Regular Board Meeting- May 18, 2026

001Roll call. We have four members here in person and Miss Springate is joining virtually. If everyone could please stand and we're going to do the pledge of allegiance. All right. Do we have any proposed amendments to the agenda? Seeing none, we will move into our superintendence report. Dr. Jones. Thank you. Um we actually have to begin with we have um a presentation from a very special group of people that we're going to start with Would you like for me to do mine first? Okay. So, I'll start with my um superintendent's report. Of course, um all voices are united in building the next generation of excellence in Woodford County. Some special shoutouts. Again, this is the time of year that we see a culmination of all of the work of our families, our caregivers, our community

002members, our elected officials, um, and especially our educators here in Woodford County, and all of the investment comes together to truly see these incredible demonstrations of learning and opportunities for our students. And here are just a few um, images of that. I was able to participate on Friday in the um civics senior um project presentations and they were incredible. Um we have we definitely I could see as a superintendent I could see truly just sort of a continuum of from when students are very small all the way up through their senior year. how we're building connected citizens, how we um are truly building those characteristics in and attributes in our students. And so I want to thank every single person um for the investment and how we see that come to fruition at the end

003of the school year. some themes. Um I finished up my last round of um Hive meetings this last month and a couple of the themes that were very uh clear that students told me, especially elementary students, we love the house system. Please do not take that away. We feel connected, we feel engaged, and so um that's definitely something that we want to keep going in our elementary schools. One of the other things that my um really all of my but especially elementary said um student hive they said we need more movement in class and so that's something we're going to focus on this next year um is truly just continuing to embed opportunities in our classroom instruction for students to move. We have a lot of that already but we can continue to do that

004especially our boys. They said please Dr. Jones we need to continue to increase our movement. I was like okay we will do that. Um something that um our high school hive students said is that they see the efforts of leaders at the high school and leaders at the district level in really trying to listen to student voice and giving them a voice and how things are um transpiring at the high school and how things are going. And then we also um my community and all of my classified certified hive members said you need to take the budget show on the road. So, we are going out into the community to talk about um the unique perspectives that are related to our Woodford County Public Schools budget and kind of where we are and what opportunities

005we want to um build for our students. The last thing I've gotten a lot of feedback on is thank you for your transparency around the budget. Um we really appreciate that. And so that was one of the themes that I wanted to share tonight. I wanted to give a special shout out so far um to all of our teacher of the year winners and our WOOSA winners. We have not recognized central office like central office and um safe harbor are in another recognition later on in the year and so um that's our last one that we will recognize. But we also wanted to say we will also recognize these individuals on opening day. they will receive their um really nice um award and be recognized. But it's been really neat to and the feedback's been

006really good that we're recognizing those now at the school level at the end of the school year. That's been really special. Um these are just end of the year important dates. I wanted to remind everyone of these are on our Facebook. Um they've gone out through parent square. So, just all of the promotion services, uh, ceremonies, and of course, graduation. So, um, we're very excited about those. And then one more time, I just really want to push out that f that anyone, everyone is encouraged to participate in our summer feeding program. It's wonderful. So, sign up, show up. If you're at the pool, if you're at any of the locations, sign up for it. It's a really great program. We would love for you to participate. And then last um I am participating in a

007360 degree leadership assessment which the board members um colleagues um individuals who report to me as well as direct report well that is a direct report. um they are all assessing my leadership abilities and that feedback will come directly to me and I will continue to create growth pl a growth plan around those areas that um I can continue to get better in. So thank you all so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Dr. Jones, are you is every working perfect? Okay, we are here tonight to talk about a special project that some of our students at Simmons have been working on and we want to give you a little bit of background into what has happened in a lot of our elementary schools this year. Um, so we uh why 3D printing? So 3D

008printing has become a fun little hobby for a lot of people. They're in homes. It's become very affordable in the last few years. But the bigger picture for us is that there is a whole vertical alignment piece. Um I am a former high school engineering teacher and um I saw very quickly how engaged I could get students through this and also how immediately they could as high schoolers if they pass their industry shirts. Um and I'm going to brag on our engineering program here. I think they have almost a 90% pass rate this year on their industry certifications for the engineering program. and we want to start them even earlier. So, um that's a a big part of this. Um on here is a picture from Somerset Community College. They just obtained the one of

009they're not just they've had it about a year, a concrete 3D printer and they're printing homes. Um very affordable homes that are weatherproof, floodproof, all the things. Um and that's kind of where we're thinking. [snorts] Um so last year I um I applied for an outreach grant through CAST. we were awarded not quite $15,000 um to set up mobile print stations in all of our elementary school schools and we deployed those this year with great success. Um there's a picture of one of the carts. Uh every library um has one. They're they're housed in the library, but they can go into classrooms. We've taken them into third grade, into fifth grade. Um, second graders have printed things and um, we I've just it's been a really really fun cup filling activity for me where kids

010are in technology. They're thinking there's so much math and design and logistics that go into printing making something printable. Am I right? These guys have had to problem solve a lot. They've seen a lot of spaghetti this year. Um we were lucky enough to meet um members or the founders of a com of a curriculum company called CAD class. They run a maker space out in California and they have been a huge asset to helping get I think Miss Crabree if she were here will tell you that's one of the reasons that she's had such a high success rate this year is because their curriculum is just top-notch and it's very affordable. So we um have really the kids have enjoyed that. So, we have taken as we've taken this on the road, we've done

011some projects at all of the schools. The kids have made um Christmas ornaments. We had about eight classrooms do that this Christmas. And then these guys at Simmons, all third, fourth, and fifth graders, every third, fourth, and fifth grade class at Simmons made bubble wands. And um a few months ago, Mr. Albert was here for a board meeting and he looked at your table and he's like, "Those are just cheap little disposable glasses." and he came to me and he's like, "What if we printed replacements for the board?" And so these kiddos have worked really hard to um to do this. So with what they know about 3D printing, they designed um tweaked, got really good at, and they they printed these themselves. So we took it from Tinkercad into Bamboo and into the printers,

012and they got to watch them be printed. These are their designs for everyone to see and now they are going to gift them to you. So, um we had eight students who participated and um these four were able to be here tonight and it is this is this is what we do in Woodford County. We have fun so while we learn. So, thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Miss Snow, would you like them to introduce themselves? um if they want to. >> I would love for them to introduce themselves. >> They are fantastic. And I'm I'm gonna put Esma on the spot. She is an STLP state winner. We had five in our district and she won for a book cover design that she did. So, all right. Would you come introduce yourself? Come

013on. Michael. Okay. Just tell them your name. >> Tell them your name. My name is Esma Bagar. >> My name is Mia. >> My name's Payton. >> And my name's Michael. >> I also want to toot their horn a little bit. You'll notice that we had three girls here tonight. Well, this group was half and half females and males. And getting female representation in STEM is something that's very near and dear to my heart, and they are loving it. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you everybody. Appreciate it. Good luck at your game tonight. All right, I think that was we're going to move into our good news report. So, once they head out, Dr. Ghoul, we'll start with you. So, I um I wanted to share some good news. I think

014that um we have I'm going to try not to get emotional because I want to just say what I was going to say. [snorts] Um I I think that every every person in our district has a place in our students hearts and in our famil family's hearts. And every person in our district, regardless of what position they hold, has an impact on our students every single day and has the capacity to impact our students in many ways and our families. And so, um, Miss Sonia is not here tonight. I want to try not to get emotional. She is, um, retiring, but she has been my children's bus driver for many years now. and her kindness and her mixed with a firm hand has been a perfect combination to ensure that our kids are safe and

015welcomed every single day onto that bus and off of the bus in the afternoon. Um she has led and had guidance in their safety um that they know that they are loved and they are greeted um just with that that consistency every single day. I always get a smile and away from her. Um, and I am going to miss it so much. Um, she allowed me as a um, a mom of young children um, back several years ago in elementary school to know that my kids were going to be dropped off every morning safely to the the schools that they went to as well as returned home to me safe in the afternoons. from the minute they got on the bus to the minute they walked out that door and walked across the street and

016into my home, I knew that they were taken care of. Um, and that means so much. And even though my kids are older now, um, I still get that smile and wave every afternoon. And so I just wanted to say thank you not only to Miss Sonia, but to all of our bus drivers who ensure that, um, warm handoff every single day for our students. So, um, so I just wanted to celebrate her in her, um, years here in Wford County and on her retirement, but just say thank you to all of our bus drivers because you guys do a very, very important job. >> Absolutely. We have Miss Tara, so definitely feel that with the the bus drivers. Um, mine I just it's the end of the year. I just want to say thank

017you to everybody that's put in so much work this school year. um teachers, staff, central office, you know, everything's winding down or ramping up depending on how you look at the end of the year. Um but I know testing is going on. So, just thank you to all the staff and and the students that are putting in the work. Just really want to say thank you, Mr. Wilson. >> I would like to say ditto to both of those comments. Uh but the one I wanted to talk about is kind of maybe is too obvious to bring up, but these presentations at our board meetings for our students come are fantastic. I I still think about the young lady from North Side that spoke here. Uh these folks came and did all this for us and

018not only does it help us appreciate the caliber of our students, but it helps us to appreciate why we're here and that's a good reminder each and every month and that's what I wanted to talk about. Thank you. >> Absolutely, M. McCau. >> Yeah, my comments too are sort of centered around the end of the year. Um, and I just want to recognize our parents and families and caregivers this time of year. Um, there's so many exciting end of the year activities. I know I see things all the time, people call it Mayber and the dishes are piled up in the sink because you don't know what day it is and you're just running everywhere. Um, but I just want to encourage everybody, hang in there. It's almost summertime and you know it the days

019are long but the years are very short. So, if you're in the thick of it, just keep going because because it it will end one day and you'll miss it. So, I just want to encourage everybody. Um I hope everybody has a wonderful um end of May and end to the school year and um a very safe summer. >> Miss Springgate. >> Yes, I would just echo congratulations. 2026 school year is almost in the books. just a little bit more to push through and get to the end of the year. Hopefully, everyone just has wonderful, wonderful memories and all the activities that are going on and check out a few of the wonderful things happening in our schools. >> Thank you. All right. Next, we're going to move into our curriculum and instruction update. >>

020Oh, >> retirees. >> Oh, yes. Sorry about that. Yes. Let's go into our retirees for this year. Sorry about that everybody. >> Good evening. >> This is always such an exciting um part of May to recognize our retirees. Dr. Gould said it really well. Education, working in education is such a work of the heart. And um because of that, it can make recognizing our retirees a little bittersweet. Um, but tonight is all about the honor and gratitude we just want to give to them. And um, man, I'm just so thankful for the work that our teachers and staff members do every day. And tonight, we are celebrating 14 individuals who have given 271 years to working in public education. So, let's go ahead and give them a round of applause. >> [applause] >> 271 years.

021I just can't get over that. It's insane. Um, our retirees, they've been here and they know this tradition. So, um I am going to call up I I took a um a note of who all was here from this list at the start of the meeting. If anyone has come in um since that time, since 6:00, we'll we'll put them at the end, but we're going to start alphabetically. So, our retirees will um come forward and they will have a seat in the rocking chair to represent the rest you're about to have and the slowdown you're about to have in retirement. and um your supervisor or principal or some someone from your building will say a few words about you. So we are going to start tonight with Miss Jill Hall. She is retiring from

022Southside Elementary and she has devoted 35 years of her life to public education. >> OUTSTANDING. [applause] >> That's okay. You've more than earned it. Okay. So, um, by my calculations, it was 36 and a half. So, I'm gonna give it that. Okay. All right. Jill Hall has devoted an incredible 36 and a half years to the students of Southside in Woodford County. Quite simply, no one loves Southside more than she does. Jill is the ultimate cheerleader, not just for her students, but for every colleague in this building. Her energy is boundless and she brings a level of positivity that can brighten even the toughest of days. Her infectious spirit and passion for teaching shine through everything that she does. Drew, excuse me. Jill truly believes that everyone, yes, even you, is a mathematician. She doggedly

023pursues this belief and works tirelessly as a math interventionist to build her students confidence and strengthen their knowledge. As a math coach, she's a leader among us, sharing best practices and researching new strategies to support her fellow educators. Her coaching doesn't stop in the classroom. As our cross as one of our cross country coaches, she encourages athletes to believe in themselves and achieve more than they've ever thought possible. As a colleague, Jill is always a helping hand, a listening ear, and a dear friend. As a Southside stallion, she is the epitome of what we all aspire to be. passionate, dedicated, and driven. Quite simply, Jill Hall is a rare gem, and Southside will miss her immensely. Thank you, Jill, and congratulations. [applause] Next, we have Miss Peggy Henry, Southside Elementary. She has given nine years

024of her life to public education [applause] >> and I have it as 12 years [laughter] >> before. Yep. And then 10 years at Southside. And Miss Peggy Henry has become someone truly special to me. as when I came to Southside, she opened up her arms and her heart and she showed me how to do it this the school way. You know, there's there's lots of food services, but every school has its own way. And she showed me that. And then when I became manager, she was right there. She was my right-hand man. She still is in a lot of cases. She has become the grandma of Southside and of the cafeteria. She's that grandma who will love you up but get in your butt and make you behave and then spoil you rotten with all

025her love and her treats and her gifts. I am truly the kids love her and they're going to miss her. I am truly going to miss Miss Peggy. She has become someone very very special. I quit or I'm gonna start crying. So, Miss Peggy, I love you. >> Oh, very nice. Very nice. [applause] >> Since I have um Miss Samples up here, I'll do our other Southside representative tonight. Miss Enaline McNab, Southside Elementary with 32 years given to public education. [applause] This for over three decades, Emiline McNab has called Southside home. As special education teacher in our moderate to severe disabilities classroom, Emiline has spent her career doing so much more than teaching. She's been a passionate advocate, a leader among her peers, and a fierce believer that every single student can learn at high

026levels. In Emiline's classroom, the words not possible simply do not exist. She is incredibly knowledgeable and endlessly creative, always finding innovative ways for her students to communicate, participate, and truly thrive. She looks at her students and sees boundless potential, teaching them to see themselves as capable of amazing things. because she holds the bar so high, her students consistently rise to the occasion. And just this past year alone, I've watched her students grow by leaps and bounds. Emiline, as you pass the torch to the next generation of educators, know that you leave an indelible mark on the heart of Southside and in the lives of the hundreds of students you have championed. Thank you for your passion, your devotion, your love, and your steadfast belief that all students can shine. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. [applause]

027Next, we have Miss Kathy Lasser, Woodford County High School. 25 years given to public education. [applause] When we look back at Cathy's time at WCHS, one word comes to mind above all others, relentless. And I mean that in the most inspiring way possible. We've all witnessed the legendary Kathy Lapser hallway pep talks. She will literally track a student from one end of the building to the other, pouring belief into them until they finally realize, "Okay, I guess I really am completing this assignment." As a homework club tutor, Kathy is in a league of her own. She will sit oneon-one with our most challenging students, refusing to give up on them until they don't just finish their work, but produce something they can actually be proud of. Kathy, you've been a fantastic asset to WCHS from

028day one. I've witnessed the sheer effort, unwavering consistency, and deep knowledge you bring every single day. These traits are simply irreplaceable. You didn't just teach, you fiercely advocated for every student who walked through our doors. Thank you for always demanding the best out of them and out of us. Enjoy your next your new grandbaby and congratulations on your retirement. [applause] Okay, we have one more retiree here in person, Miss Carla Stfansky with the transportation department and she's given 10 years to public education. [applause] It's hard. It It's hard to imagine bus seven without Carla. There's some people who show up to do a job and then there's people like Carla who show up to make a difference. Whether it's keeping keeping the bus clean or helping the kids learn bus behavior, you made bus 7

029a better bus. I had the privilege of driving the bus the other day that Carter was on and she was always on the move making sure kids were seated, not didn't have her feet out in the sheep. So, as you head off into your next chapter, we hope nothing but the best for you. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Okay. And um those are our five retirees who are here tonight. I'm just going to quickly read the names of our um other retirees and we can applause at the end. Uh, Miss Carrie Baker, Garrett Wells, Joyce Miller, Mary Joe Ferguson, Sonia Fannon, Ginger Me, Michelle Neil, and Mona Romanine. [applause] >> Thank you for your service, everyone. It's a It's a big deal to work for Woodford County, and and thank you for all the

030years that you've provided to our students and our staff. All right, we do not have any public com comment. Um, can I have a motion to Yeah. >> instructional. >> Oh, now see, we got jumped around. >> Mr. Asher, what day is it? What school day is it? >> I know we got seven left. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> that's not many, is it? Seven. There we go. Um, I have just one thing to report on uh and it is directly tied to the first presentation that you saw from the students and that is about technology integration. uh it's big in the headlines right now particularly uh not uh not just tech integration but the the phrase of screen time. So rather than just jump to conclusions on uh some of those headlines uh we're going

031through a process right now to uh as as is outlined here at different phases. The big question that we're asking oursel is is there a problem with overuse of tech in Woodford County Public Schools? Uh so currently in phase one and through a a number of leadership structures that we have we are answering this question or just taking uh qualitative feedback on whether or not we feel it is a a problem right now and it's a mixed bag as is uh kind of uh summarized right here. Uh there's great variation uh by school and by grade level. Um so it's it's there's some inconsistencies there. Obviously, we do not want to just strictly cut off technology use because of what you saw there. Uh but we do want uh to provide some guidance. So, our

032next phase, and we're on this right now, we actually have a meeting on this tomorrow where we have collected some usage data about specific platforms. I Ready is uh also in headlines and is is big within our district, but there are other platforms that are used and we want to look at uh specific usage data data points to see over the course of the year, especially now that we're at this time, end of the year, how much uh usage there is. We also want to uh analyze the eighth grade team's approach uh at the beginning of this year. And a lot of this had to do with um really some cheating mechanisms that students were using obviously through AI and other other things. So they did a minimize tech approach and so we want to

033take uh take their feedback and see if that can be a model for other grades. And then finally uh what we want to end up is just strategic next steps. So the ultimate goal is not to eliminate eliminate technology but to ground its use in sound educational practice. uh we want to make sure that it's anchored in two main structure educational frameworks the instructional design cycle um as well as the engagement continuum because we don't want passive engagement with technology we obviously want active engagement again the examples that you saw there uh we've had great success in defining expectations having clarity around whether it be portrait work that we have or assessment and realize that we haven't done that so much with technology use we are inundated with it all of us day in and

034day out but we haven't addressed that uh to provide concrete clarity across schools by explicitly defining exactly what appropriate highquality tech use is. So that is our ultimate goal leading into next year. It'll be something not only we broadcast to or or uh yeah broadcast would be the word to our staff but also to our our families and our students uh so so that we are more consistent in that use and and um and and it's ground in our research. Uh let me also add uh Dr. uh Rayurn uh brought this to our attention among our CNI and tech team uh doing a book study uh with the digital delusion is the name of that book so that it's not just opinion based so a number of factors so that we can uh put this

035together in our defined expectations around technology so just wanted to make you aware of that work uh we are going to as we always do a slow and steady uh response to this uh but uh have a lot of work going into this uh over the course of the summer any questions question on that or otherwise. >> I just appreciate you tackling this because you're right, it is a big topic. It's in the media everywhere. People are wondering about it. So, I appreciate that you guys are diving in and doing that data gathering. I I would imagine we'll probably get updates throughout the summer of the >> Yes. >> the criteria you get back. >> That actually that would be good when you know it's kind of downtime so to speak would be able to

036do in June and July. Yes. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Um I just want to say thank you as well. I really do appreciate that you all are tackling this now. Um, and listening to some of the feedback that we've had, um, I had a conversation with Dr. Jones about I already just the other day and about tech tech use, I think it is a balance. I'm speaking from someone who remembers when WCMS got the internet before the high school did and that was a huge thing, right? And how we've grown and evolved so quickly and the age of AI is really ramping up as we all well know very quickly. Um, and I as a higher ed professional, I see it being used utilized quite a bit in my own online classroom. Um, so

037a couple things that I I just wanted to mention as I heard you talk some things I took note of. I appreciate that you're also you're looking at stakeholder feedback. I would encourage some feedback from families as well to see what that how that impacts them in their home. I also have an eighth grader myself. So, I do appreciate that you're looking at that model and how our our educators have strived to balance that technology. I think that we can't take technology away completely because then we would leave kids, our students not ready, graduating, not ready to enter the workforce that they have. But I do think a balance is very very important um and definitely needs to be looked at how we are educating our individuals around technology with using technology how to utilize

038technology but not just solely relying on that in our classrooms. I think it is a considerate considerable balance that we have to mark and that we've kind of tipped um in favor in one way or the other like you said depending on the classroom and how teachers are utilizing technology. Um, one of the things that I encourage you to also focus on is when we look at, well, two things. One, um, looking at the mental health concerns related to overuse of technology and how that's playing out as we continue to have reliance on technology as um, as we move forward, as well as educating students and individuals about appropriate use of AI and how it could be a tool and what is considered plagiarizing and cheating when you use AI. And I think that that

039is something that will serve our students well in their next steps in their college careers or um technical careers as they engage in those um post-secary institutions. Um I think that that is a huge thing. Our kids are using it. They know more about it than probably do as adults. Um and our educators really are have to be good stewards about teaching them that balance instead of giving them a um a tool to use kind of without check. Um, so I think that that's an important component to incorporate into this e exploration. Maybe looking at how our teachers at different levels are using AI in their classrooms or educating their students around the use of AI um, and making sure they have that that balance. But I really cannot say enough that I appreciate that

040you're looking into this and this is something that we're going to get to hear more about. And I think this is a perfect example of how we've listened to our concerns of our our families um, around the use of technology. So, thank you. >> Understood. Thank you. >> I just would like to say thank you as well. I think this is going to be a very worthwhile endeavor. Something that's good to look at. I haven't heard of other school districts doing this. So, I'm glad Woodford County is sort of a frontr runner in this area. Um because it's okay. You know, whatever information we find out and then act on or or what whatever the next steps are is an okay thing to do. And I think it just made me think of uh your

041hive group, Dr. Jones, where the at least in elementary school, the kids are like, "We need to move more." you know, so they're telling us. Um, so thank you, >> Ryan. Thank you. Um, and I do would agree with Sarah that it sounds like we're the first school district to do this and that seems to be a trend you started here with accreditation and this and everything. And I love that. And when this is finalized, I could foresee this being an excellent subject at the KSBA presentations for other school districts to learn from our progress. So, thank you for everything. >> Sure. >> I don't know if other districts are, so I don't want to state that claim, but um I mean, it's it's been in the headlines >> in any in every way, shape,

042and form, national and local. >> Thank you, Mr. Asher. All right. Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Right. Motion passes five to zero. Can I have moving into our regular agenda? Can I have a motion to approve the minutes of the April board meeting? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes 5 to zero. Can I have a motion to accept notification of personnel matters? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second. Second by Miss McCauen. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes five to zero. Can I have a motion

043to accept notification of payment of bills? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes 5 to zero. Can I have a motion to approve April financial report treasures report? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss McCallen. And we'll invite Dr. Gribbons up to provide that report. Good evening board. So we have the April financial report and updates. Um so we will go through here maybe thinking There we go. So monthly to date, you can see total receipts and revenue. Realistically, slide three, I think, is the most relevant for what we're looking for. And that is the year-over-year. Uh if you look at it, we kind of continue this trend that we've talked about. The

044revenues is about 2% lagging behind where we were last year, but on the plus side, our expenditures is 8% below. So we're actually s still maintaining 6% improvement from this time last year. So again, our expenditures are down even though our revenues are slightly lagging behind last year. This is our monthly totals by tax collection. All those details just fall over into the munis report. You can see for the months just a little over 735,000 for the year just over 29 million. And this is the physical year to date by each of those different taxes that aligns to the 29 million in the previous slide. And this is broken out, of course, we break it out by the month. Same same total, just different broken out by the different month. You can see the different

045line items there. and then we'll go into the activity funds after this. So, special revenue, again, we're ahead of revenue on expenditures. We'll continue to get those uh requests in on a monthly basis, and we're do our final one for the year before the 17th. Uh we are actually going to get it in early because Katie says they're going to be a flood of them coming in around the 13th. So, we'll probably put ours in like the first week just to make sure it gets processed uh on a timely basis as we close out the fiscal year. And then our two activity funds. And then two good call outs. Our food service again um another trend of revenue above expenditures for the month. And then you can kind of see the year to date at

046the lower part. Still a little lagging behind on revenue to expenditures on the year, but for the month we're in in a really good spot there. And the same for ETC as they continue their trend of revenue above expenditures as well. Um followup, there was a follow-up question about the high school general funds at the last meeting. Uh we looked into it. So over a two-year period, a total of about 2 million, just around 2 million was paid out of the general fund to the building of the high school. And then any other questions or anything? >> I had a question, but I don't expect to answer tonight. It's just a question that I might that I had that I just thought about the distilled barrel. I know we've talked about our distilled spirits tax

047and how that's changing and shifting. >> Do we and that depends on the barrels that are being housed obviously and that sort of thing. And I know we talked about whether or not like we're where we're at with that as far as as it continues to trend down but more barrels are being produced. Do we know like if that'll change for next year's projection? Is there do they report to us or is that like how do we know how do we build that into our budget as far as what we can expect from the distilled spirits tax? >> It it does get reported um and then every year from this year forward the tax rate is reduced by 4%. So >> if everything was the same same amount of barrels, we would see 4% less

048revenue each year. Um, of course, we don't it's kind of hard to project because we don't know what the distillers are going to produce and how the coming year >> or take out. >> Yeah. I just didn't know if they gave us a heads up kind of like what we >> No, they're not going to give us any for unless we build. I mean, we can reach out. They're not obligated to share that until the end of the year. >> Okay. Thank you. I was just curious about that. I've got a quick question about this food service slide, the food service fund. It was one of the last slides we looked at. Can you all pull that back up? >> So, for the past couple of months, our revenue has been exceeding the expenditures. >>

049Uh we've had two months of expenditures um or revenue um positive. So, a positive revenue flow. But for the year, uh we're still lagging behind. And if you look at the very bottom, we're about year to date, we're about a 100,000 to the negative >> and that >> and how does it look over um the the summertime. >> Um I know we have like a bunch of expenditures in certain categories at certain times of the year. Um do we expect that that the trend will continue of revenue over expenses at this point? Uh the projections show that we'll end the year about anywhere between 80 to about a 100,000 to the negative. >> So that would come out of general funds. But with the gain in because the food if I understood with Miss Chuire's

050presentation with the more people that use the summer feeding program we are actually gaining it's over the cost of what a traditional what reimbursement would be. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. The traditional reimbursement is doesn't cover the actual cost. >> So the traditional it's above the >> it covers above that. Correct. Is that true? Because she said that there wouldn't be no cost to us for the summer feeding program. Uh it I would say I can't say what 100% um accuracy, but pretty much looking at the last couple of summers, it's it's about a break even. Um so if you look at kind of where we're at now, we're about 100,000 to the negative that will come out of general funds. The summer program with just the ordering of supplies and and all the food prices

051and the reimbursement, it'll pretty much break even plus or minus probably about 1%. So that's probably where we're going to finish the end of the year somewhere around that 100,000 give or take. If we have more people participating in the summer feeding program, will that increase? >> It could. Yeah, definitely. The more that we can get to participate, the more reimbursements, uh, the economy of scales, the more people that you can get through it to help to offset the the overall operational cost. >> So, we definitely need people to participate in that. >> And can we look at the daycare also? Um so that's one that is um been trending with revenue over expenses the last two months as well. Correct. But what is that looking like year to year year end then? >> So

052a year to date we're definitely positive. Um if you can look at the bottom uh we're about >> 700 plus my math about 700,000 to the positive right now. >> That's also the reserve. >> Yep. >> That also has the reserve in it. Yeah. Any other questions? All right. Do you have any anything else to show? >> Nothing at this moment. Thank you. >> Perfect. >> All right. We have a motion. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes five to zero. >> I couldn't hear Miss Springgate's respon vote. I'm sorry. Sorry, Miss Springet. We couldn't hear your vote. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can I have a motion to approve Maddox and Associate CPAs as independent auditing firm? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen.

053Any discussion or questions about this? >> I have just one. Do we I was looking at the comments on the cover sheet about some of the questions that were asked of our previous auditing firm. Do we anticipate that this this group would do something different than what we've had in the past? I know that there was some mention of like how come nobody saw that we were in the kind of financial. >> So that was one of the first things that when I came in I wanted to look at the previous audits. Um, that was kind of something that I thought should have been included in the audit because that's kind of what that individual that independent audit is supposed to look at and advise the board. And when they come to give the report,

054you know, for me, that would have been something that I would have thought they would have put in like two years ago to said, you know, the expenditures over revenue over multiple years is not the direction that you would necessarily want to take. But there wasn't any of those in there. Um, I did reach out to that audit firm as well when I came on board and they were like, well, I don't think we're going to have time for you this year. That's like that's fine. Um, based on my review of the audits and so that's why we put sent out the request for proposals for a new audit firm. Um, I do think and in my comments, I do think sticking with the same firm for at least three to five years is smart

055because again, they kind of know the the operating finances and they can give you a little better insights. vice just one a different firm every year. >> Yeah. Might be good to have a fresh set of eyes. You know, >> even though they would send different auditors, it's not the same auditor every year. It would be good just to have a fresh >> a fresh look. >> Absolutely. Any other questions? All right. All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes five to zero. >> Can I have a motion to approve the hardship request? >> So move. Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss McCauen. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes five to zero. Can I have a motion to approve the tenative budget? >> So move.

056>> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Any questions or I know we had a 4hour meeting the other day, but does anybody have any questions? I do have a question and this this follows up with what I had asked about in the meeting in regards to the discrepancy in what's paid to our our stipens like with the athletics and academics and you know just catch all with that. So it could be technology, it could be academics, it could be um athletics um and how that number is decided upon. I I know that we are in crunch time and we have just a few more months to get that looked at, but I would like that to be revisited as part of this process because I feel like um it's something that has

057really been stagnant and it doesn't seem to be equitable across people a number of hours that people are putting in and pouring into our young people. Um and I think that they should be compensated accordingly. So, I was just wondering if that's something that we can maybe return to at some point in time this fiscal as we look for the next fix next budget cycle that we're approving. So, instead of waiting and delaying another year, is it possible to do it now is what I'm asking. >> So, we have to we need to pass this budget, right? Mhm. >> By law, we need to pass this budget. But it is like the review of the stipens is certainly on our to-do list, but it would like you said, >> I was not here and nor

058would there was not formula left. >> Yes, >> we need a formula and the formula needs me to have a committee that comes together and truly looks at it and creates a formula for those stipens so that it is equitable and that's going to take some time. >> Okay. So, too much work to do in a short period of time. >> Yes, it is. But we will definitely look on it. >> Definitely address. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I have a question about the um the IRB. Uh so I wonder the budget that we are looking at today for this tenative budget that reflects all revenue. It's not reflective of any kind of a discount that may occur. I don't want to say discount an abatement. >> It's actually um if it's based on if

059we get a 4% If the board sure just 4% and yes did you we did not include any of any of that in there. We just included what we know for sure right now >> it's just >> current budget uh as submitted is 4% um and with the understanding that that's still a deficit but we were used to move that capital outlay funds over that was about 900,000 to fill that hole for this one year. Say that one more time. The capital outlay. >> So we had capital outlay funds u this year's and next year's that you could do three things with it. You could put it in an interest bearing account. You could use it for building fund or you can move it into the general fund which is for our circumstances was the

060best opportunity to move it into the general fund to not have because if we didn't do that we would have had to made another $900,000 worth of cut for this coming year. So what it allow us to do is to fill that hole at the 4% rate for this year. >> Okay. >> So if we if the tax rate is if we hold the rate instead of doing the 4% we get an increased revenue and so we can use that 900,000 for something like the middle school roof or going back into an interestbearing account for an extended period of time to where we're making money off of it. Correct. So that's just a filler for a a specific scenario. I don't want to say worst case scenario because the compensating rate is the worst case

061scenario. So if we end up taking the compensating rate, where do we make up the difference? That means we make the additional cuts after we approve the budget. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. I just want to clarify that. >> Anybody else have any questions? >> All right. All those in favor? I >> I >> Any opposed? >> Nay. >> Motion passes four to one. >> Can I have a motion to approve moving forward with Little Legacy Hive? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Any Well, did you have anything to add or >> I did. I've had a few people reach out. I wanted to clarify something about this. So you all saw there's a reserve in ETC and so I wanted to be clear that no

062taxpayer dollars, no general fund dollars will support will be used to support Little Legacy Hive. Little Legacy Hive will be part of the ETC program. So it's an expansion of the ETC program. And so parent family members will pay fees or they will use the CCAP program to be reimbursed by the state. Um, and everyone will have access to that service. >> Good. >> You're welcome. >> Anybody have any other questions on that? >> No. I think I've I've heard for from employees that they're excited about it and um I'm glad that we're going to be able to offer some relief and other options for child care here in the county because we know how hard it is to come by. >> Agreed. >> All right. All those in >> Yep. Were you guys able

063to gauge the interest uh the the 70 or so folks that that had had said initially they had some interest uh into any kind of firm numbers? We so when we asked um when we did the survey we actually said would you like would you be participating this year? Would you participate this year? And and it was very specific and they said yes. >> Good. >> We already have people calling and saying add me to the list. Add me to the list. Add me to the list. So it's it's pretty I mean it it confirmed a lot of what I had heard um from other people. So you know if we have 40 40 is the the break even point of course we already have interest for probably double that now at this point. So

064um we're really really excited about it. >> It will grow. That will grow. That number will grow. >> Any other questions? >> All right. All those in favor? I >> I need All right. Motion passes 5 to zero. Can I have a motion to approve updated WCPS meal prices? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Anybody have any questions or discussions on this one? >> I will say I have a conflicting thought. Um, I know that everybody has who has listened to the last couple meetings know that I am very much against raising our food prices for our families. Um, it has even made the paper. Um, I am concerned about one thing that was brought to the attention in that in Miss Choir's uh, presentation and I do

065appreciate her efforts and putting all that together and answering the abundance of questions I had around this topic. Um, one of the things that does concern me is that if we do not adequately fund our program that KDE will step in and raise the rates on their own and those rates are pretty astronomical. On the flip side of that, seeing growth in our um food accounts already that that we just had presented shows me that there is a way to increase that capacity um to maybe not have this burden on our families. So, it is a very conflicting vote because I feel like it's kind of like a gamble either way. Um, because if we're not adequately funding our own school program, KD will clearly step in and do it for us. And we do

066not want that because that would double our prices versus a smaller increase for families. So, um, I will say my vote today is cast on that um, concern of KDE stepping in and it doubling because I feel like that that would be very um, very impactful to our families and and very concerning of mine. But I will um say that the the increased revenue shows hope that we will not have to continue to do this year after year and I will not support it the next time. I encourage us to think critically and be able to examine other ways to continue our capacity to fund our own program at that at that amount and not to continue to put additional burden on our families. So I just wanted to explain why that my vote is

067probably going to be conflicting to what the things that I had said and thank you Mr. chairman for allowing me to do so. >> Absolutely. >> Dr. Bill, I agree with you 100%. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nay. >> All right. Motion passes four to one. Can I have a motion to approve the updated fundraiser policy first reading? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Is it pulled up or are you just going to read it? Sorry, I was back there working on something else. >> You're going to be up here for a minute, too, because we have a few of these. So, >> I'm not going anywhere. >> Dr. Ribbons. Dr. Ribbons, >> can you Jason, >> can you push a button

068for me? >> You won't embarrass me to death. >> Got a number five on the right side. There's a little five. No, where my cup is. I'll just go. That's what I told my kids all. I'll just do it. I just do it. All right. I was actually looking up uh something that um was all of the transfers that occurred for the new high school project that um trying to find all the reimbursements back to the general fund that were made from the project. Um I'll email you all that number so that you all have that officially. >> Thank you. >> Because I did find some but I want to go through each you have to go through each year. You can't do it um by the total project. All right. So, this is the

069fundraiser policy that we are asking for you to approve. Um, there is nothing that we're adding to this policy. This is a first reading. So, um, do know that this has not become a policy until you have your second reading. Um, we are and I redlined everything for you. It's been attached to all of our um, things. So, we are deleting all of the restrictions that Woodford County has placed on all of our teams, classes, and um activities to allow them to have as many fundraising to support their needs um as we go through this one. And if we ever get to the point where we can add it back, then we will add it back um as as time sees. But this is uh only done in Woodford County. There there is no um

070county around us that requires this restriction quite like we have. So, um it'll be taking away the only two only five words and just deleting all the words of restrictions. Um it does not violate any red book rules. So, I don't know, Mr. Morgan, if we have to read deleted words or or not. >> No, you do not. >> Okay. We have to read the added words, not the deleted ones. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> Oh, wait. We need to get Miss Spring 8 back on the monitor. >> All right, I'll call that again. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nay. >> Motion passes four to one. >> Can I have a motion to approve updated vacation policy for this

071reading? Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss McCauen. All right. With this one, this is the um discussion that we've had for the last little bit um since we've done the the budget to take away the 20 vacation days that we give to our 260 classified employees and take that back down to the 10 vacation days, 10 10 or sorry, two full weeks of vacation time for work weeks. Um, so I struck all the words and then readded all the words there. So I have no idea which ones were added, which ones are not. So I'm just going to read them as if. Uh, so it says, "Full-time 260 contract classified personnel shall be entitled to an annual two week vacation at a time approved by the superintendent. Personal personnel employee employed for the

072half first half of a full-time 12-month basis shall be eligible for a vacation during the second half of the first year of service. full-time 260 contract uh classified personnel who have five or more years of experience with the district in a 260 position shall be granted an additional day of vacation for each year of service up to 20 days full-time and then this is the acurals um down here full-time 260 classified contract classified personnel may accumulate and carry over a maximum of 40 unused paid vacation days upon retirement termination of employment for any reason a classified employee shall be paid paid for his or her accumulated vacation time at a rate equivalent to the daily salary rate calculated from the employees last annual compensation in the event of retirement resignation vacation leave should be prrated

073and occurred acrew on a monthly basis. So uh this is the what we had in FY24 prior to the changing it to where we just gave all 20 days to every 260 classified employee. Anybody have any questions? All right. >> Yeah. I guess um why are we why are we looking at changing it back and what did we only do it at just that one year? Can you kind of go into that a little bit? So, we have done this since we did the big big raises, the big recruitments, the big um 23 24 school year where we looked at everything and how can we recruit and um get more people here. Uh, and what we've come up with is that when you can carry over 80 days of vacation days, um, which is what

074we currently have as our policy, then that puts us at a huge district liability to pay out 80 days of unpaid use because some people are rolling those over every single year and we get up to 80 days. Um, also it gives no benefit for employees to stay longer like it was thought. They get all of their 20 days, but after one one month of service, um, they've reached all of their time and then they still have 20 vacation days that they automatically get. So, this puts the language back to where it was to have more control. But after five years, they get an additional day each year up to the 20-year mark. So, if they've already been here for the time to get 20 days, they will not lose anything. Um, and we will

075prorrate those back down to where it was before. Anybody that's over the 40, but before the 80 that we currently are, we're going to put them in a bank to have not to grow, not to do anything with, it's going to sit there. If they want to use those days, they still are theirs to use, but at retirement, they will be paid out just like they would for any other time. So, they won't lose those 41 to 80 days, but we're not going to pay them out right now. Um, and take the risk of cash flow. >> All right. Any other questions? >> I was just curious how this compares because I wasn't on the the board when this was approved. So, how does this compare to other districts vacation policy for these individuals? >>

076It's very standard. >> We were pretty much anomaly to give it all at one time. >> Okay. So, but this the same acural rate of one per year after five years. Is that correct? Okay. >> And they get the time off between Christmas and New Year's. >> They get their holidays, they get their um so there are several holidays, there's sick time and then there's also these days in addition. >> So when the district is closed for like between Christmas and New Year's for example, is that time that they also several of those as holiday or they can take the other days as vacation. >> Okay. >> The holidays are all in the policy. >> Well, I saw the holidays. I was just curious of like >> Yes. So, if you look at the policy

077here on on the screen, the uh a 260 employee gets 13 holiday days >> on top of 20 vacation days on top of 15 sick days and three personal days as it currently stands. and they're getting paid 260 days. >> Anybody else have any questions? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes 5 to zero. Can I have a motion to approve updated sick leave policy first reading? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Mr. Macauen. Dr. Rab, back to you. >> All right. So, this policy is in line with the KRS that was released um this year, not this current season, but the last um season where um we are responsible for any days after the 13th day to uh financially be responsible. We don't

078have a shared cost like we currently do with the state uh for any leave that's over the 13-day mark. So, what we're requesting is we go back to our 10, 11, and 12 for our classified and certified. Um, so that the sick day is still there, but that we are not responsible financially for days 14 and 15 like we currently are this year. So, this school year, if anybody retires, the district is responsible for day 14 and day 15 of their leave at retirement. Now, they don't get them if they leave prior to retirement, but anybody that re leaves for retirement, the district is responsible for those two days. So, this goes back to um putting the costs back on to the state so that we're not occur getting those days. We used to have

07910, 11, and 12 and then three emergency days and two personal days or three personal days depending on how many days you worked. This proposal is going to include those three emergency days back for the next one. So, you'll see that in our next board agenda item. So, they're not losing days, but emergency days don't roll over, and I'll talk more about emergency days there, but sick leave has to be adjusted. Um, but the amount of time an employee gets for working for Woodford County Schools does not change. So this is taking those three emergency days out of this pool out of sick leave and setting them aside and calling them emergency days instead of >> Correct. So we used to have three emergency days and then we decided as a board policy that we

080were going to just roll all those three days into sick days so that people can get those at retirement. Well, now the state's putting caps on them. So that um it's a way that they're controlling their budgetary line as well and it's uh putting that cost back on to us now. So we have to go we have to revert back a little bit. >> Can they be used can those three days be used as personal days instead of emergency days? the feedback that I'm getting and maybe this is >> we are only allowed to give three personal days >> because the the concerns that I'm that I have heard are that staff for for the emergency days you have to have superintendent approval and when it's an emergency like in the middle of the night

081I mean a lot of time you can't you can't get prior approval you can't give prior approval because you don't know when an emergency is going to happen >> it's more a procedural issue related to that there are guidelines in the emergency day that we'll get to. Um, but I haven't known a superintendent to say no if it's truly an emergency or their designate to say no to an emergency day usage. >> Thank you. >> So, why are we making this change now? >> We have to have two readings and this is the first board meeting, the second board meeting is in June and they have to be >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't phrase that correctly. Why are we recommending to change the policy at this juncture? >> Yeah, I was getting to that.

082So, we have May board meeting for 1 reading June for the second one, July 1st, all of these policies as they currently set go into play. So, all of our employees on June July 1 receive whatever our board policy is. So, instead of having to go backwards when we do our second reading for our KSBA policy, we've already got this one taken care of and we don't have to go backwards. so we can keep them with what they're going to get for 27 FY27. >> Can you talk about the financial impact of leaving this policy as is and not separating out those three emergency days? I think that's what I'm not understanding. So we would be responsible for somebody who retires. If you look at their daily rate, whatever that daily rate is, they're going

083to retire 27 28 years. 500 $500ish for somebody who retires. That's times two, maybe three depending on how many days they get. And that's what our responsibility is for that. I mean, is is there any way to just leave the policy as is and just change the dates to to 10 and three? Um, that still puts us under 13, but it leaves the um the policy um really congruent with with other districts. Um, and I have heard nothing but um but negative things about these next two um two two policy suggestions. Um, I have heard a single employee say, "Yeah, that that's a great idea. That would really benefit and assist us in any way, shape, or form." >> It's interesting because I've asked employees to reach out to me and to let me know

084and I've heard not one comment. So, and I'm not I'm just saying, you know, that that truly is like I want those comments. I want to hear those. Um, but at the end of the day, you know, we do owe you all an explanation for how can we limit, how can we not cut more individuals, but actually look at, okay, being able to budget responsibly so that we can stay afloat and be able to still offer benefits, but look at what the state gives us versus what we would have to take on out of the general fund. So, this is our recommendation and you're welcome to vote however you'd like to do that. >> Well, and again, I would just say that I think doing, you know, 10 and three personal and leaving it at

085that would would not have any financial impact. Um, it would it would really um accomplish the same thing that you're you're talking about right now. So, >> can you clarify that? Say it again. >> I don't understand what she's saying. I'm sorry. >> Can you Can you explain the 10? >> Yeah. If you leave the sick leave policy at 10 and take it down to uh 10 sick days and then three personal days, um that to me is is doing that the exact same thing as doing the policy changes to both of these policies. It's simply leaving the emergency days uh the way that they're angled now under the the sick leave policy and not could have an effect having 13 days for 13 days is the same in my mind. So, I'm not really

086sure why we would be doing um really either of these policy updates um when you could accomplish I guess what Josh was describing with with simply doing it that way. And I think that um that's just what I've been asked by employees. We already give two personal days, so we would be able to give one more and then an employee is actually going to lose two days with that thought. >> Also, if we took every retiree that we have times that 500, we'd be $2,100 um that we would be required to pay out for every retiree that we just um announced today. >> Dr. Raurn, can you clarify just in simple terms? Currently, they get how many sick days? >> They get 13. They get like There's different ranges based off of their days of

087a normal teacher that works 188 days gets 13 sick days and two personal days. >> And two personal days and how many emergency days? >> Zero. >> So with this new policy, if we vote yes on the the two policies that follow this one and the the emergency day one, that shifts to what? It would be 10, >> 10 sick, >> three emergency and two personal. >> Two personal, three emergency. So they get 15ish. Correct. 10 sick, two personal, three emergency with the policy shifts. >> Currently they get >> 15 with no emergency days. >> Correct. >> Currently. >> Okay. And I think that that might be some of the confusion because they thought like one person that reached out to all of us mentioned that they already had emergency days but they don't. >>

088They do not have any emergency days. >> They have personal days which does not require an explanation. Correct. >> It does not. >> Okay. So >> there are restrictions to a personal day like personal days can't be happening like board policy says you have you can't take a personal day and be around a three-day weekend or things like that. You have some restrictions, but there is no restriction to sick days. >> So other than it has to meet the requirements of a sick day. >> So if you are say you you have >> a personal day, sorry, a personal day does have to have prior approval. You can't just decide in the middle of the night to take a personal day. >> So what happens if you are chronically ill? If you have a chronic

089illness that causes you to use your sick days and now you have three less, what would be the because I know we have some educators that have chronic illness. So what would happen to that individual? >> The same thing that happens right now. >> What happens right now? >> They can ask for donations from employees that can donate to them. If they have more than 15 days, they can donate that. Um, I mean the procedures are not changing. It's just the number of days that are changing to be in line with the state statute to not have that cost of the district. >> Because I can see like if you have a a chronic illness, how that could be fearful like you know that's that's three extra days. But it sounds like there is a

090policy in place currently that allows for and if you have that sick time banked because your sick time doesn't go away or does it go away with this policy? >> No, your sick time still rolls. >> Right. So the emergency days don't roll, but your sick time does roll. >> So if you have this is just the acral rate per year, correct? That we're looking at, not the use per year. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> The usage the same amount of days. >> So if you had enough sick time, you could take 13 sick days if you needed to. >> If you met the requirements for the emergency leave and >> yes, >> the sick leave. Sure. >> Okay. I just wanted to clarify that. It has to be approved though if you if you

091do these policies. Um so and I do think that sometimes the emergency leave has been denied in the past for certain folks which is another concern that they raise. So that's >> but I think that's in the board policy. So the superintendent has to follow the board policy and we're not talking about emergency leaves right now. >> But you just said that they had no emergency leaves. Correct. >> Correct. Right now >> when we had it in the past there there are restrictions on the next board agenda item >> but currently there is no emergency days 13 sick and two personal. This would shift to 10 sick two personal so your personal days don't go away or change but you're adding on three additional emergency days to give you a total of 15 days to

092play around with and 15 days so it doesn't change. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> There's no change. >> Mr. Chairman, have we voted on sick leave yet? because we're talking about emergency leave. Have we voted on sick leave? >> This is We're doing sick leave right now. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> I was worried about that just because I think what we decide to do with sick leave would directly tie into the emergency, so I didn't know when to ask it. >> Okay, that's a good I was just curious. >> They're kind of connected because of the way the shift is happening. We have to vote on them independently. >> All right, any other questions? All right. All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Nay. >> Motion passes 4 to one. >>

093Can I have a motion to approve updated emergency leave policy? First reading. >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Dr. So this is the emergency leave. Um it's a lot of words. So um it's a lot to read. Do I have to read them all? >> Okay, here we go. Um, so this is the same for classified and certified. And sorry, I am dyslexic, so sometimes words get backwards. >> I'll read it. We can I'll go. >> I'll read it. >> Um, so the number of days for certified employees shall be entitled to three days of emergency leave with pay each school year. Persons employed for less than a full year contract shall receive a prrated part of the authorized emergency leave calculated to the nearest one half day.

094Persons employed on a fullyear contract but scheduled for less than a full year full workday shall receive the authorized emergency leave days equivalent to their normal work days. Emergency leave shall be granted for the following reasons. Illness or injury to an attend an immediate family members whose life is threatened by illness or injury. Bereverment death of a relative or a person personal friend. disasters or disasters of a household, vehicle, travel or personal emergency of the magnitude of tornadoes, fires, floods, etc. affecting the employee or his or her immediate family. This applies only in the case not covered by sick leave. Court legal appearances as a witness to or to produce documents with when the employees presence is required by subpoena. This is not to include um appearances and actions in which the employee is part

095a part and the subpoena is obtained by or on behalf of the employee. This also does not include jury duty. See policy 31237. Business one day shall be granted for business reasons for of an emergency nature. For this purpose of this section, emergency shall mean a sudden or unexpected happening, an unforeseen occasion or condition, a sudden or unexpected occasion requiring action. The employee may appeal the superintendent or design's decision to the board. Pro prohibitions is emergency leave shall not be used for personal illness covered under the sick leave policies for participation recreational activities for vacation college visits uh attending uh fraternal functions seeking other employments or for rendering services for pay. Request for the leave. Emergency leave must be requested through the superintendent or designate who will determine if the leave request meets the board's

096criteria statement. Person taking the employees leave must file a person personal statement upon their return to work stating the specific reason for their absence and the accumulation. Employee emergency leaves do not take action or sorry do days not taken during the school year shall have no not accumulate. Same thing for classified. Only difference is the use of classified over certified. Is that okay? >> Okay. >> And this is this is like KSBA standard policy policy that we had >> and we took that policy. We we went back to the same emergency policy that we had and I took those words and placed them in here. I sent them to KSBA and they said this is the standard KSBA one that we have. you'll have this number range 03.12 something or another. That'll be the [snorts]

097range number that it goes to. Um and they said that it was within their normal policy. >> It is a lot less flexible for sure. I mean talking about tornadoes and I mean and we had kind of given them to them as a personal to use as a personal day. So I would think there would be much less. >> There's still requirements for sick days. Like a sick day cannot be a personal day. Like a sick day has like there are the policy specifies what a sick day is versus a personal day is just pretty much anything you can do on you want to do you can do on your personal day. But this like a sick day board policy has a sick day for what the board says is a sick. What the board

098says is a personal vacation days are all laid out for each each different group. So, you can't just say, "I'm going to take a um a trip and I'm going to use a sick day." And then you post it on Facebook. Like, you can get in trouble for that. You could show up at a rally in Frankfurt, which is what was occurring uh several several years ago, and get in trouble for using a sick day and not using a personal day. It's like it's not it's not the same type of language as a personal day. >> They still have their two personal days. That doesn't go away. >> Correct. And this is just addition of three emergency states. I I'm with you. I I feel like this is a little bit the language I I

099know it's KSBA driven language, but I do see how the language can cause some concern. The one thing that you pointed out Sarah that kind of resonated with me is the capacity to alert of an emergency if it occurs in the middle of the night and the fear amongst something tragic happening on top of that thinking, oh my goodness, what if this impacts me in a very negative way if it doesn't get and I think that Dr. Jones is a compassionate enough individual that that would be something that she would consider. However, what if something changes superintendent wise and we have this policy in place? And so that's I guess that's my concern is the restrictiveness and the notification like the order of notification. I guess is there a way to clarify that to >>

100so you would go like an employee just like in any other day they would go ahead and put their day in. So, let's say you you get up in the middle of the night, your your basement's flooded, >> you know, like you had a water line leak. You get up, you put that in, and then you put in emergency, and then I would see, and then I would approve it. So, you're you're putting your day in regardless. Just whether or not on the backside it ends up being an emergency day or something else is >> But if you have no personal days, if you've already used your two personal days, then what happens as far as >> repercussions? A water damage would not cover a sick day. >> Yeah. So you But it would be

101under emergency. It would be covered under emergency. >> I still wish we could just go to PTO and have one bucket and here's your days. Use them however you need to. >> Yeah. And we're really talking about on the financial side of things, too. Like uh now that the state is not they're no longer paying for those other three days, that that truly is an expense we take on as a general fund expense. And so, you know, that's just like every other thing. If we vote to have a raise, if we vote to have this, if we vote to have that, that that is a general fund decision. So, we have to cut somewhere else. And that's fine. That's that's up to this board. But know that there's this much money and we're trying to

102limit having to cut more people and having to, you know, truly cut additional things. So, we didn't cut any days for certified employees. we didn't couldn't, you know, like we've really tried to balance all of the things we're bringing to you all so that that we're not impacting one group or more than others, but also trying to have a balanced approach to this. So, >> and this was the policy. >> This was the policy two >> three years ago. Yeah. Three years ago. >> And it is the policy districts, just so you know. like emergency days. That was that was my previous district that I was in for 10 years. Your previous district that shower remained nameless. >> I mean, emergency days are they're for emergencies and they don't require right now if you have

103to take an emergency day, in air quotes, you're taking a sick day. It doesn't necessarily always align to what a sick day should be. So >> all of them are there for a purpose. >> So >> any other questions? >> No, I I would say I I really do agree with Sarah what you were saying. And then I guess my question is so how much in savings is this creating by changing the the policies these two policies and what is that savings going to be put towards? I mean, any savings that we have goes directly to our general fund to prevent us from having to cut more positions. Um, like I said before, we had 14 retirees today. If they each had a vacation or not vacation, if they had sick days over the number

104of the allotted time, we would be at $21,000 that we're paying out just in sick time alone. And that's currently where we are. But currently the state pays that the allowed number >> until this coming year. They're not going to >> they're not going to pay >> they're going to pay up to 10. >> Yeah. We have to do FY26. We have to pay those regardless because we didn't make the policy change. So this went into effect July 1, 2025. >> So this goes in alignment with what the state will already pay for and we are not causing payment out of our pockets >> to fulfill the the difference. We were already too far into the policy to policy revisions to make this change when this went into effect. >> I do have a question.

105Could we do instead of calling it emergency days? Personal days don't roll over either. Correct. >> They roll over as sick days. >> Okay. Could we do we have to have them roll over >> personal days? >> By law, do we have to have them roll over? >> I don't. Yeah, I mean I've always known personally sorry I don't have an I can get look and see. I don't know any district around us that's doing that. So I'd have to go searching through some policies to see that. But >> well I know my personal days at work I mean it's not I don't work in the school system but I work in higher ed. They don't roll over. You use them or you lose them. I was just curious could if we're worried about the

106restrictiveness of an emergency day and the definition of that could we put those into p because I think that on the flip side of that we're also worried about if you have um we don't have to pay out that additional time that can get acred and that's what we're trying to prevent. So could we have them designated like a more narrow >> I'm going to recommend something to you Dr. pool and any board member who's struggling with this. So, we're on our first reading, >> you still have the ability to change this on the second one. So, I'm going to recommend you check some other policies around and see if we are as restrictive as other districts or not. If we're not, please propose a second reading amendment and we can make that be the

107case instead of >> trying to figure that out. Like, let's >> Yes, that's a good idea. Thank you. >> I think that's a good idea, too. So we have time between now and the next meeting to gather some more data and >> think about the pros and cons. >> And Mr. Chairman, that's the purpose of having a first freedom >> that um that we can explore more. We can share with our consist constituents. They can share their thoughts with us. That's the reason we have two readings. >> Exactly. >> All right. >> Any other questions before we vote on this one? So if we vote yes, that's just approving the first read like how do we vote? I'm sorry. >> Yes. First reading. >> The first reading. >> So that still gives us a capacity

108to >> Yeah. And then next month we'll do the second reading. >> Got it. >> So >> and of course board members if you you know because you can go to KSBA's website, you can search for policies the same policy in other districts. Um, and then if you re have recommended wording, you would send that to us and then that would become part of the conversation for the second reading >> and then we would have legal review. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes 4 to one. Can I have a motion to approve updated salary policy first reading? >> Salute. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by M. Macauen. Uh this is related to classified individuals. So this is the

109classified person um policy 03.221. Um basically what this does is allow us to use comp time instead of paying for overtime. We can allow them to use comp time. Right now we currently don't have a policy in place. Um, so this is if overtime is approved, compensatory time may be granted at the rate of one and one and a half hours for each overtime hour worked and taken in the same work week or bank for future use at time of separation. Any compensatory time unused with will be paid at the appropriate rate of pay. Compensatory time may not exceed 240 hours. That is the 240 hours is the max that we're allowed. So I put that there. I do not recommend 240 hours, but that is what our max is. Anybody have any questions on

110this one? >> Can you tell me is comp time used now or no? This would be a brand new concept. >> We have no we have no policy to allow for comp time right now. >> So if you use comp time, would it have to fall within like emergency or some other time or would it truly be I worked five extra hours last week. I'm going to take off Friday after lunch. >> It has to be that. So, yeah, it has to be that the employee can you can put reasonable restrictions on it, but the employee gets to use it at their option. It's not restricted like sick leave. >> Okay. >> And we've talked we've talked a not a lot about employee flexibility. You can't get any more flexible than comp time. >> Yeah.

111So, I have a question that That only impacts classified staff, not certified. Correct. >> Correct. Certified are exempt employees. So they are not entitled to any overtime. >> So they can't use that. >> So with with the policy, is there a structure for reporting comp time in place with the procedural part of that? >> Yeah, it wouldn't be in the policy, but yes, >> in the procedure. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think this is a huge perk. I mean I I don't get I can't imagine having that. [clears throat] That sounds like wonderful. >> That's nice. >> Any other questions? >> It's perfect. >> All right. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes five to zero. Can I have a motion to approve job descriptions, position updates? >>

112So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. Um, all of the proposed changes were in there. Um, some of them say general fund slash this funding source. It would depend on the funding source of where that would be. So, um, if that funding didn't exist, it would fall back to the general fund, but we are using that funding source from the slash before we're using the general fund. For instance, the little legacy hive preschool extended care assistance um, say funding general fund. Our goal is to have that be the little legacy high funding which is our etc funding and to use that funding prior to the general fund um there. So while that funding mechanism wasn't available to me I had to put general fund but that is our goal is

113to move it toward a funding source of that one. Um and then all of the stipens that we're adding have been ones that we have been using for the year. So this is not something that was recently at sent to us in an email um like some of the previous ones that were mentioned. Um, we've had a year to review all of these stipens that are being added. All of the ones that are changing um are coming from the budget committee process that we went through. And then all of the changes to titles are to reflect their um title for the appropriate job that they're doing or updating their title to reflect what the state has in that place. Um any of the inactive budget ones are due to our budget reduction plan and then

114converting those are part of that reorganization plan that was shared and voted on and approved already. This is just putting it to the vote. Um and then the remaining active is what I talked about the last time for the work session that they are still on the books. There's no funding for them. There's no budget for them. They're not getting hired. If there was to be one, it still exists, but it's not on the um current projection to hire. >> I had a question and you kind of answered it about the little legacy hive. I don't think that I would like to see this edited to where general fund is not included. I think it's not we can't say that this will not have any bearings on our general fund or our taxpayer dollars to

115provide child care and have the general fund as an option to dip into. As much as I love this idea, and I say this with full confidence that it will be fully funded on its own, I think that when we have the capacity to dip into the general fund for something we're saying we will not use taxpayer dollars to provide daycare services or extended preschool or whatever you may want to classify it as that we cannot utilize the general fund in there. And I think that goes the same for etc as well. Um those restrictions on that um I think should be very clear. The other question that I >> I think before you go on, I think we can go ahead and um vote on this and just move to have the general fund

116omitted from the description funding source because I think that was >> not it wasn't supposed to be there anyway, right? >> Well, we didn't have a funding source when the thing was done. We didn't have approval to put it on there, so I had to put it somewhere. >> Yep. >> Yes. So, we can omit it now. Correct. We can we can omit the general funding source in that wording and just have it etc. Right. >> And there's there's a >> a delay in the in our our uh grants. So there's a delay. So we could have to put general funds in there until that gets funded. And so it kind of piggybacks. So you don't want to not do it because then you're like, "Well, I don't get it'll be two months before I

117get my grant funding. What do we do? >> So there could be a timing issue, but it would be reimbursed back to >> still be no cost. >> No cost. >> Is there a way to reflect that language so we can ensure our for our constituents that this is being followed? >> 100% positive that we're doing the best that we absolutely possibly can. >> I understand that. I'm not trying to challenge that. I just think that it's the clarity of it. Once you put something in writing and once you vote on it and okay it anything can happen right like what is >> at the end of the day we have if we open the doors on August 10th August 11th we have a first two paychecks due October August 25th we have to pay

118them on August 25th regardless of whether we have parents have paid us or not that's going to have to come to the general fund and then the general fund is going to be reimbursed at the once the funding's come in we I mean like there are always going to be this possibility of the general fund. If at the end of the day it's not a solution that we can do that, the general fund has to pick that back up and pay for that. Like it's it the general fund is your failafe for your grants, for your extended school care, for your preschool, for all of the different things that we have. The general fund is your failafe back. So omitting the general fund in my opinion is just not the best solution because we that's

119lying to you and saying right >> that we'll never have to use the general fund when we will have to use it for that first little bit but once those reimbursements come back in we reimburse the general fund. It's at the end of the year we'll say we didn't use the general fund because we were able to reimburse the general fund. >> What you what you're asking for is flexibility for you and your department to meet the needs of employees. Uh but general fund will be reimbursed and there'll be no cost. >> We also have the etc reserve and so that's that money was there as well to be able to pay for that. >> Well and that's why I'm asking if it could be etc because we have a 700 we just voted to

120raise etc prices. We have a 700 and something,000 reserve. Correct. So that should, if that's the capacity, we should be able to, given the number of projected hires, we should be able to fully fund their first paychecks while we wait for that balance to come back up with with the ETC funds. And that's what we that's what was just shared with us that we were voting on. >> So then I would recommend you amend your motion and strike the language. So I I think because you have to have it as a backup. You can't not make payroll. General fund has to be included. I think what you're talking about is an accountability mechanism which is that you could absolutely ask the superintendent and the finance officer >> Josh to report on it to you about

121were there any dips into the general fund? If so, have they been reimbursed? And if not, when? >> That that is something that happens on the back end. But it it would make me nervous to not have the general fund listed because then you literally can't >> then you could not do it >> if there isn't a cash flow issue. >> Well, and if you want it to list every every possible funding source so you're not because what would be worse is having to dip into a funding source that you all never >> you know approved. But the fact that you approve it as a funding source with your discussion tonight doesn't mean that you can't have reporting on it and accountability and you know from the administration about how it is used. And if

122that's happening in a way you all don't like then you can take action on that. >> Well and I I fully understand that concept and I appreciate that explanation. I think for me with the language that we have proposed and the questions that we asked when we just voted on the passing of that was that ETC funds were used. It appears that if this is going to be a minimal cost that we have enough ETC's funds at this point in time to approve like to be able to fully fund the startup cost of Little Legacy um without the need to dip into general funds. And if we get to the point where we need to dip into general, this is my line of thinking. If we for this specific situation, if we are getting into

123the needs to dip into general funds, then we need to look if whether or not the program is viable. I feel fully confident that it will be viable. So therefore, I'm not as concerned about. >> I think I think what we're what we're maybe misunderstanding is just kind of like basic accounting stuff. >> Yes. >> It's not like truly a de like a debit out of general fund. like it's like one month you may have to dip into that depending on when reimbursements happen just to have it ju like you have to have that just in case. That's not a we're definitely doing this but it's like you have to have that backup and it's there for everything. It's there for food service. It's there for etc. Like it's there for all those things. So

124could we amend that language and say in addition also ETC funds >> because ETC funds are not listed on there? >> So we could add ETC funds to that >> because that's where all the funds are coming from initially and because Little Legacy is part of ETC that's where >> Let me give you an example real quick. So our our grant money, like our title money is reimbursed a little bit every month, but some months the individuals that are paid out of title funds, we may not have the money from the state yet to pay those. So then you have to pay them out of general fund, but then when the title money comes in from the from the state, the federal government, then that's paid back. >> And I I completely understand that. I

125think that the difference with this specific situation is it's not related directly. It's a child caring >> program versus a school related program. all the things that we're talking about are related to educating and and that's where I think our our normal K through 12 population versus child caring which is a different situation and I think that that's where the concern lies of the child caring piece versus the education piece and when it's separated out like that if we cannot fund it without dipping into our general funds that we are so desperately trying to protect to stay afloat right Now, that's where my fear comes in. And I completely get a backup plan. I mean, you have savings for a reason in case, you know, something happens to your house or something like that. I

126get that language. I just want it to be accurately reflected for our constituents to see that this is not going from the general fund. We should not be in a situation with that reserve that we have in etc with a minimal startup cost to ever have to dip into general fund. It sounds like >> we're moving forward with that. >> Do that. Yeah, I apologize, Dr. Gold. I didn't realize it would be this big of a commotion. So, ETC's on there. >> The other question that I have related to this is the um janitorial services. Will that be new hires or will that be existing personnel that we'll use? >> So, we that's personnel like we can't we can't tell. >> You're approving the position, not the people. >> Yeah, we can't tell you like

127who will be transferred. >> No, no, no. I don't mean like that. I mean, is it an additional position or is it current positions? It is a position for that building. >> So, we'll be creating a new position with that. I guess that's the language I'm trying to ask. >> Yes. And that's part of the um that's actually part of the proposal that Jason calculated that's included in that the break even cost. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> What about the the two up to two? >> It says up to two, but we're not like that's not what we're asking one. >> Okay. Yeah. Gotcha. Yeah, the two are there in case it's needed, but you know, we just don't know like when we get into it. But >> one is what we're proposing. Okay. Right

128now. >> Thank you. >> Right. Any other questions? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nay. >> Motion passes 3 to two. Can I have a motion to approve FY27 salary schedule? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss Macauen. >> No changes. Okay. No changes. Any questions? >> All right. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes 4 to one. Can I have a motion to approve FY27 pay date schedule? >> So moved. Motion by Miss McCallen. >> Second by Mr. Wilson. You threw me off there. >> Threw me off. [laughter] >> Any changes or anything we needed? All right. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes five to zero. >> Hang on a sec. Mr. Brookler, Miss

129Springgate, were you able to cast your vote? Can you hear us? >> Oh, thank you. No, I lost track. I lost track. Oh, sorry. >> Uh Q, we're on Q. Approve FY26. >> I >> Yeah. All right. Okay. Yep. Can I All right. This next one uh has to do with the listing of 330 Pisco Pike property. Um, I'll make the motion to continue the disposal process for the surplus property located at 330 Pisca Pike via accepting sealed bids pursuant to 702 K A R490. >> Second by Mr. Wilson. Anyone have any questions? All right. All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes 4 to one. And that was it. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Wilson. >> Second by Miss McCauen. All those

130in favor? >> I >> Heck yes. I [laughter] >> All right. Motion passes five to zero. Thank you everybody. Have a great night. Thank you every