[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING. IT IS MARCH 24TH,
[I. Call to Order]
2025 AT 6:00 PM.I NOW CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> IT WORKS. LYNN, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> BOARD MEMBERS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA?
[IV. Approval of Agenda]
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE AGENDA, SAY AYE.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL TAKE CITIZEN INPUT.
[V. Citizen Input]
AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVITE INDIVIDUALS IN DELEGATION TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK ON ANY ISSUE RELATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S OPERATION THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA.CITIZEN INPUT ON ACTION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF DISCUSSION OF EACH AGENDA ITEM.
BEFORE WE GET GOING, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, I BELIEVE, 17?
>> EIGHTEEN, SO WE WILL DO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
AT THREE MINUTES, I WILL TELL YOU TO QUICKLY SUM UP WHAT YOU WERE SAYING SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AND GO FROM THERE.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTION, IT'LL BE JUST FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS THAT BOARD MEMBERS MAY ASK.
IT'S NOT A DISCUSSION WHATSOEVER, BUT THEY WILL ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS IF THEY SO WISH TO DO THAT.
AT THIS TIME, WHEN YOU DO COME UP TO THE MIC, STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS, AND THEN THE CLOCK WILL START.
LYNN, WHO IS OUR FIRST SPEAKER TONIGHT?
>> KRISTINE DAVIDSON. I LIVE AT 4507 LINCOLN WAY.
MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE A SPECIAL ED KID NON VERBAL THAT GOES TO MORNINGSIDE ELEMENTARY.
I'VE BEEN HAVING CHATS ON AND OFF WITH PRINCIPAL AMBER CLARK, AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY SON HAS A COMMUNICATION DEVICE THAT'S A COUPLE $1,000.
THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN TREATING IT VERY POORLY, GETTING IT WET, DROPPED ON, LEAVING IT IN HALLWAYS.
MY SON HAS COME HOME WITH DRY BM ON HIS LEG.
OVER THE FALL, THERE WAS ONE TIME FOR THREE DAYS, THAT HE COULDN'T FIND HIS COAT.
HOW DO YOU LOSE A COAT IN A CLASSROOM WITH CUPPIES AND A BACKPACK? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADDRESS THE, WHY ARE THEY LETTING THIS HAPPEN?
>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO, DR. OWEN?
>> YES, WITH THAT PRINCIPAL, AND MR. MOZER WOULD DEFINITELY BE WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH MOM AND DAD AND MAKE SURE WE DISCUSS THESE ISSUES AND THESE CONCERNS AND GET THEM RESOLVED.
>> THE FUNNY THING IS I TALKED TO MR. MOZER LAST WEEK AND THE PRINCIPAL, AND THEY JUST SEEM TO BE COMING UP WITH EXCUSES.
ABOUT THE NO COAT THING, I'VE WORKED WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND IF SOMEBODY WOULD GO TO CALL SOCIAL SERVICES, THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE.
BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE SOCIAL SERVICES REPORTED ON ME BECAUSE THE SCHOOL CAN'T SEEM TO FIND MY KID'S COAT.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS?
[00:05:01]
IS THERE ANY MORE THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.>> I'D ALSO JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHY DOES SOME OF THE STUFF SEEM TO BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG? BECAUSE WE JUST MOVED UP HERE, AND IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME AN ONGOING HABIT.
THIS IS STUFF THAT'S GOING ON ONCE A WEEK.
WHEN I REALLY QUESTION THEM, THEY JUST SEEM TO COME UP WITH EXCUSES IF I CALL THEM, OR I TEXT THE TEACHERS, THEY IGNORE ME.
I DON'T NEED TO BE BLACKLISTED BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THEIR JOB.
>> LYNN, WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER TONIGHT?
>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS?
>> DEBORAH WALKER [INAUDIBLE].
I COME HERE FOR BULLYING AT THE SCHOOL, WEST HIGH AND WEST MIDDLE.
MY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER [INAUDIBLE] MUCH.
[INAUDIBLE] GOT ARRESTED [INAUDIBLE] IN JAIL [INAUDIBLE] OR THE MOTHER.
[INAUDIBLE]. MY GRANDDAUGHTER GOT SUSPENDED FROM THE SCHOOL.
[INAUDIBLE] WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER GOT ARRESTED, IT WAS BY A COP, ARRESTED HER.
SHE WAS PREGNANT. MY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER, [INAUDIBLE], SAME THING.
[INAUDIBLE] FOUR GIRLS, AND ONE BOY.
HARASSED HER LIKE SHE'S ADULT? [INAUDIBLE] BEAT AGAIN.
THIS NEEDS TO STOP. [INAUDIBLE]. IT HAS TO STOP.
[INAUDIBLE] HAS TO STOP BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY TERRIBLE HAPPENS.
NOT JUST WEST MIDDLE, EVERY SCHOOL. WEST MIDDLE, THAT'S THE [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE]. YOU JUST HAVE TO REALLY STOP FROM TELLING ME THAT.
NOW MY [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE OF THAT.
I'M A GREAT GRANDMA, [INAUDIBLE] PICK THEM UP AFTER SCHOOL.
>> KRISTINE AND JOSEPH [INAUDIBLE].
>> KRISTINE AND JOSEPH [INAUDIBLE] 2024 [INAUDIBLE] STREET.
IT'S NO SECRET ABOUT THE ISSUES AT WEST MIDDLE.
[00:10:04]
WE'VE ALL SEEN THE MEDIA, THE COVERAGE RECENTLY, AND HOW PARENTS AND FAMILIES FROM ALL SIDES ARE OUTRAGED THAT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND ESCALATE.THEN MY CHILD WHO HASN'T HAD ANY ISSUES, SHE WAS ASSAULTED IN PE CLASS TWO WEEKS AGO.
THIS INCIDENT WILL NOT BE SEEN IN THE MEDIA AS IT HAPPENED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, SO THERE WAS NOBODY TO RECORD IT.
HOW MANY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED IN THE HALLWAYS AND CLASSES ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS AND ARE IGNORED? WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN SAFE IN THE SCHOOL? SAFETY PLANS CLEARLY AREN'T CUTTING IT.
I CAN TELL YOU IN THIS SPECIFIC INCIDENT, THAT THE GIRL WHO ASSAULTED OUR DAUGHTER HAS AT LEAST ONE SAFETY PLAN, IF NOT MORE, AGAINST HER.
THIS CLEARLY TELLS YOU THAT THE SAFETY PLANS AREN'T WORKING WHEN IT IS ALLOWED FOR HER TO JUST MOVE ON TO ONE VICTIM TO THE NEXT.
HAD MORE BEEN DONE WITH THIS PARTICULAR STUDENT, OUR DAUGHTER WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED.
WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? WE HAVE ADDRESSED OUR CONCERN AT THE BUILDING LEVEL, AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MR. HARDIN AND MS. ALBRIGHT THAT THE STUDENT THAT ASSAULTED HER DAUGHTER WOULD NOT BE AT THE SCHOOL WHILE OUR DAUGHTER WAS AT THE SCHOOL.
WHEN I ASKED IF THIS WOULD BE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, THE RESPONSE WAS A GOOD MAJORITY OF THE YEAR.
THE STUDENT WILL PROBABLY BE BACK THE LAST WEEK OR TWO OF SCHOOL.
I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE MAY BE A PRETTY OBVIOUS REASON WHY DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOR HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL AT WEST MIDDLE.
THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION OR LACK THEREOF.
THE INCIDENT WITH OUR DAUGHTER MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE ONLY ADMINISTRATOR THAT FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH DISCIPLINE WAS STILL WORKING THERE AND NOT AT HOME.
>> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. LYNN, WHO IS THE NEXT ONE?
>> DERENA JACKSON. I LIVE AT 2217 WEST [INAUDIBLE] STREET, AND I'M ALSO HERE [INAUDIBLE].
MY MOTHER JUST STATED THAT OUR GRANDDAUGHTER HAD JUMPED [INAUDIBLE] RIGHT BEHIND THE POLICE OFFICER, OFFICER THOMPSON, ANOTHER SCHOOL [INAUDIBLE].
HOW I KNOW THAT, IS BECAUSE WE MET THEM THE NEXT MORNING, AND OFFICER THOMPSON SAYS HE HAD NO IDEA.
[INAUDIBLE]. MY GRANDDAUGHTER [INAUDIBLE] TEACHERS BEFORE IT HAPPENED.
SHE'S A BABY ON THE WAY SO PERFECT ATTENDANCE WAS GOING TO GET AN INCENTIVE FOR THAT.
SHE ADDRESSED IT. THESE GIRLS ARE FOLLOWING, THEY'RE FIVE GIRLS.
THEY'RE FOLLOWING, THEY'RE GOING TO JUMP ME UP.
[INAUDIBLE]. TWO CHILDREN. [INAUDIBLE] HARDIN AND ALBRIGHT SAID [INAUDIBLE]. NEVER DID.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN RIGHT THERE? WHAT IS THAT MOTTO? [INAUDIBLE]. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO [INAUDIBLE]? THAT'S WHAT WE LIVE BY AS PARENTS.
MY DAUGHTER ATTENDED WEST MIDDLE 20 YEARS AGO. SHE GOT BULLIED.
I WAS THE ONE THAT ADVOCATED FOR THOSE CAMERAS BECAUSE SHE GOT TAUNTED IN THE HALLWAY.
JUST LIKE ANOTHER PERSON SAID HER DAUGHTER'S ASSAULT IN THE SCHOOL.
I WAS THE ONE THAT ADVOCATED FOR THAT BECAUSE SHE GOT TAUNTED IN THE HALLWAY, AND I MADE THEM GO BACK TO THE CAMERA.
[INAUDIBLE]. THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO.
HER DAUGHTERS GO TO WEST MIDDLE WEST HOW.
HE WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING. I ADDRESSED THAT TO MR. HARDIN.
I REMEMBER YOU WHO TOLD MY DAUGHTER, I WAS YOU WERE IN MY ORCHESTRA. LAUGHED ABOUT IT.
ARE YOU SERIOUS? IF MY GRANDMA DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DEFEND HERSELF, WE WOULD NOT BE MEETING.
I WOULD BE WOULD BE AT THE FEDERAL COURT BUILDING WOULD THEN A DEATH.
BUT MY GRANDDAUGHTER DEFENDED HERSELF. ONE BOY.
OFFICER THOMPSON, FREE MY GRANDDAUGHTER DOWN. THERE'S A VIDEO.
[00:15:03]
ALL THESE KIDS HAVE PHONES NOW, SO THEY VIDEO, THEY RECORD EVERYTHING.MAN HANDLED HER LIKE SHE WAS AN ADULT.
AB STUDENT TOLD EVERYBODY SHE WOULD WANT TO FIGHT.
I'M GETTING INCENTIVE [INAUDIBLE].
NOPE. EVERYBODY OVERLOOKED IT.
ALL THEY DID WAS APOLOGIZE TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER.
THAT'S ALL. DIDN'T CALL THE PARENTS.
MY DAUGHTER HELPED. SHE ADMITTED IT.
MY DAUGHTER HELPED HER FRIEND OUT.
I DIDN'T GIVE HER NO [INAUDIBLE]. SHE WAS EATING HER HOT CHEETOS AND HER DR. PEPPER.
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? MY DAUGHTER DID EVERYTHING, TO THE SAFETY PLANS.
ALL THE SAFETY PLANS DOES NOT WORK.
ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR A DEATH? I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
EVERYBODY'S IN HERE FOR WEST HIGH OR WEST MIDDLE.
ALL MY KIDS GRADUATED FROM WEST HIGH.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, OR I'LL KEEP COMING BACK HERE UNTIL I GET A RESPONSE.
>> MY NAME IS LAURA PECK, AND I LIVE AT 3238 NEBRASKA STREET.
WHILE I DON'T HAVE A WEST MIDDLE CHILD, I HAVE A CHILD AT WEST HILLS, WHICH FEEDS INTO WEST MIDDLE.
MY 3RD GRADER, WHO IS EIGHT-YEARS-OLD, HAS BEEN SOMEHOW SEXUALLY ASSAULTED THREE TIMES NOW IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THREE TIMES.
YOU'RE 100% CORRECT. EVERYONE HERE.
ALSO, THE FACT THAT I GET TOLD WHY SHOULD MY DAUGHTER BE THE ONE COMING HOME TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED? I SHOULD BE GETTING A PHONE CALL FROM THE SCHOOL.
NO, I'M IN THE CAR POOL LINE, AND MY DAUGHTER TELLS ME WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ART CLASS.
MOM, I TOLD THE ART TEACHER WHAT HAPPENED.
SHE ASKED ME IF I WAS DOING WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO AND TOLD ME TO GO SIT DOWN.
THIS FEEDS INTO OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
YOU GUYS NEED TO GET CONTROL, AND YOU NEED TO GET CONTROL OF YOUR TEACHERS, AND YOU NEED TO GET CONTROL OF YOUR ADMINISTRATION.
BECAUSE THE 3RD GRADERS WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME THE 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS OR 7TH GRADERS THAT HAVE PROBLEMS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
NOW, APPARENTLY, I'M HAVING A MEETING WITH DR. DORA JUNG THIS WEEK.
BUT IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I LITERALLY PITCHED A FIT AND I'LL BE HONEST.
TODAY ON AMANDA BROOKS, I TOLD HER GET CONTROL, GET CONTROL OF YOUR SCHOOL.
GET CONTROL OF YOUR STAFF MEMBERS.
IF A CHILD COMES TO YOU AND SAYS, I HAVE BEEN TOUCHED INAPPROPRIATELY OR SOMETHING SAID TO ME INAPPROPRIATELY IN SEXUAL NATURE.
I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO MY EIGHT-YEAR-OLD WHAT ORAL SEX IS BECAUSE A CHILD PUSHED HER DOWN TO TRY TO DO IT.
EIGHT-YEARS-OLD PEOPLE GET CONTROL.
>> BEFORE WE GO ON, CHAIR, I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF TEXT MESSAGES ABOUT THAT MIC NOT WORKING.
>> IF YOU WANT TO PULL A MIC OUT, YOU CAN.
>> MY NAME IS CHIEF MASTER KATHRYN ROBY UNDER 3150 EAST HORSE LAKE DRIVE.
I'VE SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR 30 YEARS AND I'VE BEEN INSTRUCTING AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC FOR 15 YEARS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO CLEAR UP THE MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND THE MISCHARACTERIZATION OF THE JUNIOR ROTC INSTRUCTORS EXPRESSED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS, THE SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AND IN THE MEDIA.
FIRST, THE BOARD CITED THAT THE INSTRUCTORS ARE PAID THE SAME SALARIES AS OTHER TEACHERS WHO DO THE SAME DUTIES.
WHAT THEY FAILED TO MENTION IS THAT AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC PAYS 50% OF THE MINIMUM INSTRUCTOR PAY, MANDATED BY TITLE 10 AND THE MOA OR THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE INSTRUCTORS SERVE TWO CHAINS OF RESPONSIBILITY, THE INSTITUTION, WHICH IS THE DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM TEACHING.
IT INCLUDES A LOT OF JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM LIKE UNIFORM, INVENTORIES, EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT, EVENT PLANNING, ETC.
IT TAKES UP A LOT OF NON TEACHING TIME.
ADDITIONALLY, THE SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
[00:20:02]
INACCURATELY REPORTED THE MINIMUM ENROLLMENT NUMBERS.THE 2025 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT OR THE NDAA, CHANGED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS REQUIRED TO BE ENROLLED FROM 100-50, WHICH IS WHY WE WERE NOT PLACED ON PROBATION IN OCTOBER, BECAUSE WE MET VIABILITY.
THE POLICY LETTER DATED 7TH JANUARY 2025 SERVES AS FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF THE NEW ENROLLMENT NUMBERS.
IT WAS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PROGRAM HAS NOT MET PROGRAM ENROLLMENT SINCE 2017.
HOWEVER, HEADQUARTERS DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS STATEMENT.
INSTEAD, THEY REPORTED OUR FIRST ENROLLMENT, PROBATION OCCURRED IN SCHOOL YEAR '23-'24.
ANOTHER MEMBER DESCRIBED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE MOA AND HOW THE DISTRICT CAN UTILIZE INSTRUCTORS.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE THE 2019 MOA, EXCEPT THE INSTITUTION MUST SEEK A WAIVER FOR HEADQUARTERS FOR ADDITIONAL FACULTY DUTIES.
CURRENTLY, THE DISTRICT HAS REQUESTED A WAIVER THAT HEADQUARTERS HAS NEITHER APPROVED OR DENIED.
HOWEVER, THE MOA DOES STATE THAT THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR INSTRUCTORS MAY NOT USE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT AND CLASS SIZES ORDER TO DO THAT.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING JUST THAT.
FOR EXAMPLE, THIS YEAR, THEY COMPRESSED ALL OUR STUDENTS INTO ONE TEACHING DAY SO WE COULD BE FARMED OUT TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS ON THE NON-TEACHING DAY.
I ATTEMPTED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH DISTRICT LEADERSHIP, BUT NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MOA STATES THAT THE INSTITUTION SHALL ENSURE THAT SAS IS PRESENT IN THE MEETINGS WHEN POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
I JUST HAVE TO SAY ONE MORE THING AND PLEASE ALLOW ME THIS MINUTE.
ANOTHER STATEMENT APPEARED TO PIT INSTRUCTORS AGAINST TEACHERS AND ATTACK OUR INTEGRITY, WORK ETHIC AND CHARACTER BY SUGGESTING WE WORK EVERY OTHER DAY.
WE DON'T WORK A FULL SEVEN DAY PERIOD.
WE ARE PART TIME, OR WE SIT IDLE 75% OF TIME UNDER THE NEW MOA.
I WILL JUST SAY, THAT OUR NORMAL WORK WEEK IS 55 HOURS FOR INSTRUCTION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, IN ADDITION TO THE COUNTLESS WEEKENDS.
AS OF TODAY, WE, BOTH INSTRUCTORS HAVE PUT IN MORE THAN 1,400 HOURS.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE CADETS AND PARENTS AND GUARDIANS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
>> I HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION, CHIEF ROBY, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS A WAIVER THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THE CONCERNS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE AIR FORCE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT CORRECTLY?
>> YES, SIR. I SUBMITTED THAT LAST WEEK.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A HEARING ON THE AIR FORCE SIDE YET BUT THERE WAS GOING TO BE ONE POSSIBLY FRIDAY OR TODAY.
HAVE YOU HEARD ANY NEWS ABOUT THE DECISION?
>> NO, SIR. I'VE REACHED OUT TO HEADQUARTERS NUMEROUS TIMES.
ACTUALLY, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CONVENE A BOARD LAST WEDNESDAY.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO HIGHER HEADQUARTERS, BUT THE WAIVER HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THE WAIVER IS THAT THEY PLAN ON DOING THE SAME THING THAT THEY'RE DOING THIS YEAR.
THAT'S CONDENSING OUR CLASSES INTO ONE TEACHING DAY AND THEN SENDING US TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO DO STUDY HALLS OR BUS DUTIES OR LUNCH DUTIES OR WHATEVER THEY DECIDE TO DO WITH US AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, OF COURSE, IS THE FACT THAT WE WON'T HAVE ANY TIME FOR THE PROGRAM ITSELF.
THAT'S WHY AIR FORCE STUDENT ROTC PAYS 50% OF OUR MAP.
THAT'S THE REASON BECAUSE THERE'S TWO CHAINS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY'RE NEGLECTING TO SEE THAT OTHER CHAIN.
>> COULD I ASK ANOTHER QUESTION? MY UNDERSTANDING, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE AIR FORCE HAS THINGS FOR THE TWO INSTRUCTORS TO DO, AND THAT THAT'S WHAT IS TAKING UP YOUR OTHER TIME.
BUT I'M ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT BOTH INSTRUCTORS HAVE GONE OUT IN THE PAST TO THE BUILDINGS FOR EITHER PROMOTING THE PROGRAM OR OTHER REASONS.
HAS THAT HAPPENED? HAVE YOU GONE OUT TO HELP OUT AT THE OTHER BUILDINGS?
>> SIR, RECRUITING IS PART OF THE AWARENESS PRESENTATION TEAM, THAT'S OUR APT TEAM, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
IT IS A CADET LED PROGRAM, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL AWARE OF.
WHAT WE DO AS INSTRUCTORS IS WE GO WITH
[00:25:03]
OUR CADETS WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE SCHOOLS.I KNOW THAT THE CADETS ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE APT PROGRAM AND ACTUALLY GETTING INTO THE FEEDER SCHOOLS, WHICH IS WHERE WE GET OUR NUMBERS FROM FOR THE RECRUITING PORTION OF IT.
OUR CADETS ACTUALLY MAKE UP THE AWARENESS PRESENTATION TEAM, WHICH DEAL WITH THE RECRUITING.
FIFTY PERCENT IS THE MINIMUM THAT YOUR PROGRAM PAYS FOR BUT THAT'S NOT 50% OF THE TOTAL SALARY AND BENEFITS, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS NOT THE TOTAL COST OF A TEACHER. YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. THE DOCUMENT YOU STATED THAT CHANGED THE MINIMUM NUMBER FROM 100-50 TO MAKE IT A VIABLE PROGRAM AND GET OFF PROBATION, CORRECT? THAT WAS DATED MARCH 12TH 2025.
I RECEIVED MARCH 17TH 2025 THROUGH AN EMAIL.
>> THEY HAVE TO GO BACK NOW AND FIX EVERYTHING.
THEY'VE HAD 168 STUDENTS ON PROBATION BECAUSE OF THE VIABILITY OF 100.
BUT NOW BECAUSE OF THAT POLICY LETTER, THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND CORRECT EVERYTHING THAT THEY DID EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THAT'S WHY WE WERE VIABLE IN OCTOBER BECAUSE WE HAD 62 CADETS.
>> BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF VIABILITY UNTIL MARCH 17TH.
>> I HAVE THE POLICY LETTER, BUT IT'S DATED THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY 2025.
>> THE LETTER'S DATED MARCH 12TH THAT I RECEIVED AND I RECEIVED IT ON MARCH 17TH.
THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION I HAVE, YOU FILLED OUT THE WAIVER, CORRECT? BUT WHEN YOU FILLED OUT THE WAIVER, YOU CHECKED A BOX THAT STATED YOU WERE NOT WILLING TO GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND DO OTHER DUTIES, CORRECT?
>> JUST ONE FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
MY READING OF THE CONTRACT WE HAD UNDER DISCUSSION AT THE LAST MEETING SAID 100.
MR. GREENWELL'S GRAPH, WHICH WE APPRECIATED HAVING VERY MUCH, ALSO UNDERSTOOD THE THRESHOLD WAS 100.
THAT PARTICULAR AGREEMENT DIDN'T TALK ABOUT 50 AT ALL, DID IT AS A QUALIFYING? THERE WASN'T ANY WAY WE COULD SIGN THAT ONE, BUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH A WAIVER AND THE LIKE IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IS IT ALL RIGHT IF I LET [INAUDIBLE]
>> GO AHEAD. REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
>> GET THE POINT. HELLO. MY NAME IS KASTEN HOVLAND.
I AM FROM 2611 CASTLES GATE DRIVE.
>> SINCE YOU'RE TALL, JUST GRAB THE MIC AND STAND UP.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. HELLO. I'M GOING TO SAY MY NAME TWICE. HELLO. GOOD EVENING.
I AM A JUNIOR FROM EAST HIGH AND A THIRD YEAR IN THE PROGRAM.
MY POSITION IS VICE CORP COMMANDER, AND I'M ALSO A FLIGHT COMMANDER IN MISTY CADET CORP.
I'M GOING TO HIT ON THREE POINTS HERE, TRANSPORTATION, RECRUITING AND RETENTION.
SOME OF THESE WERE ALREADY MENTIONED BY CHIEF.
FIRST TRANSPORTATION. I'LL START BY SAYING, YES, WE DO HAVE A TRANSPORTATION AND WE STARTED AN AGREEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION WITH GIRLS INC IN EARLY 2018.
THIS WAS ORGANIZED BY A CADET WE HAD IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR, WHO WAS RELATED TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTION.
GIRLS INC HAS ALWAYS SAID YES TO OUR REQUESTS, AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY RELIABLE THUS FAR, AND WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE FOR US AND DO FOR US, AND WE'LL DO FOR US IN THE FUTURE.
HOWEVER, WE ARE A PROGRAM THAT DOES FALL UNDER THE DISTRICT, AND WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF GIRLS INC WHENEVER WE HAVE A TRIP OR COMPETITION COMING UP.
THE DISTRICT HAS ALREADY CITED TRANSPORTATION WITH US, YES, WE WILL NOT IGNORE THE SUPPORT THAT WE RECEIVED ALREADY FROM THE DISTRICT FROM OUR REQUEST.
HOWEVER, WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, WE ARE HERE ASKING FOR YOUR FULL SUPPORT FROM THE DISTRICT, WHEN WE TRULY DO NEED IT FOR TRANSPORTATION.
OTHERWISE, WE COULD END UP IN A PREDICAMENT.
OUR MAIN RECRUITING BASE IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN THE 8TH GRADERS GOING INTO 9TH GRADE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
GENERALLY, THE PROGRAM'S DEMOGRAPHICS CONSISTS OF ABOUT HALF, IF NOT MORE THAN HALF OF 9TH GRADERS.
WHEN WE HAVE ANY THRESHOLD THAT MAKES IT EVEN SLIGHTLY MORE DIFFICULT FOR WHERE THE STUDENTS SIGN INTO THE PROGRAM, WE GET AN EXAMPLE OF HAPPENED THIS YEAR.
WE GO FROM A NORMAL 40-50 NEW FRESHMAN CADETS TO JUST 11, WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
THIS PROBLEM IS BEING ELEVATED WHEN THE DISTRICT CONTINUES TO DENY US ENTRY INTO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO RECRUIT CADETS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
THERE'S A REQUIREMENT IN OUR MOA, WHICH STATES THAT THE INSTITUTION ENSURES US ACCESS INTO THE FEEDER SCHOOLS TO LET US RECRUIT AND THAT FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN LOW NUMBERS AND ENROLLMENT INTO OUR PROGRAM.
I ALSO MUST STATE THAT INSTRUCTORS SHOULD NOT GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS OFF TIME
[00:30:01]
OR ANY TIME TO FIND PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AS REPORTED BY THE SIOUX CITY JOURNAL.CADETS DO THAT. INSTRUCTORS COME WITH.
I WILL SHOUT OUT MR. KILBURN FOR ALLOWING US TO HEAD THE TOURS WHEN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS CAME THROUGH THE CAREER ACADEMY, AND MR. KILBURN ALLOWED US TO CONDUCT OUR FRONT ACTIVITIES IN SAID TOURS.
AS FOR ALL THE OTHER FEEDER SCHOOLS WHEN THE DISTRICT LETS US IN AND WHEN THESE 8TH GRADERS ACTUALLY LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS EXISTENCE, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU MUCH MORE OF THOSE 8TH GRADERS WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO JOIN THE CORP IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IF THEY HADN'T DRAGGED ME INTO GYM IN MY 8TH GRADE YEAR AND SHOWED ME WHAT THE MISTY CADET CORP WAS, I DO FIND IT HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE I'D ACTUALLY BE HERE TODAY.
HISTORICALLY, YES, WE DO HAVE HIGH DROP RATES.
WE KNOW THIS IS A RESULT OF CONFUSION ON WHAT OUR COURSE IS, OUR EXTREMELY HIGH STANDARDS, LIKE GROOMING STANDARDS, AND OTHER CAREER PATHWAYS IN THE CAREER ACADEMY.
WE KNOW THESE ARE REASONS BECAUSE WE DO CONDUCT 100% EXIT INTERVIEWS ON EVERY STUDENT THAT LEAVES THE PROGRAM.
LET IT BE NOTED THAT DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, WE CONTINUE TO CONDUCT TRIAL AND ERROR ON ANY MEANS OR METHOD OF KEEPING AND RETAINING CADETS IN THE PROGRAM THROUGH AWARENESS PRESENTATION TEAM. THAT IS ALL FROM ME. THANK YOU.
>> I DO HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
>> CADET MAJOR KASTEN HOVLAND.
>> WE'LL GET THERE. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT SOME OF THE CONFUSION IS IN REGARDS TO THE DROPOUT OR THE RECRUITMENT?
>> I LISTED THREE CONFUSION ON WHAT THE PROGRAM IS, AND I SAID THIS BECAUSE SIEGEL WILL SEE IT ON THEIR SCHEDULE AND THEY'LL SAY SIGNS OF FLIGHT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE LABELED AS ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET.
KIDS WILL COME INTO THE CLASS EITHER BECAUSE THEIR COUNSELORS PUT IT ON THEIR SCHEDULE, OR THEY THINK THAT LOOKS INTERESTING.
THEN THEY GET INTO THE PROGRAM, THEY'RE LIKE, WHAT IS THIS? THAT HAPPENS. THEN GROOMING STANDARDS ARE VERY EXTRANEOUS REQUIREMENTS.
CADETS MUST SHAVE, WE MUST BE HAIR STANDARDS ALL AND ALL.
THEN, OF COURSE, THE OTHER CAREER PATHWAYS IN THE CAREER ACADEMY, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A GROWING THING.
>> FIRST, I WILL DISCLOSE THAT THE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THE CORPS CADETS INVITED ME TO COME AND HEAR THEM GIVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THEIR PROGRAM.
I'VE HEARD MANY OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW AND I MUST TELL EVERYONE THAT I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THESE STUDENTS.
I KEPT THINKING DURING THE COURSE OF THE PRESENTATION, GOSH, COULD WE HIRE THESE GUYS FOR THE SUMMER? THEY'RE READY RIGHT NOW FOR THE WORKFORCE AND WHAT A GREAT PROGRAM THAT IS.
BUT HAVING SAID THAT, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WE'VE HAD THIS DROP BELOW 50 SINCE LAST YEAR AND MAYBE A LITTLE BEFORE.
DO YOU HAVE A REASON OR AN OPINION WHY WE HAD THIS HAPPEN BETWEEN, LET'S SAY, LAST YEAR AND NOW? I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS AN ISSUE ABOUT WHETHER THE PROGRAM WAS AVAILABLE, OR HELP US WITH THAT.
>> YOU MEAN FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR?
>> THAT WAS A RESULT OF THEM THINKING THAT THE PROGRAM WASN'T GOING TO BE HERE, AND SO COUNSELORS AVOIDED ADDING STUDENTS ONTO IT.
I CAN SAY THIS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE MY COUNSELOR DIDN'T WANT TO SIGN ME UP FOR THE PROGRAM BECAUSE MY COUNSELOR'S ON UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE IT.
THAT GOES FOR MANY OTHER COUNSELORS.
WHEN OUR STUDENTS WENT TO GO SIGN UP, WE LITERALLY HAD TO GO ASK.
WHEN THESE FRESHMAN CADETS, WHICH IS MOST OF OUR PROGRAM, WHEN THEY'RE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT ANYTHING WE DO OR WHAT WE ARE.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO FIGHT THEIR COUNSELORS TO SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS? [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE MIC BACK.
>> MY NAME IS BRENTON BUNCH, 4416 FILLMORE STREET.
I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AGAIN.
HELLO. MY NAME IS CADET CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT BUNCH.
I'M A SENIOR, I GO TO NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, AND I AM A FOURTH YEAR IN THE MISTY CADET CORPS.
I BECAME AN EAGLE SCOUT BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON SPECIFICALLY.
HER NAME IS CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT KATHRYN ROBY, SHE'S RIGHT HERE, WHO WAS LIKE A SECOND PARENT TO ME.
THE ONLY REASON I MET HER IS BECAUSE OF THIS JROTC PROGRAM.
SHE SAT DOWN WITH ME FOR HOURS, GIVING ME ADVICE AND HELPING ME WRITE MY PROPOSAL TO THE EAGLE BOARD.
IN FACT, MISTY CADET CORPS HELPED ME DO MY PROJECT, WHICH WAS A FLIGHT RETIREMENT.
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT JUST ABOUT SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES,
[00:35:03]
IT'S ABOUT LIFE OPPORTUNITIES.THIS PROGRAM CHANGES YOU, AND IT CHANGES YOU INTO A BETTER CITIZEN FOR AMERICA.
THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT IS PROVIDED AS WELL, SUCH AS THE J-100 SCHOLARSHIP.
THE J-100 SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES 100 CADETS WHO ARE IN THE JROTC WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE WITH A FULL RIDE PLUS A $10,000 A YEAR ALLOWANCE, WHICH HELPS THEM PAY FOR DORMS, SCHOOL BOOKS, AND FOOD.
THEY CAN USE THIS SCHOLARSHIP AT ANY COLLEGE OF THEIR CHOICE WITH AN AIR FORCE ROTC.
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ONLY CADETS IS THE FLIGHT ACADEMY.
THE FLIGHT ACADEMY ALLOWS JROTC CADETS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE WITH ALL EXPENSES PAID FOR.
THAT IS APPROXIMATELY $20,000, BY THE WAY.
THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY COLLEGE OF THE CADET'S CHOOSING.
IN FACT, ONE OF OUR ALUM DID THIS, AND THEY ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.
THREE MORE CADETS ARE PLANNING TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR.
MENTIONED BY THE MEDIA IS THAT MORE STUDENTS JOIN THE MILITARY WHO WERE NOT IN THE PROGRAM.
I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS WAS MENTIONED BECAUSE WE ARE NOT RECRUITERS.
WE ARE A CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM AND A CHARACTER-BUILDING PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM'S FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO HELP CADETS FIND THE JOB WITH THEIR CHOICE.
HOWEVER, ADDRESSING THE MILITARY RECRUITMENT, YES, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE YOUR PAY AND GET PROMOTED.
NO, THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR YOU TO JOIN THE MILITARY IF YOU JOIN JROTC.
NOW, ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I'VE LISTED ARE GREAT, HOWEVER HERE ARE SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE DISTRICT HAS DENIED US.
WE HAVE ASKED TO DO MARKSMANSHIP IN 2019, THE DISTRICT DECLINED.
WE WERE SUGGESTED TO GO TO WIT INSTEAD, BUT AS ALREADY MENTIONED BY CADET HOVLAND, WITH NO TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED, THE PROGRAM WAS NOT FEASIBLE.
WE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO CREATE A DRONE TEAM.
WHEN SOFTWARE WAS BLOCKED BY SCHOOL FIREWALLS, WE WERE DENIED AND BLOCKED IN IT.
BOTH WERE FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR CADETS TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, BUT ALSO TO INCREASE RECRUITMENT.
THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN COVERED, BUT IT TOOK AWAY COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES.
ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES COULD HAVE BROUGHT US MORE CADETS INTO THE PROGRAM.
THIS IS JUST GOING TO TAKE ONE MOMENT.
THE CADETS WORK ENDLESSLY FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED TO THEM, SOME EVEN SACRIFICING ALL THE PRECIOUS TIME, WHICH WE ALL WISH WE HAD MORE TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY WORK SO MUCH THAT THESE CADETS HAVE BECOME FAMILY TO ME.
I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE ANY OPPORTUNITIES AWAY FROM MY FAMILY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM A SENIOR, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I GOT MY FOUR YEARS, BUT WHERE ARE THEIRS? WHEN CADET HOVLAND MOVES ON TO HIS SENIOR YEAR, HE CANNOT JOIN THE VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM.
WHEN CADET [INAUDIBLE] GOES ON TO HIS SENIOR YEAR, HE CANNOT BE ON THE VARSITY GOLF TEAM.
THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY WILL GET HERE NEXT YEAR MAYBE THE ONLY ONES THAT THEY CAN GET.
THEY DESERVE THEIR FOUR YEARS.
I'M SORRY YOU DON'T SEE THE VALUE IN THIS PROGRAM, BUT THE ONLY ONES THAT LOSES OUT ON THIS DECISION TONIGHT IS THEIRS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ANY FOLLOW-UP? THANK YOU. LYNN?
>> JAMES CHRISTENSEN, 4814 SUNNYBROOK DRIVE.
I'M HERE JUST BECAUSE WITH ROTC PROGRAM, AND YOU GUYS SAYING THAT YOU WANT TO SHUT IT DOWN.
I AM A FIRST YEAR IN THE CORPS, AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THIS CORPS IS LIKE A FAMILY TO ME, NOT REALLY A FAMILY MEMBER, BUT FAMILY, BUT THESE GUYS, THEY'RE BROTHERS TO ME.
THEY'RE ALL BY MY SIDE WHENEVER I NEED THEM.
I KNOW NINTH GRADERS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS CORPS, JUST FROM THE TOURS THAT WE HAVE DONE.
WITH YOU GUYS DENYING US ACCESS INTO THESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, THEY DON'T GET TO SEE WHAT WE DO 90% OF THE TIME.
OUR CORPS IS FUN AND TEACHES US LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
TO BE HONEST, LAST YEAR, IF YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE HANDED ME A MIC AND TOLD ME TO BE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, I WOULD HAVE NOT EVER DONE IT.
THIS PROGRAM HAS TAUGHT ME TO BECOME A LEADER AND STUFF, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I DON'T WANT THESE EIGHTH GRADERS TO MISS OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAD.
THIS PROGRAM IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES.
LIKE CHIEF ROBY ALWAYS SAYS, WHEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY, YOU SHOULD TAKE IT BECAUSE YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO LIVE LIFE SAYING, I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE THAT.
WHEN WE HAVE EIGHTH GRADERS WHO WISH THEY COULD JOIN THE PROGRAM, BUT IF IT'S NOT HERE,
[00:40:01]
THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE AND BUILD A SECOND FAMILY LIKE WE ALL HAVE.I KNOW I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL OF US, BUT WE ALL APPRECIATE EACH OTHER AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS ALL.
YOU GUYS ARE ALL LIKE FAMILY TO ME, AND IF YOU GUYS CLOSE THIS PROGRAM DOWN, YOU'RE BASICALLY SHUTTING DOWN A FAMILY.
THAT'S A FAMILY WE ALL WANT TO KEEP.
>> ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS? LYNN?
>> KENNETH BIGGERSTAFF? [NOISE]
>> KENNETH BIGGERSTAFF, 2917 CHEYENNE BOULEVARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO THE BOARD, TO MR. EARLEYWINE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO, I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ADD MY SUPPORT FOR THE JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM.
WHEN MY GRANDSON FIRST JOINED IT, I HAD SOME RESERVATIONS, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT I KNEW THERE WERE SOME REAL POSSIBILITIES FOR HIM IF HE WOULD STICK WITH IT, AND HE HAS.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT THE KIDS GET FROM THIS EXAMPLE HERE OF A LEADER, SHE IS BEYOND BELIEF.
SHE'S THERE EVERY MORNING AT FIVE O'CLOCK WHEN THEY DO THEIR PT.
SHE'S THERE AT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING WHEN I PICK HIM UP AFTERWARDS.
I KNOW SHE GOES TO SCHOOL SOMETIMES.
I DON'T KNOW HER FULL SCHEDULE, I DON'T WANT TO ATTEMPT TO, BUT THE THING THAT'S IMPRESSED ME THE MOST ABOUT THESE PEOPLE IS NOT LIKE ME.
THEY'RE CLEAN SHAVEN, THEIR HAIR IS ALWAYS IMMACULATE.
THEY ARE THE MOST POLITE PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE.
IF YOU COULD CLONE ALL OF THEM AND PUT THEM INTO THE SCHOOLS, YOUR PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED. BELIEVE ME.
I CAN ONLY HOPE SOMEHOW THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOURSELVES AND THE AIR FORCE WOULD BE IMPROVED.
ONE OF THE CADETS ALREADY MENTIONED THE FACT THAT LAST YEAR, YOU WOULD TALK TO A TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL OR SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, AND THEY SAY, WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE IT THIS YEAR.
THERE SEEMS TO BE THAT ONGOING CONFUSION IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO BE THERE FOR US OR NOT? I REALIZE IT'S A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM BETWEEN YOURSELVES AND THE AIR FORCE.
AGAIN, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, I HOPE YOU KEEP THE PROGRAM.
THESE KIDS DESERVE IT, THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB.
THEY HAVE A GREAT LEADER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] LYNN?
>> WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO CHANGE MY TIME WITH NGUYEN?
>> MY NAME IS NGUYEN, I LIVE AT 1111 VIRGINIA STREET.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM CADET LIEUTENANT COLONEL NGUYEN.
I AM CURRENTLY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, COLOR GUARD COMMANDER, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND ARMED EXHIBITION COMMANDER FOR THE MISTY CADET COPS.
I'M CURRENTLY A SOPHOMORE AT NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M A SECOND YEAR IN THE MISTY CADET CORPS.
I WANT TO START BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT THE MISTY CADET CORPS HAS BEEN PUTTING IN COUNTLESS HOURS OF HARD WORK DEDICATED OVER THE PAST YEARS.
HOWEVER, IT FEELS THOUGH MANY SUCCESSES HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED BY THE DISTRICT, MUCH LIKE WE EXPERIENCED IN THE MEDIA COVERAGE.
DESPITE OUR TEAM WINNING FIRST PLACE TROPHIES FROM MINNESOTA, IOWA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND NEBRASKA, WE FEEL OUR ACHIEVEMENT HAS NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED.
WE HAVE PROVIDED PICTURES AND DETAILS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM TO THE PUBLIC, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OF THOSE PICTURES BEING POSTED.
WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL SOURCES TO SHARE OUR STORY, BUT WE STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY COVERAGE.
WE ARE A CADET-LED PROGRAM, AS WE STATED BEFORE.
WE ORGANIZE EVENTS BY ALWAYS HAVING OUR INSTRUCTORS SUPERVISE US.
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE MISTY CADET CORPS HAS CONTRIBUTED OVER 10,000 HOURS FOR ONE YEAR, ONE MONTH, OR 21 DAYS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE SINCE THE 2017 SCHOOL YEAR.
THIS INCLUDES PARTICIPATING IN VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES, A 12-HOUR VIGIL, SIOUX CITY CLEANUPS, NURSING HOME VISITS, VFW POPPY SALES, COMMUNITY SERVICE COLOR GUARD, AND MUCH MORE.
OUR MOST POPULAR SERVICE IS OUR COLOR GUARD.
OUR WINNING COLOR GUARD TEAM HAS DEDICATED OVER 535 HOURS TO THE SIOUXLAND COMMUNITY.
ADDITIONALLY, WE ACHIEVED OVER 28,000 HOURS OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS.
OUR CADET PLAN, ORGANIZE, AND EXECUTE EVENTS, SUCH AS DRILL PRACTICES, CONDUCT UNIT INVENTORIES, UNIT RECRUITING AND RETENTION AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES.
[00:45:01]
THAT'S 15 HOURS EVERY WEEK, PLUS MANY WEEKENDS.IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE EFFORT, DISCIPLINE, AND COUNTLESS HOURS THAT OUR CADET HAS PUT IN, THEN I HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU CONSIDER AS EFFORT.
OUR CADET HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT THE ESC, GIRLS INC., AND OTHER JROT-RELATED PLACES.
LAST YEAR, WE RELOCATED AT THE LOWER LEVEL OF ESC, BUT THIS YEAR, WE MOVED TO THE VIBE ACADEMY, WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED OUR AVAILABLE SPACE.
SPACE IS CRUCIAL FOR US BECAUSE WE NEED A PROPER DRILL AREA ACCORDING TO OUR MLA AGREEMENT.
WE HAVE AN MOU WITH GIRLS INC., LIKE WE SAID BEFORE, FOR OUR DRILL SPACE.
HOWEVER, AS MENTIONED IN CADET HOVLAND'S SPEECH, TRANSPORTATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR OUR COMPETITION AND TO GIRLS INC. DURING CLASS.
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED A 30-STEP DRILL SEQUENCE DOWNSTAIRS AT THE DRILL HALL.
HOWEVER, THIS YEAR, WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO AT THE ESC DUE TO OUR SPACE LIMITATIONS AND PRESENCE OF CARPETS.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING DRILL SPACE, IT'S ALSO REQUIRED TO HAVE A DESIGNATED PT AREA, WHICH ARE PHYSICAL TRAINING.
THE CURRENT LIMITATIONS AT THE ESC HINDER OUR ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH NEEDS EFFECTIVELY.
WE HAVE TO WALK TO GIRLS INC. TO DO OUR MASS PT ASSESSMENT.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN ISSUE, WE MANAGED TO TURN THAT CHALLENGE INTO A BIG OPPORTUNITY BY ORGANIZING A COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT, CALLED THE SIOUX CITY CLEANUP.
IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL, WE ARE REQUIRED TO TRAIN OUR UPCOMING CADETS DRILL MOVEMENTS, AND IT IS TOUGH FOR US TO USE GIRLS INC. DURING CLASS THIS TIME.
THIS CHALLENGE IS WORSE BECAUSE THERE ARE CLASSES GOING ON AT THE VIBE ACADEMY WHICH LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT PT. ONE MOMENT.
OUR CADETS HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THE SKYWALK DUE TO OUR LACK OF SPACE FOR OUR PT EVERY SINGLE FRIDAY.
WE, THE MISTY CADET CORPS, HAVE TRIED THE BEST TO ADAPT TO THE SPACE WE CURRENTLY HAVE, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT CHALLENGE.
WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT FAIRNESS, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT ISN'T FAIR FOR OUR CADETS.
IF THE SCHOOL DOESN'T SHOW THAT THE PROGRAM IS VALUABLE, INTERESTING, OR REWARDING, WHY WOULD OUR PARENTS OR STUDENTS THINK IT IS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS? DIRECTOR EHMCKE.
>> I HEAR YOU AND I HEARD YOU BEFORE AS A GROUP, TALK ABOUT WHERE THE LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES ARE FOR WHAT YOU DO.
BUT WHAT I SEE IS THAT YOU'RE VERY SUCCESSFUL AT USING YOUR INGENUITY AND CREATIVITY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN ANYWAY.
WOULD YOU NOT AGREE WITH ME ON THAT?
>> THE REAL QUESTION IS, CAN WE HAVE THE PROGRAM CONTINUE? I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THE ONE THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE UNFAIR.
IF THIS WAS AN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY OR SOMEHOW WHILE WE'RE AT THIS IMPASSE, WOULD THE AIR FORCE THAT WE COULD CONTINUE IT ON THAT BASIS, WOULD YOU STILL PARTICIPATE?
>> I WOULD STILL PARTICIPATE HOWEVER, I WOULD PREFER IF IT'S A CLASS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT'S MORE INVOLVING FOR EVERYONE TOGETHER.
>> OMAR MONTO ROOS, 2021 AVENUE.
>> WELL, I WOULD JUST START TALKING. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M THE CURRENT COURT COMMANDER OF I-U051, CADET AND A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE CADET WITH THEIR UNIFORM.
I CAN SEE THAT WEARING OUR UNIFORM GIVES US A SENSE OF PRIDE AND FELLOWSHIP.
CADETS SHOULD NEVER BE PICKED ON A TARGETED BY FELLOW CLASSMATES OF THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SADLY, THIS HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.
IN A VERY DISTASTEFUL DISPLAY, TEACHERS IN PAST HAVE SALUTED MOCKINGLY AND GIVING THANKS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO CADETS.
THIS IN ITSELF GIVES CADETS THE IDEA OF HOW MUCH THE SCHOOL IS ACTUALLY SUPPORTING THEM.
THIS SINGLE ACT CAN EMBOLDEN THE STUDENT BODY AGAINST OUR IMAGE.
OUR CORE HAS HAD LITTLE MEANINGFUL SUPPORT OR ENCOURAGEMENT.
THIS ITSELF CAN BE SEEN AS FALSE INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE MEDIA AND SPREAD.
THE FALSE INFORMATION MADE IT SOUND THAT OUR INSTRUCTORS HAVE FAILED THEIR ROLE AS AFTRC INSTRUCTORS.
THIS FABRICATION HAS HURT THEIR IMAGE AND IN TURN THE PROGRAM.
THE RARE PROMOTION OF OUR SUCCESS AND ALSO THE FALSE INFORMATION THAT HAS HURT OUR IMAGE IN AN INFURIATING WAY, I MYSELF HAVE BEEN QUESTIONED BY MY TEACHERS, AND WE FEEL THAT THIS ACT SEVER IT PROGRAM.
THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAM HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND IT DESTRUCTION WOULD BE AFTER RESULTS HAVING IMPACTED THE DECISIONS AND WHAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ON DOING AS THEY LEARN AND LEAD [INAUDIBLE].
[00:50:05]
I WAS PROMISED TO TEACH US.AS DR. EARLEYWINE SAID IN 2024, WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS PROGRAM.
IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT A COMMUNITY WOULD WANT TO GET RID OF A JR.
[INAUDIBLE] WE ARE NAMED THE MOST CADET.
IN FACT, WE WERE NAMED AFTER A REAL HERO, BRIGADIER GENERAL BUD DAY.
IT WAS A MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT AND SIOUX CITY LOCAL WHO AND HE FLEW SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS MISSIONS IN THE VIETNAM WAR.
THESE MISSIONS WERE IN FACT [INAUDIBLE].
I THINK THAT HE, IF ANYONE [INAUDIBLE], SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. IT WOULD BE HIM.
WHAT THESE CADETS HAVE ACHIEVED AND CONTINUE TO DO EVERY DAY IS A GREAT PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ANDREW JOHNSON, 3802 CHIPPEWA COURT.
MY MAIN PURPOSE HERE TODAY WAS TO YIELD ANY TIME LEFT TO CHIEF ROBY, BUT I FEEL LIKE CHIEF ROBY HAS COVERED EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANTED TO. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? I'M JUST GOING TO SAY A QUICK PIECE HERE.
WE DEFINITELY HAVE A LOT OF REPRESENTATION FOR THIS PROGRAM.
I BECAME THE AEROSPACE SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR THAT CAME ON THIS YEAR.
LIKE MR. BIGGER STAFF SAID, YOU GUYS DO HAVE A TOUGH DECISION AHEAD OF YOU.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO KEEP THE PROGRAM OR DISCONTINUE THE PROGRAM, I KNOW ON MY END, I WOULDN'T HAVE CHANGED THE THING.
I LOVE WHAT I DO 17 YEARS TEACHING AND COMING INTO THIS.
I THOUGHT I HAD AN IDEA WHAT IT WOULD BE, AND BOY, WAS I SORELY WRONG.
THERE'S SO MUCH WORK THAT'S INVOLVED IN THIS.
WORK IN 11-12 HOUR DAYS, WORKING WEEKENDS.
WE JUST WENT UP TO SIOUX FALLS FOR A COMPETITION WHERE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR ME WAS A 16 HOUR DAY AND SATURDAY WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER. IT WAS A 12 HOUR DAY.
BUT AGAIN, I WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD. I LOVE WHAT I DO.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT MY MILITARY CAREER HAS WOUND IN WITH MY EDUCATION CAREER.
AGAIN, I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU GUYS, AND AGAIN, I WOULDN'T CHANGE FOR THE WORLD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU'RE THE OTHER INSTRUCTOR, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?
>> YOU'RE THE ONE THE AIR FORCE FOUND, AND AM I CORRECT THAT YOU'RE NOT ONLY CONNECTED ON ACTIVE DUTY RESERVE STATUS WITH THE AIR FORCE.
YOU ALSO ARE A CERTIFIED TEACHER IN SCIENCE.
>> I'M WONDERING, IS THAT WHEN WE HAD TEACHER SHORTAGE, THAT THIS BUSINESS OF MOVING EVERYBODY TO B DAY OR A DAY TO MAKE ROOM, WERE THEY LOOKING TO HAVE YOU, IN ADDITION TO WHAT YOU WERE DOING FOR THE ROTC PROGRAM, BE EITHER A MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER?
HOWEVER, WITH THE MEMORANDUM AGREEMENT, THAT IS ONE THING THAT'S COMPLETELY OFF LIMITS, JUST BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I AM A CERTIFIED TEACHER, WHEN I GET HIRED TO THE AIR FORCE, THEY SEE ME AS A 512 MILITARY SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR.
AGAIN, AS CHIEF ROBY MENTIONED, THAT WE SERVE TWO CHAINS OF RESPONSIBILITY, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DISTRICT IS TO PROVIDE THE AIR FORCE JUNIOR RTC CURRICULUM, AND THEN ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROGRAMS AND ON THE AIR FORCE SIDE AS MANAGING THOSE PROGRAMS.
>> SO THAT I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT, REASON WHY YOU SAID NO WAS BECAUSE THE AIR FORCE WHO YOU WORKED FOR TOLD YOU YOU COULDN'T, CORRECT?
>> OTHERWISE, IT'S A MATTER OF WORKING OUT DETAILS IF THEY CAN BE WORKED OUT.
BUT YOU ENDED UP BEING THE PRIZE, DIDN'T YOU? YOU HAD A MASTER'S DEGREE WITH 30 PLUS HOURS IN SCIENCE AND EVERYBODY SAW YOU AS A WONDERFUL PRIZE. WOULD THAT BE FAIR?
>> YES, SIR. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FACT THAT THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD THE WAIVER TO ALLOW SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT CURRENTLY RETIRED.
BUT IN DOING SO, I THINK AIR FORCE JUNIOR RCC OPENED IT UP BECAUSE THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH INSTRUCTORS TO GET TWO INSTRUCTORS ON BOARD, SO THEY MADE THAT NATIONWIDE THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE RESERVE AND GUARD TO BECOME JUNIOR RCC INSTRUCTORS.
IN AS SENSE, I AM A UNICORN IN THAT FACT.
>> WELL, WE THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND WE HOPE THAT THINGS CAN BE WORKED OUT.
IT IS AN ISSUE BETWEEN WORDING OF AGREEMENTS.
[00:55:03]
THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY.>> I HAVE A JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
>> THIS WAS YOUR FIRST YEAR WITH THE PROGRAM, CORRECT?
>> OLIVER ROBLEY, YOU DID IT BY YOURSELF FOR ONE YEAR.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE PROGRAM OR NOT, THAT WAS IN FACT, TRUE.
BECAUSE WE NEEDED IN FACT, TWO INSTRUCTORS, AND I BELIEVE THEY GAVE US A WAIVER FOR ONE YEAR BECAUSE WE ONLY HAD YOU AS A INSTRUCTOR.
THE PROBLEM WITH SIGNING UP AND THE QUESTIONS ON, IS THERE GOING TO BE A PROGRAM OR ISN'T OR WON'T THERE BE A PROGRAM SIMPLY WAS THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR UNTIL YOU CAME ALONG AND WE'RE HIRED FOR THAT POSITION.
THAT WAS AND SCHEDULING STARTS, AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE SCHED TRYING TO SCHEDULE NOW FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE HAVE TO GET AHEAD OF THAT GAME FOR SCHEDULING.
THAT WAS SOME OF THE CONFUSION WITH THE PROGRAM AND WHETHER IT WAS GOING TO BE EVEN IN FACT A PROGRAM THIS YEAR, THE CURRENT YEAR WE'RE IN. BUT YES.
>> IN ADDITION TO THAT, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE THE NUMBERS THAT WE DID.
WE STARTED OFF AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AT LOW '60S, AND THEN WE DID HAVE SOME CADETS THAT DROPPED AT THE SEMESTER.
BUT AGAIN, HAVING 11 FRESHMAN IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
AGAIN, I THINK IT'S JUST A LOT OF THE CONFUSION WHERE WE HAVE KIDS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM THAT DIDN'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP.
WE DON'T FORESEE THAT NEXT YEAR.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE CLARIFICATIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE.
>> MY NAME IS GRANT HOVLAND, 2611 CASTLES GATE DRIVE, SIOUX CITY.
I AM A PARENT OF A THIRD YEAR JOTC CADET.
THE DISCUSSION DURING THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AND OVER SHUTTING DOWN THE JOTC PROGRAM WAS DISHEARTENING TO HEAR.
THE OPTICS OF THE DISCUSSION MADE THE PROGRAM APPEAR TO BE A WASTE OF RESOURCES AND EASILY JUSTIFIED TO BE CANCELED.
ON A SPREADSHEET OR PAPER, YES, IT MIGHT LOOK THAT WAY, BUT WHEN YOU DEEP DIVE INTO PROGRAM AND PACK THERE'S A WHOLE ORGANIZATION AND A HISTORY THERE THAT NO TWO MINUTE WALK THROUGH COULD EVER HOPE TO GET A SNAPSHOT OF.
I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT A FULL DAY OF SHADOWING A CADET IN THE PROGRAM WOULD DO JUSTICE TO SHOWCASE EVERYTHING THAT THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES.
PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM HAVE AN IDEA THOUGH.
NOT ENOUGH AGAIN TO PEEL BACK EVERY LAYER AND WORKINGS OF THE PROGRAM, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE TIME THE STUDENTS AND THE INSTRUCTORS PUT IN.
AS PARENTS, WE UNDERSTAND THE OUTPUT OF THIS PROGRAM.
SENIOR CHILDREN GROW TREMENDOUSLY IN PROFESSIONALISM, CONFIDENCE, AND BEING PREPARED FOR WHAT THE WORLD HAS TO THROW OUT THEM, WHETHER THEY JOIN THE MILITARY OR NOT.
AS A THIRD YEAR CADET AND A MEMBER OF SENIOR STAFF, MY SON WAKES HIMSELF UP EVERY MORNING AT 4:00 AM AND IS OUT THE DOOR BY 04:30 SO THAT SENIOR STAFF AND INSTRUCTORS CAN PREPARE AND BE READY FOR THE REST OF THE CADETS.
HE COMES HOME WHEN THEIR WORK IS FINISHED, USUALLY AROUND 5:00 PM SOMETIMES 6:00 PM.
ON DAYS WHERE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER, THEY WERE THERE.
INTO THE SUMMER, AND WELL BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS, THEY ARE THERE.
JUDGING BY THEIR HIGH MARKS DURING THEIR YEARLY INSPECTIONS, VARIOUS COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT SITTING IDLE DURING THAT TIME IS SUGGESTED.
THEIR INFLUENCE CAN BE SEEN IN THE DISTRICT AS THEY WEAR THEIR UNIFORMS PROUDLY AND SMARTLY.
THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH MANY EVENTS TO HONOR VETERANS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.
WHEN THEY COMPETE WITH THEIR FELLOW GRTC PROGRAMS IN THE AREA AND REGION, THEY ARE SHARP, HIGHLY RESPECTED, AND SHOWCASE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN A VERY POSITIVE LIGHT.
THE PROGRAM DEMANDS A LOT OUT OF THE CADETS, AND INSTRUCTORS SET A VERY HIGH BAR, JUST AS MANY OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED IN THE DISTRICT DO.
WHAT THE CADETS PUT IN WITH THEIR TIME, HARD WORK, AND A LITTLE GRIT, THEY WILL BE REWARDED IN THE LONG RUN WITH A SKILL SET THAT SETS THEM UP FOR SUCCESS BOTH IN THE PROFESSIONAL FIELDS AND IN THE MILITARY FIELDS.
I'M PROUD OF EVERY ONE OF THESE CADETS AND WHAT THEY REPRESENT.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM AND DEDICATION OF ITS INSTRUCTORS.
I'M PROUD OF DISTRICT FOR OFFERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT FILL SO MANY UNIQUE PATHS FOR OUR STUDENTS CHOOSE TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE FUTURES.
IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO SEE THIS PROGRAM OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM THAT CONTRIBUTES SO MUCH BEING CANCELED OVER A FEW DISCUSSION POINTS WITHOUT TAKING A GOOD HARD LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISTRICT, COMMUNITY, AND THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU.
[01:00:09]
>> I GET CONFUSED WITH [INAUDIBLE].
>> BRANDON PORTER. I LIVE AT 2829 DUPONT STREET.
I AM A SECOND YEAR IN THIS PROGRAM.
LAST YEAR, I WALKED IN THE DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I WALKED IN THOSE DOORS, NOT KNOWING WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS.
LAST YEAR, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I WOULD HAVE DONE THAT I WOULDN'T DO NOW.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE LAST YEAR THAT I DO NOW.
THIS PROGRAM HAS SHOWN ME A LOT, AND THERE'S NOT WORDS I CAN PUT IT INTO.
I HAVE AN EXAMPLE THOUGH. LAST YEAR, IF I KNEW SOMEONE AND I FIGURED IT OUT, I PROBABLY WANTED TO FIGURED IT OUT.
I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING. I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SAT AT HOME. I HAPPENED.
OCTOBER 7TH, 2024 [NOISE] I HAD A VERY CLOSE FRIEND.
I PUT IT TOGETHER LESS THREE MINUTES BEFORE THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO END AT ALL.
I PUSH MY OWN VEHICLE AND MY BODY TO STOP MY FRIEND FROM DOING THAT.
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT JUST A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.
IT HELPS KIDS LIKE MYSELF WITH A CHALLENGE PAST AND OTHER KIDS TO DEVELOP SKILLS THAT THEY WOULDN'T USUALLY DO.
>> JUST GRAB IT. WE SEEM TO GET BETTER MIKE WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE IT UP THERE.
>> JOANNA PRICE, 2308 SOUTH HENRY.
GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, FACULTY, AND FELLOW STUDENTS.
MY NAME IS CADET SENIOR AND JOANNA PRICE, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AF OTC.
TODAY, I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER ANY MOVES TO ELIMINATE THIS REMARKABLE PROGRAM.
AF OTC IS NOT JUST ABOUT MILITARY TRAINING, IT'S ABOUT LEADERSHIP, DISCIPLINE, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS STUDENTS LIKE ME TO GROW IN WAYS WE CAN NEVER IMAGINE.
THROUGH AF OTC, WE LEARN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS TEAMWORK, RESPECT, AND RESILIENCE.
THESE LESSONS GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM PREPARING US FOR OUR FUTURE REGARDLESS OF THE PATHS WE CHOOSE.
THE FRIENDSHIP AND MENTORSHIPS FORM HERE CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS US THRIVE.
MOREOVER, AF OTC ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY SERVICE, TEACHING US THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
IN VARIOUS PRACTICE, WE LEARN TO BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, FOSTERING PRIDE IN OUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.
REMOVING AF OTC WOULD MEAN LOSING IN AN ESSENTIAL RESOURCE THAT INSPIRE STUDENTS TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY AND DEVELOP STRONG VALUES.
LET'S KEEP THE DOORS OPEN TO THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT HELPS TRANSFORM LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> OLIVER VAN DEN PATEL, 3240 DOUGLAS STREET. GOOD EVENING.
SORRY. I AM A FLIGHT SERGEANT, PERSONNEL MANAGER, AND I AM A SECOND YEAR IN IDS 0151, CC CORP. EVERY DAY IN THIS PROGRAM, I LEARN SOMETHING NEW.
ACTUALLY SKILLS I USE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
OUR CURRICULUM IS VAST REPAIR CADETS, THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY THAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU.
OR ANYTHING THAT AWAITS THEM IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
IDS 0151 MODEL WAS BUILT FOR THE FUTURE, ACHIEVED THE UNIMAGINABLE, WHICH RELATES DIRECTLY TO THE MODEL OF AF OTC, BUILD BETTER CITIZENS FOR AMERICA.
FOR CORE VALUES ARE INTEGRITY FIRST, SERVES FOR SELF, AND EXCELLENT AND ALL WE DO.
BUT THESE ARE NOT JUST WORDS TO US.
THIS IS THE VERY LIFELOD OF EVERYTHING WE DO FOR OUR COUNTRY, COMMUNITY, AND CADETS.
PREPARE CADETS FOR THE FUTURE LIVELIHOODS,
[01:05:01]
NO MATTER WHAT CAREER PATH THEY TAKE.WE HAD A MILITARY PATHWAY, THE TRADES, TEACHING, OR EVEN MEDICINE.
WE TEACH CADETS HOW TO BE PROFESSIONAL, COMMUNICATE WELL, THEY PRIDE THEIR COUNTRY, COMMUNITY, AND THE CADETS THAT HAVE SERVED FOR THEM WITH THEM CURRENTLY, AND THOSE WILL COME AFTER THEM.
A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MAKE CADETS SUCCEED IN LIFE IN A MATTER IF THEY'VE BEEN IN FOR JUST A SINGLE SEMESTER, FOUR YEARS OR DROPPED AFTER ONE SEMESTER.
CADETS FORMER OR CURRENT HAVE GAINED SOMETHING FROM THIS PROGRAM.
NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE DROPPED AFTER YOU'VE BEEN ONE SEMESTER OFTEN DO SO IN ORDER TO TAKE SEPARATE CARE ACADEMIC CLASSES.
IS CURRENTLY THIS YEAR ROAMING OF AF OTC ON DAS, WHICH THIS SITUATION HAS PARTIALLY AFFECTED ME.
I WAS FORCED TO MAKE THIS SACRIFICE OF TAKING AF OTC INSTEAD OF ORCHESTRA AS A CLASS DUE TO THE SCHEDULING TRAGEDY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
A DECISION THAT I CERTAINLY DO NOT REGRET, BUT WISH WAS NOT SO.
NOW, MATTER THE ORIGIN OF THE CADETS OR THE CHALLENGES THEY HAVE, WE ARE A FAMILY, A COMMUNITY.
IN THE CUR ACADEMY, YOU SEE THIS COMMUNITY OF CADETS AS EXAMPLE OF CITIZENS OF AMERICA.
THE VERY SPEECHES MY FELLOW CADETS ARE DOING ARE COINCIDENTALLY PART OF OUR CURRICULUM, ENCOURAGING CADETS TO BE THE VOICES OF AMERICA OR FUTURE LEADERS.
IN MY FIRST SEMESTER IN THE PROGRAM ALONE AS A SOPHOMORE, I LEARNED MANY EXPERIENCES, MISTAKES IN LEADERSHIP LESSONS THAT WERE SO USED TO THIS DAY.
ABOUT 10 YEARS AUTOBILD AND COMMANDER TEACH ME WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO WITH ORGANIZING A TEAM.
I QUICKLY MALTED MYSELF FROM A RESERVE KID WHO SIT ON THE SIDELINES AND IS SOMEONE WHO CAN BE CONFIDENT IN THEMSELVES, THEIR IDEAS AND THEIR SPEAKING.
FOR EXAMPLE, PRESENTING IN FRONT OF A FLIGHT OF 25 OR SO CADETS ON THE STORY OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, JOHN J DUFFY FOR THAT YEAR'S MEDAL OF HONOR PROJECT, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT AS BIG AS THIS CURRENT PRESENTATION HERE.
DURING THIS YEAR ALONE, THE EVENTS AND SKILLS I LOAN WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONALISM FOR A NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY APPLICATION FOR EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS WAS JUST IN A SINGLE SEMESTER AF OTC.
CADETS HAVE LEARNT SKILLS SUCH AS HANDSHAKES, IRONING, PUBLIC SPEAKING, BALANCE OF A UNIFORM, DISCIPLINE, AND SO MUCH MORE.
THERE'S NOT THE SKILLS WE LEARN AND STOW IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS.
WE ACTUALLY USE THESE IN ACTION.
EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE STAFF, MAKING CALLS FOR SICK DAYS, ASKING WHAT ITEMS ARE CREATING INSPECTORS A STRONG HANDSHAKES, AND ACTING AS YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ADULTS DO AND SHOULD DO.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SINCE 2016.
TRADITION, WE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO MATTER WORK THAT IS IN LIFE.
JUST THIS YEAR, WE STARTED A NEW TRADITION CALLED WHAT THE HECK.
NOW, WHEN I SAY, YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING, WELL, WHAT THE HECK IS WHAT THE HECK.
WHERE EVERY DAY WE HAVE CLASS, A CADET WILL BE CHOSEN TO SPEAK FOR THREE TO FIVE MINUTES ON A TOPIC. THEY FIND SHOCKING.
THIS ISN'T LIMITED TO JUST LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS, BUT THING IS A COMPLEX AS INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN POLICY, A TOPIC RARELY IF EVER COVERED BY THE CURRENT SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
THERE NOW CADETS THAT ONCE NEVER EVEN KNEW WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY, LET ALONE OUR COUNTRY.
NOW THEY'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS VERY WILD WORLD AROUND US.
THIS YEAR, WE ALSO STARTED WORK ON A MISTY CADET CORP PODCAST, MS DON AND MIKE, [INAUDIBLE] A POSITION IN WORKING WITH OTHERS AND POD SQUADS TO CREATE AN EPISODE.
NOW, THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WAYS WE TEACH TEAMWORK.
THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE PROGRAM WE CAN PUT A PRICE TAG ON AND CUT IT OFF LIKE CHAFF.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR COMING UP AND SPEAKING AND BEING HERE.
YOU SPOKE WITH PASSION. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE JUNIOR OTC PROGRAM.
YOU GROW MUFFLE TALL BECAUSE THEY HAD.
I REALLY LIKE YOUR HAIR BECAUSE I HAD CURLY HAIR, TOO.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AND WE'LL COME BACK IN FIVE MINUTES.
HEY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD HERE.
WE ARE ON THE CONSENT ACTION ITEM.
[VI. Consent Action Item(s)]
THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS ARE AS THE FOLLOWING.A, BOARD MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 10TH, 2025, DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE], B, FINANCE REPORT, PATTY BLANKENSHIP.
C, SALES TAX FINANCE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.
DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE]. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS.
>> FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? LEN, IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONSENT ACTION ITEM SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY MAY, THE CONSENT ACTION ITEM PASSES.
FUTURE MEETINGS, BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:30 P.M. MARCH 25TH,
[VII. Future Meetings]
2025 ESC BOARDROOM, O&M OPENING PROPOSAL AND DISTRICT RESPONSE, APRIL 2ND OR 10:30 A.M. APRIL 2ND, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.[01:10:02]
TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL AND DISTRICT RESPONSE, 08:30 A.M. APRIL 3RD, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.BOARD FINANCE AND FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING, 03:00 P.M. APRIL 7TH, 2025, ESC BOARD ROOM.
BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00 P.M. APRIL 9TH, 2025, ESC BOARD ROOM.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS 5:15 P.M. APRIL 10TH, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.
I'D BETTER START MARKETING SO I DON'T FORGET ONE.
OKAY. REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 6:00 P.M. APRIL 14TH, 2025, ESC BOARD ROOM.
BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:30 P.M. APRIL 15TH, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.
BOARD FINANCE AND FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING, 03:00 P.M. APRIL 22ND, 2025.
BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING, 12:00 P.M. APRIL 23RD, 2025.
EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM 8:30 A.M. APRIL 26TH, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 6:00 P.M. APRIL 28TH, 2025 ESC BOARD ROOM.
WE NOW HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE].
[VIII.Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Rod Earleywine]
>> THANK YOU. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.
AS EVERYONE KNOWS, WE HAD ANOTHER DAY LAST WEEK WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE SCHOOL DUE TO A WONDERFUL MARCH BLIZZARD.
WE HAVE MISSED SIX SCHOOL DAYS DUE TO WEATHER BEING SNOW, ICE, OR JUST TOO COLD TO HAVE SCHOOL.
WE'VE ALSO HAD THREE LIGHT STARTS.
WE'VE MISSED 40 HOURS OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
WE HAD 18 EXCESS HOURS BUILT IN, SO WE NEED TO MAKE UP 27 HOURS IN INSTRUCTIONAL TIME, WHICH MEANS NOW, I BELIEVE THE LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS WILL BE THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH, WITH THE LAST DAY FOR TEACHERS TO BE FRIDAY, JUNE 6TH.
ONE OTHER THING IS THAT DOCTOR CORDOVA VISITED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIS WEEKEND, AND TODAY, HE JOINED THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR WEEKLY MONDAY MORNING MEETING.
JUST SIT IN, LISTENED AND LEARNED.
AFTER THAT, HE SPENT TIME WITH INDIVIDUALS.
I BELIEVE HE WENT TO HAD LUNCH WITH ANGELA AND BARB.
THEN ANGEL AND I SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WITH HIM AFTER THAT BEFORE HE HEADED BACK TO ST. LOUIS.
JUST WENT OVER A LOT OF THINGS, ANSWERED A LOT OF HIS QUESTIONS THAT HE HAD AND AGAIN, I EXPRESSED TO HIM THAT HE COULD FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO THE CABINET MEMBERS, DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM, MYSELF, AT ANY POINT IN TIME, WE WANT TO MAKE THIS A EASY TRANSITION FOR EVERYBODY.
I'M SURE HE WILL BE BACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO SPEND A DAY OR TWO WITH US.
IT WAS A GOOD DAY, A GOOD LEARNING DAY FOR HIM, AND I THINK HE IS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE, FEELS COMFORTABLE AT EASE WHEN HE WALKS IN THE DOOR.
>> YOU GOT HIM TO COMMIT TO COMING BACK?
>> I BELIEVE SO. IT'S NOT HIM.
IT'S ALWAYS THE WIFE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'VE GOT HIM SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED TO ME BUT I SIGNED AND SEALED.
>> IT WAS A GOOD DAY. IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE DAY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION IF I MAY.
DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE], WITH THE CHANGES TO OUR LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, I GET ASKED QUESTIONS.
IS GRADUATION GOING TO BE ON THE SAME DAY AS IT HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. PER IOWA CODE, THE SENIORS DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE UP THE DAYS, THE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THEY MADE THE LAW AND PASSED THE LAW, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT GRADUATION DATES GET SET, SO THEY DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH THAT.
GRADUATION DAYS WILL BE AS ADVERTISED AND PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. YES.
>> WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS ALL THE SENIORS ARE NOW EMAILING YOU AND GETTING WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD CALL THE SCHOOL.
>> I GET THAT A LOT ANYWAY, [OVERLAPPING].
THE STUDENTS ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT NOT THEMSELVES.
THEY WORRY ABOUT THEIR FELLOW CLASSMATES AND THEIR TEACHERS.
THEY EMAIL ME, AND THEY TELL ME HOW CONCERNED THEY ARE ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, AND THAT I SHOULD CALL SCHOOL FOR THAT REASON, NOT FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.
>> BEFORE WE GO ON, I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE WEST HIGH FAMILY FOR THE LOSS OF BILL LYLE AND JIM MOORE, TWO GREAT INDIVIDUALS WHO I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TEACHING WITH BOTH OF THEM.
YOU TALK ABOUT TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT HAD PASSION FOR EDUCATION, BUT HAD PASSIONS FOR THE WEST HIGH WOLVERINES.
I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCE TO BOTH FAMILIES, AS I SAID,
[01:15:02]
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GETTING ADVICE FROM THEM, ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THEM.BILL WAS AN ATHLETE DIRECTOR WHEN I WAS THE HEAD WRESTLING COACH THERE AS WELL, ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER PEOPLE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I MENTIONED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD WISHES TO EXPRESS THE SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY.
I SAID, TWO GUYS WHO BELIEVE PASSIONATELY IN EDUCATION.
I BELIEVE THEY BOTH TAUGHT I THINK MR. LYLE WAS OVER 40 YEARS, AND I THINK JIM MOORE WAS CLOSE TO 40 YEARS.
IT WAS A GREAT LOSS TO THE WEST WOLVERINES AND THE ESC IN GENERAL.
ITEMS OF PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND REACTION.
[IX.A. Human Resources Report(s) - Barb Caskey]
HUMAN RESOURCES [INAUDIBLE] IS HERE.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HUMAN RESOURCE REPORT?
>> FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DIRECTOR REMO?
>> YES. I NOTICED ON THE REPORT ON THE NEW POSITIONS REPORT.
WE'RE ADDING SOME DISABILITIES COACH, AND ELL COORDINATOR, A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR, A HEAD TAG TEACHER.
I RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE DE IDENTIFICATION.
BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF ADDING, ONLY CLASSROOM STAFF, COULD WE WALK THROUGH WHY WE ADD THESE ADMINISTRATORS, COACHES, AND COORDINATORS? IS THIS BASICALLY DUE TO AEA NOT PROVIDING SERVICES OR WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THESE SERVICES IN LIEU OF AEA SERVICES? I'M CURIOUS WHY WE'RE ADDING WHAT I CALL ADMINISTRATORS.
>> IT IS NO. OKAY. LET ME JUST GO DOWN THE LIST.
THESE WERE PRESENTED AT OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND OUR BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE RATIONALE BEHIND THESE.
THE DISTRICT WIDE HOME SCHOOL I'M SORRY.
LET'S START WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR.
THAT IS A WE DID CUT A SPECIAL EDUCATION COACH.
THEN WITH OUR AEA FUNDS, THE 10%.
THERE'S THE 90% OF SPECIAL AND THE 10% IS TOWARDS ADMINISTRATION.
IT'S TO PICK UP THE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES FROM THE AEA.
WE WILL BE HAVING ABOUT 1/3 OF THE SUPPORT FROM AEA NEXT YEAR AS WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
THE HEAD TAG TEACHER IS A NEW ADDITION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRING.
PRIOR KIM MILL WAS IN THAT POSITION, SHE SERVED AS THE HEAD TAG TEACHER IN HER ROLE.
NOW THAT HAS TO BE A SEPARATE POSITION HELD BY A TEACHER.
THEN THE SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES COACH.
THAT IS WHAT WE CALL OUR FOUNDATIONS.
IT'S A POSITION THAT WE COULD NOT FILL.
WE HAD IT AS JUST A COACH, AND IT WASN'T SPECIFIED ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE OR HIGH, AND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE DIFFERENT.
WE DID HAVE SOME PEOPLE SHOW INTEREST THAT IF THE POSITION WAS SPLIT, SO THIS IS TO ADD A HIGH SCHOOL.
>> ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY BECAUSE WE'VE CUT TWO FULL COACHES.
IT'S A NEW POSITION, IN ESSENCE.
>> WELL, WE HAVE AN ELL COORDINATOR AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE SHEET.
>> ELL COORDINATOR, THAT IS FOR A TEACHER POSITION, A TEACHER LEADER FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL COORDINATOR, WHICH IS THE SAME AS A HEAD TEACHER, AND WE HAVE AN ELEMENTARY.
WE DO NOT HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOL.
>> I'M REMINDING MYSELF THAT WE'RE RUNNING A $4.9 MILLION DEFICIT THIS YEAR AND ADDITIONAL NON TEACHING POSITIONS IS GOING TO BE TOUGH ROLLING INTO NEXT YEAR.
>> I DO ALSO WANT TO STATE THAT THE AEA OVERSAW OUR TITLE 3 FUNDS.
ALSO HAD THE ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT OF OUR TITLE 3.
WE HAVE TAKEN THAT OVER AS WELL.
THAT IS ANOTHER REASON TO HAVE THE COORDINATOR POSITION.
>> ARE WE BASICALLY USING OUR 10% FOR THESE POSITIONS?
>> WE'RE USING ABOUT 3% OF THE 10%.
>> THE TITLE 3, I GOT DIRECTION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT WE WERE ONE OF A COUPLE OF DISTRICTS NOT DOING IT OURSELVES,
[01:20:05]
AND THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT OURSELVES AND NOT THE AEA.>> MAKE SURE I HEARD IT CLEARLY.
WE'RE SPENDING ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT ON THESE POSITIONS, SO WE'RE POCKETING, SIX-TENTHS OF THAT, SO TO SPEAK, OR APPROXIMATELY THAT.
>> MAYBE I MEAN, IT COULD BE UP TO 5%, BUT YES, WITH BENEFITS AND THAT.
WE DON'T FEEL THAT WE NEED THE WHOLE 10% ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T.
>> DIRECTOR GREENWELL, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS WE HAVE A DEC VISIT, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING POSITIONS.
I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THAT QUESTION, BECAUSE I WANT US TO BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING FORWARD GOING IN THE FUTURE AND NOT MAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO IMPEDE WHERE WE'RE AT AT THE MOMENT.
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU, DR. LIN FOR THAT CLARIFICATION OF DIRECTION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BED.
>> WE'VE HAD ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
LINE, IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. MOTION PASSES.
[IX.B. FY26 Budget Final Review of All Funds - Patty Blankenship]
BUDGET, FINAL REVIEW OF ALL FUNDS, PATTY BINGEN SHEP.>> WILL DR. MILLER BE ABLE TO SEE THIS OR. PLEASE DO.
>> THIS IS OUR FINAL REVIEW OF ALL THE FUNDS.
THIS IS ACCUMULATION OF ALL OF THE BUDGETS THAT WE'VE REVIEWED IN PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS.
IF WE LOOK AT PAGE 2, THIS IS THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR '25/'26.
THIS IS WHAT AND YOU CAN SEE IT AT THE VERY BOTTOM WHERE IT HAS THE $12.38 TAX RATE.
AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION, I WANT THE BOARD TO APPROVE THAT THIS NOTICE BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER AND THEN SET A HEARING ON THIS ON THE PUBLICATION FOR APRIL 14TH, WHICH IS THE DATE THAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY PASS THE BUDGET.
THIS IS THE ACTUAL NOTICE THAT WILL BE IN THE NEWSPAPER. THAT'S WHAT IT'LL LOOK LIKE.
THIS IS ALL FUNDS, NOT JUST GENERAL FUND.
THIS PAGE 3 IS ALL OF THE FUNDS.
WE'VE REVIEWED ALL OF THESE BUDGETS IN DETAIL.
THE FIRST COLUMN IS THE GENERAL FUND.
THEN YOU HAVE THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, THE MANAGEMENT FUND, SALES TAX FUND, PEP, DEBT SERVICE, AND SCHOOL NUTRITION FUND.
THOSE ARE ALL THE DISTRICTS FUNDS, AND THEN THIS IS HOW WE SUBMIT THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT.
THE TOTAL ON THIS COLUMN FEEDS INTO THAT PREVIOUS PAGE THAT IS WHAT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER.
THE REST OF THIS PRESENTATION, YOU'VE SEEN ALL OF THE REST OF IT.
PAGE 4 HERE IS THE PROPOSED LEVY RATES.
THESE HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE WE INITIALLY STARTED TALKING ABOUT THEM.
THE RATE IS STILL ABOUT $12.38.
THE SQUARE IN THE BOX AT THE BOTTOM, YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN BETWEEN THE GENERAL FUND, INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT LEVY MANAGEMENT FUND AND PEP.
[01:25:05]
THIS IS THE GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED REVENUES.THIS IS MOSTLY FROM A DRAFT AD AND LEVY.
>> TWO, PERCENT. I'M GOING THROUGH THESE QUICKLY BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THEM ALL BEFORE.
THIS PAGE HERE IS THE BUDGET EDITIONS.
PAGE 8, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THAT, THAT IS THE BUDGET EDITIONS.
ALL OF THOSE WE'VE PRESENTED ON THESE BEFORE AND LIKE THE POSITIONS THAT WERE SHOWING UP ON THAT HR BOARD REPORT, THEY'RE ALL LAID OUT IN HERE AS WELL.
WE CERTIFY THE BUDGET AT THE FUNCTION LEVEL.
THE FIRST FUNCTION IS INSTRUCTION, AND THERE YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL RE ESTIMATED FOR 25, AND THEN THE FY 26 PROPOSED CERTIFIED BUDGET OF 100 AND ALMOST 35 MILLION FOR INSTRUCTION.
THE OTHER LEGAL LEVEL OF CONTROL IS A TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES, AND THEN ALSO THE OTHER EXPENDITURES COLUMN.
THOSE ARE THE THREE LEVELS OF LEGAL CONTROL.
WE CERTIFY THE BUDGET BY THOSE FUNCTIONS, AND EXPENDITURES CAN'T EXCEED THOSE FUNCTION AREAS UNLESS WE AMEND THE BUDGET.
THIS SUMMARIZES THE USING OF RESERVES.
ON THE SPENDING AUTHORITY SIDE, WE'RE USING ABOUT 1.4 MILLION IN RESERVES, AND ON THE FUND BALANCE SIDE OR THE CASH SIDE, WE'RE USING ABOUT 4.9 MILLION OF RESERVES.
YOU CAN SEE ON THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE, AS PATTY SAID WE'RE USING 4.9 MILLION DOLLAR OF RESERVES, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS WE'RE OPERATING AT A LOSS.
REVENUES ARE LOWER THAN EXPENSES IN THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH EMPLOYS MOST OF OUR STAFF AND ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THEY'D GET.
THERE WAS DISCUSSION OR IT'S BEEN IN THE NEWSPAPER RECENTLY THAT WATERLOO IS LETTING GO, 60-70 SOME TEACHERS.
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO OR THREE YEARS AGO, WE STARTED A RESTRUCTURING PROCESS WHERE WE HAD A LOT OF WAILING AND GNASHING OF THE TEETH BECAUSE WE WERE REDUCING THE CONSULTING TEACHER PROGRAM AND PUTTING THOSE FOLKS INTO CLASSROOM.
I JUST CLEARLY WANT TO POINT OUT THAT HAD WE NOT TAKEN THOSE ACTIONS BACK THEN, REASSIGNING PERSONNEL AND DOING SOME OTHER RESTRUCTURING WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE TO ISSUE LAYOFFS.
WE JUST HAD JOB REASSIGNMENTS.
WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME 70 TEACHERS OR PINK SLIPS WE'D BE OFFERING THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE COULDN'T OPERATE WITH A TEACHER IS ABOUT OVER $100,000 WITH BENEFITS.
WE COULDN'T BE OPERATING WITH AN 11 ALMOST $12,000,000 DEFICIT.
THE ACTIONS WHILE PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE HORRIFIC A FEW YEARS AGO, WE AVOIDED PINK SLIPS.
PEOPLE STAYED IN THEIR JOBS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE PINK SLIPS THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE WOULD BE DOING THAT IF WE HAD AN $11,000,000 DEFICIT OR $12,000,000 DEFICIT, THAT'S UNSUSTAINABLE.
QUITE FRANKLY, WE'VE GOT SOME TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD AS WE GO FORWARD, EVEN AFTER FISCAL 26 IS DONE A YEAR FROM NOW, IT'LL PROBABLY BE A TOUGHER DISCUSSION THAN IT IS TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO POINT THAT OUT.
THEN GOING BACK TO THE TAXES, WE HAD A TAX HEARING EARLIER, BUT I WANT TO REPEAT IT FOR FOLKS WHO WEREN'T AT THAT TAX HEARING.
OUR LAB RATE IS FLAT THIS YEAR, EFFECTIVELY FLAT.
OUR TAXABLE VALUATIONS ARE DOWN ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENT.
OUR TOTAL TAX ASKING FOR CITIZENS IN THIS BUDGET, GOING FOR FISCAL 26 IS ACTUALLY ABOUT A LITTLE BIT OVER $200,000 LOWER THEN WE TAXED CITIZENS LAST YEAR.
WE ARE TAXING CITIZENS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LESS THAN WE TAXED THEM LAST YEAR.
OVER THE LAST FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE HAD AN AVERAGE TAX ASKING.
IN OTHER WORDS, TAXES COLLECTED OR CHARGED TO CITIZENS OF A HALF A PERCENT A YEAR.
NOT 6% A YEAR, NOT 5% A YEAR, LIKE CITY AND COUNTY.
SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS CHARGED A HALF A PERCENT INCREASE IN ACTUAL TAXES TO CITIZENS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
I THINK FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S A FAIR STATEMENT WHEN WE'VE SAID THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN FRIENDLY TO TAXPAYERS OVER THE LAST NUMEROUS YEARS, INCLUDING THIS YEAR, WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY DECREASING TAXES.
YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE RECORD RESERVES OF THE DISTRICT.
THIS DISTRICTS IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE.
WE'VE GOT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY, AND THIS IS THE LARGEST BUDGET DEFICIT.
[01:30:03]
I THINK WE'VE HAD IN NUMEROUS YEARS, BUT SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP A SHARP EYE ON.HAD WE NOT HAD THESE RESERVES IN THIS BUDGET, FOR THIS YEAR, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO CUT STAFF, BUT WE HAVE SUFFICIENT RESERVES THAT I CAN SAY WE DO A GENTLE GLIDE SLOPE DOWN VERSUS A AX AND WHACKING FOLKS.
THOSE RESERVES A ALLOW US TO TAKE A VERY CAUTIOUS, VERY GENTLE GLIDE SLOPE DOWN TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
THAT'S MY $0.02 WORTH ON THIS BUDGET AND OUR TAX LEVY FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> THE REST OF THE PAGES IN THIS PRESENTATION ARE, THE STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND, THE MANAGEMENT FUND.
WE'VE SEEN THAT ALL OF THAT DETAIL, SO AND I HAVEN'T MADE ANY CHANGES TO IT FROM PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS.
UNLESS ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACKNOWLEDGE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED RELATED TO THE FY 26 BUDGET FOR ALL FUNDS, AND ALSO THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALLOWS FOR PUBLICATION OF THE DISTRICT'S FY 26 BUDGET AND SETS A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR APRIL 14TH, 2025.
>> TREYLA THANK YOU. JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, PATTY, AS I WAS READING THROUGH THIS BEFORE THE MEETING.
I WAS LOOKING AT THE SALES TAX FUND EXPENDITURES, AND I DON'T REMEMBER IT'S PAGE 18 OF 22 ON THE REPORT.
I WAS WONDERING, WE HAVE A INCREASE FROM A 14 MILLION NUMBER 14,000,005 - 24752 AND WHAT'S CALLED DEBT SERVICE.
WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH AND I ASSUME THIS HAS TO DO WITH WHEN WE THAT BONDS THAT WERE GOING TO BE PAID FOR BY THE PENNY SALES TAX THAT WERE THEY LOCKED IN AT ONE RATE, AND NOW WE SUDDENLY HAVE HIGHER RATES FOR THOSE IT'S JUST THE MATURITY SCHEDULE ON WHEN THOSE BONDS ARE DUE.
>> IN 2026, ONE OF THOSE BONDS, THEY'RE NOT ALL EVEN.
THE PAYMENTS AREN'T ALL EVEN EVERY YEAR, SO WE HAVE A LARGE BOND PAYMENT DUE IN 2026.
IT'S JUST A SPECIFIC EVENT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR 26.
>> IF YOU CAN ALSO GO LOOK AT ON THE DEBT SERVICE, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS.
THE PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS IN 25 ARE 11.2, AND IN 26 OR 20.4.
THERE'S A LARGE PRINCIPAL PAYMENT, THE NATURAL MATURITY SCHEDULE OF THE BONDS DUE IN 26.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, BOARD? ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET INFORMATION PRESENTED FOR ALL FUNDS.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO ALLOW FOR PUBLICATION OF THE DISTRICT'S FY 26 BUDGET, AND YOU SET A HEARING DATE FOR APRIL 14TH, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME AT THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER AT 6:20 74 STREET, SIOUX CITY, IOWA 51101.
>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
MAYBE [INAUDIBLE] THAT SINCE YOU VISITED WITH THE LEGISLATORS LAST WEEK, LAST SATURDAY, ANY INDICATION OF WHERE THE STATES GOING TO END UP ON SSA?
>> WELL, WE HAD A SESSION OVER AT THE CHAMBER THAT WE TYPICALLY HAVE AS WELL, AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> WE HAD A COUPLE OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND SENATORS WERE THERE, AND OF COURSE, I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE ONES THAT RECALCITRANT ON UNDERSTANDING HOW MUCH IT COST TO EDUCATE STUDENTS.
I WAS ASKING, WHY THIS RIGIDITY THAT THE HOUSE IS ACTUALLY PROPOSING LESS AT 2.25 AND THERE'S STANDING ON THAT TOO? HE WAS TALKING.
HE SAID THERE WERE ACTUALLY STATE SENATORS WHO THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE ZERO.
I THOUGHT, I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHO THOSE FOLKS ARE.
I POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT HE'S ON THE POLICY SIDE, THAT MAYBE WHEN THE STATE IS ASKING US TO DO THINGS LIKE TESTING OF OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY AND THOSE THINGS, WHICH GRANTED, WE USE THOSE SAME TEST RESULTS IN THE WORK THAT WE DO.
BUT MAYBE THEY SHOULD TAKE OVER PAYMENT OF THOSE WITHOUT CHARGING US BACK.
I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WE'RE SITTING HERE AND IF YOU WERE READING THE NEWS ABOUT GARBAGE AND THE NEW GILL HAULING PRICES
[01:35:01]
THAT WILL COME INTO EFFECT LATER THIS YEAR AND YOU RUN THE NUMBERS ON IT.IT'S ON THE HIGH 4% OR COULD BE AS MUCH AS 5%.
I SAID, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE TRASH? WE HAVE A 5% INCREASE IN JUST MOVING SOLID WASTE AND THE LIKE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO, AND I SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TELL THEIR VENDORS WHO COME AND DO TESTING AND DO OTHER THINGS HERE, THAT THEY SHOULDN'T ACCEPT A BILL FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN MAYBE ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT INCREASE.
IT WAS HIGHLIGHTING THE POINT THAT THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE WITH THE INFLATION THAT WE HAVE AND WE'RE TRYING TO BRING IN UNDER CONTROL, AND I UNDERSTAND THE VOICES OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO SAY, WE WANT TO GET TO 2%, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT A TWO NUMBER.
I SAYS, YES, BUT WHO IS THEN GOING TO PULL OUT THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE BEING INCREASED AT THIS HIGHER LEVEL? [OVERLAPPING] THE SHARE YOU SAY IT'S UP IN THE AIR, BUT I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THIS INABILITY TO MAKE A SENSIBLE DECISION ON THE SSA AND OTHER FUNDING.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID TALK ABOUT, AND EVERYBODY FULLY ACKNOWLEDGES IT WAS THE FACT THAT BY STATUTE, WE HAVE TO GIVE THE LOWER OF 3% OR CPI.
RIGHT NOW, THE LOWER IS 2.6% INCREASE IN SALARIES AND WAGES.
WE'RE OBLIGED BY LAW TO INCREASE 2.6%, AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE ARGUING ABOUT TWO OR TWO-AND-A-QUARTER PERCENT.
NATURALLY, THERE'S A GAP THAT WE HAVE TO FILL BETWEEN THAT.
THE STATE SAYS BY LAW, YOU HAVE TO DO A MINIMUM OF 2.6, BUT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE AT SSA AT TWO TO TWO-AND-A-QUARTER HAGGLING OVER THAT.
NATURALLY, THERE'S ALMOST A HALF A PERCENT OR SIX-TENTHS OF A PERCENT GAP IN THAT.
THAT'S QUITE FRANKLY, WILL BE BORN BY TAXPAYERS.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO.
WELL, IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE?
FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT RESOLUTION, PATTY BLANKENSHIP.
[IX.C. FY26 Budget Adjustment Resolution - Patty Blankenship]
BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE MOTION TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION? RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD DIRECTORS OF THE SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL LEVY PROPERTY TAX FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, 2026 FOR THE REGULAR PROGRAM BUDGET ADJUSTMENT AS ALLOWED UNDER SECTION 257.14 OF THE IOWA CODE.>> WE HAVE FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> THIS IS JUST A STANDARD BUDGET ITEM EVERY YEAR.
>> LYN, IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSE SAY NAY? MOTION PASSES.
I'M GOING TO BUTCHER THIS NAME.
[IX.D. Eocene Asbestos Training - Tim Paul]
[INAUDIBLE] GOOD ENOUGH.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] WHATEVER.
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP FOR ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR, SUPERVISOR REFRESHER TRAININGS FOR DISTRICT STAFF IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,600.
>> WE HAVE A FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS ANY DISCUSSION?
>> IS THIS AN ANNUAL TRAINING?
>> IT'S CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR OUR STAFF THAT DO MINOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL.
THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE SEEING IT IS BECAUSE IT'S AN AGREEMENT THIS YEAR WITH THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE NEED TO FOR PRESIDENT TO SIGN.
>> YEAH. THEY GET CEU. THEY ALL HAVE LICENSES THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE IN EDUCATION FOR.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BOARD? ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> NO. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE?
>> WAS THAT A NO OR WAS THAT A YES?
>> IF YOU JUST SAY ANYBODY OPPOSED, SAY NO.
>> BOARD MEMBERS WHAT WAS YOUR VOTE AGAIN?
>> OH, HE MOVED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A NO.
[01:40:04]
IT WAS A YES.HE JUST CONFIRMED ON THE PHONE.
YOU CAN PROBABLY HEAR US BETTER THAN WE CAN HEAR YOU, DIRECT OR MILLER, SO BEAR WITH US HERE.
THAT WAS ALL THOSE OPPOSED, THERE WAS NONE.
[IX.E. FY26 Natural Gas Contract - Tim Paul]
FY '26 NATURAL GAS CONTRACT, TIM PAUL.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR A 28E AGREEMENT AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE IOWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT RISK POOL COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR '26 NATURAL GAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $575,535.37.
>> WE HAVE A FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION.
>> JUST ONE QUESTION, PAUL, I ASSUME THIS GIVES US A FAVORABLE RATE ON THE GAS BECAUSE THERE'S A BIGGER POOL?
>> YES, IT DOES. IT IS. YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. IT JUST REFLECTS THE GAS STRIP FORWARD STRIP.
>> LYN IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
>> WE CAN BARELY HEAR HIS RESPONSES.
>> I'VE TOLD HIM TO ADJUST OR SELECT ONE OF THE SERVERS
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE HIM JUST RESPOND ON TEXT FOR CLARIFICATION.
WE'RE DONE WITH THAT, WE'RE DONE WITH THAT, WE'RE DONE WITH IT.
HERE'S ONE. I THINK PROBABLY THE LAST REMAINING BIG GROUP IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT, MAYBE.
NORTH HIGH WEST HIGH POOL UPGRADES.
[IX.F. North and West High Pool Upgrades - Tim Paul]
TIM PAUL, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PLAN SPECIFICATION ESTIMATED COST, INCLUDING DESIGN FEES PROVIDED BY JEO CONSULTING GROUP FOR $586,490 FOR THE NORTH AND WEST HIGH POOL UPGRADES, AND TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:00 PM LOCAL TIME AT THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER, 627 FOURTH STREET, SIOUX CITY, IOWA ON THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE REVIEWED AT THE PURCHASING MANAGER'S OFFICE AT THE SAME ADDRESS. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> WE HAVE A FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT $250,000 OF THIS IS MONEY THAT WAS DONATED TO THE DISTRICT THROUGH AN AGREEMENT THAT THAT GROUP WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO NORTH HIGH POOL.
SO 250,000 OF THAT COMES FROM THAT GROUP.
APPROPRIATE ANOTHER 250,000 TO COVER THE ANNUAL COST OF THE MAINTENANCE, ELECTRICITY, THE CHEMICALS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POOL.
A BIG CHUNK OF THAT MONEY IS FOR THE NORTH HIGH, HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.
>> MR. CHRIS HOKE IS IN THE AUDIENCE.
HE'S THE ONE THAT LED THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT.
AGAIN, MR. HOKE, IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU, IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE GOT DONE, SO THANK YOU.
>> BOARD MEMBER, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? LYN, ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY? OH, THAT'S WHERE HE CAME THROUGH.
YOU MEET TOO. USUALLY THERE'S A WAY.
MOTION PASSES. FISCAL YEAR '26 E-RATE,
[IX.G. FY26 E-Rate (Category 1) - Chad Fengel]
CATEGORY 1, CHAD FENGEL.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUBMISSION OF FORM 471 FROM E-RATE TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR INTERNET AND ONE, CONNECTIVITY.
CATEGORY 1 FOR THE TOTAL OF 258,000, OF WHICH $206,400 TO BE COVERED BY E-RATE, 51,600 TO BE COVERED BY OUR GENERAL FUND. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DIRECTOR RUMER
[01:45:02]
>> AS I WAS READING THROUGH THE FCC REGULATION ON THIS, THERE'S AN INDICATION THAT WE HAVE TO MEET TWO OTHER CRITERIA IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS E-RATE, I'M JUST CURIOUS, AND THOSE TWO CRITERIA ARE THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE MONITORING, AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO OUR STUDENTS, CERTIFY THAT WE'VE DONE THAT IN ORDER TO GET THIS AND THE QUESTION IS, HAVE WE COMPLETED THAT AS WELL OR ARE WE IN PROCESS OF COMPLETING THAT? I DON'T READ FCC BULLETINS FOR JUST FUN, BUT THAT'S PART OF MY BUSINESS.
THAT'S WHY I STUMBLED ACROSS IT.
>> SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT THAT'S CURIOUS.
THERE'S TWO OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO MEET.
>> YES. WE MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
>> YES. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS FOR THE LAST, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS.
THIS IS ACTUALLY BE THE FOURTH YEAR ON THIS BID, AND WE'VE QUALIFIED EVERY YEAR AT THIS POINT.
>> WHO'S TEACHING THOSE KIDS? DO WE KNOW? NOT THAT I WANT TO GET IN THE WEEDS.
>> THE DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP IS DONE BY THE TEACHER LIBRARIANS, CORRECT?
>> YES. OUR TEACHER LIBRARIANS AND ACCOMMODATION OF TEACHERS.
>> I JUST ASKED YOU TO CHECK ON THAT, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.
>> CLASSROOM TEACHERS? THAT'S REQUIRED BY ALL THE DISTRICTS THAT RECEIVE THE E-RATES [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU. WE'VE HAD OUR FIRST SEGMENT, WE'VE HAD OUR DISCUSSION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE?
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSE, SAY NAY? THE MOTION PASSES.
>> DIRECTOR MILLER IS COMING IN LOUD AND CLEAR NOW.
CONTRACT FOR BOARD APPROVAL, JIM JARED MOSER.
[IX.H. Contracts for Board Approval - Jim Vanderloo/ Jarod Mozer]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE OR EXECUTE THE CONTRACTS TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING AND ACTIVITIES?>> WE HAVE A FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? LYN, ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> YES. BEN HUNNEL AND VANCE DUDLEY.
>> THEY HAVE THREE MINUTES. WHEN THEY START? NOW, BEN. ARE YOU BOTH REGISTERED?
>> YES, I'VE GOT THERE FOR YOU.
>> THIS IS MY FIRST TIME. WHEN HE GETS THREE, THEN EARLIER YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS, MR. HUNNEL.
>> MY NAME IS BEN HUNNEL. MY ADDRESS IS 2312 DOUGLAS STREET.
I AM AN ENGLISH TEACHER AT WEST HIGH SCHOOL, AND ALSO THE E-SPORTS CLUB SPONSOR.
JUST TO CLARIFY WHAT E-SPORTS ACTUALLY IS.
I KNOW THERE'S QUITE A STIGMA AROUND VIDEO GAMES AND EDUCATION, AND USUALLY THE VIDEO GAMES ARE THE DESSERT, AND THE EDUCATION IS THE VEGETABLES.
BUT WHEN YOU MAKE IT A SPORT, IT REALLY DOES BECOME A SPORT, AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN PUT UP AND PROPOSED BY THE UNION AS A COACHING POSITION.
I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT BUDGET, AND THINGS ARE REALLY TIGHT.
BUT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT HOW LOW COST E-SPORTS ACTUALLY IS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER SPORTS.
FIRST OF ALL, NORTH HIGH AND WEST HIGH BOTH HAD HUGE DONATIONS RECENTLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FROM INTEL THAT GAVE US EACH SEVEN DIFFERENT PCS INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL LAST ABOUT FIVE TO POTENTIALLY 10 YEARS.
THERE IS NO TRAVEL INVOLVED WHATSOEVER UNLESS THERE'S A HUGE TOURNAMENT THAT MIGHT HAPPEN, BUT THE COST IS VERY LOW IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING E-SPORTS.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF ACTUAL WHEN WE THINK OF VIDEO GAMES, SOMETIMES WE THINK ABOUT HOW THEY WASTE TIME, BUT REALLY THERE IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DISCIPLINE, COMMITMENT, AND TEAMWORK AT THE SAME LEVEL AS OTHER SPORTS.
THEN FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THERE IS AN ACTUAL POTENTIAL WITH E-SPORTS TO GENERATE REVENUE, JUST LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SPORTS THROUGH STREAMING.
I KNOW IT'D BE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN HAVING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COME AND BUY TICKETS, BUT THEY WOULD BE MOST LIKELY BUYING TICKETS TO WATCH OUR E-SPORTS ATHLETES COMPETE EITHER AGAINST EACH OTHER HERE JUST IN THE DISTRICT OR THROUGHOUT THE STATE OR EVEN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT VANCE IS GOING TO TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT, SO I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE YOU TO VANCE DUDLEY.
[01:50:04]
WE MAY NEED YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
>> I'M VANCE DUDLEY. I LIVE AT 2001 GEORGE STREET.
I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SPORTS.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, IT'S CURRENTLY THE FASTEST-GROWING SPORT IN THE US.
IN IOWA OURSELVES, WE ARE THE FIFTH LARGEST IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF SCHOLARSHIP DENSITY PER 100,000, I BELIEVE.
IN SO MANY DISTRICTS IN OUR DATA, WE HAVE ADAPTED AND HIRED COACHES, PAID POSITIONS FOR, COACHES, SOME OF WHICH BEING SLOAN, MOVILL, DE MOINE, WATERLOO, SHELDON, DAVENPORT, SO MUCH MORE.
WE HAVE THESE THINGS COMING UP, AND SIOUX CITY BEING ON THE BIGGER SIDE SHOULD ALSO COME INTO [INAUDIBLE] HIRING POSITION FOR IT.
LIKE TUNNEL SAID, THERE'S NOT THAT AS MUCH PHYSICAL ASPECT, BUT THERE IS THAT TEAMWORK, AND SPORTSMANSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT BUILD AND DEVELOP WITH THIS.
WITH THE PAID POSITION, IT WILL HELP THAT DISCIPLINE SCHEDULE, THAT RIGOROUS DISCIPLINE.
WITH THESE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, SOME OF THE STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE HAVE TALENTS THAT MAY NOT BE AS ORTHODOX AS PHYSICALLY FOOTBALL.
BUT I BELIEVE IT'S PART OF THE DISTRICT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER HONE THEIR ABILITY TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHOOLS.
IT'S ALSO WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE THREE BIG COLLEGES WE HAVE HERE IN THE CITY ALL HAVE BIG SPORTS TEAMS. [INAUDIBLE]. THE MORNING SIDE MUSTANGS AT MORNING SIDE AND THE BRIERCLIFF CHARGERS AT [INAUDIBLE]
>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
SO WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT DURING THE BREAK.
WHAT'S THE AVERAGE? HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE USUALLY ON THE TEAM? ARE YOU LIMITED BY NUMBERS?
>> SO THE WAY THAT THIS WORKS, I LOOKED AT [INAUDIBLE] SPECIFICALLY,.
THE WAY THAT IT WOULD WORK IS FOR EACH RESPECTIVE GAME IN A SENSE, THERE WOULD BE MEMBERS FOR THAT PARTICULAR ONE [INAUDIBLE].
BUT DEPENDING ON HOW GAMES ARE, PLAYING ONE SEASON OR FOR PLAYING MULTIPLE SEASONS, IT WOULD DIFFER BETWEEN THAT.
>> THERE IS AN E SPORTS ASSOCIATION IN IOWA THAT COORDINATES ALL THIS.
AND THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF GAMES EACH SEASON.
SO EACH GAME WOULD HOST PROBABLY USUALLY ABOUT FIVE PLAYERS AT ONCE WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY PLAYING, BUT THEN, LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'D BE SOME ALTERNATES.
SO IT'D BE ABOUT SEVEN PER GAME.
SO I WOULD SAY AT MAX, THERE'D BE ABOUT 15 POTENTIAL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN EACH SEASON.
>> IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A COACHING CERTIFICATE FOR?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I WOULD ASSUME.
>> I'M ACTUALLY NOT SURE. I WOULD GUESS THAT POTENTIALLY, YES, IF IT BECOMES SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE ASSOCIATION WOULD PROBABLY AWARD THAT CERTIFICATE.
I MET WITH THEM ONE TIME, I WENT OUT TO MORNING SIDE AND MET WITH THEIR E SPORTS TEAM, AND THE ASSOCIATION CAME OUT THERE AND MET WITH SOME OTHER HIGH SCHOOL CLUB SPONSORS LIKE MYSELF.
AND SO IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF THAT THEY'RE THE ONES WHO WOULD CREATE THAT CERTIFICATION.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S AN ACTUAL ENDORSEMENT NEEDED BECAUSE, YOU CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT, IT WOULD BE A SPONSOR.
SPONSORS DON'T NEED COACHING ENDORSEMENTS.
LIKE A CHEER-LEADING SPONSOR, FOR EXAMPLE.
>> SO IN ESSENCE, IT'S STILL NOT A SANCTIONED SPORT IN IOWA, OR IS IT? [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S NOT SANCTIONED THROUGH THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, OR THE BOYS OR THE GIRLS. I KNOW THAT.
I BELIEVE IT IS SANCTIONED BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF SUPERINTENDENTS THAT TALK ABOUT LIKE OCH SMALLER DISTRICT, BUT THEY'RE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN E SPORTS, AND HAVE LOTS OF THEIR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN E SPORTS.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE STATE COMPETITIONS, AND IT'S GREAT FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.
SO ULTIMATELY, IT WOULD BE A NEGOTIATING DECISION ON WHETHER THE DISTRICT SUPPORTS IT THROUGH DOLLARS AND PAYING
[01:55:04]
A COACH SLICE SPONSOR FOR THEIR TIME EFFORT AND ENERGY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.>> MR. HUNT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING THE BOARD BECAUSE I KNOW YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION FOR TWO YEARS.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND TALKING WITH US.
>> YOU'RE MOST WELCOME. AND I KNOW THAT YOU RECEIVED A GRANT OR SOMETHING, AND YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOUR STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO, SO I KNOW THAT IT'S GROWING AT WEST HIGH.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED NORTH.
I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE INDIVIDUALS AT NORTH THAT WERE INVOLVED IN IT, BUT I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME TALKING TO YOU.
I THANK VANCE FOR COMING OUT AND SHARING HIS EXPERIENCES.
AND I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT THOSE THREE COLLEGES THAT YOU MENTIONED, I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT OFFERING SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS AND I KNOW THAT IT IS GROWING VASTLY AT WESTERN IOWA TECH IN ADDITION TO THE TWO OTHER COLLEGES THAT WE HAVE HERE.
SO THAT WAS GREAT RESEARCH THAT YOU'VE DONE.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A SPONSOR.
YOU WOULD BE A SPONSOR, RIGHT?
>> I WOULD BE. I'VE BEEN JOKING WITH VANCE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD WANT TO DO THE WHOLE COACHING THING.
BUT I PROBABLY WOULD IF NOBODY ELSE WOULD.
>> I THINK YOU JUST SIGNED UP, LIKE IN CHURCH WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER, IT'S YOUR JOB.
>> YEAH. MOST LIKELY, ROGER MICHAELSON.
>> I'M BEING A LITTLE OPPORTUNISTIC HERE, BUT IF ANYBODY IS WONDERING IF OUR STAFF AND OUR TEACHERS ARE DOING THEIR JOBS, ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS LISTEN TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SPOKE TONIGHT AT EVERY LEVEL.
IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE AS ARE YOU YOUNG MAN. THANK YOU.
DID THEY START PING PONG? YEAH, THAT WAS ALL I WAS GOOD AT.
>> IT WAS EVER COMPETITIVE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> GEORGE ROUKI. I AM INTERESTED.
I HEARD YOU COMPARE PART OF THE TEAMWORK TO THIS IS THE VEGETABLES AND THE GAMING IS THE DESSERT.
WHAT'S THE NATURE OF THE GAME THAT GETS PLAYED AS A COMPETITION?
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.
>> IN THIS CONTEXT, WE SEE SO MANY ADVERTISEMENTS WHERE IT'S LIKE COMBAT TO THE DEATH OR IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TRAINING YOU TO GET A GUN AND WHEN YOU'RE FRUSTRATED, USE IT.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE GAMES IN THE SPORT?
>> THAT IS ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.
SOME OF THE GAMES, USUALLY THE GAMES THAT ARE E SPORTS, LIKE SANCTION GAMES ARE THE LESS VIOLENT GAMES.
CERTAINLY, THERE IS THAT ELEMENT OF VIOLENCE THAT CAN COME INTO SOME OF THEM.
AND I WOULD SAY NO DIFFERENT THAN A FOOTBALL GAME.
THE VIOLENCE IS THERE, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THE MAIN POINT NECESSARILY.
THINK OF IT MORE LIKE KING OF THE HILL.
A LOT OF GAMES ARE LIKE THAT WHERE YOU'RE DEFENDING SOMETHING.
AND SO THE ONES THAT YOU MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT THAT CAN BE MORE VIOLENT, I WOULD SAY, WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE AT A SCHOOL LEVEL, WOULDN'T BE.
SOME OF THEM ALSO ARE SPORTS BASED.
FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S ONE CALLED ROCKET LEAGUE WHERE ESSENTIALLY LIKE SOCCER, BUT YOU'RE DRIVING AROUND CARS INSTEAD OF PLAYERS.
SO I KNOW THAT SOME OF THIS CAN SOUND PRETTY SILLY.
BUT THOSE ARE PLAYED AT LIKE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL AND ARE PRETTY WELL ACCEPTED THERE.
SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLENCE BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE THE SAME CONCERN IF IT WAS THESE HYPER VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES, BUT THE ONES THAT ARE APPROVED FOR E SPORTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN VETTED, AND AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL WOULD BE PROBABLY MORE LIKE APG 13 RATING IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> WELL, A LOT OF TECHNICAL ACRONYMS, BUT I APPRECIATE WHEN YOU SAY VIOLENCE, IT'S A BIG WORD AND MEANS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, AND IF IT'S TACKLING, AND WRESTLING, AND THINGS LIKE THAT IS ONE THING.
IF IT'S GET A WEAPON, AND GET FRUSTRATED, AND USE IT ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO, THAT'S BEEN A DISEASE IN THIS COUNTRY NOW FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
I WOULD NOT SUPPORT A PROGRAM THAT USED ANY OF THOSE GAMING REGIMENS.
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. AND I THINK THE KEY WORD THAT I HEARD THERE WAS FRUSTRATION.
AND THAT'S USUALLY THE OPPOSITE.
USUALLY, IT IS A GROUP OF TEENAGERS WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE A GOAL, AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY INVOLVE DESTROYING THE OTHER TEAM.
[02:00:04]
MOST OF THE TIME, IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING OR DEFENDING SOMETHING, AND THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE COMPETITION THERE.BUT ULTIMATELY, THE FRUSTRATION ISN'T THERE IN THAT.
>> AND IT'S NOT THE COMPETITION THAT BOTHERS ME.
IT'S TO GET THE GUN PART THAT SEEMS TO BE SUCH A FEATURE OF SO MANY GAMES OUT THERE IN THE INTERNET.
>> A LOT OF THE GAMES THAT ARE PLAYED THROUGH E SPORTS HAVE MORE LIKE MAGIC AND THESE MORE FANTASTICAL QUALITIES TO THEM RATHER THAN ACTUAL REAL LIFE GUNS.
>> SO MR. HINO, WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE?
>> SO THE E SPORTS, I WOULD SAY, A LOT OF THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE COMES WITH THE SOCIAL ASPECT, AND THE TEAMWORK ASPECT, AND THE COORDINATION, THE STRATEGY THAT COMES INTO THAT.
I WOULDN'T SAY THERE IS A LOT OF READING INVOLVED IN THESE TYPES OF E SPORTS GAMES, EVEN THOUGH I AM AN ENGLISH TEACHER.
BUT I DO FIND THAT IT DOES REQUIRE A LOT OF RESEARCH IN ORDER TO GET GOOD AT THESE GAMES.
IT DOES REQUIRE A LEVEL OF READING THAT CAN HAPPEN OFF AS LIKE THE PRACTICE LEVEL.
SO THE EDUCATION COMES AGAIN THROUGH THE TEAMWORK, THROUGH THE COORDINATION, AND THROUGH READING AND RESEARCH THAT WOULD BE THE SAME LEVEL OF PROBABLY READING AND RESEARCH THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN OTHER SPORTS.
>> AND THAT'S ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY E SPORTS TEAMS THAT WILL CODE THEIR OWN GAMES, BUT THAT COULD DEFINITELY BE A SUPPLEMENTAL PRACTICE.
THE MORE A PERSON UNDERSTANDS ON HOW TO CODE A VIDEO GAME AND CREATE ONE, THE BETTER THEY WILL BE AT PLAYING IT.
SO I COULD CERTAINLY SEE THAT AS LIKE A PRACTICE REGIMEN, AND SOMETHING THAT COULD BE FOLDED IN WITH SOME OF THE CODING CLASSES THAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE AT THE CAREER ACADEMY.
>> WELL, I COME FROM A GENERATION THAT REALLY ENJOYED OREGON TRAIL.
SO THIS IS A WHOLE NEW VENUE, I SHOULD SAY.
>> OREGON TRAIL IS STILL A BIG ONE.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S STILL A BIG GAME IN THESE SCHOOLS.
>> I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE MR. MCKEY IN AN E SPORTS ACTIVITY.
>> YEAH, IF YOU GUYS WANT, NEXT SPORT MEETING, I COULD BRING THE [OVERLAPPING]. WE COULD HAVE SOME FUN.
>> MCKEY VERSUS LEE. E SPORTS.
>> YEAH, MAYBE IF THERE'S A MATCH.
>> REALLY TOUGH DECISION. YOU GUYS LET ME KNOW.
WE'LL SETTLE IT THROUGH STREET FIGHT OR SOMETHING.
>> NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS, I DO APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP, AND TALKING ABOUT IT, AND THE PASSION EVENTS IN WHICH HOW YOU REALLY WANT TO TAKE THE REINS AND REALLY WANT IT TO GO, AND SOMETIMES WE DO LOSE OUR MATURITY LEVEL UP HERE ALONG WITH ME ALL THE TIME.
I THINK WE'D LIKE TO BE YOUNG ONE MORE TIME.
SO I DO APPRECIATE BEN COMING AND I KNOW WE HAVE KNOWN YOU SINCE, WELL, WEREN'T MUCH TALLER.
YEAH, SINCE A LITTLE GUY, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED.
AND THANK YOU, VANCE FOR COMING.
>> THAT WAS OUR CITIZEN INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
>> MOTION PASSES. AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT WAS JUST ON THE CONTRACT.
>> YEAH, WE STILL HAVE STUFF ON THE AGREEMENT.
FACILITY RENTAL AGREEMENT, JIM B AND JARED MOTION.
[IX.I. Facility Rental Agreement - Jim Vanderloo/ Jarod Mozer]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE FACILITY RENTAL CONTRACT?>> WE FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSION? J.
>> DATES WRONG. IT SHOULD SAY MAY 2ND INSTEAD OF APRIL 29TH.
ON THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, THE CONTRACT ITSELF IS CORRECT.
>> AND I DID CORRECT IT ON THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TONIGHT WITH DAN MOORE.
I ASSUME THERE'S NO DISCUSSION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> WE FINALLY GOT TO THE END, GUYS.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT.
>> I BETTER SAY AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.
[02:05:02]
MOTION PASSES.MANDATE. I LOSE CONTROL OF THAT ONE RIGHT THERE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.