001Hello. How are you? So, we got another meeting, huh? Oh, it won't be this one. 7:04 p.m. Please rise to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. principal of the cruiser PLC PLC year and we have big plans for computation. We look at this as a real year and involving our teachers and make sure that teachers have a voice and that we get this done. These are our five principles approved with PLC. We focus on learning. We collaborate. We take responsibility. We ask for all right here. M here onto our review of statements and seconds. Our belief, we believe all cruisers are valuable. We will unconditionally serve, support, and inspire. Therefore, every cruiser will maximize their unique purpose,
002potential, and power to produce the results they want. For members, as leaders of the district, we will always strive to one, support the mission and vision of the district. Two, be prepared, informed, and ready for meetings. Three, respect one another. Selected representatives of the community. Be openminded and recognize one another stress the value diverse perspectives and mutual commitment to the mission and vision of the district. Four, allow members to complete their thoughts and statements before others comment. Allow members to be heard and listen to all perspectives with an open mind. Five, stay on and respect each other. Six, maintain confidentiality and communicate policies. Ensure trust and transparency in all deals. And seven, leave united as one voice no matter the outcome. Thank you so much. On to item D, the adoption of the meeting agenda.
003I would like to add a short executive session right before the consent agenda and the purpose would be the Yes. You need language or it's 121. Is it related to Correct. Yes. Thank you. We're getting the language from the appropriate Ohio. So, You want to consider do you want it's a long paragraph. Do you want me to read you the entire thing? Yes. The purpose for consistent employment dismissal discipline investigation unless the public employ 22 to G1. G1 [Music] agenda. So just on agenda there are discussing employees can't go into Okay. employ. So add short executive session for the focus considering discipline or compensation [Music] official. And that's one. [Music] Is there a reason from the beginning? Yes, there is a reason. Yes. Can you tell us why? But we were just told you couldn't
004go into there last meeting because there wasn't I think the question is whether or not you are discussing employees. M passes we have language under public participation at the top of page 31. [Music] We have five minutes. Yeah. retirements. Could you restate that? I'm sorry. It's current. So to be clear, there's two separate items under the D1 is public participation which is our guide which is our policy and then P2 is the public meeting specifically that we have so two different discussions. Thank you. And I I hear explanation why is it longer that's All right. Um, I also [Music] that I just lack this month. We talked about shortening the meetings and putting things back agenda. So just for purposes when you have a pull at times we going back to just voting on every
005I just want to make sure We discussed this here recently this year and just wanted to make sure you know we're moving forward not regular [Music] would not be receive a little more speech contracts. I think most of those might be all right, but I have publication. So I policy very thoroughly participation. Nowhere in this policy does it states that doesn't say that anywhere to show it. It does say though the board does not discriminate based on the identity of speaker the content of the speech or the viewpoint of the speaker. So that goes direct. All right. So we're still on seg for us. So the issue is when the comments venture is territory that may be protected for the employee protected where policies particip participation polic I was told that our public facil what
006they were coaching just was making general references was not. So the the issue that came up at the last meeting I was here for is that specific employee was being named and the comments were headed toward issues that were protected issues for that employee. I understand that you're saying it's not in the public participation policy. you are required to abide by the contracts that you have negotiated and Ohio revised code in addition to that. So it wasn't the policies are negotiated agreement because we were told there's a board meeting policy and the contract but now they just contract. Is that correct? I was not looking at policy when we had a conversation. You are required to abide by your board policy policy when we were having conversation during the conversation said that policy is why
007we did not have that discussion called page. So it's you are required to abide by your policies your pardon agreements Ohio revised code and Ohio constitution the United States Constitution I think for my part where we are in a slippery slope is it appears that we try to control the color of the conversation the content of the content conversation Because we are, you know, we'll name and if you have something positive to say about great but if you have something negative to say about like for instance, oh you can't talk, you come to executive session I never seen that person invited to an executive session. And I mean there's plenty of case laws where um school districts are losing that fight because if you're going to allow someone to be named and talk about what
008we are today, you open the gate and uh it comes to me it seems to me my experience we try to basically control and it's not open and it's one I have issues with that. So I was just gonna add you also in your policies have a complaint procedure that is outlined when there are complaints about staff. Just wanted to make sure that that so it's the totality of your board policies in addition to those other and again I have no authority to tell you what to do. I'm just telling you and I'm right now referencing public. We, you know, we can try if we want to form board policy to restrict freedom of speech, but and maybe we can agree to that, but I don't I think we're trying to exert that on the
009public and I think we all right. We are way off into that field to agenda approval. Um, so adoption of meeting agenda. Um we have Mer you first Okay, all right, we have an agenda on to item D, guidelines for public participation. Um, get my All right. All meetings of the board and committees are open to the public. In order for the board of education to fulfill it obligation to complete the plan agenda in an effective and efficient fashion, a maximum of 30 minutes of public participation may be permitted at each regular board of education meeting. Each person addressing the board of education shall give his or her name, address, phone number, organization represented and capitalization. If several people wish to speak, each person is allowed three minutes until the full time of 30 minutes
010is used. During that period, one person may speak twice until all desire to speak have had the opportunity to do so. Persons desiring more time to submit her request in writing to the board of education office or email comment go.org 7 days prior to the schedule. The period of public participation may be extended by majority vote with the board members present and voting. Please remember the law discussion specific employees or the job performance meeting. State law does allow for discussion by board members regarding employees and executive sessions of the board. Um we have two publications for the first please. [Music] Good evening. So on behalf of the advisory committee um here with us today we just wanted to come in and answer any questions the board may have um so the par has been meeting
011every month um for the past almost year now and has discussed all the things that were previously um spoken by the expressed by those parents. We met with representative board from and from the school district to get understand how the board decision so that feedback. We invite any questions that we answer whe on our agenda presentation for advisory would that be better suited at that point we have item two um modified then on the agenda for So, thank you. All right. Next, we have I'm trying to stay wide about board members behavior posting on social media etc. But as to what happened at the state and community meeting, I feel the need to speak out. First, your own board norms that are read every board meeting. Support the mission and vision of the district, not
012your own interests. I don't consider running your own campaign to defeat the bond heavy supporting the mission and vision of the district. especially when a campaign against the bond movie we so need was one run with signs and social media posts. I noticed the bond being back on the ballot is on the agenda. For the sake of our students, I hope board members don't again run their own campaign but follow the mission statement. Secondly, the norm states to respect one another as elected representatives of the community. Confronting someone at a committee meeting does not have to show respect. If there are more than two board members at a board at a meeting, it is the majority or a form and then it becomes a special board meeting which the public needs to be made aware
013of. If I read the untitled correctly, this committee was formed months ago and two board members have attended since then. We were having great discussion about possible strategies for phone use. I was grateful that even though many parents were invited, few showed up to see the angry display by one board member. I have to applaud the two other board members for showing respect and not engaging. Thirdly, you expect I move and want students to learn how to solve differences without yelling and screaming, but didn't model that behavior. Please, for the sake of this district, which I have been privileged to be involved with for over 30 years, work together or get together to work for the district and the children, not the parents and not against each other. Thank you. All right. On to item
014two. Um, public meeting on the issue of retired rehired. Mr. Koer, just to clarify, under public comment content, I read that. Yeah. Just open it up so the public do we have anybody that signed up to speak? No one signed up. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right, on to item E, um, presentations. And we have a presentation by State Senator Michelle Reynolds. Um, State Senator Reynolds, if you don't mind coming to the podium, please. Good evening, members of the board. I'm State Senator Michelle Reynolds. May I first ask if I have a time limit because I want to respect your time. You have no time limit. Okay. Thank you. Um I won't be long, but I do want to be thorough and I do want to give you opportunity to ask questions. Um so
015I am doing my um my rounds. Uh the general assembly is currently in um recess and so I like to do my rounds while we're on summer break. And by my rounds, I like to come to uh schoolboard meetings and um um the township meetings and city council meetings to give you a legislative update. So, um I'm here to do that today. But first, I just want to share with you all that um there are several committees that I sit on that may be of interest to you or helpful to you in in the future. Um I'm currently the chair of the housing committee in the Senate. Um I'm also the vice chair of judiciary. I am the vice chair of work force development. I'm also on the agricultural committee and I am also on
016the small business development committee. I formerly last general assembly was on the education committee. I do care deeply about education. Um but I no longer am on that committee. However, I'm still here to um be as helpful as I can to you as it relates to education. Um so it's good to see a lot of you again. I I mean all of you. So, I I actually served with several of you um right here and at Grow Point Madison School District um on one of the committees when you were first forming it. So, it was good it's good to be back here with you today. Um I want to talk about the um school funding um that came through uh the the budget. And I know that a lot of people on TV um they
017could hear, you know, what was going on on TV and they're really trying to find out what really, you know, what's really going on. So, what is a trusted source of information about what's going on? So, I'm here to try to unpack that. I will just give a disclaimer that um the issues are not as as um easy as the talking points. Um they're not as simple. Um you'll hear a lot of talking points about, oh, why don't we, you know, why are we underfunding schools and why don't we take money from here and give money to that. Um, but I I assure you that as you know and your treasurer probably knows, school funding is a very very involved and complex process and even for lay people we need experts to help us make
018informed decisions about what should happen. So, just saying that, I am going to um read some of the school funding highlights and then of course at the end I'm going to then talk about what Groport Madison schools was able to get and um and then go over some of the proposals that went over in the House, the Senate, what we agreed to, and then what the governor vetoed and then what might even get vetoed yet again. So, I'm going to unpack a lot of things. Okay. So, first of all, state formula aid um for education overall was increased by $1.4 billion in this budget and that includes all scholarships. There was a 6.2% increase over the FY2425 bianium for a total investment of 23.87 billion. So, of that uh we had a $1.4 billion increase.
019Um, and the budget also provided an a nearly a $1 billion increase in state aid to public schools. So, what does all that mean? Um, over the last six years, the state has invested 59.93 billion in public schools. In no other time in history have we funded public schools more than we are in this budget. And that's just the truth. The budget completes the phase end of the fair school funding formula. Now, depending on who you ask, is it truly a full phase in? And I guess it depends on where you're starting the numbers. If you're starting the numbers from um from a 2025, like in real time um with respect to inflation, then the answer would be no. If you're starting it precoid, which is when what the plan was kind of based on,
020then the answer is yes. So that's why you get different people saying different things. Nobody's necessarily lying. It's just that what's true and what's the truth is two different things. So, um I wanted to share that with you. Also, what's new this year is that the Senate had proposed to include a performance supplement based on um payments as an additional aid to the outside formula which qualifies schools based on the results of their upcoming um 2425 and 2526 report cards rather than looking at past results. So, these are called performance payments, performance supplements. Um so, if you're meeting state standards, then you're going to get additional money. um on top of your um in your uh foundation aid. Um but those that are actually making progress from year to year are also going to get
021a a performance payment as well. So a per pupil base supplement was added to the formula for all public schools similar to the one contained in the house plan and the senate's enrollment growth supplement was unchanged. So what does that mean for Groport Madison schools? um in FY26 and I'm going to try to read these numbers. Um FY26 you're getting 40 million 317,665.282 282. In FY27, you're getting 42,235,778.145. You're also getting a performance payment in FY26 of 40,440 $40,446. And in FY27, you're getting a performance payment of 42,000. 560 432. I'm sorry. Let me back that up. Um your actual um Yeah. No, that's right. That is your That is That is your So, you're getting Let me just repeat that. In FY26, you're getting a foundational aid payment in plus your performance payment is
022going to take you to 40 million. Sorry, 446,616. and your FY27 um foundation aid plus performance payment is 42,560 432136. So what that means in terms of um your performance your performance bonus is 2 million 2,242,766 and um in FY27 is 2,235,331. Okay. So that's what I wanted to report on Groport Madison schools. Um what I really also want to share with you is that you know obviously there's a lot of conversation around property taxes that if if there was any one bright spot in the budget um in terms of being kind of like the number one issue everybody was talking about school funding and property taxes and I just want to kind of unpack why that you know is so important. I mean, obviously, um, you know, property taxes have increased for anybody in
023here that owns a home. Um, property taxes have increased in some communities up to 40%. So, you know, people are feeling the pain. We get calls all the time from residents who own homes, a lot of them seniors who worked all their lives, and they would love to support school levies, but they just can't. They really just can't afford to do it because property taxes are already 30 to 40% increased. and they are calling on the legislature to do something about it. And at the same time, property taxes of course are linked to school funding because it's part of the fair school funding formula. So you have two groups that are just like, yeah, you know, we really want to support our schools, but we also want to be able to afford our homes. So
024what do we do? So the legislature does what we do best. We either solve a problem or create one. So we got together and we tried to as lay people elected officials much like yourselves. We tried to solve the problem and we came up with various proposals in the House version of the budget. The House um came up with um at least the majority came up with um this whole thing notion of um cash carryover balances and everybody's like no don't touch the you know the cash carryovers. Some schools are doing the right thing with their cash carryovers and and and should be applauded because anytime you are carrying over some cash balance, you're showing that you're being a good steward of you know, public money um to an extent. You know, you're trying to
025save for a rainy day, you're saving for um you know, making sure that you have good bond ratings, making sure that you're fiscally responsible, making sure that you have money for um you know, whether you're building a new building or what have you. So, no, no one wants to really penalize someone for doing that. Um, it's not until we uncovered that there are some school districts in Ohio that are sitting on 100%, some of some of them up to 250% carryover, cash carryover, and then they still want a full fair school funding formula because that's just state law. That it it makes us as good stewards say, "Well, what are you doing with all that money? There's just a lot of money." And we have to answer to the taxpayers, especially the property tax owners,
026tax payers saying why do they have all this money and why do we continue to give it? That's just what we do as public stewards, right, of of the public funds. So, um we're looking at that. Now, that's not all schools, right? Um but that is a nice majority of some of our at least the burden schools. And so, um, the House came up with a ver, um, a carryover balance of not more than 30%. And, um, if you were to, if a school district had over 30%, then they would be, um, they would get their school funding short, you know, the rest and then the rest would be given back to the taxpayers. The Senate um, said that that's too too conservative. U we want to allow school districts to carry up to 50%
027which was a lot more generous. And if that weren't enough, we said we also want you to be able to um not count an account if you had a capital, you know, if you're trying to save money for capital expenditures or things like that. So you could save 50% cash carry over plus have an account for capital expenditures. Um and then it went to conference committee because you know that's what happens when two chambers don't agree. And then at conference committee once they said well 30 and 50 let's come up with 40. So it was a 40% cash carryover cap but with the Senate's version of still allowing additional account for if you're saving for capital improvements. Um, but then the governor came and he said, "No, you know, I agree that we we do
028need to do something with the formula, but I'm just going to line item veto all of that." So now, no restriction on uh cash uh carryover balances um and a host of other things. He had 67 uh different um things. And so really, it just undid everything that the Senate and the House did. Um but there's some wonderful things that uh came out of that as well. Um that pertains directly to you all. So for school board races um there was a proposal um that it was going to have to be partisan. You're going to have to put you know Democrat or Republican on the ballot. And um you know that's problematic for many reasons. I mean, local um local politics or not really politics, local service, local public service should not be politicized. And
029so, um that was valued and respected and I'm very glad that the governor decided to do that. Um I want to thank one of your board members for making sure that she raised her her voice to that. And for the most part, I mean, we want to make sure that in our local races, whether it's school board or even city council, it should not be partisan. Um, or even our township, it should not be partisan. We want to encourage our community members to serve um and not be uh divided on partisanship. Um and one of the um examples that um Miss Dell Berger um count um board member pointed out is that you know our veterans our veterans oftent times when they come um out they want to serve their community they've already served our
030country. Some of them may actually have a government job and if they wanted to serve on a local school board because of the hatch act they couldn't do that. So we don't want to hinder anyone that wants to serve especially a veteran who served our country. So um I'm so glad that the governor um listened to that and um that is not something that I believe is going to be undone by um the Senate or the House. So um just today it was announced that the House um speaker is calling the legislators back um to session on July 21st and it's to reconsider the property tax provisions. Um what is on the agenda for that day is um county budget commission. So one of the things that um he had line item veto that we
031had put in the budget was that we were going to empower the local county budget commissions to be able to give additional property tax relief if they saw fit in their community to give them the authority to make those decisions for even more property tax relief. U we wanted to give more local control and he line item vetoed that to remove that uh that authority from them. So that is actually on the agenda to be reconsidered um and maybe possibly overturn his veto on that. Um also there is um information well one of the things that he that that the house is looking at is revising the 20 mil floor calculation so that a 20 mil floor is actually a 20 mil floor. So, um, we'll see if they have the votes on that. Um,
032another thing on the agenda is restricting political subdivisions abilities to pursue certain levy types like emergency levy levies um um things like that. So, that is definitely on the agenda for the House. And then what's absent from the veto list is the carryover cap that is not necessarily being considered. So, it looks like the carryover may, you know, just be what it is, which is nothing right now. Um, but, uh, we'll see. And so, the Senate will only convene if the House has enough votes. Um, so at this point, your advocacy needs to be, um, to the House members. Um, but, um, we will only convene if the House has enough votes and it then comes over to the Senate. Otherwise, if they don't, it's done. However, we all till the end of the year
033to look at these vetos. So, um just want to give you that information. So, hopefully um that wasn't too confusing. I know it's kind of like football, like you know, pass the ball back and forth and all of that, but um hopefully that's not too confusing. I'm going to leave my cards with you. On the back, these are my constituent cards. On the back is information on how to get in touch with me. If you all have any um students or staff that are worthy of recognition, kids kiddos that are doing really good things, I would love to uh do commendations for them, would love to bring them to the Senate um and honor them on the floor or shout them out if anybody has, you know, um won any competitions, especially um being recognized
034in the state for anything. And I know you all have some wonderful, wonderful kids and staff. Um please, please, please get in touch with my office. I will leave these right here for you. Um, but I'm my door is open and I'm happy to be as helpful as possible and I'll definitely take some questions if you have any questions for me. Thank you. I have a a couple questions. Um, first off, I do want to um commend um Governor DeWine for his 67 um vetos that he did. Um I know you you had seen myself and Mrs. Dow Berger um providing testimony at the Senate Finance Committee in opposition. Um, I guess my first question is, um, to our treasurer, um, you know, if if these line items 55, 56, and 67 end up getting
035overridden, how is that going to affect our our district? And then, um, I'd like to know your stance on that as our as our representative. I know you said the House right now is where we need to be, but if it does go to the Senate, are you willing to advocate for our Which56? 55, 56, and 67. What are those? That is the uh school district property tax levy restrictions. Um in addition to um the outside levies that Senator Reynolds um has spoken to us about, we don't we have all continuing levies now. So we don't have the emergency substitution. Okay. Yeah. So um my understanding of because I asked these questions today um to u my Senate President. So the 20 mil floor situation. I wanted to make sure I want to talk to
036all of my school districts to see how that affects them, impacts them in any way, shape, or form. So, I'm looking for, you know, to add to, you know, more information. Yeah, I got a couple couple adds. Um the cash balance I'm glad that that's not going back because that would be a no for me. Good. The 40% was way too low. Yeah. just because um when you have cash flow, you know, we get we get two payments in August and March. Well, you get things on August and you're negative negative for five months. That'd be really scarce. So, I'm glad to hear that. Um we are 24 or like 0.02 away from it. Um so, the 204 is kind of important um for us. Um so, I would like to stay 214 and not
037go any lower. Um and that was one thing when I been a treasurer for 20 years. Um when you talked about um what I would say is have you been a good steward of taxpayers money um and you're at Excuse me, Adam. Do you have your computer speaker on maybe? No, I don't think so. Turn. No, it may be the mic. Try the one next to you. Maybe back a little bit. Yeah. Okay. Um, so the thing about the whole cash balance to 204, I think if you're at the 204 and that been a good steward of the tax money because that means you're not going for levy, you have to levy after levy. I think there should be something in there where if you get to 20 plus four got me this cash balance
038or something comes with it then that should play a part because how I see common sense says that you're not going if you're not 50 mills or 40 50 or 60 mills which means every three or four years you're asking for more money from from you know taxpayers and you're a good steward of the money that's come into the thinking of the senators in the house you know when they're devising these laws I guess that's one thing I like to say and I get it as a prop taxpayer private sector would be great for me too, but I also know I want to support fire and police some schools also. So that was one thing. So the twin floor is kind of important to grow. But I think we've had two levies in the last
03930 years I think. One was a like a levy and then they were five years but then made 10 million and then before that was 1993 or something. So again over 30 some years there been two levies for green. So, you know, and pre check out was that same thing, you know, 1993 was the last operating league. So, I think if you're a good steward of the taxpayers money and I get houses are going up, taxes are going up for some people. For some people, they're going down also because house 920 I know people don't believe it, but some go up, some go down. That's just how the rule works because if not, we'd have 40% increase in our property taxes and grow and we have in the last two years. We've had below 10.
040Yeah. So, that shows right there. Some do go up, some go down. But that's impacting all the state US legislators here. Look at the people that's been good stewards of the taxpayers money for years. Yeah. And that's right. And I think that's good feedback for me. So I mean I'll I'll be honest. Um the citizens are looking for us to do something on property taxes and I don't necessarily like the fact that it is linked to school funding because I think it just pits families against our seniors. It's just not a good formula and I think it has to be looked at. Here's the other reason. I know that the residents are looking for us to do something because if we don't, they're going to put it on the ballot. They've already told us that
041it's going on the ballot in 2026 and they want to abolish property taxes, which would be detrimental to schools and to cities. We can't have that. So, it's not that I want I want everybody to get a proper perspective. It's not that legislators are in office saying, "What can we do to mess with our schools and blow them up?" It's we have to do something before the taxpayers do it themselves. And they don't necessarily know and have all the information that we know. Like I said, the issues are not as easy as the talking points. Talking points are easy, but the issues are very very convoluted and very complex. So, at the end of the day, we have to do something that's responsible that everyone can for for the most part, you know, it's it's
042palatable so that it doesn't necessarily go on the ballot because if if it does, I mean, it sounds good. I mean, for everyday Joe citizen to say, "Hey, would you like to stop paying property taxes?" Heck yeah, I'd like to stop paying property taxes. If I stop paying property taxes, what are our schools going to do? That means our sales taxes go up to about maybe 20%. Nobody buys anything in Ohio. They go to border cities and states to buy things. And it also means that income taxes go way up. So, we have to have something to do. Nothing is a dereliction of duty. So, we have to do something. So, I want to go around and find out information like what I just heard. Now, from my understanding, the 20 mil floor is it's
043not abolishing it. It's just setting it at a true 20 mil floor because what's happening now is there are some school districts that are at the 20 mil floor, but because of of an inflation adjustment or whatever, they may actually be able to collect over the 20 mil and that's not what it was set up to do. So, this is about setting a 20 mil floor and keeping a 20 mil floor. So, I want to get some more information on that. As far as the county uh budget commissions being empowered, I think that's a good thing. I would vote yes on that. The problem with this the problem with this is that when you have a vote, you don't get to pick and choose what things you vote for in a budget. As you all
044know, I only the governor gets to pick and choose what he line items, but you either have a yes vote on a budget or you have a no vote on a budget. There were things that we've done in the budget that were really, really good. Um, you know, um, I'm the chair of housing. We were able to get $125 million invested for more home ownership across the state of Ohio for workforce housing, which is amazing. That hasn't happened ever. Um, so I want to get more information. Um, I'm I don't want to hurt our schools, but I think ultimately if we don't do something, it's going to hurt everyone. So we have to do something responsible that the taxpayers can live with with the I had one question on the the county budget commission though
045piece I know that empowering them but then they would then have the power to then lower the levy correct or would there be provisions or would you suggest language of that sort that could kind of ensure like what the voters have voted on for those levies to stay that way or would they have the power to change the value of that? So, I can definitely take that question back. My understanding was that the county budget commissions can go further as it relates to property tax relief. I have not heard it the other way, but not changing anything that's been voted upon or No, they can't change what the legislature So, if the legislature says we're going to give this much tax relief, they then can go further with their local dollars, not with the state's
046dollars. They can't make decision. That's what I'm saying. So, like our local No, no, no, no, no. they can take anything from their local funds and say we are going to extend because this community we have more you know gentrified or seniors and we want to be able to give additional tax relief. Now what we're saying is you're empowered but you're going to pay for it. So it's not like they're making decisions for the state to pay for it. They are going to then be able to take money that they receive in their local government fund and pay for additional property tax relief. So for example, that would be like the homestead exemption. Exactly. they'd be able to increase they'd be able to increase that and not wait for us to do it across the
047board. Gotcha. Yes. So, I've got um the uh the governor's line item veto um uh list here and it says this uh this is under property tax um county budget commission authority and procedure. This item gives county budget commissions the authority to unilaterally reduce a levy passed by voters for a school district or other taxing authority under certain circumstances. this breaches the approval of such millage by the voters. So to me that reads that yes they would have the authority to reduce a levy um that was passed by voters. Correct. Well if that's what that says then yeah that they would have the and that's what I was asking just to make sure so if this is vetoed or overridden excuse me that that could be looked at and discussed and ensure that that portion
048is not impacted at least with that. And then I would like to offer if there is ever a a committee or a task force put together, I would like to volunteer to be a part of that to hold those discussions as we're trying to find ways to ensure schools are not impacted but at the same time maintaining appropriate property tax values for our seniors. So, let me just ask um what is the relationship between um this body and the county budget? I'm assuming that's the auditor's um office or what's the relationship? I mean is it supportive? Is it I mean yes supportive I've known the person I deal with there is Richie for over 20 years because the previous district so we have good relationships with them with her. Okay. All right. Um so yeah
049I need to ask around to some of the school districts just to be honest. Um, that's why I'm making my rounds because I do want to hear from you and I would love to have a conversation. We can sit down and talk about, you know, so that I can make an informed vote. I I really want to do that. So, to me as as a board member, but also as a as a a community member, it wouldn't make sense if the will of the voters is to pass a levy for a school, then the that's the will of the voters and and the county budget commission should not have the authority to reduce that um even if it has passed. Okay. Um and so likewise, if they um put a budget um if there's an
050initiative on the ballot and the people vote to eliminate property taxes, that's the will of the voters. So in that regard, Amy, what do we do? That's the will of Well, the will of the vote. Absolutely. So that's where, you know, we need to advocate as a school district um you know, for for school funding um to make sure that those things don't happen. Appreciate that. Any other questions? Thank you. Appreciate coming in. Thank you. All right. On to item F, board items. Um, first item is number one, the educational trust golf outing update. Yes. Um, it was a it was a great day, beautiful day. Um, made a lot of teams. We actually made $12,98. So about $400 more than last year. Um so um we didn't have as many teams this year, but
051we made more money because we had more more sponsors. So but did we get the other donation as well? Yeah, the other donation from Chartwells. Yeah, that's my that's Yeah, that's below. But yes, we have another diction from Chartwells is 17,500 as that. Yes, that's also 17,500. So if you had them together for 30 $30,000 so it was great. I think everybody had fun. So very thank you so much and your team to putting all that together and thank you all the volunteers that came out. Couldn't do it without volunteers. So that was and all the teams. I know we had military represented as well. So thank you National Guard and some active duty folks president and some of our community partners and just regular people actually came out. Um, on that topic, we had
052talked about before we go to the dealing with the golf outing or just the educational trust, we had talked about doing a second type fundraiser in October. Um, dealing with like a masquerade ball. I didn't know if we wanted to not do that this year as another way to because everyone doesn't golf. So, as another way to um raise funds to supplement the general fund when we have those trips and things to help our students or our various departments like club and uh model UN etc. So, I didn't know if that's still something we wanted to do if we're on the educational trust topic, but that was discussed the beginning of this year if I recall. I don't know if anyone else remembers. Yeah, talking about it. Is that something we want to move forward
053with or are known? I just thought I asked because it is July. That's why I wanted to make sure we I think we postpone for this year, but then Okay, that's my thoughts. Agreed. Anything else for um the golfing? No. Thank you again, Mr. Collier. All right. On to the parent advisory committee presentation. So, I do apologize for earlier, but please come up now. And if I could uh preface and say that um thank you all for being here. Uh the other piece is we had a power outage yesterday. So our official presentation we will have at our next board meeting. But I at least wanted um Miss Frey and I would like for everyone to introduce themselves um and we could do a highle overview of kind of the meetings. These are some of
054the core folks that are meeting with meet with us but um we will do a formal presentation with the power outage and the entire committee not being able to meet appropriately. it wasn't appropriate for us to meet in silos to then do a presentation just for full context since it is on the agenda. So, if you guys could at least introduce yourselves, um I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Hi, I'm back. My name is Moyo Mitchell. Um I'm one of the members of the parent advisory committee as are these here who are not speak they're bullying me. Um um obviously you're staff here um but we really just want to be present and and be responsive so that anything that the board wants to reflect uh to us we can make sure that we share. My
055name is Diana Herbert. I am also a member of this committee and a volunteer basketball coach for Gport Madison Recreation Center. proud parent of two students in the district. Ashley Zimmer, also a member and a member of the PTA and two students in the district as well. Okay. Two two kids school districts. Love it. I'm here. But we just wanted to represent um that we have a meeting. We have a vested interest in um the students of our district and supporting the board in whatever capacity we can and I hate that we have to ask you to come back but with power outage like I said I we would had a full slide being the summer we're supposed to prep and get everything ready and then meet with the committee to confirm to do a
056full presentation today but they've been awesome and very helpful and our administrators ensuring information is being shared and I just would like to say thank you guys so much it's been a pleasure to be a part of the committee and um you guys have been great. I I just wish everybody could be a part of it. It's really great to hear their ideas and their comments and and it's been a great conversation. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to echo that and say thank you for advocating. It's so important um to have parent representation and um to hear input from parents. So, thank you. And so, our official will coordinate with you all to do the official presentation where we can meet to then knock that out to then present to the board all
057of the items. Um I don't know maybe trying to get a special meeting um at some point. So this month we'll have to check availability if someone from the team will be able to present. So thank you all for being here this evening. I'd like to ask you guys thanks a lot for doing everything you do. Um and I was wondering if you have enough direction from the board and do you think the work you've been doing is making an impact or is there other things you would like from the board to make more impact or be more to make the you know committee more effective? Uh yes ma'am. So I I have a a great admiration for everyone that's on the board and all the feedback that you all give us on a regular
058basis through our regular board meetings and other information is put out. Um, anything in in in concert with that information is always going to be appreciated. I don't think we would ever turn down more help. No, I mean like more direction. Do you think that we're giving you enough direction and do you think that the input you're giving back to us is producing the outcomes that you would expecting for the committee? Um, to answer your question, I feel like yes, we have enough direction. I We work together collectively uh very well. Everyone's tired. Everyone talks about the things that are important to them. I think what we could use is I guess more board members could come and participate and actually be a part of the conversation. We're only allowed to have two public. Well,
059we invited all the parents who applied to come. So, anyone who wanted to come who applied did get the invitation, but you guys have been the consistent members. And to follow up on your question, Miss Walsh, this meeting was supposed to be the meeting to present the work that we have been doing the last couple months to then show the direction to then for the entire board to hear the work. So, unfortunately, because we weren't able to have our meeting to do get everything ready for today, that is why uh we don't have that to present this evening. But that is we've not had an opportunity to have Pat present here and this was that meeting. And you're saying possibly suggestion would be rather than have a special meeting perhaps we could have a meeting
060of the whole at the next parental advisory committee. Might be a good compromise way to adjust schedules. I'm sure the the me of the pack would be applicable to whatever the board decides. Any other comments? Yes, Mr. Smatters. Yes. I don't know. I'm speaking out of turn, but I feel like I need to say you and your kids are what our work is about. And when you guys come together and meet uh Mr. group and I were at the last meeting and it was amazing to hear you speak about ideas and your passion and how much you care about this district and how much you care about this community. It was very impressive. Thank you very much. Thank you. And if we were to I know that um so you want to make the next
061pack meeting a special board meeting then Mr. Kushner, is that what you meant for the next pack meeting? But it will be a special board. It will be simply make the next parental advisory committee, but a special board a special board meeting. What we would call committee of the whole is one way. That's just one word for it. Yes. Okay. Our legal council saying special meeting. Okay. And then just so you know, that meeting we were trying to make sure we had our presentation and had our talking points. That was the whole purpose of that. But if you wish to if the board wishes to kind of just see it as is, I wanted to kind of bring it to the board in front of the administrators as well. Um, instead of, you know, yeah,
062I wouldn't want to have it before you were prepared. So if it needed to be a that was what this meeting yesterday was supposed to be for was to put all those thoughts together. We have some of the things but ensure everyone was on the same page and we all agreed before presenting that they all agreed rather more so. If I'm missing Let me know if I'm missing anything. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. I can't hear what you guys are saying. I'm looking for the executive session. The language, Miss Walsh. We're on executive session. No one's Yeah. Sorry, Miss Walsh. Okay. All right. We are on to um executive session. I'm going to read the verbiage here. Um there will be action after executive session. The super uh the superintendent recommend oop sorry sorry the
063growport Madison schools board of education adjourn to executive session for the purpose of considering the employment dismissal discipline promotion demotion or compensation of a public uh employee or official period. Am I in compliance? Here it is. It's right here. Ohio Revised Code 121.22.G1. All right. It is 810. Yep. Sorry. Got me off my game here. All right. Not first. I was first. Mrs. Scottberger. Yes. Second. And Mrs. Gray a second. Okay. Any discussion hearing? None. On to roll call, please. Miss Walsh. I. Miss Gray. I I Zber I. It is 8:10. Um, we're jouring to executive session. There will be action afterwards. It is 8:32 and we are back from executive session on to um the accept the minutes for the 5/19 2025 parent advisory committee meeting. So move second. I have Mr. Kushner as
064first, Mrs. Gray as second. Any discussion? Hearing none. On to roll call, please. Mr. Kushner. I. Mrs. Dberger. I. Mr. Bower. I. Miss. Gray. I. Miss. Walsh. I. Motion passes. On to approval of the minutes for the June 10th regular meeting. Second. Have Mrs. Gray as first. Mrs. I'll bring her a second. Any discussion? Uh, yeah, I was not here for the entire meeting, so I will be abstaining. Thank you. On to roll call, please. Um, I did notice on here that I wasn't here for the entire meeting either, so I was reading it to see what happened. And one thing is under comments and announcements. There's a motion for this is for June 10th, right? It says you that Mr. Kersner was here for that meeting, but um it says there was a motion
065by John, but it doesn't say what the motion was. If I remember right, he motioned, but then he he resented the motion. I remember right. He was here. Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm confused. Yeah. It was the last meeting he came up. I think this one it was everyone was here. Well, I mean, I wouldn't think the meaning the minutes are complete if it doesn't say what the motion was. Even though it was the second there's no motion that he made is not in there. So, I don't know what it is. I I can update those as they just in the motion. There was no motion. There was no second and there was no vote. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's what happened. There we go. Second, right? I can update the minutes, but I wasn't here for
066the whole Y. Mrs. Walsh. Mrs. Gray. Hi, Mr. Ber. Hi. Mrs. Dber. Hi. And Mr. Ker. I motion passes. Superintendent recommends that the Gilport Madison Schools Board of Education approved the attached job descriptions. We have some edits. Uh we are not going to do the four administrative job descriptions and we are going to uh vote on the two hard copies that have been presented to you. Uh, one is a transportation staff liaison and the other one is high school assistant band director. SEM second. I have Mrs. Dober as first, Mrs. Gray as second. Any discussion? So, I just want to be clear like on our agenda and I guess that be the agenda that everybody's looking at. We're going to delete the deputy superintendent, the capital, human capital director position, assistant director of human capital,
067the director of innovation and accountability. That's it. We're going to have transportation lessons on and we're going to add because that's not on this agenda. Usant, let me see if I get the title right here. the high school assistant band director. Correct. Correct. Just give me a minute so I can quickly look at it because I haven't had an opportunity to work. Okay, thank you. Right on to roll call, please. Miss Walsh. I. Miss Gray. I. Mr. Bower. Hi. Mr. Tutterberger. Hi. Mr. Gerson. I. Motion passes. Superintendent recommends the Gilport Master Schools Board of Education approve the following certificate of personnel items. Um, minus the deputy superintendent. Additional job duties. So move second. I have Mrs. Gray first. Mrs. Dberger a second. Any discussion? Again, this was changed from what we had. So, just give
068me a second so I can make sure there's nobody on here that I know or might think, which I don't think there is, but I'll be my due diligence here. Okay, good. to roll call, please. Mrs. Walsh, I. Mrs. Mrs. Gray, hi. Mr. Bower, hi. Mrs. Dber, I and Mr. Hi. Motion passes. Uh before we move on to the next item, we have a couple people in attendance tonight. I would like to recognize. Uh first is um our new assistant principal. Uh his name is Brian Lowry. He's going to be at Dunlow Elementary School. Brian comes to us. He's been a few different places, most recently as Reynoldsburg. We're happy to have him come join the team. Brian, would you like to come up just quickly to the mic and and say hello and tell
069a little bit about yourself? Thank you very much for having me. I am um humbled and very blessed to be employed by you guys at this point. and um I look forward to helping do great work to support this district. Welcome. Thank you. Welcome. Um also here tonight is our new director of special education, uh Amanda Bernowski. She goes by Mandy. Is that Mandy? You want to come up? And Mandy also comes to us most recently from Reynoldsburg. She's been a few different places along the way. Uh she has been the the special ed director of Reynoldsburg before coming here. So Mandy, I'm excited. Samus Brian, we were not a package deal. I promise. Um but I'm very excited to be here. The things that I've learned and know about are amazing. So I echo
070his sentiment. Welcome. Thank you. Welcome, [Applause] Mandy and Brian. Thank you for coming tonight. You are free to leave if you'd like. This is this is the only time I offer this, so take advantage. Thank you for coming in. Okay, next on our agenda, the superintendent recommends Groport Madison Schools Board of Education approve the following non-certificated personnel items as outlined in the classified board agenda attachment. Second. I have Mrs. Dreas first. Mrs. Dberger a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. On to roll call, please. Mr. Kersner. I Mrs. Denber. I s I miss I Miss Walsh. I motion passes. Superintendent recommends the grow for Madison schools board of education approved payment l of transportation reimbursement. The Ohio law allows for public school districts to determine the impracticality of transporting students attending schools not located within the
071district after consideration of a number of factors. Upon that determination, the school district is permitted to offer payment of L of transportation to the parent or guardian transportation department has completed studies and the residents in the affected areas will be offered payment l for the 2025 2026 school year. Correct. The initial list of families being offered payment l transportation is attached as executive content. I move second Mrs. Gray is first. Mr. Fisher has second. Any discussion? Hearing none. On to roll call, please. Miss Walsh. Hi. Mrs. Gray. Hi. Mr. Ber. Hi. Mrs. Dberg. Hi. Mr. Gerson. Hi. Motion passes. Superintendent recommends the Gilport Madison Schools Board of Education approve the speech and occupational therapy contract with reach as outlined in the attachment. So move. Mrs. Dberger as first, Mrs. Gray as second. Any discussion? Hearing
072none. On to roll call, please. Mr. Kersel. I. Mrs. Dabber. I. Mr. Bower. Hi. M. Gray. Hi. And Miss Walsh. I. Motion passes. Superintendent recommends Gport Madison Schools Board of Education approve the special education contract with Highland as outlined in the attachments. So move. Second Mrs. Dber is first Mrs. Gray as second on to discussion please hearing none to roll call Mrs. Walsh I miss I Mr. I and Senator I miss I motion passes. Superintendent recommends that the Groport Medicine Schools Board of Education approve the special education contracts with learning spectrum as outlined in the attachments. So moved. Second. Mrs. Dober is first, Mrs. Gray as second. Any discussion? hearing none. On to roll call. Mr. Kushner. Hi. Mrs. Dber. Hi. Mr. B. Hi. M. Gray. Hi. M. Walsh. Hi. Motion passes. On to superintendent's
073agenda. And next we have department reports. And I'm actually going to ask people to come up tonight. We'll start with uh transportation with Mr. Thomas. Ladies and gentlemen of the board, my uh report stands as submitted. I just have a few comments uh to bring to your attention. Uh we had our end of the year celebration and we went to the Columbus Zoo and the Zoom BC water park and it was extremely well attended. Uh the the drivers, their families, everybody loved it. So we're very happy about that. We have next week the Ohio School bus mechanics association meeting. All all six mechanics will be working. I mean will be attending and uh there's a lot to be learned. It's over in Polaris. So we're excited about that. All the buses passed the highway patrol
074inspection so you can rest assure they're ready for service. Uh the fuel dispenser system which uh community bus will reimburse you for. I understand we're getting quotes on that. So that's a good thing to have an automated fuel dispenser system. uh two district staff and six CVS staff attended the OAP conference in June. Uh very very effective and we got great feedback and that was Teresa's recommendation and it sure worked out well. Of course you know our rodeo champion Jared took third place again in the National Rodeo and there he is getting the third place uh plaque. Thank you. The second year in a row. So that's the school bus driver international safety competition Canada and and there's other countries besides the United States. Yeah, he he is great. And of course we have the
075rodeo course here and Jared teaches that course to your drivers which is kind of unique. Um a lot of school districts would like to have uh that kind of participation. We're really lucky to have Jared. Uh back to school inservice training. We're getting ready for for this school year. Dry runs the first week of August. Uh we'll be doing first aid, CPR, defensive driving, and crisis prevented prevention institute training to deescalate uh disruptive behavior on the school bus drive uh school buses. So all of that, this is happening in the first week of August. And of course, we have the ice cream social that will be August 5th, 5 to 7 p.m. at our new facility, 4500 South Hamilton Road. uh if there's excess uh people, we will have shuttles from the high school. We're
076inviting this year all K through 12 uh students and their families. So, it'll it's expanded from last year. All drivers will be at their buses to meet and greet students and their families when they come. Graders ice cream once again will be served and Ty will get you a preliminary flyer this week so we can edit it and get it out. That concludes my report. Any any questions? Thank you so much. Uh, next we have business services. Mr. Houseman. Okay. So, for now, still hiring for all the classified positions. Those numbers are coming down. We're getting more and more positions filled. But that has been a major focus over the last month, month and a half. Uh the good news is playgrounds inst equipment installation is complete at all five locations. So there's a few
077pictures. Um if you notice, I think one or two of the pictures may still have caution tape. The caution tape was just put on there until the concrete set up for the poles. So there's nothing wrong with it. It was just precautionary. Um this was completed over the past weekend. They started on the barriers and leveling out the mulch um yesterday and by later this week to the beginning of next new mulch will be brought in. They've also started on the fencing uh work that we discussed fencing and gates around the playground. So everything is moving forward. Any questions? Do we have this equipment well covered with security cameras? Yeah, Nate can probably speak to better coverage, but we did add cameras to all of the locations to make sure we were getting coverage out
078there so we don't hopefully if we get if we do happen to get vandalism again, we'll be able to ID who it is. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have human capital. I thought for a second there that Mr. Hman was going to steal my thunder with our um our job fair that we had on the 30th. And just to kind of explain a few things, um we were um looking for about 34 classified staff members. Um Dave really works on the custodians and um the food service. Um, I usually try to work on the educational aids and the clerical. Um, but we came up with this uh this job fair idea. Um, Kelly Hayden had a tremendous amount to do with it with the organization, but it really came together on on the 30th,
079but we started this and we were really thinking we were only going to get 10 or 15 people. We said, you know, if we get five, six people to hire, that'd be awesome. Um, and then Kelly did, again, Kelly did a great job with having people sign up. Um, Tai helped us a ton with communications and putting it on the website. Um, and with that, we started off and we were about five, six days away and we had, uh, 15, then we got to 23. Um, and then we were, it's about a Friday and I think um, the Friday before Kelly um, sent me a text said, "Hey, we got 40." I was like, "That's awesome." It was probably 30 more than we thought. And then we got to the point on Friday or Monday
080when we came in that day. Um we had 62, I think it was. And we had all the principles were here. Uh all the principles that could make it were here um because they were looking for their education a ways um because we had several education a ways in each building. So with that, we had food service, we had the treasures department helped out tremendous because they took care of the fingerprinting. That's the only glitch that we had was we couldn't get through all the people with fingerprinting. But we set it up for Tuesday, Wednesday, and then the following Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and everybody was great. Um, we had the front desk Kylie was great. U Kendall was good. I forgot Kendall was good. Um, and the technology department helped out because we had actual
081ways to sign in. Um, and they were wonderful to work with. And again, um, we were able to steal the the superintendent secretary for pretty much most of the afternoon. And she was wonderful in here with the background check, get started with the background checks. So anyway, I was at the door kind of greeting people and trying to guide them in the right direction. I was really trying to push the education way, too. Um, but once we uh Kelly came over, Kelly was over here with Elaine and they were taking people in um and trying to set them up for the interviews and then I was guiding them in a direction. Um, after an hour that we were there, we had 65 people come through the door and I I was pretty amazed. You could
082tell 65 people had come through the door. But after that, we got to the end after we interviewed all these people, we had 115 uh candidates that came through and we interviewed all of them in a three-hour period. Um, pretty amazing. Um, and again, putting that all together, the organizational part, Kelly Hayden had a ton to do with it. She did an amazing job making sure the principles were focused and get them in. We had different rooms. We were using every single room. Um, and again, we were excited about getting 5 candidates. And again, the best part um that's why you did see quite a few education ways being hired. Dave had um some cooks and custodians on there. Uh it was pretty amazing. If you'd have told me two weeks before that when we
083started that and Ty put it on the website that we were going to have 115 candidates, I would have thought you were crazy. Uh what what's going to come out of this is I feel very comfortable in saying we're going to be able to hire all of our education weights and we're going to be able to have substitutes in all of the positions. Oh, that's awesome. Which is is huge. So it it was pretty amazing day. I mean we were tired at the end, but it was awesome. We had a great day. So you have any questions? No, I just want to say a compliment. That's awesome. That's what it's taken these days with the current climate is to do something innovative and do a job fair. And I think That's amazing that you guys
084did that. You've got a applicant pool to pull from as well probably as well. So, great job to you and all those in the in the building that assisted. Next item is the superintendent recommends Gport Madison schools board of education approved the Ohio school plan insurance renewal as attached. I move. Second have Mrs. Gray as first Mrs. Dberger as second on to discussion hearing. None on to roll call Miss Walsh abstain. Mrs. Gray I Mr. Bower I Mrs. Dberger I and Mr. First motion passes. Uh next item is the B the board policy review second read. Uh we have the policy review from the previous uh first read meeting and the cell phone policy. Um, I would note on board committees BCE. Uh the first time I think we only put the language without the
085permissive language that is identified in green in this and the reason for that was because that was what I was recommending to not have the permissive language as the the policy. Uh we have the permissive language here showing you what it is. The recommendation still stands to not add that language. What section? So for my colleagues, if you're using board docs, that is page n it looks like. Is it consistent with what's in our packet, please? Uh yes, page n. Yes, page nine. So it's like page 10. So the hard copy packet, Mr. It should be right after it's like the second policy in just to help out. I'm sorry. Can I can you repeat what you had said, Mr. Superintendent? Uh, the first time we did not include the permissive language because I was
086not recommending adding that. We're only adding it here to show you what it was. But I'm still recommending that we do not include the permissive language. Oh, so the green we're not Yes, the green. We're not including that. I'm I'm I'm not recommending that we include that. Okay. Okay. Good. Because I didn't uh agree with that either. Okay. So move on that. Um I'm sorry. So moved. Second. All right. I have Mrs. Dberger as first, Mrs. Gray a second. On to discussion, please. Wait. Okay. Oh, you didn't have first. Yeah. So, um, on that same, uh, policy, uh, BCE, is your mic on, please? It is on. I'm sorry. I'll get closer. That same policy, BCE, item number four, that is not a current policy. It's not in green, but that is not part of
087our current policy. So, I would ask that that be removed. Removed. number four on under board committees. Yes. Policy BCE that's not part of our current policy and it's not in green but it is not part of our just just to clarify you're stating the the policy regarding the board president and the superintendent are exeicio members of all committees. Correct. Correct. Correct. Okay. That's not part of the policy. So I would say that we remove that. And so Jamie, you're saying you don't think that the committees should meet um virtually at all? Correct. Is there a reason why you don't think they should the logic behind that? the reasoning. Um, I guess I was just recommending that we're doing face toface meetings and all this permissive language that allows different things to happen that that's
088not a path we go down. And of course, again, that's simply my recommendation to the board. the board can make whatever decision you would like. Yeah, I was just wondering I thought maybe you might have some insight that I could reflect on. I also wanted to state on this that the permissive language on um item eight that it didn't even make any sense because the board they can't vote on items that um that are included in this because it's not a board meeting. So I don't even understand why that's even was even included in this as acceptable language because of I had a board meeting or a committee meeting you cannot vote on board items. So I agree with that. In fact I had wrote down recommend approval because they can't approve anything. You can't
089vote on things. Yeah. It was actually recommend to the board but that's it. Yeah. And I guess a board committee might vote to say hey do we want to recommend this or do we want to recommend that? Right. And then they would vote on that the recommendation. But the final say is the board approval of everything. But this was actually saying that you could approve or vote on tax issues. Yes. Committee cannot do that. Correct. So, and it also talked about 72-hour notices rather than 48 hour notices. And I just felt that this was um going away from what our current policies are. So, I I would say that the items in green should be are included. I concur. And in this policy, we're we're discussing that there is Oh, we're discussing that there is
090no pay for policy committee meetings. Is that correct? Well, you took out the permissive language. It doesn't say anything about pay, but our our compensation policy says that you're compensated for attending meetings. So, committee meeting is a meeting. I've never been compensated for anything other than only board meetings. Yeah, it's the board meetings committee meetings. I do not get compensated for but there's no specific language here changing anything along those lines. You saying in the the policy? I don't see that in the current policy we're about to build on. No, sir. Not in DC. I do not see that. You're saying you don't see where it allows for uh paying from? I'm not seeing that. At least in the not if we're were talking about removing the green what's currently there minus item four. It
091looks to me that we are not getting compensation. I think our current policy says is it says compensated for all meetings. I don't think it's specific. Maybe we should take a look at that. Yeah, I'm pulling that right now. Could you say that again, please? B H D Delta Hotel Delta please. B Bravo Hotel Echo. Thank you. Right. Yeah, this is about the board service fund and spending guidelines definition of public purpose. So like awards and recognitions must be somewhere else. Is it okay since our legal council is here to ask what the law states so we can go a little further there while we look at policy as well? That'd be great. Thank you, Miss Barl. So revised code only permits board members to be compensated for board meetings which are meetings that involve
092more than two board members. Okay. So committee meetings does not include unless you have more than two board members on your committees. They are not meetings that are compensated. They're not board meetings, right? Thank you. Okay. All right. Any other comments? We should make a we should we should vote on each edit. Correct. If we're making changes, I don't know. Um, but I'm making changes in here. So, like moving number four, we all probably state that. I think we can you guys are okay with moving number four and then not doing the green language then we're good. We can keep moving on. Got it. That's what I had. I just want to make sure we Thank you. So I also had a question about DJFR. That's uh our next policy. Um, who can be a
093requesttor? Request requesttor questioner. What line are you on, Miss W? I'm sorry. Line number four is respons what section is it? General number four. Yeah, number four. General says it is. It is respons request order to provide an accurate description of the items purchased. Um, so I mean that can be any other directors teacher. Oh, and then um on the next page of it, no, not the next page, page three or four of the same policy under non-competitive procurement methods. I think we should have a definition for emergency. Um, or we should have in there that an emergency cannot be the inaction of the administration. So, we can't have an emergency just because, oh, we're going to put it off and put it off. Now, it's the last minute. So, now we're not going to
094do competitive bidding because now it's an emergency. So, you're talking about number three on that. Yes. So, So it reads it reads so if I can't find it it reads non-competitive procurement can only be used if one of the following circumstances apply. Number three says a public exy or emergency exists that will not permit a delay in resulting from providing public notice of competitive solicitation. But you're saying Kathy that in that instance if the emergency is based on not doing it timely. Correct. Correct. That would be correct. So like you know if a roof kicks in, right? That's an emergency because we didn't act and we put it off like say the playground equipment. It was deteriorating. We didn't do anything about it. Now all of a sudden, oh, it's an emergency. We need to
095do no competitive bidding. So I don't see that as an emergency at that point. That's make it an emergency just to not have competitive bidding in my opinion. But if that non-action has is causing u a dangerous situation, we have to it has to be considered an emergency. So say there was a a leak and now the roof has caved in to the dangerous situation you have to take care of. Is there sample lake language to add to number three that you have? Uh Kathy, well the language that I said was that emergency cannot be an inaction of administration. I just did it just a Google here. An emergency is an urgent, unexpected and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment. Well, that would be a great definition
096to put in. That's what I said. Okay. Yeah, that's perfect. So, we're saying add in the definition of emergency. Yeah, correct. Okay. So, after the semicolon, I'll just say add in the definition of emergency. Yes. In emergency is defined as like that. Yeah. And do you want do you want the definition? Yeah. If I can get into my Gmail, I will. Yeah. I'm having a little difficulty here. So, we've got BCE changes with number four removed and the green the green um optional language and then DJFR non-competitive procurement item three adding the emergency definition after the semicolon and then also removing item four from the board committee. Correct. Yeah, I had sorry y And I also wanted to talk about the release time for religious instruction. That is J E F. Uh, no, it's not
097the next one. It's JF. It is 16. J. No, it is the next one. Actually, the next one. J. Yes, it is. I have two books going in here. So, sorry. Mike, did you want to say something? Yes, please go to the podium. Which one are you? There's still determination on the previous one that we were looking at for procurement. There's a green box there. We have to decide whether it remains at two in our as our current policy states. Oh, yes. And we put down two. Okay. Yep. Sorry. For number two. Yeah, we put at least minimum of two vendors. Yes. We we we there was a blank there so we put down at least two. Yes. That's on the previous page. And that's what our current polic Thanks for that. Thank you. Okay.
098Now moving on to JFB. I want to make sure I understand what the new rules are. Is are we able to offer credit for students who participate in release time for religious instruction? My understanding was we are I just wanted to check that. I was asking if we are legally allowed to give credits. I thought that was one of the stipulations that was an option. Sorry. What prevents that? Is there statute? We're not giving credit. We're not teaching the classes. We're not The board's not approving the class. We're not giving credit for religious classes that we release kids to. I thought that was part of the language was that if we looked at the curriculum that the group had that if it passed our mustard that we could offer credits for the release time. You
099just answered your own question. I don't think I did. Yeah, you did. You said you read it and you can give credit. If the board wants to give credit, they can. Right now, we're not. Okay. Well, that's what I was asking for. I just make sure right now we're not. If you want to, you can. Well, we're not doing any release time right now. Correct. We're not doing There are no approved release time for religious activities because that's what we're discussing right now. Correct. You you asked if you asked if we are releasing kids for religious activities for credit and I said no but of course if the board wants to they can then you answered your own question you're being a little h store towards me Mr. president directing to the I don't I
100don't think I he's answering the question. Um but I have very s serious concerns about offering credit from outside entities that we that there is no oversight of. Well, I think what the the law what the new law says or legislation says is that we would have to approve the curriculum that it would be what we would approve. I was just asking the question and um I expect to be treated a little bit more respectful from the deputy superintendent. I think we all could uh you're talking in circles and then you answer your own questions. So if we go to section I'm trying to get confirmation on the questions from you, Mr. Superintendent. All right. All right. Can I can Hold on. Hold on. I'm going to gabble real quick. All right. So There was
101a question I believe that Mr. Smathers answered the question. Is there any further questions regarding this? The only question I would have then in regards to the credit which is based off the um RC 3313603 um when I look at the policy for this um what would be our process or has anyone went to any workshops any of our curriculum folks Mr. superintendent, deputy superintendent about how we would go through the process and looking at the um curriculum to then determine if the credit could then be awarded. That is just my only question I had on this policy. Thank you. I I had not even considered the possibility of awarding credit as Mr. Smather said, and I apologize, Kath. They didn't realize those questions were directed at me. Um, if we were to do that,
102I think there would need to be extensive review. The other thing you have to consider is this is not going to be offered to all students in all schools. And so, you'll be offering credits to certain students and and not other students. I'm just there a lot of things to look at for that. Is it permissive? Is it permittable? Yes, it's permittable. We would have to to see what the curriculum was. We'd have to check to see what the assessment is to show proficiency in that. We'd have to check to see what impact that's going to be on the students credit count for us. And uh and then we'd have to deal with inequities if this is only offered in certain schools and not others. Okay. I guess in my mind too, I would have
103to question um you know when you're picking curriculum on math or social studies or English those science. You know, you have scholars that have studied the curriculum and we have educators that have that's what they they do and that's what they study. And how do you look at different religions and and do that same thing and be able to determine if this curriculum is accurate for that? Do we have people on staff that can can determine that? And and I would say no that we don't have that. We don't have people here that specializes in religion. And so that I would just I would veer away from any type of credits that would have us being evaluated religion, right? And I see at the bottom of the note, I guess then my I was asking
104about where we were as a board. And then my next question may be a legal question and that I guess that can be decided later. then will we either add to this policy or have a separate policy about um if this board currently concurs with awarding credit or not. That was just my last statement, but I guess that could be discussed at a later time. I think that should be added at a later time for a vote. Well, I would um say yeah, I think we need to look at it and do some studying on it. I think it's important um as far as how many instructors who can cut the mustard on religious education. It's not about um if I read the law correctly, which um that's why it's kind of looking at maybe
105some of our curriculum people and other people who might have a little bit more expertise than this, but it had to do with not indoctrinating the students and trying to convert them to one religion or another. It was a general uh general gist to religions that are practiced across the world. Um I to me it's kind of hard to learn about the history of our world without learning some about the religions of our world. And it's to me I think that's pretty important. And if you have students and parents who are wanting their children to get that education I don't see a problem with it and not see it as an elective a possible elective credit. Do you have any input, Mike, on this? Thank you. Yeah, please come to go to the podium and
106um also afterwards, Darl, do you mind weighing in as well from a legal perspective? Thank you. So, this Cheryl is this is absolutely important decision. The there is a high revised code that specifies specifically and this is not a question of whether the curriculum meets an academic standard or the student performance meets an academic standard. The OC is 3313.6022 release time courses in religious instruction. The um it's section D. A policy adopted under division B of the section may authorize high school students to earn up to two high school credits for the completion of a release time course in religious instruction and deter in determining whether to award credit for completion of a course. The board shall evaluate the course based on purely secular criteria that are substantially the same criteria used to evaluate similar
107non-public high school courses for purposes of determining whether to award credit for such courses to a student transferring from a non-public high school to a public high school. However, there should be no criteria requiring that release time courses be completed only at a non-public school. The decision to award credit for release time course of religious instruction shall be neutral to and shall not involve any test for religious content or denominational affiliation. So this is the board's decision and the decision is not weigh upon whether the course in particular meets any standard definition for student performance for religion. Thank you. For my part, I think it would require quite a bit of studying and understanding and weighing this against uh what other districts are doing and uh who the who is providing the instruction, etc. I
108I would agree with that. Having a study on this issue would be important. I mean, we're talking about we don't want students leaving public schools and going to private schools. Here's a good example of a way that we could prevent that. Do you have anything else to add? Yeah. Number one, it is permissive. It's not mandatory. Um, number two, it's high school only. And then number three, if the board decides, I'm just going to read the rest of the code section. Um, there's criteria that has to be included in your evaluation of whether or not to award credit. And that criteria includes the number of hours of classroom instruction time, a review of the course syllabus that reflects the course requirements and material used, the method of assessment used in the course, the qualifications of
109the course instructor which shall be similar to the qualifications of other teachers within the district. So whatever additional criteria you use, you must include this criteria in evaluating So does the high school only already does that eliminate this question entirely for what they are proposing for us is the religious instruction for high school and other schools or what are they proposing? Right now the proposal is for an elementary school program, but typically if you um if you look how things start in the district, it might start at one building or two and then grow from there. So while there's not a high school proposal on the table at this time, it doesn't mean that there would not be. So initially we don't have to weigh whether or not we give credits or not. If that
110assessment is correct that there is no credit for country is that in your Yeah. So at this moment it seems like it' be a point. From my understanding that do we have to adopt any of this? Well, from what I just read, it says this is now a required policy and it's in House Bill 8. So we so and so maybe going to the attorney. We have to adopt something. Correct. Because it's House Bill 8. So we're talking about adopting everything above the permissive. Is that what you're recommending? Um, I'm not sure there's part I'm looking at as permissive. I mean, it says districts may also choose to add language authoriz. So there there's no permissive. This is the sample policy is asis. Permissive language would have to be added to this to do credit
111and there's nothing provided to us. There's nothing in this permissive at this point. Thank you. All right. Any other comments? So, I want to make sure on one of these it looked like we were supposed to choose an A or a B. I want to see for sure if we did not stay as right as is. We have to according we have to correct. Correct. We have to adopt that. You have another question. Not on that one. Not on it. Okay. Kathy, I think maybe you're looking at JHCD. There's option one and option two. Yes, sir. That's correct. What is it? JHCD. JHCD. And we're recommending adopting version one. Okay. That's the one I had circled. Good. Okay. And then when we adopt version one, then if you look at uh later JHCD version two,
112we don't do anything with that because we accepted version one on the correct on and I'll note that. So the version two will be will be a no. Yeah. Thank you for clarifying. So the next one is DB and we have the permissive language read out the next one. And I think it's permissive language. We should keep that language because that has been used by a couple people. Um it's not like they can vote or anything, but they can those board members may be may got delayed out of town or whatever and they can be on a telephone call and be able to ask questions and give some input. Um, not that they have a they can't vote or anything and they're not getting paid for the meeting, but I think it's important that if
113we can have a board member there um and they're not able to be in person that they be able to u attend virtually or by phone. Correct me if I'm wrong. Um, I don't know who I'm asking. Um, maybe Barl. Um, but didn't the law change? And I believe Mrs. Great. You brought that up a board meeting or two ago regarding virtual meetings. House 237, but all right. But but they can as long as the form is there present at the meeting, it doesn't matter, does it? Like if it's just one board member, you could decide that a board member can participate virtually. They cannot vote. They could listen in if that's what you decided. They cannot part participate in the meeting. It is a unique situation that you still live stream your or maybe
114not unique but you still live stream your videos. So I'm not sure um what they couldn't participate. You're saying they cannot vote. They cannot participate in the conversation. I'm saying they could ask questions. You're saying they cannot participate at all. So then our live stream would be sufficient to meet the need for them to see and and get the information. but not necessarily join the meeting to ask questions. Correct. And comment. You can't allow them to do anything beyond that. Can you read the language that specifies that? I It's on the back page of this of this. If you turn over the next page, it talks about I don't know if this is the whole language, but it does talk about House 27 effective April 9th, 2020. Yeah. Enact higher advice code 12122 authorizing sub
115bodies to meet virtual. says, "Even though school board of education and its committees and subcommittees are public bodies, revised code 121-22B5A provides that no public body may hold virtual meetings or hearings if members of the public body either receive compensation or are elected to vote by the general public, which both you guys are. This means that even though school boards are public bodies, board members are either elected or receive compensation for their service would not would not be permitted under revised code 121-221 to hold virtual meetings. In other words, most if not all school boards and educational service center boards cannot hold virtual meetings under the newly enacted provision. That's what on the back I'm just reading the back of the thing. And that's kind of what I remember right. Yeah, that just happened in
116April. Yeah, I got all that. I just don't see where it says you can't talk, you can't speak, you can't participate in conversation. Oh yeah, I don't know. I'm just reading because it's not a virtual meeting. at a inerson meeting with one board member, but we'll have to go with what we're being told. That is permissive language. That's for you. The the language that you have stricken, that is permissive language for you to determine if you want to include or not. So, we can have that language in I don't know who struck the language. Was it OSBA or was it OBA is our policy provider? It was OSBA. OSBA struck that. Yeah. Okay. That was before, but I thought correct. Well, OSBA striking it doesn't necessarily mean that it's prohibited by law. Correct. It's just
117their recommendation. That's their legal recommendation. Okay. They are who you use for your board policy. So, I guess what I was asking you since you're legal counsel is is it is it prohibited in the law language as you see it? I'm not looking at it right now. I believe that the new um law specifically excludes school boards from the public bodies that are permitted to meet virtually. Right. I got that. But what we're talking about is the one or two members that are on vacation. Are they able to do what we've done before, which is not vote, not be compensated, but participate in the meeting? That's the question. Has your board done that in the past? When you were all meeting virtually? No, we've done it before. I was I was We've done it when
118we were when we were meeting. Um I thought we had I know I've done it once or twice. I think if the based off this for me I think that if you're if it's you know we're not doing virtual meetings um you're not being compensated to either provide anything during that time. I think it should just you should be at the meeting or not. So I I don't concur with adding anything else. It it says at the end here just like Mr. said, "In other words, most if not all, school boards and educational service center governing boards cannot hold virtual meetings under the newly enacted provision." But but and I feel like participating is being in the meeting though for me. Correct. That's what I'm saying. Even though you're not being compensated. So, but you
119I mean you can attend our you can attend the live I mean because we host them live so you can watch the live stream of course. Correct. But to me, this reads that you can't hold virtual meetings under the new rule. But I I would say I mean, you could argue then that every time we go into an executive session, we shouldn't be paying the attorneys because they're on a screen. I mean, we are having a live board meeting and people are participating remotely. Um, we're not talking about because someone is on a screen or someone is listening and speaking through a sound system. that does not constitute a virtual meeting. We are having a live meeting with one part with a participant. Is that is that I totally understand what you're saying. I don't
120have the code section in front of me right now. And then say that again, please. als and then the far as the attorneys they're not an elected body so having them on the screen that's provision would not at least how I'm reading it would not apply Is that OC that you were reading? It said RC. RC. Thank you. Well, I would say let's leave it like it's wrote right here and then we look into it with the OSBA and ask them. I know that it's new April 8th and they told us when they were here this is we're being cautious. So some of the stuff they were being cautious. I understand that they want to watch out for all of us and They might change that and I think we should address that again and
121look that again as we look at the policy on release time for religious education also and the hyperlink is at the bottom if you open it up in board docs um Mr. Kersner so you can access the revised code quickly. All right. Any other comments? Correct. Correct. What do you think John? You agree with that? I'm having a hard time following. I'm trying to look at code and which makes me miss the um close caption. I'm sorry. I I think for me it would be valuable to have some clarifications on 3313.12 and this particular um issue just so that I know it's being interpreted correctly. And I I would sure like time to uh make sure I I fully understand it and I do not at this particular moment. All right. Any other comments regarding
122the second read? If I could yield to my colleagues if we we since we are with OSBA, you can also reach out to the legal hotline because we are members for policy piece. So you can call them at any time and reach out to that legal hotline to get any clarification that you would like for them regarding any of our policies. Like to thank Mike for answering my questions. I had sent him questions on these earlier and he was able to answer my question. So I appreciate your help. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Morris, did you have something to add? Just maybe I can add some further clarification. This is OSBA guidance. Some boards and this is in reference to OC 121.22 what we've been talking about. Some boards of education have questioned whether the permanent
123law continues to permit an individual board member to participate in board meetings electronically even in the absence of House Bill 51's authorizing language. Perhaps a board member needs to work later as recuperating from an illness or inclement weather prevents travel. Although the board is again prohibited from conducting the entire meeting virtually, the board could allow an individual board member to participate via conference call or video conference so long as there is a quorum present at in person at the meeting. Such participation would be limited to listening to and participating in the board's discussions. A board member who participates via electronic means may not be counted for foreign purposes, nor may the board member vote. And in one OC 12122, there is a specific line. All meetings of public body are declared to be public meetings
124open to the public at all times. A member of a public body shall be present in person at a meeting open to the public to be considered present or to vote at the meeting. I think that kind of wraps it up. So what I hear is that yes, we can continue doing it the way we were. You just aren't compensated and you do not vote. You can talk and ask questions and participate in the meeting. Correct. So then I would say we leave that language in would be my Yeah, I can see instances where a board member might be capable of participation but have something contagious or something they don't want to spread to other board members. And uh so I can see I can see a a time when that might be abuse. My
125only concern is when we're in executive session that in a minimum then that at least if it's in the public then fine. But if we're in executive session there's no way to really confirm that that is truly um a confined area. That's my only concern. Is there any Mr. more. Is there anything regarding executive session in there? I I would I would say the board would have the power to invite or not invite someone virtually into executive session. Sorry, just so it's on record. It would be reasonable that if they can't vote out in the public meeting, then they can't participate in the executive session. If they don't, if they're not even allowed to vote, they can especially not be in that. So, I wouldn't recommend that a person who is absent be also escorted
126into executive session. Now, we'll check with OSBA on that to get some further guidance, but be hesitant to do that. It doesn't say specifically that the absent person or the person who is virtual or remote specifically can't participate in an executive session, but that's a question we need to ask. Well, I mean a board member is legally bound to keep executive session confidential. Is that correct? I mean, so what does it matter if they're attending virtual? They're bound legally to make sure that it's being confidential. Let's definitely talk to OSBA about this. We need further guidance. Lawyers telling us right now that yeah, we maybe could, but I mean you're you're legally bound to keep a meeting. Absolutely true. I guess I'm not comfortable with adding in that language until we clarify with OSBA first.
127I I have no idea. I'm speculating there may be a concern about that remote transmission being intercepted or recorded. That That's true. They're bound to do that. But OSBA may offer guidance to say that that's not advisable because of all the things that could happen regardless of whether it's not permitted or not. So I think we should consult SBA. I would like to keep the language as is presented. As would I. I have no further questions. Anyone else? If not, um, Mr. Koyer, can you please, uh, read back the revisions before vote? Yep. And we had a first and second, correct? Yeah. Correct. So, are we we're not done going through all these policies yet, right? My apologies. I thought I thought that was all. Do you have more? Yeah, I think we got like
128five other policies. Six other policies. I'd already cleared mine. Mike is what I said. and I'd like to ask my questions and make my comments on the ones that I had. So, I had heard all of your your concerns. You don't have any concerns with these policies you're looking at right now. I mean, I already looked at one, but we know it said pick one or two and nobody said anything. We didn't pick one or two. We would have passed it just like that. There was already discussed with them. Okay. All right. So I don't need to discuss it with everybody. I already had the questions answered. Wasn't okay. All right. Um so on policy GBH staff student relations GB GBH on page 23. Let me read the let me read the recommendation summary. That
129may help everything. The recognition summary from Oba. I'm just going to read that off of this part. Um it says students applications. The recommendation summary is revised to reflect new house bill 8 parental involvement provisions. Uh revise and vote on GBH or JM. So I'm just reading what they said as the recognition. That that's because both of them are the exact same. Yeah. So this would reflect both of those policies. But the first one that I came on in are stacked here was GBH Golf Brava Hotel. What's your question? And then on number page two of three um the paragraph after social media says violations of the proh prohibition listed above may result in staff or student discipline and I think it should say shall I I think having the may and maybe you can
130maybe you can't is causing problems from constituents I'm getting phone calls from. It says there seems to be problems with certain people getting disciplined and other people not getting disciplined. So it you get disciplined rules are rules you should be disciplined period. It shouldn't be pick or choose because that's when you come up with problems in my opinion. So you're saying under social media you're just in the paragraph under four you're saying it should be shall instead of may I agree I apologize. I'm still trying to find it under social page two under page under social media under four under paragraphs. The first sentence has a may in it and John and Kathy want to change it to shall. We're looking at the bottom paragraph there. Yes. Okay. Says violation of the prohibition listed above.
131May result. They're both saying this shall result in staff and student discipline in accordance to state law. Does this conflict with any of our language in our contract saying also in that student handbook or is it just saying it's going to follow the student handbook? No, there's nothing in online student handbook anything else. However, I just this one's a tough one because that would be a very strict policy and there's no wiggle room then except that some of these are still open to interpretation. For example, staff members shall not use disparaging remarks, insults, or sarcasm against students under these circumstances. that's still open to interpretation because what one views as sarcasm or something disparaging may not be viewed by another person that way. So to strictly say in all cases every one of these would
132result in discipline that may be a bit much though I understand the reason I understand why somebody would want that completely but some of these still need to be interpreted and that you need human perception to be able to determine that and probably some allowance for different interpretations. Because if you just say for every single instance of these 13 different items that someone's going to be disciplined regardless of the severity of it or the circumstances around it just by virtue of the exact wording here, that may be a bit too far. Thank you. I would say leave as is then based off what you said. Yeah, I would agree as well. Any other comments? You're asking on that one policy, right? What's that? You're asking in um in general, but yeah, if if it's regarding
133this policy or if we're moving on. Okay. So, which JCBB did the rest of you decide was the best one to use? Can you say that again? I'm sorry. Which one? You sound JCBB. JB. We're not going to just pass both of them since they're very different. Jamie, I mean, JCB, I think you said you went with the second one, right? He recommend We recommended no on the first one and and recommended the second one. Yeah. And that's the that's the part that's in uh green. Correct. Jamie recommend the one that says do not under. Yeah. So, we're good. Okay. She's good. That's the one she wanted, too. So, we're good. That's what I have also. Very good. I mean, I think we need to go through all these. This is exactly what Yeah, but
134we were ready to vote. That's what I'm saying. Next question. Next one. So, on the JHC, which is the next one, right? What? JHC. Okay. We're on what? JHC. JHC. Correct. All right. I'm there. And this also um just the recommendation summary. It says revise to reflect the new H House bill 8 parental involvement provisions. That's what that's what Obia gives. And it says in there that we were going to that we should have a procedure and I would like at some point in the near future for um to have a copy of that procedure. And I would think that that procedure would be a form of some kind, right? Because I was noticing in the past, remember Libby, we had forms on the um Neil, we had Neil, we had a cat that said
135forms and there were forms in there that went and now we have no forms. Um so it kind of makes me wonder, do we have forms? Can we have those in our OSDA like we used to have them? That would be helpful, I think. But that whole green part is new. The other stuff was part of our original policy anyhow. the green. It says the board directs the superintendent to adopt procedures. This is in the first paragraph, third sentence to obtain necessary authorization from parents and that's why I think that form would be helpful because then the parent should see that form right on our board policies and be able to look at it quickly. I think it's in final forms and it might be on vital forms. Yes. Just double checking. version. We want
136I don't have version one in here though, do I? Where is it? It was one of the first ones. It was No, we don't have I don't have it in the board. Tell me where in the packet it is and I will be happy to look at that because I'm only It's right before. If you go to BD, it's before BD numbers. JC JHCD version two version we went version one yes version two that was up here A and B right A and B I just earlier we talked about this one just out of I see this one is version two is here version No, that's okay. Great. Thank you, Adam. Oh, I found that out. That is a new law to know. Fine. didn't see any changes on. Okay, I have to IGBL. There's
137a version one and a version two. Just so I'm clear, since we're on a second read, should we not be coming into the final read with without the multiple choice for clarity? Should we not be deciding what we're moving forward with for our final read? Correct. That's why it's all been it's already in there. We don't have we don't have the we've already It's already been recommended by our superintendent. Which version? Which version was? Yeah, that's what I'm saying is is if we if we're deciding on version one for the final read, could we just only have version one, not and I apologize. That's probably my fault because the first time we gave the recommended version and then I thought it was discussed that the board members wanted to see the options. Thank you for
138final decision. So, we we actually added those back in. Thank you. That's what happened. Isn't IGLA? Didn't you guys vote on that last board meeting on the 23rd and that was done already? We did. Yeah. So, we already voted on the parent. So, so that needs to be removed from here because we already voted on that. Those will be removed. You voted on those June 23rd. If you look If you look at IGBL though, there are no modifications to it. It's what we've already approved. Okay. So, I'll remove IGB from this. You guys already thinking the same thing. Yeah, that's great, Adam. That one needs to remove and that was the last one. Yep, it was. Any other comments? That's it. Mr. Cyer, can you please um reread the modifications before vote? Okay. All right.
139So, removing the IGB LAAS from this vote that was done last last time. Let's get that out of the way. The BCE was the first one. And that one uh we removing number four where the board president superintendent are execution members and then we're saying no on the green language. Okay. uh DJF-R the next one we are that's where we're adding the definition of what emergency is correct under non I will add that into the board policy and that's under non-competitive procurement number three number three correct um JFB JFB was good that's house 8 you also I have one other change for DJFR under informal procurement permit. The vendor number is two. It's Sorry, that that's already in mind. Two. Well, I just want to make sure we set it all because that was not
140stated. Sorry. I'm sorry. You're right. No, it's two. At least two vendors. That's what current says. That's why we said two vendors minimum of two vendors. Federal for federal procurement procurement for this is for federal procurement. So it's not like this is the mic purchases and then simplified J DJF-R and this is just with federal funds. So it's not the other one,000 this is small purchases or simplify positions they call. So we just kept what we had with two What do you mean by we just count what we have with two please? It talks about two vendors. Thank you. Um the next one JFP she had a question about but we're good. House Bill 8. Um JHC we've kept version one which means version two is gone. uh BD, we kept the schoolboard meetings. We
141talked about that for a while about the virtual, but we ended up taking it out, but there we're I guess we're going to do some some looking into that, but taking that out. Everything else, uh was good on that page. The next page, um we took JCBB that do not participate in the enter district open enrollment. So, the other JCBB adjacent district obviously is a no. Um keep moving. I think that's And then it'll remove again IGB. That's what I have. And I will get those updated and get it to Lori, super secretary, get those added. Well, that's the vote. He's going and then get those updated on our board policies. Thank you. On to roll call, please. Okay. Mr. Kushner, I. Mrs. Dberger, I. Mr. Bower, I. Mrs. Gray. Hi. And Mrs. Walsh. I.
142Motion passes. Before we go to treasur's agenda, I'm asking um I'd like to make a motion for a five minute What's that? Yes. Sorry. My apologies. I can we can we do a five I have to go to the bathroom. So, can I Nice job, Libby? Yeah. Can I make a motion for a fivem minute recess? Second. All right. Thank you. On to roll call, please. Mr. Hersman. Hi. Mrs. Dberger. Hi. Hi. All right. It is 9:50. I I did. I made the motion. 9:59. We will return at 10:04. It is 10:06. We are back for recess. Thank you everyone. Um on to um our cell phone policy. Okay. Last time Um, we looked at the OSBA policy. We looked at a version of Dayton's policy. We looked at a third policy. I'm drawing a
143blank. Was it uh I think Libby from the state and then Mike put together a combination of the three and we present it to the board. So, I've kind of lost my place here. So, I don't I don't have a cell. policy in my it should say the title is using electronic communication AFC S C. So moved. Yep. Mrs. Gber is first, Mrs. Gray is second. On to discussion. From what I've researched, um the idea that um in case of you know, active shooter or other type of emergencies, the students having access to their cell phones in that situation uh is reportedly more harmful than it is good. Um, it often uh results from what I can research in them being more uh engaged in their in their device than in following the emergency commands
144and instructions. It often overwhelms the 911 system and oftentimes it gives away um the position of the students. So initially I think there was uh concern that not having access to phones in these uh those types of emergencies would be detrimental but I believe it actually is the opposite from everything I've researched. Any other comments? Yeah, I think that really we should have the discipline policy in here with this. What will be the discipline? I was looking at some of the other school districts and one of the policies that I looked at was Cleveland schools, right? and they had where they would actually if the student I think it was the third time this the cell phone would be removed and held in the office held by the school for a week and if it
145continued to be a problem they would hold the cell phone for a year until the end of the school year. I think waiting until um not having the discipline policy written in the policy may not be the best thing. I think it should be in our policy and I would like to know what everybody else thinks about that. I would like to see it in the student handbook and then the the parents have to read that student handbook and they have to sign it along with the students having to sign it. Um and I I would also like to see a separate form or something in final forms where they have to sign off on that as well. Um just highlighting that policy since it's going to be from my understanding it'll be new for
146this upcoming school year. So, um, I would just like to have as much communication out to the parents and the students as possible prior to school so that everybody's clear and very much aware this is what's going to happen and the consequences. But I believe that um the superintendent should have the authority to make that policy. That's um I should have not policy the administrative guidelines or whatever. Yeah. And and it's if you look at the second to last paragraph, it says the board directs the superintendent designate to develop procedures governing student use of cell phones and peeds. In general, this specifies progressive and serious disciplinary measures. Such measure me measures must be included in all student handbooks. So yeah, it is in there regarding the handbook. I would like to see it as um
147or for the superintendent to design it as best they can that it doesn't put the burden on the um the teacher um so much to enforce so that uh as much as possible there's an envelope or there's some way of putting this thing away. Um my concern is um with if you take the dress code for instance, we have policy but they're not well enforced and I think um enforcing this policy is instrumental in reducing uh violence and distraction and improving our educational uh process. And I think obviously I believe that's why it's being driven down from the state level to us. Do we have any idea when the state board selfies going to come down to us? Because I mean didn't the wine or then they make it kind of because I hear them
148saying we're taking out the school's hands they can blame legislators. So are they going to give us a policy for us to adopt or do you know has anybody heard? So so there's a requirement that we have to have a cell phone policy in place. Right. But I thought I thought there was a more restrictive one coming, right? There was basically prescriptive about what we had. When I watched Dwayne's boss, he said, "We're taking out of school's hands. We're going to we we're going to we set law and rules here and we're just going to give it to the schools." That's what he said. Maybe he was misqued, but during his speech, that's what he said. I I think you're right on that. Okay. Because I just remember saying, "We're taking out the school's hands.
149We're developing policy for you. So you can blame the legislators and me, not the schools." Look, I I think we should still adopt a policy. I agree. I uh I think we need to be able to communicate the expectation that cell phones are not allowed. I think we need to be able to put the discipline procedure out, have them sign for it, that's aware, make a public document. Um and then if the state comes out and says this is what you have to do, then we'll adopt what the state tells us what we have to do. But, you know, at this point, we have everything set and ready to go to start distributing and communicating. We just need a final decision as to what it is so we can so we can put those items
150out. I think uh Ty talked to me today. You've got five different things ready to go as soon as we finalize. Perfect. And that was my biggest concern um was just making sure that we're getting the word out quickly. Um we're it's July 8th. We're literally almost a month away from from the start of school. So, Um, yeah, just getting the the word out quickly. I was saying statewise we have to. Can we at least if we do adopt what we have currently, can we get something on final forms? I think we talked about this the last time anyway, but can we confirm that something is on there like Libya stating that we that's one things we'll have ready. That's right. T is in the hand. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. And I just wanted to
151say that I wanted to thank um all those who were at the safety committee meeting that it was very productive. We were able to really discuss um the pro the procedures and and the disciplinary actions and and it was um it was very productive to be able to have everybody in open discussion and talk about those. I think it really um helped the administrators to kind of hear everybody's viewpoints and I appreciated that. So, thank you. Well, I would like to say that we've had a policy on communication equipment by students. We had it back when we had Neil. It was a lot more in depth than the one that we currently have in our policy manual. Um we also have um disciplinary guidelines in the student directory and we've had for a while but
152we continue to have these problems with cell phones and the teachers are the ones who are the ones who are having to enforce a lot of this and they're not necessarily enforcing it because they don't have time to enforce it. It disrupts their class. they got to get an administrator in there or they whatever and they just don't have time to do it. Um, and we have kids in the halls with their cell phones out doing making videos. So, whatever the policy that we have had, which we have had a policy and we've had a discipline policy in the student handbook um, since back since I've been on the board, we've had that, but it's not working. So, I think it's we have to have the parents involved. It has to impact the parents and
153that's why I think it's important that um this policy um go out to the parents immediately. You know, it's they're the ones who are getting the cell phones for their students. Um, and I think when a committee is talking about cell phone policy and board members are there without the direction of the board on what they're saying and they're telling this committee their own opinions on what should happen, that's not necessarily a good thing. That goes against everything that the board stands for. That's my take on that situation. I'm not following. I'm sorry. Pardon? I said I wasn't following what you were saying. Could you give a little bit more? I'm sorry. I didn't understand that statement. Following about Okay, so you followed about we had policy in the past and I think the policy
154needs to be stricter. We need to have the parents engaged right from the get-go. Um or you got that part? The part about the committee having a committee. So, we had this committee and you said there that were not given direction by the board. What they're they're speaking for the board, but they're one voice. They're the board didn't direct them to say anything to the committee. So, when they're giving their opinion, that's violating our code of ethics because that's they're speaking as for the board, but they're one person speaking for the board. They weren't speaking for me. They were putting their opinion on there and they don't necessarily align with mine and the board did not give them direction and say, "Hey, we want you to go to this committee and these are the things
155we want you to discuss with the committee and here's the opinion of the committee of the board." We didn't vote on anything. We didn't come to a consensus. They were at the meeting. They were giving their opinion as an individual, but they were there as a board member. And they can't do that. That's not what we're allowed to do. that I have a big problem with when that happens and that's what was happening and there was I was told one parent who got up said that parents want stricter and then they were told by a board member that's not what the parents want that was the one parent who was a parent only not a parent and an employee but there were two parents there one was a parent one was a parent employee when
156that parent said something and they were shut down I think that's not right it's not Hey, um just to clarify, Mr. Smatters was leading that discussion. So, um yeah, yes, he was leading the discussion and there were board members there speaking and parents speaking and staff speaking. Yes, that's true. All right, any other comments? All right, on to roll call, please. Mr. Is this as a first read or a second read? Second. Okay. Mr. Kersner. Hi. Mrs. Dberger. Hi. B. I. M. Gray. I. And Miss Walsh. No. Motion passes. On to treasurer's agenda. Sorry. Okay. Um my treasury reports um you guys have them so I have them up on the board. U finished out the year our fiscal year in June. Um had 4.8 million come in revenue. Uh we had uh we get
157a we had a little bit more from the city of OET. We have a CRA with them. Got about 7,000 more. Then our investments came in a little bit more. Um so that was nice to end the year. Um our expenses were 8.6 million. So we had a definite 3.7 but as you see we finished off um I think I did my May forecast. I think we're about 6.5 million um with revenue over expenses and we actually finished a little over 7 million and that was due to the vets checking a little higher and investments coming a little higher. So very happy about that. um charter receipts you can see that again most of it is our state foundation 3.7 million of it three is the state foundation again the obit check I think was
15867,000 out of the 1.1 and the other stuff in there is interest expenditures again about 69% personnel insurance and retirement um CBS bus bill bus bids or bus invoices majority purchase services um and we had some supplies material 34,000 normal and change for prior year actually change prior year really didn't have much um from prior June um interest again came in a little higher and tax came a little higher and that's why 1.06 was a little bit higher in prior year um new salary mounts was 185 which is kind of low actually um and then supplies just just the year with the inflation at 3.04 for our supplies were a little bit higher um the previous year, but everything else kind of was in that$100,000 to $200,000 range. Um so, but it finished the year
159strong. Um I'm happy with that. My numbers are still looking good. So, yeah. Any questions about this? Yeah. Um in the prior year, I'm sorry, I can't quite hear you. In the prior year, it said something about 185. Um yeah, sorry. The um Yeah. No, I'm sorry. the personal services, the salaries um this year 185,000 more than last year but that's just the what we give is an increase you know certified and classified staff sorry but it's well within the range um the gap converters uh because we have gap conversion first then the audit gap converters already reached out to us to start asking for information auditors will probably reach out to us in the next month probably in August they'll they'll reach out to us to have start giving them information we start that
160process And we are audited every year. Every year we're audited. Yes. Just social media post. It's audited. We're audited every year. Need to be audited. We're audited every year by independent accounting firm and then the actual aud. So, it's not two official audits, but kind of two audits. Y. Thank you. Yeah. Um, the next thing is our our bureau workers comp. As you can see, it's just kind of in review. Um last year was the first year um with this with doing it through the high workers comp and um doing it um with this group uh ret retrospective rating program. So, we won't we won't get the rebate this year, but if our workers comp is low through Sedwick, we'll get a rebate. Hopefully, we'll get a rebate rebate next year. And as you can
161see, some of the estimated refund ranges can be where from anywhere from 93,000 um down to, you know, like 14,000. Um, you know, so hopefully if our workers comp numbers are down and we we do challenge them sometimes. Um, that's I kind of do that. That's me. I kind of watch them. I talk to the principles and talk to the directors, but we'll challenge them if it's if we need to. a lot of mo are legit the workers comp injuries. Um but yes, so hopefully we'll get a rebate again. We won't get this year. The first year you don't get it, but next year hopefully we can get a decent rebate back. I'll let you guys know. Is this the first time we've been in the free? Yeah, before we were like yes, before the
162state we we we're selfinsured through Hunter and stuff. Which this is better here because there's like three dates, right? And as you see, it could be a big rebate. Um moving on. Um the number three um of a motion the treasury recommends the girl from Madison school board education approve the admin pickup structure and salary range for 25 26 26 27 this is different you guys um well I guess I'll need a motion first second second have Mrs. Gray as first and Mrs. Dberger as second on to discussion. So what as you can see what this is is this is actually the pickup schedule. Uh you guys did the did three years worth of salaries uh last year. Um so this is just I only did one year of the pickup schedule the first the
163first last year. So this does the other two years um and and that Kathy pointed out the job descriptions are changed in here um that we kind of got pulled off but again I would say go ahead and approve this because the salary ranges are approved. I didn't change any of the pickup schedules. nobody change groups. Um, and then if you know, heaven forbid, if those job descriptions, the assistant director of HR and the director of human capital, sorry, aren't done, then I can always revise this. So, but none of the no groups change and no pickup change, but the salary ranges change obviously, but you guys already approved those last year. So, that's okay. And then just to clarify, we need we're going to need a second meeting. No, for this. No, this is
164this is just one meeting and Liby first and the 22nd, right? And this the same as last year. Yeah, same as last year salary ranges up 24 25. Why are we doing 26 27 already? I'm just doing both of them because those salaries are already out there. I probably should have done all three of these last year, but I just did the one. So I'm doing both this time since the salaries are you guys are roll call please. Um Mrs. Walsh I Mrs. Gray. Hi. Mr. Bower. Hi. Mrs. Dberger. I and Mr. Kersner. Hi. Motion passes. Um next one again a donation from uh Compass Group. Mr. Chartwells. Again I mentioned earlier the 17,500 is going towards the golf outing. So just accept the donation. very generous. So moved. Second. Have Mrs. Dberger as first,
165Mrs. Gray is second. On to discussion. I would just like to thank them um for their contribution to our educational trust and um the momentum that we're having and we just keep at it and we can find other creative ways to help our students and families. Yes, I totally agree. Thank you. So this says um you said to the educational trust that this form says reduce the general fund expenses. Yes, I'll change that. Yes, it was it was for the educational trust. So, you're going to change? Yeah, I'll change that. Okay. Roll call, please. Mrs. Walsh. I. Mrs. Gray. Hi, Mr. Bower. Hi. Mrs. Dber. I. And Mr. I. Motion passes. Um, number five, a motion. The treasure recommends the Gro Madison School Board of Education accept the donation of micro micro pipe tur in
166the amount of 1,800 from the Charles River Laboratories. This is so moved. Second and Mrs. Dberger is first. Mrs. Gray is second. On to discussion. And this was um for pipes for instruments. Okay. I was going to ask I need to find out what this is. So this is for the the instruments micro. Yes. I don't know how to say the word. I think I'm saying it right. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for the donation. Yes. Thank you. Roll call, please. Mrs. Walsh. I. Mrs. Grace. Hi. Mr. Bowers. Hi. Mrs. Dutterburgger. I. And Mr. Kel. Hi. Motion passes. Number six for me. Uh, treasure mass schools board of education authorized treasure to submit to the Frankie County auditor the FY25 final operations and FY25 final minutes certificate of estimate resources as of June 30th
167um with the submission of revised actuals to report it as next regular meeting. Actually we don't have to do that um because I did that in June and this is just ratifying those numbers. They did change a little bit but not but actually towards the good so moved. Second have Mrs. Dober as first, Mr. Kersner as second. On to discussion, please. Yeah. And real quick, I just said they actually changed to the good because again, our revenues came a little bit higher. So, I'm just getting better numbers because last time the June board meeting was early. So, Right. Right. Awesome. Thank you. Y Miss Walsh. I. Miss Gray. Hi, Mr. Bower. Hi, Mrs. Dutterburgger. Hi. And Mr. H. I. Motion passes. And last one, uh, treasure mckens, the grow for mass school board education approved
168the bond issue in the amount of 77 million 215,000 for the purpose of constructing, improving, furnishing, and equipping the three new 538 middle schools with related site improvements and apprentices. There too constructing, improving, furnishing and equipment addition to G Madison High School with related site improvements and princesses. there to abatement and demolish of existing facilities, improving, renovating, furnishing and equipping existing facilities, and replacing existing equipment and constructing various permanent improvements school districtwide. Second, I have Mrs. Gray as first, Mrs. Dberger as second. On to discussion. I'm I'm pretty shocked to see this. Um, I would have expected that after the resounding no and feedback that we would, if we were going to put this on that we would have come back and visited changes and discussed with the community um, preferences rather than just we
169don't understand. No. And that's what this sounds like to me. Um, I don't think the idea, well, I'm gonna say the idea of a middle school on No Bixby has been unpopular for so long. And when we voted no against that, the thing the board did the next day was buy the property and basically say from my perspective, in your face, we're going to do it anyway. And we continue down that road. And we have employees that have told me they'll leave the district if that building goes in on their road. Nobody wants a middle school on no Bixby. And maybe if we put this language on, maybe we should put it on in Spanish since we don't seem to understand no in English. I can't believe we're trying the exact same thing again. And
170you know, for my part, the idea of the elementary school and independence is very wellliked and we didn't explore it. And if we were coming back, that would have been a great step. We initially came to the voters and said, "We want one big giant middle school on no Bixby." Now we want three. Makes no sense to me. A bigger one in a bigger one in the north part of the district and a smaller or and the same size one in the south might make sense, but creating a third building with all that overhead makes no sense. And we've been told no. And we didn't we didn't revise one thing. And I don't even know how this showed up here because we haven't had one conversation about this since the vote. So, it just it
171blew my mind to even see this. Um it's just like who who came up with the idea putting this on there? We haven't had a single conversation about it since it failed twice. Yeah. So, I'm the board president and I help set the agenda and so that that falls on me. we've got to do something to address um the enrollment sizes that we're going to be experiencing. So, I'd like to hear from our superintendent and our treasurer. What's option B? What's plan B? If we don't put on um this this bond levy, what are we what are we going to do? How are we going to address enrollment here? Um, so one of the things that we've been working on behind the scenes was to look at uh adding modular classes um because whether there's
172renovation made to any of our existing buildings um or not, we're we're running out of space. We're bursting at the seams. Uh so we met uh and we looked at some some options. We received some preliminary feedback to get an idea of of what could happen and what it might cost. In addition to that, um from a plan B perspective, and I and I've said this for a while, if the answer is no for for new buildings, the answer is no. But that doesn't change the fact that there are still renovation needs have gone in the existing building. So to talk in a little more detail, Mr. Houseman, uh if if you can come up and and Adam, I don't know if you want to join in about some of the modular modular potential costs.
173Uh do you want to talk first or let Dave? Yeah, we met with just moders, get preliminary estimates based on, you know, how many kids are coming in our district and we figured you need two 12elves, 12 classroom moders and a six major classroom mostly in the north end. Um, and then uh two 12elves and then a six. Yeah. So 30 classrooms. Um and then also two cafeterias because they can do cafeterias now. And um 12 again these are estimate numbers. So uh the 12 classroom module is about almost $2 million. 95. Um the cafeterias about 1.3 1.4 million and then the six classroom is almost a million dollars. So if you need two 12s, a six, and two cafeters, you're talking um you know $7 million. And that would have to come out or
174PI fund. We don't have that money in our PI fund, you guys know. Um but that that would be of course 100% locally done. So we'd have to do a PI levy or take money from the general fund, which then that's salaries. And and please keep in mind we're not under contract. We haven't no yet. We We were after the levy after the bond issue defeat, we were like, "What are our options? We're out of space. We're bursting at the seams. We have classrooms and hallways. We have classrooms and closets. Our libraries are cut up into multiple classrooms and meeting spaces. Our portables are cut up into small rooms and and and the existing ones we have in meeting spaces. And so this was we're trying to look at well what is a possible additional
175solution to increase capacity because we're over capacity pretty much across the district. Sorry about that. of the high school. All of our elementary systems and middle school Dave, were there windows and potentially doors included in any of that? And that estimate is just for one school, right? back in open as far that just right According to the information, Sidelia Central, Glen Denning, Girl Elementary, We we did uh we we did the highest priority ones first. And if you look back at seven years ago, North's assessment was probably better or wasn't as high needs. I mean, South we had active leaks all over the place and So, but we we've done a lot of uh roof work, but not every building. If you look at those roofing, electric I'm sorry. Why would North brand new LEDs
176in 21 need new lighting? There will be some replacements. I don't know. Uh we did we did LED bulbs and took out the ballast. None of the mixtures were changed. So it was a retrof there was retrofit LED bulbs in we did according to our presentation we did 1,04 fixtures with 3528 new LED bulbs in 21. So it would be very unusual for them to only have a even a four or five year life. But regardless, um, we've had we've had months we've had we've had months to have a board conversation about this and we have and many options that I was frustrated that were never presented to us the first go round and here we go. And I know you say it's your your your job to put together the agenda, but if it
177was this was your plan, you sat on your hands and kept us in the dark for five months. Absolutely not. This has been going on. This has been going on. We've been talking about um these new these new buildings for for a very long time, right? We've had much much discussion. We've had much public participation. We've we have had many discussions with the public regarding this as well. So, so to have you say that this is a blind side is completely false. You had one conversation before you voted on it once, then you voted on the same plan again. Garrett Lee at least had this the the decency when the levy failed to call in the the the people that opposed it and say what what was the issue? And you know, one of the
178things she came back with when it was talking about the middle school on No Bixby was yeah, she wasn't really behind that. it was the board pushed that decision. She never thought that was a great plan. So, there was an opportunity each time this failed to revisit it and especially this time because we had so many months. And when I brought up when I brought up the school in Independence, the best you came up with is I just don't know how it would fit. Even though the OSFC has model after model after model of schools fitting that many students on way less property and as I mentioned all we ever discussed was either a K through five or a K through eight and the designers came out and did blindside me with a middle school
179for 900 and now the athletics facilities don't fit. There was a lot of for us to to readress from that initial thing and we didn't. So that's not that's not true. Um Mr. Superintendent, can you go through and remind Mr. Kersner the amount of public participation and the amount of meetings that we had to get? Oh, don't start. So wait, wait, can I say something, please? I'm sorry. I this this will be my fourth request for those 9,000 emails that we we sent out to get public participation. The public participation in this this one is the worst I've ever seen. It was a joke. I disagree. I I want to remind every all of us of our board norm. So again, we want to talk about mutual respect earlier today, but that's not happening now.
180So I would like to yield to my colleagues to remind each other that we're supposed to speak each speak to each other appropriately. Thank you. I I sure wish somebody would have um spoke up when Mr. Smatters was talking to me. Worse than that, by the way. And now let me say my piece on this. We had the board the levy the bond up once it failed two to one failed. Then we bring it up again. It went down even bigger numbers huge numbers. No discussion at all. These is not a good plan. It's not what the people want. We have school boundary lines right that we haven't looked at or dressed in this plan and they haven't been changed in 30 years. So, we're going to decide where schools go when we haven't even
181looked at where the neighborhoods are that our students are in and where would be the best location for these schools. You are putting the cart before the horse. You're making a bad plan. You're moving property buildings that could be renovated. that architect stood at that podium and told us they could be renovated to like new condition, but you're going to tear them down and move them to a part of the property that's in the flood zone and all the added costs that goes with that. And I know because I have property in the flood zone right along Big Walnut Creek, same as all these other ones with Black Lake and Big Walnut. It's a problem. Why? It's a bad bad plan. And John's right. We've had months that this could have been discussed. We could
182have made changes, but this board did not. The superintendent did not. Nobody. You know, you we say we have policy says we're going to include the public. Well, the public spoke loud and clear. They want you to change the plan and you didn't change it. You're not listening to the public. You don't care what the public says. That's obvious by wanting to put this back on. And Mr. president, if that was your plan to have the treasurer put that on the agenda, shame on you without even coming and discussing it prior with the rest of the board. The wild accusations here continue and I will not even entertain those falsehoods. So, there are notations for me, that's for sure. I've said my piece. I I will also say I, you know, with Mr. Houseman hit
183the estimate of $83 million in repairs to our schools with the exploding enrollment that we're facing in the next 5 to 10 years and we're going to spend $7 million on modulars for a temporary fix. That ain't cutting it for me. So that's my that's not the only option we have. We have a building sitting across the street that's what is it 5200 square foot thousand maybe. So Jesus could. So, just so you know, for me, it's not I'm definitely not anti-build. One of the big reasons I came on this board is I just was I was infuriated by the what I saw as foolishness of a huge one huge building, middle school on No Bixby. I'm definitely for building improvements. it just this plan was not the best plan. The the school in independence,
184whether it's just a K through five or whatever, the the transportation savings and putting the students back in their community was very important to me. And what we don't have here is collaboration. And we had an opportunity after this went down for collaboration. And it's more feels like boom, this is it. This is the one thing we can do. And I think any other board that when I've been on the board before through these processes, the the designers came in, the architects came in, the OSFC came in and they said first thing you need to do is get the board collaborating and agreeing. And we did not get that. And we do not have that. And it's definitely not me against new bills at all. It's me looking for practical solutions and believing wholeheartedly this
185is not it. That's all. This is Donald Ber. Did you I think you were next or who? This is great. Yes. Um I would like to ask the treasurer. Um so from my understanding um we had three tries to pass. We had um November of 24, May 25, November 25 to pass this um levy or bond for the OCC funding for the for the OCC funding 53%. And that was 53% 53%. So um and we don't if if it was to be put on and we don't pass it or even if we wouldn't put it on in November, we don't lose that 53. We're locked in at that 53, but we don't if we don't pass it this time, we go to the bottom of the list. We go somewhere in the cycle and we
186could be up again in two years and five. I don't know. We don't know when the funding would be available to us. Correct. Um, so I guess um it's been made perfectly clear that our community is not in support of of this um bond. But it's sad because like you've presented to us, $83 million is what it would cost us to get our buildings where we need them to be. And that doesn't even take care of the overcrowding. That's just getting it to where our buildings should be, where everybody else that has been able to build their own new buildings and have the latest technology. So, our community needs to be aware that that's what they are doing to our students. It's hurting our students. They're not being able to get what everybody else is
187being able to get because it cost it's going to t cost our taxpayers more to renovate an old building than to get our new buildings. So, we're talking $90 million because we're going to still have to get the modulars. And how long are those modulars going to last? And we have to probably going to have to replace the we have there now because those are old. It's it's a sad state. So I you know it's it's sad when we have those meetings and we did have multiple multiple meetings inviting the community members out there to attend. But the next time we call, I hope you answer your phone or answer your email and show up. They need to show up because this is this is devastating to our district. It's devastating to our students because
188they need the environment. They don't need to have paper thin walls, things that are just curtains where they can hear everything that's going on in the other classroom. How do you concentrate? These little kids have troubles as it is being able to concentrate in classrooms and they have to do this day after day and then you wonder why they can't pay attention in class. It's not fair and no one should have to go through that. But that's what our community has decided. Our community has decided that the plan that is presented in front of them is not the best plan. Well, it's not a good plan. That's all I can say. They had the opportunity. Miss Walsh, Miss Gray, please. Miss Walsh. They had the opportunity to attend to get their options. And so we
189went with the options of the community members that came. It was overwhelmingly voted on those options. So, if you didn't show up for the to vote your concerns to make your voice be heard in those meetings, you need to let me know when you're done, please. I'm going to ask real quick. I know that everyone is passionate about this that we go one at a time, not interrupt each other. Thank you. So, if you want to talk about the vote and the choice that was picked, you need to go back through the records. the one that was picked was not the most popular or the most voted for. You missed it. You missed it. And the 53 million, that isn't one way or nothing. You could come back. We could have come back when this
190failed and we could have gone back to OSFC and we could have said, "Hey, here's what we're reading. Here's what two board members are saying they don't like about the plan. Let's look at some other options." I know for a fact you can make these changes, but we didn't. And we don't. It just it it just is this is it ramming it down. But I I challenge you to look at the votes because we've printed them out. This plan was not the most voted for plan. And a lot of the parents that did participate that I know personally felt like they were blindsided. They were like, "This isn't what we supported. We went to the meetings. This isn't what we chose." So your perception and the votes and what we're hearing don't match up. And
191yes, do we need new? Yes, we need new. Can we do better? Absolutely. Does this make s does this plan make sense to me? No. Um so again, we we've missed an opportunity, but don't blame the public. There was something wrong with this process. The reason there is a reason there was so little public participation versus all of the other ones of these that I've lived through and been to. And part of that was we were asking for legally called board meetings so we could all be there legally and that didn't happen. So that is why you wouldn't have seen be or Kathy there because we might have had a majority. So there's a lot wrong with the process and blaming the public. If you want to do that, go back through all the iterations
192and look at the votes before you do it. That's Mrs. Walsh. Mr. Mrs. Deler. Yes. First, I would like to thank all those who served on the committee and all the hard work was a lot of our administrators, our teachers um who came out and there was sever some people from the public as well that did come out to do that. Um I understand what all of my colleagues are stating as well as the um what the voters are saying as well. What I will say is that it is important that we do build and I know that there's only two members that have had a concern or or didn't agree which is not the majority of the board. So when we talk about having majority consensus majority consensus was what was provided and presented.
193Now I know you've there have been conversations about going back that means then paying the consultant again I believe that means going through that entire process again or looking other options. The other comment that's been mentioned this evening is the school and independence and I I've heard that comment multiple times. Um my only concern for me is that when you put the yes the school could be there but then that would be the that may be the only time the student gets out of that community. So that is the other part that I looked at um when looking at the school and independence. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but that is a concern. As far as, you know, just putting that one school there, then there's no way anything for them to do
194outside of that out of that. And then as far as the savings on transportation, not sure if we I can't recall directly, so I won't misquote myself to ensure that we go back, I guess, and look at that. Um and then the my biggest concern is the loss of the state funding with the for there's a possibility there's a lot of changes that has happened. We saw the Senate bill one that just passed, right? And then the line item vetos that came from our governor, which we're grateful for those. So if there's all these changes happening with funding, who's to even say that OFCC will even exist later? who's to say that that money would be there if all of these last changes that just came across this past bienium budget by the state. Um
195that is my biggest fear is that if we don't that we could also lose that as well because we saw all the changes that was proposed in front of the governor for him to review and sign um this last review. I will also state that the amount of money that we are going to spend to either renovate those buildings which it was deemed by OFCC. So that was off the table to confirm with our superintendent as far as renovation and our treasurer if I recall that we were not approved to renovate the buildings that the buildings were too much money or something like that that they would not give us the revenue share that we were getting with getting new buildings. Correct. They were overcird of renovations. They're they're saying you can you should build
196new. So you should have built new if there were two. I think today it was right at 2/3, but the rest of them were 80% or 90%. So we are they don't they don't prohibit you from renovating. But they're only going to pay up to what they would have paid for a new building. So it's the So the re the share was a lot less if we would have you have to pay the local. Got it. So then more local dollars we would have had to use if we renovated. Is that correct? Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that was clear as well. Um regard regarding who attended and did not attend. I do appreciate I did get all the emails so and I did get all the the thanks for that. Um
197I will also state that I appreciate that those meetings were in the evening because that did allow um folks to come after work. I'm not sure if we can maybe use our ed trust next time to offer food. Maybe we can get more pres um more participation so families can come after work and we have our ed trust dollars that is not tied to the general fund and that would be something that we could consider as a board if we look at this later on to have a way to attract families and parents and other community members to come to discuss their concerns and their ideas about building new buildings in Growport. But I do I have two students that are at Gport Elementary and the school's you know a hundred years plus old. So
198there's that. Um I will again I just want to thank again all those that did help and did speak up and did come um and and can vouch for the things that maybe everyone didn't see. I know that and then if there is someone else who I know that has been mentioned by my colleagues that there's individuals that was misled, I would love to speak to you as well because I have yet to have ever heard that. And when we talk about the levy failing, we have to be honest that that happened because we had members of this board that helped that levy fail or that bond fail. So, I'm not going to sit here and pretend with a conversation, and I know that you didn't want it to, and that's fine, but we want
199to be very clear that it was intentional to ensure that that bond failed. Thank you. I would agree with that. And uh I would say that that is the flaw in your idea that majority rules and we're just going to do it without without weighing the value of having buyin from your entire board. We did have the body in but then we voted on it. That's the point of the board I thought is to have the majority. You hear all the sides and then you vote and make a consensus based off the majority. But if that's the case, then what's the point in having a board? So, but you know, every time we say something, you're going to say something anyway. So, it doesn't matter. I'm just saying that is the point of the board.
200We have five, three of us concurred. Some of us went to the meetings. I think even I think everyone I know board member Walsh went a couple of us went to those. We heard feedback. We heard from our administrators. We heard from our teachers. We saw the sticky notes. We saw the um the the I won't say video, but there was the the notes and the things all over the wall and people took time to come in and do that. So, it wasn't like just oh a haphazard plan as if we didn't listen because we did listen. I just think there's a difference of opinion as you stated. We don't collaborate and that's intentional I believe. um for one reason or another. Um and if it's not one way, it's the opposite. So, we pay
201for it. I agree. So, I have a couple I have a couple problems with some of the things that were just said. One all the way back to the beginning. That's the only time they get out of their that community. So, what about I said, excuse me, I said that that could be the only time that they can get out of that community. Okay. That could be the only time that they get out of that community have a problem with that statement. So what about the kids who have schools in their neighborhood at Black Estates Mapson Township not grow black estate? That's okay for them. I don't see there's a problem with the community independence village. It's a great community and it can be a lot better if it had a school that these kids
202could walk to and all through the summer they have that support there if they need it. If it the community school. I I I just have a problem with that. That's that's a pretty broad statement. Um and it is to say that, you know, to say that the funds won't be there. We don't know. We don't know if they will or not. We know that's I think we have a lot of scare tax going on. Um renovation was not off the table. The architect said so. Would we get the same funding? Possibly. We could have had the buildings re-evaluated or evaluated by somebody else. We did not. So, those are things and we could challenge them. The architect told us all of that during meetings. It's recorded. We can listen to those. Um, you know,
203you just we can't believe everything that's said up here all the time. And I goes for say that we don't want to work together. That is not a true statement. It is very I absolutely want to work with everybody. I want to get what's best for our communities and our students. I have family members who go to these schools and I want the best for them. And I I just see a lot of bad decisions. You got to start at the beginning and do it right. And we're not doing that. We don't have a 10-year strategic plan. We don't have these things in place. You're just willy-nilly deciding here's where these schools are going to go. And to say we have to have modulars, we have the new building across the street. We do not
204have to have modulars. There are other places. If we build a school in independent village, that's going to take care of overcrowding and a lot. You know that in 1978 we had 6,500 students in Growport Madison school district. In 1981 we had over 6,200 students in Groport. This is not the amount of students we have is not unusual. Yeah, we did. And it's the Ohio Department of Education has all that data. You can look it up. Has everyone said what they want to say before we go to vote? So, we vote on this tonight and then we have to vote on it again before it is actually put on the ballot. That's if it doesn't if it doesn't pass, then we don't. And I would also like to know exactly how much it costs for
205these to go on the ballot for the last two times. One at a time, please. This is great. Is it correct that we vote on this and then we if it's passed then we have to vote again for right before August 6th. Okay. Thank you. So if it does pass this bill, I want to know exactly how much we spent. And I mean employee times, meetings, tours, monitoring social media, posting on social media, what the actual cost to the taxpayer was to put this on the first time and the second time as what we're going to have to expect the next time. I mean on roll call, please. Uh, Mr. Kersner, no. Mrs. Durn, no. Mr. Bow, I. Mrs. Gray, no. And Mrs. Walsh, no. Motion fails. On to comments, announcements, and other business. Um,
206one thing is we do need to have another board meeting in a month, end of July. All right. I would like us We can't pull out our calendars. Um it has been proven to be a little bit difficult to um schedule via email. So if we could knock that out tonight, I would appreciate it. Um I will start with two weeks from today, which would be a Tuesday with Tuesday, July 22nd work. I cannot do a Tuesday. Has to be 15 days after this meeting. Oh, because it's for the retire. 14. Okay. How about Tuesday, July 29th? I cannot do any more Tuesdays. Okay. for the retire rehire. I thought we had to do it for the job descriptions. This is news to me. But we have to do the retire hire by August 1st
207and 15 days after today. So if we So it be the 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th, 30th or 31st and we can add the job description. 24th to 25th. I can do the 25th. It's a Friday. I cannot do the 24th. Okay. So, 24th and 29th they're out. Does Monday the 28th work with it with everyone? I can do Mondays. Can we do it Monday morning or Monday night? Monday morning. I can do I work Monday so I can do Monday evening. I could do Tuesday morning. I know I cannot do mornings. Same. And I can't give up another Tuesday because I'm in class. All right. So it does Monday does Monday work Monday the 28th I believe so for me we want to do it that's fine with me in the evening 7 o'clock six
208o'clock um Kathy does that work with you Libby does that work with you Monday July 28th can we make that early meeting um how about 6 p.m. Monday July 28th special meeting July 28th it'll be a short meeting correct 6 p.m. at 6 p.m. All right. And if we're doing the rehire thing, I know that um I would like to have before that meeting the cost of that. Um do we have a policy about that? Their salaries will be on the the HR certificate sheets their salary. I mean, I want to know what the cost is to pay. What you're proposing with this rehire and hire is to take let a couple employees who currently are working in the district, let them retire. Yes. And then hire them back, pay them retirement, and then pay
209them a salary. Is that correct? We we pay their salary. We don't pay their retirement. So, it actually saves the district money. We don't pay their retirement after they retire. Well, we pay their retirement, but they're coming back cheaper. Okay. We pay their retirement though, right? We pay We pay into the retirement after retirement because they're coming out of retirement, right? But the st is paying the retirement check. We don't pay that. Well, I'd like to have all that the numbers. The salaries. The salaries will be on this. I want to know the cost to the district. You'll send me that, right? Yeah. Thank you. What happens with tenure when you do rehire? Well, one of them is admin, so that doesn't um through through the or through um I believe it's a break of
210service. So, reset, right? I think so too. Could you restate that that it would be a break in service when you retire, it's a break in service. Uh so any acred sick days would be taken care of when they're they would be coming back in essence. Um they're an experienced employee but be like a new employee at a different pay rate. And they have changed it to where we now do continue to pay health insurance. Um, okay. Thank you. So, we'll have the job descriptions and those two, right? Um, is it possible uh Seth for you to get uh from our legal counsel or from uh the prosecutor, we referenced two things. One that there was something regarding five minutes in the law um where it comes to retire a retire rehire comment. I don't
211believe that exists. Can you see if we can get a reference? I know there's a 30 and 60 day reference to public comment. It didn't really come into play, but I I really would like to understand that. And also in the Ohio Revised Code 3313.12 where there is any reference to a committee being different than a meeting for the board. I I would like to make sure that that is a true statement. Can you help with that? She's right here. Am I coming to the podium? I didn't want to put her on the spot and make her have to try to come up with it this second, but and John, real quick for um the retire legal paperwork stuff. I will send the whole board the email I got from legal. So, you'll have that.
212Nate, good. Okay. Um, related to the five minutes, I was not part of those conversations. I don't I don't know, but I can um talk with my colleagues at the firm if that's where the information came from and find that out. Um, specific to committee meetings, board I think I've went over this before, but a board meeting is it's a board meeting if there are more than two board members present. Right? So, if a committee has less than three board members, then that would not be considered a board meeting. Right? But my my question is and what I'm if I unless I'm reading it totally wrong, 3313.12 does not say board meetings. It just says meetings and then I'm seeing reference to boards paying committee me for committee meetings. So 100% correct. Yeah. You know
213what? What boards, Mr. Kersner, are paying for committee meetings? Do you mind sharing? I'm sorry. You said there are boards paying for committee meetings. What boards? I'll get that for you. Well, I am aware that there are some boards that pay for committee meetings. It's because there are more than two board members present. And whenever that happens, that is considered a board meeting. So, you're saying somewhere in 3312 3313.12 that it says board meetings, not just meetings. That's what I'm trying to get clarification on. So, I'm not again I'm not looking at the code section right now. My laptop is actually dead. Uh but uh the I mean I'm happy, I guess, to follow up with additional information, but a I don't know what code section you're looking at. I I was looking at 331
2143.12 and and it I didn't see a differentiation between board meetings and and committee meetings. That's I just want to be clear. Yes. Um, so the only meeting that is considered a board meeting that board members can be compensated for is when there are more than two board members present. And anytime that happens, if it's a regular meeting that you set at your organizational meeting or if it's some other circumstance where there's more than two board members that has to have a special meeting notice, that's a board meeting that a board member can be compensated for. What was that, Libby? I didn't hear you. I I may I may be reading long, but this is says the statute allows for compensation for meetings attending and this generally includes committing meetings as well as full board
215meetings. So, I'm just questioning that and I would love just just I I guess Missouri just show me. So, I'll research it more and if you can help me with that. Sure. I'm seeing conflicting information. So, um I'd just like if you can help clarify that. That's all. Also, um we had a an investigation done that I thought we were going to be getting results for. Have we? It's not ready yet. Okay. Thank you. Any other board comments? Hearing none. On to German. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? motion. I have Mrs. Gray as first, Mrs. Walsh as second. Okay, on to roll call, please. Mrs. Walsh. I gr. It is 11:13. We are ajourned.