1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:19,000 It looks like no one else is going to join this call. 2 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:20,000 Goodbye. 3 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:07,000 Welcome to Google Meet. Enter the meeting page. 4 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,000 Follow. 5 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:16,000 Thank you. 6 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,000 Use your phone to listen and speak to the meeting. 7 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,000 Thank you. 8 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,000 Thank you. 9 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,000 Thank you. 10 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,000 Thank you. 11 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000 Thank you. 12 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,000 Thank you. 13 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,000 Thank you. 14 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,000 Thank you. 15 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,000 Thank you. 16 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,000 Thank you. 17 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:33,000 Thank you. 18 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:03,000 Thank you. 19 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,000 Thank you. 20 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,000 Thank you. 21 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,000 Thank you. 22 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,000 Thank you. 23 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,000 Thank you. 24 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,000 Thank you. 25 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,000 Thank you. 26 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:03,000 Thank you. 27 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:37,000 Thank you. 28 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,000 Thank you. 29 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:13,000 Good evening. 30 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:21,000 We are reconvening the special board meeting to take formal action. 31 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:28,000 Is there a motion on what was discussed in closed session? 32 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:46,000 I'd like to make a motion to amend the contract as written to include the board agrees to complete a formal evaluation by January 31st, 2027, at which time a salary adjustment may be negotiated. 33 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,000 Is there a second? 34 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,000 Second. 35 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:52,000 Motion by Megan Miller. 36 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,000 Seconded by Carol Fox. 37 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,000 Any discussion? 38 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,000 Hearing none. 39 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,000 Do we need a roll call vote? 40 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:03,000 I don't think we do, but I will request one. 41 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:04,000 Mrs. Shope. 42 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,000 May we get a roll call vote? 43 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:08,000 Yes. 44 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,000 Chair. 45 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:11,000 Board Member Miller. 46 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,000 Can you email me the rest of that? 47 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,000 Thank you. 48 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:25,000 Carol Fox. 49 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,000 I. 50 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,000 Tom Hankins. 51 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,000 I. 52 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,000 Bill Johnson. 53 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,000 I. 54 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,000 Meghan Miller. 55 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,000 I. 56 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,000 Joanne Rue. 57 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,000 I. 58 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,000 Dan Schuth. 59 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000 Aye. 60 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,000 Antia Johnson. 61 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,000 Aye. 62 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,000 Motion carried unanimously. 63 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,000 Thank you. 64 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:49,000 Is there any motion to adjourn the special board meeting? 65 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,000 So moved. 66 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,000 Second. 67 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:54,000 Motion by Megan Miller. 68 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,000 Seconded by Joanne Rue. 69 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,000 All in favor? 70 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,000 Aye. 71 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:00,000 Aye. 72 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000 Aye. 73 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:05,000 Motion carries unanimously. 74 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,000 Here is a motion to adjourn the special board meeting. 75 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,000 And the second. 76 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,000 Please leave here. 77 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,000 Please. 78 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,000 Please. 79 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,000 Please. 80 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:13,000 Please. 81 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,000 Please. 82 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,000 Okay. 83 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000 Next item. 84 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,000 Please. 85 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,000 I. 86 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,000 I. 87 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,000 I. 88 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000 We have to move on. 89 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,000 Please move on. 90 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:23,000 Please. 91 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,000 Please. 92 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,000 Please. 93 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,000 Please move on. 94 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000 And please. 95 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000 Please kick it down. 96 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,000 Please. 97 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,000 Please. 98 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,000 Please. 99 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 Please. 100 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,000 Please. 101 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,000 Please. 102 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,800 the board meeting, the board business meeting 103 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,360 of Tuesday, June 16th. 104 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,600 It is 604. 105 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:45,680 Mrs. Shope, may we get a roll call, please. 106 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,840 Yes, Meghan Miller? 107 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:51,680 Aye. 108 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:52,920 Bill Johnson? 109 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:53,740 Aye. 110 00:14:53,740 --> 00:14:54,580 Tom Hankins? 111 00:14:54,580 --> 00:14:55,480 Here. 112 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:56,320 Here. 113 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:57,440 Carol Fox? 114 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:58,280 Here. 115 00:14:58,280 --> 00:14:59,120 Joanne Ruhl? 116 00:14:59,120 --> 00:14:59,960 Here. 117 00:14:59,960 --> 00:15:00,800 Dan Schuth? 118 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:01,620 Here. 119 00:15:01,620 --> 00:15:02,460 And Tia Johnson? 120 00:15:02,460 --> 00:15:03,300 Here. 121 00:15:03,300 --> 00:15:04,300 Mr. President? 122 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:05,140 Thank you. 123 00:15:05,140 --> 00:15:06,980 May I get an approval of the agenda? 124 00:15:06,980 --> 00:15:08,980 So moved. 125 00:15:08,980 --> 00:15:09,940 Second. 126 00:15:09,940 --> 00:15:13,200 Motion by Joanne Ruhl, seconded by Carol Fox. 127 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:14,100 Any discussion? 128 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:20,340 Mr. Schuth? 129 00:15:20,340 --> 00:15:25,940 Just as a point of, I don't know what I want to call this, 130 00:15:25,940 --> 00:15:31,460 but we just want to have a moment to remember a memory 131 00:15:31,460 --> 00:15:33,940 right who passed away recently. 132 00:15:33,940 --> 00:15:38,860 There's going to be a memorial service later this summer, 133 00:15:38,860 --> 00:15:40,940 so stay tuned for dates on that. 134 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,740 Sometimes the summer in Beloit, but many of you 135 00:15:43,740 --> 00:15:48,100 know memory and his lovely wife, Freddy, and his family. 136 00:15:48,100 --> 00:15:51,780 Memory was a friend of a lot of ours up here and in the room. 137 00:15:51,780 --> 00:15:56,300 He was a board member here in this board from 1983 to 90. 138 00:15:56,300 --> 00:16:01,020 And again, from 1983 to 1993 to 1995, 139 00:16:01,020 --> 00:16:03,860 he was a president, the vice president, the clerk. 140 00:16:03,860 --> 00:16:07,340 He was a true friend to the school district of Beloit, 141 00:16:07,340 --> 00:16:08,540 and he will be missed. 142 00:16:08,540 --> 00:16:10,860 He served with lots of other board members 143 00:16:10,860 --> 00:16:14,540 that we know of their names, like Betty Johnson, Arne Lee, 144 00:16:14,540 --> 00:16:17,620 Charles O'Kelly, Ida Foy, Gary Seidel, John Winkleman, 145 00:16:17,620 --> 00:16:18,300 and many more. 146 00:16:18,300 --> 00:16:22,860 So we just want to have a moment to say 147 00:16:22,860 --> 00:16:26,460 that memory was a true friend to the school 148 00:16:26,460 --> 00:16:28,780 district of Beloit, and he will be missed. 149 00:16:31,020 --> 00:16:43,740 Thank you, Mr. Shoe, for sharing that with us. 150 00:16:43,740 --> 00:16:45,980 We really appreciate that, and our hearts 151 00:16:45,980 --> 00:16:50,300 go out to memory rights family. 152 00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:53,420 And next, we have the Pledge of Allegiance, Dr. Anderson. 153 00:16:53,420 --> 00:16:54,820 Oh, oh, I'm sorry. 154 00:16:54,820 --> 00:16:58,060 I'm getting ahead of myself. 155 00:16:58,060 --> 00:17:00,500 We have a motion and a second. 156 00:17:00,500 --> 00:17:02,180 Any other comments? 157 00:17:02,180 --> 00:17:03,460 All in favor? 158 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:04,060 Aye. 159 00:17:04,060 --> 00:17:05,460 Aye. 160 00:17:05,460 --> 00:17:06,460 Any opposed? 161 00:17:06,460 --> 00:17:08,060 Motion carries unanimously. 162 00:17:08,060 --> 00:17:10,380 Now, Dr. Anderson. 163 00:17:28,940 --> 00:17:31,780 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 164 00:17:31,780 --> 00:17:35,180 And I'm going to correct you, and this 165 00:17:35,180 --> 00:17:36,940 is your last regular board meeting. 166 00:17:36,940 --> 00:17:45,100 You never know. 167 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:47,780 You never know with this board. 168 00:17:47,780 --> 00:17:50,060 Good evening, and thank you for joining us tonight. 169 00:17:50,060 --> 00:17:52,860 We appreciate your continued interest in and support 170 00:17:52,860 --> 00:17:55,220 of the school district of Beloit. 171 00:17:55,220 --> 00:17:57,500 Since our last regular board meeting, 172 00:17:57,500 --> 00:18:00,540 we had a beautiful graduation ceremony 173 00:18:00,540 --> 00:18:05,140 for our 2026 graduates of Beloit Memorial and BLA 174 00:18:05,140 --> 00:18:06,660 and other programs. 175 00:18:06,660 --> 00:18:08,980 So congratulations, again, to all of them 176 00:18:08,980 --> 00:18:11,020 and to all of the families. 177 00:18:11,020 --> 00:18:16,140 We have also been very busy with a lot of year-end gatherings 178 00:18:16,140 --> 00:18:17,580 and celebrations. 179 00:18:17,580 --> 00:18:20,300 Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers 180 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:21,260 who have pulled off the events. 181 00:18:21,260 --> 00:18:22,140 Press star six to unmute. 182 00:18:22,140 --> 00:18:26,540 And all of the attendees who were able to make it out 183 00:18:26,540 --> 00:18:29,820 and show their support. 184 00:18:29,820 --> 00:18:32,780 We continue to listen to our staff, families, 185 00:18:32,780 --> 00:18:36,140 and community members regarding the difficult budgetary 186 00:18:36,140 --> 00:18:38,500 decisions we have before us. 187 00:18:38,500 --> 00:18:41,580 We appreciate the support, understanding, and patience 188 00:18:41,580 --> 00:18:45,020 needed to navigate these challenging times. 189 00:18:45,020 --> 00:18:48,860 Dr. Anderson, thank you for stepping up last November 190 00:18:48,860 --> 00:18:50,220 when the school district of Beloit 191 00:18:50,220 --> 00:18:52,820 needed somebody with experience and compassion 192 00:18:52,820 --> 00:18:54,780 to help steady us. 193 00:18:54,780 --> 00:18:59,020 And thank you, Dr. Liam Malat, for agreeing 194 00:18:59,020 --> 00:19:03,460 to serve as our next interim superintendent. 195 00:19:03,460 --> 00:19:05,980 For those of you who are not familiar with Dr. Gordon Malat, 196 00:19:05,980 --> 00:19:08,860 she has nearly three decades of experience 197 00:19:08,860 --> 00:19:10,420 with the school district of Beloit 198 00:19:10,420 --> 00:19:14,140 and understands the gravity and the nuances 199 00:19:14,140 --> 00:19:18,060 of the multiple issues facing the school district of Beloit. 200 00:19:18,060 --> 00:19:20,820 We trust her to lead us through these issues 201 00:19:20,820 --> 00:19:24,700 while making systemic improvements along the way. 202 00:19:24,700 --> 00:19:28,020 We are very appreciative of both of your leadership 203 00:19:28,020 --> 00:19:31,620 and your commitment to the school district of Beloit. 204 00:19:31,620 --> 00:19:35,420 Together, we remain committed to strengthening our district 205 00:19:35,420 --> 00:19:38,540 and improving our outcomes for every student. 206 00:19:38,540 --> 00:19:42,940 That concludes my report for tonight. 207 00:19:42,940 --> 00:19:45,740 Next, we have upcoming events and announcements. 208 00:19:45,740 --> 00:19:47,580 Board Clerk Miller. 209 00:19:51,180 --> 00:19:52,180 Thank you very much. 210 00:19:52,180 --> 00:19:54,780 Glad to see so many people here this evening. 211 00:19:54,780 --> 00:19:56,700 Good evening, these are the announcements 212 00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:59,780 for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. 213 00:19:59,780 --> 00:20:02,500 The school year ended wonderfully full of celebrations 214 00:20:02,500 --> 00:20:04,820 like the retirement party on June 2nd 215 00:20:04,820 --> 00:20:08,380 and graduation for our seniors on June 6th. 216 00:20:08,380 --> 00:20:09,980 The first edition of the board 217 00:20:09,980 --> 00:20:12,260 and superintendent newsletter was sent out 218 00:20:12,260 --> 00:20:14,260 on Sunday, May 31st. 219 00:20:14,260 --> 00:20:17,140 There will be another edition coming out in about a week. 220 00:20:17,140 --> 00:20:19,460 So head over to the board of education website 221 00:20:19,460 --> 00:20:24,220 at beloitschools.net and sign up to receive the newsletter. 222 00:20:24,220 --> 00:20:25,700 You won't want to miss it. 223 00:20:25,700 --> 00:20:29,060 Summer school begins next week on June 23rd 224 00:20:29,060 --> 00:20:32,420 and runs through July 30th of 2026. 225 00:20:32,420 --> 00:20:37,180 Middle school begins at 7.45 a.m. at the high school 226 00:20:37,180 --> 00:20:40,660 as well as the high school students who begin at 8 a.m. 227 00:20:40,660 --> 00:20:43,820 Our elementary school students begin at 8.30 a.m. 228 00:20:43,820 --> 00:20:47,180 at either Converse or Todd elementary schools. 229 00:20:47,180 --> 00:20:48,900 There are a few dates in July 230 00:20:48,900 --> 00:20:50,820 where there will be no summer school. 231 00:20:50,820 --> 00:20:53,380 For more information, please go to the district, 232 00:20:53,380 --> 00:20:55,740 the our district tab on the district website 233 00:20:55,740 --> 00:20:58,420 and click on 2026 summer school. 234 00:20:58,420 --> 00:21:01,820 Breakfast and lunch will be served daily. 235 00:21:01,820 --> 00:21:03,900 Will your child be four years old 236 00:21:03,900 --> 00:21:07,500 on or before September 1st, 2026? 237 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:10,260 If the answer is yes, then your child is eligible 238 00:21:10,260 --> 00:21:13,700 to enroll in the school district of Beloit 4K program. 239 00:21:13,700 --> 00:21:16,060 Come on into the Colac Education Center 240 00:21:16,060 --> 00:21:19,260 to enroll your child or enroll your student online 241 00:21:19,260 --> 00:21:20,660 at bladeschools.net. 242 00:21:20,660 --> 00:21:22,740 Don't delay enroll today. 243 00:21:22,740 --> 00:21:24,580 As a reminder to all parents, 244 00:21:24,580 --> 00:21:27,140 if your student or students are already enrolled, 245 00:21:27,140 --> 00:21:29,740 you may also go online to register your children 246 00:21:29,740 --> 00:21:31,080 for next year. 247 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:32,940 Should you need any assistance, 248 00:21:32,940 --> 00:21:36,700 secretaries will be on site for another week or two. 249 00:21:36,700 --> 00:21:38,380 It's official and it's coming. 250 00:21:38,380 --> 00:21:42,180 Board docs will be changing to diligent community. 251 00:21:42,180 --> 00:21:44,640 Same company with a slightly different look. 252 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:47,520 It will be a couple of months before the backside work 253 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:48,360 is done. 254 00:21:48,360 --> 00:21:51,320 So until then, continue to look for our board information 255 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:54,480 and meetings on board docs and we will keep you up to date 256 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,600 as progress continues on community. 257 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,880 Watch for training sessions coming this fall. 258 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,240 All district buildings will be closed on Friday, 259 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:07,440 June 19th and observance of Juneteenth 260 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,880 and on Friday, July 3rd and observance 261 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:14,080 of our country's 250th birthday. 262 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:15,920 Meetings coming up and being held 263 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:20,000 at the Colac Education Center include Monday, July 6th, 264 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:24,440 policy meeting at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 7th, 265 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:29,160 business operations, finance and HR meeting at 5 p.m., 266 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:31,120 and the teaching, learning, equity 267 00:22:31,120 --> 00:22:34,200 and pupil services committee meeting at 5.30 p.m., 268 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:36,720 or immediately following the 5 p.m. meeting 269 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:38,240 whichever is later. 270 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,360 This concludes the announcements for tonight. 271 00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:43,360 Thank you, Kirk Miller. 272 00:22:44,360 --> 00:22:47,360 Next, we have recognition. 273 00:22:47,360 --> 00:22:51,360 Tonight, we have the recognition of Dr. Tracy Saladar. 274 00:22:51,360 --> 00:22:53,360 Dr. Anderson? 275 00:22:53,360 --> 00:22:57,360 First, I'd like to thank both her and her husband 276 00:22:57,360 --> 00:23:00,360 for being able to be here tonight so we can properly 277 00:23:00,360 --> 00:23:04,360 honor you for your achievement of being this year's recipient 278 00:23:04,360 --> 00:23:08,360 of the Beloitte Memorial High School Hall of Fame Award. 279 00:23:09,360 --> 00:23:13,360 Dr. Saladar grew up in Beloitte attending Todd Elementary, 280 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:17,360 Aldrich Jr. High, and was a Beloitte Memorial High School 281 00:23:17,360 --> 00:23:20,360 graduate in 1992. 282 00:23:20,360 --> 00:23:23,360 Dr. Saladar returned to Beloitte following her college education 283 00:23:23,360 --> 00:23:28,360 and began her nursing career at Hackett Elementary in 1996. 284 00:23:28,360 --> 00:23:32,360 She is a clinical professor in pediatric primary care nurse 285 00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:35,360 practitioner with a distinguished career 286 00:23:35,360 --> 00:23:39,360 in pediatric health care, nursing education, 287 00:23:39,360 --> 00:23:41,360 and global health. 288 00:23:41,360 --> 00:23:44,360 She is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner 289 00:23:44,360 --> 00:23:48,360 and pediatric primary care mental health specialist 290 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:52,360 with extensive clinical experience caring for children 291 00:23:52,360 --> 00:23:55,360 from newborn through young adulthood. 292 00:23:55,360 --> 00:23:59,360 She currently practices at Genesis Pediatric Medicine in Illinois 293 00:23:59,360 --> 00:24:03,360 with clinical work in many areas of childhood medicine 294 00:24:03,360 --> 00:24:05,360 and literacy. 295 00:24:05,360 --> 00:24:09,360 At UW Madison School of Nursing, she serves as clinical professor 296 00:24:09,360 --> 00:24:15,360 and pediatric primary care DNP program lead. 297 00:24:15,360 --> 00:24:20,360 Dr. Saladar has placed a central role in nursing education 298 00:24:20,360 --> 00:24:24,360 through her commitment and teaching across a wide range of courses. 299 00:24:24,360 --> 00:24:29,360 She also serves as co-factly leader for an interprofessional 300 00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:33,360 annual global health immersion experience in Belize. 301 00:24:33,360 --> 00:24:36,360 She has a focus on roles in immunization, 302 00:24:36,360 --> 00:24:39,360 national and state nursing organization, 303 00:24:39,360 --> 00:24:44,360 and is an affiliate member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 304 00:24:44,360 --> 00:24:48,360 Additionally, Dr. Saladar is nationally and internationally 305 00:24:48,360 --> 00:24:52,360 recognized for her presentations at major conferences 306 00:24:52,360 --> 00:24:55,360 as she contributes to advancing nursing education 307 00:24:55,360 --> 00:24:59,360 through scholarship focused on teaching innovation, 308 00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:01,360 interprofessional collaboration, 309 00:25:01,360 --> 00:25:04,360 and global health program development. 310 00:25:04,360 --> 00:25:08,360 Her personal and professional journeys reflect a lifelong dedication 311 00:25:08,360 --> 00:25:12,360 to children, families, education, and community, 312 00:25:12,360 --> 00:25:15,360 both locally and globally. 313 00:25:15,360 --> 00:25:18,360 Dr. Saladar has accomplished so much more, 314 00:25:18,360 --> 00:25:21,360 and this is just a sample of her local, national, 315 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:23,360 and global counselors. 316 00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:27,360 So if we can please give her a round of applause at this time. 317 00:25:27,360 --> 00:25:55,360 Thank you so much for having me here tonight. 318 00:25:55,360 --> 00:26:01,360 What an amazing honor, probably the best honor I have ever received 319 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:04,360 to be able to come back to Bloitte Memorial. 320 00:26:04,360 --> 00:26:07,360 And as a pediatric nurse practitioner, a primary care provider 321 00:26:07,360 --> 00:26:12,360 to be able to speak to that many adolescents in one space 322 00:26:12,360 --> 00:26:15,360 was probably one of the joys of my life. 323 00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:19,360 So this community, Daryl and I have been a part of this community. 324 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:21,360 We grew up here. 325 00:26:21,360 --> 00:26:23,360 Daryl taught in the district for 20 years. 326 00:26:23,360 --> 00:26:25,360 I worked in the district. 327 00:26:25,360 --> 00:26:29,360 We have four graduates of Bloitte Memorial High School. 328 00:26:29,360 --> 00:26:32,360 We are huge advocates for public school. 329 00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:35,360 I'm thankful for all of my partners in the school district 330 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:39,360 who allow me to bring my students from UW-Madison. 331 00:26:39,360 --> 00:26:42,360 Michelle Aniel allows me to come to kindergarten 332 00:26:42,360 --> 00:26:45,360 where my students learn from her students 333 00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:48,360 and her students learn from my students. 334 00:26:48,360 --> 00:26:51,360 So it is a very cool relationship. 335 00:26:51,360 --> 00:26:55,360 And I look forward to continuing all of these relationships 336 00:26:55,360 --> 00:26:58,360 that I have built into fighting for public schools 337 00:26:58,360 --> 00:27:02,360 and to be just immersed in this community, 338 00:27:02,360 --> 00:27:05,360 learning from all of you and giving back. 339 00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:08,360 So I thank you so much for this honor 340 00:27:08,360 --> 00:27:11,360 and look forward to what comes next. 341 00:27:11,360 --> 00:27:13,360 Thank you. 342 00:27:22,360 --> 00:27:24,360 Thank you, Dr. Salazar. 343 00:27:24,360 --> 00:27:27,360 Salazar, is there any board members 344 00:27:27,360 --> 00:27:30,360 who would like to make any comments? 345 00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:31,360 Joanne? 346 00:27:31,360 --> 00:27:35,360 So my path has crossed Tracy's path multiple times. 347 00:27:35,360 --> 00:27:37,360 We graduated around the same time. 348 00:27:37,360 --> 00:27:40,360 We both worked at Hackett at the same time. 349 00:27:40,360 --> 00:27:43,360 And she's also a fantastic mom 350 00:27:43,360 --> 00:27:45,360 and gives great mom advice too. 351 00:27:45,360 --> 00:27:48,360 And so I was very happy to see your name listed 352 00:27:48,360 --> 00:27:50,360 and congratulations, you deserve this 353 00:27:50,360 --> 00:27:53,360 and all the amazing things that. 354 00:27:53,360 --> 00:27:56,360 And how do you do all this in the same hours of the day 355 00:27:56,360 --> 00:27:57,360 that I have? 356 00:27:57,360 --> 00:27:59,360 Because like when they were talking about all that stuff, 357 00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:00,360 that is incredible. 358 00:28:00,360 --> 00:28:01,360 So fantastic. 359 00:28:01,360 --> 00:28:03,360 Congrats, Tracy. 360 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:07,360 Megan? 361 00:28:07,360 --> 00:28:10,360 I just want to say thank you, Tracy and Daryl. 362 00:28:10,360 --> 00:28:12,360 You know, I moved to Boyd in 2010 363 00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:14,360 and Daryl, you were my first colleagues 364 00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:18,360 and just the generosity and kindness 365 00:28:18,360 --> 00:28:21,360 that you've shown me and have shown our entire community 366 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:24,360 or kids, generations of students is just remarkable. 367 00:28:24,360 --> 00:28:27,360 You still, my favorite coffee mug came from you. 368 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:30,360 I use it on a fairly, fairly regular basis 369 00:28:30,360 --> 00:28:33,360 and just your willingness to pay attention to people 370 00:28:33,360 --> 00:28:35,360 that aren't even in your immediate like orbit 371 00:28:35,360 --> 00:28:38,360 and just show up for people is so inspiring 372 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:39,360 and so appreciated. 373 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:41,360 And I'm just couldn't be happier 374 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:43,360 that you're honored here tonight, Tracy. 375 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:45,360 And just thank you so much for everything. 376 00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:48,360 I thank you. 377 00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:49,360 Anyone else? 378 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:51,360 Thank you, Dr. Saladar. 379 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:53,360 Again, we really appreciate everything you've done 380 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:55,360 for our district and the leadership, 381 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,360 the role model that you are, both of you, 382 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:00,360 but tonight's your night. 383 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:02,360 So thank you everything for everything. 384 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:06,360 Next, we have public comment. 385 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,360 Mr. Schope, is there any public comment tonight? 386 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:10,360 Yes, there is. 387 00:29:10,360 --> 00:29:13,360 I have about eight in the room, 388 00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:15,360 and then I have 17 emails. 389 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:18,360 Okay. 390 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:21,360 Depending on how long the eight in the room go, 391 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:24,360 we may need to adjust the 17 emails. 392 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:27,360 If they are redundant, 393 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,360 according to board policy, 394 00:29:29,360 --> 00:29:32,360 we can just have you email those forward, those to us. 395 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:35,360 Okay, so let's keep an eye on the time. 396 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:39,360 Members of the public are welcome to attend all open meetings 397 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,360 of the Board of Education. 398 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:44,360 Individuals attending board meetings are expected 399 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,360 to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner 400 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:50,360 that models appropriate behavior for our students. 401 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,360 Individuals wishing to comment are expected to comply 402 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:56,360 with the norms found on the back of your comment cards 403 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:58,360 and in board policy 187, 404 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:00,360 public participation at board meetings. 405 00:30:00,360 --> 00:30:03,360 We ask that each of you contribute to maintaining a respectful 406 00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:06,360 and orderly meeting and prevent discussing confidential matters 407 00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:10,360 in public forum by following these norms for public comments 408 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,360 during your board meetings. 409 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:15,360 Thank you for your participation and crew to see. 410 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:17,360 Ms. Schope? 411 00:30:17,360 --> 00:30:20,360 The first person I have is Isabella. 412 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:36,360 Good evening, members of the Board and the community. 413 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:38,360 My name is Isabella Flores. 414 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:42,360 I am a 2023 graduate from Deloitte Learning Academy. 415 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:47,360 I am here just to tell you why Deloitte Learning Academy 416 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:52,360 cannot be replaced so my closing date would be a devastating loss. 417 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:57,360 In 2023, I was a single mom trying to graduate from Deloitte Memorial 418 00:30:57,360 --> 00:30:59,360 instead of getting the flexibility. 419 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:00,360 I needed to raise my kid. 420 00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:03,360 I was kind of turned the other way and said, 421 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:06,360 you're not going to be able to graduate with your class. 422 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:10,360 It was like a door being shut right in my face, 423 00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:13,360 which was very like we just came out of COVID, 424 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:16,360 going back to school saying I'm not graduating with my class. 425 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:18,360 It wasn't great. 426 00:31:18,360 --> 00:31:23,360 Then I found Deloitte Learning Academy my sophomore year. 427 00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:26,360 They didn't see me as a scheduling problem. 428 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:30,360 They seen me as a person and listened to my needs and helped me 429 00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:33,360 rearrange my schedule and my life around that. 430 00:31:33,360 --> 00:31:37,360 And because of their tailored support, 431 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:38,360 I didn't just catch up. 432 00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:40,360 I graduated early. 433 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:43,360 They even transformed how I learned in their English programs 434 00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:48,360 instead of forcing books that I had no interest in at all. 435 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:53,360 They, sorry, they helped me find my own style 436 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:55,360 and taught me to truly love reading. 437 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:57,360 And my story goes deeper than academics. 438 00:31:57,360 --> 00:32:01,360 During my time there, I hit my goals vulnerable to point. 439 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:04,360 I became homeless moving with my small child from house to house 440 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:08,360 when we were just trying to survive school became the last priority. 441 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:12,360 But Deloitte Learning Academy didn't let me fall through the cracks 442 00:32:12,360 --> 00:32:17,360 they supported me through the housing crisis wrapped their arms around my little family 443 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:20,360 and gave us a safe harbor. 444 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:25,360 Their support didn't stop at a diploma thanks to the resources I took my CNA program 445 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:30,360 and has been a CNA for almost five years now. 446 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:34,360 Because of that program, health care has been my career for almost five years 447 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:37,360 allowing me to provide for my family. 448 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:39,360 Deloitte Academy is more than a school. 449 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:41,360 They are a family. 450 00:32:41,360 --> 00:32:45,360 When the rest of the world felt unstable, they were my bad rock. 451 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:47,360 They don't just hand out diplomas. 452 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:49,360 They lift people, build careers, and give young mothers 453 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:52,360 and struggling teens a fighting chance. 454 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:55,360 If you close this school, you aren't just cutting a budget, 455 00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:58,360 you're cutting off a lifetime of support. 456 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,360 Deloitte Learning Academy saved me but my career, 457 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:04,360 built my career and secured my child's future. 458 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:06,360 I urge you to look beyond the paperwork 459 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:09,360 and see the human's lives attached to this program. 460 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:11,360 Please keep Deloitte Learning Academy open 461 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:13,360 and keep them in the building they're currently in. 462 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:15,360 Thank you. 463 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:16,360 Thank you. 464 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:19,360 Lisa Schill, next public comment, please. 465 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:21,360 I have Devon. 466 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:22,360 Devon? 467 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:30,360 Good evening. 468 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:32,360 My name is Devon Roselle. 469 00:33:32,360 --> 00:33:35,360 I'm a 2019 graduate of BLA. 470 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:38,360 I graduate with honors from Black Hawk Tech. 471 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:40,360 I'm here with you today to discuss a matter of importance, 472 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:44,360 not just for me and you, but for the young kids of Deloitte, 473 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:47,360 especially those who need a little extra support and guidance 474 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:50,360 to reach their full potential. 475 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:52,360 I was one of those kids, 476 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:55,360 strung with numerous problems with myself in school. 477 00:33:55,360 --> 00:33:58,360 Deloitte Memorial was failing me in my academics. 478 00:33:58,360 --> 00:34:02,360 BLA picked up the pieces for someone as a need as myself, 479 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:06,360 providing ample amount of time and home my skills 480 00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:09,360 currently for social. 481 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:10,360 My bad. 482 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:12,360 Academically and socially. 483 00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:14,360 This was through not only the teachers, 484 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:16,360 but the entire faculty staff. 485 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:19,360 I still remember the impact the staff at BLA had in my life. 486 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:22,360 Teachers sat down with me for hours on end, 487 00:34:22,360 --> 00:34:25,360 ensuring growth in my academics. 488 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:29,360 The security staff showed me the importance of taking action 489 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:32,360 and being responsible for my education. 490 00:34:32,360 --> 00:34:34,360 The school counselors taught me patience 491 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:37,360 and how to help calm people during difficult situations. 492 00:34:37,360 --> 00:34:39,360 These may seem like small lessons, 493 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:43,360 but they've stayed with me throughout my entire life and career. 494 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:45,360 As people in leadership roles, 495 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:49,360 it is important that we understand and consider others 496 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:51,360 and address them appropriately. 497 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:54,360 BLA helped me develop those skills as a young adult. 498 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,360 These lessons were learned through dedication, 499 00:34:57,360 --> 00:35:00,360 dedication, support, and guidance of the BLA staff, 500 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:05,360 who invested their time, energy to help students succeed both inside 501 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:07,360 and outside the classroom. 502 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:11,360 I certainly say that they still hold those values today. 503 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:14,360 Without BLA's involvement, I would not have the successful career 504 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:18,360 that I do today as a professional chef. 505 00:35:18,360 --> 00:35:21,360 Walking into BLA, my academics were below average. 506 00:35:21,360 --> 00:35:24,360 Through rigorous efforts from teachers and staff, 507 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:27,360 I was able to overcome my shortcomings and graduate, 508 00:35:27,360 --> 00:35:30,360 putting me on the same level with college academics. 509 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:34,360 I exceeded those expectations, graduating college with honors. 510 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:37,360 This achievement would not have been possible without BLA 511 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:39,360 and the foundation it provided. 512 00:35:39,360 --> 00:35:42,360 Send me up for success long after graduation. 513 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,360 That is why I'm here today. 514 00:35:44,360 --> 00:35:47,360 BLA's much more than the school is a home of education 515 00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:50,360 and is a place of safety. 516 00:35:50,360 --> 00:35:52,360 Even to this day, when I'm down struggling, 517 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:55,360 the staff do not hesitate to answer the call for help. 518 00:35:55,360 --> 00:35:59,360 It is my obligation to help them in their time of need. 519 00:35:59,360 --> 00:36:02,360 I believe BLA should continue to exist in the future 520 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:07,360 for the other kids like me to get their second chance at a good future. 521 00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:10,360 This is something only BLA can offer. 522 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:13,360 So, removing that would be as good as walking out on them 523 00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:15,360 in their time of need. 524 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:18,360 I hope you find your hearts to allow BLA to keep their doors open 525 00:36:18,360 --> 00:36:21,360 for those kids' opportunities, and thank you for your time. 526 00:36:21,360 --> 00:36:24,360 APPLAUSE 527 00:36:24,360 --> 00:36:26,360 Ms. Rishal. 528 00:36:26,360 --> 00:36:30,360 Next I have Katie with Kabiko Yielding Time. 529 00:36:39,360 --> 00:36:42,360 Right after Katie, we'll have Estavan. 530 00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:50,360 Good evening Board members. 531 00:36:50,360 --> 00:36:52,600 Thank you for giving us the opportunity 532 00:36:52,600 --> 00:36:54,680 to speak here tonight. 533 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:58,800 I am here to advocate for Beloit Learning Academy 534 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:02,040 to continue having its own dedicated space. 535 00:37:02,040 --> 00:37:04,760 Whether that's at Cunningham or another location 536 00:37:04,760 --> 00:37:07,720 separate from Beloit Memorial High School. 537 00:37:07,720 --> 00:37:10,320 Many of the students at BLA are thriving 538 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:13,760 because they are not in a large school environment. 539 00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:17,040 As a parent who has watched many of these students grow up, 540 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:19,600 I am incredibly proud to see them walk 541 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:21,960 through those doors every day. 542 00:37:21,960 --> 00:37:24,440 Some of these students had given up on school 543 00:37:24,440 --> 00:37:26,320 before coming to BLA. 544 00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:28,720 And today, I see students who once struggled 545 00:37:28,720 --> 00:37:30,920 with attendance and feeling grades, 546 00:37:30,920 --> 00:37:34,160 now showing up consistently building confidence 547 00:37:34,160 --> 00:37:36,200 and finding success. 548 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:39,800 There is definitely something special happening at BLA 549 00:37:39,800 --> 00:37:43,320 and it deserves to be protected. 550 00:37:43,320 --> 00:37:48,440 My own son, Esteban, struggles with severe school anxiety. 551 00:37:48,440 --> 00:37:51,080 Do you know what that's like as a parent 552 00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:55,040 to pull into a school parking lot day after day, 553 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:59,240 getting ready for school, actually trying to go. 554 00:37:59,240 --> 00:38:01,600 And he cannot physically get out of the car. 555 00:38:04,120 --> 00:38:06,520 It is, it's a lot. 556 00:38:06,520 --> 00:38:09,720 To watch them want to succeed but feel completely overwhelmed 557 00:38:09,720 --> 00:38:13,320 by the environment, it's heartbreaking. 558 00:38:13,320 --> 00:38:18,480 I would even call the school counselor in front office 559 00:38:18,480 --> 00:38:22,080 and say, my son is having a panic attack in the bathroom. 560 00:38:22,080 --> 00:38:25,280 Can someone please check on him? 561 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:30,200 The main concern was for him to be in class on time 562 00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:33,200 and not for his specific well-being. 563 00:38:33,200 --> 00:38:40,200 I had email threads, probably 100 emails long. 564 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:43,440 For seven months, I advocated for my son. 565 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:46,480 I wrote emails and called meeting after meeting. 566 00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:49,240 I made phone calls and pushed for support. 567 00:38:49,240 --> 00:38:53,160 Despite documentation, medical diagnoses, 568 00:38:53,160 --> 00:38:57,760 I was often told that he just simply did not want to be there 569 00:38:57,760 --> 00:39:00,640 and did not want to do the work. 570 00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:02,560 As a parent that was devastating to hear 571 00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:04,760 because I knew that wasn't true, 572 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:06,880 feeling unheard and out of options, 573 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:08,480 I began opening and rolling him 574 00:39:08,520 --> 00:39:10,840 into schools outside of our district. 575 00:39:10,840 --> 00:39:13,160 I was preparing to send him somewhere else 576 00:39:13,160 --> 00:39:16,840 because I could not find the support he needed at BMHS. 577 00:39:16,840 --> 00:39:20,560 I was honestly heartbroken with how proud I am 578 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:23,000 to be part of the school district of Beloitte. 579 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:30,280 I was constantly told he doesn't need to go to BLA, 580 00:39:30,280 --> 00:39:31,840 he's not a problem child. 581 00:39:32,960 --> 00:39:37,520 And my son, he's never been suspended from school. 582 00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:40,040 He's never caused issues at school 583 00:39:40,040 --> 00:39:41,880 and that was always, he doesn't belong there. 584 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:43,280 He doesn't belong there. 585 00:39:44,360 --> 00:39:49,360 So, he did get into BLA due to me directly advocating to BLA 586 00:39:53,320 --> 00:39:56,160 after calling many meetings at the high school 587 00:39:56,160 --> 00:39:58,360 and just said, well, he'll have to wait 588 00:39:58,360 --> 00:40:00,840 at least two more years, probably till his junior year 589 00:40:00,840 --> 00:40:04,480 before we can even consider to send him over. 590 00:40:04,480 --> 00:40:07,560 So, as a freshman, he was supposed to struggle 591 00:40:07,560 --> 00:40:12,160 for two more years, not getting the support that he needed. 592 00:40:12,160 --> 00:40:15,320 So, he was accepted into BLA this last spring, 593 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:19,080 the fourth term at spring break time. 594 00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:21,040 He goes to school every day. 595 00:40:21,040 --> 00:40:22,720 He has relationships with staff 596 00:40:22,720 --> 00:40:24,760 who support him when he's struggling. 597 00:40:24,760 --> 00:40:28,040 He feels seen, understood, and accepted. 598 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,560 At BLA, he can use the gym during lunch 599 00:40:30,560 --> 00:40:33,880 to help regulate emotions and manage anxiety, 600 00:40:33,880 --> 00:40:35,560 while not getting overwhelmed 601 00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:38,160 with the other hundreds of students. 602 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:40,680 That was something that I asked for at the high school. 603 00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:44,040 I'm like, can he just get 10 minutes on lunchtime 604 00:40:44,040 --> 00:40:46,160 to just release some energy? 605 00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:46,960 Absolutely not. 606 00:40:46,960 --> 00:40:48,800 There's no way we can accommodate that 607 00:40:48,800 --> 00:40:51,600 and I understand that we cannot accommodate every child, 608 00:40:51,600 --> 00:40:54,500 but not every child is the same. 609 00:40:58,000 --> 00:40:59,680 So, there's that. 610 00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:02,280 And then, those opportunities do matter. 611 00:41:02,280 --> 00:41:03,960 Those relationships matter. 612 00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:05,680 And for students like my son, 613 00:41:05,680 --> 00:41:06,760 they can make the difference 614 00:41:06,760 --> 00:41:09,000 between showing up and giving up. 615 00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:11,560 If BLA exists because some students struggle 616 00:41:11,560 --> 00:41:14,120 in a traditional high school setting, 617 00:41:14,120 --> 00:41:15,960 then moving into the high school 618 00:41:15,960 --> 00:41:18,360 defeats the very purpose of the program. 619 00:41:18,360 --> 00:41:20,600 Putting students back into the environment 620 00:41:20,600 --> 00:41:23,400 where they were struggling is not a solution. 621 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:25,320 I understand that the district is facing 622 00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:28,240 difficult financial decisions and budget cuts. 623 00:41:28,240 --> 00:41:29,920 However, I ask that you consider 624 00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:32,680 the long-term cost of this decision. 625 00:41:32,680 --> 00:41:35,800 If students who are currently thriving at BLA 626 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:39,320 are placed back into the environment 627 00:41:39,320 --> 00:41:41,040 where they struggled before, 628 00:41:41,040 --> 00:41:42,760 some will disengage, 629 00:41:42,760 --> 00:41:43,840 attendance will suffer, 630 00:41:43,840 --> 00:41:46,100 and graduation rates will decline. 631 00:41:46,100 --> 00:41:48,920 We risk losing students who have finally found a place 632 00:41:48,920 --> 00:41:52,200 where they feel supported, connected, and successful. 633 00:41:52,200 --> 00:41:54,960 BLA is more than a building, it's a lifeline. 634 00:41:54,960 --> 00:41:57,560 It is a place where students find hope, support, 635 00:41:57,560 --> 00:41:59,440 and a path towards graduation 636 00:41:59,440 --> 00:42:01,720 when other options have not worked. 637 00:42:01,720 --> 00:42:03,800 Please listen to the students, families, 638 00:42:03,800 --> 00:42:05,600 staff, and community members 639 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:08,760 who have experienced the positive impact 640 00:42:08,760 --> 00:42:10,600 of this school firsthand. 641 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:14,160 For many students, BLA is not simply another school, 642 00:42:14,160 --> 00:42:16,720 it is the reason that they are succeeding. 643 00:42:16,720 --> 00:42:18,600 Please do not disrupt the very thing 644 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:21,160 that is helping these students thrive. 645 00:42:21,160 --> 00:42:22,760 Thank you. 646 00:42:22,760 --> 00:42:23,840 Thank you, Mrs. Schill. 647 00:42:23,840 --> 00:42:27,320 Oh, extra bond is our next speaker, 648 00:42:27,320 --> 00:42:30,880 and then who's up after us, ma'am, Mrs. Schill? 649 00:42:30,880 --> 00:42:31,960 No, Mrs. Schill. 650 00:42:31,960 --> 00:42:32,800 Okay. 651 00:42:34,640 --> 00:42:35,480 Paolo? 652 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:43,480 All right, whoof. 653 00:42:44,840 --> 00:42:46,480 All right, good afternoon, 654 00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:47,880 Beloit school board members 655 00:42:47,880 --> 00:42:49,800 and members of the Beloit community. 656 00:42:49,800 --> 00:42:51,440 For those of you who may not know me, 657 00:42:51,440 --> 00:42:53,200 my name is Paolo Delgado. 658 00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:54,520 I am one of the many students 659 00:42:54,520 --> 00:42:56,720 who attended Beloit Learning Academy. 660 00:42:56,760 --> 00:42:59,240 I graduated in 2020 during COVID. 661 00:43:00,360 --> 00:43:02,160 To give you a brief background, 662 00:43:02,160 --> 00:43:04,080 I am the oldest of five siblings, 663 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:06,280 the first Mexican American in my family 664 00:43:06,280 --> 00:43:08,120 to graduate from high school, 665 00:43:08,120 --> 00:43:09,920 the first to graduate from college 666 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:12,720 and the first police officer in my family. 667 00:43:12,720 --> 00:43:15,720 I was also a resident of Project 1649, 668 00:43:15,720 --> 00:43:18,960 a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting 669 00:43:18,960 --> 00:43:21,920 homeless youth in the Beloit and Janesville area 670 00:43:21,920 --> 00:43:24,080 by providing transitional living housing 671 00:43:24,080 --> 00:43:26,640 and other vital resources. 672 00:43:26,640 --> 00:43:29,880 Now that you know a little bit about my background, 673 00:43:29,880 --> 00:43:31,960 I would like to share a brief story. 674 00:43:31,960 --> 00:43:33,240 During the police academy, 675 00:43:33,240 --> 00:43:36,280 my director handed me a book called 676 00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:39,120 Start with Why by Simon Sinek. 677 00:43:39,120 --> 00:43:43,560 To be honest, reading has never been my favorite activities, 678 00:43:44,480 --> 00:43:47,600 but the academy challenged me in ways 679 00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:50,080 I had never experienced before. 680 00:43:50,080 --> 00:43:51,560 As I worked through those hardships, 681 00:43:51,560 --> 00:43:54,240 I began reading the book and eventually found myself 682 00:43:54,280 --> 00:43:57,200 asking the same question, why? 683 00:43:57,200 --> 00:43:59,800 Why did I begin this journey? 684 00:43:59,800 --> 00:44:02,280 When I looked back, I found my answer. 685 00:44:02,280 --> 00:44:04,120 Part of my why started right here 686 00:44:04,120 --> 00:44:05,760 in the school district of Beloit. 687 00:44:06,760 --> 00:44:08,560 It started at Royce Elementary, 688 00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:12,200 where I learned English, my second language. 689 00:44:12,200 --> 00:44:15,520 I then continued through my years in the district, 690 00:44:15,520 --> 00:44:18,840 which ultimately led me to Beloit Learning Academy, 691 00:44:18,840 --> 00:44:20,600 a school that gave me an opportunity 692 00:44:20,600 --> 00:44:22,680 to graduate as a proud purple knight. 693 00:44:23,440 --> 00:44:27,680 Beloit Learning Academy provided much more than education. 694 00:44:27,680 --> 00:44:30,120 Through its partnership with Project 1649, 695 00:44:30,120 --> 00:44:32,240 I had access to stability, support, 696 00:44:32,240 --> 00:44:36,160 and a place to call home during a difficult chapter of my life. 697 00:44:37,360 --> 00:44:38,920 I was able to work part-time, 698 00:44:38,920 --> 00:44:41,160 continue my education, and build a future 699 00:44:41,160 --> 00:44:42,800 that once seemed out of reach. 700 00:44:43,960 --> 00:44:48,960 On the school district of Beloit's board 701 00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:52,000 of education webpage at states, 702 00:44:52,040 --> 00:44:54,400 we acknowledge the challenges and adversity 703 00:44:54,400 --> 00:44:57,320 that so many of our families are facing. 704 00:44:57,320 --> 00:45:00,400 We are committed to supporting our students, 705 00:45:00,400 --> 00:45:01,480 families, and staff. 706 00:45:01,480 --> 00:45:04,160 We are here for you, and we are stronger together. 707 00:45:04,160 --> 00:45:06,560 Tonight, I invite the board to start with why. 708 00:45:07,440 --> 00:45:09,800 I encourage you to reflect on the message 709 00:45:09,800 --> 00:45:11,840 you want to send this community, 710 00:45:11,840 --> 00:45:14,080 and to remember the purpose behind the programs 711 00:45:14,080 --> 00:45:17,600 and opportunities that have changed so many lives. 712 00:45:17,600 --> 00:45:20,120 One of my favorite quotes from Start With Why says, 713 00:45:20,120 --> 00:45:22,400 all organizations start with why, 714 00:45:22,400 --> 00:45:27,080 but only the great ones keep their why clear year after year. 715 00:45:27,960 --> 00:45:30,040 Because of Beloit Learning Academy, 716 00:45:30,040 --> 00:45:31,480 I became a police officer. 717 00:45:31,480 --> 00:45:34,680 Because of Beloit Learning Academy, 718 00:45:34,680 --> 00:45:36,040 one of my sisters graduated 719 00:45:36,040 --> 00:45:38,520 and now it serves in the Army Reserves. 720 00:45:38,520 --> 00:45:41,040 Because of the opportunities provided through the district, 721 00:45:41,040 --> 00:45:43,520 another sister graduated from Beloit Memorial High School 722 00:45:43,520 --> 00:45:45,200 and now proudly serves our country 723 00:45:45,200 --> 00:45:47,600 in the United States Air Force. 724 00:45:47,600 --> 00:45:52,360 These are not just individual success stories. 725 00:45:52,360 --> 00:45:54,840 They are examples of what can happen 726 00:45:54,840 --> 00:45:57,600 when a school district invests in its students, 727 00:45:57,600 --> 00:46:00,240 especially those facing adversity. 728 00:46:00,240 --> 00:46:02,720 Beloit Learning Academy is much more than a school. 729 00:46:02,720 --> 00:46:04,040 It is a second chance. 730 00:46:04,040 --> 00:46:05,000 It is hope. 731 00:46:05,000 --> 00:46:06,600 It is opportunity. 732 00:46:06,600 --> 00:46:09,920 It is proof that when a community believes in its students, 733 00:46:09,920 --> 00:46:11,680 those students can achieve things 734 00:46:11,680 --> 00:46:13,240 they never thought possible. 735 00:46:13,240 --> 00:46:15,080 Thank you. 736 00:46:15,080 --> 00:46:16,080 I'm sorry, your time is up. 737 00:46:16,080 --> 00:46:17,320 Oh, sorry. 738 00:46:17,320 --> 00:46:18,160 Thank you. 739 00:46:18,160 --> 00:46:19,000 Okay. 740 00:46:19,840 --> 00:46:20,840 Mrs. Scho. 741 00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:23,840 APPLAUSE 742 00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:24,760 Next, I have Kylie. 743 00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:41,120 Hello. 744 00:46:41,120 --> 00:46:42,960 My name is Kylie Cribbs. 745 00:46:42,960 --> 00:46:45,440 I attended BLA. 746 00:46:45,440 --> 00:46:49,960 I want to thank Ms. Mackinte for inviting me here to speak today. 747 00:46:49,960 --> 00:46:52,480 I'm speaking today on behalf of Bulloy Learning Academy 748 00:46:52,480 --> 00:46:54,480 and the vital yet overlooked part of it 749 00:46:54,480 --> 00:46:56,520 that it plays within not just our school district 750 00:46:56,520 --> 00:46:57,920 but our community. 751 00:46:57,920 --> 00:46:59,760 I attended BLA during my senior year 752 00:46:59,760 --> 00:47:02,560 after struggling to feel connected to my education. 753 00:47:02,560 --> 00:47:05,200 Hoping BLA could be the change needed. 754 00:47:05,200 --> 00:47:07,440 While there, I experienced something I never have 755 00:47:07,440 --> 00:47:08,840 from any school prior. 756 00:47:08,840 --> 00:47:11,840 I experienced a school completely filled to the brim. 757 00:47:11,840 --> 00:47:13,760 Sorry, I have anxiety. 758 00:47:13,840 --> 00:47:16,240 Completely filled to the brim with educators 759 00:47:16,240 --> 00:47:19,920 who truly saw us and understood the challenges 760 00:47:19,920 --> 00:47:20,760 that we go through. 761 00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:26,640 The staff that put genuine time and care 762 00:47:26,640 --> 00:47:28,640 into recognizing us not just as students 763 00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:30,560 but as individual people. 764 00:47:30,560 --> 00:47:32,760 I was able to maintain a job and also graduate 765 00:47:32,760 --> 00:47:34,760 five months early, which I could not have done 766 00:47:34,760 --> 00:47:37,040 at the time without my teacher support. 767 00:47:37,040 --> 00:47:39,080 Looking back at some of my peers, 768 00:47:39,080 --> 00:47:42,040 simply needed guidance in academically, sorry, 769 00:47:42,040 --> 00:47:44,480 simply needed guidance academic wise, 770 00:47:44,480 --> 00:47:47,360 while others had harsh and violent home environments 771 00:47:47,360 --> 00:47:50,480 that made education the least of their worries. 772 00:47:50,480 --> 00:47:53,720 The teachers around me both understood and acknowledged this. 773 00:47:53,720 --> 00:47:56,720 If you truly wanted to obtain a high school diploma, 774 00:47:56,720 --> 00:47:58,720 they ensured you would do so. 775 00:47:58,720 --> 00:48:00,680 They gave you the resources to achieve it. 776 00:48:00,680 --> 00:48:02,120 And if you were a troubled student 777 00:48:02,120 --> 00:48:04,800 who was convinced a diploma wasn't necessary, 778 00:48:04,800 --> 00:48:06,600 they found ways to get through to you 779 00:48:06,600 --> 00:48:09,120 by reminding you of your potential. 780 00:48:09,120 --> 00:48:11,160 But that's not where they stopped. 781 00:48:11,160 --> 00:48:13,000 They also pushed for higher education, 782 00:48:13,000 --> 00:48:14,880 which for some students was the first time 783 00:48:14,880 --> 00:48:17,920 an adult made them feel that was even a possibility 784 00:48:17,920 --> 00:48:18,880 or an option. 785 00:48:20,400 --> 00:48:23,520 Minimizing BLA's importance within our school district 786 00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:25,920 is minimizing the importance of the many 787 00:48:25,920 --> 00:48:28,200 at-risk children within our city. 788 00:48:28,200 --> 00:48:30,200 The school is a pillar for our community 789 00:48:30,200 --> 00:48:32,440 and it is one that should not be taken for granted 790 00:48:32,440 --> 00:48:33,760 or forgotten. 791 00:48:33,760 --> 00:48:36,560 I can sincerely say BLA give me an education 792 00:48:36,560 --> 00:48:38,760 that will follow me throughout my life. 793 00:48:38,760 --> 00:48:40,840 It's imperative that the district recognizes 794 00:48:40,840 --> 00:48:42,680 just how vital BLA is to kids 795 00:48:42,680 --> 00:48:44,680 that don't deserve to be left behind, 796 00:48:44,680 --> 00:48:46,800 simply because they didn't have the same access 797 00:48:46,800 --> 00:48:48,520 to the education and educators 798 00:48:48,520 --> 00:48:50,160 I was fortunate enough to have. 799 00:48:52,080 --> 00:48:55,680 I think the first time I stepped into BLA, 800 00:48:55,680 --> 00:48:59,520 it was nerve-wracking because BLA has a reputation 801 00:48:59,520 --> 00:49:03,200 of a lot of their kids being trouble, 802 00:49:03,200 --> 00:49:05,280 a lot of them having anger issues 803 00:49:05,280 --> 00:49:07,120 and that's why they're sent there. 804 00:49:07,120 --> 00:49:10,480 I think the mix was actually quite beautiful. 805 00:49:10,480 --> 00:49:12,760 I was surprised that a lot of the kids 806 00:49:12,760 --> 00:49:16,680 weren't really angry, they just never had an adult hear them 807 00:49:16,680 --> 00:49:19,000 or listen to them and truly see them. 808 00:49:20,160 --> 00:49:25,160 BLA has a unfortunate side to it at times. 809 00:49:25,960 --> 00:49:30,040 There can be violence, there can be anger 810 00:49:30,040 --> 00:49:32,840 and I think that trickles down to the students, 811 00:49:32,840 --> 00:49:34,640 it trickles down to the kids 812 00:49:34,640 --> 00:49:36,880 and I saw firsthand how the teachers 813 00:49:36,880 --> 00:49:39,160 were able to connect with some of these kids 814 00:49:39,160 --> 00:49:41,600 that were angry and they didn't know why. 815 00:49:43,160 --> 00:49:44,800 The educators are truly amazing 816 00:49:44,800 --> 00:49:48,440 and I wanna thank them all for doing what they can 817 00:49:48,440 --> 00:49:52,920 to support these students and support me 818 00:49:52,920 --> 00:49:54,960 and I think that's why we're all here today 819 00:49:54,960 --> 00:49:58,040 and I'd like to say thank you guys for your time. 820 00:49:58,040 --> 00:49:58,880 Thank you. 821 00:49:58,880 --> 00:49:59,880 Yeah. 822 00:49:59,880 --> 00:50:01,960 Mrs. Schill, who do we have next? 823 00:50:01,960 --> 00:50:04,280 The last one I have in the room is Mario. 824 00:50:10,160 --> 00:50:13,160 Give me one second. 825 00:50:13,160 --> 00:50:14,160 Here we go. 826 00:50:14,160 --> 00:50:17,160 Good afternoon everyone. 827 00:50:17,160 --> 00:50:20,160 My name is Mario Flores Kulin. 828 00:50:20,160 --> 00:50:22,160 I am a 2024 BLA graduate. 829 00:50:22,160 --> 00:50:27,160 I graduated with honors at Tricocci University of Beauty Culture. 830 00:50:27,160 --> 00:50:29,160 First and foremost, I want to thank everyone 831 00:50:29,160 --> 00:50:31,160 for being here in this moment 832 00:50:31,160 --> 00:50:34,160 and for all my teachers for being the most supportive 833 00:50:34,160 --> 00:50:36,160 and helping people in my career. 834 00:50:37,160 --> 00:50:40,160 I am living proof of why BLA shouldn't be moved or erased. 835 00:50:40,160 --> 00:50:42,160 I was a student at Beloé Memorial High School. 836 00:50:42,160 --> 00:50:45,160 I was only there for about a year and a half. 837 00:50:45,160 --> 00:50:48,160 That school didn't bring any benefits to me. 838 00:50:48,160 --> 00:50:52,160 The only thing it gave me was anxiety and stress. 839 00:50:52,160 --> 00:50:55,160 Ever since I switched to Beloé Learning Academy, 840 00:50:55,160 --> 00:50:57,160 my career changed for the better. 841 00:50:57,160 --> 00:51:01,160 It's been the only school that has made me feel safe, 842 00:51:01,160 --> 00:51:04,160 cared for, and made me feel safe. 843 00:51:04,160 --> 00:51:08,160 Cared for and made me feel good about myself. 844 00:51:08,160 --> 00:51:10,160 When I was moved to Beloé Learning Academy, 845 00:51:10,160 --> 00:51:14,160 I was greeted with such loving, passionate, 846 00:51:14,160 --> 00:51:17,160 and open-minded people. 847 00:51:17,160 --> 00:51:19,160 The way these teachers take care of the kids, 848 00:51:19,160 --> 00:51:22,160 you would have thought they were all therapists. 849 00:51:22,160 --> 00:51:25,160 To me, these teachers are like second mothers to me. 850 00:51:25,160 --> 00:51:28,160 I came here to tell the board to put importance into the school 851 00:51:28,160 --> 00:51:30,160 why, you may ask, 852 00:51:30,160 --> 00:51:32,160 because this school accepts everyone. 853 00:51:32,160 --> 00:51:36,160 It doesn't matter where you came from, what you want to be, 854 00:51:36,160 --> 00:51:38,160 or what you look like. 855 00:51:38,160 --> 00:51:40,160 Beloé Learning Academy welcomes everyone. 856 00:51:40,160 --> 00:51:44,160 Identity isn't a matter to be worried about for these students. 857 00:51:44,160 --> 00:51:48,160 I please ask you to not touch Beloé Learning Academy. 858 00:51:48,160 --> 00:51:51,160 It's an important school that is helping students 859 00:51:51,160 --> 00:51:55,160 actually graduate and succeed in their life and careers. 860 00:51:55,160 --> 00:51:58,160 As a gay Latino, I want to represent this school 861 00:51:58,160 --> 00:52:01,160 and to speak up for the students and teachers that can't. 862 00:52:01,160 --> 00:52:04,160 I can't be represented on the BMHS field, 863 00:52:04,160 --> 00:52:07,160 but in my heart, I graduated in Beloé Learning Academy. 864 00:52:07,160 --> 00:52:10,160 I can't comprehend how, as a parent, 865 00:52:10,160 --> 00:52:12,160 you can't put yourself in the shoes of these students. 866 00:52:12,160 --> 00:52:15,160 Imagine your child being stripped from the confidence, 867 00:52:15,160 --> 00:52:18,160 joy, and opportunity this school brings. 868 00:52:18,160 --> 00:52:22,160 Why should the students be disvalued over students at BMHS? 869 00:52:22,160 --> 00:52:25,160 These programs have fought so hard to be in one building, 870 00:52:25,160 --> 00:52:28,160 why move them and break them apart? 871 00:52:28,160 --> 00:52:31,160 BLA hasn't brought harm to anyone. 872 00:52:31,160 --> 00:52:35,160 What it has brought is to Beloé as a whole is community, 873 00:52:35,160 --> 00:52:39,160 love, and education that truly does matter. 874 00:52:39,160 --> 00:52:43,160 Here's my proof of what BLA has helped me with. 875 00:52:43,160 --> 00:52:46,160 And I have my certification of my scholarship 876 00:52:46,160 --> 00:52:48,160 that I received through BLA. 877 00:52:48,160 --> 00:52:52,160 It was a $10,000 scholarship through the Herb Cole Foundation 878 00:52:52,160 --> 00:52:56,160 and my graduation certificate of Tricogee. 879 00:52:56,160 --> 00:52:58,160 Thank you very much. 880 00:52:58,160 --> 00:53:00,160 Thank you. 881 00:53:00,160 --> 00:53:02,160 Mrs. Schul. 882 00:53:08,160 --> 00:53:10,160 Now I have emails. 883 00:53:13,160 --> 00:53:16,160 This email is from Dan. 884 00:53:16,160 --> 00:53:19,160 My name is Dan, and I'm a teacher at BLA. 885 00:53:20,160 --> 00:53:24,160 I respectfully ask that the Beloé Learning Academy 886 00:53:24,160 --> 00:53:27,160 remain at the Cunningham Success Center. 887 00:53:27,160 --> 00:53:30,160 The Cunningham Success Center is much more than a building. 888 00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:33,160 It houses Beloé Learning Academy even start. 889 00:53:33,160 --> 00:53:37,160 The Teen Parent Program Office, the BVS Office, 890 00:53:37,160 --> 00:53:41,160 GEDO2, the Bridge Transition Program, 891 00:53:41,160 --> 00:53:44,160 Challenge Academy Mentoring, a Makerspace, a library, 892 00:53:44,160 --> 00:53:46,160 a food pantry, a clothing closet, 893 00:53:46,160 --> 00:53:51,160 and school social work services. 894 00:53:51,160 --> 00:53:53,160 That's not a building. 895 00:53:53,160 --> 00:53:54,160 That's a toolbox. 896 00:53:54,160 --> 00:53:57,160 We also have a courtyard and garden that serve as outdoor 897 00:53:57,160 --> 00:53:59,160 classrooms for our environmental literature 898 00:53:59,160 --> 00:54:01,160 and environmental science students. 899 00:54:01,160 --> 00:54:04,160 The food pantry and clothing closet provide resources 900 00:54:04,160 --> 00:54:07,160 for students while creating opportunities for volunteer 901 00:54:07,160 --> 00:54:10,160 service, work experience, and skill development. 902 00:54:10,160 --> 00:54:12,160 The Bridge Transition Program helps students with 903 00:54:12,160 --> 00:54:15,160 intellectual disabilities develop employment 904 00:54:15,160 --> 00:54:18,160 and independent living skills that prepare them for the life 905 00:54:18,160 --> 00:54:20,160 after high school. 906 00:54:20,160 --> 00:54:23,160 What makes the Cunningham Success Center special is that 907 00:54:23,160 --> 00:54:25,160 these resources work together. 908 00:54:25,160 --> 00:54:28,160 Students can access academic support, basic needs, 909 00:54:28,160 --> 00:54:31,160 resources, social emotional support, work experience, 910 00:54:31,160 --> 00:54:35,160 transitioning programming, and mentoring all in one place. 911 00:54:35,160 --> 00:54:37,160 I've learned something in education. 912 00:54:37,160 --> 00:54:39,160 Success isn't just about programs. 913 00:54:39,160 --> 00:54:42,160 It's about connections between people, resources, 914 00:54:42,160 --> 00:54:44,160 and opportunities. 915 00:54:44,160 --> 00:54:47,160 Many of our students come to us because traditional settings 916 00:54:47,160 --> 00:54:49,160 have not met their needs. 917 00:54:49,160 --> 00:54:52,160 The Cunningham Success Center provides stability, 918 00:54:52,160 --> 00:54:54,160 consistency, and support. 919 00:54:54,160 --> 00:54:57,160 For many students, it is the first place they've experienced 920 00:54:57,160 --> 00:54:58,160 success in school. 921 00:54:58,160 --> 00:55:01,160 As you consider the future of the Lloyd Learning Academy, 922 00:55:01,160 --> 00:55:04,160 I ask that you look beyond square footage and facility maps. 923 00:55:04,160 --> 00:55:05,160 Look at the students. 924 00:55:05,160 --> 00:55:06,160 Look at the programs. 925 00:55:06,160 --> 00:55:08,160 Look at the opportunities. 926 00:55:08,160 --> 00:55:11,160 Because the Cunningham Success Center isn't just a school 927 00:55:11,160 --> 00:55:14,160 but it's a toolbox filled with programs, resources, 928 00:55:14,160 --> 00:55:17,160 opportunities, and people who help students succeed. 929 00:55:17,160 --> 00:55:19,160 And it changes lives every day. 930 00:55:19,160 --> 00:55:22,160 Thank you for your time and consideration. 931 00:55:25,160 --> 00:55:27,160 Next, I have one from Finley. 932 00:55:27,160 --> 00:55:30,160 My name is Finley and I stand in support of the 933 00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:31,160 Lloyd Learning Academy. 934 00:55:31,160 --> 00:55:34,160 First, I would like to apologize for not being able to attend 935 00:55:34,160 --> 00:55:35,160 this meeting in person. 936 00:55:35,160 --> 00:55:36,160 I had to work tonight. 937 00:55:36,160 --> 00:55:40,160 But I hope my words can help show the impact the school has 938 00:55:40,160 --> 00:55:41,160 had on students like me. 939 00:55:41,160 --> 00:55:44,160 As a freshman in high school, I experienced severe bullying 940 00:55:44,160 --> 00:55:46,160 and eventually lost hope that I would graduate. 941 00:55:46,160 --> 00:55:50,160 I felt isolated, unsupported, and ultimately stopped attending 942 00:55:50,160 --> 00:55:52,160 school because I could not see a path forward. 943 00:55:52,160 --> 00:55:55,160 Everything changed when I transferred to the Lloyd Learning 944 00:55:55,160 --> 00:55:58,160 Academy halfway through my junior year. 945 00:55:58,160 --> 00:56:01,160 For the first time, I felt supported by my teachers 946 00:56:01,160 --> 00:56:04,160 and believed that my future mattered. 947 00:56:04,160 --> 00:56:07,160 Because of the opportunities and encouragement I received there, 948 00:56:07,160 --> 00:56:10,160 I not only graduated, but I graduated early. 949 00:56:10,160 --> 00:56:13,160 Without the Lloyd Learning Academy, I honestly do not know 950 00:56:13,160 --> 00:56:15,160 if I would have graduated at all. 951 00:56:15,160 --> 00:56:17,160 This school is more than an alternative option. 952 00:56:17,160 --> 00:56:22,160 It is a lifeline for students who need a different path to success. 953 00:56:22,160 --> 00:56:25,160 I am living proof of the difference it can make. 954 00:56:25,160 --> 00:56:29,160 Please do not take away that opportunity from future students. 955 00:56:29,160 --> 00:56:32,160 Lloyd Learning Academy changed my life and I hope it can 956 00:56:32,160 --> 00:56:34,160 continue changing lives for years to come. 957 00:56:34,160 --> 00:56:37,160 Thank you for your time, consideration, and for listening 958 00:56:37,160 --> 00:56:38,160 to my story. 959 00:56:44,160 --> 00:56:47,160 Next, I have one from Juliana. 960 00:56:47,160 --> 00:56:50,160 My name is Juliana, and I'm writing to express my strong 961 00:56:50,160 --> 00:56:53,160 support for Lloyd Learning Academy and to respectfully ask 962 00:56:53,160 --> 00:56:55,160 that it not be removed. 963 00:56:55,160 --> 00:56:59,160 Lloyd Learning Academy has been more than just a school to me. 964 00:56:59,160 --> 00:57:01,160 It has been my second chance at success. 965 00:57:01,160 --> 00:57:04,160 I began my freshman year at Bulloyt Memorial High School 966 00:57:04,160 --> 00:57:07,160 with hope for my education, but I quickly faced challenges 967 00:57:07,160 --> 00:57:10,160 that made it difficult for me to succeed. 968 00:57:10,160 --> 00:57:13,160 My class schedule was changed in ways that created confusion 969 00:57:13,160 --> 00:57:15,160 and made me feel unsupported. 970 00:57:15,160 --> 00:57:18,160 When my mother and I tried to address the situation, 971 00:57:18,160 --> 00:57:21,160 we did not feel that our concerns were taken seriously. 972 00:57:21,160 --> 00:57:24,160 As a result, I began to lose faith in the school system. 973 00:57:24,160 --> 00:57:27,160 During the middle of my sophomore year, my mother applied 974 00:57:27,160 --> 00:57:29,160 for me to attend Bulloyt Learning Academy. 975 00:57:29,160 --> 00:57:32,160 I was grateful to be accepted because it gave me 976 00:57:32,160 --> 00:57:35,160 another opportunity to continue my education. 977 00:57:35,160 --> 00:57:39,160 While attending BLA, I was able to complete my 10th grade year 978 00:57:39,160 --> 00:57:41,160 and recover all of my missed credits. 979 00:57:41,160 --> 00:57:44,160 Later, I had to step away from school during my junior year 980 00:57:44,160 --> 00:57:47,160 because of difficult personal circumstances. 981 00:57:47,160 --> 00:57:50,160 I needed to help my mother care for my three younger siblings 982 00:57:50,160 --> 00:57:53,160 while also working three jobs to support my family. 983 00:57:53,160 --> 00:57:58,160 Even during that time, the staff at BLA continued to encourage me 984 00:57:58,160 --> 00:58:00,160 and believe in me. 985 00:58:00,160 --> 00:58:04,160 Mrs. Buchanan, Ms. Monroe, Mr. Harrow, Ms. Scoville, 986 00:58:04,160 --> 00:58:07,160 and many others went above and beyond for me. 987 00:58:07,160 --> 00:58:10,160 They stayed after hours to help me, pushed me to do my best, 988 00:58:10,160 --> 00:58:12,160 and never gave up on me. 989 00:58:12,160 --> 00:58:15,160 Their dedication made me believe that I could still succeed 990 00:58:15,160 --> 00:58:17,160 even when I felt overwhelmed. 991 00:58:17,160 --> 00:58:20,160 During my senior year, I also experienced a deeply difficult 992 00:58:20,160 --> 00:58:23,160 and traumatic personal situation that made continuing 993 00:58:23,160 --> 00:58:24,160 school even harder. 994 00:58:24,160 --> 00:58:27,160 In one of the darkest times of my life, 995 00:58:27,160 --> 00:58:30,160 Mr. Buchanan reached out to me and asked how I was doing 996 00:58:30,160 --> 00:58:33,160 and encouraged me to continue my education. 997 00:58:33,160 --> 00:58:35,160 That support meant everything to me. 998 00:58:35,160 --> 00:58:38,160 Today, I can honestly say that I would not be close to completing 999 00:58:38,160 --> 00:58:41,160 my education if it were not for Bloitte Learning Academy. 1000 00:58:41,160 --> 00:58:44,160 This school gave me the support, encouragement, 1001 00:58:44,160 --> 00:58:47,160 and second chance that I needed when I felt like giving up. 1002 00:58:47,160 --> 00:58:51,160 BLA helps students who may be behind struggling or facing 1003 00:58:51,160 --> 00:58:54,160 serious life challenges, and it gives them a real opportunity 1004 00:58:54,160 --> 00:58:56,160 to graduate and build a better future. 1005 00:58:56,160 --> 00:59:00,160 I strongly encourage the board to reconsider any plans to move 1006 00:59:00,160 --> 00:59:02,160 BLA into the high school. 1007 00:59:02,160 --> 00:59:05,160 BLA's current location has created a supportive environment 1008 00:59:05,160 --> 00:59:07,160 that benefits many students and families, 1009 00:59:07,160 --> 00:59:10,160 and relocating it could negatively impact the programs 1010 00:59:10,160 --> 00:59:13,160 and relationships that have made it so successful. 1011 00:59:13,160 --> 00:59:17,160 One of the most valuable aspects of BLA is the connection between 1012 00:59:17,160 --> 00:59:20,160 the younger children and the older students they look up to. 1013 00:59:20,160 --> 00:59:23,160 These children, including preschool-aged students, 1014 00:59:23,160 --> 00:59:26,160 have built trusting relationships with older student mentors 1015 00:59:26,160 --> 00:59:29,160 who help them learn, grow, and feel comfortable. 1016 00:59:29,160 --> 00:59:32,160 At the same time, the older students take pride in supporting 1017 00:59:32,160 --> 00:59:34,160 and encouraging these young learners, 1018 00:59:34,160 --> 00:59:37,160 including children who are nonverbal and have additional needs. 1019 00:59:37,160 --> 00:59:40,160 Taking away those opportunities would be a loss for both groups. 1020 00:59:40,160 --> 00:59:45,160 BLA also provides important support for students facing challenges 1021 00:59:45,160 --> 00:59:48,160 in their lives, including teen parents who are working hard 1022 00:59:48,160 --> 00:59:52,160 to continue their education, and students who are making positive changes. 1023 00:59:52,160 --> 00:59:54,160 We're at three minutes on that one. 1024 00:59:54,160 --> 00:59:55,160 Okay. 1025 00:59:59,160 --> 01:00:01,160 This one is from Noah. 1026 01:00:01,160 --> 01:00:06,160 I am from BLA, and I'm writing about the choice of our school 1027 01:00:06,160 --> 01:00:09,160 either being moved or even canceled altogether. 1028 01:00:09,160 --> 01:00:12,160 In my opinion, I think both moving our school and ending it 1029 01:00:12,160 --> 01:00:15,160 are both horrible decisions for many reasons, 1030 01:00:15,160 --> 01:00:17,160 but I won't talk much about the bad. 1031 01:00:17,160 --> 01:00:20,160 I'll speak on behalf of the good BLA has done for me. 1032 01:00:20,160 --> 01:00:24,160 In BLA, it has allowed me and many others in our own way and pace. 1033 01:00:24,160 --> 01:00:28,160 I personally am very fast in this environment in exchange 1034 01:00:28,160 --> 01:00:30,160 for finishing my work. 1035 01:00:30,160 --> 01:00:32,160 I was given chances to do stuff I liked, 1036 01:00:32,160 --> 01:00:35,160 like making props for costumes in the maker space, 1037 01:00:35,160 --> 01:00:38,160 as well as spending time sewing a costume, 1038 01:00:38,160 --> 01:00:41,160 helping around when things need transporting and all together 1039 01:00:41,160 --> 01:00:43,160 just getting time to be myself. 1040 01:00:43,160 --> 01:00:46,160 BLA is very accepting of students in my opinion 1041 01:00:46,160 --> 01:00:49,160 and doesn't single out a student for the way they think, dress, or act. 1042 01:00:49,160 --> 01:00:53,160 The staff there have always sat and listened about random facts I have 1043 01:00:53,160 --> 01:00:56,160 or even just if I need to get what's on my mind out. 1044 01:00:56,160 --> 01:01:00,160 It has also been very good with helping me follow my accommodations 1045 01:01:00,160 --> 01:01:04,160 and I don't have to second guess if they will be met if I need them. 1046 01:01:04,160 --> 01:01:09,160 I know our school isn't perfect in all means, 1047 01:01:09,160 --> 01:01:13,160 but getting rid of it would affect the lives of me and so many other students. 1048 01:01:13,160 --> 01:01:16,160 Most of us have gotten set into our routine at the school 1049 01:01:16,160 --> 01:01:19,160 and have learned to love the teachers and other staff we have. 1050 01:01:19,160 --> 01:01:23,160 If our school was even just moved we'd lose many of our staff 1051 01:01:23,160 --> 01:01:26,160 who aren't teachers because those staff are at other schools 1052 01:01:26,160 --> 01:01:30,160 and I've personally learned to love coming every day and seeing everyone. 1053 01:01:30,160 --> 01:01:34,160 I hope you can take what I say into account when making the choice for BLA. 1054 01:01:34,160 --> 01:01:36,160 Have a wonderful day. 1055 01:01:42,160 --> 01:01:45,160 I would like to voice my support for the BLA Academy 1056 01:01:45,160 --> 01:01:48,160 it is much needed in the city. 1057 01:01:48,160 --> 01:01:52,160 I did have the privilege to work as a security guard at the right building for eight years. 1058 01:01:52,160 --> 01:01:55,160 I did see many students grow and mature during the years there. 1059 01:01:55,160 --> 01:01:58,160 I also had the opportunity to sponsor three students 1060 01:01:58,160 --> 01:02:01,160 who attended the Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy. 1061 01:02:01,160 --> 01:02:03,160 All three did graduate. 1062 01:02:03,160 --> 01:02:05,160 I believed in BLA and the students. 1063 01:02:05,160 --> 01:02:10,160 We did have a basketball team even though the players were not very good, but they did try. 1064 01:02:10,160 --> 01:02:12,160 I did transport some of the students to the games 1065 01:02:12,160 --> 01:02:17,160 and even one of the players who was a guest at the Juvenile Detention Facility. 1066 01:02:17,160 --> 01:02:20,160 My job was not just a role as a security officer, 1067 01:02:20,160 --> 01:02:25,160 but a person to talk to these youngsters, students as a father role model. 1068 01:02:25,160 --> 01:02:28,160 There is a need for BLA in Beloit. 1069 01:02:28,160 --> 01:02:30,160 I wish I was younger. 1070 01:02:30,160 --> 01:02:35,160 It was a challenge but very enjoyable and I would not have changed it for the world. 1071 01:02:35,160 --> 01:02:41,160 I am thankful that Dan Stoffaker who was in charge of school safety 1072 01:02:41,160 --> 01:02:43,160 placed me at BLA. 1073 01:02:43,160 --> 01:02:45,160 Respectful yours, Robert. 1074 01:02:50,160 --> 01:02:52,160 My name is Daniel. 1075 01:02:52,160 --> 01:02:56,160 I have four children in the school district at Frozen and BMHS. 1076 01:02:56,160 --> 01:03:02,160 I understand that you're under a lot of pressure to figure out solutions given the financial situation we're in. 1077 01:03:02,160 --> 01:03:06,160 However, based on conversation with teachers at BMHS as well as kids, 1078 01:03:06,160 --> 01:03:09,160 I know who have successfully studied at BLA. 1079 01:03:09,160 --> 01:03:14,160 I believe that it would defeat the whole purpose of BLA by moving it back to the high school building. 1080 01:03:14,160 --> 01:03:19,160 The success of BMHS and BLA stems in no small part from their separation. 1081 01:03:19,160 --> 01:03:24,160 The students who are thriving at BLA are doing so because they're in a different environment. 1082 01:03:24,160 --> 01:03:27,160 Putting them back in the place where they struggled is counterproductive. 1083 01:03:27,160 --> 01:03:29,160 Daniel. 1084 01:03:29,160 --> 01:03:42,160 To your members of the board, I am writing as a family member of several Beloit Learning Academy graduates 1085 01:03:42,160 --> 01:03:46,160 and as someone who spent 10 and a half years serving as a data analyst 1086 01:03:46,160 --> 01:03:49,160 in the United States Air Force throughout my career, 1087 01:03:49,160 --> 01:03:52,160 I have learned one simple truth, data does not lie. 1088 01:03:52,160 --> 01:03:57,160 When evaluating the future of BLA, I urge the board to look beyond the surface level numbers 1089 01:03:57,160 --> 01:04:01,160 and consider what this school was created to accomplish. 1090 01:04:01,160 --> 01:04:05,160 BLA serves students who often need a different educational environment to succeed. 1091 01:04:05,160 --> 01:04:09,160 While traditional schools are measured primarily by standardized test scores, 1092 01:04:09,160 --> 01:04:14,160 alternative schools should also be evaluated on graduation rates, student retention, 1093 01:04:14,160 --> 01:04:19,160 attendance, and the number of young people who remain connected to education rather than dropping out. 1094 01:04:19,160 --> 01:04:24,160 According to publicly available data, Beloit Learning Academy serves over 150 students 1095 01:04:24,160 --> 01:04:28,160 and has maintained graduation rates around 77%. 1096 01:04:28,160 --> 01:04:31,160 Reaching as high as 82% in some years. 1097 01:04:31,160 --> 01:04:36,160 Enrollment has grown over recent years demonstrating that families continue to seek the services 1098 01:04:36,160 --> 01:04:38,160 and support the school provides. 1099 01:04:38,160 --> 01:04:41,160 The numbers are important, but they only tell part of the story. 1100 01:04:41,160 --> 01:04:46,160 My cousins attended BLA and I witnessed firsthand the impact it had on their lives. 1101 01:04:46,160 --> 01:04:51,160 The school provided an environment where they could grow, mature, and ultimately succeed. 1102 01:04:51,160 --> 01:04:57,160 Without this opportunity, I generally do not know if they would have experienced the same positive outcomes. 1103 01:04:57,160 --> 01:05:03,160 As a data professional, I understand that every organization must make difficult financial decisions. 1104 01:05:03,160 --> 01:05:07,160 However, good analysis requires asking the right question. 1105 01:05:07,160 --> 01:05:10,160 The question should not simply be, how much does this building cost? 1106 01:05:10,160 --> 01:05:15,160 The question should be, what happens to the students who rely on this program if it disappears? 1107 01:05:15,160 --> 01:05:20,160 If even a portion of these students are able to graduate because Beloit Learning Academy exists, 1108 01:05:20,160 --> 01:05:23,160 then the return on investment extends far beyond test scores. 1109 01:05:23,160 --> 01:05:28,160 It affects employment, future earnings, community engagement, and the lives of entire families. 1110 01:05:28,160 --> 01:05:34,160 Schools like BLA are often the last opportunity for students who have struggled elsewhere. 1111 01:05:34,160 --> 01:05:39,160 Closing or significantly downsizing the school risks removing an educational lifeline 1112 01:05:39,160 --> 01:05:44,160 that has already changed countless lives, including those of my own family members. 1113 01:05:44,160 --> 01:05:49,160 I respectfully ask the Board to carefully consider the long-term impact of this decision. 1114 01:05:49,160 --> 01:05:55,160 Data should guide decisions, but it must be interpreted within the context of the population being served. 1115 01:05:55,160 --> 01:05:59,160 The success of BLA cannot be measured solely by traditional metrics. 1116 01:05:59,160 --> 01:06:04,160 It's true success is measured by the students who graduate, move forward, and build better futures 1117 01:06:04,160 --> 01:06:06,160 because someone believed they deserved another chance. 1118 01:06:06,160 --> 01:06:10,160 Thank you for your time, your service, and your consideration, Amanda. 1119 01:06:15,160 --> 01:06:20,160 To the Beloit School Board, my name is Olivia, and I'm writing in support of keeping BLA open 1120 01:06:20,160 --> 01:06:23,160 and, if possible, allowing it to remain at the Cunningham Building. 1121 01:06:23,160 --> 01:06:30,160 I attended BLA, and I honestly say that the staff and teachers there were so much more than educators. 1122 01:06:30,160 --> 01:06:36,160 They were mentors, advocates, and a support system for students facing challenges both inside and outside of school. 1123 01:06:36,160 --> 01:06:41,160 As a teenager, I experienced domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and struggles at home. 1124 01:06:41,160 --> 01:06:46,160 During some of the most difficult times in my life, the teachers at BLA never gave up on me. 1125 01:06:46,160 --> 01:06:50,160 They saw me as a person, not just a student sitting in a classroom, 1126 01:06:50,160 --> 01:06:55,160 two teachers who made a lasting impact on my life were Mr. Larson and Mrs. Scoville. 1127 01:06:55,160 --> 01:06:59,160 Early in my pregnancy, I would often become very sick during class. 1128 01:06:59,160 --> 01:07:04,160 Mr. Larson made sure I was comfortable and supported instead of making me feel like a burden. 1129 01:07:04,160 --> 01:07:10,160 Mrs. Scoville, along with many other staff members, always made sure students knew someone cared about them. 1130 01:07:10,160 --> 01:07:15,160 They understood that many of us were caring burdens that extended far beyond the classroom. 1131 01:07:15,160 --> 01:07:20,160 The staff at BLA recognized that students cannot focus on learning when they are worried about basic needs. 1132 01:07:20,160 --> 01:07:25,160 There were times when teachers provided snacks because they knew students were coming to school hungry. 1133 01:07:25,160 --> 01:07:29,160 They created an environment where students felt safe, supported, and valued. 1134 01:07:29,160 --> 01:07:31,160 Academically, the teachers went above and beyond. 1135 01:07:31,160 --> 01:07:34,160 They taught in ways that students could understand and relate to. 1136 01:07:34,160 --> 01:07:41,160 They took the time to explain concepts differently, offer extra help, and help students succeed when traditional learning environments had failed them. 1137 01:07:41,160 --> 01:07:44,160 They believed in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves. 1138 01:07:44,160 --> 01:07:52,160 One of the proudest moments of my life was graduating from high school and walking across the stage with my first-born child there to watch me receive my diploma. 1139 01:07:52,160 --> 01:07:59,160 That moment was possible because of Bloitte Learning Academy and the support I received from teachers like Mr. Larson and Mrs. Scoville. 1140 01:07:59,160 --> 01:08:04,160 They helped me see the becoming a young mother did not mean giving up on my education or my future. 1141 01:08:04,160 --> 01:08:11,160 If it were not for BLA, I do not believe I would have graduated, and if I had not graduated, I would not be where I am today. 1142 01:08:11,160 --> 01:08:16,160 The support, encouragement, and compassion I received at BLA changed the trajectory of my life. 1143 01:08:16,160 --> 01:08:20,160 They helped me build a future not only for myself but for my child as well. 1144 01:08:20,160 --> 01:08:24,160 BLA is more than a school. For many students, it's a lifeline. 1145 01:08:24,160 --> 01:08:30,160 It's a place where students who are struggling facing adversity or feeling overlooked are given the support they need to succeed. 1146 01:08:30,160 --> 01:08:37,160 The relationships built there and the individualized attention provided by the staff cannot be replaced. 1147 01:08:37,160 --> 01:08:42,160 I respectfully ask the Board to consider the profound impact BLA has made on students like me. 1148 01:08:42,160 --> 01:08:44,160 My story is just one of many. 1149 01:08:44,160 --> 01:08:50,160 Keeping BLA open means continuing to provide hope, opportunity, and a path forward for students who need it most. 1150 01:08:50,160 --> 01:08:53,160 Thank you for your time and consideration, Olivia. 1151 01:08:54,160 --> 01:09:04,160 Good morning. My name is Chrissy, but everyone knows. 1152 01:09:04,160 --> 01:09:12,160 As I was starting my freshman year, I was scared but excited because it was different, 1153 01:09:12,160 --> 01:09:16,160 but I was dealing with a lot of things outside of school due to my behavior. 1154 01:09:16,160 --> 01:09:22,160 The high school kicked me out every chance they got because of my behavior and not knowing what I was going through 1155 01:09:22,160 --> 01:09:29,160 and dealing with at the time because they don't care about the students just the paycheck it seemed like. 1156 01:09:29,160 --> 01:09:32,160 It was only two teachers and a principal that tried to help me. 1157 01:09:32,160 --> 01:09:36,160 I went to high school from September until March 6th of my ninth grade year. 1158 01:09:36,160 --> 01:09:42,160 I couldn't do it anymore, so I asked, could I go to BLA, not even knowing the teachers or principal there yet. 1159 01:09:42,160 --> 01:09:46,160 As I waited a week to get transferred to BLA, it was the best thing to do. 1160 01:09:46,160 --> 01:09:51,160 At first, it was hard because I was still dealing with things on the outside, but that didn't stop them. 1161 01:09:51,160 --> 01:09:55,160 They helped and helped in any way that they could. 1162 01:09:55,160 --> 01:09:59,160 They reached out to the family if we didn't show up for school. 1163 01:09:59,160 --> 01:10:02,160 They will pick us up if we don't have a ride to school. 1164 01:10:02,160 --> 01:10:05,160 If we didn't have food or clothes, they will provide it. 1165 01:10:05,160 --> 01:10:11,160 If we need extra help on homework, they will sit there and help. 1166 01:10:11,160 --> 01:10:21,160 They will help you also make a big group of people that need the same help and that lack in the same category if it helps everyone. 1167 01:10:21,160 --> 01:10:26,160 Half of the kids in Beloit wouldn't be graduated if it wasn't for BLA or community actions. 1168 01:10:26,160 --> 01:10:31,160 Yes, kids graduated high school, but the kids that do have a good, decent family. 1169 01:10:31,160 --> 01:10:35,160 That's more supportive and involved than some other families. 1170 01:10:35,160 --> 01:10:39,160 I can go on and on, but my story and how I became so successful. 1171 01:10:39,160 --> 01:10:43,160 We needed our own space and we have comfort with the teachers. 1172 01:10:43,160 --> 01:10:47,160 Putting everybody together will not help the next generation. 1173 01:10:53,160 --> 01:10:59,160 Dear Beloit School Board members, my name is Brene and I'm writing to express my support for Beloit Learning Academy 1174 01:10:59,160 --> 01:11:01,160 and ask that you consider keeping the school open. 1175 01:11:01,160 --> 01:11:07,160 I truly believe that I would not have been successful in high school if it were not for BLA and it's incredible teachers. 1176 01:11:07,160 --> 01:11:12,160 Beloit provided me with an environment where I felt supported, encouraged, and motivated to succeed. 1177 01:11:12,160 --> 01:11:18,160 The teachers took the time to understand me, help me through challenges, and make sure I stayed on track academically. 1178 01:11:18,160 --> 01:11:24,160 The teachers at Beloit Learning Academy are some of the most caring, understanding, and loving educators I've ever met. 1179 01:11:24,160 --> 01:11:28,160 They go above and beyond for their students and generally want to see each student succeed. 1180 01:11:28,160 --> 01:11:32,160 They create a welcoming environment where students feel safe, respected, and valued. 1181 01:11:32,160 --> 01:11:38,160 Their dedication makes a difference in the lives of so many students who may struggle in a traditional school setting. 1182 01:11:38,160 --> 01:11:41,160 Beloit Learning Academy is more than just a school. 1183 01:11:41,160 --> 01:11:45,160 It's a place where students are given a second chance, where they are supported through difficult times 1184 01:11:45,160 --> 01:11:48,160 and where they are encouraged to reach their full potential. 1185 01:11:48,160 --> 01:11:52,160 I know firsthand how much of an impact this school has had on my life. 1186 01:11:52,160 --> 01:11:54,160 I know many other students feel the same way. 1187 01:11:54,160 --> 01:11:59,160 Closing Beloit Learning Academy would take away an important opportunity for students who need the unique support 1188 01:11:59,160 --> 01:12:02,160 and learning environment that BLA provides. 1189 01:12:02,160 --> 01:12:09,160 I strongly believe the school should remain open so future students can continue to benefit from the caring staff, positive atmosphere, 1190 01:12:09,160 --> 01:12:12,160 and educational opportunities that help me succeed. 1191 01:12:12,160 --> 01:12:16,160 Thank you for being, taking the time to read my letter and consider my perspective. 1192 01:12:16,160 --> 01:12:20,160 I hope you will keep Beloit Learning Academy open for current and future students. 1193 01:12:20,160 --> 01:12:29,160 Beloit Learning Academy is a great school that my siblings attended. 1194 01:12:29,160 --> 01:12:35,160 I went to Beloit Memorial, but I was on the path to becoming a teen dropout after getting pregnant during my sophomore year. 1195 01:12:35,160 --> 01:12:38,160 I stopped going to school and chose to work instead of attending my classes. 1196 01:12:38,160 --> 01:12:43,160 I met Mrs. Bailey through my brother, and that connection changed everything for me. 1197 01:12:43,160 --> 01:12:47,160 Even though I wasn't a BLA student, the school still opened their doors to me. 1198 01:12:47,160 --> 01:12:53,160 BLA gave me the resources, support, and encouragement I needed to keep going and graduate with my class. 1199 01:12:53,160 --> 01:12:57,160 I truly believe they can help so many other kids the same way. 1200 01:12:57,160 --> 01:13:04,160 When I became a teen parent, BLA helped me get into the Teen Head Start program at a moment when I felt lost and overwhelmed. 1201 01:13:04,160 --> 01:13:11,160 I will always be grateful to BLA and Mrs. Bailey for lifting me up instead of letting me give up on school. 1202 01:13:11,160 --> 01:13:25,160 To the individuals dictating the future and lives of many of our youth just by discussing closing a school, 1203 01:13:25,160 --> 01:13:29,160 I was one of the many students that was lucky enough to attend Beloit Learning Academy. 1204 01:13:29,160 --> 01:13:36,160 BLA gets a bad rap for being the bad kid school, but it is so much more than that. 1205 01:13:36,160 --> 01:13:42,160 I started my freshman year like any other kid and I got by just fine, good grades, friends, etc. 1206 01:13:42,160 --> 01:13:46,160 I had something very traumatic happen to me and I mentally and physically gave up. 1207 01:13:46,160 --> 01:13:49,160 I didn't want to continue with anything let alone school. 1208 01:13:49,160 --> 01:13:55,160 I pretty much dropped out my junior year without any teachers, counselors, or adults really noticing at the high school. 1209 01:13:55,160 --> 01:14:01,160 A few weeks before the end of my junior year, my counselor finally sat me down and told me I wasn't going to graduate. 1210 01:14:01,160 --> 01:14:06,160 This was the first conversation I'd ever had with her since the start of my freshman year. 1211 01:14:06,160 --> 01:14:10,160 How was that supposed to make me feel like she cared about my education? 1212 01:14:10,160 --> 01:14:14,160 She finally told me I could try and talk to the teachers at BLA. 1213 01:14:14,160 --> 01:14:21,160 Reluctantly, I went and the moment I stepped inside BLA, I was greeted with kindness and treated like I was wanted there. 1214 01:14:21,160 --> 01:14:27,160 I sat down with Mrs. Monroe and Mrs. Bailey. They never once judged me by my grades. They asked me why. 1215 01:14:27,160 --> 01:14:30,160 They listened to my tears. They hugged me while I cried. 1216 01:14:30,160 --> 01:14:34,160 They told me it wouldn't be easy and they were there for me and I would succeed. 1217 01:14:34,160 --> 01:14:38,160 I started my senior year with nine credits. That's the amount of a freshman. 1218 01:14:38,160 --> 01:14:42,160 I showed up every day because of the encouragement I got from those ladies. 1219 01:14:42,160 --> 01:14:47,160 They connected us with members of the community to show us if college was not for us. 1220 01:14:47,160 --> 01:14:53,160 There were other careers out there. Not only was I able to graduate, but I graduated early with two extra credits 1221 01:14:53,160 --> 01:14:57,160 and walked the stage with my class because the teachers and staff at BLA cared 1222 01:14:57,160 --> 01:15:01,160 and they supported me just like many of the other students that have gone to BLA. 1223 01:15:01,160 --> 01:15:05,160 BLA is not just an alternative school for bad kids. 1224 01:15:05,160 --> 01:15:10,160 It is for the kids who don't have anybody. It's for the kids who think nobody cares. 1225 01:15:10,160 --> 01:15:15,160 It is for the kids who need somebody to give them one last chance 1226 01:15:15,160 --> 01:15:20,160 and it's for kids who just need someone to notice that they are hurting but do care. 1227 01:15:20,160 --> 01:15:25,160 If you close that school down, who will give these kids that one last chance without BLA? 1228 01:15:25,160 --> 01:15:31,160 I would not be the woman I am today. I am a mother to two beautiful boys and have a fantastic career 1229 01:15:31,160 --> 01:15:35,160 and I am so proud to say I am a BLA graduate. Sam. 1230 01:15:41,160 --> 01:15:47,160 Hello, my name is Logan and I'm emailing you about BLA Academy from what I understand the school is at risk of being closed. 1231 01:15:47,160 --> 01:15:52,160 I don't think this is a good idea. BLA has helped so many people including myself. 1232 01:15:52,160 --> 01:15:55,160 Some kids wouldn't have graduated without this school. 1233 01:15:55,160 --> 01:15:59,160 The teachers here understand special education students more than any other school I've been to. 1234 01:15:59,160 --> 01:16:03,160 I was treated better here as a special ed student than I was at McNeil. 1235 01:16:03,160 --> 01:16:06,160 I was at this school from seventh to twelfth grade. 1236 01:16:06,160 --> 01:16:10,160 A lot of students will struggle if they have to move to a different school. 1237 01:16:10,160 --> 01:16:12,160 Please consider keeping this school open. 1238 01:16:12,160 --> 01:16:14,160 Logan. 1239 01:16:18,160 --> 01:16:26,160 Dear school board members, I am ready to use a former student of BLA to express my deep concern regarding the potential closure of the school. 1240 01:16:26,160 --> 01:16:30,160 BLA played a crucial role in why I was able to finish high school. 1241 01:16:30,160 --> 01:16:36,160 The teachers there helped me through incredibly hard times supporting me as I improve my credits and my attendance. 1242 01:16:36,160 --> 01:16:41,160 They taught me things and provided support that the traditional high school simply did not offer. 1243 01:16:41,160 --> 01:16:47,160 In my opinion, it's the best school in BLA because the teachers truly care and ensure that students are moving in the right direction. 1244 01:16:47,160 --> 01:16:51,160 Closing the school that helps students in this way would be a major mistake. 1245 01:16:51,160 --> 01:16:57,160 By doing so, you are taking away the chance for students to learn and become better versions of themselves. 1246 01:16:57,160 --> 01:17:02,160 I urge the BLA district to do better for students and keep this essential school open. 1247 01:17:02,160 --> 01:17:07,160 Thank you for your time and for considering my perspective, Jasmine. 1248 01:17:11,160 --> 01:17:20,160 My name is Tamara and instead of going to the high school when I moved back to Beloit, I chose to go to BLA and be around less students and have more hands on time with the teachers. 1249 01:17:20,160 --> 01:17:23,160 BLA taught students that they needed to learn at a very slow pace. 1250 01:17:23,160 --> 01:17:30,160 It was better than any high school I went to because sometimes teachers go fast and give you assignments on top of assignments. 1251 01:17:30,160 --> 01:17:33,160 When I transferred to BLA, I didn't have enough credits. 1252 01:17:33,160 --> 01:17:35,160 I needed to graduate with my class. 1253 01:17:35,160 --> 01:17:38,160 They made a plan with me and pushed me to work hard lots of times. 1254 01:17:38,160 --> 01:17:40,160 I was distracted more than I should be. 1255 01:17:40,160 --> 01:17:43,160 But they always encouraged me to get back on track. 1256 01:17:43,160 --> 01:17:48,160 BLA and all of the teachers felt like family and treated all of the students like their own. 1257 01:17:48,160 --> 01:17:53,160 Everyone who went to BLA had at least more than one trusted teacher. 1258 01:17:53,160 --> 01:17:55,160 I looked forward to going to school every day. 1259 01:17:55,160 --> 01:17:57,160 I could feel the love from all of the staff. 1260 01:17:57,160 --> 01:18:06,160 One of the things I love to do is hair and got to turn in my work credits when I was falling short and was able to graduate early March. 1261 01:18:06,160 --> 01:18:10,160 BLA gave me such an unforgettable experience from the staff to the students. 1262 01:18:10,160 --> 01:18:12,160 It was somewhere I wanted to be. 1263 01:18:12,160 --> 01:18:17,160 BLA has changed my life in so many ways and changed my mindset to want to go to college. 1264 01:18:17,160 --> 01:18:22,160 It should not close because they helped so many students graduate. 1265 01:18:22,160 --> 01:18:29,160 They helped so many students graduate with their class and without BLA, a lot of us wouldn't be where we are now. 1266 01:18:30,160 --> 01:18:34,160 And it's from M-E-R-R Milan. 1267 01:18:44,160 --> 01:18:46,160 This one is from Myara. 1268 01:18:46,160 --> 01:18:48,160 Hello, I'm writing this. 1269 01:18:48,160 --> 01:18:55,160 For the reason I heard BLA might not stay open and I just wanted to say I've transferred through almost all the schools in Beloit, 1270 01:18:55,160 --> 01:19:00,160 none of which were anything like the help BLA has offered the children in Wisconsin. 1271 01:19:00,160 --> 01:19:05,160 From day one, I was welcomed, never felt left out, never felt unheard or unseen. 1272 01:19:05,160 --> 01:19:09,160 The principal knew all of the students by name and greeted us herself every morning. 1273 01:19:09,160 --> 01:19:11,160 Schools don't do that anymore. 1274 01:19:11,160 --> 01:19:12,160 They cared about me. 1275 01:19:12,160 --> 01:19:15,160 They cared about making sure I succeeded in any way they can. 1276 01:19:15,160 --> 01:19:19,160 From rides to bus passes to even helping me find somewhere to stay. 1277 01:19:19,160 --> 01:19:24,160 When other schools never even took the time to give me a chance, I bragged about this school religiously. 1278 01:19:24,160 --> 01:19:31,160 Ever since I graduated five months early in 2024, there was no way I would have made it through without this school. 1279 01:19:36,160 --> 01:19:38,160 This one is from Treasure. 1280 01:19:38,160 --> 01:19:45,160 We need to keep BLA due to the fact that it's a safe place to learn for a lot of kids, even my oldest daughter. 1281 01:19:46,160 --> 01:19:50,160 She was a freshman in BMHS and she had so much trouble at the high school. 1282 01:19:50,160 --> 01:19:56,160 But when we got her in BLA, she exceeded and graduated from BLA. 1283 01:19:56,160 --> 01:20:07,160 It is a safe place for the kids and I would recommend to keep BLA and think about putting something similar to BLA for elementary and middle school to all kids who need a safe place to learn. 1284 01:20:07,160 --> 01:20:20,160 You should keep BLA and Merrill if you think about it the way all other schools have a swinger and all but Merrill. 1285 01:20:20,160 --> 01:20:24,160 Merrill Elementary has been left out for so long. 1286 01:20:24,160 --> 01:20:25,160 It needs to be seen. 1287 01:20:25,160 --> 01:20:29,160 Just open your eyes and see what we have and use it. 1288 01:20:30,160 --> 01:20:31,160 Not get rid of it. 1289 01:20:31,160 --> 01:20:32,160 Just use what we have. 1290 01:20:32,160 --> 01:20:35,160 Go back to what we had back in 2013. 1291 01:20:35,160 --> 01:20:36,160 The kids did good. 1292 01:20:41,160 --> 01:20:43,160 And that's all of them. 1293 01:20:43,160 --> 01:20:45,160 Thank you, Mr. Shope. 1294 01:20:45,160 --> 01:20:49,160 We really appreciate your endurance. 1295 01:20:53,160 --> 01:20:57,160 Next, we have the superintendent's report, Dr. Anderson. 1296 01:20:58,160 --> 01:21:11,160 Well, since this is my last regular board meeting and I'd like to say thank you to the board to all the administration, to the staff and the community for letting me come back for the last half of the year. 1297 01:21:11,160 --> 01:21:18,160 The reason I came back was because when I was here the first time I saw that the school district provided so much potential. 1298 01:21:19,160 --> 01:21:26,160 And they, there was the opportunity to succeed and become the school district. 1299 01:21:26,160 --> 01:21:29,160 Everybody wanted to be the school district that they remembered. 1300 01:21:29,160 --> 01:21:37,160 So I was glad when I came back so I could try to do maybe some small part in having that turn around. 1301 01:21:37,160 --> 01:21:41,160 I know that you are in great hands with Dr. Malott. 1302 01:21:41,160 --> 01:21:47,160 I know that in a short period of time she will put me to shame, so I actually applaud and look forward to that. 1303 01:21:47,160 --> 01:21:55,160 But I just want everybody to know how grateful I am, how grateful I am to the community, and that I wish you nothing but the best going forward. 1304 01:21:55,160 --> 01:21:58,160 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 1305 01:21:58,160 --> 01:22:03,160 Next, we have policy committee report, Chairperson Fox. 1306 01:22:03,160 --> 01:22:09,160 Hi, the policy committee met on June 1st at 3 o'clock. 1307 01:22:10,160 --> 01:22:18,160 There's a lot of policies that are on this agenda that we moved forward for the board's perusal, so we will be discussing those later. 1308 01:22:18,160 --> 01:22:20,160 I won't spend any time on those. 1309 01:22:20,160 --> 01:22:26,160 We are continuing to look at the cell phone policy, particularly for the high school. 1310 01:22:26,160 --> 01:22:32,160 We had a group of teachers and staff that came to talk with us about how their cell phone plan is working, 1311 01:22:32,160 --> 01:22:40,160 and they were going to go back and look at the older policy and the new policy and the one that's currently in place 1312 01:22:40,160 --> 01:22:44,160 and see what kinds of things they might want to have in the cell phone policy. 1313 01:22:44,160 --> 01:22:51,160 We're also working on one about adult student boundaries that's required by the DPI, 1314 01:22:51,160 --> 01:22:55,160 and so we're working on making, we have those policies. 1315 01:22:55,160 --> 01:23:00,160 We just need to coordinate our policies with what the state law says there should be there. 1316 01:23:01,160 --> 01:23:04,160 And so we always have a lot on our agenda these days. 1317 01:23:04,160 --> 01:23:09,160 So we are meeting this coming Monday, I believe, at 3 o'clock. 1318 01:23:09,160 --> 01:23:12,160 So thank you. 1319 01:23:12,160 --> 01:23:14,160 Thank you, Chairperson Fox. 1320 01:23:14,160 --> 01:23:20,160 Next, we have business operations and finance and human resources committee report, Chairperson Hankins. 1321 01:23:20,160 --> 01:23:22,160 Thank you, Board President. 1322 01:23:22,160 --> 01:23:27,160 Yes, we met on Tuesday, June 2nd at 5 o'clock. 1323 01:23:27,160 --> 01:23:35,160 We approved the monthly financial from April, which will be presented later on in tonight's agenda. 1324 01:23:35,160 --> 01:23:40,160 We looked at the potential line of credit, disbursement, requests. 1325 01:23:40,160 --> 01:23:49,160 It's a formality we go through with short-term borrowing, and we approved that. 1326 01:23:50,160 --> 01:23:57,160 And we also had the EHCI grant funding vehicle purchase, which we move forward to the Board 1327 01:23:57,160 --> 01:24:02,160 for everyone to weigh in on this purchase of a new vehicle. 1328 01:24:02,160 --> 01:24:07,160 We had a lot of things to discuss, but I want to take you for time, which will come later in the budget. 1329 01:24:07,160 --> 01:24:08,160 Thank you. 1330 01:24:08,160 --> 01:24:10,160 Thank you, Chairperson Hankins. 1331 01:24:10,160 --> 01:24:15,160 Next, teaching, learning, equity, and pupil services committee report, Chairperson Roo. 1332 01:24:15,160 --> 01:24:16,160 Yes, thank you. 1333 01:24:17,160 --> 01:24:24,160 The first time with the full board being part of our discussions on June 2nd. 1334 01:24:24,160 --> 01:24:30,160 And later on in our meeting, you'll see that we have an consent agenda. 1335 01:24:30,160 --> 01:24:38,160 Renewing the seven mindsets are contracted services, which some of them changed since last year, 1336 01:24:39,160 --> 01:24:46,160 and have actually helped us to lower some costs and improve academic experiences at the same time. 1337 01:24:46,160 --> 01:24:48,160 So that's pretty amazing. 1338 01:24:48,160 --> 01:24:51,160 And then our annual adoption of academic standards. 1339 01:24:51,160 --> 01:24:55,160 And so those will be found in the consent agenda tonight. 1340 01:24:55,160 --> 01:24:59,160 And then our next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 7th. 1341 01:24:59,160 --> 01:25:00,160 Thank you. 1342 01:25:00,160 --> 01:25:04,160 Next, we have the legislative update, legislative liaison. 1343 01:25:04,160 --> 01:25:05,160 Yeah, no update tonight. 1344 01:25:05,160 --> 01:25:06,160 Thank you. 1345 01:25:06,160 --> 01:25:07,160 Thank you so much. 1346 01:25:07,160 --> 01:25:11,160 That brings us to board action and discussion items. 1347 01:25:11,160 --> 01:25:16,160 First up, we have read, talk, play, everyday initiative. 1348 01:25:16,160 --> 01:25:33,160 The purpose of this is to seek a formalized partnership with the school district of Illinois to deepen and expand early childhood efforts birth to age five, specifically within the school district boundaries through read, talk, play, everyday initiative. 1349 01:25:33,160 --> 01:25:36,160 Ms. Austin and Dr. Flanagan. 1350 01:25:36,160 --> 01:25:40,160 Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight. 1351 01:25:40,160 --> 01:25:46,160 I am Jessica Austin, director of early brain development at the state line community foundations literacy for life. 1352 01:25:46,160 --> 01:25:49,160 I'd like to start with a simple thought. 1353 01:25:49,160 --> 01:25:57,160 By the time a child walks through the doors of a school for the first time, five years of learning and development have already occurred. 1354 01:25:58,160 --> 01:26:06,160 The experiences children have during those first five years shape how they learn, communicate, build relationships and engage with school. 1355 01:26:06,160 --> 01:26:11,160 Read, talk, play, everyday exists to help families make the most of those years. 1356 01:26:11,160 --> 01:26:23,160 Tonight, I'd like to share what we're already doing across Strack County and how a partnership with the school district of Beloit can help us intentionally reach more Beloit families before kindergarten. 1357 01:26:23,160 --> 01:26:28,160 Before I talk about the proposal, I'd like to briefly explain what read talk play every day is. 1358 01:26:28,160 --> 01:26:36,160 Read talk play every day is Rock County's Early Learning Initiative focused on helping families support their children's development birth through age five. 1359 01:26:36,160 --> 01:26:38,160 Our vision is simple. 1360 01:26:38,160 --> 01:26:49,160 A future where every child in Rock County begins kindergarten prepared and equipped to succeed, supported by a community that values early learning and empowers families to make everyday moments count. 1361 01:26:49,160 --> 01:27:04,160 Our mission is to ensure every child in Rock County has a strong foundation built in the first five years by empowering families and activating the community to embrace reading, talking and playing as essential building blocks for lifelong success. 1362 01:27:04,160 --> 01:27:07,160 Everything we do is grounded in a simple belief. 1363 01:27:07,160 --> 01:27:12,160 Parents and caregivers are a child's first and most important teacher. 1364 01:27:12,160 --> 01:27:24,160 The everyday moments families already have with their children reading, talking, playing, singing and exploring are the moments that build, build brains and shape future success. 1365 01:27:24,160 --> 01:27:27,160 The science behind the work is clear. 1366 01:27:27,160 --> 01:27:38,160 90% of brain development occurs before age five, 80% by age three, making the early years one of the most important periods of development in life. 1367 01:27:38,160 --> 01:27:52,160 According to the Harvard Achievement Gap Initiative, disparities in language, development, cognitive skills and socially emotional growth can emerge as early as 18 months and are clearly evident by age two. 1368 01:27:52,160 --> 01:28:04,160 Without early early support, these gaps often persist, impacting children's readiness when they enter kindergarten and continuing through their K-12 educational experience. 1369 01:28:04,160 --> 01:28:11,160 This is why our focus is not simply on preparing children for kindergarten in the year before they enter school. 1370 01:28:11,160 --> 01:28:15,160 By then, many developmental patterns are already well established. 1371 01:28:15,160 --> 01:28:27,160 Our focus is on supporting families during the years when brain development is happening most rapidly, when parents and caregivers have the greatest opportunity to influence their child's learning and development. 1372 01:28:27,160 --> 01:28:38,160 The earlier families have access to information, resources and support, the greater the opportunity to build strong foundations that benefit children for years to come. 1373 01:28:38,160 --> 01:28:47,160 One of the core beliefs behind retail play everyday is that parents and caregivers are the child's first and most important teacher. 1374 01:28:47,160 --> 01:28:52,160 Children spend far more time with their families than with any teacher, school or program. 1375 01:28:52,160 --> 01:28:57,160 Research shows that those positive interactions with caring adults are among the most important factor. 1376 01:28:57,160 --> 01:29:07,160 When parents understand how children grow and learn, they are better equipped to support and develop through those everyday interactions. 1377 01:29:07,160 --> 01:29:11,160 When people hear kindergarten readiness, they often think about letters and numbers. 1378 01:29:11,160 --> 01:29:14,160 Those skills matter, but readiness is much broader. 1379 01:29:14,160 --> 01:29:18,160 Children need development across five key domains. 1380 01:29:18,160 --> 01:29:25,160 They need social and emotional skills, language and communication skills, cognitive development and physical development, 1381 01:29:25,160 --> 01:29:32,160 as well as positive approaches to learning, like curiosity, persistence, attention and confidence. 1382 01:29:32,160 --> 01:29:35,160 Kindergarten readiness is not built in a classroom alone. 1383 01:29:35,160 --> 01:29:45,160 It is built when families, communities, early childhood providers and schools all work together to support a child's development from birth to age five. 1384 01:29:47,160 --> 01:29:52,160 Read Talk Play Already, Everyday is already reaching families across Strack County. 1385 01:29:52,160 --> 01:29:56,160 Families receive resources through our hospital newborn tool kits. 1386 01:29:56,160 --> 01:30:01,160 Parents receive developmental tips and activities through basic sin sites. 1387 01:30:01,160 --> 01:30:06,160 Families encounter learning opportunities through Read Talk Play while you wait locations. 1388 01:30:06,160 --> 01:30:10,160 We distribute books and learning resources throughout the community. 1389 01:30:10,160 --> 01:30:19,160 We provide online resources, videos, activities and public awareness campaigns to help families understand how children learn and develop. 1390 01:30:19,160 --> 01:30:21,160 The work already exists. 1391 01:30:21,160 --> 01:30:25,160 The opportunity is to intentionally expand our reach within Beloit. 1392 01:30:26,160 --> 01:30:32,160 I also want to recognize that many of these efforts have been successful because of strong community partnerships, 1393 01:30:32,160 --> 01:30:37,160 including the partnership already with Beloit School District of Beloit. 1394 01:30:37,160 --> 01:30:44,160 Through the leadership and support of Missy Beavers, we've already been able to collaborate on initiatives such as Read Talk Play at the park 1395 01:30:44,160 --> 01:30:49,160 and several of our Read Talk Play while you wait locations throughout the community. 1396 01:30:50,160 --> 01:30:55,160 The district also partnered with us to enroll all of last year's 4K students into the basic sin sites, 1397 01:30:55,160 --> 01:31:01,160 ensuring families receive developmental tips and activities directly on their phones throughout the year. 1398 01:31:01,160 --> 01:31:04,160 What we're proposing is in a brand new relationship. 1399 01:31:04,160 --> 01:31:10,160 It's an opportunity to build upon the partnership and success that already exists. 1400 01:31:10,160 --> 01:31:15,160 The next step is reaching families even earlier, before children enroll in 4K. 1401 01:31:15,160 --> 01:31:21,160 So parents have access for these resources during the years when development is happening most rapidly. 1402 01:31:21,160 --> 01:31:26,160 When children enter kindergarten ready to learn, everyone benefits. 1403 01:31:26,160 --> 01:31:32,160 Children are better prepared socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively for the expectations of school. 1404 01:31:32,160 --> 01:31:40,160 Families have stronger understanding of child development and the important role they play in supporting learning at home. 1405 01:31:41,160 --> 01:31:49,160 Developmental concerns are more likely to be identified earlier, allowing families to access support and intervention before children enter school, 1406 01:31:49,160 --> 01:31:53,160 rather than after the challenges become more significant. 1407 01:31:53,160 --> 01:32:00,160 Schools spend less time helping children catch up and more time building upon the strengths children are ready to bring into the classroom. 1408 01:32:00,160 --> 01:32:03,160 This work doesn't replace the important role of school. 1409 01:32:03,160 --> 01:32:07,160 It helps strengthen the foundation children bring with them when they arrive. 1410 01:32:08,160 --> 01:32:12,160 As I've shared tonight, many of the building blocks for this work are already in place. 1411 01:32:12,160 --> 01:32:20,160 We talk play every day as already reaching families across Rat County through resources, partnerships and community-based strategies. 1412 01:32:20,160 --> 01:32:26,160 What we're proposing is not a new initiative but a deeper investment in reaching below families before kindergarten. 1413 01:32:26,160 --> 01:32:32,160 To do that, we're requesting a three-year fund 80 partnership of $80,000 annually. 1414 01:32:32,160 --> 01:32:38,160 This investment provides the capacity to intentionally coordinate and expand this work within Beloit, 1415 01:32:38,160 --> 01:32:42,160 building on the strong foundation and partnerships that already exist. 1416 01:32:42,160 --> 01:32:47,160 The next slide highlights what the investment will make possible for Beloit families. 1417 01:32:47,160 --> 01:32:53,160 This investment allows us to take resources that already exist and make them more accessible. 1418 01:32:54,160 --> 01:32:58,160 As a key part of this work is meeting families where they are. 1419 01:32:58,160 --> 01:33:05,160 In neighborhoods, community events, parks, faith-based communities and places families naturally gather. 1420 01:33:05,160 --> 01:33:12,160 Through a parent ambassador model, we can engage trusted community members to help share resources, start conversations, 1421 01:33:12,160 --> 01:33:16,160 and connect families to the opportunities to support their child's development. 1422 01:33:16,160 --> 01:33:21,160 We also plan to host family engagement opportunities at Beloit Elementary School. 1423 01:33:21,160 --> 01:33:26,160 These events would provide families with simple hands-on activities they can do with their children 1424 01:33:26,160 --> 01:33:32,160 while helping them become familiar with their neighborhood schools before kindergarten begins. 1425 01:33:32,160 --> 01:33:37,160 We envision coordinating these opportunities with child-fine, kindergarten transition activities 1426 01:33:37,160 --> 01:33:41,160 and other family engagement opportunities taking place in the district. 1427 01:33:41,160 --> 01:33:47,160 Families would also have access to basic sin sites, a text message resource that delivers practical, 1428 01:33:47,160 --> 01:33:50,160 developmental information directly to the parents and caregivers. 1429 01:33:50,160 --> 01:33:56,160 Each week families receive easy to understand information about child development along with simple activities 1430 01:33:56,160 --> 01:33:59,160 they can do during everyday routines. 1431 01:33:59,160 --> 01:34:09,160 In addition, we would distribute books and family activity kits that encourage reading conversation, play, and family interaction. 1432 01:34:09,160 --> 01:34:17,160 These resources provide practical tools families can use at home while also encouraging alternatives to screen time. 1433 01:34:17,160 --> 01:34:23,160 At its core, this work is about helping parents and caregivers better understand how children learn 1434 01:34:23,160 --> 01:34:28,160 and develop while providing simple, realistic ways to support development in everyday. 1435 01:34:28,160 --> 01:34:35,160 Success begins with parents feeling confident in their role as their child's first teacher. 1436 01:34:35,160 --> 01:34:39,160 Success is children entering kindergarten ready to learn. 1437 01:34:39,160 --> 01:34:45,160 Success is families understanding what children need to thrive and knowing where to turn for support. 1438 01:34:45,160 --> 01:34:52,160 Over time, these strong foundations contribute to stronger literacy, stronger academic outcomes, 1439 01:34:52,160 --> 01:34:56,160 and more opportunities for children to succeed in school and in life. 1440 01:34:56,160 --> 01:35:02,160 The investment we're discussing tonight is about planting seeds and going upstream. 1441 01:35:02,160 --> 01:35:05,160 I'll close with a quote from Desmond Tutu. 1442 01:35:05,160 --> 01:35:08,160 We need to stop pulling people out of the river. 1443 01:35:08,160 --> 01:35:12,160 We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in. 1444 01:35:12,160 --> 01:35:16,160 Everyday, schools work hard to help children overcome challenges. 1445 01:35:16,160 --> 01:35:25,160 This partnership represents an opportunity to support families during the years before those challenges become barriers. 1446 01:35:25,160 --> 01:35:32,160 By helping families build strong foundations before kindergarten, we can help more children enter school ready to learn, 1447 01:35:32,160 --> 01:35:35,160 ready to succeed, and ready to thrive. 1448 01:35:35,160 --> 01:35:37,160 Thank you for your consideration. 1449 01:35:37,160 --> 01:35:42,160 At this time, I'd like to invite Bill Flanagan, Chair of Literacy for Life at the Stateline Community Foundation, 1450 01:35:42,160 --> 01:35:44,160 to share a few thoughts. 1451 01:35:49,160 --> 01:35:56,160 Thank you, Jessica, and thank you board members and Dr. Anderson for the opportunity to meet with you to share our vision 1452 01:35:56,160 --> 01:36:02,160 for ensuring every child born in Beloit is ready to learn by the time they get to kindergarten. 1453 01:36:02,160 --> 01:36:10,160 Jessica has expertly laid out our request as well as the why for this proposal for Fund 80 Financial Support. 1454 01:36:10,160 --> 01:36:16,160 My job is to reinforce the importance of this proposal for the entire Beloit community. 1455 01:36:16,160 --> 01:36:23,160 Rarely in life are we given an opportunity to do something that is a total win-win for every party involved, 1456 01:36:23,160 --> 01:36:25,160 but such is the case tonight. 1457 01:36:26,160 --> 01:36:32,160 By supporting this proposal for Fund 80 Financial Support, the children who are born here in Beloit 1458 01:36:32,160 --> 01:36:39,160 will be included as part of a highly researched initiative, including the work of Nobel Laureate James Heckman, 1459 01:36:39,160 --> 01:36:44,160 that clearly emphasizes that the return on investment for early childhood brain development 1460 01:36:44,160 --> 01:36:52,160 will return up to $6 to $9 for every dollar invested and could be higher depending on the local educational circumstances. 1461 01:36:53,160 --> 01:37:01,160 In short, it's the best investment any community can make to ensure the children are ready to learn by the time they get to kindergarten. 1462 01:37:01,160 --> 01:37:07,160 Investing in remedial efforts later in the educational process is far less effective. 1463 01:37:07,160 --> 01:37:13,160 But the win-win continues with families being more engaged with their children's learning and success. 1464 01:37:13,160 --> 01:37:21,160 Kindergarten teachers will have a higher percentage of students ready to learn making the classroom a more positive learning experience. 1465 01:37:21,160 --> 01:37:24,160 Students are more likely to be successful in school. 1466 01:37:24,160 --> 01:37:32,160 Lower truancy rates and discipline problems because students will want to learn for the simple reason they can and want to learn. 1467 01:37:32,160 --> 01:37:39,160 And finally, students will be more likely to graduate on time and better prepared for a job, college, career, 1468 01:37:39,160 --> 01:37:44,160 military service, or whatever path they choose post-high school. 1469 01:37:44,160 --> 01:37:51,160 The community, businesses, and employers will win when they have kids ready to be positive and engaged members of our community 1470 01:37:51,160 --> 01:37:55,160 and better prepared for the opportunities they will encounter. 1471 01:37:55,160 --> 01:38:06,160 Closing the achievement gap and rising test scores will result in more families feeling better about the educational systems their children will experience. 1472 01:38:06,160 --> 01:38:13,160 A community with demonstrated academic success for its children will attract and retain economic investment, 1473 01:38:13,160 --> 01:38:18,160 a better quality of life, and a community that will prosper. 1474 01:38:18,160 --> 01:38:27,160 These are the potential outcomes when we invest in our children, especially their first five years of life when 90% of their brain is developed. 1475 01:38:27,160 --> 01:38:37,160 It is for these reasons that we humbly request your financial support from the Fund 80 account in the amount of 80,000 annually for three years. 1476 01:38:37,160 --> 01:38:39,160 Thank you for your time and consideration. 1477 01:38:39,160 --> 01:38:49,160 And I just also want to thank Missy Beavers for her professionalism and support of our efforts here in the community on the foundation and with the subcommittee. 1478 01:38:49,160 --> 01:38:51,160 Thank you, Missy. 1479 01:38:51,160 --> 01:38:52,160 Thank you. 1480 01:38:52,160 --> 01:38:55,160 Thank you, Dr. Flanagan and Miss Austin. 1481 01:38:55,160 --> 01:38:58,160 Are there any board members that have any questions? 1482 01:38:58,160 --> 01:39:00,160 Tom Hankins. 1483 01:39:00,160 --> 01:39:01,160 Well, thank you very much. 1484 01:39:01,160 --> 01:39:09,160 Number one, I'd like to applaud Miss Austin, Dean Flanagan, and Mrs. Tinder, who's in Ireland. 1485 01:39:09,160 --> 01:39:10,160 God bless her. 1486 01:39:10,160 --> 01:39:16,160 On this whole effort, I've learned a lot and you've talked to me, Dean Flanagan, about the zero or five. 1487 01:39:16,160 --> 01:39:22,160 My question goes back to, and I've said before, my wife works for Head Start. 1488 01:39:22,160 --> 01:39:33,160 And the reason she stays there is because they have, they do like three or six, three every half year check-ins with the families. 1489 01:39:33,160 --> 01:39:37,160 They teach the families how to be better parents to this. 1490 01:39:37,160 --> 01:39:47,160 My question to you is, does this program, I mean, it is what's learned in the house before they get two, three, K, four, K, five, K, whatever. 1491 01:39:47,160 --> 01:39:52,160 So, my question is, how do you address that? 1492 01:39:52,160 --> 01:39:54,160 How do you get to the families individually? 1493 01:39:54,160 --> 01:40:01,160 You can hand them a book, but, you know, so Jessica, if you could explain how you individually handle each case. 1494 01:40:01,160 --> 01:40:02,160 Thank you. 1495 01:40:02,160 --> 01:40:04,160 Thank you so much more than handing a book. 1496 01:40:04,160 --> 01:40:07,160 The tools come with what do you do with that book. 1497 01:40:07,160 --> 01:40:12,160 So, having books available and accessible are very important. 1498 01:40:12,160 --> 01:40:16,160 What we do is through partnership, so we are partnered with Head Start. 1499 01:40:16,160 --> 01:40:24,160 We work to share out icons and models so that families, when they see those icons, they see them as learning moments. 1500 01:40:24,160 --> 01:40:27,160 So, we are heavily partnered with Head Start. 1501 01:40:27,160 --> 01:40:36,160 As the resources we use and share are the resources now that Head Start uses and shares, so that we are all speaking the same language. 1502 01:40:36,160 --> 01:40:42,160 So, when parents here maximize love-managed stress, that signals this is a learning moment I need to pay attention. 1503 01:40:42,160 --> 01:40:47,160 These are easy, simple tools that make learning easy for parents. 1504 01:40:47,160 --> 01:40:52,160 So, the resources we hand out are parent tools, not child tools. 1505 01:40:52,160 --> 01:40:57,160 We want to better succeed and fill toolboxes of parents so that they know the job they have, 1506 01:40:57,160 --> 01:41:01,160 and they know the job that they can do with their children when they're young. 1507 01:41:01,160 --> 01:41:07,160 So, partnership is everything and how we get those tools out to our partners is the work we do. 1508 01:41:07,160 --> 01:41:17,160 Not to belabor this, but understand you give out the toolkit at birth to the parents, and then you do a follow-up right away. 1509 01:41:18,160 --> 01:41:22,160 We're working to deburr integrate partnerships with the physicians. 1510 01:41:22,160 --> 01:41:28,160 Right now, our partnership is deeply integrated through the three birthing hospitals in Rock County, so they receive a toolkit. 1511 01:41:28,160 --> 01:41:33,160 Information and that information is delivered through the nursing staff. 1512 01:41:33,160 --> 01:41:37,160 Beloit Health System is heavily partnered SSM and Mercy. 1513 01:41:37,160 --> 01:41:40,160 Excellent. Thank you very much. 1514 01:41:40,160 --> 01:41:43,160 Carol Fox. 1515 01:41:43,160 --> 01:41:50,160 You answered some of my questions. I was just wondering what other funding, I mean, this is obviously just a piece of your total funding, 1516 01:41:50,160 --> 01:41:56,160 and that you have it very nicely laid out. I just was kind of wondering what some of your other funding sources are 1517 01:41:56,160 --> 01:41:59,160 and how this would play into some of those other sources. 1518 01:41:59,160 --> 01:42:04,160 Right. So, we have very wonderful philanthropic donors that have made this work accessible 1519 01:42:04,160 --> 01:42:08,160 and who are continuously donating to see that these efforts succeed. 1520 01:42:08,160 --> 01:42:15,160 There have been other communities with successful models just as ours and seeing the raising test scores. 1521 01:42:15,160 --> 01:42:21,160 Unfortunately, we don't have a kindergarten readiness assessment to see that community temperature, 1522 01:42:21,160 --> 01:42:29,160 but other states that have similar models to what we are sharing out continuously see the kindergarten readiness assessment percentages increase. 1523 01:42:32,160 --> 01:42:34,160 Anything else? 1524 01:42:34,160 --> 01:42:37,160 Megan Miller. 1525 01:42:38,160 --> 01:42:45,160 Thank you so much. So, obviously, huge supporter, and Jessica was my oldest child's very first caregiver. 1526 01:42:45,160 --> 01:42:48,160 So, we remain a huge fan, so thank you for that. 1527 01:42:48,160 --> 01:42:52,160 As a reading teacher, 100%, this is really important. 1528 01:42:52,160 --> 01:42:57,160 And one thing I wanted to, I guess I just wanted to, I'm obviously in support of this 100%. 1529 01:42:57,160 --> 01:43:01,160 Curious if you see, I guess, you talked about partnerships with Head Start. 1530 01:43:01,160 --> 01:43:04,160 To what extent are you already partnering with Even Start? 1531 01:43:04,160 --> 01:43:09,160 Yes. So, Even Start, Cindy, is on the committee that drives my work. 1532 01:43:09,160 --> 01:43:15,160 We have one of our ReadTalk Play While You Wait stations, so they are deeper integrating with the families. 1533 01:43:15,160 --> 01:43:18,160 So, everything, like I said before, is parent support. 1534 01:43:18,160 --> 01:43:21,160 So, how do we give parents those tools to fill their toolbox? 1535 01:43:21,160 --> 01:43:28,160 So, they are now going to be doing parent learning sessions utilizing the basics and the resources so that we all... 1536 01:43:28,160 --> 01:43:30,160 Sorry, I'm making a talker. 1537 01:43:30,160 --> 01:43:33,160 We are all continuously speaking the same language. 1538 01:43:33,160 --> 01:43:39,160 So, all of our resources are in English and Spanish to better accommodate all those in our community. 1539 01:43:39,160 --> 01:43:43,160 That's outstanding. I have two other questions. 1540 01:43:43,160 --> 01:43:48,160 So, like every time we do something as a board, there's like the right away impact and then there's a long-term impact. 1541 01:43:48,160 --> 01:43:55,160 So, I am curious if you had, you know, like, assuming like optimal circumstances, 1542 01:43:55,160 --> 01:44:00,160 what is your ideal vision for where this partnership can go? 1543 01:44:00,160 --> 01:44:04,160 Like, if you had like endless resources, what would your vision be? 1544 01:44:04,160 --> 01:44:09,160 That was actually a big struggle of mine thinking three years because I am... 1545 01:44:09,160 --> 01:44:16,160 I see the long-term vision, so taking those steps back on how do we build this because obviously great things take time. 1546 01:44:16,160 --> 01:44:23,160 So, we, through this partnership, I can see it evolving to bring in the educational supports within child cares. 1547 01:44:23,160 --> 01:44:30,160 Professional development is difficult and you are reaping the benefit of the educational systems in child care. 1548 01:44:30,160 --> 01:44:36,160 So, we have to do a better job at educating those who are educating the children in the systems. 1549 01:44:36,160 --> 01:44:45,160 So, finding a common PD model within 4K and kindergarten would eliminate resources but also better prepare children before they come into school. 1550 01:44:45,160 --> 01:44:57,160 So, that is one of the longer-term models and also bridging the gap into from not school into school, so into that 4K kindergarten. 1551 01:44:57,160 --> 01:45:01,160 We often prepare children long-term for college. 1552 01:45:01,160 --> 01:45:10,160 We do walk-throughs, we do tours, we understand where your dorm is going to be, you know the campus, you get to school, you have all of that. 1553 01:45:10,160 --> 01:45:15,160 But magically 4K, we line them up in a line and give them a kiss on their head and they are there. 1554 01:45:15,160 --> 01:45:21,160 So, going through one of the most stressful times in a child's life, we want them to already know their school. 1555 01:45:21,160 --> 01:45:27,160 We want to understand that they are prepared to enter through that door that parents have full trust, 1556 01:45:27,160 --> 01:45:31,160 and I think that comes when you open the doors before that kindergarten day. 1557 01:45:31,160 --> 01:45:36,160 So, having that understanding that the school is already a safe place for you to be. 1558 01:45:37,160 --> 01:45:43,160 Well, that's beautiful and I think that very much is something that is needed very much so. 1559 01:45:43,160 --> 01:45:49,160 So, later on in our agenda, we're talking about our board's goals that we set for our district. 1560 01:45:49,160 --> 01:45:55,160 And so, I guess a question I would have for you that's going to go to my colleagues later is without in any way, 1561 01:45:55,160 --> 01:46:03,160 like taking away from spotlight on the powerful and important work that you're doing that I hope we continuously support you in doing. 1562 01:46:04,160 --> 01:46:11,160 I think that part of our charge as a school district is to continue working with a variety of community partnerships 1563 01:46:11,160 --> 01:46:19,160 to meet all needs, like for example, I know for quite a long time now we've had the imagination library and things like 1564 01:46:19,160 --> 01:46:25,160 and I think it's part of our job as a district to help resource navigate for families to piece those things together. 1565 01:46:25,160 --> 01:46:30,160 So, to what extent is that something that matches your interest? 1566 01:46:30,160 --> 01:46:32,160 Again, not taking away, right? 1567 01:46:32,160 --> 01:46:39,160 But if the direction of the district is to go continuously toward like more of like a literacy community outreach, 1568 01:46:39,160 --> 01:46:46,160 like because we know our kiddos, the way that they perform and are able to perform academically in school 1569 01:46:46,160 --> 01:46:51,160 is very much determined by outside factors that we can't control. 1570 01:46:51,160 --> 01:46:56,160 So, to the greatest extent that we can, like how do we support our families and students? 1571 01:46:56,160 --> 01:46:59,160 That's something that you're interested in kind of continuing conversation. 1572 01:46:59,160 --> 01:47:01,160 And every family to succeed. 1573 01:47:01,160 --> 01:47:03,160 Our work is driven throughout the county. 1574 01:47:03,160 --> 01:47:05,160 This proposal is specific to Beloit. 1575 01:47:05,160 --> 01:47:10,160 So, ensuring and seeing that children succeed and through that partnership model. 1576 01:47:10,160 --> 01:47:11,160 Yes. 1577 01:47:11,160 --> 01:47:12,160 That's fantastic. 1578 01:47:12,160 --> 01:47:13,160 Thank you so much. 1579 01:47:13,160 --> 01:47:15,160 And, you know, for all the work that you're doing and for bringing this here this evening. 1580 01:47:15,160 --> 01:47:16,160 Thank you. 1581 01:47:16,160 --> 01:47:19,160 Are there any other board member questions or comments? 1582 01:47:19,160 --> 01:47:22,160 Mr. Johnson. 1583 01:47:22,160 --> 01:47:27,160 Thank you for your compassion with the kids and for what you do. 1584 01:47:28,160 --> 01:47:32,160 As far as I'm concerned, reading is a key to success in life. 1585 01:47:32,160 --> 01:47:38,160 If you can read in the earlier the better, it makes everything work. 1586 01:47:38,160 --> 01:47:40,160 Thank you again. 1587 01:47:40,160 --> 01:47:42,160 I would add love. 1588 01:47:42,160 --> 01:47:45,160 Reading and love having support. 1589 01:47:45,160 --> 01:47:46,160 Thank you. 1590 01:47:46,160 --> 01:47:49,160 Anyone else? 1591 01:47:49,160 --> 01:47:52,160 Carol Fox. 1592 01:47:52,160 --> 01:47:59,160 I move approval of providing $80,000 annually for three years for read talk play. 1593 01:47:59,160 --> 01:48:01,160 Utilizing fund 80. 1594 01:48:01,160 --> 01:48:03,160 I think this is a wonderful use of fund 80. 1595 01:48:03,160 --> 01:48:07,160 I'll second that. 1596 01:48:07,160 --> 01:48:12,160 We have a motion by Carol Fox and a second by Joanne Roo. 1597 01:48:12,160 --> 01:48:16,160 Are there any board member questions on the motion? 1598 01:48:16,160 --> 01:48:17,160 Mr. Hankins. 1599 01:48:18,160 --> 01:48:25,160 Yeah, I just want to go back to fund 80 for a second and Miss Elwood. 1600 01:48:25,160 --> 01:48:28,160 I know we carry a balance in there. 1601 01:48:28,160 --> 01:48:38,160 And what I've heard and please explain to me, if we approve something that stays in that, it's an annual levy. 1602 01:48:38,160 --> 01:48:40,160 I mean, they're asking for three years. 1603 01:48:40,160 --> 01:48:42,160 Now, after three years, does that disappear? 1604 01:48:42,160 --> 01:48:44,160 Or do they have to re-up or does it just stay? 1605 01:48:44,160 --> 01:48:46,160 Just explain that to me, please. 1606 01:48:46,160 --> 01:48:50,160 So if the board approves it for three years, yes, you could use that for three years. 1607 01:48:50,160 --> 01:48:55,160 And then, depending on what the fund balance is, we need to look at what the levy would need to be. 1608 01:48:55,160 --> 01:49:01,160 If there's a fund balance in fund 80, we wouldn't need a levy as much to cover the 80,000 a year. 1609 01:49:01,160 --> 01:49:08,160 The other portion of this, though, is that, yes, you can make this request that we put it in fund 80, 1610 01:49:08,160 --> 01:49:15,160 but it first needs to be approved by the Department of Public Instruction and our auditors to be able to be allowed to be in fund 80. 1611 01:49:15,160 --> 01:49:18,160 Excuse me, when we finalize the budget in October. 1612 01:49:18,160 --> 01:49:20,160 Okay, thank you. 1613 01:49:20,160 --> 01:49:24,160 I knew we had to go through that hoop anyways, but I'm just asking after the three years. 1614 01:49:24,160 --> 01:49:34,160 After the three years, if you're only going to approve it for three years, yes, you would need to revisit and approve it for longer, if you wanted to go longer. 1615 01:49:34,160 --> 01:49:35,160 Okay, thank you. 1616 01:49:36,160 --> 01:49:43,160 Do I need to modify the motion to that we are moving it forward to getting approval from DPI? 1617 01:49:43,160 --> 01:49:46,160 Or can we just stick with the motion and see what happened? 1618 01:49:49,160 --> 01:49:57,160 If somebody would like to make that amendment just to keep things germane, that would be appreciated. 1619 01:49:57,160 --> 01:50:00,160 May I ask a clarifying question? 1620 01:50:00,160 --> 01:50:07,160 So, just looking at the motion language, the way it was stated, and it says on here, I just want to double check that. 1621 01:50:07,160 --> 01:50:10,160 Oh, you didn't read, there wasn't a recommended action. 1622 01:50:10,160 --> 01:50:11,160 Okay, I see. 1623 01:50:11,160 --> 01:50:16,160 Didn't you, did you say Ms. Fox, like through funded through fund 80 in your motion language? 1624 01:50:16,160 --> 01:50:17,160 I did. 1625 01:50:17,160 --> 01:50:23,160 Okay, and I think like one of seven, I mean, I feel like that's implied if that's part of the process. 1626 01:50:23,160 --> 01:50:26,160 What would you want to add to make? 1627 01:50:27,160 --> 01:50:36,160 Executive Director Elwood, are you comfortable with this motion the way it's stated and the process that you have to go through now? 1628 01:50:36,160 --> 01:50:40,160 I think we need to add in the language that it needs to approve of DPI. 1629 01:50:40,160 --> 01:50:45,160 Okay, so we can add to it pending DPI approval. 1630 01:50:45,160 --> 01:50:46,160 That would do it. 1631 01:50:46,160 --> 01:50:49,160 Sure, I'll move that amendment. 1632 01:50:51,160 --> 01:50:54,160 Is there a second to the amendment? 1633 01:50:54,160 --> 01:50:55,160 I'll second it. 1634 01:50:56,160 --> 01:51:03,160 So, are there any questions to the amendment at this point? 1635 01:51:03,160 --> 01:51:13,160 Okay, we are voting on the amendment to the original motion, and the amendment is pending approval from the DPI. 1636 01:51:13,160 --> 01:51:15,160 Mrs. Schop, do you have any questions right now? 1637 01:51:15,160 --> 01:51:17,160 Okay, all in favor? 1638 01:51:17,160 --> 01:51:18,160 Aye. 1639 01:51:18,160 --> 01:51:19,160 Aye. 1640 01:51:19,160 --> 01:51:20,160 Aye. 1641 01:51:20,160 --> 01:51:22,160 Any opposed? 1642 01:51:23,160 --> 01:51:25,160 The amendment motion carries unanimously. 1643 01:51:25,160 --> 01:51:32,160 Now we are voting on the original motion by Carol Fox, seconded by Joanne Rheum. 1644 01:51:32,160 --> 01:51:36,160 Any questions before we take this vote on what we're voting on? 1645 01:51:36,160 --> 01:51:38,160 Okay, all in favor? 1646 01:51:38,160 --> 01:51:39,160 Aye. 1647 01:51:39,160 --> 01:51:40,160 Aye. 1648 01:51:40,160 --> 01:51:41,160 Aye. 1649 01:51:41,160 --> 01:51:42,160 Any opposed? 1650 01:51:42,160 --> 01:51:45,160 Motion carries unanimously. 1651 01:51:45,160 --> 01:51:50,160 Thank you, Ms. Austin and Dr. Flanagan. 1652 01:51:51,160 --> 01:52:01,160 Next up, we've got the 2025-2026 report on district goals. 1653 01:52:01,160 --> 01:52:08,160 The purpose of this is to update board members on the status of the district goals from 2025-2026. 1654 01:52:08,160 --> 01:52:16,160 Dr. Anderson. 1655 01:52:17,160 --> 01:52:25,160 Your first goal dealt with student achievement, and you wanted the English language arts and math in grades 3-8 1656 01:52:25,160 --> 01:52:34,160 to increase the percentage of students rated proficient or advanced by 5%, and also wanted the ACT in pre-ACT 1657 01:52:34,160 --> 01:52:41,160 grades 10-12 to boost the percentage of meeting reading and math benchmarks by 5%. 1658 01:52:42,160 --> 01:52:49,160 I cannot give you the answer on the first one because that information is embargoed until October. 1659 01:52:49,160 --> 01:52:54,160 Once the information does not become embargoed, they will make a presentation at that time. 1660 01:52:54,160 --> 01:52:59,160 But I can give you information on ACT. 1661 01:52:59,160 --> 01:53:09,160 So in the ACT, our juniors in the area of reading, 12% met expectations in 24-25. 1662 01:53:09,160 --> 01:53:16,160 This year, in 25-26, we had 20% of our juniors' meeting expectations. 1663 01:53:16,160 --> 01:53:19,160 So we did increase by 8%. 1664 01:53:19,160 --> 01:53:28,160 Now, it still means that even this year, 80% did not meet, but it did increase from 12% to 20% in reading for our juniors. 1665 01:53:29,160 --> 01:53:37,160 Math, however, we had 6% in 24-25 that met the standards. 1666 01:53:37,160 --> 01:53:45,160 In 25-26, we only had 5%, so we actually went down for math for the ACT for juniors. 1667 01:53:45,160 --> 01:53:55,160 In our pre-ACT, which is our freshman and sophomores, in 24-25, we had 14% of our students being on target. 1668 01:53:55,160 --> 01:54:01,160 In 25-26, we actually decreased, and we only have 11% of our students on target. 1669 01:54:01,160 --> 01:54:09,160 In the area of math, in 24-25, we had 7% that were on target. 1670 01:54:09,160 --> 01:54:12,160 This year, we have 9% on target. 1671 01:54:12,160 --> 01:54:22,160 So as far as meeting the goals for pre-ACT and ACT, increasing by 5%, we only did that in one category. 1672 01:54:23,160 --> 01:54:31,160 The second was on student attendance, and it was to improve the district-wide attendance metric from 86 to 92%, 1673 01:54:31,160 --> 01:54:37,160 and to reduce the chronic attendance rate from 46% to 36%. 1674 01:54:37,160 --> 01:54:44,160 Our attendance rate did increase from 86% to 87.6%, 1675 01:54:44,160 --> 01:54:50,160 and our chronic attendance rate did decrease from 46 to 44.6, 1676 01:54:50,160 --> 01:54:56,160 so it didn't reach the levels that we had expected, but they were going in the right direction. 1677 01:54:56,160 --> 01:55:03,160 The next one dealt with student conduct behaviors, safety, and also staff retention compensation, 1678 01:55:03,160 --> 01:55:07,160 well-being, and there were numerous factors. 1679 01:55:07,160 --> 01:55:09,160 One dealt with the pulse checks. 1680 01:55:09,160 --> 01:55:11,160 Dr. Kim Erhart is working on that. 1681 01:55:11,160 --> 01:55:17,160 I know that the staff members took that at the end of the school year in each of the meetings, 1682 01:55:17,160 --> 01:55:22,160 so I know he'll be compiling that and probably bringing that to the board at a later time. 1683 01:55:22,160 --> 01:55:27,160 In other words, climate survey, they usually do a climate survey every year. 1684 01:55:27,160 --> 01:55:35,160 However, the last one was done in 24-25, and that was actually presented to the board in February of 25. 1685 01:55:35,160 --> 01:55:41,160 There was not a survey done this year, so there's no recent data to give you. 1686 01:55:42,160 --> 01:55:49,160 The board usually does an end-of-the-year survey, that at this point I don't think has yet been completed, 1687 01:55:49,160 --> 01:55:52,160 and the other one is staff exit surveys. 1688 01:55:52,160 --> 01:55:59,160 At this point, we have 24 staff members who have left the district who have completed the exit survey. 1689 01:55:59,160 --> 01:56:08,160 However, the HR department would like us to wait until July or August when they had a larger sampling size of those 1690 01:56:08,160 --> 01:56:10,160 who have left to give a report. 1691 01:56:10,160 --> 01:56:15,160 So that is the information I have on the district goals for 25-26. 1692 01:56:15,160 --> 01:56:18,160 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 1693 01:56:18,160 --> 01:56:21,160 Are there any board member questions or comments? 1694 01:56:24,160 --> 01:56:26,160 Carol? 1695 01:56:26,160 --> 01:56:28,160 I'm sorry. 1696 01:56:28,160 --> 01:56:31,160 I could get to the right screen. 1697 01:56:32,160 --> 01:56:44,160 The goals are just sort of a broad target, and what we really need as a board is much more specific information 1698 01:56:44,160 --> 01:56:49,160 and better information about what kinds of things we're looking at. 1699 01:56:49,160 --> 01:56:54,160 I was at the TLE meeting, and we just approved all of these assessment data things, 1700 01:56:54,160 --> 01:56:59,160 and I know we're assessing the life out of our kids, and our teachers are doing it all the time, 1701 01:56:59,160 --> 01:57:01,160 and yet we don't see any assessment data. 1702 01:57:01,160 --> 01:57:08,160 And I really think that we need to have a much larger report that covers the assessment data. 1703 01:57:08,160 --> 01:57:13,160 We don't have to wait for WKCE, because it's kind of late. 1704 01:57:13,160 --> 01:57:19,160 We have a whole ton of our own assessment data that we should be looking at. 1705 01:57:19,160 --> 01:57:24,160 I think we certainly need to be disaggregating our data, 1706 01:57:24,160 --> 01:57:27,160 and we need to be looking at attendance data that way as well. 1707 01:57:27,160 --> 01:57:29,160 I'd like to see the data by school. 1708 01:57:29,160 --> 01:57:31,160 I'd like to see it by grade level. 1709 01:57:31,160 --> 01:57:33,160 I'd like to see it by ethnicity. 1710 01:57:33,160 --> 01:57:40,160 I think we need to be able to look at this data a lot more thoroughly. 1711 01:57:40,160 --> 01:57:42,160 It should be readily available. 1712 01:57:42,160 --> 01:57:49,160 I'm hoping that all the buildings have been looking at all of their data and studying all of these things, 1713 01:57:49,160 --> 01:57:54,160 and it really kind of needs to go with what strategies that were put in place and how effective we are, 1714 01:57:54,160 --> 01:58:00,160 and then what strategies we think we're going to put in place to improve the dynamics as we move forward. 1715 01:58:00,160 --> 01:58:06,160 And I didn't hear you talk about student conduct. 1716 01:58:06,160 --> 01:58:12,160 I did hear staff, but we do need to be looking at some of that data as well. 1717 01:58:12,160 --> 01:58:21,160 So again, I know the goals themselves are pretty broad, and we got the things for the goals, 1718 01:58:21,160 --> 01:58:27,160 but we need much more information about how our students are doing. 1719 01:58:27,160 --> 01:58:29,160 That's what we're here to find out. 1720 01:58:29,160 --> 01:58:31,160 Thank you, Mrs. Fox. 1721 01:58:31,160 --> 01:58:35,160 Ms. Miller. 1722 01:58:35,160 --> 01:58:38,160 Thank you so much. 1723 01:58:38,160 --> 01:58:44,160 Board Vice President Fox, I was so happy to hear what you said about our reporting, 1724 01:58:44,160 --> 01:58:50,160 because one of the things that's coming up I think later on the agenda has to do with one of the tools that we're looking at 1725 01:58:50,160 --> 01:58:53,160 or that we're going to be using to some extent is next path. 1726 01:58:53,160 --> 01:59:01,160 And it's something that is both the cost savings, but it is going to allow our district to do all of those things that you said, 1727 01:59:01,160 --> 01:59:08,160 and is in the capacity, at least of my day job, I can say that it's going to be powerful for our district, 1728 01:59:08,160 --> 01:59:14,160 which leads me then to the things that I wanted to comment on initially, which are very related. 1729 01:59:14,160 --> 01:59:24,160 This is going to shock all of you to hear me say this, but I really would love it if the board could partner with our administration to look at a needs assessment for our students, 1730 01:59:24,160 --> 01:59:30,160 because I would like similarly like to know, like, where are we seeing growth in what capacity is like? 1731 01:59:30,160 --> 01:59:33,160 What are we doing that is working that we need to sustain? 1732 01:59:33,160 --> 01:59:39,160 Our budget is a document that should act to fund and, you know, fuel, right? 1733 01:59:39,160 --> 01:59:48,160 The way that we carry out the mission of our district, which is to support primarily, you know, academic growth for our students and to meet their needs. 1734 01:59:48,160 --> 01:59:52,160 So in order to do that, we need to know what needs to be sustained. 1735 01:59:52,160 --> 01:59:55,160 We need to know what needs to be changed or discontinued. 1736 01:59:55,160 --> 02:00:04,160 And we need to be able to work with our educators to create that larger vision that supports what we are seeing, right? 1737 02:00:04,160 --> 02:00:06,160 And the needs of our kids and our staff. 1738 02:00:06,160 --> 02:00:14,160 So I don't know exactly what the vision is for what we do next with board goals, but I wholeheartedly agree that we need them to be like smart goals. 1739 02:00:14,160 --> 02:00:17,160 They need to say, you know, this is the vision. 1740 02:00:17,160 --> 02:00:25,160 I'd like that vision to be created in tandem with our administration, because I think we're all going to be on the same page that we want to talk about literacy. 1741 02:00:25,160 --> 02:00:27,160 We want to talk about math, right? 1742 02:00:27,160 --> 02:00:31,160 I don't think anybody's going to disagree about what needs to be prioritized. 1743 02:00:31,160 --> 02:00:40,160 But I think that the way our goals are written should be informed by the current data that we have, which I think really fits what I just heard board member facts discuss. 1744 02:00:40,160 --> 02:00:53,160 Another thing that I would like to put out there is I'm curious, since so many of our goals have to do with things that are both within and outside of the control of the school district, 1745 02:00:53,160 --> 02:00:56,160 and particularly like attendance and transportation issues. 1746 02:00:56,160 --> 02:01:04,160 I'm curious, and I don't know if Board President Johnson can help address this now, or if this is a discussion for later, 1747 02:01:04,160 --> 02:01:21,160 but I'd love to explore the extent to which we can develop these more robust goals that are hopefully based on some needs assessment data in tandem with our stakeholders in the city of Beloit and in other outside agencies 1748 02:01:21,160 --> 02:01:30,160 so that we can not only capitalize on partnerships, but also be very deliberate in working smarter, not harder, 1749 02:01:30,160 --> 02:01:40,160 because I think that we're not the only institution in the community that benefits directly from us achieving the goals that I think for the most part, 1750 02:01:40,160 --> 02:01:42,160 we're all in agreement that we need to achieve. 1751 02:01:42,160 --> 02:01:48,160 I'm just curious to hear more about what those next steps look like, or what they could look like, 1752 02:01:48,160 --> 02:01:56,160 and maybe the degree to which we can bring in outside stakeholders at some point into that discussion. 1753 02:01:56,160 --> 02:02:01,160 Thank you. I will meet with Dr. Milan over the next couple of weeks, 1754 02:02:01,160 --> 02:02:08,160 and we will put our heads together and come up with a time where we can figure something out. 1755 02:02:09,160 --> 02:02:10,160 Joanne Ru. 1756 02:02:11,160 --> 02:02:12,160 Yes, thank you. 1757 02:02:12,160 --> 02:02:35,160 Speaking of Dr. Gordon Milan, I think one of the first steps in this is giving her the ability to hire the person that's taking her position and doing it quickly and making sure that Dr. Gordon Milan is able to work closely with them because she's been in this role for a while now, 1758 02:02:35,160 --> 02:02:44,160 but she has a plan and is ready to implement it, but just needs the people to help her do that. 1759 02:02:44,160 --> 02:02:48,160 Any other board member questions or comments? 1760 02:02:48,160 --> 02:02:50,160 Tom? 1761 02:02:50,160 --> 02:02:52,160 Thank you. 1762 02:02:52,160 --> 02:02:58,160 And thank you to the Hendricks Foundation and Lisa for Seth, who's sitting here in front, 1763 02:02:58,160 --> 02:03:03,160 but the spotlight has been put on literacy and absolutely correctly. 1764 02:03:03,160 --> 02:03:11,160 But as Dr. Anderson just pointed out, our numeracy is going the other direction. 1765 02:03:11,160 --> 02:03:17,160 So they work in tandem, but we need to keep our eye on that ball also. 1766 02:03:17,160 --> 02:03:23,160 I just want to make sure that is well noted that, and I'm sure Dr. Milan is on top of that. 1767 02:03:23,160 --> 02:03:32,160 But as we shift our focus to the younger grades and literacy that numeracy to me is in tandem with that. Thank you. 1768 02:03:32,160 --> 02:03:34,160 Thank you, Mr. Hinkins. 1769 02:03:34,160 --> 02:03:36,160 Ms. Miller, did you have another comment? 1770 02:03:36,160 --> 02:03:43,160 Yeah, I'll just put in a quick plug that in addition to reading core America's program called math core that works the same way. 1771 02:03:43,160 --> 02:03:47,160 So, you know, I think there are a lot of possibilities there, Mr. Hinkins. 1772 02:03:47,160 --> 02:03:48,160 Thank you. 1773 02:03:48,160 --> 02:03:59,160 Our next item tonight is the resolution to authorize an independent hearing officer to determine pupil expulsion. 1774 02:03:59,160 --> 02:04:10,160 The purpose of this is to renew the Board of Education's authorization for the use of an independent hearing officer for the expulsion of pupils for the 2026-2027 school year. 1775 02:04:10,160 --> 02:04:19,160 This resolution is approving the authorization to use an independent hearing officer only. 1776 02:04:19,160 --> 02:04:23,160 Are there any board member questions or comments before I read the resolution? 1777 02:04:23,160 --> 02:04:28,160 Or if somebody would like to move to waive the reading of it, we can do that. 1778 02:04:28,160 --> 02:04:31,160 I'll move to policy 183 rule 1. 1779 02:04:31,160 --> 02:04:34,160 I'll move, wave in the reading. 1780 02:04:34,160 --> 02:04:37,160 I'll second. 1781 02:04:37,160 --> 02:04:42,160 Waving the reading motion by Dan Shuff, seconded by Carol Fox. 1782 02:04:42,160 --> 02:04:46,160 Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? 1783 02:04:46,160 --> 02:04:47,160 Aye. 1784 02:04:47,160 --> 02:04:48,160 Aye. 1785 02:04:48,160 --> 02:04:50,160 Any opposed? 1786 02:04:50,160 --> 02:04:52,160 Motion carries unanimously. 1787 02:04:52,160 --> 02:05:06,160 Are there any questions regarding questions or comments regarding the independent hearing officer resolution 26-27.01 expulsion of pupils? 1788 02:05:06,160 --> 02:05:08,160 Megan Miller. 1789 02:05:08,160 --> 02:05:10,160 Thank you so much. 1790 02:05:10,160 --> 02:05:21,160 I think given the main event issue that we have later this evening regarding our budget, it's important for us to be mindful of all of our decisions regarding spending. 1791 02:05:21,160 --> 02:05:28,160 And I'd email Dr. Anderson earlier to ask about like legal fees, which I know have been a popular discussion item. 1792 02:05:29,160 --> 02:05:34,160 And the estimation that I received was that we spent about $80,000. 1793 02:05:34,160 --> 02:05:37,160 Was it just this past year, right, doing with the IHO? 1794 02:05:37,160 --> 02:05:50,160 And that if we were to hear expulsions and do the process ourselves, which some of us at least were trained to do already, which, you know, was kind of, you know, kind of just follow a packet, it would cut that in half potentially. 1795 02:05:51,160 --> 02:05:59,160 So I respect that this is more than just a budget issue, but having experienced it both ways as a board member. 1796 02:05:59,160 --> 02:06:11,160 I like my evenings just like all the rest of us, but I am certainly willing to hear expulsions on our own as a way to help reduce that budget burden. 1797 02:06:11,160 --> 02:06:13,160 Thank you, Ms. Miller. 1798 02:06:13,160 --> 02:06:21,160 Ms. Elwood, do you know what our cost for the legal fees for the IHO were? 1799 02:06:21,160 --> 02:06:32,160 And do you know what the legal costs were for the attorneys for the administrative pre expulsion hearings over the last year? 1800 02:06:32,160 --> 02:06:41,160 Yes, actually, since I got that information and it's what I gave from a smaller, your IHO cost this year, about $50,000. 1801 02:06:41,160 --> 02:06:47,160 And then the attorneys that we have with the pre expulsion process is about $30,000. 1802 02:06:47,160 --> 02:06:51,160 So that's about where the $80,000 comes in. 1803 02:06:51,160 --> 02:07:01,160 So $50,000 for the hearing officer and then $30,000 for what I'll call our pre expulsion legal advice. 1804 02:07:02,160 --> 02:07:04,160 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 1805 02:07:04,160 --> 02:07:07,160 And then another question, follow-up question I have with that. 1806 02:07:07,160 --> 02:07:16,160 And this may not be readily available because I think it predates your time here. 1807 02:07:16,160 --> 02:07:28,160 When the board was doing the expulsions ourselves, we had an attorney sit in on them and that attorney was not doing it for free. 1808 02:07:28,160 --> 02:07:33,160 Do you know how much we were paying that attorney for that time? 1809 02:07:33,160 --> 02:07:38,160 Nobody looking at that debt. 1810 02:07:38,160 --> 02:07:45,160 I actually, when I started here my first time three and a half years ago, the board was actually doing the number of expulsions. 1811 02:07:45,160 --> 02:07:47,160 They were hearing themselves. 1812 02:07:47,160 --> 02:07:52,160 I will tell you that the number of hearings that the board held dramatically decreased. 1813 02:07:52,160 --> 02:07:58,160 So you may find what you were charged per hour. 1814 02:07:58,160 --> 02:08:07,160 But I can tell you the number of expulsion hearings that are currently taking place this past year and how many that took place during the year which the board was hearing. 1815 02:08:07,160 --> 02:08:13,160 There has been a significant increase in the number of expulsion hearings that are being held. 1816 02:08:14,160 --> 02:08:17,160 Also, Ms. Miller asked for my opinion. 1817 02:08:17,160 --> 02:08:35,160 I did remind us that you will, if you hear it yourselves, you are going to have to dedicate several additional evenings each month because you already know going through in closed session some of the, you know, the results. 1818 02:08:35,160 --> 02:08:46,160 If you take each one of those and realize you're going to spend at least two to two and a half hours per, you will get some type of an idea of how many hours you'd have to put in per month to hear the cases. 1819 02:08:46,160 --> 02:08:48,160 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 1820 02:08:48,160 --> 02:08:50,160 Carol Fox. 1821 02:08:50,160 --> 02:09:03,160 One of the things that the public has clearly made known is that they're very concerned about the safety and the discipline issues that are occurring in our schools. 1822 02:09:03,160 --> 02:09:12,160 We need to make it so that our administrators feel that it is a viable option to send the kids to expulsion hearing if they feel it's necessary. 1823 02:09:12,160 --> 02:09:23,160 I think when administrators have to bring that to the board, they're pretty hesitant about doing that because it would be feeling like it's reflecting on them. 1824 02:09:24,160 --> 02:09:31,160 I also, we spend an awful lot of time doing this and I don't feel the need to spend any more time. 1825 02:09:31,160 --> 02:09:32,160 I'd be glad. 1826 02:09:32,160 --> 02:09:33,160 I mean, it's not much. 1827 02:09:33,160 --> 02:09:46,160 But if you need my $400 a month to pay for the hearing officer, I'd be glad to do that because I don't, I have no desire to do this. 1828 02:09:46,160 --> 02:09:48,160 Thank you. 1829 02:09:48,160 --> 02:09:50,160 Any other board members? 1830 02:09:50,160 --> 02:09:51,160 Dan? 1831 02:09:51,160 --> 02:09:52,160 Just a quick comment. 1832 02:09:52,160 --> 02:09:57,160 I've been through a couple of the closed session and I've been, I just want to compliment my colleagues. 1833 02:09:57,160 --> 02:10:05,160 You know, every meeting we've had, every member has read every word of the packet and when we make the, when we affirm or modify decisions. 1834 02:10:05,160 --> 02:10:13,160 So I've been really impressed with the work that is put in already in this process and I'll support the recommended action whenever the motion comes up. 1835 02:10:13,160 --> 02:10:14,160 Thank you. 1836 02:10:14,160 --> 02:10:16,160 Are there any other board members? 1837 02:10:17,160 --> 02:10:23,160 I want to make certain everybody who hasn't spoken yet has an opportunity before we circle background. 1838 02:10:23,160 --> 02:10:24,160 Ms. Miller? 1839 02:10:24,160 --> 02:10:25,160 Nope, totally. 1840 02:10:25,160 --> 02:10:26,160 And thank you for doing that. 1841 02:10:26,160 --> 02:10:27,160 I appreciate that. 1842 02:10:27,160 --> 02:10:34,160 Yeah, no, I would just say that Ms. Fox, like I appreciate that you brought up, you know, kind of like the concern, right, that admin had expressed. 1843 02:10:34,160 --> 02:10:41,160 We did have a conversation recently and I think a few years ago before because I think it's an important trust building piece. 1844 02:10:41,160 --> 02:10:44,160 And again, like one is seven, having done it both ways. 1845 02:10:44,160 --> 02:10:46,160 It's certainly appreciated. 1846 02:10:46,160 --> 02:10:51,160 I mean, as a parent in the district, I appreciate the administration's diligence and prioritizing safety. 1847 02:10:51,160 --> 02:10:59,160 And regardless of how, whether we have an IHL, it's not like it's heartbreaking. 1848 02:10:59,160 --> 02:11:01,160 Nobody likes that that happens. 1849 02:11:01,160 --> 02:11:04,160 But of course, that happens sometimes. 1850 02:11:04,160 --> 02:11:13,160 So I would just like to take that opportunity since you did bring that up to reassure that it's certainly appreciated when administration follows policy and does its job. 1851 02:11:13,160 --> 02:11:25,160 And whether we are sitting and hearing doing the process, or just simply reviewing the packets, there's no judgment on administration. 1852 02:11:25,160 --> 02:11:28,160 It should, hopefully there's some trust and it should feel safe there. 1853 02:11:28,160 --> 02:11:32,160 Again, I'm still because of the cost savings. 1854 02:11:32,160 --> 02:11:34,160 This is something that isn't a direct classroom piece. 1855 02:11:34,160 --> 02:11:37,160 I'm interested in not supporting an IHL. 1856 02:11:37,160 --> 02:11:40,160 Thank you. 1857 02:11:40,160 --> 02:11:41,160 Is there a motion? 1858 02:11:41,160 --> 02:11:44,160 So moved. I'll move the recommended. 1859 02:11:44,160 --> 02:11:47,160 Do you need me to read it? 1860 02:11:47,160 --> 02:11:49,160 Yes, please. 1861 02:11:49,160 --> 02:11:58,160 I moved to authorize an independent hearing officer to determine people expulsion under Wisconsin statutes one, twenty, thirteen, parent, one. 1862 02:11:58,160 --> 02:12:04,160 Parente one through four effective July one, twenty, twenty six to June 30th, twenty, twenty seven. 1863 02:12:04,160 --> 02:12:07,160 I'll second. 1864 02:12:07,160 --> 02:12:13,160 We have a motion and a second on the table. Any questions or discussions on the motion? 1865 02:12:13,160 --> 02:12:16,160 Hearing none, all in favor? 1866 02:12:16,160 --> 02:12:17,160 Point of order. Yeah. 1867 02:12:17,160 --> 02:12:20,160 It's a resolution. I have to do a roll call. 1868 02:12:20,160 --> 02:12:23,160 Thank you for reminding me. 1869 02:12:23,160 --> 02:12:26,160 Ms. Schop, when you are ready. 1870 02:12:26,160 --> 02:12:31,160 Bill Johnson. 1871 02:12:31,160 --> 02:12:32,160 Aye. 1872 02:12:33,160 --> 02:12:35,160 Meghan Miller. 1873 02:12:35,160 --> 02:12:36,160 Nay. 1874 02:12:36,160 --> 02:12:38,160 Tom Hankins. 1875 02:12:38,160 --> 02:12:39,160 Aye. 1876 02:12:39,160 --> 02:12:42,160 Carol Fox. 1877 02:12:42,160 --> 02:12:43,160 Aye. 1878 02:12:43,160 --> 02:12:45,160 Joanne Roo. 1879 02:12:45,160 --> 02:12:46,160 Aye. 1880 02:12:46,160 --> 02:12:47,160 Dan Schuf. 1881 02:12:47,160 --> 02:12:48,160 Aye. 1882 02:12:48,160 --> 02:12:49,160 And Tia Janssen. 1883 02:12:49,160 --> 02:12:50,160 Aye. 1884 02:12:50,160 --> 02:12:53,160 Motion carried six to one. 1885 02:12:53,160 --> 02:12:54,160 Thank you. 1886 02:12:54,160 --> 02:12:58,160 It is 802 per board policy. 1887 02:12:58,160 --> 02:13:00,160 Is there a motion to extend the meeting? 1888 02:13:00,160 --> 02:13:01,160 So moved. 1889 02:13:01,160 --> 02:13:02,160 Second. 1890 02:13:02,160 --> 02:13:07,160 Motion by Dan Schuf, seconded by Carol Fox. Any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? 1891 02:13:07,160 --> 02:13:08,160 Aye. 1892 02:13:08,160 --> 02:13:09,160 Aye. 1893 02:13:09,160 --> 02:13:10,160 Aye. 1894 02:13:10,160 --> 02:13:11,160 Aye. 1895 02:13:11,160 --> 02:13:12,160 Any opposed? 1896 02:13:12,160 --> 02:13:14,160 Motion carries unanimously. 1897 02:13:14,160 --> 02:13:16,160 Could I just get who moved and seconded please? 1898 02:13:16,160 --> 02:13:20,160 Dan Schuf made the motion and Carol Fox seconded. 1899 02:13:20,160 --> 02:13:21,160 Thank you. 1900 02:13:21,160 --> 02:13:28,160 Our next agenda item is the approval of agreement with the Hendrix Family Foundation. 1901 02:13:28,160 --> 02:13:33,160 The purpose of this is to approve the agreement with the Hendrix Family Foundation. 1902 02:13:33,160 --> 02:13:34,160 Dr. Anderson? 1903 02:13:34,160 --> 02:13:41,160 Well, first I'd like to again thank the Hendrix Family Foundation for the generous offer of 1904 02:13:41,160 --> 02:13:49,160 providing two and a half million dollars over three years to help us with the literacy pilot at our elementary schools. 1905 02:13:49,160 --> 02:13:52,160 We are actually able to do two elementary schools. 1906 02:13:52,160 --> 02:13:56,160 We are going to converse elementary and Gaston. 1907 02:13:56,160 --> 02:14:04,160 We are going to fund the 60 slots at one of the two schools and the Hendrix Family Foundation. 1908 02:14:04,160 --> 02:14:06,160 Shouldn't the grant agreement be approved? 1909 02:14:06,160 --> 02:14:14,160 We'll be funding the 60 slots at the other school, plus they'll be funding the skyrocket professional development. 1910 02:14:14,160 --> 02:14:22,160 I'd also like to thank Lisa versus and Liam a lot for all of their help since the board. 1911 02:14:23,160 --> 02:14:36,160 Approved going into creating this agreement to sit down and to go over basically to make sure we have covered the topics that we thought were essential and that we could reach agreement on the language. 1912 02:14:36,160 --> 02:14:41,160 We have brought the modified language to our attorney. 1913 02:14:41,160 --> 02:14:46,160 The attorney actually helped us to draft a couple changes. 1914 02:14:46,160 --> 02:14:59,160 They were accepted by the Hendrix Family Foundation, so the grant agreement that you now have in front of you has been reviewed by your attorney and all of the changes that they thought were applicable have been made. 1915 02:14:59,160 --> 02:15:15,160 So I am encouraging you to pass this because we are actively working to make sure we're up and running for the beginning of the school year planning for skyrockets to start giving some professional development to the staff. 1916 02:15:15,160 --> 02:15:22,160 In August as well as open literacy and arranging our schedules to make this happen. 1917 02:15:22,160 --> 02:15:28,160 And I think we're all very encouraged to see what the results will be. 1918 02:15:28,160 --> 02:15:36,160 So tonight is where you take a motion on the agreement, but I am in full support recommending that you do this. 1919 02:15:36,160 --> 02:15:42,160 And again, I want to give my thanks to Lisa and Leah for all her help in getting us this far. 1920 02:15:43,160 --> 02:15:46,160 Thank you, Dr. Anderson, Megan Miller. 1921 02:15:47,160 --> 02:15:48,160 Thank you so much. 1922 02:15:48,160 --> 02:15:57,160 First, I just want to say just in the spirit of full transparency, I did ask some clarifying questions for anybody who's like playing along at home on the contract language. 1923 02:15:57,160 --> 02:16:04,160 And I feel really confident that it is, you know, fair and will be an asset to, you know, our kids in the district. 1924 02:16:05,160 --> 02:16:11,160 So I did just want to express also my gratitude toward Lisa for Seth. 1925 02:16:11,160 --> 02:16:17,160 I think like in the discussions that we were able to have, it was really, I just want to bring us back to the process. 1926 02:16:17,160 --> 02:16:30,160 It was really helpful that we were able to pause and really unpack like what this means and what this, and you know, we've heard a lot tonight from our students in public comment about how there is not a one size fits all. 1927 02:16:30,160 --> 02:16:35,160 And I think that for many of our kids, I think open literacy is going to be amazing. 1928 02:16:35,160 --> 02:16:43,160 And there are going to be other kids who have different root causes that will need to continue to be creative and work hard to meet those needs. 1929 02:16:43,160 --> 02:16:55,160 And I just wanted to highlight that because like this is, I think, really what good community partnership looks like is rooted in mutual respect, willingness to listen and like deeply understand as we move forward. 1930 02:16:56,160 --> 02:17:02,160 And I hope that this is the boilerplate for how future community partnership opportunities act. 1931 02:17:02,160 --> 02:17:13,160 So thank you so much for your patience and the time that you took to really make this a truly wonderful gift to our children and families in our district. 1932 02:17:13,160 --> 02:17:15,160 Dan Shuf. 1933 02:17:16,160 --> 02:17:17,160 Yes, thank you. 1934 02:17:17,160 --> 02:17:24,160 So one of the things that I'm trying to do is listen carefully to my colleagues and do our homework. 1935 02:17:24,160 --> 02:17:29,160 So as a new board member, I just want to express my appreciation. 1936 02:17:29,160 --> 02:17:40,160 I've been getting up to speed on this agreement and this proposal, which again, thanks to the Hendricks Family Foundation for providing this in two of our schools. 1937 02:17:40,160 --> 02:17:44,160 But I also want to say thank you to my colleagues and to Brian and Amy. 1938 02:17:44,160 --> 02:17:51,160 I had a chance to go back and read the minutes, especially of the workshop you had on, I think, Saturday, February 28. 1939 02:17:51,160 --> 02:17:59,160 So we don't always talk about times where any board does really good work and digs in and does that. 1940 02:17:59,160 --> 02:18:05,160 I want to commend you all for that work you all did and brought us to this point where we can finalize it tonight. 1941 02:18:05,160 --> 02:18:06,160 So thank you. 1942 02:18:06,160 --> 02:18:09,160 Any other board members? 1943 02:18:10,160 --> 02:18:12,160 Here's my thank you. 1944 02:18:12,160 --> 02:18:16,160 I move approval of the agreement with the Hendricks Family Foundation for literacy. 1945 02:18:16,160 --> 02:18:17,160 I second it. 1946 02:18:17,160 --> 02:18:22,160 Motion by Carol Fox, seconded by Bill Johnson. 1947 02:18:22,160 --> 02:18:24,160 Any discussion on the motion? 1948 02:18:24,160 --> 02:18:27,160 Dan, is your hand still up? 1949 02:18:27,160 --> 02:18:28,160 Okay. 1950 02:18:28,160 --> 02:18:29,160 Okay. 1951 02:18:29,160 --> 02:18:30,160 All in favor? 1952 02:18:30,160 --> 02:18:31,160 Aye. 1953 02:18:31,160 --> 02:18:32,160 Aye. 1954 02:18:32,160 --> 02:18:33,160 Aye. 1955 02:18:33,160 --> 02:18:34,160 Any opposed? 1956 02:18:34,160 --> 02:18:36,160 Motion carries unanimously. 1957 02:18:36,160 --> 02:18:38,160 Thank you so much. 1958 02:18:38,160 --> 02:18:52,160 Thank you, Lisa and the Hendricks Family Foundation for this very kind, generous offer, and we are looking forward to it. 1959 02:18:52,160 --> 02:19:02,160 Our next agenda item is policy 470 rule one student fees. 1960 02:19:02,160 --> 02:19:07,160 Student fees, fines, charges, and this is for first reading. 1961 02:19:07,160 --> 02:19:11,160 Dr. Anderson and Executive Director Elwood. 1962 02:19:11,160 --> 02:19:15,160 Well, first I'd like to just remind everybody this is a first reading. 1963 02:19:15,160 --> 02:19:20,160 So what will happen is that these four policies went through the policy committee. 1964 02:19:20,160 --> 02:19:24,160 We made suggested changes to bring them to the board. 1965 02:19:24,160 --> 02:19:27,160 Now the board has a chance to read and comment. 1966 02:19:27,160 --> 02:19:36,160 If there are any changes that you would like on any of these four policies, please contact either myself, Leah, or any one of the policy committee. 1967 02:19:36,160 --> 02:19:47,160 And then what we'll do is we'll take this up at our next meeting, make any additional changes that might be suggested, bring them back to you in another month for your second reading and approval. 1968 02:19:48,160 --> 02:20:00,160 So basically you have a month period now to determine if there's any additional changes you'd have or any questions on any of the changes that you'd like to see made. 1969 02:20:00,160 --> 02:20:01,160 Thank you. 1970 02:20:01,160 --> 02:20:06,160 Do any board members have any questions on policy 470 rule one? 1971 02:20:06,160 --> 02:20:09,160 Hearing none. 1972 02:20:09,160 --> 02:20:10,160 Megan, go ahead. 1973 02:20:10,160 --> 02:20:12,160 I'm not very quick to click the thing tonight. 1974 02:20:12,160 --> 02:20:13,160 I'm sorry. 1975 02:20:14,160 --> 02:20:16,160 This is kind of a tedious clarifying question. 1976 02:20:16,160 --> 02:20:25,160 Is this something that would need to be modified depending on what we end up doing with the budget for middle school athletics because I noticed that. 1977 02:20:25,160 --> 02:20:26,160 I'm sorry. 1978 02:20:26,160 --> 02:20:27,160 I don't have the page number. 1979 02:20:27,160 --> 02:20:30,160 It looks like maybe like the third page down. 1980 02:20:30,160 --> 02:20:31,160 There's a discussion. 1981 02:20:31,160 --> 02:20:33,160 Yeah, there's a highlighted or sorry. 1982 02:20:33,160 --> 02:20:36,160 There's a heading that says co-curricular and extracurricular fees. 1983 02:20:37,160 --> 02:20:52,160 So like, I mean, I have no objection to passing the policy on to second reading, but is that something that we want to wait to do until after we figure out middle school athletics or I guess I'm just, it's just a question of my colleagues in terms of process and efficient use of time. 1984 02:20:52,160 --> 02:20:54,160 But I'm fully the right. 1985 02:20:54,160 --> 02:21:02,160 So the fee for middle school sports, if we choose to put the middle school sports program into fund 80 would follow. 1986 02:21:02,160 --> 02:21:04,160 It would also be in fund. 1987 02:21:05,160 --> 02:21:06,160 Yes, that would be the only change. 1988 02:21:06,160 --> 02:21:10,160 And I have to be honest with you because of the waiver of school fees. 1989 02:21:10,160 --> 02:21:12,160 It's a very small collection anyway. 1990 02:21:12,160 --> 02:21:16,160 No, I figured I just, you know, I just, we want to stay in compliance with policy. 1991 02:21:16,160 --> 02:21:20,160 I just didn't want us to create an inefficiency and then, oh, we got to go back to this. 1992 02:21:20,160 --> 02:21:21,160 So I just wanted to clear that. 1993 02:21:21,160 --> 02:21:22,160 Thank you. 1994 02:21:22,160 --> 02:21:24,160 Any other questions? 1995 02:21:24,160 --> 02:21:27,160 Is there a motion? 1996 02:21:27,160 --> 02:21:30,160 There's be any motions on these of us. 1997 02:21:31,160 --> 02:21:35,160 It says a recommended motion approval. 1998 02:21:35,160 --> 02:21:36,160 Okay. 1999 02:21:36,160 --> 02:21:37,160 Okay. 2000 02:21:37,160 --> 02:21:38,160 Okay. 2001 02:21:38,160 --> 02:21:39,160 Okay. 2002 02:21:39,160 --> 02:21:42,160 So then we are on policy. 2003 02:21:42,160 --> 02:21:44,160 What? 2004 02:21:44,160 --> 02:21:59,160 I'm really, I would just assume that you didn't make, so you gave yourself a month to make, because I know that for fees, we're probably going to have to make a change to that for our next one. 2005 02:21:59,160 --> 02:22:05,160 Because of school, of ticket prices for students and what you charge or don't charge. 2006 02:22:05,160 --> 02:22:12,160 We just had a meeting today and I know that will be something that impacts this particular policy. 2007 02:22:12,160 --> 02:22:21,160 So really, if you use the first reading is simply a time to take a look if there are questions that you can then give us so we can make any changes. 2008 02:22:22,160 --> 02:22:28,160 But it gives you a month to read, digest, and ask questions and then approval of the second reading. 2009 02:22:28,160 --> 02:22:30,160 Okay. 2010 02:22:30,160 --> 02:22:42,160 Are there any questions or comments about policy 671.2 rule one guidelines regulating expense reimbursement? 2011 02:22:42,160 --> 02:22:46,160 Tom Hankins. 2012 02:22:46,160 --> 02:22:48,160 Thank you. 2013 02:22:48,160 --> 02:22:56,160 And listening to Dr. Anderson in that detailed explanation, is that just applying to this one, Dr. Anderson, or are all the ones? 2014 02:22:56,160 --> 02:22:57,160 No. 2015 02:22:57,160 --> 02:22:59,160 They're all. 2016 02:22:59,160 --> 02:23:01,160 All of these are first readings. 2017 02:23:01,160 --> 02:23:02,160 All of the paralysis. 2018 02:23:02,160 --> 02:23:10,160 But I'm asking, do you see any changes that like you just told us might happen? 2019 02:23:11,160 --> 02:23:17,160 I don't know that, you know, it's hard for me to tell you that whether or not there be any changes. 2020 02:23:17,160 --> 02:23:22,160 We tried to cover as many things we thought should be changed before we brought it here. 2021 02:23:22,160 --> 02:23:29,160 But I have found that giving everybody a month to take a look and to read it to make sure that you understand it. 2022 02:23:29,160 --> 02:23:35,160 Because I will tell you the things about policies that I think are extremely important that I've learned over my career. 2023 02:23:35,160 --> 02:23:41,160 One is make sure the policy says what you wanted to say for this district. 2024 02:23:41,160 --> 02:23:44,160 And then you have to make sure we follow it. 2025 02:23:44,160 --> 02:23:50,160 Because what happens is policies are one of those things that get forgotten. 2026 02:23:50,160 --> 02:23:54,160 As you just had experience when we were looking at trips earlier. 2027 02:23:54,160 --> 02:24:00,160 That, you know, things or languages put in there a number of years ago, it gets overlooked, it keeps going through. 2028 02:24:00,160 --> 02:24:05,160 And then all of a sudden you come to an issue and say, well, and you really just said that, or why does it say that? 2029 02:24:05,160 --> 02:24:08,160 So you want to make sure the policy says what you wanted to say. 2030 02:24:08,160 --> 02:24:16,160 And then you want to make certain that that is a policy that you are going to expect to be followed the way that is written. 2031 02:24:16,160 --> 02:24:24,160 So giving yourselves a month to read it to make sure that it does say those things are things important. 2032 02:24:24,160 --> 02:24:30,160 Any questions or comments for policy 671.2 rule one? 2033 02:24:34,160 --> 02:24:35,160 Okay. 2034 02:24:35,160 --> 02:24:53,160 We will move on then to policy 352 field trips excursion student travel and policy 352 rule one walking trips guidelines with new titles 352 field trips and 352 rule one field trips and field trip rules. 2035 02:24:53,160 --> 02:24:55,160 Any Joanne. 2036 02:24:55,160 --> 02:24:57,160 Yes, thank you. 2037 02:24:57,160 --> 02:24:59,160 I'm trying to. Okay. 2038 02:24:59,160 --> 02:25:05,160 So it says all request forms must be completed with enough lead time for thorough review. 2039 02:25:05,160 --> 02:25:09,160 Any request submitted without ample processing time will be denied. 2040 02:25:09,160 --> 02:25:15,160 So is there somewhere where it lists that amount of time? 2041 02:25:15,160 --> 02:25:21,160 Like if they're approved by the building principal, like the walking trips, those are usually. 2042 02:25:21,160 --> 02:25:28,160 Pretty straightforward or local single day local single day trips are pretty straightforward. 2043 02:25:28,160 --> 02:25:35,160 Is there somewhere where it explains to us how much time ahead of time you have to submit these. 2044 02:25:36,160 --> 02:25:48,160 I think we kind of thought that the administrative people could kind of make a rule on that. 2045 02:25:48,160 --> 02:26:03,160 Joanne is your suggestion that we have a designated amount of time in the policy. 2046 02:26:03,160 --> 02:26:16,160 I just as a as a classroom teacher, I would look to see, you know, like if I had an idea, I would probably look to see how many days in advance do I need to know to let my principal know and get all the approval. 2047 02:26:17,160 --> 02:26:19,160 Deadlines just are. 2048 02:26:19,160 --> 02:26:25,160 Make it clear, but different buildings do things a little bit differently too. 2049 02:26:25,160 --> 02:26:28,160 So maybe that just allows for a little bit more. 2050 02:26:28,160 --> 02:26:37,160 Maybe the building principles can be the ones that determine how much time ahead of time they need to fill out the paperwork. 2051 02:26:37,160 --> 02:26:42,160 Dr Anderson or Dr Milant, do you want to weigh in on that? 2052 02:26:42,160 --> 02:26:59,160 That's why we have the first reading so we can take this information and we can take a look and find out, you know, what would be an appropriate amount of days because we do want to make the policies as clear as possible so that people understand them and know what the rules and regulations are of the each policy. 2053 02:26:59,160 --> 02:27:08,160 So we will take a look at and see if we can put in, you know, a specific time period or at least a range. 2054 02:27:08,160 --> 02:27:15,160 I would really like to board members who haven't actually been on the policy to look this, especially our two teachers. 2055 02:27:15,160 --> 02:27:20,160 We kind of combined several different policies together. 2056 02:27:20,160 --> 02:27:24,160 So all field trips were kind of under one umbrella. 2057 02:27:24,160 --> 02:27:27,160 We have things about chaperones. 2058 02:27:27,160 --> 02:27:30,160 We have things, you know, guidelines for the staff. 2059 02:27:30,160 --> 02:27:36,160 So most of it was in the policies we had. 2060 02:27:36,160 --> 02:27:38,160 It's just very much kind of rearranged. 2061 02:27:38,160 --> 02:27:50,160 So I would appreciate it if you'd kind of take a really good read through that and see if you see anything that we missed, especially since you've done field trips too. 2062 02:27:50,160 --> 02:27:54,160 Tom Hinkins? 2063 02:27:55,160 --> 02:27:57,160 Yes, thank you. 2064 02:27:57,160 --> 02:27:59,160 Talking about the timelines, Joanne. 2065 02:27:59,160 --> 02:28:05,160 And as we've learned in the last year, I've learned that transportation kind of rules the day. 2066 02:28:05,160 --> 02:28:13,160 So, you know, with these requests need to get into our transportation people to make sure there's a bus available to take to and fro. 2067 02:28:13,160 --> 02:28:20,160 So that timeline needs to be addressed too with along with the request to the superintendent. 2068 02:28:20,160 --> 02:28:21,160 Thank you. 2069 02:28:22,160 --> 02:28:23,160 Thank you. 2070 02:28:23,160 --> 02:28:27,160 Any other Joanne Reu? 2071 02:28:27,160 --> 02:28:36,160 No, I just, my mind basically was about the walking field trips because I've been a member at a couple of different buildings and at one place. 2072 02:28:36,160 --> 02:28:43,160 If we came up with it on Monday and had it all set and parents were okay with it by Friday, we could go. 2073 02:28:43,160 --> 02:28:46,160 And the other one, it was two month process. 2074 02:28:47,160 --> 02:28:56,160 So, I mean, different strokes for different folks, but I'll tell you how I did a whole lot more walking field trips with my first person. 2075 02:28:56,160 --> 02:28:57,160 Thank you. 2076 02:28:57,160 --> 02:28:58,160 Dr. Malat? 2077 02:28:58,160 --> 02:29:03,160 Yeah, Durham typically requires at least two weeks notice to schedule their busing. 2078 02:29:03,160 --> 02:29:07,160 And you do have strikeout language in your policy from before. 2079 02:29:07,160 --> 02:29:19,160 It did say that executive director of business services needs 150 days before time of travel for international trips and 90 days before time of travel for domestic trips. 2080 02:29:19,160 --> 02:29:23,160 So there is a timeline in there that you do have strikeout. 2081 02:29:23,160 --> 02:29:29,160 So, but typically in the schools, we need at least two weeks time because Durham has to be arranged. 2082 02:29:29,160 --> 02:29:36,160 The nurses have to have time and it is a lot of time for the nurses to check off emergency medical dental and all the things. 2083 02:29:36,160 --> 02:29:39,160 So, two weeks is even pushing that. 2084 02:29:39,160 --> 02:29:40,160 Thank you. 2085 02:29:40,160 --> 02:29:41,160 Thank you. 2086 02:29:41,160 --> 02:29:46,160 Any other questions or comments on the policies? 2087 02:29:46,160 --> 02:29:47,160 Joanne? 2088 02:29:47,160 --> 02:29:48,160 Oh. 2089 02:29:48,160 --> 02:29:49,160 Sorry, my hand was still up. 2090 02:29:49,160 --> 02:29:50,160 Okay. 2091 02:29:50,160 --> 02:29:57,160 Maybe we could say like a minimum of two weeks then just so that it covers the nurse and all of that too. 2092 02:29:57,160 --> 02:29:58,160 I don't know. 2093 02:29:58,160 --> 02:29:59,160 Just for safety sake. 2094 02:30:02,160 --> 02:30:03,160 Okay. 2095 02:30:03,160 --> 02:30:04,160 Thank you. 2096 02:30:05,160 --> 02:30:09,160 Anyone else before we move on to our next agenda item? 2097 02:30:09,160 --> 02:30:10,160 Okay. 2098 02:30:10,160 --> 02:30:15,160 Our next agenda item is the budget proposal. 2099 02:30:15,160 --> 02:30:24,160 The purpose of this is to share with board members the proposed budget reductions that administration has put together for the 2627 school year. 2100 02:30:24,160 --> 02:30:32,160 The administration has brought forward several options and is now presenting its final option based on feedback from the board members. 2101 02:30:32,160 --> 02:30:38,160 At several meetings taking into consideration many factors including staff feedback as well. 2102 02:30:38,160 --> 02:30:53,160 And before I turn it over to Dr. Anderson I do want to point out that oftentimes I have heard criticism against the board and the district as us not having clear goals. 2103 02:30:53,160 --> 02:31:00,160 I'd like to respond to that and that many of our district goals are actually enshrined in our policies. 2104 02:31:00,160 --> 02:31:12,160 For example policy 610 is fiscal management goals policy 210 is administration goals or policy 710 is support services goals. 2105 02:31:12,160 --> 02:31:21,160 The 100 series of our policies are the board policies and our 110 goal policy is our mission statement. 2106 02:31:21,160 --> 02:31:24,160 And I'm going to read that to you now. 2107 02:31:24,160 --> 02:31:34,160 The mission of the school district of Deloitte committed to excellence and strengthened and enriched by diversity is to prepare each student to compete, 2108 02:31:34,160 --> 02:31:48,160 contribute and thrive as an admirable citizen in a rapidly changing world by engaging students in a wide variety of high quality relevant programs in partnership with families, 2109 02:31:48,160 --> 02:31:51,160 schools and the state line community. 2110 02:31:51,160 --> 02:32:03,160 Further the district's vision statement is preparing and inspiring each student to succeed in life and contribute to an ever changing world. 2111 02:32:03,160 --> 02:32:13,160 Last board meeting when we discussed the budget there was some criticism against the board for not being able to come to a consensus. 2112 02:32:13,160 --> 02:32:22,160 I will remind everyone when we are looking at decision making models we start with our problem. 2113 02:32:22,160 --> 02:32:26,160 I think there's no lack of understanding of what our problem is. 2114 02:32:26,160 --> 02:32:28,160 We have a budget deficit this year. 2115 02:32:28,160 --> 02:32:32,160 We have a greater budget deficit next year. 2116 02:32:32,160 --> 02:32:35,160 We face continually dwindling enrollment. 2117 02:32:36,160 --> 02:32:38,160 We have a set of objectives. 2118 02:32:38,160 --> 02:32:46,160 The board has approved the board guidance for the 2627 budget that was given to the administration. 2119 02:32:46,160 --> 02:32:55,160 In this document which was approved in April, it gives the administration direction and priorities. 2120 02:32:55,160 --> 02:33:04,160 These priorities address the question of how do we place students in the instructional spaces that best meet their needs 2121 02:33:04,160 --> 02:33:07,160 with a priority of being student focused. 2122 02:33:07,160 --> 02:33:17,160 The board's guidance document lists these three priorities maintain existing district teacher to pupil ratio guidelines. 2123 02:33:17,160 --> 02:33:23,160 This is laid out in policy 343.2 class size. 2124 02:33:23,160 --> 02:33:33,160 The second priority was preserve the focus on staff retention and recruitment by providing a 2.63% CPI increase 2125 02:33:33,160 --> 02:33:42,160 for the professional staff and upcoming budget for the professional staff in the upcoming budget. 2126 02:33:42,160 --> 02:33:48,160 Prioritize district programs and initiatives that drive student enrollment i.e. 2127 02:33:48,160 --> 02:34:00,160 Academies model at BMHS DLI to minimize the recent enrollment patterns for the district. 2128 02:34:00,160 --> 02:34:05,160 I'm going to encourage us to keep our discussion grounded in facts. 2129 02:34:05,160 --> 02:34:17,160 The other thing this board has done is the board has indicated that it is willing to use OPEB funds to cover the cost of longevity pay for one year. 2130 02:34:17,160 --> 02:34:32,160 This would add about 330,000 to any of the budgets budget costs. 2131 02:34:32,160 --> 02:34:42,160 And finally at the last board meeting we went down the line and asked what we were looking for and many of the members 2132 02:34:42,160 --> 02:34:46,160 and we were looking for a balanced budget. 2133 02:34:46,160 --> 02:34:56,160 Again this goes to policy 610 fiscal management goals and well a balanced budget may not be achievable. 2134 02:34:56,160 --> 02:35:04,160 I think for consensus building it might be a good place to try to start and then work from there. 2135 02:35:04,160 --> 02:35:07,160 How far off from balanced budget? 2136 02:35:07,160 --> 02:35:10,160 How far deficit do we want to go? 2137 02:35:10,160 --> 02:35:17,160 There are a lot of things we have to take into consideration aside from just we are in a bad situation right now. 2138 02:35:17,160 --> 02:35:24,160 We also have to take into consideration not just the voices of all the people who were willing to come out tonight and 2139 02:35:24,160 --> 02:35:34,160 or willing to email and share their thoughts but also the voices of the many polluters that don't come out. 2140 02:35:34,160 --> 02:35:39,160 Those polluters that share their voice at the ballot box. 2141 02:35:39,160 --> 02:35:47,160 The other problem that we have are dealing with is we had three consecutive years of failed referendum. 2142 02:35:47,160 --> 02:35:52,160 We have to figure out why we are having failed referendum. 2143 02:35:52,160 --> 02:35:59,160 If this community loves this school district so much we have been doing something wrong. 2144 02:35:59,160 --> 02:36:08,160 And I think we need to look at our budget, set our budget to align with our priorities and start with a balanced budget 2145 02:36:08,160 --> 02:36:10,160 and work from there. 2146 02:36:10,160 --> 02:36:12,160 Dr. Anderson? 2147 02:36:16,160 --> 02:36:18,160 Well we start again tonight. 2148 02:36:18,160 --> 02:36:23,160 So we will start where we left off at our last meeting. 2149 02:36:23,160 --> 02:36:33,160 Is it I had brought what I at that time called option D which basically had taken the poll of the various like 2150 02:36:33,160 --> 02:36:35,160 did you want elementary deans? 2151 02:36:35,160 --> 02:36:41,160 Did you want the director of curriculum and CTE? 2152 02:36:41,160 --> 02:36:45,160 Career and technical education excuse me for a second. 2153 02:36:45,160 --> 02:36:50,160 I know that I would have been corrected in second if I got it wrong. 2154 02:36:50,160 --> 02:36:53,160 Did you want the director of nursing? 2155 02:36:53,160 --> 02:36:55,160 So we asked certain questions. 2156 02:36:55,160 --> 02:37:01,160 You provided answers and I provided then a budget option that tried to put in. 2157 02:37:01,160 --> 02:37:04,160 If you the majority said we would like something at it I put it in. 2158 02:37:04,160 --> 02:37:09,160 If the majority said they wanted something taken out then I took it out. 2159 02:37:09,160 --> 02:37:16,160 Since the time we have made a couple other revisions to that so what you will see is it says final option. 2160 02:37:16,160 --> 02:37:21,160 The only reason it is final is because it is the last option that I will be able to present to you. 2161 02:37:21,160 --> 02:37:30,160 And what this option did is it took basically option D and we tried to find out could we get a little bit closer 2162 02:37:30,160 --> 02:37:34,160 to using less open up dollars. 2163 02:37:34,160 --> 02:37:43,160 And what we found out is that if we went to the virtual school and right now we offer virtual education to all our students 2164 02:37:43,160 --> 02:37:46,160 you know all our grades. 2165 02:37:46,160 --> 02:37:53,160 If we were to cut that down and just do it for the high school and for those students that are under an expulsion order 2166 02:37:53,160 --> 02:37:56,160 we can save 100,000 dollars. 2167 02:37:56,160 --> 02:38:01,160 So we thought we would make the recommendation to limit our virtual education to high school 2168 02:38:01,160 --> 02:38:09,160 and those students who may be expelled from the district so they have an educational option so that would reduce it by 100,000. 2169 02:38:09,160 --> 02:38:15,160 We also then looked at the various budgets in teaching and learning. 2170 02:38:15,160 --> 02:38:22,160 We found that we could make some changes in our purchases that were being made and could save 125,000 2171 02:38:22,160 --> 02:38:26,160 so that basically dropped it to 225,000. 2172 02:38:26,160 --> 02:38:31,160 Now that does not get you to a balanced budget. 2173 02:38:31,160 --> 02:38:36,160 That gives you to the option that's in front of you right now which is closer. 2174 02:38:36,160 --> 02:38:42,160 We did look at other options that could get you closer. 2175 02:38:42,160 --> 02:38:51,160 One of those options was we could take BLA and we could move that to Merrill Elementary. 2176 02:38:51,160 --> 02:38:57,160 We could have the students that currently are in Merrill Elementary be on the first floor. 2177 02:38:57,160 --> 02:39:01,160 BLA couldn't have it the second floor. 2178 02:39:01,160 --> 02:39:06,160 They do have an entrance that could be basically private. 2179 02:39:06,160 --> 02:39:09,160 There are still some places that would have to be used. 2180 02:39:09,160 --> 02:39:16,160 But that would allow for some additional savings if you did that because we could save on the principal. 2181 02:39:16,160 --> 02:39:21,160 In the secretary right now Merrill doesn't have a principal or a secretary for next year. 2182 02:39:21,160 --> 02:39:29,160 If we moved BLA the principal could take over that job to the secretary and there may be some additional cost savings. 2183 02:39:29,160 --> 02:39:35,160 So we could probably save a couple hundred thousand dollars more if that option was used. 2184 02:39:35,160 --> 02:39:40,160 We did look at the option what if we closed the Merrill School? 2185 02:39:40,160 --> 02:39:46,160 What if we took the students that since Merrill's are still at the lowest enrollment? 2186 02:39:46,160 --> 02:39:53,160 What if we closed Merrill and we divided the students and moved them to Robinson and Todd. 2187 02:39:53,160 --> 02:40:00,160 We would then have also some savings and we wouldn't because those buildings already have principals and support staff. 2188 02:40:00,160 --> 02:40:09,160 We would have to bring some teachers over because of the number of students so that there would be some savings also in staffing. 2189 02:40:09,160 --> 02:40:11,160 So that was an option. 2190 02:40:11,160 --> 02:40:21,160 Neither of those two options are going to get you to using no OPEB funds but they were both you know there were potentials. 2191 02:40:21,160 --> 02:40:38,160 If you did not even hate to say this but if you eliminated BLA as a program and you did not offer it at all you would probably save enough to have a balanced budget. 2192 02:40:38,160 --> 02:40:54,160 Now I would vehemently fight and tell you why that would be the total wrong decision because it does serve a segment of our population of our student population that has been very worthwhile. 2193 02:40:54,160 --> 02:40:56,160 You've had this for a long time. 2194 02:40:56,160 --> 02:41:07,160 It does provide an option to help students in graduation that if you did not have it it takes a last chance opportunity 2195 02:41:07,160 --> 02:41:20,160 away from some that it seems to be very successful but if you did not have it would the elimination of all those staff bring you closer to a balanced budget the answer is yes. 2196 02:41:20,160 --> 02:41:36,160 I will tell you that tonight whether you make a decision or not you will make a decision and what I mean by that is if at the end of the night we haven't found a solution that is acceptable 2197 02:41:36,160 --> 02:41:49,160 and you go into July you will have made the decision of not being able to close any buildings because you won't have enough time there just will not be the time to make that happen. 2198 02:41:49,160 --> 02:42:02,160 So the discussion tonight will be is that if you do want to move students we would have to know that tonight in order for us to have the time to do that before the beginning of the next year. 2199 02:42:02,160 --> 02:42:04,160 Now I'm not advocating that. 2200 02:42:04,160 --> 02:42:12,160 What I am advocating is what I went back a couple times ago I was asking what I call enhanced C. 2201 02:42:12,160 --> 02:42:20,160 Enhanced C basically says that the employees that currently are working for the district stay working for the district. 2202 02:42:20,160 --> 02:42:30,160 They may be in a different position they may be in a different building but the cuts would be made through the vacancies attrition of course some of the things that we did tonight. 2203 02:42:30,160 --> 02:42:39,160 I call it enhanced C because in C we had taken the library media professionals and introduced in the halftime in the elementary schools. 2204 02:42:39,160 --> 02:42:45,160 There was a lot of discussion even at the board level about potentially making them back. 2205 02:42:45,160 --> 02:42:59,160 So I would put those back which means you're going to have to use more open funds but it does give you the time that you need to make sure that when you are going to make changes because you are going to make building changes 2206 02:42:59,160 --> 02:43:03,160 in twenty seven twenty eight there is no way around it. 2207 02:43:03,160 --> 02:43:12,160 You are simply going to have to make those changes because your student bodies will decrease and you won't need to use all of them. 2208 02:43:12,160 --> 02:43:21,160 I have been a firm proponent that I think what the board should do right away is that the board should start having a discussion. 2209 02:43:21,160 --> 02:43:25,160 How what do you want your facilities? 2210 02:43:25,160 --> 02:43:27,160 How do you want to use them? 2211 02:43:27,160 --> 02:43:29,160 Now we've had discussions. 2212 02:43:29,160 --> 02:43:31,160 Could you keep them all open? 2213 02:43:31,160 --> 02:43:37,160 If you had student enrollment that was you know tending back up the answers then I would say yes. 2214 02:43:37,160 --> 02:43:49,160 At this point we have not been able to solve that problem so enrollment is still declining so realistically I don't think that's going to be an option for you in twenty seven twenty eight. 2215 02:43:49,160 --> 02:43:55,160 But I think when you start making building changes you're going to want to make those one time. 2216 02:43:55,160 --> 02:44:01,160 In other words I don't think you want to make a change this year and then make a different change the following year. 2217 02:44:01,160 --> 02:44:03,160 I'll give an example. 2218 02:44:03,160 --> 02:44:17,160 It had been discussed it might be politically wise if you took like frozen middle school and you moved that over into Cunningham and had a middle school on both sides. 2219 02:44:17,160 --> 02:44:21,160 That then both sides of town have middle school. 2220 02:44:21,160 --> 02:44:28,160 That might be a good idea if you were going to maintain two middle schools but I think you're probably going to go to one. 2221 02:44:28,160 --> 02:44:37,160 So you certainly want to move the students from frozen to Cunningham and then in a year from now say well we're only going to have one. 2222 02:44:37,160 --> 02:44:41,160 I don't think people would look at that with much foresight. 2223 02:44:41,160 --> 02:44:52,160 Now I think if you start having those discussions on what do you want your buildings to look like and you can let people know well in advance. 2224 02:44:52,160 --> 02:45:09,160 So I have been a proponent in my board bulletin of saying that if the board can have its discussion with among itselfs with among its constituents and come out in January and say we believe for the twenty seven twenty eight school year our facilities will use as follows. 2225 02:45:09,160 --> 02:45:11,160 I'll just use an example. 2226 02:45:11,160 --> 02:45:13,160 This is not what it would be. 2227 02:45:13,160 --> 02:45:17,160 But you know that Memorial High School is going to stay at Memorial High School. 2228 02:45:17,160 --> 02:45:19,160 That's not going to change. 2229 02:45:19,160 --> 02:45:22,160 You may decide you're going to go to one middle school. 2230 02:45:22,160 --> 02:45:24,160 Let's say that's Aldrich. 2231 02:45:24,160 --> 02:45:34,160 You may decide that you want to either sell frozen or use that as an elementary school and close to elementary school so you have two elementary schools both sides. 2232 02:45:34,160 --> 02:45:44,160 Maybe frozen becomes the elementary school for Todd and Merrill so you have frozen elementary in Robinson. 2233 02:45:44,160 --> 02:45:47,160 Maybe do the same thing on the other side of town. 2234 02:45:47,160 --> 02:45:57,160 Maybe Cunningham becomes the elementary school for Gaston and Hackett so you have Converse and then Cunningham. 2235 02:45:58,160 --> 02:46:13,160 Whatever the situation will be is if you give people enough time so they can make those changes and if you do that maybe Merrill Elementary School becomes where BLA would be and some of its auxiliary programs. 2236 02:46:14,160 --> 02:46:26,160 But my point is the decision that you make if you can then tell the public in January what everybody can expect then you're giving everybody eight months for the planning. 2237 02:46:26,160 --> 02:46:32,160 You're giving administration and staff eight months to determine how this is going to work. 2238 02:46:32,160 --> 02:46:38,160 You give the public eight months to know what it is that you're going to do in the decision that you make. 2239 02:46:39,160 --> 02:46:47,160 Now if you decide that you want to move students for this next year we'll move students just this next year. 2240 02:46:47,160 --> 02:46:55,160 It's just that I think you'd be better off if you did all your moves in one particular year letting people know what they're at. 2241 02:46:55,160 --> 02:47:05,160 But the motion that or the not the motion the option we have up there basically takes the option we left with at the end of the last meeting. 2242 02:47:05,160 --> 02:47:08,160 And it has some additional savings. 2243 02:47:08,160 --> 02:47:22,160 Now I do want to bring one other question up is that one of the things this option does not have an option D did not have was the director of nursing because we cut nursing staff and we cut the director. 2244 02:47:22,160 --> 02:47:31,160 I will just tell you that you may want to take a look we have not determined how those additional services are going to be covered. 2245 02:47:31,160 --> 02:47:44,160 All right I'm not saying that they shouldn't be caught I'm saying that you know but we might want to take a look at how are those services are going to be covered or what services you no longer want people to perform. 2246 02:47:44,160 --> 02:47:53,160 Because when you have less staff there are going to be less things that can be done and I know the questions have come to me. 2247 02:47:53,160 --> 02:47:59,160 Well Wayne who's going to do you know who's going to check out for all the field trips if we don't have that. 2248 02:47:59,160 --> 02:48:04,160 Who's going to do the Medicare and the answer is I don't know. 2249 02:48:04,160 --> 02:48:10,160 Which is not a very good answer but it's the answer that I can give you at this point. 2250 02:48:10,160 --> 02:48:22,160 So I'm simply that's why I'm advocating for what I call enhanced C because that gives a lot more time determine how you're going to make these changes in the future. 2251 02:48:22,160 --> 02:48:37,160 So I guess that's my opening mark for clarification are you enhanced is option enhanced C the same as option final. 2252 02:48:37,160 --> 02:48:49,160 No the option final is option D which we covered last time with some additional savings that we were able to find about $275,000. 2253 02:48:49,160 --> 02:48:54,160 So basically decreases option D by 275. 2254 02:48:54,160 --> 02:49:01,160 It does contain the things that you wanted in the budget in other words it does contain the elementary deans are put back in. 2255 02:49:01,160 --> 02:49:07,160 It does contain the director of career technical education. 2256 02:49:07,160 --> 02:49:13,160 It does not contain the director of medical services the director of health. 2257 02:49:14,160 --> 02:49:25,160 So but it does get you closer that is what the final option that we have and like I said that was based on polling the board members on things that they wanted to see in the budget. 2258 02:49:25,160 --> 02:49:28,160 But we were able to find some additional savings. 2259 02:49:28,160 --> 02:49:32,160 Thank you. I'm sorry. 2260 02:49:33,160 --> 02:49:35,160 No I don't. 2261 02:49:35,160 --> 02:49:41,160 So we board members do not have option C enhanced in front of us to view. 2262 02:49:43,160 --> 02:49:44,160 That is correct. 2263 02:49:44,160 --> 02:49:53,160 You have option C the only difference when I call option C enhanced is that option C we had the library media specialist that half time in the elementary school. 2264 02:49:53,160 --> 02:49:55,160 It would simply move them to full time. 2265 02:49:55,160 --> 02:49:57,160 That's the only difference. 2266 02:49:58,160 --> 02:50:02,160 Okay. 2267 02:50:02,160 --> 02:50:06,160 Board member Miller your hand is up. 2268 02:50:06,160 --> 02:50:08,160 It is. Thank you. 2269 02:50:08,160 --> 02:50:10,160 I just had a clarifying question. 2270 02:50:10,160 --> 02:50:17,160 We heard through public comment this evening some thoughts about sort of. 2271 02:50:17,160 --> 02:50:20,160 I'm characterizing it as like a community. 2272 02:50:21,160 --> 02:50:27,160 It's more than a community schools model like a pretty comprehensive community space that's been currently housed in Cunningham. 2273 02:50:27,160 --> 02:50:34,160 So I guess my clarifying question before we kind of get into the larger board discussion would be. 2274 02:50:34,160 --> 02:50:47,160 You know, I know that there was something put forward about, you know, consolidating things in the mayoral like what what happens to those other services like was there any like I don't I'm not saying there should have been I'm just kind of curious. 2275 02:50:48,160 --> 02:50:52,160 Where are those other services or programming pieces would be housed? 2276 02:50:52,160 --> 02:50:59,160 Well, first of all, if BLA goes out of Cunningham, it doesn't mean we won't have any programs there. 2277 02:50:59,160 --> 02:51:03,160 I mean, it makes sense to keep some there. 2278 02:51:03,160 --> 02:51:06,160 We zone our heating and cooling and all that. 2279 02:51:06,160 --> 02:51:13,160 So we've had numerous discussions and Stephanie is reminded us is that there is a benefit to keep, you know, 2280 02:51:13,160 --> 02:51:28,160 to keep some programs in each of our buildings that just makes sense in its because we can't totally shut off it, but we can zone it so we can lower the heating in that cost. 2281 02:51:28,160 --> 02:51:30,160 So we would keep some programs there. 2282 02:51:30,160 --> 02:51:34,160 Some programs can be moved like the GEDO program that can be moved to the high school. 2283 02:51:34,160 --> 02:51:37,160 We could do that. 2284 02:51:38,160 --> 02:51:40,160 Fresh their even start. 2285 02:51:40,160 --> 02:51:48,160 If we if we move BLA to Merrill, then it doesn't make sense to move that there because then we run shortage of rooms. 2286 02:51:48,160 --> 02:51:52,160 If BLA stays where it is, but you wanted to move that over. 2287 02:51:52,160 --> 02:51:54,160 There is rooms in in Merrill. 2288 02:51:54,160 --> 02:52:05,160 So there is movement that can take place and we can move some programs to the high school because some are more compatible than others that are currently in Cunningham. 2289 02:52:05,160 --> 02:52:13,160 But I don't think we'd look at totally closing down any of our buildings as Stephanie is reminding us it doesn't make fiscal sense. 2290 02:52:13,160 --> 02:52:14,160 Got it. 2291 02:52:14,160 --> 02:52:16,160 No, I appreciate that clarification. 2292 02:52:16,160 --> 02:52:22,160 So I'll just say like going back to the board guidance priorities question. 2293 02:52:22,160 --> 02:52:30,160 How do we play students in the instructional spaces that best meet their needs with the priority of being student focused. 2294 02:52:30,160 --> 02:52:36,160 One of seven like I have like zero interest right now and I think it sounds like Cunningham works really well the way it is. 2295 02:52:36,160 --> 02:52:42,160 Like you said, like if there's like little stuff that we can move around that isn't going to have like a major impact on student. 2296 02:52:42,160 --> 02:52:44,160 I'm going to back to our question language. 2297 02:52:44,160 --> 02:52:48,160 Student focused and meeting student needs like moving the GED. 2298 02:52:48,160 --> 02:52:52,160 It's a little GEDO program through BDC like cool. 2299 02:52:52,160 --> 02:52:59,160 But yeah, I just wanted to clarify that because I'm just trying to wrap my mind around like what all the options are. 2300 02:52:59,160 --> 02:53:02,160 But again, like one of seven like I really am. 2301 02:53:02,160 --> 02:53:07,160 I'm really liking what I'm seeing in both enhanced C as well as option D. 2302 02:53:07,160 --> 02:53:09,160 You know, willing to hear from my colleagues as well. 2303 02:53:09,160 --> 02:53:10,160 So thank you for clarifying. 2304 02:53:10,160 --> 02:53:11,160 I appreciate it. 2305 02:53:11,160 --> 02:53:14,160 And remember, we will look for additional savings. 2306 02:53:14,160 --> 02:53:17,160 This is a draft budget. 2307 02:53:17,160 --> 02:53:19,160 Your finalism in October. 2308 02:53:19,160 --> 02:53:23,160 Whatever decision the board makes, we are not going to. 2309 02:53:23,160 --> 02:53:25,160 I shouldn't say we. 2310 02:53:25,160 --> 02:53:36,160 We for the next two weeks after that will be a different we will continue to look for options on where we can potentially save dollars. 2311 02:53:36,160 --> 02:53:38,160 Because we all want to do that. 2312 02:53:38,160 --> 02:53:45,160 I think we just have different views on, you know, maybe the rate in which we need to make certain changes. 2313 02:53:45,160 --> 02:53:49,160 But we are going to continue to look. 2314 02:53:49,160 --> 02:54:02,160 I mean, one of the examples is that when you passed the budget last time, you said, well, you would allow for the expenditures of what was a 1.7 million of OPEB funds if we needed it. 2315 02:54:02,160 --> 02:54:04,160 And we're not going to need that. 2316 02:54:04,160 --> 02:54:07,160 Now we did sell a building, which I helped a great deal. 2317 02:54:07,160 --> 02:54:18,160 But what we look at is that when we're telling you that we think we need so many OPEB funds, if we are saying, hopefully we'll be able to use less than that. 2318 02:54:18,160 --> 02:54:28,160 But we want to give at least an estimate of where we are right now as we continue to look for additional ways we might be able to save money. 2319 02:54:28,160 --> 02:54:33,160 Thank you, Carol Fox. 2320 02:54:33,160 --> 02:54:38,160 I must say I'm very disappointed in all of this. 2321 02:54:38,160 --> 02:54:47,160 There was an option B on the table that had suggestions for changing some of the buildings and closing things around. 2322 02:54:47,160 --> 02:54:51,160 And that was presented in a timely manner. 2323 02:54:51,160 --> 02:54:56,160 And here we are now because it got totally backed away from. 2324 02:54:56,160 --> 02:54:59,160 And now it's too late, right? 2325 02:54:59,160 --> 02:55:03,160 It's like, oh, gosh, if you can't make the decision tonight, then we can't do anything about it. 2326 02:55:03,160 --> 02:55:12,160 So to me, we've had this method of doing things before where we just drag our feet until it's too late. 2327 02:55:12,160 --> 02:55:16,160 And then we get stuck with not the decisions that we really want to make. 2328 02:55:16,160 --> 02:55:24,160 And I'm also disappointed in the fact that somebody who was saying, you know, what, two and a half months ago, 2329 02:55:24,160 --> 02:55:30,160 they highly recommend that we don't use OPEB money, and we're still not anywhere close to a balanced budget. 2330 02:55:30,160 --> 02:55:36,160 We had several board members who asked for a balanced budget. 2331 02:55:36,160 --> 02:55:43,160 I asked for a budget to get below a million dollars, and we're not there. 2332 02:55:43,160 --> 02:55:45,160 We're just not there. 2333 02:55:45,160 --> 02:55:48,160 And it's pretty disappointing. 2334 02:55:48,160 --> 02:55:51,160 I just don't really know where to go with this at this point. 2335 02:55:51,160 --> 02:55:54,160 I just really don't. 2336 02:55:54,160 --> 02:56:03,160 Once again, let's kick the can down the road. 2337 02:56:03,160 --> 02:56:09,160 And yeah, we can do it next year and move everybody around all at once. 2338 02:56:09,160 --> 02:56:13,160 But it's just really disappointing. 2339 02:56:13,160 --> 02:56:17,160 And there's lots of things in here that still need to be looked at. 2340 02:56:17,160 --> 02:56:22,160 I mean, I was, you know, we still put deans into all of our elementary schools. 2341 02:56:22,160 --> 02:56:26,160 We're looking at a Merrill School is going to have 174 students. 2342 02:56:26,160 --> 02:56:29,160 That's two administrators for 174 students. 2343 02:56:29,160 --> 02:56:31,160 That's 87 students per administrator. 2344 02:56:31,160 --> 02:56:33,160 Are we really going to do that? 2345 02:56:33,160 --> 02:56:37,160 I mean, why are we not looking at the realities of things? 2346 02:56:37,160 --> 02:56:41,160 And the other thing that I asked for was a plan of what we're going to do 2347 02:56:41,160 --> 02:56:46,160 and where we're going to use the Title I money and the AGR money. 2348 02:56:46,160 --> 02:56:48,160 Now it looks all different. 2349 02:56:48,160 --> 02:56:53,160 And I don't see a plan for what you're really planning thinking of doing 2350 02:56:53,160 --> 02:56:55,160 and how this money is going to be spent. 2351 02:56:55,160 --> 02:57:00,160 And so, yeah, we've delayed again. 2352 02:57:00,160 --> 02:57:05,160 And here we are. 2353 02:57:05,160 --> 02:57:08,160 Joanne Roo. 2354 02:57:08,160 --> 02:57:09,160 Yes, thank you. 2355 02:57:10,160 --> 02:57:13,160 Since we are at the end of June. 2356 02:57:13,160 --> 02:57:16,160 I did visit Cunningham the other day. 2357 02:57:16,160 --> 02:57:19,160 It's a beautiful building. 2358 02:57:19,160 --> 02:57:26,160 I have a lot of concerns about moving people this late in the summer. 2359 02:57:26,160 --> 02:57:29,160 We combined buildings a long time ago. 2360 02:57:29,160 --> 02:57:37,160 I remember when Royce and Hackett were combined and we met as a team in the spring. 2361 02:57:37,160 --> 02:57:42,160 We came up with a plan to make us one community. 2362 02:57:42,160 --> 02:57:46,160 The students had time to have closure in their buildings, 2363 02:57:46,160 --> 02:57:51,160 to say goodbye to what they've always known there. 2364 02:57:51,160 --> 02:57:55,160 Our schools, they're not as much neighborhood schools as they used to be, 2365 02:57:55,160 --> 02:57:57,160 but they still are neighborhood schools. 2366 02:57:57,160 --> 02:58:01,160 And I think that there's more than just packing up buildings 2367 02:58:01,160 --> 02:58:04,160 and moving them across town or to another place. 2368 02:58:04,160 --> 02:58:08,160 I think we need to allow our students and teachers to have time 2369 02:58:08,160 --> 02:58:12,160 to bring closure to relationships 2370 02:58:12,160 --> 02:58:15,160 and celebrate the accomplishments that they have. 2371 02:58:15,160 --> 02:58:18,160 Cunningham itself, when I walked through the building, 2372 02:58:18,160 --> 02:58:23,160 I was actually surprised at how much of the building is actively used. 2373 02:58:23,160 --> 02:58:31,160 After hearing how it wasn't, there are many programs housed under one roof. 2374 02:58:31,160 --> 02:58:34,160 And each of those programs require special things. 2375 02:58:34,160 --> 02:58:37,160 The transition program has a kitchen. 2376 02:58:37,160 --> 02:58:41,160 They have a living area where the children can practice making beds 2377 02:58:41,160 --> 02:58:44,160 and doing all of the things that you do at home. 2378 02:58:44,160 --> 02:58:48,160 They learn how to sort laundry and do laundry. 2379 02:58:48,160 --> 02:58:51,160 They have the food pantry there. 2380 02:58:51,160 --> 02:58:54,160 Even Start takes up a large section of the building. 2381 02:58:54,160 --> 02:58:56,160 They have a gorgeous library there. 2382 02:58:56,160 --> 02:58:58,160 If we move them over to Merrill right now, 2383 02:58:58,160 --> 02:59:01,160 we're talking about two separate libraries. 2384 02:59:01,160 --> 02:59:04,160 We don't have a place for all these other programs. 2385 02:59:04,160 --> 02:59:08,160 They're going to still be at Cunningham or shoved somewhere else. 2386 02:59:08,160 --> 02:59:12,160 I think we need to do what's best for our students at this point 2387 02:59:12,160 --> 02:59:18,160 and our staff members and respect that this is their summer 2388 02:59:18,160 --> 02:59:23,160 and they should be able to take this time to restore and rejuvenate 2389 02:59:23,160 --> 02:59:25,160 so they're ready to come back in the fall. 2390 02:59:25,160 --> 02:59:29,160 And then I think us as a board in July, we need to sit down 2391 02:59:29,160 --> 02:59:33,160 and look at things really hard and come up with a plan 2392 02:59:33,160 --> 02:59:37,160 that we can move forward with so that we can move things the next year 2393 02:59:37,160 --> 02:59:40,160 because absolutely we do need to close buildings. 2394 02:59:40,160 --> 02:59:42,160 We do need to put more buildings up for sale. 2395 02:59:42,160 --> 02:59:46,160 I think we need to do it in a way that's very thoughtful 2396 02:59:46,160 --> 02:59:49,160 and considerate of our students and staff. 2397 02:59:49,160 --> 02:59:54,160 Thank you. 2398 02:59:54,160 --> 03:00:02,160 So according to the proposed budget reductions 26-27 presentation, 2399 03:00:02,160 --> 03:00:11,160 May 12th, and this has been on just about every agenda since then. 2400 03:00:11,160 --> 03:00:16,160 On slide seven, it has the historical enrollment context. 2401 03:00:16,160 --> 03:00:23,160 Our alternative programs from 2024 had an enrollment 2402 03:00:23,160 --> 03:00:29,160 of 2005 as of May 6th of this year, 2403 03:00:29,160 --> 03:00:37,160 and 205 as of May 6th this year, it had 118. 2404 03:00:37,160 --> 03:00:45,160 That's a reduction of 42% enrollment in our alternative programs. 2405 03:00:45,160 --> 03:00:49,160 Can any of the administrators tell me, 2406 03:00:49,160 --> 03:00:54,160 have the staff been reduced to follow that reduction, 2407 03:00:54,160 --> 03:00:58,160 and do we know what the projected enrollment will be 2408 03:00:58,160 --> 03:01:05,160 for our alternative programs for fall? 2409 03:01:05,160 --> 03:01:07,160 Well, if you're asking what it was prior to this, 2410 03:01:07,160 --> 03:01:11,160 I honestly don't know that because I don't know what the enrollment, 2411 03:01:11,160 --> 03:01:13,160 or what your staffing was the last year, 2412 03:01:13,160 --> 03:01:18,160 and if you decreased what your staffing decreases were last year. 2413 03:01:19,160 --> 03:01:25,160 My point being, folks, we don't have any money. 2414 03:01:25,160 --> 03:01:29,160 We just don't have money, 2415 03:01:29,160 --> 03:01:35,160 and nobody is coming up here with any good recommendations. 2416 03:01:35,160 --> 03:01:37,160 We have to do something. 2417 03:01:37,160 --> 03:01:41,160 We as board members have to prioritize the solvency 2418 03:01:41,160 --> 03:01:44,160 of the school district of Illinois, not this program, 2419 03:01:44,160 --> 03:01:47,160 not that school, not this, not that. 2420 03:01:47,160 --> 03:01:51,160 We are hearing a lot of, we can't, don't do this, don't do that. 2421 03:01:51,160 --> 03:01:57,160 We are hearing zero recommendations. 2422 03:01:57,160 --> 03:02:00,160 Moving the BLA program, 2423 03:02:00,160 --> 03:02:05,160 shuttering Cunningham for a year, what that would do 2424 03:02:05,160 --> 03:02:10,160 is we could reduce services, costs, and services. 2425 03:02:10,160 --> 03:02:15,160 The high school, I will actually pull this out 2426 03:02:15,160 --> 03:02:18,160 because I was taking notes. 2427 03:02:18,160 --> 03:02:21,160 Who was the student? 2428 03:02:21,160 --> 03:02:25,160 BLA teachers are the most caring, dedicated teachers 2429 03:02:25,160 --> 03:02:27,160 who give their all. 2430 03:02:27,160 --> 03:02:29,160 Amen to that, aren't they? 2431 03:02:29,160 --> 03:02:30,160 Guess what? 2432 03:02:30,160 --> 03:02:33,160 Every single teacher in the school district deployed is. 2433 03:02:33,160 --> 03:02:35,160 Every single one. 2434 03:02:35,160 --> 03:02:38,160 And I don't know if those students had stayed at the high school 2435 03:02:38,160 --> 03:02:40,160 if they would have had a different experience, 2436 03:02:40,160 --> 03:02:44,160 because there are kind, loving teachers everywhere in this district. 2437 03:02:45,160 --> 03:02:51,160 BLA, to my knowledge, has not made efforts to right size 2438 03:02:51,160 --> 03:02:56,160 as the enrollment has drastically reduced. 2439 03:02:56,160 --> 03:02:59,160 I don't know that we can continue doing this 2440 03:02:59,160 --> 03:03:03,160 and go to our taxpayers and say please give us money. 2441 03:03:03,160 --> 03:03:08,160 I personally would love to live in a mansion, have lots of room, 2442 03:03:08,160 --> 03:03:13,160 but my financial situation says no, you get paid $400 a month 2443 03:03:13,160 --> 03:03:16,160 and that's what you need to live in. 2444 03:03:16,160 --> 03:03:23,160 I would suggest that we do a better job looking at how we are spending money. 2445 03:03:23,160 --> 03:03:27,160 I was told by the previous superintendent that when we changed 2446 03:03:27,160 --> 03:03:29,160 the intermediate schools back to middle schools, 2447 03:03:29,160 --> 03:03:33,160 that it would have an effect by increasing our DPI report cards 2448 03:03:33,160 --> 03:03:36,160 because it would have the alignment of the grades. 2449 03:03:36,160 --> 03:03:39,160 This result has not come to fruition. 2450 03:03:40,160 --> 03:03:45,160 We cannot make decisions based on hopes. 2451 03:03:45,160 --> 03:03:49,160 We have to base our decisions on the data 2452 03:03:49,160 --> 03:03:52,160 and the reality that we have. 2453 03:03:52,160 --> 03:03:56,160 And looking at this enrollment, 2454 03:03:56,160 --> 03:04:00,160 I'm concerned what our fall enrollment will be 2455 03:04:00,160 --> 03:04:05,160 for our alternative programs and the incredible costs. 2456 03:04:05,160 --> 03:04:08,160 And if you cost it out, cost per student, 2457 03:04:08,160 --> 03:04:12,160 it gets unfair to the students at the high school. 2458 03:04:12,160 --> 03:04:18,160 Again, going to this capacity, this presentation, slide 13, 2459 03:04:18,160 --> 03:04:23,160 the high school has less than 50% capacity. 2460 03:04:23,160 --> 03:04:27,160 Now, do they have the academies and whatnot? 2461 03:04:27,160 --> 03:04:29,160 How are they laid out? 2462 03:04:29,160 --> 03:04:32,160 I don't know, that's not my job, but it says to me 2463 03:04:32,160 --> 03:04:37,160 if we have a functional capacity of 2472 students 2464 03:04:37,160 --> 03:04:43,160 and we only have 1,131 students, that's less than 50% full. 2465 03:04:43,160 --> 03:04:48,160 I honestly believe we can get creative and find a wing, 2466 03:04:48,160 --> 03:04:52,160 a floor, some space in the high school 2467 03:04:52,160 --> 03:04:56,160 and put the BLA program and all of these other programs 2468 03:04:56,160 --> 03:04:59,160 at the high school, would it cost to move? 2469 03:04:59,160 --> 03:05:01,160 Yeah, is it short notice? Yeah. 2470 03:05:01,160 --> 03:05:05,160 But hey, you know, look at Janesville, they just had a flood 2471 03:05:05,160 --> 03:05:08,160 and they moved an entire building in a week. 2472 03:05:08,160 --> 03:05:13,160 It's not, it's not, it's not undoable. 2473 03:05:13,160 --> 03:05:18,160 A few years ago, we closed two Westside schools, 2474 03:05:18,160 --> 03:05:20,160 got them moved over the summer. 2475 03:05:20,160 --> 03:05:24,160 We're talking about 118 students moving. 2476 03:05:24,160 --> 03:05:31,160 That has, in my opinion, the least impact on the number of students. 2477 03:05:32,160 --> 03:05:36,160 And the next group up would be Merrill. 2478 03:05:36,160 --> 03:05:39,160 Merrill has more than cutting him. 2479 03:05:39,160 --> 03:05:44,160 You know, give us some other options. 2480 03:05:44,160 --> 03:05:47,160 One thing I'd like to suggest that the board does, 2481 03:05:47,160 --> 03:05:52,160 especially when you talk about capacity, is to actually take tours 2482 03:05:52,160 --> 03:05:56,160 of the buildings so you can see what the rooms are. 2483 03:05:56,160 --> 03:05:58,160 Can you increase capacity? 2484 03:05:58,160 --> 03:06:00,160 The answer is yes, you can. 2485 03:06:00,160 --> 03:06:03,160 So part of that capacity means you're going to increase the number of students 2486 03:06:03,160 --> 03:06:08,160 in each of the classrooms because capacity is built on how many rooms, 2487 03:06:08,160 --> 03:06:11,160 how many students can a room hold, you know, 2488 03:06:11,160 --> 03:06:15,160 and that's going to mean you're going to have to look at different changes also 2489 03:06:15,160 --> 03:06:19,160 and basically what are your class size limits. 2490 03:06:19,160 --> 03:06:23,160 So I'm not saying that the high school doesn't have a lot of space. 2491 03:06:23,160 --> 03:06:27,160 I'm simply saying that I think if you want to move BLA over to the high school 2492 03:06:27,160 --> 03:06:31,160 and you want it to maintain separation, which what it has, 2493 03:06:31,160 --> 03:06:36,160 I don't believe that that's possible without spending a fair amount of money 2494 03:06:36,160 --> 03:06:39,160 to basically make it two separate. 2495 03:06:39,160 --> 03:06:43,160 And I think the, for me to tell you that is one thing, 2496 03:06:43,160 --> 03:06:47,160 but I think if you actually walk over, because we did, 2497 03:06:47,160 --> 03:06:51,160 before we did that, we walk through to determine how that could happen 2498 03:06:51,160 --> 03:06:55,160 and the bottom line is we could not figure out how that could happen 2499 03:06:55,160 --> 03:06:58,160 without spending a fair amount of money. 2500 03:06:58,160 --> 03:07:04,160 So I would just recommend the board, please walk through the buildings, 2501 03:07:04,160 --> 03:07:08,160 make that, let the building principal walk you through, 2502 03:07:08,160 --> 03:07:13,160 so you can see, so we talk about capacity, we truly, 2503 03:07:13,160 --> 03:07:19,160 we can see what capacity truly is because what capacity says on a piece of paper 2504 03:07:19,160 --> 03:07:24,160 and what capacity looks like in a building may not be exactly the same. 2505 03:07:25,160 --> 03:07:27,160 Thank you for that, Dr. Anderson. 2506 03:07:27,160 --> 03:07:31,160 I believe all board members have been to the high school 2507 03:07:31,160 --> 03:07:34,160 and have at one point or another toured the high school. 2508 03:07:34,160 --> 03:07:40,160 I think part of our question here is when we're talking about capacity, 2509 03:07:40,160 --> 03:07:48,160 if we have 1100 students for a building that's supposed to comfortably fit 2500, 2510 03:07:48,160 --> 03:07:52,160 what's the real size of our classes? 2511 03:07:52,160 --> 03:07:57,160 And I think that might be some data that might be beneficial as well. 2512 03:07:57,160 --> 03:08:03,160 And why, through this process, even after the fact that we all, 2513 03:08:03,160 --> 03:08:10,160 myself as well, when after approving the board guidance 2514 03:08:10,160 --> 03:08:16,160 and our number one priority, meaning maintain existing district teacher pupil ratio 2515 03:08:16,160 --> 03:08:21,160 guidelines, it's maintaining the guidelines, not the actual classes. 2516 03:08:21,160 --> 03:08:26,160 I have heard that there are classes with as few as four or five, six students, 2517 03:08:26,160 --> 03:08:29,160 which is actually outside of board policy. 2518 03:08:29,160 --> 03:08:35,160 I think we really need to take a deep look at all of our systems 2519 03:08:35,160 --> 03:08:41,160 because all of it comes back to we're spending a lot of money. 2520 03:08:41,160 --> 03:08:47,160 We're spending, and looking at the effectiveness and the efficiency, 2521 03:08:47,160 --> 03:08:50,160 it doesn't seem to equate. 2522 03:08:51,160 --> 03:08:54,160 When we did do the staffing, with each of the buildings, 2523 03:08:54,160 --> 03:08:58,160 we did use the staffing guidelines that are in your policy to determine 2524 03:08:58,160 --> 03:09:04,160 that's why there are a number of high school staff members on the list, 2525 03:09:04,160 --> 03:09:09,160 because when you take a look at how many students per class a week cut out, 2526 03:09:09,160 --> 03:09:14,160 when I say week, with Emily Pells and that take a look at all of the students 2527 03:09:14,160 --> 03:09:19,160 enrolled in various classes to cut the lowest enrollment classes. 2528 03:09:19,160 --> 03:09:23,160 Dr. Anderson, can I have some more questions? 2529 03:09:31,160 --> 03:09:33,160 So answers a couple of your questions. 2530 03:09:33,160 --> 03:09:38,160 We have reduced enrollment, but in the BLE entity before, 2531 03:09:38,160 --> 03:09:44,160 some of the previous numbers included our early graduates and expelled students 2532 03:09:44,160 --> 03:09:46,160 and also our fresh start program. 2533 03:09:46,160 --> 03:09:49,160 So it's a fresh start program, we lost 40 students, 2534 03:09:49,160 --> 03:09:54,160 but that also then saved us, we were putting out $240 a year in cash, 2535 03:09:54,160 --> 03:09:57,160 $6,000 per student to community action. 2536 03:09:57,160 --> 03:10:02,160 With that, we have also reduced a teacher, a library of media, 2537 03:10:02,160 --> 03:10:06,160 we did not have a coach and a behavior peace room, 2538 03:10:06,160 --> 03:10:08,160 so that we have reduced staff along the way. 2539 03:10:08,160 --> 03:10:12,160 In BLE proper, we still have six teachers for 100 students. 2540 03:10:12,160 --> 03:10:14,160 We have maintained where that has been, 2541 03:10:14,160 --> 03:10:17,160 even when we moved from the right building had smaller numbers. 2542 03:10:17,160 --> 03:10:19,160 So there has been a reduction in enrollment, 2543 03:10:19,160 --> 03:10:21,160 but it's been through some of these programs that we used to count, 2544 03:10:21,160 --> 03:10:25,160 or we no longer have, and they're also, you know, 2545 03:10:25,160 --> 03:10:28,160 the cost savings from what we put out for a fresh start. 2546 03:10:31,160 --> 03:10:32,160 Thank you, Mr. Skenvers. 2547 03:10:32,160 --> 03:10:37,160 I will double check my notes that I have from the fresh start program. 2548 03:10:37,160 --> 03:10:39,160 I appreciate your input. 2549 03:10:39,160 --> 03:10:41,160 Okay, thank you. 2550 03:10:42,160 --> 03:10:44,160 Megan Miller, and then Carol Fox. 2551 03:10:47,160 --> 03:10:48,160 Thank you so much. 2552 03:10:48,160 --> 03:10:51,160 Board President Johnson, you raised a number of really good questions. 2553 03:10:51,160 --> 03:10:56,160 I really appreciate kind of the, I think the lens of match, 2554 03:10:56,160 --> 03:10:58,160 like you started with like a lens of matching needs, 2555 03:10:58,160 --> 03:11:02,160 which I can always get behind, and that makes a lot of sense. 2556 03:11:02,160 --> 03:11:06,160 A couple of things, I want to add some context to, 2557 03:11:06,160 --> 03:11:10,160 you had mentioned the situation with West Side Schools. 2558 03:11:10,160 --> 03:11:13,160 The least favorite vote by far I've ever had to take. 2559 03:11:13,160 --> 03:11:16,160 We had to approve that in April. 2560 03:11:16,160 --> 03:11:18,160 It was really criticized. 2561 03:11:18,160 --> 03:11:21,160 The timing was really criticized, and the reason for that timing 2562 03:11:21,160 --> 03:11:23,160 is exactly what we're seeing here right now. 2563 03:11:23,160 --> 03:11:25,160 It wasn't just a whiplash decision. 2564 03:11:25,160 --> 03:11:27,160 Moved some schools over the summer. 2565 03:11:27,160 --> 03:11:29,160 It was like, if we were going to do something and it had to be done 2566 03:11:29,160 --> 03:11:31,160 in that amount of time, which again, 2567 03:11:31,160 --> 03:11:34,160 a lot of circumstances were not ideal about that. 2568 03:11:34,160 --> 03:11:39,160 However, I just wanted to make sure it was clear that that's like 2569 03:11:39,160 --> 03:11:41,160 an apples to oranges kind of situation. 2570 03:11:41,160 --> 03:11:45,160 Also, our state report card has gone up every year since 2021 2571 03:11:45,160 --> 03:11:46,160 school year. 2572 03:11:46,160 --> 03:11:52,160 We were at 46.9 and 48.7, then 50.6, then 53.1 last year, 2573 03:11:52,160 --> 03:11:55,160 so 55.8, the 24.25 school year. 2574 03:11:55,160 --> 03:11:59,160 So there were increases that we saw because of that. 2575 03:11:59,160 --> 03:12:02,160 So I just want to make sure we could clarify those pieces. 2576 03:12:02,160 --> 03:12:06,160 You asked for, okay, so what's the solution? 2577 03:12:06,160 --> 03:12:11,160 You are 100% right, that any time we talk about any kind of 2578 03:12:11,160 --> 03:12:14,160 budget thing, including things that I personally care about, 2579 03:12:14,160 --> 03:12:17,160 there's going to be stuff that we're like, yeah, we shouldn't, 2580 03:12:17,160 --> 03:12:18,160 but we have to. 2581 03:12:18,160 --> 03:12:21,160 And I think that's a really important point to make because 2582 03:12:21,160 --> 03:12:24,160 I think Dr. Anderson also has done a great job of articulating 2583 03:12:24,160 --> 03:12:26,160 throughout this entire process. 2584 03:12:26,160 --> 03:12:30,160 There's going to be, there's no way to do this without hurting 2585 03:12:30,160 --> 03:12:35,160 kids, and that's our main goal is to support and grow our children. 2586 03:12:35,160 --> 03:12:37,160 So you are absolutely right to point that out. 2587 03:12:37,160 --> 03:12:39,160 And I just want to validate that. 2588 03:12:39,160 --> 03:12:42,160 So you did also though say no one is brought forward a plan. 2589 03:12:42,160 --> 03:12:44,160 So I would just, I'm going to throw this out here. 2590 03:12:44,160 --> 03:12:47,160 So for me, what I believe would be constructive, 2591 03:12:47,160 --> 03:12:50,160 given the limitations that we have with total, you know, 2592 03:12:50,160 --> 03:12:53,160 with Wiggle Room, you know, we haven't really gotten into the 2593 03:12:53,160 --> 03:12:54,160 details, right? 2594 03:12:54,160 --> 03:12:57,160 And option D and like the new and improved option C or any of 2595 03:12:57,160 --> 03:13:03,160 the other pieces, you know, coming from a curriculum standpoint, 2596 03:13:03,160 --> 03:13:07,160 we know where we're going to be in 2728. 2597 03:13:07,160 --> 03:13:09,160 We know what that cliff looks like. 2598 03:13:09,160 --> 03:13:14,160 It would be my belief that we backwards plan from that number. 2599 03:13:14,160 --> 03:13:17,160 Like we're going to start with this place, a draft budget, 2600 03:13:17,160 --> 03:13:20,160 and that's going to take us to the next step. 2601 03:13:20,160 --> 03:13:23,160 Then our next step, like I 100% agree with what Joanne said, 2602 03:13:23,160 --> 03:13:26,160 we're going to need to be here a bunch in July. 2603 03:13:26,160 --> 03:13:29,160 And we're not really just going to be preparing to pass our 2604 03:13:29,160 --> 03:13:31,160 October budget for this year. 2605 03:13:31,160 --> 03:13:35,160 We have to have embedded in the thinking and planning for our 2606 03:13:35,160 --> 03:13:37,160 budget this year, what next year's looks like. 2607 03:13:37,160 --> 03:13:42,160 And so for me, I think the solution would be what can we do 2608 03:13:42,160 --> 03:13:46,160 this year that is feasible, that's like respectful to the 2609 03:13:46,160 --> 03:13:49,160 capacity of our staff and, you know, families, of course, 2610 03:13:49,160 --> 03:13:53,160 with the understanding that we're going to have at least a draft 2611 03:13:53,160 --> 03:13:57,160 plan prior to January with what those facility changes will look 2612 03:13:57,160 --> 03:14:00,160 like, because from what I've heard, and I don't want to put 2613 03:14:00,160 --> 03:14:03,160 words, anybody's mouth, but what I'm not hearing really any 2614 03:14:03,160 --> 03:14:06,160 disagreement from any of my colleagues up here about the 2615 03:14:06,160 --> 03:14:11,160 reductions and the re-imagining of like how we use 2616 03:14:11,160 --> 03:14:13,160 facilities that's going to have to happen. 2617 03:14:13,160 --> 03:14:16,160 I'm actually, this is going to sound terrible, but I'm kind of 2618 03:14:16,160 --> 03:14:19,160 like excited to have those conversations because it's painful, 2619 03:14:19,160 --> 03:14:22,160 but it also comes with like this sort of hopeful visioning for 2620 03:14:22,160 --> 03:14:25,160 like, how are we going to set ourselves up and to thrive in 2621 03:14:25,160 --> 03:14:26,160 this new reality. 2622 03:14:26,160 --> 03:14:28,160 So I want to be very careful about how I'm communicating 2623 03:14:28,160 --> 03:14:31,160 because Board President Johnson, like I definitely appreciate 2624 03:14:31,160 --> 03:14:32,160 where you're coming from. 2625 03:14:32,160 --> 03:14:35,160 And we disagreeing on a few pieces, but I think we are, 2626 03:14:35,160 --> 03:14:39,160 I am overhaul hearing a lot of consensus and a lot of 2627 03:14:39,160 --> 03:14:41,160 agreement between all of us on the board. 2628 03:14:41,160 --> 03:14:45,160 So while I know that some of us and Carol made it really 2629 03:14:45,160 --> 03:14:47,160 clearly feeling disappointed, I respect that. 2630 03:14:47,160 --> 03:14:52,160 I think where we are now, I would love to see us say, 2631 03:14:52,160 --> 03:14:55,160 what is our budget going to need to be by October 15th when we 2632 03:14:55,160 --> 03:14:58,160 got our stuff from the state in 2728. 2633 03:14:58,160 --> 03:15:02,160 And how are we going to backwards plan considering that next 2634 03:15:02,160 --> 03:15:08,160 year and this year, create a facilities draft to figure out 2635 03:15:08,160 --> 03:15:11,160 how we get as close as we can to a balanced budget. 2636 03:15:11,160 --> 03:15:14,160 And I fully, I'm on board with that. 2637 03:15:14,160 --> 03:15:17,160 I just, I think given the time that we have now, 2638 03:15:17,160 --> 03:15:19,160 realistically what that's going to mean for our students, 2639 03:15:19,160 --> 03:15:22,160 like that's the solution or a solution that I would offer. 2640 03:15:22,160 --> 03:15:25,160 Because to me, I feel like that accommodates what I'm hearing 2641 03:15:25,160 --> 03:15:26,160 from everybody. 2642 03:15:26,160 --> 03:15:28,160 But those are my thoughts. 2643 03:15:28,160 --> 03:15:30,160 Jo-Ann Ru. 2644 03:15:30,160 --> 03:15:32,160 Yes, thank you. 2645 03:15:32,160 --> 03:15:37,160 So talking about combining the buildings back to kindergarten 2646 03:15:37,160 --> 03:15:41,160 through fifth grade, I think overwhelmingly the community has 2647 03:15:41,160 --> 03:15:43,160 been happy with that. 2648 03:15:43,160 --> 03:15:47,160 I don't think that is the reason why our test scores are going 2649 03:15:47,160 --> 03:15:50,160 down, like we've heard. 2650 03:15:50,160 --> 03:15:53,160 I think it's collective teacher efficacy. 2651 03:15:53,160 --> 03:15:56,160 And the reason for it isn't because of the teachers that we've 2652 03:15:56,160 --> 03:16:02,160 had in place, it is because we are using temporary employees 2653 03:16:02,160 --> 03:16:05,160 that are not actually district employees. 2654 03:16:05,160 --> 03:16:08,160 We're having to go through agencies to help fill positions. 2655 03:16:08,160 --> 03:16:13,160 And when we have that problem, it makes things bigger. 2656 03:16:14,160 --> 03:16:18,160 And if we don't show respect to our teachers 2657 03:16:18,160 --> 03:16:21,160 and move them right now, we're going to lose more teachers. 2658 03:16:21,160 --> 03:16:26,160 And because moving right now would make for major headlines, 2659 03:16:26,160 --> 03:16:30,160 we would not be able to attract the kind of quality teachers we want 2660 03:16:30,160 --> 03:16:31,160 to attract. 2661 03:16:31,160 --> 03:16:35,160 And I think when we are coming up with this new plan, 2662 03:16:35,160 --> 03:16:38,160 I think we need to have a lot of decision-makers at the table. 2663 03:16:38,160 --> 03:16:42,160 I think we need our principals at the table, the cabinet at the table, 2664 03:16:42,160 --> 03:16:46,160 so we can all work together to have some thinking outside of the 2665 03:16:46,160 --> 03:16:47,160 box ideas. 2666 03:16:47,160 --> 03:16:53,160 And I think the budget is just, this is just step one. 2667 03:16:53,160 --> 03:16:56,160 And then we like tease it apart, right? 2668 03:16:56,160 --> 03:16:59,160 And like find some more things. 2669 03:16:59,160 --> 03:17:02,160 And didn't we, we said that we could use OPEB this year, 2670 03:17:02,160 --> 03:17:05,160 and then we ended up not using it, right? 2671 03:17:05,160 --> 03:17:07,160 That is correct. 2672 03:17:07,160 --> 03:17:09,160 Yeah. 2673 03:17:10,160 --> 03:17:14,160 That's, I'm concerned for our students. 2674 03:17:14,160 --> 03:17:19,160 I envision, as much as I don't want to say that we're going to be a 2675 03:17:19,160 --> 03:17:22,160 smaller district, I envision a smaller but better district. 2676 03:17:22,160 --> 03:17:30,160 If we are able to focus and really do some great planning ahead of our 2677 03:17:30,160 --> 03:17:34,160 changes, I think we could make things really amazing for our community. 2678 03:17:35,160 --> 03:17:38,160 Carol Parks. 2679 03:17:38,160 --> 03:17:43,160 You know, we have asked a lot of people for a lot of input and a lot of 2680 03:17:43,160 --> 03:17:45,160 the out of the box ideas. 2681 03:17:45,160 --> 03:17:52,160 And every time we come up with an out of the box idea, people don't like it. 2682 03:17:52,160 --> 03:17:57,160 So we spend a lot of time, time to deal with that. 2683 03:17:57,160 --> 03:18:01,160 I would actually like to hear from Dr. Molot. 2684 03:18:01,160 --> 03:18:04,160 I hate to put you on the spot. 2685 03:18:04,160 --> 03:18:13,160 But, you know, it's, it's, what is your opinion about things like closing 2686 03:18:13,160 --> 03:18:15,160 some of these buildings? 2687 03:18:15,160 --> 03:18:20,160 I, I just very uncomfortable having yet another year where we have 2688 03:18:20,160 --> 03:18:23,160 totally underutilized buildings. 2689 03:18:23,160 --> 03:18:28,160 But maybe what we do is we sell colac and move everybody over to the 2690 03:18:28,160 --> 03:18:29,160 high school. 2691 03:18:29,160 --> 03:18:32,160 And maybe that'll satisfy some folks. 2692 03:18:32,160 --> 03:18:36,160 If you, we don't think we can shut down Cunningham and we don't think 2693 03:18:36,160 --> 03:18:44,160 we can move programs and, and, but, you know, I, whether we move BLA this 2694 03:18:44,160 --> 03:18:47,160 year or not, BLA is going to be moved. 2695 03:18:47,160 --> 03:18:48,160 It's just it. 2696 03:18:48,160 --> 03:18:51,160 And I don't know that we can afford to have a separate spot. 2697 03:18:51,160 --> 03:18:54,160 I just don't. 2698 03:18:55,160 --> 03:18:58,160 Because we're going to be pretty small. 2699 03:18:58,160 --> 03:19:01,160 And, and we've got to come to some, some grips with some stuff. 2700 03:19:01,160 --> 03:19:06,160 But if we aren't going to be closing Cunningham or moving BLA or doing 2701 03:19:06,160 --> 03:19:09,160 any of those kinds of things, you need to go back to the drawing board 2702 03:19:09,160 --> 03:19:12,160 and, and, and find more. 2703 03:19:12,160 --> 03:19:14,160 You got to find more. 2704 03:19:14,160 --> 03:19:18,160 Dr. Molot, I would, if you don't mind, I would appreciate your input. 2705 03:19:18,160 --> 03:19:21,160 And I hope the other board members would too as well. 2706 03:19:21,160 --> 03:19:24,160 And yes, we have been having different conversations. 2707 03:19:24,160 --> 03:19:29,160 I talked to a board member recently who had one viewpoint because of what 2708 03:19:29,160 --> 03:19:33,160 they had spoken to, the, the, their constituents they had spoken to, 2709 03:19:33,160 --> 03:19:36,160 completely different from the constituents I had spoken to. 2710 03:19:36,160 --> 03:19:38,160 And that's fine. 2711 03:19:38,160 --> 03:19:40,160 We understand we come from a very diverse community. 2712 03:19:40,160 --> 03:19:43,160 That's going to have a lot of different opinions. 2713 03:19:43,160 --> 03:19:48,160 But we have to decide on a budget. 2714 03:19:48,160 --> 03:19:52,160 Many of us have also taken time to have meetings with BEA members, 2715 03:19:52,160 --> 03:19:56,160 with staff members, with families. 2716 03:19:56,160 --> 03:20:01,160 I will say one of the things I have heard over and over is their 2717 03:20:01,160 --> 03:20:07,160 concern about BLA going to the high school is not because the students 2718 03:20:07,160 --> 03:20:09,160 don't want to go there. 2719 03:20:09,160 --> 03:20:14,160 It's because of the behaviors and quote one of our administrators. 2720 03:20:14,160 --> 03:20:17,160 They don't want to go there because they don't want to have to see 2721 03:20:17,160 --> 03:20:18,160 their enemies. 2722 03:20:18,160 --> 03:20:23,160 This is why I read our mission statement from the start because if we 2723 03:20:23,160 --> 03:20:29,160 are having a separate building for a school because we are preventing 2724 03:20:29,160 --> 03:20:33,160 students from having to see their enemies, we are doing a disservice 2725 03:20:33,160 --> 03:20:35,160 to our mission statement. 2726 03:20:35,160 --> 03:20:36,160 Dr. Molot. 2727 03:20:40,160 --> 03:20:42,160 So we have a lot going on here. 2728 03:20:42,160 --> 03:20:44,160 A lot. 2729 03:20:44,160 --> 03:20:48,160 I have many, many thoughts about what we could do, what we should do, 2730 03:20:48,160 --> 03:20:50,160 or what we should have already done. 2731 03:20:50,160 --> 03:20:52,160 Just give us the hard truth. 2732 03:20:52,160 --> 03:20:54,160 That's what we need to hear. 2733 03:20:54,160 --> 03:20:57,160 Well, the hard truth is we should have done this in March or April. 2734 03:20:57,160 --> 03:20:58,160 Very definitely. 2735 03:20:58,160 --> 03:21:02,160 This is getting to the point where it's ridiculously late. 2736 03:21:02,160 --> 03:21:07,160 And I say that not to offend anyone, but it is ridiculously late. 2737 03:21:08,160 --> 03:21:11,160 I agree with everything everybody is saying because everybody is putting 2738 03:21:11,160 --> 03:21:15,160 their thought and their heart into their comments, right? 2739 03:21:15,160 --> 03:21:17,160 We want to keep our staff here. 2740 03:21:17,160 --> 03:21:20,160 We want to keep our students here. 2741 03:21:20,160 --> 03:21:25,160 It is disheartening to know that we have lost so many students. 2742 03:21:25,160 --> 03:21:29,160 We have staff that we have lost, but we also can't give staff an answer 2743 03:21:29,160 --> 03:21:30,160 right now. 2744 03:21:30,160 --> 03:21:35,160 So, to be very honest with you, if I were a new young teacher and I 2745 03:21:35,160 --> 03:21:40,160 didn't know what my future looked like, I would probably look somewhere, 2746 03:21:40,160 --> 03:21:43,160 you know, maybe a little bit more stable. 2747 03:21:43,160 --> 03:21:45,160 And that's the hard unfortunate truth. 2748 03:21:45,160 --> 03:21:51,160 So, our job right now is to prepare our school for our school year. 2749 03:21:51,160 --> 03:21:55,160 We have to prepare for our school year and we have to make a decision, 2750 03:21:55,160 --> 03:21:57,160 whatever that might be. 2751 03:21:57,160 --> 03:22:01,160 Just looking at the figures that you have, I think, 2752 03:22:01,160 --> 03:22:03,160 I don't even know where it went. 2753 03:22:03,160 --> 03:22:09,160 But there was some figures up on the board with the budget that Dr. 2754 03:22:09,160 --> 03:22:14,160 Anderson was talking about in the blue areas. 2755 03:22:14,160 --> 03:22:21,160 If you look at the early literacy paraprofessionals that are added on there, 2756 03:22:21,160 --> 03:22:24,160 that is actually factored into Title I. 2757 03:22:24,160 --> 03:22:30,160 So, board member Fox, I do have Title I and AGR plans for you. 2758 03:22:31,160 --> 03:22:34,160 We worked on them very extensively. 2759 03:22:34,160 --> 03:22:39,160 But those positions would be put into Title I. 2760 03:22:39,160 --> 03:22:40,160 Okay. 2761 03:22:40,160 --> 03:22:47,160 So, with those six positions, you're gaining an additional $252,000 that you would cut out of that budget 2762 03:22:47,160 --> 03:22:51,160 that Dr. Anderson proposed there, just putting that out on the table. 2763 03:22:51,160 --> 03:22:56,160 So, that brings you $252,000 closer to where you want to be, 2764 03:22:56,160 --> 03:22:59,160 just making a side note there. 2765 03:22:59,160 --> 03:23:05,160 There are a couple of other things there that could also be looked at. 2766 03:23:05,160 --> 03:23:10,160 The early literacy coach, the .5, that is under Gaston. 2767 03:23:10,160 --> 03:23:18,160 There's a literacy coach that is under, let's see, Robinson, it's a .5. 2768 03:23:18,160 --> 03:23:25,160 And then the early literacy coach that's under Todd, those remember are also grant funded. 2769 03:23:25,160 --> 03:23:29,160 Those were grant funds that we received just recently from the state, 2770 03:23:29,160 --> 03:23:32,160 that we do have postings up on weekend four. 2771 03:23:32,160 --> 03:23:38,160 So, those will be additional pieces that would be taken out of Title I. 2772 03:23:38,160 --> 03:23:41,160 I did not add those up because that's what I was doing over there real quick. 2773 03:23:41,160 --> 03:23:45,160 So, that would be additional funds that you would take off that total balance on the bottom 2774 03:23:45,160 --> 03:23:50,160 to get you closer to your balance that you want to be at. 2775 03:23:50,160 --> 03:23:52,160 Dr. Anderson, time for my drink there, please. 2776 03:23:52,160 --> 03:23:53,160 Sorry. 2777 03:23:54,160 --> 03:23:56,160 Thank you. 2778 03:23:56,160 --> 03:23:59,160 Additionally, thank you. 2779 03:23:59,160 --> 03:24:07,160 Additionally, I do want to mention that Mr. Stenders has been working on kind of another option 2780 03:24:07,160 --> 03:24:09,160 that would close Merrill. 2781 03:24:09,160 --> 03:24:14,160 Again, we don't want to close anything, but we have to look at all the options. 2782 03:24:14,160 --> 03:24:18,160 So, you know, we can talk about that in just a minute. 2783 03:24:18,160 --> 03:24:23,160 I do think a statement would be made if we did put a for sale sign in our Colac yard. 2784 03:24:23,160 --> 03:24:28,160 I know Colac is big and beautiful and everyone loves it, but it is underutilized. 2785 03:24:28,160 --> 03:24:29,160 It's empty. 2786 03:24:29,160 --> 03:24:32,160 A big chunk of the building is empty. 2787 03:24:32,160 --> 03:24:35,160 We could all fit on one floor of the building. 2788 03:24:35,160 --> 03:24:39,160 So, something could be done utilizing the rest of the building. 2789 03:24:39,160 --> 03:24:42,160 If we all move to one floor, we could try to sell it. 2790 03:24:42,160 --> 03:24:47,160 I also think it's a good optic to have our staff, the administrative staff in schools. 2791 03:24:47,160 --> 03:24:49,160 So, it's kind of a win-win. 2792 03:24:49,160 --> 03:24:54,160 So, that would be a big powerful move, I believe, in getting some of the community on board 2793 03:24:54,160 --> 03:24:57,160 with a possible referendum. 2794 03:24:57,160 --> 03:25:03,160 They've asked for that to be a possibility for a number of years is close, Colac, close, 2795 03:25:03,160 --> 03:25:04,160 Colac. 2796 03:25:04,160 --> 03:25:09,160 Additionally, I do want to make a comment that, you know, we do have a vulnerable population 2797 03:25:09,160 --> 03:25:11,160 that does go to BLA. 2798 03:25:11,160 --> 03:25:16,160 And it's a very, very difficult decision to have to make about what you're going to do 2799 03:25:16,160 --> 03:25:17,160 with that school. 2800 03:25:17,160 --> 03:25:24,160 As a parent who had a student, a child that was a student that did graduate from an alternative 2801 03:25:24,160 --> 03:25:29,160 program, she was not able to finish her time in the regular high school because of her 2802 03:25:29,160 --> 03:25:30,160 anxiety. 2803 03:25:30,160 --> 03:25:36,160 I have a very, very deep concern for where we place some of our students. 2804 03:25:36,160 --> 03:25:40,160 I think we need to be very careful about how we do that. 2805 03:25:40,160 --> 03:25:45,160 If we do agree to send them to the high school, I would want to make sure that we are operating 2806 03:25:45,160 --> 03:25:53,160 in that school within a school model where they are completely protected from whatever 2807 03:25:53,160 --> 03:25:59,160 may be the source of their reason for wanting to be there, whether it is anxiety from kids 2808 03:25:59,160 --> 03:26:01,160 or school or whatever. 2809 03:26:01,160 --> 03:26:05,160 We don't know what some of our triggers are for our kids. 2810 03:26:05,160 --> 03:26:10,160 And the misconception that BLA kids are bad is not true. 2811 03:26:10,160 --> 03:26:11,160 It's not true. 2812 03:26:12,160 --> 03:26:15,160 There's always kids that are handful in every place, right? 2813 03:26:15,160 --> 03:26:20,160 So we have to kind of get away from that mentality and protect our kids. 2814 03:26:20,160 --> 03:26:25,160 So wherever we decide that program should land, we need to keep the integrity of our kids 2815 03:26:25,160 --> 03:26:26,160 at hand. 2816 03:26:26,160 --> 03:26:33,160 If we send them to Merrill, you know, we were, Joanne was mentioning, I think it was Joanne 2817 03:26:33,160 --> 03:26:38,160 about the kitchens and, you know, things like that for our 18 to 21 year old program. 2818 03:26:38,160 --> 03:26:43,160 Those pieces are essential for our 18 to 21 year old transition program. 2819 03:26:43,160 --> 03:26:49,160 So we do want to make sure we remain or we keep the integrity of all of our programs as it is. 2820 03:26:49,160 --> 03:26:54,160 So, you know, again, careful planning is going to need to be in order. 2821 03:26:54,160 --> 03:27:01,160 So whether or not we can complete that timeline between now and September 1st is a big question. 2822 03:27:01,160 --> 03:27:03,160 I do question that. 2823 03:27:03,160 --> 03:27:09,160 I also am concerned about, you know, how that looks as a community of school community, 2824 03:27:09,160 --> 03:27:12,160 but how we're going to communicate that to our families. 2825 03:27:12,160 --> 03:27:14,160 That's a concern I have. 2826 03:27:14,160 --> 03:27:18,160 I do absolutely know we have to close buildings. 2827 03:27:18,160 --> 03:27:20,160 We have to do that. 2828 03:27:20,160 --> 03:27:26,160 Next year will be a big year for closures and redistributing our students and staff. 2829 03:27:26,160 --> 03:27:33,160 And how and how we go about that needs to be decided starting in October or earlier. 2830 03:27:33,160 --> 03:27:35,160 We need to start those discussions. 2831 03:27:35,160 --> 03:27:42,160 So we need to get this year taken care of now in the best possible way and decide exactly 2832 03:27:42,160 --> 03:27:50,160 what that number is going to look like for longevity pay so that we can hit that mark and then just move forward. 2833 03:27:50,160 --> 03:27:52,160 So wherever we land with that. 2834 03:27:53,160 --> 03:28:00,160 Director L, would you have that number for what the longevity pay would be from the opab? 2835 03:28:00,160 --> 03:28:02,160 330,000. Thank you. 2836 03:28:02,160 --> 03:28:04,160 And I'm sure you said that about a hundred times. 2837 03:28:04,160 --> 03:28:05,160 I'm sorry. 2838 03:28:05,160 --> 03:28:06,160 330,000. 2839 03:28:06,160 --> 03:28:11,160 So if we can get somewhere close to that, that would be fantastic. 2840 03:28:11,160 --> 03:28:18,160 Again, cutting a few of these things out and putting them in the title positions is going to help. 2841 03:28:19,160 --> 03:28:23,160 You know, we're we're trying to cut as much as we can. 2842 03:28:23,160 --> 03:28:25,160 Are there other things that can be cut? 2843 03:28:25,160 --> 03:28:26,160 Yep, absolutely. 2844 03:28:26,160 --> 03:28:32,160 We can look at, you know, there's there's things that we haven't done asking buildings to reduce budgets. 2845 03:28:32,160 --> 03:28:36,160 We did re-reduced by 10% in the 24, 25, 20. 2846 03:28:36,160 --> 03:28:42,160 We reduced budgets by 10% for this past school year and you could ask buildings to reduce again. 2847 03:28:43,160 --> 03:28:53,160 You know, a member Miller had asked, you know, previously about could families help and the community help with school supplies and things like that for the school. 2848 03:28:53,160 --> 03:29:00,160 There's ways to help supplement that if we do ask for another cut from our our buildings. 2849 03:29:00,160 --> 03:29:06,160 If we did a cut if we did ask our administrators to cut about 10% from their budgets. 2850 03:29:07,160 --> 03:29:09,160 I think I figured it out to be about four, eight thousand dollars. 2851 03:29:09,160 --> 03:29:13,160 If it's just a 10%, you could you could ask for more than that. 2852 03:29:13,160 --> 03:29:19,160 So I don't have an absolute zero here, but I do have, you know, the recommendations that I gave you. 2853 03:29:19,160 --> 03:29:25,160 You know, it but as far as we just have to we have to decide, we have to decide. 2854 03:29:25,160 --> 03:29:28,160 Are we going to actually close a building this year? 2855 03:29:28,160 --> 03:29:35,160 If we are going to actually close something, I would recommend it be this because there are no students that are going to be impacted here. 2856 03:29:37,160 --> 03:29:41,160 Shuffling around adults is much easier and we can do that in slow steps. 2857 03:29:41,160 --> 03:29:47,160 You know, if we if we posted this for sale and it did sell, we have a deadline to get out. 2858 03:29:47,160 --> 03:29:52,160 We can meet that deadline, right? We can kind of do things softly instead of quickly. 2859 03:29:52,160 --> 03:29:54,160 Slowing instead of quickly. 2860 03:29:54,160 --> 03:30:00,160 So that would be my immediate recommendation if we decide that we do have to close a school building. 2861 03:30:01,160 --> 03:30:19,160 My recommendation, I guess, would be to relocate our BLA friends to Merrill and make sure that we maintain the integrity of the programs, but then also do the zoning of our of what might be remaining at Cunningham. 2862 03:30:19,160 --> 03:30:29,160 And then I'm going to have Jeff come up and talk real quickly about the plan that he was kind of brainstorming through as well because that was kind of a quick coming to fruition. 2863 03:30:30,160 --> 03:30:38,160 I appreciate you sharing the information about your daughter. Likewise, I have an IEP student with anxiety and dyslexia. 2864 03:30:38,160 --> 03:30:45,160 And I want to remind everyone, if we move BLA, we are not getting rid of BLA, we are just moving it. 2865 03:30:45,160 --> 03:30:49,160 We do have the option to eliminate it because it's not legally required. 2866 03:30:49,160 --> 03:30:56,160 Right now, we are in a very different position than we were 13, 14, 15, when did BLA start? 2867 03:30:56,160 --> 03:31:00,160 It's more so many times over the years. 2868 03:31:00,160 --> 03:31:06,160 We no longer have a monopoly in education. 2869 03:31:06,160 --> 03:31:18,160 There are different choices and to close that program, students may choose to, if we move it to BLA in a partition section, they may choose to do that. 2870 03:31:18,160 --> 03:31:21,160 They may choose to do virtual learning. 2871 03:31:21,160 --> 03:31:23,160 They may choose to open and roll elsewhere. 2872 03:31:23,160 --> 03:31:25,160 They may choose to homeschool. 2873 03:31:25,160 --> 03:31:29,160 There are so many other options now for students. 2874 03:31:29,160 --> 03:31:36,160 And it's an unfortunate reality with the market, the way it is. 2875 03:31:36,160 --> 03:31:38,160 But we have to adjust. 2876 03:31:38,160 --> 03:31:42,160 Otherwise, we're not going to be a school district employee anymore. 2877 03:31:42,160 --> 03:31:45,160 It's just the way it is. 2878 03:31:45,160 --> 03:31:46,160 Mr. Stenrose. 2879 03:31:46,160 --> 03:31:47,160 Thank you. 2880 03:31:48,160 --> 03:31:51,160 Thank you. 2881 03:31:51,160 --> 03:31:57,160 So a couple of weeks ago when I was here, I heard a couple of things that stood out to me. 2882 03:31:57,160 --> 03:32:05,160 I heard balanced budget was one of them, not wanting to use OPEB or bring that down as much as possible. 2883 03:32:05,160 --> 03:32:13,160 And I also heard making some bold, aggressive moves, knowing we have something for the following year that's going to be needing even something more. 2884 03:32:14,160 --> 03:32:18,120 I'm going to be the first to say, I don't want to move programs, I don't want to close schools. 2885 03:32:18,120 --> 03:32:26,600 But hearing what those pieces were, I went back and I looked at what it would do to move BLA to Merrill and put them in there. 2886 03:32:26,600 --> 03:32:31,920 And understanding in conversation we had that duplication of services is where we save money. 2887 03:32:31,920 --> 03:32:34,560 That we can reduce positions that are duplicated. 2888 03:32:34,560 --> 03:32:40,120 Moving BLA to Merrill only saved us approximately five positions. 2889 03:32:40,120 --> 03:32:46,840 Because the teachers in the BLA program cannot teach the littles, and the little teachers cannot teach the BLA students. 2890 03:32:46,840 --> 03:32:54,800 So it is a counselor, principal, dean of students, secretary, social worker is essentially when we get our savings. 2891 03:32:54,800 --> 03:32:56,280 So there is a savings there. 2892 03:32:56,280 --> 03:33:01,760 And my numbers using information from the previous board positions was about 384,000. 2893 03:33:02,760 --> 03:33:09,760 So I looked at closing Merrill and moving Merrill to Robinson or Todd, so we're moving like programs to like programs. 2894 03:33:09,760 --> 03:33:12,760 So there you do have duplication of services. 2895 03:33:12,760 --> 03:33:15,760 We looked at class enrollments for each of the grades. 2896 03:33:15,760 --> 03:33:22,760 And three of the grades can move students to one of the other schools and absorb them almost entirely, not quite. 2897 03:33:22,760 --> 03:33:24,760 We get a little bit larger class size there. 2898 03:33:24,760 --> 03:33:28,760 Three of the grades are going to require a teacher to move with them. 2899 03:33:28,760 --> 03:33:34,760 So out of the pre-K through five, three teachers would have to move someplace to a lot for those numbers. 2900 03:33:34,760 --> 03:33:36,760 So that means we could reduce three there. 2901 03:33:36,760 --> 03:33:44,760 We wouldn't have a principal, a dean of students, a secretary, a social worker, a counselor, a PE teacher, a literacy coach, an art teacher, 2902 03:33:44,760 --> 03:33:48,760 a media library, a steam coach, an early literacy parent, and a music teacher. 2903 03:33:48,760 --> 03:33:52,760 Which came out to be about $985,000 in cuts by that. 2904 03:33:52,760 --> 03:33:55,760 And again, I'm not in favor of cutting any buildings or moving. 2905 03:33:55,760 --> 03:34:00,760 But when you did this, we also looked at what our current staffing is. 2906 03:34:00,760 --> 03:34:07,760 Currently, Merrill only has about 40% of their staff that are hired and actually employed by our district. 2907 03:34:07,760 --> 03:34:12,760 So 60% are already not real people, and these 40% are. 2908 03:34:12,760 --> 03:34:17,760 And we went through and we looked at as our, with all of our TLE, people services teams, 2909 03:34:17,760 --> 03:34:24,760 those staff members could all be moved to other buildings and we have positions so it doesn't look like we're cutting any real bodies out of this. 2910 03:34:24,760 --> 03:34:31,760 So the savings for those things, again, about almost close to a million dollars with those, again, using the numbers. 2911 03:34:31,760 --> 03:34:37,760 And so I had put together a plan E using the same ABCD format that was there. 2912 03:34:37,760 --> 03:34:43,760 I put in a couple of other cuts that were a little aggressive and it involved raises. 2913 03:34:43,760 --> 03:34:48,760 Freezing administrative raises for next year that put somebody out there. 2914 03:34:48,760 --> 03:34:55,760 I put an option out there about reducing the teacher increase from 2.63 down to 2%. 2915 03:34:55,760 --> 03:34:58,760 It's an increase, but it does save us some money. 2916 03:34:58,760 --> 03:35:05,760 All of those numbers in putting on there brought me to an opab number of 99,000. 2917 03:35:08,760 --> 03:35:13,760 99,000, a deficit budget of 99,000. 2918 03:35:14,760 --> 03:35:18,760 Well, I would have appreciated seeing this before now. 2919 03:35:18,760 --> 03:35:23,760 I mean seriously, you got it. 2920 03:35:23,760 --> 03:35:25,760 Tom. 2921 03:35:25,760 --> 03:35:27,760 Madam chair, I had my hand up. 2922 03:35:27,760 --> 03:35:28,760 Yeah. 2923 03:35:28,760 --> 03:35:30,760 And I did not take an account longevity pay. 2924 03:35:30,760 --> 03:35:32,760 That was not a part of that. 2925 03:35:32,760 --> 03:35:35,760 So it's 99,000 on this if longevity pay was in there. 2926 03:35:35,760 --> 03:35:37,760 Yeah, or it's already in the budget. 2927 03:35:37,760 --> 03:35:38,760 Okay. 2928 03:35:38,760 --> 03:35:45,760 But I did, according to what I saw for the plans, ABCD, and I used the same as that format, same numbers, and it came under 100,000. 2929 03:35:45,760 --> 03:35:46,760 Okay. 2930 03:35:46,760 --> 03:35:50,760 I think you need to repeat though that you're not giving the complete raise to the teacher. 2931 03:35:50,760 --> 03:35:51,760 Correct. 2932 03:35:51,760 --> 03:35:52,760 Correct. 2933 03:35:52,760 --> 03:35:54,760 In that format was not the complete raise for the teachers. 2934 03:35:54,760 --> 03:35:55,760 Right. 2935 03:35:55,760 --> 03:35:59,760 So if you took that off, then it's approximately $400,000. 2936 03:35:59,760 --> 03:36:01,760 If the teachers got the complete raise. 2937 03:36:01,760 --> 03:36:02,760 Okay. 2938 03:36:02,760 --> 03:36:15,760 So a question I have for that is then for the closing, Merrill, are you keeping the 4K and 3K programs in the other buildings and moving Merrill into those buildings? 2939 03:36:15,760 --> 03:36:16,760 In tomorrow? 2940 03:36:16,760 --> 03:36:17,760 No. 2941 03:36:17,760 --> 03:36:18,760 No. 2942 03:36:18,760 --> 03:36:21,760 It sounds like you want to close Merrill and move. 2943 03:36:21,760 --> 03:36:22,760 Yeah. 2944 03:36:22,760 --> 03:36:23,760 Right. 2945 03:36:23,760 --> 03:36:24,760 Yeah. 2946 03:36:24,760 --> 03:36:25,760 Those would be vacant. 2947 03:36:25,760 --> 03:36:28,760 We looked at anything else that was in there moving to different buildings that we had. 2948 03:36:29,760 --> 03:36:31,760 Mr. Schuf. 2949 03:36:31,760 --> 03:36:32,760 Thank you. 2950 03:36:32,760 --> 03:36:34,760 No offense, Jeff. 2951 03:36:34,760 --> 03:36:39,760 I'd like to talk to Dr. Gordon Malott. 2952 03:36:39,760 --> 03:36:48,760 So I want to go back to your comments because I think in the, I mean, tonight's a turning point for the district. 2953 03:36:48,760 --> 03:36:52,760 We, you know, approved a contract to have you be our leader for the next two years. 2954 03:36:52,760 --> 03:36:53,760 So thank you. 2955 03:36:53,760 --> 03:36:54,760 Congratulations. 2956 03:36:54,760 --> 03:36:55,760 Thanks. 2957 03:36:56,760 --> 03:37:01,760 So I really liked your comments. 2958 03:37:01,760 --> 03:37:09,760 I was listening with an eye to hear if our colleagues on the board here, if you were addressing some of their concerns. 2959 03:37:09,760 --> 03:37:22,760 So what I was jotting down sort of in the Dr. Leah Gordon Malott plan was you'd already been doing some work to with the Title 1 transfer and some other things. 2960 03:37:23,760 --> 03:37:31,760 You're getting closer to a planned backstop of Opep of only a million dollars draw. 2961 03:37:31,760 --> 03:37:33,760 So getting down under that million dollars. 2962 03:37:33,760 --> 03:37:34,760 You're almost there already. 2963 03:37:34,760 --> 03:37:38,760 We don't have that in front of you, but we heard you're getting close. 2964 03:37:38,760 --> 03:37:48,760 We heard that we had also then list this building, you know, hire the right commercial building consultant and so on to list Colac. 2965 03:37:48,760 --> 03:37:51,760 We put that, put that on the market. 2966 03:37:51,760 --> 03:37:55,760 We would work to sell that during this year. 2967 03:37:55,760 --> 03:38:03,760 That of course, just like McNeil did for us this year, that would reduce our Opep draw and leave it in for the future conversations. 2968 03:38:03,760 --> 03:38:08,760 And then we would immediately, I know we already have a referendum meeting scheduled for this board. 2969 03:38:08,760 --> 03:38:17,760 We need to immediately go into that planning for the things like the overall building plan that we think we all agree on that we have to get to. 2970 03:38:17,760 --> 03:38:31,760 For me, that's the sort of thing that on, you know, whatever we are here today on July, June 16th that we could, you know, get to an approved draft budget. 2971 03:38:31,760 --> 03:38:33,760 So we can move on to those things. 2972 03:38:33,760 --> 03:38:35,760 We can do that. 2973 03:38:35,760 --> 03:38:37,760 No one here has a head in the sand. 2974 03:38:37,760 --> 03:38:40,760 We understand that we're going to have to close buildings. 2975 03:38:40,760 --> 03:38:49,760 We understand we have to be, keep teacher ratios were, you know, appropriately where they need to be in buildings. 2976 03:38:49,760 --> 03:39:01,760 We're doing our best to seek this board before I got here is in on the lawsuit where we'll push our state leaders for more funding. 2977 03:39:02,760 --> 03:39:16,760 And then we'll have a discussion about, you know, what sort of resources the community here would support in a referendum that, of course, is ultimately mostly paid for by the state taxpayers if that's successful. 2978 03:39:16,760 --> 03:39:18,760 So I really liked where you were going on that. 2979 03:39:18,760 --> 03:39:27,760 I liked that the homework that the, you had already made progress on the title one dollars and other things. 2980 03:39:27,760 --> 03:39:34,760 So, I mean, I think we're getting closer to, you know, something where we can get that passed on, you know, today. 2981 03:39:34,760 --> 03:39:35,760 Thank you. 2982 03:39:35,760 --> 03:39:36,760 Thank you. 2983 03:39:36,760 --> 03:39:40,760 There, you know, there's a lot of other, you know, smaller things to take into consideration. 2984 03:39:40,760 --> 03:39:44,760 Jeff did mention, you know, freezing administrator salaries for a year. 2985 03:39:44,760 --> 03:39:48,760 I did not that anybody wants that, but I think it does speak volumes, right? 2986 03:39:48,760 --> 03:39:52,760 This, the, the community is asking for fewer administrators. 2987 03:39:52,760 --> 03:39:55,760 We're, we're going fewer, right? 2988 03:39:55,760 --> 03:40:04,760 And it just freezing for a year and reevaluating, you know, however you want to look at that, but that would be another cut. 2989 03:40:04,760 --> 03:40:10,760 Stephanie, I'm sure has that dollar amount somewhere, right? 2990 03:40:10,760 --> 03:40:15,760 Not off the top right, but it would be a reduction, you know, so there's other ways to do that. 2991 03:40:15,760 --> 03:40:27,760 Some of our contracts for our services, school vendors that we use, we don't have those yet, but everything we're looking at is cheaper. 2992 03:40:27,760 --> 03:40:34,760 So, the things that we presented to you at TLE that will be approving later, all of those are a reduction. 2993 03:40:34,760 --> 03:40:41,760 The one that is the biggest dollar amount is actually, it looks like a big dollar amount, but it's actually cheaper than what the other thing we could have gone with. 2994 03:40:42,760 --> 03:40:48,760 So, everything that we're doing is taking budget into consideration, obviously. 2995 03:40:48,760 --> 03:40:58,760 I mean, it's, it's not easy to cut funds from school districts and keep the integrity of the programming going and keep the best interest of kids at hand. 2996 03:40:58,760 --> 03:41:08,760 So, you know, and just, just looking at ways we can ease things using some title funds to replace Chromebooks. 2997 03:41:08,760 --> 03:41:13,760 And if they're used for only literacy, you know, doing things like that, class sets. 2998 03:41:13,760 --> 03:41:23,760 So, really kind of reframing how we are purchasing and how our funds are used is going to help us out a lot. 2999 03:41:23,760 --> 03:41:24,760 Thank you. 3000 03:41:24,760 --> 03:41:26,760 Tom Hankins. 3001 03:41:26,760 --> 03:41:29,760 Thank you. 3002 03:41:29,760 --> 03:41:32,760 I want to go back to Mr. Stenros. 3003 03:41:32,760 --> 03:41:36,760 If I could, please. 3004 03:41:36,760 --> 03:41:47,760 You know, you talked about moving BLA into the scenario, moving them into Merrill and likes not being liked, so there's not a big redundancy. 3005 03:41:47,760 --> 03:41:50,760 There's, you talked about duplication of services. 3006 03:41:50,760 --> 03:41:55,760 Did you do that same study and moving them into high school? 3007 03:41:55,760 --> 03:41:56,760 No, it did not. 3008 03:41:56,760 --> 03:41:57,760 Where is likes to likes? 3009 03:41:57,760 --> 03:41:59,760 No, I did not. 3010 03:41:59,760 --> 03:42:01,760 Would you roll that around in your head? 3011 03:42:01,760 --> 03:42:05,760 I mean, to me that makes, if we're looking at cost reductions, 3012 03:42:05,760 --> 03:42:11,760 moving same age group and the same age group, we'd have some efficiency there. 3013 03:42:11,760 --> 03:42:13,760 We could. 3014 03:42:13,760 --> 03:42:16,760 Well, if you're looking at like teaching staff. 3015 03:42:16,760 --> 03:42:25,760 You made, you know, you told us that moving them into a grade school doesn't make, won't be that efficient. 3016 03:42:25,760 --> 03:42:26,760 Right. 3017 03:42:26,760 --> 03:42:31,760 But I'm asking, moving them into the high school, would there be a savings? 3018 03:42:31,760 --> 03:42:32,760 Just a question. 3019 03:42:32,760 --> 03:42:33,760 There would be a savings. 3020 03:42:33,760 --> 03:42:36,760 You would have some of the same, some of the same duplication of services. 3021 03:42:36,760 --> 03:42:42,760 I mean, if you were to take a look at it, you could say, you know, we're not going to move a principal over. 3022 03:42:42,760 --> 03:42:45,760 We're going to assume the administrative staff does that. 3023 03:42:45,760 --> 03:42:46,760 There's not a dean of students. 3024 03:42:46,760 --> 03:42:49,760 You would need a cert, a secretary, social worker, counselor. 3025 03:42:49,760 --> 03:42:50,760 But I'm the same. 3026 03:42:50,760 --> 03:42:56,760 That again would probably be about where your duplication of services would end because you still need the teachers for the BLA. 3027 03:42:56,760 --> 03:42:57,760 I understand that. 3028 03:42:57,760 --> 03:42:59,760 So yeah, so it would, I mean, it would roughly be about the same. 3029 03:42:59,760 --> 03:43:00,760 Okay. 3030 03:43:00,760 --> 03:43:01,760 All right. 3031 03:43:01,760 --> 03:43:06,760 So another point I wanted to make, and thank you, Jeff. 3032 03:43:06,760 --> 03:43:12,760 I appreciate that for the idea of selling Colac. 3033 03:43:12,760 --> 03:43:15,760 Remember everyone that we're upside down in this building. 3034 03:43:15,760 --> 03:43:19,760 And if we do sell this building, we owe approximately 4.5 on it. 3035 03:43:19,760 --> 03:43:25,760 The best guest estimate I have received is we could, at the max, we get 2 million. 3036 03:43:25,760 --> 03:43:30,760 So we're still upside down 2.5, which we would have to pay off our bonds on that. 3037 03:43:30,760 --> 03:43:32,760 Yes. 3038 03:43:32,760 --> 03:43:35,760 When we sell, yes, we still owe. 3039 03:43:35,760 --> 03:43:40,760 If we got to, if we, if we owe 4.5 and we sell for two, we owe 2.5. 3040 03:43:40,760 --> 03:43:42,760 So that money is not going to win the coffers. 3041 03:43:42,760 --> 03:43:43,760 Correct. 3042 03:43:43,760 --> 03:43:46,760 But we don't have to pay all those bonds off when we sell the building as well. 3043 03:43:46,760 --> 03:43:47,760 Is what I meant. 3044 03:43:47,760 --> 03:43:52,760 Well, I'm just saying it's not going to be, we're not going to receive any money into our coffers by selling this building. 3045 03:43:52,760 --> 03:43:54,760 I'm not saying we don't vacate it. 3046 03:43:54,760 --> 03:43:58,760 I'm just saying to sell it is kind of, and it is a nice look. 3047 03:43:58,760 --> 03:44:03,760 But we're not going to be 2.5 million in the plus at the end of the day. 3048 03:44:03,760 --> 03:44:08,760 We still owe money on this, on this building, unless somebody gave us 4.5 for it. 3049 03:44:08,760 --> 03:44:17,760 I think the important question I asked is that if you decide to move a lot of the stock, which is going to be the easiest transition, 3050 03:44:17,760 --> 03:44:22,760 it doesn't reduce, I mean, moving us from this building to. 3051 03:44:22,760 --> 03:44:25,760 Correct. 3052 03:44:25,760 --> 03:44:38,760 Moving individuals from this building to the high school or the op center, that's not going to save you a lot of money. 3053 03:44:38,760 --> 03:44:47,760 I mean, so as far as bringing it down, the amount of savings that you're looking for isn't going to be there. 3054 03:44:47,760 --> 03:44:50,760 Now, I'd mention before that it's a good optic. 3055 03:44:50,760 --> 03:44:52,760 I think this is the easiest move to do. 3056 03:44:52,760 --> 03:45:01,760 But I don't want anybody to think that if you make that move, there's going to be a lot of money that you're going to save because you're not. 3057 03:45:01,760 --> 03:45:05,760 I agree, but, you know, we're pension pennies here and we're looking for things. 3058 03:45:05,760 --> 03:45:10,760 And, you know, to say that we need to keep people in the building, I disagree. 3059 03:45:10,760 --> 03:45:17,760 I think that lowering our thermostats to, in our lights down to 50 degrees as we would to keep everything nice, 3060 03:45:17,760 --> 03:45:20,760 I don't think we need to have people in the building. 3061 03:45:20,760 --> 03:45:21,760 We shudder a building. 3062 03:45:21,760 --> 03:45:26,760 It means our line costs, if it's well seen, are spectacular. 3063 03:45:26,760 --> 03:45:31,760 And if we moved everybody out of Colac, at least we'd see a big reduction in the line cost. 3064 03:45:31,760 --> 03:45:34,760 And you'd be a share cost on somewhere else that it's at. 3065 03:45:34,760 --> 03:45:37,760 And the same thing with Wright and the same thing with Merrill. 3066 03:45:37,760 --> 03:45:40,760 So, I'm just saying, the line costs are a lot. 3067 03:45:40,760 --> 03:45:43,760 And, you know, every little bit helps. 3068 03:45:43,760 --> 03:45:46,760 And we talk about the optics of selling this. 3069 03:45:46,760 --> 03:45:47,760 I agree with you. 3070 03:45:47,760 --> 03:45:54,760 I'm just like, it's not going to be the major windfall that could be perceived as it being because it's simply not true. 3071 03:45:54,760 --> 03:45:56,760 And that's just the point I wanted to make. 3072 03:45:56,760 --> 03:46:03,760 Yeah, the point I was trying to make is that moving the, if we all move to a different building, 3073 03:46:03,760 --> 03:46:10,760 the amount of money that is really going to show for a decrease in the budget isn't going to be that large. 3074 03:46:10,760 --> 03:46:14,760 Okay, but 40,000 is 40,000. 3075 03:46:14,760 --> 03:46:21,760 Madam Chair, I have a point of clarification that's pretty important for the point that board member Hankins was making. 3076 03:46:21,760 --> 03:46:24,760 I just didn't hear the answer that Stephanie said. 3077 03:46:24,760 --> 03:46:27,760 So, I heard Tom's question, I'm on the same page as Tom. 3078 03:46:27,760 --> 03:46:32,760 So, the district owes money that was used to pay this building. 3079 03:46:32,760 --> 03:46:36,760 That's district debt that won't change. 3080 03:46:36,760 --> 03:46:42,760 But if we sold the building and got a $2 million check at closing, that could be put back into our reserves. 3081 03:46:42,760 --> 03:46:45,760 Because there's no lien on this building. 3082 03:46:45,760 --> 03:46:49,760 It wasn't a specific bond issue tied to this building. 3083 03:46:49,760 --> 03:46:50,760 Is that correct? 3084 03:46:50,760 --> 03:46:52,760 That is correct. 3085 03:46:52,760 --> 03:46:56,760 But you also have to remember that that's a one-time revenue. 3086 03:46:56,760 --> 03:47:04,760 So, when you're looking at cutting costs for years forward, if you sell a building, that's one time. 3087 03:47:04,760 --> 03:47:06,760 You're not selling that building again the next year or the next year? 3088 03:47:06,760 --> 03:47:07,760 No, I understand. 3089 03:47:07,760 --> 03:47:08,760 I understand. 3090 03:47:08,760 --> 03:47:11,760 I heard Dr. Malott, Gordon Malott, recommend it. 3091 03:47:11,760 --> 03:47:17,760 And I just want to make sure I understood that we don't, at closing, we would get the money we could put it in our reserves. 3092 03:47:17,760 --> 03:47:18,760 And we would still. 3093 03:47:18,760 --> 03:47:20,760 We still have the debt, but we have the debt today. 3094 03:47:20,760 --> 03:47:21,760 Correct. 3095 03:47:21,760 --> 03:47:22,760 Thank you. 3096 03:47:22,760 --> 03:47:29,760 Dan, just to be clarifying, we are an ascending payment schedule on that said debt. 3097 03:47:29,760 --> 03:47:31,760 Yeah, no, but it's not. 3098 03:47:31,760 --> 03:47:32,760 I understand what you're saying. 3099 03:47:32,760 --> 03:47:34,760 Yeah, it's not like we have to close it out when we sell it. 3100 03:47:34,760 --> 03:47:35,760 No, no, no. 3101 03:47:35,760 --> 03:47:36,760 Thank you. 3102 03:47:36,760 --> 03:47:39,760 Thank you, Madam Chair, for letting me clarify that. 3103 03:47:39,760 --> 03:47:40,760 Sure thing. 3104 03:47:40,760 --> 03:47:43,760 Meghan Miller and then Carol Fox. 3105 03:47:43,760 --> 03:47:46,760 I just want to check, Bill, did you want to jump in? 3106 03:47:46,760 --> 03:47:47,760 Sometimes. 3107 03:47:47,760 --> 03:47:52,760 It can, Bill, you have not had a, you have not spoken yet to this, so you have priority. 3108 03:47:52,760 --> 03:47:55,760 I just had a question as. 3109 03:47:55,760 --> 03:48:02,760 No, no, I, for clarification, who has the floor is the prerogative of the chair? 3110 03:48:02,760 --> 03:48:05,760 It doesn't matter the order of the hands or anything. 3111 03:48:05,760 --> 03:48:08,760 Please consult your Robert's Rules of Orders. 3112 03:48:08,760 --> 03:48:10,760 It is the prerogative of the chair. 3113 03:48:10,760 --> 03:48:13,760 I am giving the floor to Mr. Johnson. 3114 03:48:14,760 --> 03:48:20,760 I only have a question is how much savings would it be if we moved VLA back to where they came from? 3115 03:48:20,760 --> 03:48:27,760 Does anybody know? 3116 03:48:27,760 --> 03:48:29,760 By that, I assume you're talking about right. 3117 03:48:29,760 --> 03:48:30,760 Yes. 3118 03:48:35,760 --> 03:48:39,760 Mr. Johnson, would you please repeat the question, please? 3119 03:48:39,760 --> 03:48:47,760 Does anybody know how much we would, would be any savings in moving them from cutting hand back to right? 3120 03:48:47,760 --> 03:48:50,760 There probably isn't going to be any savings. 3121 03:48:50,760 --> 03:49:00,760 In fact, you're probably going to have an increased cost in moving them back, but if you have the same number of staff going, you really are going to have any savings. 3122 03:49:04,760 --> 03:49:06,760 Was that all, Mr. Johnson? 3123 03:49:06,760 --> 03:49:08,760 Yes, thank you. 3124 03:49:09,760 --> 03:49:10,760 Megan Miller. 3125 03:49:10,760 --> 03:49:11,760 Thank you so much. 3126 03:49:11,760 --> 03:49:15,760 So, I just, a clarifying question for Dr. Gordon Millet. 3127 03:49:15,760 --> 03:49:16,760 Am I saying your last name right? 3128 03:49:16,760 --> 03:49:17,760 Is it Millet? 3129 03:49:21,760 --> 03:49:22,760 Gordon is fine. 3130 03:49:22,760 --> 03:49:24,760 Millet's going to be off there in a little while. 3131 03:49:24,760 --> 03:49:25,760 Right on. 3132 03:49:25,760 --> 03:49:26,760 Thanks. 3133 03:49:26,760 --> 03:49:27,760 Dr. Gordon. 3134 03:49:27,760 --> 03:49:28,760 That's fine. 3135 03:49:28,760 --> 03:49:29,760 Thanks. 3136 03:49:29,760 --> 03:49:30,760 Thank you. 3137 03:49:30,760 --> 03:49:31,760 Dr. G. 3138 03:49:31,760 --> 03:49:32,760 Thanks. 3139 03:49:32,760 --> 03:49:33,760 More power to you. 3140 03:49:33,760 --> 03:49:35,760 I say that with pride. 3141 03:49:35,760 --> 03:49:36,760 Love it. 3142 03:49:37,760 --> 03:49:40,760 So, that's amazing. 3143 03:49:40,760 --> 03:49:44,760 And I'm wondering then, so I really appreciate it. 3144 03:49:44,760 --> 03:49:45,760 Well, and I appreciate it. 3145 03:49:45,760 --> 03:49:46,760 Mr. Stenders as well. 3146 03:49:46,760 --> 03:49:49,760 A lot of what both of you had to share as well. 3147 03:49:49,760 --> 03:49:51,760 Really great creative thinking from everybody. 3148 03:49:51,760 --> 03:49:52,760 Everybody's great. 3149 03:49:52,760 --> 03:49:56,760 I'm curious in your, in your thinking, Dr. Gordon. 3150 03:49:56,760 --> 03:49:57,760 Thanks. 3151 03:49:57,760 --> 03:49:59,760 Were you looking? 3152 03:49:59,760 --> 03:50:00,760 Okay. 3153 03:50:00,760 --> 03:50:06,760 So, like, if hypothetically our board were able to move forward this evening with your 3154 03:50:06,760 --> 03:50:10,760 recommendation and please interject when I say something wrong as I wrote as fast as I could, 3155 03:50:10,760 --> 03:50:12,760 but I probably missed some things. 3156 03:50:12,760 --> 03:50:20,760 To move option, I have question mark with the possibility of selling Colac, freezing, 3157 03:50:20,760 --> 03:50:24,760 and potentially, because I don't think anybody wants to do that either, but, you know, 3158 03:50:24,760 --> 03:50:31,760 freezing Evan's salary and then, you know, going forward with continuing to look at contracts, 3159 03:50:31,760 --> 03:50:35,760 reducing use of Chromebooks, et cetera, what would be your ideal? 3160 03:50:35,760 --> 03:50:36,760 So, two-part question. 3161 03:50:36,760 --> 03:50:39,760 First part, what would be your ideal option? 3162 03:50:39,760 --> 03:50:43,760 Like, is there an option that's listed or is there, like, option, like, G for Gordon? 3163 03:50:43,760 --> 03:50:46,760 Like, that's, like, help me understand what that would look like. 3164 03:50:46,760 --> 03:50:48,760 Oh, we have so many options. 3165 03:50:48,760 --> 03:50:51,760 I can't keep them all straight anymore, to be very honest with you. 3166 03:50:51,760 --> 03:50:59,760 So, whatever we can do to get closest to what the board has decided to agree on. 3167 03:50:59,760 --> 03:51:03,760 So, in my understanding, we all want zero, right? 3168 03:51:03,760 --> 03:51:08,760 But we want, we agreed to do longevity pay, correct? 3169 03:51:08,760 --> 03:51:13,760 So, if we can get as close as we can to that, that would be my suggestion. 3170 03:51:13,760 --> 03:51:17,760 So, you've heard a lot of different ideas today. 3171 03:51:17,760 --> 03:51:18,760 Sorry. 3172 03:51:18,760 --> 03:51:21,760 And, you know, pick things that get you closest, right? 3173 03:51:21,760 --> 03:51:24,760 It could be a combination of those things. 3174 03:51:24,760 --> 03:51:32,760 As far as moving kids, it's very, very hard for me to decide that on my own. 3175 03:51:32,760 --> 03:51:34,760 We have two options. 3176 03:51:34,760 --> 03:51:36,760 You know, we have two buildings that we're talking about. 3177 03:51:36,760 --> 03:51:37,760 One is Merrill. 3178 03:51:37,760 --> 03:51:39,760 One is BLA. 3179 03:51:39,760 --> 03:51:45,760 So, if we're going to do that, we need to decide today so we can get communications out. 3180 03:51:45,760 --> 03:51:46,760 I don't want to do it. 3181 03:51:46,760 --> 03:51:49,760 We're going to have to do it at some point. 3182 03:51:49,760 --> 03:51:52,760 But we have to make that decision today. 3183 03:51:52,760 --> 03:51:54,760 So, I appreciate that so much. 3184 03:51:54,760 --> 03:51:56,760 And so, here's what I'm wondering. 3185 03:51:56,760 --> 03:52:00,760 So, like, I am in the spirit of compromising. 3186 03:52:00,760 --> 03:52:03,760 You know, Mr. Hinkins just walked out for a moment. 3187 03:52:03,760 --> 03:52:08,760 But, you know, Tom and I often talk about, like, you know, we have to be, you know, that's part of the work, right? 3188 03:52:08,760 --> 03:52:14,760 We all have to be willing to give and build consensus because that's what our, literally what our district is telling us that 3189 03:52:14,760 --> 03:52:16,760 it needs to best serve our kids. 3190 03:52:16,760 --> 03:52:20,760 So, you know, I am in a place where I am totally comfortable. 3191 03:52:20,760 --> 03:52:29,760 I'm not closing any buildings and spending OPEB because I have total faith in our administration and the creativity and resources of our community 3192 03:52:29,760 --> 03:52:32,760 that we can get to where we need to be by 2728. 3193 03:52:32,760 --> 03:52:38,760 However, in the spirit of compromise, because I totally respect and appreciate where all of my colleagues are coming from. 3194 03:52:38,760 --> 03:52:43,760 Like, I really, I see the logic and the reasoning where we are. 3195 03:52:43,760 --> 03:52:53,760 I am curious if there is, if it's, if people are finding it palatable to move forward an option that matches to some extent. 3196 03:52:53,760 --> 03:52:59,760 And again, I'm looking to our administration for, you know, what you think is most feasible. 3197 03:52:59,760 --> 03:53:01,760 And, of course, to the board. 3198 03:53:01,760 --> 03:53:11,760 One of the options presented this evening with the possibility of selling Colac with the understanding that we would be passing a draft budget. 3199 03:53:12,760 --> 03:53:16,760 I really applaud all of our administrators, but also Mr. Stenrus. 3200 03:53:16,760 --> 03:53:23,760 I think brought forward a lot of creative, really innovative thinking that, that really gives us a jumpstart, right? 3201 03:53:23,760 --> 03:53:26,760 On that planning that we're going to have to do. 3202 03:53:26,760 --> 03:53:35,760 And it, and given the numbers that are pretty hopeful and optimistic that he shared, if we're only looking at it from a budget standpoint, 3203 03:53:35,760 --> 03:53:40,760 I'm feeling very encouraged that there is absolutely clarity to a path forward. 3204 03:53:40,760 --> 03:53:48,760 So while I understand that it is not ideal for any, and it's not ideal for me either, you know, we're all giving here. 3205 03:53:48,760 --> 03:53:53,760 I have one of seven would be interested in moving forward a budget option. 3206 03:53:53,760 --> 03:53:59,760 And again, I just need a little bit more clarity on whichever number, you know, letter or however it's labeled. 3207 03:53:59,760 --> 03:54:08,760 Just to get us to that draft budget stage with the understanding and, you know, I'm willing to, you know, put on the table like a recommendation to sell Colac. 3208 03:54:09,760 --> 03:54:14,760 Because Carol, I think you've made excellent points throughout like the boldness needs to occur. 3209 03:54:14,760 --> 03:54:19,760 People need to see that this is real. This feels like the best possible compromise there from what I'm hearing. 3210 03:54:19,760 --> 03:54:28,760 And then with the understanding that we're going to work very hard the next several weeks to consider like a lot of Mr. Stenrus's recommendations 3211 03:54:28,760 --> 03:54:36,760 and the recommendations of our other administrators as well to really start to depict and begin to communicate what those that reshaping 3212 03:54:36,760 --> 03:54:44,760 facility rearrangement will look like. So that's where I'm at. And I guess, I guess that's all I got. 3213 03:54:44,760 --> 03:54:48,760 Thank you. Carol Fox. 3214 03:54:48,760 --> 03:54:55,760 I'm in a little bit different place, but not too far. I don't think. 3215 03:54:56,760 --> 03:55:08,760 I could move forward, I think, with if Dr. Gordon can work to come up with some more options and add some more to it. 3216 03:55:08,760 --> 03:55:14,760 I think you've got some ideas. I think you've got some things you're going to do. And I would really like to see those. 3217 03:55:14,760 --> 03:55:23,760 I'm concerned about Merrill because I think I just heard that we're not being able to staff it. 3218 03:55:23,760 --> 03:55:36,760 And maybe if we can't staff it, maybe we ought to jump on closing it and moving the kids because what are we going to do if we're going to leave the building open and we have no staff for it. 3219 03:55:36,760 --> 03:55:46,760 So that kind of resonated with me. And so I'm kind of concerned about that, that we're not really got the staff to cover that building. 3220 03:55:47,760 --> 03:55:59,760 So maybe now is the time to take those 150, 70 kids and move them someplace else and save that money in while we're doing it. 3221 03:55:59,760 --> 03:56:11,760 So, but if you don't want to close any buildings at all, you'll have to convince me a little harder, but I think what I heard you say got me closer. 3222 03:56:12,760 --> 03:56:21,760 I agree. My concern is blessing. So we would have to look at how we would address transportation with that if that were to move forward. 3223 03:56:21,760 --> 03:56:28,760 So we would have to work with Director Alwood a little bit to figure out what our cost model would be for that. 3224 03:56:28,760 --> 03:56:40,760 Thank you, Dr. Garden. One of my concerns with moving with vacating Merrill into the other two east side elementary schools is 3225 03:56:40,760 --> 03:56:45,760 the stability of those buildings. 3226 03:56:45,760 --> 03:56:55,760 They've had a lot of turnover in leadership the last few years and we have experienced a lot of behavioral issues in those buildings. 3227 03:56:55,760 --> 03:57:04,760 My concern is, again, comparing looking at the capacity and the square footage versus the number of students. 3228 03:57:04,760 --> 03:57:12,760 My concern is the class sizes and the extra burden that we will be putting on all of those staff members. 3229 03:57:12,760 --> 03:57:18,760 I don't know that right now that that in my humble opinion, I don't know that that's our best option. 3230 03:57:18,760 --> 03:57:23,760 I mean, I understand if we don't have the staff, we need to do what we need to do. 3231 03:57:24,760 --> 03:57:33,760 But yeah, that's going to be a tough sell and I'm going to remind everybody. 3232 03:57:33,760 --> 03:57:40,760 Next Tuesday, we have a meeting plan to discuss a referendum. 3233 03:57:40,760 --> 03:57:52,760 But if we have a budget that has a large deficit, I don't even know why we would even bother going to referendum because 3234 03:57:52,760 --> 03:57:55,760 every time we've done that, it's failed. 3235 03:57:55,760 --> 03:58:09,760 And I think we need to show our constituents that we are being good stewards of their tax dollars and as close to a balanced budget as possible. 3236 03:58:09,760 --> 03:58:13,760 With that, Carol Fox, did you have one more comment? 3237 03:58:14,760 --> 03:58:23,760 Okay, we did hear that there are other options out there as board members. 3238 03:58:23,760 --> 03:58:28,760 I'm a little disappointed because we didn't get a chance to see those before they were discussed. 3239 03:58:28,760 --> 03:58:40,760 And I think it would be fair to us board members for us to have an opportunity to see them and do a side by side comparison and have time to mull them over. 3240 03:58:40,760 --> 03:58:52,760 I don't want to delay this process any further, but I would be comfortable having next Tuesday's meeting rather than it be for referendum discussion. 3241 03:58:52,760 --> 03:59:04,760 We have us have time to look at all Mr. Stenroos option, Dr. Gordon's options and anybody enhanced C option. 3242 03:59:04,760 --> 03:59:11,760 And if anybody else has an option or recommendation, bring them now. 3243 03:59:11,760 --> 03:59:20,760 Not at next meeting, but now so that we have time to think them over. 3244 03:59:20,760 --> 03:59:25,760 How do the board members feel about that suggestion, Mr. Johnson? 3245 03:59:25,760 --> 03:59:29,760 I agree. I would take a look at that. 3246 03:59:29,760 --> 03:59:33,760 And I also think there's a little bit of savings and some extra coaches. 3247 03:59:33,760 --> 03:59:38,760 Some of the sports have not a lot, but maybe 20, 30,000. 3248 03:59:38,760 --> 03:59:44,760 Without cutting extra coaches or not. 3249 03:59:44,760 --> 03:59:46,760 Oh, okay. 3250 03:59:46,760 --> 03:59:47,760 All right, thanks. 3251 03:59:48,760 --> 03:59:51,760 Was that in the budget? 3252 03:59:51,760 --> 03:59:52,760 Okay. 3253 03:59:52,760 --> 03:59:53,760 Did you remember Miller? 3254 03:59:53,760 --> 03:59:55,760 Oh, thank you. 3255 03:59:55,760 --> 04:00:01,760 It is because you were going 100,000 over 380. 3256 04:00:01,760 --> 04:00:03,760 The budget amount was 280. 3257 04:00:03,760 --> 04:00:05,760 That's why it doesn't show. 3258 04:00:05,760 --> 04:00:11,760 We'll just bring you back to what the budget amount was because you'd overspent by 100,000 last two years. 3259 04:00:12,760 --> 04:00:17,760 The district overspent the last two years. 3260 04:00:17,760 --> 04:00:22,760 Good clarification, board member facts. 3261 04:00:22,760 --> 04:00:23,760 Okay. 3262 04:00:23,760 --> 04:00:30,760 So I understand where we're coming from and generally I agree and I'm not strongly against. 3263 04:00:30,760 --> 04:00:40,760 My only concern would be could we narrow the scope of the budget options because it sounds like we're just about at that point of no return on some of what some of those options include. 3264 04:00:41,760 --> 04:00:45,760 So before I weigh in strongly one or the other, could we just clarify one more time? 3265 04:00:45,760 --> 04:00:48,760 I know it gets a bit confusing because it's named differently. 3266 04:00:48,760 --> 04:00:55,760 But what of the options that have been presented are actually realistic at this point? 3267 04:00:55,760 --> 04:01:07,760 Because I'm hearing you say, I think I've heard all of our administration say, but correct me if I'm wrong, that's the ones that include drastic movement of students are not terribly realistic. 3268 04:01:08,760 --> 04:01:15,760 So like how many budget options does that leave us with before I can commit to like let's wait till Tuesday? 3269 04:01:15,760 --> 04:01:31,760 Well, and I guess what would be considered drastic moving of students because I just heard that we need to close Merrill and that's a larger movement of students than BLA. 3270 04:01:32,760 --> 04:01:44,760 I would argue it's a number of students, but because they would move into like schools, the majority of the equipment supplies, books, those things would already be in place. 3271 04:01:44,760 --> 04:01:53,760 So it's not as far as taking everything from Merrill and having it to move to other locations with that and go back to your class size pieces. 3272 04:01:54,760 --> 04:02:04,760 When we did this number, we looked at what the recommended class sizes were and tried to find do schools have the schools have spots available within that class limit number. 3273 04:02:04,760 --> 04:02:07,760 And they did for three of them, but not three of the others. 3274 04:02:07,760 --> 04:02:09,760 And that's why we said three teachers would have to follow. 3275 04:02:09,760 --> 04:02:19,760 So we were at that recommended 22 possibly going up to 23 and some of them, but not like just everybody gets dumped in and we're just enlarging every class. 3276 04:02:19,760 --> 04:02:20,760 So I just want to make that clear. 3277 04:02:20,760 --> 04:02:22,760 So then just like clarifying question then. 3278 04:02:22,760 --> 04:02:24,760 So like here's where I'm at. 3279 04:02:24,760 --> 04:02:31,760 Like I would prefer like I'm on the same page with Tia, like I would like to see things in front of me. 3280 04:02:31,760 --> 04:02:39,760 Are these things like documented well enough or like if we took like a 10 minute recess, like we could go like prints and stuff out, take a look or like. 3281 04:02:39,760 --> 04:02:45,760 Like is there that much difference between the two and if not, then sure I'm fine with Tuesday. 3282 04:02:46,760 --> 04:02:52,760 It is almost 10 o'clock and we still have another more agenda items that we need to get to. 3283 04:02:56,760 --> 04:03:02,760 So like are these documented like in a way that we could just take a quick look kind of thing or I don't think 10 minutes. 3284 04:03:02,760 --> 04:03:08,760 I don't need to clarify because I know there's a lot of urgency to get this across the line here. 3285 04:03:08,760 --> 04:03:19,760 I guess my only other question to my colleagues is like if we is there like a chunk of what's been proposed where like we could agree on a critical mass of and then come back Tuesday and like do the rest. 3286 04:03:19,760 --> 04:03:21,760 Just because like there's a lot of uncertainty. 3287 04:03:21,760 --> 04:03:26,760 Like yeah, unfortunately that's the world of being a board member. 3288 04:03:26,760 --> 04:03:33,760 No, no, no, no, not for us, but like first I'm just thinking like for staff members, but yeah. 3289 04:03:34,760 --> 04:03:45,760 If you meeting in next Tuesday, what I'm just trying to look at is, you know, now, Jeff had talked about we could close Meryl. 3290 04:03:45,760 --> 04:03:50,760 You know, so we can give you what that would look like. 3291 04:03:50,760 --> 04:03:53,760 You know, there's been transportation costs. 3292 04:03:53,760 --> 04:03:56,760 We probably wouldn't have that in a week to be realized. 3293 04:03:56,760 --> 04:03:59,760 We could give you what closing Meryl would look like. 3294 04:03:59,760 --> 04:04:01,760 Now you have to ask. 3295 04:04:01,760 --> 04:04:03,760 Would you rather have BLA? 3296 04:04:03,760 --> 04:04:10,760 If you close Meryl, would you rather have BLA at Meryl rather than Cunningham or saying it? 3297 04:04:10,760 --> 04:04:14,760 I just want to be a going record again. 3298 04:04:14,760 --> 04:04:20,760 I do not think that you can realistically move BLA to the high school. 3299 04:04:20,760 --> 04:04:22,760 You can move BLA to Meryl. 3300 04:04:22,760 --> 04:04:24,760 You could close Meryl. 3301 04:04:25,760 --> 04:04:31,760 I don't think it's realistic to be able to keep it the type of school that it's currently designed to be. 3302 04:04:31,760 --> 04:04:36,760 If you want to change the design and make it different, that's different, but that's going to be another larger discussion. 3303 04:04:36,760 --> 04:04:48,760 So I just want, if we meet next Tuesday, what it is that you'd really like to see so that we don't waste your time or anybody else's. 3304 04:04:48,760 --> 04:04:50,760 So Meryl was one that Jeff brought up. 3305 04:04:51,760 --> 04:04:53,760 We could give you what that would look like. 3306 04:04:56,760 --> 04:05:03,760 I already said if you did away with the program, you're probably at a balanced budget. 3307 04:05:03,760 --> 04:05:08,760 But then what are you going to do with those students? 3308 04:05:08,760 --> 04:05:10,760 I think that's a huge question. 3309 04:05:10,760 --> 04:05:18,760 But if you're looking budgetarily, if you wipe out a program, 3310 04:05:18,760 --> 04:05:20,760 I mean, there's going to be significant savings. 3311 04:05:20,760 --> 04:05:27,760 We just want to bring you back what it is that you want to see with a little more specificity. 3312 04:05:27,760 --> 04:05:28,760 That is a plan. 3313 04:05:28,760 --> 04:05:31,760 We've already talked about, we could do that. 3314 04:05:31,760 --> 04:05:38,760 I just want to make sure that if you meet next Tuesday, what's going to be the most productive for the meeting? 3315 04:05:38,760 --> 04:05:39,760 Thank you, Dr. Anderson. 3316 04:05:39,760 --> 04:05:46,760 And I'm going to remind everyone, we can move BLA over the summer. 3317 04:05:46,760 --> 04:05:49,760 But if we have to move it again next year, that's another cost. 3318 04:05:49,760 --> 04:05:56,760 So we need to be thinking of whatever we're moving, move once and be done with it. 3319 04:05:56,760 --> 04:06:01,760 Tom, I was going down the line and I'd like to get board members input. 3320 04:06:01,760 --> 04:06:09,760 Do you support continuing this discussion next Tuesday with the other options before us? 3321 04:06:10,760 --> 04:06:12,760 Yes, absolutely. 3322 04:06:12,760 --> 04:06:15,760 This is such a turning point. 3323 04:06:15,760 --> 04:06:20,760 And as we all know in this district right now, we have to start making some decisions and not wait. 3324 04:06:20,760 --> 04:06:30,760 I want to remind, you know, maybe on Tuesday that Scott Ladd is with us because moving people entails those people that have to move them and the equipment. 3325 04:06:30,760 --> 04:06:36,760 And I've had conversations with them about how much he could get done this summer and what he couldn't get done. 3326 04:06:36,760 --> 04:06:46,760 You know, so if we're going to put it all on for 27th, you know, in January, he's got to be part of that conversation for next Tuesday. 3327 04:06:46,760 --> 04:06:47,760 Yes, I'm in support of that. 3328 04:06:47,760 --> 04:06:48,760 Thank you. 3329 04:06:48,760 --> 04:06:49,760 Carol Fox? 3330 04:06:49,760 --> 04:06:51,760 Yeah, I'm in support of that. 3331 04:06:51,760 --> 04:07:03,760 I would like to see Dr. Molot's recommendations fleshed up a little more thoroughly and, you know, really determine whether we need to be closing Merrill at this point. 3332 04:07:04,760 --> 04:07:11,760 If I don't think we need to close more than one school that we would have enough money, I think if we did that. 3333 04:07:11,760 --> 04:07:15,760 But my concern is that we might have to if we're not getting a staff. 3334 04:07:15,760 --> 04:07:17,760 So that's a concern. 3335 04:07:17,760 --> 04:07:19,760 Joanne Roo. 3336 04:07:19,760 --> 04:07:29,760 So I think we have Dr. Anderson and Dr. Gordon in here that both are superintendents. 3337 04:07:29,760 --> 04:07:35,760 They both understand the balance balancing the budget problem. 3338 04:07:35,760 --> 04:07:39,760 They both are their recommendations are very similar. 3339 04:07:39,760 --> 04:07:47,760 I'm ready to vote tonight to support Dr. Gordon and move forward with what her recommendation is. 3340 04:07:47,760 --> 04:07:51,760 But if we need to wait till next Tuesday, I can wait till next Tuesday. 3341 04:07:51,760 --> 04:07:53,760 Dan Schuch. 3342 04:07:53,760 --> 04:07:57,760 Yeah. 3343 04:07:58,760 --> 04:08:10,760 So I also believe that we should move forward with our recommendations for our new superintendent who's going to serve us here for the next couple of years, at least. 3344 04:08:10,760 --> 04:08:13,760 So I'm ready to go on that. 3345 04:08:13,760 --> 04:08:29,760 I want to go on record saying that I would be supportive of a resolution that bound us to a real process to figure out our building needs. 3346 04:08:29,760 --> 04:08:35,760 I would, I do not have my head in the sand about those issues. 3347 04:08:36,760 --> 04:08:50,760 I kind of get my head around what I've been hearing all of you and stakeholders talk about a district that's founded on, you know, three pillars of student achievement behavior. 3348 04:08:50,760 --> 04:08:58,760 And then if you know more of a classical education getting rid of computers and going back, I'm all for that. 3349 04:08:58,760 --> 04:09:13,760 Practically, I think the idea of closing Merrill for this fall is a worse decision if you made it in June than this board made to close to Westside elementary schools in April. 3350 04:09:13,760 --> 04:09:15,760 Doesn't mean that that's not where we have to get. 3351 04:09:15,760 --> 04:09:20,760 I don't have my head in the sand, but there's an incredible amount of community input we all need. 3352 04:09:20,760 --> 04:09:21,760 You've all been talking about that. 3353 04:09:21,760 --> 04:09:23,760 We need to move into that. 3354 04:09:23,760 --> 04:09:40,760 I think we should, on Tuesday, we should move towards a conversation that includes most of Dr. Gordon's recommendations and then bind us to a process in that we can communicate with about referendums and building utilization. Thank you. 3355 04:09:40,760 --> 04:09:41,760 Thank you. 3356 04:09:41,760 --> 04:09:47,760 Dr. Anderson, Dr. Gordon, you understand your marching orders? 3357 04:09:48,760 --> 04:10:00,760 Next Tuesday, thank you, and as soon as you can get those to us, that would be greatly appreciated. 3358 04:10:00,760 --> 04:10:10,760 And board members make certain that you reach out to Dr. Gordon and Dr. Anderson and cabinet members with your questions. 3359 04:10:11,760 --> 04:10:15,760 Our next agenda item is the consent agenda. 3360 04:10:15,760 --> 04:10:28,760 Typically, there is no separate discussion of the items unless a board member still requests in which event the item or items will be removed from the general order of business and considered in their normal sequence on the agenda. 3361 04:10:28,760 --> 04:10:37,760 Is there a motion to do any board members with any board members like any of the items removed from the consent agenda? 3362 04:10:41,760 --> 04:10:45,760 Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? 3363 04:10:45,760 --> 04:10:46,760 So moved. 3364 04:10:46,760 --> 04:10:47,760 Second. 3365 04:10:47,760 --> 04:10:51,760 Motion by Joanne Ru, seconded by Megan Miller. 3366 04:10:51,760 --> 04:10:53,760 Any discussion? 3367 04:10:53,760 --> 04:10:54,760 Hearing none. 3368 04:10:54,760 --> 04:10:55,760 All in favor? 3369 04:10:55,760 --> 04:10:56,760 Aye. 3370 04:10:56,760 --> 04:10:58,760 Any opposed? 3371 04:10:58,760 --> 04:11:01,760 Motion carries unanimously. 3372 04:11:01,760 --> 04:11:07,760 I do have a comment. 3373 04:11:08,760 --> 04:11:14,760 I think that's the first time that we've had a consent agenda with nothing pulled off. 3374 04:11:14,760 --> 04:11:20,760 And I think part of the reason why is because we all sat at the committee meeting, so Carol Fox, high five. 3375 04:11:20,760 --> 04:11:25,760 Way to go, thank you so much. 3376 04:11:25,760 --> 04:11:27,760 Is there a motion to adjourn? 3377 04:11:27,760 --> 04:11:28,760 So moved. 3378 04:11:28,760 --> 04:11:29,760 Second. 3379 04:11:29,760 --> 04:11:34,760 Motion by Joanne Ru, seconded by Carol Fox. 3380 04:11:34,760 --> 04:11:35,760 Any discussion? 3381 04:11:35,760 --> 04:11:36,760 Any none? 3382 04:11:36,760 --> 04:11:37,760 All in favor? 3383 04:11:37,760 --> 04:11:38,760 Aye. 3384 04:11:38,760 --> 04:11:39,760 Aye. 3385 04:11:39,760 --> 04:11:40,760 Any opposed? 3386 04:11:40,760 --> 04:11:42,760 We are adjourned at 10-0-1. 3387 04:11:42,760 --> 04:11:49,760 Have a good night. 3388 04:11:50,760 --> 04:11:56,760 All in favor? 3389 04:11:56,760 --> 04:11:57,760 Aye. 3390 04:11:57,760 --> 04:11:58,760 Aye. 3391 04:11:58,760 --> 04:11:59,760 Aye. 3392 04:11:59,760 --> 04:12:00,760 Aye. 3393 04:12:00,760 --> 04:12:01,760 Aye. 3394 04:12:01,760 --> 04:12:02,760 Aye. 3395 04:12:02,760 --> 04:12:03,760 Aye. 3396 04:12:03,760 --> 04:12:04,760 Aye. 3397 04:12:04,760 --> 04:12:05,760 Aye. 3398 04:12:05,760 --> 04:12:06,760 Aye.