Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. Okay, thank you, Dave. Okay, next up is Mike Tobin on Zoom. Aloha, welcome. >> Aloha, chairs and members of the committee. My name is Mick Tobin. I am 23 years old and the co-founder of the Young People's Alliance, a youth-led bipartisan organization representing 2,800 students across 72 campuses nationally. YPA strongly supports HB 1782 and I recently traveled to Honolulu 2 weeks ago to testify in support of it in the House in person. This bill limits manipulative design techniques that foster emotional dependence or romantic relationships, sets clear definitions that don't exempt big tech companies from accountability, and allows families to hold chatbot companies accountable through private right of action. These are all protections that are also included in Washington's AI bill that Jai mentioned, which was signed into law yesterday. I urge you all to preserve these core elements of HB 1782 and to not allow proposed amendments to strip or narrow these provisions as weakening these core protections would fail to protect Hawaii's keiki and families and signal to other states that weaker standards are acceptable.
Would it be feasible or a potential option to entertain that instead of starting the school year one day early, you start it two days early? That way you still have the last day on the 25th and then the 26th is just graduation like it always has been. >> Now the last day is actually the day after graduation teachers. >> Okay. So if >> so if you went two days then then >> would that help it or >> No, I think it' make it'd be more confusing if you personally Yeah, I think it'd be more confusing. I'm just trying to look at it, but it goes back to Shel's point. If there are >> for some people, >> right, but they don't mind it for those that do, >> you know, and I I think the issue that we have is is this this group of people are going to be upset because we're uh we're not ending the day after graduation, but that group of people are going to be upset because now I don't get my lump paycheck until the third week of June instead of the second week of June.
Allison Mesa, fourth grade student at Saddleback Elementary School. Allison sets the standard by consistently making respectful choices and taking responsibility for herself and her actions. Raven Beamish, preschooler from Santa Cruz Elementary School. Raven stands out as a principled leader who follows expectations and makes thoughtful choices with her peers. Natalie Martina Struckman, preschooler from Santa Rosa Elementary. Natalie takes pride in leading by example through her commitment to the ABCs and an active role in the classroom. Troy Marshall, sixth grader from Desert Wind Middle School. Troy represents the Tiger Trio by taking ownership of his own learning and showing respect to those around him. Shamara [snorts] Cook-Holmes, [screaming] eighth grade student from Maricopa Wells Middle School. >> [applause] >> Shamara shows it what it means to be a principled leader through her calm presence, involvement, and strong work ethic. Colton Yates, senior from Desert Sunrise High School.
And uh it shows that we are the the towns I showed as far as the graph are either are ones that are in our Tri-Valley League or are part of our accept uh special education collaborative. Uh but if you look at the data, um we are ranked 361st out of 395 districts across the state. So, there's only 34 districts that have a lower per pupil expenditure than Ashland does. So, anybody that would look at the previous slide and say we're we're spending too much on salaries, um the the data doesn't bear that out. Obviously, we're doing uh more with less because our performance would be uh at least the inverse of this statistic. Uh if you can name me 34 districts that perform better in any objective category than us, uh good luck with that. I just have actually a question about prior slide, Paul, please.
>> Yeah, I think you can touch on some of that. One of the things we have to be concerned about with revolving counts, right, as we know, is when you take that once you take that out, don't get me wrong, as I've said, it's raining, right? It's a rainy day. They use it, but when you take it out, it's not going back up. And then when it rains next year, right, you're in trouble again and down the future for that. So, I know that he he will touch on some of the revolving accounts that we're using this year, the budget. >> Well, I can do that. I can >> I think that's what she was mentioning, right? because that's what you asked, right? >> Yep. >> You were asking for what we're using this year or next year. >> Well, no. No. Yeah. Next year's budget.
Um, I wanted to follow up on some of the things that I was hearing from folks. Again, reiterating, none of us are expecting to get what we're asking for, but I do think we would be doing a disservice to the community not to say this is what it costs to get this kind of education that we're having. Less is less in this case. Um, more might be more. Um, I also want to be really clear when I hear the two of you saying, and I don't think you're doing this intentionally, when I hear you saying extra positions, to be clear, these are positions that we would be putting back from the prior year's cuts that we've already had. These are not brand new. >> These are positions we did have and would like to have again. know that it's probably not in the cards this year, but before anyone gets the idea that we're just suddenly adding things that we've never done before, that's not accurate.
I'm not seeing that. I am seeing a trend going down. And ever since that I tried to do the forecasted process with you, I have been sharing with you that I anticipate for the next two or three years that will be losing uh 2.2 staff members each year, whether it be certified or non-certified to adjust for the enrollment. In this budget, we have 2.2 two staff certified teachers, one at Kent Intermediate School for the incoming fourth grader. They're going to be going from six sections to five sections. And then we eliminated 1.2 FTE here at the high school, which is still to be determined what the FTE would be because they're doing the scheduling right now. So, we are following through with the reduction of staff based upon enrollment, but I can't ignore what the board of finance said the other day, and I think we all would agree that um this is a difficult time within and and looking at the mill rate and looking what the average cost for the taxpayers.
Agreed, Senator. I think we're not opposed to free meals or um cheaper meals, but I think we're trying to find that balance and so I think, you know, thanks for thanks to you folks uh we have money to make reduced kids and Alice kids free, but we're trying to find that balance and that's why we're asking for the 25% to be the base and not the ceiling. And that's why I hope my colleagues who introduced these measures and the public out there that's asking for understand that somebody's got to pay for this and the people that pay the most is the ones in the middle middle class is going to be with these bills and see that their cost of living is going to go up because we have to fund all of these services and we can't sustain it. And every time the federal government stops something because we counted on federal grants, then they expect the the state to cover it and we just don't have those funds to cover it.
Big tech has slowed social media regulation for years at the expense of my generation's mental health. They're likely trying to do the same with AI chatbots nationally now and maybe with those amendments to HB 1782. Um HB 1782 has already passed the House uh three committees in the House and I urge you to please pass it here as well. Please stand for Hawaii's keiki and families, not big tech. Thank you. Thank you, Mick, and I'm sorry for um mispronouncing your name earlier. Uh next up is Brenna Lesser. Hi, um my name is Brenna Lesser. I serve as tech policy advisor for Common Sense Media and I'm testifying in support of the measure. Our research found that 72% of teens have already used AI companions with 30% preferring to engage with AI companions as more or more than humans. Our testing also found that these bots have encouraged teens to drop out of school, run away from home, and use drugs.
This group, I mean, so it doesn't matter what we do, there's going to be a group of people that that it's not what they're used to. I think this makes less work if I'm correct, Julie, for you and the business department and because of the way that works, but it also allows the employees to get the check when they're used to getting the check. And I think there'll be more of them that want the check on the day that they're used to getting the check than will be concerned about the fact that I have to get together and and close it out. Now, the other good thing is on a Wednesday, it's a Wednesday of graduation. So, theoretically, I can come back Thursday morning even though I'm not getting paid. If I need to come back to finish my room or to hand in my keys or whatever, I can do that.
Colton makes an impact through his leadership in band and his dedication to guiding others while pursuing music education. Paige Guedea, senior from Maricopa High School. Paige is a resilient achiever and communicator who gives her best in everything she does while lifting up her peers and staying connected to our school community. Hayley Gilson, eighth grader from Maricopa Virtual Academy. Hayley advocates for herself while staying motivated and engaged, setting a strong example for others. Isaac Tuck, senior from Ram Academy. Isaac approaches his work with focus and consistency, building a strong foundation for success. Congratulations again to these outstanding spotlight students. >> [applause] >> Tonight, we're also honoring our outstanding student athletes. As I call your name, please come forward to receive your certificate and give a quick fist bump to the governing board and Dr. Lopeman and then head to room 123 for a group photo. Congratulations to Madeline Cypen, eighth grader, basketball and volleyball player from Desert Wind Middle School.
>> So, the orange dotted says this 4.75% increase. So, this isn't reflecting sort of the amount of pay increases that we've negotiated like No, yeah, so Yeah, yeah, so it's just about the expenditures and you'll see it doesn't line up perfectly because um I just keeping it trying to keep it simple, I didn't try to get it exact. I went in 0.25 in percentage increments up to but not surpassing the line. So, if I went to five, it would be slightly above it. So, we went there so we can always say that um it's more than more than that cuz I don't want to make it sound worse than it is. Uh but yes, that that is not about our contracts or any of those things. Um and these professional salaries are all the professional salaries that we have. Also, basically all our bargaining units essentially are all all our educators.
>> This budget is right now. >> Yeah. Next year's budget. So, >> right. >> So, not double saying >> for we're using $20,000 out of the 262 grant for a portion of a spare professional at North. >> Okay. We are usingund projected $171,930 out of title one for federal street staff. The interventionist >> uh two >> two interventions at federal street. We are projected $60,82 also out of title one for four corners one interventionists. That's that's that's with the 80% cut like or the >> No, that's a challenge that we're gonna This was built before knowing about the >> title one cuts, >> right? So, we're already at 140. >> Gotcha. Yeah. >> $186,112 for Newton School >> Title One. >> Intercurren title one. >> Okay. GMS 172,938 also title one ghs 156,614 out of title one and $500,000 out of school choice. >> What was the school choice?
Um I my pers perspective, my position tonight is that I don't want us to make cuts now and then have to go back and make even more cuts later. we make cuts now and we think that that gets us to a number that we should get. That seems like a slam dunk no-brainer. Like we know that this is not a no-brainer. We get that. But if we get ourselves down to a number that we think should be a no-brainer, that we think is more reasonable, and then all of a sudden, well, that's not reasonable either, then we're putting ourselves in a position to have to cut even deeper than we really like can without compromising the education that our students would receive. Um, I hear folks saying that there are things that we can cut that wouldn't reach the students. I might even be inclined to believe that that's true, particularly as we have had positions that we have been unable to fill.
So, I I very much respected um what the board of finance said. So from that meeting um I did watch the meeting again to make sure that I heard what the public was saying and then I watched um what the public was saying at our meeting that when we presented that some of you were at and it it kept coming up a little bit more with looking at enrollment it is there anything more that we could do and and as we said as a as a board and as an administration we're not talking $5,000 worth of paper and supplies. That That's not what we're really talking about. We've done that. We've done that over the past several years. We're really talking about looking at operating expenses and really looking at um how our operating expenses relate to our declining enrollment and can we move quicker in uh decreasing our our class our uh our cost based upon our enrollment.
So, thank you. Thank you. One more question, please. Sorry, I forgot to mention that the audit report also found that the there is no consistent oversight in food spending at the school level and nearly $1 million in unused federal food credits over the past 2 years. Uh so, spending increase uh and there's really no safeguards. Um so, I think it's important for us to acknowledge that there needs to be some kind of parameters, some kind of boundaries, um some kind of capping um because if not, then um >> [clears throat] >> the spending just becomes a little bit more not not held to um some kind of standard. So, uh the auditor's report pretty much said it for me that right now there is no um specific plan in place and so I think that within your guys' system, if we give you folks a cap, uh then you folks will be forced to work within those parameters.
They've also reinforced reinforced psychosis psychosis and delusions and shared instructions for making napalm. Recent research also found that eight in 10 AI chatbots were regularly willing to assist users in planning violent attacks, including school shootings, religious bombings, and high-profile assassinations. A narrow focus on self-harm and sexual outputs would miss these. Disclosures and mental health redirects are useful floors, but they are not enough. Guardrails [snorts] that perform well in internal testing are known to break down in longer real-life conversations and do nothing to prevent the exploitative relationships that lead to harm. The requirements in HB 1782 will constrain innovation. They'll prevent the full proliferation of these harmful products. I urge your support. Thank you. Okay, next up is Iain Corby, Executive Director for Age Verification Providers Association on Zoom. Uh good off Hello, everybody. Um I'm Iain Corby, as you said. Uh we've done over a billion age checks globally um using a variety of different methods and I'm here to answer your questions really about the ability to do online age verification completely anonymously uh using zero-knowledge proofs.
It's not like I got to wait till next week. I can easily do it Thursday or Friday and get it done. So, that's why we thought this was the best solution. >> I think it's mostly a crunch for probably the high school than >> any more than likely the high school, >> Right. >> And I guarantee you that people are ready to go. At that point, I mean, they're they're either ready, like you said, they're either ready or they're not. And those who are not, they'll come back the next two days and box up and do whatever they need to do. >> Our administration has to be there anyway. Correct. >> Yeah. Yes. Administration's there. The district office is open. So, it's irrelevant to all of that. >> All the administration, >> right? Yeah. All administration. >> Okay. >> Oh, I opened up the attachment now.
Aiden August, eighth grade flag football and basketball player from Maricopa Wells Middle School. Jaylen Hearns, seventh grade cheer and track athlete from Maricopa Wells Middle School. Mason Rogers, junior soccer player, Desert Sunrise High School. >> [applause] >> Delaney Palomera Gonzalez, freshman soccer player, Desert Sunrise High School. Addison Newirsky, junior palm performer, Maricopa High School. And Elizabeth Dupree, senior softball player from Maricopa High School. And we have one more recognition for you tonight. In partnership with America Rotary Club, we'd like to honor a deserving group of students. Rotary honors young people who are developing leadership skills and making a difference in their communities. Rotary students, as I call your name, please come forward. And Mr. Wells and President Coutre will present you with a special certificate. And in addition, you'll receive a $50 gift card on behalf of the Rotary. A special thank you goes to John and Mary Lou Smith Education Foundation for their sponsorship that helps make tonight special for our honorees.
And Paul, does head count affect that line because I'm assuming yes. So, maybe put a note on that because your head count if it went up like that some of that Yes, but uh and and we and I I can put a slide together. I do have uh graphs around that. So, um our our staffing went up with our enrollment and peaked in 2021. And since that time, we're down uh 40 FTEs. Okay. Yeah, no, I'm not looking to No, no, it's it's one of those things I I try to balance >> question. >> Yeah, I try to balance how you know, how many slides and how much data, but when that comes up, I can I prepare a slide for it. I already have a graph that I've I've shared with the gym on on on that cuz I I did ask Chris for the historical FTE and enrollment um and um while our enrollment continues to go up it but is uh leveling off our our FTEs are actually down.