As her geometry >> [applause] >> As her geometry teacher this year, I have gotten to witness the dedication, character, and positivity she brings to our classroom. From the very beginning of the year, she stood out for her strong work ethic and impressive math skills. Geometry can be challenging, but she approaches every problem with determination and focus. She doesn't shy away from difficult concepts. Instead, she works through them thoughtfully and strives to improve. On top of all this, she has worked hard to overcome a hearing impairment, never letting it limit her. I appreciate Kendall's participation in class, answering my questions, asking her own, and helping her classmates. Her effort and perseverance are a big part of why she has been so successful. But what makes her especially deserving of this award goes beyond her academic ability. Kendall has a genuinely friendly personality. She always makes it a point to start a conversation with me before class or as she's heading out the door, which I've appreciated so much as I've loved hearing about the puzzle she's building or the plan she has for the weekend.
We're not Boston but our affordable housing units are being priced as if we are in Boston. And yes, Ashland has a higher income level and that's part of why. But we should really be looked at as towns that are further away from Boston when we look at what an affordable unit should be and what our income level should be because we're seeing more and more in Ashland that we don't have those higher income levels. So again, that's one of those things might be a little more long-term, but how can we address Ashland not as uh Boston, but other comm another community that does not meet the same income requirements? And then uh I mean 40 BS is always a a a detailed discussion, but I think we've talked enough about that. And then the only thing and and Jack you you and I have talked about this a lot.
We left with life skills we still use today. She helped us learn how to handle pressure, be better teammates, and stay committed even when things got hard. That's something that stays with with you long after high school ends. And that what she's ex exemplifying here today by fighting for her role in this program. It doesn't make sense to take away a program from someone who has done so much to build it. The success this program has had over the years didn't just happen by accident. It came from her leadership, her consistency, and the effort she has put into every single season. When you remove a coach like Melissa, you're not just changing a position. You're affecting the culture in everything that goes into it and has been built over time. Melissa is more than just a coach. She's a mentor, a role model, and someone who has had a lasting impact on countless athletes.
Um >> so because it basically modeled after the uh the federal uh apprenticeship program approved early learning apprenticeship program. >> Yes. >> But um >> and that grant went to the university or >> um the the previous one? Yes, it came to the university. Yes. >> And you folks administered? Yes, we did. And it was to providers. >> Uh no, this was to uh for uh I believe that that grant was a little bit different. uh that one was more for like direct to student support for tuition and in order for them to to stay in school. >> Okay. So on that vein, what is the cost for a early learning early learning apprentice or student? What's the pathway? Is it the same as a teacher? >> It's uh it's very similar. uh but in this case you know the the candidate or the the the student will then you know will be compensated early on in their career they working with a mentor teacher.
Those small moments say a lot about the kind of person she is. Kendall, it is my honor to recognize you today as a soaring eagle. You've truly earned it and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future. >> [applause] >> Hello everyone.
My my request with the Municipal Empowerment Act is that hybrid is there's no nothing mandatory in that because in my conversations with a lot of other communities and being the representative to the Metro West Regional Collaborative as well as MMA, I talk with a lot of people not only just from Ashlin but from across the state and in our region and no one wants anything mandatory for anything regarding that because each community is different. We are fortunate that we have WACA who can put our meetings out and helps us with Zoom, but there are smaller communities around and across the state who don't have that. So, let us do hybrid, but don't make anything mandatory. And that's that's I mean, there's always more to say, but I think that's enough for tonight. >> Thank you, Yolanda. I I feel like the ground's been covered pretty well by my colleagues, but I do want to thank uh both uh Senator Spila and Representative Lewis.
That's why we strongly believe that she should remain the head coach of West Valley volleyball. >> Hi, my name is Juliana Chapman. I'm actually going to be reading a letter on my daughter Bentley's behalf. She's a former West Valley player. She's away at college right now, but has had a profound impact on her life. She's known her since she was little, so she's sick. I think emailed you guys the letter as well, but she's asked me to read it tonight. So, to whom I may concern, I'm writing this letter in support of coach Melissa Church. My name is Bentley Chapid, and I am a former West Valley volleyball player. I began playing volleyball for Melissa when I was 10 years old through her club program, Momentum. From the beginning, it was clear that the club teams in the area did not compare to what she had visioned or built or wanted to build for the upcoming classes seeping into the West Valley volleyball program.
So both the candidate and the mentor teacher will be u compensated and after every year based on the apprenticeship model they they have to have an increase for the next two or three years and and that funds can be used of course for salaries compensation andor tuition things of that nature. >> So that was a grant. How much was that grant? Sorry, >> she was a principal investigator of the grant. Okay. >> Okay. What was the question? How much was that grant? >> Uh the grant from the earlier grant we had was preschool open doors grant and that was a federal grant to really provide stipens to >> That's what he said. >> Um stipen amount maybe >> the total of the grant. >> Okay. So that was for a state We went through um P20 and so I'm thinking I'm not sure exactly what the total was.
Good evening everyone. My name's Allison Bittner and I teach PE here at CHS as well as coach the freshman girls basketball team. Um I honestly could talk all night about my soaring eagle, but I think I would get like the music and the lights down and the little hook. So, I'll try to try to be quick. Um but first, I'm going to take you all behind the scenes. As teachers, we have peaks and valleys or seasons, if you will. Those peaks and valleys can be determined by A student, life events, and everything in between. Those I'm close with know the past few years have been met with many more valleys than peaks, but it's the peaks that make the years much more memorable. In February of 2022, my dad passed and then in September of 2024, my mom passed. To say that it was a struggle to appear human on a daily basis was a stretch.
Every time I've had a question or inquiry, you've always been very responsive. Um you know, just to echo my colleagues, one of the number one things I hear about from my constituents is affordable housing. And uh so I, you know, I think we've been talking about, you know, possibly looking at some creative solutions to that. I'm looking forward to uh perhaps engaging with the sec secretary to u figure out and review some resources and we we've had some brainstorming here as well at this table about you know what kinds of affordable housing could be available. We'd love to to find out what's available but also uh maybe even try to be innovative and lead ourselves with some of these solutions. So um thanks. I I'd just like to um piggyback on what Makita and uh Brandy and have said with respect and and and Claudia with respect to affordable housing.
As a freshman, I attended Shasta High School and played volleyball there. However, I made the decision to transfer schools for the purpose of being coached by Melissa. I had the privilege of playing for her for three years of high school, beginning my sophomore year. During that time, our one our team won three section championships and made multiple state runs just in the years that I was part of the program. Melissa truly is the heart and soul of West Valley volleyball. Melissa holds this position not by coincidence, but because she has earned it through years of dedication, experience, and the trust she has built within the community among the West Valley staff and families. Her leadership and commitment to the program have been evident for many years, and the success and culture of West Valley volleyball are a direct reflection of the work and time she has put into it.
Um Yuko Ara Kawak Cross was also part of that um leadership team. >> Okay. So it's it's through connected to them taking the class at the university or any place or >> Yeah. So the apprenticeship program um actually has started at the entry level. We currently have students at Honolulu Community College. So there we have um I would say about 8 to 10 apprentices right now. Several are on the on Hawaii Island, but um about five are here on Aahu. >> Okay. And they're under the same that federal grant where that grant's gone. >> So that grant is gone. Um >> so what pays them now? Yeah. So, so the registered apprenticeship program, we have one uh registered apprenticeship program that's been federally and state u approved of that's through Kiki Oka and so they have written a variety of different grants in order to support their apprentices.
Lucky for us, we have students here at CHS that can see through our masks and help us get through those valleys. For the almost past four years, Ella Daily has checked on me every day at school, but I would imagine if you were to ask Ella, she would probably say to talk about her day, to catch me up on her weekend, or to go over her plan to get a puppy, or what car she desperately needs, or to drop off a little favorite snack of mine. Um and maybe those reasons were legitimate to her, but I promise they were a lifeline for me. Those minutes and those minutes after school and between classes could probably be added up to hours over the years. >> [sighs] >> When we think or talk about someone's character, it's usually what they have achieved over a period of time, but sometimes we focus on their qualities and how a person carries themselves through a good day, a bad day, or what they see and how they treat others.
Um I'm on the affordable housing trust and it's very difficult and very frustrating when we try to do projects and we can't find developers that are willing to do the work. They want the 40bs. They want they want the big projects. We can't find anyone other than Habitat for Humanity to build individual homes that meet affordable housing units and would stay affordable uh for for perpetuity. Now, if there was something that could be done with respect to that, maybe would the 40BS maybe make some additional changes or requirements that builders have to have ownership responsibilities to the to the individuals and not to them as a a corporate group where they're just collecting their their rental monies every every month. Um, but they must also subsidize affordable individual homes. Just just an idea. And I appreciate any idea is worthwhile exploring. The one thing that I did not mention that that we did in last year's budget.
It has recently come to my attention there that there are efforts being made for another individual to take over Melissa's coaching position. From what I understand, this individual currently serves as a school's principal and is beun is pursuing a transition into a teaching role in order to become eligible to take over the head coaching position while his own daughter is a member of the team. The timing and circumstances surrounding the situation raises understandable concerns within the community. When a long-established coach with a proven record of success is suddenly placed in a position where her leadership is being challenged in this way, it naturally creates the appearance that personal interests may be influencing decisions that should be made solely in the best interest of the program and its athletes. In a small town like Cottonwood, it is easy for situations surrounding high school sports to become influenced by personal interests or outside pressures.
Some of the funds that went to the apprentices on Hawaii Island actually came from some ARPA funds that went through the county of uh Hawaii Island, Hawaii Hawaii County. And so sub so it was a mixture of funds from >> so how many under the P20 um grant how many apprentices did we actually get and how many of them actually became hired or >> okay so all the apprentices um are hired they're learning on the job and they're starting off um primarily as aids in the program they're getting um basically around $17 to $19 an hour. Um so that's part of the apprenticeship program. So once they complete their first milestone um they will have a a increase in pay and so their first milestone is uh a child development associate. It's a national credential. The second milestone is a certificate in early childhood education.
Through many of our conversations, I have learned a lot about Miss Ella, and when I think about what makes her stand out more than most is her character. She's one of the most loyal teens I've met, loves her friends, and is mature beyond beyond her years. One of the first things I noticed about Ella is how loyal she is. Loyalty means standing by the people who matter to you most through all the trials and tribulations. Ella supports her friends through challenging times, celebrates the good, and never hangs them out to dry. Ella creates trust, and that trust strengthens every relationship she chooses to build. Ella's love for her friends is genuine. Her friendships are not shallow or temporary. They're meaningful and sincere. She listens when someone needs to talk, offers encouragement when someone feels discouraged, and brings others together with her humor and kindness. Her caring nature makes others feel valued, seen, and included.
Um after talking with the general council from Canada actually last year uh after Trump initiated all those tariffs, uh it came became very acutely aware to me most of our housing materials come from Canada. our steel, our lumber, the tariffs were making it so expensive for housing developments. And so if projects were ready to go forward, it increased the price so much that a lot of the developers said to me, you know, we're putting them on hold right now, which is the exact opposite of the way as a state we all want to go. So, we proposed looking at getting rid of the sales tax on some of the construction materials to lower the cost. It wouldn't totally negate the tariff, but I asked, would it help make some of those projects then green green lit? So, that is being done. We're looking at that.
However, through my time playing for Melissa, she consistently demonstrated that her focus was always on what was best for the team. team as a whole. Her leadership has always been fair, objective, and centered on developing both strong athletes and strong individuals. Throughout my volleyball career, I have been coached by many different coaches. In that time, I can honestly say that I have never seen a coach handle pressure with as much grace and professionalism as Melissa does. She continues to maintain a positive attitude even when faced with challenges, something that speaks volumes about her character and commitment. Melissa has not only been an an exceptional coach, but also an incredible role model. I strive to emulate the qualities she demonstrates both on and off the court. Her unwavering faith in the Lord and the way she constantly brings positivity and encouragement to those around her make her a true light.
And so that bumps up their pay another 10% or so. >> Okay. So, how many actual uh apprentices did we get with that federal grant? >> With that f federal grant, I mean, currently in our state, we've supported the the stipens uh for the federal these these apprentices. Um, so I would say we probably have a handful like about 10 10 apprentices right now. >> No, that's not the question. The question is how many apprentices did we get from that federal grant? Oh, from that federal grant. I think that so I would say that that particular federal grant maybe supported maybe about 10 to 10 about five to six apprentices because >> five to six apprentices. And how much was that grant for practice? >> Well, the the grant was for many things. Um the apprentice part of it was just a small portion of that grant.