Luke always has a way of jumping in with insight, and it's often a comment that inspires and elevates other students to make larger connections and learn alongside him. What also stands out about Luke is how humble he really is. He even though he consistently scored near or above the 90th percentile on every ACT English and reading assessment we've done, few would ever hear about it. He doesn't like to boast. He doesn't compare himself to others. He keeps everything understated. And when he makes mistakes or poor choices or bad decisions, Luke has shown a real ability to take ownership for his actions on assignments, which is a sign of his maturity and character that deserves recognition tonight. I have to share one final moment here that captures Luke's character beyond English. One morning, back in November it was, fall semester, the small space heater in my classroom stopped working.
I'll pause in between each slide so it'll give you an opportunity to ask any questions. So the first slide as Michael said is a five-year call volume trends. Um the last time we hired members was in 2019 and that was through a safer grant that the captain wrote. Um and since then in the last 5 years uh the population has increased by 10% in the community and is estimated to increase another 3% annually. So multiple proposed buildings projected can affect population growth and call volume. For example, Cirrus Drive, the apartment complex. Just last year alone, we responded 92 times. 190 Chestnut Street, the Asher Apartments, we responded 50 times, but they only took occupancy in July, so half of the year. So, these big complexes, multi-story complexes, um, are taking a lot of our call volume. New projects can result in a greater demand for emergency calls and fire inspections.
I believe their anticipated date of both going live is April 13th. >> Moving on. >> I 6.4. >> We're moving on 6.4. discussion of a potential change of moving close session to the beginning from the beginning to the end of the regular meeting. This is on because you know a lot of people come here and sit and wait sometimes close session long waiting for us in just an idea about it. Well, probably the best ways would be to have a close session at the beginning and the end to the close session at the beginning of things that we might be talking about during the meeting. And we do have a spot for close session at the end if needed. >> Yes, we have. >> Right. So, we might as well like what would we put at that? >> We had never done it. But we could >> like you think it's a subject that's going to go long.
It's also important to have that equity because charter schools often those teachers tell us that they don't always get the same things. So we want to make sure that we have these programs in place to encourage the next generation of teachers to seek this out. So we ask for your support. Mahalo. >> Well, quick question. So I have to call you back. So, charter schools can belong to HSTA. >> Yes. Okay. And you have a lot of the teachers there. >> Thank you. >> Edno from Charter Schools Commission. >> Edno, not here. Okay. Office of Hawaiian Affairs. She's not here. Okay. And then we have Oh, I don't know 20 more in support. Anyone else who are wishing to testify on this measure want to come forward? If not, okay, questions, members, I have questions. Um, I guess DOE. >> Well, charter schools. Anybody from charter school?
And luckily, it broke right before my sixth hour English 3 class, which I have with Luke. And at the end of class, as lunch began, Luke offered to help fix it. The next thing I knew, he was back from Mr. Fischer's room with a screwdriver. He had the the whole thing apart, examined the wiring in the fan motor, and had it running again in under 5 minutes, as good as new. And you know, I have to admit that's a skill set I did not cover in English curriculum. So, congratulations. >> [applause] >> Hello, my name is Brody Mount. I'm a English teacher here at the high school. So, first of all, I want to thank you all for being here and shout out to all these amazing students that have received nominations this year. These are some of the best students that our school has to offer.
>> Any questions on that slide to move to the next one? >> Y the structure. You ready for that one? You want me to cover that one? >> Uh no, I can I can review this. >> You got that? >> Great. So on this slide, uh five structural drivers that are pushing costs and work load higher. So larger developments require more staff to mitigate an emergency call due to the size. The most recent large complexes that uh develop that have developed Cirrus Drive uh Chestn Street, the Asher Apartments, when we respond to these multi-story occupancies, we have to respond slightly different. If it's a fire alarm activation, we have to take the engine and the ladder truck to respond. That's our whole complement. That's everybody in the department that's responding to that fire alarm activation to assist on trying to identify where that fire alarm is.
We can put that in the end close session. >> So, you want to bring it back next month. Everybody's here. So, >> I like the idea at the end because I I think it's rude for everybody to have to wait >> for us when it goes long >> because it's a long time for them to have to wait. I like having an option to have both. >> I just think that we have to remember we still have to report on any close session items at the end just like we do at the beginning. So the motion to table that >> says action information. >> Oh, it's underneath. Oh >> yeah. Motion to table to the next meeting. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> All right. Moving up 6.5 revision of the administrative regulation 6200 adult ed. >> Who's bringing that? Who's bringing that here?
Nobody here is from charter schools. Okay. So, DOE in light of No. So currently is the charter school teachers they if they're certified they get the they get the 5,000 bonus, right? >> I think that's the the thing in question at this point. Um >> no, this will make it this will put it in law, but I think they get it. Don't they get it? Let's see. Yes, they do. >> I'm sorry. >> Board chair, did you say yes, they get it? >> Okay. So, so it's not like they're not getting, but what this this bill will do, it'll make it clear that they are also eligible to get it, although they're getting it now. We gave it to DE teachers 22 years ago because um it was clear that out of all the certifications that educator can get you know out of all the uh credentials that a educator can get the national board certification is by far the the most effective more than a master's degrees for example.
Um and it's awesome to be able to honor you all tonight. So, my soaring eagle nomination is Jacob Becker. >> [applause] >> This is a pretty clear-cut selection right from the beginning of the year. This is a kid who checks every box when it comes to being a role model, not only in school or in sports, but in life in general. When you think about someone who's on top of their academics day in and day out, that's Jacob. In the classroom as well, he's one of the nicest and most including students. He always makes sure that others are involved and will keep others' behavior in check as well. Not only does he lead by example, but he leads with his voice as well. Academics are the same story. Of course, he doesn't have all the physical gifts that some athletes have, barely being 5 ft tall, but he makes up for this with his tremendous work effort and work effort and enthusiasm.
If it's a medical emergency there, again, we need multiple pieces of apparatus to assist to uh getting the equipment up to the the floor. So, the station is empty at that time. um longer hospital transports since co unfortunately um the experiences that a lot of people had in Framingham has changed uh where they would like to be transported uh 15 to 20% decrease in our transports to Framingham and Framingham is 10 minutes away it's where we always took our patients but since co um with that decrease in in transports to frame Framingham people are choosing to go to Milford to Newton Welssley and into Boston or to Worcester. So that travel transport time, it's 10 minutes to Framingham. The turnaround time is is very quick and efficient. But if we're now transporting to Milford or to Newton Welssley, that delays our transport time considerably. It takes that primary ambulance out of service, it can be for a couple of hours.
>> We'll let Mr. Brew address this instructional. >> Okay. Okay, this is coming uh from the great craftsmanship of Megan McC um and it's something that we talked with uh in March on March 5th through CAC in addition we took that to the counselors made some tweaks uh and then presented at the principles as well and then brought uh bringing you this tonight Um what we're having is a really a a a major influx to adult ed with students looking to uh earn earn u to do credit recovery through adult ed concurrently. Um and so this is this is a system that provides some filtering for that having them uh uh if you look on page two um provides more stern guidance as far as they need to have on page two to be eligible for the concurrent enrollment through the adult ed program students must first meet one one of the following three items.
Um, yeah, there's some studies that show if a child has a national board certified teacher for three years, consecutive years, they will actually gain a year in educational progress. So, it's a very lowc cost investment um to make. >> So, I guess when I went to school, I lost a a loss. >> I went to school I went to school before you. So, >> we're in the minus. We're not in the plus. Um, okay. I think that's all the questions. Anybody else have questions? If not, okay. >> Okay. Moving right along. House Bill 2344 HG1. Minister establishes a temporary independent public school realignment and closure commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments and closures based on the federalbased realignment and closure model. Requires an expedited approval process by the governor and legislature. We have DOE. Sean, is that you again?
I had the pleasure of coaching Jacob this year in basketball for the freshman team, and he made every practice more enjoyable with his outgoing personality. Most importantly, though, Jacob's a great kid. He's the type of kid any parent would be proud of to have. I'm simply thankful for Jacob and how great he's been all year, and I foresee many achievements coming his way throughout his life. A round of applause for everyone and for Mr. Jacob Becker. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name's Ashley Ramsey, and I teach Spanish. I enjoy this ceremony each year because it gives us the opportunity to recognize students for so many different qualities, not just academics. It's really special to celebrate each student here tonight. Jojo Riemann. >> [applause] >> I have had the pleasure of teaching my soaring eagle for the second year in a row. She's a top-notch model student.
So if we have multiple medical emergencies and we have both our ambulances going in different directions, that takes uh you know our primary ambulances out of service for quite a long period of time. Now we recall and we bring full-time firefighters back, but if we don't get any response, if they're unavailable, that leaves the station empty. That's very, very concerning. It's a challenge. um tighter lab labor markets. Uh the pool for paramedics is uh is pretty shallow these days. So it uh it extends our hiring time which also uh requires additional training once they get on board because what we're doing is we're hiring firefighter uh in training. So um we bring them in while they're still going through their paramedic training. uh but that in as a result takes longer for them to get certified. Um elimination of the call department. Well, I won't tell you how many years I've been on, but when I started, we had a small department of three members and a very large call department that we really relied on.
the student has attempted to retake the course uh at their currently enrolled site which is a challenge for you know fitting that in in a six period day that takes one whole period uh out of out of a student's schedule. Um, number two, they may uh uh have attempted credit recovery during the uh during the school day or after school at their currently enrolled school site. Or number three, the student has completed summer school in accordance with counselor expectations um as documented on their summer summer school enrollment form. So when a student takes uh they meet with their with their counselor, that counselor will help them uh craft what they need to make up and then they need to go and attempt to complete that in summer school. We have a lot of students look at summer school is pretty daunting and taking a chunk out of their their time.
Nope, it's not. God, I thought I was going to hit it. I got two Shawn. I figured sorry to ruin the Shan >> The Shan show. Um chair, vice chair, members of the committee, Elizabeth Tigashi. On behalf of the Department of Education, um we just wanted to provide our comments and state that we are currently in the process of following our admin rules in regards to the consolidation of schools looking at potentially using fall 2026 enrollment data in order to inform what potential schools could be studied um and be recommended for potential closure in the upcoming year. Um one of the things that if this bill were to proceed, we do have some recommendations that we would like to make. One of them being that on the commission, we do feel it's important that somebody from the Department of Education be part of the commission in order to ensure that education and student outcomes remain a priority in those decisions.
She consistently produces impressive work, asks thoughtful questions, is a wonderful partner in class, helps others, and treats everyone with kindness and respect. She is the kind of student who could easily fly under the radar because she is both intelligent and quietly diligent. She simply does what she's supposed to do, and she does it well. But when you take a closer look, she truly stands out. She often asks me to read over her work, and I'm always impressed by her creativity and the way she applies grammatical structures in ways we haven't exactly practiced in class. It's awesome when a student asks you to check their work, not because they have to, but because they truly want to learn more and improve. Most of all, she is genuinely kind. She leads with kindness, and she makes our classroom a better place simply by being who she is.
But over the years, as the population increased, so did the department. We had to uh increase our full-time career firefighters. But unfortunately the call department decreased. And nowadays this is not just a national thing. This is a national national thing with just a a lack of interest in volunteers that want to be part of a call department. So currently our last call firefighter retired a couple of years ago. So we don't have any uh call firefighters. So, we are heavily relying on when we are busy and we have two or three calls at once and we recall our full-time firefighters, we're really relying on them to come back in to support the one firefighter, the two firefighter that's left at the station. Training and certification, again, we we we strive for the highest level of care here in Ashland. We hire only paramedic firefighters. But with that there is mandatory training every year uh and every other year mandatory monthly training for our paramedics.
I'm going to tell you that uh and coming back to the district, it's only 18 days. is pretty pretty uh pretty quick. Goes from June 8th this year until July 2nd. Uh so you're done be even before uh if you were to take all those days in summer school to make your credits, you'd be done by before uh the 4th of July. In addition, at summer school, if I only have five or 10 credits to make up and I get that done at summer school within two weeks, three weeks, I I'm done. I I don't have to come back for for the rest. So, it's an it's an attempt to make them make sure that they've tried one of those three avenues before going to concurrent enrollment with the adult school. Right now, you have about 70% or concurrent enroll trying to chop down that 70%.
In addition to re-evaluating the timeline, I think one of the things that we were concerned about is that depending on recommendations that come from the commission, it could evolve different timelines in order to ensure smooth transitions not only of students of vulnerable populations, but also ensuring that we address and take care of our personnel as well. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Uh let's see. Hawaii State Board of Education Once again, good afternoon, senators. the board's testimony is that we believe that this is an issue that deserves continued discussion, but I would urge the committee if you're going to send this bill out to take a deep dive in terms of what's in the bill and what the basis realignment and closures commission did back in the late8s was apparently the motivation for this bill is the B and if you you know this by the way that um when the B got stood up in the mid 80s the first one met in 1988 8.