My name is Abigail. I'm a senior at Washington and I'm a part of the PLTW biomedical sciences. In my senior year, we [music] started doing sutures. So, we learned how to do stitches. We also did PCR this year, so we got to duplicate [music] our own cheek cells and then
look at that DNA. Once I graduate from Washington, I plan on joining the radiology program at IUSB. My experience at South Community Schools has been extremely positive. I think that it's helped a lot for the future. My name is Brendan Reed. I'm a junior
[music] at Washington High School and I'm a part of the PLTW biomedical science program. Project Lead the Way is [music] a broad field of a lot of options in the medical field. I have a personalized internship with Beacon Sports Medicine [music] and I'll be going there weekly and I do different
things. One week I might be taping up injuries and the next I might be taking someone's vitals. My lifetime goal is I want to be a sports medicine physician. My needs have been very well met at Washington High School. I will say that. Hello everyone. My name is Adriana Swanson and I'm a senior here at
Washington High School and I'm headed to Indiana University in the fall. I just want to share with you what a great experience I had at Washington. Whether it was winning a state championship in track last year or the great education I received which has prepared me for college. My teachers, coaches, and classmates have been so supportive and I
could not have done it without them. That's why I can [music] say Washington High is the pride of the west side. Our prek program is thriving. We've gone from eight schools with prek to 14. Two schools offered two prek classrooms
[music] at Harrison and at McKinley. We have really extraordinary teachers and staff that are doing a a fabulous job, particularly by way of literacy [music] because that is really the focus of our prek program, numeracy, and just
acclimating students [music] to what it's like to be in a learning environment, but it's play-based because we use high school curriculum. >> High school program has eight content areas that the children can explore during a big chunk of their day, which is called work time. During work time,
children are free to explore the house area, the toy area, the block area, the art area, the writing area. While they're exploring [music] those content areas, we are moving about as um educators [music] and being partners in play, helping them to scaffold their
learning during that time. Another important aspect of the high school curriculum is small group time [music] where myself and my IIA get to work with the students in small [music] groups on areas of development like fine motor development, letter identification,
number concepts, patterning, rhyming, phonological awareness. [music] Uh we also do large group time where we get to sing with the students. They enjoy a lot of our songs so much that we have favorite song Friday and the children get to pick from our favorite [music] songs and we um repeat those throughout
the school year. The high school scope curriculum just really allows us to use the key developmental indicators which align with the standards for the state as well as core curriculum. We also use foundations which is used throughout the [music] elementary grade levels and that
helps the children begin letter identification, sound identification and they learn to write the letters correctly. And then we use Hagerty which helps the students identify phonological awareness skills like rhyme and repetition, beginning [music] sounds,
ending sounds, even syllocation of sounds. So all of those together [music] kind of just create a day that flows really perfectly for the four or 5-year-old child. Yes, sir. I have a bunch of presentations. >> Who's speaking?
>> Yep. >> Good evening. It's 5:30. I want to welcome everyone on this day, June 29th at the SBC administration building. The board had close session at 3:30. Am now calling
this meeting to order. Gabby, can you take the role? >> Good evening. Mr. Marcus Ellison, >> present. >> Mr. Marco >> here. >> Dr. Janette McCulla. >> Hi, >> Mr. Bill Sneki. >> Hi, >> Miss Caitlyn Lee >> here. >> Mr. Carlos Lea >> here.
>> Dr. St Green. >> Thank you, Gabby. >> We have a quorum and we can now move to 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? I just had one question before that. I know
Pete, are there two resolutions that we need to add or do we need to amend agenda to? >> They're they're on the agenda as items 9.1 and 9 0 and 9.11. >> Okay. Oh, >> thank you.
>> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> The motion has been moved and seconded. Gabby, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Costello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. [clears throat] >> Mr. Smeiki, >> I.
>> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lea. >> Hi. >> Thank you, Gabby. Now, it's time for recognition and superintendent announcements. Hand it over to you, Mr. E. Good evening, Mr. Labour, board members,
members of the public. Um, in the absence of a board policy regarding cell phones, uh we do have a directive that uh will be shared with all students as of July 1. The students
in session two of our summer school I believe it's right there and it will be on our website. Um, in a nutshell, uh, the students will be able to have their
phone with them. It must be in a locker. Now, I know in summer school, we do not issue lockers. It has to be off and out of sight. Having said this, the directive also
lists the consequences of uh bringing a cell phone and using the cell phone or simply using the cell phone. I'm sorry. They could bring it. It's got to be out of sight and turned off. Um during the school year, they'll be able to leave it
in the locker and as long as it's not touched during the day, they will be okay. and that is simply to remain in compliance with Indiana law.
That is one. The other u announcement we have is summer school graduation will be Thursday, August 6th at 6:00 p.m. at John Adams High School auditorium. >> What What is this for seniors that had
to take summer school? >> Yes, sir. to get their diploma >> seniors who took summer school to finish. Yes. >> And that's all the announcements. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you.
>> And for the record, I want to I want to say the motion to approve the agenda has passed by 60 vote >> for the cell phone. the formal policy, the expectation is that that will be passed before the school year starts. >> Yes.
>> And then also the graphic that was just shown um is in the process of being posted if it hasn't already. It'll be posted by the end of the night um to all of our social media channels and then we will start to distribute that directive to parents um and to the public. >> And it is also reflective of the code of
conduct. It reflects everything that is in the directive. Thanks, Matt. >> We now have a hearing of visitors on action items 9.01 through 9.10. Gabby will provide a list.
>> She has. >> 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 01 through 9:10 must sign the registration sheet prior to the meeting and state the action agenda item
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 to Miss Hernandez after the meeting.
>> Under item 9.03, 3. We have Paul Anastasis 51680 Orange Road using my first amendment right. What I say should not be held against me, my family or my co-workers. >> So I am speaking in regards to the 9.03 about the resolution to approve the
retropay. So, um, just a couple things. I do appreciate the work that everybody's done in bringing the matter to a resolution. I support the employees receiving their negotiated wages and the retropay. My request is really kind of simple and that is is that before the
documents become part of the corporation's permanent legal that the board is confident that it is approving a document that's accurate, clear, and complete. And then the concerns that I
did bring before and I believe this was all part of it. Why was there why was there a second resolution necessary and what exactly changed in there? And I was still wondering how the employees are to be placed within that range of pay. And
is the 15 ccent experience differential intended to remain a separate premium or is it intended to function as part of the employees long-term compensation? So in other words, your base rate and that 15 cents becomes part of that. Otherwise, they're two separate
entities. So when people, and I know that everybody's done that, I mean, if they go in and they try to even apply for credit, you have where what's your gross rate of pay? Does that all figure into that? You know, because you're showing them a gross rate of pay at whatever that rate is minus that 15
cents because that doesn't really calculate into it. So just thinking about that, that's all. Okay. >> Same item. Kathleen Anastas Kathleen and Nastis Orange Road. I'm using my first amendment right and what I say should not be held against me or
my family. I am speaking as a taxpayer, a mother, a wife of two Southbend school custodial and maintenance employees whose retroactive pay is directly affected by the proposal before you. I have taken the time to compare the wages of surrounding corporations
including PHM, Mishawaka, and Elcart. What I found is those districts are using a step pay system that rewards experience and years of service. Southbend once followed a similar philosophy. When I reviewed the June
15th agenda, custo wages were listed as ranging from $21 to $27 an hour. Now on the June 29th agenda, the range has changed to $21 to $26.40. My question is simple. How did that
happen and why? Who changed it? What changed in just two weeks? The employees deserve an explanation. More importantly, does this board truly believe this is how we should compensate the men and women who work every day to keep our schools open, safe, and clean?
These employees are often the first to arrive, last to leave, clean up after hundreds of students, respond to emergencies, prepare buildings for events, make repairs, shovel snow, move furniture, solve problems that most people never see. Like teachers, they
deal with difficult situations every single day, yet rarely receive the recognition they deserve. I would ask each member of this board to honestly consider this question. Would you be willing to do the work that my husband and my son do every day for this level
of pay? These employees are not asking to become wealthy. They're asking to be compensated fairly for the value they provide to the corporation. I also believe management and the union share responsibility for bringing forward a contract that truly reflects that value.
This should have been thoroughly negotiated and buttoned up before it reached this board. Instead, we have changed wage schedules, unanswered questions, and employees who feel discouraged and undervalued. This is a disservice to the very people who make it possible for teachers to teach
students to learn in safe, functional buildings. As a taxpayer, I want my tax dollars spent wisely. As a mother and a wife, I want my family to know their hard work is respected. Right now, I don't believe this proposal sends that message. I urge you to ask the hard
questions, provide transparency about these wage changes, and ensure that the employees receive compensation that reflects the critical role they play in our schools. >> Thank you. On to 9.05. John Pachznney
>> John Pachznney 18420 Crown Hill Drive This is more a comment about 9.05. When I posted the agenda on several Facebook pages, there were several people who are in the Edison K8
community that were very irritated that the contract says Edison Middle School and not Edison K8. I'm just going to quote you a couple of these. This lady says, "I get so frustrated that we can't even have our own identity
even without a formal name change. You would think the people who put the board docs together could just type Edison KA versus Edison Middle School. Also, from someone who is working too hard to establish the school's commu identity in
the community, the name still formally being Edison Middle School makes it confusing and difficult and makes people really question. So, I'm wondering if something can be done to change the wording on that this evening and that the administration can look at and I
know there's a process of getting it to where it actually will say Edison K8 and no longer Edison Middle School for the people in that community. Thank you. >> Thank you. On to 9.09. Lesley Wesley.
Hi Lesley Wesley 25622 Dan Trail and South Bend. Good evening um acting president um Leva, members of the board, superintendent and members of our community. Again, my name is Lesley Wesley and I'm the president and CEO of
Enrich You. Tonight, I stand before you not simply as a leader of a nonprofit organization, but as someone who has dedicated my life to serving the children and families of South Bend. Tonight's vote is is about much more
than a memorandum of understanding. It is about whether hundreds of students will continue to have access to free, safe, school-based after-school program that helps them learn, grow, and thrive.
Every afternoon, our students arrive looking for homework help, caring mentors, enrichment opportunities, leadership development, and a safe place to be until their families can pick them up or they can ride the bus home. These
programs are provided at no cost to families because we believe every child deserves access to opportunity regardless of their circumstances. Enrichu is the direct grantee with the
Indiana Department of Education and we have worked diligently to fulfill our responsibilities while partnering with our schools to support student success. This partnership has always created opportunities for our educators. More
than 22 Southbend Community School Corporation employees work in our afterchool programs. These dedicated teachers, instructional assistants, and staff members already know our students understand their needs and help bridge
the learning that uh happens during the school day with the enrichment that happens after school. If this partnership ends, those valuable opportunities will end as well. Yesterday, community members signed a
petition, which you all have, asking that these programs continue. Many parents, educators, and supporters have also reached out privately to express how much this program means to their to their families. Some are simply not comfortable speaking
publicly, and that's okay. I understand. But their children will still benefit from these programs and their voices matter just as much. >> If there are concerns about enrich you, I want you to know that this will remain
we are remain willingly to listen, collaborate and work together towards a solution. We have never stopped believing the that the partnership is possible. So our tonight I respectfully ask that you consider postponing the vote to allow additional dialogue with
families, community stakeholders, the Indiana Department of Education, and Enrich you before making the final decision that could be the lasting impact of our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. And okay, I'm not going to try. I'm having trouble with this name.
So 523 West Calbert Street and then tell us your name when you come up. Sorry, I don't want to get it wrong, so I'm gonna let you do it. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Horge Hues, 523 West Co Street. >> I would have been right. Oh,
>> so I am speaking on behalf of the enrichu program of pathway to success. And before learning about the program, the pathway to success, some days at school would feel empty in the sense that I felt there was more to my education than just going to school, taking
information, and doing assignments. There were days where I needed help on the homework and maybe felt like I wasn't connecting enough with the teachers and what they provided as far as help went. And it wasn't because I didn't know what I wanted to do after school that I felt
some type of uncertainty sometimes, but it was because I wasn't aware of how I would transition into that my next steps smoothly. And it was a great thing that I found Pathway to Success because the program
offered a lot of great mentorships. Um, I've got into internships because of it. Working at the housing authority of South Bend in the finance department because the my path that I wanted to do was um fi financial or finance, excuse me.
And it was a great decision I made because I also became a mentor and an example to individuals that were in um younger grades than me. Like um my little brother for example, he's in middle school. he goes to Jackson and he he's definitely one that
looks up towards me. And so to be able to have that guidance from Pathway to Success and operate in excellence and know what it means to make courageous connections and be a courageous leader myself was a really great thing because I know that those in um students that
look up to me and can see me as an example [clears throat] can also be one themselves with this program. They had a lot of really good tutors and mentors as well like Risha Lee Donaldson. She was a really great teacher in that and um she honestly had taught me what
it meant to be great when it came to making connections, thinking about my future and how I would get there. So I ask that you do not close this um program down or to keep it open for students who [snorts] can have this opportunity to also gain the connections
and mentorships and help with school life if they ever needed it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Excuse me. I have a question. Mr. Watz, what school do you attend? >> I attend Riley High School or I attended Riley High School, excuse me. I graduated from there and I am now going
to Bethl University going into accounting for So, thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> The public is now invited to address the board for three minutes regarding items not posted on the agenda. If you wish to give something aboard again, please give the item or items to Miss Hernandez
after the meeting. 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. Tiana Batis Wadell, 330 Kofax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana.
We are now halfway through 2026, and I am compelled to ask a simple question. What meaningful actions have been taken to address the historical harms identified in the obligations of the federal consent decree and now more recently the findings in the Southbend
Reparatory Justice Commission report. The report documents what many black families have known for generations. Black children were subjected to segregated neighborhoods causing segregated schools, unequal resources, limited academic opportunities,
disproportionate discipline, underinvestment, and educational practices that restricted access to opportunity. These are not merely historical events. The report acknowledges that many of the resulting disparities continue to exist today. The
consent degree's purpose is to ensure educational equity and equal opportunity for black children. Yet decades later, disparities in discipline, access to advanced coursework, special education identification, and academic outcomes
remain persistent concerns. As candidates prepare to seek seats on this board, I hope each of you is already thinking deeply about the needs of black children in South Bin schools.
The historical record is clear. Black children in this city and school system have endured generations of discrimination and unequal opportunity. So candidates that are going for school board voters deserve to know what is
your plan? How will you ensure compliance with the consent decree? How will you close opportunity gaps? How will you measure success? And how will you be held accountable? The community has received reports. The community has heard presentations. The community has
listened to discussions. What the community needs is action. I just saw the back to school university this menu of options. Where's cultural competency? Where's the publicly communicated plan?
What benchmarks will be used to measure progress? How will families know whether historical harms are actually being repaired? Accountability requires measurable outcomes, transparent reporting, sustained investment in children who have been impacted. The
black children have been impacted since 1950 in this school district. So I respectfully urge this board to publicly commit to a timeline to address the findings in the reparatory justice report. Consider a formal apology
acknowledging your harm on black students and families. An apology and action is warranted. and the community is still waiting and watching for a moral leader. >> Thank you. John Pachznney 18420 Crown Hill Drive.
Community partners is a word that has been bannered around this board since well September of 23 is the first time I remember it. And yet when I look at the community partners that are listed on the website of the corporation there are three citywide classroom St. Joe County
Public Library and the Southland Education Alliance. Yet there are many other groups and organizations who have been designated as community partners. I think we all know what a community partner is, but to me, what bothers me
more than anything, regardless of who is behind them or their name or place in the community, the key issue seems to have been denied or ignored? What services have they provided for
students? What have been the end results? What documentation shows what they've accomplished or failed to do? And was the program successful? Without a contract knowing exactly what the
corporation was spending money on, how does the public know any of these services and what was provided? Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anyone else wish to speak? Seeing no one else approach the podium, I want to thank everyone for sharing
their concerns. Back to you, Carlos. >> Thank you, Kate. We now move on to academic focus BTSU update, and we welcome Miss Carter Lee and her team. Good evening, Vice President Leva,
school board members, Superintendent Eid, and all of our guests both listening and in person. Today we would like to come forward and just to show or to share a high level of the planning that has um been going on for the last
four to six months as we prepare for BTSU school to launch school year 2627. So today is just a brief highlight of what's to come and some of the exciting opportunities that we have available for
both our certified and non-certified staff within SBCSC. I would like to take this opportunity to express a special thank you to Mr. Derek Albbright and Mr. Caleb Kittinden. They
are the project leads for this initiative and they are have been working diligently to complete the heavy lifts so that we have a great plan in place. So the first thing you'll see on the screen are three pillars and these are
the three pillars that again certified and non-certified staff will have the opportunity to um select as part of their own personal loan learning growth. So what we did was we looked we evaluated the previous 12 months of this
2526 school year. And so what we wanted to know were what where what were the common threads that we saw as a district and then also as individual buildings. And so from those from that data and that information we developed the three
pillars. So it is in to ensure that these opportunities are district aligned that all staff have an opportunity to participate and that professional learning is focusing on the need of the individual instead of it being
prescribed from the district office. So basically BTSU will provide four quadrants. First of all, for those staff members who in their respective fields have mastered the e job expectations of their description, how do they continue
to refine their skill? Everyone has room to grow whether you're proficient on the way or below. And so they will have the opportunity to refine their skill depending upon what that department might be. What opportunities are we
creating to um exchange ideas? So we know that we have a number of proficient practitioners again both in the certified umbrella or under the certified umbrella and the non-certified umbrella. So how do we tap into those
areas of experts that we have and help them to lead our initiatives. Next we have the equitable learning opportunity. the reason why we are all here. We must by every mean necessary ensure that all of our students regard
regardless of they are above at or below grade level that they are still having those equitable opportunities to either push their learning or establish their learning and then last the internal support. So again, how do we sustain and be able to
create systems so that we are continue to move the systems forward instead of creating ideas and opportunities in isolation. So here's what we have available thus far. We are still accepting um interest.
So we had a few come across our desk today. So we are still we will have approximately 60 plus presenters and that's almost a 30% increase from last year. We have a 126 individual sessions
and then we will have three days of BTSU um that are the dates will be August 10th through the 12th but we also have some precursor dates um there as well and then Miss Austin Phillips will share the compensation rate and how that
finance or how the compensation is being financed. >> Thank you. Thank you board. So through the title two professional development um dollars we're able to support all teachers or and or all non-certified
staff. Um the compensation is we agreed upon the $35 an hour for our certified 30 I'm sorry [laughter] $30 an hour for our um certified staff and our non-certified staff is doing the
$20 an hour. So he he corrected me again. It's 15. [laughter] 15. >> Yes, I am. $15 for non-certified and $30 for certified. I'm thinking summer school here. Um so that's how the
compensation will happen through the title 2 dollars. You want to explain title? >> Yes. So title two is a professional development grant from the department of education. It is is there to improve the
learning of all of our staff members um from from our non-certified to our certified so that they can increase their staff their their craft. They can become um better learners to be able to
um support our students. >> Thank you, Mrs. Austin Phillips. And so we will have two pre-days or prec three precursor days um that before we actually begin um BTSU for school year
2627. The first would be a leadership day and this is um where our students I'm sorry where some of our students our fourth, fifth and sixth grade students and teachers will have the opportunity to visit the five-star campus. And if you
recall, the board approved the uh partnership and the relationship with FiveStar beginning with the 2627 school year. So the teachers will have the opportunity to come in and develop the experience of what their students will experience for the academic year. And
then August 6th and 7th is when we will continue to work on our relay initiatives where we are learning engagement strategies and examination of student data as we launch school year 2627 as well.
Here are some of the opportunities that our staff will have available to them. Again these are in three buckets of work innovation and technology core curriculum and pedagogy safety and compliance. So again it is very we want
to invite everyone to really pay attention to that lower right hand corner where it says and much more. We have so many things that we are excited to offer and again these are just a few of them. We did add two important um I
just want to take a moment um two very important um additions today and those are the legal updates. As you as you recall, Superintendent Eid has shared that um the new cell phone laws on July 1. We
know that that will be um a heavy lift for us just to share with internally. How do we engage with students who are struggling with meeting those expectations as well as staff and parents? What do we need to do to ensure that we can wrap around so that we can not interrupt learning as much as we
possibly can? So, come up with great strategy to do that both at the district level and at the building level. And again, um looking at our one of our most popular and that's our CPR AED certification. This is really important because this is required for all
certified staff to renew their license and we cover the cost of the certifications for our staff. So that's about a $200 value. So we are um really excited about uh having that again this year.
So thank you. That's our our very um balcony view of BTSU 2627 and we look forward following the implementation of BTSU of sharing our data participation and outcomes. I got
I got one question. >> Yes. >> Uh CFO, you hear me? You had on there $30 compensation for teachers, right? >> Yes.
>> Staff members, but you know, we got a $20 minimum wage for South Band School Corporation and you got your staff only making $15. >> So, is this question for me or is this
question for an >> Both of you? >> Okay. Okay. Because you Okay. >> You're probably going to say you're that's grant money. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Is that paid out of grant money? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> There's not enough money in the grant to pay the $20 an hour that we promised
everybody. >> Uh no. >> What happens is uh in the contract negotiations with the non-certified units, we agreed that any professional development will be compensated at 15 an
hour. And that's written in. >> So just as in the teacher contract, they're they don't receive their hourly rate. They receive the $30 an hour. I mean the $30 an hour is the same for the non-certified. It was negotiated at $15
an hour. [laughter] >> $20 minimum wage. >> There's the look. >> Was for the whole corporation, right? CFO There should be no exceptions [clears throat]
and I I think we ran that in r that problem with carers too but we adjusted to bring it up. >> I don't know what is it >> we make >> we we can take back this back to the negotiating table and invite them to see
if we could adjust. >> Have to take the difference off your guy's salary. Okay, >> that's not in the contract. >> All right, that's my question. Why ain't we doing what we're saying we're doing as far as the $20 throughout the whole
corporation? >> Well, yeah, again, it's professional development and that distinguisher rests both in the certified and non-certified contracts. So if we would then um adjust that for non-certified then we
would have to do the same equitably for the certified staff. >> All right. Well, we could on today's agenda we got given some people siphons. We could take them away too, right? That make a difference.
>> Thank you, Bill. Would anyone else like to make a comment or ask a question? >> [clears throat] >> Thank you for your presentation. Um, your program to begin the school year is
very valuable uh to educators. Uh when I was teaching in South Bend, uh I participated in back to school gettogethers of educators and um talking about
educational issues and things uh current and maybe futuristic things that we might have to look forward to. Um, but there's one thing I think people
have to uh understand uh about these gettogethers and that uh I don't think there's ever been uh there there might be a few but most teachers realize that getting together
and learning new things um is the norm. uh you never ever uh and I have said this many many times even in my position as a board member I
learn about things going on in classrooms that I didn't know before >> and uh these type of activities stimulate uh the excitement about getting back into the classroom.
uh and I appreciate the fact uh that we are taking the time to do this the right way and so I I appreciate your your work behind this. I know that there's a lot of work to be done with people getting
on the the right track and everything. Um, I just have one question for you and that is, uh, will there ever be a focus
on the court decree that a presenter just talked about in here uh, in your program starting in the fall of the year? Uh, so that teachers also understand the importance behind it.
Wow, that that's a very powerful question. Um, Mr. Costello, and we certainly have space to do that. I would just have to work with Superintendent E and our legal um department to have that added to the legal updates. But that
what a powerful suggestion. Absolutely. I think we can do that. >> Thank you. >> I just have a comment and um uh I appreciate uh this report. uh your report because um professional
development is very much needed for teachers and uh I think it's very worthwhile and we are already doing the work I believe that was mentioned by one of the presenters. We're working with our struggling students and so we just
need to have at some point an update on where we are with that so people can hear that >> because I do know that we are working with our struggling students. We're not leaving them hanging out there. So, I'd appreciate if you can at one point bring uh something to us so that the public
can hear the update on what we're doing. >> Absolutely. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Lee. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. We now move on to the consent agenda. Is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the consent agenda
which includes approval of the June 15 minutes under item 8.01 accepting any attached financial reports and statements under item 8.02 approving any attached consolated registers and claims and distributions of payroll for payment under action item
I sorry under item 8.03 approving personnel decisions listed on any attached reports under item 8.04 4 adopting any attached resolutions under item 8.05 which are required to be adopted annually accepting any gifts to the corporation and proving any
fundraisers described any attached reports under item 8.06 and approving or ratifying any contracts for $50,000 or less under item 8.07. >> Do we have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda?
>> Motion. Second. [clears throat] We get a second. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Gabby. >> Mr. Ellison. >> I. >> Mr. Cassello. >> I. >> Dr. McCulla. >> I. >> Mr. Snediki. >> I.
>> Miss. Lee. >> I. >> Mr. Leva. >> I. The motion passes by a vote of six to no. We now approve the consent agenda and move on to action items. >> Item 9.01. It is recommended that the
board of school trustees approve the Boys and Girls Club Summer Learning Labou. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. questions.
>> Right. Seeing none, Gabby, can you take the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Cassello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Smeiki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Leva >> I.
>> The motion passes by a vote of six to no. >> Item 9.02. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the citywide classroom renewal. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> So move. >> Second.
>> Mr. Mer. >> Yeah. So, uh, Citywide Classroom, um, assists lowincome families with getting free internet access through, um, hotspots or through our private, um, LTE network.
Um, they work with families through the application process and once approved, they'll bring the hotspot or router to the student school. Um, and if students need any technical support, um, they provide that as well.
If I may add, this is the last year we are doing this. Correct. >> Um, the PLTE network will be the last. We'll we'll continue to do the hotspots. >> Yeah. >> Any more questions?
>> Gabby, can you take the role? >> Mr. Ellison, I >> Mr. Castello. I >> Dr. McCulla >> I >> Mr. Saki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Leela >> I the motion passes by a vote of six to
no >> item 9.03. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the memorandum of understanding with ask me regarding compensation adjustments for custodial engine engineering staff. Do we have a motion and a second to approve?
>> Motion to approve. Second. >> Can Can I ask a question? >> Yes, you may. >> Uh, I guess it's for you or you.
>> I I'm going to explain why we're here and what we're doing. >> Okay. I just want to let them people out there know when when if this passes when they're going to get their checks. We can ask the CFO after uh Mr.
Augustino is done with his explanation. No, >> no way. I'm going to steal his thunder. If if you pass this tonight, the we'll have retroactive payraises going back to January 1 of this year. >> Yeah. When are they going to get that?
>> They probably will get it not in the next payroll, but the probably the one after that. July. >> The next payroll is this Thursday because Friday is considered the holiday. >> Yeah. >> So, >> July 20th. >> So, probably July 20th.
>> Yeah. >> I already stole your thunder. That's okay. >> I was uh letting you guys answer to see if you can get it correct. You almost did. [laughter] >> So, yes, it will be too early uh for the July 2nd peril. Uh so it will be with
the next one with uh the retroactive payment from January 1st, 2026. >> Okay. >> All right. So moving to uh where we're at and why you have a memorandum of understanding. Uh at last meeting, I
think the board was prepared to move forward with payraises without uh having uh an approval of collective bargaining agreement. But it was my uh legal uh viewpoint that uh whatever we do in
terms of terms and conditions of employment should be done in connection with our negotiation with ASME. Uh and so uh [clears throat] I had asked you to postpone last week so that we could work on a memorandum of understanding
um and which you have before you today for adoption uh which basically adopts uh a pay scale that takes effect uh upon adoption but with retroactive to
January 1 of this year. So I need to explain a couple things in response to some uh fairly intelligent questions presented earlier by Mr. and Mrs. Anastas which I will uh address. First
uh why is there a separate resolution? The reason you have a separate resolution here is to lay down some of the historical background here. Uh one of the questions that did arise uh leading to this was [clears throat] uh
uh the state the status of ask me relative to the employees. So ask me was there representing this group of employees before they went to SSC um and uh with with the school corp. they represented them with SSC and so
that puts them in in a situation of [clears throat] um negotiating with us as a successor employer. Uh and also I working with asked me in terms of evidence of the representation they did provide uh
information showing their dues withholding and uh they in in my opinion they do adequately represent the employees in that unit. Um so there was an obligation to bargain with them. The the so the resolution acknowledges
asks me as the uh representative and then approves [clears throat] the uh um pay schedule which is submitted as exhibit A. And the memorandum um uh basically says we're going to
agree to the pay schedule which is retroactive um and we have to come back to finalize the collective bargain agreement but we did not want to delay the effect of getting the the the pay change in place
uh pending final resolution of some other issues with the tenative with the collective bargaining agreement. So that's why we're taking this step in this order. Now [clears throat] um there uh is a slight difference and
so on board docs is another document with the pay scale. Um which I'm going to say we're going to use that as exhibit A. Uh and I've talked to Cassandra with the union.
Have you looked exhibit the Okay. the the the difference between what was attached originally and uh what we're going to substitute tonight as exhibit A is that the upper end pay is slightly
higher in the new exhibit and part of the reason for that is the calculating the 15 cent. >> I think the original exhibit stopped at 30 years the updated one goes to 40 years. >> Okay. uh as a practical matter that not may not impact any employees but there
are some slight differences on the upper end of pay. Um so you got us Mr. Nastas pointed out that we're imperfect and uh we appreciate that in all humility. You don't get to talk now.
>> I guess what I want to make sure that anything after this I understand we're voting on the pay so they get their pay, but anything that's negotiated is still coming back to the board. It
has to come back to the board for approval for sure. And so, uh, all you're approving tonight is the, uh, is the pay change, which is retroactive. And, uh, Cassandra was, uh, on behalf of
ask me has signed it. I think Gabby's got her signed copy there. [clears throat and cough] >> Yeah. And so >> that >> if you have any more questions for me or maybe you have questions of the people that were on the bargaining uh committee
uh let us know please. >> Uh if I may add some context uh to [snorts] what Pete just said. So I was absent in the last board meeting but I uh I heard the discussions uh during the board meeting and also uh today I heard
Paul's questions a little bit. So I believe I need to add some context here. Uh even though I was not part of theou or the resolution uh mechanisms here but I think I mean this is a beautiful idea. Uh because I mean it will let the legal
team to work on the collective bargaining situation while our employees do not suffer. You know they get the pay immediately. So hypothetically if the resolution or the MOU was approved at the last board meeting by this time Paul
would have received his new paycheck with the new salaries. Okay. But anyway it is retrop payit so nobody is getting uh a pay deduction or anything right and uh about the higher range of the limit you know I don't
think that is very important because we can artificially try to inflate that considering a 100 years of experience gap right if someone has 100 year of experience that will be 21 plus $15 $36 so that doesn't matter to me the most
important thing here is $21 is the minimum And after that you get 15 cent for every year of experience that you bring. Right? And the rates that are part of the exhibit here was negotiated with the ABSME union representations
uh during the negotiation process. Now definitely there will be arguments there will be uh you know debates during a negotiation process which is very normal otherwise it will not be labeled as negotiation but at the end of the day we agreed on the rates and that is exactly
what the legal team has presented uh to the board for your approval. Okay. Now while they handle the legal matters uh I believe this is a beautiful proposal not only for the custodians for but for all the groups including the general mechanics the group that Paul belongs to
okay and uh yeah I mean this will be historic and another thing I would like to mention before I leave the podium originally when we agreed with the union there was no retropay on the table we did not agree on any retropay uh the contract was supposed to be implemented
from July 1st however ever uh Mr. Bill Snadaki and couple of other board members uh uh promised retropay to all the groups and I took that advice into [clears throat] consideration of course and we believed Mr. Reed and I and also
[snorts] Mr. summers that uh we should be able to find money to allocate the retropay from January even though that meant additional $800,000 expenditure for us you know however we found the money because we now believe that the
administration should put money where our mouth is. So the board made a promise and we are fulfilling it. So thank you. [snorts] >> Thank you. [applause] Any more questions or comments? >> I'm going to provide you a copy of the new exhibit A2, so you have a paper
copy. Thank you. >> Gabby, can you take the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Cassello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Sediki, >> hi. >> Miss Lee, >> I >> Mr. Leo
>> I motion passes by a vote of six no eyes. >> On to action 9.04. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the ratification of emergency purchases for hazardous tree removal and storm cleanup from takedown tree service
in the amount of $67,110. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Any questions? >> All right. >> We going to have a presentation on how
to take down a tree or what? [laughter] >> Bring out a chainsaw. >> Gabby. >> Mr. Ellison. >> Hi, >> Mr. Costello. >> Hi, >> Dr. McCulla. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mr. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> I
>> Mr. Lea. >> I The motion passes by vote vote six to know. >> On to item 9.05. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the special purchase for fire alarm control panel upgrade at Edison K8 School from
Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP in the amount of $151,18210. So moved. >> Second, >> Chief. Thank you. Uh good evening. Uh obviously this is part of the three-year capital project on the security side.
Looking at our buildings and doing inventory of our fire control panels. Um Edison K8 um has one of the oldest fire alarm panels in our corporation. And should this panel um not work [clears throat]
at any time, uh we would not be able to find parts for it. So, I'm therefore uh asking for the board to approve the purchase of a new fire alarm panel for SNK8. >> A question. So, um I just want to make sure when we
vote on this, one of the comments made by one of the people in the audience, uh was this needs to be reflect the K8 school and not the middle school. So, can you change the language in the document? I mean, I we can vote on it,
but I'm just saying at some point, can uh can this be changed uh with with with uh with changes to it so it can read K8 instead of middle school? >> We have until August 30th, I believe, to
change the name of a school with the state. >> Okay, >> we can do that. But until then, we have to use whatever legal. Okay. So, it has to stay middle school until it >> until it's changed. Okay. >> Okay. I understand. Appreciate it. Appreciate the update. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Um Gabby, >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Costello. >> I >> Dr. McCulla. >> I >> Mr. Snakei. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> I Mr. Leva >> I.
>> Motion passes by a vote of six to no. >> On to 9.06. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the ratification of emergency purchase for security camera system upgrade at Studebaker School from Peopledriven Technology in the amount of $154,279.11.
Do you have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second, >> chief. Once again, as part of the three-year capital [clears throat] project, um, Studebaker has one of the
oldest camera systems in our corporation. And I say that and I know that for a fact because that camera system was around when I was a SRO at Washington. That's how old it is. Uh, obviously with the additions that are coming to that building, uh, program
additions, personnel, etc., etc., uh find it extremely important to uh upgrade that camera system uh to the current camera systems that we're using at uh our current schools that have been upgraded. >> I have a question uh concerning
the fund this is coming out of. Is there a technological fund? So, that's coming for our uh the three-year geo bonds. Um that money's already been allocated. >> Okay. >> And you're saying that all the other schools are updated. It's just due to
bigger. >> No, no, we're upgrading the other schools. Uh this has to get moved up because obviously we're moving programs next school year into Studebaker. So it'll make sure that they are of get the same equal equitable type system that a
lot of our other schools have. >> Okay, sounds fair. >> Gabby, >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Costello >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> I >> Mr. Smiki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Mr. Lea
>> I motion passes by a vote of six to no >> on 9.07. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the special purchase for roof overlays and paving at multiple schools from Midland Engineering in the amount of 1,942,800.
Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Do you have any questions or comments? Seeing none, Gabby, you throw. >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Costello, >> I.
>> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Sniki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lea, >> I. The motion passes by a vote of six to no. >> 9.08. It is recommended that the board
of school trustees approve the three-year administrative services agreement renewal with JWF Specialty Company for workers compensation and property and casualty claims administration in the amount of $382,000 total base fee. Do we have a motion and a second to approve?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments? Seeing none, Gabby, can you take the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Costello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I.
>> Mr. Snicki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Leva, >> I. >> The motion passes by a vote of six to no. >> 9.09. Move to approve termination without cause of the professional services
agreement between Southbend Community School Corporation Enrichu pursuant to section 1 A2 of the agreement and authorize general counsel to provide the required 60-day written notice of termination and take all actions necessary to effectuate the termination. Do we have a motion and a second to
approve? So >> move second. Questions or comments? >> Gabby. >> Mr. Ellison. >> Nay. >> Mr. Costello. >> Yes.
>> Dr. McCulla. >> I. >> Mr. Sediki. >> I. >> Miss. Lee. >> Nay. >> Mr. Lea. >> Abstain. The vote passes three to is the majority >> Pete. [clears throat]
I got to look something up on that real quick because I don't know that you should can abstain in that situation. >> What did Kate vote? K voted no. He abstained. Three votes is it's passes because it's the majority. >> Well, I it's my view. You need four
votes, but let me let me let me look at something on that real quick. You want to take a take quick a quick recess? >> Yes. >> Why don't you vote? What do you have for >> what you have for?
What conflict you got >> from voting? >> I I believe if he wants to abstain, he should abstain and then we'll work it out. >> Might as well stay home. You got an obligation to the people. It's
>> his prerogative. Come back. some fishy going on here. But it's it's to a casino. It's a 31. >> What is it? 32. >> It's still
>> pass. I I'm I'm looking at your bylaws and and to determine if you need four votes for this or that where the majority of three, which is a minority. Uh >> it's a majority. It's a majority of the vote, but whether you need to have four
to carry this. >> Let's move on. We're still in recess. Then we resume. >> You You call down state and they're going to tell you it's majority. What happens there? There's only uh
three people. We can't >> then it goes back to you. >> Four would have to be four is a minimum. >> That's that's what he >> Yeah. So it's a three to two.
You have four people serve on graves. Did it again. So, we're looking at policy 167.1, which uh requires a vote of a majority of the board, not just those present. Not so much the corner.
[clears throat] because all right so I'm going to read the policy provision and I'll give you my determination under policy 167.1 uh >> oh yeah you we need to unres
we are back in session >> okay under board policy 0167.1 dealing with voting. Uh, all regular and those special meetings of the school board at which the board is authorized to take official action shall be conducted in compliance with the Indiana
open door law except with respect to the approval or modification of a contract. No action. I've lost it. I know you're down.
I clicked out of it. Okay, I did it again. I keep I keep moving the policy. >> Let me just print it real quick. >> That's okay. I can go through it. I got it right here.
Okay. Um so let me start that second sentence. Except with respect to the approval or modification of a contract, no action shall be valid unless approved at a public meeting of the board by a majority vote of a quorum of the board
and a proper record made of the vote. Uh I think that's the determinative uh thing. We're not we're not approving or modifying a contract. We're simply acting under the contract as written. Um this the third sentence says board
action to approve or modify a contract shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the board. Um since we're not modifying a contract or approving a contract
um as I read one policy 167.1 it is the majority of the quorum. So you have a quorum here and you have three votes. So you have the majority of the quorum. So the uh motion carries. >> That's right.
>> Motion carries by vote. Three yays, two nos, and one abstension. Moving on to item 9.10. It is recommended that the board of school trustees ratify and confirm action previously taken with respect to the reallocation and transfer of
supplemental homestead credit losses pursuant to Indiana code 6-1 1-20.6 through4. >> Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. Anyone any questions or comments? >> Mr. E, can you explain exactly? >> Uh, yeah, this was basically approved by the board last time, but what happens is
we forgot to have a a motion and a second. So, this is simply to ratify that action. It was already approved by the board. >> Yep. >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Costello.
>> Hi, >> Dr. McCulla. >> I >> Mr. Sideki, >> I >> Miss Lee, I >> Mr. Leva, >> I motion passes. Oh, six. >> We're now up from items from close session.
>> Oh, we need 9.11. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. Thanks. Thanks, Pete. It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the resolution confirming the authority of our superintendent to sign the transfer documents. Can we get a motion in a
second? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. And this relates to a action that the board approved unanimously on May 11 dealing with the sale of two lots next to Hay School. Um, and we have
a closing scheduled for tomorrow that the superintendent will sign off on the documents for that, but we need to have a record of a resolution authorizing that. Mr. Ellison, >> hi >> Mr. Costello. >> Hi, >> Dr. McCulla.
>> Hi, >> Mr. Sniki. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lea. >> Hi. >> Passes. No. >> Now that I think that's it for action items. Um, moving on to items from close
session, which I believe there are none. Seeing there [clears throat and snorts] none, moving on to board comments. I want to start out uh tonight of thanking uh two people who've been showing up the
last uh especially the last couple of meetings we've had here and have been given some excellent has given the board some excellent information as far as the uh custodial
negotiations And the two people I want to thank is Paul and Kathy Anasses. Um they've been uh spot on and most of their conclusions and uh if more people would be listening
to them, I think we would have had this thing done a long time ago and moved on. And uh but I uh my deep appreciations to both of them um who have stuck with us and uh have encouraged us and and like I
said has really given us some vital information for us to consider and uh hopefully uh like I said has helped the whole process along because
the custodians uh in a school corporation, you cannot do without them. They're that vital. And uh my hats go out to them, them and their families,
and I thank every one of them uh for assisting and helping in the whole educational process. I want to thank uh some people who come to these meetings and uh
who are former former students of of mine and I find out uh that uh uh they are working with the uh in the corporation
and uh always have a big hug or smile. Some of them go back a long time. I won't tell Yolanda Clay how uh when we were together in a classroom, I as the teacher and she as the student.
Um but it was a long time ago and uh my deep appreciation to every one of those students who come forward and and give me encouragement to continue here as a board member. I want to
talk about a very sensitive but I I think I need to put this in perspective. We've had some people I have known for many years. Some of them are very good friends of
mine. Names appeared in the audit report. And to be honest with you, when I first saw their names there, I was shocked and very concerned myself.
Um, last board meeting we had a board member give comments concerning that in um thing that that document that went out with their
names in it. Any blamed it on the past administration for not having the adequate data
uh for the audit. >> He was right. That is true. >> But here's the here's the situation. Uh this board can listen to a lot of people,
anybody they want they uh who wants to talk to us and they do talk to us. Um but we're not in the business of investigating people.
Uh that is a reason why why we hire two outside people to investigate. Uh we also have the person called the auditor who did the audit on our books
who also took part in the investigation. Anybody who is named in this report, all they have to do is go to the auditors,
go to the investigators or somebody and give them the data that they're looking for. Case in point, the people with the credit cards
and their names appeared in the audit. What did they do? They went to the auditors and they gave them the information that they were looking for and nothing happened to those people.
nothing. They were clear. talk next. >> I would like to extend this same opportunity to the people who are listed in that report who are also still friends of mine.
But you can do the same so we can get this thing cleared up and we go on with our school corporation the way it should >> uh be constructed and do be done.
>> Thank you. I just uh want to make sure everybody knows on YouTube and uh every place else that uh this summer I mean not summer school but these after school classes they will
resume but under the south end school corporation control. So I don't want anybody get the idea there's not going to be no after school classes. Okay, that's all I wanted to say. It'll be our teachers, our people, CFO
and everybody have complete control. So we know the kids are being taught right and it's not going to be uh not going to be uh time to play. It's going to be time
to learn. Okay. >> I just want to make that clear. >> Thank you, Bill. Anyone else speak? I do just real quick. Um, in my day job, we're running, um, there's something called educator externships. So, um, we
had our first cohort last week and the majority of the teachers were Southbend teachers in different schools and they go out and spend three days with a local employer to learn about like what's happening in the workplace and how they can bring that back and kind of infuse that in their classroom or a lot of them are also like counselors so talking to
kids about their f futures and career. And I just want to say how amazing and proud I always am of South Ben educators, but they did they were when they came back so enthusiastic with the ideas of how they're going to use these experiences to benefit our children. It
was wonderful to see them and to see them all working together. Lots of the teachers don't know each other even though they all work for South schools but we have so many schools and so they got to know each other and also educators from other districts and understanding that number one all the districts are facing many of the same
challenges with absenteeism with a lack of engagement from students. there are a lot of challenges out there that are cross-d district and also that all these educators are enthusiastic and willing to make a difference in our kids' lives and it's just inspirational to see that and I just wanted to share how good it
is to see number one these educators being invested in and having community business employers who want to host educators for a week and show them what the opportunities are but also that they're so enthusiastic about going back and sharing that with students. you.
With that, I'll motion to adjourn this meeting. Thanks everyone.