>> So, >> anyone have any questions? >> Yeah, I just have one. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm looking back on um the one from the original school improvement plan. Um the student advisory council is that where is that referenced in there? that >> the student advisory council is not referenced in here. I didn't do every bullet point. Um so the student advisory council has been really uh it has not been really very well established or maintained quite frankly. Uh I had a couple kids that were student leaders as part of student government and um I'm finding hard times getting kids all kids are pulled 17 different directions. So trying to find the way for them to actually come and commit. So like ILT is the best time for that to happen. As you heard with uh connections, we have not a lot of opportunity because we have such a busy schedule and then kids are always constantly going to other teachers for help or they're going to clubs and activities with pretty rigorous.
Um but we think that by using Dco software one, it will integrate with a lot of their systems and it will probably make communication more fluid. Um we have talked to Dco about the potential cost difference and you know switching to their platform and what that would take. Um they initially had quoted us at um a fee of $25,000, a onetime setup fee to switch to their software. Um and I was able to negotiate that to the cost of the VO software that we use. So it would be a cost neutral um proposal. We pay about $11,000 for VO a year. Um and if we transition to DACO, we would pay the onetime setup fee. And my understanding from talking to them is that that would be a onetime fee. So, it would actually alleviate a budgetary, you know, it would free us up $11,000 in subsequent budget years.
Um but everyone participates. We celebrate um the fall equinox with a festival of courage. Uh we celebrate the winter solstice with a winter market where we do lots of fundraising for all of the field trips um from third through 8th grade and we celebrate the spring with a Mayfair. And in these festivals um the students are singing, the faculty is singing, there's games. Um, I know a lot of schools have at least one big festival they do. And Blue Oak and Waldorf schools, we have them throughout the year because we want to celebrate the human being's relationship to nature through the seasonal life. Um, and so I really enjoy that piece of Waldorf education. Um, I could go on and on. Um, but I will pass it on to a Blue Oak alumni, Josephine Anderson. um who's in high school now and graduated from Blue Oak and we'll tell you more about her experience.
>> Okay. You know, um see I I I have the same um issue. You know, we've dealt with many trespassing and basically it's asking that you know, you abide by the law. You ask before you go, but you are arriving there in a trespassing capacity knowingly that you do not have the [clears throat] permission to enter into an property to try and avoid and you know at this point we don't have those the um the departments to ask these questions to at this time which makes it really difficult. I would hope that you would entertain the idea of at least trying to move it and have better discussion with these departments um that is looking at um basically we're not addressing the situation at hand. I I I don't this is not an anti-gun bill. It's about doing what is right. And those of us that have supported egg, um the fear between farms and ranches is that now an admirable profession of growing food in the state of Hawaii has now become protecting yourself and arming yourself from people shooting shots via ranches without having the consideration and respect of asking these land owners that maybe because there's employees that could possibly be shot in the process of working these farms and ranches are now being put in the forefront of now trying to protect yourself while you're trying to produce food.
We would u comply with yellow card training for anybody who is handling the liquor. Um but it's to allow us to be able to have some flexibility you know to bring um alcohol for um distilling processes to learn um put it into recipes uh cosmetology but also for food service you know it's always it can be an element in in um our culinary programs but also really mainly for our restaurant as well. So currently in the culinary programs, liquor is not handled in any way or incorporated in any way. >> So we do have some instances where our culinary programs are actually um run by a third party and through that third party they are able to establish a liquor license and they take that liability. Um and then we also do have times when we have events and we do get the liquor license for the day or for the event.
Um the you know the kids not completing homework, right? and being able to funnel that through these processes and then bring that through tier one, tier two, tier three and bring in additional people uh to help and support in a very timely fashion. Um and so that is that that is really going to help us. It's going to enhance us. Um you know, a lot of the stuff about like you know, are we going to still know our kids and all that. What um we're going to know our kids because we love them and we're going to know our kids because we still have um teachers who um support and care and we're also still going to know our kids because we're going to do intentional things like um you know have them have the same counselor all three years. We're going to have them have um same wind teacher.
And so any that would probably affect community events like we wouldn't have community events where we would need public safety >> details and stuff. And then also um you know you know they do that public safety night that wouldn't happen. Um and >> yeah I I think it would be helpful if we could get that other column just sort of illustrating what's happening on the municipal side because that will help people understand this and more. Um, but it's kind of hard to speak to this until we kind of see that. >> Yeah, >> that that's going to be helpful. >> Very helpful for understanding and comprehension because I'm still not entirely clear myself and that would help. >> Okay. >> And maybe more detailed to above something piece. >> Yeah. So I think some something similar like this that would have like um you know the column with you know what would happen if the override didn't pass and then like here on this side like instead of note like the notes would be like how would that impact us?
So that has not got off the ground the way id hoped it. So right now it's the student government really is who I talked to in terms of it's not an official student advisory council. Um but that is something that is an area of improvement for sure. >> Do we have the the schoolwide no place for hate activities that Yeah. So schoolwide no place for hate uh is another good question. Um so student participation we had last year we had about uh 10 kids that participate in it. This year we we're down to three. Um so it's not the participation that we needed. Um we will likely not be able to consider ourselves a no place for hate school. Um because the student involvement has not been there from the two adviserss. Right now our adviserss are uh Dr. Spencer uh Miss Necllo uh and then the third person is Miss Hajnoski.
So, um that is our plan. There isn't a motion attached with that, but like I said, I just wanted to kind of loop you all in because we've had some conversations about redistricting in the planning committee. So, other transportation questions? Yeah, >> thank you. Um, yeah. So, uh, my understanding is that if we get three inches of snow, we spend $30,000 to clear it. >> And maybe we should buy a truck and a plow as an alternative. So, uh, as long as I'm not way off base on what I just said, I when you get the time, I mean, it's not I don't see it happening in the next few weeks before snow season ends, but, uh, I think it would for me it would probably be worthwhile to see if it would make if the numbers would make sense to, uh, in-house it. >> Yeah.
>> Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Josephine Anderson. Uh I currently go to Chico High and I'm a junior, but I will never forget my time at Blue Oak. It was truly amazing and it's a great part of my childhood that I will always remember. It has very much impacted my daily life and I think it will continue into my adult life and I'm very grateful for this. I have many connections from Blue Oak from grades below me and grades above me and we always joke with each other that you have a Blue Oak face because you just know and you just have a connection with someone when they went to Blue Oak. I've had the same best friends since kindergarten and we have a bond that will never be broken and it's it's one of the best relationships I have in my life and I think of her as a sister now.
And this will be in regards to whether you're on small farm or big farm. And these people are really afraid that one day they're going to have to go to the family and say, "By the way, um your husband was shot due to a stray bullet because people decided to come in there and trespass." So I I am asking for your consideration that we have continue the discussion um so that we can have a better conversation at the end of the day this bill will come back to you in a conference committee um chair and that's my request. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. I'll I'll weigh in on this a little bit. I reading the bill um I completely understand why it was written against safety in the workplace specific in agriculture. That being said, um I do understand the concern of just trespassing without a firearm.
Yeah. Um but we don't you know um host any type of liquor event. Yeah. >> Is it the intention for the university to possibly look at this in um broadening like say after hours at their student student cafeterias or like in West Aahu you have the ACM little uh area there where kids hang out and get refreshment stuff like that. Is there intent by the university to at some point look at including >> liquor? >> The only way that I can envision that to be um related would be if it was then um the servers were a part of our culinary program and it was a culinary event then I can see that happening but it's definitely not for us to hold a party or again to compete with any establishment that serves liquor. >> I see. Okay. Thank you members. Any other questions? No other questions?
Um we're going to have the uh multi-disiplinary group of wind teachers uh for the most part also be those kids core teachers can't can't guarantee it um but because of all the additional courses that we have to um offer them and so but for the most part I I can't really see a difference in um the teaming aspects that we've we've continued to enjoy and and value. I can't see a difference um a big difference in in this new proposed schedule and system. I think I'm curious when we talk about the top 30 middle schools and I'm sorry because I'm fighting a cold so if I sound bad I'm sorry but when we talk about this for example my nieces when they were not in Franklin schools they were in southern Indiana so their middle school was seventh eighth grade so are we talking are we apples to apples comparing our school especially because the thing that I've heard over and over again is sixth grade needing to be kind of that small community So, do we keep teaming for sixth grade?
>> Yeah. >> While we're just on this I I have a question about stabilization account. So I think we have a policy that calls for where we try to keep 10% of our operating budget in the stabilization account and do is there also guidance in terms of when you we use our stabilization account? >> Yeah. Um we've been flexible with it but um yes there is guidance >> and you know what kind of what sort of thing it says. >> Yes. So typically it's tied to state aid if I remember correctly. Um, and it's dependent upon like, you know, total state aid amounts if they go down a certain level, but it's it's pretty significant. I mean, it's like a 10% decrease. >> And we found that that's it's hard to adhere to just kind of given some of the challenges we've had. >> And if with a if we reduced our stabilization account, you know, we're looking at right now, I think by around 750,000, right?
Those are the three adviserss that are there. They're working to brainstorm and try to come up with some ideas of the kids that are able to that want to actually push this forward. Um, so that has not been that's an area that I did not include on there because it has not really gotten off the ground yet. >> And when will we get the PSAT data? >> Which stuff in particular? >> That the one that they took in the fall. >> We have the PSAT so the parents can access that PSAT data. I have that PSAT data. That's a it's a very high level um from those departments like I have all that information broken down by score band areas of improve I have that stuff I can I have not shared that with cape yet but something typically going to >> ask if that is that's going to be it >> I'd be I'd be happy to share that with cape uh we are planning for the first time ever thanks to board support also get the PSAT in the spring as well so we'll actually have some apples to apples benchmarks to talk about we'll know when >> April 1st right April >> well actually no it's actually April last year was April 1st though you remember that um it's April 8th this year is going to be the test.
>> Or in onboard it, something like that. >> Yeah. I think Oh, sorry. Go. Go ahead. >> No, I mean, but I would just say to if you do that, just try to be uh realistic about it. not just the uh sort of the life cycle cost whatever you could sort of estimate the cost of the plow as well as the realistic aspect of it which is if it's three in you know snowing three inches on a weekday can you get stuff cleared with one truck versus if it snows on a Friday afternoon yeah maybe you could put like one guy out there whoever to go plow all the parking lots over the weekend but um there's a peaking issue with it too I guess uh but if it you If it's that expensive, maybe it does make sense to 30,000 for three inches. It may very well make sense to insource it.
Me with all my friends, we all have branched out in high school. We all have our own relationships now. But along with my social life, I have an amazing academic life. I think Blue Oak really set me straight with the academics they gave me and the tools they gave me to have a great mind and use great techniques for this. Like I'm in many AP classes and honors classes with a very high GPA and this is all due to the amazing teachers and staff that were at Blue Oak. I believe that my motivation towards school has a lot to do with how I was raised in elementary school. Always looking forward to school, always going ready to get my hands dirty. And going into middle school, I learned so much curriculum that made me inspired to go to school every day. And I believe that school is is an amazing thing to everybody.
And u Senator Rhodess brought up an interesting question about if it is with a firearm and you're illegal already. There may be some merit there. Um I do agree with the the concerns of doing something if they just accidentally trespass. And so I completely support that that reasoning on that. But more importantly, the fact that this is triggering the conversation because people in agriculture are concerned for their safety. I can recount story after story after story about illegal trespassing with firearms and that is a big concern. So um [clears throat] I I do not support this bill the way it is. Uh and I'm but I'm open for conversation. And so I appreciate that, Senator Rhodess, for what you proposed and I but I fully support the direction we're headed right now. Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we'll go. Okay. On uh SP 2941, we'll go right into decision-m here now.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Senate Bill 3024. This is relating to sex bias discrimination. clarifies and strengthens the state protection against sexbased harassment, sex discrimination and retaliation that occur in public schools. Harvard charter schools are at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity of expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, establishes procedures for investigation, decision- making, and requires mandatory reporting by certain employees. Um, we have a number of testifiers. Uh, starting with Chris Koffield testifying for the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, not here. Koku Pac not here. Candace Park, Deputy Candace. >> Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kadani, members. Um, Deputy Park had to step out. out. I'm Anne Horyuchi from the Department of the Attorney General. Um, as noted in our testimony, the department is recommending an amendment adding a statement identifying the bill as a law of statewide concern.
Kind of like what Perry Township does with their sixth grade academy to where they're all together. They're lumped together. We're making them feel safe in the big school and then in seventh and eighth grade we go more to the traditional. So, is it something that we can look at hybrid or is it something to where maybe we look at this and we start with our eighth graders and we do a year of >> you know a pilot program if you will to say here's what we would like it. we can work through the kinks with one grade versus throwing three grades in there, not really knowing. Yeah. In two schools >> to not really knowing >> if we're doing the right thing. I don't just something I've been thinking of as you sit here and you talk about this. So >> I I was thinking the same thing too because I mean sixth grader my my son when he was in sixth grade was 10 when he started.