Evening. 12/15/2025, NSE of Wing Township Board of Education. Is this all the board? Please rise for the pledge of the indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Present. Present. We've all been presented with an agenda for tonight's meeting. We have a motion to adopt the agenda system. I'm I'm with adoption of the agenda.
Second. A motion and a second. Any comment or discussion? If you're not, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The agenda has been approved. Thank you. I can possibly have a note of the ball office this evening. Thank you, mister president. After the board, I have to go to our audience. I have nothing better to do on a Monday night than to be here to support mister Gordon. We're really excited. Matter of fact, I'm excited to bring up one of our staff attorneys, with our law firm that we, have been with for probably fourteen years now. They've been Davis High School graduate of Wake Township alumnus, and how fitting for her
to to, give the open office to our newest board member. Unfortunately, the, as a result of mister Nance passing, the board went through a statutory process to replace that position and, accepted applications, went through interviews, and have chosen mister Gordon. So Caroline Wood, if you wouldn't mind coming up and administering the oath of office to mister Gordon. Why? Mister Gordon, can you please come up? Alright. Please read the right hand of the after me. State your full name. I Michael Gordon.
Do solemnly swear our firm Do solemnly swear our firm. That I will support That I will support the Constitution of The United States Of America The Constitution of The United States Of America The Constitution of The United States Of America. The Constitution of the State of Indiana. Constitution of the State of Indiana. And the laws of The United States. And the laws of The United States. That, mister Gordon left his interview to go play Santa. That's one of the things he does on the side. And so this beer is here to stay. It is not just something that just comes in November. So would you like to say to many of our administrators in the in the
audience? One of our, dedicated reporters, here who might wanna talk to you afterwards with and introduce your family, please. Hi. I'm blessed for this opportunity. Mister Dan served thirty one years on this board, serve this community faithfully and with a lot of hours. And I am honored to be able to, like I said, fill a seat because I've never completed a seat, but just fill a role that he had and, hopefully be able to do what I can for the students, teachers, the administrators, and the
communities. Electra Shower is the principal secretary of Poland, my daughter Kaylee, my daughter Peyton, and. Thanks to our, friends at Grammy Awards. We were able to turn that around over the weekend. You are official. So I suppose, we have some recognition to see.
We do. In fact, would you please come up? We have been extremely fortunate over the course of forty Forty Forty eight. Forty eight years. I was trying to remember how many years Rob Focus has been retired. Over the last forty eight years, we've only had three directors in our Area 31 for technical center. And Britney, joined us just a few years ago, from Area 18 up in the northern part of the state. Following big shoes for doctor Patrick Bagerstaffe.
But clearly, she has separated herself and is, staff well established in her own right as being recognized as the Indiana administrator of the year for the association for career technical education and was one of only five directors in the entire country to be selected as a finalist for the, the national award of the year. Recognized just recently down in Nashville, Tennessee last week for the first places to be. What's happened to Nashville stays in Nashville, But, Brittney, you have made us so proud
of the work that you do, the people that you serve, the opportunities that you provide to our students, and the leadership that you are providing to Tim and to our other principals in Thank you. You wanna talk a little bit about just what this war means? It's you're you're young in your career. We had that talk about maybe too young to get the national title. But talk a little bit about the what this means for you to be recognized amongst your peers, not only in the state, but also around around the country.
This black really shows how strong my network is. So those who have lifted me up throughout the years, including doctor Patrick figure steps and, several other directors and also including Tim back there. He's helped me throughout my years as a CTE director before I came here, and I get to share it with everybody. So inside, you guys don't know about this work, but Friday said, hey, Britney. Can we get a plan so that we give it to you? She was awarded this, down in Nashville, so we are very proud of you. Thank you. We have more guidance information. You've been provided with minutes from previous meetings.
This time, I look for a motion to approve the minutes of the room. Second. I have a motion to add a second. Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The minutes are approved. Thank you, David. If you have anyone sign up for public comment to see? Unfortunately, no. Thank you, mister President. The $48,634,607.08
for your review. Two items to note this month, this is a little bit elevated from what we typically see. It does reflect three payrolls, so that reflects the increase in what you will see in the Ed and Ops Fund there along with the real minimum fund. Also includes over $1,000,000 in payments from the Lilly phase two days. And then one final item to point you to, you'll see fund seventeen ninety eight, reflecting almost 2,000,000 this month. These are costs associated with the payment of the negotiated and approved 2025 contract.
As noted, those included the stipend for employees. Those dollars are the dollars from the inflation reduction act related to energy savings work around the district that we use for that payment. So it's an important note that those are from, that fund where those are deposited, not the education fund that's noted. Additionally, at the end of the year, we tend to see a little bit higher draw on some insurance fund as we have to do. That was the case this year as well. To do that, I will give you questions that you have and try to approve
of the financial report as presented. I move to approval of the financial report as presented. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the financial report presented. Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Financial report is approved. Thank you, doctor Samuel. Moving on to old business, bid recommendations for the seventh and eighth grade center tennis court improvements. Doctor Sandy. Thank you, mister president. None of the board also included in your documents for this evening, you'll find the recommendation letter for our twenty twenty six vendor tennis court improvements.
As you know, Lindner's is now 20 years old, and those transports, are are that same age. We've worked over the last few years to fill the cracks and gaps, but, eventually, the current service got to the point where it became too much of a safety concern, and we had to pursue, this as a project for 2016. We were able to save some costs on this project by using the exact footprint that currently exists. As you may remember, with our new construction manager, this work is divided up into
trade packages. So there are two bids, for your approval here, statement. But to begin, with bid package number one that is titled site work. It's a total of $75,099 from Globe Asphalt. Welcome to any questions that you have and I would ask approval of the package one. Who is the recommended approval for the package number one, site work. Aye. We have a motion and a second for the package one, the site work at
Lyndhurst Seventh eighth Grade Center. Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The bid package one is approved. Thank you, doctor Sam. Thank you. Next, we have bid package number two titled test reports in your documents. Once again, I will ask your approval of the base bid and alternate fund at a total of $799,000 from Tarkett Sports Construction for the women's tennis court improvement. I move for approval of bid package two tennis courts. Second.
I have a motion and a second to approve bid package two, the base, and the alternate, alternate number one. The comment or discussion. Mister president, just to interject here that, similarly to what we did with the chapel set with eighth grade center courts, at the request of our public and knowing growing sports of pickleball, we will be adding to the law courts as well to Littner's footprint, with our tennis courts as well, similarly to what we did at Chatsville.
So on both, it it our two seventh Patriot Center's lab, a combination of tennis courts and tennis courts. Thank you, doctor. Any additional comments or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? And bid package number two, base bid and alternate number one approved. Thank you, doctor Samuel. Moving on to new business, human resources. Doctor Suggs. Thank you, mister president. I'm asking for you tonight. You've received in your report docs the human resources reports a one and a two, addendum a one, addendum a two, b a three, and a 2.1
have been made available for your review. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. I respectfully ask for approval of human resources reports a one, a two, addendum a one, addendum a two, a three, and a two dot one. I move for approval of human resource reports a one, a two, a three, and a 2.1. Second. We have a motion and a second regarding human resources documents presented, comment, or discussion. Hearing none. All in favor, say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Human resources reports a one, a two, a three, and a 2.1 are approved. Thank you, doctor Sillitz. Thank you, mister president. As we just approved, the work report, the resources report, I would like mister Bradley Smith to join us in the front, please. As he does this, I'd like to tell you a little bit about it. Mister Smith began his career in Centerville Community Schools as director of profession and later the band director. He was then named the assistant principal of Centerville Middle School and later the assistant
principal at Centerville Middle School North. He He came to Wayne Township as assistant principal at the Davis High School in 2000 and was later named associate principal. He then moved on to Indianapolis Public Schools as the director of post secondary planning in 2020. Mister Smith has provided his expertise by supporting the development of k 12 comprehensive school counseling programs, directed a freshman on track initiative for high schools, planned and executed district wide summer school programming for grades three through 12, and provided professional development for k
twelve school counselors and partnered with various organizations to support student facing initiatives. Mister Smith earned his bachelor's degree in secondary music education from Indiana State University, and he completed his master's in education administration at Butler University. I present to you tonight mister Rodney Smith, coordinator of student services. Fun fact. Rodney was hired by the Suday Markoff Fundman, be principal or to be assistant principal at Ben Davis High School. Had the chance to work with, principal Joel McKinney who I shared with a few
people. He and I, actually got our physicals this morning at 7AM at the same same doctor's office. Who would have thought I'd run-in the Dolby Kenny while I was waiting to get my pistol? And, then had a chance to work with Sammy Spire as well, as his principal. Just looking forward to the all of the insights that you're bringing, with the time that you've been away and know how much you're going to improve the opportunities for our students, for our staff. I know that, did you did you bring something? I need to update it. They they know where you were. Thank you, president Bowman and and, board members.
I am excited to, come back. Feels like home. These spaces that I see here in in the audience as well as many on the boards. I look forward to working with the, staff, students, board, and community, and and maybe, Wake Township everything that our our students deserve. So I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you, We're gonna pause, and thanks for being here to support both mister Smith
and mister Gordon. If you do have other plans tonight, now is a good time for you to leave if you'd like to do that. Otherwise, it is an open meeting. You're welcome to stay. Doctor Foster, Harris, and I respectfully request your consideration of the following information. First, we have school supplies valued at $200 from the elementary school. We also have $300 from Cynthia Jamison, a Bridgeport staff member to be used for Christmas assistance for Bridgeport family. 35 new pairs of shoes valued at over $1,000 from international fever to be shared
with Scott Field students. $3,000 from Shirley Decker to support holiday gifts for elementary students in Raytownship, and an additional $500 for holiday giving to Chacklet Elementary students. Some thousand $600 from local union four eighty one to fund the Purple Star School account that directly supports events honoring our military and their family. Jumping down to $2,000 from Faxtown eight to also fund Purple Star events honoring veteran and active service members and their family. $8,349.68
from DonorsChoose to the gaming club at Ben Nevis High School. A kitchen machine valued at $2,307.27 from Lowe's companies to the Chapel Hill seven to 8.7 softball program, and $1,000 for Meyer Avon for Meyer Avon to be used for the Ben Davis High School staff musical, piano and drums valued at $5,500 for the Mount Pleasant Christian church to the band class at the high school. Next, we have a request to accept the $1,500 donation from Talent Management Steel to
aid in purchasing additional pantry boxes for the giant marketplace, as well as $26,391.33 from Wayne Township trustee, Jeff Barton, where we were able to purchase and distribute 1,470 pantry boxes directly to our schools for families. Thanks for partnership with Cleaners Food Bank. Both of these donations support our ongoing efforts to help students and families overcome food related barriers including food insecurity.
Mister president and members of the board, doctor Spears, Walters, and I respectfully request for approval of schedule b one through b 12. For approval of schedules b one through b 12 donations. Second. May I have a motion to approve the donations presented this evening, b one for b 12? Any comment or discussion? Mister president, I just like to brag a little bit if I could. I didn't recognize this until, just now, but, my brother is here from Fishers, Indiana. His daughter is a junior at, Alabama and is actually doing an internship, hopefully, at
the headquarters of international paper, who made one of our donations. Congratulations. Any additional comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The donations are approved this evening. Thank you, doctor Harris, doctor Walters, and doctor Harris. Moving on to field trips. Mister president, members of the board, respectfully, we request your consideration of the following four field trips. The first is for Romeo Victory, fifth grade students to visit Camp Bradford Woods on April 22 through 04/24/2026. The second for Rovi Elementary sixth grade students to visit Great American Wild Park, Navy
Riverboat, and the Newport Stadium, and Cincinnati, Ohio on June from Ben Davis University model United Nations Club to attend a regional conference at IU Bloomington on February 2026. And the fourth is for Chapel Hill Seventh day for a champion students to visit Kings Island in Mason, Ohio on 05/28/2026. First and I respectfully request for approval of our field trips. I move forward to the field trip as presented. Second. I have a motion and a second to approve the field trips.
Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you, doctor Walters and doctor Pierce. The words are approved. Thank you. Moving on to the school calendar. President, we will be happy to present school calendars for your consideration. As you know, we begin our new schedule and late start Mondays. And what that presented us is with the opportunity to revise both the 2000 current school calendar 02/2526, and the 2627 calendar to include the addition of asynchronous days, which
will be utilized during our PD professional development time, and also language that describes snowy events and our synchronous calendar should be at that convenience. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Respectfully ask for approval of the updates of both the twenty twenty five, twenty six, and the 2627 school calendars. I move for approval of the revised twenty twenty five twenty twenty six and twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven school calendars. Second. I have a motion and a second to approve the revised school calendars for years
twenty five twenty six twenty six, twenty seven. Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any revised full calendars are approved. Thank you, doctor. We're on to request for bids. 3201 West Morris Street. That's me. Thank you, mister president. I'm gonna be more. In your documents, you'll find the resolution to advertise the sale of our own transportation transportation center at 4201 West Morris Street. We are pleased that our new facility is up and running. All systems are working appropriately.
And over the last few months, the approval's have also had the opportunity to to prepare it for sale. As you can see from the document, it was appraised at $4,300,000. With your approval, this public notice run paper and commence the process this Friday, 12/19. We are optimistic that this sale will go well. We've had a number of entities reach out to us, proactively, knowing that we have
built a new facility, hoping that this piece of property would come lost at the market. Once we are accepting bids, we'll work with our legal counsel to post the current maximum bid with the public notice so that all documents are there that that current highest bid is. And all your wealth, bringing a final resolution for the sale of this property by January 4. Well, there's a few questions you may have. Humbly ask for approval of the request for bids according to a one request. I move forward approval to notice the bids requested for a forty two one with
Morris Street. I have a motion and a second to request bids for 42801 Westmore Street. Any comment or discussion? And we we cannot sell what the investment's been appraised for, but it can go higher. And once we receive a successful bid, we will notify all other bidders that discuss this event. So they do have the option to rebid. And so we expect that probably we will go significantly higher than the appraisal. We're cautiously optimistic. All this advice. Thank you. Any additional comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? And the request for bids for 3201 West Moore Street is approved. Thank you, doctor Sam. Moving on to request to declare surplus equipment, doctor Samuel. Thank you again, mister president. This is for this request involves another piece of old equipment that is no longer in New Smyrna Township. Similar to the last round of items that I brought to you, this one is another old police vehicle and some associated lighting is. Also similar to previous vehicle, we try to maximize the life of of the vehicles
that we have and apparently drive them so hard that when they are done, they really want to. They did not want this one to trade it either because of the cost to transport it. It recommended that we need surplus to scrap this. The other items, as mentioned, are some components that we were removed. It was removed from that vehicle that we would still have value to, pursue a separate sale for. Will there be any questions that you have in the credit report asked for approval of the surplus of the battery?
We have a motion and a second for the request to declare surplus equipment in common or discussion. Hearing that, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? And the request to acquire surplus equipment is approved. Thank you, doctor Sandy. Thank you. Moving on to board reports and the profile of a plan learner. Thank you very much, mister president. We have, as you're well aware as part of the LILI grant, phase two LILI grant, have been, have had the opportunity to work directly with National Center for Education Economy on two different projects. One is the, National Institute for School Leadership of which everyone in this room who
is sitting here going through that, and participating in the work that we are collectively, growing so that we can support our student our teachers in the teaching for effective learning starting next school year. We also have been looking at designing systems that work, but I will be fully transparent. I drag my feet on on this project that we've been working on, because I didn't want to be part of the fad of the profile of the graduate. You may have heard of that term. It became something very flashy for people, for districts to have these these posters of
a person that gave different descriptors of what they wanted from one of their graduates. We were doing that work in different ways. And, it was something that I I wasn't fully on board with when the telephone kids was actually leading that work. However, as part of our designing systems at work and because of the work the school district has done with our strategic plan, it made perfect sense to align our vision, our mission, our goals with what it is that we want for our future
learners, what we want for learners in the MSC Wayne township. And so in, the summer when I announced my retirement, there were two things that I had hoped to accomplish at tonight's board meeting. One of which is this. The other was recommendations for SEA one. Unfortunately, that is a heavy lift. And I will tell you, we spent a great deal today in cabinet. Continue to work on feedback that we've received from the commission. And, the cabinet is is doing yeoman's work on preparing very thoughtful and strategic recommendations
for the war that should come fairly soon as a result of all the feedback that we've received from the 300 plus members of the SBA one commission. So thank you, for that. And I'm sorry that I did not get that one across the line. But I am excited to share with you the work that began, back in August to truly discuss what is it that a Wayne learner should look like as they go through our system. You might remember dating back, when we had a presentation from NCEE, talking about the
global research that they have been conducting and have been involved with as they look at learners across the country and some of the across the world actually and some of the best systems that are in place. And in doing so, we have to look multifaceted at our systems that we have, that experience for our learners. Are we truly being focused on what's best for our students and creating a system that supports all of that for our children. And so, August we began as 41 different individuals making up multiple stakeholders including parents,
students, administrators, teachers, other personnel to go through and to provide us that feedback. We did also share in our last community leaders meeting, some some data and have them talk to their tables and provide us some feedback as well. So throughout the last several months, we have arrived to a recommendation for you today as to what we believe those competencies are for our learners. Our very young learners, our earliest learners at preschool all the way up to our adult learners. And we shared this with you as well that, and kudos to Australia.
Instead of a cell phone ban, maybe I think I'll have it I'll I'll advocate at the state house for a social media ban. Different than the one that they just announced tonight. If you had a chance to see that pop up, different kind of, media attention. But I would like to to take a look at the negative impact that social media is having on our children in their classrooms and the work of our teacher. But this is a generation that has never known life without a cell phone, life without TikTok, life without x and Snapchat and Instagram and go down to the list.
It's just how to practice for them. It's innate. But it's also creating an unrealistic world in which they live, in which they operate. And the bullying and the negativity that happens as a result and now throw in artificial intelligence that becomes a very different place for our children and what they're experiencing in our schools. I'll take a quick look at, some of the some of those examples. So I think we all can agree that just for the last several years, what
we have seen in artificial intelligence changing, is pretty dramatic. That does not mean that artificial intelligence is going to replace all human beings and all all of our workflows. But it does mean that we need to think differently about how we are preparing our children for that life beyond high school. And so when you look at some of these core top skills, the ones that workplaces and that our children are going to need, we see things that are pretty common, I think, that we could agree with. And some of these we could combine very well with the government workforce council, employability
skills, or some like to call soft skills, but are the employability skills that we know our children are going to have to have. And very few of these are very specific task oriented skills. Like, their goal is to think critically, to be able to work, to have to have the self confidence, to have the the personal drive and intuition, To have some self efficacy. All of those things that they that we know are important because when we look at the fastest declining jobs and the fastest growing jobs, we see some of those
jobs on that list that we know people who do those. Right? And so one of the conversations I had recently was, will AI replace teachers? No. It won't. But can AI make us better at what we do? Absolutely. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence can do to be that thought partner for our teachers to help us analyze data more critically, more quickly, and in a way that helps us to be better at presenting information for our children and value it through. That's where AI fits well into education.
Our children are gonna have to know extremely well how to utilize AI in their daily work. Not just to write papers, not just as a tool, not just as a fact checker, but truly to to be a partner for them in their work. And so when we sat down, we thought, what is it that our children are pointing to me? How do we create a way learner who can navigate in this new space? Lots of different titles. But in the end, similar to our mission and our vision, it becomes the North
Star of what we are trying to do to prepare our children. So that's where this profile ended. We looked at lots of different competencies. We had hours and hours of discussion over multiple months. And we came up with these five competencies that we thought were the most important. You have a paper version, it's a little easier to see on your desktop. But still communicator, adaptable thinker, purposeful collaborator, responsible decision maker, and a mindful self medic.
And the descriptors of each one of those, of which we spent a great deal of time being very intentional on identifying what those look like. So what's next? Where does this take us as a district? It takes us to our design systems that work phase two or step two in the spring. Truly going through and determining what does this profile mean for a preschool student? What does this profile mean for a fourth grade student? What does this profile mean for one of our students who's going through an apprenticeship
at the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grades? What does it mean for a student who's aspiring to be of service in the military? Or somebody who has aspirations to go on a post secondary education? And so that's the next step. So that every single teacher in every single classroom, in every single building that we have knows third grade profile of a learner in Wayne Township, here's what we expect from our children. Here's what our children should be accomplishing, should be demonstrating when they go to fourth grade. And it becomes the same common discussion topic that we have today when we talk
about developing great people. And when we talk about activating and accelerating student work. Everyone in this district can tell you what our mission is. It's in every single classroom. It's in every single presentation that we do. Because we truly institutionalize what our community said was important in this district with our vision and our mission. And it takes all of us regardless of our job title, regardless of our position as district, regardless of where we are, whether it's a community member, a stakeholder, student
stakeholder, a a business owner, or employee of the MC Wayne township, it's important that we are all working to prepare Wayne Township's children for that next step. Happy to answer any questions you have. It's great information and, outstanding insight is to help prepare our children for workforce that we can't identify. Who who would have thought there would be a house degree in artificial intelligence? Ten years ago, there wasn't. How much AI did you use for that presentation?
Not for this one. It might have been some AI, yeah. Yeah. It is becoming a tough partner for me also. It helped me with my, my final podcast. It's a. So it was a tough partner for my final podcast. Mister president, I would ask just for the sake of our, committee, our 41 member committee and for the work that's gonna happen in the next phase of the design systems that work. Would appreciate it before we consider approving this, as a profile of Waymoer so that we can guide the work that I have in the second semester. Thank you.
We've got a motion to approve the presented profile of the Wingmar. We accept the, profile of the Wingmar as presented. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any comment or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say aye. Aye. And tonight's presentation, the profile of the wait letter. Thank you, doctor Busch. So you hear about this present member of the work? We go on to a transition presentation. Doctor. Sutton, would you please join me? Fifteen years ago when I became superintendent, the cabinet presented me with a, statue like
that. I don't know what you call it. But it is it's it's set on my mantle every day, since I became superintendent. It was a little bit of an inside story. You know about the story about two bulls on the top of the hill and leading down to one bull. That was, something that I haven't been doing very well, in the dynamic that we're at the time. And so they gave me that one singular bowl that has sat on my, on my bookshelf for the last fifteen years. Just as a reminder of, lots of different experiences here at the Embassy of Wake
Township. And so when I thought about what I would like to share and then present to doctor Suggs, it was a that's for sure. You know, the the fire is burning strong here in Wayne Township. And what we're doing for children is incredible. And so, doctor Suggs, I give this to you just as a remembrance to keep the learning burning bright. Says doctor Shania Suggs, MSU Wayne township superintendent. Ignite the flame of knowledge and inspire others to carry it forward.
This is very unexpected and a surprise. And not so much a surprise because you are such a flatbed. We're gonna miss you, Tara. But I've shared with him on many occasions, he's been an example, a mentor, a light. You set the path. And so I'm excited about what's next, in our chapter in Wayne Township. I'm excited about this group of leaders and what you do every day. I have no fears. We have hard things ahead of us, but I know that with your leadership, we're
gonna get through it. And because of your leadership, we're gonna Okay. Whereas we move into board information and content, we've got a card. Doctor Bud's cabinet and board. Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers memory of our dad. It's very proud that Wayne and I could just sit on the board for thirty one years helping further the future generations of education. Thank you all so much, Corey, Jenny, and Becky Nance. Doctor Buzz, if you can make your way back to the center, I believe we have a presentation. Introduction, miss Bowman. Beverly Jenkins with our emergency services education center.
May I ask your remarks? I wanted to present this to doctor Buff at our, group presentation and gathering the other night, and then he was out of town. So I asked if I did not tonight present this time. But in recognition of Jeff Budd's chairman for your steady leadership and unwavering support of the ESCC staff and public safety education. We appreciate everything that you've done and your leadership with that organization and your patience
and, generosity through school or and through Wayne Township Schools with helping us through rough patches, and we wish you the best. You know, it's, one of the things I talked a little bit about this on on the podcast this afternoon, and you'll get here on Friday. And I asked her to even if I can just play it tonight and not talk, but she would love me. So, you know, it's one of the things about the superintendent in Wayne Township is it is a multifaceted job, and I've had a chance to look almost gonna step
back and look through my own eyes, but through the eyes of doctor Suggs, knowing some of the things that she's gonna be having to lead and to decide on. And it's given me a different perspective, a little bit of different perspective. One that Tammy, I think probably has had for much longer than I. Because like the rest of us, we just do the job. Right? When we're in the job, we just do the job. We don't want to step back to take a look at how hard the job could be. And, in the Wayne in the Embassy of Wayne township, not only is the board
entrusted the superintendent to lead the school district as the the chief officer, but also to be the chairman of the emergency services education board, the chairman of the Wayne Sports Park board. And because I have chosen to do so, I've been the chairman of the economic development corporation in the Gateway, and I've been a board member for a couple of years on the Westside Chamber of Commerce. It's through those opportunities to serve not only this district but also this community that
we have so many great partners. And we have so many opportunities to make this a better place to live and to work and to raise families. And, you know, Beverly has done an absolute phenomenal job with emergency service education center. You all know it as the fire headquarters, the tower, and the and the grand hall. But it is an extension of what we do. Because not only are we a significant employee in this community, but we partner directly with our township trustee and with our firefighters and the firefighters of the communities around
us. That center prepares men and women to be ready to serve and to keep us safe and to be able to not only keep us safe, but to be able to return to their families safely. And so that has been our laser focus on what we do. We do have our students from Area 31 who are in that program and utilize that facility as well. But that facility was designed to train our men and women who are rushing into burning buildings and we have been very focused on making sure that it continues to
do that. Not only for Wayne township fire but for lots of other fire departments around. So Beverly thank you for all that you've done to make sure that that continues to happen. That we continue to have the very best trained firefighters in the Midwest because we get people from other states as well. But the work that you do allows us to continue to take that facility that will fill the way Township dollars $1.00 4 with the school district property and to fulfill its mission. So appreciate it. Thank you. Absolutely. I can buzz if you could stay. Or if you can join us.
Yeah. I've had a little more than six months to prepare what I might say tonight. No matter how many times I I reproach this or I do this again, I I couldn't quite find what I felt to be appropriate. So I'm very glad that we've got a room full of administrators here tonight because you all know, perhaps more than anybody, the, the the extended hours that our educators put in and, particularly with doctor Fuss. I think first I need to acknowledge that the world champion in the room tonight
is Tammy. I've done the math right here for nineteen years. You've shared your husband with our community, very graciously, and we can never repay you for that. You know, we when we think about leadership, it's it's really easy to think about the the way someone responds in the face of adversity. And, you can go down a an ugly rabbit hole if you think about, just in in my tenure with doctor Butts, COVID nineteen, the passing of students and staff members, the loss of a peer friend and board member.
And, he has responded with nothing short of excellence at every step along the way. But what I would really like to focus on, are the things that, our district has done exceptionally well, in the time I've been on the board with doctor Butt. So I know we've got a lot of education data analysts out there, so don't be too harsh on me. I'm not gonna use some rough numbers tonight. Same with confection people, believe me. And and a lot of you have shared in this, in these accomplishments with doctor
Butts. So, kudos to you all and your staff as well. And just senior at Wayne Township, our students, our grad graduating students have put to use more than $200,000,000 in scholarship money. We've had 11 Olympians, 26 professional athletes, two verified astronauts, meaning that we've had people take flight to space, countless engineers, doctors, philanthropists, outstanding community members, politicians, and just fantastic
community members. Part of our vision to develop great people. So could you move on to the next to the next chapter? Well, those are the things that you remember, not the speed bumps that we have along the way. I think most everybody in the room knows that, I've got a a daughter that's a junior in college and a son that's in one of our seventh and eighth grade center. My children don't know me township without doctor. So it's bittersweet as it is tonight. We're so excited for you as you move on to the next chapter. We couldn't be more excited to work with doctor Suggs.
You will be following this. So before I read this, any other board members like to add anything? I'm not crying. I'm sorry. I was just gonna say, like, president Bowman stated, I've had three children who've come through Wayne Township, a 2017, 2020, and 2025 grad. But I thank you for being personable. I can still remember my girls when they were in high school getting a kick out of the doctor buzz would respond to some of some of the Twitter things
and the kids the kids will get you free. I'm not calling this phone and something else you would shoot back out. And so even before I was a member of the board, one of the things that all superintendents are not personable. And I thank you for that because they were able to understand who their superintendent was. A lot of students don't. They, you know, they just know that there's another boss, someone that's over the principal, but they knew who you were. Mhmm. And they appreciated you that you engaged with the students. And you will be missed. I'm thankful to have been able to serve.
I believe this is five years now on the board on your leadership. And as, president Bowman stated, we're elated to get ready to work with doctor Sud. But I'm sure in this education world that I sit as well that our path will cost again one day. Yes. I certainly wanna second what they both said. Every time we eat carrots in our house now, we say crunchy carrots because of the videos during COVID and eating lunch with doctor Gus that will not change. So there's that personal aspect. But as a pastor, I have an opportunity to work with a lot of leaders
in a lot of different settings. And leaders need to be knowledgeable. They need to know what's going on. But for me, what's really important to leader is character. There are a lot of leaders in a lot of places that don't exhibit character. But for you, you always exhibit it no matter what place you are. You've been able to handle so many different upset parents, upset community members. You always listen to what they have to say, respond calmly. And when you say you're gonna do something, you always follow-up with it. So I learned a lot just working with you on this board, what character looks like in many different settings. I appreciate you making this job really easy.
I would just like to give you that character. But he he has a caring spirit for everyone in the community and for us. And, we've all been through some personal matters this year. He's always wondering what text you. He he let me know. And I and we appreciate that. And she had that caring spirit for the community, for our children. I've had three kids go through the whole way and have a granddaughter, and it's
always, who's doctor Gus? I need you to talk to doctor Gus. Nieces and nephews. So, yes, we're all victims. And so we just really will be missed. You will be missed. Just wish best for you next week. I think my father's the great of you. I mean, there's lots of them, you know, watching my son get straight a awards, you know, and he and you gave him that confidence too to speak. And, you know, when he was little, his little niece would knock. He was so nervous introducing all of us. But every year, you know, he knew that that wasn't what was expected and, but
I remember you passing out food during the pandemic to our students and their families. And I knew that. But if I ever had the opportunity to work closely with you, I would I would cherish it. It's been I forgot there's so many things I could say. I'd say, like, we grew up together, but maybe you grew up and I grew a little bit older. But I appreciated working with you, working for you, and then being on the sport.
Probably my favorite memory that I can share is that at straight a's, you were so good about the person that was in front of me. Me making them feel like they were the most important in the world and not rushing even when I was behind the scenes. You always always matter of the situation. Make the person that you're standing in front of them feel special. I'm gonna touch real quick even though I'm the guy on the board. I'm not here at Wayne Township. My daughter Kaylee graduated twenty twenty, I believe. And through the pandemic, she was not able to walk across the stage.
We had to do a drive through across the back of the parking lot. But the only thing Kaylee could talk about for weeks, missus Nichols, if I'm not mistaken, was getting to see doctor Butts and getting to shake his hand. And when doctor Butts saw her, he knew her by name and called her name. All the students graduated, that day and that week. That was a very long week for you guys. Twenty four hours on that stage.
I know. I know. But I think, yes, they've all talked about your character, and what you exhibit to those underneath you. The fact that you took the time for Kaylee, it meant to work with my wife, meant to work with me. I know for everyone who's had a student graduate, it is not the world. Couple more data points I left out when I was talking. 25,000 graduates, 550 retirees.
Except, I'm adding to that number. So on behalf of the board of education, Jeffrey k Buds, PhD, superintendent 2,011 to 2025, assistant superintendent 2006 to 2011. With deep gratitude, the MSD of Wayne Township proudly recognizes you for a career marked by integrity, vision, and unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and community. Throughout your tenure, you led with steadiness, courage, and compassion, guiding our schools through challenges,
championing innovation, and placing students at the center of every decision. Your ability to inspire excellence, support others, and lead with grace has built a legacy that will continue to shape generations. The Board of Education extends its heartfelt appreciation for your years of service, your profound dedication to public education, and the enduring difference you've made. And with respect and gratitude, the MSD of Wayne Township Board of Education presented this December 2025. You might have said that.
So I mentioned my brother's here. He I happen to be meeting this morning just down the street where I texted. He's the principal of Fisher Junior High School. I said, hey. What's on your agenda today? He said, why are you in the area? I said, yeah. I said, but, you know, you got things going on. I said, no. I'm still a school stuff. Stop stop calling you. So we had the chance I just stopped into his office. We had a chance to talk a little bit. And I said, hey. You know? Don't come tonight. It's you know, there'll be all this stuff.
Right? We celebrate it. He said, well, I didn't know what you did, so I I didn't, I didn't say anything. But, thank you for the kind words. And I will tell you that goes back to our parents, and to our grandparents. We have come from a family who has had life lessons that have truly taught us what it means to be good and decent, what it means to care for others, to be selfless, to be hard workers.
I mean, the the examples that Tyga and I share about watching our grandparents, watching our parents with everything that they went through, they were life lessons for us. And Tyga is an administrator. I'm an administrator. Our brother is a teacher in Minneapolis. We'll get a chance to see him, Friday as he's driving down to Florida. He flew his family down. He decided to drive himself. He needs some flight at the time. But we'll have the opportunity to to to be together at Brothers and, you know,
tell a few stories. Tig and his wife, Jen, actually got married a week to the day before Tammy and I did. My parents were very busy that year. All three brothers got married the same year. So we had a a very, very busy time. I mentioned that, really to say, as I process through our time here, Tammy and and my time here at WhiteHat Jr, I've tried to try to put into words what it's like and what was it that led to where we are today and
hopefully the positive impact that we've had in this community. And it came down to, you know, in the last few weeks, I've been able to try to think about where is Wayne Township in my life and where am I in the life of Wayne Township because I get ready to separate at least the MSD of Wayne Township. And I thought, you know, any great leader fully embeds themselves in those whom they serve. And I've talked to our senior I've talked to our students multiple times.
Those of you that have been kind enough to invite me out to, your career days. Elementary kids don't wanna hear what the superintendent does, but I appreciate that very much. I've shared with our students that most of us will work fifty years in our lifetime. We'll work twenty one, twenty two. You know, we'll work maybe forty five years, forty years, whatever it is that we're gonna do. That's a long time, especially when you're talking to a sixteen year old. And to think if I have to work three times as long as I've been alive so far, that sucks. I hate going to school now. I can't imagine doing something else progressive, you know, that's a set period of time.
And what I always tell us find out what we love doing. Find that thing that makes you jump out of bed every morning, that excites you, that you can't wait to get to. And while there's been some tough times here in Wayne, many of you have been a part of those. And I think about the pandemic and all of the nights and the early mornings and the multiple times that we got together to change plans because we just got some new guidance and or somebody changed a rule on us or whatever, you all
stepped up. And you all did what was necessary to serve meals to our children and to to provide opportunities for families. And so as I thought more and more about that, I thought, you know what? I shared this with another administrator just last week who was interviewing me. It just kinda came out. Every single day, I wasn't going to work. I was gonna take care of my family. All the children, all the employees, our community members, our business owners, the part of my family. And it's just been an honor and a and a privilege to be able to
serve and to hopefully be a good family member. My brothers and I have disagreements. We used to call them fights. I don't think there was a door in our house that didn't have a hole through it, for much of our adolescents. But as family members, we're here for each other. And that's probably gonna be the hardest thing as we walk away is well, I always know that I'll be part of the Wayne family. I'll be a different part and play a different role in our lives.
Tammy has been by my side, has been supportive. As I mentioned in my podcast, while I turned our living room or dining room table into our office during those years of pandemic, all of the late nights, all of the early mornings, all of the weekends, all of the things. And doggone if the weather didn't take a couple of those this week. Right? Where I was up at 03:00 wondering what we're gonna do. But in each one of you, I also see that same dedication, commitment, and compassion
for the students and staff and families that you're serving. And that's really what makes this such an amazing place. Those people that have worked other places and and are now in lane understand that, probably better than those must have been here for one time. We forget it. We lose perspective. But this organization is like not longest I was ever in a district before here. I know some of you have heard this before. It was six years, and I thought that was a long time. So it's been twenty years in one community.
It flashed by. I remember the day I came in here to interview with David Scholl and and the committee for assistant superintendent job. I remember vividly. And twenty years goes by. And what I'll take from this are all the relationships. All the good time, I don't remember made of bad times, but choosing not to. Right? Because they don't have. What matters are the the people that I've had a chance to work with, people I've had a chance to become friends with, and, just the knowledge that you're gonna continue to make sure that our children are careful.
So thank you. Right. After we adjourn, please join us out in the lobby for a fantastic reception and continue celebrating, the career of doctor Butser and WingTouch. I would promotion to adjourn. I move that we adjourn at 07:42PM. Second. Motion and a second. Any comment or discussion? It took me really good. I told you. So good. Alright. All the papers say aye. Aye. Very generous. 732.