And that's why I bring up this up because it always sounds good. Nutrition, we're going to go into the community, community-based, nutrition security. I mean, all of these are good buzzwords, but at the end of the day, we know how how much is this really impacting? Are we getting results from it? And if we're not, then we need to really look at how can we best spend some of these fundings because this is once you do it, then, you know, everybody protect their jobs and you you can't change the program. >> absolutely very important questions. >> now we have a federal program and it goes away and we've relied on federals for too long for these nice to have programs and now you want the state to take it over and it's very difficult because you know, the pie is only so big and now you're adding on more.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Wilma Van Aragon. Sorry if I mispronounced. >> You did. You did. Great. >> Good evening. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. My name is Wilma Van Aragon and I'm a resident of Betavia for the last 14 years. I love Betavia, its beauty, its diversity, its small local businesses. Our children and grandchildren have benefited from this wonderful school system because of the dedicated educators here. My husband and I are both retired educators in a neighboring district. He was a middle school principal and I was a certified school nurse and department chair for health services. I am an activist because I feel it is my moral duty to stand up for my neighbors, especially my marginalized neighbors. Recently, I had the privilege of proudly supporting our students who use their right to free speech to stand up for their community members and fellow students who they saw were impacted by ICE.
So, that's one feature that gets built in as well. It's nice to have the balance of that. Exactly. My second question is, what is the word of the week? Excellent. Um great question. Um last week it was contribute. >> going to say word of the week. >> [laughter] >> I don't know. I think last week or the week before it was contribute. This week, I'm not sure. All right, that's okay. >> [laughter] >> I can report back. I think you have four future slides. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> You can call a lifeline Who is the author and what's the book we're going to talk about? Yeah, great question. The author is Ruth Spiro. She is local to the Chicago suburbs. She's actually written over 30 children's books. I didn't know her prior to looking for local authors, but some of our teachers mentioned the other day and maybe this sounds familiar to those of you with children.
In fact, I would say it had a positive impact on on the kids and and how they're able to take that class. Um in French, uh we're continuing to see some slight movement around, especially in in German. Um I think I said French, I meant world languages. In world languages, uh we're seeing some moving around in in French and in and in German. I would like to highlight um specifically the French teachers this year have done some fantastic things with the French club and getting those students together to really try and um keep kids in the program and moving forward. So, they've done some some really awesome work there and have some good uh stories to tell about the extracurriculars and the co-curriculars they've been doing there. So, that's >> So, when can I just ask when you say you see movement, you mean decline in French and German?
Section three that the superintendent or designate will also deliver a copy of said notice to the teacher by electronic mail. and section four that this resolution will be in full force and effect forth with upon its adoption. Um we will fill in the information about uh who the board member who moved to adopt and uh who seconded it. Um and we'll take a roll call as well. There is one teacher listed for um for honorable dismissal. Okay. Okay. May I have a motion to approve the resolution for non-renewal of probationary teachers not in their final year of probation as presented? >> So moved. >> Second.
When we identified students for the next year it is not at a full section yet. And instead of irresponsibly signing a multi-year contract until we solidify the numbers for ongoing sections writing, I don't want to lock the district's money into overpaying because when you pick when you sign your contract, you're paying for those seats regardless. So, that is a one-year contract at 5,000. Okay? Whereas the American Government, this class we have the trend numbers of of showing these numbers stay pretty consistent. We are doing a six-year adoption to drop the cost because the more years that we're able to push it out they decrease the cost per seat over those years. So, this one comes up to uh 34,600 and uh 29 cent $29.43. Um it also is a recommended uh book for the AP course. And that is the direction we're going. Both textbook sets and e-learning online.
>> We have to touch them at an early age. And so back to your question truly, Dr. Perkins was right. We are looking at your entire prek through 12 system and the impact that they is going to have on these changes that are being made. It will reach every single grade. Every grade will notice that hey we laid that solid foundation early. We didn't wait until third grade. >> We caught them early. >> Game changer. Thank you Sandy. Um, again I the first day I met you here, you just full of energy and you haven't stopped. You are such a great facilitator and I know a lot of the things we just had a meeting what last week and a lot of the things that you guys you you are professionals. You're good at what you do. It goes like this over my head. Okay.
Yeah, it's taking shape. It is. I'm excited for everybody to get to use that space. Yeah. I think that dining's been wonderful. Yes, very. >> [snorts] >> And at what point will they will they totally delve into the Ottoman gymnasium floor? Uh it should be this summer. Right when school's out. Now uh Mrs. Bitsnogle has said that like if the weather cooperates and we know that, she may be able to turn that gym over five days before or or three days before. I will tell you from my experience any day that they can get it early is is a plus. So um she's willing to to work with them. Especially if the kids can get outside and they don't need that gym. Yeah. So um and then over spring break they will be I believe they were wanting to remove that um divider >> that divider partition with no students there.
>> Did we look to see if we could get like a comparable rate from like Nevco or Fair-Play or anything like that, or did we just pick Daktronics? Cuz that's awful expensive. >> Yeah, I spoke with Nevco I spoke with Nevco as well. They're all pretty much in the same in the same price range for what we're what we're looking for. I didn't look I didn't not look at Fair-Play, but our scoreboard was I mean, we had issues with them, obviously, but I did talk to them as well. I talked to them a lot before I even talked to the Daktronics people cuz we had things solved with them, but um they're just as expensive. Nevco, I think, was within maybe the beginning like $5,000 lower, maybe, but they're not as reputable as Daktronics. We Daktronics what we have for our sign the sign up for our thing that Mr.
Um, she asked me last year, she's like, "Can we just have more state tests?" Right? Is that what that email said? >> [laughter] >> But um but I I do appreciate not only the state's, you know, focus on reading, right, but specifically with with our teachers because as a former middle school high school principal, right, reading is foundational to learning. And so it doesn't really matter what we're teaching if if they can read and comprehend everything and just focus in there. So Um great job by all of you. So, thank you guys. All right. Well then. Yep. Uh next step is public comment. So Mrs. Unger floor's yours. I'm not a public speaker, so You can do hard things. Good evening. My name is Kristy Unger and I'm speaking on behalf of the third grade team. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you tonight about the importance of support staff, particularly instructional aids in helping our students succeed.
Um we're looking for personal skills, we're looking for attendance, we're looking for all the things that he just mentioned. And um yeah, to get to that 25 number just again based on space. >> Going back to what you said about college, I've noticed a big transition in the kids now having a focus when they go on to college. I got two of them that are want to go into HR, two of them want to go into maintenance. So, it's giving them a career path when they go to the next level. And the college health program, if they come on and work a certain amount of hours during the summer, then they get a thous,000 scholarship that they can use >> for their education. >> And I think the big plus is that we are insight. So, the kids get to come out to the plant every single day.
We are ready to >> I think um the PSAT is whatever 9 and 10. I think it's you can say it but I don't know that a test is as good as perhaps looking at like an etmology vocabulary class in the district as well which I know we don't have. So, there's an opportunity. Do we have edetmology? >> Not just not Latin but actual edmology where they're increasing it but and again it's elective but I think that would go a long way as well. >> What is well >> we >> can get that for you. I just >> our school our especially our APs in at middle school and high school really been focusing on attendance. They've been giving updates. They run a report every week to identify all each student's individual attendance. Once they get to middle school, high school may have field trips that are outside.
Absolutely. Those Those conversations principals will be having with individual families, and if any family has a question, they should contact their principal immediately. Sure. And again, I'm not really sure which one of you to address this question to, but is there a a list of courses for the high school in which is not a remediation program, but instead a way for our students to uh maybe get ahead? I'm assuming that means like health, for example, cuz that's something the Lawrence household has yet to take, and we do want these babies to graduate, and that's a reason to So, is there a place where parents like me could go look and understand >> Yeah, there'll be communication that comes out from the high school usually around spring break, typically right after spring break. That's communication from the high school. They have a big old flyer they use every year and it's updated every year in terms of what courses are offered.
Hearing none. >> I have a couple of questions. >> Okay. Sure. Go ahead, Carl. Um just so that we're clear because we did speak about this uh in an earlier meeting. One of the concerns and Mr. Lopez, you and I have had several conversations that I think were uh were very good conversations about the concerns of uh both blasting and flooding. Uh the concerns of of of most of the people that have been following this um they're concerns of ours as well. Um, but for the record, there's not going to be a lot of blasting. Correct. If I remember correctly from that discussion, most of the blasting was just to lay utilities and that was fairly limited. >> Uh, that's correct. And I'll give kind of just a general yes answer to that and and Will can um fill in additional details, but that's generally correct.
Um, and I had a number of um, IEP children in my mainstream classroom when I was teaching in the school system here in this city as well as in other cities. Um, I'm hoping that the volunteers that I had heard about who wanted to make it easier for people to come in and volunteer because we do have a budget problem and so paying instructional aids is a big problem. And if we can get more and more people in there on a volunteer basis to help with students, I would love to see that happen. And I can hear that time is up. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, anybody else in the room for public comment? And also, if you are online and would like to give public comment, please put your name in the chat and then I'll call on you when it is time.
Who are we going to cut? Am I going to cut from our seniors? Am I going to cut from our non-profits? Am I going to cut from our our education? Where do I cut? The pie is only so big, right? So, where are we going to come up with the funding for these additional positions? And not for one time, but to protect in perpetuity it seems, right? Yes. And it's not because we're we're not sensitive to nutrition and people eating balanced meals. I mean, you know, we're we're all guilty of it. Walk in any of our offices, you're going to see a whole pile of of junk food. That's to sustain us during the session. But again, and and we're smart people. We're not, you know, I like to think we're smart. Well, Senator Dela Cruz, may We do want to change the world. We really do want to change the world and we have to change the world.
I went to stand with them. They were respectful, enthusiastic, and in conversation with them, I was pleased to find out that they knew exactly what they were protesting. I thought, "These kids are all right. Our future is bright." The district's response was rather disappointing on a few fronts. It was a tragically missed opportunity for a learning for learning about civics, the constitution, free speech, and the moral obligation we all have to stand up for one another. Instead, the district chose to be somewhat punitive. Even after the push back, you had an opportunity to sit down with the students and community and think about how to move forward. Another lesson on civics and community engagement was missed. Last week, I was so happy to see on social media that you chose to feature Sarah McBride as a successful woman for what? For Women's History Month. Well done.
She's like the board book She's like the board book lady that explains like scientific concepts to babies essentially. And that didn't mean anything to me at the time, but some staff members and their kids have read it. But she has authored many other like picture books for students AK-35. So she'll be coming and doing topics. Each kindergarten class will get their own read aloud in the morning and in the afternoon. So she added that on for us since we're half day currently. And then first and second graders will have some time with her where she'll where she'll read some of her stories. A lot of her books are focused on like STEM topics and how to become a writer. And then third fourth third and fourth grade will have another session with her where they get to focus on what they are an expert in and connect that to some of her stories.
>> we we So, our German seems to be a little bit steady coming from last year this year, but our French has declined about 3%. Okay. Yeah. And that's we've been seeing that trend the last couple of years. >> Do you see kids moving into other languages or do you see kids moving out of language? >> See them moving into other languages. No, yeah. >> [clears throat] >> On the north side of town, are your teachers also multi-disciplined and able to teach in a variety of areas? >> Oh, yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And I I think I would go back to my highlight about the EL certification there as well. That was big for our [cough] >> [clears throat] >> pushes over the last couple of years is when we're looking to fill a position that we're also looking for that EL certification to come in as well.
>> Any discussion? Hearing none. If we could take a vote, please. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Julie Jetty, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. Okay, >> that motion is approved. Uh, new topics for discussion. There are none. Uh, may I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> So moved. >> We're not. >> All right. Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. This meeting adjourns at 6:31