That's why teachers get into the business. It's because they want to see their kids successful. And so, how do we support that? Through that collaboration. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Um, we've reached the conclusion of our formal interview process for our first candidate. We really appreciate your time and your answers. Um, at this time, you are like, we will not be deliberating right now. We'll wait until after the second candidate. Um, you're free to stick around if you'd like. um or I know that you have quite a long drive um and we'll be in touch either way. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. It was great seeing you. >> Um for the members, we will not be deliberating right now. I suggest if you have a moment, take some notes, jot your thoughts down. What stuck out to you?
Um but this goes into um if a student is not achieving where we would expect them to be. This links directly into how does a parent know if a child is going to be recommended for summer school or whatever it might be. um that we are talking to them and letting them know when that child's progress falls below ex grade level expectations. Um and then the last piece of this policy um this last paragraph here um and this does come up from time to time on questioning this would be um in situations in which uh there two parents that you may have a a child living with one parent but the other parent still has um any legal decision-making authority over that child even though they're not living with them. This lets our families know that if you are a parent that has rights and access to your kids's information, you're going to get a copy of these notices whether or not your child lives with you or not.
Without emergency hire certificate certified teachers, LAI students would be facing long-term vacancies and a lack of consistent instruction from a single individual and potentially larger class sizes. At Lai High Elementary School, we take training um emergency certificate and new hires seriously. We provide in-house mentoring, professional development, instructional coaching to help educators who are not fully licensed become effective, confident teachers as they progress towards certification. These teachers are not temporary placeholders. They are essential members of our community. This bill um emphasizes sustained progress rather than limitations. This bill allows educators to focus their energy what matters most, supporting students while holding accountability to move steadily toward full lensure. Thank you um for your time. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate you taking the time to be on our Zoom for today. Okay, we've had let's see 33 people send in testimony, three opposed, one with comments, and so we have approximately 25 others that have sent in support.
So, if you have a student that's a level A placement that has minimal number of minutes, then that case manager, their load might look a little different because they're having maybe five kids on a level A, but there might be another teacher that has three level B's, right? So, all of that is factored into it. So, it's not as clean for us to say ratio is the solution. So, then we have to figure out where that extra money might come from. Thank you. All right. Uh so I kind of go back to the conversation we had when we looked at contractors for certified and Vanessa had shared some thoughts about well we've got about $900,000 that we're spending above what we would be spending if we were paying for employees to be those in those positions. So just to remember that context. So this is available for you to review.
Many of you have likely been there for meetings, celebratory breakfast, lunchons, um or exercise programs. Uh the flooring was installed approximately 15 years ago and over that time has developed areas of buckling. Um so again safety is our main concern. Um it needs to be addressed sooner than later. The outdoor patio again has been closed for more than two years and it's time to bring new life back to that space. This project will create an accessible ramp from the sidewalk to the patio area. Um, so that will connect the parking lot area, you know, the parking lot to the sidewalk so that people can um go right up to the patio um providing that safe space. Um, this space will also include a pergolo with a shade structure um along with tables and chairs. We envision this space being used for small meetings, casual gatherings like friends meeting for coffee or even select board office hours.
What did you like? What did you have concerns about? If anything, what would you like, you know, what would you wish you would have known more about? When you think about the best fit for our district, sort of ask yourself, is this candidate that person? Do not deliberate with one another. That will come later. But you are recessed until the next candidate comes and the next interview will start at 8 pm. Thank you all also members of the audience for being here. 8:00 p.m. All right. Thank you everyone for being back. Um, oh, it looks like we are absent our recording secretary. I would like to give give her just a moment to get back. Ha, there she is. Excellent. Uh, perfect timing. Um, so everyone, thank you so much for welcoming uh welcome back. Thanks so much. Uh, let me remember to unmute so our friends online can hear us again.
Um the only exception to this would be um and that that's what that word non-custodial means, not living with them at at a particular point in time. Um, and the only exception to this would be is if we have a legal document, a court order, a divorce decree, something like that that says, for example, this parent has exclusive decision-making authority and is the only one to receive information from the school. Then we would update our records. But minus that, um, it really does if you are the the legal parent or guardian, we're going to tell you how your kid is doing regardless of which parent they are currently residing with. Thank you, Kelly. Questions from the committee. >> I have a couple small questions. >> Sure. >> Um, under number one, report card, written reports on student progress. I understand why they use that language, but Given that we don't really use written written report cards anymore, um I just wonder if we should revise that word.
Is there anyone here in this room that would like to speak or I did not call your name? If not, okay. So, we are open to questions. I know there'll be questions. So, why don't we start off with um the DOE and then probably the um teacher standard board. So currently right now we you you said in your testimony that um emergency hireers have to have one year I mean have to have a BA degree and then you're normally they're hired for one year but they can extend up to three years. >> Correct. >> Okay. So on that so how many of those actually turn uh end up getting their license? >> Um at this time I don't have that information. We are researching that in the um and we'll have an answer later in session. >> Okay. How long have the board um do DOE has been um doing emergency hires like this?
So, are we saying that? >> So, we're saying that this is what Scottdale did, but we're already doing something similar when it comes to like the 23 to1 >> ratio of students to teacher, >> but our ratio but our ratio is based on proportional waiting. >> Okay. And so we're not looking to increase that. >> Uh I was asked to provide this information. >> Okay, >> that would be a So the thing that that was really clear about Scottsdale's process is that it wasn't in a vacuum. They had the exceptional student services department. They had members of the team that work with the special education department. They had business services. So it wasn't in isolation that they said, "Oh, we're going to go to 23 to1." That's not how that conversation happened. So there's a lot of preparation that went into making those changes and a lot of consultation.
Uh the patio will be open for use by both recreation programs and senior center programs. Uh the walkway connecting to the front of the community center to the lower um lot if you so as you go right into like as if you're going to the food pantry or to the recreation department. >> Um that is really what is most noticeable and what is deteriorating. Um and the patches are just a patch. Um, so this is going to create that safe, accessible walkway um, to everyone who visits the building. Given the high volume of pedestrian traffic um, with recreation programming, food pantry, volunteers um, and our staff, it's essential that these are safe, durable, and accessible. Oh, I forgot. And lastly, the recreation storage area. So that is where the food pantry is going into. So currently the new food pantry will be moving into a very large storage area that we use for the sporting equipment for recreation.
So that's great. It is 7:59, so we're even a little ahead of schedule. And we are getting ready to start the second interview with our uh second candidate Carol Cruiser. Um we have time and just to give a everyone so everyone knows how it works, we're going to give time for you to give your opening statement. Um and then we'll start with member Goodwin asking question number two and go around just like we did for the last candidate. Um we have 75 minutes set aside for these, you know, opening statement and seven additional questions. So we've got time. >> Okay. Um, and with that, I think we can go ahead and get started. Everyone ready? Excellent. Um, and I did want to let you know that we have two additional guests. Um, these are representatives from our education association, our union. Um, and they have a question on here that they will be asking themselves.
>> We typed them electronically. Yeah, >> electronic report cards. >> Do we deliver them electronically or they delivered on paper still? >> Um most cases they are delivered electronically. >> Okay. >> You could just say reports on student progress. You could just remove the >> It's a silly thing. I >> No, it's No, it's not. It's very real. >> Yep. >> Or you could do the andor written and or electronic to cover either situation. >> Let's let's do the the uh andor. I think it that makes sense. Is >> that agreeable to the committee? >> Yes. >> I do have a question about the first paragraph reporting to parents and effective two-way communication. >> Yep. >> And the various reporting methods. Aren't they also reporting electronically through parent square or there's communication back and forth? Um, so I know it's varied reporting mech u methods but since we're putting the electronic down there um parent portal, school portals that we might >> can I make a suggestion?
>> I think emergency hires have been for quite a long time. Um I I just wanted to mention the emergency. Yes. So emergency hire might not be the best description for um for the situation. >> When you say long time, give me an idea. >> Actually, I'll have to get back to you on that. It's been for at least 5 years. We've researched the data on the number for at least five years. >> So at least five years. And of that um five years, it it's been constant one year and with an extension of five three years >> up to three. And then what happens after the three? >> They can if the teacher has not received a license at that point, then they can no longer be employed. >> Okay? And they can no longer come back and and >> they can no longer come back as an emergency hire.
And what seemed to make the most impact in the in the final analysis was the ratios and increasing stipens. So there were actual conversations with contractors. Hey, what would it take to move you from a contractor to Scottdale? What if we had $5,000 more? No, that's not going to work. What about 75? No, that's not going to be it. 10,000. Well, we can talk. Right. So, those are sort of the analyses that were happening at Scottsdale for that process >> because I'm sure something that also gets considered Dorothy is not is the even if it's fewer minutes, you still have more meetings, right? More IEP meetings and then more actual reports to write. So that factors into the workload, right? >> Thank you for asking. So the um the formula for workload includes the student count as well as the service minutes. So there's a portion of it that is the student count.
So they're um essentially flip-flopping spaces. So recreation will all be on one side with recreation. So no more traffic going through the the main room um on the lower level. Um so that area will be organized. um it will be safe with the right size bins that we need to use that aren't too heavy. So, our volunteers, we have a huge staff in the summertime. Um we want to make sure that space is safe for them to use and when they're pulling out equipment. Um it will also create an art room. Um so currently the art room right now serves as both storage space and a limited tabletop workshop space. Um, and it's primarily used during summer programming, maybe um, vacation weeks. Um, but as Kelly and her team expand programming and develop new intergenerational opportunities, a redesigned year-round art room will support that creative growth.
So, wanted to let you know. >> Um, all right. With that, please, we'd love to hear. Um, do you have an opening statement for us? >> Sure. Sure. Um, well, I'm Carol Cruiser and before I start my opening statement, I just wanted to say thank you. Uh, thank you for having me here. Thanks for a great day. Uh, thank you for ordering the sunshine cuz it made it a whole lot better. It was gorgeous to be out and about today. Uh, it was wonderful to see your schools and see the energy of your schools and driving around town. Uh, I got to spend some time at the library while I was waiting for the interview and it was such a a nice, wonderful place. got a little bite to eat and gave me a sense of what a a vibrant community Greenfield is. So, um I'm just really happy to be here.
I'm wondering if next to varied do we write um I would even say sometimes we're doing it in person, right? Sometimes we're having a sit down meeting, you know, in person, um, you know, electronic or written and that might cover all of the circumstances. Maybe I'm missing one. I don't >> I agree. Yeah. >> So, I'm in person. How does that look? >> Very nice. >> Yeah, that looks better. >> Does it make Does it read better if I throw this at the end of the sentence? I'm wondering. It's kind of choppy. Okay. Mhm. I have another question. under the warning notices section. That last sentence in particular, non-custodial parents shall receive written reports and conference not notifications upon a request to the school principal. Is it standard practice to automatically include non-custodial parents or did I misunderstand something? >> Yeah, it is standard practice to include them unless there is a situation that prevents them.
>> Come back as an emergency hire. >> Correct. It's and it's a lifetime. So it's a cumulative. >> Okay. So I would think though after five years you would have this data available as to how many are actually becoming getting their license. Right. This requires some um data that's not easy to manage in the system. So we are in the process of pulling that information. Some do receive their license and others decide not to continue. >> Right? But you would know that, right? I mean you would know if they get licensed because then you would take them off of this program. You would put them into the school. So you would know that off hand. If they decide not to continue, you would know that because they would leave, right? So I guess I'm just trying to say how hard is the data to to to get the data.
Um so that takes into account the meetings and the things that every student with an IEP is required no matter their minutes. And then there's a portion of it that's based on their service minutes. So it's a it's a combined working Yeah. [clears throat and cough] >> Joel, do we have something similar to what you just shared that um kind of summarized Scottsdale for some of these other districts that you looked up? Okay. I'm just curious. I have salary schedules is what I have because I didn't know I don't have a clear understanding of how many districts have completely eradicated their dependence on >> on contractors. >> Gotcha. >> Um so that's what my focus was was to try to identify with that group. >> All right. Thanks. >> And they're next door >> like we can throw a rock and hit Scottdale district. Not that we would >> well but they didn't eliminate their contractors.
So, think paint nights and art classes. relocating um that recreation to the former food pantry again will um will just make it a lot more just the organization alone will just help um that department function so much better. So these improvements are going to create a safe more efficient environment for both staff and volunteers. >> We ask questions about the work that you're going to be doing. >> Can we save them until the end? >> Sure. Okay. >> Thanks. All right. So, next we're going to talk about funding. So, Michael talked about it a little bit. Um, but we did have a capital plan uh request for a few years. It was prior to me taking this role, but it was for uh $1 million for building out a space for just the human services team. Um, and so the thought was that we would take them out of that building and and make their own space.