001Okay, we should be live, I think. >> All right, I'll call this meeting to order. This is the committee meeting of our uh portion of the meeting. We'll start with the curriculum and policy and discuss regarding the board basket for Star Foundation. Bring your >> Yeah. So I think um last year the board had collected contributions and then and I think maybe someone from the Star Foundation put something together on your behalf and the question was does the board want to do something similar that bingo events coming up here October yeah 10th or 11th 11th would actually be the day. So wanted you to have the opportunity to have a conversation about it. They're willing to assemble it again. >> I think so. That really wasn't part of the conversation, but I guess I think
002if we did something similar, they'd be just fine with that. >> Cuz I think last year, didn't we all just contribute money? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I'm in. I'm in. >> Sure. >> Cool. So, what you can do is whenever you want to provide your contribution, I'll throw an envelope and I'll make sure the foundation gets it. >> So, we should get it to the district office or we should bring it to the next meeting or how do you want to Uh either way, either way. So, I think you'd be fine until the first meeting in September, but if you're swinging by and you want to drop it off before that, feel free. >> If they know we're going to contribute, they'll start getting some ideas and stuff. So, >> all right, we'll move on
003to the New York Washington DC trip for 2027. Yeah. So, um, Lelissa Bowman is, uh, the one that's is the staff member that's, uh, backing or supervising this potential trip. Shared all kinds of details with you. She indicated that she would be, uh, trying to get herself back here, might not be till closer to 5:30. To which I said, you know what, if there's questions that Mr. Wilson or I can't answer, then and Lauren has questions for you, we'll just circle back to the topic. Um but generally uh as the itinerary and all the supporting documentation I was sharing with you um shows it's a trip for high school kids to Washington well juniors and seniors I believe to Washington DC and New York and it would be in 20 six that it transpires I
004believe >> that seems like a lot in a trip >> but I'm assuming that They have done this before. >> See both those cities and >> yeah, she's working with an an entity that >> specializes in educational tours. So >> perhaps it's a lot for us when we take our families, but if they're specifically highlighting educational key takeaways. Yeah, you're right. I couldn't do either city in six days, much less want. >> We are of a certain agent. >> Anybody have any other questions? >> Assuming, you know, they'll be same things like fundraiser type stuff, opportunities for those that maybe can't afford it to be able to get the price down. And >> and I'm going to check that it's somewhere 27. So, you're talking almost two years out. And yes, to answer your question,
005>> she didn't specify. I don't recall seeing if it was transported by bus to there or if they're responsible to buy flight. I don't remember seeing >> I believe the package includes the flight. >> Okay. So, it was fine. >> That was the impression that I got, too. But >> you're right. The language just says we're on trip. >> Yeah. So, I didn't know. And they're >> it typically is >> bus when they get there. So I didn't know if it's a like a coach bus. >> I know like when Rotary does a trip with their students, they take a bus. So >> that would be your six days. >> Yeah, that would be a long bus. >> So the itinerary doesn't include the travel. It just says like you're arriving on day one and
006then you're departing on day six. Okay. >> So, the if the trip is longer, >> we can verify that when Melissa gets here. >> And then if it's summer of 27, is that this year's freshman and sophomores or this year's sophomore and juniors? Is it the ones that have just finished senior year and just finished junior year? >> Freshman and sophomores currently, right? >> Yeah. Because next year, No, this year 2520. No, that would be next year. >> 26 27th. It's December. >> Sophomore junior. So, just finishing their junior years. >> Yeah. And was when Miss Bowman brought this up of starting to do an annual trip. One thing we had talked about was to make sure that we avoid the music trip year, >> which is, you know, every few years they do that.
007So, the kids have that opportunity once in the high school, too. So, they make sure there's not a competition between the two. And essentially what that will do is make an opportunity every year throughout their high school years. One of them being a music year. Any other questions? We can move on to the potential wrestling space. I have Craig uh provide some information on the stats basically the numbers of kids and different things like that that are um just so we have some more information and then there was kind of an update right to the potential lease y >> that was in our email right update >> yep shared some additional details about the specifics of the lease in an email you probably already realized it's down for discussion tonight because if the response is
008no, we're not interested, then there's no action. If the response is yes, we are, then I'm going to request a formal lease and then you would act on that actual lease. Now, I don't anticipate it changing to any significant degree, but keep in mind what we've had so far is just a draft uh to start the conversation. uh a couple of questions that were raised in the interim uh that I think are worth going uh through again uh or for the first time, whatever the case may be. One of them being having it basically contiguous with Trap Rock Rooted and uh I'm not shocked that that may be a potential sticking point. Couple of different reasons. Uh number one, location. Number two, we did talk with uh um the owners of the building about having
009that be a sequestered entrance, and I believe that that was discussed at the last meeting, but I want to make that abundantly clear. If our kids would show up there, they would have access. Well, I mean, they could walk in the front door of the brewery, but they could do that right now. You know what I'm saying? So, that's on the brewery, and I'm I'm very confident that we wouldn't don't and wouldn't have kids, you know, going in and out of the brewery. But if we were to occupy that the second story, um they would have a dedicated entrance without access to the brewery itself. And that would be on the my terminology is the side of the building. And when they would enter, the only place they're able to get is upstairs to where
010this space is and not have access to the road. So there's that. Um it's expensive. Yes, it's going to be uh well, what we heard was um they would potentially entertain like a six-month trial um lease this first year with some you know potential around trying their best to ensure that if it works for us that we continue to occupy the space because of course I recognize as a a landlord or as a an individual that's trying to lease a space, you don't want two months for this group and three months for that. I understand why that would be, but they're willing to entertain a a six a six-month uh-ish trial basis. So, uh it still is not going to be, you know, it's going to be a new expense. And of course, if you're
011just talking dollars and cents, it's not cheap. Um $1,750 a month plus utilities plus the mats to take care of it is going to be, you know, 15,000 for the mats if it's 100% our cost. um and let's just say 2,000 a month if you have$,750 for um uh lease and then uh utilities over that 6-month period. So 6* 2,000 is 12,000. So you're talking about $27,000 for a year or a season as it were for using it. And then we might decide this isn't workable and so therefore we wouldn't maintain the lease. But we did uh spend all or some 15,000 on mass for that facility which could be repurposed in some way shape or form at some point. Um but they would be developed for that space up there. So that is a
012cost that is new. Um and yeah it's a new expense. Um, but here again, I'll circle you back to the conversation around finding adequate space for the wrestling program because what we dealt with last year is tough. It's tough for the kids, it's tough for the coaches, and it's tough for our staff. Um, as I mentioned, wrestling for a few weeks on the stage in the fine arts center, wrestling in the wrestling room, wrestling on the stage, wrestling in the gym, wrestling in the commons, wrestling is over here, wrestling is over there. wrestling is at this time and said not at this time and clearly we made it work but there's impacts uh personally impacts to other programs uh when those things are going on when you have wrestling and you lay out mats it's
013kind of like having a gym that you can't use really for any other purpose you know if you had a devoted wrestling space the mats would be down in there they'd be sterilized and it would be used for wrestling and sometimes if it's not wrestling season those mats be rolled up and put away and then you'd have a big open space that you could use for other stuff. But when you're circulating things around, we have to transport mats and do the sterilization and all kinds of things that I'm happy I don't have to do. Um, but anyway, it's it's cumbersome and it's difficult. So, if we evaluate our circumstances, what do we have access to? And perhaps I didn't do a great enough job of explaining. Uh we did have some conversations internally about what
014are our options including with Tara, Mike and I and Tara and at the time um Daryl uh what are our options because this is nuts to be dealing with this and there was things tossed around. I mentioned there's a another building that's up behind Walmart that might be possible. No water, no bathrooms at this time, but is it possible to lease that? That again had to do with location and the fact that we would, you know, have kids having to leave us the our property and figure out a way to get up to Walmart. We have a shortage of bus drivers. Although we're doing well this year, I can't see that we can devote a person in a bus to just sit here and wait for wrestling to run them out to a location that's
015well outside of our property, whereas this is just down the hall. So, or down the road. And so proximity I would argue is another significant thing there. Um but it is expensive and it is a unique scenario. I'm I'm not debating that. Uh the other thing would be that wrestling numbers that I shared I said 60 for boys and girls wrestling total. If you look at the projections that we provided for this year it' be 52 total. Um 38 boys and 14 girls. And in the middle school we have 18 boys and 13 girls. Um, and you can see the historic numbers there. Um, going back to 2122. I think I mentioned last meeting, um, but I'll reiterate it again or for the first time, whatever the case may be. Um, back in 2001, 2002,
0163, 4 when I worked here and the wrestling room was still upstairs and the weight room was still upstairs, we had a very undersized, very small weight room and an even smaller wrestling room. And at that time, space was an issue. It continues to be an issue at this time, even with the weight equipment being moved out of the wrestling room. And I think just for posterity sake, I'll mention again, this wasn't wrestling people beating down my door saying, "We need to do this. You need to do something about it." This was me saying, "Guys, this is nuts. Let's try to figure out a scenario." Because as I said, the time that Mike and I and Tara and of course our wrestling coaches and probably parents and other people that were, you know, looped into
017the conversation that we weren't directly involved in was it's a lot. It's a lot to figure out. Um, but did we make it work? Yes. So, I'll say again, we can figure it out, but it's less than ideal. And if you have uh let's see there's 14 weight classes I'm pretty sure and you want to be two people deep in that weight class. So you have 28 kids. So basically you know it's a perfect universe. You got both weight or all weight classes filled two people deep which is considered like your wrestling team. 24 people up in that pardon me 28 people up in that space is not good. And we have 34 and or 38 pardon me and 14 That was true 20 years ago when it was the space it was and it's
018still true now. Now, I'm not pointing fingers. I'm just stating reality. There's not even one full wrestling mat up there that can be used. You know what I mean? So anyway, and I also will say that the the lease or the the 4,000 square feet is is a lot of space, but even still, if I had, you know, all the money in the world and what I would want to do, I'd build a wrestling space that could accommodate three mats. We could leave world down all the time, and you're talking way bigger than what's allowed up there, right? So, it's an intermediary or a stop gap for us to uh you know work our way through some of the larger numbers which admittedly could decrease but youth numbers are not included here. Youth numbers are
019incredibly high as well. That doesn't necessarily translate to say if we have 120 youth wrestlers right now that we're going to have 120. That would be insane. you you normally see youth numbers are here and then it kind of you know funnels down as you get to about school level in sports and so I wouldn't anticipate the numbers just absolutely exploding but in the foreseeable future I don't see them decreasing significantly for any reason um and then there was some potential commentary about the the condition of the building and to that I would simply say we looked at it I I'm not a structural engineer nor an inspector Um, but all we're talking about is an open space that's on like a spanrete slab. And so I can't see that there would be again I
020don't know, but it it doesn't appear that it's a building in in dis disrepair um or other like code sorts of issues. And so um I personally wouldn't have significant concern about that. So, wanted to address those questions that were >> Oh, and yeah, the fairgrounds, we followed up uh received a response almost immediately. All of their facilities that can store boats over the winter store boats over the winter, including the giant one with the cement floor and running water. And I I can't remember if I asked if it was heated or I think it is actually does have heat, but they must offer a heated storage option for people or they turn the heat off and don't run in the winter and just at least your boat's under a roof, you know what I
021mean? But all of those facilities are used. And then when we're talking internally, too, um it's not like we ran an ad. Uh and and and I'm not going to say we looked at, you know, every pole shed building that might be out there that we might be able to lease. We talked as a group of people uh about what we know from in town and connections and, you know, these sorts of things. So, I'm not going to pretend to say like we did this massive uh sort of, you know, property hunt. Uh, but had evaluated, we talked about what would you think, Mike? Four or five different options. And then the the responses were all about location and whether or not what kind of work would need to be done to get it to
022be a functional space, access to water, access to restroom facilities, proximity to the school, have those conversations. So, and the conversation with um Moren and Joel Yunker, uh I'm trying to think of how where I was when that transpired, but it was more like, "Hey, I I heard you might be looking for some space for wrestling." And I said, "Yeah, well, we have a building." I didn't even know it was a building to be honest with you. And that's what really kicked it off and even made it a reasonable potential. So, >> what are you going to say something about? >> Yeah. No, I don't know where >> I tal. >> Well, that but there was something else too. Well, NEI did you happen to talk to the guy about that? >> I did not.
023>> I've heard that they want more money than what for smaller space or whatever. Maybe per square footage it would be. >> And how far away does any >> It's right. >> It's over here. >> It's a block away. >> Do you know Mike? >> No. Okay. >> I was remembering that um Flex Gymnastics are maybe purchased but certainly rented or used a building in the industrial park for quite a while and I don't know if that one's sitting empty >> because that's where that was years ago but sure >> and related to that thinking of of transportation Um, all hockey kids get themselves to hockey in Somerset. So, driving 25 miles per hour in town is much safer than those kids. I mean, you know what I'm saying? I'm not saying anything negative about
024the hockey situation. I'm just saying like, >> yeah, the kids don't get themselves there. >> It's not three minutes, >> you know. So, so with that space, the space you mentioned by Walmart, could we find out if we're going to get like some much better deal? >> Well, again, it's about more than the deal. And it's about access to water, the kind of renovations the facilities would need. Proximity, of course, is part of it in my opinion. A co-op sport in a different town is a little bit different than our own district run sport in terms of, you know, what we're obligated or not obligated to provide. Those sorts of things. Um, so I'd point that out. But could kids drive somewhere? Could we figure that out and just say, parents, look, this is where
025our wrestling space is. You're going to direct there. I think the answer to that question is yes. But our ability to check the box for again restroom facilities, access to water, the condition of the building, that sort of thing. That's in my opinion going to be more of a heavier lift than it is can we find an open space somewhere? >> Does the space does the space fully solve our issue or does it only partially solve it and we still have to find additional space for someone else to be able to wrestle somewhere? Does it fully solve it? Like everybody place to practice. >> Um I they'd still have to do some finagling from what Joe has said that I it's not as though all of the kids, boys and girls are just going to
026go up to that space and practice there and everything's good. So I mean technically they would likely continue utilizing every space they're using now plus the new space. 6,000 square foot building up there that has heat, bathroom, water is less money just That's all we're asking. I don't know how I find that out because again I'm the the baseline for determining this information was conversations with local residents, townies as it were, you know, like what are our options? Where can we go with this? So, >> I mean, I understand there's a huge need for it and I think we have to solve for that. I just wonder what is our like long-term strategy to make sure that we have sustainable that's you know reasonable cost but so I mean I think we run into it
027with multiple sports space wise for practicing or things so like what are other options I mean I don't know >> yeah and we've evaluated um at no cost the possibility of what I wanted numbers to know what it would cost to to create a wrestling space here in the district and conservatively you're talking like 2 to 3 million bucks. We talked about the space here between the fine arts center and the wait room. You have to go back a ways and into that hill. So, you would have to landscape the hill that's on this side of the school and that would have to be dug out and and retaining wall. So, that cost is around 3 million bucks. We talked about knocking the back wall off of the stage of the elementary school. that option
028would be around 1.5 to 2 million. Um the numbers that I'm being provided were around $400 and some dollars per square foot for open space. So you can do the math. It's crazy. The construction costs are super expensive. We talked about uh a pole shed solution. You know, build our own pole shed and run water and and uh sewer and those sorts of things. clearly wouldn't run the numbers on on doing that, but you're still talking about number one, finding a space to to put it. Um, and then the the construction and the the outlay of the facility. I'm guessing you're talking probably a million plus conservatively. And then we also said, well, what about purchasing a building like, you know, maybe Trap Rock Brewery moves out of that building. Would that be for sale?
029And could we purchase? You know what I'm saying? So there's been scenarios that are discussed, none, uh, in the short term that actually would would rectify the issue. Um, in terms of putting something together, I don't agree or don't disagree with you at all, Don. That's been the the the backbone of our conversation since this started is fine, we can lease a facility, but also we don't want to do that for perpetuity. That's crazy. >> You know what I mean? I'm sure it's not ideal to add like another like school facility, but do we leverage the dresser elementary school gymnasium for anything? >> No, we've used it for some sports, but the problem with wrestling is you have to lay down the mats every night and you have to have mats. >> I'm just asking
030for anything. >> We have used them for sports in the past, but transportation becomes a problem >> and it's really inadequate gym. It's really tiny and um so most sports can't couldn't do much in there. >> Yeah. We've had little kid practices in there throughout the years. >> Some dance the dance team has gone up there. I think long term if you were considering the knocking out the stage wall backstage perhaps building a pole style building behind that that wall instead might be a longterm option. >> That's the cheapest option facilities wise that I've seen >> that's been laid out. Yeah. And I wonder if um >> if there's anything for sale or rent up the industrial park down the road. Maybe this is our stock gap until we can long. >> Yeah. And that's
031what it became. I mean, it was clear to me that we're not going to outlay a million bucks to get something done here. But what do we do while we can further develop that plan in the short in the relatively short term? >> Can long term. Can we consider 81 structure for that or no? >> Um, >> that's that may take some thinking. Let's not limit ourselves to it there. But >> well, I can guarantee that you probably could, but for only a certain portion. >> Sure. >> And that would be so like our youth program is considered community. That would be fun eligible. >> Um, but you have to have documentation that supports the use. And shooting from the hip, what I'd say is maybe 10% of the cost you might be able to
032pull from fundating because again it's going to be based on um and and in order to calculate this they actually auditors and and the state expects you to gather data and support your decision making over time um with how the facility is used. So, it's very similar to um coding some custodial services to fund 50 food service for example. That can't just be well this custodian's fund 50 because the question is asked well they clean nowhere else of the school just the cafeteria in the kitchen. Then you say well no they go okay well then it's not fun eligible. So, it's the same thing >> with fund 80. And clearly, there's going to be a percentage that's going to be used, but the bulk is going to be our middle school and our high school
033programming. So, that's where I'd say 10 maybe maybe 20% on the high end. But, yeah, >> and we would evaluate, of course, every potential funding source to to minimize the impact to to fund 10. I mean, that's not a check we would simply write out of our uh general account, as it were. So >> um when you were talking numbers, what about custodial staff for the trap rocks basically send somebody to the wrestling program take care of it? >> I would think that the wrestling program for the majority of it are going to take care of it. Yes. because there's very little well the the coaches are meticulous with sterilizing and cleaning the space because they have to be and laundering uh singlets and all these things but we do that here. So that same
034stuff would happen there. And when I say like it's an open space I mean like >> think of about this but 4,000 square feet and a couple of restrooms on one end. So somebody's going to be cleaning the bathroom, somebody's going to be hauling the seats over, but >> yes, >> the rest of the sterilization and stuff is something that is taking care of anticipate. >> Correct. >> What are the what are the number of years that you're thinking to help satisfy like the short term? Are we thinking one just to try it out? Are we thinking two to three years before we So like um one more decision making tonight looking at trap rock or looking at you know the fine arts center worked fine this last season um how many years are is
035the short term would you say >> um so if we let's pretend that we did the a trial wrong and it worked out for one year and we're like yeah we want to do this I would I would anticipate another yeah probably three to five because again if we're talking about a million plus dollar construction initiative. We're likely talking about potentially asking voters a a debt issue or levy override referendum question. Um as there would be likely other things incorporated into that, not just, you know, a wrestling space. There would likely be other facilities things at some point in the future we would incorporate it into incorporate into an overall ask. Um, but yeah, I mean, frankly, I would love it if the problem was solved in a year, but it's not going to be.
036And I think if we're being rational, you never know. And just like this conversation around this space, no one really knew that it was even available until some cold tail conversations took place. Um, and so, yeah, I mean, it's not ideal. It's just simply not ideal. And when I say a short-term solution, I I don't mean just a couple years. I mean probably three to five before we can definitively answer the question like, okay, this building is not for sale. Anything else that we look for is just not going to fit the bill or it's going to be such an investment. You know what I mean? Because you don't know what you don't know. And then when things transpire, we have to evaluate at the time. I do know locally that those numbers that I
037asked to have calculated are going to be fairly accurate uh with the 1.52 $3 million sort of project things. And those are they're not set in stone, but they're not um they were they were estimates provided by um Krauss Anderson, the construction company that that they were sitting there. So I know that they were fairly dialed in. I don't know if that's an answer. Um I think having said that we can as a board say you know we want to give it this first season no more than a six month lease and then we'll have this conversation at the end of that season see how >> to make we're not waiting on it but we can give corrective direction bring back six month lease or whatever to the next next >> yeah I mean generally
038if the answer is no we're not interested then you won't see it again if the answer is someone's good but let's do six-month trial. What I'll ask for is a lease that you an official lease that might be modified only slightly after approval after our discussion, but you would have that for approval come September. >> One of the other questions that was brought up last time was uh the booster club helping any idea on that? >> We haven't had any formal conversations about look if we have to spend 15 grand roughly on mass, how much is the booster club willing or able to contribute? No, none of those conversations have taken place because again, you know, we don't know that we're going to do it necessarily. >> Would there be any opportunity to look at
039additional options, you know, make a kind of broaden the search, see if there is other buildings available before we're preparing to go on it just so that we're kind of open to >> I think that's the biggest thing I'm hearing from people um even huge wrestling backers. They don't like the the dollar amount, >> you know, and that that's um I was just talking to one on the way in here. It's like, you know, huge wrestling supporters, but they, you know, they don't like the dollar amount. So, um >> having said that, I hear Craig saying, how do we go about finding these spaces? Another thing I wonder that we haven't talked about, but I someone brought up Flex, but do they obviously they use like mats and things. Do they use their facility every
040single day? Like do they have an opportunity like is there any place that >> they're different mats too? >> Yeah, they are different mats and they only I mean they'll host a birthday party occasionally on Sundays, but that's the only day they don't count. that season would be the same time to >> trying to think of all options or ideas. >> Obviously, it's an issue. Yeah, we need to figure it out. >> Is that the one between the dresser? >> Well, I think there's one over there, but there's also like a gymnastics place on Highway 8. That's >> eight. >> That space isn't ideal. And I also don't know like what is the ideal space that fully solves the situation like a space like this gives us a partial but we still have space constraints
041within our building and we're still having to utilize like a stage is what I'm hearing and so like I'd like to if there's a solution I'd like to have something >> well it's around 6,000 square feet so it's going to be half again as big as the space we're >> sorry what's 6,000 >> if we were to have like a standalone wrestling facility. >> Okay, if that's what you would look >> Yes, it'd be just shy 5800. I I share that. >> Something like that. Just shy of 6,000 square feet. >> What's a size enough that gets people out of like the stage wrestling on a stage? That's obviously not an ideal situation. Like what kind of >> helps that situation,000? >> Yeah, that would address that. So that would be And again, don't I
042got this stuff in my office. I can go grab it so I can not look like a complete idiot. But >> that would be, I believe, three mats. >> Okay, >> so you would have basically three mats laid out. And again, you're just talking about a big open space. The thing that's nice about it being attached to an existing school facility is the fact that you don't then have the worries about typically about access to running water, water fountains, bathrooms, >> you know, changing facilities, that kind of thing. Cuz even at the elementary, you could finagle something to make that work. Whereas any kind of off-site building, even if it's 10,000 square feet and they'll lease it to us for 400 bucks a month in there, but there's no, you know, restroom facilities are running
043water, that's that's going to be an issue. And I mean, it could still be a stop gap like for a season. But here again, similar to the conversation that we're having around this building, most entities that are looking to lease a facility aren't like, "Yeah, just gave on to whatever we want for three, four, five months of the year." And then, you know what I'm saying? >> So, It it becomes a bit more complex than that. But >> could you put into perspective the like how big is a high school gym square foot? >> Oh, okay. I don't know. >> Is it 6,000? >> Yeah, it's probably more than that. So, like when we wrestle Interstate Classic, how many mats are set up in there? >> You can put four in there. Yeah, but they
044they only put three. Well, yeah, they only put three in they have four out there. Take that back. And the bleachers are out. So, like with with one set of bleachers out, there's four mats on the floor. But those are also not full size, aren't they? >> Yeah. I use it as a section or two missing. So the the the circles are closer together. Yeah. >> Yeah. So you're talking I I I don't know. Ballpark the the like the high school gym is probably 7,000 square feet, maybe eight. >> Yeah. What's a dimension of an actual basketball court? Do some quick math. >> I should know that. >> That's why I was asking you. >> Yeah. I don't know. We have schematics that tell us that too, but >> yeah, just trying to help. >>
045What's the weight room square footage? >> Like, is that the type of size that would at longterm solution we be looking for? >> It's probably smaller. >> It's smaller. >> Is it smaller? >> Yes. >> What do you mean weight room? I think when you said that immediate right to >> No, I'm talking what we just invested in the the weight room like the length of the weight room. >> Would there be a way for a long-term solution? Can you do a stacker and then somehow connect the current wrestling room >> onto that to that stack one on top of the >> So basically do a second story on top of >> the second story is somehow connected. you have the original and the >> would that provide? >> Initially from Krauss Anderson, the response
046that I had was a second story would would be exorbitantly expensive. I had a follow-up conversation with another individual that's a friend of mine that's in the school um construction industry who said, "I think you could do a second story on that and be the most cost effective." We didn't evaluate that option because of course you have to make structural changes to the weight room itself. So the weight room we just constructed would have to be updated so that it could hold another story on top of it. And would that solve the problem? I I I'm again I'm speaking for other people. I think if you asked our coaches they'd be like that'd be awesome because then they're contiguous and it's part of our facility. But I still think if you just did that space
047it's going to be slightly undersized. So to answer your question, just a double stack on the weight room, I think it would have to be slightly bigger, but it would be worlds better than what we've got now, >> right? >> You know what I mean? >> Yeah. Definitely. Well, the numbers are Yeah. They're growing. Wrestling's a women's wrestling especially is a fast growing sport. Uh not just here, but you know, nationwide. But um we still have declining enrollment, you know, so who knows what it's going to be like. So, we have to kind of keep that in the back of our minds, too. I mean, are we going to go down to 20 kids a class? I doubt it, but not in any time in the near future. But, >> um, so yeah, we got
048to look at that part, too. You'll see a couple of proposals for a demographic study in the be in the relatively near future too such that um make a determination on whether or not we want to spend the money to make that happen and what kind of credence we put into what those estimates would be. So we can also gather that data. >> From my perspective, it seems wise to rent in the short term while we the next several years. >> And a standard basketball court is 47. >> I got 42. >> Well, high school court. >> High school court is 4250. >> Okay. >> So, if it's 42, there's a court plus in there, >> right? I bet you're probably very accurate >> when you're talking space outside of the >> 6500. >> Yep.
049>> The inlands and boundary lines. >> An entire resting game takes place in it. >> Yeah, that's where they hold the interstate class. Yep. >> Yeah. That's why they were asking how many ms can they get in there? >> Yeah. Back to the other spaces for leasing. Um, I know that the space works right, but I just can ask Terra to to make a few calls or someone else to mention Walmart space behind Walmart and stuff. I mean, instead of just saying like we've got, you know, we're going to take750 without digging a little more. Well, can we dig a million or more? >> Regardless, my intentions are to do my best to figure out any and figure out a mechanism by which we can try to get the word out to identify if there
050are other spaces and come back to you with that information. Cool. >> So, I will do that between now and September for sure. >> Do realtors still handle rentals? Would it make any sense to talk to real estate? >> That's who owns the NI builder. They own I think every warehouse building in the industrial park at one point probably. >> Okay. >> But uh >> do you have you have a contact? >> I just I don't have a I mean I can I see a sign up there. I know a person that works for them but I don't know his phone number. >> Okay. >> Eric D. >> It's owned by >> starts with a T. >> A realtor though. It's >> a company. Yeah. >> Okay. I buy a company. A >> real company.
051Yeah. Okay. Well, we'll see if we can figure out that regard to it. >> Yeah, maybe they have other properties that are >> I mean, we'll just make some phone calls, talk to people. >> Word is getting out, too. I mean, people know, but everybody's just I don't think people really understand what is in the area. even up on the, you know, behind the by the old vet, you know, or it is a veter up there in that area by the water tower. >> You know what's up there? >> I can contact the city administrator, ask him some questions, too. Maybe he's got >> excuse me, got some context. >> We good for now? Okay. Uh when does the the season start? Like November. >> Yeah, mid November. >> Before Thanksgiving, >> when you're looking
052at that size, right, the elementary stage is supposed to that size. >> No, that's why you have to that's why you move out the back wall on there. No, I mean, but for what we're doing right now, I mean, it's it sounds like there's mats hanging off the edges and >> Yeah. Yeah. And that would be the first space that they wouldn't use if they didn't have to would be the elementary stage area. >> And how did they share this one last year with, you know, you have middle school plays going on, high school plays. >> Well, as I mentioned, it's not an area for wrestling, but it's a relatively large open space. So, they would roll the mats down. They used it for like a two week period. >> Yeah, I want to say
053three. >> Two or three. >> Okay. >> During the dead time >> after fall play or after uh winter concerts basically starting at Christmasish break time >> for about three I think it was about 3 weeks. >> Okay. So it wasn't like the whole season. No. >> No. No. It was a piece in the middle. >> Yeah. >> Because of the tear down and clean up. Middle school drama. >> Yeah. And then middle school drama kicked in. They actually shared it for a short amount of time. >> It's hard. >> It's also not what we had in mind. >> No. >> All right. Anything else on that? So, should I request uh a draft of a six-month or a trial option lease simultaneously with gathering this information? >> I think so. >> Okay. >> Thanks
054for having me. We have it. >> Gotcha. I will do so and then you'll see it as the first meeting uh in September where I will have it for action because in the event the answer the answer to all the other questions are no, it's not going to work and the answer to this question is this is our only option. I'll seek action so that we can get mats ordered and get and hopefully be ready for when the season actually starts because the turnaround on getting those mats for the walls is six weeks I think six or eight week lead. So if we go much past the first couple weeks of September, we're going to have a potential issue. >> So is that what the 15,000 is just for Mats on the wall? >> Yeah,
055that's an estimate that um Joe got. >> It's not for anything that go on the floor. They have enough of those. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Anything else? >> All right. We'll move on to our board meeting. I'll call the board meeting. >> Can we circle back to the DC? >> Oh, yeah. Sorry. >> DC. Sorry. >> The main question that the board had, Melissa, was whether or not that includes a flight or is it a bus? >> It would be flights. >> Yes. Yes. And that's included in the cost that was provided. >> Yes. Yes. So it's kind of like the um the international trips. It's the it's the same company but not the same company. So there's EF Educational Tours and then there's EF America. So it's the same kind of parent
056company but different because it's in the US. Now um this this particular tour includes everything that the international tours do. um including gratuitity, including tips. So that's something the international tours the kids have to come up with. Um so the only thing they would have to pay for outside things they would have to pay for outside of this cost would be lunches, >> souvenirs, and a passport. No, no, not even a passport because they're not going to different country. But but have some sort of ID ready to go. I don't know what you know if they need copies of birth certificates or what. it it would be, you know, less of an additional cost than the international trips have been. Slightly, but a little less. And Mike, you mentioned um potentially having a trip every
057year at the high school level. Do you have any concerns about getting the right number of kids? I know that the pricing is based on the number of participants that it's actually not. >> It's not in America. >> No, it is not. Nope. not based on the number of kids. It's based on how far in advance got you plan. Um so that's kind of why I like coming to you guys two years ahead of time so that families know about it and they have time to be able to save. Um I I don't know how much you shared with them ahead of time, but the thinking is um first of all, if we can have a trip every single year, you know, with the band and choir trip kind of taking precedence every three years,
058then it would essentially be like a travel program so that families coming up even through the middle school can say, "Hey, we know that these kids are going to have an opportunity to travel somewhere. you know, potentially every single year. And if they'd like to just stay close to home, if they'd like to go with the music department, if they're not in music, they still have opportunities to go. Um, and not all of them are the huge international, you know, really big expensive ones. Um, that would be great. Another thing, and I'm not sure if I even told you this, but I went to Sean Goodmanson and Zach Bart and Alex Miller, so the the music teachers, and I said, "Listen, I don't want to take kids away from your trip. You know, I want
059like my vision for this is to make sure that as many kids can travel as possible. Is there a way that we can work together so we're not kind of this us versus them sort of a deal? And Sean had the idea of potentially doing a trip in 28, which is their three-year trip in conjunction with an international trip, kind of like how they did it in Puerto Rico a few years ago with the Spanish. So, that might be a cool thing. He said that the company he works with um it's not just not just music department you know a music trip but you could have music with it certainly but we could make it finagle it so that anybody could go on that and I think that that would be kind of cool you
060know have a bigger trip that more kids could go on and ultimately ultimately the goal of both of us is to make sure the kids can So maybe that's more information than you wanted, but >> no, as a parent draw me to a a district. >> Yeah, >> definitely value that >> if there were, you know, options like that. Sure. >> Anything else >> with um trips like this? Is there any fun like blogging or journaling or something that we could then tie back to like our communications? Maybe. >> Sure. Um I have >> Well, I the past two trips I have um created pages off of my own personal Facebook page. >> I was thinking there could be some collaboration there >> if Kurt could make it happen. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Yeah, that would
061be cool. >> Totally. I mean, I did a journal every single night after we're done. So, and you guys could probably look that up if you wanted to. Or if you want me to >> email the link to you, I could do that, too. >> But yeah, every single night so that parents know. And Chris, did you ever look at that? >> Put it in. >> Yeah. Was that helpful? Was it cool? >> Very cool. >> Absolutely. >> Well, everyone else was sleeping. I was typing away my phone. Yeah. >> But I don't know. Kids, the kids seem to like it, too. And you can still access them. So go back and revisit the memories. >> All right. Anything else? We need a break before we get rolling. We're good. All right. Thank you. >>
062Thank you. >> Thanks for considering call the meeting to order. I will start with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call. >> Nice here. >> Tasha >> here. Milky >> here. Ronnie Scheler here. Brent Mccertie >> here. >> All right. Next, we'll have the reading of the mission statement and the rules of the meeting by Tasha. The mission of the school district of St. Mary Falls is to provide a supportive student- centered learning environment that cultivates character, fosters academic excellence, and embraces diversity. Board meeting rules. Focus on the mission vision statements of the district. Come prepared. Be respectful of others and open accepting of
063ideas. Actively participate. Avoid side conversations. Remember, board meetings are open forum. >> Thank you, Tasha. We'll move on to principal comments. We'll start with the young ones. Miss Flat. >> Oh, the young and flat. I like that. A little backwards, but okay. So, um, first I just want to say July and August this year were particularly wonderful because the collaboration between the three of us is the best collaboration I've ever had on a leadership team and I'm very grateful for that. Um, and that's the last nice thing I'm going to say to either of you for more than enough for me. The inservice days were super productive. We got ready for kids. We learned about AI. We used our new communication app, which is called Class Dojo. Um, we learned strategies to help children self-regulate
064and how to use Freckle, an online tool to help students work at their own learning pace in English language arts and math. My leadership team took a look at the test data and we developed a schoolwide goal for supporting all learners to score in the significant growth category on the STAR math assessment. We're doing really really well. Sometimes it's hard to come up with goals. So we decided in in um connection with the constant goal of helping each learner have the opportunity to grow one year's worth in one year's time, we would look at growth rather than um resting on our laurels. Um the driver in service was so great. The team is thrilled. Uh we worked on the department's mission statement and our plans to build our team and to continue to nurture the
065department. We have new drivers. Paul Gilbert is going to drive Route 19 for us. He's doing so great. Um Laura Kavanaaugh and Lisa Then join us as part-time drivers driving a student to the Metro School for the Deaf in St. Paul. And you may have noticed uh we had another new driver who has already left. And guess who's back? Eric Magical. Eric Maggirl and Michelle Harvey are going to share um a route, a van route. Um the meet the teacher night was great. We had an information fair with tables from scouting, 4, rcu, poke county social services, river valley hockey, public library, St. Croy, royalty, food services, family checkup, and we had Deb for transportation and we had a big turnout. If you haven't looked at the pictures of from our um art project this
066summer where Jen Clemens and Amy Klein and Amy's daughter Anna painted the sound panels in the gym. Look at them. It's worldclass art. It's amazing. Come in and and see it. We Kirk is working on some um what do you call it? Press releases. Um and I certainly hope a television crew comes out there and looks at it. It is phenomenal. Um, and then I just wanted to give a special shout out to Deb Matson who has gone way above and beyond to help me get the transportation department running smoothly and put in lots of hours and kept me sane. >> Very good. Thank you, >> Mr. Wallace. >> All right. Um, well, last week we had our opportunity to get up and running with our our inservice staff was back and ready to go.
067they were energetic and and ready to, you know, get the new year started um with the with developing planning, getting fun activities ready to go for our jump start week and we're going to finish out with some schoolwide activities tomorrow. Uh so the first jump start week here has been been great so far. Lots of positive energy in the building, lots of smiles, um lots of lost kids trying to figure out what their schedule's like, but that kind of it's it's pretty typical in the first few days of school. Um our open house was really well attended. It was it was constant flow of kids and families in and out of the building. Um getting to meet their teachers and and being welcomed back. Um specifically our our fifth grade and new families. Um intro
068was really well attended in the fine arts center. Um really good turnout there both with the kids and as well as the parents there. Um we have new staff members in the middle school um that were recent hires here for our special education paras. Um Brandon Ducharm, Crystal Zel, and Don Freys all bring different experiences to to our middle school and they've hit the ground running with our students. Um and they're bringing lots of great energy to our building. Um for a fully funded special education department, which is great to start the school year with. So um for all the staff, I should say. Um so yeah, the play staff my my misspoke there. Um, and also to start the school year out, uh, we welcome Bnee Lechman, um, who is going to bring lots
069of experience into our building, uh, as a long-term sub for for math. Um, and she's hit the ground running and, um, her experience community has been really, um, excellent for a long-term position for herself. So, >> very good. Thank you, >> Mr. Wilson. >> Right on. So, I will start out with the, uh, sharing the US News and World Report recent release for ranking our high school. Um, and I send that link with you. Hopefully you guys had take were able to take a peek at that. Really cool with what they do, and I'll just share this quickly. Um, they take what we do with our top, middle, and bottom um, level students. They look at all of that. So, they look they look at struggling special ed students. They look at free and reduced
070lunch students. They're looking at AP scores. They're looking at everything in ranking schools. And when you look at that list for the state of Wisconsin, the, you know, there are a handful of neighboring schools to the south of us that are somewhat similar demographics, but probably a little more well off that we compare it with. And the closest school um in our part of the North Conference is I won't name names, but they're a ways down from us. So where we stand, little old St. Croy Falls comparatively in northwestern Wisconsin is absolutely amazing. and we have been year after year after year. Um, our PLC group, our PLC leader group, uh, dug into our ACT scores and pre-ACT scores and looked at all that and we've really really truly discovered that we're serving all of
071our kids and a lot of districts can't say that and we're getting the praise for it. So, really cool award and really or recognition I should say. Um, last week as these two have said, busy week, staff back, a lot going on, open house was very well attended. It's It's kind of fun to see some of those kids that always tell you, "Oh, I hate going to school." And they're the first ones walking in open house with a smile on their face. So, kind of question their hatred, though. I think they actually love us. So, it's fun to see those kids showing up again. Um, let's see what was I'm going chronologically here. Tuesday of uh last week, Mr. Chelberg, as you guys aware, um informed me that he was resigning and going into a
072different profession. So, it was scramble mode at that point. Um, I cast a web as far as I could reaching out to W Stout, Northwoods Tech, the entire Caesar region, all sorts of people that I know in the business. Um, and we were we had a couple different leads on a few different people, but we were very fortunate to have uh a retired Shiaga Lakes Teched teacher stepping in. His name is Mike Sandell. Um, 30 years experience teaching and he's retired. He's going to come back and help us out for first semester. So, I went from Tuesday being um shocked and nervous to uh Friday, I spent an hour and a half with him Friday morning touring and walking around and talking about everything. And he said, "You know what? I'm going to do this."
073And I I so I went from Tuesday to Friday from fear to relief and actually excitement because this guy knows his stuff. So, we're very fortunate to continue our tech classes and programming. um that job is posted full-time and we'll be looking at uh as the applications come in to hopefully um pull in a quality applicant for the second semester this year. So, feeling good about how that's transitioning. Uh let's see what else. This week, first day was freshman only. So, you know, we've done that for a handful of years and every year we do that, it's more and more rewarding and more and more um just proof that it's the right thing to do. Our freshman are coming in. Most of them are scared. I mean, they're they're nervous, they're excited, but they're all
074really scared, too, because all of a sudden they're walking into the big kids school. Um, and so our freshman PLC led by Cory Schmidt pulled together a day of activity for them. starting uh starting off here and getting the Chromebooks and uh actually Miss Bowman led a about a 40-minute session in the fine arts center on how to be a good high school student with their Chromebooks on their lap teaching them how to use Google Drive and creating folders for high school now and archiving their middle school things and and it was a great setup and the kids were, you know, sitting in the fine arts center with the laptops on their lap. They were pounding away and they had questions and they were engaged and you know, four or five kids would raise their
075hand. Oh, slow down. What was that again? they were super super interested in learning these things on their very first day when you know they're more concerned usually about seeing their friends and what they're wearing. Um but that went really really well. And then we uh took them down to Interstate Park for the afternoon after we drilled out here real quick and had a just a bonding day and uh as we walked around in the afternoon checking in with the kids had multiple comments about best first day of school ever. Sorry, Rita. and uh best first day ever and it was great and we you know can't wait to be back. It was a really really positive way to start the school year. So that jump start day for our freshman is is worth its
076weight. There's no doubt about it. Um and then today um getting everybody back in the attendance was really really strong today at the beginning of the day. So that looked looked solid. Um I think I got it covered. >> Very good. Any questions for them? >> You feel good about getting um candidates in to replace Mr. Chubber? >> Yes, good question. I've had uh several people contact me intrigued and curious about the job. Um one application was submitted uh here a day ago. So, and looks positive. I know two other people who have strong interest. Um so, I think we we're going to have some good options. That's wonderful. >> Oh, and also uh W Stout currently has four uh of their senior students in student teaching right now. That will be available second semester.
077>> So, I've been in contact with them, too. >> That reaching out to ourologist. >> Yes. >> All right, Mr. Bor. So, I'll just uh I'm not going to repeat, but you can hear how fantastic the last couple of weeks have been having kids back in the building. So, to tie into Mr. Wilson's story, uh I had the pleasure of walking from the high school towards the middle school. And to my left was one of our freshman students who looks to me and says, "Ah, yes, my old stomping grounds." as we head to the middle school from the high school. >> Yeah, it's been a long time since I've been in here. I'm like, it sure has. At least three months, my guy. At least three months. >> Small. >> Of course, he was kidding.
078But that's the stuff that I love. The kids come back. It's just hilarious. The elementary school is is of course just wild and and fun and and all of our buildings are. And so um and the staff, I'm telling you. So Rita opened with the perfect comment. Then you heard all all of the things and that's it. I mean I don't know what else you would say to add to that. It's it's phenomenal. I will say that uh I have two things. The one thing would be that the these concerns around operating a school district with you know a couple hundred employees and a thousand plus students that that cause anxiety for people or operating a building. um at least you know in the backdrop I've never had a circumstance arise since I started here
079where I thought what the hell are we going to do? I've thought to myself we'll figure it out and that's ultimately what has transpired and you heard some of the stories just with the trials and tribulations starting this year and that's a it's a great spot to be in and I'm not going to say it's perfect but we work through some pretty complex stuff as a group and it's fantastic to be part of that team. The other thing that I will mention is the folks at Silverbrook Coffee Filkins Concrete and oh something services and I am so sorry that I'm not remembering it's out on our social media and we did a press release and if we forget the name I'll make sure to plug them too. I think Chris is looking right now. Did
080a school supply drive and had dropped off like a pickup plus a car truck. A pickup truck plus a car full of various school supplies. And now when you're thinking, "Oh, well that's nice." Probably some notebooks and folders. Yes, lots. And highlighters, glue, colored pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, uh earbuds, post-it notes. It was insane. So what ended up happening is that uh Philins Concrete and the other entity got into a >> Superior services. Thank you. And I apologize deeply for not remembering that. Superior Services and Philans got into kind of a battle apparently and turned it into a crazy uh donation that came in. So it's on social media and we did a press release for it. So hopefully uh a couple of local media elements will pick it up and at least have a
081conversation about it because it was super cool and we always have parents, community members, businesses dropping off uh things for kids to use. And of course the response always is look and we'll get into kids hands as soon as we can, but we'll also hang on to it because there will be need in the future. So it's awesome to see that kind of uh community support and gratitude. And the folks that were dropping the stuff off spoke about the idea that they are really keen on um assisting and supporting public education because they recognize that not all of our kids come with all the stuff that they may need because families don't have the capability. And I think that's true now more than ever when things are wildly more expensive than they were just a
082few years ago. It makes it super tough and you're spending seven 8 $900 per kid to do a comeback to school thing is is insane. So we are have that ability to take a little bit of that take a little bit of that off. That's the number. Not just college kids. >> Wow. >> That was a national >> I took my kids to the family pathways. It was like 10 bucks. >> The national average was something like 7 or 800 bucks. >> Wow. >> That's insane. >> That's nuts. >> Um Orchid and Orcin Orthopedics or orthodontics. It says orthopedics, but I think it's orthodontics. also um dropped off a huge amount of supplies and so did Midwest one day by the way. >> Awesome. Thanks for letting us know. >> It is orthodontics, right? >>
083Yes. >> Got to ask Kirk to fix or >> Oh, well that is how it's spelled orchin and yeah. Yeah, >> you're thinking of pest control. >> Yeah, honestly I must have been. >> Do all our schools have closets? I think most of them do that have other things but besides school supplies that are like personal needs. Is there a great need for donations? I know periodically people donate to those things, but how are the schools? >> We are we're we don't have room for more donations. So, >> yeah. So, that includes like clothing, backpacks, >> feminine products, >> personal items. Yeah. Deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste. >> And how do kids know that's there for? >> Um, typically it's facilitated by the administrator or counselor. And of course, all of our staff members know uh about
084the access to that. So they're not uncomfortable or odd conversations. It's not that we approach kids and say, "Hey, do you need this stuff?" It's more organically letting these things happen or you hear through the grape vine, get some intel, and then take care of business that way. >> Yep. >> Very good. >> Thank you. All right. Oops. computer. Oh, the board member, anybody attend any kind of training? Um, we do have the fall one coming up in Rice Lake, October 14th or 15th, somewhere in that area. >> I can tell you because I put it in my calendar. It is October 15th, 6 p.m. Layman Supper Club, I believe. And that is the WSB regional meeting. I'll be sending you intel on that and looking for interest and we'll carpool up there here from
085the district. >> Yeah. I just want to bring it up now. Just start planting seeds. >> Yep. >> It's usually a good time to help has a good meal if that's what Brady needs to get you there. It's always good me quality time with Yes. >> his colleagues. >> Um all right. We're going to be public here. No awards or presentations. So, we'll move on to the consent agenda. So, I'll take a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll make that motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Have a motion by Don. Second. >> Second by Matt. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I oppose. Motion carries. Um, moving on to curriculum and policy. Uh we had a the early graduation request at the last meeting, right? >> Yep.
086>> Um so we'll look to approve that. >> I'll make a motion to approve the early graduation request as presented. >> Motion by Ronnie. >> A second. >> Second by Tasha. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion's carried. Uh the next is to review and vote on the 2526 board goals. There was no changes after the last door out. Um so we'll take a motion to approve those. >> I can make a motion to approve the boards as presented. >> We have a motion by Don, >> second by Matt. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Moving on, we have the resignation by Chris Chelberg, tech ed teacher. Take a motion to approve his resignation. >> I'll make that motion to approve
087the resignation of Chris Chelberg, tech ed teacher. >> We have a motion by Tasha. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Ryan. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I >> opposed. That motion is carried. And we have the the child care rate increase which we talked about at the last meeting. Make a motion to approve that. And it was $10 now and $10 later. Correct. >> We're approving both increases. Correct. >> Yes. Have >> a motion by Matt. >> Second by Tasha. We need the roll call that or is it? >> No. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Any announcements? No. Upcoming events. We have the first official day, September 2nd. Uh and we have our next committee u board meeting regular regular board meeting
088on September 10th and then again on the 14th uh I will say on the 10th um be looking to I'll be getting you the uh board self evaluation for our goals and then if you haven't finished the superintendent val let's get that done and then we'll discuss those too at that time assuming we had light if it gets too We'll schedule it and punk at the meeting. >> Yeah. Y um all right, Tasha, you want to discuss the rules of the meeting? >> Yep. Um forward rules. We focused on the mission statement of the districts. We prepared. We were respectful of others and accepting of ideas. We act as we participated in conversations. And we all remembered board meetings are open forum. >> All right. Thank you. There is no close session, so we're just
089looking to adjourn. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Don. >> I'll second. >> Second by Ronnie. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. We are adjourned. Thank you. >> Thanks everybody. Thank you.