--------- This meeting of the INC Board of Education is called to order. Welcome everyone. We're glad to have you tonight. The first item of business is to approve the agenda. I'll entertain a motion. >> I move that we approve the agenda.
>> Second. >> All those in Is this a roll call? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. Those oppos say nay. Motion carries. Okay, the first item that we have is a request of a district citizen to speak.
Board policy C140p addresses comments to the public in the board of education meeting and states that a total of 30 minutes are allocated for public comment. Each individual or set of parents are allocated five minutes to make remarks. We ask that individuals give their names and home address prior
to their statement. Comments or questions are not to be addressed by individuals on the dis. If you would like to address the board of education regarding a student matter, personnel matter, or potential legal matter, the issues can only be heard in close session. Comments are only to be made
related to directly re related directly to an agenda item. The first person that we have, the first also have few furniture costs, purchases at Fairmount and Proctor, as well as final payments for the Bingham wait
room. We also have approval to let bids for a partial roof replacement at Mil Creek Elementary School. The center of the roof roof was replaced in 1999 and the warranty was up in 2019. The roof failed a moisture test after multiple
leaks throughout the area. Um and then approval to left bids for masonary tuck pointing at Fairmont Elementary School in Three Trails Elementary School. This is due to deteriorated brick where they are uh getting water coming through. Um the whole building at Fairmont needs
this done in all but the gym area at three trails. It's better to have this done prior to putting windows in replacement. So um that's why we are bringing that to all of you. Any discussion? >> Uh yeah, Dr. Grant, I was hoping maybe
you could talk a little bit about we have a possible bond issue that we're looking at in April for Fairmount. Um, are we going to be duplicating costs here? Are we cognizant of the possibility of other construction soon? Yes, we are being very cognizant of
that. And um I know that where is Mr. McGee? There he is. Right there. Um that this approval would probably be done right around the same time we're leading up to. Correct. >> Yeah. Our goal is to um package these together and see if we get a better
number and then we'll decide whether or not it goes part of the bond or not. >> Thank you. >> Oh, don't go away. Um assuming this is yours. I googled it, but can you explain what masonry tuck pointing is? >> So all of the um brick, the little white
lines around it, the little concrete, if there's holes in it, water gets through there, seeps down into the buildings. And so, um, if you haven't been by Truman lately, we've had, um, masonry out there fixing the front of Truman because we've had that classroom has leaked. And so, they were just sanding
it and putting new concrete in between the bricks to seal it. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Any other questions? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed say nay. >> The motion carries.
Up next we have the superintendent report. Dr. Grant. >> All right. Thank you very much. Is that better? Me better. All right. Thank you. This week um we had our second Monday of learning league at the elementary level. Learning league uh is inviteonly
academic support for uh targeted instruction and literacy and math. This fall, we had 627 students who were invited to participate in Learning League based upon the results from last spring's benchmark testing. Of those
invited, 180 families accepted the opportunity to join. During the first two weeks of learning league attendance, rates averaged from 60% to 57% respectively. A second round of invitations will be extended during second semester using our fall benchmark
data um to identify additional students who may benefit from the program. And I do want to say that it's important to note um that families who have requested their children participate in learning league. We've tried to honor those requests and able to do that. Um and busing is provided for this. And I do
want to make mention that we added busing as an option um last year as well for middle school and high school students. That was feedback from families that they requested. So, we did make that adjustment and that is at the beginning of the day and the end of the day. As you may recall, AMI was a new
option this year. If we hit our sixth snow day, we submitted our AMI plan and received our approval notice on August 20th. We're in the process of developing handouts that teachers will be able to distribute to families during fall parent teacher conferences with an
explanation of what that day is going to look like. Um it is absolutely hard to believe that we are at the end of first quarter. This state it's flying by. And finally, last week at Kansas City RPDC, our regional professional development
center, Desi was there to present um at our ELA monthly meeting and ISD received a special shout out from Desi for the work that we have done in literacy and our growth results from our students in K through five. they've done phen our our teachers have done phenomenal work
um in relation to that as well as the PD they have chosen to participate in we have over 163 educators who've completed our letters training so that is just huge our kudos to our staff um who put the work in the time into working with our kids but and no other district was
recognized it was kind of a surprise so it was great things for the growth that we are seeing with our students so that's it for what I have >> you had mentioned 180 students took part have took advantage of learning link about how many invitations were sent out that first time
>> up 627. We will keep asking um I know that up towards the end of last year we were almost up to thousands of kiddos that we had invited. Mr. Leam, do you recall the number that we'd invited at the end of last year? >> It was over a thousand. >> Yeah, over a thousand. >> We have feedback of why parents and
families aren't taking advantage just want to keep the Mondays open or Mr. Leam, have you heard feedback based upon the invitations? >> He loves it when he comes. Now, >> so um during the enrollment process, we ask families if they would be interested
in participating in Learning League. And so the first kind of criteria is do they qualify? And then the next level is are they interested per their um registration? And then we send out invitations. And like she said, 180 had
responded yes. Um, I would say probably 400 didn't respond at all. Um, I think it was about five that responded no. So the no responses, it's hard to get feed or the people that don't respond, it's hard to get feedback from them and they're if they're not participating in
that survey. So I don't know if that's a good answer for you, but that's >> So if someone realized that they missed that invitation, could they still sign up? Is that still available? We've honored everybody. >> Yeah, we've honored every request to say I want this. I want my child to attend. Okay, can you get them there and we'll
set up busing that following week? >> Is that something that's covered during parent teacher conferences? Could they be like, hey, your child might qualify for this? >> Yes, that's part of the talking points. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Great question. >> Yeah, that I was going to ask what ways are we Thank you. because I'm sure we want more more families involved. How are we just going after more enrollment?
So, >> and did you say that you've honored and other requests that just came? >> Yes, the family is reaching out and that's uh Mr. Leam had just mentioned that as well, but yes, great question. >> Um, can you tell us a little bit about
the letters training that you mentioned? >> Yes, based in the science of reading. Um, this is a program that DESIE fully supports. Um and actually I will say we were one of the districts if you um in our initial literacy plan from the state
of Missouri. Um we um participated in the science of reading training and DESI has provided um scholarships because it is so intensive and cost costly um for staff members to participate and they um it's a two-year process and so there's
volume one and volume two and so going in um you know just making sure staff are well aware of it and they are just truly committed to that. Now, um there aren't as many scholarships available this go around with funding. However, but our our staff do a great job and it is extended into middle school. So, we
have the middle school teachers who are doing the same thing. >> Dr. Grant, can you talk a little bit about the Hispanic event that was held? Yeah. >> Superintendent roundts. Um I have continued those. Last week I held um along with my leadership team, our
Hispanic event for our Spanish speaking families. had our interpreters there and truly just focused on um you know what's going well for you and where can we grow and what can be better and they shared that they appreciate the communication. They love our um counselors and what our
counselors do for our staff. They appreciate our FSLs who work closely with them. I think Tony Kadillo um was a big shout out to him and everything he does for uh our families and um they appreciate parent square. Now, some still appreciate Seesaw as well. Um,
they appreciate that. They appreciate the direct communication that they are receiving. Um, they want more information on our college and career readiness. So, that tells me that we can do a better job of pushing that information because we have a ton of great information on themies as well
pathways in each to um so our families truly understand our college and career readiness. Um, but those are just some of the highlights and so just to give them an opportunity to be heard was great. And then, oh, sorry. And then we also had another one um yesterday for all of
our staff. Um a representative from each building came to a superintendent's round table and we had the same discussion. We're um working with uh Miss Smith and getting all of that information. I just have you say I really appreciate the effort um that's being made to push
information out to groups that may or may not be able to um get the information. I wonder sometimes if things like learning league um if there's just groups that are not getting that information. I really appreciate that extra effort of thinking outside the box. How can we make sure that
everyone is included? And I really appreciate that. I hope we will continue to look for ways that we can identify groups and how is the best way to communicate with them. >> And I I would particularly love to be instrumental in those efforts. I think everyone learns differently. Everyone
receives information differently. and to feel um elevated to a place to where the superintendent would would come to you or your community or meet with you or have a particular interest in your lived experience and how things work for you.
I think that is absolutely wonderful and I too would love to see that grow and honestly uh shameless plug I would love to be like involved. I would love to help however I can to be in that space because I think what our community is seeking in need of is more at your doorstep. how can I serve you? How how
can we serve you better? And I I feel that that has been a a a uptick and an uplift. So kudos to you and your efforts there to that. So >> absolutely. >> Um can I skip back to the learning lead?
>> Um >> I'm sure Mr. Le would love that. >> It may not require you to get back up here. Um I just want to make sure can they stay all day even if um >> for learning >> as far as transportation goes they can
stay for morning to okay yes and they we serve lunch we have breakfast yes okay >> but uh if they want to do the clubs and things that's where >> so at elementary we don't have clubs that are offered there it is solely learning league because our first year
of doing that we just didn't have the participation um so we don't have that at the elementary level but middle school and high school. Yes. Okay. Correct. >> I think director Puente brings up an excellent point that some of our parents who are struggling with that fifth day, this is an option that would get them
transportation there a meal and also support their educational needs. So, >> which which really begs the question for me like do we feel like people really understand what learning league is? And I I'm I mean that passionately. Do we feel like they really is learning league
like so intimidating like oh my gosh what is that or is it very easy to get grip quickly? >> I would say it's easy to grip quickly but then again we deal with it all the time in education right so that is why we are including it in information for parent teacher conferences.
Okay. Under new business, um the first item is the CEP update human resource presentation. I'll entertain a motion. Well, do we need a motion for presentation? We just allow that to happen. We're just
going to have a presentation, Dr. Grant. All right. Um, as a part of MSIP 6, this is an expectation that we share updates throughout the year with the board of education regarding our comprehensive school improvement plan. So, this evening, Dr. Robinson is here to give an
update regarding human resources, highquality staff, as well as how it connects to professional development and supporting highquality staff. So, thank you, Dr. Robinson, for being here. >> All right. Thank you. Good evening, school board. Um
so addressing this is our CIP goal 3.1 addressing recruitment of highquality staff. Recruiting season is off and running. We've been to multiple places um this season already. I've met with numerous teachers candidates um or
setting up interviews. Um rec recruiting teams consist of generally myself and an administrator, assistant principal or principal. on the larger recruiting uh career fairs that we go to, I bring teachers now. I started that last year because it's good for them to hear peer-to-peer or someone who's doing it.
Um and some of the teachers I've brought have been um exceptional, great recruiters. Um so there add a little money for that. That'd be great to keep bringing them. Um, also after during the summer, we wanted
to see we thought we were not having a lot of candidates accept our offers. So, we wanted to dig into it and see what the data said. Um, so we interviewed 228 candidates, offered 168, and had 34
decline. Um, so a little over 20% declined. Um, and we also sent a survey out because we wanted to see of those people who declined, why did you decline? How can we get better as a district, what can we improve? Um, we
didn't have a greater response. U, but some of the feedback that we got from the ones who returned it um were positive. They liked the experience. It came down to sometimes it was location for them and that location could have meant that it was further away from
their home or the district that offered them. One person said, "I love it, but I student taught in this district." Um, so I chose that district where I was student teaching. Um, others said that they found it favorable. Um, they were interested in the 4-day week. Um, so,
um, decent information, but we'll continue to send that out each summer at the end of the season to see if we can get more and more feedback for that information. Now, in regards to our current openings, right now it shows 12, but we currently have 11 openings. Um, we filled our IIA
position. Um, of those openings, nine of those sped, we had nine new sped openings. So, six of those openings were new positions. Um, we had three middle school math positions that were new additions. One was carried over from the previous year. Um, and then our ELLL
position was new. Um, so filling a lot of new positions. Um, we continue to work to do that. As far as our classified recruiting, we continue to advertise um for classified positions. Um, we held a career fair for those
positions to fill for um all of our classified departments. um working with PR doing strategic and targeted advertising um trying to fill positions and they conduct interviews weekly and trying to fill roles and helping to fill
those positions. As far as our professional development, um PD is critical to retaining highly quality staff and recruiting. I always get those questions on career force. So, what's your PD like? Um what do those days look like? um and it comes across
in staff surveys um in every district that I've been in. It's important to provide highquality um PD. So, our educators said they valued these engaging sessions that we've had. Um they like um some of the world cafe
discussions, uh the training on capturing kids hearts, trauma-informed care, and inclusivity. Cross district sessions are always praised for fostering consistency and sharing curriculum. Um staff feedback, some more staff feedback as they appreciated the
positive tone of PD this year and the useful strategies. Um and they would appreciate more time for building level learning and planning. Um most of the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Most respondents strongly and
now I'm sorry I'm trans transitioning to new teacher academy. with new teacher academy. It was overwhelmingly positive. Um they appreciated the respectful tone and the informative environment. Um and it set high expectations and they
appreciated the valuable resources that received. Um and we'll send out a 90-day survey to all of our um new staff here um in November to get continually to get feedback and data on how we get better, what worked, what do we need to improve.
And then um it also helped in that new teacher academy just to introduce our staff to all the things that we do with cultural proficiency district initiatives leader and me avid and ourmies and then you see just our highlights which Dr. Grant already talked about was letters but we also had
Aspire literacy training and administrators engaged in the speed of trust um led by Dr. grant and then October we will have half day PD and half day teacher workday and mid-level midyear leadership retreat.
>> Dr. Robinson, could you talk a little bit and you may have said this about the medals position? Did you already >> I did not mention the medals position. So the medals position um industrial tech is just hard to fill. Um we were fortunate to have a staff member willing
to work on getting that C. So they moved over to that position so that we could still provide those courses and classes to our students. And then we hired someone else to fill that staff member's previous role. So we're still able to provide that level of um class and
expertise to our students. Um and we'll continue to look for um someone to fill that role. And wasn't it at your latest job fair for um certificated staff where you came across how many middle school math teachers? >> Yeah, it's like five middle school well
five math people in general and three chemistry. I >> I don't know what was going on but you know >> happy that day. So we have some interviews set up with um those math teachers. So one's visiting here hopefully next week. >> Yeah, that's great. And I will say uh
during the superintendent's round table yesterday with our teachers from each of the buildings, they do truly appreciate the structure of the professional development days where we have half of the day um potentially is professional development, other half is work time for them. They appreciate that structure. It's one of the things we said
>> that was they change for this year. Correct. >> And that was because of feedback from >> Yep. >> I had a question. Um, you referenced several times surveys and how you plan in November to issue another one. I really appreciate feedback and I think
it's very valuable. The most important thing is obviously participation. And so, Dr. Robinson, can you just speak to how do you feel the response rate is for the surveys that you conduct? Um, do we have a responsive group that we can count on getting good information from?
>> Yeah, on the 90-day surveys, we generally get uh really good feedback. uh from those uh exit surveys, we get good feedback. Now, I don't get a lot of in-person >> sitdowns that I'd like to do, but uh I
would we're well over 50% well over that and our responses to our 90-day survey and exit survey when people are leaving. >> And are these not not particular surveys uh to my question, but surveys in general? Are most of them anonymous? U
some are I would say on the 90day I asked them they are anonymous um and I asked them if they have a particular concern because this came up in previous feedback and from our work that we did on developing our CESIP plan is giving
them an opportunity if you would like to talk to me so that we can address your concern and get specifics to um support you and your concern. So >> we give them opportunity to >> divulge their identity.
>> Sure. So it sounds like we are promoting um you know an opportunity to to to hear from you if you're if you have what you might consider an adverse response to a question on a survey that you don't necessarily feel you want to check the box on but you rather talk to Dr. Robinson or someone on the staff or team
etc. It is promoted that that opportunity is available. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We even on our staff when we open our staff transfer, we we started stay interviews like, "Hey, if you're not happy with where your current building is and you would like to talk to me, we
want to make sure you stay and we retain your services in the district. So, please mark this and we'll reach out to you and set up a time for me to come visit or you can come visit me." Okay, >> cool. Thanks. Um, do you have any kind of grow your
own program that just wasn't listed on here? >> Yeah, we have a grow your own program. Desi did not fund grow your own program this year. Um, our courses and our pathways still remain. Um, so actually
um we still funded those programs. So it's still going on as we try to develop our teachers and work with yeah work with the foundation to provide them with some support as well. Um, is there anything different about the interview process for the those kind of candidates?
>> I just didn't know if maybe like if you didn't take on an alum if they got a personal message that was like, "Hey, we really appreciate your dedication to our community, but time's not right or you know, something like that." I think too
to that point, this is only year three of our grow your own. Is that correct? Or is it year four? your because I have one who's doing their student teaching now. >> So that's where we are >> who's coming. Well, not here, but she says, "I'm gonna work for you guys." >> She said, >> "So that helps clarify that."
>> Yeah. >> Um, for the subcertifications on here, is that just how many we've added? We've added 21 certified subs. 20 for the certified classified
>> certifications. >> Yeah. Where the in the box? >> Well, 21. It says 21 is exit. 31 pair of professionals. Um it says 21 have exited. Is that the one you're talking about? The number 21? >> No. Up at the top the boxes that says u
candidate interview. >> Oh, 21 subcertifications. Yes, that's 21 sub added. >> Yes. >> Okay, that's it. So, it was added. >> Y. >> Okay. And my other question, do we have um
like a subfill rate that we can share just how what percentage we have filled every day? >> We do. I don't have the I don't have that information currently with me. Um but we'd like it to be a lot lot better. >> Uhhuh. Am I hearing you say we do want
more subs? >> Oh yeah. >> Okay. >> Um Miss RTO was interviewing all day today. Okay. Subs. So among the last two days. So >> we have currently we have 118 active
subs working in the district. >> Could you repeat that? >> 118 active sub. So we're trying to we need that pool to be 200 or more. Okay. Any other questions? >> Thank you. Appreciate your time tonight.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next item is the approval of the press release related to the 4day school week. I'll entertain a motion. I move that we approve the press release related to the 4day school week.
>> I'll second Dr. Grant. >> All right. Thank you, President Dixon. I want to take just a moment to share some information with all of you. Uh the teacher recruitment and retention playbook found on Desessie's website describes the nation is facing a
shortage of classroom teachers and many teachers are leaving their classrooms and fewer candidates are entering the teacher pipeline. This research shows that the number one factor that influences a child's education is the classroom teacher.
During the 2425 school year, there were 4,256 new teachers across the state of Missouri. If you look at that group of new teachers, 42% were certified and attended an educator
an educator preparation program in the state of Missouri from one of our colleges or universities. 11% were certifi certified from an out of out ofstate institution. So maybe they came from KU. 10% almost 11% went through an
alternative certification program ABCTE or teach for tomorrow which is a program which grant they can achieve certification but is not a part of a college or university 22.3% only had a substitute certificate which
is a minimum of 36 college credit hours or a complete or they can complete a 20our substitute teacher training program and 10% had no certification whatsoever. How many certified teachers does the ISD
have? 192 classroom teachers. 98% are fully certified. 2% are in the process of finalizing the certification or waiting on final approval from DESIE.
What about teacher retention in Missouri? After the first two years of teaching, only 86% of teachers remain in the profession. And after 5 years, only 66% of teachers
remain in the profession. Since the adoption of the 4-day instructional week, our retention rate has continued to increase, and this past year, we were at approximately 90% retention rate. The average years of experience of new teachers in the ISD prior to the 4-day
was 4.4 years of experience. And this year's average years of teaching experience for teachers joining the Independence School District this year, 8.5 years of experience. Now, let's talk a little bit
about academic achievement. Missouri evaluates all districts through the Missouri School Improvement Program, MSIP 6, and the annual performance report. MP6 provides a comprehensive view of district effectiveness,
looking at academic achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and many other things. Using one data point without the full MSP 6 context misrepresents progress. ISD chooses to
hold itself to the same rigorous standards as the state or the department of elementary and secondary education. ISD's APR results have had continuous improvement. In
2022, we were at 70.1%. 2023, we were at 76.4%. And this past year, we at 80%. and we just received notification that we will be receiving our APR here in the very near future and I believe it'll be
released to the public on November 6th. So, it will be coming up. We're pretty excited about that. ISD was the only district in the Kansas City metro area rated on target or exceeding growth in
every grade in every subject in 2023 and 2024. This is a huge shout out to our teachers and our staff. I do want to share just a tidbit of other information regarding our 12 surrounding school districts that
surround us related to their growth ratings. Five of those districts had five or more subject areas or scores where students made less growth than expected and were rated below
expectation by the state. Six had four areas that were below expectation and one had three areas. Now let's understand academic achievement.
We look at status and we look at growth. Let's talk about status or MPI or index scores. This measures a level of proficiency for a student at
one point in time. It's a snapshot of performance. In the spring when we take the MAP test, one day or two days depending upon how long the test is, right? out of 155 days. Growth cannot be compared
because you have a third grade student taking their very first math math test. They will receive a status score. You don't have anything to compare that to the next year out of those out of that third grade because it's a brand new group of students taking that same
third grade test. You cannot compare apples to apples. Now, let's talk academic growth. I'm sorry. You cannot compare. You're comparing apples and oranges, Eric. I saw you. You're like, "Wait a minute. You said that wrong." Academic growth.
This measures how much progress students make from year to year compared to their peers across the state. Growth shows whether instruction is accelerating learning regardless of a
student's starting point. We close the achievement gap. Growth data offers the truest reflection of learning over time. Those same third grade students that started here and
took the math test in the math will now take the fourth grade math map test. That is how growth is measured by the state of Missouri. Are we closing the gap? We are moving kids the result of their
academic achievement over time. That's what growth is about and that's what academic achievement is about. Let the ISD has shown improved APR scores, consistent academic growth, and
stronger teacher retention since implementing the 4-day week. Early results indicate a positive trajectory for students, learning, and educator stability with ongoing evaluation to continue to monitor our
our progress. ISD is committed to transparent communication and continuous improvement aligned through MSP6. We actually will get ready to submit our second round or we jokingly like to say Mub6 2.0 will be
submitted in December for evaluation. The ISD board of education plans to issue a factual release. It is for these reasons that we are asking the Independence Board of Education to support our press release.
Any discussion? I had a comment. Um, four day school week has been an extremely complex issue since the board first heard the idea from then superintendent Dale Hurl in 2022. I know there are some that would
disagree, but I truly felt that the board tried to explore the benefits and drawbacks of this calendar method before we voted to implement in the ISD for the 2023 2024 school year. I know I was not alone in reading peer-reviewed research,
national studies and analysis by top researchers and institutes like MIT Press, Education Week, Missouri State University and others as well as communi communicating with other districts using the format across
the United States. Our board attended presentations by expert John Turner as well as visiting other districts who were using for day. The district held a public forum for the community to weigh in and provided surveys to students,
staff, and parents for their input. Each of us personally received hundreds of emails from the community regarding opinions on the change as well. Based on the information we obtained at that time, I supported the change to for day when the board voted December of
2022. And independence is not alone. As of August 2025, more than 2100 public schools in 26 states have switched to 4day school week. Now, let me be clear. From the start, my highest priority was that 4day would be
a benefit for our students academically because at the end of the day, that is the heart of our mission, which states, "By providing quality education, the independent school district will ensure that each learner will achieve the skills and self-confidence to be successful in an
everchanging world. As we are in the third year of implementation, we are seeing several positive indicators for this calendar method. As Dr. Grant has shared, applications are up, years of experience for new hires is up,
retention is up, and student performance is up. Is 4day perfect? Absolutely not. There are challenges. Child care for working parents, fatigue for students, food
insecurities to name a few. We must as a district continue to assess and make adjustments no matter how many days of school there are in a week. I was pleased that the board listened to patron concerns and voted to initiate a
compromise of AMI after such a bad winter last year. I'm glad that Learning League, which provides additional education supports and includes both transportation and meal service, was expanded when the
elementary age enrichment off offerings were not successful. Our snack backpack efforts to address foods insecurities are helping families as well. But we must continue to look for ways to ensure each learner succeeds
as our mission as our mission states regardless of the number of days a week we offer school. I've communicated with dozens of citizens, teachers, and students about whether they like a 4-day. And I'm hearing a lot of positive reactions. I
saw an informal poll on Facebook on a community page with a little over a 100 participants that indicated about 78% in favor of 4day. Combined with the positive movements in teacher hires retention and experience
as well as student performance, I believe the 4day is the best solution for independence at this time. Consequently, I will be voting yes for the ISD 4-day press release and personally I will be supporting a yes
vote at the ballot on 114. >> Thank you, director. Thank you, Director Pierce. I'd like to share that as well. As you can recall, uh when we entertained this uh publicly and had the vote, I was the lone desenter. I voted
no um because I strongly felt and still compellingly feel today that there could have been broader and stronger efforts to share our intentions with this community. Um and that's just what what I believe. Um
now that we're here, I have heard wonderful positive things about the 4day school week. I do hear adverse things as well. And like Director Beer said, nothing's perfect. We we recognize that. I do believe
though that this community is resilient and it's easy for us to assume it's all well and good because, you know, there's not a whole bunch of complaints, but people naturally conform. They they do that. This is the beauty of humanity. And I'm very sensitive to making such a
huge change to person's lives without hearing a fully informed response from them. However, I believe in local control uh wholeheartedly and I believe that this board should be unified in its approach and making the best efforts for
this community. And while I did vote no, I will be supporting this press release. I'm not prepared to say what my vote will be on that day, but I am prepared to support this press release uh because I believe it's important and it's prudent for us to be unified in this
approach. So, I will be supporting this press release. >> This is uh probably the most heated debate I have with myself all the time. Um, and I uh was not on the board when the decision was
made and it probably was half my motivation for running. um I did not feel like I was heard and I did not feel that there was enough engagement as a parent. Um and as an educator I did not
support the decision. Um I have a lot of issues with some of the data because there's only one year in the data that the 4 day week is implemented. We don't have data from
year two and we're starting year three. I feel like three years after three years would be a much better point for us to evaluate. So, it's unfortunate that we have not um in my in my thoughts
had a proper amount of time to really evaluate its effectiveness. Um, but I don't like that we're putting data in a release that is not um part of our 4-day experience. Um I
also think um as we review our instant data that we do have, it's important to recognize that the composite score provides the broad summary of our performance and um when we meet expectations on several compliance and
success ready areas that are part of that um the subject level data reveals uh a more concerning picture. So, in some core academic areas, particularly math and and English, ELA, our district
continues to struggle. And I know in the data we looked at prior to adopting the 4-day week, um the statement was always made that there wasn't significant drop in student achievement. Um, where I
really struggle with that is but it's not showing improvement and I don't think we are in a place as a district to say, "Oh, we're adopting this because we're good with the status quo and we need improvement." Um
and when you look at those details, for example, um in ELA is specifically a below basic our
percentage of students has increased from 23.8% to 25.2%. Um from 232 from 22 23 to 23 24. So from the year before we did the 4 day to the 4 day. So
the AC achievement ac academic achievement ELA increased as far as below basic um which is also 8.6% lower than our state average. Um we have some other indicators in math that are similar but I'm really concerned
with like we have 40% of our students that are scoring below basic in math. Um and uh when we look at that as educators, we want to look at how we can move that bar, how we can move those students from below basic to basic or basic to proficient. So we can move them
one more level up. And I just think that that's really concerning the percentage we have at those levels. and um think that that gives an outlook of are we going to be able to make the progress that we need in especially
those core areas that should be a priority. Um, I think also that there are many factors that contribute to student success and it's really difficult to put that on the 4day when we only have
one year data on it. Um, I also think that we have an excellent staff that's done some really hard work to build our students back up from COVID. And um so I think those the progress that we made
those first couple years before the 4 day is exactly indicative of what they are doing. Um I just hesitate to say that this is what's best. Excuse me. Um I have also gone back and forth on this. Um, in my own family, I
have um recently had some personal life changes and which means that I am now directly affected by what do my kids do on Mondays because um I have a new full-time job which is fantastic and wonderful and all of the good things and
it's very flexible and very understanding and all of those other wonderful things and I still struggle and this was not something that um I'm not one of those people where it has to happen to me to matter to But I now have a front row seat to what I've worried about with other families.
I am experiencing that and it's hard. It is so hard. Um I truly value what um some of our teachers and how they feel about it. Um the I do think that we need more data. Um the one that impresses me the most is
the years of experience because I think that that is the only thing that can really tell us what kind of educators are coming in. Um because even if we might be losing some of our um folks who have been around a long time, we're still bringing in folks with a lot of experience to make up for that experience that we're losing as they
retire or move on. Um, but one of the things that I do have concerns about in the data is the um the retention rate. Um, just because this last year I know that we offered the sick day pi buyout which I know anecdotally I have many
friends who decided to stick around for another year because it was a nice paycheck that they were now going to get their sick days um paid for which is wonderful and we should do that. Um, but I think next year we'll adjust for that and so our retention rate won't be be quite as high and so I'll be interested
in seeing that. I am very disappointed in our Missouri legislature for forcing this vote on us. Um, they very clearly um made some rules that seem to only include independence and a couple of others that were caught in the net as
well. Um, but I also think that a vote or survey is something that we should have done as a school district before this was implemented. I know I personally did one um through the page that I had created and
the feedback that I got which I shared with the board at that time people didn't want it. Um and so we did it and it's hard for me to support something that says yes, you should vote yes
when I'm not even sure how I feel about it. I'm not going to advocate for or against. I'll be like, "Anthony, I probably won't share my own personal vote because I see both sides." Um, and so I think it's important that we continue, no matter what is decided,
whether it's a yes, no, or a no vote, we continue to build and make ISD the place that people want to go to, whether we have the 4-day week or not. This should be our destination school district. Let's make it. Let's reward our teachers. Let's
make sure that they and all of our staff, let's make sure that they know that they are the most important people because we say it all the time up here. That's why we went to the 4-day school week is that we know that the most important thing to a child's education is who is in the classroom with them, who is in the front office with them, who is serving the lunch every day. We
want the very best people in those positions. And whether or not we have this, we got to do more. if even if we approve this and we keep the four day school week, we got to do more for our staff.
We got to keep going. Um I wrote an editorial about how my feelings back then um I felt that the 4day school week was a shiny wrapping paper on an empty box and I'm going to implore our board. Let's fill that box. Let's fill it. And
that's where um the conversations we had back then, you know, I know that um I have double the plan time that my colleagues that I used to work with do here. Um so there are lots of things that we can do to relieve
and help that mental health of our staff. So that should always be the forefront of our discussions. Um, and I wish we had more of an evaluation plan of let's look at this this year and see what what improvements do we need to
make no matter which way we go. Um, and I mean I asked for this HR report for a reason and why I asked for the subfill rate because teachers get emails every day about covering during their plan. And if they are working a long day and
they have one plan period and they're asked to work during that one plan, when when are they planning and grading? And the plan period's never long enough, but it's absolutely crazy that they're getting a 20-minute lunch as their break in the day with, you know, and they're
the adult in the classroom full of kids. So, I mean, there's so many aspects that we need to attack that could improve the situation for our staff. As a parent in the district with children, I can say um
what I what I love to hear my children's teachers say is they love their job. They they love seeing little people grow into leaders and adults and service providers. Um it doesn't resonate as
well when I hear people say I'm here because of the 4day school week. Like I'm happy that they're here, but what makes me feel complete and whole is that they are here because they care about kids in that classroom. Um, and I'm only
saying this because of the subject matter period. That's it. Because we're talking about them. So, uh, that that's just my experience as a parent and I and I have not heard any of our teachers necessarily say those things. It's it's really on the outside, you know, people
want to come or whatever. It's kind of like, hey, I get that that's attractive, but we want the best people in those rooms with our kids because it really matters. That's where the magic happens. And we do want rested, equipped, uh, competent teachers in those rooms. And
if the 4-day school week is truly a method that that that affords us that opportunity, then then great, fantastic. Um, we also just should have more discussions about how we can help fill the gap. Um because in some research that other people have provided to me um
is that 80% of the working parents in our community physically leave the community to go to work. And that's like whoa, you know, think about the rationale that they have to go through to make their families work, the the people that they have to put their kids
in trusted with because they can't afford XYZ123, whatever. Um we may not hear this at the door like nonstop, but it's a reality. Um, and so that's why this is just so challenging for me. Uh, but again, I want to reiterate the importance of this board being unified.
We we we passed this. I support local control and there's a comment a yes vote will ensure that ISD maintains its ability to govern as a dy-elected presiding body and and that is that is what made my decision to support support
this. >> Dr. Grant, do you have anything you want to add before we >> I do just want to clarify. I know the comment was made about are we moving kids from levels and it's bas below basic basic proficient and advanced and
I would say that directly speaks to the growth data that we shared we are moving kids in relation to that the other piece too that I will make mention of in the state of Missouri Senate Bill 68 when you talk about proficiency levels they're actually adding a fifth
proficient proficiency level within the scoring metric that will be grade level because within the basic model as well, kids can be on grade level and still score basic. So, they are adding that level in there as well. So, I'm anxious to see what that brings to the table.
So, I just wanted to clarify that. So, I appreciate that. >> I wanted to make a quick comment. Um, I appreciate all of the thoughtfulness that everyone put into their comments here tonight. Um, I know we've received emails about about this very thing and the press release when it when the
agenda came out. Um, I I appreciate the statistics that were put in here. It's not just a general press release. Um, I I do appreciate that. I too wish that we had more time
um to develop more statistics before we were being forced to vote on this. And I go back to what Vice President Mundane said. Um, one big reason I'm supporting this is because of the issue of the local control. I've been on this board for a
while and when I first got on back in 2010, um, Anne Franklin, who I greatly respect, has talked about local control forever and um, I just see this as kind of whittling away inch by inch that for
us. >> And I just want to talk about the local control just a little bit. Thank you for that. Um, Director Esri, um, my concern is that our board had an opportunity to do more engagement pieces to survey our um, our families and our staff and that
didn't happen at the time. Um, and so that was this the reason why this exists is because people felt unheard. And so I do think it's important and which is why I am uncomfortable. I'm squeaking a lot. Which is why I am uncomfortable voting
um in support of this because I do think that folks should be allowed to vote. I hate how this turned out and I hate how we are clearly um it is taking away local control and I don't believe all of that, but I do think it's important that people have a say. Um, I do have one
question feedback. Um, do we know approximately how many of our ISD teachers and staff actually live within district and would be able to vote on this? Do we have that stat? >> I do not have that stat. >> Any ballpark?
>> Oh, there we go. >> 54. >> Oh, it's only 54% would be able to vote. >> That's unfortunate. >> Thank you, Mr. Lam. I also think it's important um this was the number one topic that that
families wanted to talk to me about when I was knocking on doors. So, um I that was not very long ago and um I just really want to support that they have their voice
>> and and I think at this point really I I was I was one that said we we should do more surveys. Absolutely. And honestly, this is probably the best survey we can get. I'm just, hey, this is the best I want
to I can't wait to see what this community wants and when they decide when we decide, let's move on and support the decision of the community. That's the best part of this job. It makes it easy. So, >> I would I would like to say something. So, don't we're not ready to vote yet,
but you want to say, but a big shout out to our teachers and administrators who have attacked this 4 day week after the board voted that um to be so. Um I think I've told so many
people this. I know teachers and outlying districts work very hard, but they don't work as hard as ISD teachers, there is nobody that works harder than ISD teachers and deserves more. And one of the things that's come out of this, I
think, is that of the many teachers I've talked to, and I've talked to some that that weren't in favor of it, uh, but they feel better about themselves, uh, mentally, that they have more time to do things. Now, that may that may not be everybody, but I think
when teachers feel better, they'll teach better. And that's one of the things we want to do is we want continuous student uh academic achievement and obviously with the success that that this has had
and now with new APR coming out soon which sounds positive even though we don't know what it is yet. Dr. Grant does maybe but we don't. >> I wish I did. >> No, you don't either. Okay. >> I wish I did. But but uh I am so proud
of our district and uh yeah what it's it's not a perfect world when you make a big change. But one neat thing about ISD is we've done things in the last 20 years that no other district has done. We've been on the leading edge of a lot
of things and we are now and like uh um uh director mundane says this this uh is going to be the biggest survey is this election and I am definitely in favor of
this uh um uh release this press release and I'll be voting yes and uh that comes from a guy that I went to school with a 5 day week My parents did, my grandparents, my great grandparents did. And I can tell you a lot of people I've
talked to in this district that do not have children or grandchildren in the district are concerned about we always did it that way. And there's businesses, major businesses now that are going to be starting 4 day
weeks for their employees. So, I don't think it's just schools. It's a lot of different businesses and a lot of different um um uh institutions in America that may be changing may even be
colleges changing someday on this. But I want to say a big uh thank you to all the administrators and teachers once again from me because I'm proud of what you've done and uh we've taken um a risk of the 4-day week. I think it's worked
well. Although there are things that need to be tweaked and I think knowing a uh ISD leadership, we'll continue to look at those and see if there's anything there that people are upset about and concerned about what to do with my kid since everybody's working on
the Monday. Um that we'll continue to work on that and make that Monday even better for those kids and those families. Thanks. [Music] For the sake of time, um, I'm just going to say that my comments mirror Denise's
most closely. So, if you, uh, remember what she said, I would probably say this exact same thing. Um, I think we're ready for a vote. Um, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say nay. Nay.
>> Nay. >> The motion carries. Next item is to accept quote from Central States Bus Sales for the purchase of six 77 passenger propane powered school buses.
I'll accept a motion. >> So moved. >> I'll second. And I'm going to assume this is Dr. >> Thank you. We're excited to partner again with the Leo Academy out of Wisconsin and utilize a grant to help offset the cost of
propane fuel buses. Excuse me. We would ask this evening that the board of education approve the purchase of six 77 passenger bluebird conventional school buses at $183,440 each for a total of $1,100,640.
The pricing for these vehicles has been competitively bid through the NJPA source well contract. However, I've got a couple of notes I would like to point out. Um, first of all, with this acceptance of this grant from LEO, we're going to save
$332,535 or $55,422.50 per bus. That's significant. Um, interesting tidbit here. here. With the LEO grant being applied tonight to the bus purchases, we'll have now received
over $1.6 million from the LEO Academy to help us purchase propane buses in the ISD. We're proud of that. Uh this order of six will take us up to 58 propane buses in our fleet of 130 and the LEO
grant has helped us purchase 46 of the 58 propane buses in our fleet. A board member, I think it asked Dr. Grant should share with you about what is our goal. >> I don't know if we've really set a goal truthfully, but I would say me personally, I'd like to see about 80% of
our fleet be propane and keep 20% diesel. So if we got to take longer trips, we can do that. So >> where go ahead? >> That's okay, sir. Go ahead. I'm open up training questions. >> Okay. I apologize for interrupting you there. About what percentage are we? If
you haven't said that already, I didn't hear. But we're 59 of 130. So we're approaching half. >> We'll be approve propane plus a lot more. Okay. >> Any other questions yet? >> And and I'm sorry it's unclear to me even from the bid sheet, but is the
$332,000 grant included in that 1 million? >> No. Great question, Wendy. It's not. And that process, I'm glad you brought that up. So, we don't receive that grant until we do our obligations on the grant, which is we've got to get rid of
an old diesel bus and not hole through the engine. And then we once we've done that, we get our check back. >> Okay. So, we're approving the 1.1 million and hope we'll get the 325 later. >> All those in favor say I.
>> I. Those oppos say nay. Motion carries. Next item is the approval to accept bid and contract for a construction manager at risk for Fairmont Elementary School comprehensive renovations.
Accept a motion. Entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Dr. Stout. Again, thank you. Uh this evening, we would ask that the board of education uh accept the bid and contract for CM or
construction manager at risk for Newkerk and Novak. Uh this would include the following to accept the pre-construction service bid of $20,000. And this is for all of the work that is done from now until the bond vote in April. There's a lot of work that's
going to take place from now until the vote occurs in April. in this 20,000 will cover all of those expenses. Secondly, to accept the general conditions bid of $1,580,824. This is for people hired to do the work, the job trailer, all the permits, safety
inspections and protocols, etc. And then finally, the project management fee of 2.35% uh work after the bond for the construction manager at risk contract with New Cirk Novak Construction partners for the Fairmount Elementary
School comprehensive renovations. Um so a little bit about CM at risk. The guaranteed maximum price and that's kind of what CM at risk is all about will be set once all of the architect drawings are completed. And we anticipate to have
these back by the end of November, mid December at the latest. Then the CM puts out the bids based on the drawings and information they have. And once they get the bids back, they calculate that information plus their 2.35%
that I just mentioned, their management fee. And this becomes the guaranteed maximum price. And then at that point in time, we come back to the board of education for your approval. So you guys, everybody knows clearly transparently what that is going
to be. So the term CM at risk means that they're going to take on all the risk, which I like and I know Mr. McGee likes. Uh they stay within that guaranteed maximum price and they make sure that timelines are followed and the schedule is met. And I will assure you that the
contract that's presented has been reviewed by the architects and Mr. McGee. >> You knew I was gonna ask that question >> and I'll be happy to answer any questions and if I can, I'm sure Mr. McGee and he's back there smiling. He's just ready to get up here.
>> Can you talk about what other projects in the last decade or so where we've used a CM and when we feel like that's appropriate and and when it's not? >> Great question. Um, I think most recently, um, with, uh, Fairmount, the
recent work we did with Fairmount, um, I know that we used it with Castle Park. It was with another firm besides this one, and I, uh, work closely with them at that time. But I think anytime you're dealing with a lot of moving parts, for lack of a better term, it's nice to have
somebody that's going to take on all that the the the work, the bidding out, the receiving of timelines, the receiving of information, and to be able to disseminate that and bring that back to us. That's a nice >> I think also Denise, real quickly, is
the uh auditorium. We're all very proud of the auditorium at a high school. We use this outfit as well in that process. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Those oppos say nay. >> The motion carries.
>> President Dixon is ouch. Irrespectful response. That's a lot of money. I'm just joking. Um approval for next item is the approval of service provider agreement for head start and early head start. >> Yes, we need a motion.
So moved. >> Seconded. >> Okay. All right. Um you may recall we did this last year at this time. Actually I think it was November because Mark came back to us and asked if we would approve that. Um so with that agreement and then looking at the budget
as well as the um Head Start standards bylaws um if we would be able to approve those there are no changes substantial changes to the bylaws um change that they changed policy council to family action council. So that was a name
change there. And then throughout the bylaws, they changed the um instead of having a specific director named they head start director. So it's uniform. So we don't have to go back and change that. Um increase to the budget um for
this grantee year um was up just a bit um but not extensively. With last year we were at 3,619,625. This year we're looking at 3,659,348 um at the federal level and then at the state level um it's exactly the same as
it was before. So we just utilize what we used last year and then we'll move it on over for your approval. >> Any discussion? >> This is one of the committees that I am a part of. Um, and I just wanted to give a shout out to our Head Start and early
education director and um, all of the staff and also the family action and I'm going to mess up the name. Family Action Council. There we go. Um, great group of parents who are highly involved and want to learn more and be good great advocates for their families. And it's a
very cool thing that this is a required thing because it promotes community engagement and all of the things that I believe very strongly about. So it's wonderful to see even for our littlest learners. >> Thank you for your time on that committee. All those in favor say I.
>> I. Those opposed say nay. >> The motion carries. >> I will entertain a motion to adjourn to close session. I move to adjourn to close session pursuant to Missouri State statute for personnel issues 610.021 sub paragraph 3 and legal matters 610.021
sub paragraph 1. Second >> roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. We're
>> ajourned. Part: 2
go ahead and start our work session this evening. Um we are our order of uh work is to go over the board manual. And so um all of us um are prepared to
um bring forth recommendations um for the manual. So we're gonna um invite to come up. Oh, we don't we can do it. Yes. I move to approve the agenda for the
work session. Second. Okay, we Jill sent it first. We'll take Jill and then we're going to go ahead and start with the manual work session. So, these work sessions throw me off every time. Do we need to vote for this
too? Just a motion and a second. So, we're just gonna All those in favor. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed say nay. Okay. The motion carries. Okay. So, now we're going to get
started. Natalie, if you'll come up. So, we asked our board members to uh try to submit your recommendations so that we could try to get those over to legal, see if we could make sure that everything would be okay for us to talk about in this particular work session.
Um, so Meline is prepared with those recommendations. If there are some recommendations that you want to bring up in this meeting, we're not opposed to that. But we will be moving forward. we will are we'll try to go down the list to make sure that we've talked about
everything that was submitted. Um first item is G110B and so if you guys want to find that you guys have the link on your um
on your computers. Has everybody found your link? Everybody good? Anthony, are you good? Okay. Okay. Um, so this is a recommendation that when um
I actually noticed this when we were asked to provide a job description for the superintendent um to our search firm um this is what was provided to them. And so um they came back to me saying, "Is this all you got? This is kind of
vague." And so, um, I thought as a board we might want to consider, um, putting a more typical job description for the superintendent since it is somebody that that we exclusively supervise and we just want to make sure that we have that
um, going forward. Do you have any discussion about that? Um, I just want to mention there is a corresponding policy on this. Um so it's my understanding we can that goes to the policy committee. Yes.
Um you do have the um option to include more uh detailed description of that in the board manual. So that is an option as long as it's consistent with policy. So what we would say here is that we wouldn't discuss that job description, but we would discuss whether we would
like to have a more detailed job description and that's how we would move forward with this. Any thoughts? So, just to make sure I'm clear, if we decide that we would like to see a job
description there, when does that how does that get determined and when does that become a part of the board manual? It would we would have to change policy for us to be able to put it in the manual and so our policy would our manual would reflect what policy would
be. Is that correct? Yes, you have. Yeah, you can include it in the policy so it's all consistent with any require, you know, additional details, requirements, qualifications, all of that that you want of the superintendent.
But it is recommended that we don't make any changes to our manual that are not consistent with policy. We'll move on to the next one. We don't have agreements. Would that be something that we would um what have a small committee put together
or how would we put that together? Um MSBA had recommendations for a job description that they were putting together um to attach to our superintendent search um information. I think that could be a starting place for
us and then we would want to vet it I'm sure with legal. Yes, we would help um with any drafts uh changes to the policy or the board manual. Um we could come up with some examples and work from there.
Meline, I know that your firm does um policy and board manuals for lots of districts. Is that something you typically see or is that unusual? Um, I would say in all of our EGS districts, we do not have a job description included in policy or board manual. Um, that could be
something that we develop outside of these if the board would like. We could include it in the administrative manual. Um, or in, you know, which is a separate EGS document, but we don't have any other EGS districts that include it in the policy or the board manual.
I see the value in, excuse me, I see the value in keeping it vague because that's something that we could pivot on and adjust as necessary. Um, but if it's in policy, it's going to take a lot more work to to make changes. Um, and I mean any job
description is going to have other duties as assigned. So it could, you know, like it seems rigid to include it in policy. I do think it would be good for us to be able to um like have something though
like when we are are working from somewhere. So I don't necessarily I I could see how maybe it doesn't reside in the board manual or in our policies but having something somewhere would be good. I like the idea of the administrative um
manual. Do other job descriptions reside in the administrative manual? Um, not with not with our other EGS districts though. Okay. Could it reside in the contract? Um, generally
it could. Um, it's more of a working document. If you wanted to spell out obligations in that fashion, make them legally binding on the superintendent, you put them in the contract, but otherwise it would be separate. Well, it sounds like we need more
discussion. So, I feel good with moving on. Okay, moving on. Um, The next item was G155P boardman meetings.
Um, this particular Go ahead. I appreciate you pointing that out. I flipped a page and didn't have that. Wendy, did you want to speak to this one? Um currently G130B for appointed board
officials. We cover how um that the treasurer and the secretary can be removed by the board for cause but no other positions are included in that. And so I would like to also offer um
include the president and the vice president that we can also remove them. Um and then I think that was all that I had in my notes was just adding those two positions. You mentioned length of terms.
Sorry, I printed this very quickly. Um and it got cut off. So yes, the length of terms too. Um, yes. And that's also one that's only addressed as for the two years for the secretary and treasurer. Okay. Can you um I the question that I had
about that are you are you trying to talk about relieving from a position or are you talking about removing from the board? Can you clarify? Just removing from the position because removal from the board is covered under a different policy. Yes.
Um, just to point out, um, G160B, um, does address the annual selection of those positions, if that's helpful. Um, and um, when it comes to legal advice on
what to include or not to include or any legal requirements on that, I can address that in close session. Okay. uh G160V. I just pulled it up. It only talks about the election um and how we handle that first meeting um
and how we actually conduct the vote. Yeah, I was um pointing that out just to show that they're annually elected when you were talking about the term portion just to actually we only do that every two years. Yeah, because we don't have elections
every year. So we're only We only do it when we bring on new board. Correct. Yeah. It's only after the board. My apologies. Is this something where we're going to need to vote for each change or how does this work? No, I think we get and clarify if I'm
incorrect. U but I think what we're going to do is just get a broad consensus if this is something we want to move forward with and then what will happen is we will um give our recommendations and then head counsel will go back create um the policy
according to what we are saying we would like and then bring that back to us next month for a vote. Thanks. Um I would say in looking at 160B, I'm wondering if it specifically states that the secretary and treasurer may or may not be members
of the board. And so I wonder if that's why G130B only addresses them. Um however, I do like Wendy's idea. It seems to me like that it should be consistent for all officers. And I wonder if instead of saying the term of office of the secretary and treasur just
the term of the officers which would include all of them or to use the same language appointed board officials. Yeah. Yeah. I as opposed to like listing every officer. It would be better for us just say all. I guess what I'm trying to say is I
would support that change. Um, I do think it's it's fine if we say that it's a two-year term. Um, I think when we're if we are doing this, we should probably address term limits. Um,
so like is there anything that would any reason why we would no more than three terms. Um, as an officer, when it comes to legal requirements on that, I can address that enclosed what's allowed
under statute and Okay, perfect. Um, I am using my mic. Yeah, it's on. Um, okay. So, should we just put this one on
pause until the next until close session? Finish discussing it there. Okay. The next one that I believe is here is G 155B. Yeah, all of our policies are listed
online and so you can find those at um um isdor or oh Megan isdschools.org um under schoolboard and then under there it's under policies and then we are specifically looking at board
manuals. Um but if there's something that you want to read um vice president you are able to read that I I don't consider I was just being concerned to those who may yeah I I do think that we have a lot to
get through so I want to make sure that we are able to do that. So whatever is decided to I'm playing with Um this one is the recommendation is that we just include language that says while attending meetings virtually we
can um while attending meetings virtually is a convenient op option especially allowing participation when scheduling if conflicts arise. Inerson attendance remains highly valuable. Face-to-face meetings promote stronger communication, collaboration, and
engagement by allowing participants to build relationships and contribute more effectively to discussion and decision-making. Virtual attendance should be therefore used sparingly and reserved for situations when when attending in person is not reasonably
possible to ensure full benefits of meaningful direct interaction are maintained. So, I would just the recommendation is that we would just add that language so that we can have a have a clear
understanding that our intend in-person attendance is what we are putting most value on. And just to point out, this does correspond to a policy. So, it's my understanding that would go through the
policy committee. So, we're going to put that under policy. Well, can we talk about it or Okay. Um, I would hesitate to add something like that considering another one of our board policies is that a board member can be removed for missing three or more
meetings. Um, and if we are saying that some meetings are more valuable than others, does that mean if I miss if I'm virtual, does that only count as half of a meeting? I just think it's a slippery slope of what would happen. We also have a policy that indicates that you can attend meetings virtually.
So it it it's there. I mean it gives the ability for you to attend in person and virtually. But do we want to have a board member that only ever attends virtually? I if that is what their requirement is like what if someone were to have health
issues and they couldn't come for six months. Are we going to penalize them because they missed six months and can only come virtually? you know, like I think that it's good to have the flexibility. There's accommodations within our policies to allow for those kinds of circumstances, but still
have a you know, a preference that our board members do attend in person. I guess what is the what is the purpose of adding that? What is the goal? So that we can clarify that it is better it we do prefer for our board members to attend in person.
So maybe policy is not the best place for that. Maybe that's somewhere under our board norms or something like that. This is in our board manual or in our board manual policies. It would change the policy. So, it's gonna be Yeah. So, I recall being
probably the first person to exhaust this virtual option and I'm very thankful that that was extended to me. Um, but now I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one that takes advantage of this opportunity um to to be virtually present. I think it is important for us
to to maintain a level of trust uh for persons uh who run a campaign, get elected, and who join this board that they do want to physically be here. And I think that it's a it's a good place for us to not necessarily have to have it in writing, but to say, "Hey, you know, we we do want to be here." I don't
think that's an issue. I'm not really sure where it came up necessarily, but I I think that there's enough uh policy written that clearly conveys the message uh that the priority is to be physically present while virtual options are there.
I I don't find it to be necessary to include it. I think in general we've tried to keep policy um very um succinct and short. Um, it feels to me like this might be a good place to put this would be in board dorms where we
we're more expansive on what our expectations are. I could I could be satisfied with putting in boards. I don't think it hurts at all to have it somewhere. Again, through the years we've talked about we might not be doing such and
such for this group sitting right here, but down the road we don't know. So, I don't think in some fashion it would hurt to have it wherever. have the final norms or norms. Would we need to discuss it for policy if we just add it to board norms?
Um, let me look here. um board norms is only in the board manual so it's not in policy and that is um
G200B. Do we have a consensus that we could add this or something to this nature in board norms? I can support four people. I guess I'll be four. Okay, I got it. G220
um G200 B. Sorry. And if I may just ask a point of clarity. um whenever we are necessarily substantiating a reason for someone to be virtual, how then do we actually
I guess balance that or measure that? Is it that and this will sound ridiculous but I need some clarity like do I need to show an obituary of my cousin's funeral service or like what what measure are we going to you know what I mean?
I I just think reasonable explanation is is valid. I mean it it it shouldn't be I just don't want to come tonight. Oh my gosh. Yeah. It should be more like you know I have a meeting or I have an obligation cool
help. Um G70B is the next one. Nope. Yes. G170B. I suggested a change on this one um because I would like language of what happens when the superintendent and president deny an agenda request because
the process as it stands right now is not consistent and from our uh perspective we'll make any changes as directed by the board and if Um, we're happy to review any proposed processes and provide any legal advice on that
to G170B. Yes. Okay. I just wanted to make sure you were talking about the agenda. I was like, well, cool. When you say that 170B is not consistent, are you talking about between policy and board manual? I mean, in practice. Oh, yeah. when um previously and I'm not
talking current like right the second but previously when I would submit um a request for an agenda item I often wouldn't know what that it wasn't approved until it didn't show up when we got our board packets so what if it's not approved what is that process what do we do what is the appeal process how
are we handling it when it is not approved as an individual board member Did you have proposed language that you wanted? Um, my understanding is that's why it was sent to legal u for proposed language. No, they just were checking to make sure
things were not in policy. So, if you have proposed language, that would be acceptable. I'll I'll add to that. I feel like I've brought this up before. Um, and some of the feedback that I received was, you know, when whenever I ask for a
modification or an addition, it's always granted. Um, at least that's what I recall from my recollection. So, is there is there precedence that we abide by when a director has a, you know, an agenda item, etc. that is normally honored or is it just a
case by case thing? Like what reason would you deny? would be legal reasons only or maybe that's an idea for for the language. I don't know if we can go into that or not. Yeah, initially the I think the rationale if we were operating under was if it was an action item we would be
able to move it forward as an agenda item. Um there is an um there there is action or there is a there is a consensus from our board that we want to
be able to have discussion that has no action. And so while that was our previous um way that we were putting things on the agenda, we are trying to allow discussion to happen. It's just a discussion item. And so there was no
policy that said that. that was the practice. So I don't know that that practice is going to continue. Um and so I don't know that we need to be worried about that. I believe this board
manual also has a policy that matches it is my memory on that. Oh, let me double check. So, it would seem to me like the best course of action would be if Director Bay had language for the policy so that we can make the change.
And that's fine. I'm happy to come up with something. I'm sorry. I was under the assumption that that's why we were sending it to legal beforehand is so that they could help suggest what that might look like. Um, we can easily say, um, any member of the board may request
items to be placed on the agenda. Um, because that's where we go wrong. Like just that one sentence. It doesn't say what happens if they decide no. It doesn't say that it like it makes it sound like it's automatically approved. If I say I want to talk about chicken nuggets for lunch, then chicken nuggets
for lunch are going to be on the agenda. Um, and so I think we need to come up with what our process and practice actually looks like. Um I think so if it is denied by the president and the the
well right now it doesn't even say that it has to be approve we could we could create an appeal process perhaps could if if I remember reading this um any member of the board may request items to
be placed on the agenda that does not guarantee that it lands and so I think honestly it's a matter of taking request and replacing it with add. If that's what I'm hearing you ask, then it any board member may add items to be placed
on the agenda. Yeah, I do think that there should be a process. I mean, the the truth is sometimes I'm not suggesting that this is what we're having right now, but for future practices, um, you know, you could have a board
member that requests the same item to be on the agenda every month. um even though there was discussion about it or even though there was a decision about it, they could request for that to be put on the the agenda the next month and we can't I I just think it would hinder our business because we're just
continuing to bring that back up and put it back on the agenda. Um call me Mr. Hopeful, but I man I hope I hope we don't have to deal with that. But if you do, I can tell you how how fun it is to ask a silly question in front of everybody. It doesn't feel so
great. And so, you know, if you want to be that silly, you know what? Be silly because it's gonna it's going to show. I think we need to think in a more respectful and respectable way of our peers that they're going to come and be serious about this role. If you want to
come up and ask about chicken nuggets at every board meeting, then hopefully you feel fulfilled. They're really important. I mean, really, I Yeah. Well, and I think I think this can easily be solved by just adding any member of the board may request items to
be placed on the agenda. If that request is denied by the board president and the superintendent, the item may be added with a with a quorum of other board members. Um, I know I can move to a amend the agenda, but if I do
that at the meeting, I'm not because our board policy says that we can't allow people to speak off of the agenda. No one's going to get to speak on it because I'm amending it there. they're not going to know that it's going to be on the agenda when I a move to amend it. So, it would be nice if it could be done
before the speaking deadline, whether that's a board vote or Wendy has requested to talk about chicken nuggets. Please weigh in quickly, yay or nay. And if I have four, then we have four or I'm happy to go. And I think that we could
do that and determine by majority that it could be added, but maybe we should say that it would be added to the next board meeting, not that particular board meeting because I just don't know that the timeline would allow. Well, but if I had requested it to be on this agenda and it was denied by two
people, I think I should have an opportunity to appeal that ruling so that it can be talked at that meeting. I agree with you, but I just don't know that it would be possible. So, I think we should say that at at a at a minimum that you would be able to do it by the next board meeting, next regular board
meeting. [Music] Would that be any kind of essential for violation if um we could address that in close session providing legal advice on that? Okay. Is there
um just a point of clarity to to the point that President Dixon was just making regarding timing? That's what I'm hearing us kind of discuss is is the timing of everything. Is it possible that we could see the agenda or proposed agenda sooner rather than later? That
would at least give us time to make said additions or changes. I don't think that I think that we would it would be difficult for us to get the agenda any sooner than we're currently getting it. And I'm not I'm not saying a finalized I I don't mean a final. I that would be unreasonable. I totally understand that.
What I'm saying is just an idea. Here's the outline. Here's kind of what I'm thinking. You know what we want to kind of speak to or have outlined. I was thinking a proposed agenda like a skeleton it wouldn't need the entire board packet but we would be talking about chicken
nuggets and mashed potatoes and done. I would I would hesitate to put more labor on any one of us like getting the agenda when we get the agenda and having all of the like things in place to do
that is quite rigorous. And so like saying, okay, we're going to have an agenda, proposed agenda before we submit the agenda, but then we have the like it's just adding more steps and causing more possible chaos. Could we see the proposed agenda that the officers go over in that discussed
on that Monday? It's already been released. That's already been released. Oh, it's the Okay. Monday. I feel like that this could be solved if we just said that the requests have to be made a week before the board meeting. then you're going to have enough time that if you get back, if the president and the superintendent get back within
two days, they can and they say, "No, we're not going to put it on." Then you could try to get an appeal. I mean, I think if you did that a week before, you'd have enough time. Could we say um could we say two weeks prior to the board meeting and then that way you're
going to get so Thursday is when we do the agenda release and so we're saying the Thursday before that. Yeah, I agree. It would be a week before it's released, not a week before the board meeting. But if you if you push it back too far then you can't deal with
things, you know, expediently. That's true. And I I do think too we could be I'm really interested in hearing from legal counsel in close session because the discussion we're having could very well be null and void if I'm understanding this correctly, right?
Because we're talking Yeah, we're talking potential forum and yeah. So yeah, I think we'll get the the cranium in close session. Okay. So good discussion. We'll keep talking about that in post. Um pending legal advice.
Um G 180B 185B 180 180B 180B Yep. There's a lot of them for skill.
Um this one also kind of goes along with that. um attending meetings virtually. I just feel like, you know, we we have now kind of just really embrace
this virtual attendance. And I just want to make sure that we're clear about how and when we can attend and and what it looks like. And I feel like one of the things too that you know, we have an engaged participating member um
attending our meetings virtually. I think it's important that they have their camera on, that we know that they're engaged, they're participating, they're part of the meeting. Um, and I I do attend meetings often, that people just don't turn on their cameras. And so
we I I think that it's important that maybe we clarify that that is part of what we would like to see happen. Just just for clarity, we don't attend meetings where our cameras are off. You're you're saying other meetings outside of IC, right? Um
I haven't seen it. I have seen it. I've seen cameras turn off during our meetings. My understanding was that was a rule and the only way someone could participate is if we saw them on camera, otherwise they couldn't vote. Well, if that's the expectation, then
why don't we just enforce the expectation? Um because we we really don't have any clear guidelines on that within our our main. So this particular um manual is a this
this section is about board member voting and so um I'm just saying that if if members attend um virtually they need to be visible participating and allow um
and contribute with their cameras on I think I don't know if it can be included in in this um uh policy manual um but I think it's important too that when you are
virtual that you give the appearance that you are alone um and that is a it's not a lot of noise in your background and that we can confidently trust you hands down but number two you give us reason to believe that you are by yourself and no
one's listening even if it's you know a six a six 10 year old sick 10-year-old who probably couldn't care less about board policy. I think that can help us too because the objective is to make sure that we're protecting the things that we're talking
about in close session um even when you're virtual. So, I don't know if it's appropriate to add it to this, but I I would find reason in that. I personally have not seen people off of camera, but I'm not like I can't see Blake right now, so I don't know. I believe he's on
camera. like one time you were driving. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, good point. I was driving so I wasn't sure. Yeah. Yeah. So, like there have been times when maybe somebody turned off their camera because someone walked in and
they needed to talk to them and they had a conversation outside of that. Those are the kinds of things that I have seen happen. I I'm not trying to um say that that was an issue and that we couldn't move on from it. I'm trying to say I think that because we're doing this more often, it would be good for us to
clarify our expectations that that we are engaged in that meeting that we're not having side conversations that you are in a place where you can actively participate in the meeting and not be distracted and you know I just I think it's really important
video conferencing is addressed in this policy. It says board members participating electronically using methods other than video conferencing which implies that the video is on may not cast roll call votes regardless of whether of the what regardless of whether those votes occur in open or
closed sessions. So you can't vote. I agree with you that it's a video conference thing, but I think that it is I mean it even makes it someone has been on a Zoom call and not had their camera on and they were not
actively like fully engaged in the meeting, but yet they were still able to vote. I mean, I think if we're going to do that, then we should police that we don't have cell phones on the D. You know what I mean? Like this is a really like deep dive. Like we're going down a rabbit hole is what I'm saying. like
video conferencing is in here. Just for my own peace of mind, I'm not saying whether or not it was right or justifiable, but just to be clear, at that time, I was driving my vehicle and it was daylight savings time. So, it was very dark. I didn't see the need of
having my camera because I wasn't visible anyway. You couldn't see me regardless. So, I literally remember having to turn on my my interior lights on the highway and I'm like, uh, I don't know if you can get pulled over for this, but they say that you can't. I don't. Um, so that was that situation, but I
very much do value being phys visible and engaged um on the calls and I believe that we all do. Um, I didn't recognize Wendy's point. That's a great point. Uh, would you mind just reading it again so we could see it? Um,
board members participating electronically using methods other than video conferencing may not cast roll call votes regardless of whether those votes occur in open or close session. And like prior to that, it talks about participating electronically by other means by telephone. Um, and then you can
discuss and vote as long as the vote is not made by roll call. Um, and so yeah, that would have applied to you. I like on your drive if they were if we had the individual votes, which any board member could call for if we wanted to ensure
that you were still able to vote for those. Also, what if uh sorry, what if you've like lost connection? You know, sometimes you can hear but you can't see. He can't hear you. Is your mic on? Oh, it is. Um, what if
you are video conferencing and you lose your video piece, you know, sometimes you can still hear but you can't see anymore just because the connection goes bad. So, I mean obviously there's an attempt there to be engaged and you're
not able to fix it. And just to chime in, um we're happy to talk discuss this and close the applicable legal requirements on this. Yeah, they're Yep. I would just make a just a quick comment that I do appreciate Vice President
Mundane's comment about close session. I do think that it's important to have some comment in there that um there needs to not be anyone else that can hear the conversation. I just think I mean I know your example about this sick child in the background. I mean I get that. But I do think that we close
session is closed for a reason and I do think that we need to have some comment about that. No one else can hear the conversation. I kind of feel like as Wendy mentioned that the video conferencing probably covers the visual aspect but I think your point Vice President Mundane is is very important.
Thank you. Just very quickly there could possibly just be a simple statement. You know, board members are encouraged to have camera on at all times and have nobody else able to hear or listen
or be in the room or whatever. I think it could be a simple statement. It's close session. That's what it is. You're in close session. So, treat it the same way. Yeah, that's really it. Well, and I I guess for me it isn't about like making this like this huge thing. But I think that there is a
difference between being a virtual with your camera off and being a virtual with your camera on. And so I feel like it is possible that we could just add the words virtual with camera on and you may vote. Like just making sure that our board members know that that's that's
our expectation. Okay. So we're going to finish this conversation in closed session. Um 541 um G185E board committees. Um, this one was u from me and basically I just
wanted to possibly add some wording in this um that state the bottom of the first paragraph that um in all cases a board member serving on a committee represents the board as a whole and acts um in
furtherance of the board approved goals, not individual interest or desires. Um so those are when we when we're asked to be on a committee because of our board service that we're acting as a in that role as a board member. Um and then the
second paragraph service on such committees will be by appointment by the board president in consideration of the board member's individual requests the purposes identified by the board the needs of the district and the overall needs of the board for effective representation.
So, it right now it just talks about having the ability to request um what committee you want to be on. And um my thought is that it isn't just making
those decisions and setting those committees. It has to do with seven different people and what seven people different people are capable or have the ability to do with their schedules. and maybe someone only has schedules to do that one and some of them have schedules to do the other ones and it's it's more
than just interests of board members that make those decisions. So, if we could add that wording, I think it would be appropriate. Can you please read it again like the whole um the whole policy with your additions? Sure. The board president or board may
appoint annual committees committee or committees of for special purposes. These committees are subject to subject to all applicable laws and rules. Board members may from time to time be invited to serve on various committees on in the
district or community. When board members are asked to serve as a district or board representative on a committee, the board member shall seek to obtain board authorization to serve prior to participation. And then I suggest that we add in all cases a board member serving on the
committee represents the board as a whole and acts in furtherance of board approved goals not individual interest or desires. And then board members may also be asked to serve on committee formed by act by action of the board. The board president
will ask each board member to provide a list of standing committees of the standing committees on which they would be interested in serving service on such committees. This is what I'm adding. Um, serves on such committees will be by appointment of the board president in consideration of the board
member's individual request, the purpose identified by the board, the needs of the district, and the overall needs of the board for effective representation. I have a question. Wendy, did you want to go first? Okay. So, as it stands, the board
president or the board may appoint. And so those words in particular, I remember that I had pause with the committee that I was added to. um I didn't feel that I that I had the voice to actually say this is what I really like to do and felt more so acquainted
and this is kind of what I was volunteering the recommendations you make are more so open to what we would desire to join in if the availability was present that would be honored or does it finally go down to what you appoint or that
president appoints? Yeah. So, the the superintendent and um the board president go through all of those committees and they like there's recommendations like um you know this this committee meets seven times and
they meet during the day. So, it has to be a board member that can meet during the day. Um this one only meets twice but it's in the evening. So, we have to have a board member that's available in the evening. So, there's all of these nuances in those committees. So that
superintendent speaking into helping with that is part of that decision- making process. Um sometimes it's about, you know, that board member has served in that role before. Let's move it around. Sometimes it's um making sure
that we're you know just giving full like balance to responsibilities. Um, so there's just a lot of different nuances that go into it outside of just I'm a board member and I like that thing
and so I want to do that and so I want to make sure that we're just we're letting everyone know that, you know, there's there's going to be a decision made by the board president superintendent's going to help out with that, but it's going to have all of these things that are going to play into those
decisions. Um, I am hesitant to change this policy. Um, because the last time that we changed it, the reason that we changed it is because we were all volunttoled what we would serve on versus a conversation. Like I was never asked, "What is your daytime availability? What
is your evening availability?" It was just assumed that I could do the ones that I was told to do. Um, so I'm hesitant to change this because we haven't been able to even do this in practice yet. um because we haven't reassigned committees until after the next election. Yeah.
And this is not changing that ability for a board member to speak into what they can do. So like you know a board member can say I really can't serve during the day so please keep that in mind. I'm interested in this thing. And that's still part of what you are you are granted by this practice that is
already there to be able to do. But it does not guarantee that because you asked to be on a certain committee you're going to be on that committee. And I don't think it guarantees that right now as it stands. It still says service on such committee will be by appointment of the board president. I'm saying I think that for us to say
that all of these things are going to be part of the dynamic of making that decision. I also think our board role um as we serve on the board as a whole and we make decisions we're not one person is
already defined elsewhere. It's quite possible, but it is also possible for a board member to go into a committee committee and not represent the board. President Dixon, could you could you speak into I and I don't know if it's your recommendation or not, but seeing that you have the recommendations?
Yeah, I did recommend this. Okay. Can you speak into exactly why you feel the language needs to change? I'm I'm just struggling with seeing where where because I could see um the next president having a struggle with this with the way that it's written. um that
there are a lot of things that go into that committee assignment and at the end of the day it's an assignment that's made by the board president and so when people want to come back and say well I didn't ask for this and you didn't give me what I asked for there I think it
would be important for that our board as a whole to understand that that there are lots of reasons why you didn't get what you asked for but you know they are trying to do what you know what's best for the board and so
the the policy was changed to reflect that a board member had the ability to say what they would like to serve in and so I am saying that I think that the policy could be also revised to include that these things are going to happen as well that the best that all of these
things are going to come into play when making that decision while keeping in mind what your recommend what your request is. If I may, the latter part of this reads, "Board members may also be asked to serve on committees formed by action of the board. The board president will ask
each board member to provide a list of standing committees they would be interested in serving on. Service on such committees will be by appointment of the board president in consideration of the board member's individual requests and for the purposes identified by the board."
So, it's by Yeah. We're you're going to keep in mind that requests, but also these other things. The purposes of the board, I just think we could clearly define better. I think I'd like to see this play out the way it is. I would excuse me, I would agree. Um I
think that it's something that we haven't had a chance to test to see how it goes. I would also um have like what does the needs of the district and effective representation of the board as a whole um those are hard to define and
who defines those. So and it does obviously but it also says by appointment of the board president and consideration of the board members individual requests. That doesn't say that you're rubber stamping what we requested because Denise and I might really both want to be on the same
committee that only has one spot open. you're going to have to pick one. Um, and that's the way the cookie crumbles or chicken nugget crumbles. Yeah. Well, I mean the I mean to be honest, there were requests made by board members here that this has
happened. Like we literally had to say, well, we can only have one, so you got two of the same requests. Who's going to do it? Well, the other person was mad that they didn't get it. We continue to hear about how they wanted to be on that committee and they didn't get it. So, you know, like having understanding that
it isn't about just a president trying to to be the bad guy or putting someone somewhere they didn't want to go. There's a lot of things that go into those decisions, including sometimes there's not just not enough room. And if if you guys are willing as a board to
just accept this is the way it is and you don't need any other clarification about that, then I'm okay with that. But it's just been a really good rule of thumb in my experience not to change policy because someone's attitude or mood. I don't think that's a good idea at all. You know, I'm not asking to change
policy because of an attitude or mood. I'm saying going forward, it's good for us to have clear understanding about why we do the things we're doing and how we're doing it so that this confusion doesn't continue to happen. Yeah. I what I'm saying I don't see any
confusion. I I think this is very clear and I would like to see this play out. Um, and I I'm just referencing the statement you made about someone being mad. I'm assuming that's one of our colleagues. I I'm not a big fan of making a movement of a policy of
standard because someone's mad is all I'm speaking into. And I'm also sorry, just to remind everyone, we have eight minutes. Yep. Oh goodness. I'll speak from my experience. I wasn't asked what I wanted to serve on. I was told. So, I appreciate that. But you did tell me what you wanted to serve on
after I was told what I was on. Um, let me clarify. We did go back and re-evaluate based on um board members who said, "I would like to serve on this committee." We did go back and re-evaluate it. The the the decision remained the same and there was no
change that was made because it wasn't possible to abide by board members requests. And so we did fulfill that process, but you didn't get the outcome that you wanted. And I accepted it and I've served on the
positions that I've served and I like the changes that were made already and would like to see that play out. I'd add just a little bit of history on this. Been on the board for 16 years.
up until this last um two-year cycle, we were always asked first what we wanted to serve on and then the board president would try to give the person at least one of the things that they asked for. Yeah. Um I will be completely honest, I was one of the people that was upset about
my board assignment. Um and I probably didn't let it go as quickly as I should have and I apologize um President Dixon if I bothered you because I probably did. No, I mean obviously that's not what this is about. And so I just wanted to say that that practice had been in
place for the 14 years previous to that. I think it is a good policy. I I feel like what I'm hearing is is that you want to just make sure that people know that the president is still going to make that appointment. It feels to me like that that's already the case and
I'm not sure we need to deliver it. My Yes. And I will say to you that in when you come on as a board president, you really had no idea. And this policy did not say that you were supposed to ask people what they wanted to do. So
abiding by the policy, it was like a president needs to determine what the committees are. And I just did it. And so then people came back and said, I don't want to be on that committee. I don't want to do that. And so we tried to make an effort to fix it for you all. But the decision was it stood. And so
that is how that whole process went about. And so I again feel like for the next president coming in, everything that we can put into this practice that helps them to understand that they don't have to make a decision based on what
somebody said, they can do what's best for the district. They can do what's best for all of us as a whole. Like they have the ability to do that. I would like to give them a clear guide of how that happens. And that's what this particular
um this this is about board committees G8 or 185B ward committees and so setting the wordage so that it shows it gives all of that those examples and says all that I just think is good. I think it needs to be said too that
that um the the role uh of the president is obviously not easy. Um, and I can't speak to that. You can, but it sounds like I mean, obviously your time is is important and there is there does need to be consideration for that. I do think
honestly um some of these mishaps and and misses that we're having are really going to be fixed or or mended with relationship. And if we talk more and have that broader scope that can be easily seen and discovered um for any
person that's in leadership, that's going to make a big difference. And so, um, I I think that some of this opposed to it being in policy just needs to kind of be in our in our morale, in our relationship, in our practice, and so
with each other. So, um, G190D, um, board calendar. Um, I just was noticing that it said that the calendar needed to be emailed and I wondered if we needed to continue to have that in the in the manual. I would like to
request that we do. Uh, I personally am having a problem with I use Outlook and the district uses Google and so I have to decline every single invite that comes. It's been a huge issue. Um, but anyway, I just feel like that reminder
when I get that from Cammy that says I I put something out there, then I can look and make sure that, you know, I don't miss it. So, I would like to request that that remains. Okay. So, we're going to keep it in the board manual that it will be emailed. Correct.
Okay. And then Wendy, you had a G220 board member orientation. Um, currently it states upon the election or appointment of a new board member, the board president and superintendent will meet with the new
board member for a discussion of any questions the new board member may have and general board operations. Um, we are not currently practicing this as it is written. So I would suggest that we add the board president or vice president or even treasurer if we wanted to do that
just to ensure that someone from the officers are included. Um because I know you were not able to attend. I'm not sure what was happening. No, it happened after the election. So um you may just not have been informed of it, but it was just um Brandy and me
and um some other folks. Um, so I would add that we or I would suggest that we include vice president and or treasurer if we wanted to include that too just to ensure that there is board representation in that meeting.
I agree. I think that's a good idea. Same. It just gives us flexibility. Yeah. I guess I I honestly feel like it could be an option. like um that orientation is really giving you
all of the ins and outs of a the district and um this the policy kind of talks about um you have the ability let me find it. um says that um you'll meet with the board
president um or superintendent. So you potentially could meet with any of the board members um outside of the orientation and so I don't know that it has to be somebody is there present for that
because technically that is it's quite an extended amount of time that I think I'm not that our officers would all have time to deal I don't think all of them but right now it said that the board president was expected to attend right
and that didn't happen so I think the superintendent and optionally an officer and I think it's important just for new board members to feel welcomed and to be able to ask and to build relationships I think it's important that some mentor
from the who has been on the board before be in that room with us I think active board member. Yeah, that would be fine, too. If you don't want to make it the an officer, that's fine. Um, an incumbent board member or something. Sorry, I I wouldn't. No. And that's that's fine. If it's not
an officer, that's okay. Um, I think that it would be important or I mean, we have discussed before about having mentors as we come on board just to have a person to talk to could be helpful. Um, and so if we wanted to do that or include Yeah. So just an an incumbent
board member. Could we say a representative of the board and superintendent? No, I think it needs to be a board member. I'm sorry. Can we can we get to just explain what that what do you mean representative? So you just said that it could be anyone
from the board to attend that meeting um with the superintendent so that you have the ability to make relationships. But what if like it is an extensive amount of time and I'm just saying you know that's pigeon holing it to say that one of these three people has to be there.
Could it not be any six members? Yeah, I think there's a better way to say it than just a representative of the board. It could um because we wouldn't want somebody who was elected like we would want somebody with a little bit more experience who has been on the board a little bit who could answer those questions. Um but it's also only a
commitment once every two years. So, in an only that's a one time thing. It's a one if you're president then yeah it probably should be you like a refresher is never going to hurt anybody. Um, but if you can't make it, and that's why my suggestion that it be any officer, but if it's another board
member, then that's fine, too. But to me, it makes sense that it's someone who has the experience who can answer those questions and has been around longer than a year or two. Which is why an officer made sense. So, do we want to do officer or do we
want to do um just any board member? I think an officer makes sense and it's really just needs to be up to that that officer and that director to accommodate their their schedules and whether that's at a at a you know a coffee shop in a
closed off area where they can be discreet house or I think our what was it two hours like it wasn't a ridiculous amount of time but it was very informative and important and but yeah it would have been helpful to have a board member there with us. What if you said uh board
president or other board member if they are not available designate? I don't know if you want to go. I do think it needs to be a board member, an active board member, not a previous board member. Yes. Like a current board member.
Yeah. Yes, I'm fine with that. So, are you suggesting Denise? What are you suggesting? suggestion say a board president, or other board member if the board president's not available. I believe that's the spirit of what Wendy was trying to get.
Yeah. I mean, I was going to make the vice president or treasurer do it because that's part of being elected to the board officer, but if that's if we want to make it another board member, that's fine. So those three or if they're not available an active board member.
Okay, we will hammer out that language. Um the last thing that um I feel like we would want to talk about um I think we're going to have to table.
Um but maybe we can bring that just can we discuss um board member extense guidelines in close session. Yeah, we can provide legal advice on um any use of funds for expenses. Okay, so we'll just discuss that one in
close session. There was also 400 removal from office. Would that be appropriate for close session as well? Need a motion to adjurnn. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Blanket's here. He's trying to respond. Can you see? Yes. Yes. Yes.