software would play turnover infection with us because someone did their suicides are in elementary where the price box was the ultimate reward and I was always terrified at my car for children we would be so excited to see the next episode of Liberty kids or Jamo to the men who go to America in shock we're the only school that noticed the lie against a cotton eyed Joe or the right way to do the chicken dance I'll never forget the time are you trying to go back with the new middle mile in the world or endless dinosaur Majesties with Sophie I never would've thought we'd go to new stuff leave where the teachers told us not to eat Thai pods but that actually happened for the singing at the top of our lungs on the way to volleyball games TV news immorality with a bag over her head if I was laughing in our class with Carson or bridge managing two very different indeed no matter there we were always very beautiful that I have all these memories with all of my favorite people and it would have been possible I'm confident that we move today they work hard for every types of teachers Thank You parents for the m11 support the genesis panelists mr.
Boies for preparedness for the future and always watching out for us we appreciate all the mr. Hansen telling this you speaking naturebox very much you can approaching the strippers for making the days a little easier I only think you get everyone have made today possible we really appreciate if you like we've been waiting forever for this diva comments until its final year I guess our parents were right when they said they would go by fast because our tiny hair spiked up I hope you Church these moments and memories use this chapter or like boy but what might seem like the weekend that I think is really just difficult I know you all have great futures over farm life I'm so proud to be standing in a class of 2019 and as we know the boys how lucky I am to have something that makes me the buster so class of 2019 is going to the next chapter of your life [Music] my [Music] support everyone here is even smarter all of our up to nouns I'm proud to be a part of this part of my mission but now it's time to head to the beach Thank You continental given us [Music] from our music department are de Barra Jonah's forehead and Tommy Duncan will not perform can a man like Billy Joel [Music] our final speech we'd like to introduce in a Johnson I found a quote of the city inspector Raymond Chandler who is a British American novelist and screenwriter said was to take a bow at this time but today we do not say goodbye today will be closed one chapter and embark on new paths new roads to navigate some of our paths they connect in a while longer while others will branch off some house will be bumpy and others will twist and turn these new paths will shape our future and hopefully those possible comes again those of this chapter I would like to recognize the people who have shaped their house up to this point I would like to start off by thanking our parents and families our first would like to I want to thank all of my coaches mrs.
the boys for charm you are very much goes mr. Kratz are forever flying are starting to big minds mrs. Williams for introducing us to new sports mrs. Friedlander for getting me involved with volleyball and making history one of my favorite subjects is making that fun and without music it has been the most [Music] excited for words in my conditions we'd like to call this case thank you very much we're delighted to be here to honor students ownership we've speeded excellence in six different categories we would have to give them a certificate and a fifty dollar scholarship yes when I call your names I appreciate if you come forward and then remain standing in a row we're going to take your picture so we can feed you error in our Elks newsletter I have some remarks from the teachers the teachers in the various areas of awards the first version I'm going to call is Denis Lawson Dennis we've seen this once in citizenship Denis was nominated for the Citizenship Award because he is respectful of others their property and school property Denis follow school rules and consistently demonstrates good character by being honest and able and helpful congratulations for the category of overall excellence Ian wasn't absolute delight to have a countenance well this year he new to our district she fit in immediately with her kindness thoughtfulness and all-around sincerity towards your fellow classmates she is well respected by her peers and the staff of his school she is diligent in her studies and was an excellent role model for others in the classroom throughout the entire year congratulations category of most interesting Riley Riley has had a great eat great year yes work so hard he's being responsible for his grades he participated in eighth grade civics Club and went to Washington DC this year congratulations Johnny for excellence in social studies he is such a conscientious young man he participates in class discussions and pays great attention to detail his work in social studies he is hardworking and comes prepared not only with his work but ready to learn about the history of our nation congratulations for excellence in mathematics we honor absent a gorilla gratulations after having active for a short period of time instead of grade we were thrilled to have her for the entire school year in eighth grade she excelled in algebra and showed perseverance and persistence in tackling tough problems afton demonstrated higher proficiency in class participation on homeworks quizzes and tests on air and law congratulations and lastly but certainly not least for excellence in writing and you said Glee [Applause] Missy is a very talented and conscientious writer she has a strong voice and produces writing that is persuasive memorable and beautiful so congratulations to all of you so unless we need to put your certificates in so they don't go blowing in the wind [Music] nice to meet you good morning everyone it is my pleasure to recognize Tommy Duncan Tommy was awarded at beginning of May his certificate and a hundred dollar check from the green valleys Rita Chamber of Commerce for all of his excellence in academics athletics and as we could see today music his teachers commenting on how compassionate behaves how he's always bringing out the best in himself and others and through it all he's very humble and that is like when they test his parents as well so congratulations Tommy imaginations last 15,000 night [Applause] [Music] ask me of the Year award welcome friends and families at this time it's my honor is a pleasure to announce that athlete of the year for both boys and girls throwing everything off the podium I'd like to start with our female athlete of the year for my notes here this athlete has been extremely hard-working and this was written by mrs.
Freeman one of her coaches she goes the extra mile at practice she is helpful and very humble his fastball of all season she played many times on the B team they kept working trying to be on the 18th the team was in in the tournament and she was asked us and she asked to stay on to be a manager to help us an eight-bit she not only was willing to shag balls but also scrimmage with us to help us prepare for the tournament it ended up that two of the players did not play for us for the third-place game between 3rd and 4th so Camilla filled in and served us some of our points to win she has the drive in heart to be our female athlete of the year and at this time I'd like to congratulate congratulate the Lesotho [Applause] I'd like to add on to that she also was a for sport athlete for us and so that's extremely difficult for our students to keep their grades up and participate all for it and so big round of applause for [Applause] the way we want to our athlete at least I'd like to announce nano athlete of the year this athlete I actually have the honour of Kochi their sixth grade year as a football coach and I've got to watch this athlete grow not only as an athlete but as a student this athlete participates in many many different avenues of our school from builder's club to the music program and has become quite a leader at our school I had the honor of attending several of the wrestling tournaments this year and this eighth grader decided an eighth-grade year to wrestle for the first time ever which is very a challenge and we were at Vincent and a tournament where they went out on the back and got eat and came off the mat and instead of hanging his head looked at his coaches and said I don't like to lose teach me how to win before my next match this Leslie went out on the next match and won for the first time wrestling at a tournament and you are clinging the second match and continued on wrestling for us and did a fantastic job about halfway through the season this student had some medical issues that he was dealing with and was unable to finish the season continued he come to practices and just support the team every single day we travel on the bus hours and hours to go with the team what that at the various notches and just be there good morning ladies and gentlemen this year's e3 continental art award goes to two students with shown both creativity and initiative in their art work these two students stood out because of their sheer determination talent and energy in their art work so without further ado is my pleasure to announce that this year's excellence in art award goes to miss Cecilia robust inaudible [Music] - Club the Green Valley - international as we are serving the children of the world that's a worldwide project but also on a local level for this school we have been here for 40 years for those builder's club I'm proud of builder's club is up here already today the microphone and also with the school as we have participated various projects during the year beyond builder's club including the food drives the pennies for patients that heavenly hats the talent show as well as other items along the way and the final edict ratified the one other area that these young people were involved with was the choices instructional solution final Cooter's here that would remember how we finished the sentence [Music] look this woman's got the mole sense I'll give you again right now the one thing we said is there's no debate about finishing the next four years of school but the key to success is oh boy I think that's on the teachers the coladas features the key to success is what smell physically okay nope with that we're really empowered to be here once again this year as we recognize two of the eighth graders on this time of their promotion and I would call or word first of all for this award of recognition and these awards have to be with the person themselves the personal character they have to do a scholarship they have to do with leadership and they have to do with service I would call first of all and I wonder what he is absolutely [Applause] [Music] mr.
mo she's asked me to come to him to say a few words about the student that was selected for this year's optimist I had the pleasure of working with this student a lot over the past couple of years this students primary continent-continent goal has not always been a smooth one but it's been a great process for all of us involved this bigger world a letter to the governing board as well as myself this is Nick Nichols he's going to relays this to Darrell oh dear continental school board members and administration I will be an eighth grader and if they will have to attend continental elementary school I will follow these improvements to my behavior I will not have an attitude towards any and all teachers and staff members I will obey any and all directions given to me by all teachers and staff I will take responsibility for any and every wrong decision I made and will not chew gum on school campus that was the anisa spending and will not argue in front of the class with another teacher or staff member this is the voice I think that was you and will not disrupt the class where the teacher is teaching a door taco these are the improvements that I will make in my behavior thank you for your consideration I would like to follow that up with least lions from the optimist Creed to forgive the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievement of the teacher to wear a cheerful countenance content countenance at all times [Music] that should be my class this we're really Science Award recipient this year I saw many potential candidates however no single person stood out about the rest of my mind as they considered all the students on my short list that realized I have someone we have a stealth scientist this individual is an independent learner as a model citizen and she makes beautiful complications everywhere she goes and I know she'll be successful in the science she is attendant to detail she's driven the room and MIT the team is here state civilian Science Award recipient [Music] okay this guy's petition is authorship program begin by mrs.
John Romney who was a former Continental governing board member and she developed the idea for the program based on a similar model at Pima College her vision dedicated to youth and commitment to education inspired the development of the high expectation scholarship program so this student that we chose is someone who is well-rounded hard-working who has the potential to persevere as all of you do this person has was pretty shy and from what I understand has really come out of her shell in middle school is a kind dedicated hardworking person and this the warrant will allow her to receive two years of a scholarship to a university or college in Arizona after she graduates from high school so we are very very proud and pleased to announce a list of donado [Applause] so I will need the parents to come see me after the ceremony so you can sign a contract parents signed a contract that they contact the school after completing high school so we are super proud of you now had the continental teachers away so the content all teachers award is recognition of to eighth grade and that the teachers feel truly embody in his student I'm so the teachers hard on this every morning these kids after the Pledge of Allegiance here this is Nicholas and mr.
Linden constantly remind them that they're to be kind safe and responsible when we determine who receives these awards of course we're looking for academic excellence but also throwing around words like integrity character honesty botanist courteousness leadership and so these two individuals are Marsh Street leads deserving of these awards and personally in memory kid was like this could probably teach another 27 years it is with great honor and then our gentleman is everyone I get the pleasure of representing deshaun clovers family for this award DeSean was a student at Continental school that tragically was killed between the 2nd and 3rd grade Dierks 2nd and 3rd grade of school here at Continental his family wanted us to give this award to students that are kind and caring and loving to their fellow students and so I have two awards here one per young lady that everyday comes into my classroom and all of her classrooms and says a big hello to everybody she complements us stately and is very concerned for her fellow student and that goes to Viviana my second student is a young man that I've had in either enrichment class or social studies these last three years and he is just a really nice congenial young man and I know at times I put him on the spot especially this year but it is always willing to help those sixth graders that have a hard time in my enrichment class and his fellow peers just always have a smile and he has a smile for them and it's just a really nice man and that's Michael Landon [Applause] continental Educational Foundation Malloy is Bonnie car and this is jewelry but this is actually a charity so the educational foundation for awards all for these words are certificate and $50 so the first one is inspiration award inspires their fellow teachers staff and community and that award goes to Natalie the second orders for the outside outstanding student and this recognition of their excellent GPA and participation in extracurricular activities and this goes to Soraka and the third award is for outstanding service and this goes has participated in a lot of community service and is very involved in extracurricular activities and this goes to Lilly mama and here to present our hold the ward is this is the basic tailor shiny money award and on this is Mason's mancha Noah and Mason was tragically killed in it and a bicycle accident approximately a year ago and it's a it's a great privilege to give this award and here's a spot to present was kind of inspired by the guitar that was made put together by the Continental foundation this year and one of the observations of all of these little messages that came from friends and fellow students from at 8:30 2017 class was that there was a lot of was very tiny was very helpful and so that's kind of where this training like award came from and I'm actually very happy to give this award to this person I think our own individual lights are kind of our personal superpowers and we all have them and then once you find it it's a pretty cool thing to kind of ride with that share it before you know it you're becoming a leader amongst your people and you're helping others out and that feels good all around a job in this is McKibben and mrs.
Horton I Oh Mason Taylor his musician award mr. Joe fries mr. summers and mrs. Noah Taylor we're gonna invite the Taylor family up here to help us with this so earlier this year I was approached by the builder's club because they wanted they wanted to do something in honor of Mason and Mason for those of you who don't know this it was was quite involved with the visa program here he got started a little bit late but he was he was always playing around on the piano always hanging around my room sometimes I have to chase even if he was hiding so this what we came up with was a perpetual plaque that was a stay on campus with Mason's name on it and we're calling the award the Mason Taylor musician of the Year award and I've asked I've asked the Taylor's up here to here just a little bit of of what the what music meant to Mesa while he was here [Music] actually this is kind of a cool award to be part of so thank you very much for letting us be a part of it because music the kids have all grown up with music it's not playing in the background it's piano being pounded on pounded on a strictly strum on a guitar and when mr.
Ferguson came into our world Mason's music potential just skyrocketed my mother-in-law always says there's no excuse you can cook you can read you can cook same thing applies for music with me since he knew that he could read it he was all over the place very excited and wanted all of us to be excited about every Adele song he was learning and playing every day and then he went on to be jazz with mr. Finkelstein mr. Ferguson and he's got a very carefree attitude you know it's very much like yeah sure yeah no big deal and when he was in jazz though there was something about a confidence that came about him and so he said you know I'm on a hot roll Eminem I'm going to try it out for high school did you jazz in high school on the tryout for the piano mom Wow okay cool and I probably won't get it competition is pretty great but you never know unless you try and I was like yeah that's true you never know unless you try good good good every once in a while you kids remind us some of those little important things although we have a lot more to teach you you still teach us and so they did and he auditioned met a couple of friends there everyone was very welcoming well those friends became really good friends and turns out we did not get piano and he was okay with that but what that teacher had said later was you know if he's got a determination he's got a passion for it and he's got a drive and I think with that combination he could become our guitar player and we kind of looked at each other and while we don't play the guitar so I guess you learn and that's what he did spent the summer learning guitar and strumming it around and I guess the moral of that story is just you may not always get the seat you're looking for you may not get the instrument you're trying out for and that really kind of applies everywhere but you just might find yourself in a position to learn something new and find something great about yourself so be courageous in taking those chances then share free to just go for it because you never know unless you try one thing that mrs.
Tina didn't mention is that after after Mason graduated from a I'll be a short-lived percussion ensemble after school and it was interesting seeing his leadership skills how they developed in one year of high school it's nice adding them back so every year this is this is a challenge for mr. Mercer and myself when we look at students we look for students who are who have been involved for several years who are in multiple ensembles students who who work very hard to improve their craft this year was particularly hard because we have a lot of musicians in this 8th grade class and if you're if you are in either orchestra or band can you stand up [Applause] so is quite it was quite a challenge this year but mr. Emerson and myself had to pick one so here's a little bit about our our nominee over the past four years the student has shown a determination to improve his skills as a musician that is rarely found in students of his age he is not only exceeded expectations with his helps set the bar higher for himself his peers in the program he's a party he is shown exceptional leadership qualities and has proactively sought out materials to improve himself his craft and those around him he's shown a level of integrity and this strength of character is contagious this is the class of 2019 Miss Mary McNichols miss Roxanna Rico and this was even [Applause] [Music] okay we're to that tire [Music] [Applause] [Laughter] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] may I present to you the pudding class of 2019 as our students can make the final announcements I am they know to mention the saguaros structure that you saw on the internet and has the names of all of our wonderful sponsors and supporters who have supported Continental throughout the years it is fostered by our continental foundation we will be getting Mormon information out to all of you in terms of purchasing hummingbirds or additional pieces - do I not do the Saguaro so stay tuned because we know we have a lot of companies and donors than just a baby grateful people to support my mental and our wonderful amazing so thank you again and congratulations and you'll be happy interception with cookies in the Elimination room 171 no spoilers we would also appreciate putting away - Cheers thank you all for coming today to help us celebrate you know equip nation agent class teachers we live in DC teachers for all of their help [Music]
okay let the record reflect that all board members are present please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance next we'll move on to the approval approval of the agenda form I move the governing board approved the move the agenda form consistent with governing board policy and temporarily suspend any policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent I'll second motion made by Christine Pritchard second by J Leonard please cast your votes motion carries next we've moved to recognitions and celebrations 1 Sons of the American Revolution Teacher of the Year and brochure contest state winners dr. Kellis thank you madam president members of the board and members of cabinet this evening we have several well deserved recognitions and we will start out with the first one and dr.
Pauline will introduce this item good evening madam president members of the board dr. Kelso cabinet it's my pleasure to introduce mr. Chris Rizzo social studies teacher at Canyon Ridge School who's been named the national history Teacher of the Year by the Sons of the American Revolution sar I like to call mr. Rizzo as well as principal miss hoppy to the podium for some remarks [Applause] good evening dai start governing board m'as members dr. Kellis executive cabinet and honored guests for the second year in a row learners from Canyon Ridge School became published authors up by memorializing the experiences of our community veterans as chapter members of the veterans heritage project our students formulated questions conducted interviews and wrote articles that from the military experiences of veterans from Arizona SAR swaro chapter and VFW Post 106 95 in Sun City West their work appears in the 15th edition of the hardbound vhp publication since you asked I need my model over 1,000 people attended the recent vhp book signing event in Scottsdale and Canyon students had the opportunity of signing alongside their veteran as teachers and family members joined the patriotic celebration news of our students accomplishments have been featured in multiple newspapers and media outlets at this time will the members of the Canyon Ridge a better inherited heritage project please stand to be recognized we would also like to honor there are representatives and officers from the headquarters of the veteran heritage projects that have joined us this evening well they're there this is Barbara hatch and Brittany right there yeah a project of this magnitude is only possible with community and staff support our friends in the VFW and the Arizona Sons of the American Revolution Saguaro Chapter have been instrumental in supplying financial and logistic support for our VHP chapter as well as our annual US Constitution Day Veterans Day and Progressive Era programs the Arizona SAR also sponsored the sergeant Moses Adam brochure contest on our campus nine Canyon Ridge students were recognized for their outstanding work with three learners advancing to the state competition and one student 7th grader Celeste Vargas will stew soon advance to the national as they are consideration and we would like to recognize from the Arizona SAR mr.
Jan Huber and mr. Jim Skaggs and from dar Jeanne sin jacket for our support I'm almost done I promise I would also like to recognize mr. Christopher Rizzo mr. Rizzo continues to move Canyon Ridge forward with our community outreach programs he was selected as the top middle school history teacher nationally by the National sense of the American Revolution he earned this recognition for his work and leadership including the inclusion of community members in our classroom we want to thank you for all your hard work [Applause] good evening governing board is great to be with you tonight on behalf of the students and the staff representing the veterans heritage project at Canyon Ridge school we'd like to present a copy of our published work in the form of this book since you asked that we contributed to and we have a copy one copy for the governing board and we'd also like to present a copy to assistant superintendent dr.
Steven poling who has been very supportive of all of our community outreach projects and patriotic endeavors at Canyon rich I was very pleased to have the opportunity to bring the VHP to our school and as I present this to you I'd like to ask one more time for the founder of the veterans heritage project mr. Parker hatch to please stand and be recognized for the south standing program we've also placed a copy of the book signing event program on each one of your desk so you can see what it was like again over a thousand people attended and our students did a wonderful job representing our school and our district and we're looking forward to moving ahead next year with the program thank you very much thank you thank you Thank You mr. Rizzo if we could have members of the board to come down for a photo members of the board we got mr.
Rizzo miss hoppy and representatives from of each PSA are and also I'll read students if you come on up Aurora Baird Tyler Malika Walter Davis Seth Nevers Cooper frisbee Brandon Nevers Dalton Pendleton breaker Jasmine Lee B Kat French Kayla Gao Qi Liam Whelan Gavin Gavin lump ELISA French and Jeremy millon our outstanding work students congratulations well done come on up for a photo [Music] [Applause] thank you so much next I'd like to call up the fourth-grade students sign language club led by Miss Gillian strong caught up her performance and board members we have some seats over here for you and Miss strong and students welcome look forward to performance [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] well that was outstanding we'd like to continue on with our recognitions this evening Madam President members of the governing board dr. Kellis members of cabinet this evening we are pleased to present to you our middle school season four champions we have a little struggle in getting all of our champions here as we are out of school now and as the summer is racing by several of them already have plans and are out of town but we're gonna do the best that we can this evening and so we'd like to get started by first of all honoring our middle school flag football champions and that's the Hawks from Sonoran Heights gentlemen come on down and I will say that Sonoran Heights won the championship game in a very decisive manner and one of the largest court differentials that we've ever had so congratulations Sonoran Heights guys we're gonna need you to hang out for a picture please congratulations tune our nights next we'd like to honor our middle level volleyball champions from this season and I don't believe that most of the team could make it but our coach is here and that's the Rattlers from rancho gabriela elementary school so those here come on down and again another decisive victory to zero in the championship game jump in for a picture congratulations again and moving on to our middle level overall cheer champions for this year that would be the Mustangs from Ashton Ranch elementary school come on down [Applause] congratulations Ashton ranch and that concludes our celebrations for the evening thank you very much everyone it's just such an amazing time Ford I said I love seeing all the accomplishments of our students and my goodness this book that was presented to us definitely want to share it with the rest of the board members as well what an amazing accomplishment mr.
Rizzo I know my girls have both had the privilege of having him as a teacher and he's just amazing and one of those teachers that really make an impact and obviously always continues to work with our veterans and really instill good values and our students as well as far as honoring veterans and what they stand for and represent so it's great to see that continue and kind of get instilled into our young learners so but anyway thank you all and congratulations to everyone [Music] [Laughter] hearing notes all right so next we will move on to audience with individuals Jay would you have one so this time is time for public comment members of the board may not discuss items that are not specifically identified on the agenda pursuant to ARS 38 431 action taken as a result of the public comment will be limited to directing staff to study the matter responding to any criticism or scheduling a matter for further consideration and direction at a later date in order to facilitate the accomplishing of the business of the district in a timely matter time limit of three minutes will be imposed for each individual or group addressing the board when you approach the podium if you would please state your name for the record and we have Casey Kuhn and dr.
Rachel Sanders thank you madam president members of the board dr. Kellis members of cabinet tonight we are here to celebrate the amazing support of several amazing people and in this room before us first and foremost tracy has the suspense built up yet you already forgot didn't you yeah forgot yeah we have a gift for you first is a yearbook for you Sandburg both of us we can't thank you enough for the amazing support coming out to our campus several times this year participating in our steam event with NAU and ApS seeing all the amazing stem activities that are happening here at campus second is for mr. Dean we didn't forget you your gift awaits you in Tennessee when you come out to visit I've got barbecue and hopefully some lakefront property we'd also like to thank dr. Kellis for his support and his collaboration and his hard work and has always focused on students so thank you thank you thank you you're absolutely amazing and we love you thank you that's it unless a superintendent and Governing Board updates since we do not have our student with us tonight we will move to superintendent update Thank You Madame president members of the board members of cabinet last week we had an amazing experience with the high school graduations like to thank all of those who participated made the event just outstanding for not only our guests but for the graduates themselves also we had a great end of the year and I would just while I could go for three hours and and share all the highlights of the year I just sum it up and saying it was extraordinary and I appreciate the the great first year superintendent here and isert and looking forward to at least 20 more we're looking forward to greater things to come but celebrate the amazing things that have happened it's been a good year mention the same things but I'm just very thankful to be a part of all the graduations I was just an amazing celebration times for seeing those faces come across the stage and thankful to be a part of it have a wonderful summer I'll see you in a few months I'm just gonna be very very brief two things actually four but if we weren't moved by that fourth grade performance and there's something wrong to see people speak with their hands is just a a great gift and although I've learned just a couple of things over the years I'm gonna be one of those that's going to go back and learn it and it is gonna be teaching an old dog new tricks but hey I I want to be able to do it so those kiddos really inspired me to go ahead and pay that tuition and go ahead and do it I also tend to send downs completion ceremony the graduations phenomenal to see the the kiddos from sundown be a part of the graduation as well attend the Beauty and the Beast and a couple of the eighth grade promotions and just to see those kiddos walk across the stage also that they'll be in starting their high school year in just a couple of months it's an awesome feeling so everybody have a great summer and come back Regenerist thank you next we'll move to motion to crew consent agenda items motion I moved the governing board approve consent agenda items as presented I'll second motion made by Jennifer Tanner seconded by Jayne Leonard please cast your votes motion carries next moved information items information item one revision of policy seven point two six and seven point three nine dr.
Callas thank you madam president members of the board members of cabinet this evening mrs. buck it's going to address this first item madam president members of the board dr. Kellis cabinet community and we're bringing two policies from section 7 personnel for review and revision it is first read on these policies the first one 7.26 staff paid leave within that policy there's a provision for our employees to be reimbursed for discretionary time that they have acute accrued over their time in the district and one of the recommendations from our IBA process was to allow administration to be paid out at the same level as all other employees so the recommendation is to strike through the exception that'll that requires that administrators be paid out at the substitute teacher rate which will allow them to be paid out at their own substitute rate so that's the first recommendation for policy revision the second is on 7.39 which is professional development as we review our policies annually there is a section in this policy that is really outdated there are so many opportunities for professional development for teachers that aren't just college courses including micro-credentials our policy currently limits you to 50% of your courses to be other than college courses to count for professional development growth we want to eliminate that and allow the committee that reviews professional development to assess the rigor and the content in the courses and approve them for growth rather than saying that limiting it to just college courses any comments or questions from the board just one I think that's an excellent idea of regarding the professional development because it's not just the college credits and it is the experience of other things so I do appreciate that thank you and Madam present members of the board again this is the first read if the board after further study has any comments or concerns if you'd share that with administration we can make any revisions for the second read which will be coming at our next board meeting information item two information on the social worker pilot program dr.
Calais thank you madam president and members of the board members of cabinet as the board is aware earlier this school year we introduced a pilot program for social workers with the intent to expand the service to all schools starting in August and this evening we will hear a report on how the progress is is happening dr.
polling will introduce this item yes good evening madam president members of the board dr. Kelson cabinet it's my pleasure to introduce director Cathy Hill who will be presenting this evening as has been overseeing implementation of this program do I need to turn it off there you go oh sorry let me start over sorry okay good evening madam president members of the governing board and dr. Kellis thank you for allowing me to share a few highlights and updates from our exciting social worker pilot so we have our pilot program at four of our schools although we were approved for five the schools where the pilots are currently in operation our El Mirage Riverview Sunset Hills and Willow Canyon we meet monthly regarding the program as well as conduct monthly professional learning communities and professional development that is applicable to our social workers we have provided training in the following areas that are designed to support our students staff and families including professional development that's been delivered from a social worker our social workers also attend meetings that are applicable to them some examples include the city of surprise resource center partner quarterly meeting and the mental health task force another example was today they just attended the seeds conference that focused on mental health resilience and self-determination so we want to talk about some challenges and next steps and some of the challenges that we are experiencing are in the area of hiring due to the current requirements what we have seen is that applicants will have a master's in counseling as opposed to having a Masters in Social Work but they all but they do have their license clinical social worker certification the job requirement requires them to have a Masters in Social Work in addition to the LCSW the licensed clinical social worker or the license master Social Work or the LM SW what we've done is we've posted at our three universities GCU Maricopa County Community College's the national association of social workers and it's the Arizona chapter so it's it's our local chapter here currently we have one applicant that is going through the pre-screen interview and the end basket process before they are determined if they can be placed on the eligibility list once they're placed on the eligibility list then the principals are allowed to they interview them at their sites to see if they are fit for for their school site so currently for the upcoming school year we have social workers placed at the following sites Dysart Elementary School Thompson Ranch Ashton Ranch we have one that we are waiting for her to sign her contract but she has chosen to go to rancho gabriela she just needs to submit a little bit of additional paperwork and then she'll be able to sign her contract and then the four social workers that we have as a part of our pilot program this year are returning to their same school sites um excuse me some next steps that we're working on are coordinating with student services and ESS to be sure that we're not duplicating efforts and that we're working in a coordinated manner with each other to support our students so one example of this is the mental health first aid training that both our social workers and some of our ESS staff will be attending though they will then provide some training to our school sites while we do have some challenges we also have some celebrations one is when students self-identify that they have a need to increase their social emotional skills and they reach out to our social workers because they've created those relationships with the social worker another example is when the social workers attended the city of Surprise Resource Center quarterly meeting the group erupted into applause when I introduced the social workers and let them know for the 1920 school year that we were going to have one social worker at each of our school sites so schools as well as our community have identified that social workers and social-emotional learning is something that is needed and our social workers definitely support with those needs dr.