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ACS Board Meeting - July 14, 2022

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if you want to get engaged Miss Meadows we ready thank you all welcome to the inner skipping school boards Board of Trustees June 14th 2022 please join me in a moment of reflection thank you please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance libation God Michelle would you read The Rules of Engagement meanings of the Anderson Community School Board of Trade these are open to the public however the legal right to be present at such meetings does not include a legal right to speak or participate in such a public meetings and he complained about the district and putting instruction discipline personnel policy Staffing budget procedure or curriculum should be referred through proper administrative channels each speaker shall be allowed three minutes to address the board when you stepped to the podium you will provide your name and I just for the record please refrain from spontaneous comments from the crowd those doing so will be asked to leave the room speaker she'll speak directly to the issue as briefly and fully as possible stations are to be civil and respectful public input shall not disrupt the public meeting there should be no intimidation or personal attacks against the board members of the board School Employees or students of the district routing love statements threats name-calling offensive language or personal references or other improper conduct is strictly forbidden individuals engaging in appropriate on Jack in will be asked to leave the meeting failure to leave may result in law enforcement intervention the board may ask questions for the purpose of clarification speakers will not address individual board members directly unless in response to a question a speaker may not 5 minutes to another speaker the board has no obligation to answer questions raised during public input if needed or necessary the board may be for a particular question to the superintendent for him to research review prior to his wrist the patron the president of the board has the authority to terminate or suspend public input meeting at the rules are not followed and or shall the input become redundant thank you but that we will call this meeting the clock doctor Hill you received in your mailings and in your packet tonight's agenda I would ask that you approve at Jenner with one Amendment we are pulling the policy series 6000 first reading off of tonight's agenda then we will be moving that one to the July agenda so other than that change I would ask that you approve the agenda question would be in order has been made second and any comments or Corrections deletions at the time since we have one virtual that roll call vote and Shaylee I'm a friend's heart with bale hi hi which Bronco is not with us tonight thank you all also in your same packets it in your mailings you received the board minutes from the May 10th board meeting and the May 31st special board meeting is that you approve those which would be in order has been made hearing on all those in favor Miss Hailey Owens this mail thank you thank you all just have a few things tonight will come later in the agenda so I'm not talking about that particular one at this particular Moment In Time first thing I want to say is that we had a great graduation on June 4th anybody that has seen the pictures on Facebook or was there a live Anderson Heifetz on heck of a graduation out on the football field is two ceremony that we did that for covid related reasons but it's a magnificent ceremony was a good weather or hot but it was good while it was a great ceremony you see the yellow buses back out on the road summer school is in session so we are back out nothing this summer seems to be going pretty well though this is just the start of the second week of that next up I've got we received in the mail and award from the NDS for dissociation and it said their exemplary governance Awards and it says this certifies that Patrick Hill Board president Anderson Community School Corporation has reached the exemplary level of the Indiana School Board Association exemplary exemplary program for the calendar year 2021 by earning 225 or more eg a point so I passed this award along to dr. Hill and congratulate him for that thank you appreciate it thank you last up for my comments I would like to call Laura Lee Heights up from Strada buys to talk about our strategic planning process can you hear me okay give me okay make sure okay there we go and hear me okay. So being tied to this is not animal style when I'm in front of people so if I look like I'm walking away comes naturally I'm sorry slides in just a second my name is Worley Heights and get them to join you along in the strategic planning process and I'm very very excited as a community for us to move forward in this way so what the heck is a strategic plan though so I'm going to talk a little bit about that before we actually move into the process can you see it coming alive there we go so I like to think of a strategic plan a lot like how many of you like to go on a road trip before gas prices were $5 a gallon we like her a trip that's right so where do we want to go what's that in whether it's Orlando or Italy we have to decide where we want to go and then we have to figure out how we want to get there and a strategic plan really answers those two things it tells us where we going and how we're going to get there little bit just about my company mainly I'm from just Wayne County so I'm not really far away been doing this work for a long time strategy is my thing nobody else really loves it but I love it so I hope that we all whatever. do I hope you love your job as much as we love doing our job so the process is really about a six-stage process and I'm going to walk you through each one of these and just hit a little highlight as we go kind of what you should expect as whether it's on the school side or on the community sign what you should expect as we're going through this process the first phase is really to explore where are we now so this is where we are going to ask you as a community to engaged in this process we're going to provide a survey we're going to have focus groups and listening sessions we want to talk to parents we want to talk to students we want to talk to all of the community to understand what do you expect as they Embark as it as a school corporation on how do we improve the student experience how do we create the best experience in Indiana for our student we first need to hear how are we doing today and what is expected of the school system we called it's really a stakeholder engagement part of the process we will also do an external scan and that really looks at what are all the things that are facing a school system today it's really really tough business to be in at the end of the day we have a lot of factors that are at play so let's better understand what those forces are and then we do an internal scan which is really to look at the school system as a whole the next stage is where do we want to go and why so this is okay we know what we we we know some of the information we need to take in so ultimately where do we want to go how do we build the best student experience so we think about this we're going to take and and gain alignment as an organization about what is our current state how do we decide what would we where we want to go how do we open up to that vision and we begin to set some goals what what matters to us as an organization we get into the actual planning sets itself so the strategy development we get a clearer process of where we're going and now we need to build the plan to get there the fourth stage is really activating the strategy so how do we engage our team members our facts ER staff of the entire school system how do we engage them how do we engage our students and the community so how do we help live out this plan is essentially what we're doing and activating the strategy the fifth stage is reflect on the journey and this is how do we measure our progress are we doing what we said we were going to do are we living up to those expectations do we have to make adjustments and chain so we'll work through a process we're kind of doing a check in as we go and essentially building a culture so how do we add into the way that we work as a school how do we ensure that we're doing things around the Strategic plan whatever that looks like in the end all right so those about the the phases of a plan so any questions from the group any questions at this time what kind of timeline are we talkin we're going to start in August and we will begin that listening sessions in September we believe the entire planning process should be finished in early spring so do you work Ford Explorer I work with the school music great question and so one of the things that it does is it provides a plan to the Tire Community about how we're going to engage in work as a school so if we think about what is the directions so an example of that might be and I'm going to make up an example this is not let me be clear this is not decided but if you say you know part of our school goals is to be a school that in beds technology in every aspect of the student experience I'll just make that up then we say we're out there talking about we're going to be a school known for our technology then are we investing in it rebuilding that are we doing all those things so essentially it's to say it's making a promise to the community and students and it's a plan to hold the school accountable to doing that does that make sense am I a non-profit I am not a non-profit I work with nonprofit Google put the contract last month we don't typically take questions from the floor from this height to be here if you want to talk to her folder are the questions for the board thank you you're very welcome eye doctor electric lose my comments thank you very much so I did realize we probably have some new people there is a sign-up process for speaking at tonight's meeting sign up sheet has played out before the meeting and that's how you sign up speak in the course of it if you have questions certainly all that the board members present presenters will be available to ask questions afterwards or out in the lobby if you want to go out there how to say thank you again for the award from the IPA certainly a lot of that credit goes to my fellow board members and administrators in the community for making me a be on my toes and having to learn a lot so appreciate that opportunity to say thank you to Anderson High School again and they specifically the office staff who year after year such an exceptional job of making sure everything runs so smoothly and I miss Crenshaw company so I just want to say a big thank you to them and with that we'll move on to talk some more about graduates so the 2022 Anderson Community School graduates I want to talk a little bit we have some people I believe here tonight from Ivy Tech on dual-credit d26 or career center military and athletic scholarships and then overall scholarships mr. Davis who's doing okay I'm sorry I don't have your name so good evening I'm Bonnie Willie from the Anderson Campus at Ivy Tech I'm the k14 executive director I thank you for find me to come tonight we have much to celebrate. First of all 11 students were presented their Ivy Tech diploma covers and cords at the Anderson High School awards program in May that was really exciting and we two certificates to present tonight one is for Anderson High School they had students earn a hundred and a thousand 441 credit twitch saved families / 2 hundred and $15,500 so that's an incredible accomplishment and then the career center their students earned 1972 credits which saved families over $294,912 I also have individual certificates for the teachers at each of those buildings that's 14 teachers at the high school and 12 at the career center I just have to make a note that we are so excited to partner with d26 as they go through their early college process and we're just embarking on that and we will be working with the high school to they've been affiliated with off and on for a few years and will be working with the high school to bring their Early College to full fruition, go to college and what exactly that means early college is actually a program that it was enacted by the state legislature to be up in official partner with style that's the center for leadership and learning I'm in Indianapolis they are housed at the University of Indianapolis it is an 8-step process it involves parents and students and teachers and all of Administrators as they work through this process generally it takes about three to five years for a high school or career center to reach that point of being, becoming what we call fully indoors I've had two schools that were able to finish it in 4 years and I've had a school that took nine years so it's you know it just there is no set path it's just how fast we can move through that and how engaged we have for our at for our partners and with our partners they look at leadership they look at programming the core for the high school is called the Indiana college coach I'm that is one year of college finished that's what the students received their chords for I'm at the rewards program and so if they attend a college one of the 14 state colleges in Indiana you're guaranteed to start as a sophomore and entire year of college that's pretty good that same College core is transferring beautifully out-of-state especially to State schools and it's transferring pretty well to most of our private schools in Indiana so it's a win-win across the board for everyone at the career center those programs are based on I'm certificate in welding in high fatality in fire science in let me think building trade actually two different kind to difference on Pathways for building and construction so in those are students who well earn industry certifications as they go through the process as well as college credits and then they'll be able to graduate through Ivy Tech with their certificate any other questions other questions from the did that make good sense to all of you thank you so much and total $509,000 saved and college cost maybe more Career Center Credit still coming in this was based off of the grades that had already been submitted on June 9th and I think I have some other teachers that are still is submitting those grades so thank you thank you thank you also if you wouldn't mind give up give a hand for the Dual credit teachers who go above and beyond to after squirrels to that happened d26 Anderson High School director Neil and Company the graduating class of 2022 at 4 nine students and workplace learning seven who are still working their post-graduation and turn internship placements so congratulations and and you know what that's also with the help of a lot of our Community Partners who make those programs go from CNA to Automotive to construction trades yeah. It's good to have chosen chosen to call to serve in our nation's armed forces to give them a big round of applause special on today being Flag Day all right let it Department six Henderson High School athletes received athletic scholarships for basketball scholarships 1 football in 110 34 senior athletes graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher Scholarships in total including our 21st century Scholars was 3.9 million an excellent excellent turnout in the end of the photos if you're senior actually from this year's graduation both ceremonies again went extremely well and we're so proud of of the graduates were turning out at Anderson Community Schools that concludes my comments we will move two comments from patrons how old is Lisa Sanders hello everyone my name is Lisa Sanders and my address is 1519 Cedar Street Anderson Indiana on Friday May 6th 2022 I was contacted by dr. Katrina Cooper of Anderson Intermediate School that one of my children one a three children that attend a is was called horse playing in the cafeteria at breakfast time and that and I quote my child will no longer be allowed to eat breakfast at school I will have to feed him at home that was his punishment she told me that this it was put in place by doctor milliman to this day I still have no contact with on May 10th upon my son's return to school he was held on the bus by the bus driver that morning and refused access off the bus and he was denied breakfast my son did not eat breakfast that morning my children text me and told me I had seven children total I have nine children total 7 which attend acs3 go to Anderson intermediate my oldest son text me and told me that the bus driver would not let his brother and that he was refused his breakfast I called the school I tried to get in touch with dr. Cooper I tried to get in touch with Doctor milliman nobody return my calls I called up to the Hillcrest building spoke with Debbie Sawyer she forwarded my complaint to Kelly. Kelly they're called me did whatever she did nobody ever called me back well I filed a complaint I went by Perkasie as handbook policy I filed a complaint to speak with Miller men's formal supervisor they had five school days per ACS handbook policy to acknowledge my complaint dr. Eric Davis did not do so until the day after his fight we're at when I filed it initially complaint with the superintendent when I got here to meet with Kelly there and dr. Eric Davis I stayed in my piece I'll let them know what happened my son was denied breakfast after the fact after I got finally got in contact with someone at the school my son was confronted in his classroom by dr. Katrina Cooper about telling me that he did not get to get breakfast seek legal counsel they advised me to go pick my child up from school when I got to the school I had learned to that doctor Katrina Cooper states that she went to my son's classroom not to confront him to consult him because his teachers said that he had been upset all day about the ordeal Kelly there advised me that she would not only review that day of us tapes but previous day's the best tapes due to the allegations of might not only my children but other children on the bus at bus driver Kelly there call me back not even 24 hours later and told me that she had reviewed those tapes in that basically my son refused to get off the bus she didn't hold him on the bus Granite no one has showed me any bus takes no one has told me exactly word for word what was that my child did refuse to get off the bus I have multiple parents with multiple children who were on the bus Friday I mean Tuesday May 10th when my child was held on the bus stating the bus driver told him he cannot get off her doctor Katrina Koo Brad Millman nobody has done anything about it ACS is not held accountable Leti nobody has done anything when I had my meeting it didn't go per ACS handbook policy the respondents were not there I was not able to stay my peace the way it was supposed to go now here I'm reaching out to doctor crunk and everybody on the Anderson Community School Board how can we believe in ACS if they use a malicious punishment against our children my son is 12 years old he's not a bad kid he denied his meal regardless of whatever they say the facts are the facts my son didn't eat May 10th they did not let him off the bus nobody's done anything about it thank you doctor doctor Davis can you set up a meeting again with the lady we apologize that be protocol was not followed hopefully this meeting will write something for you I seek legal counsel so it is going to soak they've opened Pandora's Box it's against the law to deny a child a male on a federally funded program and everybody just keeps apologizing but nobody no. Nothing has been done to anybody nobody has been held accountable no button to my satisfaction my son's with did not even want to go to school the last week alright man but thank you for speaking in they will get but yeah next up Kate k j Taylor make that cake in a minute so that's my bad just pretend like you can see you okay my name is KJ Taylor I live at 1521 West 4th Street in Anderson Indiana I was at the I don't even think it was that two weeks ago and it came to my attention that 1.8 million dollars is available to us and for I'm sure he has his reasons for whatever reason doctor, kind of down and I would like to know why I did attend the June 4th graduation and he was so proud to announce that this was the one hundred and whatever class that was graduating from Anderson High School and he spoke of honor and tradition and dignity well they'll pack of values are not going to continue if we cannot effectively fun our schools to continue things like honor tradition and dignity how do we expect K through 4th graders to read write and perform arithmetic if we are not giving our teachers and our kin and our students the time fake and real 2.4 years old every time we drive past Liberty Christmas he said my mom say I know my Mother's Day I'll be fearing I have I am 23 years old I should have graduated from an Anderson Community public school I did not I am proud to say I graduate with academic honors from Herron High School Indianapolis Indiana why because I was the academic standards were not to my family satisfaction my teachers was subpar my teachers did not see what my pay so therefore where's my blankie I have this feeling right here at the health teacher my mom said you got you. He'll know she was so proud he is one of the very few cute in this picture to my mother was like all right you looked at and it was not until I attended Belgium but I was being talked at my grave in the 8th grade I will set back to Anderson Community School they put me in a subpar English class and do you want to know what the English teacher told me you have to wait again to text you are not passing at level 5. mind you I'm in the 8th grade reading at 11th grade level my feelings was hurt or being implanted in your mind this was 10 years ago can you imagine what has happened after of a session a pandemic after nurses parents teachers Educators across the board are experiencing downfall and burnout are being allocated but to the wrong place has 1.8 million dollars that's what $600,000 are $300,000 across six schools Turn Down for What make it makes sense the mat they happen that's all thank you look up mister Lindsay Brown good afternoon good evening thank you school board for allowing me to come up here and speak and thank you for educators and teachers and everybody do the hard work on a day-to-day basis first of all I'm Lindsay Brown for people who know me I'm a Native American Indiana I'm a parent and a remember I am here today because like many of you I am passing about our system especially when it comes to education in the visiting a future with every student receive the type of education they deserve no matter what could I go to Western financial status or who they are what I've always been an active within a community and within our systems of Education Community about every year they're so I look at things and see where can we improve and with that I always see things in our educational system as well as in our community this is not a discussion on the point fingers are in like that what I'm looking at the challenges that the district are facing as well as some of the great things our district is doing but a lot of time to challenges are outweighing some of the great things and what that might be is we would like to try to partner with school system instead of being an adversarial to our school system to help bring some bridges some gaps during his time doing his research we have learned about a school Improvement Grant and the young lady has spoken about it in which would be released later in the spring of 2022 during our meetings we deliberate it on one of the best ways to present it this opportunity to the school corporation and so we dig and we want to try to be a better relationship and we thought about how can we present it in which representatives pretty fairly well and the whole point of it was building a relationship between the community and the school corporation we did meet and please trust me when we met we met in secrecy and we didn't we didn't want doing it maliciously we just wanted to get everything together but as we know for me transparency is the key thing for me and the boy do more people and more people in our community and having other stakeholders come to the table is really strong and I'm passionate about transparency and accountability and with that there's a couple things that I wanted to mention that I have route to my light one we are not here to try to take over schools so we're not here to take jobs from anybody 3 when I here to destroy the Union 4 weirdest a partner to build education opportunity of money was brought to the table that Department of Education that contacted me about and they build a team to get it to hear which like the young lady said 1.8 million was to get the grant started and to study for just like you paid a contractor to do the program that you're doing and that's all we want to do so we have the second opportunity come around the corner and it's coming for a fall session we would like to board and Doctor Crump please take the time to think about this cuz a lot of school corporations around us are taking advantage of this and see what we can do to build this so we can take advantage of not only the 1.8 million but the four men dolls for school that they can possibly happen up to four million dollars per School per year to help our kids benefit from it and then make our school transport to the 22nd 23rd Century thank you thank you except mr. Bailey Mary Taylor Tyler excuse me as Mister Washington is ahead of it either God got you weather greetings my name is Perry Washington reside at 2109 Atwood Drive Anderson Indiana has been here since 1970 my wife work at education long long time I have been working with Lindsay and other community members to identify ways that we can support our district leaders to develop system of Education that meets the needs of students and Families when you look at the district why data for Anderson and I'm a data guy you can clearly see that while some students are thriving a large portion large portion Obama students are being outpaced and I prefer by their peers from across the state now I don't stand in front of you and share that as a way to point it says my fingers and assign blame not doing nothing we are merely here today to urge everyone to take a clear and transparent look at the data and still not come that data is supplied To Us by the sea this is how we we sent by doing so you will see we have several schools that pre-pandemic was they were struggling before pre-pandemic to provide students with an adequate education Edgewood Elementary Eastside Elementary Anderson memory earthscan Elementary Highland Middle School have all been operating either in a d e r n f in consecutive years this is part of the meeting that we have conducted and conversations we've had engaged in have focused on and discussion of some of the positive aspects of our Community whether that is that be relation relationship with Anderson University or minority Health coalition to Advanced academics are the foundation to something extraordinary in Anderson I believe in Anderson I believe in a and we could do that in Anderson all it takes is the right opportunities and we have some opportunities and we like to I work with you and the focus and partnership we're not trying to take anything over we want to work with you to make it the very best and we know we can do that cuz the answer I believe in Anderson I believe in Anderson and the group that we've been working with our people that are very positive and believe in the same thing thank you very much thank you Perry Tyler I'm a little bit taller so I got to move it up oh my name is Barry Tyler Junior and I'm a resident of Hammond Indiana 1032 Merrill Street to be exact where I served with our city council and I also served as the Indiana director for Empower school at a PowerSchool support traditional Public Schools Across the Nation to rematch what education can and should look and feel like for students of family more specifically we work with local communities Educators and other stakeholders to push decision-making closer to students and to empower Educators and school communities to determine what curriculum instruction models professional development opportunities Community Partnerships social and emotional support and so on are needed to build even stronger District I am here today because since last year we have been informed engagement with community members to discuss the strength of your District as well as weight I wish your school can improve an education there currently providing students across the city we are not in education management company and I can assure you we are not here to assume control of your schools in fact our work focuses on the opposite processes Alco as of right now help launch and support around 15 different locally land and government partnership zones across the country but we also helped pay for more Partnerships with other districts to share tools and resources that might not be available just recently we have two other Indiana District Supply Force you're the idea we use next-generation School Improvement planning Grant to pursue two other types of transformation education model or educational interventions after meeting with some of your community members Educators union leaders and staff members it is obvious that you all are committed and passionate about the district in the future of your students we believe this idea we opportunity could be a great way for you to build on the current academic success you have had in the past and the way to improve on the areas that have proven challenging for you as well personally I can say that also come are you where industry has changed and left a void of jobs and economic development it has taken us a while to get back on track but the only way we have been able to create a new pathway has been through collaboration open communication and a focus on Innovation I feel as though the narrative for several days place the responsibility back on teachers and Educators which is completely unfair the districts that we see that are the most successful and the strongest are those that are truly and those are two different students for Life After High School are those that are pulling Community Park and ensuring that responsibility the Next Generation School Improvement Grant and possibly the partnership zone model allows for that type of collaboration and put and share responsibility this grant would not take away jobs or money from The District in fact it would bring more money in courses within the district and ideally even create more academic academic support roles I actually just completed my time as a member of the strategic planning committee for the School City of Hammond and based on that we know that this will fit in well with the focus and timing of your own strategic planning process also make sure your plan is inclusive of and responsible to student at Community needs we know that you are currently exploring opportunity and we will love to set up a follow-up conversation to talk more about the specifics of the grant any any other opportunities to support as well the community group working with has been fully focused on partnership building and making sure that every student parent-teacher educator and administrator has a voice that is heard included and appreciated we thank you for your time your passion and commitment to students all across a saint thank you for those watching at home tonight share some information cuz we're reaping some people here together mr. Brown Washington this week that's a map with the chronic dr. Davis and then the director of curriculum and um sometime back in the assessment of the next-generation grants program there were several critical issues when covered in talking with the Indiana Department of Education that we do not feel like participation at this time would be warranted we shared these concerns with mr. Brown in a meeting at this time it does not seem like a good fit for us but we do invite the group to participate in our strategic planning sessions that will be forthcoming with that. it's a little good evening my name is Marissa little I reside at 1222 Willow Way in Noblesville Indiana 46062 so the whole talk about Empower schools and transformational zones is pretty new pretty new to us that have dedicated our entire careers to Anderson Community Schools I've been here 22 years I have to education degrees and all that spend it dedicated to our community and our student at this District so it's frustrating to come tonight and not know the details not be included in the conversation and it seems that the platform for transformational zones and Empower schools is about Community involvement in collaboration yet I haven't been a part of that none of my colleagues have been a part of that the teachers here I think I know one whose name has come up as part of those meetings so my question is who are you collab what community members have been involved in this process and why after knowing just my knowledge base and my dedication let alone the knowledge base and dedication In This Very Room at the district level do you think you understand the needs of our community and even one single individual student I don't understand I don't understand how it just been might I've heard it been being planned for a year but we haven't been invited to the table for those discussions so that's frustrating I don't get it I don't think it's collaborative at all quite frankly I think it does resemble a take over when you say the school that I've served since its doors opened I think 18 years ago you're going to run you're going to decide what teachers are there you're going to decide what curriculum is used so I question everyone in the room and agree at this time without any knowledge really except for hearsay and a pamphlet and one meeting that was open to the community that I think maybe 10 people in addition to your group attended I don't feel like it's a good fit at this time without knowing more being involved the people here that serve every day I haven't seen you in years I haven't seen I don't know you at all from a powerschools the company but I haven't seen Mr Washington sorry and messed around I'll be quite Frank involved in Daily instruction tutoring volunteering mentoring professional development summer school extra curricular counseling I haven't even seen you cheering or helping our district in any way so I would invite you and I would be a part of those conversations to look at Improvement because yes I do believe ACS room for improvement I as an individual have room for improvement but without having any more information not at this time Melanie Wright good evening my name is Melanie Wright I live at 8001 West cornbread Road in Yorktown and I am a proud 1984 graduate Christian Community school so I'm so thrilled to see many of my teachers still here and you know and carrying on the tradition so thank you I was concerned about when I heard transformational zones coming in and I want to see the point of being a former state representative for this area so I actually served for six years in the general assembly and had the top third of the Madison County is part of the district district 35 I was I was just really felt the need to go in because I felt like to run for office because I felt like the needs of educators are being overlooked I felt like we were being micromanaged to a point where we can probably do anyting and especially in 2011 when we saw Senate Bill 525 come through that's restricted restricted any kind of negotiations to wage wage related benefits and infinite 41 the tide teacher test scores as soon as I use and then that didn't decouple until 2020 at the least yeah 2020 finally so now that we have school choice and I know that trains out of the station that leaves very little room for our superintendents to be able to have any kind of visionary plan that they would like to see the district move in it also inhibits our principles and buildings because you're the instruction leaders for the building and its Recycling and then if teachers of course we we know all the Hoops that we have to jump through all the time in order to get that accountability we know that we have to do stay I start seeing all the time we also know we're behind because we just went through a pandemic and we all know this sitting at this room the stable right we know that so why why didn't the stage choose to take that money that was used for standardized testing and use it for tutoring just take that slice the pie for your school corporation user for tutoring but instead they focus on issues that divide us like this one I was a state representative weather for Muncie Community Schools were taking over and Cooper meetings that happened without the knowledge of the people who represented them Animal Urgent very cautionary tale here because when people come in and they don't know take a picture and I miss a bigger picture cuz I served on the Ways and Means Committee for several years down there you're going to lose some alternate alternative me with that it might not look like it from the very beginning but there will be a price to be paid what happened other school corporations I thought happened to Muncie I saw like the school board members go away with the signature of a bill go away so now if you have any complaints the only vote you can do is vote for governor there that's not right we have got to keep local control here please please proceed with caution thank you begin again Montana sightseer Gilman hello my name is Sarah Neuman I'm a member and secretary for the American Indian movement true people of Indiana and can it has come to my attention and the intelligent the attention of indigenous people across North America that the Anderson School District uses Native American mascots and performs and interpretation of Native American ceremony before sporting event I'm here because I care about children indigenous children and non-indigenous children according to the American Psychological Association who called for the immediate removal of Native American mascots in 2000 five American Indian Sports mascots are have harmful effects on the social identity development and self-esteem of American Indian use the APA also state that these symbols images and mascot we affect non-indigenous students by teaching children that it's expense acceptable to participate and culturally abusive behavior and perpetuate culturally inaccurate misconceptions of indigenous people it is my understanding and that there was a legend the Anderson School District was given permission to use these caricatures and performances by Chief Anderson of the Delaware Lenape tribe recent discussions with the Delaware Lenape have revealed that the tribe does I give permission for these inaccurate interpretations of indigenous cultures as the saying goes when you know better do better it is my request in my hope that the Anderson School District will discontinue their use are these mascots and performances additionally it is my request in my hope that the Anderson School District will continue working with the Delaware Lenape tribe to teach the true history and respect for the original inhabitants of this thank you Angie Strickland president Hill Dr Crown thank you for allowing me to be here tonight my name is Angie strickler and I live at 2232 Gregory Lane Anderson and I am a member of Madison sure which is standing up for racial equity and I would just like to read our statement about the use of Native American imagery to tonight we are not indigenous descent have already take so much from the Native Americans who first called Indiana home through our treaties with taking their land through our arrogance we have appropriated their culture and do our historical quest for  we have committed genocide on their ancestors not also get to take away their voice and how they want their Heritage and culture to be remembered or portrayed Anderson High School's mascot Maiden pipe ceremony and tribal dance playing a part in the basketball team's pre-game warm-up for pets stereotypes of Native Americans and appropriate holy objects and rituals that are sacred to the Delaware tribe these objects and rituals do not belong to us and we have no right to use a athletic or school-related endeavor sure stands with the Delaware tribe and supports the statement made by the Delaware tribe Council in 2020 which was recently reiterated by assistant chief Jeremy Johnson the Delaware tribe Council of the Delaware tribe of in does not support or endorse the use of any American Indian or Native American imagery in the earth in the form of school or athletic team mascots no matter the intent or the justification by any school organization we assert that such imagery in this context to migrate degrades and stereotypes American Indian or native Indian people and their culture so thank you so much next up Tony Paul Lewis hi hello I didn't prepare a speech for you all at when I first I want to pay respects to the people that have champagne before here and the people that have showed confusion people that showed anger because I believe that all to be real and I believe you all sit here wanting to listen and I'm hopeful of that I'm here American Indian movement my name is Tony longobardi Wind River Shoshone and my people are from this land the turtle Island and we're just asking for Grace was asking for respect you have all these banners if you don't follow you may follow it some ways you know these banners here you know what that you found us and maybe maybe at one time I don't know if you sat with him I don't know if you've sat with him rain if you have sat with him or even if you try to sit with us to learn to share and I tell you pipe ceremony that you did and and that you continue to do I don't know if you know what that's a very very sacred item very very sacred ritual for us that would be like me going to your house and telling you how to read the Bible right or maybe even a Muslim coming to your house and telling you how to read the Bible it's it's it's not appreciated their Blood Sweat and Tears that are true that your new for prayers for healing prayers for support and love families for people that have been lost many many years ago that ceremony is very sacred and and and I mean no disrespect to to the to the kids that have no idea I mean no disrespect to to the teams that are just doing what you all want them to do but you should know you should know at least try at least go share with it with it the tribes are locally because they here we are here we've always been here I hear a lot of talk about fundraising I hear a lot of talk about what you're doing for for the schools and it's it's a good thing and I trust you do it for the children I I hear the Pledge of Allegiance right my son stand for the Pledge of Allegiance he does not stand for our song our tribal ceremonies he does not know that and it saddens me not because you sent your your Pledge of Allegiance because he does not know and has not taught his own tribal lineage and it pains me you know because maybe none of us are taught either you're all on Turtle Island and it was erased and I hope we can sit together because that's important to me what I know is we want to share with you we don't want to in a bad way we want to come to the same table together and we love Chief Anderson and and they did not we love being respected in the ways of honoring in in sacrifice and privilege and all that things we just asked you to be done in a good way and I know my time is over. So thank you so much Ray Alexander hello my name is Maria Alexandra and I live at 1818 Hillcrest Avenue in Sharon today is way better than whatever I'm going to say but I wanted to share my heart because I felt like some important I have been in Anderson since 2020 to Anderson University and then stayed on as a youth pastor for a few years before I became a mother I've been homeschooling for 10 years I think we're getting ready to put two of our boys into a CS next year so I have a very blessed interest in what happens with the schools and there's a lot that needs to be addressed obviously but today I'm here to talk about the mascot issue specifically any tradition that is worth causing another person pain or disrespect just absolutely no tradition is worth that to me so that's my Baseline I've spent a lot of time teaching my kids respect everybody and to stand up when you can for the you aren't being respected their research that Miss Newman already shared is the same as what I've heard when I research that myself it is harmful to those of indigenous descent to be represented in the dance and the mascot the way that we've been to in our community for a very long time I didn't grow up as an Anderson Indiana and in your high school but I have no emotional connection to my mascot that I grew up with those people are what I have a connection with I do podcast a few months ago talking about how to change a mascot it was put on with people in other communities struggling with the same issue this is tricky for a lot of people and one of the things that we talked about is after they successful change of the mascot people still came to the game and they still scared for those kids because they cared for the kids in the community not the mascot I know it has emotional bonds for a lot of people but that's not what's in a tire store community in that snow what is going to keep us cheering for those kids as far as economics go I know some people are nervous about what I'll have to do to have to change things but for me as a person who is living in a community when I share Anderson to my my brother-in-law who can in there like what is the deal with the seal on the Anderson the city of Anderson everywhere I was like yeah it's a problem when prospective family look at that and see what we're doing we look archaic we look like we don't know what doing and it's not respectful respected education is not a masquerade dance just as I have told my kids you don't put on Native regalia because you haven't earned it my eldest child is very particular about looking at will putting on military honors that they haven't learned it's the same thing that we're doing I've taught them that the racist images of the black Minstrel shows and the Oriental caricatures their inappropriate as a white then we don't get to do any of that for a lot of really good reason and we need to change this if we're going to teach our kids that we respect one another and we don't look at them as cartoons so that's what I'm going to say I suppose I hope that we choose to do that with Heritage days education and other things instead of what we've been doing thank you play concludes our comments from patrons thank you all next up the Anderson Federation doctor Hill board members doctor  Administration patrons evening that have a vested interest in our grade school system is always damp tea is appreciative of big on the agenda maybe tonight I should have turned some of this into a slideshow but I wasn't proactive enough to do that start by saying happy summer but ask is it really here for some of us I think many of us I'm in this room not too far from me I've demonstrated our continued dedication to enriching the size of our students by participating in summer school so my hat's off to my colleagues that are doing that your work is not lost on us and again there are a lot of great things in this District what was that total and scholarships dr. Hill 3.9 million + $500,000 in savings for the students that could use to do a credit opportunity that is good stuff I'm going to start doing the middle of this going off script a little bit based off some things that I've previously heard it it's my understanding of the ingredients for a transparent and collaborative partnership all parties should be involved at the table get in my understanding of it this means from the onset of a concept idea or proposal being presented it also should include productive dialogue which not only focuses on the areas for improvement within an entity School District but also that dialogue should focus on the positives in the streets of the entity in order to build upon those now I digress and I I will probably reference that paragraph again in a minute I'm going to start I want to share some acronyms reports and our policies that many of us that have dedicated Our Lives to education we should be familiar with a nation at risk you don't know 1983 I was a senior in this great School District it was a report nclb since when do Child Left Behind are triple t race to the top h.b. 1134 which was killed last session you know we can't teach the truth about history and have social and emotional learning that stuff and various other Charter voucher accountability measures and anti public education policies that have spent multiple decades as I stated back to 1983 with a nation at risk announce but I think we word that all these things I mentioned have some commonalities they've continuously trumpeted a false narrative that are Public School Systems have failed and are continuing to fail our students just a bit dangerous true to all these false Darius is if they go against the wishes of roughly 80 to 90 per-cent of society who believe in our Public Schools this is dangerous because there's a policies of false narratives have opened the door for that small percentage of anti public school advocates to infiltrate any given district with the ability to take over a school system through their individual agendas agendas and visions of dollar signs I'm going to transition into my next few words by repeating roughly 85 to 90% of a school disagree support your local school districts even one like Anderson another policy recently crafted out of the general assembly in roughly 2015 is the transformation Zone policy on paper this transformation Zone concept sounds pretty good in reality is not good for our public school districts again district for ninety percent of the citizens believe in sending their students too see these entities a transformation Zone like a charter school a voucher and other not published what is a two institutions how did Bill ability for various rules regulations and accountability measures to be loosened eliminated or wait so they can declare the innovative but Public Schools like Anderson do not have this ability it is becoming apparent that it's a public school was to be Innovative it may how to sell its soul to a transformation Zone essentially that means portions of a School District Individual buildings are required by a team of local folks and a third-party entity and essentially they become Chargers what are public schools being held hostage over some fun and the ability to wave mandates and regulations profits on the backs of our students and Educators possibly tonight it is no secret very few members of Anderson seek to establish a transformation Zone in ACS they also seek to do this through the assistance of a third-party operator which is in accordance with the Indiana transformation Zone policy the third party is in power schools these two entities State they seek to form a collaborative and transparent partnership with this District a partnership which involves all parties connected to ACS back to my belief of what a collaborative partnership is right the ingredients. I thought let's bring everybody to dance get out there on the dance floor and let's lay our cards out on the table and work however this local group and empower schools I've been doing some things along with some questionable reporting that don't align their actions with their words prior to I disgusting reporting because it's no secret I've issued a letter to the editor and a press release which has not been printed yet but it's been all over social media again why in my opinion and maybe some others it's a public Declaration of ACS in efforts to sway public opinion to move towards a transformation Zone so prior to the reporting the local individuals remember in the end the guys have been transparent and I appreciate it I I heard them they did it secretly the Indy in the guise of transparency has been working for about a year with a powerschools slowly that was verified yesterday was in PowerSchool the site group March 2020 to 9 months and 2 they're playing only with the contingent they presented said proposal and asked him to sign it that day following District protocol the superintendent how to forward the proposal to the school board after both doctor crock and the school board reviewed said proposal they responded to the negative not a good fit at this time with valid reasons as to why we should not pursue the transformation Zone that then became a public issue and on front page of the paper it can be verified that this District did submit valid reasons in an email to the local group now for that questionable report and sad letters to the editor and press releases that I mentioned after receiving a CSS response to the negative regarding said transformation Zone in proposal the media check the print and they were not accurate in everything that was printed recall I just stated the district provided valid reasons as to why this was not a good fit that has been falsely reported shared by the media and the local individuals on more than one occasion another another item falsely reported contain headlines that something like doctor, cleave 64 billion dollars on the table this has been verified as inaccurate by both the Indiana Department of Education and Empower schools the amount that the potential Grant over the funding from the grant over the life of it is significantly less yet until maybe tonight that information or false narrative is still been circulating to discredit and demonized ACS please recall that the individuals seeking to pursue a transformation Zone and Power have the manttra up we would have collaborate with and Empower all educational stakeholders in a transparent manner that's it is very deceptive that all of the should I just mention transpired prior to what was dubbed a community conversation about ACS in a meeting that was to take place and did on June 3rd 2022 after again a few people meeting discreetly for over a year and as I stated that beating did happen on June 3rd again at that meeting it was presented by the chair of said meeting that this District was still leaving 64 million dollars on the table not true it was also stated again at that meeting that the district did not provide valid reason for not wanting to pursue the transformation Zone at this time suicide to this meeting remember the ingredients for a transparent and collaborative process open honest. that hits on both areas of improvement and successes essentially that meeting was nothing but a session to bash the heck out of ACS a couple of others some of these were again presented this evening the first one is that the goals of this entity and Empower schools find them is to empower our local educate some water and power are local educators the second is being that the transformation Zone would be beneficial three Anderson Federation of teachers the aft I believe it was printed that it would help the AFT bring money to the teachers well it all truth local entity any power schools that you dip be in place has total amount economy on the hiring of firing of every educator in the buildings they take over and according to State Transformations on LOL I believe in attorney says to my right to can reply this locally bargain contracts and negotiated items become null and void is there some truth in that statement is true bright thank you put a meeting on the 2nd there's been three hours now please can take keep your comments and and moves or whatever shaved down and thank you so those two statements alone as I just presented Hartley benefit our Educators and a professional Workforce as establishing the court is to transformation Zone policy crafted by the state of Indiana as I wrap up this evening I will address who stands to profit and who stands to benefit as far as those as far as those that will profit is not truly clear in terms of the exact numbers but one thing is certain what's a transformation zone is established a local transformation team with autonomy to run all of the daily operations for the school zone will be in place the School District central Administration and board then will turn over all of the grill proceeds all of the day diem which stands for our average daily or let me get that correct average daily membership dollars or student count dollars to the individuals the schools in the zone this is where the amounts of my going to the entities in charge of the Transformations don't get questionable all of that comp compensation shared with me and Dr crunk with in powerschools yesterday is to be bargain between the district and the zone which in reality this demonstrates that any extra funding or money we're going to time for all of our students will not entirely reach our Educators and students for example in South Bend Indiana from information that is a challenge to find there's a train nation's only place there is a director for said transformation Zone that makes $110,000 a year and there are several other Zone managers in charge of there four or five schools $70,000 a year as far as the two individuals within powerschools of Indiana there's some unknowns I'm not got no information as to what an average awarded contract means to empower schools bottom-line nor have the individual incomes of the two from Empower schools been presented either but why would an organization based in Boston Massachusetts with no ties or a vested interest in our community have other than money in Lawrence in Springfield Massachusetts Worthing powerschools concept with created all that what seems to be good is it on paper is it as it is in reality Lawrence and Springfield Massachusetts transformation zones establish 2 years or 2 year goals to see Improvement or work towards Improvement in the areas of test scores student growth and graduation rates after the two-year. The results demonstrate that the schools in those zones fell short another interesting aside to in Springfield Massachusetts eight out of ten schools with the highest rates of suspension wearing transformation zones and the highest percentage a student suspended for black males and those with special needs I'm winding down thank you for everybody for your patience now let's turn to some data relative to Indiana's business Transformations those in charter schools in Evansville one year after implementing the transformation Zone 50% here's where the educators are going to benefit 50% of the Educators and ozone chose not to return to also one of the academies in the transformation Zone drink Glenwood Academy after three consecutive you're still received at Bavarian Apolis 7 of ipss lowest-performing schools replacing a transformation Zone again after 3 years running 4 of 7 schools received he's or apps under Indiana Zone accountability system and the three other schools of the seven were waved no great we ain't kind of going to give you you know a little bit of a repeat finally if one looked at the profiles for Indiana's turnaround academies information from the. They will find a 22 schools between the period of 2014 and 2019 score Bruce Lee descendants if I close I will stay we are willing to openly honestly Collective apparently work together to better this district and to see it progress but the only way that happens is that everybody comes to the table we share the good the bad and everything in between there are no hidden and for once maybe some positive not always the negative about this grade school district presented in public I know that I speak for the auntie and I believe that the same holds true for ACS that we do look forward to sitting down with all of the parties involved all of the stakeholders and work to improve District that we just need to bury be very very cognizant of where are precious education dollars are spent thank you and goodnight I guess next up reports doctor truck a person from the podium tonight thank you dr. Hill members of the board are not graduation I have to speak after Amazing Grace and tonight I have to speak after Randy Harrison so I always have the tough act to follow on this tonight we're going to talk about our internal review and recommendations for the Anderson High School mascot background and most of you here know this is as as you followed us on Tuesday February 22nd 2022 video with share to social media platform Tik-Tok of the Anderson High School mascot in Maiden performances at the boys basketball game final home game for this season against Gurren Catholic at videos now been me viewed more than 1 million times and has led to hundreds of people but tribal members and non-tribal members from around the country contact with Anderson Community Schools in Anderson hi to share their concerns support and feedback so you know how do we take care of this how do we evaluate this before in other administrations it's been well we'll just put that off we've had the permission of Chief Anderson so we're just going to continue on but we're not going to do that this time we formed into an internal review process so in response to the concerns we formed an internal task force which consisted of 10 staff members five from the central Administration five from Anderson High that group's been sober week's meeting and researching and documenting and outlining all the ways in which we represent our Native American history now that's not just we that's not just a CS okay we looked at not only Anderson Community Schools Anderson we look at the way the city represented we looked at the way the county represent it we looked at the way even Delaware County Muncie represents it all the seals all of the iconography all the logos all the statues in those types of things we didn't make any decisions during this process this was merely a documentation progress and that was done to provide a comprehensive overview of our school's history and traditions prior to seeking input and recommendations from the Delaware tribe of Indians so the Delaware tribe of Indians why the Delaware tribe of Indians well cheap Anderson and another gentleman the back asked if we'd ever sat down with Chief Anderson that was long before any of us were here but we've always said that we would honor The Descendants wishes and so that's where we've gone with that are the tribe of Indians that we historically is ACS I had contact with at work with for the Anderson Pow Wow and we've had representatives from that tribe come to Anderson and do our routines and and and those types of things so they are a federally recognized tribe located in Bartlesville okay call Mom if you know anything about the Delaware they started in Delaware and they got their name kind of because people Europeans couldn't pronounce the language right and so it sort of ended up being Delaware but they were moved from Delaware through Rihanna and then often do Houma William Anderson is who our city is named after he's a former Chief of the of the Delaware tribe so as a result we've communicated with them and that's the that's the try we chose it to communicate with and cents February I've had it says several and it's been many Communications both Zoom calls phone conversations and emails with Chief bread kills grow their current chief there this is Reflections this is where I get a bit Misty and this is where I get a bit melodramatic because it's who I am Reflections so you know when looking at want to do you know I was a couple quotes that I use a novel quotes guide just because we can doesn't mean we should just because we boys we always have done something doesn't mean we don't doesn't mean we have to keep doing it we should know better we should choose better and for you know Harry Potter sometimes there comes a time when we have to choose between what's right and what's easy so those were going through my mind ACS is charged with the education of our children mini here tonight if spoke to that effect so what's it say about ACS is if if we've been told by a culture that something we're doing as offensively yet we continue to do it how many people tonight at spoken eloquently on that what's a teacher of children children to do if we're saying no no no we're honoring you just just put up with it what message do we say about ourselves as School Corporation is the national attention we've received through this process what we want our school corporation to be known for and do we want to expose our students to ridicule and threats so these are the things were weighing as we're going through knowing what to do so now we come to the rub I hear is the the recommendations now we've been working with the Anderson tribe of Indians Chief kills Crow okay so we are Martin my recommendations and I will be asking the or the vote on the engine will continue to be the symbol of Anderson High School and don't judge this until you see them all the team names of logos the signage That Remains the Same we will work with a try to enhance the understanding of play Anderson and our City's Native American history by developing a display at Anderson High School and other schools and and developing educational materials for all classes at Anderson Community School we will just can't can you having the students dress up as the mascot in the maiden and perform at athletic events so we're not going to have the mascot in the maid they're not going to dress anymore if the board approves us we're not going to masquerading as Indians were not going to be pretending ins and we're not going to do any of the rituals but we will utilize the talents of the Anderson high school performing arts department to develop new routines for home sporting event to support our Indian tradition and this will be done in Partnership with the Delaware tribe of Indians the Delaware tribe of Indians supports us being respectful and honoring Our Heritage our history and sheba Anderson so in conclusion from the start in 1925 the intention behind the Indian symbol has been one to honor Native Americans and it started in 1925 and we didn't start the dance will 19 in the 1940s 50s so you know things that we always thought we're on a roll in the lens of 2022 Jeep heard me say before probably are not the Delaware tribe of Indians and most Native American tribal members made it clear through this process that having students or any 98 of individuals dressing up in Native regalia performing routines and ceremonies that they hold is the secret Banner their cultures in no way honoring schools in professional sporting teams across the country are changing their native mascots and teams names for the Delaware tribe of Indians to continue the Indians Tradition at Anderson High School in a modern positive and respectful way the Delaware tribe of Indians and its leadership is not made demands they've been very honorable and working alongside us to continue the Indians Tradition at Anderson High School in a very honorable way with this proposal Anderson High School keeps the Indian as its symbol it retains the history of the imagery in the spirit it gives Anderson High chance to modernize their interaction with actual Source material now we're School Corporation has been if you've ever taught you understand actual Source material you don't go by here so you don't go by Wikipedia you go by the actual Source material this gives us access to actual Source resources to advance School traditions and continue making Anderson High the special place we know it is for students to attend we will continue our commitment to show our students that when the time comes we do make the right decisions and not necessarily the easy ones so right now are there any questions that I can entertain from the school board any questions you're not having any questions I would ask for a motion to approve those recommendations listen to be ordered to pay the recommendations as president much has been made 7 second questions turn on since we do have one virtual by roll call vote daily thank you thank you very much but that we will move on to you board actions what's up by mr. Kevin Brown with financial report thank you dr. I'd like to direct the board's attention to Pages five and six of your mailing there you'll find a recommendation to approve the payment of claims in this recommendation is from a statute that requires the board to ratify the payment of all expenses presented to the school corporation payroll and any and all other purchases utilities etcetera and that recommendation is the payment of the claims number 287-480-9387 9:35 and numbers 1567 through 16 for the accompanying resolution on Page Six where do you receive the information your packet for review thank you mr. Brown for that explanation as well motion would be in order to accept financial report R20 22-18 and Merchant has been made any comments questions play Alone Again by roll-call of work I can meet him at the rotten Vale just friends next up mr. Lennon brown with a human resources report thank you. You're grown. The old members of the board look for the board to take action on the human resource reports on pages 7 through 10 in your agendas this is the certified non-certified new hires resignations retirement termination the necessary and the accompanying resolution on page 11 or 20 22-20 erdogan you ever see this packet for your review and you're in the email motion would be in order to accept our 2020 who does 19 Human Resources report has been made any comments or questions at this time turn on again by roll-call over tonight for me matrassen misspell Earhart friends thank you thank you Doctor chronic and your packet you will find the field trips copper sleeves all have been approved and their funding sources identified I would ask for your approval of these items in the company resolution are Dash 2022 Dash 21 thank you dr. Davis person would be in order for the game he received the packet for your review any comments or questions at this time Terri Nunn Michelli Miss rims very hurt to next month that brings us down to an alteration authorization to sign agreements for alternative services and private Residential Services of something we do every year where the board votes to appoint are normally our special ed director to serve as a designee for the Pres the school board to authorize agreements for alternative and private residential school placement so I would recommend at Bethany Sea Mar director of special services Beyond tries to do that but you might be in order YouTube questions are none always and forever Miss Shirley I thank you board move on to any old business your business are not any new business Terri Nunn any items for future agenda in hearing when we thank you all motion to adjourn granted have a safe trip and thank you

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