>> Hi, I'm Cara Parker and I'm a senior here at the high school. Um I'm here to ask for permission to wear my Girl Scout cord at graduation representing my bronze, silver, and gold awards. Um I also ask that the students who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout be permitted to wear their scout regalia as well. Last year, I reached out to my former principal regarding this request and was encouraged that it would be likely considered like favor like favor favorably on a case-by case basis. Um, but however, more recently, I was informed that under the current administration, outside regalia wouldn't be permitted. I understand and respect the importance of maintaining unity and consistency during graduation, but at the same time, I hope you consider this request as a meaningful exception that recognizes years of leadership, service, and dedication to the community. I am currently the only girl scout in my graduating class in Bordontown.
>> So if we're not able to hire those positions, it requires sharing with the other two middle schools. The core positions for the classroom for the language arts, math, science, social studies at the new middle school are already being transplanted. Those are full teams that are being trans transferred from the other two middle schools to Maple Valley just like we did last year. The first year we were able to more relatively easily share the specialized positions. There are other specialized positions that will be much harder to share because now there will be more of a need for them. But we will still be able to manage it with larger sections with slightly fewer offerings but still similar um and um doing things like additional teaching periods um and other methods to share services between the three schools. The restructuring um in what Dr. Robert Tozie had shared and what is included in that 6% budget is also a restructuring of 13 other positions.
Okay, thank you. Is there any other discussion? All right, then I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the calendars as presented for school years 2027 through 2028, 2028 through 2029, and 2029 through 2030, say I. I.
Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Um next under operations extra pay for shortterm 25 to 26 contracted. Yes, it is construction season, so we have to reroute some buses. Asking for extra pay for short term for bus 309 for those extra 44 miles a day while that works being done on the bridge. So asking >> I have a motion by Travis. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Cheryl.
You know, students aren't going to a cash register and pay with cash anymore. So simple things like that we have to start thinking about because we're swiping cards. It's the new waste that we're relying on. So we're continually focusing on changing from reading being the focus and still prioritizing that. But also now we got to really support the math along the way. So, some of the district priorities that we came up with our meeting was working with these PD days that we have applied for the waiver for that hopefully we can get so that we can work as a corporation to um continue with the science of reading PD to add in science and math PD to strengthen all the STEM PD just all of those areas that um teachers just need time to learn and work and have conversations together and hopefully those days will really bring that to us.
They also had color guard championships and FLA FLA's SSLC. Lastly, at Orange View Western, Orange View Western had their last summit and also had many events for athletics. Okay, thank you. >> Thank you, Leah. Round of applause. >> Thank you so much for all your reports. >> Thank you. And sorry, I now I have AP testing, so I'll be leaving a little bit shortly. >> Best of luck to you. >> Good luck. >> Yay. All right. Next, we'll have uh student speakers. I didn't receive any forms, so just double checking those student speakers in the room. Okay. Uh next is our reports of association. I believe I saw Jeff Morgan Aa. Yes, welcome. Thank you. >> Different setup this time, right? Okay. All right. Well, good evening um board president uh Guerrero, board of trustees, superintendent Freed, cabinet, colleagues, community. Um, want to start off tonight by uh sharing uh something that I had the pleasure of doing today and also continuing tomorrow, which is to deliver 10 $1,000 scholarships to our graduating seniors uh who want to become future educators.
Um they announced all of the districts and but I'm still looking for Apple Valley and once they came in it it it was perfect for me. I I could see the kids uh get so happy. Um I also participated in the International Children's Day. Uh this was our first time that the board had a booth. Um I'm hoping that we will continue to do this every year. It was a new experience for me. I've never been on a in a booth. Uh so I didn't get the opportunity to run around like I normally would. Um you know, going from one booth to the other or trying to sample something, but it was such a joy just to see that many number of kids and families come out to um to celebrate the International Children's Day. I also had the opportunity to go to Candy Cane Dance or Candy Land Dance at Apple Valley High School.
And after many years of hard work, I have earned my bronze and silver award, and I'm completing my gold award this June. The gold award is the highest honor in Girl Scouts and is earned by only about 5% of participants nationwide. So for me, this isn't just an award. It represents years of my growth, my challenges, leadership, and a deep commitment to serving others. My projects have directly benefited our school district, too. For my silver award, I founded an American sign language club at the middle school um after co creating a space where students could connect and communicate to feel included during a time where many felt isolated. Uh for my gold award, I'm currently working with the high school art club to organize an educational upcycled fashion show, helping students understand the impact of fast fashion on our environment while encouraging creativity and responsibility.
Some which are being eliminated through attrition, some being eliminated just because we're able to use utili combines and share services so that we can then convert and restructure those positions primarily to special education. Although some of those special education positions may be at Maple Valley, it is still foregoing those other positions that will be shared and provide with the services provided in other ways. >> She's so much better with the words. >> Thank you. So even at the 6% it's bigger class sizes and staff essentially going from school to school to supplement. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you, >> Commissioner Rag. So >> yes, I have a few questions. First, um, Commissioner Paris mentioned Patterson. So, even with that 8% increase, they still laid off 39 people, cut over 200 positions and closed schools. Um, so my first question to Dr. Bertosi is, and you did mention this in the past, how we, despite our situation, are in a lot better position than many districts across the state, which to me is more of a reason to take this responsible choice.
Any opposed? And it's unanimous. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to adjourn? I move to adjourn. Thank you, Ms. Humphreys. Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Robison. All those in favor of adjournment, say I. I.
Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Um next we have um bus contractor field trip rate. >> Yes. It is what we like to refer to as especially busy field trip season. Um the nice weather's back and at the same time we've had a lot of changes in gas prices which I'm sure you're well aware. So to make sure that we can fund the need that we have for field trips, asking to increase the rate per mile for them to run field trips. So it's been the same rate for over six years. So asking to increase that rate by 25 cents per mile. >> Entertain a motion to motion by Maryland. Do I have a second? Second by Pat.
We're also going to use a common tracker to monitor students across the district. So students who move from one school to another will come with a common tracker so that a second grade teacher knows, okay, here's what my second grader accomplished at Brush Creek now that they're at MBE and with our transient population. That happens with a lot of kids. And so being able to have that one piece of paper or that one tracker that says, "Okay, here's here's where they were. Here's here's how they came to us." And then also aligning all of our initiatives towards improving the graduation rate which is incredible we know but there's always room for that. And so you know all of these steps at the elementary the middle school moving towards that idea of everyone every kid in Jennings County graduating with that diploma plus and even a little bit more.
Yeah, this is an annual tradition that we do in ASA every year. Uh but this year I do want to highlight a key difference. In spirit of our community schools approach of collaborative leadership and community involvement. We brought together a selection committee of parents uh district officials, community partners, ATA teachers uh to collectively decide out of 32 applicants who the 10 students would be. Uh so we picked together and came to consensus and it was a great night. Uh so we'll be delivering the second set of five tomorrow. Uh it's kind of a lot to drive around the district all all day. So, we're going to split that up over two days and look forward to it. Uh we're collecting some great pictures and can't wait to share them with everybody. So, I do want to give a quick update statewide on the Prop 55 signature gathering.
Um that is put together for the students with special needs. Uh and it was such a joy just to see so much candy sitting there. And the kids having the opportunity to help themselves to to the candy. It was It was so joyful. And of course today I went to the farmers market. Um to just see the joy in their faces um as they um move around between the um the little shops in the farmers market. Now having said all of that, um I wanted to also take the time to appreciate the speakers today. The children who came out spoke to us. And the adults who also had the opportunity to speak to us. It is not easy to hear people tell you what you are not doing right. It's a lot of joy to see see people share what you are what they are learning in their school.
Many Eagle Scout projects have directly supported our schools, too. Just as an example, a recent Eagle Scout project made by one of our own Bortontown seniors was a ticket booth that is now used during the school sporting events. It is something that continues to serve our community. Like go to work projects, these are lasting contributions that make a real difference. I understand that policies exist for a reason and I totally respect that. But I'm asking you to see this not as an exception that takes away from unity, but as a movement that honors what students can give back to their schools. Wearing this cord for me is not just about standing out. It's about honoring the work, the people, and the community that made it possible. And I hope that this opportunity doesn't end with just me, but that future Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will also be able to have their years of service recognized on one of the most important days of their lives.
Can you just give a little bit about those other districts, what you've seen, >> Mr. Regsdale? Exactly as you said, districts who may not have had the foresight um or may not have had the um organizational awareness or quite frankly in some cases weren't watching while the water was boiling and it was overflowing. um or were reliant on aid that came from the federal government that was going to expire. We made a very conscious effort not to use federal monies for staffing positions because that money would run out. >> Um and some districts chose to, well, while the fountain's flowing, let's hire more people, get more staff, and now they're paying the price. >> Yeah. So because this board has been fiscally conservative um and because the administration has operated leanly that's the only reason why even at 6% the impact is as minimal as it is.
Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next, we're down under relations. We have anou. >> Yeah, this is ourou with Beck Speech Therapy. They are the company that we've used the last two years for our online speech for grades fourth through 12th grade. Uh they did increase by $1 per hour this year. Um it's $78 per hour this year, but asking for approval for um to continue to work with Beck speech therapy. Entertain a motion to approve. >> Motion by Travis. Do I have a second? >> Second by Kurt.
So Dylan and I decided to break it down kind of in grade strands starting with K through two and moving our way up. So our K to2 focus really is that foundational piece learning to understand okay letter sounds building that into words then building that into reading. If we don't have that students can't comprehend it's that first piece of the puzzle. So our first goal is really to have all students in our corporation pass I read by grade two. Now again they have multiple opportunities but the higher percentage we can get there the future we or the further we can get ahead. Those students who are not reaching that benchmark success we're going to really have that tier 2 MTSS support. That's been a big training piece in the PD as well as a lot of buildings are focusing on how can we elevate those students and get them caught up very rapidly.
I know that was a big effort on our part. Uh I appreciate everybody's participation. Not only did we get 86 me% of the members of ASA, but another 600 community and other employee members assigned as well. So, statewide, CTA and its partners collected 1.6 6 million signatures, which is more than double of what it's needed to qualify for the ballot. So much appreciation to the community. U and staying tuned for some get out the vote efforts come November to make sure that well won't be Prop 55 anymore. We'll have a new number. Um but that we got it on the ballot. Now we have to make sure that it succeeds in November to make sure we keep the current funding that we have here in California. Um lastly tonight I want to touch on an issue that um I've been hearing a lot about and I've engaged in conversations uh with folks on and we'll continue to engage in conversations um and that again a collaborative approach and for those of you know when we negotiated our weekend weight contract uh there was some new stuff in there regarding uh class size and case load caps and kind of a a new way of doing business and here in the district and staffing and in making master schedules at sites.