And there are so many things that you will enjoy if you focus on what you can do and not just going along with the crowd. And standing out from the crowd sometimes means improving your attitude. This idea also applies to the classroom. I'm not sure if you have heard this year yet, but your classes your freshman year will not be easy. And that's okay. As my mom would say, it's character building. Learning to stand out in the classroom and make the right choices instead of just fitting in is something that I think set my graduating class apart from the other classes. The class of 2025 is pretty awesome. In our classes, we didn't think it was funny to be disrespectful to teachers, and we didn't think it was cool to blow off assignments. We worked hard. I challenge you to I cl I challenge your class to follow in our footsteps and take pride in standing out in a positive way.
365% growth. Think about that. and also your why should be to make AUS the best district in Arizona. You are now Aaho High School Red Raiders and will carry on the tradition of the success at Aaho High School, especially the recent success. We are a B-rated school district, the academic success in our programs, ELA math, science, social studies classes, a brand new architectural drafting class, culinary arts and theater. a Lady Raiders softball team making it to the state playoffs in softball for the third straight year. Give it up for our Lady [Applause] Raiders. But all you Lady Raiders fans, I have to admit we have a sport on campus that I believe has reached a state level of excellence. And I think you all will agree with me. Our AO High School cheerleaders, state champions in three categories this year. Give it up to our a high school cheerleaders.
Good evening everyone. Once again, thank you everyone to coming for coming tonight to celebrate with us. With the senior's votes, they chose me as the senior class representative, and that's a proud role that I'm able to take on. I've been at PDSD since kindergarten in 2012, and what a journey it's been. I have so many memories with my friends, teachers, staff, and I hope that I'll always hold on to those memories. I look forward to what the future brings for me and all of us seniors. I know that as we approached the end of the year, we started to get a little bit of senior riotis where we started feeling like gh enough already. It's almost over. But we made it. And now tonight, we're sitting here in front of our friends and our family and that proves we did it. I also have the pleasure of introducing our graduation commencement speaker, Miss Justina Miles.
But we'll always be connected by the time we spent growing up at Continental. To our amazing teachers, thank you. Thank you for believing us in us, for challenging us, for helping us grow into the people we are today. Your patience, support, and care have made a difference we'll never forget. To our families, thank you for being our biggest supporters through every early morning, late night project, and everything in between. And to my classmates, thank you for the memories, the laughter, the friendship, and for sharing this part of life with me. I'm so proud of each and every one of you and I can't wait to see where your paths take you. We're ready now, not just to walk into high school, but but to carry everything we've learned here at Continental into the world ahead. We may be leaving this school, but it will always be part of us.
So, it's not really comparable to enrollment, but it is kind of close. And we do track these numbers closely when we talk about declining enrollment. Uh if our numbers are going down, this average daily membership number will also decrease. Then they take the funding formula with those weighted special ed counts. Um and they take the number of students in those categories. They do some more math, create the weight, we get additional added on um membership numbers, student counts, and then they give us our base um support level, which in this case in in the fiscal year for 2023 24 was $31,687 or $839. You can see that teacher experience at 1.0 as I stated before. So if we had had a 1.1 or 1.2, that calculation would have been included. You can see it would have given us a little bit of additional dollars. It's not a big amount, but every penny counts.
My name is Miley Nyman. Addison Place. I'm a senior. Charlie Fawn. I'm a sophomore. Devin Spence. I'm a freshman. I'm Emmy Esperson. I'm a senior. I'm Ashton Harker. I'm a senior. I'm Carson Hearn. I'm a senior. Um I'm Alina Rios. I'm a sophomore. Uh, I'm Caleb and I'm a freshman. I'm Michael and I'm a sophomore. Uh, I'm Colin Fine and I'm a freshman. I'm Bmar Robert. I'm a junior. I'm Dio Garcia. I'm a senior. I'm Evan Hill. I'm a junior. You're Matt. You're old. I'm Matt Kak. I am not in school anymore. Say a few words. Oh. Uh, yeah. Just really proud of this group. Um they they competed all all season. Um and we actually also went out to California and did a big uh regional out there in Southern California and they received second place in that in that region. So that was a pretty great trip for them.
It is hard to believe that we are graduating. It's almost as if yesterday we were walking down Washington's halls nervous. But now we are walking the halls of graduations proudly. Some may go to university, college, trade school, the workforce, or even get enlisted. But today is the day where the class of 25 2025 turns your tassel to the other side. Being here alone is proof that you have all worked hard and brought your own futures into the palms of your hand. Although nothing could have prepared us for this moment, we have all made it together. As we leave the reception tonight, we will have left being high school students. It might not seem like a big deal, but there are some who did not make it to graduation. So stand proud and be proud that we are the class of of 2025. This may all seem like the end, but this is just the beginning of what is to come.
[Applause] Good evening everyone, friends, families, faculty, and the class of 2025. I am Aria. Firstly, I want to congratulate my peers on their amazing journey up to today. It hasn't been the easiest road, but it wasn't anything to regret either. Looking back on these last four years, I can't remember a single person I am not glad I got the opportunity to meet. Every new classmate was another story, another bond, and another teammate to get us through our classes and through each year. I want to thank all of you guys for making high school more enjoyable. I want to thank my teachers for actually caring about student success. I know some students at other schools aren't fortunate enough to say the same, but I'm grateful for those who made my time at Thunderbird High School worth it. Lastly, I want to thank my mom and dad for seeing more in me than I was ever able to see in myself.
So, we'll reconvene at 19:21. All right, the time is 7:22 and we're going to reconvene for the meeting. Next up is section 4.0, public comments. Miss Dman, do we have any public comments this evening? We do not. All right, then. Next, we'll move on to our BPS partners. We'll start with BEA president, Mr. Drew Ray. Drew. When I'm done speaking, do you all want to take a picture with me? Sure. I keep the flow of the meeting going a little bit reception. Oh, yes. Oh, cookies. Perfect. Fantastic. Um, all board meetings should be like that. Um, hi board. Happy uh May meeting. Uh, May is always an exciting time of year for staff and students. Um, the excitement and anticipation of summer vacation is palpable at this point from EC up to 12th grade and there is very much an electricity in the air. Tomorrow night, we will be celebrating the graduating class of 2025.
And I'm happy to take any questions. I have a really quick clarifying question. When you say that for the administrative group this accounts for 83,000 and the remaining groups it's 155. Who's in that administrative group? Sure. So if we look back that would be principles, assistant principles and the district coordinators. Yep. Are we still talking about this in close session? Is this an item in close session tonight? So it is not. Okay. Okay. It traditionally was always we always did this in closed session and then voted on it in an open session. I that's why I was sure a little confused. I believe last year we did bring it to open session last year. I'm not for sure previous to me but we did bring it to open session last year. If there were no other questions, uh, we'll move on to the next item.
Bridget Sandlin. So, congratulations to those individuals and the resolution proclaiming these results are on the agenda for this evening. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the resolution proclaiming the results of the election held on April 1st, 2025? Moved. Second.
That was the other question I have. We have about what 3.1 3.2 million coming due this summer like that that is coming mature I believe. So, yeah. Um, are we going to is that going right to on and M or are we going to provide like a little bit of a buffer? I'm sorry, capital or we going to provide a little bit of a buffer given the financial uncertainty that we're facing. So, I believe depending on the time period, I I believe at this point we're looking at taking roughly half of that and reinvesting it and then taking the other half and putting it uh uh in in capital. Uh depending on when those expenses come out, we may uh take half of it and put it in a short-term investment uh and the other half in the long term. Um, I think we've done a nice job so far of really lading our investments uh to uh come due at various times throughout the year.
It's only the second time that's ever happened in school history. 1974 and 1975 are the only other two times that we were backtoback. And I just had to bring, you know, both my both coach Lee and coach Franklin up here because I had to just say I just wanted to point it out that like oftentimes as a coach and and I guess really what a lot of other things you can say, you know what, odds are stacked against me. I quit. Right. And I and I and and to me there's nothing better as a coach and as somebody who who's an active participant in athletics and activities to see, you know, uh perseverance overcome some tremendous obstacles. So congratulations. Thank you very much. Well, that being said, we are looking forward to closing out the uh spring semester hopefully with some more hardware. We'll continue to update uh the board as those things come through.
There's a strike. Oneonone looks like he settled down a little bit from first inning. He's looks more comfortable up there the second inning. Another nice throw. Two balls though. Two balls, one strike. Little outside on that one. And that's in there for a strike. Two and two. That's just outside. All right. Full count. There's a strike. Strike him out. Nice job. Two outs. We got Shaw up at bat. Foul tip down to the back stop. One strike. That ball's low. Good stop by catcher. That's high. Two balls, one strike, I think. Oh, and that's high pitch. Take it out to center field. Center. Oh, just got a just got out of his glove. It's right there. Right under it. Had it and it just popped out. All right. So, now Hopington has a runner on on base. I think we're back to the top of the order now with Barbari up at bat.
The second report in there is a yellow book report. Um that's a report that that's an audit for your um your accounting standards and they just repeated the beginning balance finding. So on the last page of both of those audits, you'll find the um the plan to correct the findings. So we're in good standing. We're currently auditing the fiscal year 23 grants. We're almost wrapping up the fiscal year 23 financial statements, so you'll be getting those hopefully soon. Thank you. Anybody want to comment on that? Why are we getting an audit in 2022? We've just been so behind on the audits and it's a really long time to get through the fiscal year financial statements. Um, we're just kind of catching up. We're doing seven right now. So the audits for 2023 and on haven't been done yet. We're doing 23 now. Okay. For financial statements and for grants and then we'll go right into 24.
Yes, your freshman year will be challenging, but I promise you that the teachers will like you more, will have more fun with you, and will help you out a little bit more if you make the right choices. And remember, it's okay if you make mistakes. That's just part of growing up. Just take ownership and learn from it. And lastly, don't let the pressure to fit in prevent you from standing out can be applied to how you treat others. You will find your group. You will find your friends. Even when it feels scary, I encourage you to put yourself out there and try to meet people. And as you do, stay stand out by being kind to others. That type of attitude spreads to those around you. Be kind to your teachers, your classmates, your families, and yourself. As I finish up, I just want to share how fast the next four years will go.
Would you stand up? Please stand up. State champion cheerleaders. Where are you? Great job. Awesome. Anytime you want, can you please come to the district office and look at the state championship trophies? Three of them. And they're so beautiful. We look forward to the next four years with you at the high school and will be with you for as many tomorrows as it takes. Let's do this together and make AO unified what I already believe we are the best district in the state of Arizona. Students, families, community. I mean that and I believe all of us should get it every single day when we bring the students to school that our students will come into the best district in the state of Arizona. and I am humbled by it every single day. But more than anything, this night belongs to you Red Raiders. Class 2025, class of 2029.
Justina is a mother, an activist, and an artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended public school, finishing up her education at MSSD, and is currently working on several projects. She loves dancing, pizza, many kinds of animals. However, she has a terrible feel fear of bugs. She was part of the Super Bowl and did an amazing job interpreting for the amazing halftime show, giving deaf people access across the country to such an amazing event. So, thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us. Everyone, please give a Roadrunner welcome to our graduation commencement speaker, Miss Justina Miles. [Applause] Congratulations. Hello everyone. Hi. Hello families, friends, graduates, and board. It is an honor to be here with you this evening. And it's not only an honor to speak to you, but I also feel privileged to be part of the end of your journey and to celebrate that success with you.
Thank you. [Applause] Woo! Introducing our next speech, Javier To Fernandez Espinosa III. Good morning, graduates, faculty, parents, and honored guests. Continental has made for some of the greatest memories of my life. I'm so grateful I got to grow and have all these amazing experiences surrounded by such great people, my Cole family. And a big part of our Cole family is our teachers. Teachers often don't get the props they deserve because to wake up every day and be so kind and comforting regardless of the circumstances isn't easy. But that's what makes Continental so special. The time spent at this school is unforgettable. for making friends that last a lifetime to passionate staff members who make you feel welcome. Today we're all proud to graduate as Continental Colts. Leaving a school that has taught kindness, consideration, and love won't be easy, especially after how comforting of a place our staff has made it.
And we do go for pennies. Um we get an a couple of other adjustments that the state supports us on. Uh it it's about $31,000. Um that is for our audit. We are required to have an external auditor firm come in and audit our financials and our um internal controls annually. And so the state does offer some support for those services. We also get an additional less than $1,000 for our gifted students. Pennies Every penny counts in the funding formula. We also receive some additional dollars for transportation. Something interesting in Kraton is that um they will only fund us for student miles driven for students who live more than a mile outside of the school site. Um, but we tend to bus our students who do live within that uh mile because of some of the demographic of the highways um and the very very busy streets that we have.