[00:00:03]
>> GOOD EVENING. IT'S AUGUST 11, 2025 AT 6:02.
[I. Call to Order]
I NOW CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER.PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE.
SEANIECE, 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.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVITE INDIVIDUALS OR DELEGATION TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK ON ANY ISSUE RELATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONS 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.
SEANIECE, DO YOU HAVE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
[VI. Consent Action Item(s)]
>> WE ARE ON CONSENT ACTION ITEMS. THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS ARE THE FOLLOWING; BOARD MEETING MINUTES FROM JULY 24TH, 2025, DR. JUAN CORDOVA, THE FINANCE REPORT PATTY BLANKENSHIP.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS?
>> WE HAVE A FIRST AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> FINANCE REPORT, WE HAVE VERY THOROUGH ACTUAL REVIEW [INAUDIBLE] $5.6 MILLION [INAUDIBLE] CASH BALANCES.
[INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GETTING THE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE.
>> ANY OTHER BOARD DISCUSSION? SEANIECE, YOU SEE ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS ARE APPROVED.
FUTURE MEETINGS, BOARD FINANCE AND FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETINGS 3:00 P.M. AUGUST 18, 2025,
[VII. Future Meetings]
AUGUST 18, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM, BOARD POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:30 P.M. AUGUST 19, 2025, ESC BOARDROOM.BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00 P.M. AUGUST 20, 2025, ESC BOARDROOM.
BOARD WORK SESSION REGARDING SUPERINTENDENTS PRIORITIES AND GOAL SETTING 4:30, AUGUST 25, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM.
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 06:00 P.M. AUGUST 25, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM.
BOARD FINANCE AND FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING 3:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM.
BOARD STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM.
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, 06:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2025 ESC BOARDROOM.
[VIII.Superintendent's Report - Dr. Juan Córdova]
TIME NOW, ITEM 8, SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT, DR. JUAN CORDOVA.>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, GROUP OF ADMINISTRATORS ATTENDED THE SAI CONFERENCE LAST WEEK.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR RUNNING [INAUDIBLE] REALLY STRONG SESSION ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF FINANCE.
>> DR. JUAN, COULD YOU SPEAK INTO THE MIC. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? EVERYONE GOOD? I'M GOING TO SLOW DOWN.
GROUP OF ADMINISTRATORS ATTENDED THE SAI CONFERENCE LAST WEEK.
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING.
I PERSONALLY FOCUSED ON FINANCE AND WENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF SESSIONS,
[00:05:04]
INCLUDING A ONE-ON-ONE SESSION WITH ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE GROUP, MEANING NOT OUR GROUP, BUT THE STATE.AN ALL ADMIN RETREAT WAS HELD TODAY.
GREAT INFORMATION WAS SHARED BY ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
A SESSION ON ELL AND SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS GENERATED A GREAT DEAL OF CONVERSATION IN WHICH WE CLARIFIED AND MADE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHAT THE PROTOCOLS WERE WITH REGARDS TO ACCOMMODATIONS IN CLASSROOMS AND PAPERWORK AND SO FORTH THAT WAS REQUIRED.
CONCURRENTLY TO THE PREVIOUS EVENT, WE HELD A NEW TEACHER-MENTOR EVENT.
SO ONE PLACE WE HAD ONE AND ANOTHER PLACE WE HAD ANOTHER.
OVER 54 ATTENDEES PARTICIPATED.
COMMUNICATIONS HAS BEEN VERY BUSY, AND I HAD PARTICIPATED IN A WELCOME BACK VIDEO, AS WELL AS OTHER FUTURE RECORDINGS.
IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE WELCOME BACK VIDEO, YOU WILL NOTE THAT THERE ARE A VARIETY OF PICTURES OF ME THROUGH MY LIFESPAN.
I'M STILL EMBARRASSED ABOUT THAT, BUT I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
THEY PULLED THEM FROM VERY DEEP LOCATIONS.
[LAUGHTER] ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT I LOOK LIKE, AND THIS IS WHAT I LOOK LIKE NOW.
HUMAN RESOURCES IS WORKING ON A REFRESHED STAFF RECOGNITION PLAN WITH MORE DETAILS TO COME.
I'VE CONTINUED MY ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND THEY HAVE BEEN FRUITFUL IN TERMS OF KNOWING WHAT THEY DO AND GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
AUGUST 25, IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND I PLAN TO BE UP AND READY FOR THE MEDIA, WHICH WISH TO VIDEO THIS.
I WISH TO RECORD THE DAY AND VISITING OUR BUS DRIVERS AS THEY START THE DAY IN THE YEAR.
I HAVE A SCHEDULE AND PLAN TO VISIT ALL SCHOOLS, AS MANY AS I CAN THAT IS, THAT DAY, AND GREET STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF.
REMINDER THAT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS AUGUST 19TH.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL IS FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 P.M. HIGH SCHOOL IS FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M. NEW TEACHER LUNCHEON AT THE CAREER ACADEMY IS 11:30 TO 12:30, THURSDAY, AUGUST 14.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND.
THAT IS THE END OF MY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
I BELIEVE, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY ARE RESPONSIBLE PROBABLY FOR THE PHOTOS. [LAUGHTER]
>> I DO NOT DOUBT THAT TO BE TRUE.
>> YOU MIGHT WANT TO START WITH YOUR MOM.
[IX.A. 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities – President George]
ITEMS OF PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND ACTION.ITEM A, 2025-2026, LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY.
DO YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION?
>> I DO WANT TO ASK A QUESTION. CAN I?
>> YOU BETCHA. I DON'T KNOW WHY NOT.
DIRECTOR LEE WOULD LIKE TO QUIZ YOU.
>> QUIZ. I HAVE SEEN THE MEDIA, AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW ARE THINGS GOING FOR YOU AND GETTING ADJUSTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE DISTRICT THUS FAR.
>> THE COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.
I'VE SHARED WITH ALL OF YOU AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER, WE'RE A PRODUCT OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT WE HAVE AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ATTRACTED ME TO THE DISTRICT IN THE FIRST PLACE AFTER I DID MY DUE DILIGENCE AND RESEARCH IS THAT THIS WAS A COMMUNITY THAT WELCOMED INDIVIDUALS COMING IN.
THE ONE THING THAT I WILL NOTE, AND I CONTINUALLY NOTE, THAT PEOPLE ARE NICE HERE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS DISAGREEMENTS AS WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORK WE DO.
EVEN IN DISAGREEMENTS, WE ARE POLITE, RESPECTFUL, AND WE WORK THROUGH IT AND SO THAT'S BEEN PHENOMENAL.
MY WIFE BEING APART FOR A YEAR, A LITTLE DIFFICULT, OBVIOUSLY.
WE'VE WORKED ON A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN MITIGATE THAT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LITTLES THAT STRUGGLE WITH THAT.
BUT WE KNEW THAT COMING IN, AND SO WE HAD A PLAN OF ACTION FOR THAT.
I AM NOW NOT LOCKING EVERY DOOR WHEN I GO TO BED AT NIGHT SO NOW I'M ACCUSTOMED TO ALL THE NOISES AT NIGHT, SO I'M NO LONGER QUITE SO JUMPY DURING THE COURSE OF THE EVENING.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE STAFF AND MANY OF THEM ARE HERE IN THIS ROOM, HAVE MADE ME FEEL VERY WELCOME, AND REALLY SPOOLED ME UP VERY QUICKLY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
I'VE INTERJECTED SOME OF MY OWN THOUGHTS ON SOME THINGS, AND THERE MAY BE SOME MODIFICATIONS AS TIME GOES ON TO HOW WE COMMONLY DO THINGS, BUT ALL OF IT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF AND OUR COMMUNITY.
>> VERY GOOD. THE NEXT ITEM A 2025/2026, LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
WE DISCUSSED THAT AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, AND WE'VE COME UP WITH OUR SUPPLEMENTAL STATE AID, SSA.
THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS AN INCREASE OF SSA OF AT LEAST 5% FOR THE 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE SCHOOL BOARD ENCOURAGES THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET THE STATUTORY GUIDELINES AND SET THE SSA PERCENTAGE IN A TIMELY MANNER FOLLOWING CURRENT LEGISLATIVE TIMELINES.
MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T MAKE THAT, THE LEGISLATORS DOESN'T.
[00:10:05]
SIOUX CITY, ALSO, THE SCHOOL BOARD BELIEVES THAT A 5% SSA INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO OUTPACE INFLATION AND THE IMPACT OF INCREASED COSTS OF SUPPLIES AND LABOR OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.THE OTHER ONE IS EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.
THE SCHOOL BOARD ENCOURAGES EFFORTS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE TEACHERS SALARIES AND COMPENSATION FOR NOT ONLY NEW STAFF, BUT ALSO CURRENT STAFF.
THE SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS FOCUS ON EARLY LITERACY, INCLUDING FULLY FUNDING PK PROGRAMS, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT, ESA.
SCHOOL BOARD ENCOURAGES LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS ISSUES PRESENTED BY THE ESA LAW.
THIS INCLUDES TRANSPARENCY AND FUNDING RETURNING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THOSE ARE THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
OF COURSE, WE ALSO HAVE THE UEN WILL ALSO COME UP WITH THEIR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
THE UEN FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW THAT IS URBAN EDUCATION NETWORK.
IT'S LIKE THE TOP 21 LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, AND WE'RE ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS.
WE HAVE A GREAT ADVOCATE IN MARGARET BOXTON AND LARRY.
LARRY'S RETIRED, DID YOU KNOW THAT? LARRY SIEGEL'S RETIRED.
HE'S THE FINANCE GENIUS GUY OF THAT GROUP.
BUT THOSE ARE THAT, AND SO THOSE ARE OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE WILL WHEN WE HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE FORUMS STARTING IN JANUARY.
THAT'S THE FOCUS WE'LL GO AT WITH THEM.
OF COURSE, EVERYONE WHO COMES THERE WILL ALSO QUIZ OUR LEGISLATOR INVOLVING WHATEVER'S ON THEIR MIND.
BUT FOR THE DISTRICT AND STUFF, THESE ARE THE FOUR THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO REALLY FOCUS ON. DIRECTOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> I RELIGIOUSLY READ AND ATTEND THE SESSIONS FOR THE IOWA SCHOOL OF FINANCE.
YOU CAN SEE THE TREND ON THE SALES TAX RECEIPTS AND REVENUE FROM THE STATE IS TRENDING DOWN AND IT HAS BEEN TRENDING DOWN FOR A WHILE.
THAT'S WHY THE STATE USE, WHAT CLOSE TO 900,000,000?
>> A 1,000,000 IN A DEFICIT THIS PAST YEAR.
WELL, FIRST PART OF THE YEAR, WE WERE UP, THAT CAME DOWN AND IT WENT DOWN AND UNLESS THERE'S A BIG TURNAROUND, THE STATE FINANCES ARE GOING TO BE IN NEED OF MORE THAN 900,000,000 THIS NEXT YEAR.
>> I KNOW THAT. THAT WAS A QUESTION YOU DIRECTED AT SEVERAL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO FUND IT? HOW THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP THAT INCOME COMING IN?
>> WELL, IT'S THE PROJECTION THAT THEY HAD WHEN THEY [INAUDIBLE] OUT TO ESA, IT SHOWED 5% OR SOMETHING GOING ON FOREVER.
IT'S LIKE, WELL, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.
WE'RE GOING TO BE FACED WITH TOUGHER FINANCES IN MY OPINION, GOING FORWARD.
EARLY AND OFTEN TO LOBBY OUR STATE LEGISLATORS IS PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE.
I TALK TO BOB HENDERSON ON A REGULAR BASIS.
BOB, WHEN WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH MONEY.
WHEN WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY.
IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> IF YOU HAVE NO REVENUE COMING IN, NOT ENOUGH REVENUE COMING IN.
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO FUND [INAUDIBLE]. THAT'S THE KEY.
THAT'S THE STRUGGLE I SEE RIGHT NOW.
THE STATE IS GOING TO BE IN TOUGH FINANCES, TOUGHER THIS COMING YEAR THAN THEY WERE IN THE LAST YEAR.
>> I'D RATIFY WHAT DIRECTOR GREENWELL WAS SAYING JUST EARLIER.
I GUESS, THE END OF LAST WEEK, WE HAD THE STRATEGIC PLANNING CONFERENCE FOR SEVERAL OF THE AGENCIES IN THE IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, INCLUDING THE IOWA ARTS COUNCIL AND TOURISM AND THE LIKE, THAT WERE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING AND THAT PARTICULAR CONFERENCE WAS BRINGING IN THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE TO RECEIVE, ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE, INPUT BEFORE WE DEVELOP THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH WILL BE LATER NEXT WEEK.
BUT CLEARLY THE COMMUNICATION OR NOT MORE THAN SENTIMENT, THE REALITY THAT PEOPLE WERE RECOGNIZING IS THAT THERE'LL BE LESS MONEY IN THAT GROUP, BECAUSE THAT INVOLVES COMMUNITY ARTS DEVELOPMENT AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
THEY WERE TALKING QUITE A BIT ABOUT WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAINTAIN, NOT JUST TO MAINTAIN, BUT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE EXCELLENT PROGRAMS FOR THE ARTS IN IOWA.
I SAT AND LISTENED AND I THOUGHT, NOT ONLY IS IT JUST A CRISIS IN GENERAL, BUT THE SENTIMENT OF, WE'RE ALL FIGHTING OVER THE SAME MONEY MEANS THAT
[00:15:01]
THE INTENSITY OF THAT IS LIKELY TO BE HIGHER.DIRECTOR GREENWELL IS CORRECT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR SOUND FOOTING SO THAT WE CAN SURVIVE WHATEVER THE WIND BRINGS AND HOPEFULLY AS THINGS MAY TURN AROUND, IT GETS BETTER.
AS IT RELATES TO THESE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WERE PUBLISHED WITH THE PACKET, I CERTAINLY ENDORSE THOSE.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT MAYBE LATER ON, IN THE FALL, AFTER SCHOOL STARTS, THAT WE MIGHT FIND TUNE A LITTLE BIT AS WE SEE WHERE THE FOCUS OF THE DEBATE ABOUT FUNDING AND THE DEBATE ABOUT OTHER CONCEPTS IN EDUCATION.
>> UNFOLD. I'M LOOKING AT THIS AS I ENDORSE WHAT WE HAVE WRITTEN THAT WAS IN THE PACKET, AND THERE MAY BE A LITTLE MORE TO COME A LITTLE LATER AS AN AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR EHMCKE. BOARD MEMBERS, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> WE DIDN'T HAVE A MOTION YET.
>> LET ME GO BACK TO THAT. I THOUGHT WE DID.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2025-2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY?
>> WE HAVE THE FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND. WE'VE HAD THE DISCUSSION.
I'LL GIVE IT ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY.
SEANIECE, ANY CITIZEN INPUT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY, NAY? THE MOTION PASSES.
[IX.B. Human Resources Report(s) – Barb Caskey]
ITEM B, THE HUMAN RESOURCE REPORT, BARB KASKI IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HUMAN RESOURCE REPORT?
>> WE HAVE FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? DIRECTOR GREENBELT.
>> I SEE THAT WE HAVE THE NEW EXPANDED OPEN POSITIONS REPORT.
THE OTHER THING I THINK WE'LL COVER ON OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS THE PARAPROFESSIONAL DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE, THE NUMBER OF OPEN POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE, AND I SEE WE HIRED SOME PART TIME PEOPLE.
BUT IN DOING THE HOMEWORK ON THIS, I TALKED TO BARB KASKI AND SAID, GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH OUR PARA HEADCOUNT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
BASED ON OUR STUDENT NEEDS, WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASING NEEDS FROM OUR STUDENT, AND OUR PARA HEAD COUNT NEEDS ARE UP 100 PEOPLE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
OUR NEEDS OF OUR STUDENT ARE DRIVING THE DEMAND FOR THE PARAPROFESSIONALS, PARTICULARLY SEVERE AND PROFOUND AND OTHERS AND SPED.
WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASED DEMAND ON OUR DISTRICT FOR THAT.
OBVIOUSLY, THE SUPPLY IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE DEMAND FROM OUR SIDE.
WE HAVE A HIGHER DEMAND AND SUPPLY, BUT THANKS FOR GOING THROUGH THAT REPORT AND PUTTING IN A REPORT.
IT'S PRETTY HELPFUL TO SEE WHERE THE OPEN POSITIONS ARE.
>> WE'LL TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT ON THE NEXT ITEM, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. I'M JUST SAYING I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH EOL. YOU LOOK AT THAT.
WE HAVE VERY FEW OPEN POSITIONS ON THAT, WHICH WE USED TO HAVE LOTS.
SPED WERE STILL OPEN, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, THE PARAPROFESSIONALS ARE OPEN.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEANIECE, ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY?
IMC, SUPPORT STAFF, PARAPROFESSIONAL,
[IX.C. Hard to Fill Position Discussion on Wage Adjustment – President George]
HARD TO FILL POSITION, DISCUSSION ON WAGE ADJUSTMENT.BASICALLY, THIS WAS REQUESTED, AND I ALSO WANTED TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ON THIS.
AS DIRECTOR GREENWELL SAID, WE HAVE A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC WHEN IT COMES TO HIRING SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, AND THAT'S BEEN SOME OF THE REASONS SOME DO NOT COMMENSURATE EMPLOYMENT, IF I'M CORRECT.
I KNOW THAT THE 46 PARA POSITIONS THAT ARE OPEN, 41 ARE IN SPECIAL ED.
>> THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF GOING IN TO THE YEAR WHEN WE NEED THOSE KIDDOS TO BE SUPPORTED WELL AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
I KNOW DIRECTOR MICHAELSON AND DIRECTOR GREENWELL YOU'VE BEEN ON TOP OF THIS FROM THE GET GO.
DO WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE A MARKET ADJUSTMENT?
>> I WANT TO SAY TWO MONTHS AGO IN BOARD FINANCE, WE BROUGHT UP THAT WE ARE JUST
[00:20:04]
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND WANTED TO COME UP WITH JUST SOME IDEAS AND WHAT IT WOULD COST US.WE, AS YOU HEARD, ARE PARAPROFESSIONAL, WE HAVE A LOT OF OPEN POSITIONS, BUT WE'VE ADDED 100/2 YEARS.
REALLY, THESE ARE FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE PRIMARILY THAT WE'VE HAD TO DEVELOP NEW PROGRAMS FOR BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING TO SCHOOL WITH NO SKILLS.
WE DEVELOPED A NEW PROGRAM IN OUR ELEMENTARY CALLED VBC, VERBAL BEHAVIOR CLASSROOM.
THAT IS WE HAVE ADULT TO STUDENT RATIO OF 1:1 IN THOSE CLASSROOMS. THAT'S BECAUSE THESE ARE STUDENTS THAT WERE BEING SO DISRUPTIVE THAT THEY WERE JUST DISRUPTING THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OTHER STUDENTS AND THEIR NEEDS WERE SO INTENSE THAT THE TEACHER WAS UNABLE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS, EVEN REMOTELY.
IT WASN'T WORKING. OUR TASK FORCE DEVELOPED THIS PROGRAM TWO YEARS AGO.
WE'VE NOW GROWN IT QUITE A BIT.
BUT IT IS THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVERS OF OUR ADDITIONS IS THAT OUR K-2 STUDENTS ARE STRUGGLING WHEN THEY'RE COMING TO SCHOOL WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO THEY RUN AWAY, AND WE CALL IT VERBAL BEHAVIOR CLASSROOM BECAUSE OUR BEHAVIOR IS COMMUNICATION AND THERE ARE STUDENTS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPRESS THEIR NEEDS.
WITHOUT HAVING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.
WE HAVE TRAINED OUR TEACHERS, WE HAVE GONE INTO IN-DEPTH DIFFERENT CURRICULUMS, BUT IN THE END, THESE STUDENTS NEED MORE SUPPORT.
WE ALSO HAVE AN INCREASE IN WHAT WE WOULD CALL OUR FOUNDATION STUDENTS.
OUR FOUNDATION STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE WHAT WE WOULD SAY ADAPTIVELY UNABLE TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE AND MEET THEIR NEEDS ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING IN A SPECIAL EDUCATION SELF CONTAINED CLASSROOM.
WE USED TO USE THE TERMS SEVERE AND PROFOUND THAT WE DON'T USE THOSE TERMS ANYMORE BECAUSE SEVERE AND PROFOUND MIGHT MEAN THEY HAVE SEVERE AND PROFOUND HEALTH NEEDS, THE GAMUT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
A LOT OF THESE STUDENTS ALSO, ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS WHO NEED ASD SUPPORTS, AUTISM SUPPORTS, THEY HAVE TROUBLE WITH COMMUNICATION AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF BEHAVIORS.
JUST OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE INCREASED THOSE AMOUNT OF STUDENTS BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE PROGRAMS AND OUR STUDENTS COMING TO US.
BECAUSE OF THAT, WE NEED A LOT OF AIDS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE NEEDS THESE KIDS HAVE CAN BE GIVEN THROUGH AN AID, BUT THE TEACHER CAN'T DELIVER THE INSTRUCTION WITHOUT THE AID, BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF ONE ON ONE.
OUR CITY, OUR COMMUNITY HAS OPENED FOUR NOW PRIVATE FACILITIES OVER THE LAST REALLY TWO YEARS.
THEY PAY SUBSTANTIALLY MORE. WE'VE LOST.
THEY'VE TAKEN ALL OF THEIR STAFF FROM US, BASICALLY THESE FOUR FACILITIES.
THEY PAY IN UPWARDS OF MORE THAN $6 TO $10 MORE AN HOUR, DEPENDING ON WHAT WE PAY.
WE HAVE IPERS, WE HAVE A PRETTY FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE.
WE OFFER A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM THAT BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX, IT'S WHAT COME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG, BUT BECAUSE THE STUDENTS NEEDS ARE SO HIGH AND WE HAVE BEEN SHORT STAFFED, IT THEN CAUSES PEOPLE NOT TO WANT TO STAY IN THE POSITIONS.
WHEN WE HAVE AN INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT POSITION OPEN IN THE DISTRICT, 99.9% OF THE TIME IT'S BEING FILLED BY AN INTERNAL PERSON WHO'S WORKING IN ONE OF THESE POSITIONS.
THEY OFTEN TAKE $1.10 BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE GET $1.10 AN HOUR EXTRA THEN THEIR BASE WAGE BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING IN THESE PROGRAMS. BUT THEY'RE OFTEN WILLING TO TAKE LESS MONEY BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POSITION AND THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS.
[00:25:03]
WE BELIEVE THAT THESE POSITIONS DO NEED TO BE PAID MORE THAN JUST A REGULAR EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT.THAT IS AS A DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, AND A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS TEAM, WE BELIEVE THAT.
WE UNDERSTAND THOUGH NOT EVERYBODY SEES THINGS THAT WAY.
BUT THAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE POSITION IS ADDITIONAL WORK AND IT'S HARDER WORK IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE WORD.
THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF A PERSON SPENDING EMPLOYMENT IN WHAT I WOULD CALL THE HARDER MORE CHALLENGING ROOMS, WOULD THAT BE A YEAR, LESS THAN A YEAR?
>> IF YOU TAKE THE AVERAGE OF OUR CURRENT STAFF, IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.
BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN IN THESE POSITIONS FOR YEARS.
IT'S HARD TO USE AN AVERAGE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I ALMOST SAY WE WANT TO USE THE MOST FREQUENT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THESE.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN ANY BUILDINGS YOU KNOW, YOU CAN JUST NAME THE PEOPLE.
THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR 20 YEARS.
THEY'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE MOST NEEDY KIDS.
THE STRUGGLE IS BRINGING IN THE NEW STAFF AND KEEPING THEM.
WITH THE HARD TO FILL STATUS, WITH THE FACT THAT THE PRIVATE ENTITIES PAY MORE, AND IT IS OF OUR OPINION THAT THESE POSITIONS SHOULD PAY MORE.
WE HAVE A COUPLE, WE'VE DONE THE WORK TO IDENTIFY JUST SOME OPTIONS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, AND THIS IS JUST FOR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
BUT WHAT IT WOULD COST THE DISTRICT TO PAY THESE INDIVIDUALS MORE THAN JUST THE $1.10.
>> YOU CALL IT SEVERE AND PROFOUND. WHAT DO WE CALL IT?
>> FOUNDATIONS. WE HAVE A LOT OF PARAPROFESSIONALS, 400 AND SOMETHING.
SOMETHING LIKE THAT. HOW MANY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT JUST YOU THINK SHOULD BE PAID EXTRA? HUNDRED? FIFTY?
>> LET'S SEE HERE. WE HAVE IT BY HOURS ON HERE.
WE HAD TO GET THE COST BY HOURS.
KIM. IT'S ABOUT 80% OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL AID STAFF.
>> ABOUT 300. WE HAVE STOPPED HIRING ANY INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT STAFF THAT IS NOT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
WE NO LONGER ARE HIRING SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF THAT ARE NOT IN ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH IS COMPASS ACADEMY, VERBAL BEHAVIOR CLASSROOM, OR WE OFTEN REFER TO IT AS VBC, ASD, WHICH IS AUTISM SUPPORTS, AND FOUNDATIONS, WHICH IS MORE LIKE OUR SEVERE AND PROFOUND.
THOSE ARE THE FOUR PROGRAMS IN WHICH THESE PEOPLE WORK TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.
>> ARE WE ONLY TALKING ABOUT FOUNDATIONS RIGHT NOW?
>> NO. IT'S ALL FOUR OF THESE PROGRAMS.
>> SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE OF BEING A SPECIAL ED TEACHER IN THE BEHAVIORAL FIELD FOR 17 YEARS, I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM ALWAYS A WINNER.
I THINK THE KIDS GOT THE BEST OF ME SEVERAL TIMES.
BUT HAVING AN AID THERE JUST FOR THAT EXTRA SUPPORT, YOU DO HAVE TO TOSS OUT MR. GEORGE IS THE WORLD, WHO SPENT 17 YEARS BECAUSE I THINK 18 MONTHS IS THE LONGEVITY OF TEACHERS IN THE BEHAVIORAL FIELD.
YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY MS. MOZARK, OUT AT WEST HIGH, WHO SPENT 25 YEARS OR MORE IN WE'LL CALL IT THE FOUNDATION CLASSROOM.
I SUBBED IN THERE ONE DAY AS A TEACHER AND I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT THEY ALL DID BECAUSE THAT'S NOT IN MY WHEEL HOUSE, AND IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THEY MADE.
BUT THE LOVE AND COMPASSION THAT PEOPLE THOSE INDIVIDUALS GAVE TO THOSE STUDENTS BLOWS YOUR MIND.
THEY SHOULD BE IN THE TOUGHEST ROOMS. FOUNDATION IS THE ONE.
COMPASS IS THE OLD BEHAVIOR DISORDER.
>> I HAD SOME CHALLENGES THERE, TOO.
THERE'S A FEW PEOPLE THAT WERE MUCH TALLER THAN I AND THEY WERE LIKE 16-YEARS-OLD.
GO AHEAD. I'M JUST SAYING I UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED TO DO THIS OR DISCUSS IT, WHICH I WOULD HOPE THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WOULD COME ALONG.
[00:30:02]
I JUST WANT TO GIVE A NARRATIVE.>> MS. FAMOUS, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR COMPETITION, SO TO SPEAK, WHAT IS THE GOING RATE?
>> $25 AN HOUR. WHAT ARE WE CURRENTLY?
WE HAVE IT VARIED BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON YOUR EXPERIENCE.
>> IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE ME A RANGE LIKE IF I'M A NEW PERSON COMING IN TO MAYBE SOMEONE THAT'S A LITTLE MORE TENURED.
IT'S COMING IN ABOUT $16.50 TO ABOUT $20.
THAT IS IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY CLOSE TODAY.
>> I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR A RANGE VERSUS WHAT WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> YES. THAT'S WITH THE $1.10 AN HOUR.
BECAUSE THOSE PROGRAMS I JUST IDENTIFIED, ALL OF THOSE PARAPROFESSIONALS RIGHT NOW GET AN ADDITIONAL $1.10 AN HOUR BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THOSE POSITIONS.
IF YOU ARE NOT IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION, YOU ARE AN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT IN A GENERAL ED CLASSROOM OR ASSISTING WITH SPECIAL ED STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT IN THOSE CLASSROOMS, YOU JUST GET YOUR BASE WAGE.
>> DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THEY GET? DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA, DO THEY GET INSURANCE?
>> WELL YOU USE THE MICROPHONE, TOO.
>> IN MOST OF THOSE SETTINGS, THEY'RE GETTING NOT ONLY A HIGHER HOURLY WAGE.
THEY'RE GETTING YEAR ROUND EMPLOYMENT, AND THEY'RE GETTING TUITION ASSISTANCE TO GO BACK AND WORK ON THEIR DEGREE OR MASTER'S DEGREE PLUS THE INSURANCE PAID TIME OFF AND ALL OF THOSE TYPICAL.
>> ON TOP OF THEIR 16, WHATEVER.
>> BUT YET, WE STILL HAVE A BIG DEFICIT.
>> YEAH. THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IPERS.
>> NOT FOR IPERS, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE LIKE A 401(K), PERHAPS THAT'S AVAILABLE.
>> BECAUSE I AM A FINANCE PERSON.
THAT'S WHAT I AM I HAVE TO ASK, THIS IS, ESSENTIALLY YOU'RE SETTING THE TABLE AT THIS POINT TO GO BACK AND PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.
IT'S PROBABLY, NOT GOING TO BE A RECOMMENDATION TO SPEND LESS.
THE POSITIONS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WOULD THEY BE CONSIDERED SPEND IN SOME WAY, AND ELIGIBLE FOR, WOULD THEY BE PART OF ADDING TO OUR SPEND DEFICIT THEN?
>> YES. IT WOULD ADD TO OUR SPEND DEFICIT.
THESE POSITIONS ARE PAID 100% OUT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND WE DO NOT GET THE CASH, BUT WE DO GET THE SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR THESE POSITIONS.
>> WELL, IF WE ADDED THESE POSITIONS, THE SPENDING AUTHORITY WOULD BE ADDED BY THE STATE OR AT LEAST IN THE PAST, THEY'VE DONE THAT.
WHICH MEANS THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO REDUCE OTHER POSITIONS AND PERHAPS OTHER OFFERINGS, BECAUSE WE'RE SPENDING, I THINK AT LEAST THE LAST I REMEMBER IN TERMS OF CASH, ABOUT FIVE MILLION MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO TAKE IN THIS COMING YEAR.
AT LEAST WE GET THE SPENDING AUTHORITY, BUT THAT MEANS THAT THAT $5 MILLION THAT WE'RE ALREADY SPENDING MORE THAN WHAT WE EXPECT TO TAKE IN, IS GOING TO GO UP BY WHATEVER WE DO.
>> BY WHATEVER WE DO. JUST BECAUSE WE GET THE SPENDING AUTHORITY, THAT GIVES US THE AVAILABILITY TO USE IT.
BUT WE STILL HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND.
THE MONEY STILL HAS TO BE THERE.
>> I THINK SOONER OR LATER, NOT PROBABLY FOR A YEAR OR TWO, BUT IT CAN BE SEEN IN THE PROPERTY TAX BILLS THAT COMMUNITY SEES.
>> MAYBE I BLANKED OUT OR, I DON'T THINK I PASSED OUT OR ANYTHING, BECAUSE I KNOW DAN ASKED IT, HOW MANY POSITIONS, WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD CALL THE CHALLENGING CLASSROOMS?
THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE ADDED 100 OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
WE HAVE NOT ADDED ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF EXCEPT FOR THOSE POSITIONS.
[00:35:06]
BECAUSE OUR TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED, OUR RESOURCES HAVE CHANGED, OUR CLASS SIZES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THEY USED TO BE.WE USED TO HIGHER PAIRS IF YOU HAD A CLASS OF 30, YOU WOULD GET A PAIR.
WELL, WE DON'T HAVE CLASSES OF 30 IN THE ELEMENTARY ANYMORE.
I NEVER WE DON'T EVER HAVE THAT.
WE MIGHT HAVE 27 IN FOURTH OR FIFTH GRADE, BUT THAT'S A FLUKE.
PRIOR, THAT WOULD HAPPEN OFTEN.
WE'VE JUST SLOWLY THROUGH ATTRITION, WE ALLOCATED THOSE POSITIONS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION.
>> DO WE, WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE THAT POSITION, BAR, MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER THIS AND SOMEONE CAN ANSWER.
WHAT, IS THE PAY THE MAIN DRIVING POINT?
>> PAY IS ALWAYS A DRIVING POINT, BUT IN THESE POSITIONS, I WILL ALSO SAY IT'S IN TIMING POSITION.
THEY'RE NOT PREPARED SOMETIME ECHO THAT, THEY'RE NOT PREPARED GOING INTO THAT AND THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE'RE ADDRESSING HERE AS WELL.
>> IN PART OF OUR RETENTION COMMITTEE WORK, WE ESTABLISHED A TRAINING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR FOR ALL OF THESE, AND THAT JUST AT THE BEGINNING.
BUT EVERY AFTER EVERY BOARD MEETING, THERE IS A SCHEDULED ONBOARDING TRAINING, THAT STANDARD FOR EVERYBODY, AND THEN FOR ALL OF THE SPECIAL ASSISTANTS, THEY GET ADDITIONAL DAYS OF TRAINING BEFORE THEY GO IN, WHERE PRIOR, YOU JUST WENT IN AND GOT ON THE JOB TRAINING.
THAT WAS PART OF OUR RETENTION COMMITTEE WORK.
>> DIRECTOR AMK. ANGELA, AM I CORRECT THAT THESE POSITIONS ARE CLASSIFIED POSITIONS, UNDER OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT?
>> WHAT COMMUNICATION, WITH THE BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE UNION THAT COVERS THEM IS GOING ON.
MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WELL, LET'S JUST UNILATERALLY, ADD MORE MONEY, AND IT USUALLY WOULD BE A SUBJECT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
>> THE QUESTION, I UNDERSTAND TONIGHT IS A DISCUSSION AND WE WILL HAVE A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OCCASION HERE IN THE FALL, I BELIEVE, THAT'D BE RIGHT?
>> WE DID THIS BEFORE, DIRECTOR MP, WE SAW THE WAS FOR THE ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL GROUP.
WE DID THIS THREE YEARS AGO, WHEN THERE WAS A MARKET, A REAL MARKET DIFFERENCE.
IT'S THE SAME TIME THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT OUTSOURCING, SUBSTITUTES ABOUT THE SAME TIME, WHERE WE WENT [NOISE] IN MARKET THAT WE CAN'T KEEP, AND THAT'S BEFORE THESE PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS STARTED UP.
WE'RE JUST SO FAR BELOW MARKET THAT WE CAN'T HIRE PEOPLE.
WE WENT OUT AND DID MARKET SURVEYS AND SAID, "OKAY" AND WE HAD A MID YEAR ADJUSTMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, SO THIS IS NOT UNHEARD OF BEFORE FOR AS IT ADJUST.
>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE UNION AND AN AGREEMENT MADE ABOUT IT.
>> SURE. I MEAN, THAT CLEARLY HAS TO BE PART OF IT, BUT I'M STRUGGLING TO SAY WHY A UNION WOULD SAY NO TO AN INCREASE, BUT THAT'S A SEPARATE DISCUSSION.
>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT, DIRECTOR MK, BECAUSE I HAVE TALKED TO BRENDA ZONER ABOUT THIS THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO DO ALL OF OUR BARGAINING IN BARGAINING.
THIS IS, IT'S NOT ALWAYS BEST PRACTICE, THAT I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION, TO BE HONEST, IT'S SOMETIMES HARDER AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TO GIVE TO ONE GROUP, AND NOT TO THE ENTIRE GROUP.
THIS IS, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NOT BARGAINED JUST FOR THIS GROUP OUTSIDE OF JUST THE ADDITIONAL DOLLAR TEN SINCE I'VE BEEN IN DISPOSITION.
BUT IT IS SENSITIVE, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE BARGAINING AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE BARGAINING WITH, IT'S OFTEN LIKE, WELL IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO THAT GROUP, GIVE IT TO THE WHOLE GROUP.
THIS PAST YEAR, IT WAS BROUGHT UP.
IT WAS DISCUSSED TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE DOLLAR TEN, WHICH, HONESTLY, THEY ALL WORKED REALLY HARD.
WE HAVE TO, WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE DO NOT PAY THESE PARAPROFESSIONALS MORE, THEN THE OTHER POSITIONS, PEOPLE WILL NOT TAKE THE POSITIONS.
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT AND THAT'S HOW WE EXPLAINED IT.
[00:40:03]
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING, INTO WHICH PEOPLE WILL SAY, OKAY, I'LL TAKE THAT POSITION.BECAUSE, IF EVERYBODY GETS IT, I KNOW THIS, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO RETAIN STAFF AND TRAIN STAFF, AND HELP THE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THESE ARE OUR NEEDIEST KIDS.
THESE ARE OUR KIDS WHO NEED THE MOST SUPPORT.
WE ARE, EXPONENTIALLY, IT'S HURTING THEM EXPONENTIALLY, THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED, BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, WE'RE NOT EVEN ABLE TO REALLY GIVE THEM THE BASIC LEVEL WITHOUT THESE POSITIONS.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE WOULD IDEALLY WANT TO DO THIS IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
WE COULD WORK IN [INAUDIBLE] WITH THE ASSOCIATION, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO AGREE, OR MAYBE THEY'LL SAY, WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL BARGAINING.
I KNOW THAT BRENDA HAD CONCERNS ABOUT DOING IT OUTSIDE OF BARGAINING JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO IT IN BARGAINING.
>> WE DID IT BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HESITANCY.
I'M SENSING HESITANCY AND I DON'T SEE WHY WE'RE HESITATING.
>> I'M JUST SHARING WHAT THE FEELINGS ARE.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE FOR THOSE POSITIONS, AND THAT'S HURTING, AND ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS AND THOSE TEACHERS WHO DON'T HAVE THAT SUPPORT FOR THOSE STUDENTS.
IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT STUDENT IMPROVEMENT, WE NEED THOSE POSITIONS FOR THOSE CLASSROOMS TO HELP KEEP THE DISRUPTION DOWN, TO KEEP THE LEARNING OF THE OTHER STUDENTS UP.
IF WE WANT TO SEE PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
WE HAVE, THE NUMBERS SHOW IT REPEATEDLY.
WE HAVE A DEFICIT IN HIRING FOR THOSE FOUNDATIONS POSITIONS, AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IT, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE IT AND MAKE NO PROGRESS UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY.
I WOULDN'T BE HESITANT TO OPEN IT.
THEY WERE HESITANT BEFORE WHEN WE DID THE INCREASE, TOO.
>> I WAS IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS.
>> DIRECTOR GREENWELL [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT THE REASON FOR THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE COLLECTING ENVIRONMENT.
>> WHERE I COME FROM IS, WE HAVE TO BE, WE WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ASSOCIATION, AND WE WANT TO ABIDE BY GOOD PRACTICES FOR BARGAINING.
WE ALSO THOUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE, ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE ALL THESE STUDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET.
OUR OPINION IS THE JUICE IS WORTH THE SQUEEZE, TO DO THIS BEFORE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, BECAUSE OF THE URGENCY AND THE NEED.
>> ANGELA, EXCUSE ME, MISS BEMIS.
THE NEEDS THAT WE SERVE TO OUR CURRENT STUDENTS, WITHIN OUR DISTRICT ARE SUFFERING, AND THAT'S NOT TO INCLUDE THE KIDS THAT WE SERVICE, BY LAW THAT COME INTO OUR DISTRICT THAT DO THOSE, [OVERLAPPING] THOSE KIDS ARE ALSO IN CONSIDERATION WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS ACROSS THE BOARD.
THERE IS NOT A TEACHER OR A BUILDING THAT IT'S NOT WEIGHING ON.
>> BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW, THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE KIDS THAT ARE IN OUR BUILDINGS EVERY DAY.
IT'S THE KIDS THAT YES, COLLECTIVELY, THAT WE SERVICE OUT OF LEGAL OBLIGATION.
>> WE DO. WE SERVICE THE STUDENTS AT THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
WE SERVICE STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE PMI FACILITIES.
I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT YES.
WE'RE NOT, BUT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, WE WANT TO BE VERY COGNIZANT THAT IT'S NEVER BEEN FULLY FUNDED EVER.
WE HAVE A DEFICIT, BUT OUR DEFICIT FOR A UEN IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THE OTHER UEN DEFICITS OF DISTRICTS OUR SIZE.
WE HAVE A VERY SOLID PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING IF A STUDENT NEEDS PARENT SUPPORT, AND WE BASE OUR STAFFING AND THE MINUTES, THAT STUDENTS NEED IN THEIR IEPS.
IT'S BASED ON THE MINUTES THAT THE STUDENTS NEED IN THEIR IEPS.
>> IF I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY IN MY BUSINESS MINDS ON THE BOARD AND PATTY, WE HAVE TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL ED DEFICIT EACH YEAR.
[OVERLAPPING] IF WE MODIFY IT, DON'T WE ALSO HAVE TO MODIFY THE ALLOWABLE GROWTH?
>> IT DOESN'T CHANGE ABLE GROWTH.
WELL, WE ASKED THE STATE TO GIVE US MORE MONEY TO COVER THAT DEFICIT.
[00:45:03]
>> WE HAVE TO. THERE'S NO MONEY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE ALLOWED TO SPEND IT.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO MODIFY OR ALLOWABLE OR WE CAN JUST DO IT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] CALCULATION. THE UNDERCOVER IS WHEN WE RETURN OUR SPECIAL DEFICIT.
>> THE SPECIAL ED DEFICIT IS PART OF WHAT THE PROPERTY TAX THAT'S A SEPARATE COMPONENT OF PROPERTY TAX THAT THEN NEEDS TO FUND THAT, CORRECTLY?
>> WE DON'T IDENTIFY PROPERTY TAX SPECIFICALLY FOR SPECIAL ED. IT'S PART OF THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> THERE'S A SPECIALIZED FUND, THOUGH.
THERE'S A FUND SEPARATE FROM GENERAL FUND FOR THAT?
>> IT'S SPENDING AUTHORITY, CORRECT?
>> YES. WE ARE ALLOCATED, OUR SPECIAL ED ALLOCATIONS.
BASED ON THE WEIGHTING OF OUR IEPS.
>> THE BOTTOM LINE ISN'T, IF WE CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING, WE CAN DO IT WITH OR WITHOUT THE UNION'S APPROVAL, CORRECT?
>> NO. WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE NO.
WE WOULD HAVE TO DO AN MOU WITH THE UNION.
I SAID, I'VE SPOKE TO BRENDA HAS, I UNDERSTAND, THAT THERE'S THE FEELING BOTH WAYS.
WE WOULDN'T BRING THIS FORWARD.
WE FEEL THAT THE TIMING SHOWS THE DEMAND, AND THE URGENCY FOR GETTING THESE POSITIONS FILLED.
IN THE END, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THESE POSITIONS THAT ARE OPENED.
ALTHOUGH PERES, HAVE TO DOUBLE AND TRIPLE UP STUDENTS TO MEET THEIR LIMITS LEGALLY.
TO MEET THEIR IEP GOAL, TO MEET THE MINUTES IN THE IEP, THIS IS HOW MANY MORE WE WOULD NEED TO MEET, IF WE WERE GOING TO MEET EVERYBODY JUST WITH THE REGULAR STAFFING.
>> WE HAVE 52. RIGHT NOW, HOW MANY DO WE HAVE OPEN 40?
>> IN 41 POSITION MAY CHANGE BUT THE NUMBER OF OPEN POSITIONS IS PRETTY PRESERVED.
>> FOR TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD THAT NUMBER OPEN, WHICH, IF YOU THINK WE'VE ADDED 100 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE GOTTEN THEM HID EVENTUALLY, BUT THEN, IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE ELL, IT'S LIKE THE SAME LULL.
WE'RE ADDING THEM, BUT WE'RE JUST NOT GETTING THEM FILLED UNTIL A YEAR OR TWO LATER.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DO YOU THINK THAT WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT, WE'RE SHORT A LOT OF THESE PAIRS.
WE'RE ALSO SHORT, IF WE'RE GOING TO PICK ONE AREA, NUMBER OF SPECIAL ED TEACHERS.
DO YOU THINK THAT THE SHORTAGE OF SPECIAL ED TEACHERS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THEY CAN'T GET THE PAIRS INTO THE ROOM TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR DAY TO DAY WORK?
>> I THINK THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT.
I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO HAVING THE SUPPORT TO MANAGE THEIR CASE LOADS.
THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE SO HIGH, THEY NEED THE SUPPORT FOR LOWER CASE LOADS AND PARIS.
WE NEED LOWER-CASE LOADS AND PARIS.
>> WELL, THAT'S CONCERNING. I GUESS I'LL HAVE MY SAY.
WE'VE BEEN RUNNING OUR MOUTH ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO RETAIN TEACHERS AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO RETAIN TEACHERS.
THIS SEEMS LIKE AN OBVIOUS SPOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
SOMEBODY'S GOING TO SAY, WELL, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU'RE READY TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY.
WELL, YEAH. THE PERSON IN THIS CHAIR IS READY TO SPEND THE MONEY.
THERE'S SIX OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND.
BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR STAFF, SUPPORTING OUR KIDS, THE CHILDREN THAT ARE IN THOSE CHAIRS THAT ARE IN THE CHAIRS THAT ARE NEEDING THE PARIS.
THEY DO NOT NEED A REVOLVING DOOR OF STAFF MEMBERS.
THEY NEED TO SEE THE SAME PERSON EVERY DAY.
SOMETIMES NOT JUST FOR THE YEAR, BUT ALSO FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT, AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT.
YOU DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT TO DO.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEANING UP KIDS AFTER GOING TO THE BATHROOM.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HIT, KICK, SCRATCHED.
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW THAT THE MARKET, IF I CAN DO THAT FOR $25 AN HOUR ACROSS THE STREET INSTEAD OF DOING IT FOR $16 AN HOUR, ALL DAY LONG, I'M GOING TO GO, THAT'S A HOUSE PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
I GUESS I WOULD SAY I AM PASSIONATELY FOR MAKING EVERY MOVE THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TEACHERS ARE SUPPORTED.
THAT THESE KIDS ARE SUPPORTED.
IF IT'S THE NUMBER OF DOLLAR PER HOUR, IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND OUR MONEY SOMEWHERE,
[00:50:02]
THIS IS A SLAM DUNK.I THINK IT'S NOT A UNILATERAL ONE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I THINK WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IT COST STRANGE BEFORE YOU DO THAT.
>> JUST ON THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE.
IF WE DIDN'T HIRE THESE ALL THESE OPEN PAIR OF POSITIONS, NOT JUST THE ONES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THEM.
WE'RE ABOUT 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR SAVINGS.
IF WE JUST LET IT RIDE AS IT IS WITH THESE OPEN POSITIONS.
IF WE DON'T HIRE THE TEACHERS POSITIONS, WE'RE ABOUT 3.2 MILLION DOLLAR IN SAVING.
SO ALREADY, WE'VE GOT 4.5 MILLION DOLLAR BY THESE OPEN POSITIONS THAT WE'RE SAVING.
MY VIEW IS, GUYS, THESE PAIR OF POSITIONS ARE PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE.
I CAN'T SAY IT BETTER THAN BOBBY DID. HE KNOWS IT.
BUT TO ME, THIS IS AN EASY ITEM FOR ME.
AND I THINK YOU'LL HAVE THE NUMBERS, IF YOU GO IN FRONT OF THE UNION.
YOU'LL HAVE THE NUMBERS TO GET THE VOTE.
>> I WANT TO JUST HIT ON A KEY POINT OF MR. MICHAELSON ABOUT CONSISTENCY.
IT'S ALL ABOUT DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS.
SOME OF THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE PARA AND THE STUDENT.
I KNOW THREE WOMEN WHO I'VE EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE, SHY WHITNEY, GEAN PETERSON, AND MS. MOZARK, AT WEST HIGH, WHO SPENT THEIR ENTIRE AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEIR ENTIRE CAREER WITH THE DISTRICT IN ROOMS LIKE MINE, SPECIAL EDUCATION, BEHAVIOR DISORDER ROOM, AND IN THE AUTISM ROOM, AND IN THE FOUNDATION ROOM.
I WOULD HOPE INCREASING, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT THE BOARD TAKE A GOOD LOOK AND THINK ABOUT WHEN IT DOES COME BACK ABOUT APPROVING SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION HOPEFULLY RETAIN BECAUSE KIDS, GET EVEN IN MY BD WORLD.
THEY MS. MOZARK TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM?
>> MS. BEMIS, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE OPENINGS.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, DO WE HAVE A PLAN TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT PEOPLE FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES? BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN TALK ABOUT INCREASING THE DOLLAR ALL DAY.
BUT IF WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE THEN WE'RE STILL SPENDING OUR TOP.
WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT AS LONG AS WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND WE'RE PREPARED TO PRODUCE THE INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED TO NEGOTIATE THESE NUMBERS, WE ALSO NEED AN EFFECTIVE RECRUITING PLAN TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE PEOPLE THAT WE MAY HAVE LOST OR THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, AND WE NEED.
WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU WHEN WE SHARE WITH THEIR GOALS AND ACTION PLANS, BUT WE DID HAVE A RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMITTEE THIS LAST PAST YEAR.
THAT DEVELOPED A PLAN ON TEACHERS AND CLASSIFIED STAFF.
WE STARTED IMPLEMENTING ACTION ITEMS IN THE SPRING, AND THEN WE HAVE ALL OF OUR ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS YEAR AS WELL.
BUT WE DID DO THINGS SUCH AS WE HAD A JOB FAIR FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS IN JANUARY OF 2025.
FOR RETENTION, WE ADDED THE ONBOARDING AND THE TRAINING FOR THE NEW STAFF.
THEY FELT READY AND COMFORTABLE TO GO INTO THE CLASSROOMS. WE PART OF THIS ADDITIONAL PAY RECOMMENDATION WAS PART OF THAT.
THE STIPEND RECOMMENDATION WITH CASE LOADS THAT ARE HEAVIER.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS.
HONESTLY, DRESS CODE WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP THAT PEOPLE, THESE POSITIONS DON'T PAY A LOT OF MONEY, BUT WE EXPECT YOU TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL DRESS.
WE REALLY LOOKED AT, LIKE, WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION FOR WHAT THEY'RE WEARING? WE ALSO WENT TO COVERING 100%.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO NEGOTIATE BENEFITS.
IT'S NOT PERMISSIBLE IN BARGAINING.
WHAT WE DID IS NEVER HAVE WE COVERED 100% OF THE LOWEST PLAN OUR PAAS WOULD OFTEN GET A RAISE, BUT THEY WOULD STILL MAKE LESS MONEY BECAUSE THEIR INSURANCE COST BUMP WAS MORE.
WE'VE COMMITTED TO, AND THAT WAS PART OF OUR PLAN, AND THAT WAS OUR ACTION ITEM THAT WE ARE DOING WE'VE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR.
IS THAT ALL OF OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS NOW,
[00:55:01]
THE HIGHEST DEDUCTIBLE PLAN, WE WILL PAY 100% OF THE PREMIUM REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS.>> WE'VE GOT A PLAN IN PLACE, AND THEN WE ALSO NEED TO IN CONSIDERATION OF THIS, THINK ABOUT OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT NEED ATTENTION AS WELL TO OUR FOUNDATIONS, OUR VPCS.
THERE'S JUST A CONGLOMERATE OF THINGS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED.
I SHOULDN'T SAY THINGS, BUT ISSUES THAT COULD BE IMPACTED.
WITH THESE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE SEEING.
>> IT'S MULTIFACETED, AND IT'S NOT ONE THING.
I ALWAYS WANT TO CAUTION WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, IT'S NOT FINANCE, AND IT'S NOT A FACTORY, AND IT'S NOT PRIVATE BUSINESS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUAL HUMANS AND HUMANS GIVING THE SUPPORT.
WE CANNOT APPROACH ANYTHING AND SAY, THIS IS ONE SOLUTION, AND WE'RE GOING TO KNOW AND SEE RIGHT AWAY THE IMPACT.
WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH LOTS OF WAYS AND ADDRESS IT FROM MULTIPLE APPROACHES.
>> THANK YOU. ACTUALLY, YOU TOUCHED ON THE TOPIC THAT I WAS GOING TO TOUCH ON.
WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT CONTROL AND ABOUT HELPING THE STUDENTS AND HELPING THE ADULTS MAINTAIN CONTROL.
WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON TEACHING OUR KIDS.
THE KIDS THAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF A GREAT DEAL.
HAVING WORKED IN EL, WHICH IS A PARALLEL, NOT ANYTHING LIKE, BUT PARALLEL WORLD AND SO FORTH.
THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THAT'S REQUIRED TO TEACH IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT.
ALL OF US THAT HAVE BEEN TEACHERS KNOW THAT.
BUT IF YOU ADD THE OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MITIGATE, THAT MAKES IT CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE.
A TEACHER LOSES, I'LL SPEAK TO MYSELF.
I WOULD LOSE MY MOTIVATION IF MY DESIRE IS FOR MY STUDENTS TO LEARN, AND I'M SPENDING ALL MY ENERGY OVER HERE AND NEVER GET TO THE LEARNING COMPONENT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEIR SITUATION IS.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, AND, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M OFF BASE ON THIS IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO NOT ONLY PROVIDING THE STUDENTS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO THE ADULTS WHO ARE, QUITE FRANKLY, AT TIMES BATTERED A LITTLE BIT OR A LOT, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WE CAN MOVE BEYOND JUST A CONTROL ELEMENT TO THE LEARNING ELEMENT.
NOW, THAT'S NOT A SIMPLE TASK AT ALL, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF LEARNED BEHAVIOR IN THIS BOTH BY THE STUDENTS AND THE ADULTS, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARD. THAT'S OUR GOAL.
THAT'S OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS AS A SYSTEM TO PROVIDE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS, SO THEY ARE CAPABLE OF FUNCTIONING BEYOND THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE DO WITH OUR PROTECTIVE SHELL AROUND THEM.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT CONTROL OF STUDENTS.
THIS IS ABOUT MANAGING THE SITUATION IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE CAN GET TO THE BUSINESS OF WHAT WE DO.
>> DIRECTOR MICHAELSON FAST IN THE CLASSROOM.
>> BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. YES, SIR.
FILLING THESE POSITIONS IN ANY WAY SO WILL BE SO IMPACTFUL WHEN IT HAPPENS.
IT WILL BE PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE DO FOR OUR STAFF.
IT'LL PROBABLY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO FOR OUR CHILDREN, NOT JUST THE CHILDREN WHO ARE BEING SERVED, BUT THE OTHER REST OF THE CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE ROOM.
THIS IS A MOMENT THAT WE DON'T LET SLIP BY.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE DON'T GO AFTER WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE IN MY VIEW. THANKS.
>> WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? WE'RE ARGUING THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS.
BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE OPPOSED.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE AND IMPROVED FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, NOT JUST THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ARGUING THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS.
AND SOMEBODY IS ARGUING AGAINST IT, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE PERSON SAY WE'RE AGAINST IT.
IS THE NEXT STEP THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BRING A PLAN TO US THAT'S GOT THE DOLLARS THAT HAS THE RECRUITING PLAN THAT WE CAN [OVERLAPPING].
WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE RECRUITING PLAN AND THE DOLLARS PREPARED.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE GUIDANCE ON IS, WE HAVE ALSO DONE A COMPONENT FOR OUR TEACHERS WHO ARE OVERLOADED CASE LOADS RIGHT NOW, HOW TO SUPPORT THEM? THEN ALSO FOR THOSE SPECIAL ED POSITIONS IN THE SAME CLASSROOMS, FOR THE TEACHERS, SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO DO TO BE ABLE TO HELP RETAIN AND RECRUIT TEACHERS TO STAY INTO THOSE POSITIONS.
WE HAVE A PLAN JUST FOCUSED ON PARA EDUCATORS.
[01:00:03]
WE ALSO HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE IN THESE POSITIONS NOW WHILE WE DON'T HAVE THIS SUPPORT, ON HOW WE COULD SUPPORT THEM ADDITIONALLY FISCALLY.THEN AS WELL AS WITH OTHER WAYS, BUT FISCALLY FROM THIS BOARD THAT WE WOULD NEED PERMISSION.
THEN FOR OUR CURRENT TEACHERS IN THESE POSITIONS, SO WE CAN KEEP THEM, AND WE CAN GAIN TEACHERS TO WANT TO TAKE THESE POSITIONS.
IN THESE FOUR CLASSROOMS, THESE FOUR TYPES OF CLASSROOMS WHICH ARE THE FOUR THAT I KEEP IDENTIFYING.
THAT IS WHERE ALL OF THESE ALL OF THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THESE TEACHER OPENINGS ARE AT AS WELL.
>> I IMAGINE YOUR PLAN WILL ALSO IDENTIFY HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ASSOCIATION AND THE APPROACH TO THAT.
I MEAN, DO WE WAIT TILL NEXT BARGAINING OR AN INTERIM AGREEMENT OR WHAT MIGHT WHAT MIGHT BE PROPER AND THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT THE STAFF MIGHT NEGOTIATE WITH WITH THE ASSOCIATION, SOMEPLACE DIFFERENT THAN AT A BOARD MEETING.
>> WE WOULD WORK WITH DR. CORDOVA AND I AND MS. KASKY WOULD WORK WITH THE UNION, AND WE WOULD CREATE AN MOU, AND WE WOULD BOTH HAVE TO AGREE ON THE TERMS OF THE MOU, THAT WHERE THE BOARD THEN THE BOARD NEEDS TO APPROVE THE MOU.
THAT'S HOW WE WOULD DO IT OUT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
WE WOULD NEED TO DO THAT FOR ANY OF OUR THINGS THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD BECAUSE IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH SALARY.
AGAIN, AS I STATED COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IS DONE IN THE SPRING WHEN SSA GETS ANNOUNCED AND WHEN WE'RE ALL LIVING IN OUR DEBT.
WE SOMETIMES LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.
THIS TO ME IS, NOT JUST TO ME, BUT TO US IS THE TIMING THAT THIS REALLY SHOWS A PICTURE OF WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE.
WHAT ARE THE JOBS WE CAN'T FILL? WHAT ARE THE JOBS OUR KIDS NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO SUPPORT THEM.
>> I THINK WE KIND OF WANT THAT STEP PROJECT WITH THE PAIRS FOR THE CHALLENGING CLASSROOMS, PRIORITY ONE FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER ONES THAT YOU MENTIONED, WORK WITH THE UNION TO GET AN MOU FACTORED IN, FACTORED OUT, WORKED OUT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS THAT THERE SO IN OUR FINANCE, RIGHT, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF, LIKE, LITTLE FACTORS YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT.
>> OUR FIRST PAY PERIOD IS SEPTEMBER 6, PAY DAY IS SEPTEMBER 5.
>> FINANCE, PAYROLL HAS TO ADJUST EVERYBODY'S OR BECAUSE HOURLY, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT BACK TO WORK YET.
>> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT PAYROLLS.
>> WHAT I NEED TO DO IS ABOUT THE TIMING URGENCY.
>> BUT THE ISSUE IS, I THINK THE BOARD YOU NEED TO PRESENT AN IDEA, AND A PLAN.
YOU [INAUDIBLE] PRESENT A PLAN.
THE BOARD NEEDS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THAT PLAN.
WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD WAIT FOR AN MOU TO COME BACK.
I THINK THE BOARD SHOULD MAKE A SUPPORTIVE STATEMENT.
WE THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR STUDENTS.
GO FORWARD WITH, YOU RECOMMEND A PLAN, WE APPROVE IT OR ADJUST IT.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND BECAUSE OF TIMING BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO GET THIS IN FRONT BEFORE THEY START, AND BEFORE THEY GET THEIR FIRST PAY.
THEREFORE WE WOULD LIKE TO NOT BRING THE MOU FIRST.
BUT JUST GET THE APPROVAL FROM YOU.
>> I THINK WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. YEAH.
>> BECAUSE THE MOU WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME.
>> WE NEED TO SHOW SUPPORT THAT WE AS IF THE MAJORITY SAYS THAT, WE NEED TO SHOW SUPPORT THAT WE'RE WILLING TO COMMIT TO THIS PROGRAM.
WE'RE WILLING TO COMMIT TO STAFFING OUR CLASSROOMS. AND YES, IF WE NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO DO IT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO DO IT.
>> SO THAT WOULD BE THE NEXT POINT.
>> THEY'RE GENEROUS TO TAXPAYERS, VERY TAXPAYER FRIENDLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT US COMPARED TO THE COUNTY, AND THE CITY, NOT EVEN CLOSE.
>> WELL, I AM REMEMBERING WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE NEED.
IT REALLY THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE READY TO SPEND MORE MONEY UNILATERALLY NOW TO BELIEVE THAT WILL SOLVE THE NEED WITHOUT AS DIRECTOR LEE SAID, KNOWING THAT DOING THAT WILL SUDDENLY OPEN A FOUNTAIN OF APPLICANTS THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT WILL MAKE US
[01:05:02]
MORE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING IT, BUT THE LAST YEAR WE HAD ANOTHER NEED.THAT WAS WE CAME FORWARD UNILATERALLY WITH A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE REASONS WHY CERTAIN VERY SENIOR TEACHERS WITH A LOT OF LONGEVITY COULD GET A BENEFIT SO THAT THEY WOULD STAY WITH US INSTEAD OF TAKE RETIREMENT, AND GO TAKE EMPLOYMENT IN ANOTHER DISTRICT, AND ALL THOSE THINGS, AND THAT WAS A REAL NEED TOO.
BUT THEN WHEN WE HAD THE COMMUNICATION THROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE COMMUNITY OF TEACHERS REALLY WEREN'T COMMITTED TO SOLVING THAT NEED.
MY CONCERN IS IS TO DO THIS UNILATERALLY WITHOUT THE UNION SUPPORTING IT, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT WE HAVE X AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR GENERAL FUND AND TEACHERS THAT'S NOT LIKELY TO GET BIGGER, AND SO WHERE SOMEONE'S GETTING AN EXTRA, SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO NOT GET AN EXTRA.
ALL I'M SAYING IS THAT IT WOULD BE USEFUL [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WANTED MORE MONEY THIS LAST SPRING, AND WE SAID NO TO THEM, AND SO NOW ANGELA IS COMING BACK WITH A NEED AND WE'RE GOING TO REEVALUATE THAT NEED WHEN SHE GIVES US THE MATH.
GUYS, THERE'S NOTHING FOR US TO DECIDE TONIGHT OTHER THAN, YES, ANGELA, BRING US BACK THE PROPOSAL.
>> IS IT OKAY FOR AUGUST 25, BOARD MEETING?
THAT WAS A GENERAL TERM. SORRY FOR MY.
[LAUGHTER] THE ONE THAT'S ARGUING.
>> THANK YOU WE CAN'T DO IT UNILATERALLY.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THE UNION'S APPROVAL.
>> BUT THE UNION WANTED MORE MONEY IN THE SPRING SO THIS ISN'T A SURPRISE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS [INAUDIBLE].
>> WELL, HAVING SPENT 15 OR 17 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THAT WORLD, A GOOD CONSISTENT PARA MADE THINGS.
SOME DAYS YOU COMMISERATE TOGETHER, [LAUGHTER], AND YOU GET YOURSELF THROUGH IT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TO KNOW THAT, ALTHOUGH REPRESENTED BECAUSE I WORK WITH PAT.
I DO KNOW, DOCTOR CORDOVA, AND I WORK WITH THE FINANCIAL PART.
KIM HAS ADVOCATED FOR THIS RELENTLESSLY SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THIS POSITION.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHE HAS IDENTIFIED AS A NEED, AND HAS BEEN A BIG SUPPORT IN GATHERING DATA OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS JUST TO REALLY GET HER CASE SOLID TO SAY, WE NEED THIS.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM DO YOU KNOW?
>> CAN I JUST SAY COME BACK TO CORDOVA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS ABOUT OUR STUDENTS.
AS WE KEEP LIVING, WE'RE GOING TO SEE INCREASING NEEDS OF STUDENTS THAT ARE IN OUR DISTRICT, AND THAT ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
I JUST THINK HOWEVER WE END UP WITH THIS, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT'S ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, AND IT'S ABOUT OUR STAFF, OUR TEACHERS, OUR WHOLE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HELP MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO LEARN.
BUT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE INCREASING NEEDS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AND AS WE PREPARE TO GO INTO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PAY.
>> NOW ON TO ITEM D EMERGING LEARNING,
[IX.D. Imagine Learning – Angela Bemus]
ANGELA BAMAS, BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF IMAGINE LEARNING FOR THE SUSQUEHANNA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR $70,750?>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SHE SAYS ANY CITIZEN INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, NAY, MOTION PASSES.
ITEM E, SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICE AGREEMENT
[IX.E. Sign Language Interpreter Service Agreement between the SCCSD and NWAEA – Angela Bemus]
BETWEEN THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND NORTHWEST AA.AS IS HERE TO FIELD QUESTIONS IF NEEDED.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTHWEST AA.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? HE SAYS SAME INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY, MOTION PASSES.
[IX.F. Contract for Transportation Services between the SCCSD & the City of Sioux City – Tim Paul]
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BETWEEN THE SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE CITY OF SIOUX CITY TEMPO IS HERE TO FIELD QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE CITY OF SIOUX FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR
[01:10:01]
THE 2025 2026 SCHOOL YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $336,819.24.>> WE HAVE A FIRST. WE HAVE A SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? DIRECTOR RIEMA?
>> WE ASKED THE QUESTION. WHAT IF WE WERE TO DO THIS OURSELVES, AND WE WOULD COST MULTIPLE AMOUNTS WITH HIRING BUSES, AND HIRING BUS DRIVERS? THIS IS A VERY FAVORABLE DEAL TO THE DISTRICT.
WE COULDN'T DO IT OURSELVES FOR ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THIS PRICE.
>> ANY OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION, BOARD MEMBERS? SHANICE, SAYS ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY? MOTION PASSES.
RISE IN TOWER LEASE AT PARA CREEK ELEMENTARY,
[IX.G. Verizon Tower Lease at Perry Creek Elementary – Tim Paul]
TIM PAUL IS HERE TO FIELD QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS IS THEIR MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD AT 6:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME AT THE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER, 6274 STREET, SIOUX CITY IOWA ON THE 25TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, I WAS CONTACTED THIS AFTERNOON BY MR. MOORE, THAT THE TIMELINE TO HOLD THIS PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 25TH, WE'LL HAVE TO CHANGE TO THE FIRST BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, AND FIRST BOARD MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, DUE TO THE FACT, IT HAS TO RUN IN THE JOURNAL FOR 10 DAYS, AND HE'LL SUBMIT THAT TOMORROW AFTER YOU APPROVE IT.
BUT BY THE TIME IT WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL WOULD BE ON SATURDAY.
TYPICALLY, WE'VE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS, BUT THAT'S HOW THIS WOULD GO FORWARD NOW.
THEREFORE WE'LL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT FUTURE MEETINGS, WE'LL HAVE TO POSTPONE A MEETING OFF.
THEREFORE I'M JUST ASKING THAT YOU MODIFY THAT TO READ SEPTEMBER 8TH, BOARD MEETING RATHER THAN THE 25TH.
IF THE SECONDER WILL AGREE, I WILL ACCEPT THE SEPTEMBER 8 THE DATE FOR THE NEXT ONE.
>> THERE'S THE FIRST BOARD MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.
I BELIEVE IT IS ON SEPTEMBER 8TH.
THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WOULD BE TO CHANGE FROM AUGUST 25 TO SEPTEMBER 8.
>> DAN, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THIS.
>> I JUST HAVE TO RE READ THIS, CORRECT?
>> DAN, ARE YOU OKAY WITH FINAL.
>> YES. A FINAL AMENDMENT. I'M FINE WITH THE SEPTEMBER.
>> IF I DON'T NEED TO RESTATE IT, THEN WE'RE GOOD.
WE'RE MOVING THE DEAL FROM 25 AUGUST TO 8 SEPTEMBER 2025?
>> DESCRIPTION, THE AGREEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE PURCHASING MANAGER'S OFFICE AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHICH IS A SERVICE H 627, FOURTH STREET.
WE HAVE A FIRST, WE HAVE A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? YOU GUYS HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? SHANICE, IS THERE ANY CITIZEN INPUT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
[IX.H. West and East Elevator Renovations – Tim Paul]
AND EAST ELEVATOR RENOVATION TO PAUL IS HERE TO FIELD QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM L & L BUILDERS OF THE OF SIOUX CITY FOR THE WEST, AND EAST HIGH ELEVATOR RENOVATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $612,000.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> JOHN, VERY QUICKLY, IT WAS GOOD TO SEE TWO BEDS, AND PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
PERHAPS THE BIDDING ENVIRONMENT IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
>> ANY FURTHER? SHOULD YOU SAY CITIZEN INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
[IX.I. Extend Network – Chad Fengel]
CHAD FANO IS HERE TO FIELD QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM M ON TO EXTEND THE DISTRICT NETWORK TO THE BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, AND SOCCER FIELDS, BATTING CAGES, AND CONCESSION STANDS AT A COST OF $22,438?
>> WE HAVE FIRST, WE HAVE BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION.
ITEM J. CONTRACTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL.
[IX.J. Contracts for Board Approval – Jim Vanderloo/ Jarod Mozer]
JIM VAN, AND JARED MOSHER.BOARD MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE, AND EXECUTE THE CONTRACTS TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING, AND ACTIVITIES.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
ITEM K. OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST.
[IX.K. Open Enrollment Request – Dr. Juan Córdova]
DR. JUAN CORDOVA, IS HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO DENY THE OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST FOR STUDENT A
[01:15:02]
PER SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY NUMBER 501.6 A, DISTRICT TO DISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT, INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOM SPACE.>> FIRST, WE HAVE SECOND MEMBERS ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSION.
>> WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS WE'RE AGREEING THAT THERE'S INSUFFICIENT SPACE, AND WE'RE LETTING THE SUPERINTENDENT MAKE THAT DECISION.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SHANICE SAYS THIS INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY? > NAY.
[IX.L. Open Enrollment Request – Dr. Juan Córdova]
OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST, DR. JUAN CORDOVA.BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO DENY THE OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST FOR STUDENT B POLICY SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, POLICY CODE NUMBER 501.6 A, DISTRICT TO DISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT, INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOM SPACE.
>> WE HAVE FIRST, WE HAVE SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DIRECTOR RIEMA.
>> I ASKED THE QUESTION. WHY ARE WE DENYING THIS? BECAUSE THE SCHOOL THAT THEY WANT TO GO TO EITHER DIDN'T HAVE THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEEDED OR THE SCHOOLS THEY WERE GOING TO WAS ALREADY FULL WITH OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE A ROOM FOR THEM.
THOSE ARE THE REASONS WE'RE DENYING THESE IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND.
>> I ASSUME THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOMS.
>> OUR SPECIAL CLASSROOMS ARE VERY FULL ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
YOU CAN NAME, AND WE'VE HAD THIS LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THE OTHER NEEDS, AND SO FORTH.
AT THIS TIME, WE BELIEVE IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL THE STUDENTS NOT TO APPROVE THESE.
I WOULD SAY THAT IT HURT MY HEART NOT TO APPROVE THEM, BUT I'M HOPING THAT WITH SOME OF THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT UP IN THE FUTURE.
>> SPECIAL DETAIL [INAUDIBLE].
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SHOULD YOU SAY ANY CITIZEN INPUT?
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY.
>> MOTION PASSES. OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST,
[IX.M. Open Enrollment Request – Dr. Juan Córdova]
DOCTOR CORDOVA, BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO DENY THE OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST FOR STUDENTS C PER SIOUX COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY CODE NUMBER 501.6 A, DISTRICT DISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT, INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOM SPACE?>> WE HAVE FIRST, WE HAVE SECOND, BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? SHOULD WE SAY CITIZEN INPUT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> MOTION PASSES. IS THAT TIME OF THE NIGHT TO ADJOURN? IS THERE A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT?
>> WE HAVE FIRST BY MICHAELSON, SECOND BY MEYERS.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY?
>> MOTION IS APPROVED, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.