Heat. Heat. present. I call this meeting of the board of education to order. The board would like to welcome the audience and thank you for attending. Viewers may watch TCAPS board of education meetings and TCAP and committee meetings live or on demand at this any time at tcaps.net/board.
Please rise and join Miss Miller's first grade class from Travis Heights Elementary School in the pledge of allegiance. >> This way. >> Oh yes. Okay. First, >> of to the republic for it stands,
>> indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Y that one. >> Yeah, they picked up the pace a little bit. >> Uh just for board members, we did uh relocate based on uh flag etiquette to the uh other side. So,
>> we learned that. Mhm. >> So, uh, moving on to the review approval portion of the agenda. Um, before we do that, I did have a I know we've got some differing things going on tonight. So, I was going to recommend just for the time
that we move uh discuss consent and discussion above the superintendent report. So, we move consent and discussion up two items. That way, we can cover any business. I know uh Scott, you got another commitment and a few other things going on as well tonight.
>> Um I would also I was going to cover in closing comments and get feedback, but it would be nice to get as much as possible. So I'd also like to add to the agenda on discussion items, which would now be um two. So it would be a 8
F is just discussion on the April study session because we we've got a study session, we don't have a topic selected. Um, >> now your other choice is is if you think you got a little time now, you could do it right now. It's where you got everybody, but your call. >> I I feel like let's continue. Let's put
it on there. We can always have I mean, it's a discussion. I I feel like it's probably better just continue on just for transparency points. >> Yeah, I know. I get >> I don't think it's also going to be a long >> I get it. Okay. I I I don't disagree with Ela, but um >> speaking on Tai's behalf, I think the public might want to hear our
discussion. >> Yeah. And I I agree too. So, it's um it's going to be a strange meeting just with uh everything today. So, um but yeah, so those would be the changes I would make. So, if if they are acceptable, then uh a motion would be great as amended.
>> I move to approve the agenda as amended. >> I second. >> All right. All those um actually I need a roll call vote. So, Tammy, please roll call vote. Um, Trusty Moon, >> yes. >> Trusty Bajaras, >> yes. >> Trusty Ballinger, >> yes. >> Trusty Hardy, >> hi. >> Trusty Pack, >> yes. >> And no,
>> yes. Motion carries. So, moving on uh to the close session uh portion as as we have uh we have an hour put aside to to meet with the superintendent at the beginning of the meeting when fresh as one of the most important functions of the board. Uh, so we go into close
session and then we return to open session at 6 pm to conclude or to start regular business. Um, so with that, do I have a motion to go into close session? >> I move to enter into a closed session for the purpose of conducting a periodic personnel evaluation is followed by the
open meetings act PA267 of 1976 section 81A. The employee requested the close session in writing. >> I second. >> All right. Any discussion? Tabby, please conduct a roll call vote. >> Trusty Bajaras, >> yes. >> Trusty Ballinger, >> yes. >> Trusty Hardy,
>> hi. >> Trusty Moonmar, >> yes. >> Trusty Pack, >> yes. >> And trusty Newman bail. >> Yes. So, we return to this room at before 6 p.m. to start regular business. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Okay. are now in open session. Uh just for uh everyone attending here, we'll be just a few short minutes delay uh starting properly or regular business probably six in just a couple of minutes.
I can do that for you. resistance for deep water point. My my >> I've met a few of those along my journey here. >> Yes, I have too. >> My opinion has nothing to do with the concept. It's purely about like options, right?
Take What did you >> All right. Okay. Thanks everyone. Um just to uh bring uh everyone up to speed a little bit, when we did meet, we did uh modify the agenda slightly just to bring the
business um business part of the discussion up to the front of the meeting. So you guys who are here for that will be able to uh hear us a little bit quicker and we do have a few board members who have to leave uh early tonight as well. So um we did move uh consent and discussion items up above
for any reporting out including the superintendent's report. So with that we will move on to public oh sorry recognition and default okay I'm going to go ahead and pass it off to Dr. Jesse Hog >> thank you uh we are going to recognize
our national merit finalist students and we have four this year so I'm going to introduce Mr. Bener a lead principal at Central High School to come on up and talk about each of his students. All right, funny. Thank you, Dr. H. Hot. Hotton. Um, I'm going to introduce the
four students and have them come stand behind uh President Newman Bale there. So, if you guys would come on up, we have um Arthur Leeski Lee, Alex Petroki, Hely Taylor, and Lillian Chev. And I'm going to talk about each of them.
>> Nice job, guys. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. So, just a little context, these four outstanding seniors scored in um better than the top 1% in the nation and are part of about 15,000 students who are recognized for their high achievement on
the PSAT NMSQT, which they took fall of their junior year. So, they are national merit finalists, which is a huge accomplishment. I'll talk a little bit about each year. So, we'll start with uh Arthur Lee SD Lee. >> Step forward. >> There we There we go.
>> So, here's a bit about his schooling. He went to the children's house through 8th grade. He then attended Central High School from 9th through 12th where he's part of the STEM academic community. And he's been in part of the early college program at NMC since the second semester of his 10th grade year. His parents are
Brenda and Jack. And as part of his academic highlights, he carries a 3.98 GPA, multiple NMC courses, and three AP courses with us. He is known around the state as the quiz bowl champion. He's debate co- captain very involved in
model UN and boy scouts. When thinking about what he's thankful for in TCAPS, he says the options to pursue a higher level of academic rigor. It was great to have an opportunity to push above and beyond and follow my interests. When asked, his teacher, Mr.
Baylor said about Arthur, "He's a student who possesses a great intelligence, a deep commitment to learning, and a joyous curiosity. He approaches each lesson with humility, and wonder. He's truly a joy to have in class. He's deeply involved in an impressive set of extracurricular
activities, all of which he does with passion, dedication, and excellence. Arthur's achievements are substantial and transformative, as his leadership and engagement have made our school and community a better place. Uh next year he's planning on taking his fifth year at NMC and then U of M for
physics and international relations. That's Arthur Leeski Lee. Next up we have Mr. Alex Petrovki. He started his schooling at Corteade and then went to East Middle School and is currently finishing up at Central High School. His parents are Sandy and
Edward. He carries a 3.59 GPA, has taken eight AP courses at Central High School, and multiple dual enrollment courses. His favorite activities are STEM study nights at NMC, which he's going to after this evening. He's thankful for the high number of options that we have at
Central High School and classes in areas of interest and rigor that were able to push him. When asked, his principal, Mr. Burker, said, "Alex brings a relentless curiosity to learning. When he sets his mind on a goal, his inquisitive nature and strong work ethic drive him to dig
deeper, ask better questions, and put forth the effort to achieve it. Next year, his university is to be determined, but he's going to study physics of some sort. Alex Petroki. Next, we have Miss Lillian Chev. She started her academic journey in
elementary school in Chicago, then transferred to Traverse City at East Middle School in 8th grade and has attended all of her high school years at Central High School. Her parents are Nathan and Shauna, and I see siblings Anukica and Jackson in the crowd tonight as well. She carries a 4.0 GPA and has
taken 10 AP courses and is in the highest choir that we offer at Central High School. She's a cross country and track stud and has been a part of NHS for years. She's thankful for having a lot of teachers who are always willing to answer questions and meet with me outside of class to deepen my
understanding of the material or extensions of the material. When asked, her French teacher, Madame Grant, said Lily is a brilliant learner who continually sought to master the intricacies of the challenging French language throughout her high school tenure. Her linguistic precision was
astounding, and yet it was Lily's warm, humble, and gracious demeanor that truly resonated. Next year she's planning to go to the University of Chicago to study public policy. Lillian Chev. And next we have Mr. Heli Taylor. He's
attended a lot of TCAPS institutions. He went to Glenn Lumis in this very building, then Central grade school, West Middle School, and then Central High School where he's part of the global studies community and STEM community. His parents are Rachel and John. He carries a 4.0 0 GPA and he's
taken an astounding 12 AP courses at Central High School as well as NMC dual enrollment offerings. He is tennis captain. He's a member of QuizBowl, our student athlete leadership organization, NHS, and Model UN. He's thankful for the community, kids, and teachers and
friends that he's made along the way. There are lots of rigorous classes that challenge you and prepare you well for the future. His teacher, Senora Lynch, said Heli has been a star all four years of high school. His intellect was immediately obvious, but he's always been very humble about his abilities. He
doesn't brag. He doesn't act bored. He willingly helps his classmates without talking down to them. And as in intelligent as he is, Heli knows how to study and will be well prepared for his years in college. Next year, he's planning to attend a college to be determined to study statistics or
kinesiology. Mr. Hely Taylor. Just you just watch. >> Yeah. Yep. Thank you. get some pictures. >> Thank you. >> One more time. Great. Congratulations.
Go ahead. >> Students and families are welcome to stay, but you're also welcome to go. >> All right. Um, thank you and congratulations again. Um, moving on to the next agenda item is public comment. Uh
Tammy, I assume we have public comment. >> Um are we done? I see one coming in. So I read the uh the board is set aside this time for public comment. Individuals addressing the board shall have one opportunity to speak and it shall be limited to three minutes. Individuals should not make personal tax unrelated
actions affecting the school system and we strongly encourage common courtesy and constructive feedback. Detailed rules and procedures including complaint process are outlined in board policy 25504. Bill. Yep. >> Billner Biller Traverse City
and forgot sign. This is a great website. It's take back the classroom. I hold it up so you can all see it. And takeback theclassroom.com. It's in every school district in the
country. Uh there's like 349 in Michigan. They're all listed. Um TCAPS is on there. And if you go there, um what what the sign says is ask TCAPS about takeback theclassroom.com. Everyone should go there. Uh the sign
says we're trying to protect children and we're trying to empower parents and it's got the school board's email address. Hopefully people can voice their opinion either way. But
my one said on the bottom TC family and uh and the bird cage in the middle is basically sometimes schools have more effect than the the parents because they're they're longer. So you have to be careful what
you're teaching to them and you can make a great positive influence and it can go the other way too. And um so that's the handout. Um if you look at the handout on if you go to the website I pulled out
Traverse City. It's on the left hand column of this handout. And um like Central High School has 87 sexually explicit or uh warning now used to be
sexually or pervasively vulgar. They change it slightly but uh at any rate stuff that's not good for the kids. and um TCAPS I apolog uh
and it's and what you've admitted in these charts here if you go to that meeting you can get big blown up ones about the harms of pornography. You guys all admitted it yourself. All seven of you voted for. And let's just consider
this is I applaud you. This is the pornography that you gave four slides for and people can find them online. It's dangerous and you've admitted it. Okay. This is the same only there's only one. Might
be a little less, but do we want? It's like poison. Do we want We don't want five. You've admitted that. Do we want anything less than five is one? Not too bad. So, I encourage you get rid of
those books in the library. Thank you. >> All right. That's the end. >> All right. Thank you for public comment. Moving on to consent. Do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented?
I move to approve the consent calendar as presented. >> Second. >> Second. Any discussion? >> All right. All those say in favor say I. >> I. Those post say nay. Motion carries. Uh moving on to discussion. Uh first
discussion item is school safety update. Dr. Mar. >> Okay. So, uh, I am pleased to report that we have successfully completed our second round of emergency lockdown drills over the last couple of weeks across the district. These drills were particularly significant as we integrated new staff capabilities, which
in turn made our resource protocols more efficient, organized, and effective. During this round, Patrick Mcmanis, our director um of safety and security, has shifted the process by introducing a teaching through the drill approach. A strategy designed to transform these exercises into proactive learning
environments. By allowing the drills to be more student-driven, our educators provided students the opportunity to apply safety protocols in real time. Moving away from a culture of fear and anxiety towards one of ownership and preparedness. This successful implementation ensures that our students and staff are not only protected by
technology and physical sec but are empowered with the knowledge and confidence to maintain a safe learning environment. Had the chance to see a couple of these, talk to staff. Definitely um uh a great addition to changing up what's just been traditional drills and appreciate Patrick's work on
that. We're continuing to look at best practice in all of our school safety initiatives across the district and we'll continue to update you on those as we continue to move forward. >> Um, any questions? Moving on to social host responsibility
proclamation. Um, before I defer to Connie Taylor, I will actually be recusing myself from this item um and passing over the vice president um to handle this item. Okay. Thank you. As you know, annually, uh, we bring this resolution before the
board as we as we're starting to approach our, um, party season, I would say, graduation gettogethers and so on and so forth. Um, the board has passed this resolution to support, um, that we strongly discourage the use of underage
alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs and acknowledge the detrimental health effects that they have on young people. Um by adopting this resolution, we um acknowledge April is social um responsibility month. Uh it's just a reminder for those who are hosting at
their homes to make sure that we keep all um illegal alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs out of the hands of our kids. >> Perfect. Uh so um with that, I would like to ask our secretary uh Josie to read the uh the proclamation or I'm
sorry, the resolution. Um, sure. Um, the following preamble and resolution read as follows. Whereas underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs are a problem affecting our community, our health, and our future. It exacts a significant toll
on individuals and families and places a costly tax burden on the community at large for law enforcement, medical services, and other social services involved in the prevention and treatment of underage alcohol, tobacco, andor recreational drugs. And whereas underage
use of alcohol, tobacco, and or recreational drugs may have severe consequences, many of which parents and caregivers may not be fully aware of. Consequences of the above may include injury or death from accidents, overdoses, and other adverse health effects up to and including death,
unintended sexual activity, academic problems, and further drug use. And whereas parents and caregivers have a significant influence on young people's decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use by young people, especially when they create supportive and
nurturing environments free of these substances. And whereas alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use by young people is dangerous, not only because of the risks associated with acute impairment, but also because of the grave threat to their long-term development and physical and mental health. And whereas parents, educators,
and community leaders who work with our young people every day are our best advocates for responsible decisionmaking. And whereas it is illegal for adults to knowingly allow their underage child or their child's underage friends to consume alcohol, tobacco, and/or
recreational drugs in their home, even with the permission of the friend's parents. And whereas adults have the authority and responsibility to take steps to reduce the likelihood that their homes will become venues for underage consumption of alcohol,
tobacco, and/or recreational drugs. Now, therefore, be it resolved, Traverse City Area Public Schools of Grand Traverse County, a community committed to the prevention of underage alcohol, tobacco, and/or recreational drug use, does hereby proclaim that April 2026 is
social host responsibility month. We shall also call upon all parents, family members, citizens, homeowners, and property owners to host gatherings responsibly and take measures to eliminate access to alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs products to
persons under the age of 21. >> Thank you, Secretary Ballinger. Is there are there any discussion? Is there any discussion? With that, I would entertain a motion. I move that the board of education approve the social host responsibility
proclamation resolution as presented. >> Second. >> Tammy, please conduct a roll call vote. >> Uh, trustee Hardy. >> Hi. >> Trusty PAC. >> I. >> Trusty Veraris. >> Yes. >> Trusty Ballinger. >> Yes. >> Trusty Moonmmore. >> Yes. >> And Trusty Newman.
>> Abstain. >> Uh, sorry. Motion carries. Okay. accept it. >> Thanks. >> Um, appreciate that. And I have no positive or negative. I just stay out of any issues involving alcohol based on my position. So, uh, moving on to, uh,
bids, services, and purchases to Dr. Bman. >> Okay. So, we are going to talk about kind of the really the next two items. Um, the first, uh, being a, uh, just a few slides on our, uh, after school clubhouse and the multi-purpose fieldhouse. And then after that is an
item of accepting donations, uh, gifts, uh, as per board policy. Um, so I'll kind of go through a few slides here that'll cover both and then take any questions. Um, if we board does have any, we do have representatives here from TMP Architecture as well as Hallmark Construction, uh, Northern uh,
Michigan Homefield Alliance as well as Trevor City Tourism and Traverse Connect. So if we have any questions, they're here in the audience with us. So um, appreciate all their their work and their time here tonight. So, I just want to make sure the board recognizes if they have any questions with that that we could have one of them or any of them
come up and give any comments that the board might feel needed. So, go ahead. Um, so this really is has evolved in a lot started with talking about our LEAP program. So, in our strategic plan um we've talked about trying to expand opportunities for our kids uh through
our LEAP program. Um and one of the one of the things as we've looked is we wanted to um increase our enrichment opportunities um which include from robotics to we could do drone camps just lots of different ideas that we have and with this afterchool clubhouse uh that
is uh there we're able to do programming that is in kind of an active classroom environment that is is built into the facility as well as to be able to have uh um health and and wellness activities um throughout the multi-purpose fieldhouse. Um it the idea is to be able
to have this in the winter time as we've gone through a rough winter this year as we know. Um this has the ability to support year- round engagement for our kids. Um and but especially having some afterchool or some summer programs. One of the things that's nice about having a
facility that you don't worry about if it rains or it storms or that when parents are trying to make sure that they have a place for their student to go in summer camp, but you know if they have to pick them up because it's a rain day, those kind of things where with a facility that's indoor, we don't have those kind of struggles. So, um,
something we're excited about with this facility and, um, and serving more students and families, not just in TECAPS, but we know that some of our smaller districts in the area just don't have the resources or the ability to to have some philanthropy and some of the things we've been able to put together.
And so, in the end, it really is going to be a resource for kids across our entire region. And we're really excited about that. So, again, alignment with our Compass 2.0 no strategic plan. We have that focus on increasing participation across LEAP programming. Um that that we
definitely feel that these afterchool programs and programs in the multi-purpose field also help us in achieving that prioritizing students furthest from opportunity and financial sta stability. Talk a little bit more about that here um in the end. directly
focused. This facility we we are hoping has the ability to help us financially to be able to do that especially for our students furthest from from opportunity. Um having a sustainable outside program. So one of the goals that the board's made clear from the get-go of almost three years ago in the start is making
sure that we're able to have a business plan that has sustainability for maintenance as well as building a fund for operations that don't take away from our general fund. We feel very strongly that um our business plan and even some of the donated funds that we already have helps us establish uh much of that,
but we believe we will have the ability to have both those funds set um before this building's even completed. So really excited about um again the philanthropy we've had and our business plan that helps us identify that. And then, you know, our reorganization within our district of having our TCAPS
foundation and focusing in on our student support network as well as LEAP programming are the two key things that they're working on right now. Working with groups such as uh safer uh kids safer schools, working with uh seeds uh environmental program for after school
programming. We feel like all of that together with this uh facility is going to help us to be able to support our long-term goals of trying to achieve that for all of our kids. So, the new facility impact uh the clubhouse and multi-purpose fieldhouse will house our LEAP offices. So, right
now um so we will have our director of LEAP and administrative assistant will be um in the building. We'll actually we have offices built in there for them to be able to have their daily um uh work done there and be able to help manage the facility and we're able to take some
load off them with some reorganization of LEAP. Talked about that quite a bit in our executive committee. Executive committee thought maybe at a later date to be able to go over some more of that would be proper. Um so we'll do that at a later date. Um but we're well on our way to get job descriptions and moving
forward with that. We believe again that this facility can serve as a financial driver for those leap operations. We in our business plan, it shows in that third year that we are uh able to contribute money back to the district and and our goal is to that that money directly is impacted. Our LEAP
programming and being able to reach that goal in our strategic plan of having our kids that are free and reduced lunch have more opportunity um at no cost to them. So we believe this will help towards that. Um and uh and again uh we want to make sure that um those kids uh
that may not have the opportunity often times to be on travel leagues and things down state and all that, we want all of our kids to have that. And by having the opportunity to have this and embedded in our LEAP program, we strongly believe we're going to have the opportunity to be able to do that. So, one of the things that the board we
knew is going into this, again, from the 2018 bond, we had some funds that were dedicated towards an indoor practice facility, but we knew it wouldn't do what we wanted to be able to do for our kids in the community. And so, we knew we had to go out and raise a substantial
amount of of money. And so, um, at this point, we have had quite a bit of our community step up and and want to help towards making sure that our kids have these opportunities. Um, so, uh, Northern Michigan Homefield Alliance has worked, uh, across, you know, the the
community to be able to get a pledge of $6 million, uh, collectively, uh, towards this, uh, this process. Um, we've identified, as you'll see in the resolution, that these funds will be available to us by the end of the month, um, so that we can begin to execute the
contracts that the board would approve under this. Um the Traverse City uh tourism um has committed 1.5 million, a million dollars up front by the end of the month and then 50,000 a year for the next 10 years that will help establish um our maintenance fund uh that will go
in a restricted fund that will can only be used here and held in the district and a part of our our uh fund balance in a restricted area to make sure that happens. uh the Joseph G and Helen Zimmerman Charitable Trust. Uh retired Judge Fellow Rogers is the uh uh trustee
for that trust and they have given us $900,000 $500,000 here that we'll have by um early May. And then um a 50 $50,000 a year for eight years that again goes in to establish that what ultimately will be a million dollar fund
um that we have uh for the sustainability fund. Um, we have Trevor City Track Club has donated a h 100,000. They'll give $20,000 here by the end of March and they will have a uh $10,000 a year that'll be given over eight years
that also goes into that fund to um build that fund as I've discussed. Mson Medical um Mson uh healthc care is donated $250,000 $125,000 they'll be given to us uh before uh midappril um and then another
125,000 in the next fiscal year for them which begins July 1. So soon after that we will um ask them for that additional 125. Um East Bay Township they have given 185,856 and that's in combination towards the generator for the facility that will be
jointly used. There's a wellhouse. It's a municipal well on the property. So, we're jointly joining the the buildings that are on the property and putting that together to make sure that there's a a a generator that runs all of it that um is a a natural gas that's sustainable
because of the water, municipal water. We can't have diesel. So, um they really were interested in having a generator. They do not now. And so, they were really excited to be able to try and contribute um that towards uh the purchase of the generator. And then Cherryland Electric Cooperative, they've
given us an ink kind donation of of doing all of the hookups and all of the work of the electrical um wiring bringing in from the road, all the connections to the building um as well as providing a part of the LED system lighting rebates um as they do uh in in
uh the school buildings that we have in our area already, part of our train project. So, we're excited about that. And they have also um offered a $70,000 energy efficient grant for us to do some things. We're looking at maybe um some things we could do possibly solar hookup, different things that we're
going to work with them on um that they are working to donate and so they would whatever that's done would be fully supported by that grant. And so uh so appreciate all of that. Um that as you will see actually totals up to a little over $8.5 million which is actually more
than the request tonight because you will see those additional dollars that are coming in over the next 8 to 10 years helps to build up that that fund that is interest bearing that will uh be built um and kept here in the district. And so, uh, we're excited about having
all of those, uh, funds, and we'll have them early enough to be able to cover all of our costs, um, along with the, uh, the the bond dollars, the 9.3 that's left from the 2018 bond initiative. Um, and so, uh, we feel excited about all of
that. Next slide. Um, go back. So, this gives you an idea, um, of the the facility itself. This is the front that includes the TCAPS clubhouse, which is the afterchool clubhouse. Um for those this is on Carile Road. So you'll see that essentially right where the trail
comes out on the other side of uh East Middle School. Um it'll be right there directly across uh in between really the the drive will be in between uh the National Guard building and the uh um Center Ice Arena parking lot. Um so over
towards the wellhouse. So um we've worked with uh I see uh Le here who's a neighbor um for that property. So, we're able to have that on the other side. We've had the I've had the chance to work with him quite a bit. So, we're having it on the south end that I think's a lot better for a lot of reasons. Um, as far as additional
parking lot that we want to incorporate this a part of the contingency and some of that and uh we're able on the other end to have just a fire lane. We're working right now on a landscaping plan that'll have trees that meets the code for uh East Bay Township to make sure that we have a nice barrier between his
property and that. And so, uh appreciated his work with that. uh when we had our community um uh presentation, he came. So I've had the chance to talk to him quite a bit and so we've been able to honor that and I think create a better plan for people coming into the facility in that. So if you go to the
next slide, you'll see um the facility. So you'll see that um you see a lot of green grass kind of there'll be more parking lot here in the end that um after we have bids, we've got to work with Hallmark Construction to get some uh some we have some estimated costs that are pretty close we feel um to add
some parking more now on that south end. the drive will come in. Then on this north end, it'll just have a fire lane as all that'll be gravel. It'll be gated on both sides um just for fire department with knockboxes to be able to get around. That's required by fire code. Um but uh that'll be the entrance
to the facility um as it's built. Next slide. This is the inside of it. You will see it has a regulation size soccer lacrosse. We are working right now maybe even some additional lines where you see the basketball court. One of the things we want to do is possibly have a
portable court there that we know we have some work to do at Central High School with the gym and we're going to be out of there for a year and so that would give us if we have an ability to get a portable court to use that for that transition year. Um so that we've already do have an agreement signed with the YMCA a part of their expansion.
They're going to need some space. So they're going to use on Saturdays our Monasuri gym this next year while they're in their build process. And then um when they're done, we will probably be close to starting our process at Central High. So they're going to allow us some gym space in a reciprocal
agreement. Um but we think that this would also be a possibility to have some gym space for that year while we have transition. So that would be a portable court that we hope to be able to do um as we continue to work on the project. But it has a sixlane 330 meter track. Um
it has the uh bedding cages on the other end with it. um field has the ability to break into three separate fields to be able to do um different teams and some of the schools we've been to to see you can see soccer going on, lacrosse going on, baseball going on, softball going on
and track all at the same time. And so we have the divider system all designed and everything that comes up and down from the ceiling that allows you to break the field up into half or into thirds um as well as the bedding cages that come up and down. And so uh um we feel good about uh the design and
getting all the maximum use out of it. We can put plywood down. We could put a robotics uh field on it. Um again we could have ability with netting to consider drones. I mean just lots of different things that we want to consider with this. Um even the ability to do events. Uh we have seen some that
maybe in the future of looking at a portable stage. We there is a district downstate building one right now that they're going to try and host music events and things in as well. band has the ability to use it, especially when it's raining. So, we want to maximize this space for every activity that we can. Um, wrestling tournaments, you see
the state wrestling tournaments at Ford Field this the past weekend. Same ability to be able to do youth and high school, all those different things. So, we're excited what it brings to our students here in TCAPS. Um, to be able to do during those winter months that were gym space we know is super tight. Even with lacrosse and some of those
things and and flag core, we could see damage with the wood, some of that. This eliminates that. So, we're excited about those opportunities. Next slide. This will look kind of a little bit, this is a draft. Still got to go through our total um engineering on on this with the
added parking lot, but you'll see now more added parking space with the ability in the future to even go farther um to uh the west, I believe, towards East Middle School. You got some wetland areas that are fallen there, but there is some more space as well. But this comes off of that south end um closer to
the National Guard building. Um, when we do cross-country events and and things, we do also often use the parking right across the street at the National Guard building. That's a possibility. And then a lot of events when they do these, they also do auxiliary parking like at East Middle School and we would have buses. We often have Saturdays. I had the
chance to meet with the union president today of our bus drivers mentioned this. She goes, "Oh yeah, we have a lot of drivers that'll pick up Saturday opportunities and that." So that is also an opportunity with it being real close in proximity that have the ability to do So with that um any questions, thoughts?
That's a lot kind of quick, but um again, we did go over this in uh the finance committee as well as executive um talking about LEAP and that programming. And so with that, I'll open up to any questions or thoughts for any of our partners that might be um in our crowd to come up and speak if you have
questions. >> I mean, I guess I before I even go into questions, I just want to kick off to everyone involved uh in this. This has been a a multi-year I don't know how many years before it's been talked about in Travis City since
uh I've been here for a long time and have heard about it. So um the level of effort that's come together, the collaboration, the discussion, the the working and I really appreciate um our staff and public for everything you guys have done. So but with that questions.
Yeah, I was going to say I'm sure a lot of us have big picture comments like that to to make that are very positive. I just wanted to ask about a couple of things in the revised memorandum in our board packet because they did change since our February 26th finance
committee meeting. One was the reference to the track. So, >> um the original memo it was referred to as 400 meters and now it's 330. And um so I just was curious about the story there. Obviously the bid was also
for 4. >> It wasn't. It was actually the 330 and so that was a typo when Paul typed it up. The like line item for that is 400 as well. >> We did it Monday when we or we recognized that Friday wasn't available. We did change the the main memo online
on Friday that we had to put that number in there. Um and uh and also when I did the interview with the ticker I it was 3:30. So they put it in there. Was there any is that just a space limitation or >> Yeah, 330 is as big as you can get with the size of it. And so that was what was
bid with the drawings and again I think >> track friends the road runners >> and and I have communicated today because they wanted to confirm that with that with the track club the executive director the interm and so they're excited they're happy they know that's what that is. >> Okay. And then um the clubhouse doesn't
have the associated square footage in the memo, but I know at finance we talked about that being 2,500 square feet >> right around there. I know Tracy's here. Tracy, do you remember right what that was? Was that >> I'll pay real quick. That number sounds reasonable.
>> Yeah, I want to say it was worth 2500 3,000 right in there. >> Okay. >> Where it was. >> All right. And then lastly, the contingency. You probably want to talk about >> Yeah. So, you know, fortunately, um, when we were at Exec, uh, we, um, we did get an additional later that day. I had a meeting, uh, with Traverse City
Tourism, and there's a few things that we still wanted to do. One was the generator. Um, we didn't really have the funds quite for sure. We wanted to make sure we had a healthy contingency in case things come up and couldn't really commit to the generator. We had gotten an alternate bid um, to get an idea of
what that was, just to have a price. Um, so as well as the additional parking and so I had the chance uh two hours after our finance committee to meet with uh Traverse City Tourism's board and and Trevor Dak, the executive director of Traverse City Tourism's here and and uh I had a request for them to give us
another $500,000 um towards those things and to give us that and the $500,000 upfront. Um, and so they agreed to give that to us, that million in March along with still the $500,000 in uh 50,000 a year for 10 years to build that
maintenance fund. So that was a big contributing factor to be able to have that uh additional. And so we're excited. We will as we get we have to approve our bids and then I'll I'll work with uh Paul and then he'll work with uh Tracy with TMP and Jeff with Hallmark
Construction to get um a pricing in for sure so that within that contingency we've now feel very comfortable and now then with that came the additional money from East Bay Township to be able to cover that generator and to be able to have the parking additional that was one of the other things that when we did our
community uh presentation parking was brought up a little bit more and so this allows us to have more parking um and so we're very very um excited and we appreciate the Trevor City Tourism Board and and they recognize it was brought up about contributing to the community and
and uh you know again we've said all along that this is mainly first and foremost for our kids. Um it will have definitely some ancillary benefits for economic you know uh uh resources for our community from pizza places to hotels others when we do have some of
those but you know we many of our kids travel three hours to Grand Rapids or Sagena or Metro Detroit for some of these opportunities and our kids that are furthest from opportunity that are in poverty have no opportunity for that. This allows us to do that and we
appreciate all of our our donors that recognize the importance of this and opportunities for our kids and and wellness after school opportunity and the the multi- opportunities that this facility brings and uh we're excited about that. >> Couple of questions.
Do you have any idea how many people can actually be in the building? Uh, we know now Tracy, that's one you might remember from a fire marshall standpoint where we land. >> Exactly. Grab a blanket. >> You want me to come up or >> Come on up. Yep. Come on up.
>> Yep. >> You guys tall enough. You can all see me in the back. >> Yep. >> Uh, for a number of different reasons, we had to during the budgeting process, we kind of had to make some decisions when it came to occupancy vote on the building. So what we did is come up with
what we thought the reasonable occupancy would be. And really what was driving the cost was the size of the restrooms. Um building big enough that I could put 3,000 people in there. Um but that would have meant restrooms for 3,000 people which started to drive size and cost.
There was some sight limitations to that. So I believe right now the stated occupancy load of the building based on the plumbing count that we had shown is about 750 people. Okay. And then do you know how many parking
spaces with the additional parking? >> Oh, top of my noggin. Um, put it back up there. I could count. Um, I don't remember that right off the top of my head. >> Yeah. And we've got to do some design work for the additional so we'll know then. But that's something I'll update
the board on. But we with this with the additional money coming in so late, we have to go back work with the um engineer which is uh Gordy Frasier locally to map that all out and get an accurate count for and it has to go through state planning as well. So for us to find out exactly but
>> okay because I was thinking even just a ballpark >> I want to say around 125 is where we're at but again >> I think we were slightly above 100 somewhere in the 120 to 130 range for the main park >> and we've got some more to add. So >> I think the addition is pushing
somewhere between 60 and 80. >> Will you have specific areas for buses? >> Um so normally buses we would have go over to East Middle School and park there from that. They would drop kids off and go over and drop over there. >> Okay. >> When you have that >> because you know some of these kids will
come and unload. >> Yep. That's that's the part we would use East Middle School for. And again like when we have tournaments and those kind of things that's where we would have shuttle buses for even the drivers. A lot of times the drivers will stay with their buses and that, you know, but we will have a back and forth. I talked with John about that again. I talked to
our our union president today just because I wanted to make sure normally those routes get big picture. She goes, "Oh yeah, Saturday is a lot of a lot of drivers always looking for work when there's opportunities like that." So >> if I may, the parking lot is designed with turning radiuses and clearances that it can handle buses.
>> Okay. Because Yeah. And trucks bringing in equipment. Uh so one of the big requirements that we had to meet for the um township was they have semi-truck deliveries of chlorine for the wellhouse. So it's a one-way traffic
around the building. So the asphalt is is heavy duty asphalt and all the turning clearances will support a fullsize semi-truck >> sort of like going to west. And then food trucks. Do you have a place for food truck? >> That's something we got to figure out in our drawing here yet with that. That's
something we want to incorporate and see where that comes in. But again, we got to work with our engineer and stuff on exactly what that'll look like >> because I'm thinking, you know, all day robotics, >> people want to go out and that's one thing that I have when we get
with Gray Frasier on this with this expansion of the lot that I want to talk to him about. >> Okay. And it'll be interesting. You don't have final ideas yet of how that clubhouse is going to look >> inside. Inside? >> No. I mean, it'll be drywalled. That'll help. You know, we are going to make sure we have plumbing like a utility sink, some of those kind of things, but
kind of want to get with if seeds is in our primary, we kind of want to get there and kind of design some of that. You know, we'll we'll have a little bit with our contingency to do furniture and fixtures and those elements with that. >> Yeah, I've got to uh was supposed to vacate 10 minutes ago. Uh I fully
support this and I I really do want to say one thing that a lot of this has been pulled together as a public private partnership which is not we don't have a great history of that here in this region. So I want to thank Jessica Sullivan for sure. >> I want to thank Trevor um and the
tourism bureau. I mean it's really important that the public got a chance to participate and invest in this because it's really a community asset. So, thank you and Warren also for the um drivers connect help in this. I wanted
to thank the people that were involved in this too. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> You've got the votes. I think >> I I hope hopefully we may call you back. If no, >> please do. >> Um so, is there any other questions as
well? >> I um I was going to say exactly what Scott said on the public private partnership and just thank you. this is sort of unprecedented in our area and I I remember when we brought this up and the idea we got a lot of push back that that could never happen that way because
it just has never happened before and so I just really thank the um just the cooperation with everybody to to make this um you know to make this an opportunity. So um and again thank you to all of our donors um amazing amazing
there too. Um, a couple of questions. Um, and this is more for just the public. So, I remember getting some push back on our location and so I just wanted to kind of talk about >> why we chose there that it was already TCAP's own land and so I just want that
to be really clear on why that land was chosen. >> You know, we really didn't have a lot. You know, we originally kind of toyed looking at West Middle School in the fields, but you've got a large hill there cuts in. You've got a creek that goes through and it just wouldn't fit. you know, you would have to peel back on uh the dirt of a large mound that comes
from the softball field there. And we were just very retaining walls would have to be built, lots of different things. And it just and it's a lowland water. It just had so many issues that it just in the end wasn't feasible. And so the other thing that, you know, we started talking about, I credit Tai a
lot with this of talking about afterchool programming and that, you know, a lot of our kids go to the Y from West Middle School every day. almost Andy gets almost a hundred kids from West Middle School every day um after school and our kids on the east side have nothing. And so you know what what
we the concept we've kind of come up with here is trying to work with seeds. We already have seeds working after school at Monasuri is that this might give us the opportunity to have after school programming starting at East Middle School and in the clubhouse. We hope to replicate that working with
seeds at West Middle School. And then we have the opportunity of a multi-purpose uh fieldhouse um at the east side and then the Y has that and the Y is also expanding um for opportunities and have our kids on both sides of town to have those opportunities. So we felt in the
end that worked really well to be able to have that and we're working with Andy and a lot of different things at the Y and we think it's a good partnership and so that allows us to do all that but yet even I can tell you that you know as I've talked with Michigan Homefield Northern Michigan Homefield Alliance you
know they the Jessica's working on a phase two to try and maybe build more of an auxiliary gym at West High School to get that next so that there's some space there and then eventually the same at Central. Again, at Central especially, we're very landlocked and not a room, but we do recognize the the need for
like another gym. And so, that's something we could see apart like at the track at West High School and then to use during the school day and then the same at Central. So, fully from philanthropy and and gifts, we're going to look to see if there's a phase two to try and go after with that. So, there is
that with West being that next one to try and go after, but this provides opportunities for all of our kids. And then, you know, we'll have the track and these things that, you know, if you really go out, it's not a huge difference between the distance between Central High School and West High School to this spot.
>> I think West is less actually less distance. >> Yeah. So, our kids are going to, you know, be able to use this at both high schools. We have dedicated time carved out for our our high school and middle schools, for both sides of town. Uh, I know that Jason Carmine's here, our high school athletic director at West. He and
Justin worked together. We've already mapped out what all that looks like. We do have room with TC track club to be able to have some morning and evening opportunities for their members to be able to use that track. A part of the donation of the the money from them and the Zimmerman fund. That was an agreement that we'll set up some times
where they'll host us for members to be able to do some of that. They have many early morning runners that they'll kind of supervise in this. Um and then on our later evenings and weekends for some of our community teams, the the TBAs, the baseball, the softballs, some of these
that we want to work with is we do weekend kind of opportunities. A few of these tournaments they do that give them some turf time throughout the week week and those evenings. So, we've got it mapped out pretty well what that can look like and incorporated into our league program um for some of the weekend opportunities for our kids to
host some of maybe our own leagues. You know, again, for each elementary school, maybe they have some of these teams and some of that. So, we're excited to put that all together. >> And just uh to re reiterate the trail connection from East Middle School um to this uh fieldhouse um similar to that
and you already said this, West Middle School and >> and that's mostly the summer and spring. I mean, it's a wood structure there. This what's one of the things we've talked about actually when I was meeting with Lee the other day, I talked about you I think in the future we get this going, we might look at there are some funds for trail funds to work with maybe
TAR um or Norte, some of these others to maybe do an improved that maybe could be plowed in some of that in the winter time. Right now, it's a very kind of wood older structure. So, that's something we would look at, you know, to maybe be able to incorporate more in the fall winter because right now in the
when it's nice, people ride their bikes through there. There's that and this will this will come up and will and will end right at the doorsteps of the clubhouse. And so that is now a part of the safe route to schools grant that East Bay Township has led that will now go all the way from downtown Trevor City
through the conservancy, the old golf course all the way to the East Middle School and and right eventually right there. So, so again, I think short term it'll work when the season's good, but we would like to try and do maybe through some grants through the state and some of that some improvements to that trail that I think was an Eagle
Scout project originally um that we hope to maybe make some improvements there in the future, but won't happen right away, but that'd be something nice for the future. >> Got it. And then um just one other clarifying question on the parking location. It's on the new the additional that's not in the plant on the east side
of the building and the reason is east side. >> It's actually the south side. south side of the building and the reason why we can't build parking right next to the old parking is because of wetlands. >> Um is that right? >> Yeah, you you do have a drop off right there. So you you can't build it. We've utilized the space that we can on that
north end from that. And so the area that has room and because there's a water well there too, we have some issues of where we can put pipes. So again, working with Gordy Frasier, they've done that mockup that I showed you that's not official yet. Like they've got more work to get all that.
We'll have to go through approval and make sure we're good with DEEQ and our our local DPW all that. But we ran everything right now, you know, conceptually with our DPW locally in East Bay Township and that and we feel we're in a good spot. But we do have to have the final now that we have the
funds for that additional parking. It will be able to go there and and you may even have some expansion in the future a little bit more I think to the west towards West Middle School. But, you know, we'll we'll take it as far as our dollars kind of take us with that to make sure we're still maintaining our our funds and all that for the future.
But, um, we that's what we'll have. >> I think you said West Middle. >> I'm sorry, East Middle School. Okay. >> Um, and again, just really excited about this LEAP opportunity and to get more kids involved in our LEAP programs and and those that are um furthest from opportunity. So, I'm just really excited
about that. Um, and yeah, those those are really my questions. Well, >> I mean, I I just had a couple of comments because I think uh I was kind of shocked about how overwhelming this the positive feedback has been throughout this process um including
leading up to this meeting. And the only questions I got I think are worth like mentioning as well is is we've worked really extremely hard on funding this in a few different ways. one is it doesn't come out of the classroom is this is 20 actually using 2018 bond funds which had
an indoor facility in the bond not the latest bond and it basically allows us to do this not with the general fund which goes into the classroom actually allows us to free up theoretically free up money for the general fund um and so
that is a really important we've we've put a lot into the financial sustainability of this with >> having the funds available for both upkeep and operational if things don't go according to plan >> and they're restricted. So, as the gifts say, as the next agenda item, they can't
be used for anything else. That's the purpose there for and they'll be stayed in our in our restricted fund within the district. They can only be used for that purpose in the future. And so finan I think just the financial business case for this outside of TCAPS
is phenomenally strong which is I think part of the reason why we're we're getting such positive feedback by the community as well. So I just want to at least address those issues because they're the ones that come up and I do believe that this helps classroom funding. At least it doesn't hurt, >> right? So
>> yeah, I totally echo that. Uh I totally echo that. um just that getting that long-term maintenance fund was so important to me. So, I again want to give a shout out to Trevor Tekkash and the board of directors from the TC tourism. Um because that $ 1.5 million
is going to ensure we're not siphoning money from our general fund for that. Um the annual operating costs, we've talked about this again and again. Um but for the ad revenue and the tournament revenue to also, you know, basically pay
for the staff who run it will also prevent us dipping into the general fund. >> And we plan on even starting now building an additional fund balance for that as well. >> Well, yes. >> Our goal is to have 500,000 before the building opens. >> Yeah. And then lastly, I know we talked
about this at finance in late February. Just that last piece for me is is in consideration of the community about the security protocols because this will be such a yes. >> Highly utilized space by the public. So just when we get to that point.
>> Yeah. So we've already, you know, talked with Patrick and so we're going to go through and create emergency operating plans for that like just like all of our other buildings. We will have cameras, all the all of those things that we would, blue lights, everything that we have in every one of our school buildings, this facility has built into
the budget to have. So, we'll maintain all those. We'll have those protocols. Um, and uh Patrick does a phenomenal job with building all that. Um, so that's the nice thing is we'll we got about a 14-month build period. So working with our LEAP program and and and Janna Daring who's our director with that
that'll transition her offices in here and really take over more of the overall um duties of the fieldhouse and operational of it and we'll have somebody more day-to-day at ETH Middle School where she's at now. Um and so that will allow a year transition here
where all those protocols and all these things built you know plans make sure we have the right software all those things are put in place the day all before we open a door >> and then the final the final thing just
again that really came out of this is uh going through the strategic planning was the leap portion. Um, from a safety point of view, we know that engaged kids are less likely to have there's less likely to be safety incidents. They're more engaged to the school, their academic performance is
higher. >> And we also know that a lot of these students have limitations to being able to access these programs. So, >> uh, within the budgetary obviously the financial business plan of this is it does a lot of support for areas like that as well. So, um, yeah, I'm again
from how long this has been worked on, I'm just super proud of everyone of where they've got to. So, thank you. >> With that, uh, I move that the board of education approve the TCAT after school clubhouse and multi-purpose fieldhouse for 17,236,000,
which includes a 9.28% 28% construction contingency and will be funded from community donated funds and capital bond funds from the 2018 bond allocation. Upon collection of 6 million in donated funds from the community for this project, the superintendent or his
designate is approved to execute a contract for all items identified in the bid document except except the bid from um partition systems inc. A contract for Partition Partition Systems, Inc. may be executed once a total of 7,125,000
has been collected by the district from the community donated funds. >> Okay, I think we've done with the discussion, but um any other questions? And Tany, please roll. >> Trusty Munar, >> yes. >> Trusty Pac, >> yes.
>> Trusty Bajaris, >> yes. >> Trusty Ballinger, >> yes. >> And Trusty Newman, >> yes. Motion carries. And so thank you. Um thank you again for everyone. Um and then moving on to the resolution to accept the donations for the TCAPS school clubhouse multi-purpose facility.
So um you know the with those funds I don't know it's necessary necessarily read the entire resolution but I do think um you know again just acknowledging uh each of the organizations um that have donated funds might not be a bad idea. And again, we
have, you know, quite a few folks here with that. So, just the board's uh decision how you might want to go about with that. >> I I mean, we've got on the board to we can add No. Can we add it back up there? Just acknowledge. >> We can >> And obviously the resolution is
available to everyone, but it is lengthy and detailed. >> It is. It's online. in the packet. It was in finance and uh um in the board packet tonight, but again in the resolution, it outlines timelines for the money collected uh dates by all of that and uh it talks about trun
developed the resolution that talks about it being restricted funds and again that the gifts have to stay in that and their intended purpose. So it puts all the legal aspects in there as well. Um and uh and so it would be proper for the board to at this time adopt that resolution.
All right. Any any questions or anything on that? Okay. Okay. >> I move that the board of education approve the resolution to accept donations for the TCAPS after school clubhouse and multi-purpose fields. >> I second.
>> All right. Any further discussion? Um then can be please roll over. >> Trusty Pac. >> Yes. >> Trusty Varis. >> Yes. >> Trusty Ballinger. >> Yes. >> Trusty Moonar. >> Yes. >> And Trusty Newman. Yes. Motion carries. Um,
switching it up now to a completely different topic, the 2026 2027 district calendar. >> Yes. And so this is justformational purpose only for the board. So I'm going to pass it off to Connie to talk. We do have a agreed upon calendar that has been voted on. And so I will pass you.
>> Yeah, I'm really excited to be able to bring this for you guys tonight to look at. Um, you know, I'm always I wouldn't want to say surprised, but I'm always pleased with the great collaboration that we have with our association. I'll do a shout out to Dan and Jesse here, too, in terms of the pre-work that went into developing the calendar. You know,
it's a fine line. You only have so many days to work with in this school year uh to make sure that we're c we're like optimizing our time with our teachers for professional development yet instructional time with our students. And and this year was particularly challenging because we're a post Labor Day start obviously and Labor Day is
late this year. So trying to be as more as compact and efficient with our calendar as we possibly could. Um one of the things we have heard over the years is that that early release days half days are difficult for our families. Um and so we had at least just three years ago we had 12 early release days. We are
now down to seven um early release days. and our only half day is that last day of school, which is also a great thing because it allows for our students to still get their breakfast and lunch at school before they're released, but also gives us time to concentrate on our PLC work and professional development um with our staff um built into the
workday, which is, you know, it's really hard to go into PD after a long school day. Um so this is just obviously optimal utilizing our regional professional development day. These guys have worked really hard to come up with in collaboration with the association with a professional development that is
meaningful for all of our staff and helps us with all of our strategic planning goals around our um instructional goals and objectives. And so this um we do will need to do a slight modification from the countywide calendar. They are doing the full two weeks at the holiday break. We shaved
off a couple of days so that we can um not be going into that third week in June, which you know can be problematic for people's summer plans. Not to mention there's a heat factor that we get sometimes when we're going into June. Um but having said that, we'll still have a nice lengthy um holiday
break for our families and still be able hopefully with no additional snow day makeups get out of school on the 11th of June um similar to what we're doing this year. So >> nothing in the weather forecast that would be a problem in the next week or so.
>> But the the waiver that I mentioned, those are, you know, quite easy for us to get from the state. So we're not >> we got a few days before we're in trouble. So um but yeah, >> anyone have any questions? >> Oh, just about the December 21st and 22nd because that's a Monday, Tuesday. You're saying the county is going to be
out meaning like NMC would correct not have school those two days? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The ISD calendar essentials. >> Right. Right. Okay. Yeah. The only thing I worry about is that it could hurt our absenteeism numbers or attendance
numbers for those two days. But um yeah, >> those are those are things that we always kind of, you know, hold our breath for. But we we do really really well. Um over the last four years at least that I've been with the district we've not other than we had a really kind of perfect storm day of illness
weather and things that we had last >> and a half and a half day I think not even not even a early relief. So >> that was the only day in my recollection that we've even come close to not making attendance. So, >> for the most part, I think the earlier we can get calendars out to families,
they they can kind of work their plans around them and then plan to leave for a holiday break after the 22nd. >> Had a lot of people reach out to me, when are you approving this? >> We're actually we're actually earlier this year. >> I know. Every year we've been earlier and earlier and earlier. >> Honestly, I'm like, it's Monday. Monday
we're fully approving. >> I don't know if this is true. It was a different district. I was like I feel like we used to have like multi-year proposed calendars back in the day but they're almost >> worse to have it because then they changed and then >> I don't remember that. Yeah, >> the teacups we're not approving it.
>> This is just >> Yep. Just informationational again. It's been voted, you know, >> but the association has they do vote on it. They did approve it. We got word last Friday. So, um we're ready just to get it out to our public. People have been getting ready to leave for spring break, right? When they go, they want to vote for next year while they're on
their spring break. You see those December two days? We just have to tell parents they have more time to do things while the kids are in school. >> Exactly. >> We could go shop while the kids aren't around. >> There's still 12 Yeah. 12 days off.
>> We've just been spoiled with 16 the last two years with two full weeks and three weekends. Um I just just as important if not more so the impact on staff. So like all those early release days and half days have been used in the past for
teacher like collaborative routines and >> professional development like so how you've obviously had to reshuffle things in that respect and how do you you know just evaluate the effectiveness of you know those routines um so the staff are
still getting what they need as well. I'll defer to these guys, but one of the things that we started to do just last year was rolling those, you know, the PLC times into our early release days. Um, and so before we were doing them after school and again that's really hard for people who've worked a full day
to come in and be engaged in in that, but I'm going to defer to Dan and Jesse on that. >> Yeah. One of I mean the biggest thing we look at especially on those full release days so we're talking about that November day and then this next year we'll have February is how many staff come and engage in the professional
learning and we had phenomenal attendance. I think we showed you those metrics at board curriculum the last two years our attendance um for our staff has been really really positive. Uh it it our teachers have really said they just want more time but more time that creates a nine and 10 hour day for them
is not quality time right. So, as much as we can to still have their working day be an 8 hour, you know, normal working day with that professional learning engaged, but every single minute that we are out of school shorter than a normal full day, our staff is
still working and they're engaged in improving their practice. So, there's there's none of this time is just vacation time for them, too. So, right. >> Okay. >> I didn't really realize how I mean with the late Labor Day like Labor Day is It
>> makes a big difference. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you just have to uh I guess from here you're not looking for board approval, but >> board approval. This is information only for the >> and we're planning to distribute it out tomorrow. Give that to our public.
>> We have a press release ready >> for tomorrow. Tomorrow. >> I looked at it. I was pretty sure it was mine. >> Okay. Um no other questions on that. Um the we did add a discussion item which
was uh the upcoming study session. >> Um what what was the scheduled date currently? >> I think it was April 27. >> I can look it up too. So while we're looking it up is the question comes down
is we don't have a subject identified yet and we we did that for a reason because we're talking about a budgetary meeting >> and I think the only question comes down is is that >> the 27th uh too early for that meeting
>> and and so I you know I've talked with President Nabel a little bit about the idea of we've got some ideas as budgets coming but that's a little bit early. We're kind of thinking maybe either the week before our board meeting or the week after in May that you know we feel like if we could do the week after
there's a better chance we might have a house and a senate version and we've got some ideas with some things that you know with 31A funds. We've got some ideas of the formula with K3 that Dan's been working on with that to look at a little bit. And so we've got some ideas
that are going to have some different budget looks than we've had in the past and and really trying to get ahead of maybe some of the splits and and especially at our K3 levels. And so I think it'd be good for us to have the opportunity to talk budget then um of of those things. Not necessarily the
approval. The approval of the budget won't come until the June board meeting. This is just to kind of talk about some of those changes, some of those key things that we're looking doing differently that really impact student achievement that we're trying to do based on our strategic plan. So, I think, you know, it may I don't know it
even be quite two hours, but I think it's important we discuss based on some of the things you you know, we've heard in our student advisory groups and some of that some of that information we're taking and trying to plug into some different budget thoughts. And so I think it'd be a good idea to to talk
about those, you know, and and where we're going with our 31A funds. Some of that that we're doing some things a little differently maybe than we have in the past and trying to achieve our goals that the board has set forth. >> And you think move it from the Monday, April 27th until May?
>> I think that the the week after our board meeting would be better. We could do the week before, but again, as you all know, it's often the first week of May there, the second we get maybe the state possibly, you know, budgets from the House and Senate and we'll at least have a better idea how that aligns to
the governor's budget. So, for example, the governor did put another round of 31A in her budget. Okay? It also leave the language that, you know, was controversial in there. We don't know if the House and Senate will do the same, right? That's a big, you know, big
conversation of what we might do in the future in long term of hiring people versus not thinking we'd have it long term. And so the better chance we have a timing to have that, we still might not get it, but the longer we can wait, but you really can't wait any longer than
that week after our board meeting to really have that conversation because you're going to be in right into the June board meeting and adopting a budget. So maybe move the April 27th to May 18th. >> I think that is that that >> because May 11th would be our regular board meeting.
>> So okay that we on that Monday we have central honors convocation. Um it looks like um >> could we have it later in the week of the 11th after a board meeting? >> Could possibly that it open to any of those thoughts? >> Yeah. Yeah. my scheduling in May is
highly problematic, but so uh at the same time as uh if you take it off over Monday, the odds do go up. So I selfishly say another day is okay with me. >> Well, maybe because we're missing two board members.
>> You want to have Tammy put a thing out together and then I can just work with Scott to set a date. >> Instead of a Monday, go later in the week. >> Try and do it that week, but later in that week. So we do so we just say we're going to try and set >> we'll put out Tuesday through Friday and see what we get the best number of and go go with that. >> Okay. >> So from a I guess and the one thing
because we have some flexibility to set the meeting but um are we good that is the topic for that meeting at least? >> Absolutely. >> And again it's not going to be the full budget presentation. So we're clear. You're going to see that at the June board meeting. This is just to really talk about some of those key pieces. 31A
31A talking about some of the things we're looking at doing with formula with classrooms. You know, what what are we what's your thoughts as far as where we think we're at for um you know, some of the things we've done with overloads and and splits, you know, like the further we can get with that ahead of time of
trying to hire staff earlier, the better off the quality instruction those things are. So it we just like to talk have a conversation all those things we're thinking about get the board's input and then we can make sure we have that input in and then it'll be you know where we're at with our July our June adoption
>> of the of the next year's budget. >> I I mean we'll see how this works but I like this a lot better than how we have done because I always it's always awkward when you get into the June meeting and there's a budget there and we have to adopt it then by law um but we have questions and we want certain clarification.
and it still may not work out, but at least we can give you our thoughts and it's a little bit more narrow and probably going to be very related to student achievement, you know, some things and student mental health and and counseling that we've had lots of conversations with our kids about. It's
going to have a lot to do with those things, not as much some of the other bigger pieces of the budget that we traditionally maybe see. So, again, gives us input for Christine. We should have it pretty solid of what we think, but it'll still give us a chance to tweak before that adoption at the at the June board meeting.
>> I mean, I speculate now. I do feel like we should have a budget. This I mean, >> legislate uh government isn't exactly highly functional, but >> you can go on any limb you want there because I'm not >> One thing I've learned in doing this a
long time is they really like long breaks during election years. >> That's the hope. lot. So >> they're also taking talking about tech property taxes. Uh >> yeah, I I'm not staking any money on it, but I I have I my gut feeling is good, I
guess. Um so hopefully we'll have some good information at that meeting. So we'll set the meeting time hopefully the week of the 11th the survey on days at work. Um and go from there. >> Perfect. Should we also just float some ideas the week of the 18th in case other trustees
>> I think we do a doodle so we'll know >> if there's nothing that works on that weekend then I think we can go back to the drawing board >> because it gets pretty tight otherwise to turn around for the June meeting to get anything done. >> Yeah. >> Well that hour between the two graduations
>> forget about lunch. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Very good. Very good. >> Mrs. Mrs. Van Wagner who is a graduate may not agree with that kind of >> yeah Mrs. Moore agree with that >> and and and Miss Ballinger as well. So
and yeah and Mr. Newville so yeah I don't think that's going to work. >> Oh um >> All right. Um okay. So I think that's really what we need is some general guidance from the board and if the 11th doesn't work then the board's okay with us looking at alternative dates and we
will figure that one out and then post it accordingly. >> Perfect. Yeah. >> Okay. Then on the rearranged agenda here, we're now to superintendent report. >> Okay. So, legislatively, not a lot. You know, biggest thing right now is they
are doing some hearings uh in the House uh education appropriations committee right now and the big conversation is the the governor has presented a weighted formula um that goes off of what was originally the SFRC um components. But one thing that's nice
is they did include the transportation categorical again. Some of the things we fought very hard that were not in it long ago in the SFRC study, which I'm not even going to go there way back. Um but uh but so the governor has put that what that has the potential to do so you
know though is that it does eliminate 31A funds at risk funds. Okay? And it comes up with a new formula that puts you in one of I believe four categories of an opportunity index. I'm not sure if that hurts us or keeps us the same or or
helps us um different than 31A. It allocates it in a different way. Um it it's it's the same for kids in poverty, but as your district has more poverty, you go up that opportunity index. The issue I personally have with it is that,
you know, you can be in a district where you have some buildings that are 100% free lunch and others that are not. And so you may only get to be in an index two, but you have some buildings that really need those funds. It's not based on buildings or individual kids. I think it's a flaw in the system. I' I've
talked to our our advocacy group about trying to get it more maybe building based on opportunity index, but I don't know if that's going to fall on deaf ears. So that's the one piece of that formula. I agree with it conceptually. I think we all do that, you know, we need a special ed student gets more funding
for that kind of each of those pots as a student qualifies EL student you know but that's the one worry that I have is where we fall in that opportunity index could hurt us you know my guess I don't know it's going to help us but I'm worried about hurting us probably best scenario is we might stay more status
quo with where we at with our current 31A allocation um so keep an eye on that continuing to talk but that's the big conversation right now in the governor's proposal that um Lancing's talking about. Um and so uh you know that's just
it. We're watching a lot to like in the governor's budget. Um a $200 increase in the foundation. Um I think uh you know but again a lot of the categoricals we fought for are still there. Um so we'll just we'll keep an eye and see where that lands. I will be in Lancing to meet
with all of our key legislators with our Northern Michigan uh school uh legislative association on Wednesday at noon. We are meeting with Kelly um the chair of the house appropriations committee um some of the other folks state budget office. So once I know more
from that I hope to I will keep the board updated on what I learned. So that's what I have from uh legislative update and then district highlights. um do want to part of the governor's state of the state address. Uh Brian K, our principal at Traverse Heights, had the opportunity with teach for uh uh
Michigan um to be able to participate and be in the gallery for the speech and be able to meet with our legislators and key about um Traverse Heights specifically and the needs of our kids. So, I was excited for Brian and he did a great job and had the chance to talk to some people said he really advocated for
our district and our kids. So, appreciate all of his work and and success at Traverse Heights. Um, want to thank the Travers Area District Libraryies Youth Services staff for working with their 11 elementary schools in celebration of March's reading month. TCAPS's first graders visited Tatt's
Woodmir branch. During the visit, students enjoyed library orientation, storytime tours, a scavenger hunt. Every student chose a free book to keep as they came out. Um I also I know had the chance to participate in uh a reading month and was at Cortade. So had two
books voted on and the the book with no pictures won and moved on from my classroom. So really excited and thank all our volunteers across the community that u participate participate in our classroom with uh March's reading month.
Blair Elementary hosted a STEM day on February 19th that all the students were able to participate in. The highlight was the mobile planetarium in the gym that uh sleeping beard dunes and uh um uh we had the chance to go I had the chance to go out there and peek in on that as well. And so kids were very
engaged and excited um and uh had lots of different STEM opportunities across the building and the kids were very engaged and staff just said it was one of the better events they had. So appreciate all the work. Uh that was done in cooperation uh with our um our
my STEM center um that is uh regional my STEM center and so they did a great work of helping to host that. Um West Middle School's math club students are now in the first team number one team in the region and they are headed to the state competition in March. Not only did the team dominate but several students also
ranked as top individual performers in the entire region. Uh coming up, the West High School Musical Little Shop of Horrors opens this Friday. I know they have their run through, I believe, Thursday. >> Um that's coming. So excited to see
that. Um the uh the the shows are March 13th and 14th, and then the following weekend, the 20th and 21st at 7 p.m. or I'm sorry, the 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st at 7, and then March 15th, and 22nd um for at 2 o'clock. Um, so tickets can
be purchased online at tcaps.booktick.com. Again, every year we all go to these. It is unbelievable what both sides of town do with the musicals. Um, I know I've talked to Minda a little bit and she's just about ready to go with this thing. So excited to be able to see her kids
just do an awesome performance as they do each year. Congratulations to our West Senior High boys ski team for winning the state championship on February 23rd. And the West girls finished third. I had the chance to go over to we had a recognition ceremony with parents and a lot of students
there. So, it was exciting to be able to have that. Appreciate all the work that went into that. And the Central Girl ski team finished second. Uh Avery Tagger won the individual state title in the Giant Slalom and her teammate Quinn Gerber and the day of state runnerup in both the slalom and the giant slalom.
Central boys finished third. So, great work by all of our kids, all of our coaches and volunteers, parents with the our ski teams. Um had a great ski season with weather just phenomenal. Also want to mention quick our central quiz bowl team. So you got to see a couple of our kids on the quiz bowl team. I watch
these kids a ton PBS and so I've watched three uh sess three of the the matches so far and they are awesome. It is so cool to watch and some of the questions they throw out there. I'm amazed at what they know. And so uh again I know John Faylor works with that group and I
believe they're working on going to a national competition >> in Washington DC. >> In Washington DC. So really cool to see them compete. really proud and I get my generally dinner sometimes and I pull on at PBS and there they are and I always check to see and it has quiz bowl at CMU and sure enough it's been the central
team uh that I've had the chance to watch. So congratulations to them and then also a west academic worldquest is heading to Washington DC. Uh so that is a great program I know that's affiliated affiliated with the international affairs forum um at NMC. Um this is a
great opportunity our kids to go and be able to work and and debate uh international affairs which and we're in the midst of now and uh so for our kids to have an understanding of that and be able to demonstrate knowledge is an awesome thing. So and I know many other things that we didn't get of information
on but across the district fall sports are done. Many of our teams competed went long ways. Spring sports start today and they're actually out on many of our fields and tracks today. I don't know for how long, but we'll take it this week. And uh just awesome things.
Robotics is gearing up here just two weeks away from a robotics competition at West High School, the regional first tournament. So, we'll be excited. Uh I'll be there to kick that off. I had the chance to pop in the IMC at West today and watch them. They've got the field all going and just awesome stuff
going around across the district for our kids to be a part of. So, thank all of our parents and volunteers and staff members that work with our kids for these things. That's all I have. >> When are the DC are they coming up in the summer then? >> No. Um >> April April I think is when the academic
world quest is. I don't know about >> Okay. Yes. And I do have one other Thank you. Um do have uh also through our finance committee we did have uh again this year a donation from the Grand Travers Band of Ottawa and Chipu Chipua
Indians 2% grant. Um any again uh um it's a you know anything uh we cleared up in finance anything over $20,000 that is a is a um a gift goes through board policy but grants are not a part of that but I am going to acknowledge when we
have grants with this and we feel that that 2% grant is just such a awesome opportunity that we get to apply for two times a year and so just want to appreciate and acknowledge the Grand Trevors Band of Ottawa and Chipua Indians for that grant towards our SSN and uh also So that make sure to focus
and help our indigenous students across the district that need those SSN res SS SN resources. So that's off. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? Federal written superintendent report.
We move on to board committee report outs. First is curriculum committee from February 24th. Trusty Ber. >> Okay. So, we uh revised and approved our meeting minutes. We um also approve we
put on the consent calendar tonight the um additions to the TCAPS district course catalog both for the current school year because we are now in semester 2 as well as the 2026 to 2027 school year. We did have three field
trip requests. two were for both of our robotics teams. We're uh counting chickens before they hatch, but hoping that both Central High School and West Senior High can go to the robotics world competition as they have in past years. That's in Houston, Texas um in April.
And then also Central High School has a small group of students who are going to Japan in June. So those items were all on the consent calendar tonight. Um, and then we also decided as a committee to change our meeting time. We shifted up a
little just to by 15 minutes to start at 8:15 a.m. We're sticking with our Tuesday schedule. And incidentally, we are now aligning with finance starting at 8:15 a.m. So, a little bit more consistency for staff to remember as well. And then we dug into um our
learning series, which this month was about parent and family engagement. So, both Dr. H. Putin and Mr. Tyworth walked us through all the things that we do across the district K through 12. Um we had special visitors in Brian Kay from Traverse Heights and Ben Ber from uh
Central High School also to kind of illustrate what they do in their buildings. And then we moved into um just briefly touching on a pilot right now using three technology tools at our five secondary schools um that each
speak to different things. So, all of our um 6th through 12th grade teachers are using these tools to um as appropriate for their classrooms and this is going to be a pretty quick turnaround pilot that will be reported
out um to curriculum committee in April on those results. Anything you want to add there? Okay. Um and then lastly, we did our celebrations and successes and um our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 7th at 8:15 a.m. Note that there
is a large break there because of spring break in March. >> I did um I I did have something just to think about here just while we're here just because we're here the academ or the um academic world quest with that as does that have to be approved through
board. Do we have time before our next board meeting to be able to >> He does and we do because they are not going until um I want to say midappril. So we have them on the April day because that was my that was part of my question. >> I thought so but I just wanted to triple check because I would hate to miss it
and we're here. >> So >> that's why I was asking thoughts and so uh >> we did add that field trip for uh West Senior High choir though that got added to exec because it came after board. Yeah. >> I think we had to there was three to I
think like Yeah. Houston like robotics and there was a couple like but I just I didn't remember seeing that one and I was like yeah >> choir went to executive because we got >> and incidentally I did attend the robotics competition this past weekend in both Central High School and West Singer High. I did make it to the semi-finals. So
>> there's promise and they always improve the robots after the early weeks come. >> Absolutely. >> It's it's going to go a lot farther. All right. With that, >> Yep. Sorry. Finance and Operations Committee on February 26. Um,
>> well, are you doing the report? >> Report out. Yes. And it's a little backwards because obviously we already discussed a whole bunch of these things, but I will my report out. So, um, we went through bids and services and purchases. Um, there was an athletics pull vault equipment. This was on
consent, but just to clarify, uh, Pvalt, new pole vault equipment for Central High School and West Senior High. So, the finance committee uh, recommended the purchase for a total of $50,89, which includes uh, 10% contingency funded by bond funds. So, that was
approved on consent. Um, we went through our capital projects. Um, I'm sorry, uh, the TCAPS afterchool clubhouse multi-purpose fieldhouse. So, obviously, we had that discussion earlier. Um, third item, technology. We talked about Chromebooks for elementary, sixth, and
9th grade students. So, just um to review the the um the money or the total contract was awarded not to exceed 1,822,50 which includes a 10% contingency funded from bonds. So, that was on the consent calendar. And then there was a network
solution, so fiber um to the TCAPS after school, clubhouse, and multi-purpose fieldhouse uh and cortade. So again, the committee uh unanimously recommended uh for a total contract award not to exceed 457,196
uh dollars which included a 10% contingency again on the consent calendar. Um just someformational items we went through uh capital projects update um and we uh also we talked about the Grand Travers Band of Ottawa and Chipawa Indians the 2% grant. So thank
you for that which Dr. Van Wagner just reported out on. Uh we went through the sustainability comp committee report out which uh we discussed and um uh Miss Thomas Hill uh gave us a finance updated uh or finance update regarding the 31A
explaining the lawsuit. Um and she explained whether the funds will get sent back to the Michigan Department of Education or become permanent additional allocation to the district. Um and other than that, uh that was it. Oh, we reviewed our uh future district
purchases as always uh at the end of the meeting and the meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be April 9th. Um Thursday, April 9th at 8:15. >> Okay. Any questions on finance? Um I I guess I'll leave it with you on executive for February 26th.
>> Yep. So, February 26th. Um okay. So, again, we had our procedural items. Um we had the social host responsibility proclamation, which we've already talked about on the agenda. We went through the agenda review for today's meeting, March 9th. Um, Dr. Van
Wagner asked to add the field trip for West Senior High Choir. We just talked about that. Um, and he also asked for an adjustment in the motion for item 10C, the TCAPS after school clubhouse and multi-purpose fieldhouse. Um, again, which we all uh we already went through.
So, again, a little backwards here. Um, and then someformational items. So, uh, human resources. Uh, so Dr. Dr. Van Wagner gave a staffing update. Uh the HR department is currently in the interview process for ch for the cherry null principal. I believe you're down to three candidates.
>> We are interview tomorrow. >> Down to three candidates interview tomorrow. So hope to have a recommendation for the board uh before spring break. Uh, second update, teacher positions are posted for elementary teachers, secondary math, science, ELA, Spanish, and social studies, elementary
and secondary special education teachers, and elementary and secondary social work positions. Um, we are also looking for second and third shift custodial positions and the licensed programs. So, the preschool uh department is hiring for the district uh
alternate position. So, this is someone who would fill in for various positions around the district. Um, and again, Wes's position, uh, since he announced his retirement. Um, so the director of finance position has been reposted with an adjusted salary range. Um, so the
next, uh, open interviews will be held Wednesday, March 18th from 8:00 to 10:00 here at the Glen Lumitz administration building. Um we went through the uh 2627 school year calendar uh which we already covered and then um we talked about the
LEAP restructuring and vision. So uh Dan Tyworth provided an overview of the discussion um some really neat things going on and how they're going to probably look at look at the LEAP program um differently and sort of reorganize that. So that's great. And
again in preparation for the TCAPS after school clubhouse. Um and that's all. Next board exec is Thursday, April 9th at 4 o'clock. >> Okay. Um, and as we go through all these report outs, I want to say thank you to
multiple trustees, but Erica, you obviously had a very busy week that week as did you Sarah as well. So, like hanging out a lot. >> Um, there was >> Hey, Scott Hardy and I did too. >> I I know I said >> student groups in there. We had all >> there's a lot of uh I I uh I appreciate
you guys. I mean, obviously the few of us have been out for for various times in the last month. So, but yeah, most of us have been out back and I'm hoping hoping we can get full attendance back up, but you guys really appreciate you guys. So, but with that superintendent,
board student advisory council reporting out for multiple days. Um, >> do you have a preference of how how you'd like to do this? >> You guys are the first ones. >> You Oh, >> you guys are the first one, right? >> Yeah, there's three. I didn't know if you were doing a combined because you
were in a couple of them. >> Yeah. So, I guess we'll start with you and uh >> Sure. Um on the 25th of February, Erica and I along with Jesse and Dr. Van Wagner were at the Career Tech Center with the West Senior High kids and we
had about 10 kids, I think, >> or so. And I would say what was most impressive was just to see how engaged the kids were, how excited they were to be there, to have their voices heard.
Um, they kept talking about how much they loved the class options. They loved the uh, one big thing that came out was the single-use bathrooms at West Senior High. That was a real positive. Um, the hands-on learning of the Career Tech
Center looking you know, how to incorporate that maybe more in a traditional high school. Um, one thing that came out be between both groups was just the they feel like they're treated
differently at Career Tech Center with um because and I think you said it best is they don't have to be there. It's you know they can be exited from the program pretty quickly. Um so there's a lot of
mutual respect and they were very very interested in students teach treating teachers with more respect. Um one thing that they said they really missed out on were some of their lunches with the peers um and
opportunities to do student senate. And >> that was that was pretty much it from the West Senior High one. just a little addition some um just feed feedback regarding um more support with um our supports that we've talked about
even with 31A money and and is that more counselor or social work or mental health support. So that was kind of a a loud um >> postsecary. >> Postcary. >> Postsecary. Yes. Yeah. So that was interesting. So >> yeah, that's all. Good job. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Okay. Well, the next day, um Scott Hardy and I attended the the student superintendent board student advisory council meeting here, um which was purely for West
Senior High students. Um, that one the key takeaways were >> it was both. >> I'm sorry. I'm I am so messed up. >> You're all right. You're all right. >> It's the I'm sorry. Okay. >> It was our key main one. >> No, our our traditional two high schools
um SPSAC and so the key takeaways were West Senior High cafeteria cramped, not enough seats or benches. Central High School talked about the volume, not so much space, but just the loudness there. Um, West Senior High students also
talked about the parking lot being chaotic. Both sides of town, kids said the new lighting is bright in the classrooms and some teachers are dimming them, but I guess >> some don't have them, but I did learn West High School is coming. >> Yeah. >> It's not done yet.
>> Yeah. I remember at GAO having those horrible fluorescent lights and having to like stand on a chair and threw a ball out. So, I knew what the kids were talking about. >> Yeah. Um, Yep. And then I would say fifth, and this is a really big one, the count, we had a pretty lengthy
conversation. The counselors are really stretched and and in particular, I mean, they just don't have the time given the volume of students that they have. You know, they basically have two five minute meetings a year per semester,
excuse me, per kid. and and just, you know, you think about 400 kids per counselor, that's about how it shakes out. Um that where this really manifests itself is that the students said they're they're good at getting instruction from C or guidance from counselors on courses
they should take, dual enrollment and NMC or just early college at NMC. Um but where they're really struggling is getting information on four-year colleges and FAFSA, financial aid. um as
well as scholarships. So both both sides of town, same recurring theme theme there. Um so that was really it for the February 25th one. And then the March 4th um CTC with Central High School, so kind of
like supplementary to what uh Trusty Varus just shared out. Uh she incidentally was there with me. Uh but there were some recurring themes but I would say one issue was too much focus on sports. Um and to unpack that like
literally felt like those kids get special treatment versus other students if their assignments are late that sort of thing. The disrespect uh both ways with teachers. Um consequences as well again like at CTC they feel like the
consequences are greater. So if a kid does misbehave, um, and we, you know, Dr. Van Wagner stepped in and kind of explained, yeah, the >> they have a real lever to go, you know, come here anymore. >> We don't quite have that with truency law and some of that.
>> Exactly. But we did talk about the possibility of like maybe some more social consequences or, you know, kids being ineligible for scholarships um >> in our high schools if >> that's something they do at career centers that they identified. >> Yeah. Um, but that was something I mean
the kids were advocating for this. You know, they're basically like we don't like our peers behaving this way and we want there to be consequences. Vaping in bathrooms is still a problem. Not at the CTC, but um the Central High School students just said we need more single
stalls. So, uh, they talked about how they were very remote in the F-wing. And so, trying to have some more in the common areas like the cafeteria like West now has would be helpful. Again, counselors, same thing. Um, little inconsistency in
admin staff, maybe office to office for the counselors. Counselors aren't really proactive, but when kids reach out by email to say, "Hey, I would like an appointment," they would get an appointment. So, that was a positive. Um, but again, that that not very little help with the post-secary plan beyond
NMC was a real challenge for these kids. Um, and then la let's see, the last two things I had were more electives that were related to life skills. They like personal finance which is now a state requirement. But I had had a there was a kid who advocated a boy for home
>> and I have heard that over the years from boys. You know >> that makes perfect sense to me. They're going to have to cook too. >> Yeah, that's right. And then uh lastly uh we talked this was really fascinating about how more kids could be attracted
to the career tech center. Um kind of like all the question Dr. H. and asked them was why did you pick CTC? And all of them had older siblings, an uncle who was a welder, friends, family
who push them. And so when we asked, well then how could we encourage more students to be interested who don't have family members, you know, who push them and they really felt like if it were more studentled, the eighth grade field
trip, the kids are too young and it's adults talking to them and then a 10th grade field trip that could still be useful. But what about an opportunity in ninth grade to have a student-led openhouse where this the students the CTC students come to the two primary high schools and talk about welding,
film making, creative writing, you know, biomechanical, agriculture, all these different fields. It could excite more kids >> and some of those kids were going into different programming for the was it the ninth graders? >> The ninth graders. Yeah. >> And sharing that and they found that
really effective. >> Yeah. the TAI program at Central High School. Yeah. But but not the whole student. >> But not the whole Right. But >> do we expand it that way? >> And I forgot to say we had about we had six students at that second CTC West Senior High
>> um focus group. So anyway, as always fascinating and it's the real deal and they don't have they they have anonymity when we present results, but they they know it's a safe space, I think, given how candid they are. All
right. >> Okay. >> Any questions? >> Okay. Um, next, uh, board community connections, um, February 26th and March 5th, uh, reporting out. I don't know if you have a preference on
>> I'm happy to start. Um, I was at West Senior High for parent teacher conferences and I was right there in the commons hanging out. I didn't have anybody that specifically came up with a question looking for me. U but I chatted with a lot of staff members and a lot of
parents and it was just a really positive experience seeing um the admin were in there, counselors were there. Um just lots of hustle and bustle and watching different administrators interact with families and that part was
just it was really neat to see it just kind of bustling with activity and lots of parents that were engaged and the parents that I did chat with were very pleased with what was happening and then they were off to an appointment. >> Nice. A little less stressful for you on
that side of the table? >> For sure. For sure. Um, all right. Um, and then, >> oh, yeah, and I had the community connections at Central High School for parent teacher conference nights the same concurrently with Sarah. Um, so
like you, I'm glad to know it's not personal. I also did have parents showing up specifically to talk to me, which is a good thing they're there to talk to the teachers. But, um, I did speak to a few parents and one freshman along with staff as well. Really no
complaints or questions or concerns. just an observation uh you know talking to a freshman I learned that at Central High School they have student le parent teacher conferences as freshman um and
every year I think the sophomore seniors they they're also expected to do something uh for like as a graduation requirement west does not have that requirement to my knowledge so it's just a neutral observation Um, I don't think
all of our buildings have to be the exact same. I think there should be latitude, but um, I just wanted to to point that out because that was something new I learned. And the other thing that's different is Central High School has all of the teachers in the
cafeteria and it's kind of like a first come, first serve. Um, whereas at West Senior High, the parents have to sign up for 10 minutes slots. So, I could see both both having pros and cons. Again, just describing, not recommending,
but um that's for administration to figure out. >> Was there a bottleneck at all at Central? >> You know, that's a great question. I I would defer to the staff, but I wondered about that because they don't have the the hard and fast 10-minute slots. I'm
sure the teachers have to pretty much, you know, regulate that. You know, if nobody's standing in line, then I can talk to you longer. But if and I do also know as a parent at West those 10 minutes slide to 12 or worse like 15 minutes and then it's that domino effect you know then you're late
to the next one and the next one you know >> so pros and cons. I mean the other thing is like there's safety in the central location but then there's privacy that when you're in a classroom. So again pros and cons.
Any other questions? That completes uh reporting out. Uh next agenda item is public comment. Seeing no um people left in person, we do not have public comment. And so board president closing marks actually already covered.
I wanted to talk about just the study session and the use of that. We've covered that. Um, so with that, the next board of education meeting is Monday, April 13th, 2026 at 6 PM. And uh, that do I have a motion to adjurnn the meeting?
>> Second. >> Um, all those in favor say I. >> All those post say nay. Meeting adjourned.