Um, and then I think everyone knows but like at uh soon enough although Trisha reminded me it's into May by term that we will need I would assume the planning board would want to replace another representative comprehensive plans. Great. Probably handle it at the second meeting in May. And we may want to put it on the May 8th agenda so we can discuss what it means. Give the board some thoughts aboutation prior to case departure. What would be your last meeting? Oh yeah. Um second meeting in May would be your last meeting. This No, because the election's May 20th. Gotcha. So you would only have one meeting with us in May. So, we may want to have it on the agenda for April 24th if we have a full board. Is Amanda gonna be there meeting? I don't know. No. Um, but I guess it's kind of getting an overview because then we'll have two board members and then um won't we We'll have to point someone.
I think at some point we have to say put on our big girl pants or big boy pants and face the music and think together as we have been talking about a team effort from the school committee to the assistant superintendent to the financial director. what can be done in a timely fashion that's going to house x number of children and then think about where else that you the bill can be tightened. Nobody wants to see teachers and TAs laid off. It's a fact every spring and it has been since 1971 when I started educating and I don't do that anymore because I'm well past retirement. Thank you for your time. I know you're going to come out with a plan that helps kids. That's all I care about. And I don't want to disparrage the superintendent because we've had a number of people saying what a wonderful job she does.
Good evening board members. I just one correction I just uh saw in the memo we completed nine months of the fiscal year. Um, so with three quarters down, we only have April, May, June, so one quarter left. Overall, the budget is in good shape. There's not really much in the way of pressure points. Um, we are still holding at 70% of non-payroll expenditures, meaning that the departments and schools can exceed 70% of their approved budget for their line items. Um, in light of the discussions we've been having around the 20 u the 25 26 budget that we may need to contribute 200,000 from this year to next year. We'll keep that 70% hold in place for at least another month till you know we're comfortable that we'll be able to meet that that $200,000 requirement. I don't see that as being an issue at this time.
And I'd like to think what would happen if all Anaheim Union teachers, staff, leadership, students, parents, community members, and all of our friends and family use their voice in the 2026 election to protect what we've been able to accomplish here in Anaheim. We need to take the lead in a countywide effort to protect public education. How do we protect it? We secure the necessary resources at the ballot box next November. California ranks 33 out of 50 in per pupil spending and we spend thousands less per pu p per pupil tough word than the national average. How can the world's fifth largest economy not even spend the national average on its students? We can't wait to address the chronic lack of funding of our public schools. Securing these resources is only the first step. We need to apply those resources to the righteous yet reasonable budget priorities that I shared last month.
One of our most exciting events was the 50 sneaker mother sund dance. It was an evening filled with classic rock and roll and retro outfits. The mom showed off their moves and actually showed they had better dance skills. We are really looking forward to watching the dads attempt the moonwalk at our upcoming fatherdaughter 80s neon dance. That is going to be entertainment in itself. In addition to these amazing events, we also are proud of our opportunities we have in sports. Our football, soccer, and cross country teams have given us the chance to compete with other schools, helping us build teamwork, resilience, and school spirit. Some of our games have been nailbiters, and let's just say our cross country runners have definitely learn how to pace themselves, especially when they realize the finish line is still really far away. [Music] We are also excited to announce two upcoming perform performances that showcase the talent the incredible talent within our school.
And then as as Miss Kusvich mentioned, we'll also do an open house in August for the new school. Commissioner Bassford. Yeah, I have a question. Um is this going to affect busing? Is it going to be more busing for us to uh endure? [Music] No, no, go ahead. A little, but nothing that we haven't already planned for. Okay. Um, because it's balanced, it it should it's really just shifting. It's kind of shifting existing busing. It's moving schools that had busing to not and and vice versa. So, it should be okay. And the I have another question. uh with the wi with moving of the one grade out of Christopher and will that um cause us to lose title one funding or it it just it should not it should not be caused that that's one of the reasons that we looked at taking one title one and one non-title one out of each school to try to maintain that balance.
Riker has shared this with he should have. Um so I'm not really going to go through that piece. Um but I did want to just kind of share this next piece right here is kind of our So obviously the new Indiana diploma um has been on the horizon for quite some time. Uh we here at the high school, our two counselors and Chris um and myself have had numerous meetings for many many hours trying to figure out, you know, what this was going to look like at the high school. Um thankfully, we offer as as the students have mentioned, we offer a lot of different courses in person, inhouse in our building. Um and so the transition is not as large as it will be for I feel like a lot of schools especially in the area. Um so we're obviously thankful and grateful for that.
Okay that that sounds good and I will post this information on see if I can get it so it's posted at the top of the the web of that Facebook page. Please do and the the individuals where we know of an incident say they are reaching out right so I'm trying to stay in touch and and I would I would also say I I think you understand you know um when investigations are going on especially when involving children we can't share that information um you know very much in the like in the healthcare setting we're limited in what we can share but what I want to assure you is that the Jennings County School Corporation has processes in case um to do full and thorough investigation and respond as appropriate. So hopefully what you'll hear um if you're again in a group with some of those individuals is you you'll hear um that that process is working.
Well, and then we'll we'll need another discussion so that those people could take it into consideration as well, right? So, okay, those are all the updates. Any reports on planning topics? Alro, no. I did have a CPC meeting but really um we were just going through right different just during the different warrants that'll come up at town meeting um different amount of money that are is being assigned to various projects. So um nothing was anything new that we talked about any update on the town planner search? No, nothing that I know of. I think I had sent you some questions. You wanted questions from board. Yeah, I to receive any more questions. So, you got mine though? Yes. Okay. Yeah, I have I have scribbles of questions. So, I got to get those and I guess we're going to get them back to the forums.
But there's money somewhere. Maybe we'll grow on trees. Thank you. Is there any other public comment in the room? Please come forward and say your name and the town where you live. My name is Kirsten Kinsmith. Uh, I am a resident of Brattleboroough these days. Uh, but I was a Greenfield resident for 20 years. I continue to be a taxpayer and I've been a teacher at the high school, a math teacher since 2003. I didn't plan to be up here. My Apple Watch is discouraging me saying my heart rate is about 120 right now. So, please bear with me. Um, so I, you know, I'm very invested in this community as a parent, as a teacher. Two of my kids graduated from Greenfield High School and we lived through that 2006, 2007 insanity. Uh, it was a battle in my house to keep my kids in this district and I won that battle and I'm proud of it and I'm proud of them and I'm proud of this place.
On the medical benefits front, it's April uh 10th, so we don't have March claims yet. So, I don't have anything to update there. Um, and then the energy price locks, nothing has changed since our last meeting. Those price locks, you know, either expire at the end of this fiscal year and in the case of electricity, that goes on into next year. So, that um that really concludes the finance report for this evening. pretty straightforward. Any other Mr. Gribble? Um, several questions actually. Well, we'll start with two. Several would be more than two, right? Um, so, uh, as in regards to the hold back, the 200,000. Um, what line items are you eyeing to hold back? because it looks like there's a couple of candidates, but you know, so um you know, clearly maintenance is one, you know, there's a a reasonably good balance there. Um some of the supply lines still look healthy.
Our bargaining team is prepared to begin this process tomorrow around class- size guarantees and ASA members will be actively engaged in their support. It takes people, good people to support these essential priorities so our schools are well staffed, safe, and stable. All of our Anaheim Union employees are those good people. It's essential that we maintain our quality healthcare and provide for competitive salaries. ASA will stand firm in our support of these budget priorities and we are committed to putting in the work necessary to ensure that the state provides the funding our school our school community deserves. I know in this political climate this can be tough to do but this is not the time to retreat. On Saturday, May 17th, CTA is organizing four protests across the state. San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco at the federal building. ATA will be sending folks.
Our drama club is preparing for a performance a production of Lion King Jr. Additionally, our hip-hop club is gearing up for an an electrifying hip-hop dance performance where they showcase their hard work, rhythm, and creativity. Trust us, they've been practicing nonstop. So, if you hear random beats and freestyle moves happening in the hallways, now you know why. Another meaningful initiative at Yakaloma Elementary is our buddy benches project. These benches are being placed in our playground to promote kindness, inclusion, and friendship. It's a simple idea, but it makes a huge difference. Because let's face it, sometimes finding a new friend can feel harder than finishing a math test before recess. And math tests are hard. Lastly, we want to share with you just how hard our students are working to get to grade level in reading and math. Our teachers and intervention paras believe in us and believe we can grow.
So it should not make a difference but it could mean that this new school might be title one. Okay. And my other question is um what is going to being that we're only putting one grade in that building that means the whole building is not going to be are we going to use those other classrooms for other uh alternatives? So we're actually going to be using much more of the building than than one would think because right now teachers have to share classrooms um at both Columbus and at Woodrow for the one year these teachers will be spoiled because they'll be able to have their same classroom for the day. Um, and it will use the entire first floor, a good portion of the a portion of the second floor, as well as the really amazing music studio that they have in the basement. And so what is the total number coming out of I I know you mentioned out of Christopher and out of Woodro.
Um we are as soon as this came out we did kind of make the decision in house that we want to h uh strongly strongly recommend that students uh pick up a seal. So, they're in addition to the new Indiana diploma requirements, uh, they now have an enrollment seal, an employment seal, and enlistment seal. And then underneath each of those, there's an honors, which is really the plus side of it. So, there's enrollment plus, uh, enlistment plus, and employment plus. And so, um, our goal, uh, is to implement this for the incoming freshman class next year. we we've already really started doing that with the scheduling process and then uh and obviously start having them identify uh which seal they're going to go get and honestly I feel like it's very doable for students to get multiple seals uh which we feel like is very important and so the documents front and back uh one side's the enrollment seal the other is an employment seal um and I think basically I'm just going to highlight a couple quick changes that are different than what we've maybe done in the past.
Very good. Is there anyone else who um wanted to speak to something not on the agenda? Great. Then we'll move right on down um the agenda. We'll start with old bu I'm sorry old business. We have some meal policies. Yes. This is a second reading. So asking for approval of this group of policies, please. We'll take this as a um a group. Do I have a motion to I have a motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second by Cheryl.
Yeah. I thought we were going to bring them here and talk about them together. Yeah. Yeah. So, when the questions if you want to combine them, we can. Nothing's happening yet though on the applications, but Okay. Uh, Michael. Um, no. So, the Yeah, you were you were in here last time. So, um, Jen Ball contacted me several weeks ago now. Um, shortly after finding out, I guess opening the position. Um, so what what they have typically done has had um ideally two members of the planning board. So me plus one other member and Jen Ball who's just the assistant town manager and um the HR director and that four person working group um uh when they get c a handful of candidates that they think will be good candidates for the position. They interview those candidates and then um any any names that they think are they would like to fill the position they put forward to the town manager for him to them to then interview them.
Um, but I'm very concerned with the the instability that's been caused and continues to be caused by the recent uncertainty around redistricting. Um, seems like we studied the plan, we agreed on the plan, we had another vote to affirm the agreement on the plan, and yet the plan still continues to be in flux. Um I'm really concerned that this is going to lead to more exodus uh by students, families, uh perhaps educators as well. Um I I understand the budget challenges, you know, at the state level, at the federal level, at the local level. I realize that they're there. We all understand that. We all realize there's a possibility that programs or positions will be cut. Um and that there's certainly a need for thoughtful planning and as the previous speaker said, thinking outside of the box. But I think it's imperative that this process includes super superintendent patent.
um you know as as much as we've got only three months to go you know there are still expenditures that will um reduce some of the balances including some of the salary balances. So the um overall 200,000 will come from when we know better bunch of different places but maintenance and supplies are the ones that we typically go after first because it doesn't affect you know classrooms. Um we will as we do every year part of the remaining budget balance we will start to make our purchases for equipment and supplies for next year. supply bid comes out later in the month of April and we have to make those purchases so that they're received in time for the new school year. Um, all right. So, so now now I'm on the several I guess if if I'm allowed. Um, so student activities that that line item that's the one that kind of stuck out to me at 62%.
Right now, we're trying to think about getting a bus. We'll share this with the leadership as well. Tens upon thousands of educators are going to come out, families and allies to push back on the federal government's effort to destroy public education as we know it. The struggle is real. We would ask that you please join us in that struggle. All right. Thank you. Thank you, [Applause] Jeff. Tony Quash, this guy is way taller than me. All right. Uh, thank you, President O'Neal, board of trustees, executive cabinet, staff, parents, students, and community members. My name is Tony Quuck, vice president of CSEA, chapter 74. I'm also a proud instructional assistant at Hope School. Go Tigers. Thank you for the opportunity to address you on behalf of classified CSEA employ uh members. As we draw close to the end of the school year, my goodness, just seven more weeks, we can do it, right?