She's been in my Spanish class for the last 3 years and during that time she's consistently shown up as her best self. She doesn't compete with anyone else in the room. She only competes with the person she was yesterday. And that amazing thing about her is she just keeps winning. She's a superstar. My only hope is that Addison, you truly recognize how amazing you are, the potential you have, and you never forget who you are. You are stellar. You are cool. You're exactly the kind of person the world needs more of. And no matter where life takes you next, just remember, if you ever start doubting yourself, just talk to your chinchilla and put some cornstarch in your bangs and reread Twilight because you've been cool all along. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Kristen Baker. I'm one of the school counselors here at Columbia High School and it is my honor to recognize Kaylee Lish as my 2026 soaring eagle.
So, it will be a we kind of give them a little boost. They have about a half an hour lunch. So, a lot of times they'll be able to have food ordered and delivered and they have lunch together and stuff. So, it's it's nice when they can all work together like that on day shift. the high school staying on first, second, third, and third shift just because all the sporting activities, they're going to stick on the same shift. So, it's been a busy week. Um, >> thank you for getting on that roof right away and getting the people here and getting it sealed up because it went over Sunday. We had a swimming pool at the elementary and we never had >> and I can't say enough good about between Stephanie Tid and her staff and I had a three of them on shift already for to start shoot how quickly they all work to get kids downstairs and get them safe.
I do want to say though that I acknowledge that cities and towns are hurting as well. Now, chapter 70, I believe, needs to be reformed again. The Senate tried last year to get a new commission going and get something going to look at it. It's a it has to be a flexible formula. When we reformed it in in 2018, 2019, we did put in to review it every 10 years. So, we're almost there, but I think we need to start now, not waiting for for the full 10 years. So, I'm hoping that we're able to do it. And I look forward to working with all of you and the superintendent and the school committee on ideas that we can do to help protect Ashland and towns like Ashland. Um uh in addition to that um a ash Ashland's unrestricted local aid was increased by almost 20% since fiscal year 2020.
As the warm weather continues you'll see students working with their livestock projects at the school farm. At the end of this week 11 students will be making their way to the 2026 state FFA convention in Ontario Cal California. Here they will participate in leadership workshops, hear from inspirational speakers and agriculture leaders and have an opportunity to explore a variety of college and career booths. Finally, we would like to congratulate Sydney Frost, Ian Peterson, and Adria Adria Vincent who are finalists in their respective categories for aggra aggra science. These students designed, conducted, and wrote scientific reports on an agriculture related research project and presented their findings to a panel of judges. Their projects will be on display at the state FFA convention for all to see and their final placings will be announced on stage at the conference. Leadership leadership is trying to finalize a date for spring spirit week.
On the teacher side of the of the house, um there is currently in the collective bargaining agreement on an annual basis, we need to allow our tenure teachers an opportunity to apply through our teacher assignment and transfer period at the end of that. If there are no applicants, then we would move to an external recruitment. And those are posted um continuously until they are filled. So we'd probably have to look at some type of criteria of how long is long enough for it to be posted before we would consider that that threshold. >> Exactly. And that's some of the hurdles that I spoke about already. folks have a 10 day to post and people I know in the system was saying that's not long enough especially when you do it on January 1 and the first is a holiday and then you count the weekends and if you have 10 days and it's not working days it's calendar days right so then you're left with just a short window already um that's embedded into your folks's like principal um recruitment and so forth.
We are incredibly thankful for that. But I think everybody also knows that since 2022, 2023, five years, we have lost 1.77 million in state aid. That's a 17 roughly 17% loss in state aid over 5 years. Even with the increase of 500,000, we are still net negative 1,778,9. What are we asking of the taxpayers? We're asking for 2%. Which is what the cap requires us to ask. That levy is this. 78 78% of the levy will come from the township. 19% will come from the city. 3% will come from Fieldsboro. So everybody is clear. We don't get to make that determination. We are a regional school district. We put the numbers in. The state pushes the numbers out. So if you want to know why the tax impact is different by municipality, it's because each community has a different total assessed property value and the levy increase results in the different dollar amounts depending on your municipality.
Kaylee has been on my radar for soaring eagle since her freshman year. From the moment I met her, her maturity, thoughtfulness, and genuine kindness really stood out. Kaylee is a kind This is the kind of student who never passes someone in the hallway without acknowledging them, whether it's a friend, a teacher, someone she barely knows, she offers a warm hello and smile that really makes people feel seen and valued. What impresses me most about Kaylee though is her emotional maturity. She has a remarkable ability to reflect on her feelings, work through difficult situations, and truly listen to the perspective of others. Even more admirable, she holds herself to holds herself accountable and strives to grow from every experience. That level of self-awareness is rare, even amongst adults. I chose Kaylee as my soaring eagle because she embodies the very best of what we hope our students become, kind, thoughtful, responsible, and true to themselves.
Um we've been working at that company that the company showed up when I called him. He said, "Give me less than 30 minutes. I'm galvesting. I'll be there soon." And they worked out Saturday from 8:30 to 8:00 at night. Uh, some of it started coming back up on Sunday evening. They came back out and buttoned things up and I think we only moved CL three classrooms for two days out of that area and then moved them back. So, they've worked hard. So, >> good job everybody on that.
Uh and the governor included and we will take a look at it uh for this current current year. I'm also proud to say that Ashland's chapter 90, the money for roads and bridges, the state roads, has doubled since fiscal year 2020, knowing that that is a real priority for Ashlin, our roads, our bridges, our sidewalks, our mobility, uh, and Ashland has done such a terrific job in downtown renovation and making it easier for people to to get around. The governor's chapter 90 bill had a hearing several weeks ago and we will look forward to working with the house and delivering the funds for the roads and bridges hopefully in the near future. It would be good to do it before construction season starts to be able to let Ashland and other communities uh get get going. Um, as I mentioned, uh, we're very aware of the local funding related to schools and what's what's happening, um, and our town's finances, uh, broadly, and I am following them closely and working closely with the administration.
This will include our staff royalty and buff buff buff plus games. We've been exercising our f facility stewardship goal by doing campus beautifification projects during fourth period. Prom. Our prom date is May 23rd at Mercy Oaks and our theme is enchanted in Italy. Theater. Our theater students are working hard for our upcoming play Mean Girls. The show will start at the end of April and go into May. Clubs. The robotics team made it to semi semifinals and regionals as well as winning the sportsmanship award. The award de demonstrates exceptional respect, positivity, and helpfulness on and off the field. Cup connection. Cup connection hosted a three and three basketball tournament with eight teams participating. The winning teams will be moving on and receiving free entry tickets to the Reading Three on three. The Cup Connection Surf Club Chip in Santa Cruz will be on April 9th.
So in this situation then do you would you also consider like career fairs and stuff like that as being part of your efforts to recruit? Um >> so currently yes been actively involved in many career fairs both here locally and international. >> Those are the kinds of things we need to hear from. >> Okay. >> Thank you. HSDA, can you come? >> You supposed to have a list of all your teach retired teachers, do you? >> Not an entire list. We have an association of retirees that um they're welcome to join and we could potentially communicate with them about this effort, but we don't have an entire list of um retire some listing. >> Yeah. Which they're welcome to join HSt and we do have a list on that area. >> Yeah. Perhaps if you can do something like that in the near future just we get a sense of >> you know people say no way I'm done.
So property value city versus township, township versus different rates, but we are staying within that 2% cap debt service. And this is important. In February, thanks to the business administrator and her team, we refinanced our debt. It's like when you see mortgage rates go down, you attempt to refinance. We did. By doing that, we save taxpayers $556,000 over the next seven years. So that is an estimated anticipated savings of 75 to $80,000 a year for the taxpayers of the Bordontown Regional School District. Our budget we are proposing to spend 71% on employee salary and benefits. We are proposing to spend 12% on special education, 9% on facilities, 4% on CNI and building supports 3% on transportation, 1% on technology and operations. I am here tonight to tell you that by raising the levy to 2%. We will do all of these things. We will maintain staffing levels throughout the district.
Kaylee, you are beautiful example of what it means to be a Columbia eagle. Thank you for your kindness you bring to our school and for the example you set for others. We are so proud of you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Neil O'Donnell. I taught I excuse me, I teach social studies and coach baseball here at the high school. I chosen for his character and dedication, this student embodies the true spirit of commitment. As our volunteer student manager for the varsity baseball team and now head manager, he has become far more than a helper. He's my right-hand man. Come on up here. Come on up here. It is truly an honor to recognize Aidan Collier for his outstanding contribution to the baseball program during his time here at CHS. While many students contribute from the field, Aidan's impact is felt in every facet of our baseball program's success.
So, any questions? >> Who who'd you use her? >> McGuffs. I've used them prior. Yeah. And uh I probably used them off and on for 15 years, and they're out of Muny Cooko and Rex Huntington. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Anything else? >> Little tidbit that I did learn about Katherine on this is she doesn't like heights very well. So, going up on the roof is not like right there in her comfort zone. can't watch me. I probably would have crawled across. But Stephanie, Ted got up there and stood straight up. I thought, "Oh, okay. Here we go." So, but it it was a good learning experience even for Stephanie. She thought, "This is what it looks like up here." >> So, but it was a could have been a lot worse. We had no inter inside damage at all. So, that was a plus about it with the rain on I think Craig said it right Sunday night.
So, I know how important this topic is. Um, and it's something that is impacting every community, I believe, uh, mo almost every community. And uh we will continue, as I said, Jack and I, to work with you and try to to do what we can, but as the process goes, if there are specific needs that the town has, that the schools have, please let us know. Sometimes there are opportunities as bills come through the the House, come through the Senate, where we can put in uh local priorities, local funding to help rough out some of the tight spots or or help out. So, uh, please feel free to let us know as as you do, and I really and we really appreciate that. Um, for for, uh, local priorities, uh, the budget this year was tight, but, um, I'm I'm proud to to secure $500,000 for downtown improvements.
Yearbook. Yearbook hit the 75% mark for sold stock. And this upcoming Friday is the deadline to submit yearbook details and they're right on track. Is there any questions? Thank you. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Peaches O' Conor and I'm a junior at North Valley High School. I'm here tonight to give you a quick update on what's been happening in our alternative education programs. Recently, the district maintenance team improved the landscaping at North Valley campus, and it looks really nice. We appreciate the work that went into making the campus feel more feel more welcoming for both students and staff. There are also several faculty updates planned. North Valley classrooms will be getting interior improvements while Opio High School and Community Bay will receive both interior and exterior modernization over the summer. Mr. Mr. Shriner has been very helpful in planning these updates and making sure they align with the vision for our schools.
>> Yeah. >> Um but if they you know portion then we might say yeah that would make sense. >> We can do that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay members no other questions we will move on to our next house bill 17 85. This is student relating to student transportation authorizes the DOE to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days and authorizes the use of school bus fair revolving fund to offset cost associated procuring replacement services. Starting off with DOE Hello, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani, members of the committee. Shantima testify on behalf of the Department of Education. The department stands on his written testimony, which provides comments on this measure. Uh, this bill supports the goal of transportation reliability, but cautioning that the bill's proposed route suspensions and procurement exemptions does not solve the root cause of the statewide driver shortage and may actually reverse progress made in response to the state auditor recommendations.
We will add academic intervention in the district. We will social, emotional, and behavioral interventionists in the district. We will eliminate pay to play, pay to participate fees for sports and extracurricular activities. We will work with the township and city to hire an additional SLEO in the district. We will build a new website and unified district communication. We will implement online lesson plans. We will implement online evaluation systems. We will complete phase one of the Clar Barton playground and we will align the three start time at Peter Mutual and we will bring back late buses at the middle school. That's what this government does. that coming back to the original conversation about the teachers, I would be remiss if I didn't take a second to thank the president and vice president of the teachers association who are here who in my 10 weeks have done nothing but partner with me on any initiative that we've talked about together.
Whether it's anticipating the the needs in practice before they're even voiced or managing the logistics of the season with hard work, he simply knows what to do and and I certainly appreciate that. On game days, he does our game changer, which is an app for scorekeeping, pitch count, stats in case you didn't know that. He's gotten really good at scoring a game, scored a game today, we won 3-1, it's great game. >> [snorts] >> His initiative and unwavering commitment to the coaches, players, and the game itself has made him an indispensable asset to the baseball program. I am very happy and proud to present my soaring eagle to Aidan Collier. >> [applause] [applause] >> Sorry. Good evening. My name is Matthew Dugay. I'm a social studies teacher here at Columbia High School. I would like to tell you about my soaring eagle. When I think about this award, I think award, I think of someone who is smart and hard working, determined, or someone who is friendly and caring, shows compassion to others.
I don't think I slept and I don't think he slept. And we uh I came in about 4:45 just to see if there was any inside rain cuz they they didn't think it would. But so we were quite I the big joke with with uh Craig on Tuesday morning called me for the fourth morning in a row and I said, "See, I don't need Tinder or anything because I can't because I got you call it all." So, so but anyway, so that's it's just been a busy well, so it's been a busy eight days. So, but we're hoping to get that project wrapped up through the next month and get that fixed. So, any other questions? >> Good job. >> Thank you. >> Okay, brings us down to item 8.2. two donations. >> Yeah, I have four donations. Uh three of them from Ben Switch Church uh for FCA programs, which if you ever have the opportunity to come to one of the FCA programs, those are some of our mo most well attended um clubs that we have here.