Commissioner Ciano, >> not much of a question, just more of comments. I was going back and forth like, do I speak on it? Do I not speak on it? Everybody knows what I've said already. Uh, so I'm going to try to keep it as brief as possible because obviously I we all recognize the need for additional funding. This is the first year. I was like, of course I would support an increase. I said that to you originally and I appreciate you going over the fiduciary obligation. That's, you know, something that we have, but we have to, you know, support the students and the staff at the same time. My mind keeps coming back to just like Allan did his research. And you are the king of research, let me tell you. But my research is different than yours because I could never do that. Um, as of early 2026, residential property assessments in Clifton are vastly outdated.
Sixth graders are going to start receiving higher level math right now this next school year. So that's going to allow a lot of our students open the door to algebra 1 and eighth grade which then gets more with the workbased learning and those opportunities when they reach high school. We also have our new math coaches that we're going to work really closely with. If you looked at that data, there was a huge drop off when we got to math when it hit sixth through 8th grade. Things were kind of getting positive and then it kind of took a dive. So really approaching that on what ways can we support those students in such a heavy piece there. And then lastly, aligning everything so those students when they hit 9th grade, they're ready for that diploma track because we want all of our students to reach that diploma.
And so I look forward to continuing that work uh with everybody up here uh and at the school sites just to make sure not only do is that teachers right to say yes or no to a overage is is respected but that the rationale behind it is understood. They're not doing it because they don't care about their students. They're not doing it because they don't give of themselves a lot day in and day out and already self-sacrifice for the well-being of their classes. They're doing it because the first time ever in AHSD they have the ability to keep that class at a certain level and this is important for all of us as a school community. Um in addition we have uh contract language regarding strive uh especially in special education is where we work together to try to make sure that class sizes are as low as possible but there's room to grow and then they're capped at a certain size.
Um I refuse to believe that was that long ago, but the kids get up there and they dance and they sing and I they just a huge thank you to their parents for giving them a good love of music background. Um and I also got to see the new screens at the school, which looked great. I saw them on my way out. Um I also went to Little Shop of Horrors. Um, and those the thespians at Granite Hills are just amazing. Um, every year I think, "Oh, no, these kids are graduating. Is it still going to be as good?" And it's always just as good. Like there's it just comes up and I'm sure that's also probably from Phoenix with the feeder school and they've got that going on. Um, but it's just there's a lot of talent in this district. Um, funny side note, my mother sent me some flowers for Mother's Day.
Um but the last one I wanted to touch on was board goal number three which is to strengthen the board's committee structure and operational efficiency. Um we did address uh a piece of that board goal um in January when we restructured all the committees and did the full review um and took care of it. But what I wanted to remind us of tonight seeing how four months are already gone and we only have eight months to go. It's crazy how fast this year is going by. Um but one of those commitments that we made at that point was to have each committee meet at least two times per year and I know there's several committees that um we haven't had a meeting yet. Um just speaking from experience um the time goes faster as the year goes on, especially when summer gets here and the next thing we know it's it's fall and it's the start of the new school year.
Currently, they're sitting at roughly 32% of market value. The citywide reval will soon shift these figures to full market value, resulting in significantly higher assessed values. Unfortunately, which if you watched the last meeting, I spoke on this, not our meeting, the city council, uh, the city is not executing this process fairly or transparently. Uh, many residents are relying on a 30 3030 myth. That idea, a third taxes will decrease, a third will remain the same, a third will increase. The reality of our current market proves this assumption wrong. I monitor this real estate and tax data full-time. It's not a hobby for me. Based on continuous research and experience, I'm estimating that at least 50% of Clifton properties will see a tax increase. And that's a conservative pro projection. As someone that, you know, people come to, I don't just say to somebody, "Hey, here's your house." Yeah, here's your house.
Plus, we don't want just a normal diploma. We want our students to be more prepared and stand out compared to other communities around. We have also already have um some PD this summer for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math teachers who are going to teach this kind of advanced math um to streamline it and make sure we are sharing our resources and all those kind of things is one of the things we've also already got on the calendar for the summer. And so then high school and middle school of course is college and career readiness. Um the SAT is going to be incorporated. It's 10% of the high school's accountability model. So, um, that will be a key. The ACT will be offered as an additional way to get that extra point for high school students. And then, of course, just the idea of that continued emphasis on getting that diploma plus option.
I don't want to get into the technicalities of this, but I just want to just recommmit our effort as an association in my role as well to work with all sites, all district leadership just to do the best we can for staffing. And then the idea that teachers are the ones who will continually have to give to make the system work. We really need to change that mindset where that the system has to adjust as well, that we have adequate staffing to be able to do all the things that we promise to our students, all the different types of classes and amazing things that we do here. So anyway, continue to look forward to working with all of you on that. Um, and that's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next, we'll have Lacy Munger from APGA. Good evening, AHSD Board of Trustees, President Guerrero, Superintendent Frerieded, Executive Cabinet, and community members.
They came yesterday from like 1-800-Flowers, but they were like bulbs in a pot and I took it out and there was like all this like I don't know, raffia type stuff and then they were yellow like sticks intertwined, but they're I think they're probably tulips. And my oldest who went to Little Shop of Horrors said, "If that plant says feed me Seymour, I'm out of here." >> [laughter] >> Um, I did remove the stuff and gave it some water last night and they were perked up this morning. They looked much more plant-like. Um, also was at the Avid Senior Recognition last night down in Ontario at the Toyota Center. This was my first time attending. It was amazing. Like I I could not believe how many kids were there. There was 3,200 seniors within the the four counties that are our Avid graduates. Um, I did kind of laugh at them that all the kids would take turns kind of teasing about TFIs and if you've done Avid, you know, it's maybe not a favorite.
So I would just encourage the committee chairs to please start to think about um your committee has not met yet when the when the appropriate time will be to say those two committees so we can make sure we hit that goal. Um and then last but not least I will put Miss Pap on the spot and remind our board members unfortunately the public uh the public I don't think is able to attend this event but for us board members um I mentioned a few months ago that Miss Pap had earned her um board NJSBA certified board member certification. It's the second of three certifications that the New Jersey School Boards offers. It is not a light task to undertake. It involves a massive time commitment and New Jersey school boards is actually recognizing her for this accomplishment next Thursday the 14th at 7 a.m. They do >> 7 p.m.
but these are what the taxes are going to be for the next few years. If I don't tell them that, I'm not doing the job correctly. Everyone needs to prepare for the true financial impact of this refile. Um, I would definitely get behind an increase. I I can't go up to 6% with everything that's going on. Um, 3% 4% would even be higher than I initially went. Uh, that to me would represent somewhat of a fair compromise and yeah, and then tough decisions have to be made. Um, but that's all I have on that. Thank you, Commissioner S. Commissioner. >> Uh, sure. >> Mr. Sienna, thank you so much for for that transparency and honestly from from where you were to where you are today, it just shows the kind of person you are that you do your research and you listen and I appreciate that very much.
And the more pluses we can add to the end of that plus, you know, the better off our students are, the better off our kids are ready for college or career or whatever direction they're headed after graduation. >> Terrific. Thank you. Um, so some of the highlights to point out from that section, as I'm sure you heard, making sure we continue to have increased supports for kids who are in different subgroups such as special education, English language learners. Um, then also we've really identified in our data that the need for extra support for that transition to middle school. we we just see it across the board. And so that's become a big um focus for this section in this group. And then particularly for all for secondary math, which we're excited about that addition of the secondary math coach next year. We think that'll be a big piece of this work.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week and happy belated principal day. Um, I've mentioned before that counselors are the one group on campus that work directly with all staff in some capacity. And our teachers graciously allow our counselors to come into their classrooms so we can conduct our guidance lessons and meet our counseling standards while also partnering with us on a daily basis to meet the needs of our students. So our counselors truly appreciate that collaboration, dedication, and support. And our teachers do deserve to be celebrated not just this week, but at all times. So thank you very much to our teachers. Um, like all of our AUHSD stakeholders, our counselors can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And while we can see that light, we also know that there's a lot left to accomplish as we close out this school year. Um, we are currently in the midst of getting ready to welcome our incoming seventh graders, preparing our eighth graders to go to high school, and graduating our seniors into their post-secary paths while simultaneously registering our students for summer school through Apex, CVA, Access, and dual enrollment.
Um, but the person that that co-created it was sitting on the stage and she was she took it well. Um, I also uh went to the the prom the SH prom over at Apple Valley High School. I I don't think I told Trustee Okpara but I was warned on my way in that I was going to have to try and get you off the dance floor. So. I did make the mistake though of taking a picture of the candy bar um that Mrs. Knox was running and I made the mistake of showing my daughter who now wants a candy bar at her birthday party with all the different candies. Um so I may be calling Mrs. to find out how to do that. Um the county multicultural recognition uh dinner awards was also this month and I got to go and attend that and sit at our table with um some of our district rec um our district employees that were being recognized uh and that was just It was a great night.
Did I say 7 a.m. Sorry, not at 7 a.m. I am so sorry. Um 700 pm. Um it's in Medford, New Jersey schoolboards has the information on their website and they also put on a pretty good dinner if you show up at that's at six o'clock I believe for the dinner, right? So it's uh Medford Golf Club or I forget what the actual name is. Yeah. It's Medford Country Club and uh the dinner is pretty good. New Jersey the Burlington County chapter New Jersey school boards does a good job. So I am not able to make it due to family commitments, but I would throw a plug in there to a support Miss Pat, but also b just if you want to get a good dinner, they do a good job there as well. Um, I think that's all I have to say. Yes, we're that's in process.
My question is just how long does that reevaluation take? Cuz I have no idea. Are they talking a year, two years? >> So, the reval is projected to be completed this year and as of the next year, the new taxes will take place. >> Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Ciano. Commissioner Suarez, please. >> Thank you, President Bassford. Thank you to my colleagues and administration. Um, you have asked the questions that I had in mind, so I have no further questions at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. Vice President Santiago. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, just a couple of reminder questions maybe for Dr. Roberts or you, Mr. Usi. Just high level again, if we were to do 2% or 4%, what's the number of staff cuts that uh that would entail? >> Uh Mr. Santiago, 2% is 49 positions >> and 4% >> 4% about half that about 24.
And then finally, that we are seeing a lot of positive results from all the work the district's done in STEM and the importance of continuing that work going forward and how that relates to both outcomes for students and also how they approach standardized tests. They really look at them in a different way. Um, so continuing those same focuses. Anything you want to add to academics that I missed? >> No, I think they they covered it well. >> Question textbooks, especially grade level, are they going to be okay with advanced math for sixth graders? You're going to have to get >> with with our math textbook. We have K through eight ready. So, it doesn't shift that. They have the same math book in sixth grade as they do in seventh and eth. So, it's just a natural transition already. And when you look at the pacing guide um in the um recommended guide, it's adding like for sixth grade like it's adding like seven um seventh grade standards.
Um, at this point, our high school counselors have registered approximately 4,000 students for course remediation through Apex and another thousand students through our county partner access. So that way our students can bring their grades up and be a throughg eligible and graduation eligible as well. Additionally, nearly we have nearly 2900 students who have registered in acceleration courses so that they can continue participating in programs and pathways next school year without interrupting their academics, including our performing arts, our CTE pathways, and AVID. While those numbers are significant, I think it's equally important to recognize what sits behind this data. Every one of those students needed to be met with at least once in order to complete the registration process for these programs and in many cases multiple times along with parent meetings and phone calls to explain the why behind summer school and the opportunities it creates for our students.
Um I definitely enjoyed all the student speakers and um it was it was lovely. After that there was also the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools post uh hosted their countywide performing arts showcase so I got to see the granite um actors and actresses again and that was also just as good. Although I will I did share um with Mr. Churchill that I was like I was hoping that that the Audrey II was there and they were going to bring it out on stage cuz it was so fantastic but um I guess it didn't fit through the door on the bus so um International Children's Fair was fantastic. It's always great. That was my fourth one attending. I'm so glad that um we did have a booth. We had little bracelets that um the kids could make. They had the Horton Hears a Who and they would have little uh freeze on them like, do you remember any of them?
Thank you. Any further comments? >> Okay, I'll ask for a motion to close. >> Thank you, Miss Hans. Second >> and Miss Man. All in favor? I >> Okay, we are closed. Thank you, everyone.