It's just what I would want to say coming out of that expo. And then uh lastly, just a thank you to all our teachers for working so hard in this last month. We're at almost at the finish line, so thank you for making 25 26 so productive. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Miss Marquez? Hello, good evening, everybody. So, quite a few things. I was able to attend our volunteer luncheon. Hats off to Mr. Ivan Carvajal and his team of amazing CEOs. It was beautiful and I love seeing how um let's see, I I wrote it down. So, this year we have 14,595 volunteer hours. And that's just the ones recorded, cuz I know I didn't record all of mine. And there's quite a few and few other parents probably didn't. And I recall, I think it was 2 years ago we were at 8,000. So, so two Well, last year was 10.
Let's put it in and I feel like the new superintendent should look at it and decide what works for him and us. So, I mean, not for nothing. You know what I mean? Scheduling is part of that open meeting law complaint that we got results on today, so you know, you're you're you're suggesting that it's hard to plan out that far in advance, right? No. Especially with the superintendent, but it's generally second Tuesday. >> might have a meeting and be thinking about Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. He might be like, "Oh, I have something with my family at that time." Is that are these set in stone like I don't know. Nothing's set in stone. Nothing's set in stone. So, I mean, I get that we want to put something on the calendar now so we have it, but I mean, we're not meeting at all in the summer.
We're just here to provide a device, make sure it works, and provide feedback. Now, one thing in this model that the IT department is committed to doing is providing feedback. I mean, that's one thing that I think we can do really well is go in classrooms and we can say, "Hey, we found stuff that's damaged. We're finding this issue consistently with one teacher. Let's work with that instructional coach being the teacher, the AP instructional coaches to try to to work on the management of it. Not so much the usage, but the management." Um, and that's something that I would love to have a resource in my department that knows that really well, but we're not really instructional. We are support. So, um, and I and I'm looking to work with principles in any way possible on this model. Um, but I think we're the one thing that that we are up against is we don't want to continue to see fees racked up for families to pay.
I think those are things we look at shifting our capital funds and making them a priority with our purchase. And and there are things that we're not doing in our district when we talk about capital funds. And I'm sorry I'm going down another rabbit hole like textbook adoptions. Like it would be nice to adopt textbooks. And so those are the things that even if we have the bond money, we're still going to have to decide how do we get back into the textbook adoption cycle so we have current materials for our students to use. how you know and we talk about like right now we don't have a social studies curriculum adoption and that's one of the most contentious things and a good way to protect our teachers would be to have an adopted social studies curriculum. So it's they're not just out doing the best that they can with the things they have that they have an adopted curriculum that we've approved and that you've approved and that we've looked at and vetted out and make sure that they're teaching things appropriately and not going down any any rabbit holes that will get our district in trouble.
Last year was 12? Yes. It was 8,000. Okay, but then 4 years ago it was at 8. >> [laughter] >> I've been going to these for a while and they're awesome. So, y'all need to get your volunteer on so you could get to one of these luncheons, cuz it's a You don't want to miss this event. And um yeah, so I mean what that that translates into about approximately almost $290,000 if we hired someone to do that many hours. So, it's amazing and obviously research shows that the more involved parents are, the better student outcomes. So, let's keep up that great work. Um I also got to attend Excelencia's 25-year anniversary and time capsule opening and I was so excited. I took my daughter and really there was just this kind of like air of excitement and like nostalgia. Um. Getting to experience that. Um, a lot of people, a lot of fun, some good community partners were there and um, so it was cool [clears throat] seeing, you know, the new principal there interacting with the with the families and also it was really, I think kind of eye-opening seeing what came out of the time capsule from 20 years ago and seeing what went into the current time capsule.
Our first meeting is September 8th. We're not meeting before school starts. Do you want to have an August meeting? I think we should. Especially with the new superintendent starting. I would think we'd want one in July. I mean, I would think we would meet with him right when he starts. Yeah. I've never met him. Yes, you have. Oh, you have You weren't at the union >> not. Yeah, you didn't interview. I did not interview. I was at the meet and greet. I left that meeting before. What do you think? We can vote for the dates and not vote time on it. Why don't we instead of voting tonight as we just talked about adding it, why don't we add the meeting at the end of the I think we definitely need We usually meet like before school starts like the week before or whatever. >> Mhm.
And I think that's the big elephant in the room for me is trying to solve that and trying to work with schools to solve, you know, our parents from having to pay fees to replace Chromebooks and um, and have ongoing expenses in that area. So, >> one of the things I think that I want to and thank you, Miss Dion, I think it's important to hear that because it does go through my mind as well on on the fact that it would be and and I can already hear I sitting here long enough probably already hear the groans about if that's something that's going to be um another task added to an overall teachers already hectic day. However, one of the things you you hit on the head, Mr. uh Bates is that you know as we're as we're looking at the overall model of teaching or whatever it may be.
So those are things down the rabbit hole that if inflation go So to answer your question, if inflation goes up, we will do the things that we're telling the public we're going to do and then we're still going to prioritize what else is important. Is it ceilings? Is it textbook adoptions? We're still going to have to make some difficult decisions and be efficient with our money, but we're going to make it happen. And this this place is going to be an amazing place if if we're able to get that bond passed. Period. and we'll figure we'll figure out the details and we will make it happen. >> I agree with you too that um that they are broad enough the topics are broad enough that some things can fit in different places >> the leftover things. >> We as a board still have to vote on each individual item.
So that would be a great conversation. Outside of here to have. Um. I also got to go um, TCA CEO had a had a nice kind of end of year potluck cafecito with volunteers. So interacting with them and getting feedback about PTOs specifically. I know um, you know, we're at TCA we're trying to get our PTO set up for next year and and um, you know, I know other schools are as well. Um, Mackin had an amazing, amazing Mother's Day um, kind of like a banquet um, event and I swear there was probably at least a hundred hundred moms in there. So again, hats off to our CEO there, Lucia um, Gonzalez. Her and their PTO team did also a beautiful job and they had a mariachi and tons of food. It was beautiful. Um. I just can't read my handwriting. What else did I write?
So, when does school start? August 26th? We We had it So, last year we had it for that date and that was the first day of school and it was recommended not to do it because that would >> could do it the week before. uh a crazy day, right? Yeah. We said we do it the week before. So, we kind of have it up there. Something like that. So, you're looking at August 18th? No, it'll be uh like the 24th or something. Oh, no, that's the week before. >> is the Tuesday before the first day is the 26th, right? Wednesday 26th. So, we could either meet on Tuesday, August 18th. But, I So, the August dates are going to be tough for everybody, right? Cuz they've got things going on, but what do you want to do? Could be Zoom. Or >> But, the the Do you want to meet in July when Dr.
We went we really had a really good footing foundation when a pandemic hit the entire world and we were pretty well off and able to do what we needed to do to make sure education continue and primarily due to everything that you had you and your team had put in place. But what I think we continue to do is is is and and I'm just seeing this as a as a point of from from the outside looking in. But again, this is why feedback from our teachers or our sites is really important is that maybe we continued in the way that we thought would be the best and it was 100% technology because they do get a lot of use and they have been getting a lot of use. They were sent home for x amount of years after even co was was done. Um and maybe we just need to really look at and focus on what other ways or means that we can continue to not only provide education but as you noted use the tools that we have to diversify the way that students are learning.
>> Good. >> I mean >> ultimately it comes down to our shoulders whether we're where we're going to put the money. >> Yeah. So, >> but you have we have the hearings after we get saying we get the money. We have the hearings to show where the money is going and it has to be what was mentioned in the >> Yeah, we can't pull something out of the sky. >> No, you can't just >> Yeah. One thing I've heard over and over again is transparency. And that's I think we've done a pretty good job getting out in front and trying to be as honest and forthright with people. And like um Sada brought up, I think after you know moving forward, we're going to we need to continue to be transparent and have a good trust relationship because you know as we talked about as the school goes the town will go as well you know in a positive or a negative way and we want people to be on our side.
Uh, I'm sorry I missed the the end of year awards ceremony. Had some family stuff come up, but um, I typically like going there cuz it's really cool to see all the like employees and staff and teachers together and seeing all the the folks get their awards for for, you know, many years of service. Um. And let's see. Um. Also, I want to put some uh, some info out. So I know we had a few speakers touch on ICE, and I want to point out that there is a parent and teacher ICE preparedness training that's coming up Monday, May 18th. For more information, go to borderlandsinitiative.org if you're interested in that event. I attended one of those trainings before, and it's great great information for teachers, principals, anybody who's in education or on a campus in regards to what's going on with ICE. So, there's that.
Conway starts? I I don't know. We We should We should, right? We probably should, but here's the thing is tough to schedule that with him right now because he's not officially an employee, right? So, we could uh revisit this in June, talk to him about a July date. I'm I'm up for anything. What do you like? I mean, we can have a tentative date. So, he's due to We're going to meet next week. We have an all day he's coming in with me. Um so, how about if I put Are you guys comfortable if we just I bring this to him? Or do you guys want to vote on something now? I'm fine with it, but in the past sometimes like meetings have just appeared on my calendar without consent and like Yeah. I mean, it's fine like if I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation, but I would like to meet the new superintendent.
Um I understand that that and and again because you said yourself it can get a lot deeper. But what I don't want is for us to be another burden on an already uh strained family situation to where I'm not going to participate in school because I already know I'm not going to be able to participate in anything going on because of these fees I can't pay. Or if we want students at school and we want them to be successful, we'll sit there on your phone because you messed up your laptop and now you're being punished because you didn't take care of it. You should know better. You should be held yourself accountable. I think that that's not setting a good example. was punishing kids for something that maybe and I get it that some kids maybe do do it intentionally. But if it's something outside of a a student's actual um control, then maybe the model of keeping them at the school works better and they don't get to take them home.
We want to have a good collaboration between the town and the school and the people who live here. We want it to be a positive uh synergy. So >> So I have another question. Sorry. um you you say you were saying that you're going to get a whole bid as a whole, you know, get the most bang for our buck, things like that. So, um is there a way to incorporate the bond money going towards back to the businesses in the community to have them bid on this stuff or is it Yeah. specific state like some of the vendors that we have to use have to be on the list or what does that look like? like putting money, you know, the bond money back into our community businesses is that >> so people any anybody can submit bids for the bond. Um, and we're going to go with whatever way once again is going to get us the most bang for our buck.
And then, um last but definitely not least, um staying in alignment really with um you know, our mantra student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change. Um uh reflecting upon our last meeting and our vote on the iPads, I feel that um as a board as well as a superintendent, we may have strayed away from our guardrails. And I've had a conversation with President Garrido and Superintendent Mann about that. Um and also kind of take on ownership for my part in it and putting my own convenience ahead of of student outcomes. But it really made me kind of dive into more into our guardrails and how we adhere to those as we're making our decisions up here and working with our leadership team. So, I think you know, I I have a lot I could say on that, but I'm not going to um except for the I think the the one most important part comes down to policy.
So, if I'm fine with you discussing it with him, but then could somebody put it out and say, "Hey, does this date work for you guys?" before we just kind of like pull the trigger on scheduling it. I don't know if that's too much to ask. What do you mean What do you mean meetings just magically appear on your calendar without your consent? The last executive session just appeared. Which one? >> about the time. 30th at 6:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. Which one was that for? The last >> The last executive session was April 30th. Yeah. I That was pre-approved. >> in another country. You weren't in the country. I think it was based on when those days were people other people were available. >> Yeah. I didn't find out until I don't know when. But I think there was an unusual circumstance. Yeah. Are we talking about that last executive session?
I I didn't know they were still taking them home because I know Intermediate hasn't been taking them home for a while now. Um, but other campuses and I think as students grow older, you would think they would be held a little bit more responsible, but a third grader to be held accountable the way that we're wanting all of our students to be held accountable, I don't think evens out um or whatever it may be or that family member or whatever, whatever, however we want to look at it. Um, so I agree. I think this is a really good starting off point for conversation and I and I I want to say I agree. Um, I mean, I want to continue the conversation and Miss Lennon brings up a good point. Um, so I would like to hear some feedback as far as a board member.
And so, you know, supporting local businesses and having a good synergy with our community is an important thing. Um, but these are big projects and they're big dollar projects and so we we're still going to give it to whoever's going to do the best job for the least and and follow procurement. I mean, it's all about procurement where we can't and I think if you Yeah, you have to follow procurement period. And I want to make sure that people know that it's not a good old boys. for following the rules. But like you said, if there's people, everybody's welcome to come in and competit and make a competitive bid. We're not going to deny anybody for making a competitive bid. And I totally understand the importance of synergy with the community, but we have to follow the procurement process for for all of our bids.