Let me go ahead and try to talk. >> Can you hear me? Welcome everyone and good evening on this the 13th day of April at the South Bend Community School Corporation Administration Building. The board had a close session at 3:30 and I'm now
calling this meeting to order. And Miss Hernandez, can you please call the role? Yes. Good afternoon, Mr. Marcus Ellison. >> Present. >> Mr. Marcus Delo >> here. >> Dr. Janette McCulla. >> She's She's on video. >> She stepped away for a minute.
>> Okay. >> Mr. Bill Snicki >> here. >> Miss Kate Lee >> here. >> Mr. Carlos Leva >> here. >> Dr. Stir Green >> here. We have a quorum. We can now move on to the adoption of the agenda. It is recommended that the board of school
trustees adopt the agenda. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. Mr. Leva, the motion has been moved and seconded. Mr. Hernandez, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Ellison,
>> present. >> Mr. Castello, >> present. >> Dr. McCulla. >> Mr. understand. >> What? >> We're >> present. >> Approval. >> Well, I guess we're approving. >> Yes, >> we're approving the agenda.
>> I'm sorry. Present. >> No. Go back to her. >> Dr. McCulla. >> Present. >> Mr. Sniki. >> Present. >> Miss Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lea.
>> Hi. >> Dr. Green. >> Hi. I'm not mistaken. when we were adopting the agenda. Okay, now sorry for recognitions and superintendent announcements. So, it's over to you, Mr. E.
>> Good evening, Dr. Green, school board members, members of the public. Uh, we have a whole bunch of recognitions and announcements. Uh, I am going to change the order simply because
Mr. Henderson is stuck in traffic and hopefully by the time I get to the to the one before last unless Mr. Henderson just made it. >> He's not here yet. >> Is he here? >> Mr. >> No. Okay. So, I'll I'll change the order
if that's okay with everyone. Uh announcement that April is autism awareness month. Uh, April is also occupational therapist month and happy National Library Week, April
19th to the 25th. After school professionals appreciation week is April 20th to the 24th. We're doing this is because we're appreciating everybody since the next board meeting won't be until the 27th.
uh administrative professionals day in other words secretaries day uh is Wednesday April 22nd that's next Wednesday now this the next uh announcement is very important
uh May 5th election day 19 of our buildings will be used for as uh voting uh polls stations Um we will have a synchronous learning
day that day. So students will work from home, teachers will have to report to school. Uh we have a slide if you can please put it on Mr. Kroger.
We have parent meetings. Uh it's called the parent pulse family and community forum. Uh we have Monday, April 20th at 5:30 at Marshall, Thursday, April
30th at 5:30 at Dickinson and Monday, May 4th, 5:30 at Clay International Academy. Uh this will be posted online along with the rest of the agenda. Uh please encourage your parents
to attend. We need more parents to be involved. Uh and the last thing I guess since Mr. Henderson is not here, I would like to invite uh the athletic director from Clay High School, CB Gavin, to introduce
the Riley High School wrestling team along with their coach. Good evening to the board of trustees and superintendent E. May I say u I'm a proud athletic director of Riley High School >> and not Clay High School.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Did I say Clay? >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> That's all right. >> Mayor Kulpa, >> I'm honored to stand on stand here on behalf of Mr. Sean Henderson, the principal of Riley High School. Uh I did not have anything prepared but I am here
to stand for our 202526 wrestling team who was who had great achievements this year and we are so proud that we are continuing the the honor and legacy of carrying on our student athletes on what the great
things they do for South Community Schools. On at this time I would like to call up Mr. Bill Flatt who is a Hall of Fame wrestling coach with over 500 wins. This year he was named the regional coach of the year
and Mr. Flatt and his wrestling team will come to the podium. Thank you Mr. Gavin. Good afternoon to all of you. It's not evening yet. Um, we brought our wrestling team here today to let you know about our
accomplishments. A wrestling team has 14 members this year. Um, we were third at sectionals and we took 13 members of our team to the regionals.
And then at regionals, we placed third and we took nine of the 13 on to semi-state. When you get to semi-state, you're now at the top 64 of the wrestlers in the state of Indiana.
We placed 11th out of 60 teams at semi-state and we had our first state qualifier in nine years. I'm going to go through the different um individuals and their accomplishments
and uh we'll have them come forward. Okay, starting with our lightest weight, Vince McCoy. Vince McCoy is a two-time conference champ. He's a sectional champ, a regional champ, a semi-state champ, and our first state qualifier in nine years.
Next is Roman Marquez. He's a two-time allconerence, two-time semi-state qualifier. Next is Josh Rob. Josh is a three-time allconerence, and three-time regional qualifier. Our next wrestler I haven't seen is Will
Douglas. He's an all-conference, two-time regional qualifier, and academic all-state wrestler. Next is Braxton Shines. Braxton is a three-time allconerence. This year he was a sectional champ and is a four-time regional qualifier.
Our only freshman on the team is Manny. I just saw him slide in here. Manny White was all conference and a semi-state qualifier. Our next wrestler was Trevor Crump. uh two-time allconference two-time regional qualifier and semi-state
qualifier. Next is Torbell Plump, allconerence regional qualifier and academic all-state wrestler. Next is Matt Max Cotnet. He's a regional qualifier and a semi-state qualifier. Next is James Peach. James placed at
conference and was fifth at sectionals. Next is Aiden Norton. Aiden Norton was allconerence, sectional runnerup, regional qualifier, and semi-state qualifier. Next would be Noah For all conference and semi-state qualifier.
Next is Austin Robbins, sectional runner up in a regional qualifier. And our last wrestler we want to recognize tonight is Deont Sterns. He's all conference. He was a sectional champ, regional runnerup, and semi-state qualifier. Thank you so much for having
us here tonight. Thank you. Would you guys please stay for a picture with the board? Mhm. >> This concludes the recognitions and announcements. >> Thank you, Mr. E. Appreciate it. So,
we'll now have a hearing of visitors on action items 9.01 through 9.12. Uh, Mrs. Lee, has anyone signed up to speak? >> Yes, we have two. At regular meetings, the public is invited to address the board for three minutes regarding action
agenda items. Visitors wishing to address the board on action items 9.01 through 9.12 must sign the registration sheet prior to the meeting and state the action agenda items for which they which they will address. Individuals may only speak once on the same topic. Speakers shall properly identify themselves after
they approach the podium by stating their name and address for the record. Personnel issues are not to be addressed in any way during open sessions of the school board. No person may address or question board members individually. The board president may interrupt, warn, or terminate a person's statement if the
statement becomes personally directed, abusive, or obscene. If you wish to give something to the board, please give the item or items to Miss Hernandez after the meeting. Under item 9.09, resolution to authorize to terminate contract with Chartwells and Southpin schools, we have Paul and
Paul and 51680 Orange Road using my first amendment right. What I say should not be held against me, my family, or my co-workers. So the contract termination with chartwell very simple very plain I see that there is a very basic language there wasn't until like earlier today a
PDF that was attached to it I was just wondering is if any of the equipment was chart wells or do we own all the equipment and when they leave are they taking anything with them and then all the food that was acquired under their contract who owns that
just a question just for clarification That's all. >> Thank you. John Pachznney, same action item. >> John Petznney, 18420 Crown Hill Drive. I did not see the PDF as I was busy at work, but I hope that we will hear or it
will spell out if this contract cost us money and if outsourcing cost us money like the maintenance agreement was because if it did, then it's a smart thing to do. Thank you. >> Thank you.
That's the end of registr. >> Okay. We also invite comments on other items. Uh Mrs. Lee, can you please share the following again? >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, sorry. Yes, I did. 9.05. I did not see you. You're at the top at the very
top of the page. >> I apologize. >> You're No, thank you for doing that. I completely missed it. 9.05. 5 approval of the administrative six sickle bank Paul and come on down. >> Paul asis 51680 orange road using my
first amendment right what I say should not be held against me my family or my co-workers. So, um, the sick bank that you're offering it to the administration, are you offering it to all the other groups also? And if so, uh, where are the days the board is
contributing? Where is that coming from as far as what fund it is? Just so that everybody would know. Um, and I'm okay with it. I just need some clarification on it. That's all. Okay. Simple. >> Thank you. Sorry, I missed that.
We'll we'll still invite comments on other items. Uh so, Miss Lee, uh can you just share the the following? >> I can. At regular meetings, the public is invited to address the board for three minutes regarding items not posted on the agenda. Individuals may only
speak once during this section of the agenda. Speakers shall properly identify themselves after they approach the podium by stating their name and address for the record. Personnel issues are not to be addressed during open sessions of the school board. In addition, no person may address or question board members individually. The board president may
interrupt, warn, or terminate a person's statement if the statement becomes personally directed, abusive, or obscene. Please come to the podium if you wish to speak. >> Good evening. S Kum for 22 Kennedy Drive.
If we can put a playground in every neighborhood, why not put learning there, too? I'm here today with a simple lowcost idea that has potential to make a lasting impact on our children, especially our youngest learners.
Across the parks, children are already learning. They're counting steps, identifying colors, recognizing shapes, and asking questions. The opportunity is there, but we're not fully using it. What I'm proposing is straightforward.
installed durable, weatherresistant learning boards in our parks and playgrounds focused on letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. Placed right where children already gather. These boards would help children learn their ABCs and
numbers before kindergarten. Support language development and early literacy. Give parents and caregivers simple ways to engage. Can you find the letter B? Let's count to five together. What color
is the slide? This is especially important because, as we know, early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong success. Many children enter school already behind in basic recognition skills. And not all families have equal
access to books, tools, and e learning. But they all visit the park. And that's the key. We need to turn our parks into learning spaces without adding pressure, without adding cost to families, and without screen time.
Even more powerful, this aligns beautifully with the communication boards already introduced to for nonverbal children like they did in Miss Shawaka. Together, let's send a message. This community values every child's development.
This is lowcost, easy to implement, highly visible, and scalable across neighborhoods. What I would like is to call this a high return on educational investment. If children can learn
everywhere, they can succeed anywhere. Let's not wait for the classroom to start learning. Let's meet our children where they already are, in the playgrounds. >> 30 seconds. A playground can do more than entertain. It can educate. And I
sent this to you in your email already. So, I hope you'll consider it. And I hope that we can get it done before the summer because it would be great to have it available for the summer. It would include a QR code that the parents could
use to even sign up for prek. I think it'd be a great thing and I I hope you'll consider maybe expediting it if you like the idea. Thank you. Good evening. Tiana Batis Wadell, 330 KFax Avenue, South Bin, Indiana.
This is in an email I sent the board president on March 29th, 2026. And for the record, as of 413, 2026, he nor anyone else has responded. Email states, "The audit clearly identifies systemic
failures in internal controls, financial reporting, and federal compliance during the 2223 period. These are not minor oversightes. They are structural breakdowns that include unresolved payroll discrepancies dating back years, inadequate federal reporting, and
missing documentation tied to public funds. While the district has stated that reforms are already underway, that response alone is insufficient given the severity of the findings. The report explicitly warns that these deficiencies increase the risk of delayed
reimbursements, loss of future funding, and diminish public trust. As a community member and advocate, I am seeking clarity on the following. What independent investigation, if any, is being conducted to determine accountability for these failures? What steps are being taken to trace and
reconcile all question and misstated funds, including millions in federal program discrepancies? Will the board pursue recovery of funds or legal action if wrongdoing or negligence is identified? How will the board ensure that these reforms are not only implemented but monitored with
transparency and public reporting? It is not enough to acknowledge that these issues occurred under prior leadership. The responsibility of the current board is to ensure that the accountability is established and not deferred. This audit represents more than a compliance issue.
It reflects a breach of trust with students, families, and taxpayers. The community deserves clear answers, a defined path forward, and assurance that this level of financial mismanagement will not be repeated. In addition to that email that I sent on March 29th,
are you expecting me to ignore this audit and move on like nothing significant happened? For example, are we supposed to just listen to uh an overview of the multilanguage learners academic presentation and skip over the fact that the director allegedly failed
to effectively oversee the department's allocation of title one migrant dollars based on the audit from the state? It is unacceptable that as a board president, you fail to respond to all constituents. Today, 3:10 p.m., a white woman
constituent emailed the board president about a matter and he responded at 3:21 immediately. This black woman constituent emailed on 3:29 2026 about a matter and have
actually emailed on several additional matters about the federal consent decree and nothing. How can you lead equity when you're not equitable and the rest of you are upholding racism? Thank you.
Good evening. John Dow, 2405 Edison Road, South Bend. For those who do not know who I am, my name is John Dowel and I'm the team serve union representative for the par professional secretaries and food service workers. Tonight, I'm here on the I'm here for the instructional
aids and kindergarten aids. I received a call around mid January from an IIA who wanted to speak with me. I was informed that there was a group of IAS and kindergarten aids that were interested in gaining union representation. On January 31st, we held our first
meeting at the union hall and 11 IAS and kindergarten aids attended. 10 weeks later, that group of 11 is now over 50. These cards I hold in my hand are commitments signed by kindergarten aids
and IAS. I stand before you tonight to respectfully request you grant the IAS and kindergarten aids a recognition they deserve. I'm requesting you grant the recognition that they are a union represented by Teamsters Local 364.
I realize that you will want to take some time to discuss this request. I hope this this isn't a difficult request and hopefully we can have an answer by next school board meeting. I'll see you then. >> On the agenda for next
>> board, >> thank you. >> I suppose you all want raises. >> I'm sorry. Is that on a future board meeting? >> Yeah, I can add that to the next agenda.
>> Okay. >> Next meeting's agenda. >> Okay. >> Unless you want to amend the agenda now and vote on it. >> Next next board meeting. >> Next board meeting. Okay. >> Excuse me. Before Miss Anastas speak,
can can you clarify what the union uh person was asking for? I'm not quite clear what he's asking for. >> Um he is requesting that we formally recognize the IAS as a union
>> represented by Teamsters Local 364. Is it? And I also like to uh someone needs to address Mrs. Baptist's question. Wadell Baptist's uh request,
please. At some point, I recognize Mr. Augustino. Okay. So to answer her question, it's it's not a simple yes or no or up or down answer on the many things that
she's uh answered. There have been a number of reforms. Those should be reflected also in the final report of the state board of accounts are referenced in there. Things that have been done. We've had extensive reporting by our CFO on the things that have been done to address those. There are some
items that are better kept right now as we have a right to in executive session that are not finalized with respect to whether or not we pursue further legal action, what strategy we're going to use or how we're going to proceed. And it's my advice is that uh under attorney
client privilege and uh that we keep those confidential until we actually take some action there. But some items are still open for consideration. We're just not publicly discussing them because uh that they're under attorney client privilege.
>> I appreciate that. I just wanted to make sure somebody responded to her. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> May I make a uh Mr. mentioned and you said no, wait till next meeting, but I think I'd like to amend the agenda
to uh agree to accept them as uh our personnel. They've been waiting for their checks. All these unions been waiting for all the checks and they were promised and promised and promised and
by the time our next meeting is that's going to be past the the the check date right or next meeting. No. Um the thing is even if we approve this evening to
how would you say that even if we recognize if the board recognizes the IAS as a unit represented by teamsters even if we do that tonight there won't be any raises until there are actual
negotiations on behalf of the board and with the representatives. >> I thought that was taking place already. >> Uh not with the IAS. They were not part of any unions. >> I thought they were under the umbrella
of the uh I was told one time they were were under the umbrella of the pair of professionals. >> They used to be their own separate unit and the last time that was I believe was 2010. >> 2012. >> 2012. >> No, I think you are correct. I stand
correct. I think it was 2010. >> Okay. And so for a while what was happening is as people negotiated contracts with the paraprofessionals they kind of like were assumed to be
under that umbrella but nothing formal. >> So what they are trying to do is they are trying to formalize the relationship. But we got about 90 in this category. >> Yes. >> And they're going to be
>> 107. >> How much? >> 107 to be exact. >> And And they got to renegotiate a whole new contract. >> No, no, no. Not for par profofessionals. No, just for the IA separate. >> That's what I mean.
>> After they get recognized. >> They're just looking for recognition. >> Yeah. >> They're not negotiating. If I may >> please >> for clarification, >> I technically do not represent the IAS and the kindergarten aids. They they are
at will employees. Uh they did have a contract years ago. It was written in that contract that when the title one funding uh was if for whatever reason it wasn't renewed, the contract terminated. So in 20 I believe it was 2010, they
lost their contract and they have been at will employees since. So to answer your question on when the raises are going to come, there's a there's a process. First first they have to give recognition. Okay, which comes from you guys, the school board. Once they get
recognition and you you certify that they are a union and that we represent them, it will be quick. We will have a meeting. We'll meet with the Anoff and I'm assuming Mr. Eid as well uh to do negotiations. We've already had some brief discussions on it. I don't think
it's going to be drugg out for a long period of time. Um, so >> that's what I'm kind of asking for. Even though I thought it was part of par professionals, I thought they were under umbrella by us postponing it.
That's our meeting is not till what? 27th. You said >> April 27th. >> Yeah. And that that's already at the end of April. So that's going to be a longer stretch. 27th, then you then you gota we
just accept it on the 27th. Then you're going to have to negotiate >> and so the next paycheck is the 5th >> and you're going to lose out on that too. So >> So my suggestion, >> you might have it by next Christmas. >> My suggestion, they are still without representation. You have the right to
give them whatever you want right now. >> Paid uh starting wage for IB >> 1650. >> How much? 1650. >> Well, you know, we got a minimum wage. Nobody in this
corporation will be less than $20 an hour, right? You guys heard that rumor. It's not a rumor. It's the truth, right? >> So, if the if the school board >> CFO,
>> that right, CF, Mr. CFO, >> you are right. So, I'm I'm going to advocate for the IAS and tell you if you want to give them the raise tomorrow, by all means do it. >> We will we will still >> if it was up to me, I'll give you a raise right now.
>> We will still sit down and negotiate. >> They are going back getting paid back till January 1st. >> So, you guys you will get back paid. >> So, if even if it comes at Christmas, you got have to buy Christmas. speak for
the board. >> All right. I I rather get it done tonight. So, it's it's 27th. You're not giving them much time to negotiate. >> They would still get their pay retro. >> Give them the raise.
>> I got a question. >> Um Pete, did you have a question? I think it I think it was clarified because I was wondering if you're looking for the recognition or you were going to come in and amend another
contract to expand the bargaining unit. >> So, we have had discussion on that. >> Yeah. >> But until we sit down and negotiate, there's nothing finalized. >> Okay. >> Um I I'll just put it out there. We've had discussion about do we really want another contract? We're going to give
them what we give the paras. So would it not make sense to roll them into the parah contract? Now I'm saying that without having sat down and met with them and maybe there's some things in that contract that would not would conflict with them. We have to sit down
and go over that contract with a fine tooth comb and make sure we're not getting any conflict. >> The way you're talking, we got to recognize you as >> Yes, sir. because technically I don't represent them right now. >> What harm does it do to put that on the agenda to recognize them as a union and
then let them do what they have to do? >> Yes, sir. >> It takes a couple minutes. >> So, >> I mean, I'm fine with amending to add >> amendment to these waiting and waiting and waiting for this to happen and it's not happening. Uh, it's going to happen.
I promise you it's going to happen no matter whether they go along with me or not. But >> uh >> let's call the question. >> Even if I have to reach over and get it in his pocket. You got a mo >> you got a motion and a second. >> Mr. Seki,
>> I'm sorry. What are we What are we motioning? Second order. It's a lot of conversation. I can't hear really. >> This This is to recognize the representation of the group. >> I know. But they've got to hear >> they have to hear the amendment. Oh, I'd
like to amend the agenda to uh recognize the uh >> IAS as as union uh uh members of uh uh >> Teamsters Local 364. >> Huh?
>> Teamsters. Yeah. Well, I belong to Teamsters too before. So, but I belong to all of them. UAW and all them. But uh uh Jim Zeus, you know Jim, >> long time >> I talked to him today. >> Okay. I'd like to make an amendment to
recognize >> and I second his amendment >> and u just to recognize >> So we have a first and a second. Uh >> and I have a question. Go ahead. >> Mrs. Lee has a question. What's the typical process for this?
>> I mean, typically obviously this doesn't come up at a board meeting and we do this typical process. >> They they can ask for voluntary recognition. They could uh do a card vote, card count, >> uh and present us with the results of their vote, that they want to be
represented. Uh but I think we have a pretty good indication that they want to be represented by the teamsters. >> And there are 50 cards. >> That's all we need. take the vote. I mean, just to recognize them. That's all I'm asking. >> I was just curious about the typical
protocol for this. >> Can I make the motion since I >> You made the motion. >> Okay. I made the motion. >> Mr. Ellison, second it, we'll call the question. >> Do we have to amend >> and then once we have >> we first have to have approval, we can meet with uh Mr. Dao and his
representatives. >> Okay. >> So, you're you're moving to amend the agenda >> procedure right now. You're moving to amend the agenda to add an action item for recognition. So under section nine, we will take action then on recognition. >> Right now you're just amending the
agenda >> to add an action item under section nine for uh recognition. >> Couldn't you just add the word and there u on nine and then extend it? >> I I don't see their I don't see their
contract on here. >> It's not. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But it's just recognition. >> So you're you're moving to amend the agenda to include action item 9.13, which then will be recognition of the teamsters as the IIA union.
>> IA and kindergarten a >> IIA kindergarten a union. >> We need just to take a vote on recogn >> we're just trying to get the procedure. We'll get there and we have to have a motion. So the
motion is to amend the agenda. >> Yes. >> They had 9.13. >> Yeah. >> That's this it >> to recognize. >> No. >> Nope. >> To recognize >> just add it. You're amending the agenda. >> I'm amending the agenda. >> Mr. Ellison.
>> Second. >> Now we may call the question. >> Mr. Ellison. >> I. >> Mr. Costello. >> I. >> Dr. McCulla. >> Hi, >> Mr. Sniggy. >> I >> I >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea
>> I >> I agree. >> I motion carries unanimously. So we'll add this to the agenda 9.13. >> Correct. >> Apologize for going over my three minutes. >> That's okay. You'll owe it to us.
>> Content expert. Yeah. Yeah. >> I think the old G. >> Thank you, Mr. Pic. So, >> so now it will be 9.13 in the action items. >> It's on 9.1. >> Yes, it's now on the action items. >> So, you guys can be accepted. >> Okay.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Does anyone else wish to speak? >> Hello, my name is Brley Murphy. Um, I'm an employee of Southbend Community School Corporation as a certified teacher at Madison. Um, we as employees of the Southbend Community School
Corporation are here asking the school board for help in our schools. Um, and we uh just had a few questions to pose um in order to um explain to you what we are seeing in our schools right now. Is it common that Southbend
Community School Corporation teachers are not informed when their students are suspended? Is it common for them to be not marked in the system as suspended so that teachers are confused as to whether a student is absent, present, or accounted for, or for teachers to not be informed when and why they are
suspended? Is it acceptable for the Southbend Community School Corporation uh in the school corporation for sped students to be not getting their IEP minutes met? Is it is it backed in the Southman Community School Corporation that teachers are told that there is a
policy that they are not allowed to talk to parents about sped services because only administrators are allowed to. Is it standard practice that teachers are not involved in student IEP meetings? Is it appropriate in the corporation for our students to be loping out of
buildings to the point where parents are informed first and get to the building before personnel leave buildings to look for them? Is it appropriate in our corporation to have certified teachers who are out for months replaced with non-certified teachers without
uh informing parents properly? Parents who were not finding out until parent teacher conferences and looking for answers when their child's teacher was not there. Is it common practice for Southbend Community School Corporation teachers to be pulled from instructional time every week and replaced by IAS and
paras to be covering teachers during the time instead of using their time to service the students that they are supposed to service? Is it common practice for or sorry is it common in our schools to have approximately 50% of our certified and non-certified staff
leave due to leadership in our schools and issues that are not being addressed? copies are available. Is it is it appropriate and common in our in our corporation for teachers to be calling admin for assistance with our students
and waiting 10, 20, 30 minutes to an hour to sometimes not ever having it addressed at all and then using the Centix's badge to try and get help as behaviors escalate >> but then being reprimanded for doing so. There are more things that are outlined
here, but um and more things that we could have outlined here as well, but we are asking for help in our schools as employees of the Southbend Community School Corporation for the safety of our students and for the well-being of our students and teachers. Thank you.
>> You want this? >> Thank you. Does anyone else wish to speak? Kathleen Anastasis, 51680 Orange Road, Southbend. I'm using my First Amendment right and what I say should not be held against me or my family. I'm here tonight as a member of this community
who cares deeply about the future of our schools, students, and taxpayers. Over the past several months, many of us have seen this corporation has been moving in a better direction. Progress has not always been easy, but is necessary. Hard
decisions have been made, and while not everyone has agreed with every step, including myself, there is a growing sense that we are working towards something stronger and hopefully more sustainable. However, we are also at a critical
moment. With the superintendent having approximately 14 months remaining on his contract and with three board seats soon to be possibly voted on in the coming months, there is uncertainty about what comes next. Change is part of any
system. But what concerns many in this community is the possibility that progress could stall or worse be reversed. That is why I am here with a simple but important message. Your responsibility does not slow down because a transition is approaching. It
does not pause because elections are coming and it certainly does not end until your term officially ends. You were elected by the taxpayers of this community to lead up until December 31st at 11:59 p.m. And that responsibility
means continuing to make thoughtful, sometimes difficult decisions to move the corporation forward. Our students cannot afford hesitation. Our staff cannot afford uncertainty. Our community cannot afford to lose the momentum that
has been built. Leadership is not only about starting change. It is about seeing it through. I urge you to stay focused, stay committed, and continue doing the work that you were entrusted to do. Set the
next board and the new superintendent up for success. Not by stepping back, but by finishing strong. Because in the end, isn't it? It's not about positions or timelines. It's about the students sitting in our classrooms today and the
futures we are building for them tomorrow. John Chznney 18420 Crown Hill Drive at a board meeting in the last quarter of 2023. Yes, 2023. I question the accounts payable voucher of $141
to $151,540 from ESER money that was marked for community partnerships. Not a word was answered. A sitting board member of this board also questioned that as well and was told a reply would be coming in their Friday board packet.
No further word was ever mentioned. There were several prominent names in this community attached to those payables. I wrote a letter to one of them and not heard a reply. So much for being politics. From the release of the state board of
accounts report, it appears that theseUS were never voted on by the board. Yet, we awarded ESER money of over $100,000. What money did what money did this was used for? What did it provide? never an
answer. Any money given to the Southbend School Corporation is mostly taxpayer money. Thus, taxpayers have the right to question what the money was intended for and if it was spent properly. In the end, in this era of transparency,
questions will be asked and need to be answered. So when the 2024 audit is released, then the public can see what transpired in 23 and 24 and then ask questions and see if there are any consequences for the misuse of funds. On
many fronts, progress is being made. But the finances, both past and present, of this corporation, have long been questioned. No one can hide or ignore them. Ignore them for what the public wants. Answers need to be provided. On
another matter, since the weather got warm, tennis fans in Clay Township have asked me to ask the board, according to the contract with Nterame, the Clay Tennis Courts will be returned to the corporation on June 11th, 2027.
Is this true? Is this actual? Because I checked with somebody at Notre Dame and they have no plans right now for their new tennis center. Thank you. Thank you. >> Do we have an answer? >> We don't have an answer right now, but I
can guarantee you one next week. >> Okay. >> No, it won't be in the board packets. I'll I'll announce it. >> How long you been waiting? >> Yeah. How long you been waiting for your
answers? >> Because I've been waiting several almost a year now for some answers. >> I'm going to start asking them publicly. >> Does anyone else wish to speak? >> Okay, seeing no one approach the podium. >> May I address May I address
that area? Um what the uh school corporation did at that particular time was to allow
uh Notre Dame to write out a three-year rental lease on that property or on the tennis courts where Notre Dame would come in and uh resurface areas and make it all
shiny and slick and um put up fences around it. And I questioned uh right from the very beginning was what about the public? Are they allowed
to still play tennis there? The superintendent on that night when I questioned that stated, "Oh, certainly that never happened."
And we're still in that lease. As far as I'm concerned, Notre Dame still controls it. Um, and uh, the public who
played on that tennis court have never been allowed to play, which is a absolute shame as far as I'm concerned. Um, but that's that's what happened to the one of one of the many things that
uh transpired uh under a previous administration who never told the truth about what was going on. I uh I remember that whole ordeal and
you're the one I think we we would have never or the public would have never known about it and if you didn't ride by there one morning and see Notre Dame working out there and then asking what's going on superintendent made
this all on its own never brought it to the board and then I think the answer to the question you asked that's public. I think they said they could play play on it from uh either 9 or 10:00 at night
till 8 or 9 in the morning. >> The gates are locked. >> Yeah. And that was ridiculous. And that's if it wasn't for you. >> Yeah. >> We would have never known about this. >> Yeah. Fact is, WNDU came out and
interviewed me in my >> Did did uh >> Did it ever get taken to the board? I can't even remember that >> nothing happened. >> So that was approved. He he approved a contract that he was not authorized to
approve. So that as far as that goes, that that contractal approved a contract that was never written in there >> about the public. So I I want to move us along. We the question was asked. We'll
do our best to answer it and thank you for bringing it up. We'll try to rectify that. Uh I want to move on to the academic focus if I may. >> Well, we want to make sure this don't happen again. >> I I know. I know. >> And so it's good a good reminder that
this come out >> as far as I'm concerned. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So this evening's academic focus is uh multilingual learner programs and federal funding. And uh I'm welcoming
Miss Julia Cordova Grulele uh and Miss Car Mrs. Carla Lee uh to the podium and to tell give us an update. >> Well um good evening um board president Dr. green members of the board and
superintendent Eid and the listening audience. So my name is Julia Cordova Gurule and I am the proud director for the bilingual services department. I also wear another hat. I am the director
of the migrant regional service center for region one. Before I get started, I think that it would be remiss if I did not address the previous comment. I'm
going to do so unequivocally. Okay. So, it is my understanding that there were no title one part C funds that were misappropriated or mishandled
by me or my team in the regional center. So this was confirmed um with um CFO and he would have brought it to my attention had there been any discrepancies.
So I just want to say that um because it impuges my integrity and it impuges the integrity of my team which I really dislike. Okay, so let's get to some good stuff. Okay.
So, this is kind of a continuation of what um Darice Austin Phillips and her team did uh previous they did a presentation on title one and title two and some of the other federal
funds. So, here's the agenda. So, tonight I'm going to talk about the grant life cycle. Some of this is a repeat and then I'm going to talk about title one part C uh which is migrant education program
title three which addresses English learners and immigrant children and then the four fourth item is the um refugee school impact grant which addresses the needs of refugee children in Southbend schools.
Okay. So we are going to talk about the life cycle first. So we take really how do I say this? We provide due diligence when we look at grants. We
understand that this is federal. This is federal dollars, taxpayer dollars that you pay and that I pay and that the community pays. So we are very careful about how we use these funds. So our
first step is that we evaluate our programs. We assess, we look at data and we plan for any new initiatives. This is before we receive the U pre-application. Pre-application is completed by a team
of people and we're part of that team. So we provide the data and the narratives for title one part C migrant education program and we also provided for title three for English learners and
immigrant children. So once we complete that pre-application process then it goes to the IDOE and they then uh review what we have written and then we'll um approve it or send it back for revisions and then
ultimately approve it. Then we get all of the title funds um applications. These usually come in July. So, title one part C and also title three.
Once we receive these grants, we look at the specifications, the expectations, and we review these carefully so that we then match up our plan with what is expected in funding. So, we're very
careful about that. Uh once we complete the narratives in the budget, we send it back to the IDOE. The IDOE will review it. Um if there's any changes that they want us to complete, they'll send it back to us. If not, they go ahead and approve it. Then
we complete the initial setup. That initial setup goes to the finance department where um Miss Emma Dockri um uploads these to the AS400. After that we implement the grant
initiatives and then we monitor the outcomes and then in the process we also have to complete a myriad of reports amendments annual or semianual performance reports financial end reports at the end of a grant and if
need be any desktop monitoring. So with these grants um just like title one um they overlap each other. So we are at any point in time um looking at multiple grants. So it's not just one at a time.
So it is a big job. So my budget officers could not be here today. One is um Glorinella Aguilera and she is for title three and for uh the refugee grant and then Adrien Martinez
is for title one part C. This is their part of their job because they have other functions as well. But this is the part where they are the budget officers and as you see they have quite a bit of responsibility.
Um they we work hand in hand. We work as a team. We never do this by ourselves. So this is really important to know and to understand. Once that goes, once we have a grant that has been approved that we have done
the initial setup, we send it over to finance and then Miss Emma Dockery works her magic and she puts the grants in the financial systems. Uh she collaborates with my two financial officers and myself. Um she processes our
reimbursements. um she maintains that uh centralized financial records and we're in constant communication with her and the finance team. Okay, so let's talk about these grants uh the three that are presented tonight.
So as you see this pyramid, the two bottom are statef funded core instruction that's provided by for every student in the corporation including our eelss. Then the core EL
program. Uh here we have a lot of licensed EL teachers who provide um the support here. And then title one part A which was given in a previous presentation by Darice um and her team.
And so you see the top of the pyramid. So the top of the pyramid is title three supplemental. And these are supplemental funds. they aren't uh we we cannot pay teachers directly to teach e classes with
supplemental funds. We can provide funding for a paraprofessional to support a teacher to help with English learners in their classroom but again this is above and beyond the core and it is federal funded. And then finally at
the top of the pyramid is title one part C migrant education. Again, these are supplemental services for eligible migratory students. Now, you'll notice that arrow. That arrow goes in an upward direction. It means that uh funds at the
top cannot be used for students below. It only goes one direction. All right. So, let's talk about the regional center. We are one of three regional centers in the state. Okay. Um I'm the director and
you'll see Adrian, Edward, Savino, and Sedill are the rest of the team and what they do. We have 22 counties in which we support the students and families of migrant farm workers. And you'll see the blue band, that is us.
And you'll see all of the counties. One recruiter um will recruit in the counties to the west. Another recruiter recruits in the counties to the east. All right. So as you saw three regional
centers and there is one state migrant resource center. We work handinand with the state. the state and the IDOE oversees everything that we do. Um it's a great collaboration and we
meet at least monthly with the state directors and then we have other activities that go on throughout the year. So in this region there are 143 total um either
non-public schools and or corporations. So there's 89 school corporations, 54 non-public schools. We send out a consult when we are applying for the grant. We communicate
with all of those 143. Some of them come back and say, "Well, we really don't have migrant students in our corporation, so we're going to um decline and not participate." But in total, we have 113 entities that um work with us and we
work with them. This is not working. Okay. So what's the whole objective for this program? We know that these children move and their families move from state to state
and they do so sometimes two or three times in a year. So they get behind. So what we try to do is we try to ensure that we provide them with the supports to keep them on track so that they can
graduate so that they can move on to post-secary education um workforce readiness. Two of our students um this past year were accepted into St. Mary's College with full scholarships and we're very pr proud of
that fact. One of them was in Southbend schools. the other was in um Stark County. So, it's a lot of work and we really have to pay attention to um what these students
need and what uh we can provide them. So academic intervention and instructional support is provided, social, emotional and support services. And then we also sometimes have to um work interstate and
intrastate to do coordination with records, sending records from one state to another or sending records from one regional center to another. Okay. So these are some of the supports we provide. um school supplies, instructional
materials. You can see there's quite a number of items that we provide. Um if that students don't have laptops at home, we can provide Chromebooks. Um vision, hearing, dental screenings are
all provided. Um parent workshops, um transportation interpretation services we provide. Um college career and job readiness support. and of course uh our big one which is summer programming.
So these are the last these are the two grants that we're currently on. So the grant that we're on is the 2426 grant. Uh we're waiting final approval for the 2527 grant. That one came in a little
bit late because of questions as to whether or not um title one part C grants were even going to be given and the answer was yes. And so this one's coming in a little bit late, but you can see how the funds are allocated.
Okay. So again, this comes from the US Department of Education, although they are now moving this grant to a different department. I believe it's the Department of Labor. Um, and the formula is based on the state's
estimated number of migratory children age 3 through 21. So, in order to be eligible, you have to fall within those age ranges. Um, once you graduate, um, you no longer are eligible for
services. Um, and once you turn 22, you're no longer eligible. So they look at the migrate migratory child counts by state. Um they look at services being provided in summer and inter sessions
and then they look at the cost of education the state per pupil expenditure for each state and then they provide those fundings to the state educational agency which of course is the Indiana Department of Education. and
then Indiana Department of Education sends out the applications to the three regional centers and then we apply. This is the formula they used for title one part C here um in Southbend. Um
first part is they calculate a number of points and then they multiply that by a certain dollar amount. So in the second um table you'll see what is allocated. So, they do have some funding that is
for full-time uh year- round personnel. That's for individuals. And then you see the formula based allocation. And we're proud to say, and this is why I was a little upset by the previous speaker
because the individual who is our um budget officer is also the state data lead. Okay? He manages and he works directly handinhand with the IDOE and the other regional centers on providing
data including some financial data. But again and then the 20,000 is for our special program. We do an artful um camp and that camp is held at on St. Mary's College. And that, by the way, is why we
had two young women receive those scholarships because they had been in attendance for a couple of these programs and they loved the campus. They were exposed to the campus and they
wanted to go there and so they applied and were granted the scholarship. Okay. So now, title three, language instruction for English learners and immigrant students.
All right, here's my team to literacy uh professional development specialist, project manager, budget officer. You see Glorinella also is our office supervisor, um support services coordinator, works handinhand with other departments on um
family engagement events. Uh we have education data and placement analyst and then our translator and front office support. All right. Again I want to emphasize
that we work as a team. We have a district team but we also have a team out in the buildings. These are wonderful um inspiring individuals. and I would be remiss if I didn't include them. This is
everything that they do in the building. These are our bilingual education specialists. You can find them in 20 of our buildings. Some of them have more than one building. Um and then the buildings that don't have a bilingual ed specialist, we have um support from the
downtown. So, I really wanted to mention them. All right. So, how many students do we have? uh 1,729 or 13.59% of the population. How many languages are spoken in
Southbend schools? There are 64. 41 of them are spoken by our English learners. If we look at the ethnicity breakdown, you see black, African-American, Hispanic, Latino, white, etc. And then
if you look at the ethnicity of our English learners, it's very clear the majority of them are Hispanic or Latino. So the number one language is Spanish of course uh for English learners, but we also see black,
African-American, Asian, white uh down the line. All right. So these are supplemental funds as mentioned before. Why are they used? Why do we have them? We want to increase the English language
proficiency and academic achievement of our students. Uh we want to provide um high quality professional development to staff and we want family engagement. All right. So these are our past these
are the three current grants that we're sitting on right now. Um the 2325 was extended a year and that one is almost spent down. Down below below you'll see the non-public equitable share. So these are funds that
we have to provide non-public schools. They pretty much range around $50,000 if you would were to take an average. And then these are all of the schools that we serve. uh those that you see a
line through did not accept funds that year. Um for years 2325 and 24-26 um the funds went back to the state but for 2527 the funds that were not used were then
divided between Southbend schools and other nonpubliclix. Okay. School impact grant. All right. This one for the most part averages around 50 $53,000. Um we've had several. So um looking at
this one, this is specifically for refugee students and we did have an influx of uh Afghan refugees um come into Southbend schools. So eligible youth only for refugee students,
helping families to navigate the educational system, building capacity, providing some professional development for teachers so that they can work with um these students and then again this is how they're
become eligible. They're refugees, asyles um etc. um birth to 18 years. This grant also provides for some supports for parents and families, not just the students themselves.
Okay, this is the small grant that we're spending out at this point in time. And then these are the buckets. Okay. Chromebooks for home use, iPads for school use, especially for our younger
students, ENL licenses that we can provide teachers so they can better support students. Uh split funding funded classroom aid and then English development materials that we actually support tutoring programs in the community because they're tutoring our
Afghan families. Um not just our students, but our adults. Okay, so that concludes this presentation. Um, if you have any questions, be happy to answer them. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you very much.
>> You have questions, Mr. Cass. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes. First of all, I want to thank you uh for your presentation to the board uh to give us uh some very uh important
information and data and uh I commend uh the other people that work in your department. Um it provides a great service to uh many kids
uh children that really need assistance. And again uh some of these people I have known for a long time. Uh I was a personal friend of Marissa >> Robas
>> and uh who who basically started the whole program. She certainly did >> and uh and I've seen it progress and so uh I thank you for that. Um funding,
are you seeing issues with the funding uh for your your program? >> Well, right now we are not. So, we have been informed that title three will be funded again next year. Um I think applications will come out in July as
well as title one part C. The only grant that has been discontinued will not move forward is the refugee. >> Well, you know, it's a political issue. >> Yes, I I know that. And um I just hope
and pray they don't uh cut or do away with this program uh because it's very very vital uh to the uh the services that you provide these uh young people and um in it. And so,
uh, I I guess my other question, do you have during the winter time, do you have, um, quite a few students who leave the South Bend area, uh, with their parents and go south and then come back again in the
spring and the fall? >> Well, South Bend, we don't have as many migrant students as some of the other areas. So, we have about 17 currently. Um, but yes, they do. Uh, Indiana, >> do you have some that they >> Yes, Indiana is a receiving state.
>> And do you provide any services for them when they're gone? >> We do not, but what we try to do is um align them with the regional center or migrant programs in the state that they're headed to. >> That's that interstate communication
that we do. I um I was up at Alclair and um started a program up there in our school. Of course, we had quite a few uh migrant kids in our program, of course,
that uh were in the agricultural field. And of course, when winter sets in, they're off to Florida or Texas or somewhere. >> Correct. >> And we provided um online services for these kids. So, we never took them off our books
and uh it was very successful. So, I don't know. I'm just putting it out there. Uh you might want to look into something like that because I think that uh uh it might assist and help
especially when they you know they're coming back and uh you know they then they're not left out of what the other students have received so in instruction. So, thank you. >> You're welcome. and thank you for your
work. >> Yes, sir. >> How how long you've been in charge of title one? >> Title One Part C. Um we act I was actually asked when I first hired in I think about 11 years now. Um I was new
at the job. IdoE approached me and said would you be willing to become one of the regional centers? Were you the head of it >> at that point for region one? Yes. >> Yeah. >> I of course I'm going to say yes. Right. >> You shouldn't get upset when uh taxpayer
ask you. There's there's no you got upset because they ask where did this money go? >> Yeah. >> That's the normal thing for a taxpayer to ask. >> No, it it was the intent. You know, I was on the board 16 years and then now
on but I remember going to a board meeting when I was off the board and someone was telling me that title one was in such million dollars in the hole
and I went to I went to a meeting and got to the pulpit there and I just wanted to let the board know that Title One was in millions in a hole
and they kicked me out of the meeting. >> Oh dear. >> I'll never forget that. You know, all I was doing is making sure the board knew about it. >> Sure. >> And uh yeah, don't upset me. It don't have nothing to do with you. They're not
think thinking you're taking the money or anything like that. is a natural. >> Well, let me just say I'm a very proud Latina. >> I'm married to an attorney >> and >> and I hear his voice in my head all the time when I work with federal funds. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I don't >> How many people are those these are grants, right? >> Yes, these are grants. >> Uh how many people decide where they're going? Is it is it a committee or is it you or is it
>> it's it's my team um in the department. So I'm not understanding your question in regards to where we're going. >> I guess the more money being that you're ahead of it, you you know where it all goes, right? >> Oh, absolutely. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. But
decisions made where it goes like questions he asked, you know, are who who makes that decision? a committee or >> it's a committee. It's my team uh for the most part. Yes. >> But you're the basic one that answers to enough and the superintendent
to make sure that stays on budget and >> Yes. Correct. >> We also have that working relationship with the DOE. >> Okay. >> So, we work with them hand in hand. Okay. Just an idea, you know. >> Sure. >> How it works, you know.
>> Appreciate the question. Thank you. Maybe you could address just a really basic question. Um, so there's there's title one that Dice Austin Phillips was discussing with her team quite recently
and now you're discussing title one part B. >> It's part C. >> Part C. Sorry. But where does the the idea of title even come from? Uh I don't know that people are all that familiar with uh the
elementary and secondary education act which has been existed since 1965 under the Johnson >> you're correct >> administration and then it's been federally funded. Uh, Title One has experienced a great many
cuts since the 80s under under Reagan and has been cut significantly since. Uh, but it seems to me that the title money is sometimes confused with just federal
funding in general, with grant funding in general, with COVID funding. uh you're talking about something really specific. So when we say that Title One was in a whole uh I think it's where that confusion comes from is when we
couldn't as a district account for the spending in federal grants. But I think what we learned from Theres and Phillips team was the fact that there is a very tightlyk knit o oversight to ensure the
money is going where it belongs. And uh it would be unfortunate to have heard earlier that somehow this money was misused when there is such tight oversight. And what you're describing
>> for us tonight in describing uh title money part B is quite I think distinct from what we heard earlier. Can you help unpack what is going on here because the general public's not aware
of title money? Title One Part C um is part of Title One, but it has a specific population that it works with. And again, this is um the children and families of migrant farm workers. Um
that funding was prior to me coming in under Marita Robas and at that time the IDOE had two recruiters in the state to cover the entire state. And so there were quite a few federal dollars that
were going back to the feds because they were not being uh spent. And so when I started the IDOE had a new team um very quite forwardthinking. And so what they did is they researched
um other states and what they were doing and they saw that the regional center model um was where they wanted to go because that could provide enough recruiters in the state to identify these families and that we would then be
able to spend the funds um for what the purpose was for. So it really built efficiencies and it really was effective. We started with six regional centers but then the funding formula changed and so we moved to three
regional centers. So region one and six combined and that happened in the other two regions as well >> and >> and we work with we work with Daresa's team. I know I know you do >> um as well. So um especially when we
have to do that pre-application that's a team effort and has always been a team effort. >> I think another point of uh emphasis is the fact that the corporation serves as a path a pass through for state and
federal money. >> Yes. So, the programs that we're supporting are, as you pointed out, within the region, and I don't know that people understand, and I I'm glad you're pointing it out. Uh it's a heavy lift.
>> It's a big job >> to be able to to do that. And I and I like Mr. Cassello, applaud your efforts to reach out to to different populations in the in this region. Yes, it is a big job, but you know, it's
my mission in life, so I do it um gladly. >> But again, it's I think as you report back the money you've you're spending, it's uh spent widely and it's not always understood that it's not necessarily for
students in the South Bend Community School Corporation. >> Yeah, that is correct. So, you saw the the numbers of um corporations that we work with. >> Yeah. Thank you. So, and they're spread throughout those 22 counties in the northern part of Indiana. >> Yeah, that's very important to understand. Thank you. Do others have
questions? Uh, >> yeah, I just said a comment. Director Cordova Goule, I uh uh appreciate you coming before tonight. I like the information you presented and you know, I certainly want to concur. I think you've done an excellent job. I don't have any questions about uh any concerns
with title money. um that you completely above the board with everything. Uh certainly from the time that I've been on the board, I concur when uh you know, Miss Darice Austin Phillips had presented uh at the last board meeting that she also does an excellent job with title and all of those kind of things.
And I think you know from the time I've been on the board with what I've heard here would have here back in uh executive sessions and other kind of things. I also you know would commend you and I would say that for all of our employees. I don't see everyone here tonight, but I see uh you know Carla
Lee, I see uh Miss Batist Anderson. I think I see Dr. Steven Rita in the back, Chad Addie and I think everyone that uh works here for now in those kind of positions are doing an excellent job. I've been very satisfied with everything
I've heard about all the individuals that I've said both here, both back in executive session and other kind of thing. And I think uh I commend you for all the things you've done, but I think a lot of the public has appreciated for sort of where we are and where we're going forward, at least during my time on the board. And so I would commend you
and your uh different colleagues that I just named. You have my uh full support and my full confidence in everything going forward. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. And I do want to thank uh Miss Lee. She came up here for moral support.
So she was uh she she she approached me and said, "Well, we don't want you to go up there by yourself." So again, there's that team >> um effort and collaboration. >> Well, again, we're very grateful. Thank you for uh giving us an overview and addressing our questions.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. He's on. >> He's on. >> So now, uh, we're on to the consent agenda. >> It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the consent
agenda, which includes approval of the March 23rd minutes under item 8.01, accepting any attached financial reports and statements under 8.02, 2. Approving any attached consolidated registers of claims and distributions of payroll for payment under item 8.03. Approving
personnel decisions listed on any attached reports under item 8.04. Adopting any attached resolutions under item 8.05 which are required to be adopted annually. Accepting any gifts to the corporation and approving any fundraisers described in any attached
reports under item 8.06. and approving or ratifying any contracts for $50,000 or less listed under item 8.07. >> So move Oh, you're not done. >> No, I'm done. You just jumped the gun. Go right ahead. >> U >> do we have a motion?
>> Hang on. Before the motion, uh I would like to pull a contract for Ethos for 12,400 that was paid back in 2024. I think the wrong contract was put under
8.07. Uh, it should be 2400 only. So, this bill was paid back in 2024. So, can we pull that? >> We're just going to pull it, >> please. >> Duly noted. >> Okay. Now,
>> now move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Mr. Ellison, thank you. Any question? Now that we have that point of clarification, uh, can we move? >> Mr. Hernandez, can you call the question? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I.
>> Mr. Costello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla. She's not here. >> Mr. Snicki. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> I >> Mr. Leva. >> Hi, >> Dr. Green
>> I. Motion carries six to zero. Uh does someone want to contact her to get her back? Uh we now have approved the consent agenda and we'll move on to action items. >> 9.01.
It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the Edenum courseware three-year renewal agreement. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? So move. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison.
>> I think this could be you, Mr. >> I could I could speak for that uh contract. Edum is a company that has several subsidiaries and they have recently acquired Apex which is a
complete uh learning management systems that uh offers online courseware. We have been working with Adventum since 2016. Um, and we like their product and now that
they have acquired Apex, we could even venture in the AP world virtually. Um, our contract with them ends on June 16th of 2026 and we would like to keep
our relationship going for at least three more years. Thank you for that explanation. Any questions for Mr. Reid? If not, uh, can you call the role? >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Mr. Ellison, >> I.
>> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Mr. Stadiki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. Mr. Lea, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously 6 to zero. >> On to 9.02. It is recommended that the
board of school trustees approve the ratification of payment to IvyTech Community College for spring 2025 CTE dual enrollment auto courses in the amount of $55,637.68. >> So move. >> Do we have a second? >> Okay.
>> Thank you, gentlemen. Any questions? Uh there he is. I just gonna call you. Welcome Dr. Finley. Can you talk to us a little bit? >> Uh yes, this is the continuation of the uh program that we have with IvyTech
were um currently for the spring 2025 that would have been for this last spring. So these were the bills that are currently being sent by the registar at IvyTech that were inner rears. Um so we're catching up on these bills. Um they weren't we didn't neglect these.
They were not sent to us. So we're we're currently catching up. They're catching up and we're catching up on payments. >> Okay, thank you. Any questions? Can you call the Oh, sorry, Mr. >> This is a one-year shot, right?
>> I'm sorry. >> Just a one year. >> This was for >> because next year we're thinking about housing it >> correct >> out of play. >> Correct. Yeah. We've not determined exactly how we have to wait. We're in the process of trying to find um
instructor. There is the plan. We're moving forward with the assumption that we will um the the likelihood however is that we will have to have the secondyear students which will be a handful maybe eight or nine of those may continue with IvyTech so they can get that second year and then have the possibility of getting
their certification and the new if we uh if we do secure a new instructor for the the 26 27 school year that instructor would likely do two sections of first year so that we would continue on to do the first and second year in perpetuity after that. Very thank you,
>> Mr. Ellison. >> I, >> Mr. Costello. >> I, >> Mr. Snediki. >> I, >> Miss Lee. >> I, >> Mr. Leva. >> I, >> Dr. Green. >> Hi. Motion carries unanimously. 6. >> On to 9.03. It is recommended that the
board approve the purchase of convection oven replacements for multiple district kitchens from Central Restaurant Products in the amount of $87,94.37. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve.
>> Thank you, Mr. Olen. Second. Anybody second? I second it. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Uh, is Mr. Tommy gonna address this? Mr. Lutaya and Mr. are both here.
>> Well, if you have questions, >> this is out of necessity. >> Yes. >> That is correct. It's it's just a luxury. I'm kidding. >> Just a luxury. Okay. >> So,
board president, Mr. Dr. Ste Green board members. This is out of necessity because most of our equipment are actually wearing out and we have evaluated to see which schools have the most need and those are the ones we are
starting with to roll out the oven replacement and that is the request that we are making this evening. >> Yes, please. >> Thank you. Uh just to add there are six schools affected and also we followed a
formal RFQ process. Uh we sought bids and the bid that we are recommending for the board's approval is at least $10,000 less than the second best one. So we strongly recommend that you approve it.
>> You're pretty consistent in in that, aren't you? Coming up with the lower the bid. Uh are there any questions? Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Castillo, >> I >> Mr. Snediki, >> I >> Miss Lee, >> I >> Mr. Lea, >> I
>> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously, 6 to Z. >> On to 9.04. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the teacher appreciation grant stipens for school year 202526. Do we have a motion and a second to
approve? Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. >> Second. >> Mr. Leva, appreciate it. Uh, Mr. Reed, you'll explain this. >> Okay. The teacher appreciation grant is
given every year by the state. Uh, this year, however, they said you cannot give it to all 100% of your teachers. It has to be limited to the top 20%. So we had to submit a set of criteria to
the state indicating that teachers for example with longevity uh with a masters with uh who are teaching in a geographically
uh in high in need area. Uh so we sent all of the criteria to the state. They were approved and they sent us the money. We had been allocated 486,000 to give to the top 20% but they said the
absolute minimum you can give each teacher is 3500. So we removed the FICA and the uh turf from that that gave us uh 399,000.
We divided it by 3500 and we got 117 teachers eligible >> and we applied those terms to the teacher population and we came up with the 117 names and those teachers have
been notified and we just received the funds and the funds have to be out of our coffers within 60 days. Okay, >> in a nutshell, >> thank you. Mr. N is >> Mr. Ellison.
>> I >> Mr. Costello. >> I >> Mr. Snakei. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> I >> Mr. Lea. >> I >> Dr. Green. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. 6. >> On to 9.05. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the
administrative sick leave bank. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. second. >> Thank you, Mr. Lea. I guess this is yours too, Mr. E.
>> I can explain uh the teacher uh the teach every employee is classified in a specific class and the teacher I the teachers I believe have four classes and they have something
called the sick bank. The board usually donates at the beginning of the year 200 days to the sick bank and then every teacher is taxed one day that goes also in the sick bank that's about 1,040ome
days and then uh when if a teacher is out and they have to go on FMLA and they do not have enough days then they apply for the sick bank and uh they have a committee that looks at the situation
and they grant the sick days. So, we've had several uh principles and assistant principles who were uh in need of
help with days and that sick bank was not available to them. So we discussed having a sick bank for the administrators
uh in case they anybody gets to that situation and they are in bad need of of days. So they will each put one sick day and we will probably ask the board to well not probably we will ask the
board to contribute days >> to the sick bank. Thank you. Got it. >> Question. >> Yeah. Kind of looking at the attachment, it looks like the board is going to being asked to contribute 100 days. Is
that just coming out of the general fund or >> most likely? >> Okay. And then I think the other question that was asked, are there any of the other position units or bargaining units or anyone other than teachers and administrators that have a type of sick bank or will is it possible
to establish that for other positions or not? Or >> we could negotiate that? >> I think that was everything. >> Yeah. Do you want to so that they can pay for benefit >> because if they're in the ill we don't
want them to fall off of having benefits. So their sick bank covers that. So in the for paras and for positions >> so yeah >> non >> different for nonerts a different fors I mean
>> okay >> we got that >> yeah so there there's something already kind of in place for non-certified or is that >> there there is but uh it it doesn't cover salary it covers uh the cost of what it would take to keep their
benefits paid Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Ellison. >> I, >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Mr. Snakei, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lea, >> I.
>> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously. 6. >> On to 9.06. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the invoice for AG Parts Worldwide, Inc. Do we have a motion and a second to approve?
>> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. >> Thank you, Mr. Leva. Is Mr. Munger? He's not here. >> Mr. Reed, >> Mr. Reed, >> this is for Matt. Sorry,
>> Matt Monger. I think you were going to cover it. Okay. Can you table it until >> I can tell you about >> Okay. Yeah. I I was going to say I would
need to reread the contract before I can so I can >> Oh, okay. Thank you for doing the leg work. That's a team player for you right there. Just jumping right in there. >> So, these are common school fund uh
loan. I think I believe this one's from last year. So, I did the parts order. This covers like six models of student Chromebooks all the way from way back to the newest one that we're just going to purchase. So, we have stock for our guys to to repair these. Six. >> Yeah. So, it's like screens, keyboards,
uh wiring harnesses, things like that. So, this is probably beyond us, but this is the management's software. >> It's not software. It's actually the parts to fix a Chromebook. Just say you drop it. Correct. The case. >> We're changing cases, screens,
keyboards, >> cameras, microphones. >> It's like repair supplies. >> That's correct. Our our technicians are using these Sparific Chrome Chromebooks every day. Okay. Got it. Everybody else,
>> would you do you recommend uh the board pass this tonight? >> Oh, I sure do. We wouldn't be able to keep fixing them if we didn't get parts. >> That's enough for me. >> Okay. >> It's all for students. >> All for That's all you had to say. >> I don't I don't want to be taken off the
air. >> Okay. Mr. NZ, can you please call the RO? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Cassello. I >> Mr. Sediki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green
>> I motion carries 6 >> on to 9.07 it is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the Bearcom invoice do we have a motion and a second to approve >> motion to approve >> thank you Mr.
second. >> And >> so who's going to do the bearcom? >> I'm sorry. >> What about the marcom invoice? >> Uh this has to do with there were two schools that were offering uh internet
service to the population around that school. And this will be stopped next year. This this is being paid back to services. Um
because right now any student who does not have access to the internet will be able to get a hotspot or get a modem from Xfinity for $10 a month. The hotspots are free for three to five
years. But the Xfinity modem is you could get highspeed internet for $10 a month. So this is the last bearcom bill. We'll see.
>> And one thing we asked about in agenda planning was whether or not all the families who might be off that plan will be covered by the city or other kinds of plans. >> Yes. So main thing is to reach out to those families I think to make sure they
get covered. >> Uh can you call the >> Mr. Ellison? >> I >> Mr. Castello >> I >> Mr. Siki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green >> I Motion carries unanimously 6
>> 9.08 08. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve a special purchase for multi-school gymnasium flooring upgrades from star school flooring in the amount of $190,200. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve.
>> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. Second by me, Dr. Green. Yes, sir. We are recommending board approval for special purchases with the agreement with Star Flooring for district-wide gym
floor maintenance. The main gym floors in five of our schools will be sanded down to the completely bare wood. New lines will be repainted and the school mascot reapplied. Those schools are Darden and Quill Quillard along with the f three high schools, the main gyms at
Riley, Washington, and at Adams. In addition to that, three gym floors at the middle schools will receive a professional screen and recote to extend their life as well. This work will be scheduled during the summer break and it will not
interfere with any athletic or summer school schedule. That seems important. Thank you, Mr. >> U. The funding for this does this come from the referendum? >> I'm going to defer to our CFO for an accurate answer.
>> Bonds. >> Yeah, bonds. >> Should have been able to answer that. I'm disappointed. But anyway, I'm kidding. Yeah. Yeah, you and I worked on the funding, Joe. >> I remember. >> So, yeah, it it will not come from the referendum. It will come from uh our
bond funds, geo bonds. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Mr. Sediki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I.
>> Mr. Lea, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously. 60 >> 9.09. It is recommended the board of school trustees approve the resolution to authorize to terminate the contract with Chartwells and Southbend schools.
Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Well, everybody's Thank you, Mr. Lever, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Snake. So, you're going to address uh
the contract with Charwells. >> So, what should we know? This seems abrupt. Uh Mr. Lutire, if you want to take the lead. Sorry. Thank you. So
the board elected to contract with a vendor to manage the food services in the district and we have had Chatwells as our vendor since 2019. >> Mhm. And right now this is the first
time we're coming to the board and we are requesting that um you authorize the termination of the contract >> with Chatwells. In our contract we do have a clause that says if we are terminating the contract we have to do
it within 60 days um before the end of the contract. The existing contract goes up to June 30th. So we still have room. Um if that is done today, if the board elects to terminate this contract, it
gives us enough time to um make sure that we have wiggle room to bring back all the services inhouse. That means all operations will come back to Southbend schools. Any addition?
>> Excellent. Mr. Lut uh if I may add a little bit >> uh it will be definitely a board decision. However, uh this will offer us savings opportunities which we will invest in our employees.
Uh as you know we do have the food and nutrition services uh CBA the contract agreement for board approval tonight and the raises that we have offered to them uh are subject to the potential savings from this contract
termination. Now this is a little bit different from the SSC contract because all our custodians and other employees were employed by SSC. However, in this case, we do have the customer service or
the plan and production associates already on our payroll. So, basically, we are going to be inhousing the management portion of it which is partially handled by Chartwell, right? Uh but we do have our own management as well. I mean, Mr. James Lutai is the
director of food and nutrition services and he has a very small team and he works very closely with Chartville. But if the board approves this uh he will also hire some of those positions because that will be a different organog. Okay. Uh but we can save
approximately $1.3 million in our estimations and majority of that savings we will be investing in our own employees. >> Very good.
>> You can give raise to everybody. I am >> you get you get you get >> I think there was you know some questions earlier the equipment that they use is that ours or will we be buying it back or is it our own equipment?
>> So in our contract it was strategically said that all equipment and uh commodities belong to Southbend schools. Now this is equipment that is used to prepare all child nutrition programs.
This does not put into case equipments like laptops and pens that they use for administrative services. The laptops have been used on a higher basis but all equipment that we use to prepare the
food belongs to subbance schools. >> Uh I forgot to add one thing. Uh sorry about that. So unlike SSC again we are not recommending uh that we do a whole in-house
insourcing model here because right at the same time there is there is an RFP going on okay we are seeking procurement only bids for food and nutrition and we don't know who the winner will be right because it is a sealed fair bidding
process there however if that goes through we will be uh buying the supplies for our food and nutrition services from that vendor. Okay. Uh but we are again I mean we are insourcing the management portion of it which is handled by Chartfield right now. Uh
because we we are recommending that because if we go through a large uh like purchaser for supplies we will be piggybacking on their buying power which we do not have as a school corporation. So it is kind of the best of both worlds
at the same time which will offer us the highest and maximized saving opportunity as I mentioned. >> So I just so we may still be using Chartwells to buy our food or somebody because that's the cheapest way to do it but we'll be managing it ourselves and
then the current food service employees they'll be able to still work for us directly. >> That kind of thing. Okay. >> Exactly. So we'll see this again because you're bidding this out. >> Uh yes sir. Approximately May 11th I think. Right >> now what we are bidding out is not
vendor to manage the food. We are bidding out a vendor to purchase Yeah. >> food. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> The procurement portion of procurement. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Very good. >> Do you have a question though? >> Yeah. Mr. Cass. >> Yes.
Uh mine is not a question. It's a comment. We lost some very valuable people uh when this organization Cartwell took
over and um we I think have been regretting it ever since. Um I hope
uh there is some way that some of these people if they want to be employed by South Bend again uh we I would encourage uh us to especially people who are head
cooks in this school corporation who are excellent people who are doing an excellent job and uh we got um delivered a a bill of goods that
never paid off for us and we lost some great people. So, I'm hoping that in the future we're able to uh make contact with some of these people out there who have worked for us and uh so we can get
them back on our team again and uh hopefully going forward. and that as well with the other people uh who uh have stayed with us or have been
hired since uh we want their services as well. So thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Costello. >> Mr. Ellison >> I >> Mr. Costello >> I >> Mr. Siki >> I >> Miss Lee I
>> Mr. Lever >> Hi >> Dr. carry. >> I motion carries unanimously. 6 >> 9.10. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the ratification of the new professional agreement January 2026 through July 2028
with the Teamsters office personnel bargaining unit. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Snicki. Um I think you
you're honest as well Mr. Tamine. >> Uh I will be one but uh there has been many other >> I see >> uh in this negotiation team including John Dowel from teams. Uh I would like to invite him to join the table with me. >> He's on his way
>> and also Matt Lawson who played an integral part our in-house general counsel uh and he also uh prepared all the contracts. So, yep. And from HR as well. >> So, I will only talk about the financial
portion a little bit and then I will u share the floor with others and I also do see uh representatives from the different uh unions who can share their opinion briefly. Uh I will not take a lot of time here just to highlight our
strategy here is not to hold back money when we have the money and following that strategy has been very smooth for us. All the three negotiations were done within few hours okay in the same day and we were able to offer the highest
raises in our recent history possibly not only in our recent history the entire history okay and the board always pushed for a $20 minimum wage structure for all our hourly employees and you can see on the screen starting with office
personnel uh the last agreement had $17 $15 per hour minimum. Now we do have $20 per hour minimum on year one. Okay, we've secured two year at least two-year contracts with all the three unions. Previously the average for office
personnel were $18.88 per hour with the new raises. The new average in 2026 will be $21.85 per hour and 2027 will follow with the 50 cent raise. para profofessionals similar
uh the previous the current minimum rate is only $16.5 per hour. >> Yeah, I'm just going through one so that I don't speak multiple times. Okay. Yeah, it's basically the same thing. So $16 per uh 16650 per hour. Uh but again
I mean they will be $20 minimum per hour and average will be uh $21 per hour. Okay. Uh there are approximately 270 paraprofessionals in the district including a special ed and boss para profofessionals. Average experience is 5
years. They are receiving on average a 21% raise. Approximate financial impact is $1.4 million. I missed that part for the office personnel. There are approximately 80 unionized secretaries. Uh 9 years is the average tenure. 16% is
the raise that they are getting. $430,000 is the average impact. Food and nutrition again and I would like to highlight that those employees are on or are on our payroll not on charts. Okay. And there are approximately 75 employees
who serve directly to our kids. And their previous minimum the their current minimum is 15.75. But with the new raises which will will be funding from the potential savings from the chartwell contract termination just approved by the board. Their
minimum will also be $20 per hour and they will also get approximately 21% raise. Approximate financial impact is $450,000. So that concludes the financial portion of it. We have officially uh invested our operational savings into
employee capacity building to fulfill the board mandate of having $20 per minimum hourly wages. One note that I would like to make here, this is for the unionized employees only. However, I wish to come back next board meeting to
have a board resolution so that we can offer good raises for our non-certified non-unionized hourly employees as well. That will follow. So, uh nothing to be disappointed about if you don't see your employee group on the screen here.
Sita, if you'd like to share something from HR. Okay, up to you here. So I'm getting ready to complete nine years as a team store representative for these uh groups of pair professionals, food
service workers and secretaries. And I have to commend the current leadership in the school board for making well Linda Lucy as well. I know she's in the room. We everybody
knows we talked about team care. We went to team care. Um, and that's where these finances came from. And, uh, when I first started, I could probably count on one hand how many pair of professionals
made more than $10 an hour. That was in 2017. So, in less than 10 years, Southbend Schools is setting the bar. And I thank you for that. I think it's with our pleasure that
we're able to do that. >> Matt Serita, if you'd like to go into the summary changes. >> I'm sorry. Summary changes. >> No, not you. Uh, you already spoke. Okay. Yeah. >> My three minutes are up. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Matt, if you want to
if you want to go through the summary changes of the contract, >> you go through it. I don't have it with you. >> I don't have contract with me. I didn't realize we were doing this. >> Okay. >> Can you go through that? Do you have it with you? >> Uh I'm not sure. Yeah, >> I actually know the summary changes of
the contract. I can do >> then. Yeah, you can do two jobs at the same time. >> No problem. My name is Erica Williams. I am currently the athletic secretary at Washington High School. I have been with school corporation for 25 years. Uh the summary changes are the raise of average
pay up to $20. So any uh current secretary that is not receiving that will be moved up to $20. And then every secretary will receive 20 cents per year of service to the Southbend Community School Corporation. So I've been here 25
years. I'm going to get another $5 is how that works. Okay, that's the first item. Uh the second item was my most exciting one. Maternity leave is now five days. We only had three days to have a baby,
but now you have five days to have a baby. >> And I and I have been negotiating this contract for at least as long as John has, maybe a little longer. And this is the first time we've gotten another day in three contracts. But maybe by the end
we'll get a two weeks. Maybe we'll get a full 14 days. Okay, that's just my little dick. Sorry, I always ask for maternity leave every time. >> Um, oh, the uh payout of sick time. So, a secretary in the secretary pool, we
have sick time, personal time, and family leave. And also, uh, if you are a 12-month employee, you rece you receive vacation. If you are a 10 and a half or 11month employee, you are grandfathered in after the last contract to receive
one day of vacation per year. Um, now if you are a new hire secretary under 12 months, you do not receive vacation time. So any secretary who would have accumulated sick time uh when she retires or he retires now receives
$350 >> $350 $3.50 50 cents per hour for of sick time at payout at the end. >> Yeah. >> Was that that was the only three. Yeah. Um also, you know, they so then I'll go
into how well you did. >> Um this was it was a very nice negotiations. Mr. Eid attended uh the whole negotiation which is something new uh for me personally. Um, I've negotiated at least six contracts and never had a superintendent sitting down
at the table with us. So, I want to thank Mr. Reid for sitting down at the table. He he also agreed uh to some side things that wouldn't necessarily mean uh in our contract, but uh the secretaries have asked for a place at a table with him to just have some general maintenance
meetings and Mr. Eid has agreed to that. Uh, I do want you to know that the secretarial unit also includes library secretaries. Most people don't know this. And as a library secretary, >> no,
>> just the elementary schools, the libraries are run by a secretarial group and that secretarial group is in with uh the office personnel group. Um, and that is all I have to say. I'm having >> my name is Jennifer Hudac. I'm the
library secretary at Madison and this was my first time sitting on the negotiating team and I have to say everything was wonderful. Both of both of our friends here they did a wonderful job. Um it was very smooth and I look forward to doing it again in the future.
Thank you all of you board. Does anyone have any questions? >> My question is probably for and off. >> Can we attach this to the agenda? There's no attachments out there. So, just for future reference maybe. >> Sure. Sure. Excellent idea. Yeah. Uh I was multitasking so just finished it
like >> a few minutes ago. >> Just a reminder if you could attach that that'd be great. >> Thank you. >> Dr. Stevens, did you have to add anything on your HR application like uh did you have a hyerectomy?
>> Okay, let me let me let me uh switch gears. What I do want to acknowledge is that I remember your voice as being the voice that um said that a living wage needs to be $20. And so and because of
that voice, every everyone else on the board and other employees did, you know, actually make it real. And so, thank you for that and thank you uh for being a board that hears that people have to
make a living wage. Um because you know even when you're managing that that's one of the things that's that's important is you know making sure that other people are also giving a fair getting a fair share. So okay so so I
hope that was the proper deflection. One comment. Uh, somebody must have some hacker must have read our agenda and sent out emails today with from my email. I don't know.
I guess you can emulate the email uh saying document shared with you. Southbend Community School Corporation notice 2026 compensation update. High school staff DOCX and then some got
elementary staff DOCX. Please do not open that. Delete immediately. >> Yeah. >> So if you're listening to this at home and you receive this email today, please
do not open it. Thank you. So 9.8 I >> think we're ready. We have >> we're ready to vote. >> I 910. >> Mr. Ellison >> I >> Mr. Castillo >> I >> Mr. Sediki
>> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green. >> I motion carries unanimously. 6. >> On to 9.11. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the ratification of the new professional agreement August
2026 through July 2028 with the Teamsters Food and Nutrition Services Personnel Bargaining Unit. Do you have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve, >> Mr. Ellison. Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Lee. Discussion. I think we had the dispute.
>> I think we have had the discussion. >> John, do we have anybody from food and nutrition? >> Unfortunately, I I had someone lined up. Uh she had some family stuff come up. She was unable to make it tonight. >> Okay, then we'll go right to the vote.
>> Yeah, we do have the director of food and nutrition if you'd like to share a few words on behalf of your employees. So I wanted to address one of the biggest concern that Mr. Castello outlined and when he was talking about some of the employees that have left um
our employment in the food service most of the reasons I identified when I joined the corporation is we did not have uh comparative pay compared to the other industries and the other employers. So people were normally
looking at the wages that we are offering in the corporation and what the other competitors are offering and normally we were far below. So these pay increments put us at a scale to kind of
compete favorably with the skill out there. And one of the biggest things what it's going to do is to bring in the right people in the right position and that scales us to be not only profitable but also efficient. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ellison. >> I >> Mr. Cello. >> Mr. Sni. >> I. >> Miss Lee. >> I. >> Mr. Lea. >> I. >> Dr. Green.
>> I. Motion carries unanimously. 5-0. >> On to 9.12. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the ratification of the new professional agreement August 2026 through July 2028 with the teamsters paraprofessionals bargaining unit. Do we have a motion and
a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. Mr. Alva, I think we've we have someone who would like to
help us understand this. Go right ahead. >> Hello, my name is Angela Harris. I am a pair professional out at transportation. I am also the union steward out there. This is my fourth contract and I just
want to say that we really appreciate the raises. Um, it makes us feel a little better. Um, and I would like to thank the board, everyone that was on the negotiation team, and um, we have the best agent in
the world, John Dow. So, we thank him for that. >> I' I'd like to point out um, for the So, there's the transportation pairs and the special education pair professionals. Um, similar work yet very different. Uh,
what the transportation pairs do compared to the transport or the in school pairs. And uh we we for the first time got some language in the contract specific to the transportation paris uh where work would be handed out uh by
seniority. Um when the uh was it two years ago I think they went to uniforms for the transportation pairs because they're in the public eye daily. Um we're going to get in contract. We got uh winter coats for them when they're
outside in the winter. So, we did make some progress uh specifically for transportation pairs in in this contract. >> That's great. >> Yes, sir. >> When we first took over,
we asked uh where we have professionals on every bus. Is that happening? >> No sir, not yet.
>> Not yet. Uh I guess >> you can. >> So there um so the number has increased significantly. So um in the scheduling problem, there's still some things that
need to be worked out. Um, but because of, you know, now it's a job that's a little more desired because of wages. I don't think that that's going to be the problem moving forward. I think that I mean, there has been significant improvement. There are going to be a
route here or there that is not covered. But but >> the whole point is every time there is an incident, >> yeah, >> there is no per >> there's no Paris.
It's it's I don't want a pair to go stop. They ask to stop it. You guys got buttons now where you call alarms. I don't want them to endanger their lives, but just your presence there
>> is going to stop most of this stuff. Uh and you can't take the chance of a driver being by himself and trying to control the kids behind you. dangerous and I think >> so we we
>> things are proven with the amount >> when you have a pair of professional compared to when you don't have or I think that's been a proven factor Eddie that that makes a big difference. >> So so all the good >> I think that's worth all the money you pay them.
>> So they have guided their training like they know you know what to ask for. We've been very vocal in saying we need this deescalation training, we need CPI hold training, we need uh safety training. And so, you know, I'd like to commend them for taking the leadership.
>> And when we made that, that included the contract bus drivers, too. >> Whether you guys we pay him or the contract bus drivers pay them if it's in their contract. I mean that was for you
guys to work out but >> so the agreement was to put one on every bus even a contract so they wouldn't have to pay that expense because that's a district expense. >> So that was the that's the start progressive plan
>> Mr. Eats already rides the buses once in a while don't you? I haven't in a minute, but >> the good news is getting it is uh progressing and it's progressing positive and so um you know by the end of the year we'll get there but when
they're scheduling those schedules sometimes you have the hiccups where pair is not placed on the bus because they have to make changes to the schedule but it's it's going to get better. Well, thank you very Thank you very much. >> Yes,
>> Mr. Ellison. >> I >> Mr. Costello. >> I >> Mr. Sniki >> I >> Miss Link >> I >> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green >> I motion carries unanimously 6.
>> Uh we no I thank you for your patience. you've sat through this entire meeting for us to come to 9.13, which you might think is kind of relevant. >> It is recommended that the board of school trustees recognize, and I hope I'm going to get this right, the
kindergarten um instructional assistance. Is it in instructional assistance? >> Instructional assistance and kindergarten aids >> and kindergarten aids as a bargaining unit. >> Represented by Teamsters Local 364. represented by Teamsters Local 364.
Thank you. >> We got that. Thank you. >> So, move. >> Okay. >> I like it. >> So, we do have a motion and a second. >> Second. >> I think this is one we can go right to calling in the question. >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Castello,
>> I. >> Mr. SKI, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lebo, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries six to zero. is worth waiting for. >> Congratulations.
>> Are they going to get there? >> Like the other ones for five days instead of three. So, uh, moving along then, uh, we do have one item from close session and, uh, the board of trustees, uh, do we
approve the settlement agreement from executive session? And I think, wait, we have one more vote. >> One more vote before you, >> we're going to vote on the uh, >> settlement agreement from executive
session. Do you we don't need to we can go right to the vote. >> I'll make the motion >> motion to approve. >> Mrs. Lee has made the motion and second >> Mr. Ellison the second
>> uh >> Mr. Ellison >> I >> Mr. Castello >> I >> Mr. Sniki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea >> hi >> Dr. hearing. >> I motion carries unanimously 6 to zero.
>> Are you going to talk about the disparities thing or you just going to do that? >> I'm going to do it now. So we've come >> we've come to that point uh when the board members when board members have the opportunity to speak and uh I should
mention that board comments do not include any decisions. However, I have at least one item that I hope many people will hold off on um if you're uh listening. Um the first item is uh first
we're we're very grateful for community members who came out on March 30th to discuss student discipline. Uh and we met as a board and we have uh three
main priorities that we want to move forward on in the coming weeks. uh as many have said, it's not enough simply to say we're behind these priorities or initiatives, but that we're going to begin to act in
accordance with these uh priorities. And the first is and this is really a starting point uh I should say that we support providing professional development on cultural competency for all teachers license or EP at the start
of the 2627 school year. Uh second uh we endorsed the idea of establishing a principle establishing principalled meetings to implement MTSS with resources and oversight as mandated by
the DOJ in 2021 and that we will form an ad hoc committee. It won't necessarily be a standing committee, but a committee that includes uh an outside consultant to review data, develop a scope of work
instead a timeline for both analyzing and producing a report. So, as we move forward, uh I will give occasional reports to give you some updates. Uh but these are the three priorities that we've established and that are rooted in
the DOJ statement of 20. uh 21 and as I say to it's it's a starting point but I think it's a good starting point for taking some actions. Uh at that at this point then would anyone
like to make a comment? Uh Mr. Castello, do you have some closing words? recently uh in the Indianapolis Star, they about a about a week or so ago
uh they had an article in there on studies done on why students uh have difficulty learning. And
in Sunday's paper in the South Bend Tribune uh in the voice of the people, a person picked up on that topic. All these studies
uh tried to get a correlation why students had problems uh in the classroom. And a lot of people try to contribute it to teaching,
curriculum, um leadership, uh parents, uh you name it. But there was one solid element
um that they found And that element was poverty. Students who come from a economic background that
parents have problems in that area. These are the students from their environment that
have a very difficult time in the classroom. Now, why am I bringing this up? We have some political people who want to blame everybody.
They want to blame school boards. They want to blame the political system. They want to blame everybody. when the real problem is some schools are struggling
because of the resources they have in order to combat this issue. If our political people would just concentrate on that one issue of trying to assist schools
with resources in order to combat this problem and issue, we would be a heck of a lot better off in the education area. We have an election coming up here in a
few weeks. It's It's about time the political people start paying attention to the citizens that live in this state and trit trying to blame everybody
and get down to the real issue. You know, they try to reward schools who are doing great with additional funds. While schools that are struggling, they give very little attention to
financially. If they really want to accomplish something, then follow what these studies have told people in the educational field. that additional resources
for students who are struggling from an economic standpoint and from an educational issues try to resolve them by assisting in this area.
Thank you. Uh yes and I just kind of want to comment on a separate issue but I know now one of the things now that we've voted to bring back at least the management of food services back in house. My understanding is that uh previously we had had things like at
Marquette and maybe some of the other schools something like a food pantry that would help with uh any leftover food or that kind of thing instead of being thrown out it could either go to our students or the food bank or something like that. uh you know and I think a lot of that kind of went to the
wayside once we outsourced and uh you know chartwells kind of took over the management of that because they had their own different kind of things they would do. Uh this might be an opportunity now that we're bringing it back in house that we could perhaps try to reestablish that at Marquette and some of the other schools where would be
applicable so that way if there is any leftover food that it's you know maybe going home with a student or or some of those kind of things. So I'd like uh you know you know director of food service and Mr. to perhaps look into that as an opportunity. Um because there are a lot of you know people in our neighborhoods,
a lot of schools that would probably benefit from that and that's something uh you know that we could perhaps build into the plan for you know bringing it back in house to make sure you know obviously you don't want to waste any food at all but let's you know what are we doing with any leftover or food now that might be different than what
Charles was doing with it to make sure we're as efficient uh as we can be going forward and helping out as many of our own students or other people in our communities where schools are located as possible. So, I would just encourage you all to to perhaps look into that as part of what we're setting up when we're
thinking about bringing things back in house. What are perhaps things we can do now that we weren't able to do before through the outsourcing? And I think that would be a good logical opportunity. >> Thank you, sir. Others?
>> Okay, let's go. Um, I know many people have heard of the new wireless um, law being passed in Indiana and it will be effective July 1st. As a board, we haven't talked much about it, but I teachers who I've spoken to, we're going to create that policy, right, Mr. Reid?
That policy is going to be set and then families are going to know ahead of time, students, teachers. So, when the new school year comes, they're going to be ready to go. And I think it's going to change a lot of, you know, a lot of um behaviors, a lot of um test scores.
It's going to be a game changer, but we're going to create that policy. We're going to get it done and we're going to be ready for the school year. >> Um I already sent a draft uh policy to go into the code of conduct
uh that was sent to us by ISBA. I have requested other policies from other superintendents to see how or what they're doing differently. So, as I get these, I will forward them to the committee adjusting the code of conduct.
>> Very good. Thank you. So, I wanted to mention that uh this Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30, we'll have a meeting on policy, which essentially uh the board is going through policies that need to be updated, but there'll be some
substantial changes. Uh and then our next board meeting uh is on April 27th at 5:30 here at Brown. And with that, I will motion to adjourn this meeting. Uh board members, please stay to sign any
forms. And thank you everyone for being here and for listening.