>> I apologize. Well, it was a nice enough day for sure for that. >> Oh, yeah. It was fantastic. 34 degrees in the water. Um my understanding is they raised about $16,000 over their >> incredible amount of money. >> Really cool. So appreciate um you guys participating in that. Um second, I I think you know it's critical I want to remind everybody to kind of stay informed. Visit our BOE website, visit the town website. You know, budget season's not over. Dr. Solen just presented last week to the town council. There were some comments and questions that were floating around. Um I strongly encourage you at home to really make contact with Dr. Solen and administration to clarify any you know misunderstandings especially with the data pieces. Um I feel you know just speaking as an individual that the board did scrutinize and go through each line item before we voted and forwarded to the town council.
Um it is unfortunate that the council or I let me not misspeak that you know the town manager did cut us $300,000 um and that before he moved it to the town. So again recommendation >> they made a recommendation which is not favorable in my view but um >> but again we're asking that the community support go out um make sure that you speak on behalf of the board's recommendation um just to ensure that our students moving into next year have you know and our staff have the means and the resources that they need. So strongly encourage that. Um uh I know Dr. Solen mentioned this earlier. Uh we did myself, Dr. Herrian. Um town manager, Mayor um TARA and Mr. Jinx did go up to the state capital. Um had a meeting with Speaker Ritter and Representative Lenahan um concerning ECS funding. It was a pretty productive discussion.
Um although it happened after the uh >> he already made a press conference, but there's some light there. I I will say I mean Dr. You want to kind of >> Yeah. So right now in the legislature they made an announcement um that they were looking to take 150 100 to $150 million to um allocate to communities for education. um that I mean it's I guess it's a nice sentiment but it doesn't change the structure of the funding mechanisms that have kept us steady and actually if adopted um would see us go from about 9.8 million to about 7 million over the course of a decade. Um right now we're held harmless because that law was an act enacted a few years ago. So we stay where we are. Um the there are two proposals, one in the House, one in the Senate that would shift how the um money is allocated.
And really they both are predicated on playing with what's called the foundation. The foundation is $11,000 roughly and that's what they account for every student. Actually, there only two districts in Connecticut that actually get $11,000 per student. Uh, New Britain and Hartford. um we get like 2,000 and it's because there is another part of the formula that really in impacts that and that's it's called base aid and so we really don't get much on that. Um the Senate proposal would certainly be more favorable but neither of them really change the base aid. The Senate version is more favorable because it does jack up the foundation higher. Um, and so like if I had to pick one, I guess it'd be that one. But really, it's the base aid that, you know, I'd love to see adjusted, but I don't know that that's going to happen because it's not enough money to do it.
So, under the circumstances, I would take a hard look at the Senate when I can send you guys information on that tomorrow. >> Yeah, Mr. Wright. >> Thank you. So, I saw a headline about the $150 million and I'm kind of following what you're saying. If we if it was a straight line based on population saying we're 1% of the state that would be a million and a half dollars that would certainly be helpful. I doubt it would be anything near that. Probably get less than 1%. Is this is the idea for this to be recurring or one time? So, so it would be a one time the 150 and and >> it'd be like a block block grant like uh educational I education cost excess cost grant is >> and that you know it's it's based on need and things like that. So >> it won't wouldn't be a million dollars.
It's probably like a few hundred thousand >> and yeah and I if if there's money on the table and we can take it then I definitely would say take it. But I also just want to point out that it also creates a problem next year in Cliff being there basically. So >> yeah, >> it's uh >> on balance it's it's good but it's definitely not uh perfect by any means if it if it does come to fruition in that form. >> Yeah, I think you know the proposal was to provide something immediately. That's what theund to 150 million would be. at the same time that they restructure ECS. Um, so I think the intent was that it would be an immediate infusion with a restructuring, but you know, at the same time they're also deliberating a restructuring right now, which would have an immediate impact.
>> We lose. Chester loses almost certainly with that. So, um, that's my perspective. We do okay with the with the Senate, you know, um we do okay with the House one, too. In both cases, we get a little bit more um and we don't get impacted as badly as the current ECS formula is. Um but, you know, the House ones, neither of them are like, wow, all right, all of a sudden we're getting, you know, 15 million a year or something. Um it's relatively nominal >> but positive >> rather than simply tinkering with the ECS formula.
Did they was there any discussion about simply funding it? >> Uh it would be astronomically expensive to fully fund it. >> So the answer is they're not going to fund it. But maybe they'll play with it. No, they they need to find they but they've been I guess they've been dramatically underfund underfunding it for better part of 25 years. Um and I I think we're ready for progress. Um and I think I give everybody bipartisan credit that they are working on progress. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. There was mention of the potential or they're formulating a study group that could um >> the governor has asked for a a study group which you know um kill it through committee you know um I'm weary of that but I I think there is a lot of uh desire blue red small town big town to do something about it.
I started sitting behind this desk 25 years ago. So, I think I'm just a little cynical at this point, but thank you. I appreciate it if it is moving in a good direction. >> The intent is there. We'll see what comes of it. >> And I think it it's it was critical for us to go up there because, you know, it seems like the urbans are always representative of the, you know, when situations come up, but you know, in these times, it's really impacting every no matter what district you're in, it's impacting everybody as we notice now. So, um, so again, appreciate Speaker Ritter taking the the time to meet with us as well, too. Um, outside that, I'm going to repeat it again. We are coming home with the trophy, right? Matt and >> let's go. >> Dr. Soulen asked who was playing. Some people are playing.
We're going to be winning. >> I don't know what our team name is, but that's besides the point. Okay. >> I think I think I put in a team name something like BOE powerhouse or something. >> Oh, okay. I don't remember anymore. >> Just winners, period. >> Yeah, >> same. Go with the Huskies. >> Oh, don't talk about the Huskies. I'm a little upset. Um, all right. Next, uh, announcements of upcoming meetings. We have Monday, April 13th, 7 p.m. we have policy committee meeting at Human. Thursday, April 16th, 7:30m at um B at Town Council Chambers here. BOE business meeting. Uh, Monday, April 20th at 7 is curriculum at Human. Um, as far as Chester Public Schools, March 20th, tomorrow, is professional development day. Tomorrow is the first day of spring. Doesn't feel like it, but here we are. April 3rd is Good Friday, so schools and district offices are closed.
And then we move to April break, which is the 6th through the 10th. All schools are closed. May 25th. Outside of that being my birthday, it is Memorial Day and schools and district offices are closed. Thank you for giving me the day off. And that is it. I will take a motion to adjourn. Mr. White, second by Dr. Herrian. All those in favor adjourning, it's unanimous. Thank you everybody.
Good afternoon. Uh, this hearing of the Senate Committee on Education come to order. Today is Friday. It's raining. We all want to get out of here. So, hopefully we'll be efficient. Uh, it's March 20th and this is in room 229. You're This hearing is being streamed live on YouTube. And if we must end this hearing due to technical issues, the committee will reconvene on Monday, March 23rd in this conference room 229. And a public notice will be posted on the Hawaii State Legislaturator's website. And due to the number of measures we have and issues, you are limited to testify to one minute per testifier. And if the members have questions, we will call you back up. So with that, we will start with our first uh bill on the agenda. House Bill 1559, House draft 2, uh prohibits a student from using a telecommunication device on school grounds during the instructional day with certain exceptions.
Heat up Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Hey everybody. Heat. I'm calling the special meeting to order for Bullhead City School Board on Friday, March 20th, 2026 at 8:30 p or 8:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. Jeez. Roll call. President Melinda Saski >> Fred Rushton here. >> Charlene Dia is here. Barbar Ziki here. >> Would you please stand and say >> Dr. Sheila Bernett here? >> Oh, Sheila, how are you doing? >> Here we go. Sing. >> I'm doing well. >> Okay, stand there and say the pledge with us. to the flag of the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation and all indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um, no public requests or anything like that. So, we're okay with this. >> Citizens present need to sign in. >> Okay. >> And then >> All right.
Requires a confiscated telecommunication device to be released only to the students, parents or legal garden who has three months to retrieve the device before it is subject to forfeite. Nobody wants their devices to be forfeitured. So with that, first up, Keith Hayashi for Department of Education. Good afternoon, Chair Kim, Senator Deort. I'm Heidi Armstrong, Department of Education. The department stands on its written testimony providing comments on this bill. I would also like to emphasize that on February 12th, 2026, the board of education did adopt a new statewide policy um [clears throat] um defining cell phone use um within our schools.
Um, I need a motion to adopt the agenda. >> I make a motion we adopt the agenda as presented. >> I'll second the motion. >> All those in favor? I, Melinda Saskki. >> Hi, Fred Rushton. >> I Charlene Diaz. >> Hi, Barb Zarziki. >> Okay. Item >> Hi, Sheila Bernett. >> I keep Sheila, I think there's a time. >> You keep forgetting about me. >> No, there's a time delay, but I will I'll be more patient. Fred's going to hear is going to poke me next time I do something. Um item 2.1 fiscal year 27 anticipated budgetary planning proposal. We tabled this from our last meeting and have come back now to talk about it and I was really disappointed that the community didn't come up with a million $18,000 for us. But that's okay because we have some other things to talk about. So Dr.
We're available for any questions. >> You just want to say it so that people at home know what we're talking about. >> Sure. So, the the board of education policy um has two prongs. For elementary and middle schools, cell phones are prohibited during school hours. Okay, so that's from bell to bell. Start start bell, starting bell, ending bell. For high school, cell phones are prohibited during instructional time, but students do have um the opportunity to use their phones during non-instructional time such as before school, after school, during lunch and recess. And for the details of that defining that the department is in the process of writing implementation guidelines that will support that policy >> and the policy takes effect this next school year. Yes. Correct. >> And what is different about what you what the policy is and what's in the bill? I think the bill um gives additional restrictions about when the phone is confiscated um how phones are stored and the current our policy that was adopted on February 12th um is not that prescriptive.
Stewart, what would you like to tell us? Uh, Madame President and board members, um, I actually did get some feedback from a couple of employees and from a board member. Um, I always appreciate the the various perspectives because um, uh, that makes me go back, crunch numbers again, look at the ideas, figure out, you know, how how they fit in or don't. Um, and it keeps me honest, uh, because I keep going back to my core value of what's in the best interest of students, but I also then have to think about that in terms of fiscal responsibility because that's part of my job. So, um, uh, so I did go back and crunch numbers on based on the suggestions and the ideas that were shared with me. um there were no significant differences in what those might do either relative to um keeping positions that were on the list to eliminate um nor um uh in in terms of saving funds and you know and saving positions.
Um we support that. Um I'll give an example. Currently, schools who have their own cell phone policies um have different ways of storing the phones that are working for them um one middle school uses the pouches that lock. Another um high school has like the shoe bags that hang on the back of a door. They're in the classroom. Kids put the phone in there when they enter the classroom. Um and then another high school I just visited has the students keep their phones on them. There's announcement at the beginning of every class. Don't take your cell phones out. I did visit the classes and that wasn't an issue for the schools. So, the flexibility of the schools um is working for them. >> Okay. I have a couple more questions. I will ask you to come back. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Hawaii State Board of Education.
So um uh my original um proposal uh stands and I just would remind you all that um uh you know this was too big of a decision for me to be working on by myself. all of the principles, assistant principles and directors were involved in this discussion starting early in January and um multiple meetings and multiple discussions. So um you know that and and they could all weigh in on what might be considered better for the students at their sites. Um, and you can see uh in some of the documents that I've presented to you where specific sites have said, you know, our kids need this >> and um and so, you know, we could cut here to to keep this. Um, and that was all part of the part of the long discussions. >> It's tough. >> It is. It is. I told you all this is the second toughest this is the te second toughest decision or thing I've had to deal with in over 50 years in education and um uh I would love not to have another one that becomes second or first in the future but um uh from >> sometimes we have to do the painful things >> from the materials that you gave us um we have all the one a tech position that is not getting one one person who is not going to be rehired at some some place.
Nobody here from BOE. Hello Jerry. Sarah Millan on behalf of HSDA. Um, we appreciate the intent in this in this bill because I will tell you one thing teachers are tired of being is the phone police. Um, so the liability piece in here makes us feel more comfortable. Um, taking phones away is is tough. You can spend the whole class period trying to figure out it's like whack-a-ole where they get one out and you put one away and back and forth. And I do think there's a lot of methods to handle phones. Uh, what concerns me is, okay, so if I take a phone from a kid and I put it on my desk and I go back to teaching because that's my job. If I'm not watching that and that device disappears, then what happens? Is it my fault? The device is lost. Um, I think teachers have been really nervous about who's going to manage the phone pouches or even if you're saying, "Okay, put them in a calculator organizer on a door.