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Um we are very proud that we're the Connecticut State teacher uh of the year. Um home we're homebased as for Brian Bettish. So we are very proud of that and again it's a testament to some of the great work and the the leadership um that surrounds um all of the programming that we do here. And we're also very proud of the fact that we are actively increasing our STEM program in K8 um most notably uh very recently in 68 and bolstering those programs as well. So there's a lot to celebrate there. Our schools also very proud of our uh schools of distinction status. So across the state um particularly in alliance districts these are not easy to uh to achieve. We have four schools great plane king street uh primary south street and western Connecticut academy of international studies. And um those staff along across all of our schools have worked very hard.
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When a student's behavior disrupts a classroom, it is a PAR educator who steps in. so the lesson can continue. I've had former students tell me they wouldn't have graduated if it wasn't for my belief in them. I've sat in the audience for those whose parents couldn't show up or wouldn't show up. And I'm not here to toot my own horn, but to speak for every classified worker who has become a lifelong mentor to these children. We are not just numbers on your seniority list. We are the people who make learning possible. We are invaluable to the campus. Even after the letter went out showing all the positions to be, you know, I have seen every fellow classified staff show up every day still giving their whole heart to these kids. That is who we are and that is who you are cutting. We work directly with the children every single day.
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The show will be hosted on March 6, 7, and 8, and we invite all Clifton residents to come out and support. Next, the annual staff versus students basketball game will be held on March 27th, and it'll be held in the CHS gym. This event is highly anticipated, and we hope to see everyone come out. Lastly, the Student Council Association will be hosting culture night on April 18th. The SCA has recognized that one of CHS's strengths is the cultural diversity we possess. And in an effort to highlight this, the SCA will grant teachers and students to assemble displays reflecting their cultural heritage as well as hosting cultural performances. We hope to see as many students and staff participate and would love for people to come out and support. That is all for this report. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Jenna. As always, next we're going to move on on the agenda to presentations of reports from administration advisory committee and special committees.
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[snorts] If the meeting becomes unruly or cannot proceed in an orderly manner, it will be shut down and the March board meeting will be conducted over Zoom. For those here today with devices, please make sure that they are on the lowest setting to allow equal access for all. [snorts] For board members sitting with me, we are held to the same and higher standards. There will be respectful discourse. There will be no bullying, taking talking over one another, or verbal attacks toward other board members nor staff. We will raise our hands. We will take turns speaking. And we will communicate in a way that is accessible for everyone. If a board member engages in continued disruption, they will be reminded of proper conduct, warned, and if necessary, also removed from the meeting by security. The [snorts] meeting is not about silencing voices. It is also not a space where anger replaces governance.
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>> Okay. U board communications. Does anybody have anything to say? >> I do. >> Yeah. >> Oh, you gonna go? >> No, you can go first. >> Okay. Since our last meeting, I've stayed actively engaged across several district and leadership activities. I participated in our strategic planning committee meeting as we continue refining our long-term goals and priorities to best serve our students and staff. I had the pleasure of attending our district spelling be and was incredibly proud of the confidence and academic ex excellence our students demonstrated. I also joined the ribbon cutting for project inspire celebrating the expansion of supports and opportunities for students who benefit from that program. In addition, I attended the SASBO monthly meeting to strengthen my knowledge of school finance and operations and separately represented our district at the NSBA leadership and advocacy conference in Washington DC where I met with education leaders and advocated for Arizona public schools at the federal level.
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This is the most apt math group we've had today. >> Anyone wanted to ride to school? Anybody? No. Anybody want to ride? You want to ride? >> Hi friends. >> Hello. So with me I have >> Leah >> and Nikki. >> We're pretty close to school actually. So this is good for them. So you have to answer math facts otherwise I got to kick you out. >> What? >> We'll start easy. Okay. Name three teachers in 5 seconds, >> folks. Boom. Haze. >> They were all math teachers again. What is this? Okay. What is 5 + 7? >> 13. >> Unfortunately, no. We got to kick you out. >> How did you GET 5 + >> Can you name three teachers in 5 seconds? >> Uh uh maybe. >> Okay, do it, >> folks. Uh >> oh, wow, that sun is really bright. Here I am with >> Nathan.
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Oh my. >> Okay. Looks like we are in the lead with four and O. Pretty strong lead. Oh, wait. We're red. Oh. Oh, that actually does kind of make sense because tonight our Rocky League team is currently number two in the league with eight wins and one loss. And tonight we're facing state champions and currently number one in the league, Hobart High School. I was wondering what was happening. Carter with the epic save. getting some pretty crazy uh aerials going on. So tonight we're running our big three, which is Bartalo aka X Dark Ninja, Carter aka 97 Nova 65, and Jordan aka Stari Strixie, however you want to say it. Lots of different ways to say it. Even he says it a lot of different ways. Just pretty crazy. It's his username. Jordan coming in with the save. We have lots of Finex. Looks like Hobart's running all Finnick.
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>> Yeah. >> Altogether, there are about 30 volunteers that volunteer for the food pantry at various times. People volunteer restocking our shelves. people volunteer um packing food orders and also delivering to the homebound. Um we have volunteers that do that as well. >> This is it's I'm I'm like watching and seeing all the activity. It's so cool to see this. Uh how does someone participate or partake of the Ashlin Food Pantry? What do they need to do to be able to come and I'm going to say shop here because they do do that. >> Yeah. Um, well, people shop online or over the phone from the for the food pantry, and they have to be a resident of Ashlin, Massachusetts. >> Um, if they're not, then I'm more than willing to give resources um for >> for their community. >> Um, but other than that, people give me a call and we do an intake.
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and the select board like sometimes if you are passionate about something and you don't feel heard you might say things that aren't as kind >> I think is maybe what happened so they decided that wasn't appropriate >> and so it's nice to re to express to be civil I I don't think that's a bad goal but >> at the Supreme Judicial Court they said that's that's your right as free speech. So, I think I I got that message, too. I I watched that meeting. I thought um I feel like there's some managing the public and maybe that isn't the best way to really work with the public. Yeah. >> And I think I guess I still have >> a little bit of u you know, this is this is how it gets in our brain from the meeting that had those managed questions, right? Oh yes.
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Um but these schools as you as you know and as we presented before have earned a special distinction for the extra efforts uh in those areas in terms of our accountability index growth and u proficiency performance on our state accountability um assessments. Our accountability index growth has been uh marked at two and a half% of a of a gain districtwide. That is great considering where we've been and where we're trying to go. So, our efforts are paying off systemwide. We have pockets that are growing at faster rates than others, and we're going to continue to work on those. Chronic absenteeism decrease 9.2% since 2021. We're at 14.3% [snorts] currently, and the state average is at 17.2%. So, we are not just um hovering around the state average, we are crushing the state average right now. And a lot of that has to do with the work that the schools have put in um and coordinated and led by efforts with Kelly.
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Yet, we are the first ones you choose to cut. I urge you to reconsider. Don't let our students and our staff suffer for the actions of the higher-ups. Thank you. [applause] Thank you, >> Ashley. >> You're fine. No, no, thank you. >> All right, we'll have Alexis next, then Sarah, and then Graying. Hi. >> Hello. Um, oh, I guess that's it. Okay, we can help you. Hang on one second. We'll adjust it. >> Sure. Thank you. Um, hello. My name is Alexis de Jesus and I have been a par educator all over the Victor Valley for several years now, including here in the Apple Valley Unified School District. Um, I'm coming here on behalf of all of the positions that are being proposed wanting to be cut. Um, a lot of them being PAR educator positions. Um, these positions are not something that can be easily removed.
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Our audit presentation. >> Dr. Robotazi, should I hand it over to you or >> uh Miss Mr. Basser, we'll hand it over to Mr. Shahada for the introduction, please. >> With us, we have uh Mr. Alex Pice from our audit firm, Vincy Lurch Higgins. Uh Alex, it is all yours, my friend. Bliss Higgins. >> Alex, could you just make sure that microphone's on? >> Thank you. >> Uh, thank you, Alex Pice from Lurch, Vincy, and Bliss. Uh, uh, I'm here to, uh, present your 2425 audit. Uh, everyone should have received a copy of the annual comprehensive financial report. Um, this report is, uh, contains three opinions, right? All three opinions are unmodified. Unmodified meaning it is the highest level of attistation that can be achieved. Um and there was no instances of any material weaknesses or any significant deficiencies. As far as your uh general fund fund balance, usually we talk about your general fund since this is your operating fund of the district and we go over your fund balance of your general fund.
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Our responsibility is to ensure that ASDB continues to function, that decisions are made lawfully and thoughtfully, and that students and staff are not further harmed by the instability that is currently occurring. [cough and clears throat] I ask everyone here, board members, staff, families, and community members to approach this meeting with that shared purpose in mind. You may not agree with every outcome tonight, but you deserve transparency and this board is committed to providing that as we move forward. [snorts] We will now do a roll call. Secretary B. >> Thank you. Starting with President um Britney Buchanan. Of course, she's here. I am Linda Bove. I am here as well. >> I'm sorry. Uh Britney Buchanan, the interpreter. That was my mistake. >> I'm present. >> Sorry about that. Colette Chapman >> here. >> Michael Gordon. >> He is not present. >> Not here. Moving on.
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent our community. >> Good evening. I also attended with Katherine to the um NSBA in DC as well. We met with Senator Kelly as well with Representative Adalita Ghala as well as Juan Cisco's office who are all part of our district and had very productive meetings with them about supporting public education. Um, and besides that, I just wanted to read my statements on a few events um, that happened at one of our schools today. I want to be clear. I am proud of our students. I'm proud of the way that they chose to raise their raise their voices, proud of the dignity and the respect they showed, and proud that they engaged without causing harm and disruption. They demonstrated a real understanding of the First Amendment, not just the right to speak, but the responsibility that comes with it.
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I know Nathan for a long time. You know what I teach, right? >> Math. Yeah. >> Okay. So, that's what we're going to do. We're going to do some math questions here on Friday Funday. I'm going to let you warm up a little bit with an easy question, though. Name three teachers in 5 seconds. >> Miss Bo, Miss Lingrid, and Mr. McCollum. >> Good. All math. Next question. What is 5 + 1? >> 6. >> 2 * 7? >> 14. >> 5 squared. >> 25. >> What is 2026US 1926? >> 100. >> How cold is it on a scale of 1 to 15? >> A lot colder than walking. The wind is really bad. We actually had a girl cry earlier today cuz it was that cold in the wind. Good job, Nathan. Happy Friday. All right, Wildcats. Thanks for a fun Friday. It was a good morning.
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I think we're actually running a couple Octane. Yes, it looks like Valulla is actually the only Finnick on our team. Carter and Jordan are both on Octane, which is the second best car in the game. Hobart just missing that last goal. >> The team's just like, we don't know what just happened. >> Also, all of Hobart's running 16 ping. Holy amazing ping. We're only running 64, but 16. Oh my god, that's like some insane internet connection, too. Speaking of internet connection. A huge shout out to our local internet provider, Adams Wells Internet Telecom. They are directly responsible for our esports players being able to compete because of their incredibly fast and reliable fiber internet service. If you're in the market for internet or phone service, check out adamswwells.com. That's adams with an swells.com. Looks like the team is making a strategy for how they're going to run next match.
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It's a very brief intake. Um, and I set them up either for the online ordering if they utilize online. Not everyone does. Um, but if not, people call me on the phone and let me know exactly what they want. >> And are there financial restrictions for people to be able to participate in the food pantry? Like, you know, can if someone say, I live in Ashland, I want to come use the food pantry. What restrictions, if any, are there for them to do that? >> There really are not. It's really on the honor system. You know, we live in a very expensive community >> and we understand that. And lots of times people are >> coming because an emergency came up or you know some people may need more ongoing help. So really it's a wide variety and a wide range. >> Um >> plus the way it's accessed either online and over the phone >> the opportunity to take advantage is actually pretty limited.
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>> And so it all feels like >> um there's something being curated, but the public isn't really part of that. >> Yeah. I wrote down from the public bodies cannot enforce civility policies regulating speakers to be respectful during public comment periods. So I really think that our select board needs to review. I I'm a little I'm just a little surprised that I don't know if they didn't know about it or I would hope I don't know. Am I >> So I think may maybe they knew about it and here's their dilemma. They do they do want the public to be civil, right? We want the public to be civil. It's remembering and then remembering that this court case is important and then also I think we had talked >> once before about what is considered civil >> to you versus someone else like different ethnic groups have different ways of speaking.
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Where is Kelly to my left? Uh Kowanza, her team. And then of course uh the work that's happening in the schools to reach out to families and to make those important connections. Our graduation rate uh though not publicly released. So I can't say that this is a fixed number but we are projected to be at uh 83%. So we are up from 77% in 2324. That's a very marked difference. We've been on a kind of a decline going the other way. So, reversing that number and and growing is is great. So, uh we look forward to um exploring that, presenting a little bit more on that when we do the accountability results overview in the curriculum uh meeting coming up uh in the near future. We have over 100 students earning the seal of bi literacy on record. Um u we believe that's about closer to 159 once they're done accounting for um how the how it's accounted for through the accountability.
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Um, these positions are important to not only our teachers but also to our students, to their education, and to their families as well. PAR educators provide so much more work than is probably recognized to be quite honest with you. Um to think that teachers could handle you know anywhere from honestly like 10 kids or more max um being like what 2530 maybe like in like a classroom um is completely unacceptable. There's no way that teachers would be able to handle those children by themselves, especially being that, you know, each student has different needs and all those different needs need to be addressed. Um, no two students can be treated the same and, you know, we need to have people who are able to provide to each child like differently. Every child deserves care. They deserve attention. They deserve respect and they deserve people who are going to be there for them and not um you know overworking our teachers, overworking whatever is left of the staff to be able to be there to care for them or else they're not going to get the attention that they deserve and their education is going to fall apart.
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