Please, >> please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance 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. call meeting um as part of the opening and I'll read the district mission statement in partnership with the communities. The mission of the Dorth Lynon Filton School District is to educate individuals in an environment of trust and respect so they
become a self-directed responsible law get the whole Mr. Um, we also have >> Tracy Tracy and Katie and
>> All right. And various guests. Welcome to everyone that's come to our board meeting. This is the most people we probably had ended up working. So, we're excited to have you all here. Um,
move on to the agenda to adopt the agenda. Do we have any changes to the agenda? No changes. All right. We have a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. So >> motion by Nicole second. >> Second by Troy. Any questions or
discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion carries on to number five. This is for public comments and rebel recognition. And I know we have just a lot of folks here for public comments.
And I will just know we have a policy on um on speaking in front of the board. Policy 206. And I just want to make sure everyone knows that there's two things that come to my mind when I think of the policy. One is not to make disparaging
remarks about anyone. I don't think anybody's going to do that but I always like to mention that so that we don't have incidents where we have to stop the board meeting. The other is privacy. We want to talk
about uh private matters related to students or staff. Please don't do that. You can certainly say nice things about people and I'm sure we'll hear some of that too. So we welcome that. Um, but those are just the two things I like to
tell everyone. Sometimes I'm able to tell everyone in private, but we have lots of speakers here today. So, I just thought I would say that to entire group. All right. So, I'm going to um we're going to
just call individuals basically as I have them on my list. You'll have five up to five minutes to speak. You don't have to speak for five minutes, but you're certainly welcome to. Um, and are you the time keeper? Troy will keep time and he'll let you know when you're getting close when you've got a minute
left. Let's say that. Fair. All right, we'll start the first speaker. And if you're in a group, that's fine. If I call somebody um and there's a group of folks that are going to speak at one time, that's fine. Um, but the first one
is Aiden Marciel. Did I say that right? >> Well, I apologize. How do I How do you say it? >> All right. My first point I would like to make today college. While a study done by the American Council of Alumni and Trustees
says that only 11.5% of US colleges require a foreign language that a quote unquote vast majority of prestigious institutions do require one. And if you do not have one, almost any college is going to send you down consideration by
considerably one. So why are DGF students being set up with such a mediocre level of performance? As a transition point, do any of you remember John Noler, the national famous photographer who went last week, the one who could be argued as internationally
influential in his fighting for peace? Well, this highly accomplished and respectful said that when asked on this issue, one does not know a foreign language realizes that it would be highly beneficial in his line of work and help him understand the community trying to
bring together and foster. So, if foreign language is important, why is it meaning? My final point I would like to make is has to do with the petition that was put up on February 12th on Roberts Roberts
Robert in 5 days it received 97 signatures in high school in one day received 22 minutes from high school 24% if the students of DGF care about languages this much
should we not try to protect we Thank you for your time consideration. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next on the list is uh Joe. Hi. >> Hi. >> This is like a speech to myself. Can I
get the two? I'd like to briefly address the decisions you are all about to have to make regarding cutting extra foods. You will hear from my son and classmates friends um speak on this shortly. If any
of you know my son Ryan and his achievements, then you will know that I'm just hoping not to embarrass him right now. And the fact that I'm actually reading this instead of memorizing it is probably I promise and his team he and his team would cry.
I understand that these are consequences of a failed referendum. We all do. We cannot change that. Neither can anyone here. I know there are a lot of people unhappy with how funding was handled previously. And the best thing right now is to show that we are responsible with the money that we have. So that next
time we ask for this money, we could pass. That being said, part of using money wisely is understanding that sometimes value is not something black and white. I'm going to use debate in Riverwatch as my examples because I know Rambling is in them and that because
debate is not a new problem program at DGS but Riverw watch is and I would like to add he is not the only student affected by these things but I know him a little better than any other student. Ryland is a junior who excelled in speech and debate. You might recognize
him because between debate speech knowledge bowl and Overwatch plus many others he lands on the school Facebook page at least once a time. Even though we've had alumni even so we've had alumni tell us that he's on there more than any quote unquote star athlete.
Ryland has been amazingly successful and we are extremely proud of him. We are happy that his school seems proud of him too. He has been in the national speech and debate competition twice and is qualified to go yet again. This is an opportunity to earn a competition, not
merely by signing up. What other programs have students winning the opportunity to compete nationally in the school's recent history? You can only think of academic programs like robotics, speech, and debate. We recently learned that he and two other debaters have qualified and awarded the
honor of academic all-American for their efforts in speech and debate. Riverwatch, a club that teaches students about conservation and their environment, is a new program to the school, but already the participants have won multiple awards for their projects and competitions, including
gold at regionals just weeks ago. Gets the kids out of the classroom and learning in a real world environment. This is something we are learning is very valuable to students, getting them out of the classroom. There's been a push for that and Riverwash does just
that. And now we're talking, right? When we've got these kids, what we're what are we offering academically in place of what are we offering students who don't fit into the mold of an athlete? What extracurriculars can our students participate in if they are
not going to be athletes that they can put on their resume for scholarships and for admission to universities? As a school, the purpose is to educate. There are certainly life skills that need to be learned from athletics, but athletics simply aren't everyone. No one
is suggesting that athletics are somehow less. What we're saying is we need to make efforts to keep extracurricular activities available to students that don't have an interest in athletics. What you may not know is like athletics, academic extracurricular kids are
practicing after school every day. They're working on projects at home. They're getting on buses at 5 or 6 a.m. on Saturdays all winter long and off of them 12 hours later. Most of the time and dress codes. Anybody that grew up here knows that period.
Additionally, I requested some information about extracurriculars, including budgeting, what decisions, how decisions were made, and now we found out the spreadsheet the information was old and inaccurate. So, have the coaches
of these programs been allowed to submit updated budgets? Have they been asked to cut costs to make their programs more affordable to the school? I am told in at least two instances they weren't cut. They were simply told that they were cut. I've had communication with the debate coach and the cost she conveys
appears much lower than what was provided to us on the spreadsheet that was from 2024 2025. At the very least, there appears to be a disconnect between what the coaches understand the cost, what the school understands the cost. I encourage you to work with the coaches of the programs
before simply cutting them. There may be other avenues and uh they are willing to consider them as much as for instance applying for grants, fundraising for the community, trimming just trimming expenses. Before decisions can be made in motions passed, it's obvious that
there needs to be more work done. As a part of the f, please keep in mind that cutting an assistant position from an athletic team does not eliminate the entire program. Those athletic teams are still available to students. There's
nothing left. The academics Oh, shoot. My last line is the good one. >> Say your last. >> All right. >> Point of order. >> Thank you. Those children are simply left without and without is never a
place that a school should ever leave children. Got. >> All right, we've got Bandy Lambert such a hard task ahead.
pass this big budget that or this budget that doesn't allow very much. We get that. Um I'm coming at it as a parent of a a graduate from 2023 who excelled in
the in band. That was her dance. Pep band, jazz band. Um my daughter Aubrey here who's a junior. She excels at speech debate. She excels at um River. She loves money and and um
using government. Everything that has been successful for my children is now being cut and it bothers me as a parent um to see that there's not other
opportunities that will be presented to them. Um and and in these opportunities made these my girls feel very connected to the school and without them they there wouldn't be a connection. So I think
that that does need to be considered as we look at turning these costs um what students how they participate in school and addressing the need of
>> Thank you. All right, we've got Sophia Williams. >> Yeah, >> I think they have an order. >> Oh, we have an order. What's just the the debate group that wants to come up?
Facebook. We have Jennifer. >> You guys can >> No, you're the >> members of the school board. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Pson. I'm a sophomore here at DJF High
School. I've been enrolled in this school district since I was a toddler. And through my time so far, I've had the pleasure of being part of more clubs and extracurricular activities than I can count with my fingers. >> I'm already out fingers. Uh anyway, from
robotics to student council to Jasmine, there's a high chance that I will be seen in a yearbook photo. The reason for my involvement goes further than wanting accolades on college applications. It comes from my deep love of learning and insatiable curiosity that I've gained
from being in this district. I come to you tonight in hopes that you will reconsider this continuing the funding of several of our great extracurricular programs in our district. A substantial amount of what students like I need to truly thrive in this
learning environment is at risk and for all the wrong reasons. Tonight, we will take a look at one program near and dear to mine and many others' hearts. Congressional debate. After the conclusion of the last schoolboard meeting two weeks ago, in
referencing the result of a vote, my mother asked me what abstain. Through my experience in debate, I was easily able to explain what abstaining was, a lack of a vote, and its result. But debate is more than just facts about
parliamentary procedure. In debate, several representatives from many schools across our region compete in chambers that are similar to the Congress of the United States. Speakers give three minute speeches for or against a bill that is written by
students. These bills discuss actual current events that need real solutions. And often times the students are amazing at finding these solutions by weighing the pros and cons of both sides.
Personally, I was able to find my true voice through debate because it forced me to get up in front of a room of strangers and speak. I was able to be pushed out of my comfort zone. And by doing that, since I joined last year, I
have grown exponentially in not just my speaking and writing ability, but in my confidence, my ability to stay informed, my critical thinking, my research skills, my perseverance, and my collaboration with others to reach a
common goal. I would not be speaking here tonight without debate. When I went to the state qualifier meet in early December of last year at Egan High School, one particular mantra that was plastered around the school really
stuck out to me. Arts, athletics, academics. If Egan can do it, why is it impossible for our school DGF to have an equal balance of each? It's more than possible for us to have a great balance between the three. But
with significantly more cuts to our academics and arts departments compared to our athletics, we can see that the balance is not present and there is no effort to make it appear that way. Although some of the athletics are facing personnel cuts, there is no
complete elimination of programs like we can see for the arts and academics. This is simply unjust and no person should be able to stand for this. to eliminate our nationally qualified debate program, our first place winning
Riverwatch program, and our own pet band among many, many other cuts in academics and arts programs in place of heavier cuts to athletics for the sake of balancing the budget does not make sense in the slightest. Members of the school board, for the
sake of fairness and for the sake of many students like me who rely on these programs to thrive in our district, please consider voting against item 9.2 on today's agenda. Thank you for your
time. >> Okay, I think we'll go to the big group. As Isaac touched on before, debate is an important activity that builds on lifelong skills. It is a foundation upon which leadership skills are developed
and strengthened. Through debate, we learn essential skills being well informed and considering both sides. This is how we grow our skills to be confident, effective leaders in our community, states, and nation. Debate has taught me how to articulate my
thoughts, think deeply on issues, and speak publicly with confidence. We understand district is facing difficult determinations right now. We know hard choices have to be made and there needs to be cuts in some areas. However, the debate program is something that could
still continue while keeping costs manageable. We are willing to make adjustments and have already found ways to help reduce some of the costs. Miss Martin has been working on getting grants that she's already very likely to receive. This means the debate program
would not rely entirely on school funds. In fact, most of the funding needed could come from these grants. There are other ways to cut costs as well. If debate is allowed to continue, the coaching salary would be shared between a head coach and an assistant coach. The
assistant coach would also serve as the team strategies. This would significantly reduce both the coaching and transportation costs. Difficult choices have to be made. You are in a hard position as board members. We want to work with you to find ways to make
the program more affordable where we can. Debate is something that is worth keeping. It provides so many important opportunities for students and teaches skills that can be applied in all areas of life, both now and in the future. With the grants being applied for and
adjusting and adjustments being made in coaching and transportation, we believe debate can continue in a way that allows students to have the benefits while being mindful of the district's tight budget for the 2026 2027 school.
>> Just pause for a second. What was your name? >> Aubrey. >> Aubrey Lambert. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Aubrey. >> Hello, my name is Sophie Williams. I am a part of the unusual GM debate club, Riverwatch and headband. I am not usually someone to speak. I often times
meaning officer. I conduct meetings and procedures. Um in le of this however I will be speaking today as all of the activities I'm enrolled at DGF are being helped but today my focus is on the debate program and particularly the
aspect about anxiety public speaking as well as familiarity in a world that is ever increasingly polar in terms of partisan beliefs. I personally am someone who struggles with public speaking anxiety. I am always shaky when I speak and I get nervous when I see
people. However, debate club has helped alleviate some of that anxiety with how the chambers are structured. It's cutthroat, fast-paced, and you have to be quick on your feet, and you have to know what to say. And I would not be speaking here today if we were not for a debate club. Similar to every other
member of our club, we have qualified for many accolades stated by my fellow debator Isaac. We are we have our students and he is one of our top speakers in our school, if not our county. And yet we're being cut. A small
program with a lot of big potential is being cut into budget costs. We could have built something amazing and yet we are being cut today. Let's not be cut today. Let's allow our program to grow. Let's allow us to learn these abilities, these skills to allow us in a world
that's increasingly poor and help articulate our voices and our opinions in a way that is respectful to others. um acknowledges the opinions of of others and can help of course alleviate some of that anxiety that someone may speak face while speaking.
Please do not cut program. It's it's the lifeblood of us. It's something called dear to our hearts and it helps immensely with a lot of way we've developed. It's helped us our abilities. We need to keep thinking.
>> Thank you Sophia. feel a little cramped. Uh, I'm Robin Hson. My achievement is being Joe's son. So, we've thrown a lot at you tonight. We've thrown the pros, the con, but we need to understand a little bit is the context of the program. Now, before the
mid before the early 2010s, uh, our debate program wasn't congressional. It was public form. Meaning, you've got one person over here, one person over here, and they're yelling at each other. But in the early 2010s, our local survey, the schools that we competed in within the region, closed down. They all
decided instead of competing locally, they were going to take the long trip down to the Twin Cities every weekend. At first, we considered the same opport same option. The problem, as you probably can guess, that means overnight trips. That means paying for hotels. That means longer time. And longer time
spent the bus means more money spent on transportation. So, we went with a different option. We worked with local schools such as in Underwood in Baiji to create a local congressional debate program going away from one-on-one yelling to a whole group of people yelling at each other. The benefit was
also immense in terms of the finances because we switched to congressional debate in a local circuit. We cut down travel time, cutting down transportation costs. The way our circuit works as well, debate coaches pay for food, they pay for awards, they pay for coaches, they pay for judges. Because of that,
many schools face low costs with their programs. All it is is transportation. What we have to understand today is that we can change like we did in the early 2010s. But to change, we need to exist. As Isaac has already highlighted, our program is nationally acclaimed. As
Aubrey has pointed out, we have the ability to we have the ability to both trim expenses and raise our revenue in ways that does not harm the school's existing budget. As Sophia has pointed out, debate is a key way to build lifelong confidence and speaking ability that can be useful not just in school
but beyond it in college and career opportunities well into the future. And as I pointed out, we are a program that has changed before. We can change, we will change, and we do change. And so what I ask you to consider today instead of cutting our program this year is to
allow us to implement these changes so as to make it so that we are the best program the next year. But to change we need to exist. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next on the list,
Jennifer Conwell. >> Hello. I really resent the fact that I have to follow these kids. It's really articulated. I'm so impressed. Um, and I was just going to wing it, but my daughter told me I had
to write some talking points, so I did. So, um, I would just like to cover a few things. Um, hello board. My name is Jennifer Conlin. Um, our family has four rebels attending the school in third, seventh, and two seniors. And I'm here
to express my concern with the motion to discontinue club activities. Um, we live in Glendon, but up until this year, two or more of our kids were open both at Morehead to take advantage of the Spanish immersion program because I also
find language to be extremely important. um and necessary. And I think you will of course speaking on that topic. Um at the end of last school year, our family decided to enroll all of our children at DGF because um we felt a smaller um
closer community would benefit our kids and we really believed in the the school here. Um, so far I have found that the teachers and staff are um just putting a lot of heart and soul into this school
and um that's really really important. Um I am concerned though about these dwindling opportunities to participate in school sponsored activities that provide growth, learning and connections with peers. Um, I printed off lists of
non-athletic activities at uh surrounding schools. We're tied with Holly right now. Um, Holly and DGF have 20 non-athletic activities offered to students. If we cut five, we'll have 15. That's not a great place to be in this
competition. Morehead offers 25 and Florenceville offers 24. Um, so I think that's really sad. I don't want to be the loser in that competition. Um, I don't think any of these activities should be cut. I think we should think creatively about them, but I'd like to
focus on debate. Um, uh, I've noticed, and I'm sure everybody has, that our society is becoming more polarized and belligerent all the time. Debate has never been more important. According to the Stanford National
Forensic Institution, debate helps students build confidence in public speaking, as my daughter Sophia alluded to, and expressing their ideas eloquently. Preparing for competitions helps them build critical thinking and research skills. It teaches debaters to
look at both sides of an issue. Imagine that. We should try that as adults to form the best possible argument and give students an opportunity to learn how to find and use flaws in someone else's speech. Being able to articulate your own point and consider someone elsees is
becoming a lost part in our society. If DGF truly believes in a mission to nurture self-directed, responsible lifelong learners, I think you have a responsibility to continue to offer debate. I am so proud of my daughters. I
have Sophia here and Ka somewhere up there. Hi Ka. Um they help teach fellow officers of their 4 club how to use Robert's rules to run 4 meetings. In my own career, I belong to a state association. We had a president one year
who did not know how to use Robert's rules. Our business meeting was frustrating and inefficient as other adults tried to help each other bring order to the agenda. It did not inspire confidence. It was not good for our association. So I think our future is in
good hands with these students who really know how to use Robert's rules and be articulate. The five activities you plan or you're voting to discontinue funding for cannot possibly constitute a huge portion of DGF's budget. Please do
not make cuts for the sake of making cuts. Let's think creatively. Let's reduce spending across all activities and athletics equitably. I think the beach's budget is um probably not a huge portion. I'm happy to coordinate a
minivan caravan if that's what we need. I have a swagger wagon. can use it. Um, I'd be happy to help seek sponsors, local law firms. I think we can do this as a community. Give us the opportunity to build community, to bring in the families to support this activity. Let's
solve it together because making right choices is the real way. That's all I have for today. Thank you for listening. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. just didn't write anything down.
So, I'm just going to speak from today. I talked to Marcus and the budget information is from the year before last. This year, they spent 56. Yes, we can negate the two cents and
that would be our plan going forward. When someone said we're not supporting NSDA, I emailed MSDA right away and they gave me a $2,000 grant for memberships in the NSDA which we covered with our
freshmen and I know that there is a $5,000 grant sitting at NSDA and we can probably get that. There are 106 diamond pushes in the United States and one of them and I'm pretty sure they'll listen
to me. I reached out to MBTA, that's Minnesota teachers association and I was promised 1500. I can't fill out the forms because they won't open yet, but right there we're looking at probably enough money to run it. And part part of
what we would part the money that we look at is transportation only. And so in order to transport without hiring somebody from this school, I have always always looked for a college kid who
wanted to learn to be a bait coach and taught them to bait and they would agree to drive. So and this year I didn't coach because I have a bad whatever. Um, but we hired a recent graduate who was
willing to drive. So that's why our costs were only $1,600. And we have some coming debaters sitting in the room here. There's a couple that I've said you would really have to join us. So, I think we can manage a $6,000
budget. And we pay nothing for entrance fees when we go to Biji, Peep Plot Lakes, or Fergus. They pay nothing when they come to us. I did one year host a tournament for the people from North Dakota and get lots of people. Those are
still not paid. So, you know, that was a lot of work with little money to show. Um, I haven't yet found an assistant debate coach who's willing to drive by will probably say yes. So, these kids
work really, really hard. When they talk about legislation, they're not talking about two bills. They will get a stack of eight or 10 bills that they have to work through. And at the tournament, kids decide which bills they will debate
on. So you could spend all of your time working on this one and never get to use the speech that you look for. So there's a lot of work that goes into it and it's in a two week cycle. The only other thing that's outside of that is there's
a large section congress where all the sections go and that's in Egan. And at the same time the Minnesota debate teachers association runs a JV novice tournament. So whatever fits in the van we would take. There's only two people
who are about to speak at the section and the rest would go into MGTA. This year um we pay $40 in which is negligible. So I hope you keep this because these are hardworking,
brilliant young people and they really deserve this chance. And there has been a great deal said about the numbers At one point in time I had 18 pedatators and we went in a bus to Brandon every two weeks and then we went in a bus to
the cities and that was expensive. I didn't like running to the cities every weekend and so we went from going to Brainer to going to the cities for PF every weekend. And on the way home, I just thought one day, well, if I teach
people how to do professional debate, we have a scrimmage circle. And really, I would like everybody to be much closer physically. Um, but we have a scrimmage circle that works now. There are five schools and sixth one joining next year.
So, we'll have more journey soon. And thank you for your time. >> Thank you. All right. Next we have Samis pronounce your last name again.
>> Arrust Armpress. >> Arrust. >> Armbrust. Sam Harrust. Thanks. >> Good evening school board members. It's great to see you all tonight. My name is Sam Armbrush and I'm a nth grader at PIA. You might have seen me at knowledgeable or speech and hopefully by
next year debate if it stays. And for those who don't know me, uh what you need to know is that I adore language learning. Currently, the languages I'm learning are Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Lithuanian, and Swedish. For
many people, language learning isn't a simple hobby. It's years of dedication for the sake of fluency. There are plenty of benefits aside from looking on a resume, but to be fair, the shiny little label of bilingual or even
multilingual looks really nice on your resume. Full language learning also sharpens your decision- making, helps your memory. God knows I need it, sharpens your problem solving, improves your ability to concentrate, and feeds your brain. Even when it comes to
looking neat on resume, a solid 90% of US employers report on relying on employees who speak more than one language. ACTFL 2024. And one in three businesses report a significant language skills gap. But something I've learned
while learning a language is that I also tend to learn about culture with it. And with that breaks down the internal misunderstandings I have about other cultures. And believing something like language learning being present globall globally, especially in high school, can
help break down the misunderstandings we have for others and bring us closer together. I will hear the most disgusting things said about another race or culture, not only in my schools, but even in my neighborhoods, in my families, and most of us don't even
realize it. But with every little stereotype and unrecognized fear we have of other races and cultures, we stop viewing each other as friends, as equals, but instead as anomalies, as specimens, but learning language
alongside learning culture inside the space of a classroom alleviates that. I have learned so much about Spanish culture within my one year of Spanish class. I am a Spanish 2 student. I
jumped ahead. But the amount I've learned just from being in a classroom rather than doing an online app is astronomical. No, no app, no online program could compare to this feeling of community I feel within my peers, within
my classroom. All of us are united under one thing, learning a language. To learn language is to learn culture. To learn culture is to build understanding. To build understanding is to build relationships. To build
relationships is to build community. So why take that away from us? Thank you for your time. ACTFL the benefit of language learning 2024 and ACTFL making our making languages our business.
>> Thank you Sam. All right. Um, now we have Bruce Roberts. Thank you, Sam. My name is Bruce Roberts. I'm Jody Roberts husband. I should say I'm embarrassing.
Agenda. I too like Jody. I'm a teacher. However, I recently retired from MSUM. I love teaching and would have continued, but I realized that too much had changed about what needed to be to be done to reach today's university
students. Luckily, I had already turned 65 and qualified for Social Security and Medicare. My hope was that Jod could also do the same. She turns 64 in April, meaning that she'll still be about a year over before she too can qualify for
social security Medicare. I'm biased. I think that students said hello. The students of DGF High School have been very fortunate.
I have my wife as their teacher. Something that still amazes me is that she does not just teach one thing. She teaches two different foreign language quote
unquote foreign languages. I'm a cultural anthropologist so debate about that. And this year she's also taken on the freshman seminar career seminar. Frankly, I think the administration has gotten a lot of bang for their boss out
of Joe. She loves teaching these students and still gets the high or the thrill of seeing the light bulb go off of their heads. I didn't experience that very much in my last
five years at MSUF, but I did leave on my own terms and I'm very grateful for that. I was also hoping that Jody would be able to do the same. Thank you for your time and your attention. Um that will conclude the public speaker
section. We'll go up to rebel recognition. Unless I missed somebody. Oh, I think I got it. >> Um, well, interesting enough, this was shared with me today about Rya. So, congratulations to you, Ryder. Uh, I
just got this shared with me today. Congratulations. You've earned the academic all-American award. Fewer than 2% of National Speech and Debate Association student members earn the academic all-American award every year. This honor is an indicator of your academic achievement and competitive
success. Celebrate this achievement. You can opt to purchase and you g sorry anyway so congratulations um uh to you and to that
>> any other recognition. >> I have um DGF uh speech placed third in Baiji. I think that was since our last meeting. Um, so congratulations to them. Um, and then I want to commend our, uh, school administration, staff,
counselors, uh, and SRO for when we had our school lockdown the other day. I thought, um, hearing from staff members as well as my own students, um, and from the law enforcement family, I learned that there was good communications to our teachers, to our parents, to our
staff. um speaking from my kids, my kids felt safe and cared for and uh curious but cared for. Um which I think is natural, right? We're fostering that learning. Um and I'm just very thankful for our school district prioritizing the safety when there's a moment of
question. I know there was not certainty that there was a threat um but knowing um what could happen. I was very grateful and just wanted to publicly announce that to our district that I was very grateful um in the event um
something could have happened that was that didn't that we were safe. So appreciative of that. Um also congratulations to TJ, Jacob, and Caleb uh who made it to state for wrestling. I've never been to a large wrestling
event, but I took my son down there and I think my blood pressure was higher than I've ever seen it ever in my whole life, except for maybe having this public speak uh like our students did remarkably tonight. That is probably the only other thing that makes my blood pressure go up um that remarkable. So,
uh congratulations to them as well as a great season for our boys and girls basketball team. Um they showed up um fell short, unsure of what they were dreaming, but um still had terrific seasons. proud of our rebels from all different periods.
>> Any other rebel repres? >> Well, I'm a little biased because I have a kid that's in rock band. But I just want to give a shout out to those three boys that played at past time of the girls basketball game where they
did they worked really hard. Um I heard a loud noise downstairs. Wasn't sure what was going on. But um yeah, they're better than I thought there could be. So really I was very impressed and just a shout out to those guys.
All right, we'll go on to number six report 6.1 business management report. >> All right, thanks. Um we can first just go through the summary that you guys have. for February. So, uh, as far as
February's financials, pretty standard financials. As far as payroll, go back to the normal payroll for this period. The non-certified, it's for the last half of January, the first half of
February. for the certified teachers. So full time and such there. So uh from the last month it went up about 100,000 that second half was much.
Um as far as the uh revenue, um we didn't have any like uh county payments. it was all state aid. So that's why you can see and because we've had our debt payments, there's not really any much seven. So it's mostly
just kind of one um deposits from state gen. So we get kind of caught up from having different approval there. Um and because of that uh because the expenses were pretty
standard, it wasn't surplus. So is there any questions? You can go on to the budget versus actual then again because it was a regular month. Um
there wasn't anything unusual to talk about besides uh you kind of see where you know because we were trying to create some efficiencies from last year to this year. We've done a good job of uh expanding. You see, we've only spent a little over 100,000
this year at this time that we did last year. And because our budget has increased cost, uh we are sitting in a better position compared to what we would expect. Um last month we were about a percent 1.2% to the good from
budget to actual. We have fallen back to about 85%. So it is closing that gap which we would expect because we have a better picture of where our final budget is. So um I would expect that to continue to close but considering last
year we were behind at this point. So that's something favorable as far as like watching our um and uh yeah besides that any questions on that
and then I don't really have anything with construction questions. Y 6.2 activities director. >> Okay. Um so our winter uh activity programming with access exception of speech has completed. Um and I just have
a little bit I want to go through every single thing about each activity there. Um did have some state wrestlers and there also state um spring activities numbers as of today are listed. Spring sport started
today for most most of them all but um >> golf. Yes, golf. Um but a couple bigger things next year um we're having a system change unfortunately. So our school which is our activity scheduler is what they used for many many years
but that got bought out by something called Arbiter um which is kind of where the state is going but many conferences have decided not to go with Arbiter due to its um usability and um customer service and so
is going to be transitioning to a 12b um through bound we will that's where families will use that for registration for all activities. ities ticketing scheduling all facilities scheduling um hyper prairie conference Morehead CL conference are all going on so it's
going to be very hopefully universal it'll be nice somewhere everybody will do the same thing there'll be one app one website so that's where you register um all the facility scheduling all those things that if
you're a parent or a that you use so that is coming and um The transition process is slowly starting um but it will be fully transitioned over on July 1st. Um HOL conference update phase has
decided to part ways with the HOL and they have joined the part conference. So they've been a part of the HOL for a very very long time changed. So I just wanted to make sure you knew about that. There are discussions about having these river falls um but it's very early
discussion and so don't know where that will go yet and then Jason will begin training in April and we'll start transitioning over >> any um they were getting a lot of pressure like they actually were fairly
competitive in a lot of things this year that it hasn't been like that in the past and it doesn't look to be like that in the future. Um they're much smaller if that's part of the reason. So you're joining more.
>> Yeah, I'll probably ask you or whatever whatever. But what I mean the bound or whatever I mean has there been any look at go to the A- rocks or go from a rocks to pound? So, it's weird because it's kind of like they do connect a little bit and all a little bit. Um, but I
think the bound is more for your um your high school activities, not necessarily community education classes, but they do talk. So, I don't really know all about that because I don't need to know all about that. So, >> Tracy, maybe fill fill you in, but yes,
we are hoping. I mean that's one thing we found is like right now of course we just got that up and running which honestly would be pretty good like that but at the same time so many people are making it we have to make the change if they offer the home makes
sense to have under the same we will have it by July 1 so >> yes everything will be done in there for July one yep All right. Thanks, Kate. >> All right, we'll go on to 6.3. Community
education. >> All right. Good evening everybody. Um I share the report with you and just kind of touching base a little bit on um some of the activities that are going on in the community yet. Um and kind of a recap probably for the last couple months as we focus now this spring a lot
of it will be focused on summer back but overall we'll see some of the classes debating the holiday classes a lot of our classes that we saw in like those two areas they filled up so fast I think we just need to offer more um so we'll continue to do that as we go into summer
and into the fall. Um we're partnering with Clay County on the 4 program that that's offering one class a month here. um for all of our elementary those art club we have K through eight um three different classes um that go on art club
for us here on the elementary it's twice a week uh we do K through two or three through four Tuesday or Thursday um and Mrs. Pull teaches that and then we have middle school art club um that that is busy as well. Uh driver's ed the point of impact class we have added too.
Correct. Um so we have May 12th and December 1 that will be offered and continued going forward between classes. Um maybe more of the early before we get into busy summer for Val Helen who helps um instruct that with Eileen and Craig Anderson. So we'll do that twice a year.
Youth wrestling will be wrapping up here shortly. Um that started in November. will go um until um probably for maybe another week or so um working with Katie on facility usage. Preston usually wraps up the end of January for our youth, but they want to be more and more and more.
So, we're trying to make sure we stay out of the way about softball. Um as well, uh boys basketball and girls basketball, K through one, uh that will run April and May. uh second grade uh just started today and that is um going
to be kind of a mirror of our third through eighth grade program. Um we're starting younger and it's offering games on Saturdays and coaches are coaching to kind of get them ready for FMYL. So um we tweaked the schedule a little bit with the two um no student days on the
13th and the 16th. We had to do some adjusting. So we sent that revised schedule out today. Um, and our third through eighth grade that started in September, moves all the way to March. Um, so when you think about it, I was kind of just looking at some data here this last week, 39 coaches in that
program, six Saturday games. Um, and then when you look at facility uses for those um, teams, 18 teams, we had 414 nights um, that teams were in the gym um, which and they also participated in
72 tournaments. So that is all over the place. So um it's a big program. It um a lot of registrations. Um so it, you know, continue to make it better and continue to grow. J volleyball just started last week. We have eight volleyball teams practicing twice a
week. We have a couple home tournaments on March 25th and April 11th. Um where we'll um work with coach Diser and um some of our coaches in C. Um the holiday ball. Um, we talked a little bit about this at our last advisory council meeting. We'll talk more about it at
future ones. Um, just due to the enrollment of um, boys in the pro in the holiday ball, there wasn't a lot. Um, we had about 25 registered and maybe less than 20 showed up. And some of the feedback we heard is we really like that
you need that ball. It doesn't mean we can't offer something um for boys, but it will be another conversation we have as an advisory council to see what um the committee wants to do. Um and just stop me if you have any questions or you can ask me at the end of early childhood
registration open for that. Amber will get kids there on February 10th. Um that is for tots and school readiness. You'll see we have a trailer sign out on Highway 10. Um we have a banner on the fence out here. We're going to send out a postcard next week trying to blitz our
social media. Um we'll have preschool roundup on March 30th, the week after kindergarten orientation. It just gets really busy in the building with both orientation. So this year we decided to split them. Um and then also we're up for reertification of our parentware
rating which is DGF early childhood is a four-star rating. um it's kind of given to the highest child care school age programs that are in the state. Um and that requires our staff to do additional CU training which uh minimum of 10
hours. Um ours is 20 hours plus that they put in extra. Um so um we're going to be do submitting that in May. Um and that that also allows us to get pathway one, pathway $2, and additional um early childhood funding from the state. Uh
Rebel Kids Care opened February 10th. This year it's a little different for summer. We are opening up Rebel Kids Care to non DGF families. Uh priority is given to DGF families, but after that um first window uh first week um we open it
up to non-DGF and we really don't have right now. um we just keep paying them um and we review and um you know I would say we probably have six or seven that are non DGF kids are already enrolled full-time and you know kids the summer.
So maybe that will draw them to our district. So um we'll see um when we get to the fall though then we'll return back to just EGF kids. um staffing. We're busy hiring um for summer. Um we have our um lead um that's going to be
gone going to be out for about four months. So, we're doing some tweaking of schedules um and staffing and moving people around a little bit. Uh we did have nine staff members go through first day CPR training, which was quite a a lot of online training and on-site
training. So, we have that. So to make sure every single classroom has someone trained to seek our first aid so we move on. Um so that went that went great. Um summer wreck I just want to make sure that you see that's the tenative our advisory council. I'm going to give them
an update here in early part of May or early part of April I should say to kind of go through some of the classes that we're going to offer. One thing we're going to tweak is our one of our a couple of our biggest programs is our pre-ball, T-ball, and coach at night. A lot of parent volunteers. Um
we're partnering with Burman County East and Holly this year. So we're going to have one night games, troop games with these four, five, six year olds. So we're going to see how this is going to go. Um so that'll be fun. Um, we're adding 30 plus new, if it's art classes,
physical activity classes this summer. Um, we're building those in Arox as we speak, transportation. I shared with Shannon and I that we won't use the big yellow bus this summer. Um, we're going to use those little buses that we have,
the white one and yellow one to kind of save on some costs. Um, and I was going to, you know, kind of keep the contractor updated on that as well. Um, we shared out an email lastly on course proposals. So, if anybody has a hidden talent or anything they'd like to teach
in uh, community ed, we shared that out to say fill out a course proposal. We'd love to have a conversation um, with you on adding additional classes. Um, I would probably expand a little bit on what Katie talked about with bound. Um, concessions is going to go away from pay
anywhere which is on our platform for credit card usage and use bound. we're gonna partner with them. Um, from a a standpoint, it really isn't the model for facilities. Um, it's more for um, early childhood, wraparound care, things
like that. Um, that's kind of the focus over our rebel store. So, we'll we'll um, the pay anywhere, I should say, is more of the concessions in Rebel store. We'll move those over to bound um, just so that we have all one
platform when we work with markets. So, um, it'll be it's got to be better than pay anywhere. I'll just say that because many times people would come up to use the tap and we'd get that hourglassing thing back and we owe seven bucks, you
know. So, we we want it to be a good experience and I've worked with John and Brand and um they've worked so hard to try to get it to go, but just it just is really quirky. Um, so we're going to try to be consistent newsbound. I um have
another meeting with them on Thursday. So, um it'll it'll it'll be better. But I will say, you know, when it worked, it was great because kids will come up and use um the card for the machine. Um more high schoolers. Um you still have those
kids that come up that are just want to camp, right? They're five. But questions. Is anybody else meeting with the bounces and the concessions at all or is that just us?
>> Uh I don't Nobody around us has been bounced really yet. It's all starting next year. So no. >> Yeah. And I would say Troy when you look when we um I'm not per say she focused more on the activities but concession side it'll still give us the reporting
features. How many sold this? How many sold that? Um, and it just with the clicks that we haven't paid anywhere, by the time we get to the point where we um, accept the credit card, we tap the screen six times. Um, we wanted this
one. You tap a Gatorade, you hit cash credit card, and boom, you're on the screen. So, it's too many clicks. But, we like the the reporting side of it, but just we need to be a little bit more quicker, you know? So,
>> any other questions for >> All right. 6.4 U budget committee report. >> Uh yeah, so we met right before the last uh last board meeting. you know, not not much discussed uh over upcoming
negotiations are going to be occurring here in the late fall or spring. Uh looked at both uh some benefit packages potentially uh that would do and conversations.
Any questions for Troy? We'll go on to 6.5 superintendent report. >> Yeah. First thing on there is March 23rd. So that's our next board meeting. It's going to have to be in Glendon because I'm not going to make that she's here. Move all the book fair stuff. And we also have kindergarten round up that
night. So this might be the wrong place to be. >> It could be um it could be a little disruptive. So we're going to be blending up the community. So March 23rd board meeting and meet back where we land. So just want to make sure you guys
knew that that way Amanda can kind of keep this crazy set up fairly. So that's good. Um, and then I just left at last board meeting I read a statement uh about the budget budget reductions and and I'm not going to read that
again, but the one thing I said last time is that I would talk just briefly about what was said at our referendum meetings regarding uh what if the operating referendum doesn't pass, what are you going to do? Which is was a
question that was important to ask back then. Um so I just I went through that and what was said and then what the recommendations are um from last week with staff the last board meeting with
staffing and tonight then with extracurricular uh activities as a focus. So I'll just read through I'm going to read through just so I don't miss anything. So, at the school board meeting on Monday, July 14th, the school board voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Huntstead to
develop a general point budget recommendation that includes reductions if the referendum plan is not passed by voters in November 4th of 2025. The budget recommendations would include so we talked about proposed framework for
addressing the impact. We talked about increasing class sizes, reducing all these things. So I'm going to just read through what uh we are proposing. While we initially identified a broad areas of concern, we are now taking specific steps into cutting 1.1 million from our
budget. This includes the difficult reality of staff non-renewals, the reduction of several athletic coaches and academic activities, as well as a reduction in administration, transportation, curriculum, and technology.
district-wide cuts impacting uh addressing that impact is a total of 1.1 million. Some people said, "Why are we cutting 1.1 million if you ask for 850,000?" So, we asked for 850,000 for 10 years this past November. We are hoping to not
have to cut an additional $600,000 next year to make up for the 1.7 that we will not be receiving due to the failed referendum. And I just want to talk about that brief. So, if we would have voted yes last November, we wouldn't have had money this year. We have we would have collected the money this year
and we would have it for next year. Since it didn't pass, if the board decides we could go ask again, then they'll collect the next year and we'll have it the year after. So, in order to bridge the two-year gap of not receiving, um I'm hoping that the
adjustments we make now is going to be enough so we don't have to do anything. um the the 850,000 over 10 years because it was over a 10ear span we figured we can make that work. Some people said as if enough uh we think that we can make
the budget work moving forward over that 10 year period. U now as we get into discussions whether or not we move forward with another referendum uh we'll talk about specifics of that I guess and what we need. So wanted to say that uh one of the things we said we may have to
increase class size. Uh we've eliminated full four full-time positions here in the elementary which has an impact on process. We shifted our ALP. That person's going to go to full-time special ed. So there's going to be some adjustments there. Uh reducing
non-instructional positions. We say that might have to happen. We eliminated an assistant principal position and we reduced the district office staff. We got we released our payrollers in the district office. um reducing programs and positions.
Obviously, we have some things proposed on the board meeting tonight, so everybody knows what those are, and that'll be a board decision tonight. I do want to say that the rationale behind um the extracurricular cuts. The number one focus is on the number of students
that are going to be impacted. Does it make does make it right? Doesn't make it wrong. We just want to impact the least number of students. I also asked Katie to make sure that academics and athletics would have a similar cut. Are they different? Yes, I get that. The
numbers there was more on the athletic side with the programs we cut is on the academic side. So, I understand that argument from you guys. The other thing that I wanted to make sure is what percentage of our budget is the activities? It's 3.91% of our final
budget and our budget cut in extracurricular ended up being 4.12. So very close. That was another focus that I wanted to make sure we did. >> Sorry. Can you say number >> the percent? >> Uh athletics was 3.91%
and we cut 4.12. So yep, building maintenance was the last thing that we had in that frequently asked questions from the B bond referendum uh talks. Uh we did not cut in this a uh this area to maintain our buildings. The average age of the
DJF school building as of this last fall is 40 year 40.21 years old that does include our friend groups and whatnot. So we still have a very old building uh our buildings and that's why the state still is giving us the maximum for
long-term facility maintenance which we know goes to mostly the B and the other issues. I just wanted to make sure I just kind of those were the things that we said we would do. That's how we addressed them
or are proposing we address them. questions for me. What as you look at the legislature and what they've been telling us the last two years, um what can we expect from the
legislature for not this upcoming year but the following year? Uh well, we saw the February for forecast which was good news. So it's not the $3 billion deficit they were
thinking they would have. It's 377 million as their February forecast of a deficit uh in the tales 2029. um had meetings today with MEA and we discussed a lot of that. Um and one of the cuts we
talked about is there have been mandated by statute in 2023 to cut by 2829 250 million out of special ed. Um part of that is they're looking at the access grants that are out there. Um they're
also most likely are going to end up cutting the cost subsidy which we just got an improvement on two years ago and now they're thinking that they might not be able to pay for it. Now the one of the one of the participants today in this meeting uh is
on that task force for special um cuts and he is saying now because of the February forecast was better than projected. Um they're looking at maybe being able to reduce that 250 to some
other number so it's not the same. Um but when they talked to legislators the legislators told them can carry on with your work try to get to 250 and then we'll decide if we make that better. So that's his information. Um this is a
policy year not a budget year and so legislators are worried about running for office again. So they're more focused on their campaigning than they are on other things. Unfortunately, uh it's also a false year, which means they have already set a budget for next year.
Um but we're asking for flexible spending again to free up some dollars here in our district we could use in more than just restricted area. So, I'm hopeful for that. Uh Senator Koop is getting a lot of pressure from the region and he is looking at maybe
potentially doing something. I know there's some other people from the other side of the aisle are looking at the same thing. We're hopeful, but >> they're saying that don't expect much just because of the budget. >> Any other questions for Shan?
>> I'm gonna ask question. So, sorry you, but uh you know, I'm looking at this as I'm staring at your paper here. I'm talking about 1.1 cut and looking at the age 50. uh what we if we cut a million dollar 1.1 this year it
also be the same 1.1 next year that we won't right so it wouldn't be it's not we wouldn't be behind uh no matter what we're still above that 850 that's kind of why this year too because we cut 600,000 coming into this year and Tom
Marcus's report that that's you know it's why we're in a better place yeah and so hopefully this is enough and we're good I just don't know what's going to happen uh moving forward. So, but yeah, didn't sound like an idiot at all. That was a great question.
>> Yeah. Any other questions for Shan? >> All right, we'll go on to 7.1 and this is to approve the regular meeting on February 23rd, 2026. Do I have a motion? Motion by Troy. Is that a second? Second
by any questions or discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> I. Both. Motion carried. >> On to number eight. This is the consent agenda 8.1 claims and accounts. Approve the
bills for March 2026 in the amount of >> $143,000. Sorry. 143. Why can't I say this right? It's the pressure is getting to me. $143,860. >> Treasur's monthly budget report to
approve and file for audit. Treasury budget report approve the resignation of Jen West special education teacher effective March 20th, 2006. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by a second.
>> Any questions or discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Oppos. Motion carries. On to number nine, new unfinished business. 9.1. >> This is to approve the high school course guide and graduation
requirements. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. Second. >> Second. Any questions or discussion? >> I did ask for clarification and I CC everybody CCC everybody in here. Just let you know that I was asking that question. Um Mr. got back to me the
extra um requirement is going to be in 11. So it's just >> Yep. Yeah. It didn't get changed. The other thing and the reason it went back to 24 this is back uh and you guys uh this is what I shared or Joe shared with
me today that the requirements changed uh when there was a box schedule and then COVID and some of that stuff was different uh and it's never been corrected back to 26 and if you guys remember I think he shared in his report um that we have high school seniors that
basically are done uh they only have like one or two classes they don't have to take anything else and it's creating a little bit of So he said we should we need to get back to 26. And so that's the process of getting back to 26. So kids still are in class and they're learning and not having open hours or they don't care
about a class that they signed up for because they don't need that elective credit because they're going to graduate in which created some issues. That's the the major reason by this. But yeah, that document didn't have the where they were laid out. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Any other questions or discussions? Hearing none. All those in favor say I >> I vote. Motion carries. 9.2. This is to approve the discontinuation of funding for the following extracurricular
programs debate pep model event youth government and rivers. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by Laura. Should I have a second? >> Second by any questions or discussion? >> I do have a question. Um so we talked a
lot or listened I guess a lot about the debate and different funding sources if we choose to um vote in favor of that but they are able to rally and get funding that is not affecting our budget. Is that an opportunity for them to be able to have discussion later in
reinstating the program? >> I have no problem revisiting with it. I I think the one thing that we want to make sure of is is that annual sustainability. If that's the case, we can do something else. I you know, for sure it'd be like
anything else if somebody comes and said, "Hey, can we add this program? Okay. Well, how are we going to fund it? How is it going to be managed?" Um that's something we'd always be open to. And I think that would be the same thing here. >> Uh we, you know, um Kathy had shared
some things she's already done. Um, I guess for me as your superintendent, I just want to make sure there's sustainability there and what does that look like for the next year to the next year because I don't want to keep having kids like are we going to have it? We're not that's not going to be there. So I I
definitely discuss >> and then I wanted to uh commend everybody who was willing to come up and speak today. I think that it's a hard discussion and a hard conversation. And I can assure you that when we had meetings to learn about what the budget was going to look like and how what
courses and programs were going to be um discontinued, a lot of the same questions that you guys asked were the questions that our fellow board members asked and were uncomfortable with um and likely lost some sleepover. So, I just want you to know that these were not um
made lightly. And I can tell you that I came from a larger district where I graduated with 500 plus kids. Um so coming to a small district, I was very concerned that um my kids weren't going to have a place. They weren't going to have a group. They were going to be on the outside because even in a large
district, I saw that that could happen. And so a lot of you guys speaking about coming to our district and having a place uh to belong and to feel like you can be successful is very important. it was important to me. Um, and I was probably more concerned than I needed to
be about uh my kids fitting in. Um, but I want everybody to know that I think it's important to our entire board that all kids find home um in a place they belong um and we don't take that um lightly. And I also like the comment on crosscultural communication. I teach
that to our program partners. I know that it's important and I've encouraged my kids to uh continue pursuing um ideas outside of you know the typical box. So I just want to commend everybody and just wanted to put those out there that I know that those discussions have been
had on multiple levels uh in our board. >> Any other discussions or discussions? >> So the comment was made today about $5,600. Is that not? I mean is that the is that the is that the right number or is that the
number accurate number? Yeah, that's >> we don't expect anything. >> I mean, I'm struggling with this today as I as I look through and find out the conversations I had prior to prior to coming in here tonight that this this
program is costing us substantially more per student per student than that. might do the math now and I don't know if it's eight kids if that's the correct number or not. Now we're looking at a $700 type of cost per student or whatever and there's a lot of information that I was given or I received was substantially
higher than that. So it makes me want to question if we're making the right call here. Uh my feeling was we wanted to look at this of what it was possible. So just my
>> any other questions or discussion? >> Well, I would just say nobody wants to do any of this. I mean, nobody wants to cut anything, frankly. Um and you know the scary prospect for the school board and I say just have been on
it for some time is um you know we're not in a great financial spot with the state and the state's not really I don't want to blame everything on the state because I'm certain that we probably made some decisions over the last 10 years that could have been
better. Um but you know that along with some of the decrease in students that we've seen over the last 10 years just put us in a in a tough spot and nobody wants to cut anything. And I don't know
I think the process that the administration went through to look at the different programs looking at costs per student the alternatives. Um I know one of the things that we looked at was I think with the model UN
youth government a lot of times that's funded through the YMCA. Is that right? >> Or through >> it's a club that's >> typically a club. >> It's not it's atypical for this area. Um so I mean I appreciate the
administration. It's a difficult thing to ask to do something that you know is going to impact students and nothing that anybody wants to do to impact students. And I think this district has done a
good job of cutting without impacting students a great deal. And now we're just kind of down to that point where we're looking at some cuts that are definitely impacting students and potentially staff. And that's that's no
fault. Nobody wants to do it. >> This is a sorry not the last. >> Do they have to be voted on as long? >> Well, as as the resolution is said here, it is it would be to separate it. If you want to separate it, that would have to
be at the next meeting. >> Yeah. >> Is this a resolution? >> It's not a resolution. Can I make a motion? >> You can make a motion. >> Can I make a motion to separate the extracurriculars and separate?
>> Motion has been made to separate the extracurriculars into separate. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second. Any questions or discussion? >> I don't think that's a fair thing to do. Um I think our our administration has
worked hard to um make these recommendations and um obviously we had a large contingent for debate u but that doesn't mean that some of these other programs don't have kids who are just as passionate um but maybe less um likely
to come up and speak in front of our our school board. And I just think that that would be unfair in this small. >> Any other questions or discussion? >> Um, Angela, what was your thought?
>> I mean, we had a lot of conversation as it stands, right? I mean, that link is in secret. Um, so that one I feel like has deserved a se a separate vote outside of the rest of them. Now, if others don't agree with it, then that's
fine. But the decision for me personally to vote on that one separate isn't a result of conversations. >> So in essence, what you would like to see is debate voted on separately. That would be
>> Yeah. >> Any other questions or discussion? >> I just think knowing that what Nicole asked earlier like if if we go back and they any if they do find funding and it's something that can be it's not like finaliz
but they're all important and all appreciated by And I think it's good to be clear on the original motion is not to dissolve programs but to dissolve funding for the programs. I mean it's perhaps a
distinction without a difference but I think it is putting the focus right where it should be is this is not a referendum on whether or not the program is excellent. We all know the debate program is excellent and as well as
river watchers and and death band Phil and model. I mean we just they're all good programs but this is just about the funding. I just wanted to make sure that was that was clear. >> Yeah. Just just so and I don't think I
said it in the other statement. I mean it's it's an awful deal. Uh remember our number one focus was the number of people impacted. That was one. Second thing is with debate debate. Um nobody in our hardly conference has debate. I
mean the only one that has debate and there's Kathy set up something with with the region but our our conference doesn't have it. Warren has it. And so that was the other reason for the administration when we looked at the region who has debate. Uh that's what we
found and that's why it's it's not a fun decision to make but it made that decision easier for us as an admin team to say hey since the there are few and fewer and fewer schools having this program and we're in a budget crunch
that made it easier to cut that doesn't mean it it doesn't have merit it has a merit we get that that's where again back to Nicole's question just like Britney brought up I'm not opposed to saying hey What else can we do? Because the focus here is like pet band. We can
have pep band just not funding an instructor, you know. I mean, he's going to teach pet band during the day. If we want to do pep band at night, they can come. We had three kids that came and played. We didn't pay anybody that. We're just cutting the funding of it because the school can't fund it. But
when you don't fund it anymore, it's a cut, right? And so I get that. So somebody's going, "Well, you want me to do that for nothing? We don't but we don't have the funds. So I guess I just want to clarify some of that and it's
guess for lack of a better word but it is what it is. So >> just go back to what Troy was saying. The number that was initially to us was substantially higher than >> any other questions or discussion on Angela's motion.
All right. So answer the motion is to uh vote on these separately. So if you're in favor of that motion, you're voting on. So all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Two. All those in opposed say nay.
>> Nay. Motion fails. We'll go back to the motion. Um original 9.2 motion. Is there any uh other questions or discussion on hearing? None. All those in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> I motion passes. All right. On to 9.4. This is to approve the resolution. >> 9.3. >> Okay. Sorry. Thank you. 9.3. This is
through the resolution reducing and discontinuing education programs positions and I'll just read through the resolution. Where is school whereas school board of Independent District number 2164 adopted a resolution on February 9th, 2026
directing the administration to make recommendations regarding the reduction and/or discontinuence of programs and positions and whereas said recommendations have been received and considered by the school board. They resolved by the school board of independent school district number 2164
as follows that the following programs and positions or portions thereof be discontinued language. The motion for the adoption of the foreign foregoing resolution was made by and seconded by
All right. So that is the resolution. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by Nicole. Do I have a second? >> Second by any questions or >> this goes back to the same thing. We don't um take this vote lightly whether
it happens or not. I know it's a very hard decision and I personally have encouraged my kids to take advantage of our foreign language programs. I took Spanish and um ASL sign language in high school as well as in college and I think there's great value to that and
understanding um different cultures uh and communities within our u culture and um so I just want to appreciate all that that offers for students. Any other questions or discussion?
>> I struggle that we don't have a blank board and I I don't I don't agree that I think that uh uh opportunity to take it online do that type that is not that is not learning for most kids. Uh I don't I
think that there's opportunity to do something else with the programs that just get rid of. So any other questions I would just ask what what are some of the um options for the students
regarding the moned those that so talking to Mr. He's done a little homework on that. Uh there's online obviously it's not the same. We have a program in house that we
use for credit recovery at Menum and Menum has Spanish as a course that can be offered through that as well. Um it's not the same as having an inperson teacher without question. Uh but there are options there. Um are the options
different? Yep. Are they as good? Nope. Um but you know when you look across the entire high school um and what's going to get cut that's not going to say it's you know it's a difficult decision and so Mr. O'Keefe
and his team worked through what um again affecting the students and requirements by the state, requirements by the by uh our handbook and our school. And there there was information provided to the school board too that there was a
difference or whatever the word would be uh for students um going into college who didn't have the opportunity to take college or take language course that there was um a different >> Yeah. Yeah. So for example I was in Lancaster for the last you know five
years before I came here we didn't have foreign language. We didn't have one graduate that had foreign language and they got into all the colleges because the college the colleges like I shared with you guys at Ohio State University, they just wave that requirement then because you didn't have the option to
take it. So since your school didn't offer it, they don't hold that against you. Does it help when you go other places? Of course. But >> yeah, >> that's what I was trying to say. Thank you for making that more articulate.
>> Any other questions or discussion? All right. Since this is >> we did get a motion in a second. Okay. >> Um yes, we'll go by roll call. Laura, >> Nicole, >> I hi
>> Micah. Hi, >> Angela. >> Hi. Resolution option 9.4. This is for the resolution proposing placement of a continuing contract continuing feature on unrequested.
Um this is obviously related to 93. Um and I'll just go through the resolution being resolved by the school board of independent school district number 2164 that it is proposed that Joe Fitzgerald Roberts continuing contract tenure feature of said district be placed on request leave of absence
without payment benefits at 2025 2026 school year effective May 28th 206 said action is taken in accordance with the district master agreement pursuant to Minnesota statute 122A 40 on the grounds described said statute which are
specifically as follows. Discontinuence of position namely a foreign language teacher. Be it further resolved that notice of the proposed placement on unrequested together with copy this resolution forward to said teacher and this person
resolution. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by Nicole. Have a second. >> Second by any questions or discussion. Hearing none. We'll go by roll call.
Laura Nicole. >> Hi. >> Troy. >> Hi. >> David. >> Hi. >> Bridget. >> Hi. >> M. Angela. >> Hi. >> Resolution on 9.5. This is to approve the non-certified contract for Dela
Rodriguez food service class one step six effective March 17. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by choice. Do I have a second? Second by any questions or discussions? Hearing none. All those in favor say I.
>> I. I. 10.1. The next board meeting on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, 6 p.m. in Lynen site at the DGF community room. Um the facilities and transportation committee meeting will
follow that meeting at the same number 11. This is to adjourn the regular meeting of the clinic school board. Do I have a motion? >> Motion by a second. Right. Okay.
Any questions or discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I motion carries the meeting and