All right, any questions? Maybe a quick comment. Um is this we may not necessarily fill these positions, right? Um the 2.0 FTE, correct? Um that's definitely something we would not use unless we needed to. Uh but some of the other FTE built into the memo is are the sections that we are anticipating opening for next year and that you'll fill. Okay. Because I thought a couple at least one of them we talked about would be challenging to find qualified people. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Any other questions? I will entertain a motion to approve FY26 staffing plan as presented. So moved by Danielle. Second. Second by Aaron. Cindy, please lead us in a roll call vote. Nez, yes. Yes. Kilbert, yes. Gonzalez Thomas, yes. Yes. Meadows, yes. Yes. All right. Thank you. That was the all for our action items. All right. Celebrating exiting members. Could our student ambassadors please approach the program podium?
Do we let them do their presentation? If you guys could do your presentation first, we're just saving you time of walking back and forth. I think first um All right. I know this is a long awaited presentation. Um but we got you covered today. So, lots lots have been going on. Um personally, I love covering sports. So, um, you know, we've got baseball going on, tennis, softball, and also lacrosse. They actually have, um, a game tomorrow against Weaten Warrenville South. And track and field has been going on always. I have to mention that. Um, guys had a meet uh, at Weaten North. And then the girls had a meet today, which I actually came from. Um, so shout out to track and field. Um, also girls soccer. It's something cool. They actually had recently had their teachers appreciation night and it's cool because they could seniors get to honor uh one of their favorite teachers from high school.
So I thought that was super cool. And this month we had a lot of exciting field trips. Uh two of which that me and Zara attended. One for a leadership class which we went to the Fox uh Valley Special Recreational Center. to who to people who know about it. It's basically a program that helps connect uh people uh with people with disabilities and we go and do activities. This is actually your second time going. This time we painted rocks with them and uh we colored and decorated cookies. It was really fun, interactive, lots of laughter. And then another activ uh field trip that we went to was for the honors society uh French. Uh we went to RO middle school. There we were teachers for the day. Uh we taught them numbers, animals, and just it was a really fun day. And I'm so excited that we got the opportunity to go and do all that we did.
And I also have to mention I actually went on three field trips. I went to the zoo. Um I actually I took AP bio for going to the zoo. So yeah, so our AP environmental science classes and our AP bio classes get to this go to the zoo each year. So it was really fun. It was kind of funny because there's a lot of kindergarten classes and then there's juniors and seniors. But we all enjoyed watching the animals and everything. It was a fun time. Oh, um, also the Spanish classes went to like a Spanish restaurant the day before that and we went I was in Spanish last semester, which that was delish. So, the field trips are super fun. Um, we've had a lot going on at the school, but generally this season is very like academic heavy because school year is wrapping up.
Uh today the juniors had the ACT which was so fun. And and then next month we have uh advanced placement testing. So Mr. Ozarko was here talking about that for CS, but all the other classes have that. So students are definitely working on their academics. That's super heavy. But Amnesty, which is a club at the high school, had this like Jamnesty event where basically they have a bunch of different like student music groups come together and play music just to like build the community. Uh, which is cool. And then this weekend is prom. It's like unofficially Rapunzel themed. It's going to be super cool. Uh, we're all getting really excited, but we have a spirit week, so people are dressing up even in spite of heavy academics. Okay. Then you know me, I had to do my fine arts um slide. So, oh, it'll turn in a second.
There was last week the spring play Wrinkle in Time. It was pretty great. There was a lot of flying as you can see right there. There was a uh fine arts festival where there was groups from the middle school and the high school and they just kind of performed a bunch of music. You could walk around, do art, see art. I don't know, everything to do with fine arts. And there was a choir concert. There's one acts coming up soon that are student directed performances. I think they're next week. Um, band students got back from New York. They went over spring break. It was pretty great. And there was some all city band and orchestra concerts, which is basically like everywhere from fifth grade to the top band at the high school all orchestra at the high school all performs like after one another and they just all get to kind of hang out and it was great and it was so fun.
Yeah. Yeah, that's us. And um also, as some of you may or may not know, this is me and Dared's last meeting. So, we wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone. Like, it's been such an honor serving the board. We have had so much fun like bringing presentations up and it's been amazing. So, do you want to say anything to that? Um, no. Just thank you to everyone and Mr. Kim especially to you as well. Um, yeah, we're super grateful that we had this opportunity and um yeah, thank you. Thank you. Well, if you two would stay there for a second. [Applause] Don't go far. can't get away that fast. Nice try. I didn't hear. So, I'm gonna say something. You guys can stand. Where's a good spot? Right over here, maybe. Okay. So, I um I'm going to speak on behalf of the board and I just want to say I was um part of the committee that uh chose you to be student ambassadors.
If you remember, that was at the height of COVID. So, we did it virtually. Yeah, I remember that. So, uh, I want to say on behalf of the BPS 101 Board of Education, we extend our deepest gratitude to Miss Jere Alenaro and Zara Amed for your hard work and leadership as student ambassadors. Your growth as leaders over the past three years has been undeniable, and you have inspired others to engage, lead, and advocate for positive change. In particular, your invaluable contributions in the development of the district's five-year strategic plan will be a legacy that endures, and you were both front and center in driving that important work. You both facilitated small groupoup discussions with members of our community, providing invaluable insight into the needs and wants of those living in the district. You also provided leadership on the steering committee, a body that included faculty, staff, administration, the superintendent, various community leaders, and board of education members.
Others your age might have been intimidated to lead those discussions or sit on that committee. But you were both strong leaders who gave powerful voice to the student perspective. Your insights and commitment have helped shape the future of BPS 101 for the better, ensuring the goals and decisions of the district reflect the needs and aspirations of those we serve. As we move forward, please know your legacy as student ambassadors will continue to inspire future leaders. Thank you, Zara and Jere, for your service. We will miss seeing you every month, but we are proud of all you've accomplished and we wish you the best in your next chapter. You will always be Bulldogs and you will always be I'm getting emotional here. Be a cherished part of the BPS 101 family. So, thank you so much for your service. We have some plaques for you. Wow.
Crazy. Oh my goodness. Here you go. Why don't you hold those up so everybody can see that? [Applause] [Music] So, thank you so much. [Applause] I want to say huge thank you for this really honor and I think we're also asked to share about some of our future plans. Beat me to it. Thank you. I was going to ask what's your next step? What are you doing? Um for for me, I'm pursuing a global studies major at U of I or University of Illinois Urbana Champagne and I'm also planning to do a pre-law track. So, that's exciting. And then this summer, I'll be close by. I'll be interning at Illinois Representative Matt Hansen's office. So, if anyone has any uh constituent questions, I'll be there. So, yeah. Um, I like Zara. I'm also going to U of I and I'm also in a law track.
I'll be majoring in political science and um, yeah, this summer I'm just working. So, um, yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right. Next is our board members. Someone get to a tissue. So, I'm just gonna speak I'm gonna celebrate a little bit about Sue and R.J., but I'm gonna start with Sue first. So, um I've I've had the good fortune of knowing Sue for my entire duration on the board. Um and Sue predated me by two years or were you a whole cycle before that? I was two years interviewed you. Yes, you'd interviewed me and look what you did. So, yeah. So, how long have you been on a board, Sue? 12. 12 years. 12 years. Yeah. So, um I just want to let you know at least from my perspective, I appreciate uh your perspective, you know, the um advice that you've particularly given me over time.
Um and all of you like all the things that that you've really done because really in there's a lot that's happened in the past 12 years. I mean, you were speaking to me a little earlier about some challenges earlier on, some things that we're going to be potentially facing later. We went through a whole global pandemic, a couple of teacher contracts, a couple of VESPA contracts and so um and you know referendums though they didn't go the way we wanted it was very much kind of appreciated on the effort that you kind of put in and I just want to say at least for my part um and I'm sure for the rest of the board we thank you very very much for your time and I know the community absolutely appreciates your time and effort and involved and I wish you the best on your next endeavors.
Don't worry, you have a little plaque down here, too. I'll get it to you in a minute. Um, R.J., thank you for your time and effort. You've been here for uh one term, but you know, really, I wanted I was thinking earlier about the things a lot of people see in their kind of singular terms and um you've been through them all, I think, in one singular term. you know, there was some real good guidance that I think you along with the other board members, but um you in particular gave a really kind of good level head about a lot of the things that you talked about, your kind of commentary and your um things that I always knew that you were thinking about everybody else and those in the room and not in the room. Um and that you were really trying to make sure that the good decisions were the best decisions we could do at the time, even if sometimes they were challenging to be done.
Um, I will say on a slightly humorous note, I will miss unless you do it again later today for the not, you know, voting yes for closing out a meeting or two. You've done that in the past. He wasn't at one and I made a comment at one and he called me up like the day next day after he watched the video like, "Hey, dude, seriously." Because I poked a little fun at him. So, thank you for your time and effort. Um really like I said it it you've accomplished a lot and I appreciate all your time and effort and thoughts you put into that as well. So thank you very much. It's been an honor to serve with you both. We do have a little parting appreciation folk. So I will bring that over to you RJ. Thank you very much sir. Welld deserved and appreciated.
[Applause] Yeah, take your plank with you. I'm not going to Oh, like this as he runs out the door. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very. All right. Thank you guys. All right. Board comments. Kind of historically uh speaking and as a matter of tradition, we let our parting board members do their final comments. Which of you wants to go first? your choice. Want me to go first? Does matter. Okay. Um, thank you very much. I appreciate it. It's It's definitely been an honor to be on this board for four years. When I signed up for it, I didn't really have much of a clue of what I was getting into. Um, so congratulations to the new people uh that are now getting into what I didn't know I was getting into. But, uh, it's been great. There's, you know, the I I guess just thank you to everybody.
This whole group here has been amazing to work with. Um I have a lot of confidence in the future of the school district. I think that this is a a fantastic board to be part of and I did vote for the two people that are joining as well. So I guess I could actually say I voted for everyone that's going to be on the board for you. So maybe that's one side of that. I don't know. But uh all the principles, the faculty, I've talked with so many students over the years and people that have come here and spoken at the meetings, the involvements from these gentlemen here, everyone on the the boosters clubs, the the different committees I've been part of. It's just been amazing that it the collaboration is amazing in this town. Um and I know we just celebrated the the new BESBA contract having that the the contract with the the teachers as well.
um having Drew step up, having you with your new contract. I mean, it's just I feel really good. I feel like we've accomplished a lot. We're in a really good spot. So, thank you to everyone for letting me be part of that. Um and thanks to my my wife and my children for supporting me over these four years. I know they're going to be uh happy to have me home instead of uh here. They they like me, so it's nice. That's all. Thank you guys. I appreciate it. Thank you, R.J. Sue. All right. Um, first thing I want to do is thank my family for allowing me this opportunity. Um, it is a big sacrifice and we'll find this out that it does take time away from your family. And so, I do appreciate them allowing me the ability to do this. Um, I want to thank Superintendent Kim for his work and our collaboration uh, working with Dr.
Hitchens also for the 10 years that she was here and I was on the board. Got a lot of people that I want to thank. 12 years is a long time. Um, senior admin, you guys have been wonderful to work with. I probably am gonna cry now that you say that. all the staff at RJC, Cindy, Teresa, uh the BEA, uh Vespa members, everyone, the staff, teachers, everyone. It's been a wonderful experience. 12 I was thinking about this today. 12 years is a long time. Um I mentioned this to Cindy when I walked in here tonight. That's almost the time it takes a child to go through our district. And there have been a lot of changes. And one of the things I'm most proud about, Erin asked me this, I think the other day when we met, um, when I first got on the board, my son was in fifth grade.
Can't believe that he was piloting a program, glad you remember this, with the iPads. Think about that. None of the classes had computers. The students had computers or anything. My son's class was the first class they had iPads over at AGS. Then the next year they had couple of classes I think at Routollo that used were they iPads or maybe I think it's just iPads still and then they slowly rolled it in and they middle school and the high school and I was there the very first day with Dr. Hitchens at the high school when all the students were getting we were handing out Chromebooks. Um and now every student in the district has a device and so that's happened within 12 years. It's a long time but I mean we've been fully integrated for years now. And you think about how would we have survived COVID if we hadn't done that.
And that took a lot of work, not only on staff's part, but also for the board to step up and say, "This is something we need to do." Um, and that's one thing I'm very proud that we were able to do. Um, so the other thing that I've want to say is that over the past 12 years, I've worked with a wide variety of members on the board. We all have different opinions, different experiences that we come from. There's one consistent factor that I've always found, and if you can think back 12 years, 10 years, you guys know there have been a lot of different people on this board, but we've always had one main goal in mind. We want what's best for the kids. It doesn't matter what we, you know, what I want, what you want, whatever. We all want one goal in mind.