Flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Well, good evening everyone.
It is Wednesday, March 11th, which is a little bit different for all of us here. Um, but we are here for our monthly school board meeting. Um, and first on the agenda, um, we have any public comments? >> No, I'm saying I didn't. >> No public comments. So, we will move on
to consent agenda. Um, board, I need your approval. >> Can't get in there. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Second. Thank you for a first and second. Uh consent agenda um has passed. We are now moving on to our
final Oh, I'm so sorry. So sorry. So sorry. I'm sorry. I was in an event before this as I'm like ready to go. >> We were uh Harry Potter uh readers and so we she dressed out of character. I'm still in character so I apologize. So we
have a first and a second. Um may I have a mo uh all in favor say I. I. Any opposes? There are none. Now the consent agenda has passed. We are now moving on to our financial reports. Uh performance of budget funds. Mr. Jim Holyfield.
>> Thank you, Madam President. Each month we present our financial reports comparing the year-to- date revenue to the year expenditures of our tax reported funds. The year-to- date reports of funds reports as of February 28th showing the following. In the education fund, year-to- date revenue of
9,247,964, year-to- date expenditures of 10,76,60 uh expenditures to include the monthly $65,000 transfer to the operations fund in the debt service fund. No year-to- date revenue and year-to- date expenditures, $2,943.
Uh all management payments uh that are due have been paid for the year. And we have a tax draw that fund yeartoday revenue of $345,000 year expenditures of $72,900.
Uh the 345,000 temporary loan from the rain day fund for cash flow purposes be repaid in December. the operations fund year-to- date revenue of 1,555,935 year expenditures of 4,244,967
and that does include the $655,000 transfer from the education fund that also has a draw coming in the operating referendum that had no revenue from the year year-to- date expenditures of $999,993 that fund as well that referendum has
had no revenue nor expenditure here. Uh the rate day fund has had no revenue. The only expenditure is that for mentioned $345,000 in the pension debt fund review of the fund shows positive financial decision and there are no question
approve the finance report. >> Any questions about it? >> Um may I have a motion please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I any opposes? Uh seeing there are none uh motion carries um for you're
welcome for our performance of our budget funds. Now moving on to uh contract considerations. Dr. Jim McCall. >> Thank you, Madam President. We just have one for your consideration. It deals with our 2026 bonds. Uh this is for uh
municipal advisory services provided by LWG CPAs and advisers uh in the amount of $35,000. Are any conversation questions for? >> None. May I have a motion, please? >> So move. >> A second. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposes? None. Motion carries for the contract. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Now we are moving on to grants. Good to hear from you, Dr. Barber. >> Yes, we have two grants for your
consideration this evening for. The first one is the Title Three grant. This is a federally funded grant. It has a total allocation this year of $20,618. This is used to supplement English language development services that we offer for English learners. BCS uses
these funds to provide tutoring, professional development for staff, increase parental involvement and opportunities for uh parent communication, and to supplement salary and benefits for ELLL staff. I also have the Homebuilders Association of
Northwest Indiana Education grant. This grant has a total allocation of $5,000. This is a local grant that we will use with our construction trades program to supply and repair tools and materials necessary to run and maintain a fully
functioning workshop. So, this is a new grant we applied for. We were excited to receive it from the Homeowners Association of Northwest Indiana. So, if there are any questions, I'm happy to entertain them. Otherwise, I ask for your approval. >> Any questions for
no questions? All right. May I have a motion? >> So moved. A second, please. >> Second. >> Um, all in favor? >> Uh, any opposes? None. Motion carries for the grants. You're welcome. Um, moving on to donations and gifts. Uh,
back to Dr. Jim McCall. >> Thank you, Madam President. We have several for your consideration. uh beginning with four of our elementaryaries receiving uh donation but really a shared uh revenue from the major savers program through the Babau Schools Foundation. Uh Parkview
Elementary received $326.88. North View received $33063. TJ $423.75 and Heavlin Elementary received $878.75. The Science Olympiad team is in their
season of uh annual giving. And so Thomas Jefferson Middle School Science Olympiad team received donations from the following people. A Thomas Bunus, $100. David Butterfield, $200. Kavanaaugh and Nondorf Orthodontics,
$150. Clinton and Jamie Henry, $100. Robert and Joyce McMerry, $50. Michael and Mary Brown, $25. Michael and Anne Jones, $25. And then the Viking Wrestling Club donated to the wrestling, not Science Olympiad, 100 wrestling
singlets valued at $1,250. At Valparezo High School, the robotics team uh received $30 from Amy and Patrick Barold and $25 from Edward and Jennifer Gors. The Key Club District Leadership Conference uh received $600
uh for from the Kowanas Club of Alpreso and the VHS band received $500 from an anonymous donor. Porter County Career Center uh received $890 from the American Red Cross for the future health professionals program.
Districtwide uh for our students in need. The Kuanas Club of Alparezo donated 60 pancake day tickets valued at $480 and uh Heavlin Elementary School uh donated 83 pairs of shoes for the dress
for school program. uh backpacks and snacks program uh received a number of donations uh including $250 from an anonymous donor, $3,883 shelf stable food items from the Balpo
Parks Department, $2,500 from Rotus Lotus Reach, $75 from the Heritage Evangelical Evangelical Lutheran Church, $5,000 from the Valo Schools Foundation, 1,000 plastic bags from Town and Country, and 1,000 plastic bags from
Menard's, $500 from the Valpreso Sunrise Kuanas, and of course, $25 from the John and Vicky Lubec Living Trust, as well as $25 from that same trust going to our school nutrition services. >> Very nice.
>> I was going to ask the Savers program you mentioned, what what is that program? >> Uh major savers program is uh been in place for a number of years. Uh uh and so it is a discount card uh that the uh schools foundation coordinates,
recruits and then uh the students uh sell the discount cards to friends and family uh in which the proceeds are split between the valu schools foundation and then back to the schools uh that where the students are. So I imagine there'll be more of the schools
on next month. Yes. As they filter in. Any other questions for regarding um May I have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Uh may I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I
>> uh any opposes? None. Motion carries. I >> always chuckle at that when I say who's turning down donations. Um we are now moving on to our old business. Uh permission to advertise for middle school learning environments and auditorium improvements. Mr. Jim
Holyfield. >> Thank you, Madam President. >> Absolutely. >> We're requesting permission to advertise for bids on various projects inside Ben Franklin Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. This work will include updates and repairs to both
cafeterias, both auditoriums, and wall finishes throughout those schools. The funding for this project will come from the proceeds of 2026 bond issue. If acceptable bids are received and approved, work is planned for the this coming summer with expected sub expected
substantial completion dates. I'm sorry with summer. If acceptable bids and re are received and approved, work is planned for this coming summer with expect substantial completion in fall of 2026. The administration requests that the
board approve the advertisement for bids. >> I'm going to blame the low podium. >> David, that was good. Uh any any questions? I >> was going to say we don't bite up here. Yeah.
>> So, I was hoping you were comfortable. If there are no questions, um, may I have a motion? >> Salute. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Um, all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposes? Uh, none. This motion carries. M.
>> Uh, it looks like you're going to stay up here because you we're moving on to permission to award bids for multi-chool asphalt and HVAC. >> Thank you, Madam President. So on March 9th, 2026, we received eight bids across two bid categories for the Valparezo
multischool asphalt improvements and Valparezo High School boiler replacement project. A copy of the bid tabulation has previously been provided for your reference. Following the pre-awward conferences and review of contractor qualifications, the Skilman Corporation
recommends award of contracts and issuance of notices to proceed to the following contractors based on the low base bids. Bid category one was asphalt to site services in the amount of $450,460. Bid category 2 was mechanical for ACMS
group total of $667,000. Uh total awards would be $1,117,460. We're requesting that the board approve awarding contracts to site services for the asphalt work and to ACMS group for the buff high school boiler replacement in the listed months.
>> Well, thank you. I would just comment that we were very pleased uh with these bids. Uh very competitive and came in uh below budget >> substantially. >> Any other questions? Any discussion? >> It seemed like the one for the asphalt
there was a big difference between the the bids. I think one was 700 and something. Why why do you think there was such a difference in those bids? volume of work in my opinion is usually help fix that. So
um the cost of asphalt is the cost of asphalt. So it's whatever margin you want to put out there much more competitive than the other. So it' be speculation for me to speak any other way. >> Yeah. And it seems like one's just an
outlier. The other three were pretty much in line. So >> if they might be over booked and just threw a number. >> Yeah. Come on. >> All right. If there's no further discussion, may I have a motion, please?
>> So moved. >> A second. >> Second. >> Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposes? None. Uh motion carries, sir. Thank you. >> Moving on to project updates. uh >> making his way up to the podium. Uh
you'll you'll be seeing his face uh on a regular basis, but probably not until May, I would imagine, for your next update after this. Yeah. Good evening. Uh just quick update uh as far as bail projects go. Just some
slides. We'll start with the veil interior and then start working our way out next. Um, as far as the interior goes, uh, for the first phase, we've installed the carpet, BCT, tile, vinyl base, ceilings are completed. So, everything as far as classroom wise go
have been turned over to Dr. Bennett. Uh, they've moved into those classrooms and we've started demolition on phase 2 classrooms as of last Monday. uh with the glass in the professional development area, the new vest wheels
and the doors have all been installed over the next four weeks. Uh we're going to finish off the professional development area that should be turned over on this Friday, which means phase one is complete. Uh we've got tile work and uh the faculty restrooms should be
completed by Friday as well. And then we're uh beginning demolition of the phase two restrooms once those restrooms are uh phase two classrooms. We've got ceiling grid tiles painting uh new carpet being installed. We started those last Monday. We're hoping to turn those
back over on Friday of next week, which is a three-week span for phase two classrooms, which is great for the school because now they can get back in their original classrooms and they have access but excessive space tied to one area
on the exterior for the veil edition. Uh just some photos here. We've got our footings completed. Uh we actually these were taken last week, but we've actually got CMU uh foundations going up, underground electrical, underground plumbing will start going through there
and you'll see the CMU block going up where the buildings actually get framed out. Structural steel fall. I get that in this slide. Um the only addition on here is we're starting work on the north side of the building for the maintenance. Uh the building pad
will start being established sometime next week and we'll start getting our site utilities running to the building pad and around >> I was going to ask about the phase one. You said it's wrapping up this Friday. What was the original >> the first week of March which we turned
over the classrooms professional development area. finishing up carpet and base uh which that will be turned over as of Friday. And then like I said, phase two went a lot quicker than we expected. So we got in there last Monday. Carpet's going down here end of
this week and should get it cleaned out ready for them by next week Friday. Great brief. >> Yeah, I talked to uh Dr. McCall um in our meeting last week asking if we could go over and take a look and he is definitely giving a thumbs up for that
just for us to let him know. um so he can set that up. I think that these these before and after pictures um they just blow my mind over here. I cannot wait to get inside to really see what it looks like. >> It's it it is striking. Absolutely
striking. Especially the professional development room, which when that's done, uh you won't even be able to recognize what it used to be. So really, and I said it last month, I'm going to say it again and just repeat it probably at nauseium is uh the professionalism
and collaboration that we have with our partners and our contractors is out of this world. Uh they do a great job of not only working around and with uh our people as they're occupying the
building, but also taking the time to explain, to teach, to uh you know uh talk about what they're doing, why they're doing it, and really uh they see it as a great opportunity to to spread uh their craftsmanship uh as well as,
you know, maybe recruit some folks into the trades as well. So, it it's really been tremendous. Uh, not only were they the most responsive and responsible biders, but they're truly responsible in the sense of, you know, knowing how to work around schools. Just very
appreciative of everything you guys have done. >> I was and I was there yesterday for a meeting and I was amazed at how well learning is is continuing. I mean, pe the professionals in the building, the staff, faculty and staff is doing such a
great job as well. I mean, you have a big lot going on like we did at the high school a few years ago, but to see the classes still operating and functioning. The kids are not missing any learning from what I saw. So, thank you for for all of that. Thank you.
>> Like I said, I think Friday next week it'll kind of relieve the stress off everybody there. Classrooms back to where they belong. But uh you know we will skip next month and then hopefully the following month we'll have some more before and afters to compare especially some drone shots on the exterior which
thank you guys. >> Very nice. >> Thank you Paul. >> Thank you for the updates. You're welcome. Um we are moving on to uh new business uh permission to advertise for bus bids. Um Mr. Bobfield. >> Thank you madam president. Each year the
bus replacement plan is approved and appropriations are provided to purchase new school buses. It's time to advertise to replace three of the internal combustion engine type C 72 passenger buses and one type C handicap bus to lift. These buses will will be replaced
with three type C 78 passenger buses and one type C 72 passenger bus with wheelchair and price bid will be get will be received for both uh gasoline buses and propane buses but I hope that
if the prices is close that we get the two propane buses and two regular buses. Uh if a propane bus is quite a bit higher then we have to settle for one propane bus. An important to note was that we're not just looking at the initial cost but
total life and cost of ownership over the life of the bus as part of that analysis. The bud the budget approved for the purchase of the bus $690,850 and is there no question administration request.
>> Any discussion? May I have a motion please? So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposes? None. Seeing there are none, this motion does carry. Thank you,
Mr. And now we are moving on to our legislative leazison report. Uh Mrs. Ashley Cruz. That came out quick. Okay. Um so the 2026 short legislative session has ended. Um and they've adjourned. It
looks like we're looking at about 30 new laws that are related to education in some manner. Um, a few of specific note, uh, HB1406 tax and fiscal matters. I know this is
one that ISBA was not necessarily tracking, but they have added that because there was a new provision um to protect the debt service fund of school corporations from losses associated with the 10% home owner property tax credit
provision. And so that one looks like it is waiting for final action as of today with a March 13th deadline listed on the governor's bill watch. Um, so that's one that's kind of new that's come up that we haven't talked about in the past. I
think the most significant ones that uh we have to kind of have discussion and we've already started some minor discussion about um is Senate Bill 78, which is the wireless communication device policy. Um, this has been signed into law and this is the new
bell-to-bell ban on student personal wireless devices during the school day. So, districts are going to need to determine what implementation looks like through local policy and practice. And um I know ISBA is kind of already put out and we've already discussed how
we're going to get feedback from teachers on that. And then the second one is Senate Bill 76, Immigration Matters. Um this bill has implications for local governments including schools around cooperation with immigration enforcement and related policy and
procedural considerations. I did sit in on the additional webinar that ISBA held on Monday regarding these updates. Um and it seems like there's still kind of a lot of unknowns around this bill. So um we'll be tracking that closely and
understanding how the impacts for districts and unfortunately they said probably more insight will come as uh litigation happens. So it'll be interesting to watch that one. And then um last but certainly not least, just to
touch on um a few that we've talked about is House Bill 104, various education matters. This has been signed into law. That is just the broad education bill that makes um various changes across a number of K12 governance and operational areas. Um and
then House Bill 1266, which is uh the Department of Education and Education Matters. That one is also waiting uh final action and that one also has a date of March 13th uh listed on the governor's bill watch. So um that one is
the uh one that includes multiple policy changes including educator pathway provisions and the department of education responsibilities tied to academics and school support. So, I think a lot's
probably going to come to light over the next few weeks as things start get finalized. And I know uh we had our executive session on policy and so we've have some takeaways from that that we'll be discussing um in the coming months as we kind of factor in what this looks like.
>> That's all I have and the session's over. So, that's all all for right now this year. Thank you um so much for updating us on those uh bills that are coming up
Ashley. We appreciate that. Um now we are moving on to public comment. >> Right. All right. Any superintendent of board comments? >> I think just briefly piggybacking on uh board member Fus's uh comments. Uh we
had a very productive meeting. Uh Mr. Winland is in the audience. He's our VTA president. Uh and so we met uh yesterday actually uh in discussion and just uh the first of several meetings in order to start wrapping our heads around
exactly what the law says, what it doesn't say. Uh it is heavy on legislation, very light on implementation. Yes. >> Uh and so uh we talked about, you know, what is it exactly? you know, banning obviously bell-to-bell phones and other
wireless devices, metaglasses, uh, smart watches, all the ilk. Um, and obviously, uh, the board has to make policy, uh, and decide which direction, uh, to go on that. So, we're going to perform the uh
academic exercise of walking through each of the possibilities and what that might mean for uh implementation, management, investment uh in order to provide you with as much information as you need to make policy uh that's best
for Valer County Schools. So, uh, very productive, uh, first meeting. Uh, great questions, great insights, uh, some homework, uh, for several folks, uh, in order to to just gain more information, more perspectives, more insights as we
kind of move along, uh, on that part of the path. But I know you will have your own pathways as well to engage in. So, I just want to give an update on that as we move forward into this uncharted territory together. any uh insight or update on far as when
any kind of Department of Education guidance might be forthcoming? >> You know, the law was silent on a deadline for that guidelines. I'm sure you noticed that. Uh and we have not been given any sort of update through uh normal communication channels, but uh I
imagine April uh will start clamoring uh for at least some sort of projected date for that guidance. uh specifically on how current resources uh including lockers can be used in implementation of
this uh law. So as soon as we know you'll know. >> I love the heavy on the legislation right on the implementation we get local control. >> I like that >> the ideas. >> Yeah. >> One thing I do appreciate about Valparezo that I've seen over the years
we're very proactive. These were conversations for whatever reasons, parents on the board concerned about cell phone usage. And so here we are um on a much broader scale having to now uh do what's required of us legislatively.
And so um I think >> well as we do in Valparezo we will follow the law and including the intent of the law which I believe is to protect instructional time and reduce social uh pressures uh that are connected with
wireless devices. So uh we will uh not only follow the law but implement it to the best of our ability for successful implementation. Any other board thoughts before Jared? >> No, I guess I just want to share again
Eric and I were at Battle of the Books at Heavlin and um it was so fun to see uh the kids. So, Battle of the Books is you're given 12 books that you read and then, excuse me, there's questions that are asked kind of like in a trivia
round. And uh we were on the adults team, but uh the teams were represented of second, third, fourth, and fifth. And then there was a family team who all made it to the final round. Um that was today. And those kids gave us quite a
run for our money. I mean, I got I got tripped up on a question. And >> did you get all your authors in for the extra two points? >> I did get I did Oh, no. I I actually messed up one of my authors. I got him confused. So, but those kids, I mean, they knew all of the titles, all of the
authors. It was it was impressive. So, um, lots of fun and I'm I'm grateful to Hein for inviting us to be part of that. So, >> look, I'll add they the children read 12 books. As the adults, we only read three and we struggle with our three. Um,
Macau has been on that team. I think this is the third year. So, the first two years he was there and then he tried to bail out on us this year. So, it picked up Ashley. Um, but one thing I will say to the community is that, um, the board is willing to show up at events. You invite us, um, we'll be
there. And so, we just we're just looking for invitations and reasons to show up in schools and be present. um actually clearing the way with McCall and getting a thumbs up to be there because we don't want to be in the way. Um we want to be a part of the excitement and be present in our community. So we thank you all for
allowing us to do that. Oh, >> there's so much good stuff going on. You know, it's uh it's great that uh you want to see it. >> Yeah, we do. Isn't there an orchestra tonight? I think I'm going to run back to the high school. Is there something at the high school? I saw a lot of cars. Gave me reason to want to go back. I think it's orchestra or something
tonight. >> Or maybe a choir. I think I know who >> No, I think Memorial had a choir concert yesterday. >> Okay. Sunday. All right. >> There's always something to show up. >> Show up. There's something going on. All right. If there is nothing else um meeting ajourned.