Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Hey, hey hey. Hey boo. Heat. Hey. Hey.
Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Heat up here. Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey hey hey. Heat. Hey Heat. Hey hey hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey Heat.
Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Good afternoon everyone. Good afternoon. Welcome. It is what day is today? Monday, August 3rd, 2026, 3:05 p.m.
Thank you for giving us a few minutes of grace as we get our meeting started today. Welcome board colleagues, Dr. Stubblefield, Mr. Gohane, to all of our staff that are present, uh, both in person or online, and to all of our guest present, both in person and online. Welcome. We're glad to have you
here for our special board meeting. Um, we're going to go ahead and jump right in since we're a few minutes behind. Lots to cover today. Um, so again, welcome. Good to see you all. It's a great first week of August as we're preparing to open up uh school this year, the school year. So, it's a it's a
great time to be here. So, I will read our board norms and protocols as we do at every board meeting. We agree to respect differences of opinions in making decisions for the district. To follow best practices in managing the superintendent and the management of the board itself. To stay on task when
conducting business for the district, including while at board meetings. To never surprise a superintendent or each other when conducting official business of the district. To read these norms at the beginning of each board meeting and at board workshops as a reminder of how to conduct our meetings. And to continually selfch checkck to determine
if we are following our norms when conducting district business. Again, good afternoon. Welcome. Good to see you all. Uh, with that, we will do a roll call. Miss Downing. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brownley Page, present. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark, present. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez, present.
>> Robert Milin, Jr. >> Robert Milin, Jr. present. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. >> Pamela Penhicks, present. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan, present. >> Dr. Win, present. >> Thank you, board. Um, is there a motion to approve today's special agenda? So
move. >> It's been moved and it's been seconded. Thank you. Any questions or discussion? >> Hearing none. Miss Downing. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brownley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez.
>> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Robert Milin Jr. Yes. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes. >> Dr. Win. Yes. Thank you, board. All right, we're going to jump right into our agenda. First agenda item is our
consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve today's consent agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none. Miss Downing.
>> Wanda Brley Page. >> Wanda Brley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Milin Jr. Yes. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes.
>> And Dr. Win. Yes. >> All right. Thank you, board. Okay. Next agenda item. Board. Um is we are in item 3A. Um this is a discussion on our budget, a follow-up discussion on our budget. If you recall, board um about a month ago or so, maybe a little bit uh
longer than that, the board voted to create a subcommittee um to review the budget, to go over budget documents, to um look at budget items and see if there were areas where we could potentially um save um the district some dollars. And
and so um that committee uh was headed up by Dr. Wyn and it included myself and Miss Pen Hicks. Um and we've met several times um and uh we continue to look to meet um ahead of our August 25th um
session where we must declare whether we will exceed revenue neutral or not um and have an open um forum or an open um community forum where folks can come and share. Um so in in anticipation of that in preparation for that this committee's
been meeting to review budget documents to review the budget items. Um and uh I think Dr. Wyn has some items that she would like to share some discussion. We wanted to bring the full board um onto the same page of discussions that we've been having. First thank you to all the
staff who have helped to prepare the information um for the committee. Um, additionally, I think, um, again, just for context, um, some of the things we've been discussing are looking at, um, where there might be some cost savings for the district. Um, additionally, what are some of the
policies already in place um, when we're looking at budget items? Um, and if we're thinking about um, exceeding revenue neutral or or going revenue neutral, what does that mean? What are those budget implications? Um, and what is the true cost of that if that is the direction that the board wanted to move
forward with? Um, so today is just a conversation, a discussion. No action is being asked of the board today. Um, we just want to make sure board the board has the opportunity to hear the information that was shared with the budget subcommittee and ask any questions. So, I'll hand it over to Dr. Wyn.
>> And thank you. Um, once again, we um could we ask Mrs. Robinson to uh help us go through the documents you sent to the board? sub. >> Yes,
>> sure. >> And in anticipation of her coming to help, not that the board needs any help, but just in case you want some additional understanding, uh June 13th
is the the uh files that Ms. Downing forwarded to us. So, if you want to reference what Ms. Um Robinson is going to help us understand. It's a June 13th
um um from Ms. Ms. uh Downing and it says um budget subcommittee, right, Miss Downing?
>> June 13th. >> Um is it a not attached on that because that tells us what we've done thus far and we have uh it's not the June 13th meeting. It's a file that you forwarded to us
from Mrs. Ms. Robinson. >> Let me go back and find >> She's finding it. Um, what we need to do, subcommittee and board, we still need to request files about mileage reimbursement,
cell phones, accessories, AI policies, all data plans, and I think we have PE cards, purchase cards. I'm not sure. Um, while she is finding that
Dr. Steel, we we we need clarification on how schools central office are handling meals. Um, I remember we had conversation about
not only I say in addition to the $40 per person, but the like two big celebratory um meals, eating events, understandably maybe the first of the year ending up
the year, but as we go through the files for all meals that include students, committees, things like that. We would need some guidance before we would suggest policies. So, we just need
clarity on on that. I think I mentioned the last time we were here. >> Yes. So, um regarding meals and then I'll work backwards. Um, one of the things that uh, Miss Robinson and the finance team as they've built out the
budget this year, they have um, we've talked to department leaders and building principles and anyone that oversees budgets and calculated those amounts with the $40.
Um couple of things have occurred or will occur this week that we've made adjustments to ensure that there's no um like double counting in one budget. So I think the clarification I need is what
is it that um the board the committee or the board is needing um regarding that >> is the practice other than in addition to the $40 per person we know that is global that's for everybody but on top of that or in addition to that schools
have events. So what is the practice on on those types of events? Do we have two either we have a Christmas event and a and a >> they count that out of their $40. Um where there may be big events that
include like family, staff, and community, they typically will just buy enough for whomever, but that is out of a different budget. Is not the $40 for like staff um items. Is there a is there
a um guidance policy that that we I mean we were under the assumption that it would be in addition two events two two celebratory events. >> I and I don't I don't I there were a couple of meetings I missed. So I
>> Well, this is over the years. No, this is over the years. >> So I think um prior to since I've been here since you've been here. Yeah. Once we had the $50, we have been treating that as inclusive of regardless. >> Okay.
>> Where the difference is if it's like um when we have unity in the community and we have sponsors and that sort of thing um adults, students, whomever, they get tickets, but that is typically
um like a co-sponsorship. So that wouldn't have been charged to anyone's, right? And when schools have events like um a family night or whatever, >> that's different. >> That's different. But the the once we established the $50, which I think was
maybe three or four years ago, and then we changed it to 40 last year, any celebratory or not, it was all out of that amount. And that that's what our expectation and what we communicated
out. Now, if somebody did something outside of that, I'm I wouldn't I'm not saying it couldn't have happened, but when we communicated all of the food should have come out of the food line where we uh
have not been tight on and which we can definitely go back and look at, okay, >> is if the the if they spent that line but they had money somewhere else and they transferred it for something then I
can't say wholeheartedly that never happened but that's not what we like communicated that would have just been them staying within their budget and maybe making some adjustments if they chose to do that or just overspending and at the end as long as they weren't
negative they were fine now that is common practice >> how does it work at central office >> central office is the same thing >> same thing okay so when first thank you and and for our our audience and everything. We are
concerned about and I and you may not have been here as we started um couple weeks ago that we have the subcommittee has been operating on three principles. Trust that we trust our staff are are doing um the right thing. Um
accountability that we are all concerned about account accountable to our community and transparency. And so when we look at the um printouts um that clarity helps because where we see
maybe expenses that don't seem to coincide with that we'll we'll have to um question. And hopefully as we look at um the budgets for 2062
27 then that is reflected and and it and it just it just we we have more questions for you. Um found it miss Robinson. >> Yes. And and just one other thing about district office as far as celebrations
and then I would have to um confirm this. >> Um once a year we do the big holiday meal. >> Yeah. >> Historically that's not come out of a district budget that has come from um dollars that either um through the
foundation or somebody that they supported it. So, um, that meal, um, and sometimes, Miss Downey, if I'm misspeaking, if it, um, over the course of a year when that dwindled down, I may have used
like other expenses from my budget to cover it. That would be the one exception where it was not out of that $40 per department. >> It would reflect on the district. >> It would reflect out of my budget. >> It was still on the out for Okay.
>> Yes. That's the only like when you said the holiday that was the that's the annual holiday meal that typically we try to get someone to cover it but if they don't cover it the full amount I would close the gap on that. >> Okay. So, so again, thank you for that
clarification because then as we review these files, there are they're they're showing a different type of activity and so we'll we'll want to come back and get more clarity on um >> Yeah. And when we get there, if you can
show I mean, if you can share what that different type of activity is, that may help us to Right. Right. >> respond. And and I just and again for everyone, it's not about student meals. It's not about uh community meals. Um
it's it's about trust, accountability, and transparency. And so, um if if if you understand our intentions, perhaps you would understand our activity. And
if you choose to um not uh understand our intentions, then you you know the joker's wild. Um date files. Is it was it July 13th? >> Yes, I have them.
Can you can you um >> and once again staff I mean um >> and somebody from it she's trying to project it up there and it's not While we're doing that, um, board, something, and not a surprise, something
I shared with the subcommittee, um, when we're looking at the budget, right, and when we're looking at overall costs and the implications of revenue neutral or exceeding or staying or cutting a mill, I just want to make sure again that we all level set of what that actually
means. If we are saying we want to remain revenue neutral or if we're cutting a meal a mill to that, what does that mean in actual dollars? Um because we already have over $11 million in anticipated expenses for this coming
school year, above and beyond what that was last year. Plus, if we're looking at reducing a mill, that's roughly about 1.4 million. And when you get the state aid on that, which is another $2.7 million, you're looking at around roughly $4 million if you're cutting a
mill. You add that up, if you're going revenue neutral and cutting a mill, you're looking at $15 million that this board would have to find where to cut from in the upcoming budget. $15 million. that still doesn't account for any
potential staff raises or other unanticipated costs or if we want to address um any of our um um uh what do you call the the the the funds that we hold in the bank um but contingency. Thank you. Um, so we're
looking at at least $15 million that if we wanted to go revenue neutral, if that's the will of the board, that this board then has to direct staff to say, "Here's where you're cutting those dollars. This is where you're going to cut those dollars from." Um, and what
does that mean? 85% of our budget is made up of salary of people. So, you're having to cut, we're having to look at where else are we cutting those dollars if that's the direction that we want to go. and we're giving up state aid by doing so as well. So, I just wanted to
level set in and saying that as we look at our budget, yes, we should be conscious and yes, we made some decisions on limiting travel for the board and staff and yes, limiting meals and we should be prudent on where we're spending our tax dollars. Absolutely. And we should be looking at,
okay, are there places where we can slim or or not spend as much? Absolutely. But the total gain has to equate roughly $15 million in order to make that difference for us to be at revenue
neutral re in order to make a any potential impact um outside of the district. So I just wanted to level set that because that's something for us to remember that we need to reach that minimum if that's the direction that we want to go. If we were for cutting
budgets on travel, that may save us, if we cut all food expenses, I'll say that cuts us $1.2 million >> proposal. So, >> right. So, we'd still have to find another $12 million in the budget of where that money is coming from at a minimum. And I my numbers might be a
little wrong. Miss Robinson might share with me, but we've got to figure out where that money is coming from. And that has to be direction from the board to tell staff this is where you're cutting >> complete picture as well because if and and we need clarification if rem not
exceeding revenue neutral does that mean we stay at the same amount that of the budget that we had last year? >> Not necessarily. >> Not necessarily. But if it does then that's one scenario. And then if if to
as you say when you we taxed 67 million dollar worth of taxes on the community to get 8 million. So Mr. That's why I'm saying let's we need
to put the all factors out there. So when we are weighing um and and explaining cutting here, cutting there and then ask miss Dr. Stubblefield to to
ask the departments to revise those those budgets as I guess we're going to discuss our own that when then you plan ahead and you limit travel to not x amount but to one national how does that
impact a department's budget and one would think as one would think for our own it would reduce so there's the the laser version is we still have a lot of work to do. That's the laser version. Um and and as I said before, we
subcommittee still has four or five different just give me a signal when you're ready. Um and that as same way Dr. Stubblefeld on the AI policy. Um so
I think the discussion was in your evaluation um list of what kind of activities had been going on that that there was a committee talking about AI policies. >> Yeah. So we've had a committee for um I
think it's the second going into our third year that was inexistent in existence. Um we've had guidance um for several years and um I um the AI policy the board just recently would have
adopted. It was what was recommended by um KSB. I think it was in batch policy. Greg, if I'm misspeaking, tell me that like I >> That's right. Um so that is where we started and that was just adopted last
spring regarding just the general practices around um AI and how we use it. Um and we I mean we >> well the question is subscriptions. So how are we going to manage subscriptions? how we're going to manage
the cost of um does does each uh person who has a credit card are they able to just make a subscription when they choose? >> So originally um like last year and previously um
people were um like doing the subscriptions. We then um and Mr. Hoda is not here. I have to go back and look at the email. um Open AI um then created a platform for schools specifically and
he shared that it is no cost for the next two years. At that time we communicated out to everyone effective and I don't have the email in front of me this specific date you can no longer charge these things to um any district
account because here's where you can um get it. And so we've been um um our expectation was that everybody would stop the paid subscription and join one of the um free platforms that has some
security to it and that was like earlier this spring. So moving forward um unless it is related to a specific uh curriculum which we haven't said oh
we're going to do magic school or the other ones platforms for staff and students um individuals who are using AI we directed them to notebook LM which is a part of the Google suite um the um
open AI that's uh was sent out and shared with all staff on how to join it and after that date no one should have no one should be charging it and if there there are they can if there were someone would have been following up
saying you can't um do that um Gemini like there are a lot of free seccure ones with some of the suites that we have so moving forward you shouldn't see it and if um if If the
board elects to like put that in writing or guidance, then we would do that. But that has been taken care of earlier in the spring prior to the conversations. I do just want to clarify. I think a lot of people are referencing last year.
There was a request for the last three years of all um purchase um cards receipts and it was shared and what I've seen a lot of and gotten questions about including from the media which when we get to those parts I can
um share publicly what we shared and share our responses. They're making reference to those um um items and majority of those things
that um either we've made um cleaned up in and more in more alignment and or that while the public perception may have been one thing, there was not there was any not anything fraudulent or um
what some of the other words that are being used that that was not the case. It was and then it's also people are looking at information without context or having known that an outside organization reimburse the district for a particular
travel or something that might have been on a card. So that that is what's been heavily referenced are those um that request that was made and that is um not necessarily what is reflective
of what um what's happening at um currently. >> Yeah. And that circles back to Mr. Lopez's point. We're looking at past expenses and so moving forward we've we've taken the perspective that part of it is a responsibility the board
had not provided any guidance and so um it it is now then our responsibility with hindsight with your future plans to then uh proceed. And so that's that when you're saying we're looking for 15
million, there could be five or six million that is no longer being spent, but we have to know what you're doing. And that's where we did not have guidance on on any of these ide. >> So to clarify what Mr. Lopez is saying, that's different. That's not
>> No, the way >> I'm Well, I'm he's saying based off of the list that we >> correct, but but we we were our conversation was that how do you find 15 million? Yeah, he's talking about the list that we've of known expenses. Yeah. Anticipated clear.
>> Right. But that's not inclusive of I mean that's not including what we previously spent on like uh >> No, no, excuse me. If that's what you thought I said, I thought you were saying that I said this was in reference to his comment that how do we find 15
million? >> We're looking to where there was no guidance and there may have been expenses that you're we're no longer doing if that's the right term. So that's what I meant Dr. Stella Phelps. >> Okay. I I I just wanted I interpreted
like that. >> No, that listen >> based off of what he was saying that may be five million that we can count towards that and I was like that and if that's not the case that's I'm I misunderstood. So thank you for the clarification. >> Thank you for question
>> and Mr. Lopez, we just found out you said they may, Dr. Stubblefield have gotten a donation from someone. How do we know that? And how does the public know that? Where is a record of that? That would clear up a
lot because the way we record thing then you don't have a go back page and say it should all be there so everybody can see it. Because when they're looking at one thing and we never heard that there were reimbursements, it's not
recorded anywhere for the public to see. >> It's recorded. It's just different records are kept in different spaces. So when when the request was for all of the purchase order, I mean the um PECAR
receipts, the uh credit card receipts, you get that. If you look on the board agenda where we do travel, um it'll say no cost to the district because someone is covering it. So, or an organization
or a grant is covering it. when they when staff um administrative uh those who have the authority to book it, they're booking it using the district credit card, but in a different and Miss Robinson, if I misspeak, when they
reimburse it that you're not going to see a credit on the credit card, you will see a credit in that account where it was charged to, which is different from the credit card receipt. So if they
um for example um I just looked back there and I saw parents as teachers. We got an inquiry about parents as teachers sending I think it was 15 or 16 staff to a required training um in California. Was it in California?
Wherever it was it was in California. And so on the surface, the information that that individual had, it they asked why would they stay at a hotel for $1,600 a night? Well, it was not that. It was the conference was four days.
They were there for five nights because California, you have to travel a day ahead. So, it was $1,600 per person, but the actual cost of the hotel was $2.69 a night. But what they were looking at and they believe were district general funds
was not it's the parents as teachers grant and that's a required training for all of our parents as teachers to attend um annually and sometimes it doesn't require them all just depends on the information but more than likely because they're getting update there. So that
grant covers it and so it's charged to that budget. But if you were to look at the PEC card that it was on, that would be an isolation. If you were just to look at the charge, that would be an isolation. But if you were to look at
the board item when it was presented, it would say in the one column. Now, originally, this wasn't always the case, but we have based off of feedback from the board and questions, we now will we now say grant covered, no cost to
district. Historically, that hadn't happened, I think, in the last year or two is where we start to explicitly put that out there. And that's regarding travel specifically. So that's how on the front end when it comes to you, you
would see that it is covered by someone else. But typically those individuals are not making our travel plan. So you have to use the um district P cards because everybody doesn't necessarily
take um purchase orders and then you have to have a card on file. So because these are all different sorts of um places that the information is um kept and housed and tracked
um in isolation it looks like one thing and then when individuals ask for like the multiple things that because a lot some of it a lot of it ends up being manual that's where it's like hey it's
going to take staff X unless Unless you're asking for one specific situation, that's where staff time comes in to place because they have to pull the receipts and all of that stuff from different things. And that and it is
there's not one file that it exists in just because that's not how the system is built. Well, my response to that, it still leads to confusion and with all the technology that we pay for, there are no
machines that could do that and all we got to do is push a button. I'm just saying we pay for a lot of technology. >> Yeah. Um the thing of the thing about it is the technology
um and the way that it is set up is not that's not how it's built out. So if someone out there is like a coder or programmer and could build it out, every school district, every business entity, they all would jump on it, but that's
just not what exists out there. And um and when you're talking about like a smaller volume, you can go to like receipts are kept here like they the le and that and so I think that's when people ask like yeah
we can hit a button and business plus and it shows the in like that sort of thing but it's not the detail that people want. so out of context and if you're not used to looking at those things, it doesn't make a lot of sense to you um individuals
um who that's not what they do to dayto-day. But the the creators of those systems created so that businesses, school districts, and organizations can have all of that information, but some of the detail that is being asked around whether it's a grant or not a
grant and those some can I see the actual receipt? I want to see the detail receipt of it because it would say like here's the cost of the hotel per night, but then people want to see like I want to see the actual bill to see like what
was included on that per night. That's not coming out of the business plus system. you actually have to go pull the receipt which is house some in another area and then you have to cross reference and make sure you know
individuals personal so that's where it starts to take a lot of time um around that but >> and and one more question and I'm not asking for the answer today but how much do we have in our contingency fund and
what did we take out of that fund within the last three years. And I'm not asking for it now. >> We can get that to you. Yeah. >> Oh, good afternoon. >> Good afternoon, >> President Lopez, Vice President Brownley Page, board members, and Dr.
Stubblefield, our superintendent. Um, if I may, uh, I'd like to offer some ounce of clarity if possible. >> Okay. And then would you just go through and show the rest of the uh board
members how to manipulate these files? >> Okay. Okay. Just in terms of the discussion that you're having right now, business plus for ERP has an accounts payable module,
purchasing module. It has a general ledger module. It has a cash receipts module. Okay, these are the three modules that are being referenced in your discussion right now. So, when a travel card is
being processed, it's going to be a purchase requisition to pay off that card, whatever is charged to that card. And the individual who is charging has to attach all of the receipts to support those charges. Okay, that's in a module
in and of itself. And that purchase requisition turns into a purchase order. And from that order we say we are paying a b cde e for x amount in each line. And you attach the support for it.
And so when we say that there has to be extra work that means you have to be able to get access and drill down in different storage pockets to get to that. So, it just isn't readily available when you pull up the purchase order itself.
Now, in the general ledger, the first line of that purchase order shifts over to process for our county. And so, you only see those first 33 characters of that description that is placed in the system for us.
So, what I have actually pulled out is what's from the general ledger to provide to the subcommittee. Now in terms of the cash receipts, if someone is reimbursing the district, they are sending us a check or an ACA,
some payment to our bank that we can deposit and that is captured and we try to reference what is being paid for in that description. So that's a different module, but it also translates over to our
general ledger. Okay. Everything that is a payment in and out goes to our general ledger. So in terms of that we have what's debits. If you're expensing something it will traditionally be a debit and if you are reimbursing
something it will be a credit an offset to that. So in what I provided to you, we actually chose three accounts that we have um began to look at out of district travel,
dues and fees, and food cost. What I have on the screen right now is just tallied over to the grand total. This layout here, you had a tab that said all transactions. This is what comes out of
the general ledger. It tells us the journal reference. The system gives it an ID number as it processes and those are the first two columns. This is the year we're functioning in 2026. You have a description that is
that 33 character width description that comes over from any module. And then we have our fully qualified account. This is our funding that shows the fund, the responsibility, the location, the function and our object
code, the way we want to break it down um and do special reporting on. And then the object code that is focuses on the expense code itself that we are looking at. And here you see the amount.
I actually hid some columns and I shared that with the committee and that might be a little problem that they're experiencing right now. So here you see a debit, a credit and then the amount.
So the amount so you could get one impact. I created that column for you and because the debit and the credit show both positive in the in the system itself because it's
the nature of what it is in that particular column. That's why I gave you the amount. So in a credit when you see the amount if I look up top here, let me see if I can make this bigger. This here the credit is an offset. So
the amount shows the negative for you. I created that to help us all understand what's happening in the general ledger because otherwise you have to do your subtraction to see that it's less. So, what we've looked at in here, you
see fund six. This particular program um Excel worksheet actually shows every funding from whatever fund it was. There's fund seven, federal funds. Then we go to supplemental funds. And so
it shows every fund 35. You guys asked about if a community contribution or something happens. This is where it goes. And if someone gives us a donation, say they want to support a lunchon at X school,
then we create account and they're able to spend that money to purchase that food for that lunchon at that school or whatever they're doing. Okay. So that's where you would see that, Miss Paige. So otherwise they have um when
uh we have travel situations with our students that we get reimbursed from for whatever organization they're going to visit and we offset that in the five account. We directly offset that against the expense we have.
But in terms of a grant and federal funding and things like that, that will show in as revenue. So if parents as teachers is operating under a grant, we'll bring in a four number which is revenue and then you'll see the peer
expense under and a five number. Okay? So that's the state system. Revenues are four, expenses begin with five. >> Okay. before you proceed. So, let's just scrolling down to fund 35 and it'll say
hotel cost for W dot. I is H is 35, I is 90, and then you have um let's say you'll have a total of $2,392. How is that how is that figured into the
then the total of 1.2 million? Is that deducted? Is it added? You said 35 is reimbursed. >> Okay. So, the $1,680. >> Yeah, you can you Okay. Okay. >> Right up under there, that would have been an offset to something that was paid out of that travel.
>> All right. So, that says clearly reimburse. >> But any of the others were expenditures. You said 35 was a reimburse. >> Everything in column O is an expenditure. Okay.
But didn't you say 35 was reimbursed fund 35? >> It could be. >> It could be. >> Not that it always is. >> Okay. But but in to answer >> in 35 I'm saying that if someone gave us
money it could be in a four,000 40,000 account number as revenue and you would not see it in here. >> Okay. Okay. But to answer Miss Brownley Page if it's clearly reimbursed
>> if it's reimbursed it will be an offset against that 550,000 number. And it says reimburse. >> Yes. >> And it's in then parentheses. >> That's 1680. >> Yes. >> Okay. Good. Thank you. Um the next tab,
schools transactions. Um, if I would go back to the beginning, um here this summary page, this is what the entire spreadsheet looks like. So, the summary page is actually broken down by department. And
at the very end, it says schools. Schools has a responsibility number of 90. So all of our schools collapse into that. So what I have done is right under there.
Why is nothing showing here? I think I'm having one of your moments, Dr. Win. >> Okay, it's all right. >> So the schools I can make that up under the original summary of everything.
If you see line 38, it says schools 90 responsibility 90. So everything that's in that line right up under there I have actually given another pivot table that breaks down the information by school. >> Okay
for all of the costs. Now going across every column represents a function that that is how the state allocates our budget by function. We have to say if it's instruction, if it's something for the classroom that'll be 1,000.
Um most of our um when we get over to the food piece, most of them were instruction staff training services 2213, especially in the schools.
So we tried to be a somewhat consistent with that. Everybody isn't there. Um, but for the school element, that's where we tried to focus on that $40 per person when we start looking at the food cost.
So, you may see food up in 10,000. They're doing something with the students. They might be providing snacks, doing testing and things like that or something. So, you will see food in other places and you'll see food in
1199 student activity. Are they duplicated? >> No. >> Okay. So, the food that we'll see here is not in the food. >> It shouldn't be >> shouldn't be. Okay. Th those should be student um focus
funds used for food or either some community event or something that the public is involved in coming in. And you'll see more of that when you look at the school level for student support. um if they have FA day at school or
whatever they're having after school program and there's food involved that's where you'll find those type of things. >> So your school transaction tab that is itemized under the school tab. >> Yes. >> The total is is reflected in the out
district travel summary under schools. >> Under schools. Yes. And all of that should tie to your bottom line in the upper 90. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> 1.25 million. >> Yeah. >> Before we go to the next one, do we have
questions over this spreadsheet? >> The next one needs to say as she's getting this is what we do during the committee meeting. we take a deep dive into these numbers. So um and as as mentioned we have still to do mileage reimbursement, cell phone
accessories, data plans and PE cards. So we still make those requests. >> Okay. >> Mileage Oh, I >> have you already give to that's okay. We'll we'll talk about next. So be before we go and because I don't want us to run out of time and not be on the
same page about what is being requested >> for malage reimbursement. I know there was an email but I just want clarification about specifically what is what are you um wanting because what what have you received any I'm just
>> haven't requested it. No, no. I'm saying Malish. So, as we are thinking about this um we probably just need to know what is it that um is um being requested regarding mileage reimbursement because
it's it's not complex. It's just different components. Correct, Miss? >> Yes. Uh for mileage reimbursement, staff usually fill out a sheet indicating every transportation event that happens and the distance and claim that amount
um reimbursement and it gets signed off by their manager and that is the support for the reimbursement that is paid to the individual >> and again clarity what is our policy on mileage reimbursement is required of your job we know it's based on government rate so the amount is
questionable >> and I'll say this and Anybody if I misspe please correct me. So it's different layers. So for for every um certified staff member in the negotiated agreement, they get a um a stipen um
annually because sometimes the professional development is not at their school. And instead of having um thousands of employees turn that in, we did a calculation and said this should cover it for staff who is a
required part of their job. um they fill out a um sheet each time. Um and there are time boundaries when they're expected to turn it in. Um and there are like when they're traveling within the
district, there are some predetermined distance calculations around that. um when they're traveling outside, any staff member that's traveling outside of like district um facilities, it's from
your point of location. Like say if I'm here at central office and I have to go to a meeting in Witchah, it would be from here to Witchah like the most direct route. That's what they would turn um turn in for the staff members
who actually see receive a sta stipen for mileage reimbursement which um I believe is executive directors um and above they don't turn in any mileage reimbursement for in district travel
greater Kansas City all the way like to Topeka but if it is beyond Topeka because that's not a part of their normal regular duties. They do submit mallet reimbursement because the
calculation to come up with that did not factor in um oneoffs or some some people have to go to like a witchah or a Hutcherson or those that are further away at different
times. So they do um submit that anytime staff is traveling um they do submit either mileage reimbursement or if they take a um Uber or Lift or whatever they don't um when
they go to and from the airport. So that's like my cliffnotes version. I may have left something out, but that's how it works. Um, regarding mileage reimbursement, um, wherever the supervisor is, looks over th those
sheets and um, make sure that it is falling within the parameters of what's happening when we have teachers um, or staff who work in multiple buildings as much as we can. So, for example,
um if you are a elementary um specials teacher, we try not to have you to go back and forth on the same day so that you are in the same building as much as possible for the full day. Now, that doesn't always work out just
depending on the schedule, but we um staff do look at that to try to minimize the number of times that uh people have to go back and forth in locations when we can control it. >> Yeah. So, again, clearly we did not have
that at our grasp um those those um that criteria. So, so in reference of the of the email when we look at it, we now will have is that policy practice written someplace?
>> The how it's reimbured is written in >> this format, but >> I would have to go and look and but I I know mileage reimbursement in general like the stipen components um those are said but I don't like how I
just explained it. I don't know if it's all in one. >> We didn't know it. Um just tell you what to say time laser version again we will ask uh Ms. Robinson to submit always all our files that we look at to the full board. And so uh that's what we ask you
to uh look over and when then we meet as committee and come back with um policy suggestions you'll know what we built our our question on. Just you just want to just look at the just walk us through if the little where the little triangle
>> so that you can expand. >> Oh um >> you can dive deeper into >> on the summary page that you have um there's three tabs you all transactions schools transactions and the summary
page and if you actually drill down so if I go here I'm trying to >> but you have to download it first. You have to download it first. >> Yes. Yes. Um we did find out if you down don't download it actually to your Excel
to your computer uh it loses the um >> the formulas. So you'll see reference there. It's because the formulas no longer exist. >> You lose the ability to drill down. >> Yeah. So on that summary page, if I click on this,
it will actually there's only transaction here and it will show you a list of all the transactions that make up that number. Now, it will also create a new tab for you as well in your spreadsheet. So, if you don't want to keep that, you can
just delete that tab like I'm going to do. And so, it also has this is the same information that is in your all transactions tab or either in your schools tab. and so when we look at our food costs as
Well, heat So this tab like you say as you go across we have a bunch of categories here respon um functions and then at the very end you'll see the grand total for each
responsibility and for example food cost a total was $865,1510 10 cents. And so of that, the last line itself um responsibility 90 is your schools.
And up under there you will have the allocation for your schools. So, so it's all the same format. So, if you have any questions, let me know. We're here. You can give us a call. >> Here to help.
>> Okay. Thank you, Miss Robinson. So, um board, you have received these documents. Um they should be in your email from Miss Downing. Um please review them. Um this is what the committee has gone through so far. Um we will be reviewing a few others. So, you'll receive other Excel spreadsheets
that we review as well um within that subcommittee. So, thank you, Miss Robinson. And if you have questions, please reach out to Miss Robinson or Dr. Steelfield um for assistance um on navigating and using these spreadsheets >> and these um if you want us to rerun
these because we ran some a little earlier before we had finished the year. we can add the additional um expenses that may have transpired through the end of the year here and provide them to you. It'll be the same format though.
>> Thank you, Miss Robinson. Any questions for Miss Robinson on the information thus far? Um I just want to remind the board of our timeline um that was shared with the the board regarding our budget conversation. I know this subcommittee still has to meet um a few more times.
we will be meeting. Um but again our our timeline um we do have a board meeting next Tuesday uh regular um board meeting next Tuesday and then at the at the meeting on the 25th um is when we will need to vote on whether we are exceeding
revenue neutral or staying revenue neutral or whatever decision we want to make. Um but at that point we need to make a decision um as a board which way we will move forward and again understanding the implications of whatever that vote um looks like or
however that turns out we need to make sure that we are prepared to give guidance to staff and let staff know um which direction that we want to go. I do want to remind folks and it is in our budget document and timeline from the last budget full budget meeting that we
had. Um the recommendation from staff is to exceed re to exceed revenue neutral for the reasons that have been outlined regarding anticipated costs for next year. rising costs on health insurance premiums, on um drug pricing premiums, on other increases that we're already
anticipating for next year um that we've got to account for somewhere. Uh including rising costs for staff um and other services and programs that we have to account for. Um again, that's where that $15 million plus comes in. So if we want to do something other than what
staff and leadership are recommending, then as a board collectively, we have to say that and we have to be prepared to say here's where we're going to cut um if we want to move that direction. >> That's where we need more information. We need more information from the
department budgets that have revised um hopefully downward with with with the one or two um not the one or two, the numerous adjustments Dr. Double has mentioned that include um expenses not need to go over them but publicly want
to thank you Miss Robinson all the time because you've been more than than willing to if you know if we ask for X you'll give us X and the context of X and Y but we do need clarity on if um we can reduce uh a number not a full number
portion of a half a mill what's that implication um so we need a lot more information before we're able to make that decision with full knowledge of of everything happening. So, Dr. D, do you understand the ask of revised departmental budgets
with the um because we still have how many department budgets we have not received? >> Well, some you told us that we all >> Yeah, I believe we received access to all department budgets. And some of them were just not balanced and they will
>> and we're addressing that now. >> Yeah. >> When do we get the balanced ones >> this week? When do we get you will >> um just for clarity when you see those uh budgets this week it will have um we
had already reduced travel. Let me find my information. Um, >> you reduced travel since we made the >> We reduced travel before the um, well, we we reduced every department. I'm separating schools.
Every department um, just based off of anticipated increases had to reduce their budget by 2%. >> Okay. majority of the departments when they were making the adjustments reduced travel
um and so there was and I don't want to misspeak so I will um share the actual number that um
okay so every department um before the um what the board um chaired cared about one national and two regional with the exception of those that are required or um mandated
um had already um reduced their um majority of them and the initial decrease across the the departments was $49,312.78 based off of the feedback that we got back from you all at the last
subcommittee. meeting when um you were asking for an estimate um estimation of savings um based off of limiting it because um it varies for each department. We looked at the the uh budgets and then went back and
specifically in travel reduced it by an additional 10%. And that yielded an additional $14,45044. So, the total decrease in the travel budget that you would see when we update
the budgets would have been um $63,76322. And we did that for every budget. And so, we've communicated that out this morning. We had extended cabinet so we shared it with executive directors and um they'll share it with
their department leaders and we made the adjustments for them so they don't have to do anything with it and we also did it in the board's budget. Correct. In the board's budget as well on the sheet that we have so I don't know if it's on the sheet that you have Randy but um
when we did it for the overall budget and we can share that number. So that's that is what >> get a copy of that then that >> when you look at the when you see the new budgets >> okay >> so this week >> okay
>> so just for con context um last year's 2526 out of district uh travel fund for out of '06 was $234,31710. So out of district travel that we with
that reduction is now $185,4.32. So that is the adjustment that we had already made and depending on the budget or the department's budget or whomever it just looks different because if it's
a department of two people versus a department of 15 people whatever was allocated in travel would have been reduced. In the previous year, every department budget was reduced in both travel and food as
well. Um before these larger discussions. So um that has been something like as cost has gone up and different things have come about that was happening um just to for departments
to balance their budgets. um those were the places that they were looking because there's some places and and I mean although while we have um reduced um um reorganized and realign and there has been um staff reductions there are
some places that it's difficult to um reduce because of the contracts or the things that are required in order for us to um function. So, >> so from your computation of that, what do you think the impact of the 1.2
million would be? Is there any idea how you can compute that? >> The or when you say the 1.2 million is that that's including grants and other stuff stuff out of 06 or what what point >> this is the total travel >> the the total travel that's in. So the
total travel for 06 is $234,31710 out of 06 is my understanding. I don't unless I'm missing something. So what you're saying is that you either you haven't been able to or were not um at this point able to see an impact
other than these numbers of the um policy change >> because haven't added oh sorry go ahead >> well because it comes from different funds >> okay so you haven't >> so we but so that's where I think the nuance around understanding like when
it's title and grant and those things. There are stipulations around >> and we've had that conversation. We're going to get more feedback on that conversation, >> right? But that would not be something that we can go in and say you need to reduce this amount that's
paid for by some like we weren't c we were calculating 06. Am I speaking correctly? Yeah. Okay. >> But the total 1.2 two million with all of those other components. We can't I mean it would be difficult for
us to say this is the impact. So we're talk we would be talking about like 200 >> the 23 >> okay >> 4,000 if you wanted to round up $35,000 and that's been reduced down to
>> 40 something. >> Yes. Yes. 40. Uh, >> got to find my number again. >> Will you give it to us? We can always get back in again. >> Okay. >> We can put that information. We'll put that information >> where it needs to be. Y
>> and I think it's important. Um, again, so what I'm hearing leadership team is looking through and combing through a lot of these budgets already have asked to decrease 2% in some cases even further. They are looking at the department and school budgets to see
where they can b a to make sure that they're balanced and b reducing where they can already and they've done that. As an example, the out of district travel um for 2526 to 2627 being reduced from 234 >> to 185. So they're looking for those
they're looking for those areas to already cut and they have made those reductions in the budget for the upcoming school year. Additionally, we know >> in the budget just one or two she mentioned >> for that specifically, but my understanding is that they are looking at all the department budgets and have
continued to make reductions within all department budgets to find money so that we can have a balanced budget. Additionally, they have already where we have lost staff. Many of those places have not we have not backfilled those positions. For instance, I know our CC
CTE position, we did not backfill that position. That is being absorbed by somebody. Our work with our faces program, that position is being absorbed by somebody. >> At positions, we're not >> but but but in reality, we are because
by cutting the budget and by looking at where we can decrease, we are not we are in essence not backfilling people's jobs. So, I just want to make sure that we're all understanding that when we say we're reducing budgets and not backfilling positions, those were people
in those positions that are now no longer employed, that are now no longer doing that job. So, so we are and staff of leadership has already had >> committee is not looking at that. >> No, no, the subcommittee that very clear >> the subcommittee is not looking at that. But in reality, when you look at the
totality of the budget, when we're asking departments and schools to cut their budgets, they're looking for where to do that. And in many cases, >> it's it's when someone leaves, we are not we are deciding intentionally not to
backfill those positions and redirect those dollars, those salary dollars somewhere else. And so I I just want to make sure that we understand that while we're not saying while we're saying let's not cut people, the reality is we are not backfilling
people's jobs and other people are having to absorb those responsibilities. So So I I just want to make sure that we're clear and they're already looking for places to cut like out of district travel, like food costs, like other spaces. They're doing that already in order to
balance the budget for 2627. And even yet, we're still at a 1 million shortfall um for this upcoming school year. >> Sensational because that's what goes out from that. >> No, no, I'm not being sensational. >> Be careful. And you you've used these
same warnings. be careful because the sensationalism that goes from your microphone is that that I or another member of the subcommittee are are trying to cut people and we're making that very clear. We're looking at costs
that do not impact directly. Right. The the administration makes those back fill or not backfill positions. So, we've never recommended >> No, I I I agree. We are not recommending to cut people. But I think like the reality is You have you have said these
same words. Be very careful of the words you're using. Absolutely. Signal goes out that they are that we are another person and you're the you're the the the other person who says, "Oh, let's let's not do that. That we're actually doing
that." We are not doing that. So, let's let's make that very clear. >> Yeah. I'm I'm saying that the board has asked not to cut people >> very and we have never asked to cut people >> and we are looking at other spaces where we can save dollars. But when 85% of your budget is people, then we've got to
also look at where can we cut, >> you're not impacting a person. >> Right. Right. So I'm I'm just saying the reality is like they the and all I was trying to say is that staff, Miss Robinson and her team are looking at those departments, are looking at those budget line items to see where there are
some cost savings with directives from the board. Right? We said one national conference, we're limiting travel. They're cutting that. We're saying $40 a person for food for the year. They're doing that. And so I think that's the directive that we have to continue to
give if that's the directive we want. And we still have to find those $15 million plus. We haven't even talked about raises. >> So >> we have work to do. >> We've got work to do. Absolutely. So we're we're saying we're we don't want to cut people. I think the board is
clear that we don't want to cut people, but we've got to make some some decisions on how we move forward. That's all I'm saying. >> May I speak about that? Yes, Miss Penn. other member of the subcommittee. I I just want to share that for a few years
I sat where you all are sitting right now and listened to the budget conversations and was trying to figure out the information that we need for the board to make a good decision and I heard bud board members request for that
that information and we are now in that process there. Let me expand that conversation. And this goes beyond just the 85% of the budget that is directly associated with staff. We have other areas that we need to look at. Right
now, we started with this skimming kind of skimming the surface with this information uh about food and fees and dues and all of that, but there are programs and contracts that we also have in play that we need to look at. and we
have not yet gotten to that level of of investigation for where we can find more savings. So, I just want the community to be patient with us as we do the deep dive into the numbers and into finding where we can find savings that will help to alleviate some of the pain that the
community has been expressing when it comes to their taxes as well as making sure that we cover our staff needs and our student needs. And as we do that process, it's going to look a little, you know, wonky because we are getting into the numbers, but that information
is valuable for the board to know just exactly how we are spending the dollars that are entrusted to us. So that comes back to our original um motivation for doing this subcommittee which was to provide transparency, accountability and
to let people know exactly how dollars are being spent and make sure that we are covering the resources that we say we want in order to provide the education for our children. So that's our main focus and I just want people to
understand that even though we have a um a time constraint that from here on out I hope that we will take the time earlier in the year to start providing this information so that the the board can make quality decisions about our budgets.
>> Thank you, Miss Pen Hicks. Okay, if there are no other questions, thank you, Miss Robinson. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Robinson. All right. >> So, and I don't have a I just want to make sure we have the right information. So, mileage reimbursement, the revised department budget, cell phones,
accessories, um etc. >> And what was the other one? >> Data plans. >> Data plans. and help us understand the implication of your of the decision about free AI subscription AI how that
how students not students um >> implications of that um >> have we got the purchase cord uh files >> I don't remember these the only three we have >> yes these are only three I have um
telephone to I can send you. >> Okay. >> Thank you always. >> Thank you. Okay. If there are no other questions again, board anticipate some additional Excel spreadsheets coming from Miss Robinson or Miss Downing as as the subcommittee continues to review those
in the coming um weeks. All right. Next agenda item, board um 3B. Um at the last board meeting there was a conversation regarding conflict of interest in particular um potential conflict of interest between myself and Miss Clark and the vote for the
presidency um for the board. Um there was conversation not all board members were present for the conversation. So I was asked to have this conversation when all board members could be present um to discuss um there was a clarification from Mr. goheen um regarding his opinion
on whether there was a conflict of interest um between myself and Miss Clark and whether the vote um was appropriate or not. U Mr. Gohane did share his opinion around there not being a conflict. I'm summarizing um but um
there was further back and forth and so it was asked to add this back to the agenda today to discuss a potential conflict of interest. Um so and there was a direction or um request to Mr. Gohane to seek an opinion um or a couple of opinions. So maybe we can start
there. Mr. Gohane, if you could share what you did um go on and request um and what opinions came back regarding the potential conflict and if we could just have a conversation on that. Thank you. >> Sure. And uh so to start with uh
following the meeting I understood or at the meeting which I think was last Monday the 20 was it the 27th 20 I think it was the 27th um I I left the meeting with the instruction to reach out to uh Kansas Association of School Board attorneys as well as the Kansas public disclosure uh
commission to seek guidance and an opinion from them regarding some of the issues we had discussed at the meeting uh regarding conflict of interest. So the following day I sent u email communications both to KSB and also to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission
outlining some of the factual information as I understood it from the meetings and the requests. Um and inquired as to seeking guidance or opinions from uh both entities in with respect to that. Um, I did get a
substantive response back from KSB, which I'll just go ahead and read um what I got back from them and then um I can forward the actual um opinion or whatever to the the full board. Uh with respect to the Kansas uh public disclosure commission,
uh I got a response back from them seeking clarification and the clarification they requested is are we seeking a formal uh advisory opinion from the commission on this matter or are we simply seeking guidance from our office in the form of an email response? Uh you mentioned the option
for both in your request and I did do that to to try to determine what the information they would provide and they said please be advised that a formal advisory opinion must be approved by the commission. It might take several months for a response. I did not say that to deter you in any way from seeking a
formal opinion but simply to make you aware of the timeline in the event that the request is time-sensitive. So, I felt inappropriate for me to determine whether we wanted a formal advisory opinion or whether we wanted a simple informal guidance from the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission. So, I am bringing
that back to the board for direction on which or both or how you want me to proceed with that particular entity. Um, and so once I have that direction, I'll respond to them and we'll get whatever they provide for us uh with regard to
that. and I provided essentially the same uh email questions and information to both entities. Uh with respect to KSB, the response I received back um and after some factual information, the question I posed I posed several
questions to both entities. One question I posed was, do you consider Miss Clark's notification of a potential conflict to the board clerk and subsequent removal of herself uh from the meeting prior to any substantive discussion or vote
sufficient to comply with applicable law? And are you aware of any legal requirement that a board member publicly disclose why the board member leaves a board meeting uh temporarily for the discuss during the duration of the meeting? response back I got on that those two questions was as follows. Uh
first, I'm not aware there is a legal conflict unless the board member owns a substantial interest in the bank or is in a position to obligate the bank when entering into the contract with the district. One can suggest that the optics create a presumed conflict even where there is no legal conflict.
However, regardless of whether she had a legal or presumed conflict, the board member left the meeting and did not participate in the vote. She declared a conflict or possible conflict and recused herself so there's not a legal issue. If she does not meet the ownership requirements and has filed a disclosure statement, she has complied
as well. I'm aware of no law that requires a board member to state why they are leaving a meeting. But in this case, as you have described it, she did disclose why she left. I do not think that there was a nay violation or there was any violation of the law. I'm not
familiar with the policies or board governance document if they have one with respect to whether or how she was to address her need to leave the meeting. Uh the second question I asked or sought guidance on uh was whether um any
potential conflict of interest that caused her to recuse herself from the prior vote um would also have required her to uh recuse herself from voting on board officers including the office of president. The response I got back there was I agree that Miss Clark would not be
procluded from voting on board officers including the office of president. The two items are not related. So the recusal from voting for the selection of the bank had nothing to do with the election of officers including the president. The next question was do you have an opinion on whether the recusal
by Miss Clark from the vote on the resolution including the designated depositories required her to recuse herself from any other vote in particular a vote on the election of a board office during the same meeting. Uh, no, her recusal regarding the choice of banks does not require her to recuse
her from herself from the vote on officers including president. And then skipping down um the next uh opinion they responded back on uh
was a discussion about um um the u organization the the nonprofit organizations uh with Mr. Lopez serving as the an employee of the W do health foundation um and whether or not that foreclosed
any uh vote or created a conflict for Miss Clark and says I agree Mr. Lopez is has a substantial interest in the wet health foundation because his income exceeds the threshold since the wed health foundation provides grants to USD 500 he should file a substantial
interest disclosure. uh one can make an argument that he should recuse himself regarding any vote related to the grants from the foundation. However, KSA754305 only requires the officer to file the disclosure before acting in any manner which will affect any business in which
the officer has a substantial interest. The statute does not require recusal although that uh would be the best practice. I do not think that Miss Clark has a substantial interest in u village initiative because her father is employed with village initiative
KSA754301A defined substantial interest as it relates to the individual Miss Clark in this case and the individual's spouse but not one's father. Um, do you have an opin? The next question I asked was, do you have an opinion under these facts as to whether a substantial interest under
KSA 754301A existed that would have required Miss Clark to recuse herself or abstain from voting on officers of the board to include a vote on the president or whether the election of officers by a board of education constitutes participation in the making of a
contract under 754304? The answer I received was no. I do not think she has a substantial interest based on KSA754301A and I do not think she is procluded from voting on the officers including the president based upon KSA754304.
She is not the bank has no substantial interest in the bank and did not uh act as a bank employee who is making the decision to enter in a contract with the district. If Miss Clark does have a substantial interest or is the person entering into the contract, then she must file a disclosure before acting
pursuant to KSA754305, but is not legally precluded from participating. All of this legal analysis is not necessary since she recused herself from the vote on the bank. And then I said, are you aware of any other statute or common law which that might require recusal or abstension
by Miss Clark under these facts from voting on the board officers, including president? The answer I received was no. Uh and then the last question that I asked of them was um do you have any opinion on whether the board policy can
limit indicated we do adopt and utilize KSA KSB's model policy uh with regard to voting and conflicts and said do you have an opinion on whether the board policy can limit or restrict an individual board member's right to vote on a board officer election or for any
matters before the board or is the decision decision on whether to abstain or recuse oneself. Ultimately left to the individual board members uh decision. Um and the response was no. I do not think the board by policy can limit a board member's ability to vote. The
decision to abstain is left to the individual, not the board. I agree that a board member's vote may be may not be taken away by board action. So that's the opinion I received back from KB. Thank you, Mr. Gohane. Any questions for Mr. Gohane on the opinions received,
>> Mr. Gohane? In our handbook, we have a policy. It seems to differ from what you just provided. And also in our norms, we say no surprises. We're getting surprised now.
Either we don't have a surprise or we do. And if you say something, sometimes people get upset. I think if it were me, it would play the same thing. So looking at our handbook and what we have as a policy, there's a conflict that needs to
be cleared up. I know what you just said, but do you see the conflict? You got a handbook saying one thing and then you bring us this. So it all needs to be cleared. either we take that out of the handbook, restate whatever the new
policy is, and even in the norms, you cannot say no surprises. We won't surprise each other cuz I thought they were both sick. I just see people getting up, walking out. You don't know what's going on. >> To be fair, Miss Paige, we have board
members who leave the table on regular occasions that don't say why they're leaving the table. I I just >> if the person leaves three times in a row, >> we're trying to figure out what's going on. I'm concerned. I don't want the person to be sick. I I understand.
>> I just like some clearness on this. >> I I understand. But we have a couple different things going on from that particular meeting as it related to Miss Clark. The first time she did advise the board clerk as to why she was leaving and was recusing herself. The board clerk communicated that to the board
president who did clearly state on the record. You can hear it in the video that he said, "Yeah, you can hear it on the video." He says, "We need a new second because Miss Clark has a conflict." He says that >> I played it back. I don't remember
seeing that. But all I'm saying is, "Can we be consistent?" >> Well, the handbook says, and it does say that. You did say that. >> I will I will talk about the handbook in a second. I'm just talking about that piece of it. Okay. because I don't, you know, and if somebody gets up to go use the restroom or because they're sick, I
just hear me out, okay? Because we have board members who do that during the course of a meeting or to take a phone call or to deal with a personal issue or whatever it might be. Historically, this board has not had that person articulate why they're getting up from the meeting.
Okay? You you could require that. I'm not sure a board member would have to follow that. even ask that. But I'm saying if somebody gets up three times in a row and again I asked I said, "Hey, is she okay? I didn't know." And we were trying
to figure out what's going on. And I think what's going on is a fair question. You're concerned about the person. >> I don't disagree. >> And the the key is we want to make sure we're transparent, >> right? >> People are Well, what why what's up with
that? And you're trying to explain this is what we were told. I don't know. >> Yeah. I I and I and I, you know, I'm not trying to defend any position up here. I just think it needs to be across the board. You know, when you guys are
articulating the the conflicts, I think I've been very clear on this. Each board member has to decide whether they have their conflict or not. U anytime anybody's asked me that question, that's been the advice that I've given. So, yes, you're correct that within the board handbook, which is separate from
any statutory obligation or requirement that might exist out there, um the the handbook does state that uh let's see, if a member if a member had has reason to believe or expect a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss or
gain for family or other personal or professional interests, the member should remove him herself from any engagement in the discussion or decision. decision making. >> Keep reading. >> It says, "Board members are expected to identify whenever they have a personal professional interest in issue that might compromise or call their judgment
into question. In all their actions and statements, board members are asked to be beyond reproach." That's what it says. >> Okay. But all I'm asking, >> can we get some You said what the other two said. One is still waiting. >> Then we have a policy. We need to be
clear. That's all I'm asking. So, so the the policy, although it articulates a slightly different situation than the statute that that you were asking about says, the policy still comes down to the individual board member deciding whether
they have a conflict or not. That can't be decided by the other board members at the table. Each board member has got to decide whether they have a conflict and make the decision on whether or not they feel that they should abstain or recuse themselves from a vote. So that's not something we can force on them.
>> I hear what you're saying. I'd like to see all that in writing in the handbook because again when you say no surprises and one thing, okay, well I thought they had how is this going on? That's all I want is clarity. And I want
us to make sure that we're transparent. Sure. And we're doing what we're supposed to do. We represent the people. Some of the people are concerned about that. That's and I'm not trying to be petty that if you go to the restroom Oh, Mr. Gohane went to the restroom. That's I'm
not saying that. Just want to do it. Is it so wrong to say decent and in order? That's all I'm asking for. >> Yeah. I I I think it should be. >> I have a question. So what should be
>> I I think you guys I think you guys should be transparent about your decision making and I think you should be transparent about uh when conflicts exist or occur and when um you're making decisions on it. I think board members
should exercise sound discretion to um recuse themselves or not take action if they feel or perceive there's a conflict in place. Um, I don't know, as even Miss Paige suggests that you have to announce every time you have to use the restroom if you're leaving the table. I know. I know that's not what you meant, right? I
know. I know you didn't. I know you didn't. >> I didn't say that. >> I know. I know. I'm >> okay. >> I I'm just giving you a little bit of a hard time. I do understand that totally. Um, but I think that that's the that's a that's a board dynamic um that you have to uh
be professional about and be um ethical about when you're making your decision-m processes. And as I've also indicated to the to the board that if if the board perceives there to have been a vote that's improper or that there's a
conflict on um you know those those votes can be challenged but they can be challenged only under limited circumstances and those are usually either by the district attorney, the the attorney general or ultimately by the public as a as a recall or something
along those lines. But from the board's actual perspective, you can't do anything to prevent somebody from voting on a topic, even if you think they have a conflict. Um, and if you determine that they they they did do something that was out of line or inappropriate,
you're really limited to a couple of things. One is a censure, public censure, which the board would have to vote on. Um, if the board member is an officer of the board and the rest of the board believes or perceives there been a conflict or a issue or a concern, the board could vote to remove that
individual from office and elect a different different officer. But those are the options. So that the board has the board doesn't have much else in terms of what they can or can't do. At least as I understand things. >> Question. So my my question is we as a
board, Greg, have to uh vote on an addendum or or amendment. I want to say amendment to add on to what is already in the handbook from what we we're talking about right now to extend a reasons why uh we're going to
recuse ourselves or or leave or not vote. >> Yeah. I mean if if the if the board if the board wants to adopt something that is beyond what is required or obligated under the law uh the method or mechanism
to do that would be to modify either the the board policy or the board handbook. And the handbook is board policy because it you're you got a provision in the the policy book that says that. So you certainly could do those things. um
you know and that's >> that's feasible to do and and >> it to my understanding >> it's a question whether the board wants to do it that's >> okay if the board wants to do it so is it in it's in there now you have to state the reason why we are excusing
yourself that's in there to not vote not that you're going to the restroom we passed that to say that you're not you don't want to vote or it's a conflict with do before, you know,
not involving everybody else because it's not anybody else's business really. >> Yeah. What what it what what it says I think what it says I think is that the board uh members are expected to identify whenever they have a personal professional interest on the issue that might compromise or call their judgment
into question is what it says. >> Okay. So, you know, whether that is clear enough to say that you have to publicly state what the conflict is or why you believe you have a conflict and are leaving the the the table or not, I
think is the the question. I think that's the the wording is a little ambiguous to be honest with you. >> And I would Mr. M I would I would caution the board or just I think whatever direction we want to take if
we're creating a policy that goes above and beyond what statutes say or what law says that is getting into a little bit of fuzzy territory as well us requiring more than what state statute says. So I
I just would say if that's a direction the board wants to go, I think we need to have clear conversations of our why and what that is exactly and how we want to outline that. I think there are clear state statutes and law that explicitly say
when someone has a conflict or has um you know monetary interest in an organization or a business. Mr. goheen rattled off a bunch of numbers of different statutes that exist. So I I would just say if if that's something we
want to visit or look at, I would just caution us on going above and beyond and overstepping what state statute has clearly defined um on on these matters. >> And I'm in I'm in agree with what you just said exactly. >> Yeah.
>> You don't have to be in agreement because Mr. Gohane already said what's in our handbook is board policy. I'm agree with what he said. >> I said, you know, and that's good. No, no that's >> I can agree with that, Ka. >> Oh, yeah, sure. Because you don't because Mr. Gohane just said what is in the
>> hand said, Dr. Win. So, we're not going to >> But I can agree with his his statement publicly if I want to. That's good. >> Okay, fine. Thank you very much. >> I'm saying that first and I'll repeat both health foundation and village
initiative are valuable to our community. I said that to begin with. Secondly, for the the chatter and we already had this conversation, Mr. Mr. Lopez about um there's so many other
things that are more important that uh this is not uh important. We are constantly looking at our policies that have not been visited in 10 12 years. But the handbook that is board policy
that Mr. Gohane just said off the wind didn't say it. Didn't make it up. Didn't pull it out of the sky. If a member has reason to believe or expect a direct monetary gain or suffer direct monetary loss or gain, this is
what Mr. Gohan did not overlook deliberately, but gain benefit for family or another personal or professional interest. The member should remove him herself from any engagement
in the discussion or decision-making. Reading page nine board handbook. Although I don't know what page you have. >> I have page nine as well. >> Okay, good. Board members are expected to identify whenever they have a personal or professional interest in an
issue that might compromise or call their judgment into question. And in all of their actions and statements, board members are asked to be beyond reproach. The question, the point of order was disclose recuse
abstain. There was not anything other than the handbook says that the board member members all of us and that I'm sure the um public
disclosure commission also shared with you that since we are less than 35,000 students, they really have no jurisdiction on ruling on um a USD school district. Um
and that there was also a um conversation that um Dr. W just pulled this out of the air and I'll say again and I expect selective memory. This is not the first time and we've already had this
conversation earlier Mr. Go Mr. Lopez that there had been according to the attorney general's ruling a conflict of interest with you voting on Carol Lever's salary and I sent a email to Dr.
Stubblefield and Mr. Gohane. Now whether they believe it or not I have copies that they did not take action and apparently they may not have even informed you. I don't know. But this is this was the basis of my statement on
that Monday that this is not the first time. So the chatter of um what let's say the chatter and assessment of what um I do those many times within this
building here don't have the information and they're making um misstatements. But nevertheless, this is what the handbook says. Our policy has uh gone through three readings. It's not
anything new and is within our jurisdiction as we said at the last um retreat that the individual uh policies may come from different board members. And so um
that's what our that's what our handbook slashpolicy says. So just for clarification a few years back when you sent that we did share it and I just just want to be clear it's not an action that I would take that would be up to
the board and the board uh how you all >> I was informing you you know correct you and Mr. and and we shared that information but whatever happens around those things it's not some when you say we didn't take like myself >> I stand corrected
>> okay like I don't that myself or Greg would not necessarily outside of making uh individuals aware because of the whatever it says there our hand my hands I can speak for me there's not much that I can do with it if you all don't do
something regarding those component on this. I just didn't want it to feel like it just sat with me and I didn't pass the information along. >> I stand corrected. >> So, I don't think that um if it were me, Mr. I don't think it's necessary to go
back to the other entity. I forget who the second entity is. The Board of Commission. >> It's the uh Kansas Public Disclosure. public disclosure commission. For me, I think that original um guidance from KASB or the response
clears it up. It aligns with what you had shared last week. Um I don't think it's necessary to have you go out and request that, especially if it's going to take several months to um to bring back a response. But I'm just
>> Mr. Lopez, we still have a problem. The policy. What are we going to do about that? Now, that is still in the book. So, what do we do? It's there. Do we just ignore it? Now, it was made up.
It's in there. Where do we go from here? Cuz it is a policy. So, what do we do? And that's something we need to deal with. We may we're not going to solve it tonight, but it is a problem. What do we do with that particular policy? Because
it's in the book. Now, we're trying to read and keep up, make sure we do what we need to do. What do we do with that particular policy? You can't just walk away and ignore it >> because it's a policy. I mean the board
can operate and make modifications to policy at at any point in time and if you guys are wanting to and we've been talking about this policy in particular in the handbook. So this is the opportunity to make changes if the board wants to make changes to the policy
uh and to include the handbook. I'm including that as part of the discussion because that's been part of the discussion. I will say it as it relates specifically to Miss Clark's vote on the officer elections. I'm not sure this policy prohibits her vote. So, I want to be
clear about that, too. That's not my opinion. >> I'm not even No, I know. I'm just >> I'm just saying we say no surprises. We have a policy. I recuse myself when my cousin did something and they were going
to fire her. She should have been fired. And I said, I'm going to recuse myself. I'm walking away from this. I'm not going to vote. And I left. I told everybody, "We don't all get that. We just see people leaving." And because
that was in the policy, I honored it. I respected it. I just want to know where we going with this. >> I I still think, and to be clear, we're talking about a couple separate things here. I still think the best practice is to disclose when you get up and leave
that it should be that that's why you're getting up. You have a I have a potential conflict. I'm recusing myself. and to walk out of the room. I believe that's the best practice with you. So, I want to be clear. Do you just tell one person and the rest of us are sitting here? No, >> I think it needs to be Let's clear it
up. >> I I agree. I think there's ambiguity there in terms of what that means in terms of disclosing it, whether it's telling the board clerk, whether it's announcing to the board and the public as a whole. me I I think the best practice would be to definitively state
that you have a potential conflict of interest on this issue and to leave the room. I think that would be the best practice. So I agree with you on that. There's a difference between whether it's a best practice or whether it's an actual violation of the of the policy or of the statute. And so those are the two
different things. >> Do that. We clear it up. >> I don't disagree with you. >> Too mudded. >> I don't disagree with you. And I I mean we just adopted a third read of our conflict of interest policy. I think at the reorganization meeting and we changed the word from I think this
helped solve this Miss Paige. >> We changed the word that a board member and I'm not reading remember correctly. It said may >> give uh state that there's a conflict >> and recuse themsel. We have changed that adopted it after a third read to say
that we shall. So, so I think that helps solve this moving forward so that we can I think we if we want to state, hey, you've got to say it into the microphone before you leave, then if that's an expectation or something we want in policy, like I think that's something we
need clarity on. But the way it's written, I could tell the board clerk just as Miss Clark did say, "I have a conflict. >> Get up and move." And then she told me, >> I felt like, you keep reading those norms, shouldn't surprise the superintendent,
shouldn't surprise each other. We didn't know. I never heard the words. I was just wondering what was going on. And I'm being honest. You don't have to believe it. I just thought, well, okay, she's sick. What's going on this three times? What are we doing? >> Well, I was
>> And we don't know. I've been listening very intently and I think that's where we need to be more specific in the policy. I was helping to uh reform the policy also and I feel like it's not clear when it says you shall
in this example. Mrs. Clark did shell she did tell somebody. I didn't know what was going on either sitting way down here. But I think it's because we are not clear. We're not specific in the policy. Did she follow the policy? Yes.
According to her interpretation, she did. She sh she she told somebody that she was going to recuse herself. So, I think we do need to make that policy so that it's clear to all of us what our expectations are and um so that we can
move forward because the other thing I'm listening to is I know that we had a complaint about not doing things correctly. And so that's why I was interested in what the answer was because I don't want this board to be accused of doing things that are not
done correctly. And so if it is done correctly, it was done correctly. I I excuse that it was done correctly. What we need to do in my opinion um with the help of us all is to revisit that policy
and make it plain so that we all know when somebody recuses themselves. >> I cannot sit here another moment and be talked around and about. Um and so I will clarify because I am the only
person that can clarify for me. Um, when I seconded that motion, I looked at the agenda and said, "Oh, shoot. This is the one I'm supposed to step out on." >> Frantically, because I am an individual
and I am a person, I looked at our board clerk and said, "I need to step out." I did not pause this board meeting because we are here for the kids. And so, I did not want to take away from what our purpose is. I frantically looked at our board clerk and said, "I need to recuse
myself." At that point, I stepped out of the board meeting. The other two incident incidents, which continued to get confused, Miss Paige, um were personal. >> Those were personal. And I have stepped out before, looked at our board clerk
and said, "I need to step out." And I've never given a reason. And to the point of we've had a lot of conversations about this recently, that is absolutely the truth. And not one time have I ever been questioned on why I needed to step
out when I just say I need to step out. If I need to recuse myself, I have clarified that. And so if we need to revisit this policy and if I should have stopped those board this board meeting on those other two reasons on why I had to step out, I would have because it had
to happen. So if I should have done something different versus be talked around and I and if you care about me then you would have come and asked me >> and we then you would have come and asked me
because you as I'm because you ask me things all the time and you ask me >> but this time you were concerned about page Miss Clark three times. That was my thing. >> I'm going to refocus us on the issue at
hand on the kids and that's what we have to do. And we refocus it, give more detail so that we're all on one accord. >> Let me just finish Mr. Lopez. Um, and again, full disclosure, I also talked to
someone at KSB, but not Angie. and reading this and giving them the scenario. And this person is um Brian Jordan, the executive director,
>> and his comment was that and this is this is the revisit of the of the policy. It's very clear. It's very clear. These are these are words. We know the understanding that the board members expected to identify that there.
I wasn't talking about the bank. I was talking about the the village initiative grant. >> Yes. But I'm letting you know why I recused myself. >> That's correct. And that's not I'm didn't even address. >> I'm clarifying what the narrative is in the streets. It was because of add all
the narrative, please. >> I'm not worried about the rest of them. I'm talking about this one. That's your problem. >> Not my problem. That's all of our problems. But nevertheless, the $50,000 establishes, and I've had this conversation with Mr. Lopez, and I'll
have the conversation with the the the folks who um care to use social policy from here, the district that um there that establishes a financial relationship. >> I I don't think it does, Dr. W. Let me
finish you. I finished. I didn't interrupt you, so don't You're fair. >> Okay. and whether you agree or not um when when Miss Clark tells us that she is a parent and things like that, however you
want to view it legally, we're not talking about a contract. So many of these state statutes don't even apply. >> I agree. I don't think they do apply. Yeah. >> But nevertheless, it establishes a financial relationship that that in the community knows that would could be the
basis of of disclosure. And that was the point of my point of order disclosure. And that's all the policy is is essentially saying to disclose. So you can you can obviously
you agree or don't agree even when it is correct and we we can have that conversation offline when it comes. >> Well, I don't I don't understand what you're saying there. >> I'm saying when I when I mentioned it before since you Dr. Phil said it's not her her realm of jurisdiction. When I
make a statement to you the attorney general has said is a conflict of interest. That's your realm of of jurisdiction. You chose not to act. That's fine. I did not pursue. >> No, no, hold on here. You You're talking about back when you were talking about Carol Levers. >> Correct. >> I don't believe I ever got a communication saying the attorney
general had concluded it was a conflict of interest. I thought the communication was that you had asked whether it was a conflict of interest and I believe you didn't get a response back. It was definitive from the agent at least. I didn't get a copy of it. >> Philip Michael and I relay that. I'll provide you the
>> Okay. Yeah. If you got a copy of that, I'll take it and take a look at it. >> Nevertheless, for Ms. Clark, I want to make it clear to you. Excuse me. That's the only conflict I was talking about. Whether whether you're on the Mr. Mr. um Lopez
said you weren't on the board of trustees and all that. I never questioned any of that. I haven't looked at any 990s or anything like that, but um while the legal but here's the here's the crux of the situation that
I must agree with Mr. Gohane. The law at it stands right now puts responsibility on the person and that's where the disconnect is. If if the world believes a conflict of interest and you don't as an individual, you can sit
there and remain silent and you can sit there and remain silent and the law is on your side. That's the problem with the law. So that's what why policies um if if it's absent on the law, if the ab if the law is absent on it, then we
have other things to go on and that's the only policies we have. >> Wouldn't you agree? >> I do. Okay. Um, is there further conversation or questions on this topic? Anything else, Mr. Gohan? I again, I don't think that I
don't think we need to continue to pursue with the Kansas Public Disclosure. >> I because I know that was a question. >> I think I need to know from the board as a whole whether you want me to do anything with the Kansas uh public disclosure commission one way or the other. I mean, I I'm happy to to get
either an informal or formal opinion from them. I do need to respond to them, and I but I don't think that's my decision. I think that's the board's decision. U Mr. Lopez, I'd like to make a motion that we go back and look at the
policy and make sure we explain the shell and have bullet points so we're all on one accord. And to make it clear, when you're talking about the policy, you mean both the policy and the handbook. >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear. >> You mean both the policy and the handbook correct?
>> Yes. >> Yeah. I thought so. I just want to >> Well, no, let me back it up. I'll just go back to the policy in the handbook. Let me clarify that we make sure that the policy in the handbook is clear. >> Yeah, I got you. >> And what does shell mean? We need to do
that. If we going to come together, I'm thinking one thing, you think another thing. She thinks another thing. Let's just be clear cuz the main thing is we want to be transparent for the community where some don't have a problem with it,
some do. So, let's clear it up. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second on the floor to revisit the board handbook um around conflict of interest. >> I think it is handbook and policy. handbook and policy or just the handbook. >> What's in the handbook which is our
policy? >> I think it's >> okay to revisit the handbook and policy um and clarify what the expectations are, what the process is. So we can certainly do so um any questions on that
um item? >> Question. So we're going to vote on to revisit the handbook and the policy and as a group we're going to discuss does uh we going to is we going to follow that in in concrete or we going
to make some changes with it? >> Yeah, I think that's I think I the the the vote right now or the motion is for us to revisit with legal to revisit the policies and at that point we would discuss what we want to include or not include what process whatever we want
whatever we collectively decide and move forward with. Um, but the vote right now is just to say we will revisit the the two or that's the motion on the floor. >> Well, understand what I'm voting on. >> Yep. >> No, no, that >> that makes sense. >> I'm just speaking for me. I want understand what I'm voting on.
>> We need to >> Everybody can talk. I can talk, too. >> As May I >> Miss Pen Hicks, please? Yeah, Miss Pen Hicks. >> Yeah, >> just to clarify two things. >> And I I ain't upset. >> May I? >> Miss Pen Hicks, go ahead. >> Two things. as a new board member, it
would be clarifying for me to know what we are to follow and how we are to conduct ourselves as board members. And secondly, as a member of this community, this is a small community and there's a lot of interconnectedness in this community and there's a lot of
relationships in this room that have not been clarified or disclosed to the community. And I think that that's important for us. If we want to be trusted and be accountable to this community, then we need to be clear about how we are relating to each other.
If you're on a board with someone, if you have a family member that is receiving money from a member of the board or from the district or whatever, however we are, you know, conducting ourselves, those things need to be disclosed so the community can feel comfortable that we are trustworthy and
that we are giving to them the best that we have to offer. So, I would support that motion. >> Thank you, Miss Pen Hicks. I would I I am just concerned that we are going down a road where we are trying to prohibit whether a board member can vote or not
based on their relationships, boards that they serve on. This community, as you said, is small and there are when you're in positions of state legislature, school board, boards of trustees,
excuse me, when you're in positions of of of like that or you have other relationships, then I think we've got to put it all out there. And I think it's unfair to say, "Hey, Miss Paige, you shouldn't vote on this or Miss Clark, you shouldn't vote on this. This is an
elected body that was called to be elected to do the work of the school board. And so I just I I just want to caution us on again the law is clear on what um substantial interests conflicts of
interest look like and are. Now we can talk about the process but the statute and the law are clear about what that mean. And if we're trying to say that someone cannot vote on when they've been elected to represent and to
vote, I just think I I just think it's a slippery slope and I just want to caution us on that. I'm if we want to revisit the policy, absolutely we can, but I just caution us on trying to to keep folks from voting when they have
every right to vote on certain matters as a board member. except for when those when those specific circumstances arise that are outlined by statute and by law. >> Okay, but here's my response to that.
We're sitting here and everybody believes different things. It's not clear. And we can, we're not trying to stop anybody from voting, but if I got somebody who just gave me and that's a relative $50,000,
then you know people going to give you that eye like, well, she's going to vote and that's her relative. Come on now. We got to be fair. And all I'm asking is that we as a body, let's vote. Everybody got the right to their opinion so we can
come to some clarification on it. It's in the policy. That's my main thing. Let's clear it up. There's no questions. Our new people are saying, "Well, what are we doing? What does that mean?" And we ought to do it. Why are we running
away? We're not trying to stop anybody. And you're right. All of us on all kind of committees, but we want to be right and make sure we state so nobody has to say, "Well, I don't know about Randy. Should he be voting on that?" And people
are saying it just like you got people clapping for you. There are people saying, "Hey, what is going on?" And we all say the same thing. We're here for these children. We're here to do the right thing. And that means we got to make sure we're clear on what we're
doing and we are not clear. >> And may I add one more thing? We need to be clear of undue influence. That is what's being talked about in the community that these relationships are very close and they overlap and we must
make sure that when we make decisions for the children for the for this district that we are not exercising undue influence on those votes. >> Additional comments or questions. >> Good discussion there. If hearing none, there is a motion and a second on the
floor. Miss Downing, roll call, please. If you could just make sure if you could I'm sorry, Miss Downing, can you repeat the motion? Um, so we're all on the same page. >> Let me get back there. >> I have motion to revisit the policy and
handbook regarding conflict of interest in order to clarify expectations, the process, and any revisions. >> What is the definition of revisit? Right. >> What I take it to mean is that the board is going to look at the handbook provisions on this which I think at
least on the version I've got are on pages what eight and nine is are those the same pages you have >> and as well as the board policy and forgive me I don't remember the the letters that went with the board policy. They're going to everybody's going to look at it. If there are suggested
revisions, we're going to talk about those suggested revisions and then ultimately vote on whether to make changes to either the board handbook or the board policy. >> And I think it's actually timely because we have not actually formally approved the handbook since we've made revisions and changes based on the last board
retreat or last couple of board retreats. So, it's actually timely that we look at um I know some of the revisions were being made by the clerk and um staff and Mr. Gohane to change based on conversation. So, it's actually timely to be able to revisit and discuss
um the handbook further and then revisit the policy. >> That's correct. I think there's been several uh modifications to the handbook that the board has looked at and approved but have not been brought back as a full handbook to be reapproved by the board as a whole. >> However, none have been made to that
section. >> That's correct. There was some discussed though, >> right? >> Yeah. So, it would still need to go through three reads for the pilot for the handbook. >> It would. >> Thank you. Okay. Any additional questions on the motion hearing? None. Miss Downing.
>> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brownley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. With the explanation that was provided by Mr. Gohane, I'm fine with that. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Milin Jr. Yes.
>> Pamela Pin Hicks. >> Pamela Pin Hicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes. >> And Dr. Win. Yes. Thank you board. Dr. W. Uh >> I'll make a motion that while and then this is not the motion. This is preface.
While the the the um public discussion disclosure commission may or may not have jurisdiction, the motion is to request them have a a advisory opinion because that's all they can do. So the motion is to request from the committee
on public disclosure to submit an advisory opinion on um conflict of interest. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Questions? >> Yes. My question is is that conflict of
interest for all parties? So would the definition of conflict of interest for every person on this board? So the the way I would um read it at least at this point is the kind because it can't be if you're request an advisory
opinion from a body like the attorney general or from this commission you have to set forth enough facts for them to give an opinion. So they're not going to give an opinion that's that's completely abstract as to all people in all circumstances. Right? So the factual
information that we provided relates specifically to the question that I was asked to get guidance on which was um the recusal process for the vote on the um depository banks and also on the
subsequent vote for presidency which was the main topic of discussion at last Monday's meeting. So those were the questions in the same way that I presented them to KSB that I asked for guidance from the uh disclosure commission. I take the motion to be to
get to request a formal advisory opinion because when they pushed back they said do you want just informal guidance or do you want a formal advisory opinion? I take the motion to be and ask for the formal advisory opinion on that topic. >> Thank you for the clarification.
No questions, comments. It's been moved and seconded. Hearing none, Miss Downey. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brownley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. No. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. No. >> Robert Milan Jr. >> Milan Jr. No.
>> Pamela Pinhicks. >> Pamela Pinhicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. No. Dr. W. Dr. W. Yes. >> Motion fails. Thank you.
Okay. Um board, we are overtime. We were supposed to meet until 5. So, moving on on our agenda. We do have a few executive sessions. If you still have um roughly I think we should at least take this
first one around 20 minutes. um um 15 20 minutes I think it's timely for something that we need to take action on um potentially and plan for. Um so if you all are okay I just want I'm looking at the board to see if you guys are fine
with time to continue. Okay. Um if that is the case would entertain a motion to recess to executive session for consultation. Is this the right one? the attorney on matters which would be deemed privilege and the attorney client relationship under the Kansas open meetings act for
we'll start with 15 minutes um starting at go at 520 just to give you give us a quick break to include Mr. Gohane Dr. Stubblefield Dr. Jones um invited to attend. Is there a motion to do so? >> So move.
>> A second. >> Moved and seconded. Questions? Miss Downing. >> Wanda Brley Page. >> Wanda Brley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. Yes. Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Milan Jr. Yes. >> Emily Pinhicks. >> Emily Pin Hicks. Yes.
>> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes. >> And Dr. Win >> Yes. >> Thank you board >> and staff. Um, with the exception of Dr. Jones, you're free to go. >> Miss Downing will Hey hey hey. I'm
back. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Come on. Come on. Hey, hey hey. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Yeah, heat.
Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. feel. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on.
Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on. Okay. All right. Uh motion to return to open session, please. Okay. >> Moved by Miss Strickland Eaggan, seconded by Mr. Milin,
>> Miss Downey. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brown. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Junior. Yes. >> Pamela Pin Hicks.
>> Hicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland. Yes. >> Dr. W. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Is there a motion to recess to executive session to discuss matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the parties involved under
the Kansas Open Meetings Act for 10 minutes going in at 5:41 >> moved by Miss Clark, seconded by Miss Strickland Eaggan. And I'm sorry, this should in invite uh to include Dr. Stubblefield, Mr. Gohane, and Dr. Jones.
Um, can would you all amend your motion to include them? >> They both said yes. Okay. Okay. >> Thank you, >> Miss Downing. Roll call. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Brownley Page. Yes. >> Clark. >> Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez.
>> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Jun. Yes. >> Pamela Pin Hicks. >> Hicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes, >> Dr. Win.
>> Thank you. Heat. Heat. Ah, I'm a Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. I don't know. Ah, heat.
Heat. Heat. Keep it. Yeah. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat. Ah, hey.
Good morning. Keep it. Keep it. Yeah. Heat. Ah, heat. Come on.
Come on. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Keep it. Get down. Yeah. Hey. Hey, hey hey.
Heat. Heat. Good morning. Yes, I And >> hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes, I can hear you. >> Great. Thank you. Is there a motion to return to open session, please? >> Moved by Mr. Milin, seconded by Miss
Brownley Page. Miss Downing. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Robert J. Yes.
Pamela Pinhicks >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan Joyce >> Strickland Eaggan Yes. >> Dr. Win. >> Thank you. I have a motion to recess to executive session to discuss matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect privacy interests of the parties
involved under the Kansas Open Meetings Act for 10 minutes going in at 6:05. Um to include Mr. Gohane, Dr. Stubblefield, and Dr. Jones with potential action to follow. >> Moved by Miss Clark, seconded by Mr.
Milin. Questions? >> Miss Downing. >> Brownley Page. >> Brownley Page. Yes. >> Yanda Clark. >> Yanda Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Junior. Yes. >> Pamela Pinhicks.
>> Pinhick. Yes. >> Strickland Eaggan. >> Strickland Eaggan. Yes, >> Dr. Win. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat.
Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. Come on. Come on.
Nell. Nat. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Come on. Come on. I got a
heat. Yeah, heat. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Heat. Heat. day. Hey Heat.
Heat. Hey, heat. Hey. Heat. Hey Heat. day. Come on. Heat. Heat. Hey hey hey.
I don't know. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. day. Heat. Heat. Heat.
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heat. Hey. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Hey, hey hey. day. Hey Come on.
Come on. Hey, I got day. Hey Come on. Come on. Heat. Hey, Heat. I have to wait for Miss
So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any questions? Miss Downing. >> Wanda Brownley Page. >> Wanda Brownley Page. Yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark. Yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez. Yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Mil Jr. Yes. >> Pamela Pin Hicks.
>> Pamela Pinhicks. Yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Lyn Eagans. Yes. >> Dr. W. >> W. Yes. >> Thank you, board. Is there a motion to approve the employment resolution to terminate? >> Some moved. >> I moved and seconded.
>> Oh, okay. I couldn't hear. >> Oh, I'm sorry. The So, the motion was to approve. It's been moved and seconded to approve the employment resolution to terminate. Moved and seconded. Questions or discussion? Miss Downing? >> Wanda Brownley Page. Wanda Brownley
Page yes. >> Yolanda Clark. >> Yolanda Clark, yes. >> Randy Lopez. >> Randy Lopez, yes. >> Robert Milin Jr. >> Milin Jr. Yes. >> Pamela Pen Hicks. >> Emily Penhicks, yes. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. >> Joyce Strickland Eaggan. Yes. >> Dr. Win. >> Dr. Win. Yes.
>> Thank you, board. Uh, with that, this uh, thank you board for the extra time. Thank you staff. With that, this meeting is adjourned. Uh, we'll see you at convocation on Thursday. Thank you. Heat. Hey Heat. Hey,
hey hey.