Her instruction reflects thoughtful planning and a commitment to ensuring that scholars not only understand the content, but are able to apply it with confidence. Her classroom management is highly effective. of striking a balance between structure and approachability where expectations are clear and scholars respond with respect and accountability. At the core of her work is a strong belief in her scholars and a limitless mindset which align seamlessly to the with the culture of our building and reinforces high expectations for all of her scholars. Beyond the classroom, Ashley is a collaborative and dependable team member who actively contributes to the success of her colleagues and the English department as a whole. For instance, she recently developed a comprehensive NJGPA review resource that was shared across all junior classes, providing a consistent and meaningful support tool for both scholars and teachers. She is always willing to share ideas, offer support, and contribute to collective goals, demonstrating a true team first mindset.
Um so, we've worked um hard on that in the business office to evaluate spending in years past, several years in in the past to just determine where we are. Um closely working with with our projections and and and discussions with our auditors. So, our team there is is working tirelessly as we wait for uh county recommendations, review of our budget. I spoke with the county uh business administrator today uh who assured me that that we are in the queue and and we'll be getting some some feedback to move forward. Um look forward to meeting with the finance committee in determining uh best ways to balance the challenges of of budgeting from a a fiscally responsible standpoint, from a uh an academically sound standpoint. Um so, so this group up here has been committed to Dr. Tomko um has been available throughout the the 24 hours a day, even on the weekends and uh what have you.
Ben Owen and determining uh, what what we have to offer businesses and what businesses can offer back to the district. And so as we're out and meeting people at chamber events and open houses and various things where we're we're introducing um ind industry partners and potential um new partners for the school district, we want to be able to bring to them the ways that they can be engaged and help benefit students as well as the ways that our school and our student experiences can benefit their organization as well. So we've started some initial targeted outreach. We have been featuring alumni. Uh we have our second one underway right now. Uh we're really focusing on alumni that chose to come back to the district to work here um as their career and really highlighting that there's quite a few of them which is really very exciting and and speaks to the um educational journey here that they want to give back in that way.
Uh But, that's not But, yes. But, I mean certainly something to take a look at. So, that's not a problem with the propane tanks that if the water comes through there Well, we hope it doesn't get that high. But, water does some crazy things. Gavin, do you have a Generac generator down there? Uh Van Buren does not. Okay. Okay. No. Uh high school has one in the back for our server. Central office has one. Does Sprecher have one? I think Sprecher might. But, that's a good question cuz generators are something that we're taking a look at across the district. Uh EEC. So, when you walk in right the EEC, everything to the right there's a lot of construction happening over here that over there. Uh so, this is you know the work that Debbie's doing with the grants that she's securing and bringing infant child care to the district or to the community, actually.
Uh I think we're going to Dr. Kachina. Thank you, Mr. President and board members. Uh for your approval tonight is um the elementary mathematics uh resource update that I brought to you previously for your approval for that adoption. Um this is for the newest edition of Bridges Mathematics, which is our our current um math curriculum for grades K through 5. This is an update to the newest edition, so minor changes, but um it it involves kind of some transition kits to update our classrooms with new manipulatives and teacher manuals and other resources uh as well as um some small changes to uh the student books and things like that. So, uh the recommendation from the administration is to approve the purchase of Bridges Mathematics transition kits and student books beginning for use next school year in 2026-2027. Thank you, Dr. Kachina. Uh board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration uh for the purchase of Bridges Mathematics transition kits and student books for use beginning at 2026-2027.
These questions and several others helped us determine who best defined what we needed in a superintendent. I do want to congratulate all the candidates for their efforts during the search. We were flattered that so many applied for our open position. Obviously, for school leaders from all over the United States, HCCS was high on the list of great opportunities. The staff at HCCS should be very proud of the work they do and the standard they set because it is noticed. Additionally, we need to thank Steve Horton and the ISBA for their guidance as we worked through this extensive selection process. In particular, Steve's background in assisting boards during their work to hire a new leader of the schools was very helpful. We also want to thank the teachers for their input in what they hope to see in a permanent superintendent. The community that participated in the survey should understand that we used their answers to help guide us as well.
So those workers did get hazard pay where of course bar five members did not. And they by the way those workers didn't have a contract that says they deserve hazard pay or they have hazard pay in their language. It was something that the board of education authorized for the department when the department requested it for those workers >> and they didn't they didn't request it for any of the other units. No, only for the only for the exempt management level positions >> that they want this bill to then apply to area. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> A follow up to that. So currently now I know I believe in the house and finance they included language for teacher retention bonus during basically during COVID. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Did was there any temporary hazard pay language in your contract? >> Not in our contract.
In addition to her instructional role, Ashley serves as the adviser a co-advisor for the National English Honor Society, where she helps create enriching opportunities for scholars beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as the reading buddies, she has helped organize meaningful experiences in which scholars visit elementary schools to promote literacy and build connections with younger learners. These efforts reflect her commitment to fostering both academic growth and community involvement. Ashley's dedication to her scholars, her colleagues, and the entire school community is evident in all that she does. Her positive impact extends well beyond her classroom, contributing to a culture of learning, collaboration, and care at BBHS. Ashley, we are so proud of your growth and commitment to excellence. It is for these reasons, among so many others, that Ashley is recognized as the district staff member of the month. Congratulations, Before you go, we're gonna get a picture.
His phone has been open. So, so this process um is nowhere near done. Uh but but I am I'm confident that the team here is working with with the right things in mind and looking at it from a a clear mind and a critical eye. So, we'll continue to do that over the next week and um prepare a final budget. Mr. President. Yes, Dr. Can I just cut back in? I I missed something on the e-mails. Yeah, my apologies. Mr. Derr, Mr. Derr is here, right? We last month we we were uh Mr. Derr was going to make a presentation with regard to e-sports and um our unified program. Is is that is that happening tonight? Yeah, that's fine. My it's my fault. Last we had some other things happening last month that we we've been wanting to do it and and uh he graciously uh was going to do it tonight and uh it's my fault I missed it, so.
So we'll continue to work together to uh highlight those and then continue to outreach and build up that list of partnerships um in a number of ways. So lots of exciting stuff going on. All right, our second priority is for our systems of support and we have made a lot of um segue this year as we have added our assistant principles into the uh principal coaching cycle. Um our executive directors have done a phenomenal job this year even coaching the directors along the way with their principles. Um so it's been um nice to see the authentic and the the depth of conversations with our building leaders um within their committee. They're also in the process of working on their portrait of a leader. Um so additionally there has been um some intentional alignment with our culture responsive teaching and leading standards as well as our culture responsive practices and how we provide professional learning um within the curriculum.
So, this is you know, we talked about these construction temporary walls. This is the one over there. So, this is where our uh preschool has to walk down now. They are using it to paint and decorate on, and it is it's really cute if you have a chance to walk over there. Um So, all the construction's happening on the other side of that door. Um Big update over there is we've got So, we went through our first round of construction, got our permitting, got our inspection was done last week. So, now we can cover everything back up. So, all of our plumbing that we cut out of the ground was inspected. Um all the new layouts cuz they're adding bathrooms. They're adding a little health clinic. Uh this was a bathroom here going to their laundry room with the little shower area wash off in the back.
May I have a motion? So moved. So moved by Mr. Angel. Second. Second by Ms. Basin. Uh are there any questions or comments? Uh Dr. Kachina, how how long ago did we change to Bridges, do you recall? Um I believe it was 2018. It was right around 17 or 18, Mr. I couldn't remember exactly. Have you seen a difference in student outcomes with that? Yeah, I think our our success in elementary math is is really strong. Uh anywhere in the ILEARN tested grades, anywhere from 10th or 11th in the state to 15th or 20th in the state in those grades. So. >> Yeah. And I I realize it's not the it's not it's the teachers. It's not the textbook. Absolutely. But thanks for that answer. Yep. Any other questions or comments? All right. We'll move for uh towards a vote. All in favor signify by saying I.
Also, we cannot forget to thank Joe Wiley, counsel for the board. Joe has vast experience over the past few okay, several decades working with HCCS as trusted legal advisor and he correctly would remind us what need what needed to remain as our focus. We'd be remiss if we didn't thank Cindy Gray. Your patience is truly appreciated. We asked for a lot and you provide assistance with sincere kindness. Plus, I personally want to thank and congratulate the rest of the board for their tireless work during the search for our next superintendent. With a little special recognition for Mr. Wall, your background at ISBA and your connections were important and really helpful. Finally, during a process like this, it's a vital to maintain a high level of confidentiality. Several times in the last 2 months, members of the community asked me how the search was going saying that they had not heard a name or even how how many applicants we had.
>> Okay. So this is an ask that you're coming to to the legislative body. Yes. Okay. >> But there's precedent. So again, saying that the DOE that they gave that to 200 some workers retroactively who hadn't even worked with people the front line during during COVID. So our teachers saw that and like Millie, how does that happen when we were with kids every day in the classroom? The teacher that I made lesson plans for, the educational assistant, she got it. I did all the same work at the at these scary times and weren't we weren't compensated for it. So teachers feel that this this is a fairness issue as well. >> Okay. Hi. >> Um, one final question I have is so as a follow-up to that, um, I do appreciate, you know, HSDA for coming up with some creative ways on how to look to fund some of these measures, but in the current bill, it has it as installments.
Okay. >> All right. At this time, I would like all parents to come up front. We're going to take a group picture together. All parents and students of the month, we're going to come up front. I don't want you to come by yourselves, but parents and students to come up front to take a picture. That's it. Good. >> Resemble. Okay. And while everybody's headed back to their seat, we had one student of the month from the high school arrive. So, if he would come up front and be recognized on this side, Mr. Smith, >> no, it's okay. So, things happen, >> you know. All right. So, we're going to revisit Moaz. So, Moaz, as we said earlier, has two siblings, Aala and Farooq. His favorite subject in school is English. His favorite hobbies include playing football. And he plans to go to college and play college football at that level and pursue a career in nursing.
And absolutely not um you know, you know, obviously this is a very important part of the program, so I was wanting to recommend uh uh represent it. >> No, no, there's a lot there's you know, it's a busy month, so I know there's a lot going on, but um I'm going to keep it very short. Just in summary, we had our winter uh we had our winter season, we made playoffs again. Uh we fell short in the um the semi-finals, but you know, given it's the first year, it's not too bad. So, I'm I'm excited and we also started our unified league um which is with all of our MD inclusive students. Um and they did a phenomenal job and particularly Davian Montalvo, we want to just talk about him really quick. Um I got report that he scored um in the top 10 in the entire state, in the entire program um for the winter season, which is you know, to be top 10 in anything is not an easy thing to do.
ultimately really within K8 um ELA and science. Um and we do continue to expand that and collaborate with high schools as well. I'm speaking from this lane. Um additionally um through the district leadership team, there has been a lot of support for our um implementation and alignment of school leadership teams for next school year. Um as well as we are going through our next process of how we are going to collaborate in the development of our MTSS strategic work plan as well. >> Next few bullet points focus on recruiting. >> We can't the volume's not >> the next there we go. >> Okay. >> The next few bullet points focus on staffing, recruiting and hiring. Um and as we enter hiring season, um it is essential that we do implement and utilize cross departmental collaboration um in review of job descriptions, making sure that they are current and accurate to the role and um ensuring accurate timelines so that we can um cure uh high quality candidates before they are we don't want to lose high quality candidates essentially.
So, that that's kind of the whole wing side of the wing towards of the EEC. So, the other side was already renovated, and now flipping sides of the hallway. >> [clears throat] >> Yeah. How many kids have picked on them and painted on the walls? I don't know. Sorry, that's where my brain went. I think so. Let's push next, and there's no next slide. Oh. Do you have um can you just talk us through the athletic the the turf project and Yeah, so >> out there. Yeah, so we have we have a construction meeting coming up right now picking like we just got our submittals sent back to us today about picking the finishing touches inside uh press box getting those colors and everything. Um We are are still scheduled April 1. We are expecting them to be here, and they will start uh with temporary getting the temporary fencing and everything put up.
I. Uh nays. The vote carries 5-0. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Kachina. Uh move on to action item 5.02, textbook and resource I'm sorry, resource purchase. Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Mr. President and board members. I'm here tonight regarding the textbook and curricular resource purchase of Pearson Sullivan Algebra and Trigonometry and MyMathLab. This was approved as a recommendation by the board last month. Now we are requesting the purchase. These resources together will help students connect algebra and trigonometry concepts, deepen conceptual understanding, and prepare them for advanced function analysis required in calculus and subsequent math courses. These curricular materials would be used in our dual credit precalculus course in alignment with our partner of Purdue Northwest. So, it is the recommendation of the administration to purchase Pierce Pearson Sullivan Algebra and Trigonometry and MyMathLab Mathematics for the use for use beginning in 2026-2027 at a price of $67,000 Sorry, $67,087.49.
As I shared that we were excited because we had some great candidates, it was a really proud moment for me because it's a testament to good governance that we were diligent in doing the job we were elected or appointed to do without sharing information that might complicate our decision. So, thank you all very much. Well done. Anything Anyone else would like to add before we vote? We should probably thank Deb for the snacks to keep us nourished. Thank you, Deb. I did forget about that. Deb, you kept us alive for like several weeks uh during all those meetings. Didn't want anybody to get hangry on us. I think it helped. I just want to I just want to echo what you said about Cindy and Joe. I don't know how we would have gotten through that process without their help. Um Cindy, you did all the back end things to make us successful and we we truly appreciate that.