001[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Good evening everybody. We are reconvening into open session. We had an open session convened at 5:00 pm and so we will move right into the pledge of allegiance. and faith of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Uh will someone please read the mission statement? Lynn, >> we educate all students to be college, career, and community ready, inspired to succeed in our diverse world. >> Thank you. So, I will read the land acknowledgement. We, the members of the Green Bay Area Public School District, recognize and honor the original inhabitants of northeast Wisconsin. Our district works and learns upon the ancestral homelands of the Monomony and Ho Chunk nations and the current homeland of
002Arnida Nation. We acknowledge the 12 diverse, vibrant Wisconsin First Nations who have persevered here since before recorded time and continue to be an integral part of our community. We uphold our responsibility to repair relationships, initiate partnerships, and stand with all First Nation communities. We'll move to open form and I have two individuals that request to speak this evening. Miss Jackson, reminder that you have five minutes right now. It's on now. >> Okay, I see it. Thanks. >> My name is Miss Jackson. Um, I'm a mother. I'm a community member, and I'm also a community activist. Um, I wanted to address some I wanted to address some some concerns that we have as parents, community members, and also as activists. Um, our biggest concern is that our board is all white and that is the problem.
003You had a black man that was on this board and you voted him off. That's that's not just disappointing that that decision sent a clear message. Let's be honest, this board is not the is not the voice of our brown community. Thank you, Miss Jackson. The next person that would like to speak this evening is Denise Go Hutchinson. Remember to state your name, address. There we go. Denise Gammer Hutcherson, 3184 Herman's Road, New Franken, Wisconsin. I'm here for two reasons tonight and that is to acknowledge the Green Bay Area public school district and board and to thank you for an amazing opportunity that just happened on um last week, Wednesday and Thursday. The Wisconsin Public Education Network was able to host their annual summer summit, the 11th annual summer summit at the Green Bay Public
004School District at Prebble High School. It was an amazing opportunity withives from all over the state able to be there and to participate all the way from Superior down to rine in areas in between. We had a number of legislators from across the state as well and activists and community leaders including the first speaker who also was there to learn the importance of being an activist and involved but also an advocate for our highquality public schools. And Green Bay really did an amazing public school did an amazing job of showing themselves to the community and to the state and to the legislature and also shared why it's so important that we fund our public schools and we fund them act adequately and with great speed and uh consideration. And so I just want to thank
005the amazing team some of them represented over here that were a big support to us. Lori Blleyley, President Larley, thank thank you for being there and other members of the board. Thank you. And for those of you who weren't able to be there, it was it was quite the opportunity and um and uh Superintendent Byer kicked off the event for us on the night before and also the community schools organization was able to showcase what's happening with our community schools with our most vulnerable communities and what do we have to do to make sure they get the great education that they deserve. And I have to tell you, I've been getting messages from across the state about what a great example the Green Bay Area Public School District is. So, thank you so much for
006the opportunity that you provided us. >> Thank you. All right. So, we're going to proceed to section four updates, legislative update. Janette. >> Okay. So, as everyone knows, the big thing that happened was our budget. Um, and and our budget passed with no new real money going to the schools. Um, on the legislative report that we've been using, there are no significant changes to most of the bills, but there were some new things that were introduced. And because I'm very new at this, I don't have a whole lot of information about support and opposition, but I'll give you what I understand. So, Assembly Bill 354 and Senate Bill 341 were introduced relating to the timing of equaliz payments to school districts. And what this bill um in both chambers wants to do is change the
007distribution to increase in September, decrease in June, but it's the same amount of money. They're just changing the way it's distributed. So by the 2930 school year, the equalization aid will be paid in four equal installments. Um it appears to have support uh bipartisan support. Right now it is in the Assembly state of affairs committee and in the Senate Education Committee. Uh and then we have Assembly Bill 343 and Senate Bill 350 related to school mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation. It was introduced in the Senate on June 27th and in the assembly on July 8th. Both um chambers referred it to their education committee. And this bill changes the types of expenditures that are eligible for reimbursement under the state categorical aid program related to pupil mental health. Uh I'm
008not sure support and opposition. It looked like it was a pretty partisan bill. More Dems than Republicans, but I don't know everybody's name now. And um but that's what it looked like. I will have more information um as I gather it over over time. Maybe next session though um next meeting though I don't know if they'll have a session before our next meeting so there may not be any change anyway. Assembly Bill 339 and Senate Bill 347 also were introduced in the Senate on June 27th, referred to their education committee and in the assembly on July 8th referred to the committee on mental health and substance abuse prevention. It is a Democratic bill relating to aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. The bill replaces the current grant program with new
009categorical aid for comprehensive school mental health services to school districts and independent charter schools. And that's it. >> Does any board member have questions for Janette? Right. Okay. We are going to continue on um to section five discussion. So board members, uh you all received an email um that outlined a couple of conversations that occurred since the working session um and it outlines uh two sorry four options that we're going to discuss tonight and looking for your input and to direct activities between now and next month. So um we have been talking about two options um and only two options to date for only one reason right um that's pre-existing relationships um the last search was conducted by BWP and Associates and since Dr. dealer did not complete the contract period, they offer a no
010cost engagement except for travel and expenses um to do a a redo of that search. Um and then we have an existing relationship with Wisconsin Association of School Boards and they provide a an ancillary service to um support districts through a superintendent search as well. So they we have four options um that were put to you in the email. one unsupported no vendor um just doing this internal with and board members. Two is to um take BWP and associates up on their contract guarantee and a very initial rough grain um uh estimate of the travel expenses. Again, these can be controlled. Um I put out there about $5,000 um for those expenses and helping us with community engagement or whatever. But the that actual number is is not a fact yet because they haven't submitted
011any kind of proposal and that was based on the conversation um Wisconsin Associated School Boards um had a conversation with them and their estimates for services came in between 21 and about $26,000. um a it's not a um redo search. So they um they have a different um pricing schedule. Um between the two um there are very different engagement types. Um BWP being um exclusively a recruiting organization holds proprietary the actual application packet and all of the um supplemental um uh sources or resources until such time as they get um selected to be on a um interview panel. um and last time that interview panel was seven and that's when we received a bound um a copy of all of the application materials. Um WASPY is very different in that they are looking to have
012relationships with school boards and this is a service that they provide. Um they give us access to all of the application materials the day after the application uh window closes, right? And so we have the ability to be very hands-on um with those applications um out there. Um the difference between the low end and the high end of that estimate is the low end um they are calling on the board to basically do all of the applicant screening, all of the panel selection, um all of the reference checks um at that point. So really they aggregate they advertise and aggregate and provide the data access to the applications but um they are looking for or they support a board in that um we are you know the screeners the decision makers um the interviewees they
013provide um access to banks of questions they help us define the interviews um so they are truly that partner that consultant um but they are not leading the effort um out there. Um so um until such times as we closer they have neither have submitted a qualified um proposal that they would stand by. Um both of these um organizations would say based on a um a planning meeting with the board we would come to kind of a final determination of costs um where we would outline the scope of the services that we were requesting. Um there's the fourth option and that is even though we have pre-existing relationships with both of these organizations, they do not suffice and that we would like to make sure that we are not missing opportunities um to engage um
014a um a organization that is better suited costwise and scope of services wise. Um and therefore you can suggest that we go to RFP um and we would do that as quickly as possible. um to get alternatives for us to um to uh review. So having said that um and recognizing that you know uh this is not a lot of information I'm just going to open the um the table for discussion and if you know Alex if we want to start on this and if we want if you want to say I prefer option four or option three I just want to kind of take everyone's temperature first time around and then we can have a discussion if we need to ref our position but it may be that we all are thinking the same
015thing. >> Sure. Um to me, without a doubt, I think it's important that we consider using an RFP. Um we know a little bit about two options, but we don't know what else is out there right now. Um who else might be interested in conducting this, what the cost would be, and ultimately um it never hurts to be aware of more options. Um, you never know. We won't know what we can utilize if we don't know. So, I'm definitely in favor of that. Um, you know, part one as far as weighing whether there's a certain cost effective aspect versus the right engagement model. Um, I don't want one or the other. I want both. I want to find something that does what we want it to do. um if we do choose to use any
016kind of um you know additional vendor um that they operate in a way that we find beneficial and obviously um I'm not opposed to using funds towards this but I want to obviously be as cost-ffective as we can. >> Thank you Janette. I'm I'm also leaning towards um four a request for proposals because as Alex said, we don't even know what we don't know. And now this is the first time I've ever done this. So those of you who have done it may know a little bit more about um the cost or the um services that are out there. I really don't want to go back to a company that um didn't seem to meet our needs in the first place, even if they're the cheapest. Cheapest isn't always the best. Um and I also
017agree that we can't just use cost as our uh way of doing this. We have to we have to get the best that we can for the lowest of course, but the lowest isn't always the best either. So I would say four. Um I would be interested to know just how long option four to go to RFP would extend the timeline. Um, specifically understanding that this process is going to be really labor intensive, which I know we're all on board for. However, I I worry about time crunch potentially on the elements that need to happen by district staff. Understanding that either legal, HR, you know, some of those other elements, I would worry that that would potentially put undue stress into those areas. Um otherwise I'm I could very easily lean more to option three
018to go the WBY route just because um it's been communicated on a number of fronts that this time around needs to feel more local and in touch with what we offer here in Green Bay. So um I would feel more comfortable going with a statewide and state level organization doing that. Um, but like I said, I'd like to know a bit more, I think, about just how far that would extend our timeline if we did go to RFP. >> Lynn, before you go, so the schedule that we have in front of us has a time period built in for vendor selection. So, it does not impact the timeline. So, the last time we did this, and Laura, you can correct me. Um we started about the same time in July, ran an RFP process that
019ended up in selection in September. Um and then uh we executed the rest of the search. So I don't think that should be a consideration against RFP. >> Thank you for for that, James, because that's the question I was going to ask. Um this is very difficult for me for a couple reasons. One is that I've never done it before either. and not to pretend that just because I'm elected to this position, I suddenly know how to do these things. Uh that that would be silly. I want to know I I would like to know how the RFP process worked for you last time and um you know whether those of you who've been through this would recommend that. On the other hand, I have some biases. Um, first of all, I heard about what
020BWP would offer and I thought, gosh, for $5,000 and they owe us something. Let's go that way. But then I had the opportunity to sit in on the call with WASBY and learn what they would offer. And I felt so um I felt so reassured that we would be able to structure this the way it works for us. And the fact that they would make available to us all immediately all the the files of all the applicants, which seems to be important to people who've been through this before. And so there's a huge difference between $5,000 and $26,000. And I don't know how much something like this ought to cost. So, I'm sorry. I have only questions and um I'm just being honest with you. I I don't have a preference. >> I'm just going
021to keep going around the table and I'll go last. Oh, Andrew. Um, I think it's I think it's important because mainly for the reason that it's we don't know even though we had an RFP recently, we don't know the entirety of of who's out there. And I would I think there's I think there's a good chance that we might end up going the WASBY route, but what if what if there's a new what if there's someone new that would be aligned with us that's in that uh recruitment space that we would perhaps never find out about because we didn't do an RFP. That being said, I think it can be a very it can be a very short RFP. uh people know where to look for these things in the internet age. I it could
022probably be a posting for a week. Uh I also don't think that doing this means that we have to bring people in and have a three-hour special board meeting for for sales pitches. I think we can bring someone in if if we have more questions or we could phone interview them or something. But I think a I think a very short RFP process would would help confirm whatever we're we're doing in the end, which may be WASBY because they're the only one that I know of who would let us have access to all the materials. and other firms um to some extent or another, all the other firms I've worked with have held some things close using different excuses. Um you know, well, people might not apply because of they're afraid the resume would be
023public, which it which it isn't in Wisconsin at the early stage. Um although there's a perception too people might feel safer applying to a consultant but I think a short RFP would help help us feel better about and clarify our our choice whatever that might be >> Laura >> I'm not going to help this by what I'm about to say um but I do have very strong opinions about this so um first of of all. Number one, I don't the first unsupported one. I don't think that's viable. Um I don't think staff should be a part of hiring their own boss. I just there's a and I don't know that they would want to, you know, like so I don't think that's good. Um number two, the um going back to a company that um
024I was less than happy with. I don't really have any interest in that. um company these companies um I think I think our search last time was over $40,000. I think that number Yeah. Yeah. And um and and it's not going to be cheaper this time. And and all of these companies are more or less the same. As far as I can remember, they all offer the same thing. um the you know I just I don't I've been through this twice now and I h I am underwhelmed by um what what is offered. Oftentimes they'll come they'll do a presentation. That's fine. That's that's good to have. Um and make some promises um and then the the the pe the people that pre present to us we never see them again sometimes like like they're
025here for the presentation. We I don't like the process. Um, and I, um, have learned that the hard way. So, um, with regard to WASBY, um, I was a little surprised to see the how much they were the the the range. Um, I think last time they offered something around $15,000, but their their expenses go up have gone up too. Um, and what Samantha said about um, being more local, I feel confident. I know WASBY. Um, we have a good relationship with them. We know their leadership. We know their people. They're easy to get a hold of. Um, and they they know our staff. We already have a good solid relationship. Um, and I feel like they would work with us on price. Um, for instance, like what if we said what what can you
026do for us for $15,000? What would that look like? Um, and then as far as so that obviously from what I've said already, the number four would be no, I have no interest in doing the RFP again. I don't think it'll make any difference. Um, and I just don't have any interest in going down that route again. So, Thanks, Laura. Um, so to be clear, um, in the email, the range provided by WASBY was a do not exceed, um, quote, which does give the district an opportunity to, um, shape the scope of services um, such that, um, you know, we can get from them, I think, the the services that we need. Um but I don't given that this is the range what that they communicated based on the initial conversation I don't hold out
027hopes that you know we can cut this in half right or you know bring it down to where we would optimally you know want to see their services having had two conversations um both with BWP and u be um I am I think as a board regardless of whether or not um it it feels right. Um I did not walk away from those two conversations saying this is exactly the way we should go. Um and um for different reasons um that I would suggest that the board at least do a RFP. Um I am uh based on the conversation um with WASBY I am sure that they would respond to the RFP and would be one of the um the uh organizations that would be interested in working with us. Um but I can't get
028over the feeling that I'm not doing my due diligence in the event that you know there is another firm that um is out there that could provide services um out there. I'm on team RFP um for for this engagement just to make sure that we're doing the right thing. So several things that have said Alex let's do Alex and then we'll go back to you Li. And I just want to remind everybody here and elsewhere that just like, you know, I I remodel a lot of properties and when I'm redoing something, you know, I get three, four, five bids for something and I tell them what I want, what I need done. This is no different. We do an RFP. It's not us saying, "Hey, what what what do you guys have?" No. Saying, "Hey,
029we're going to put together what we want, what we need. What are you what are you going to charge us? This is what we are want what we are asking. either you're going to do it or you're not or you're going to give us a price and we're going to take it or we're not. So, we get to choose the menu that we want to put out and go from there. So, I just want to remind people of that and so we are not beholden to anyone else. They're beholden to us at the end of the day. So, you know, if we decide to go an RFP route, you know, whether it's Wisby and whoever else may or may not get, you know, ultimately we can decide what it is we're going to get from
030them whether we choose them or not. And um you know and that also might you know in in the case that WASBY is you know obviously there's some interest there already um then they might be able to clarify you know not only what they can or can't do or how they might do it better something they maybe haven't communicated but also it may adjust their price a little bit because they might then know specifically hey they don't maybe want or need this but this is more so what we're going to do for them and maybe it changes the number and things like that. Laura I see us going down a route that we um already that we kind of said we wouldn't maybe go down again. And I just want to I would say that
031respectfully, but I don't um have that much confidence in the process we went through the last two times and I do not want to repeat it. and um it didn't serve us well and I just want to I don't know I guess I'm I just want to put that on the record. So >> appreciate that, Lynn. Not to put anyone on the spot, but I I'm very interested in what my colleagues have to say because I have to learn from you in this case. And I would like to know if somebody can explain to me um what more specifically what are the issues, what's the problem with doing an RFP as opposed to what are the benefits of doing an RFP. Um, I I hear from Andrew and James, I think that there are benefits.
032And Laura, I don't want to put you on the spot, but can you tell us what are the pitfalls? These companies, like I said before, are all very similar to each other. Um, they use a lot of the same language. Um, they charge more or less the same. They are staffed mo a lot by um uh school administrators who have retired um and and it's a business. So I don't I don't want to um get really negative. I mean they're a business and they they sell they sell product. Um, but I I would like I I guess I had always thought that this time around we'd do something um substantially different and with the hopes of a better result and I you know I will obviously um bow to whatever decision you know if I'm
033outvoted that's fine and we'll do an RFP and we can we can go that route again and maybe as Alex said we can we can have a little bit more um um control over the process that that could happen. So um but I I guess I'm not um I don't have a lot of confidence in that. So >> So Lynn, I don't think that the RFP process is the problem, right? I I do agree with Laura that the scope of services that these recruitment firms um provide are very similar, right? You go out to any staffing agency or recruitment agency, they all do the same thing. So, it all comes down to what you value, right? I went into last RFP cycle and I valued network, right? Um I wanted someone that I wanted someone
034that's you know um for many reasons um that and that's what I valued right um having gone through that process I value something else this time right and I I value hands-on access transparency so the engagement model is what I value this time so you can get what you want out of an RFP um uh process when I look at this particular process says we have board members who are then put in the position to trust us if we just go with WASBY instead of seeing and and examining what who responds and what services that they provide. But I'll I'll fside with Laura in the fact that you know most of the models are the same. Um and the pricing structure is the same and we have to go in understanding what we value. Um
035and if it's if we value control um and no one gets screened out until the board of education says they get screened out, we will end up probably with fewer finalists in the RFP, right? We might only end up with one finalist in the RFP, but we'll be able to look into a camera and say, "We did our due diligence, we put out the RFP, and based on what we're looking for, here's here's the direction we're going." So, I don't fear the RFP process. I am much more sensitive this time to the product that's being um sold to us, and that's helped me shape a different um approach to our piece. just just a little addendum to what I said. Um I mean I don't know about the rest of the board, but I have
036been hearing pretty consistently from people in the community um staff members that they're looking for somebody local, somebody who's already invested in our community and and and the whole we got to throw out a wide net across the country and all that. Um a lot of people don't actually think that. They think like homegrown talent and people that are already here among us or at least live in the communities around us are at least live in Wisconsin maybe um would be better suited to what our needs are in this district in the coming years. So I want to just honor that like that feedback is real and I've heard that quite a bit from from people in the community in a v variety of ways. So, I just wanted to add that >> Lind and
037Andrew, >> what um would the cost uh be to us to conduct an RFP >> that No, that's that's we put it together. We work with through our district resources. We have ways to publish that, get the um feedback and responses and processes. So, we're not paying an external consultant anything to do the RFP process. Andrew Yeah, I I don't think it's very likely that an RFP would get us some an outofstate consulting firm, but I can't say that I know for sure that there isn't someone with more of a connection to us that I've never heard of yet. I know who applied before. I don't plan to I don't see any reason that I would be voting for anyone who I voted against before. Uh I some of the ones I voted for in
038the past I probably wouldn't vote for them either. So I think there's yeah I just don't I don't see the harm in it. I think it clarifies our suggestion and what what what if there is something better than WASBY that we would never know existed u until this. But I think it's a a short RFP and absolutely not a guarantee of five halfhour sales pitches at the board. I think we read them and the board might be ready to take a vote just from reading them. An open vote of course after reading >> Laura. >> So okay I but I'm going to disagree with that that if we're going to do an RFP come and do the sales pitch then let us see them. Let them meet it. Let us meet them. let's see them,
039you know, in front of us so that we can um see the full scope. Um I I just wouldn't disagree with you on that. Like I if we're going to do an RFP, let's do do it all all the way. So that's my thoughts on that. >> Okay. Now Vicki, >> the team was able to track down the expenses for the last two searches. Uh, the one in 2020 was $33,880 and the one in 2022 2022 was 38,960. >> Thank you. >> Other comments, questions? Laura, >> I'm sorry to keep at this, but thank you for for providing those numbers. I had forgotten those are above and beyond the fees, right? Those are just the expenses. >> No. >> Or is that >> Everything. Okay. Then I will >> Andrew. >> Yeah, I wouldn't automatically
040say either that we should guarantee upfront that nobody would come here, but I don't think we should. I think that this would probably be clear from reading them, especially if if many board members are not interested in a in a canned slate opportunity, which many of the firms will only do that, and then there would be no need to proceed to those. But again, I don't know if there's someone who would be good for us that's different than the way that these other firms do business that I've never heard of before because I don't know. I'll know I'll know well enough if we do an RFP then it's on them if they miss the the chance but I don't know if there's something different. >> Yeah, I would agree that an RFP is a formalized
041process. Um and that you know typically you get responses and you only offer an opportunity to come and speak for finalist. Um but typically you don't just have one finalist, right? You you want it to be a competitive process to end. So, but I think we had three or four last time and I could imagine two um coming and speaking to the board as a finalist meeting. >> All right. So I think that um looking and Alex you have >> I was just going to say that just maybe one last reminder too that it costs us nothing no money no time to do an RFP and with that being said the conclusion of it still we have to decide every one of us how we feel about not spending any money not contracting it out
042versus the alternative we're you regardless of what happens with the RFP whether we get nothing back that we like or WAB and what in some way shape or form is going to be part of the RFP whether we do an RFP or not you know so we already know that no matter what we go with if we decide by the way if we decide to contract out something that it's going to cost money um and we still have to factor that into our overall determination about ultimately what we're going to do keeping in mind what consist isuments have said um which I think we all know at this point very well in regards to how we search and also cost um I myself have not made up I have not made up my mind I'm
043comp and I then this is I guess what I want to stress I still want in my opinion everybody to continue to be open-minded about what we spend and what we go with and how we approach this process though because I still don't think any of us should have had made up our mind yet with and that's why I think the RFP is important there's still more information to be gained for all of us to make up our mind how we ultimately want to go about this process. >> Janette, >> so um number one choice, we would manage the entire process internally without external facilitation. I'm not really in favor in that, but we need to look at everything. Do we have numbers of how much it would cost in labor? Because this is going
044to be labor intensive. we're going to have to have staff spending hours and time is money. How much would that cost the staff? >> So, so there are multiple um characteristics of an internal search. Um and one of them is time and labor and and the other one is um um separation of duties um and legal um concerns that we would have to um to clarify um because again it's um and competencies, right? We have an HR team and a a talent acquisition team that's tuned to hire teachers um and may or may not have the experience conducting executive search. um out there. So, very different types of searches. Um but there are also costs associated with it that aren't time and labor, right? Some of these consultants bring they already have affiliations. So, they
045handle the postings and the advertising through pre-existing channels that we would probably pay a premium because we're only going to have one um one posting out there. So, there there are costs that aren't just internal labor, right? So, nothing's free. Um, it's just, you know, to Alex's point, it's on a continuum, and I'm sure it's at the low end of the continuum when when it comes to costs. >> Yet, I think it's important to at least have a ballpark figure of what that would be. So, we could say, okay, I'm not in favor of using staff. I, as you said, they're they're hiring teachers. Should they be hiring their boss? Um, there's a lot of reasons why I'm not in favor of that, but I think we need to say and and also the the
046cost that doesn't cost actual dollars, but the cost of time that's taking them the opportunity costs that are taking them away from the jobs of hiring teachers and doing their jobs. >> So, I agree. But when you're looking at number one, I think the expectation going into that is we would be shouldering the primary responsibility for number of reasons. Um we the board right um and I don't want anyone to underestimate the amount of time that is and it's comes in um spikes. though when the application window closes the amount of work is going to be large. Um and if we take it on we will be doing ourselves a disservice if we cannot execute those activities and tasks with expertise in the time frame that we need to because we are in competition with
047all of the other districts for the same talent. Right? So it's not something that we can get to. It's something that has to be done right now. So that's some of the value that an external organization brings. They're tuned and they have processes so that they can work efficiently when they need to work efficiently um at scale. So, >> and that's a very important thing for not just us on the on the at the table to know, which is ex I totally agree with you, but we need to let constituents know because as Alex said, there's people who are in the community who have said, "Well, just look for that person yourself. Why are you spending even $5,000? you should just be looking for that because it's not easy to find somebody in this position.
048So, thank you for for that information. >> All right. Other comments? So, what I'd like to do is just so you could This is not an action item on the board, but I do want um some direction and just to kind of give some feedback. all of the board members that are in favor of us executing an RFP um and working with internal resources to um create that, publish it, um get the feedback. Um please raise your hand, one, two, three, four, five, or four regardless. Okay. That's what I'll start working with the the district to do um to put that together. And so we'll socialize it, make sure that everyone is comfortable with the nature of the RFP questions that we're asking a um a uh recipient or respondent to to answer. Okay. Right.
049Thank you. So that with that we can move on um to the consent agenda um approval. Will someone please read the motion? >> I move that the consent agenda items as presented be approved. >> Second >> discussion. Kenzie. >> Online voting is now open. All votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. All right. Thank you. We'll move to section 8 action items. Um 8A revised Southwest High School logo approval. Will someone please read the motion? I move that the revised Southwest High School logo as presented be approved. >> Second. >> Before we take a vote, we have a couple of visitors at the table. Mike, Lori. Um, yeah, lead us through these changes. >> Sure. So, good evening. Um, well, kind of exciting. Uh, last week
050we shared with you the new Star Elementary logo. Our elementary logos don't go through a board approval process. However, our high school logos do. And so that's why we're before you today. And so, uh, I'm going to turn it over to Mike to who came to me and and brought forward some concerns with existing logo and rationale for why I'd like to make some changes. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um, thank you everybody. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. New board members, I appreciate the time here. I was fancy myself a lifelong learner. One thing that they do in admin grad school is how to pick out logos and talk about colors. And so Lori has taught me a lot about logos and colors. So I greatly appreciate that. Um as you look around
051Southwest, if you happen out there, you will see that there is a variety um of logos. All right. Different shades of blue, different shades of silver, uh the Trojan inverted um colors, um shields, no shields, boxes, no boxes, whatnot. So really coming in the last couple of years, we're trying to set our pathway for continuous improvement. Really looking at who we are as a school. Okay. And so um in thinking about our our logo and the importance of that, this is the goal that we we crafted here. So just wanting to have that recognizable and consistently used trademarked logo. It's one of the uh conversations that Lori and I engaged in over the last couple years is just that consistency around the trademark. And currently the um logo on the bottom left corner of the
052slide there is our trademark logo and it has that box there. Um and most importantly we want to keep in in mind the traditions, the history and the alumni of Southwest High School because that's a big part of who we are is that history. So uh we did engage several stakeholders in the process. So, first and foremost, the staff that uh brought forward the concerns, members of our building leadership team and the administration, including Chris, our newetic and activities director. Um we did engage students, some members of our innovative student leadership team. Um that's a a newer group that we have going at Southwest. Um Lori of course, Cindy Olsen, um being involved there. And the most fun part of it is we went all the way back to 1965 and engaged the original students
053at Southwest High School. And this is um an original um kind of time capsule from that time and really looking what was the intent um at that time for the school colors and whatnot. And I recently learned from Mr. J. Kring, social studies teacher, that the reason why we are the Southwest Trojans. And he actually met the person who won the contest for naming the mascot. We are named the Trojans because um the individual that won the contest was a fan of um the USC Trojans. Um and they had just won whatever bowl game or national champion, what whatnot. Yeah. So um that's that's why we are the Trojans. So that's just an interesting little tidbit there. So but hey, it is what it is, right? Um if you look Next slide, please. So, some
054of the concerns that came forward is when we were trying to print things, um it kind of gave a purple purple tone to it. This really came to light in our gym work, our gymnasium work. Um they went to uh mix the colors and it was much more of a purple. Um so that really fasttracked the conversation. Um and that box um can be problematic, especially when you're looking embroidery, etc. Um it just doesn't look good. I mean, if you imagine my polo here with a big blue box around it, it kind of looks tough, right? Um, and Lori did some digging and it looks like it was modified in the 2000s from the original colors. Um, and then the Trojan was inversed in there. So, that's some of the lingering pieces we have around
055Southwest as well. This is the proposed um new logo for Southwest and thank you to Lori and her team for this work. um this kind of just met the the group's needs and so um revising that to that original royal blue which is much closer to the fabric that I have on here and easier for us to find in terms of our uniforms in terms of um products that we might purchase um for giveaways etc. Um and it I one part that really stood out to me was the um definition of that Trojan when they inverted those that blue and the white back um that that really helped it stand out. And then of course easier to use with merchandise makes it more universal kind of approach. Okay, next slide please. We did go to
056the students um because they are a big part of our journey this last year. Um so I we did have a leadership group uh meeting planned this summer and so I brought this towards them. Um you know to them big picture a logo is a logo is a logo. However, um they do agree that there was quite, you know, difficulty with that trademark box, especially on various things. Um shirts in particular. Um and they did like the lighter blue u makes it easier to match the clothing, the popular clothing. Um that outline on there really, they said that helped pop as well as the inversion of the the blue and the white on the Trojan um profile. So, our students were on board with this. Next, so that's the gist of it. am open to
057questions. Um, but I we are just respectfully asking that the school board uh approve those modifications to our trademark logo. So hopefully Lori and her team could take the next steps to assist us with that process. >> And then just to touch base on uh should you approve the logo, then next steps would be we would uh put the logo back through the trademark process. Um the reason that we trademark our high school logos is it keeps people from uh selling our clothing. um you know making a profit off of our logo. Uh it also we've also used it when people create um fake social media accounts. If it's a trademark logo, it gives us some standing and fighting back on uh social media accounts that are not our own organizations. Um and so then
058we would have to uh once we the logos approved, we'll be updating the website, making it the correct colors, social media accounts, and all of that. So, >> Laura, >> thank you for mentioning that about um companies trying to make a profit off our off our logos because I for a while there I was getting all kinds of um companies reaching out trying to sell me things from Green Bay East online that I'm sure weren't well clearly weren't part of our um our district, they were using east logos um in order to sell things. Um and and I hadn't really thought about that too much. I Is that just patently? No, no pun intended, but um like against the law for them to do that. Oh, sorry, Melissa. So, just a side note, when we
059did uh trademark all the high school logos, we did it all all of them together. And the Southwest logo was the hardest one to try trademark because of that box because you have to show usage in the public and apparel and um the principal at the time had a hard time finding consistent use of that logo with that box. So this is going to make our lives much easier in the legal department as well once we trademark this new logo. Um so we we have had a number of situations where various different um retailers in the local area do sell merchandise with for particularly for our high schools. In those cases now that we are trademarked we will send a cease and desist letter and ask that the clothing be pulled and that it not
060be sold. We've been given a number of um responses to that, including, well, if you just let us sell it, we'll give you a cut of the profits. But not only does it, you know, we don't have control over it, but it hurts our students because the majority of our apparel that is sold, there's a percentage of the proceeds that go to our students and go to our clubs and our booster clubs and our different um activities. So, that's that's why we really make sure that those are not being sold in in local retailers. Well, I like the idea of our students benefiting from the sale of any product that that has logos on it. So, yeah, whatever we can do to protect that, I think that's important. Um, uh, and I I had no
061idea that the Southwest was having, you know, having these struggles with their logo. So, if this rectifies it, I'm I'm in favor. Sam, >> um, what sort of next steps are involved as far as rebranding within the building itself in terms of like athletics, the football field, murals, stuff like that? Even like the giant floor mats I've seen, you know, in schools that have the logos on it. >> So, I'll I'll start just from my perspective. We had to take it as it comes, right? We can't just go out and completely purchase all new things. The biggest thing and probably the most time-sensitive thing right now is center court on our basketball um floor. Um because that is they're at the point where they're going to start putting down lines and putting down all the
062markings. And so um it's pending the board approval here. Um I will be in contact with those people. Um but then as we have new things, I have some academic recognition things coming in. So as soon as um determination is made here, I'll contact that vendor and give them the the current or the new um logo. So just as it comes and as we're spending the money on those things other >> I have one question. So I've not done the trademark process but I've been party to many a naming process. Is there any impediment or risk that we wouldn't get a trademark on this? Um, Trojan S seem very very common place. Um, I don't know what the details are that differentiate one trademark from the other, but is there a possibility that you can't
063um get a trademark? >> You're asking a lawyer a definite question? >> Yeah, I am. >> I I mean there I'll give you a lawyer answer. always a possibility, but what we need to show is consistent use and the association of that use with that school. So I I don't I don't foresee a problem going forward. We did not have after we had established all of those things with all the other school logos. For example, East is a Red Devil and Red Devil is a a pretty common thing. Um, probably the Prebble Hornets was not a a widely used logo um or mascot and the West Wildcats was probably pretty widely used and we didn't have any issues with that. >> And I would just add that I would say that I was probably seeing
064something more along this lines at Southwest than I have the logo that was adopted in early 2000. So that was prior to me. So, I'm not sure what the, you know, motivation or rationale was for making that change, but I would say that other than from a district level, no offense, I don't think at the school level, it was widely adopted. And so, I think it, like Melissa said, I think it'll be easier for us to actually get this. >> Cool. Sorry. And that is one of the goals is just that consistency across organizations so that it is recognizable for all of our students. So going forward and even this year with the work with Lori and she provided me a branding sheet for all of our clothing and stuff um our coaches and our
065our activities directors have been working hard to kind of stay consistent. So that's that continuous push. This will make for them to be consistent um even when it comes to embroidery on a baseball hat. So other discussion. Okay, Kenzie. Online voting is now open. >> All votes been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. >> And like that Southwest has a new logo. Okay, we'll continue to 8B. Um, will someone please read the motion about posting of standards? >> I can read that. >> Okay. >> That pursuant to Wisconsin statute section 120.12, do I read all the parenthesis? Um 13B the list and description of the 202526 student academic standards in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history as presented and with said academic standards
066constituting the board adopted standards that are required under Wisconsin statute second section 118.30 30 1 GA be approved. >> Second. >> We had a second by I think Alex. >> Discussion. >> Kenzie. >> Online voting is now open. All votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. Thank you. We'll move to 8 C education interpreter compensation structure. Before we read the motion, just want to make sure that everyone understands that these were all discussed at our working session. We're just taking action on items that board members have already been able to question and discuss. Someone please read the motion. I move that the that starting with the 20 202526 school year the addition of a level four wait I skip >> you're good >> I am good
067scale for educational interpreters with 10 years of experience in the district and above as presented be approved >> second >> discussion Kenzie >> online voting is now All votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. >> Thank you. We'll proceed to 8 D revisions to the district organizational chart. Will someone please read the motion? I move that the organizational chart as presented be approved. >> Have a second by Janette. Discussion >> Kenzie. Online voting is now open. All votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. >> Great. We'll proceed to 8E. Approval of long-term capital plan. Will someone please read the motion? >> I move that the long-term capital plan as presented be approved. >> Second. discussion. Laura, >>
068I just want to um say thanks for this this document that shows this the yearby-year expenditures or proposed um expenditures. Um I don't know that I've se seen it in this form before. Uh no, so this is actually really a really good visual of a very ambitious plan. Um, and I we're so we're it shows a long-term commitment to, you know, keeping our our our um buildings well-maintained, but also um investing heavily in energy and sustainability. And as you guys all know, like I that thrills me to my core. So, um, I just wanted to say that. Thanks. Other discussion, Alex, >> and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I just want to make it known to the public that this is a fund that is only a handful of years old that is
069put that was put together by the district that allows us to attend to capital infrastructure needs through smart investment with our um with our funds. >> Appreciate that, Laura. >> And that it can't be used for any used just for anything. It can only be used for these sorts of projects. So you can't pay down our debt, so to speak, our deficit with this >> others. All right, Kenzie. >> Online voting is now open. All votes have been entered and the motion is carried with all board members voting in favor. >> Thank you. We'll go to 8F, the independent hearing officer resolution for expulsions. Um Andrew, will you please read the motion? >> Um I'm going to defer and I'll ask Samantha to read it. >> Okay. I move that the resolution for an authorization
070and appointment of an independent hearing officer as presented be approved. >> Second. >> Thank you. I apologize. Sam >> discussion. Andrew. >> Um I didn't make the I didn't make the motion because I'm I'm going to vote no, but I want to explain my no vote first. Um there is nothing wrong with the quality of service of the proposed um independent hearing examiners. And yes, it is difficult with the number of expulsions for for the board to do it because I have lived in that system as well and it it can be difficult. Um it's for me I would have to philosophically be absolutely certain that we must give this up. Um and I'm I'm just not quite at that absolute certainty. I realize it's a minority probably, but um it's it's philosophical. It has
071nothing to do with the quality of the examiners or the administration's process in bringing this this forward discussion. Um I would like to make a comment because I understand Andrew's position on this and it's valid. Um however when I look at the services that are provided there's an aspect of quality but there's also an aspect of consistency and pro using the same firm year the same resources year over year. Um it's not that the the quality does not vary based on membership of the board. Right? It is professionals that this is their services that they render. Um they have a specific expertise. um in this that um a depending on the composition of the board we do not have right so the the um I understand that ultimately it is the board's responsibility I think
072we are doing our students and our community a service by recognizing that um there are those that have a particular competency that we as a board should leverage um in this particular role so um yeah that's what I Lyn, >> I would just like to say having been now through several expulsion hearings um in my third year on the board, um I find that the packet of materials I'm given is absolutely adequate for me to fully understand the situation and then we always have our attorney at the table to um answer questions for us and clarify things. Um I feel that it works very well. I feel it's it's a fair process and we make a decision based on on a true understanding of the situation. So I have no qualms about it whatsoever. Alex,
073>> I appreciate um all of your viewpoints for all three of you have spoken, but similar to Andrew, um I philosophically have I have a multitude of philosophies um that ultimately I I believe that this is something that should be solely or more so in the hands of the board um regardless of the um other things that factor in and that includes even if board members change. Um, I think this is something that a certain sector of the community expects us to and not that we don't obviously we still have oversight of these things. Um, but uh I I think ultimately it's philosophically not something that uh that I'm in favor of because I think a lot of people want us to be more responsible for it is maybe not the best way to put
074it, but um ultimately they want us to have more hands-on um and I don't know, maybe less outsourcing of something like this. um you can call it accountability if you will even though that piece is still there but um that along with other philosophical things um I I I'll be voting no >> bar >> when I was first on the board um that's what we did we did um school board members we have to have a quorum of school board members who attended every single um expulsion hearing and with that and all the staff that are involved which are quite a few and all the various witnesses and principles and law enforcement and everything. It was not uncommon to have 20 25 people in the room um who were part of this process. So scheduling
075it was extremely hard and um and often it was the same for schoolboard members who didn't who could get away in in in the middle of the day which is when these happened during the school day. Um and and and it became often just untenable. Um and so that's why I've always been actually grateful that we've gone this route. um it works really well. In the end, the board does have oversight over the decision making and we have good guidance from our legal department and um but the way we used to do it was really um complicated and um I I know I think we this is a much much better process >> today. So, I'm trained as a physical therapist. I'm not a teacher. Um, I don't deal with disciplinary things other than when
076I had to discipline my children. Yes, I could learn the process. I could read the the papers. Um, but I would rather have someone who this is what they do for a living because we come from different backgrounds. Several people here have been teachers or um maybe are still in the teaching realm. Um, but I feel that as James said, the board makeup changes. Um, potentially every year it could change. And so consistency with what happens with one student in 2026 and then the board changes and now maybe there's a different bend in 2027. I don't think it's fair to the students to have that inconsistency as well as somebody who um isn't really trained in this this kind of um process. So yes, I could learn it, but I feel that I would rather
077just like I can learn how to fix the drain under my sink if it's clogged, I'd much rather call a plumber. And I think expulsion hearing is probably a lot harder than the drain under my sink. >> Sam, >> um, having been on on the educator side of these sorts of hearings and as a family advocate in these sorts of hearings, just yeah, the time investment is is huge and I think we owe our families and our students um the timeliness of holding those hearings in a reasonable time frame. Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is something that we renew annually. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. Looking at the slate of work ahead of us in the superintendent search, I would just be very concerned that we I even looking at the the
078number of hearings, it seems to be going down and that's great and I I think that's fantastic. Um but on the off chance that we would have a spike in those having to balance the needs of being very present for our students and our families in these sorts of hearings as well as running a superintendent search at the same time. I just worry that we would be spreading ourselves too thin. >> Further discussion Kenzie online voting is now open. All votes have been entered and the motion is carried. The results of the individual board member votes are as follows. Meister, yes. Canel, yes. Minnow, no. Gerlock, yes. Larly, yes. McCoy, yes. Becker, no. Thank you. And that brings us to the end of the agenda for the open session. We had an adjournment into close
079session that we do not need any longer. So I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> I move that we adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. You have been watching the Green Bay Area Public School District's Board of Education meeting. Please visit the school district's website, www.gbaps.org, for more information on the district and future meeting dates. If you cannot fully access the information on this video, please let us know the accessibility issue you are having by calling 920-4482025 or by email at communications gbaps.org. We will try to provide the information to you in an alternative format and or make the necessary improvements to make the information accessible. [Music]