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senior trip final payment is due next Friday they have about 30 students currently almost paid and she's thinking by next Friday she'll have 40 and that's the end and tomorrow is RAM for a day the seventh graders are going that was mentioned too I do apologize seventh graders are going to high school tomorrow to do RAM for a day where they go and they there's a club and activities Fair they go and they stand in the back of classrooms to kind of see what a high school class looks like it's it's a nice dayst cool all right and then um just for Camy County School boards there is a virtual meeting on February 4th 2025 um with the topic of developing a district strategy for AI so if anybody's if any board members are interested in attending that virtual session please email me because I have to do the registration anything else for new business anybody have anything new business all right um at this point we will open the meeting to the public for the discussion of um anything related to the agenda or non-agenda items can I have a motion in a second motion second all those in favor I opposed to obain comments all right um can I then have a motion and a second to close the meeting to the public motion second all those in favor opposed or abstain all right so at this point we do not have an executive session this evening so I need a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting motion second all those in favor meeting adjourned is 7:29 p.m.

at American dream and wrestling and basketball both have games this Saturday also CHS theater will be performing Sweeney Todd for the spring musical uh I'm proud to say that more details will be forthcoming at the next meeting regarding that that will be in March thank you all and have a good evening thank you Mark next we have our annual audit presentation am I right is he here or no okay we will come back to him and we'll go to committee reports good um our first committee report is a residency security and Technology uh commissioner I vice president Santiago can you please read the minutes from that meeting thank you president Paris so The Residency security and Technology committee meeting met on uh Tuesday December 10th 2024 seems like such a long time uh the meeting took place on Thursday the 10th and began at 5:04 p.m.

is there a second second that and a roll call vote kther JY and Trisha Kendall I no e e for

so thank you we'll be back e e e we're sorry we're a few minutes late I know what we had a full house and uh we just been busy so with that we'll we'll call the um regular board meeting to order uh with that uh we'll do roll call uh Amanda banon here Maria Kar is absent Renee longshaw here Anita Tucker here and Rick Ry I'm here so could you all stand and join me with the to the pledge thank I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and Justice thank you all right well now we get down to the good stuff so um we'll have the reports for the student Representatives so first up is going to be um Maran Academy I'm sorry oh better okay so let me uh call out the names here uh Leila no VOA I believe Elena Whit whitning and Paisley Pearson thank you I start it good evening Mrs Nelson members of the board faculty family and guests my name is Leila NOOA and I'm an eighth grade student at Mariana Academy hello my name is paisley Pearson and I am a seventh grade student at Mariana Academy hello my name is Elana Whiting I'm a seventh grade student at Mariana Academy we are here this evening to share some of the exciting things that happened so far during the 2024 and 2025 school year and to provide a glimpse into the months ahead at Mariana Academy our calendar is packed with learning inside and outside of the classroom let's flash back to August and September of 2024 the start of the school year was exciting one beginning with our back to school night every family that came to back to school and I received a Marana Spirit t-shirt for their student it was great to see so many families on campus our cross country team started out our Sports here at Mariana on September 19th Mariana hosted a cross country meet Runners were able to experience racing in our beautiful desert near the campus Marana roners were able to improve their times with each meet and for the first first time in many years Mariana is proud to announce that we have made the top male and female runners in The District in the seventh and eighth grade level Sergio Estrada and Valentina elenas both proved that we are not only winners but we have Mustang Pride Saturday school began on September 28th with six additional dates scheduled throughout the school year in addition our fourth grade group visited the Apple Valley Center for innovation in September to learn and explore science in a Hands-On environment some of the club that started in September included a math and reading club for 6th through 8th grade Esports for both lower and upper grades and Art Club for students in 1 through third grade we have a we have a gardening club that meets on Saturday to tend to our beautiful garden which grows both flowers and vegetables other clubs we have at Marana include our beating Club handwriting Club Dungeons and Dragons Club cooking club chess and checkers club and drama club and many more to come in the spring volleyball Tri outs began at se in September as well with our seventh and eighth grade girls volleyball team working together to make it a great season for Mariana in October the first and second grade visited the AAE Pioneer town to visit the pumpkin patch the students all had a great time and even were able to bring pumpkins back to school the kindergarten classes visited the Apple Valley Center for Innovation for science exploration in October as well also in October Mar Marana participated in Red Ribbon Week and and students pledged to stay drug-free so that they could be successful in the future the sixth through eighth grade had a Monster Bash dance to celebrate the end of the first trimester and it was a huge success we had a Halloween parade where students were able to show off their festive costumes and show and and see what everyone else was wearing parents were welcome to watch as well and everyone had a great time November came and we began our second trimester hopeful hopeful to continue our wonderful school year all students enjoyed an amazing BMX show where characteristics such as kindness trustworthiness and citizenship were emphasized as professional BMX writers showed off their amazing talents performing SCS that captivated the entire audience our fifth grade classes enjoyed a presentation by the Daughters of the American Revolution learning about some original American Heroes we also held our first book fair during parent teacher conference week students were able to shop during the day and parents shopped while they were on campus meeting with their child's teacher it was very success successful in December winter performances from kindergarten first second and third grade classes showed off our talented younger students through festive songs our gift making Club made handmade gifts for family and friends and the entire School celebrated as we left for winter break to spend some much needed time with our families we have many exciting things planned for our school as we look forward to the rest of 2025 our basketball team has begun practice and we look forward to hearing about their successes as their game's underway we will have soccer starting in a few months and we are excited to welcome back this sport to our school some upcoming field trips include a kindergarten trip to fire station 331 to learn about community helpers fourth graders will be going to Riley's farm at the end of February first graders will be going to Mineral City Pioneer kids at AAE second graders will go to Mojave Narrows in February seventh graders will take their annual Medieval Times trip in March sixth graders will visit top go top golf in April third graders will be Vis be visiting the Big Bear Discovery Center in May and our eighth graders will learn about motion and force with their annual trip to nber's farm in may we look forward to finishing off the school year strong with the Deep sense of family and community that we at Mariana take pride in thank you for letting us share this evening before we go we have some gifts for each of you we include Italian herb grown from our Mariana Garden Club and a homemade pence from our one of our after school clubs [Applause] thank you ladies well done thank you guys we'll make sure she gets it thank [Applause] you all right next up high desert Premier Academy Jasmine Bracey got it yes sir um sorry I'm very nervous um good evening president Raleigh esteems board member superintendent Nelson um sorry I'm so sorry take your time you're fine ex okay executive Academy APPA Valley United I mean unified staff and educational partner Partners my name is Jasmine bracie and my name is Jasmine braci and I am covering for a high desert Premier Prem I'm so sorry Premier um Academy speaker so I apologize if I stumble across my words um Happy New Year's I hope everyone had an amazing winter break and and are looking forward to the new year first I wanted to congratulate and welcome all the new board members Welcome to our district and I hope you love it I hope you love it as much as I do the first week of this first week of second semester our third quarter has been incredible and the students are glad to be back they are more than ready to finish this last semester off strong on January 8th state on January 8th state of the district was held and our Administration said it was a wonderful event it was a Wonder H it was a wonderful event that highlighted our CTE courses and highlighted the path that our district is moving in support of the students and community on January 9th the In-N-Out truck came came to serve and bring our school Community together 200 students families and 200 students families and C uh communities Partners attended great job to all those kids who earned who earned it and thank you to all who attended January 17th Mr Smith and Miss Jones escorted five Stu five students to the human tra trafficking symposim Symposium thank you Symposium put on by San berino County Children Network I was told this was a wonderful event where students made a pleague to help others youth in our school our district and Community fight this ongoing problem the key the key note speaker was Tim TBO Tim TBO um forly of the Denver Broncos all the all the students attended this event receives received a signed football from him ready set golf Mr Gonzalez is super excited to start his golf club backup Miss Jones says the permission slips should be around the school by the end of February they are are looking forward to getting on the golf course to hit some balls I hope you have an amazing rest of your month staying safe and warm out there have a lovely night and thank you for your [Applause] time good job Jasmine nothing like speaking in front of a whole room people [Laughter] all right up next from Granite Hills we'll have a Jasmine Alman and Alexa gamees yeah good evening everybody Hannah for couldn't make it today so we will fill in for her my name is Alex Gams the ASB GC secretary and I'm Jasmine alian the ASB GC uh VP at Granite Hills to begin with we have many wonderful updates for you tonight ASB is working hard as always last month we had a holiday spirit week to boost cougar Spirit during finals week Monday we had candy cane day and we all were red and white and Tuesday we had uh sorry Tuesday Santa is coming to town and we all wore Santa hats when Wednesday was ugly sweater day and Thursday was Polar Express day and everyone wore pajamas and Friday we were celebrating the end of finals at home we also held a Wingstop fundraiser on December 16th which was a great success for the class of 2025 in December we spent most of the time making decorations and getting ready for our winter formal dance last Saturday we hosted our winter formal dance the theme was meet me at midnight the sophomore class worked so hard and the turnout showed it we had an awesome DJ threee mini pancakes and food trucks and photo booths last Wednesday some of our theater students saw Wicked at the Pantages Theater they could see a professional show and learn a theater etiquette it was a great learning experience and Hannah told us all about it she said it was a lot of fun theater was also theater also began World hos for Lay MZ it was it will be a lot of work but we are excited to see the turnout on Tuesday we held our ASB I mean sorry our AP Fair where our 9th 10th 11th graders learned about different AP classes our Granite Hills chamber singer in addition to performing at our recent abusd state of the district event had another prestigious per performance last month they were asked to be the featured choir to sing alongside the reowned sanino sympathy uh Orchestra for their Christmas Festival concert to a soldout crowd of over 1,600 people it went so well that they have already been asked to return for next year yesterday we held our C quarterly attendance celebration we had 508 students qualified with 97% attendance or or better students were entered into a raffle to win yearbooks Beats beat headphones Stanley clubs and even ATV we finished the first semester with 12 early grad grates and our seniors are excited for all of the events in the second semester to cap off their last few months of high school counselers hosted a cast for college night and seniors info night yesterday uh hard to believe we're almost done next week we are celebrating the great kindness challenge ASB is planning activities to help spread kindness around campus all week long and and we hope for everyone to participate in the world of cougar Sports our winter team are doing our winter teams are doing well boys and girls soccer are both on a top the DSL boys and girls basketball are working hard and staying competitive boys and girls wrestling are getting ready to compete in the CIF uh prelims and the girls water polo have made tremendous growth this season with a young team with the determination and effort our winter teams continue to show we look forward to an exciting season ahead let's keep supporting our athletes and celebrate their achievements as they make us proud as always we thank you for supporting Granite Hills ruin and gray lead the [Applause] way thank you Granite Hills uh least last but not least is Apple belly high and We Have Allison sorley good evening good evening members of the board and attendees I'm Allison sorley from Apple Valley High School I am Apple Valley High School's line vice president I am filling in for eating Piola because of unfortunately she is sick so um I hope you had a wonderful winter break and today I'll share with you our students and staff have been accomplishing lately in our plans for this month our athletes have been working hard and exceedingly well soccer basketball players had games and wrestling had a tournament League games have just started up and will continue throughout this month Camp's film crew has also been at these events to capture some Stellar photos of our incredibly talented athletes abhs CTE was represented at the state of the district last week the Sun Devils showcased all 15 of their CTE Pathways highlighting a vast array of different industry op options for our students to obtain job ready skills and certificates while in high High School these Pathways provide students with Hands-On learning opportunities on industry and standard equipment the camp Academy made a new video highlighting these Pathways which was showcased at the state of the district as well which can be found on the AVH avusd CTE website please check it out as for our CTE Pathways and electives we have 1,452 student members in the skills USA and 289 students competing in the skillsusa regional competition itions over the next 5 weeks our CTE students will compete in 63 different competitions we can't wait to see all the incredible things they will do and if it's anything like in the past we can expect amazing things of course we couldn't have done it without the dedicated teachers who have spent their time preparing and helping these students our agriculture program at appal Valley High School is thriving with the focus of Hands-On learning and real real world experiences through supervised agriculture experience SAE projects this year our students are raising six different animals 85 animals in total preparing for an incredible showing at fair this may under the guidance of Miss Pearson a dedicated and inspiring teacher our animal science students are excelling her leadership has been instrumental in rebuilding the program and fostering a passion for agriculture among her students with the growth in our program we're also adding more pens to accommodate the growing number of animals at our school the future of Agriculture at Apple Valley High School is bright and we can't wait to see the hard work of our students and Mrs Pearson's pay off at this year's Fair our ASB juniors are planning preparing for winter formal dance this will be on February 1st the theme is a night in black and white we are so excited for this dance the ASB seniors have been planning our Mr sual event which we're very excited about we can't wait to see what this year will bring for our Cals but we know that they will achieve many big things and bring so much pride to our school there are so many exciting things happening at Apple Valley high school and I want to thank you all for your continued support we couldn't give our students any of these incredible opportunities without you thank you for your [Applause] time thank you Alison it was good to hear update on the FFA program you know Apple Valley High is one of the very few schools around that actually has had that when I went to high school in the 70s it was there so it's been there for that long so it's my sisters were highly involved with it back in the 80s as well so it's thanks for the update it was very very well done thank you okay board comments uh Anita you're up good evening um I wanted to thank the students who were brave enough to come up and do the reports you did amazing job uh letting us know what's going on I was really really happy because I attended Mariana wasn't an academy back then a really really long time ago so it was nice to to hear from the students there my daughter attended Granite so it was good to hear from granite and I attended Apple Valley again many years ago so it was really good to hear and to hear from High Desert as well so thank you um I appreciate the Insight that it gives us because we're not able to be everywhere and when you give us this information really helps us uh and helps us to get to know a little bit more about what's going on I was able to attend the state of the district presentation on January 88th I was really excited to see all the the artwork from Apple Valley I really love the Ceramics um the teachers the classified staff the the administration that work to help all of you it's really pretty amazing and watching our Granite Hills choir perform was I got chills from that our students were professional engaging and it was really wonderful to have this opportunity to share this with our community um the in the information that was presented by the district was encouraging and we will all continue to strive for the Excellence for our students and our schools uh I've been participating in trainings to help me prepare for my role as a Schoolboard member I uh attended School Board California Schoolboard conference in December a beginning board boardsmy on January 6 and ethics training yesterday so I'm getting lots of information uh I'm excited to start visiting School sites and classrooms so I hope to see you there if you see me come and say hi and I want to make sure that I'm able to visit all of our campuses on a rotating basis and I wish everyone a really good start to the semester remember it's a new semester you can make it amazing and um I look forward to seeing you thank you thank you Anita uh Renee um yes good evening it's good to see all your smiling faces filling all those seats um looking back at us I think it's one of my favorite parts of being up here is seeing the participation of the community so thank you for being here and thank you for what you offer to us as a board um the student presenters well done well done uh especially to those of you who stepped into those positions that you're not normally in it takes great courage to do that and that was very exciting to watch you take those steps into those leadership positions and making the most of those opportunities because it took courage and I'm proud of you um all those trainings that you know Anita Tucker just talked about um I was there too so I feel like we're learning a lot and I'm just so excited to step into this position and and excited when we hear of more trainings we're like yes we're there so um that's been very informative and uh very enlightening um I had the opportunity also this month um actually a couple Fridays ago um to visit our family centers um with Mariana Torres which I see in the back a smiling face um she gave me the great honor of showing me around um all the supplies all the wonderful work they're doing for our community uh to be there for you um as our families and our staff um to be able to fill in the gaps um she could probably give a better rendition than I ever could um her passion is undeniable um but it was just wonderful to be there and understand she's serving 14 Schools along with all of her staff um and we're watching 160 to 180 families each Friday be served and supported in that way um and that was very encouraging to know that we're all a part of that um also uh she wanted to make sure to point out all the partners that come alongside her because her work couldn't have been done without their support um she talked about how they started and where they are now um that they partner with uh people and groups um such as uh vuda and the Rotary Club to do those backpack giveaways the 2000 at the beginning of the school year she said she started with 500 and she said we have a need and the rotary and Auda said we're there and they met that need um also she and her um the family centers partner with the High Desert assistant League um for personal wees and they also offer $5,000 worth of food um they also partner with Second Chance Harvest feeding America and the Lions Club that offers coats and the vision bear and also Walmart a big donator um to help provide those basic necessities for the families we serve it was just um such an inspiring thing to be able to hear about that as one of the things I learn about our district to know how much is already going on um and I know there's more and I I'm my goal is to get everywhere and learn everything um just one step at a time um I love and I'll leave you with this Vision that Mariana shared with me um she said this isn't um a hand out it's a hang on and um I know for me as a child growing up people who offered me a hang on are still my heroes to today so thank you thank you Renee very well thank you Amanda you can all right good evening everyone I did want to kind of reiterate um what was said about all of our students specifically the high school students because you guys are not normally here speaking to us um and Jasmine you did fine if you find my first meeting when I talked here my voice was shaky and so you got it just keep going um so I do hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Break um and it's always great to start the new year with a fresh perspective and I'm excited about Liza had for our students and our staff this spring semester especially after some of the trainings that she mentioned um graduation will be here before you guys know it um and it'll be a it'll be a very full season with uh lots of celebrations and achievements and we all look forward to it than we get to share that with you guys so one of the highlights since our last meeting was as mentioned the incredible state of the district event hopefully a lot of you were able to attend that I had the privilege of attending it twice um and both times I was blown away by the talent and the Excellence displayed by all of our students um all the work that was on display and the performances um the musicians out in the the entryway it was just it was phenomenal in the morning we had uh sitting bow was it sitting it was right sitting bow Academy um and they were just phenomenal they all came in um and they really set the bar High and the uh Granite choir was sitting in the audience and they're always amazing but I thought they're going to have to rise because these the little ones they like set the bar pretty high um but Granite Hills did come through and it was the perfect conclusion with their their Goodbye song um and their outstanding vocals so thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the event such a success because I'm sure there were many many people um behind the scenes last week I had the opportunity to travel to Eugene Oregon for four days of intensive training on the safe and civil um interventions that our district does the training was really eye openening and it reinforced why it's so important for us as the board to continue supporting these programs in our schools and the strategies that we learned that are in place are foundational um for creating positive and productive learning environments for all of our students and on a personal note um I was thrilled because my little sister drove three hours from Gold Beach picked me up at the airp report um and we got to go to lunch hung out for maybe like an hour after and then she drove back at the end so it was really neat I hadn't seen her in a year and a half um she was willing to drive almost four hours each way just to spend about three hours or less with me um so it was really a special moment in a very very full week um finally I would like to thank Karen and aluda for inviting us all the work to see a CTA lunch in for the desert board members it was an enjoyable opportunity to connect with local school board members and leaders from across the region networking with others who share the same mission of supporting students and staff is always valuable and inspiring and while I'm on the topic of inspiring and teachers um so I forgot I st this in my iPad so I didn't like write anything about it but this is just kind of going out so those of you that are students and especially teachers but really anybody that's working with kids um Tuesday my daughter had a soccer game and we were coming back to oral Grand and if you're coming back to oral Grand you know you've got to stop the crossy C and get pizza because it is the best so we stopped and I ran into one of my students who graduated two years ago um and it was just great to catch up and she started telling like everybody that was at the front like oh she was so wonderful she was inspiring she's the only reason I graduated because and she's like she even drove a kid to school every day I wasn't going to it was an adult but just to hear how it had changed her life was like so powerful and I was just like so content from that but then we got home put the pizzas out and I'm going through the bag of everything and she stuck like a note and I just I treasure this and so you never know students whose day you're gonna make um or adults those of you working with kids but just keep that in mind because that is why we do what we do so um I hope for the rest of the spring semester we continue to focus on building a positive and productive environment for our students and staff and together we can make the semester a success thank you Amanda uh just briefly uh it's been mentioned here a couple times by some of the other board members about the state of the district uh it was very well put together maybe it was the big Stadium seats that we got to the movie seats we got to sit in that uh made it that much nicer um The Daily Press did such a write up on that event I was like man this is the longest article I've ever seen the Rene delic Cruz write but it was very uh exciting to see that in the in in the newspaper as well and uh the Granite Hills um choir is like a professional choir uh the the Irish was it the Irish blessing blessing at the end was uh very inspiring and to hear that sung by uh high school kids so with that thank you to the staff thanks to the students thanks to the administration that put that together all the speakers Matt Dustin Pat you guys spoke with such passion up there I was like wow this is why alab belly is why it what it is so with that uh I'll pass it on to tr thank you okay well I like to um acknowledge the student and um Lila Elana and Paisley and where's Paisley just sorry to call you out but Paisley the fact that you had to bend over to get to the mic my entire life I've had to bend over to get to the mic so stand tall and be proud of that um and and you nailed it you got closer to the mic than anybody because you had to bend over um sorry it's a tall thing so be proud um I I was at Mariana for the costume parade I B to the Garden the things that you're doing as students and um for that Community is pretty amazing so um Marana Academy be proud of yourselves I'm so excited to have a bookmark I needed a new bookmark I have a new devotional every morning that I'm reading I've got a card stuck in there so this is going home tonight and going in my book so thank you um and then Jasmine so I'm gonna start with high desert premere Jasmine first and then I'm going to come to granite's Jasmine and like they said all three of you four of you were new tonight to speaking on behalf of the people that typically do um Jasmine got up and talked about the fact that she was nervous but I'm going to tell you that um in a smaller group student advisory today Jasmine is not nervous she's an excellent speaker and I am so proud when I saw her come in I thought this is who Mr Smith got to replace um the speaker that couldn't come tonight and I'm proud of her um I know she's going to make some amazing changes at High Desert Premier Academy I know that she's going to support the student Advisory Group and um she has some Amazing Ideas um including a leadership class and so I just wanted to acknowledge that that standing there with a different group behind you is a little different so keep it going and um it will flow okay you you did a great job and then um Alexia and Jasmine um great job I am just gonna say this I was worried that Hannah blew us off today we had student advisory at Granite Hills High School this morning and she didn't come and I kept wondering where's Hannah where's Hannah I'm going to give her a hard time at the board meeting tonight well now I feel a little better she couldn't come to the board meeting either um thank you for being here thank you for sharing the amazing things going on at your school and um you both did a wonderful job we hope to see you in the future with Hannah that would be great okay and then Allison you never skipped a beat um it was just as if she was here she would be so proud she's probably watched or going to watch the video and make sure that that you did what she um normally would do my favorite part is e called out FFA um the pride of what's going on there and how it's growing and and um just under Miss Pearson just amazing I do want to ask if you know what kind of animal we're going to be showing at the fair this year and if you do you might want to whisper it or write it down for me so I can practice a little bit because we we're trying to figure it out we've I think we've shown them all um maybe not a turkey I don't know but oh man um so for those in the audience that don't know our cabinet goes and shows animals at the fair every year we don't do a good job the kids teach us how to do it um we usually take first place because of the men at the end of the of the um dis not because of me but I'm typically the only female on a cabinet that has an FFA team so I go out there and I try um but this year we will be wearing our um snow line friends shirts at a board meeting because we lost last two years ago we didn't get to compete last year so the BET always is you have to wear one of their their shirts at a board meeting so that's coming we won't like it but that's okay they did it when they when they lost so it's all in good fun um and that's happening on on May 30th so just in case there I'm sure there'll be video and then all of the things that the board talked about this new board um additional board um two new board members that were elected um have been drinking out of a fire hose they didn't talk about the fact that we had a dayong um workshop for them um getting them up to speed with things that were going on January 6 the very first day back from winter break and um have continued to just been been involved in asking questions and very um ready to support students in the district along with the other board members who have been with us so um I do want to make a comment that we will be holding a special board meeting on February 13th beginning at 4:15 it is a Thursday um we will start at 4:15 and um the majority of the um topic will be closed session um agenda items but we will open as normal um and then I did want to update the board that the invitation about our classified um um staff members of the year the reception that um I sent you the update about they will be um notifying Who is the nine names that will'll be going forward to the county so if you're available that evening next Monday and can be there we'd love to have you there to shake hands and um greet everybody as they're um being awarded so thank you thank you J and I I know that I'm gonna take something out of order here and it's for future agenda items but I'm controlling it tonight so I'm gonna do that go right ahead if we could have uh Mrs Pearson and some of her students give a presentation on the FFA that'd be great and maybe we could uh put it maybe before one of Matt's budget presentations and so yeah something exciting so anyway that'd be great absolutely so put her on that get her over here so okay okay and I'm gonna dismiss the uh students here just in a minute we're getting close but we have one more uh one more um we have California School Employees Association are they here anybody okay Karen are you here for Buddha great okay it's item six and then we'll get you guys out of here I know you got a lot of homework and going on tonight early [Music] morning good evening superintendent Nelson board members cabinet and audience I hope everyone has had a pleasant day and doing well yesterday Leslie and I attended the governor's budget workshop and I'm happy to report that it was not Doom and Gloom this year the governor's budget projects a $ 17 billion Surplus in a healthy Reserve this means that the cola will be fully funded and not paid with one-time money the governor's budget proposes a 2.5 billion increase in the lcff this reflects a 2.43 percent cost of living Cola and population growth adjustments although proposition 98 was suspended in 2324 the state will pay it back over time with interest due to unanticipated general fund revenues the 2425 minimum guarantee is revised upward by 3.9 billion the only negative coming out of the workshop is at the IRS in California extended the tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County due to the fires this could defer the minimum guarantee our negotiating team attended a workshop with all the high desert negotiating teams today at the Hisperia CTA office it was great to review budgets and discuss contracts with neighboring districts it was disheartening to hear how far we fallen behind find in salary and Health and Welfare we hope moving forward with IBB we can work towards common goal of recruiting and retaining quality teachers this weekend I will be attending State Council and representing the high desert I'm on the assessment and testing committee and look forward to reviewing new policies and hearing the legislative report March 3rd and 4th I will be in Sacramento meeting and speaking with legislators along with the county superintendent other CTA presidents and the district superintendents from The Joint Committee I would like to thank the school board members that were able to attend the CTA School Board luncheon it was great time for all thank you finally rep Council voted to send teachers to the Good Year good teaching conference again this year I've already had many teachers reaching out and wanting to attend so we look forward to sending them thank you for your time and solidarity Karen thank you Karen all right so all the students you guys are off the hook you can leave unless you want to stay you don't have to leave I'm just giving you the option so see you next month hey bye bye how are you I'm good thank you looks good to see you it's good to be here good job good man how about yourself we'll see you thanks for coming all right um close session reports um clerk will you want to read out what we have that's you all right I do need a clarification doesn't matter which order I go in that's right he told me that guys I'll get it right next time all right in closed session the Board of Trustees took action in support of the following Rec recommendation from the superintendent Public Employee appointment resignation release reassignment transfer leave certificated and classified employees on a motion by Rick Raleigh seconded by Anita Tucker the Board of Trustees approved the following appoint Daniel Herrera as assistant principal Elementary Sandia academy uh Sandia I don't know why I did that range seven column one on the certificated management salary schedule uh 205 five Bas Duty days effective January 24th 2025 welcome to Apple [Applause] Valley that's it all right item eight adoption of the agenda the board May approve the agenda as is or Mr Ry can I interrupt sure I I think we have to acknowledge that um Miss Bowman is in tears because she's leaving losing um Mr Heria so I just she looked up at me as you as you guys did the readout and I thought we better acknowledge that that's the school he's leaving so sorry well thank you for letting him come over all right good night okay adoption of the agenda the board May approve the agenda as is or add Andor pull items from the consent agenda for discussion is there any discussion on the agenda anybody Renee yeah so I was looking to pull item number okay item 20 um yeah yep so we're GNA get to the consent later in the agenda here this is just approving the the agenda as is but we can pull that when we get to it later on though so um we have it marked so do we have a motion to approve some moov okay motion youon I'll second the motion uh all in favor I I I any oppose hearing none that'll be the order okay item D recognition presentation none at this meeting e discussion information information on renewal of Mountain Desert career Pathways joint Powers agreement mdcp jpa and that is Trin the only news on this is we established the Mountain Desert um career Pathways um back in 2015 the first um plan that had been signed came in 2015 it originally had to be board approved every school district was joining a jpa since that time each superintendent is now the board member representing each district and so the board in that process gave authority to the superintendant as board members to um approve and assign these assign them um we did some updates including who could join the jpa that type of thing which really does protect our District's um funding sources and um doesn't just allow the world to say they want a petition and be part of the um mdcp so um that's really the update and um you won't see a lot of these come forward but when we have approved something like this we will bring it for um a discussion just for the information part of it any questions for tonight before we move on no hearing then okay thank you item two e E2 review the alpab Val Unified School District government's handbook and again that is Trin at our Workshop we had the opportunity to have um the uh item listed and we knew that it would take several board meetings potentially to um do any amendments that board members would like to consider so tonight if there's any um additions or areas that you'd like us to look into for edits um if you can give me those areas tonight then I can bring back some options um for the next board meeting great questions coms Mr Ry if there are none um I can since Miss opara is not here I can check in with her as well um but I can bring the um uh document back next time as a final and just have you approve it if there is no additions if we're going to keep it as is great okay okay so am I really fast um can I just recommend that um we can make edits to page one and signature page which is the last page um just to reflect the current elected board members yeah okay we would have done those but um Kylie's doing it the right way and making sure publicly we state that that's what we're doing ask yes okay thanks Kylie okay all right item E3 receive and review the APPA Valley Unified School District facilities master plan um and that would be Matt schulenberg thank you Mr Raley if I could bring the board's attention you should have a copy of this at your seat um I and a copy of the uh a bridged an a bridged copy of the presentation I'm going toh hopefully give here in a second if I can get hooked up to the uh the screens I would like to uh as this is okay there we go thank you um in this particular uh I do want to stress to the board that this is a a draft document this is what our consultant has produced um over the course of a couple years um there already some um obvious edits for instance the date on the cover page and you look inside of course we would update the names of our current elected officials for Apple Valley Unified um this is something to peruse uh over this where there's no action tonight take your time look through this um and um I'll just go through a little quick presentation here our facilities master plan it kind of started back in October I believe it or not of 2021 when we had a conversation about our original measure measure s from 2004 um and then we continued that conversation in the spring of 22 talking about the feasibility of a general obligation bond in November of 2024 which we did not end up pursuing but we continued with this facilities master plan um process um we engaged Eric Holland Associates and um Eric Holland Associates experienced some um some turnover and some changes while we were contracted with them they were acquired by uh MGT and they had some well they had some transition pains I guess is for for lack of a better term that's why we're here two two years later um in this particular Master planning document the main sections are really related to um the uh the process uh demographic and enrollment projections for Apple Valley Unified School District uh they did a classroom uh capacity and utilization analysis that's discussed uh there was some there was a extensive community and stakeholder Outreach and our Consultants met with groups from each of our schools got input from staff at those schools what they were looking for in facilities improvements addition uh we had Community input meetings where we invited parents members of the community provide input and that's discussed and summarized in this document um they discussed the needs assessment different funding funding Alternatives and finding and findings and recommendations um you're going to see some pictures in the presentation that are examples of what's contained in the exhibit you do not have a printed copy of the exhibits the exhibits are about 1100 pages I have an electronic copy that I will provide to Kylie that she can distribute uh to the board so you can have those exhibits it's a lot of data um a a lot of data um but we will certainly provide one of the things you'll see in there is when they go through the schools they they they grade the schools they look at the site and infrastructures um there's pictures in there for each of our school sites as they go through facilities these happen to facilities we have work for the programs where do have some facilities that fall short what would best serve our students um but they do a great thing in the facilities that they're provided um pictures of Apple's gym they've been they've been lobbying for a new one for I think for about the last 20 years um um but a building and suitability assessment you'll see that's for that's for alab Valley high school and what they did for each of our schools is they summarize recommended projects and the projected costs for some of those projects and that's information that's contained in those exhibits all the detail for each one of our schools um you'll see um a summary discussion of that in this particular document so our next steps um with this draft um what I'm proposing is at the February 6th meeting we again have a discussion information if you've had the opportunity to take a look if there's any comments suggestions um edits that uh you would like to discuss and make to the document we of course have the ability to do that this is our document um and after that I would propose in March if we're able to gather gather that information and make those adjustments that I will bring those revisions and the plan back for your consideration for adoption at the March meeting any questions I can answer this evening any questions for Matt thank you thank you okay great thanks and Kylie do we have any public comments we do not okay any more board comments Anita anything else no I'm good thank you Renee no Amanda and I don't either toight just that um the district unrepresented group was able to meet this morning and discuss the change over from um the trust benefit package to um Cal Pur and we will be um going alongside both of our bargaining units with Cal Pur and so you'll see resolutions coming forward for all three groups establishing the relationship with Cal Pur in order to get that done okay thank you all right so we're gonna move on we have no public hearings this evening uh we have a special meeting public facilities Corporation so I will need a motion to adjourn to the public meeting of the Alpa valy un P School District facilities Corporation for a new business deemed necessary so moved and who was first Rene oh an an made the motion and I heard a second I'll second it okay Renee all right all in favor I I I okay I any opposed hearing none that will be the order and the time is 805 I have a question sure do we need a quorum to hold this and am I wrong in thinking we do not have a quorum well the vice president is me secretary is you and the chief financial offerer is Maria so I'm not sure because we have one spot F we one that went I I just want to verify with Mr ber the filing of the annual statement of domestic nonprofit corporation with the state does that have a deadline or can we move this and table it and bring it back in February I'm sure it has a deadline I'm not intimately familiar with what that deadline is I apologize um I believe since we have two of two out of three current seated officers I believe we have a quorum and can move forward with this um if that is not the case and then we can bring it back but I believe this evening if we could move forward okay we'll move forward and if we need we can always revisit it in February yeah okay Kylie asked me when we came in and I said I think we have a quorum and I'm glad that Mr schenberg um agrees and I do think that if after we've done something if we find out that that does not meet the requirement we can come back with amendment to Prior Port action and redo the the process okay um so basically we'll do a quick roll call and so I'm here and Amanda you can is here so we have two so the roll call is complete action items public facilities Corporation only elected officers may vote during this portion of the meeting so item one selection of officers of the board of directors of the alpab Unified School District public facilities Corporation so so um we need to nominate a president and we see anybody would want to do yeah um how about Renee Renee just shook her head that she'll take it okay there you go uh I'll make a motion that we support Renee Longshore for president I'll second okay and we all in favor I I any opposed hearing none they'll be the order vice president I like to nominate umita I'm sorry I had a Tucker you want it all right okay need to Tucker I'll make the motion do we have a second okay all in favor I I okay hearing no opposition that would be the order uh secretary Amanda is there a second for Amanda I'll second it okay all in favor I I hear any opposed heing none that'll be the order I'd like to make the motion that we make Rick Ry our Chief Financial Officer okay I was gonna give it last I was gonna give it to Maria okay okay I'll take it all in favor oh we need a second I'll second my name okay all in favor I okay hi any opposition hearing none that'll be the order all right item two selection of a time and place for the regular meeting of the board of directors meeting time place January 15th 2026 you'll be here before you know it held in conjunction with the first regularly scheduled board meeting in January 2026 January 15 2026 or as necessary we have a motion to um approve that those meeting times I have a motion by Amanda I'll second it all in favor I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order okay item three authorization given for the filing of the annual statement of domestic nonprofit corporation with the state of California need a motion so moved Renee longshaw second I'll second it okay I'll in favor I I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order okay so at 811 I motion that we uh that the board of directors adjourn the meeting of the public facilities Corporation and reconvene the regular meeting of the alpha valy Unified School District Board of Trustees you have a second on that yes amand can all in favor I I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order and the time is 811 we hereby convene the regular meeting and then we're going to move down to discussion action section uh session it is recommended the Board of Trustees discuss and take action on the following items approve the recommendation of the administrative hearing chairperson affected immediately on expulsion case exp 13 to 24-2 any a motion so motion Amanda need a second second Anita okay all in favor I is there any discussion on that before we another discussion okay all um all in favor I any opposed hearing them'll be the order there amendments on the next two yes we're at 14 and 15 so um do you want to read the Amendments before we vote sure uh expulsion case let's see in exposion case exp 14425 to amend the hearing panel recommendations to read be placed on suspended enforcement a high desert Premiere Academy for the 2425 spring semester and the 2526 fall semester the student is to complete the terms and conditions of their Rehabilitation plan prior to the end of the 2526 fall semester do 14 also or do we go ahead and we'll vote on 14 I'm sorry I was thinking there was more to go okay on exp exposion case 14 we need a motion to approve the amended which was just read I um move to support the amended okay Anita moves the item do we have a second I'll second it second from Renee Longshore any discussion all in favor I I I any opposed hearing n that'll be the order okay explosion case exp number 15 20242 we have an amended version in expulsion case exp number 15 2425 to amend the hearing panel recommendations to read be placed on suspended enforcement to High Desert Premier Academy for the 2425 spring semester and the 25 26 fall semester the student is to complete the terms and conditions of their Rehabilitation plan prior to the end of the 2526 fall semester okay thank you any discussion a motion motion motion M D Canon do we have a second second second by Anita Tucker okay all in favor I I I uh any opposed hearing none that'll be the order all right exposion case exp16 2024-25 um do have a motion to approve so moved Anita and Amanda Anita was the first and the second was um Amanda just for Kylie so she knows there any discussion all in favor I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order exposion case 17 um again need a motion to approve so moved that was Rene okay you guys all the same sorry second second by Amanda all in favor I I any discussion I'm sorry we already did that um any opposed no opposition hearing none that'll be the order exposion case 18 need a motion so moved Anita yes yep it second by second okay any discussion all in favor I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order exposion case STI number four 202 2425 you a motion some Amanda second second by Anita any discussion all in favor hi I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order exposion case exp number 12 2023 24 need a motion so mov Amanda second second by Anita any discussion all in favor I I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order item two approve this certificated and classified Personnel actions as listed uh need a motion I'll move it any second Amanda a motion by Amanda a second by okay any discussion all in favor I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order approve the recommendations for requested leave as noted on item three some move Landa second second by Anita any discussion um all in favor I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order which brings us to item J consent agenda so we have items one through 25 as recommended the board trustees consider approving a number of agenda items as a consent list consent items are routine in nature and can be enacted in one motion without further discussion this procedure conserves meeting time for the full discussion of items so we already pulled 20 does anybody else have any other items they want to pull okay so let's go ahead and vote on items 1 through 25 minus 20 and then we'll hear a a presentation on it and vote on it separately so I'll make the motion that we approve items one through 25 minus item 20 do I have a second I'll second okay second by Amanda all in favor I I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order okay so item 20 uh Renee I mean um TR you want to um actually I'm gonna let Mr schillberg um respond to this this is one of his agenda items with you have some questions you told it so what are your what are your questions um so my questions are um the funding was being moved um from hourly to um as as a whole unit of cost did the cost change at all in this particular project project uh when we started with uh CPM a construction manager the initial agreement was hourly due to the nature of um some of the questions of the project and moving forward once we determine to move forward through the design and DSA approval um when we get to um the design construction documents one of the main aspects of the construction manager service is is constructibility review and in our agreement when we reach that point we move into the uh construction management fixed fee which is based on a percentage of the projected construction costs so we're at that point now it's it's an appropriate change over in our agreement answer question um that does I just want to make sure all funding has been approved up until this point and we're not adding anything no or agreeing on any more funding yeah and the the funding source for this project the design of the stadium at Granite Hills High School is cop proceeds um from a past cop and um that was issued in 2020 uh we're exhausting those funds in the design paying the architect the construction manager um our geotechnical assessment our California Environmental Quality assessment all those Consultants are being compensated out of the co proceeds thank you so much thank you Matt uh with that uh we will there's no further questions or discussion we will need a motion to approve item 24 ratify California Professional Management contract amended Exhibit C for the Granite Hills High School Athletic Facility so moved okay we have a motion by Renee longshaw do we have a second the second from Amanda all in favor I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order okay staff reports none needed action at this time but we will need to go into a second closed session so um can I get a motion so anybody else uh we got to go back into close but basically the meeting is over basically well we will come back for a few other items future items want there will be no readouts coming out of session yes can go that's what you need to know have a good night thank [Laughter] you all right while they're stepping out and going home to their warm houses we're going to go back to close session so we need a motion motion second second need all in favor I okay we're going in close okay h e e e okay we're live okay so we're back from closed session and we just got to do a quick um open back up for call the meeting to order we'll do a quick roll call Amanda here you Canon Renee Longshore here Anita Tucker here B Ry I'm here Maria otara is absent the clerk uh we have nothing to report from closed session so the U next item is feature items does anyone have any future items for any agenda items I already called out one earlier so anybody else okay so with that our next board meeting is February 6 2025 5 PM educational support center conference room a so we have a motion to adjourn so moved second second so there was a motion by me Amanda and a second by Anita okay all in favor I I any opposed hearing none that'll be the order so we are adjourned but I think we have some stuff to sign so thank you

and congratulations Mr Davis a very uneventful first meeting asard President let you get your feet wet a little bit tonight yes I made a not um I

in attendance from administration were Mr Jenaro Mr doctor miss zenola Mr Mountain Board of Education members and attendance were myself commissioner Kenova commissioner siano and president Paris Mr doctor explained that since the last committee meeting 14 additional Clifton students have been identified as non- Clifton residents and have been removed from the district since July 1st the district has removed students costing the district 1,597 to this is from 51 Clifton students and six pcti students removed from District responsibility Miss Zola stated that the drill of the month was conducted successfully throughout the district she also mentioned that our transportation department will be going through a 90 uh day free trial of a school bus security system which includes video recording and real-time viewing in emergent situations this trial will be on 10 buses and the results of the trial will be brought to the committee Mr Mountain updated the committee that technology planning for Pope Paul building is currently being developed and designed a discussion occurred concerning search search history on students Chromebooks an issue arose concerning periodic removal from the search history this has been resolved and will be uh will not be uh reoccurring finally Mr Mountain provided an overview of the network security features in regard to student use he briefed the committee on workings of the filter layer relay layer and classroom layer the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

any questions thank you president Paris thank you vice president Santio uh commissioner Mahia please read the student liaison committee minutes please so the minutes were taken on December 17 2024 at 11:00 a.m. up until 12:00 p.m. at the JFK auditorium at clipton high school um present were um president Alan Paris the chair Tanya Suarez as well as myself Richard Mahia as well as assistant superintendent of of Finance um AED Shahara and Jania calovich uh we also had our CHS PR U principal ahed hamda as well as our vice principal Christopher Keegan and as well as our stud our student teacher ream Ibraham I'm not going to name off the students who were involved but some of the minutes we had welcome remarks Mr hamda and commissioner Suarez welcome the attendees uh we briefly talked about the cell phone policy which raised concerns about the new cell phone policy that we do have uh Mr ham to explained this policy phone pouches will be installed in every classroom and the students must Place their phones in them at the start of each semester he described it as a revolutionary approach to limiting distractions one student noted that many classmates are unhappy with this change and Mr H acknowledge that students concerns and feelings Mr shahada mentioned that similar policies May soon be required ac across all schools by the governor's office another student brought up safety concerns during fire drills and lockdowns noting students need access to phones to contact parents Mr hamda did reassure students that phones would still be accessible between classes and said he would revise security procedures for fullscale evacuations another student asked about phone use during assemblies and Mr hamda stated that phone should be put away as installing holders for 700 students in the auditorium is almost impractical Mr HDA also emphasized that the goal of the policy is to prepare students for real real world exceptions where no phone use will be permitted in bathrooms we then briefly discussed senior parking where a student um requested reinstating a assigned senior parking spots citing confusion when spots are taken midyear Mr hamda explained that removing assigned spots reduce overall issues and ensured every senior with a parking permit could park Mr Keegan did note that this was the student first complaint of the Year whereas parking has been a daily issue previously some of the dress um code and coat concerns was expressed by a student who showed frustration over rules requiring lockers for coats especially for bus students who need to visit their lockers at the end of the day Mr hamda acknowledged the inconvenience and said exceptions have been communicated to teachers to allow students to wear their coats during cold weather particularly for freshmen he will continue to reinforce this Miss gucha Lovich did suggest revisiting the dress code to address outdated policies that we do have another student asked for clarification on defining sleep sleep wear such as sweatpants or flannels Mr Honda said dress Co enforcement focuses on clothing that impacts safety or learning some positive feedback on some of the deadlines we have a student praise the change from 7:30 a.m.

due dates um noting that it has been extremely helpful another thing that we briefly talked about was a bike rack request a student requested an additional bike rack and Mr Honda agreed to add this to the list of improvements that we need at the high school another one we do have is student photos in real time a student noted that outdated sixth grade photo roles are still being used and Mr hamda acknowledged the disconnected between lowers or photographers and real time and we will see options to address this issue in the near future we then briefly went over prep rallies requesting bringing back prep rallies that we no longer hold noting other schools have them Mr hamda mentioned the pbsis team is reviewing this and suggesting involving Trevor in the planning progress Mr Paris um does recall after pep R's um being after school and they were a little bit less chaotic and Mr ham agreed to consider this model possibly quarterly um some of the bus activities we had a student asked about Transportation options for students who stay late for activities Mr hamda explain logistical challenges buses cannot reach um the high school up until 4:30 cheer leaning some of the practices are at the annex daily and Miss cuch agreed that additional buses are needed to address this issue we then talked about the link kit usage some students questions the need for link it jesting Google forms as a better alternative but miss cucha lovage did explain that it is essential for Statewide mandated um assessments um tracking growth and decision- making on the student support such as APS and other types of qualifications then we did briefly talk about motivating younger students proposing creating Club where high school students can visit younger students to inspire and motivate them a student also mentioned that we do have something similar which is called Heroes and Cool Kids Miss kovich suggested visiting a former middle school program called This is Your Life which could collaborate with Heroes and Cool Kids uh we then talked about lunch options a student asked for better lunch options for students who skip lunch periods Mr hamda said co- options are currently available and will aim to implement altern is like a hot grabbing go-kart possibly in the main office we then talked about bathroom lines a student mentioned long bathroom lines Mr Hamza said that the electronic Hall path system and new cell phone policy should help alleviate this congestion we then talked about spring Sports Transportation a student raised issues with busting for spring Sports particularly to the stadium Mr hamda suggested staggering times to improve Transportation Logistics and Mr hamda did note that moving weight room/ football practice to the morning should help resolve this issue we then briefly talked about teacher support where two students praised teachers for caring about students well-being and explaining the why behind lessons specifically Mr Henry uh Miss cevich reinforced that all teachers should focus on teaching the why we then briefly talked about college preparation where a student shared positive experience with a teacher structuring classes like college course another student requested better promotion for pre-ol program sharing her experience with NYU and Berkeley programs Mr hamda said counselors play a key role but changing counselors throughout the four years May cost some inconsistencies finally Miss cucha levich mentioned possibly creating a web page for free programs and suggested implementing a crowdsourcing page for students we then had closing remarks by board president Alan Paris where he thanked all the attendees for the import for their input and participation thank you commissioner Mahia anyone questions commissioner so I have four different questions um so one is on the the bathroom lines so we mentioned last time that there was only one bathroom open I believe at the high school at one point has that been alleviated uh yes sir the bathrooms are all open okay um and what Mr Mahia mentioned about the new Pass Program has been very successfully implemented at our middle schools and we'll be going to our high school um shortly okay um for the dress code I know we just adopted a policy that splits up K to5 and 6 to 12 so did they want to take a look at that and and make changes to that as that were they referring to in this they specifically were referring to sleepware like flannel pajamas oh okay want a clarification the dress code and the question was could they be so that's still has to be brought to committee yet all right um P rally just a comment I remember having mine right now where we have that parking off to the right of the gym above that there was a field there and we had ours outside there so I don't know if that's something they still do or whatnot but that I remember that's where we had hard ours um the last thing is the cell phone policy I know we have 5516 it says students can keep it on their person or put it in locker and I know the state says that basically everyone needs a policy now but do we actually have a policy that we roll I know we T we've talked about the pouches but do we actually put that into policy Mr shahad could comment on the governor's office is going to be issuing well the Law's already passed um the do is going to be issuing guidance that's going to take effect 91 reading the law is going to be very strict but they said they're going to give us a lot of leeway on each individual District uh so I'm assuming we're going to get something in hand I would say April May and then we'd have to roll it out to our administrator is to figure out how we're going to implement it all right so we're just doing this preemptively correct we didn't adopt any not that I remember that we no this is done administratively okay through the high school right Mr uh Kenova if I may I just want to reiterate I know you know this but for the public who are listening the policy is written to be more of a a general kind of thing and then the regulations or the superintendent administrative regulations which are more specific so the policy is yeah basically don't want to see the phone but at the Middle Schools they're using using um um they're they're leaving them in their backpacks and putting them in the front of the room and that I I've heard reported success um so while the policy may be General we don't know what the doe is going to say the doe might just say phones aren't allowed that could be problematic I think they're going to give us some leeway on how we enforce it and how we do that so yeah I saw some some people posting online they they interviewed some students students and this it's not the case here cuz we don't pay with phones but some students were paying with phones for things um an instruction was happening based on the phones I think one of those those applications where you I guess like vote on ABCD during a classroom or something I don't know if that's anything we do maybe take a poll from the teachers and see if we're even using that um although we have the onetoone Chromebooks there are some teachers who will have students utilize a cell phone as part of a any given lesson on any given day um we're going to have to get away from that under the new policy and our thing was always listen if we're using it for learning it's okay um but I think most reasonable people would agree that cell phones have become a distraction to say the least yeah uh even for the adults right yeah I when I read about the state using it in for for as a learning tool in the class will be an exception okay so I think they mentioned that in their outline anything else yeah yes Dr Danny well as an educator I I can say about the um you know cell phone policy I mean um again it it works if you know everybody's on board with it because if some teachers are you know a little lack or whatever and I know that you know there'll be guidance coming um forthcoming and then obviously maybe policy created from that um um but you know again the kids they get savvy so they just get the Smartwatch and that's what we're see you know what I mean they have it connected to that so um and just to know on pep rallies um because they talked about bringing them back and we do have them we have a fall and a spring and what we do at the high school is we shave off just um a few minutes out of every class and then the pepper rally is done in the the last block so um Everybody kind of goes last block and then you know dismissed from there so I don't know if that's like a possibility or just bringing that up as a suggestion you know since I wasn't at the meeting um and then just want to say to uh Janina yeah link it um you know we use it in our school and it does provide like a lot of data and it really helps with understanding where students are struggling so unfortunately um I know Google forms is better but it doesn't provide as much data as link it does so thank you thank you so Mr President one one point so I remember we went to Patterson the school in patteron and we presented on security and we said that in the bathrooms on the stall when you close it there's a QR code and there that brings you to a see something say something so if a student didn't want to in class be typing something that they know was going on or happened we we were allowing them to use their mobile phones to do that with this phone policy they're not going to be able to do that any longer is there a way to get that sort of private mode of students being able to report things that they feel like they want to keep to themselves well they they'll be using them in they can use them in between no they they can't they it's well we don't know yet well the law that the governor signed said like not in common areas not on buses so we have to it's really hard to give you an honest answer I just got to say I have a feeling that that's going to change I mean if we're not going to allow kids to use phones on is I mean I think we're getting a little crazy here um and if I have any discretion in that matter that just seems a little ridiculous right um I understand preventing cell phones from being a distraction from learning but let's face it theyve become a part of our lives right and to strip them away um there are adults who have physical addictions where you take their phone away God forbid they leave it in the other room they start going through withdrawal symptoms you know could you imagine we just took it away from our kids overnight Right Chew we would need a lot of chewies we would need a lot of therapy dog so so I'm I'm thinking that um Governor's been very reasonable uh in with educational policies I'm I'm I want to believe that we'll have the discretion that we need to implement it the way we see fit that's best for our district and our kids I hope commissioner Brak yeah the last I read of this the assembly's bill 4882 hasn't moved yet is that not the case did it go up already for a vote assembly voted on and signed thank you mishop B okay so as you all know I'm don't hide it I'm going deaf in my well almost completely deaf in my left ear I'm regulating my hearing aids through my cell phone what happens to a child that uses their cell phone for um insulin or or any kind of electronic things like that you know we have to really be careful and as a mother and as a parent I I am not comfortable with not being able to reach out to my child so I'm hoping when is this supposed to pass by do we know when the guidance is coming down Mr shot it's supposed to be implemented September 1st or SE whatever our first day of school is so those will be exceptions from what I've read so far right but you have one person have a cell phone like I'm just whipped my up to make it because I can't hear you guys right now so I'm making my volume a little louder like and I'm playing with my phone like he's going to sit next to me go well she's got her phone you know we're going to it's it's going to be Troublesome it's really going to it's going to cause a lot of issues so I hope that we have have a voice that we can Advocate down there that we know some people at the doe who are very nice I think they're going to they're going to Advocate but I'm just saying that you know uh I'm sure that we can rally our troops and get you know to be reasonable about things and I'm sure as a parent I would want to be able to reach out to my kids once I'm assuming the state board will see a guidance at some point point and if I'm able to I will share with the administration and get feedback on it commissaris thank you president Paris um regarding technology and IEPs and disabilities or rather disabilities usually they are needed for IEP so to your point commissioner Bas I think that'd be a great Avenue for parents to advocate for their child to have technology to support disabilities um because that is necessary and Technology does exist for um other supports so I imagine that can get wrapped up in that as well yeah commissioner sio so what gets me is the notes right so Mr HDA emphasize that the goal of the policy is to prepare students for real world expectations this is the real world you not using your phone like we don't use our phones here but they're here that's the real world expectation you're not asking me to put my phone in the back of the room and not have access to it that's what's throwing me off here if we're trying to prepare them for the real world the real world is you have your phone on you but you don't use it that's the real world that's the way when I think this comes out I think this discussion is going to be even funner because I think we're going to be one of the districts that have a lot to say about this uh just going around the room now it's not even implemented yet we're already saying that a lot of us don't agree with this um but that's the one that if we're preparing the students this is how you prepare them you can't use your phone during class on your way to another class there's no reason you you can't have your phone in your hand on the bus there's no reason during an an assembly or something why can't you take a selfie or something that's what people do now that's the real world right coming from the selfie King as I've been announced right it's just like that's what people do um that's the real world expectation so I just think this is going to be a very fun conversation when the time comes president Santiago then commissioner sarez yeah um as we've been talking about I think there's probably going to be a bunch of iterations from here to when we get anything to even then start this conversation again again I mean we should just wait and see um we're coming up with common sense stuff we're not the only Common Sense people in the world or common sense District I mean everybody's going to have the same questions and who knows what it's going to look like by the time we get to get to that um but to commissioner seo's point I mean we say that now we have teachers here we have teachers who tell them don't touch the ask them it's being done that's the whole reason why this is happening and I think like upwards of 90% of teachers or Nea members or whatever are in support of this because it's so distracting but I think there's just a lot of time from here to there and we can just discuss it then commiss suus thank you uh just regarding um students having it I know what H with a conversation that was part of the liaison committee um that actually was in connection to bathroom issues was CH students were texting one another meet me here making lines longer making bathroom visits longer um so that was part of the conversation as as well just just to give you a another insight as to how it has become a distraction outside of learning Mr par than you yes and just my last comment on this not to blavor it but miss SARS that exact example you just gave is something that is prevented with what we're utilizing at the middle schools and I can't remember the name of the product right now if anybody knows it could Shout It Out smart smart past thank you so smart past is a is a program that we piloted at our middle schools this year in short it's a past system where a student needs to leave the room say to go to the restroom they go to their teacher they scan out go scan with their ID or is a code no it's right on the computer it's on the computer they go they come back scan back in sounds simple right but here are some of the crafty things it does you and I uh have a problem we had a bullying incident or we have a conflict Administration can put in the system that you and I can't be out together so if you're in the restroom and I ask my teacher to go to the bathroom and I go to scan out it's going to pop up on the screen saying you have to wait that's I mean that's that alone is something that that we can utilize for bullying anytime we have a cease and desist between students who are having a problem or they just happen to know that Joe and Mark go to the bathroom third period every day because they're fooling around who knows what that crew would be doing but so when Mark's out Joe can't get out right and of course there's always discretion if it's an emergency Joe's jumping up and down I gotta go I gotta go the teacher has discretion but um and it does a lot of other things but that was the thing that sold me and just in my uh when I was at Columbus a few weeks ago just in some informal conversations I have with teachers you know teachers typically they they're done with new things like they give us anything more new except this overwhelmingly I heard positive things about so uh and that's coming to the high school okay all right um moving on we're going to go to our presentation this evening which is our annual audit presentation Mr lurch hello everyone hello okay so I'm here to present the results of the audit uh which was just completed for the year ending June 24 um I'll give you a brief presentation if anybody has any questions by all means you can stop me uh or we can wait to the end and kind of go through that um so I will start off by saying that the district received unmodified opinions on aits financial statements uh including single audit uh internal controls and compliance in accordance with governmental auditing standards and single audit um controls and compliance what that generally means is that there were three opinions that were presented in the audit report that everyone should have received the very first opinion is is the overall opinion on the financial statements the next opinion is the governmental auditing standards opinion on internal controls and compliance and then because we meet certain thresholds on expenditures and I'll get into that in a second of state and federal programs it requires a and it triggers a single audit what what's identified as a single audit um so there were no significant deficiencies noted in the internal controls during the audit um I think that and we'll talk about this at the very end we'll talk about the the the two comments we have in the report um one thing I do want to mention before we talk about single audit a little bit and some of the other testing items this is just just to reiterate again that the Board of Education received the certificate of excellence and financial reporting from the 2003 audit report that was submitted and the plan is to submit the 2024 report as well so that's terrific to see as well um that is a great accomplishment so going into state and federal single audits just a brief overview um what does that really mean it really means that that that anytime you have expenditures which exceeds $750,000 in either federal or state programs it triggers additional testing and really what that means is that we need to now go and not only do the financial testing that we do and we do compliance testing for New Jersey laws because there's plenty of them as as you all understand and know um when it comes to procurement and those type of items but when we do a single audit we also have to then deal with the state and federal compliance supplement so $750,000 is actually it's a very low number um just to kind of give you an understanding as to where we are in Clifton um Clifton expended more than $156 million on the state side so of course that's triggering these major programs um a major program um for for Clifton is elevated up to $3 million so we have to look at any program that's in excess of $3 million we go through a risk assessment we determine which programs we identified as high risk and then we'll test those programs and we can replace risks with some other smaller programs so we tested state aid which is what we're typically going to test that's a majority of the money that's coming through the system uh General state aid uh and then we also attested the fer component um that's the state Side Federal side you had one point uh you had $38 million of expenditures through the federal programs um here we tested which is probably at the tail end here um the arpa money the American Rescue plan money through the the covid periods um the district did receive over $39 million of those funds over that period of time um so th this is now really the last of those expenditures the majority of that money needed to be spended or committed by the end of the school year uh but we did test then we did test the remaining components of the arpa money uh the Esser money the cares and we also looked at the food service and Ida programs and so there's a significant amount of testing that goes into those Federal programs um and I'm happy to say that we had no deficiencies no compliance issues there's nothing reported because if we did have deficiencies of of issues um during the Yota process they would have clearly been reported its requirement uh as as part of the process um so that's a huge accomplishment as well um moving along um capital projects obviously the board knows you you you've had a tremendous amount of expenditures um based on the capital project at6 $68 million project that the board has been um uh adhering to or spending through um the majority of the expenditures in that project occurred during our fiscal year of audit over $88 million had been expended through the financial statements uh for the fiscal year ending June of of 24 um the balance that remained as of June of 24 was only $27 million of of remaining balance of the 168 million I'm sure that number is much lower today since we're almost 7 months past that uh reporting uh financial statement uh period that we're talking about which was June um so there was a tremendous amount of activity through that um and I think I talked about that a little bit uh last year as well so with with such a large procurement you've got to deal with all the purchasing the contracts and and the public uh contract law um there's a lot of hurdles to go through a lot of Hoops um and you know Clifton's come through it and and come out really looking very good from that perspective as well it's very nice to see it's unusual uh especially with the amount of activity that as I indicated has gone through that process um one of the other programs we operate is is the food service for for the children of the district um here we had a loss of $960,000 in the fiscal year but still the net position was at $5.9 million so that's the uh net position available in that Enterprise fund um talked a little bit about covid what I want to talk about before I talk about the two comments or recommendations is just talk about fund balance a little bit and that's really I'm going to go into and I don't know if the board has the report or not doesn't really matter for me um but I'm going to look at the at page 72 of the report and Page 72 of the report is the budgetary comparison schedule and this is really your operating budget and the operating fund how did we do we collect most of the monies goes through the operating fund if it's not designated uh into into a separate fund um and the expenditures and how does that relate what happened during the year so during the year the district had a neck change in fund balance to the positive of 9,610 th000 so it was a very large increase in the total Equity total Equity or fund balance went from 24 million to $44 million at the end of the year and then how do we allocate what is the $44 million made up of how does it get distributed or broken down so we are limited the board is limited to retaining unreserved or free balance uh 2% of your expenditures or our modifications that that uh play into that dollar value basically speaking 2% is about $4.5 million you can retain but then there are exceptions to the rule if we don't budget certain uh Reven new line items and that's how we got to 6.2 million relatively unchanged from the year before so $6.2 million of the 44 is what's left as a free balance um then I'm going to just go up this up the scale here I'm want to go through the progression um we have Surplus which is designated meaning that it's utilized in the budget which in the current year that we're in so right now we're in the 2425 school year $966,000 of fund balance is being utilized to balance the budget incumbrances of 5.4 million encumbrances is simply goods and services that were ordered not yet delivered or performed a prime example would be our audit contract so we have a contract with the Board of Education uh we're not performing those Services until after the year end but you're reserving those monies and knowing that we have contracts or obligations that are out there that have to be um satisfied once those services are performed the the next item is unemployment relatively unchanged from the year before $241,000 it's just money that's set aside for future unemployment claims um this has been an AB bance for a while as well it really got tied into the covid period again uh the state had suspended all unemployment claim payments from from school districts um and I think they're still trying to figure out whether or not they're going to use their remaining covid funds uh to satisfy any of those outstanding claims uh that could be out there but irregardless this $241,000 that's set aside for future claims um if you need to make those then we're going to go up into the reserves the maintenance reserves so the maintenance Reserve obviously as it's indicated it's it's the idea is to be able to set aside funds to maintain the facilities um last year we ended the year with $2,610 in maintenance Reserve this year we ended the year with $3.4 million in maintenance Reserve it's basically up 1.4 million and really that's up from the amount of money that was transferred at the end of the fiscal year 24 so as board members you should remember that in June there is a resolution that's being presented on on on an annual basis which the business administrator uh puts forth and says excess earnings that we have during the fiscal year we'd like to red diert or divert some of those excess funds into an either an emergency reserve a maintenance Reserve or capital reserve and so that's how that got increased by the $1.4 million based on that uh resolution the maximum that you can retain there is 8.2 million so you know we're not at the maximum number at this point yet relatively easy to get at the maintenance Reserve can go through the budget process or if there's additional things that happen during the year then you can appropriate Surplus to to do some of those improvements um the last item is as we go through the progression is the capital reserve and this is the reserve that's set aside for facility improvements um in every every District in the state as utilizing as you should um last year when we were here we had a total capital reserve balance of roughly $10 million um this year it's increased uh by $18 million to $28 million so that's where the bulk of that money is now at this point um of the $28 million roughly $8 million is being utilized in the current year so it was appropriated when you developed your 2425 budget so that's being right now being utilized being spent down um so in essence really we're starting going forward now with roughly $20 million in capital reserve depending upon what happens during the year if you have any other emergent needs or if you do a resolution and you appropriate additional funds into that capital reserve um that capital reserve is limited by your long range facility plan um right now the one that I have and uh it's showing at a maximum of around $40 million um so you're not you know you're not there yet um but that's a healthy Surplus and a healthy uh uh Reserve um so I think financially you're very sound um clearly um you're on good footing uh I think we have two comments in here um none of of a major magnitude but comments nonetheless that we put into the report and those you would find on the smaller report which is the administrative findings Finance compliance and performance reporting the first one deals with accounts payable and accounts payable sub uh reporting um and how that reflects with what's being supported in the general ledger so without getting too too too uh complicated on it um the general ledger is the accounting books of the district and then what we have is subsidiary reports ATT tying to some of the control accounts so a control account would be an accounts payable or an encumbrance um what we're looking to look at is that when we're also going to test those balances but we want to make sure that the the balances that are being reported in the financial statements the board secretar report the general ledger are supported by detailed reporting Ledger a detail list and we had some uh discrepancies in a out that was reported in in the general fund the project fund and the special Revenue fund um after talking to the administration and realizing what happened the year before um with some of the issues that you had I think really the director or or probably the biggest issue was part of the roll over that Ur last year when we had some compromised data and so that I think is what's reflective in what we've had we've done the testing of those balances and we certainly didn't have any exceptions on the testing but internally those reports need to agree um and I think they're fully aware of it and I would be u i I would certainly would not expect to see that as a report item next year as well so um I think that's an anomaly um one of the other items that we test is in Student Activities you know we go through and we test the expenditures um this becomes very Troublesome for Board of educations because um it's not really being controlled at the at the board office um and so what we're doing is we're testing Collections and we're testing expenditures as well um and this is prevalent really in almost every school and I think this part of again the residuals of covid um so when we did some of our testing what we've noticed that some payments were made for Student Activity type products which is which is the most important thing now we're not using student funds for non-student activity expenditures but what's happening is is that and um some of those expenditures were were were charged on a credit card of an individual um at the school um and the product was mail to the individual's home so any kind of um you know goods or services that are being ordered ideally should be done through the Student Activity account it shouldn't be on a personal credit card and then look to get reimbursed and those goods and services that of course are going to be delivered to the home address um but you know like I said we're we're having a hard time we're seeing it almost in every single District as well um that's one of those things that you know we have to relearn again that you know we're Beyond this covid period we need to now get back to what is so-called normal if there is a normal um but um so those are the two comments I have and I think that you know in summation uh clearly when you look at the size of the the transactions as I said 88 million in just in that one particular fund and you know we're talking a tremendous amount of expenditures and transactions and activity uh I think that again you know the the board has run very well um and you're certainly in fine Financial footing as well so um I think everything's looking up for the Clifton Board of Education I don't know if anybody has any questions thank you Mr L yes any questions from the board yeah Mr President commissioner can uh I have a question on uh the personal accounts so is that referring to if I'm a a teacher or a principal and I purchase something for the school on my personal account and then I'm asking for an expense report is that what you're it's not really what I'm referring to but it could be that too though because that's really prohibited as well so ideally what we're looking for is that any kind of student expenses are being transacted through the student books and what we're talking about is Student Activity related uh events or or uh basketball or uh baseball or any other activity related events those advisers made purchases on their own credit cards and got reimbursed so we tested we found three exceptions none of them were material I mean it's not like we looked at something and we saw you know somebody who was who was doing a class trip to DC and it got reimbursed $60,000 on a credit card because you know that was a more efficient way to do that that would raise all kinds of bells and whistles and we'd have a different conversation we're doing a random sample we we saw three of them nothing of significant dollar amount we just felt that it was important to let you know that this is something that needs to be dealt with um at best you can is that something now they go to Administration for sure I was actually just going to speak on that it was actually uh one of our clubs that ordered something for that specific club and I think it was 100 bucks 50 bucks 7 it was it was minimal nominal in the grand scheme of things um we have since then implemented new guidance to all the administrators everything even Student Activity related is running through my hand so I touch every single reimbursement that is going out it is timec consuming but just so we don't end up here again so we are in a much better place and Danny Dr Robert toy and administration have been extremely supportive is pbsis handled that way too now okay Mr Paris any yes may Dr thank you Mr Lurch good to see you again nice seeing you too thank you so much for that report um while I have a couple principles here in the audience guys what you hear is why we talk to you about these things it seems minimal but it matters because it it it's audited right and Student Activities Mr Lurch just for everybody you mentioned it but like it to mention again it is something that is an issue in every almost every District correct it's there to sub magnitude it certainly it seems to be always something with Student Activities because as you mentioned it's it's somewhat out of our control but I am confident in the protocols that we put in place to prevent that um so for me and most of the audience who understood about 10% of what you said tonight 10% is good and I went to school for a long time um we're in pretty good shape you are I think you know from both aspects right so fiscally when you look at that Surplus and that capital reserve um you that's terrific um you know you did a big project project right and so now you're going to have to deal with all the other projects that come along and for Clifton you know those are larger dollar values so somebody may look at you know $20 million and say oh that's that's a tremendous number but if you're going to compare that to a a k to8 District well yeah it would be but it's all relative in size so um you know I think that that's the key right yeah you're able to then maintain and improve the the the services you're trying to provide the facilities uh but then from an accounting perspective and trans actional perspective uh again it's it's this is not an easy report to come up with with the final results of where you are um you know a tremendous amount of time I mean you're talking you're talking over 400 hours of of of man and woman time so yeah it's it's it's a lot of lot of time a lot of documents we look at so and uh Mr Lurch last thing when you say um the two recommendations that neither of them are material um that means that a a material uh recommendation would be a major flaw is that another way to that you would would say it is that fair yeah that is a fair way to to describe it um from my perspective you know material could be two things one is a dollar value materiality right so but really what's more important is the systemic issue right so do we have a control problem that we're seeing that could lead to a larger issue financially right so that's and if that was the case it would be sitting in your in your gas opinion and we' either have some kind of compliance or an internal control violation that um you know that we're not adhering to that we feel unchecked could lead to a larger issue and so these things are smaller and they're only in the AMR and so that's where you're seeing them you're not seeing them in those other opinions if if there was a real problem you would go to that gas opinion and you'd read through that and look that there's no issues on compliance or internal controls being reported so that's important to see as well as the superintendent I'm very pleased to to hear this audit report and I I believe the board is to of course you guys can speak for yourselves but on behalf of the administration I want to thank Mr shahada our assistant superintendent for business his entire department for uh almost the Flawless audit on uh almost a $300 million budget in a district that might be the 10th or 11th largest District in the state 1,800 staff 11,000 students um um outstanding job Mr shahada and uh grateful to have you on our team thank you very very [Applause] much anyone else thank you Mr Lurch thank you and uh we do appreciate the opportunity to serve the district as well so good night everyone thank you uh we're going to move to public recognition Mr shotti said we we don't have a virtual one today right correct so I just need a motion from somebody to suspend policy 0167 just a virtual portion please I'll make the motion to spend 0167 motion to suspend by commissioner bassford seconded by commissioner Kenova all in favor uh so moving to public recognition yes he can come now he can come now for public recognition no you missed it he was he's raising his hand though yeah Mark you'll come up now and you can come up at public recognition when he makes the announcement he's he's there with his hand up and I'm I want to like Wasing yeah no it's okay uh so this is I guess directed more to just close the virtual portion just we got you don't worry we got you though I need to open the public portion here so one moment this portion of the meeting is open to the residents and non-residents of Clifton for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to and are directly related to the operation of the Clifton Public School System residents and non-residents are requested to sign the register provided for this purpose and to State their names addresses and subject matter comments are limited to five minutes per person issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board all comments will be considered and response will be forthcoming if in one appropriate the board asked that members of the public be courteous and mindful the rights of other individuals when speaking specifically comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board students and employees have specific legal rights supported by the laws of New Jersey the board Bears no responsibility nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public members of the public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally resp responsible and liable for their comments all right yeah so um this was just a question I guess to to direct it towards Mr shahada regarding the personal accounts so uh you mentioned that the clubs uh personally I do I'm a president of the investment club and we purchase snacks to uh sell and that is something I purchase through my own personal account and that I get reimbursed for so moving forward will will that still be allowed or uh is that going to be changed um it is going to be changed and I am working through that specifically at the high school because you guys just it's monstrous over there with 550,000 clubs so I'm working with Mr hamda to try to figure out a way to do it so we are in compliance and none of us go to jail yeah I understand so there will be more uh on that in the future and if anything I should talk to Mr Honda regarding that policy yes okay thank you so much thank you Mark anyone like to speak um no you want to wait only because I know what you're here to talk about and you might want to wait for personnel um okay anyone else I appreciate the excitement though right employes good evening my name is Martha Andrea Oro and I'm kindergarten teacher in the district I'm here to discuss the Clifton education association's pep and fast programs uh pep which stands for public education partnership aims to highlight the achievements of our Public Schools while fostering a community support and involvement uh families and schools together work for children is simply known as fast that's our other program that encourages family engagement in education supports academic progress and promotes a welcoming environment in all our schools the ca consists of our teachers par professionals nurses guidance counselers and various other educational support professionals I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our events that we have sponsored these include the veterans brunch at WRA Wilson which cost 1,497 and88 cookies with Santa at school 17 where we had a professional photographer offer free um photographs with Santa for the families for 1,490 56 uh dinner with Santa at school 12 where we provided dinner and handed out a free toy to every child totaling $ 3, $68.7 additionally we have been committed to Don donate $2,000 worth of food for the little uh for the three free little pantries in Clifton that for February that we saw this great initiative brought up at one of your previous board me uh meetings furthermore we are proud to support the drama clubs at both middle schools so we are here to announce that we are providing all senior citizens free admission to our Middle School's drama um shows for the spring and we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the performances of our talented students this here as you can see what we did in just in November and December how the CA and our volunteers are here to donate our time and create a fun welcoming events for Clifton Community sorry uh we have many more events planned throughout the year and we hope to see many of our families enjoy thank you thank you so much would anyone else like to approach the podium of course good evening to all my name is Lori Lama and I'm the president of the cea tonight's discussion has to do with immigration there are the critical steps school districts and staff in New Jersey should take to protect students and ensure compliance with the state and federal laws regarding ice Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents these are the key points immediate notification if ice agents arrive at a school staff should immediately inform the school administrator and the district superintendent verify credentials and purpose staff should request information from Ice agents about their credentials the purpose of their visit and any documentation authorizing School access warrant requirements ice agents cannot enter a school without a judicially signed War warrant or a recognized exception to a warrant warrants must be viewed by the school district's legal council to determine their validity a legitimate warrant must be signed by a judge and specify the correct I highlight correct date and location administrative IM immigration warrants which are not signed by a judge do not Grant ice agents access to school property policy updates school districts are encouraged to revise Pol uh policies to protect students during registration and while on school grounds super superintendents and school boards should consult legal counsel to prepare for changes in Immigration policies the cea will be sending membership important information to ensure proper handling of such situations schools should be proactively communicated policies and updates for families in their preferred language to build trust and keep them informed these measures aim to safeguard students rights ensure compliance with the law and provide a safe and supportive educational environment the associations throughout the state recognize Our obligation to our students and to their parents who entrust us with their education and their safy every day we will never be deterred from standing up for the students in New Jersey all right okay super orto ad in imig inter JY anyone else anyone else would like to speak this evening motion to close motion to close by commissioner bassford second and by m m all in favor I okay um we're going to move to adoption of minutes from the December 5th meeting and I'm also going to couple that with the January 2nd meeting I do have a statement concerning the January 2nd meeting I'd like to State for the record that an amendment was made to the minutes from the organizational meeting which was the uh January second meeting this amendment is reflected in the minutes we're approving tonight and is also notated in the board secretary's office uh the item change amendment was under item B1 Professional Services section three appointments appointment of board secretary and assistant board secretary commissioner Suarez abstained from voting on the reappointment of uh Ahmed shihada so looking for a motion to approve those motion second motion by commissioner brunak second by commissioner Mahia roll call Mr shahad M bass yes Mr brunak yes Mr kova Dr Danny yes yeso yes M Warz vice president Santiago yes president Paris yes motion carries Dr abosi thank you uh Mr President uh first I'd like to apologize um to the Commissioners and Community for being a few minutes tardy tonight I was on the phone um with a parent um it just took a little longer than expected so my apologies uh for being late um I want to thank uh all of those who came out to our first strategic planning meeting on January 9th um we had a great turnout of Staff um a variety of stakeholders who came out uh parents and community members um to identify the strengths of our district and the areas where we need Improvement and we're not shy to admit that there are certainly areas where we need to improve um so thank all of you for coming out and I strongly encourage if you can to please come out to our next meeting which is the second of three scheduled meetings which will take place on February 6th at 700 p.m.

at Clifton High School uh if you at the first meeting we hope to see you again if you couldn't make it that's okay you're still more than welcome to come to the next one if you can't make the next one come to the third one we would love to uh hear your voice um and also thank you to um Miss Oro spoke to tonight about the uh the pep and the fast uh grants from CA so thank you to um to miss Oro and the ca for not only providing all of these things for our our students and families but they Al also provided the refreshments that night for our strategic planning meeting so thank you very much for that more importantly for all the things you do for our students um continuing on with my report I'm I'm pleased to report that our referendum projects are almost all complete um there are still a couple big things going on like the woodro Wilson excuse me the Christopher Columbus uh Auditorium um but most of the items left are some of the smaller uh things like electrical components that are needed for a few schools uh we need psng to do a switch over and they do that on their own time um on their own schedule uh but we anticipate final completion of of our referendum projects by the summer of 2025 so let me take that and put that into perspective this community on April 20th 2021 voted overwhelmingly to approve what at the time was the largest referendum in the history of New Jersey $168 million to improve the district's facilities since then we have upgraded the heating ventilation and Air conditioning systems in every educational space in the district we've renovated every bathroom in the district not only to make them look aesthetically pleasing but to be ADA Compliant Ada is the American Disabilities Act we've completed building enhancements such as school security VES vestibules at every school we've completed enterpr comprise level surveillance cameras in all buildings both exterior and interior and when I say we've completed they'll all be done by summer of 25 we've upgraded our em emergency notification systems and PA systems in all our buildings both Middle School auditoriums completely renovated as I mentioned Columbus is in is in progress right now and if you haven't seen uh the completed wood Auditorium came out beautiful and Columbus is also going to be um pretty amazing nice place for our students and staff and community members to to come out and and join us for a show or for any event an addition of an elevator at CCMS it will be done by summer of 25 a state of the-art wait room at the stadium a new turf baseball field and soccer field at woodro Wilson Middle School with the addition of a Fieldhouse those of you who remember what our varsity baseball field looked like before that it was a little scary and boiler upgrades at in several buildings which definitely came in handy this week uh for sure and again a line I always use nobody really cares about the boilers until a week like this and and one goes there down um there are other projects that were completed those were were the biggies and um it it's amazing the amount of work that was accomplished during that time I I I thank um the Board of Education and previous board members for their support um I thank all of our faculty and staff for their patience um some more than others were inconvenience depending on the school so uh really fantastic stuff some other good news I was recently informed that um Mr Andy Jagger the principal of woodro Wilson Middle School has been selected to receive the prestigious New Jersey music educator Association School administrator award Mr Jagger was nominated and selected because of his significant contributions to music education within our one Clifton Community uh in our district and Beyond actually the njmea recognized Mr Jagger's exceptional dedication to supporting the Arts and fostering a thriving music program for our students so congratulations to Mr Jagger truly is a an inspiring award uh and your leadership if you're out there Mr Jagger well I know you're out there if you're watching your leadership inspires us all including me uh and it underscores the importance and what this District believes in about Arts education in shaping a well-rounded creative and accomplished youth group young people uh so congratulations Mr Jer we will recognize him at a future uh our future Awards meeting on February 20th thank you I want to address a um a two more serious issues um the first is I'm sure um I know our staff have noticed and I'm sure our board has noticed and our community has noticed that there has been a recent uptick in um non-credible threats to schools this is not just occurring in Clifton this is occurring all over our state and and and national uh perpetrators um are using apps uh to manipulate manipulate their voices and phone numbers to call in fake threats in order to cause a disruption and to scare people um they also want to see what the responses both on the school districts end on the police's end I want to assure the community especially our parents who send their kids to school every day that we are doing everything in our power to make sure your kids are safe while they're with us and to our staff we're doing everything in our power to make sure that you are safe as well these tactics aren't new but technology has made it more difficult to apprehend suspects and artificial intelligence has become more sophisticated making it more difficult to trace some of these apps and and phone numbers and things like that but any threat we get whether it's deemed cred rible or non-credible is investigated by the Clifton police department and additional agencies um I have been assured by the CPD and I have no reason not to believe because we have an outstanding relationship with the Clifton Police Department um that they've made progress on some of these threats and some of these investigations um they will continue to pursue these means we might not hear about it for months months at a time and then one day you're going to hear and I won't forget because as soon as they make an arrest we're going to we're going to announce it and we're going to uh make sure that the community knows that that we didn't forget um it's important to know that as a school district we respond accordingly we have protocols that are very clear but also allow us to be flexible in how we respond but any threat we involve the Clifton Police Department before we make any decisions the Clifton police alongside the administration make the final determination as to whether a threat is credible or noncredible sometimes that can be determined in minutes sometimes it takes hours but as soon as um our school day is disrupted by a threat um we do our very best to try to resume normal school activities as soon as possible while making sure that everyone is safe and that we're not just um that that we follow the proper threat assessments and make sure we do everything that we can do so um it's been a lot it's very frustrating from the administration's end I'm sure it's very frustrating from faculty and staff and students um that their days are disrupted it's unfortunate that this is a society that we live in that that people do this for for fun um but we will always respond and we will and we will always make sure that our people are safe we'll do everything we can so if anybody has any specific concerns or questions of course you can always reach out to me but I'll probably reach out to our director of security so you might as well reach out to her first anyway our director of Safety and Security is Megan uh she can be reached at 973 874 2223 or at MZ zenola Clifton schools.net it's that old adage if you see something say something it may not it may seem small it may seem minimal but it could be the one thing that we need or that the police need to crack the case so we're aware you're aware please know where doing our best and I'm sorry that we even have to deal with this and then finally tonight um I want to take a moment to address a topic that many school leaders have been discussing uh this week Miss Lama mentioned it both in English and in espanol tonight uh I will not be doing that um but I think it's important because I want people to hear from me as the district's educational leader um and the topic is regarding uh the recent decision by uh the president of the United States to resend the Department of Homeland Security's policy that restricted immigration enforcement in schools and other protected areas like hospitals so prior to this decision there were areas like schools and hospitals and other churches that were deemed um safe zones meaning meaning immigration would not conduct their work in these zones that um that policy has been rescinded and but now it is unclear and I think that's what's causing some people fear it is unclear whether this policy change means that ice or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement uh agency we don't know whether they will take action on school property but just the mere possibility of it happening has caused members of our community many that I've heard from to have concern and to have fear so while I can't do anything about federal policy what I can do is I can assure you what the Clifton school district is doing about this so let me do my best to ease some of the concerns first of all back in 1982 the United States Supreme Court issued a very famous decision in the case called pler vers doe which basically said that all children regardless of immigration status have the right to a public education schools cannot deny a public education based on immigration status the majority of the US Supreme Court at that time and by the way it was a five to four Decision One vote the other way and we'd be living in a much different [Music] world the majority of the Supreme Court at that time was wise enough to know that if we prevented a segment of society from getting an education that the results for those students who one day would become adults would be devastating not only for them but for our society as a whole imagine having a a segment of our population not receive an education so because of the United States Supreme Court decision when a parent registers their child for school I'm not sure if people know this but we don't ask whether their their citizenship status we're not permitted to ask their citizen ship status and quite frankly don't take this the wrong way we don't really care what your citizenship status is we're going to educate your children and the reason why I'm saying that is so we don't even know if a student is a citizen we have no record of it if anybody came knocking on the door and asking so ice don't come to Clifton we don't have the record we don't know in addition there's a federal law called furpa or the feder uh family education rights and privacy act it protects the privacy of student educational records and restricts the sharing of personally identifiable information without parental consent now why is that important because although we don't ask if a student is a citizen there may be something in a student's file um that inadvertently indicates whether or not they're a citizen so what's important to know is that furpa explicitly supersedes any state or other federal law that conflicts with the attempt to mandate the release of protected student data additionally furpa generally prohibits schools from sharing Student Records with immigration or law enforcement that mean generally then means that unless a parent allows us to or unless there is an order signed by a judge we don't share Student Records with anyone and you see that lady right there she's all a 4 foot 10 95 lbs but I know that she almost got arrested in a main office high school because she refused to give up students records because there was no warrant signed by a judge that was you that was a friend my office it was your office yeah I remember that day very clearly so the law is the law we're going to follow the law and furpa protects students privacy so it also means with the exception of limited circumstances we won't allow any federal state or local AG to interview or speak to a student without a parent or with without an appropriate warrant signed by a judge I don't know if that eases anybody's concern but my principles know what to do forget about ice if the CLI Clifton police want to speak to a student we have protocols in place and if somebody's not sure they call me and I call all that that nice lady down at the end who she looks nice but she'll cut you and finally I think it's important to note that despite the rhetoric in our nation right now regarding immigration and I don't care about the politics I don't care if you're Republican Democrat Maga where red hat I don't care doesn't matter despite the rhetoric I would be very surprised if schools become the center of the government's attention on immigration however if it does my duties as a school superintendent and a district leader remains very simple I will provide every child in the one Clifton Community with a learning environment where they feel safe welcome and prepared for a bright and productive future do everything I can under the law to protect our students and our administrative team who I met with yesterday I'm sorry I have it on do not disturb but my children uh have the break have the emergency breakthrough and um I apologize and they know I'm at a board meeting maybe they don't they don't listen to me other people's kids do a better job of listening to me our administrators who I met with um yesterday are on top of this they know what to do and as a team we are committed to uh protecting the rights and well-being of every student in our schools not worried about politics my priority is taking care of our kids our schools will always remain spaces of opportunity for all I hope that if there is someone out there with concerns that maybe something I said tonight might alleviate a little bit of a concern I'm not sure that it will um but I thank you for allowing me the time to share that and now I'm going to do the whole thing in Spanish um Mr shahada you want to share something yes I do I definitely I'm not going to touch that that was a lot more in- depth than we rehearsed earlier but um no So speaking as the assistant superintendent here um I know during our meeting yesterday the commissioner of Education sent down some really in-depth guidance something that we haven't always gotten from past Commissioners so I know that our administrative team is is coming through that and it's going to do a great job of implementing it and and safeguarding our students and I also just have a pre-written statement of something I just uh felt that we should share as somebody who's in charge of all the facilities in the district and you know a large portion of our staff um you know the Clifton Board of Education is steadfast and its commitment to ensuring that every student in our district regardless of background Identity or circumstance is protected and supported we recognize our legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe inclusive and highquality environment educational environment that is free from any political interference Our obligation is clear to educate and Empower all students consistent with constitutional protections issued by the Supreme Court in 1982 as a district we remain Vigilant in safeguarding our schools as safe spaces where students can Thrive academically and socially without fear or Prejudice we will continue to uphold these principles and work collaboratively with our community to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and our offices are in constant communication with the doe and I am confident that we will have a resolution or some guidance that we can share with the district that is a little more reassuring than what you guys are hearing online thank you president thank you Mr shahada got pick it up man I will in a second um so um thank you uh Mr shahada um finally uh tonight by the way I don't think I said anything controversial there's no politics here I'm we're going to protect kids right um and if anybody thinks that's controversial then you know what to do with it um there was something else I wanted to say um oh just Mr Paris uh after Personnel gets voted on tonight we do have a couple staff members in the audience who were couldn't wait till I stopped talking so that we could vote on Personnel so I'm going to stop talking right now and I'm so happy somebody brought me flowers um Mr uh president Paris can we move Personnel first this so this change the order please thank you okay um sorry to Personnel we are going to I'm looking for a motion to approve items one through with me one moment one through 38 motion motion by commissioner Mahia secondz commissioner sarez thank you uh roll call Miss oh discussion anyone okay roll call Mr shahada M passord um voting yes on everything and abstaining on my name only on P35 thank you Mr Brak yes Mr Kenova yes Dr Danny yes Mr Mia yes Mr siano yes abstaining on P35 my name only Mr Suarez yes abstaining on P11 P35 my name only and P36 vice president Santiago yes abstain on P36 president Paris yes I'm standing on two standing myself on 35 and abstaining on 36 motion carries thank you I would like to invite up anyone would like toh say a word at this point in time good evening everyone um president Paris vice president Santiago Commissioners Dr Roberto Mr Jenaro Miss kuchel levit and Mr shahada my name is Courtney spini and I'd like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to be appointed as the first assistant principal for school school 11 school 11 is known as the heart of the community which is so fitting as its students families and staff have been a part of my heart since the beginning of my career it is both an honor and a privilege to step into this new role and continue the great work that is happening in our building I have spent nearly a decade serving the community of school 11 as both a teacher and as an administrative intern this year in this time I've been able to work on numerous projects serve on all committees and Implement our robust pbsis program to help the wonderful children in our school succeed I've had the privilege of collaborating daily with my principal Miss shabby beginning last year with my academic internship and I look forward to continuing and further developing the work that we have already begun as well as incorporate the skills that I have learned in admin Academy to work toward achieving our school's Vision I also have greatly benefited from a year of classes with Professor robertto I'm so grateful to not only have the mentorship but the confidence that Dr robertt toy Mr jenero and Miss shabby have in me and providing me this opportunity this extraordinary opportunity to be of Greater service to our district I'd like to thank all of my incredible colleagues and mentors that I have been fortunate enough to learn and grow from throughout my tenure and I truly appreciate the guidance and support that I have received from my fellow staff and administrators lastly I'd like to thank my family for their unwavering support especially this past year as I embraced motherhood and and a new career again I thank you for this opportunity and in this new capacity I'm very eager to help the students celebrate their strengths and achieve their goals making a stronger one Clifton thank you congratulations is saw the little guy here earlier it's bedtime I just had to shut my uh baby monitor alarm off okay all right congratulations thank you is your anyone else out there who would wishes to speak hello everybody my name is edua Suarez um I am appointed as the new assistant principal of school 12 Annex I want to start by sincerely thanking the Clifton Board of Education Dr Rober toy Mr Jenaro and the entire interview committee for this incredible opportunity I am truly honored and excited to officially join the Clifton Public Schools family I also want to thank my amazing husband Dany my wonderful daughters scarlet and jasine my beautiful mom Rose your love and support mean everything to me and I'm deeply grateful for each of you I'm thrilled to bring my passion for education to this community and help create meaningful opportunities for our students to succeed and Thrive thank you all for trusting me with this important role I can't wait to get started thank you [Applause] anyone else okay Mr shahad you want to address the group you guys approved my contract too thank you I got you guys on me for another year so good luck thank you Mr shahan speak absolutely congratulations um okay going to go back now to uh next was my announcements I'll hold my comments till the end uh unfinished business seeing none we'll move on um uh we have an expression of condolence for the zelasco family commissioner brunjak could you please read that thank you thank you Mr President whereas on December 4th 2024 the community noted with sorrow the passing of Miss Agnes zasco and whereas Miss zasco had Serv the Clifton Board of Education and the children of CLI Clifton faithfully and consciously for 21 years Miss alasco was a school psychologist in our special education department as a valued member of the child study team AB agie took great pride in her work and she truly made a difference in the lives of both Children and Families she worked with she was always readily available for her students to assist them in any possible way and value and a valued mentor to her colleagues her passion for Education was coupled with the pride of Heritage agie utilized these qualities to inspire students and others by frequently presenting her history of being a child of immigrant parents Aggie's decision to her work and compassion for our students and families made a lasting impact on our community now therefore be it resolved that this resolution be forwarded to her bereev family to serve an as an expression of the great Regard in which Miss alasco was held by the Board of Education the Administration Employees and peuples of the Clifton public schools and be it further resolved that the contents of this resolution be noted in their entirety in the official minutes of the Clifton Board of Education for future generations to peruse thank you commissioner Brak um we have another expression of condolence this evening to the palad family commissioner Suarez you please read that thank you president Paris whereas on January 16th 2025 the community noted with sorrow the passing of Mr severon palovich whereas Mr palovich had served the Clifton Board of Education and the children of Clifton faithfully and conscientiously for 33 years Mr palovich was a teacher at Clifton High School of Russian and German and was the youngest vice principal ever hired in the Clifton High School System Mr palovich was known as a staunch disciplinarian he became a renowned coach and excuse me coach in Clifton of the soccer team which he started as well as the tennis team he won many county championships as well as a state title in soccer he was always ultra competitive and gave of himself fully and completely to his players that he mentored with unwavering commitment now therefore be it resolved that this resolution be forwarded to his bed family to serve as an expression of the great Regard in which Mr palovich was held by the Board of Education the Administration Employees and pupils of the Clifton public schools and be it further resolved that the contents of this resolution be noted in their entirety in the official minutes of the Clifton Board of Education for future generations to peruse thank you thank you commissioner Suarez this month is School Board recognition month commissioner bassford you please read the proclamation School Board recognition month in New Jersey whereas the New Jersey school boards Association has declared January 2025 to be school board recognition month a time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members and whereas the Clifton Board of Education is one of 581 local local school boards in New Jersey which sets policy and overseas operation for public school districts and whereas the clipon Board of Education Embraces the goal of highquality education for all New Jersey public school students and whereas New Jersey's local school board helped determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in Pre kindergarten through 12th grade and whereas New Jersey's 5,000 local school board members who receive no renumeration that means no money for services acts as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators teachers and parents for the betterment of public education and whereas School boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students including those with special needs and whereas Boards of Education provide accountability to the public they communicate the needs of the school district to the public and they convey to school administrators The public's expression for the schools and whereas New Jersey can take pride in its schools which rank among the nation's best in key achievement indicators such as National assessment of Education progress scores and the preparation for college through the advancement advanced placement offerings and SST satat assessments now therefore be resolved that the Clifton public the Clifton Board of Education does hereby recognize the services of school board members throughout New Jersey As We join Community Statewide in observing January 2025 as school board recognition month and further and be it further resolved that the clipon Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local Boards of education and Public School staff towards the advancement of our children's education thank you thank you commissioner Bast about a round of applause for our Board of [Applause] Education okay thank you um this month is also Muslim Heritage Month uh commissioner Santiago could you please read that Proclamation yes thank you president Paris whereas on April 29th 2023 Governor Philip D Murphy signed joint resolution number six by the Senate and the general assembly of the state of New Jersey designating the month of January of each year as Muslim heritage month and whereas Muslims are the world's second largest religious group practicing the Islamic faith with approximately 1.8 billion followers representing approximately 24% of the world's population there are about 3.45 million Muslims in the United States from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds the Muslim Community represents 1.1% of the population in the United States and whereas Muslims have made significant contributions throughout history including notable achievements in philosophy mathematics chemistry physics astronomy medicine music architecture literature and the Arts their philanthropy humanitarianism civic responsibility and culture helped to enrich the United States socially economically and historically and whereas there are nearly 300,000 Muslim Americans in New Jersey representing one of the largest Muslim American communities in the United States their contributions help fortify and strengthen the economy and diversity of the people in our state and local communities now therefore be it resolved that the Clifton School District Board of Education affirms January as Muslim heritage month thank you commissioner Santiago all right Commissioners I'm looking for a motion to approve under B education Administration items 1 through 15 motion second motion by commissioner Suarez seconded by commissioner Mahia any discussion commissioner Brak thank you Mr President the only question I have the only um issue that some parents gave me beef about the calendar would that was that it's pretty late in June is that the way is that just the way the calendar Falls or what CU I think the the school year end is ending this year in 2025 June 20th but next year it's ending 2th June 25th so is it just the way the calendar Falls yeah you know uh thank you Mr BR it's a it's a good question and it's one I was also concerned about um depending on the year and depending on whether the religious holidays that we traditionally take off for fall on a weekend or a weekday depends on how late we go in the year so next year just so have happens that several of the religious holidays that we close are on weekdays as opposed to um I think this year there was one that fell on a weekend last year there were two that fell on a weekend so just kind of way the calendar Falls and um if you remember a few years ago I think you were on the board when we did a kind of a calendar review and one of the things we talked about and it became very controversial was not closing for religious holidays uh we did a survey and we got the Community involved and um we had decided pretty overwhelmingly that it it was best to to close on all religious on the on the religious holidays so as to not seem to be favoring one over another um but the the fact of the matter is we we're not required to we do that out of respect for our community's diversity thank you any other discussion commissioner thank you president Paris um I was just I know this year there was a conflict for juneth U because it it connected with the last day of school and logistically it was uh challenging to take off I was curious about for the 25 26 school year um what was the rationale to not have juneth off thank you uh Miss Suarez when uh when we did that calendar review and those who were on the board if if you remember um and can uh back me up on that that was definitely a topic that came up juneth and the discussion centered around the majority of the board at that time if that has changed we can always change it but the majority of the board at that time felt that juneth in particular was a holiday that if students weren't in school to learn something about it that they might not learn about it at all because it was the end of the year typically by June 19th or whenever the day Falls we're we've already started half days and final exams it was decided that it would be better for the kids to be in school now of course we can always revisit that we'll do what what a majority of the board wants to do thank you Dr Rober toi I I see because that this coming or next year it's on a Friday and a half a day um you know I think about how we acknowledge MLK and of course we need to keep that um but you know how often do students you know sometimes there's sports events on that day and it's not acknowledged similarly so I'm thinking if we can acknowledge um you know our black folks in the community our African-American folks in the community as a way to see this as a national holiday um and and commemorate it as such I think that it's a I think it's important for our community um and then if and I don't know if anyone else has the discussion on it I cuz I last year I mean Grant said he was in second grade at the time um my son did not learn about anything I I said I asked him like did you did you discuss anything about juneth he had no idea what I was talking about so he had like a sever conversation at home um so you know I think sometimes it happens in the acknowledgement of if a day is off they may at least ask why the day is off or at least some kind of acknowledgement whereas if the a day of school goes by it seems like another day of school with potentially no acknowledgement um so I'm open to discussion but that's that's my idea and thought of acknowledging it um to honor U the people in our community as may I just add one more thing before Mr Bron I I hear you absolutely hear you and um Administration directs juneth to be discussed whether or not it was discussed in your child's first or second grade classroom I can't be sure but I believe your son um but the other thing is it's not always on the 19th so the state and federal holidays are both different I think New Jersey celebrates it on the day and but the federal holiday is observed on the Monday or that might be vice versa and again no problem if the majority of the board wants to close on to that day it's very simply all it would do is it moves the calendar back another day and we would close on June 26 but I think Mr Brak wanted to say something commissioner Brak that that wasn't the only issue so both my kids they learned about it that day like you know last year I so I just want to let everybody know if administrat directed that that that's fine but they they did learn something good and the thing is too I I think a lot of other districts they don't have it precisely because of the proximity to the end of the of the school year as well so you're going to be extending another school day and we try to be inclusive with everything you know but at some point I I think a decision was made so that's what I recall from the past couple of years regarding the school calendar so I I just want to tell you what what's happened over here CH basford we were I was on the board with uh Dr Danny and Mr Kenova and we were also worried about it was half days learning it was also the heat so my question is are the air conditioning going to be ready by the end of the month in June okay so I'm open for anything it's only one day people are sarking about the 25th now they wanted it earlier but because of all the holidays so I don't know maybe if you have to invoke the whole committee again and revisit the calendar but I I wouldn't have a problem with moving it to the 26th because you this is a year almost two almost two years technically yeah because you don't have to worry about graduation and all the other things that you have to plan for that graduation is always everything revolves around that graduation date once you set it in stone correct that's correct Mr bassia The Graduate even if we um if we don't use the snow days and even if I took a couple days off the end of the year or if I recommended to the board and we did that um graduation would still stay on that day so that that's another variable um to think about is snow days if we don't use what we've done in the past is maybe add a day on Memorial Day weekend to lengthen that and maybe take a day off the end of the year so there are some things you can do with that too but again um calendar is one thing that is the board's prerogative right so I'm happy to do what the majority of the board wants to do um my preference is that students are in school that day and learn about it and maybe Administration has to Mr Brun X says his kids learned Miss Suarez says her son did we just have to do a better job of making sure that something is done uh if we're going to be in school if that's the justification for staying open then I have to do a better job of making sure that something is taught that day please don't if you guys have to St to ad please just you know hey anyone else on this top commissioner so um the other the other piece of it from what I recall is that this also ties to Columbus Day because we said if we give this day as a day off then you need Columbus Day as a day off which is is considered a half day now and the idea was that exactly that I I I remember Jim D even saying it that you know we want people to learn about these days a lot a lot of kids when we talk about Labor Day Memorial Day they don't even know what that means right so um I remember that was the logic around it but again I'm open to revisiting anything but then if you're giving both those days now you're talking about the following Monday you're off instead of that Thursday and people already complaining about a long calendar vice president Santiago so I'm open to discussing that wherever that is policy or wherever that goes to um Columbus Day there is an early dismissal juneth there is an early dismissal not because of juneth however correct right whereas Columbus Day there is an early dismissal because of Columbus Day there's no early dismissal for juneth because of juneth this just early dismissal that whole last week of school whatever that is um can I say something about a different holiday really quickly just to clarify so on the calendar Veterans Day says observed and you know you look at it it says school closed School Clos not school school's not closed on Veterans Day that's just there we observe it but school is open right or else would have said School Clos on account okay thanks um I think perhaps we can get some recommendation options let's say uh to bring before the board to consider and discuss maybe maybe there's a few different options we can look at Mr it's I would recommend you know board passes this calendar tonight and we decide to change it next month it's not I don't think that's a big deal I think there's plenty of notice um but it's a real simple thing unless there are other problems if if it's just juneth it's we close that day and we add a day at the end that that would be really the only thing that would be different or the only other option is to reduce a um instead of three snow days go down to two so that's another option it's really just a matter of whether we close on juneth or not now Dr Rob if I if I could just say I do believe that we have to school has to be done by June 30th so if we run out of snow days I think it happened in Lyndon one year you had to go to school like on a Saturday or something like that we had like four hours on a Saturday so that's always something to keep in mind we've been very uh fortunate for the the snowstorms you know it's just been freakingly cold but you know we don't know what's going to happen next year so that's something to be mindful of I don't think anybody wants to come to school on a Saturday okay well we'll look at our options and bring some recommendations back to the board to discuss and consider um president Paris I'd like uh to make a suggestion if we can bring it to the education committee that there is some kind of um standard curriculum that day per per School level and also maybe making it m the students involved in some kind of community service that day project or to you know bring awareness that would be my recommendation to the education committee if I can make a comment we already actually do have that embedded uh we do have a uh K through 12 mandated and Multicultural um curriculum crosswalks document um it is recommended that teachers incorporate these we would we can make that more mandatory um the majority of teachers should be doing a lot of them already do um juneth falls under although it's a different month we one of the mandates is African-American history month or Black History Month um but we also do have a component on MLK where lessons are pushed out through the social studies Department to all of our teachers and the same is done for juneth um but we can make sure that um our administrators do confirm when they check lesson plans to ensure that this is being done because I know that uh we had just recently just done so for Martin Luther King day um and that was just pushed out um this is actually a I'm looking at the document now I want to say it is a 77 page document um of recommendations uh that address all of the different Multicultural and mandated components such as Amistad black history Hispanic History juneth um Holocaust and so on Mr Paris okay so yes um I just and and again it's it's what you know but you know the only thing is if you want to keep that date listening to Mr um shahada said about you know watching out for the days and keeping days there and you want to keep that on the Thursday cuz you don't want to go any longer I mean you know I would hate to do I mean it's but like the only two option things is Seas like either that February that 17th taking that day out because that's not and then moving it to the 19th or or you know um somehow taking out the the staff professional development okay I'm just saying it like BR bringing students in on the third and giving them a half day and a half day professional development and then another half day for students in a half day professional development so it's not a lot so the so the teachers would come in on what is it the the second on the third students would come in and third and fourth would be a half day and this way it's like students are already in and then you're did you know what I mean like I don't know seeing I think it's just important to note too I'm referencing September Dr Danny that I I don't create this calendar in a vacuum this calendar is made with feedback from multiple staff members including our district collaborative team which is a team of 20 or so people from every um bargaining unit and every um job category so yes there are a myriad of things we could do we could take that 4-day weekend away in February and make it a three-day weekend but the reason why it's in there is because the staff really really like that and February is a tough time the the dark cold days of February it's people look forward to if you remember a couple years ago we had the week off in February and some people asked for that I I I really enjoyed that but then you're in school till July you know it's it's a lot so um again you can do anything you want with the calendar you can't do everything so we kind of got to prioritize but I think it's a good discussion for Education committee we we will bring it back up and and look at it uh roll call I think we need a roll call so quite point a point of reference uh so we're going to vote on the calendar tonight and then make amendments as we go look at into mod if we need to modify it right uh so we had a motion by Miss Suarez and a second by Mr Mahia correct uh Miss bassford yes Mr brunak yes Mr Kenova yes Dr Danny yes Mr Mia yes Mr SEO yes Mr Suarez yes vice president Santiago yes president Paris yes motion carries uh next would be request for a motion for Def financ and Facilities item number one through 18 motion by commissioner brunak second by Dr Dany discussion uh I have a a question and I didn't get to call you earlier today um about the use of facilities everyone is current that are paying for the use of facilities or is anyone in uh on this list uh no everybody on this list is paid to date okay thank you um Can is there any way in the future if we could just like put a little asteris next to or something you could put some kind of symbol so we know so I don't have to bother you I wouldn't recommend that I wouldn't I wouldn't feel comfortable singling out a single organization just so I'll just call you you can call me you can always call me okay thank you okay any other discussion okay real call Mr M bassford yes Mr brunak yes Mr Kenova yes Dr Danny yes Mr Mia yes Mr siano yes abstaining on F18 checks 29938 and 22266 on Tomahawk promotions Marez yes abstain on f17 check 29934 vice president Santiago yes president Paris yes motion carries thank you um board member comments we'll start with commissioner bassford good evening even everyone uh last week I had the privilege of attending a conference hosted by assemblywoman Allison colazo as a representative New Jersey school boards Association 27th legislative district the event was held on uh focus on immigration rights and included presentations by the ACLU make the Road New Jersey and the Lowenstein sandla LLP group um I'm proud to share that the Clifton Public School District was well represented that day there was a lot of people there at the conference there was the the discussion was highly informative and the connections made with fellow attendees was invaluable um everyone got information so I would strongly encourage my fellow board members to engage with our Administration inquire what steps the district is taking as we heard with Dr uh robot's report I'm sorry I uh you I wrote this before you spoke to ensure that all students feel protected and supported regardless of their circumstances it was a really good conference and I hope hope to have another one next year we we've learned a lot um um I attended the big North event on Monday to watch out cheerleaders CHS CH lead shine it was a proud day to say well all Mustangs way to go girls you did an amazing job I would like to extend my gratitude to the business office on their extending work with the audit and ensuring that the Clifton Public Schools remain fiscally sound so Kudos your dedication does not go unnoticed okay a heartfelt uh thank you and uh well-deserved to the Clifton Education Association the ca for your gener generosity and positive impact you make throughout your events your um efforts truly enrich the lives of so many in our one clipon one Community I would like to express my heart sh uh felt thanks to Lori lman for your unwavering dedication to our students I saw personally the questions you were answering the notes you were taking last week I I I was just amazed by that that all you put all students first in their rights to be protected and to feel safe every single day so thank you your passion is evident every time you step up to the microphone it is clear that you don't just talk to talk you walk to walk so thank you for all you do um that's all I have looking to forward to many different events coming up in the next couple weeks so thank you everyone and have a good night thank you commissioner bastard commissioner brunak thank you Mr president I want to thank the administration and staff in our district for an exceptional audit based on the presentation by Mr Lurch tonight the opinion provided was unqualified which is the highest possible grade that you could get in an audit tonight we also renewed Mr shada's contract and I'm pleased to have him here for at least another year as he is a sought out by other districts I'm sure I I certainly suspect that to be the case so looking forward to working with you for another year sir finally I want to thank all the volunteers in our city there's almost always something going on in this city and in a lot of the school facilities as well so these are not all school-based some of them are are clinics for uh from the wreck department across the street but our we provide the facilities for them but a lot of these clinics and tournaments a lot of them wouldn't happen without the volunteer work so I want to thank and give a shout out to all of you uh there's a wrestling tournament this Saturday and I'm really pumped up for it um a lot of the kids that that my um son plays baseball with they're going to be competing in this uh this Saturday and that's in the lower gym at CHS so uh if anybody has any time you you know come spend some time over there it's it's um absolutely amazing very high energy so just wrestling Mr BR yes sir Clifton Jr Mustangs and so I just want to give a shout out to all the volunteers none of this would happen without your generosity of and you are Priceless the value is the time and all the um energy and resources that you put into this so thank you everybody who Volunteers in Clifton thank you for your time and God bless America have a good night everybody thank you commissioner brenia commissioner Canova all right good evening um I want talk a little bit about the strategic planning that that we all all attended it was great seeing representation from all the schools and all the public um I would like to see more student representation so if we get out to the students and maybe somehow uh you know we talked about homework homework pass or whatever we want to do but I I would like to see more student representation in some of those meetings um my condolences go out to the Zano and palovich family um our band room Renovations look fantastic I was very pleased to see rededicated to Mr Morgan um he was a pillar to our community and and to making the CHS band the show band of the East that we all know and love um I was able to attend the big North event for the Clifton cheer team they did an amazing job came in came in first once again uh so congratulations to them and uh congratulations to our own Mr shahada on another great financial report I know $300 million is a lot um and just having a few minor minor minor infractions is uh phenomenal so thank you and that's all I have thank you thank you commissioner Canova commissioner Dr Danny thank you president Paris um thank you to all the speakers who came out and spoke um thank you to the Clifton Education Association um to Mr Lurch for the um comprehensive audit um congratulations to all of those who advanced their careers were recognized tonight and Mr shahad thank you for all you do keeping us in compliance and doing a great job and happy to have you here and uh Happy Chinese um Lunar New Year and um cuz we're off our District's off another holiday that we're off for you know and yeah we yeah oh we got add that add that one start adding them um and um happy birthday to my grandson Noah cuz he's four years old so made me first Grandma nice thank you Dr Danny you guys got a top Chinese New Year so commissioner Mahia good evening ladies and gentlemen I just want to it's going to be very brief I want to congratulate coach lri on being coach of the year for p County um on top of that our boys indoor track and field team did win County championships um a few days ago so big congratulations to them um to all the coaches who are part of it huge congratulations to our cheer team they're always doing amazingly every time I see see them perform I just get so pumped the way that they're doing all these flips and everything most of you guys are probably going to get a college scholarship if you decide to do tumbling so keep on going at it um thank you to the community for coming out for our strategic planning it was great you know that was the first she I remember it happening during covid but this was the first one in person and it was amazing to see all the staff faculty and community members that were out there um next up I want to thank U Mrs Laura Lama thank you for saying those words in English and in Spanish I remember in sixth grade when you told me that you spoke Spanish and people were trying to fool around and say you know words you actually knew what they were saying so when you spoke it just remind gave me a big flashback of being your computer literacy class um and finally thank you to Dr uh roosi um as our chief education officer um sharing those you know strong words of remark to our greater Community here in Clifton I know you know probably gave a huge you know thank you so thank you for those thank you commissioner Mia commission shano thank you um thank you to all the speakers thank you to mark for the student rep report uh Mr Shahar very happy to have you for another year and I'm very happy with the audit uh Dr Danny uh Dr Danny Danny Roberto you have a lot of fans out there so somebody sent me the New Jersey Education Association review with an article about you a superintendent shares LMC journey and results so you have people just sending me this that's how many fans you have uh I was happy to read it I have it here if anybody else does we're very lucky to have you thank you I want to provide everybody with one year update on my progress and efforts as a commissioner several members of our community have expressed the importance of keeping an open dialogue and sharing updates I wholeheartedly agree we should always strive to honor the wishes of the community so over the past year I've made it a priority to grow as a commissioner and serve our district to the best of my ability to enhance my knowled and understanding of our responsibilities there's numerous webinars and classes I've taken on that keeping myself informed about the current and potential changes at both the state and federal level levels uh I served on several committees with my Commissioners uh including facilities security residency and technology and negotiations additionally I chaired the municipal Alliance which provided valuable insight into our District's needs and priorities uh the Committees have allowed me to work closely with my fellow Commissioners gaining a deeper appreciation for the ch challenges and opportunities that we all face beyond the committee work we all attended the conference in Atlantic City where I participated in various courses enhancing my Effectiveness as a commissioner throughout the year I also made it a priority to listen to the voices of the community I have fielded calls from many of you regarding concerns and suggestions bringing these insights to the attention of our Administration I want to express my gratitude for the administration for working diligently to address and resolve these matters uh first year was both both enriching and eyee openening I remain committed to serving our community with transparency accountability and dedication lastly I want to send my condolences out to the friends and family of Carmine Simone uh I went to school with Carmine and even though we grew apart as most of us do uh we still send each other messages touching bass and keeping in touch with each other Carmine was a good friend to me when I was in high school and I am truly and deeply sorry to hear of his untimely passing life is not guaranteed and we all need to remember that and treat each day like the gift it is thank you everyone and have a good evening thank you commissioner sio commissioner Suarez thank you president Paris good evening everyone um this month I had my first strategic planning meeting and it was I was really pleased to see the community come together and um happy to be a part of it um to mark your student representative thank you for sharing the information about student initiatives that prepare for the cell phone ban and as well as checking emails more frequently I think that's really great to to see the students really care about their future and uh creating PR good practices now that adults struggle with so uh kudos to you all um thank you so much to the ca for all that you do for our students and families it's really beautiful to see that you truly have their best interests at heart I'd love to hear everything uh that was shared tonight um and congratulations to the new assistant um principles that came out tonight I'm excited to have you in the community uh and lastly congratulations to Med shahada and his team uh to have a near-perfect audit is not an easy feat um and I see personally his dedication and I know um a lot of work goes into it so congrats and I'm happy to be a part of this clion team good night everyone thank you commissioner Suarez uh I also add my thanks to Mr shahada and especially your team oh I'm sorry Tony uh yes Vice it's okay I'm sorry VI president Santiago everybody get used toies everybody get used well let's start with that so this is um really our first comments of the year so I just want to thank everybody my my fellow colleagues here for um electing me vice president I think you know we've done a lot of good things last year as a team and if we continue to focus on what's important which is our students and providing a quality education for them then we're always going to be doing the right thing and doing good things for them so I look forward to continuing that so um Dr Rober toy thank you very much for the uh comments on the sensitive sites as well as swatting because that is an uptick and there a lot of concern I see a lot of parents you know there's a uh there's another one and that kind of stuff and then there speculation and then there's an all clear and there's still speculation but thanks for for uh mentioning that um please go out and support our teams that are uh competing this weekend we've got hockey we've got Varsity wrestling I believe also girls wrestling and and the cheer team I look forward to the Sweeney Todd play can't wait for that that's always a good one um thank you to the cea and to the volunteers um for your grants and for everything you guys do um happy Muslim heritage month and Luna new new year happy muszle month New Year to all of our uh students family and the community celebrating um thank you to Mr shahada for another good audit um keep up the great work uh if if you have not seen the music Suite or our band rooms they're amazing go see them please um thank you to uh Bob Morgan for his 40 Years of dedication to our students amazing um I think that's all I've got for now have a great night thank you commissioner Santiago my apologies for skipping you was unintentional um again thank you to Mr shahada and especially your team the results of your hard labor or clear in Mr lurch's report and uh you make our district very proud um thank you to Mark our student representative and uh piggy backing off of what commissioner Suarez said the thing that impressed me the most is we have students that are helping roll out our policy cell phones to their fellow students um just a team and Cooperative approach is fantastic and I think Mark and the student Council and the student body for uh for being such great teammates for us um some dates I'd like to just remind the public of February 6 everybody has mentioned is our strategic planning meeting part two if you didn't come the first time you missed out on a very productive and great meeting come on out and see what it's all about um the more the merrier February 20th um we will be holding district and student awards that'll be at the high school uh that's a quarterly event now so put that on your calendar February 13th is our next regular Board of Education meeting uh February 1st is Christopher Columbus and woodro Wilson basketball team rivalry competition at Clifton High School so come on out and see the see the two teams play that's at 9:00 amm on February 1st uh February 7th School 9 PTO is sponsoring pocketbook bingo so for $35 you might be able to win a designer pocketbook um February 21st is wo Wilson's HSA Gift Card Bingo all different kinds of organizations you can win a gift card too it's $25 to attend um they're both great events to support our kids in their hsas um and condolences to the uh zelasco and and padovich families uh on their losses condolences um that's all I have have so the only thing left is uh new business opening up for new business I have a um a request um we all received an email about an incident at CER B I would like that that um issue to go to facilities and also security um committees about seeing what we can do as a district because I know we're we're up against um a wall and I think that if we all put our Collective Minds together for those two committees and then bring something back to the wood that we can come up with a solution for the parents that are having issues at CA well we'll also bring it up as a municipal Alliance thank you we we have been discussing CA be every meeting uh but I I think it's time that we have to bring the ball back to this court and we have to play it because I don't think we're going to get anywhere on the other side of the street I'm sorry that's just my personal opinion but I think that we we need to be more proactive especially after the email that I received today so I I'd like to see some motion on this side of the street move forward thank you anyone else I just want to comment on what she said so I think it is up to us because according to the city we're on Municipal Alliance we've heard several times they're not ever going to put a crossing guard there because that is a school where the parent is supposed to cross the child so there's no need for a crossing guard there is no intention because of that I think it's it's going to fall on us they have no in ention of doing anything with that school other than speed bumps and a FL not even speed bump I think a flashing sign is what we're getting out of that yeah but tra control of traffic is Clifton Police Department yes and that's really I think what this incident comes down to a lack of traffic control so perhaps they can reconsider maybe a police policeman to get things organized there bit um it it is their responsibility we're actually to meet so we'll put that on the agenda we have definitely have to talk but we also will discuss what we might be able to do on our own as well to help did they say speed bumps at the last meeting I don't recall that you know so we talked about speed bumps and bump outs at a few different locations but I don't think that was one I think pedestrian improving the uh The Crossing with some flashing lights you know like pedestrian crossing lights um but that was again something had to be in the budget for next year in addition to that they plan to put what I'm going to call ballads in front of CA B uh in the vicinity right where students and families can cross uh to so parents can't park there to hopefully clear that small area uh that is uh underway as we speak yeah that is what they discussed the meeting remember they did mention that they mentioned that they would do that and because I brought up the fact that it's just you know a something waiting to happen I brought that up at the last um Municipal Alliance Mr President commission over so I have a we're talking about just ideas I have a crazy idea but I think it would work um so right now CA B is only prek and we have another school that we're talking about putting Middle School in if we took um all four of those in put middle schools so Columbus woodro CA be and this new school and figured out six six to seven goes here or or five five and six goes here seven eight goes here so separate them that would leave more space in all our lower elementaries which is what we want anyway and it would be a lower set of prek in there you would only have 25 20 students or whatever it is in those prek so that could alleviate them being all in one section anyone who's strolling a child can get them there without having to be a drop off like you do for like professional you know um pre where you pay for um so I know that's totally crazy I know that's totally crazy especially no it might not be crazy it's AE since CA be is set with the bathrooms being lower and like we have to think about the transportation aspect of it we are already cross we are already Crossing town left and right barely making it by the skin of our teeth we'd have to rezone for those yes for those areas well rezoning is obviously is part of the issue but just getting from one zone to the other within you know the time frames that that are required because every school is stagger the way you know the Administration has done it like Elementary at 850 or or whatever they start and then it kind of Cascades down from there so I know my Transportation director Liz Nick is sitting at home listening to this and her brain is exp literally about I think she should be a part of the meeting if we're going to have a meeting of that I think she should be a part of that meeting so I think we could brainstorm ways to get there it's going to cost um and we just need to set a goal is to really what we want me personally I would love to see prek of the elementaries I that considering you only have one car in a family and and one's off at work and the other parents bringing the child to school I don't know I just feel like that's the best place for it we're set up for local schools when they're younger so if that's the way we go then that's the way we go um but I'm open to any conversation and I could be a part of any committee so this is a really good PSA to people to come out to the strategic planning if they have what you have also I just I I just that email really resonated with me because I remember you know my days bringing my children to school and as parents we mobilized and we made a safe drop off space for our children you can't do that with a prek because it's you know they're here and then then they go to another school it's it's a quick turnover with the student population I've I'm a bi-week B monthly attend D of Council meetings Allan with all due respect I really think that this board the nine of us and with the administration have to come up to a solution on our end I'm just because I don't think it's going to happen Joe with no disrespect to you in the committee for municipal Alliance I think we'll have be having the same conversation the next meeting and then the next meeting I think we take action now that's just me and I'm really worried that after reading that email and I know the family it came from Die Hard dedicated to Clifton it was it was very heartfelt because I know they were concerned for safety of all the students so that's just my two cents thank you Mr Paris I just wanted to say um you know I do I do agree with you miss bassford that I think because I've been on munis Alliance forever before Joe and then that and that I mean we've had traffic issues the whole time and I was actually I got caught in the dismissal by CA be and that's why I brought that up at the municipal Alliance meeting because it was just Mayhem I mean I don't know if anybody has ever gone there at dismissal but it's like everybody's just it's it's and I said because there's like little children Crossing and parents and and you know cars just swerving around and just traffic and then people getting annoyed and trying to cut you know people off and it's it's like just really terrible there I mean I I was caught in it and I was like as I was sitting there in the traffic I thought this is just an accident waiting to happen so you know um again I I just think that it's something that we got to come up with with something so I don't know about the bar I don't know how much that's going to help with things but it's literally like parents just crossing people getting annoyed and you know and and like I really do feel that a crossing guard there would help like somebody who comes out maybe just you know or or either an officer or some you know something because it's just it's a tight and and everybody's trying to get in and everybody's aggravated and little children are crossing the streets and parents are crossing ing them with with all these cars going and it's like you either stop or I'm just crossing anyway because I'm frustrated so not me personally like that's just what you see there so president Paris if I may I know Joe siano has a municipal line so we'll start there and then we'll Judy's going to remind me tomorrow morning to put it on facilities and we kind of put our heads together and we can uh regroup at the next board meeting when we have a little more information okay perfect anyone else okay we do have some things um for executive session um so we have both some uh personnel and some legal discussions action will be taken will take approximately 40 minutes okay about 40 minutes uh motion to adjourn from commissioner B second by commissioner check take five break and we'll see you in the back room thank you everyone e e e we got five yes let's go okay we are uh returning from our executive session uh roll call Mr shahada miss bassford here Mr brunak here Mr kov here Dr Danny she is present uh Mr Mahia here Mr siano here miss Suarez here vice president Santiago here president Paris here we have a quorum okay um from executive session looking for a motion to approve items two through seven motion second motion by commissioner Suarez second by commissioner Mahia roll call Miss bassford yes Mr brunc yes Mr Kenova yes Dr Dany she recorded her vote as yes in the back Mr siano yes Miss Suarez yes vice president Santiago yes president Paris yes motion to adjourn motion second by commission bassford second back commissioner Brun have a nice weekend C wasn't

e e e all right good morning everyone good morning I am Miss Leon and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the school 3 spelling be competition will begin in a few moments before we begin I would like to introduce you to the officials who will be presiding over the competition first I am pleased to be your pronouncer Miss Leighton next meet Mrs Bella judge Mrs yellan judge uh C judge Miss Castillo Record Keeper and Mrs Grill Record Keeper thank you officials today you will enjoy a great American tradition the format for the competition is that of a traditional spell down that is each of the spellers you see here will receive one word per round success in today's spelling be is in the beginning all about what you have memorized but in the end we will bridge and it will likely be all about words that you probably have not memorized when your moment arrives just do like the pros do in DC slow slow down ask questions think positively and you will be ready to meet the challenge before we begin I'd like to spend a moment talking about the microphone spellers the microphone is important because it assists you in ensuring the judges hear your spelling when it's your turn to spell adjust the microphone so that it is at a comfortable height for you before you begin to spell speak the word you are given into the microphone for the judges this will give the judges an opportunity to determine if you are pronouncing the word correctly when you are ready to begin spelling your word remember to take a deep breath enunciate each letter with care and speak directly into the microphone now let's talk about what happens at the end of the B if all spellers in a round misspell all spellers in that round will remain in the competition and a new spelling round will begin if only one speller spells correctly in a round a new one-word spelling round will begin and the speller will be given an opportunity to spell a word on the list which is the anticipated Championship word if the speller succeeds in correctly spelling the anticipated Championship word in this one-word round the speller will be declared the champion on behalf of school 3 thank you for joining us to celebrate the achievements of these fantastic young spellers we are now ready to begin round one of the school 3 spelling be spellers I would like to remind you of what will happen if you misspell during this round one of the judges will ring a bell then I will provide the correct spelling and you will go to the side of the stage to meet Mrs brco if that happens you may return to your class to watch the remainder of the bee record keepers are you ready yeah speller number one you may approach the microphone your your word is spot spot can you please say in theend please sure B looked for a good spot to hide in the kitchen spot SP s p o t spot correct speller number two cold cold c o l d cold correct speller three grab grab g r a b grab correct speller [Music] four your word is bump bump bu b u m p that is correct spell five Dunk Dunk d u n k dunk correct spell number six Miss can can you use it in a sentence sure jacqu will miss his best friend during summer vacation miss miss m i SS Miss correct lamp lamp l a m p lamp that is is correct spell number eight this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word lost it means gone out of one's possession or control put in an unremembered Place ma found his lost glasses between the couch cushions lost lost l o lost correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word green it means having the color of growing fresh grass or of the emerald the bleach Ashley spilled ruined her favorite green shirt green green g r e e n green correct math math m a t h math correct speller number 11 your word is warm warm w a r m warm correct speller 12 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word bear it's an animal having long shaggy hair rudimentary tail feeding largely on fruit and insects as well as on flesh and though ordinarily slow and clumsy moving very fast for short distances especially on rough or steep ground Jaren saw a brown bear in the woods during her camping trip bear bear b e a are bear that is correct okay that is the end of round round one we have all of our spellers still in everyone made it through round one good deep breath we're now ready to begin round two of the school 3 spelling be okay spell number one Adonis this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word grins it means draws back the lips from the teeth in mert or Good Humor Nora grins from ear to ear whenever someone mentions her spelling be Victory grins can you please say down in a sentence sure I did but I'll say it again it's okay Nora grins from ear to ear whenever someone mentions her spelling be Victory grins grins g r i ns grin correct okay BL glow glow g l o w glow correct raindrop raindrop r a i n d r o p raindrop correct your word is enjoy enjoy e n j o y enjoy correct five outside outside o u t s i d e outside correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word great it means wonderful admirable used as a generalized term of enthusiastic approval Mr Sinclair told his students that they had done a great job on their projects great great g r e a t great correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word summer it's the season comprising the months of June July and August the best part of Summer was weekly trips to the swimming pool summer summer s u m m e r summer correct okay Dylan your word is running running r u n n i n g running correct [Music] honking honking h o n c k i n g honking sorry there's no C it's h o n [Applause] k good job okay 10 okay your word is caves sent please sure Blackbeard ventured into the dark caves eager to find the spot where the treasure was hidden caves caves see a v e s caves correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word monster it's a ferocious legendary animal usually of great size Payton dressed as a swamp monster for Halloween last year monster monster m o n s r monster sorry it's e r at the end e r [Applause] okay okay okay spell 12 Isabelle video video can you please in a sentence and have the definition please sure the sentence is beatric watched a funny video of puppies playing the piano on her tablet and the definition is a recording of visual images and sound stored in digital form video video v i d e o video [Music] correct okay okay that concludes the second round of the school 3 spelling be we are now ready for round three a big round of applause for everybody still in okay Adonis okay your word is bolts can you please say that the definition and the sentence sure the definition is wood or metal bars or rods used to fasten a door and the sentence is Hilda locked the door with several heavy bolts to make sure it stayed closed during the storm bolts bolts b o l t s say it again bols correct very good jigsaw jigsaw j i g s a w jigsaw correct speller three Emma your word is spying spying s p y i n g spying that is correct this word has two or more correct spellings so either spelling will be accepted the word is women uh and the definition is female human beings listen to the sentence women gained the right to vote in the United States in the year 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment women women no wait women wom hold on don't spell yet it's women women okay w o m e n woman correct okay your word is handstand h a n d s t a n d handstand very good this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word pretend it means to feain an action part or role in or as if in a play to make believe when using her toy kitchen set Ling loves to pretend that she is a world famous chef pretend pretend p r e t e n d pretend correct sideways sideways s i d e w a y s sideways very good welcome welcome w e l c o m e welcome correct midday sentence please sure a cannon fires in Halifax Citadel National Historic Site every midday M midday m i d d a y midday correct softly softly can I have a sentence and definition sure the sentence is Claire sang softly to her new baby cousin until the baby fell asleep and it means in a matter manner that is pleasing or agreeable to the senses softly softly s o f t l y softly correct okay that concludes round three of the school 3 spelling be and we're ready for round four okay congratulations to everybody still in Adonis you're up your word is cobweb can you please say that in a sentence and and definition yes Jor brushed a cobweb from his face as he climbed the attic stairs and it means a single thread spun by a spider cobweb cobweb c o b w e b cobweb very good this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word report it's a usually detailed account or statement Timmy had to write a report about his favorite animal for homework report report r e p o r t report correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word muster it means to bring together to collect in the end Maggie could only muster a few votes for her prom theme idea must must muster m u s s t e r muster One S One [Applause] S good job Emma okay Santiago your word is fuel fuel f u e l fuel very good Antonella showed show s h o w e d show correct chuckle chuckle c h u c k l e chuckle correct snazzy snazzy s n a z z y snazzy correct include include i n c l u d e include very good this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word mighty it means having or wielding great power or authority the wrestler flexed his muscles and looked Mighty as he got the crowd excited before the match mighty mighty m i d d y sorry m i g HT y good job okay Isabella highway highway can I have a sentence and definition please yes the sentence is the construction of the interstate highway system under President Eisenhower improved transportation and Commerce in the United States and it's a main direct Road highway highway h i g h w a y Highway correct okay that's the to round five congratulations to all of our spellers that are still in we're ready to resume with round six okay Adonis you're up this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word recess it means a period lasting from 10 minutes to an hour that intervenes between the class or study periods of a school school day and is used for rest play or lunch when asked what his favorite subject in school was Matt always responded that it was Recess Recess Recess r e s [Music] e s that's okay you did a great job it's r e c e SS okay uh speller two this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word we it's used to express Delight or general exuberance the children shouted we as they went down the slide at the playground we we w h e e we very good rodents rodents r o a d i t [Applause] rent the correct spelling is r o d e n t rodent good job Santiago okay Antonella next right yes spell five yes your word is huddling can you give me the definition mhm it means gathering in a group pressing close to together huddling huddling h u d d l i n g huddling very good correct gasped gasped g a s p e d gas correct Taxi Cab Taxi capab t a x i c a b taxi cap very good this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word sandwich it's two slices of bread with a thin layer spread between them Calvin patiently explained to his mother that he liked his sandwich cut on the diagonal sandwich sandwich s a n d w i c h sandwich very good leaking leaking can I have a definition sentence please yes the definition is letting a substance or light in or out through a hole crevice or other opening and the sentence is the roofer fixed the Gap in the shingles that was responsible for rain leaking through the kitchen ceiling leaking leaking l e a k i n g leaking correct okay so we we uh we got ahead of ourselves a little bit this is the end of round five and we're ready to begin round six so big round of applause so everybody still in we have six spellers remaining okay so we're starting this round with speller number two brother brother b r o t h e r brother very good andella outcome outcome o t c o m e outcome correct murky can you can you use it in the and the definition sure the sentence is the river's murky water was probably not safe to drink and it means dark or dull in color murky murky m i r k y mky correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word wagon in it's a heavy four-wheel usually uncovered vehicle designed especially for transporting bulky Commodities and drawn originally by animals Jesse and Joseph pulled their wagon filled with toys and snacks to the park wagon wagon w a g o n wagon correct childhood childhood see h i l d h o o d childhood very good okay so this word has two or more correct spellings and either spelling will be accepted the word is Critters Critters can I have a definition in sentence please sure the definition are creatures animals and the sentence is the campground was bustling with Critters whose chirping and croaking filled the air Critters Critters c r i t t e r s Critters correct okay that is the end of round six we still have six Bell remaining and we're moving on to round seven this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Snicker it means to laugh in a slight covert or partly suppressed manner the class began to Snicker when the substitute teacher realized she was in the wrong room snicker snicker s n i c k e r Snicker correct twinkle twinkle t w i n k l e twinkle very good stumble stumble s t u m b l e stumble correct smok smok s m o c k smok [Music] correct Harvest h a r v e s t Harvest correct costume costume can I have sentence and definition please yes the sentences kelvin's favorite part of his bumblebee costume is the cute little stinger and it means an Alfred War to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period person place or thing costume costume c o s t u m e costume correct okay that's the end of round seven we saw six spellers congratulations to everyone still in and we're going to move to round eight this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word indeed it means admittedly undeniably Mr tufty knew that the homework was indeed difficult but he also believed his students were up for the challenge indeed indeed i n d e e d indeed correct mistake mistake m a s t a k e mistake it's m i s t a good job the correct spelling is m i s t a k e great job balloon can you use it in a sentence and a definition sure the principal liked the sign science project but he wasn't sure if he enjoyed having the students name their hot air balloon after him and it means a bag of silk or other tough light material shaped usually like a sphere and filled with heated air or a gas lighter than air balloon balloon b a l l o o n balloon correct promise promise p r o m i s e promise correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Castle it's a large fortified building or set of buildings built originally in Medi Medieval Times often surrounded by inferior buildings the sentence is Harry wrote an essay on the history of a French castle that was the sight of a battle castle castle c a s t l e Castle correct uproar uproar can can you use it inent to definition please an uproar swept the auditorium when Wayne sank a three-pointer at the buzzer it means a loud usually disorderly noise of some duration uproar uproar u p r o a r uproar correct that is the end of round eight and we're moving on to round nine five spellers exactly could you use it in a sentence and definition mik measured out the cake ingredients exactly wanting his creation to be perfect it means precisely according to a rule standard or fact accurately exactly exactly e x um could I start over yes e c z z [Music] a l l y exactly I'm sorry the correct spelling is e ex a c t l y exactly good job okay Dennis nonsense nonsense n o n s e n s e nonsense correct jumbled jumbled j u m b l e d jum very good motion motion m o t i o n motion correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word dimple it means a slight natural indentation or Hollow in the surface of some part of the human body as on a cheek or the chin Diana grinned revealing the dimple on her left cheek dimple dimple d i m p l e dimple correct okay that is the end of round nine we have four spellers remaining and we're ready for round 10 okay this word has a homonym or could be confused used with another word Harbor it means a small Bay or other sheltered part of a considerable body of water usually well protected against high waves and strong currents and deep enough to Anchor ships or other craft the ship survived the fierce storm by weathering it out in the natural Harbor Harbor Harbor Harbor h a r b e o r Harbor correct severe severe s e v e r e severe very good ghostly g h o s t l y ghostly very good natural can you can you put in a sent of definition please the Niagara Falls are a breathtaking example of natural beauty and it means in accordance with or determined by the created World in its entirety natural natural n a t u r a l natural all right okay that's the end of round 10 and we're moving on to round 11 of the school three spelling be with speller number six Dennis your word is Bandits Bandits b a n d i t s Bandits correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Champion it means one whose Supremacy or superiority is formally acknowledged especially after a test contest or series of tests or contests Bethany was declared the champion of the gymnastics competition after executing a near-perfect routine champion champion c h a m p i o n champion correct superb s o u p b e r Super I'm sorry the correct spelling is s p e r b superb good job Dyan okay Isabella is next right patio patio can I have a please sure Rachel's birthday party was held on the sunny patio it's a Recreation Area adjoining a dwelling often paved and adapted especially to outdoor dining patio patio p a t i o patio correct okay that's the end of round 11 congratulations to our three spellers remaining and we're moving on to round 12 okay Dennis reunion r e u n i o n reunion correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word braids it's lengths of hair done up by interweaving three or more strands together Naomi always has her hair done in braids before a basketball game braids braid b r a i d s Braes correct wrench wrench can I have a sentence and definition please sure Paul and Sam often wrench the arms of their friends until they utter Mercy it means to twist violently to one side or out of line shape or position wrench wrench w r e n c h grch correct okay that's the end of round 12 three spellers remaining and we're ready for round streamers can you use it in a sentence and can you give me a definition yep the family decorated the house with streamers for the baby's first birthday it means narrow free floating strips as of cloth or crepe paper streamers streamers s t r e a m can I start over yes s t r e a m e r s streamers correct speckled speckled s p e c k l e d speckled correct village Village can I have sentence and definition please yep Gemma grew up in a small village in Wales that has a population of about 200 and it means a small cluster of houses and other buildings forming a unit distinct from a surrounding rural area village Village v i l l a g e Village correct bless you okay that's the end of round three uh round three round 13 we have three spell remaining congratulations everyone good job and we're moving on to round 14 captive can you repeat the word captive captive c a p t i v e captive very good dodgy dodgy d o d g y dodging correct Hopscotch can I have a sentence and definition please Freda skinned her knee playing hopscotch it's a child's game in which a player tosses a small object into the lined and numbered areas outlined on the ground hops on one foot through the figure and back to the area in which the object lies picks it up and hops out trying to avoid errors Hopscotch Hopscotch h o p s c o t c h Hopscotch correct that is the end of round 14 and we're moving on to round 15 with three spellers still in okay Dennis your word is midair midair m i d a i r midair correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word fend it means to look out for oneself to manage just before heading out for dinner mom and dad reminded their daughters that there was food in the fridge but otherwise they had to fend for themselves fend fend f e n d fend correct jerky jerky can I have the definition please it's meat that has been cut into long slices es or strips and dried jerky jerky j e r k y jerky correct that's the end of round 15 we still have three spellers remaining moving on to round byass bypass b y p a as SS bypass correct Bittersweet Bitter Sweet b i t t e r s w e e t b very good Daredevil Daredevil can can I have a definition in sent please it's a person who without apparent fear faces accepts or carries out anything unusually dangerous or foolhardy Nia's friends from school considered her a daredevil after she did a flip off the monkey bars Daredevil Daredevil d a r e d e v i l Daredevil correct okay that's the end of round 16 still three colors moving on to round 17 a blaze can you use it in a sentence and the definition Gary's attempt to make dinner ended with parts of the kitchen Ablaze leaving everyone scrambling for the fire extinguisher it means on fire Ablaze a blaze a b l a c c e Blaze sorry it's a z this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word dolphin it means any of various small Marine toothed whales that have the snout more or less elongated into a beak and the neck vertebrae partially fused Elijah was thrilled to see a dolphin jumping in and out of the water beside the boat dolphin dolphin d o l p h i n dolphin correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word bowler it means a stiff felt hat with a dome shaped crown and a rather narrow somewhat rolled brim also called Derby Julian looked to Dapper in his suit and bowler at the 1920s themed party bowler bowler b o w l e r Bower correct all right that's the end of round 17 we have two spellers remaining and we're moving on to round 18 okay this following word has two or more correct spelling so either spelling will be accepted LLY gag LLY gag l a l l y g a g Lolly correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word albums it means one or more recordings produced as a single unit Michaela eagerly bought all of the albums of her favorite boy band thrilled to add them to her collection albums albums a l b u ms albums correct okay that's the end of round 18 two spellers remaining moving on to Round interact interact I am n t e r a c t interact correct Magnolia Magnolia can I have a sentence and definition please yes the blossom of the Magnolia is similar to some of the oldest blossoms in the fossil record any tree or shrub of a genus of North American and Asian shrubs and trees that have entire every green or deciduous leaves and usually showy white yellow rose or purple flowers appearing in early spring Magnolia Magnolia m a g n o l i a magnolia correct this is the end of Round 19 we're moving on to round 20 two spellers biceps biceps b i c e PS bis correct gasket can I have a sentence and definition please the failure of a type of gasket called an O-ring was determined to be the cause of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 198 86 it means a separate or attached sealer used in making and closing airtight or liquid containers to ensure tightness gasket gasket g a s k e t gasket correct that's the end of round 20 time for round 21 two spellers remaining argument argument can I have the sentence please Alex and Max had a loud argument about whose turn it was to use the video game console argument argument a r g u m e n t argument correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word membrane it's a thin soft plot viable sheet or layer especially of animal or vegetable origin when Morna examined the leaf closely she could see a network of veins just beneath the thin membrane membrane membrane m e m b r a n e membrane correct okay that's the end of round 21 two spellers remaining moving to round Locust Locust can I have the definition please a grasshopper that frequently travels in swarms Locust Locust l o c u s t Locus correct diploma diploma can I have a sentence and definition please Abdul framed his University diploma and hung it on the wall of his office it's a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution diploma diploma d i p l o m a DI correct okay that was round 22 we still have two spellers remaining we're moving to round 23 okay your word is Tre Trek t r e k trick correct Isabella your word is bygone bygone can I have a sentence and definition please yes Wesley's grandfather lamented the bygone days of $1 gallons of gas it means of or relating to the Past bygone byon b y g o n e byon correct okay that's the end of round 23 moving on to round 24 two spellers remaining demigod demigod d e m i g o d demigod correct merfolk merfolk can I have a sentence and definition in Legends merfolk are said to dwell deep beneath the ocean's surface they're legendary peoples of the sea having a human head trunk and arms and the tail of a fish merfolk merfolk m e r f o l k molk correct it's the end of round 24 moving on to round 25 two spellers remaining rebuke rebuke r e b u k e rebuke correct new fangled new fangled can I have a sentence and definition please the new fangled coffee maker had more buttons than an airplane cockpit confusing everyone who tried to use it it means recently made or of the most upto-date style new fangled new fangled n e w f a n g l e d new fangle correct that was the end of round 25 moving on to round 26 with two spellers remaining this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word rogue it means a dishonest unprincipled person the Rogue slipped through the bustling Marketplace picking pockets and stealing merchandise without anyone noticing rogue rogue r o g u e Rogue correct threshold threshold can I have a sentence and definition please now at the threshold now at the threshold of a adulthood James is wondering what to do with his life it's the place or point of entering or beginning the outset threshold threshold t h r e s h o l d threshold correct that's the end of round 26 two spellers remaining round 27 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word altar it's a table like construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the Eucharist communion or a communion table the couple exchanged vows in front of the beautifully decorated altar in the church alter alter a o t a r alter correct sech charge sech charge can I have the sentence and definition please when he saw the sir charge for extra cheese on his pizza George joked that the cheese was probably made of gold it's a price demanded for a thing or service in excess of the usual or normal amount search charge S charge s u r c h a r g e sear charge correct that's the end of round 27 two spellers remaining moving on to round 28 guava guava can I have the definition please it's the globular yellow fruit of a small shrubby tropical American tree and it's a the sentence is a slice of guava topped off rwanda's fruit salad gu guaba g u a v a GL correct embroiled embro can I the sentence and definition please the senator found himself embroiled in a political Scandal that dominated the headlines for weeks it means involved especially in conflict or with a problem adversaries or the law embroiled embroiled e m b r o i l e d embroiled correct that's the end of round 28 two spellers remaining moving on to round 29 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word goatee it means a small trim pointed or tufted beard on a man's chin before his job interview Ben shaved his unruly beard into a neat goatee goatee goatee can you repeat the word please goatee goatee g o a t e e go t correct pesos pesos can I can I have def finish a sentence please Felix had roughly 200 pesos in his wallet which he plans to use to top up the gas in his car and its coins or currency notes representing any of the basic monetary units of Argentina Chile Colombia Cuba Dominican Republic Mexico or Uruguay pesos pesos p e s o s pesos correct that's the end of round 29 two spellers remaining moving on to round 30 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word errands their trips made in order to deliver a message or purchase or attend to something mom told Sarah she had errands to run after work and might be a few minutes late picking her up from band practice erands erands e r r a n DS correct stylistic stylistic can def finish a sentence please it means of a relating to mode of expression especially in the use of language James Joyce's ulyses introduced many stylistic Innovations in the English novel including a famous stream of Consciousness Final Chapter written without punctuation stylistic stylistic s t y i l i s t i c stylistic correct that's the end of round 30 moving on to 31 two spellers remaining flailed flailed can I have the definition please it means moved swung or beat as though wielding an instrument for threshing grain from the ear by my hand Jenny flailed her arms around her face trying to drive the gnats away flailed flailed f l a i l e d FL correct Marksmanship can find the sentence on definition please Teddy spent a long time practicing his Marksmanship with an air rifle and a paper Target it means means the art or skill of a person practiced at hitting a Target especially with Firearms Marksmanship Marksmanship m a r k s m a n s hi P Marksmanship correct that's the end of round 31 moving on to round 32 two spellers remaining okay this has two or more correct spellings the spellings any correct spelling will be accepted hocus pocus hocus pocus h o c u s p o c u s hocus correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word ogres can I the sent us a definition please yes as huge as they were the ogres were no match for the witch's spells and its hideous Giants represented in fairy tales and folklore as feeding on human beings monsters ogres uh ogres o g r e s ogres correct okay that's the end of round 32 two spellers remaining moving on to round 33 okay arelis your word is ha Dasher H Dasher can I have the sentence please another upscale habber Dasher has opened a shop on Brighton Street it means a dealer and men's furnishing such as shirts ties and hats ha Dasher H dash h a b e r d a s h e r h Dash correct skeptical skeptical can I have the definition of sentence please it's characterized ized by an attitude of doubt or disposition in regard to something particular will was skeptical about the new students's claim that he had climbed Mount Everest skeptical skeptical s k p t i c a l skeptical correct okay that's the end of round 33 moving on to round 34 two spellers remaining this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word clientele it means a body of patrons or customers chirone hopes to expand the clientele of his shoe store clientele clientele c l i e n t e l e client correct onx onx can I have the definition of sentence please it's the color jet black Enrique decided to go with the Onyx phone case so it wouldn't look worn out right away Onyx onx o n YX onx correct that's the end of round 34 two spellers remaining we're moving to round 35 anecdotes can I have the definition please usually short narratives of interesting amusing or curious incidents often biographical and generally characterized by human interest Grandpa entertained us with amusing anecdotes from his life as a traveling salesman anecdotes anecdotes a n e c d d o t e s anecdotes correct catapults can I add a sentence and definition please the English army used catapults to launch large stones at the castle walls they ancient military devices used for hurling heavy missiles or for hurling other missiles such as Spears or Arrows with extreme force catapults c a t a p u l TS catapults correct that's the end of round 35 we're moving on to round 36 two spellers remaining Teriyaki Teryaki t e r i y a k i ter correct grotesque grotesque can I have a sentence and definition please the political cartoon featured a grotesque depiction of the politician extenuating his hair and teeth it means departing markedly from the natural and the expected or the typical atypical grotesque grotesque g r o t e s q u e rotes correct that's the end of round 36 moving on to round 37 with two spellers remaining Crescendo chenda can I have the definition please the peak of a gradual increase you want the sentence as the debate became more intense the noise in the room Rose to a crescendo with each participant trying to make sure their points were heard Crescendo cresenda c r e s c e n d o cresenda correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word filigre it means ornamental work formerly of grains or beads but now especially of fine wire of gold silver or copper that is used chiefly to decorate gold and silver surfaces along with her elegant lace gown Des deona wore a silver choker covered in filigree and Pearls filigree there are two spellings so either one is acceptable filigre f i l a g r e e f correct okay that's the end of round 37 moving on to round 38 okay arelis this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word halo it means the aura of Glory veneration Prestige or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing the Halo surrounding the famous author was diminished after various scandals came to light in the Years following her death Halo Halo h a l o Halo correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word spree it's an unrestrained and usually excessive Indulgence in or Outburst of any activity Splurge Rampage after she won the lottery Janine went on a celebratory shopping spree spree spree as p r e e spree correct that's the end of round 38 moving on to round 39 two spellers this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Tiff it's a slight fit of anger an outburst of temper or spite a petty quarrel Elena had a tiff with her sisters over who had to sit in the middle seat Tiff Tiff t i f f Tiff correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Buzzard it's any of various Birds of Prey such as a turkey vulture or a condor the Buzzard swooped down on the unsuspecting pigeon and carried it off in its Talons Buzzard Buzzard b u z z a r d Buzzard correct that's the end of round 39 very good round 40 two spellers remaining techie this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word a person who is very knowledgeable or enthusiastic about the sence sence of the application of knowledge to practical purposes May's father a hardcore techie enjoyed tinkering with the family computer on weekends techie techie t e c h i e correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word vile it's a small vessel for liquids Tama keeps a vile of fragrant Jasmine essential oil at her desk to lift her mood vile vile v i a l v correct that's the end of round 40 two spellers remaining moving on to round foyer Foy f o y e r for correct Inferno can I have the definition of sentence please it's a large disastrous fire howling winds fan a relatively small Blaze into a fast moving Unstoppable Inferno Inferno Inferno i n f e r n o Inferno correct that's the end of round 41 moving on to round 42 two spell remaining feisty feisty f e i s t yist correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word squeal it means to cry with a sharp shrill prolonged sound saurin let out out a loud squeal of excitement while riding the roller coaster squeal squeal s q u e a l squeal correct the end of round 42 moving on to round 43 with two spellers remaining kindling kindling k i n d l i n g kindl correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Baron it means deficient in producing vegetation bare or desolate years of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest have led to large portions of it becoming baren bar b a r r e n Baron correct that's the end of round 43 two spellers remaining moving on to 44 cohort cohort c o h o r correct smattering smattering s m a t t e r i n g smattering correct it's the end of round 44 two spellers remaining round 45 the following word has two or more correct spellings either spelling will be accepted gruesome gruesome g r u e s o m e gruesome correct monotone aone can I please have the sentence and definition that is correct the regional spelling be judge confirmed in her standard monotone hey it's a succession of syllables words or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch monotone monotone m o n o t o n e monotone correct that's the end of round 45 time for round 46 two spellers remaining [Applause] aluminum aluminum a l u m i n u Alum correct biblo file can I have a sentence and definition please the biblo file had a small collection of antique volumes with handtooled leather bindings it's a L of books especially for beautiful or rare qualities of format also a book collector biblo file biblo file b i b l i o p h i l e biblio file correct that's the end of round 46 round 47 two spellers remaining anomaly anomaly a n o m a l y anomaly correct respiratory respiratory can I sentence and definition please Zayn made a 3D printed model of the lungs as part of his biology project on the respiratory system it means of or relating to breathing respiratory respiratory R hold on respiratory respiratory r e s p i r a t o r y respiratory correct that's the end of round 47 moving on to round 48 two spellers remaining perpetrate p e r p e t r a t e perpetrate correct Manana Manana can I have a sentence and definition please Mara kept promising her dad that she would clean her room Manana at an indefinite time in the future used chiefly in the southwest Manana Manana m a n a n a Manana correct that's the end of round 48 moving on to round 49 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word violence it means intense turbulent or Furious action force or feeling often destructive Dale's mom didn't let his younger siblings watch the action movie with him because it had too much violence violence violence v i o l e n c e violence correct recoil can I have a sentence and definition please discovering the moldy green bag of bread in the fridge caused Lydia to recoil to shrink back especially with a sudden movement to move suddenly backwards or away recoil recoil r e c o i l recoil correct that's the end of round 49 moving on to round [Applause] 50 two spellers remaining charade shade c h a r a d e charade correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word lbers it's clumsy or unskilled seamen the captain chuckled as he watched the lbers stumble over anchor lines on the deck lers lbers l u b b e e r s lers correct that's the end of round 50 moving on to round [Applause] 51 this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Karma it means the sum total of the ethical consequences of a person's good or bad actions comprising thoughts words and deeds that is held in Hinduism and Buddhism to determine one specific Destiny in one's next existence in Buddhism harming or helping another being is believed to affect one's karma karma karma k a r m a Karma correct emblem emblem can I have a sentence and definition please the knight's shield displayed the emblem of a lion symbolizing strength and courage it's a device symbol design or figure adopted and used as an identifying Mark emblem emblem e m b o e m emblem correct that's the end of round 51 moving on to round 52 with two spellers this word has two spellings either one is accepted smoldering smoldering s m o l d e r i n g smoldering correct Ruffian the sentence and definition please the Ruffian tossed Herman to the ground after stealing his wallet it's a coarse brutal or cruel fellow Ruffian Ruffian are you f f i a n refuge correct that's the end of round 52 moving on to round 53 two spellers remaining probation probation p r o b a t i o n probation correct Graal gra can I have the sentence and definition please the author worried his own voice was too grally requested that a voiceover artist be hired to record his audio book it's harsh and usually irritating or unpleasant used especially of the human voice gra gra g r a v e l l y gra correct that's the end of round 53 moving on to round 54 two spellers remaining there's two spellings for this word so either one is acceptable symbolizes s y n b o l i z e s symbolizes correct [Applause] crannies crannies can I sent us and definition please while cleaning the dusty crannies of the antique bookshelf Evan found a secret compartment it's a small obscure Cliffs corners or closed spaces that are easy to overlook and are likely places for concealing something or for hiding crannies crannies c r a n n i e s cranny correct it's the end of round 53 round 54 this is oh this is 55 okay round 55 two spellers Regals Regals can they have the definition please sure it means uh something that gives pleasure or Amusement to affects pleasurably Regals Regals r e g a l e s Regals correct artificial artificial can I have just sent us and definition please the artificial turf on the football field looked just like real grass produced by human beings and intended to imitate something in nature simulated artificial artificial a r t i f i c i a l artificial correct okay that was the end of round 55 moving on to round [Applause] Keening Keening k e e n i n g keing correct mutton chops can I use a definition of sentence please side whiskers that are narrow at the temple and Broad and Round by the lower Jaws Ian tried to grow mutton chops so he could look more like his hero Wolverine mutton chops mutton chops m u t t o n n c h o p s mutton chops correct that's the end of round endowed endowed e n d o w e d ow correct Stockade Stockade can write a sentence and definition please the insubordinate Soldier was sent to The Stockade for the rest of his enlistment it's a line of stout posts or Timbers set firmly in the earth in contact with each other usually furnished with loopholes and designed to form a barrier or defensive fortification Stockade Stockade St o c k a d e St correct that's the end of round meing alighted alighted a l i g h t e d alighted correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Rookery it's a breeding ground or common haunt of gregarious birds or animals the wildlife photographer spent hours at the penguin Rookery taking hundreds of pictures of chicks Rookery Rookery r o o k e r y Rookery that's correct that was the end of round 58 moving on to round 59 with two spellers okay spellers we have reached the portion of the competition where we are moving in to a different section of the list the words leading up to now were studied as part of the school spelling study list the source for the remaining rounds will be the Miriam Webster unbridge dictionary although the next section of words might sound less difficult you have not had the opportunity to study this list of words prior to today's competition okay all right oralis this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word Temple it's an edifice dedicated to the worship of a deity the Millers admired the ornate architecture of the Temple on their trip to Cambodia Temple Temple t e n p o e Temple correct this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word comma it's a punctuation mark used especially as a mark of Separation within the sentence generally indicating a slight pause an introductory subord Clause should be set off with a comma comma comma c o m m a Comm correct okay that's the end of round 58 moving on to round 59 I'm sorry oh okay now we're behind we were ahead and now we're behind Okay so this is round 60 okay this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word describe it means to communicate verbally from the results of personal observation an account of salient identifying features of try as she might Caroline could not find the words to accurately describe the courses of the experimental Chef's menu describe describe d e s c r i b e describe correct witty can I have a sentence and definition please yes Darren was always full of witty remarks it means amusingly or cleverly novel witty can you repeat the word witty witty w i d d y witty I'm sorry it's w TT y witty okay good job is about but yeah don't don't leave okay stay here yeah if she gets the word wrong yeah yep okay so that was the end of round 16 okay so this is round 61 this is the championship word arelis okay this word has a homonym or could be confused with another word tenders it strips of cooked chicken meat usually from the breasts that are typically breaded and fried Tad's favorite meal is tenders with fries tenders tenders t e n d e r s tenders that is is correct very good okay congratulations is the winner okay this concludes the school three spelling be thank you everybody watching in your classrooms and at home can we just announce the winners names can we just up to thei can I Okay so in first place we have aurelis rodus it's good it's good and in second place we have Isabella pan [Applause] honey very good and in third place we have Dennis alaro I Pocus po okay and make sure I pronounced that right congratulations every you all did amazing you did an amazing job you really did you should all be very proud of yourselves take picture okay

we were doing tutoring at the at the secondary level which blows my mind because I thought that that was something we were offering and and and I'm want bring that up because if you're saying that then absolutely there's things that we had an expectation of because we want to have and see successes so I those are the things that I think that if we want to try and get a some step ahead I don't know I mean but I also understand too where we're where we have put Transportation at a at a at a prioritization level that it has kind of really shown a very different output in in what we needed to do it I think we just need to try and work on how that's delivered to the community that you're not sitting on a bus for four hours anymore so to speak and I guess we should probably there probably questions to ask when we have present ation but there's a lot of negative connotation sometimes to to the distances that our buses have to travel and getting into school and parents or anyone else just figuring I don't want to don't don't want to deal with it because they don't like the other options for schools on the nation but I just saying that I only say that because I think to the comment that you made there are some things that I feel like we we need to but if there's conversations we need to have about how then I also think about the foundation that I mean the the the barui foundation or whatever this this Foundation that was created is how is that also going to start to assist us in meeting some of these needs so that we can do after school and not have to pull something else from somewhere else go ahead um you bring very important points president Mia uh we do have a a a small budget for touring we do have some um Miss Cornell was able to allocate some funding um when we looked at our needs um when it comes to academic um we realize that how do we have more control over the students in every every single one of the students when we were doing tutoring after school it was the tier three the ones that we needed the most and it was By Invitation Only um we as a district we say well how do we make it sustainable and how do we extend and make get Equitable so what the schools are now looking and and and and pushing in in the direction they're going it's intervention within the day um we have at the primary in intermediate in the high school it takes about $250,000 to have an after school program uh for the entire year and in in another chunk for summer school um but in the in the spirit of how do we make itself sustainable and that we have control because when the bell rings sometimes we don't have control Ro for the kids to stay so we have spent a time also looking at the bus schedule for next school year so we can embed toring and interventions to all the kids that needed adding a period uh to high school right now in the the the middle school they have intervention um but the high school students um based on the current schedule they didn't so we were able to come up with the schedule for next school year for a s self sustainable Intervention Program within the day uh by also adding that intervention at the high school so whereas it may look like we have not put in the investment um the the focus has been on number one focusing on the quality of instruction on first tier one uh but also embedding the touring within the day so all students can participate or either in enrichment or some type of touring um and the funding that that then um is going to be available there's some other projects that we we are looking into um are we going to have summer school this year yes we are after school but right now we we've been focusing on how we cannot based on the number of students that are minimally proficient and not proficient the need is that we need to do it every single day during the day then embed it um versus a few only after school so that's what had been the focus um and and also what is financially sustainable if we can have that control during the day and let's see continue to find this way to do it I don't that bring some um Clarity on what we been working on President M you know it's not always feasible but you know we did amazingly awesome before even Co came was virtual classrooms why wouldn't that be something we could maybe incentivize the students to participate in after school and someone to be able to Proctor or be able to be available if necessary I mean I know we all think brick or mortar in person is always good and we do know that obviously but for the sake of providing that safety net or some Sim some syence of a of a of a port system they take their tablets home every day and we've done we've done we know how to do that so I don't know I don't know if that's on the table or some way somehow I know it doesn't work for everybody I trust me when I tell you I know it does not but it is something that I feel like we can do without any added cost so to speak is I know I know it's probably called somewhere but I'm just saying for the sake of go ahead miss or even like the hybrid I think that could be an option every option is a good option at this point that we will continue to explore okay sorry Miss C hey is your presentation done yep that's all I have excellent she thought it was going to be five minutes thank you let's give a hand to miss Cornell and also another hand to miss carile um as she's sitting up um I I want to also U publicly um Express um all of the work that has been done in in in such a short time to be able to provide uh and reinforce the systems in place and also to address all of the requests from um the ongoing uh requests from our Auditors um every year we get audit U but we also trying to um provide updates which today I'm I'm asking our constituents uh joining us um to see um all of the uh strong efforts that they we've been going uh do we've been doing as a district um to continue to show that we are not only financially responsible but also have systems in place Miss car take it away everyone good morning um I didn't really update this because this is It's a projection and it's through um fiscal year 2030 and um I believe we're correlated uh Allison and I to um as far as we are with impact Aid um I always project flat enrollment but we are losing um there's about 33 students less if I look at the most recent report from ad we had budgeted 971 students and we're actually at 9 37 that went down bit our add-ons went up a little bit so it's almost a flush as far as the funding um but we also will have an increase in m&o because we budgeted that we were going to be carrying over 3.5 million and it's closer to uh 4 million it's 3.9 million so we're going to have a bump in May when I do the revision for fiscal year 25 so we're going to have a little bit of extra funds there but I I never really thought about not having a prek I think that's an excellent point because we don't get funded um we do get help from Grants from um first things first but that's uh something to think about and we're always looking at I know that Russell is working on ensuring that all the meters and everything that we're getting built for are actually our meters there's been instances where we did find that some were not either functioning um so I think he's doing a good job in auditing that piece as far as our auditor general reports we are in the middle of sending them a final update as far as what we have implemented to to ensure that we are in compliance for fiscal year 22 and explaining what we're doing today in fiscal year 25 to ensure we're compliant our fiscal year 24 audit is was delayed due to the fiscal year 23 audit being delayed but it looks like we will be able to submit for that before the deadline which is in March we did not meet the December deadline to have the certificate of excellence from gf4 or asbo International but I think one more year of that and we'll be able to do that but as far as the budget are there any questions I think we're we have the same opportunities to make changes to look for ways to decrease spending um as far as asbit I don't know that but that one's a tough one because we're in a pool so I know that our history here isn't the best and if we're in a pool we're able to consolidate with a lot of other districts that may have a better history so that reduces our cost a little bit we went on a I had a meeting for the Southern Arizona School business officials on Friday and we are lucky we haven't been taken over by the state I think Isaac got taken over recently um and there's a lot of school districts that are having to shut down schools so because we're Rural and smaller we already at least exploring the ideas of consolidating I think we're in a really good position that we're trying to be proactive rather than reactive right um but yeah are there any questions regarding the expenditures anything with that miss siia miss miss miss Jessica lay it on her no Mr D um Miss Carlile I know you're uh you've been spending a lot of time in in in in putting a not only the assistance but also reviewing our budgets and projections um in your professional opinion and based on where we are um uh what are some areas that you see the most potential savings and my Prof professional opinion I feel as I as I approve invoices whenever we have a voucher um that's being generated in accounts payable what I am seeing a lot um of Outsourcing and operations I'm seeing and and I'm not sure that some of the things are necessary I'm seeing like changing filters or um things like that where I feel like our employees can be taken care of some of those those responsibilities that's what they're there for I feel we can really maximize um our staff more and Outsource less or go the other direction if our staff doesn't want to do the work then we should consider Outsourcing the services rather than than doing both um I think that there could be a cost savings there I know that Russell is also looking at educating the maintenance staff um providing a PD at t uh C mhm which is good um but I just feel like there's a lot of expenses I was looking at um the expenses for operations this current year is like 4.4 million right now with the with um incumbrances and that's very high uh we were at a meeting again on Friday and we were talking about that because a lot of districts are in the same situation and trying to be proactive and so one of the districts we were talking on to is AC Outsourcing their operations and so I asked them well what's what's your cost what's the size of your student population which is double what what ours is it's like three 3,000 um they have six schools and I said so what do you pay to Outsource and they said 1.4 million I don't have to worry about ordering supplies um they take care of it um and I said oh well that's something that we may want to look at not necessarily it's drastic it would be a drastic change but that um that's something else that we can look at improving costs um Miss car were you here when we did uh look into Outsourcing and I know there was uh at front uh cause um that it because our schools when we did the review um they were not in a position to now maintain them they they were so uh in need of of um bringing them bringing them up to speed that the onboarding cost it was going to be pretty high um and that's why we decided to keep it um were you he when we did that study uh I don't believe I remember anything related to um that that one let me see if I can find it um and in in I think there's a lot of work that has been done in the last five years since Ross came in but to determine then where are we in the um in the level of getting our our buildings at a maintenance level versus uh um bringing them up to speed level um and I know he has um brought in about $1 million from S as well uh but it's to see what is the current St is um that definitely we need to look at all options thank you agre no I'm grateful I think especially for for the sake of something to be mindful of is and those are questions that I think that we don't think to ask about and this is why I was thinking when I was asking about the vendor listing which I probably could have gotten more indepth is how many of those actually are we kind of sending more um what are we what are we actually what what what are the expenses actually to those vendors because that does I mean it cost the question for those types of remedial types of things we have staff to do that why is it not be done so that is is interesting um the other thing that I was thinking when we were talking about and this is something that maybe we can look at in a study session prior to maybe entering into a new contract agreement with beline u but this yearly right mhm had it and I was losing it anyway it had to do with the cost comparison but basically um I think Miss Cornell mentioned that depending on whether they were paid through beline or bosd there was a pot of funding and again this is something that we've been talking about over the year whether or not just to fully hand that over to beine so that we're not having to worry about XYZ now I don't know what that is so maybe that's the intention of trying to see okay Show us the picture of the entire transportation department what is and what can be maybe shifted over what should be shifted over and should we just make make that be how we're going to move forward in the next year um I would say do that before we start the new year so that if staff who are paying attention and don't want to be participating and that can make their decision but other nonetheless I don't know know again if that's cost savings or not or if it's something that we should even discuss but I do want to make sure that we're looking at all the factors when it comes to not only Transportation because if we do decide that that's not something we're going to do then then again there's a even different different cost to trying to fill positions pay the benefits do the retirement and all that good stuff that that comes at at an expense to the district um so just a thought maybe something to put on on on the on the next meetings or so but um anything else from the board for Miss Carlo Ben you got yeah that' be good I think that's a great idea too for I I think the employees that are still B employees have a hard time following um the direction of even though it is they're that's his their boss they're like well we're employed by B USD but so I agree that it probably should go that direction okay no M syvia Oh no just in that line I was I was going to ask that well I thought about that um when uh we were talking about Transportation before because I think several years ago we had people getting trained to get their CDL that way we have local people as our bus drivers so I don't know if that's still a function that's or that we're still doing that and who is doing that and goad um it is it is still in place anyone that comes in regardless they have to the they go through that training to be able to um increase the number of drivers um nevertheless um the option of they want to be a part of BD payroll or bline uh the younger ones and the newest ones they want to be part of BL line because they don't uh have to contribute to retirement which is good in the present but not not long good in the long run um sooner or later I did have a question president Mia U if you allow me yes um Miss Carlile um in the next two or three years do we have um a what percentage of Staff members um are going to be um eligible for retirment and and I don't know the districts and other options that they have is they offer an early retirement incentive to try to lower the end of the cost because those are the the employees that also have um not only uh absorbing um a large percentage of of of the highest um salaries um but I don't know that's something that we can also look into to see um I know this year only two are going to retired um but in the next 3 years uh 3 to 5 years what is the percentage we need to be careful because we can't provide incentives because yeah except Mr zabala because because it's it's it could be um discrimination against somebody that's older but we can look to see who is eligible okay yeah thank you [Laughter] teachers no it's all courageous conversation and I and I really want the public and everyone to know I think the board especially it I don't know I don't like to be the one to have to say those things and I'm sure miss Carla doesn't like to be the one that had to say those things or or even have the conversation but it is something we really need to look at so I think a study session to really kind of dive in and and look at it and of course be upfront with the staff and everyone else that that that partakes in it is that hey these are things that we just need to consider and move forward with and I know you said that consideration as well for an employee to say well it's not good to not have a retirement it's really not it's really dependent on them making that determination for themselves we can't be like well we're not going to do it because it doesn't help them that's the nature of the Beast the Beast and I hate that because I don't want to be that way but we have to look at it from that standpoint sometimes so I'm sorry um but if there's anything else Miss Jessica no I don't okay I think there's one more slide following this one and it just shows gives you a snapshot of the ADM okay average St Erin and for fiscal year 25 like I said it it's currently um at 9:37 so I just decreased by a little bit but um it's 937 right now and then they at in June they do a recalculation so it'll again but I'm not sure which direction it's going to go so it's it's still not a huge drop um it's pretty flat still in my opinion but um I think that we did have a discussion on where we're losing students and it is a lot of prek which isn't even counted on here um we had a discussion at our meeting on Friday and and they saw a pattern where they're losing a lot of the K through through five and eight and then when it comes to high school so the birth rates are down and and even though they have new housing developments they're not getting the students they thought they were going to get but also when it comes to high school the kids want to graduate from a from a high school so they're seeing a pattern of the kids coming back to graduate and it's happening here too not at the degree at as it is in the cities but it's that we're following the same pattern where a lower birth rates and kids wanting to come back and graduate but overall it's it's pretty flat um we're lucky that we we're not seeing the drops that a lot of the city schools are seeing and and is that coming out of still coming out of the 100 day it was just a discussion we had yesterday and they're seeing this pattern uh there is a uh saso is Southern Arizona School business officials and there's different primarily Tucson um but we're talking the big the big districts that are having to face this times 100 more more than than we're losing so they're losing a lot of kids your ADM come your your calul well that's where the funding comes from yes does that come out of impact day to no that one's attendance enrollment yeah that's different a little bit different anyway that's it anything no thank you Miss Carlo appreciate you okay with board we have a break until 1110 thank you so Ben is this year your retirement not without that incentive you get a c but you're not El people for social are you not oh yeah thank you ladies I want to go home now they already took everything oh thank you um january6 yeah I know I I'm debating too iure you know just trying to trim the f cut some what are in those bowls over there what what did you get in those bows pretel and Chip and chips [Laughter] oh I just hate oh thank you you're very welcome so they're not [Music] blind once you let them know and just text me call me I just Elevate the next days next days get up up I am I'm texting first I'm checking in with my brother I have that Cur for me H I did ask her right now minutes [Music] oh I'm still waiting for con [Music] start getting angry text messages pretty soon you are why are you trying to fire all of us and cut pre yeah there was e e e back on okay we'll go ahead and call the meeting back to order um continuing with our agenda number five is our policy review Mr Diaz members of the board members of the board I have placed a copy of the uh uh three policies that we're going to be looking at um with your support I'm going to give you about five minutes to review and take notes and also to start thinking um with the frame of you are in a position of influence you are in a position of of also um of making decisions um and the ability to change policy what I want to bring to your attention is um especially for attendance or treny what are we doing um we know where's my needs here we know the needs um we have students uh number one some of them on uh they figure out and the parents have figured it out that as long as they come on the 10th day we cannot disenrolled we know that the other one uh we know that some students are coming in late and and and also affecting their learning our number one goal is to be able to increase attendance and to reach proficiency and and all of us know that the first step is you need to be present to win U with education so um what are our schools and the district what have uh have we done in terms of um interventions not inter the interventions that we have done to support some of the strategies that we have used based on our system um some of the strategies have included incentives some of them they're doing uh conversations with the parents some of our schools they also doing C ations some of our schools they put in students with a plan some of the uh parents and and and and administrators they have in conferences with the parents and also the superintendent is meeting with students that have had in which or exceeded the um 18 absences or the 10% absences or more um within the first semester um we also know one of the needs is that some of the students that right now that are being affected that is the students are being dropped off uh by the parents um and and and um also coming in late or not bringing them to school attendance um especially k through eight um it's directly dependent on the parents um where the students they need extra push um for our students at the high school especially the Juniors and seniors they they somehow what we know the friends are that hey I'm going to graduate um I I got this um so the question is what kind of based on our needs what kind of the strategies here the next step is what how we're going to use a position of influence to now to support based on what our teachers are doing what our principles are doing what the superintendent is doing um one of the Avenues is a policy so I'll give you a few minutes take some notes um it's about maybe 5 minutes um um if you need more time let me know uh but 5 minutes on the clock B if you don't mind and I'll I'll check the time for for for we for for for time up S up who needs more time show I meaning um the um let over the first one um um let's do with um the student absences and um excuses um I sh with you what are some of the things that we are doing um with excuses um one of the pieces that I also mentioned that one of the strategies that we have done to support a student um we had um four students that were in the they had the patter were um only coming on the nth day for personal circumstances they have jobs taking care of Elders um we do have a partnership with Pima partnership which is one of the online schools in Tucson that's also serving um a large number of our AUM students that lead in Tucson so I we have met with the school we have met with the principal we have met with the superintendent and we started explor and we have supported those four students that they needed something like that to be able to enroll in the school so the students um they they they felt that that that setting was going to continue to support them because they needed a fulltime online system in place and based on the partnership that we're trying to build with Pima partnership um it has worked out with that particular with those students when it comes to absences this is a question um that I'm being challenged by the staff is that what are you guys going to do to support us because they the school they continue to find ways in how to uh try incentives how to contact parents um and the way that they challenging is that we don't feel that at this point that we are being supported by uh the the nation um when it fil earlier I said how are we going to maximize position of you are the high schol District um body body um and and what kind of influence do we have um ter so now having conversations um I know I've also mentioned another idea that is part as part of um the students that we find that they CH having challenges that coming to school um as part of the plan they not being um then are riding on buses um that's one of the support system that we can have since parents I know you have good intentions but if your child is at this age level unless he has a medical reason why you don't want toide bu moving forward one of the ways that we would like to support you is to make it a requirement that your child will have to work um so that student at least we BR that support to the parent um depending on the total number of parents I think that we have a reliable transportation system the other students The Bu they're the ones that are on time um but it's right now think of it as a brainstorming session U depending on on on what other avenues we can support our principles um and and they using Jo they writing Brands um with the DDC um they have um monthly incentives for the students to be able to continue to increase the attendance um we have seen that progress we have a goal we have um but now we need to look at what is that one 10% of students that we need to work with um what we have it looks like from 87% to 92% depending on the grade level it's working so how are we going to maintain it it for that percentage of student which is a majority that's continue to do that but what I'm asking for is now how do we bring in that 10% and how do we become a stronger uh partner with the nation um another um Step or strategy that are principles um are have used um they have filed um uh CPS reports for students that are not um coming to school um and but they also feel that um there's no consequences to the parents and ites to affect the students at this point what are some of your thoughts um in terms of what else can we look at what else you feel that we can support um not discarding again uh our position of influence um I will continue to push that education and I will continue build uh a relationship with the current um chair uh chairman and ask as as a as a leader of the organization a superintendent of that organization that I need help that I need a level of support but what other ways can we maximize our position do you have anything Miss um I would have to say I think some of the things that could be done is um following up with the treny I guess law that's supposed to be in place with the on aam nation and who are those new partners like because they have people who've changed and are they familiar with that um you do have I believe you have an officer assigned to your schools working with those individuals um I have something to that I wonder if we could invite the prosecutor's office to maybe do a presentation that might be or or you could have that conversation but I wonder if because they they would be the ones who would accept our like hey these have been our cheu and students but I don't know but I think like if we did like it would be sorry Ben um providing data showing how it's been impacting the school sorry more people right yeah the radio is also a good uh good um maybe you do a podcast hour I just kidding no I wish go ahead Miss siia I guess from the also to get some type of data from them in regards to some type of data from them in regards to uh if there are cases or have there there have been cases in regards to treny have common per no just provide that so that way is that something I could I know several years ago um one of our board members you know put a truancy and they had come and I think they did try to go out to you know and it got pretty hairy but I would just like to know you know how they do that if they do that and how many have they done currently when we having a chronic adventism meeting with parents and the superintendent I do have um a member of CBS meeting with us and Par well um and the approach that would come the parent is that this is important of what do you need what do you need um before it gets to a CPS report you child um I have students that were 30 days absent last year um it takes three days for every day that they absent to be able to bring them up to speed so it was going to take him more than a semester to be able to bring him up to speed um and to let no uh it it's um you are a parent we ask for for your help but what do you me as parent um and they letting us know what syst they need as well as what supp they need um and will follow up with any know as well is there one common reason in meeting with those parents and students that you're seeing that is preventing them from coming to school and maybe what we could do as provide more support for them in that area is there one reason that or is it just all all over they so so de friend um if I um um I don't want to give too many details because it's it's a it's a small number of circumstances that I don't want to Bas on information for them to feel that I am publicly letting me know I'm going to try to be as general as possible um some of them it was um um major family losses um all the ones were um major medical uh issues that students ad needed um and they have somehow work what what they needed is support and toate a diagnosis um to see what's going on um and some other ones that were we got together as a team it was the the students somehow manipulating the parent um and the parent by having that conversation like you me um but it made a having multiple members of the team because we meet with the student the parent um social emotional the psychologist U child protective service and myself J I was looking at the when you're saying you meet with CPS prior to it getting there like what are the steps that are being done before you bring in CPS to have a meeting do we meet with CPS to let know what step we have taken um we had an orientation meeting when we met we had um um an organization meeting with um Mr Hil um officer H um our director social emotional learning um our psychologist um child protected services Behavioral Services from that Theon a nation um and myself and we we sat down to to find out what was the purpose um and we also to share why do we meet why are we meeting with the parents and the St we have taken um but also to now when we make that level of repair when they see it that they know that teachers um um the family lean the the principal and the superintendent and and all Support Services we have done anything on the on the book to support but at that point now it's negligence can you give us an estimate of how many families are in this situation um so far the ones that we met um it was about 17 families um about 10 of them they were extreme circumstances that that um based on the information that they provided what they needed was um when they're what parents learned that there when there's medical circumstances with chronic uh Medical cces that one of the way that we can protect the parent student in the school is by creating a504 a plan 504 that it's a it's a um4 is part of the um exceptional ucation systems in place um that is a temporary um plan to provide access to the education based on uh circumstan if a student breaks the leg and it's affecting them to have access to the curriculum either break both hands and they need access to the culum if they have a head injury um they're not consider uh a disability but it's it it's a temporary um chronic uh circumstance that we still require to provide access so for the parents and then we put him with a 504 team to say you need because right now there's nothing protecting you under the policy or the the the statute but the way we can support you Bas evid provider let's give you then the access that child needs based on those chronic adism and The Chronic you fac so there's another list I'm sorry I have another TW follow up that one of the principles um in SCH they've done everything and then they meet request for me to meet with the and that's how they get there a follow-up question how many students can you break it down from like each School District I feel more comfortable I don't like to be give the wrong information I will feel more comfortable to EXA without bring to your this is based so as far as the nation's criminal code and and um title 7 chapter 8.6 is failure to send a minor to school and a person commits his offense a failure to send a minor to school if he or she is a parent guardian or custodian or having custody of a minor child and without good cause neglects or refuses to send a minor child or children to school while such children are between the ages of six and 18 if found guilty uh failure to send a minor to school shall be sentenced to imprisonment in jail for a period of not to exceed 180 days or a five a f fine of $500 or B both that is something that I know is while it's on the books I think we do need to get some clarification whether that's something we can lean on by not not not saying we have to do it because we're not going to be the ones who prosecute them but I think that's where it comes into comes into play where it's not nothing to do with the education department this is on the judicial side um where we would need to be clear on and I think that you're doing the steps that you need to to make sure that hey we're not just quote unquote throwing the book at somebody but I think if there's some actual like we just sorry not to bring that up but when we're talking about consequences or even just things that have just been kind of let to be as it may maybe there needs to be that re-emphasis of this law that's on the books for the nation that can be prosecuted and leave it at that but that's all I was going to mention because there was another one in here that was a different one but that one that one didn't have any kind of um uh the consequential like if we do that then this is why so that's the only one that I saw but the endangerment of welfare of a minor is also right under that so again those things kind of fall hand in hand and we go way above and beyond to try and provide those assistances and services and I think there's a point where it needs to be reminded in the community that I was there for a reason I mean the the the the legislature decided because the school was saying we have so many kids just not coming to school and parents don't really have an excuse that law was put onto the books Miss fans can you share with me or you has to do has to do with the parents taking that initiative and I know it seems extreme to go through this process of what's in place as far as treny for the nation but if everybody else is trying with the school to get the kids um in school where they're they're supposed to be then that's something that we have to do I mean we have to make it known that that is part of the nation um and where are kids I mean I know it's hard sometimes because the parents are young sometimes it's the grandparents or um aunts and uncles cousins that are raising the child and there is Parts where they're lost they just don't know what to do with the child because the child's been through so much or you know um but I think that it's always good to have that child um have structure and maybe whoever's um taking care of the children don't know how to do that so I think that continuously meeting um with those families on you know ways that or steps that can be taken um but somehow that especially in the higher grades that like you know and I don't like Anam Maria is asking like what grades are we looking at what you know what sites are we looking at but I know with the higher the higher um grades that those children have to be accountable for themselves at some point and when you get to that age you should know you you have to know that already and if they don't then there is something that's that needs to happen in that uh as far as you know like the do they really not know or do they know and just don't care or just don't think that this can happen as far as the truancy portion because I wouldn't want my mom to go to jail because I don't want to go to school yeah you know things like that you know that's uh and then I think those conversations in the home itself need to happen like well I don't want to go to jail because you don't want to go to school you know things like that you know it's it's I think a lot of it has to do with him bringing our our children our families back to the foundation of everything that we as them um require and that's a lot of respect respect for yourself respect for your parents respect for um those that are uh taking care of you you know and and and so it's a really hard place to be here doing this when it should already we shouldn't have to um but I think the continuous um bringing um the nation involving the nation in those um uh people that are are in those positions to help like they always have said if you need help we're here right so we need help and and and I think that um because we haven't really focused on it and now that we are of course we're going to get some kind of push back like we did you know we we've been we've been going through that but still it's because of the kids that's the main thing is the kids need to we're trying to change a society we're trying to change the generation to not only come back to hak but see how it works as far as like the needs the St the strategies that we're taking so that they can be in those positions that we're going to need them in those positions and of authority but it starts here so go ahead Miss jessco sorry I was just going to um kind of echo the same ideas that President buendia and um Miss Vance had about possibly um looking into or make building that relationship with the nation and their entities with whether it's CPS the prosecutor's office topd because like they both said you know if we're doing everything that we can or have done everything at this level um and yes we need help and they yes it it does have to do um with the school but like you know it's not just the school's kids it the kid they're kids of the community they're you know it's the parents responsibility to make sure that they're in school and I feel like probably a huge part of um you know why the parents are so comfortable not having their students in school is because there have been no consequences yes there is a um it it is in the criminal code but there have been no real um consequences and like president buendia said maybe it it does seem a little harsh but maybe there does need to be examples made so that the community and the public know hey there's these consequences to you not going to school um and and that's something that really needs to be enforced but that would also like I said take the the participation and the help of those entities from the nation because they see it as that's the school's problem you know that they're not going to school but really it's not it's it's everyone's problem the community like I said the parents the nation so I think that's something that could also be looked at as forming maybe some kind of partnership or Coalition or um with them task force something and in addition to that I feel like sometimes and and I'm just speaking because working in communities that are very far out very rural very very separate from what we look at as kind of the the consistent or like well I guess what we take for granted living so close and having access there are so many barriers that I feel like parents may or may not like say well here's why the only we need to know is what we can do to help support you know what I mean and then we'll definitely try to do everything we absolutely can we pour resources into those support systems we just need a child to be at school um um so I feel like that's absolutely where I feel like yes I agree this type of action that nobody wants to have to take but if we're not going to see any kind of effort like Miss V said on your responsibility to to to respect that these laws are in place and that this responsibility falls on you as a parent and you're not going to accept resources then our hands are tied and this is what we're going to do is hand this over to our partners at the nation who are going to follow through with what they need to do um but that I I think that that's what I also want to express because I know anyone's listening we're not looking at it as a sense of of a of a this will fix it because we that's not the point the point is not to have to put hardship on our families but we are to the point where we're not able to get anyone to do some of the things that we're asking them to in a nice way Mr Sabal you have something um yeah don't a ices policy should be implemented get done we've been going through this for over years since I've been here 82872 as you saiding resources call right inj family emergency excuse those kids that are Conant 10 drop I think after the first 10 [Music] oh looking at primary hand start putting insurance policy in here they've got student contact check but I guess okay thank you Ben go ahead Miss oh just yes I agree you know that that that consequences I mean that needs to happen at some point but would that um can that be added into our treny policy making it more kind of positive saying V USD is where you you will we want you to succeed but if you and then with what Ben mentioned about the steps president M yes sir go ahead and members of the board um thank you for giving me your best things thinking uh the generator is more thinking as well um so far three areas of potential is how do we maximize um some type of contract that may include hey if the bus is issued now you're going to be required to ride the bus um for the parent it looks like uh we need to um do some parenting and and you consequence as a parent but I want to for it differently the way the district is going to support you is by now requiring you a half a day with our social emotional learning director to go over the guidelines on attendance and and and and law um but if if it's based on the needs of an older child if you need um an online system please let us know what the needs are to continue to be approached in terms of policy in when the potential is we can also now align it with the U and show that is in align with the toono automation um and the the the three main points that we see or potential is um the the contract um that can be also added as part of the policy bringing awareness uh through the lens of of of now that toon automation with those videos that they can provide and give them hey this is we have the platform we need your voice in a platform and and build a partnership um and and go to legislative and say this is the data this is the support needed um it's I feel pretty confident um if if we uh the nation and and in in the district uh we are the pillars and our goal is to be able to get the students um across it's I feel that um we we are getting closer to the middle but what I'm asking is how do we get the other middle so our students have both sides of the organizations so our students can cross the bridge of success um and and what do I need as a superintendent um um whereas my jurisdiction may end at the gate um not my influence uh not my influence I think that I I will need when I I I when it's time to be those Partnerships I need you I need your support and solidarity um whereas I I have an honorary Autumn degree um Community member Autumn Community member um I'm still considered as a guest uh of the nation um but you have other tools and and and influences that I'm going to need for from you as my C Bo as a resident of Theon Nation so that we can show solidarity to celebrate everything that we doing but most importantly the message of how we can strengthen this support um when it's time to build so we know we have a need the need for our students that are between 7% and 133% of our student population what we have is working depending on the school um from 87% all the way to 92% so let's work on those um how are we going to do that by um following up with awareness the partnership and and also um if we need to amend some of the policy um let's go ahead and do that um and how we're going to monitor we need to monitor specifically those that are chronically absent if we are making a difference with these three pieces what is chronically absent based on the data even though um like cannot means more than 10% or 180 days uh um five absences or more is considered chronically absent so these are the students that we are trying to address here um and and and these other the students are need the more support from our adults we are their voice and we are their advocacy and and we need to continue to build not only a partnership with the organizations that you mentioned but also with the families go ahead president thinking and I feel like this just kind of goes without saying is that I know as the need is being presented by by our sites that this is this is something that I will say they get drilled on because we we we have that expectation My Hope Is that as we move into the new school year or we decide let's make a change to policy to help include this this type of um support or this type of um um it is support yeah support or disciplinary action so to whatever you know support um I'd very much like to see if that is something that doesn't weigh as heavy on on their minds and we can focus more solely on that proficiency so hopefully as that we're as we're moving towards this is okay you got the boards at least honest good forward intention in providing not only you the support you need as as members of the community but as policy makers to help give you the guy or give you the the go-ahead then I'm going to say it's far less far less of a a responsibility of them to to emphasize that and continue to say Well they're not coming they're not coming they're not coming well here we're we're providing the solution now we need you to also start providing us the the um proficient Proficiency in our student um uh achievements so I just wanted to say that because I I think that that's important but also um was thinking of something and I think it is it is going to be a pretty oh oh here's what I was thinking this might be the Catalyst or the thing that we we do call a Town Hall town hall on to specifically say we're not doing this without fully informing you that this is Our intention to do and we bring those Partnerships and those collaborators together to say yeah if this is what the school wants to come down on in the new school year then we're behind them and here's the steps that we're going to take as X XYZ of the nation or blah blah blah um because I was say when I was in school I don't know 2000 2004 I I did get I mean my I'm assuming the board of the time and the nation made that made that uh that true that law there because that was what my parents were saying I'm not going to jail for you get up you're going to school and that was kind of always in my head okay I don't want my mom or my dad to go to jail so I'm gonna get her I'm G to go to school I think that that was something that was very like out there like this is what this is what needs to happen so maybe we just need to make sure that that is something that is revived Horizon and and brought back to to the Forefront because we care yeah because we care Miss Anna did you have something yeah um I think all of you had some really good Insight I really like the idea of what Ben said of like when you first have your first chew to create some protocol process of like well you did this and now we're not going to put up with you doing it so many other times but what are we going to do as uh far as creating a support system which I think you already have in place but I also feel like if you could create like a truy board of very different people of like how can we support these families um students cuz some of them might be just dealing with emotional needs social econ um socio economic problems um you know there are various things that are happening and how can we be helpful to that that was going to be my other thing it was a toolbox yes something to say we're not here to say that that if you have no clothes mckin vento we have we have the SE key we have all of these resources again as well that we're going to give you everything that we absolutely can we're not here to to just you know give you a one over so I think that that's something too that that we need to make sure it's ready and in hand to say okay we're not just saying we're going to put this on the books and go forward we're also going to put some Services behind it because we have them and I just want to add to that and since we're talking about it now we need to start making sure that the public and everybody knows that we're moving forward as soon as possible not a month or two from now and then School in the new school year yeah I mean it needs to happen now so that people are aware people are aware and and they're not going to be so much um blindsided I guess um so those things need to take place now yeah agreee I'll go just I I just had a quick question so I think if I remember correctly probably years ago or in the past there was a point where if a student was absent more than like a couple days in a row um the parent lays on what go out to the house and check on the student however president brought a very critical point that we need to keep in mind if 87 to 92% of here now show us what you're going to do to make it sucessful sure we supporting to% but what about 87% overing now see that we went to so the here's what so what does that mean um so now what So based on the now what um we saw the area potential falling into um four C categories awareness the partnership the contract um every school has a an attendance committee or treny board and also the two box uh that that we can now make it part of the awareness hey if you need help this is what's available um and also the town hall hey this is what's going on and um the next part that me uh Vince say how we going to do it um that we need to start doing now that's the when but is how the first step is first we need to strengthen our relationship with legislative U and the prosecutors to make sure that we have uh their side because if there's not going to be the level of support on that end that we do it may not take it to the ending goal which is the students Crossing at the end um once we get to that um I think if we use this semester as a by when we want to make sure that before we write the new um handbooks for the next school year that we have the toolbox embedded in there that we have the process in there but most most importantly we need this pillar to be uh holding on strong on the end um and in the process Ben is going to guide us what uh policies what in the policy needs to be updated or change between now and the end semester [Music] but first I think we need to come up with a plan and comess that and bring forward Yeah Anna so I would um recommend that if we're going to do something like this that we're going to look at all the information and Gathering that data to do a study session with um the truy people that are working at each school district and then collecting that data like The Chronic adventism and things that they're dealing with because that would help us create like support systems that need to be in place in a checklist or that toolbox cuz they're like the experts I'm so proud of my boort you want so what is it that we want to know what are we going to do for the ones that are not working but you you want that data so we can respond to it I'm proud of you guys okay okay well we are eating into our lunchtime stop here's a recommendation um based on the counselors at the high school um they're the ones that made this recommendation for us to review um they they are uh based on the recommendation currently the the policy uh requires a 5day um suspension for the students that are are um in this or violate this policy um what they want is a recommendation um they want to attack it um in a way that they want to increase the consequences to to go ahead fine fine you mean fine thank yeah five okay they were also asking um from five days up to 10 days depending on the number of infractions um which that can also backfired if working on attendance and and performance um the best way um the adults um sometimes learn is when it affects your pocket or affects your time um those are some valuable resources um but I I don't think uh they have considered the fine I know for fights they have for fights I know there's a$1 thousand fine um um about that was going to be my suggestion yes yeah maybe um also at um working hours I was going to say the same thing like during some time but also like I think just them seeing the health benef the health not benefits but concerns that go along with this of being a part of that online session or even talking to people who are dealing with chronic health issues because of vaping or because of cigarettes or whatever yes yes so I will then direct my um admin to review the handbooks and and and and provide some of these um consequences as well um on both um we'll work on our handbooks for these two um and and also work on building the initial step in strengthening the pillar um and I will be sending you information um when I need you to um for solidarity purposes so we can me okay no I feel like again it's one of those things that we just need to make sure we're following through on hey this is what happens no we're not budging yeah conquer thank you okay like um we're good for lunch let's go ahead and take a break and we're back at 12:30 good session thank you thank you for your best thinking oh you ready for lunch the treat let's go let's go oh my goodness I'm burp the the So Co e e e it's good to go all right we'll go ahead and call the meeting back to order um number seven this afternoon is the operations threeyear plan progress and project updates for Mr rolloff Mr Diaz president withm members of the board and members of the community and Mr thank you for being here um a little bit of background uh we had our director of operation um that has been addressing um not only the needs for the for the school um but also for our housing um a couple of pieces of information that I want to express publicly my appreciation to Mr Ola um he's been seeking uh additional funding on behalf of the district to the um Arizona School Board Students Association um and so far we had about almost million of million um that is in a this is funding that is requested based on the needs of the district um is not part of impact a it is not part of the um M management and operation budget um but it it it in the last four years uh four or five years um Mr rollaf has put a plan together in bringing the the district from uh in need of mean uh in need of repair uh to a level that uh seeking a level of now maintenance um there was a lot of also added over the last couple of years toer with the intention that um that funding um only it was one time fund but nevertheless building with the infrastructure um something that is going to last uh over many many years also saving money in the district over the long run and having said that please hum me welcome Mr let give my hand for being here on bab um Mr take away okay this is excuse me this is you know our updated I updated it again um if there's any questions let me know I don't know how far you want me to go in depth on it again um I know we've talked about it probably at least six times now um I can tell you that the secondary school is about 95% down the B right now we have uh we have a bunch of Transformers that are going to get replaced on the roof and get replaced and brought from the roofs down into the buildings um the roof will get finished and that's why it's at about 95% um the intermediate school right now is probably 75% done um it's weather pending now a lot of it's weather because when it gets old they can't uh doing the Finish prep on the r looks the final coding and stuff like that um there Transformers that have to get moved from there down into the actual building and we also did have a Transformer go out that was inside the building two and a half weeks ago or so um that was for uh that run the kitchen part part of the gym so that was another um ask of the sfb and they did grant us that would give us like 20 something, plus that they did give us that to uh to fix and replace repair um that Transformer so that one will be coming it was ordered was ordered last week and it takes time for that to come in so that was some more added Monies to overall money that R was talking about 11 we are still looking at doing um weather well the weatherization did start at the school I guys have been there they've done some painting but because of the weather it's been colder they haven't been able to uh finish some of the pain complete a lot of cleaning um there's a lot of doors that are going to get replaced some windows that are going to get replaced through through this weatherization grant that we got was at 1.5 1.3 million um we are working on uh hopefully finishing the remaining buildings in here for the primary schools um remember we only did the gym building roof so we still have the other buildings remaining um to do over there so that we're asking money for that still that's still on the doet um the weatherization at the primary school and the weatherization at the secondary school um any questions uh feel free to ask I did update this you know when it was completed how much time is left um which one do you want the one that one I'm sorry that that one right there y so you can go to the the fifth one down so like when as you look it says completed December 2024 that was that's the HVAC that we did the S money funding for um a total of 12 units replaced at the high school 68 were replaced at the secondary school and 59 units were replaced at the Intermediate School um and then the remaining funds I'll go back one slide sorry uh it says waiting to be uh since project is still is is completed so it just got completed so now we're just waiting on them to send us the final uh invoice and that's the $429,000 that's still existing and once that's paid off then that um that s money and I think it came from Impact will be close go to the next one you go to the next uh that was that was the gym building that we did in in uh was completed in 2024 and that was 341,000 next and this is for the building roof replacement this is the primary school this is the money that we're asking now um for the state that's why it's a to be determined and that'll do the remaining roofs of 100 300 600 700 and 800 building remember previously before I came like six years ago seven years ago you guys did the 200 and the 400 building the classroom buildings you did those three models with with money from the state so that is not including in that uh next week um Intermediate School roof replacement this is the one where it still is weather permitting you can tell that uh um the roofs are done but then um they actually need to physically coat them so when they coat them if you look to the right up the wall a parit wall where it's white the the that will be the same the same color as the whole would be pure white then uh you go back please and this is the canopy replacement so the canopy is we won't start these until once our heel has finished completion of intermediate school because the way the canopies are set up to get onto like the library where the where it's in the middle of the of the school over here you got to go to the you got to go onto the canopy roof to get on to the library roof so the only way to make sure that the library roof is complete because they don't want them steing over onto the canopy roof because the least amount of traffic up there the longer your roof's going to last so that's what we're waiting on with this um there's still that is funded again from the state um the $268,000 and the canopy is around the outside of the the library building and then there's uh where the where the um the tower is when you come up to the school you see the tower that's considered next please um so here's the secondary school this is this is where it was completed um in January 2025 like I said that there's still a couple things outstanding the Transformers um the the roofing company got this done the roof is complete but like I said they're still waiting for the Transformers and that's by a different you know a different uh company so that's why more or less they've completed it but they're still waiting for the Transformers to be so next um this was our kitchen that we did in next and then um the Intermediate School building weatherization so this is where the one point and now it's it's up a little bit more than that the funds that we got because they did some change orders and stuff like that but that's where they started um in September they started uh um painting some of the stuff pressure washing some of the stuff over Christmas break they did some pressure washing just to clean up some stuff and fix the outside walls and now they're really going to get into where we're actually replacing doors windows um full Painting full full painting of the underneath the canopies full painting of the walls um anything that's above the above the roof where there's a parit wall that you don't see that'll all get patched in and repaired so that'll uh there won't be any water infiltrating into the schools anymore so the the weatherization will complete it and the roof will complete the the where was water before next and this is where the the where we're still asking for money from the for the primary school um we don't know how much it's going to cost because it hasn't gone up for bid yet but this is currently uh we we do have um architect stuff like that put together but we're just waiting for the actual bid wallet the bidding process once the state says we can release it next and then this is the same thing for the secondary we just have to wait uh um until they tell us we can to go to bid to uh to next and that was the gym FL that we did next um this is teacher housing H track replacement that was completed in December 2022 that was um impact 8 money um for all the air conditioners that we did for all the uh the 43 total houses including the superintendent's house next and then we did the roofs because all the roofs were leaking that was impact a money so that was completed now next uh teacher housing remodeling remember we went and uh uh I took you guys in tours um to look at the housing after it was done um so that's what we've done so far P Al's eight one in four in Garden Estates and three in fish poow um and then Garden Estates we had extra money so we replaced the bathtub shower in un States 8 and 12 and that's what we're that's still uh we're waiting for money to figure out how much we can uh uh use from now until uh June 31st to see if we can go and do some of it most of it most of the stuff that we really need to do because these were the the units that were really deprived of of of any attention or maintenance over the years we need to do a lot of the doors and windows because a lot of the a lot of the windows some of the places are original back in the 70s so they're single Fane glast and and a lot of them they don't open anymore can't open even so that's that's the money that we're going to be asking for um later um once uh Finance says we can we can uh use this much money to to complete the remaining um windows and doors so we won't really go in depth like we did for these projects at these houses uh next um and this is uh we're looking um still we don't know when if it's going to be this year to actually uh fund new homes or to get new um buildings set up for housing like I said we do have currently 43 43 units that's including the superintendent House of the primary school um and that's not including what we have back here because we don't own them but the ones that we would that we' be renting out um the spots to uh the people from Transportation or I guess anybody that would have a motor home uh next oh and then I I can say that we are looking at um Ruben uh received some stuff I know um there's some groups that uh that are around here that would give funding for housing and stuff like that so I think U Miss Allison is actually looking at some of that stuff as a grants person so that might help us out when we do some of that housing teacher housing and stuff like that um sfb doesn't do any of that that's not a it's not a thing that they do that they'll give us money for um because it has to be kids involved or kids in a building and stuff like that so and then remember when we did the Intermediate School kitchen so the primary school kitchen and then if you skip to the next one it'll be the inter the the secondary school kitchen we're just looking at some funds just like what we did but not to the extent of if you remember what the Intermediate School kitchen looked like um we're just looking at some funds to uh to do the floor and then do the walls because everything else is is there free sound except for um like I said the intermediate school was pretty bad I mean that was that was probably the worst I've ever seen so in doing it's probably going to be maybe $150,000 maybe $200,000 per per School site to get those up updated so uh they look a little bit fresher I guess put some put some be on them and stuff like that so uh 18 next I'm sorry okay so so this will actually break down each one of the projects when you're looking through these so project one you can tell where um it's completed but we're still waiting um to be to to be f finished for the the balance and then if and then it skips down because these projects are ones that um we took on as a district and like so 12 through 13 were be projects that sfb funded um so like if you want to break it down instead of looking at the big forms that's what we put together here where it says impact a future housing and stuff like that next and if you scroll through these these would be the same thing so alternative school you know Transportation this is all stuff that we're looking at doing um that needs to be done I know they want some extra stuff at adult alternative school um they would like a couple areas over there Transportation building we need to do some coating on the roof over there um the stage curtains um the gym wall pads we need to fix because uh the kids damage them um the restroom building roof coating that's the building that's right behind us quoting on that because the metal leaks next um Windows District so District wide we're trying to um update the windows um uh window blinds because a lot of them don't have window blinds on them and a lot of this is what do for health and saf or not not health I'm sorry for safety um when there's like active Shooters and stuff like that so they can actually you know shut the Cur shut the blind so people can't see or Intruders couldn't see into the classroom so this this is what this would be for a lot of it is a lot of the higher Windows when you go up through like a that if you go to the um primary school in their cafeteria they have high windows and in their gym they have some higher windows so if we if we in theory put Lins on these it'll help us save especially in the Summer with the sun because it's so warm in there that it's uh it's killing our electric fills so um and then the sh the play the the the playground shade replacement that is the the cover the intermediate we did the primary school shades on on that playground and then this is uh purchase landscaping rock to around the schools we're trying to figure out how we can come through and put down Bel and paper so we don't have to go back and and and pick up weeds and stuff like that so actually make it a little bit more you know uh curb friendly when people pull up or when parents pull up and when you're walking around campes like when we toured um kasablanca that when we remember how they had I guess bottom was there how they um how they had the areas all cleaned up and it was either CHF or it was um or if it was rock or colored Rock how they how they put the colored Rock in the ground so um transportation building he so if if you've ever been to the transportation building there are no heaters and there is no AC over there there's no AC in their offices there's no there's no heaters in the area like where the guys are fixing equipment so when the mechanics are there pretty much they the door shut it might be a little bit warmer in there but that is something that we should uh that we should look at and I know like the trust has said the same thing to us when when we did our tours you know hey you need to you need to uh get these guys some some uh areas of heat in actual air conditioning so when they are working they're not going somewhere else when they're getting hot they can they can go through walk and stuff next please um so this is like paint remember when we um the last coup years we painted the inside of the primary school we painted the inside of the of the Intermediate School we haven't really done anything at the high school so this is breaking down areas of high school and the only reason why you know it costs so much is because the gyms are big the gyms are big Auditorium big um it's areas and they've never been painted probably since they were built you know back in the 90s um uh let's see what else so fish bow this would be inside the exterior just just to do like we are doing with the schools and we did with this building we did with Transportation this would be um Prim and painting the exterior of the of the the housing so we don't have infiltration of water um and stuff like that because it's all brick um and the same thing for the garden of States next you alos is the same exterior painting um and then this is some some stuff that we've been asked like the to track repairs over here you know back when I got this price it was like18 $160,000 to go in it just make it back up to where it's more presentable and usable for the track and stuff like for for the for the the track club and for the high school teams and I know like the community uses a lot too so that might help out there um and then at the high school you know we've been asked at the secondary school what would it cost to put in a to put in a track around the football field well it's about $500,000 just to put a nice track suitable for um for track meat so they could have home Meats because all their track meets are away unless unless it's a cross country track meat that they've only have here um intermediate school parking lot update that's this parking lot that's right out here where you see where they put cones up in the morning and stuff that would be again to put a curb around the corner so it would you know keep the kids confined so when they would come in they would walk across pretty much right past the Catt cattle guard they would walk across a sidewalk that's marked they would get on a sidewalk and it brings them all the way curves them all the way up around and then it brings right them to the front where the front to the Intermediate School where they would where they would cross over where the where pretty much where the stop signment right now um and then cabinet replacement at the primary school this was one of the schools that um we didn't do and a lot of these cabinets are like in the library in the main office building we did remember all the ones in the classrooms and stuff because they were pretty much the the worst the worst of the worst so that's what that is that is just cabinet for replacement of that school uh next think that's it that's it okay any questions for all these projects what's like a total estimate well just gu no well when we did this when we did this when I got those estimates from a lot of these because they're ongoing yeah I think it was I guess we can add yeah I have a page somewhere that that me and Alison and and before it was Christina but Nowa yeah yeah and and I have but like those numbers are like Way Beyond old they're not old but with as much has changed in the I mean every three months there's a change you yeah questions from the board on the uh projects report okay Miss Pence um re the structures so do you you do have a um priority list um based on safety first for for this coming or for the remaining of the year or for the new year uh for for right now we do we do we've done some stuff but I'm just waiting for I'm waiting for finance to actually say here's the money can we just need it allocated for some of these jobs and a lot of it is still like the curtains stage curtain at theia school is one of them um because it's so old we did do uh the one at the high school we had it cleaned and U um we had it brought in and sewn up and fixed but the one at the the one at the intermediate school is so old that we can't do that we did buy one new a couple years ago for the primary school because they were holding a lot of events and you guys have probably been to some of their little plays and stuff and their musicals we did that one because they're using it a lot more than the intermedi but at some point we have to do the one at the intermediate because it's it's not Co it's it's it's having issues and stuff like that um we do have a I haven't added it in there but I know like like the fire alarms were all were all Co okay straight across the board we just did them over Christmas break um we went in and um did all the testing and stuff but the one at the intermediate school because that panel is a panel that we took from the high school and brought to this school because instead of buying a new panel they had so many extra panels we we put they five panels when I got here to high school now we're down to three panels so two of them we took out completely one of them we relocated to the intermediate school because in doing so we didn't have to BU a panel that cost 10 thousand ofar but at the Intermediate School when a fire alarm goes off if you go to the primary school Secondary School it actually physically tells you the room so old with smoke alarms that we need to update them with new smoke alarms so that's going to be another thing that we need to throw into having them come in and just replacing the smokes and that'll program then when we get the new smokes it'll program to the new panel so we'll be able to tell you exactly where the firearm is because right now it could say the 300 building but you have to go around and look at every po station and look at every it doesn't put it into a into an actual or area it just says the 3 so that is something that we have to do on our own because it's considered it's it's not considered because it works you know in the state's mind but it doesn't help us when there's issue you know or there's a fire alarm or because of the Dust we've had the last couple days the fire out there so changing these better to better smoke it'll take care of some of those PL that we just pretty much one was at 5 in the morning the other one was compromis not supposed to yeah no they're they're coming back over here because uh the last couple years every year that I we've had a fire alarm company they've been going they've been they've been getting bought by another company so now I'm on my since I've been here I'm on one two three I'm on my fourth alarm company because companies are getting bought out so this new fire alarm company that's here the only thing good about it is the some of the people that have been around since the first firearm company when I first got here in with this comp this this company again so they're giving me they're going to come out and give me a price of what it's going to cost to do that um they're saying do over spring or we just um so so yeah so so since I monthly we do fire girls fire girls at each school um and department does show up it's it usually hasn't been Hur lately because I think she's very busy doing the construction projects that they have up in Phoenix casin so I've been working with um their captains more or less once in a while Chief but they come and we do our firearm drills so we do them um we have walkthroughs with them because they're going through a change or they did go through a change so now I was told the three captains that are here right now will be here for the next year because because they were going to they retiring and stuff like that so so now I'm getting those new captains up to speed on all of our schools this building admin build the admin building transportation and operations yes ma'am about5 Million worth back then so that is also when you saw the purple line that's one of the are that if I add it back was5 and keep Wai for but also everything discussed all the factors all factors fin we continue to um provide afford okay um we got about a minute left for the presentation but I just wanted to to in regards to specifically safety um for the students one of the things I continue to bring up is how dangerous it looks when the students are trying to cross come off of the when they walk to school come across and then walk to the intermediate um there was a couple of days where you know people are coming in and out of there like crazy so if we're going to put anything in a prioritization list on safety this is probably one of the ones that I would say needs to be addressed and I just last we had a discussion about it and he sent an email totina and um there's there is going TOA money that's out there um and I think it was like 12 to 14,000 so to fix that what needs to be done that's been on the for while some I just par there because watch people and just like I don't want to be the GU on on The Chopping Block because this happened and we didn't fund it and stuff like that so so that's what I'm wor about some somebody is going to get hurt and I know a lot of people they're coming in there they're on their phones and they're not paying ATT they're trying a lot of people are coming in late with their kids right and they're trying to get out of that L as quick as they can and it's it's a cluster and I know in the afternoons they do get escorted as far as the kids that do walk but in the mornings everybody's just kind of like here and there so I mean it's just something again I don't want to be the ones to say well the board knew everybody knew and nobody think um we can thank you thank you over Christmas break that's that was usually our two weeks where we can do stuff in parking lots because there's nobody parking here um we did we did have asphalt bags so we did F the B I went some again but we just have to do and there's nobody around so and those guys did it right pretty much after Christmas break all right any last minute questions comments oh sorry go so so here here's here's the de I can TR Marquee so Mr jwan from the school called me it was it's been a while ago and said hey we're pulling that sign out so you're going to have to fill it with whatever you're going to have to fill with because we're going because they own we own we own the Marquee they own the signs because at whatever point that came in and put the signs in so I physically have the new signs okay but I'm I'm working with terot because the company that has to come out here has to have terot compliant and and then and now they have to be fingerprint clearance tet so that's that's what that's what we're working on right now with with with ter and then the fingerprint because now I'm making everybody from a whoever comes out here get aing even though they're going to be out here for maybe four hours putting up a sign so but they're actually in my uh they in the warehouse you know they're big it actually says indan OAS intermediates you know so but they're nice they're white and then they so it's how are they how are they so they they go on behind it and then the light comes on and off with just like the lights on our buildings they go on and off there's not a timer we took the timers I got rid of all the timers when I when I first got here because the problem was as much as the hour was going off every couple minutes it was screwing the time up so then our timers would be off like hours so then when it would get dark they wouldn't come on until like an hour later so now when it gets dark so if you see sometimes like the last couple days last week when it was really dusty and dirty um the the the lights are on the outside of the building because there sensors when it gets to a certain Darkness sensors get down and lights get G so that's how light up they light up just like that they sign will light up when it's dark and then it'll go back off I was just wondering because I know we talked about the um the bills increasing at the school and there's no need for that to be on if there's nothing on there because it's connected to the light pool okay that's what I was Wonder yeah it's connected also I am working at TOA a lot a lot of it and I don't know if you know this but I've been finding out now because when I first got here the invoicing for the for Goa for electric and water would always go to finance finance and pay so now all of a sudden I've within the last eight months six months little bit more in depth or filled in about the invoicing and how it's coming through and what what I've been finding out when with my mea was well they raised our rates but nobody knew from the school site so I mean uh I mean that was water water raised their rates and and and and what happened was it was preco I guess they started raising the rates this is what this is the story that I that I've been getting through I've never been but they started slowly raising rates for electric and water before Co and then it sounded like they stopped because of Co because of people not working in stuff and then they raise their rates so at one point I was told anywhere between 16 to 18% that we did get an increase of of stuff so it's not it's not like we I only hear this from from bits and pieces for people I've never really sat down in a room and actually P people apart um and and ask them totally um but I know that I heard that from Joe from Brian from over there um and now from Moross is the water guy that that that I've met and I know like like like our our EOB bees that are behind you that thermost set when you guys leave like this weekend I turn them on because I know you're going to be here for a certain time but when when people go away at night that all shuts off the the schools because people thought they were just running they they're not running they get set back around 3:00 every day when the school gets out so from 3:00 until 5 in the morning heat the heat rises or the cooling goes shuts off and the heat goes down so we haven't been you know it's it's because of if you look at the last in 2016 I think is the what come in a pull for me so from 2016 if you look at it I think it was like 300 300 to $400,000 or so average per year and now within the last couple years we're talking this this this year school year physical school year could be $800,000 um I'm sorry no no no I I was just going to say that um you know when when as a resident of cells um when the water rates increase we get notice through the through the mail um that the water rates are going to increase I would think that that's happening with entities of the nation as well um and same thing with the electric if there's an increase in rates we get noticed in by mail and so I I guess as a as an employee because it's come to my attention that I need to question that and see um and I guess what you you're saying is Brian who is our general manager has actually said that this is happening the increases well I got that from Joe Joe said in the previous so it sounded like it started before Co and it slowly was like a 2% maybe year and a 3% year one year it was but it was supposed to catch up to an amount of like 16 % total but like I said I've been getting bits and pieces I haven't really been able to get a full and and like I said remember I I never received any of invoices at all Finance so it's Sher and and you knowa or Christina got so if they would have got any mail you know saying hey for updating you know because because like when I was where I was previously I would get all that stuff and then I would know because then because then we would as as a as a finance department or in operations we would say hey this is going up we need to up our thing and we already know that it's you know upcoming we haven't changed any of our usage in our Theory it should have went down because we put in new equipment but it didn't because out of the blue when I found out well we raised your rates and everything else so when you say Joe that's the um Junior Jun okay that's the person that really directly anything okay and I I I guess it's good that I think it was more the water not the electric the water was the one that was going was the increasing yes because Joe isn't in Joe isn't uh in charge of the water that's how I found out about the increasing of the water you know but I know I was also told from somebody else that NOC to but I don't know what and I and I guess you you would need to sit down with the actual supervisors or department heads of TOA and get that straightened out because it's not good to to hear it from secondhand or others who are not directly involved with those increases so that it gives you a plan as far as finance and operations here at the school because if you've done everything to change the equipment to bring those things down then why is it going up so here's the last little I put so so after I got I started compiling all this and I went out and I said here's the deal I said I need to know where every meter is so I knew where the electric meters were but I didn't know where the water meters were so in doing this uh I found out that there was a lot of electric meter or there's a lot of water meters that we were just getting a monthly charge on they weren't actually pushing water they were you know what I mean we were getting a so so the water tower back here we were getting a charge per month and have been for you throw a number out there 20 years yeah so that that's a little so that one's been disconnected now so now we're not going to get a monthly charge 20 years times it was like $150 to $300 a month so I was so that's that's what I doing now this trying to find out because like I said I I don't know where the meters are at and it it sounds like now they're actually updating the meters where they can be uh physically read through the internet because there we still have meters through our system that are still hand R and that's what's hurting us because the hand R meters all that person is doing is going and taking a reference and that's it and then one month it could be like well I was going czy was like thousands of dollars in one month it was like $500 because I'm like what what is the deal here but I would have not known this unless clemena or Sher said hey there's an issue with the water in the power otherwise I would have never you know dug into this stuff and and that's good that you you're you're doing that because you know even in the in residences um when people have water connections to their sites their homes even though they're not using it it's a there's a charge for that water [Music] um sitting I don't know it's been sitting that $150 a yeah so it's good that you're doing that because you need to um call and tell them to disconnect those so that you won't get charged yeah well some of the staff said well they should have been disconnected because I guess a couple years ago were slowly they were slowly updating the meters to read meters where it would come through and not be handing them well these were they were still on the chopping block and then when po retired because po was my main contact whenever I needed something would give me and now I I there's there's been a couple now of boys so far in the last two years or year and a half they've had somebody come in so now I'm working with them to try to figure this out but like all those meters should have been updated with digital meters that when they drive and of met how did the guy read that tell me that yeah one of the things I think that would be good practice is to to really run almost an audit every every year on those types of connections even for solid waste who knows what they're billing us if if they are billing us and sometimes their accounting system is so archaic that we're getting built for something that hey you guys even have a been here for that amount you know so I think it's just good practice I would say this is what I would tell any kind of business owner hey call us when I used to work at TOA call us we'll run how many numbers we we're billing you for you tell us whether they're working or not we'll disconnect start now within the last whatever 18 months or whatever there's been multiple people that have that that were in charge of solid I've got to the the right person again because before I had the connection but then that and now I had to figure out who because there's a lot of times where two weeks straight we don't have we don't have cash and I'm you know I'm saying hey the you know our truck broke down or something but we're still getting in place for it we're still getting you know um and then and then I've also I've also reached out to them because I said hey you have to start putting Lids back on that are broken and you have to do it immediately because the crows are coming and they they're pulling have okay syia oh yeah there are business rates y yep I've seen all that they've sent me all that there's business rates but you got to remember um we're going to get we're going to get the front of it because they want us to pay it and they want the homeowners to pay less that's that's how the business bus sche of so yes' and that's why that's why we came in and put better in systems and stuff dropped off and at the high school we have we have less propan because it used to that used to cost many hundred thousand of dollars yeah which I would I would agree I mean I think that I don't the last thing I wanted to ask before we get more into projects and I know we're over time but um we had and I'm sure if you look at the stream later there was some discussion on whether or not you are still um providing and or giving the staff currently like all of their professional development opportunities so that they're able to kind of address some of the things that maybe we are addressing for outside sources and I only asked that because I I was looking at your the rest of your which I don't know we'll be able to get to and I apologize uh the rest of your um uh the rest of your presentation which is the other the other sheet that you have in there was with some proposals and some some considerations for maybe different positions and or um different um or or consolidation of different positions but I but I what I wonder though is that if we're going to be using outside sources for any kind of uh maintenance or or um routine actions that that maybe the staff can be taken care of but just haven't got the training to do so yet is that in the plan or has that been in the plan or is that something that we need to be mindful of that as we're looking at not only trying to help to support the projects that you want to be able to do but also Shore up any expenses that maybe we can do without um I just wanted to see what your response would be whether or not I mean you if if Outsourcing is the way to go then then of course we can always look at companies that could probably do that but if we want to have staff on hand that are able to to maintain and and uh upkeep and do all of the things that that maybe our outside sources are doing um I want I wanted to hear your response to that in addition to that I don't know if if or when we decided fingerprint clearance was was necessary for for those for things like that because if that's going to be up it needs to be done and then why if in that interim is there not some sort of waiver possibility that we can allow you to make the determination on as as say as a board and our authorization standpoint for these projects to say so long as they're directly under his supervision this is what they're doing and they're leaving and that's it I mean I'm just putting it out there because I think that Miss Vance brings up a point why is it on if it's just going to be off well Terell wants fingerprints it's not ter so in your policy I'm sorry iben probably State mandated for AIT that finger Ser cards are done through contractors they're already done you want this [Music] um I'm going to let Ross to share um we we met um with um the with tocc and and the entr uh yes the um apprenticeship program and I'm going to let him share the great news on that one um but one of the findings U from the auditor J is gaps on fingerprints um and now we need to make sure that anyone um all of the staff there's no break on fingerprints but also the vendors that we deal with um and they're going to be conducting business um in our schools they also need to be we need to make sure that uh our vendors um they're going to be coming into our bu buildings and and and around kids we need to make sure that we extend the safety um by ensuring that they have their fingerprints and then uh there was another question there was a what are we going to do in in terms of um professional development the fingerprints but there was another item that I I I wanted to respond uh that you also ask if you don't no okay go ahead Ros if you don't mind sharing about um first Friday St five total will be will be attending um their trainings um so it'll be every Friday pretty much until the end of June and then we'll start another one up again back in uh in July but they will have training um anything that would do with uh Plumbing um they have carpentry and they have electrical so and like I said we've I've showed them our staff some of that stuff but our staff's because we've if you remember remember we had five maintenance guys and we went down to two so now the staff that's come on board now they have experience but they don't have full experience as my previous people did before so that's why we're sending these guys to some of these classes to get a little bit more because I wish I could clone myself and have multiple people with these guys to show them so I try to show at least two of them so they can at least interpret and show the other guys you know what's going on um otherwise uh we wouldn't be able to keep up if we if we didn't do and and um what we had done previously I guess I want to say the other thing I was going to add maybe this is what Mr Diaz was going to respond to is I don't know that and and again it's not I understand the audit of general what the what the recommendations are but at the expense and at the at the to the detriment of what we need to have done sometimes that process just takes too long and I think if we're if we know they're going to be here for x amount of time I mean if we have to go back and look at it and whatever we need to do but if they're going to be here for 4 hours is that really absolutely necessary and to get that they want to have that in place I'm not trying to say we're trying to sidestep it and not trying to have these things be important but again with a monitor or liaison or someone who's going to be observing as they're working for that x amount of time I don't see why that would be an issue and those that we know are going to be on site on buildings on campuses you absolutely should have those clearances but I just I mean it's just something to think about I mean whether or not we we we discuss it or moov further I just think it's kind of ridiculous for that in that in that case but I understand vendors if we're going to have contractors online on site in in and around children then of course but that's just my comment thank you presid wendia and and I will look into it um for now um I need to make sure that I comply with what the auditor J is requesting us um and and and um one of the advantages is uh tarot they've been um in communication with me with every single vendor as well um and asking for also guidance so I'm very appreciative of terot and and strengthening our relationship um also that I want to add um um on I also want to give a shout out to to The Apprentice program because in such a quick turnaround we express what are our needs and what what kind of skills we were looking for and with a really quick turn around in less than a month they put together a program and they said this is how we can support you and they give us an incredible uh rate so we can train our staff um which is locally and also um important it's just as important that our staff will be able to have certification on those areas that we're seeking as well I was thinking that too when when we were talking about the apprenticeship program because I know sometimes they're actually soliciting for projects that their apprentices can work on and maybe that may be an opportunity for us to share cost share or like drop the cost down provide them with something that they can do they do the resources and do the man hours and have all of that so I think that'd be something to really look yeah we talked about that too okay good my comment to your comment go Ahad um I mean I agree but on the other I think um safety wise I think that's good requirement only because we have a lot of children and students on campus and you never know I mean we get we've been getting these reports you know at bus stops and whatnot it's just I don't know I just feel that just more safe that we are monitoring that who's who's paying for their fingerprint that they are they are okay good and it's like three to five weeks out because it's the it's the government or the F you know what I mean that's that's why it's three to five weeks old okay then I guess I wonder then if it doesn't make it more sense to just have a select amount of vendors that actually do have that on hand rather than look at newes on that I think I mean you know I just think it's yeah and there's best practices I guess still a lot of vendors that won't come out here because of one tarot and and two fingerprint cards I that's but the fingerprint card was added in within the last you know year or so but tarot is probably the biggest one that some of the vendors won't come out here yeah because they they they it's a lot of paperwork on their their side that they have to complete and stuff like that but which I will say limits us and it also allows a monopoly of individuals who know that they can get around and they will charge us what they want because they know that they can why they can't to that point because it's on a Cooperative they have to use her Cooperative still because I've seen us get gouged you went at the district level for for things that people know that they can get through tarot so they're going to charge you what want because they're the only ones who can do it because the same companies that we use the district uses right Roofing the kind it's the same same people this is scam okay the last thing I just wanted to drop on you because I really haven't been able because we've been shuffling and we've been hiring people this is currently what we have now as um uh our order chart for our department we're still we're we we've slly hired a couple grounds people now but we're still short two grounds people out of seven so that takes a lot especially now coming up with with softball and baseball fields that need to be done there's stuff like that um and everything else and then the maintenance side like I said we did have two and now we just hired the last two um and that is uh that is my order chart as of right now I guess I think above all I I know that we've tried to express I know I've tried to express the the the Gratitude I think that we have for for your effort and and and the the above and beyond service that you've given and shown the district and especially been able to to give a facelift to much of our our campuses and our for our students above all um and so I just want to say thank you so much uh board members anything else for Mr R you skip to the next one this is what I was asking to have additional the these are like the grounds um if you look at the one the biggest thing is if if you look at the primary school um the only reason why we're trying to get somebody added there is because that school has more toilets than the secondary school and Inter Medi school put together because you got to remember there's a toilet in each classroom so cleaning wise they can't keep up you know two nighttime custodians cannot clean that school completely in detail because of there's so many toilets there and throughout the day there's little issues with with kids and stuff like that so that's one of them I know Ruben has put together a plan hopefully for that um remember a couple years ago uh for Chris the codia supervisor that we have up here we we brought him in um the next thing is to try to somebody person to take the day day off of me because I meet with them day the m i don't have to Mei chis but the maintenance guys and that would be getting rid of one of that maintenance position that we had that that's still not filled and we've gone through the numbers so there is money's there it's not bringing any more money into this boot um and then if you look at the top person right underneath me so this is something that that a lot of school districts have this would be sort of like I would be the Principal this would be the assistant principal because daily I can't keep up with everything so this is somebody that would try to help me out as an operations it's a manager supervisor whatever they would actually help me out to do the day of the Day stuff especially with all the meetings that I have I have to do SF stuff I have to do and since I've been here I haven't really gone to the state level they always invite me to go to these meetings you know everybody else does but I don't have you know a full day because driving up there is a full day for me just to have a lot of these meetings and I know if I did it I would probably be able to get more money from the state on some of our projects but I just don't have the time to do that and every time there's a construction job I have to meet with them five days a week so this is this is what I'm asking for and then also where it says we because I'm the director of operations if you look op all school districts my job duties are nothing as a director of operations it should be you know director facilities you know CH because IU about director of operations but a lot of it stems with tech because the director of operations runs sort of the tech side of schools so I get a lot of emails I get a lot of phone calls for that go ahead Mr Diaz president Mia members of the board um I want to highlight once again uh what Ross is um doing is reconfiguring the current budget and the current positions and creating um a level layers of support within his Department he once again he's not asking for additional funding to create no positions what he's doing is using his current funding to reorganize it in a way that he will be able to now lead um train and and manage uh to be able to support the dist district and based on his experience he feels that he will be more successful by having this level of organization for his Department um and we have met multiple times uh we have met with Finance as well um the next step for him is now to um Define what those job descriptions would look like uh to be clear in what responsibilities everyone will have and go from there but also be mindful of and again it just kind of goes back down to our discussions with uh Finance earlier uh and whether I mean and the study sessions that we've been asked we've asked for um kind of going forward on on getting the maximum amount of of um bang for our buck when it comes to not only hiring um community members engaging them with professional development understanding uh and maybe that is something that kind of gives them a little bit more of a gives us a little bit more of an edge when it comes to I know higher wages with the nation is appealing but maybe there's a there's a ways and a means for us to be more competitive with just hey Will it's kind of double- a story because then that also means they they they leave when they have more experience and understanding but I but I think it's just important for us to to kind of look at how do we slow down some of the Outsourcing and still encourage um some development and uh capability I think that our people are very capable it's just giving them the opportunity to show it okay if that's it thank you sir appreciate you thank you sir H the okay number eight this afternoon is our reflection Mr Diaz members of the board we started the day in going um through our reflection corner and what do we expect um from yesterday to today and and and and I I'm seeing your brain how is it continue to now bring us to what we said we were going to do uh your questions that you were asking today they fell in in in these categories and you also providing ideas to generate more ideas so I thank you for that um as part of the reflection it's I I will need your support and if you notice um every director is going to come back again and is going to ask I need I need I need I need but when now um it was important to know okay what are going to be our needs what are going to be our priorities and what kind of questions to see so we can begin doing what we are meant to do which is now conduct oversight and make decisions um as a G new Bo body um and also um I want to give you any background because between now and the end of the year there may be recommendations that will be coming forward um and so you also keep in mind um um the why we we're trying to make some of the decisions that are coming our way um I'm out open for any what was your big takeaway um from today what was your big takeaway from today in in as part of your reflection before we dismiss it that's okay with every each one of you and I see Miss Miguel is Raising her hand thank you Miss Miguel foring yourself what is that's um coming in and run uh running um landing and running at the same time so what's your your being take [Music] away pressure um so I think my big um takeaway from today is mostly just how we as a board can continue to work together on the goals that um not just the um I guess like list goals but as far as an operational entity overall um can work towards the the goals that we have um because it just takes really takes everybody to make those goals happen thank you foring your hand I think for me the biggest takeaway is that even though we've come this far we still have a long way to go um um and it is important that um in order for us to be or for our children to be proficient and to be those graduates that we want um our future to hold it takes everyone from the custodians the ground keepers the bus drivers the AIDS everyone it takes everyone and their input and their encouragement you know um I think Administration we take for granted all the work that Administration does um as far as you know making sure that you know they're doing their part but we have to do our part as well as a community as a community member I think that we have to really step up as parents as Guardians as aunts and uncles to to encourage our children to to just do better you know every day do better um I think that's one of the biggest takeaways but also that we do I mean we've so far been able to do what we're doing but we also need those departments from the nation to help um and I think that's one of the things that's um is going to take a lot um but it's going to be good for us and I'm when I say s i mean the nation as a whole so you know that's one of the biggest takeaways that I have from this session than you yeah the I I feel like the largest takeway from to today is genuinely the I think the pride that I have in in in this board our time our effort I had been asking for a policy review for for a little while and I knew it was going to have good something good come from it when we could finally just sit and like decide here's what we need here's what we here's what but let's figure out you know how can we help it and I think that we genuinely provided really great um suggestion solution plan idea that we can actually have a really good impact on the overall effort that we're trying to do at the same time give the support to as Miss Vance has mentioned and as we're as I'm sure everyone else will talk about is that we take for granted a lot of the background work that we don't see we we we are quick to not criticize but but quick to talk negatively about some of the things that we see and yet there are things that we can sit and really look at and okay say okay let's um let's work on finding a solution I agree that the work on this from the board um as a whole I think in this new school year and if we're and if and if if we're going to take the set the tone and the expectation the way that I feel like we've talked about in this retreat in this day especially then it's going to really take all of us together to say okay here's here's and stand by it um and really press on the nation for support and help uh and I'm excited because I think again it's while push back may be not what we like but it's what I think we have to do I mean I think it's what's going to be necessary for us to be successful we've we've pressed so hard on our own District to do so much that now we have to press in other areas that capable of so that we can see some success from our students uh and the nation overall so I think that's my largest takeaway is I know that that conversations today may not be what people want to hear or like to hear or or maybe think that we're being mean or negative or whatever however take but I think that that's that's the point we're not sitting here to just sit here and and talk about good things or or you know the the the flowers these are the things that are going to be necessary for us to be able to see some actual action so that's my my biggest takeaway from much of what we discussed today and overall and above all I want to say thank you to all of your directors and everyone who put information together for us um and uh especially to our superintendent in in assisting in in in the overall guidance of how and what types of thought process and mind shifts that we have to have as a board in order to give him support and the and the administrator support in what our expectations will be not only for finish out this year but into the next school year so that's that's the biggest thing from from The Retreat for me um my takeaway is um I think because of what everybody has mentioned in terms of how the whole everybody in the school district is affecting what our um goals are um it was good to hear and get um the information on finance because obviously you know we're going to we start planning you know for years you know for the next 3 years five years and it's good to know where we're where we're standing in that and what we can do um and we can do possibly if we get in more grants possibly be able to do more um and it was good to hear the facilities update obviously because of the funding plus you know making sure that you know the the everybody that's here on this here at bosd faculty staff and especially students are well taken care of and and then the policy yeah I I know one has always asked and there's probably more policies that we probably need to look at but it's it's a good start I think that um um the changes and the suggestions that were brought up in regards to the two policies that we did look at I think um enhances those um I want to say for me I think just having these discussions are really important because you know we have chosen as board members to sit on this board and look at how our educational system is being run and I'm to be honest first coming in it was a lot it was a lot to learn the process and my hat goes off to you and all your staff because it does take a lot of work to run a school district there are so many moving parts and it can't be done by one single person um so I think for me it's hearing all the intricate parts of running a school district and how we are working together to make sure that we are helping our students to be to succeed and one of the big things is I know we're going to get pushed back on this Tru Andy stuff but it's really important I think it's important for our our students to be successful um and how can we be helpful to those families who are that need that support and are not coming out and saying those things um and getting them prepared for life but also prepared prepared for the work their work moving forward um I don't know it's just been really interesting to sit here and listen to a lot of this stuff today like the past two days I really I do appreciate that we get the opportunity to learn um cuz I always learn something every time we come here every time and I am very um appreciative of it thank you presid um on behalf of the students that we serve on behalf with the teachers the and and and and the staff um I want to thank you um I never been a superintendent and and and we're learning together on this path um and and we want to show you um like you said all of the moving pieces and and for for for you to know that we acknowledge our present we acknowledge where we are um but we also look in um what's going to happen next quarter next semester the next three years the next five years so we know the decisions that we make the impact that are going to have um you don't get paid for this um and I want to thank you for the amount of time and commitment that you are supporting me with and our our our children not only by attending the meetings but also um attending twice a year um the the retreats to build capacity to support you in getting the information uh in addition to all of the demands that I make from my govern Bard and please join me here join me there please I need a video please I need a writing and you have been nothing but supportive despite of the other duties that you have on your regular days uh from day day to day um thank you for also allowing me when I need the time to give you information and not putting me on the spot um it gives me also the confidence on giving you the best information um we I believe that um based on the reflection of today um it it shows that we continue to be more focused and and and we becoming Stronger by learning our strengths and areas that we need to improve um and I believe in a three-year plan as you can see the three year plan is it it it it gives a flexibility but it more than anything is give us guidance and in what direction we need to go it needs to be updated based on on on on how it will be we will be improving um but we're the the the process and the stages we setting place to to reach each step out a time I want to thank you for also to being open to see things differently um as I as every single Retreat I try to provide and share and welcome the the the governing board with a a different framework um to start looking at information so that we can see it um you all bring a different perspective but you have something in common you hear because you love the kids and you're invested in bring and you investing in in the future generation um on behalf of the organiz ation that we serve I I cannot be any more proud I know there's other districts that may be um um challenges uh between the superintendent and and the governing boards and the communities on on my end I don't take that for granted um we may disagree we may have different points of view but um at no point I I feel that uh we're not um we're not supporting our mission um I I I I do feel that the Str or different perspective is what is going to continue to make us better so thank you for your support thank you for your time thank you for your commitment and and I wish you guys nothing but an um success for you and and your family um and and thank you I I I wish I had a much better word than saying thank you but I I right now I just want to say from the bottom of my heart um thank you for being great Partners in education thank you sir appreciate you um with that that is there a motion to adourn motion by Miss Sylvia Hendricks second by Miss Kathleen Vance motion h Stevens Jess Migel it's 1:49 p.m.

[Music] hello clockers welcome to another segment of WCA news blog my name is Hal silver and today I'll will be giving you a brief summary of the ashlon Town manager newsletter the priority project update FY 26 budget challenges the FY 2026 budget development began in the fall with Department submitting requests to meet residents needs the town faces a structural deficit exceeding $3 million for FY 2026 driven by increase expenses in over $2 million in departmental Staffing requests to maintain service levels this continues from a deficit already present in FY 2025 where expenses outpace income with limited new Revenue growth stagnant state aid and minimal increases in local fees balancing affordability and services remain a challenge upcoming budget discussions with the financial committee select board and school committee aimed to prepare for a vote at the town meeting in May the mass saave climate leader award ashon received the 2024 Mass Save climate leader award at the State House recognizing its commitment to reducing carbon emissions notable initiatives include building two Net Zero ready facilities the Mena school and the public safety building hiring a sustainability project manager and increasing public education on decarbonization Town manager Michael Herbert emphasized ashen's dedication to its Net Zero by 2040 goal hoping to inspire similar efforts in other communities the open space and Recreation plan the osrp update Ashlin updates its open space and Recreation plan every seven years to reflect residents and staff's evolving priorities residents are encouraged to participate in a brief questionnaire to guide the plan's future take the survey and share your input today stay tuned for more updates as the FY 26 budget process and other initiatives progress some job openings and volunteer opportunities in Ashland serve your community want to make a difference in Ashlin several Town boards need dedicated members to serve until the May election with the option to continue by running for the seat the Board of Health address community health issues create policies and educate the public meets the first and third Tuesdays at 700 p.m.

we are Jour thank you

the planning board shaped the town's development policies and ensure neighborhood improvements align with the community's vision meet the 2 and fourth Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. some committee openings get involved in a variety of community initiatives current openings include Community preservation committee two seats Conservation Commission one seat Council on Aging three seats design Review Committee and open space and Recreation committee which has one seat some job openings are you looking for a new role Ashland has several employment opportunities the COA van driver water technician 1 and3 heavy equipment operator and Recreation assistant part-time after school hours in a paid opportunity Community lians wanted the office of sustainability is seeking Community lians to help create a decarbonization guide for homeowners and renters no prior knowledge is necessary just a willingness to collaborate and ensure the guide meets residents diverse needs for more information contact Sam Riley at s Riley Riley is r i l e y at Ashlin mass.com don't miss out a nude podcast on waca Cricket fans get ready waca TV is launching a brand new podcast stump mik conversations dedicated to Cricket and its passionate fans hosted by vies and Hassan founder of the hoala social and sports club the podcast promises insightful discussions behind the-scenes stories and interviews with key Cricket figures according to w ACA TV production director Paul Bowden this podcast is a fantastic addition to our programming and will provide cricet Enthusiast with a platform to connect with the sport set to debut soon stump mic conversations will be available on waa YouTube channel Cricket lovers be sure to subscribe to catch episode one this week's Community shout out thank you to Marcelo Arona the town of Ashland extends its heartfelt gratitude to Marcelo Arona for his dedicated service on the planning board over the past 3 years appointed in 2022 and later elected to a 5-year term Marcelo has been instrumental in shaping ashlin's development during his tenure Marcelo contributed to the approval of significant projects including 9 through 49 Homer a Starbucks six Chestnut Street and the ashin dog park his expertise in design and construction played a vital role in ensuring these projects aligned with the town vision and goals Marcel's commitment to enhancing public spaces and his thoughtful approach to planning have left a lasting impact on our community thank you Marcelo for your service and dedication to ashlin's growth and future some local meetings programs and events stay connected our upcoming meetings learn what's happening in Ashley by tuning into these upcoming meetings attend in person at Town Hall select boardroom or watch remotely on waca TV on Tuesday February 4th we have a board of health meeting at 7:00 p.m.

and Wednesday February 5th a select board meeting at 700 p.m. the Town manager coffee hours meet Town manager Michael Herbert over coffee and discuss ashlin's latest happenings when the third Wednesday of the month at 10: a.m. where the Ashen Community Center and the upcoming dates are March 19th April 16th and May 21st so be sure to mark your Calenders the osrp forum's open space and Recreation plan help shape the future of ashlin's open space and Recreation areas these will be held on February 7th and February 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the the ashin community center and share your input for the 7-year action plan rsbp by February 7th to B Solomon at ashin mass.com Watkins are welcome but RPS help us plan coming up we also have the ashin public library book sale which will be held on Saturday February 1st from 9:30 a.m. to 1: p.m.

this will be hosted at the ashin public library so make sure to come out to find great reads and support library programs with your purchase a simple gesture food pantry pickup support the Ashen food pantry with doorstep donations organized by ashin high school students the upcoming donation dates are March 1st and April 12th this is how it works volunteers pick up your donations on scheduled Saturdays and you can sign up or email to join the website is as simple gesture ashland.or while the email is a simple gesture Ashland gmail.com thank you for supporting ashlin's Community initiatives the department of prevention and human Serv Services the Ashen food pantry is a vital resource helping residents experiencing food in security if you'd like to support this effort consider donating items that are frequently requested if you are someone you know is in need contact the food pantry at 508-532-7549 or email humanservices asm.com this department in partnership with the decisions at every turn Coalition continues to focus on positive Community Health by integrating prevention into social service programs over the past year they've hosted Ed Mental Health Awareness Month activities like art saves Ashland recognized International overdose awareness day and provided events such as family book readings and yoga sessions looking ahead Ashland has been awarded a four-year Grant to help prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth this effort will include promoting diversity and inclusion launching impactful campaigns and working closely with parents and community members the department invites you to share your thoughts by completing their Community survey which helps them better understand what's most important to Residents you can also stay informed by signing up for their monthly newsletter filled with updates and resources for more details search online for ashen's Department of prevention and Human Services or the decision at every turn Coalition some upcoming events of the ashin public library on Tuesday January 28th at 4:30 p.m.

we have the little Picasso's Club on Wednesday January 29th at 4:30 p.m. we have Lego Club with Kim and Friday January 31st at 10:00 a.m. we have drivein mov at the library for children activities we have gentle yoga on Tuesday January 28th at 6 p.m. a photography challenge winter Scapes wday Wednesday January 26th at 6:30 p.m. and hot chocolate bar in Winter reading discussion Thursday January 30th at 6:30 p.m. these are all wonderful opportunities to connect learn and enjoy something new in our community thanks to our town staff for putting together this newsletter and thank you all for tuning in today my name is Hal over good night and go clockers

explain myself because I know I probably don't explain second the motion motion to adjourn motion to second second second have ation second my Miss Sanchez all in favor no all in favor no he's still talking motion stilling yes when there's no second that motion fails you interrupted the gentleman that was going to speak he's so intimidated you can see it on his face so I just wanted to explain myself because again I I know I made myself look like a fool up here um in front of teachers that I know and love and uh and that I've looked to for guidance um um can I just please talk can I please just talk the reason why I the reason why I changed my vote um is no nobody told me that I I changed my vote on my own again sorry all in favor I I all in favor favor let him finish there's a motion to adjourn the meeting motion you can talk to whoever you want to talk to afterwards if you want to there's a motion to adjourn by Mr Malo it's seconded by Miss Sanchez I can't think responsible for you know not for teachers not being resigned at the end of the year then i' I'd go for the latter I mean the the former I I just that's that's why I I made my decision sorry Mr is that all that you have are you finished speaking okay by Miss SZ please can we do a vote back and don't resign all in favor I I I opposed any opposition any exensions opposed what did you say yeah you keep looking at me Mr attorney can you tell me why you what you the you're all idiots and you're the reason my mom [ __ ] suffer Happ

e e e there second you [Applause] I got is it on Hello hello there's supposed to be a list I don't know what happened with that all right good all right welcome to the January 27th meeting um in accordance with open public meetings Act njsa 10 uh 4-6 adequate notification of this meeting has advertised in the record please stand for the flag salute United States of America to the stand liy [Applause] andice right Mr Taylor Mr MOS pres Mr ferino pres Mr Gaba pres Dr P AR presid Mr Malo present M Sanchez here Mr KES present Mr Ramos present you have a quum at this time approval of previous board minutes motion motion by Miss Sanchez I'll second that second by Mr ferino Mr boys vote all in favor I any days George okay superintendent report please yes good evening everyone good to see everyone here tonight [Music] yes it is very good to see you thank you thank you very much uh first we're going to start off with our um uh an annual comprehensive financial report used to be called the cafer report they changed the name a few years ago so we have our order here tonight uh Mr parenti who's going to give the board a uh part of the management report I guess uh with regard to last year's audit so Mr peny good evening everybody again my name is Andrew preny I'm a partner with lch Vincy Bliss we've completed your audit for the year end in June 30th 2024 uh We've issued two reports the larger report is the um annual comprehensive financial report and then the second report will be the auditor's management report included in the management report will be any findings and recommendations if any as far as the comprehensive financial report is concerned it's primarily made up of four sections the first section would be an introductory section which is a brief Narrative of the school district the second section would be the management discussion and Analysis which is your financial statements in a narrative form the third section would be a financial section which would include an Auditor's opinion uh various financial statements and then footnotes to those financial statements and then the last section would be a statistical section which includes miscellaneous statistics of both the city and the school district uh as I indicated there's an Auditor's opinion attached to your financial statements as of June 30th 2024 that's an unmodified opinion um that's a clean opinion what that means is that your financial statements are fairly stated and free material misstatement okay that's the opinion you want to receive on an annual basis uh what I would like to briefly do next is discuss the district's fund balance at June 30th the district ended the year with approximately 7.6 million in fund balance that fund balance is reserved or restricted for different purposes which I'll briefly go through uh the first restrictor would be uh classified as excess Surplus in the amount of 2.1 million that's going to be the minimum of fun minimum amount of fund balance that the district has to use when It prepares the 2526 budget the next reservation of fund balance is for unemployment compensation claims there 632 632,000 set aside for unemployment um the next major classification would be designated for subsequent years expenditures in the amount of 2.2 million that is fund balance that was used in the 2425 budget and then the last piece of the fund balance would be your unassigned fund balance in the amount of approximately 2.5 million I'll briefly discuss the recommendations um we had a recommendation that the district record all transactions of the capital lease bank account in their financial accounting records the second recommendation was that preschool education Aid budget be amended annually based on actual carryover amounts available and actual general fund contributions appropriated in the in the adopted budget the third recommendation is that the uh the reimbursement due to the state for the tpaf pension and FICA for federally funded programs be remitted in a timely manner and then the last recommendation was that the food service management company's operating statement revenues be reconciled on a monthly basis with the district's accounting records the board has any questions I'd be glad to address those at this point Thank you Mr pry appreciate you thank you very much thank you uh so again in a nutshell that that was the audit report uh it'll be posted right Post online it'll be posted online for you see the comprehensive report if You' like to see it um I'm uh you know I spoke with Mr der uh board president regarding this uh audit report I think it was uh a decent report I think moving forward uh there's some repeat findings uh that we're going to work on uh obviously m m d uh inherited some of this stuff so um but we are um you know working on some of the checks and balances in the business office uh that comes along with uh changing some positions and different things uh in order to monitor some of the those things which uh I'll be you know filing out to the board through the business office over the next several months as we kind of make our way into the next school year as I'm now um you know looking at things a little more differently as we're preparing for Budget uh Etc so uh I appreciate the auditing firm they've helped us with a few different audits this year uh so and thank you for the board for being so uh attuned to uh what's happening here and uh what we're continuing to do uh I think we will um now go right to the top uh with student of the month so oh he's back again how are you sir good evening I'm staing Beck I'm a math teacher at the high school it's my pleasure to present tonight our January student of the month I have the honor of teaching her during her junior year and she is an exceptional student she has been on the superintendent list here in Garfield every semester of her High School career she's also on track to earn her associates degree from Bergen Community College this spring also posting a perfect GPA she's the president of the National Honor Society she's a member of the math Honor Society she's received What's called the AP scholar award for posting a three-point score or better on AP Calculus AP US History and also AP Literature and composition she's been recognized by the national first generation recognition program for outstanding academic achievements she also achieved a perfect score on the njsla her volunteer efforts are extensive through the National Honor Society she's dedicated time to read to preschool students and to raise money via Candy Grand program she serves as a math tutor at the high school she's volunteered at many events Mr ghs summer Arts Library book sales track and field meets VFW gift wrapping as well as the Thanksgiving food drive she's also a versatile athlete she was a member of The Varsity golf team as a freshman and just as past all the varsity tennis team as a senior and received honors in both of those cases she's also run and competed as a thrower on the track and field team she's an active member of several clubs the interactive Club the ook Club the environmental Club and gardening she plans to study mechanical engineering this coming fall and is deciding among Steven's Institute of Technology ruter NYIT and NJIT I'm sure her dedication and work ethic will lead to her continued success both in and outside of the classroom in some this students academic achievements her leadership qualities her dedication to service and her diverse extracurricular interests make her ideal candidate to be recognized as the Garfield High School student of the month it's my honor to present this award to Barta blessa [Applause] hello and good evening everyone I'm honored to receive the title as the January student of the month this year firstly I would like to thank Mr stabach for not only nominating me for this reward but for also always being an amazing wonderful and kind teacher to me throughout my high school years I also I also want to extend my gratitude to my mom my dad my family and my friends as well as every single one of of my teachers and staff throughout the years for always pushing me to be the best person that I can [Applause] be they have also they have always pushed me to succeed not only as a student but as a person an individual without their efforts their dedication their patience and their encouragement I would not be here standing of receiving this award today so I am truly honored again and thankful for every single one of you in my life that have got me this far I'm wishing everybody the best and have a good [Applause] night down congratulations excellent job all of our students so far um that have been recognized uh have been incredible um from the first meeting I was at uh which I think was in May uh just incredible stuff here so continue to uh to make care the the district community and everyone proud so congratulations again yeah and you have a full audience to celebrate that so that's great so hopefully next month we see the same amount of people fantastic wow wow wow I why is that a bad thing I don't know why it's a bad thing so all right so Student Government hit the thank you Student Government board lay on so we have our Student Government board liais on up here for the first time so uh maybe you could share with so and uh just so everyone knows this is something that uh the board's going to incorporate uh moving forward it happened a few years ago many districts um we're going to get uh these the two indivual ual uh so I I guess we'll be switching as availability um but you'll be uh uh we'll be seeing them in committee meetings Etc uh obviously not committee meetings that are you know confidential Etc that so you have the floor sure they are uh thank you Dr TOMCO I'm not to spoil our presentation but we are going to introduce something I want to point out is that we're going to introduce that we are having our career night very soon and I just want to say that's all thanks to um your credits do our adviser Mr Burns he has a list of students like over the years and he messaged each one of them and he and and I think it says a lot that our lumni would be able to they're in these positions that I can't even pronounce the name of because of how complicated they are but they decided to get their schedules to be here February 12th um to support garford high school and give back to the community where it came from so I just want to that's all thanks to our teachers [Applause] do we want to do the presentation yes um we advise the uh our co-president and our vice president will be coming up right [Applause] now hello all Administration parents Educators student body I would like to say I'm San vice president of student government and along with me our franek our president and Isabella our historian and secretary I will not let them introduce them and a little bit more about their position so my name is Fran shalang you can call me Frank I'm the co-president along with dala uh this is my second term serving as the co-president of s government and I would like to introduce Isa hello everyone my name is Isabel uh this is my first my first year serving as the secretary and historian of student government and I am Tru the honored to be here tonight um so in December uh we did our spean week so on Monday we did color War then Tuesday was twin day Wednesday we did ugly sweater day that was an MD classes created day uh for which they raised money for their Special Olympics uh Thursday was student teacher day well personally that was my favorite day and then NHS had their fundraiser pajama day on Friday those are some of the pictures um we would like to share it was a complete success we had multiple of not only our students but our staff well participating as you can see in the pictures we also had our dress like a teacher day which was where students basically dressed as their favorite teacher we had even our president Len dressed as her favorite teacher Miss C and as you can see in the pictures it was a great success also twin day as well can we also had our teacher here Mr day along with other students so I thought it was a great success and I can't wait to see what we do next and if you look on the TP you can see our s of the month congratulations again [Applause] Barda I want to share with you uh one of the plans that took place on January 10th in this uh High School auditorium this was a collaboration between the Garfield National owner society and the student government this was a great success and it was a code Drive where many community members were able to pick up codes for the winter while we have not yet donated the remaining codes we are actively seeking godfa based companies that will accept them as donations this initiative demonstrates our commitment to giving back to the community and supporting those in need uh I want to share with you the next plans that we have for the month of February we are already planning our February Spirit Week where being to celebrate a school spirit and Valentine's Day with fun ideas like perfect beir and a tie eye named uh peace and love we are excited to bring some fun excitement to the school and student feedbacks and ideas are encouraged to help make this be week as enjoyable as possible thank you again as our president Alliance Martino was mentioning we are going to host our career Night February 12 at 6: PM it'll be taking place at our high school and again I would like to thank Mr BRS because truly without him reaching out to all this alni this would not have been possible we have over 25 of alni coming back to Garfield High School to share their positions now where they are it will be we also have over 25 careers as well including social media marketing we have law enforcement as well we have cosmetology all of careers that are Al like right now in our students have shown interest in we encourage everyone to spread the word and bring friends to make the most of it we are also seeking for any feedback from students of any other career nights they we would like to see and as well in addition to the 25 of L night that we have already secured that are coming we are waiting on responses of more our students as well we would like to tell them now that they are out here that to please come take advantage of the opportunity because truly if so many people have came it shows that you can make it out of Garfield High School you can be successful coming from Garfield High School and I think that is so important to take pride in not just our school but and our Educators because truly without them this could not have been [Applause] possible the purpose of this event as mentioned is to give back to the students the opportunity to learn more about different professions and start planning for their future we will be making it accessible for freshmen Juniors sophomores and seniors to give give them a head start start about what they would like to do in Karina as well as we also have the early college program set in place so I think this is a great opportunity for all of our students and our staff to be a part of and again thank you for all the Educators and the students that participate to make this a reality thank you and please join us February 12th at 6 p.m.

e um hello the this is the governing board advisory committee to review policies on Monday January 27th uh the meeting started at 5:07 uh it's now 5:26 pm and we are in the middle of editing policy ji what if it was clarified um that we said oh sh I just lost it I was trying to hold it but um just Clarity of like it's not subject to student conduct discplinary measures or like programmatic um processes I know that doesn't meet the Title Nine though because I I see what you're saying I think the clarity is is like if it's if your concern is with like an initiative and the intive already has a process in which we address them prioritize that over this yeah if there's a basically yeah if there's a named policy that handles the type of complaint that it is then the named policy replaces this one basic and I just in my thinking I'm like is there any way that the district could quash a complaint based on that language that's what I was thinking yeah it's like no sorry you can't file the grievance because policy says here yeah I don't believe so it just would refer the complaint to the appropriate policy yeah I mean there are times things exhaust that appropriate policy and it it comes to an end but it's it that doesn't happen by virtue of saying well sorry you don't qualify for this other one because this one exists so you don't get any of these rights this similar types of components exist within each of those other policies so and that clarifies it yeah and my assumption Mr Man is that the that I mean it's not a hierarchy right I mean a violation of one policy has the same consequence as a violation of another policy in terms of grievance typically I mean it just depends if there's like a named you know like there might be something um trying to think of an example but if there's if there's specific policy which there is around weapons and school that might have a higher level of final like the final component of it might literally drive an expulsion whereas in another policy the the the highest level of resolution might be you know suspension or you know something less than suspension depending on on what the nature of it is if it's related to discipline this is kind of on the opposite side of things because this is where a student's bringing a concern or a complaint so so I think in this particular case um typically in those other types of policies the ones I can think of off the top of my head like special education related policies Title Nine they're not more restrictive they're more expansive like they actually provide more protections and more um routes um for the support of the individual who has the concern complaint or grievance so I've I'm I'm stuck on it because now that I'm reading like that is very conf using couldn't it just were we basically just saying like could we say something along the lines of like um we establish procedure provided that the topic like is not covered cannot be addressed through another policy another policy because that's basically what we're saying right like there's another policy that covers that grievance it's going to go through that and then my other wondering is if we need to put like a below paragraph like um or somewhere in here if a like there is a process to determine which pathway to pursue your grievance is done so like if you bring a grievance to us and we're like no we're not handling it this way we will then tell you how to handle it in another way yeah and that is typically what happens in practice is we guide people to you know what whatever the correct I mean we we've even had that with unrelated but connected with staff concerns where we've said look you're you're asking us to file it under this and it's not eligible for that but where your concern would be handled is under this other policy so here's that policy and here's that um set of forms and documents that you would need to submit in order to receive the you whatever is afforded to you by virtue of that policy okay uh the next one is from Jazz so did somebody wanna sorry really quick before I move on we gonna agre I I was I was I was looking this way so maybe do you feel like we need to put Clarity of like if it doesn't follow if it's not addressed in some other way this is the way that you would address your concern and do you feel like we need to make note that like if we say that you cannot use this process for your concern we will provide you um like an Avenue to address your concern through the appropriate Outlet it's two things we're thinking about adding SL changing is that consistent with would that language be consistent in every single piece of this because if we're doing it here and if there was like a weapons policy and I mean I wasn't too concerned with the top part yeah but I it's like how redundant are you going to get how consistent yeah then sometimes what I do I start commenting before if we look at the beginning of ji R it's sort of I noticed that as soon as I got to J and I was like well it sort of mentions initial complaints can be filed using this form and then it says complaints and griev grievances related to student violence harassment intimidation are bowling or to be filed in accordance with governing board policy jik so maybe there's just language in that yeah about how to file my I mean my main concern is just you know could could Administration say nope just kidding you can't file the grievance because this so someone could attempt to do that but it wouldn't remove the rights of the indiv right right to come back and say hey wait a second right so yeah and that kind of goes with your maybe adding a see that if the grievance does not fall within the correct just something that it's it's going to be heard I don't know what you and it may not belong in the policy it might belong in the regulation because usually that's like guidance to staff right right right okay my comment was stating i' likeed this just to leave clarify and I I like that point a is pertaining to constitutional rights and you wouldn't need to read further and that's very separate I like that it's separate from discipline but it's still within policy I'm just gonna put that and then put a comment like decide of we doing SJ so we can move on thank you I just want to salute if you did want to do something all right are we ready to move on okay so the next one next comment is from Katie about referring to the board policy jic I just added that I didn't change it because make sure um what we what we did with the policy the jic is we put it under R domains student harassment threats and intimidation and bullying so we can just edit this um the student violence is not on there I think um I'm not quite sure it was never on there like we didn't take student violence out so it's just something that was in this policy that hasn't um addressed but if we wanted to change the parts that have been in policy and that we edited that would be the order in which we do it I didn't actually do the work of going to check and see myself I just something seemed off yeah and I was like I know we've done this somewhere else um so the easy fixes I'll change these to match here what do you want to do about student violence I don't know where address know exactly so I want to delete it but I feel incidence of student violence what does that mean is that like student to student or anything I don't think oh you know what let me go back to the we made the we made definitions stalking and wanted name calling Electronics false reports no IM intimidation manifested physically or emotionally yeah I don't remember reading student violence in another policy we haven't I don't remember either we do have bullying physical contact including but not limited you pushing hitting kicking shoving and spitting on and physical harm so we we I just I think that's one of those things where they just were like it's student violence you know like just adding the words so okay just cuz I like press the check mark and everything no you're good it was it was okay something looks like it got broken there though threatened intima harassment oh y intimate intimate harassment jez I'm gonna resolve your comment to the one that you had above it if that's okay with you oh of course okay um moving down uh to the second page there's a comment there from jez um I'm looking right now to see what it actually is because I don't know what it is off hand but um we uh Jay had asked me to start working with the assistant principles in particular about what our initial complaints ingrediences forms are and in my first round of getting information about it we we realized that a lot of us are using a single student statement form for everything um and so uh I made some edits to our folder or our um statement form that can identify these very specific reasons why we asked for student information um and collected all of the schools uh different forms that they're using and um I'm on my second round of meeting with individual uh APS just to cross compare and see um for update to everybody it looks like everybody's like doing nearly the same thing and I think we all have we all love our forms the most though and so we may we may be at a Crossroads of the formatting may be something people want to keep personal their school but I'm at least making sure that every component of everyone's form is the same but I'm in I'm technically in round two and have not made a ton of progress but I will have it soon well if you need some help like maybe creating some energy around standard I would I was gonna say is there a is there a need for that if every school has their own components well you I mean if everybody if all the schools have the necessary components my argument would be and and I'm not saying that it's a necessarily so but one of the things that I always think about is we have um a certain amount of mobility within our community and so it's not uncommon for like when I talk to students in our schools you know I'll say oh you know how long have you been here at Papo and they'll say oh I've only been here a year oh did you move from someplace else no I was at Linda right so um one of the challenges I think that comes into play when we have slight nuances in forms is that as families move from school to school when we present them even with a relatively minor change like that we're kind of creating an unintentional barrier to supporting them and since you know as part of our strategic plan workk one of things that we identified was that we want to tear down any systemic barriers that we can to supporting our families it feels like you know it would be kind of Ideal well you know I'm I'm all for freedom of expression I don't know that our like disciplinary forms and things like that are a place where you know we really need to be able to like have the flavor of our campus at especially if the content's by and large homogenized because there's policy drives like what categories need to be included and all that so so if we if we could come to some common agreement I think it you know it's not a held to die on but I think if we could come to some common agreement there would be some benefits to our families and the standardization and the ability to show A single standard form in the exhibit so and then and like overall everybody was like yeah that form looks basically like what I'm doing so we are really like nitpicking well what are the actual differences um my one question for I guess everybody is um certain schools have um what I would say are like they feel more board appropriate forms and then other schools have far more like student friendly forms so like for instance I'll speak specifically to monov Vista where it says the like specify your complaint as you see it um describe incident participants background any attempts you made to solve it ours are like each one of those components is a separate question that the kids then fill out um so I don't know what we would prefer if we would want like a a board doc looking document or if we want to do what probably will read better to the like actual K8 kids we have so that'd be my one question for y'all because we even noticed it between our school and one other school like you know even down to like the fonts we've got a very friendly font on the monov to student statement form I feel like I mean and I've I've heard this complaint before too from a lot of different people that especially with the mobility and and the uh perception of enforcement from school to school that it creates uh inconsistencies and sometimes you know it's like the information and the investigation that you do can you know lead you down a certain direction and if there's U some of these systemic barriers as you point out that you might not get the information that you're looking for um at one school whereas another school you would be more open to it so to me I I feel like it's it's it's a it's a benefit to have a standardized approach to it and a standardized form um I mean that's one of the things that we're trying to address at our school is at at a site level is when you have one person because sometimes you know there's several things going on right so one member of the team will start the investigation and a completely different person will end it and if there is not uh consistency even across the team at the site level it can cause problems I was also thinking with substitute teachers that float within the district if they're if there's I'm sure it wouldn't be F but if there are differences between forms and like like where those forms are like below it of where they're placed on campus and yeah it's almost like like there's different discipline infrastructure or support structure from school to school if we're creating District policy when we have traveling staff members like are I mean you've experienced this as a band teacher in the past James where you might you might have two or three campuses and they are wildly different yeah yeah and I don't mean that in like this like put down kind of way but they really are there's it's night and day from one campus to the next I mean that can create barriers and hassles and havocs so in summary I will definitely try to get us onto one unified form and I will bless and release my commitment to ours but do you want them I vote to have them be student friendly um as opposed to formal documents you have to change J EA to match whatever you're using yeah I that was the intention is first get like what are we all using because not I don't believe many of the schools were using this specific form for their concerns and Grievances and and the policy or at least the exhibit becomes misleading because if I'm a parent and I just want to know what form does my kid need you're going to see a different form than any of the nine different forms that you might receive yeah this one says that it's to be filled out with the school administrator yeah so which the current ones are not right they're just QR codes and the kids are doing it or is it it depends on the site yeah so monov Vista for instance we um we have paper copies and then you fill it out you do a good faith effort your own and then we fill out whatever they're not able to do themselves but I think that is procedurally maybe different from the other schools so I support your idea of kid-friendly language I just my question is is there is there a legal reason why that would not be a good idea and the only reason I asked that question is like sometimes these things end up like escalating to legal cases and I the last thing I'd want is for a lawyer to come back and say well you know your your collection document is has hearts and little feathers on it and it's not something that is going to stand up in a court of law you know what I mean yeah we're not using Comic Sans you are or not you're not using Comic Sans so knew there heart some flowers back you just made my heart Happ so as as a former technical editor so um well and I guess right here it's in code maybe if Katie if it's okay with you because I'm most familiar with our form why don't I send you our form and then you see if there's any like lawyer issues with it and then I will combine them okay yeah and of course at the I mean Katie's done an amazing job so that'll be sort of tier one but then we'll also have one of the education attorneys check whatever the final recommendation is before we send it up and they'll probably just say good job Katie again but at least we'll have done due diligence then at some point we how do we want to refer to it then getting back to like highlighting of that should we end your comment should we say like on using the appropriate form or there name do you mind if we keep I mean right now on right now it says because we're still gonna make it the new exhibit then is that eventually we're gonna get to something um but I have I've only met with one school to like really like dive in and SP them up um if right now we can just leave it as is but I will do an at for myself of like get this done yeah and every yes everybody currently has access to the governing board policy and they're all using a student statement form so we do know that they're all all doing that it's just a different you're GNA see one thing that will be confusing at monista we talk about relationships on campus co-workers acquaintances and friends and I put cooworker issues as opposed to bullying issues because sometimes we're facing families think it's bullying and I didn't want to like just automatically label that so we can do the processing of like so when you see are you having a coworker issue think of that as bullying okay good know okay so then you yeah we leave that and then we can move on all right are we ready to move to the next comment it's me probably too fast but um it just kind of threw me when I was reading this really fast I mean I get that they're talking about whatever the substantive issue is but it just feel subject is that the subject the individual or the subject yeah that's the question I'm asking because in my line of work it could mean a lot of things but I think they're talking about the substance of issue there H the comp I said maybe they could do the St shall preserve the confidentiality of the grievance instead of the subject talking about here everyone yeah I'll think we've been I'm going down to your next comment I think we've been calling um it's always just been the exhibit even though it is a form right so we probably need to go up and change the form J iie to say the exhibit oh yeah I just noticed it was different good catch okay the next one was M um on to assure that students and staff I was just curious again just thinking like consistency of like who decides where this is like I know things have specific spots on the internet but within a campus or like and I was also thinking like where if a new staff person were to arrive at a school where would they find it each year when a student moves to a different classroom who's deciding where those complaint boxes we go I don't I that's a good question so I know for like when I when the APS and the principles it was like post this in your front office so I think everybody has just the policy itself like kind of printed out and like we have ours like on the like next to the secretary's desk and then I working at two different schools we don't have a decid like decided like this is where the statements go they both had statements available in the front office but mon Vista has it like behind the secretary excellencia had it by the keeper bail so we don't we don't get that specific usually it's been what I've noticed is that um the the policy itself is not well is definitely not something that U that I've always seen posted but it comes out of like a student or somebody coming up to the front office or uh talking to an adult expressing a concern and then it's the the the adult or the Andor the teacher same thing uh the adult that is that guides them to that and say you know let's let's get a statement that goes along with this so I we've always kind of put it in areas where where teachers would see it like by boxes and um in um teacher work rooms and stuff so they can be able to access it that way because we know that they're going to be the conduit for the Gathering the statements and or at least prompting the possibility of a statement I was almost wondering for I don't know student right is the right phrase but like how do we make and create awareness for students on their own if they were to have a teacher to teacher grievance like especially younger ones like how do they know they're allowed to do this instead of just holding it in and like that 30-day period could surpass in the time that a young child is maybe like morally or guiltily wondering how do I maybe if there could be like a good student language yeah thing of like um c k started a report it's with their 48 and it's report don't repost and that's a very generic like wherever you are you can find it I think they have it on their Google classrooms um but I think that in practice I feel like it's almost just kind of word of mouth like the kids know like if you're mad at a teacher you better go tell Miss abadak at Miss Royo if you're mad at a go and get a stat and so it's just it's like embedded in the practice I don't know I I know we do beginning of the year presentations and we tell the kids like if there's ever you need to talk to anyone you can talk to us we tell them like if you don't want people to know you're coming to talk to us you can ask to go to the nurse and then the nurse knows that you want to see us but I don't think we have it is an interesting question right because I think there's there's certain schools one school in particular comes to mind uh that there is a I I feel like a real General awareness of that and a proactive some might say overactive but proactive approach to uh those types of situations um um but I I I know especially now with recent political events I've seen uh different school districts take different approaches on you like know your rights right know what you can do what you can't do that kind of stuff and they like create little cards that they send home to uh to families to address that but I I don't think that as a system that's something that we've ever really done and I have to be honest and tell you I I I see pros and cons to it right um I mean I'm not saying that it's not important for people to know their rights and advocate for themselves um but uh the con to that is that sometimes people take that and turn it into to a situation where they are really only concerned about their own individual child instead of the class and the system so I almost I don't know yeah I almost wonder if I don't know if this is even in our purview but if we did like a call to Mr Man to um to like have people like or a recommendation that they ask um for us to make something that's more online because I'm think one of the things that is challenging is like kids don't really go into the office very often and then to have a printed policy for even our eighth graders to look at in the way that they're it's not really helpful so I almost feel like it would be easier if we just had like a a button on every Google Classroom that if you hit that link it went straight to your links it like went straight to your rights as a student I don't know why I quoted that they have them um would be like we maybe would need to like table that for it to be like more of an actionable step outside of what do you think Mr Man yeah I think and then I was also I like that because you know one thing that will bring up a couple of times guys is um that these policies and I don't know if you had this conversation with the last so please tell me he did but um these policies are like at the highest level of the tree canopy and then like um so you know then we have to have these things hoping or hoping that whoever's in power is making decisions like that which will make things more accessible now you know is it unheard of to put something like oh at the this I don't think so but like we just want to be careful on exactly how specific we get I don't I don't see any harm in maybe having some sort of requirement there's a requirement here right that it's made a part of student Cana but like yeah I think what you were getting at was like what exactly does yeah like if we're going if we as a body is saying you need to post this very like conspicuously it's a very specific way to do it and if we don't intend that are stars around it or like what's going on someone go to this yeah exactly well and the student handbook is something that's distributed to families and there and there are components of it that require interactivity so but the you know having been a parent myself I can't genuinely say that each year I paid particularly close attention to anything other than the pages requiring signatures so um just because a task is assigned doesn't necessarily mean that it draws it to people's attention right so so I think it's good to keep it in the student handbook so at least that way like if a parent's referencing that or a student's referencing that like that documentation continues to exist um but I think it would be good if it was more if we did something to ensure more a more conspicuous nature for it and I mean I really like the idea of standardizing the practice that Adriana described which is you know during an early in the school year assembly or a walk through classrooms or whatever that looks like you know that kids are made aware of who their trusted adults are and what the um like tiered system of trusted adults like if you feel comfortable talking to your teacher start there but if it's about your teacher you're not comfortable with your teacher you know here's the next level of adults that you can connect with yeah I mean my mind goes to unintended consequences both positive and negative right um I two examples um and they are not recent they are in years past uh one was years ago there was a teacher that was um accused of of uh making sexual advances towards a sixth grader and there was uh one girl but four girls had uh made the report went through the process talked through all that stuff and it turned out at the end uh that they were upset uh that the teacher did not take them on a field trip um that they wanted to go to and they decided that they were going to get revenge um I've seen that and then I've also seen the situation where there was a teacher that was openly racist um and saying very derogatory things um towards students um and um it uh didn't come out until much later than it should have um and in my opinion it a lot of it was connected to students that were not aware of their rights and not aware uh that they could speak up um so I I guess I I I only bring that up because I think it's important to be mindful of those unintended consequences and how this is approached so I don't it's a complicated thing and in some ways I kind of feel like there are other aspects of the system that uh can uh address this issue but maybe in a different way um I mean I know there's evaluation systems that we have with teachers um I'm very interested in the new evaluation system coming back that that uh that I'm told addresses social emotional things and has those Concepts as well um so I don't know it's a it's a complicated issue thank you so I'm going to respond to what you what you put and then just say that um this maybe just needs to be explored with each of the schools and figure out what our common practices are and then come back and probably a regulation thing again too right because regulation is like how we're doing it right okay yeah um a the all right I'm gonna nose goes it for the administrators on the campus uh if you don't mind handling finding out what people's common practices are for getting this information out for kids I'll continue to work on the the writing is that okay yeah I'll do it too if you don't want to no I don't have a problem doing it um can you like just so I don't lose it can you do like an at thing for me please thank you as a new person taking that seriously yeah of course I appreciate it no we appreciate your help well it's it's we appreciate you being here because it's valuable to have a parent perspective right like like for us we're like we sent it out like what do you want from us right not that's not really our attitude I'm taking it to an extreme to make a point but but you know you have you you instead have a wondering of well how would my kid know right so that it gives us a really different perspective on like can we do a better job of making sure students know what their what their rights are I do care about the teachers at pursuing teaching possibly in the future like if I were to enter a where would I find these things if I'm at a district yeah how consistent is it if I'm on the board and I say I'm gonna do something conspicuously how do I how do we do that how do we make sure it's conspicuous yeah very um you know I hate it when we have this kind of language so I'm just trying to get us give how we've changed other um policies so like obviously you the statute doesn't require you to the school to inform law enforcement of Every Act and so that's basically is that this said will be inform so this is pretty intense um uh and a lot of requirements so anyway that's why I wanted to make sure yeah because didn't we realign some of the other ones to say um law enforcement authorities will be informed if if required by Statute or something like that yeah [Music] again will might be more grammatically correct but eally let's change this just be constitutes from the ones that we finished what we what we did put while you do that so what we've had so the sentence in jic um it's really kind of a paragraph but lastly dependent on the committed violation and or harm caused the superintendent reserves the right to inform law enforcement in accordance with Arizona revised statutes and governing board policy do I'll just copy past this as a comment I this comment s I'm G add this one other com uh one other paragraph um it just says that we shall notify regarding sus suspected crime against a person or property that is a serious offense involves a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument so it looks like that's where we drew the sh line but I'll just add it as a copy paste okay or as a I'll add as a comment that you can okay merage as you see f so then we can come really we just need to there's three to-dos that we need to hold on and then I think we can move to the next one so we'll come back could we come back next meeting and have like your draft of what you want to put for that part that um yeah yeah okay so we and then um my goal is to get the exhibit thing kind of finalized maybe not this next meeting but for sure the me meeting after that'll be like my timeline for that do you do we have a leadership council meeting next week because you'll have an AP meeting that'll give you time should be I also already went through every thing that's on the to-do list so they're all to look at oh cool it looks like it's 13th of febru Wait no that's not sorry feary February 20th yeah do you think you could do maybe a cal meeting and ask because I feel like that'll be too long um we'll put it in the chat yeah I can do either one of them and see um usually people are pretty like especially with like aella and a bunch of other stuff usually people are kneed deep and a bunch of stuff but maybe I can reach out and see who's available okay um and we canine that however you see and then we can come back to this like how to address a grievance that's not in the right policy once we finish the regulations is that good with everyone okay cool and the just so I know this is uh Clarity in current practices for how uh the policy is posted and uh communicated to staff and students okay ji I what time is it 6 yes 609 6:30 so we're looking at J R now what are we looking at yeah the regulations so j i i r okay now I I looked at this but I don't unless there's like something you okay one thing I would point out in that first paragraph is it refers to a verbal complaint or grievance may be made and given that there's been some use of um QR codes perhaps there that needs to be broader oh okay I'd like to request us to go ahead and do like the 10 minutes independent because I didn't look at this one yet but if I'm the only one who didn't I can speedread while you guys chat I'm okay with 10 minutes is everybody else okay with that 10 minutes to kind of look at it and add comments to it if necessary I'm honestly I had trouble finding J Oh no you're um click on that and then we're on the and why don't you have the same ones I have you that makes me happier but uh let me go ahead and all right cool I to press okay why don't you go ahead and put your email in and then this will share the editing folder to you and hopefully you'll see everything because you definitely don't see everything I see are you on he's giving him to himself right now oops I'm sorry 24 25 and just say yeah that's that's it I just don't know why I don't know when you open up your email right now did you it is showing plaum it's weird because like we're definitely looking at the same folder but or if you need to get back out and back in to refresh yeah because sometimes it grabs credentials like when you open it doesn't upate oh is this right now um as oh no same thing as looking at your you let me know just and the end of this regulation is the same problem and I'm going to send you the actual um just this one single document so for some reason it's a document thing you can at least get into your email from from it that way thank you ask perfect I have it now thank you okay no problem for good good TR good TR something [Music] you for oh course she's where for what I'm sorry given was gone I that's 10 minutes okay uh we can start up at the top um I can't find the top know it was really weird it was like you just click on it and it'll bring it down for some reason oh I think you just had a lot of comments to that one maybe oh yeah I kind of added on a bunch of stuff and these are all just like suggestions things for like inclusivity and equity and stuff um so just to a my comment there about trying to emphasize student agency that's a big thing for us um and I imagine a lot of schools is to try to uh develop student agency and having kids be not only advocates for themselves but try to develop um their own agency and how they become contributing members of society right so um it says in there that the uh the student will complain to or grieve to a um complain directly to a school administrator and then it goes through the steps but it doesn't specifically address the possibility of the kid uh um submitting the complaint directly themselves so I don't know if that's necessary or if that's just embedded within the process and maybe that's just a process question but I'm just throwing it out there can and no Hill to die on just throwing it out there um I got lost in the thinking of what you were saying so if we were to summarize like what action you were looking for in here what would that sound like so the the wording is specifically saying on there uh complain May complain directly to a school administrator or to a school staff member within 30 days of an alleged occurrence so so I interpret that as they go to you know such and such trusted adult I have a complaint um and um you know and go through the process rather than the kid having access to whatever the student statement is and submitting the complaint directly itself maybe it's a detail but like I said it's that um it's the whole idea is to rather than use the intermediary of that trusted adult that they take the agency themselves and move it directly into I don't know maybe I'm splitting hairs with it I can I think it makes sense I think it doesn't feel like it's this particular sentence but it probably should be added like after like we need to say like you have the agency to find the way that's like most comfortable for you for sure and that's kind of Gally related to what you were saying I recall like in one of these we were trying to open up like you can talk to anybody and then there was like the muddying of if you can talk to everybody then everybody must know the system and so then it was like it actually is better to really have it be you need to talk to these people because they become experts in a system so if we choose to do like you can talk to whomever you can do it in a variety of ways I think we would need to then say how that's going to get funneled to the doers of the process which would be the school administrators or their designate right all right yeah and connected to that which is why I commented in order for them to have that self agency is to have it be available in Spanish for sure um to me that I feel like that should be a given the other ones would be nice but maybe not as important I have a that could be an after I have a question about that um because I wasn't sure Karina translated our student statement form to Spanish and then I was like I'm not quite sure the process is so what we've been doing is we've like because I was worried that it was going to look like we were trying to instruct in Spanish and that's not allowed so what we've been doing is we've been providing them the English and then waiting for them to show signs of like struggle with it and then offer the Spanish but is that even necessary oh I just didn't want I wanted to make sure I was doing the whole thing so we're we're planing to I don't know so I would need to talk to the attorney to know for certain okay but my gut reaction would be because there was actually an e EOC complaint um about the fact that at one point our U documents that were online were not available in Spanish and so U the way that that was solved is that like everything that we have on the web now is able to be accessed via the Google Translate into whatever language people need need now the challenge with that is you know legal language even being translated by a competent transl is problematic because legal Spanish is a little bit different than common spell Spanish so but that you know sort of I'm assuming if that needed to be done then there should be nothing wrong with having it available in Spanish but rather than assuming that we probably want to double check it especially given the recent removal all the Spanish from all federals so we're we're still giving out the English and then waiting for it um just in case because I was like I I feel like it's got to look like it's a scaffold not the practice but we work positive yeah I wouldn't I don't consider concerns complaints and grievances to be instructional in nature right so if you're talking about instruction this is outside of the instruction space so I I don't think that's necessarily concern um this would fall under like literally any form that the district has if you're able to have them in Spanish it should either you're allowed to or or you're not allowed to or you're required to right and so my understanding was there was a requirement to for us to have it available that way now whether that's changed or not is a home now the requirement is under the federal EOC not obviously the state of Aral language correct changed in years uh no unfortunately um it has changed every place except for Arizona the LA the last state to resend it was um Massachusetts if I remember correctly uh leaving Arizona as the only state to continue that practice so who knows how long the EOC even last yeah yeah okay okay [Music] so that one in Spanish you can probably use but there's nothing at the state level that then would punish us for having forms in which I'm not aware of anything um but you know they're in session right now so yeah know okay um so going back to what you wanted how would you like I love your idea and I'm not quite sure how to Wordsmith it would you like to reply to this in Wordsmith like the sentence you were looking for um and then we can go from that and while you do that I can give it a go as long as you don't expect me to do it now at 6:30 anybody 6:30 okay all right well you tell us then it was 6:30 is it 6:30 now9 oh my God I was like okay whatever you want to do James well I don't want to I mean I I just don't want to be here till like nine o'clock I mean I I think for me seven will always be be the like even if I've got 20 more minutes those 20 minutes are my minutes but I'm okay with this 30 minute flexible and I can do the 30 minutes today if people would like well your girl could always go home so what would you guys have be home for bedtime which is at 7:30 but between like 72030 literally less than five minutes I don't want to squash anybody's Thunder can we compromise and say 645 that would work better you know I'm a huge fan of compromise so let's do so Smith that one I can it 15 more minutes of this so that puts us at should we add electronic for the verbal complaints however a complaint what are you looking at I'm going to the next one so you're working on student and school administrator so now yeah I'm just gonna has verbal and I think yeah however ver however a complaint or grievance that's clarifying always so are we trying to figure out if it is legal allowing us to have Spanish we're just gonna we're gonna we're gonna we're gonna verify that and V is it illegal not to is that V illegal I think I mud like I'm just curious all yeah it's it's a valid question so um there had been P there had been a past action requiring us to make certain that like our website and our policies were available in both English and Spanish and so and that came from U as I recall it was Federal and it was related to an EOC complaint okay so the way that the EOC complaint was satisfied was by us putting those components into place so it's my belief that all of this technically currently does need to be available in both English and Spanish and the way we solved it was by way of utilization of Google translate because then it provided it for any languages Google translate us um and I was coming out of the classroom and so we're not allowed to do instruction at all in Spanish um and so in my like overabundance of caution I didn't want like policies that we do CCH that to be in that so that's why we have it like weirdly separated so we just weren't sure so right question is which type of animal is it right like is it an instructional animal or is it a a policy animal and to my Layman's interpretation it's a policy animal not an instructional animal but that's why I said we'd want to double check with W Council to be sure especially given the changing climate and some of the things that have happened with the federal government removing the Spanish versions of their website you know I don't know like if in executive orders or any place else any of that has changed would have an impact on what we can and can't do not aware of anything that changes it but if we're going to verify with legal council anyway we might as well find out should we add for electronic that's the comment we're on I think that's fine um does it make more sense for it to be a complaint or grievance may be made verbally or electronically or just put word electronic I'm I'm nitpicking now usually happens when I what do you guys prefer like this a verbal or electronic complaint you good sounds good and then the next one is Clarity for teaching needed oh I'm just wondering when I was an assistant principal and there was like it was a little confusing for people when it included an administrator so like as the assistant principal if the teachers had a complaint about the principal they were like well I'm telling you because you're the other administrator and if that's fine or they were like well do I go to HR because it's a thing about the teacher or or the administrator or do I go to like Eric or Jay so I just think that we just need clarity about like what is the next administrative level doesn't have to necessarily be on here but I think that that's a common struggle for teachers yeah I think [Music] um typically you would go to the next level above like in the hierarchy um so if it was let's say in your circumstance or you're the principal Karina is the assistant principal someone has a complaint against you they would probably then go to Human Resources they would go the Joel nextx um however having said that like it's my personal belief that if they have a complaint against you and they bring it to Karina then it's also leonus is upon Karina to also reach out to say we have a staff member who may be reaching out to you this is the concern that they have and would it and so because so you would say it would be Joel before it would be Eric I think so if it's a Personnel issue I mean I don't know maybe that's not right because Eric typically is in a more supervisory capacity but that's I believe but I believe I'm pretty certain there's other policies where it refers people to Human Resources as the next level above whoever their their supervisor is is that sound right to you hope yes because if they call our office and it's person we tell them they have okay so should we instead of putting it sh for the complaint or grievance to the next administra level on like on site and or HR and I guess I mean timy you were a teacher too is that something that teachers would want to see here or myif I'm okay with that I've tried to get them to do I mean okay doesn't yeah specifics are good so so my vote would just be instead of next administrative level um complaint agreement to Human Resources well the only problem with going straight to Human Resources is if it's a um let's say as an example it was the assistant principal then the principal might be the appropriate person to bring that complaint to like it really should go to the principal before it goes to HR if you haven't had like if you've complained to the principal and appears nothing's happened then obviously it would be escalated to HR but okay yeah would it be us to have like a flow chart somewhere I know that might be but it's a little award some point somewhere like that person if we're mentioning Next Level I have not seen diagrams like that in policy that doesn't mean that it's not possible or feasible it's just not something that I've seen before so we could certainly construct something and see if it passes legal muster I think this is the last comment that would be easy to just like cut off from and then we'll have 10 minutes to dos and stuff I just wanted to make sure I'm just going to change this back to not back to I'm going to change it to the order that we had just changed the other policy too everyone go with that okay all right I'm taking it out yeah I'm changing yeah so student violence would be it would be completely out and it'll be harassment threats and intimidation and or bullying if it's right now I think we're doing it just to remain continuity and then it would not help but if we want to make sure people know we are talking about when things are violent then yes it would parentheses bullying so references I don't I guess my question would be is is there bullying that is not student violence and do we narrow the scope by including that or are we trying to specifically Target student so I could bully be intimidation rather than that would yeah I mean by the way the definition of bullying is there's I don't remember specific but there's persistent repeated what you know those types of right yeah what I'm going to do is I'm going to strike it out but I'll put a comment because I think in order to resolve it we have to look and see where do we talk specifically about student violence and you lost the D in the end or pulling I keep that's the second time I did that too um I I'll get it just a second do we talk about student violence okay all right oh sorry um that seems like a pretty good stopping spot for right now um we went and edited jii and we are in the middle of uh editing jir uh we're following the prioritized policies from the checklist and at the next meeting we'll uh start with uh continuing jir uh where is where we left off anything else that anyone wants to add or consider for future agenda items or discussion I was just gonna say do we want to all just make sure we do like the homework first read for all documents pertaining to jic as well um so that way if we do get we can we don't have to use independent time here so anything that's drug and alcohol use by students including the exhibits and the regulations if you can take a first look at does that work for everybody I regulations but I imagine it's going to be like this for me so I don't think you guys just look at those without maybe regulations anything that's not already addressed okay perfect you want to confirm everyone can be here February 10th um just it Hela already sent out the calendar invites right do we we have the next calendar invites for the next three or four meetings yep but I just was like if we're here we might as well make sure like you're all still coming right like I wasn't here and I can't make that meeting but everyone's still good with okay anybody got any concerns or things like that related to the calendar okay all right uh unless anybody has anything else for the good of the order um a motion to adjourn the meeting can I get a second all those in favor hi meeting adjourn for