Board of Education Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026

001Vietnam Vietnam was literally sleep so you can do a demonstration plus three >> shouldn't have been that much different for for numbers >> set a prec track. >> All right. I've got 7 o'clock Central Standard Time. So, we're going to call our March 30 32nd. How about March 23rd of Education? >> Welcome back. >> You might need some coaching here, huh? >> March March 23rd, 2026, uh, regular board of ed meeting to order. Mickey, would you please call the role? >> Yeah. Mickey Austin, present. Jim Curran >> present. >> Mike Davis >> present. >> Mike Pro. >> Nicole Joseph. >> Theresa Kee >> present. >> Steve Mayor >> Terry Montgomery is absent. Phil Vosber. >> With that we are officially in. We've got quum. So we're in session. We want to approve the agenda. Look

002for a motion to approve the agenda for tonight and Mike G. >> By Mike F. Second by Mike D. All in favor say I. I >> post name. Motion carries. All right. Next up, we've got our consent items. So, if anyone would like to Is there any board member who would like to remove an item from the consent agenda? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion and then after the motion and second, I'll read the read it into the record. >> I'll move. >> Motion by Nikki. >> Steve. Second by Steve. Okay. On our consent items for tonight. I'm going to make sure we got my just note at the top. There you go. We've got approval approval of our minutes from the March 9th meeting. Approval of a professional staff retirement or two of

003them. Sorry. Uh Lee Lierman, fifth grade teacher from Parkside Elementary and Ann Tro Trow, uh math teacher at Monroe Middle School. I've got two resignations. Uh William Jeffrey Mormon, intervention teacher at Abe and North Side, and Sarah Bodell, music teacher at Northside Elementary. Approval of support staff hiring Haley Joe Dole, educational assistant at Northside Elementary, and approval and acceptance of community donations. Blue Scope Buildings has donated materials to Monroe High School welding students and $50 donation to Backpack Buddy program from Donna Donald and Bonnie Barker. Any discussion before we vote >> just thank you to the >> service for where we going? Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah, >> I just I mean 32 years with the district. nine years with the district. Um, two resignations, 12 years, 13 years. Just really thankful for

004the the time and the effort these people have put in and excited for them to uh to move on to the next chapter of their lives, but uh also, you know, sad to see them go from the Monroe School District. >> Mike and Teresa, any other comments before we vote? Okay. All in favor say I. >> I post nay. Consent item is approved. I think we got anybody here for public comment. Do one final call. Nobody's moving. So we're going to keep going. We've got our student leazison on report. No student leison on tonight. No old business. So moving on to new business. All right. Couple exciting items. We got donations. We got scholarships. First up, we're going to go and this is an action item to approve the scores table sponsorship. Turn over to

005administration to bring us in to the details. >> Yeah, we're excited to announce that uh school district has entered into a sponsorship agreement with CG Schmidt. I think most people are aware CJ CG Schmidt is the contractor um that's uh leading the project with the new high school. They've been incredible partners. um done a fantastic job. We're excited about the community getting a close-up look on Thursday of this week. Um but in addition to that, they've also um offered a generous $50,000 sponsorship. Um $35,000 of that will be provided for a video scores table that will be used in the new fieldhouse. For those of you that don't know what that is, it basically if you think about where the score is kept and people work in the book and announcements, um, instead of having

006just a static sign that says Monroe Cheesemakers on it, it's a large video board that provides not only the score, but also can feature players, feature stats. It also can be used for advertising to generate revenue um, during games and events. that can be used at all your athletic events that are held in the fieldhouse, but also can be used for pep rallies and things of that nature when um when the high school is in there. So, this is incredibly generous. That's about $35,000 for the video scores table and then the remaining approximately $15,000 um will be used to sponsor scholarships for Monroe High School graduates that are going into the trades. That scholarship will be offered over the next three years. So again, special thanks to CG Schmidt. Um, and just really appreciate all

007that they've done for us and we would recommend approving the donation and sponsorship agreement. >> Thanks, Shel. Any questions for administration? >> Ron, anything you want to add to that? >> I wonder Joe, how did this one come about? uh we guilted them in. No, I'm just kidding. Um to be honest, I think as as we've had all of this incredible um support within the community and we make these announcements and many times, you know, tonight it's Christian from CG Schmidt. Usually it was Tony. I think they were really impressed by the level of support that we received from the community and they just wanted to express uh their appreciation and support for our school district but also the community of Monroe where they've done quite a bit of work. Christian, I don't know if

008I missed anything. >> No, I you know, we've been looking for a long time to do something like this for the project, but with the amount of community support, things kept getting checked off. >> Got to move fast, man. >> Well, you know, we're we're going to let everyone else stay. and let your community, you know, help you guys as much as possible and then we'll take on whatever, you know, fall to the bottom. So, that's we're we're glad to to support the school district and do whatever we can to do to help. >> This will be an incredible addition to the fieldhouse. The the gym, the fieldhouse is beautiful already. Uh, but to have that level of technology there, I think it's going to be really exciting for the kids and the parents and

009the community. So, we're fortunate. Thank you. Thanks for sharing. All right. I would entertain a motion to approve the video scores table sponsorship and scholarship donation as presented. >> I'll second couple. Yeah, we got Mike Mike Davis with a motion. I got a second by Teresa unless >> No, that's mine. >> Okay. Second by all it actually. >> Any discussion before we vote? I'll just echo my gratitude to CG and then also just say I think it clicked for me in a in a different way that um you know all the time these donations make a huge difference to to the project to to kids uh for generations to come but there's also kind of this momentum effect that when people hear about donations that makes them more desiring or they want to be a

010part of a winning team and so uh it just sounds like a lot of the success from the from the past from the administration and the team securing these donations made this one happen. uh in in part. So, it's just cool to cool to hear. So, thanks again to CG and great job to the administration. All right, got a motion in a second. All in favor say I. >> I post nay. >> Motion carries. >> All right, got another one. Let's do another one. Um we're we're really excited about this next one. Uh we're happy to announce that um we're entering into or hope to have approved a generous and impactful sponsorship agreement with the Thompson family. Um, the new stadium press box will officially be named the Thompson Family Stadium Press Box. U, it's

011a $50,000 uh, agreement that'll be paid over the course of um, 10 years, possibly sooner. Um, but this is a special one. We we worked closely with Scott and Ben Thompson. Um Scott has a history with calling games at Monro High School and so it was important for them to um to be involved with the sponsorship of of this press box. Um for those of you that haven't had the opportunity to um to see that facility, it's it's really nice. It's a combination of a press box. There's the um the restrooms and there's also the concession stand, but the the press box will be prominently named in this area. And this is one that that uh you know had a lot of uh people interested in it. Um and uh we had to do some

012negotiating to to get it to where it worked out for all the parties. Um but I think we feel very fortunate that the Thompson family is able to to sponsor this one because um it just seems to make sense. So um looking for approval for this. Again, really appreciative of the Thompson family and their ongoing support for the school district. >> Ben was a good son. made sure that Deb could be here for >> when they when they recognized it as well. So, >> yeah, it's a uh great, you know, family of supported us a lot over the years. So, good sponsorship. >> In fact, I'll this was one when we started with the sponsorship work, Ron said right out of the gate that this is if this isn't the Thompson family, I'll be shocked

013and took us a little bit to get it figured out, but um so thankful and and this one just feels right. So, thankful for that support. Thank you. Any questions for administration? >> Thank you. >> Well, I you know, it's interesting that you said Thompson family because I don't think I'm part of that. I was thinking it was going to be like Scott and Ben Thompson. So, um I'm just there to support those two guys. I think it's great because Scott started announcing when we moved to town whether in 85 or 86. passionate about that. Ben went to a lot of the games with his dad, you know, so yes, I find it very fitting and I'm thankful that it all worked out um for them to have that sponsorship. So, thank you. >> Yeah,

014it was important for them that it be represented as the Thompson family. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah, that's what they wanted. So, pretty cool. I love it. I think it's great. >> Figuring I'm going to change my name back to my maiden neighbors. >> Well, just make sure that they don't show up and ask for a $25,000 check tomorrow morning. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's >> that'll be coming. >> All right. >> Great. >> I'd entertain a motion to approve the lifetime sponsorship of the new Mural High School stadium press box as presented. >> So >> second, >> Steve. Motion by Steve, second by Nikki. All in favor say I. >> Post nay. Motion carries. That's kind of fitting because my maid name is Thompson. So, I figured I should be part of it. >> So,

015you're in for $5,000. >> I'm the Thompson's from Mars. So, >> All right. Next up, we've got uh more exciting news. We can't be kind of as public with all the details on this uh for reasons I think will make sense to everybody because we don't want to spoil the surprise. >> Yeah. So, basically asking for the board's approval of the board issued scholarships. We do have a list that's been uh provided to the board. That information is embargoed until the night in which the scholarships are announced. We'd like these to be obviously a surprise to the students and their families. Um I would just add that I think most people know this, but Monroe is pretty unique in terms of the amount of scholarship support that we get here. Um, if you talk to

016folks who are in other communities that are of a similar size and um, they hear about some of the these things, they're often shocked. And Ron, I don't know I don't know the number off the top of my head what we're up to in terms of total scholarships that are awarded. Do you know that? >> I do not. I'd have to count them like that. >> So, it's it's substantial. And if anyone's interested in that number, we can certainly get it to you. I should have looked at that earlier today. But um again, we're we're very fortunate to have that level of support for our our students and um excited about being at this time of the year when a lot of kids and parents get to celebrate a lot of hard work. And I

017would just give a a plug that uh you know we we work with our scholarship uh funds with the the community foundation and sometimes it's people who have um in their wills left money to the district that we then put in the community foundation to manage uh the investments of those so that uh these scholarships can do so well. and and sometimes quite honestly it's people who have a relationship with the community foundation and and set these scholarships up directly with them and we don't even know about them until uh it someone you know comes to pass and then they we we were notified that there's a scholarship that's being done for our students. So, um, you know, I used to say when I was in some of the, uh, nonprofit organizations, but, uh, thank

018you to all the families that that, you know, and and individuals who had the foresight to set those up. And one of those things if you're ever doing some end of life planning and don't know what you want to do, um, this is a way to help kids for for generations to come. >> We have a scholarship committee that picks the winners of these scholarships or >> Yeah, we we just recently had a scholarship meeting. Um I'm trying to remember. Mike, you were there. Who else was there from the board? Was >> Jimmy, you couldn't make it. >> Usually there's two people on the board. >> Jim was going to be there, but he couldn't make it. Teresa loves to be at that one, but for obvious reasons, she had to step out because she's

019got a couple boys that are seniors this year. So, um so yeah, that's how it's done. Certainly every year any board member has an interest in participating. It's it's an interesting experience to see how it how it's done. Um because there's a lot of care that's given to make sure that >> not only the right kids are honored but a large number of kids are honored and um it it's really it's impressive. >> Yeah. just the I mean I know you don't know the exact number but just the scholarships that the the different families have asked the school to be a part of the selection committee was over $100,000 >> and it's and that's not even close to all of them. So >> yeah, I would encourage anybody to that's a fun night. May 6th

020this year is I think the date that I saw. That's a yeah powerful name. Any questions for administration on this before we entertain a motion to approve the board of education issued scholarships as listed. >> Motion by Mike process second by Steve. All in favor say I. >> I'm gonna sorry. I'm gonna abstain. I've seen from the process and I'm abstaining from the vote just because I have two kids who applied >> for scholarships just to make it clear. >> I would however like to be part of like >> between two of us would like to hand them out on whatever the May 6 or whatever. >> I think that makes sense. Awesome. >> Be great. >> Great. Were you saying the same thing? >> Yeah, I will abstain. >> Abstain and attend. >> Yes.

021>> Okay. Is there anything different we need to do procedurally? >> Nope. No. Just the rest of us need to vote. >> Okay. >> So, we've got a motion and a second. So, all in favor say I. >> All motion carries. Okay. On to the fine arts festival. Believe this is justformational. We'll be excited to hear more about anything you want. >> No, I Melissa's pulling up the the presentation. I would just start off with a special thanks to these two that do so much work for an incredible tradition in our our high school. I think it's one that people absolutely love and look forward to it. Um and we're just really fortunate that kids in the community and that bringing people in to experience this is it's just really special. So, I'll turn it

022over to you guys. >> Um I'm Susan Anderson. I'm Jan Douglas >> and we co-chair the fine arts festival. Um so for folks who don't know the fine arts festival takes place every other year and uh two years ago in 2024 we celebrated 50 years of fine arts festivals. So it goes back to the 70s with Walt Palski, Alto Stafer, Kathy King carried the torch for a very long time. Um I did a number of festivals with Kathy. Kathy retired. Jan um jumped in and um we are uh been carrying it. We've done several together now. Um so we're excited. Uh this one is is interesting because it comes at the end right as of the building and things closing. Um and at a busy time uh for us certainly for Jan me packing up

023my office not the same as Jan packing the art department. >> So 27 years is done. >> Yeah. She doesn't have that much. It's gonna be fine. So, uh, so we're excited, um, to to pull this one, uh, together and, um, even more excited for 2028 when we'll have a new facility to do this in. So, we're going to tell you a little bit about this one. Um, and we'll answer certainly if you have questions or questions about it. All right. Okay. Uh, so this year's theme is carry the torch. Um, much like you just said earlier, um, the kids came up with it. Our art club kids uh always choose the theme and they help to design the t-shirt. The t-shirt design is not yet done. Um I have some graphic design kids working

024on that. Um but this theme is is I think is very fitting. They also came up with illuminate the arts just kind of as a little subtitle. Um and I think it'll be great. So, um, those t-shirts are given out to, um, all the kids who helps. All the art club kids volunteer to help show artists where to go, um, and do a lot of, uh, a lot of work getting ready for this. So, >> it makes them easily identifiable. Yes. When artists come, find the kid in the blue shirt or the whatever. And those are kids who are around to help you get where you're going because Jan and I are doing lots of stuff that day. >> Yeah. And they're available for staff. And if you want one, let us know. >> Yeah.

025um we can we can order one for you. Um so this is a two-day event. Um it's always on a Thursday and a Friday. Um and it really just is to get opportunity for kids to experience some art. Um oftentimes kids that have not had exposure to um any of the arts, music, dance, all of that. Um, and it's not only just them attending things. It's hand-on work, hands-on workshops where they're learning or they're making and taking or they're um performing right along with the artist. So, it's really, really cool. Um, and it only comes every two years, so you have kids that get really excited for that. And, uh, the seniors always want first dibs on all of the stuff, but we tell them, "No, no, can't do that." >> Oh, is that going

026to go for you? We'll jump ahead and I'll I'll do some tech stuff behind the scenes. We'll see if we can get that hype video to play. So, um, in 2022, Patrick Bodell came and with kids behind the camera, kids filmed the 2022 festival. So, I have a quick one minute video that really kind of drives home what the thing is about. So, let me see if I can get it sent over to Melissa. Well, Jan talks about empty bowl. >> I will talk about the empty bowl dinner. So on Thursday of our festival, um we always have an empty bowl dinner where people can come um pay $10. They get a ceramic bowl that our students have made. Um and then they get soup and salad and a bread stick and some dessert. And

027then we also have our one act play that our students put on every year. So it's kind of like soup, soup and a dinner or a dinner and a show, I guess, is what I'm trying to say. Um and that money goes to local charities. Um, so it really is a nice event and it's an opportunity for people to um see our students perform so and be charitable. It's working. >> Good job, Susan. >> I am the technology coach. Sometimes it works for me. Give it a shot, Melissa. Let's see. >> Ah, come on. Spoke too soon. There we go. Do we have sound? No. Okay. Pretend it sounds great. >> What about on the monitor? What's the thing? >> There it is. You want to restart? Up to you guys. Catch it from the

028beginning with all the video. >> All right, here you go. Remember, all filmed by kids. So, it kind of captures the spirit of it. All my kids. Okay. Did you have anything else for Empty Bowl? >> No. Unless anyone has questions. >> Can you Sorry, >> Melissa. Can you mute it? Thanks. >> Appreciate it. Sorry. Um so this year's all school assembly um is going to be um students watching our students perform the one act play which is called the Greek mythology Olympia Ganza um and it's student directed um and by Leanne and Miley and their amazing kids and then advised by Brenda Davis who um is our set person and just organizes everything as far as the the place at the high school. Um so yeah, that's it's going to be great and so

029all of our students will see it and then again they'll be performing at the um soup dinner. So we are really excited that there's so many alumni coming back um and it's just it's very cool and I they've come every year but we haven't like in this meeting specifically pulled out and and talked to you about this. So Ariana comes and takes pictures. Jess Beardmore, we're gonna kind of go left, right, across here. Wellington Beardmore, she comes and make soap. Michelle Megan is new this year. She's That's do tasty. She's going to come and make cookies with kids. Um next to her is Kelly Crober. She's a potter and was one of Jan's students. Um Emma Town uh was one of my students. She does crafts on the square. Emma's going to come back. Um

030that's Jess Depri going back to the left there. Um sister to Rich. And so she's going to come. She has a cool session on ink blotss uh that she's doing with kids and some improv. Um next to her is Jen Brooks. Uh Jen's new. She hasn't come before. Um and this year she's going to come. She wood burns hats. >> They're amazing. So she's going to come and woodburn with kids. Um Tracy every year lets kids go out to paw prints and make shirts with him. Uh so we're going to have a mini field trip over to Hartland or over to Paw Prints. Um you saw Eric Wells. Uh he has the in the foreground of the three of them. Trinity Siege log is an alumni in the back and uh he paints does car

031painting um airbrush detailing. Um that's Casey Tuseno of Casey's Landscaping on the right. Um we are in negotiations. I haven't I haven't totally signed Casey yet, but her what she does in landscaping is outstanding and she's totally interested in coming. Our most recent conversation was could we bring a whole pallet of cinder block? Um, and so we're with the logistics. We got to I don't know. So, we got to figure that out. But can kids design a patio? I mean, maybe. Yeah, sure. It's great. Um, and then at the bottom, uh, the fellas there, this is a new this year. Um, they are a band and they're going to come and we're going to try to do like a battle of the bands kind of thing with a bunch of kids and alumni and it

032should be super stinking cool. Um, so I'm excited about that. So, some of those folks are new and haven't come before and then other people have been kind of a part of the festival for for a number of years. And there's more more people returning. So, the Alporn players are coming back. Uh the Bag Pipers um from Deuke are coming back. Uh the top right is just my cue to remember. Um Sean Rudy, Sam Rudy's husband, is a graphic designer. Shawn comes and is going to do some AI and design artwork with kids this year, which will be cool. Uh you saw the drummers in the video. Um the lower left Neil Genrich comes and does like forges steel knives type stuff with kids which is cool. Um and then Margie Genrich his wife. These

033are Julia Calvert's parents. They're amazing. >> And teachers from Toma. They're teachers at my high school. So it's always >> always fun. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> She started holding. >> Yeah. Exactly. I don't blame you. Julia can do or Julia um Margie can do everything. And so every time she comes, she's got a new trick up her sleeve that she wants to do. Like two years ago, she wanted to do felting. And this is why I need Jan because I'm like, Jan, what is felting? Can we do that? Do you have Right? Because I don't know anything about that, right? And so she teaches me. So now Jul uh Margie wants to come and do basket weaving. So kids are going to make baskets, which is cool. Um in the middle, you see

034Lily Churnney there from two years ago. That's um Deborah Rushmire, the alt for artful dress maker. >> Um so she comes and she brings a bunch of fabric and kids put together gowns um which is amazing. And then on the far right is AJ Wararez. He's a dance instructor from WMadison who comes down and does uh dance workshops with kids and then they put on a dance showcase which will also include oh they have a new name but the 2023 dance company kids that are here local. Um so they're going to come and perform at the showcase too with AJ's dance team and our dance team. >> So that'll be super cool. We've done that two years last two festivals and it's it's great. But wait there's more. Um uh there's staff who do sessions.

035So Donna's done um scrapbooking and this year she's going to do um like a print uh session with kids. U we're going to have sword fighters. The Eliasins uh Stephen and Kate Elias have come two years now. Uh this year they're going to do an acting workshop, but that's them sword fighting uh last time. Marilyn Rossmeer, who's also an MHS former teacher. Um Marilyn's going to make taco fish. This is again why I need Jen because I'm like what is a taco fish? Um it's that which is super cool. Uh so Marilyn's gonna come and do that. Uh next to the taco fish um is Matthew Greg. He's the director of bands at W Platville. So I've had the last three years we've had a college connection. So you saw in the 2022 video we

036had um W Madison fifth quarter group. they came down and then um last festival we brought up the uh niu Northern Illinois University steel drum ensemble um and so now this one is Matthew Greg from W Platville and he's bringing their uh faculty chamber ensemble to come and perform with the kids. So that'll be cool. Also new to the festival in the top right um is Laura Iser. uh she's a personal chef, so she's going to come and cook a meal with kids and then they'll sit down and have lunch of everything that they cook, which is super cool. So, lunch with a chef that you learn how to cook. And then finally, uh that's Scott Gandelle. Um he's a conductor and composer. Um outstanding guy. He works with the Madison Symphony. Um and so

037he's going to come and he's come once before and is going to do a music composition composing class for kids. So it's it's rain. We interpret fine art pretty loosely, right? So from taco fish to music composition to sword fighting to dance to theater to food, we're trying to really have there's something for all to car painting, right? Like there's something for all the kids. Um what' you say? Oh, and Monroe engraving. Yeah. At the bottom. Um so that started the last festival or maybe the one even before that. Um where kids go out to Monroe engraving and go see what's going on. us bringing Monroe engraving to us. Kids getting to go to Monroe engraving way cooler. Um so they get to go out and tour it and our kids. So you're seeing here

038forensics, dance, band, and choir. Um and so our kids will take the stage as well and perform uh for their peers. So that will also happen. Um which is really really cool. >> So it's it's a big enterprise. Um it's a lot to put together. Um but it's so rewarding um to to do to have those two days uh where this happened. So we have to um give gratitude to all the community people that help pull this together. There's zero cost to the school district. Um and that's because of Kowanas and Optimus and Women's Club and like all of the community organizations that show up and uh and help out. And then there's parents who even don't have kids anymore in the district to send checks uh to us to be able to to put

039this thing together. Um plus a number of those people come for free. They just come because they can and because they're willing to do that for kids. Um so it's outstanding. Um there are people who will come from all over. People who come from Illinois, from northern Wisconsin, from Iowa, um from Michigan, and they'll come back and and do this. So it's also um gratitude and thanks I mean to Jeremy and the principles and the staff who are allow for this because it fits into the school day. So you have to get permission to get out of geometry and go to sword fighting right and so I mean right but like so it it takes there's a lot of pieces like you know on your prep today. Hi I'm gonna put a soap maker in

040your room. Can you prep next door so I could Right. So, like there's all of these pieces, all the custodians, the food service. It it takes everybody in the building. I you know, Jan and I are behind the spreadsheets in the screen, but it it's all of us to pull this thing off. So, um it's very very cool. We invite you to come um come anytime you want that day, Thursday the 23rd, Friday the 24th. I will send you the schedules of stuff ahead of time um so you can see if you're like definitely showing up for this person or that person. Um do that. or if you would like to join us for the empty bowl dinner show. If the daytime schedule doesn't work for you, come at night um and and come enjoy

041talents of our kids. It's really >> the empty bowl in the M room. >> The empty bowl will be in the M room. Yep. So, you can come in, choose a bowl, there'll be soup, and then enjoy the show. >> Y >> Thank you. Other questions we can answer for you? >> 50 plus years. How How long have you two been doing this? >> Oh, jeez. I started it with Kathy probably around 2017. It used to be on odd years and then you know co >> now we're all messed up. So now we're back on events. But yeah Kathy and I think did the first one in 2017. I would have done 17 19 and then I'm now on the evens. >> I just commend the two of you for the effort and picking up

042the torch. Right. I mean, 50 plus years doesn't happen without dedicated people like like you that I'm sure are spending way more time than just, you know, the the free time you have at school to make sure this happens. So, >> without your guys' work and dedication, this wouldn't have continued for 50 years. So, >> out of curiosity, are you aware of any other school districts that provide an experience that even comes close to this? And I've talked to folks about kind of this sort of thing just you know people I know and other like like it rivals I can't find anything like it that I know of. There's people who do like a you know and we have some of this even in other you know bring in the bring in the thing for

043the assembly for the day you know like there's that kind of stuff but there's this is pretty special >> um and it's special because like I said it involves all of those community people who support it financially all of the people alumni who come back like it's special I think for reasons yeah I That's incredible. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Great job. >> Good luck. You guys got to follow that. >> Brutal. >> You put the presentation together. >> Fun slideshow and short video. song and dance here. >> That is amazing. >> Holy cow. >> That rivals like college. >> That's the coolest thing ever. I >> I'm kind of jealous now. >> Just let random adults in, but I would love to go. That'd be very cool. >> We We

044would probably sneak in. Okay, next up we've got our uh new high school building project update. Ron, you want to kick us off? >> Yeah, I can. Or Joe, if you want to start. >> No, you go ahead. You've been you're the one who's been digging into a lot of this stuff. >> Yeah. And actually, it's I was just going to when I had my chance, I was going to say I think this is a weird week when I was there the Friday before last because we had uh our consultant from New York out for the performing arts center, but we canled our we did our OAC remotely last week because of people's schedules and then Joe and I had eight presentations. So last week was probably the first week I haven't been on site

045in a long long time. And so I'm looking forward to getting out there tomorrow uh and seeing some of the stuff. Uh we've been working with uh we've had a few meetings uh planning out our uh the move and so those conversations are happening. We had our first meeting well we've been having you know way back when when we're working on selecting the furniture. We had countless meetings uh working through that process. But now we're at the point we're having meetings with uh DIMCO about the installation uh of the furniture and equipment uh for the building. So that part of the project is is is coming around. Um you know the the work uh inside with the finishes and and things is going amazingly fast. And then once that goes out or gets kind of

046brought to conclusion, then we're going to have all the branding folks and and all those things that really bring the building to life that will happen. And so uh it is exciting. Joe is going to probably talk in a little bit about the the preview event, but uh uh for folks that that that is what this is. It's a preview. It's a chance to get to see some of the heart of the building and some of the spaces associated with it. But uh you know, I'm really looking forward to sometime later this summer when we can have the real open house uh when people can see the entire building and and everything with all the finishes in it. Um but no, we're we're still on schedule, still on budget. Uh things are going well. Ryan's

047going to touch some of those details, but Joe, if there's anything you want to touch base on? >> Yeah, I mean, Ron talked about the preview event on Thursday night from 5 to 7 o'clock. Um, we anticipate a good number of community members that are going to want to get in there and take a peek. Um, as we've said before, it's it's not going to be an open house where you get to see every space in the building. It is an active work site. We've got to be respectful of uh CG Schmidt and the work they're doing. Um, but people will be able to get into the M room and see a lot of the more significant spaces um as a part of that that walkth through. So, we're excited about it. There'll be a

048brief presentation at 6:00 just talking a little bit about the building and the intentional design and and really just speaking to how proud we are of the work and and the building as it comes together. So certainly would invite the board to uh be there and anyone in the community that's interested and I think we're going to have a lot of folks that are interested. So and need to say special thanks to CG Schmidt. Um this is a complete and total inconvenience to them and the work they're doing. This added a lot of extra work to their already busy schedule and they've been nothing but incredibly supportive of this work. and just thanks uh to Christian who's kind of taking the lead on this and Tony and and others that are contributing. So, thanks. >>

049So, with that, I would say I'll turn it over to you guys. I don't know who wants to go first. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah. And like I I've said this to you earlier in meetings. Whatever we can do to support you guys and your efforts to get the referendum passed in the seventh or get the public excited about this awesome school, you know, we're here to help. So, if you guys think of anything else, let us know. We're we're always willing to jump in and do whatever we need to do. And I think kind of echoing Ron said earlier, I mean, the progress you make at a this point in any project is pretty incredible. So, he hasn't been there in a week or so. You're going to feel like it's you haven't been

050there in a month. I mean, it's so, you know, we're planning to be done with the interior of the building end of April still. So, we'll be working through occupancy and everything like that. And so when we have our next presentation at a board meeting, it'll probably be a lot different of an update. But while I'm talking, Melissa, do you mind pulling up the exterior drone footage? Mention that? >> Yeah, it's a little more exciting now than when the piles of dirt were. Is that pile of dirt a little bigger than it was last? So, uh, like I said, it's been really exciting to see the progress, uh, happen, and it'll be even more exciting over the next few weeks to a month to see it go from, you know, nearly finished to 100% finished.

051Um, right now we're about 89% build, 88 89%. Um, but still about 80, we've only spent 83% contingency, so we're still tracking pretty good on that effort. Um, and we're excited to hopefully take a little bit of that money and hopefully give it back uh for program usage at the end of the project is the is the hope. Uh, so if you just want to press play and we'll kind of run through Oh, can you do the um >> the other exterior one? Sorry, this one's kind of >> Well, that's >> unless you want to go through that one, Joe. >> No, that's that's a 21 month, I think. >> Yeah. if you could do the the the top one. Sorry. >> Yep. >> I forgot there was two extra. >> Perfect. Yep. So, um

052this one's really showing the thaw out we've been having over the last couple of months. If not for that snow last week, we were likely going to be starting to move a lot more dirt around the site and start finish some of the things that we didn't get done last fall last week to this week. Now with snow melt and everything, we're pushing that out unfortunately because of weather a little bit, but we're still on track and still looking good. Um, baseball field irrigation is going to go in soon. Turf in the baseball field is going to be happening next month or two as well. Hardcaping around baseball, track and football right here. So the LED scoreboard from the existing high school is going to be moving here early to midappril. um after some specific

053track meets you guys have. Track surface is going to be then following that uh once we get the scoreboard installed and then discus and shotput netting are um or fencing netting uh are also on track to to happen here soon. Kind of an exciting thing that you you can actually see the difference in is if you next time you pull in site, you see all the fencing around the baseball fields. They kind of move pretty quick over the last couple uh weeks. They were able to work around the snow which was nice and get a lot done over the last month or so. Then if you want to jump into the interior one just one second. Um so while we're talking about exterior I know something that's been coming up over the last few meetings

054is uh do you want to pause it? >> Yep. >> Sorry. um is the lift station with BNS um and what's going on and um you know how we're kind of dependent on that project moving forward and the progress on on what's going on there. So kind of the update there depends on the day and you know I work in construction too so I get it changes day by day but uh as of right now this is the plan that we're moving forward with. The pump house has been built. The wet well is in at the pump house. The force man will be ready in the back next two weeks or so, early midappril. Uh so that force man will then pump from that pump house up to city sewer. The biggest hurdle that we

055still need to get over, BNS needs to get over is the permanent power that's kind of lagging to the towards the end of April. Um, so that'd be permanent power to that building. That's not the permanent generator or the permanent backup generator, which is then lagging towards June July time frame. But the permanent power means that we can't jump start that lift station and be pumping uh debris from there up into the city sewer until that's, you know, obviously going. So that would likely be early miday at this at this point in time. So the contingency plan we have right now, so we're going for occupancy at the end of April, would be to dump our sewage and waste into the wet well, it's quite sizable wet well. Uh can hold a lot of volume

056and then continue with kind of what we've been doing with construction, which is pumping out that wet well as kind of on needed as needed basis. Uh I think we've been using Mson over the last few months. been having conversations with um Al and Ryan with the city uh the building engineer and then the city inspector to make sure they're on board with this plan and so far haven't had any concerns. Open communication with them as much as we can because like I said the plan has been changing throughout the last few weeks just trying to make sure we can meet our dates and our occupancy as best as we can. So any questions on that because that's kind of a whole issue in itself. Who covers the cost of the pumping? That'd be all

057in BNS. >> And right now the Oh, sorry. >> What's that? Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think the conversation now is that it shouldn't even if we're still pumping when we go to achieve occupancy, it would not affect our occupancy. It's more of a downline problem than a school problem. Um and so um if it all just fell apart and they weren't they didn't have permanent power with a backup generator and it all working by the time students came um wouldn't affect our occupancy. It would just affect what happens with the waste in that wet well. Um and where we could even park uh park a pump truck down there and and basically go direct to it. So >> yeah, I didn't turn the page to capture that part of my notes. That's okay.

058>> Super backup to the backup plan is is tankers down there. >> No one's expecting that to happen. That's a long time from now. But I would just say from a board perspective, from a district perspective, um these are literally downline problems that don't affect us getting into our building and using our building. So, um so there's peace of mind there. >> What seems to be the hold up on the electric? >> It's the u electrical panels right now. >> Okay. Yeah. So the supply getting their units in different things like that. >> I know PDC is working through it right now, but >> okay. >> So yeah, we we we've got a contingency plan at the contingency plan and panels don't come in right or whatever. So we're prepared to keep working through and

059make sure that this doesn't affect any sort of occupancy school. >> Okay. Thank you. Anything else on that? >> Just say I appreciate the preparedness. Yeah, we asked about it last meeting and you guys actually went to work and brought us the mitigation plan. >> You can go ahead and press play on the interior stuff. So, as we go down the M room, you'll see some really cool uh wood there on the left side of the screen. That's the Lamboo. It looks even better in the space. I think it's really starting to open up that space. You'll see graphics start to go on over the next couple of months, the right side over there, and that'll get painted different colors. So, a lot of interesting fun stuff happening in the M room there. Uh, and

060preparing for the preview event this Thursday, kind of like you guys were talking about earlier. So, there's a lot of stuff actually moving out of that room over the last few days since this drone footage was taken last week. Uh, and kind of like what you guys mentioned earlier is furniture's starting in May here. So, kind of making sure that we're ready for when that process starts. So, the auditorium here at this point, uh, we're about to jump in here at this point. We're pretty much fully painted in there, uh, which looks fantastic. I know this video shows a little bit of paint going on, but since then, I believe we're we're right there. Um, that white maple trim is actually on one of the precinium walls, which should flank the side of the stage.

061It looks fantastic. I'm really excited to see that, and you guys are going to love that tomorrow. >> And then that concrete stadia pour is happening really soon for those the seating as well. So, the gym, the bleachers are all in. Uh, the floor is done and painted, and it looks fantastic. Even when it's half covered with protection and everything, it still looks really, really great. Lockers are starting to go in and mostly done in the locker rooms, uh, the four different locker rooms down there, and then the refs and, uh, officials, different changing rooms and their little private locker rooms are pretty much done and tiled in as well. So, a lot of big progress happening. This video shows about 10% of the building. So, uh, it's really great to see what you can

062see, but let me tell you, it's it's really moving along well. So, we're really excited for that preview event on Thursday, honestly, to show the public what we can. And then punch list is moving along. Um, we've had some good punch lists already, so keep doing that in the month of April and hopefully get the interior punch list wrapped up 100% before the end of April. That's the goal. Um, kind of working through some of the alternates list. uh items. I won't get into too much detail unless anybody has any specific questions on that, but as we're going through and understanding that there's some savings, you know, working through what that might be used for. Um still a little early to really determine what that number might be to the to the sense, but uh

063we're trying to make sure that we, you know, are stewards of the the the community's dollars as much as we can be and give you guys as much program as possible with with the amount of money you've been given. So, I think that's all I've got for an update today. Anybody got any questions? >> We had some discussion the last meeting about the lights at the baseball fields. >> Yeah. >> That some of the pedestals aren't in >> the bases. Um, is it going to be a big cost factor to do those now while you're out there or to do them in fall? >> Highly recommend doing them now if you can. Um it's about 10% of the total cost roughly of the whole uh light hole itself. So it's about 60,000 to do the

064bases as of right now. And if you were to chance it and do it later, that number will likely go up uh because you're going to be wrecking finished um you know grasses and landscaping and softscape out there. So I would highly recommend moving forward with at least the bases. I understand that the cost to do the Moscow lights is quite high and that is much more in-depth discussion, but to do the base is about 60ish. Um, which is still a large number, but could definitely go up a lot with repairing earthwork that was just put in place, you know, right now. So, that'd be our recommendation. >> What's the timeline >> as far as availability and how fast we could get it in? get that and also to not hold too long. >> Yeah.

065Um I'd say with the recent weather that's kind of extended that timeline a little bit, but uh really right now I think we're probably midappril late April at the very latest would be if we got a a good decision by early April that put us in a really good spot. um or if we got a decision tonight in >> a great spot. >> As far as setting the lights, if we were just to put in the the bases and that now and put the lights in later, what effect would that would have? >> You know, like Steve had mentioned, getting over the grass, the turf or are they able to reach with a long enough crane to get those up, things like that? >> So, with a crane setup, a lot of cranes you can

066just use like a rubber tire crane and you can put bases around where their um supports will stick out. You're going to have I'm not going to say you're not going to have some damage. You're going to have some damage, but likely you're setting up a crane in three or four spots total to do this to do that kind of work. Versus if you're going out there with a drill rig, which is on tracks, typically that's going to dig in really quite badly. So, you know, there's there's ways you can mitigate working with a crane versus working with a tracked type machinery. >> Okay. Is the electrical trenched into the bases or >> for the varsity field? It is. Yeah, varsity softball and baseball. It is. I was intending to find out if it was

067for JB today. I did not. So, I apologize for that, but I don't believe it is for JB. >> They playing out at one time, but I thought they said they were in conflict. I >> Yeah, I could be wrong. Well, >> yeah, >> but I know for that reversion is Any other questions on >> I want to make sure I'm I'm following what you're what you're saying here. So you're saying to avoid additional cost, damage hours, everything. This work would have to get started midappril. >> The decision >> you would need a decision from us by mid >> yeah early to mid April. Those those bases are only a couple week lead time for us I believe. And so if we were to get those in in place by early May, late April, that

068would kind of be on track roughly. >> I'm just the reason why I'm asking our next board meeting is April 13th. >> Yeah. >> So I'm just from a timing standpoint, is that a sufficient if we were to bring that to that meeting that >> if that's Yeah. If we want to call that the drop dead date, that would work good for me. >> If that works for you guys. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. I wasn't sure what your board cadence was. on a tubing concrete, right? Or they're specialty. >> They are, but they're huge. They're like 10 to 15 feet into the ground. And so it's Yeah, it was bigger than I was expecting it to be as well. I thought they were just going to be four to six feet, but they're Yeah, they're

069pretty sizable, so it takes a lot to to get those in. But yeah, it's a pre-cast, so you're not bringing a concrete truck up there or anything like that. >> You said the bases would be about 60,000 >> 6. Yeah. 60. Yep. >> Ron, anything you want to add to that conversation? >> No, I think it's I would I would I guess I think if we're considering doing the lights, which I think we are, um, you know, I think it would be probably uh a good decision to move forward and at least get the bases done. Uh so whether we do the lights now or whether we do the lights at some other point in the future, we at least have that done and we're not tearing up work that was just being completed. So

070>> try to get ahead of like heavy grass growth so that we're not, you know, those type of things. So there's a sweet spot right in between where it's just dry enough you can get out there and not tearing up all your beautiful new grass. So and regrading on top of that grass. And so whether we want to, you know, it's under our $100,000 threshold. So whether we want to come back and have the board take action on it the next meeting is fine. Um, you know, if you want to do a straw vote and see if people are comfortable. Um, because we're under the threshold, we could move forward with it. But either way works fine because Kristen said we could work with it. Now, obviously, if we tell you, you probably are going

071to use those three weeks to your advantage and >> get it in quicker if you make a decision tonight. Yeah, all the better for us, too. >> So, we could even though it's not on tonight's agenda >> because we're under the 100,000 threshold, it doesn't require board approval. >> So, there's no motion. It's just a >> I would just need to know that the board was all on board with it. And if you're not, then we will take a vote at the next meeting. >> Great. So, why don't I'll offer a perspective on this, then we'll just do a quick kind of straw poll here. For me, it seems like whether or not we as a board decide we want to use our contingency dollars or or even the extent to which we're under budget

072to fund this, we would I would suggest that we would want to give any future entity or fundraising effort the opportunity to put lights in without having to go through this whole process that we're talking about. And so for that cost, especially given that it's under the 100k threshold, I I think we should just roll with it and not have to mess with it in the second or the second Monday in April. That's my take. Other folks, >> anybody opposition. I totally agree. >> I I agree too, especially given the situation that we talked about the last meeting, right? And not even using the contingency funds. I think that absolutely that makes sense. >> Any opposition? >> I'd like to talk through the budget sheet with. Ryan do his talk. Yeah. >> Prior to >>

073Yeah. >> Sometimes the best decision is to make no decision until we absolutely need to. So >> I I don't disagree, but I'd like to talk to the budget she because I just I have a couple questions first. >> Okay. I'm good with that. Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. I'll rip through this so we get to the dashboard so we get to the other um from a referendum dollars spent. We're 83% complete. Um CGS safety scorecards at 97%. We're not bringing any change orders to the board this month. Um what we currently have uh in what I will call our original funds for owner contingency, we have almost $400,000 remaining in there at a burn rate of a little under $50,000 per month for the life project. Uh which projects us to be under

074um by the end of the project. We're so close to the end. Um, and probably the biggest note I want to make on this was you guys did approve the last time to move forward with $165,000 for uh electric hoists um in in the PAC is not reflected in this yet because we don't have a signed change order for that yet. Uh but once we have the final cost and and we do have a signed change order, that will be reflected in this and that money will come out and so we will see that eventually. but it's just not in there uh yet. But as expected, we're still invoicing. We're moving forward. Um furniture, like we said multiple times tonight, is uh being planned to be delivered in May. So, we'll start to get final

075invoices on that. Um owner direct items are continually being purchased. Um as we move forward, um everything is falling within our allotted amount uh budgeted. Moves are being planned. Um, as we've talked about before, nothing's been invoiced yet because those efforts haven't happened yet. Um, but across the board, we're checking a lot of boxes and we're doing a lot of the things that we need to do to fill this school with the things you need to educate kids and and keep them interested. Um, so we're working hard on that. Uh, couple things uh to note, the development costs that have not been completely built out. Uh, contribution to the north road um because that road is not completed yet. Contributions towards the lift station. We've talked that one to death. Um and then contributions to

076an improved intersection with the city. Uh that that work has not happened yet. Um so those are just some of the things that uh just to call out if you see some blanks in some of these places or things that we haven't built out yet. Um but we are continuing to work through all of these items as a as a broad team and yeah. So but I want to give Mike time to ask questions. >> So you said construction contingency. There's still some of that remaining. Do you know roughly what that is? You said about 15% of the construction contingency. >> Yeah, right now we're sitting at somewhere between 330 and 340. >> Does that track with what you're >> Yeah, that's what that's about. When we were doing gorilla math on what we were

077>> kind >> we were guesstimating what we might have remaining by the end of the project. We thought conservatively we might have about 200,000 that would come back across the table at the end. So that's I don't want to put words in their mouth because they're they're owning it. But that's kind of the >> it's a little early, but >> yeah, that was the back and napkin math we were doing about a month ago. So put it that way. >> Yeah. >> Let's let's assume 100,000 there. >> Okay. >> Then 350,000 of owner contingency >> and then roughly 900,000 bond interest. So we've got over a million dollars of funds somewhere that we think is going to be available above and beyond. And is there anything else, Ron, that >> obviously we'll look, you know,

078we'll continually refine the uh actual proceeds as they come in, you know, but we won't want to commit any of that till we've done the rebate arbitrage calculations and have finalized that with the IRS. And so if anything, we're being conservative there. So, uh, there may be some additional funds when that gets finalized, but obviously because we don't want to be in a situation where we spent our dollars and then cut a bigger check back to the IRS than we had planned, uh, we're we're very conservative as we have been estimating that. So, uh, there may be some additional dollars there. And then you talk to the bottom Mike and so kind of you know uh we have we had that uh roughly 900,000 to the good but then yeah 165,000 of that we did

079allocate to the lifts just so you have that adjusted in there as you're talking about it >> but the street work the road lift station that's not coming out of contingency. >> No those are all committed dollars in the budget. Yes. And so >> in our eyes, those are those are committed dollars. They just haven't been expended dollars. >> They're and they're all contractually committed dollars. And so there should be a variation off of those dollars. >> The part that would come out of the contingency or the surplus that isn't represented here yet was the the 150 for >> was the 165 for lights or for lifts, I'm sorry, motorized lifts. >> Okay. So, we're talking about one 125 in. Is that what you're saying, Mike? >> Yeah. And I guess where I wanted to

080go next, Ron, is what about timing of the funds we're spending? Because is there actually funds coming in from the the sale of the existing land because that we're including that in this budget and that doesn't happen until >> that'll be coming toward the back end of the project, right? Yeah. So, there's some time involved with that. don't have this money in hand to spend it. >> Not all in hand at the moment, right? >> Transaction is final. >> Yeah. So, >> and we got our grant claim is coming in uh that's gone to GCDC. So, they made that claim. So, there's things that are coming in out of this process. Yeah. That are uh coming in throughout this spring. Uh and and the sale of the land might actually push into the fall. Uh

081I would say as far as the project in its entirety uh again I think we at the last month we went through this so it's it's 5 years from when we had the initial ban issuance which was in December of 2022. So we have through December of uh 2027 kind of as our drop deadad date. However, um we obviously would hope or like to tie up as much as we can with the IRS and get the to know what our final number is, you know, maybe even as you know, by the end of this calendar year and so that we have an idea of where we are. >> 1.1 million of the 1.4 million we're talking about extra is not available to us until after we >> finalization of the sale. Yep. Can >> you

082help me understand what what's underneath the kind of question question or concern you have, Mike? >> So, when we're talking about the extra stuff like the lights and stuff like that that the money is not there to spend right now, >> right? >> Because till you have your sale is what he's saying >> because the land is already in the funding source here now. >> Yeah. >> But we won't might not see that money till fall. >> That's a million dollar. So anything we're thinking about spending the contingency or surplus dollars on >> not conting surplus dollars. So contingency is baked into because that contingency was built off the $88 million referendum. >> And so those m that those dollars are accounted for in the baseline referendum. >> So anything above and beyond that that

083we consider surplus becomes that lower chunk. And then as we start to consider those items then yeah. So to pull that all the way back into the $60,000 expense that we're talking about right now, is it are you saying you're concerned about that at this time? Because >> probably more concerned about, you know, the the actual lights for the two fields, which I think is >> which isn't what we're doing. >> Makes some sense to hold off. >> Yeah. But >> just timing timing of expenditure. >> We spent 82 million. So it's not like we've spent 100 million already. >> You say that a little bit larger. >> We spent 82 million, right? That's I'm just making sure I'm reading this right. We haven't spent 82.4 We haven't spent 100 million. >> Exactly. 82.4 million.

084>> I just want to make sure >> has gone out. Yeah. Invoice today. >> Yeah. And then then along those same lines like your >> your your check doesn't get cut back to the IRS until we finalize that process. Right. So there's you know that's a significant amount. I don't have that open with me right tonight, but I think that's that's over a million dollars. And so that's actual revenue that we do have now, but that we have to be prepared to commit that check back. So I mean there's also some proceeds we have now that will be going back much like there's some proceeds now that we don't have in hand yet. So >> the underlying question is cash flow. I think Mike is what you're saying. Yeah. >> And that just kind of

085goes back to especially when we're talking contingency funds without construction being done. I always lean towards the best decision is no decision until you have to make it. And he just told us we have to make it at the next meeting. So my my thought right now is to just hold off. >> Yeah. I guess I'm I didn't hear any other opposition to it and so I don't want to step over your perspective on it. >> Totally fine. Report of nine. I'm just one opinion. >> Yeah, >> I'm just good at stating it out loud. >> I guess. Is there anybody else who who has a an opinion similar to to Mike, especially after hearing his thoughts that would prefer to wait until the next meeting to And again, we're not talking about lights on.

086We're just talking about the $60,000 >> $60,000 basis >> bas bases. I keep confusing that with baseball. >> Those are free nicest basis. >> Y I didn't speak before but now that we review I would say I would favor proceeding with the basis whether it's now or the next meeting. I think that makes sense just the basis. >> The light basis the light basis Okay. Anybody else? >> So, the the the winches that we approved last meeting, are those going to come off of this owner contingency? >> They will. >> They're coming out 65 down below. >> Yeah. Once we I'll leave that note on here until until it actually comes through as a change order. And then when it does, it won't pull from the 350 uh in owner contingency. Make sure I'm reading

087that. Yeah. 384 in order contingency. It would pull off of the >> it'll be an added line. It'll be an added budget line item. So it it's added up above and then you know it gets used out of the funding sources below. >> So right now you have a committed budget of uh 100 million roughly and then the 165 adds into that. So then your sources and your expenditures come closer together. Okay. Is there any other Just want to make sure. So, we got straw poll. I'm straw polling that we've got seven people who are good to go with this. One person would prefer to wait. Sound right? >> Yep. Okay. So, why don't you guys go ahead with it? Thanks for bringing it up. Any other questions for or you guys have more content

088here? >> No, I don't I don't think so. Um, looking forward to Thursday. Alex from our team will be there to support with the walk through. Um, yeah. No, it's everything's going great. So, awesome. We were Christian and I were there walking it right before the meeting and like you said, um, you blink and it feels like the whole area has changed and so it's it's really great to be out there right now. You see 97% on the safety scorecard again, which gets exponentially more difficult as you get towards the end and you've got a significant number of crews on. So, hats off to you for maintaining that safe workplace, too. >> Really excited about it. We're proud of it. So, >> thanks for all the partnership, guys. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments

089or questions from the board updates? >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. We got a referendum update for this meeting. Turn over to >> Joe. Yeah, I can I can start. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. Um, so yeah, this is, as Ron alluded to earlier, we've we've been really busy um making our way around the community, having conversations with with folks, whether it be community civic groups, uh, larger listening session, presentations, going to a variety of events. Um, and just to summarize a little bit of what we've done since the last board meeting, we had the chamber of commerce, uh, fireside chat at the Y, had main street Monroe presentation, Quanis meeting lines club, uh, a lot of social media work, uh, radio interviews, and then we also had the, uh, the MHS legacy night,

090which was a great opportunity to share some information as well, and incredibly well attended. That was just a really fun night. Bring the community together. Um so feel like we've we've been doing a lot of work there. Um we've got some upcoming opportunities. We've got a postcard that's going out to the community this week. Uh we have the big radio community forum which is something that excited about. So, on Wednesday night at 7 PM, um Jim, Ron, myself will be participating in a conversation uh with Josh Wescott uh from Big Radio and they're asking the community members to uh submit questions regarding uh the upcoming operational referendum and we're going to spend an hour uh answering those questions and having some discussion um around the upcoming uh community decision. So, feel really good about that.

091That'll be broadcast on 955 FM AM1260 or the big radio app. Um, and then the following evening we have uh high school preview event which that's the intent of that is to bring everyone in and allow them to have a sneak peek, but we'll also have people available to answer questions should anyone have any questions or concerns about the the upcoming referendum vote. Um I will say that um you know we're kind of in crunch time here. Our goal along is to have made sure that we take every opportunity to communicate information uh with the stakeholders of Monroe and I can safely say at this point lay my head down on the pillow at night and say we we gave it a full effort in in providing that information. Um, as we do these community

092presentations, we're getting to the point where some folks have seen us three, four or more times. We have to apologize to them. Um, but ultimately, um, I'm proud of the work that's been done by our team to to get the information out. So, um, getting to the point where that's kind of winding down a little bit. We roll into spring break next week and then on April 7th, the community will make a decision and we go from there. So, Ron, anything you want to add >> I could just comment as far I was really impressed as podcasts. >> You know, I've been listened to a lot of those over the years, but to just supposedly just starting them. You guys did it was a great job. Listen, we're we're making that up as we go.

093Well, >> that's me doing some stuff on my laptop, >> which my 17-year-old son would say I have no business doing a podcast, but um it it's the thing that I liked about it, it kind of gave I guess some good background and some good insight as to what we see on a regular basis and that a lot of the public would not see or wouldn't know. And that's what that's what really impressed me. So, it's very good job. thoughts. Okay, next up we've got this is an action item to approve revision of certain policies. So I'll let Joe Yep. take the lead on this one. >> Yeah. So, first, as Jim indicating, we're we're handling this policy revision a little bit differently. Typically, we go to policy committee. We have a first reading at

094one board meeting and a second reading at the next board meeting. Um, but this uh these policies are being revised due to act 57 uh being enacted in in December. Um, basically what act 57 does is it establish establishes strict new requirements for school districts regarding the notification of parents when a report of sexual misconduct by a staff member is received. Um, so it's part of Wisconsin law right now. This is obviously a very um important topic, one that we wanted to make sure that our our policy aligns with uh state law. As a result, we're we're hoping to expedite this work tonight by uh allowing the board to review the policies, ask questions, and then if appropriate, ask for the approval tonight as well. So, the board was uh given access to uh four

095different policies. Uh the first three are really kind of the same revisions across different uh employee group policies. So we have 1213, 3213, and 4213. Um, my recommendation would be to approve uh those revisions as noted. I would also add that I would recommend that we um accept the uh additional appropriate staff and student relationship section. And I just think it's it's good to provide that extra clarity regarding um preferential treatment, bound boundary invasions, just I think anytime you can be really clear with the staff on what's inbounds and out of bounds is is appropriate. Um and I won't read all of that to you. And then in addition we have oh policy 8462 which provides some additional language that aligns with act 57 to make sure that everything is um appropriate. Um these were

096all developed by Neola our policy um service. um their team of administrators and attorneys have gone through this to make sure that it not only aligns with um the law but also uh represents good practice for school districts. So again, I know it's an expedited uh process, but um given that this was this law was passed in in December um and we got the update in uh February from Niola, I think it it's it's smart for us to uh approve these revisions as presented. But I'm happy to answer any questions that >> the board may have at this time. Joe, I think it's important to note you and I talked about this and and you said in practice we're already meeting the requirements of these updated policies. Correct. >> Yeah. So to me this is

097just common sense. So basically what it says if there's an accusation of a staff member of some kind of inappropriate sexual conduct, you need to you need to contact the parent by um 5:00 p.m. that day. Um, if the report happens after hours, I think you have to I think it's noon the next day is that you have to make that report. That's something that we do if if we get any notice of of some kind of inappropriate behavior. And thankfully, I can say that really doesn't happen. But across other areas, um, we've learned through years of experience um, that it's always in our best interest to bring the parents in right away because they deserve to know what's going on with their children. So, um, nothing here is going to radically change, uh, our

098practice, but it's more about providing some very clear boundaries and expectations for our process going forward. Thanks, Mike. Any questions about what you saw in the policies? It's pretty straightforward and much of it is language that comes straight from Act 57. So, one one question about this the so the the required notification I'm assuming that part C is referencing something that happens on school grounds but maybe maybe not. >> Well, you'd have to tell me which >> Sorry. Uh on the first page, >> which policy are you looking at? >> Oh, um what is this? >> 1213. So you're in 1213 and you're looking at one of the following things has occurred. C is a registered sex offender has intentionally captured an image of a minor student without the parent or guardians written consent. But

099it's saying the district must notify parents or guardians. So I'm just clarifying this is >> when the district receives a report. So if a student reports that to the district. >> Yeah. Essentially >> somewhat. >> Yeah. Essentially, it means that we have an obligation to uh communicate that with the parent within a specific amount of time >> if a staff member receives that information from >> Yeah. If a staff member becomes aware of it and in turn the way our policy reads is they've got to notify administration. Got it. Thanks. >> Any other questions? If not, it'd be our recommendation that the board approve this after this first reading so we can move forward with it, get into policy and follow the law. >> A motion from Mike F. >> second by Mike Davis. Discussion

100before we vote. >> Okay. All in favor say I. I. Nay. >> Carries. Thank you. >> All right, that is it for new business. On toformational items. Joe, anything for administration? >> I don't think so. Just I I want to say thanks to everybody that's been putting in so much work, whether it be our staff, um the board as well has gone to countless listening sessions. You guys are probably getting up into double digits of how many times you had to listen to Ron and myself go on and on about all this. So, but genuinely appreciate all the support being out there and and I know the community does. Um, you know, whether people are are voting for or against, I think we've lived up to the the expectation and and the standard of uh

101providing information and trying to be as transparent as we possibly can with the decisions that we're making. Um, so thanks again to the board for all your help with this process. Okay. >> Just a question, Joe. And I I guess I should ask this when you were talking about the >> school. >> Oh, sure. >> Um, >> tell us about the the legacy night and what I mean, what did you hear there? How how was the feeling? >> It was incredible. Um, we came into that night not knowing how many people would actually show up. It's like, you know, you're throwing a party and you got a cake and and some cookies and is anyone going to be here? And uh the turnout was was fantastic. Uh as per the usual in Monroe, people started

102rolling in early because they were excited about it. Um you know, I would say the memory that I have that I think best exemplifies the value of that event was I saw a group of men that were probably in their 60s standing around the lockers kind of pushing each other into the lockers and laughing and kind of reminiscing about their days in high school. Um, we had teachers that were former teachers that were in really emotional, you know, looking at their classrooms and thinking about the time they spent there. Uh, we celebrated Mr. Jackson's birthday that night. Um, a huge uh shout out of gratitude to our our students that were there representing the building, interacting with the community. Um, showing them uh the kiosk that we'll have that represents, you know, the years of

103of yearbooks and uh Hall of Fame work that's being done right now. Um, and just, you know, there's a lot of love and pride in that school. So, it was fun to see everyone come together. It was a great night. And I think we estimated well over 200 people >> easily. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. >> And it was just good to see some old friends that I had seen in a while who were just excited about that night and also looking forward to Thursday night when get to see the the new high school. So >> there was a few folks here that hadn't been in the building in few decades, right? Yes, >> we talked to one gentleman that um he attended the first first day it was open, >> which surprised me that

104it was in January >> that he was going to school across the road here for the first semester, >> but second semester was at the new high school. >> And so he came back, he said uh he had been in there, you know, quite a bit since then, but he was pretty emotional. It's pretty cool. Pretty cool. >> And that building means a lot to a lot of people. A lot of great memories there. >> Ron, do you have any update on I know we talked quite a while ago about that time capsule that's in that building? >> Yeah, we haven't cracked into it yet. uh CGS, we've asked them to pop out and take a look to see, you know, what taking it out entails as far as can we can we do it,

105you know, and then have an event and not really have disturbed it or is it something we need to wait closer to the move? And I haven't gotten a final word from them, but when we have the meeting tomorrow with them, we'll bring that up again. I I know at the OAC, not last week, but but three weeks ago, we we had discussed that with them. I think given that Ryan just came off of winning a powerlifting competition, we give him a sledgehammer and it I think that's that's the only thing that makes sense at this point. >> But uh yeah, it's it's behind the dates, John. And so it's a question of what does it do? You know, do you access it from the outside or do you access it from the inside? And

106then >> can you temporarily fix it? >> That DNS said it was we could get it out of there. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. They they >> be kind of neat to see what's in there. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think it'd be neat when the kids are still in the building, >> personally. >> Right behind the the year >> at the front entrance. >> And I mean, I I commend I had a couple people uh uh remind me, but uh Tim out at North Side was one of the people who sent us the link to the original article and uh reminded us that uh it was there. So that's that's great that >> people are, you know, paying attention to those little things, right? >> Thanks for asking that question. >> Okay, we end reports. Nothing

107committee reports. Cole, we'll start down with you. I don't really have anything committee-wise, but I just did want to comment that last week we got a um the whole board got a really nice email um regarding the solo and ensemble festival. Um and just a really great praise for the middle school and high school band and choir programs and and the bass that you know starts them out in the elementary schools. I just thought it was really really nice to just you know re receive that recognition and want to make sure that it really gets known that those you know those art I mean hearing all that fine arts festival things going along with that just how well these programs are doing and making such a great um you know change in these kids' lives.

108It's it's just so nice to hear because they don't always get the the praise that they deserve. Well said. Thanks for meeting tonight and review curriculum will meet before the next AP the first meeting in April. Ken and I haven't talked recently, but previously we talked about that being a launch presentation. So >> yeah, Cara will be here. Cara's gonna provide an update with kind of her annual update of YA numbers and some of the launch stuff. So good. And then I think we have one course up for approval. >> Uh policy meets tomorrow night to go over a plethora of additional policy changes. It's like they dumped a whole bunch on us once, but uh also just my favorite time of year. So people watching online need to come here and see the artwork

109changed again. Uh there are some phenomenal artists with work on display here at the board meetings. So >> uh nothing as far as an actual report, but I just want to say congratulations to the musical Shrek. probably one of the best ones I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of them and I've had kids involved and I'm sorry this one I think even beat that. Don't tell them that. And I'm also really excited that we have a three-point shooting champion in our mids. So it was awesome. Very very good. >> Congrats to >> Yeah. Logan Taylor dominated. >> Okay. Nothing else from me. Anything for future meetings folks want to throw on agendas? Um, could I possibly ask, speaking of that email, um, the middle school is doing really well with their band and,

110um, music programs and how, um, can we maybe talk with the music programs at between the middle school and the high school and just see how we're going to support that large group moving from the middle school into the high school and making sure that we have enough room in scheduling to make sure that um everybody who wants to stay in those programs is able to stay in those programs after the move to high school because I know that that has been a sticky spot in the past. I think that's a great recommendation connecting your >> Yeah, we can talk to um the folks in the band program um to come in and provide a presentation and overview of all the great work that they're doing and then talk specifically to that transition issue. >>

111Perfect. because I know that there's been a little bit of um kind of changing at the middle school this year so that they can do both um chorus and band and some like you know every other day kind of situation. And I just want to make sure that you know the kids that want to do both are able to do both and still you know partake in all the other classes as well and just that those options are available. >> Great. Thanks. Great great question. Um, okay. Any other agenda items? Future agenda items. Okay. We got five minutes for the press. Adam, you get to use all all your minutes from previous meetings stacked up. >> Oh jeez. >> What do you got? Two hours. >> Good. Yeah. Appreciate you being here. Okay, with that

112for a I've got 8:30 on the nose. One final motion to adjurnn. So >> motion by Phil, second by Mike Davis. All in favor say I. >> I. N. Motion carries. Meeting is adjourned. >> Thanks everyone. >> Thank you.