001here. Campbell here. Guerrero here. Hilbert >> here. >> Leafer here. Stall >> here. >> Wood. >> And Mrs. S, would you lead us in the pledge, please? >> 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. have a visitor this evening that you would like to start. >> Yes. Benjamin Dodie is here to uh propose uh the possibility of starting the esports team at Sang Valley High School. >> Okay, go ahead. >> All right. So, my name is Ben Dodie and I'm and I am a sophomore here at this school. So, so one, so at my other school I used to go to Maro Foresight, they have an esports team and I believe
002they have been increasing in other schools too. And I was on that team for about 2 years and there's one thing I noticed. E esports can help people learn and grow as a human as an individual human being. And so I I want to help I want to help bring an esports team here. You can you can it can Yeah. It can provide an extracurricular activity to those to those who are not interested in traditional sports such as such as basketball and football. Could help promote teamwork with other people and and develop friendships. And it can also help lead into other technological careers such as such as STEM, coding, and other computer sciences. Okay. And what would that I guess entail as far as is there a season for it? Does it go all year
003long or >> it there there can be a season? I believe there is a season. I think it's in the spring. I think from January till maybe the end of the year. >> Yeah. So Mr. Fleming and I looked into it for IHSA and that's the main time that they would be competing. It would just depend on what categories they would compete in. Um there's multitude of you know areas like Mario Kart um uh Rocket um league um and there's a separate league from IHSA that the kids can compete in. That one does cost money but IHSA does not um and it would just depend once the team's formulated what they would want to compete in as individuals or a team. So but that's the main time that they would compete. >> So for us
004what is our our needed from the school itself I guess? Well, we talked it'd be facility usage and Wi-Fi. So, they're going we're going to work together on fundraising, getting hopefully funds to raise to get the consoles and everything that the kids need. Um, we've worked a little bit on student services. We have opportunities to fund raise to get the money for the two Nintendo Switches that they'd like to start with, which would put us about $1,000. Um, and once that hooks up to the Wi-Fi, they can pretty much start from there and then hopefully continue to grow. So, not in terms of financial, none, um, besides facility usage and Wi-Fi at this time. And then does all that take place at school as far as what they're assigning in to do and that type
005>> Yes. Yep. Yeah. It'd be after hours um for extracurricular time, whatever would work for the team. Maybe like 3 to five depending on what sponsor room it would be. Um sponsors would be determined each year um volunteer basis. So we sort of talk there's a couple people on staff and myself that would sort of rotate if need be basis um to fill in here and there to make it work for the first year. Um we have about 25 kids um that are interested in the team. um with the survey we sent out um and there's two that actually coach it currently. So Braden Wicker coaches esports um with the younger siblings um sort of on volunteer basis um at other schools. So he's you know really interested in it. Um so there's a couple
006people that would like to step up and try and lead it. So >> So for this year there'd be no sponsorship like stipend or anything? >> No, we wouldn't be doing anything like that. No. >> Okay. I think it sounds interesting and we will take it into consideration later in the meeting. Okay. Thank you, Benjamin. >> Thank you so much for listening. >> Thank you. >> Good. Thank you. >> Okay. Is there anyone else that's here to address the board >> this evening? >> Thank you. >> Okay. So then we need a motion to enter close session for discussion of personnel and student discipline. >> I'm going to go with Browning first. for a second. Call >> Sam, >> yes. >> Guerrero, >> yes. >> Silver, >> yes. >> Leafer, >> yes. Stall, >> yes.
007>> Brownie, >> yes. >> 605. >> Of our assessment scores and most importantly, our chronic absenteeism with our IEP students. Um, we have since risen to back to the commenical status there within that building and we are working through their um through their uh title one part 10003 I think uh program that we have to do to try to reach that compliance. So it's it's given the state an opportunity to kick us a little bit more money to try to help out with some things. Um but we saw some really good improvements and stuff from what they did. Uh met with the state superintendent a couple weeks ago along with the other local superintendents and he basically came in and told us that they're completely revamping all this. So the cut scores changed for this
008year on all the assessments um including like ACT and stuff like that. So it's not going to match up exactly with what we had before. Um and then they're going to change it further, but they're also going to get rid of chronic absenteeism, which is what we got named on. Um they're going to get rid of uh the way that they say some other things uh and change some of their metrics. So really everything that we're using now is going to probably flip. And that's what they do about every two or three years is they they change the targets and change the bullseye and everything to where you know you don't really have any longitudinal way to track what you've been doing. So I think we've shown some vast improvements and we're going to continue
009doing that. But it was nice to see the commendable ratings come through there. Take a look at that. Um rino update. Um, the recino, if you saw in the paper, has passed the senate and it will move on to the house. The house took an early recess after that pass the senate. So, it never had a chance to get over there. Uh, I spoke to Mr. Flynn. He actually called me back today and I discussed he said that he thinks that in in January that will come in front of the house. I think we were saying this last year about December. Um, so we'll see what happens with it. Um they have uh invited me. I don't know if you guys got anything. I got an RSVP invitation to the country club indicator um in
010a couple weeks for about an hour and a half informational meeting >> on the rino >> about the rino. It came from the economic development commission of B County. So I'm going to go and see what it's all about. I'll report back on what I find there. I did not. >> Yeah, I didn't I didn't know. Uh so it came to me. So I will go represent Sang Valley and see what they've got to say um at that meeting. And uh that was basically the only update I got from Mr. Flynn on that today. Um other than what I've read in the paper. So that was basically just kind of reiterated that information to me. But it did overwhelmingly pass the Senate. There were very few that voted against it. um bus facility update. We've
011had to change the design that we were kind of looking at after the engineers got looking at things out there um with the facility. Um so, long story short, basically it's going to be the same amount of building, but we weren't able to do the longer bus shelter to plug all the buses in on the one side because then that blocks off the lane to get in a bus would be sticking out of it. So, what we're going to do is basically cut that in half and put half of it over um by the garage kind of where the old V2 was at. But in order to do all that too, we're going to have to expand the parking lot with some rock probably about 10 to 15 ft to the north. Uh there's plenty
012of room in there. Um before you get to the practice field ditch where it is kind of our natural drain out to the field there. So I don't think it'll be a big deal from the way the designer was talking when he came out. Um but they've been kind of stand still. We'll wait to hear back from the engineers and then the engineers have to talk to the builders. Um and then we kind of move on from there. But um it's been slow moving to say the least. We're just hoping to at least get a little bit more push. The the stur people were working on designs. So we still haven't seen those final designs yet. They've been getting going. But he did not expect there to be a tremendous change in cost by splitting
013the building like that. It's just going to be in a different area. build. So that's kind of where we're at on >> what are the plans right now. Um Bruce has been working for about the last month. He is putting together he had to put some different breakers in and he has kind of made some kind of temporary lead tubes. He's put some some 2x4s together. Uh and then he has put GFI outlets on those that he's going to run the wire through there. And he's kind of got those going on to the front basically where the tube is at. He's got those brakes and back into the to the gravel so that they don't, you know, get pulled out of there forgets to unplug or something like that, which has been known to happen
014occasionally. >> So, will we go the whole winter without anything? >> I don't know. I would have liked to have had something built by now, but it's been a a lot slower moving process done right. The survey with the engineers has taken quite a while now that we've kind of redone the design that supposed to get back. So we had emails going out to them earlier this week to see if they get back to us on the changes in design and then uh we'll kind of go from there. But that's what I got there. collective bargaining um with the teachers. Uh we have set dates for March 9th through 11th and that will be at Sharon United Methodist Church. Uh Mrs. Leer was able to procure that for us since we will not be doing
015it during the summertime when there's no kids here. We thought that may be a little more conducive uh for the bargaining teams instead of trying to do it within the building while we got school going on. So, we've got that coming up. We've got the attorney and the uniserve director all lined up to be here with us for those days. And I think uh it'll also help us to get get it done earlier because it'll be a lot easier on us in the unit office to get contracts ready and everything like that uh before everybody leaves for the summer. So that'll be good. Uh a department with their welding lab proposal plans that they've had got some exciting news since our last meeting. They uh have fully funded basically what they are projecting as their
016costs for the welding lab redux that they're wanting to do. Um, and part of that has come from the village of Harristown and part of that came from the ADM CARES grant that we applied for. We were able to procure that and the village of Harristown made up the difference. Um, I have started talking to our architects because we are going to also be looking at doing our tenure health life safety survey which will be actually during spring break. They're coming in. They're going to put walk around with me for a few days. Uh but also I talked to them about maybe coming up with some designs and making sure that we get the electrical and everything just right in there. It's going to be very important to make sure and they also mentioned that
017that may be something as well that we could utilize some of our life safety funds for that we're not able to touch until this 10 year things. They said do you think you know there's some safety concerns with any of that? I said, "Well," I said, "It's an old building and I'm not sure how the electric was wired up over there exactly. So, any improvement would probably be a plus." And so, they said they thought that sounded like a good plan and they would pay close attention to that. Um, you know, maybe even before we get the health life safety stuff going on, so they kind of get away, but I think it'll be really cool uh for our students. >> Can we utilize that for our high school gym and locker rooms? >> Lifeaving.
018I don't know. on. >> That'll be a safety hazard. >> Is a safety. So, could be. We've got no shortage of things to spend it on for sure. Um, and that's all I've got for the superintendent report right now. >> Uh, first up, we've got the, uh, yearly resolution that we need to do for the estimated tax levy for 2026. Um, I recommend you vote on this. So, I'm projecting um another balloon this year. I want to do a balloon so we able to capture all the money that is due to us. So, um I did a kind of a high balloon this year. We had done I think previously 12% last year. We did um I was going to try to go with a 20% balloon this year just because of my uncertainty with
019what's going on. I don't think that we're going to see anywhere near that kind of increase. Uh, but I also don't want to leave any money on the table. Um, so when you see that in the paper, uh, especially constituents that are here tonight, don't freak out. Your taxes hopefully won't raise 20%. U, but that will be us. The tax rate actually that I've set for this um will should be actually a couple cents less because of how the bonds came out this time around, but other than that um the uh the total rate should be exactly the same as last year. If the Rino in Harristown comes out later on down the line and some other things happen, that's where you may start seeing some major increases in the EV, but even then it's
020going to be quite a few years down the road, I think, before gets finalized. I think they were talking about a solar farm potentially authorized too. I don't think that that will roll until it goes online. Um the uh the estimated reports that have been coming out have been kind of up and down. most recently down actually 4% in Mon County, but I'm still looking at if I was going to project I would say about a six to 7% increase, which is what we saw last year. Um, but I don't know because it is certainly not an exact science. I do think that I have got Christian County squared away though. She has found her error. Luckily, it only cost us about $700 last year, but there's no getting that back. But moving forward, we'll
021at least be able to make sure to calculate correctly how counting when it comes to Christian. Um, so we have that. We need to also look at setting a date for truth and taxation hearing which will be next. If you guys want to go ahead or have any questions about the estimated levy. >> So we need a motion to adopt a resolution regarding the estimated amount for the tenative district tax levy for 2025. in 2026 as presented >> motion made by Jeff. I'll second call please. Guerrero. Yes. Silver. >> Yes. Stall. >> Yes. >> Brownie. Yes. Camp. Yes. >> Okay. And since we are doing the balloon levy and we're anticipating more than 5% increase uh to the EAB, we need to also set a hearing uh for the truth and taxation as part of
022regular board meeting on the next uh December 17th. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to set that? December 17th, 6 p.m. >> Motion made by Josh Herbert. Is there a second? >> Second Campbell. Call please. >> Yes. >> Leaper. Yes. Stall. >> Yes. Campbell. Yes. >> Yes. >> U. The next motion we have is to approve the resolution to evade taxes on bond 2019b. This is our yearly action that we do to evade that bond and pay that out of fund 60. I recommend that you proceed with that. >> Okay. Do I have a motion? Motion made by Jessica Brown. Is there a second? >> Josh Hbert. Call please. Stall. >> Yes. >> Brownie. Yes. Campbell. >> Yes. >> Guerrero. Yes. Gilbert. Yes. Cle. >> Okay. So, I've talked to you about community solar
023at a few different meetings. Um, and the day after our last meeting when we voted to accept the proposal for the 50% cost savings, I contacted Nania first thing in the morning. We were getting things rolling and then she called me back and said they gave her spot away. They had told us that we had until actually the day after that I actually called her to uh give them a for sure. and the uh the company that she was working with uh gave it away to somebody else. So after I called a few different middlemen and gave them a piece of my mind, I really was just spinning my wheels by that point. So when I spoke to uh our person at Nani again, we went back to the next amp um community solar which
024is only a 15% savings. But on the upside, it is just a three-year agreement. So if something different comes along, we find a better deal to come along. We're not hooked into it for 10 years, 20 years, whatever. Um I think that this is probably our best deal out there and also gives us an opportunity to kind of dip our toe in the water and see how see how it all goes. Uh I provided you with kind of a summary of what I've looked at with that. Um out of all the agreements I've looked at, I think this is the best one that we have to offer. have the 20% one over x amount of years, but I to be quite honest, I just do not trust that company that was sent to us. So,
025I do trust this one. I think this is a reputable company. Um, they've been around for a long time. Uh, and they are highly recommended. So, I would recommend that you enter into the three-year for the community solar for 15% cost savings. >> The only thing that I wanted to point out is it appears that you were in it for three years. >> Yes. And it's >> not till the 120 days before >> you have to say you want out >> or you have to >> but you're in for three years no matter what >> regardless you can get out but there's there's penalties to get out. >> So >> where the other ones were telling us 90 or 180 maybe it was >> that you could get out and but we also didn't see
026their terms. That was what they were telling us. I don't think we ever got the concern. So, we're in this for three years >> and there's 180day cancellation I think too. >> I think they had the 180day cancellation. >> Oh, yeah. Sorry. >> Yeah. And it's only at the end of the term. You have to cancel within three business days of signing or 120 days before the end of the three-year term. So then we'll just have to make sure that we are reassessing prior to 120 days to see if there's a better fit for us or whatever at that point. All right, that was my only pointed note to make. So motion to enter into a three-year agreement with Nexam for community solar through Namia Energy. >> Motion made by Jeff Hall. Is there a
027second? >> Second. Mr. Hbert, call please. >> Yes. >> Camel, >> yes. >> We stall. >> Yes. >> Sports. >> Uh, next up, you heard Benjamin's uh pitch. And if you have any other questions for Mrs. Burge, she will be available to answer those at this time. Um, I think there will be minimal cost to the district. If any, $200 will be decided to get in the sports league. I think that's well worth it to uh maybe give these kids a chance to to see if this is something that will work for them. >> Okay, any questions? >> So, I maybe I was a little unsure on like are we not forming a team at this point like IHSA purposes? >> Yeah, it would be a team but they also have the option as the
028team to do different individual stuff per kid. So, there's stuff they can do as a team but they can also branch off and do individual competition or I should say. It's like we can't field all but three kids for one week. They can still play individually. So, it just depends on the game honestly. Yeah. >> So, maybe then from my point of view, why would we rely on them to fund raise for everything that's different than any other activity or event that we have? If we're for I would say we need to get a list of what they need and provide. I mean, >> I thought that too. I thought if you're going to start a sport, we would provide the equipment for anybody else. But then I thought like the chess team >> our
029hearts get started or we just said go with God. >> I think he purchased some chess boards and different stuff. >> I guess I saw the sheer number of the chess team too. Is that like feasible? Like are are they able to actually You're not taking that many people to a chess tournament, right? There were yeah we had this room and the cafeteria completely full when they were here last time and then they had the school backed out that was coming so they only sent like five or six but they end up doing like you know inner stuff but >> yeah I mean we had this and that going almost completely fullow >> so between middle school and high school >> and we just have Mr. tuned into if they want a fundraiser for one,
030we buy one or you want >> I would just say they need there's a difference between need and want. >> I mean I have I have an extra at home um cuz I upgraded my husband's for Christmas and I was just going to let them borrow that and if they were able to do one but we had enough in our student activities too that you know we can get one good used that they were planning if they couldn't find the money for it. But I think there's enough community support. They're like $400 and something dollars brand new. They're not very >> We have enough interest. I think we should spend the money. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it's >> just do a not to exceed amount of >> $1,000,000. >> Okay. >> Well, the nice
031thing about what he's doing is kind of like with the chest when we started that. It's great to see kids that aren't athletic that we are offering stuff like that because they are kind of the kind of pushed to the side in some things like that that we don't you know like it was a big deal like during the if you guys were at the uh Veterans Day thing that art you know people the students made that beautiful mural and it was a big deal like to announce them doing that. Miss Christensen came up and she was like in tears because she was just like it was just so nice that her kids were recognized, you know, like that because some of they are athletic and they're kind of quiet, >> you know. >> I
032mean David in my office was like a revolving door that day. We sent that survey out. We had a ton of kids asking questions and >> generally the kids that we don't normally have conversation with were really, you know, seemed gung-ho about it. So >> there's actually a statement. >> There is. So we go off HSA deal. I'd say we >> I'm saying we >> then he needs to amend the motion. >> I have it. I said I cost not to exceed $1,000. >> I mean, should we are you intending on joining the IHSA? >> Yeah, that's what >> just I just added add a cost not to exceed a,000 to the end of it. >> And transportation wouldn't cost anything. We would enter um I think the sectional uh for Bloomington normal was the
033closest one and then we would just come in from our Wi-Fi. So we just submit for that. So >> now when they went to state, they actually went to state, right? >> I think so. Yeah. And that's separate from but yeah, like the regional sectionals, the Bloomington, which would be the norm for us, but yeah. >> Is there still? Yeah, it would. the kids would still have to abide from it, but the ones that I have interest so far aren't in jeopardy of of being in that situation. So, yeah. >> So, then we need a motion to approve the formation of a Son Valley High School esports team at a cost not to exceed $1,000. >> Motion made by Jessica Browning. Is there a second? >> Second call, please. >> Campbell, >> yes. >> Carrerero,
034>> yes. >> Leaper, yes. Stall, >> yes. Yes. And then >> thank you guys. >> Ready to um adjourn. We have a meeting. Truth to taxation meeting will be at the beginning of our meeting on December 17th at 6. Regular scheduled meeting will start at 6:05. I need a motion to >> motion made by Mr. Campbell. All in favor? I motion passes.