SAU#68/School Board Meeting/9-10-2025

Speakers are labeled SPEAKER_N. This transcript is machine-generated.

Recording

call to order the public hearing on the
expenditure of funds from the
technology
trust.
>> Yes.
>> Um uh this was an item that was
originally in the budget that we decided
to take out of the budget with the
intention of using the technology uh
funds for that purpose. The um request
is for
$16,938
um to be expended from the technology
trust funds for the purchase of five uh
clear touch screens. Those are the
touchscreen
uh educational tools
u interactive panels. Uh it looks like
uh there's this the panels, the modules,
the hubs that that go along with those
and then shipping charges
coming up to 16,930 drives. Is there any
discussion
questions about this?
And I don't see anything to the public.
Um, so, uh, hearing no discussion, we
will take, uh, I'll accept a motion to
dispense $16,938
for the purchase of five clear touch
interactive screens with, uh, add paper,
the shipping and other hardware.
>> So, moved.
>> Thank you, Tammy. Any Is there a second?
>> A second.
>> Thank you, Jasmine. Any further
discussion on that?
Hearing none, all those in favor signify
saying I. I post extensions and that
carries and with that that's the only
order of business for the public
hearing. So we need a simple motion for
journ public hearing.
>> So move
>> thank
Kevin. All those in favor signify by
saying
>> I. And the public hearing is adjourned.
We will now call to order the regularly
scheduled school board meeting. Um,
first item on agenda is
the approval of meeting minutes from
>> public hearing minutes from August 20th
and the public meeting minute, the
schoolboard meeting minutes from August
20th. Uh, we'll accept those uh by
consent if as long as there's no
objection.
Hearing none, those are accepted
by consent.
>> Thank you, Sharon.
The next up is correspondence.
I did receive an email that I forwarded
to Deb in regards to public hearing for
our dental health plan. Um that's the
only
country
email that I well it didn't come through
but was regarding student. No North
Country Education Services. It didn't
come in the after. Okay.
Yeah. But there is more here if you look
in your
>> in here.
>> Okay.
>> Oh
>> yeah.
>> Yes. We there is a correspondence that I
think has been distributed via email for
all board members regarding a
confidential matter to discuss. I didn't
see what's
>> that is
Christie.
>> Sorry
>> Christie from her.
>> Oh okay.
Is this
um something you stepped on from the
public or
>> Oh no.
That's
>> okay.
>> I know.
>> She's on too.
>> Good.
>> Sorry.
>> Yeah. No.
>> And this is this will be effective at
the end of this school year. Yeah, it's
in my
>> Okay,
I don't know what
>> we're gonna have to just Yeah, it d
>> So, not in our bonus, but in your
>> Yeah, we talked about that. Okay,
>> so that's it for spons
uh and next up is the business approach.
>> Yeah, just a couple things at at the
last meeting where you talked about sub
rates and increasing those and there was
a question that was asked how much is in
our budget. So, I did I wanted to go
back and just answer that question
because I didn't have it in front of me.
>> And we have $105,000 in our budget for
subs. Um, it's broken down into two
functions departments in the budget. One
was in regular ed and one is in special
ed because those are the teachers and
carers that are subbing. So, um,
so we actually I went back and looked at
what we actually spent over the last two
years. So, there have been 105,000 in
the budget in 2022 and 23. spend
110,000.
23 24 we spent 78,000
and 24 25 110,000.
But in the 2425 year and also the 223
year, we had some long-term subs. So we
have like we had a position that we
hadn't filled last year and we used
long-term subs to fill that uh PE
specifically. So I charge those to the
subline because they're technically
subs, you know, we budgeted the actual
teacher. So you see, you know, the
offset is in the actual future. So if I
back out those long-term subcharges from
last year, we're actually at 72,000.
So
>> we have 105 in there now.
>> And we have 105 and our budget really
just increase the rates.
>> Is the rate for long-term sub different?
>> The rate for long-term sub is different
depending on their qualifications.
They're usually paid if they're a
certified teacher, they're paid at the
BA uh step one on our salary schedule.
the pretty that if they're not if
they're certified but not in the subject
a different rate and then if they're not
certified there's a a different rate but
it's higher normal than the regular sub
rate just because they have a planning
you know they have other
>> things that they need to do than a
regular sub
position depending on which sub but we
usually
like
um to student teachers
>> oh right so they didn't get paid at the
VA step one because they weren't
certified.
>> If we were to go over the 105 that's
budgeted for it, is this an acceptable
use of the retained funds?
>> Yeah, but usually there's offsets in the
>> there's other so I'm not concerned about
that.
>> Okay. We do still have one uh position
that wasn't filled,
>> so there would be a covered in house,
>> right? But that salary won't be
expended. So that could be used as well.
Yes.
if needed. Yeah. So there both positions
and those like this like that's what you
did from there to cover that
>> right
pluses and minuses especially when
they're looking at I haven't done that
yet for the new year. I was trying to
wait
and I still have to finish
>> but that's what I usually do in the
fall. I don't do that. That's what I
think I did last year. make sure we all
our we had some savings but we also like
some money for customer said oh we can
do this strategic plan and we can do
this and we can
process some
>> perfect
>> but yes at the next meeting I will be
going over those year end results and
talking about fun
>> and so the um we don't have any concern
that even with our new priest that we're
going to be pro okay
thank
Um but excuse me.
>> Um just the start of the year has been
great filled with uh lots of excitement.
the teacher rep who's gonna be here is
going to talk about some of the stuff
happening at middle school but
>> um so um things that are happening
they're doing a stat and maybe middle
schooling some woodworking small engines
they're doing cooking class they're
doing community volunteering so I just
wanted to show you uh the new STEM
things we're doing and then we've worked
in that entire lab we took some pictures
and I just thought you guys might want
to see that it's already up and running
and kids are having blast with that.
First district newsletter went out and
it's available um on our website and
Wilson children about every month
through the year. um our elementary
school teachers have been working really
hard this summer and then start the
school year to all engage in a it's a
two-year training but you can do it um
in probably about 100 hours so they half
of our teachers have completed no more
than half of our teachers now completed
um over half of it this summer on their
own so I just wanted to give a big shout
out to have for uh working so hard and
that's really around our literacy work
and making sure they're using research
and evidence-based instruction. They're
able to convert that training into
graduate credits. So when they're
completed that they can get 12 graduate
credits and that was think I think it
was who had asked me is you about our
teachers utilizing that funding this
will be a great way for them to uh get
graduate credits and advance their
degrees. Our strategic plan is um still
on target for October 22nd meeting
and we will have to have board action on
meeting around the PAR in negotiation. I
put some dates that we can talk about
that part of agenda.
And then I just left um some dates in
the back and remember that we have open
house on Tuesday and that home funding
is on Saturday.
of the and not this Saturday. 27 week
Saturday. Yeah. A week from Saturday.
Yeah. 27. Two weeks.
>> 27.
>> It's on a Saturday.
>> Yeah.
>> That's it.
>> Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> And Mr. Thank you. Uh just want to
report the opening has been going very
smoothly. Um teachers are at students
are all uh coming to terms with our new
personal communication device policy.
Teachers are doing a great job. Um I
know we're doing a great job of kids
come down at like 228 229
because they've taken their phone out a
little too early.
>> That just shows that you know that we
are getting that support. which is great
for us, right? Even though there's no
wiggle room, but it's still nice that
they're they're doing that. Yeah, it's
definitely an
>> um we're into our fall MIA testing
that'll um done this month. Uh athletics
are kicked off and are going very
smoothly. We have game film games today
against Newfoundal.
Um as Dr. Steady mentioned uh open house
on September 16th. Same thing. We're
going to have a uh a brief meeting in
the uh gym, middle high school gym, and
basically I welcome them and just tell
them, you know, exactly go over what our
uh activities are for that. Going to
have some tables out for uh information
purposes and clubs and activities would
be there. Um so that'll be through uh
cafe services. We'll have a barbecue. Um
we're also getting organized for our
first fire drills and evacuation drills.
So we have to have you know one for the
middle school middle high school and one
for the elementary building for school
year. We're going to
the middle high school.
Um
uh we I said on there for senior college
night, but we didn't really we only had
like one or two families tenatively sign
up, so that was postponed.
Um and then Megan uh I asked her to give
us a little report on STEM education
on that new
teacher. And as you can see, she's
rolling with Legos and Zoom bots and the
battle royale and just all kinds of fun
stuff going on videos. So,
>> yeah, we can get those
>> battling their robots. Okay.
>> And I also um
>> I've heard a few funny stories.
>> Yeah, good. And I did talk to Megan
about having some presentations, having
students come and present and show what
they're doing um to a school board
meeting once they get up and run. So
>> sweet.
>> I Yeah, just from when our student last
year senior
>> came and presented. You guys were very
excited about that. So we're gonna
definitely do more of that
>> this this year for you. Um Sean Woods is
uh currently working in small engines
and carpentry for our high schools. And
then he also has a uh call it a tinker
lab for the middle school.
>> You know they're getting familiar with
certain tools and and you know getting
exposed to some things. So Sean's doing
a great job. Very excited.
>> Fantastic about that. Yeah.
>> Good stuff. Great. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you.
Uh, can I just clarify one thing? The
open house on the 16th, is that for
both?
>> Correct. That's K12. K through 12.
>> Yeah, K through 12 will come to the U
gym and we did it last year. The same
thing. Just welcome, tell them what
we're going to do, show them the tables,
you know, basically it's for like our
all so parents know how to get in the
system, see their children's attendance
and different things like that and also
their grades. times they have questions
on that but you know Trey will be there
our southern teachers
that
next up is uh committee reports media
policy
there are still
u and we have a number of policies on
for first reading and a number for
second
So guess we'll start with the uh first
reading policies
and I I had a clarification question
some of those the way that looking at
the the parents bill rights the
development adoption view policies
graduation requirements
um
and maybe the homework policy Were those
all ones that we had adopted sort of
summarily with the intent to
>> Yeah, they had the intention come back
because we needed Okay. Yeah.
>> So, those are all the ones that are
dated July 23rd.
>> Um
>> Okay, that's what I That's what
So, those were the ones that we already
Oh, actually not that. But
>> some of them Yeah.
I did have um
comment or question on
the
career explor exploration readiness.
What's the fellow signature?
>> I KFG.
>> Uh for all incoming section B for all
incoming first year students freshman
district or assess career assess career
interest and advise how to achieve a
career readiness credential upon
graduation. The district will document
school pathways career readiness
credentials and report on a student's
transcript progress or credential. this
the the career readiness credential that
does doesn't seem to be something that's
fine
>> we're using a platform called cell
where all the kids go through it to
interactive games and so Matt has that
so they're meeting the law through that
pathway
>> okay that's and that's something that
that we've been advised is acceptable to
something that the department of ed has
endorsed in this group of stairs.
>> Okay. So, we are that that was my
question because it didn't really seem
to have much discussion about what a
career readiness credential was or how
we were going to define that and how we
were going to score that or but if we're
using there's a piece of software. Okay.
And then uh
is that just something that they you
know once they've completed the
program
>> you you you interact with it every year
to see if you're changing any of your
career goals to make sure that you've
got your alos in it. There's some games
so kids have an understanding of what
they might be interested in and
therefore they're taking classes that
are behind their
how do we how do we like
determine whether somebody is uh that we
are um
going to award them a career readiness
credential.
>> You know I'll have to get back to that.
Okay. Because it just like it's saying
that we have to like basically define
what that is,
>> figure out a way to assess career
readiness and then and then award a
credential if we determine that the
person is career ready or you know and
>> I do know like the department of ed
evaluates us on career readiness. So
that's one of the areas that we're
trying to strengthen. So the department
of ed recognizes there's a kid gone to a
CTE program. Uh, has the kid taken AP
classes? Has the kid taken an early
college class? Um, have they t done an
ELO? Uh, have they done an intra? Those
type things. And they score us on
whether or not the kids are career
ready. So that platform aligns with
that. So we help make decisions around.
So I will ask not like how they're
awarding the credential around that but
I do know that that is associated with
staff for us and sometimes like you know
I don't know the exact percentage but we
did not score well on that this year and
um and it's not that our kids aren't
ready and so that's the discussion I'm
I'm actively having with the department
of ed like I've made a suggestion that
what if you have a kid who is ready to
go. The college may not Oh, SAT scores
are on it, too. May not have scored well
in that, has no desire to go to a CT,
but has been taking all their classes,
participates in sports, and is going to
limit something like that and they're
successful there to say that they're not
career ready is
>> it. I I struggle with that. want to try
to logically process whatever we have an
opportunity to weigh in on that and
discuss something.
>> So,
>> Yeah. Because I'm just my concern is
that without sort of any real or good
definition of what it means to be career
ready does define that through those
things but I feel like we need to add
additional definition because there are
so many other things that
>> well it also says that it's that it's
for people who choose to pursue that
pathway. So, you know, it's it doesn't
seem to be something that's required for
all students. Is that
>> Well, we have to So, we have to do this
like we we're we're putting all kids
through this. This is just part of our
advisory. It's going to be happening in
the school. Um
how we what that credential looks like
and how we're awarding it, I'll have to
get back to you in that, but I do know
is in line with what the department says
is career ready. Okay. career college
ready and uh there is a space in there
that I feel like is
uh missing you know when you assess
whether a kid is care for your college
grade so if we're doing project based
learning here we're doing a great
project like you know the thing that
Danny made sure you're around the kid
did that but maybe didn't do well in
their SATs and isn't doing a CTE or
internship
to say they're not college in career For
me, it just it's not hard to understand
that. Um, but I know that the captain
then is going back into some of the uh
way they they assess that and give some
feedback.
>> So, but I do let me get back to Matt and
see how that program is brand new this
year. I'm not really familiar the ins
and outs of that.
>> Okay. And I I guess my the way I'm sort
of reading it or or and maybe it's this
is not correct, but it would be
something that like you graduate with a
diploma with a with a career readiness
credential, meaning that maybe you're
not pretending to go to college, you're
going into the workforce, you and and
this credential signifies that you've
got some experience through high school
that puts you in a better position than
a person without the credential. Is that
>> I think that's why they're saying CT and
ELO intern. They're trying to say that
these are the things. But
>> in my mind, I think there are more.
>> But let me just see what
>> Matt
because the law said that we had to do
this, right? Like this is new
>> this year for us. So I want to find out
how he's
>> he's spent more time in this than I'
basically given.
>> Let me find out. All right. Um,
do we want to
keep maybe not move this to second until
we have some answers about
>> u, that was the only real question I had
on the first meeting
>> policies
and anyone else
This language that we've added to the
patriotic exercises is this um is this
statuto
>> IMBA
>> probably
I am M.
>> I am
>> section
which is the first.
>> Oh, right there.
And it is. It's from the
flags.
>> Yeah,
>> sheets.
>> Yeah, it's a new one of the 86 new laws
that were passed.
>> Yeah, that way we could go look at our
flags to make sure the state flag and
make sure our flags have the right size
and that if we recommend two black
things that we have to put in.
Yeah. So,
And if we get a gift from a flag, we
have to display it in classrooms, too.
>> Is that right?
>> Um I I just I I kind of stopped at the
flag part and
>> I was looking around.
>> Yeah, exactly.
>> Yes. Yes. Yeah, we have some work to do
on our flags.
>> And here's the thing that I think that
section just says that we authorize to
accept the donation. They don't the
superintendent
>> doesn't have to disclose.
>> They're not required or doesn't not even
require not that they I don't care
whatever
>> it's
>> important things in education. Yes.
Agreed. Agreed. Yeah.
>> Let's not worry about funding. Let's
talk about where the
>> state
talk about supporting our teachers. the
second slides.
>> All right. Yeah. Wait.
>> Uh, was there any other discussion on
the first reading?
>> You want to make your motion?
>> I will. I'll make a motion to move all
the first reading policies except for
IKFG to second reading.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. Thank you, J. All those Any
further discussion on that? All those in
favor signify by saying I. I.
>> I.
>> Both extensions and the motion carries.
Next up is policies
uh per second reading.
Those are also that we went over
>> pretty much dissected all those already.
>> Yeah. And I didn't see anything
that I
think we discussed those.
>> Yeah, we did.
an assistant title
instruction I resources
that's all yeah
and in chew
Good fat
>> other than that.
>> So I'll make sure
>> any further discussion
second reading process.
>> I'll make a motion to approve all the
second reading passes.
Thank you. Jasmine. Uh any further
discussion? All those in favor signify
by saying I. I. I. I oppose extensions
and that motion carries.
>> And then do you need a motion to
withdraw that one?
>> I'll make a motion to withdraw BBA-R
second.
>> Jasmine.
>> All those in favor sign I
>> I post extensions. Motion
>> Sharon. Thank you.
>> Yes. Thank you.
>> Policy approved.
>> Whether you want to be or not.
>> Right. Exactly. That is your
>> um business requiring board action
nomination is recommendation of
resignations.
>> Let's get that part.
Um, as you follow the letter, uh, in the
letter you received, Christine Norris
plans to retire at the end of the state
of six. And as you all know, she has
been a great asset for the school
district.
>> It's be a significant loss,
>> huge loss to our Yes.
>> Yeah. Um, I will make a motion to accept
Christine Mory's resignation with deep
regret.
And
congratulations.
>> Yes. Congratulations. 28 years here. 28
years. That is
>> incredible. Extraordin.
>> And she still likes doing it. You know,
>> she likes her six papers. Don't get it.
And crying. You think all the time,
right?
>> Yes. Absolutely.
>> Um,
>> can I just say something about that? So,
she was doing a cooking club and she
taught the kids how to make pancakes and
one of the kids was very nervous about
flipping the pancakes and then over the
weekend they would probably make
pancakes for their family.
>> Let her know like thank you pancakes.
>> That's awesome. That's cool.
>> Yeah, it's that's really
>> So, do you have a motion on second?
>> We have a motion. Yes.
>> All right. Further discussion on that.
>> All those in favor signify by saying I
>> I
>> opposed extensions.
That motion carries and we express our
sincerest gratitude to the rest of
>> good for
>> Absolutely.
>> And anything else in that uh agenda
either.
>> We don't have anything in new or
continuing business. We have no
students. We have no staff and we have
no community here. We do have an issue
for not.
>> So I will pull the go public soon
three two and that is
discussion sorry discussion of matters
that are involve students.
>> Uh many.
>> Yay. Yay.
three times.
>> Yes. Yes.