>> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Lewis? >> Yes. >> Miss Peters? >> Yes. Mrs. A? >> Yes. Mr. McGrust? >> Yes. With that, we will take a break and go into the executive session. Talk about You watch that show called Each show This is love. I was glad she had a kid with you. I thought she was bringing That's pretty cool. Yep. Hello. where it open. You did. No, no, I don't think so. step. Okay. Welcome everyone. We'll restart our meeting that had an executive session an hour ago and now you guys missed all the that part. be more streamlined for us. So with that, our next thing as we're going is item number six to approve the minutes of our last two meetings. Um we're going to have two motions for that from uh No. So >> one motion or two motions. >> Just one.
I would like us to stand, please, for the pledge of allegiance led by Bill and our mission statement read by Dr. Hall. Igian flag United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> And our mission statement, engage and empower our students to positively impact their community and future.
If you would please stand as we say the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, you've all had a chance to look at the agenda. There is one agenda uh amendment for tonight. We we overlooked putting in the stellar employee award in the agenda. So, I'd like to motion that that be added to tonight's agenda. I need a second on that. >> I'll make a second. >> I have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> I >> uh nobody has signed up for public comment uh this evening. So we will skip over that part and go right to the stellar employee. >> Okay. Do you want to come on up to the podium and your family can come with you if you want to come alone right?
So it says here comes Easter cat. Let's find out what happens in this adventure and if cat takes over for the Easter bun. Look, he has a basket already filled with Easter eggs. Do you decorate Easter eggs for Easter? Well, let's find out what's going on here. Here comes the Easter cat. You have to look closely. This cat doesn't really speak. He'll hold up signs or make gestures. Here comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Ruda. She did the pictures. Here we go. What's wrong, cat? You look grumpy. See? look grumpy, too. Look at him. Arms crossed, his red cheeks, his eyes are kind of burrowed together. The Easter Bunny. What about him? Well, of course, everyone loves the Easter Bunny. I wonder if Cat, does he like the Easter Bunny? Why? Because he's nice. He delivers chocolate eggs to millions of kids.
So, with that, um, I will turn it over to, uh, Mr. Herbert, our town manager. Uh, Michael, I know you have, uh, some information you want to provide us, and I'll start it off with you. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, can everybody hear me? Okay, >> fine. You're perfect. >> Great. So, um, so I want to apologize for not being there in person. Uh, unfortunately, I'm a little bit under the weather. Um, so I thought I would spare all of you my germs and do this um remotely uh where I can see uh it's still sunny outside um which is nice cuz well I've been inside for most of the time. But um anyway, I did uh put together some information for you tonight um to talk about this issue. This is our our third tri board meeting of this budget cycle. Um we did have a few more um a couple of others also in the last budget cycle and again as as we predicted back then not much u not much has changed u in terms of the structural issues that we're continuing to face and that we've had that we have faced for several years.
Appreciate you. You heard my school messenger that went out as well too. And I know on a beautiful day like this, it's really hard to come in. Um, so I know I heard a couple parents saying they wish it was an outdoor meeting as well today, but we thank you for coming because it really truly is important. Um, we as a school district, including all the people here sitting to my right hand side, our principles, our directors, our assistant principles, um, have worked very hard to prepare and get this budget ready for presentation tonight um, to the BBRSD. Um, we're all very thoughtful and mindful of the stresses financially on both communities. U, but this is truly what we believe is necessary to bring our district forward to be a more competitive district. Please know that education is a competitive business. We know that and I I think our next school committee meeting is scheduled for March 24th.
to start the night with the uh pledge of allegiance rise. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Everybody was it was exciting to see us win. You look like Yukon. Hopefully I don't need it. You look a little bit like the Yukon women. At least we started off that way. I thought so. Exciting. Superintendent tells me that the next game is uh in Morgan County win the number. So maybe All right. So we'll try to move this meeting along. Uh next up is public comment. Uh the public comment is for anybody in the public that has anything to say both in the audience or online. I'll remind the public that uh it's a three minute uh comment commentary and if need be we can also hold a uh a public comment at the end we do anything going over the budget.
Moving on to item 4.1, pledge of allegiance. Will Mr. uh Sanford domo, principal of Glatsu Middle School, please come to the podium? sit down, please. Okay, so let me begin. Got to move this over here. Good evening, board vice president Rodriguez Pena, board members, cabinet, and community. I am Sam Purdomo and I am the proud principal of Gladstone Middle School. At Gladstone, our academic day is anchored by our college and career ready lab, a space where students transition from simply learning about the world to actively designing their place in it. Students participate on hands-on learning, giving them a taste of college and career opportunities they may want to pursue in the future. We are also incredibly proud of our music program. Whether it's orchestra, jazz band, or students picking up a guitar for the first time, our students have the opportunity to explore what they love.
Any discussion? Colleagues, please taste your vote. Motion passes 4 Z. Moving on to item 2.1, public comment on close session session agenda items. Hope, do we have any blue cards? Leica, do we have any hands risen on Zoom? >> We have no hands raised on Zoom. >> Seeing there there is none, we are now moving on to close session. Our open session will
>> I'll make a motion to accept the um governing board meeting minutes for February 10th. I'll second it. Mrs. Lewis, >> yes. >> Miss Peters, >> yes. Mrs. Yes. Mr. McG. >> Mr. Ashley, >> yes. And we move right into the superintendent report. >> Okay. Good evening, President Osterly, members of the board, and all our amazing parents, and even more amazing students and staff. Thank you for being here today. We have a lot of exciting things to highlight at today's board meeting. Our mission statement, as you know, Continental School District will provide a community environment in which all individuals are challenged to achieve excellence in academics, character, and life skills. So, you remember that's what we work towards every day, building for the future, learning, cooperating, and caring. Love of reading week was a great week. We celebrated with spirit week guest readers. We had Rotarians um who came in by the Rotary members, our student leadership lighthouse team readers, uh myself, Mrs.
I thank you both for reading the mission statement and guiding us to the pledge of allegiance. Do we have any electronic or any public comments? >> Jamie? No. >> No. >> Okay. I got to watch out. I say these jamies around here. Okay. All right. Do we have any board updates? >> Yeah. I think last week, Mr. Brown. I I saw you and Janine at the uh Black History Month program that we put on. Um I think the kids did an outstanding job and even before it went on, they did all their um and we voted on all of their projects. So that was really cool. And everybody had a different take on that. And the one I voted for was the I student that talked about all the different foods. M. >> So, it was really cool on everybody's perspective and how they view it.
Our stellar employee this month is Sarah Dickerson. Sarah represents what it truly means to have trench and pride. She continuously seeks to improve her craft while also keeping a clear focus on the bigger version, bigger vision of how we can strengthen our school, our corporation, and our community. Sarah is not only a teacher, but also a caregiver, counselor, cheerleader, role model, and leader within our building. She motivates and inspires others to be the best they can be. And everything she does comes from a place of compassion. Sarah has a heart not only for the children but for others as well. Her and a group of her peers are always looking for ways to recognize the hard work of our staff and to shine some light in their direction. Sarah has been a contributing factor to the positive increases we have seen in our school climate.
It's a hard job. Oh, he does look a little angry here. It does. Or it looks like he's not really liking the Easter Bunny. Don't be jealous, cat. Why don't you be the Easter cat? Could he help out the Easter Bunny? Have two of them? Sure. You can bring the children something nice, too. I wonder what a cat would bring if he was the Easter cat. Oh, no. What does he think they should bring? Not hairballs, cat. Chocolate bunnies. Why bunnies? Do you think the Easter cat should bring chocolate bunnies just like the Easter bunny brings? Should he bring something different? Cat. He's showing that he likes eating the chocolate bunnies. The Easter Bunny hops from place to place. How did you get around? How does an Easter cat get around? Where are you going? Looks like he's holding up a finger saying, "One minute." Maybe he's going to show us how he'll get around.
Um, before I continue, I just want to make sure everybody can see the presentation right now. If you could say yes just because I can't see you right now. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, and again, uh, this is a structural issue. This isn't u an issue of out of control spending or spending above our means. This is a structural issue because what we're finding are that our fixed and mandated costs are continuing to rise faster than the town's revenue capacity, especially under the constraints of Proposition 2 and a half. And Proposition two and a half uh does restrict communities from going above the two and a half percent increase unless the community as a community and through a ballot measure decides that it will go above that cap. Um so Prop 2 and a half is meant to be a limiting mechanism but at the same time it gives communities the opportunity to overcome or over uh overcome that um limitation if that is what the community decides is in the best interest of the community.
Um we're going to be talking about school choice, right? And that goes right along with being a competitive business and making sure that we're keeping our students staying in our district as well too. Um as you review the budget presentation tonight, you're going to see different levels of priorities that we've talked about. We as a district, and I'm saying for all of us here, can honestly say that all these priorities one, two, and three are extremely important to us. But we realized that we had to tear them, right? and how to put the ones that were most important. Those are the priority ones that you're going to be seeing tonight that we truly believe that we need to have in our schools to make that our teachers and staff have everything they need so they can provide the highest quality education for our students that are in school.
So having said said that Stephen's here I think you'd like to speak public comment. Let me start by complimenting you all for the budget process. I know it's hard and sometimes you get unhappy taxpayers like myself. Sometimes you get happy taxpayers. Um but I understand it is a difficult process. >> Brian, you have to tell me what are you tonight? >> Um I'm a little of both. Okay. I'm a little upset that transparency, which has been an ongoing problem both with board selection and board finance and board of education needs. We have a digital board should be something up there that says there's a meeting tonight. The last one was cancelled. I drove all the way over there. Nobody there. But it seems the board always has an excuse for more money and never follows in a budget. You just asked for 263,000 in December to settle your books.
Every Thursday afternoon, we proudly host our AUSD mariachi, which adds to the opportunities available to the students. At GMS, we know student engagement is the key to middle school success. We offer a wide array of clubs that allow students to have fun and also build new skills. From the patience required in the fishing club to the technical position of RC and STEM, there's a home for every student. Our math club is currently celebrating a major milestone, having recently taken third place at the Lone Hill Middle School Math Competition. Oh yeah, future mathematicians. Gladstone Pride also extends far beyond the classroom. Our cheer squad recently showcased its talent to the community performing at the Isuza Pacific University basketball halftime show. A partnership that gives our students a taste of the collegiate atmosphere. On the field, our athletic programs continue to thrive. We currently we currently home we're currently home to the track and field champion in the long br sorry we are currently the home of a track and field champion in the long budge proving that our gladiators have both the heart and the hustle to complete at high levels.
Reva. So we all shared the wealth during that week. We also read in our outdoor reading peace garden. So if you haven't seen it, it's by the greenhouse. So um we like to get out there when it's nice and it is an outdoor learning place for students and um teachers to use. random acts of kindness day and kindness efforts. Thank you to Miss Jenna for helping us get our rock painting during lunchtime. We are planning to uh put the rocks up during Earth Day celebration so that it'll look good for our A+ of excellence celebration as well. Our amazing fourth graders made and sold the be kind bracelets during lunch to raise money for their kindness club as well. Civic sponsored Dennis and civics update. We have 43 students going to Washington DC. It will be the first week of May 5th is when we leave.
>> Yeah. >> And then when we got done with that, then we went in the auditorium and >> whether and and I've said this before, if you haven't heard our jazz band, I couldn't be more proud as a board member to just go hear them. >> The kids are amazing. Um, a choir, show choir, uh, theater. Um, there was a group doing a fashion show. It was really outstanding for the kids. I mean, they did the students did a great job and the directors and everybody that you know that put the effort in putting that on. >> Yes, >> agree. >> Yeah, >> it was nice. >> I echo that, Bill. It was a extraordinary event. I didn't know what to expect. I came straight from the trenches to the event. Uh, I wasn't slacking for having any mud on my clothes and boots and all of that.
She's also worked to bridge the gap between the school and our community. Since COVID, there's been a disconnect between our building and our families. There were several years that we had to work to keep people out to prevent unnecessary exposure to germs. This in turn created a great divide. Miss Dickerson has been working with the fellow staff members to reinstate our parent teacher group to strengthen the connection between home and school. Within her own room, she works intentionally to ensure the parents of her students feel welcome and valued. Miss Dickerson is also a powerhouse in the classroom, consistently helping her students to surpass their goals. Year after year, she continues to produce impressive growth scores from all of her students regardless of where they start. She instills a love for learning in her students, which makes them excited to come to school and spend the day with their teacher.