[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
[I. Call to Order]
IT'S FEBRUARY 12, 2024 AT 6:00 PM.I NOW CALL THE REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF THE ALLEGIANCE.
SEANIECE WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
APPROVAL OF TODAY'S AGENDA BOARD MEMBER.
[IV. Approval of Agenda]
IT'S TIME TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA? SO MOVED.
WE HAVE A FIRST AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE AGENDA SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. AYE'S HAVE IT.
[V. Citizen Input]
2 ITEM 5, CITIZEN INPUT.AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVITES INDIVIDUALS OR DELEGATIONS TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK ON ANY ISSUE RELATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPERATIONS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA.
CITIZEN INPUT ON ACTION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME OF DISCUSSION OF EACH AGENDA IT.
SEANIECE DO WE HAVE CITIZEN INPUT? WE DO. FIRST UP IS AYANA FREEMAN AND [INAUDIBLE].
JUST TO REMIND YOU TO REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. GOOD EVENING.
GOOD EVENING, WAIT, ADDRESS? NAME AND ADDRESS.
OH, I LIVE AT SUMMIT STREET IN THE APARTMENTS.
HELLO, MY NAME IS AYANA FREEMAN.
I AM A SIXTH GRADER AT NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE BIASES IN THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE.
MANY SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT GIRLS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MODIFY THEIR OUTFITS TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR MALE PEERS.
THIS IDEA OF COVERING UP DOES NOT TEACH GIRLS HOW TO DRESS, BUT RATHER MAKE GIRLS FEEL SELF CONSCIOUS, AND ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.
ESPECIALLY WHEN CALLED OUT IN FRONT OF THEIR PEERS BY THEIR TEACHERS.
I BELIEVE MY PRINCIPAL HAS THE OFFICIAL POWER TO MAKE THE CHANGE AT MY SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE FOR MY PRINCIPAL TO MEET WITH STAFF ABOUT ADDRESSING STUDENTS WHO VIOLATE THE DRESS CODE, BUT KEEPING IT FAIR FOR MALE AND FEMALE PEERS.
I ALSO BELIEVE THE SUPPORT FROM MY GIRL PEERS, THEY COULD INFLUENCE MY PRINCIPAL AT MY SCHOOL BY CONDUCTING A POLL ON HOW GIRLS FEEL ABOUT BEING DRESS CODED.
I WOULD TELL MY PRINCIPAL HOW GIRLS ARE BEING DRESS CODED AND BOYS ARE NOT.
FOR EXAMPLE, MY FRIEND WAS WEARING A SHIRT WITH THIN STRAPS.
SHE REMOVED HER JACKET AFTER COMING BACK FROM PE.
AND THE TEACHER SAW HER AND SAID, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON.
BUT THE NEXT DAY, A MALE PEER CAME WITH A TANK TOP ON WITH THIN STRAPS.
AND SHE SAW HIM, BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, NOR DID SHE CARE.
I'M NOT HERE TO TRY AND CHANGE THE DRESS CODE.
I AM ASKING THAT BOYS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CONSEQUENCES AS GIRLS.
ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION. I'M SORRY.
SO DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF THE DRESS CODE? YES.
OH, YOU DO? YOU WANT TO SEE IT? SURE.
SEANIECE, IS THERE ANY OTHER? STILL A PART OF GIRLS INC? HELLO, I'M [INAUDIBLE].
ONE OUT OF FOUR WOMEN AND ONE OUT OF 26 MEN ARE SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS. HELP US STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
MY SISTER WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD IN SECOND GRADE WHEN TWO BOYS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER ON SCHOOL GROUNDS DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
THE BOYS HAD NO REPERCUSSIONS.
THEY CONFESSED IN FRONT OF AT LEAST ONE STAFF MEMBER.
[00:05:01]
YES, THE SCHOOL FOLLOWED THE POLICY, BUT THAT'S THE PROBLEM.I THINK THE POLICY SHOULD BE CHANGED, SO THERE SHOULD BE MORE REPERCUSSIONS INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING IT SLIDED.
FOR EXAMPLE LIKE THE PERPETRATORS SHOULD HAVE TO MOVE CLASSES OR MOVE SCHOOLS AND THE PARENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED.
THANK YOU. OVERALL, I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS INTO FAIR CONSIDERATION WHEN DECIDING TO CHANGE THE DRESS CODE OR IN THE POLICY OR NOT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY CLARIFYING? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE IT.
YOU TOO DID VERY WELL. AWESOME.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO COMING UP HERE AND TALKING AND INFORMING US.
SEANIECE, IS THERE ANY OTHER ONES? YES. DYLAN BAYER.
I'M SORRY. [LAUGHTER] REMEMBER DYLAN NAME AND ADDRESS? THERE WE GO.
I LIVE AT 4221 FREE MAAR DRIVE.
I'M A SENIOR AT NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.
THE FINE ARTS PROGRAM AT THIS SCHOOL HAS BEEN MY SECOND HOME FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
BEING IN BAND HAS OPENED MY LIFE TO MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ADVENTURES THAT I NEVER HAD IMAGINED WOULD BE A PART OF MY LIFE.
IF YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME MY FRESHMAN YEAR THAT I WOULD BE DONE WITH THE SPORTS ASPECT OF MY LIFE AND WANTING TO PURSUE BAND IN COLLEGE, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE CRAZY.
BUT THE WAY THAT THIS PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL HAS AFFECTED MY LIFE HAS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON BAND AND FINE ARTS AS A WHOLE.
COMING INTO FRESHMAN YEAR, I WAS A 14 YEAR OLD WHO DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO BE IN BAND, BUT WAS THERE BECAUSE IT WAS MY SISTER'S SENIOR YEAR.
SHE SAID TO ME THAT ONCE YOU GET TO HIGH SCHOOL, EVERYTHING IS BETTER, AND I THOUGHT SHE WAS FULL OF CRAP UNTIL I EXPERIENCED HOW RIGHT SHE WAS.
I THOUGHT SHE WAS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME TO STAY IN BAND, BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR HER, I WOULD NOT BE A BAND KID ANYMORE.
WHEN I SETTLED IN BAND, I DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO BE IN IT, BUT MY SISTER WAS IN IT AND BOTH OF MY PARENTS WERE.
SO I THOUGHT I WOULD KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY.
THROUGHOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL, I WAS LIKE, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE HERE. I REALLY WANT TO QUIT.
I'M NOT HAVING FUN. THIS IS DUMB.
BUT ONCE I GOT INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, I SAW HOW EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT.
MY LIFE HAD COMPLETELY CHANGED.
WHEN I'M IN BAND AND WITH MY FELLOW MEMBERS, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE AND UNLIKE WHEN I'M WITH MY FELLOW TEAMMATES ON THE ATHLETIC TEAMS. WHEN I'M WITH BAND KIDS, I FEEL LIKE I'M NOT JUST AN OBJECT.
I FEEL LIKE I AM WANTED THERE THESE PAST TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU COULD SAY THAT I FELL INTO THE BAND KID PHASE, BUT THAT IS FINE WITH ME.
MY BAND IS WHERE I FEEL AT HOME AND MOST IMPORTANT, SEEING HOW BOTH FINE ARTS AND THE ATHLETIC SIDE OF THIS SCHOOL ARE TREMENDOUSLY DIFFERENT.
ON THE ATHLETIC SIDE, YOU CAN BASICALLY DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, WHENEVER YOU WANT, AND NO ONE TELLS YOU NO.
BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THE FINE ARTS SIDE OF THIS SCHOOL, YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR PERMISSION FOR EVERY LITTLE THING.
BEING TOLD THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPETING, AND THERE'S REALLY NO SOLE PURPOSE IN GOING THERE IS A BUNCH OF LIES IN MY OPINION.
GOING TO LISTEN TO JAZZ BANDS OR GOING TO COLLEGES TO SPEAK AND LEARN TO CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT PLAY THE EXACT SAME INSTRUMENT AS YOU IS NO DIFFERENT THAN GOING TO ATHLETIC CAMPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE FINE ARTS PROGRAM GETS WALKED OVER IN THIS SCHOOL AND IT IS VERY APPARENT TO MANY.
THIS MIGHT JUST BE A COINCIDENCE.
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE OUR ADMINISTRATION IS GOING AFTER THE FINE ARTS PROGRAMS AND ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE FEMALE LED.
IT'S NOT JUST THE BAND THAT IS BEING AFFECTED, BUT ALSO THE DANCE TEAM THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO ME AS WELL.
LAST YEAR, A PARENT GATORADE FOR ONE OF THEIR DANCE SHOWS THAT THEY HOST.
AND THE ADMINISTRATION GOT MAD AT THEM BECAUSE THAT IT WAS A PEPSI PRODUCT AND WE ARE A COACH SCHOOL.
SO THEN WHY DOESN'T OUR ATHLETIC TRAINER IN THE BASKETBALL TEAMS GET YELLED AT? BECAUSE THEY USE BODY ARMOR, WHICH IS A PEPSI PRODUCT AS WELL.
THIS YEAR, THE DANCE TEAM WAS NOT ALLOWED TO WALK THROUGH THE HALLWAYS AS A SENDOFF DURING HOME RUN ON TUESDAY BEFORE THEY WENT TO NATIONALS, BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO GO TO NATIONALS.
BUT WE DO THE EXACT SAME THING FOR WRESTLERS.
WE DO THIS FOR CROSS COUNTRY, WE DO THIS FOR WRESTLERS.
FOR THOSE TWO TEAMS, THEY HAVE TO QUALIFY TO GO TO STATE.
THE DANCERS QUALIFIED FOR STATE, SO WHY AREN'T THEY NOT ALLOWED TO WALK THROUGH THE HALLS? IT JUST SEEMS LIKE OUR ADMINISTRATION PICKS ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT FINE ARTS PROGRAMS DOES AND LETS THE ATHLETICS DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
IF YOU HAVE ILLEGAL STUFF OR DO ILLEGAL STUFF, YOU CAN JUST JOIN A NEW SPORT THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
JUST YOU CAN PLAY YOUR MAIN SPORT WHEN IT COMES UP.
THE FINE ARTS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ATHLETIC EVENTS.
WE ARE NOT THE BEST IN SPORTS.
SO HAVING A FINE ARTS PROGRAM THAT PLACES IN MARCHING
[00:10:03]
BAND COMPETITIONS AND GOES TO STATE FOR JAZZ BAND OR A DANCE TEAM THAT GOES TO NATIONALS AND GETS 13TH IN THE NATION FOR THEIR KICK ROUTINE AND DOES NOT GET RECOGNIZED BY THE SCHOOL IS ALL BEYOND ME. THANK YOU.APPRECIATE IT. YOU ENJOYS BAND? YEAH.
WHAT DO YOU PLAY? ALTO 2. NOT AS GOOD AS YOUR SON, BUT GETTING THERE.
I HAVE NO MUSICAL TALENT JUST OUT THERE.
SO, ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS OF DYLAN RIGHT NOW? APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION YOU JUST SHARED WITH US.
>> REMEMBER MICKEY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS?
>> MY NAME IS MIYUKI NELSON, MOST PEOPLE CALL ME MICKEY.
MY ADDRESS IS 1935 PLUM CREEK ROAD.
I AM ALSO HERE REPRESENTING NSBI, WHICH IS THE NORTH STARTS BAND, INC, PARENT-LED ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT, AND WE EXIST TO SUPPORT THE BAND PROGRAM AT NORTH HIGH.
I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR FOLLOW THROUGH, YOUR QUESTIONING, AND YOUR SUPPORT IN GETTING ANSWERS.
I HAVE PICTURES RIGHT HERE WOULD PROBABLY SPEAK BETTER THAN MY WORDS.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
JENNIFER CAN SEND YOU AN EMAIL OF IT SO YOU HAVE IT ON RECORD.
THIS IS THE BACKSIDE OF THE AUDITORIUM AT NORTH HIGH FOR CONCERTS, WHICH THERE'S A CONCERT RIGHT THERE.
THEY'RE HAVING A CONCERT RIGHT NOW FOR THE SIXTH GRADE ON OUR BAND.
OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO MOVE BULKY, HEAVY EQUIPMENT UP THAT STEEP STEAD OF STAIRS.
THE STAIRS, AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A DOOR THERE.
THAT DOOR WAS CHANGED AND NOW HAS A PARTITION THAT DIVIDES IT IN HALF.
OM WILL NOT MOVE THE INSTRUMENTS FOR US.
THE BUILDING CUSTODIAN STAFF WILL ALSO NOT MOVE THE INSTRUMENTS FOR US.
THAT LEAVES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MOVING THE INSTRUMENTS TO OUR STAFF, WHICH WOULD BE THE TWO BAND DIRECTORS AND OUR STUDENTS, WHICH ONE OF THEM HAPPENS TO BE MY SON.
YOU HAVE PERCUSSIONISTS MOVING THESE HEAVY PIECES OF EQUIPMENT WHICH ARE BULKY UP THESE STEPS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE'VE ADDRESSED THIS WITH THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION AT NORTH HIGH, AND WE ONCE AGAIN, HAVE ADDRESSED THAT WITH THE CURRENT STAFF, AND NOTHING HAS OCCURRED, NOT EVEN A PLAN, OR A TIMELINE IN WHICH IT WILL BE CORRECTED.
SO MEANTIME, WE HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE STAGE TO MAINTAIN EVERYBODY'S SAFETY.
I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO DO SOME FOLLOW UP, AND IF YOU CAN GET BACK TO ME THROUGH WHETHER IT BE THROUGH ADMINISTRATION ON A TIMELINE TO MAKE THIS CORRECTION, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
THE SECOND ITEM I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT DYLAN TALKED ABOUT.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE ARTS? OUR BAND, PARENT GROUP, DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTING OUR STAFF.
WE DO NOT TURN AWAY ANY STUDENT, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC, REGARDLESS OF PROFICIENCY IN AN INSTRUMENT.
IF THEY'RE INTERESTED, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN.
YET, WE ARE FINDING THAT IT'S BECOMING REALLY HARD TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, WHEN MONIES ARE WITHDRAWN FROM OUR STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE FOR ITEMS THAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DISTRICT.
WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT OUR UPCOMING SEASON.
WE ARE UNCERTAIN WHETHER WE WILL HAVE TRANSPORTATION, WE ARE UNCERTAIN ON WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO ACTUALLY APPLY TO ATTEND BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME RESTRICTIONS.
WE'VE NEVER HAD RESTRICTIONS ON ATTENDING IN ANY NUMBER OF MARCHING BAND COMPETITIONS.
WE'RE BEING TOLD THAT WE CANNOT ATTEND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, BECAUSE THOSE ARE FIELD TRIPS AND WE ARE TOO BIG A BIG GROUP TO ATTEND.
AGAIN, MY POINT HERE IS TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR FOLLOW THROUGH FOR QUESTIONS, AND FOR RESOLUTION ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS. I'LL TALK TO YOU FURTHER ON ANOTHER TOPIC.
>> THANK YOU. ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE ONE. HAVE YOU COME UP WITH PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE?
>> YES. WE HAD A PARENT WHO OFFERED TO PROVIDE A LIFT TO PLACE IN THAT AREA, THEN YOU LIFT THE INSTRUMENT UP.
HOWEVER, THAT BAR THERE WILL NOT ALLOW THAT BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENTS ARE TOO WIDE FOR THAT INSTRUMENT TO FOLLOW THROUGH.
[00:15:04]
WE'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THE BAR, AND INSTEAD OF HAVING THE STEEP STEPS, MAYBE A WIDER, LONGER STEP, SO THEN YOU HAVE MORE OF A LEDGE TO STEP ONTO.BUT ALL OF THAT REQUIRES MONEY TO BE APPROVED, TO BE USED IN THAT MANNER, AND THERE'S BEEN NO RESOLUTION.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF OM IS EVEN AWARE OF IT.
>> I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS TODAY THROUGH AN EMAIL.
SO THIS IS THAT I HEARD ABOUT IT TODAY.
I SENT AN EMAIL TO ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO FEEL BLINDSIDED OR UNAWARE THAT I WAS COMING TO TALK TO YOU GUYS.
>> YEAH, I'M SURE. JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND, I'VE HAD NO TIME TO INVESTIGATE, LOOK AT THIS.
THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS IN THERE THAT WE ARE GOING TO DEFINITELY LOOK INTO AND WE WILL RESPOND. THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. SHANICE, ANY OTHER ONES?
>> BERNIE, MAY YOU PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS?
>> BERNIE SCOLARO, I RESIDE AT WEST HIGH.
[LAUGHTER] L STREET. I'M LOSING MY TIME HERE.
HOUSE STUDY BILL 675 WILL ALLOW SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO BE ISSUED PROFESSIONAL PERMITS TO CARRY WEAPONS, AND IF CURRENT ON THEIR TRAINING, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FROM CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LIABILITY FOR ALL DAMAGES INCURRED.
THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS REGISTERED AS UNDECIDED ON THIS BILL.
TODAY THIS BILL PASSED THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
NOT SURPRISING THAT THE IOWA FIREARM COALITION HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR OWNING SCHOOL STAFF, BUT THERE'S NO DATA SHOWING THAT MORE GUNS DECREASE VIOLENCE.
IT'S LIKELY THAT MORE ACCESS TO GUNS CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE SHOOTINGS, IF ONLY ACCIDENTALLY. LET'S IMAGINE.
I'M A SCHOOL COUNSELOR TALKING TO A CLASS ABOUT CAREERS, AND AN ACTIVE SHOOTER ENTERS THE BUILDING.
I TELL THEM TO BARRICADE THEMSELVES.
I GET MY GUN, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE NEARBY, AND I HEAD TOWARDS THE SHOOTER.
I SPOT THE SHOOTER WHO HAS A HANDGUN LIKE MINE, NO ONE ELSE IS AROUND.
THE SHOOTER IS KILLED, AND I'M A HERO.
WHO KNOWS, MAYBE EVEN THE WOODBURY COUNTY SHERIFF WILL HAVE A PARADE FOR ME.
BUT WHAT'S MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN? SCENARIO 2.
I'M TALKING TO A CLASS ABOUT CAREERS, AND AN ACTIVE SHOOTER ENTERS THE BUILDING.
I TRY TO CALL MY STUDENTS, BUT I HAVE TO LEAVE THEM.
I TELL THEM WHAT TO DO AND HOPE THEY DO IT.
WHETHER IT'S RUN FOR YOUR LIFE OR BARRICADE YOURSELVES IN, WHAT COULD GO WRONG.
I GO TO GET MY HANDGUN, WHICH IS IN MY OFFICE DOWN THE HALL, BUT THE DOOR TO THAT OFFICE AREA IS ALREADY LOCKED, I CAN'T GET IN.
POSSIBILITY RIGHT THERE, I COULD BE SHOT AND KILLED, I'M STUCK OR SOMEONE SEES THAT IT IS JUST ME FROM THE INSIDE OF THAT OFFICE AREA, LETS ME IN SO I CAN RETRIEVE MY GUN AND THEN I GO TOWARDS THE GUNSHOTS.
NOW I'VE PRACTICED TO SHOOT AT THE GUN RANGE, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A NON-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT WHERE SOMEONE IS GOING TO SHOOT AT ME AND MY LIFE WILL BE THREATENED.
I SEE SOMEONE WITH A GUN, I'M SCARED MAYBE.
MAYBE I HAVE A FIGHT OF FLIGHT, ADRENALINE RUSH.
I SHOOT. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? THAT COULD BE THE SHOOTER THAT I SHOT, BUT IT COULD BE ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER WITH A GUN.
IT COULD BE SOMEONE STUCK IN THE HALL HOLDING A DAMN CELL PHONE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A GUN.
I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A PERFECT AIM TO EITHER STOP THE SHOOTER, OR NOT END UP SHOOTING SOMEONE NEARBY, AND LIKELY THAT SHOOTER DOESN'T JUST HAVE A HANDGUN.
HOW ABOUT ANOTHER ARMED STAFF MEMBER SEES ME WITH A GUN, AND IN THEIR ADRENALINE RUSH, IN THEIR FEAR, SHOOTS ME OR SHOOTS A STUDENT.
OR WHAT IF THAT CLASSROOM THAT I LEFT GETS ENTERED, AND SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE KILLED BECAUSE I HAD TO LEAVE THEM, AND I COULDN'T PROTECT THEM.
WHEN THE PR OF THE NRA SAYS, AND WE ALL HEARD IT, TO STOP A BAD GUY WITH A GUN, IT TAKES A GOOD GUY WITH A GUN.
CATCHY PHRASE BUT REALLY STUPID, BECAUSE IT ASSUMES EQUAL FOOTING BETWEEN THE TWO.
THIS WON'T BE THE CASE FOR A TEACHER WHO'S SUDDENLY THROWN INTO A SITUATION WITH AN ACTIVE SHOOTER WHO'S PLANNED THIS OUT.
EVEN TRAINED PERSONNEL WITH BULLET PROOF VEST FEAR THESE SITUATIONS, AND IT'S THE REASON FOR THE DELAY BY THE COPS, AT THE UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN TEXAS.
THEY CHOSE TO WAIT FOR THE SWAT TEAM.
ARMED SCHOOL PERSONNEL MIGHT SOUND INTRIGUING, BUT THERE'S TOO MANY RISK AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH MORE ACCESS TO GUNS IN SCHOOLS.
WHAT IF THE GUN IS ACCIDENTALLY UNLOCKED OR TAKEN BY SOMEONE ELSE? WHAT IF THE ARMED STAFF PERSON HAS A STRING OF BAD WEEKS AND BREAKS MENTALLY?
[00:20:01]
WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS, OR THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE, OR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AFTER STAFF ARE SET UP TO SHOOT AND KILL SOMEONE, EVEN IF THEY SHOOT THE INTENDED TARGET, BECAUSE THAT TARGET IS STILL A PERSON, MAYBE EVEN A FORMER STUDENT.THERE ARE POLICE AND SRO LAW ENFORCERS, PLEASE LET TEACHERS TEACH, AND PLEASE DO WHAT WE CAN TO NOT ALLOW THIS IN OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MISS SCOLARO.
BOARD MEMBERS, ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS?
>> APPRECIATE IT. [INAUDIBLE] ARE THERE ANY MORE CITIZENS' INPUT?
>> CATHI, YOU KNOW THE ROUTINE.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE.
I REALLY HAVE FAITH IN THE PROCESS AND I APPRECIATE Y'ALL REPRESENTING STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
I AM PIGGYBACKING ON DYLAN AND MIKEY, JUST AS A CONCERNED PARENT, I HAD TO EXERCISE MY MEMORY TO DETERMINE THAT I HAVE HAD KIDS IN SIOUX CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SINCE 2003.
THAT AGES ME, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE UNDER MY BELT AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF DEALINGS WITH PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATION AND HAD NOTHING BUT TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY.
MRS. VENUS IS ONE OF THOSE AMAZING PEOPLE THAT I HAVE HAD TAKE CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS.
NOT FEELING LIKE I'M GETTING THAT SAME VIBE RIGHT NOW AT NORTH HIGH.
WE HAD SOME BAND ISSUES, AND WE HAD THE PRINCIPAL AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR COME TO OUR MEETING.
WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT, AT THE TIME, TRANSPORTATION, AND A LOT OF THOSE ANSWERS CAME BACK AS WE JUST DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW.
WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE GOING WITH BUDGETS AND TRANSPORTATION.
I GET THAT, BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAN FOR OUR KIDS.
IT IS FEELING A LITTLE BIT MISWEIGHTED BETWEEN ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES AS FAR AS TRANSPORTATION, AND BUDGETING AND DIFFERENT THINGS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A BAND STAFF THAT IS WILLING TO PUT IN THE EXTRA TIME TO TAKE THESE KIDS TO EXPERIENCES AFTER THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY.
WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT WANT TO ENGAGE WITH THESE STUDENTS, AND IT'S BECOME VERY FRUSTRATING AND FUTILE FOR THEM TO GIVE OUR KIDS THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
JUST ASKING FOR MAYBE A MEETING, OR CLARIFICATION, OR JUST ADDRESS WITH OUR PRINCIPAL AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR THAT WE NEED MORE GUIDANCE.
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION. MAYBE MR. VANDERLOO CAN ANSWER THIS.
DOES BAND HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SCHEDULED EVENTS? DOESN'T NORTH HIGH HOST THE BIG BAND THING? WHAT'S THE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> I ACTUALLY WENT TO THAT A LONG TIME AGO.
LIKE IN ATHLETICS, THERE IS THE STATE RUN WHERE THEY SET MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS.
BUT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, THERE'S NO SET STANDARD OF MINIMUMS OR MAXIMUM.
WE, AS A DISTRICT, ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE TO TRY TO NORMALIZE THAT ACROSS ALL THREE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, THE NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS THEY ATTEND, WHETHER IT'S JAZZ BAND, MARCHING BAND, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR AD'S ON THAT RIGHT NOW.
DO THEY HAVE TO COMPETE IN SOME OF THESE THINGS TO QUALIFY FOR STATE BAND, OR JAZZ CHOIRS, OR IS THAT JUST REGIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OR SOMETHING?
>> JAZZ BAND WE HAVE SOME REQUIREMENTS. [OVERLAPPING].
>> COMPETITION THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO IN MARCHING BAND IN SHELDON TO QUALIFY FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.
IN THE PAST, IT WAS LEFT TO THE BAND PARENTS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, PAY FOR IT.
THAT GOT CHANGED. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS CHANGED.
OKAY. IS THE SCHOOL PAYING FOR IT OR ARE THE BAND PARENTS HAVING TO BUCK UP FOR IT?
>> THERE HAS BEEN SOME APPROACH OF WHETHER WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THAT RIGHT NOW.
>> WE'VE SAID, IF WE GO BACK TO PAY FOR SCHOOL BUSES LIKE WE USED TO, WOULD THAT IMPROVE OUR SITUATION? I THINK WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH DRIVERS.
MONEY IS REALLY NOT THE ISSUE.
IF WE WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE, WE HAVE TO GET CHARTER BUSES TO GO ANYWHERE.
>> OKAY. BUT THE ATHLETIC FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR BUSES?
[00:25:02]
>> NO. NOT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND.
>> IT'S BEING RELATED TO THE SIZE OF THE BAND.
RIGHT NOW ON MARCHING BAND [INAUDIBLE] HUNDRED PLUS STUDENTS.
THAT CAUSES NEED FOR MULTIPLE BUSES.
WHAT WE HAVE ASKED IS THAT WE TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS.
IF WE NEED TO, WE'RE WILLING TO PROVIDE PARENTS THAT HAVE THE CVL LICENSES ALREADY AND HAVE THEM REGISTER AS SUBSTITUTES.
WE WERE TOLD THAT THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION, AND THAT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE UNION.
HOWEVER, THE HIGH SCHOOL FEDERATION JUST ACTUALLY ISSUED SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT THAT IS NOT AN ISSUE.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE'VE ASKED IS, INSTEAD OF CANCELING OUR EVENTS, THAT COST US MONEY, HERE YOU CAN TELL US AHEAD OF TIME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONFLICT WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO DO THE FUND RAISING OR WE GO OVER OUR BUDGET AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PROCURE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT HAVING 100+ KIDS IN MARCHING BAND IS A GOOD PROBLEM.
HIGH CLASS PROBLEM. AFRAID SO. YEAH.
>> WHEN FRESHMAN STARTED THIS FRESHMAN YEAR WE WERE RIGHT AT 80.
AND WHEN I OUT PICKED THE STUDENTS FROM MARCHING BAND THEY WERE RIGHT OVER 100.
>> YEAH. OBVIOUSLY WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT MUSIC, BAND, CHOIR, DANCE, THAT'S ALL IMPORTANT STUFF.
ACTUALLY WE JUST HEARD A STUDENT TESTIFY THAT TODAY THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO LIFE AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND THE SKILLS THEY LEARNED THROUGH ALL THOSE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, ARE SO IMPORTANT.
DRIVERS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE FIELD TRIPS GOING ON AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE DRIVERS.
IT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S A K_12 PROBLEM THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE.
THERE'S NO EASY ANSWERS, BUT WE DO NEED TO WORK WITH YOU AND COMMUNICATE. THANK YOU.
>> COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
I HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SET STANDARDS FOR THE ATHLETICS AND MUSIC DEPARTMENT, YOU SAID THAT THE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS ARE WORKING ON THAT NOW.
DO WE HAVE AN ANTICIPATED TIMELINE OF WHEN WE WILL HAVE SOME TYPE OF RESOLUTION OR?
>> OUR GOAL IS THAT THERE ARE SET EXPECTATIONS ACROSS ALL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AS WE MOVE INTO THE SPRING OF THIS YEAR SO WE CAN PLAN FOR NEXT FALL.
WE CAN WORK WITH TIM AND HIS CREW AT OPERATIONS OF MAINTENANCE ON TRANSPORTATION AND SUCH.
THAT WAY WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND BE TRANSPARENT ON WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T SUPPORT THROUGHOUT A SCHOOL YEAR.
OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW ALL OF OUR ACTIVITIES A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
IT'S HARD BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE COMPETITIONS DON'T HAVE THEIR INFORMATION OUT YET, BUT IF YOU GO BACK, THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, WE CAN BUILD A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE THAT WE KNOW WHAT COMPETITIONS WE DO ATTEND TRADITIONALLY.
SOME OF THOSE THAT ARE OUT OF BAND CAUSE US OUT OF BAND MEETING.
YOU HAVEN'T ATTENDED IT IN YEARS AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE BRING IT TO THE TABLE.
SOME OF THOSE CAUSE US STRESS BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE IT BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM AT THAT TIME.
YEARS AGO, EACH ACTIVITY HAD TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION, ATHLETICS INCLUDED, AND THEN THE DISTRICT TOOK THAT EXPENSE OVER.
WHEN THEY TOOK THAT OVER, THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALL SCHOOLS AT THAT TIME THAT WE WOULDN'T JUST SUDDENLY START ADDING MORE COMPETITIONS, ATHLETICS OR ACTIVITIES, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE BUDGET WAS CREATED ORIGINALLY.
WE ARE ABSORBING WHAT WE TRADITIONALLY WOULD SPEND AND WE PLAN ON SPENDING A SIMILAR AMOUNT MOVING FORWARD.
SOME ACTIVITIES IN ATHLETICS ARE ASKING FOR THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT OUT OF BAND, IF YOU WILL.
SOME OF THOSE, AGAIN, WE JUST NEED TO COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY.
IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION RIGHT NOW.
NOBODY'S TRYING TO PREVENT ANY OF OUR STUDENTS FROM ATTENDING OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY ACTIVITY.
WE JUST NEED TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF IT AND BE MORE EFFECTIVE WITH COMMUNICATION.
>> BUT IT'S MY EXPERIENCE THE BAND HASN'T GONE CRAZY ON A NUMBER OF EVENTS.
>> IT'S PRETTY CONSISTENT FROM EAR TO EAR.
>> YEAH. I DON'T THINK ANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES OR ATHLETICS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY OUT OF BAND.
EVERY SCHOOL HAS THAT ONE OR TWO THAT WE WEREN'T PREPARED FOR THAT ARE ASKING FOR IT.
BUT NO. DR. RICHTER, AND WELL, THAT'S CORRECT.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT OF BAND. NO.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. DOCTOR, WHAT'S THE GOING RATE FOR A BUS DRIVER PER HOUR?
>> IF IT WAS A JOHN DEERE TRACTOR, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, I THINK.
THE BUSES SCARE ME A LITTLE BIT, BUT MAYBE I'LL HAVE TO TRY.
I'M ALWAYS GAME FOR SOMETHING NEW.
[INAUDIBLE] IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS TONIGHT?
[00:30:03]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS, WE APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING YOUR ITEMS TO LIGHT.
WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AS WE MOVE FORWARD HERE.
OUR NEXT ITEM UP IS CONSENT ACTION ITEMS.
[VI. Consent Action Item(s)]
THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS; BOARD MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 24TH, 2022.B IS HUMAN RESOURCE REPORT, C IS FINANCE REPORT, D IS [INAUDIBLE] TESTING PROGRAM, E IS BENEFIT PLAN UPDATE, F IS CONTRACTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL, G IS FACILITY OR RENTAL CONTRACTS, H IS BENCHMARK EDUCATION, I IS INSTRUCTURE, AND J IS SOLUTION TREE.
MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS?
>> FIRST AND THERE'S A SECOND.
DO WE VOTE ON IT RIGHT NOW OR DO WE SCHEDULE? ANY DISCUSSION ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS?
>> PRESIDENT GEORGE, I HAVE QUESTIONS ON I AND J, INSTRUCTURE AND SOLUTION TREE.
>> ARE THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST OR THESE BRAND NEW ENTITIES THAT WE'RE DOING BUSINESS WITH FOR THE FIRST TIME?
>> THESE ARE LONG STANDING FIRMS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY STUDIES THAT SHOW WHAT KIND OF SUCCESS THAT WE HAVE OUT OF THESE OR WHAT THE BENEFIT IS VERSUS THE COST RETURN ON INVESTMENT PROBABLY?
>> WE ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO USE EVIDENCE BASED SYSTEMS FROM THE STATE OF IOWA.
YES, I HAVE THAT. ITS STRUCTURE IS A LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND THEN SOLUTION TREE, YES, IS A VETTED PROFESSIONAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDER THROUGH THE NATION AND THE STATE.
>> SO WHEN I LOOK AT MASTERY CONNECT PILOT, IT'S FOR 1,000 USERS.
IS A PILOT A PILOT, IS THIS A NEW THING, IS IT AN EXISTING THING THAT WE'RE CALLING A PILOT?
SO IT IS A DATA MANAGEMENT, AN ACCESSIBILITY CENTER FOR OUR TEACHERS TO SEE THE DATA IN REAL TIME AND OFFER VISUALIZATIONS, AS WELL AS TAKING OUR STANDARDS AND OUR DISTRICT COMMENT ASSESSMENTS, AND EMBEDDING THAT THROUGH A PROCESS.
SO THERE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHOSE JOB IT IS TO WRITE THE ASSESSMENTS, MAKING SURE THAT OUR ASSESSMENTS DO NOT HAVE BIAS.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ITEMS?
>> PRESIDENT GEORGE, I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE STANDARDIZED TESTING.
MY QUESTION, I KNOW WE HAVE TO DO IT, ARE THE STUDENTS ANSWERING ON A COMPUTER SCREEN, OR ARE THEY READING THEIR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERING ON PAPER? WHICH WAY DO WE DO IT?
>> SO WE NOW DO OUR ANNUAL ASSESSMENT ON THE COMPUTER.
WE WENT FULL COMPUTER PROBABLY RIGHT BEFORE THE YEAR BEFORE COVID, I THINK.
IT WAS THE YEAR WE DID EVERYBODY ON THE COMPUTER OR IT WAS THE YEAR AFTER EVERYBODY SWITCHED, BUT IT'S ALL DONE ONLINE NOW.
>> WE DO HAVE SOME STUDENTS WHO HAVE ACCOMMODATIONS THOUGH, WHETHER IT'S WITH AN IEP OR A 504 PLAN THAT MAY REQUIRE THEM TO USE PAPER AND PENCIL, BUT THOSE WOULD BE THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE'VE HAD A FIRST.
AYES HAVE IT, CONSENT ITEM PASSES.
NEXT, ITEM 7, FUTURE MEETINGS.
[VII. Future Meetings]
WE HAVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING AT 5:15 ON FEBRUARY 15TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.WE HAVE BOARD FINANCE AND FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING AT 3:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 19TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:30 PM FEBRUARY 20TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00 PM FEBRUARY 21ST, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
THIS IS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ASSOCIATED WITH, FEBRUARY 21ST TO 26TH, 2024, AT HILTON ANATOLE 2201 NORTH STEMMONS FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY GATHER IN DALLAS,
[00:35:02]
TEXAS ON FEBRUARY 21ST TO THE 26TH TO ATTEND THE CONSORTIUM OF STATE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE.NO DELIBERATION OR ACTION BY THE BOARD IS ANTICIPATED ON ANY POLICY ISSUES.
WE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM AT 8:30 AM ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
WE HAVE THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AT 6:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2024, ESC BOARDROOM.
WE HAVE BOARD FINANCE FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:00 PM, MARCH 4TH, 2024, ESC BOARDROOM.
WE HAVE SCEA AND SCEA SPA OPENING PROPOSALS AT 4:15 ON MARCH 5TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
WE HAVE THE BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 12:00 PM MARCH 6TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
WE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY COMMITTEE, 12:00 PM MARCH 8TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
AND WE HAVE THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 6:00 PM MARCH 11TH, 2024, IN THE ESC BOARDROOM.
WE'RE AT THAT TIME OF ITEM 8, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
>> PRESIDENT GEORGE, COULD YOU JUST WALK US THROUGH? WE TYPICALLY HAVE BOARD MEMBER REPORTS.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN ELIMINATED FROM OUR AGENDA.
COULD YOU JUST WALK US THROUGH THAT?
>> DID THAT GO BEFORE POLICY COMMITTEE?
>> IT WAS ONLY A SUGGESTED ITEM.
AND OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE HAD BASICALLY ONLY TWO BOARD MEMBERS GIVING REPORTS.
SO TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, I DECIDED THAT WE JUST NEED TO KEEP MOVING THIS FORWARD, AND IF ANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY ITEM THAT THEY WANT RECOGNIZED TO SEND IT TO DR. [INAUDIBLE] AND HE'LL RECOGNIZE THEM.
>> CAN I SPEAK TO THAT, PRESIDENT GEORGE? AND IT JUST SEEMED AS THOUGH WE WERE REPORTING BECAUSE WE ATTEND COMMITTEE MEETINGS THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO RE-ATTEND AS OPPOSED TO REALLY HAVING A REPORT.
>> SO WE ARE NEXT IN LINE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DR. ROGERS.
[VIII.Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Rod Earleywine]
>> THANK YOU. IT'S A GOOD TIMING.
NORTH DANCE TEAM, RIGHT BEFORE THE DAY BEFORE THEY'RE GOING TO NATIONALS, THEY INVITED MYSELF AND MR. VANDERLOO [PHONETIC], WE'RE THE ONES THAT ATTENDED.
AND THEY HAD THEIR PRACTICE, THEY PRACTICED EVERY MORNING AT 5:15, WHICH I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.
JUST TO GET THE GYM SPACE, THEY HAVE TO GO EARLY MORNING, SO 5:15, THAT'S WHEN THEY PRACTICE, FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND PROBABLY SOMETIMES ON SATURDAYS WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN COMPETITIONS.
AND THEY WENT THROUGH SOME OF THEIR DANCE ROUTINES THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO AT NATIONALS AND I WAS WORE OUT JUST WATCHING.
THEY'RE DANCERS, THEY'RE ATHLETES.
THE THINGS THEY DO AND THE CARDIO THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE TO DO THOSE ROUTINES ONE AFTER THE OTHER IS HUGE.
SO I APPRECIATED THAT OPPORTUNITY, NOT ONLY TO GET A CHANCE TO WATCH THEM, BUT ALSO, A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS.
THAT'S SOMETHING I ENJOY AND DO AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM.
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO NATIONALS.
SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE INVALUABLE WHEN IT COMES TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
AND AGAIN, THE LESSONS THAT THEY LEARN, THE TEAMWORK TO WORK HARD, TO BE DEDICATED, TO BE COMMITTED, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WILL HELP THEM LATER IN LIFE IN THEIR WORK AND WITH THEIR FAMILY.
SO I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.
ANYBODY THAT INVITES ME TO THOSE THINGS, I DO MY VERY BEST TO ATTEND.
THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON IN THIS DISTRICT. IT'S A LARGE DISTRICT.
A LOT OF ACTIVITIES. I DO GET INVITED FROM TIME TO TIME SAYING HEY, WILL YOU PLEASE COME? AND WHEN I GET THOSE INVITATIONS, I REALLY GO OUT OF MY WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
SO OTHER THINGS, JUST SOME CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SIOUX CITY SWIM TEAM.
THEY WON DISTRICTS, QUALIFIED IN TEAM HISTORY FOR THE STATE, WHICH WAS IN IOWA CITY WHICH PRESIDENT GEORGE ATTENDED.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THE RESULTS FROM THAT, SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT YET.
BOYS STATE WRESTLING INDIVIDUALS THIS NEXT WEEKEND, WE HAD FOUR INDIVIDUALS QUALIFY.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING, WHICH, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS HUGE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.
I WENT TO IOWA CITY AND ATTENDED THAT AND WATCHED OUR GIRLS COMPETE.
WE DID HAVE ONE GIRL, MOLLY [INAUDIBLE], SHE WAS A RUNNER UP LAST YEAR.
SHE DIDN'T REACH HER GOAL OF BEING THE STATE CHAMP, BUT SHE PLAYED SIXTH THIS YEAR, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SHE DID GET INJURED DURING THE TOURNAMENT,
[00:40:03]
BUT GREAT TO SEE THOSE KIDS THERE AND COMPETE.HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE BUILDING TRADES AGAIN.
THEY HAVE TWO HOMES: ONE, WE ARE BUILDING AND THE OTHER THROUGH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
THOSE ARE REALLY COMING ALONG.
THEY'RE STARTING THE DRY WALL PROCESS.
THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILDING WILL BE MOVED OFF SITE AND TO A LOCATION TO A NEEDY FAMILY, AND THE OTHER ONE WILL BE SOLD.
SO GREAT PROGRAMS. HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT EAST HIGH SCHOOL AND TALK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER ON THE WASHINGTON DC FOCUS GROUP, THAT'S A TRIP THEY TAKE EVERY YEAR TO LOBBY FOR NEEDS IN SIOUX LAND AND THEY INVITE MYSELF, THE SUPERINTENDENT, TO ATTEND AND ADVOCATE FOR THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US.
AND OUR MAIN THINGS RIGHT NOW ARE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FULLY FUNDING SPECIAL EDUCATION, OR 40%, WHICH THEY SAID THEY WOULD FUND IN 1975, AND LAST YEAR THEY WERE AT 14%, WHICH CAUSES OUR COSTS TO GO UP BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FUNDING WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD FUND.
AND THE OTHER THING WOULD BE UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR.
IF YOU REMEMBER, DURING COVID, WE HAD THAT, LOTS OF KIDS, FAMILIES ENJOYED THOSE FREE MEALS.
THIS YEAR IT WENT BACK TO YOU HAD TO QUALIFY FOR EITHER FREE OR REDUCED, SO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES DO NOT QUALIFY ANYMORE, BUT STILL CAN'T AFFORD THE COST OF THE MEALS.
SO WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR THAT AS WELL.
WE MEET EVERY MONTH WITH THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS AND THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, AND JUST TALK ABOUT ISSUES AND ALSO JUST SHARE INFORMATION WITH EACH OTHER.
AND THAT'S AN OPEN AND, I BELIEVE, HONEST COMMUNICATION THAT WE HAVE EVERY MONTH.
LANCE AND TRAILER AND MYSELF WENT WITH THE CHAMBER TO THE CAPITOL AND LOBBIED FOR EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH DIRECTOR SNOW, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF IOWA.
WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR.
AND THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGISLATOR.
AND A LOT OF GOOD CONVERSATION.
AND LANCE DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF ADVOCATING FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I DO APPRECIATE.
LEGISLATORS WOULD BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THEY WOULD RATHER HEAR FROM BOARD MEMBERS THAN SUPERINTENDENTS.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, BUT THAT'S TRUE.
THEY WOULD WANT TO HEAR FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS, SO IT REALLY SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE WHEN YOU'RE THERE IN SUPPORTING SCHOOLS LIKE THAT.
SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.AND ACTUALLY I WILL BE HEADED BACK THERE TOMORROW TO TALK WITH LEGISLATORS.
AND THIS IS ORGANIZED BY THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE AA'S TO GET OUT THERE AND GET IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATORS AND TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US.
WITH THAT, I WILL END MY REPORT. THANK YOU.
[IX.A. Board Resolution on Supporting Iowa’s Area Education Agencies to Protect Iowa’s Student Support Services – President George]
ITEM IS A PRESENTATION DISCUSSION OR ACTION FIRST UP AS THE BOARD RESOLUTION ON SUPPORTING IOWA'S AREA EDUCATION AGENCIES TO PROTECT IOWA STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES.AND I'M GOING TO READ YOU THE RESOLUTION.
DURING HER CONDITION OF THE STATE REPORT AT THE OPENING OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IOWA GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS PROPOSED THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE STATE'S AA'S.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE STUDY BILL 542 AND SENATE STUDY BILL 3073, WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REORGANIZE THE AA'S AND POTENTIALLY ELIMINATE MEDIA SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT IOWA.
MANY DISTRICTS, INCLUDING THE SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, RELY ON AA SERVICES FOR IOWA STUDENTS.
SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 7.8 MILLION TO THE NORTHWEST AA IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 VIA TAX LEVIES ON PROPERTY.
OUR UNDERSTANDING AS HOUSE STUDY BILL 542 AND SENATE STUDY BILL 3073 ARE CURRENTLY PROPOSED, IS THE AA SYSTEM, WHICH TODAY INCLUDES NINE AGENCIES, WILL BE FUNDAMENTALLY RESTRUCTURED AND A NEW DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OVERSEEING SPECIAL EDUCATION WILL BE CREATED.
THE BILL CALLS FOR THE ADDITION OF 139 COMPLIANCE AND OVERSIGHT POSITIONS TO THE NEW DIVISIONS.
[00:45:01]
THE AA'S MAY BE PROHIBITED FROM PROVIDING ANY MEDIA SERVICE SUPPORT, IF NOT REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICTS WILL NO LONGER LEVY A PROPERTY TAX FOR THE MEDIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOWER THEIR PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN THEIR BUDGET BY A CORRESPONDING AMOUNT.SO WE SEE APPROXIMATELY $917,000 FOR FISCAL 2024.THE FLOW THROUGH FUNDING THAT SCHOOLS ARE ALLOWED TO LEVY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, GENERAL EDUCATION SERVICES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE DISTRICT.
THE DISTRICTS CAN CHOOSE HOW TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING THE REGIONAL AGENCIES.
STATEWIDE, APPROXIMATELY 5.4 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WILL SHIFT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
AND ADDITIONAL 20 MILLION WILL ALSO SHIFT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS NEW SPECIAL EDUCATION DIVISION.
UNDER HOUSE STUDY BILL 542, AA, ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS WILL BE DISSOLVED AND NEW DIRECTOR POSITIONS WILL REQUIRE SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS ALREADY POSTING SPECIAL EDUCATION JOBS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST WITHIN THE NINE AA OFFICES.
WHEREAS DISTRICTS HAVE EXTENSIVELY UTILIZED AA SERVICE TO ENHANCE CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND THE NEED TO REPLACE THESE SERVICES RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, ASSOCIATED COSTS, AND FUTURE FUNDING SOURCES.
WHEREAS SOME DISTRICTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AA AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, SHARED BETWEEN AA AND DISTRICTS HAVE POSITIVELY IMPACTED STUDENTS WELL BEING.
WHEREAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE RECEIVED AND ESTABLISHED VALUABLE SERVICES FROM AA STAFF CONTRIBUTING TO STUDENT SERVICES AND STAFF GROWTH.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DIRECTIVE FOR REVISIONS TO THE AA TO SERVE SCHOOL IS NOT WELL THOUGHT OUT OR VETTED.WHEREAS DISCUSSION OR MISSION CREEP QUESTIONS WHEREAS AA ARE EXCEEDING THEIR DESIGNATED ROLE.
AND MANY SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THE AA HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED OVER THE YEARS BY VARIOUS ENTITIES.
WHEREAS RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO FACE THE GREATEST IMPACT DUE TO CHALLENGES IN FUNDING APPROPRIATE SUPPORT STAFF.
WHEREAS THE PROGRESSION OF THE BILL NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN, AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS BE INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OF AA PERFORMANCES AND IMPROVEMENTS.
WHEREAS COMMUNICATION TO THE AA'S AND DISTRICTS REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE AEA SYSTEM HAVE BEEN MINIMAL.
AND WHEREAS THE SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACKNOWLEDGES GOVERNOR REYNOLDS.AND THE IOWA LEGISLATURE FOR RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO INCREASE SALARY FOR TEACHERS STATEWIDE.
BE RESOLVED, THAT THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES THE IOWA LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY PLACED ON SCHOOLS FOR ADMINISTERING AND SERVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMS. THE CHALLENGES FACED BY ALL SCHOOLS IS FINDING QUALIFIED STAFF FOR THIS PURPOSE AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOGISTICS AND CAPACITY IF SCHOOLS OPT FOR ALTERNATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND OTHER SERVICES.
URGES THE LEGISLATOR TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE BILLS PROHIBITING THE SHARING OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BY AA'S AND THE RISK OF SCHOOLS HAVING TO SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.
URGES THE IOWA LEGISLATOR TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF RELATIONSHIP IF THE PROPOSED PLAN IS ENACTED.
AND LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CAPACITY AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE A NEW EQUITABLE SUPPORT FOR ALL IOWA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, GIVEN THEIR PROPOSED CHANGES.
URGES THE IOWA LEGISLATOR TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY.
STATING THAT IF THE AA'S DO NOT PROVIDE SERVICES, AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION MUST BE IDENTIFIED.
URGES THE LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON RURAL DISTRICTS AND PLEDGE TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE CHALLENGES.
URGES THE IOWA LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR OPEN CONVERSATION, COLLABORATIVE INVOLVING STAKEHOLDERS FAMILIAR WITH THE AA'S WORK, AND THE NEED FOR DIALOGUE AMONGST APPROPRIATE STAKEHOLDERS ON WAYS AA'S CAN ADAPT AND IMPROVE THEIR STRUCTURE AND SERVICES.
AND URGE THE IOWA LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS TEACHER PAY APART FROM THE DISCUSSION OF THE AA'S THROUGH A SEPARATE PROVISION FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS FOR ENSURING HIGH QUALITY IOWA TEACHERS ARE COMPENSATED ON THEIR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN OUR STATE.
AND URGES THE IOWA LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DELAY ON SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE ELIMINATION OF AA LEAD ADMINISTRATORS AND REGIONAL DIRECTORS.
THEREFORE, ON FEBRUARY 12, 2024, THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FURTHER RESOLVES TO ENSURE ITS STUDENTS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE ESSENTIAL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES.
ADDRESS CONCERNS SURROUNDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES AND ADVOCATE FOR
[00:50:04]
THE THOROUGH COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION INVOLVING ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS.BOARD MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT?
>> IS IT TIME TO BRING UP THE OTHER ITEM THAT'S WITH THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR IS THAT AT A LATER TIME?
>> WELL, WE'RE PAYING ROUGHLY 20% OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES GO TOWARDS SUPPORTING THE AEA.
I'M IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION, BUT I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF CONTROLLING OUR OWN MONEY AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT SERVICES WE'RE GETTING FOR 20% OF THE TAXES THAT WE ASSESS TO TAXPAYERS.
AS YOU INDICATED, IT'S ROUGHLY $7.8 MILLION.
AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE NO ACCOUNTING OR WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND IF WE'RE GETTING 7.8 MILLION OR IF WE'RE GET $8.8 MILLION WORTH OF SERVICES.
SO MORE OR LESS, OR 6.8 MILLION, WE HAVE NO INDICATION, BUT YET WE'RE ASSESSING TAXPAYERS $7.8 MILLION IN THEIR TAX BILL THIS CURRENT YEAR.
SO, AS I SAID, I SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION, BUT I THINK AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO GET AN ACCOUNTING OF WHAT WE'RE PAYING VERSUS WHAT WE'RE GETTING, AND I WOULD ASK THE AEA TO PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION TO US OR HAVE OUR ADMINISTRATION GATHER THAT AT SOME POINT.
>> I THINK WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.
I THINK WE HAVE ASKED [OVERLAPPING]
>> ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE GATHERING THAT INFORMATION.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT AT DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE DEFINITELY WORKING ON.
I'VE ALSO ASKED THAT FROM THE AEA SO WE CAN DO A CROSSWALK AND SEE WHERE OUR NUMBERS ARE.
THE OTHER ISSUE WITH THIS, I HAD A ZOOM THE OTHER DAY, THIS IS THE MODEL THAT IS BEING PROPOSED, IS THE MODEL THAT'S USED IN NEBRASKA.
WHEN TALKING TO SUPERINTENDENTS THERE AND A GENTLEMAN THAT WAS THE DIRECTOR OF ESU, EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNITS, IS WHAT THEY'RE CALLED ESUS.
[INAUDIBLE] THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU GET TO PICK YOUR OWN, BUT IT WILL COST MORE.
WAS THEIR CONSENSUS IN TALKING TO TWO OF THEM THAT YOU WILL HAVE MORE FREEDOM.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IN NEBRASKA IN MY UNDERSTANDING IS ONCE THAT MONEY RUNS OUT, SERVICES ARE OVER.
I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN'T DO IT, BUT WE'D HAVE TO BE VERY STRATEGIC IN HOW WE DO IT AND MAKING SURE THAT IF WE GET A STUDENT THAT COMES IN AND NEEDS WHATEVER SERVICES, SOME INTENSE SERVICES, WHETHER IT'S NURSING SERVICES, PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES ON SHORT NOTICE.
BECAUSE WHAT WE KNOW AND WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT JUST BECAUSE WE CAN'T FIND SOMEBODY, DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE OFF THE HOOK FOR THOSE SERVICES.
WE'RE STILL RESPONSIBLE AND WE'RE STILL HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE SERVICES.
>> I WOULD JUST COUNTER THAT TO A LITTLE BIT TO SAY THAT WE'RE SPENDING $7.8 MILLION.
WE REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE SPENDING IT AT OTHER THAN WE'RE GETTING SERVICES.
IS THAT MORE OR LESS? THE SECOND PART OF THE HANDOUT THAT'S IN THE MATERIALS TONIGHT IS THE COST PER THE NINE AEAS ARE ON THIS SHEET, AND THE SIOUX CITY AREA, THE AEA IS THE HIGHEST COST AEA IN THE COUNTRY OR IN THAT STATE.
THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE. I KNOW THERE MAY BE SOME DIFFERENCES ON TSS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE'RE PAYING THE MOST THAN ANY OTHER AEA IN THE STATE.
ANYWAY, AS I SAID, I SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION.
I JUST THINK ASKING TAXPAYERS TO PAY 20% WITH NO ACCOUNTING OF HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE FLOWING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY VERY GOOD IN MY LINE.
>> WELL, UNDER CHAIRMAN JORDAN.
I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THAT I, TOO SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF THE RESOLUTION.
WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD SAY THAT I WOULD WANT TO BE SIGNED ON AS THESE ARE POINTS AT THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL BOARD IS
[00:55:01]
TELLING THE GOVERNOR OR THE LEGISLATORS IS OUR POSITION OR CONCERN, FOR EXAMPLE.I BELIEVE THAT THE IMPACT OF CHANGES TO THE AEA WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL FOR THE RURAL SCHOOLS, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT, NOR AM I SURE THAT AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT THAT'S AN OPINION THAT FORMALLY WE SHOULD EXPRESS AS A BOARD.
I'M NOT JUST PICKING ON THE ONE ITEM.
I'M CONCERNED THAT WHEN WE SAY THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE LOSS OF POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE NOW WITH SUPPORT FROM AEA, AND THEN WE SAY THAT WE LACK CONFIDENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S CAPACITY, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY NEXT.
ONCE WE SAY WE DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE CAPACITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WE MAY, IN FACT, BELIEVE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO GO TOO FAST.
OR THAT WE SEE THE STRUCTURE TODAY AS BEING MORE RESPONSIVE, BUT I'M NOT SURE WE HELP OURSELVES BEING PERSUASIVE BY HAVING A STATEMENT THAT SAYS, WE DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE EDUCATION BOARD.
I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT ARM'S LENGTH AWAY FROM A DIALOGUE WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PLAYERS WHO HAVE INTEREST IN ALL OF THIS.
I WOULD REALLY LOVE A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS, WE THINK YOU SHOULD STOP, SLOW DOWN, AND GO THROUGH A YEAR OF STUDY.
WE THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT MR. GREENWELL HAS TALKED ABOUT.
I VERY STRONGLY BELIEVE WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS WE'RE GETTING AND WHAT OUR ROLE SHOULD BE.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED IN WHAT DR. EARLEYWINE SAID, WHICH IS, ARE WE JUST DUMPING OFF ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALL OF WHATEVER THE STATE IS DISSATISFIED WITH IN THE AEA? THEN IT JUST BECOMES OUR PROBLEM, A PROBLEM WHERE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN SUED BY PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHO SAY YOU DIDN'T DO AN ADEQUATE JOB.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A PARTNER WHO'S RESPONSIBLE WITH US TO DO THAT.
I'M ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS THAT WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE AEA.
FRANKLY, I BELIEVE WE NEED THE AEA ORGANIZATION TO CONTINUE TO EXIST AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN KINDS OF SUPPORT.
WE MAY NEED TO BE CREATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT NEW WAYS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND BEING EFFECTIVE.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO AND SAY, DUMP IT ALL OFF ON US AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM.
BECAUSE YOU CAN SAY, WELL, YOU CAN TAX YOUR LOCAL CITIZENS MORE IF YOU NEED TO.
WELL, I JUST WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW MORE AND I WOULD LIKE A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS, PLEASE STOP THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ON THIS.
SEND IT TO THE STUDY COMMITTEE LIKE THE IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ALREADY HAS DONE, AND THEN LET'S MOVE ON WITH ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE OTHER ITEMS OF WHO IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT BEFORE WE JUST SUDDENLY FIND OURSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING WITHOUT HAVING SEEN.
IT'S LIKE BUYING A HOUSE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH IT.
[LAUGHTER] I WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO NEED TO BE REPAIRED RIGHT AWAY.
NOW, HAVING SAID ALL THOSE THINGS, I ALSO BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IF WE DO THIS, THAT WE ALL DO IT TOGETHER.
I DON'T WANT TO SIGN ON AS A DISSENTER.
>> PRESIDENT, GEORGE. I'M SORRY.
>> OKAY. DIRECTOR GREENWELL, I APPRECIATE THAT CANDOR IN RELATIONSHIP TO SAYING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A QUANTIFIABLE REFLECTION OF WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AS IT RELATES TO OUR TAXPAYERS.
BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS RESOLUTION AND TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, PRIOR TO GETTING TO THIS POINT WHERE WE WOULD HAVE RESOLVED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS OR NOT, NOT TAKING AWAY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DISCUSS THE QUANTIFIABLE MEASURES.
I AM NOT QUITE CLEAR WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, DIRECTOR LAMKEY, BECAUSE WE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, MODIFICATIONS, SUGGESTIONS TO HELP MODIFY THIS.
I WISH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO COMING TO THIS POINT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE CHANGES. RESPECTFULLY.
>> MY APOLOGIES TO YOU IF YOU'RE THE DRAFTER.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THE DRAFTER WAS.
[01:00:01]
>> THE REALITY FOR ME WAS THAT MY COMPUTER WAS DOWN.
I COULDN'T RECEIVE OR SEND EMAILS UNTIL A DAY OR TWO AGO.
I JUST DID SEE IT HERE OVER THE WEEKEND.
THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE, LIKE I SAID.
>> BUT THAT GIVES ME A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
>> IF THE FEELING OF THE BOARD IS THAT WE NEED TO GO FORWARD, I WILL JOIN WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS WITH IT, BUT I HAVE THESE CONCERNS THAT THE MESSAGE MAY NEED TO BE MORE THAN THIS.
I THOUGHT THAT THE LEGISLATION WAS MOVING IN A DIRECTION THAT THEY WERE BUYING THEMSELVES MORE TIME.
I APPRECIATE DR. EARLEY WEIN'S BEEN IN FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH THE URBAN NETWORK AND THE LIKE AND THEY FEEL LIKE IT MIGHT GET RESURRECTED OUT OF THE SENATE.
THAT'S THE THING ABOUT LEGISLATION, IT'S LIKE PREDICTING THE WEATHER.
THAT'S WHY I'M INTERESTED IN THE SENTIMENT OF THE BOARD, GENERALLY, HOW THE BOARD MEMBERS FEEL ABOUT IT [OVERLAPPING] I WILL JOIN WITH YOU IN THIS, BUT I'VE TOLD YOU HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT.
>> I'LL TAKE CREDIT FOR DRAFTING THIS.
BUT IT WAS OUT THERE, IT WAS IN THE PACKET.
I KNOW WHERE I'M SITTING ON THIS, I'M GOING TO BRING IT FORWARD IF YOU GUYS WANT TO VOTE IT IN.
>> IS THERE ANY REASON WE CAN'T BRING IT FORWARD TO THE NEXT MEETING AND ALLOW MR. LAMKEY TO ADEQUATELY WEIGH IN ON IT OR REFLECT ON HIS COMMENTS ONE OR THE OTHER, OR IS THERE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET THIS OUT NOW?
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. THE SOONER WE DO IT, THE SOONER THAT WE SHOW THE SUPPORT.
>> WELL, I CONCUR THAT I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT, AND I TOLD YOU I WAS IN SUPPORT OF IT, BUT WE ALSO, IN OUR LAST CONVERSATION, TALKED ABOUT DOING A STUDY ON WHAT DO WE GET FROM THE AEA TODAY FOR THE DOLLAR.
THAT WAS A PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE DID HAVE TRANSPARENTLY, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS GOING TO BE A PART OF IT.
I DIDN'T SEE IT IN THE PACKAGE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF I JUST MISSED THAT OR NOT.
BUT THE HOUSE HAS TABLED IT FOR RIGHT NOW, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD IN OUR LAST DISCUSSION WAS, WHAT DOES OPT IN, OPT OUT, OR HYBRID REALLY MEAN? YOU'RE ASKING US TO SIGN OFF ON A RESOLUTION THAT I CLEARLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE THREE THINGS STILL MEAN.
IF IT'S JUST BECAUSE I'M UNEDUCATED, SORRY, BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE OPTING IN OR OUT OF OR IF WE'VE JUST HAD AN OPINION THAT SAYS WE WANT OUR AEA TO SAY AS IS, NO CHANGES IF SANS OR BUDS.
>> THE PROBLEM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THE LEGISLATION IS IN WORKS.
I'VE HEARD SOME, UNTIL I SEE IT IN WRITING, I DON'T BELIEVE IT, UNTIL I'VE SEEN THOSE AMENDMENTS ACTUALLY IN FRONT OF ME, THAT SOMEONE HAS ACTUALLY PROPOSED.
THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE ON WHAT MAY HAPPEN OR MAY NOT HAPPEN.
THERE'S INFORMATION THAT IT MAY BE PUT ON, MAYBE BE A STUDY FOR A YEAR SO WE CAN GATHER INFORMATION.
IT MAY BE THAT THE MEDIA SERVICES, I THINK, ARE REALLY IN JEOPARDY.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US? THAT'S PROBABLY THE LEAST IMPACTED OF THOSE THREE; THE SPECIAL ED, AND MEDIA, AND ED SERVICES.
THE MEDIA, IF THEY TAKE THAT MUCH, IT'S $1 MILLION, SO WHATEVER SERVICES WE USE FOR MEDIA, WE WOULD NEED TO COME UP WITH THOSE DOLLARS, OBVIOUSLY.
>> DO WE GET A MILLION OR $900,000 WORTH OF SERVICES FROM THEM?
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE LOOKING INTO AND SEEING, DO WE OR DO WE NOT.
THERE'S SO MUCH INVOLVED IN THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TIE INTO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PORTION OF IT AND WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT THEY SUPPORT.
IT'S JUST FOR THIS DISTRICT, FOR US TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO TAKE THAT ON NEXT YEAR.
>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS SUGGESTING THAT.
>> UNLESS THEY DISSOLVE THE AA'S AND THEN THEY'RE NOT SUGGESTING IT, THEY WILL BE MANDATING IT.
>> I DON'T SEE ANYBODY DISSOLVING THEM.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S ANYWHERE.
THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET INFORMATION ON, OUT OF OUR 7.8, WHERE WE'RE USING IT? HOW MUCH WE'RE USING IN TWO WEEKS?
>> I THINK WE COULD DO THAT? THE DIRECTORS ARE HERE. I THINK WE CAN REALLY GET THAT TOGETHER.
>> NINE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH.
>> WE'RE NOT STARTING TOMORROW WITH THAT.
WE'RE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW, BUT IT TAKES SOME TIME.
WE JUST DON'T WANT TO THROW NUMBERS TOGETHER AND SAY, HERE IT IS AND THEN NOT BE CORRECT, SO WE ARE DOING THAT, BREAKING THOSE APART.
SPECIAL EDUCATION, WE KNOW THERE ARE ABOUT 50 FULL TIME STAFF MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
[01:05:04]
THAT ARE EMPLOYED BY THE AEA, AND OVER LOTS OF THINGS.ALL THOSE THINGS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME, BUT WITHIN TWO WEEKS, WE'LL ENDEAVOR TO HAVE THAT DONE IN FRONT OF THE BOARD.
>> WELL, I APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE THAT WE'RE HAVING AMONG BOARD MEMBERS.
I THINK WE BENEFIT FROM HAVING THAT.
I'M GETTING THE IMPRESSION THE SENTIMENT IS TO GO FORWARD.
AS I SAID, I WILL JOIN WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND I UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY THAT DR.
EARLY WEIN IS TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S LEGISLATION THAT IS STILL MOVING IN THE IOWA SENATE.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO INTERNALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GETTING FOR VALUE ON THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SIDE FROM THIS MONEY, AND THERE WOULDN'T BE A THIRD PARTY WE'D HAVE TO GET THAT INFORMATION FROM.
I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY THIRD PARTY.
>> THEY WERE WITH US WHEN WE WERE IN DES MOINES.
I FELT LIKE THE RELATIONSHIP WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT THEY'D HELP US OUT THAT WAY.
>> I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WAITING TWO WEEKS. I CONCUR.
>> WITH THAT WEIGHT, THEN, WE WOULD HAVE A QUANTIFIABLE BILL OR ITEMIZED BILL OF SERVICE OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
SO WE TAKE THAT MILLION DOLLARS AND BREAK IT DOWN INTO INCREMENTAL AMOUNTS OF SERVICE.
>> WE WILL HAVE IT THE BEST WE CAN.
WE'LL HAVE IT DIVIDED UP INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION.
THE SERVICE TO RECEIVED THERE, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY THE MOST COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER 2,300 STUDENTS THAT RECEIVE SERVICES.
THAT'S THE MOST COMPLICATED ONE AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHUNK.
BUT WE'LL CERTAINLY ENDEAVOR TO DO THAT.
MEDIA SERVICES THAT WE WILL HAVE.
AND OF COURSE, THAT'S ED SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO MENTION IN REGARDS TO DIRECTOR MK'S DEAL REGARDING THE RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ANTICIPATING THE GREATEST IMPACT.
TO ME, IT MAKES SENSE AS A LOT OF THE AA'S ARE CENTERED IN LARGER COMMUNITIES.
YOU EVEN MENTIONED IN THE LAST BOARD MEETING THAT EVENTUALLY WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS SOME WE'LL MORE OF ANOTHER INFLUX OF STUDENTS COMING INTO SIOUX CITY TO ACCESS THOSE.
>> I STILL THINK THAT IS A CONCERN, AND THAT'S WHY I LEFT THE RURAL DISTRICTS BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE IN A TOUGH PLACE.
IF IT DOES GO THROUGH AND WE GET THAT INFLUX, DO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY FOR THE STUDENTS AND STUFF THAT WILL HAVE TO COME WITH?
>> I WOULD SAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS, WELL, AT LEAST SHE HAS A PLAN.
>> SHE HAS A CONCEPT AND SHE HAS A THEORY.
THERE'S A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE.
BUT AGAIN, THE LEGISLATION IS STILL MOVING.
IT'S STILL MOVING. IT'S GOING TO COME BACK.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE AMENDMENTS TO IT AND I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING LAST WEEK ON THE AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD BE IN WRITING AND SHOWN TO US SO WE COULD AT LEAST FORM A BETTER OPINION ON HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT.
I KNOW UN IS STILL UNDECIDED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.
YOU CAN'T MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER YOU SUPPORT SOMETHING OR NOT WITHOUT ADEQUATE INFORMATION.
>> WOULDN'T TWO WEEKS BE BENEFICIAL THEN TO SEE IF WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY AND GET THIS COST INFORMATION? I HEARD DIRECTOR MK'S COMMENTS AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE AEA'S, BUT I'M ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE'RE GETTING FOR OUR MONEY.
I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF WAITING TWO WEEKS TO SEE IF WE GET SOME DRAFT LEGISLATION AND/OR THE COST INFORMATION.
>> IF WE WAIT TWO WEEKS THEN I WOULD ASK US TO DO OUR HOMEWORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN AGREEANCE WITH THE CONTENT THAT IS IN THE RESOLUTION.
MAKE THOSE MODIFICATIONS, SUGGESTIONS, AND GET THEM ON THE DOCUMENTS SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ADEQUATELY.
>> BUT DIRECTLY RESPECTFULLY, BOARD MEMBERS CAN CHANGE THEIR MIND.
PLEASE RESPECTFULLY, I'M NOT SAYING THEY CAN'T CHANGE THEIR MIND, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.
[01:10:01]
THE FREEDOM. HOWEVER, I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF WE DO THAT BECAUSE WE WANT MORE INFORMATION AND THERE WAS SOME UNCLARITY ON DR. MILLER AND DR.MK'S CONCERN TO CLARIFY THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFORMATION.
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT INFORMATION AND LET'S GET THOSE ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS MADE AND THEN WE CAN LOOK AT ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION AND MOVE FORWARD ACCORDINGLY.
>> BUT I RESPECTFULLY STILL SAY THAT BOARD MEMBERS CAN CHANGE THEIR MIND AT THE LAST MINUTE IF THEY CHOOSE, [LAUGHTER] EVEN IF THEY HAVE REVIEWED IT ALL AND THEY HAVE AN EPIPHANY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SESSION [INAUDIBLE].
>> DIRECTOR MYRUS, WE CAN RECEIVE SOME NUMBERS IN TWO WEEKS.
HOW GOOD THEY'LL BE. WELL, THEY'LL BE PLUS OR MINUS SOMETHING.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE NUMBER WE HAVE? EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
HOW GOOD IS THIS? I'M CONCERNED THAT THE DISTRICT IS ALREADY MAKING A VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES DURING THE ENDING OF THE ESA PROGRAM.
WE'RE SPENDING THE SOUP PRETTY FAST JUST TO ADAPT TO THOSE CHANGES THEN TO EXPECT OR THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT WE WOULD BE FACING HIRING AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE IN WHAT? TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS, WHATEVER IT IS, IS UNLIKELY.
>> IF THEY STAY WITH THE TIMELINE, YEAH, JUNE 1ST.
>> I CERTAINLY AGREE THAT THERE MIGHT EVEN BE SEVEN VOTES TO SIMPLY ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO PLEASE STOP.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TONIGHT, BUT I COULD SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION NOW.
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IN TWO WEEKS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH CLARITY TO REALLY KNOW WHAT PATH WE'RE LOOKING AT.
>> BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYBODY, OR ANYBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION SAY, HEY, NEXT YEAR WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS IN-HOUSE.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO BRING IT IN-HOUSE NEXT YEAR.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS SAID THAT AND I HAVEN'T HEARD IT FROM ANYBODY ANYWAY.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SUGGESTING WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT AND TRY TO TAKE THIS ON OURSELVES WITH EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE GOING ON.
WE'RE GOING TO ATTACK THIS AND TAKE THIS ON OURSELVES.
I THINK IT'D BE FUNDAMENTALLY SUICIDAL IS NOT THE RIGHT WORD, BUT NOT VERY SMART.
>> I AGREE, IT WOULD BE CRAZY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LEGISLATURE IS STILL IN SESSION AND GOD KNOWS WHAT WE'LL GET FROM IT.
>> WE'RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF RESTRUCTURING OUR OWN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WHICH IS A HEAVY LIFT ALONG WITH OUR ELL PROGRAMS AND NOW STARTING OUR TAG PROGRAMS. WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT, SO I'M HOPING IT DOES SLOW DOWN.
WHAT I THINK MIGHT HAPPEN IS SPECIAL EDUCATION, THEY'LL CONTINUE WITH THOSE SERVICES.
MEDIA SERVICES, I BELIEVE YOU'LL TAKE THOSE ON YOURSELF AS LONG WITH ED SERVICES NEXT YEAR.
MEDIA SERVICES WE WILL GET 100% OF THE DOLLARS NEXT YEAR, 50%, 25%, AND THEN ZERO.
THEY'LL PHASE THOSE DOLLARS OUT OVER TIME.
WHAT I WISH THEY WOULD DO WITH THOSE MEDIA DOLLARS IS TELL THE DISTRICT SO THAT THEY CAN, SINCE THEY'RE LOCAL TAX DOLLARS, USE THEM FOR TECHNOLOGY.
WE ALL KNOW TECHNOLOGY IS A BLACK HOLE.
YOU CAN POUR MONEY IN IT ALL DAY LONG AND IT NEVER FILLS UP.
>> GOD FORBID LET THE DISTRICT SPEND IT ON THE AREA OF HIGHEST NEED.
>> DR. I THINK I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH SO CLARIFY.
YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF TAKING ON AA SERVICES NEXT YEAR? IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT?
>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE CAPACITY.
BUT I WILL ALSO SAY I KNOW ANOTHER AGENCY THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY, AND THAT WOULD BE THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
I'VE SAID THAT BEFORE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS BY HAVING THAT HAPPEN.
>> I KNOW IT'S EARLY, I'M NOT ASKING FOR A COMMITMENT, BUT I'M HEARING YOU SAY, WELL, I'M PUTTING WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH.
I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANYTHING ON THIS UPCOMING BUDGET, TO INDICATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ON THESE AA SERVICES, IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT?
>> THAT'S A FAIR STATEMENT, YES.
>> CHAIRMAN, GEORGE, IF I COULD JUST ASK DIRECTOR LEE, I'M HAVING A SENSE THAT THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT YOU FEEL OR FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT.
I WAS PAYING ATTENTION WHEN WE WERE IN DES MOINES.
YOU ARE REALLY WELL KNOWN AND CONNECTED AMONG A LOT OF FOLKS DOWN THERE.
[01:15:04]
AND IF THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW, I WOULD WANT TO KNOW THAT BEFORE I VOTE.NO, I DON'T HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY AND I APPRECIATE THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK THEIR MIND AND CHANGE THEIR MIND.
BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT WE HAD TIME TO READ THIS AND THERE WERE POINTS OF CLARIFICATION OR ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS THAT WANTED TO BE ADDED, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT AT THE TIME.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SITUATION, I GET THAT.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT TO SEE QUANTIFIABLE BILL OR RESOURCES TO SHOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE RECEIVING FROM AEA AND HOW WE USE IT WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.
I CAN RESPECT THE GATHERING OF INFORMATION.
I GUESS WHERE YOU'RE PICKING UP MY INGS IS THAT WE ALL WERE PRIVY TO THE INFORMATION AND THERE WERE STILL SOME POINTS OF CLARITY THAT I JUST ASSUMED THAT WE HAD ALL UNDERSTOOD THAT.
THAT'S ALL. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE I THINK THAT US BEING ONE OF THE LARGER DISTRICTS, IT HELPS SET A PRECEDENT TO SAY THAT SIOUXCITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS MOVING FORWARD ON THIS.
WE SUPPORT THE AEA, WE WANT TO SEE THIS RESOLUTION MOVE FORWARD.
BUT THE OTHER THING IS I CAN RESPECT THE FACT THAT IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION, THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT HAS TO HOLD UP MOVING THE RESOLUTION FORWARD.
AND WE CAN STILL HAVE A CONVERSATION TO TALK ABOUT THE EXPENSES AND HOW THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH US.
MY PERSPECTIVE IS WHEN IS A GOOD TIME? YOU WAIT TWO WEEKS, WE STILL MOVE FORWARD.
FOR ME, IT'S I THINK SOONER OR THE BETTER.
BUT I'M ALSO HEARING SOME RESERVATIONS AND TO ME THIS HAS TO BE A UNANIMOUS WITHOUT RESERVATION VOTE.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE HAD TONIGHT.
CAN I WITHDRAW THIS? THERE'S NO MOTION MADE.
THIS IS FOR WHATEVER IT'S WORTH, DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE YOU'VE REALLY HAD GOOD DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
THERE ARE EIGHT BULLET POINTS IN THAT RESOLUTION AND THEY'RE ALL VERY GOOD.
WHAT I'M WONDERING IS, WOULD ANYONE HAVE REGRETS IF YOU VOTED ON THE RESOLUTION AS IT APPEARS TONIGHT? AND THEN IN TWO WEEKS, YOU COULD SUPPLEMENT THAT RESOLUTION WITH ANY COST NUMBERS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE OR THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
AND YOU COULD SEND IT AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE RESOLUTION FROM THIS EVENING.
I WENT THROUGH IT BEFORE I GAVE MY COMMENTS TO IT, ALL OF MY COMMENTS, WRITTEN COMMENTS AND GAVE THEM TO HIM.
I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHAT DIRECTOR MKEY HAD SAID TONIGHT.
HE MADE SOME GOOD POINTS. THEY DIDN'T REGISTER WITH ME AT THE TIME I WAS GOING THROUGH IT. I SEE THAT.
WOW, LET'S PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT THOSE SOME MORE.
I DO THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO ISSUE A RESOLUTION LIKE THIS, I THINK YOU OUGHT TO HAVE A COMPLETE PACKAGE DOING IT AFTER THE FACT.
I MEAN, CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE 20% OF OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT, Y AND HOW THEY'RE SPENT? YEAH, I UNDERSTAND, DIRECTOR GREEN.
WHAT I'M THINKING THE TOTAL PACKAGE WOULD BE IDEAL.
ALL I'M THINKING AND MAYBE MY THINKING ISN'T CORRECT, IS THAT THE COST AND THE GOOD QUESTIONS YOU'VE RAISED ARE IN MOTION AND IT WOULD CALL FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO A RESOLUTION.
YOU'RE NOT SAYING THIS IS OUR TOTAL PACKAGE.
WE STILL HAVE SOME ONGOING DISCUSSION, ONGOING DECISIONS TO MAKE WITH REGARD TO THE COSTS.
LET ME THROW A HYPOTHETICAL AT YOU.
MEDIA SERVICES, I'VE HEARD NUMEROUS ADMINISTRATION STAFF TELL ME THAT WE DON'T DO HARDLY ANYTHING WITH OUR MEDIA SERVICES.
WE'RE PAYING $915,000 FOR MEDIA SERVICES.
WHAT IF IT COMES OUT AND WE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND EVERYTHING AND WE FIND OUT THAT WE'RE SPENDING MAKING A NUMBER OF $400,000 OR ACTUAL CONSUMING 400,000 WE'VE GOT A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS OF MEDIA SERVICES THAT WE'RE PAYING EXTRA FOR AND CHARGING TAXPAYERS FOR, AND WE JUST APPROVED A RESOLUTION OR VICE VERSA.
[01:20:02]
WOW. WE'RE GETTING THE GREATEST DEAL IN THE WORLD FOR SPECIAL ED.WE'RE CONSUMING, A MILLION MORE THAN WE'RE BEING TAXED FOR.
I MEAN, IT COULD GO THE OPPOSITE WAY TOO.
I JUST THINK NOT KNOWING ON BALANCE GENERAL TERMS WHERE WE'RE AT, THAT I THINK IT'S A LITTLE PREMATURE.
I APPRECIATE I STARTED THIS FIRESTONE, SO MAYBE IT WASN'T INTENDED TO BE THAT WAY, BUT WHAT HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY HELPFUL IS TO HEAR THE THINKING OF ALL OUR BOARD MEMBERS.
I WOULD LIKE THE CHAIRMAN TO KNOW THAT.
IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE THOUGHT THROUGH WHAT THE URGENCY MIGHT BE.
THE FUNNEL DATE ON THIS BUSINESS IS NEXT FRIDAY.
WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER BOARD MEETING BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, AND IT PROBABLY MATTERS IF WE WEIGH IN NOW.
AND I WOULD AGREE THAT WE COULD SUPPLEMENT THAT INFORMATION.
MR. GREENWELL AND I ARE ABSOLUTELY ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT HAVING AND WHAT HE CALLS IT AN ACCOUNTING, AND I CALL IT AN ACCOUNTING, BUT AT LEAST A FULL EXPLANATION OF THE SERVICES WE'RE RECEIVING FOR THE MONEY THAT IS DEDICATED.
BUT I AM ON THE SAME PAGE WITH MR. GREENWELL THAT WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND PEOPLE WILL BE EXPECTING THAT FROM US GOING FORWARD.
BUT THAT CAN BE DONE AS WE GO FORWARD, AS MR. MOORE SUGGESTED, SUPPLEMENTARY.
I ALSO DON'T WANT TO CREATE A CRISIS FOR OUR STAFF WHEN WE HAVE OTHER THINGS GOING ON IN THAT WE COULD GET THAT PROGRAMMED IN.
AND OUR RESOLUTION REALLY SAYS, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND CONSIDER THESE THINGS.
SO I'M PREPARED TO CHANGE MY VIEW IN FAVOR GOING FORWARD WITH THIS RESOLUTION.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, BOARD MEMBERS? I DO HAVE MORE DISCUSSION.
SO I THINK THAT THERE'S ELEMENTS THAT DR.
IRWIN AND TEAM CAN ADD THAT WILL MAKE THIS A STRONGER RESOLUTION.
LIKE WE IN THE PAST HAVE TRIED TO HIRE HEARING IMPAIRED SIGNERS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED WITH THAT PART OF IT IS PAY.
BUILDING THAT AS A DATA ELEMENT WITHIN THIS.
PUTTING THAT POINT OUT THERE TO SAY EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN'T HIRE THOSE RESOURCES AND HERE'S WHY YOU CAN'T HIRE THEM AND TAKE OUT OR SOFTEN THE LANGUAGE ON THIS IS GOING TO HARM THE RURAL.
I THINK WE CAN MAKE THIS A MUCH STRONGER RESOLUTION AND HAVE IT BE MORE POWERFUL AND MORE MEANINGFUL.
WHETHER YOU SEND IT AS A SUPPLEMENT OR NOT, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL THING.
BUT IF PEOPLE FEEL WE HAVE TO GET IT OUT TODAY, WE HAVE TO GET IT OUT TODAY.
OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ONE MORE TIME.
>> NO, JUST VERY BRIEFLY, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS PUTS US.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE OF THE SAME BOOK, BUT WE'RE ON A DIFFERENT PART OF THE PAGE. IS THAT FAIR?
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT THE FINAL DATE FOR THIS? WHAT DID YOU SAY IT WAS?
>> WELL, AND SO FOLKS KNOW, THE FINAL DATE MEANS THESE ARE TIMES IN THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR WHEN YOU CAN NO LONGER INTRODUCE OR CHANGE SOMETHING.
SO I FEEL THE FINAL DATE IS FRIDAY FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL, WHICH MEANS THAT THERE'LL BE A LOT OF PRESSURE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY, MR. MICHAELSON, I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE URGENCY THAT I THINK DIRECTOR LEE WAS FEELING WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE BIT EXASPERATED WITH ME.
AS I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT THOUGH, IT PROBABLY MATTERS TO WEIGH IN NOW.
>> BUT ISN'T THE APPROPRIATIONS GOING TO BE IMPACTED WITH THE TEACHER COMPONENT IN HERE?
>> THE AEA PIECE IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN APPROPRIATION.
THE TEACHER PAY PART IS, AND THE HOUSE SEPARATED OUT THE TEACHER PAY PART.
>> THE SENATE HASN'T, AND WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT THE REASON.
>> JUST A COUPLE MORE COMMENTS.
ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT BOARD WORK, THIS IS OKAY.
YOU'RE DISCUSSING A BOARD DOCUMENT THAT YOU WANT TO SUPPORT OR NOT SUPPORT IN OPEN FORUM.
[01:25:07]
IT'S NOT DONE THAT SOME SUGGESTIONS WERE SENT OUT.IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, MUST GET THEM SO WE CAN THEN INCLUDE THEM OR NOT INCLUDE THEM AND HAVE DISCUSSION AT THE BOARD TABLE, WHICH YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY DOING AND IT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THE WORK.
SO I WOULDN'T FEEL BAD ABOUT CALLING ON THINGS THAT YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE OR DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND OR IN FAVOR OF, OR NOT IN FAVOR OF.
BUT A RESOLUTION IS A RESOLUTION.
IT'S A STANCE ON THIS IS HOW WE FEEL.
I AGREE WITH THAT BOARD SHOULD BE UNANIMOUS WHEN WE SEND SOMETHING LIKE THIS OUT.
BUT AGAIN, I HAVE SPOKEN TO LEGISLATORS AND REACHED OUT, BUT I'M DOING THAT AS A SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
BUT I HAVE TO HAVE THE SUPPORT AND KNOW WHAT THE BOARD WANTS ME TO DO.
AS A SUPERINTENDENT, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO ADVOCATE FOR OR NOT ADVOCATE FOR? THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, ARE THERE SOME THINGS I'VE MARKED MAYBE THREE THINGS IN HERE THAT ARE CAUSING SOME HEARTBURN, I THINK, TO WAIT AND GET ALL THE DETAILS.
I'M NOT SURE A RESOLUTION NEEDS A TON OF DETAILS ON HOW IT WOULD DEFINITELY AFFECT US, JUST THAT THE MAJOR POINTS THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT OR THINGS WE HAVE CONCERNED ON.
YOU LAY OUT IN HERE THAT THE TEACHER PAY IS GOOD, YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE IT SEPARATED, AND JUST SET UP TWO SEPARATE BILLS.
SOME OF THE HEARTBURN I'M HEARING IS WE'RE MENTIONING RURAL SCHOOLS WHEN WE'RE NOT A RURAL SCHOOL.
BUT THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS ARE RURAL SCHOOLS, THE DISTRICTS AROUND US GOING TO BE LOOKING AT US TO MANAGE THEIR SPECIAL ED SERVICES? IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN TAKE ON OR WANT TO TAKE ON OR DON'T WANT TO TAKE ON? THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME AGREEMENTS IF WE TAKE THIS ON ALTOGETHER BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO USE MAYBE A PT 1.5.
WE'RE GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE SOMEONE A HALF TIME IN THOSE POSITIONS.
I'M JUST THINKING OF ALL THESE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
>> I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED BECAUSE EARLIER WE HAD DISCUSSION THAT SAID WE'RE NOT PLANNING TO TAKE THESE ON NEXT YEAR, AND NOW WE'RE JUMPING AHEAD AND SPECULATING AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING THESE ON, AND BY THE WAY, WE GOT TO SERVICE THE RURAL SCHOOLS TOO.
[OVERLAPPING] I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED.
>> I'M NOT SAYING BUT THE LEGISLATORS UNTIL THEY'RE DONE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TAKING ON, AND WHAT THIS DISTRICT IS TAKING ON.
>> WELL, MR. GREENWELL, SO YOU KNOW, WHERE THAT PART THAT OUR PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT.
HE AND I HAD A DISCUSSION THAT WE SAW THIS WHEN I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SIOUXLAND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER BOARD.
WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THE COUNTY WAS SAYING, HOW COME YOUR BUDGET KEEPS GROWING? IT WAS BECAUSE THE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WE HAD TO SERVE KEPT GROWING, AND THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THOSE KIND OF SERVICES OUT IN THE RURAL AREAS AND JANE AND I WERE MUSING ABOUT IT, SAYING THAT'D PROBABLY BE THE NEXT THING THAT HAPPENS IS THAT PEOPLE WITH STUDENTS THAT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS WOULD SAY, I'VE GOT TO GO TO WHERE THE SERVICES CAN BE HAD AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE AN INFLUX OF STUDENTS THAT WE WOULD NEED TO SERVE.
LIKE I SAID, ONCE I THOUGHT ABOUT THE FINAL DATE AND REALIZED THAT IT MAY BE CRITICAL TO WEIGH IN NOW, I'VE LISTENED TO MY BOARD MEMBERS AND I'M READY TO SUPPORT THE GROUP.
I THINK WE CAN GET THE OTHER INFORMATION WE'RE LOOKING FOR, DAN, BUT I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE IT A CRISIS FOR THE STAFF.
>> I'M UP NOW. WE'RE GOOD? WELL, A LOT OF DISCUSSION, AS I SAID BEFORE THAT I WANT A UNANIMOUS DECISION WITH NO RESERVATIONS, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF RESERVATIONS, SO I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW IT.
>> WELL, THERE WAS NEVER A MOTION TO BEGIN WITH.
>> WELL, IT'S STILL AN AGENDA ITEM, SO DO WE HAVE TO AMEND THE AGENDA?
[01:30:01]
>> WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON THAT.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE MY FELLOW DIRECTORS, I WILL HAVE LESLIE SEND THIS TO ALL OF YOU.
YOU WILL HAVE A COPY THAT YOU CAN MARK UP, AND THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK ON THE 26TH FOR A RESOLUTION AGAIN.
>> I WOULD SUGGEST IF WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK, WE HAVE SOME OF THE COST INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT FORWARD WITH WHATEVER INFORMATION WE HAVE.
>> IT DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO VOTE YES.
>> NO, YOU DON'T. BUT WE'LL BRING IT FORWARD ON THE 26TH.
IF YOU'RE HAPPY WITH IT, YOU'RE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT.
>> BUT YOU MIGHT CHANGE YOUR MIND.
>> YOU MIGHT CHANGE YOUR MIND.
LET'S GO ON TO THE NEXT THING HERE.
[IX.B. ESSER III Budget to Actual and Budget Revisions - Patty Blankenship]
ITEM B IS SR3 BUDGET TO ACTUAL AND BUDGET REVISION.>> WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO START ON PAGE 2 OF THIS DOCUMENT.
THIS IS AN UPDATE ON OUR SR3 SPENDING.
IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE 2, OUR TOTAL SR DOLLARS WERE 38.9 MILLION.
TO DATE, IN FISCAL YEAR '21, WE SPENT 282,000 AND '22 WE SPENT 4.6 MILLION.
IN '23, WE SPENT 16.1 MILLION.
WHEN WE'RE HEADED INTO '24, WHAT WE WERE LEFT WITH IS WE HAD 17.9 MILLION LEFT TO SPEND IN '24.
TO DATE, WE'VE SPENT 9.8 MILLION OF THAT, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE ABOUT 8.1 LEFT.
OF THAT 8.1, ABOUT SEVERAL ITEMS WHICH WE'LL LOOK AT IN DETAIL, BUT ALMOST ABOUT 5.9 OF THAT 8.1 WE KNOW IT'S TEACHER SALARIES OR IT'S A CAPITAL PROJECT AIR VENTILATION THAT WE KNOW THAT WE WILL SPEND.
THE REMAINING THEN IT IS JUST ABOUT 2.2 MILLION WHICH WE WILL SPEND AS WELL.
I THINK THESE BUDGETS ARE PRETTY GOOD, BUT WHEN YOU SAY, WELL, GEEZ, YOU GOT 8.1 LEFT TO SPEND, WELL, I KNOW WE'VE GOT ABOUT 5.9 THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND PRETTY EASY, AND THE REST IS ONLY ABOUT 2.2 WHAT I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU IS I THINK WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE ON SPENDING OUR SR3 DOLLARS BY JUNE 30 OF 2024.
NOW LET'S JUST LOOK AT THE COLUMNS.
THE FIRST COLUMN WAS THE BUDGET THAT THE BOARD HAD ACKNOWLEDGED BACK IN JULY.
THIS IS THE SAME FORMAT THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT MULTIPLE TIMES.
THEN THE NEXT COLUMN IS THE ADJUSTMENT, AND THEN THERE'S A REVISED BUDGET COLUMN.
WHAT I'LL BE ASKING FOR IS THE BOARD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT REVISED BUDGET COLUMN.
THEN YOU CAN SEE THE '21, '22, '23, AND THEN WHAT'S LEFT FOR '24.
NOW IF WE LOOK BACK AT PAGE 2, WE CAN SEE THAT THE TOTAL OF THE ADJUSTMENTS WERE ABOUT ONE MILLION DOLLARS, AND THAT'S JUST MOVING THINGS BETWEEN DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS. I'LL POINT OUT SOME OF THE LARGER LINE ITEMS. YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ADJUSTMENTS COLUMN.
THE FIRST LARGE ADJUSTMENT IS THE VIBE ACADEMY 600,000.
WE DIDN'T USE VIBE ACADEMY TEACHERS IN '24, SO THAT 600,000 HAD TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT DOWN.
THEN ANOTHER LARGE LINE ITEM IS THE AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM.
ABOUT THREE QUARTERS DOWN THE PAGE IS 2.5 MILLION, THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE PAST, BUT IT WASN'T NECESSARILY ON THE SCHEDULE.
THAT 2.5 MILLION, WE CAN SEE WHAT THOSE ITEMS ARE ON THIS PAGE 3, AND YOU CAN SEE THE ADJUSTMENT COLUMN IS THE 2.5.
ONE IS THE WELDING VENTILATION FOR 225,000 AND THEN THE SECOND ONE IS THE HIGH SCHOOL AC AT 2.3 MILLION.
>> THEN THE OTHER LARGE ADJUSTMENTS ARE DOWN TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THAT PAGE 1, AND IT'S REALLY JUST A RECLASS BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS. YOU SEE THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WHICH IS REALLY PD.
WE'VE INCREASED THAT LINE ITEM BY 2.2.
[01:35:02]
THEN FROM THE LINE BELOW, WHICH IS THE INTERVENTIONIST AND INTERVENTION MATERIALS, IS DECREASED BY ABOUT 1.9 MILLION.WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE JUST EXPLAINED THE LARGE CHANGES IN THOSE LINE ITEMS. THEN I'M JUST ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE ADJUSTMENTS AND THEN THE REVISED BUDGET.
>> DIRECTORS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I HAVE ONE, 2.3 MILLION FOR, WE HAD A NUMBER OF STAFF, FAMILIES, STUDENTS, ET CETERA.
PUSHING HARD FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AT THE THREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
WOULD IT BE FAIR THAT WITH THIS REVISION, WE CAN TELL THEM THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?
>> [LAUGHTER] I BELIEVE. TIM PROBABLY WANTS TO SPEAK FOR THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BEFORE THEY ANSWER THAT, THE TOTAL BILL IS MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE TOTAL BILL IS MORE THAN THAT.
THIS IS A BIG PORTION OF THAT.
TIM, YOU MIGHT GIVE US THE IDEA OF WHAT YOU THINK THE TOTAL BILL IS.
WE HAVE FULL DISCLOSURE TO THE BOARD THAT, YES, WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH IT.
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT WE HEARD IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
YES, WE'RE GOING FORWARD WITH IT.
YOU'RE RIGHT. PERFECT QUESTION.
I JUST WANT YOU TO HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WE HAD IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
>> THAT WILL STILL COME FORWARD, IS IN THE DESIGN PHASE. TIM IS WORKING ON THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> TIM, CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT?
>> I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THE 2.3 MILLION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS GOING TO COVER THE EQUIPMENT COSTS, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SPEND BEFORE JUNE 30TH.
THERE WILL BE SOME INSTALLATION COSTS ON TOP OF THAT.
I HAVE TO LOOK BACK MY EXECUTIVE SUM WHEN I BROUGHT THE COST ANALYSIS FROM THE ENGINEERS FORWARD.
BUT I STILL THINK I NEED TO LOOK UP REAL QUICK AND LET ME KNOW NUMBERS ARE BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL FEES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, SALES TAX FUNDS.
>> LET ME LOOK BACK AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE ANSWER.
>> WE HAVEN'T BID ANY OF THIS YET, HAVE WE, TIM?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE PLAN WOULD BE THAT ONCE THAT PLAN DESIGN PHASE WAS DONE, THAT TIM WOULD BRING THIS WHOLE ITEM FORWARD, AND 100% OF THE PROJECT, NOT JUST THE 2.3 THAT WAS GOING TO BE USED FOR ESSER, BUT ALSO THE WHOLE PROJECT.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST TO GET THIS DONE.
THIS MUCH WILL BE FUNDED BY ESSER AND THIS MUCH WILL BE FUNDED BY SALES TAX. [OVERLAPPING]
>> PATTY, I APOLOGIZE IF I JUMPED THE GUN.
>> I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO SAY YEAH, GO AHEAD AND TELL EVERYONE WE'RE DOING THAT.
SORRY. [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'LL BE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT ONE.
>> THERE'S ANOTHER 10 MILLION ON TOP OF THIS.
>> THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS THE PLAN IS TO DO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AND THE VENTILATION IN THE HIGH SCHOOL GYMS. IT'S BEEN NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME.
IT WILL ALSO NEED TO BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH ONE CENT SALES TAX.
>> BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] PLEASE, I'LL GO BACK TO MY EXECUTIVE SUM FROM DECEMBER 11TH, AND THIS IS THE INFORMATION THAT IS COMING FROM THE ENGINEER.
NONE OF THIS IS BID, THIS IS ESTIMATED COSTS.
THE PLAN WILL BE DESIGN COST OF 342,500 AND ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST OF $4.45 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF 4.3875 MILLION, THAT'S THE EQUIPMENT AND THE ESTIMATED DESIGN COST.
>> 1.8 MILLION ON TOP OF THIS.
>> APPROXIMATELY BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE.
>> PATTY, IF WE'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH AS TO NOT SPEND EVERY DOLLAR IN THE OTHER AREAS, COULD WE TAKE ANYTHING THAT'S NOT SPENT AND CLOSE TO THIS PROJECT?
>> I THINK THAT WE COULD AS LONG AS IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ENCUMBERED.
WELL, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE RECEIVED THOSE SERVICES BY JUNE 30, WE CAN'T HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS SITTING AT THE MANUFACTURERS IN PROCESS.
WE HAVE TO HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THOSE UNITS.
OR IF WE HAD A CONTRACTOR AND THEY HAD ONLY COMPLETED 50% OF THE WORK, WE COULD USE SOME EXTRA DOLLARS FOR THAT 50% OF THE WORK.
BUT IF THEY HAVEN'T DONE THE WORK, THEN I CAN'T BECAUSE THE WORK HAS TO HAVE BEEN INCURRED.
>> [OVERLAPPING] BEEN STARTED.
>> ANY MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS?
>> NOT ON THIS ITEM, BUT JUST IN GENERAL ON THIS ESSER EXPENDITURES.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF ITEMS AT THE VERY TOP ON PAGE 1.
THE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS THAT WE HIRED IN THE CURRENT YEAR, WE'RE SPENDING ALMOST TWO MILLION DOLLARS ON THOSE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS,
[01:40:04]
ADDITIONAL MUSIC TEACHERS, ADDITIONAL OTHER TEACHERS, AND THEN WE'RE SPENDING TWO-AND-A-QUARTER MILLION ON OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCEPT, WHICH IF YOU ADD THOSE TWO ITEMS TOGETHER, IS ROUGHLY $4.2 MILLION, THAT WAS COMING OUT OF ESSER FUNDS.THOSE ESSER FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR, THOSE ARE GOING TO MOVE OVER TO OUR GENERAL FUND.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR GENERAL FUND SPENDING, OUR GENERAL FUND SPENDING IS GOING TO GO UP BECAUSE WE'RE PLANNING ON KEEPING ALL THOSE PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE BEEN PAID FOR VIA ESSER FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR OVERALL GENERAL FUND AND THE SPENDING AUTHORITY, WE'RE PICKING UP ANOTHER BILL OF OVER FOUR MILLION DOLLARS AND WITH BENEFITS ABOUT 17% OR MORE.
IT'S A SIZABLE INCREASE ON OUR GENERAL FUND THAT WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP.
WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR OVERALL BUDGET, AND IT'S COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU.
BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR ITEMS. PROBABLY THEY MAY, MOST OF THESE OTHER ITEMS WILL CEASE OR DISCONTINUE.
THOSE TWO TOP ITEMS, THE HIGHEST DOLLAR ITEMS ON THIS LIST THAT ARE RECURRING WILL CONTINUE INTO FISCAL '24, '25, AND THAT'S A BIG NUT FOR THE GENERAL FUND TO PICK UP GOING FORWARD.
>> IT IS. I CAN SEE WHY THE BOARD PLANNED EARLY ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT, NOT AS IT WERE.
>> A BIG PIECE OF THE RESTRUCTURING WAS DRIVEN OFF OF THESE ITEMS THAT ARE GOING TO MOVE TO THE GENERAL FUND NOW AND NOT BEING PAID WITH ESSER DOLLARS.
>> I THINK THE ONLY OTHER ITEM IN ADDITION TO THAT IS THE STUDENT DEVICES IS THE LAPTOPS.
WE'VE BEEN USING SPENDING AUTHORITY SAVINGS ON THAT, WHICH IS PARTLY WHY WE HAVE A LARGER FUND BALANCE IS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SWITCHING SOME EXPENSES FROM GENERAL FUND TO ESSER.
THOSE DEVICES, THAT BUDGET WILL HAVE TO GO BACK INTO TECHNOLOGY.
THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT'S NOT GOING AWAY.
>> PATTY, WE'LL GET THE BUDGET GUARANTEED THIS YEAR THOUGH, FOR ONE MORE YEAR?
>> IF WE GET 3% SSA, WE MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR IT.
>> OH, OKAY. NET. JUST A SHORT STORY ON THAT.
WE LOST ABOUT $1.9 MILLION OF REVENUE FROM STUDENT REDUCTIONS, 285 OR 289 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO PICK UP SOME REVENUE FROM THE ESA ON ALL THE PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND A CATEGORICAL FUNDING OF ABOUT 1,250 BUCKS UP A STUDENT, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND A MILLION DOLLARS OR SOMEWHERE.
WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE DOWN $900,000 IN REVENUE.
WE'VE GOT THESE COST INCREASES AND WE'RE DOWN $900,000 IN REVENUE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT FOR BUDGET THIS YEAR.
THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE ESSER III BUDGET TO ACTUAL INFORMATION AND THE BUDGET REVISION ITEM C, FISCAL YEAR '25 BUDGET,
[IX.C. FY25 Budgets: Student Activity Fund, Management Und & Debt Service Fund - Patty Blankenship]
STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, MANAGEMENT FUND, AND DEBT SERVICES FUND. PATTY, YOU'RE UP AGAIN.>> WE'LL START WITH THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND.
[NOISE] THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND IS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE DISTRICT'S CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS ARE PUBLIC FUNDS.
SOURCES OF THE REVENUES ARE GATE RECEIPTS, TICKET SALES, ADMISSIONS, DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS.
THE TYPES OF EXPENDITURES, ORDINARY AND NECESSARY EXPENSES FOR OPERATING THE CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
WE DO KEEP, SUBSIDIARY RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STUDENT ACTIVITIES, BAND, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL.
WE WOULD HAVE A SUBSIDIARY FOR EACH OF THOSE SHOWING THEIR BEGINNING BALANCE, THEIR REVENUES, THEIR EXPENDITURES, AND THEN THEIR ENDING BALANCE AND THEIR BALANCES DO CARRY OVER.
GENERALLY, STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY OVER A NEGATIVE BALANCE.
IF WE HAVE A STUDENT ACTIVITY THAT HAS A NEGATIVE BALANCE, THEN SOME OTHER ACTIVITY WOULD NEED TO CLEAR THAT NEGATIVE BALANCE.
RESTRICTED DONATIONS AND PROCEEDS FROM FUNDRAISERS FOR A SPECIFIC ACTIVITY MUST STAY WITHIN THAT STUDENT ACTIVITY.
IF WE HAD A DONATION THAT WAS RESTRICTED FOR FOOTBALL, THAT DONATION CAN'T BE USED TO CLEAR UP ANYBODY ELSE'S NEGATIVE.
YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE DONOR'S INTENTION ON THOSE GIFTS.
THE RESTRICTED GIFTS HAVE TO STAY WITHIN THAT ACTIVITY.
OTHER REVENUES, SUCH AS GENERAL THINGS LIKE ADMISSIONS, GATE RECEIPTS, THEY MUST STAY WITHIN THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, BUT THEY CAN BE MOVED FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER.
YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TAKE GATE RECEIPTS AND MOVE GATE RECEIPTS INTO GENERAL FUND.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO STAY WITHIN THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND.
THERE'S NO WAY TO TRANSFER THEM OUT.
[01:45:03]
THEN THIS IS THE BUDGET AND HOW I GO ABOUT DOING THIS IS THE FY23 ARE THE ACTUAL REVENUES AND THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURES.THEN I LOOKED AT WHAT WAS THE FY21 ESTIMATED BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED IN APRIL.
I LOOK AT THAT AND NOW I HAVE MORE INFORMATION BECAUSE FY23 IS OVER.
I RE-ESTIMATE THE '24 NUMBERS, AND THEN FROM '24 THEN I BASICALLY PROPOSE THE '25 BUDGET.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY'RE THE EXACT SAME.
ALSO, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE, THAT'S ZERO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THERE IN THE '24 ESTIMATED YEAR BUDGET AND ALSO IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
BECAUSE GENERALLY WE EXPECT THAT THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS, THEY'RE NOT MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.
ANY REVENUE THAT IS BROUGHT IN IS USED IN THOSE EVENTS.
NOW YOU COULD HAVE SOME TIMING DIFFERENCES.
THE FUND RAISER WAS DONE IN '23.
WE DIDN'T BUY THE NEW UNIFORMS UNTIL '24, BUT IN GENERAL, YOU EXPECT THEM TO BREAK EVEN.
IT'S BROKE DOWN BY ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS HAVE VERY FEW CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
IT'S MOSTLY JUST THE THREE HIGH SCHOOLS.
FOR REVENUES, THE TOTAL PROPOSED BUDGET FOR '25 IS 1.8 MILLION, VERY CONSISTENT WITH THE ACTUAL REVENUES FOR '23.
THE '25 PROPOSED EXPENDITURES ARE ABOUT 1.8 MILLION, VERY CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURES FOR '23.
THAT STUDENT TRANSPORTATION LINE ITEM THERE, THAT IS BASED ON WHEN YOU LOOK AT OKAY, MIDDLE SCHOOLS HAS 8,000, EAST HIGH 24,000, NORTH HIGH 12, WEST HIGH 8.
THAT'S SIMPLY BASED ON WHAT THE '23'S ACTUALS WERE.
YOU MAY SAY, WELL, WHY DOES EAST HAVE 24 AND NORTH HAVE ONLY 12? WELL, IT'S BASED ON WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
ALSO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NEXT PAGE, LET'S LOOK AT THIS NEXT PAGE.
THESE ARE THE ACTIVITIES, THE TOP HALF IS THE ACTIVITIES IN CLUBS, AND THE BOTTOM HALF IS THE ATHLETICS.
NOT ALL THREE OF THESE HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE THE EXACT SAME SET OF EVENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WEST HIGH HAS MADRIGAL.
NONE OF THE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE THAT EVENT. EAST HIGH.
WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ACCOUNTS FOR THEM, UNLESS THEY MIGHT BE IN THE IN THE CHOIR ACCOUNT.
BUT IF YOU LOOK HERE, THERE'S NO STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNT FOR MADRIGAL FOR EAST HIGH OR NORTH HIGH.
THEY COULD BE MIXED IN WITH CHOIR OR SOMETHING, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A SEPARATE STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNT.
NONE OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE SHOW CHOIR.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THESE EXPENSES AND SHOW CHOIR, IT HAS 100,000 OF EXPENDITURES.
THEY HAVE 100,000 OF REVENUES TO SUPPORT THOSE EXPENDITURES.
WE'RE NOT ALWAYS LOOKING APPLES TO APPLES WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF PARTICIPATION AND DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.
THEY ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT FUNDRAISING EVENTS.
BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THESE EXPENDITURES, THE COST OF GOODS SOLD FOR THAT FUND RAISER, THAT IS SEATED INSIDE THESE EXPENDITURES.
SOME OF THE FUND RAISING HAS A HIGHER COST OF GOODS SOLD THAN SAY, IF YOU'RE SELLING CANDY BARS VERSUS SOMETHING ELSE.
YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY COMPARE ALL THESE AND LOOK AT IT AND SAY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES, WHY DOES EAST HIGH HAVE 718, NORTH HIGH HAS 509, WEST HIGH HAS 363? WELL, YOU LOOK AT THE LARGE ITEMS THERE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE LARGE ITEMS ARE AND WHERE THE FLUCTUATIONS ARE.
SOME IS BECAUSE THEY'RE OFFERING DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES.
THE OTHER THING IS SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES ACTUALLY HAVE 501(C)(3).
NONPROFIT ENTITIES THAT SUPPORT THESE ACTIVITIES.
I THINK LIKE NORTH HIGH BASEBALL, I BELIEVE, HAS A 501(C)(3).
ALL OF THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE SUPPORTING THAT GROUP, WE DON'T SEE THOSE HERE.
A LOT OF THEIR EXPENDITURES AND FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES ARE DONE IN THAT NONPROFIT ENTITY.
AGAIN, YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY COMPARE ONE TO THE OTHER.
THIS NEXT PAGE SHOWS THE FUND BALANCES.
WE'LL JUST FOCUS ON THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
EAST HIGH IN THEIR TOTAL STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, THEY HAVE TOTAL FUND BALANCES, 378,000.
[01:50:03]
THAT IS BROKE UP INTO ACTIVITIES IN ATHLETICS AND ATHLETIC FUND RAISERS.AGAIN, THE FUND RAISERS, YOU CAN'T MOVE THE FUND RAISERS.
THEY HAVE TO STAY WITHIN THAT WHATEVER PROGRAM RAISED THAT MONEY.
FOR ACTIVITIES, THEY HAVE 128,000 OF CARRYOVER FUND BALANCE.
ATHLETICS HAS 163, AND ATHLETIC FUND RAISERS HAS ABOUT 83,000.
IF YOU LOOK AT THESE FUND BALANCES BY THE HIGH SCHOOL, NORTH HIGH HAS 104,000 AND CARRY OVER FUND BALANCE.
TOTAL FUND BALANCE IN ALL OF THE STUDENT ACTIVITIES IS 771,000.
ACTIVITIES HAS ABOUT 300,000 OF THAT, AND A NON FUND RAISING HAS 235.
ATHLETICS FUND RAISING HAS 216.
YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THAT 216, BUT USE IT ON WHATEVER THE DONORS DONATED THAT MONEY FOR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MANAGEMENT FUND IS TO PAY THE COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS, INSURANCE AGREEMENTS, AND COSTS OF LIABILITY INSURANCE, AND JUDGMENTS OR ANY SETTLEMENTS RELATED TO LIABILITY.
THE FUNDING SOURCE IS 100% PROPERTY TAX.
THIS NEXT PAGE SHOWS SEVERAL YEARS OF HISTORY, '21, '22, AND '23 ACTUAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
THEN YOU SEE THE FY24 RE-ESTIMATED BUDGET AND THE FY25 PROPOSED BUDGET.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING THROUGH THE PRELIMINARY AID AND LEVY BEFORE WE FINALIZE THESE NUMBERS.
BUT THIS IS BASED ON IF WE ASSUME THAT WE WANT REVENUES OF $5 MILLION, SO WE WOULD GENERATE $5 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE MANAGEMENT FUND.
IF WE LOOK AT THE EXPENDITURES, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 5.6 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES.
WE WOULD BE USING A FUND BALANCE OF 600,000.
WE WOULD BE DECREASING OUR CARRY OVER BALANCE BY 600,000.
IT WOULD BE REDUCED FROM ABOUT 5.4-4.8 MILLION.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THAT, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER, OKAY, HOW LOW DO WE WANT THAT FUND BALANCE? IS 4.8, I THINK THAT'S STILL REASONABLE.
PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO GO A LOT, PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO DECREASE IT.
I DON'T THINK YOU NEED A LOT MORE THAN THAT.
BUT IT'S GETTING TO THE SPOT WHERE I WOULD THINK, WHICH THEN MEANS NEXT YEAR YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO BE BUDGETING FOR A DEFICIT BALANCE.
WE WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX GENERATED FOR THE MANAGEMENT FUND IF YOU WEREN'T WANTING TO CONTINUE TO DRAW THAT FUND BALANCE DOWN.
>> I THINK WE'LL KNOW THAT WHEN WE SEE WHAT INSURANCE RATES ARE BECAUSE THAT'S THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE EXPENDITURES OUT OF THIS FUND OR PROPERTY AND THEN WORKER'S COMP AS WELL.
INSURANCE HAS BEEN THE ACHILLES HEEL IN THIS WHOLE THING.
THE RATES KEEP GOING UP BECAUSE OF THE PAST LOSSES AND THEY'RE TRYING TO RECOVER THAT.
>> THE DETAIL OF THAT $5.6 MILLION OF EXPENDITURES IS ON THIS NEXT PAGE.
YOU CAN SEE THE FY24 RE-ESTIMATED BUDGET.
I THINK THOSE ARE ALL GOOD NUMBERS.
THEN WE LOOK AT THE FY25 PROPOSED BUDGET, AND WE'RE USING A 5% INCREASE IN WORK COMP, GOING 883-927,000.
THEN ON THE BREAK FIXED INSURANCE, IT ALSO HAS A 5% INCREASE.
ALL THE REST OF THE PROPERTY CASUALTY PROGRAM, THAT IS, WE'RE USING A 10% INCREASE IN THAT PREMIUM, AND THAT'S BASED ON SOME INITIAL CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.
THE DEBT SERVICE FUND IS USED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON ANY DEBT THAT'S OUTSTANDING.
THE EARLY SOURCE OF REVENUE IS BASICALLY TRANSFERS FROM THE SALES TAX FUND.
THE GENERAL FUND DOES PAY IF IT'S A LEASE PAYMENT OR A SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT.
SUBSCRIPTION SOFTWARE PAYMENT, OR WE HAVE ONE CAPITAL NOTES THAT ARE BACKED BY THE GENERAL FUND.
BUT FOR THE MOST PART, ALL THE MONEY TO PAY OUR DEBT SERVICE IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE SALES TAX FUND.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS $12.8 MILLION IN TOTAL EXPENDITURES, WHICH WILL ALL BE FUNDED BY THAT 13.1 MILLION IN TRANSFERS.
THERE'S A NET CHANGE INCREASE OF FUND BALANCE OF 473,000 THAT'S TO COVER A BOND SINKING FUND PAYMENT THAT WE HAVE TO SET ASIDE EACH YEAR.
IT IS CORRECT THAT THAT FUND BALANCE SHOULD BE INCREASING BY ABOUT 473 EVERY YEAR.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A SET ASIDE SINKING FUND.
THESE TOTAL EXPENDITURES OF 12.7 MILLION
[01:55:04]
ARE BASED ON THE AMORTIZATION SCHEDULES ON THOSE DEBT PAYMENTS.THAT'S RIGHT WHERE THOSE NUMBERS ARE COMING FROM.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACKNOWLEDGES THE INFORMATION PRESENTED REGARDING THE FY25 BUDGETS FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, MANAGEMENT FUND, AND DEBT SERVICE FUND.
>> DIRECTORS, ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSIONS?
>> HAD A COUPLE OF POINTS OF CLARITY FOR ME.
IF THEY HAVE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS LIKE YOU MENTIONED 501(C)(3)'S, IS THERE A TOTAL ACCOUNTING THAT SOMEBODY'S RESPONSIBLE FOR IN SOME OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS?
>> NO. THOSE ARE SEPARATE ENTITIES FROM US.
THEY ARE NOT SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS.
>> THEN WHEN I LOOK AT GROUPS LIKE THE GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE, AND I THINK $491 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT CAN'T BE ALL THE FUNDS THAT THEY'VE HAD COME IN AND OUT.
WE SEND KIDS TO DES MOINES, AND HAVE THEM STAY OVERNIGHT IN HOTELS AND GAS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S ALL THE EXPENDITURES THAT WERE CODED TO THAT.
IT COULD BE THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY PAID FOR IT, BUT THAT'S ALL THAT WAS CODED TO THAT EVENT.
>> IF THEY HAVE A BIG SALE, THOSE FUNDS COME INTO THIS ACCOUNT AND THEN EXPENSES COME OUT OF THAT ACCOUNT IS THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK?
>> THAT'S THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK. YES.
>> JUST FOR EVERYBODY LISTENING, JUST BECAUSE WE ACKNOWLEDGE IT DOESN'T MEAN WE'VE APPROVED IT YET.
WE HAVEN'T, NOR HAVE WE SET A LEVY FOR ANY OF THIS.
SO THIS IS JUST A, I CALL IT PRE PRELIMINARY VIEW THAT WE'VE ACKNOWLEDGED, NOT NOT APPROVING IT, NOT SETTING A TAX RATE OR ANYTHING FOR IT.
THANK YOU, PATTY. THIS BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE INFORMATION PRESENTED REGARDING FY25 BUDGET FOR THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, MANAGEMENT FUND, AND DEBT SERVICE FUND.
>> PRESIDENT GEORGE, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WE DO HAVE A CITIZEN INPUT FOR THIS TOPIC.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT, MICKEY. REMEMBER THE ROUTINE?
>> YUKI NELSON, ALSO KNOWN AS MICKEY, 1935 PLUM CREEK ROAD.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS A PARENT BUT ALSO HERE AS THE PRESIDENT OF NSBI, WHICH IS THE NORTH STARS BAND, INC PARENT ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS THE 501 C3.
MY FIRST COMMENT HAS TO DO WITH THE FY 23 EXPENDITURES.
I KNOW THAT THAT CYCLE HAS CLOSED.
HOWEVER, THE DISTRICT DOES OWE ME MONEY, AS PATTY MENTIONED.
FUNDS GOING INTO AN ACTIVITY ACCOUNT ARE THERE BY THE INTENT IN WHICH THEY WERE RAISED, AND THE INTENT IN WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN BY THE DONOR, AND THOSE HAVE TO BE OWED AND RESPECTED.
WE HAD $332 WITHDRAWN FROM THE BAND STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNT, WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM OUR NON-PROFIT ACCOUNT.
THESE FUNDS WERE REMOVED TO PAY FOR THE TIRE REPLACEMENT ON OUR RED TRAILER, WHICH IS A DISTRICT VEHICLE.
THE SECOND ITEM THAT I'M OWED MONEY ON IS SOUSAPHONE REPAIRS, WHICH WERE 1,115.90.
IF YOU REMEMBER, MRS. BEMAS AND DR. ERWIN, WHEN THE ISSUE OF NEEDING THE INSTRUMENTS TO BE REPAIRED, INSTRUMENTS OWNED BY THE DISTRICT AGING FAST, AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AT TIMES.
I REACHED OUT BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF I WENT OUT TO A DONOR, I SPECIFICALLY HAD THE RIGHT INFORMATION BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO GO OUT AND ASK FOR FUNDS.
MANY DONORS ASKED THE VERY FIRST QUESTION, WHAT ARE MY TAX PAYING DOLLARS BEING USED FOR? I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THREE WERE ON THE SAME PAGE.
I DID NOT WANT TO SAY ANYTHING THAT WOULD HARM, OR CAUSE ANY DISHARM TO THE DISTRICT.
WE ALL AGREED THAT AT THAT TIME, IT IS THE PRINCIPAL IN THAT BUDGET AT THAT HIGH SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE REPAIRS OF THESE AGING INSTRUMENTS.
WE AGREED AT THAT TIME THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAD MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET TO TAKE ON THIS EXPENDITURE.
THAT EXPENDITURE CAME OUT OF THE STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNT, WHICH I REMIND YOU AGAIN, NOT INTENDED FOR THE WAY THE FUNDS WERE USED.
THE LAST POINT IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY VERY GLAD THAT WE RECEIVED BECAUSE WE WERE IN GREAT NEED OF IT.
WE WERE GIVEN A NEW BAND TRAILER AS OUR BAND HAS GROWN, AND AS WE BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE, WE'VE ADDED PROPS AND OTHER ITEMS WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO USE THAT SECOND TRAILER, WHICH WAS BIGGER THAN THE ONE THAT A PARENT, ACTUALLY PROVIDED.
THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT TRAILER AS A BAND TRAILER WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED,
[02:00:02]
WE WERE GOING TO PICK UP 2,705.25, AND THEN WE ADDED SOME TRACKS SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SECURE THINGS INSIDE OF THE TRAILER FOR $3,349.NOW, I'M BEING TOLD BY ADMINISTRATION AT NORTH HIGH THAT THAT TRAILER IS A COMMUNITY TRAILER.
IF THAT IS THE CASE, I WOULD LIKE THOSE FUNDS REPLACED AND BACK INTO OUR ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION, WE ONLY RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR MISSION, WHICH IS THE BAND PROGRAM.
IF IT'S GOING TO BECOME A COMMUNITY TRAILER AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE THOSE DOLLARS REPLACED.
THE SECOND ITEM I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, AND I THINK PATTY HIT ON IT BRIEFLY, THE FY 24, WE ESTIMATED BUDGET.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW IT'S SET UP, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT FY 21, FY 23, AND THEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT FY 23 AND 24 WHICH HAS NOT NECESSARILY ENDED, AND 25 YOU'RE PROJECTING.
THE AMOUNTS FOR TRANSPORTATION, SO TAKE EAST HIGH SCHOOL AND NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, SAME AMOUNT OF ACTIVITIES.
THEY HAVE 33 ACTIVITIES, WE HAVE 31.
THEIR LARGEST ACTIVITIES ARE SO CHOIR AND FOOTBALL.
AT OUR SCHOOL, IT'S FOOTBALL AND BAND.
BAND HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE CHRISTIAN'S FRESHMAN YEAR, FROM 80 STUDENTS TO OVER 100.
THAT PROJECTION DOES NOT INCLUDE THAT GROWTH.
WHAT I'M ASKING YOU HERE IS, IF THESE ARE THE NUMBERS YOU'RE GOING TO CONSIDER FOR A PROPOSED BUDGET, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE GROWTH OF THE ACTIVITIES, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE PARTICIPATION, AND I WOULD ACTUALLY CHALLENGE YOU TO ACTUALLY ALLOCATE A COST PER STUDENT, PER ACTIVITY, PER SCHOOL.
THE WAY THAT IT'S DONE RIGHT NOW DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR ANY GROWTH, FOR ANY EQUITY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE SOCIO-ECONOMICS FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL, NORTH AND WEST ARE A DEFICIT TO EAST, [NOISE] I THINK.
IF I WROTE THE NUMBERS DOWN WRONG, YOU HAD ROUGHLY $330 FOR THE FIRST ITEM THAT YOU'RE OWED.
APPROXIMATELY $1,100 FOR THE SECOND ITEM THAT YOU'RE OWED, AND WAS IT 3,300 FOR THE THIRD ITEM?
>> 3,300 PLUS 2,705.25, AND I KNOW THAT IN REFERENCE TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE TRAILER WAS PURCHASED BY THE DISTRICT.
ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE THE CREDIT IS GIVEN TO YOUR ADVOCACY, MR. GREENWELL.
WE HAD TO MAKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT, A CONCESSION FOR DIFFERENCES.
THE TRAILER WAS 25,000 [OVERLAPPING].
>> FIRST OF ALL, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW.
I KNEW YOU HAD A SECOND TRAILER LAST YEAR, BUT I DIDN'T ADVOCATE FOR IT AT ALL.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU HAD ONE. WHERE DOES THE OTHER TRAILER COME FROM?
>> YOU ARE CREDITED FOR IT, SO TAKE THE CREDIT.
THE DEAL HERE IS, THOUGH, IF IT'S GOING TO BE A COMMUNITY TRAILER, I WOULD LIKE THOSE FUNDS BACK.
I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS TALK IN MILLIONS, BUT AS A PARENT ORGANIZATION, HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS COME BY REALLY HARD ON THE EFFORT OF THE KIDS, AND THE PARENTS, AND OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE BUG THEM FOR EVERYTHING.
SO I WOULD LIKE THOSE DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M DOING THE MATH, YOU'RE ROUGHLY OWED $6900-7,000.
>> YES, THAT'S BIG DOLLARS WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO RAISE UNIFORM COSTS OF $100,000. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IS THAT SUPPOSED TO GO BACK IN YOUR ACTIVITY ACCOUNT OR YOUR [OVERLAPPING] NON-PROFIT ACCOUNT?
>> WE WOULD LIKE THAT RETURNED TO THE ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT, IT'S THE LOCATION IN WHICH IT WAS TAKEN WITHOUT OUR CONSENT BY ADMINISTRATION.
>> THEY CAN'T PUT IT OUT BACK INTO THE 501 3C.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS [OVERLAPPING].
>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, AS A PARENT, AND SOMEBODY WHO'S HAD TREASURY JOBS THROUGHOUT MY TIME WITH THE DISTRICT AS A PARENT, MY ADVOCACY IS TO MAINTAIN THE DOLLARS WITH THE NONPROFIT.
BUT HOWEVER, AS A PARENT, I ALSO UNDERSTAND WHY OUR STAFF USE IT, AND THE WAY THAT THEY DO, BECAUSE THEY USE IT TO BUY REEDS, VALVES, OIL FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT FOR THEMSELVES, WHO USE DISTRICT INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE AGING AND MISS REPAIR IN MOST CASES.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS THAT YOU REPLENISH THE DOLLARS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU REVIEW HOW THESE DOLLARS ARE PROJECTED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MIRROR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ACTUAL SCHOOL.
THREE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU ACTUALLY COME OUT AND VISIT SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES, AND HEAR WHAT THE PARENTS ARE WORKING FOR.
[02:05:03]
EVERY ACTIVITY IS WORKING FOR SOMETHING, EVERY ACTIVITY IS RAISING FUNDS FOR SOMETHING.EVERY TAXPAYER WHO GIVES ABOVE AND BEYOND ALWAYS HAS THAT QUESTION, WHAT ARE MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS WORKING FOR? THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, DIRECTORS?
>> I WOULD EXPECT THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD CHECK INTO THOSE MATTERS, PARTICULARLY THE TRAILER.LAWYER.
>> I GOT IT. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL TODAY FROM MICKEY, RIGHT?
>> THAT SPELLED OUT THIS INFORMATION, AND SHE'S ON THE EARLIER ISSUE.
WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE REPAIRS, AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
I APOLOGIZE IT WAS NOT, BUT THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE RECTIFIED.
>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH ADMINISTRATION, WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME HERE AND JUST BOTHER YOU GUYS, BUT WE'RE AT THAT POINT WHERE SEVERAL WEEKS MONTHS HAVE NOW GONE BY, AND THE FISCAL YEAR IS NOW COMING TO AN END.
YOU GUYS FARE RE-BUDGETING AND I WOULD LIKE OUR FUNDS TO RETURN. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION YOU'VE GIVEN US TODAY.
WITH THAT, WE ARE AT THAT TIME OF THE MEETING TO ADJOURN THIS BOARD MEETING. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I ALREADY READ THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
>> WE HAVE A FIRST, DO WE HAVE A SECOND TO ADJOURN? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [OVERLAPPING]
AYE'S HAVE IT. THIS MEETING'S ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.