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She's also a very busy teen. When she's not at school, you may see her walking her dog Rocco on a sunny day, or she could be one of your lovely hostesses at our newer restaurant here in town, Graphite. When Ella commits to something, she follows through, whether it's working toward a goal of getting that puppy, supporting a friend, or finishing a task given to her at work. She doesn't give up when things become difficult. Instead, she remains locked in and focused. In a world that often celebrates the loud achievements, it's important to recognize the quiet strength of character that truly makes a difference. Ella reminds us that integrity, kindness, and dedication are qualities that shape strong and compassionate individuals. Ella, I'm so proud of you. You have grown as a person beyond measure, and I can't wait to hear all about you starting your brand new chapter of beginnings and unknowns.
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Um, the secretariat is doing a study. So, I'm hoping that we're able to do that to help move some of them at least move forward right now. >> Thank you. Uh, I'm going to Mike Mike has a few uh comments he would like to make. So, Michael. >> Sure. Um, yeah, I I will be um grossly appreciative in one and um ask you a couple questions and throw a couple of ideas and um then ask you uh something about, you know, maybe what you would like us to know. Um, and uh, for both of you, I think, you know, I've never been shy about expressing when um, I've had a disagreement and and I really appreciate um, the fact that we can uh, we can have those conversations and and understand kind of where we're coming from. Um, and I think, you know, a couple specific things that have been floated around, I think, in the policy area that, um, I'm hoping that you can really consider is, you know, the MMA recently released a report on on the whole fiscal storm for states and municipalities.
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For many of us who are fortunate enough to play for her, West Valley volleyball is what it is today because of Melissa's leadership, dedication, and integrity. Removing and replacing a coach who has built such a strong program. >> Thank you. I just wanted to say thank you guys for letting us come talk to you even though you may not have any choices matter. Um my name is Emry. I graduated from West Valley in 2023. During my time there, I played volleyball all four years. Um I felt compelled to write to you about the total injustice and political power in play at this school more recently in regards to its volleyball program. Um, as it's well advertised, West Valley volleyball goes by the saying, "Simply the best." Um, this was implemented by Carla Davis herself. I truly believe that those words still have the power to hold true.
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>> What amount is that? I'm trying to get the data to determine >> how much we're asking for. How many apprentices are we gonna have? Is it gonna is it going to make a dent into what we need? >> Um, and we don't seem to have the data or you folks aren't able to provide me with the data at this point. So, I mean, h what are we talking about in this bill? How many how much money? What's the how many apprentices? Yeah, I think um when we calculated if given say $6 million, we would support perhaps about 25 apprentices, 25 mentor teachers, and then we would probably support about 200 um uh early childhood folks that are already working because there there is a wage differential in the grant as well to rate retain the staff. that are already working in these early learning um programs.
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But if I know anything, it's that you're always going to achieve whatever you set your mind to in true soaring eagle fashion. Congratulations, Ella, and thank you for making this so easy to write. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening. My name is [clears throat] Christian Avis-Rouse, and I am the director of bands at Columbia High School. I am blessed to know most of my students well for four or sometimes even more years, and because of this, it can be very difficult to choose one student who stands out the most. Uh to make this choice a bit easier, I've consistently chosen a senior to be my soaring eagle. But um with 32 seniors, as you can see on our lovely poster over there, um it's it's been really tough this year. They are all incredible people, um and it it may have been the toughest choice yet.
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And and I think there are a couple of good things to consider in there and and I I really um hope that you uh consider those and give those some weight, you know, specifically. Yes, Yolanda, you did. Um and and specifically, you know, I think how communities handle like two and a half and and things like that are are really really good. Um and the empowerment act, I think there's some good things um in that as well. Um I I've said this the last couple of years uh and both of you um thank you so much. I I don't think people realize how much uh your fingerprints are on the stuff happening in this town, especially um over the last decade. Jack, it's been great. Um I mean our tenurs have kind of coincided and it's been awesome watching you each year come here and you got a cooler office and um you know just to watch you um you know navigate that whole um ecosystem up there which I I have no idea what that's like.
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The volleyball program has had such a huge effect on my life, or more so the coach who ran at Melissa Church. The coach who refused to give up on her players, implemented lifelong lessons into her teachings, and whose knowledge of the game of volleyball is far beyond any other coaches I have been around or played for. When Melissa took over for Carla Davis, she knew the legacy which she took. She has upheld so many traditions while also putting on her own twist to some of the things. She does a word of the week to keep all three teams united to start the week off and has a tradition of doing highs and lows at every team dinner because she wants to hear more about her players face. She is the least selfish person I have ever met and coaches these girls without expecting anything in return.
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>> So I think a lot of the funding will be provided to individuals already working in in in the at the schools and not so much a uh and some with recruitment as far as bringing new candidates in. Uh so it's kind of a mixture of individuals. >> Okay. >> So how much are we asking how much does this bill call for? I believe we're asking for six million. >> Six million. So $6 million. So these are students first of all who become apprentices that go through the course and at some point they become an appren apprentice or do they start off as an apprentice right off the bat? >> They start off as an apprentice right off the bat. >> Right off the bat. So they start as an apprentice working with a mentor teacher and then because we're increasing their pay, we also want to give incentives to the rest of the staff so they stay with the program.
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My soaring eagle this year is difficult to describe. As soon as you think you know them, they surprise you. Um they're often quirky and funny, but sometimes they can be very serious, and they can bring the energy. They love to lead cheers at basketball games. I've always been impressed with this student's musicianship. They they just get it, how how music works. Um this student is a multi-instrumentalist, a great student, an actor, a singer, among other things. They are one who is not afraid to move to the music and and let the music breathe. They're willing to take risks and put themself out there as a a leader of their section or as a soloist. Most recently, I've been impressed by this student's ability to step up and teach. They take charge of large sections of underclassmen during marching band season, and they help with everything from marching technique to taking care of instruments.
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Um but it's got to be extremely complicated has been great and you've been very very helpful in things like the arboritum and the upper Charles Trail and the community center and um it it's it's noticed and it's appreciated and we're doing some cool things there um uh in large part to your help Karen. I I think talk about fingerprints. I I think you know just from a regional basis but even in Ashland I don't think people realize um how much um you you have helped a lot of these things move forward whether it's the downtown project or the Warren Barn and how instrumental you've been in that part or or 126 um or the riverw walk you know there there's so many things that we could probably talk about and um so I just want to make sure that everybody heard that and knew that that both of you have um have contributed greatly to our success and it's appreciated.
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She's not in it for the a reward or needing the credit for the player success. Making lasting relationships with the girls is something I know she values. Melissa is so in love with the sport of volleyball, she doesn't have much time for anything else during the season, as no coach does. She proved how dedicated she is time and time again. Her daughter, Shaunie Church, graduated with me after playing volleyball all through high school, but she chose to continue coaching after her daughter had graduated. Not to forget the multiple years in a row winning section championships and having a real shot at the state title. I've been coaching volleyball for Melissa's Momentum Club volleyball team since I was a sophomore in high school. I also had the opportunity to be a volunteer coach with Melissa and her assistant coach during the last school season. When I'm coaching, Melissa is my mentor.
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So this is a combination of um supporting uh the wages. >> Okay. So it's not like a teacher where you go through training and then you become you do student teaching and you get paid for student teaching. No, this this apprentichip program actually starts compensation as soon as they enter. >> When while and while they're doing this, are they taking classes at the university? >> Are they taking class at the university or on CC or other institutions? Yes. >> Can they do it at a private institution as well? >> Well, this one really works with the early childhood education programs that we already have in our university, both at the community college as well as um the four-year university. And so then these 25 say 25 apprentices start off and right off the bat you're paid then 17 to $19 an hour and their mentored teachers then get paid what >> they're getting a stipen for being a mentor teacher to support the to support the apprentice.
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Uh when I've been absent this year, this student has taken the initiative to make sure that the bands can still rehearse. They've been really helpful with the substitute teachers. But they also just are actively listening and taking notes and fixing things and helping students out with difficult passages. I'm so incredibly thankful and proud of this student for their personal growth and leadership. Um I don't know if three, four years ago, I would have said this, but I like would trust my own child with this student, um and honestly, I I've I've been trusting my child with this student for a little bit, and it's really, really sweet to watch. Um I can't wait to see where the future takes you, and congratulations to my 2026 soaring eagle, Jameson Myers. >> [applause] >> Little Good evening. My name is Wade Brady. I teach welding and CAD classes here.
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um a a couple of ideas um and it is related to development and I think it's it's similar to what you heard uh Joe say the economics are making it just that small developers um who do more moderate projects just can't really do that and to the extent that maybe we can incentivize them to do that through funding in the bond bill or um other ways that we can incentivize open space preservation in exchange uh as part of a whole package and and incentivizing historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. Um so we can um keep some of our historic buildings but convert them to more modern uses. Um I I would love to see incentives around that. And then finally, the one thing what what's the what's the one thing both of you would like us to know about um that maybe we don't know about your some of the biggest challenges that you have up uh at the state house because I frequently find sometimes it gets frustrating because people just don't understand kind of what what you know we around this table have to deal with.
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She's who I wish to embody. and I've gotten the perspective of being her player and a co- coach with her, which is an interesting perspective to have. Not many others who have it. Um, I know there were some problems faced with Melissa and her assistant coach over the last couple seasons. Um, but Melissa has never been known to give up on any person or relationship. She wanted to show the girls that there are ways to heal and mend a relationship when faced with controversy. In order for that to happen, both parties must be willing. In this case, I believe she was fighting a one-way battle. It would make a statement to let those in power continue getting their way. I'm not sure many members of this community would appreciate it. The example it sets for the students and players is not one I would ever consider myself a part of.
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So they're already getting paid but they're getting an additional >> stipen are we talking about? Uh, we were, let's see, I think we were giving probably um like a $5,000 stipen >> per year per month. >> Per per year. >> And then does the does the entity that they're doing the apprentice program, the service provider gets something as well? >> Well, the funds actually go to the employer itself, the the school or the center. Um and those funds are then are earmarked from the university to the actual employer and then the employer then disseminates to current teachers, mentors and all. And >> who monitors this? Who >> uh we would at the university? >> So folks audit? >> Yes. >> At the end of the program or during >> I think annually throughout Yes. >> throughout. Any other questions members on this? Um and then so this would be a one time or continue.
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And it is truly a pleasure to recognize a student who represent represents the very best of what we can hope to see in our classrooms. From the first day that I had him in class, Ryder Corbin has consistently shown what it means to be an exemplary student. He is someone who creates >> [clears throat] >> who treats classmates and teachers with respect and kindness, helping create a positive environment every day. He has a great sense of humor that brings energy to the room at just the right moment, making tough days a little easier, and reminding us all that learning can be enjoyable. He is intelligent, not just in his ability to understand concepts, but how he applies what he learns to real situations. He is careful and thoughtful in his work, always taking pride in doing things the right way rather than the easy way.
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Um and I just wanted to give you an opportunity to maybe explain something that we wouldn't understand. >> That's just for one one thing. Yeah. >> Roll out. Um, you know, Jack, why don't you take that first and then I'll go in case you need to go vote. >> No, no. I'm um, uh, what a question. You gave us a warning that it was coming. Uh, no, not that I can't think quickly on my feet, but none of you are shy, and I love that about you. You're you're all very direct, and I I try to be honest and direct back. And so I don't feel like there is anything that at least those of you around that that table there and I haven't been open about. Uh if anything as the years have gone on gone by my my filter and my attempt to uh insulate myself or protect myself from No, I I I think we have such an open open line of communication.
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The idea that power can get you anything in life, even at the cost around you, as well as taking traits such as being truthful and genuine as optional and not something to live by. My only hope is for the board to look at this situation with open heart and open mind around Melissa because I know she'll be carried on with the West Valley volleyball as it always has been simply the best. So if I calculated this correctly, I have about 50 seconds. There's 20 minutes limit on this. So I got 50 seconds to do this. But my name is Chase Kenny. I am a licensed California attorney. So, you've asked about any of these guys having their actual license. I do I do practice law in this state. So, I have a couple questions and I would absolutely love your answers and I'm looking at each and every one of you because there are legal implications to certain maneuvers that you guys are making.
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>> Yeah, we'd like to see it as a continuum. >> Okay, so here's the next question. Where do you think the money should come from? >> Uh well, I know the uh university has a bunch of priorities. uh we we can certainly if if it can't come from the uh at least from this this this uh this avenue then we would certainly look at the university and uh and see what priorities they have >> and how high up priorities >> $245 million so close right now >> their funds other questions. Thank you. Next item is Senate Bill. Senate bill House Bill 1889, House draft 1, relating to school psychologists creates a working school psychologist working group within the department of education to recommend actionable steps or proposed legislation for an immediate pathway to lensure for school psychologist that can be acted upon in 2027. and the first testifier from DOE.
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