Uh, that has helped. uh it's done a great job with the improvements for for downtown Ashland, both uh the way it looks and the way cars and people can move. So, thank you for all of that and uh we'll continue to do what we can to to help out. Um, in addition, I have been able to secure nearly $8 million over the last three years for downtown improvements. Uh, knowing that it is a priority for the board, priority for the residents, and working with with Rep. Lewis, we've been able to get that done. I'm excited that the utilities are scheduled to go underground this month. It's going to be a real breath of fresh air for our downtown. Uh the other thing that I want to acknowledge $700,000 for me mental health services for the my Senate district which Ashland took advantage and and received went after $100,000 which is definitely uh helping our Ashland kids and we know that that is a big issue uh and need to keep an eye on whatever we can for our kids social and emotional uh learning our kids mental health.
These improvements should make our learning spaces more comfortable and help the campus function even better for students and staff. North Valley and Community Day School will also be receiving new stu new student desks for the upcoming school year. These will help the classroom organ organization increase student engagement and support a better learning environment. We're thankful to Mr. Parker for helping secure the funding for this improvement. Oak View High School is currently working on Wasque self-study report and will be hosting Wasque visitors from April 20th to the 22nd as part of the accreditation process. If any district member or board members would like to join the welcoming committee, please let Miss McCaui know and she will send you a visit agenda at North Valley. RO signups are taking place next week. Miss Jamie, our counselor, has been increasing outreach to encourage more students to participate in these programs, which gives students opportunities to explore careers and gain real world skills.
Uh, given the two companion bills, we prefer this version over the other one uh because the required fines were removed from this one. So, we thank you for this opportunity. >> You said the other one, the other >> the companion bill. >> Companion bill. The Senate bill. >> Yes. Just kidding. Thank you. >> You stand by for questions. Thank you. >> Okay, we have uh Bonnie Kui for the procurement office. >> Good afternoon, chair, vice chair, members of the committee. Bonnie Kahakui, state procurement office. We stand on our written testimony providing comments. Uh we believe the bill is not necessary as there are current statutes and rules that talk about or enforce uh contract remedies for non-performance. In addition, we have concerns regarding the governor the bill authorizing the governor to intervene in some of the uh DOE decisions which is contrary to the chief procurement officer's duties and responsibilities as outlined in uh HRS 103D205.
We've talked about this. So to the president and vice president of the association, I say thank you because your members were critical in our development of what we just presented. But what we presented answers everyone of what the staff, the people on the ground have told us we need instruction. We're maintaining programs and curriculum. We're adding academic interventions. We're improving systems. including a multi-tered system of support. In supports, we're adding behavioral and supports. We're maintaining staffing levels. We're expanding counseling and mental health for resources, new website, unified communication, online lesson plans, online evaluations, eliminating the pay to participate fees, and infrastructure. We're going to do the playground. We're going to improve communication with families, and we're going to enhance security. We are doing this in my opinion in a fiscally responsible way. We are doing what our staff, what our board, and in my opinion what our community demands us to do.
And my soaring eagle is all of those things. I feel what What I feel makes my soaring eagle stand out to me is this person's confidence. Sometimes quiet confidence, sometimes not so quiet. They're comfortable sharing ideas and contributing to discussions and that makes the class better. While they hold strong opinions and they're not afraid to express them, they also show a great deal of respect for others by listening carefully to different viewpoints. And they can appreciate when good viewpoints are brought up and how this adds to the overall understanding and learning. The balance of confidence, openness, is why my soaring eagle stands out to me and I'm happy to present my soaring eagle award this year to Grace Lubbers. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Art Frisch. Um I've been a shop teacher here. This is my fourth year that I've came to Columbia to teach shop.
So, uh pretty neat to see those kids getting involved in those FCA. So, 8333 uh at the elementary, the same at the middle school, and then 8334 at the at the um high school for that. And then also our coral department core boosters $500 for sound equipment. Ask for your approval of donations. >> I'll entertain a motion to approve the donations as presented. >> So move. >> Second.
Uh still, I believe, not fully recovered from COVID. Uh our children, our schools, our staff, ev everybody. Um but I'm I'm looking forward to trying to do that again. Um and was able to get 400,000 for municipal EV charging stations in my district. So, that's another thing. We want to promote uh green climate and uh promote uh electric vehicles. the federal government has stopped all of their credits for for EVs. Uh but people still have them and we want them to continue. So, uh we need charging stations and we know that that's an expense for our cities and towns. Um, I would not be I would be remiss if I did not mention the many Ashland residents who reach out to me to help them to ma navigate and mitigate state services and to express their their views on a very wide range of topics.
Staff across our programs are also preparing for upcoming professional development and program improvements to continue strengthening the service and opportunities available to students. Thank you. cold high school. Yes. Ready. >> Good evening. I am Eleanor High School, principal at New Tech, and I am very proud to introduce our student of the quarter from New Tech, Colton Hayden. Hayden, I did it, too. So, sorry. Um, so Colton actually is a has taken a different kind of path, right? and and he did not get to start with us. Uh by the time he came to us the second day of his sophomore year, third high school and uh so credit started out a little wonky. Came in from out of the area. Um and you know that kind of weighs on you a little bit and then some health challenges and things kicked in and um and he got to a place where he needed we we weren't able to provide the setting that he needed.
Thank you. I'm available for questions. >> Quick question. Did you testify at the house on this measure? >> Yes, I did. >> In the same matter. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, we have two others, Ted Mi and Peeka, uh, Kalaka Bardi, and they're not here. Anyone else wishing to testify on this measure?
From my perspective, this is the first step in rebuilding a new foundation for the future of that's our budget. Hopefully, you will support Thank you very much and members of the leadership. Thank you. I'm sure we have other staff members here as well. I know everyone in the district was involved in this budget in some way, shape or form and I really do want to take the opportunity to say thank you to you all. Um the fact that 12 ago. Um the news that was much much different and um the fact that we're saying we're um really pleasing to be able to see. So again, thank you to everyone involved.
And this young man I was introduced to as a freshman as I was a freshman, he was freshman and he really before I even knew what the soaring eagle meant, uh this young man stood out to me in a lot of ways. Tonight I'm proud to nominate Justice Albers as my 2025 soaring eagle. Justice, come on up. >> [applause] >> Over the past 4 years, I've had the privilege of watching Justice grow into an outstanding student who constantly demonstrates excellence both inside and outside the shop. He approaches his work with both focus and determination, always striving to do his best, never settling for less than his full potential. His commitment to learning and self-improving truly sets himself apart. Beyond his academic and shop credentials and achievements, Justice is a young man of exceptional character. He cons He is constantly polite, respectful, and considerate towards myself and his fellow peers.
>> Any questions, comments on the donations? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying >> I oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. Uh, new courses item 8.3 for the middle school 26 and 27. >> Turn that over to Mr. Drawer. >> Yeah, I only have one course actually it would be earth and space science. Um, originally we had a few others but we didn't need them. Uh, this would be a seventh grade science course and it would only be one class and it would be the advanced kids from sixth grade. U based on I learn scores and their grades. So you have class probably about 25 to 30 um if we get that many that would uh be eligible to take this class for high school credit seventh grade. >> So originally you were given local courses. Uh the state on their final approval of uh the accountability model >> kind of recamped some of what they said.
Um, I so appreciate that it helps me when we are doing bills developing policy. But I I can say before I was a state legislator, I never thought about calling my legislator for help when I was a rep or now a senator. And I know Jack Lewis feels the same way. So much of our work, so much of our job is reaching out and helping constituents who call our office for help. We can sometimes be a lifeline to cut through some of the state bureaucracy. If people are having trouble with unemployment claims or claims with their children, their parents or you know what, whatever it may be, we may not be able to resolve every single issue, but we can first of all listen and try to say, you know, refer them to a state agency and make that connection. If it's federal, we can then refer it to Congressman McGovern or on the federal agency level.
So, Colton had a had a reset um down at North Valley and um and did absolutely everything he needed to do to return and has been phenomenal and doing such a great job ever since. And so, um teachers, even Miss Jamie down at at uh Ald um sent some comments, so I wanted to share. And also, I don't even think you know this, but when he left us, his attendance was just under 74%. And and this year so far, we're like 98.9. Like phenomenal turnaround, which is phenomenal. Um, from Miss Jamie, uh, from day one, Colton had a clear goal. Stay focused, finish courses needed, catch up on credits, and return to his home school's new tech stronger than ever. What truly sets Colton apart is his attitude. He showed up every single day with a smile, positive energy, and a readiness to do whatever was asked of him.
Hearing none, members, we're open to questions. Senator Hashimoto. You like the box? >> Okay, let me see. So, why don't I have the one? This is DOE. So, right now, what happens when the service is disrupted and there's a day, two days, three days go by and >> Yeah, we're we're not happy about that either. You see the routs are just canceled for those needs. >> And then what happens to the students? They just got to find their own transportation. >> Yes. >> Are you are you given notice usually that it's going to be a disruption? >> Depends when we're notified. So if we're notified the day before, the notice will go out the day before, but sometimes we're notified that morning and so we send it out as soon as we can. for the notice. What we're trying to work on is uh an an app um that we can provide um basically would allow parents and students to opt into the app to get notifications directly from the bus company.
Are there any questions from the board? Okay, seeing no questions, we will move on to agenda item, which is consent agenda. Motion discussions. >> Yes. Thank you. Next on our agenda is item J, the committee reports with one report from the policy committee. >> Thank you. The policy committee met on March 11th and attended myself, Miss Mr. Schnowski, and Dr. Alex. Um, we reviewed a number of things, but primarily first looked at the SBA updates. There are a few policy updates that the SBA is recommending. We put two of them on our agenda to to work through on our next meeting toward just the standard um legal changes. Uh 5127 was just legal legal reference updates. You'll see them on the agenda. I see. So I'm going to thank the for always making sure that our our uh our policies are spotless. So thank you.
His positive attitude and willingness to help others contribute to a welcoming and supportive school environment. Justice leads by example showing integrity in his actions and maturity in the way he handles challenges and responsibility. Justice is also incredibly hard working and dependable. Whether completing an assignment or a project, participating in class, or tak- taking on new opportunities, he gives his full effort and maintains a strong sense of responsibility. There is no doubt he will be a tremendous asset in whatever career path that you choose to go forward with. His character, work ethic, and dedication ensure a bright and very successful future ahead. Justice Albers. >> [applause] >> The These kids uh sitting over here would not be where they're at without the people in the sands stands. So we all want to applaud all of you in the stands for raising such good kids. >> [applause] >> All right.
Um and so now we're just going to add one one new. >> That's the only only change for the year. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Entertain a motion to approve the earth and science and earth and space science one class at the middle school for the 2627 school year. So second >> second.
If it's local, we try to refer it back to to you for you to deal with it as well. So, uh my my district received um we've been able to to help over 4,000 uh district residents uh since the the year year bea began. and we take great pride in providing service and encourage and I continue to re encourage residents to reach out. With that, I do want to mention um I have here two district people, Dennis Jim Betti from uh Framingham and Joe Russo who recently joined my district team. Um I also have Jess uh De Benedictus who's from Ashland. Um I have uh Mina who came from Hopkinon, Susan Nickel who is the director o of everybody and helps lead lead the whole group. Um so we're here to help and please feel free because uh it's really important that if we can help that we provide and I'm speaking for Jack Lewis as well, Representative Lewis.
Stayed out of trouble, remained focused, and consistently put in the effort to be successful. We're incredibly proud of his growth, resilience, and dedication. Uh, from Miss Savage, program coordinator at New Tech, Colton brings so much joy to New Tech, and since last year, he's put in a lot of effort to better himself, and the results are evident. He approaches his ROP work, auto ROP, with great diligence and is eager to share his achievements, whether it's earning a certificate or passing a test. His kindness and knack for telling funny stories uh always brightens our day. Truly does. Uh keep up the fantastic work, Colton. And um from Miss Peton's the English and his PLT this year, I've been so excited to see Colton um being motivated, eager to work. He turns in his his well thoughtout work and has a great attitude. Attitude really good everywhere it is.