And one of the things that I think is really hard for me and I think I think my colleagues would probably um agree with me on this is, you know, we we talked earlier about the limited amount of time we have to have conversations in a board meeting setting. you know, there's a lot that goes on that we really want to create visibility for the board on, but you know, there's limited windows of opportunity to do that. And so that's why sometimes it may feel like, well, are they even doing anything with this? But then when you have a chance, like today, to have a deeper conversation with Miss Shapiro, then you get to hear about like all of these other innovative things that are happening. And she's not working on them by herself, as she pointed out earlier. She's working on them with with committees, you know.
um Dr. Pombo's team doing the same thing working with um you know uh Dr. Burgess is working with teams um you know um Dr. Dodd's Karen is working with teams you know other members of her teams we look at um Ivon Carvajal in community ed he has pivoted that entire team to have more of an academic focus starting last year right and so that's why we have like our language acquisition nights and things like that that are being supported by community ed Dr. Lauren's been doing the same thing as as he has teams that are looking at things like pay for performance like how do we make shifts in those arenas that help us create stronger alignment for the guard rails how do we make shifts in those area you recruitment retention how do we make shifts in those areas that bring stronger alignment to sof I feel very fortunate to get to work in an organization where through so many of the layers there's such a depth of commitment and focus, but because we eat, breathe, sleep, you know, commute to work with it on our minds all the time, it's sometimes difficult for us to even be able to adequately express how much depth of work there is in trying to create as much alignment as possible.
So, I'm sorry, I just >> No, that's okay. Just something you had mentioned when we were talking about teams. There's another thing that um we've been strategic. I go in now uh to Lissa's team meetings to ensure uh that the operational team is in alignment when we have our leadership uh council agenda building. And that's not something that had happened in the past, but we we saw that that wasn't putting us both on the same path. So, we look for those opportunities to to imsh ourselves even more than we have in the past. And I think that it's really good points that you're bringing because as Jay's saying, we want you to know all the things that that we're doing. And so, you know, I'll I'll be a little more strategic. I think we have some things coming in the future, especially with um on the on the guardrail side that'll talk about each of the different areas and some of the things that we're achieving and how we're achieving those.
And I think that'll be good information. Um but it it is kind of disconnected, but uh I think the board update is where a lot of this stuff ends up. It's just not all in one one picture. So maybe uh some combination of that at some point so we can say here's all the things we did, you know, this year. But um it is hard though because we're moving fast and we want to try to keep you as up to date as possible. So um with that, I'd like to move on to the next item so that then we can finish off with uh the actual budget update and where we are um how this enrollment affected us. But um so uh I wanted to give you guys an opportunity to have some strategic thought processes on if I had a million dollars. Um so I'd like you guys to break out into groups and I'm I'm thinking we'll do the same groups, the partners group, if you're okay with that, Mr.
Man. Um and I have a couple of um choices and I'd like you to take a look at those and prioritize. Each one of them is a $1 million expenditure, so you have to only pick one. How would you prioritize your choice? How does it align with SOFG? Um, I've given you some pros and cons of the uh choices and then I'd like you to create one pro and one con statement for the choice that you select and just be ready to come back and share that with the group and discuss your choice. >> So, I was trying to make a copy of it and it wouldn't let me. >> It doesn't. What does that mean? Because if I write on this, it's going to write everybody's. And I was just trying to make a copy. So, >> you should be able to. >> It wouldn't let me.
Yeah, it wouldn't let me. >> Really? >> Let's see. >> We should be able to go like this. >> It says I need permission to file. >> You got to pick the folder. That's >> make copy. >> Make a copy. And then before just saying yes, decide what folder you're going to put in. And it's not letting you add to this folder. >> So, see on your own folder. >> Yeah, mine just did it. >> So, you had it the wrong default. That's okay. >> Got it. Got it fixed. Thank you. Um, so you know, obviously you can't really see them. Well, that's why I wanted you to have access to it yourself. >> Commercial driver's license and it's required. >> And these are your um selections. Allocated reserves, invest in staffing, expan, expand transportation, um, additional coaches. I've got some pros and cons in there for all of these items.
And then also medical benefits. uh you can only pick one and you have to justify your reason. You also need to pro I I did give you some guiding questions to kind of help your thought process along >> and then create a pro a con and then um discuss that sof alignment. >> Okay? >> And I'm going to give you guys about 15 minutes. Uh >> each column is one of the choices. Each column is one choice and you have to pick one of the choices. >> Okay? >> Each of these is a million dollar choice. >> So you've given us five different choices and we have to choose one. >> And you have to choose one. >> Okay. Whatever you choose. >> Can you come up with a new one? >> Yeah. I think expanding transportation >> allocate reserves, invest in staffing, expandation, additional coaches in transportation and we get more kids so we have more money.
>> I mean basically that's what it comes down to. >> We're not going to get more kids. >> Create one pro for your selection. >> Medical benefits. I mean, >> wait, she already did. >> She did it for myself. >> And allocating. I don't know. >> I think that just seems >> put all your money in. >> I would say that the pro it expands more transportation meaning focuses on equity. >> My second one would probably be >> and expands parents >> invest in staffing. >> None of them are >> like the problem with that is like our staffing pools are going down so much >> invest in staffing. We're good. >> Not or expand transportation is >> Oh, yes. Yes. I love it. We're gonna make this happen. We're universe is gonna happen. >> Sorry, Vanessa. >> I think we're going to cause you major headaches.
>> Tutoring as well, >> right? Yeah. >> Sorry, D. They're going to cost you that are dedicated to >> I Staffing isn't necessarily just >> that allows you to also retain those quality teachers and the main thing you're going to lose. So, >> we're going to do it. >> So, I will save. >> Yeah. And I think that's >> I'm just going to start making a folder for this on my website. um you know like reading interventionist. >> Don't forget to do a con for your choice. >> Um those that's all things that are going >> the con is you making me choose a con. How about that? >> And also like you know >> I don't believe in focusing negativity. How about great teacher. >> They're more likely to stay in that position if they know they've got strong, >> you know, whether it's like, you know, >> I think it's ready for someone who actually >> Yeah.
Or like >> I don't think we have enough. >> Okay. Um, let's see. So, the one that's on there, >> you think we still have coffee? >> Three over here earlier, too. >> Oh, thanks. Sometimes he's like um a lot of >> I mean, I probably could do >> Yeah, I guess the con might be there's, >> you know, and they do they have great benefits, >> less teachers being teachers. They have a great union >> who are higher education right now. >> But then also again like now >> staffing >> it would be >> I know a lot of people obvious >> next choice would have been top right. >> Yeah. I mean, if it's, you know, I think in in this scenario where it's like you have a million dollars, we're gonna put it here. >> Well, I think from >> million dollar, >> we're going to do it.
We're >> gone. Excited. It's gonna happen. >> They're just not, >> right? >> And so, >> you're just watching us squirm. >> So, I'm kind of typing in typing in. We're sitting there talking about type. >> Well, I was just going to write it down, >> but I don't think I'll get >> I made a copy. So, I'll give these an interview later to focus on early childhood. >> I was going to ask preschool like that's going to set us up. >> I should Yeah, that's true. >> Cuz the thing is like they were saying, won't you >> I had somebody help me. >> If you get them in in preschool, then you're more likely to keep them through kindergarten. >> I don't know if it >> Yes, just kidding. I don't know. >> We're a body of one. That's why. Just kidding. >> Wonder when the last time this happened.
>> Has it ever happened here? >> I wonder what's going to happen. Just two elementary school districts because what I found so far is I don't know that. No, but I haven't found one talking about the other one. Okay. Did we think of a con? >> Uh, well, I was in that sort of general area. >> I can't wait to go back and geek out more on this on this one. >> Oh, yeah. >> This one's one of my favorites. >> How do I filter this white filter? I don't know how to use content types, cases. Oh, there's only two cases inside the statue. That is from >> 1986. Okay. These two cases are from 85 and 87. >> Oh, wow. Because even like not I mean, >> yeah, I think we >> Oh, yeah, absolutely. I think >> so. This one, it's kind of addressed here, but >> they're also need strong to higher quality staff risk of nepotism.
>> I told you something that I heard. I think I need to >> some by the way. >> Well, if they're quality, but sometimes it's like >> that's the one that we had, right? >> I know. I was like, this is a whole other topic. >> I know, but our synergy was down for like >> maybe that's not the right term to use, but >> this one. >> So, we have about seven minutes. >> It was really hard, >> but we can wrap up earlier if you guys get wrapped up before then. But we got about seven minutes left. >> Nintend somebody somebody was hired, someone who already worked in a different position at that school, does have family relation at that school. And then other people are like, "Well, how come we weren't even given a chance?" >> But I think you can just I think he was just in I think he was just referencing that like we got a good kind of >> Yeah.
But one off >> if it's in there >> scenario, but then I've heard of pull up more to do with HR polic. >> What's his first name? >> Garrett Archer. >> Yeah. >> And then >> reaching for a con. >> Okay. I'm gonna Yeah. So it goes back to a strong process or >> well I guess directly well because we're talking about >> should I share it to this school one >> what could happen is you'd have >> personal >> well honestly it's not that because you have >> okay so right here >> greater >> proportion of teachers to >> might be easier to share school >> teachers to students greater >> staff or you know retaining more staff already. >> But some people say, "Well, you're retaining too many staff for the declining enrollment project." >> Yeah. >> I don't know if they are, but they >> If you'll recall, >> they literally let it sit for like three or four years.
So they meet everybody here >> somewhere in the last few days since you were talking Tuesday. >> They weren't here Tuesday. >> Yeah, they were not here Tuesday and every Tuesday. >> When am I going to get my hooks? >> Somebody obviously somebody heard. >> Did you get one too? >> Yeah, she got one. >> She noticed. >> Okay. By one of their buildings. >> Yeah, I know. I got >> All right. I shared it with you. >> It holds my water bottle perfectly. >> But if you have any suggestions or >> You still dropped your >> Well, I I didn't know Somebody that's in the business world helped me with it. >> I literally >> screwed. I just don't know how >> it's just glue in two screws, >> but it is screwed. >> Two screws. So, >> nice and tight in there. >> Hold big weight.
>> It's not. >> Oh, SG alignment finishes. >> You ready to come back and share with Okay. So what else? >> How will you >> if I need to update or replace it on board? >> The only pro the only weird thing is is like that year that I had like outside of the classroom. It was hard to like transfer that >> um because it was an admin job. So, I kind of want to show her that, >> you know, for the purpose of the jobs, >> but I expect that more jobs will be releasing in the next couple weeks. >> He said, "What?" >> I said, "When >> I think that's a good thing." >> Like, we're looking at stuff next week, so it should be up in the next couple weeks. >> Did you look at the Do we think we're done early?
>> Yeah, >> we could wrap up early. Okay. >> Solve the problem. >> Okay. Fantastic. >> And we are >> right. >> Okay. >> Um just want to give you guys an opportunity to whichever way you want to start, whoever wants to start to share out which option you picked. Um share your pros and cons. It's sof alignment and just maybe some insight into why you picked it. So whoever wants to go first. >> I'll go first. >> Miss Marquez. So >> um so we chose invest in staffing um obvious there's a lot of pros I think but you can retain better support staff um because better support staff can help you keep good teachers. So um and then obviously keep classroom sizes smaller if you've got more teachers. Uh a con uh one thing was you know if you're putting more money into staffing then there might be less money to go elsewhere.
Um, also needing need to ensure that there's a a strong process that you're hiring quality staff and um because I know there's sometimes there's been situations where positions opened up in a school and then it hasn't necessarily been posted but then posted in >> uh dang it I'm spilling tea here. Um but >> which school is that? No, I'm just Can I get some no names? But no but but you know it's been hired filled internally but that has m so position and f fil filled internally by someone's already employed at the school but then however then you don't get to see if there's any better qualified candidates. So um yeah there's there's more money to hire more people. Let's make sure that the people we are hiring aren't just getting preferential treatment because they know somebody who knows somebody, but that it's somebody who's very qualified for that job and is going to do best for our kids.
Um, as far as SOFG alignment is, you know, it'll we'll be operating with a system, you know, to recruit and retain strong teachers. If you've got more money to recruit and retain strong teachers, then that falls within the guardrail. Fantastic. >> Thank you. Tristan, did you wanna >> Oh, well, we were working together, but I would add that um literacy and >> Mr. Jones, I'm so sorry. >> What did you call me? >> Hey, buddy. >> Steve, >> I call you Vanessa. pal. >> Um, >> here >> since we we were working on the same one and we actually came up like we both agreed that was our top choice. >> Uh, I had written down literacy and math intervention specialists and after school tutors directly improve uh your goals. So uh and then my con that I was spitballing was a little less money on say like benefits like which you said that's a major driver for retention but with staff so you wouldn't be able to do that and then also there comes a point with you have too much staff for a projected enrollment which you would you would have to strategic about these staffing choices with that million dollars.
But I think tutors and uh intervention specialists, especially when we can start catching those second graders and third graders. >> Fantastic. You guys are very thoughtful. Thank you. And um I appreciate that for sure. All right. >> Um Katie and I discussed and we chose expanding transportation. We chose expanding pres um transportation because we go back to our first comment. I think you said it yourself, Mr. Shapiro, that we have to try new different things in order for get different outcomes. We have to try try different strategies and I believe that um given the place that we're in, this would be a completely new strategy. And at the end of the day, if we want to pay have more additional coaches, if we want to invest in staff and we want to have the ability to allocate reserves the way that we want to, we're going to need more money.