Where is that? That's done and we're using it. Okay. I just want to make sure we don't we kind of note that that was probably number 20 or whatever it was because that was an important thing that we did. So, we we have we have a draft. We assume it's going to keep as we start using it. And I did it for one project that I did it for the dog park, but that was quick, so it didn't really get looked at. Where is it? Like, do we have it somewhere? That checklist? I I have it, I guess, as the clerk and I said I would do it for now. And I started it for um the the Pleasant Street project. I actually need to from Alvaro when the application was stamped because on the website it does not give the date. So I do need that because that's So if you're only with us one more meeting, sounds like you should get that checklist over to Trisha and Albero, maybe a blank to all of us because that's a key thing that accomplished last year that we should have for next stay always in your binder so you can kind of just check it.
You could put a note in the chat. I will look for you. I am not seeing any requests for public comment from Zoom. Thank you very much for sharing your views with us. Um, we'll now hear the report of student representatives to the committee. So, it is my understanding that this report is included in all of your meeting materials and it is posted to the public as well. So, with that in mind, I will not be reading the report tonight. um I feel that it is only going to serve to distract and detract from a lot of the messages and stories we've heard from educators and from students today. And I think that that is the most important report that all of you could be hearing today. So what I will be doing is jumping to the final item which is student life where we are going to be highlighting Nate Woodard um who is a member of the city's human rights commission.
So, there's not, and by the way, the fees that we pay are $300,000 per year. So there's not a lot of opportunity to reduce that. So there's certainly no opposition to going out to bid, but doing it every year or two is just not it's not practical with a self-insured plant because of the complications. So there's not a lot of upside is my point. So are you saying that in a nutshell the primary cost drivers are uncontrollable costs? It's the claims. Yeah. Okay. And it's only on our side for whatever reason it's because what was it the uh the town proposed to kick back what 200,000 on their side. Um so right and the the town is in a is in a better position because their claims have been relatively stable and their reserve balance is you know well above five months of claims reserved.
These recognitions are all members submissions that reflect the impact that these people have in each other's lives. First, I'd like to recognize the hard work of CSA eboard and specifically our association president Heather Hutner whose tireless work and can do attitude help shape our organization into what it is today. I am also happy to highlight that April is school library month. I want to recognize our wonderful school library techs who fiercely advocate to make every student feel welcomed. Our libraries provide books, resources, programming, book clubs, chess clubs, and much, much more that make our students feel seen and valued. One such librarian I'd like to highlight is uh Tommy Kovak at Anaheim High School. Tommy has been recognized as a hard worker and friendly face that is extremely welcoming to the students and anyone coming through the library. The Anaheim High School library is still leading the district in library checkouts this year.
This year we have added an art elective which also serves as an art class for friends on lower campus. Miss Gloria, art teacher, has recently showcased student art at the Young Artist Gallery hosted by the county. Three of our Phoenix students art was represented and we are so proud of their hard work. We are we also offer music classes that allow for all students to learn different instruments, sing and learn to read music. This has allowed for our TK through sixth grade to have an ability to have art and music at least one time monthly and get the opportunity one day each week. Our elementary students are enjoying both having both of these classes as part of their routine. We also continue to grow our broadcasting elective where we feature students and teachers in fun activities and interviews. We are excited to show you a little of their hard work.
U those who want to go versus those who are like, "No, please don't move me. I love where I'm at." you know, so I just thought that would be important to to say tonight. Okay, anyone else? Thank you so much for a very comprehensive report. Good job, Janina. All right, we have one board committee report. That's the education committee that's uh chaired by Dr. Danny normally um but I'm going to ask Commissioner Suarez to please read those minutes as a member of the committee. The Education and Special Education Committee met on March 26th and the meeting began at 5:45 p.m. In attendance was Dr. Lucy Danny, chairperson of the committee, President Paris, myself, and Commissioner Kenova. For administration, Mr. Jenger was present, Mr. Shahada, Miss Cusevich, and Mrs. Routollo the special education updates. Miss Routollo talked about referral numbers between preschool and school age children.
But that's the biggest change freshman year is that becomes a required class. So, all of the incoming freshman, which I have a freshman coming up here uh next year, they'll all take computer science. Sophomore year, uh probably the two biggest changes is speech is back. Speech is back, which is exciting because I love to talk and I not a surprise and I took speech here and and that was probably one of my favorite classes. Um and so we're bringing that back and we're going to pair that with um English 10 for lots of reasons. Um, but again, we want to we want we feel like it's important to do there are a lot of other options to get the speech credit, but we really feel strongly our English team feels strongly that they should be up actually taking a a speech class. And so, while we want to offer some flexibility, we're going to encourage our students to do that.
They also do have some training and programming and evidence evidence-based research um that's available but that is a second part that we do not have to be a part of to take advantage of the app. um and we would review that and see if it's something we're interested in going forward if it fits what our curriculum guidelines are in our um we would bring that for approval. So the only part we're asking for approval for is the app, not the associated curriculum right now. Um but for the reporting app. So I'd like to bring back anou for you if you're interested in that um at the next meeting. So I just Nikki I I know I don't usually throw this on you so I apologize if I am um the reason that we can't go ahead and approve this tonight just in l of the conversations is really because we don't have theou yet correct and that has to come from the staffing program so um once I can confirm our interest then they will send me theou I'll get that to our legal team make sure we have everything ironed out and then they told us that it takes six to n weeks for on boarding Does anybody have questions?
Yep. Yeah. I just figured I would get it to for the I saw that the Pleasant Street was off so I didn't Yeah, I have it ready. I could have sent it, but I I know that Alvo's probably been flooded with stuff a little bit. So, if we only have two meetings left with Kate, is there a particular topic, Kate, that you feel you care most about that you want to discuss while you're still on the board? Um well I feel like the I don't know what number it is but we had kind of kicked it around a little about um so projects come from in front of us when they're big projects they almost assuredly through like design or construction would have some changes and we I think we did agree that there should be a process for that. So a it's transparent like did someone look at it and agree it's if we stick with dimminimus right we could there's a couple ways we can say the planning board believes these are dimminimous but still someone should review it sign their name to it and come back to the board that that is that's one way or everything has to be just written up what it is and then it's goes with the record with the project so in my experience we haven't had that I told you before members of the public have said why Doesn't the project look what was approved when they go to the website?
He is a co-founder of the students of color club and he is um a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award. So Nate Woodard, would you please come and take the public comment stand? Hello. Hi. This is loud. How's everybody doing? Good. How are you? I'm good, thank you. Um, I'm very pleased to be here. Um, I'm very happy that I was received the award. Um, I remember when I first came to the district, I was a fourth grader. Um, coming from being homeless for two years. Um, Miss Goodman was my principal and um, I was loved by so many people and I continued to be loved by so many people. Um, with Miss Patnode and Mr. Sullivan and Miss Pollock and Mr. Martin, everybody that's here tonight, uh, I love them all because they support education and it's very important. Um, these two pe these two young folks are very important, too.
Wow. So we haven't been there in a few years. 2018 if I recall. I know that's not a lucky guess from you Adam. It's not um you know and as we've been you know you know planning our budget every year as we are this year the way we budgeted is so that the claim the uh reserve balance we start with at the beginning of the year is what we're hoping to end with. And it looks like we're tracking you know for for success with that again this year. But, you know, we're talking two months claims, so we don't have much room there. You know, I will add on the shopping front, um, Sean Kimble at our budget workshop meeting the other night did show that one of the things we did do is look at can we move from self-insured to fully insured plan and we didn't do it because the cost is higher to go to fully insured.
I would also like to recognize instructional assistant Gail Rockitari at Hope School for winning the Greater Anaheim Sulpa Community Advisory Committee Award for her selfless service and support of special needs students. On that note, also much kudos to LVN Candace Hall as one of the 20 uh 2025 Orange County classified school employees of the year. Um kudos to both of you. Congratulations. And speaking of nurses, uh, Natalie Velades Lopez at NIM High School is also recognized for being patient and kind heart, a patient and kind heart who serves all of our students with the utmost care and efficiency, all while being pregnant. You bring so much joy and your presence will be utterly missed, you know, when you're out for maternity. And who does not like getting paid? Our district payroll techs have been unsung heroes among our district employees. One such payroll technician, Hermaly Ramirez Marcato, apologies if I butcher your name, is recognized for always going above and beyond and supporting payroll department through his willingness to train and teach his fellow employees.
with the clips being shown on the screen. Some of our teachers this year have uh started buddy reading groups where our older students pair with younger students to read. This has helped all of us improve our our reading skills. We have some fun activities planned to keep our students or to keep their wait to keep to help students keep their smile during state testing. And we started off with having all students attending our sword to heights BMX show encouraging students to try their best during state testing without giving up if they fall. On Tuesday we had rock paper scissors contest and today we did a relay. It was a lot of fun. Phoenix has been able to offer over 40 over 40 after school clubs to students this school year, including lots of last year favorites. Some of these include tutoring, yearbook, Lego club, Play-Doh cub club, esports, art club, and movie club.
How students are referred to special special education was also discussed. A previous present a previously presented parent university and the leveraging social media will be used in coming school year to better inform families of general education interventions and supports. The next special education parent advisory group meeting will be held on May 7th, 2025 in person at school 16. District personnel will attend the FACT autism workshop to learn new techniques and strategies for students with autism. The special education department will be participating in the touch a truck event this Saturday, April 12th, and extended school year will be held July 1st through August 12th. Review of demographic study. Miss Cusvich provided an overview of the recent demographic study. The study analyzes demographics, live births, population trends, housing purchases, housing starts, and approved building plans. It includes recent updates such as newly approved development, the ON1 project.
STEM science is probably the biggest overall change to our programming. So the state is really pushing with the new diploma that we offer STEM science classes. Uh we haven't really done that in the past and so we're we're getting very creative with the people that we currently have on our team and seeing how we can utilize some of their strengths. And again uh obviously that's Jenny leads that team, but there is a lot of talent and abilities and all kinds of interest in our science group. Um, so we feel like we're going to be able to offer some really cool STEM classes that are going to help kids for the future and also in their interest. Um, junior year stays fairly similar. And then obviously senior year is personal finance is new. So that's a required class. We're only about 20 years behind every other state in the United States that requires that.
Thank you. Um, so next we have again another program. Yes, I am asking requesting an official approval um to apply to the IDOE for a separate school number for our online new virtual online school. Um, this will be separate from all of our numbers just like a new school we're adding so that we can track how students are doing in this school just like we do every other school. So, I'm just asking for approval to apply for that number. Okay. Okay. Motion by Travis. Do I have a second? Second by Earl. Sorry. I got a second by Earl.
This is a way to be transparent to the public, be honest to ourselves, and get the project we asked for, etc. So, I feel like that wouldn't be hard, but it it we don't have a mechanism right now. Uh where is this? Um number 18. Gotcha. Yep. So as I just so I understand what you're saying when the project is submitted it's supposed to be complete like a complete application. No so a large project. So this we can have the asher they were in front of us so I'm not saying something it it's still early right they have to design enough a level to come to us they have to design a level to get funding but it's not issued for construction. So in that process or on site on construction you find an obstruction. I see if changes are being made how we're going to address this.
Um, we as city officials want to hear from the youth. And that is one thing that I am pleased to say and very happy to say that I'm very excited to hear from the youth today because their voice matters. Um, not someone from the street, but their voice matters for what they're going to see for their country and what they're going to see for their district. And it's very important that you the people, you the mayor could stand up and speak to those students will be very appreciative. Um, Monday, next Monday, I'll be receiving the award. Um, very classy little get together, I guess. Um, uh, I'm very happy for what I do with the marching band as drum major, with the vice president as students of color group, um, with the youth leader at the CTC youth coalition at the fur cog. I'm very happy for what I do.
Um, and we also looked this year at does it make sense to look at the state plan? And the state plan, fortunately for us, we're managing our medical cost well below the cost of a state plan. If we move to the state partnership plan on family coverage, it would be $40,000 per employee. And right now, we're at 30,000 per employee. And employees pay for a portion of that. But you're comparing, you know, two different plans, but there's no doubt the cost would be higher. And so we've not seriously considered the state plan at this point. So for the public's enrichment, um, if we go to full coverage, does that mean that we no longer have to have a trust fund? Do we no longer have to fund a trust fund, but at the end of the day, the total cost of the plan essentially ends up higher because the premium covers the the total and projected costs of what could happen in our risk.
I'd also like to uh recognize Celeste Zmerman. She's been a go-to resource for training other senior admin and have been working tirelessly to uh to help streamline and make site level processes more simple and efficient for everyone. Lastly, I would also like to recognize the hard work of CSEA job stewards Pam Luna and Lulu Martinez. Both worked hard to ensure a more fair and equitable process for all and have done much to represent their members. Oh, also uh a shout out for Hope Cup tomorrow, you know, the fantastic soccer tournament. And uh Thank you, Lisa Munger, APGA. Tony, it's also prom tomorrow as well, right? For hope. You have a long day. Thank you. Oops. There we go. Okay. Good evening, AHSD Board of Trustees, President O'Neal, Superintendent Matsuda, Executive Cabinet, and community members. It's hard to believe that we're just six weeks weeks away from the class of 2025's graduation.