So, thank you very much for all the awesome things that you do and now we're going to get a picture. All right, one more time. National Merit Scholarship finalists. [applause] >> [applause] >> All right, next if I could have the uh Higley High School's Academic Decathlon group come on up to the front, please. >> [applause] >> So, if you guys would just line up right there, I'm going to say a few words and then So, the Academic Decathlon is a national competition that tests both knowledge and communication skills. We're thrilled to share that this year marked Higley High's most decorated state competition ever with 13 individual awards and two students invited to represent the Knights at the national competition. We congratulate the Decathlon team for their success and wish Ryan Cornett and Jayden Froloff the best of luck at nationals. So, let's give them a round of applause again.
We are representing Bridges Elementary. My name is Cruz Garcia and I'm the vice president of student council. We will be talking about the school participatory budget. Hi, my name is Cole and Tanenbaum and I am the treasurer in student council. I'm in fifth grade. I'm also in a lot of other clubs like steam club, choir and trash can band. Hi, my name is Charlie. I'm secretary of student council. I'm in fifth grade. I am also in cheer at Bridges. We collected ideas from every single student at Bridges, kindergarten through sixth grade. We wanted every student to give an idea for the school. After we collected the ideas from the students, we moved into the proposal development. In this stage, we met as an our officer committee and we went through the different proposals from all the different grades. We also have to get Mr. Bickel's approval in order to do this.
So, thank you. Thank you. Okay. Um I see no one else for public comment, so we will move into the new and continuing business part of the agenda. We have um superintendent's update, the budget vote, school committee goals is on here. That will be reviewed. Um committee updates, and then if there's anything that we didn't anticipate. Um more and then the consent agenda. So, we've turned down a thing. So, with that, I'm going to move into the superintendent's update. And, um, Dr. Z, I see you on the screen. Good afternoon, everyone. Um, Can you hear me? Loud and Yes, we can turn it up. Dr. Z, could you try speaking, please? Hi. I think you're >> feel very well today, so I'm I'm not talking much louder than that. I'm going to try. Is that it? >> No, that's fine. The TV was set to all the way at the bottom, so that's you're fine.
Um, so just with that in mind, >> Dave, did was there any discussion about the the board's deliberations on nicotine regeneration? >> No, there wasn't any discussion. Um, and you know, I was I was sort of torn between following up with Berlin before I discussed it with the rest of the board and then um uh or or whether or not to um you know, yeah. So um so so I I don't know exactly how strongly this relates and if there's any you know um if there's if the idea is to just generate some discussion and provide some input from the students or if there's you know um more of an agenda behind it. I guess I couldn't say. Um, >> okay. >> But, uh, but I guess with that in mind, then I I it sounds like, uh, it's probably, uh, I'll I'll get back in touch with Berlin and see where things are and see if we can work out a, you know, a timeline um, a date that will work, uh, well, when the students have completed, you know, all of the, um, the rest of the work on on the survey results and are ready to present it in front of us.
So, Mr. Alvord and uh Olivia, want to come on down to the front? All right. Hello, everybody. Today, we are proposing the creation of a speech and debate club at our school. As students who are interested in public speaking and debate, we have found that there aren't many opportunities here at Tantasqua to support our interest, and we would like to add a few more to this list. Critical thinking and public speaking skills are necessary for every student's future. The skills that students will develop in speech and debate club strengthen a student's ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, which is an essential skill across nearly every academic discipline and career field. Additionally, debate encourages students to engage with important societal issues and to discuss them thoughtfully and respectfully, fostering civic awareness and prepares students to participate in meaningful academic public conversations. Not only does it empower our students, but it also provides an equal benefit for the school itself.
So, all you're approving is 75 an additional 75,000. And this has already been brought to the attention of the capital improvement committee, Mr. Jones and myself and a few other people to bring before you. Now, can we have a motion on the extra 75,000 dollars? I'll make the motion with discussion. Discussion? So, the 75,000, what's what was the purpose of approving the additional money? It was extra money. The money was more than what we originally voted for. Yeah, so >> We were 75,000 in the hole. Capital Improvement Committee decided that we would give them the $75,000 extra. And it would be returned to us once the grant came through. Yeah. >> So, we're just tying up the money. Yeah, so I can explain a little bit. So, initially we had offered 900,000. He got an offer for more than that, 950. So, in order for us to get the hangar, we had to go a little bit higher.
So I'll just quickly acknowledge Mari Lane um who's not here right um she used her skills and passion as an aspiring architect to design an actual model treehouse, which is quite beautiful. So congratulations to Maria. And then additionally um Annabelle Cedor also couldn't be here and she took her interest as a future biology major to create her keeping Canton green project which was designed to research ways to reduce waste and perhaps more importantly teach younger generations how to reduce waste as well as part of her project. Um so we'll actually begin here now with one of our outstanding projects and Margaret Wiser. So Margot created a youth clinic for middle schoolers who are interested in playing tennis. She researched techniques to plan out and then facilitate a full day clinic to introduce basic skills that help to gameplay and scoring while developing her own leadership and coaching skills.
Now, I would like to introduce Murray fifth grade student, Miss Isabella Chavez, who will lead us in the pledge of allegiance this evening. >> Thanks, Mr. Aosta. A USD community, will you please stand and join me for the pledge of allegiance? Please face the flag. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin.
Questions or concerns? If not, Senator Gabbard. HB 1692 HD2 SD1, members present, any no votes or reservations? Hearing none, the measure's adopted. Thank you. Next up is HB 1700. This includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Um recommendation here is to pass as is. Questions or concerns? If not, Senator Gabbard. On HB 1700 HD1 SD1, recommendation to pass as is. Any no votes or reservations?
And then yeah, you'll go present it at the district level and then if you advance on, so on and so on. So, are you like in front of a squad of like judges or something? >> there's three judges, a runner, and a timer. Uh, so there's five people standing in front or sitting in front of you, but three of them are who is judging you. What what have you like presented so far? So, I've presented food innovations and national programs in action. And you got gold in both of those, you said? >> Yes. Um, so kind of what does a conference like look like? Like what What does that day kind of look like? So, it honestly most Well, a lot of it depends on like the setting on where you are in general, but basically you go there and you're all like in a holding room.
>> [applause] >> All right, so I'm going to I'm going to pass the mics on and I want you to introduce yourself, your grade, and what you participated in and the medal that you won. All right, and we'll start right here. Hi, I'm Libby Jolly. I'm a sophomore and I won silver at speech at state. Hi, I'm Mason Cole. I'm a senior and I won first in science at state. Uh hi, I'm Skyler Froloff. I'm a sophomore and I won an award in literature. I'm Sydney Dale. I'm a junior and I won third place at the state competition in the interview category. Uh I'm Ryan Cornett. I am a senior and I won third in science. I'm Jayden Froloff. I'm a sophomore and I won bronze in economics. I'm Carrie Matthew. I'm just the coach. >> [applause] >> That congratulations All right, and now who's going next?
After the great ideas submitted from the students, we picked our top five. The first one was, um, chess. Chess is a giant chessboard. Chess is very popular at Bridges. We even have a chess club that meets every week. Many students asked for an outdoor chessboard to play at recess time. Our second one was funnel ball. Many students also asked for more activities or other options at recess. Funnel ball was an idea that we found, uh, in our idea collection phase. This game is easy to play and doesn't require much room. A highly requested item, especially from our older students, is a drinking fountain with a filter. Many students wanted better tasting water. We are still We are hoping that a filter will improve the quality quality of water for all of our students. Voting day took place on February 20th. Students in grade kindergarten through first grade voted on a paper ballot with pictures.
Okay, awesome. All right, so, um, I think my update was attached to what I knew was attached, and so I don't like to read, um, for people, but what I'll do is I'll walk through. So, um, I'll now walk through central key areas that the chair asked me to provide an update on based on current things that are occurring, um, in Pelham and most recent events. Um, so my goal is to provide clarity, context, and transparency as we move to forward as a clear system. So, the first part of the update was how does the, um, central office work? And key thing it's it's a shared service model across three districts. Um, central office there's two things. In the budget, there's a section called central administration, and that does not incorporate all offices that sit within the central office of district administration. So, I need to clarify that.
and uh then I'll I'll get back in touch with uh with Ed and Raj and we'll we'll organize a date. >> Sounds good. Perfect. Thanks, Dave. Anybody have any questions for Dave? >> No. Okay. All right. Um next thing on our agenda is uh Raj's report. >> Thank you, Chief. Uh so, first is the commencement of our 2026 uh mosquito program. Right. So I'm aware that they have already started uh treating the larvae uh in in our area you know so that uh this is closer to Hkington border and and that area that they have already started work uh so that's with that work workforce survey I know this is a survey from the state you know looking into our staffing you know resources and all that stuff I know a couple of the board members have already confirmed that they have completed this survey.
Entering the world of speech speech and debate will expand our school's horizons and improve our academic credibility among other local schools. We ask for relatively few financial resources. The primary expenses are membership in debate organizations and tournament entry fees. Entry fees can be paid individually, so the people that want to enter tournaments can pay for themselves, but it would be great if we could have some funding for entering debate organizations. There are two organizations we are interested in. The first of The first one is the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League, which allows schools to participate in regional and state competitions. The first year would actually be free, but every year after would be $50. And once our team develops, so that would be after a couple years, um we can enroll in the National Speech and Debate Association, which provides additional opportunities for recognition in national events, which would cost $149 annually, but once again, we wouldn't be joining this the first year.
So, that's why why the additional 75,000 that we need to in order to get the hangar. City has approved it for 975. Um, and that's what they're purchasing it for. On our behalf. And this is the City of Lawrence. Yeah, City of Lawrence. And they are aware of the number of the numbers. Okay. And they are We're just waiting for the At this time, I think the only thing is we're waiting for the attorney to do the paperwork to actually do the purchase with the owner. They've all the paperwork requests that they've had have asked for has been given to them at this point as far as I'm aware. Uh, everything um that's necessary to um pass all the paper purchase and sale. And when were you notified of this? That you had to go over the offer. Oh, that was been a long time ago.
Congratulations Our next here, Deborah Rafco, used his exceptional technology and creativity skills to create a working demo of a role playing video game. Try it. I will which was designed and coded by Decker using game maker professional game engine works through several different iterations programming and reprogramming creating visuals levels sounds and a whole lot more to ultimately create his live demo. Brook Robin took her inspiration and respect for our local veterans and police officers to create a children's book dedicated to and titled Heroes of Our Town. She took the many stories of our real life Camon community members to write their stories and created an actual illustrated book that she ultimately shared with our camp veterans and law enforcement officers, but also with Cherry Brook students who could be as newly inspired as she was. Congratulations. >> And it looks like Tyler just made it.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. Thank you so much. That was beautiful. Thank you for doing that for us. Uh will board member Greer please read a certificate. We have a certificate for you. >> Absolutely. Thank you so much, Isabella. And I have this certificate to present to you.
Hearing none, the measure's adopted. Thank you, members. Next up is HB 1728. This requires the Department of Health to allow for the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems for potable and non-potable I can never remember how that word's pronounced. Potable, potable, something. Drinkable. On all on all properties. Uh recommendation here is to pass as is. It does have a bad date. Questions or concerns? If not, Vice Chair. HB 1728 HD1 SD1, members present, any no votes or reservations? Measure's adopted. Thank you. Next up is HB 1752. This replaces the Adjutant General on the Hawaii Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee with the administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Uh recommendation here is to pass with text only. Questions or concerns? If not, Vice Chair. Oh, we don't have text on this one. I don't know how we came up with that. Let's see. Was it unamended?
And then the runner that she mentioned will come and get you to like present your project to these panel of judges basically. And then you present a 10-minute presentation and then you take that um, they judge it. And then you take it back in there and then you basically just like kind of wait all day. And then yeah. So, that's like STAR Event competitions. As far as our other conferences go, we have a fall leadership conference. Uh, that is mainly we usually bring in a keynote speaker. We kind of go over some information for the new people of what FCCLA is and we have workshops, so they'll split apart and do that stuff. And then we always have a community service project for everybody to work on. This year is tie blankets, so we make tie blankets to donate to Victory in the Valley. Um, so are you like perform this on in an on an auditorium stage in front of multiple people including the judges or you just a perform this by yourself on the stage in front of the five people?