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[Music] I called this Workshop to order um on I got the piece of paper here I should just read the piece of paper I called to order the workshop for boohead City School Board on Thursday January 9 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

e e e hear something good evening everybody we'd like to get started can I please call the meeting to order roll call Miss mcris present Mr Alexander present Mr Carlson here Mr Holt pres Miss Raymond pres can I please get a motion to adopt the agenda I move we adopt the agenda as presented can I get a second second all those in favor I I thank you can we please all stand for the pledge of of Allegiance and a moment of silence I Al to the flag of the United States of America and to the rep for it stands one nation indivisible with liy and justice for all thank you we'll now have the ceremon ceremonial swearing in of our new board members would Kathy uh Raymond Hunter Holt and Roy Alexander meet Dr Streeter down below all right you have all chosen to attend an exciting meeting tonight uh tonight we get to swear in uh three new governing board members we will have our uh organizational meeting and then we have some uh recognitions and celebrations uh tonight I will be swearing in our three newest board members who were elected by the community during this past November's election we have done the official ceremony um that was without the Pomp and Circumstance that was just in my office so you are the pomp in circumstance so Play Your Role well I your name do Solly swear I will support of the United States un stesti and laws La of the state of Arizon St that I will bear true Faith Al enemies foreign and domestic fore and Dom and that I will Faithfully I will andar andar discharge the duties discharge the duties of the office of the office ofri ACC to the of my abili [Applause] at this time we do the reorganization of the board Dr streer pursuant to AR ARS 15- 321 for the purpose of organization of the governing board the board shall meet at the most convenient public facility in the school district the governing board shall meet in January next following the election and at that meeting it's the governing board's responsibility to elect the officers once a president is elected by the new board that President will take office immediately and then the board will move to elect a vice president this is a little bit of a unique process uh per our policy when uh Ms micronus uh introduces the topic and opens up the nominations for the office of President uh board members may make those nominations there is no second required during that process after those nominations are heard M maconis will then close the nominations that will require a second and that will require a vote uh and then once those nominations are closed the board will then move through each of the nominations in the order that they were received until a president is elected um each of those nominations will be made on a roll call vote that uh Miss Harris will help us with as we go through that process so at this time I'm going to turn this over to Ms micronus okay and also after all the nominations are uh roll call voted we will vote in the order that the nominations were received um so at this time I'm going to open up the nominations and I would like to nominate Hunter Holt for president I nominate Katherine mcris president okay Catherine are there any other nominations I move to close uh the nominations for president second okay so with uh we need a roll call vote all those in favor of closing the nominations I I I I okay at this time we will vote on Hunter Holt Miss Harris will you do a loll call vote on Hunter Miss maconis yes Mr Alexander yes Mr Carlson no Mr Holt yes Miss Raymond yes okay at this time I move that we have elected Hunter Holt as president of the Mirana Unified School District board can I get a motion I move that Hunter Holt be elected to the president of the Maran fight School District governing board can I get a second second all those in favor I I now and Mr Carlson's a no at this time I'm going to open up the nominations for Vice president do I hear any nominations I nominate Katherine mcris is there any other nominations I have a motion to close I move that um close move that we close the nominations for vice president second is there a second second all those in favor I I is there a motion I move that Katherine mcris be elected vice president of the Morana Unified School District governing board is there second second second and all those in favor I I a roll call vote I apologize GL can we have a roll call vote please absolutely M mcris yes Mr Alexander yes Mr Carlson yes Mr Holt yes M Raymond yes perfect next item is D2 read-option of governing board rules and policies Dr ster president Holt vice president maconis governing board members members of the audience legal council has advised since the law is vague as to an action taken by a prior board will be deemed the action of the present board and after January with the board being reorganized all the policies will by definition be policies of a prior board so legal council is advising to readopm that the governing board adopt the rules and policies of the governing board of the Morana Unified School District there second second any discussion all those in favor I I next item is D3 signatures Mr Bogart thank you president H governing board member superintendent and guests this is an annualized recommendation to the board to keep some time on your docket and allow us to stamp your signatures for vdger covers Etc I stand for questions motion I move that the governing board approve the use of fact signatures of governing board members on employee contracts and District warrants subject to the use of appropriate procedures for such signatures including specific approval of the contracts and warrants upon which any such fact signatures are a fixed there second second any discussion all those in favor I I item D4 live stream board meetings Dr Streeter president Holt vice president mcris governing board members members of the audience our current purchase order with Fifth Avenue Productions to live stream our regular governing board meetings expires this month January 20125 uh the current cost for Fifth Avenue Productions to provide this service is uh $653 per meeting in your packet you have the viewing numbers uh over the past two years you can see how that the community is utilizes service um we had previously issued an invitation for bid for Audio Visual Event Services this solicitation requested bids for the district to obtain the best pricing for audiovisual Event Services districtwide in accordance with school district procurement rules in the Arizona Administrative Code invitations went to 34 District registered vendors two biders responded with an offer based on the price offered in the bid response the recommendation of the award was for Fifth Avenue production to remain as the vendor to support the needs of the district for audiovisual Event Services and you have a sample recommended Motion in your packet is there a motion I move that the governing board continue to live stream the regular governing board meetings is there a second second any discussion all those in favor I hi hi next item is recognitions Dr streer join me out front [Music] so to start off our recognitions and celebrations I am going to ask the Mountain View High School mock trial team to join me up front I'll have you on this side so tonight it is our privilege we get to shine a spotlight on a group of talented and dedicated students who have exemplified the very best of Mountain View High School please join me in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of a of our mock trial teams from this year's Tonka birie mock Hawk Trial Competition [Applause] so facing off against 14 other teams in four intense rounds of courtroom competition Mountain View High School fielded three exceptional teams composed of 21 talented students among them Tyson Woodward Luke vial Nicole Marcado Hannah Prather Gabrielle Morales and Reese McDonald achieved an extraordinary feat by going undefeated in all four rounds a testament to their skill preparation and teamwork not done and it's going to get better so the pride doesn't stop there five of the outstanding students were selected for the prestigious all tournament team a recognition reserved for those who truly stood out among their peers so we are going to give a round of applause at the end of these five individuals first one was Atlas conest competing for the very first time yet already a standout AA Mcall another firsttime competitor who made an unforgettable impression Gabrielle Morales a seasoned competitor who continues to lead with Excellence I feel like you guys wrote this by the way himz Z peda whose skill and composure impressed judges and peers alike and Tyson Woodward a shining example of dedication and talent in every round you can give them a round of [Applause] applause these accomplishments reflect not only the hard work and Brilliance of our students but also the guidance of their Club adviser Mr Steve lockowitz the mentor we doing attorney Matt eckan and coaches Ali escal Cynthia Ortega and S sha batiz and of course the unwavering support of the entire School community at Mountain View congratulations to the entire mock trial team you guys have set a high standard of Excellence we're incredibly proud of you and your achievements and we look forward to seeing all that we all that you will accomplish in the future go Mountain lines [Applause] how we [Music] doing [Music] want and then I yeses we're going to take a [Music] few thank [Applause] you our next recognition we get to recognize another one of our outstanding students I'm going to ask Desmond robc to join me up front [Applause] please tonight we get to highlight the milestones and accomplishments both on and off the field of of Morana High School senior Desman robc early this season Desmond a wide receiver broke the state career receptions record by receiving a touchdown that earned him the aia's record in career receptions at 283 Head Coach Philip Stewart says the coaching staff designed a sweet play so that sophomore wide receiver Desmond's younger brother Shawn would be the one that would throw the pass to Desmond it was well executed by I was there it was well it was a well executed don't tell coach that I said well design play too it was mostly the the the robc brothers that did this with that about breaking the record Desmond simply stated I'm just blessed to have good teammates good coaches and just a whole bunch of good people around me after that Desmond led the Mirana High Tigers to the program's first ever spot in the open division playoffs and set a new state record remember I said 283 the state record today is 352 career [Applause] reception 4,239 yards and 40 touchdowns over four seasons he had eight games with over 100 receiving yards this season think about that accomplishment when you're the key that the defense has game planned for to still accomplish that when interviewed by All Sport Tucson Javier Morales Desmond stated it means a lot to me coming from a small town that wasn't really known my freshman year it's a big award not a lot of people get to be in that position that I'm in and I'm just blessed and it is no longer a town or a school that people aren't aware of we are on the map thank you Desmond additionally Desmond received Arizona's the St of Arizona's top honor the 2024 Ed dhy award Desmond is the first winner of this award for the Mirana Unified School District and the first Tucson area player to receive this award since 2019 this annual Accolade is the Arizona high school football version of the Heisman Trophy this is a pretty Elite uh recognition Desman was also named the 2024 Gatorade State Player of the Year in Arizona and the max preps Player of the Year in Arizona the Gatorade player of the year is a top honor in high school sports that celebrates the nation's best high school athletes for their success on the field in the classroom and in their Community the award distinguishes Desmond as Arizona's best high school football player he joins an impressive group of alumni that spans CEOs coaches and some other star athletes that youve probably heard of such as EMT Smith and pton Manny feel like it's lot of pressure we just put on additionally Desmond received the Frank Kush go Devils player of the year and the JD Hill wide receiver of the Year Desmond has volunteered locally at a food bank and homeless shelter he has donated his time as a youth football and basketball coach and he has maintained a above a 3.0 grade point average in the classroom Desmond held offers from Arizona State University we'll talk about this decision later unlb in Portland State Desmond has signed to play football at the University of Washington next fall go Huskies absolutely congratulations Desmond we wish you the very best and we look forward to following your next progression in your career so all right I'm GNA have you come over here do a picture and Miss Benjamin tell you where stand G to be right yeah right there [Applause] brother h a mass acus yeah [Music] board communication I'm used to the Pres board Communications yeah I weird the name tags are out there and everything next item is board Communications is there any board members wishing to speak yes uh president Hol uh thank you Dr streer president hle my fellow board members I want to congratulate our two new board members on their successful election I look forward to working with both of you it was my pleasure to attend the Arizona Schoolboard association annual conference with Mr Alexander Mrs Raymond Mr Hol and Dr streer we gained valuable information and spent time getting to know each other so we can work collaboratively together I also attended mayor Ed hony's memorial service the district has lost an amazing Community member who was a staunch advocate for the Morana Unified School District and the town of Morana I encourage everyone to support our schools students and staff thank you yes thank you I would I would also like to thank everyone in the community who instilled their confidence in me to serve on this board and I look forward to working with my colleagues here on the board to help move Morana continue to move Morana forward thank you I just want to thank everybody um I'm truly honored to be reelected to the board um for my second term and everyone who believed in the vision of the district and my vision um after the last four years uh congratulations to Kathy and Roy on getting um elected and I look forward to continuing the progress and the collaborations with all of you in the next four years we had a great time at the annual conference um really good game planning for the next couple of years with some um big events coming up so I'm happy to continue working next we're going to move to item G remarks from the public and first off is going to be Corey Bravo we do this with no tears all right good evening president hold vice president mcris members of the governing board senior staff Dr streer and members of the community uh thank you for allowing me the opportunity to address you tonight I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your understanding and approval of my decision to break my contract and step away from my classroom this year in order to pursue an incredible opportunity teaching at the hav supi reservation uh this new chapter will allow me to serve a small school and community of people who have been historically underserved in the area of special education even though 80% of their student population has an EP or f504 plan there are only 80 students at this K8 school um many of whom have never been able to leave the bottom of the canyon and if you know me you know that loving and teaching underserved kids is where my heart lies in education for the past 15 years I have been honored to be a part of the Mirana District this community has shaped me into the teacher I am today and I forever grateful for the countless opportunities for growth the unwavering support and the connections I've made along the way I will truly miss the students who have inspired me every day and the family that makes Mirana so special I would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs linat Mrs Rey Dr streer Mrs CLM Mr singer and of course to Gloria for all the love leadership and support over the years to my uh fellow Educators and meba members thank you for always meeting challenges with resilience and collaboration for being a constant source of support and inspiration each of you have left an incredible mark on my journey and I am so grateful for your guidance kindness and Leadership and of course I have no doubt Tom's goingon to miss me a lot good luck thank you as I embark on this new adventure please know that Mirana will always be my home my hope is to return to the district and the not too distant future and continue to contribute to the work being done here to love and support every child thank you for everything you've given me for these past 15 years it has truly been a privilege and honor to Sur this community thank you thank you next up is reny yor good evening president Hol members of the governing board Dr streer senior staff and community members on behalf of the Morana Education Association I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations ation to our newly elected board members Mrs Raymond and Mr Alexander we welcome you both and look forward to the fresh ideas leadership and dedication you will bring to our district I'd also like to congratulate Mr Holt on his re-election your continued service is greatly appreciated and we value your ongoing commitment to our students staff and Community we thank the board for the positive relationship you Foster with all the district stakeholders in an effort to improve promote and celebrate the hard work and dedication occurring each and every day in our schools as the voice of the Educators in Morana the mea is excited to collaborate with each of you as well as our District administration in a shared effort to ensure the success of our students and to strengthen our schools we believe that a strong respectful partnership between the board and the Teachers Association is key to addressing challenges and advancing opportunities for the benefit of the entire District our educators are at the heart of our schools and through open communication and collaboration we can continue to support their work and the successes of every student in Morana bmea looks forward to building a positive and productive relationship with you all as we work together to serve our students families and Community thank you for your dedication um to this important work and we look forward to uh our uni to be United in our commitment to education in Mirana thank you thank you next item is item H superintendent comments Dr streer yes president uh Hulk governing board members members of the audience I want to officially welcome our two new board members to the team uh I also want to thank you for your attendance and participation at the Arizona School boards associations annual conference uh pre-conference session this year was for new board member orientation which was an incredibly uh valuable experience we got a great mix of our our new board members as well as some continuing board members that were in attendance to hear not just new information but then also share some of those experiences and how they relate uh to the workings of Morana in addition to the information around some of the technical aspects of governance think about the legislative process and how we get to governing board policy uh the focus of the session was really centered around the importance of building a cohesive leadership team and an understanding that the culture of this team really has the opportunity to set the culture for the district as a whole I'm looking forward to working with this governance team and continuing with the great work that has begun and that has been in place here in musd I also want to wish everybody a Happy New Year uh I also hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday season and is feeling refreshed and recharged after what I trust was a restful winter break for our staff I hope that your first week back with students has been as energizing as ever uh there's nothing quite like the energy of our students and and what they bring into our classrooms and our hallways really reminding us why we do what we do and I can say that I have loved the energy that I have felt out on our campuses over these past few days to our parents and our students we are excited about the great things that we will continue to accomplish together and I look forward to our continued work together in the many successes that lie ahead of us so here's to a fantastic 2025 and this concludes my report thank you Dr streer next item is item I consent agenda is there a motion I move that the governing board approve the consent agenda as presented second second any discussion all those in favor I I next item is item J unfinished business there is none so we'll move on to item K new business K1 is discussion approval of policy considerations Miss LL good evening president Hol governor board members and Community tonight I bring to you two policies for revision the first is policy gdm support staff Career Development and this policy is being revised to add reimbursement for support staff who are pursuing post degree teacher certification we have several staff members who already have a bachelor's degree but would like to pursue teacher uh certification so we've added that piece second the Open Enrollment policy jfb uh and regulation were updated to provide Clarity around open enrollment procedures and the selection process legal council has approved both of these changes I'm happy to answer any questions for you is there a motion I move that the governing board approve the revisions to policy gdm support staff Career Development and policy jfb open enrollment as presented so second second any questions all those in favor I I next thank you next item is K2 discussion approval of flashlight 360 memo of understanding Mr Bane thank you uh good evening president Hol vice president Mike cronis members of the board Dr Sher senior staff and members of the audience I'm here to request approval for a memorandum memorandum of understanding with flashlight 36 360 one of our department goals this year is to improve how we measure elel student progress and determine Readiness towards the annual aella assessment we currently lack a benchmark tool that specifically addresses the needs of our El population flashlight 360 is a digital online platform designed to evaluate a student's language proficiency their mission and focus is supporting multilanguage Learners with flashlight uh eel students will focus on speaking and writing their resources support we what we are missing materials lessons and assessments that specifically Target El students a Readiness towards determining Readiness towards the annual AEL State assessment and student data on productive language our plan is to use flashlight flashlight 360 in E classrooms exclusively um with El teachers facilitating quick lessons and assessments to measure proficiency and determine next steps when planning flashlight 360 will be Title One excuse me title three uh funded and lastly this mou has been reviewed and approved by legal council what questions can I answer for is there a motion I move that the governing board approve the memorandum of understanding with flashlight 360 is there a second second any questions I have some questions so um how was how was this company chosen thank you great question so uh we gathered uh some of our El teachers some of our principes uh Mr D sticks our e facilitator and a few others uh to get together and meet with perspective uh companies we were offered um an opportunity to use flashlight 360 at a discounted rate so it became one of the the companies that we wanted to um at least listen to uh what they had to offer offer uh so we um met with them and uh the team uh met with them talked about the needs of our students um talked about what teachers would kind of have to go through because there is some new learning for our El teachers as well um and then afterwards met as a team to decide what our next steps would be and that next step the decision was to move forward with flashlight 360 and what's the cost uh roughly $5,000 per year for the rest of this year yes rest of this year knowing that um there was a cost that would be associated with it next year um and that was a discussion item again with uh the team that we met with um that met with flashlight 360 knowing that this is for this year and we would determine whether or not it would be something that we could continue to use based on next year's title title three title three allocation so that's that's not determined okay was this put out for bid or was it just like Soul sourced um we deter we it was not put out for bid we went through three we uh we got quotes from three different companies this was the best quote that we this was the the most affordable and best use of the dollars for our title $3 and then um so the thing here talks about about a data sharing agreement yes so you know kind of walk me through so okay what is this okay so students log in it's a digital tool got it and I know I mean went to their website so students log in and they and students will use clever to log in so that's the sharing device or the the the sharing agreement right so uh students will log in through clever um they'll uh go through the different lessons um they'll be speaking and writing components um that can be used on a daily basis or more in a more of a benchmark uh atmosphere as well we have asked flashlight 360 to uh run one of the benchmarks for us so we have some knowledge and understanding of what that would look like moving forward so our e teachers could do that as well okay and then and then flashlight um I mean they're they're getting the performance data right that they then as the students go you go through the lessons and everything and then that's then shared with us that's we have excuse me we have access to that and then our what our teachers can do is then turn around and use that with either the grade level team that a specific El student is is is on um or amongst El teachers together when they're planning to plan the subsequent next lesson yeah so so flashlight provides some sort of analysis and recommendations and that sort of thing that's what we asked for this year and that's why it's the initial offer was a was a a cheaper amount for the remainder of this year what we asked for is for them to provide that analysis for one one Benchmark um and then for also for them to involve Us in how they go through that Benchmark how they assess uh uh that learning so we can learn from them how that goes okay right thank you thank you good questions thank you is there any other questions all those in favor I thank you next item is K3 discussion approval of additional Title One Staffing positions Mr thank you I am still here and this time I'm here to request uh Staffing or an an additional staff member at Road Runner Elementary similar to December's uh board meeting where we had a title one Staffing agenda item um for this position we'll be using care carry forward as the Consolidated entitlement funds uh that were redistributed um they they are annually redistributed by uh the Arizona Department of Education uh after meeting with principal Brewer we would like to reallocate funds for a title one pair professional this will be a full-time 1.0 FTE year-end position that will support both the academic and behavioral needs of students across the Roadrunner campus the salary and benefits associated with this position will be titled one funded what questions can I answer for you is there a motion I move that the governing board approves a 1.0 FTE year end title one paraprofessional at Roadrunner Elementary School effective immediately there second second any questions yes so um so there's carryover funds available for the rest of this year correct what about next year so we get annually we receive carry forward carryover uh dollars um we don't know what those are until ad right um redistri distributes them um usually that takes place anywhere between October in December that's why we um when principal Brewer and I talked about this it would it would be posted as a year-end position okay yeah yes well year end that would be May right May correct and if you get money for next year then you got to go through this process again yes we do that's the point so I mean in order to get high quality staff and use the dollar our title on dollars um in the most effective way possible okay I don't mean I don't mean to be rude because last time I asked a question like this man I got blasted but um what kind of high quality staff can we get when they're going to work for at this point like four months no that's a great question so sometimes we are able to um find like a retired teacher uh that wants to get back in the game um and do something a little bit different we've also been able to connect with like student teachers that don't necessarily have a job yet they're looking for something different um sometimes we rely on our staff to reach out to uh their friend groups to see um if they're interested in you know doing something a little bit different and joining joining like Road Runner Elementary or any other school in our our district so there's a lot of different ways and what I what I really kind of when I listen to your question it's it's not only hiring but it's recruiting right so it's right actively and always uh trying to find the best quality candidates for the job so that doesn't happen just when you're posting a position it also happens when you're just out and about about and you're meeting great people that could end up being on your campus I mean this is not a lot of money I mean it's less than 15 grand um yes do is there already somebody identified there is not for this position okay all right thank you thank you is there any other questions all those in favor I next item is C five discussion approval of appointment of class two members s Marina uh schools 2340 Foundation Bard directors oh sorry News high school course Miss reading was already on it I skipped it good evening president hold members of the board doors jader and members of our inperson and virtual audience tonight I am bringing a high school course to you for consideration of approval for next school year intermediate Ceramics and pottery this would be a full yearlong course Ceramics and pottery 34 would be a full year intermediate course designed to build upon the basic concepts that are learned in the beginning Ceramics course students will refine their handb building skills learn foundational steps for using the potter's wheel and explore various types of surface decoration this course includes more complex functional and sculptural sculptural projects students will also make connections to contemporary and historical ceramic art as they develop their own portfolio of work if this is approved this course would be offered at both moriana high and Mountain View High School for next school year there are three reasons why this course was brought to the board for consideration for approval the first is that we're incredibly blessed to have increased enrollment in the Ceramics program at both of our Comprehensive High Schools creating an additional level of the course would help to spread out the students and increase the number of sections available for students to take this uh to take classes under the Ceramics umbrella the second reason is that currently there are only two levels of ceramics that are offered a beginning and advanced and the skills in the advanced course are incredibly complex so an intermediate course would serve as a bridge between the beginning and the advanced course to further develop uh our student skills at our high schools the third reason is that the goal of both of our high schools is to have our students go through our Ceramics programs and be successful on the ap3d Art and Design assessment and take the ap3d Art and Design course increasing putting this bridge in place would help our students develop their skills from beginning through the intermediate and advance to ensure more of our students are successful and earn threes and fours on that AP assessment thank you you is there a motion I move that the governing board approve the new high school course proposed as presented second second any discussion all those in favor I thank you now K five discussion approval of appointment of Class 2 members to Mar Unified School District 2340 Foundation board of directors Dr Sher president Holt governing board members members of the audience in 2012 the Mirana school's 2340 foundation in Arizona nonprofit tax exempt Corporation was formed to provide additional resources and supplement education and enrichment programs to the students and staff of the Mirana Unified School District the 2340 Foundation board of directors is comprised of one class one director that's myself the the superintendent three to five class two directors who are appointed by the governing board of mu SD that would be your appointment tonight and class three directors who are elected by the class one and two directors of the corporation the bylaws of the 2340 Foundation state that not less than two Class 2 directors shall be a member of the governing board of musd Dr Lopez currently holds one of the class two positions and is no longer a member of the board and Mr Carlson recently resigned his class 2 position on the foundation board with Dr Lopez's term expiring on December 31st 2024 with the mirand Unified School District governing board the two seats must now be filled with current members of MD's governing board is there a motion I move that the governing board appoint Mr Roy Alexander and Mrs Kathy Raymond for a one- term one-year term and for oh excuse me so one gets okay I move that the governing board appoint Kathy Raymond for a one-year term and Roy Alexander for a two-year term as class two directors of the Mirana School 2340 Foundation board of directors and I'll second this is there any discussion comments yeah all those in favor I I next item is L board members request for future agenda items is there any requests I have two so I want to review and possibly revise policy BBA can you repeat that so I can write it down Bravo Echo Delta Bravo Alpha thank you that's one and um I I want to report soon soonest like at the study session coming up I want the historical costs of the two High School graduations for the last 5 years and I want to know the contracted cost of the TCC of graduation event is there anyone else moving on um future meetings we have one coming up on February 13th it's a regular meeting here at 6 PM March 13th and April 10th is there a motion for adjournment I make a motion that we adjourn second all those in favor I thank you all we'll see you the next meeting

ation meeting for Thursday January 9th 2025 and um Mr serer do you have somebody for the Pledge of Allegiance e okay up next we have the adoption of the agenda are there any questions no do I have a motion Madame President I move that we adopt the agenda thank you Mr Daniels do I have a second second thank you M denigan Smith um all those in favor signify by saying I I any opposed motion passes 5 Z and again Mr CER we have our CG Spotlight which is North Grove Elementary School e e e en w [Applause] okay uh now on to reports the Online Academy report ass command and it makes me feel really old because Emma was one of my eighth grade students and was one of my absolute favorite kids and then when I transitioned to the high school obviously she was there through the cadet teaching program and I got to write her a letter of recommendations so I'm super proud of her because she was a rock star in eighth grade so yep she's a doll um so I'm Tracy McMahon I'm the Pres principal of the high school and so I have the pleasure tonight of speaking with everyone about a new program that we're excited to bring to the high school which is our Center grow virtual campus so I'm just going to go through a few quick slides to provide some background some goals and what are our next steps so just a little bit of background when I first um took on this role um Dr Long spoke to me about U beginning the conversation about bringing an online option to the high school just knowing um some of the challenges and difficult ities that students have in the general um educational setting that was also something that Dr Taylor had started talking with us a few years ago and so kind of taking on this role um we went full in and that was one of my main goals as we began hoping to begin this process in this uh program as we start the school year in August so where did we need to begin with this because that's a big task and we needed to know who our Target students were so we did a little bit of research and we pulled some data there were 32 students who left Center Grove High School from the 22 year to the 24 year and in looking at all of their demographics we were able to drill down some facts that we thought helped us create our Target population so what we discovered is that students who are leaving us they are an equal number of male and females um they are more likely to be a student of color they are less likely to have an IEP they are more likely to have a health indicator um and you can see up there that might be any combination of those ADHD anxiety and depression and we also found that they tend to leave after four semesters of high school and their average GPA is about a 1.6 and 41% of those are deficient in credits and so keeping that in mind we began to tailor what this program could look like um because our goal was to draw our students back to our school corporation so when we had that data we then created two different committees one committee was made of teach teers um we asked for volunteers to serve we had a large number of teachers who were interested in doing that and then in addition to that we also had an admin an administrator team so that we could Tag Team all of the facets of it our administrator team did come to our school team and then that provided us the opportunity to gather input from our teachers and then take that back as an admin group and really kind of do some of the Dirty Work they brainstormed and then we would clean up the brainstorm and then come back so our goal is what you see in that first bullet point we want to create a virtually online a full virtual online program that provides the same exceptional learning opportunities that our students at Center Grove High School have our goal is that it's taught by Center Grove High School teachers teaching the same curriculum that our students in person are getting our online students would receive as well we would like to have a dedicated counselor tied to those students because we understand that there will be some additional uh maybe challenges or supports that those students would need and we hope to have um a a program coordinator that ties into that that can help us track those will likely be positions that we already have within our our current administrative structure but just looking at how we can maybe Define that a little bit differently we hope to provide a flexible learning environment for students and then again one of the significant pieces of that is to earn a Center Grove High School diploma so with this committee we've been meeting since August we met monthly we were able to draft revise and finalize policy expectations an application and then a potential four-year schedule for what this might look like by the end of first semester so we have met our goal of hitting all of those benchmarks which is exciting I met with um Stacy Conrad in December to discuss the promotion and marketing of our Center gr virtual campus and then hopefully presenting tonight to see if I can answer any questions for you guys as we move on so some good to know is in next steps because there is so much that is attached to Virtual learning and there are um a lot of things that we needed to consider and a lot of things that we learned as we researched several different schools across the state and so for you guys some important things to know is that this program as we begin to launch it and it's really a a pilot step for our first cohort we are offering a limited curriculum um in offering that curriculum we are doing that based off of what our data showed us on our students so that limited curriculum allows us to do a core 40 for those who are already students and then for those students students who will be coming to us maybe they are a current eighth grader who is off campus through home school or virtual somewhere else they obviously have the new diploma we would be able to utilize our curriculum to provide what they need for their new diploma so we'll be operating in two different worlds um so what that looks like again is a narrow down curriculum we'll make that extremely clear when we explain that to families who might be interested students in the virtual uh program cannot participate in ihsaa sports nor can they participate in Co curricular activities because the we are not offering the coursework that's tied to that co-curricular element they can however attend C9 and we do feel that that would be a nice blending and a perfect fit for some of our students who might not be your Traditional High School student so we're excited that that is still an opportunity that those students will be able to have they do participate in state mandated testing so they'll still be required to come to our school and participate in the SAT um PSAT those types of things we are going to ask for a commitment of a semester and that's just to ensure smooth transitions um without having students pop in and out frequently because our teachers will be teaching this in a Global Campus format it is student I'm sorry it's teacher paced and so that's important because if a class is student paced then students can just work through and get done as quickly as possible but with us we want to ensure that those teachers are being able to Monitor and maintain give feedback in a timely fashion provide office hours for those students who will be online and then we felt that teacher Le would be the best way to do that so that's why we're going to ask that semester commitment from families we are looking to um enroll students who are within White River Township and Center Grove boundaries first offering priority to those who have left our Corporation we want to continue to support our families and our community by providing them an opportunity that they've been looking for elsewhere and by doing that and prioritizing them we hope to bring the ADM dollarss back to Center Grove and should we have more room then we would be able to offer that to those students who might still be at Center Grove High School in person and to have some of these factors as well um it is an application-based program we do want to be particular about which students we begin taking because we want it to be a good fit both for the student the family and for our school corporation um ensuring that we can find success and again that's why we're limiting those numbers we want to have a successful launch before we move on so so next steps for us um we are ready to send out information to those families whom have who have left us again for either homeschool or virtual within our boundaries and we have the application set to go we are working with our teachers to select those who will teach these Global Campus courses and begin to have the conversation about the creation of the online course or the revision of the current course we do have some that we built during covid but obviously times passed and we want to again make sure that that educ education that their students are receiving online mirrors what they're getting in classes we would then based off applications select students for our virtual campus and then work to finalize Staffing so that we can see how many students we have in each grade level what that might look like as far as course per course kind of getting down into the nitty-gritty of that so are there any questions yes I mean I think I heard some of it but sure what's the differenti between this and Simon Academy oh that's a great question Simon categ is until junior year so yeah that's a great question so the question is what's the difference between the center grow virtual program and Simon Youth Academy so Simon Youth Academy is tied to um the Simon Youth Organization and there are specific requirements that are met by those um that is a program that is taught through Plato So it is completely student based typically for students who have been struggling um with either school or a personal situation and they are required to still attend Simon you either in the AM or PM and either have a job or work at C9 and provide their own transportation so and again that is only Juniors and seniors so our program would be 9 through 12 and that would be for um any student who would apply and meet the requirements that we would have there's no inperson requirement there's no job required there's no C9 requirement and Simon youth also does specific programming specifically targeted to social emotional and collaboration skills so while we are not saying we wouldn't focus on that that is a highlight of their program where they bring in guest speakers to do that and as with Simon I assume behavioral issues doesn't play into this I mean you can't be a behavioral student and get into Simon that's correct so same way with this one or um little more leadway there there's a little more leadway there because it would be an alternate to coming to our school in person so we might have a student who was a behavioral problem who is a homeschool or virtual student now another situation causing the yes and we do see that a lot students who maybe are in trouble um or who don't find what they view as success whether that's through academics or social emotional they may leave us and so we're hoping this will bring them back to our community re-engage them with our teachers in our school so we could have a student who had behavior problems but because they'll be receiving their education outside of the campus it may be an Avenue for success I I was curious what is like the rate limiter I see we have limited space so if this was just a raving success what would it take to ramp it up so uh the number is tricky so in I don't know if it's in the state of Indiana I assume it is any number above 99 the state requires the virtual school to become its own School number and so there are benefits of that and there could be potential implications of that both whether or not they stay within Center Grove or not if we have a successful virtual program then that's going to help Center Grove High School that's why we want to make sure we can kind of Target our applicants um if we don't have a successful group that could impact graduation rates and so that's a concern and something that's on our radar which is why we want to make sure we provide those supports especially um throughout that student's initial years being with us so if we go above 99 it would have to be Center Gro Virtual School its own School its own diploma its own School number its own testing so then the state of would evaluate that school outside of Center Grove that's correct yes we are not going to go above correct that is correct and our hope would be once we have them with us maybe we could if online isn't working maybe we can pull them in back to in person and and I guess um we could allow that but we have found in our research that very few schools if any allow ihsaa Sports to be in part of their virtual program so and and the difference is I and it could depend on the school but our Global Campus courses are approved to be able to taught and they're taught by a person instead of just a program but for us we feel like it's in the best interest of our students um to stay within our school there's a lot of complications between practice times and game requirements that we felt it' be S best to do that does that apply to choir and band correct they will not be able to do that because we won't offer co-curricular we will not offer band or choir at a course no you're fine we'd like to begin in August with our first group of students so the 25 26 school year and I guess this thank you question for Jason I guess uh Dr Taylor uh cost of is this an extra cost to us what uh it's time high school's done a great job of keeping this internally and plan to use internal sources I think as we talk about kids coming back and the money they bring that would all said I think many of these costs that might incur yeah so yep they've done a really nice job keeping that keeping that in mind are there any of the 132 students we lost that part of our to reach out to implement this that's a great question so Stacy has been pulling data of all of our students who would be um current eighth graders this year because obviously they're going to come to us next year freshman through Juniors who have left us and so that is our Target group so we're going to send them the letter the application those are our that's who our first Target is depending on what our numbers are in that that would depend on if we would then allow students who currently go to Center Grove High School to apply to the online school we do anticipate that there could be questions we understand that as soon as it gets out through one part we're sure it will be on Center Grove chatter and we'll get phone numbers and questions but again because we have students that there is a real need for them to go online and and that flexible learning environment would be positive for them but again because we want to have a successful launch and again reach out to the community members that we have who have left us that's our priority and then if we have space we'll look to pull in it's on it's it's factual it's factual that that 21 day fast is going to be great fantastic I'm excited thank youate excellent work thank you okay action item well no report uh 5.2 The guaranteed energy saving project and I believe Dr Taylor it is to you yeah during our budget hearing this year we uh received a question on this topic and thought it would be very appropriate to bring back to this first meeting of the year um we our great partner cmta on this project has completed quite a bit of the work that they presented a little over 13 months ago to the board um to complete and the only thing that's really held him up is um we're talking about replacing the roof at Sugar Grove so that's not complete yet um we thought it'd be better to go ahead and do that now um but you'll see some great progress has been made and so that includes rooftop mounted solar at Center Grove element School the Emergency Operations Center um the ground Mount solar at Maple Grove and the transportation maintenance center and then they've retrofit retrofitted fixed up um the ground Mount system we had at Walnut Grove you see it at the bottom in the photos where they came in cleaned out the weeds repaired some broken parts um ran some warranty services for us put down gravel um just made it far more Main maintainable and it's producing at higher levels um so you'll see those green check marks um they are currently working on Middle School Central I don't think they are tonight it's a little snowy um but they were up there through Sunday when it started to begin to snow actually so um and then the high school was just waiting on some of the AP to be finished um and some of those will actually go on to the natatorium and Activity Center um and so they're they're going to work on those as soon as the weather breaks here in the spring geothermal at uh at Maple Grove was also a part of this package um that we presented last year they have actually drilled and they are drilling most of those Wells now um um we can't change the heating system in the middle of the winter obviously and so they're going to come back in the summer and do a shutdown and they will install that equipment so when we hit this time next year it'll be up fully functioning and running and then the last thing they've done is um added some new controls at middle school north and recommissioned all of our current controls and that's a really fancy way of just saying they took a look at our set points um made some reasonable adjustments to save us on our energy cost when we heat when we cool the buildings still keeping it comfortable for people to operate really focusing in on the amount of humidity in the building that's the biggest thing they can do to adjust that and so um they've been great partners with us got nothing but good things to say about them and working with them and um they put together some of these slides that now I'm going to go into that talk about the actual savings we're seeing so this is the slide that we presented um originally as far as um what we were spending our utilities 2.4 million and that includes some gas and electric utilities obviously much smaller portion of gas um and then what the guaranteed Energy savings would look like so that's the introduction of that blue bar on the right it's about three 3/4 of a million about 750,000 annually that they said we would save just in our utility spend now on top of that we've got some other savings that we're going to look at on the next chart um that would actually come in the ira incentives and that's the inflation reduction act incentives if you scroll down one more slide for you Chris um oh I'm I'm stepping ahead of the game I apologize so let me talk about some more savings so what that looks like you can see when those savings started to hit our actual electric bill so in August we saw $4,000 savings um 177,000 in September as some of these uh HVAC controls were put into place um and they re and they fix the solar at Walnut Grove I think it's 26,000 and then 24 and so those are all stacking and savings that we received um in the month in the calendar year 2024 looking at the next slide this charts out our actual utility savings then um as we move forward you see some of those numbers repeated and then there's some little bullets as that indicate when when savings came online and the only reason this chart dips back down is that we just don't produce as much solar as the um days get shorter and so that's why you see that stair step back down that after um we got some of that solar in and got the HVAC going um we got the HVAC going as we get that going in next September it will come back down in October November December it'll just kind of fluctuate up and down but kind of the average number across that line um and projected savings that we'd see in 25 is about 61,000 a month if we were to average that out um and that gets us up to about that 3/4 million doll Mark and so you can kind of see when they expect those next few projects to come online to complete the work so this is I asked them then since that dipped down could you give me when it's all said done what would we see in 26 and seven Beyond and you kind of see that stair step motion and so you kind of see the EV and flow as we have longer days in the summer um and that's great we'll produce and we'll earn credits um and that'll help offset some of those costs that we have in November and December when we're typically heating with gas um and most of our buildings are geothermal and then one more slide for me so this is what I stepped on earlier and this is the last slide just wanted to show so we've actually started the process of asking for these reimbursements the work has to be complete and then we submitted actually um to the federal government and U we will keep monitoring that submission and then expect that check to be returned um but you can see the amount that we're expecting in 2025 and then again once the work's completed in 2026 um and that number combined with what I showed you earlier that 3/4 million is what gets us roughly to that million doll savings that we were expecting annually over the 20-year period of this project and so those are the the current savings we have are on that smaller slide you can see the work they've done the projected savings are coming up and um this is money that remains in our operations fund it's money we don't spend on utilities and we have begun already to allocate that back to help us um with our operational cost of salaries and benefits um and again to help us where possible with any possible transfer from the Ed fund to supplement the Ops fund so any questions I didn't cover there thank you Dr anybody else have any questions thank you thank you okay great great project all right it is time now for the reorganization of the board for the 20 2 calendar year and while I've had a blast this last year um we do need a nomination for a new board president Madam president I nominate Rob Daniels to serve as president for the 2025 calendar year thank you will to accept that nomination sure have somebody seconds if not I won't a second discussion would second that quick yeah okay um now we need to um every I'm sorry yes everybody in favor everybody that is in favor signify by saying I please anybody oppos okay welcome Mr President thank you do you want to turn now so on behalf of the school corporation the board we want to recognize Amy for her leadership the last year let's walk we've give her a nice to let her keep the G with her forever May it [Applause] take a coup so first order of business we'll look at the uh reorganization of the board if we could pull the slide up on the reorganization in essence uh I've been elected president and this is the Slate that I propose U Mr Russell would become vice president Scott Alexander secretary uh with members Jane dunigan Smith and Amy counts and the various organizations we're involved with are also listed below uh I've had good conversations I think with every board member as to what uh what this all means what the responsibilities are and I'm I'm happy that everybody stepped up and and contributing in the way that they want so does anybody have any questions or or comments with respect to the the proposed slate if not um I'll ask for a motion Mr President I move that we approve the 2025 board organization sheet as presented thank you Mr Alexander do I have a second I'll second thank you madam Madam coun president 2024 thank you Miss Council the current current past president there you go pres um all those in favor sign by by saying I I opposed thank you uh next uh we need to review and and take a look at the uh the board meeting dates and we've consulted and looked usually we try to meet on the third Thursday that doesn't always happen with scheduling so we try to do the best we can a year out and predict that schedule to put the public on notice these occasionally do have to change but we'll do the best we can to to keep them and you'll notice also that we have uh work sessions the good for the Grove that that are on here along with executive sessions um appreciate everybody's input and and Dr Long's uh leadership and trying to put this together and Corral five cats into into one uh schedule that works uh do we have any comments or questions on the proposed board meeting dates my only comment might be on next January 8 meeting as tentative that will be the same evening as the C9 board meeting I had to miss tonight C9 board meeting because we're doing this the second Thursday I know our constraint we have to get through the board re organization done and all those things by the 10th or the 12th 15th 15 I've lost I know it's in the first half of the month so um maybe if we can once we get a little closer to January 8th maybe move that second I appreciate the heads up I would I think let's approve it for now but let's keep that on the radar is everybody fine with that do I have a motion Mr President I move that we accept the board 2025 board meeting dates as presented thank you Mr Alexander do I have a second second thank you Mr Russell all those in favor signify by saying I I opposed the eyes have it I did not I think I that's fine we'll just mention it now just um we may have omitted this earlier and jump straight into the election and if we didn't omit it I apologize for going over again but um we have a moment for public comment at each meeting and no one signed up so there's no public comment tonight I just want to make sure for the record we we had that um next uh we'll move on to the consent agenda has everybody had the opportunity to review the consent agenda and if so does anyone have any questions or comments on the consent agenda hearing no questions or comments do I have a motion I move we accept agenda as written thanks Mr Russell do I have a second second thank you Miss dunigan Smith Mrs sorry dunan Smith all those in favor signify by saying I I I all those opposed the eyes have it next we have a proposed resolution um for Teacher minimum salary and Dr Taylor has something to present to the board tonight Dr Taylor the microphone is yours yes we have a resolution in front of the board and I'm going to just summarize some of the whereas and now there four comments for us um this is something that began in 2022 um this is a resolution to raise um the school corporation's minimum teacher salary um this was uh will be provided as a supplemental stip into anything that's already been collectively bargained and that's what began in 2022 it gave the board the authority to do something like this um this evening we're we're asking the board that they raise the minimum salary for all um Center Grove full-time teachers um to the amount of $50,000 and that's following any increase they may have already received throughout uh collective bargaining um we're doing this to remain competitive we have four neighboring School corporations that have already met or exceed this amount for this for the 24 25 school year and so um we're asking the board through this resolution that they allow the superintendent of schools um to be authorized to pay a supplemental payment um to any full-time teacher with a 2024 25 salary that's currently less than $50,000 annually um equal to the difference between their current salary and that number of 50,000 and we'd like to make this effective on January 17th's payroll to those individuals um the number for this is about 76 teachers um and they range anywhere in experience with Center growth from one year to um three or four years um and uh this would bring everyone up to that level moving forward um what it doesn't do is guarantee this amount moving forward that's something the board could continue to look at into collective bargaining or um in future years um but it would allow us to correct this and and increase the minimum salary to 50,000 for this current school year um and that's what we're asking the board to do this evening thank you Dr Taylor we have any questions or comments with respect to the uh resolution to increase the minimum teacher salary I think the only comment I want to make this was when we began in September October time frame looking at making some adjustments to the contract this was one of the board's goals as part of that process and I want to thank Dr long and Dr Taylor for coming up with a with a methodology to accomplish this because this was this was a pretty important thank you I would Echo that I know uh we are conservative with funds because we're never sure what's there and when we found we had some extra funds this year um I'm I'm happy that you you you came to us with this proposal that was consistent with the goal that we had so we always want to you know be conservative in spending the public funds uh with the money there and comfortable that we can do this I'm I'm hopeful this keeps us competitive for new teachers and and shows our commitment to the community the teachers and the staff to to keep keep paying competitive wage thank you for saying that Mr Danel I did fail to mention this will be paid out of cash balance at the end from the end of the year this is not something that we're budgeting at this time any other questions or comments All U may I have a motion Mr President I move to approve the teacher minimum salary resolution as presented thank you Mr Alex do I have a second I'll second thank you Mrs counts all those in favor signify by saying I I I all those opposed the eyes have it next we have a proposed resolution dealing with the acquisition of certain sewer easements and I believe uh this is also Dr Taylor presenting and Dr Long carried a lot of this and his former role but uh left this one for me to finish up and I appreciate that one um but no these are four four four Parcels of land just to our immediate North it's in the neighborhood of the Brent Ridge Estates um and and we have found that the sewer pipes there need upgraded and as we work with the City of Greenwood sanitation department um they have asked that we acquire these easements um turn them over to them um and then the sewer lines will be upgraded um this is somewhat in partnership with the lenar development that's happening to the east of this location um but these four um easements would be either purchased obtained or um um or acquired so that the then the city could uh approve and and expand the sewer capacity to our campus and um the neighborhoods that share the capacity on our campus and you'll see some of these are written in a settlement language um some of these are written in just a straight acquisition language it just depends on the nature of that parcel the easements that currently existed and um reasonable amounts of money that we could pay to acquire those easements to get this work done and move ahead and know that we'll have capacity moving forward on this campus um so I believe that's what we needed to share this evening and I'll entertain any questions the board may have thank you Dr anything I missed there any uh any questions or or comments or Dr long do you have anything to add I know you put a lot of time into this project no I I think it's just important to remember that um that making those improvements was a requirement from the city of Greenwood for us to be able to expand anything on our main campus from the uh the North or the South of the high school campus all the way up to the EOC so they were requiring that we do that we were fortunate enough to be able to partner with lenar who is building a subdivision to the east of us to to work together with them and so the City of Greenwood while they required that they've been um uh participating and and making sure we're doing everything the right way and that meets their needs but it it's been a good partnership but just wanted to make sure everybody knew that we were doing this because we were being required by the City of Greenwood thank you for that clarification any other comments or questions with respect to the proposed resolution on sewer easements do I have a motion Mr President I move that we accept and authorize Administration to purchase property easements thank you Mrs counts do I have a second second thank you Mr Russell all those in favor signify by saying I I I I I opposed the eyes have it I want to thank Dr long and Dr Taylor for getting this over the Finish Line um this has been a work in progress for the better part of 18 months and I am hopeful that as we do additional project we won't encoun the same resistance from the city of greenw that we have in the pastre I think so main thank you any other comments next we have a strategic planning survey that's proposed um Dr long is this something you're presenting yes sir thank you microphone's yours yeah this evening we're asking the board to approve a survey of students in grades 5 through 12 to be used part of our next strategic plan for the school corporation we plan to share the student survey with parents so they have an opportunity to review it as well uh we also plan to survey our staff our parents and community members uh the survey is the first step in our strategic planning process we'll use the results to determine the priorities or really to build the pillars of our strategic plan during the process we'll also have the opportunity for staff parents uh students and community members to share their ideas and opinions through other avenues such as focus group um I think it's important to know too that this is probably the third survey we've done in the last what 90 days or so and and and and they were all for different purposes you know we we did the first one to find out how we communicate and and with our with our community and how they want to be communicated with we then did a survey of our students and our staff and and parents on the climate in each of our buildings and now this is one where we want to get their their input to build our strategic plan and and it's important to know that we've taken all those results and shared them with the company that's going to help us administer this this survey so we're not ignoring one as we've gone to the next one we'll use all three of the results to help us build a great strategic plan for our community and for the school corporation so we're recommending um the board approve this to be able to administer it in February thank you Dr Long any questions or comments from from the board relating to the strategic planning survey but just curious are we having parents wanting their kids to opt out not be presented this or anything like that and I mean are the students being done surveyed in school yes they will be this is the opportunity for them to review these questions um you can see there in front of you we're we're not asking anything I hopefully that would cause any parent any concern but I don't think so but they if they would like to opt out we'll allow them to opt out that's but we'd really like to have a a lot a high level of response from everybody because then that helps us build a plan that will uh that that that shares the vision of the entire Community as we as we move forward any other questions comments I guess Dr Long thanks for pushing us forward to you and your team so I think it's important that we kind of dust off a strategic plan and see where we're going and where we want to be so I I appreciate I know this is part of the process an important part thank you do I have a motion I move that we approve the strategic planning survey as presented thank you Mr Alexander do I have a second a second thank you Mrs Donan Smith all those in favor please signify by saying I I opposed the eyes have it going down to announcements the the first announcement is that uh immediately following tonight's board meeting we're going to have a board of Finance meeting um I'll go around the room first and ask if any of the board members have any other announcements they'd like to make today Mr Russell no I talked to you guys earlier about ba uh do we have anything new on the yearbooks Mr drao still got about 50% of them we're waiting to hear back thank you Mr Russell Mrs well we are moving forward with the next round of of Hall of Fame Hall of Fame great thank you Mrs Don Smith do you have anything toab nothing for me Mrs counts uh I think Jen would probably appreciate if we announced the trivia night which is the February the 17th 21st put it in my calendar 21st 21st February 21st so go out and buy your tickets because Jane is super competitive and she's already recruited me to be on her team we're winning we're totally not winning because she has me on her team um may not want me on team and uh I'd also like to say that the new um softball cheerleading golf facility is now available for our students use as well so I think Sophia had their first conditioning practice there today so that's kind of exciting so anyway just that's my it's fabulous Mr Alexander nothing for me tonight I have Dr long do you have anything to sure if if you'd allow me to I'd like to introduce a guest that we have here tonight um as part of the school superintendent Association for new superintendent uh they appoint a mentor and I was lucky enough to snag uh Dr Jeff buts the superintendent at Wayne Township and Dr butts has been my mentor and really it's been awesome to be able to text or call or we've met a couple times for lunch or for dinner and it's just been a great he's been great and I just wanted to recognize him he obviously had nothing to do tonight because he came to our reorganization meeting um but but I do appreciate it and I appreciate his friendship and his mentorship so just wanted to introduce him to everyone and he just celebrated what his 14th year at Wayne Township just started right 15 so that's great thank you for coming we appreciate it great like a teacher evaluation is and I and I want to acknowledge one other event that happened at the end of December that may have missed on folks we had some of our political leadership out of the uh the State House come down and visit our emergency Operation Center Dr long and and Mrs Conrad hosted and did a great job of touring them and and answering all their questions I think a lot of the community knows about the emergency Operation Center where it's Center Grove Police it's Bargersville and White River Township Fire and it also we have a police substation there and we had representatives from all of those units there talking about how working together made a big difference in the community and I want to call out Dr Alex too for his help on that as a board member former doctor sorry Mr Alexander for for all of his uh for all of his efforts to to push to push the uh the board in that direction if that's the biggest mistake I make all year you know I'll make more but no I'm on a serious note it's it's something the community should be proud of you know we have invested money as a school board to try to make Cent Grove the safest environment that we possibly can we can't guarantee everything but you know we have put things in and and I I think Dr Long's presentation was well received had a lot of good feedback and questions and it's tax dollars well spent to protect our students our our staff and teachers admin everyone else so thank you for that great job thank you not doctor [Laughter] um anything else on uh there are a few other announcements I I guess uh Martin Luther King knows School uh February no school on President's Day and then our next meeting um I don't see a date but it'll be in February we'll post it um February 20th February 20th thank you do I have a motion to adjourn move thank you Mr Alexander do I have a second second thank you Mr Russell all those in favor signify by saying I I I opposed the eyes have it um now we'll move into our I believe it's I've got to open a new the board of Finance meeting is that correct yep give me a moment I I just hit the wrong button I hereby call the board of Finance meeting to order uh as everyone had the opportunity to review the agenda do I have a uh any comments on the agenda if not does anybody want to make a motion to adopt the uh Board of Finance meeting agenda Mr President I move that we adopt the agenda for the board to finance meeting as present thank you Mr Alexander do I have a second second thank you Mrs counts all those in favor signify by saying I I opposed the eyes have it Dr Taylor uh will make a presentation of a resolution authorizing the board of Finance Dr Taylor thank you Mr Daniels uh the bo is required to establish a board of finance and receive an investment report annually um the resolution that will be presented tonight the information will accomplish this and it's the format we've used in prayer years um there are five legally required items that we're going to discuss this year the um Indiana codes are listed on page one of the document Miss leslee has up and on the second page I'm actually going to go into detail a little bit on each of those five items U the first would be a resolution to establish the board of Finance as we we've done in the past years a resolution to establish Board of finance will be attached and we would use the current members of the board for that board of Finance um the board also has an opportunity to reject any public depositories um that's not happened in my experience um and so we're not recommending any of those at this time um the third item is that we provideed an investment report and here you can see I've provided um what's a pretty good final number for 2024 um it might change um a few dollars here or there but um we were able to accomplish an interest rate of 3 4% in this calendar year um again we're limited on how much we can invest totally and you see that number out to the third column of 15 million doar um which is what we had in the bank at the end of the year um but we did earn quite a bit of Interest this year um and that was put back into our education operations fund um again to help um provide Revenue into those funds and pay for our salaries and benefits um and then you can also see our total in checking and and that will fluctuate from year to year depending on what kind of construction projects we have that we we operating um and so it was another successful year we are not anticipating that much success as we move into 25 um we expect it will go back down as as we saw in 23 and 22 um but still are projecting um moderate amounts of of of interest um amounts earned um the fourth area is an investment policy um it's a separate item I'll actually present that after this one um and then I'll do a report on the fiscal conditions which is also a requirement annually and I will provide that um using some of the slid slides from the duab um the distress units appeal board um and those are the five items that we're going to cover this evening and we've accomplished at least two of those already so I will turn it back over to Mr Daniels and we'll entertain any questions you may have thank you Dr Taylor does anyone have any questions with respect to the establishment of a board of Finance seeing no questions do I have a motion Mr President I move that we adopt the resolution presented to establish a board of Finance thank you Mrs counts do I have a second second I'm not sure who said that Russell thank you Mrs dunan Smith I heard her say it too so all those in favor signify by saying I I oppose the eyes have it Dr Taylor I know you touched on the investment resolution do you want to continue on with the presentation again just an annual requirement we list the board policy that goes along with this and it's something you know we're pretty restricted on where we can invest and this uh resolution would allow us to remain within those restrictions and to follow Pol policy 6144 thank you Dr Taylor any questions or comments with respect to the investment resolution do I have a motion Mr President I move that we adopt the resolution authorizing the assistant superintendent HR business and techn ology or his or her doesn't need to make investments as presented do I have a second I second thank you Mr Al Alexander and Mrs Co that's fine Mrs counts if I get everybody's name wrong tonight that'll be great you two are next actually I kind of V your yours already so Jack you're next we do not [Laughter] need um all those favor please signify by saying I I I opposed eyes have it and then uh lastly we have a report of the fiscal condition of the school corporation Dr Taylor promise less less words and more visuals on this one so again this is the report um we're going to cover each of the indicators um from the distress Urban appeals board this something we do annually um this is a requirement go ahead and scroll the slide two it' be fine uh started in 2019 there's six fcal indicators from the board um you may at any time go out and see this although it's quite dated and only updated annually so all data that we're going to look at tonight is from 2023 I've included a few 2024 reference things for us um there are no official ratings if one of these indicators were to fall short it's something that we'd have to go up and explain why it's going on Corporation had to do this a few years ago for some Investments um and we also entertained a question this year just on construction balances but nothing to be uh concerned about um we're in a great fiscal situation next slide please so the first indicator is average daily membership again as you can see the corporation continued to grow it's average da daily membership we're up a little over 100 students this school year next slide please um we do track that longterm and so you can kind of see that growth where we went up 100 students and we project that out and how we will continue to grow Crossing that 10,000 Mark somewhere between 2026 and 2027 next slide please second indicator is fund balances and in this case we look at the education the operations fund and you can see we're maintaining healthy balances um in the amount of about 9 million on the fund balance for 2023 next slide um one other indicator then is to compare that fund balance to our percent of expenditures um and this is what they would deem as our cash balance at the end of the year um you will see in 2023 they actually uh put that number at 11.3 and that's what we submitted um but because they look at expenditures it's a little off because we will carry things from year to year um typically buses um as we make those purchases or items that maybe take have a longer lead time we'll actually carry those from one year to another so we like to look on the next slide um at our operating balance as it is to revenue and so how much money do we have coming in and we want to make sure we stay within that goal and so that's why you'll see our percentage is a little bit lower there the amounts are very similar though and we did in 2023 with about 9.8 right around 10% cash balance compared to revenue as opposed to expenditures next slide please and that's just looking at the edops fund um again then they rechart that and show you what that would look like if you were running a deficit um or Surplus and so you can see there are slight little chart there again just looking at Revenue versus expenditures and any surplus or deficit you might have and you can see there I think it was 20121 where we entertained some questions from them because it got pretty close to zero um we track this with the board um we do provide monthly reports um to the board to just kind of look at here's what we budgeted and what did we actually expend and um that particular year this was at the end of 23 we ended the year with just a little over 1% um under budget in this case it's actually a a chart to look at there um another indicator is revenue by type and the sources of revenue for us and so you'll see these are the charts the good news is our Revenue continues to grow that's mainly tied to uh higher assessed value growth here and student growth and so you'll see all of the funds that are listed there and how they've grown over the past um 10 years number six if we had an operating referendum it would be listed here ours is a zero we'll skip that slide move right on um just like to talk then about um our local tax rate um we maintained a flat tax rate this year um I actually did get the final one in it's going to be a do 6.43 um so it rounds rounds down it's um right to where it was last year um and so that's the board did increase that two years ago as we talked about that guaranteed Energy savings that's why there's that little bump but outside of that the board has maintained almost flat tax rate all the way back to 2009 next slide just kind of explain a little bit more how that tax rate fits in our district we come in fourth in the in the county sorry um just buying three other schools that also in the blue bar have general fund referendums or education fund referendums that they they they've gone out for and successfully achieved moving on please um and then finally we like to just show how this looks as our debt service tax rate so we we have that imposed kind of ceiling of a doll four that then we increase to a doll six as our tax rate um at the very bottom you see the amount of money that's going into operations fund that is uh limited by State Statute and can only grow a certain amount it was 4% this year um and so you'll see that subtle increase in that in that gray bar um so then we look at how much money is in our current debt payments so everything approved up through um today's meeting is in the dark blue and then the new light blue layer is anything that we might expect to approve in the upcoming year uh moving forward again leaving some debt capacity as we move forward um it's important to note here that if that statute limitation wasn't imposed on the operations fund we would definitely like to have more funds in our operations fund and less in our debt management it's just not something we're able to do with the current legislation and the limitations on that growth um so therefore we do shift some of those costs Into The Debt Service fund we've done that since 09 in our maintenance and Technology departments to help offset some of those improvements in capital projects that we do but other than that we were very healthy in our debt scenario and then assess value um it did rise but a little over 10% this this year for White River Township um that's just short of two years ago which was historical growth at 20% um and we do expect a pretty healthy assess value as homes continue to to to be constructed in our district and home values continue to increase um I didn't entertain any questions on any of these indicators or anything else we have for the board of Finance meeting this is a report so there's no motion necessary I do appreciate the time and effort I'm just still a little overwhelmed that the assess values doubled in 10 years and I know some of that is growth but some of that is just increased property values too so uh thank you for the presentation um with that we have nothing else on the agenda can I have a motion to uh to close the the board of Finance meeting thank you Mr Russell and Mr Alexander guys want to get out of here all those in favor signify by saying I I all those opposed the eyes have it thank you everyone have a safe evening

before we begin any business um have a little swearing and ceremon to do with judge so Susan I recently reelected to the school Workforce six he could have just stayed so we need to we need to take care of that so good [Music] RIS over [Music] there please raise your right hand after me I solemnly swear I solemnly swear that I will support that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America the Constitution of the United States of America the constitution of the state of Indiana constitution of the state of Indiana and the law laws of the United States and the laws of the United States and the state of Indiana and the state of Indiana I will Faithfully execute the duties of my office I will vely execute the duties of my office as a member of this governing body as a member of this governing body so help me got [Music] have fun [Music] everyone all right [Music] begin call the cor Community School corporations Board of Finance annual meeting to order have the record show that all members are presid first agenda item there's no old business first agenda item is election of officers for the board of Finance for 2025 anyone to make a motion to I nominate Mr Kent manette as president second all in favor all right may please have a nomination for secretary do yes I nominate Susan Al as Secretary of the board of Finance second all in favor uh would may we please have the board of Finance invest four yes so in your board packs um do have the investment report for the calendar 24 year uh we do hold Accounts at three different banks um hhsb here in town Tri County and uh trust Indiana um there's information in your board packs on what those accounts all are for um just some key highlights the total interest earned for 2024 was $233 184 this is up from 23 where we were at about 183,000 so that is good movement for us uh total fees increased to $950 um this is due to adding positive pay for fraud protection and um doing remote deposit capture for our main account and that is all I have for investment report you have any questions on the investment report all right may we please receive the report on the financial condition yes so as you have every year um I also printed these out for you in case you haven't looked at it um you have the doab fiscal indicators report which is the distress units appeals board uh this report comes out a year after everything so the report that you have is from 2023 um it does go through all of our main data points through average daily membership demographics balances on our funds deficit Surplus uh Revenue by type and operating referendum Revenue I do want to just point out the main chart that we look at is the fund balance as a percent of expenditures um this is just for our three key funds for Education operations in rainy day um as you can see in that chart since 2020 we've had a steady decline um in that percentage which is influenced by several factors such as staff raises given out each year uh the right in utility cost and increasing operational expenses um we do review this data we did for 24 as well uh we are happy and pleased to report that our projected percentage for 24 is going to be 10.9 so that will be our first increase in The Last 5 Years um this is encouraging and a step in the right direction but we do recognize that it's still lower than we'd like it to be for full Comfort um that percentage that we would like it to be is around 12% um that is just showing that we have reserves available in case certain factors come into play like a state government shutdown where we're not getting our funding regularly that is all I have for the fiscal indicators report okay any questions on the school Financial condition all right finally we have would somebody please explain the proposed investment changes for Year yes so as we've done the last couple years um we did rate shop for interest rates um around local banks um we did have hhsb and Tri County both give us rates for their um standard money market accounts you can see the hhsb was at 3.57 Tri County was at 4% and then we did ask for any special CD rates that they have right now hhsb has a 6mon CD at 4% and Tri County has a 5 month at 4.32 um with this um management we are proposing to keep Tri County Bank and Trust as our primary money market investment bank and then also proposed to move an additional 200,000 from hhsb to tr County to take advantage of that increased uh rate um these moves will then move our base balances to uh 500,000 hhsd and 3.5 million at Tri County um and then also for you as an approval item we do recommend that the board of Finance approve a resolution that um sets up our investment interest income accounting uh at 13.1% of the income going to the school lunch fund 10% to education and 76.9% to operations so I'd recommend that the board of Finance approve that resolution tonight okay do we have any other any other action required on the investment changes or is that no okay all right any have a motion so second please second all those in favor I let the record show that Iain is there a any other business for the I do not have any further items is there a motion to [Music] adj in [Music] favor all right moving right along uh that is the board of Finance meeting and then I will call the regular board roll call and this time I would like everyone to join me in the Pledge of Allegiance on the United States of America the for it stands one nation God indivisible with liy and justice for all I have to say that's the best all right the first item of business is to reorganize the board we need to elect the president vice president secretary assistant secretary and Appo a legislatively Aon to the School Board Association I move to reappoint the current slate all those positions second all right any discussion he I I would entertain a motion to cor all in favor I thanks everyone uh next item is to approve the previous meeting minutes um any additions or Corrections here second all in favor I next item is the building principal report Mrs is Hall hi my name is Jennifer Hall I'm the principal here at Nicholson and I'm joined by um Miss TR o Collins she is my music teacher one of the things before I came to Nicholson during the summer that I got to meet with staff and talk about was what what was the goal that we had for ourselves for the year and one of the things that came up over and over my teachers was they really wanted to continue to support the growth of students academically socially and emotionally but they also wanted to give them more opportunities to explore areas of interest and miss o Collins really rose that challenge and came up with the first Nicholson music club [Music] and um and I'm going to let her tell you just a little bit about our Nicholson music Club all right so thank you for that introduction I'm TR Leo College I'm the music teacher here um the music Club has really been in the work since last year I wanted to create this community this space this outlet for students to be able to express themselves but also to be able to explore more advanced musical Concepts that they would typically see during the school day and so these students are able to Showcase their efforts um alongside their classmates and are regularly scheduled grade level concerts um they s the national anthem at the Veterans Day program last month we went caroling next door at the L house and I really love that the students are able to learn and to grow individually but they can use their skills and their talents to serve the broader community and I really hope that this is something that they are able to remember and to apply for the rest of their lives um this next piece that we are going to s for you they performed at the second grade witer program it is a musical setting of Robert Frost poems Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening from which originates the famous slides I have promises to keep the miles to go before I sleep and so through this program students are not only growing musically but they are developing social and emotional skills as they interact with each other to sing to play to move in an ensemble City they are increasing seeing it their cognitive their um critical thinking their vocabulary their comprehension it really is something that hats to the whole child we are so incredibly grateful for your support from the school board from the staff and most importantly for the families there are a lot of you here tonight we are so grateful for your sacrifice we know that none of this could be possible without any of you thank you so much for giving us this opportunity tonight and you hope to enjoy our performance yes [Music] is in The Bu he will not see me sto here to watch his f up with snow my [Music] little the wooden he shame to ask if there is some m the [Music] only easy wind I have promises to keep and to go before i s and to go before I [Music] [Applause] sleep so I just want to thank all of the parents because I know that you all have busy evening since they taking the time to let them showcase their skills and talents tonight I really do appreciate thank you so much all right thank you thanks to our students for that wonderful performance at this time um you're welcome to stay but also if you uh feel inclined you're also welcome to get your kids thank you thanks for coming [Music] hi see you tomor took a video of it all right next it that's why they stay yeah so um second reading here so this is a required policy it just outlines procedures for reference checks on uh applicants there were some minor adjustments from the first reading to language but the main one was really just adjusting language flexibility uh the first reading dictated a certain number of references this one does not so um Indiana code does not dictate how many but just that they are applicable um and when possible applicable one one should be from the part prior place of employment so all that language remain the same so we'll be happy to take any questions if there are any but I would recommend approval of policy 3012 all right any discussion recommendation approval second all in favor all right thank you next item is policy 413 homeless student enrollment rights y um again a second reading here as well required policy this addresses enrollment rights and services for homeless students protected under the mckin Bento homeless assistance act federal and state so um basically ensures the enrollment School Services transportation for any any students protected under this policy so there were no changes from the first reading um so again have to take any questions but would recommend uh approval of policy 4013 any discussion I move approve second all in favor I moving on to new business consider resolution for authorization sign agreements for alternative services and private residential school placements this resolution allows me to agree on alternative services and placements for our students I recommend the board approve any discussion approval second all in favor next item is to consider distribution of early literacy achievement Grant funds so believe this is the second year for this grant um it it's a I think it the intentions are good I do appreciate how this um Grant does take into account our school complexity our number of el students and our PR so this one is there and but there it is very um well outlined that it can only be K3 teachers working on the instruction of reading so I recommend the board approve the distribution of early literacy achievement Grant funds equally to teachers and instructional coaches responsible for implementing delivering literacy and reading instruction K3 during the 23 24 school year and who are currently employed with propital Community Schools any discussion 23 24 a person 2425 no it's for last year you had to be with us last year and still be employed today I understand move approval second all in favor all right consider Public Work project for the tennis courts High School yes so this tennis court project repay we did reach out to three different contractors for this uh outdoor Court Specialists quoted us at 4 2,950 HSC payement Solutions quoted 104915 and nut designs quoted us at 59,500 so we would recommend that the board award this contract to outdoor Court specialist for the CHS 10is for project all right any discussion so what exactly are they doing are they cracks leveling it is six it's in your it's in the board pack um it is six Court 6 of the 11 and it will be uh grind down Bill cracks resurface completely and uh make sure that all like connections for the Nets are in place as well then they're being upgraded for pickle is that correct I don't know about that it didn't say all right any other questions or certain was one that I price all right U any other discussion a motion to approve second all in favor all right same thing on the high school yes so this uh we did reach out to three contractors for this one as well uh Floor Care Concepts quoted us at 35,800 fourstar Floor Care Incorporated at 47250 and then we reached out to Cincinnati for company they did give us a quote in June but did not redo their quote for December uh so we have them listed and not responding for this request uh we do recommend that the board award this contract to for care concepts for the high school JY discussion uh just in the the current paint on the flooring do we have will it include this uh different shaded area within the pr Point area that's in the picture well that's not a final um design but uh but as it is laid out there it would yes especially if that matches the along the B this will be a full sand down repaint recover all right is there a motion to approve I move we award to the low bidder as recommended second all in favor I Personnel right I recommend the board approve the resignation of Trevor ml um CMS 8th grade social studies teacher he's accepted a position at McCutchen um Morgan Hodge who was a third grade teacher here we have moved her to fill this position Morgan has been waiting for a social studies opportunity so not great to take an elementary teacher out of the classroom mid year move her but luckily we also had Meredith Bose here in kind of a title position so she is filling that role right now um and we do have the position posted so it is good opportunity for Morgan but I do recommend the board approve the res resignation of Trier dates on there the dates so well that it was the letter dated and he's liter two or three days like gives the notice and he's done in two days and we worked with mckin Administration basically we said if we could get everything filled out that we they you had they understood they understood well yeah a little bit um and yeah in this market I think there was communication I would say that I I was perfectly comfortable and appreciative of the communication between the two School corporations so and yeah we felt like we were an opportunity to make the moves and then not hold him for 30 days or have kids start with the teacher here and then sure so now this one unfortunately the school corporations were getting better at these things yeah that's a good way to I mean he's I know J my son Jason and the kids in his class really like Mr Mel and you know you him a chance to get back his wife all right is there a motion to approve second all in favor okay I recommend Larry Hutchinson for whoover fourth grade maternity leave temporary contract so Larry's ready to jump back in the ring for a little bit a little bit so and we it is wonderful that we have several young teachers right now that we also had several maturity leags this year and um principles are figuring it out and getting it done so ni we have some recently retired come so I do make that recommendation right a motion second all in favor I I do this man report uh yes it's just a couple items we are progressing through our audit that did start in December uh they have told us that they project to be done by the end of January uh we will share those results with you after they become published um and then the business office is wrapping up year end procedures getting tax forms prepared W2 should be available by the 31st of January and then the 1095s for employer provided health insurance offers will be sent out by February 28th that is all I have all right thank you Dr Bart yeah uh so updates on administration building so just the beginning of this week uh permanent power and heat are up and running so go in and see what temperature it is on thermostats and have a consistent so they removed their propane uh heater and temporary lighting and has made it look uh much much different in there with those pieces removed so with that light fixtures electrical devices um are being installed uh above ceiling inspection by the city is um tomorrow um and then soon all goes well there ceiling grid panels will be installed uh then following and there will be another big change with Walkin and we be seeing the HB and the wires and the all the Pikes running through so it is it is coming along today they were finishing up the two doors out of the back boardroom those are installed and then the staff entrance uh put on the side installed and then on Monday they will be doing the final main entrance doorway will be installed so how is that building insulated as far as is it spray foam on the on the roof is there is there ceiling full ceiling there it's got batting or they're batting um so yeah and then the the drywall is all doubled too through the building as well so was interesting to watch on the drive wall they drywalled it so put the drywall up drywall on the outside but they also did it from the inside the second piece went on never never and also been the tornado anchors they it is looking much different moving along inside so um I learned checkpoints and kind of the curriculum instruction world uh we are working through checkpoint two so grades three through five have completed that second checkpoint grade 6 through eight uh will be completing theirs in the next couple weeks so I will say that we you join multiple schools in some frustration in the lack of the the data that is given the impex teaching it's also a change from what we're used to with whether it was NWA before I ready last year and and what we are used to there so um keeping fingers crossed and hoping uh it is a pilot year so hoping that through that year they're able to make that data a little more robust and and provide a little bit more for us as as we use that for our formative assessment so a lot of changes occurring over the next probably two years with the formative assessment from the state um kind of along the same lines uh second semester brings testing season and testing season gets kicked off in January with WEA so um that will begin January 13th and that window runs through February 28th and this is assessment for English language Learners so that will be underway beginning uh next week uh and HRS High reliability Summit uh High reliability School Summit with Marzano our certifications we have a team of Administrators and teachers that will be attending that Summit in late January in San Antonio we did attend that last year too um um and all of our K12 buildings will be recognized at this Summit for their level one certification so that'll be an exciting time for the the teams and and good recognition and all of our building's hard work and um what they're doing in the school so it'll be a great day to to celebrate um the good work that that our administrators and teachers are doing in the buildings that is your assistant superintendent report thank you Dr Bart superintendent rep Dr all right thank you Mrs Hall and Nicholson I got out of here pretty quick but that was wonderful good job truly appreciate your leadership here coming over here I think things are in a very positive place so truly appreciate that board and his board appreciation month so Tru appreciate you guys so enjoy your little sweets here healthy we got a little blend you know yeah so wherever you're at in your New Year's resolution right I already ate my cookies tomorrow is national like quit your resolution so that's good but definitely grateful for your dedication and thoughtful decision your questioning so is very important and exceptional leadership commitment truly embodies the values of the Athenian web and contributions are deeply valued in the educational instructional World um Dr Bart and I have sat in with some high school meetings talking about the new diploma and then had some coners ations with the middle school so really trying to make the best arrangement possible um which I as presented last month I believe we're in a really good place but now it's just trying to got the eyes across the teams and look at scheduling in those sort of things that how that works best those requirements will apply to next year's freshman or yes yes yes and we're going to try sof sores and you know we have some Juniors that we also think could get some of the seals so I think um yeah we're we're we're right size to be able to have the offering opportunities to go after those PR so um starting with principles I'm starting to have a conversations on Staffing for the upcoming year a lot of those things wait to so we start the conversation basically right now is you know what do you need what do you want what do you think you don't need which never comes from a principal um any positions that can be moved and then February 1st is Count Day and then that's when things really pick up so we'll try to get some things sketched out and I'll present a staffing report to you again this year um very positive news is that uh the month of February is going to be an insurance holiday for our health insurance plan um so our health insurance trust we've had a handful of good years in a row we did have an increase this year of% 2% but it's um but we are in a position though to have we have too much money now um which is good but Andrew and I were talking this morning why did we have an increase but now we're immediately doing this as well anybody who's in a health insurance trust had had bad days so I think it is definitely an area where everybody comes together and makes really like thoughtful conservative decisions so this is a great thing so our people who pay for their insurance um there are two paychecks in February they will not have any money pulled for their health insurance so w if you look on my notes you can see that you know for our single plan that can if you're on the health High deductible health plan to it's $22 but you Happ to be on the P1 the top program is $276 so and that of course goes all the way down to the the family plan where um you're looking from $59 to $1,200 it's a it's a good day um in the community we are trying to work through we were informed last night that we were involved in power school um database system that we use for our student that they did have a breach um so we are we when I say that's really Doug working helping figure some things out and then talking to other superintendents I mean power school is used across the world and um very large so we're working through that to try to get the information then we will report as needed so we have made contact with our insurance but I really think the most up will fall whoever carries the enormous plan for power scor so um and it has been reported that the FBI this data breach has been handled and deleted and taken care of but all new things right is teachers were trying to learn so um working with Roger isar DS engineering to kind of design a temporary gravel parking lot on the west side of the Tennis Courts and add some traditional batting cages so he'll have to work um kind of come up with a plan and help us go after some variances since you know it's kind of a temporary gravel parking but that'll be nice um reminders next board meeting is at hose on Thursday February 13th please take a chance to look at the January Oracle and I'm re reer I'm glad to be inter you all right thank youer any other business or member Communications Patron comments hearing none I would entertain a motion to adjourn so all in favor

for good evening we'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance I alance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for it stands one nation God indivisible with liy and justice for all like to welcome everyone and U remind everyone that this meeting is being live streamed and also recorded um I'll be presiding until the board president is elected since this is our organizational meeting so um beginning with oath of office Earl tager Chelsea Morrison and Pat Sullivan have already taken the oath of office um that was provided by Philip Marsh who's a notary public and that occurred earlier today conflict of interest form approval is the first item on our agenda then for a vote um asking for approval for conflict of interest for Travis and Lorie sheeper sove second um any discussion then all those in favor obain thank you um next up is compensation review um I would like to recommend $130 for regular meetings and $70 for other meetings those are are below the allowable amounts from the state so that's what I would recommend I'll second any discussion all those in favor and then now the floor will be open for any nominations for the office of President second so with that nomination I'm going to ask for any discussion and a call for a vote all those in favor say six and abstain I'm guessing abstain one all right and Amy I will happily turn it over to you so I I just want to really quickly um just say thank you to the board um for trusting me um um to continue to work as your president super excited about that I've lived in this community my entire life and um feel very passionate about about the public schools so thank you for that so next we'll move on to vice president we'll entertain a motion or a nomination for um the position of Vice President I'd like to nominate Cheryl that's nominated cherl do I have a second second second by Travis any discussion all those in favor six and one abstain um next we'll move on to position of secretary do I have a nomination for the position of secretary nominate I have a nomination for Pat Sullivan do I have a second second by Mary Lynn any discussion all those in favor six and one abstain one great thank you V for um your agreement to continue to serve in those positions um next we'll entertain a motion um to our Nikki do you w to I'd like to yeah um if I could recommend Philip Marsh as treasur and Mya fish vote as Deputy Treasurer okay so we'll entertain a motion to approve those um individuals as recommended so I have a a motion by Cheryl do I have a second second second by Pat any discussion all those in favor seven next um an appointment of executive secretary and I'd like to recommend Deb Johnson entertain a motion to accept Deb Johnson as executive secretary so moved have a motion by Pat do I have a second second by Chelsea any discussion all those in favor 70 um next we'll go down um to the board meeting schedule um board meeting schedule for the upcoming dates are in your packet asking for approval entertain a motion to approve those as presented motion by heral I have a second second by Chelsea any discussion all those in favor seven po next we'll go down to Legal councel I would like to recommend Jason Jud um continue as our local councel rain a motion to approve Jason Jud as councel so I have a motion by Cheryl do I have a second second by Pat any discussion all those in favor 70 um next we're going to jump down a little bit um we'll entertain a motion to authorize the president to appoint individual board members to committees or representatives to various organizations so I have a motion by Travis to add a second second Chelsea any discussion all those in favor seven so next we'll um go through the list of appointments um first we'll start with the isba legislative liaison we'll um appoint maryn Wickham to that position um next is isba policy liaison we'll appoint Pat solvant that position next down under committee appointments um we have four committees it's a few less than what we've had in the past um but we'll run through these very quickly essential Services committee representative um will appoint Cheryl to that position area plan commission appoint Travis North F and Redevelopment commission representative Pat Sullivan Jennings County Redevelopment commission representative we'll go back to share for those um committee appointments um next we'll entertain a motion to accept consent agenda items motion by Earl do I have a second second second by Pat any discussion all those in favor 70 um next we'll ask if anyone is present who would like to speak with any on any item that is on the agenda for any other topic hearing none we we move down to Old business Nikki Neola Poli yes asking for approval of these three Neola policies entertain a motion to accept those three NE policies I have a motion by Cheryl do I have a second second by Mary Lynn any discussion all those in favor 70 um next we'll go down to property yes I'd like to table the San Creek griffing project contract because we're verifying all the information the one encouraging thing I will tell the board is we the bids came in pable so very good s we have we had five bids that came in and because of a lot of competition I think it made it very favorable great good news so again although that item is on the agenda for S Creek Roofing um we will table that item we um at that at futuree um next we'll go down under new business and to recommendations under right yes I have um three recommendations I'm asking for approval please all three are to serve as Jennings County School Corporation nurses we first have Susan back then Lori uler and the last is Laney wolf we'll entertain a motion to accept those recommendations I have a motion by herl do I have a second second by Travis any discussion all those in favor 70 and if you you would allow me Susan's actually here with us tonight Susan back and we are so grateful to have her joining the team Kathy Heath is smiling very big behind her the director because to see those three names just makes her heart happy I know but Susan we have our tradition around here if you wouldn't mind we would love to welcome you to the family so if you would start over on this side we want to shake shake your hand and congratulate you so Mr EV girl start start conratulations welcome Susan's gonna start out working at the high school part of the day in [Music] mve I'm so glad to have you um so next we'll move down under finances down we have several donations yes we do so I'm asking board to approve the following donations Anonymous donation $1,000 to the archery program at Brush Creek Anonymous donation $100 for Brush Creek student snacks Shane Boswell and Donna Smith donated bus and Driver time for the National Honor Society visit to Autumn Trace that's again for Brush Creek Jenny's County Community Foundation $370 to classroom grants at Brush Creek for teachers step Stephan Pucket Jennifer George and Molly Crouch uh Anonymous donation of $300 to the Hayden student lunch assistance Jennings County food security Coalition $993 cents to the Hope food program bombars $200 to the high school FFA DAV Mar contractors $250 to the high school junior prom Jennings County pallets $1,000 for the winter formal at the high school Premier Sports Group $250 to The hurly Hooligans at the high school Joe and Karen Amman $75 to PBIS at the high school and Jenny's County Community Foundation $480 to classroom grants for cpio teachers Bola Davis and Casey Ernst we entertain a motion to accept those donations as read so move I have a motion by P do I have a second second second by Travis any discussion all those in favor seven v um next we have under relations and agreement yes asking for permission for an agreement for inclusive options to come into North Elementary and work with a student transitioning back from an Ava Center entertain a motion to approve so moved I have a motion by Cheryl do I have a second second second by Chelsea any discussion all those in favor seven of I think we're down under other we have enough I do I just have a celebration very exciting one so our graduation rate has been certified as official and it is 93.6% it is a proud day to be James County Panther that is an impressive 14% Improvement in two years of time and that has been the result of a lot of efforts of a lot of people that planning work that is school improvement work that is Staff kids and parents and a lot of school Improvement team efforts and they have really knocked it out of the park and we're excited about that so congratulations to that entire team and everyone um PK all the way to 12 who makes that difference so congratulations to the high school in the 93.6% well done here I wish they were here we could ask them to take a walk typically they are here um and um we will the board I would encourage everyone to reach out um again to the administrative staff at the high school um the um all of the staff not just Administration right all of them um who play an impact in making sure that we put kids first and this outcome is putting kids first so um thank you to the work that they do for sure um hearing nothing else entertain a motion to adourn I have a motion by Chelsea do I have a second second second by Pat all those in favor 7

e e they're muted maybe we can't hear them good evening everyone and welcome to the ashon planning board meeting of Thursday recording progress January 9th um I will call the meeting to order at 7:18 and please know that the meeting is being broadcast and recorded um first item on our agenda this evening is the clerk's report Kate that is you thank you madam chair we have received one correspondence since the last PL board meeting um that was the resignation of design review member um Kev okay great thank you and we will be um look probably you know diving into more that that in another meeting um filling trying to fill um design review um openings um next on the agenda is public comment um so this is obvious a time for general public comment if there's comments specifically related to an item on the agenda we would ask that you wait until we discuss that agenda item but um we will take public comment at this time uh Mark Sony you have your hand raised but okay thank you Mark Sony can can you hear me yes okay thank you um let's see I know it's not on the agenda and I really don't want to rehash a little bit but Tuesday night's meeting was not exactly great to uh talk about with the uh Main Street project but it kind of was not here to in the fs of everything and everybody was just everybody else talking about what it is and not having really sors enough time to participate but the citizens did come out did say stuff I was hoping there's going to be a lot more neither that neither here nor there for that um to the uh Mr Peter me mat check through the chair to him do you I sent a building comprehensive package out I don't know a couple weeks ago it's from the from the mass mass build ERS I think it was about comprehensive plan and um the building structures I still got it on my computer but I don't want to lose this connection I have here I sent it out to you the town Town manager and um our economic director it's about about building the Frameworks and the um economic procedures that can go with it with down the Ro in the future and that was going to be working with the uh the meal building we what this inside there or could be my idea is that it kind of should work together it's a long it's a long thing but I wanted to put it out there I wanted to come in and talk to everybody about it but they got push back and no no response from anybody so I think it's out there so that that's about it for that thank you right thank you Mark um next on our agenda is the public hearing for special permit this is for the Ashlin dog park if we remember um well we we will also be continuing the public hearing for the site plan review part of the dog park but first of all we're opening the public hearing for the special permit um Peter did you want to read that in or do you want me to read it in uh I'm happy to read you okay so I'm going say the Plenty board will hear the petition of the town of ashon requesting a special permit for chapter 282 section 5.8 site alteration special permit the as bence the application is proposing develop a dog park the dog park will be divided into two areas dependent on the dog's type a 16,000 foot large excuse me a 16,000 foot larger dogs Park in a 2,500 ft area for smaller dogs both areas will be properly divided by CH with chain link fencing chain link fencing will be surrounded into two areas with an appropriate entrance site plantings will be installed according to the proposed Landscaping plan the site will include a 16 car paved parking area and infiltration Basin with storm water controls the total area of the development will be 1 acre 1.47 acres and will provide community of ashin uh an additional recreational space for residents and pets the uh the property in question is located at zero MBTA MBTA access road which is now known as Memorial Drive um and the Assessor's map is 13 lot 138 the location uh is within the rail Transit zoning district with that said all data uh all information inquiries um could be sent to Peter and uh myself planning director and all uh material would to be viewed online I will hand it back to you okay so um we're opening that public hearing and I think we can is it appropriate Peter that I can um basically continue the public hearing for the site plan review at the same time correct we'll reopen the site plan review and then both will be open at the same time okay so we're both open because we're usually doing these things obviously simultan ously okay so we're kind of taking four and five um together so um when we met on December 19th um there were there was a little bit of confusion about several um parts of the documentation we had in front of us one of them was the um rice stone versus the gravel I think that has been clarified both in the design review comments of um revised document and the other one was um the date on the drawings which needed to be prior to the Conservation Commission date meeting because they approved those drawings at at that meeting so that is correct did I say that correctly yep that's correct okay so those items have been corrected did um Peter what was the what was the correction you sent out today you sent out new explain yesterday I so just to make note I did I did send a decision um well I was revising the decision and it came out that I had the wrong date for um on the plans for I know for the the pages c100 c200 and C300 on the decision de ision and I just updated those dates that was pointed out by Michael rner okay I do want to please note that assistant town man J ball is on the call and Michael rner Michael rner is the um the designer of the uh the park um and Michael Radner um was the one that has provided us with these plans that we have here tonight so if there are any questions I know Michael and Jen Ren on the call on the on the on the 19th however both are here to help answer any questions okay yeah and I would just ask um them as well as Yolanda who I also see is on the call that if there's in the in the um interest of being efficient with our process tonight if there's anything that you um hearing that seems inaccurate or feels that you needs U more of an explanation please just raise your hand so that we can address it right away um so I think the um I think the um task tonight is to just go through any um Corrections we have or modifications on both the um site permit approv special permit approval and the site plan review approval um I I believe Peter sent out in the in the case of the special permit he sent out only um the beginning part of that and not all the conditions at the end so that they would be put on if we wanted to make any corrections in the conditions we would make them on one document and copy them exactly onto the other document um as we've done before on some other projects so most of what is shown on um the special permit is are just the things that are different between the two documents so we would want to go through those um if there's any um changes in the criteria that people wanted to make and if there's any conditions um particularly special conditions that we wanted to add so um as special permit come first on the list why don't we start there with the special permit document the Patricia do you think it makes sense to ask um if does anybody have any questions on the the most recent site plan because I know Michael's here and maybe a good time just to to look at the this the site plan that was submitted sure we can we can ask that first if anyone has any questions before we go actually go into the document okay seeing No Hands we'll go into the document one minute I'm gon to pull I was ready to pull up that so we can go with the special permit yeah so I am on the special permit um and um I am at the point where uh the facts and findings so if anyone has anything before the facts and findings on the special permit um which I believe would be also the same list that's on the site plan review um just let me know and we'll back up further um I do just because on the cover I it seems like did you start saying we're going to continue both of these tonight or are we voting no um I was I was saying that um the I was opening the continued public hearing Y for the site plan review so so one of them is new and one of them is continued from last time but we're talking about them basically all together as we typically would for a site plan reviews special permit does that make sense uh yeah okay does that answer your question or um I just yeah I just wanted to make sure like the notice part because like one was noticed later that um so when you repu when it got republished on December 30th that also was like republishing for the special special permit not just the site plan no we we were only republishing for the special permit we were only posting for the special permit which had not been out so the that's what I I on the third one two three fourth paragraph on the very first page okay it might it might say that and just be confusing the way I read it because that's why I got conf confused oh so you're saying the public hearing well so the the continuances weren't published for December 30th nor was the public hearing for this part I it might be just the way I'm reading it but it um oh well um because this one if um yeah so that's always we vot tonight there's no continues so I but it's also didn't get published on December 30th for the special permit is what Trish just said but it might be just the way I'm reading I I'm a little confused that's all and I don't think it's a big deal but we just have to get that right yeah I'm not sure when they got published I I was making a comment on that notice in the paper was December 30 okay but for the for the special permit because you originally I asked and you said no it was for the site plan and we're on the special permit right now correct the site plan is going to have different dates yeah so Pete I think what I think what Kate's just saying is just remove continuances because you didn't you didn't the public hearing wasn't noticed in those two dates the continuances happened as the separate part and so those two dates won't add like if they looked at the uh legal ad it wouldn't had said anything about the site plan so I think if we just remove that yeah okay but so the December 30th said I'm I'm noticing you for this special permit and site plan or only site just a special permit oh okay the special permit notice happen now that's okay I had it backwards that's what yep okay but I think it was J was correct if we just say the public hearing was H per saying to the notice published in and obviously tonight is the public heant for the special permit and if we did continue the special permit tonight we would want that phrase back in there yes correct 100% okay all right so so now let me know if there's anything else on the documents of record um page up until facts and findings does anyone have anything that they need to review on that and Michael please jump in you are co-host you concur with these dates that's correct good evening everybody thank you Yep looks good thank you I mean this might be a little picky but on the design review comments um it's uh I it just has um December 13th and then December 19th and the other ones have like the year so I feel like it should just probably be consistent does that work for you Kate yep okay jumping down to facts and findings so the first obviously the location in use is just the location use is basically out of the um the listing we added Point C there to explain what the special permit why there was a special permit um for this project um and then sustainability it's just our what we typically put um typically put in an approval um to explain that that that part of what we do according to our checklist and then it just goes into um the criteria for a special permit do people want to go through these one by one I can read them off or has everyone had a chance to read them on our own and that would be redundant I read them when when when they were sent so I'm I'm good I'm good as well Kon Amanda do you have any changes or anything you want to look at more closely nope I'm good I I'm good okay so um so in that case we kind of um leave them the the the front information of the special permit let's go over to the front information of the site plan review document and that then also has the conditions listed which will be the same conditions for both projects all right here we go right so so there's that same um public hearing and continuances line which is are different than the site plan than the special permit document um and then as we go into the documents of record um um can we go on that first so the it's like the second sentence in the last paragraph of the first page I don't recall Us closing the public hearing at our meetings because I thought um in fact we probably couldn't have because we were asking questions so I think I'm probably right it's um oh I must be looking at an old one because it I just I just changed that was y I was it's okay no I am looking at the okay so you changed it since you sent that because I was like all right good uh yeah okay and then we need to change that letter I again no I think it's still coming um yeah at the bottom um for the design preview comments submitted to planning board 3rd or 13th the G1 says the comments are submitted to planning board on Third and does this mean that 13th the applicants submit a response is that what the date is um the original I think the original is isn't there an original date on the document as December 13th or is that the you're still talking about the design review comment yeah the one on G and I have December 3 and December 13th so design review comment submitted to the planning board on on December 3rd and then the applicant response he has for December 13th and revised on December 19th so the original date is that the correct language there December it was December 3D so that says third but the I one says December 13th so the review comments came in on December 3rd but the applicant submitted responses on 13th is that how this should be read correct right right so what's the original date refering to the or date that the design Review Committee gave us their original document versus the original date of the response was the 13th and then they revised the response on the 19th you you you have an extra Ed in there that you're trying to get rid of there Peter you have two EDS there you go been a long week does that answer your question DEA yeah I wonder if you need that original date that phrase at all there oh just take confusing it's just confusing so just take out on I original date yeah just those to I don't know if anybody else thought yeah it doesn't matter if if you think it's clear it's fine with me take out original date they might you might keep a date I guess yeah I say holding a date of yeah but maybe original um you may want to copy this on the other page as well I'll have it I'll take care of it thank you okay okay so then this uh we didn't we originally didn't have and I'm not sure so should the should the line about the special permit I guess should be included on both documents so that you can see how they're related does that make sense I guess it makes sense because you always need the site plan review you don't always need a special permit that's correct yeah okay I think that makes sense to have it in both places all right then these are the criteria I cannot remember if we went through some of these in the last meeting um I don't think so but we have them to read but on one the last sentence the Ashlin Conservation Commission on December 9th approved in order of conditions for the proposed project so we probably should put the year but um do we should we also refer to that in one of the documents or is that just sort of like a I'm I'm telling you what happened I I I don't know that I care I just that we mention it one way or another because it it to me it seems a little odd a document shows up here not in the document list but I'm not sure it matters so the documents of record um maybe it should be there maybe not um we wouldn't I would say we normally wouldn't put the conservation unless it was you know but I think what we're doing was we're telling the story we're stating fact okay that's fine I one comment in here is that under item four just to have a a note that this is where we mentioned about the tree caliper of less than four inches actually I think we maybe we did go through this because I think Kate changed that wording um to make to make it read better and less than 4 in yeah of less than 4 in can be removed and which is also it's also a part of the um I don't demolition landscape drawing is it um I don't remember what it's or demolition civil drawing yes Yolanda has her hand raised oh Yolanda please so if I understand this correctly that means any tree that is larger than 4 in around has to remain that's just in the um that's is in the area um deplick it on the side plan yeah we can we can look on the side plan it's not over the whole dog park it's only can I jump can I jump in please Michael Yolanda that's just the area of the trees where we're keeping the trees at the back of the oh okay okay thank you sorry I panicked a little and it and it shows on a drawing c100 you want me to say showing on draw and C 100 I think that's not a bad idea to make sure that um but I don't know that it's 100% necessary yeah to call it out to write that in the here yeah I don't think we need to we we haven't done that before to start calling out specific drawings right no the only thing is people seem to be confused about the war and greater remain and where but I think maybe we just Pi in the conditions make sure that's well spelled out I guess if it's on the drawings it should be fine so we can take a look at it where where it is on the drawings I I saw I saw it earlier are you bringing those up Peter yep I can bring them up okay minute up one Pete y see 100 thank you Michael so as you can see um sorry I'm trying to zoom in a little bit the note right in the middle you're right there yep so it's the whole shaded area that's remove underbrush and trees less Forin caliper map trees oh sorry map M&P which is maintain and protect trees greater than 4in caliber got it not quite large enough for me to read yeah thank you okay G to stop the share and go back to the decision okay all right we're back here so if if everyone's had a chance to read these and please tell me if you haven't um but if there's any other changes to the criteria um let's take a look at those at this time that's 1 through 12 of the site plan review criteria and if if not if everyone thinks they're good we'll look at the conditions okay all right um then in terms of the conditions obviously um everything most of this is standard um I did have a few just two actually [Music] um um potential comments for special conditions um and there were there were things that we had talked about that I'm not sure are in the the drawings or documents anywhere but please correct me if they're there and I haven't seen them one is about the signage that um that we had talked about the signage I think on December 5th and Michael had said and Michael and Jen had both had said Yep this is just kind of a placeholder we will um they talked about um having doing a a fi a review of the signage for size text and Graphics to be determined and so I didn't I didn't see that um I didn't see that noted in the drawings so it's probably should be a condition that the signage will just be looked at um at a later date so that would be a new putting under special project conditions so that would be condition one do you want signage yeah signage and then colon and I would say um final signage will be reviewed for size text and Graphics um before before Implement prior to implementation or prior to construction I installation that's fine okay who who are we asking to review that the planning board or I think that probably do yeah I I assume the planning board just like this like we had 100 Chestnut Street uh will be submitted for review and approval to the planning sounds good final sign AG will be submitted for review final signage will be submitted for review and approval by the planning board Trisha I just wanted to just clarify one thing um we were sort of talking just because the the time frame we have to receive the Stanton Grant and obviously the um Dog Bar committee will be working probably on the sign a little bit um we were likely do that as sort of a second phase so just didn't want people you know we'll probably go to bid and and start working and in sort of in parallel where we'll be working on the sign and the language that we'll bring back to you guys but it willon part of the we might not even do it as part of the contract just sort of just in terms of timing um because I think you know we're sort of right at that end that tail end and we need to go to bed pretty soon and so I just didn't want you to think if you start to see movement that we sort of forgot about that piece just are aware yeah we hope to see movement people are excited yeah for sure SOA says just prior like prior to installation um and obviously that would make sense to have it prior to ordering yeah um uh that should you know should you know cover it um okay great um that be an informal review so you're not advertising a public hearing I would think I don't yeah staff review or design Review Committee review I don't think we didn't need to open anything for 100 Chestnut Street to review signage right Peter yeah it was just agenda item on a typical planning board meeting yeah so um uh obviously Michael I've been I think the pl board knows I've been working with you in Jen and uh you know when I was I actually took a picture of the dog park sign I visited down in Florida and I know Michael has pictures and examples of dog park uh rules and regulations and signage so I think we have it pretty well covered but if you can go back to that item Peter um I think we needed to add uh by the to the pl review and approval to the planning board oh okay by the play that's fine yeah yeah okay and then the second any any reworks of that sound okay the second thing I noted um from December 5th was and and we might maybe want to look at the um the site plan is that we had talked about um where the crosswalk was um adding in um potentially saving or adding in a tree or a boulder or other natural features where it seemed like there was more just a a a grassy area and um I didn't know if we wanted to put that in I know I know more plants were added um from the when from the time that original comment was made um do you have that easy to bring up it seems like it was it was a discussion we were having about what might go there um I think I think Kate had mentioned perhaps an extra tree um someone had or or maybe were maybe maintaining more trees that were already there um Marcelo then said hey if there's any of these Boulders that would make they could go there that would make it look more natural or if they're already existing in that location let me bring up the site plane you're asking for the S plan again correct and those those are the only two things I had after kind of reviewing our December 5th um meeting which is kind of where we got in depth about those things correct me if I'm wrong um and I got a lot of things on my screen right now but it was in the area right where my uh yes and there's CS color if you can go to the landscape plan with color I think it's down there a little bit Yeah there that one there we go right so y right in that area we we added some large shrubs along the right side there to kind of give a little more buffer and and we we expanded The Edge the clearing um to the left so there's retained more of that vegetation there okay right so we did we did respond to that got it so maybe it doesn't um I I did note the vegetation put in there I I didn't um notice that the tree line had come closer um does the board is the board happy with where it's at I sounds like it's good the way it is Marcel yeah no I I I think it's fine I think the comment that that Kate had made as I remember it was uh kind of right right adjacent to to to the driveway uh but but keeping you know visibility between the walkway and the driveway seems like a good idea yeah okay I'm I'm good with that too I just wanted to make those two notes that I had picked up from the earlier meeting is a lighting plan applicable for this project I'm I'm sorry Deepa can youe a lighting plan I don't think there is any lighting should there be lighting I think it's a daytime only facility so there is timing that we defining here so as part of the as part of as part of the rule sign just like our other open space that we have you know um like mil Pond Park it'll be just you know it won't be open in evening okay and when we say open it I mean there's no gate on the driver no it's just a sign that says it's closed yeah just like you know all of our other spaces and we have a location for the signage because I see in your drawings there is like a placeholder for the signage in the drawings is there a location that is marked I defer to Michael I don't are you referring to the rules signage so on um what drawing sheet is this this on the last drawing page or no so this is L 6.2 yeah the one on the right hand top Corner yeah that that is the only sign that we have and where is that at the location that Peter was just pointing at at the entrance to the Gated and there's going to be no light even in for that location correct yeah it's going to be right here deeper between the two doors so this door will be the door right here will be the smaller Park door here is the larger Park and the sign will be here right outside of the uh the fening sort of similar when you go to mil Pond Park the rule sign is actually in the park that's says it's you know and I think there's prob I think there's one at Stone Park or there was at one point but so it's not about being a sign on the street directing people in it's a sign about explaining the rules once you're there okay is that is that good de anything thank you yeah okay all right I think we can go back to the conditions and that is all the notes I had on the conditions um did anyone else have anything else changes that they would like to make going once going twice okay um if that is the case um that is the case I will um pause just I will open it for public comment for this particular agenda item as we have one member of the public this is for you well I guess Yolanda is also a member of the public but all right Mark you have a comment uh Mark you have been asked to unmute there you go than I'll okay it's took a pretty good amount of time and I was on the fence about this at the beginning still thinking about town DPW that Town workers and all that for the winter but how will this park be hourly timed if it's daytime hours what's the hours and is there going to be some sort of alarm system in case anything everybody tries to break in that's it trishy do you want me to take that yes please so um mark it won't be it won't be necessarily locked it's going to be like other sort of um I mean there's nothing necessarily to break into it's going to be an open space sort of Park um and so um it will be very similar to the Riverwalk or milpond park or Marathon Park which has signs that say you know that this is only open during the daytime hours and obviously that changes based on the time of year um and so it is a little bit self- policing the committee um has been working with the Town um and they will sort of help self- police um and in in terms of you know making sure everybody uh keeps the park once it's built um in good condition so very similar to our other Open Spaces we're we're approaching that um that way I assume I assume it just gives um it just gives um authority to the Ashton police to ask people to leave if they're there after Sunset say yes and yes so if if somebody is driving by and they notice that there's you know several people in the park that certainly gives them um you know some authority to have a conversation about you know or letting them know that it's not open and then having a conversation so thank you all right if there's no other comments um I will entertain a motion um to close the public hearing can I do it at the same time Peter uh typically be for this one I think it's the safe to play it is two separate motions separ we just break them apart a motion to close the [Music] um the site plan approval well I guess the special permit because we we did that one first I make a motion to close the site plan approval for zero Memorial Drive so we're closing the public hearing is there a second second and a roll call vote keep I Marcel I cther Jersey I and Trisha Kendall I um so the public hearing is now closed is there are there any further comments by the planning board Trisha this was just for the special permit right because I believe I was not at the meeting at the second meeting for the S plan review so yes this was just for the special permit voting on that one yes okay correct I'm going to I'll I'll explain that in a little bit so yeah so just for the special permit um seeing no other conversations um do I have a motion regarding the special permit approval I make a motion that we approve the special permanent approval for zero Memorial Drive is there a second I'll second an Marcel I Jers and Trisha Kendall I oh and I guess uh Amanda you could vote on this one this is the only hearing with special permit open right and it's a special permit which you can vote on Amanda ha all right so that is five z z um so that is approved turning to the site plan approval um we will be looking for a motion to close the public hearing I make a motion that we close the public hearing for the site plan review for zero Memorial Drive um is there a second second and a roll call vote the Jers K and Trisha Kendall I so I guess this just the three of us right all right and then we will so the public hearing is now closed I assume there is no more comments from the board then we will look for a a motion for approval for the site plan site plan review I make a motion that the planning board approved site plan approval application zero Memorial Drive and a second second and roll call vote Depot and getai passengers a guy and Trisha Kendall ey so all we need is three for that one so that is approved and I think we're done with the dog Park so thank you and congratulations thanks very much thank you everybody we look forward to it thanks so much thank you all right next on our agenda oh so um Peter do you want to give oh yeah I'm going to text Anna it sounds like a text I've um I don't think she's going to be able to um she sent me a text that she does not think she can get the logistics to work and she'll be able to come on why don't you send her the text anyway just so she knows okay in case that has changed um but next on our agenda is um a just a general discussion well a little more than a general discussion of the accessory dwelling units um basically um we have the draft regulations the state is asking for um any input we have on that um and those comments unfortunately are due tomorrow if we do have any comments um on the draft regulations Anna had sent out the documents um her documents and focusing on um focusing on the on five issues isues that the state was particularly looking for comments on um I don't know how um where everyone is in reading this material I I read it but it it my my my takeaway was that uh um Anna was suggesting that there's a um a guideline based on what NAC is doing or I think did I don't know if they approved it and an was making suggestions to to modify a little bit the the porer and this and this and that um what was that also for for feedback to the state because it sounded more that that that was more for internally for ashin to to to develop the regulations I I actually had a call with Anna shortly before um just before this meeting actually um so that she could try she didn't know if she would be able to to meet with us so to try to make her documents more clear and so I do think the the nitic example that she gave was just something that we later um later might follow she in her document and her Memo that she sent us um after the feedback to the state um she talks about the you know drafting an Ashlin bylaw you know which we'll need to do that brings us into compliance with the state so I think she was looking at this the natic information she was giving it to us but she was looking at that more of hey in the future when we Draft when we draft this this is something we could look at yeah that's how that's how I understood it okay yeah so that in has outlined and Peter do you did you have anything to add to this because I know you had talked to me about like some of these different um things that the state the questions that the state has and you've been going to several different uh seminars and webinars about this did you have anything you wanted to add about you know I I think from I you know I've been talking I've been going to kind of seminars about this you're right and uh I think you know talking to town folks I think we're all kind of looking at it there's some of us that look at from a from a land use perspective I think a lot of some of us are looking at from a from a infrastructural connections issue right so and then my other thing my my component kind of revolves around if and and I don't think it's been ironed out and so the one comment I'm going to make to the to the to the regulations are is to make sure that um the the item regarding ownership right is kind of ironed out within the regulations because if you're allowed to do Adu or build Adu buy right on your house the question comes down to are you allowed to sell that Adu right so in that instance then you're having you're having you would have one principal structure you would have allowable Abu but could then the homeowner make a cond miniz each right and then who is responsible for the infrastructure on that site I think that's one of the components that I think needs to be ironed out and I think that also comes down to uh the conversation regarding infrastructure how do you tap in or how do you pull the sewer in the water um from the principal structure to a Adu that's not attached right I think you know talking to the DPW is that they would rather let um the connection from the principal structure be extended to the Adu to limit the number of caps right in their cutins or teac cuts that you would have on the main trunk line of a sewer going up and down the street right each cut each tab is a point of weakness right and so once that sewer line is into the principal structure I think it's the DPW standpoint to say okay let's extend that sewer line to the to to the edu structure um and limit the exposure of a of a failure point on the roadway right so I think ownership kind of can come down to okay responsibility um where that who who owns that sewer line um how do that sewer line get fixed if there's an issue and then also water meters I personally think you know in in speaking with DPW is that um each address right because assessor dwelling unit is going to have its own address each address should have its own meter right and so uh for a billing standpoint right so I think just from a mechanical standpoint of how these are um implemented I think just those are some of the the comments that I I I am going to I I have which are fairly simple um and and I think more infrastructurally kind of based um but I I think my major overall comment is the regulations have to iron out ownership and is it possible for somebody to sell a Adu that's on their start on a lot right um and if you can what are the item what are the legal documentations that you have to put in place is it easement is a is it a homeown Association um regarding obviously maintenance of that property so that's just one of the questions that I have and you know that that I think the regulations have to clearly um State um as as we move into this as we open this door of Adu by and I would say so if we're if we're generating kind of um comments like I said we have to put these comments these have to be sent to the state tomorrow so Peter was looking at just a simple bullet pointed list it's just feedback right it's nothing you know um so but it seems like it would just be a comment that that adus should not be sellable separate from the main dwelling I'm mean I don't I think they should be a rental like you didn't it sounds like extremely complicated when you start to get into now is this property considered a two family is the Lots big enough to have two um so I I wouldn't want to go down that road at all I would want to be like that our comment should be that adus are not allowed to be sold separate from separate from the main dwelling I never even considered that that would be an issue so I I agree and and doesn't seem possible isn't it because the registry of deeds they would have to be a separate parcel with the deed and have to be a compliant parcel I think the intent of the adus is to have a small structure that is um in in in in its installation um subservient to the main structure and and and and that's where I I would I don't understand why the DPW would want to have a separate water meter or the water department water meter for the small structure it seems more straightforward that all the all all the utilities would be charged to the to the address and then the owner would have to figure out how to you know charge the the renter accordingly because I I I think the the address is the same I guess that's it was in Anna's memo it's it's kind of a if the address is 21 something the Ado would be 21A but it's the same address so I I wonder for for for items of infrastructure or for the mail I was thinking that this that that I would use the same inlets that that parcel has and even the same mailbox so I don't know if the if the postmaster is going to work require a separate mailbox for that unit as well I think mail is easy easily separated and probably should be because of privacy but I don't know about the water in the sewer it certainly makes sense the dpw's concern about fewer fewer TAPS in so right now I think it I did read it but it was a while ago I don't think they talked about utilities so is our ask of the state basically to to not make um to leave that to the towns to make sure that it's or silent and then it would be left to us yeah I guess the states ask I think that's a good way to put it yeah like remain silent on utility connections let the towns but I think the ownership is a great catch and I think that we we should recommend that it's not even I mean to the point to conduis you start I don't know maybe if that works but that seems um raising more issues but so we could say we to stay as one parcel one ownership and then ask them to investigate the conding guess I wouldn't want them to investigate the no well but you'd rather them investigate and come the decision then then um become back to Ashland I think because we'll spend a lot of money on legal try to figure that out like the utility we won't we'll talk to the DPW we'll come up with something reasonable but um we would otherwise have to try to prohibit it in Ashland so yeah I mean it's not in there now I guess it would just be like having a bullet point that says ashon does ashon planning board does not support um separate ownership of the dwellings on the property we don't but that we don't control that so if the state makes the rule they would we do not control condo ising at planning board that I know of right that's all I'm saying nor nor separate right but they're just asking for feedback they're not asking us to make a policy oh I see I thought you were talking about when we got to Ashlin in our bylaws yes no no I think first things first it's just feedback to the state yeah perfect yeah I thought you were talking about us and I was like that's going to be a tough one but everyone kind of agrees I assume that we they should be rental units and not and not condos and as an Adu like to me that defeats the whole purpose of an Adu like it's it's not intended to be a condo so that's a different kind of a different animal um okay so that would be one point Peter so the utility connections our Viewpoint would would say that the the state should leave that up to the communities about about utility connections is that a great sound okay um the other one um these are a little bit out of order for going back to number one it was pre-existing non-conformities how are pre-existing non-conformities how they should be addressed um and just for does everyone the non-architects understand what a pre-existing non-conformity is in terms of so basically basically if you um if you have a lot and your lot is UND sized according to the current bylaws or if your house doesn't meet the current setbacks that are under the current bylaws perhaps your house was built earlier than those bylaws your house exists but it's non-conforming so to me this question was about like how do you deal with that um so non-conformities come up all the time in in dealing with additions and things the typical way to deal with an the typical way that towns deal with non-conformities and there are some VAR in some variation in that is that um as long as the addition does not increase the non-conformity they allow it to happen you know so say you have an addition and you're you only have a 12 foot setback but it's supposed to be 15 you're generally allowed to kind of continue the line of the house or you're allowed to build right above it even though you're already non-conforming so you know so the question would be do we think the a does the Adu can they continue the non-conformity as long as you don't make you don't increase the non-conformity or know the Adu should follow the setbacks so even though the house may be located at 12 feet the setback is 15 feet the Adu would have to be at 15 feet that's I think that's the question they're asking I mean I think that it it should follow like obviously it's allowed but I'm in one of those neighborhoods and and I I know the impact if the uh non-conform ities can be increased um it very much I you can drive around with shum if you want to see what that would look like um and I and there are other neighborhoods in Ashland um so there's lots that could have an Adu without increasing that so my I guess the general position is I believe the non-conforming should be able to have it I think by the state law they are or is that one they're saying they're still batting around but they should not it should have to I think that that's say I think I read that that the the independent structure if it's independent should confirm to the zoning yes that's that would that that straightforwardly suggests that you cannot build your Adu and kind of Grandfather the non-conformity of setback that your house may have in other words you need to be able to place it in in in accordance to the zoning setbacks yeah so right so is the question overall a non-conforming lot is allowed but it has to meet the setbacks that's that that's what I would I think that's the I guess I think that's kind of the safer way to go right now um that yes the Adu is allowed on a non-conforming lot but it needs to meet the setbacks um that seems to me it's kind of it's kind of safe and um in speaking for Anna I think in in her text like she's looking at like maybe more maximizing housing um and so maybe she would be on a little bit on the other side of that like wanting to stay that they could just not increase the non-conformity but um I I feel a little bit more like testing the waters first um especially maybe in small neighborhoods where those um you know those that that those side that um setbacks aren't big to begin with you know I I agree and and I would say that the the beginning the The Point of Departure should be a little bit on the conservative side uh because otherwise you would see like I I don't know exactly I'm not fully aware of of Kate's neighborhood but from what Kate's saying that if you start kind of getting loose on on on the minimums I think a lot of neighborhoods would likely get you know destroyed or or completely U ruined by by by a full array of non-conforming structures I don't think that would be positive for anybody I mean what do you think Kate you does that does that align with what you were talking about in yeah I think I mean I like the Adu and I I'm glad that the state just did it because we had talked about changing ours but we we were conservative as well so it forced us so I think it gives the ability and it does obviously with a non-conforming lot has less chances it might not but that you know that's sort of um I think to be buyer beware on that at some point but I think I mean just thinking about my neighborhood there's still lots of places that could easily have one but not um in their backyard and I think they'd meet the setbacks and it would be small right right so so they would encroach on their neighbors anymore right um then they're allowed to even put an addition on but yeah instead of a pool they put an Adu right we're all good yeah right so Peter did you kind of so that would be so in terms of non-conformities we would be looking at suggesting that I think it's the follow the zoning the zoning the existing zoning setback yeah that that uh a non-conforming lot is eligible for an Adu but needs to follow needs to follow the the Zoning for for setbacks yeah and then I think the Second Step the state staying is also is a non-conforming structure right and so and I think in this Essence in this tone is that is that the state is saying these are allowed by right right no special permits however if you do an addition right on a and you're extending the pre-existing non-conformity of a structure right then you're looking at a special permit and so when you extend the pre-existing nonconformity of a structure and and say this is a house is trying to build the edu as an addition should that follow the special permit criteria of an extension of a pre-existing non-conforming structure yeah but itone yeah okay um and I think I think that's the approach I I'm hearing is that we should if you are extending a pre-existing nonconforming structure then that's going to trigger a special T right which should be heard by the town there should be a public hearing which will go to the zon board of appeals um and then move through that typical 48 process that the 40 that that the zoning board obviously kind of takes care take takes is is that what everyone is is that what I'm hearing from I feel like that's a way to get around Zoning for an addition um so I there must be a way to be tighter about that you know yeah I mean it can be the same it can be just that you have to meet the you know no matter what kind of Adu you're putting on whether it's attached to the house or not attached to the house you have to meet yeah I don't understand why we wouldn't you know as a base like our our zoning is pretty clear we don't ask for 40 foot setbacks we have so I think the give is yes please build one on your non-conforming lot if you can fit it into our regular zoning right but I feel like the I well I just know what can happen I I got an addition that I wouldn't have been able to have and and it won't be enforcable right by anyone because you're not going to go in their house and see who's living there and if there's two mailboxes so you're saying to to keep it conservative yeah so there is no you don't need there is no going to um a special permit process it's just that you would suggest it has to be within the setbacks yeah so we we we're giving a lot plenty and I think we should on you're allowing the non-conforming lot okay but then but then this just thinking about it then this triggers um some Gray Zone because let's say that you you have your house you're not building an Adu but you're building a a new family room and it's non-conforming structure would you go to you you would go through a special permit and and and most likely you say you know what I'm not making it worse but but but I have to follow the lines of the house because it's the living room so how do you differentiate then if somebody says yeah I I am building uh a a living room and on top of it there's an Adu and and they're both going to be within the same you know envelope I mean I I if you lived in my neighborhood you'd be pretty sensitive about it is all I can say without without saying too much more because I can take your tour and show you but that could happen I think I think it's It's tricky because because I think in principle yeah the should follow the zoning zbs and I think that's how the state or originally stated um but the the tricky part is when it's not an independent structure but an attached Adu and then your house is nonconforming so then then you you end up getting neighborhoods maybe like like like yours based on what you're saying that people are going to start really you know putting all kinds of structures and and completely redefine the profile of the street I I don't know whether that if you have one of those um houses on that non-conforming lot and build you can always you can typically always go up and get what you want right without encroaching upon agreed upon um setbacks yeah if you if you're not adding it if you're just going up yes but right so that's what I'm saying me people have a way I don't I don't think we should restrict people a way of doing it but I think there are ways so if you if you open the door that leads to ways that people could get something next to them that they were not planning on yeah I agree that I mean that's that that was my concern being with I think we can take the conservative approach again it's this these are just comments to the state they're not you know not regulations ration at this point so um okay so that was non-conforming um the next question from the state was dimensional standards how to apply standards to enable Adu Construction I'm not even sure I'm not even sure what they that means because standards 900 square feet or half this footprint of the house whichever is smaller ventional standards um yeah I'm not I'm I'm not really sure what isn't that referring to to the setbacks I I think so I think that's referring to the in my the way I interpreted that that's referring to the setbacks and height Building height things like that setbacks Building height I think um obviously right now should there be a building height on Accessory dwelling right um you know and and should we kind of put it in the regulations should it in the regulations I think I think that's what it comes down to um I guess in all these questions all these questions there's about um you know you can take the question either hey I want the state to decide or I want Ashen to decide right or it can be giving actual real feedback like how we think the regulation should be for everybody right for all towns you know type of thing which is I think kind of what we're doing with um with the non-conforming non-conforming and giving actual advice it's more like we kind of think everyone should do this this way but the sewer connection it's like doesn't really have a visual impact so maybe maybe the towns can just decide for themselves how they want the sewer in the water you know to work do do you guys know what I'm saying like how there's kind of two different systems here so I think in an's she talks about it just being the standards being under local control which they are you know if you're if you're saying that hey it just has to it has to meet the setbacks well we control the setbacks you know so the other two questions are about oh one is the addresses I I really have no strong opinion about how they're about how they're lab that matters about the address is for the purposes of mail yeah we ask the post office can we say Ashlin ashin recommends you talk to the post office yeah I to me yeah really it really doesn't matter I don't I don't care um I think that one Doug The Building Commissioner was kind of talking that one through from a building standpoint addressing however but I don't know Peter what what I don't know if and I don't remember if it's already on the state bylaws but how about curb Cuts uh we're going to require parking um then how how how strict is going to be the requirement for let let's say that the the unit is kind of on the side of the house but they don't want to share the driveway they want to put a new driveway for that a then you if if if that is not regulated that then you end up with um number of Cur curb Cuts everywhere that could be that could be complicated for for a street the sidewalks and whatever whereas if the curb cut is the original one for the house and they have to kind of a parking spot kind of internal to the property then that's a different story yeah really it should be sh a shared it should be a shared curb a shared driveway um with the principal structure that that would be my preference from the urban planning point of view I think I agree with you 100 I agree with you 100% And I think also it makes sense especially if you're well I know in act if you have a Scenic Way you're a Scenic Road you're only allowed one curb TI you know and because you're trying to obviously cut down on yes but you just highlighted uh marel um but that can be a that can be a good that's a great um Point yeah I think it isn't it doesn't fit under anything else that I even I don't see them even commenting on it in the regulations so the um is there any reason to talk to the uh Public Service um police and fire about the address like if they have something they prefer that's helpful to guide I I don't know I mean I'm just um wondering if they have any if we should ask them at least yeah about uh 911 calls things like that like how do you know it's in their main residence or in the accessory dwelling unit you know it's just some way immediate I guess this with with this like keeping something simple a is sort of a accessory maybe but I I mean I just maybe maybe they like two then it has to go to one and two for mail I mean I don't know but it might be worth asking if there's something that's helpful well and it's not like we have to get have all the answers we could just note that are there any public safety concerns to address yeah addressing access that's true you know they it should address public and safety concerns emergency um location yeah yeah location so really emergency response yeah yeah emergency response is the most important thing maybe yep and then the other one was fee and charges application and calculation of impact Fe fees and utility connection charges so apparently wondering I think the question was um see if I still have this up online I don't know if I do um I don't think they do oh wait no it was about um that towns can charge some kind of fees are you aware of that Peter so so we typically don't I I mean we do charge obviously connection fees um you know connection fees from our M from our DPW uh DPW standpoint I think you know I think if we and that typically is is is is factored in on if it's a me is involved right a new meter a new panel from electrical standpoint um and I think the answer is yes right if you're going to expand the the usage of that house if you're going to add a meter the DPW there's going to be inspections X Y and Z that need to be plugged in and what kind of plan for so I think from a DPW standpoint uh some of the fees yes would have to be kind of charged for the development of the Ed so I guess that I guess maybe the bottom line is ashin should each Town should be able to set their own fees you know say relative to the yeah what's you know a fean you know Sherburn might be different than a fan Ashland let's say yeah and I think the biggest thing is obviously making sure they're not exate right they're not they're not making a negative effect perative yeah correct they're not perim uh they're not of negatively affecting the one's access to develop AB uh that's my take when I kind of when I read that that that one line and that one B point on on the town's on on the state letter and is there anything else we we want to add to that I mean to the that jumped out at anyone with the feedback I'm kind of looking at like that Peter's going to have to put together a little a bullet list that maybe he can send out in the morning FR any corrections or tweaks on it but I think that's the only thing we can get out there because it has to be submitted before probably end of the day tomorrow right Peter I he has to be submitted and and and trust me I heard it from a lot of people the timing of this was not the best obviously the uh I think the state issued everything on December 10th and then there was the two weeks of of of some some webinars um and then obviously the Christmas holiday that the Christmas the New Year's the you know the holidays were here right and then obviously walking back into it uh last week I know a lot of people had off and then uh and then this week the comments were due so I think we've done our best and and I think a lot of the comments that I'm hearing these are a lot of the questions that have kind of been coming up um I know our Building Commissioner Doug went to the Metro us building uh building Commissioners meeting um and folks from the state were there as well right and I think they're still ironing out some of these matters um from a building code standpoint um from a from a and from a fire protection standpoint right if this is a separate site if this is this Adu is a structure um what is is there does there need to be a fire barrier um and and how does that kind of get worked in I think those are outside of the lines of zoning um and what we kind of look into but um from a planning perspective I think we we've done a pretty good job so Peter is this something that you can bullet point quickly in the morning or whatever and send out and then just uh anyone who has you know all I can say is that try try to check your email and have a few minutes to look it over and then maybe Peter and I in the afternoon can take all the comments if any and just summarize them as a way to you know just making sure the language of the bullet points not beefing anything up is clear before sending it in I think that's or if anyone else who wasn't that job I'm happy to hand it over but I assume everyone's kind of busy except Amanda she doesn't have anything to do no thank you I think it'd be great I think um like Anna got us a little bit focused and Peter's feedback and um it sounds like a pretty good list um I mean I guess I'll be honest if I had more time to think about it there might have been more but I think it's adequate to um show that we're engaged in thinking about it okay but we we'll be looking at sending something out in case you know we worded it you know um wrong so I just keep an eye out if even if people can give it a glance that would be great um okay so anything more on that topic obviously we'll be revisiting adus in a big way when it comes to actually writing rewriting our own bylaw but okay then can we just um before we just move on like I think Anna put a timeline that I mean I mean I think is probably a little aggressive but I think we should try to set a timeline in the next steps um so what'll happen is either we get busy with something else or it falls off the plate yeah I mean I guess in if um if there's someone who's willing to spearhead this effort then that's one thing otherwise we'll be waiting until the actual regulations come out I think Anna said that she might be willing to to work on it um but she's not here I don't want to actually just sign her up so um is we did we have a draft that Lisa me had sort of can we get that to kind of see how that lines up with Na and I've been looking at you know just some other um yeah I have a I have a I have a kind of a simple yeah graft I think we have I have one I can send that out I can circulate that so she marked up ours or we or is the plan to just completely say I deleted the existing I mean it might be easier instead of trying to get we we should try to make simple right yeah number one I know this pate is that the state is gonna give us a sample Bible right the state is going to provide all towns a sample bylaw okay and I think it's for us then to go from there so I think these regulations this law does go into effect February 2nd so they are going to in in my eye from what what I understand is they're going to turn turn these regulations around fairly quickly to allow towns to um to maneuver right and I don't think anyone's going to call a special time meeting for this but at least to give everybody the r of the road right so um however there was there was a couple towns that preemptively jumped yeah uh jumped into the pool per se and and made some changes into the bylaws and and I think I have a couple I have an example of those and and so I can I can send those out um but I think with the regulations being that are going to be turned around fairly quickly hope and I do know the state's going to provide a sample B okay that's cool so I I mean just off top of my head is that we should probably strike ours and and replace I think it's going to be simpler than trying to find it and then I like Anna's things about um kind of trying to get some of the other boards though weighing in so if we if some of those things maybe aren't under the planning board purview but it's you know 80% design but we never talked about the curb Cuts or sewer like how how does that does that have to be part of the bylaw or do we have to ask the select board to do regulations you know I I don't want to I don't want to um ignore even if it's not entirely under our perview um to get those things parallel coming along I just to answer that I think we're we're all going to have to kind of work together on right I think the DPW is you know know we're going to have to reach out to the DPW we're going to ask them you know what their thoughts are um and we can obviously reach out to the zoning board we decrees non conform whatever the regulations are right make sure we kind of nail those down and um and also kind of question you know the fire department and the building department I think uh I think it's going to be a team effort to obviously make the best bylaw um but I think the biggest thing is it kind of for us to put up the put in these recommend I mean these comments and and see what this comes backward good yeah so um so we'll put in the the comments and [Music] then you know you you said Doug is working on this and DPW is obviously aware so um I I think that I guess it's just making sure the select board is also aware do you know if they are as well I believe so I think they are aware of uh what this is I think obviously NBTA was the big lift running into obviously November yeahum and then Christmas game so I think uh they are aware uh I'll double check with Michael and Jen to make sure you know it may be a joint meeting that we have to meet again and go over the stuff yeah because it might be it might be hard for them to comment on these kind of zoning things um you know and to understand how it how it kind of affects their bigger picture picture um if we don't have a document in front of us specifically you know yeah I do know that obviously I think you know Michael and Michael and Michael Herbert Town manager and Je ball Town manager they are aware right um you know I know I did you know we do talk about this in staff meetings and and so so to that knowledge I think uh everybody understands and and obviously it is in news and it's in it's been obviously well uh publicized okay well maybe we have to wait till next meeting and just see you know like I said who who is able willing to um put in some time you know on the on the by on this Adu bylaw um and then that group can determine you know try to gather information and and um the best of it's probably two people um don't want to go three because then you have a public you know a public body but to start to uh to put to put that together it worked it worked good with the m MBTA to it's just a small group or even just two two people working with Peter and Alo or whatever um would get the job faster than get the job done faster than talking about it in planning board every every week so um any that's my my take on it so maybe gather some more examples if you see them and um and we'll have it on the agenda for next week and cover it in more detail okay meanwhile okay next item on the agenda which probably no one saw because it's not in front of you on your desks is a discussion of the board's membership I added that on or a particular reason Marcel should I okay yeah so um just for for the members of the board I I I mentioned this to to Peter and Alvaro and and and TR Trisha uh the my the the outlook for my work this year has changed uh and and it's it's going to make it really impossible for me to have the time to devot to the planning board so I I am stepping down from the planning board um and I was uh hoping and checking with Peter to make sure that they there was that that it would not kind of impact any of the of the applications that are ongoing fortunately we have not had one started that that that I am part of so so it seems like a good time for for um any new member to to be able to take on any new application from the beginning which would be the best way um so uh I was waiting for for this minute to see I think the last one I was involved in was this dog park um special permit and I wanted to make sure Peter you have to tell me if um if there's any anything or any other application that that that I am part of that that that is still pending uh in that case I I i' be happy to finish it no without Marcelo I can say that there's no pending application your dog park was the last one so I think okay you are clear to okay clear to clear clear for take off okay so it's it's ironic I mean today exactly today might like three years from my first meeting and and it's been uh a great pleasure to collaborate with all of you um and all the different type of projects uh because because it was very nice to see that everybody has the same objective to just make the town better and and help what what we can to improve the character of the town and the well-being of everybody so it's been a great pleasure for me so I want to thank everybody for that time well obviously we're going to we are going to miss you on the planning board but I did want to go through um because he has not officially resigned yet and I had asked him to this is again just came up over the holidays it's a very eventful kind of time these last few weeks but I asked Marcel definitely to hold off on uh and officially resigning so that we could understand what um what's the best you know course of action uh moving forward so there are some regulations on that so and Peter correct me if I'm wrong um but um as soon as um as soon as uh Marcel would hand in a resignation letter right and that that would be is the vacancy is declared um we would have 45 days between the planning board and the select board to to fill that seat correct that so so to fill the seat would would be uh a joint vote of the pled board and we select board we do have 45 days and then whoever takes that seat remains in that seat and then at this upcoming uh election cycle in May could therefore run for Mar the remaining years of marcelo's seat Marcelo I believe has two years left on his seat um and then uh this upcoming year I believe will be Kate you'll be have to you're going have to rerun for your seat so um so theoretically on the ballot there will be two seats one will be for a five-year term one will be for a two-year term so if if whoever is gets if someone is interested in M um and and obviously I think you know normally the town puts out a post in and to try to collect Talent Bank forms um and then kind of goes through kind of an interview process with the pl board and select board but whoever does kind of get into that seat or take that seat then would have to re will run obviously for the remaining years of the seat yes so we have um if Marcelo submitted his resignation within a 100 days of the election cycle then we then we do not appoint anyone we wait out the 100 days for the election basically is is that right Peter I would have to look at it again but I I I believe I um I believe that that is correct yeah um they went through this recently on school committee so I have kind of a cheat sheet here um so but if he I mean and I think he's at this point now that now that everything he's done is complete um which is why I was asking you to just you know hold on till we get the dog park on so that we don't have to post or anything like that um that um like I said once he turns in a resignation um we'll have 45 days to to fill that seat in a joint select board planning board in that we have to um post the vacancy a select board must give notice of the vacancy at least 14 days prior to the appointment typically we like to do it a lot more than that we like to post it make sure it's out there for people to be able to apply for the position obviously it's just a a few months position um but it might give someone a taste of being on the planning board before they decide to run in really in the same way Marcelo did right he yeah that's exactly how oh and and you too DEA you on for like just a short time yeah I stepped into Jew's Rule and then um I think that's correct yeah I joined in August and then the following year right okay so you had a little bit more time yeah I think Joe Ste I mean Diva stepped into Joe's role and I believe no Marcel slept in because Joe stepped out in like November okay yeah I for was it Phil Williams Phil Williams maybe maybe yeah Dale the Dale I think I interviewed after whoever was there left so I don't know who that was so how does that work with the um associate member like I I know that there's a process so we we can't um if we can't just slide in associate member per se but is that how does that all work I don't think you can just slide the associate member in right but Amanda if she wanted to she could she could apply for that POS for the you know for the that position of course that would then open up her associate position yes but in either case you know whether she e in either case she could run for for the open position when it comes yeah if she stays in her associate position seat and she does not win at the election if she had decided to run she would just SL she would stay in her associate sheet doesn't she doesn't have to abandon the associate seat to run for the plan okay I don't think I'm I'm I'm pretty sure um that's that that you don't need to give up one seat to because that because her term is ongoing right well it's it's a three still ano it's still an appointment though I think it's a threee term the associate seat right yeah I think I'm through May of 2026 yeah so so that would be Amanda giving that some thought too about what if if she wants to stay where she is or if she wants to make a change I could put you in my wheel in yeah does it come with does it come with an endowment no um um so it's the appointment and then running immediately this may is what we're saying yes because yeah because any appointments um just get you to the next election election cycle got it okay yeah and and shio whoever applies would be running for just the remainder of my original term two years well yeah so there'll be like like Peter said there'll be two seats up a fiveyear seat and a twoyear seat no names on them okay so you know so anyone you know Kate could say you know I'm done I went two years I'm running for the twoyear seat you know um you don't there's no names on those seats so um okay but the two-year seat tends to be a little bit a nice test for someone to see if you know they want to stay longer so um I will have to talk to those of you who have run for seat in town as to what that entails yeah yeah I'm happy to answer any uh question so so I think the question to the board I mean it's it's totally up to Marcel Marcel I think you I had told you that as soon as like basically you'll need your signature on one of those the dog part special permit but other than that um I don't think there's I don't think there's anything outstanding and Peter kind of confirmed that there's there's just nothing outstanding that you need need to do okay then that seems like a good timing then okay I'll I'll sign this decision that we just voted on and um and I'll been my resignation to to the town clerk and uh it will be basically effective immediately so that you can start the process of opening the position right yeah the unfortunate part is that we won't get to see you in another meeting and the fortunate find out it's like I'm not happy about it I I May we're GNA miss you thank you um we know where you live and someone's got your phone number right and You' got to celebrate it once Clover opens so oh there you go that's that's a good idea yeah now we're talking we still have opportunities to meet you have to see your projects complete Marcelo you can't just don't to disappear like that fast I always pay attention don't worry about it but I am all for the celebration for sure but in that case in that case that would give us the maximum amount of time to we don't have to wait 45 days it would give us the max amount of time to um post the position yeah and maybe in 30 days you know get someone in um so uh more so they would have more time to um learn about the seat versus that we have something big that on our agenda but um those just kind of the pluses and minuses I guess so okay right so I'll do it that way everyone think that's a good I mean no I don't think we get to vote on him leaving because we know how we'd vote we we don't that's right I can entertain a motion of whether Marcela should leave or not that's right oh okay so um and then we just have updates oh I guess we do have some wonderful meeting minutes you're not off the hook yet Marcel we got meeting minutes I did read them yeah I read them too they're pretty good I thought I I thought so too um but first was there any updates about anything that we need to do um obviously with design Review Committee we're going to be looking for that committee is getting a little light you know at this point so we'll have to think about that oh Marcel is going to be available design Review Committee um is there any other up is there any updates that we need to talk about tonight I just want I just want to make a note that I think everyone may have heard in the news but yesterday the SJC ruled and upheld MBTA zoning uh and that is referred to Ming case um how the Attorney General um uh the attorney general f suit against mil so in theory um constitutionalized right um MBT is oning stating that that that the the state and the legislature the law is constitutional however she did roll back stating that the regulations did not meet requirements uh and so therefore that the state is going to have to go back and through and issue um new guidelines obviously I don't think the guidelines are going to change how ever it's just going to be a procedural matter and there was a article in the globe and I think uh Governor Healey already kind of made note that this week or in or tomorrow she would issue emergency regulations to kind of get over this this hump so I think um obviously ashen's a good standing we have applied our we we've sent all material in for for compliance um I just kind of want to make note obviously that came up in the news and if you haven't heard about it please you know I have some information on it um if you're curious so that's all I had so so hold on the state is suing the town of of Milford Milton the town the state about a year and a half ago uh because Milton rejected mbta's Zing um the Attorney General litigated um in filed suit that that that mandated in Milton to oh okay um comply but that's not gonna happen to Ash I mean ours is safe NOP right now we're safe we're not going to f face anything um but some communities did not do anything right uh and so it really stays says to communities that did not go through an adoption process right um that no you have to do this you don't have a choice and in if you do not the state then legally has the ability to enforce this upon you and so um but Ashton's a good standing we have nothing to worry about um and and we're just kind of waiting to hear back on on the review process from the state and the itarian general so uh that's all I had I'm sorry okay who want we take care of meeting minutes uh we have December 5th and December 19th I said I thought they looked pretty good to me um pretty complete and well written I didn't have any changes yeah neither do I can we do them together everyone ready for a motion or do we need I think so any other comments they were actually good I think um easy um I make a motion that we accept the December n December 5th and December 19th meeting minutes as written second okay Marcel and Ro K Marcel I Katherine Jersy I and Trisha kindall I so those are accepted and oh that's it if anyone has anything else all right then I will make a motion to adjourn at 9:03 is there a second second and a roll call vote Jersey Amanda and Trisha kall I thank you Marcelo we'll see you around Marcel everybody thank you good night good night good night everybody good night have a great night for

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hello clockers welcome to another segment of waca news blog my name is hi silver and today I will be giving you a brief summary of the Ashlin Town manager's newsletter some news you need to know the Christmas tree collection don't forget to place your Christmas tree at the curb for pickup by Monday January 13th trees will be collected as space allows and waste management will return to ensure all trees are picked up the 40b housing project update mous Mass housing has approved of 240b project applications submitted in the spring 250 units at the Mill site downtown and 226 units at 61 Waverly Street the 10 through6 Main Street Mill site has officially started the process with the Ashland zoning board of appeals holding a public hearing on Tuesday January 7th 2025 at 7 p.m in the select Board hearing room Ashlin town hall or via Zoom the town manager Coffee hours join Town manager Michael Herbert for coffee and conversation on the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

the budget from the superintendent um M jinsky roll call please here here here here here thank you please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance thank you if there are any audience members that would like to um speak at the mic please do so seeing none um we will move on to our next item which is the presentation um Dr Solen than you thank you madam chair so I'm I'm uh flattered this evening to always have such a big audience of people I paid and forced to be here uh or people who are forced to be here because they're paying to learn how to be a superintendent it's wonderful uh very humbling anyway um thank you for the opportunity uh before I kick things off I I do want to take a moment to recognize uh a lot of folks in the room first of all our entire administrative team plays a significant role and not only the building of this budget the creative thinking around how do we uh deliver outstanding services to our students and Community uh and do it in a creative and and fiscally responsible way uh but the work that they do every day to execute the plan that you design the resources that you provide to get the best resources we possibly can so I just want to say thank you to our administrative team who's here this evening um uh applauding for yourself seems a little self- serving so we'll move past that uh thank you guys the um I also I also uh want to acknowledge Mr maiana and his team in operations uh Emily T Taylor and Heather sany are here tonight um they do a lot of work to crunch numbers to double check numbers to put this uh this budget book resource is really exceptional the depth in in this book is impressive uh not only for the current operating budget but the history so thank you very much to the operations team for doing that work and then of course um Miss Solano as well uh for our entire central office leadership team with with uh Robin and and um Kevin our whole crew uh working to to provide a great plan for kids so without further Ado I'll jump into board member responsibilities I just uh outline this for the community as much as I do for you because um I'm not sure that people understand the role that the board plays uh and this is dictated by Connecticut General statue that's the CGS obviously uh we need to provide adequate instructional books Etc Equitable resources among schools uh proper maintenance of facilities and safe School setting obviously this is a pretty broad Strokes uh oversight of what the board is responsible for as a superintendent my responsibility includes that collaboration with the leaders in our district um to build a fiscally responsible budget that en ensures that those elements of the board's work are met and then ultimately and I think this last uh italicized part is critical the advancement of the board's goals what we provide through our budget is a schol school system what this 256 budget covers is those resources and an incredible program uh for 4,257 students and uh I think you know we can recognize obviously that instruction is a core part of that but clearly we do so much more than that um Health Services athletic and uh artistic opportunities uh health and mental health services um transportation it's really um a lot and um so I think you know we have to figure out how do we do that again creatively uh to be able to provide a great experience for our kids in an economically responsible way and this is why we provide it at the end of the day our students are at the heart of the decisions we make and um we try and keep them at the Forefront uh is we we work through the our budgeting process the other uh critical filter that we use is the advancement of the board's goals which are of course complex thinking and social emotional learning um if there's something I get accused of beating to death it's complex thinking and social emotional learning and people don't move here for the night life right they move here because the the work that our our team does and that you do uh provides their kids a tremendous academic and social experience and um as we break down what what it means to be a social emotional learner and why that is is important seal is so critical to Student Success and I think that's what really has separated chesher uh from a lot of our peers in terms of our success uh that we are not uh exclusively focused on academic achievement but the whole student and until you it's a simple maslo hierarchy of needs until those belonging needs are met until the selfworth is addressed um you're never really going to leverage uh academic achievement to the greatest extent possible and ever since this community has been committed to those two goals uh you'll see a chart later that reflects our um success um in our our achievement over time just uh really Skyrock in complex thinking why is that important um the outgoing prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said it I love this quote the world economic forum and it because it just feels so real like we all appreciate this the reality of the world just gets faster and faster every day the pace of change um and so as fast as is today it'll never be this slow again and so our kids need to be nimble thinkers uh creat cretive thinkers problem solvers be able to uh and you think about now the integration of artificial intelligence and what does that mean for our kids and how do they you know discern between fact and fiction and draw on different resources to figure that out kids need to be complex and strong emotional thinkers what was true when we adopted these goals in 2016 is true are still today um and so that's why those are our filters for this budget process so the budget environment what do the world look like entering 25 26 a lot of external and internal factors um inflation is probably the single greatest God bless you single greatest uh Factor influencing our budget as well as uh our economic growth in our community our um our uh you know I think we're a very desirable community and we're seeing our enrollment grow not only from the perspective of people buying existing homes but the development of new communities um not only single family but multifam uh multi-unit uh homes um so we know that these things are occurring we're entering the biannual budget this year um which makes our budget process as a community kind of tricky because we don't always know what the state resources will look like until the conclusion even of the Town budget so a lot of that gets factored in in June when we we come together and uh excuse me not June in in April when we um revise uh the town reconciled I guess the town's budget against our budget and the state budget so um those are uh certainly some external factors internally uh you know um Miss Cullen and mentioned you know the growth in special education and how impactful that was in our uh legislative conversation earlier uh that's a Connecticut um actually national issue but it you know we're not immune from that we've seen um special education costs increasing dramatically uh and then of course uh our new teacher contract is is frankly uh kind of catching up uh the for those who don't know teacher contracts are subject to binding arbitration and in essence um they don't ask like hey is this a good time to pay people more or less um what are other contract settlements and basically you negotiate uh and if you're too far out of whack with those settlements um then you go to binding arbitration and if you're out of whack with those settlements you lose if you're lower uh unfortunately it's it's pretty much just if you're lower uh you're going to lose those um those in binding arbitration and so you know frankly our teacher contracts have been well south of inflation the last couple of years and um this is on now to inflation and who knows what it'll look like by the end but this is uh you know a fair contract tied very closely to what settlements are across Connecticut um but it's the cost of doing business today non-certified salaries we're seeing a substantial increase based on the uh shift in uh minimum wage uh it was I think I site here later it was $10 an hour uh in 2019 it's now 1643 or something 35 uh thank you I'm in the neighborhood um but um the medical benefits outside of the wages is the other factor that anybody who's been on the board more than seven minutes will realize that um we're constantly chasing medical benefits cost as our other communities across our state um so with that um those are some of the significant internal factors uh per pupil expenditure when we look at spending across Connecticut how does chesher fair compared to our peers you see a history here um that in 201819 we were pretty close to the state average um about $1,000 uh short of spending the state average uh in 20324 uh the last school year that we have data for 23 24 uh pretty substantial difference there and so um for that school year we ranked 114th out of 165 Connecticut school systems and the idea that we would have to increase our budget by $1 million to meet the average I think is reflective of the good work that um we've done as a community to maintain high standards and a coste effective way um so we start with internal requests I mentioned the work that our team does to review um where our our incoming classes are what the students are um what where are our needs academically professionally and uh internally we had an 9.04 uh% budget request um again you know my responsibility is to uh provide a fiscally responsible budget that uh advances our goals and so you know our team spends a lot of time trying to distill that down ultimately my recommended budget is um an increase of $6 million uh a representation of 7.09% to a total budget of 95 milon 892 631 one so the um increase if you back out just the medical benefit increase if medical benefits were flat the our increase would be 5.33% and we're going to get into the different categories and where does this increase really you know um where is it we're going to illuminate some of the areas where we're feeling that increase more than others um momentarily but um just to see that it's a 2% of the the overall increase is attributable to medical benefits alone uh is pretty telling uh I will share for anybody watching at home and certainly for the board the um full presentation that I'm making right now will be available this evening on our website under the budget section of the board uh so you can read it to your friends tomorrow anyway driving factors in our budget again um our regular and special education Staffing our enrollment continues to grow to grow um and that is obviously not just general Ed classrooms but Specialists like art music you pe um things like special education costs not just teachers but par Educators as well um the addition uh you'll see in here of a stem curriculum coordinator for grades 9 through 12 that I'll talk about momentarily uh again the wage piece that I I shared uh medical benefits facilities operating costs this is an old clipping but I decided to retain it because it's as true today as it was uh the first time I used it that yeah we see jump in new housing permits uh you if you drive around the community you see again not just single family homes but uh substantial development of multifam units and so we track that very closely we um monitor uh these are this is a spreadsheet we have in the office of active tracking of of new developments and since the start of the school year we've added 52 students in chesher out of these multif family units this does not include single family homes this is only the multifam units 20 out of the Reserve at Stonebridge Crossing another 16 out of maple CR Village being the two uh Marquee drivers there a lot of these have not uh been inhabited yet so we're not seeing the numbers populate and so we are conscious of in the next six months what does this look like um and so we're we're kind of sensitive to that and um we certainly track it as I said closely our projected enrollment uh what you see here is dating back the last couple of years to get a sense of growth year-over-year uh October 1 22 23 24 and then again projected for 56 this only includes our residents as you know we do have open Choice students in the district predominantly at chesher high where um we have more uh space available uh to be honest we're so overcrowded at elementary schools that as you know we've added portable classrooms at Highland uh we're north of 915 students there um and so you can see where our enrollment growth is occurring uh and again it's it's predominantly at that prek to 8 level um included in the Pro projections too there was uh a period where we saw significant drops when I first became superintendent is demographically we had a little bit of a trough and now we are certainly rebounding uh to give you a another graphic representation of that growth this is a graph from SLR uh who did a demographic study when we were doing uh the designs for the new schools and they projected out in that green line uh like high projection like this would be wow things are exploding everything's um off the charts the BL lighter Blue Line um is the low projection and the uh call outs there where you can see our actual enrollment so as you track this out we're we're kind of splitting the difference between that middle and high which is a good good thing uh it's a good place to be uh we're outperforming what they thought would be the low and and certainly uh we're pretty close actually to that mid projection um from a percentage uh perspective so um We are continuing to grow I think you know we're still a really desirable Community um and uh not still we're we're I think even becoming a more desirable Community is is witnessed from all the development and um folks moving in I um mentioned that this this budget is really about maintaining Services um when you you'll see some of the graphs that highlight we're not looking to drop class sizes in this budget you know we're um not our class sizes are frankly I think what what we would agree is the ceiling of that uh where where those are comfortable um we're maintaining our special education services we're maintaining the medical benefit funding um Vin will go into pain staking detail um painstaking detail on our medical benefits okay and uh we'll highlight you know really we're we're not looking to close gaps our our board is certainly familiar with the um the medical benefits uh fund and that you know we try and keep a three-month balance we're short of that right now this does not close the gap to the three-month balance this only meets projections as Vin will you know certainly articulate uh Robin will uh talk about our special education services in great detail as well um the two italicized areas School counseling re resources and transitional K uh I have on here because uh the school counseling resource is a grant that we secured a few years back that the state paid for a School counseling position uh the demand is certainly there um this has been free to us the last couple of years um this year as we wean off that Grant the cost shifts 50% to the district now and so we want to maintain that service uh but it is a bump in cost by you know if we factor that it's roughly $90,000 for a staff member this is a $45,000 cost to us um and then transitional kindergarten is not a cost to us and I'll talk a little bit about that momentarily uh restore moderate increase to maintenance uh to address uh budget issues and then the stem curriculum uh supervisor that I I mentioned for chesher High School uh and I will further elaborate on those the the stem coordinator position at Cheshire High School is a budget cost of about $200,000 or um 0% of our overall budget 0.3% of our overall budget um and really the rationale there is that the there have been significant shifts in curricular demands uh in in standards um dramatic shifts in in standards for science in particular math is a little bit U more dated but still uh shift that's that's recent our staff uh existing staff has worked really hard to accommodate those shifts to to plan curriculum but more support is needed uh many of our peers have these uh supports in place uh in essence this person would be doing a lot like the work that Kevin handland does and uh K through 8 um programming and uh but addressing the meria to stem classes that exist at the high school level a lot of different courses there data analysis planning professional development and concert with Department chairs uh curricular review uh coaching instructional practices facilitating professional learning committees uh communities excuse me um just that that support I think our our teachers and admins have gotten us as as far as they can and they're just not the time to commit that we think will take us to the next level in that respect um the additional consideration uh and I didn't say advancement here because there's not a cost associated with this consideration um is the transitional K program and you know as I said to representative linan in the uh legislative meeting you know we definitely um recognize that that most every state in the Union has a cut off of five by the start of kindergarten and um there so because there's substantial agreement around that being a developmentally uh appropriate cut point and a Readiness place the experience that we've had already in the course of the first half of the school year has been eye popping I would say for our kindergarten staff our our elementary administrative team um just sees a pretty significant difference I don't think that they anticipated that um you know those several months would make a that big a difference in their classes but apparently it has um and we have the space to be able to continue to accommodate this program while we still are housed at Darcy um that may change um when we enter our new buildings in the subsequent school year but um the Future Families uh recognize the benefit of this program or current families appreciate the the benefit of our transitional program uh and sing its Praises now this is an email uh that I swear to God I did not write that was sent to me from a a future parent and I kind of anonymize it and I'll read it because I know you can't see point two font from where you sit um I'm writing is an informed and involved parent in support of the continuation of the transitional program at Dary in hopes it'll be offered for the upcoming school year the transitional kindergarten would be an ideal choice for our child as he would be with children his age and the cost is so is also affordable if our child does not get selected for the program via Lottery and the transition program isn't offered we may have to make a difficult decision and go the kindergarten waiver route for financial reasons we think he will do well academic Ally when wherever whenever he starts excuse me but we have done research and are aware of the benefits of delaying kindergarten we don't want him to feel like he needs to quote keep up with his peers as he does with his older sibling I'm sure other Chester parents are struggling with a similar difficult decision I'm hopeful that you will take uh our situation and that of families with we call them often bur babies uh November October September uh December uh fouryear olds with financial constraints into account when deciding if the transition program at Darcy will be offered in essence they're saying I don't want to have to make um a choice that may not be right for my child and and family because I I can't afford another year of preap um and and so we are and we have offered a really economical choice uh an option that covers the cost of the teacher and Par educator through tuition and um it it's really met the developmental needs of this this group of kids and so uh we're excited about what we've been able to do and I'm just recommending that we continue that uh again this is a budget neutral piece but uh I think it's important that we're all in agreement that we move forward or not and that should be discussed through the budget process what we left out of the budget um you know because this isn't a wish list um uh but you know things like a half team at DOD middle school when you see the enrollment there um the CHS Humanities coordinator I mean in an optimal World we'd have stem and Humanities in concert um but you know I have to make some difficult decisions sometimes certainly and you guys in the past have contradicted some things and that's great you know that's I appreciate that you know we added the robotics last year uh special ed transportation van early intervention Center teacher uh at Darcy a replacement van instrumental music teacher at the elementary level U so those were some things that were uh you know contested considered and um not made the uh top priority in terms of the presentation but certainly very um very much expecting dialogue the net certified Staffing changes include uh the addition of a Chapman Elementary teacher uh and and I'll highlight some of the enrollment and why that's um appropriate Highland uh growth of a teacher Norton is actually con um Contracting one teacher no change at do little uh the school counselor 05 position that I already talked about coming off the grant the uh health education art uh teaching positions that we're adding now currently we have too many sections to service with our exist existing staff so what we do is pay art and PE Health teachers additional Monies to cover those existing sections what we're proposing is adding full-time step because our enrollment is growing now we we even need more sections and frankly we don't I mean we're taxing the people already who are teaching additional sections at a cost so as much as it says a 1.0 cost we're already paying part of that cost now um and so those are additions TSA um more than 10% of our students speak a second language at home um our uh multilanguage learner population has grown significantly over the last five years um and the demand is there to increase uh a halftime elementary teachers uh teaching somebody who's teaching English to speakers of other languages t- Sal um and then again obviously I mentioned the stem curriculum coordinator so a lot of this uh four and a half of the five um excuse me three and a half I I apologize for the typo there three and a half of the five is driven by um uh the enrollment increases uh half of that is is the doitt uh shift to that and then one is the um the curriculum person so I apologize for the four and a half should be three and a half so additional uh enrollment impact is really felt with uh non-certified Staffing um six par educator positions that uh need to be retained uh through the course of this year those of you who have been around the budget uh a while have seen that you know we budget basically based on the prior year um as things come on we add those positions and then um you know kind of project out for the subsequent year it's really kind of challenging to do all par Educators in January when most um plans for special education services in the subsequent year are made late in the spring um so we we are you know really trying to project that out um one additional learning support tutor um an additional Board of Education bus driver to cover internal routes it's cheaper for us actually to hire than contract it out so there's a benefit in that you know some of the things that we're spending money on and I know you'll see in Robin's presentation uh things like um support assistance rather than hiring to assistants rather than hiring uh uh support professional uh certified person is more effective and more cost effective so uh we try and find those opportunities where they exist again I mentioned medical benefits as you know the reserve is at 1.24 months as of the end of November um we try and get to two months or higher um in a perfect world we're closer to three but um we have been uh able to navigate this year at that number uh thankfully and uh usually at the turn of the new year we do see a little bit of a dip uh in terms of the costs for us um so hopefully that comes to fruition in 25 um but as you know the data kind of lags a month or two behind as we wait for the reports to come in um so the again we're just uh basing the budget on the Run rate the projected run rate rate from uh our um provider Tom Loi we're our monthly rate is increasing 9% from 1.88 million to 1.26 7 million uh per month uh to cover our medical benefits cost again that's a 9% increase that does not close the the Gap to the two months uh reserves so where do these budget increases uh come from in terms of a uh parts of the whole uh teacher salaries represents 26% of the budget overall budget increase I talked about that contract shift in any year it's a significant portion of the budget increase we're a you know human business uh we don't have tons of huge equipment our our main resource is people uh our certified staff about 400 folks uh represent the Lion Share of that and then the medical benefits so between the two you're north of 50% of our increase in those two areas alone uh enrollment related salaries another 12% uh non-certified salaries another 9% increase because there have been years where those increases were lower but they were years that our uh enrollment was Contracting and now we're expanding and you see kind of that that impact uh of this the Transportation uh contract as you know we uh renewed the contract there at a very favorable rate um but it's a $38,000 increase over the previous year outplacement pupil service increase everything else uh generally uh rolls into that 11% uh as it relates to PD other areas um will be found in there and we'll again this is an overview uh if you're watching at home thinking like this is only this is only what they get now uh there are many nights it starts Tuesday of next week Tuesday and Thursday for pretty much the rest of the month um Mr White will be at the edge of his seat drinking in our finite level of budget detail that we share with the community uh 256 recommended budget this is overall uh requests by categories uh salaries represent and again we are uh human business a lot of where our resources go is to pay for the people who do the great work with our kids uh whether they be um you know um as par Educators nurses school counselors teachers of course administrators the whole shebang is 60% of our overall budget and in benefits represents 20% of our budget um there is not a lot of uh resources that we dedicate to things outside of that U because we believe the best banging for our buck is with the people who represent our kids so budget by category or um uh again the uh this is the updated class size data and if you thought some of the other font was small it's hard to see from the screen where you are uh but again it's available on our website uh long story short uh when you calculate in the additional positions that we had the contraction uh that we had at Norton and uh our enrollment changes we are are currently at 18.8 students per class on average the Elementary grades k6 next year's budget when I said maintenance it's 18.8 students per class identical to this year um so uh that is certainly uh easy to review on our our website on that slide the k6 class size averages by grade level is also available you'll um expect in in um not be surprised by the fact that our districtwide ratios of students per class is smaller for the younger students and it grows uh as kids age uh the um District average in K is 16.9 for example and 20.3 in grade six in grade seven and8 um the projected class sizes in grade seven are 25.4 um um those are those are higher than they have been maybe not over the last several years but historically um and that's a place where you know where I I would think you know we're close there uh so really looking at a half team the the challenge at middle school with you don't just add a teacher a general Ed Specialists who teach General Ed um expert who teaches all content areas their their certifications are more specified and so you know we team teach in uh seventh and eth grade with teachers who are generally content area Specialists math science uh La language arts and social studies and so you know it's not easy to just have we just add one teacher you you kind of have to have two or four um or else it gets uh really difficult to staff and we have to really compromise quality which we don't want to do um so this is another visual representation of that history that I just shared with you you can see that the elementary enrollment uh is higher um subtly Higher One in essence one student per uh class than it was preco um the uh Middle School class sizes uh we really peaked out unfortunately in 2223 at 26.4 uh in seventh grade but um historically higher than it's been um you know dating back in to when I was a administrator at DOD 2005 to 2012 um we were closer to those 23 22s our projected Revenue the uh I mentioned in again in legislative um conversation we had with representative linan our ECS uh Grant has been roughly $10 million for the last 35 years um the special education cost Grant is unfortunately uh shrinking um the reimbursement rate uh has changed I know that is really been a bipartisan talking point leading up to this legislative session it is my sincere hope that something is done to address that and provide um resources for our our students that Revenue however uh and and to be clear our our revenue does not come back to the chesher public schools it comes back to the town of chesher so we budget and uh an operating costs budget the revenue that you are seeing here here is money that goes to the town so our $95 million budget is net in essence 85 million um it's not 95 million you know plus the 10 or anything like that it's it's uh our our operating budget is the money that we spend the town collects all of the revenue uh so you know what does our budget really do how what is it address it's you know uh I think there are different frames of mind around this it could be you know what is it cost or what are we investing and the investment that our budget is the investment that the town makes in our school system basically falls into three buckets at this point our operational budget which I've shared with you this evening and we'll break down a little bit more our capital budget which is large items uh like um roofs and uh um windows and asphalt and and things that are really facilities driven and then school modernization and I yeah I'm so excited like you guys know it is school construction Eve in chesher tomorrow we will officially start building two schools that are decade Plus in the making and something for our community to being incredibly proud of so an investment in our schools is an investment in our community uh you've heard it before you'll hear it again people don't move here for the night life uh they move here because we make smart investments in our school system those uh Investments pay massive dividends and um you know I like like to remind people of that come budget time um you buy people homes homes have more value in areas where school systems are successful and I think we've seen that uh through covid uh and Beyond school modernization I mentioned that it is construction Eve uh really excited to be uh staring this down as a final product come next spring 2020 or 2026 in our Board of edit work uh rarely do you get chance to see them wielding shovels so I threw that in uh for the groundbreaking ceremony very exciting um Conneticut revised durby I just want to remind people that the state um had a a district reference group uh cons comparison years ago that um had been quite outdated it all the same data was used to run it on a more contemporary basis and this map reflects that that um you we are in dur B the the kind of teal um towns there and you can see the list of towns um and so what do we spend relative to that peer group um we're kind of toward the the middle of that um uh group at 2,156 now this is again 234 spending this is not a projection forward but our old spending um the how does that spending translate into performance um this is not a comparison with our district reference group but the entire state of Connecticut uh were the eighth best achieving school system in the state of Connecticut uh something that we should be justifiably proud of uh it represents the best performance we've ever had I mentioned earlier since our focus on complex thinking and social emotional learning learning you see the trajectory line um it's pretty obvious that we're focused on the right things we're doing the right things we're investing it in the right places our resources reflect those goals as I mentioned and pay dividends for our students um and again it's a a real Testament to uh the board and to everybody who works in the Treasure public school system that we get the results that we do um beyond that you know our families and students certainly need acknowledgement here as well um it's with their support and effort that we are here um so lot to be proud of and again I think the Investments we've make made have been really smart ones and they paid tremendous dividence again excellent value uh we had the opportunity last month to celebrate a couple of really spectacular accomplishments and you'll see those in the next couple of photos but hitting some of the highlights about the value we provide our overall achievement has been Superior uh uh we have numerous schools uh of Distinction including a National Blue Ribbon School uh annually recognized as a top Community for music in America that goes uh it's important to cite that because again you know academic achievement is fantastic but that's built on a foundation of the whole child and the whole student music is an important part of that for a lot of our kids the reason they get up every day is their their passion for music we feed that same with Athletics um in our extracurricular activities vast majority of our CHS students participate in uh some extracurricular activity while they're there we are perennial winners of the CIA Michaels cup for sportsmanship winning and character uh um and that's not something that's just handed to everybody uh it is actually select but we tend to win it on an literally annual basis um again you know celebrating our national uh Special Olympics Champion schools something that is really pretty awesome and uh thank all the parents and and staff uh administrators who dedicate a lot of time to make that so successful and make it worthwhile event for all of our kids um awesome accomplishment we've been recognized before even as the best top best buddies chapter in America at the high school level and uh certainly in Connecticut as well um you know the accreditation we have at Darcy school for our youngest children so again uh reiterating the the value that we provide and this is always our destination the intersection of complex thinking and social emotional learning that has been our Lighthouse uh our Compass whatever metaphor you want to use and it I think has paid uh again great dividends um in the way that we invest in this community focused through that lens so again uh just in closing our budget is really focused on maintaining our trajectory of success uh there aren't significant ads in this budget um this is very much about trying to just maintain a fiscal status quo unfortunately the constraints of uh inflation have impacted what that looks like um and I I don't want to Short change that obviously enrollment has compounded that as well uh we are a growing Community um projected to to even grow further those the inflation and enrollment growth uh is reflected in this budget uh but it also means that we're placing people want to live and you know that's that's great and there are economic pressures to that but there are also economic benefits of that uh that we hope to reap in Grand list growth um even if it's not today we know I mean just by the sight of all the construction that we will get there uh our achievement continues to grow uh as we focus on complex thinking andal uh budget is grounded in leveraging our resources to continue our our performance and again you know I I you may have heard me mention that we're in outstanding value even if we adopted this proposed budget entirely tomorrow right if we we said yep we're going with this all in and we calculate that per pupil expenditure for this year and we compare it to the rest of Connecticut from two years ago we're still in the bottom half we're below the state average of the per puple expenditure from two years ago and we would had to to add to get to this to the state average from two years ago we would had to add another $3 million to get to two years ago state's average not 256 State average two years ago State average so um I think you know what this is is really uh the budget is more or less at least in the um wage area uh kind of a catchup uh where we've had the benefit of uh pretty low contract over the last couple of years um and now we're paying teachers on par uh and I know that the people on this committee believe that we deserve every they deserve every bit of that but um this is where our our fiscal reality is for 2526 I mentioned I don't want to Short change this but you know our success as i' I've said I think also many times throughout is predicated on the commitment of all of our stakeholders and I want to acknowledge our uh parents and students as well um as well as those who don't have students in our schools uh because the the business Community has has been incredible with their support of our kids um in our projects and our efforts so this really is a a CommunityWide effort to reap the results that we we have the upcoming budget calendar I mentioned it's pretty much Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the rest of the month uh with hopefully uh an approval coming at the end of the month uh a transmission of the board of education budget to the town by the middle of February ultimately they adopt the budget uh by the end of April and um we have to adopt the final budget make any changes because the town can only um increase or reduce our budget by a dollar amount they don't do that along line items if they increase or reduce our budget by the end of April um as is probably anticipated we will have to come back together and finalize that budget along line items sometime between the end of April and the end of June uh which we typically are pretty expedient at so um that concludes my presentation I appreciate your attention particularly when there are other uh huge events going on in the ethic world thank you thank you Dr Solen so at this moment in time um as Dr son stated we have the calendar up there um as far as the public to uh view the presentations we are going to be meeting um from this point forward uh specifically at uh do Middle School to review all the administrative accounts um and then if I could just you know as Dr Solen was speaking I'm writing my questions down right now and if if you'd like Dr s will forward that to you prior to the uh meetings anything that um any member of the board the public uh anybody if you have a question it is super helpful if you email that question to me um directly or there's a email address Board of Ed contact at treasure.

January 9th um M jinsky roll call please here here here thank you please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and for great the next um item would be audience participation and anybody out there would like to approach the microphone Moren no I'm good okay thank you um so we're here today to discuss um items regarding legislative matters with the chure delegation and at this moment in time we have representative linahan here um but I'm gonna actually forward this to Dr Solen because I know he's got some items here to um address sure um you know before I go through some of the items in a very cursory fashion and and certainly this I think this night is much more about the opportunity to hear from our board and representative linan uh as we open the legislative session today right yesterday yesterday excuse me um so uh again really quickly first of all I just want to say thank you to you I know um uh the other members of the delegation couldn't be here this evening I really appreciate you uh representing the group and I appreciate the work that you and all the members of our delegation do um we very much respect that you know you guys are representing our community our students um and Us in Hartford and that is incredibly meaningful um certainly there have been many highlights uh throughout that relationship that's been beneficial for us and our kids so thank you to you uh and the rest of the delegation and thank you very much by the way and to the entire board um I very much value our relationship with everyone here so thank you so much um so you know hitting some of the highlights that you we we've uh thought through is a board and um some of these are kind of historical in nature and um some of them have certainly evolved in time uh educational cost share um that's the state Grant uh for uh basically every District in Connecticut uh there's a formula that dictates how much communities receive uh and I went back into our history in essence we've received 10 million in state funding uh for Education since 1990 uh so about a 35e period if it hasn't changed since when I've been in high school that's not a good sign um at the time it represented about 33% of our total budget uh it's now closer to 10 so um we will share with you in Greater detail and the rest of the delegation but we wanted the opportunity to engage in some dialogue this evening so that we could you know refine anything um is necessary and make sure that we're kind of all on the same page with respect to that uh another item that I know has already received a lot of bipartisan traction and Hartford is the special education excess cost Grant uh for those that aren't necessarily aware um you when a student's special education costs exceed four and a half times per pupil expend the um cost of that between the Delta between whatever the cost is and four and a half times is basically entered into a pool and all the districts across Connecticut send that information to uh sde who then administers one block grant a lot of people think that all of the money is paid out it is not and um there were some adjustments made to that that have reduced uh every District's share uh for us it's gone from about 72% reimbursement to 62% reimbursement moreover the cost of special education especially private education which is uh pretty much where all of these students fall out placement Services which are um fairly expensive for expensive to begin with have become astronomically expensive has the transportation which is a huge component of that so our bill has gone up pretty significantly in spite of the fact that we work very hard to retain kids in District and we've created programs to retain kids in District um so we're getting less of a bigger chunk of money uh so it's it's been hurting us on both ends uh one of the things that we would recommend and chesher has done for years is ask the state to find a way to incent Vis districts for building in-house or Regional programs um Highland has been a beacon for that uh work for decades uh we've established other programs actually in other schools now dittle and uh Norton as well so anything the state could do to even incentivize those programs uh because we don't get reimbursed on those uh being in housee um can I interject on this a little bit um for uh are we we televis tonight right now y okay because I I wanted to make sure that people understand it's recorded as well all right great um for those who are watching I know everyone up here is going to know exactly what I'm talking about but for everyone who's watching chesher is one of the leaders in that I I mean I can't tell you how many times I've had parents from all around Connecticut because I I used to be the house chair of the committee on children and so I would hear from parents across the state and they're like you don't understand because chesher does it so much better than everyone else and that's not lip service the programs that you guys put together is phenomenal um and I'd love to see them grow and I really like the idea of incentivizing that so um I know that I'm the only member of the delegation here uh tonight and our bills need to go in soon um I really love that idea so much that I do ask that you someone here carves out an hour for me um tomorrow or Monday to talk about that so I can literally put the bill in this week um I think that's really really important it doesn't have to be completely fleshed out but with that said one of the things um that I used to love so much was the bridges program at DOD um and that is no longer there correct it's evolved a lot of our programs and we have we're Nimble enough to evolve to meet student needs so when students have uh emotional needs as are addressed through a Bridges program then we can adopt programs to meet those needs when we don't have uh students that have those needs often we pivot to meet different needs um and so you know if there's a a critical mass of students where it makes economic sense for us to to be able to provide that then we certainly do it sometimes um it makes more sense to outplay a student which we hate to do yeah um but if if able we certainly try and build an internal program uh to meet the students needs so as it stands right now we didn't have the demand for that program at the middle school only be two grades we do have at k6 do little okay great good so and there's no plans to change the as PRI program at the high school no so again you know all of these programs that we design are predicated on enrollment needs um and the needs of our students so we pivot based on those needs so and to be that Nimble is actually fantastic in and of itself well it's more cost effective and uh better support for our students so for example years and years ago we had a a transition Collegiate program at qu where students um were receiving is required by law uh special ed services to the age of 21 it's it's since been extended to 22 but during the period of this program we delivered uh a transitional program there for students who um were not life skill students students who were um actually taking general education courses at the Collegiate level un you know is is not unfortunately but just our needs have changed we didn't have the demand for that for our students um and so we no longer have that program but we could reinitiate uh quinx been a great partner with us we could reinitiate if the need arises so like we try and find Pathways to solve these problems in an uh way that's economically um feasible but also you know really meets our students needs so these changes were not budgetary they were based solely on the student needs yeah ABS that's fantastic absolutely I love that great thank you so that's you know we're tracking IEPs we can kind of project out Robin an Cary our PPS director does a great job of working with our special ed supervisors principles um our full team in trying to project those things um another uh area that I know is receiving a lot of attention is elevating the profession of Education just generically um we'll certainly send some more information but you know we're in in this respect kind of the last to find out uh that it's really hard to hire uh people out of college because I think you know as you mentioned we're not just a destination for parents but for professionals too and so you know um we do tend to have a decent applicant pool however in recent years it's become much much more challenging to the point where unfortunately we're poaching people from other districts not that we're actively recruiting them but when they apply to us I feel bad that we're recruiting somebody who's been some place else for 10 years it's not a great way for us to build people's capacity over time um and it's certainly a heck of a lot more expensive well let's be honest about that it's hard to bring in new people when there isn't enough housing there aren't there isn't enough housing oh well that's true we can't there there's no place for them to live when they're coming out of state yeah from out of state so you know our job growth and economic growth our business growth our professional growth is so dependent on housing and people often forget that and so chesher is doing a fantastic job right now of building housing I think this isn't obviously solely a Boe issue but there when people hear the term building housing they are afraid of that but this is one of the things that we're seeing without enough housing we can't get the Professionals in here and yes that includes teachers yeah chesher um like you said is doing an exceptional job yes especially with multi-unit housing let's not forget folks that affordable housing only means 80% of market rate which actually is still twice as much as my mortgage for my 2300 sare foot home yeah so you know I'll share in the budget meeting uh at 7:30 you know how treasure has expanded with those uh homes and opportunities hopefully that's attractive for teachers who may want to relocate uh locally but um you know there's the other issue is we just do not see people coming out of UN University uh pursuing the the career and that is uh not just a Cheshire Public Schools or State uh e educational problem it's a major economic and uh problem if we're not producing talented people to work locally so sure um that's just a another area existing in or potential mandates facing education uh that's you know a horse that's been beaten but we had a committee to get rid of so many mandates we mandated a committee to get rid of mandates that was fun yeah um the cor kindergarten piece is something that um you know we've seen tremendous success with uh our students starting the age of five uh in September rather than um January 1st has been a very positive shift um not surprisingly as I know that's been recommended by Beth b by uh almost every other state in America and so that we I think um and I don't want to say we because I'm this is my preference would be to see um that just be a hard cut rather than waving in and out it take it's um we do a lot to evaluate students and they're making a lot of families are making decisions based on economics rather than education which isn't really good um and so you know just something for consideration indoor air quality um V you want to talk a little bit about the in the granting for indoor air quality sure thanks good evening everyone hello thank you for being here miss school lunch and prevailing wage while you're at it yeah okay oh I got to go well indoor air quality there's there's um you know the states had a lot of emphasis on improving indoor air quality in schools so to upgrade the HVAC systems the state has put out two different rounds of HVAC grants we did get approval for some grant money in the last round the state's supposed to be making another round available I don't know if that's going to happen but the recommendation we had in last year's legislative session is just make hbac grants eligible under the state's standard grant program through osgr so that's it was Co dollars correct yes yeah so so they weren't going to make anything State money until there was no more Federal money so I I that would be the reason why nothing really has moved forward in that respect now until now um but as we keep going forward I would imagine that if uh it is still seen as um a priority that there there would be some sort of State money but I do want to say whenever we apply for a grant please let my office know um I I I honestly don't get notified um when anyone in municipal government is applying for a grant which is something I've been trying to get people to condition to do for so long um and it's still not done but uh I can be very helpful in that so please the whole delegation let us know okay um you want me to talk about well the next item is the national school lunch breakfast a lunch and breakfast program um so here our recommendation um and you know this year just to refresh everyone's memory anyone who's eligible for reduced price meals is getting those meals at no cost so they're free the state did that on its own um and you had a hand in that I suppose yes thank you that came out of yes that was that was our bill yes but the the thresholds are very very low the federal thresholds um just to give you an idea here in the state of Connecticut you know which applies nationally a family of four would have to make a gross income of less than $4,560 to free meals and that's gross income a family of four I don't know how you live on 4,560 in Connecticut and then if you wanted to get reduced price meals you'd have to be below 57,7 120 and for family of four so those thresholds for Connecticut are way too long you know our recommendation is raise those thresholds so that more families can qualify one of the things that we've been seeing in the last couple of years is that the number of families who aren't paying for their meals has increased by a lot prior to the last couple of years the most we ever had in unpaid meal balances when we ended a year was $4,000 last year it was around 20,000 this year it's pacing equal to that 20,000 we're at about 21,000 now and we think that's a sign that there are a lot of families that just miss qualifying that's exactly what it is that can't get free and reduced so you know I know maybe we can't change the federal law that quickly because I think that's what needs to happen but can Connecticut work to provide a gap so that we can allow more just adjust for cost of living right so let me explain what I tried to do last year um uh so the extra money that you guys received at the end of the year um for this coming year excuse me this year that we're in now um based on if you had a free if you had reduced lunch now it was going to be free that was money that really we went around to um different districts uh senators and representatives who had had some money out in bonding that we could actually or in the budget that we could reduce by 10 grand here 15 grand here little bits and pieces in order to move it to a different pot to pay for that um originally the bill that was trying to be pushed through was free meals for everyone um unfortunately that's not uh economically feasible however the bill that I put in which I think it might take a few years but with the help of everybody here we might be able to get it moving faster um is everyone here um familiar with what the Alice numbers are so for those watching on TV it's um asset Alice stands for asset limited oh my gosh AI income constrained employed so it basically means that you have a one or two parent household you're working um but you don't necessarily own a home you're paycheck to paycheck uh and so with the cost of living so high in the state of Connecticut the federal poverty level in Connecticut is always done in a multiplier to make it right for Connecticut what the United Way did was created this these Alice numbers instead that says um this is how much you need to live in Connecticut if you are an ALICE family what's interesting about the Alice numbers is that they are not done Statewide it costs more to live in chesher than it does to live in Colchester for instance so so the Alice numbers from United Way are done geographically within the state so what we tried to do was um to have the state put in extra money for Alice families to be able to reach to have that um threshold be the Alice number for the community that you live in that number did turn out to be quite high so instead what we were trying to negotiate was the possibility of a 7525 split uh and with that 25% um that you guys can local Boards of Ed can go out and raise funds for that to be put in it doesn't necessarily have to come out of any operating budget um and so we're getting some traction there uh it would be an opin because we don't want to force any community that can't afford it right um but there can be ways that maybe we can all figure it out um there was some push back because quite honestly there's not a great understanding of Alice numbers um and and how they are determined but I think we're overcoming that obstacle so to your point the federal numbers are not going to change we are pretty confident that nothing like that will move in in our Direction over the next four years um so while there is a combination of needing to um be proactive there's also the need to be re active so we can be proactive and pass things like this and hopefully help it but we also have to leave enough room and money for us to be reactive when the federal Administration does something to essentially hurt blue States so all of that to say um this year you may not see a lot of budget movement because we have to be the combination of proactive and reactive there needs to be enough room to be reactive to what's coming down the Pike and we're not going to know that federally until after we do our state budget so there's a little bit of concern there what I am going to ask I will alert all of you that if these things do get raised in either the committee on children uh I know I shouldn't say I know I'm confident that there will be some School meals legislation raised whether it's in the committee on children or in education or possibly even both I don't know but I think testimony from everyone from communities like ours are really important because uh middle class and upper middle class communities are often seen as having enough money to handle things but we have to remember that just because we have some wealthy residents doesn't mean we have all wealthy residents so your input on these issues is going to be hugely important communities like chesher need to have a voice I just ask mhm sorry can I just ask uh just from your perspective if there were something that the board unanimously supported um would it be better to draft one piece of testimony or seven seven um and one person should show up and they should alert me and I will walk them in and sit next to them and that's that's how all testimony from the board should and if not me then Jen hakel Jack vino or any one of our you know even um Senator Samson if he agrees with it he'll do that too um so we will certainly do that for anyone who asks thanks sure okay and then the last one um that I have is the prevailing wage which we've requested before right now if we go for a new construction project the prevailing wage uh minimum is a million dollar or more but for renovation it's $100,000 and we'd like to see that increase to $500,000 it'll just enable us to do smaller project you know at a more efficient lower cost is the goal of that request the one thing that um I can say at at every turn is that I will always be honest with you even when it's not politically expedient this is one of those times there I'm going to guess 99.999% chance that there will not be any prevailing wage legislation in the next four years we still put it on the list sure absolutely but I just want to be honest and that that completes the list yeah thank you uh obviously like I said I want to leave this open for dialogue go ahead gentlemen thank than you Sam uh Jeff thank you for compiling it um and generally I agree with it at 100% that's fine if we vote on it I'll raise my hand in support of it I wanted uh one topic that just came up that across my mind was housing and I don't know if this would relate to you in any way Jeff or vin you might opine really briefly if something comes to mind but one thing that struck me about housing we've got humiston across the street that we've been talking about vacating and I've said it for a couple years I've never really advocated other than in a couple meetings but just turning that into Condos for teachers police officers Town employees who might be able to do something so obviously there' be funding issues uh I don't know if there is already a state bucket for housing or something like that that maybe a developer could you know connect with that and it could work another thing that struck me is it could end up sort of conflicting with Union contracts I don't know if you're allowed to put an Adder onto a union well if you made it exclusive to Union employes how would that sort of work it's just a side note you mentioned housing so I'm just throwing that out there because I know housings are real issue and I personally think if that got converted to condos people there are people who would probably like it people who are probably on the younger end it's gorgeous building huh it's a gorgeous building but um I'd be sad to see it go but yes um well to not make it go a conversion that's it right I meant for the lovely Board of Ed but um there are a lot of creative ideas on how to repurpose yep older buildings like the idea of that you get tax breaks if you are turning malls in into um apartments and condos uh things like that um and I am sure that government buildings could be included in that whether or not you're able to um specify that it could solely be for um Municipal Employees that I don't know that's a super interesting question um and I will do my best to get that answer for you and and email or text you that yeah and it's I'm not looking for I mean if you're having conversations at the this is my job if you're having conversation the building get it I get it I don't want to kill you with research or anything like that I do have a different topic that really crossed my mind just in the past week or two um which is this is the uh I'm a little bit older than you but you may recall it this is the 25th anniversary of the Ilan Gonzalez Affair you you recall it so you probably recall um the law enforcement officers who in the pre-dawn hours entered the house guns drawn with her military Garb on with Ilan Gonzalez the six-year-old basically kindergarten age crying president-elect Trump and mass deportations I am 100% on board with going after the 100,000 violent criminals that came into the country God knows how I don't know how that happened I don't want to see I don't want to see Law Enforcement Officers with guns drawn the same thing that happened with the alien Gonzalez going into kindergarten classrooms here in in town um so I'm not speaking to the endgame but at least with regard to the how I uh I'm wondering have you spoken with anybody in the state Administration gotten any word about at least if there's going to be a communication because I also saw um uh Trump's uh immigration Zar Tom Holman say that he wants on day one to strike with shock and awe and I understand these are kids I understand what he's talking about I don't want that in our kindergarten classrooms I don't want it in our schools but I really don't want it there I think it could be really really bad um and so I'm wondering if you've had any conversations about anybody at least about how it happens rather than having people knock on the door just walk in the building and say we're here to get so and so this is a heavy conversation um I think it's really serious though I I don't mean to say that this is what I've heard is going to happen I haven't heard anything about what will happen right but I did I know that he's talking about shock and awe yeah and I think it's mostly quiet not saying anything more than that and and maybe you know more but but that you understand my concern I 100% not only understand your concern but I share it so um this goes back to what I was saying earlier um being proactive and being reactive we can uh so proactively Connecticut is a sanctuary State okay what that means is it doesn't mean we're going to house all the criminals and throw a party as some might often make people believe what being a sanctuary State means is that Municipal and state police officers cannot be used to do the job of the federal government and Ice we cannot use our tax dollars that pay for the protection and the safety of our residents to do the job of federal ice that's all that means it doesn't mean we ignore the law it just means we're not doing it for them with that said that potentially means if there are enough ice officers and they have a warrant to come and round people up can they do so yes they can is there anything that we can do about it right now no there is not as far as whether or not they're allowed into the schools to come and grab the children I honestly don't know um I do know that that is top of mind with almost every legislator I've spoken to um and and so that's part of the proactive and reactive things that we are trying to figure out problem is is that uh this Administration hasn't even been sworn in yet um and during the campaign season the conversations that were had around this were so like high level shock and awe well what does that mean there's no white paper that defines what shock and awe is and what their plans are so we don't know if we look at the administration the first time there were Grand plans that never came to fruition but the belief is that those that was because he didn't have the backup um you know the policy people to be able to make that legally happen the concern is now they are there so um so there may be things that they're working on that haven't been made public we have yet to see them but they are um we have a whole team of people looking deep to try to get these answers as quickly as possible I can uh when I am contacted by residents not only of chesher but of the state of Connecticut again because um my position in the legislature allows that um there are many people who are fearful for what will happen to their children will they be separated from what we know um what Trump has put out there um there is the desire to separate children from their parents and to hold them how they go and get them and can they do them in our schools that's what we don't know yet so the best I can tell you is that it is really top of mind for a lot of us if not all of us thank you um yeah I guess my my closing point is just to reiterate what happens it's the Law whatever I presume whatever it is will be following the law nonetheless how it happens and to the extent ENT that you or the governor whoever could build some sort of relationship with ice to uh try to encourage them to not go into schools um I I think that there could be uh you know the little kids see their friend getting taken away that little kids have in the worst case scenario maybe not the worst case scenario but probably the elen Gonzalez scenario real life situation guns drawn and point at people I I think you can talk about shock and awe but if this is what comes to fruition that 's going to be another problem when parents have guns pointed at their kids it's all bad and and again I'm not saying that what's that's what is being planned I have no idea but to the extent that you or the governor whoever could have a relationship to try to encourage people discourage people from from doing something like that and keeping it out of the schools I think I would very much appreciate that you know I think what needs to happen is for the policy to be made public and to and to understand how they're going to carry it out and that's the way we're going to know I I don't think I I don't think there's any good positive relationship that you can have with someone to say hey what is your what's your Tactical plan if they're not willing to put it out there like I I it's just we're dealing in it in this new reality um but there are many many people whose sole purpose is to ensure the safety of the kids um I would like to believe that regardless of what administration hires Law Enforcement Officers law enforcement officers are inherently good people and would not want to do that right so let's start there but still work on the policy I understand your concern I have heard from a lot of people who are concerned and we all share it I promise you that we are going to be working on it it's just sort of like what do you do when you don't know what you don't know thank you thank you thank you m I'll be quick uh quick few few quick things the uh educator um pool uh issue that Dr s brought up one of the things that and I know I'm not sure how I feel about this one of the things that is working in Connecticut is the reciprocity that's been put in place between Connecticut and orina for example I know last fall uh commissioner Tucker uh gave us an update a different meaning and and we have been on the re the positive end of that meaning that the Connecticut has seen teachers hired away from Rhode Island to come to Connecticut certificates transfer which helps it's not a huge pool but L but that means orland is also suffering because they don't have have the resources either for teachers um and even if we do find um even if they come out of college or to Avenues and they want to come live in Treasure as you mentioned the affordability issue I wonder is anything that state could put in place as an incentive for folks to get into that profession maybe there's some incentive towards paying for some to cost of housing they in a great idea about you know turning almost s in the condos but it's one thing for kids students to want to get into the profession and get enrolled and I feel those that do when they come out and have to decide where to work and live there's a clause issue but uh I we know this is going to get worse as time moves on because uh tell neighboring states New York New Jersey uh Maine New Hampshire they all have the same problem it seem like no matter what they do um the pools just not out there you guys can't solve this by yourselves but maybe there's a way to put an incentive in place to incentivized teachers that come to conc or live in Connecticut they want to work in E to like treasure or someplace else and the cost of living is a little out of whack maybe there's a little bit incentive for a few years to help them pay off L Cy cost so I'm gonna blow your mind it's like we share a brain um which should scare you tremendously but um I was gonna say it's gonna scare you so I I think I'm in my ninth year I think I'm going into my my ninth year in the legislature so this must have been six years ago I wrote a piece of legislation um that was building off a program called learn here live here that actually never got um off the ground but I went in and I changed it in order to get good funding for something that made sense for what we needed and what it basically says is um we can choose this rotating list of professions that will fill deserts or voids for uh for professions anywhere in the state whether it be doctors because we have Healthcare deserts whether it be teachers um what we would do is we would take a student in a Connecticut school uh and if they uh graduate and stay here and sign up for the program that they get a percentage of the money that they pay in um taxes back after a period of seven years to play to be used as a down payment on a house here uh and they would have to pay it back if they moved out um within 10 years after that it it was really Innovative at the time um and we got a lot of traction on it it did get passed out of committee out of the higher ed committee um and we thought we were on our way uh and then Governor Lamont um actually changed it to instead be um that it would be student loan forgiveness um for teachers so the bill is still out there there's still the possibility um and I and I think it is time that we start talking about it again and the governor's State of the State address he did talk about um the need for better teacher recruitment he wants to do um more male teacher recruitment I think he missed the boat not mentioning lgbtq teacher Recruitment and I'm sure I'm going to get a couple emails about that for saying it right now and out loud but that's what I believe um and so I think that the conversation might be had again this year I will put in that bill again um and we'll see where it goes with it but I think that the need is greater now because we have more professional deserts in the state than ever before uh before it was about keeping the kids here that graduate now it's about filling those professions that we need absolutely and I we know each other we know each other we talk quite a bit about this stuff I know we are I appreciate and listen I thank you for being here tonight as well yeah um I know you and the team can't Sol all in yourselves but um I know you'd be looking into that the other one that's really quick is when Dr s talked about uh the impact of mandates on education I know it was two years ago three years ago he actually testified in Harford and you know basically ask hey take a pause study what's out there you know let's limited things that are not working that are you know not cost effective or impacting our students um still very much want to see that uh especially for the unfunded mandates that maybe not be uh doing what was intended to do I could tell you and I honestly don't speak for the Department Ed but uh but I got into work with him quite a bit over the last several months uh I think they love the idea but I will tell you that uh commissioner Tucker uh in a k meeting said it's a great idea Tony here's the problem who do you think is GNA be doing that work it's her team which means have to stop other things right so good idea but um it comes back to around to how can we uh convinced the governor to add more staff it's all about full-time employees right so that so that department can have the resources right because it's not the legislators going to be studying the mandates it's going to be those agencies and so I I I know you can't put anything the bill to say hey Governor will add more heal count but I think this can actually get some traction if that department had some help even if it's temporary for a year or two but um because if you get those off the plate it frees them up it frees up some resources and or we have some really great appointees from Municipal Boards of Ed across the state to do the work for the state department of education did I just hear you sign up sounds like it well I'm trying to you know that right so I do I think I think though um no but all seriousness there there's I there's a will will there to look into it the resources just aren't there yeah but but I'm going to be really honest with you that's what they say to everything they don't want to do that's the standard we don't feel like doing it so we're going to tell you we don't have the staff if I would go to them and say I I can get you in the budget for one and a half people for the next four years what they'd say is we want to put them somewhere else because they don't really want to do that work and I and you know what I hope someone from SD is watching because it's true and they know it yes and no I mean I would say if that right the read was forced upon them they would have time to work on this but so that choose to but anyway uh you guys can my point is that you guys can do that you guys can make us a list of the unfunded mandates that aren't working that don't make sense like I I always say don't wait for the State Department of Education to do work that you could probably do better and faster yeah understood uh the point Tim was making about the deportations I 300% it should be impact on families and children obviously but I would hope the state of it is not going to impede the feds from trying to find and get rid of criminal you can't as best possible so um we just can't help them we we're not paying people our tax dollars to do I would hope that if you know State Connecticut has you know um criminal under arrest that's on a just watch list this get a heads up but let they fed do to work because we want these folks out of our system yeah that happens but more importantly I I I hope I'm not sure if con is uh is really a big part of this but you know the hundred of thousands of children have been trafficking to the United States that the feds can't account for I hope that if there's some in Connecticut Connecticut's assistant feds helping find those kids and get them back home well I will tell you that transitions nicely into what I need to talk about fig but I but I but I'm sure other people have questions for me yeah I want to turn back over for chair thank you man we do we do have about s minutes before our next meeting comence and so um Dr Aran and then miss colon I just want to very quickly um express my appreciation on am I am I heard um for the free and reduced meals and um I'm greatly appreciative that the state increased that threshold why are we nickeling diming families uh reduced versus free so that issue was taken care of I'm one of those people and not everyone maybe nobody else on this board uh would agree with this next statement but there's in my mind nothing more important to the education of our children than having them fed when they come to school and I you know I'm one of those people that really thinks that if there were more will we could find a way to not charge any child for having meals at school so I just wanted to get that out love thank you thank you um I just want to reiterate some of the points that Dr Solen made on the special education excess cost reimbursement um I don't think everyone understands the whole parameters around what four and a half times means you know it's it's meeting a threshold of four and a half times of pupil for pupil expenditure and then when you figure that out you're only getting the money out of this bucket of 62% I have I've been an educator for 50 years and for the past 25 years this has been on my radar um as a special educator as a director of special ed and and we don't seem to get anywhere like the only Movement we really had was the 5% to 4 and A2 That was supposed to go to 2 and A2 it went to 4 and A2 Chaser has a 177% rate throughout the state there's 22% of our kids identified um you know when we talk about not being able to get special education teacher sometimes we don't have the funds to pay a special education teacher because you have all of this cost that's coming out of the budget I'm sure when we see the budget in a few minutes you know you see that piece of the budget for special education um and also there has to be some cap on on private placements you know if they keep going up and up and up obviously what we have to pay goes up and up and up and we're not getting reimbursed for it so somewhere this has to become a priority um in the legislature because this is years and years and it just seems like people nitpick at it and that 05% did nothing for us really so yeah I agree and and your expertise now that you're on the board is going to be so helpful um as you know the legislature now has a special select committee on special education and so um I think that your input is going to be hugely important um so anytime you want to come up and talk to the committee I'll Usher you right in I'd be thrilled to do that well I just served two years on the task force for education and we just did a final report that went up um and and we did mention it in there I don't know if I mean this was the second time we had done a really um comprehensive report and it had members on it from DCF and private schools and public schools and SD and Educators and whole you know everyone was represented Early Childhood so it was a two-year committee that we just finished our final report on that went up so yeah you know it's going to be it's going to be a main topic of disc and you were there for the governor and you know that he even brought that up and that we need to talk about it so I think we're going to see momentum but also as you know unfortunately sometimes things are slow as molasses so um that's why I would really love to have you or anyone from the board up at any time and we would do what I'd call the Rainbow tour and just go knocking on doors in addition to testifying in front of committees it's really important that people understand you're right it's not welln um and because the education committee had always had this plus everything else and that gets drowned out so now that it's a select committee and there's going to be more open conversation about it and we have leaders of all caucuses talking about the need and the governor as well I think we're going to see some movement so absolutely I love to work with you closely on that so thank you thank you representative lenan um that we have two minutes left I do want to just um kind of say that I I agree with my colleagues here on especially with the issue with the deportation um you know going back to proactiveness right now before we do hear what's going to happen is there any community service support outside referring those with high anxiety about this to ACLU in your office do are you aware of any other services that might assist with that there are yeah there are a million um Services out there to talk about this I will get you a list and you can forward it uh to students to parents whomever you feel is appropriate um but I'll have someone put that together for you especially for the ones in our area because a lot of times they're sectioned off by area so um and then Madam chair if you wouldn't mind um I have some things that I need to pass out to the board would you allow me to do that fantastic um my only other question is I briefly in between other things heard the governor's address there was a mention about rent assistance possibly too speaking to the whole housing we do already have rental assistance there's a whole program for rental assistance I don't know um his speech wasn't too you know deep on the details uh so we don't know yet but we should start to see the budget uh at least little pieces of the budget and the bills come out um soon so we'll know more great thank you thank you and and thank you for allowing me to just say it really quickly uh in 2022 um my committee passed out um an act concerning the identification and preven mention of in response to adult sexual misconduct against children uh this is both in schools uh and in sports and it has come to my attention that the um organization Dr Solen remind me again who it was that usually puts together all of the um casbo casbo I don't even know who medicate Association School business officials yes um that they usually put together the list of things that superintendant need to do to get information out uh and and they inadvertently left this off because of that uh we have not had the information regarding grooming and adult sexual misconduct passed out as according to law uh what the law states is that members of the Board of Education should get this grooming fact sheet every single year additionally teachers need to get it every year as well as parents it needs to be sent electronically is fine um we ask that you do not simply send a link because no one clicks a link we ask that um actually the superintendent have a conversation about what adult sexual misconduct is uh so that people understand but it's incumbent upon adults to protect children so um I am going to as I leave here provide for all of you The Grooming fact sheet that was put together due to this legislation by the governor's task force on abuse children um and a copy of Public Act 22- 87 with the new Lang anguage has been highlighted so you can see um but we are now two years behind so um I'm going to get you this information um and as we know look everyone watches the news adult sexual misconduct is on the rise in schools we do have um the youth risk behavior survey uh starting this coming year thankfully I was it took me three years to pass the ability to just add one question about adult sexual misconduct towards children in schools to the teenagers in high school who are answering this survey we're going to start to have data back that shows how prevalent it is you should know that any time an adult sexual abuser of children is on the police radar but on average it is the ninth time that they have sexually abused a child ninth time so just because someone was arrested doesn't mean you caught him the first time there are kids out there that this is happening to in every classroom whether it be someone at home abusing them or someone at school it is high time that we have all adults in their lives educated on how to recognize and intervene for um our kids so I will pass these out if at any time anyone has any questions or even better yet any ideas on how we can do better please don't hesitate to reach out immediately okay great thank you once again any other oh thank you so much for being here again thank you and with that I'd like to call for a motion to adjourn Mr White second second sco we are um would you like to adjourn the legislative meeting please all in favor it is unanimous thank you representative line ofan thank you so much every

roll call President Melinda saski Charlene Diaz here Fred rushon here biki here we're all we're all here and um the item 1.3 is interview a board member candidate um Judy Reid this afternoon contacted Carolyn and basically has withdrawn her her letter of interest so that's kind of sad yeah um since there's nothing else on the agenda just adjourn during the workshop I need a motion to adjourn the workshop please I'll make a motion that we adjourn the workshop I'll second the motion all those in favor I Melinda sabraski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I Barb Zaraki and now we have to wait until 6 o'clock we do [Music] a [Music] oh [Music] yeah oh [Music] what [Music] [Applause] [Music] I'm oh [Music] m [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] all I [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] e [Music] all [Music] oh [Music] oh [Music] oh e [Music] all [Music] oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] I call the to order the regular meeting of for Bullhead City School Board on Thursday January 9th 2025 at 6: p.m roll call President Melinda saski here Charlene Diaz Fred rushon here repr n here would you guys please stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance with me say it with the commment resp I PL to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation God indivisible liy and justice for all I would like like us to take a short period of time a moment of silence for our neighbors in California who are being devastated if you guys would do that for me thank you citizens present um did you sign in did I say sign in he did okay perfect perfect perfect Fred did you sign in okay Mr Warren did you sign in okay because we keep track of this you know did you do put down your bank account number [Laughter] too you are here to do a very important important job tonight would you like to do that now absolutely okay would you please um Charlene and us please go down and down take your take your by the way thank you for being here and congratulations I appreciate it thank you for the support I was very proud yeah I was very very certainly appreciate the support thank you so much and it's an honor to be here and I will tell you lake kisu is also having their board meeting tonight and you guys were uh the early virgins so first come first serve so okay we'll do these one at a time uh Mrs Diaz if you come up stand here next to me please please raise your right hand I repeat after me I I state your name Charlie do solemnly swear or affirm do solemnly swear or affirm Cho that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I will bear true Faith true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies and defend them defend them against all enemies foreign and domestic for and and that I will faithfully and impartially I will faithfully and iners imp personally discharge the duties of the office discharge the duties of the office of governing board member of Bullhead City School District of the governing board member m of City School dist according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability and your choice between God or so I do affirm so help me and I do affirm and and congratulations to you wellard again zariski please raise your right hand repeat after me I I please state your name Bara do solemnly swear or affirm do solemly swear orir that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona and the Constitution and law of the State of Arizona that I will bear true Fai and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the same and defend them against all enemies and defend them against all enemies foreign and domestic foreign and domestic and that I will faithfully and impartially and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office discharge the duties of the office of governing board member of Bullhead City School District number 15 of governing board member of school school district number 15 according to the best of my abil according to the best of my ability so help me God or so I do airm so help me God congratulations welcome have a great year thank you very much greatly appreciate it and best wishes to bhead City best wishes to all of you have a great school year and the work you do is critical and important and uh for those of us that recognize the position that you're in and there a special place in heaven for you guys so thank you very much thank you for coming you appreciate would you mind if I take a picture of you both of [Laughter] you thank you all congratulations my problem to thank you for coming you sure you want me to read that where at I think you'll do fine better than I we're in item 2.6 election of governing board officers we tonight have to elect um a port a board president and a board Clerk um do I have any nominations I nominate Melinda saski for board president I second that motion all those in favor I'm going to abstain so all those in favor of Melinda being president retaining the presidency Charlie I is that what you're saying yes yes I Fred rushon I bar Zi thank you very much for your vot of confidence that makes me feel good um do I have nominations for clerk I'd like to nominate Charlene Diaz for another year at least is there a second I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred Rushton I vuki thank you very much so we don't need a re recess the reset plates H so do I have to reconvene the meeting again no you can go right to 3.2 3.2 establishing of date and time for board meetings for 2025 um one of the reasons why Mrs Reed could not be with us tonight or would could not join the board is because she has a standing appointment that she's had for eons um on Thursday night the second Thursday night so the reason why we have it on the second Thursday night is because Carolyn has reports that have to be in before the 15 so if we move the date either to the first Thursday or to this middle Thursday the third Thursday then we're we'll probably end up with some extra meetings for just signing papers like we've done recently about the budget those are the two pros and cons um I'm needing your opinions your discussion on changing the date either above or the first or the third or just leaving it as it is I have no problem with it going like to the first Tuesday of the month or the third really but the first and that way we definitely get before theth 15th so if there's anything for Carolyn to sign there was a problem with the only the only problem with uh the first Thursday is if that happens to fall on the first or second of the month or if the first or second of the month is the first Thursday then your uh board reports from our all of our various sites and divisions will be end up being a month late because they all send those into Cass on um on the second or third of the month that's not it's not a big deal just so you know that that then reports would run a month behind uh on those things and you certainly can consider other days of the week than Thursdays as well I recommend then the third Thursday I mean I'm open to either it doesn't matter um is there conflicts because I know there's so many things that go on in the city moving the date is that going to be an issue so like if you went from a Thursday to a Wednesday is that does that conflict with other organizations conflict with me yeah because most Church choirs practice on Wednesday night and stuff so that would cause a problem if we if we change to a different Thursday would this allow Miss Reed to um resubmit her which is something that is it's a it's a it's a possibility but the other thing that we could ask and it's to bad Mr file isn't here we could ask Mr file just to appoint somebody just take his best bet and I don't think that he would give us somebody who is going to cause cause a drastic change in our our demeanor the our our community up here I don't think he would do that so that's that's an option to Fred okay in my opinion it's my understanding I don't know m read personally but I believe that she is known to some of you board members and from what I've heard that it would be a um a good thing she's would defin in my opinion she would definitely be an asset then I I am very open to moving to perhaps the third Thursday that would allow her to to uh join us if if that's all that keeping her from joining us I'm all for moving to the third Thursday myself Charlene I I'm okay with that I have my Thursday set aside so it I'm fine with whatever Barbara oh most definitely I'm fine with that okay so I think we need a motion to change our board meeting to the third Thursday of the month I make a motion that we move our board meetings from the second second Thursday third Thursday no oh from the second second Thursday to the third Thursday of the month I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred Rushton I Barb zeri okay so we have changed the date and would you please contact Miss Mrs Reed sure be happy to do that okay call to the public this is the time when the public May speak to the you don't have to read it remember oh and we don't have any calls to the public there are no calls to the public no okay so then I'm not reading it anyway donations Fiesta bu seems to like Bullhead City and especially us yes do we have any idea what they're going to use this big we do um uh they both of these teachers uh are buying some uh items for uh Furniture in their classrooms uh and making sure and and not just Furniture but uh so they have reading centers and um uh shelving and some things like that for uh are they both U primary they're both Elementary yes they're both elementary teachers um and uh uh so they have already ordered those things and should be coming in cool great with big red ribbons I hope well are we sending we're send send a note to absolutely absolutely thank you very much uh item 3.5 adoption of the agenda um I need a motion to adopt the agenda and if there are anything is there's anything you'd like to move from consent agenda this is the time to do that I don't have anything I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda as presented I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda sabraski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I biki okay Dr Stewart you are on the hot seat um well you can see that I've attached all the various reports that we usually do we have the um the uh ADM or enrollment reports we have the various discipline reports from the sites we have a cumulative discipline report um and uh and then facilities uh work tickets unrestricted Capital food service and m&o budgets so U those are very typical kinds of reports I'll try to answer any questions that you might have about them I looked at the M budget today and I didn't see where are changing numbers last week or last month the total is the the total is the new Total yeah so I mean it it looked like we were still doing okay we are we're do we're doing okay um uh yeah so if you scroll down uh cast to the bottom so that uh 18 or the um wow 15 million that's not right because our budget is18 million whatever it was that you all approved last month when I brought you the change so when I called this report up I will tell you I call up the report and I didn't look at it very closely it's 18 over underneath the First Column there you oh that is the budget yes thank you that is the correct budget I was looking at the 15 which is what is already committed and it's already committed and so it looks like we're sitting on a bunch of money when it says 3 million uh but if you looked at my line item budget which is about 1,200 lines uh you'd see that they all have very little in them uh that's not committed so it looks big when you add them all together uh the other thing is that one of the things I noticed this year uh is that our insurance um our monthly insurance and other um uh benefits that our teachers and our employees get um for some reason the system is has not encumbered those for the whole year and so uh part of that is money that technically is encumbered because we know we're going to have to spend it for insurance and and benefits I don't know why the system has changed this year uh in the past it has encumbered for the whole year once you put the employees salary in it calculates those things and encumbers those funds for the whole year so I don't know quite why it hasn't done that this year but I will tell you that's a big piece of that um uh so that's just kind of the way it is this year um but that is the $1 18 million is the new budget that you approved last last month we the um we the staff and faculty and administrator the whole everybody were they um informed of this change not directly I mean I I talked with the any group that I've talked with so if it's the principals or the entire leadership team or the instructional team or any individual or any of my other committees or Jen's committees for that matter I'm sure she's told them um um I you know I've told them all year that we've had you know that we knew we were going to have to cut um uh simply because our enrollment is down um the newest uh it's called the BSA 55-1 which is the which is the basic uh information and then adds the waiting for special Ser you know special programs and whatever the newest one did include the number that is for um free and reduced lunch and as I told you when we were looking at this uh this revision the figures I had to use because that BSA 55 one for that month did not still did not have those numbers um so that brought back some of the um some of the money um so ultimately our cut it will not be the over 300,000 that we cut to get to this number uh some of that will come back because now those numbers are weighted and are in the formula um and so uh that will all be reflected when we do the revision in uh the final Revision in May okay it will bring back maybe half of that 300,000 if we're lucky it'll bring back about half of it um so um might not be quite that much but it will bring bring back some of that and that's nice because it gives us a little cushion for you know emergencies and that kind of thing okay um if you have other questions about any of those I'll be happy to answer them otherwise I have a couple of things to report okay um Jen Jen and I and last month was the first time in six years that she and I were both gone from work on the same day and we had to do some quick thinking about who's going to be in charge um and we recognized that we have two very capable uh uh directors in um uh Kate Hall and Amanda aan uh to have them in charge when we were absent it turns out that this month uh on the 15th or the 14th I'm sorry she and I are both going to be out of town and uh so they will once again be in charge for that day um uh as well uh the den walk through with gcon is scheduled for next Thursday uh and we're hopeful that at the end of that uh walkth through um uh we will be able to determine the date when those houses will be turned over to us and we can start doing uh the things we need to do the finish up things like window blinds and some shelving and some things like that um I will tell you that the wind has damaged uh has done some damage um the um go figure right um the carports the the light covers on the carport lights blew off and were around on the in the backyards um because of course nobody anticipates having that you know that kind of wind and it happens that we have access to the uh attic uh in in the carport as well as a place in the houses um and they had just laid plywood into those openings so there was nothing holding them there and so the change in the air pressure uh moved those and kind of blew those around in the Attic no serious damage but just some things that tell us that we have some things we want to do to make sure that things are secure in the you know around and in those houses before we have people living in them um and then uh because we're getting ready to uh have that turned over to us um I've kind of worked on a landscape design uh because we have to have landscaping for at least those three houses and for the entrance to the property uh and so we will be looking for a a landscape contractor to take my rough ideas and turn them into something um you know a really good plan and then we will um we anticipate that that will be significantly less than $100,000 so we can do it as quotes as a opposed to having um formal bids um and then uh once we receive that um we will I will also apply the local Realtors association has indicated from the very beginning of this project uh that they would uh they would work on giving us a grant for part of that for part of our Landscaping so once we have a design uh and an estimated cost uh I'll submit that to them and and see what they will help us with on uh either the monument or the uh or the actual Landscaping um and then we'll work on getting getting it beautified for uh uh for the neighborhood so we're we're not talking about life plants we're talking about uh you know like the um like those uh pillar things that the city is putting around the rusty looking things but with light you know the light in them solar solar powered lights some big boulders some of the metal cacti um those kinds of things very much a desert looking um um you know approach to the to the Landscaping the city's done I in my opinion the city's done a really nice job of sprucing up some of those areas like at Highway 95 and and Hancock Road it's very attractive and yet very uh uh manageable doesn't doesn't take water doesn't you know and because they're solar powerered it's not going to take any power or any of those kinds of things so it's kind of that that idea uh for doing that so we're getting excited about moving in that direction now are we also Landscaping the backyards too or for those three houses we're we're we're putting down the rock but we also along the along the edge before it drops off into that retention um Basin uh we will we will do some of this same kind of landscape uh decorative stuff so that it's attractive from Cay de Marcado Okay so any questions or discussion or sounds good I'm glad to hear that it's finally coming to an end yeah that that isn't the train at the end of the tunnel now it is the light it is a light yeah it's not a train the other thing is I think I've told you about but and and I don't have any new information about it U but we have at least one developer who is interested in um uh working with us to uh build the other 17 houses uh and the clubhouse and uh help us finish up that project um and they're also in contact that person is also in contact with the city because as the mayor said to me today at uh at the Chamber of Commerce uh business and government Affairs committee he said the city is not really interested in having a development that isn't developed and uh and so uh you know that's not fully developed and so uh we have some real strong support from the city on helping us work work with someone to make sure that we get the rest of those houses so wonderful that was very nice very nice great okay uh board member updates oh um before we leave that um Can can we have a report next month um on scores or how the kids are doing I think Jen will have for should have Galileo stuff next month yeah board member updates anything new um I did uh go to the desert Valley uh Christmas concert with the fourth graders and it was it was great that those kids were great uh Jackie she that lady she's she's insane that's all I can say for Jackie I mean she's out there with the kids with their uh Nutcracker thing and being The Nutcracker and the big hat and everything and just a as she's leading the kids you you're going like this and it was just it was really cute andus nice attendance by the parents and everything and it was a very nice performance very nice I was able to uh visit Sunrise oh did you like we talked about last month and I did speak to specifically the third grade teachers I met uh Miss mlan took me around and we had a nice little chat as we were walk walking and trying not to get blown over by the wind but uh I met with Miss Barton and Mrs Mitchell and Miss Rosa um Miss Cava I hope I'm pronouncing that reasonably close was uh not on on campus on Tuesday but I uh Miss mlan is going to express to her our gratitude for the effort and their willingness to participate and so basically to miss Barton Mrs Mitchell and Miss Rosa individually I I told them that we're grateful for what they're doing and how they're really uh enthusiastic about it and the results that we're seeing and just try to give them an attaboy basically but they they uh you know they deserve it and I I think that that should be something that we do more regularly I'm going to try and make a practice of it more regularly to to acknowledge our teachers that are doing above and beyond because uh I think we should yeah anyway it was it was you know short but sweet but it was very very rewarding for me thank you thank you for doing that that gets Kevin off my back thank you you're welcome was my pleasure I too went to the concert [Music] and the kids were typical you know you had the one that in screwing around and you had the one it was just it was just fun to watch and um Jack he can get up off the floor and I'm very happy with that um okay so we're moving on consent agenda the consent agenda was we're into item 5.1 this superintend you haven't done the consent agenda yet I thought have you did you vote on it yeah well how did I miss that I must have you didn't vote on it yet no you didn't you it on the regular agenda the whole agenda oh yeah we need to yeah we need to make a motion glad I'm not the one [Laughter] napping where's my uh Robert Rules of Order person down here I was looking for the next pink tab I need a motion to approve the consent agenda please I make a motion approve the consent agenda agenda I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I biki okay we're now in 5.1 St superintendent performance goals um can you bring that that up for a minute go down to the the third one I think it's the third one well only two goals you had we only had two yeah here we're starting from almost zero mhm Caroline MH I'm I'm thinking 12 and 20 are big numbers okay is what are big numbers yeah 12 yeah to consistently get 12 people here from the community well if you get the principles all here that's 12 that would be 10 but but they're not community members no that's and yes exactly but I was thinking going okay 12 no just have the principles yeah if we just had school Personnel here then yeah we could do that 12 but if you're looking for Community yeah that might be a bit of a challenge so by community members are we specifically or or Translating that into parents parents are citizens parents and community members we it's really nice to see 12 individuals so that's why yeah yeah well it says it community members it says community members in the in the like under number two level of performance oh the down here okay I was looking up here on the oh yeah so what you know there there's incentive um there's reason for all of us to attend the meetings there's incentive sometimes for uh uh our Educators to attend the meetings but what real incentive does the public have um and so what I was I'm I'm trying to ask how can we we help support that how can we uh brainstorm and come up with something that would be an effective and enticement to get more people to show up well one of the things that I thought of after our discussion last month and executive session and determining what these goals would be is um uh We've we have historically done for instance the music performance last month during the workshop and of course parents come to bring their kids kids and uh whatever and so one of my thoughts is uh that instead of doing those student recognition things during the workshop that we do it early in the regular meeting and uh so we know that parents are going to bring their kids and um and it will be a good learning experience for kids for students to see how this operates you know this is this is a form of local government so it's a it's an educational opportunity for them um but it also means that their parents are here and hearing the first part of the agenda and the first part of the meeting and perhaps generating then some interest in uh in coming other times not necessarily when they're bringing their students to perform or to be recognized for something that they've done um I have a couple of other ideas but I thought that was one that would um uh certainly have folks here not just for the workshop um uh you know we'd have we'd invite them to come for the workshop and have other items on the work workshop agenda and um uh that becomes a a good enticement or interest hopefully for them as well but then to be here for the first part of the meeting and so perhaps having any performance or recognition um uh maybe before maybe before right after the consent agenda um put it somewhere in the actually in the agenda um so that they're here and hearing part of the meeting okay um and if it doesn't work then we go back to the drawing board and we think about some other things to do but I thought that was maybe a good place to start that's a good place but I think the numbers are too high okay so what would you like them to be I would like to see the 12 become a six well we have the six under number one so you want it to be less would be would be or the the number one would be less than six but the thing is you know there's for because we're going from zero mhm 0 to 20 for you to be highly considered highly effective is just I don't see that as even a possibility okay okay it would be really sweet if you do that then you know then I've met that goal right yeah yeah but you you have exceeded any expectation I have what about you're set for the next 10 years if he had 20 what about just uh across the board in all four categories just dividing those numbers in half okay I could see that mhm just just to give you a fighting chance all right I it's going to be they're going to be goals for me anyway so yeah you know I I may in my head still stick with these but if you want it different on paper I'm all I'm all on board with that let's let's do it differently on paper and I think Fred's suggestion is an excellent so less than three three six and 10 mhm okay I think think those will be challenging even by cutting them in half yeah they're still going to be challenging well obviously tonight I didn't do that so you know you've got a point but January it's January yeah okay um uh the one up above on for the Strategic plan um were you okay with that one um I really I looked at that one I looked at the bo I didn't pay attention to this one yeah ah yeah I think that's good okay yeah and by the way I have we've done some some of it we haven't done very well and we're going to be we're going to be addressing that I also uh two things relative to that one is um I realized the other day it's been in my head U but I don't have it anywhere on paper and um and the other day when I was explaining to somebody I thought first of all I need to get this on paper and present it to the board and secondly it needs to become part of the Strategic plan and that is um uh so if you noticed in the newspaper on the front page of the newspaper or in the news uh this week the whole Development Across Marina from Desert Valley School um uh there are if I counted correctly 3400 housing units either houses or apartments slated for that property and I can't imagine having that many residences and not having a lot of kids now that doesn't mean they might not have moved from someplace else in town but it also might mean that there that there are kids coming in and the logical place for those students to go to school would be at Desert Valley desert Valley's full so uh in my head I've been playing with the idea of okay how do we start planning for for uh uh for accommodating additional students and so I have a plan in my head U but I think it needs to be on paper and I think it needs to be become part of the Strategic plan as well so I already have some ideas for you know if it's a living document we're going to be making changes and adding things to it and and doing whatever so you know just give you a heads up and I will tell you part of the reason that I already had that going on in my head is that that plan that was on the front page of the paper uh uh was introduced to us at the chamber um uh business and government Affairs committee almost a year ago and so you know so I started thinking about uh those things well in advance of what became what has become now a very public kind of document and and uh uh you know thing so um uh you know makes sense that it becomes part of our plan okay okay that's going to be quite a log itical thing and we're going to have to how much I guess I should know myself but how much land is available to uh add additional buildings and and Support Facility I don't think we have to I think what we do is we look at re well first of all our enrollment at Diamondback is low okay and so we so without changing current boundaries some of those kids the initial excuse me initial students from there could go to fill out our uh vacant rooms at Diamond Back okay um but then the other thing is that we have two full buildings at Coyote that are not being used so we have 16 classrooms there that um actually 17 classrooms there that um without without changing our preschool without changing our child care center uh without changing our uh uh our alternative program or Life Academy we could have uh two to three uh classrooms at each grade level uh kindergarten through fourth grade and so that would so that would you know that would take a bunch of kids so um you know I think I think we are logistically in a good place um we just have to be you know we just have to be ready for it so uh and part of the part of the thought process of that came in also when when Jen and I were visiting campuses to look at things that campuses said they wanted us to bring down for the garage sale and I'm looking at DES and chairs and and tables and whatever and and so I said to our all of our sites if you have a classroom that does not currently have a teacher desk a file cabinet a bookshelf enough desks or tables and chairs for a classroom full of students those things need to be moved into those rooms right now they don't have it doesn't have to be set up to look like a classroom but that furniture and those things need to go into those rooms before I even consider putting any of that furniture in the garage sale because we're not going to sell things now and 3 years from now to buy and buy them so uh uh so you know some things have been happening relative to this uh this thought process already um but uh uh but it needs to be formalized a little more formalized I think okay that's awesome that we have that already available that's very cool yeah thank you yeah okay um with the Poss with the changes in goal two I need to have uh a motion to approve the performance goals Madam go ahead go ahead Madam president I make a motion that we modify the superintendent's performance goals as we discuss by cutting those numbers uh can you bring that up again please Cal by cutting numbers for goal number two uh in half across the board okay and we'll accept the I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I Barbara Zar ziki okay 6.1 recommendation of a new board member um don't have that right now can we table that P that well I want I want to talk about it for just a moment I I have asked uh Dr Stewart to to contact Mrs Reed if Mrs Reed doesn't doesn't want to continue what do you what's your feelings on asking Mr Warren to appoint somebody how does that work I I mean because we're not getting people to um apply right so what where does he get his people from well first of all we have the advantage that John's been John's been in the county for a long time and knows lots of people in the county and and in our community so you know I'm sure he would have some ideas um and the truth is that in any circumstance um you know you all could interview five people who who apply and you could recommend somebody the law allows the county superintendent to appoint somebody different that you didn't you know somebody who wasn't even in those five right um I don't think that happens very often certainly not in this County but um doesn't mean it couldn't um but I also understand your your hesitance and your you know kind of nervousness of not having any idea what the qualifications or the interest of somebody might be if you were to just have him do that so um and you can you can table it you can you know we can check with Mrs Reed to see if she's interested uh continues to be interested even you know now that you've changed the the meeting dates um and go from there um you could also in the meantime you could also open it back up for other uh for other people to apply and and we get Lance on the you know getting it out there and putting on the timelines and and uh and maybe there would be some other people who would be interested for you to interview at the in the workshop at the at the February meeting well my my initial reaction is that I think we need to hear from Miss Reed first because we changed the date so in hopes that it would you know accommodate her um and then I'd like to go out again and and okay you know see if there is anybody out there that's interested if not then yeah the last it might be interesting to have um have John scare up a couple to scare up okay that's the wrong words um not that scared to to to look into maybe putting forward some names for us to consider and ask them them to come you know he might have other contacts that we're not having but I can see going out in asking to but this might be interesting so then do we table that is that well what you kind of need to decide if you're going to I mean you can table it because obviously you don't have a decision to make tonight um uh but give us some direction on how you'd like us to you know obviously you already would like us to touch base again with Mrs Reed um um but then if you all want us to open it up again for uh new new applicants you need to take some action on that okay I I personally think we should open it up again uh for new applicants and stuff uh and I I think part of the problem we have now is in in the past we had a newspaper that we got every day of the week now most of us a lot of us do not get the newspapers anymore so we don't even see this opening and stuff so I I think we need to get it out there once more and see if we can somehow get more interest in and In fairness we it was in uh it was in chamber news it was in it was released in a number of places um that doesn't mean that it reaches everybody who might be interested but um we certainly reach out to you know places that we maybe didn't in the past simply because we know we don't have the paper um uh quite as you know you know quite as available for people okay I'm going to move or I'm going to make a motion that we reopen uh for letters of Interest until what February 1st would that be that's two weeks three weeks well at this point you're not having a meeting again until the third Thursday yeah um so Tuesday 63 the 20th the meeting would be on the 20th 20th yeah the closer has to be before then the 13th the week before it could be the 13 did we close it a week we closed it when we closed it this round last Friday so you could close it like on the 14 Valentine's Day you can close it on the 14th part because were I mean closing it on the 14th gives you enough time to oh yeah to you know to review any of the paperwork that comes in so my motion is that we open it up for letters of Interest until February 14th but we also ask um Mr Warren to put forward some names okay so that we have some somebody to discuss or to to to yeah interview to to get the seat filled first of all we'll go for community then we'll go for whatever Mr Warren suggests that's fine um does everybody understand my motion could we amend that to also include making sure we contact Miss Reed because you didn't mention okay first of all we in my motion we're we're going to contact Mrs Reed to make sure that she with the with the date change that she she is no longer available or she no longer has interest then after that if that doesn't work then we're going to open it up to the community until February 14th for a letter of interest and at the same time we're going to ask Mr Warren to put forward some names and so we can contact them also if we fail to have somebody from the community does everybody understand the motion so in other words if we contact Mrs Reed tomorrow and she says she's still interested in it then the rest of it is we don't have to do any of the other Mrs Reed is is the one then for our recommendation stuff okay well you haven't heard from her so do you want to recommend from her too you would my understanding of Melinda's motion is that you would still open it up for other people and then you could hear Mrs Reed and and others at your next meeting did I misunderstand that I think the intention if I may we need it clear I think the intention is that uh Mrs Reed would be the preferred person to seat but at the same time we didn't want to wait to get her answer before we proceeded with the other things so I would think like Barbara was saying that if she indicated that she would be interested and would like to fill the position then we don't need to pursue the other avenues okay that's that's that was and I misunderstood thank you for clarifying did I get that right you got that right okay get that right okay okay I've made a motion to a second I second it absolutely all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I Barbara ziki we have a proclamation for recogn in Mike files service to the community and to the county and to everybody else and we'd like to have it read into record and then we need to approve it first well when you're done when we're done okay and I've asked Charlene to read it for us okay so it's a proclamation whereas Michael D file has been the Mojave County Superintendent of schools for 24 years and whereas the Bullhead City School District governing board recognizes that he has had an important and positive impact on public education in Mojave County and whereas Mike started his educational pathway as a teacher more than 40 years ago and whereas Mike was later promoted to principal and later the superintendent at Mount Tipton School in the chloride Dolan Springs School District number 11 and whereas its merger into the Kingman Unified School District gave Mike the opportunity to run for public office at which time he was elected to the first of six consecutive four-year terms as County Superintendent of Schools and whereas Mike con Mike's constituency has included 15 mostly rural public school districts and multiple public charter schools in one of the geographically largest counties in the United States and where as one of Mike's many examples of student involvement and achievement has been to promote and support Mojave County Schools participation in the qualifying steps of the annual National Spelling be and whereas Mike has advocated for nonpartisan constructive dialogue rather than adversarial antagonism in Mojave County public education and whereas Mike has opted to retire from elected life and public office after Decades of serving uh Decades of service helping tens of thousands of students students faculty administrators and stakeholders and whereas retirement allows him the freedom to among other things spend more time proudly following the career of his son Dylan a professional baseball player as well as being a devoted grandparent therefore we the governing board of the bhead city school district number 15 do hereby recognize the many contributions of Michael dile and designate Monday January 13th as Mike file day in the Bullhead City School District passed and adopted by the governing board of the Bullhead City School District number 15 on this 9th day of January 2025 the superintendent is hereby directed to send a copy of this proclamation to the honor rooll Michael D file thank you for reading that whereas I didn't realize it 24 years oh my gosh okay do I have a motion to award this Proclamation I make a mo a motion that we award this proclamation to Mike vile I'll second that motion point of order before we vote please uhhuh it it just seems a little bit um I I guess weird to me that we're talking about Mr file and you know we're going to make this day Michael defile day Mr Michael defile and then it's Mike Mike Mike Mike okay I I just I personally think something like this an honor like this should say Mr file Mr file Mr file that's just me and you noticed that it says draft and that was to allow you all to uh make changes that you wanted to make prior to uh printing it and signing it as a formal document it's a good point I didn't I didn't I didn't even pick up on that thank you Fred that was wonderful okay so in that event Madame President may I I believe I can do this and somebody correct me if I'm wrong may we amend your motion to change all we have to amend Barb's motion yeah yeah made the motion okay so yeah you're just a formalizing it whoever yeah to just formalize it instead of Mike to Mr file but other than that I think it's wonderful or how about Mr Michael defile I think when the going 111 Mr file is okay that's okay with me if you want to make it Mr Michael defile then we can do that too but just a I just think Mike is is just a little informal everything exactly exactly so see if Barb will amend her motion okay uh I amend my wasn't that we we uh adopt the uh Proclamation for Mike uh Michael Michael D file to uh the name change of Mr file in the proclamation second but the but you're approving approve motion to modification okay do we have second I I'm Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred Rushton I Barbara Zaraki and uh just so you know uh Lance will make those changes and turn it into a formal document before you leave this evening oh okay is there is there a possibility that everybody gets to sign it absolutely could you do that can that offic make that change I think that it would be appropriate to make that change please um 6.3 6 yeah yeah 6.3 recommendation to award category One E3 rate e rate F RFP to Optimum for internet access and managed lit fiber for the contract of the starting or for starting school year 26 Madam president this is fiber well I'm not going to be able to answer that for you we' ask James for that but um each year we uh went or it's usually every year but sometimes it's every other year we're able to apply for e-rate funds from the federal government for uh infrastructure things relative to uh our technology and um and typically in those situations if we awarded those whatever it is we set up uh e- rate pays for I think it's 85% and we pay for 15 so it's you know it's very advantageous to us to have uh to have these uh these things so we were awarded um uh things that we requested and then James went out to uh to to uh with an RFP a request for proposals uh to um Optimum and tww those were the two who responded there may have been others that the request was or the you know the permission or the U request was sent to um and he's just simply saying oh yes so you can see we got information from Frontier um and they one of the things just so you know in procurement when you do this kind of thing you set up a rubric for or uh how it is you're going to uh determine who you select so it's not necessarily the lowest bid but uh you see these points here so on the left you see the rubric that was established before the bids or the quotes were open these are quotes uh before they were open and how many points they could get for uh for each of those things so you can see it totals 100 points and you can see how the points were awarded uh across uh those uh those four uh um quotes that we got um and part of that has to do with uh we're very usually very specific in what we want quoted uh and so sometimes that isn't what we get so you know if if they don't actually quote to us what it is we want then they get fewer points for that uh for that piece so that explains a little bit about why some of the points are lower if you want more detail than that then we need to ask James for uh some information James what is lit fiber I'm get I'm hard having a hard time getting past that Lit fiber thank you madam president members of the board uh manage lit fiber it just means that the service provider manages all of the fiber connectivity and that specific service is for Diamond Back Fox Creek and sunrise just for those three schools correct so the opposite of that is what we would called Dark fiber or self-provision Fiber so dark fiber would be fiber that is owned by another company but we're responsible for putting all of the the light on the fiber and then self-provision fiber is what we have for Bullhead Middle School coyote and Desert Valley because we have the property connecting all of those campuses together we have our own fiber that goes between the district office and those three schools so if we got a little wild with the backo out there and dug it up that would be on us to repair whereas with the manag lit fiber because we don't own any of that infrastructure somebody digs up the fiber between here and Fox Creek it's on the service provider to fix that so it's just a monthly service that allows us to connect the three schools that are not connected via our property to us okay thank you thank and so tww was basically not considered because they came in double for op of optimum correct well they they were very much considered um just with the the aggressive pricing that optim came in with you know it kind of change the points a b there and we we have had Optimum in in excuse me we have had Optimum in the past uh Sudden Link and Altis and what have you and they were a very good service provider so we were you know we feel that it was very competitive between uh Optimum and tww for reliability and service okay thank you any other questions for Mr okay thank you very J Thanks James uh do I have a motion to award this contract I guess it is a contract right it is a contract yeah it says contract right here Madame President I make a uh I would like to make a motion that we award the category one eate um contract to Optimum for internet access and managed lit fiber for school year 2526 I'll second on that motion all those in favor I'm Melinda sabraski I Fred Rush Oh I'm sorry I'm Char uh I Charlene got know who she is fr Rush am I I oh my gosh oh my dad okay this is the the next one is 6.4 recommendation to award Category 2 erate RFP to gov connection for school year 2025 2026 okay so this is um once again we would have to have James explain exactly what this is but um uh this is another there are different categories of eate things so the other one was fiber my understanding is this one is not fiber this is hardware Hardware Hardware Hardware so uh uh you know Hardware to make the system work no question go connection is the yeah no connection the no difference yeah okay do I have a motion to award the contract to go connection Madam president I'm move that we award the category 2 ER rate RF um contract to gov connection for school year 2526 for the hardware connections I'll second that motion although those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred Rushton I Barbara sariki item 6.5 convenient to Executive session pursuant to AR ARS 38 43103 A1 discussion or consideration of employment assignment appointment promotion demotion dismissal salaries dis disciplining or resignation of a public officer appoin to or employee of any public body except that with the exception of salary discussions an officer appointee or employee May demand that the discussion be or consideration occur in a public meeting I need a motion to move to Executive session I make a motion that we move to um executive session I second it all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I Barbara ziki okay we already [Music] w [Music] m [Music] is [Music] h [Music] all [Music] oh [Music] h [Music] w [Music] for [Music] w oh [Music] or you can sign it I need a motion to reconvene into public session please I make a motion we reconvene into public session I'll second that motion item 8.2 act oh you got to vote on it first okay I guess sorry let me pull this back together hi Melinda sabraski I Charlene Diaz hi Fred rushon hi Barbara ziki item 8.2 action resulting from the executive session do I have a motion um on Samantha McCormack's request for resignation I make a motion we accept Samantha McCormack's uh resignation I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I bar Zari item 8.3 convenient to Executive session pursuant to ARS 38 431.073 the discussion or consideration occur in a public meeting do I have a motion to convene into executive session I'll make a motion that we convene into executive session I'll second the motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz I Fred rushon I bber ziki we are now in executive session [Music] all [Music] oh [Music] you [Music] oh [Music] oh for a [Music] he [Music] m [Music] oh [Music] n [Music] I need a motion to reconvene into to public session I'll make a motion that we reconvene into public session I'll second the motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene I Fred rushon I barbiki item 10.2 action resulting from executive session consideration of the request of res ation for Mr Buran Jan thank you Jan Jan Madame President I make a motion that we uh accept the resignation from Mr Burge jigan I'll second that motion all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene di I Fred rushon I bariki okay item 11.1 future topics is there anything else that or anything we'd like to have other than Jen scores that she's going to give us next time um I believe if if I'm not mistaken at one time that we were going to do a workshop uh specifically focused on budget and how we can better understand how the budget Works am I yeah am I recalling that correctly you are and perhaps I'm not recalling that we were going to wait till you had a new board member yeah H that would sense I think that that's what we were thinking Fred okay so maybe the March maybe in March yeah okay after we get a new board member after we get a new board member okay sounds good thank you sure um my question though is um Mr Warren had decided we were going to have some kind of a training Cassie did you hear anything more about that well it's it's and actually uh actually um uh my file started that process and then um I don't know exactly what happened but I did I do notice that I did notice that I saw the email from John Warren that uh moving it to February so I think it was moved to February so Cass has been all over that and she'll work with you on on that as well okay February 16th I just need to kind of get it on the calendar is it a Friday or a Monday or what no it's not going to be the 16th because that's a Sunday what are we looking at was th working I think I think you're right but it's during working hours yeah he suggested he was suggesting the 13th and during the day because if we had kept our same board meeting night that would have been ours and lake habus so uh I think the date that he's talking about is the 13th and it would be during the day okay and I won't be here okay I can't be here Thursdays are are college workdays and I think for you also isn't aren't they me no mine's Monday Wednesday your's Monday Wednesday but Thursday the 13th the second is uh women's Council okay oh I can't do the third Thursday of the month what can't you that's Foundation uh board meeting MCC Foundation board meeting and I am Secretary of the foundations well that kind of so you may want to re agendize that for the next meeting yeah yeah yeah okay yeah okay yep yes we'll have to Don It cast yeah so probably Mrs Reed can't be with us unless we move it to the first all right upcoming board events any more programs that we can get to see at the schools uh did we have a calendar tonight oh we do there we go DOA um back to that third one I could still we can I can still make it come to think of foundation meetings at 4:00 so I would still be about an hour yeah I would still be able to make them okay so the third Thursday is still fine oh sure Dodge that one no j no need to avoided a disaster have three meetings that day you might want to come to the mic yeah I can't yeah I was going to say I can't hear you Charlene's having trouble I know yeah I didn't hear um on February 7 our schools are doing the CNA process which is the school improvement process preparing for their school Improvement plans for next school year I believe Fred U Mr russan that you came to that last year or the year before I think it was the year before the first year but that if you're interested in coming through all the schools are there and they're working through data and um creating School Improvement plans and that would be Friday February 7th from 730 to 11: in the morning at Desert Valley and it be desert where is it at Desert Valley Desert Valley okay 7:30 to 11 Desert Valley yes okay was that like fish bones thingo that yeah that was a fish BN thing okay got it thank you all right anything else oh we don't have any new board members do we so we don't not yet not yet okay date and time for the next meeting would be the 3 Thursday then it would be what February 20th yeah at 5:30 here in the here in this room okay uh if we have uh if we have Galileo data we might do that for the workshop please and uh and then that will be our first foray into some something that do involves students and getting their parents here so all right okay that's part of the agenda okay do I have a motion to adjourn this meeting I'll make a motion that we adjourn this meeting second it all those in favor I Melinda saski I Charlene Diaz hi Fred rushon I Barb ziki we are adjourned thank you thank you [Music] oh

in the Ashlin Community Center the upcoming dates are January 15th February 19th and March 19th now you can follow Ashlin on Tik Tok the town of ashin is now on Tik Tok stay connected and learn about local government Town highlights and efforts to attract new businesses so follow us at Town of Ashland ma this week's Community shout out goes to Nathan gerlen Ashlin High School senior and Boy Scout Troop 232 leader Nathan Gervin completed a remarkable Eagle Scout project dedicating 150 hours to creating a mobile two bin recycling structure for the school's cafeteria and gym with over 2500 in donations from local businesses and families Nathan led the effort from planning to construction the project celebrated with a ribbon cutting on December 18th significantly improves the school's recycling options some upcoming events and opportunities the family book read and yoga join local author and mindfulness teacher Ava dult for a family friendly friendly event on Saturday January 18th at 10: a.m.

k2. c. us very simple um sarcastically but if you can find it on our website the that helps us prepare and be able to provide that information in a subsequent meeting right are there questions currently for Dr sarin from any board members Mr White I'm just wonder a capital budget do we have that in the hopper coming along because that ties right into this right yes the capital budget we um just made a request this evening to set some dates with the planning committee to begin reviewing the capital budget we proposed three dates so when you get home tonight you could check your email um and we could do that you know the recommendations the email came from Emily Taylor our assistant chief operating officer so we could do it just before one of our scheduled um meetings around the operating budget or if the chair Mr eki and the members would like to have a separate virtual meeting we could do it that way as well but it's it's the initial capital budget is is pretty far along right Miss Taylor ready to go do do you have any uh expectation based on your years of experience that we would have anyone attend a capital budget meeting because I'm fine with a virtual meeting as long as we're not expecting anybody and and the truth is is historically we haven't um and again the planning committee does the initial review and makes the decisions and then recommends it to the board at one of our scheduled board meetings so is there anything that some people might consider like off-the-wall in there or is it standard maintenance and stuff oh it's it's what we've seen in Prior years you know requests around facilities you know everything ranging from Windows to HVAC to cafeteria improvements improvements at our Fields yeah I'd be comfortable with a virtual meeting if we did that not requesting any new school buildings or anything like that I'll tell you not today even though we should but we have it I I do have one other I think this is just a comment um about the transition okay my son had Jess GM Petro as his kindergarten teacher I trust her a great deal and she said that the program from her perspective is my words not hers fantastic but she was she was really she's really happy with it she's teaching yeah she's yeah she's teaching yeah I apologize for missing that point uh nonetheless I just always put on my budget hat and I know you said there's no cost but a little I just want be precise about it you're saying there's no cost to the local property taxpayer is there a cost at the state level because what I'm thinking about is the pension gets expanded by years of service and we're probably not covering that with the cost um no I wouldn't even know how to calculate that cost for one year of teacher service but conceptually I'm just saying there is there is a cost baked in there yeah probably for some the teacher does pay 8 and a qu % in um to that program so they that money also earns uh interest it would really be calculate you need some sort of um I forget the term I'm not asking to calculate it right now just at a conceptual level is what I'm saying limited it best but uh the other thing I would indicate is that there is probably a direct cost to us to not run the program because as that parent said in the email that I shared uh they would then opt into kindergarten yep we would therefore be adding another potential kindergarten section which would come at a fiscal cost to us if we don't run it okay and and the the last point so thank you thank you for that I appreciate that and the last point I know you said this year and it's at Darcy but next year is the last year that that situation exists right correct okay so I don't see if we did it for one more year that's one thing but based on all the discussion about space I just don't see where it would go a year from now unless unless the one other point I'll make without getting into discussion is it look to me like third grade and second grade had gone up in numbers but I was kind of surprised when you were showing the enrollment numbers that first grade hadn't really didn't seem to be going up at the same rate of growth where we were thinking and also caveat the kindergart numbers were low but I think generally kindergarten numbers tend to be lower anyway although it's got the prek baked into it this year but I my understanding is when I've looked at the numbers families don't necessarily move in here before kindergarten but they definitely move in here before first grade so the first grade can often times pop from the kindergarten number I think they often try to you know the cost of um real estate in Cheshire is prohibitive for young people generally speaking and um so you know it's it's not uncommon for us to see fourth grade with a a younger sibling or something like that so okay thank you thank you any other comments questions for the superintendent all right uh with that I do need a motion to adjourn Mr White second Mr grippo I am looking forward to our next meeting and I'm also looking forward to the spreadsheets that Mr gripple will be handing out soon as well too so all in favor of Jour unanimous thank you thank you everybody for coming this evening

at the ashon public library enjoy a book reading yoga and crafts register online for more details parent and caregiver voices needed Ashlin parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in a regional survey on youth substance use and prevention efforts your input helps shape impact F initiatives for more information contact krench asm.com now the upcoming Library events the adult programs College admissions 101 Thursday January 9th at 6 p.m. women's wisdom Circle Thursday January 9th at 6 p.m. Bollywood dance Workshop Saturday January 11th at 1 p.m. now the children's programs are little Picasso's club which will be held Tuesday January 7th at 4:30 p.m. en coding class for kids Saturday January 11th at 1: p.m. that is all for today thank you to our town manager Michael Herbert and town sta for for providing this newsletter and thank you all for tuning in to waca my name is hi silver good night and go clockers

some news you need to know the Christmas tree collection don't forget to place your Christmas tree at the curb for pickup by Monday January 13th

can't see that being an option either so it's a lot of words but I don't see a lot of reality I mean what do you ladies think absolutely I mean I think we all know living in Massachusetts the cost of housing and how difficult it is to find and maintain housing in this state um especially you know with the current economy people are really really struggling and the cost of housing have only gone up mortgage rates are High um rents are high and the I can't imagine how chall ing it would be to come to this state not know the language to not have a place to live to not have a job lined up and then expect to be able to support a family on the kind of wages you can get in an entry-level position not knowing English it's an unrealistic expectation participating in emergency services for the state of trying to take care of people who have come from outside our state

def Def [Music] [Applause] sorry that might be working out [Applause] hello hello hello can you hear me hello hello can you hear me hear myself have you yeah I don't I can hear myself I wait do I have myself I don't know can you hear me I got you all right now we're good [Music] all right welcome everybody today's East on match up against poio purple purple Knights purple Knights little technical difficulties but we're we're finally back at it East meow winning 53 with five minutes left in the first quarter Okay so we've seen a good start for the Spartans here today as the knights throw that one away and the East lbto ball hopefully we can build on our win earlier this week at home Jeff undefeated at home so far Steve so we're going to try to keep that keep that rolling ball goes from mne to marino marino goes over to Goslin Goslin loses her balance and takes a step out of bounds uh hok will inbound from the far sideline their own end and East Low goes with man-to-man pressure well defended ball goes outside to 14 that's Miss rebound by Jill Stevens Outlet to Marino and Marino slows it down to wait for numbers pook moves into their own man-to-man defense off Kenna's foot coach Gary calls for the timeout thought he got the timeout but the jump ball was called first East Lomo will retain The Possession I think this is the first time all year Steve that we've actually had an a bigger team man for man right it might it might very well be it certainly doesn't happen often not very many times is uh Kenna or sabinaa match up when they're taller than the person they with yes correct we have a substitution Caitlyn beak out and Grace blaze in Spartans will pick up their pressure at midcourt looks like number five Perez goes from long distance no good rebounded Again by Jill Stevens we could use a good rebounding night out of Jill tonight that would spell good things for us yeah I bet if Jill puts up 15 rebounds tonight we win yep Spartans operate outside Jill goes from the top of the key there we go Banks it in Bank is open Steve fantastic that's something he somehow has been lacking a little bit this year I think Ken Marino and Jill are the ones that are drained in free so far this year fok looks for The Equalizer from Rivera but no good nice rebound by gosin little miscommunication there between Marino and Blaze the ball will go back to hoio to inbound and go the length of the floor with an eight to3 lead we kind of don't want to have those unforced turnovers like that's the second time we've turn the ball away tonight correct he coach Gary saying girls you have to keep your eyes open Rivera tries to get Baseline that looked good unfortunate foul that looked like a good block to me not much more Stevens could do on no on that no that looked pretty good Holio goes to the line Genesis Rivera Two Shots back iron for the first one usual I like to see our girls just keep running running them down you saw out of support today of all the fifth and sixth grade girls good to see quite a few yes it's good to see that ball goes into Blaze nice drive by blaz for two well done and a Holio timeout there you goch Furious I love not happy with the defense easta metal girls are pumped up on that good job by grace blaz It To The Hoop yep Marino found her on a good look and then Blaze went right to the basket 104 with 322 left in the first quarter as the Holio purple Knights look to regroup on that timeout you okay so hok will look to inbound after trying to regroup after again the the hok bench was a little bit heated about some poor defense on that last possession it's always good seeing the other team upset watch those timeouts are four right Perez operates from the point tries get the ball out of her man she has the ball in her hands a lot oh comes up short on that one tried to go looked like Perez to the shot but nothing doing and so far so good for the Spartans mne looks to bring it up against minimal pressure till the three-point line Reno with a ball fake whistled for the travel ho yoke ball well if they can get someone inbound it with just under three minutes remaining in the first [Music] quarter they move the ball around the perimeter goes outside good block by Emma 21 throws Emma to the ground I think that's a foul that should be yes little WWE style right there and on this one here I give the ball I give the ball to Emma and let her drive that certainly has been a an offensive formula for success for the Spartans thus far this season bet I bet you we can get uh Blaha pick up another another quick one quick foul Y and again as you mentioned on a team that doesn't have a ton of size to begin with it would certainly be good to get her in some foul trouble Blaze looks to operate gives the ball back to Marino on the perimeter Marino goes with the skip pass over the top under 10 on the shot clock Marino looks for a clean look did not draw the [Music] iron Perez comes the length of the floor takes it in Nice Shot yeah that looks to me to be hok's realz plans a b and c on offense goz she drove earlier on and threw the foul and got the end one and then she just ran in the lane Spartans operating the perimeter mcky looks goes to the post Jill Stevens goes back to Ken Marina there we go Ken a three well done there we go that's what we've been needing this year good ball movement hit that outside shot we can get these girls start hitting a couple of Threes force them to come out a little bit more open up the inside that's a shot clock yep shot clock problem there oh nice look by Saina to hit Jill and stride well done nice pass and nice nice take by Jill Stevens to go in that was terrific transition basketball right there Jill Stevens at the line for two one for one Kendall Reed checks in for Emma gosin Kendall Reed with six points the other day that was a good game for her good G real good game strong underneath the boards got a bunch of offensive rebounds nothing but the bottom of the net for Stevens on his second one 15-6 with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter here at East High School Perez looks to operate from the top of the key once again goes through her legs tries to get by Kenna help defense is there good little player y mne will operate the point from the top hands the ball off to Reed who goes outside to Marino looks to blae blaze takes Baseline back to Marino up top to mcky has an open look goes inside to Grace Blaze Blaze looks to reset tries to get the skip pass St she's got it Jill stays with it goes over the top take it ohz the basket wow something yeah Holio girls when yeah Head to Head e e e for second quarter action uh 1710 East L Meadow leading Holio just over seven minutes remaining uh in the in the first half Grace Blaze checks in for Ken Marino Maya noes in for Caitlyn beak Perez will operate from the point as she usually does ball is in her hands quite a bit swings back to her over to Guzman Guzman back to Perez Perez takes a step back three no no answer there Grace blazs on the rebound fought for and full y ball Rivera looks to inbound she goes to Perez Perez will take her time give instructions from the top of the key goes outside to colie col's fouled there by Maya NES hok will inbound under the basket they'll run what looks to be a modified box or X play here ball is stolen by by Jill Stevens push it up the court Jill all the way take her take her Jill make her play it [Music] yep nice work by Rivera and uh Perez Rivera and K so colie for three off the front iron Maya's pushed but maintains the rebound saw beginning to look a little uh confused nice tape by grace blaz F yep and that looks like a second on Blaha there I think if you can get her and Perez out coach coach has got a decision to make for hok at this point about whether or not you go with Blaha with two six minutes so it's a long time to pick up that third one in the first half we'll see what she does GRA blazs with the first Marino in for mne Reed in for Stevens Grace reies herself for the second shot and it's up and in Grace glaz four for four at the line tonight G picked up by noes tries to maintain her defensive perimeter there Rivera looks over to colie collie tries to go inside that's a nice play but no conversion Reed with the rebound noes pushes it up the court noes to gosin gosin looks there back to no Mareno gets a good look too far for her there Blaze operates with the ball up to the high post to Reed follow on Perez y I don't think noes realized how much space she had on that shot she looking for the quick swing to Marino coach giving her some instruction take a look at that shot she's one of the better somebody got to move shot clock resets on the foul em gos with a nice shoulder and fake very good and it goes to Reed picks up puts it in starting off right where she did the other day offensive board and puts it in no are such such key points they don't look super flashy but wow they are important they are very important hey you know you can let these girls dribble all you want out in out TI just contain them like soccer just contain them whoa whoa whoa be an elbow from collie there trying to get some space Emma Goslin grabs up rebound pushes it up could go the whole way and she does there you go wow she's fouled and not called tough to not get the call there once again we said it over and over again I don't think three girls are all going to get ball all played completely clean defense looks Gman hits the shot jio coach with a quick timeout 212 2114 4 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in the first half e okay coming out of the timeout uh seven-point Advantage for the Spartans 2114 four minutes and 45 seconds left in the second quarter one of the things I'd like to see the Spartans do going forward is definitely boxing out the ball's been bouncing around a little too much on our defensive side for rebounding we should be defin grabbing all those rebounds seems like Poo's got a couple Second Chances May operates from the point gets it to marino marino with a clean look catches the rim but just bounces long time out coach Gary calls the timeout before Jill Stevens is tied up that will be East Long Meadow's ball inbounding under the basket e okay both teams break the Huddle and come back it'll be East Long Meadow inbounding uh under their own offensive basket running our form of box yes looking for anything ball goes Goslin out to beak beak with a good bounce pass to mne mne finds Marina on the swing o just barely another Miss on that there you go that's quick ball that's good ball there we go well done yeah nice ball movement terrific shot nice open look shots nice very well done Rivera looks tries to straight up good defense by Stevens nicely rebound rebounded by gosin be gives ball to mne mne will slow things down and let eow get in their offensive set they'll play Four across in an up high look there ball goes to Stevens back to mne nicely swung to beak beak takes the ball to the basket back outside to Sabina looks to swing to Stevens at the top she'll leave it for marino marino ball fakes back to Stevens Stevens looks to take Baseline switched hands at the ends nicely done re sh on the shot clock because they hit the rim so they'll have another 35 if they need it mne ball fakes and goes to the basket Outlets to beak beak nothing there goes to mne back to be who gets a good look just short jio ball Julio's falling into a two3 zone so if we can turn around and start banging out a couple these trees make them have to come out and play us get a couple of those shots and you could open things up East medow currently enjoying a 10-point Advantage 24-4 3 minutes and 20 seconds left in the first half there you go that's a pick trapped at half court Rivera some Oh I thought she got out of it but nope isto does force the turnover kekney looks to bring the ball to midcourt poo continues to stay in that two3 zone goes to beak ah got a mismatch with Jill Stevens over there I'd be feeding it to Jill Jill's got a lot of front rib from mne rebounded by Rivera I would me I would guess she'll take this the whole way herself straight up Jill oh Jill just got a hand on that think we got to look to get the get the ball into the inside Joe's got a good five inches in height on the girl Rivera goes to the line for two she makes the first I would imine this substitution will be read for Stevens trying to protect her from getting another foul before halftime I like that with Reed out there she's an aggressive girl I give her the ball a few times let her body up the other girl Rivera second nothing but the bottom of the net 246 lto presses quickly finds Marino for shot that's a pushed inside she stays right another foul wow allowing some very physical play there without a whistle gets to the basket good beak rebounds drive by beak y gets it out to Marino swung to mne back to Marino good look back to beak beak is impeded there thank you there we go that's a foul yep his fouls going all around foul there on Guzman third foul for Holio Marino looks to inbound goes all the way back to beak back to Marino in the corner ball fake gets her a chance to penetrate shot does not get in Reed makes the save Hustle by Reed controlled by Holo that's a foul you don't need that's a Trey young foul right there slow down let the defender run into that's tough hustling to get back and the other girl slows down and uh Grace blaz in for Caitlyn be Kio inbounds just on the East low side of midcourt Rivera runs the show as she usually does de outside to 22 Rivera there that's looked like maybe a travel but she no such call don't dribble into the corner finder lot of contact inside collie looks to find Perez nope it'll come this way to Rivera Rivera tries to get to the backel to travel travel indeed you can't step all the way through like that Mayan's in for Sabino mne noes will run the point here waits to see if there's action reverses the ball to Blaze Blaze back to nolles nolles looks on a quick dribble back to osin hands off to Marino oh Marino looks for the interior pass nice nicely deflected put that up there we go Maya with it just off the front could play this down till about the 22nd mark That's go up with it there we go nice [Applause] take that's the third for Blaha before the half I'm not sure why coach decided to bring her in yep that was the foul in 21 so she's going to have to gonna have to sit or her she's not going to have a very long afternoon here off the board for one for Reed and just like that Blaha will go out with their third foul before halftime with her and Perez hasn't been much other scoring the knights violation on the free throw shooters so we'll have hok inbounding and going the length of the floor with 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter changing it up here as River brings it up and they spread Perez out to the wing they try to find her for an opening and it worked that time they got a good look they didn't have the pressure and they got Perez open for a three credit to the jolio coach for getting her off the point and drawing up a new plan of attack there see what easto does with the last last shot type has not been an area where we've excelled this season look at for Grace blaz you got her in the corner there was no one that rotated over [Music] Reed at the top of the key finds nolles about 10 seconds remaining noes looks by Reed Oh e will have the ball left with three seconds left have the ball with good Hustle by Reed down the offensive glass once [Music] again get it there you go give it to Jill there we go that's well done the jolio coach is well out onto the floor she had better be careful because that is far outside of the coach's box far outside of the coach's box that is that's a bad territory yikes I'm not quite sure what her gripe was there was a lot of contact on that play from the three any one of any one of her three players and Jill makes makes it count hits hits the free throw now well they're not going to the line all we want to do is not foul him with no yep and they're able to get Jill out so as to not pick up another foul yeah the only person I really be concerned about here is I would just try to deny five the ball they're doubling her up yeah that's a good Play Let it go anywhere else just off the front glass Nice Shot scary okay we go to halftime with East meow enjoying an eight-point lead 27-9 e e e all right we're good yeah okay all right watching the last 10 seconds or so of halftime wind down here after a successful duck toss at halftime Spartans will come out with an eight-point lead 27 to 19 over Holio Jeff what do you what do you think is the what do you think is the winning the winning combination here for the Spartans in the second half the knights are sitting in a two3 zone so they're they want us to shoot the ball so I think if we knock down a couple of Threes it's going to force them to maybe possibly go into a two3 zone or a 3-2 Zone but I think a big key is with our girls here if they're going to sit in that two3 zone get the ball to you know Jill Stevens when she's up on top I think if we can get the ball into her she can turn around and drive or kick it out a lot can happen plus you get they're coming out into a manto man so okay well ball goes right to Kenna for three that would have been a nice one to have the play was well drawn up Ken of just missed on the rim and Holio looks immediately to press to the outside surprised the blaha's out to start with three fouls I'm very I guess go for goph for broke who is that gozman from outside yeah oh Rivera sorry 22 right jesis Rivera it's a good look 2722 mney looks for some penetration other side gives the ball to emag goosin who gets inside and is foul that one on let's see is that Guzman 14 called it on called it on 14 on that gozman yep Blaha holding her breath on that one knowing that her next foul will be number four for 21 ball goes up top to the top of the key to Emma Goslin Emma gives the ball to Marino who looks to find a way to drive she's cut off there back to gosin Jill Stevens posts inside then puts a screen on for how's that not a foul wow a lot of contact that's a block or something yikes but at the same time I think we have to look Emma's got to like look up you have Jill with a mismatch you just feed it into Jill this is what they continued at the end of the first half taking Perez off the point letting Rivera on point and then letting Perez catch and shoot off of that it's good by Kenna oh and Marino there to pick it up right out her Oho takes the ball in ooh there we go traveling Oh that would not have been my guess on that call yikes Rivera looks to inbound against a 221 pressure uh press scenario from East L Meadow ver goes back outside goes back to the middle and Holo breaks the Press there goes outside to Blaha who goes back to collie colie looks to find a seam gets there but can't get it in the Spartans will come down leading 27-22 mney looks to operate from the top goes outside to beak beak back to mne keky goes inside to Stevens back outside to beak put that up there go [Music] golin whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa we don't want to get that fall from 95 ft away from the collie is that's another I watch the elbows on number four that is second time I've seen that tonight ball goes up top to Rivera Rivera goes oof throws it out of bounds tried to find Guzman and just a passer going one way pass going the other way or sorry recipient of the pass receiver going one way and pass going the other Spartans will bring it up against no real pressure from the purple Knights Saina gets to the basket looks out [Music] to be got that one stuck on her hip ho o ball Grace blazs in for Caitlyn beak they'll go back to what they had H will go back to what they had with Perez bringing the ball up here she looks to colie screen by Guzman colie goes outside to Rivera Rivera look to travel on her way the baset you're going to do it one way you got to call that the other it's the same exact play that a lot of steps Emma does and they don't call it feel like I want to yell call it both ways but yes coach Gary just said the same thing he just said you can said neither of the coaches he said neither of us neither of us can figure out what a foul is tonight so that speaks to a level of inconsistency in the calling Rivera for the first one and it's no good once we've been seeing it all year long Steve when a girl's driving in and the other girl's moving her feet you got either got to call blocking or and that's right especially when you get into two girls Rivera is good for the second eows lead cut to four 2723 the ball goes outside to Grace blade is in the corner o stripped as she goes to the basket Perez comes out with it hok scores here I wouldn't be surprised to see oh I was going to Sayo timeout but she misses Blaze clears gives the ball to mne mne sets calls out the play from coach Gary there goes outside to Marino who waits to see if she'll get Stevens is a cutter Mareno just lost it saved by Blaze back good job by grace y kind of gets it right back still plenty of time on the shot clock still over 10 [Applause] seconds now the girls have to look to go goes inside the grace Ken Mar with Caitlyn Clark shot yes gets it up and gets the rim so enough to at least avoid a shot clock violation Rivera looks to operate with the point at the top goes outside to colie colie pushes up a three doesn't get there rebounded by Blaha there good job by Canada to jump on that ball not playing with as much intensity as we did the first five minutes of the game y haven't we have yet to score this quarter uh 2719 at halftime and it's 2723 at this point so yeah third quarters normally aren't our off that's that's I would think about a timeout here that's your eight point your eight-point lead is now down to two at halftime but coach is going to let them play through it and see if they can figure it out on their own Grace goes to [Music] Marino mney looks to find something inside outside to Stevens no good BLS with rebound out of sees that one mayol Mayan checks in for Sabina mck good job by grace blaz to come over and knock the ball out of bounds gotta watch somebody with the long ball yep Joe Stevens picks up another foul that three for Jill yes Kendall Reed in for Joe [Music] Stevens Perez back on the ball goes one-on-one with Kenna tries to find a SE good help from Mayan off of Baja's hands outside and the ball goes out of bounds to East Long noes looks to bring it up well Blaha is frustrated yep could be a good time to go inside yep over and over again see that Reed give the ball to Reed let Reed go right out pick it up there you go good work by Reed nice up and in that's on R goes against Perez on one Perez on that one yep two shots for Kendall Reed makes the first that's what he got to keep doing just keep feeding it into our bigs let him pound them down yep Down Under the boards it's not the flashiest style of basketball but it's going to be very effective tonight I think get in there and Brute Force Reed makes both K Reed's gone to the line she's what three for four from the line tonight so I mean it's working with her so just keep feeding it ver looks nice ooh there we go illegal scen against Gman there good job by Maya noes to run right through that one y that's rough when you set a screen you are the one that gets knocked down and you get the foul and you get the foul so good work by Maya yes Reed hustles to get into her position in the offense as Maya definitely got that bulldozer from her mom not her dad oh good job by Grace Blaze more basket for Grace Blaze 3225 Spartans they've turned it on Laha on the far corner back to Perez Perez looks to penetrate can't goes out to Rivera Rivera back rims the three Ray bounded by Blaze nolles will look to settle and reset good job by to hold it up may noes looks to take take gotot follow a little push on the back good good fight for gosin there we go Maya get in there there we go jump ball and that will stay with out well done good work by The Freshman Maya no the last few minutes going in there pushing the ball up the court getting loose ball fouls good job Marino looks the inbound under the basket nothing doing goes to Reed collapsed to Triple team on re she was unable to get out of that one Rivera tries to bait gos for the foul no such luck soft soft little hand call on that Perez and Rivera play the two-man game up top got a box out call it traveling well that one there I'm not going to complain about looked like Emma go gave a little nudge from behind what to the travel yeah starting to even out the calls still owe us another four more but once again I think that gets Baja a little bit upset Emma Emma from the top good look nothing doing tie it up oh [Music] uh some token pressure from long meow here looks like some man-to-man defense here waja goes way up top wow long three hits the iron nothing doing East long metal ball 25 seconds remaining in the third quarter Spartans enjoying a 3225 lead mes brings it up easy comes to the right hand side finds Emma Goslin at the top and finds a dribble Drive penetration there we go nice drive by Emma well done Rivera goes outside back to her at the top straight up Baja's open for the look and converts nice shot by Baja 34-27 just under a minute remaining in the third quarter o nicely anticipated by colie she saw it the whole way well defended by nolles no basket there right there that's the same exact call that they've been calling on us pull up and shoot that c Kenna waits to see what she has 35 seconds noes at the top of the key short and it looks like oops Caitlyn beak goes for Mayes Perez looks to run the point 24 seconds remaining in the half she goes outside to Rivera Vero looks at a very deep three from there thinks better of it playing Five out right now trying on the perimeter of what do you call that on if you call that on Grace it's call on Caitlyn veek o I'm just not I not sure why you call a perimeter a perimeter hand checking foul but then you have a Collision under the basket there's no call at all well forcer [Music] sub oh we got free throws oh fifth foul three substitutions in for the Spartans voo mne and NES on Marino Blaze and Goselin off for the end of the half lot with one remaining bino inbounds to mne mne to [Applause] [Music] nolles let's run it running the last second play voo comes to put his screen on mne's person tries to get her loose oops B goes outside travel there's time left on the clock there was time left on that clock at least a half a second if not a second I would agree certainly enough time to get spot up shooter Emerson Vino the ball for a three that's what I'd be doing put her in the corner with that turn and shoot Catch and Release Catch and Release half a second okay they've got half a second oh or you just tried to bait them and draw the foul that's another good option I go to Caitlyn Reed or Kendall Reed try to free her up for the [Music] shot have it well much to do about nothing no as the third quarter ends the Spartans take a five-point lead 34-29 into the fourth quarter e e so we started that quarter with what 27 we ended up with seven points that quarter yeah and it was actually and it was really I think in I was we were for about three and a half minutes we were still at 27 so the third quarter is always are I feel it's always our worst quarter yes we have a tough time some sometimes turning it around there Marina looks to play tight face guarding well done good work by Kenna man that was so well done nice nice bounce pass right up beak right up [Music] beak be takes on three that should be ball then y very good well done let's run it and Marino look the inbound she goes back good look for Goslin O Beautiful play well done nice work Emma Goin for the three put that was a very very good successful inbounds play right there goes outside to Blaha who goes long ball goes back to her she does the ball fake dribble Drive collie loses the handle double there he goes outside to Rivera Rivera looks colie again with that push three and Jill Taps it job by hand on it controlled by gosin Goslin brings it up gives the ball to mcky mcky goes to marino marino back to mcky double screen for her chance there o nice interior pass well done good ball movement Kenna goes to Caitlyn beak beak doesn't like the look there brings it back reverse veres the ball Kenna with the skip pass to nice right up with it there we go well done there you go that's all right we'll take it that's number four on Baja yep five called it on Perez Perez I thought Joe got the ball took a step in certainly what it looked like the referees might know how many fouls Blaha has too go goes that's got to be a foul again there we go she just over and over I know you don't want to keep calling the fall but I mean eventually you get to teach the girls how to move their feet otherwise it will be a fall that's that's the fourth on Blaha there that's was 21 on the call there but of course in the fourth quarter now you know you roll the dice I don't know what you're saving her for so maybe you continue to go with her two shots for Emma good on the first [Applause] and Goslin good for both from the line you saw Meadow up by double digits now ball goes outside Blaha looks for three back Iron by go to grab but yep one by gosin slow things down a bit here no hurry mne goes to the right side dosel looks at what she has Caitlyn beak pushed over be gives it back to Marino Maro by Marino kind of goes to the line that's a good take by Marino number four Evangeline colie with the foul there [Music] Mareno just misses the first now the good news for us Jeff you hope it doesn't come down to this hopefully we maintain this big lead but if it should get tight the fact that holks already got three fouls means that the likelihood that we'll be shooting sooner rather than later in this quarter yeah and they're going to have to start being a little bit more aggressive on it on the press and everything to try to create turnovers which we should go and Pat our Mass live stats right Marino good on the second and she is going to be all over Perez for the remainder of the game and they're just going to start jacking up threes from Perez look at that and Rivera there you go gosin wisely lets it run poio coach calls the timeout with 5 minutes and 52 seconds remaining of the game the Spartans enjoy an 11-point lead 40 to 29 what going 40 to 29 with 552 left in the fourth quarter East Meadow looking to get their third win on the season come out of the timeout from the purple Knights look to see a little bit more pressure from the knights coming up yep both teams going with a pretty similar lineup to what we've seen for most of the game theek looks to operate against the man-to-man defense here Marina goes outside to Stevens Joe takes it in nice take rebound back up again Blaha gives it up to colie colie to Perez Perez tries to find something finds a seam gets the floater no good ball stays for Holio Kendall Reed in for Jill Stevens see if Reed can keep up her good work through the day colie goes outside to Blaha that's short collie with the rebound Reed good defense there goes to Rivera Rivera up and off the glass 40- 31 at the five minute Mark mcky looks to move from the top dist tributes to Marino who tries to penetrate nothing there Saina and Kenna go back and forth up top Emma cuts and looks for something inside difficult to find any penetration Emma finds a SE there yep and W there we go wow that's a terrific take by a terrific player well done em Gos in draws the count contact lays it in for two goes the line once again that's a huge play Maya noes in for Caitlyn beak gosin looks to complete the three-point play Oh violation yeah in a little bit early no worries after a quick after a quick rest um Stevens back in giving Goslin a break here probably getting her a minute or so before the final stretch Rivera looks to operate here screen by colie nice switch try to get Perez loose nothing [Music] doing fall called on Maya no team first in the fourth quarter collie looks to inbound she's got Blaha to the far side front rims that one collie with a nice rebound there takes it right back in O looked like good defense by Reed unless she got her with the body no no I don't agree with that she got one there she looked like she was straight up the entire time and typically the girls do you always hear them go straight up they always try to go over with their hands and that's the easy call but I do not agree with that one colie converts the first to cut the lead to 10 points 4232 misses the second rebound Reed good board by Reed and mne will be in no no hurry no hurry utilize that time on the shot clock Marino goes crosscourt to Stevens Stevens to mnei looks to continue on the perimeter out to nolles no rush no rush well done shot clock under 10 now you look to go to the basket Stevens draws the contact foul there Joe should be going to the line that's the fifth one that's two shots oh that's about as well as you can do it on that possession the shot clock was under five you maintain it the whole time and you end up drawing the foul to go to get two shots well done I'm not a fan of this two shots either no I like the one and one till you get to the four till you get to the 10 this shooting five right away is good job by it takes a little bit of yeah it takes a little bit you had to have players paying attention to know if it was one in one or two it you know yeah now it's just right somehow no just Kenna's marking Perez everywhere she goes yep Can't Get Loose Rea looks to get it to colie colie to Blaha we've seen this a lot where they try to get Blaha on the outside I think Emma might have gotten a hand on that yep she did so it'll stay stay with h yoke Grace blazs in for Maya nolles y Hoke looks to inbound it'll be colie she goes up top to Rivera Rivera tries to find a way to penetrate she can't that's a deep three from Blaha draws the iron but no good help her help her help her out yep time out a timeout by Coach Gary 3 minutes and 21 seconds remaining each meows up 12 4432 e okay folks hope everybody went to the kitchen got a snack used the bathroom we're in for the full we're in for the home stretch here for the last 3 minutes and 21 seconds Spartans enjoying a 4432 lead hopefully with some smart possession they'll be able to this one away we just have to keep Baja just keeps launching threes they're doing a good job marking her she that last one was way past Caitlyn Clark territory and like I said and that's the way I'll you know if we can keep the ball out of Perez's hands I'll let somebody else try to beat us well differ I think in the first the first half she was driving they've locked down all those yeah the penetration is not there so that's good spread it all out good screen on what four that was an off that was a foul good yeah no I was going to say that looked like a pretty good screen that's a that's a poio foul there yep well done so gosin one of our better free throw shooters goes to the line for two tham converts the [Applause] first Spartans up 13 just over three minutes to [Applause] go and Emma makes both we're going to be hard to beat if we make our free throws yeah especially they keep following Emma or Grace blaz right correct everybody they're sending to the line today he's been making them I would imagine that Perez is going to try to get to the basket K is just shutting her down that's up on it did look like it went off the top but three on the surprised Poo's not uh yeah you have you have to press here cuz there's there's not enough time to just stay back hey good for them right I mean we'll take it that's fine poio coach is calling that up out time out by Gary good timeout e must be nice we're back Spartans up 11 with just under two and a half minutes to go their ball under the hoop looking for the nail and the coffin on on these next few possessions 17 seconds remaining on the shot that's not what we wanted to do Noe good that actually really wasn't so bad because leads into and one yeah oh and and that's Baja's five oh oh my gosh I mean the girl's laughing at it because she knows how much she hacked her yikes a jump ball she knew what she she knew it she was heading towards the bench she knew they try to find colie Outside nope oh Perez hasn't go off her hand now we just don't want to have a fall just let them operate along the perimeter no problem colie again to push three that's off Holio there smartly lets the ball go out of bounds I think there's a little bit of soccer shielding right there I think she shielded that ball shielded that ball right out all right now this is when I let one of the girls release because they're Mark oh all right P back get it in yep very good oops and just hold it just hold it yep very good we need possession possession just under a minute 40 left here in the game he slow meow up by 11 keep it out keep it out good Sabina goes to the corner Jill Stevens for three you know yes welome I get taking the three but the time we have 15 seconds left hold it for another 10 seconds we don't need the uh man Emma is reliable and consistent from that line she got another 10 points cross at the line tonight it's got to be close if not 10 it's got to be [Applause] close see an announcer Jinx that's how it goes those are one of the things that we might not make a difference in this game but later on we've done that before the one thing we don't the West Springfield game we did it you don't we don't need to stop that clock no let him pass it around and try to take a long three that's it y I think you said it earlier on the last possession Jeff the Spartans have done a terrific job neutralizing Perez in the second half she was very very dangerous in the first half and she's been almost a non-factor in the second half Ken's been marking her everywhere she goes just man marking her not just no switches or anything like that doing a great job keeping it up so we've got a timeout with a minute 14 remaining uh this this point it's a 12-point Spartan lead I certainly am not interested in jinxing anything but I like the position that the Spartans are in right now with that kind of a the point advantage and the time remaining in the quarter I'm feeling feeling good and we inbound the ball when they start following us who are you gonna go past the wall to I think there are a couple of good options uh we see if they can find one of them I go with Emma I would say that's a I would say that's a good choice [Music] 1 2 finally polio comes in to press the ball get the ball to Emma Goslin and not even trying to [Music] [Applause] follow medal will retain possession with a minute and 8 seconds left up he's going to look for help since the Holio coach was consultation with the read their lips I didn't know what he's talking about I didn't see anything I think it's going to stay here what do you think I think it's oh so the official from the other side of the Court could see that one but the official that made the call pulls it back to call regardless Spartans up 12 with a minute to go in the game y so just play good strong and smart defense here and you should be in good shape o unlucky for holo that was the play they wanted Marino gets ball looks to fou there so Kenna will be shooting this is going to I really hope that they realize that I mean I understand fouling if you're within if you're within one or two possessions but with 12 yeah there's 12 point there's really not much I don't think that one there was an intentional foul I think she was trying to get the I believe what we may have had there was a time for a replacement I think that that was blaha's Fifth and I think that you get that's another timeout 30 the 30 seconds I think or whatever you get to replace replace the player I thought the fou was on Perez though [Music] yeah Kenna Marino at the line for two makes the [Applause] first wisely pulls the Spartans off the line no need for an inadvertent foul underneath there Spartans looking to improve their record to three and five I believe next home game will be against chick be comp here a home on Monday correct Perez at the top it's a lot of time to take there out of bounds ball and again I really don't know that there's a need to foul here if you're h y it's 41 seconds and it's a 14-point game I I think that's a little bit Out Of Reach but what do I know colie with the basket but that still makes it that's a it's a 12o game 32 seconds that's they're going to follow us we're going to go to the line that's fine we know that the lcat viewers ask for as much of the Jeff and Steve show as they can get so Holio is going to oblig and they're going to foul and just extend this time that we have together on the air you know what I'm fine with it we put up 50 points it's great we might get to yeah we get to 50 here kind of falls back to want to get the ball in the hands of the if you're not gonna get I 100% get the ball to Emma on that if they're not if they're not following her then get the ball over to the yeah to the guards and yeah get the ball over half court all right Spartans break the Huddle for what will hopefully be the last time this evening 32.2 seconds left at the same time I also like this because it's like it's a good time to work on plays CU they're looking steal it you have to work on these things sometimes there going be a closer game you don't want that to happen now go long Grace get the ball back to the [Music] guard foul goes against Rivera I'm gonna say Kenna was trying to drop ra the follow the go to the line I she's trying to pad the mass line I certainly would I would that's what I'd be doing oops goes around and out for Jill on that one I think that's a big difference in the second half of this game I think Marino shutting down Perez oh huge huge huge huge under 20 seconds no fouls here can let them have free reain pretty much shot goes up and over nope nope nope I'd let It Go Don't challenge ball eight and a half seconds left and I'm confident saying the Spartans will go to three and0 here at home continue to enjoy the home cooking here in East Long Meadow I like itz gets her first clean look of the half no no foul no [Music] foul think there ref is trying to hold off too long had to call the jump and Marino gets the ball into Goslin gosin holds and that'll wrap it up a 12-point victory for your Spartans 4937 Jeff as always it was a pleasure pleasure Steve have a good one everyone for

for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all good evening everyone yes additions to the agenda none so we uh have a resolution before you to establish elction of school board officers I motion to approve the resolution to establish the election of school board officers as presented is there a second second motion seconded all those sub your election of the president vice oh perfect very effic okay I'll make a motion to elect James Higgins as president and Lucas Allen as vice president of the Board of Education of Burlington UniFi school district for two District 244 for 2025 I'll second Mo second all those oh is discussion any discussion thank you 6 moving on to 2G to approve the consent agenda as presented second motion second discussion 3A student recognition there are a lot of students that did really really well last year in the different state assessments levels three and four and that's you know we're shooting for levels two three and four for kids obviously two three and four terrific but a lot of kids in levels three and four I'm not going to read off all the names because we' be here all night but that's a real good problem to have and again this is a credit to um them as students it's a credit to uh you know our staff everybody that works with the kids uh everybody in the buildings and then also their families their parents and support that they have to do really well and Excel and do great things in the classroom so again congratulations and uh I know we look forward to them continuing to do great things second semester here um as we going to the second part of the school year on all parts of school not just State assessments because we're not all about State assessments we're about everything in Berlin so I think that's great so is this published anywhere these kids know this then so well and they will be recognized in their buildings at different uh we we did before where we did recognize them at a basketball game and that was nice but it just it seemed better to like recognizing in their buildings amongst their peers groups of people just that that3 students that's yes I thought I just wonder they going to get recognition somewhere yes they will have assembly recognition in their building so that's something that our building administrators and the buildings that felt like it would be best to do that um in each of their individual buildings that their assemblies yes okay more comments about that thank you great job get those V not here and you're supposed to be so I guess we can I moved table board vacancy position as we have no one to interview tonight yeah he would just take no action oh we aree so um we understand we receiv received a letter of interest from you and so the way this goes is tonight we will interview you at Open session so we have you probably know that already we're going ask you some questions at Open Session the board won't take any action necessarily tonight I mean we we'll take some sort of action tonight you could you could or you wait till the next meeting or we can wait till the next so anyways you will know which direction we're going John do you know everybody up here yeah yes jamesc James would be the board president Lucas would be the vice president we just elected that you almost got to witness it it was you guys have some questions there in box document and you can feel free to ask as many you go by Johnny yes go by Johnny okay you have any questions for us before we get started no questions okay Selena was um I'll just start with the top there so why are you interested in being on the school board well I'm interested uh you know I've had was it I am an alumni from Burlington High School I got kids in school I'm interested in uh making sure that I do my part to be part of their their education and everybody else's education here in C County and those that I would represent in district one just want to be um part of the school boarders what um experiences do you have working with other parents working with community members that you think might benefit you being over here so working with um other parents is I would um that may a just interacting with them in general right um some things that I have done in the past you I've helped with the the BS I think the pause group right helped out with them I've helped out a handful of times with the great artist program I've you know interacted with a couple parents there from that perspective my kids are involved in in uh extracurricular activities so I interact with other parents from that perspective there's probably other things that I do not a Hermit you know I stay inside but um you know I interact with a lot of parents and those are just some a couple of examples was there a second part of that no you answered it there was an and but it was you covered it okay have you served on any boards uh prior any boards before this I hav on any boards but I have been on the I I am currently on the new Strong City Council I've been on doing that for about two years now so understand the the meeting how that those all run so okay not necessarily a board but I am on the new city what do you see as the primary job or the work of of the Board of Education what do I see uh I see it as the the standard be for our education here in Cofe County right we're going to make sure that we're providing the right curriculum to the student population that we're providing the right uh resources to the teachers making sure that they're prepared to be successful in the jobs that they're doing uh to you know to prepare the students for to be a lifelong learner right to be responsible citizens uh in the community and and the state wherever wherever they may end up at you know thank you uh what do you believe is the greatest challenge of the school board service greatest challenge of the school board uh with any position right you have varying opinions from the public and I think you know you have to stand on the decision that you make saying it's the right one and I think it being a public uh entity like this you're going to have a lot of criticism from the public and you know I've seen that just sitting on the coun being able to navigate that and not that I haven't seen it not be professional but you know sometimes that we're human and it's a challenge sometimes just to be professional with in that setting so I would say the biggest challenge would be you know you do have that public scrutiny but I don't I'm not trying I wouldn't say that we're trying to hide anything from anybody but you know it's part of the job is you scrutinize saying it the way you said it or whatever it may be how do you feel uh your role as a school board member difference between that Administration superintendent we know how talking like if I was in Craig's position no how how what's what's your role different than what his role is or Administration what's the school board members Ro different than you as a school board M than Craigs or you know Dar is there any other [Laughter] questions I don't think I could answer this question question is how does it differ how does your role differ from what their role is so there so just from um understandings even you know I I checked the agend quite often you know I watch the videos online so you know what it differs is the board is the deciding factor you know Craig comes in here he's the implementer or the facilitator of a lot of things so he's not the decision maker he's more of the implementer of the decisions that are made in here or he recommends or you know gives a status update overseeing some of those actions that are done in here um so it's that from what I've seen and just some of the things that um I would go off of this you know he more the impl than he is the decision maker he still got to answer to answer the board so we're still I guess a an upper position I don't know what the right word or terminology is so he he reports to the board overall deciding factor you got it are there any particular um re or any particular issues that you're motivated to try to fix when you get on the board um no I don't have like a scripted agenda that I'm coming in here to say this is what we should do or this is what I only want to see done um I want to hear the pretty open to a lot of things so I'd like to hear what people had say and understand maybe try to understand why they feel that way right so I don't have an agenda really to come in here and say that I'm going to try to take over whatever I manipulate I appreciate that you came to the um public forum for the element twice to both only came to one Ronnie you can jump in whenever you have any [Music] questions okay okay so I'll keep going unless somebody else wants to ask so I think a lot of people think that we come in here for a couple hours once a month and that's the only part um obviously there is more of a time commitment than that and by that I mean we have we had a meeting before this and we have another one on Wednesday that's not a typical week but it can happen um and then you know there are other times where we get calls in the middle of the day and we've got to call in or come in for an emergency you know type thing um will you be able to manage that uh time constraint will you be able to work around that I mean how do you think that's going to affect you um be able to navigate his normal right I understand that some like you said some things jump up do the best that we can and I understand that sometimes decisions not decisions uh I understand that additional meetings may have to be done like a work session right to try to get things done so yeah I understand that sometimes not everything can be done in one meeting that there are additional meetings that have to be done and that's something that I've encountered being on the city council so no big uh challenge there how do how does a school board how do we as a school board know if our goals are being accomplished and our policies are being implemented the goals you know we're setting goals and we have uh you know the people in the different schools right you have the high school middle school elementary school they have individual goals that challenge checking to say that we're checking ourselves making sure that our goals are met we're making sure that the maybe if there's somebody in the high school implementing goals to you we're making sure that they're doing it what was the second part um policies or that were the school polic Poli um just reviewing policies I see that we do policy reviews every once in a while right making sure additionally if people are bringing them up to us and saying hey I think this policy needs reviewed you we would obviously need to go that way and I don't know if we don't hear anything if they're the right policy right review policies occasionally I don't know what the schedule is here but you know if there's a schedule to review and approve policies usually kind of twice a year usually twice a year they usually every once in a while as needed is something that's up from Kansas Association School boards as recommendations yeah usually what'll happen is Craig we'll bring the changes to us and we'll kind of go over the changes and make sure we agree understand understandable they one work are there any uh areas of need that you know of in the district or things that you'd like to see done or changed the areas of need in the district um I honestly can't think of anything that just sticks out like a sore THB it's probably just like anything else right there problems that arise all the time and navigate through them but nothing that's just like a mole sticking out the ground H you know I can't think of anything I see scrolling how many questions did you have I prepare themare them well how do you handle um you talked a little bit about it you know like at the city council but angry parents are teachers complaints I mean and you you know and so I would tell you a common one we get here is coaching complaints so how do you have them all um well I can speak just from experience right in the city council with uh Angry I would say upset you know that passionate people about a certain topic attend the meeting right you got to listen to them and sometimes they might just be complaining to complain but they you still got to listen because they might have a little bit a small nugget in there that that you want to listen and say okay maybe that little bit let me focus on that one and I get that there was a issue you know issues that new strong you know you got to listen to them got to go through that and say okay well it's uh it's fact it's fact not you know appreciate that I was the one that you lead to to share your complaint and share it with others you know share with the team and make sure that everybody's aware of it so so how's that differ with you role as a board member here affects lots of people so I mean although that you know the city council does too but how how how do you respond to that to that individual that's complaining or the teacher complaints someone complain about either or you know I would answer it the same way then that I would as a city council member said if that's a concern that you really have the board makes that decision there's a meeting that happens once a month at 7 o' at Monday morning you know second Monday come talk to us and see what we can make it right I mean that's that's that's the real thing okay well I'll make a motion to point Johnny hernand as usd244 board member district one effective January 14 2025 you don't have question yeah I've got I've got it so I'm going to make those jump up me are double we try to keep the [Music] new motion by heart second for the discussion I want to make sure any zero P question vote so hi Ronnie roll call Mo car 6 you will not be appointed until next month well tomorrow starts starts tomorrow you there's an open of office you take and it's just a very simple you know paperwork and stuff and then there'll be some other we'll get in touch with it we'll be hey but we left for to stay tonight we you may start getting inated with all the emails we're talking about [Music] wedn have to sit up front Johnny there's Pizza in there if you want ite written items so we have very excited today at because we got to get our phone call from commissioner Watson to I was sworn to secrecy guys it's over been over a month Dr Watson swore me a secrecy on this and then we were supposed to do it that last Tuesday and then we got snowed out so then we shoved it to Monday here and so go ahead it was really awesome because we were in service and so everybody could being there when she got told which I think you know honestly it's a testament to a lot of people in ouring because she had a great mentor she had great student teaching experience and so she is a phenomenal teacher but I think you know the Kudos feels like it can be shared with lots of people yeah was she really surprised I felt like she was surprised so so knowing the commissioner like I do I texted him and said hey we could do this teams me you could do come on the screen and he likes that stuff anyway and so they did not know so Craig and Craig and Darla they were finishing up and I was waiting for Dr Watson to come on I guess stretch it out he's not here yet sure enough he got there and so good to and we had celebration Derek P Cake from the afternoon and it was a it was a really good celebration so and kudos to Darla too because Michaela gray was one of the professional development school people from Emporia State that came on with the different uh block one block two student teaching experience she was a student teacher with us we got her here and now she's a horizon Award winner so kudos to Darla and their staff and Michaela too to everybody so I think I speak for the board but congratulations to her congratulations and there will be a big celebration in February in TOA where we will go and attend the reception for all the Horizon a winners her family will be going Darla de Parker was instrumental and helping her out doing the paperwork and all all the forms completed and everything so we can't go that one we're going to have cre tonight yeah and we do have cake and ice cream ice cream cake to for you guys tonight too as well I had already told Darla this but I appreciated the 21st century yes um that you know they that we're beating all our goals and that's because of for sure I mean I believe me I know you have to do all that and jump through their hoop so a lot it's a lot I will say if I could add on that one thing that also came out of that visit with her um was that um I had t i just Shar with her like my concern for reapplication in the year and like if there's any wiggle room in that percentage for rfps and she just Emil me back over break and said that Chris the State contact for 21st cury par so that we should be get to apply they must have a little bit of we have had it for a long time and you know that's really a hard percentage for us to hit but like one of part of our conversation was just like we are a program that meets the goals like we have a huge adaa we're way above our average like does any of that stuff like count of you know help tip us if we're a little low there so so that will be good but you know as they say which we don't apply for but the grants are very competitive so but I think our longevity of having it also shows like we're committed to how often do we have to reapply every five years okay so this is I liked a little bit about the golden Forks by the way like whenever it's the Friday morning announcement some class KS it you can usually hear the hollering in the school it's amazing how what motivates elementary school kids very cool uh see Matt's not here yeah he is not here he's C you with the middle school basketball activity tonight if you have anything for Matt just let me know I'll be happy to share and uh get you some information back just some information hot off the press email me at 653 um our act Works Keys scores came in 63 Juniors took the test so breakdown is 17 earned bronze um certificate 20 silver 14 gold and seven Platinum that is the most we've ever had so they did extremely well and we did have five students that did not score well enough to get a certificate but that is highest since I've been here and have to ask on but I don't think we've ever had seven in the Platinum I mean that is higher them tomorrow they could do better than people that so they're ready um um we had a good day of uh professional development today um um we have a lot headed you know for all of our buildings um and so we focused on all the upcoming testing and data and so as we focus on Keith said one of the things is giving the dumping the data so that our teachers can understand it and move the students forward so we do it in increments but collectively so our whole conversation about Collective efficacy and um so a little bit of it AER in the headlights and then a little bit of excitement and then um February 10th we second set of testing um the interims um and I did put a little example down there what the interims are like um for the state assessment um and then this was the first time they saw the the breakdown of the ones twos threes and fours and it was aha moment for them and so we had that conversation of it doesn't matter what group is coming through how do we get you know it's like we what the analogy was a manufacturing you're boxing it and shipping it and you're boxing it and shipping it we're we're getting the kids we have just we can't use excuses like oh they're just a lower or they're just this so how do we every kid that comes in that building get them to that level and so breaking down some of the the stuff that's on that sheet I think I put it on maybe not um uh there is uh it kind of it shows us um our weak areas and so um anyway so we had some good conversations and then um kind of moving forward on uh that but we for jumping right in with assessments and so the kids are excited I'm sure when they come back we're ready for kids we're ready we're ready for kids so and only one thing has been rescheduled so at this point so we're very lucky basketball got rescheduled from Friday to Monday February 3rd what's that basketball that was the one thing that got rescheduled from that Friday yeah the second snowday yep thought did you have the wrestling tournament this weekend right y wrestling tournament was Saturday it was a success there were 22 team 22 boys teams and 23 girls teams there we were one of the only tournaments to go this weekend most of the others were canceled and so we actually let in like Wellsville let them in because they their tournament got canceled and had to turn away a few others yeah then they won the and so but what was cool is we had some Alum you know you have your linkage tonight we had Harley Baker col Baker and Carson bangs who all came back and we're like huge roles in like taking over uh some big spots for they ran the podium and the metal handout and the metal ceremony for the entire tournament and those three kids did it and like got compliments and it was it was awesome so it was really cool I mean and maybe some of the others but col went around so that the table workers could have a break and he would sub for them while they went and got lunch it helped yeah it helped us not we didn't have to have like an hour long lunch break and over theit because of col and Carson and a couple other students actually didn't knew how to run tables and they did just go from table to table and relieve the table workers so they could go take a 30 minute break and get lunch and it was I don't know that was just a really cool part of it for me was that those kids came back and super helpful I also really like I know this isn't my section but my kid was one of them um with how we incorporated a lot of our youth in the towel tapping and stuff like that so as you look at building that program the through um it's it's nice to see those kids boys and girls I mean but out there doing the tow tapping and that's not this isn't the first year but yeah but shout out to Adam stall and Vu David David Vu who got all that organized were there the whole day with all their little kids making sure that the towel tapping is all taken care of so maybe maybe looking at getting some of the recent alumni to come back is something we should do every year yeah I told I told I told I said every year you need to come back and do this while you're College just come back you're on Christmas break anyway that's a great idea come back and it was just Happ St I was actually on a job and ran past the baker's house and Colt and Harley were outside I stopped and talk to them and then they were like is there anything we can do at the school while we're on grer board I was like as a matter and then they exceeded expectations and Stephanie is a big help too Stephanie Baker the naal the national anthem and then helped out with a bunch of stuff too so overall good day was F his first year you know helping run the tournament so I think he was good job at little five the kids rolled everything up cleaned it blew up bleachers we were out 5 p.m.