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I felt that the the portion of the storm that was under our control, our our staff did an outstanding job. So, public thank you to our custodial and maintenance team for hours and hours of hard work. Thank you. And also chipping in to help with city sidewalks. And just real real quick, we had two um track and field record breakers. I have to announce and we'll we'll recognize these students at a future meeting, but Michaela Francisco broke the school record in the 55 meter dash with a time of 7.54 seconds. >> That's life. >> 55 meters like it takes me that long to get out of bed. Probably triple that time, right? And then of Vladimir Koslak broke the school record for the triple jump. So that's really impressive to break a a a Clifton High School record after all these years is very very impressive.
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One of the very first families that I was assigned had a six-w week old baby. The service coordinator called her and she said, "I don't want services." But the coordinator said, "Talk to Sherry first." When I called her, she again said, "I don't want services." But the more we talked, the more she opened up. She started to cry and admitted how scared she was. I told her that I am here to support and guide her. And now almost two years later, we meet weekly. That is what early intervention is about. The assistant superintendent's report shares important statistics regarding the success of early intervention. A few years ago, the number of days for 0 to3 educators was cut by 10. As of July, it's going to be cut by 14 more. That is a total of 24 days. That is equivalent of five work weeks. Let that sink in.
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It has minor revisions which include move which includes moving the information pertaining to reporting suspected crimes or incidents to policy ECAC, which Dr. Streeter will be bringing to you tonight in policy EF revisions.
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This year we were a little bit again more aggressive. We dropped that down to 30. Um and that is reflected in our actuals year after year was looking at our actual cost to salaries year-over-year. it is it is less than than the 35%. So we are budgeting benefits for those open positions but at a lower rate. Um now as you look at the salaries across uh the system they range quite widely. So 30% is very different for an administrator that's making say um 90,000 than perhaps a um a par educator. Um, and that is true, but we use it on average. So, it's an average figure and it works out to be pretty close. >> Thank you. Okay, I know it's a lot. Um, getting a little glassy, so we'll keep going here. [laughter] Um okay. So an additional 2.7 million um in savings um that is coming from moving some from the general fund moving some of our vacant openings to grants.
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If the needs of the students were actually put first as you claim, then you would be cutting these jobs. You would be seeking ways and prioritizing how to solve these how to solve these problems. For some students, school is the only stability that they have. The people they they see on a near basis, the people who help them, who provide them safety is all they have. Our teachers are not the reason for the budget deficit. You, our district, which is supposed to help our students are actively actively hurting them. You are constantly raising your own salaries rather than prioritize the needs of our students and all the plans that are you guys have released. I see so many jobs that are being cut across our schools and not one change is being made in this board. No district job is being cut. Instead, you guys are being praised by getting raises knowing that there's a deficit going on.
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We will recognize those students at a future meeting. And finally, January 13th, the Woodro Wilson girls basketball team had an opportunity to scrimmage before a soldout crowd at the Satan Hall vers Yukon game, which was a really uh cool thing. The boys team participated in the official pregame handshake line. They did a postgame shootaround with some of the players on the professional court. And so a big thanks to coach Dan uh Kellendrillo who's a Satan Hall of Famer Satan Hall Hall of Famer for facilitating the experience. Thank you Mrs. Bassford. That uh completes my report tonight. >> I don't really have anything but I would like to uh thank Mr. Shahada and the custodial staff for uh deploying themselves to lend a hand. You made a a difference in the lives of people in this district and that means a lot to us. you have been doing a lot of that lately, so we thank you.
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Five work weeks. The money saved by reducing work days is a drop in the bucket. But the possible effects for families is like a flood. What if a family declines services because I wasn't able to contact them in time? What if parents stop implementing strategies because they forgot and I'm not there to support them? And what if parents just give up because of not receiving the support they need? So the question for you to consider is that drop in the bucket worth the possibly damaging ripples to our families? >> All right, ma'am. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Christy Thomas and then Donna Lambert. Good evening. My name is Christy Thomas and I'm a counselor. [laughter] >> I planned for 3 minutes because that's what the website said. So, I'm cutting it out and now I'm not even sure I'm going to look at this. I have been a counselor on the Tucson campus for 26 years.
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Our legal council has approved this change and I'm happy to answer any questions for you. >> Okay. Can I get a motion, please? >> I move that the governing board approve revisions to policy GB, staff conduct, as presented. >> Can I get a second? >> Second.
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And so those will be slid into alliance. We have about 16 positions or so that we're um offloading from the general fund into grants and we're still going to try to fill those positions. However, um if by the time we submit the grant, um we have four or five of those positions that are still vacant, um we won't put them in the grant as vacancies, we'll just plan for that those funds to be used differently, more resources, support, supplies, whatever, um in another direction for the year because what happens is once September rolls around, the likelihood of filling certain positions dramatically decreases. And so we'll hold those in obeyance, kind of put them in the parking lot and revisit them, um, again, um, during the, you know, prime hiring season. So, um, we're offloading about 16 positions or so into into that, uh, into the alliance, um, where there's some tolerance in there and there's a variety of positions, um, and they're grant eligible, so we shouldn't have any issue, um, with those.
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Instead of saving money by prioritizing yourselves, protect the needs and education of our students and our children's. Protect the jobs of the people who help them. You were voted in the office to oversee and do right by our kids. So do the job that you were elected to do, not the job that's going to hurt our future generations and keep your salaries high. And it's not a threat and it's not a promise. But you guys have to keep in mind that parents, teachers, and the communities are not going to forget who wronged the students and who wronged the staff. Time come for election. Thank you, [applause] Sandra Waller. Thank you. Good evening. Um, my name is Sandy Waller. I teach TK at Sandia Academy. I'm here tonight to speak about the reduction of force or otherwise known as layoffs that is being placed upon classified staff.
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Um, that being said, uh, do we have any unfinished business? None. Okay, moving on. Um, national uh, school counselor's recognition. Vice President Santiago, would you do the honor of reading that? >> Thank you, President Baser. National School Counseling Recognition. Whereas school counselors are employed in public schools to help students reach their full potential. And whereas school counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development. Whereas school counselors help parents focus on ways to further the educational, personal, and social growth of their children. And whereas school counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves. And whereas school counselors seek to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students become productive members of society.
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I have worked with both the deaf and the blind students from elementary to high school. Many of the things that I plan to say, we have heard already, so I'm not going to repeat those. But there are a few things that I do want to come across. What are we doing to increase our enrollment? I have been monitoring the records referral process for the school for the blind since 2009 when I was given that task to facilitate those meetings. I have that data from 2009 to today for school for the deaf. I was asked to also start facilitating those meetings. I have that data from 2016 to date. This year alone, there were students who were referred, who were put on hold due to staffing issues, and I understand that, but what have we done to resolve that? We potentially could have increased our enrollment by 30% this year in School for the Blind for people who have expressed interest.
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>> Any discussion? >> Yeah. Really quick, what was this from ASBA? Was it from our policy team? >> This is from ASBA. All those in favor? >> I I >> motion carries. >> Day six. Discussion and approval of additional staffing. Miss Lenselada. [clears throat] >> Thank you. My next item is to approve new staffing with a projected increase in student enrollment at Tangerine Farms K8 School and Morirana Vista Academy for next year. We are requesting the following new staff at Tangerine Farms. A middle school science teacher, middle school ELA teacher, middle school math teacher, middle school social studies teacher for one section at an elective teacher at.33 FTE and a health assistant at 4 FTE. At Morirana Vista Academy, we're requesting electives teachers in the amount of 83 FTE, a science physics teacher for one section or.16 FTE, and a math teacher for two sections or 33 FTE.
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They're strategically picked to support the strategies that are already there. um in addition to that, you know, how we've kind of accounted for things. So, um if on a district snapshot in any given day, if we were to look at the number of openings, we could have almost, you know, anywhere between four and $6 million of vacancies um sitting on the books at any given time. Some of those are hard to fill and some of those are just the natural churn of a large district, right? there's a pretty there's an expected percentage in any large organization where at any given time someone resigns it takes time to fill and there and there's always a certain number that sits on the books. So, uh we're going to take advantage of the fact that that is just true that we will always have some number um on the books that we're looking to fill.
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241 classified positions to be exact and how these sta staff cuts will hurt certificated staff. Um they directly will hurt us. They're going to put um how do I say it? Um classified positions to be exact. That cuts will directly affect certificated expect and put more expectations on teachers who are already overworked and underpaid. These are the people that day in and day out serve the needs of our children as well as the needs of our certificated staff. I realize AVUSD is in financial crisis. That needs to be fixed. However, classified and certificated staff did not create this situation and yet we are the ones paying the price to rectify the mismanagement of funds and fix discrepancies. Let me be clear. Cutting 241 classified positions is not rectifying or fixing anything except the monetary numbers that you wish to put forward. In fact, cuts are only going to create more issues on campuses and slow academic pro progress of students.
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And whereas comprehensive developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school. Now therefore, be it resolved that Clifton Board of Education recognizes February 2nd through February 6th as National School Counseling Week. Thank you and thanks to all our counselors. >> Commissioner Ragel, would you read EA um two? >> Yes, absolutely. Now, I noticed there's a typo in the third whereas, >> so I don't know what >> we could probably fix that right now. >> Yes. >> Duly noted. >> Okay. noted. Okay. >> All right. Whereas Black History Month celebrated during the month of February originated in in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a special period in February to recognize the heritage and achievements of black people in the United States. And whereas since 1976, February has been recognized as Black History Month throughout New Jersey.
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I've had principles who know me reach out and say, "Hey, you're still taking referrals, right?" Yes, we're being told you're not. That is a problem. I was in a meeting the other night where this the parent wanted her student to come to ASDB in the year 2000, which is when I started. It took her 3 years to get into our agency. If the districts aren't referring, it's our own staff within our agency who are saying don't go to that program. Your two minutes are over, ma'am. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> And the last one, Donna Lambert. >> Not stepping up as someone from >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. You're the last. >> Okay, great. Good afternoon, superintendent and ASB governing board. My name is Donna Lambert. I'm listed as a social worker under permanent staff on the propo proposed reduction in staff list in front of you.
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These positions will be funded by M. And I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. >> Can I get a motion, please? [clears throat] >> I move that the governing board approve the following additional staffing. one middle school science teacher, one middle school ELA teacher, one middle school math teacher.16 FTE, middle school social studies teacher, 1.33 FTE electives teacher, and 1.4 FTE health assistant at Tangerine Farms K8 School and 1.83 83 FTE electives teacher and 1.16 FTE science physics teacher and 1.33 FTE math teacher effective the 2026 2027 school year. >> Can I get a second? >> Second.
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Um we're going to take 2.75 as I mentioned and move them into grants. We've um being proactive in agency out 1.7 million. Uh most of those are in Kelly's um Kelly's bucket. That is the reality based not accounting for the benefits in that in that case and then taking another vacant um group of about a million um and leaving them in general fund but then work to aggressively fill those um and kind of strategize around those those positions. So it leaves still leaves some uh positions and some dollars back off the books. Um but pretty similar to maybe how the airlines um overbook a little bit knowing that not everybody shows up. Um that's pretty much the strategy and the thought process. So at any given time of the vacancies if we account for at least seven or 10% of those not being being filled at any given time um you know there's a savings that we get back in the district.
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Classified staff are the people that keep our campus going when the going gets tough. Certificated staff has come to depend upon the help, excuse me. Classified staff are the people who help us keep going when the going gets tough. I'm sorry. I'm a little more nervous tonight being on here by myself. Um, certificated staff has come to depend upon the help of classified staff to accomplish all the expectations that are put upon our teachers in the classroom. They help us meet academic goals, ensure the safety and quality care of the children of AVUSD. Some may say that we have grown accustomed to a luxury. But let me be clear. Classified staff is not a luxury. It's a necessity. They help us maintain safe campuses and stability of our students. They maintain our facilities and keep them in good repair. The bulk of the positions to be cut are pared educators.
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