001Are you ready? Are you ready? >> I am ready, sir. Thank you. >> Make sure. >> Okay. Uh, call the meeting to order. Uh, order approval of agenda. We have a 5.0 or I'm sorry, 5.2. Employment of personnel. >> Yeah. And we need to move. >> Maybe later when the high school does their activity report or their board. >> Okay. >> He he told me today about between 6:30 and 6:45. He's currently at the Overbrook city council meeting presenting to them. >> Yeah. Make him say like he likes his whole. >> Okay. Anybody else have anything? >> Sorry. That >> I was going to put >> Yes, that would make him stick around. >> Oh, really? Put him in 84. That's good. >> That's where That's where he is. >> Okay, that's 645. Anything else?
002>> Motion to approve as amended. >> Okay, we have a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. >> Second. All in favor? >> All right, that brings us to Jessica Nicholson. She here yet? There she is. So, last time I was here, I asked about taking kids to Ireland and then went back to ask about taking them to Japan. Um um part of the what I wanted to do was be able to plan far enough ahead that students who needed to spread their um travel goals out over a longer period of time would be able to do that. So, um I'm looking at going to um Japan with some students in the summer of 2027. The uh travel window that I have talked to EF tours about would be July 8th through July 17th. So
00310 days within that approximate time frame. Um this trip obviously has a lot of things that are exactly the same. The cost to students is a little bit more for this trip. Um but everything else is is still the same. They can get their elected credits and it all works just like everyone does. Um, so I'm just looking for some approval to maybe reach out to parents and have a couple of meetings and see how many kids would like to go. And then >> Do you need anything else from the district? >> Um, I need fundraising approval and possible transportation to and from the airport. Did >> that last time too? Will this be does this include incoming freshmen at that time? >> Yes. So if they're they haven't quite started high school includes them,
004>> right? >> Okay. >> What about graduating seniors? >> Um I think what Mr. and I decided was if that is the summer that they graduate Yeah. >> then they would still be able to go. >> Okay. >> So we need to >> Sorry. Eighth grade through seniors basically. That's what I was getting. >> Eighth grade through senior 27. >> So you'll reach out to them now and say, "Hey, in summer 27, so starting >> they reach out to." >> Okay. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Can I um make one? Can I be uh a possible chaperone? >> All right. >> I'd like to go to Japan. >> I am the only confirmed chaperone so far. So the second possibility it off to earn money for the kids. >> I
005might change the kids that want to go. >> I am a fun time. I met >> So, we had a motion and a second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, Ellie Shower. >> So, >> I see here it says you have a dance performance you're going to do. Um, let's see it. >> So, >> that's for Friday night. >> Oh, I read that. >> Yeah. And moms will be performing, so I advise you to be there. >> I've heard about this. >> Are you performing? [Music] >> Okay. So, I'm Ellie Sars. I'm with the Charger yearbook, and I came to ask you all if you all wanted to buy a yearbook ad. Um, this is the your guys's yearbook ad last year. You guys bought a one unit to add
006if you just pass it around. >> I mean, a full page. You're going to add >> a good looking bunch of board members there. >> And then here's the pricing in the um sizes. And then if you decide I'll give this to you It was a full page. >> I'll make a motion to uh approve a full page ad for the charger yearbook. >> I'm going to make her sell it to us. >> She's so cute. I'll second it. >> Motion second. >> Thank you, Ellie. >> Sweet. Thank you. >> Can you tell us anything about the yearbooks this year? Like what the >> uh No, not yet. >> Okay. I thought it was secret. It's usually secret. So, >> trust me, it's really good this year. >> Okay. All right. We're looking forward to
007it. >> Yeah. >> I like how you all match last year. We should keep that again this year. >> That's evacuation. >> That was unintentional. >> However, I still like the jokes. >> You girls are going to have to revolve around food today. >> Okay. Sorry. This is rice. You're up. >> I have some breakdowns for you. This is Are you sick? >> I know. No, no, I just overdid it. >> It actually happened last night with my dogs. >> I'm playing single mom this week. My husband's on a work trip and >> yeah, it was kind of chasing down last night. It was a real joke at like 10 o'clock at night. >> It was fun. >> Well, our trip to Nashville is March 14th through the 18th. And as we've been reserving our
008charter buses and things, we are only six people over for two charter buses. So we were hoping instead of adding extra funds to reserve a third charter bus of which only weighs about 56 people or six borrowing a school vehicle having bridge to use a either a school van or the school expedition to Nashville. Um I have my breakdown on here. It would we would pay for all the gas. We just would like to borrow a vehicle for the trip. It's from March 14th and we return March 18th. We have 107 students attending the trip this year with 10 sponsors. Um, six of our 10 sponsors are employed in some way through the district. So, that's helpful with driving the vehicle. Um, the mileage breakdown, it's roughly 627 miles one direction from the high school
009to Nashville. And then I put 60 mi of leeway in there just for transportation to all the activities and where in Nashville the hotel be on the outskirts you know so the total mileage would be approximately but that is what we're looking at. So we just like permission to use a vehicle during that trip. >> Yeah. We've already approved the trip. [Music] >> As long as available, Robbie, >> as long as it's over spring break, so it shouldn't be. >> You'll have won't be no issues. >> As long as not all six adults are in the expedition. >> That sounds way more like I was thinking about this too. No, it wouldn't be all the adult unfortunately. That'd be fun though. >> There's four other adults. I think >> two above. two and two. It
010It never fails. We also always have a trip of someone either on crutches or so like that might be an opportunity for injured kid needs a little space. >> It never fails. We always have somebody that's had a surgery or something. [Music] >> I'd prefer an employee obviously. Yeah. >> Drive it. >> Yep. >> So, we'll need permission to take school vehicle out of state. >> Y employee. >> Sounds like a great motion, Tanner. >> All right, I'll make sure. I'll second. You just said it all. It sounded good. So, >> I put a little words in it. >> You did great. >> All right. You second that. All right. All in favor? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Goes well. >> Oh, yeah. Hopefully nobody has a broken leg. >> Is
011the funding coming along good? >> It is. Oh, our next fundraiser is next Wednesday. Four corners 9. >> Oh, okay. >> Then 10th graders feature your evening and then 11th to 12th graders is November 12th. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh Carol Fleshy. So step here. >> Yes. Thank you for letting me address you guys tonight. Uh my name is Carol Fleshing and I have been a home provider for 18 years and uh five years ago took us back to open a center. So I've been a center owner for five years now. Um and I run little steps childcare center in Carverdale, Kansas. A year ago I started the journey to expand little steps childcare center to two facilities. My intention was to keep both buildings open, but as a precaution, I had called
012the transportation office to make sure that the schoolage children would still be picked up and dropped off if I chose to fully move to the new location next to Casey's. At that time, I was told transportation would continue because we are a child care center and not a home daycare. After receiving this information, I moved forward with my plans. But due to the economy, the decision was made to just to have just one center instead of two. A few days before we moved to the new location, I reached out to SFT bus transportation to schedule pickup and drop offs for the buses at the new center location. At that time, I was informed there would no longer be pickup from the buses because I am a daycare and located in the city. I want to
013stress that I am not just a daycare. I am a childare center run in a commercial building, not a home. The child care center I run is licensed for 47 children, not a maximum of 12 children like an inh home daycare. I also reached out to the superintendent and was informed that the school does not get reimbursed for picking up kids in the city and that the children in my care could walk because we are only a block from the school. The childcare center is located um two and a half blocks from the school. They will have to cross main street and walk through the busy business parking lot of Casey's to get back to the child childcare center and to go to school. The children that will be walking instead of safely dropped off
014by a school bus range in age from 5 to 10 years old. In speaking with the superintendent um she said that if accommodations were made for my child care center they would have to be made if another center moved in. It is clear the safety of the children in our district is not the top consideration but the cost should another center decide to some point in the future enter the district. The safety of our children come first and they are not an accommodation. I have been informed there is a home daycare in the city limits of Overbrook that a preschool bus and a large school bus pick up at. I've also been told that other comments that have come from transportation department and the superintendent is that we should purchase a 15 passenger van to
015transport men. By purchasing this van and the insurance that we would need uh would end up raising our every child's weekly rate to accommodate this extra expense. This could put our service that provides a safe place for children to spend their days and a safe before and after school program for our school age children in jeopardy. The child care center is located within 100 yards of or less of several of the buses regular travel route to and from the middle school. would be simple and not about that far out of the way for a bus to stop on either Topeka Boulevard and pick up or drop off or pull into the Casey's parking lot and pull over in front of the building and pick up or drop off the children the same as the preschool
016bus does four times a day. At this time, we have four children that would ride the bus in the morning and eight children ages 5 to 10 that would ride the bus in the evenings. These are the same numbers that we were that we're getting on at our prior child care center location. Next year we will we will be adding another additional six children all going to kindergarten to the before and after school bus pickup and drop offs. Um I have several statements from parents. Um, one parent has stated, "I respectfully request that we change the wording on pickups to differentiate between a home daycare and a childare center so that accommodations are made to pick up children at childcare centers wherever they are located in town or out of town." Um, another letter I
017have is uh to whom I may concern. I am writing to formally express my great concern regarding the recent change in the transportation arrangement for my child. With the relocation of the child care center has been announced the school bus will no longer pick up or drop off at the new location. Instead, my six-year-old child is expected to walk from the school to the center approximately 2 and 1 half blocks. This expectation presents serious safety concerns. The route is not in a clear straight line of sight and requires my young child to cross a major street and navigate through a convenience store parking lot. At 6 years old, my child does not yet have the developmental maturity, judgment, or experience to safely manage such risks without adult supervision. I find it especially concerning that the
018school buses already passed directly by the childcare center every day. Yet, a stop has not been established. Given the safety implications, I am struggling to understand why this adjustment cannot be made to ensure the well-being of the children who attend the program. As a parent, my foremost priority is the safety of my child. I respectfully urge the district/transportation department to reconsider this decision and explore solutions that prioritize student safety, whether by reinstating bus service to the child care center or providing another safe and supervised transportation option. Thank you for attention to this manner and for your continued commitment to the safety of our children. Um, Littlest Steps Childcare Center has been designated a center because of the amount of people/children it serves in this community. Please consider the safety of our school age children by
019providing them the safest option for transport to and from school each day. Um, I notice on a daily basis multiple large school buses pull in and out of Casey's. Um, as a matter of fact, this afternoon at about 2:30, a bus pulled in, stopped in front of the Casey's doors, opened the doors, children got off the bus, went inside Casey's. The bus pulled around the end of the pumps and around beside the uh Top Pigo Boulevard side, and then parked on the main street side in the parking lot of Casey's. And then, um, when the children came out of Casey's, they walked over and got on the bus and the bus pulled out the main entrance and went on their way. I don't see an issue with a bus pulling in there. I do I
020have noticed also at 7:10 every morning a bus comes down to Pika Boulevard and it takes going north and then takes a left down Main Street. I that bus could pull in to the parking lot, pick the children up and continue on its way. It's not that much extra gas. um if I have to pay for the extra gas for them to pick up, that would be cheaper um than me purchasing a van and then having to pay the insurance and having to pass these costs on to my uh parents. >> So, I have a couple questions. Um I mean, I know you keep saying home daycare and center daycare. Um, I will say, you know, our home daycarees are licensed as well. So therefore, you know, if we did allow, you know, to pick
021up kids from there, then that's home daycare or not. They're still licensed as well. So that I think kind of is where the issue is where we would have to allow them to do it as well. Uh, do you not have other employees under you that could walk these kids to school or >> I have um it is a very difficult situation to get employees to work in a childcare center due to the the low wages, the stress. Um, at this time I only have enough staff to cover the classrooms um whenever they they're open and the children are in the classrooms to be able to stay within ratio in the classrooms with the teacher to student ratio >> and you don't have an extra person to leave while kids are there to then >>
022correct the school. So I think is it other than just being a daycare or daycare center, it's not necessarily that it's the we don't pick up inside the city limits. Correct. It's kind of how we that's the line that was drawn. >> Yeah. The the policies in the handbook read specifically about preschool students based on our half days and our sessions. Um we've done that for how many are probably >> before May. >> Okay. Yeah. For quite some time. Yeah. And then um currently we pick up outside of city limits um because our city limits um are so close to the school. They're still within that 2.5 miles, but they're outside of city limits. So I think that was decided a long time ago as well. Um so when I when I talked to her
023on the phone, I just stressed to her that by policy, this is where we're at right now. Um you know, I I know there's challenges um but these changes take policy change. That's why I said the board need to to talk about it. And then also changes operational things depending on what policies policies are changed. So operations would require different kinds of buses. Um there's safety precautions and then if we were to open that up to others, what that requires for additional busing, additional additions to our fleet possibly. I don't know. So, um I do have the transportation director here tonight as well um in case you have any questions um beyond that or um >> the same number of children would still be getting on the bus as was getting on at the other
024center. So, >> that's what I was talking about. >> What's wrong with that bus just stopping picking up and continuing on the route? >> That's what I was going to ask. So, they pick up and then take the kids to Carbondale and then the preschool kids probably get on another bus at Carbondale. So the little bus still stops there because there's no differential >> on the preschool side. We've always done if you're at a daycare, a licensed daycare for preschool will always pick up and drop off there. It's when you get to kindergarten and older is where the issue is. So there's preschool still getting dropped off and picked up there. >> Well, no, I understand. But she said there So there's four kids that are not in preschool. So there there's two buses going
025to your her daycare right now or these four kids in the morning are getting on with the preschool bus. >> What she's saying is there's buses that pass by. >> I'm asking your center now though. You have two different buses that pick kids up. >> They pass it. They don't stop. >> They pass by it. They do not stop >> before that. >> They only pick up. >> Yes. They only they only pick up preschool and then they pick up one school age child that has an IEP on a little bus. >> So these How are these other kids >> getting the center's moved from where it was? >> We No, I No, no, no. We have to use our personal vehicles to get these children to school and then three personal vehicles to go
026pick them up after school >> to bring them back. Um, and if we do not have we have had to be out of ratio in order to have enough teachers to be able to go pick them up from school. I have had to have there was 16 children in the infant room so that my preschool teacher could go with me to help pick up children for the 10 minutes to go pick them up. Um, And that is not an ideal situation. I cannot hire somebody to come in just for the 10 minutes. Nobody would work to do that. >> Okay. I see what you're That's what I I wasn't sure if they already rode the bus. So they're you're already transporting them now yourself. >> We have to because there I mean I'm just asking
027for the bus that used to pick them up at the other center. >> Why can't that bus continue? pull into the Casey's parking lot, pick them up, and they continue on on their route. >> Be shorter distance than what they were picking them up before. >> I ask Robbie a question. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> So, if we did pick up the additional children that are not getting picked up now, would it require an extra route, an extra bus? if we're doing just that center. >> No, but if you open it up to everyone else like we talked about the last board meeting, the bigger you guys have bigger buses than when you guys previously picked up at all daycarees >> and those buses won't fit down those roads. We would have to
028open up the possibility of having to get small buses. >> If we move the line into the city limits, we'll have to pick up at every house that wants us to pick up. >> My other question, I mean, but they're not all centered. We have to say not necessarily not the day. >> Is there any differentiation like when the like licensing KDH between centers and home dayare licensed home daycarees? >> Yes. Um licensed home daycarees can have a maximum of 12 children. Um they can have up to four infants. >> Then they can have three toddlers and three school age kids. >> What did you say your numbers were right now? Right now I am licensed for 47. >> How many do you have though? Currently >> currently at this time I have 24. >>
02924 total kids. How many are school aged? >> Um see I have actually I have 35 that are enrolled at this point in time. I have 12 that are schoolish. Okay. That's prek through pre >> 10 years oldish. >> Yes. But you can have up to 47 >> to total children. Yes. >> That would require another bus Robin if she >> um the max the maximum school age children I will take is 12 total. That is 12 ch school age children is the maximum I will take. I will because that is what that room is licensed for is 12. >> So 12 will always be your number. >> Yes. 12 will always be my number. >> Okay. >> Because the preschoolers automatically >> Yes. Where where do we pick up the kids now? We pick
030them up on West Hill, don't we? On the other side of the railroad tracks. Is that right? >> Yes. >> There are only two bus stops in Carbondale. West Hill and the school. So everybody, even on the south side of uh Main Street, all those kids all the way over still have to walk all the way to the Carell School. >> Do we pick up the kids at the apartments? >> They all have IEPs. I only pick IPs up at the apartments. Like I've never thought about the difference between like a licensed home care because there are other >> like numbers in a commercial facility versus a home. Right. So I'm sure there's some compliance differences. Yeah. >> Yes, there are. >> And none of that's my issue. I don't I don't have any personal
031issues with it. I I obviously I do care about safety. >> I do. Um I'm not expecting to go buy a 15 passenger bus. I just know that I feel like if we open this up, that needs to be a consideration for the board on opening that up for one, we're opening that up for many because it's not just Carbondale, it's Scranton and Overbrook and any other daycare center that comes about in that time. That's a um and are we busing in town now? Because that's what that would do. That would open up that now we're busing in town. So, I think those are the things you guys need to consider when you're making a decision about the policy changes, how that then affects um all patrons >> um as well as operations that probably
032will need to consider for um routes and buses. So, >> do we have any idea how many >> licensed daycarees I think she did, >> but we we like out in the city limits. >> Yeah. Of all three of our towns. Yeah. I mean, if I just think about my preschool where my all my preschoolers go in towns. Yeah, there's quite a few. >> But those are day licensed home daycarees, not centers. >> Yes. I don't I don't know if there's any other centers. >> I don't think so. Not that I >> The hard part is is those licensed daycarees have had to figure out a way to get the kids. >> Yeah, they have. You know, and so this isn't >> and I gave her an example of that in Overbrook how, you know,
033she comes up the road, >> grabs the kids, brings them back or we have another lady that drives a van in, she brings a van, she takes them. So yeah, they they do that and they they've made those accommodations and they've worked it out and it's kind of what they've done, >> but they can only max also, >> right? >> So who picks up? So you said you do have one IEP kid that gets picked up on a bus. Is that a different bus than the preschool bus? >> Yeah. >> So we have a big bus going there anyway. >> Or a little Okay, we have a bus going there. Is there >> room on that bus? >> No. You're almost needing two IEP buses. >> So, is there any way that they could all
034go on a big bus >> if we decided to make a stop there? The IEP pickup and the >> I don't have time. >> Yeah. No, that's fine. I'm just trying to No, I'm just trying to decide. >> He has had issues with writing on the big bus. Okay. >> Which is why the decision was made. Why can't they make another stop? There used to be a stop at the liquor store where they picked up kids and they did away with that. Why can't they just make a stop like right there at the daycare where they pick up the kids? It'd be a lot easier for the kids on this side of town to walk to there as to walk clear to school, you know, the bus going to the school. I previous transportation director
035made that and I think the factor was that they're just crossing Main Street where that crosswalk is and we used traffic >> and the train tracks were a safety issue because there's also four houses that would be east of >> any kids in town. They all had to walk to the school and >> we started doing that as a courtesy on the shuttle. >> But I know there's kids at the apartment that their parents are having to take them to school. >> Because they're not on IEPs and not picked up. >> It's not far. >> Yeah. I mean, >> yeah. The distance isn't the problem. >> Yeah. Oh, >> I feel like for me the issue is the number of kids 12 like 12 I mean >> well for a home day license home daycare
036compared to a center but she's only got 12 school age though I see what you're saying it's almost >> it's about it's the same so I think you the same >> and that 12 is a isn't a regulation restriction that's a restriction that you have right now right you only take it all but if they can take 47 you could have two or three classrooms this have two or three classrooms. The problem is is my preschool program is growing by leaps and bounds. >> And so that is also going to I mean next year we would outgrow a 15 passenger van with the six children that are >> Okay. So you'll have 18 next year. >> Yes. >> In preschool or in K through >> in K. >> It's not 12 kids. It's 12 years
037old. Is that what you know? Right. Um she said right now >> well right now okay right now my school age classroom is only licensed for 12 children due to the size of the classroom. >> Okay. But I can also next year I have to figure out how I'm going to deal with 18 children that are going to school because that room is only licensed for 12. So six children are going to have to move into the preschool classroom. So then that's going to limit the number of preschool children that I can also take into my program because I I cannot have over the amount of children in a classroom. I mean the fire marsh this state is licensing this room for 12. Fire marshall said I could have 18 children in this classroom. Classroom
038is smaller than this room. >> Do you have preschool age students that don't attend our preschool? >> No. Okay. >> Well, yes. They are not old enough to go to the preschool yet. >> So they're not three. >> Correct. >> They're two and a half. >> Okay. >> I guess I guess my question will move to >> for the board is do you want to change the policy? >> We just did this a few months ago. >> And if you do, do you want to change it for just the one place for all of them? >> Rob's going to have to do some looking into what all this is going to take for him. I feel like you should differentiate between a center and a home. >> So, do you guys want to do this
039for the one place or for all of them or not at all? >> I guess that's the question that we're at right now. >> Does that make any sense? >> No, it makes total sense. Obviously, >> I understand I understand what you're saying about the center to the understand that >> I just hate if we do it for her and don't allow the other people to do it. However, I see the center and the >> right >> if I see the bus picking up right there and I live right literally the house across the street, I'm going to be in here next month saying you're stopping there picking up those kids. And now when I'm behind them and I'm not I I can just see the snowball that would happen if I had a daycare,
040it would be a problem. Um I kind of feel like >> unfortunately we have to draw a line somewhere. >> Yeah. >> And that's just where we've drawn the line and we've approved the policy and I we've started off. I I don't know that it's the right time to change it, but I'm one person so just kind of get everybody's feelings on that. I mean, I think if you differentiate that it's a center, it's in a commercial building compared to a home daycare that is in their home. If you make that differentiation between it's a commercial building versus a home, they can only have four school age kids. We can get >> I know, but they also usually are by themselves. You know, they don't always have an extra helper. So, >> then they have
041to figure out a way to get those four. It's either that or they don't take. >> I will tell you that five years ago when I started this process, I reached out to the principal at Carbondale School and said, "Hey, I'm doing this. I want to open I want to start a a before and after school program for children for the school age children so that they every child has a safe place to go." And when I said I it needs to be licensed so I can also use the space for um the days that there is no school. I got ghosted and I know that the principal I was talking to is no longer here. I am open to opening a school age program with the school, working with the school to open one
042so that parents would drop off at the school. The children would already be there. The children have a safe space to go. The children don't have to walk five blocks home in, you know, negative temperatures. But for now, I have to worry about getting these children to school and not putting my business in jeopardy or having to raise rates to hire a second person to another person to drive a van and then have to buy a van and pay for the insurance until things can get figured out. >> Like someone's going to have to pay for either, you know, parents or the schools tax. I mean, someone's got to be >> Well, but that's why I'm suggesting the bus that used to pick up at the other center. Why not continue to use that same
043bus? >> Romney, is that the bus that goes by there than currently? >> I can get the same bus to go by there, but it would be a different one if I put it >> on that road if it was. Yeah. And there's Is there room on that bus? that would make the most sense. >> There can be is the best way to put that that route. It's probably the shortest route I have, but on Speak Avenue we have there's probably 37 kids that get on just on Speak Avenue and if we're adding like I think up to 12 kids on there, you're going to be at max capacity. When have you changed, you know, um, from picking up at licensed daycarees to only doing preschool and IEP, >> you know, when >> a year
044before, two years before meeting >> Yeah, I think it was. >> I mean, do we know why we did that? >> Is that when we took over transportation versus >> we took overation at that time >> and for money? It was just for a year. >> He did not pick up at least 5 years ago. No, they did not pick up went to CC and she got picked up. >> That was before this preschool existed. >> Where's that? >> She got picked up her daycare center right now. Right where she's at. >> The old city >> outside. Oh, I thought you I thought we weren't picking up. >> No, we are. That's why I said it's moved. I didn't think that you realized that. have already made. >> That's what I was trying to tell
045you. >> Now I see what you're saying. >> Yeah. >> But they say they thinking that they were going to be able to get >> because I was they were told >> a year ago that because I was a center wherever I was. >> No. Who told you that? >> So when I talked with her on the phone like I told her she didn't talk to me. I don't know who she talked to. >> You said Tim. somebody >> and if it was a 10 that's for a couple years >> that we were last talked to. >> I'm not for sure who it was I talked to but I called in and spoke with someone and that's my fault for not writing down who I talked to. >> I I think we'd be opening up.
046I I just don't feel like it's fair to open it up to one and not to all. That's my two cents on it. So, and then I think that would create I mean that's something that would create a lot more for the district to have to take on and busing and and already tough. We're we're trying to change busing the way it is as it is. um and trying to decrease fleets and if we do this then I think we we probably have to add to it and I understand and I understand difference and we're saying center and daycare and home but I just I don't feel right as a parent and a community member and I know sitting here on the board but I wouldn't feel right about making that change without offering it
047to other licensed daycare even if they are at an in >> what about using your 15 passenger vans. >> We don't have 15,000. >> We don't have one. I I kind of I know that's why I'm here, but I kind of feel like when we have our buses on the lease schedule to change the fleet sizes and all that, Robbie's been planning out for years ahead. >> For something that we just approved what, two months ago, this is not the right time to it's it's might be too big of a headache. >> We opened it up. How many license and then all the daycarees would >> How many are there be interested? >> I'm sure they would all be interested. >> Think about that. >> Yeah, >> unless they're right next to the school. I'm
048sure they would be interested, >> but I don't know. >> If we do open it up to that and we do need to get more buses for that situation, we won't get buses for a year from the time we order them either. So even if we do approve it now, I don't know how we would accommodate it now. It would have to be planned for so like we could get those smaller buses. >> So you don't even have the ability to do it if we decided to >> if you if you opened it up to everyone. >> You'd have to have the drivers and everything. >> When did you officially move to the new place? Did you start the school year at your old place? >> Yes, we did. So, in my mind, and I
049know this I mean I feel like yes, if we were already picking the kids up, she's a center. Yes, she moved. I mean, that was, you know, her choice. I understand that. But I almost feel like I'm with you there. Like, we were already picking those kids up. I mean, if we just do that the rest of this year, you're not going to get the other kids till next year, then maybe discuss it again next year and figure something out. I that's kind of I'm thinking we're already picking the kids up anyways. It's not >> I thought you was picking kids up at the old place at the beginning of the year. >> Yeah. >> That's what I'm saying. We were already picking them up >> for the last weekend. They're going to get them
050from the school themselves. We haven't been >> Yeah. But at the old place, we were picking them up and taking them. >> And I also feel like it would be really frustrating if you saw them going by every day >> and they just don't stop. But I also that happens a lot for in town kids. >> Oh, I know. Right. People stop just stop and pick them up. >> Anybody like >> you send your kids four blocks to to the bus stop and the bus went right by your house to get to the >> That's the partnership we ask for parents is to help get your kids to school and because it is that way. That's why there's that 2.5 mile rule. That's why reimbursement works the way it does. It's and it's um otherwise
051you are picking up all kids in the district. I mean that's what you do and everybody would take advantage of that and I get that and it's you know think of big cities you know they don't run buses through city streets. >> Yeah. But they'll pick them up going across 29th Street when they're right across the street from the school. >> So you know >> is there So we have one pickup spot that's not at the school in Carbon Hill. Mhm. >> Is that true? >> Yeah. At the park because it's other side of grower traps is why they picked up. >> Is that something that can be revisited >> without a location of the >> cuz there used to be one down by the liquor store. I remember cuz I remember >> there used
052to be there used to be. >> My question would be is what's the difference in block? You're still two blocks away, right? >> Two and a half blocks. The the parents concern is that through the Casey's parking lot, walking across Main Street. I understand children do that, too. But they also brought them to the center with the understanding that they were being picked up by the bus. >> How early do those kids get there? >> 6:30 in the morning. to school. >> Is there any way >> like fee for them to >> probably but are we doing that fee? >> I know. >> I mean I don't I don't know. I'm just trying to like how can we make it >> just add another bus stop another bus stop there. That's where that's what I
053think is that we can kind of bypass some of opening. I'm not a fan of putting up the cases. I think >> I'm trying to figure out how Robbie's doing his job and making his thoughts as a board right now. And maybe if we want to change it, if we want to change it to pick him up, we should let Robbie do his job and figure out how he's going to do it. >> If you were going to add a third one, I would do it at the church on the other side of the Topeka Avenue so that people aren't having to cross the the highway. >> Cross the highway. That's Yeah, that would make the most sense. >> You mean that white church there behind Casey's >> No, of South. It's across the liquor
054store across our field. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. I was like what church >> is there any way we could do like even with inh home daycarees or licensed daycarees if it's on the way and there's already on an existing route >> depends on how many kids are depend right off the beaten path or you'd have to turn on the street so it depends on the daycare >> right well that's what I'm saying like if it was not out of the way >> you know if it was already on an existing route. >> Now you got buses going down the city streets. >> Well, but if they're already on there anyway is what I'm saying. Like not don't make a new route. >> You don't have any fullsize buses going through the city streets
055and towns now, do you? >> Only only on Main Street getting over to stops. >> But if buses already passed by is what I'm saying, but they already go right by there on a route. >> Yeah. I don't know where they're at. I mean, you're saying so if there's a daycare on that main street that >> the bus already goes by there >> goes by there is what I'm saying >> every bus that goes to Carbon goes by there. >> Oh yeah, >> that's the only road to go to the high the school middle school the Santa Fe Trail Middle School >> in Carbondale drives by Main Street and people boulevard. I feel like this is a lot to make in one decision because I feel like it's >> it is I just look at
056the doors that are going to open to this. >> I wish it was so simple as to say yes, you're a licensed center and their homes, but it's not that simple. >> Um it's it's in my opinion, it's just not that simple. >> There isn't enough daycareers to take care of all the kids. >> And I know she's doing the city a big favor. >> Oh, yeah. Because a lot of these parents, if they can't do this, they'll be taking their kids to the PA and taking them there where they're going to be buzzed or whatever to schools there when they're going to be taken care of. Well, make a motion. >> I don't I don't think that it's the right time to change the policy that we've approved for the school year. Um I
057I think if we do think we need to have more conversations. I think we need to talk through whether we're going to do something different for centers than we are home carees. I think if we make a decision now, our next two or three board meetings are going to be 15 people added to this because they want the kids picked up or they want >> um and I I apologize. I know it's not it's it stinks. I don't know how else to put it. Um I just think as soon as we open the door and change policy mid year without having deeper discussions, it's it's going to be tough. >> Did you get any calls when they were picking up at the old center >> when they were outside of the city limits there? No.
058So that's just a line, >> right? We have other home daycarees outside city limits that we pick up at too. So it is the line is drawn in city limits versus non city and that's how it's always >> it's not it's not the center versus daycare. It's this is the unfortunately we have to draw a line somewhere and this is where we've drawn the line >> across the street. We we've drawn excuse me ma'am we've drawn the line and unfortunately you're on the inside of the line now and we don't feel like it's the right time to change the line. >> Is that saying sorry I know that's not what you want to hear but >> but right across the street onto boulevard is outside the city limits. >> So if we walked them across
059the street they would be outside the city limits. >> The city's annexed that right all the way to the bank. We don't pick them up on the outside of the city limits at non residents. >> It's just 2 and a half miles, isn't it? >> No, it's it's just outside city limits cuz that's the same with overbrook house. >> 2 and a2 miles is you're on 56 highway and this that their old center is within two and a half miles of city limits because the shops at city limits. >> So you're less than a mile from city limits. >> Oh yeah. >> But you're not going to walk kids across the bridge over 75 or on 56 highway. So that was a delineation was anybody outside of city limits we picked up. And that's the
060big difference is home care centers that are outside city limits right now you would pick up. >> So the only difference between right now where you're at, you know, the Casey park lot in the old just east of 75 was the city limits. >> And then again, I think if we make that adjustment mid school year, we're going to have >> the house across the street from her center is the city. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> they've annexed the DG, the shop, the bank, all of that got annexed. >> Unfortunately, I don't have a motion to make it this time. >> Try to figure out how much more I mean like >> busing operations and it's going to be honestly I think it's two >> one or all that will be that will help us with
061operations and and decision making about buses. So I >> if you're not going to make a motion on it, then I would say the policy is as stands, which is city limits. If you want to make a motion to um do something different, then yeah, we would have to look into that. And I would I would say we don't make that decision today if we're going to open it up to everybody because it doesn't >> I don't think you could make it today. I think there'd be more investigations. >> I would like to know is how many daycarees like what would that encompass? How many licensed daycarees so that we could >> Okay, let make it we're going to do it for one. We're going to have to do it for all. I feel like
062I need to know what all would look like. >> Yeah. >> And there's a special board meeting coming up here, >> right? >> Two weeks. >> So, I mean, is that something that we could feasibly get in two weeks or >> No, ask. >> I would I don't want to put that on our special board meeting because it's not on the agenda. >> Yeah, we can't we can't we already got one item on there. Um, I would like to get >> If you want to see some data, we could put transportation on next month's agenda and look at that. >> Sure. Yeah, we can bring acres right now that we know of. >> Yeah, we could we could look at it and see and make it I guess >> I mean my preschool's got a
063pretty good indicator of where all they all are. >> At least that would help me make a more informed decision about how much like how much more >> what would look like if we picked up all of them. >> Not that they would all do it but I feel like they open up a lot. Yeah. you're getting because the guest was >> well I will say that when I moved to Carbondale eight years ago um that I didn't take school age children just because bus did not pick up and I had no way to get them and they were my responsibility you know until they were picked up on the bus and I could I was not in line of sight of where the bus pickup was. I understand exactly what you're saying. I just
064don't know that responsibly I can make a informed decision, you know, without looking at being fair to all of >> and I understand that. >> Like that's what I'd like to know before. >> Yeah. >> So, we can take a look. We can put it on next month's agenda. What I'll do is I'll collect as much data as I can on how many daycare there are, where they're all located, and how many school age kids we currently have on them from preschool to whatever age they they take. So, we'll just get those numbers. Anything else data? >> I'd like to know like would we have to route new make new >> I'll give that. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. Like that's something I would like to >> the preschools are already picked up so that
065shouldn't be a factor in. >> So, >> no, I know. But if the school age children are not. So if we >> but it'll factor on what buses we take, how many kids spend on certain buses, small buses versus large buses. So it will the preschool numbers will factor in. They will they will matter. So we'll I want to look at all of them just so we have accurate data on right >> how many PK kids are on any given bus from any given daycare. Um midday we've got three three times for them. So >> right so we'll look at all the data. will look at student count, how many daycarees, um how many buses pick up those kids, and I'll try to find as best location for all of them as I can throughout
066throughout the district. >> Yeah. >> And then you can do the routes. >> Okay. >> Thank you for coming. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Okay. 4.0 consent agenda. Anybody have anything questions? Second motion to approve the consent as presented. >> All right, we have a motion. >> I'll second it. >> Second. All in favor? Um 5.0 executive session of personnel. How much time for that? >> 20. >> Yeah. 20. >> Mr. President, I move we go into executive session discuss personnel employment pursuant to non-elected personnel exception to the comp. Open meeting will resume in the boardroom at 7:15 with 84 present. I got a motion. I'll >> Second. All >> favor. Did they Did I have some here today? >> No, I >> think there's two in the back. >> Okay. >> Two over
067there. >> I'll watch it just to make sure we verify. >> Oh, they come on. >> Oh, okay. Okay. She said I second. Still smells out here. >> All right. during that conversation. >> Uh, yes. I'd like to make a motion to approve the personnel report as presented. >> A second over there. All in favor? >> All right. >> Where did we have Mr. Stall at? Does he have to wait even longer? We need to get him farther. >> 12. >> I think he was at 12. >> Okay. Should we make him listen to the administrators speak? Let's >> see. He makes his classes come back. >> I just have a go. >> What's that? >> That's fine. >> Um >> the I have mostly the same as I have in the past. Uh yesterday,
068today, and tomorrow, we went to the three towns looking for in in the communal areas, mostly the parks. um just to look for improvements that we can make within those uh areas. And then uh later this week, early next week, then they'll kind of pick their groups, pick their towns, and what their projects they are wanting. Um obviously, in order to carry out a project like this, uh some funage is needed. Uh last year, uh I requested, I think it was 1,800. Um I certainly don't need any more than that this year. um the three towns. I mean, we want to stay on top of it. We don't want to let things slip, but I I am I'm confident that we can do that with that amount of money. I've also reached out to researchers.
069Uh I know Mr. Ellis uh wrote is writing a communication with the Rotary of Overbrook who also donated last year. So, uh, we got some some buy in within the area. Um, that can kind of defer some of the costs. So, that's kind of the goal on that. Um, and I do want to vote on that before I do the audit district stuff or >> can I make a motion to approve up to 1,800 for the government class to do their community cleanup project? I'll >> second it. All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? appreciate that. >> Thanks for doing that. >> It's it's been it's been fun and and like now that we've done it five, seven years, something like that. Just going to the each of those towns
070and saying, "Well, several years ago, this student took on this project and this student took on this project." And then they can see uh actually used some Google Earth, Google Classroom, and you could see some of the stuff from like 2011 what some of these parks looked like uh prior to uh trail students doing that. So, it's it's been a great great thing. So, we do appreciate your support. Um the other one, uh I have two out of district or uh state request. Uh first one's Oklahoma City that we've done the last five years. Um like to keep that one going. Uh I am also now teaching a sports and history class. So I'm pretty excited about that. And a lot of my classes I'm able to refer because I have frequent flyers in my
071class. A lot of the same kids take a lot of the same electives and so I'm able to reference that. Um, and so I would like my sports and history class to be able to go to St. Louis. I have two classes of that. So it would be a probably a group of 40. Um, same thing as Oklahoma City. It's approximately the same distance. I think it's 20 miles difference. It would be a there and back uh leave before school, get back at 900 p.m. type of thing. again. Um, a I I think seeing the Gateway Arch is one of the most impressive things we can show within a drivable day distance. Uh, B, it was built in the 1960s. I teach Vietnam in the 1960s. I think that falls into that. Um, and then
072along with the sports and history, uh, the home run race, the whole significance of the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, I I just think I have been that's been on my goal list for several years is to find a way to get kids who have never been to St. Louis to see the arch to be able to do that. Um, I'm not asking for tickets to go up it. I think that can be done by students who are wanting to do that or maybe some outside funding. Um, but they have a museum. I don't know if you've been to the arch, but they have a museum down there that's free. Uh, being able to touch it and everything within that downtown area. The where Dread Scott decision was was established is down there as well.
073So that is uh fingers crossed that's my goal for uh sports and history is to add a St. Louis trip. Um and you know I I do understand I know money's tight. This economy is is rough and and field trips are very expensive. I mean you're when you're paying bus drivers and fuel and and all that. But, uh, I I think the positives would definitely outweigh the negatives on that. So, uh, those are my two out of out of, uh, state request, I guess. And if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. >> When's the time frame that you're looking to go? >> Uh, I I don't I don't know why I do this. April is my most miserable month of stress, but it would probably be April just because I I
074think I need to get into the semester, build relationships, uh get them kind of build up the anticipation of that. And I always do I do Oklahoma City the month of the Oklahoma City bombing, which is April 19th, and then St. Louis would probably be either late March or early April. Same thing. Um, typically on a Wednesday just so I don't have conflicts with sports activities. Most sports aren't on Wednesdays. So >> Robbie knows it's usually a Wednesday deal. It's my >> interfere with anything and back, right? >> Yeah. No, I will not do overnight. >> Are those classes semester classes or full >> uh semester? >> So do you offer them both? >> No, just just the sports both sports and 80s 90s are both spring semesters. Um, and both of them have two
075groups. So, uh, and and usually we're looking at 20 to 25 in each of the classes. So, uh, but I usually have anywhere I generally I have oh 10 15% that choose not to go. I've always said if you don't want to go on my field trips, that's fine. I'd rather you not attend than to create problems. um or they've been there. I know I know uh Mr. Bolt had been to Oklahoma City like 13 times or something like that. So, you know, there was one time he didn't go. But like I that's I do have a pretty good chunk and just having a bus full makes a little more sense than >> like a bus of eight or something. >> So, we have smaller cars for that now. >> Yeah, that's true. That's true.
076We have transportation. I was asking Rob if we had any transportation problems. Well, it was a Wednesday. He said, "Were >> you just asking for the out of state permission or you were asking for money right now?" >> Uh, no. I mean, just those permission. >> We have a policy. You got to get approval for out of state, >> right? Yeah. Well, yeah. No, I didn't know that, but I >> Do we need to do it separately? We do it in one. >> I'll make a motion for out of state travel to Oklahoma City, including the bus usage. I'll second it. >> Motion second. All in favor. >> Then I'll make a motion to approve the out of state trip to St. Louis in the use of transportation. >> Transportation motion. >> I'll second. >>
077Second. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> All right. Administrator reports. Who wants to start? >> Mr. Alice, you have a little extra this time, don't you? >> I do. >> Well, want to start the question. >> Well, I guess to to kind of give you an update on things to start off with, uh I want to take some time to talk about homecoming. Since uh we've not had board meetings since uh homecoming, I thought it was a great community success. I want to uh really thank the staff, the students, the community that came out and supported the efforts that got involved with the parade. Uh parents that brought the kids out to the carnival activities prior to the football game, everybody that came out to the football game. I
078was very thrilled to see uh everybody there. It was a great time. Uh I thought it was a lot of fun and really brought the community together. So that is something that I would like to see us continue. Uh I really like the tradition that's been established and maybe we can find other ways to to expand that as well some opportunities for our community to come together. So very thankful and very grateful for the community support there. And with that obviously we are in the middle of the fall season actually kind of hitting the tail end of it for some some events and activities. Uh but we're having a what I would consider a very successful season. Volleyball I believe is 1891 right now and football's five and0. Golf has been out getting some some
079work in and getting things accomplished and cross country has had a lot of success as well in multiple meets. So very pleased with how our students are performing athletically. We've got uh some other things coming up like tonight was our first choir concert. So that has already passed. I think some things posted online. >> That's where Mr. H is at right now. So, we're we're just getting in the mix of things. Uh the musical practice is going on. So, a lot of kids are involved with that as well. And pretty excited about it. Little Mermaid. Didn't know what the theme was. Should have seen their float at the parade. So, it's a lot of fun. The kids have been talking about it. So, pretty to see see that one. Uh, as we continue moving, um,
080football is a big thing right now. We are five and0. Uh, got big game coming up on Friday. So, another test for our team. I'd like to see the community come out and support and continue to support our our students senior night as well. So, another big big moment for them. Uh, Charger of the Month. So, the this month's Charger of the Month is Gavin Smith uh at the high school. Uh great kid, um great personality. The the comments that we heard repeatedly were related to his demeanor and his willingness to help out others. That's what I truly like about our our culture and climate overall. Uh we're very inclusive and very supportive to one another. So, Gavin epitomizes that. So, it's very very good choice. very pleased that he was awarded that. Um, I
081guess kind of going along along those lines with Gavin being a senior as well, the seniors uh came forward. They requested the idea of having a senior uh parking fundraiser and the seniors last year brought that to my attention as well. I said that they had to develop a proposal and find a sponsor and bring it to me and that kind of fell through but the senior class did not fall through with that. So, uh, you should have that proposal in front of you. Um, so we are looking to add a fundraiser for the senior class and the money earned would go towards the senior class for graduation gifts, um, graduation uh, kind of decorations and things of that nature because a lot of their funds last year with their student account went to prom
082and some of the activities last year. So, that money would go to the classes. Is there a timeline on this? Like when you're wanting these kids >> to get I just wonder like it's going to be getting cold soon. Are they >> Yes. Before we before we establish a time wanted to run it by you guys as a board first, get your approval on this. >> Well, if they So, say somebody buys their parking space or whatever and they paint it. Obviously, it's going to wear out maybe. I don't know. What if they want to do like football and then change it to wrestling and then to baseball? Will you allow them to keep changing it if it's approved every time or is it just this is your thing for the year? >> That is
083actually a question that has not been brought up. Uh the original plans are like come up with one design and >> make that for the year. So uh a lot of some of the examples that have been shown are related to all seasons. So if somebody is in multi multiple sports or multiple activities they would incorporate something along those lines. Um that's a good question. Had not anticipated that. I was thinking okay one and done kind of event. >> So one and done is the answer. >> Well as of one and done is is what we were >> maybe trial run for sure. I don't know. >> Good question but no is the answer. The answer is >> are are you preemptively asking this for next year if the >> I guess >> he only
084do it once. >> That is a good question. Now there is a second painting that we do have a lot of in there for the clean up or cover up of what they have. So the next year seniors can >> can paint back. And you're gonna if we if we approve this, you're going to let kids this year start. >> Yes. Y So the idea obviously it's a short time frame. Uh October 17th is a teacher prep day. No student. >> So students, the seniors can come out and utilize that day. >> Can I ask what spaces you're want? That's one thing I don't think we talked about. What spaces? >> It'll be the senior parking lot section. So the first two rows closest to the building are dedicated for uh visitors and staff. So
085then the next rows after that >> and you'll have a space if if every senior that drives wants to buy one, you know, >> how do you ever come out there? >> There goes my >> clean up after graduation. >> Uh well that's why we're adding a fee in there. So the clean up after graduation um if they do not then we would absorb that fee and obviously take care of it. >> Okay. So we're it's like a security deposit. >> Yes. Okay. So they get that fee back. Okay. That that makes sense. That was my concern is how we going to collect 25. They're gone. >> I got to take the fee and go take care of >> I love it. >> Yeah. No. Yeah. I I agree 100%. That's fine. Yeah, >> most
086schools said that they had to implement that because they wouldn't >> they graduated and could come back to paint over >> and they have to pay before they they go out. >> Yes. >> So is there um like if they paint their spot, is that their spot to park in? Like does it reserve their spot or no? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> That is something that I did tell them. I am not going to be the parking lot monitor. Um, so yes, unofficially it reserves their spot for them. Uh, I do liken it to uh seats at church and it's already kind of established where students already know each other >> if they parked in their spot. >> You parked. >> I don't think the last ones are the closest spots though, right? >> We better
087pick a spot according to the time that they play to their mother. So, yeah. >> All right. I'll make a motion that we approve the student parking spot painting contracts for the 25 26 school year. >> I'll second it. >> Go ahead. >> You want some cool examples? You can go to Baldwin High. They're >> pretty I talked to I asked about like, "Is there any unforeseen issues I might want to consider?" And he's like, >> "Not that I can think of. um you just might want to consider you know what you allow, what you don't allow, those types of things, but also some freedom in that too. So he said I haven't had any major issues yet. So that's good. >> If it gets abused, well, we won't be able the design has to
088be approved beforehand and they can't veer away from that. >> Yeah, I like that. Um, I'll go next. Uh, I'll start with our charger of the month. Our charger of the month was uh Amanda Diggins. She had multiple nominations. She's been with us for quite some time. She's been very easy to go. we had to do that change in grade levels and she did that for us. So she went she was had been she's kind of bounced back between second and first and so we moved her back down to first grade and then she actually came and thanked me and was like I forgot how much fun it was to teach the first graders but she just is always she is such a high quality teacher when you go in there it's always a calm
089room. Her students are always on task. She's always using NPS engagement, high impact instructional strategies, clarity of instruction. Um it's it's just great. It's great every year. And so, um, I think people just have seen that and recognized, too, that, you know, she's a team player. She would share anything with you. I actually happened to be walking past a room and she knew another teacher was kind of like, it was a big week for them. And she walked in and was like, "Here, I prepped all of your writing materials for you." And just gave them to her. So, just that's the type of person she is. So, that was great for her. She's very excited to be nominated. >> I would call her one of your building leaders, future leaders. She's Yeah, she's good. So,
090her kids were excited. We got to celebrate with her students and take a picture. She said right before we came in, one of her kiddos screamed because they were they were so excited. Nice. >> Yeah. Yeah, it was great. I love how excited. >> Um, we are just moving and grooving. I mean, our end of the quarter is coming up. We have just some things for us. We have picture day coming up and then our big rewards for having we have those quarterly reward parties if we have 30 or less office referrals and we full body venture to come to our building on the 21st. The high school is helping us. They're the football boys are going to come help us set up the day before and then um Jessica Nicholson and I are working
091and they're going to have some volunteers come over to help run it. So, Body Venture is this huge thing you set up in the gym and it's essentially traveling through the inside of your body. Um it you learn about your digestive system and your heart and all. It's kind of like Magic School Bus but in real life. Um, and then we have people doing that and you learn about your brain and just all the cool things. So, the kids are really excited about that and I have to shout out to my specialists team um because they've been doing a lot of planning of that for us. So, um that's great. And then um just parent teacher conferences are up and coming and so our teachers have been pushing a lot of that information out. Um
092and then you know we always love spirit week. So we're going to have another one at the end of October and we're going to do healthy choices week that um we always push out and we kind of do that instead of like red ribbon week because our kids that's a little bit harder for our our kids to understand. So we focus on this with the support of Mrs. Mer counselor and just do some lessons about healthy choices and then you know it's always so okay. All right that's all. Okay. Well, is off and running as well. Um, things are going well. The clubs are really getting up and running. StuCo got set uh this past month and are meeting. Ky Club has uh doing some fundraisers. They're doing the the Fields of Flag fundraiser for
093disabled veterans. Um, so you probably saw some some stuff come out about uh donating for that. Um, our intervention time is going well. We've even had some positive office referrals for kids that have uh have greatly increased their learning per minute and stuff. So, good to see the teachers recognizing those kids for working hard in that time. I walked in the other day, they were reading the book in class, the teacher was reading to them and kids were all following along on the book and just having a great time. So, I think that intervention time is is hopefully going to show some really good results as the year progresses. Um really focused on attendance. Uh, in the newsletter, I kind of started my part with just an attendance focus. So, um, this year we're we're
094trying to send out when kids hit five absences, they're going to get a letter. Eight absences, a letter, and then and and at eight absences, a phone call or a conference with us without attendance, and then at 10 absences, another another letter and call. So, hopefully we can we can lower our chronic attendance rate is is kind of the big focus for for me anyway. the office. Um, schoolwide fundraiser kicks off next Friday. Uh, was set up for me. So, it's Redwheel fundraising again and um, so they've had some success in the past with that. So, hopefully it'll be a good fun. I think Austin's going to wear a wig or something. >> They said something about assistant principles doing this. >> I don't remember that. >> That's true. We got the wings from homecoming.
095I don't know if you saw homecom >> um the Halloween parade. I think the past few years they've done it in the gym, but we're going to go back out in the community this year. Uh kind of go up Main Street in Carbondale. We talked to a local police chief there. She's going to help us with making sure the kids are safe and we get stuff out to businesses and and so that'll be kind of fun for our fourth and fifth graders. Um and then really right now I'm just planning for the Veterans Day assembly in November. Uh we have our speaker set up and FFA reached out want to know if we they could do a breakfast for our veterans. So partnering with them they're going to do a breakfast uh before the assembly
096invite our veterans to come in early have breakfast with us uh with the FFA kids uh bringing the food and serving it and then we'll go to the assembly and do the veterans day assembly. >> Love it. Love it. Awesome. >> Should be a nice addition to that. Uh, our chargers of the month, our student charger of the month this year this month was Reagan Sunday. She's a sixth grader. Um, I got uh to meet Reagan when she got a positive office referral just for being a kind person that sits with one of our special needs kids that was really struggling class and uh talked about how patient she is and helping. I think she had a couple other um similar type comments in in her nomination of of just being a kind and helpful
097person. She's the kind of kid that you you don't always see cuz she's very quiet and very um very solemn, but she's a great great kid. So, it was good to to recognize her. I think she was a little overwhelmed. >> Oh, yeah. I embarrassed her. Yeah, >> I'm overwhelming. So, I try to go in and not read their face. Read their face and try not to be a little overwhelming, but it's hard to >> She took good pictures though. She's not happy. I think she was very happy. So, >> um and we had Lisa Overground. Uh this this month recognizes the charge of the month and and you know Lisa she's just you know Lisa is such a positive influence in that building she's a fantastic teacher engaging energetic I don't know where she
098gets her energy to keep going all day long but uh I always tell people when I when I need to be uplifted a little bit I go hang out with Lisa because that's always going to be a positive experience so just a great choice for our chargers so before I let Austin talk about activities I do have one question for the board so my wife uh several years ago had a dog, a school therapy dog from CARES, same place that your CAMS came from. Um, she could only take that dog to her school three days a week. And that's a long story, but um so the other two days she allowed me to take that dog with me to school when I was in Perry. Um so that dog passed away in 2019 and so
099Beth had decided at that time to not move forward with another dog. But um then she did move forward finally and we have another dog coming to the house. She's in um going to come back. My wife's up there now going through the uh the training with that dog. Uh this dog will be from KSDS, which is Kansas Dog Service. They've been around since 1990 out of Washington, Kansas. Um they do all sorts of um service dogs and then they also do facility dogs for schools. So, I've been bugging her. I said, you know, when we had the dog the last time, you let me take the dog a couple days a week. I'm not going to get a couple days a week out of this. Uh but she has agreed that if it's okay
100with the uh with you guys in the border, I guess basically I'm asking what you would expect uh if if I can bring that dog on days she doesn't take the dog to her her school. >> I think I love it. >> Is it a black lab named >> a yellow lab named Lorraine? >> Back to the future theme on that that literary video. >> Great. I love it. I think it's a great idea. >> Yeah, I Yeah, I love it. It's awesome. >> It's the only building we don't have one except for here, but we get to see other cams a lot. They bring the other over here a lot to hang out with preschoolers. So, >> yeah. >> And I'll keep working on her to make it more regular. >> Yeah. >> Great.
101>> Okay. >> Do we need a vote on that or just >> I'll just say I think we already have a policy on it. Yeah, I think it's I think the policy was that she was trained and went through all that. >> Yes, for sure. >> I know I could use a third. >> Uh lot of kids wanting to be involved right now. Mike kind of touched on KY. Uh I was in there today. They had a meeting. We had uh it's just for seventh and eighth graders. We had 43 kids in there that have all turned in forms and fees. And you know, I'm sure a lot of them just want to be in there because their friend is. But I mean it's a good way to get involved and and be a leader
102amongst the student body. So um FBA is getting started. Uh they had 23 kids uh also turn in forms and fees and know there's uh three or four more coming. So we're going to be close to about 30 kids in in junior high FPLA. Uh volleyball wrapped up over the weekend. Uh seventh grade finished fourth place at the league uh tournament. Eighth grade one league. This year they beat Wellsville, who they lost to uh two days before at Wellsville. Were able to uh to beat them on Saturday in in three sets. So that was cool to see. Um we actually started girls basketball already this week. Uh this was day three of practice. Uh hard to believe we're we're hosting girls basketball games here in a week from Monday. So uh we're off and rolling.
103Uh things are going well activities wise. So Okay, preschool. I'll be quick. Um, we have Let's do Chargers of the month first. But actually, our preschool through third grade charger was a preschooler. Charlotte Rice uh was our charger of the month. She was very excited. I don't think she know what I was doing, but I came in, Julie told her all the things and explained it to her. We took some pictures and she was very excited. And then I told her she was going to get a little money to spend on herself. So, when Dwayne showed up, so and Sean Norwood is our classified charger of the month. He is in the technology department. And I thought I'd let Andy talk a little bit about Shawn. >> Shawn, of course, you guys hired him middle
104of last year and uh when we hired him, we kind of gave him a challenge of of customer service. Um that was kind of his role and man, he took that to heart. Um he go gets into classrooms, he's making establishing those relationships with the teachers. um he goes and fixes their problem, but not only that, he circles back with them at making sure everything is going. Um and he's doing a lot of that on his own. Like he's just he's very good at his job. And I think this was a major pat on his back because he's so new and he's uh he's doing a great job. So very proud of him. >> He needs me to work sometimes and I get there early. Um, everything's great in the preschool. We had our first
105family night and um had Kona ice and bubbles and literacy stuff and face painting and just kind of a night for the preschool to get together. And it's nice. Not all our families know each other in the preschool. So, it helps develop some early friendships and family friendships amongst our early Chargers. And I think that's super fun. They just play and hang out, have snacks and Kona and so that it's it's nice. And then we're going to do another family night. We'll do our music concert again. I think that's what we're we're going for because that was such a hit. This place was there were 400 people in this Scranton gym. We didn't have enough room. So, I think we're going to do our second music concert ever for preschool. It was super fun. And
106so, I don't know. I I loved it. I hope that's a hit again and it won't rain that night. Uh action plans are on the table. Uh set some goals. We uh changed a couple of them in there, but otherwise they're pretty similar. We're still working on aligning our literacy and math goals along with kindergarten readiness and then some goals about parent education and preschool readiness. Preschool readiness is um something we're needing more of. Uh it's amazing some skill sets that we used to come to preschool with that we're not anymore. So, we're really working on parent education on making sure kids are getting some experiences at home early on before they come to preschool. And don't get me wrong, preschool is a place to start learning a lot of things, but there's some things
107that we're lacking that are are new. Um, even like toilet training, things like that. So, there's some things that we know that we want to support parents with and make sure that, you know, they know at home there's little things we can do that help our littles. So, and then district level, I just wanted to talk to you guys. Thank you so much for getting your board assessment tool completed. I have all seven of them. We reviewed them in ADCAP on Tuesday. Talked a lot. Um kind of tried to calibrate some things and then I'm going to have them take it. I'll bring it back. I'm actually going to share your data with you in this week's notes. So you'll get to see your data, what you guys filled out, what you think about um
108each one of our goals, and then we will do some calibration. I'd like to make a board topic in November to talk about the goals and whatnot. And then we'll move forward with addressing each goal the rest of the school year. That's bad. >> Okay. So, we're going to review data real quick. We're just going to kind of do the general overview. In your board books, is a lot more detailed things. Um, I just didn't want us to go through all of that here. So, we'll let Amy pull up That's okay. >> There we go. >> Once and I straight. >> Okay, here we go. >> Okay, so we're going to start with Fastbridge data. And please remember that this is basically a benchmark for our school year. So the fall is it's useful data
109to see how much we retain over the summer, but we're really looking for the growth in December and then at the end of the year. So we're just going to kind of go through this real quick. Preschool's looking great. And then here's kindergarten. And I did the um longitudinal just so we can kind of see through the years our growth that we've made. As she's going through this, a reminder that FastBridge is based on skills and it is measuring um how quickly and accurate we are at those skills such as our letter names and how fast we read and all of those our comprehension things like that. Think of it as when you go to the doctor and you get a blood pressure check. is just going to see are you okay or is it
110a little higher a little low and if it's a little higher a little low then we're going to do some more testing to see you know do we need to do some more interventions do you need a little of this or a little of that so that's what this is for >> sorry and there's a different kind of assessment when they get into is it first grade second grade >> so it's K um preschool K and one do the early reading which is a lot of letter sounds, um, nonsense words, things like that. Then once they get to second grade, then they do the more true reading, like read a paragraph and answer some comprehension, >> things like that. Okay. >> And then this and same with math too, I should say too. So early
111math is Kent too as well. >> As we go through, feel free to ask some questions. trend that we want. Working towards that magic 80 20 or 15 20 These also are our baselines for creating our NTSS groups. So, this is kind of where we start looking at who needs intervention, what intervention they might need, because we can really dig down in these fast bridge assessments to see is it a fluency issue, is it a comprehension issue, is it a phonics issue, where are we at exactly for that student. Now, ninth graders, after they pass the benchmark in FastBridge, then they do not have to take the reading FastBridge anymore according to state law. So once we get to 10th grade, which you'll see next, you're going to see the numbers jump up because every
112year Kylie's like, "What's happening?" >> But I knew this year. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, um, you're going to see those numbers jump and >> it's just simply because these are the students that have not passed the benchmark. Um, but I still see growth when we do these and so that's a good thing. >> We're always just looking for that growth. Okay. Kansas State Assessments. Do we have any questions about FastBridge? Are we good there? I feel like we know a lot about that one. All right. Can state assessments new this year? Um, spring 2005, we administered a revised enhanced summit of assessments for ELA and math grades 3 through 8 and 10, science grades 5, 8, and 11. The state board of education approved a new cut scores in September of 2025. And the cut
113scores are benchmarks basically. And the reason I did this for there's several reasons. One, we had a misalignment. So the Kansas assessment standards were outliers were compared to ACT, AP classes, post-secary success. So basically, we had these kids who were scoring well on ACT and who were going to college and being successful. And we had kids that were doing all these great things, but were scoring ones and twos on the state assessment. And that just didn't match up well. So they finally listened to years of educators saying this is not matching up and have you know tried to address that issue. They also defined the levels better and so we really can understand better what a level one a level two and a level three and four is. So a level one um students need
114intensive interventions and significant classroom support. Student level two students demonstrate basic skills but need targeted interventions and then three and four are proficient or advanced. Please remember that the state assessment is completely different than fast bridge. It's apples and oranges. State assessment only grade level where fast bridge will go up and down and like move with the student. So state assessments are only grade level on those state standards in that grade level and it measures the rigor or the depth of knowledge on that standard. So do you know the basic of the standard? Do you know a little bit more or like how indepth do you know that standard is what it is measuring? Okay. Um yes that's good. So again here are the performance levels so you can see the difference. So we want
115students to be in level three and four are target areas of where we want students to be. Update on 11th grade science assessment. Um the 2025 grade 11 science test did not work as intended. Results didn't provide the full range of scores needed to set official cut scores. So no performance levels can be reported. We will not get um scores for the 11th grade science. So they are looking at changing the assessment a little bit and doing different things. Um, when I was at the state curriculum meeting, they talked a little bit about how every high school does science a little bit different and they're having trouble really narrowing down what should 11th graders in science know basically. Um, they've also kind of changed a little bit of the science standards since 2017 and so
116are all of the schools up to date on that. So there's just a lot of questions that they have and they didn't feel like it was a valid assessment. So instead of sending out something that they felt was invalid, they chose not to send out a result for that. So we do not have anything for 11th grade science. So this is kind of what I just explained. Um they will be given a new revised version in the spring of 2026 and then they hope to then make cut scores based on that assessment and we'll get them in the fall again. That be next year. Uh I thought this was great. They gave this to us at the state board of education. This talks shows the depth of knowledge and it shows a level one, a
117level two, a level three, a level four. And so this says, what is the value of the expression shown? There it is. And then your answer choices. And based on the question, do you think that that is a level one question, a level two question, a level three, or a level four question? This is fifth grade, by the way. I know, right? Are you smarter than a fifth? >> Do you know order of operations? You guys remember the PEMDAS? >> Can you do it? Can you do it? Can you do it? >> Okay, so Amy, go ahead. >> My answer is not on the next one. >> Yes. >> So, this is actually not proficient, which I thought was isn't that interesting, right? Like I always wonder what is on these tests and what is
118depth of knowledge. So KSD has come out with this really great resource and this is that resource where it tells you this is the state standard level one this is what you we expect you to do as a level one student level two level three level four and so we're and it's brand new so we can finally share that with the teachers like I always talk about rigor and I always talk about giving them depth of knowledge and the teachers look at me like okay great what does that mean and I'm like well you know you go deeper okay great what does that mean so this really lays it out for them like we this is the standard and we want want you to get when you're teaching to that level three and that level
119four and this is what level three and level four looks like. We needed this tool so badly. So, I'm very excited. This is brand new. We're just getting it into teachers hands and so this will be very helpful. It'll be great. >> This helps us unpack the standards and and all teachers on the same page about unpacking them. So, what Kylie interprets and what Michelle interprets about a standard are more now in line. >> You looked at the standards. They're page and pages and page and pages. So you're just kind of guessing like I think this standard's important but my neighbor says well I think this standard's important. So how do we know what's important? What's a major standard? Um they're also kind of working towards that and in math right now they have major
120standards and then supporting standards which really helps you narrow down like what is it that's going to be tested and focused on? What do they really know in depth? What do I need to focus on? So that's also very helpful. The state has done a lot of work. Here's another one. What do we think this is going to be? Which level? three. >> Let's check it. >> Yay. See, but isn't that helpful? I think that is just a great tool. So, I'm very excited about that tool and getting our teachers to be able to dig into that. So, we are starting that work soon, like next week we start working on that stuff. >> Okay, what's next? Here is ELA. Um this shows uh the district and then the state and our goal is always
121to be at the state average or above. So we can see we had a really strong push in 678 really strong. Um so we're kind of working on those other grade levels of what we need to do to get that pushed up. So I'm hoping all of this standards work that we'll be getting getting will be helpful. kind of shows you where we were percentage of level ones, level twos, level three, level fours, the district compared to the state. There should be some glaring ones in here, >> so you can ask some questions about that if you'd like. Um, but I think there's I kind of wrote about this last week, um, about some targeted focus and we talk about rigor, but we also talk about expectations, accountability, um, trainings and support as well. I
122think those all go hand in hand. So >> we've been working on this talking about this for a long time and providing a lot of the materials been asked for is how long before we start seeing >> it takes three to five years but I think the missing piece was truly that standards alignment you can't do that standards alignment till you really get into the data or the curriculum and understand what it is. So now we can work on that standards alignment piece and the state has done a wonderful job in giving us some new things to help us with that standards alignment. So I'm I'm actually really excited about this is our baseline because it's all new all new like new new cut scores, new state assessments. This is our baseline. We see where
123we are now. We can go forward and >> getting better every time. Y This is math. We have quite a blurry difference in math. Um, the admin, actually Lori Lee and I were just talking about this. We were like, we wonder because we've been so reading heavy and so reading focused. We're like, our math used to be really strong and now we see our math is starting to drop a little like, okay, so now we're going to have to pick back up on the math, go from there. This felt a little more equalized to me, too. It didn't have quite the off balance. >> And then here is science. I think the more culture we have surrounding high expectations um what we want for our kids expectations our kids culture around this test I think
124that's a big piece of it and I've talked to administrators about this a little bit and Carrie our culture around these tests has got to be better it's got to be better from administration to teachers to students we understand the test why it's important that we always want to do our best no matter what we're doing whether they find this test valuable or not talk about high stakes tests that you may have to take later in life on anything you may do. Um even your driving test could be a high stakes test. Things like that that have a outcome that you you want. So I I think there's culture around this too that I'm I really have high expectations of these people in this room here that that has got that message has got to
125be strong. I know Kyle sat with his staff, showed this, then showed our leaks, our league, showed people surrounding schools in our county. What does that look like? Just Santa Fe Trail. Where do you want to be in in that ranking or in that? And not to make it about us versus them, but about we are capable. Our students are better than some of those scores I saw up there. I think some of this is probably apathy. And as the older we get with some of our kids, I expect that apathy to not be there just because we're getting older. and I don't maybe care about a test or whatever that may be. Everybody's got to make this important for it to be important otherwise it won't be. So I have very high expectations of
126this to change and to get better and improve and we've got all the resources, the teachers, the programs, everything in place and so I expect these to to go up. Um I'm not saying we have to be the highest in the state or anything like that, but I know that we are very capable and our kids are very capable. >> Average would be good. >> So above >> above So um also as a part of this is with our case of school improvement that's going to start coming to play as a role of compliance in that now this coming school year it does not but the next school year it will be part of that so that's something that also is moving here >> I'm sorry did you say the next school year is what
127>> it is not part of it it but the following year it will start >> requirement for to be accredited complied science component of KISA. >> We don't know what those scores are, what that means yet. We don't know if that's you have to have this many kids in these levels or you have to have >> We don't know what that is yet, but it will be and we and I've never had that in my time in curriculum or administration. >> So, that will be new. >> Stakes for high. >> Okay. So, this is our longitudinal data. I really like this because you can see the cohorts and how they're going, but you can also see overall how we did. So longitudinal data for ELA in levels three and four, we actually did have a
128nice bump, a 12% increase um of students overall in three and four. And so we're getting we are seeing that growth which is a positive here is students scoring in at level one. So we want this number to be smaller. So we see also see a decrease here which is what we want as well. >> 48 to 26 >> 7. Look at that. >> And then this is our math data. A nice increase as well here. This one a good decrease.