We've got to either increase revenue or we've got to decrease revenue somewhere, right? So, what is our tool? What are the tools that we're using? because these policies, let me just uh remind people, we just in our last budget borrowed $2.7 million from our reserve fund, we have $5.5 million left. Not sustainable. Correct. So, unless we're going to borrow $2.7 million from our reserve fund every single year, I think we've got to look beyond just policies and really figure out what tools are we using and who who's using those tools. Are they you are they utilizing those tools in the correct way? And that's one of the reasons why I'm running. Okay, Joe or Brandy, would either of you like to respond or Yeah, if I may. Brandy, if you want to go first, but I'd be happy to. Colin, you're not wrong. Um, we would lose our AAA rating if we continue that that source of uh funding our budget year after year and taking that money out of our reserve funds.
We've always kind of had a fall and a spring event. Um, but this year we also added a parent child thematic event around a winter wonderland where we worked with families to actually go through different activities and engage in them with their children um and learn some of the strategies to promote, you know, a good hand grasp if they're coloring or learning how to write or um exploring different sensory things and building on their language of what they might see or play ice spy with with different um thematic activities. We also utilized the launch program to have some young adults um helping facilitate some of those activities. So, it was just a nice way to kind of partner with a lot of the stakeholders in the Pitway greater community. We have field day coming up next week um which is some more um activities that we'll be sharing with families kind of extension activities for what to do over the summer.
We are certainly not anywhere where we need to be, but we are seeing some uh definite impacts on the work that we've been doing with the instructional strategies. One of the things that we've really tried to uh focus on this year is giving feedback after professional development. All of our teachers receive feedback surveys when they have completed, but also our admin team does as well to make sure that we are actually implementing the support that our administrators need. And this was from a February e team where administrators really improved their ability to ident identify trends in teacher mindsets in their schools and their school's ability to serve student subgroups. So just wanted to share some data there that the professional development that we received really helped administrators grow in that area. In addition, um, our middle school access scores were in and, um, I picked middle school because those are students who have had at least three years of, uh, high quality instructional materials in ELA and math.
We are certainly not anywhere where we need to be, but we are seeing some uh definite impacts on the work that we've been doing with the instructional strategies. One of the things that we've really tried to uh focus on this year is giving feedback after professional development. All of our teachers receive feedback surveys when they have completed, but also our admin team does as well to make sure that we are actually implementing the support that our administrators need. And this was from a February e team where administrators really improved their ability to ident identify trends in teacher mindsets in their schools and their school's ability to serve student subgroups. So just wanted to share some data there that the professional development that we received really helped administrators grow in that area. In addition, um, our middle school access scores were in and, um, I picked middle school because those are students who have had at least three years of, uh, high quality instructional materials in ELA and math.
Okay. So it's wherever 6121 is it lands. Okay. Okay. This is 6121 with the title changed from non-discrimination and instruction to non-discrimination in education. Okay. And a new number. Okay. Give it a place in in the catalog. Okay. No problem. Okay. Then I'll send you guys an email about that what we request. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So along those lines just in looking at con you know Sue you were just talking about consistency which I agree I think is really important and for the two policies on community relations so 1411A and 1411B um there are places where we say a district administrator should be present. So like I'm looking at 1411A. So under interview students, it says a district administrator should be present. And then in that numbered list below it, it says a district administrator or designate in a couple of places. And then in the ne on the next page in 1411B, we're back to just a district administrator.
we need them talking more. We also needed to emphasize the learning target along with teacher monitoring whether or not the student understood that as it relates to the learning target. Like if if you know what you're trying to teach, did they actually learn that target? And we need to increase the productive struggle to create more independent learners. Lots of times kids, oh, I don't know this, I don't know this. All right. Well, you know, three before me kids, you got to figure this out. We just went over this. You got to, you know, read the directions. That always helps. But things like that, we want to make kids independent because they're not going to be with us forever, even though we want to keep someone with them forever. So, as a principal, some of the action steps when I'm looking at how to to solve these problems, when I'm looking at the problem of practice, have been three priorities.
Yeah. And our students attend. So that's why cuz our we use our grants so that our students have the opportunity to attend a summer learning program. So the school is immuted from any correct if anything funny happens or whatever. Yes. If something criminal or illegal or whatever. Yes. It's not a school's money. It's not it's not our program. Who's paying for it? We pay for it, but they are not our employees. None of those people are employed. But wouldn't a school like know if they're paying somebody? Well, you're at you want to know. So, if you want to know, you need to ask them tax dollars. That's No, I that's fine. But I'm just saying like that would we not follow the same rules and regulations and we contract with them. So, like you said, but there's something in there about confidential records of information.
The makeup of the students in those classrooms have mild to moderate needs. Since I have been told that Northwood is not an option for me, I would like to ask that my classroom simply be traded with another preschool program location that fulfills the needs of my students. I'm not asking this for my own comfort, personal preference, or benefit. I'm asking that my students needs be recognized and that their classroom environment reflect that. Please consider this change so that we can limit the disruption my students are already facing come August. I would like to ensure safety for my students as well as be given an environment that allows them to meet their IEP goals. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Martinez. Our next speaker is Rose Wood. [Applause] The incoming moderate to severe sped teachers are requesting change and updates to the current classroom assignments. Sped mod to severe TK and kinder need to be placed in rooms with bathrooms and sinks.
Um, I want to give a huge shout out to Beth Burton and Gina Snyder for organizing uh, for pushing the district to pick up that seal as part of their academic program. Uh, it's amazing watching these students and seeing how prepared they are to continue to engage um, productively with their community as they head out after graduation is um, inspiring. It was really great to see. So, just a shout out to them. Anything else from the rest of the board? I mean, it is graduation season, so I'm sure we'll have a lot to celebrate in the next month. So, we are going to move on to items from the floor. Uh, during items from the floor, it's a time for speakers from the public to address the board about things that are not on the agenda. Um, so if you came for a specific item that is on the agenda, like maybe the CIF survey results, um, please, we have you all marked down.
He had one son, John Kipling, and we can infer that this poem was written for him before John left to be a soldier in World War I. And even though this poem was written for his son and somewhat reflects the culture of the times, there are ageless truths embedded within. And I encourage you to listen for what resonates most with you. If by Redard Kipling. If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting, too. If you can wait and not be tired by waiting or being lied about, don't deal in lies. Or being hated, don't give way to hating. And yet, don't look too good nor talk too wise. If you can dream and not make dreams your master. If you can think and not make thoughts your aim.
Additionally, Coach Danielle, Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Babbot, Miss Cornelia, and Mr. Gracio for their unwavering support through her high school journey. She will be attending CU Boulder in the fall to study a biochemistry as an honors premed. It is my distinct honor to introduce to you our student speaker for the class of 2025, Miss Ji Wu [Applause] Kim.
Congratulations, [Applause] from Ellsworth Elementary. Chanela Petra [Applause] Petravvic. Janella listens attentively to her classmates and teachers. She waits her turn to talk and uses kind and polite words. Have you Have you taught other people to do that? Awesome. We need more of that. Chanela expresses her thoughts and ideas in a clear manner. She collaborates well in all class activities and groups. She actively participates in class discussions and projects. And she is welld deserving of Ellsworth student of the month. Congratulations. [Applause] Next up from Ranch Elementary, Allaric Jimson. Think I need to put you on a chair. Everybody can see you. Allaric, who is known as Ricky, uh, has been in the EYC program for one year and five months. That's soon you stop measuring by months, I promise. Uh Ricky was a non-verbal student. He would join in activities and participate with his peers. He is now communicating with his peers during center and recess time.
Our instruction is focused and improved scholar clarity strategies like vertical and collaborative workspaces. Kagan structures, defronting classrooms, and standard-based questions boosted engagement and thinking. As a result of this intentional work, fifth grade went from 7% proficient on the mimic or the pretest to an increase over time from 70% to 77% and 80%. I would like to introduce Mr. Sha Jones. This is his second year teaching at Maricopa Elementary. Mr. Jones is a teacher leader who embraces researchbased strategies to positively impact scholar learning while elevating the conversation around teaching and learning. He will focus on the math standard related to numbers and operations and fractions. his learning target. I can solve and create real world problems with addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators and explain my reasoning clearly. I will be facilitating two thinking tasks today. Math makers is a thinking task that fosters students intellectual risk-taking while providing them with the agency to lead their own learning.
Uh, we would lose our AAA rating completely. standards and poor has already made a a slight comment to to Mike Mike Herbert about the fact that you're taking money out of the stabilization account when you know you should look at other matters. Mike Herbert the town manager town manager right so um so with respect to that I would I would say that we need to make sure that what we do it is it's it's a mindset and we're probably going to talk about this later on but I'll start that discussion right now. It's a mindset as to what the town's people want. What do they want a lifestyle? I mean, they're accustomed to certain things that they have for services right now. And these services cost X. If you want to continue those services, you're going to have to provide funding. Now, we have no idea what we're going to be getting from the state and or the federal government at this at this state at this at this point in time.
There's not a lot of prek aged summer camps yet. So, how can we keep embedding learning through meaningful and fun activities? Um, flip to the next. Talk a little bit about PTO and site council. Sure. So, um, with the PTO and the site council were really working on building the activities and supporting a lot of these community- based engagements. Um, the winter wonderland was something that came out of a count a site council in a sense a site council meeting that we had and I think Sarah and the entire staff did an excellent job of executing um and really creating that true family engagement. So parents are connecting, staff is connecting, students are engaged um it was just such a wonderful overall experience as well as um you know facilitating and helping develop preschool playdates and I think a lot of these community- based engagements really help facilitate that.
And you can see that the performance over time, the progress that they have made this year is uh, showing great growth. So I think the implementation of those high quality instructional materials is really having an impact. the teaching lab uh year-long work. These were some of the goals that we were working towards as a district. I won't read them verbatim for you, but these go goals really serve towards building structures and systems that have helped us to engage in data a data culture of literacy. So, it's been uh nice working with them and they've been really supportive for our admin team and our teachers. Um we had conducted a book study leading with dignity and we also had professional development on the science of reading and we have engaged with the collaborative uh each month the admin team has a culture and climate building professional development and this was a highlight of the breakdown.
And you can see that the performance over time, the progress that they have made this year is uh, showing great growth. So I think the implementation of those highquality instructional materials is really having an impact. the teaching lab uh year-long work. These were some of the goals that we were working towards as a district. I won't read them verbatim for you, but these go goals really serve towards building structures and systems that have helped us to engage in data a data culture of literacy. So, it's been uh nice working with them and they've been really supportive for our admin team and our teachers. Um we had conducted a book study leading with dignity and we also had professional development on the science of reading and we have engaged with the collaborative uh each month the admin team has a culture and climate building professional development and this was a highlight of the breakdown.
So I don't know that it necessarily matters which of those terms that we use, but it seems like it should be we should pick one of them and stick with it. Well, that's what I was trying to do. district administrator, but I didn't we didn't put in or designate in every place. Well, and I wonder if I I don't know if we need it, but if we don't, you know, like the particularly that in 1411A, um I've been grading a lot of papers lately, I think. Um but it like under interview of students, it says a district administrator should be present and then later on we're talking about what might happen during the interview. Now we say a district administrator or designate. So if a district administrator should be present then everything else in that document I think should also refer to a district administrator.
One, evidence-based decision-m specifically around using strategic grouping and flexible strategic grouping, I should add, for mathematics. That is how we had our incredible growth two years ago. We did it again this year. We group them and we move them around when they're growing and making progress. Second was actionable feedback around high leverage, high academic engagement and student focused culturally and linguistically responsive strategies. This is how we help our students feel a part of the of the school. They're highly engaged and then they're able to do their best. And the third priority that I had was a high quality relevant professional learning. super proud of the work that we've done this year in and around cultural and linguistically responsive teaching and I really think that it's made a huge impact on our school. So when we take this together you'll see that a lot of this is seems repetitive because the work is the work and it's not 62 different things.
So, are you saying that these are students? So, they have what exactly is a confidential record of information? maybe their social security number when they filled out their application, right? Things like that. Anything else on there? I don't think so. I mean, when it was Boys and Girls Club, I understood that they um weren't um able to continue sponsoring in the area. So then local people got together to continue the program and they created my club. They created their own organization, their own entity, their own business essentially because Boys and Girls Club was going mostly to bigger um cities or bigger areas. Okay. But this says that these confidential records are subject to non we would have to ask are you're looking at the contract. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we I am with Terara. I believe that that has to do with the information that they are giving to them when they are being employed and that is confidential.