I feel lucky to have taught her for the past 2 years. Jojo Riemann, I'm happy to recognize you as my soaring eagle. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> You know, if I'm getting up, it must be getting close. We have two more people that we want to recognize with two special soaring eagles. Uh the first, if Miss Kish would come up, please. Hello again. Um tonight, obviously, we're here to celebrate students who soared. And we're also here to recognize the educators who helped get them there. Tonight, we're honoring a colleague who, after 35 years of teaching, is retiring, Laura Schmidt. >> [applause] [applause] >> I've had the pleasure of working with Laura for 4 years, and in that time I've seen what makes her such an exceptional teacher and colleague. After building her career in English at the middle school level, and then transitioning to science, she made the decision to take on something new and genuinely challenging.
And then every two years we have to reertify which is a 40-year 40hour uh program um that has to be provided firefighter training. Um, our firefighters go back to the Mass Fire Academy to improve and take new classes, which is vital to the highest level of care that we can provide for our residents.
Question, why are we trying to chop it down? I could provide some background information. Sure. >> So during COVID um the adult day program was FL was you know impacted by the the concurrently enrolled kids from Anderson and West Valley. However, Anderson's adult school program is funded through a consortium with Sher Trinity. We don't get extra money for any of the kids coming from the the U comprehensive sites into the program and we legally have to provide anything that we're going to purchase. We have to justify how that cost is going to go to the adults first. If it trickles down to the kids, then it's just a perk. Right now, we have anybody that comes to we have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2:30 to 7 o'clock at night. 70% of the kids that show up are concurrently enrolled kids. So those kids are sucking away materials and teacher time and which we don't want to take away that perk from the district at all.
They met five times from 1988 to 2005 in that 17-year period. And during that time, they collectively closed 154 bases and realigned 207 bases. So, it was a very effective commission because, as you know, the rationale um of the commission was it would come up with a list of bases and Congress had to vote up or down. They couldn't cherrypick bases off of that list. And so it was so effective that the B has not met since 2005. Um so for the past 21 years the B has never reconvened because it's gone back to the old way. The old way is it was done by politics. And so the makeup of this committee, I would again urge your committee to take a look at the makeup, right? Um the B was a nine member commission back in the day appointed nominated by the president and confirmed by the US Senate and all the B the five B commissions that were stood up had at least four or five retired generals that their respons command responsibility was overseeing facilities when they were in service.
To go back to school and earn the credentials to teach high school chemistry, including honors chemistry and advanced placement chemistry. That takes a lot of courage. It takes dedication. It takes time, financial investment, and a genuine belief in being a lifelong learner. One of the most remarkable things about Laura is how intentional she is. She doesn't just teach a unit and move on, she studies learning. She reviews every assessment question, analyzes the students' responses, and pinpoints where understanding has broken down. Then she adjusts, and she does it in the unglamorous hours. Over lunch, during prep, after school, and on weekends. Constantly refining and improving her curriculum so students just don't get through chemistry, they truly understand it. If you've ever been in Ms. Schmidt's classroom, you know she's also a big believer in curiosity. One of the first things you'll notice is her Mars-scape bulletin board that takes up a third of the front wall.
Any questions on that slide? >> Just one quick question. Uh, chief, um, how about folks that would want to um, transfer from another department that meets the requirements? Is that something that's available to you or would you rather? >> Yes, we we have done that in the past. Uh we've taken lateral uh employees and that that's worked out great because they're already been through the fire academy and hopefully they're paramedics. So that is a very smooth transition for us. >> Yes. >> And is that something that would uh you would entertain doing? You know, you mentioned something about the fact that the pool of potential candidates is is really low. you're speaking the bottom of the barrel. >> So, would you be more >> willing to advertise and promote your department to get better recruits or better uh transfer uh officers to to come to your department?
We want to help the comp sites. However, we can't be the first line of defense for credit recovery because we it's just not logistically or fiscally um manageable. >> I can speak to it. I I I really like what what she's doing. I actually made changes today while going over the master schedule to the counselors. I sent them an email that said if no there needs to be x number of kids in credit recovery or and I want to put in their schedule they cannot they must have credit recovery or they must go to summer school this summer. So I think it's going to help hold the kids accountable because like Mr. Parker was saying it's like well of course they're going to do concourse it's easier they want the path of least resistance but it's causing a log jam. So I think we have the systems in place to deal with what she's asking.
This approach conceivably could have eight of the nine members with no educational experience. And I think we all know the whole purpose of this exercise is to see what's in the best interest of students. That a in conceptually and in theory a small school of 80 students may not have the capacity to deliver the kind of the breadth and depth of courses that we believe children should have. So, you know, it's it's it's not necessarily a business decision, but uh primarily it's a educational decision. So, you might want to take a look at the current language and decide whether or not this is something you want to amend the bill to reflect that um the purpose is for um better educational outcomes. >> Thank you, Keith Reagan. Good afternoon, Gordon Wood or Mr. Rian. Uh you have the department's written testimony offering comments in two areas.
Brick red mountains in the background, a dark starless sky, and a teeny blue and green Earth in the distance. Along the Martian soil are the rovers, Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance, and right there alongside the little helicopter drone, Ingenuity. Across the top, in massive letters, it says, "Dare mighty things." Ms. Schmidt puts that motto on assignments and tests, on slideshows and warm-ups. She says it to her students again and again. It's not just a catchy expression, it's a motto. It's a message. You can do hard things, and I am here to help you. And if you want another example of how Ms. Schmidt makes rigorous learning feel possible, you only have to look at the back of her classroom at Mount AP Chemistry. It's a mountain range made out of tape and construction paper, and each plateau is one of the seven AP Chemistry units.
>> Absolutely. Yes, we we would. And I think that just our reputation alone, I think a lot of a lot of members from other organization would like to come and work for the the Ashon Fire Department. >> Thank you. to that point is is a complicating factor of transferring from another department or another community um that their seniority goes to zero right so I know that in education right but sometimes people don't jump because >> while they might be able to maintain the same salary or maybe even adjust it a little bit >> um their seniority goes to zero so it becomes uh less attractive right for that reason >> yeah we have a a a very competitive of contract, union contracts. So I think it's enticing for other >> and it's a great community to work in. So that entices people too. >> Absolutely.
>> And then would this limit the kids from being able to go to a chass and do concurrent enrollment? >> Yeah. >> College strictly the the adult education. >> Any other questions? >> I have a motion to approve. >> I move to approve. Second. >> Moved a second. All those in favor? >> I I passes unanimous. 6.6 resolution celebrating America's 20 250th anniversary. This was placed on the agenda by Trusty Lao. She can't be here tonight. Just wanted to um celebrate her country's 250th birthday. >> Y Second second. All those in favor. >> I unanimous. >> Moving on to 68. So 6.7 was deleted. Building and construction trades program highlights. So, if you recall, um, we were able to secure the Golden State Pathways Grant and, um, were able to add the CT pathway building construction trades at both Anderson and West High School. Mr.
Um the the bill would place this commission within DAGs. And we note that our statutory um responsibilities focus on administrative and infrastructure support and don't encompass the educational considerations that are essential to the operations of this commission. And secondly, uh we are concerned that the current state of the bill doesn't provide uh a funding amount and without funding and other support, uh if DAGs were to be involved, we would have to divert monies and resources from our statutory responsibilities.
There's a little hiker with a backpack, because everybody needs learning tools. And he's climbing with his trusty dog, because everybody needs support sometimes. Each time the class completes a unit, Laura moves the hiker higher up the mountain step by step until they finally reach the summit. And then the hiker kicks back in a recliner next to a campfire and enjoys a cold beverage. She doesn't stop there. Every year, as her AP students take the AP exam, she makes finish line tape. She then takes those strips of finish line around to students all over the building and gets them to write words of congratulations on them. She then tapes them to the students' lockers so that when they finish the very, very difficult AP exam, their congratulations are already waiting. That's what it looks like to help students soar. High expectations, real support, and a teacher who never stops believing in them.
Absolutely. Because of the members that are here, they have a great reputation which is welld deserved. >> Yeah. Actually, um I I can say and it's kind of interesting for me because I'm not a firefighter so I'm a bit on the outside. Um, it's really interesting to see how um the department, the culture of the department attracts and retains people. Um, God, I thought I saw like some of our newer, younger ones, Zach and Connor and Isaac over there. They're like, >> yeah. Um, and and gosh, poor Andy Campbell is here. And uh, no, I just look at Andy. So Andy was like young when I started here. Um >> you you were younger too. >> Oh, thanks. >> Um I'm gonna miss Andy. Um >> go there goes our budget. >> So yeah, it's something really special and it's something that the support of the community is a is a very important cornerstone of that.
Derek Jones is a former Anderson graduate and uh, he's starting to build program. He's going to be very popular with kids and uh, very well respected. uh a local journalist came and asked him in his class to do some work for her and she printed an awesome article about Mr. Jones. It's up on the screen there. Um just about his life and how he's come back full circle to the school he graduated from. Um it's just a really really great great article and you know sometimes we always don't get this positive press. This is definitely a positive article for our district. Um serving this teacher serving both both sides. Great. >> I wish you had been here tonight but not here. >> Okay, that was informational going to 6.9 informational also sample CT promotion videos. So, if you recall um the board had directed me to come up with a way to better advertise what we offered.
I'm available for any questions. >> Okay, thank you. Uh Joy Bolasan in opposition. Leland Brady comments for Aloha Independent Living and Susan Pakola Davis individual in opposition. Anybody else here wishing to testify on this measure?
Laura, thank you for the leap you took, for the excellence you bring every day, and for the legacy you leave behind in your students. Congratulations. I hope you dare mighty things. >> [applause] >> One final one we'd like to recognize, I'd like to recognize for sure, Jill Dickerson. I worked with Jill at the middle school 4 years and now 9 back at the high school, and the office wouldn't is not going to be the same without her. She her support of students, staff, and families, and patience, maybe with me, organization and kindness unmatched. We wish her the best luck in her next chapter as well. To wrap the night up, please join me in a round of applause to congratulate our 2026 Soaring Eagle Award recipients. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you, teachers, for your kind words, and students, we invite you to wear your medallion tomorrow to school and whenever your graduation day is.
Um, I look at the town of Easton, um, and you know, they they didn't pass an override, uh, some of which was devoted to their firefighters and the rest of their department left. Um, and they because they just didn't feel like there was any opportunities there and so they ended up having to contract out. I don't I don't want to say, oh, that's going to happen. But it's a culture is so important. Um it is the diff it is how you can get people um to to come here and stay um and and not necessarily pay them the highest salary. Keep it competitive but at the end of the day you want to keep it as a place where everybody's working for a higher purpose and people feeling like they're a part of that and working for each other is >> oh the podium. >> Did you did you point did you are you cutting me out?
Mr. um spoke tonight about, you know, how are we what are we doing to keep our students um talk to you afterwards, Andrew, by the way, it's been a long time since I've talked with you, but he's one of my former students. He played for me. He's got board here at Was anyway. Um so, we looked at some uh Pacific Sky who's professional building or film company and their bid was very very expensive. Uh I can't remember which board member had the idea of asking shy RO uh instructor and students if they could do it. So I did that. I called Mr. Hopper, the superintendent principal sh got in touch with Raymond Schultz. He's the computer tech guy up there Cisco classes and things. Um I had to pay her path equipment. Came like $400 for some cameras and editing equipment. But they created two videos so far at their place and they're going to go ahead and create all the videos for our a science, our a welding, our building construction pathways, our culinary programs in addition to all the programs um that are up at RFP.
Hearing none, we are in questions. Senator Dor, thanks. Uh where are you folks at with your uh school consolidation plan? I believe that that was supposed to be ready for um I guess distributed this year. >> So we did senator we did do an update to the board of education because one of the things that we did in the past year was we did stakeholder engaging with all of our principles and especially um looking at what other school districts nationally are doing and how they're handling their consolidation processes. In addition with we did meet with leaders and principles of previous schools that were consolidated. And so one of the things that we wanted to do was not only get feedback on our approach and our methodology, but in addition to a timeline that would allow us to not only bring in the data, but give opportunity for stakeholder feedback.