To get in quickly about how the Orlando trip went for our band and I'm speaking off book here, so a band course travel down to Orlando to participate in Festival Disney. So the coal band of course exchanged with a high school down there called Horizon High School and then performed the next day for a set of college level judges who are all professors at at very nice colleges down south and then we were scored with both the band and chorus receiving ratings of superior. Particularly the band won best in class for single A division and more prestigiously the band was able to win the Golden Mickey award which means best in the whole show out of all the bands that perform at festival business. So seriously an amazing accomplishment and a testament to the fantastic music program that we have here at the high school.
No, we like I um I was trying to articulate with the question that Ann was asking that when we took a look at what are the responsibilities uh required there. We felt like there were a lot of responsibilities that could and and probably should be handled by uh a full-time teacher to navigate that. Um that you know again not in the classroom but can be the point person at um at uh preschools can be assigning pair educators can be working with PPS and HR when we need a new uh PAR educator uh can be um engaging parent communication and that first line of communication um but not evaluating staff exclusively, you know, um not um handling the the PPTs that are perhaps a bit more sophisticated. um the full-time AP or principal would handle that like we have uh you know you look at the program uh for intensive ed at Highland which is very large um or the bridges program at uh Dittle which has students with obviously not hundred students but with very sophisticated needs and those administrators there navigate those programs.
We made it through the sophomore slump and overcame the chaos of junior year. And more than that, we took the steps to reach our next goals in life. Higher education, serving in the military, missions, and so much more. We are here today to recognize our accomplishments and celebrate our time as Eagles. Whatever we may do, whatever we may become, wherever we go, once an eagle, >> always. >> One of the most common words and experiences of our senior year was last. We had our last homecoming, our last prom, our last late night out with friends, our last first period class, our last excused tardies, and still for some of us, our last AP exams. But more importantly, we also experience the most beginnings. A beginning of appreciating the things your past self looked over. A beginning of realizing who you are and what you hope to be is coming to fruition.
They are thousands of miles away from home and yet they chose to be here to learn our language, to engage, to really love our children as much as we love them. And so I think that the the the impact as was noted is definitely going to be not only felt but remembered for a very long time. Um, I can't say how grateful I am to each of you, but I also know that as far as my children go, they'll never forget you. And I and I hope you know that I'll never let them forget you either because I think that so much of what you have done all of you um not just you yourselves that are leaving but all of our Filipino teachers that are still going to be with us but and may still be joining us is that care and kindness crosses so many boundaries of of what we think how different we are yet how similar we can be because their values match ours.
Um, and then the uh override as well. Um, they talked about the 15% being an average of $6 a month and the um and the 10% being an average of $4 a month, but that was for a $100,000 valuation versus like the average price in the district. So, as we looked at these, um, some of the ideas were that if we have 60% or more, that's a pretty strong support from the community. Um, all of our things, uh, all of our questions on all of the components that we've been discussing. We've discussed them in many forums. Um, had a couple study sessions here. You know, we've had our superintendent advisory committee where we've talked about it a lot. And I think ultimately some of the things that have come out of that is we have a technology integration committee which I'll talk a little bit about that Mr.
>> What's one of your memory that you remember when you're an old man? My name is Washington. >> So with that, we just want to take a couple seconds to appreciate um a few groups. The uh Green Valley Recreation, commonly known as GBR, uh made a really nice donation to help make a shortage for lunches for those that uh are not as fortunate to be able to afford those. Um pickle ball. Um the Continental Foundation, the school foundation also sponsored uh the dance residency. And we want to recognize a handful of folks for their years of service, which I every year I find is amazing. As long as people stay here and all right, we would like to recognize Mr. Lorenzo Sanchez. Is he here? Morenzo here. >> Okay. So, Mr. Sanchez has been at Continental for 32 years. So, we're going to make sure we recognize him at the end of the year and as um so he isn't able to be here today.
and so it's getting better, but it's just not 100% yet. So, continue to work with that support accountability, which supported means like with the coaching, but also accountability from their supervisor. Yeah, and and and these are just some real conversations we do have because, you know who doesn't have time to change their behaviors? It's our students that we're serving. They don't. And I have I recall correctly before we started this framework, at one point we had 0% of the specific population of our students passing anything. So, it's a non-negotiable. And I love that, you know, we're working towards it and we're working, but we they don't have time. And we just looked at our data. There is no time of, you know, we've been in this work, we've been talking the same thing for almost 3 years, we're about to hit 5 years. It's it's go time.
Mr. President, that concludes my report for this evening. >> Thank you very much, Dr. McCord. >> Um, are you going to present first or are they going to start? She's going to introduce them. So, we're going to turn it over to Dr. Coleman. >> All right, this is uh agenda item number seven, our teaching and learning spotlight. >> Good evening, Dr. McCord, governing board members, cabinet, and community members. Thank you for allowing me I'm a little bit nervous. I'm used to public speaking, but it's a little intimidating being in front of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to present information on our outstanding music program. I would like to introduce Mr. Chip Durham, our instructional music specialist. Mr. Durham was the long-time band director at Highland Junior High and is an incredible asset to our music program. I'm honored to support our passionate and dedicated music educators.
Uh this has become a customary practice as we've done a lot of construction over the last few years and actually leads into uh point B2, which is to transfer funds from our working cash in the amount of $17 million through the operations and maintenance fund. And then those funds will be in turn transferred to capital projects to replenish any funds that we pay through uh for construction throughout the year. So uh that's what leads to us to have to amend the budget and Mr. Johnson will be here next month to present the budget uh amended budget for approval.
We believe in that. And you and I have had this conversation when you approached me the other day about it. I just need us to be careful because there's other positions we cut and why all of a sudden are we choosing this one and not the kindergarten aides and the adjustment counselor and a lot of other things that we made cuts here and there, right? So, I just need us to be careful about that. But, to your point, Megan, I can honestly, when Aaron and I sat for meeting after meeting after meeting in Bolton, not one time were we asked from the select board or FinCom what exactly these cuts would be and what positions would be cut in there. Berlin did. We sat with Berlin, they wanted to know about the what what this would impact, how would it impact the positions. We had students show up for it as well, too.
Continuing with our >> very well said. Um, continuing the highlight for this month is going to be the National Guard Games, which is an implementation that's being brought back by our new athletic director, Mr. Run. Both boys lacrosse and softball this past Friday, the 8th, had games in special special military themed uniforms while also having a special presentation at the start to honor those who have served and are serving. This is a very meaningful event for players and fans alike who have felt a greater partnership in the community as a whole. Events like these are essential to fostering growth in accordance with port goal 2. I have some student testimonies. One from a lacrosse captain Owen Weller. He emphasized the importance of venturing beyond the sport of lacrosse to recognize those that have and will serve our country. And softball captain Sophia Maza and Maya Assa said that they knew that the game had a lasting impact on many of their viewers who have served.
This is definitely different than that, which is why I think we require a full-time person dedicated to supporting that. Uh but but it's uh in our estimate, we're not changing the administrator FTE at all. Um and we are bringing in support specific to that program. So this person wouldn't wouldn't be required to have an 092. >> No. >> Okay. >> No, you they their their expertise will really be on um special education and early childhood. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. Matt, >> um this may be a silly question, but uh I'm okay with that personally. Um, everybody in this program are Cheshure residents, right? The early because, you know, I'm used to like K through 12 and we're talking early childhood before that. So, these are all Cheshire residents. Are there any? >> Yeah, that's that's a great pro uh question. Um, so we have the birth to three program which is Cheshire residents plus surrounding communities.
A beginning of understanding that nothing really lasts forever. A beginning of learning that you will always end up where you need to be. a beginning of knowing that the most powerful thing you can hold on to is memories and that you have the power to make them. Senior year was chasing early deadlines and the perfect words to set your Common App essays apart. It was camping out with Mrs. Cornelio and finding out that you need to describe your top 10 activities in 50 words or less for each. It was asking your parents to read over your essays and hold your hand when you open the portal to your college applications because you were just so nervous. Senior year was going all out for themes on game nights, cheering your heart out, and finally standing at the bottom of the bleachers. Senior year was having so much fun in the moment that you didn't realize you were making memories.
their care matches ours. Their love and their consideration for not only just being teachers, but for being caretakers is truly truly something that I think we are truly blessed to have been able to be to have had. So, thank you so much again for your time and commitment to this district and to our wonderful children. Okay. Take a picture. with with that. Um, thank you all again so much and we'll go ahead and move on to our students of the month uh for this evening. Mr. Diaz, >> thank you for being here. Um, and and thank you for your patience. Right now um we still we have um new seats. So if you if you're in the back, we're going to start the student of the month. Please welcome please come in to find a chair that way you can hear your name and you can take better pictures.
Neil led where I don't think people are necessarily because we understand that technology is a part of life now but I think it's important that we pull it off the bond because of the push back we've gotten and try to see and but I do want to give credit because some of the strong voices I want to give credit to Nathan Neil you know Britney Hamlin's on that committee and several teachers joined in the committee and community members and parents and so what I think we're looking at doing what the committee is recommending is that for for K2 kids were going to a lab. So, they're reducing their amount of screen time, but they still get those technical skills. It's just a very limited um uh I'm sorry, that's K through two. Uh 3 through six. I think we're going to continue that discussion on 3 through six because we want to put time limitations for what they're using and how they're using technology.
We're also celebrating our 20 year employees. So, we have Mrs. Co. is she here? She's not here. Um sure. Mrs. Sable is celebrating 20 years and we just talked about her. There she is. Mrs. We have this for you and it says, "Believe and succeed. Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others." That's a quote from Winston Churchill and it says, They go in sincere appreciation for your 20 years of service at Continental School. 20 years. Thank you. Is she here with us today? >> Okay, we'll make sure we can catch her. And we also have a special recognition for Miss Eva Brown. Eva, where are you? And she also is retiring on us this year. And she is getting at 10 years we get the little crystal apples and it says Eva Brown for 10 years of service at Continental ESD number 39 May 2026.
You're right. All right. So, another commitment Oh, next slide. So, another commitment that we made was to monitor the use of our Tier 2 materials. And this is one of our third grade teachers from Gateway School who this year was able to start using the materials. And remember, this is the second year that we've implemented them that we've had these 95% group materials. And so, in April when we were putting this report together, we looked and we saw that 67% of our teachers were consistently, and by that we mean three to five days a week, implementing small groups with appropriate materials. Um, and that shows an increase from in the fall when we surveyed teachers, and it was at 42%. Um, and then we also have talked as a group, worked um with our administrators to identify some of those barriers for teachers who are inconsistently or not yet teaching small groups.
I know all of you have had personal experiences with our wonderful music programs in Gilbert. But before I begin the presentation, I would like to share some music with you because I think it's better to hear our fantastic music students and rather than listen to me talk about it. First, I'd like to introduce Ms. Sarah Deuce, orchestra teacher from Greenfield Junior High, who was honored in Nashville last fall as a music teacher of the year. She's brought some orchestra students to play tonight, and you probably heard them in the hallway playing. And then second will be Mrs. Angela Denison, music teacher from Bella Vista with her choir. So, I'm going to invite up some orchestra students. >> [music] [applause] >> Thank you so much Greenfield Junior High. Beautiful. Thank you Miss Deuce. Thank you so much. Mhm. >> Swing low, sweet [singing] chariot, coming for to carry me home.
Um I'll pause right there as those two items kind of go together and see if we have any questions on those because this is the time for discussion on those two agenda items. Is the 17 million just on the new project for the stadium? >> It's a combination of funds that were Yeah. closing out the Burns and Jones uh and bear construction work done for the sports and then also to the progress that we've made with the uh construction at the middle school as you've indicated Mr. Swallish. With the transferring of 17 million out of the working cash fund, what is the remaining funds that we would have in that category? >> Um, I can provide that in the FYI. I don't have those numbers off the top of my head. Um, but I can provide those to you guys in the FYI so we can take action on them next Tuesday.
We weren't asked any of those questions. We sat for 90 minutes in some meetings and weren't even recognized at some of those Bolton meetings to say, "What is this budget going to look like? How is it going to impact?" So, we were ready, we were prepared, we gave them all of our budget information, but they they didn't ask us the questions they should have been asking us. Um the other part I can say, and I know Rob's in the room, I'm not sure if that's the priority back, right? That might be school committee or your particular priority, but I think the school of Bolton Elementary and Rob, I think they might look a little differently. They might want that adjust additional adjustment counselor point back, or they might want a kindergarten para back as well, too. So, there's other things they need to look at.