October 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Brady Public Schools: Meeting with the Village Board Members

Discussion:  President Stearns called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM for the school board and acknowledged the Open Meeting laws in the board room. Roll call was taken. 

Arlee Gentry called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM for the village. Roll call was taken. 

 

Discussion:  Ryan Stearns started off the discussion by saying what the main focus was for this meeting. What can the school district do for the village and what can the village do for the school district? Ryan would like to meet with the village every couple of months to keep the relationship strong. Marge Spencer started off by asking about adding the addition to the Community Center for a preschool and daycare. All members were in agreement that a learning center is crucial to add to our community.  Todd Roe said the village has funds from the Delores Gengenbach Memorial that are noted to be used for a library/learning center. He also mentioned these funds can be used anywhere and not specifically towards an addition to the community center.  Ryan Stearns has been thinking about coming up with a plan to put a learning center in the open area behind the school to the west of the football field. This would allow students to be able to stay in one area instead of traveling down the street to daycare/preschool. The learning center could staff school employees, along with having high school students help out. Necole Miller has found a USDA grant that would be able to help with funding. 
Todd Roe suggested maybe naming it after Delores and everyone was in favor. The learning center could provide a library, daycare, after-school programs, a place for students or community members to research/study, along with a preschool if it isn't already located inside the school. The size would be about 2,500 to 3,000 square feet. Todd Roe mentioned the learning center would hold value to our community.
A meeting to discuss the building layout plans, mission statement, and possible grants will be Wednesday January 10th at 5:30 pm at the community center. Jeff Miller and Todd Roe will be reaching out to many different people in the county for guidance and funding options. Ryan Stearns will be coming up with a drawing of the building. Jill Miller, Necole Miller, and Sara Gentry will be coming up with a mission statement. Jill Miller and Mrs. Foster will be researching grants. 

Moving forward, discussions will include coming up with a permanent plan, fundraising, advertising, ownership/insurance of the building. Some fundraising options that were mentioned included doing food drives, tshirt sales, and selling bricks/tiles for sponsorship.

 

Discussion:  Reviewed the interlocal.
The village wanted the use of the dump truck removed, which the school board approved at the meeting on Monday, October 9.
Ryan Stearns discussed the purchase of a new ice machine.  The school would keep the existing ice machine for the village to use. The new ice machine will be for our athletic department. 

Discussion:  The next meeting with the Village of Brady will be January 10th, 2024 at 5:30 PM