I still feel deep frustration in my soul that we were not able to make this happen. But Robert's rules got manipulated by someone and we had to we couldn't do it. And then the second year we had the budget cut and we couldn't do it. So it it's not that we didn't want to do it, it's that we couldn't financially do it. And now I'm so thankful that the fifth grade teachers came to speak to us. And I'm so thankful that Miss Venomar came to speak to us because what I heard is that they had to have some sort of make it work moment over there because that's what they had. That's what they had to do and they really pulled it together and now they've got a great team. They've got a great situation. They're feeling confident. They're seeing uh positive movement. They are out of desi status.
I was only one voice. So, I know that's not an answer or even a question, but it's a it's a feeling and it's a motivation and I have to vote no because I know the amount of work involved to even do it and we're not in that position now financially or uh administratively. Thank you. Other members? Member Webb? Um I definitely would like to say when my child was in fourth grade going to fifth grade, I had lots of fears of the fifth grade transition, and I think that between the bridge from elementary to GMS has definitely been the gap has closed, you know, they go over there for visits now. Everyone's invited over to their hot diggity dog end-of-the-year celebration where they do give like tours of the buildings to incoming families. I definitely had a fear of my child going to the big school, and it was again, I'm speaking my personal perspective, was one of the um the great things.
They're feeling really good. And I want to honor that as well because something changed between the time when we voted to do this and we were ready and then being unable to and we've got these years now and they really had to step it up. So great work to them and but I hear there is harm and pain here because this is what the community wanted. This is what we voted for. This is what we promised. We did complete part of the work by redrawing the lines, which I think was an important act of equity. So, I'm glad that we did that. But I don't think that we could do this this year, even if we wanted to. Even if we poured all of our energy and intention into it, I don't think it's possible. It will take a second heran effort for the administration to figure out how to make this work.
There's so many ways over there, so many more opportunities for them to stay after school with their ELA teacher or their math teacher. Um and I know like the seventh grade, for example, is going to the science fair this year. So, I just I know it's seventh and not fifth, but there's just room in fifth for them to get comfortable in the building between two transitions between two teachers and then up to four teachers. And you know, I think sometimes we don't think our fourth graders are ready for that step up. I know I didn't, but then when it happened, I really realized my child was ready for that step up. Again, that's my child. I know others who have not had similar experiences. Number 10. I'm going to be pragmatic. Um looking at the timeline for doing it for next year, when we had to pause last year because of money, and we're looking at a just as if not more dire financial picture, I don't see us finding the money, and I don't see us finding the money by our budget hearing next Monday.
And I think that we have to revisit all of our discussions with the community and I think we have to revisit the building situations maybe even and there's definitely a cost associated with all of it and then that leaves the whole eighth grade thing on the table too which maybe is another discussion but it's all just one hole of a problem that I have heard and I acknowledge and I wish that I could turn back time and not have had any of the decisions. I wish I could have stepped in front of the decisions, but I couldn't. I was only one voice. So, I know that's not an answer or even a question, but it's a it's a feeling and it's a motivation and I have to vote no because I know the amount of work involved to even do it and we're not in that position now financially or uh administratively.
So, just in terms of practicality there, I thought that we heard some very compelling arguments in favor of fifth grade at middle school both from the people here tonight and also the emails we've been getting. One of the things that was said that really stuck to me was the support teams that they could offer for the fifth grade. I'm I'm thinking, okay, how are we going to keep everybody employed and paid? And so if I'm hearing that we can have this support team for the full grade versus three support teams one at each elementary school for fifth grade. I'm thinking dollars and cents there. Um So that's just strictly financially pragmatic. And additionally, I don't like the idea of pulling the rug out from under our teachers, our school administrators, and asking them in March to, oh by the way, redo all of the schedule and all of the planning and all of the budget for these.
>> Thank you. Other members, member web Um, I definitely would like to say when my child was in fourth grade going into fifth grade, I had lots of fears of the fifth grade transition. And I think that between the bridge from elementary to GMS has definitely been the gap has closed. You know, they go over there for visits now. everyone's in invited over to their hot diggity dog end of the year celebration where they do give like tours of the buildings to incoming families. Um I definitely had a fear of my child going to the big school and it was again I'm seeking my personal perspective was one of the um the great things there's so many UAS over there so many more opportunities for them to stay after school with their ELA teacher or their math teacher. Um and I know like the seventh grade for example is going to the science fair this year.
I I think if we do this, we need to do this in a very open, transparent, everybody sees it coming from 100 miles away rather than a quick rapid turnaround and make it work right now. Um I think if we rush it, we'll do a terrible job regardless. Um I think the biggest problem the fifth grade has is PR. And I I I'm glad they were here and able to talk more about that. And then my last question is, do we know how this would impact class sizes at the elementary schools? Would we have to force more kids in classrooms to make space for those extra fifth grade classes with the numbers that we have now projected and they're now expecting? And would we be able to run those calculations quickly enough in order to juggle things around? I I think for me this for this question for this next school year uh from strictly pragmatic standpoint comes down to time and money and I don't think we have enough of either of those.
So, I just I know it's seventh and not fifth, but there's just room in fifth for them to get comfortable in the building between two transitions between two teachers and then up to four teachers. And you I think sometimes we don't think our fourth graders are ready for that step up. I know I didn't, but then when it happened, I really realized my child was ready for that step up. Again, that's my child. I know others who have not had similar experiences. Member Johnson, >> I'm going to be pragmatic um looking at the timeline for doing it for next year when we had to pause last year because of money and we're looking at a just as if not more dire financial picture. I don't see us finding the money and I don't see us finding the money by our budget hearing next Monday. So just in terms of practicality there, uh I thought that we heard some very compelling arguments in favor of fifth grade at middle school, both from the people here tonight and also the emails we've been getting.
Number nine, please. >> I'm also a person who if you would ask me a month ago on this question, I it would have been very clear to me to move fifth grade to elementary schools, but we've heard from a lot of people recently who are directly involved. A lot of people working in the middle school um and they're defending the team teaching model. They say it's working great. I don't see how the team teaching model would be possible to implement by when they're all spread out in the different elementary schools. Um and we heard three principals ask us for stability right now. So I think we have an obligation to recognize that the terrain has shifted since this decision was last addressed. And I will be voting no. Um give me just a moment. Um I think for a lot of the similar reasons that have already been named, I'm not going to be voting yes on this motion.
One of the things that was said that really stuck to me was the support teams that they could offer for the fifth grade. I'm I'm thinking, okay, how are we going to keep everybody employed and paid? And so if I'm hearing that we can have this support team for the full grade versus three support teams, one at each elementary school for fifth grade, I I'm thinking dollars and cents there. Um so that's just strictly financially pragmatic. And additionally, I don't like the idea of pulling the rug out from under our teachers, our school administrators, and asking them in March to, oh, by the way, redo all of the schedule and all of the planning and all of the budget for these. I I think if we do this, we need to do this in a very open, transparent, everybody sees it coming from a 100 miles away rather than a quick rapid turnaround, make it work right now.
But and I I understand that there are going to be some parents who are not happy with that choice. But what I heard actually out of your comments more than specifically wanting fifth grade moved back was a a desire for clarity. Is this going to happen or is this not going to happen? Um and trying to balance both giving parents clarity and giving our staff stability, I won't support changing everything up in March for a for a fall start. Um and so that's that's sort of where my head's at. Um any other comments from any other members? Seeing none. Oh, sorry. Remember Childs. I'm going to jump on what member Deitman said about stability. It give me another thought that this is probably something that I mean, we love you Superintendent Joel, but this is probably a decision better for someone who will be seeing through it and implementing it.
Um, I think if we rush it, we'll do a terrible job regardless. Um, I think the biggest problem the fifth grade has is PR. And I I I'm glad they were here and able to talk more about that. And then my last question is, do we know how this would impact class sizes at the elementary schools? Would we have to force more kids in classrooms to make space for those extra fifth grade classes with the numbers that we have now projected and are now expecting? And would we be able to run those calculations quickly enough in order to juggle things around? I I think for me this for this question for this next school year uh from strictly pragmatic standpoint comes down to time and money and I don't think we have enough of either of those. member. >> I'm also a person who if you had asked me a month ago on this question, I it would have been very clear to me um to move fifth grade to elementary schools.
So, I think that any change should probably come with the long-time full and not an interim. Though, if you clearly would be fully capable of doing a good job. But, just in terms of sticking around and being the one that when people are mad, they'll be mad at. And then the other thing is perhaps this is something that if we vote on the ad hoc long-term facilities use advisory committee, they might advise to use these facilities for fifth grade versus So. Okay. Mayor, did I hear you come off mute at all? No, I'm I agree with um I agree with with what member Dietman said as well, hearing that the need for stability and what many of the teachers said, I'm going to be voting no as well. I think it I think we need to look at it a little further. All right, hearing that I think we're ready for a vote.
But um we've heard from uh a lot of people recently who are directly involved, a lot of uh people working in the middle school um and they're defending the team teaching model. They say it's working great. I don't see how the team teaching model would be possible to implement by when they're all spread out in the different elementary schools. Um and we heard three principles ask us for stability right now. Um, so I think we have an obligation to recognize that the terrain has shifted since this decision was last addressed and uh I will be voting no. >> Um, give me just a moment. Um, I think for a lot of the similar reasons that have already been named, I'm not going to be voting yes on this motion. But and I I understand that there are going to be some parents who are not happy with that choice.
Or are we ready for a vote? All right. Member Goodwin. Yes. Chair Sexton. No. Member Webb, I am a no. Vice Chair Childs. No. Member Geneve. >> No. Mayor Desorgher. No. Member Dietman. No. It does not pass. Okay. Um thank you everyone. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and uh and having this discussion out. Um okay. So, moving back back up to the top, um I will just say that like this um executive session is a potential executive session if we feel like we need it specifically to discuss the superintendent's contract before we vote on it. Um do we feel like we need it? Do we all we all have copies of it? It yes. You should have it in your packet. It is under new business. That's helpful, just so you Yep, new business CK contract {parentheses} one. I really hope so. Did folks have a chance to read it?
But what I heard actually out of your comments more than specifically wanting fifth grade moved back was a a desire for clarity. Is this going to happen or is this not going to happen? Um and trying to balance both giving parents clarity and giving our staff stability. I won't support changing everything up in March for a for a fall start. Um, and so that's that's sort of where my head's at. Um, any other comments from any other members? Seeing none. Oh, sorry. Member Childs, >> I'm going to jump on what member Dman said about stability. that gave me another thought that this is probably something that I mean we love you superintendent Joyel but this is probably a decision better for someone who will be seeing through it and implementing it. So I think that any change should probably come with the longtime full and not an interim.
I'm pretty sure I did. Good. Are we ready to vote? Can I Can I Can I have 5 seconds more on this? Absolutely. Just make eye contact with me when you're ready. I've read it. I just want one more one more go through. Yeah, totally. Would we Yeah, that's my I guess I have a kind of question. Would we want to let the two members that weren't at executive session know what was changed or would they be able to notice it on the contract? I want to know who were not there, too. Um yeah, there is there's a back-and-forth discussion responding to a counteroffer, um but the result of that counteroffer was they dropped it and um took took two vacation days instead. All right, I think we're good. All right, I think we are ready for a vote. So, motion from Chairwoman Sexton to approve the contract with Carol Cruiser and authorize the chair to sign the contract.
Though if you clearly would be fully capable of doing a good job, but just in terms of sticking around and being the one that when people are mad, they'll be mad at. And then the other thing is perhaps this is something that if we vote on the ad hoc long-term facilities use advisory committee, they might advise to use these facilities for fifth grade versus so. Okay. Mayor, did I hear you come off mute at all? No, I'm I agree with um I agree with with what member Dyman said as well, hearing that the need for stability and what many of the teachers said. I'm going to be voting no as well. I think it I think we need to look at it a little further. >> All right, hearing that. I think we're ready for a vote. Or are we ready for a vote? >> All right, >> member Goodwin.
Second. All right. I don't think we have any discussion on that. Please call the roll. Member Goodwin. Yes. Chair Sexton. Yes. Secretary Webb, I'm a yes. Vice Chair Childs. Yes. Member Geneve. >> Yes. Mayor Desorgher. Yes. Member Deitman. Yes. Excellent. Thank you. I will be signing that tonight. Um Whoop. Um Carol's going to be thrilled. Okay. Next motion from Chair Sexton to dissolve the ad hoc Superintendent Search Committee formally. Cuz we just did it. Second.