The meeting is now called to order. Roll call. Mr. Shapiro. >> All board members are present. >> Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next up is our CCS mission statement that we've been reading at every meeting from now on. And that is that Carmel
Clay Schools will provide opportunities for all students to realize their potential in an everchanging world. And then we will move on to public comment. Uh we have one person signed up for public comment this evening. And so
I won't need to group or do the bingo balls. Um but I will read just a couple reminders. Uh, participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface their comments by an announcement of their name. Speakers may not yield their time to another speaker.
Comments may not reference specific corporation employees, patrons, or students. And comments shall be directed to the board. No person may address or question individual board members. The school board will not act on or respond to questions or comments made during
public comment, but will take them under advisement. So, I'm just going to call our one person up with We have Cindy Muse signed up this evening for public comment. Yep. Go up there. And then you will have uh three minutes to speak. The lights right there in front of you on the podium will
uh turn green um and then red when it's time when time is up. Um, I'm here tonight because I want to strongly urge the Carmel Clay School System to incorporate into the $63 million proposed facility projects
methods that will decrease energy costs and promote environmentally friendly practices. These can include solar installations which have proven to significantly decrease schools energy costs, high efficiency HVAC systems, tree plantings for canopy cover from the
sun, and native plants which will help with soil erosion among other benefits over time. These types of improvements will help our schools and students protect their health, adapt, and be resilient to a changing climate. They will also insulate the school district
from rising energy costs which are expected to increase dramatically. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next on our agenda is consent. And tonight the consent items include the personnel report, claims, payroll, and
the minutes from the August 11th, 2025 workshop session and the August 25th, 2025 regular session schoolboard meetings. And as a reminder for the audience, our the consent part of our meeting is our designated part of our meeting where we group these items that
I listed together so that we can consider them and vote on them uh in one single motion. Do I have a motion to approve all items on the consent agenda? Madame President, I move to approve all
items on the consent agenda, those including the personnel report, claims, payroll, the minutes from August 11th and August 25th meetings. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion on consent
items? >> All right. We will now vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Motion carries. At this time, I uh would like a motion to suspend this regular board meeting and then we will be opening a public
hearing on the proposed issuance of general obligation bonds and or entering into one or more leases with a building corporation which would permit the building corporation to issue its first mortgage bonds. This is the first of two public hearings on these topics. May I
have a motion? And at this time, the motion to suspend the regular board meeting. >> I move to suspend our regular board meeting. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. And then all in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. Motion carries. So per per board policy 0167.3 when a public hearing is required by federal or state statute the same rules followed during the public comment that
we just had will also apply to this public comment um with the following exceptions that you do not have to have advanced registration uh to required to be to speak on at this um public hearing.
So, at this time, um, do I have any public comment? And again, this public comment is on, um, the proposed general obligation bonds, um, andor entering into leases with a building corporation. Okay. Seeing no comments, um, I will
move on to Mr. Mcichael and see if you have any comments regarding these plans. Um, at this time >> I do have some comments and I have a narrative. I will abbreviate it, but the entire nar narrative is available to to uh anyone that would like to have a copy of it.
>> That is in our accessible from the um school board part of our website. Correct. >> Yes, it's already out there, but we would get hard copies so it's readily available. As you noted, this hearing is is for our what we refer to as our 26
2026 facility projects. Those major projects include a major renovation at Smoky Row Elementary School, a what we call midcycle um renovation at Caramel Middle School and a variety of projects at Caramel High School. Um and then work
at uh finishing the cherry tree project on the playground and some other miscellaneous projects. Uh there's a three or four things that I I will read specifically is and uh we will have the uh impact of the tax rate uh displayed
up while I'm and which I'll get to in a minute. U first I'd note that the maximum principle of the bonds is 66,260,000. The maximum term these are maximums not necessarily it's like advertising likely to be less not more. And uh the maximum
term of the bonds and the lease for the bonds it's 20 years and the lease is is 22 years. Um the um estimated total interest cost for the bonds is $24.5 million um based on that 20 maximum
estimated interest cost based on the maximum rate um in the maximum term which would be 45,000 or 45,600,000. Um, I would emphasize this that the estimated increase if the bonds are issued and a lease is entered into the
school corporation to the debt service levy is $11 million and a tax rate of of 00919 per $100 of assessed valuation. However, uh as existing obligations will mature and the anticip the anticipated net
increase to the debt service fund rate is expected to be zero above the estimated rate for 2026. So um then we have the um yes we have the tax rates and again these are the rates as
though uh based on the impact of the this uh proposed bond issue and so um I believe that's the only comments that I have uh with regard to the hearing and as you noted there's opportunity if there's any any comments. Yes. And this
was just the first of two hearings. So, the public will have the opportunity to if you if you want to to comment at our next meeting um Yes. Um at the public hearing. >> That's correct. And these are also the first two steps in about a six-month process. If everything um proceeds and
and bonds are successfully sold, um it's anticipated they would close the first of I believe February of 2026. So, it's there's several other steps involved. eventually awarding bids and issuing approving a form of a lease and just a
variety of things after these two hearings. So, >> okay, thank you very much. And again, all of this information is available um on the CCS website, if you go to the board part of the website um and where um typically where uh we access um the
schoolboard agenda and things, these these are attached to the agenda for this meeting and then will be for the the next meeting when we have the public hearing. Um, at this time, do I have a motion to close this first public hearing?
>> Motion to close the public hearing. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second that. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> I motion carries. And now we will resume um and go back to our regular schoolboard meeting. Uh at this time, we're going to move on
to our action items. And we have several change orders as part of these action items. So in order to just to move our meeting along, I wanted to see if we can get a motion to approve these change orders as a group. And again, as we have been doing, Mr. McMichael will still
explain each part of those change orders individually. But the the change orders today that we have are item 5.1, the Carmel High School Witskin Tennis Complex renovation. Item 5.2, two, the Carmel High School Natiatorum addition
and existing Natiatorum renovations. And item 5.3, the Carmel High School Greyhound Activity Center. So items 5.1 through 5.3. Do I have a motion to approve these change orders and take
them consider them as a group? >> I move to put those all together for a single vote. >> Thank you, Greg. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. And again, the motion on this is that we are um grouping together change orders 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
Do I have any discussion? All right, we will take a vote. All in favor of grouping these items together signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Motion carries. Moving on, Mr. Mcichael, can you give us a little bit of background information on these orders?
>> Yes. I'll start with the Tetris Complex project. uh that project is either completed or very close to it. And so there's a 20 a deduct change order for $24,680. And that's a closeout change order for for a contractor that had did not use
all the contingency. Excuse me. The second one was an aiatorium. It's $238,83 and it is an ad change order. And that's you've heard some of this before, but that we've done some work at the end near the end here where that's uh I'll
describe it as cosmetic work. There was paneling installed in the original lobby of the the current pool, the you know, the first pool and uh some display cases and renovation to the elevator which is next to the pool. And all of this was um
um we wanted to to make it less obvious that we had an older pool and then a brand new pool. So we uh from a visual st most of this is is cosmetic but not to minimize that because it it just brings the whole project together
given the significance of it. We just we didn't want it to be obvious this was the old and this was the new. And then finally, there's an for the activity center, there's a $890 change order, net change order, and and um um that project
is essentially finished as well. So, I don't know if there will be any other closeout change orders or not, but it's very close to finished. >> Thank you very much. May I have a motion to approve action items 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3?
I move to approve action items 5.1, 5.2, 5.3. >> Thank you. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Uh, any discussion on these change orders? >> Just a comment more than a question. And I typically make this comment that this
this is within the budget of the project. It's I'm seeing only a 1.1% increase. Is that Thank you. >> Uh we will now take a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> I. Motion carries. Next on our agenda um are the discussion items for the 2026 already 2027 program of study changes. Dr. Dudley. Thank you. So this evening I um bring to you for discussion recommendations for our
program of study at the high school. And so each year um each every department at the high school reviews the courses that are offered throughout their department and they determine um they make recommendations for adding new courses
or modifying courses or possibly deleting courses. And so these recommendations may stem from program evaluation recommendations or from state requirements and or from student interests as well. So the department
chairs present these recommendations to the curriculum advisory committee and the curriculum advisory committee is made up of teachers and administrators throughout all of the departments at the high school. So the department chairs um present their recommendations. The
curriculum advisory committee has the opportunity to ask questions of the department chair. Um they talk about what are the um interests in students, what are what possible materials might be needed for the course, how this course fits into the overall program of
study. And then after the presentations are completed, then the curriculum advisory committee has the opportunity to deliberate and discuss those recommendations. They provide feedback then to Dr. Ferris and to myself and that feedback is incorporated in the recommendations that I'm bringing to you
this evening. So as we look at our um strategic plan and look at how these um program evaluate or how these program of study changes support our strategic plan um I'd like to point out in the academic
excellence or academic achievement strategic goals both academic excellence and real world learning and relevance are directly related to the courses that I'm bringing to you for these changes and more specifically As we look at the
strategic um key initiatives, expanding work-based learning and career connected pathways um strengthening support for students and offering differentiated instruction and enrichment opportunities especially in the areas of STEM and robotics for our students is directly
connected to these course offerings as well as developing and coordinating um and implementing programs and services for students to be responsive to a student's academic needs. and um integrating the Indiana's new graduation standards. All of these um
recommendations I'm bringing to you align with those key initiatives and I'll make um comment on those initiatives as we look at the courses. So, as we um first three three of the courses that we are adding directly
relate to um the Indiana um pathways as well as being responsive to academic needs of students. And the first one is a business math course that we are proposing as a new course. This will be an opportunity for students that are not
on a career pathway where they're um going to a 4-year university where they could take business math in place of algebra 2. Um this would be um much more grounded in workplace application. Um and so it may be a good opportunity for
some students that um are looking at a different maybe um a going right into a career pathway. Um this could be an opportunity for them. Another one where we're really being responsive to um the academic needs of students is the AP business and personal
finance. This is a course that it'll be a new um advanced placement course that we would be offering. It's brand new to um College Board and it incorporates both business management as well as personal finance. And as you u may
recall, personal finance is a course that all students um must take for graduation requirements. Um this course would incorporate the personal finance as well as business management. It would be a year-long course. Um the right now
personal finance is a semester course. So students will have the opportunity to take either one. Um so this will be um it would be a fully weighted course as well. And we do have um several students that would um very much like this opportunity to take this advanced
placement course um and adding to our advanced placement. Another course that we are looking at as into adding and being responsive to students needs is Arabic 3. We added Arabic one um Arabic 2 and um Arabic for heritage learners in
our last um couple program evaluation or program of study changes. Um and this adds the third year of Arabic for our students. We do have um quite a few students that um are opting to take Arabic and would like to have a third
level of Arabic. And so this is another recommendation. Um so those courses are really responsive to the students needs and then also implementing the graduation pathways. So looking at courses that um focus on expanding our work-based
learning and our um career pathways. One is our social and community services capstone. This is the third course in a um pathway for our um social and community services pathway. We have we offer both the concentrator A and B and
this would offer the capstone. And so it um adds um opportunities for students to work out in the um public in the human services pathway and it gives them that work-based learning. Another one we're we're looking to add and actually um add
back in would be um cosmetology. Um years ago we offered that when we were um partnered with JAL. Um now we have our um TPI, our pursuit institute and this would be a course that would be offered through the pursuit institute
but we do have um several students that have an interest in this pathway as well. And so this was of course we're recommending to add back into our program of studies. Um and then another um pathway where we're expanding that workbased learning opportunity is the
surgical technician um the principles of health care and they will end up with a surgical technician certification. Um and so this is also offered through the pursuit institute um where our students would
come out of with that certification in as a surgical tech. It works with um IU Health and the opthalmology technician training institute as well. So that's another opportunity that our students to expand those workbased learnings. um two
of the courses that we're looking at to expand um opportunities and differentiate opportunities in STEM and specifically robotics. Um one is the computer integrated manufacturing and this course um they're very excited
about offering this course and a lot of it is thanks to the great work that Mr. Mcichel has been doing in our polytech institute because now we have a lab that we can fully integrate the CNC we have the that CNC equipment where we can really um look at those the robotics
pieces of it and we have the equipment and before it was cost prohibitive and now with our new renovations that we've done in that area we are able to offer this course and this course will really be a um one that students will be very interested in where they have the
opportunity to um really do some design processing and prototyping and then developing those 3D models of their prototypes um do lots of problem solving making those modifications um so they're very excited about offering that course
as well as um changing this is a modification the IB design technology higher level they're changing the prerequisites and opening that up to any student that has taken the project lead the way engineering courses. So, this will open that course up to more
students and they know that they have more students that are um interested in taking those courses. And then another area where we're expanding the workbased learning and really opening it up for students um is in our principles of construction trades and our um
automotive services. Those are both full pathways that we offer. Um what we are um proposing to do is modify this and work with IvyTech and have um the dual credit for these courses. Um and the students that could that would finish
either one of those pathways would walk away with 15 um college credits in that pathway. So it would really open up lots of opportunities for our students as well. So with that I um will open it up to any questions you might have.
I don't have any questions, but I want to thank you. A key initiative of the board is to incorporate and to mention how all of our decisions this year take us back to the strategic plan. And so, you laid it out very
nicely. It was easy for the community and for ourselves to understand, and I appreciate that as we're moving forward. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Dudley. Um, it's certainly exciting. I what I appreciate is within all of the proposed changes is
there's I think there's something for every type of student that we have, you know, whether you're uh thinking about the, you know, the quoteunquote more traditional pathway of of going on to a traditional four-year college or university. There are more academic focuses here, but there's also a clear
focus on ensuring that for students that are more interested in a in a work-based certification or entering the workforce, there's intentionality in ensuring that we're diversifying opportunities. And we've done that over the last couple years, right, with expanding the
polytechnic program and clearly adding more dual credit opportunities here through that. So, it's it's just neat to see that we're we're contining for ways to ensure that every type of learner has opportunities to really explore and find
their own pathway for multitude of options. So, thanks. >> Yeah, I echo that too. I u I'm really glad to see the focus on work based learning and and these are very detailed classes. So, the students can come out I
think with a ready to go in a career. So, uh in addition being prepared for some more education. So, I'm really glad to see that. Um, but are these being driven um by the IDOE or are they where where do these courses come from that deal with the workbased learning?
>> Right. So um some of them come from um IDE. For example, a couple of the deletions is the um we're proposing to delete the human social services um A and B that pathway because that's
actually being deleted from IDE. There's no longer that that's no longer a course that um they are saying that they're offering it. So some of the courses do come from um from requirements from IDE. Um some of
the re the courses come from interest of students as well as well as as we look at our um strategic plan. We look at our program evaluation processes that we've done that we are continuing to look at what what is in the best interest of our students. And then also um many of the
courses where we have students that are very interested in taking um certain courses, we want to make sure that we can offer that if if we're able to do that, we want to incorporate those into the program of studies. >> Are you finding that um some of the
industry leaders are suggesting some of these classes too or focus on some of these classes? Um well some of them so when we look at the career and technical education um some of the courses they're they consider them more um high dollar
than others. So for example the um manufacturing course that would be a high dollar course that one that is very much um user friendly where the students could leave with a certification an industry certification and move right into working in that manufacturing
field. Um and that of course is that is a need um in the industry you know the um career and technical education the workforce development have devel um deemed that one as a need a definite need and so that is more of a high
dollar one um the cosmetology pathway that we are proposing is not considered a high dollar one we don't get um as much CTE money in that area however we do have students that are very interested we have many students that
are very interested in that pathway and so that's why that's one that we're bringing as a recommendation. So yes, they do come from um different industries um in certain areas and in other areas it comes from the interests of the students. >> Are you finding the u the local employers are are getting more active in
helping define work-based learning types of classes? So, as as we continue to um partner with different um companies across, you know, within Carmel and outside of Carmel as well, we definitely have um many um companies that want to
partner with us because the students that go and work and in those internship and those work-based learning are do an excellent job and we continuously get um you know feedback from those the companies saying they can't believe that
this is a high school student. Um it is more of like at the level of a college intern. And so we do get lots of feedback. And then as that word of mouth spreads as we continue to build those partnerships and we have two um workbased coordinators at the high school, we have Mr. Chard Reed and Mr.
West Drew that part of their job is to continue to build those partnerships with our um the different companies and working with those and they're doing an excellent job of doing that. And then we also partner with the pursuit institute. They help to support that. Like for
example, you may um recall last year we brought on the aviation pathway and that's through um the pursuit institute and the lift academy and that was another area where we had student interest but then we also had we they um it came from the industry that they need
more pilots trained and so that was an area that um came about in that. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Dudley. I also wanted to reiterate what has already been said about tying these items. Really appreciate the tie at the beginning um
to our strategic plan. Also, I wanted to note that I had also heard from some current students who had mentioned something I had not thought about before, which was they were interested in getting these types of certifications right out of high school because it will help them work to pay for further
education, whether it was a two or a four-year degree. And I think that's really wonderful. So, um, appreciate you and the committee's continued efforts in this area to do a continuous cycle of review of these program offerings. Thank
you. >> Thank you so much. This I think this for the board, this is one of our favorite times of the year to get to see what we're offering and love that you explained it. You're kind of it starts with the staff and the teacher teachers bringing it in um to make these decisions what we're bringing bringing
in for the students. We will now move on to reports and our first report is the staff and student services report with Dr. Herrera. All right, President Koke, Dr. O strike and members of the board. I am delighted to share tonight's HR update.
So there are six foundational areas in the strategic plan. So I'm specifically focusing on employee engagement and effectiveness with the spotlight on how we invest in our people and then looking at HR innovation and engagement. So you will see tonight I'm going to share
three areas that I'm really focused on right now with our HR team and areas that we're providing updates and they're going to completely refer back to those strategic goals. So we're always looking for ways of how we can continue to strengthen our
recruitment efforts. We recently visited IU Bloomington um for their annual student teaching fair and had the opportunity to speak with students regarding student teaching within Carmel Clay Schools. then also teaching here in Carmel Clay Schools. And so we actually
had 50 students who visited our booth. Very excited. Some of them were even former Carmel Clay School students. So that was exciting. And then we currently have 20 university partnerships that place student teachers within our district. We have 28 student teachers
currently placed for the fall with 15 already scheduled for the spring. And then that's going to continue to increase as time goes on. So we will be looking at student teacher data and university partnership data as performance measures. Within that
student teacher data, we look at the successfulness of the partnership, but then also do we retain those student teachers and actually hire them for the following school year. And then we're also looking at adding additional university um visits for our spring um
recruitment fairs. So looking at where else we can continue to attend and and broaden um where we currently visit and then HR is working to improve our processes and systems for employees. So our time clock system which is UKG um we
started our first onboarding back in the spring where we had a pilot group for HR and finance. We took the time to really look at making sure that was consistent and efficient before onboarding other groups of employees. So over the summer we onboarded the ESC and then we have
all principles and assistant principles currently on board in the system. In October we are bringing on our elementary and middle school custodians. And then the goal is to be able to onboard all staff by the end of this school year.
And then again for the performance measure we're really looking at the success um of the timeliness and accuracy as we onboard each group. So, it's not about rushing. It's really about taking the time to make sure we're efficient and that information is effective and and consistent before we
even look at on boarding a new group. And then lastly, my favorite thing, we're continuing to look for ways to improve our internal HR efficiencies. And of course, that's done through feedback. Um, this year, we'll once again be conducting our state interviews
for classified and certified staff. Um, my plan is to announce the state interview timeline and process in October with the goal of having the selection process completed by December 1st so that we can conduct the state
interviews in January. And then as far as our performance measure, I will be providing a board update in the spring with the feedback that we receive from those state interviews. So that is what is currently happening right now in HR.
Thank you. Yeah, you can just go down the line. >> Thank you, Dr. Herrera. This is always an important report to have as our uh teachers and staff are certainly the
capital that keeps this machine running. Um we it's so critical with the shortage of people going into elementary education that we continue or and education that we continue to foster these relationships with the schools
when I think I've asked this before but for those 28 people coming in the fall um you said some of them were former uh Carmel graduates and they're coming and who t went to
Bloomington. So I'm wondering do we I don't think we provide housing for them. How do they make sure that they have someplace to be and does that limit who's available to come here and student teach? >> So it really depends on the university
and I know specifically with IU Bloomington a lot of those families that come back to the Hamilton County area it is because this is where their home is. And so our job when we are at that recruitment fair is to make sure that we are really letting student teachers know
the professional development we provide and everything that we do to engage with them through that process so that they're successful and they want to student teach with us. So no, we don't provide housing but we do try to make it very appealing so that students will
want to come here and student teach. I can also add that we have had parents host um college students that if they were interested in coming uh and they're not from the Carmel area but they've heard of Carmel Clay Schools and were interested. We've had parents in the
past host a student over a couple of nights and then we would take them on a tour and visit visit classrooms and so on and so forth. So that has been an option we've utilized in the past as well. Is there any possibility for any of those students that they could then use
housing at IU Indie? Is that is there education department at IU Indie? >> There is. Yes. >> Thanks, Dr. Herrera. the one thought that popped in my head. Um, I know there's been some opportunity where the
school district and the city have sort of had these great conversations and there's been some opportunities to do some collaborative work and I know that the city also has an initiative that they've done to sort of like keeping you know young professionals in Carmel and I
didn't know if maybe there's an opportunity to sort of engage in that dialogue alongside city um while there isn't a direct correlation to education but It may be just young professional to young professional. I know that there might be some caramel uh teachers that
are involved in that initiative also. So just another idea to to float out there. I'm really looking forward to hearing uh more about the state interviews. I know that when they were done last year, there was some really good information that came out of them. And I think um as we continue to do those, not only are
they helpful for the HR department and for the board and do they inform things, but I think culturally for the employees, they become more sort of ingrained in the culture and people become more and more comfortable and the information that comes out of them becomes more valuable to help the
organization continue to advance itself. So, it'll just be really neat to see how that sort of goes on and on. >> Thank you. >> Uh, thanks for the presentation, Dr. Herrera. The, uh, just a question on the numbers that 28 placements for fall and
15 for spring semester. How does that contrast to previous years? Is that similar number or more? >> You know, I don't have that data in front of me, but I can provide you with that. I I can tell you since I've done it for the last six years that it's uh it's right on track with about what we
do. I think we're around 60 student teachers every year around there. I I think we peaked at 72 as our high in the last maybe seven or eight years. Um but we will easily add 10 to 15 more for a second semester as we work with the
universities and college. So it's right in the ballpark of about what we're doing um what we've done in the past. >> Thank you. I'm just going to reiterate reiterate what everybody else said to say thank you for this. This was great. I you may not be able to answer this and I so I
can email. Um what percentage would you estimate of people that do the stay interviews? I I think you guys you presented on this in in the spring we talked about I'm just trying to remember. Yeah, I don't have a percentage in front of me, but in last spring, we did 60 face-toface interviews
and then we provided opportunity for everyone that was not selected to still complete the survey and provide us with feedback. >> Okay, that's right. And then something similar for exit interviews. Is that the same thing to people? Is that something they have to because you your last slide talked about stay and exit. Do they have
to do that? Is that a process? >> They don't have to. Um but we do provide that as an opportunity. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next up, we have our monthly financial update. Mr. Mcichael, >> thank you. Um, so, uh, the, uh,
strategic goal that, uh, will be, uh, focused on this report is is budget transparency and stewardship. Um, which is involving managing financial resources with transparency and efficiency. So, that's what this is reflecting. uh key initiative will be to
continue to hold strong uphold strong fiscal responsibility and transparent operations and maint which will m also maintain the public's trust. And then finally on uh per as a performance measure it's budget reports aligned to the strategic goals in a referendum
transparency along with this monthly financial report. So with that, I'll begin with the uh education fund and and um the operating referendum and the rainy day fund. We're we're through the end of August. So just u you know about this first quarter of
the year. Um there's been a lot of changes. So it's very difficult. You can compare last year to this year. Um, but that's uh you have to have some other information or it won't make much sense to you because on we've had several things and most of these you've heard before. But on the one hand, our rainy
day fund, we were able to increase that $3 million as compared to last year and u on a minus though we we you may recall we we closed out the textbook fund as that transition. So now the revenue comes from the state into the education
fund. And so that was uh $1.5 million. That'll balance itself out as we uh adopt as we go forward in the adoption cycle. Some of the uh the years are the cost is much less for example for foreign language and so forth as
compared to say lit literature things like that and so that will take care of itself over time. Uh and then this year for the first time we ordered uh about a million three of textbooks um for this upcoming year and that is a lighter adoption year. Um and we start receiving
funds and so we in the first six months we will receive uh state funds that will offset pretty much offset the first half and then we'll start to gain the second half but you won't see that in this budget year. And so overall though that we're we're pretty much on track. Uh
unfortunately you recall in previous presentation that we do anticipate declining as over the course of this calendar year and then even further over the course of you know the fiscal year. Uh the funding uh and you've heard a lot of publicity about it but the funding is
just not sufficient to maintain the program that we have. Um and I'm talking about the state formula. Um and likewise then the uh Senate Bill one that you've heard about for property tax that property just taxes in general are being
property taxes are being suppressed and state taxes which is primarily sales tax is increasingly going out of the same am same sales tax percentage. Uh increasingly there are there's funds coming kind of off the top of that uh
that are going to everything from vouchers to to charter schools and most recently textbooks. Um and um I'm personally very supportive of the textbooks. I you know we're one of the we're one of the few states that uh charge parents for textbooks and so
that's that's a positive on the one hand in terms of that but but it came out of the same pot that there's not any more money going into it. Uh so it's being you know the those dollars are being u uh spread to more and more initiatives and thus leaving money overall and so
that's a problem that we'll have to we'll be discussing most you know as during this upcoming year and and certainly before uh we get to you know this time next year and you you heard that in the budget report. So uh going to the operations fund we're up about
$500,000. Um it's too early to tell, you know, to get too far out on that. But um because the nature of that fund, unlike the education fund, it's primarily salaries and benefits. This is about half salaries and benefits, but it's also everything non-personnel things,
everything from buses to maintenance uh expenses, and they're not necessarily um proportionate to whatever time of the year you're at. So So um but it's, you know, we certainly we project that we're in pretty good shape in this fund. uh in
spite of the the immediate impact of the u property tax legislation. Um and we are because you you you know that we have been able to to move some money from this fund to the rainy day fund uh which is a good thing. It's helped us
increase our cash balance to a little higher level. At the same time as as we'll be negatively impacted by the suppression of property tax u the first year we'll be in pretty good shape because of that. we we will have far less money any excess revenue. I don't
know that we'll have excess but but we should be able to bring the first year to cover our anticipated expenses. But unfortunately, I tried to be optimistic, but unfortunately that legislation continues to uh further suppress property tax between now and in the next
seven or eight years. And so it'll be a kind of a steady uh decline, you might say. and and uh again we'll we'll we'll manage that to the best way possible as we always do. Um and so I'm optimistic in that respect but but there there will
be difficult decisions to make as we as we go forward. And then finally on the rainy day fund as I said we're we're at 7.5 million and a year ago we were 4.5. Uh and so that's contributing to our overall cash reserves which um at this
point in time um we certainly will welcome the fact that we have cash reserves uh that will certainly help us through a rainy rainy period you might say. So with that I'll conclude the report. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments
>> from the board? Uh yeah, it'll be really important to watch this report each month and I as I've mentioned before, I appreciate it. Gives us a good uh window into how are we progressing, you know, if we're
heading towards uh some difficult challenges. We can see it pretty early on. So, I appreciate the report. We did mention that the uh you and I had a little email conversation on the supplies and property. >> Yes. and uh you'll get some more information
on that. Those look like they're they're at their budget limits for both uh both funds. Uh they're not a huge amount, but it's just something that help this helps us keep an eye on those things. So hopefully there's a good explanation. It's just a maybe not a smooth >> Yes.
>> month or something. >> Yes, I appreciate the the u u your question on that. Um, I haven't gotten to the full answer yet, but as I begin to look into that, frankly, the supply in the education fund is relatively minimal. I mean, it's in the context of
the entire fund, it's about 3% or less. However, it all it's all money and it all adds up. So, uh, and we are likely going to be short of appropriation in that fund based on the trend that we're at so far. I also though looked at our
purchase services and that's just the opposite there. We're we're running ahead and we'll likely not use all the appropriations. So, and there's a similar picture in the in the U operation fund as well. Again, the supply account is is looks like it's going to come it's likely going to come
up short. Uh on the other hand, the other the uh uh the line item for purchase services is likely to have excess. What I don't know is why just yet, but now that that question's been raised, I will. It's there's enough difference in the operation fund that I I need to know, you know, whether it was
a coding issue or or difference in expenses or what. And so, right, and as I said, I'll I'll get back with you guys in in couple days. And just one last comment, uh we talked about this looking forward in the uh the budget says if we can get a a similar uh
chart on safety referendum fund. >> Yes, >> as he said, >> and I believe we included that this time thanks to your comment again on on in the U budget presentation, but not here. We can certainly do that here as well. Great. >> Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you very much, Mr. McMichel. >> Thank you. Uh, up next I have a legislative update. I know the legislature is not in session, so this will be brief. Um, I was part of the Indiana State Indiana School Board Association legislative
committee. And so we h we worked for a whole day on Friday, August 1st, and then um through email for a whole another month and a half to come up with legislative priorities that um basically
asks for the legislature to look at, things to change, things to include um for this upcoming uh legislative session. So I will just give you a couple of these that are pertinent to our school district. Um, a big one is, uh, regulatory relief. We are going to
try again this year to get GAP accounting for Mr. Mcichel's sake. Um, for several of us big school districts, um, would this was a basically a pilot system a decade ago or longer and um, has just never gone away. Um, and it it
for us in other large districts, it it's a cost increase of over $100,000 and, you know, something around 900 hours of extra work every year that doesn't really give us any benefit. So, looking to see if they will get take that off
our um giving local control on SBOA audits. That's another thing that kind of that adds to the cost for some of us districts. um repeals of laws that restrict use and transfer of school buildings. So trying to see if we can get the dollar law repealed or amended
um in some way. um adding AED compliance spe flexibility. Um one of a new public law this year um requires that um AED the um automated external defibrillators be present at at events where students
have an increased risk of of sudden cardiac arrest. But like with some other some laws or a lot of laws there it wasn't very specific. it wasn't. So, trying to get more information in that um so that we can understand when we need to have that and when not. Um
let's see the other one. Um we would really like we asked to have um this is under tiff and taxing matters um to have a the schoolboard member um and for us it's Greg on the uh local redevelopment commission to be a voting member. So as
of right now um the redevelopment commission board member appointee um it goes to meetings, attends meeting, has conversation but is not a voting member um in entities in the state of Indiana. Uh the other one I think the last one
I'll talk about is and again some of these are just clarification of laws that were just passed um because sometimes again things are passed that aren't very clear. Um so trying to um get some more information on the what is called the cooling off period for uh go
or general obligation bonds. So this was in Senate enrolled act one. Um so again just trying to kind of clarify some of that information. Um and I lied one more um trying to um in the state of Indiana the um fines and penalties for stop arm
violations when people pass school buses when their stop sign is out. um it's not really easy to enforce and and and so ISBA feels that that's a really big important safety issue for us to to try to see if we can get a change to making the penalties uh a little tougher for
that violation. >> That is it. Um next up is Dr. Orike with this report. >> Well, good evening everyone and thank you very much. Before I get into the superintendent report, I'm going national with this report. So, I just want to let you know it's going to be
all focused on different national recognitions here in Carmel. But before I do that, I just want to say thank you to the team for your great reports uh tonight. I really appreciate it. Dr. Dudley, to you, Dr. Ferris, and the team at the high school. As Mrs. Kok said, this is for the past six years, this has
been one of my favorite board meetings to hear about the new opportunities, which is part of our mission um that we're going to have for our students at Carmel High School. So, thank you very much. Also, uh, happy birthday to Mr. Brown yesterday. I heard you had a great day and so just want to wish you a happy
birthday tonight. Um, and then also congratulations to Mrs. Kay on a great ISBAs uh, presentation at the uh, fall conference here in Indiana and it was on the topic of our strategic planning process and so you did a phenomenal job
and just want to say thank you for that engagement at the state level. All right, so let's go national now. So, the first uh people I'd like to recognize are our 52 students that have been named National Merit Semi Finalist. And these
academically talented seniors now have the opportunity to continue on in that competition uh to uh achieve scholarships worth almost $26 million that will be awarded this spring. So, 52 number 52 is a huge number. This
achievement reflects Carmel High School's long-standing tradition of excellence and academic achievement. Over the past three years, Carmel High School has consistently ranked among the top schools in the nation for the number of national merit semi-finalist we have
each year. These students represent less than 1% of the highest scores achieved in the nation. And so while this recognition highlights the talent and dedication of our students, it underscores the commitment of our Carmel educators, their families, and our
community in supporting academic success. So 52, that number will never get old with me. The number of students that we recognize on that national level. In addition, just recently, in addition to the National Merit semi-finalists, uh we Carmel High School
uh just announced that we had 54 National Merit Scholarship commended students and uh we're very proud of these students for being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended students are recognized based upon their outstanding performance on
the PSAT. um as well as these students are representing uh some of the highest scores in the nation. I believe it's in the top 2% around there of the highest scores. Um so uh having 106 of our
students being recognized uh nationally is quite an achievement and congratulations to all of our students. You can head to our website and see all of their names individually as well. So let's keep the national recognitions moving along. Um, just I believe today I
uh received a email from Mayor Mayor Frinkham that livability had uh nationally ranked top 10 cities for exceptional education and Carmel uh the city of Carmel and Carmel Clay schools were ranked fifth nationally. Um and so
we're proud to be a part of this community consistently recognized among the best in the nation. Uh the city of Carmel ranked number two on Livability's top 100 best places to live and as I said number five nationally for quality education and our schools reflect that
excellence each and every day. Liv livability stated in their article that Carmel Clay Schools consistently ranks as a top rated school district in Indiana and has a strong reputation for academic excellence and achievements. Students perform well on standardized
tests as we just heard uh have high graduation rates and have access to a wide range of academic programs as we just heard like AP courses, dual credit options and college prep. We are very that's the end of the quote. Uh we are very proud of our national rec
recognition for our cities and for our schools. I want to thank our teachers, our staff, our administrators, our parents, uh the city of Carmel, and also you, our school board, uh for your continued support of our school. So, congratulations to the city, our parents. Lots of parents here in the
audience tonight. We appreciate you all. Um, also another national recognition, Caris Reed, who is a freshman at Carmel High School, won the Drive, Chip, and Putt Regional at Valhalla and has qualified for the national championship
at Augusta National Golf Club at the Masters. And so mark your calendars, Sunday, April 5th to watch her compete on the Golf Channel. Now, this is the second time Caris has gone uh onto the Masters um for this national recognition
and this time in a different age group. So, we're very proud of Caris. Congratulations to her. Also, congratulations to the Carmel High School girls golf team who just won the sectional yesterday and they are moving on in the IHSAA um state tournament on to regionals. So,
go Hounds. And then finally, one last national recognition tonight, and this is going to be our bell ringer this evening, Mr. Keith Turner. Congratulations, Carmel High School teacher and planetarium director on receiving the 2025
Thomas J. Brennan award from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific uh which is a national honor that celebrates his exceptional impact on astronomy education both in the classroom and throughout our community.
So from leading hands-on telescope projects to hosting the 2024 total solar eclipse event, uh Mr. Turner continues to inspire curiosity about the universe and expand opportunities for all learners. So, congratulations to Mr.
Turner on this welldeserved national recognition. And that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Lots of exciting things. Uh we have a couple announcements tonight, including uh next Friday, October 3rd,
we have a school board special session. If you want to join us, that is at 7:30 a.m. Um October 6th through 10th, we have the CCS fall break. Our next meeting is Tuesday, again, another Tuesday meeting, October 14th for our workshop session. Uh then our regular
schoolboard session is Monday, October 27th. And then Monday, October 10th, we have uh the next schoolboard workshop session after that. May I have a motion to adjurnn? I move to adjurnn. >> May I have a second?
>> Second. Meeting adjourned.