Uh, more often than not, it's advocating on your behalf. It is poking, it is proddding, it is getting somebody to get back with you. Uh, and we're we're not only happy to do it, it's it's our job. And so if you ever hear of something going on that just seem doesn't feel right, where you think that if only somebody could could look into this, maybe there's an a different outcome, uh, don't hesitate to reach out. And if it's a local thing, we'll we'll put you in touch with one of the the great select board members uh, or a local department. If it's a federal thing, we'll put you in touch with Jim McGovern's office. You know, I've got texts from folks about uh their passports expiring. Uh we can't directly help. Uh but Jim McGovern's office can can do what's possible. Uh if you text me at a Friday night at 4:30 and your flight Saturday morning at 5:30, um probably not going to happen.
None. At the end of the day, transparency should not be controversial. You were elected to represent this community, which means you answer to this community. And when straightforward questions like these go unanswered, that doesn't reflect the questions themselves or the people asking them. It reflects on the decisions themselves, the people who made them, and the integrity of how they were made. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Shaki. I did not write anything this time. I just want to come and speak from the heart. And I come here as a frustrated parent. I am frustrated because the lack of leadership that I see in upper administration and within the board in regards to West Valley's football team. our boys that came to the last two board meetings and that also went to the student council meeting asking for a change in leadership regarding the football program have been completely disregarded.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you, chair. >> Let me ask this question. So, these are possibilities that put into the contract, right? What is it going to make it where the bus company's going to say, "No, we're not going to do that. We don't want to do a bond." And so, then where where is it? >> It is possible. So depending on what what the bond amount is. So the performance bond can be you know typically it's a 100% of the performance. So it it will be substantial and it'll probably it'll cost more because now they have to work that price into the cost of the bond into the price to the state. So there have been situations where uh vendors think the bond is too high or they don't want to participate because because of the bond or they can't get the bond. >> So that puts us that put them in the driver's seat because already there's a shortage of of companies and bus drivers, right?
One of the next ones that I've selected um for us to tackle is the um learning of the board in the form of a potential board retreat um which will allow us to uh check off a few of our goals that we set for ourselves back. So, please get that information back to me by Friday and I will get us scheduled for a retreat sometime over the summer. Seeing no further discussion or comments, I will ask for a motion to >> thanks. Thank you everyone for being here.
I'm so proud to recognize my 2026 and first ever Soaring Eagle, Kaylee Bieber. Kaylee's such a positive presence in my classroom and a model student to have in class. She's curious, hardworking, and strives for success consistently. Kaylee always asks thoughtful questions and shows a genuine interest in what I'm teaching, even though I've been told a few times that history is not really her thing. Um I always really appreciate her humor in class, as well, and her ability to connect with others and make them feel welcomed. Kaylee demonstrates the qualities of not only an outstanding student, but an member of the school community, as well. She's been a huge part of making my first year at CHS an amazing one, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her. So, keep up the good work, Kaylee. >> [applause] >> Good evening, everybody.
Um, I will tell you our our choir combined and they got a gold rating and our band our sixth grade band got gold and then seventh and eighth grade both got silver. So, it was a great experience for all of them. Um, and I think everything went well. >> That's all I got. Have a great spring break. >> You too. >> High school, Mr. Ward. Sure. >> Nigel already stole my thunderbolt for competition, so I'll let him keep that one. Um, but this evening we are having our winter sports awards banquet actually right now. And they are honoring over 130 athletes and managers, which is really awesome. Um, and I just want to highlight that our girls swim team won the TRC, which is awesome. And our girls basketball team winning sectionals. the girls were in it to win it this year. Sorry boys. Um and then uh Evan Olsby and Ari Shrock representing Mac at the state wrestling tournament because my heart is definitely in for wrestling.
Um but we'll try. We'll try. Um and that is a a very specific instance. We we tried. It was not successful. Uh can't do a 12-hour turnaround, but but we'll try. Uh but really never hesitate, especially even if you don't think it's something we can help with. Uh you don't know. And one of the things that is a cornerstone of the work we do, and and I'm still learning this every day, is how much our jobs are about relationships. And we're never going to do anything illegal or unethical. Uh but but sometimes we're able to get you a phone call. And because of the the relationships we have, uh we're we're happy to do that and to see to see what's possible. Uh uh the Senate President outlines many of the the budget priorities that that her office and my office have been successful in securing.
I feel like the administration that you voted in at West Valley was unanimous in their decision on a specific coach. The athletes rallied behind that coach. The parents and the community members rallied behind the decision that your administration supported. Our boys, my son, his friends, those athletes are more than just football players. They're basketball players. They're track athletes. They're baseball players. They're wrestlers. And they are your top scoring students within the school. Their parents, we are the parents that come to the meetings when we're supporting our children. We're the parents that run the fundraisers. We buy the tickets. We sell the tickets, we run the crab feeds, and we run the snack bars. If you don't have our children and us as parents supporting this school, then what do we have left? We also have, and with respect to names, I'm not going to mention any, but the upcoming varsity boys have probably 8 to 10 incoming freshmen.
I mean so they say it's not worth our while. Well, it's it's a balance because if if you don't have the bus contract, then you don't have any work either. >> There's only the school number one, >> then they're in demand other places, then they're they're going to go there and >> yes, bond performance bonds. Anytime you put performance bonds in uh insure, higher insurance requirements, there's a cost to the state for that. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? Any other questions, members? Not. Okay. Let's go on to We're still on buses. Uh HB1 1780, House draft 1, relating to student transportation, requires DOE uh to establish a student bus fair system that includes fair bus passes for students who meet certain statutory requirements, requires a report to the legislature. Uh again, DOE Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kane, members of the committee. Shantima testify on behalf of the Department of Education.
My name's Joe Burch. I'm an agricultural teacher here at Columbia High School, but tonight, I'd like to introduce you to uh our Soaring Eagle. Uh tonight, I have the honor of presenting the Soaring Eagle Award to a student who truly embodies the values of our FFA program. This student is trustworthy, someone you can always count on to follow through and do the right thing. He is hardworking, fully dedicating himself to every project and challenge that comes his way. What really sets him apart is his enthusiasm for horticulture. Whether in the classroom, at Shady Creek, tending to plants, he approaches every task with curiosity, care, and commitment. His love for the land and for growing plants inspires everyone around him. I rarely meet a young man with such a strong work ethic and reliability on a daily basis. Students like this, those who work diligently, act with integrity, and pursue their passions, remind us what the Soaring Eagle Award truly represents.
Uh we have I learn biology testing coming up in a couple weeks at a reality store trip coming. And then we are gearing up for prom April 11th. So say prayers because that's always very exciting in our realm of things. So >> you need chaprons. It's a good cheap date for you boys. >> Just saying it's real easy. Be like, "Honey, dress up. We'll take you out. We love it. It's fun." >> Thank you. >> Okay. Board member comments. Correct. >> I have no further comments tonight. >> Well, thank you for the fund report breakout like this. It was very very good to have it compiled and and printed this time too. >> David, enjoy the spring break. And other than that, I don't >> Thank you. Enjoy your break. >> Yeah. Start off by saying thank you to everybody for getting us here, right?
Definitely eager to to continue to partner with the select board and the town manager's office uh on some of those wins. Uh every year I think it's common for elected officials to sort of underpromise and then overd deliver. I I think it it comes with the job. Uh admittedly this is not a year where I hope any of you hear us throw a wet blanket on finances only to think we're gonna swoop in at the last minute and say never mind. Uh we found we found a bucket of money. Uh, as the Senate President said, the uncertainty at the federal level, uh, I've never seen anything like this at the state level. And very, very difficult conversations and decisions are being made as it relates to state programs that most people, if not all people, have long seen as vital. And so as as we're making very hard decisions about our ability at the state level to continue to fund programs that are integral to to our community's families and families across the Commonwealth.
If we lose those boys for their senior year, we're also losing the freshman. And that is four years that you're losing athletes and academically sound kids and really good quality parents and families. Not to mention kids that are even younger. I have an incoming freshman and a fifth grader. If my senior doesn't go to West Valley, my freshman's not going to go and neither is my eventual fifth grader. I'm just asking you to honor the requests made by your students. They asked for leadership within a football court program and they did it in a respectful and kind manner and I really hope that you can come up with a solution that honors their request and honors what the community and their parents have supported. Thank you so much for having me. >> Or do I get extra 20 seconds? Don't worry. >> I'm Lindsay Ballard.
Department stands on our written testimony which provides comments on this measure. Uh the department has concerns about prioritizing bus seating primarily based on income as there are other factors that create a need for school bus such as distance from school and lack of safe walking paths. Uh the department also has concerns about the automatic sharing of free and reduced meal data for bus eligibility due to federal privacy laws. So thank you for the opportunity to testify. We stand by for questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh an Huchi from the AG's office. >> Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kedani, members and Horici from the Attorney General's office. Um, as noted in our testimony, there are references in the bill um to a quote free bus pass or to quote free bus passes that could be misconstrued as including free municipal bus passes. So um to avoid any potential misinterpretation, we've um suggested some revisions in our testimony.
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Joel Sonhelfer. >> [applause] >> Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm for horticulture as you are a role model for us all. Your forward vision and adventure to achieve your accomplishments are easily noted by the entire Columbia High School community and we wish you the best in achieving your future goals. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name's Desani Gruen I'm the ag teacher and FFA advisor here at Columbia High School. The individual I have chosen to receive the Soaring Eagle Award has taken every opportunity possible through Columbia FFA and the ag program. I still remember my first day teaching at Columbia High School. This individual sat quietly in her seat with little to no words. It wasn't until our national FFA week further on in the month um our green hands always paint their hands green. Those are our first year members.
It is a long stretch between Christmas and spring break. Um, Miss Ward mentioned the reality store. I know they are still looking for a ton of volunteers. I got an email today. So, anybody that's in this room, if you have any extra time, get a hold of Miss Merrick at Pro High School and she'll give you some time slots to go in there and help with the reality store. Um, it's it's a great thing. All three schools participate, see all the kids come through there. So, see the shock in their eyes when they realize they have to pay rent. Kids do cost money. They don't think they do, but they do. So, it's always a good time to go there. So, um with that, just thanks everybody for doing what you do. It's a great time. So, appreciate it. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.
Uh there is not a a magic wand or or a uh uh trying to think of another image than a magic wand. There there's there's this is not the year where we're going to underpromise and overd deliver. We're going to do everything we can. Uh, and I'm going to continue to look, as the Senate President said, for opportunities. Sometimes those are smaller opportunities. Sometimes you take a big swing and and you find that uh there are funds available. Uh, but I'm still so grateful the the town manager and the select board, none of you were shy about floating your ideas. Uh, and I know we have some of your your budget earmark priorities that came through this morning as well. Uh, in previous years, I've been very happy to to partner with you all in securing money for local trails. Uh, I love the community center.
I am an alumni of West Valley High School. I have a freshman. I have a seventh grader. Our experience at West Valley High School is terrible. Um, lack of leadership hands down starts at the district. We had an incident with the football program this year. We were lied to. My son ended up having to have surgery. A plate some screws in his arm because of lack of leadership. It was not handled appropriately and unfortunately I handled it how I thought. It was terrible. There is more to this school that is failing than the football program. We have no leadership and it starts here. We need to change it. Splitting up these schools is not going to be the answer because if you guys want to be a good school, combine them for the right reasons and let's be a united front. We can be a great big school.
Thank you. I'll be available for questions. >> Thank you. and support. >> Okay, we have uh Patty and I'm not sure how to pronounce his last name, Hot Zis Terrarsus and Lauren Poor. Lauren Lore. >> Aloha chair. >> Aloha. Um my name is Lauren Lur. Um I'll be testifying on behalf of Patty Hista Rockus. Um but thank you so much for the opportunity to testify behalf of the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Healthy Eating Active Living Coalition. Uh we support HB1 1780HD1 with amendments. This bill is an important step towards improving educational access for students and we recommend that the bill be amended to provide free bus passes for all DOE students. Um transportation is critical to attendance and academic success. But the modest even the most modest fees um and the need to reapply for service can be barriers to access for families.
This day she painted her hand green and she smiled so big. I've never seen her smile like that. Um from that day everything else was history. She started attending every single FFA event she could possibly attend. She was in the ag room in between hours during hours. She never stopped. She's never stopped. She's never quit. Over the last four years she has made remarkable strides and I feel blessed to have witnessed these moments. She has served on our officer team her junior and her senior year now and I am incred- incredibly proud of her. My Soaring Eagle this year is Kate Jackson. >> [applause] >> I'm forever proud of her and all that she has accomplished and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things that she will continue to achieve. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Courtney Albert. I'm a school counselor here at Columbia High School.