[clears throat] All right, good. Uh, thank you everyone for coming. Sorry about the delay for later than the schedule. We have some technical glitch here. So, hopefully you all have something late. I don't know when I'm going to eat this because I'm going to keep talking. Um, so I'm going to share my screen. I have permission. Hopefully I do. But we will start with an ice break every year and we want to make this as quick as possible. Spend too much time on it. Can everybody hear me? >> Yeah. sharing. There you go. Huh? Success. So, three questions very very quickly within 30 seconds. Your name, how many years you have you have been on the school board? Obviously, Alicia will be starting now. So, and then third one is what's one small thing that helps you stay grounded during long or challenging meetings? So, you can you like would you mind starting Valentina? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Valentina ears. Um I'm finishing my second year. So, third year. Um what does it mean? Yeah, I feel like it's it's a meeting. It's not a life or death situation. I I never accept it. I mean, I never It's a challenging meeting like that. So, I never even thought what I do. Um, >> I just know that the meeting will be done and >> Estra coming up on two years on the school board. Um, what's one small tails me stay grounded? My water bottle. >> Alicia Little, very first time being in a meeting. Um, so you know, for not haven't been in a ton of long challenging meetings, but I think in general I joked that I almost brought some little bins of fidgets along and maybe I'll start doing that. But I think that, you know, trying to take little movement breaks in my body or deep breathing, that's kind of my go-to. I think just being able to wiggle my feet a little bit, get up and walk around or have some sort of a breathing just to try to reset your brain a little bit, keep going. Heidi Kater. Uh, I am rolling into my fifth year on the board and um, a small thing. So, I was telling Alicia when Alicia brought out the fidgets, I always bring a rock. I have a rock one of my neighbors gave me and I play with that quite a bit under the table. And the other thing that really helps me actually is to really focus. So, really focus on the words that somebody's saying, really listen and just stay in that moment. So that um because then it doesn't feel long. It might be challenging to hear some things but it won't feel so long if you're really in that. >> Good evening everyone. Paris Monday. This is my second year on school board going into third year. Um I don't mind long and challenging meetings as long as we are getting to the expected outcome or some outcome. So um sometimes it is required, sometimes it is necessary to have difficult conversations. So again like I said as long as we stay on the agenda, as long as we are getting to the expected outcome or next steps, um that kind of keeps me going. >> Eva Prior, I've been on the school board three years and I'm going into my fourth year. And the reason I'm offset from everyone was because I had an extra year to finish up Calmer's term. Um, let's see. Something that keeps me grounded during long meetings. Um, I like to doodle. That keeps me focused. >> Um, all of my papers in my meetings have some kind of drawing on them when a meeting is over. >> Good to know. >> I get what's your go-to? >> They're not good drawings. No, they're like just designs and like squiggles and >> I draw grapes. >> Okay. I like a good tree or a flower. But [laughter] >> weirdly, I often go to like spiderw webs and I don't know why I don't like particularly like them. They're just fun to draw. >> Okay. >> I uh Soon uh this is my the end of my fourth year. I'm going into the fifth year now. And uh one small thing really that helps me not just in meetings but anytime in life is when somebody makes a joke or humor. Humor really gets me going. If somebody from the administration or from the board no makes fun that's what I always look for that makes s take the attention or the seriousness out of the meeting. Of course, you know, we have to focus, but I think that what that's what really Okay, thank you everyone again. Thank you for coming and let's go to the next item. I just wanted to set some guidelines. Uh this most of it from last year as well. So the meeting is scheduled for about two hours. Uh and we should try our best to honor the time be respectful of everyone's [snorts] personal commitments. The first several agenda topics are repeat except for Alicia. Alicia hopefully you have read most of those. Um so I anticipate we should be able to wrap those up relatively quickly. Uh let's try to stay on agenda topics given the time constraints. If there there are topics outside of this that come up we can punch them future meetings. uh let's make space for all voices to be heard and I will play the role of as a timeke keeper to ensure we honor the time we have together I will move us forward to agenda topics accordingly if a topic cannot be brought to completion it will be tabled for a future work session if this okay with everyone just to make sure that we don't drag this meeting let's get out as soon as possible so having said that um let me go board and see where we have to jump next. >> It's me. I can start while you're looking. You also have the agenda in front of you. >> Yes. >> Um hi Amy G, district administrative assistant. >> Um so just quick background because it's relevant to what I'm going to say. Um, I have a degree in public policy and management. Um, I was a naval officer for 12 years. I went on two deployments and I was an instructor of leadership at the Naval Academy for three years. Um, I've been a district employee for the last seven years. I was a substitute teacher for the first three and then I um am just now completing my fourth year in this role u which hopefully I'll stay on for. Um, I'm also the president of the Minnesota Superintendent Office Personnel Association. So, there's one of me in every district and um I'm in my second year as the president. I'll be rolling off um next year. I also have served on the board for Plymouth Wise Youth Baseball for two years. So, um I put my Robert's rules of order to good use. Um some reminders for you all. um calendar invites and Alicia, a lot of this is kind of for you and review for the rest. Um but once meetings are decided upon both for regular schoolboard meetings, committee meetings, I'll be adding those to your calendars. Um that is how district personnel know that you're attending. That's how I know um and have a heads up to find you an alternate. So, um, please, so I don't have to send you reminders, please, um, try to be diligent about responding to your calendar invites. Um, there's also some confusion with regard to rotating committee, um, partners for healthy kids, melon, >> uh, partners for healthy kids, um, district liaison, and, uh, sorry, I'm forgetting the last one. What? >> Rotating committees. am those invites have a tendency to the entire schoolboard is invited by the uh admins that run them. Those you kind of need to ignore. If I sent you the invite, that's when you're the one on that. And I've tried and I think it's gotten better if I send a note of these, you know, this month here's who's up for these meetings. I think that's help some of the confusion. Okay, perfect. So, I will continue to do that. >> Does that work well for you? totally fine. No problem. Um, so happy to continue that. Um, and then Alicia, you had mentioned it in an email and I will try to keep a running list. Um, I had mentioned it might be complicated as far as some of the events that y'all should attend >> for sure. And I will make sure again you will get calendar invites from me for these. graduation, our retiree lunchon, um the homecoming tailgator, the Weisetta High School student council bagels with the board event. Um those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head this morning. I'm sure there's more, but those kind of annual events. Um specific school related ones, I don't mind doing it. It just might be slightly more complicated because um school calendars change a bit >> and they're managed by the school and I don't get a heads up. But I will happily um just try and give you guys a heads up for those. You might not get a calendar invite, but I'll try to >> make you aware of, you know, if you want to attend, you know, >> choir concerts, whatever. So, I'm happy to do that as long as it's a worthwhile endeavor. I'll say, let me put that way. >> Um, Robert's rules of order, just kind of the only thing that's just a little bit sticky sometimes at our meetings lately is you need to have a motion and a second prior to discussion. It's kind of the only place that we're falling a little bit short sometimes. It Robert's Rules of Order is a little bit archaic, but I like it that way. Um, did >> Yes. Excellent. Glad you have that. >> Not got a whole lot of use yet, but >> and I'm happy to answer questions. I geek out like, so more than happy to chat with you about it anytime. Um, I I actually literally have districts that call me for it, so happy to help. Um, and then open meeting law. I know you'll get into some of this later, but the only thing that is again a little bit of an issue is please use blind carbon copy if you feel the need to send something to the full board. It could be completely unintentional, could be related to homecoming, but then people respond reply all and then it becomes a meeting because someone accidentally says something or only replies to certain people. So, it's just best practice. MSBA will spout this all day long. uh please try to use blank or probably if you feel the need to reply to the whole board. Uh we do have a practice at Weisetta that if you're sending something to just the chair that you include the chair and vice chair. If three of you are on an email, you're completely fine. I do not count. I've CCed on a lot of things. The superintendent CCed on a lot of things. We don't count toward any of that. Uh but just try and keep it if you need to to three or less. That is um [clears throat] how we've been doing this. Um it's just really important that communication with the chair and vice chair are clear because if the chair ever needs to step away like for a couple meetings that you've had to miss um the vice chair needs to be aware of what's happening. Um okay and then I wasn't I I'm just asking you to give me a little grace. Um again I have been an employee here for seven years and I just have something quickly I need to read. You'll humor me. Um, as an employee of Voisetta Public Schools and a parent of three children in the district, I feel compelled to take a moment to draw attention to some unfortunate situations that have occurred within the school board. I do not bring this up lightly, but it has bothered me for a number of years now and becoming more pervasive within the board. So, I'm going to bring it up in this forum. I have no intention of naming names or putting anyone on the spot, but rather putting a spotlight on an issue quietly before it becomes more of an issue publicly. I'd like to provide a few examples of the unfortunate behavior I'm referring to. Again, I'm not naming names. Um, during meetings to discuss the incoming superintendent search, um, a number of members have only referred to the incoming superintendent as he. There's been a lot of speaking over women at schoolboard meetings, both members of the board and staff, and we have frankly been silenced. dismissing of the professional nature of female staff members and their expertise at meetings and committee of the board meetings and relying on their expertise but seeking out other districts and MSBA for input telling me personally that you don't know what my job is when I've been in this role for over four years and worked with all of you. Um only asking questions of male students at schoolboard meetings. This has happened a number of times when both female and male students are present and when a situation has come up I have been told or witnessed others that are told that their perception not what is intended is very much gaslighting their perceived issue. I understand that being on a schoolboard comes with stress, disagreements, misunderstandings, and examples above represent a pattern of behavior that I believe needs to be addressed. In addition to how this behavior makes myself and others feel personally, part of my job is to keep Wisetta public schools out of the news, including the school board. And it continues to go unchecked and escalates. I worry that this will affect your public image as well as the image of Wisetta Public Schools. That's all I have. I'm gonna step out and have my dinner and I'll be back for um recording and other things. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> So the like I said we are going to skip a lot of items on the agenda unless somebody has a specific question on any of the attachments. I am suggesting we move to The next one that we will be discussing is the is item four D in David schoolboard salaries. All the others are that were there last year before that. If anybody has specific questions we can talk about. No. >> Okay. So I am going to >> do we have any questions? Sorry. Do we have any questions on the open meeting law? That was my because I know there's been discussion and um thoughts around what constitutes open meeting and I just wanted to check in with everybody to see >> are you feeling more confident and more in understanding of what constitutes an open meeting versus having a coffee with somebody or you know because we should be connecting as board colleagues. We should be that is a healthy thing to do to build relationships and it doesn't constitute an open meeting. If we are for example at the gala the ed fund gala that is not a forum of the board because we are not discussing school board issues and so it's fine for us to be in a space together and so I just again want to throw it out there's any questions or confusion or um something feels uncomfortable that we haven't had an opportunity to talk about together now would be a great time to do that. >> That would apply to also other things right gayla uh our homecoming. >> Yeah. Right. Party. >> As long as we're not discussing business >> bagels, >> we're good to go. >> Bagels with the board. We post because we are discussing >> food. >> We do discuss board work. [clears throat] >> I remember one issue that came up two years ago, maybe maybe a little longer was when the city council had invited us for that robot thing, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. And that participant that long as you don't discuss board things you know at the meeting even more than four I think that was also posted but >> we'll leave it up to Amy to define that she can post it. >> There's no harm in posting it but sometimes there's no time and some things we don't need to post. >> Sure. >> And then don't forget about serial conversations count as well. If you talk to four or three other board members about the same issue, that's a serial conversation. >> Excuse me, a serial conversation. And that also violates open meeting law, which is why it's super important that we have conversations at the table. Like when when we have our regular meetings or our organizations, that's the time and place to hash it all out. >> Any other questions? Any other attachments? Okay. Sorry. This spreadsheet that we had I don't know if so make it as as brief as possible. Last year there was a proposal discharged by I think 3% immediately discounted right I mean board members thought was not appropriate. So I'm bringing it up again and uh there there are a couple of options to to think about. One is um what is called the cost of living adjustment that the social security guys IRS you know gives to social security checks which happens to be like 2.8% 8% for next year or uh something that Heidi had brought up at the agenda planning meeting uh attach the increase annual increase at least for this year to the funding formula which is at this point 2.74%. >> So the reason I'm bringing that up is because typically that's what was done in the past. Um we took a few years and I think it's been what eight years >> now since we had since there's been an increase. Um, and we felt really uncomfortable. I'm just giving some background >> during cost containment. >> Absolutely. It felt really like not the right thing to do. Um, we're not in cost containment anymore. Um, I still have my opinion on having an increase, but if we were to do an increase, I would recommend no higher than the 2.74 that was um that's associated with the um the increase on formula. he consults any I remember last year it was just straight up right yeah >> so personally I'm okay keeping where we are and no implement uh but >> rest of the board if you think we should bump up I'm fine either ways my only ask is and again if it is relevant here I think this year we had lot of these ad hoc meetings and I'm suspecting that will be the case next year given the referendum superintendent search etc. We were trying to get meetings blocked in one day and again I don't know if it was because if you are here you are getting alonss versus I mean it was part of it. Yes the scheduling is most important because not all schedules could be aligned. So if there is anything we can take out of that equation I'm okay with that. Again as an example we know that we will have more adop meetings given the priorities for next year. Maybe we don't get paid for those external meetings. Again, like I said, I'm trying to keep cost minimal. There are certain things we have to do. Um, and none of us are here for any compensation. So, like I said, I'm okay with not >> not increasing um our allowance or compensation for next year. And I'm okay if we don't get any additional compensation for any additional meetings and things like that. It'd probably be more complicated to take that part away. Um, I think we need to leave that in because it just gets >> Okay, >> we got to I'm thinking about future boards as well. Um, I'm, you know, I don't think any of us are living off this, you know, it's it's not much, but it is something and it compensates us for our time. And when I think about, you know, people who are able to be on the school board, who might not run because they're not being compensated for their time, you know, if they're leaving work or whatever. Um, >> and leaving kids at home. >> Leaving kids at home and needing, you know, child care or something that Yes, >> good point. Um, >> so for myself, no, I I mean, it it won't make a big difference for me. know my kids are older and you know um most of the time I can make up work if I have to miss it during the day but I think not letting us get too far behind is important. Yeah. >> So maybe just kind of >> yeah keeping pace with the funding formula or whatever you mean I'm fine with that. Um >> you know I I agree um Sheila I think that's a good idea. I think, you know, this something I really reflected on a lot. Um, there are a lot of people out there who can't afford to hold public office because they have to work a second job in the evening or they have to work a third job in the evening. And so, by raising the stipend or the compensation, you're able to, you know, make the office more inclusive and accessible to folks who, you know, aren't independently well off or married to someone who's independently well off. Um, and so yeah, I think it's appropriate to raise a stipen. I appreciate the um, you know, 2.74% increase. I think it's a fairly impartial percentage um that doesn't, you know, factor in any bias or any way we could tip the scale. So yeah, I think it's I think it's appropriate, you know, with in mind the fact that, you know, there's just a lot that we're going to be tending to over the next several years, increasing this tip is more than appropriate. position. Um, one thing uh what I would like to ask whomever will be chair vice chair is to be honest not to put several meetings on one day uh because it's becoming quite tough uh to after a whole day at work to come another five hours. I know that we're saving district $50, but I'll be blunt. um for a district of this size and with this kind of money I feel like what I was saving we if anything I think that if there are some issues which they need to be paid attention uh when you're putting them together in in one day you might be missing something because at the end of the day your brain's almost like a fried fried Um yeah 8 plus 5 hours it means I mean do math um you already at work position um for quite long so I would like to ask um if it is possible not to make a habit because lately it became a habit. we have quite a lengthy meetings uh or if obviously you see some of them are big can be big issues I mean I don't know how else to read is it uh such way that then I'm going to hear well you're asking too many questions if it is such way uh then I I I I don't know um I would like to hear opinion about that part as for race I'll to be honest I I didn't know even that uh this position is getting paid. I discovered when literally like um when did I I think it when during trainings I discovered that they in pain. Um I like what some people are saying uh that um I know that we're wealthy district and some families have good incomes. uh but I have to agree that uh for some it might be put in so much uh time it also need to be valued a little bit I'm coming from charter school charter school even though I'm working as a teacher right now why not getting paid and at the same time I'll repeat I did not come here for making money so I would like to here um a little bit more. How would you think if um your family income is um is not on top? How would you think about others? At the same time, I would I think that I would value guys actually. I liked um Miland uh sometimes I mean about finances uh your train of thoughts what how would you especially since you are the last one but >> but the main question is are you okay with the 2.74% increase okay >> you you can comment >> um yeah I mean I didn't realize it had been eight years but just listening to the last couple meetings it was clear that that was just a thoughtful thing of like if we don't need to take an increase due to cost containment and things I think that made a lot of sense Um, so yeah, not a lot to add. Coming off of my first campaign ever and seeing the direction that schoolboard campaigns are going, honestly, sadly, >> this is like my campaign fund maybe if I choose to want to run again because that was a much bigger ask to my financial consideration and my family. And I held really tight to the general numbers that had been given me to me from a couple of board members I had asked about before I even decided to run. But seeing some of the financial reports coming in and what's happening, >> that's one thing that goes to mind for me is like even if this isn't something that's going to add to my annual income, it might help me offset unfortunately what's sort of happening to schoolboard election and what you need to do. And with us aligning with general elections, I think that could really be shifting things too as far as what the expectation is moving forward. So I agree with a lot of what's been saying and then also just coming off of a campaign that would >> 2.7 >> I think it makes sense especially coming into a year like we have. So well you know you ask me about the financial so 2.7 per person I don't have the exact numbers but that's not going to make a big dent in total salaries right so it's not going to be hundreds of thousands of dollars or even I don't know I I can get that number too if you would like but >> I think 2.7% makes sense and I'm okay with that. >> So I get a general feeling that >> can I add one more piece that I think needs to be considered. So we just um moved to three uh so my turn the three years right. So like my term is three years and we just moved to be in the bigger general election and one big point that my board colleagues brought up quite a bit was that we're saving $100,000 for that. Is there anything we should consider right just from that standpoint? You're saying the 2.74 won't be a huge shift over the course of two years. Is it significant enough for it to be a sticking point for anybody? I'm just asking the question. >> I'm not good at fast math. That can't >> So like 5 2.74 say of what is it? $4,800. >> No, I don't I don't think we would make I think we make just under 4,000 >> 4,800 5,400. rough calculations, it'll cost the district approximately 756 extra dollars a year. [snorts] >> Right. So, just just so that we're putting it out there. Okay. >> So, still good. So, I I'm seeing a consensus here. So, this is obviously not a vote. We are not voting on this right now, but this has to be approved at the January board meeting. So, we'll put that there and have Amy put that on the agenda. Thank you. One other little tidbit only because I'm also on my HOA board is um this is another example like hearing eight years is like at what point is the tipping point going to come and then you're going to because we did that in my association. We came in and it was like we haven't increased rate you know rates are >> whatever for 10 years and now all of a sudden we have to do this big hike because everything's falling apart. >> So this is a little bit different situation but I just think like knowing it's been that long. >> Yeah. And your your comments about cost of campaigning, I will tell you the cost of child care and elder care has gone up significantly. Um and so for me to be at a meeting there I'm I'm not I'm spending way more than I'm making for the young. >> Absolutely. Most people are I think >> um to your point Alicia, I think that's the reason one of the reasons we do it this one year at a time. >> You're not saying this will be the case two years from now or three years from now. Every board we decide every year if they decide the board decides it only should go back reverse go back to the taking away the 2.74% or you know not do anything then they can do that. So this is only for money. Um now we will move to the next item on the agenda is the other topics for discussion. So there are one three four five six seven of them and it's 5:45 right now. So I'm suggesting that we uh wrap this up as as soon as possible no later than 6:30 or five of them if that's okay. Some of them will go quickly hopefully right and so some might be a lot of discussion. So um no surprises at the board table is 5A and I believe Sheila you had offered to >> yes um not host that I believe that >> I was part of the agenda the planning committee and I was asked to talk about no surprises at the board table um what we mean by that mainly is ask your questions ahead of time that's the big one um and this is mainly for regular meetings I think it applies a little bit to work sessions as well work sessions are generally considered a time are learning and asking questions, but regular meetings by the time we get there, we should probably have done our homework. Um, for the most part, um, asking questions ahead of time allow it's a common courtesy. It helps us to be more effective. Um, because well, it allows the administration to have the answers to the questions. Um, you know, if they need to look anything up ahead of time or like have somebody come to the meeting to answer something. Um and then just you know should go without saying but what whatever your intention is it can feel sometimes like a gotcha question uh whether that's your intent or not that is just it can it can be the perception and we don't want to make our administration feel that way. Um so when you ask it okay sorry I'm like going through my notes here. Um, if you ask a question ahead of time and you get a response by email, like it's totally legitimate to ask that question in the meeting as well, especially if it's something you want the community to hear the answer for. Um, but also, you know, choose it wisely. Like we have to keep we have to be respectful of everyone's time as well. So, and I think we're going to talk a little bit about this later, but just kind of being really selective about what questions you ask, knowing that, you know, staying you need to stay focused and there's some things that are you can learn about later on. Um, what happens if you want to ask a question that you didn't send in advance? Um, you know, historically like there's no hard and fast rule. It is it is just a courtesy that we're providing to each other and to the administration. There will be times where you will have a question that you want to ask and you didn't send it in advance. I would just I I would hope that everybody would use it sparingly and just put you know make sure your questions are thoughtful. Think about in advance like can this wait or does this need to be asked right now? >> Um some other surprises that we should not really have be surprises. >> Can I interrupt? >> Sure. Yeah. Sorry because I'm yet to ask a followup question on the first part. Once in a while it it [clears throat] has become very infrequent nowadays you know we used to I don't know how it used to be before sometimes some of the files are attached like the morning of the meeting >> and then then what do we do right we don't have time I won't work I won't work outside of this job so for me I I'm looking at my email almost like by the hour some of you work full-time and therefore you may not have time look at it before the meeting if it is like Monday morning Sunday what what what suggestion do you have for them? >> I I my suggestion is we should all be doing our homework before a regular meeting. So hopefully some things will have come to our attention at a work session already or they've been discussed in committees and if you're finding there's a topic that you really are consistently wondering about like maybe try to join that committee. Um if you have a lot of finance questions you know go get on the finance committee. That's where like the deep dives go. The regular meetings are not for deep dives is it's we should have already done our homework by the time we get there or sent the questions in advance. I know what some of you are thinking sometimes we don't get the presentations in a timely manner like we might only get them on Friday or sometimes over the weekend for a meeting on Monday. I I hope that you know we can work on that getting stuff to people earlier but can I sorry go um >> so the hope I think is always that things are presented at a work session >> before we have anything to vote on at a regular meeting right >> y >> that's how I've seen it over the however like with everything I've never had something pop up trying to think I don't think I've ever had something pop up that I we haven't discussed either in committee or at a work session prior to a vote. Um, and so really that's is that what you're getting at that during a work session that's like if you have questions that come up and yeah, we might get things the morning of but at a work session even if it's the first time that you're seeing a presentation you have time to ask questions during the work session. I am somebody who sits on information for a little bit. So my questions don't always come up in in the moment, but then you will have two weeks to get information through and the the avenues that tend to work are you. So if I have a question about finance, then I'm going to email Sarah because she is the chair of the finance committee. she'll get me answers or she'll refer me to the administrator to get so those are kind of the pathways that we utilize or you just go just chase and ask your questions. >> That's what I would say. Yeah. And you know sometimes especially when you're new it's like drinking from a fire hose and you can't be expected to be an expert on everything. Right. So there there's a little bit of trust there that you trust the people on the committee who have done their due diligence. You trust the people who have more experience in the administration to have done their due diligence. And if you still don't feel like you support it, then I mean that part of being on the school board is we've taken on a huge role to do things like, you know, above and beyond the meetings to like do the reading and and stuff. So, and this is mainly because you no surprises at the board table because it's just common courtesy, but also our meetings are really really long and every time you ask a question, the administration has to respond to it. So it's like maybe your question you think is simple or really short but then it's like five minutes of the administration. So this is all the meetings are supposed to be two hours. Um I just >> Thank you for that was a >> I know sorry we're going to get more more than I needed but one one question to that to that response is now you're saying yes absolutely agree that >> if the if at a work session you already seen the information then it should not be a surprise. Right. Right. >> Even if it even if that thing is posted on the last day. >> Yes. >> Totally agree. If it is presented in different committees should not be surprised and therefore even if it is posted at noon on Monday, you should still have that information. You should know what's going to be presented. What if they are not once in a while I know that >> there's going to be exceptions and I I again use it sparingly. I you know just think about yeah do do I really need to ask this question or not? Again this is no hard and fast rules. This is a request for people to be thoughtful. >> Sure. >> And in their questions. I'm not done with the surprises though. If we're if we're done with that, but I mean we can discuss more of the >> I have two comments but I'll wait at the end. Go ahead. >> That's okay. Do you have comments? >> Quick. I think u we all know each other I think very well. So we know what questions might come up. No. My two requests are in our respective committee meetings if we feel that hey we need to engage broader group propose working sessions. Um we've done that recently in policy meeting where we felt hey we are good from policy committee standpoint but if you were to bring this up in the broader forum there might be more questions so why don't we bring it up as you know work session right so definitely keep an eye on them and then second again I would rely on uh chair coach um if there is anything in agenda planning meeting like you said you know meeting it up boundary discussions right that is so sensitive everybody's watching ing there has to be a lot of reading and material. We have to make sure either we get those things on time or we got to push it to the next meeting. So again that that is up to chair and co-chair to help sort of rest of the board you know so we don't make any hyd decisions but again just to keep an eye on some of some of those go to time. >> Does anybody else want to talk about >> I have a quick test my knowledge here. So, if I do want to ask a finance specific and I reach out to the head of that or the, you know, um should I still be attaching the chair to every one of those or is it one-on-one questions? Is it always to the chair? >> It should always loop in the chair. Yeah. >> Yep. [snorts] >> Do we loop in the chair, the chair of the committee, or the chair and the particular administrator? Well, the chair and the vice chair really should both be looped in. Well, the problem is you have quorum if I did. >> No, you would do. Yeah. So, you would just do the chair and the vice chair and then um >> the administration. >> Administration. >> Yeah. >> But not the committee lead. I'm saying like if there was a committee lead. >> So, if you So, when I have a question about say finance information that's come out, I go directly to the finance person. If I have a question about community relations, I go directly to Dan. >> But do you need a loop in the chair? >> I don't. I don't because then because then you're risking a quorum and I'm not >> you you can but if you want to ask an administrator then what would your recommendation be Heidi? >> If it's if I'm asking an administr if I'm asking Chase then it would be >> then it would chair and vice chair and Chase. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then also I think maybe since last year or maybe even before that we have started doing something kind of different. So let's say you ask a question finance question to the finance director and the rest of the board you want the rest of the board to also see that then the finance director or Chase or somebody from the administration takes that and then pushes it >> takes that out. That makes sense. Y okay. >> Anybody else talking about questions? like how Paris is uh pointing out um if this is becoming then chicken neck situation because uh when you uh we had situation I will bring one of them is open enrollment uh that document was literally put that date I'm working I don't know maybe your work allows you to go and take a look I don't so if there are going to be documents I mean uh if you would like I I guess in in this case I'll say talk about me me not to ask questions I not to ask questions I'll be tableabling the items which I haven't seen because then in that case if we would like me to go through the uh chain of command and all then uh I would like to ask too and we need to put into document like uh standard operating procedures that attachments especially at least to for regular meeting where we are voting. You cannot ask me to vote on the item which I haven't seen. Is it fair if I I would ask that question? >> You cannot vote on the item which I see first time at the table. >> So I think that's fair, Valentina. I also think that it was on the agenda and um if you didn't get the information you needed to vote on it, >> I will table I will next time >> I mean you can ask you can say by Friday I need to see a draft. I need to see something >> because I'm going to be working >> but the item was not there. >> The item was not there but it was on the agenda. So there was something that was going to be voted on. There was a topic that was on the agenda and the agenda is always posted three days in advance. Always >> agenda item uh appeared on Monday at least. I I mean I don't I don't print print uh >> attachment. You're right. The agenda is always posted by Friday. There's no doubt about that. >> But the agend attachments are I think once in a while not >> but you can ask ahead of time. If you don't see that attachment and you know that your weekend is going to be booked up, you can send I I've done that many times where I've sent and I've said I need to see something. >> There might be minor adjustments to it, but I need to see something because I'm not going to be able to get to my emails until Monday at 3:00 and that's too late for me. >> Can we have also something like I've seen our board uh like um at this point handbook it's written in handbook of our boards. In this case, I'm going to bring it Hastings. they put it into document expectations by what they uh thinks need to be attached then we will not face I mean fair is fair if we would like to um so every site need to do their job then >> I know that sounds like it's always doable >> I think that that's a good idea and we should strive for it in rare occasions there's a timeline either in state statute or there's something that needs to be done at by a certain date >> um for things to happen and I think in those situations >> like we would we would want to >> you know we wouldn't want to table something >> I I understand in that case it is our experts it is not news for them they already know that this is in statutes by certain day we're supposed to do it so it is not news for >> the handbook would you ever give an exception if the administration was like we didn't have this something you know something new information came and it changed it so like we literally need to get this done like we can call a special meeting you know like it'll probably lead to a lot of special meetings called things because of the whole time frame >> and if you're okay with that I mean >> I don't know something yeah >> but my my question would be then what or uh do we have work sessions? >> There are some things out of our control and in the case of like the the school redistricting. Um you know, well, you everybody votes based on their own your reasons for voting yes or no on something are your own. In that particular case, I felt like I was voting on the process. like we were never involved in making the boundaries. So, we were voting to say these are the boundaries. >> I'm going into details that we don't need to go in, but let's um I I think your point is valid and we should strive to have things attached >> on Friday along with the agenda. >> Yeah. So, let me with that in mind, I want to read a couple of things from the standard operating procedure that's verbatim taken up >> about that. >> Well, yes. Number one, board packets will be prepared in board book and released to board members so that they can be downloaded no later than 3 days prior to a regular board meeting. We all know we probably do that. This is for board members. This is the private side of the of the board book, right? It says board agenda materials will be available to the public at the same time they are released to school board members. I don't know if that is happening right now but standard operating procedure right or wrong I'm not commenting on that SOP say that are we doing that >> so it says the attachments have to be up three days before a meeting >> yes >> and and whatever the board gets >> so how do we fix >> the public also has to have it at the same time >> like how do we fix it we need to get Amy involved be like >> I mean she posts things immediately I don't think it's on Amy So it's whoever gets her the attachment >> right and what it's also saying the second point is that if if we as board members get something in our on the on the on the board side at the same time it should be on the public side as well. We cannot postpone it. >> We sometimes see drafts ahead of it being finalized >> and that is acceptable. >> Okay. I I don't know. We'll have to board agenda materials will be available to the public at the same time that they are released to school board members. >> Amy, would you like to >> I'm just I heard my name so I'm here. >> Oh, here. >> So, the question that comes up every year, right, >> is about um attachments. >> Yep. And so that you always put out the agenda Thursday or Friday >> prior to a a meeting, either a work session or a regular session. It's always out on Thursday or Friday. >> Some of the attachments don't get added right >> until Monday morning or Monday. >> That's quite rare. The the attachments for the agenda sheet, but the attachments for like graphs, presentations, things like that, things that you have to vote on, >> right? I think we need to give grace to school schools if they're still working on their presentation. That's not something you're voting on. So, I think that I would hope that y'all could give our friends that effort. >> Um, we we have definitely strived to I will say I think that was the one this year, the one time that it happened Monday and there was a specific reason, but I'm not going to speak for the administration because that was outside of my control. >> I post it when I get it. If you guys want to start making a your own policy that you're not gonna vote on something should you not have it or as Valentina suggested like she wants to table because she's not comfortable doing it, you're absolutely within your right to do that. I would worry that as I believe Sheila mentioned if you say if we if it's not attached the day that it posts then you're not going to vote on it then I think we're going to start having a lot of special meetings for >> oneoffs. But that's your right. I mean, you you're the ones that have to make the decision. So, >> if somebody wants to table that, that's also a motion and a move second and all that, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. And the superintendent and the chair are welcome to add or remove things from the agenda up until the meeting time. So, it might be posted on Friday. That thing can completely change at the direction of the chair andor. So that that doesn't happen often but >> so I think there's one more question based on our policy. >> Um Melinda, could you read it out loud again? >> I'm sorry. >> Could you read that piece on the attachments from our policy? >> Not policy standard operating procedur. >> So the second >> your SOP that's not the >> So it looks like our SOP then is not in alignment with current process and that means that we can amend our SOP. >> Right. So, so you are saying we should amend this second one which says old agenda materials will be available to the public at the same time they are released to the school board members. >> I don't think that's that it does happen. >> Anything that gets posted on board book is available to the public at the same time that it's available to you. >> But uh don't doesn't the board get on that board side of the of the board book that we have? Don't we have a preview of the of the attachments or the draft? you have a preview of meetings that are not official yet. Once the meeting is posted as official, you and the public have the exact same access. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> The only time that's different is um I believe when when it's a confidentiality issue and for a closed meeting, then the PO does not have access to those. >> So, we are in alignment with the wording. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. um when I was looking for um crew handbook u why I specifically went Hastings because to be honest MSBA recognized Hastings work about this document and that's why I uh looked through MSBA version and um also um Hastings versions uh for example they're saying for an item presentation of material request to be considered for placement on the agenda board members will strive to make email request uh to the board chair and superintendent at least 7 days prior to the scheduled meeting. Uh that puts requests for example from board members but then about working with administration. Another sentence is the preliminary agenda with supporting documents will be posted in board book 5 days prior to the scheduled meeting Friday afternoon. Well, we have meetings different but they in their case for example they are given uh five days >> but the law says three days though I think right by law we we are required to post it >> at least three days in advance so I don't know if that applies to us >> and I will say the agenda I I mean on that note and by not following any policy I mean I post meetings usually as far as six months and regular cadence items or if someone from you know admin or or a schoolboard member asks for something to be added to that meeting. That is a placeholder on there. Um, so that happens, frankly, weeks in advance. But attachments, I I don't think that's realistic for a district. I don't I mean, so many of it goes through your committees before it can come to the board book and several committee meetings are within days. I mean, Friday morning is the finance. I don't know how that would be possible. >> Yeah. Just um something else about no surprises at the board table. Um and again, I want to start by saying whether you vote yes or no for something, your reasons for doing that are your own and you are within your rights to vote yes or no for anything. As a common courtesy, if you're planning to vote no, can you call the chair and let them know? Not because they're going to change your mind, but in case there's a piece of information you're missing or you there's something that you're not aware of or you don't understand. It gives the chair an opportunity to be like are you know here's everything just want you to have it so that you can make a fully informed vote. And obviously you can change your mind at any time whether to vote yes or no at the meeting. That is within your right. This is a request uh not a rule. It's just >> uh so I have two comments on that. One is personally I I do not believe that that is that should be the case and I did verif at least six neighboring district >> board members a couple of them chairs without exception all of them said no we don't do it. >> Nobody has to do it. I know. I'm just I'm just saying >> it's been historical and in the wisdom. >> I know. I know. >> But it's not written anywhere, is it? >> No. No. I'm saying this is not a rule. This is not a policy. This is a >> But it is in a lot of MSBA training. It's in a lot of MSBA training. No surprises at the board. >> That's a big surprise. If like nobody knows you're going to vote no. This this surprise is not actually appropriate. >> Yes. Absolutely. telling the chair what you should not be surprised the main question is what difference >> I'm going to vote no on this this this issue on Monday >> I'm going to try to convince him to vote yes so >> so there are a couple things here one there should be no surprises at the board table this is not just a wisetta thing this is a MSBA amd everybody's trainings >> yes I have the documents that say no surprises at the board table >> please don't interrupt give me a second to so that I don't lose my train of thought. So the other piece is let's say there is a resolution that's on the table >> and four of us are voting no on it and the administration does not want to put they don't want to put anything on the table that is going to get rejected. They would rather take it back rework it and come up with and with a a recommendation that is going to move forward. So, it is common courtesy, also professional courtesy for our administration and for our district as a whole that we are working together to get to a resolution that will be approved. That's the idea. We have resolutions that are moving the work of the district forward. So, it's not just to try to convince somebody, but there could be times like there were times that I was going to vote no and I got more information in those three days that I was like, you know what, I was not thinking about the entire picture. >> Can you bring an example, please? >> No, I cannot bring an example because I'm not comfortable bringing all of the pieces that were keeping me uncomfortable because I voted yes on it at the end. >> So, may I speak? Yeah. >> Okay. So, MSB when it says no surprises at the board table, I don't know. I would like to see somewhere in in writing that they're saying that this is included in the no surprise at the board. That's number one. One of the one of the MSBA board of directors basically told me that says what if what if you are going to vote yes or three of us are going to vote yes, two of us going to vote no. Are you going to tell these four board members or three board members, three other board members that serial communication? >> That is the real you don't have to have those conversations. Then you stop the the chair would let the the uh the superintendent know this is going to get voted down and it's a reworking. It's not like a back and forth conversation all the time. I think what the what we're probably thinking of is a potential six to one vote where one person votes no >> whenever >> whereas the whole piece of >> not notifying the chair or someone else that you're voting no could sink something. We haven't seen that. And so like that's what this is really speaking to. Not one where opposition's quite minimal. So the way I'm looking at it is I'm a board member and I I see something coming up for a vote that I have a problem with. So I would say Miland I have a problem with this. >> So is there like is this going to definitely come up because I have a problem with it? And then >> and then Milan is like okay that's good to know. Thank you. And then other people are like there's a problem with this vote coming up. And so then it's like you know what we Milan you will tell the administration the board members have a problem with this potential vote and so then yes it can be reworked >> but also completely. >> Yeah. >> So it's again not you're not trying to change anybody's mind. Somebody is calling you to say I I don't feel comfortable voting on this or voting yes for this. And so then there's like if you say well why why do we need more information then they say yes then you give them more information like that to me is where facilitate getting the information >> I want to compromise I you know I if if dad comes to the chair or Heidi comes to your chair and say I'm not the chair will probably go to the end right what I'm saying is a compromise if why don't we as board member go directly to chase you know who >> because they That's not how it works. >> Eventually, that's what that's not going to happen, right? We go to the administration and say this is not likely to pay. >> The superintendent needs to be appraised and has to be able to have a conversation with the chair. >> But then but then Valentina for example or Paris can can go to Chase and say this is what is coming up and I I I'm not very comfortable with this. I'd like to ask a a general question and relying on the more senior board members here. >> Relying on the more senior board members here, has there ever been a time even before some of you were on you guys were on the board where something looked like it was going to >> Yeah. Yes. >> fail four times. >> Yes. Yes. And it was removed from the table. Yes. >> So I mean >> and you were on as well. So should we should we end this maybe conversation? >> We don't need to. If if there's still I mean if there's a question that needs to be answered so that we can move forward then we should do that. >> I will support what what we do by by ending this and let board member decide what they want to do. Right. If you if you think it's basically no surprises at the board table we cannot buy any we cannot force anyone. So let's leave it up to them and this is our suggestion. Right. Right. Well, yes, for a functioning board, this seems like a good suggestion. >> Yeah. >> For the the broader picture though, I hope like folks understand this is something very rare, very uncommon. So, it's it's not like it's something that's going to frequently be exercised, but I hope folks, you know, have that in mind. Now, it could it could vary, but you know, there there's not a sense of >> keep in mind, we only get so many opportunities to sit down and talk about this kind of stuff. So, Is there something muted? >> I'm uh No, I'm just trying to log into board. >> Should we move on to the next one? >> The audience participation at board meetings regular special work session. So this was basically that was brought up forget how many weeks ago by some some board member you know don't even remember who it was but policy 212 I I should project this on the screen I just read what it says right policy 212 public comment will be heard at schoolboard meetings when the audience opportunity to address the schoolboard agenda item is included on the agenda the school board may decide to hold certain types of public meetings where the public will not be invited to address the school board. Examples include but are not necessarily limited to schoolboard work sessions, school board retreats and special school board meetings. So the third one is what I think we we are talking about here. The public is entitled to notice of these meetings and will be allowed to attend these meetings but the public will not be allotted time during the meeting to address the board. So this is what this is why when you know I think that election uh board came up moving to even more uh former board member Sher Pin wanted to speak and I felt uncomfortable allowing her to speak knowing that maybe somebody else out there wanted to speak but they didn't know they could speak right because it clearly says they cannot and so that's something that I think if [snorts] we want to do change that policy then It should come up at the policy meeting and the policy committee can then change that to allow audience opportunity to speak at the special >> board meetings. >> In that case, um there was a motion and a second I believe which is how you add anything >> and how the board gets to say it in the moment. So I mean any rule that we make >> is is subject to change if there's a motion and a second. So I don't know. >> I think it has been >> Yeah. What what um policy was that again? >> Um so my inclination is that we allow public comment at any one of our um not work sessions but if we are voting on something if we are voting on something I think the public should have an opportunity to speak >> anytime that something is getting voted on. That's my take on it. >> Not from the policy itself. It does it says special special board meetings public cannot should not be allowed. in >> tell me which sorry tell me one more page I just want to read it for myself the page number >> go ahead >> uh well in that case e it need to be brought up to since what we said I'm hearing through policy committee it should not be just uh going like that but as if right now my understanding what happened during that meeting should have not been happened because policy says uh you don't have >> but any I mean any >> we're following we're supposed to follow our own rules, aren't we? >> Yes, >> we follow Robert's rules. I don't know. >> So, here's how I'm reading it. I'm reading it as the school board may decide to hold certain types of public meetings where the public will not be invited to, but it doesn't limit us. This is this is actually an allowance. We can add it if we so choose. >> You can take it away. >> You can take it away or you can add it. So, >> so I don't think we broke any rules. >> Can look over your shoulder. >> Yep. Come here. >> I'm sorry. >> Because I think a bigger >> to my understanding what is being said is >> the school board can vote to say we're gonna >> we can always look to go a different route than what this says. for anything to be added to the agenda if you follow Robert's rules. >> I agree and you said that we did move it. But what I'm saying is as a >> as a rule, we cannot just have somebody come and present it for that. It has to be moved and second. >> Yeah. If we need to clarify it, we can clarify it. >> You know what I mean? But >> so yeah, as a that Yeah. So if if we want somebody to speak at a meeting where we don't normally have it, we have to add it to the agenda. We can make it clear but it's but it's a I read it as >> are not invited. Yeah. It's the word invited. I think maybe that would be >> Yeah. So So I mean I'm not against it. I'm just saying it has to be made you have to make a change in the policy. >> Change the wording and it's not very difficult, right? If the policy committee thinks that's appropriate. >> Wait, what change are you suggesting? >> We are not invited. Right. So if you want to take that wording now. >> So here do you want me to read it out loud? that says the school board may decide to hold certain types of public meetings where the public will not be invited to address the school board. Examples include but are not necessarily limited to these are just examples the schoolboard work sessions, schoolboard retreats, special school board meetings, the public >> I I see. I think the the first sentence is the most important one. Yeah. So just we would change to say like that the public >> public opportunity to address the schoolboard would not be on the agenda. Yeah, that's it. >> Okay. >> I mean, >> and if and if we have somebody who comes and is passionate about speaking, we can motion and second and let them speak. They might be there to speak. Like we had somebody who was really excited to speak about >> um there was some holiday that they were coming to speak about. >> Didn't know it was. >> Yeah. >> Let her speak. >> Yeah. It's at the board's prerogative at the moment but >> I'm fine changing the wording just so it's >> okay that was quick I hopefully that at that point only I wanted to talk about >> in such case I think at uh when uh broad public should know not only people who happen to be um uh close to school board and all all our people need to be included >> and how are we going to be making sure that all people and parents uh if they absolutely have something going on, they can come up at any meetings and uh and voice the opinion. What do you >> The board would have to vote to the agenda. >> Yeah. >> So, it would be added to the agenda. So, they would know any time that it's on the agenda, they can come speak up and it's not on the agenda, the board would have there'd have to be a motion and a second and then the board would have to vote to add it to the agenda, which is what we did when Cheryl came. >> Yep. And we should not be naming names at a meeting. All right. Yeah. [laughter] >> When an individual. >> Okay. So, move on to the next one. Periodic reports from committee chairs. And uh so I'm just going to read why we need those and then we'll talk about what we should do about it. So basically they support good governance, transparency and effective decision making. It keep the full board informed of on issues explored and how it is proposed that they be handled. It also supports most surprises at the board table. You can decide on the frequency of reports depending on the committees. So um my proposal is at least once every six months, right? Twice a year, possibly once a quarter. If a committee has something to present or disclose to the board that may not be taken up otherwise even if it has it may be taken up otherwise just just an update on you know progress report right the committee chair can do that >> is that fair would that be acceptable >> were these so one question I think it's a fair ask um so few committees that come to point like finance, facility, even teaching and learning. So usually those committees or they have on the agenda for pretty much every board meeting, right? So in some of those so are we talking about all committees or we have to arrive at which committee should represent because some of those committees it will be repetitive. Finance as an example, we hear about it. >> Finance, HR, >> uh even facility, teaching and learning. Those four >> they always on the board, >> right? >> So those chairs can decide you know what is already being discussed in the work session or taken up at the board table. >> There are other committees. >> Sure. >> Like for example, superintendent and evaluation committee, right? say the the the requirement or not the requirement I the the agenda on on that committee is evaluation board development board self evaluation and go to the board handbook. But we do I mean we do do updates like when it's the season >> for that it's f we can put together a calendar >> but I'm just saying the board is not aware of what's going on right and then sometimes the board forgets about it and then never asks questions hey what happened to the board development or board self evaluation or the board handbook right so I think that would be a good good way tell the board you know this is what we have done this is what we're going to do this is the plan give them a page so That's what I'm asking. I can't think of what other committees would use. I don't know. >> Di, it's equity and inclusion. >> It is not DEI. >> No, it is never equity and inclusion. But >> it has never ever been in there. >> Okay. So once a quarter once a quarter once every six months you just >> well we have a schedule like I think it's just better >> as it comes up >> as it comes up you communicate with the chair and the vice chair because they're planning the agenda >> right >> um and I would just say also make sure you're looping in your administrator that this is what you might be talking about >> um so that again we don't have surprises the chair feels you know I have to give not every quarter but every two months right then that yes absolutely >> so like for example with facilities when whenever there's a um like as we're going through the process I just use the opportunity after a presentation to say what the next steps are going to be or board members this is what you can expect da da da and that's that's it [laughter] >> just tell someone >> no I was disconnecting it accidentally I think >> if I can I I would like to uh add I have a paperwork from 2022 which was given to us uh with a previous committee uh names. It says diversity, equity and inclusion. So you had that name. >> I think that was a mis that is not a district um document. That is a personal document. It was never on our website. >> I misspoke Valentine. I'm >> It was never on our website. It was never the name of the committee. and you can talk to the head of that committee. >> Right. It's it's um I think where this stems from the the letter D is department of equity. It >> says diversity, equity, and inclusion ad hoc committee. >> I believe that is a personal document. I don't think that's a >> what kind of personal >> I don't think that's a I don't think it's a district document. It's it says on top of public schools uh I mean >> I don't know where that but I can tell you on the website it has never been equity inclusion never diversity equity inclusion only ever equity and inclusion >> 2024 the same >> I think it's incorrect >> but I mean it's that's how it was given to me >> it was incorrect >> I I've sat on the committee and I can tell you >> okay so if we can we can leave if it is there then we'll have have it taken out I guess. Yeah. If it is not then we >> that's fine but my point is uh Milan was correct that list it is written here. >> Um the last time I was on the committee it was called DEI when I was there two years. >> It's not true. It's not true. >> Okay. All right. Next uh next one is the board handbook. No actually no rules for board members right? Oh board reports. Never mind. Board reports what's allowed and what's not. So this section of so what I do is I actually read that you know after at every board meeting and I say this section of the agenda provides an opportunity for board members to update school board members on school board related work or make or to make announcements of interest to the public. Um so so just wanted to make sure that board members understand it's it's twofold right one is where board members have been involved in some program or some where they've gone to some meetings or some event that's what they pronounce uh announce but a board member can also present something that might be of interest to the public and the one thing that come to mind was one time Dan had requested uh the what was that >> youth in government >> right so that's just an example I can't think of any other example right now but I think that is something that is of interest to the public therefore should be should be allowed in the whole meeting is what I I'm thinking any anybody >> I'm assuming that will be discussed in agenda planning meeting and yeah I would again my take is I trust the group to make that call right if everybody in the agenda planning meeting feels it's appropriate yeah that's all right >> but what what if it is 50/50 >> so [laughter] what's your role >> three but you have three agent I mean chair co-chair and another board member right and super yeah and super but But superintendent has kind of kind of no vote. >> I know but he's I mean during committee you're not voting but you're kind of discussing are you for it or not? >> I'll come to that as far as a committee is concerned what majority means and how how the committee makes decision that's also in our standard operating procedure. So I'll come to that as but it's okay right both those are okay or if you want we can take one of them out where it talks about something that is of interest to the public. I think of interest to the public should be in relation to our board. That's the only recommendation. >> Yes. I'm wondering what parameters are we speaking of? Like if it's something you have a personal interest in, but maybe you're not on a committee or it has nothing directly to do with the board. That seems like it could get a little why don't you come watch. >> No, I agree. I'm not talking. That's why I specifically brought an example of the youth in government. That's something that students do, right? >> Right. something that parents are informed about and they know oh wow this there is something like this that happens and I can send my child >> run by the district though because like I could be like you should take some kuman classes or something like I [laughter] don't know >> yeah just in general it's it's it's um you know just related to schools let's talking about the outstanding opportunities and achievement of our students um you know we're witness to that every single day and so um yeah it's it's all about giving students and programming. We kind of >> was associated in in a way with that like they don't run it but like we have >> youth in government. Yeah. It's it's the Wisetta delegation, >> you know. >> I'm sorry. >> I don't know. Is it like a sport? >> Yeah, it's it's it's right. It's teachers from the high school, our delegation directors and and all of that. Like it's like I feel like it should have some association with white. >> So why isn't the delegation 120 some kids be a great conference this year? you have to answer the question. It's not a It could be called a sport, but basically this is something I went and saw that it's basically where students learn how government works >> and you're all invited for the tour. >> A student was a governor in that they do they do a senate hearing, they pass bills, they propose legisl legislature, >> but it's affiliated with the district. >> That's what I I guess that >> participates in that. Can I ask one question and again not trying to get into we'll table it. So my only question is does that expose us from government standpoint. So as an example if you talk about certain topic which is beyond our control suddenly we start getting emails like hey this shouldn't be allowed or this should be allowed and then there is no governance or nothing that we can control then why are we even bringing it up at the board table. >> It's it's a recognition. It's just saying thank you. I mean we already have people confusing sometimes what we have control over and what we don't and I mean we had some emails. >> Sure. So again I'm not opposed to the idea again I'll rely on the agenda planning meeting and making sure that hey we are within the parameters and we're not causing any swall >> ask ahead of time run it by some people. >> Okay. Um item B rules for board members making comments and asking questions. So I am going to read Robert's rules first and there are new Robert's rules and there are old Roberts rules. So new Robert's rules app or say a a board member may speak on any item only after being recognized by the chair. So we have had many many meetings where no I I I personally I'm okay with that people debating and you know saying things but there were there have been occasions when board members have jumped in and did not be recognized they have started speaking and that is that is number one number rule. So just wanted to make everybody aware of that if you want to speak you raise your hand the chair recognize you and then you speak that's the Robert debate must stay focused on the motion being considered that's a Robert's rule also makes common sense right it's logical uh C each member is generally allowed to speak twice on the same motion with a maximum of 10 minutes per speech and a second opportunity to speak is permitted only after all members wish to speak have had a first turn. This Robert's rule can be changed by the board with a two-third majority vote. Change the time and or the number of questions to be allowed. The chair cannot change these limits unilaterally. So if the board decides that each question will be allowed for seven minutes, I cannot say you know what I like this number or she she's making excellent point so I will let her speak for 10 minutes. No, I cannot do that. The chair then has to make sure that the time is secured after that time, your time is up and then we move to the next one. So two questions and up to 10 minutes each. Now we have to decide whether we want it shortened in terms of time or we want more questions to be allowed. That is something I I would like to know. 10 minutes is a lot over the community, you know, the community to speak for three minutes at a time. >> Exactly. That's where my head was. I definitely no more than three questions in mind. >> Okay. >> No more than three questions and probably collectively no more than five minutes. Again, if we are allowing public to speak no more than three minutes, >> right? >> I think it's fair. And again, the the intent is not to debate. Again, we are asking questions so that we are more educated when we vote. It shouldn't take that long. Also, I think what they're saying is that one question at a time. So, if if somebody want to ask three questions, you cannot ask all three questions at the same time and get 15 minutes. >> Two-part questions, three-part questions, >> right? >> One question and three parts. >> Well, >> I don't know. It's going to be hard. It's going to be hard. I would say >> if they're not a different question. Well, I think there were also um there were also times when we had like for example when we were thinking about the uh high school model that was a big topic and that went to each committee and then it went to a work session and it had to do with the finances. And so when we were thinking about that and whether or not that the model needed to change based on finances, um there were a lot of questions at that work session and we took the time ahead of it. So we all submitted our questions to the chair ahead of time so that she was able to organize it by topic and we still went through and we each asked our questions by kind of by buckets so that it wasn't so that the conversation was cohesive as well. But that conversation I don't know do you remember that was a that was a really long work session >> and I think it's okay to have exceptions to this kind of a rule >> that's why I specifically you know I'm reading from the rules right so it says the this Robert's rule about the time and the number of question can be changed by the board with a two3 majority votes so just like our audience participation at special meetings was we were able to change that adding to the agenda this can be changed but it has to be voted on and has to have a third majority. The chair cannot unilaterally say well this this item has so many questions and it will take up so much time then you have to change change that rule. >> So MSBA I have this document that literally is called nothing could possibly go wrong at our meeting again at our meeting tonight. I think again and it's written by Katie Clandrude and one of the basic principles of Robert's rules of order is an over or under dedication to Robert's rules can be disastrous. Most importantly, board members need to agree as to what rules of order they'll use. So if we have a top I feel like if we have a topic that needs digging into or you know as big as changing the high school model for example we we're going to have topics that are that big. I would say let the questions roll. We we need to ask as many questions as possible. >> Are we talking about work sessions and regular meetings or we're talking about doing it for both? >> So that was at a work session I will say. >> Yeah. But so that what you're saying is without this change of rule the chair should be allowed unilaterally to decide how many questions to allow for these these kinds of topics. Is that what the >> No, I think you're saying we don't adopt that rule at all with that with the time and the number of questions per person in a work session, >> right? >> And do we need it to be the same for the work session and the regular meetings? My my opinion is if we want to adopt the rule, we adopt the rule for both work session and the and the and the regular meeting also because otherwise the work session also can go on on and on and on, right? We could have somebody speak for 20 minutes. We want that, >> right? I mean, I would just encourage, you know, board members to recognize you you are on camera. People are taking notice. Someone's sort of monopolizing the time. And yeah, >> I think in the past we've sort of been on our honor to, you know, stick to the timeline. >> And so I would just I would just encourage folks to kind of, you know, keep that in mind that, you know, it's the respectful professional thing to do is be succinct the questions you ask and allow others to speak. >> So Paris suggested five minutes and three questions. Is everybody okay with that? >> I think it depends. I think it depends on the topic. I don't think we can >> since since I'm here and it's first time I personally would like to take time because I don't understand uh what in I'm I'm hearing weird things. Uh 20 minutes have we ever had uh someone speaking 20 minutes? Another one. Uh if we uh if we are so concerned about timing, let's pull out our um agenda uh and take a look. I like how the book offer grail saying speaking on their on their behalf is saying against every single item put uh what is it about? Is it about adult input? Is it about adult output? Is it about student outcome? I will be all for as long as it is for student outcome. Then I'll be questioning some uh things we are doing that uh maybe it's a waste of time too. I and another one I think that whomever will be chair we're putting that person in impossible position. It almost sounds like to be honest that person has equal rights but at the same time that person will be all of a sudden making decision uh like uh acting out like ning clura like uh uh some system had been doing. So does it mean that this person will be holding uh the rule or to be honest we're going to be holding that person uh and I I don't um how you call uh that person because if he if he she uh will allow one time that many minutes another time that many minutes are we're going to be criticizing uh cheer Second comes to my mind public speak uh speaking uh as a parent I came uh to schoolboard meetings and it used to be five minutes. Yes, we had that policy. That policy changed because there was some disagreement. To be honest, it sounded like shutting down. If we didn't have someone doing 20 minutes or even 10 minutes, is it worth of right now putting some some sort of a clamp? In in such case, I would like it to be written so that you can um proudly present it that this is how we're going to be controlling. This is about control. So, so I want to let everybody know first of all that I brought this up as an item on the agenda because I got complaints about how long the meetings are going on, how long somebody speaks, somebody doesn't speak. That's that's that's a given, right? That those are the complaints I got. And so this I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing this because this is what I'm hearing. Old Robert's rules had nothing like this. and the chair could unilaterally decide whatever time is allowed for Dan, Alicia, Heidi, it is subjective. The rule, new rules specify precisely because of this kind of thing going on. Some members are not happy with the number of minutes that are spent, the time it's going on. They are suggesting 10 minutes max. >> Well, it's actually 10 minutes for each >> for each. could be 70 minutes or so it would be 140 >> each member for each question for each member each question I know I know >> so just wanted to make sure that we are all in alignment if you don't want 10 minutes you can do it five minutes 3 minutes but I the chair has to go by the Robert's rules the new rules of order right NR or something >> does a comment count as a question >> uh good question. >> I feel like the rules get a little tricky because there's a lot of exceptions. >> Yeah. >> Well, and I also feel like it's very different to me to be in a standard board meeting versus a working board meeting. Like that feels misaligned to have the same rules because >> we're going to have more qu I mean that's the time. >> Having said that, I am happy to do something to get our meetings a little bit more on track in terms of time, but >> no. And so obviously Valentina when I said 3 minutes no more than 5 minutes. My intention wasn't to like shut down anyone or limit anyone. Um I was going back to Sheila the topic even I think I I had the similar thought that hey we need to make sure we we maintain the time right whether it is 2 hours 3 hours and often times when we ask questions then administration will respond that will trigger more questions. So that's where the meetings elongate. Um I'll share one experience what it's worth. So I asked multiple board members after my first year um what do you guys think you know what did I do well versus where I should improve just for my own improvement sake and consistently I heard one hey you ask good questions but you may want to think about are you asking those questions for yourself or asking those questions so others including community can understand the topic and start thinking about it. So essentially what they were trying to tell me was hey if you have questions send those questions to whoever you know presenter offline and get those answers. If you think your questions will make sense or they are more relevant to the broader group or broader community then bring those up so that way you can prioritize your questions. So I thought that was a really good suggestion. I'm not saying I'm 100% there but I'm trying to apply to myself. So again not about restricting all the questions and all but I think we should think about hey is this really helping broad audience is it going to help you know community or is it just I'm trying to understand the topic which I can always send questions offline and educate myself you know what I mean it'll help us kind of maintaining the meeting time that's all >> I like your point um but um then I'll have more questions based on your points [laughter] uh because um first of all yes uh you ask I mean I like actually what you point I need to think about that one my for myself but um my my point will be going to be also sometimes to be honest you ask a question and there is an answer without no answer it is going lengthy way but I do not hear the answer so does it mean we're also going to be limit limiting thing uh the love is answering because it's going to go lengthy but there is actually no answer that that is my first question. Uh however going to be into I mean since and my one thing I'm going to bring up this again can we please stop stacking several meetings in one day? >> Can I can I answer that? >> Yes, please. I don't know if that is that has been a trend all along. This is an exceptional special special time of the year right where we are now >> doing superintendent search there is a referendum. So I think those are those are the most of the meetings that are being added on to the regular meetings if I'm not mistaken. But it has to do with scheduling and who's available as well, right? >> Not the number. And >> so this is not a permanent thing. This is I think just a temporary. In fact, right now I think even the superintendent search meetings are going to be less and less, right? >> But in such case, we need to all embrace ourselves. This is a temporary thing. Yes, our meetings are going long. I remember very well. It was um he is well known. he came he was very upset when um school board tried to limit uh and he said it's um yes >> you're talking when Senator Boswitz came in >> and he said we had meetings coming overnight we never ever thought about uh limiting people limiting public um so that was a that was a big deal for me because I saw that people still respected him and people still respected the opinion that uh if it takes that long that's what they did >> has to just chime in because I heard an answer to this specific question. I believe at least four or five times in the last two years we have tried to have some meetings on not a regularly scheduled date >> and literally there has not been an answer for all seven of you. I mean we went round and round >> and again in the last two years at least this meeting itself but I mean in the last two years this has happened several times and truly that has just become the solution because we know you guys are planning to be here for those two meetings a month but I I believe I've been asked over over the last two years with you guys on the board it I mean y'all are just busy >> I mean you know traveling for work having other jobs having school like it is incredibly hard if to find dates that you guys aren't. So we'll continue to send them out but I don't >> it's not because we can't it's one person two people aren't available and so the decision is made to >> yeah yeah I consider this as a passing phase it's not going to last very long right our timeline show or July we'll have >> meetings then in that case I guess that I'm going to be contradicting myself to the degree then we need to embrace ourselves that yes these are going to be can be long meetings uh that's that's the phase and this is what I'm hearing. >> Should we go around and just have people say what they're feeling about this and get a consensus? >> I think so. Yes, I agree. Yes, Alicia had a comment. >> No, I actually didn't intentionally do this though, but I did get through phase one of my MSBA training and I happen to open up to this debate versus deliberate, you know, and I just think that's it's it seems like a simple thing, but as we talk about if each of us have even two questions, 10 minutes each, that seems like a lot. I would think a lot of times there's going to be your board member is going to ask question you already had. I've sat in enough of your meetings as an audience member where you know you'll say oh you took my question or oh I was going to ask that same thing or I had that same thought. So just trying to remember that yes, I think it's important if we're asking a question that we seriously have a question we need to answer or it's bringing it to the rest of the group's attention, but if it's being said in a way that is combative or assuming you're right and nobody else is or trying to find flaws, like those are debates. Those are not deliberation. So >> and I I agree that's that's a very good point. The repeat questions will not happen, right? you know Dan asks a question I may not repeat that again obviously because I already asked that and then not not saying you know some one is better than the other but for me personally for example I talk very little I like to ask question very quickly so for me 10 minutes I can ask a 100 questions right I'm exaggerating but but you know so so honestly how how how many times is somebody going to ask two questions or three questions 10 minutes each taking up 30 minutes of one board member's time. >> When did it happen? >> Unlikely, right? >> But >> when did it happen? >> Huh? >> When did it happen? >> I have not I don't remember that. But again, I'm just saying >> unless someone looks like was sitting with a timer. >> Yeah. >> So Sheila's point. Let's let's go around and decide what we want to do. Uh I'm going to throw out a number there. Five minutes, >> three questions. Right. That's the one he's proposing. >> Sorry. I No, that's what I said. But I think leading the room I think what I'm hearing is let's not have any limit is what I'm hearing. I think we all be cognizant of the fact that we need to be timesensitive do not repeat the questions ask questions which are applicable to broader audience and if the topic presents itself where we have we have to go through those additional discussions and meeting is going to run longer so be it. given the circumstances. I think that's what I'm reading across. >> If that is agreeable, then I need to add an appendix to that then please do not complain to the chair that the meetings are going too long. No, seriously. >> No, that's fair. And I I mean because I have to make sure most of us are and that's why again I I think I'm I'm also with Sheila. That was one of my points. Hey, how do we limit you know the time and that's where my head was but again looking at the room I think we can table it like I said >> okay >> it's not it's not >> change anything >> sorry and I'm not speaking for everyone but again I just summarized what everyone is thinking I thought >> well I I want to say one more thing we can all go I just um so to me the the five even taking it down to five minutes and three questions It it won't it won't make meetings shorter because what takes up the most time is the answers. Um so I would >> because they need to be thorough. >> Yeah, they need to be thorough. So I I think that it all boils down to each board member being thoughtful about the questions that they ask and trying to prioritize and stay focused. And yes, things that you want the community to hear the answers for, great. If it's for your own personal learning, like just wait and follow up. like afterwards after the meeting. Um, and then you know when we think about if we get too sticky in the rules then it does become questions like well does that count as one question or two and and yeah I'm going to time >> and I have a comment I don't have a question does that count you know and so >> I don't think we can even do it it's not practical to do it I would like people to just try to make the meeting shorter when you think about like when you get an answer or the administration doesn't answer your question. I mean, consider like moving on and following up later or state your opinion, but don't try to convince them because like if you want change to happen, the change is not going to happen in that meeting, but you've got the discussion started in a public meeting. So, just just try to shorten everything. This is my plea to everyone. >> Just remember that if you decide on this, the chair cannot unilaterally stop somebody after five minutes. for 10 minutes, right? So just just just so you are aware >> but I think the chair Yeah. I think the chair can say I think the chair can say >> I appreciate you know that you have a lot to consider with this and and you can like the chair can help somebody move along and make a suggestion to follow up at a later time. >> Yeah, that's okay. >> That could be construed as being the chair picking on something. No, because we have we have we have an agenda for every meeting and we have two hours and so part of running a smooth meeting is keeping to time and so as long as we all understand that I think that's fair like if >> so I have a question ma mathematical question if we have two meetings stacked into one day so is it two multiply um two by two >> two hours by two meetings equals four >> oh I think it depends on the agenda topic. So, so the agenda is always determined the time is always determined by what's on the agenda. So, some of the time we have like one topic on the agenda and we just need to vote and we move to the next. >> I'm not talking about that ones obviously that recent lengthy ones when we had two two stacked on one day and they're lengthy ones. So what do you mean what kind of math expectations is? I mean so that I know my parameters. Obviously these are about parameters. So I know um >> I mean I can't give you an exact answer. >> Well I would like to know so that I'm not somehow unconsciously making people unhappy. >> Is it two by multiple? >> That's not that's not I mean I the the agenda is set. So maybe we need to think about vice chair and chair looking at okay an agenda item takes this long. How long is it going to take for a presentation? >> Additionally, how long do we think questions and answers would take >> which is which is usually built in but maybe we need to be more clear on our agendas that for example this topic we have 10 minutes allotted for questions and then board colleagues can just try to fit into that >> and this one is just opportunity as you said u to speak right now. That's why I'm going to I'm hoping that uh Sheila will appreciate. I had tons of questions which I never uh asked. >> In fact, I kept them. Um and in the past, I didn't sign up for specific committee because I was thinking whom am I and I mean I think at this time I will uh so that I will learn during committee and I'm hoping I'm not going to be here and push back then. this is my way of learning. Uh that in the past I did not need a sign up for them because I was thinking this is not my expertise. Uh but at the same time had tons of questions. I kept them quiet for two years. >> If you want a committee and the reason is you would love to learn more about that topic. I mean that's that will be part of the discussion. >> Yeah. my point uh even though in the past I was thinking I should probably then I will consider >> I would encourage you not to limit yourself. Yeah, don't limit yourself. Just because you don't have expertise in something doesn't mean you can't learn it. >> So >> one more thing I wanted to point out and Dan might be able to help me with this call to question remember call to question that we saw at the delegate assembly. >> Oh yes. >> So do you think that's applicable here as well? So debate can be closed only by action of the board. So there's let's say there's a lot of debate going on a lot of questions a lot of comments lot of back and forth and one member board member says you know what I'm tired of this let's just stop this and vote right if there's a resolution so the board member basically says Mr. chair or madame chair I call to I call to question that means >> did that call I'd like to call did that a couple months ago did that >> so that is that is a motion so Heidi says I call to question this conversation or this debate so that's a motion somebody says I second that it has to be moved and seconded it has to be voted and if two3 majority says yes let's stop this it stops that's a good thing that I think we should see if we can adapt don't do it willy-nilly please be careful be cognizant of you know how it will affect other board members and you know how it will look so I'm just saying that is an option that's available call to question that that's used >> you have any questions >> quite often at the delegate assembly >> so I'll take my >> I can make you a cheat sheet seriously >> and the other thing I wanted to point out also is we always talk about how long this meeting has taken has anybody there are three things that happened there one is how how long the administration has presented. So let's say it's three-hour meeting the administration could have taken two and a half hours. I'm not saying I know that was anybody have those numbers. How many of the once in a while for example I think there was one meeting where an agenda item was added to our typical agenda. I think Dana Miller presented something. So it sometimes the agenda goes longer and that meeting goes longer. So it's not like the board members or the board is actually taking up a lot of time. It sometimes happens that the administration needs that time. The third have we do we have information on how an average meeting around a district lasts? I heard somewhere that some meetings in their districts go up to midnight. So us going to 9:00 9:30 is that really bad? I'm just throwing this out there so we understand that it may not be as bad. So I'm I'm done. I rest my guess. So so consensus is not to do anything. Let it go. Let you know again like I said please do not complain to me that these are going very wrong. I will try my best to intervene and see if you know if it makes sense to politely ask somebody to stop. All right. Next item is the board handbook. handbook review cycle and process ID you >> yes so the board handbook has been developed um there are a few questions that came in um that we weren't un we were unable to finalize it for this meeting um I would like for it to be um I I think we're going to approve it as part of I don't know that we're going to approve it I don't know how we yeah how we'd like to do this >> it can be something that we approve so that it is properly versioned, which I think is a smart idea. Um, and I would recommend that we approve it annually so that it's reviewed annually, which is actually in the handbook that it's an annual review. We take a look at my recommendation is we look at it at the same time as we we have it as part of the cadence of our operating procedures and our policies. Um and my recommendation is that we approve it along with our policies and our um SOPs um every year in January just so that we have it on a regular schedule. We know that we're taking a look at it. We're making updates accordingly so that our um uh any updates are are put in there. Now my I come from a world of writing policy and regulations and SOPs. This is my entire professional world. And a lot of times the first version is not your perfect version and you need to work with it for some time so that you can find the bits and pieces that you need to improve on and you just keep notes on how things are moving forward. And if we decide that we want to update it in June or July this first year, we can certainly do that. There's nothing inhibiting us from doing that. And that's my recommendation. I would say let's move forward with what we've got putting in we I'll answer as many questions as I possibly can between now and January 12th but my recommendation yes ma'am >> the things that are in the handbook that you've been presented with >> yes >> have they all been approved by the board previously is this allanding none of it >> well some of it >> just gathered together from >> from previous things yes so like yes there are some things that we have seen over and over again in our organizational meeting. There's some >> never voted in January on any of that. >> Um, nope. We voted on our policies and our SOPs, >> right? So, never on the hand and the step on the handbook. So, this would be the first version of our handbook. >> So, I have a couple of questions. So, what happens? So, let's say January 12, we approve both handbook as is >> with some modifications based on questions. >> Correct. Right. >> And then modifications come throughout the year. then we just wait till next January. We could do that or we can decide that in June >> we want to update >> right >> and we can do that. >> Okay. So that's that's >> number two you said I think you just like policies we will app policies are approved every month actually >> right so board book is not if we are going to approve it every year it's not like policy >> but at the beginning of the year we approve our our um >> policies no you approve all policies in January you approve the entire blanket of policies in January >> the school board related months >> right but in but every month we approve some policies here some policies there we approved some of the other policies, right? >> Not so in the 200s, we approved them in January. >> I know 600, 800 or 400, whatever. We do keep approving policies throughout the year. That's my point. Not just once a year, right? >> Yeah. >> But for our but for so the organizational meeting in January is intended to be all schoolboard related stuff. And so I I don't want to get in the habit of us constantly talking about it because the work sessions like we're saying are too long and we need to be spending our time not on schoolboard operations but really on student outcomes. That's the more important thing. So I don't want to waste our time in so we can it's fine the f like we can we can have an update in the middle of the year that's fine just not it's not going to be like constant constant. >> Right. Right. So review cycle and process was the title of the item. So yeah. So >> and it is included in the handbook right now that it will be an annual review. Um and so I I just want to recommend that I the questions that I received I received from two board colleagues. I will answer those questions. We'll get them updated. We'll get the document finalized. You will see a finalized document prior to our meeting for everything else. >> So two of the questions will repeat. So I had I had asked one of one question I don't know maybe last year when I recommended that we have the acronyms and the education definition definition that I think Valentina brought up in our email >> that's at the at the end of uh Hastings's uh handbook. So that that covers my question and the other one was the Minnesota statutes to be cited you know when this was first printed when it was reviewed and when it was updated at the end that's all those are the good things I would like to add me to the questions basically but they are repeat questions of what she asked >> so I can I ask clarification yes so I going to be including um the Um will it be included in this version? Uh the um I >> acronyms. >> Yeah, >> the acronyms. >> Yeah, I was just you know this exists, right? For sure. >> Just and honestly what I might do instead of including that copy is I might include just the hyperlink because these are updated more frequently than we can keep up with. >> So it would be a very easy click >> and that could also get printed out. Yeah. >> What if we have more than what that hyperlink provides? >> If we have like Weisetta ones, >> I think our Weisetta ones are all included in our policies and our um regulations. So, it's not it's not it will not be an easy task to create a wise specific one because there's so many terms. >> More is okay. Mode is fine, I think. Yeah. >> And my point is what? Well, we can use at least two documents. MSBA Hastings already also did pretty good job. Again, I'll reiterate MSBA recognized their work specifically handbook >> as speaking about uh student outcome. One of them I wanted to ask uh at least it is also included in MSBA uh putting uh such kind of information as um results of district stakeholder service, school surveys, uh school improvement plan, student performance data, district report card. So when will we be able to include that one in that handbook? >> Student uh report card. >> Uh district report card. Uh so we have those items come out in our uh board meetings. They're included on board book. Um I don't know how we would include that in the handbook and I'm not sure that that is a >> it's from MSB. >> I'll take a look at it. >> Okay. Um another one is I I just want to clarify. Um >> and remember you're on the committee with me. So if you have recommendations >> sent or >> Yeah. But if you have recommendations on exactly how to do it, let me know and we can I'm not the one I'm not the only one who's developing. You me and me are developing >> and we we asked for meetings and then it turned out that uh Amy did major lifting. Uh >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But my we went we did not meet uh for this specific document as >> I think we did but I I it seems that there are differing opinions on whether we did or not. We gave direction to Amy to put it together. the three of us gave direction to Amy to put it together >> and that we will be sitting down and discussing um that was our discussion at community. Um next clarification is about standard operating procedures. I'm hearing that we're supposed to uh approve it every year but at least from two years in a row my paperwork is saying uh January 8, 2018. So would we consider even uh renewing it? >> It hasn't changed. You do approve it every year. That's specifically something that you all vote on in January. You do approve it every year. You haven't changed the version of it. So that's the version is the same one from that year, >> but you approve it every >> annually. >> So if we will change something today, it's going to be can be different. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. >> It will show up, right? that will change. >> Yep. >> So when it's going >> uh >> as soon as I'm given that direction I I have not heard that but I did step out. >> You said the SOP is changing. >> No I mean yes I'm asking clarifying how does it work? >> How does it work? That's what I clarify. >> Okay. >> All right. So review cycle and process we have discussed that. Okay. And then the last item on this discussion items is work sessions at round table. She >> what am I talking work sessions [laughter] at round table? >> Oh sorry I was like um so we used to have our work sessions not behind you know the big thing in the >> bias. Thank you. Um, they used to be when I first joined over in that building by Gleon Lake and I learned from Heidi and Miland that that was implemented due to co and that before that well I don't know what what did happen before that >> they were at city hall. They were they were at city hall and behind the dis but they were moved to a smaller room >> because of co >> it was around it was always around as far as I've known it's always been at the round table but I'm only four years in >> um anyway >> I prefer that for the work sessions because it feels more like a conversation and less of us on on high dictating things which I think there's been some you know misunderstandings by the community and the administration about you know what the board was doing at those um work sessions. So I was hoping that we could have some kind of solution where we have a table like this possibly in this room where we conduct our works. So, we talked to Amy about this in an agenda planning meeting >> and um it is possible for us to have things at a round table and it's something that we need to consider. There's a couple things we need to consider. There is um there's going to be every month there will be putting it up and taking it down. There's no way to have it just because this room is used for a lot of training. So, there's always going to be shifting. The second thing we need to think about is some of um our board colleagues may have needs that um might not be able to be met at a round table. And so the having the screen in front of them is the only way to do that. And so if we want the screens, we cannot have it at a round table. Those screens cannot move. And so those are a couple of the things that we need to consider. >> And there's a the huge one is the technology piece. >> Yeah. So, we're working on it. We We were trying to test it prior to the meeting today as how it would work in this room. >> We did not get through testing. There's I don't know if you realized a a someone decided to jump in the Zoom. We have no idea who that was, but that was not okay. So, that's an issue. So, there's a lot of kinks to work out and we are working on it and this is not the first time this has been brought up, right? You've championed this since we built that room. >> I know. I just like trying and honestly tech kind of wants to say no. ADA compliance has been brought up. So that's a whole another layer of like >> no. Okay. So the microphone issue is one and I did the microphones only work in there because we had a meeting once with like wireless microphones when we had a close session. >> That was a lot of setup. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So the microphones >> I mean I don't mean to be rude but like that's an extra hour out of my time and if that's worth it to you guys then I get to do it. And then the screen is to are the iPads. >> But if we do it in there, >> that does not fit the request. >> So I can't do a round table in there and have it still fit the ADA compliance without you guys sitting at the dis. So we've killed that. We're going to try. I don't think the answer is going to be decided on today. >> No, >> we're going to try and we're going to continue to test >> and seeing how everyone feels about it. I guess >> this is very similar to DAB and I know you know not all of you have done it before but it was where the camera was here. It also which I think you might have missed the behind the scenes. It took four computers for me to do that. >> So I don't want to go back to that. Um and we're working on it to do to try and do in this room but having it be audio and visually received is a big proponent screen sharing ability. So, we're working on it. >> Okay. >> Not a no, but we're trying >> with not monitors but iPads then or that has to be acceptable to everyone. >> I don't I think I think it's not I think iPads are not acceptable to >> I'm curious to ask who who not okay with iPads. >> We can't ask that question. >> Sorry. question I'm going to ask actually I appreciate Sheila um I understand your point of view it's not that way but at the same time I feel like first of all I never had that experience other than couple times and it's completely different feeling >> because over there you see it's um I don't know you you don't have eye to eye conversation almost it is not about any of us not understanding the ask it's about us being able to execute it so we completely they understand the why. We just have to be able to execute it. >> I wonder if like the audio and visual like it used to be over at Gleon Lake was not as high quality as the regular meeting. >> It was not >> and so it was enough but that it I guess I don't expect perfection and I I think our community is happy to have a recording and it doesn't have to be like as professional as what we get in that room. But >> they have to be able to hear you. >> They have to be able to hear us. I've got to get past that room. >> Listen to some audio from some recordings recently. How >> for this room, >> not great. I mean, it very much depends on the person speaking. >> Yeah. >> And you also need to know that when you're on Zoom, >> you're being recorded the whole time. There is no turning off your microphone, having a side conversation, everything is being recorded. And so when you start talking over each other, >> then then we start having lots of problems. So, it's just stuff that we have to work through. And if you could just, you know, we're trying. >> Sure. >> Um, and we're happy to continue to try, but I can't say by the first work session in January that we'll have it. >> I didn't expect, >> but we'll try for sure. And again, we tried for an hour today and didn't quite work. So, we we're going to give it another >> give it another go. >> All right. One more time about Zoom because obviously I was the first one who joined that meeting. I would not want to repeat it. >> Sure. If I I could help. You're saying if you are on Zoom, you're supposed to your presence on the screen on this recorded separate time. >> No, like so if we This is the one camera. This will be the one in here and it will be showing you guys the whole time, but you'll be verbally heard the entire time. So there's no turning a microphone off your if you >> two wanted to have a side >> question chat not [laughter] just the person next to you. Um so that's all. So we just you need to know that >> there is no turning your microphone off. I don't think any of that is a problem. I just want to make you aware that is all. during that uh during my zoom join in I had my son coming because it was very very rough for me family and it was a cold past >> oh your se oh that I'm sorry that's very different what we're talking about thank you sorry yes that is very different yes we had a hard time >> the connection on both ends that you didn't do anything wrong it's just distance can >> okay >> I just because this is new to me and trying to understand. So the district has adopted doing both visual and audio for regular and work sessions but just audio for special or >> um for the organizational session and for closed meetings um specific >> meetings are recorded but not live streamed or >> my understanding work session is I mean session is a volunteer we kind of >> it's a courtesy that Wisetta has adopted and you all lean in real hard on transparency and I think our community would not appreciate if you stopped allowing that. It would also require um extensive minutes and as the person that takes your minutes um I am not a court reporter. I am not comfortable doing that. So >> Oh yeah. No, I I appreciate the suggestion Sheila. Um you know I'm I'm happy at the board table. I will say personally like I appreciate the sound system um with the with the microphones. Um and I know others have you know appreciation for the monitors. Um I think it's also easier just for the meetings to be more like efficient. My observation has been in this meeting it's just we're not necessarily being called on. We start talking when another person's stop talking. So it's just and also with in mind the fact that when we purchased this facility a lot was invested in the audiovisisual components for that room and so just making that transition I want to be mindful of all those factors but that's all I'll say >> also wanted to add one more point I believe that city council and city council I have not seen the other city council meetings they have a similar structure City Council sits there on the top administration on the right may not be as mobile here but >> wor session regular meeting. So I'm either I'm okay either way as long as everybody gets to hear gets to see and all those. >> I think we'll keep you updated on what we find out and maybe you know February March hopefully we could try it >> be in support of it some time. So >> Valentina seems like she's in support. Dan is not. Alicia, yes. Heidi, yes. I don't know. I'm Yes. So maybe we do have four. Yeah. [laughter] >> I have I'm going to use now humor. >> So as long as the outcome of the meeting is not changed, it really doesn't matter to me whether we do it here or there. As much as I would like to trouble Amy, I would say if it is easier to be in that room, I think that's fine. My requirement is please don't move it to Gleon Lake or anywhere. As long as it happens in this meeting or that room >> just so you don't forget like somebody and show up at the wrong building just because there's four of you. Yeah. Just because there's four of you that hadn't participated in it before. I think it also to your point is nice because you are interspersed with faculty. So you are sitting at the round table with the direct with the executive directors. So I think it just it's a really different vibe. >> Yeah. >> Still though the chair it's like this meeting is more informal because it's our org meeting but those work sessions that I had >> there were still you know the chair was leading it and you had >> to be called on by the chair to speak and >> so that those parts of it were still there. >> Yeah. So table right we'll be talking >> keep working on it and I'll keep I bring it up at agenda planning meetings to let you know you know how the testing's going done with the discussion part uh board organization for 2026 I a board meeting schedule I'm sharing this so I don't know what to say you know just look at this and see Columbus Day is now called Indigenous People's Day, right? >> Yeah. >> Not by the federal federally. Not federally by the state. So >> I believe on the last uh because you do have to approve it. I believe I listed both to just cover both. So I am fine with listing both. You just need to approve it. >> We haven't added those special meetings on this list yet. Right. These are all >> No, these are regular meetings. Those special meetings will not be on this list. That's that is separate that you all had agreed to. >> Okay, everyone is okay with this. We'll move along in one one. >> Oh, did I get back? >> I'm roll checking a couple things. >> Sorry. Can you put it back? >> It's all online, too. >> Yeah. >> Yes. And these will all get posted to the public. There are already holes in place. >> Yep, I'm good. >> Have you we have a calendar kind of now for the superintendent search meetings. Does this match well with that? No clash. >> They the yeah these are in cadence with our regularly scheduled meetings that was noted when we discussed the superintendent meetings is this was the expectation. So >> and yes >> we are good because I'm I was looking at those meetings and they are all >> yes the placeholders exist. I'm happy to populate them. Again, you're not going to vote to approve them till January, but the whole placeholders are there and I will add you to the calendar invites so that you're seeing those on your calendars now. >> Sharing now. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh so we move on to the committees. Let me share. First one is the policy 208. First one on the board is policy 208 school board committee then a five minutes there's an attachment I just wanted to bring three items from that policy to your attention one was a committee or subcommittee is advisory in nature and only such authority specified as specified by the school board number two the school board chair shall appoint the chair of each standing or as upcoming number three actions of a committee or subcommittee shall be by majority vote and be consistent with the governor rules of the committee what I was mentioning earlier how the committee works and how the decisions are made it's a majority vote uh so before we decide on that committee let's discuss the subcommittee for the superintendent so this is what we talked about at the agenda planning meeting if it's okay with everyone we can talk about that and see if we can get the result Um so number one a few board members were interested in in being on that subcommittee in addition to the chair and the vice chair and obviously first item that was approved was that the board is okay with the subcommittee deciding on the three finalists after the first round of interviews. So few board members were interested in being on that subcommittee. Um the options are either the superintendent evaluation committee members or to go by seniority and also just to know that if you want to be on that subcommittee as a third member I believe bar dong even mentioned this at the planning meeting that this is going to take a lot of time during the day I think like two or three days of interviewing right during the day. So just make sure that if you still want it, you're aware of this fact. So I I guess we'll just have to decide how how everybody thinks and if those two options are okay. If you have one more or two more, let me know. Otherwise, we will just go with selecting one of these two options and then move from here. >> I have a question about the superintendent evaluation committee which hasn't been created for the next year yet. So, you're just saying whoever ends up on that. >> Okay. But not >> I think Barb's Barb has said over and over again that the current search committee has been working well. And so I'm cautious to say chair and vice chair because I think Milind and I should continue on the search committee regardless of chair and vice chair and then add >> after after January 12th >> based yes based on what VA was saying as well. >> Okay. Either way they pick the board whole board as a majority or you know as a consensus decides that once the election is over million is not chair or Heidi is not vice chair or she none of us either of us are not on there my in my mind it's okay I I I don't really have to be on that search committee for the first round but I decide >> are you able to share how many individuals identified that they would be interested in being on the committee Not who they are but how many. >> Oh yeah. Yes. Yes. I can share the number but not. Yes. Yes. Um not including us two. There were three more. >> Oh okay. >> Right. Yes. >> Three more. So total five. >> So three seats five contestants. Five candidates. I let me start. I I am going to go I have a you know I think it might make sense to do the superintendent evaluation committee as a part as a as a total of the search committee because the members have at least some experience with the superintendent evaluation superintendent roles goals etc requirements and all those things. So my my my option would be super superintendent evaluation committee which means Valentina would be further >> but that that assumes that the superintendent evaluation committee is going to be the same when we do the rest of the committees. So >> I don't know if that I assume that because like I said I am I'm not assuming that I will be the chair next year and therefore we'll be on that committee. >> Right. I wanted >> I don't know that that's what I'm saying >> like I want to stay on the superintendent evaluation committee for next year but I don't I don't know what the whole picture looks like. >> We have we have to decide. Yes. >> Who's you can go. I'm done. >> All right. So I agree. I think the superintendent evaluation committee should be um the superintendent interview committee or search committee. Um I also like the idea of having U3 continuing on that committee. Okay. Um and again my my thought process is again you three have been engaged in superintendent evaluation criterias etc. It's a good sort of transition for new superintendent coming in. So you've already talked about what do we do with the existing superintendent. So it feels like from transition standpoint it is beneficial for U3 to continue. There is that continuity and again speaking purely my point of view I think you three bring different points of view. So I don't see you all thinking along the same line which is good because you need different perspectives. So I I think you three represent different ideas and different perspective really well. You've been on the committee that gives the smoother transition. So again my suggestion or my recommendation would be yes keep the same committee if possible at least that would be my take and make that same committee responsible for superintendent. >> Right. Can I just add one more thing to what Par if I may this committee is going to be ex res existing or not existing but will be functional like for three days right in February so really >> uh no that that's what I'm saying that same committee is superintendent evaluation committee so it's not just >> oh not just >> not just you know do the search and you are out no that's not the case you are part of that superintendent evaluation okay >> so it's >> that's not what I meant this committee we are talking about now is the committee that decides interviews the first round of candidates. >> Agreed. Agreed. >> That's that scope of work. Agreed. >> Doing that only for 3 days whether we we all want to evaluation committee for next year to be the same or not >> that that we'll discuss a little. Yes. >> Is that your recommendation though that it would be the same three people for the full next year? >> For the next year. Correct. >> All right. >> I have nothing to add. I'm sure that I do. >> Yeah, >> I could maybe see the benefit of that consistency though because even though it's good to have the history of you guys already being on the committee, I also think while you're going to be with our current superintendent through his end date, you then would be able to hopefully a little bit more seamlessly transition into being with a new superintendent versus a new group of people being on that committee and not having that >> history. and that it just be a nice continuity to some degree. So what you're saying I it makes sense to me but >> sounds good to me. >> You want if you don't want yourself on that committee, you can say no. No, just kidding. Yeah. [laughter] >> Um at the time when I put my name there I'll be honest I didn't uh realize to what kind of situation we will uh come uh but at the same time um since I mean it was uh discussed uh even I think at when once we learn about our superendent and decided to retire. That's committee um should be uh named search committee. I I was in that committee um at that time. Uh then obviously was a procedure should have been done with a with the help of HR uh uh who brought I mean quite a bit of help obviously and uh brought uh several companies to us um which is um I I borrow So I'm hearing Oh, sorry. Should I >> Yeah, I mean it it seems like the people who've been involved are the same ones who will continue on and we are aren't deciding yet whether there will be superintendent evaluation, but it sounds like there's support for that as well. I don't know. I don't know how I I don't know how what everybody's choices were on their committees. >> We we talk about that. >> I feel comfortable with the same three. Okay. >> Um it was a sought after position. So keeping that in mind for when we I don't know I don't know how many people want certain committees as well, but >> thinking about fairness and >> equitable opportunities. >> Yeah. Yep. for kind of the more soughtafter positions. >> Okay. So, it looks like >> we can we do a bathroom break before we start. [laughter] >> Thank you. That helps me because I'm looking for something. >> No, you're still being recorded. >> Oh, yes. [laughter] Come on. >> Here. Go. There you go. [clears throat] I thought I not got that file. Yogurt, right? Is that That's what this is. You eat yogurt. >> Yogurt around some kind of like bread. >> Okay. >> So, if you don't like gummies, don't eat them. >> I don't like yogurt. >> Either. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> they're like fruit. >> Two minutes, guys. I'm sorry. He thought I was >> It wasn't recording now, man. >> It was online. I don't know. Thank you. So, we're back. >> Go back. >> And this one is labeled as part two. So, I will make sure they're in sync. I don't remember seeing you in book. >> I was just telling um Alicia and Heidi my distance vision's gotten worse >> because that's when it started working. I'm sitting on a computer like >> it's fine. I've always had like a little bit. So night driving can see this big enough. I think we are still not some loans are cut out. Should we start start with the easier one? The the bottom ones here maybe there's only one employee negotiations that's coming up next year. >> Community and principles or is that a kids? That was only Who wants to be on those? >> I was hoping for principles. I did it last time and really enjoyed it and they'd like to do it again. >> Anyone else want to put that name or they're okay with Heidi? >> I'm happy to do it. >> What's that? The second one you said community education class. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> I did that one last time as well. It's you'll enjoy it. It's a really Yep. >> For community ed >> for um principles. >> When did you do >> you were done on the principles last time? I think >> I did principles and community ed and that was in 2022. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. So you were in 24. >> Yeah. Principles is is very interesting. >> Um very interesting. >> Okay. Everybody okay with that? Unless we go with that. U fact that would be the finance committee, right? Anyway, >> uh so on CF usually that is um the individuals that are on the finance group. >> Yeah. Scitec Alicia wanted to be on the Scitec and the WF. Nobody else I guess I didn't ask for it but nobody else know. >> So Scitec is typically somebody from the teaching and learning committee. >> Yeah. >> Um so if you wanted to do both you should do both. I requested both. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh we'll go to the site afterwards after we decide on the teaching and learning because there are more requests than seems. So, how about um weather agitation for you or on it? >> I I'm on it, but if you want to go, feel free. >> I just have an interest. I had actually had someone reach out to me and say, I've been involved with Blaz stuff, but if someone else wants it, I'm not >> I've been on the deep for you. >> If someone else won it, though, I don't want to if it was something that really >> Why would I? Yay. >> All right. Well, I'm coming for you. >> I wanted the gallon for the first time, too. So, so much fun >> and it's such a great group of people. >> Yeah. >> MSD Sarah Sarah wasn't >> there was there were two of us now >> previous year we were two of us on the last year was zero >> on it this year. >> I would be happy to do it if there's nobody like I'm willing to say maybe on it if somebody else wants it. the question on Friday. I would love >> in Little Canada. >> Well, online, right? >> They have an option, but >> 287. Dan, you want to This is This will be your third year, right though? >> Third year. Yes. So, >> 287 is a two-year term. >> Yeah. Right. But it will be your second term, right? >> Yeah. >> Anyone else wants >> anyone else interested? Can you can you tell me how much >> I'm very interested but not >> commitment wise it's a whole another board >> right it's a whole another board yeah thank you >> you get a lot of work a lot of meetings or >> I know I'm always happy to it's it's really been a great honor and I would like to continue that work um so I will need kind of a formal authorization from you guys that happens at the January meeting when we ratify these appointments >> I have before >> exc yes it's just it's been fascinating and um I will um bring to you guys, you know, the invites for the several events we have, including Get on the Bus. Um those are fantastic. Um Alicia, if you would like to serve on 287, you know, sometime in the future, um get on the bus events are a fantastic way to, you know, just immerse yourself in the Lord. It's awesome. So, I would I would be honored to serve on 287. >> Are you interested in taking it this time? Not this time. I feel like commitment wise, I kind of want to get a feel for what this feels like first. But >> unless you're running wanting to run again, it's okay. My math >> two years from now. >> No, then you have one year. >> Yeah. Here, three years. Oh, I guess that's true. So, then there would be an option to not even do it because I would potentially point >> you can only be on it if you're not election. >> You can absolutely. It's a typically a two-year term. If a member leaves for any reason, if >> Dan steps away a year from now, we would obviously replace the >> Since you expressed one thing, you can >> so you can step down after one year and share. >> Well, right. I have thought about the um the length of terms going forward. I mean, I will say there's a lot of flexibility there. Um like currently we have there are actually two board members we'll be saying goodbye to in January who are not current board members of the resident district. >> So there there is a lot of flexibility there. Um >> but you can't have two Yeta members on >> and there are no alternates. >> Um it's it's one representative for each of the 12 member districts. >> See I think you are on it right? uh this year to be honest I right now I'm mixing it up even uh whichever m which I believe one time it was literally um we had a board meeting and then they uh I might be mixing two uh together and one of them I think that I um uh >> let's see >> there was one over the coordinating >> yes I still did not so I >> I I canot not speak that much because as I said second time I asked I think it which of my you didn't even I asked you to come. >> Oh yeah that was a great meeting. >> Yeah they meet four times a year and um >> one this year did end up overlapping with the meeting that we scheduled on top of it. >> Would you like to continue or yield somebody else? Um I would like to see what is my going to be workload to be honest. >> We will not open them unless somebody wants to >> bright works. I think Sarah was on it this year right it's a service co-op. >> Do we know more about that? That's another one that's typically two years >> against I believe. >> Correct. >> It's every other month. >> It's a really interesting group. Um and Bright Works offers a lot of cool trainings that AMSD works together with them on. Um they partner also on a conference that happens every year. >> So >> one thing keep in mind it is from 3:30 till 5:30 >> every other Yeah. month on that Thursday. >> We're still on this conversation. >> I don't believe I don't believe right works has right works. No they don't. >> No ardent kill. So they have to Do >> we have any takers on >> Brightworks? I don't Yeah, I don't know that I can make that work. >> Yes, those are >> AMSD. Yeah. >> Okay. Should we leave it? Um, I would type in open for the ones that are fully open >> and then I think Valentino is a maybe on CK. So, put Valentina on a question mark >> and Bright Works maybe you Heidi. >> Uh, Bright Works I don't know that I can do. Um, I already took Amnesty, but >> I would like to do the MSH >> State High School League. >> Does anybody else want it? >> State High School League. >> I was on it for the first two years. I think one year at least. >> You were on it for two and Sarah. Good luck. >> Um, you come there was I was on it, but I there was not one meeting >> that I was invited to. >> You should go. Take that one. [laughter] >> I told anyone. >> I don't know like who is the >> is that is Q because Q comp is different than meet and confer. >> It is different. Um and that did I believe. So I'd be happy to take it again. I'm super interested in it. I don't even know if Q comp is going to continue in the >> Yeah. So I'll take that question overload and I'm interested in qcom as well legitimately not just because I think it'll be less work. I just >> sorry. >> So when will we find out on your >> Yeah, but I'm not like to >> Well, let me get back to you on it. I'll >> Yeah. And then what what our other workload is >> this one you were on? >> Yeah, I I'm interested again. We did not meet last year. >> Not again. Not that's not why I want to be on it. >> I totally dug myself into a hole here. >> I'm also interested in that one too in that. >> Well, that one if it starts working, right? Like we have so the student wellness committee >> was an ad hoc committee of the board. There is a requirement in statute that we have to have a committee of this sort. Okay. We decided not to make it a committee of the board so that we could make it a committee. It's a community committee. >> Yeah. It was gonna be modeled more after um CEAC. >> So that Yeah. >> It just >> But the idea was that I think we're still getting to I think they're still building it. They just haven't figured out who the administration is that's going to run the meetings. So, and the question was, I mean, should it be the head of culinary? Probably not. Should it be the head of our student health services? I don't know. But that's an open question that I think would be a great question for our new superintendent. >> So, between the two of you, you'll take one figure out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Bright works. We don't have somebody yet, right? Nobody. Also, I think we've had two people on on some of these before where both can go. >> I think you're right. >> Yeah. >> One connect >> or both can attend because it's just I mean it's two people and >> um >> I mean not all of them but I I'm pretty sure student loan committee could have two people. They were talking about having two board members on it as the >> at least those two can be nobody, >> right? We'll make it. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Well, we wanted to make it a community committee so that there's at least some community representation because there's so much interest. >> Yeah. >> Valentina, were you interested in Bright Works if you did that? If I could do community or not? >> Those are the meetings that you couldn't the 3:30 to 5:30. >> Yeah. I don't know that. >> Yeah, >> I would stick to scite tech for you for sure >> since you want to do >> No, I was offering to help out. >> Oh, >> but I think right works would be tricky for me as well. >> Let's leave that as open. >> Okay, we can always I'll look at it. >> We could make for Scitec. Scitec Alicia definitely wants Scitec, >> but that depends on whether she gets on the teaching and learning, right? Isn't that what I heard earlier? >> That's what I'm being told. That makes sense. >> I'm here for the ride. >> In my way in my way. All right. So, let's look at facilities. Five people interested. So, the ones here in green are the ones that's interested. So, Paris is interested. Valentina then move now then Heidi. >> What does gay stand for? >> No. >> Okay. Alternate >> alternate. Yeah. >> Um >> she and millions. So >> I am okay giving it up if I can get finance. >> If you can get finance. >> Okay. Was finance your choice first or it was. Okay. >> Either facilities or finance. One of the two. >> You send that out. this model. Okay. So, I'm going to delete that >> and we'll have one still one more extra person. So, who is so I was trying to get on the facilities for last couple of years. Um again, >> do you want me to say >> uh fine I mean I'm restricted with only certain committees. >> Um so again it comes down to facility finance and policy. >> So I've been on policy for two years. So I thought okay I'll I'll stay on finance and on facility and then let you know polyic and somebody else on that. >> You okay with giving it up? >> Yeah. Okay. >> So Parish Parentina and who is the third one? >> You. You. >> Oh me. >> Okay. >> Oh me. >> I I can't see the right part of my screen here. So okay. So we figure that one out. Yes. >> Okay. Finance. Okay, just four to deal with and you you already are there Heidi, right? Because you gave up facilities. So Paris, Valentina and Heidi and Dan. So Paris and Dan have been on it for two years, right? Heidi will be on it. Valentina has never been on it. So >> between Dan and Paris, could you decide? >> It was my preference to see. Yeah. And I just see facility. Right. Correct. So the facility and finance because they kind of >> they're very repetitive. >> Yeah. >> Um >> I wanted to finance because I wanted to ask >> Sure. Sure. Yeah. >> But my thinking but since you I mean uh why don't we uh >> uh if you're okay with it I I wanted to clarify questions. Okay. >> Sure. So you said you had an interest in facilities, correct? >> Correct. Correct. >> Why don't you facilities? >> Yeah. >> So Dan, you want to stay on finance? >> Okay. >> All right. Then you can take me off of finance. >> Who done four five to go? You want resources only one? >> I can be on it. I told you I I've been on it already. Um it's a great >> one more. Sheila is already she wants to be on it. Alicia wants to be on it and we need one more volunteer >> to be on it. >> Yes. >> Oh, I wanted to stay on it. Human resources. >> Oh, okay. So, we have three. >> Oh, I wanted >> You're already on there. So, I'm I I did not update this. Okay. So, we have three. >> Wait, three including me or was there three ahead of time? >> No, including you. >> Yeah, because Sarah's rolling off. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that that makes sense. >> Here. See this policy? >> Policy. We have two. We need one more for policy. >> So, uh, did you take me off of policy then? No, policy. I would I'm just starting now. >> I So, I didn't I said I would I've been on policy for two years. >> No, you don't need to. >> Is there anyone that hasn't done it yet? Because it's a great one to rotate through. >> I I have not done it, but I want to be conscious of others. Bye. >> So >> we have a question. >> I lost you. >> That's okay. >> So Alicia is one. Uh Valentina is the other one. So who is the third >> on HR? Sorry. Now policy. >> Um I'm currently on policy, but yeah. And I don't I'm happy to be on it again if we get somebody to fill in that last one. >> And I put in for quite a few. So if anyone else wants to [snorts] >> I will tell you >> we try to place the new members >> and this year is school board policies are in the rotation. So oh F is actually a it's a good intro one. Okay >> so we got three there community relations. Okay another one with five request. So, let's see. Uh, >> I can come off of that one. >> I can come off of that, too. One second. It leaves then ID. Oh, I wanted. Okay. Superintendent evaluation committee. Now there are only two but some people recommended that we continue. Is that right? >> Question I have is uh policy committee. I feel like I am taking I don't um I sent by email anyone else wants policy >> because you're already on three and we haven't even got through them all but you're already on three which I know policy guarant >> when does it meet >> weird Friday >> Friday 7:30 >> that would work with my schedule I've not been on policy someone else can >> Would you like to because I I mean looking >> there are a bunch on my take where how much it can take. >> It is a good one to rotate on to if you've never done it. >> Yeah. If I'm getting a masters of public policy, I probably should policy. >> So, okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Who comes out? >> I I come out. I'm writing them all down too. You don't need to mic. >> Helps me see this picture. >> Okay. Uh, superintendent evaluation. We would put Valentina on there, right? You are okay, right? Valentina. >> Superendation ID and minute. teaching and learning. Okay. Four. >> Valentino. Would you still want to be on that knowing that >> you have three now? >> That's what I'm >> I've never been on it. So, I would like to be on that this year. >> Learning. I would like to be >> when I um facilities who would like to go um I wait a minute >> yeah so Valentina you're on finance facilities >> no there is something I will pull up my email there is something u there is no way to maybe I mean I don't know uh facilities who would like >> me and you on you already facilities who would like to >> who would like take facilities I'm already on finance >> already on >> state facility solution would you like facilities >> you're saying Valentina you want to be on your three committees right >> I already have bunch to be honest that's um first of all I one two I mean if you it's >> right now you're on four >> yeah that's okay and then um Alicia would you like to take facilities >> uh not it's early morning policy. >> It's an early morning. >> That's my biggest struggle honestly. Um >> is part of the reason because your kids a couple of them. Uh Fridays are easier for me to do mornings because my husband can stay home those days but he's gone >> otherwise. Every month >> every month learning in the middle of the day. Yes. I mean that commitment and but I still >> teaching and learning is the most coveted. >> I know [laughter] about the other coveted spots that people got >> and if they're willing to give them up. >> Yeah. >> Who do we have the first time? someone. >> Yeah, I mean I will just say out loud. I mean I realize it's coveted. I know I'm a brand new person. So if it's not going to work for me, but I also feel like a huge part of me being here and why I was elected was because of my background in special education specifically. And I feel like it's going to be hard for me to be in as involved in many of those conversations. Um, I will be trying my best to meet with Dana separately, I guess, [laughter] if it does not work out, but it just feels like an important out of all the committees. Um, I'm want to learn, so I'm willing to go other places, too. But that's just my main request for teaching and learning. Not to mention, the timing works well for my schedule. Should we move to others and then come back to this one? >> 30. Oh, there's one more left. De >> can we correct? Yeah. >> Equity and inclusion. Yeah. >> Okay. So, only one offer, right? Who? Oh, that's Alicia. >> Oh, for equity inclusion. >> Looks like there's a >> You can you can add me. I mean, I've been on the committee for two years. So um when we have to be minimum three or there is no >> there's no there's not >> right now I'm only on >> there's not a requirement >> three per and it meets only once a quarter right >> right yeah no no but I can be on EI uh but then I think on the top section I'm only on one is that okay >> no spread the word >> I know >> yeah in teaching and learning >> are you not off you're off facility facilities now. >> No, I'm on facility, but that's the only I don't want to take for uh finance. I just want asking you questions then >> honestly finance I >> if you are okay I'm I'm okay being on finance. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Is it okay? >> Okay. Well, can you >> I'll be asking you questions. >> No. >> Okay. You're still stuck with uh and then we need one more right for equity inclusion. I can put my name in there >> if you want. >> Nobody else wants >> How many do I have right now? Don't say it like that. >> We have two. >> I can take it. >> I can take it as well. I'm happy. >> You have three. >> Three. Okay. Yeah, I can as well. >> Can I just caution using language? Nobody else wants it. Like that's not what's happening. Nobody >> is available for it. But please don't Let's just not say anything that no one wants it. Insulting. My intent is not bad. >> Oh, I know. >> But should I put my name there then? Nobody else is interested. >> I I thought >> currently we've got is Heidi. Oh, is that you're just showing the boxes? I see. >> So, I'm on >> right now. I'm on finance, human resources, community relations. I would love to take equity and inclusion if nobody else wants it. >> I can put one. Yes. >> No. No. Who's who? So, right now, Alicia and I, we are on EI, right? We need third person or we need to >> You need third. >> Now, it will be >> I just didn't put it down because I didn't want to be greedy. >> Alicia, Paris, and Heidi. >> Yep. >> Right. Okay. >> And then we've got negotiations down. Right. So, we talked about principles. So this year it's only principles and um >> kids community ed. >> Scitec is going to be Dan now. >> So scitec would be >> whoever is on finance. >> Oh sorry teaching. >> Scitec is teaching and learning. That's right that >> oh never mind. Sorry we haven't decided on that yet. >> The only one left I think. Right. >> Yeah. >> I think the re I was getting confused. I did finance though for um CFAC. >> So do you want to figure out now that we have our finance figured out? >> Yeah. So Cfac then is finance. >> Okay. Yes. Yeah. It's not one. >> Scitec last year was Valentina and Sheila. Yeah. >> What are those conversations like? >> Like what are what are those Yeah. >> Um I mean it's more community focused. you know, we're there as board members um to observe, but it's usually something that we've seen in um teaching and learning, okay? Or it's just and it's not run by us. It's, you know, we're not the chair of it. We're kind of invited to it and it's the district >> talking about topic. There's technology, but also there's some, you know, there's >> some of the some similar things that you would hear in um teaching and learning. >> Wait still runs it though, right? >> No. Oh, where do you learn that? Yeah. Yeah. Technology class. >> Oh, guys. It's been a while. Like because it doesn't happen very often. So, >> oh, Scitec doesn't happen that often. >> I mean, I quarterly quarterly. >> Yeah. >> I'll be on scitec. Um I my thought on teaching and learning is again there are some coveted roles and some people got you know the interview committee and some people that wanted the interview committee did not get it. >> I'm not looking at you. >> I know. I'm just saying I'm not moving from teaching and learning. So, if somebody who's on the interview committee would like to give up that other coveted spot, maybe or I will trade somebody for the interview committee if it is helpful at all. currently without considering the teaching and learning committee. Sheila is on two, Valentina's on two, Milan's on three, Alicia's on three, Heidi's on four. >> Four. >> I took five last year. >> I'm just a lot again mentioning where it's at. >> Thank you. >> I just want you to be aware. >> No, I just wanted you to be aware of where you're at. >> The workload. >> Good. I will give up teaching and learning. Um facilities >> facil >> and superintendent eval you took yourself off of policy and you took yourself off of finance. >> That's why the number. >> So that's what I'm saying. You're on two without teaching and learning being considered. >> Yeah, that's Thank you. if as the new person and I can step off. I mean want to put >> I don't think we should do that. Um >> it's connected to your background. I want to make sure you have this. >> I agree. Okay, I think I'm going to take myself off. I'll find it next year. >> Okay, we have the recording. >> Oh, so all three actually you may want to >> Yeah, all all of them are three. If I haven't changed them, sorry. Yeah, I think all of them are three now. Yes. Even the five and the two. So this one is TNF, right? >> Mhm. Well, last year it was two people from teaching and learning. Do you guys want to keep it at two or do you want all three? Just make a conscious decision. That's all. >> Three people. It's always allowed. I really like to um >> I'm just saying make a cut like make If you're making the decision, make a conscious decision because also I was not on any of the meeting invites so you wouldn't a third person wouldn't know. So just make a decision if it's the whole TNL just so that Amy has a record of it and she can >> it's helpful to her. Oh, you should have >> and an external. I thought you he said bright works. I'm sorry. I'm talking about works. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes, you can. >> Okay. >> It is in person. Okay. >> No. believe that is one that would not be a problem to create a rotation if people are like I can go to one as the board. >> Is it every quarter again? >> It is quarter. >> Okay. I will make I'll make that work. Put me down for bright works. >> It'll be a lot of the same people as AMSD. >> I'm sorry. It's every other month. So >> that's fine. That's fine. I'll make that. Okay. >> And then they're delicious. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um so I'll do Bright Works. I'll do MSD because same people. It'll be nice to network. >> I think this late field, >> remind me. Did you want equity inclusion? Especially because you're coming off of teaching and learning because I'm willing to give that to you if you would like that because I >> I think I offered because there was nobody else willing to do it, right? >> Okay. >> Well, no, I I'm happy to do it. I just You would like it >> because I took myself out of teaching. So, I'll just stay with the >> to you. I'm just putting that out there as a offer if that's something you would like. >> But am I on? >> No, you're not. >> No, that's okay. You can see >> okay committee is done. >> Will you be getting >> huh? >> Will you be assigning chairs? >> Yeah. >> Oh, yes. >> It's within your purview. I just wanted I just wasn't sure if you were going to >> bring that up. I think might as well do it now. So facilities who who's on it? Paris Valentina and you want to chair facilities. >> Um this is my first time on facilities. So >> Oh, is it okay? >> So typically the um the process is that you should be on a committee for a year before you chair it. >> So I I guess that leaves me on it, right? Valentina has been there. Yeah, I haven't been last year. >> So, is it okay? Fine. >> Yeah. >> And then finance, you have Paris. Help me out here. Thanks. >> Dan and Heidi. >> So, the financial will be treasurer. >> Yeah. >> You want I would Yes. Um I would like treasurer. So, >> maybe table that one until that that's discussed. >> So, yeah. >> Good call. Which one? Which committee next? >> Sources. >> HR. Sheila, Alicia, and Heidi. >> Obviously, not it. >> Wait. What committee over? HR. >> H. >> Yeah. Well, Sheila Heidi has been there the longest. So, so that makes you the chair. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> You win. rocket dying. >> Let me see. >> Alicia, Sheila, Dan. Sheila's the only one that's been on it. >> I guess I'm chair. >> You and me, Alicia. >> I know. I was like, >> Dan, Heidi, Milind, Dan and Heidi have been on it. >> Do you want to rock paper scissors? >> I would rather just have a conversation about it. If you really want to share it, let's that's fine. >> I'm happy to share. >> Okay. >> Superintendent Evaluation, >> Valentina, Heidi, Milan. Same three that have been on it. Actually the superintendent evaluation part is not going to be much next year. >> Uh >> right because >> well I think we are going to have to lead um we're going to have to negotiate that as part of the contract. So it is going to be quite a bit >> evaluating the soup needle in itself for the for their work or you know >> doing an evaluation process. I don't know we have expectations other stuff also the board development board self. >> Yes. the evaluation. We may still have an evaluation because >> Yeah. >> So, you want to continue as chair? >> I would like to. Yes. Unless Valentina, do you want to chair that one? >> I was going to ask, what about you? >> I don't mind. >> Y'all just went in a circle. All three of you. >> You just went in a circle. >> Chair or copyright? Valentina, are you chairing any committees? >> Not yet. >> So why not this one? >> Um >> I I policy chair last year, right? >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Uh no, I would like uh you to become chair of Yes, please. teaching and learning. >> Happy committee, Alicia, she who else were the three on the eiid first timer. >> No, it's my second time. Uh, what do you want? >> You can hearing anything. >> What? >> Oh, all right then. >> Come on. Put me >> get in there. >> There we go. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. Just having to keep things even here. I like it. >> Okay. >> Hey, uh, going back to the superintendent evaluation committee. I know we just went circles. So are you too comfortable with you being chair? I thought you wanted to be chair and again I'm going back to my earlier comment on continuity. Does that matter in this case? Doesn't matter. I just wanted to open it up. >> Are you okay with the committee separate? I'm okay with that. >> All right. Okay. >> Principles was stand right. >> No, Heidi is principal. principles. Dan has community. >> I voted all seven. The committees, >> the last item, >> just clarify for the rotating. Do we get that sent to us? Do you sign up for it? Is it? >> So, [laughter] we've done this several ways. I think um the easiest way is I just send out a doodle and you mark on all the ones you could do. >> Okay. >> And then I work a rotation, okay, to keep that >> moving so that you're not missing too many, but you're not stacking on too many. So, it just depends on availability, but I think it worked out really well this last year. Again, y'all are really busy people. So, um I try and make sure that like you're not, you know, missing agenda planning for two months or something. So, yes, that worked out last time. So, as long as everyone's okay with that seem to work out and I will send your mic, >> you're all right. Now, officers, right? >> Okay. Please, >> only thing I want to mention here for the schoolboard officers policy 207 and 208 or 207R I guess the SOP suggests organ organization meeting in January to elect officers. We are going to talk about interests and if somebody wants to make a statement why they are interested I think this is the time to decide that but no voting any kind at this meeting and uh so we'll start with chair position anybody interested in running for chair would they interested in the name nomination in January. >> I am interested in being chair. >> I am interested as well. So maybe would you like to make a statement or >> I'll be honest, this is a surprise to me. So I only found out on Friday that you're interested in running for chair. Um and it's surprising because uh we typically run in two-year cadences for our officer roles and um and so the conversation in my mind that I was wondering is what has changed. >> So that is your statement. I'm just asking >> No, that's not my statement. I'm but I do have a question on to as to what >> we'll get back to that. But can I make my statement first while I'm running for J? So I want to start by saying how much I value the work each of us brings to this board. We may approach issues differently, but we will share the same purpose, doing what's best for our students and strengthening trust with our community. Over the past year, I have focused on moving ideas into action. Three key initiatives, community listening sessions, student representatives on the school board and board members visiting classrooms will help us strengthen connection, transparency and engagement. We need a chair who will support these initiatives strongly and take them forward to completion. My strong support for these initiatives puts me in a position to do that. These changes reflect the kind of leadership I believe our chair should model. one that listens deeply, acts decisively, and brings people together. I'm not afraid to challenge the status quo when it means improving how we govern. And I welcome diverse perspectives because that's how we earn community trust and make better decisions. I have also performed leadership roles in state and national organizations, MSBA, MISLAV, and COBA. Each of us take our leadership roles in different areas and while some efforts are still in progress, I'm proud that this the initiatives I have led will deliver visible results. As we take on the superintendent search and a referendum, we'll need that same level of follow-through and steady results oriented leadership. As chair, my focus will be on trust, inclusion, transparency, and accountability, ensuring every voice is heard and that we deliver on what we set out to do. I've shown I can bring about changes and I'm ready to help lead us through the important world work ahead. Having received the highest number of votes from the community during this past election, I want to live up to the trust shown by the community and complete what we have taken on in the past two years as chair. I'd be honored to have your support for board chair so we can continue the momentum together. So you asked about rotation, right? that that question has come up in the last few days to me as well. So I'm just going to read a statement on that as well. So so people understand where I'm coming from. Okay. So our board has often followed a rotation practice. There's no doubt about that. And that practice has served us well in routine years. However, rotation is a custom not a requirement and the board retains discretion to select officers based on the district needs at a given time. Strong boards match leadership to the moment. When stakes are high, governance best practice is to select the chair based on demonstrated capability, not automatic succession, especially if there is interest expressed by others. Coming year is not routine. We will be conducting a superintendent search and leading a bond referendum. Two initiatives that are high risk, highly visible, and central to the district's long-term success. Both require continuity of leadership, clear authority and consistent external communication. Automatic rotation introduce introduces unnecessary risk in a year with the level of complexity. An open election reduce that reduces that risk by ensuring readiness. In addition, the board is actively engaged in several other major initiatives that require sustained sponsorship, follow-th through consistent leadership approach in order to be completed successfully. MSBA also does not recommend automatic rotation of officers. I believe four of us were at the webinar last Wednesday and that was one of the things that they talked about in a year with multiple complex initiatives underway. Continuity is not about individuals. It is about maintaining momentum, reducing ex execution risk and protecting the board's effectiveness and credibility. This is not a reflection on any one individual. It's about selecting the right leadership model for a critical year. For these reasons, I believe automatic rotation would not serve the district's purpose, district's best interest this year. >> Um, I'll say my piece and then I'll respond to some of the um items that you've also said. So I'm going to say that I'm unapologetically committed to strong leadership and succession planning and that is something that we have talked about as a board as being a priority. I've sat in the chair of vice chair for two years with the understanding everybody at this table minus you Alicia had the understanding and the expectation I was very clear that I was interested in in the chair position. It has been a good faith practice that the rotation happens. As I look back and I have a document that shows the past 20 years, 18 years to be exact, of historical terms, it has always been two years and that includes the year that Chase came in. So when we had a new superintendent, there was a new chair that came in and it was a seamless um transition. Um I am extraordinarily prepared. I am not a risk. I am anything but a risk. I am practiced. I have extraordinarily strong relationships. I am trustworthy. I am transparent. I bring extraordinary presence and experience to the role. I am not adversarial and I never want to be, but I think it's important to have open and honest conversations. And I have a strong ability to remain neutral, which is one of MSBA's rules of the chair's conduct. Um, there is a good place in all organizations for good faith efforts. I understand that we don't have anything in writing around this and as the organization has scaled I think maybe we do need to put some more beef around what the expectations are. However, I think it's fair to say that Melind when you were elected two years ago it was with the expectation that it was a two-year term. Um so to just hear about it on Friday um I don't feel like that was transparent. Um, and for you to say something about not having credibility, that's a deep cut to me. Um, if we're talking about the number of votes, Sarah Johansson won the greatest number of votes when you were elected to chair. So, that line of rationale does not fit. Um, I am looking to be chair. I am ready. Um, I'm a very strong leader. I'm highly respected in the professional realm and um I know how to do this job and more of us speak now. Yep. No. Okay. Um so it was my understanding when we elected Milan as chair that it would be a two-year term because that had traditionally been what we had done. Um, Milan, I have been one of your biggest supporters and you have done a great job as chair. My thought is you are not the only one who can do this job. We have another exceptionally qualified person. Um, to me taking a third year is the part that's not continuous. like it is an exception to say I mean there are a lot of things that didn't make logical sense to me in in this speech and I will go through some of them um so auto rotation no it should not be expected but if you have equally capable people it's nice to take turns and that has been historically what this board has done a long time and it sounds like you're saying we don't have equally capable people and I don't believe that to be true. So demonstrated capability. She's been chair for vice chair for two years. You know what more experience does she need to be chair? You had none when you started. So, I don't that doesn't make any sense to me that oh, because we're hiring a superintendent, like electing someone as chair who has been vice chair and who's been on the board as long as you is somehow discontinuous and not going to work makes no sense to me. Um, yeah, the highest number of votes thing, I don't even know what that's about because we don't elect based on on votes. Uh, and again, that's a great point. Sarah Johansson had the highest number of votes. We elected you for chair. Um if you're if you want to be chair for student voice and listening sessions because we already have school visit then but you don't have to be chair to pursue those initiatives. Um you know I I just to me this seems this seems like the wrong thing to do. you are missing your rights to nominate yourself for chair and anyone here is within their rights to to vote for you as chair. I think it's a bad look. I I don't think that it's fair. It doesn't seem fair to me at all. And there's something underlying here like you have all these reasons and they don't make any sense. So what I take from this is you don't think Heidi can do the job. I'd like to motion for a break because I would quite like to visit the restroom that's taking a while to >> No one touches ahead. >> We're timing you. I'm just kid. >> Oh yeah. Start the timer. Just It's right out. It's It's in the kitchenet. >> Yeah. >> Or in the hall. >> Do you know where the kitchenet is? Is Yeah. It's some of these basic things. I didn't think about I didn't think about she's been to a lot of board meetings, but not going to the kitchen. I'm giving myself Thank you everyone. So, how should we continue the conversation? Um, so my gauging of the situation is we have two individuals who'd like to be chair as well as other individuals who might be other positions because we will not be taking any votes at this meeting. I would recommend with the length of the meeting in mind that we move on to asking if there are other positions any other individuals would like. I previously mentioned that I would like to serve as treasur. Um >> just I I mentioned earlier that I would like to serve as treasurer. I'm curious if there is interest in other non-share officer positions so that we might respond to those needs and tackle that part of urgent. I have an interest if chooses not to be vice chair, if she does not become chair in being vice chair, but I do not I'm not wedded to that. And so it will depend on the chair vote and then Heidi's choice, but I will step into that. I'm also happy to be clerk again, but I'm also not wedded to that. Um, and that will depend on whether I get into the vice chair role. >> What if they give us give us authority to do the auto? Just kidding. >> Yeah, I don't know. I don't think that works anymore apparently. So my request to the board and again going back to the earlier comment of continuity I would really like Bill and Heidi to continue and I again I'm not trying to shy away from our responsibilities and voting rights. Um, but my humble request is if Milan, Heidi, if you guys want to talk to each other and figure things out, I think that would be appreciated. Again, >> if we have to vote, we will vote. Uh, but my ask is again >> and again the vote happens in January to be clear. >> Exactly. Not today. But my ask is again given where we are heading next year with superintendent search with um you know the referendum I think I want you both to be there either in that role or if you decide to switch but again that would be my ask because again there are two positions both have been in the role if you guys can talk it out and decide among yourselves that would be much appreciated and again I'm not trying to shy away from our responsibility. I'm not trying to hide and I not that I don't want to vote in January, but that would be my request. But I genuinely want both of you um in that chair. >> I am only willing to be chair. I am this this is um honestly a commitment that was made by the board when we voted in Meind for two years that it was a two-year term. I am only willing to consider chair. So that's where I went. >> Thanks for bringing clarification. At least it's um give >> speak a little. >> Oh okay. Thanks for thanks [clears throat] for bringing a clarification that at least uh brings more clarity. But this paper which you provide is very useful and I would like you to remind that first year at least when I joined we spent six and a half hours >> and looking at this paper Sarah was for two years chair. She wanted to be a chair. Third time obviously following that logic. During that time, nobody shut down her. In fact, we spent six and a half hours because she wanted to be a cheer. So I'm not sure right now why are we putting mil in this kind of situation when following your logic traditions whatever we are going to be saying you were perfectly fine with Sarah s seeking for that position third year in the role. Looking at the same paper, it shows that uh Linda Cohen was a vice chair for four years in a row and she did not become a chair. So there is no uh tradition. >> It's there's there's more to the data than just that. >> Nicole was on the board for like 24 years. Okay. >> And also that's fine. But my my point is bear in mind there were several times that people did not want the chair role and so and there were several times that people had family emergencies. Not just there were there were serious issues that happened where people had to step down and things had to shift. >> Okay. Looks like he doesn't have an emergency. >> Yeah. >> Sarah that didn't have an emergency. >> Can I explain? >> She was uh looking into um becoming chair. As I said, we spent ridiculous 6 and 1/2 hours only to discover about I think at 4 hours mark why I was sitting so long. It was my first ever meeting and that's why I end up sitting that amount because I could not understand where we are going. Um so I don't like uh in what kind of position we're putting um mil in this case. It's unfortunate that looks like to be honest relationship between two of you did not work out that well correct. >> Maybe there is a woodful thought so to speak. >> Good for either of them though. >> Yes. Yes, that's why I'm saying I said both. I did not uh but at the same time time at the end of the day uh this is not about tradition. This is uh we in the past when I questioned some things I had been out to me what was brought we need to have policies we need to have procedures we need to have that even though I found with some kind of questioning there were some policies I just didn't know at the time this is not written anywhere in any kind of paperwork so in this case I'll be honest it depends I I really don't want to be put in that position that I am being almost like like to be honest with Sarah like kind of cornered because if you say this way you become an enemy and by the way I think that I'm going to say it. I mean what can I say? She did not forgive us. She did not forgive us for that kind of vote and the way how she treated some of us and no one stood on her way when she was treating some of us not very kindly. I don't want to be cornered and I'll be honest. This is I was thinking democracy. This is uh we have one each of us have one vote. This is not about uh cornering someone. This is about everyone are adults and everyone are making their own decision. And by the way, at the board table, I think at the biggest thing what's happening nowadays in Minnesota is that um boards no longer are rubber stamping. That's why sometimes if some people so much got used to that someone is questioning some things for some reason all of a sudden it's a bad person being um being bad person. I mean you you got it. What what I was I was thinking where for diversity as long as I guess diversity of opinion all of a sudden as if it doesn't line up we would like to uh look on the timing discuss how long a person is talking and all. So I don't want right now to spend another 6 and 1/2 hours. I learned already I'm not this is not my first meeting. whomever I mean we need to be going maybe sleep on this idea for 24 hours but we need to make ourselves decision one bolt each of us are carrying one bolt and you can make that decision based on as an adult how do you feel based on how did you uh experience yourself serving at this board. How did it work out for yourself too? And actually the best of all I think that what is the best interest in the best interest of a district in the best district of um which I would like to tackle sometimes ago student achievement which is not happening. I am not interested in serving someone's um interests. This district is not supposed to be like, you know, um passing along just because this is an election. If you would like to be considered, put your names. We will vote in January. We're not going to be uh straw voting today either and sitting till uh till we are like I mean uh we're not and by the way when we're bringing experience what I learned I felt uncomfortable but I didn't know we had the most experienced board member who was perfectly fine with us doing straw voting which was against the law and we were perfectly fine with it and we did not come back at her and uh next year waved in front of her for example. So sometimes uh maybe it's not only um it it feels like uh we are weighing into some sort of a interest group I'm not interested in. >> I'm not either. I agree with you. I'm not interested in special interests either. And I think I've proven that over and over and over again. Who? Um, can I ask? Hold on one second. I did I get that paper? What is this? >> It was emailed to it was you have it. You have it in your inbox. >> That sent >> I did want to ask actually just a technical clarifying question. I see for 2011 it says um let's see Pat Gleason was board chair and then blanks for vice chair director and then >> the minutes do not exist for that meeting. >> Oh interesting okay >> but that chair the chair and the clerk are accurate because that is documented throughout minutes for that year >> but the minutes for that meeting are the December minutes from the month before. They don't exist. If I can just speak to I remember that meeting and it was painful. Valentina, you are correct and we should not have gone through a six-hour meeting. I agree with >> you told her, for example, what kind of >> it wasn't just Sarah and that's that's fair to put it just on Sarah that it was Sarah's fault that we had a six-hour meeting. That is unfair. Um >> um I think it depends. I'll say I mean I'll keep my I'll say >> so the rationale behind why Sarah was asking for a third year and there were several options that came up by the way it wasn't just Sarah's going to be chair um Sarah was the only we were all brand spanking new [snorts] and Sarah was the only person who had any sort of experience as being a chair. There was no vice chair to step into her role. Linda Cohen was had finished her term and she left. She had been the vice chair. There should have been thought around succession planning when those two were chair and vice chair 100%. Okay. But it didn't happen. So the idea was that Sarah would take it for a maximum of one year and then and I would be the vice chair or whoever would be the vice chair and the next person would come in. Another option that came up was Heidi B chair and Sarah be vice chair. And that was shot down. And it was shot down. You can listen to the recording and I can give you the exact moment, but it was shot down because [snorts] I didn't meet with somebody ahead of time. I didn't have time on my calendar. And that person said to me, "If you would have met with me, I would have supported you." So when you talk about special interests and outside voices 100%. But you're telling me that I'm the one who's coming in with special interests and outside forces and you're not seeing the full picture. >> No, I vote Sarah. >> I am saying I have sat I have sat in this vice chair role and I am ready and I am extraordinarily experienced. To be honest, >> I was experienced and ready last time, >> but I always try to take the right steps first. I try to do the fair thing and that's why I decided to sit in the vice chair. Even though I was prepared and I was ready and I could have done damn good job for this board, I'm ready to do it now and I want to do it now. And it is not about my personal interests. I know we have a superintendent search. I know that we have a referendum coming up. I am so deeply embedded in this community and I'm deeply embedded inside of our schools that I do bring strength to the board in this moment. And I'm not stepping on anybody's toes. I'm not taking it away from anybody. Melind had a fair shot and he did his two years and he did a great job. And I'm not sure I'm not sure what else like it. Y'all are telling me it's not going to happen. You are not good enough to do this. And if if you can't see the value that I bring, I can't force anybody to see that value. But I will tell you, I bring a whole lot of value. A whole lot. So that's all I'm going to say. I do think that we should have some sort of idea of how things are going to go in January moving forward. This is not a discussion that we should be having at the board table. That meeting is also a very long meeting with a lot of things that we go through. I'm not saying we have to do a straw poll. That's fine. There are differing opinions on how that worked and what is legal and what's not legal. So, I think I just want to put that on the recording. We have opinions that say that what happened was okay um from our from legal because this is a question that came up and we chased it down and we understood it. Um but I do think it's important that as a board we have this this discussion tonight. It doesn't have to be six hours long. Um, but there are we have we do have other roles that we need to be looking at. Vice chair and clerk and treasurer. >> I've already talked so if somebody else wants to say something they can again but I do have something else. Some of it is a repeat and I apologize. I just want to reiterate that Heidi is exceptionally qualified. When you're deciding to vote and you are within your rights to have whatever reasons you want, you you know decide whether that reason is worth noting what what the historical precedent has been because again with Sarah there was and I didn't vote for her. There was an exception. She was the only one who had experience as chair. So, I can see how that might have been an exception and might have seemed like a reason not to be fair and take turns. Um, I I would seriously think about what reason you would have to not be fair in this case and take turns that Heidi could be so bad. She's exceptionally qualified. It is a continuation. She's been vice chair. It's mindboggling to me that like we're having this conversation because it none of the reasons I've heard other than you just don't like her or something else. None of the reasons you're giving make any sense to me. I'm speaking for myself. >> I'm going to say >> you have your own reasons. >> I'm going to say one more piece. Um it's not just tradition. The two-year thing is not based on tradition. It was a philosophy that the board members have and the philosophy was um that good governance rotates leadership. It creates accountability. It creates transparency. It creates better board members because everybody cycles through that role just like we cycle through the committees. Um and there were many years that nobody wanted to be chaired. Many years. Um and so and so I if this if if Melinda's elected to a third year of being chair consecutively because there's nothing saying that he can't be chair again in two years. But if he's in a third year, um I think we need to have a serious conversation as a board about what our philosophy is and and what our vision is as a board because good governance practices trickle down to our schools. Um and there are many research papers that say that. So what we do here does matter. And okay, now now I'm done. And the only reason I'm stepping up as vice chair is because if if Heidi's not elected as chair, then clearly it means the vice chair role is not a stepping stone to chair. So as many of you know, I don't have ambitions to be chair. But I will be the vice chair since clearly it's meaningless after tonight if not after tonight but if Milan is voted as chair. >> Or maybe we have another uh who would like to be vice chair. And to be honest, if you see that uh that position as meaningless, uh don't speak for everyone. Maybe somebody else would like to. Another one >> all of a sudden right now philosophy again. I had been so many times shut down with the immediate uh words used to me, policies, procedures and all. So written language I read it it's written language there is no written language here and um as I said at the end of the day it is how do we feel each and every and in um as for as a board and we need seriously to think I would like to because we did not do development. we uh as a to be honest as a committee I very much so would like to uh to get together because for some reason because um I I am totally aware you don't need even to tell me that I am coming with different perspectives and all uh and sometimes um uh if things do not go your way. I guess what um try to feel how I feel. I am also bringing the perspective of a community which had been shut down for so many years and of the board and I which as I said I was not if someone would ask me four years ago would I want to or especially if I would have known what does it take no way know Wow. I never ever pictured why I put my name because it felt so helpless when we tried to run against big money and all with election literally on our feet and just to put representation and for me it's not I I I will um like I I will jokingly would say it is not the looks or why I chose my husband it is his words and I'll be choosing based on how a person behaved I mean not behaved how a person um what a person did not just saying I don't want to be again to be cornered and at the same time please please don't uh do >> the way how Sarah did. >> I'm not corner you at all >> because >> I don't I I feel I feel that you're you're saying that I'm being somehow cornering. So what do you mean by cornered if you're not tell because what it feels like is you were telling me >> this would not go uh your way. Please don't because um >> I am a nonver last last meeting when we were just um ourselves it felt like um I can breathe. I don't know how easy to say but it felt like we can talk. It felt like we are willing to listen. It did not feel like that at all >> when we let go of the past. >> Oh, no. It's not about let go. I don't want to repeat. >> That's fair. >> I'm learning on uh trust me. Uh uh I mean we I'm learning on experience. I don't want to repeat. >> But I'm not repeating. >> Okay. This is I mean I really am here to listen and sit back. Um, I think I've made it hopefully clear. I've done my best to try to like understand things because much like you're explaining Valentina, I think at the beginning, I'm even deciding to run for this position. I did not know a lot of things and I've tried to do my best to understand as much as possible, but I was not part of this group and I'm only one person. But I do hope that we can move forward in a more balanced progressive talking to one another. let's move forward as a board. Um, I guess the only feedback I have is being someone who was only able to listen to the conversations that happened two years ago, it was dramatically different last year. So, speaking about whether it was a rule that's written about the two-year, I honestly was under that impression. Also, seeing how last year's conversation was basically a non-con conversation. it was everyone is maintaining their board positions as is. There was really no discussion otherwise and that's fresh in my mind because I just listened to all 20ome hours of the last two years meetings. Um but that being said, I hear what you're saying, Valentina. I do think it's really important that we It's unfortunate that things have not been working well between the two of you and I want to make sure that we can come to a solution that's going to benefit the entire board and I I don't know it's hard to put it into words. It's just I I hear what both of you know what is being said here and I'm not on the board so I don't understand what leadership has been feeling like but I also do question and that's been one question I asked at the organizational meeting I've been asking myself is I've been in enough leadership positions where it is typically the assumption or makes sense to me that the vice position is in training for that leadership position so that you're not just constantly putting someone in the leadership position who has not had any ability to ask questions and learn and like have on the job training. So, I can see why maybe it hasn't always happened, but the assumption should be in my mind it just makes sense. If you're going to why have a vice chair position unless it means you're going to use that as an opportunity to slowly gently train yourself up to this high level position, which I understand a lot of people don't have the time or ability to be in the chair role. And that's probably why there's only two out of seven that are even putting our name, you know, their names into the hat right now. I think there's other individuals at this table who could also be really good chairs, but it's just maybe not something that they're able to do. So ultimately, I just I want the best. I want to move forward. I have a hard time coming into a commitment like this feeling like we're not doing what we're here to do, which is ultimately work together to move the district forward and to be a benefit for our community. And so I will agree like it's been hard to be in the audience for years or for the last few months especially but even prior to that seeing some of the few fissures that have been going on and I just hope that I hear what you're saying Valentina. I don't think anyone is putting anyone in the corner. I think we're trying to just hopefully come to some sort of an understanding so that we can just move forward with our January meeting and not so yes that was not a seamless because I wasn't going to say anything but that's my piece >> you're quiet and no I I spoke but no It's it's unfortunate. I mean, like I said, I want both of you in that role and like I said again, not trying to shy away from our responsibilities, but I I would genuinely request both of you to talk to each other and see if there is any solution. Again, if not, we'll absolutely vote. Uh but literally what I'm hearing is there are no other nominations other than obviously what Sheila said and understand what >> that treasur >> is treasurer >> I'm talking about >> vice chair >> yeah chair vice chair so >> no speaking I I was interested in being vice chair but you just kind of reading the room maybe that isn't the right contest to have >> can you say one more time what sentence >> oh I was just I I was considering you know pursuing vice chair I would like to be chair someday Um but you know just seeing as how there's you know more business for us to tend to um you know I would like to pursue treasure. I'm fascinated by public policy, public finance and so um yeah I mean I guess my feedback hearing what I heard today is I hope that you know Heidi and Milan can get together and have a conversation um so that uh the January meeting is is seamless. Um we'll have a lot of business for that day and um we will vote. Um but at the end of the day it's uh a necessary part of our year's work. >> Should you double check this year putting your name as a treasur for treasure? Yes. >> Okay. Anyone else going for treasure? Well, I mean, if we're not making decisions tonight. >> Yeah. But we're not sorry because I mean all of this everything is everything is going to be up for debate then on >> in January. He may not he may want to become chair. >> Okay. >> That's what my go my language was incorrect. Sorry. >> We decided on something in December and then no we have >> no I'm not saying that I agree with that. I think we should have the discussion here. I don't think January 12th is the right time to have that discussion. But if I mean if if we don't want to >> is anybody interested in clerk? >> Well, we >> Yeah, >> that was that was going to be my next question. >> Depending on how things go, would there be a person? >> All of it is up. All of it is up because >> is there anybody willing or interest? >> I'm willing to be clerk. I'm willing to be treasurer. I'm willing to be chair. But it all depends. Do you see what I mean? Like it all depends on if my board colleagues support me in continuing the work that I've been doing for two years and that I would love to do. Um, and to help embed our new superintendent in our school community. I mean, it depends. So, I I like I don't think it's going to be easy to have the conversation for any of the other roles until we get this ironed out. That is true. >> I'm sorry. I I made a statement when your meeting started and I'm not going to sit in silence and something that I've been like choking on. Um >> um >> No, please. I just This has nothing to do with your current discussion, but Sarah Johansson was brought up and statements were made about her at this meeting that aren't true. The straw vote was not her decision. Her and Milind were asked to leave the room and another person in the room decided to do the straw vote and y'all went along with it. Milind and Sarah were out of the room. I was here and I have listened to that meeting more than any of you in this room. and the argument. There was a question posed by someone in this room about her going for a third-year term and asking the history of if we had anyone that had done it before and that was used as a sticking point by this person for why they voted the way they did. No one's bringing that up here. Again, I've listened to it over and over again. So, I need to make sure that that's clear because I think it's really rude to be throwing someone under the bus that isn't here to defend themselves and that did good work for the district for 12 years. Okay. Um, if it was the straw vote, obviously in that case, I will apologize. I mean, I'm willing to take that one, but my point is uh no one um Okay, we did it. That's my my point. We did it >> and legal is listen to it and it's not illegal by our from our legal council. So, that was also >> one second. I'm now I'm going to project something on the screen what Trevor Helm sent me last weekend because I have to I was keeping quiet about this but now I have to show what Trevor Helmer said so everybody understands. I highlighted the email. I will share this with everybody. >> Would that violate uh if I share this email with everybody and then nobody responds? It's your tail chair. Yeah, MSBA has said this and Trevor Helmer also says this. So, oh, there you go. You can read the whole thing but I have highlighted the one that are for the >> highlighted section. >> I'm sorry. >> There was no vote. Tell me if I'm too fast. Okay, I'm going too fast. Wait, this has to do with Yeah, this is >> this was the one I the agenda planning meeting. >> Yeah. >> Sheila said we should do this and then you were copied on that email which I sent Sheila. I said this is what I'm going to ask Trevor. >> Yeah, >> exactly. >> And then I never saw the response. So could you scroll up so that I can read what the actual question? >> Question is not on that response. question was basically the process that Sheila had recommended. Remember? >> No. That I asked about if we could do >> right. Right. Yeah. Same thing when you you asked me to make a change which I did. >> Oh, okay. >> So, this is to Trevor from you. >> No, this is from Trevor to me. >> His original email isn't in here because This first part I had not asked him but he >> because you did ask cuz I emailed him and he's responding to the email that you asked me to send him. >> That was Yes, it was responded in the first one. This is the second one. Yeah. Oh, you're >> She's an invited just >> Alicia, don't take this personally. This is I'm just showing this. I did not bring this up because now that >> you did bring it up. >> No, I brought it up now because somebody said that was not a stop stop vote or stop pole. So, elect participate anonymous nomination process. >> There's no action. This is really not clear. >> Yeah, it says from a legal perspective, as long as this is simply a discussion and not a final decision, I think it would be legal for us to do this type of anonymous nomination process. But there may be an appearance, right? So it is legal but you're recommended against it for appearances. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Great. >> Again, same thing here at the bottom. And here he actually supports MSBA stance as well. MSBA's position in that webinar. >> We were I'll just say um we were extraordinarily clear that it was not a final vote that the final vote happens in J. We said it like multiple multiple >> I understand that any kind of secret vote secret ballot on a post-it note is not taken well by the public and it is not allowed by statute. >> Um there has never been confusion or a problem from this this process has been done so many times and our public is very well-versed and they've never brought it as an issue. colleagues. Um I think we've had a a a rich discussion. I appreciate the information everyone's provided. Um just reflecting on, you know, the last the meeting two years ago. It went long. We're going the same uh trajectory right now with with the current time reading 9:22. Um you know, I not to you know, put the cart for the horse. Um but you know I noticed there is an agenda item after discussion of officers board training and if it's amendable to everyone if we move on to that I think that would be productive course to go um you know seeing as how I want to hear about the MSBA leadership conference 2026 you know brochure and thoughts folks might have it was fascinating receiving those items um as well as the upcoming workshops was very interesting um folks have any perspective on both end transition to that topic. >> Any we know how many have signed up. >> Uh yes, I've heard from Well, everyone I've heard from everyone. Four are attending. One is still just figuring out if they're able to attend. >> Now, you had some question to me about that opportunity. So, journey do we? So I'm not >> Yeah, I'm traveling. >> I got my summons. Yes, that's right. That's right. >> Oh, so you are not able to attend? >> No, I'm not. Not any day. >> No, any day. Correct. >> I'll be there Wednesday. >> Yes. And you you have one workshop or two workshops? >> I'm doing phase three on Wednesday. >> You are going on Thursday. >> I'll be there. >> Okay. See you tomorrow. that is something I not have it on Saturday and Sunday. >> For me and off work at the beginning of the year. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. We I >> you just made a comment that is not factual. >> I paid for >> Oh, no. >> Additionally to Okay. >> You talk about nothing to do with that. I'm sorry. We can clarify that later. I'm sorry. >> So that takes care of the prochure. Then MSB workshop. So one, two, three, four. Right. Has everybody else taken all four workshops? >> Are we finishing the >> second one? The last time I was able to attend the first, but then we had board meeting for second and >> redo it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Try to try to finish that. So I'll finish. >> Thank you. You have three under you have three. >> I don't think four is even available until the spring. >> There's an award for That may be the fastest anyone have done it all. >> I expect something. >> Make a trophy. Make >> If you do all four in the first year, you get an award. [laughter] >> I think you get recognized at the lunch. >> Final final item before we adjourn. mentors. >> Before that, can I um uh since uh Amy um would be listening and all um if I made a wrong comment, I'm willing to apologize. I'm talking about Sarah and um that she was the one but I was talking about um putting her name and then um doing uh straw voting but if I put her I mean I will apologize. I totally agree it is not would be not fair to to do it when uh she's not uh here. I totally would agree with that. It's I should have probably just uh go to um stro uh vote um item. So that one um I would say it I I'm willing to be wrong than to uh be perceived that I deliberately do. >> I very much respect that. Thank you for acknowledging this. >> Okay, so last item, mentors. Alisha, I think we are all done with two years of mentoring. So Dan Paris Valentina unless you want another year of mentoring from somebody you know that's that's still an open option but Alisha you Sheila has offered to mentor you unless you want somebody else you know you have a choice. >> Love it. Thank you Sheila. >> Yeah. >> Okay. But if uh contact info any you will have that uh >> yes unless anyone I that is not something that I um I will email you directly because this is a public meeting and I don't want to talk about your personal info but I will send that out if there's any updates that are needed and obviously um collecting leashes and I will share that with you all discreetly >> an internal document that does not get shared with >> apologize for the extra hour and a half whatever it is that that it took us but I'm glad we finish the agenda. Thank you so much every night. >> Thanks >> rest of the week. And if I don't see you before the holidays are over, happy holidays. >> Um I'm just going to make a request because I know conversations can happen outside of the board table. Since we didn't have the discussion together about how we're going to shift things around with officers, I think it's um good practice to not discuss it away from the board table. >> Yeah. would be in violation of open meeting or serious communication etc. >> So we'll figure it out on the 12th. >> So should I exit any from the zoom? >> Yeah, I'll turn it off.