Hello Ashlanders. There's a new podcast in town. The Bad Girls Guide to Town Government. It's of the people, for the people, and by the people. It's an opportunity for citizens to express themselves on their own terms. It takes place right here at WACA TV in the information parlor. Today's conversation is co-hosted by Kate Jersik and Julie Nardone. And before we get into today's absolutely super duper ripping topics, uh Kate, do you want to tell us about uh Upbeat Corner? >> Yeah. And I also do want to remind and introduce our honorary co-host, Jim Hannah. >> Jim, I am sorry. >> So, the Bark Park in Ashland should be opening in early June. And I think it's an exciting amenity addition to Ashland. And even better, I think, is that this was a citizen idea that >> it like a lot of things, it just takes time, right?
they've done over the course of the last few years. That really is. It really is impressive. And you know, you mentioned the playoffs. You know, they're ranked number 30 in MAA Division 2. Top 32 teams automatically go to the playoff. But, if you don't If you're outside of the top 30 and play a game if you have at least a .500 record. And even if the Clockers lose every game going out, they'll still have a .500 record. Not that that's going to happen. Um so, either way, they'll either get a direct line into the playoffs or they'll get a play-in for the playoffs. And it's it's it's a great feeling knowing that you're going to be in the playoffs. Yeah, it really is. They They clinched that playoff berth uh with their win over Millis last week. And I think it was really a big deal for these these players, especially the seniors and juniors who've been around for a couple years, who have uh never experienced the joy of making a state tournament berth before.
Okay. Um and some of the the way or state is set up is the maximum that they can do in each like per perform or compete in is only five events. And um then once they um compete then they have the opportunity to take only one if they are in the top four to nationals. And so this year we have a record number of national qualifiers um 11 total or 13 sorry total that have qualified which is incredible and the highest number that I'm aware of ever in Burlington high school history. So that's very exciting. Um, and I wouldn't say it's because of my success because I just I'm new at this role and I would just say I'm so proud of these students because they're very talented in what they've done and they found events that they were very successful in. So, um, they should be very proud of that.
Any opposed? Same sign. Motion passes. Next item is approval of the minutes from the 41326 meeting and the 4226 meeting. Any questions, comments, changes >> on that one? I did vote yes on the football. Like I think it was the delay in the maybe the >> I think there was a question on that. >> There was Okay. >> Yeah. And I didn't even realize it until I read the minutes. So yeah. >> So that would have been on the April 22nd one. >> Yeah. >> So the correction is what? >> The bow is for the five. >> Yeah. with that if I want. >> That's okay. >> Very good. >> So, can I move to approve them as amended then? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I make a motion to approve as amended. >> Motion by Allison. >> Second by Josh. All those in favor say I.
Some were so You need the podium. >> Stand there. Good evening everyone. Welcome to tonight's meeting. Uh if you're able, would you please stand with me and say the pledge?
I ask the audience to stand for the pledge of allegiance, shortly followed by a moment of silence. Thank you. You may You may now be seated. First item is a public hearing for the fiscal year 2025-2026 expenditure budget revision. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Tonight we have our director of finance from Francy Wolf Bowman here to present the information. Francy. >> To the board, cabinet, community, tonight we're here to present our final budget revision of the fiscal year. So, throughout the fiscal year, the budgeting process, we go through the proposal, which you'll see another one in June. You'll have the adoption, revision, and we our most recent revision in December. And so now this is our final budget revision for the fiscal year of end here in May. As required by statute, district budget revisions must be completed by May 15th and provide a required public hearing.
They're going to introduce themselves. >> Hi, I'm Scarlet Schiff and I'm the student council president. >> Hello, I am Madison Siver and I'm the vice president. >> Hi, I am Isla Adams and I'm the student council secretary. Hi, I'm Duke Ferguson. I'm the student council treasurer. >> Okay. Um, while these students are distributing some artifacts connected to our presentation, I'll go ahead and give a little intro. So, if you want to go ahead and No, just right here. Oh, put it in front of them. Just right on where they would sit. >> Okay. Thank you. So, one of my college professors told me, "If you want to inspire and motivate children to learn or accomplish something, challenge them." And so, over the years, we've offered a number of challenges, including reading, math, science, and kindness. And next year, we plan to add social studies to the list.
>> I'm going to the University of Michigan to study mechanical engineering. >> Very cool. Jesse Myers, everybody. Next up, folks, you've seen him on the football field. It's Carter Naranjo, most athletic. Here he comes with one AirPod [music] in. Carter, you're an athlete. What's the secret to being an athlete? >> Probably just [music] genetics, to be honest. I don't know how cuz my parents aren't athletic, so I think I'm just lucky. >> So, you're boasting about something that was totally outside of your control. Shout-outs out to mom and dad even though they're not great at sports. Are you going to be playing sports [music] in college? >> Yes, I will be playing football at Benedictine. I'll be playing slot receiver. >> Can't wait to see more big things from Carter, our most athletic Wildcat, everybody. The sun just popped through just in time to shine a little light on our best romance.
>> Okay, everybody, let's stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> 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 >> Starting our day today, with staff and student recognition. So, 4.1 our pride recognition. >> Thank you very much. Tonight, the Board of Education acknowledges pride winners from the staff at the transportation department, as well as the district office, for the month of May. Pride stands for proudly recognizing individuals demonstrating excellence. The Board of Education began this program 10 years ago to recognize, promote, and celebrate the many contributions made by teachers and employees across our district. We thank our generous district partners who support this program, which is presented by Serve Bank, and supported by donations from Chick-fil-A, Culver's, Imagination Print and Design, Huntington Learning Center, The Scoop, CCT Credit Union, Texas Roadhouse, and 113 Main.
We will support student well-being, mental wellness, and the whole child. Students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. And challenged and challenged are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. All right. Uh, moving right along, we'll go to item number three, which is celebrating Orioles. And tonight, we are going to honor some state and world champions, our 2026 validictorian, and some math excellence that's happening across our elementary schools. So, Dr. Wenda, do you want to start? >> Sure. Thank you, Mrs. Parent. Um it has been another very successful winter season for the Avon uh marching black and gold and uh we want to start with them because several of them have to get on to an orchestra concert. So uh I know time is precious. I want to thank Mr. Shockley for being here as well as Mr. Abby uh assistant director of bands and next director of bands.
Thank you, Dr. Phillips. Mr. McIver, can you remind us uh how this board work session is the same as uh but different from a board meeting? Uh thank you, Mr. Stinner. So, tonight we have two two meetings happening. This first one is a work session that is an official meeting of the board, so notice gets published uh posted on the doors uh the way we would for any other meeting. We do have some folks here with us tonight. Uh it is an official meeting of the board. Our practice has been that this is an opportunity for you all to discuss, and that typically we do not take any final actions at this meeting. It's just a chance for you all to talk and chat. Um the later meeting this evening is an executive session, which is limited to a specific topic, and by statute no action can be taken at that meeting.
>> Any discussion? All right. All in favor of the approval of a the amended agenda supplied say I. >> I opposed. All right. Motion carries. Okay. I'm going to call Mr. Hawk forward. uh he's going to do the recognition for the CECC building and we will start with students and from Mrs. Mrs. Russia's preschool classroom by Genevie Stanford. All right, Miss Rush reports. Genevie always comes to school happy and ready to learn. She is a thoughtful friend and always acts with kindness. She's always willing to help out where needed. She demonstrates strong leadership, burn stations. Good job. >> All right. Next, we have All right. All right. Miss B says that Mia comes in every morning with a smile and is happy to be at school. She is an awesome friend to all her classmates and loves to help not only her teachers but other students and adults as well.
In her previous life, she worked at the WFPC radio station in Pittsburgh or Petersburg, Indiana. During the summer, she reported sports and weather, and she organized the music for the station. So, what was your handle? How in the world did you know that? We've [laughter] got connections. I I had no handle. In addition to that, Mrs. Light also won grand champion mandolin picker at the Indiana official state picking and fiddling contest in 1985 and won other guitar and mandolin awards in state contest in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. So, Mrs. Like, we thank you for your service. >> Miss Sweetcorn, 1989. >> Okay, we know. We know. >> [applause] >> Who is that? >> [laughter] >> Oakland City or who? All right, there you go, ma'am. Thank you so much. Okay, next up we've got Mrs. Bockholdt. 31 years of service, all with East Gibson School Corporation, and all in fifth grade.
Uh Lyn Brown pops in also. And so it's like and even the uh special ed u teachers we work with everybody. So that what makes it good. So what we're going to do here is I'm going to share the purpose of our program. Um Mr. Box is going to share with you uh some of the student backgrounds that we deal with and then we'll have our two students uh speak. So obviously you know we deal with credit recovery but it's not just uh credit recovery. Um, we have students who deal with adverse situations and challenges and those obstacles aren't all the time just falling behind on credits. Uh, we had a student this year who had two classes that were offered at the same time. And so, in order to get around that, we had to uh have him for a period at the academy.
This is a that's a big honor. So congratulations to to patients. Also, the Cane Valley High School has been named a Project Lead the Way distinguished school for the third year in a row. So, congratulations to them. Moving on to employment action items. We ask that you accept the retirement as listed. >> I'll move second. >> Bill Jeff. All in favor? 6. We'd ask that you accept the resignations as listed. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Jill and Katie. All in favor? 6. >> Under leaves, we'd ask that you approve the leave request. >> So second bill. All in favor? 6. >> Under ECAs, we'd recommend that you approve the ECA recommendations as listed. So move >> second. >> Jill Jeff all in favor. 501 the bill abstain. Under certified we'd recommend your approval for the uh certified recommendation as listed. >> Second 80 bill.
Get a little close. Let's stand right next to you. >> Look out there and smile. Hang on. We're do one more. Okay. >> This one will go on TV. Okay. So, when everybody sees it, they'll want your autograph. So, you guys need to practice that. Okay. >> Just a wait. I often close my eyes. >> All right. That looks good. >> Congratulations. Thank you guys. >> There you go, >> Blair. >> Yes. Charlie. Thank you. >> Yes. Four years. >> Yep. You can stay or you can. >> Just so you guys know, they've been doing this for four years. They've been state champions twice and runners up twice. >> Pretty big deal. Wow. >> Very cool. >> And there's And there's a really cool their area. >> Oh, yeah. Yes. She's very cool. >> Great. And now I'm gonna ask who's gonna Mrs. Werner to present the Applebee's teacher of the month from the academy.
Kate, would you like to talk? >> Um, I would love to because the comprehensive plan started um a little bit maybe even over two years ago. The comprehensive plan steering committee finished up their work with the consultant. The committee unanimously voted to accept the plan. It went on to another round of approvals, which I'm very happy about, several. So, nobody's asking you to not understand what you're voting for. went to a joint meeting of the planning board and select board which they did vote for. So the final approval is on to fall town meeting. >> Um there it's on the town website. I specifically on the upbe also want to shout out to Yolanda because the last chance of a draft before it was approved. Yolanda had a forum on every single topic invited the public. there were uh lots of questions and the the last final thing I could say about that is when the public's involved it always brings something new and makes it better and even in those final forums there were proposed edits by people asking questions or really I think it be better said a different way and all those edits were accepted by the consultant in the committee so kudos to the public for turning out we would have loved more but it was still not insignificant to have at at the very last chance.
It might be someone who has a history of historical performances and bringing Last month, uh, the one this last week we had a full house. Um, but it's free and we love to have people come and enjoy that, learn about local history, learn about the house, um, and I think it's a you know, good way to bring together people that have share that commonality of enjoying history. Yeah, and if you're new in town, you should check out the Ashland House cuz it's got a lot of great, uh, examples of Ashland's history. I've seen That's where I first stumbled on History at Play, where she just does some of the pacing and I saw one's coming up on April 12th and it's a Wildwood what what the Wildwood say? Yeah, that's that'll be local historians giving us a talk about that. And while we're on local history, just want to make sure we mention that we we hope we think Jim Hannah is still here as a co-host in spirit honoring we that we're trying to honor his uh his caring about standing up for things you believe in and even if it isn't what maybe you're hearing from town hall kind of things.
We also have the honor of having um a statue of Spencer who was an official dog of the Boston Marathon in 2022. I people may remember Spencer was a dog that would uh a therapy dog with his owner would stand out through much of the marathon just greeting runners and people really appreciate that and they actually still really appreciate the statue that is um there was an ask to put it on public property but that did not work out um by a vote of the select board so a private person has it and so that's also a beloved um upbeat thing about Ashlin and the marathon on. I also there's a couple more things. The fundraising is amazing. The BAA grants um that the select board gives through the BAA giving charity runners. I think the BAA also makes sure that we're reimbursed for the public safety costs and that is a massive logistics for our police, fire, DPW.
So citizen group for years and to get it across the finish line there was a partnership with town government. >> So exciting news >> and just a brief I googled first dog park and it was in 1863 in Germany and it was called uh who didn't plots and then the first one in the United States was in Berkeley California in 1978 so almost over a hundred years later. >> Okay. So the inspirational quote, do you want to read that and then I'll talk about the next line? >> I would love to from Benjamin Franklin. It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority. And I think that fits with overall Bad Girls Guide to Town Government philosophy. And again honoring Jim Hannah that we sometimes if you're questioning you um there's a tendency to make that negative by some people. um both citizens, both government people and we've learned that we can ignore that.