>> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Amanda Stanfield, and I'm the family consumer science teacher. I'm so proud to recognize my 2026 Soaring Eagle, Ella Horner. >> [applause] >> Students like Ella are my favorite part of the school day. She's diligent and hardworking in all she does. She pays attention to detail and is always eager to accomplish more. I have watched her grow and mature into an incredible leader both in the classroom and on the court. Her leadership skills help her to think strategically and stay composed under pressure. I'm so impressed with her ability to rally rally fellow students and teammates, embodying the true spirit of a captain and a role model. I'm proud of you, Ella, and I can't wait to see what your next chapter holds. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Pat Baker. Teach PE and health, and I'm assistant football coach here at CHS.
So it's things like that and and I mean I could go on and on. Um, but it's also dealing with people every single day. I started out as a social worker and that's what I feel I still do for the most part. I we help people, you know, Jack, me, the other legislators, our teams. That's what we're there for. Sometimes one-on-one, sometimes on a larger scale of doing the the chapter 70 funding or or other things. Um, but uh, you know, I still love what I do and uh, I I really love this town. So, that's what I just want you to know. >> Thank you, Cameron. >> Well, we appreciate the the conversation that we had this evening. It um, was very u enlightening in many, many ways. And we're all in this together. There's there's no way getting out of it. So, we just need like I think it was Karen you said uh cooperation and communication, the two C's and and make sure that it it stays open and we and we continue doing what we need to do.
And uh Justin, good guy. So that's all I HAD TO SAY. IS THERE ANY NEW SUBJECT OUT THERE THAT someone like to talk about? >> Good evening, members of the board. I'm here tonight to address an issue that goes beyond disagreement or policy differences. It goes to the core of the integrity, representation, and your duty to the community that you guys serve. The board is made up of five individuals. Two that I see are not here tonight. I hope that's good reason, by the way, because they it's one night a month, and it would be really, really good for them to be here. Um, you guys represent the voices, concerns, and the best interest of the children and the families in the school district. That trust is not optional. It's grounded in the clear expectation including the requirement that board members reside within the district that they serve.
Thank you so much for the time uh to testify and I'm here for any questions. >> Okay. Uh let's see. Hawaii State Council on Mental Health. Anyone hear from them? Uh Alec Morantic. >> Aloha chair, co-chair, members of the committee. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. I am a trained school psychologist living and working on Big Island. I support this measure moving forward as is. Um the national association sets the standards on scope of practice for school psychologists. Um so they have a vested interest in being part of this working group. Um, HPA is not a regulatory agency and does not represent me as a school psychologist and the board of psychology does uh have clinical psyches that sit on their board and most of their board is made up of clinical psych. So I feel like the current composition would effectively address the stakeholder concerns as well as effectively provide insights for the working groups um lensure pathway recommendations.
It's a privilege to stand here and recognize a student who defines unsung hero. The Soaring Eagle award isn't necessarily about a person with the most headlines or loudest voice. It's about character. That's why I'm nominating Owen Mankey. >> [applause] >> Owen's a leader by example. I've had the privilege to coach Owen three of his four years here at CHS, and I've also taught him in middle school PE as well. The world of football, everybody wants the ball. But Owen is a guy who wants to do the work. He's selfless. He consistently does what's best for the team, regardless whether it benefits him. He's resilient. I've never heard him complain in 3 years of coaching him, and he's reliable. Whether it's hot in August or cold in our playoff runs, you're getting the same effort from him regardless. He's also excellent in the trenches. Being an offensive lineman is a thankless job, but his work ethic day in and day out, he's consistent.
It's been a great run. So, you know, we have ups and downs, but we're going to continue moving forward and may take a little while to get there, but we'll definitely get there. So, thank you so much for all the work that you have done and we'll continue to do and uh we look forward to seeing you guys again. >> Thank you for coming back. Thank you. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you, Dennis. Appreciate it. Uh I like the tank taking a a few minute uh break. So, >> Yeah. Yeah. This was this was a general conversation with our legislative uh uh group with us tonight.
Residency is not a technicality. It is the foundation of true representation as a member of the board. At this time, there is a member of the board that does not live within the boundaries of the district. This means they're making decisions that impact families, students, and staff in a community they are not part of. that is a direct misrepresentation of their constituents. It's also very clear that children of some of these board members that are currently not here have gone to and are currently enrolled in other area district high schools. That leads me to believe that they are not fully confident in the board which they sit on and they serve with. If you do not feel comfortable enough sending your children to this school district, why are you so invested? >> More than anything, this is not just about an ethical concern at this point.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify. >> Okay. Thank you, Alexis Jameson. >> Aloha. >> Oh, sorry. I was muted. Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify. My name is Alexis Jameson and I'm a school psychologist in Libertahu and I'm the current past president-elect. I do want to voice my support for the bill as is as I don't think HPA should represent us in this working group as they don't represent school psychologists or include school psychologists. So it doesn't make sense for them to be a part of that working group for lensure. Um and just moving you know just to emphasize the importance of this bill. I'm a homegrown school psychologist and that means that I had to go to a different you know a different state to be um to become a school psychologist and get educated and I'm licensed in Kansas which is where my degrees are from but I can't be here in Hawaii because we don't have lensure.
He's the model of what you look for in a teammate. He brings the blue-collar mentality that we want not only from our offensive lineman, but the field every single day. And his presence is a testament to his character, how he makes the most of being there day in and day out. He's also conscientious. He doesn't stop necessarily on the field, but he takes it to the classroom as well. He's a positive influence on those around him. He drove our energy on the offensive line, not necessarily cuz he's the most vocal guy, but he's always willing to work. And he again is consistent, willing contributor of willing to show up every day and do the right thing for our football program. Owen, you're the blueprint of what we want for a student-athlete here at CHS. You're a leader by example, a phenomenal teammate, and even better person.
So, we're not entertaining any questions from the public on this matter. Okay. U there'll be other uh times when they're available to to ask questions, but not tonight. Thank you. So, would you entertain uh taking a two-minute break or you good to go or you want to continue? Ready to go? >> You good? Okay. Well, then we'll continue. >> Let's just get going. >> All right. Uh, next on our agenda uh is uh under old new business is uh 27 budget update uh and including uh operational overhead. Uh with that, I'm going to turn this discussion over to uh Michael uh town manager uh who has a presentation and additional information uh for everybody to uh absorb hopefully. And yeah, I'm just trying to get this back on the screen here. It was doing so wonderful. Um folks, you know, talk amongst yourselves until we get all taken care of, you know.
It's a violation of the board's own bylaws taken from the Anderson Union High School Board policy last updated 919 of 23 section titled events causing the vacancy for a government code 1770, a board member ceasing to be a resident of the district. These policies were created to protect the integrity of the governance and ensure accountability. More than that, you took an oath to abide by by policies in which I'm sure that you were aware of before you took that oath. To the other board members, this is for you. It is your responsibility to uphold the integrity of this board. Upholding the bylaws is not optional. It is your duty. allowing ineligible members to continue serving sends the message that rules do not matter and repres representation can be compromised without consequence. You have the authority and the obligation to act. You need to do so.
So I really feel it's critical for us to move forward with this working group so that Hawaii can finally have lensure for school psychologists in our state. >> Thank you so much. Let's see. That's all that we have that signed up as testify in person or on Zoom. There's three four others. Um, anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Come forward. None. Okay. Questions? Members questions? >> Okay. uh court >> HPA. >> So I have a a question. Um in your testimony, it shares that the board also suggests adding local stakeholders, excuse me, such as universities and supports keeping the working group exempt from open meetings law. Why would you need to be exempt from open meetings? >> I don't believe that's in our testimony. >> Correct. Well, >> she said she doesn't believe it's there. >> Is that board of psych? I apologize.
Your friendliness and caring for this program have been infectious. It's my honor to present the Soaring Eagle award to Owen Mankey. >> [applause] >> All right. My name's Tyler McQuarter. I'm the school resource officer here for the Columbia Unit 4. It is my honor to recommend Connor Ethridge for the Soaring Eagle award. >> [applause] [snorts] >> All right. As a school resource officer at Columbia High School, I've had the privilege of watching Connor grow over the past several years. His transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. When I first got to know Connor, he was a student who brought tons of energy and humor to those around him. In fact, that same energy and humor occasionally earned him a visit to the principal's office more often than he probably would have liked. Even then, [snorts] it was clear Connor had a great heart and so much potential.
>> Oh, wow. >> Hey, what do you know? I told you I wasn't good at tech. Um, then I I'm going to use this mic, too, just because uh because I'm going to have um I'm going to have some help. Um, thanks everybody. Uh, well, geez. Uh, it's good to see everybody here. I think it's safe to say it's been a bit of a week. um you know and uh you know I I I just keep on remembering um and I had a conversation with Steve Mitchell something that he said uh when he was on the board a lot was you know it it's easy to get along when things are going well and and and money's flowing and stuff but uh when things get a little tight it's going to be really interesting how we um you know how we respond to that and I I think for a little bit uh Um yeah, I I just think for a little bit um things got a little bit hairy and I think you know if the past few days have taught me anything, it it's really been a lot about relationships and um and how strong um really how strong they can be and how fragile they can be.
That means taking the necessary steps to ensure transparency and bring true integrity back to this board. Thank you. sports. I'll keep it quick. Thank you. Uh, so my name is Scott Eastman. Uh, I know several people here. I know Justin. Good to see you. I know Melissa, who I've known for 30 years, drove down from Rica to share a little bit of perspective as a 30-year plus coach at both the collegiate and high school level. Uh, as somebody who has uh gotten their butts kicked by West Valley uh for the better part of my career, I can tell you that both Carla Davis and I'm close with and Melissa and the coaching staff have done a great job preparing their players. Okay. Um, what I am going to share and I've given each of you a letter that kind of states some of my qualifications, making some assessment and why I said this.
>> Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Which is which? >> Thank you. Please exc Oh, please if you could respond >> um to your testimony. Board of Psychology. Yes. >> Yes. Thank you so much. So, uh why would that be necessary to exempt from open meetings law? um just in the past that we had um had concerns that there would be additional administrative requirements that would need to be done like filing meetings um and certain things that would come out of like DCCA PPVL's um staffing. So we were just asking that maybe that be um omitted so that there isn't that additional um additional requirement. Sorry. Okay. Um, okay. And then I Thank you very much. I do have a question for HPA as well. So, unless the board wants to and the committee wants you to stay for other questions. Uh, chair, when the time permits, I'd like to uh ask HPA to come up.
Over time, he has matured tremendously and developed into a focused, responsible, and service-minded young man. Today, he stands as an example of what growth, determination, and character truly look like. One moment that perfectly captures what Connor has become occurred during an outdoor funeral on an extremely hot day. The temperature was high, the sun was beating down, and many in attendance were clearly uncomfortable. Many were beginning to struggle with the heat. Without being asked or directed by anyone, Connor immediately took notice. While others were focused solely on the service itself, Connor focused on the people. He quickly and intentionally made sure that elder attendees had water, checked in on those who appeared overheated, and asked individuals if they were feeling all right. He continued moving through the crowd, scanning for anyone who might need assistance. He ran back and forth from the stands and back to retrieve more water as needed, ensuring no one was overlooked.
I think at the same time um they they can take a lot of work and they can also take be taken for granted uh quite quite easily and all I can say is that I'm really really proud of the work that we did um in the early years to build those relationships when things were good um because we really needed to lean on those I think over the last week and um I can say I've I've said that to everybody we're going to have some tough conversations over the phone but I'm really really proud of the fact that um we can have those tough conversations and know that we are not doubting the intent and that we're all trying to um to uh to really do what's best for the community. And um by doing that, it's really allowed us to put our energy into some amazing things.
Uh here's the thing about Melissa that you may or may not know and it's been repeated uh tonight and I I really uh hope that that people hear this is that the students overwhelmingly overwhelmingly support Melissa. Okay. And so when you're up in Huica and you have the NAL coaches all speaking about the top coaches in the section and Melissa's name being at the very front of that as someone who's been in there for a while. You have to to listen. You have to reconcile that and and and think about whether or not you're hiring the most qualified individual. >> Okay? And it's really about that. And and I'm going to speak as an off-campus coach. All right? My my day job is I'm a CEO of the YMCA and I've have a passion working with kids. But at the end of the day, you know, it comes down to are you qualified to do the best job for the kids uh for your district and for your team?
>> Yeah. I I have a question. So, you're on the board of psychology. >> I I am the executive officer. Yes. >> And this is under DCCA, >> Correct. So, as far as lensure, um what cuz according to testimony today, they've been introducing this measure year after year. So, what what seems to be the problem? >> Um I think the board's view has been that there are there are two parties obviously. One of them is within the chapter already is psychologists, licensed psychologists and I'm using terms that are um defined in the chapter 465. So we're talking about licensed psychologists who have obtained lensure in the state. So it's no distinction about what psychology is outside of what it's defined as in 465. So uh those folks having vested interest um have representation through HPA. uh they can regularly attend meetings uh they can affect the chapter um so I think that um the the other party I was a school psychologist you know they um from the board's preview uh are comprised of basically about two uh two parties two groups uh there's the school psychology specialist as that has been defined in uh bills in the past um this is a specialist in education I believe degree uh level whereas there is the uh school psychologists who are um doctorally um educated um who in fact actually can be licensed through through the chapter 465 at this time um there's obviously discrepancies with their training and their uh level of uh say training hours is one of the big things is not as high as what we require in 465.