So it would be a loss for sure. That one would not us I would say. um the way that the that that grant is we do have hedge in there at the 500,000 is for to help sub offset some of that the the my greater concern is really even if the federal government didn't touch the grants if our enrollment continues to you know to dip in the way that it is um anything that's formula based formula funded um it goes number of students um and then extra formula waiting for second language learners high need students um and so on um special education high need students incorporate it's multi- language learners, free and reduced, and special education. Any one of those can um um put you in the bucket of high needs. And uh with that particular subgroup going down the way that it is, we could see some of the the waiting in the formula change and we get less dollars.
It directly affects the students and families who rely on timely information and support. Paris, that one should be a given. They support our students with special needs and other IEPs. We already know that we're short on those. Do I need to say more? Removing experienced clerical staff also shows um excuse me removing experienced staff will slow processes, will increase errors, leave campuses vulnerable, less organized and unable to respond to everyday challenges. [snorts] These cuts are not abstract. They are predictable and they are harmful. For the sake of our students, for the sake of our school operations and community stab stability, I again urge the board to vote no. I still stand in solidarity for a fair contract with the VUDA. Despite all the attempts to separate the unity CSA and Avuda have formed, despite all the discord within our own bargaining units, President Sabers and I are committed and we will not let anything tear what we built apart since joining in solidarity.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Paris. Commissioner Ragd, >> thank you, Madam President. Um thank you, Jenna, for your report. It's good to see that the SCA is active and working. Um just again, we're stating that board members have high ethical standards and because of that, we often cannot comment on things that are posted online. It's not that we're ignoring it, but often times I think we see it and report it to administration like we're supposed to. Um, thank you administration for the clarification on the Kelly service situation. Um, congratulations to Michaela, uh, my former teammate on her accomplishment in breaking the school record along with Vladimir who broke his record in his event as well. Um, thank you to our custodian and maintenance staff for their work during the past storm. Happy Black History Month and be safe. Good night. Thank you, Commissioner Ragdale. Commissioner Ciano, you're up next.
And again, it's not just happening on Tucson campus. It's happening at Phoenix campus as well. is happening in our early learning programs with our itinerant services. All over student counts are down. Therefore, revenue is following. Our costs, however, are continuing to increase. And our buildings continue to deteriorate. was the year that we as leaders and the board took the responsibility to try and figure out what we are going to do. We cannot go on and run out of money. We decided on a potential plan C. Could we move the Tucson campus? And that did start last fall. We looked around the Tucson community to see what was available and nothing seemed to be a good fit. We didn't take this idea seriously at first. We were trying to figure out what to do. We can't stay on Tucson campus because it will become unsafe and uncomfortable for staff and students and we have a responsibility here.
Um and and you would say, well, if you have less kids, less dollars, then it's a wash, right? And the answer really is is no. It's it's like saying if you've got a um you know one waitress in a restaurant serving a hundred you know 100 customers and you lose 25 customers yes you you still have to serve the rest of the restaurant. That's kind of where we're at. We have a lot of students to still serve. And so incrementally across the district across you know 12 grade levels uh we're losing students but it's not quite enough to um you know start reducing the number of services and teachers that we have. It just makes the class size more tolerable at this point. So, you still have to deliver those service. You still need the money for that. So, that's my that's my, you know, concern.
This is our legacy. [snorts] It's a real shame that we're all in the NPR right now because we were allowed and we were happy to support that we are union strong. We put this rally together in one week. Imagine what we could do in two or three. We will not be silenced. We will not stand by. You cannot balance the budget on the backs of classified staff. You cannot balance the budget on the back of teachers. I urge you to reconsider this vote if you haven't already done so and vote no. I urge you to put student safety first. I urge you to put clean campuses first. I urge you to put the IEPs first. I urge you to do the right thing. We acknowledge that there is going to have to be some reductions, but this is not the way to do it. People are already leaving.
>> Okay, it's going to be a little repetitive, but I already wrote it down, so it is what it is. Uh, so good evening, everyone. Thanking the student rep for her report. I'm incredibly happy with the audit report. Thank you to our business office for running a tight ship. Every year that I've been here so far, you're on top of things. Thank you very much. I don't think we could be in better hands. Uh, Valentine's Day is coming up, so happy Valentine's Day to everybody. School counselors month. I spent a lot of time with my counselors, but everybody knows that my time at school was not the most enjoyable. I did not have a good experience. So, I thank all the counselors because without them, I can't even comprehend where I might be today. Um, of course, as everybody else is doing, I want to address the community and make sure they're aware.
So last summer we started looking at our service delivery model [snorts] and currently there are two parts to that. We have our campus-based programs and our itinerant services and those two are separate. When we considered what if we realigned some of our resources to provide a continuum of services that could include cluster sites. The first school district we approached with that idea was Tucson Unified School District. Our intentions were honorable. We wanted to figure out how we can better meet the needs of our students with more limited resources. How can we collaborate with other school districts to make sure that our students get their needs met? That was the intention. Someone recently asked me, "What if we just kept the status quo?" That would be easy. Keep everything the same. The student count will continue to decline. The facilities will continue to deteriorate and we will run out of funding.
Um, but I have my eye on it. We did just get a letter um from the state that that title one and and the title grants would be held harmless next year. Um, I that just came out and I'm I need to look into that and you know, who sent it and is this does this mean it's for sure? This is you know, I'd like to see a little bit more information on it, but I did hear that re most recently. Um, so we're, you know, like again, we'll continue to hedge. I didn't feel comfortable enough to pull that out of the budget when that letter came, um, just recently. So, we'll, we'll continue to monitor it. But, you know, if we lost all of Title One, that would be devastating and we'd be talking about a reserve dip and then a real strategy restructure for the following year.
Anxiety are high. People are stressed out. This is not right. This is not fair. Especially when so many of you have claimed to want to serve the students because ultimately they are the ones that are going to suffer on top of the 241 families who depend on the insurance, who depend on the stability, but also who come to work every single day to serve those students. union business notwithstanding, I still have one of the best attendance records in the district because I love working for Apple Valley Unified. I love serving my community. I love serving my students and I do not want to have to find employment elsewhere because this is my home. This is my heart and this place is where I belong, where we all belong in that other room. I know you guys can see me. do the right thing because when we go, you guys are only going to attract people that are of low quality and it will just be a perpetual cycle of open and closed doors because you will not be able to retain them.
As board of education members, our governance training strictly advises against responding to or entering into discussions on these Facebook group Facebook groups, and the people that are pushing us to do so know better. So, that's just my little gripe that I have. uh we cannot be seen as speaking for the board even when using our disclaimer unfortunately because there's still certain things we could say that might represent us speaking for the board. There's certain discussions we cannot enter into and I hope you all understand that. It has been incredibly cold out. Yes, the snow. Let's all be honest, it wasn't the greatest experience by the city or anything that went on. It's a lot of roads that we have that they have to clear and it's not an easy job. Uh cars do not get off the street and especially in my area, let me tell you, there's cars on the street all the time.
Once we run out of money, that is called receiverhip. And that it means you're broke. You don't have any money to pay your staff. You don't have funds to pay bills. If that happens, the state will come in and take over. And guess what? ASDB loses it its identity, loses its independence, loses the ability to serve the students who are deaf and blind. And I don't want that to happen. I know that you don't want that to happen. We have to make difficult decisions now. And one part of that decision is the relocation from facilities that are deteriorating to a new location that is in good condition. It is a beautiful school facility and a beautiful area and we have an opportunity to take in front of us right now. If we choose not to take this opportunity, will another one arise again? I don't know.
Pedal one is big. You've got about $4 million in there. You've got staffing and supplies um for kids where they need it most. >> Yep. >> Any other questions? >> Sean, >> number one, thank you very much for the hard work and the effort. Obviously, you guys care and and you're here till 600 7 o'clock at night. Um so people sometimes think, oh, they make a lot of money. you divided it by the hours you work, it would not be a lot amount hours per money. That being said, uh I'm a taxpayer. I'm happy that we're saving $6 million because of vacant positions. How do we balance that versus the educational need? Are we are kids being, you know, undertaught or class size is bigger because of that? What's what's the effect of that $6 million vacancy? >> Right. So, um right now there's really not a change to class size right now.
I thank you so much for listening to what I have to say today. In solidarity, JC Scott, CSEA, Chapter 828. >> Thank you. Can we have you or wait actually in the hallway because you will be back shortly. Thank you. Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association, Abuda Karen Sabers. Okay. Good evening, Superintendent Nelson, board members, cabinet, President Scott, Avuda members, and CSEA members. I want to begin by thanking everyone who came out this evening to support both bargaining units. The turnout was incredible, was an incredible show of unity, and that matters. Tonight, I already presented a strong historical strike authorization vote of 91%. I want to add that our members also delivered a clear and powerful vote of no confidence in Superintendent Nelson. The vote was a staggering 78% in favor of no confidence in Superintendent Nelson with the 87% participation. I formally handed you the resolutions and we'll read that um out to you also.
Uh so my snow I have a big glacier in front of my house that I'm so afraid to hit because it will scratch the heck out of my car. Um but they did the best that they could. Hey, listen. Should we have not gone to school Wednesday? Maybe. Maybe. >> But that's hindsight. You made the best judgment call that you had and that's why you're there. We don't make that judgment call and you made the best judgment call that you could. Um, speaking of incredibly cold out, Margaret and George Carreri at the Clifton Unhoused Initiative have been going 24/7 at the warming center to make sure everyone is fed, comfortable, and getting the resources they need. So, I want to thank them. The Clifton Health Department for being right by their side, the Clifton Little Pantries for making sure those who need it most always have a place to go to ensure they could feed themselves, their families, and their pets without concerns.
So I too am angry. I too am sad. And I am grieving. We have to make difficult decisions. We have to lay off people. We cannot afford pay increases. We can't take care of our facilities and I hope that all of us and I hope you do intend what you mean when you said you want to collaborate with us in the future and support the future of ASDB. Thank you. board.
And again, if our enrollment um our class size, you know, K8 and we could certainly do a an enrollment number evening um and kind of go over those as well because it's probably, you know, would be beneficial. But, um across like K5, for instance, um and in some of our our earlier grades, our numbers are are really good. And if they but if our numbers continue to go down, we might be able to collapse a class or two. So, I would say right now, I'm not worried about the class size effect. Now, if we didn't get the three million and I have all of those staff in there at the at the high school and the high school definitely has larger class sizes um in some special areas which where we've had to supplement. So, if we didn't get some of the funding that we needed, those those class sizes, I would say 612 would be more vulnerable at at getting bigger.
And for the first time in the 39y year history of AVUSD, this association has been has been compelled to take this step. Oops, I handed you mine, too. Apple Valley Unified School District, a resolution of no confidence expressed by Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association regarding Superintendent Nelson. Whereas the Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association, ABUDA, represents certificated educators employed by Apple Valley Unified School District and is committed to advocating for effective leadership, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in the best interest of students and staff. And whereas Avuda conducted an in-person vote of the certificated bargaining unit resulting in 78% support for a no vote of no confidence with 87% participation reflecting the collective judgment in concern of a substantial majority of the bargaining unit. And whereas educators within the bargaining unit have experienced sustained and unresolved concerns regarding district leadership and administrative direction resulting in diminished trust, declining morale, and strained labor relations.
I want to thank Kim Castellano with the power of one for all she does during these times and for also taking such good care of our senior community. I don't know if you guys have had a chance to attend the Clifton social. It's amazing. She does it once a month. And when you see the seniors there dancing, having fun, mingling, getting out of their house, it shows all the work that she really puts into the community. Uh Yina, thank you for the explanation on Kelly Services. So many calls I got like it was our decision. Like, hey, you're on the board. Why would you do this? We don't do this because we do not oversee dayto-day operations. Um, when it comes to the dilemma, yes, I would have liked some advanced notice before it went out, but that's also hindsight. Um, I understand the administration makes those decisions, but they are very open to receiving phone calls to explain it.
Do you have any questions for Superintendent Reichman? >> Uh, this is Bill. Yes, I do. Um, I attended the Am I on >> Bill? Uh, Earl Terry raised his hand first. >> I'm sorry. >> Uh, yes. Who? Oh, was that Bill? Yes. Thank you. I have heard I have listened to your comments and they have touched my heart. They have painted a picture and I listened to Annette and what I'm hearing from Annette is over the years as superintendent you feel that what we're currently experiencing the situation that we're in now in effect has been caused by the joint legislative the JAC Your response leads me to ask another question and I'm wondering um if you could answer my first question. Last spring, February, I did present to the joint legislative audit committee or JAC. Those state legislatores legislators did let me know at that time that there was no way they were going to be giving us funds for a new school building.