balanced budgets. So, if I'm understanding that correctly, did we approve a balanced budget and then end up with a deficit? That is correct. So, a balanced budget doesn't necessarily reflect how the revenues and

024expenditures happen during the the fiscal year. So, during the year, there's a number of things that can happen with your expenditures. Mostly in the districts, it is your salaries and benefits. So, if your benefit costs come in higher at year end, um so for example, we have um self-funded health and dental insurance and if the claims come in higher at year end than you weren't expecting, then you have a deficit budget. Thank you for that clarification. Appreciate it. to to Mrs. Ley, were you done? I am. Thank you. to that subject. Was it last year that that happened that we had a huge uh insurance? Yes. For 223. Yes, that was correct. Or I'm sorry, 2324. Okay. Yep. Right. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Okay. Zela, thank you uh as always. You did a

025great job. And um now we'll uh we'll move on to the the next item which is potential line of credit dispersement request item 3A. So tying um thank you. Um tying into the es and flows of cash happening in school districts um is my request to be able to utilize the cash flow that we have set up. So, currently at um First Mid, we have a um cash flow line of credit for $7 million. Now, we don't, in my opinion, we would not need to use the $7 million. We would only need to use at most the $4 million of that line of credit. Um and the reason why we need to use that line of credit is um like I was explaining that um cash in the school district comes in only in certain

026months and we still have payroll to run every month. the accounts pay a to run every month and in June we should not have um a low but in the first payroll in September um we could have issues with um low um cash balance board member Ley thank you um thank you for for laying this out and the the level of detail that was really helpful. Um, so if I'm understanding this correctly, we may need up to that 4 million between July 1st and October 31st, but the reason we need to make this decision now, um, I thought I wrote that date down. We have until June 30th, correct? Before that 7 million cash line expires and we would have to reapply, I'm assuming. That is correct. Yes. Okay. Um, so just a couple questions.

027So funds that are borrowed but not needed, you had mentioned could be invested and we could take advantage of that slightly higher interest rate. Um if we did that and then oh in September we do need this. How quickly could those potentially invested funds to get that higher interest rate become liquid? Yep. That's a very good question. And so when I do investments with PMA, I make sure that I'm watching the dates for when the investments will mature so that I can pull the funds out when I need them. So when I do like this last investment, I knew that we wouldn't need after looking at the cash flow, we wouldn't need the funds until after June 30th. So that's it's not because of that investment that we need to do the cash flow. It

028is because of other expenses. Yes. So would you potentially put all of the money that is not immediately needed or would that be staggered? So we would have flexibility in that this portion will be available at this date. This portion we might have to hold off a little. Yep. So I will work with our investment team at PMA to look at how much we can get for investments for short term and make the decision on um how long and how much interest we can gain on those those monies. Perfect. And then my last question on this, um, so let's say we get through October 31st and we're good and we still have some of that money left over. Are there any prepayment penalties if we want to go ahead pull that money out after we've

029earned that interest and start prepaying? Yeah, I would repay the money as soon as we got our um, first equalization aid payment and could pay the money back in September. Okay, that's what we did last year. We looked at um the cash flow and as soon as we could pay those funds back, we paid them back and there is no um prepayment penalty on them. Perfect. Thank you so much. Okay. Um yeah, you did a great job in in describing this and I do remember we did this very same thing last year and and u so thanks for clarifying all that for everybody. Um, could I get a motion to approve a line of credit dispersement in amount not to exceed 4 million if determined to be necessary to support anticipated cash flow needs between

030July 1st and October 31st, 2025? So move. I will second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion carried. We'll move to the full board. Mr. Nichols, um we we may need to go back to the monthly financials and um approve those. And I apologize I didn't jump in right when you started. You're right. You're right. Yeah. Just want to make sure. You're very so correct. Yes. So, we'll move back move back to 2A. Uh can I get a motion to move the April 25 uh monthly financial statements to the full board for their consideration and approval? So move. I'll second. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. I. I. Move to the full board. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Gear. Okay. So, moving on to 2B

0312425 contracted services purchase approval. Thank you. This is the um the only purchase approval that I have for you tonight is our renewal of our um Microsoft subscriptions so that we can have Windows and um Microsoft Excel, Word, those types of products. And this renewal always comes late in the year. Well, that was going to be my question. I It's It's like we're we're asking for approval after the fact, but we're not. No, we have not paid this bill yet. Okay. Um, so sometimes software um, renewals are done later in the year and this one in particular, we want to make sure we're only paying it once a year, too. So last year it was paid in June of um, 24. So we're we need to pay this one in June of 25. Okay, thank

032you for clarifying that. Uh, board member Levy, thank you. Just a quick question. Um, if I'm understanding this correctly, this is already budgeted. The only reason we're seeing it is because it exceeds that $25,000 threshold. Yes, that is correct. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Uh could I get a move approval to move this to the full board of education uh for approval for the 24-25 school year? Uh, I move approval of the recommended contracted services for 2425. I'll second. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favors say I. I. I. Motion carried. Move to the full board. And the next item is 3C 2526 contracted services purchase approval. Mrs. Elwood. Thank you. So this list of software is our items that are needed for everyday running of computers and different programs.

033Um the first one is Skyward. Skyward is our software that we use for finance and for student side um running payroll, doing student records, um attendance, um all the finance stuff, budgeting, everything. Um, the next one is that same Microsoft renewal that we just talked about, but it's for the next fiscal year because we thought we'd put it on here right away to make sure that, um, we brought it to your attention. Um, the third one is our Whiskinet, um, which has our internet provider. Um, I did want to point out, um, after talking with, um, TC Networks that this actual cost isn't $98,000 to the district because we do utilize -ate funds to cover probably 85% 90% of 90% of this cost. So, the actual cost is really under 25,000, but we we left

034it on here for tonight. Um the next um software is Extreme Networks and that one is the um the wireless Thank you the wireless software. Um and then number five is Squirrels which does our Ditto which um we use for presentations. And then um the last one is the CDWG which is our Google workspace um Google Sheets, Google presentations, all of that suite and our Gmail. Oh, I should point out also, I'm sorry, um the squirrels is actually a three-year contract. So that 79,000 is um for the three full years. So it's a little over 26,000 a year. And the um Google Workspace is not 81,000 per year. That's a three-year contract as well. And it's about 27,000 a year. Are there any questions on any of the board member Ley? Thank you. My screen

035froze, so bear with me. So if Okay, so a couple questions. one and it's kind of tricky for me because we haven't approved the budget for 2526. So I guess my my question is the amounts that are listed here, those are in line with the budgeted amounts for the budget that we haven't approved yet. Is that accurate? So these amounts are pretty much in line with what we paid the previous years. These are nothing in here is new software. This is all software that we've been using for years. Okay. So, yes, to continue services as usual, this is the amount. Correct. Um, would the administration be comfortable with removing whisknet? Because it seems like with the Ebates that's going to come in under the threshold. Um, so that way we don't need to preapprove that

036because that would be handled anyway. Or is there something that I'm missing? No, that's fine. Yes, you can remove it. Does anyone object to that? I asked um Mr. Slayback that that that whole question. I think it'd be great to just remove it slowly. She said we just keep that one going. Sure. Okay. Thank you. Good catch. Thank you. I do have a question. Are are all these are every one of these a three-year renewal or are these just the one-year renewal of a three-year contract? So, the Extreme Networks is a one-year. Um, but I I say that, but these are pieces of software that they've been using and would probably continue to use in the future because a lot of these pieces of software are unique. Yeah. And there's no alternatives. Okay. Um, and

037the um the Skyward one is a a one-year contract as well. Mhm. So, don't don't throw anything at me, but if we are any of these something that we could look at and get potential bids to replace or is that is that going to would that absolutely throw the system into haywire? No. I I will speak to Skyward. Okay. Um, Skyward financial does have some competitors. Okay. But we are Skyward and um financial and student side or student suite combined which is a little bit more difficult to find a piece of software that could replace both of them at the same time. Okay. That would um talk to each other. Um but there are the like I said there are competitors though. Okay. I'll just move down the list then. Um so Wisnet we're going

038to move that one. extreme networks. Uh overall the answer to that one would be yes. We have to finish another year. It supports our current hardware, the access points that everybody connects to the wireless now. Okay. Um but we could also uh add that toate once recycles. So we might be able to take that off the list too because we might be able to get rate funds for that the following year. Okay. And when we go to replace the hardware, we always go out to bid with through the RFP cycle with collect everybody and then we potentially could end up with a new vendor. Okay. Excellent. Um, Ditto, that is a three-year. Uh, this will be, I believe, our last 25 26 will be the last year for that. Um, and then we could potentially

039look at something else. Okay. Um, with how it works with all of our different products, we would probably lean at sticking with it. Um, and that is directly through them. So, there wouldn't be another vendor. Uh, Google Workspace, um, that'll be our last one next year. In theory, we could go through a different vendor, but they have really great pricing. But again, we could ask for the three bids. No problem. Okay. All right. Thanks for the update. No problem. I appreciate that. And nobody threw anything at me, so I'm happy. Okay. Okay. So, uh, any other discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. Oh, we need a motion. Oh, I thought I Nope, no worries. Um, I move approval of the 2526 contracted services. Um, minus whisknet. Whisknet. I second. Any additional discussion?

040Hearing? None. All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion carried. Move to the full board. Okay. Our next meeting date will be Tuesday, July the 1st at 5:00 PM. And could I get a motion to adjurnn? So moved. I'll second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. We are adjourned at 5:39. Thanks everybody. Good evening everyone. It is 6 o'clock. I am calling to order the regular board meeting of Tuesday, June 3rd. Mrs. Schop, may we please have a roll call? Yes. Joanne Rue here. Megan Miller present. Brian Nichols here. Tom Henkins is unable to be here this evening. Amy Levy here. Juan Romero here. And Tia Johnson present. All members are present except Tom Henkins. Thank you. I would like to request an approval of the agenda with

041the following changes. I would like to remove 7 C on advice of the administration. I would like to remove five B, C, and D. And I would like to switch the order of item six, consent agenda, and item seven, board action. Sure. Remove 7 C from on advice from administration. Remove five B, C, and D. Yep. Those are the reports to the board with the exception of the superintendence report and switch the order of the consent agenda and the board action. And the reason I'm requesting that switch is so that we can um get our wonderful guests out here before the storms come. So moved. Second. Motion by Megan Miller and I'm sorry I didn't hear who was that Mrs. Levy. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Motion by Megan Miller and seconded by Amy Levy. Any

042discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I I I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. Tonight for the pledge of allegiance, we have Principal McReynolds from Hackett Elementary here to introduce the students that will be leading us. Mr. Mc Reynolds. Yeah, good evening everyone. Uh, tonight with me from Hacket Elementary, I have two fourth graders who are in our dual language program. We have Siana and Jalia. And if you've been around Hacket at all, these two are always together. They're BFF, so this is very fitting. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much for leading us in our pledge. Next is our board president report. Good evening and

043thank you for being here with us in person and everyone who's with us virtually. At our last regular board meeting, I made the statement that the CISA6 invoice for the superintendent evaluation was over $19,000. Although the invoice did not have this explained, Mrs. Schop clarified to me that the fee for service portion of the invoice, which is about $18,000, includes the software for the frontline evaluations of the district's educators. Please accept my apologies for this error, and thank you, Mrs. show for helping me understand their invoice statement. This is a busy time of year as we wind down the 2425 school year. This is a time of year when we have to say goodbye to retirees and employees moving on to other opportunities. Last week, several of us attended the years of service and retirement

044celebration. 18 staff members this year are retiring and were recognized. They are Sharon Carr, Jacqueline de George, Christine Egan, Sach Sachi Funk, Jolene Hall, Mora Heis, Carla Helt, Patricia Klene, Holly Corbal, Christopher Lee, Kelly Maloney, Susette Nunees, Don Rolfman, Susan Schmidzki, Jennifer Schindler, Tim Vedra, and Shirley White. There is no way we can possibly express the profound appreciation we have to our employees who have contributed so much of their energy, knowledge, patience, and time to helping our students become fine young adults. 56 employees were recognized for having served in the school district of Boe for 10 years or more. We are proud to have such devoted staff members and we work we are working diligently to create and maintain positive environments for all school district of bloit employees contracted service employees and volunteers for years

045to come. When you see her please give Mrs. Jolene Hall who has been with the school district of Boe for 40 years. An extra show of gratitude for her enormous level of commitment to the district and the greater boy community. Her years of service as with all of our employees extend so far beyond just our school campus. Thank you all school district of boy employees. The dedication of our employees was again obvious at the Blit Me Memorial High School scholarships award night. The numerous scholarships granted to our graduating seniors were phenomenal to see firsthand. These graduates along with all our graduating seniors which I believe we have about 49 will do wonderful things with their strong educational foundation. the school district of boy has provided and with their personal skills and talents. We are all

046looking forward to celebrating your current and future successes. Thank you to Hackett Elementary for the invitation to your end of the year carnival. It was beautiful weather for this well attended event. I had the chance to practice my putting skills and once again reaffirm that I will never be a professional golfer. But we did enjoy food and visiting with staff, students, and families. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to all the school district of Bo teachers and staff, as well as to our families who chose the school district of Boy. Let's continue to stand together, work together, and dream together for our students, our schools, and our community. Be kind to one another, and thank you. Next on the agenda, we have upcoming events and announcements. Board Clerk Romero. Good evening. These

047are the announcements for Tuesday, June 3rd. Last week, we celebrated our employees beginning with 10 years of service through 40 years of service. Congratulations to all of you. We also recognize and thank all of our retirees. Thank you for serving our students and our families in the district. As this school year comes to a close this week, we wanted to remind you that it is not too late to support our students. The high school academics, the high schoolmies are hosting a golf outing and fundraiser on June 12th at the Glen Aaron Golf Club in Jainsville. If you're interested, please contact Brian Michaels at Bichls at um the email is Bichls sdb.k12.wi us. That's B M I C H E L S at S D B do K12 wi us. It's a lot. Also on August

0489th, the Blunt Memorial High School Skills USA will be hosting its first annual car show at 600 Heavy Henry Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p. them. There'll be food trucks, music, a 50/50 raffle, and of course, car awards. Prices vary by age group. Graduation is coming this Saturday at Bote Memorial High School at 10:00 a.m. Congratulations to all our seniors. Truly. Next week, Monday, June 9th, inerson registration begins for currently enrolled students and families. Please come to the Kolak Education Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. to register your student or students for the next school year. Staff will be here to assist you if you need help with your login information or registration. You may also register online. If your student is new to the district, please come to COLAC to see

049our central enrollment staff to enroll first and then proceed to registration. Each of our schools has planned summer engagement activities beginning in June for the students and families. Please be sure to check these events out either on the district Facebook page and or on our website after June 9th. Also, I'd like to extend a congratulations to all of our eighth graders on their move to the n to the ninth grade in procession. Keep going. Our future board meeting dates include tomorrow, Wednesday, June 4th, will be the policy committee meeting beginning at 4 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 17th, the teaching, learning, equity, and pupil services committee will meet at 5:00 p.m. followed by the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. This concludes the announcements for tonight. Thank you, Mr. Romero. Next are our board recognitions. First

050up, we have the recognition for the Boy Evening Lions Club. Dr. Garrison. Yes. Um, first I'd like to say again, thank you to the Bull Evening Lions Club um for our first recognition tonight. And and I want to just share a personal story. Um, when I touched my glasses, I have to kind of hold back because um my my first set of glasses came from the Lions Club. And um um we we didn't have a lot growing up, you know, and um I don't know how else to say that, but thank you. And I didn't get a chance to to come to a Lions Club meeting until um earlier this year, and I was able to of course thank you all or thank Lions Club in general. Okay. Of course, of course, you weren't back

051in Mississippi in the early 90s, but um I'm sorry, late ' 80s. Um, now I'm dating myself, but um, yeah, but again, thank you so much for your contributions to our city, to our students, and and me. Um, for many years, my my mom and I walked the conversation with the Lions Club for glasses cuz I just couldn't see and we couldn't afford the glasses. later. I will say to you all personally that my brother um was an avid trumpeter and the Lions Club gave him one of the largest scholarships in the state of in Mississippi at that time. And so again, you're all's um contributions extended well beyond glasses, but also to my family in a very heartfelt way. And so I want to just say thank you again, that's a personal personal space

052uh for me, but also for our school district. I want to say thank you for all that you do for the school district of boy and the many vision screenings that you've done. Um so not just vision screening but everything that you do for our community. Thank you. And so we have a little small token just a certificate that I would like to present to um one of your members. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have the recognition of the teacher Diana Wish Wishowski. And I will let Dr. Garrison help me out with that pronunciation. And I'll ask u Miss Beerus to make sure I get it right as well. Is it Wasowski? Wasowski. Correct. Thank you so much. And so um give me one second. Get to the my screen.

053There we go. Yeah. Thank you. Um, so first of all, u, Mr. Powski is one of our teachers here in our school district and who has been named the 2025 WCASS region 2 special education teacher of the year. Uh, Miss Diana is often the first point of contact for families entering the school district of Bo and she represents us with incredible warmth, professionalism, and heart. Um her playgroup sessions provide a nurturing structured environment um where young learners can grow and thrive. The progress of her students make um from their first day to their last is truly inspiring. And so she's not able to be with us tonight, but I think it's duly um appropriate for us to give her a round of applause as well. Thank you, Dr. Garrison. Mrs. Schop, are there any uh

054public comments tonight? Yes, I have one in the room and I have one short email. Okay, we'll start with the one in the room. Okay, that would be Greg. Thank you. Members of the public are welcome to attend all open meetings of the board of education. Individuals attending board me are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner that models appropriate behavior for our students. Individuals wishing to comment are expected to comply with the norms found on the back of your comment cards and in board policy 187 public participation at board meetings. We ask that each of you contri contribute to maintaining a respectful and orderly meeting and prevent discussing confidential matters in a public forum by following these norms for public comments during board meetings. Thank you for your participation and courtesy.

055Greg, good evening. I have several concerns about the actions of this school board. You know, it has been a claim that transparency is very important. In fact, all of you used it when you ran for the board, claiming transparency is extremely important. Yet, you have chosen to move committee meetings to 4:00 when most working people are still at work. Board and committee members can't always attend, and meetings have seemingly been scheduled on different dates to prevent all members from coming. This not only lacks transparency, but it can be used to manipulate the outcomes of the meetings. When looking at the district website this afternoon, there were links to watch tonight's and tomorrow night's meetings, but yesterday's special meetings were not present. If transparency is really important, why aren't those recordings of yesterday's meetings available? If

056they were not recorded, what are you trying to hide? During the May 20th board meeting, a staff climate survey was on the agenda. And for transparency sake, um the staff climate survey is asking staff about their working conditions. Only after a board member asked a question did we learn that the board president created the survey personally without board members or administrative input. Her reasoning was, and I quote, "This has been a goal since last September, so it came down to the wire in terms of time and getting it on the agenda for tonight." Unquote. That is no excuse for not doing it right. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the board and committee leadership have removed the rest of the board or committee from giving input on the agenda items before voting. in

057some cases even ending discussion early. It appears that the majority of the board seems to have the information needed before the meeting, leading me to suspect that there is communication behind the scenes happening. If that is true, I question whether a walking quorum has happened which is in violation of the open meeting laws. The board leadership has been reminded several times in the last year to create a board calendar so items like this would not be forgotten. As the saying goes, lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine or an emergency on the part of the whole board unless that was what was intended all along. Another example is the lack of time for an extended discussion about the assistant principal positions that were covered by the Bo Daily News

058recently. The article stated that board members Levy and Johnson asked for an extended discussion in Bo. Thank you, Mr. Schneider. Mrs. Oh, sorry. Just switching tabs. Okay. This message is from Gus. I thank the board for your service and commitment to our community. Schools must be safe spaces for learning, growth, and development. You need administrators with a strong background in security and safety to achieve this goal. You address these two issues. I think this will solve student and teacher concerns in our schools. Teachers will want to teach in Bo and students will want to attend our schools. May God bless our schools, our families and this great nation. Thank you, Gus. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mrs. Schult. Uh next up we have the superintendent report to the board. Dr. Garrison. Yes. So

059um most of the um celebratory spaces was was shared in um both board President Johnson's report and um Mr. Romero's um remarks as well. And so again um naturally we want to thank all of our um retirees. We want to thank all of the awesome opportunities that we've had to celebrate our students over these past few weeks. But I also would like to express gratitude to the staff and of course students, families, and community members for their contributions and support throughout this entire school year. Um, I would like to personally thank all of our staff for their accomplishments and successes during this school year as we'll be represented in our internal benchmarks and future conversations that we'll have here at the board level. I also want to acknowledge the that we also still have challenges.

060Um, when I say acknowledge that we have challenges, it's a space for me to to to really reflect on where we are as a school district and where we also want to go. But we've also faced these challenges as a staff and we've overcome a lot of different things. We still have those challenges and I and I know that we can continue to come together and force and move forward with resilience and with a collective effort during this very difficult time fiscally. Um, as a district, uh, we continue to work, um, together and prepare for our 2026 referendum campaign. I think that's going to be very important as well. Um, looking forward to having more discussions around that. Um, looking forward to the end of the school year as well. Um, I know we got

061a couple more days here and so, um, I think we are all looking forward to the end of the school year. Um, naturally here at the district office, we don't we don't necessarily stop. There's always a time frame in between, but um I look forward to the end of the school year happening for our staff, for our students. That vacation time is always very special to families and students. Um whether they're doing a station or going somewhere, whatever it may be, may be filled with learning and of course um um happiness. Um we look forward to our graduation ceremony. Uh, our graduation ceremony as as stated will be this June the 7th here at 10:00 a.m. right at the Jacobson Field. And so to all of those who are um listening to this conversation and

062or thinking about coming to the graduation, make sure you have your ticket. I'm just joking. Um, so again, um, we look forward to our graduation space. Um, at the beginning of the school year, I take a a huge um kindergarten picture and from time to time I remind myself to go back and look at that picture because we see so many smiling faces, right? Um, so many aspirations that we don't know yet to come. So many um um just just excited to be sitting in the stands is it's a space to to to really see. And I remind myself at times to go back, like I said, to go back and look at that picture because although we have an exiting class coming up this Saturday, we have so many other classes that are right

063behind them that we as a community look forward should be looking forward to serving um day in and day out. And so, as we kind of, you know, go into this next phase of a of the school year, I want to say thank you to the to the school board. I want to say thank you to the administrative staff. I want to say thank you to the teachers to to the all staff for everything that you do for a school during the school year. But then there are also times that we don't see the work that you all are doing. And I want to thank you for that time as well because it doesn't go unnoticed by by me or anyone that I uh that I work with. And so again, I want to say

064thank you for the time that you've given us and the time that we don't see that you're pouring into our students and staff and into our families. And so with that, um, that creates, I'm sorry, that completes my, um, superintendent updates. And again, um, board President Johnson shared a lot of information as it pertains to some of our retirees, and I don't want to regurgitate that same information again, but again, thank you to all those who contributed to our school year with all those years of experience. And again, um, to all of our students who are experiencing a lot of those celebratory spaces this week, congratulations to those celebratory spaces. To our eighth grade class, congratulations to our again incoming classes, congratulations. And so, um, a huge thank you to to the school district of

065Boyd for everything that it does in the school year. Again, both things that we see and things that we don't see. Thank you, Dr. Garrison. We are now in the board action discuss discussion items. Our first item is the ad hoc budget finance committee recommendations to the board of education. Tonight we have ad hoc chair committee chairperson Mrs. Fox and she will share the recommendations for budget reductions from the ad hoc budget finance committee. Thank you. Hi. Um I did pass out the uh um some copies of the packet so that you can look at that. I'm kind of low tech. I don't know how to do all that stuff. So, you get paper copies. And if anybody needs a paper copy here, there's extra here. And anybody who is listening at home, it's all

066on board docs. So, so um my name is Carol Fox and I am the chair of the ad hoc committee. Um and uh so I have um a little presentation for you based on the little little packet that you just received. Um before we get started, I just want to remind everybody that these figures that we're using are estimates, not exact numbers. Um Baird used um information provided by the district to estimate a deficit set of $6.2 million. We've used average salaries and other figures provided by the district to assist in our discussion. Okay, these figures are good assumptions and help us determine progress towards our goal of reducing the budget. However, we must continually remind ourselves um that school budgets are ever moving and ever changing and none of this is written in stone.

067Um so last January, the ad hoc committee was newly charged with uh focusing on budget and on referendum including but not limited to the referendum of 2025. In February, we presented some goals that we believed were important to our district for the passage of the referendum. Unfortunately, the referendum failed, but we believe these goals are still what should help drive the decisions that we make as we move forward. These goals focused on the efficacy of the learning environment, reducing turnover of our teaching staff, and providing competitive teaching salaries comparable to other districts. So, as a result, we are recommending these things. So number one, we are recommending that uh we eliminate the suggested pay freeze for the teaching staff by utilizing up to a million dollars of the OPED funds. If we are to meet

068the needs of our students, we must provide support a high quality teaching staff. We must recognize the hard work and dedication of the staff who pro provide the instruction and support. And we believe that it is vital that some salary increase is offered to our teachers. Um, we recognize that at this time we're not including other employee groups who will be facing a salary freeze, but we recommend quickly addressing this issue if and when the budget picture improves. So then we also recommend and that's number two, eliminating the proposed insurance increases for all employee groups um using 500,000 of the OPEB funds. Again, we want to encourage and support our employees as much as possible and believe that increasing insurance contributions at this time would be counterproductive. To clarify for those who may have forgotten,

069OPEB stands for other postemployment benefits. Um, this is the title for trust accounts that were set up to pay benefits for retirees, people like me. Um, and it was usually health insurance. Um, this option has not been offered to employees for many years now and as of last year, there are no longer any retirees who qualify for any of the benefits. So, the trust can be dissolved and the money can be used by the district. The use of OPE money does and will lead to increases in the mill rate at a future date, but we believe that the increase is minimal when using this u amount of money. And we believe this is an appropriate and responsible use of those funds at this time. So then our third recommendation is that the board utilize the

070staff reduction recommended recommendations presented by the administration at your last two meetings. Um the failure of the referendum is dictating that we reduce services. We studied those recommendations and looked at class- size figures by the various levels and I included those documents in boards just for your information. Um so based on our study, we fully re u support those recommendations. Um part of those recommendations is the reduction of the assistant principal positions at the elementary schools and we support this as well. um few elementary schools in Wisconsin have assistant principal positions and while certainly an asset, these positions uh likely cannot be sustained at this time. I did note, however, that the recommendation for this week looked a little different in terms of the assistant principal positions. Um as you move forward with that, I

071believe there needs to be a discussion regarding criteria for when an assistant principal should be required in a building. you know why, when and where and why and how would we want an assistant principal? Um, number four, uh, we are recommending that COLAC staffing be restructured using a million dollars as the target for reductions. Our district has gotten smaller and as previously stated, the current situation requires reduction in services and COLA it must be part of that reduction. While a million dollars is the target, we're recommending a reduction of somewhere between 25 and 30%. So, we kind of went back a little bit. Last summer, the projected staffing at Collak prior to any cuts was 5,700 some,000. 30% of that number is 1.7 million. Um, reductions made for this current fiscal year came to about

072$700,000. So, so that's kind of where the million-doll figure comes from. Again, that's a target. um you know it doesn't need to be a million dollars on the dot. Um there are some current vacancies at central office which provides an opportunity for that restructuring to occur with minimal disruption and we are relying on the superintendent to to lead that organizational effort. So then if you look at the financial page which is the next page it sort of outlines where we are. So, we have salary freeze. That original number was 1.6 million and it's now at 600,000 because we want to use the um 1 million from OPED to pay for the increase. The insurance adjustments 500,000 um we we moved that down. So now you see OPE at $1.5 million. The accounts in February totaled

0734.2 million. Um then if you look at the next things that those are all positions district-wide positions, building level positions, those are all the ones that have been recommended um that be reduced. Um we we did look those over. Um again um we feel those are appropriate. Um, so, um, I did my stars wrong, but the stars over on the on the side are, uh, uh, for like secretaries, it just I didn't have the average, um, salary for those positions. I did have those for for the school district, but for these other positions, those were more of an estimate, some of the others. So, then you look at COLAC, there were two positions that were on the um, uh, recommendations. Um there um currently is another one that is on the new recommendations. Um so

074you start adding those in there and that would get you to the million dollars. There were a few other things that we discussed. Um technology was going to be reduced. That's estimated about a h 100,000. Uh custodial that's a pretty firm number at 500,000 and reductions in sports. the athletic director stated that he thought he could get 100,000 out of his budget without too much disruption um working with other kinds of agencies. So then if you add all of those in bold, we're at 6.3 million. So with the target of 6.2 um we're there with a little bit extra. Um so it gives a plan and um a way to to move forward. That's all we have. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Fox and the entire ad hoc uh committee. We thank you for your

075generously showing your expert sharing your expertise and knowledge with us. We also appreciate your time and effort, your dedication to this work and to the school district of bo. We appreciate your detailed documents and thorough reports which will be valuable in guiding our decisions. Is there a motion for the ad hoc recommendations? Just a point of clarification. It's listed as information only. So I'm not sure what the motion would be. Um there it's it's listed at the type as information, but it's under board action slashd discussion items. So, we certainly um can entertain a motion and I would uh like a motion to accept the report of the ad hoc committee and um that we move forward um directing the administration to take their cons their work under consideration and advisements as they proceed through

076the budgetary process. So, just for clarification, this is just receiving the report um but not necessarily taking action on anything that's in the report, not not binding action. Dr. Garrison and his team are still working on the budget. I would like for I I would hope board members would accept the uh recommendations that that we say to Dr. Garrison and his team um take these under advisement and consideration. Yeah. Work with them in your budget and um apply as many of them as you possibly can. No, no, no. And again, just for clarification, I don't disagree with that, but is that different from what's already occurring? I'm just wondering why there's a a need for a motion so that Dr. Garrison and his team understand we are as a board accepting these and strongly encouraging

077him to incorporate as many of these as possible in the budget. Can I make a motion? Oh, certainly, Mr. Romero. Um, I'd like to make a motion to accept the um the report from the finance ad hoc. um just uh ask that the administration take their recommendations into consideration as they prepare obviously the the budget the preliminary budget um it includes to include all the recommendations except for the exhibit A proposals only because we haven't heard of the new proposal coming now today um uh we haven't reviewed that is going to be presented today other than that everything else I would propose move to accept also Okay. We have a motion and a second. And I believe the motion is accept the report of the ad hoc committee and ask the administration to incorporate the

078recommendations with the exception of exhibit A. Was there more behind that? Mrs. Shope, did I get get it all? Okay. So, we have a motion by Juan Romero and a second by Brian Nichols. Any discussion? Megan Miller. Thank you. You know, I just put my hand up earlier just because um the previous ad hoc we've done a while ago, it was um to study uh language barriers for the district. We did do like a formal like acceptance of their report. So, I just wanted to share that out with the group. I think that's that's what my understanding is. And I think that's great. Um, now since Mr. Romero has made that um, motion though, I guess I would just want to bring up the point I mean we we've seen we saw exhibit A like

079it's been posted. So I I personally like I have zero problem accepting the full report like just and I mean I understand your point like we'll discuss it more tonight as a whole group. I mean I think we can still like accept and honor their recommendation and we're not necessarily like direct like that doesn't dictate your vote or your or stifle anybody's opinion or anything later. Um, so I guess I'm just going to throw that out there and if we wanted to make like a friendly amendment to like just accept the full report, I think we could. Um, I could catch your pitch on it, but I guess like personally I have no problem just validating like here's the work you guys did like thank you, accept it, and then it's going to get hashed

080out anyway, right? Between the board and the administration, but like I said, either way. Thank you. Any other discussion on the mo on the motion hearing? None. All in favor? I I I I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. Next, we have the resolution, the 2425.04 04 special education funding increase for Wisconsin public schools resolution. This is a result of um I was at one of the ad hoc committee meetings in the recent past and heard a discussion from some of their members about addressing the need for special education and heard a suggestion for a resolution. I talked to Dr. Garrison and um here is I will read the resolution with the recommended edits that I have received. The board of education resolution 24-25.04 special education funding increase for Wisconsin public schools resolution. Whereas

081Wisconsin school districts are currently reimbursed for a portion of their statemandated special education costs. And whereas the school district of boy has a financial strain to meet the needs of students with disabilities and the potential negative impact this causes our students creates equity gaps. And whereas the school district of bo spent 9.65 65 million to cover our special education costs not covered by the grant. And in the 20 or I'm sorry, in the 23 24 school year and to date for the 2425 school year, the district has spent 9.3 million. And whereas many Wisconsin school districts, including the school district of Bo, are in need of increased state aid. And whereas the state superintendent Jill Underly recommended almost double the state reimbursement for special education costs from 31% to 60%. And whereas the school district

082of boy believes this is a step in the right direction in fully funding state and school district special education needs and services that are underfunded legal mandate legal state mandates. And whereas the state has an estimated 4.3 billion surplus which could be utilized to address this reimbursement increase. And whereas the state of education has a special education teacher shortage. And whereas these staff shortages impact the quality of services that our schools desperately need in the school district of Boe. And whereas retaining qualified special education staff has increasingly become an issue due to an a wide variety of factors and lack of support and overdue burden on few staff. And whereas ongoing referendum requests and covering special education needs is a large factor in many school districts. Now therefore be it resolved that the school district

083of bloit of education calls upon the joint finance committee and governor Tony Ivers to sign a 25 2025 2027 budget into law that provides at least 60% reimbursement for special education funding along with an increase in available spendable per pupil funding tied to the rate of inflation In witness whereof, the members of the board of education and the school district of bo have executed this resolution the 3 day of June 2025. Is there a motion? I move approval of the resolution regarding special education funding as presented with modifications discussed by the BOE on May 20th. Um, I'll second, but I think there's also some there did a couple more maybe edits, but I think um I had my hand if you want. We have a motion by Brian Nichols and a second by Megan Miller.

084Discussion, Mrs. Levy. Is there a reason we're only asking for 60% reimbursement? Dr. Garrison. Well, n sorry, nationally we would want 100% but we also know that we are at roughly 33 30 30 or so percent right now. Um to go from 30 to to 100 is probably not likely in the state of Wisconsin and that's that's an honest space there. Um 60% is being what's being recommended by um state rep state state superintendent Mrs. Utterly. Um now if we get more that's great. Um, but right now it's 60%. I'm a firm believer that closed mouths don't get fed. And so if we want 100% reimbursement, I don't think that's going to like we're not going to be penalized for asking for 100. Oh, they didn't ask for 70, so we're not going to So

085I I would like an edit to request full reimbursement for special education. Are you making a motion to amen? I am. I making a motion to amend um the whereas that includes the percentage of reimbursement that we're requesting that that be edited from 31% to 100%. Second. So not not 31% 60% to 100%. Thank you. From 60 to 100. Thank you. We have a motion to change it to reflect 100% um coverage for special education motion or I mean an amendment but motion by Amy Levy seconded by Juan Romero. Any discussion? Thank you. Um yeah, I had just found two other little proofreading things, but I just wanted to clarify that um so Governor Iver's recommendation was 60%. Dr. Underly's original proposal that she made last fall was 60% year 1, 90% year two. And

086just for everybody's information, um, private schools in Wisconsin get up to a 90% reimbursement already. Um, which is actually further a cost to public schools because it's often um, on the staffing hours and kind of on the dime of public schools to create the IEP to go through the evale process. Um, so it's it's actually like functionally it's it's there's a lot. It's riddled with issues. But anyway, um yeah, I fully support uh having a some sufficient funding of special education, which is statemandated and of course should be mandated um because that's what our kids need. Couple of um edits still if that's okay. On the third whereas, I just noticed it's got um not covered by the grant. I think we mean reimbursement if we're all okay with just changing the word grant. It's

087on the second sentence of the third whereas um bless you. um by the reimbursement. And then I totally just noticed a typo under the therefore it be it resolved. It should say per pupil funding, but it says per pupil finding. It's like not a big deal, but I just want to make sure we which one. Oh, sorry. Just on the therefore be it resolved the very last part of it and it'll be on your back page. Yep. It's like um where it says Oh, I see. Yeah. So most Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Just where it says just that last little clause there. Yep. But otherwise Yeah. Sounds good. Thank you. Any other discussion? We are voting on the amendment to move to change the uh the amount requested from 60% to 100%. All in favor? I

088I I I I Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. And now we are voting on the original motion for approval with the um edits that that we have. All in favor? I I I I Mine's not working. I Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Dr. Garrison and staff for putting this together and it's special ed is very important. Um sometimes people may uh observe me and realize I have a hard time speaking. I was a special ed student and had years of speech therapy and sometimes you know I don't like to talk but that's what the position calls for. So, so special ed covers a lot of people and this is very important. Our next agenda [Music] item is the initial exchange of offers between the BEA and the board of education. We've got Melissa

089Roarbeck and James Hoey the co-bea presidents. And the purpose of this is to allow the BEA co-presidents Melissa Roarbeck and James Hoey to present their salary offer for the 2025 2026 school year. Tia Johnson, board president, will present the board's salary to offer to the BEA for the 2025 2026 school year. After hearing initial offers, the next step will be for president for superintendent Dr. Garrison and board member Megan Miller serving as the board representative for BEA negotiations or Juan Romero serving as the alternate to meet with the BEA co-presidents and begin negotiations. Mrs. Roarbeck and Mr. Hoey. Good evening. Uh the members of the boy Education Association propose propose professional advancement and a true cost of living pay increase for every employee. We propose that every each educator advance to the next grade on

090the certified educators compensation plan and that each cell in the plan increase by the amount of the consumer price index which is 2.95% for the current 2526 school year. For an example, an educator in lane T02 grade 1 for this current school year earning $45,649 annually will advance to 202 grade two. And the two T02 grade two cell it's very complicated system. uh would increase from $46,619 to $47,995. Thank you. Currently, the board of education's initial offering is a 1.5% in increase on the compensation plan for the 2025 2026 school year. This will be a 1.5% increase in your current placement on the compensation plan. Dr. Garrison. Um I would like to first again not first I'd like to say thank you to the board of education and of course to the BEA for all

091the work and tireless work that you all do for the school district. Um in this process again we will look forward to you know of course having continued conversations. And that that pretty much concludes my general statement to this space. Thank you so much. Thank you. Our next item is the consent agenda. Typically, there are no separate discussion of the items unless a board member so requests in which event the item or items will be removed from the general order of business and considered in their normal sequence on the agenda. Are there any board members that would like any items removed? Miss Miller. Thanks. Um if we could just remove um item 6G. Okay. Mrs. Levy. Thank you. In add in addition to G, if we could also remove items H and I. H and

092I. Okay. Any others? I will entertain a motion for approval of the consent agenda minus G H and I second motion by Brian Nicholls, seconded by Amy Levy. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. Our first item is G, formation of the student success and support ad hoc committee. Megan Miller. Thank you so much. Um, so full transparency. Um, I really appreciate everybody's um, focus on efficiency this evening. So, I had sent an email ahead of time just so we didn't have to go back and forth too much, but just to get everybody kind of on the same page. at a committee last Tuesday. Um I had to leave a little bit early cuz my daughter's orchestra concert, but um Mr. Romero and Miss Rue did a

093really nice job, I think, like laying out the scope in charge of the ad hoc that uh that they were proposing for this evening. Um and I I just want to be like super duper duper clear like all all good. I think that if we're going to do this work, it should have a place to land directly into the larger strategy of the school district. And since our strategic plan is expiring um in a couple of minutes here, I think at the end of this month of June, um I thought like in tandem, not to take away from the charge or to expand or or impact the scope of of what you have what's been proposed in any way, in addition to I think that I would I just wanted to use this opportunity to

094clarify. I think that this work will be more effective if we are actually doing the strategic plan. And so my um I'll just like pair let me seriously I wrote this out. So, let me just like read back. Um, basically my request was um I would love to see the following occur alongside the creation of this ad hoc committee perhaps like the June 17th if we could get a report from our administration which I think they were probably planning on doing anyway um on just like what were the successes, challenges and opportunities from the current strategic plan. We got a taste of that. Um I think they did a fantastic job during our um state report card presentation kind of like laying a lot of that out already. Um and then followed by maybe an

095action item to approve just what are the next iteration of the plan from the board perspective which would just be like setting like what are the priorities and then it really is the charge of the administration anyway to do and I just make sure I get the terminology right here the um the objectives and like the action steps like that's not really the board's role like that's our administration's role to say like well this is like how we're going to do the thing you know the board sets the direction and the administration kind of sets those steps. So I was just thinking like that would be nice if the proposed ad hoc then their work would essentially function as an advisory um that touches four of the five existing priorities. So um I just wanted

096to bring that up in discussion for the ad hoc because it's a very worthwhile cause. It's very important for all the reasons that Mr. Romero um laid out in committee last week um and I'm sure yesterday too. um it's it's a huge pressing issue and it should feed directly into the priorities and the operations of the district. And since it's the board's role to set direction and vision for the district, it just seemed like an appropriate set of actions to take together. Um, so I just I don't think like that really changes how anything's approved this evening, but I guess I just in good faith wanted to bring this up to my colleagues on the board and just ask if if there is an appetite for us to since we're asking our administration now to

097like take on another ad hoc and do all these things like can we also say like here's our work on the strategic plan and then work collaboratively so these things can kind of come together and we actually have a strategic plan to work from because in July I technically our strategic plan will be expired. Thank you. Any other dis discussion or questions for item G? Mrs. Levy. Well, one if we could just reply to Miss Miller's question, that would be helpful. Um, but I have three questions on G. Um, the first is under purpose. Um, it speaks to research-based recommendations and I'm just wondering what evidence-based research methods and criteria, which I think is amazing, um, will the ad hoc committee be using or will we advise the ad hoc committee to use? Miss Mrs.

098Rue or Mr. Romero. So, tonight we're just asking to approve the charge. we need to meet as a group and look at data in order to be able to come up with what criteria and research we're using. Um this this more so is a communitydirected um ad hoc. We would like to have the community have um the um bulk of the input. Um, we want to hear from teachers, students, parents, and community members. Um, in full transparency, um, when the TLE met last time, um, I asked if, um, if our ad hoc needed to come to full board for approval and, um, I was given the answer that no, it didn't. And then once I realized it did need to come to full board for approval, that's why we had the extra meeting last night,

099um I apologized to Megan Miller because um it I'm new at this and I'm still learning and um so there was there was nothing um no ill intent at all involved and Megan and I were able to talk about it and she was able to share her information. Um, and Juan, did you have anything you needed to add? Um, not particularly. Thank you. So, the the first of my three questions, um, it says in the purpose that they're going to use researchbased recommendations. Is someone going to give that to the ad hoc? Is the ad hoc going to come up with that? And either answer is fine. I'm just since it's listed there. I just I'm I'm curious how we're going to achieve that. So that will be our next meeting where we look at

100who we're going to have on the meet who we're going to have on the committee and then what um what our goals are and how we're going to um our goals for the ad hoc for the district. Um, and then what what measurements we want to use, uh, what research we'll use. So, no, we don't have that information right now. More to come. So, and I'm just going to request, could you put that in like one of your upcoming um, like uh, committee updates. So, just so we can circle back and we're all on the same page. our next TLE meeting. We definitely will be discussing this again because we're hoping to um get this going in July, which also helps answer the other question that um board member Miller brought up. Um I love

101the idea of meshing this in with the strategic plan. Our hope though is to have a a bulk of this done July, August, September. And so since the strategic plan hasn't started yet, we just um we need to get going on this part. This is what our um community has asked of us. And so um love the idea of having it folded into that eventually. Um so that's where we're at. Thank you. And then my remaining two questions. Um it says in the charge to committee that uh submit a final advisory report to TLE and PS committee. Will that final report be submitted to the full board as well in case we're not able to make that committee meeting we can all be a breast on the final report? Sure. Perfect. And then final thing

102um under the header of public access meeting structure and transparency um just making a request that meetings would start no earlier than 5. Um even if all committee meetings can committee members or ad hoc committee members can meet earlier than that. If other folks they're welcome to come and observe um that just make make it more accessible to to people who who work. Thank you. I have a question. Are are ad hoc like the finance ad hoc isn't recorded. Are ad hocs usually recorded? Not usually. Um but I imagine if you wanted to use the Google uh platform to do the recording, we we could do that. Dr. Garrison, I mean, we have access to we do have access to record. Um part part I'm just going to say this. I believe some of the

103things that we're trying to come back to as well as people coming to meetings and and sharing that space with us. Um it does take time for staff naturally to upload and and sit and of course we have people right now doing things live for us and so as much as we can have things in person and people coming to our spaces is greatly appreciated. So the answer to that is yes and yes and no I guess. So just one quick followup if that's okay. minutes are are published for the ad hoc committee meetings. So, correct. Even if it's not recorded, the minutes are made available. Perfect. Um, so I think that's great if minutes are available. And then again, if possible, if those meetings could not start prior to 5:00, I think that would

104be helpful as well. My intention was to try to um not keep our cabinet and um Miss Schope and Dr. Garrison any longer than they needed to be. But um I will definitely uh take that into consideration. Thank you, Megan Miller. Thanks. Yep. Just a follow-up question then just board president Johnson. Um yeah, I don't think like our strategic plan work would in any way interfere. I think I think the committee which is um Miss Ru and Mr. Romero and I are on the same page about the cadence and the proposal. I don't think there's any major disagreements to that. I I actually want to acknowledge Mr. Romero um sent a really nice email back to me and and really acknowledged another concern that I didn't share out loud now which was again just to

105like staff time and I appreciate both of you for taking that under consideration because there is an opportunity cost of having like all of these meetings right for our administration as well and I I really appreciate the conscientiousness and thoughtfulness. Um so thank you. Um yeah I guess just a question then to you uh board president Johnson. I just I think we've done a nice job this year. you um you know we we flushed through like some some goals and we've kind of had like some some steps taken. We talked um about reinitiating um the strategic plan kind of piece back in November and I think that we've done good work or I don't I'm not asking us to take on a whole undertaking. I think it really would just be like a discussion like

106do we are are these this the priorities we're going to stick with? Do you want to change the names? You've got actually Miss Schop completely read my mind and had sent out a copy of the district goals even just earlier today. I think we're pretty close to having consensus on it and I just think like if we were just to like say okay here's our next iteration it puts us like then we're there's not like a gap and like that intermediate time it really just gives all of us time then there's no rush like we're just collaborating we're getting reports and information and it all lands into a thing that we all need to have anyway. So that's I just want to be really clear. I'm not in any way trying to like take anybody

107off track or course from anything we've heard tonight. It's just something that's it, you know, and I know there's and it's not a criticism. We've had so many things this year. We the referendum. So like I just think this would be a great time. It's a summer maybe we just get a step in the direction there. So just wanting to clarify is that something where President Johnson we could maybe look at for an upcoming agenda. Oh certainly. In fact it was an item that I wanted to discuss with Dr. Garrison. Um, probably not this month though. You know, the likelihood of it being this month, I mean, even though this one does sunset, um, the end the end of this month, I I think if we, you know, have a little bit of time in

108between, especially during summertime, it's not going to, you know, ruin the district. No, I appreciate that. Thank you for your response. And I see somebody else has their hand up, so I'm going to stop. But I just, um, if you just keep us posted about when that's coming, I really appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Romero. Um, I just just realized that there's no motion on the table for this and I think we kind of had a discussion. I was just thinking maybe we should put a motion just to just to keep things kind of in order. I'm still learning this too, so bear with me. Certainly. Are you making a motion? Yeah, I'd like to to motion to um approve the formation of the uh student success and support ad hoc. Second. We have a

109motion to approve the formation of the student success and support ad hoc committee by Juan Romero, seconded by Joanne Rue. Any discussion? Mrs. Levy, thank you. Just really briefly, um, is there going to be a mechanism for folks that want to volunteer to serve on this committee where they can submit their names? Yes, names can be submitted to any board member. They all will end up with Michelle Schop though so that she's keeping the master list and I'm assuming something will be put on the website or so so someone who's not listening to this meeting this opportunity would be aware to them so they can Dr. Garrison can you make that happen for us? Not a problem. Thank you Mr. Romero. Yeah, I think I think a lot of that information also too can come

110can be also given out when we do the uh the interest survey that we were talking about, Dr. Garrison. Um possibly so people know where to go ahead and say, "Hey, I want to be part of this." And there you go. That is correct. Thank you. That's what I was going to do. Thank you. And if there are any questions or doubts, as with just about everything here in the school district of Blo, everything goes through Michelle Schul. Yeah. Yes. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. Next we have the approval of the May 20th minutes. Mrs. Levy. Um thank you. So in reviewing the minutes um the May 20th minutes reflect the the discussion we had concerning policy 881.1 operation of booster

111clubs with school district. Um but the policy is listed one as a second reading and that would have been the first reading because it's on the agenda tonight for a second reading and no motion language concerning the policy is included in the minutes. So I don't know if we need to hold the minutes until that can be bless you retrieved or if someone knows um like who made the motion whose second what the final vote was if that could be added this evening. Um but just wanted to alert folks to that. Thank you for um bringing that to our attention. I we will hold that then until the next meeting policy 154 board legislative program and policy 154 rule one board legislative program for the second reading. Mrs. Levy, thank you. Okay. So, uh my

112apologies for not catching this during the first reading, but I am concerned that we have a policy and a rule one of the policy with the same title. Um we can remedy that. Um they're they're both very brief and what uh what our practice has been in the recent past. If we move the content from rule one and include that in the policy, we can just retire the rule one and then we don't have to worry why two different policies have the same name. Um, unless someone is opposed to that. Does anybody have any concerns or objections to rolling rule one into policy 154? Mr. Romero. Again, I just wasn't sure about the uh like is this kind of like a discussion thing? Do should we like motion to approve or I I I'm just

113trying to figure out the cadence of how that goes. May I Oh, well, according to Robert's rules, since we're a small board under 12, you can have discussion before there's a motion. So, there's nothing wrong with having a discussion and then coming up with a motion. If it happens that you have a motion in the second, then you start discussion, that's fine as well. And this is um this is the consent agenda. And when a person requests to have an item removed, they have the floor to explain what their concern is with moving forward with the item. So I we we could do it the other way, but this is how we've been doing it. And I I appreciate I'm just, you know, sorry, still new. Sorry, guys. No problem. Well, you know, good good

114question. So I definitely don't want to cut off discussion. Um, but hearing nothing, I move to retire policy 154, rule one, and move that content into the current policy 154. I'll second. We have a motion to retire policy 154, rule one, and move that content into policy 154. Motion by Amy Levy, seconded by Megan Miller. Any discussion, Mr. Romero? Go ahead. And and this would count as the second reading for that as well. Okay. No, I'm good. No other discussion. Could I get clarification on that response? Yeah, because technically we're just editing it during the second reading. Thank you. Yep. Hearing no other discussion. All in favor? I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. That brings us to the human resources. Are there any open session questions on exhibit A? Are there any close

115session questions on exhibit A? Hearing none, I will accept a motion for exhibit A. I move approval of exhibit A as presented. Second. We have a motion for exhibit A approval by Amy Levy, seconded by Juan Romero. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I I I I. Any oppose? Motion carries unanimously. Our next item is the executive session. A motion may be made and a vote taken to convene the board of education into close session pursuant to section 19.85 85 parent one parent F of the Wisconsin state statutes for the purpose of reviewing the expulsion orders of the independent hearing officer pursuant to section 120.13 parent one parent E 4H of the Wisconsin state statutes the board of education shall upon review approve reverse or modify the orders and pursuant to section 19.85 85

116parent one parent E of the Wisconsin state statutes relative to property/negotiating public funds. We will be going into close session to discuss the sale of real property and centry 21 strategy discussion and review of the independent hearing officers expulsion orders. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by Brian Nichols, seconded by Megan Miller. Any discussion hearing? None. Um, may we get a roll call, Mrs. Sh? Yes. And I'm sorry I didn't catch who seconded. I think Juan Romero. Hi, Amy Levy. I Brian Nichols. I Megan Miller. I Joanne Ru I and Tia Johnson I motion carried unanimously. The board of education may return from close session to approve, reverse or modify the expulsion orders of the independent hearing officer as determined by the board of education in close session or any other business discussed

117in close session. Thank you.