Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Welcome to the South Bin Community School Corporation >> board um organizational meeting. Today is January the 12th, 2026. It is 5:30.
Miss Hernandez, can you please call the role? >> Yes. Good afternoon. Mr. Marcus Ellison, >> present. >> Mr. Marcusello >> here. >> Miss Kate Lee >> here. >> Dr. Stirk Green >> here. >> Mr. Carlos Leva >> here. >> Mr. Bill Snideki >> here.
>> Dr. Janette McCulla >> present. We have a quorum. Seven members present. We now move to elect a temporary chairperson. Can I have a nomination, please? >> I nominate uh Mr. Castell. >> Second.
>> As temporary spokesperson. >> Okay. And the second we have a uh an um Mr. Snideki um made the motion and Mrs. Lee seconded. Uh are any questions? Any other
nominations? Miss Hernandez, can you please call for the vote? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. >> Mr. Leva, >> hi. >> Mr. Sedki, >> hi. >> Dr. McCulla.
>> I. The meeting has now been turned over to Mr. Costello, who will take nominations for the president. >> Okay. Uh, Mrs. Hernandez, would you please accept uh from the
panel up here uh recommendations for president of our school board, please? And so we're at the point where we have a u we need
to have a a name brought forward. Does anybody like to bring a name forward at this particular time? >> I would. >> Okay. Mr. Allison, >> I would like to nominate Dr. Steuart Green. >> Second. >> Okay.
>> I would like to nominate Janette McCulla. >> Okay. Mr. Sardiku said he'd like to nominate uh Dr. McCulla. Anybody else? Okay. So, let's uh How do we do this
first? We uh >> um I need a second. >> First person we nominated. Do we vote first on him or what? >> Yeah, we need a second. >> I'm sorry. Do what? >> Second for Dr. McCulla. Is there a second for Dr. McCulla?
>> Okay. Go ahead and >> I second it. Okay, >> Mr. Ellison. >> Uh, what what's what are we voting on? >> Um, Dr. Green. >> Okay. Is this for
We are voting on Dr. McCulla first. >> No, Dr. Green. Oh, Dr. Green. >> Okay. This is for Dr. Green. >> Mr. Ellison. >> Yes. I vote yes for Dr. Green. Mr. Castello, >> I abstain.
>> Miss Lee, >> yes. From >> Dr. Green, >> yes. >> Mr. Lea, >> yes. >> Mr. Snedi, >> abstain. >> Dr. McCulla.
>> Abstain. We have, I think, four votes for Dr. Green uh as our school board president. So, uh do we do we don't take another vote,
right? >> No, >> I don't think >> you still have to do the vote whether uh yeah, just just formality. You still have to do the vote. So, at this point in time, I'll hand it over to Dr. Green. >> Did we? >> No, no, no, no, no, no. You have to take
the vote >> for the second person. >> No, I have to take >> You do have to take the No, no, no. You take the vote. >> Okay. >> And then you can take >> Let's take the vote for >> Dr. McCulla. >> Mr. Ellison, >> abstain. >> Mr. Costello, >> abstain.
>> Miss Lee, >> no. Dr. Green >> abstain. >> Mr. Leva, >> abstain. >> Mr. Snedi, >> yes. >> Dr. McCulla, >> yes. Now you can turn it over.
>> So, it's uh two yes and five abstain. >> Two yes, three uh four abstain, and one no. No, no, no. >> That's how that reads. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. Now the time is off to Dr.
>> So thanks everyone for your confidence and thank you for your service, Dr. McCulla. >> You're you're welcome. >> Um we'll now move on to vice president. Would someone like to make a motion to nominate anyone for vice president of the Southbend Community School
Corporation Board of Trustees? >> I'd nominate Carlos Leva. Okay. >> Don't name me. Okay. No. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> So, okay. Miss Lee made the nomination and uh
Marcus has seconded. Is any other nominations? If not, then Miss Hernandez, can you take the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Casillo, >> I. Miss Lee >> I >> Dr. Green >> I >> Mr. Leva
>> I >> Mr. Snedigi >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> abstain. >> Thank you. Congratulations Mr. Leva. Would someone like to make a motion to nominate anyone for secretary of the Southbank Community School Corporation Board of Trustees?
>> I recommend Kate Lee. >> Thank you. And uh I'll second it. >> Huh? and and I'll second that nomination. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other nominations? >> Mr. Hernandez, can you call the role,
please? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. >> Mr. Lea, >> I. >> Mr. Snedi, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> abstain. >> Mr. Hernandis, what was the final vote?
>> It was one a um six eyes. >> So for the 2026 school year, we now have our board officers. I will serve as president. Uh Mr. Lea will serve as vice president and Mrs. Lee will serve as secretary. We now come to the
appointment of the treasurer. Uh does anyone want to nominate someone for treasurer? >> I'll nominate um CFO, Mr. for um an F. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Very good. Um Mr. Seki is seconded. Dr.
McCulla is nominated. Uh Mr. Tamid, do we have any discussion? Any other nominations? Mr. Hernandez, could you call us call the role, please? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Cassillo, >> I.
>> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. >> Mr. Mr. Lea >> I >> Mr. Snediki >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> I >> so we have support for Mr. tummy. What a surprise. Congratulations.
>> So, we are uh this is uh item 6 point >> and do we have a nomination for a deputy treasurer? >> Yeah, I'd like to nominate Lanne >> Louisa. Louisa >> Louisa Bran. >> Yeah, Louisa Br. What are we doing? I'm sorry. What is this?
>> We have to also elect a >> a deputy treasurer. >> Okay. Because it's not on this agenda. That's why I'm asking. >> Yeah, that's what I noticed. >> Can I nominate Cummings? >> Stop it. >> And And what's the name? I'm sorry. What's the name that was was >> So, the first name was Mrs. Bran.
>> Branisa. Louisisa Br. >> Bran. Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Do we do we have a second? Second. >> Any other nominations? >> Miss Hernandez, can you call the role, please? >> Mr. Ellison,
>> I. >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. >> Mr. Lea, >> I >> Mr. Snedi, >> I >> Dr. McCulla. >> I unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Bren, and for
your excellent work. So, we are now on to the board's appointment of a legislative liaison. And I think this past year it was Mr. Leva. >> Yeah. Well, I'd like to nominate Kate Lee. >> Okay. >> Nominate what?
>> So, Mr. Leva has nominated Mrs. Lee as a legislative liaison to ISBA. ISBA. >> Oh, >> yeah. To the Indiana School Board Association. Sorry. Do you want a sec? >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Mr. Snide second it. Are there any other nominations? >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Mr. Ellison. >> I. >> Mr. Castello. >> I >> Miss Lee. >> I >> Dr. Green. >> I >> Mr. Lea. >> I >> Mr. Snedi. I
>> Dr. McCulla. >> I. >> Congratulations, Mrs. Lee. Uh, >> how do we play musical chairs? >> No, I think we can stay where we are and have the the regular meeting of the school board where we're seated if
that's okay. >> Excuse me, Mr. President. >> Yes, I know you're about to say what? >> Oh, item six. >> I know. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, it's been a year and it's been quite a year. Uh, I forgot to to uh uh
include item 6.01. 01. Uh so that includes the that's committee work and uh it it is recommended that the board of school trustees authorize the president to appoint board members to committees in various organizations. Uh
so the motion is do we have a motion to authorize the president to appoint board members to committees in various organizations? So you're just authorizing. Is there a motion? I'd like make the motion to authorize the president to appoint uh
board members to the various committees and organizations. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Dr. McCulla. >> A second was a tie >> Mr. >> Mr. Snideki. >> I talk a lot. >> Uh seconded. Uh so, um Mr. Hernandez, can you call
the role, please? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Dr. Green >> I >> Mr. Leva >> I >> Mr. Snedi >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> I
>> so uh I'm thinking about last year's discussion which will hold this time and the appointments will be made within by the time of our next school board meeting if that's satisfactory with the board. Okay by head nod I can see that there's
uh that's unanimous. So with that, uh, attorney Augustino, I assume I can now move to adjourn this meeting. Uh, so this brings us to the end of the organizational meeting. And with that, I will now adjourn the meeting and we will go into a regular meeting
shared by the new officers. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> I think I second it. Go ahead. >> I can second it. I guess we have to go around. >> You You can take a You can take a open
roll. >> You can take a vote from the floor on adjournment. >> Can we adjourn? >> All those in favor? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Sounds like we're going to adjourn. >> Okay. >> But we're not leaving. >> Don't worry. Everybody's like, "Wait a
minute. That was the quickest meeting I have ever been to." We had one quicker. >> We had what? Four minutes and >> sums. >> We had one quicker meeting. Four minutes and something, was it? >> Four minutes and something. So, we're going to sit where we are and continue
on to the or yeah to the uh to the regular meeting. Uh welcome everyone. Uh and good evening on this 12th day of January at the uh Southbend Community School Corporation Administration
building. Uh the board had a close session at 3:30 and uh as many of you since all of you have been here, I haven't seen anybody come in or leave. As you know, we've elected a new slate of officers at the organizational meeting that convened at
5:30. I'm now calling this meeting to order. Uh Mr. Hernandez, can you please call the role? >> Yes. Good afternoon. Mr. Marcus Ellison, >> present. >> Mr. Mark Costello, >> here. >> Dr. Janette McCulla, >> present. >> Mr. Bill Snediki,
>> here. >> Miss Kate Lee, >> here. >> Mr. Carlos Lea, >> present. >> Dr. Stuart Green, >> here. Uh, we have a quorum and we can now move to the adoption of the agenda. Uh, I'd
like to recommend that the board of school trustees adopt the agenda minus 9.08 >> 9 086 >> 9.06 >> I'm sorry 9.06 so we're adopting the
agenda but we're excluding 9.06. >> So move. >> So moved. Second by >> second. >> Thank you. Uh, Miss Hernandez, can you call the role, please? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Costello, >> I.
>> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Snicki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Leva, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Now it's time for recognitions and superintendent announcements. So, it's
over to you, Mr. Eid. Good evening, President Green, board members, members of the public. I put the announcement on a slideshow so we could go through them.
Um, we start with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. date proclamation which will be read by secretary. I didn't know who was going to be secretary that's why the question mark is up
>> whereas on this Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday we commemorate the 39th anniversary of the holiday recognizing one of America's greatest visionary leaders and we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King whereas a reluctant Dr. King stepped upon a national stage
during the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, a key moment in history that represented a new phase of the long struggle of the modern civil rights movement. Whereas he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with other civil rights activists in 1957 to coordinate and assist local
organizations working for the full equality of African-Americans almost a century after the US Senate had ratified the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. Whereas we embrace the man who shared his dream on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.
Whereas we embrace his tenacity in the face of much resistance to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in 1964 and 1965. Whereas his bold leadership and prophetic eloquence has guided a nation toward a vision of a beloved community
united by core beliefs about justice, freedom, and basic civil and human rights. Whereas he traveled to Memphis to protect the rights and dignity of sanitation workers, really the dignity of all individuals, Dr. King argued in his final book, Where Do We Go From
Here: Chaos or Community for a Radical Transformation of Economic and Racial Structures. He understood that legislation alone could not address the economic inequality exacerbated by what he argued was an unjust war in Southeast Asia, or the persistent violence that erupted to resist desegregation in both
the North and the South. Whereas the anniversary of this federal holiday honoring Dr. King not only reminds us of how far we've come, but also where we need to go. Be it resolved that we commit ourselves to addressing today's challenges of division and strife with the same strength,
persistence, and determination exhibited by Dr. King, guided by the enduring values of hope and justice embodied by other civil rights leaders. Be it resolved that as educators we work to expand access to opportunity and structural inequalities and extend the
founding promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to every American. Be it resolved that as educators, we encourage young people to understand the legacy of Dr. King, the ongoing struggle to achieve equity, the importance of civic engagement, and work toward Dr. King King's dream of a beloved
community, a world built on compassion, mutual understanding, and transformative justice. Imagine a moral universe that bends toward justice and be it resolved that we all embrace Dr. King's vision that we all must take responsibility for
each other's well-being and that every day each of us can play a part in continuing this critical work. After all, as Dr. King reminds us, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We now face an inflection point in delivering on a promise too long deferred. And it's up to us
together to choose who we want to be and what we want to be. Finally, let it be resolved that we continually remind ourselves of Dr. King's profound words. Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential. Social action without
education is a weak expression of pure energy. Attested to this day, Monday, January 12th, 2026. Thank you, Miss Lee. And given that there will be no school on Monday, January 19th in observance of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Uh, next acknowledgement. Washington High School student Eli Young was the winner of the Lily Endowment Community Scholarship Award. Mr. Glorelchek as well as the Eli as well as Eli Young and
his family are with us tonight to elaborate on this. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Eid, Superintendent Eid, and the board of school trustees. Thank you for having us here this evening. And thank you to the colleagues in the city and the community
that is also here at this meeting. We have a student at Washington High School ranks at the top of his class. When I say the top of his class, he's in the top three of his class. He was nominated and qualified for the prestigious Eli Liy uh scholarship award. He was awarded
this award as were three other students in St. Joseph County. One of those students attends one of the Catholic schools in town, one of the C and the other two the county schools. This young man and his family represent the city of Southbend, the west side of South Bend
and Washington High School. This young man, Eli Young, is the son of Jason and Kelly Young. His plans right now are to attend Depal University
in Greencastle, Indiana, which has a special place in my heart as that's where my son is attending as a senior this year. As a plug for Depal University, um he currently host has a 4 0885 gradepoint average.
He is a state qualifier in the 4x1 relay for track. He will be back and hopefully with his teammates be back there again this year. He was also the quarterback on our football team. He was also the captain of our football team. He is also
the senior class president and he is very proudly represented here with his mother, his father and his grandfather here in the city at the school board meeting. I would like the board to recognize Mr. Eli Young and his many accomplishments for representing the
South Community School. That's awesome. Anyone hear that? We actually everybody very proud. >> I love it. I love it.
That was really nice, Bill. Next item is simply an announcement that this month is the school board appreciation month which is I I almost did not put that because it would be appropo of u
anyway let's skip uh we have over the last few months we created heat maps of the attendance from last year and this year simply for comparison reasons. I had mentioned once
before that I would be bringing these up regularly so that we could uh stay on top of the attendance and see how uh how we're doing uh in the
2425 school year. If you count the green days, these are the days where our attendance was over 90%. >> Uh we have 18 days the whole year over
90%. Uh this year we have semester 1 right here. Uh we have 54 green days over 90% in uh
December. Unfortunately, and I'm going to read a a statement that uh although we see a decline in the high8s range during late fall and early December of the school year, it's important to note that this decline was largely driven by
external factors, specifically inclement and disruptive weather conditions and widespread illness impacting multiple schools at the same time. Right. >> So, we had that flu, that nasty flu that affected not just Southbend schools but
schools throughout the region. Uh, and before we move on, I would like to make a statement with regard to uh
Senate Bill 248. I know that many in our community are concerned about proposed Senate Bill 248, which in its initial form would replace our elected board members with a board appointed by Indiana's Secretary of
Education. I can assure all that we went to work immediately upon receiving news of Senate B Senate Bill 248. As the board is aware, our school pays money to have a lobbyist available to us
to address educational issues and proposed legislation. I can tell you that communication with our lobbyist was non-stop over the weekend. In addition, our board attorney has also been active in communicating with
legislators fighting to keep an elected board in place. In addition, I had the opportunity to speak directly with Senator Rogers about this bill and to add context to our story, including our wide- ranging
successes over the last year. from saving mil saving millions of dollars to providing excellent payraises of to our teachers and other employees and turning the trajectory of our schools towards greater success.
I can report that Senator Rogers was very open-minded. She listened attentively and was impacted by our story. Since meeting with her on Saturday, continued work and communication has been occurring almost non-stop,
including several contacts earlier today. We expect changes to be forthcoming and we will keep you updated. But at a minimum, at least we have been able to be heard. We appreciate the opportunity to have met with Senator
Rogers. I expect that some of you tonight will talk about the Senate bill. I just encourage people to remain respectful and professional in the remarks. Thank
you. This concludes the superintendent's acknowledgement. >> Mr. President, can I make a s ask question? uh you were going to make a little thing about the raises in January 1st
and you were going to make it clear to all the public how that's going to work. >> Thank you for the reminder. U as you all know the board has approved moving Southbend to a $20 minimum an hour for
non-certified employees. uh as a you know minimum wage. Now we cannot simply go ahead and do that right away. We have to follow the order and
follow the contracts that were written agreed upon by both parties the employees the and the administration. And we have started by calling back the first contracted
unit which was the bus driver through ASME and Mr. Tamid anaf uh is uh actually on the agenda tonight is the bus driver's uh contract. We have reached out to the teamsters so
that we can have an an arrangement with them. Instead of going all the way to June, the contract ends in June. We want to call them back to the table and negotiate a 2 and 1/2 year contract instead of a 2-year contract in June and
make the the pay retro to January 1. uh we're doing this this in good faith with the support of the board and we are moving forward with that. This is simply to let you
know in case anybody has any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Eid. And um we now turn to 5.01. will um a hearing on the superintendent's contract. As many if not all of you know uh 9.14 the action
item 9.14 it is recommended that the board approve the superintendent contract but before that we need to have a hearing. So if there is anyone who would like to address the the board and the audience
here uh please approach the podium as you wish. You didn't need to sign up. >> Good evening, Mike McManis, 51940 Lilac Road. I have seen a great deal of progress and
stability over the past months. I think you made an extraordinarily wise choice in selecting Mr. as the superintendent of schools and I hope that as a body you approve his
contract. Thank you. Excuse me. Tim Applebee, 4106 Parkwood Circle, Mishaw Walka. Mr. Eid, Dr. Green, members of the Southbend Community School Board of
Trustees. I've been a certified English language arts teacher since 1985. I began my teaching career in New Orleans, Louisiana. In April of 2003, my family relocated to the Michigan
area. My first job was as a substitute teacher at Clay High School in May 2003 under Dr. Ruth Warren. Two of my children are products of the South Penn Community School Corporation.
I currently serve the corporation at Devar Middle School led by Dr. Geneva Adams. In 2011, Mr. Eid submitted my name for an English teaching position at Clay. I served under Mr. Eid until he left Clay
to join the South Bend central office administration in 2019. Under Mr. Eid's leadership, I thrived. He gave me confidence I might have lacked at that time. Soon, Mr. Reed gave me the opportunity
to become an AP teacher. His encouragement and support were relentless. In my opinion, his encouragement and support of our community is relentless. I can honestly say that I've known no
greater educational leader in my 40 years of teaching than Monsur Eid. He is a kind, compassionate, and wise man. He takes care of his teachers and staff and students and their families. He has been
a mentor and friend. Monsered is a humble man. He works tirelessly for the corporation. He does not dominate the media with dubious choices. As a language arts teacher, I appreciate that Mr. Eid has retained and
empowered my ELA support colleagues such as Regina Warren Ellison and Amy Carter. There is no doubt that I could maintain my own standards of excellence without individuals such as these.
Mr. Eid is worthy of every dollar and every benefit you might award him. >> 30 seconds. >> In his role as superintendent through June 30th, 2027. It is my opinion that you should approve this contract with superintendent Eid.
Finally, if you will permit, I am honored to be present tonight when the board recognizes Eli Young as the recipient of the Lily Endowment Community Scholarship. I taught Eli his junior year at Washington High School.
Like Mr. Eid, Eli represents what is best in Southp schools. >> Both deserve our appreciation and praise. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. Would anybody else like to speak
if? Yes, sir. Good evening. Jesus Pedrazza, principal of Edison K8. I've known Mr. Reid for about 20 years. Um Marissa Robles hired both of us and she had an eye for
finding leaders. Um during his years of service um Mr. Reid has shown that he's a hard worker, that he has integrity, and uh
I fully support him you extending his contract. um with some of the things going on right now with this Senate bill to I just wonder why right now. But I was say during during this
past year with him and this new board working together. Um Southbend's come a long way in the time he's been the leader. So please I implore you to go ahead and extend that contract. Um we have the right
person right here. Thank you. Good evening, Linda Lucy, proud president of NEA Southbend. And I just like to say uh we appreciate Mr. Eid. He is respectful.
He is humble as stated. He is kind. He's extremely intelligent and he has brought this corporation very far in a very short amount of time. So our teachers and I would like to say thank you and this board is doing the absolute right
thing. Thank you. >> Mr. E, do you need another hanky or something? I got excited. Hi, I'm Pam Wright. I teach at Darden Elementary. And I'd like to say something in regards to um I have not known him very long, only about a year
now, a little over a year. But I have never had such positive experiences with Southbend Schools. I've taught there since 2008, I believe it was and often think about leaving this corporation due to some of the
situations that happened. But since he's been in position, I have never been more proud to work for Southbend Schools and I appreciate everything you do. Thank you. >> Well, thank you everyone. If it's okay, we'll move on then to uh
5.02. We have the opportunity as always to hear from visitors in this case on action items 9.01 to 9.14 and as I mentioned with the exception of 9.06 that the board will vote on. Uh Mrs.
Lee, has anyone signed up to speak? >> Yes. >> And if so, can you remind us of the following? >> I can. >> Thank you. 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 9.14 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
items the item or items to Miss Hernandez after the meeting. So, we're skipping right to 9.1 and Paul Anastasis is the first person signed up. That is um approval of memorandum of understanding with the city of Southbend for Marshall
traditional school improvement project. So this is going to be for the 911U for Marshall Paul and Orange Road. Using my first amendment right what I say should not be held against me, my family or my co-workers. My concern is fiscal responsibility and double taxation. I support safe streets, safe sidewalks,
and safe access for community. Those goals are not in dispute. What is in dispute is who should pay for them. This agreement defines the work as a city project. The city controls the design, bidding, construction, inspection, and long-term maintenance. The improvements are lo located in the city street and
city rightaway and consist of core municipal infrastructures, road resurfacing, sidewalk, curb, and crosswalk. Despite that, the school corporation is being required to contribute $125,000 in school operating funds toward a city-owned and citycontrolled project. That is not a
partnership. It's a subsidy. And it results in the same t taxpayers paying twice for the same public improvement. Our residents already pay for the improvement through the taxes. Those same residents also fund the school corporation through their taxes and state education dollars. Routing money
through two separate budgets does not change the source. It shifts municipal cost into the education budget where they do not belong. School funds exist to support instruction, students, and school facilities. They are not intended to subsidize city projects that the city
otherwise would carry out in that neighborhood. So I have two questions then. First off is if the school corporation doesn't provide the 125, will the city still complete the job? If the answer was yes, then it means it's unnecessary and that uh we don't have to
worry about it. If the answer is no, then we must acknowledge that essential public safety improvements are being conditioned on school funding, a position that should concern every one of you board members. Second, if Marshall did not exist at this location and if it were simply a residential
neighborhood, would the city still perform these repairs? Here again, another question answer. If the question if the answer is yes, then school cannot be used to shift city responsibility onto the school corporation. If the answer is no, then we are setting a
precedence that schools are expected to pay extra for infrastructure that every other neighborhood receives as a basic municipal service. This is not an argument against safety. It is to set boundaries with municipal responsibilities and educational funding. If approved, it becomes far
more difficult to say no to similar requests in the future. I do not believe this agreement should move forward without either removing the school financial contribution or clearly justifying why school funds should be used to subsidize a city obligation.
>> 30 seconds. >> Thank you. I have a uh uh President Green, may I have a question? Is anyone here that can address his question? because I had a question about that as well and I think that would be I thought that would be double dipping as well. So, is anybody here prepared to answer
that question? >> Do that when we get >> or so or shall we pull it until we have further information about that? >> I can because it came before the redevelopment commission a couple times. >> Okay. >> City has continued and I I can agree with Mr. Nassis that the city should just pay for it. But the city has
insisted that part of Byron Drive, which is true, is owned by the school corporation uh and not by the city. The other parts of the project are our city- owned property, the tennis courts that they're talking about doing everything on Spring Hill Drive, the streets, but part of Byron is does belong to the
school corporation. So therefore, they want to have a school corporation contribution. Whether they would do it or not, I would just say that when it came before the redevelopment commission and the city was going to pay for 100% of it, they declined to pass that. Uh but they did agree to table it to see if
they could get some contribution from the school corporation for reconsideration and um then when it came back before them with the school corporation agreeing to I think at that time was actually kicking 150 now it's down to 125 but then they did agree to
uh approve it of course subject to our approval tonight and the city council approving the final aspect. Um, I think that while, you know, the city does improve sidewalks and things and they don't always necessarily get contributions from the other entity, it
is true the part of Byron is owned by the school corporation in terms of that part. Also, I think this is just a needed project. It's been needed for many, many years. Uh, and that it's worth the the amount that we're kicking in. The city's still paying for, I
think, 80% of it. uh the vast majority of what's going to be covered in order to do this uh that it would benefit the neighborhood as well, you know, the school directly indirectly, and that it's worth uh doing and paying for. But I would just say it doesn't seem like the city's necessarily willing to do it
since they declined to vote for it last time without some contribution. And so given the realities of that situation, I would recommend that we move forward, contribute the 125,000 in order to make it safer and better for you know the drop off and pick off of students and
that aspect to you know bring back those tennis courts that have been disrepair and not in use now to you know be restored for use for the school and for the community as a whole. So at this point we should probably return to that action item 9.1
one uh later in the meeting but I appreciate Is that address >> Mr. uh NS does that address your questions? >> Um my understanding is that it's kind of two parts. One will be removed and one will be repaired. I think the sidewalk part of the
sidewalk they determined on Byron Drive is owned by the would be the school's responsibility, the part that's front of the school and then the rest to the corner would be >> the city's responsibility. So it's just the part of the sidewalk of Byron that's >> so >> so >> I'm sorry. So does this sidewalk I'm
trying to familiarize myself with this with the school. Does the sidewalk go down on the side of of the school? >> We Okay. So, >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry. >> Go ahead. >> I just gonna I see that Miss Kissum's here. Kiss's here.
>> She has signed up to speak. >> And she's become like our resident expert. >> She's the neighbor. >> She's the neighbor. >> Good evening, Mr. 4022 Kennedy Drive. Um, yes, I have been pushing for these
sidewalks to be replaced for five years now. Five. Uh, the city has stalled me. ignored me. Um, all of you, if you look at your email, actually, I sent pictures. >> Yeah, you did. >> Uh, so if you want to pull up that map,
you'll see that the sidewalk directly in front of Marshall also needs to be replaced. >> Um, there's no curb. The buses and the cars go up on the sidewalk and are crushing it. It's basic, they're basically disintegrated. So, if you look
at those pictures, hopefully you guys that um the end where the tennis courts are and then down Springbrook, the the cars line up to drop off and pick up their students again. Um they feel that
the street is too narrow, so they pull up onto the sidewalk, crushing it. Um so, it is a school issue by way of them being on the sidewalks where they shouldn't by ordinance. Um, I do appreciate that you're willing to work
with the city and resolve this after five years and the sidewalks are very unsafe. Um, I thought and I had a question was 125,000 for the sidewalk directly in front of Marshall School and that I don't know. Um but if you pull up
the map I maybe >> what we are paying for is basically on school property. That's >> okay. >> That that was the way it was explained and that's the way we understood. And as
far as the cars getting onto this onto the curb, there's going to be a 6 in curve after it this is all said and done and no car is going to be able to get up that high on that curve.
>> That that'll be great because these are small elementary kids and my concern is cars and sidewalks and kids are not a good combination. Um, as for the park part, um, I was hoping they'd put one of those tennis courts as a pickle ball court and maybe put a dog park towards
the north end, but I wishful thinking. I would just be thrilled if you guys work together and get the sidewalks done and maybe move the center line over so that the parents have more room to get in and out of the uh, cars with their kids. So,
thank you so much. >> So, let me be clear. I I'm not opposing getting the sidewalks done. What my question is, I'm I'm listening to Mr. Mr. uh Anastasis. I want to just make sure we're not paying for something that the city should be paying for. So, Mr.
Ellison explain that situation. So, I'm I'm for repairing the sidewalk if that's part of our duty to do that. So, I'm not opposed to any of that. I just wanted to make sure I was clear on what we were doing. and and I'm just as unclear as you are as to which section of sidewalk.
So I I'd love to know too, but um I sure hope we can get it done this year after five years because Mr. Anassis always brings up some good points and I want to make sure his questions were answered. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Well, you know, as a citizen, you don't
care who does it as long as it gets done. with us as a board here. The city is responsible for the sidewalk and shouldn't come out of school corporation money.
You know, the mayor needs to put his money, not come take it out of the school corporation money. We got other things we got to do for our kids and this corporation. It's a hit. I worked for city for 22 years. You have a
guy out there that uh was was part of the sewer and everything else uh built young Eli's grandfather that has about 40 years with the corp city that always is their utilities are in there. That is the city's responsibility and I won't
vote to for this corporation to put our kids money explain to that to Dr. Roger or Rogers who's who's trying to why are we giving the city the money when it's their responsibility?
Mayor got tax money just like we got tax money to do exactly that same thing. >> So we can >> I would suggest maybe there's some tiff funds available. Um the pathways to schools doesn't work because it's not a in a poor neighborhood. We did explore
that. >> Thank you for your >> Thank you very much, Mr. Mr. President. >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. >> I I just wanted to point out on this particular thing, the agreement that's been submitted by the city has been returned by us with a couple modifications
uh to include some timeline on completion. So that it's not open-ended contribution to the cost. If they have it has to be completed by a certain date or we would get our money back. Uh and the second condition uh is that if
there's any damage done to our property that's along that that that would be repaired back to its prework state. So there are a couple additional conditions. So if the matter is considered later on that it' be subject to those conditions.
>> They're eliminating the tennis courts that belong to the neighborhood. >> I'm not >> I heard that was in that proposal. >> I'm not aware of that. If if we can >> there are like two tennis courts. One will be restored and one will be
removed. >> The city again. >> Let's let's come back to that one when we >> city don't have should have no decision on whether we eliminate okay our neighborhood tennis courts. >> Well, those tennis courts are owned by the city. So that's
>> and if you're on advisory board there, you shouldn't be given uh school corporation money advising them to take school corporation money out of our budget. >> I'd like with your permission to move on to the remainder of our public comments.
>> We're moving on to a comment on 9.12. Paulastice, >> come on down. I've missed this. Paul asked this orange road using my first amendment right what I say should not be held against me my family or my co-workers I'd like to address the proposedou for the use of the gymnasium
and adjacent restroom warren elementary a building that has been closed for over a year as writtenou establishes a rental rate of $500 per month and states that there is to be no cost to the school corporation with utilities and operational responsibilities assigned to
the user. I believe it is important for the board to clearly understand how that language aligns with the actual condition and timeline at this facility. This building is served by a private well and septic system and has been dormant for an extended period.
Facilities in that condition typically require recommissioning steps prior to public occupancy, including plumbing flush testing, uh, water testing, septic evaluation, and HVAC system checks. While the addendum addresses drinking water available in the participant
waiver, theou does not document whether these preparatory steps were completed, when they occurred, or whose expense. I would also respectfully note that theou lists a commencement date of January 7th of 26 while the board meeting scheduled
to approve this agreement occurs today, January 12th. So that timing raises a reasonable question as to whether any of the preparatory or alterations may have been occurred prior to the formal board approval. In that same context, it has
come to my attention that prior to this agreement, there may have been increased activity at this site. I want to be clear that I am not making accusations. However, the board can only exercise its oversight role if all relevant information is fully disclosed. It may
be appropriate for the board to ask whether any facility alteration, upgrades, or preparatory work were done and completed in advance of the approval and whether the terms of this agreement accurately reflect those actions. My intent in raising these points is not to
question individual decision, but to ensure that the board is not placed in a position of appro approving an agreement without full visibility into the sequence of events. any work performed or any district resources that may have been involved. Finally, I believe it is approved for appropriate for the board
to consider whether a $500 monthly rental rate reflects a true operating value and risk associated with reopening a closed school facility. I respectfully ask that these questions be clarified and documented prior to your vote so the board can make a full fully informed
decision and so that similar agreements are handled consistently and transparently in the future. And you guys all did get the handout that I gave. It was kind of like just a just an off-the- cuff cost comparison for the uh
rental of a of a commercial space. So you guys can look at it and see. >> Thank you. And for 9.14, we have Tim Applebee. I don't know if you covered everything. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. That concludes those that are
signed up for action agenda items. Well, and under 6.01, as you all know, we also invite comments on other items uh that are not on the agenda and some of you are quite accustomed to
coming to the podium. So, welcome and happy new year, by the way. >> Happy New Year and congratulations to all of you. Um you have shown that democracy works. Over the year, this school board came together. You focused on the students
needs and you provided for the students needs. You selected an excellent superintendent. You provided raises to the teachers which were desperately needed. You have focused your attention on the classroom and the education of
our students. That's democracy in action. Now, a heinous, pernitious bill has been introduced into the Indiana government in Indiana that would take away democracy. I stand before you as a
citizen and a taxpayer who is not going to allow that to happen. This bill, if you read it carefully, is is awful on several levels. First, Indiana law allows for citizens to petition and have
it voted on for a change in the composition of a school board. This bill specifically and for the Southbend school community school board prohibits that. It prohibits us as citizens from
doing what we are entitled to do by state law. Second, even though they don't they do what they do as as a way to avoid calling attention to it, they want to deny the citizens the right to
vote for the school board, but at the same time they insist on in this bill that we the taxpayers pay for it. That's in here. I don't know if everybody realizes that. I don't have anything against the specific uh nine or 10
designated groups, but how is it that their word, their vote is more important than all of us in this room as citizens? These people are all they all say
they're in favor of parental rights, but they don't want any of the parents in this room to be able to vote for the school board for their children's education. That is not democracy. That
is not right. That should not be allowed. So I hope that you will fight this vigorously and please know that you will have >> 30 seconds >> my support in whatever way I can assist
you and I'm confident that you have the support of all of these people in this room and a lot more in this community who want to be able to exercise our democratic right to select who runs our
schools. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> SAS 4022 Kennedy Drive. Taking away our vote is not reform. It's disenfranchisement. It concentrates power in the hands of a
few political appointees and undermines the community's right to direct its own schools. This bill removes the most fundamental rights in a democracy, the right of local parents and taxpayers to elect those who govern their public
schools. Not people who may not live here, may not have children in our schools, and may not have financial interests that conflict with the needs of our students. like selling Clay High School to Mr. Garatony for $1.
This is a larger pattern. The state already eliminated the elected board of trustees at Indiana University, replacing it with political appointees from a single party with an agenda that is hostile to public education.
Now having consolidated power at the university level, the state is moving downward to target our K12 schools. This bill is part of a broader effort to remove public oversight from public education.
Southbend is finally turning the corner under new leadership for the first time in years. A full and independent ini indiv instigation has exposed wrongdoing. Our new CFO has added internal controls and made financial
reforms. Finances are publicly voted on. Why would the state seek to remove local control right when transparency is being restored? Grades have improved and in multiple areas our schools outperform charter
schools. If academic outcomes are the justification for an appointed board, the evidence does not support the claim. When Indiana expanded vouchers and school choice, enrollment dropped across public districts statewide. The state
created the conditions and now they are using those conditions to seize local control. Meanwhile, charter schools are selected by private operators or management companies, not by voters. If the state believes appointed boards are so
superior, why are charters exempt? The answer is simple. This bill benefits private interests, not public governance. Southbend had an Southbend had an appointed board until
1987 when the public overwhelmingly voted for an elected board. That choice is grounded in American values. Local voice, local accountability, and control over public assets.
Decisions about Southbend children should be made by Southbend families, not political appointees in Indianapolis. Three minutes are up. Public schools belong to the public. >> Good evening. My name is Nan McCartney.
I live at 6845 Macki Court, South Bin, Indiana. And I'm a proud teacher at Edison Middle School at Edison K8. Tonight, I wish to express my gratitude to each of you for choosing to be a participant rather than an observer. For
whatever the reason, you saw a need and made the commitment to use your time, talents, and ability to be the change you wish to see in our learning community. While I am not here to speak ill of those who sat in your seats before you,
I can confidently tell you that you are making a difference. I say this with such certainty because I have been a part of this school community for practically my entire life as a student, a parent, and an educator.
I have seen the pendulum swing as superintendent and boards have come and gone. rarely leaving us in the place we find ourselves in today. Teacher morale has improved and student achievement is making steady progress.
It takes courage and conviction to not only promise change but to actually deliver it. While we can't change the past, your vision and actions have ensured that we will not repeat these same mistakes in the future. to this
board. Thank you for seeing the potential in superintendent Eid and sir, thank you for answering the call and and demonstrating what true real leadership can and should look like. I share these
sentiments with you not only out of appreciation but also to serve as a rallying call to all those who are listening and watching watching this meeting. currently a group of state senators of which only one
only one represents a single township that is a part of our school district. Clay Linda Rogers should be ashamed of herself. She has proposed a bill that has been
fast-tracked to go into place by April 2026 and would require the Southman Community School Board to be appointed by the Secretary of Education and that our current board who is amazing >> 30 seconds >> would be designated
to an advisory role. I close in saying that I urge the voters of this community who elected these schoolboard members to join me in telling those representing us in the state legis legislature that we the people of Southbend should be the ones who choose the trustees of our
school district not the secretary of education. Educational policy should not be made by those who do not have a direct connection to the participants and leaders in this work. >> Thank you for my time. >> Thank you. Hello friends. My name is Jason Critlo.
Uh I live at 221 Marquette here in South Bend and I'm honored to serve our community as the Portage Township Trustee. I'm also a proud Washington Panther. I'm the proud parent of two Southbend school children
and I am the coach of the best middle school cross country team this school system has ever seen. And I'm here today because I also oppose Senate Bill 248, a bill that will take away the rights of parents to choose who leads our school districts. Now, I do
believe I do believe there are some structural changes. There are things that we can do that will help strengthen our schools, strengthen the relationship we have between the community and our schools. But this bill is certainly not that. This bill is nothing more than a corporate hostile takeover of our school
system, designed to remove our ability to choose who our leaders will be, remove our ability to have a choice. So my message to those who suddenly come out of the woodwork and say they want to help and support Southpend schools, my message to them is where have you been?
>> Okay, as Porters Township trustee, I can't tell you how many times a teacher or administrator has contacted me and said, "Jason, can you help me? I have a struggling family. I have a struggling child that's not getting enough food. There is a family who can't make rent.
They're having a hard time keeping their heat on. I get these calls every single week and it's because we know that our educators are not just educators in this community. They have to wear a lot of hats and they do this because they care.
They do it because they know that a child who is struggling at home cannot focus on education. They do it because they love our kids. So if the Indiana State government really wants to help South Bend schools, help us with the things that actually matter. 40% of our
residents don't make enough money to keep up with expenses. That's a problem. Help us with the fact that housing, food, utilities, medical costs have gone up 30 to 50% over the last 5 years, while income has only gone up 10%.
Instead of cutting funding to our public schools and attacking our teachers, instead of cutting $4 million from our local health department, which they just did, instead of threatening to put our librarians in jail because they don't like the type of books that are on their
shelves like they just did, instead of focusing on changing district lines so that their friends can get elected, which is what they just did. This is not about our children. As someone is fond of saying, "Don't pee on my shoes and
tell me it's raining." This is about control. This is about power. I ask that we all join together as a community and we stand up and oppose this dangerous bill. Thank you. My name is Gabriana Gratzel. I live at
1638 Garden Street in Elcart. Um, you might be wondering why someone from Elcart is here to talk about this. But if this sets such a dangerous precedence that I am afraid that if they succeed in doing this here, it could have
consequences in other communities. To see the progress being made in the Southbend schools is encouraging and inspiring. To see it flourish under the current leadership is incredible. And others would be wise to look at what you're
doing and follow suit. All of this begs the question of why. Why are legislators trying to replace you with appointees? This bill would take away our community's voice and remove the power
to choose who we want to be making decisions about our schools. And make no mistake about who they want to be making those decisions. The majority of the members of the advisory board responsible for nominating appointees will be from special interest groups
that have nothing to do with education. Many won't even be from within the school district. Several of them like the Chamber of Commerce, the Homebuilders Association of St. Joseph Valley, and the Southbend Area Realators Association of South Bend
are groups that Senator Rogers and other senators have deep ties to. One question we should be asking is why now? Why in the year after the state legislators voted to make school boards partisan?
Why in a school district whose minority enrollment is 70%. Why after the attempted purchase of Clay High School by Larry Garatony was blocked? When faced with these questions, I try to look at where the
money is going. Guaraton is one of Senator Rogers top donors. One of her other top donors is the Hooers for Quality Education Pack, a pack that is intentionally named to mislead contributors.
It pushes for the creation of charter schools at the expense of public schools. I am so glad to hear that Senator Rogers was receptive to your conversation and it is my sincere hope that she acts on that.
>> 30 seconds. I hope this bill dies and stays dead. I hope that she demonstrates that she is not willing to sell our schools, our minority communities, our teachers, and our children's futures to the highest
bidder. Thank you for the privilege of speaking and I stand in strong opposition to this bill and I stand in solidarity with everyone who is democratically elected to be running this school system. Trina Robinson, 914, Lincoln Way West,
NAACP president. Um, the last speaker had questions as to why. And one of the things that we failed to understand that this is part of project 2025. Um, we seem to think that it was so outlandish some of the things that were
in there, but it is fulfilling its promise. We also want to know why they attack the communities that are um minority driven, those corporations that are minority driven. And then we have to
sit back and wonder why. Now, I'm I'm really trying to be careful how I say this. Um I think the reason why is because they found this board to be very vulnerable.
Um it is no secret that at times it has been nothing short of a circus. And I think that it's time because we have been faced with this situation that if never before this board stand united
and act as if they are adults who have the best interest of all children at at heart and put aside personal agendas and be able to agree to disagree in a respectful way.
It frightens me that they want to go to an an appointed board because as you guys all know the consent decree is a big component of ours that we are really really concerned about. And when you
start putting individuals that have personal interest and have no clue as to the dynamics and what that consent decree depends on. It is quite frightening. It also frightened me when I read what our Chamber of Commerce
president had to say. And I just want to let him know that when he said that Misha Walker High School um was an an elected an appointed board and that worked really well. Well, I just want to let him know that you cannot compare an
apple to an orange when you're talking about the South Ben Community School Corporation and Nishawaka School District. Thank you. Good evening. Welcome back, Dr. Green. Thank you, Dr. McCulla.
Good evening. I'm Betty from South Bin, Indiana. I selected myself to give the state of the district. A year has passed since the new administration began governing our corporation.
This month, it has been 10 years of my fighting of unfair treatment, nepotism, racism, and personnel misunderstanding which it still exists today. I'm here
today to reflect on the current state of our district and the performance of leadership, not just one. I'm from the other side of the street. I didn't get the benefits that you guys did. I wasn't
even able to go to Christmas parties. So, please understand what I'm saying. I am deeply disturbed concern of the past year
with the continuency of deceptive practice including condolence condoling illegal operations and improper documents that has been given to the board and the
superended dependent. This is not about policy. This is about illegal activities. Now, one of them, friends, is under
investigation. She has done many illegal activities, but it was announced last week they gave her a promotion.
I was accused of making the school corporation lose $25 million. I was sabotaged by many amen administrators, some that
are here right now. So when I got put on >> 30 seconds, >> I had five five administrative leave unfounded. Now it's still nothing but trouble,
trouble, trouble, trouble. Like I said, I'm not one of you guys that have the advantage to go to Christmas parties. That didn't happen here with me because of corruption. Corruption.
Corruption and no integrity. >> Three minutes are up. >> Thank you guys very much. following asks orange road using my first amendment right what I say should not I be held against me my family or
co-workers statement is about governance accountability and who public schools ultimately serve Senate bill 248 would replace an elected school board with an appointed one that is not a minor um administrative ative change. It is a fundamental shift of power away from
voters and towards appointed authorities who do not answer directly to the community. Salin school has faced serious challenges over the last several years. Leadership instability, enrollment decline, school closures, and public controversy. But instability should never be used as a justification
to remove democratic control. I want to share one local example that helps explain my concern. About a a year or two ago, an organized group of community members requested a meeting with the state senator Linda Rogers while she was in South Bend. Meeting took place
privately. The group raised concerns about academic grading and performance issues within the district. To my knowledge, those concerns were never meaningfully investigated, followed up by the public on followed up on the publicly or addressed through transparent collaboration with the
district or the community. This statement matters. It shows how decisions and discussions in this in the future will occur without public accountability or visible outcomes. I also want to note that for several years there have been strong pressure from regional businesses and other
organizations to push their agendas within Southbend School. This should never be allowed. When governance shifts from voter to appointed board, education policy can become more aligned with business and development goals than with the classroom realities and community priorities. When boards are elected,
they answer to the parent, neighborhood, school employees, and taxpayer. When boards are appointed, accountability shifts upward towards appointing authority, state priorities, and outside interests. That change affects how decisions are made about school buildings, long-term contracts, and the
future direction of the public education. This proposal does not fix dysfunction. It permanently reallocates authority to a structure in which none of the nominating entities are elected by Southbend school voters and the average taxpayer will have no guaranteed
seat at the table. If the goal is to improve, then there are better tools available, stronger transparency, board training, fiscal oversight, and meaningful community engagement. Eliminating election should be the last option, not the first. Public schools
are civic institutions. They belong to the people who live here, work here, and send their children here. I believe we strengthen schools by improving democracy, not by removing it. So for these reasons, I respectfully oppose Senate Bill 248.
Kathleen Anastasis 51680 Orange Road. I'm using my First Amendment right and what I say should not be held against me or my family. I am in opposition of Indiana bill 248 which would replace our elected school board with a stateapp appointed board. reducing our current
current board to an advisory role in transferring power to the state starting July 1. I oppose this bill because it removes local control and undermines the fundamental right of this community to elect who governs our public schools.
The challenges cited to justify this bill. Declining enrollment, underutilized buildings and properties, below average academic performance and budgetary imbalance are not new. These in issues have been existed for more than seven years. Seven years ago, the
state came in and intervened and the corporation complied with the directives it was given. The state said nothing and sent them packing. Since our new administration, we have begun making meaningful meaningful progress. We are working to regain community trust,
stabilizing our finances, trying to increase enrollment, increasing pay to attract new and keep existing workers. These are not quick fixes, but they are measurable steps in the right direction. So, how long does the state feel that it will take for them to fix Southbend
schools? We are making a difference and it deserves time to take hold. So the question must be asked now why why at the very important moment in progress where progress is underway is drastic
step being proposed. An appointed school board selected by government and private entities would not be accountable to this community and would not fully understand our students, our families or priorities. Local governance exists precisely because those closest to the
schools are best equipped to make informed decisions. I asked the author of this bill, why are you targeting South Bin schools, and why do you support charter schools? Charters divert resources, fragment accountability, and
weakens public school systems. For this reason, I do not support charter schools. Bill 248 does not strengthen education. It weakens democracy and removes the voices of voters at the very moment their schools are beginning to
stabilize. We ask for time and trust. We hope the state will allow >> 30 seconds >> us the opportunity to continue this work because real progress requires patience, partnership, respect for local communities. And for the record, we are
not going back to a Cummings era. Good evening. I apologize. I wasn't aware of all of your interactions this weekend, so some of this may be a little repetitive, but I come before you tonight not just as a taxpayer, but as someone who believes in our public schools and community. I'm here because
Senate Bill 248 threatens something fundamental. I'm sorry, Jessica Hoover, file court. >> Sorry. Um, so anyways, um, yes, I believe it threatens something fundamental in Southbend, the right of our citizens to have a voice in how our
schools are governed. The bill would strip our community of the ability to elect our own school board and replace it with an appointed board. That is not reform. That is removal of representation. That is taking power away from parents, educators, and taxpayers and placing it into the hands of people who may never step foot in our
schools or understand our students needs. These are not abstract decisions. These decisions affect real children, real families, real educators who show up for work every day and give their hearts. These are our schools. This is our community. We pay for these schools.
We raise children in them and we live with the consequences of the decisions made about them. We should never be told that our voices no longer matter. I also want to make an urgent call to action to the South School, the staff across all departments and positions. You are not
just employees. You are citizens of South Ben. your parents, neighbors, family members, and advocates for our children. Your voices matter, and now is the time to use them. If we do not stand up now, we may lose our voice entirely. And once local control is gone, it is incredibly difficult, sometimes
impossible, to get back. This bill could be deeply detrimental to our students, our community, and the future of this corporation. I am urging everyone, most importantly all of our Southbend Community School Corporation families listening, watching, or here tonight and everyone who cares about real public
education in South Bend to take action. Please go to the state house on Wednesday if you can. If you cannot attend in person, please call and email your senators and legislators, flood their voicemails, feel fill their inboxes, tell them clearly and firmly to oppose Senate Bill 248. This is a
defining moment. This is about democracy, accountability, and trust in a community to govern its own schools. If we believe in our children, if we believe in our educators, and if we believe in Southbend, then we must speak up together before this decision is made
for us. Um, we must work as a whole to defeat this bill. Thank you. And I also want to say thank you to Superintendent Eid for everything you've done for the district, the school board for voting on the teachers contract. I never formally got to come up here yet, and thank you for that. It's much appreciated. um and
Mr. Eid along with um the school board and your great leadership team that you have in the administration building. Um thank you. I think we're moving in the right direction. So, thank you. John Pachznney, Superintendent E. Members of our elected school board,
John Pachznney of Clay Township. When an individual turns 18, they have the fundamental right to vote. Back when we were fighting to keep Clay High open, Senator Rogers at a group meeting of taxpayers said, "If you want
to change the board, you do it by voting." The public did. And those of you who joined last year know now she is trying to take away that right to vote. Can I say hypocrite? Senator Rogers says Southin schools have
faced financial and academic issues and current approaches have not resolved these issues. Is she talking about 2025 or 2020 to 2024? This is misleading. I have heard from constituent educators and community
leaders who have stressed the need to correct these issues. Again, what time frame? Who are these people and why don't they want Southbend schools to exist? Let's be real. Those of us who have followed corporation meetings for
any extended period of time know that Senator Rogers and Infran is in bed with the charters, especially the big one here in town, the chamber and the mayor. They don't want Southbend schools to succeed. They have their own plan. They
showed their two colors when they showed up to support the prior superintendent. We have a superintendent in place who understands the issues that need to be addressed. A CFO who found millions of waste and cut it. Gave teachers record
salaries. Graduation rates up. Literacy team working on literacy. Number of schools students leaving has declined. This is all progress. But those in favor don't want to see or hear progress. They want Southbend schools to go away. Move
the charters in. Could it be maybe word has leaked about where the clay building may end up? Any day now, the judge should issue his final decision. Could it be something that she's trying to flip? What about the state board of accounts? Does she have her hands in
that? Wyatt hasn't been released that there's a lot of fishiness here. Did we not have an appointed school board years ago? Did they not neglect Lynden, Kaylee, Harrison, Kofax, and Miso? We do not need a board ignoring certain parts
of this corporation or its citizens. >> In essence, this is about getting the people who share her vision of education through charters and destroy traditional public schools. Why does the chamber, the mayor, and the business community
maybe offer to build a CTE center or better yet join and partner with South Schools to make it better? Just remember those who choose, Senator Rogers and the mayor are up for election next year. People can speak louder at the ballot
box than they can at a microphone. >> Good evening, Linda Lucy. Uh 18671 Beachway, South Bend, Indiana. the proud mother of two Southbend graduates and a taxpayer in the Clay Township. Uh, I'd like to say first of all, we
need to applaud the school board and our current administration. Both have worked hard to address and correct the many wrongs they inherited one year ago. They have been working to write this big Southbend ship. Apparently, Arizona got
smart a little faster than the prior board. All the efforts and collaboration are con succeeding. If anyone wants to look at this data and the positives you all have made happen, this awesome superintendent, our extraordinary CFO,
and this school board have helped grow a positive climate in our schools and in our community. Working with this school board and administration, our teachers and staff in all of our schools are making a positive difference. One can feel the positive environment in all of
our buildings. Teachers and administrators are working collaboratively together. Test scores are improving. Somewhere along the line in the community, I've heard maybe the chamber, maybe the business
area, the word dysfunctional. Well, if the if the progress you've all made is dysfunctional, somebody needs to redirect their their definition. This is the most functional board I have
seen in a long time. In any case, Senate Bill 24 2848 is not the answer to helping us in this local community in the South Bend schools. Senate Bill 248 should be withdrawn.
Senate Bill 248 is an affront to the taxpayers of the South Ben Community School Corporation who should be allowed to elect their own representatives. Someone recently suggested maybe they are trying to use Southland as a test
pilot situation. We don't know. Maybe they should try to initiate this power grab test pilot in a suburban school corporation. Just think about that. No, no, no community or school district
should be subjected to this proposed legislation, Senate Bill 248. No s citizen should be placed in jeopardy of losing individual local rights to vote. Outside business interests and
politicians should not be deciding the direction of Southbend Community School Corporation. We know who they are. I remember when many individuals flooded this very room in support of the previous administration and school board. We haven't seen those people
lately, but is it possible they're working behind the scenes to appoint a school board? Meanwhile, this school board would be assigned to the cheap seats with no voting status.
Think about that. Kids instability. We all live through the zone which the state funded exorbitantly. What was the point in that? The state had complete control. The state funded it in excess. And it
failed, leaving this board and South Bend schools with a $5 million deficit. Uh by the way that board was appointed and most of those people were business people. Let's also come to note that the state
uh secretary of education is appointed. This all doesn't look good. While you all have been working and proving that we're doing better and on an upward path, people have been working behind everyone's back to sabotage all of us.
We don't want to go back and we thank you for everything you've done. Also, in addition, a little history. As soon as Dr. McCulla was seated on the school board through the election process, she began asking for a forensic audit. She repeated that motion and it
was denied for many years. Her requests were denied by the prior school board with votes of one six no pass rule. Oh, generally it was one6 no pass rule until Mr. Costello joined the school board and
the votes were 25 usually a 25 for too many years. Well, my goodness, how did that happen? By the way, it is important to note Dr. McCulla and Mr. Costello are
professional educators with a doctorate degree and a superintendent's license with experience respectively. for the perseverance and bravery of the individuals serving on this board who demand and continue to do the right things.
Thank you. We say thank you. Should we talk about referendum money uh from the prior administration and how it was spent because it was not spent as promised and published in the South End Tribune before it was passed.
Many of the individuals supporting that bill also helped uh also passed the referendum also helped. Where was the state accountability when several AFAS were filed along with letters of concern? There were no responses from the state
to many issues and concerns brought before them formally and informally. Where is the state audit? This board bravely hired two professional investigators as soon as they were seated working
alongside and apart from the state audit. Until the light has been shown on both those reports, there should not be any discussion about anything but how well you are all doing, not unseeding you.
There is no compromise middle ground here. This was a sneaky wellplanned shot across the bow of the South Bend School Corporation working hard to write itself. This bill was dropped in a short short session when no one saw it coming.
A short timeline to organize opposition. It's really really quite uh >> 30 seconds >> discouraging. In closing, I'll say this school board, this administration,
and our teachers and staff will go on collaborating, continuing on an upward path, and working to educate all students who enter our doors every day, hoping that our uh our requests for working together and and having state
support will be answered, not in the form of a of an appointed board. If lawmakers want better outcomes for students, educators should be partners in that work. Real improvement comes from collaboration, support, and listening to the community, not from
removing local voice. Every taxpayer in the South Bend community must retain the right to elect their school board members. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Kevin Hawkins,
1809 Corby Boulevard. I don't have any prepared remarks. Um, but I will tell you folks here that don't know me, uh, we have a family foundation and we've been a community partner with Kquillard School for the last eight and a half
years. Um, my experience over these eight years has largely been frustrating until this last board and superintendent.
Um, what I see is that you're working to create a culture of accountability and continuity so there's consistency for the children. And I think
we lose sight of what we're here for. We're here for our children. And excuse me, I'm going to get emotional. Because you realize our children need to learn
how to read and know how to read. They need to have food and not be hungry. They need to have programming after school so they're not there with latch keys.
I think this heenous bill is an important wakeup call for our community because we've been very divisive. And this is an opportunity
for us not to complain but to galvanize and to be more than we have been. It's vital. So yes, exercise your democratic rights,
speak to your representatives, go to the state house, but we all know this breaks our heart. So what I I'm going to say is even more. Don't just come here. >> Be at the school.
Come to the meeting. Go to the town halls. Do something. and encourage your neighbors to get involved. I do not have a child in this district, in this community. >> 30 seconds.
>> But I love the children just cuz they're breathing and they deserve our best. So, let's give them our best and let's show Linda Rogers and the other people
that we are a united community and we can galvanize and we can do better for our children than anyone they could possibly think about appointing. Thank you for your time. Good evening. My name is Jennifer Fox,
18247 Westover Drive. I want to talk about the proposed Senate Bill 248. As I understand it, it was co-written by Senator Linda Rogers and would allow for nine individuals to be nominated by various community leaders for the Secretary of Education, Katie Jenner, to
appoint to our board and make decisions about our schools and our children. The funny thing about this for me is that I have emailed both of these women in the past asking, begging for help. Three years ago, when my son was going to be uprooted from Clay High School, I sent a
list of issues to them and never received a reply. If they appoint a board, will they reply when people of this community reach out with concerns? I doubt it. SBCST has room for improvement. No one denies that. But the government officials who
wrote this bill are denying that we have had improvement. 2025 things changed. Money is being used to give raises instead of to pay for outsourcing. Transportation is being overhauled. We've had fewer students leave than we've seen in years. And some families
even came back. Now, after huge strides in the right direction, they want to appoint a board and take away our voice and our right to vote. I can't wrap my head around that. When I didn't see eye to eye with the previous board and the superintendent, I moved my kids. It was that simple. But
that is the beauty of voting. In 2024, I voted and supported people I thought would bring change to the district. And I feel this year is a great start. And that is why I reenrolled my son in SBCSC. Thank you all for the work you have done. I appreciate you. I support you.
And I don't want to see you go anywhere. Thank you. My name is Deborah Riley. I live at 430 West Angela Boulevard in South Bend, Indiana. I'm a retired teacher of South Bend Community School Corporation. So, I've seen I've been here long enough to
see all kinds of chaos. I will say uh I have since I've retired I've substituted in Southbend and for a while I was the second building sub at nuner but you can only have one now so I'm back in the pool but in the last s
since um Mr. Eid took over we've had a couple of very significant issues that occurred at nuner and the very next day Mr. Eid was in our school talking to
administrators, getting the entire story. I have never in the entire time I taught or have subbed have ever seen Mr. our previous
superintendent, won't name names, um, come to a building for anything significant, maybe to show up for a media event, to get some attention at a program or something such as that, but
not really to face any significant issue. Mr. Reid acts just like President Truman did. The buck stops here. We are not going to find that in an
appointed board. He before I think many of our board members weren't getting correct information. They are now getting honesty and transparency. Our new CFO has not only uncovered all
kinds of issues, has somehow managed to find money to give the teachers the raises that they have deserved for years. Where was that money?
Oh, maybe put in for the new furniture that we threw everything away and bought all new furniture for this building, things like that. We have people that are working to solve the issues. And I realize there are myriad of them.
But we've got honesty, transparency, and we are finally working. Not just staff, >> but the teachers, administrators, the community. We are all working together
to make this corporation successful. And Senator Rogers has no right to take that opportunity away from us. Well, thank you everyone. Uh, I think you've made it pretty clear what you think.
And John, you worried me there for a while. I didn't think you were coming up. >> Okay. >> Okay. Then we'll move on to uh the academic focus and tonight uh
Mr. Darice Austin Phillips will talk about the educational flexibility program and I have to let you all know if you don't know this that she's employee of the month for the South Bend Community School Corporation.
>> She did what? She did what? >> Employee of the month. Oh yeah. Oh, sorry. >> Sorry, Mrs. Lee. I didn't know you were coming up. Welcome to you as well.
>> Thank you, Dr. >> Good evening, Dr. Stewart. New appointed um school board president. Um, thank you, um, Superintendent Eid and the, um, school board members.
Tonight we're going to talk about the educational flex waiver. Waiting for the PowerPoint to come up. Go ahead, T. >> We're going to talk in particular in particularly about the PAR professionals. And when we talk about pair
professionals, we're talking about all the teacher aids, teacher assistants, instructional assistants, bilingual aids. We're talking about the um those um positions. This presentation explains the process
and requirements for becoming a pair professional through the IDOE educational flexibility waiver. As you know the role of the pair professionals are extremely important. They provide instructional support. They
also provide behavioral support as well as physical and personal care for our students. They also um help with data collection, classroom support and social emotional support for our students.
So, how to become a pair professional for South Bend Community Schools? All pair professionals ha have to be highly um qualified. And to become highly qualified, you have to have 2 years of college experience or
a 2-year college degree or completed 48 hours of college level courses or pass the PAR pro within the first year of becoming a parah.
However, we were able to apply for the educational flex waiver within the Indiana Department of Education, which allows us to extend those qualifications. You now can add you can have one year or
1,000 hours of previous employment. So, if you worked at a daycare for over one year or thousand hours, that will make you highly qualified. You also can pass if your evaluations shows that you are highly effective with
work with working with students that can make you highly qualified. if you have child development association credentials or you completed the professional development training um provided um either by the corporation or
the company that you worked previously that's included in the uh making you highly qualified. So we have now extended our qualifications so that our pool of hiring um more um pair
professionals um is now available to other participants and I'm sure Mr. He's not here. I'm sure Mr. Um, Padrazza would be very happy because he's been calling me, calling me, calling me, ensuring that the qualifi
qualifications are extended because he has other people that he would like to support um to hire in his building. That's all. Thank you. Are there any questions? >> Question. >> Sure.
What um do we partner with local education post-secondaries training centers to like tap into the people that they have that are already in those pathways in the post-secary world? So yes, if they
have applied and want to become a parah, we do ensure that they have reached their highly qualified qualifications wherever they have worked. So, we do tap into um as many resources as we possibly can.
>> I just think too, I think we've talked about this before with IvyTech doing their new apprenticeship program for early childhood. It'd be a great time to work with them on this is maybe like a parallel track so people could make a different choice to come into K12 if they decide little people aren't for them.
>> Good idea. Yeah. >> Thank you. Is it too obvious to say this will really help um increase the pool of available professionals than before? >> Yes. >> And that's a distinct advantage
>> very much so. Okay. Um allow us to increase the availability of hiring um people that would like to come into South Bend but haven't completed their two years or past the payer pro. They can use other experiences. >> That's great.
>> And those with two years are a good target for the teacher apprenticeship program to keep them moving toward their bachelors. >> Yes. >> Well, I guess there are no other questions. So, we're grateful for you to look into this and bring that to South Ben
>> Dr. Greed and school board members and superintendent Eid and to everyone in attendance and in the listening audience. We wanted to take an opportunity to um just a moment to reflect on semester one and all the hard
work that our colleagues, my colleagues um in the classroom, in the hallways, in the offices, everything that made up all the comments that have been made this evening that has made our student learning experience for our students and
our families exemplar for semester 1. And that being said, we are now transitioning into semester 2. And with semester 2 is our heavy standardized testing cycle and we actually begin we opened the WEDA window or the WEDA
window is open that began today under the leadership of Mrs. Gerule and the bilingual team. They have been working very hard to prepare our first round of testers and we look forward to the next four months or four and a half months of
supporting our students and our families um as they enter into and rotate through the testing cycle. to our absolute um professionals, our teachers and our pair of professionals in the classroom. We
know that the hard work that's facing you and all the things that you have to rise above to create the conditions so that students can do their absolute best not only on the tests that are coming but also on a daily basis. So with everything we thank you for everything that you do as well as our
administrators and we look forward to continuing on the path of improvement. Well, thank you for that. I know speaking for the board, we're very grateful for all the work you're doing and uh and for the kinds of improvements
that everybody tonight is noticing. So, congratulations to you and your team. >> Thank you. So, we'll move on to uh the consent agenda. And Miss Lee, do you want to share that?
>> Read that. >> It is recommended that the board of school trustees approve the consent agenda, which includes approval of the December 15th minutes under item 8.01, accepting any attached financial reports and statements under item 8.02, 2 approving any attached consolidator
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 8.0 8.06 06 and approving or ratifying any contracts for $50,000 or less listed under the item 8.07 of which this is of there are there are none but I thought there were some.
>> Sorry, >> just reading the script. >> Thank you. Thank you for that. Uh do we have a motion in a second to approve the consent agenda? >> I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda. >> Thank you, Miss Dr. McCulla.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. Uh, Mr. Hernandez, can you please call the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Cassello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Smeiki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lea,
>> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously. Uh, seven to zero. And now we're on to action items. I think. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> I can move. >> Okay. Action item 9.0. It is recommended that the board approve the job description manager of college and career readiness and workforce innovation slashgeearup.
Do we have a motion and a second to approve? A motion to approve. >> Second >> question. >> Is someone going to address is Mr. Eddie gonna address that? Not yours. Okay.
>> Okay. >> So, questions or discussion? >> Right. >> Yeah. I have a question. So, um I'm looking at the salary on this position because it wasn't this is the first time I'm seeing this. So, I have a question.
So, is this salary going to be paid out of the gear up funds or is it to be paid out of the South Community School Corporation? It's a it's a split. Uh part of it will be out of the general fund and then subsidized by gear up.
>> I'd like to jump in maybe more like of a statement than question I guess. Um, when I was looking at this, um, I am lucky to work with districts across the area in my day job and, um, it's great to work with South Schools and see the
difference that they're making through, um, the career coaching fellowship and different educator externships and different opportunities are being made available to our educators to get into the businesses and other places to really meet the state requirements for
this new career coaching framework, which you may not be aware of. Google it. There's a whole 12 kindergarten through 12 career coaching framework that schools, school corporations are expected to integrate into all their buildings, which is a huge task, particularly in a larger district to
make sure that's consistent across all of our buildings so kids have equitable equitable access to those the information about what they can be when they grow up in an age appropriate way. So, between that and the demand for our graduates of 2029 to have work-based
learning hours if they want to graduate with an advanced diploma, this is a I I just think this role is incredibly important to our students to make sure they meet the graduation requirements that they set for themselves when they enter high school as freshmen. So, I appreciate this job being an opportunity
for someone. >> Thank you. And at the risk of being naive, this this position seems pretty integral. Uh we haven't had a position like this before. Have we had a position like this before? Is this a new position?
>> Uh it's actually an old position with a new title with a few uh changes in responsibilities. >> Okay. So we have had someone occupy >> Yes. >> this position. Yes, we do. >> Okay. >> I think some of the things that I saw in the job description just really tie into
the new what the state is pushing out the expectations, additional expectations on our schools. If anybody's interested, I have more than one copy of the um blueprint for success, the readiness seals for enroll, employ, and enlist that the state has. I have this hanging on my wall in my
office. It's a big a big lift to help make sure that not just our students understand it but their parents understand it and our educators who have to explain it to all those people also understand it and are giving like really clear consistent messaging across all of our schools. So, this is a incredibly
important role and I hope when the applications start coming in, we really pick a great person to do this and coordinate across all of our buildings >> and that this person share what this work is about, >> especially as it fulfills the state requirements.
>> And if any of you own businesses or have the opportunity to employ a high school student for work-based learning, they're going to need you. So, that idea that people are saying about stepping up, this is a great way to do it. Yep. >> Um, also like to thank um all the work
everyone does in the Gear Up program. Brings together a lot of kids and keeps them safe and gets them advantages students won't normally have. So appreciate all the hard work that goes in the Gear Up program. >> Thank you, Mr. Le. Anybody else?
Okay, Mr. Hernandez, can you please call the RO? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Costello, >> I. Dr. McCulla >> I >> Mr. Snedeki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I >> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green
>> I >> motion passes unanimously 70 Thank you. >> Moving on to 9.02. It is recommended that the board retroactively approve the memorandum of understanding with Indiana Wesleyan University for stepup program
partnership. Do we have a motion in a second? >> I make a motion that we the school board approve action item 9.02. >> Thank you, Dr. McCulla. >> Second.
>> Thank you. Mrs. Lee, questions, concerns. Mr. Hernandez, can you please call the role? >> Mr. Ellison >> I >> Mr. Castello >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> I >> Mr. Snediki >> I >> Miss Lee
>> I >> Mr. Lever >> I >> Dr. Green >> I motion passes unanimously 7 to zero >> item 9.03 it is recommended that the board pay past due invoices from
Specialized Staffing Solutions for food and nutrition department staffing. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> I'm sorry. I didn't
>> It's been long already. >> This was controversial. >> Any questions or concerns? >> Mr. Mr. Ellison >> I >> Mr. Castello >> I >> Dr. McCulla >> I >> Mr. Sniki >> I >> Miss Lee >> I
>> Mr. Lea >> I >> Dr. Green >> I motion carries unanimously 7 to zero. >> Okay. Moving on to action item 9.04. It is recommended that the board approve the state check review and unclaimed
property submission. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> What is that? >> What is that?
>> Somebody gonna tell us what it is. >> Um, >> oh, Miss Miss Brand is coming to the podium. >> Hi, everyone. Um so actually the sale checks are the checks that are supposed to be outstanding for more than two years. The school corporation is
supposed to send that money back uh to the state. Uh we haven't done this before for a long long long time. So actually this year we're sending everything up to uh 2019 year 2019 and this year we're working on the upcoming
year. So it's going to happen every single year moving forward. So my question was that a place we haven't seen this in a while. >> It has never happened before actually. >> Yeah, we actually had to learn a lot on this process. Okay.
>> And we are now on the good path to continue the win moving forward. >> All right. >> So this little bit like when you get a check from your grandma for Christmas and you don't cash it for three years, grandma, she just put it back in her checkbook. >> Kind of like that. Uh on our case, we need to send it to the state. Okay. And
if somebody wants to claim it, they need to go directly to the state. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Exactly. That's it. >> It's like that. It's like that. >> Uhhuh. So, we just need to send the information to the state and they are
going to uh if you want to claim it later on, uh you can go directly to the state and claim for that. And >> if nobody else claims it, we can. Uh well we we part of the process is that we sent out letters to all our vendors
and we confirm with them like hey we this check hasn't been cashed. So if you want you can collect the money from us otherwise you you will have to go to the state to do it through them. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Unless there are other questions if not
Miss Hernandez. >> Was there a second? I didn't >> uh I >> I think Stuart second. >> I think I seconded it. Thank you, Mr. Ellison. >> I >> Mr. Castello, >> I >> Dr. McCulla. >> Hi, >> Mr. Sedki.
>> Yes, >> Miss Lee. >> I, >> Mr. Leva. >> I, >> Dr. Green. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. >> On to 9.05. It is recommended that the board approve
the 2025 year-end blanket purchase orders for 2026. I like >> Do we have a motion and a second? >> I'd like to make a motion that we pull this agreement. We supposed to pull this agreement. >> Oh, not this one. >> Not this one. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Wrong one.
>> Okay. >> Pull the poll. >> It's all good. Uh, so would you like to >> make a motion? >> Make a motion. >> I'd like a make a motion that we approve it. I thought this was the one we had to to pull. >> Yeah. 906 was the next one. Which one is
that? >> So, I'll second it. >> Okay. That's 9.06. I make a motion that we approve 9.06. >> Thank you. >> No. Five. 9.05. I'm sorry. I'm all off base here. I'm sorry. I make a motion that we
approve action item 9.05. >> Thank you. >> I get it. I'm sorry. I got it now. >> Seconded by >> I'll second. >> We have somebody up here who'd like to tell us more about this. you'd like to hear, of course. >> So, uh, we saved approximately $15
million from our 2025 general budget and we are not adding the entire savings to our cash balance as we do have a solid cash balance. We are trying to utilize a portion of it in making blanket purchase
orders for known vendors with whom the corporation already has contracts with. uh in this process what will happen is it will reduce the operational hassle for us as we will have blanket POS invoices will be paid swiftly in the
meantime we will be utilizing the 2025 savings in the 2026 calendar year relieving some pressure from our 2026 budget which we can definitely uh invest more directly in education at the same time Senate Bill one and other
legislative uh threats uh we need cushions like that uh through our financial maneuvers uh like this. So I uh recommend the board to approve it. It is beneficial uh from all aspects in my opinion.
>> And that's your recommendation? >> Yes sir. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Looks like it just makes it easier to pay bills on time, >> right? Yes. >> Of course. Yeah. >> Okay. And uh all the vendors here are known have worked with the corporation for
years. Uh the full vendor list with amounts is already on boards for everyone's review. Um exhibiting our commitment to transparency as always. >> And then as the invoices come through, they'll show up on our financial statement so we'll know.
>> Yes. Of course. In the bill list. Yeah. >> And we have so much cash we don't need to edit. Yeah. Uh, we we do have a solid cash balance. As of now, our cash balance is uh 132 million786,000 something. I don't know the sense. Sorry
about that. >> I was hoping you'd tell us. >> Thank you for that. >> Uh, any other any questions? If not, >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Costello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I
>> Mr. represent. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> Hi, >> Mr. Leva. >> Hi, >> Dr. Green. >> I motion carries unanimously. And as we just mentioned, we're going to
uh put off 9.06 and come back to that at another time. So, now we're up to 9.07. Yes, it is recommended that the board approve a 60-month lease agreement for
40 black and white multi-function devices with Canon USA. Total contract, a really big number, 329,67120. We have a motion and a second to approve. >> So move.
>> I second. >> Thank you. I have I just have one question, >> please. Yeah. >> Is this the same company you used in the past?
>> Yes. Okay. And so you've had working arrangements with them and they uh have always cooperated and and done the job for you. >> Yes. uh myself along with the ID department, IT department uh met with
Canon uh a couple of times and uh we're very pleased. Right now we we do have uh active uh copers with them right now. Um so we're looking to do 40 more um throughout the district.
>> Also to add uh I mean remaining with Canon will offer us product familiarity. We will will not have to go through a software change right now. We can just punch our ID cards, get the printouts done. So everything will remain same requiring minimal transition or changes
there. Uh we are doing this through a cooperative uh operative purchasing agreement. However, we did seek other bids uh and we believe this to be the best quote uh we can go with uh and also a long-term uh plan 60-month lease
program offering us the best pricing possible. That's correct. >> Thank you. >> And you've mentioned that uh we have some fairly old and worn out copers in some places. Not even any copier at all.
>> Absolutely. Um see a lot of the teachers left. So I I think they'll be uh very pleased with uh the new copers. Now they will be black and white. >> Yeah. Looks like >> Yeah. Oh, okay. So we do have a we do have a few here. Just one school. That's
just enough. >> Actually, they have a copier at Darden that they call Bob Marley because it keeps on jamming. >> Oh, no. Uh, we're at the point now where
>> everybody's laughing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh, can you please call the role? >> Mr. Ellison, >> I. >> Mr. Costello. >> I. >> Dr. Makulla. >> Hi, >> Mr. Snediki. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lever. >> I >> Dr. Green,
>> I. >> Motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. >> On to 9.08. It is recommended that the board approve the agreement for professional design services with Jones Petri Rafinsky for roofing and secured
entrance capital projects. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison. >> Are you second it? I second. >> Are you second it? >> You can have it. >> Okay. I second the motion.
>> Dr. McCull. >> What do we know about this? >> Any questions? >> Any questions? >> Mr. Summers is here. Thank you, Mr. Summers. >> You are welcome. 9.8
is design work for our upcoming work pro or roof projects. JPR is the construction consultant that we use in this entity in this platform and they will do the roof design. >> Um basic architectural fees that go
inside with the roof uh repair that we have at these schools. And you'll see under Riley that's also for a secured entrance rework and layout for that building as well. This is like one of these things that I think one day we should do one of those
lists like people do like how much like in 2025 how much do you spend on roofs, boilers, chillers and thinking about every time I see one of these I can't I don't even want to think about like the grand total because just the small totals are so high. >> So thanks for managing this. >> Sure. They thank you. They are actually
the architectural people that do the drawings and get the stamp of approval by the state. >> Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Summers. >> You're welcome. If there aren't any questions, please. >> Mr. Ellison,
>> I >> Mr. Cassello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Sniki, >> I. >> Miss Lee, >> I. >> Mr. Lea, >> I. >> Dr. Green, >> I. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, everyone.
Item 9.09. It is recommended that the board retroactively approve the special purchase for security camera replacement at Kennedy Academy with peopledriven technology. >> Do we have a motion and second to approve? >> Make a motion to approve 9.09.
>> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison and Dr. McCulla. >> We have uh Eric Kittinon, Chief Kittendon with us. be quick. Obviously, thank you. Obviously, it's just a replacement. Uh
Kennedy has one one of the oldest camera systems in the building. So, you know, as things get old, things start to break down and there's breaking down a lot. So, we're replacing their cameras with the newest cameras that we have or the buildings just as well.
I don't want to distract us, but I was through Kennedy not too long ago and I think we agree that security is pretty important not only for the littles but the open concept
uh is something that I think pedagogically s is pedagogically sound. Not all the teachers love the open concept, but is there a way to do you know what I mean? So as you walk on the uh around the building in a circular
way, uh one classroom and the other melds into the other uh not really with doors and there isn't really a door should someone have entry that that we don't want that person to have.
So we have this. Is there something that could come next to ensure the safety of those children? >> Yes. So that'll be working with our buildings and grounds or not build our buildings and grounds director and um working with Summers as well to
formulate a plan. Uh yeah, I myself is not fond of the open concept at Kennedy. Um but uh putting them back in rooms like basically like the majority of our classrooms are with doors and full walls uh would be beneficial >> and add safety.
>> It seems like that's fairly expensive. Uh it may be why we haven't moved on it as quickly as some would like. Are there grants available? I mean, if we keep saying as a department of education, what's left of it, uh, that safety is
really important to kids well-being are can we apply for federal funds? >> That I would have to research because now we're getting into the structural uh, part of the building. >> Okay, this goes beyond that. I just was curious. This is really important, but I
think some next steps would be in order. So, any other questions? Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Castillo, >> I >> Dr. McCulla, >> I >> Mr. Sniki, >> I >> Miss Lee, I >> Mr. Leva,
>> I >> Dr. Green, >> I motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Item 9.10. It is recommended that the board approve the special special purchase of for fire alarm panel replacement at Misel School from Johnson
Controls Fire Protection LP. Do we have a motion and second to approve? >> Don't move. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ellison and Mr. Snandic. >> Me again.
>> Yeah. >> So, Masel has one of the another building has one of our oldest fire panels. So, it's upgrading this fire panel. We currently have issues uh with the current fire panel uh uh not working properly. So, it's uh upgrading this panel, not a full upgrade, but upgrading
the panel to get it back up to code. Um, and obviously important line safety item when it comes to fire alarms, fires, and buildings. Okay, >> thank you. There no questions. Miss Hernandez. >> Miss Mr. Ellison. >> I.
>> Mr. Castello, >> I. >> Dr. McCulla, >> I. >> Mr. Snare. >> Hi, >> Miss Lee. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lea. >> Hi, >> Dr. Green >> I motion carries unanimously. Thank you.
>> Item 9.11. It is recommended that the board approved the memorandum of understanding with the city of Southbend for Marshall traditional school improvement project subject to changes proposed by the board's legal council. >> Do we have a motion and a second to approve?
>> Motion to approve. >> Marshall. >> I'll second it. this chin. >> Are there any >> I'd uh >> Yeah, >> I'd like to table that because I think there's more questions that need need to
be asked. >> Yeah. Uh so I'm going to make a motion uh because I think all of us need to know more what's happening with that and uh so I'm going to make a motion to table that item.
>> Would someone like Thank you. Uh Mr. >> I second. >> Thank you Dr. McCulla. So uh we need to take the >> we have discussion on >> before voting.
>> No with uh if he's tabled it we have to first vote on the table. >> Okay. >> And yeah if we table it uh then it's either in the short or the long long term. The board can re revive it at a
time when we get enough information. >> That's right. It can be revived and it can be brought to the next meeting if that's the if we have more information with our next uh executive session. >> Exactly. >> You you you can have you can have uh discussion on the motion to to table though. >> Okay. >> You can have a discussion
>> on the motion to table. >> Yeah. >> First. >> Oh, >> that's the first item. So, you can have some discussion on the motion to table. >> So, let I think um >> yeah, I would just say you know again the um you know this agreement is with the redevelopment division at city. So,
if we tableabling it, it's then it's got to go back to them, then it's got to go back to the city council. Uh, particularly if, you know, we're trying to make sure that it's done before the start of the next school year. Um, you know, it's not just pushing it back two weeks, it's probably pushing it back two
months. And that's assuming that they agree with whatever we do. Again, the reason why the city wanted some contribution is part of the sidewalk about twothirds of Byron Drive is school corporation property. the rest of Byron Drive, all of Spring Brook Drive, the
paving in the streets, the tennis courts, that's what the city's doing. And the city's putting in um close to $400,000 and we'd be putting in 125. So, we're basically putting in about uh 20% give or take. Um because you know about
the total amount of the project for the part of the sidewalk that we own is about 20% and they own the other 80% and so they're paying for the 80%. It's also the city they're using tiff money um from the southside tiff and that you know also has you know limitations in some of those types of aspects. So
that's kind of you know it's been kicking around for a while but that's sort of the explanation of the aspect. The city was originally going to pay for had agreed to pay for all of it but when they put it out for bids the bids came back they were hoping to do it for about 300,000 it came back over 500,000 so
there's an additional $200,000 that would then have to come out of the tiff or somewhere else for the city. So that's when they said, "Well, maybe since some of it is owned by the school corp, we can get them to make a contribution equivalent to the part of the project that is owned by the school corp on the sidewalk." Um, you know, the
city when they pave sidewalks and things, sometimes the people that are responsible on the sidewalk contribute, sometimes they don't. It just kind of depends. Uh they were originally doing that because of the overrun and because again I think the timeliness of trying to make sure that they can go ahead and
get it out, start doing it as soon as the weather permits this spring so that way it's done and ready for the start of the school year. uh you know I I doubt that timeline would be able to be met if we push our part of it back two weeks because you then have to restart the process of going through the area plan
going through the redevelopment taking it back to the city uh council again to vote on whatever the new terms or whatever it would be. So uh on that basis I would ask us to not vote to table it at this time just vote to approve it.
>> I have a quick quick question. So, how often do they meet? The your your board >> redevelopment meets uh every other twice a month. >> Twice a month. So, are they in the process of having another meeting soon? >> Uh they'll they've uh I mean they'll
meet again later this month. But it's kind of they meet and then whatever we've worked out whether this could be changed, you know, before the next meeting then, you know, if we don't vote for this, then you know, we don't meet till this month and they wouldn't be able to meet until February. And then after it's done by them, then it still has to go to the South Bend Common
Council and they only meet twice a month. So you're probably, like I said, you're pushing it out at least a month, if not more, too, before then they could get it approved and then you could then start the process. So it's not, you know, probably getting into at least March. >> Well, I asked that question for a reason
because I don't oppose it. I'm just sorting uh Mr. Mr. Sniky because if he has questions that he don't feel that's answered during this process. I just wanted to know how quickly can we get the information to the persons so that maybe they can answer his question and
maybe put it back on the next board meeting. >> That was my purpose of of supporting his request. >> Um yeah Pete, >> can we afford to table this? >> But I want to answer it because we >> I think you can afford to table it. I also think that there still is a open
question on the two conditions that we put in there >> and whether they would accept those. So, um, we do need we haven't heard back from them on those as well. So, there is some rationale for tableabling it based on that as well.
>> Yeah, I I like I said, I don't oppose it, but I I do would support Mr. Snide's uh concern questions answered. >> They're not going to be working on it in this kind of weather anyway. is so the postponing of the timing is as
far as I'm concerned. I want to know where the property lines are. What's our property? What's happening to the tennis courts? Are they taking the tennis courts away from us? That's our property, but we're going to give it to the city. I want to know all them facts >> and it's our responsibility to know all
them facts. >> And that and that can be a quick answer. >> This what should have been this should have been done a long time ago. Well, I I made a mistake earlier when I said you could have discussion on the motion to table. So, under under Robert's rules of orders, uh typically the motion to table
would get voted on without discussion. >> Our job. >> However, given the fact that this board has been so good at talking with each other lately, I thought, >> why not? >> Let's vote. Let's vote. >> Well, thank you for the clarification. I apologize. >> Uh over my first term as chair, I got a
phone call telling me that you can't have discussion after tableabling. So >> you you were right and I was wrong. >> So So where are we? Uh we'll vote on the table. >> Uh Miss Hernandez, please.
>> Mr. Ellison. >> Nay. >> I got a question. Question. Quick question. >> Oh, >> can Mr. Ellison vote? He's on that board. >> I would say he can. >> Can he vote? >> Yes, I can. >> Yes, I I believe he can.
>> All right. Thank you. I just want to clarify for the public. I want to clarify. Okay. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Mr. Costello. >> Yes. >> Dr. McCulla. >> The table. Yes. >> Mr. Smiggy.
>> Me. Yes. >> Miss Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lea. Abstain. >> Dr. Green, >> I'm inclined to abstain as well. >> We just don't have enough >> information.
So, did I follow this? Five. Five. No. Uh, no. >> One yes and >> no. Four nos. >> Yes. Yes. >> Four votes. Four votes to table. Two
abstensions and one vote >> against tableling. Oh, it's stable. >> Yeah, what he said. So, let me repeat that. Well, Mr. Hern, can you repeat that, please? >> You want the roll of call? >> Yeah.
>> Mr. Ellison, I voted no on the >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yeah. He wants me to You want me to redo the roll call, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, no. >> Mr. Castello, >> I just want to hear what your vote was again. >> We're voting on it >> again. Okay, >> repeat.
>> Just repeat. >> No. >> Yeah, just repeat your vote. >> Just repeat your vote. >> We're going to repeat it. Uh because they don't remember. They got to get their numbers right. >> All right. >> A vote to table it.
>> And I had just asked >> if we could just repeat what we what our vote was. So, Mr. Ellison said he voted no. >> Dr. M. Oh, where's Mr. Mr. Leva? voted abstain. >> Who did
>> doc >> uh m Mr. Leven and I vote both voted to abstain, >> right? >> And Dr. McCulla voted yes for the table. You voted yes for the table >> and Mr. Castella voted yes. And I you
know what? I'm going to change to abstain because I don't feel like I have enough information to even >> That's why we're tableing because we don't have enough information. >> Yeah. >> I'll say yes. I'll ab uh table it. >> Yes. >> Let's just figure it out as quickly as possible. Like >> okay. >> So now that I look at
>> the landscape, >> four yeses to table. So we are going to table it. >> Yes. >> Table. >> We have >> one note to table and two abstensions. And hopefully by then we'll have more information for you >> table. >> Yeah.
>> Yes. By then we will. So thank you Miss Lee. >> So on to 9.12. It is recommended that the board approve the Warren Elementary School gymnasium usage. Do we have a motion and a second to approve?
>> So move. >> We have a second. >> Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Ellison, for the Warren Elementary School J gymnasium usage. >> Uh, welcome back.
>> Thank you. >> I can. >> You're going to speak to it. Thank you. >> I'm going to have I'm going um President Dr. Green, board member, Superintendent Eid. It's my pleasure to introduce Ben Miller who was a developer and part of
thisou along with Miltley our athletic director for the district to give some clarity on to the why and some additional questions you may have and they'd be able to answer and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Mil. >> Oh, so um um we found a partner who was interested in activating a a space that we weren't using. Uh he offered to actually uh install field turf at
Warren's gym uh so that he could bring uh some elite soccer uh training and programs into the city of South Bend. Uh we would also have the opportunity and option of having our elementary school kids activated in that space as well. Um
that's really the uh the gist of it. We were interested in in in field turfing an indoor space for our kids so that we would have an opportunity and option for them to participate in practices uh as well as compete indoors when there was
inclement weather. So what this does is it provides a a space uh and uh affords us a field turf that we were interested in getting anyway. He actually pays for that and then he um he rents the space as well. So we saw that as a win for our
kids um as well as a a jumping off point for a a committed uh developer who is interested in in bringing bigger spaces to the city of Southband for kids. Where where are this is for soccer over
the weekend, right? I got a little bit of information from Dr. Es, but uh where are the kids coming from? Are our kids? >> So the the So I'm I actually am a parent of uh three soccer players that their
teams will be using. Uh the facility is a these are nonprofit soccer club that's going to be using the facility uh which is really the purpose that we build it for um or that we're we're going to build it for. And so um
mo many of the kids I would say probably over 50% are actually students enrolled in the south end schools who are also part of this soccer club. So they get to benefit from it. Uh we're really just going to be using it on week nights for soccer practices. We did kind of keep it open so that we could use it on the
weekends if there was private training or some other things that happen, but the rest of the time and even the weekends if the school wants to wants to use it is open for for the students at the South Community Schools to to use for programming. So that's kind of what Milt and I had been talking about this
for a long time actually and um this seemed to be a good good place to to get this started >> and we wanted one of our interests was to uh start elementary school middle school uh girls flag football and middle school 707 in the spring and
traditionally we have really difficult weather in March and April. So this will give us an option and opportunity to have more practices indoors so that we can get those kids activated in that sport. >> So just don't include any of our busing or anything? >> No.
>> Right. >> No, sir. No. No. >> Basically the weekend. >> So the the the kids that are participating in the clubs, they're they're in charge of their own transportation. You know, the the school's not, you know, this is not part of the school paying for any of that kind of stuff. It's all they all deal
with it with their own families and their own involvement. So >> yeah, I just uh I'm a little worried about it. How about insurance and stuff? Is that >> So part part of the agreement is that we have insurance. This is a typical lease,
you know, we have to have insurance. We have to sign a waiver. Each participant actually has to sign a waiver with with um our organization and with the school system. So there's two waivers per kid that participates or for anybody who comes in the building. So, you know, we we've got all of that that stuff as a
part of it's a it's a typical that that uh due diligence and other things is a typical part of the process and facilities has been great with us and in walking us through that and and so >> it's not unlike the camp and event waiverss and liability uh that we have
that we have people sign for our elementary school events too. not our everyday competition, but when we do events and work with other organizations, they have to have the same form of liability. This is just a more this is just more long-term uh
partnership. >> Anytime any entity leases any of our properties, they have to sign a $1 million uh insurance. >> Mr. Lee, do you have any qualms about this? It seems like you're pretty
supportive. Another more direct way, is there any reason why we wouldn't support this? >> Um, I mean, I can't think of any reason. Um, Ben has been a um, he's a parent. He's a a trusted and honest developer in the city of Southbend. He's proven that
he's committed to not just the city, but he's committed to kids. He's been a supporter of Southbend schools. um you know um we're in a position where we have to stay competitive and we have to compete for our kids. And one of the things that we're able to do by forming
these partnerships is create the type of transformational experiences that kids can get excited about. And if we have uh someone who's interested in in installing field turb so that we could have you know innovative programs like girls flag football and seven on seven
programs for elementary school kids. I can't see why we would be opposed to something like that is working with our kids here and engaging our community. >> Any other questions? >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Mr. Ellison. Hi.
>> Mr. Costello. No, >> Dr. McCulla. >> I >> Mr. Snicki. >> Uh, I'm abstaining because I I'm not sure. >> Miss Lee, >> I
Mr. Lea. >> Yep. >> Dr. Green. >> Why do you say yep? >> Yeah, >> Mr. Lea. I >> just kidding. I
>> Okay. >> Okay. So, the motion passes. >> Five. >> Uh, one abstension, one no, and five yeses. >> No, I'm just recounting the vote. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> Got that. On to 9.13. It is recommended that the board approve to ratify new bus driver asks ask me contract. >> Do we have a motion and a second to approve? >> A motion that we ratify we approve um
action item 9.13. >> I second motion. >> Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Leva seconds it. Dr. McCulla made the motion. Thank you. and you you'll answer some of our questions.
>> Yes. Uh I would like to begin uh then I will pass the batum to our new transportation director, Mr. Bob Durham. So our 2026 general budget uh has allowed us to be uh the highest
paying district in the region for bus drivers as well. We are already the highest paying district for teachers but this ratification will allow us to be the highest paying district for the bus drivers too. Uh previously the rates
were from 2250 to $24 in that range. However, we are offering uh raises up to $5.5. So with the new raises uh the new rate
will be from $28 to $30. effective January 1st, 2026. Uh, transportation issues have long plagued this district. Some research also show that it might be one of the core reasons
behind our student loss and we had a hard time filling our routes. However, uh, Mr. Durm has done a great job there since winter break. I mean, we haven't had any routes unfulfilled, and this will definitely help us recruit more bus
drivers, fill out our vacancies, and be really good in terms of the transportation services for our kids. Mr. Durm, if you'd like to add something. >> If you've looked through the contract, if you look at page 13, article 7, compensation related benefits, kind of
highlights some of the things that we've added, some incentives for the drivers. Um, not only have we raised the rates, we did a a performance incentive or an attendance stipen that we're paying. We did it for the first semester, $1250 for perfect attendance. We were going to do
that for the second semester. Um, instead, what we'll do is it's $150 every pay period that a driver comes and drives all their routes. Works out to be in the same amount. It's just it pays it out more often. I I think it's going to be a great incentive to encourage drivers to come in and drive their
routes on a regular basis. That's been one of our biggest problems, not just not having enough drivers, but also attendance. So, um I can see that making a great improvement. Um we talked with the union representatives about mentorship and we thought that they've always talked about having that and and
we're instituting that. We're going to allow uh seasoned drivers to mentor drivers that we think might need some help and we'll offer them an an incentive to do that. Um and we're also going to also offer driver awards for
the semester and we'll do it first, second first seme first semester, second semester. Um and just rewarding those for doing great job and and and um you know encouraging them to continue to keep pushing forward to do a good job. Um, we also raised the minimum hours uh
five and a half hours for uh minimum hours paid per day for full-time employees. So, that's going to help us, you know, as we add more drivers, we want to have drivers on standby. You can't just have the the number of drivers for the number of routes you have. It just doesn't work because when
you have calloffs, you have to have people there to drive. So, this is going to give us more flexibility in bringing people in that that would be willing to do that, you know, be on standby and to fill in for those routes. Um, so yeah, and you know, obviously the pay is
great. I thought the negotiations went really well. I think uh um the drivers are extremely appreciative of of the offer that we've put out. >> Thank you. Any other any questions? Should we miss
Mr. Hernandez, >> Mr. Ellison, >> I >> Mr. Castello, >> I >> Dr. McCulla, >> I >> Mr. Mr. Senki, >> I >> Miss Lee, >> I Mr. Lea, >> I >> Dr. Green,
>> I unanimously passes. >> Move on to item 9.14. It is recommended that the board approve the superintendent contract extension. Do we have a motion and a second to approve? So move. We have a second. >> Second.
>> Thank you, Mr. Leva. Discussion. >> Mr. Hernandez. >> Mr. Ellison. >> I. >> Mr. Castello. >> I. >> Dr. McCulla. >> Abstain. >> Mr. Snediki. I
>> Miss Lee. I >> Mr. Lea. >> I. >> Dr. Green. I motion passes six to one extens six. Yes, sorry. And one abstension. >> So it passes. Yes.
>> So uh we do not have anything from close session. That was a long time ago. That was at 3:30. So I think that's true. >> Um >> I think it's still true. >> I think it's still true. Good. So we now have uh the time in the in the meeting
when board members have the opportunity to to speak and it looks like uh our board members would like that opportunity. So >> Mr. Cass thank you Dr. Green. >> I want to I want to start out >> by
thanking and saluting uh Dr. Janette McAula uh for her year as school board president. Uh she took over at a very very difficult time
and was able to uh get through um some really really difficult situations that faced us and did a great job. So thank you so much. Thank you. Appreciate it.
>> Uh at this time, I also like to congratulate Dr. Green um on being nominated and elected to the presidency of the school board.
Um I know he's going to do an outstanding job. He's a great character and uh look forward to working with him in the future. I want to
talk about this bill 248. came to my attention a week ago, Monday, from a friend of mine that this was going to be given out as a possibility
downstate. I asked that question at that time to the person who gave it to me, why? And I'm still trying to figure out why. There is must be some
and it must be a hidden agenda that's driving this. Now I want to make this comment about our state senator Linda Rogers. I have met her several times,
talked with her. She comes across to me as a very honest and above board person. Obviously, she never called me up to give get my opinion about this, but that's okay.
But this is a little disturbing to me. First of all, the history of the SA Ben School Board is that we had appointed super uh school board members. Um, and it didn't end until 1987
or some somewhere around that time when the state decided to allow school boards to be elected by the people. It's not been held out for a
considerable amount of time. um political people, honorable people in South Ben made the decision of who was to be on the school board. And who did we get?
We got rich, famous business people, lawyers, doctors, credible people. But what what we didn't get
or didn't have is very much input from the ordinary commonday citizen of South Bend. So they went to elected board. It hasn't
been easy. You know, there have been great school board members in the past, elected or appointed. This board, we get criticized, especially a year
ago, as being chaotic and things like that. And maybe it was. But we are all every member of the school board are honorable people and they try in
their own minds. They try to make the best decision for the kids and for the people they represent. And that's very very important. As people pointed out tonight,
running for school board and trying to get people to support you. That's not an easy situation sometimes. But it's honorable
because we have the trust of the people who elected us. Now, I'm saying all this because I'm not afraid afraid of losing my job because I'm not running again. And my
four years is out on December 31st of this year. I've been disappointed at this job. But I felt good about the possibility, especially this past year, of be able to
talk to people and try to get something done. And really, that's all I ever wanted to do was to be a resource person on this board for the people of South Bend.
Where this goes, I don't know. But tonight when the people came out and some of you are still here and talked and gave your message
of how valuable it is to have a democracy of believing in local control. That makes me feel tremendous inside. It makes me very proud
of being a Southbend community citizen and a member of this board. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. McCulla. Thank you and congratulations Dr. Green and your and your team. Um, I had some
concerns. I have some concerns because I felt blindsided by this bill and I felt blindsided because no one came to this board to even have a discussion on what we were doing and how we were moving this corporation forward. So I when I
say that I think back on the previous administration and the things that were happening in the with this corporation beforehand. One of the things that I noticed that happened if you can remember they tried to put a charter school in
Washington that fell through. They tried to come up with uh um a career hub to make this corporation uh be responsible for 22 years to pay a 22-year bill. That fell through then they wanted to buy prop a a building out
by the airport. That fell through then they came up and try to take over Quiller. That fell through. So when I look at this bill, when I look at this bill in comments from our from our local government, one of the comments uh by
one of the local persons said that uh we still face continued challenges. Well, we do, but we're working on those. I agree with that piece, but including declining enrollment. We are increasing enrollment this this past year.
uh underutilized facilities, academic performance. We have increased our academic in performance. We may not be where we want to be, but we're working on that to give this information to
the local state officials without looking into what's been happening with us this year. They're taking information that's been that's was the previous years and that's not right and that's not fair to us. So we've made some
substantial improvements uh in a year in a year. One of them was we focusing on student centered learning experiences and outcomes. We're using the IDOE state assessment checkpoints to drive instruction,
improving in quality and professional learning aligned to the adoption of the high quality curriculum in English and language arts. We are strengthening and expanding community literacy partners. We make Indiana and tutor uh Notre Dame. We are continuing to
study K1 first grade and second grade literacy data to examine current and practices also future learning design. We have increased the number of after-school student programs uh par parental literacy engagements which include free books and literacy
activities. We align K8 master schedules to support tier one and enrichment and daily intervention instructional time. Professional development. We have not had professional development in years. We have a five-year history of staff participation in se summer school
professional learning. This is continuing throughout the second year. We have enrolled teachers, principles, district leaders and in science and reading training two years before the state's requirement. Implement the first alternative education program centered on academic,
family and full service student needs. This is just a few things that we are working on that we have done. Not only have we are we the highest paying uh teacher uh salaries, bus driver salaries, we have done a lot of things.
We saved this corporation millions of dollars by dissolving that zone which this very person who made that statement served on that board for six years. Served on that board for six years. So is he in is he mis constring that
information with and giving this our data to I mean today is he is he including is he misunderstanding what happened when he was on that board and and and putting it in mixing it in with us that should not happen what I'm
saying is that I cannot understand how our local officials can support a bill that would take voters's rights away from them, that would take their school that they are supposed to support away from us. I
can't understand how you support that. These are local officials. We look to them for guidance. We look to them for support. Where's the support? Why didn't they support us? Why aren't they supporting us? So, I can't understand why that happened. And so, that is a problem. Um, it also make me wonder,
uh, is this a is this a, um, a power grab to take over our schools for charters? I know that the medical magnet at Washington, are they trying to cra grab medical uh, our Washington high school and take over that medical magnet program? What is this all about? Because
I am unclear. How do you write a bill without talking to people? How do you write a bill on past previous experiences and not current experiences? I just don't understand that. And so I've wrote a statement. I hope you read it because I won't read the statement.
It's awful long. But I do not support this bill. I I uh oppose this bill. And I oppose and I I can't, like I said, understand how our local officials will uh support something uh this drastic as far as taking away a per our parents'
rights, our voters rights is your voice, is your schools, is your is your u ability to speak up for your schools. And this is not what they're doing. If they wanted to do something to help our schools, where the jobs when the kids are out for the summer, where the jobs, put jobs in place. When kids graduate to
keep the kids here, where are the jobs? Work on that. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Snicki, >> I just uh I'm not going to keep you guys. I'm getting sleepy, too. But uh I
agree with the last two speakers totally except for Mr. Castell. He says he knows Miss and Mrs. Rogers. I don't know her and I don't want to know her.
So that's all I got to say. I'm proud of being on the board. I'm proud of what we all accomplished, not only as a board, but as the public and the teachers and and it took everybody to bring this together. We got
a lot more work to do, but let's do it without the politicians in there. So, that's where I'm stand. So, I'm not going to sit here as an advisor for a politician. >> So, >> all right. >> Okay.
>> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, >> Mr. Lea. >> I think um if you look at this, the way I look at, I think this opens the door to have honest conversations and look at the hard truths. Um a lot of the comments I seen about performance of our kids,
literacy rates, chronic absentees, um graduation rates, I think, and we need to talk about that. The reasons why poverty, mental illness, kids not being able to get to school
with the right resources. That's what we Let's have those talks and let's get those resources. They want to help the kids. I'm open for that. That's what we need help with. Let's address those issues and I think that's something we need to talk about. Thanks. >> Thank you,
>> All right. Um and I just have a few things. I don't want to go into repeating a lot of what's already been said, but I I think it's just important that that they understand that if this bill goes through the way it's really written, it's almost really the end of public schools in South Bend because you
can't really say you have a public school if you don't have the public have any role in governance or running or having any say over how that school operates, that school corporation operates and that type of thing. And I I I think it's just important and I'll give the benefit of the doubt to Senator
Rogers, the other senators that are sponsoring is this to local officials that some of the nominating commission and people who are favor of this that, you know, in the different uh entities that they're trying to come up with things that they think would be good for school that would benefit us. I would say fix Senate Bill one from last
session, do some other things would be more beneficial, but I'll give them the benefit of doubt that they're suggesting this because they think it will be beneficial. I would just say it's wrong. And I think a big part, some of the things we haven't talked about is really looking at what's really in this bill in terms of who's going to be on this, you
know, board the way it's written, how it will operate, uh, and the selection mechanism, and also understanding the history of why we have an elected board as opposed to appointed board. And I was only a kid back then, but I went through over this weekend, I looked through a lot of South Bin Tribune um, archive
articles and Michael Fish films for articles from there. And really for years leading up to 1986 when we had the election to go to an elected board, there had been criticisms of the appointed board for not being diverse enough, not paying enough to citizens when they talk about why we're being
taxed and why the schools are not integrated enough, too much busing, not enough busing, all different kind of things. And then superintendent Scammon had said, "Well, why don't we go to a hybrid board with uh four elected, you know, um members and then three, two appointed by the mayor, one by the
circuit court judge." And in Indiana, for the few nonelected boards that exist, they've talked about Mishwaka. Most of the board members in Mishwaka are elected. The mayor appoints one, the council appoints one, but the other three are elected. But at least the appointed people are appointed by people
that are elected themselves. And that's true in Valbone Speedway. They have appointed boards, but all their appointments come from their mayor or town executive or from their council. They're not coming from this uh nominating committee. We would be the only corporation in the state that has
this. And when you look at the uh nine entities, you know, only two of them, the mayor and the Southman County Board of Commissioners are even elected to people. The other groups are the Southman Education Alliance Community Foundation, IvyTech, the Chamber of Commerce, the Southman Regional
Partnership, the Homebuilders Association, the St. Joe Valley and the South Bin Area Realtors Association. I know some of these people and some of them I don't. I'm sure they're all great, wonderful people. I'm sure they want to have strong schools and would have good interest, but I don't see why they should have say over who runs the
school corporation and not a parent, not a teacher, not the people that are actually paying the taxes in here. And then I look at some of these uh groups, you know, again, the St. Ben Elcart Regional Partnership. Don't be fooled by the name. That's not just people in St. Joe County and Elcart County. It's also
Marshall County and Cass County in Michigan and Barryian County in Michigan. So, we're going to let people in Michigan have a say who was on the South Bin school board, but not the parent will have no say. Teacher will have no say. Not not one taxpayer in
South Bin will necessarily have say, but people in Michigan will be making up the nominations for who gets to be on the school board. How does that make sense? um you know and and so I think it's important that we reach out to all of these groups and say you know if you're one of these people that are denying
appointing things if you truly think that this is a good idea you should come out tomorrow and say okay I'm in favor of this I should have say the parent shouldn't and this is why and if you disagree with that and you say no we should practice the rules of democracy
in this great democratic country of ours and we should let the voters and the people who are actually seeing the kids in school have a say then I'm against it. I don't want to be uh one of the nominating people. Please take my name and my organization out of it. And that should apply to both the, you know,
elected officials of the groups. If you're not in favor of this, say you're not in favor of it and and come out publicly and say you don't want to be involved with it. If you're a local official on the city council, the mayor, the county council, the county commissioner, if you're a state senator or a state representative anywhere in
Indiana, and you think voters, the same people that you're going to ask to vote for you this year, the same people they're going to ask to vote for you next year in the local elections, you know, if you're going to ask people to vote for you, you should vote for them by voting to say we should not take away
your right to vote. The people that pay taxes should be the ones deciding who's on the school board. The people that are sending their kids to the schools should be the ones deciding who's on the school board. It should not be decided by random uh groups and all those kind of things, even if they're well-meaning,
even if they're wellqualified. And as Mr. Costello pointed out, we had an appointed board for years and years and years here. And because of those concerns that I've already mentioned, because there was one individual was on the board who was appointed who then moved to Virginia and moved to Massachusetts, but still stayed on the
board, there was no recourse to vote that person out or to do anything because it was an appointed board. That's why people in this community said, "We don't want this anymore. We want to have say." And they went out and they got 23,000 uh signatures on a petition in order to
go to an elected school board. And the appointed school board opposed it. you know, the South Tribune editor editorial board opposed it and a lot of other uh groups and powers that be opposed it and they had to go to court and they had to go to the state legislate and eventually in 1984 or you know after late 1985
state said you know what we'll have a vote on it we'll put it on the primary ballot as a referendum and let people vote on whether they want an elected board or want an appointed board and people did that and when they voted for that over 84% voted to say we want an
elected board, a fully elected board, not the hybrid board that uh Superintendent Scam was proposing had suggested. We want a fully elected board. That was 23,000 people on a petition. I guarantee you, you get a lot more than 23,000 people in this community today that would say the same
thing. And if you truly think this is a good idea, we've got a primary election coming up and it'll be 40 years from when they voted in May of 1986 to say we wanted election board. Let's vote, give it to the voters here in May of 2026 and
let them say whether they want to let these different Michigan people and whatnot suggest who they think should be on the school board and leave it completely up to the state board of education, someone not from this community to make the final decision. Or if they say we want to continue to vote,
that's what would make sense. That's what would be fair. And you know, if you're looking for a solution, take it to the voters. And I'm sure just like 40 years ago when we had to do this and 84% of the people said we want a fully elected board, you would see the overwhelming number of people, let them
vote for it in Maine. And if they say we'll go to the appointed board, then fine. July one, appoint whoever you want to the board. But if the people in May, we got this election coming up saying we want to still have an elected board, then let's keep the elected board and keep going on. Uh, you know, we've had
tried the appointed board before here in this community just a generation or two ago. It did not work. We should not repeat that mistake. We should not refuse to learn from our history and we should not ignore the democratic will of the voter to have say in what goes on in
their schools where they're sending their children. We cannot take the public out of a public school on the organization chart. The public should be at the very very top and then their elected representatives and superintendent and so on down the line. you do not have a real public school if
the public has no say at all in governance or operation or anything in what's going on. That will lead to lower enrollment because a lot of parents will be reluctant to send their kids to a school where they don't have any say at all or any method to have any say at all. A lot of parents would be, you know, scared of that, concerned about
that. Why are you setting it up where I can't have any say, but you want me to send my kids? Why are you taking my tax money to pay for schools when I don't have any say at all, yet you're fine with me having say for all of these other things? So, you know, I would say, you know, if you're out there,
regardless of what you think, you might think South School is the worst schools in the world, you should still be furious that they're taking away your right to vote, your right to say, "I don't like the school board, but I want to put somebody else on." You know, if you don't like the way the school board works, run. If you don't like the way
the schoolboard is doing things now, you know, vote for somebody else. That's how you fix those kind of things. You don't fix it by giving away your right to have say and to have power and have influence. That's just fundamentally wrong. It's undemocratic. And we need all of the people that are associated
with this. We need all of our public officials, if you haven't had anything to say about this, now's the time to say, you know, so if you see people, call, email, write, Facebook, ask everybody in the area. Have something to say. you need to take a definitive position on this issue right now about
whether you're going to support the continued uh principles of democracy in regards to our school corporation here in South Bend. There is no reason we should be treated different than every other school corporation in the state. And there is no corporation in the state that would operate under anything
remotely close to this. We are, you know, our test scores have gone up every year over year for the past four years. We are, as we know, fiscally sound. We're paying teachers more. We're going to have this new $20 an hour minimum wage for the non-certified positions. The state's not having to bail us out.
Uh there are a lot of school corporations with worse test scores than our that are still fully elected boards. There is no reason that this should be put upon us. And I'm not I don't want to get into why people may or may not be. >> Amen. >> Other than say it's not right. This is not what we should be doing. Support
democracy and you go right. Tell everybody this is not right. Don't do it. >> That's right. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, >> Mrs. Lee. I'm >> gonna be quick. I typically don't make a rule not to talk after 8:30 because I'm starving and probably everybody else
wants to go home, too. But on this topic, I feel like I I do need to speak up. Um, I I've been a parent of Southbend school students, uh, been actively engaged in our schools for over 26 years and I've watched all this school choice unfold in
our state and it's challenged me. It's I while I believe families should be able to choose, they should also, as Marcus said, be able to choose their elected officials. But on this topic, I want to talk specifically about how school choice has created this shifting percentage of students. And I want to
make the point about the students who do have choices, which they all do in the state of Indiana, but how many of them how many of these students who are making these choices had qu access to quality prek in a state that has cut funding for that? How many have stable
housing? How many have attendance issues because of something outside of their control or possibly their family's control? How many have adults who have the capacity to consider and navigate what may be overwhelming choices? So, they may not even know they have choices or may just
not have the capacity to navigate those choices, which means they might not also have the the ability to navigate southpin schools, which can also be it's big. We have a lot of schools and we have a lot of choices even within our district. So, how can we help families better do that?
How many families have school a schedule that allows them to provide transportation if it's necessary to the different buildings? That's an equity issue. And how do we get to a place where we're not continuously making choices based on who might take a building or who might pop something else
up and instead focus on how we create the most stable education ecosystem in our county to reduce chaos and disruption and stabilize things for our families. And so I end with like an invitation to all in the community including our
elected officials, business leaders to come and work with Southbend schools fully acknowledging that sometimes it has been hard to work within schools. It can be a challenge. I've heard from people who say they don't feel welcome. I've heard lots of things but it's changed and it's getting better every day and there are people in our
community who can be a part of making this a better change. And I really do believe that together we can make South Schools the best choice for all of the children that we serve. Thank you. >> Well, you put me in a difficult position because you said to everyone, "I know
you're all tired. I know you're all hungry, >> but Steuart's going to be the grand finale." Great. >> And I also, but I feel especially the need to say something to take a stand. And you know, ironically, I was these
the words I'm about to offer come from uh a publication uh by a charter organization. And the the the statement is in this uh charter organization's newsletter was strong
governance starts with strong representation and that means removing barriers not building new ones. How ironic could that be given the situation that we find ourselves in
strong governance and you know like Mr. Castello, I couldn't appreciate more the power and eloquence of what we were hearing, you know, for close to an hour about what has been accomplished and but
also the support that we've had from people who come time and time again, you know, to say this is what we need. And I think this board has been responsive. Um but like others who have spoken uh here,
instead of replacing an elected board, it would be so much more productive to understand what Southbend Schools has been doing to create partnerships already uh to ensure that kids can flourish or how leadership has worked to create
financial stability. The center for literacy has at Notre Dame has been a longtime partner as has the lab for uh economic opportunity but is as if these things don't actually already exist and um but these things are overlooked along
with our successes in literacy graduation rates things that people already talked about robust magnet programs DTE and you know we I think you've heard this again and again from us uh sitting up here we invite elected officials,
state partners, and business leaders, and others to partner with Southbend schools to help with the problems they identify. Uh we acknowledge we need to find ways to extend and strengthen our partnerships and share what's happening at both the administrative and school
level. At a time when we're expected to do more as educators, it's important to promote public schools within the ecology of school choice. help support kids and families with resources, especially when kids can't get to school and stabilize finances in the face of
deep cuts and inre increasing costs. The state leveled the $27 million deficit on the on the Southbend schools and yet we're supposed to be doing more. Uh, one person said we should be we should have
a policy that supports joy. And I find it hard to fathom when I tutor and see kids going from tutoring uh to test prep to more test prep. How is it possible under the threat of
retaining kids to bring joy? uh really would be important to reflect on what it is that uh we're trying to accomplish but the forces that are also I think someone said this earlier the forces that are working against the
very things that they say we should be doing and that we we are doing the best we can. I mean the problems of absenteeism falling enrollments and school closures that community leaders and others identify are prevalent across the country. The answer, broadly
speaking, as far as I can tell and have read, has not been to replace publicly elected officials who reflect the needs of the community that elected them in the first place and who hold them accountable. What a common theme. The answer lies in all partners and community leaders
thoughtfully working together in the best interests of the community and of course children. In this case, the best metric for change is how we can best meet the needs of children. So, I'm there and thank you patiently listening to us and
for your support. I hope everybody is listening has gotten the idea that we need to be talking to legislators. We need to be going to Indianapolis uh and we need to be affecting change by being in places that uh where we can
better understand what it is that we're doing as a corporation. the the hard work that teachers are doing to make classrooms joyful. So to to to say that we should have a policy to make classes more joyful seems extraordinary from a former teacher.
So with that uh if it's with your permission board I'll suggest that we adjourn uh to say I if you agree. >> I >> yeah I thought you would. Uh thank you so much and again thank you everyone and I didn't wish everyone a happy new year.
I forgot this is the first meeting of the year. Uh but happy new year to you all.