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We just heard about this for the first time today by an email from Coach Decker about the Combmes soccer program being eliminated from the high school. Um, I felt compelled to appear before the sport to express my concerns. I've also spoken with other parents who were not able to attend due to the short notice. Our daughter, Kendall, is a freshman on the soccer team. She loves soccer. She's been playing since she was four years old. She's been playing multiple seasons during the year from Gilbert to Globe to Mesa here at Queen Creek and Santan Valley um since she was seven years old. And she's loved playing for Combmes whether it's middle school for both seventh and eighth grade year, also in the high school as her freshman year, and she's looking forward to playing and continuing even into college. Um, she wears her combs colors at practices for her wreck team, which is in Gilbert, and doesn't care who the other schools are because she probably represents being a coyote.
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Um, so like I don't remember who it was, but someone said, you know, kind of stretching that and having having that um we had a fund that had some reserves in it that we're able to kind of use for the kind of for the purpose of what it was for, right? Um, so, uh, thank you for, uh, thank you for putting this together, >> Mr. Harmon. Um, thanks for putting that slide back up because I really wanted to look at that, too. Um, what is our current outstanding meal account balance, the total >> negative charges, student charges? >> That's what they owe us. Yes. >> Believe I might have that here. >> [laughter] >> He might have known as the question. >> Last week it was about 7,300. As of today, as of yesterday, it's about $6,400. And compare that to other districts, which I know you didn't even ask this, but um we we really limit how negative students go after um Jason could correct me, but after two or three meals of negative balances, um they you know, they'll be given an alternate meal instead >> and that keeps our negative balances very tight, which is great.
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So I just wanted to throw that out to congratulate the students. And then on to the high school, make sure to go and support your fine arts department tomorrow at 700 p.m. There will be performances from the Madison band and choir as well as a full art of as well as an art show full of works from all the high school arts classes. Um, congratulations to the Madison School Theater Department for being honored with the national recognition um for theater education program. Congratulations to all the AP testers who are still um who have finished their test and who are still taking those tests. Um, congratulations to all of those who were awarded um and represented MCHS at the community foundation scholarship event. I know all of the my classmates worked really hard for those and I was really proud to see those achievements. And then I'd like to wish all the students and staff a great end of our year.
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But I really appreciate folks willingness and interest. Um I think this is great. I was very excited by the possibility of sending folks I believe that they have their final meeting of the year next Wednesday 5 to 6:30 at community action. There will be pizza. There will be our incoming superintendent. Um and I think they also just launched a CPAC website that they made. So folks should check that out. um they do good work and I want to just really give a deep gratitude and appreciation for community action for volunteering their space and I believe they provide the food >> so and the child care I mean they're really they're really um expending a lot of resources to support some of our folks um and it's that kind of partnership that that makes makes this community what it is um and we're deep deep deeply grateful to them for their service and for their uh for their resources Okay.
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Um, this is an issue that has preceded I think this particular sitting of the school committee. Um, and we're I I'm not going to bring a particular motion right now, but I wanted to not let that conversation go unagnowledged or unnoticed. Um, and I do think that uh as folks of conscience, we have a responsibility when we hear that sort of thing to say yes, okay, we are hearing you. And then deliberately and thoughtfully moving forward, figure out what we're going to do about that. Because even though we might not have started it, we might not be right now the individual cause, um, we have a responsibility to act and to live up to the mission of our schools, which is that we are a place where every student is supported on their path to success. And we mean every student. Um, I do think that this is a conversation that goes beyond our schools.
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And she dedicates her time at not just playing, but being a leader and a team player because she knows that is what playing soccer is. It's fun, but it's also a group project. Like more than one person gets involved with it and is affected by it. Soccer is a game of passion and joy. I mean, kids don't start playing because they are involved with NIL or anything like that. They want to play because they have fun. And for girls, it helps our daughters develop into leaders and team players. It stimulates the mind and body while creating emotions that will help them face life with strength, determination, and confidence, especially in this everchanging terrifying world that can be absolutely amazing. In conclusion, real fast because I know I'm running out of time. Um, Mia Ham, who was one of the first faces of American soccer and the person who inspired me to play sports growing up, said, "Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you as a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back.
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>> Mr. Harmon, what do we do with that balance at the end of the school year? >> So, um, at a certain point, and I think this just happened a couple weeks ago, we no longer allow negative charges at a certain point of the year and send out information for parents to true that balance up. Um, and we we never send the collections or anything like that. So, some of these balances will linger and we'll come go from grade to grade. Um, occasionally they'll even come, you know, be there whenever they graduate. We'll work on >> But a negative a student account does not prohibit any student from graduating. Correct. >> We've never done that. No. >> We're still doing the summer lunch program as well. >> We are. >> That's not getting cut. No. And that's a federal program that the meals are are free for everyone.
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And then finally, I'd like to st thank thank the board for having me as this year's student school representative. It's been a wonderful opportunity and just thank you for letting me do this. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, Mike. Well, I'm going to first say um thank you to this wonderful young lady here. Um I don't think I'm going to ever change my seat on this board. I like sitting on the end sitting next to the student rep. Um, this time of year is is both exciting and sad in that it's it's the end of one school year and you get kind of um hooked on certain kids that are seniors and stuff. So, knowing that this is the last uh board meeting before uh we have graduation, I just want to say a hearty thank you to uh this year's senior class um and all the year-end events.
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Um, this next item, um, I want to acknowledge that there was a human rights commission discussion, I believe either late April or early earlier this month, um, where there was there was a significant portion of their agenda dedicated to talking about the schools and racism that's been experienced by many students for many years in our schools. Um, this is an issue that has preceded I think this particular sitting of the school committee. Um, and we're I I'm not going to bring a particular motion right now, but I wanted to not let that conversation go unagnowledged or unnoticed. Um and I do think that uh as folks of conscience we have a responsibility when we hear that sort of thing to say yes okay we are hearing you and then deliberately and thoughtfully moving forward figure out what we're going to do about that because even though we might not have started it we might not be right now the individual cause um we have a responsibility to act and to live up to the mission of our schools, which is that we are a place where every student is supported on their path to success.
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This is a communitywide conversation. This is a western masswide conversation. This is a United States conversation. Um, and so, you know, I don't think that we're going to come up with anything that is so novel or unique that, you know, I don't think we're experiencing anything that hasn't been experienced by people all over um all over this country. Um, but that doesn't mean that we don't have a responsibility. It doesn't mean that we can't have good conversations. That doesn't mean we can't actually do things as we know what the things to do are. Um, so that's sort of what I wanted to say about that. Um, and just give it the time and acknowledgement that I think it deserves.
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Play for her." Members of the board, these young women play for Combmes. I'm asking you, play for them. >> Thank you. >> Great. Um, Shelby Decker. Okay, bear with me.
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>> Okay. >> And we're reimbursed for for all meals. >> And that's just for the um for June, correct? >> Yeah. Just the month of June. It's four weeks. >> Sorry, I have two kids. I know because we're we go >> we do that. [laughter] >> So, Mr. Harmon, I'm looking at this comparison which thank you so very much for putting together and I'm a little a little taken back. I don't want to be higher than Tempe Union or Chandler in the my lunch program. Um because we would be the highest charge in lunch. But granted, I know that we would be less in breakfast. Ultimately together, if people got both, we would be okay. It just I am still struggling with going from zero to two. And I and I understand member Lopez's um viewpoint of like ripping off the band-aid, just doing it now, but some families might have a hard time ripping off that band-aid um for 200% increase um in breakfast.
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Um it was really fun to look on Facebook and see all the prom pictures um that were posted. Uh obviously this last weekend there were a lot of uh our students who also graduated from IvyTech. Um we have sectionals coming up so uh a lot still to happen um before we start congratulating them uh across the stage. And um I'll tell you what, I don't ever remember a year like this year where we uh as a corporation, Dr. Brown as our superintendent um have received so many wonderful awards for for all the achievements and excellence that's gone on. Um that just doesn't happen by accident. So um I think life is really really good at Madison Consolidated Schools and I'm looking forward to uh the success continuing. Thanks, Mike. John, >> I too would like to uh congratulate our students that were here tonight and honored with all their hard work.
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And we mean every student. Um, I do think that this is a conversation that goes beyond our schools. This is a communitywide conversation. This is a western masswide conversation. This is a United States conversation. Um, and so, you know, I don't think that we're going to come up with anything that is so novel or unique that, you know, I don't think we're experiencing anything that hasn't been experienced by people all over um all over this country. Um, but that doesn't mean that we don't have a responsibility to act and it doesn't mean that we can't have good conversations and that doesn't mean we can't actually do things as we know what the things to do are. Um, so That's sort of what I wanted to say about that. Um, and just give it the time and acknowledgement that I think it deserves.
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Are there any questions, comments, um, or ideas for actual for tangible action? So I watched that meeting and then I attended just the beginning of last Monday's human rights commission meeting and suggested that the members be in touch with the school committee about concerns because it had gone a little further and was they were talking about curriculum design etc. And I said the school committee is the the place for this and we all have big ears. I left After that, Erin stayed as the liaison, but I think they'll be following up here. Great. member trials, >> I think we can start by gathering information on, you know, if there are race related disciplinary incidents happening at the school, what kind of numbers we're having there, as well as something that's less hard data and more just conversations with students. I think we need to know exactly what is going on to figure out what we can do about it.
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Um, good evening members of the board. My name is Shelby and I'm the head girls soccer coach at Combmes High School. I'm here tonight to express my concern regarding the proposed decision decision to cut the girls soccer program. School sports are about more than just wins and losses. Programs like girls soccer provide students with opportunities to build confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong friendships. For many students, athletics create a sense of belonging and motivation to stay engaged in school and both academically and socially. Cutting this program sends a discouraging discouraging message to the young women in the district about the value of their opportunities and participation. These girls deserve the same chances to compete, grow, and represent their school with pride. If we cut core programs, what will make students choose Combmes over a charter school or another district? I'm disappointed to find out about this matter.
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Um so I'm still struggling with that. I do appreciate all the options and seeing that um that really is very helpful um and I understand um you know we don't want to take from M to do this. We want this to continue to be a self- sustainable program, but I'm I'm wondering if a if a um staggered Yeah. um tiered um might it it will cost us next year, but then getting up to that point um I That's where I'm at right now. >> What would be the immediate impact of staggering? Is there something that we would not be able to do? >> You said that first step is 80, it'll impact we'll have to spend 80,000. There it is. There's >> I think if ultimately if we know where we need to be, if it's a staggered approach that gets there in um you know more than one year, then it it makes this uh this burden to M not necessarily an ongoing cost but a one-time cost and we we approach those things very differently.
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It's just always amazing that every meeting when we do honor them uh how many moving parts and how many different programs we make available for these for these kids and uh it's just uh just very rewarding to see them come in and be recognized for for all their accomplishments. Deputy, you did a great job tonight presenting their school. That's that's another thing that takes us back every month. Just amazed at our schools and how many innovative programs they implement uh to keep the students engaged. So would like congratulate them as well. Miss Savannah, we're going to miss you. You know, I give you an open invitation. You can come back to the school board meeting anytime you want and hang out with us. Okay? But uh I know your future is going to be very bright and and we're all excited to see where life takes you.
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Are there any questions, comments, um, or ideas for actual for tangible action? Yes, Jenny. So I watched that meeting and then I attended just the beginning of last Monday's human rights commission meeting and suggested that the members be in touch with the school committee about concerns because it had gone a little further and was they were talking about curriculum design etc. And I said the school committee is the the place for this and we all have big ears. I left after that. Erin stayed as the liaison, but I think they'll be following up here. Great. Member child, >> I think we can start by gathering information on, you know, if there are race related disciplinary incidents happening at the school, what kind of numbers we're having there, as well as something that's less hard data and more just conversations with students. I think we need to know exactly what is going on to figure out what we can do about it.
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And I look forward to hearing more about what kind of curriculum we have and what kind of blind spots can be fixed. But first, we have to dig in and find out these basic starting points. >> I guess as a citizen, I was disturbed by some comments about our our staff because I know that it is very hard to hire people and we have worked hard to um school district has worked incredibly hard to recruit people to our district and there are charts if you want information about the diversity of staff on the Department of Education website and that is reported um and statements were were not accurate about um the staff in our buildings and I think that disturbed me because it sort of misrepresented who who our staff was and I guess I just took some if you have questions about that I mean and you don't have time to come here those are actual required state reports that are public information website um you can access that.
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