What makes Phil truly special is his consistency. He shows up because he believes in our kids, our staff, and in the future of Dalton. Our school is stronger and more connected because of the partnership. Bill, thank you for keeping us moving, for helping us grow, and for being a partner in the work. Let's congratulate our Dalton parent of the year, Mr. Phil Coffin. Good evening board by V vice president Rodriguez Pñena board of education superintendent Ortega cabinet and guests. I am Janette Flores, proud principal of Hajj Elementary. It is truly an honor to stand before you today to introduce former Isuza board member Tilonin Cruz Gonzalez as parent of the year for Hajj Elementary. Chilon Cruz is the parent of a dual language fifth grade student at Hajj, Lucio Madreal, better known as Tona, who is present here tonight with grandma and grandpa and extended family.
That concludes my presentation. >> Great. We don't have an admin report. So, it is now your guys's time. For those keeping records, item nine on the agenda type everyone. If we can have all our quilts of the months come forward with your certificates and we will line you up with preschool all the way through. Parents and family members, please feel free to take pictures and videos and move around to do that and also be live stream. So if you have any family members able to make it, you will be able to access the live stream on our website. It's Yes. And then parents, if you want to meet your child or their t-shirt sizes, we've kind of we're running a little small and there's a new order that's been placed. So, if you need to write your name down or jot it down and you're going to pass on the shirt today, we'll get you the shirts when they come.
>> No, I think we seen a reduction in correct Keith or square acre reduction. Yeah, >> just a slight reduction in our total area. And Keith also placed in uh the bid specs to uh receive a credit for the areas near the sports plex that are still in u m maturation phase that aren't fully um grass right now. They're still seed and straw. So, we'll receive a credit till that area or those areas are um ready to be taken care of like the rest of the grounds on the district. >> Okay. And that's from April to November. >> Our annual service agreement goes from April to November. Obviously, if we need to start earlier, generally we can. Correct, Keith? Or >> later >> or run later if if it's a mild. >> So that's 7 months, 16,000 low, 18,000 high. Seven months of what? 100 to two for 100 roughly 120,000 130,000 a year.
And uh that brings us to the end of our meeting. So, uh no no uh no public comment this evening. So, we move to administrative reports. Any any other information for us, Vicki? >> Nothing. Uh Ross, what do you >> Nothing really. We're working through getting everything on at the complex right now. Um, so we had a little bit of trouble, but we're we're hopefully tomorrow we'll have about everything ready to rock and roll out. >> Good deal. >> All right. You got anything additional for us? So, in June of last year, we had an OCR complaint filed with Coington that our website was out of compliance with um those with disabilities, specifically to those with vision impairment. and it has been an ongoing um issue. But we are happy to say that this week we got the letter saying that we have met all the needed requirements in our web pages now in compliance with um vision impaired um persons.
In a corner of the chicken coupe, the little red hen kept a small pile of grains safe from the wind and water. She gathered them now and went to find her friends. "Such friends," she had, always ready to lend a hand. "Who will help me plant these grains?" she asked them. "Not I," said the sheep. "Sorry, Bub," said Horse. "Think again," said Dog. a little bit rudely. The little red hen was not happy. "Okay, okay," she grumbled. "I should worry. I'll just do it myself." And the little red hen planted those grains. There she are. Here she is planting the grains by herself. Too bad her friends didn't help out. Months passed. The sun shone, the rain fell, and the grain grew tall. The little red hen waited patiently. Finally, there was a field of wheat ready to be harvested. The little red hen went to find her friends.
When you limit a community's single largest revenue source uh by two and a half% a year and your again your costs grow by more than that your fixed costs um you're on an unsustainable path and that's what we've been on for the past few years and so by FY25 our actual fixed costs were approximately 2.24 24 million above that 2 a.5% compounded reference line if you go back to 2014. Um as you can see we've exceeded that 2 and a.5% um several years ago and we've just been trying to trying to manage it ever since. Um, one of the things that I mentioned that we had used was our stabilization fund. Uh, utilizing over two million of that for FY26. Our stabilization fund and the way we treat it, the way we fund it, the policies that we have around it, um, has been critical to our financial success.
Um those become increasingly unlikely as we get towards April 1, but we always want to make sure we're in communication. We're having those conversations to make sure that if something happens, we can capture it. So, uh we've talked about this a couple times. We have some direct budget offsets that are built into the budget itself. So, school choice, we are using $450 of recurring school choice. That's roughly what we take in a year, give or take. It it comes and it goes um to uh to offset the budget um in a responsible way. We are also using $260,000 to offset expiring expenses. Those are high cost out of district situations that we know will be ending. We are confident based on um the pipeline of students flowing through out of district placements and based on needs that those once those expire we won't have those expenses going further.
Some folks didn't fill it out. We I we had a a good sampling, although comments were good from the folks it out. So, I wanted to show everybody the survey. The final thing is it was great to see a crowd out there today. A couple people came up to me and said, "This is great." Kim Kim mentioned it was Kim was a staunch supporter probably of every game said that u this was probably the most she had seen in the game which was great. So I I think us um continuing to push that. I hope everybody gets a chance. I know the guys are going to mention something about the play probably beginning Thursday but if you haven't got tickets I hope you can get get there board members get one complimentary ticket um to to go. So, I hope you get the chance to be there.
And we thank you for being here. Chilon's impact stretches far beyond her own child's classroom. Chilon's impact, she is compassionate. Um she is a leader who makes our entire school community stronger. At Hajj, Chilonin is a vital voice in our decision-making. With her vast experience previously serving as part of the board, it is not surprising that Chilanine currently serves on both the schoolside council and the community schools advisory council. She leads with integrity and a deep commitment to every student. She is especially passionate about advocating for our English learners and their families, ensuring that they have equitable access to high quality learning. What makes Chilan truly remarkable is how she bridges her professional expertise with her local advocacy. As the deputy director of Californians together, she works statewide to foster inclusive learning environments. She brings that same expertise back to Hajj and the Isuza Unified School District, strengthening our ability to serve all learners.
All right, our first student, if you'll come forward, you'll say your name and then you'll give me your certificate and I'll read it while you stand over here with your print and we'll get you back. We'd also like to thank um we'll saw the Java because they are so great to give us these certificates for good for one free ice cream. Freda is recognized as our preschool cult of the month for showing leadership in our classroom. Freda practices be proactive and making good choices, synergize by playing and working well with her friends, and seek first to understand by being kind and friendly to others. She helps make our classroom a happy and caring place to learn. We are proud of Freda for being a positive leader every day. Congratulations, Freda. Dr. Felicia Robbins. >> Hi, my name is Logan. Logan is a kind, safe, and responsible student who is always focused and ready to learn.
roughly. Yep. >> Is that kind of what we budgeted for? >> Yeah, about that. >> I know we've had the same provider for what, three years now? >> I think >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Two two contracts. >> Yep. >> Okay. And you are not at liberty until you issued a contract. If our current vendor was the lowest bidder, you're not at liberty to say that. Was it It was a It was a seal bid and they were here today. All three vendors. Yes. All three vendors submitted seal bids. >> Seal bid open up the bid and they knew at that point who was the lowest bidder at that point and that was all the information they received today. Right. >> Correct. Um considering that there's new companies um you know Keith has to do his due diligence, check references and things along those lines.
So >> great. >> Yep. >> Anything else? >> Upcoming date spring break next week. Um >> and the weather looks terrible. Yeah, it's always it's always like that dur spring break. And then our uh we'll be off Good Friday and the following Monday and then our next board meeting would be on uh see it'll be the 13th. >> 13th, right? Yeah. April 13th. So, >> all right. Next thing I need is a motion and a second to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion and a second to adjurnn. All in favor?
This time, she was sure they would lend a hand. "Who will help me cut the wheat?" she asked. "Not I," said the sheep. "Sorry, bud." Nay," said Horse. "Think again, woof woof, dog a little bit rudely. We're your friends, not your servants." The little red hen was definitely not happy. Friends, schmens, she muttered. I'll just do it myself. And the little red hen cut the wheat. Would your friends help you if you asked them? The wheat was ready for the milk. The little red hen gathered it together and went to find her friends. They won't disappoint me again, she told herself confidently. Who will help me carry the wheat to the mill? She asked them. Not I, said the sheep. Sorry, bud. Nay, said the horse. Think again. Woof woof. The dog said a little bit rudely, "We're resting." Don't you think the hen would like to rest, too?
Um, and it's not because we use it and just hoard it away and use it and and just bank it as a way to build up our reserves and show a big war chest. We actually use it when it's necessary. We just use it strategically. Over the years, and this goes back many years, um, we've used over $9.4 million. Now, our balance, as you can see on the left, and it's kind of hard to see with this print, is about $10 million right now. Um, we've grown that, but if we continue to use it at the current pace or fill in the percentage gap that we had in FY26, if you look at the graph on the right, we'll exhaust that stabilization fund in three years. Um, it's just simply not sustainable to just utilize your stabilization fund for structural deficits. So, what do we do?
We we will continue to look at ways to bring down that number. That's a significant number. The other good side of that is next year we may not have and 28th rather we may not have those expenses but we will receive circuit breaker reimbursement for those expenses. So there may be a double sort of whammy in that mix. I'm hesitant to jump on that. Uh slides 7 to 10 really talk about some some some items. The only one I'm going to talk about is this. Um the closure of the Department of Education on the federal level has put some of the grants in um a bit of a gray area. There's been some question. I generally think these will be funded probably level funded for next year um and maybe block granted. Um there was a recent email that seemed to indicate that was the case.
But I think what we heard our students say on Thursday was they're looking for as much support from the town and us as possible. I think tonight was a good start. So, that's all that I have from on the chairman's side. I'll turn it over to superintendent. Super. Thank you, S. Good to see everybody. I want to thank Mr. Pit and Dr. Kwell for being here tonight to uh update on.
Even with a demanding career and travel schedule, Chilanine is always present. You'll find her leading parent circles at our community potllex, serving at the P on the PTA board, um leading a troop with the Isuza Cub Scouts, or actively participating in the Isuza city events. She leads with purpose and collaboration in every space she occupies. Because of her leadership, her advocacy, and her heart for our students, Hajj Elementary is a more inclusive and connected place. Chilon on behalf of the staff and students at Hajj thank you for everything that you do. It is my privilege to congratulate you. president Charles Hley Rosed. participant. particip. Henosch. particip. family. AOG significance. Thank you for Good evening, Board Vice President Rodriguez Pñena, members of the board of education, superintendent, cabinet members, and members of the community. My name is Jenny Lee, and I'm honored to serve as AUSD's director of early childhood education, as well as Longfellow's principal.
She is polite, respectful, and consistently willing to help others. Logan always does her best without complaining and shows strong leadership among her peers. She's a true peacemaker and a positive example to everyone around her. Congratulations, Logan. You were nominated by all of our elementary specialists, E library, AND MUSIC. MY NAME'S ELENA. >> Elena is a very caring and kind friend to all her classmates. She's always helping out others. Elena always has a smile on her face and is working hard every day. Such a superstar. Congratulations, Elena. MRS. HI, MY NAME IS PAUL. >> Ford is an exceptional student. He shows responsibility by completing all assignments with no delay and a smile every time. He turns in his homework every Thursday and it's neatly completed. He follows the safety rules on the playground, in class, and all over campus. Ford is a helper to his peers when they need him.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Moving on to agenda item B. I'm here to provide you with an update on the short-term facility plan from 2024 to 2026. Um, as you guys know, this plan's been going on for 3 years. um covered uh the remaining work at uh four of our elementary schools in addition to the ELC uh roof replacement at Creek Elementary um Sportslex and what we have currently going on right now the project for additional classrooms at the middle school. So, um, as you guys can see where we remain with all of our projects, and I can get to these, uh, buildings individually, but, um, we currently have still a small amount that is left from the Tilala and ELC project of summer 2024. Um, Keith, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm understanding that we're just having some pro electrical light programming issues with those.