It's not going to solve the the route cancellation, but at least it'll give them notice as as soon as possible. Um and we can't have that run uh through us because of the privacy issue. You can't give student information to the bus companies, but if parents opt into that, then they can sign up for certain routes to get notifications if the bus route is canceled. So again, it doesn't solve the cancellation, but just notifies them as soon as we can. >> What does that app cost? >> Oh, we're just we're looking into it right now. Yeah, we don't have any app yet. >> Okay. I guess cost effectiveness again because it seems like everything is is an app and not everybody has computers and still what's going to happen to those um people that don't right don't not just they don't actually hop in but they don't have the computers as well.
Um administrative requests. We talked about um expanding and defining what conduct undercoming looks like possibly. had regulations um same with a unified student code of conduct and accompanying those regulations and a little bit about our transportation and safety policy which is going to work and bring to us. Um a biggest the biggest biggest part of our discussion was around the upcoming cell phone policy maintenance that are required to be put in place uh for the start of the next school year. So we had some really good discussions. We did take feedback from other board members, Dr. Alabella brought u you know feedback from the school level administrative level and uh we started the process. We hope to have something out to you soon. It's just going to take a little bit of time. There are not sample policies out by the SBA yet. So we've started doing just other district policies and you have to take that and make it work because what's right for a different school might not be right for us.
Congratulations to all the winners over here or the people that are waiting anxiously to get their award from their teachers. I'm Scott Germain, weight room instructor, head girls basketball coach, and assistant football coach here at Columbia High School. I'm proud to recognize Ethan Habermehl as my soaring eagle award winner. >> [applause] [applause] >> All right. Ethan has all all the characteristics for this award, respectful, polite, helpful, just to name a few. Ethan's a team player. I've watched him grow these last 4 years into a young man that leads by example and he is the true definition of this award. If every teacher be fortunate enough to have a group of students like Ethan, we would all be better. He's a team guy on the field. He's a great teammate, classmate, and a friend who puts the team first and does everything that is asked of him.
>> Any questions or comments? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I same sign. >> Motion carries. 8.4 athletic trainer contract. >> Yeah, I shared this with you I think uh last week. Uh we've had some talks about this. Um Park View um has stepped up and said, "Hey, we we do have not just one but possibly two people who'd want to come to me." Uh so today um our athletic director was interviewing those folks with that Parkview team. Uh the contracts are in front of you. Pretty minimal cost uh for those services. Um our attorney has looked over that, giving us the the green light to go ahead. Uh we will prorrate. um there'll be two months prorated to end this year uh once that person is on boarded um to to get those services for the remainder of this year. So ask for the approval of that contract moving forward.
Um just a a a couple of other things I want to mention is um I want to take a moment to uh share and to acknowledge how excited I am for uh the team Hoy YMCA coming to Ashland. Uh what a fabulous opportunity for our residents. Uh we at times have been members of the Framingham why my kids went to the Hopkin Y for camp. uh they provide such amazing, incredible and supportive services for residents of all ages and getting that here has truly been a team effort. I want to commend the town manager, the board uh for the hard work in in getting it to come here. Um what a what a wonderful I really believe it's a wonderful thing. Uh and I I'm looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. I'm proud uh to have been able to get $850,000 uh from the state for this project and I know that there's a ways to still go for for it.
Um Colton participates in class discussions. He's an active part of his teams and presentation skills are excellent as well. Uh we are all very proud of Colton and know everything that you want to do is going to happen. And so special shout out to mom back there too. Done a lot of great work. So Colton Thank you. Hi, I'm Mrs. McCi. I'm the principal of North Valley High School and we would like to offer a recognition to Dion Hill for his remarkable growth that he has demonstrated over the course course of this school year. Dion has worked hard to develop into a responsible and focused student who has committed to building a positive future for himself. He has shown real dedication to earning his credits towards graduation and approaches his school work with a seriousness and determination that has not gone unnoticed by our staff.
So that's a number of people >> correct. So currently the the practice is um so the app would expedite the notification because currently we notify the school and the school blast it to um their students. So there's a delay in that because they have to contact us to contact the school to send it out. So they would get notified that way. But the app would allow them to get it straight from the bus company. >> But that's more efficient when you when you go to it cuz you you know you let everybody know when the app is only those who opt in which you may not know and then those who don't have computers. And so now you got to figure out who didn't get the message and now you got to send it all out anyway. >> So we do both. We would do both.
So we are in the process of working on that. That is the gist of it. Our next meeting will be on April 29th and uh we do have a schedule of what we plan to review. So, I will send that out to the board to gather any feedback in advance of our meeting like I questions. I'll move on to agenda Kendall discussion. >> Thank you.
In the classroom, he leads by example every day. There's not a day he walks in the gym that he doesn't say, "Hey Coach G, good morning Coach G." and it usually strikes up a 5-minute conversation or longer. He's truly genu- a genuine young man that does everything for the right reason. He's a hard worker who does not shy away from any task, which I believe will make him a shining star when he goes to SIU Edwardsville, wh- whichever path he takes. Congratulations, Ethan Habermehl. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everybody. Thanks again for joining us and sharing your wonderful students with us. We are very privileged here to have such a great group of kids. So, thanks. Um my name's Lindsey Mittendorf. I work in the English department here as well as uh serve as a special education teacher. And I have had um I had the privilege of meeting my soaring eagle 3 years ago.
>> Okay. Take a motion to approve item 8.4 the athletic trainer contract. So move >> second. Any questions or comments? >> Who did we have before? >> So we had community five years ago. they dropped us um and nobody could get an athletic trainer. I mean, we we look everywhere. Um and so we're fortunate to be able to sign this three-year contract. >> Great. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Okay.
Uh you know the Y really provides so many services for both mental health physical health of the residents from uh and helps families help connect families individuals. So, uh, I'm hoping that, uh, when it does come here that people take advantage of it being as part of our our neighborhood and part of our community. I want to applaud you for doubling down on investments in the department of prevention and human services. Uh, this this investment in substance use prevention and mental health promotion is lifechanging as you know for so many community residents. So, uh, I just want to take a moment, uh, to to mention some of the priorities that we're working on in the Senate. And, um, I think I just closed out the Zoom, uh, screen, but sorry, I won't touch it again. Uh, we are laser focused in the Senate on affordability.
Beyond academics, Dion contributes positively to our campus community. He consistently shows respect to both staff and peers and brings a positive attitude into the classroom. Teachers often note that he participates in discussions, helps keep others on task, and has a natural ability to bring humor and energy into the room while still maintaining a professional and respect respectful presence. What stands out most about Dion is his resilience and willingness to grow even when life presents challenges. He shows up ready to do his best and help others when something needs to get done. He has become someone younger students look up to, often going out of his way to acknowledge and thank the adults who support him each day. We are proud of this young man and who he's becoming and we are all ready for the bright future that lies ahead. Before we go to item 4.1 public, just remind everybody in the crowd, please be civil and also remind you guys that this is a board meeting held in public.
>> Yeah. But again, what kind of cost are we talking about? >> Yeah. Do we have to measure out the cost to see if it's worth it to do the app? >> Cuz you know, DOE constantly always run to an app and then like an app to see what lunches the student wants and app and then it's it's not like you know small money. You're talking 50 60 $70,000. Yes. >> Right. >> Get another bus probably for that amount of money. Um so if if this bill was to pass and if in fact after 5 days then you know what would happen try to find somebody but you cannot find somebody anyway right >> I think that's that's the big challenge with this um you know we're not opposed to having this authority to do this but basically we'd be having the same bus companies fighting over the same limited pool of of shortage of drivers.
Any discussion on agenda? >> Yes. >> Any other updates for tonight? Is that all your thunder? >> Uh, that was all my thunder. Uh, but I but I do I I I would be remissed if I also didn't thank the board for your leadership as we developed the budget, went through the budget process and the community. Spending time out in the community, engaging with community members, discussing with community members what their needs are, what the concerns are, what the wants are has been incredibly important and valuable for me uh in in not just the development of budget, but understanding the need and the want for increased transparency, for different ways to gather information through more interaction with the school district. And I look forward to continuing to engage in as many meaningful ways with as many people as I can on all issues, not just the budget, but on everything.
Uh one of the first things he told me uh was his goal was to play college soccer. He had been playing almost his entire life uh and loved the game. He played during the school season and on a select team throughout the year. He is even employed as a youth referee in St. Louis so other athletes could have the experience of playing the sport. He was all in in every way. I remember how when he would talk to me and tell me stories about his games, his eyes would sparkle with intensity. Uh when he would tell me about his uh games and and any events he participated in. And I knew that this wasn't just a passing hobby for him. It was his passion. Witnessing several of our school teams extending their seasons into the post season and capturing the elusive state championship title has been a once-in-a-career experience.
Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I >> oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. All >> that's right. So item 8.5 asbestous removal. >> Yeah. So this is broken into two different um quotes that we we received. Um and just kind of a a short explanation of of what we're doing here. So you see one listed as bond project and then one is going to be a rainy day resolution. So this will actually be two votes uh tonight. So, one to accept the the bond project um bid at 186560 and then the other um to approve a resolution to transfer money in um actually appropriate money out of that rain day fund for $152,640. Um for reason to break it up, uh we're running tight on bond money. So, by breaking those two up, two different scoops of work, uh we're able to get that project rolling.
Uh, last session, we passed the largest, uh, tax cut in a generation. many areas uh helping families with dependent children uh disabled uh residents taking being taken care of. We increased the senior circuit breaker. We doubled it from 1,200 to 2400 for the seniors. So this is especially important for seniors that might be listening to this with tax season approaching. They they they can uh obtain it whether they own or or rent. And it's something that people should take advantage of. And this is paid by the state. It's not by the the town. So it it helps the town and it keeps our seniors uh living here and increasing our our richness and diversity. Um we uh I know that PAS and public water is a challenge here as well. um and for actually across the whole Commonwealth unfortunately and this is a very active topic.
It's not a public meeting which the board attends. You may make comments and express your opinions to board. They are not required to respond. It's open to be civil. Thank you. So in the public comment period, the board will hold comments from the public on agenda or non-aggenda items.
Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um, what is the root cause of the bus shortage? >> Um, I don't know, but there's a it's a shortage in in Hawaii of bus drivers and CDL driver. And there's just a a nationwide shortage also. >> Yeah. And then how many bus companies does DOE contract with? >> Two big ones and then about three smaller ones. So there's a smaller one that services part of Kawaii, two small ones that service Machai, and then two big ones that service the rest. >> So my follow-up question, which you might not be able to answer since we don't know what the root cause of the shortage is, is what would DOE's solution be? >> So the this the shortage is the the issue right now. I don't know why people don't want to become CDL drivers, but I think right now we appreciate working with our contractors.
So, thank you to the community for being part of helping us develop this. We are now on agenda item two items. Any discussion on >> Yes. Thank you. We're now on agenda item M personnel with 12 items. >> Thank you.