So I think it's key to have that visibility and understanding from a parents. >> Yeah, appreciate that. Thank you. >> And then my next question again just kind of going back to student uh focus um how does this initiative directly impact student outcomes and how will this measure uh that impact so like the actual benefits for the students and I know this is an overview but if you could just highlight what would be the benefits >> I will highlight one and that's rightful presence rightful presence in everything our students have said over and over again as the team suggested in talking to kids is that they were not always felt like they were visible, as they were included, as they were valued, both multilingual and special education. How we're going to measure that, I don't know if we determined that, but that was a pretty loud common theme that came from students.
It was a pleasure to go down and celebrate his tenure as CASB's national uh uh president, and it was great time, to wait to share some other information with the rest of the board. Thank you, Mr. Wall. Anyone else? I would just like to um pass along on behalf of the board um prayers and blessings to the family of Wendell Jackson. Uh Mr. Jackson passed away. He was a former HCCS C school board member in the '80s and early '90s. Um Uh all prayers to his family. Uh he has services I believe later this week. So, um anything then else for the board? I would also mention that we lost Van Bailey as well. I know we haven't seen we haven't met since the last time he left, but former principal here at Huntington North High School. I think he was actually principal when I was here at the high school.
Um, so this has been a huge blow to us because we have not been able to. >> So why haven't you folks used the money from the cancer center instead of embarking on early clinical trials? >> Well, I mean if this again it's the priorities, right? And so we're hoping that the cancer center will look at the priorities and fund whatever if this is so essential to to the work of the cancer center then I would imagine that this would be one of the top priorities. >> Right. Well, I mean I think they're trying to really tackle multiple you know avenues in terms of what's needed from everything from cancer surveillance to to you know research prevention. But everybody has to prioritize because the budget is only so >> there's only so much, right? And as you lose federal funding, then you have to look at how are we prioritizing.
Martins. Wanted to thank them uh for the baskets as well. >> So great. >> Thank you so much. And I think that really reinforces your comment, Mrs. High, about community, right? So, it's always heartening to see that when there's something that our students or our school community needs that the the businesses in town always seem to step up. Any other comments or questions regarding the items in section 9? >> All right, Miss Lee, a roll call, please. >> Sure. Mr. Bell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dawson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hy? Yes, >> Mr. Encotera. >> Mr. Januzi. >> Yes, >> Mr. Manaz. >> Yes, >> Miss Mosen. Yes, >> Mr. Walmer. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zepkco. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. We are now up to other matters to come before the board, which I have not received any. Uh, so we are open for new business.
>> Can I ask just what that percentage look like for special education? >> I mean, just a random number because >> I know that's kind of our weak target for special education when we talk about inclusion. So I'm just I mean as much as we want to put out a statement that there is inclusion, I also believe that there is an opposite to that. >> Yeah. >> So I think it's fair to speak that >> when I ask for quantity, are we saying like there's 100 students to say, "Yay, I feel like I'm have the opportunity to be in the general education population and not be in a self-contained." Like what does that look like? I guess >> I would say I can respond to that. I would say that I would just if you think about students I take it a step up which is that >> we had disperate understandings about programmatic placement across the district um when I landed here.
He was a uh uh a rock here for a long time, and his his passing will be missed as well. Good catch. Thank you. I will take a motion to adjourn. So moved. Thank you, Mr. Wall.
Um the divisions and I think the cancer center for too long have just relied upon using up all of the funding that have come in without regards to how they're going to pay the debt service and how they're going to pay for a number of things. And they've made the decision to cut that. And certainly we didn't. But again, it's got to be based on priorities and not just every time something goes back, we're going to go seek the from the legislature to fund it. Members, any other questions? If not, thank you. Okay, moving on to House Bill 1896, House draft 1, uh, relating to community schools, appropriate funds to the Department of Education to support community schools. Kayashi for Department of Education. Aloha chair, vice chair, members of the committee. Elizabeth Dashi on behalf of the department. We stand on our written testimony providing comments saying that we support the intent of this bill regarding community schools um provided the passage does not adversely impact priorities established in our board of education budget.
This would be from the board members for any items not already on the agenda. >> I have. >> Yes, Mrs. Actually, I'm not sure if it's new or old. A while ago, we were asked um by the rec committee if to have somebody to help with the U Memorial Day parade just to represent it. >> And I'll tell you what a wonderful group of people. >> They work so hard and are just so so committed to what they're doing. And I'll tell you, kudos to, you know, there are some teachers here who are really helping out. And here's what we have from Bound Brook so far. the Bound Brook PTO, the Bound Brook cheerleaders, both from the middle school and high school, Bound Brook robotics, the drama club, the board of ed, >> and we're getting a banner. >> Uh, Bound Brook basketball, Bound Brook, Bound Brook wrestling, and then there are a number of town um, you know, um, groups in town, too.
We are now moving towards more. When the audit came through uh there were they had in the audit it describes multiple characteristics like that describe an effective program. We were we didn't have at that point when the audit was completed uh shared understanding about program characteristics which directly then impact students placement. If the adults who are working together don't have those it makes it very difficult and that was one of the first initiatives that the union brought to our table as a district team and that was one of the first challenges we took on which is to identify programmatic characteristics. So if the adults who are working to support the students, this is two and a half years ago don't or two years ago don't have alignment around those program characteristics, how much more does that impact the student who or the family or the teacher actually who has to figure out what kinds of supports that child needs, right?
We'll be on hold for any questions you may have. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Nathan Morata comments. Jennifer Masutani for after school alliance. Aloha chair, vice chair, members of the committee. I'm Jennifer Mosatani testifying on behalf of Hawaii After School Alliance in support of HB1 1896. Um, we're already seeing a lot of promising results with community schools being used as a school improvement strategy. Of the 12 schools that were identified as more rigorous interventions or consistently underperforming, eight of those schools have made enough academic progress to exit those statuses. Um, three additional schools also exited comprehensive support and improvement status, which also includes Wii Elementary that had been in the bottom 5% of schools for over a decade before this. Community schools do this by providing additional coordination and support to align resources around student and family needs. And this work happens in partnership with families and the community.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, like a dozen just from town. And the goal is to kind of bring it back to New Jersey and have it to New Jersey to Bound Brook and just something to be proud of again in the community. So it is going to be on Memorial Day which is Monday the 25th I think it is. Um but just wanted to report on that and we have a meeting um tomorrow actually. So I'll be able to bring some uh some more information. Okay, >> sounds good. Thank you for the update, Mrs. Hi. Any other new business?
Is it a is it what is the how do we define least restrict environment in that case? Right? So the good news is that that is what this team then engaged in is to start to build those um benchmarks to what it means. For example um understanding when a a resource teacher when are we decided that a student goes to special ed resource versus and when does that look like for pushin versus pull out. These are programmatic definitions that are being developed and that are being well articulated and being developed to be able to understood well through this process which is the exact reason why this program is developed. You actually have the experts here. I should let you all answer. Sorry. >> There's anything you want to add to that please to her question. I think it was a great question. >> No, that was a great question.
Community schools create shared responsibility and a sense of shared ownership amongst the entire school community for student success and help schools respond quicker and more effectively to the needs of their communities. So, we ask for your support of HB1896. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, Chris Cfield not here. Meline McKinnon on Zoom. >> Not on Zoom. Chair. >> Okay. Uh, Lauren Lauren. Pelle. Peel. I'm sorry. Piler. >> Piler. Got it. On the third try. Aloha, chair, vice chair, and committee members. My name is Lauren Piler and I'm the community schools coordinator at Princess Ruth Ka Kani Middle School and I'm here today in support of HB1896. I've had the amazing opportunity to see firsthand the inspiring power of what community schools can do. The programs and resource support that has been created through the community schools framework has not only positively impacted our students academic success but also their physical, mental, and emotional well-being as well.
Okay, hearing none, we are officially open to the public for discussion. I will forego reading the blurb that is in the agenda. It matches more or less what I talked about with agenda items. Anybody want to address the board? Going once? No, we're good. All right. So that moves us to item 13.1. Be it resolved that the Boundberg Board of Education enter executive session as allowed by NJSA 104-11 for the purposes outlined in this agenda under items 1, three, six, and 8. May I have a motion? >> Thank you, Mr. B. A second. >> Thank you, Mr. Minhos. All in favor? I. We are adjourned to executive. All right, everybody. We are back in session up to item 14.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in approval of HIB cases under high school. This is item 14.2.
I just wanted to go back to um Mrs. Robinson's statement about um making sure that we're being transparent with the resources on ISBY and all of that. So, we did do a parent university this year for our special education population and we actually did do a presentation about all the resources that are on Isby including the parent guide. I know that's something that we want to do again in the future, but I did just want to say like we we are absolutely dedicated in that transparency because you're right, there are a ton of resources out there in regards to special ed. So I did just want to share with you that was one way that we've attempted to support that transparency. >> That's fair. Thank you. And my last question is um what safeguards are in place to ensure our most vulnerable students which again is special education multilingual um in regards to the SEAL support and are they negative negatively impacted?
Um, through this program, we've been able to build systems of support such as having a food pantry, clothing closet, hygiene station, housing assistance programs, job assistance programs, and giving families their first step in access to healthcare. And all of which of these are free. Students have also have found a safe space to share their voice and learn to be resilient leaders as well. Being a community school has allowed us to provide a higher level of care and support towards our students and their families. I truly believe that continuing to support the community schools will allow us to nourish and present our home with more opportunities to thrive in Hawaii. Mahalo. >> Thank you. Uh Cheryl from Car. No, >> must have said that wrong. Cheryl, are you on Zoom? >> Yes. >> Hello Cheryl. Sorry if I misspel mispronounced your name. >> No, you're good.
I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Dawson. A second. Thank you, Mr. Zupco. A roll call, please. >> Mr. Bal, >> yes. >> Mr. Dawson, >> yes. >> Mr. Hy, >> yes. >> Mr. Incotera, >> yes. >> Mr. Januzi, >> yes. >> Mr. Minhas, >> yes. >> Miss Musen, >> yes. >> Mr. Walmer, >> Mr. Zupkco. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Item 15.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in approval of HIV cases under middle and elementary schools. This is item 15.2. I have a motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. High. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Bell. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bell, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. Hy, >> yes. >> Mr. Encotera, >> Mr. Januzi, >> yes. >> Mr. Minhaz, >> yes. >> Mr. Moose, Miss Musen, >> yes.
>> I would say that we're trying to ensure that it's integrated systemwide is that it's part of our curriculum. character strong. We have our curriculum >> and that's for all our special education students. >> All students, >> so even our stars, our skills. So if I were to go in a classroom, I'd be able to see exactly what you're speaking to. >> Yes. So um yes, that is what we are indicating. So resource to uh self-contained. oftent times those students that are in self-contained programs go to the gened setting and they integrate with their uh non-disabled peers for such things as the um lesson because it's sometimes it's like through playing games and kind of you know fun reads and poems and stuff like that. It's through character strong if our students can't access that then our special ed teachers will do that as well.
Um aloha chair, vice chair, members of the committee. My name is Cheryl Famolano. I am a proud member of two and I stand on my written testimony in support of HB1896. As a parent, I want my children's school to be more than just a place where they go for classes. I want it to be a place where they feel supported, where our families feel connected, and where they know help is available when when they need it. Community schools make that possible by bringing together educators, families, and community partners to support the whole child. Here in Hawaii, that can look like schools becoming trusted spaces where families can access services like counseling, health support, and culturally grounded programs all in one place. When schools are truly connected to their communities, they are better to able to understand and respond to what our Kiki and Ohana need.