He even got my younger son younger shy son Eli to play along with him, which is a big thing in my heart. I will have a great memories of him helping out during basketball camps and junior eagles. He might not have the loudest voice, but he had a great time helping the younger players and telling them what to do. I have had the honor to see Kyle grow as an adult here in Columbia. I am proud of the student and person he has become and is very deserving of this award. I wish him the best of luck on his next adventure at Mizzou and majoring in civil engineering. Congratulations to my soaring eagle, Kyle Chad. >> [applause] >> Hi, I'm Amanda Bedard. I'm the assistant principal here. Uh and the reason why I'm wearing wearing heels when I normally run around in flats is because my soaring eagle is too tall for life and he hasn't picked up on it yet.
Um, one thing that we, you know, Claudia had mentioned the 4DBs, but the other thing that's on our mind is how do we make um how do we keep and make Ashland more affordable? We've seen our um our property values rise and price people out of home ownership in Ashland. And if there's ways that we can tap into that bond bill for um monies that possibly could go to the affordable housing trust to help us secure more real affordable housing in Ashland. um that would be something that would be really important to us. Um not just creating housing, but how do we how do we make housing more affordable for our residents? Um and so that that is something that um I don't know if if you've had uh towns in your in in your district that have done um have utilized those funds in those kinds of ways.
She is not only knowledgeable and dedicated, but also also deeply compassionate and invested in her players. She takes the time to understand each athlete individually and fosters an environment where every player strengths contribute to the team success. Within the six years that Coach Church has been head coach, she has made five state playoff appearances and has won four consecutive Northern Section titles. Because of her leadership, the program has continued to thrive while maintaining the values and tradition that make West Valley volleyball so special. Even after I graduated, Coach Church has continued to support and encourage me. She has remained someone I can look to for guidance, always taking the time to check in, offer advice, and celebrate my growth beyond high school athletics. That continued investment shows a great deal about her character um as she does not just coach players for a season, but builds relationships that last well beyond their time on the court.
And this is a specific study to our state and this is also due to specifically childc care related turnover and absenteeism. And in turn the state is losing out on $396 million in lost tax revenue annually. And the root issue is that the early child care workforce lacks a sustainable entry and retention pipeline. The regional experts will tell you that wages for preschool and childcare providers are $13 to $17 an hour in the state. And so this bill provides incentives to obtain the experience and the credentials and opens the door to not just get into the field, but to advance in the field. And this bill could strengthen workforce participation across Hawaii's economy. Not to mention that the um most recent science indicates that over 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five. So there are profound positive implications for our future workforce pipeline as well.
Brody Longroff, you are my soaring eagle. >> [applause] >> Hey sunshine. Hi. Hi. So, I chose my soaring eagle this year because of many curious characteristics that he has and demonstrated out throughout this year. He's been thoughtful, he's been resilient, he's fearless, and someone who steps up when it matters the most. His thoughtfulness was displayed during his fall senior year when his mother had a volleyball tournament and he expressed to her that she needed to be with her team more than just coming to a brief celebration for his senior night when it was just a sport he just started playing. It all worked out in the end, but it was such a very sweet gesture to me and an act of maturity out of him. He also demonstrated fearlessness in his senior year when he decided he wanted to come out and try football. Football is just more a contact sport.
But do is that something that that you've heard? >> Housing has been an issue that has come up in some of the other towns as I meet with the boards. Um what I've offered and and we can offer this to you as well. We can have a meeting with the uh secretariat of housing and livable communities. We could have other agencies come if you can give us some of your ideas of questions and issues that you would like to be reviewed. We can schedule something um and have them come either here or or come to you can come to the state house and and we can uh have them go over some of the programs. Some of them are still new because we just did the house the 5.1 billion dollar housing bond bill uh the end of last session. But uh at least hopefully they could give a clue as to where they're going and what might be helpful to Ashland.
Beyond the high school program, Melissa has also um strengthened the future of West Valley volleyball program of the vol of the West Valley volleyball program. Her efforts include a volleyball AAU club which um which shrinks a pipeline of def which creates a pipeline of dedicated athletes and have further unified the local volleyball community. What many may not see is the level of personal sacrifice that she makes to support the program. Melissa works for the forest service on Eastern Standard Time, so she consistently can be present at practices and games. This means that she starts her day at 5:00 in the morning and is able to make it to our practices by 3:00. Not only does she come to our practice at 3:00, but she's there for every single away game and every single game that you could possibly think of and is there for well over until well over 9:00.
This is both an economic and a workforce development priority. And we really thank you for hearing this measure. Available for any questions. Mahalo. Thank you. See Mia Suchia. from Children Action Network. Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kan, respected committee members. My name is Malia Suchia on behalf of Hawaii Children's Action Network speaks. You have my written testimony and support. I would like to add a few more comments. Um, previous to this role, I was a preschool teacher for almost 20 years. I have five kids. Going through that whole process was very challenging. going through the pathway of trying to become a teacher was very segmented. And in early childhood in particular, it's not something you can learn in a book. It's not something that you can learn on on any kind of shortterm manner either. And so to be able to have this program, to be able to be in the classroom learning on the on the job, learning with a mentor, with a coach, being able to get that feedback and not being have to not being torn away from your family or from your work to be able to pursue you know, higher degree or pursue your education to be able to advance would be so tremendous.
It's a collision sport and taking that risk could have jeopardized his senior year of basketball and baseball seasons. Yet, he went out there week after week, showed up, learned a game, a completely new game to him, competed, and became a true competitor on that field. During his basketball season, I watched him emerge as a leader on the court. And when his partner in crime couldn't play, Brody was the one who stepped up. If we needed someone to bring the ball up the court, he did it. He directed his teammates into our sets. And when things didn't go as planned, he was the one who was willing to take the shot or drive the ball to the lane. I truly believe he's the biggest reason that we were playing for the championship at the tournament that we hosted this Christmas. And when I complimented him for stepping up into that leadership role, he humbly replied to me, "Well, someone has to do it." So, while the season didn't end the way we that we hoped though, Brody was also named conference player of the year, which was is a big huge accomplishment on that.
>> Okay. Also, I'm I'm just curious if there's any provisions in there for communities that are creating the housing to be able to um support the infrastructure. like we were talking a little bit about um you know roads and bridges and and that type of infrastructure and water and sewer is an is an issue for us. Um we worry that that we're not going to be able to support um proactively and and the the residents that are looking to come to to Ashlin. So any help that we could get from the from the state on that would be helpful to >> Great. >> Thank you. And I just want to add to while the Senate President is standing there and and thank you uh again because you also helped um provide an opportunity for the town to be heard before mass housing um in terms of the 40B.
In addition, from the time her youngest daughter, Remy, was born, she has been present at nearly every practice. Growing up on the sidelines to the gym, a constant reminder of the balance Melissa maintains between her role as a mother and her unwavering commitment to this team. That level of dedication is rare and speaks volume about the kind of person and coach she is. Coach Church is more than a coach. She is a mentor, a role model, and a vital part of our West Valley volleyball community. Removing her would not only disrupt the program stability, but also take away a lead cares about her players development and well-being. I respectfully urge you to consider this profound and lasting impact she has made on the program and its athletes. Thank you. >> Good evening and thank you members of the board for giving us opportunity to speak today.
This would have changed my life so much. Just to not have to incur the cost and to be able to be in the classroom learning from somebody who would have been experienced would have been such a tremendous help. So, we fully support this bill. Um, we ask that you please pass it. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Terry Lock. >> Thank you, Terry. Uh, let's see. Jared Ellis. I have one, two, three, four, five. I think I have He's here. No, not here. Oh my goodness. We have uh or 46 other people um that sent in testimony in support. I'm not going to read all the names. Anyone else here wishing to testify on this measure? Come. >> Aloha, Chair Kim. >> Aloha, >> Chair Kim, Vice Chair Kadani, and members of the committee. I'm Michelle McCoy with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and we staying stand in uh strong support of this measure.
I'm going to get you all the facts. I said I'm going to get you all the facts. The past year has also been a source of pure enjoyment and entertainment with me and Brody. Um Brody basically says the first thing that comes to his mind when we're normally talking, which I find truly hysterical half the time. And when I for example, when I asked him how his pick six at the Waterloo game was, he said, "Honestly, Bedard, I almost forgot that I had to run." Um many of our other conversations this year have included that he tells me I'm wrong about something, which not a lot of people tell me I'm wrong. He has also told me not to tell his mom multiple things, which always makes me giggle. And my favorite line this year out of his mouth was, "Don't believe what Kelly says, she tells stories." Mhm.
So I understand that you have done everything within your power and you're more powerful than many um and and still it's it's been uh just you know just a there's just been a roadblock on that. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> So, I'm gonna follow follow up to what Brandy said. First of all, thank you both for your partnership. It's always been greatly appreciated and I've had great conversations on and off the many years. Um, first in regards to the aid to towns, I'm sure you're both aware of the MMA fiscal storm report that came out and the discussion that if you look back at the historical data that the state has not been sharing an appropriate amount of funds back to the towns and I know it's still a big discussion and I know there's still a lot of thought on that, but I would ask that you look at that and see how you can support the towns with more funds in the future because based on the report, it would be good if more came back to the towns.
My name is Ellis McFarland, a senior at West Valley. I played under coach Melissa for three years on varsity for close to 10 years, including club. During this time, she's become more than just a coach to me. She became someone who I truly shaped who I am today. Everyone has at least one coach or one teacher that has changed life. And for me, that person is Melissa. Being coached by her was about so much more than just volleyball. She didn't just teach us how to play volleyball. She taught us discipline, accountability, and how to push ourselves even when things got hard. At the time, it wasn't always easy, but looking back, that's what helped me grow the most. High school is already a time where you're trying to figure out who you are. And having a coach like Melissa during this time makes a huge difference.
Um early learning drives lifelong outcomes as the prior testifier had mentioned, you know, the brain development happens before the age of five. So, that aspect of early learning is very important. But for workforce development, it's very important that these vital workers are supported in our community and in our state. And um we have submitted uh written testimony as well. >> So we stand in support. Mahalo. >> Thank you, Michelle. >> Okay. Anyone else?
So, somehow at the end of every conversation though, I can't help but walk away and either smile or laugh at him because how genuine genuine you are with me. Brody Longroff, it's been a pleasure to watch you play, grow, and become the leader that you are today. Thank you for all the many alleged stories, the playful teasing, and the rumor talk in our office. Partner in crime giggling giggling. I definitely will miss our office visits from both you and you at the field of Creighton. This is the best of [clears throat] luck to you in your next chapter. Here's to you, Brody Longroff, on being my soaring eagle. I know I'm hot. >> [applause] >> Hi everyone. I'm Amanda McKee and I teach math here at CHS. Tonight I have the pleasure of awarding my soaring eagle to Kendall Frizell, a student who is a true representation of a soaring eagle.
And I understand there's a lot going on now with with federal dollars having an issue. But I would just encourage you to to look at that and and see how we can work to get more of those funds back. And it's great what's been happening with chapter 70 and chapter 90, but the unrestricted government aid is is a big one still that needs to have more attention. And it's not just we are looking at a two and a half override and other communities have as well and I think if we could get more of the state aid back to the towns and not just Ashland it would be very helpful. The other thing and this may be a further discussion is you know you ask what are some ideas and one of the things that we deal with as with our affordable housing is because we're grouped with Boston when they look at our incomes and the cost of our housing.
She created an environment where players felt supported, challenged, and motivated to be better, not just as athletes, but as people. She truly cared about each player, taking their time to get to know us and believe in us, even when we didn't believe in ourselves. I knew that if I wanted more playing time, I had to work harder. And this mindset is something that has stayed with me at this time. At that time, it has always not never been easy, but looking back, that's what helped me grow the most. She's built a program where playing time is opportunity where based on merit and hard work and not favoritism. Good evening. My name is Campbell Anthony and I'm a senior at West High School. I also had the privilege to play under coach Melissa for around eight years, two of those being varsity seasons. Because of her, we didn't just leave with better volleyball skills.
Hearing none. We are open for questions. Members, go ahead and start. >> Yes. Thank you, Dean. Are you aware Morata? Are you aware of um what for federal programs are out there for these kinds of apprenticeship programs? >> Uh well, we know a couple states that do have these kinds of early childhood apprentichip programs. Arizona, I think, and Illinois. However, we weren't able to access any of their data yet. We're hoping to get that. Uh I know that we've had uh some federal a federal grant uh projects. Um I know Terry was a PI, a principal investigator of one that just recently ended that looked at help to develop workforce. So there are a few that are out there. Um clearly with the federal landscape, it's becoming much more challenging, but it's there there's there's some out there. Yes. >> Okay. Because it specifically refers to um federal pro federal workforce.