And I'm looking forward to the new school year. I know we get a break. You know. But I'm excited for the new year. I have a year under my school board belt, so I feel like I'm a little more confident and prepared. And uh I'm looking forward to making good choices for all of our students. Rob. Yes, first of all, I'll just piggyback off of Kristen's uh congratulations to all the graduates tomorrow. So, I look forward to being there and celebrating with you. Um tomorrow. And I always enjoy the uh the speeches. Um you know, usually pretty inspiring. So, I'm looking forward to to hearing that. Um And speaking of the experience of the BHS, I had the opportunity to go to my son's college graduation, undergrad graduation over the weekend. And I always um I always get pretty inspired when I go go to those uh type of, you know, for various family members.
Um and most importantly of course for our context in terms of the learning is um workforce development. So making sure that the technology we have here sets kids up for success in their career of choice. Um we wanted to take a minute to um recognize our team who's been working so so hard on all of this behind the scenes. Um, so people you're seeing up here, they're members of the IT department and the teaching and learning department. Um, so something that happens a lot in schools is that um, the teaching and learning people and the IT people don't necessarily always really work closely together and sometimes um, goals and priorities can kind of be at odds with each other. So, um, we make sure that we're we're working together from the ground up and building all this together. Um, so Jacqueline Hunter, she's our instructional technology specialist.
And you hear some of the speakers and um couple of ones that uh really stuck out to me was um a woman by the name of Marguerite uh Barankitse, who um was involved in, if you remember, the early '90s Burundi, Rwanda, the genocide that happened over there. She actually was part of a very um tragic situation over there. I I won't go into the details here, but you can look that up. But um she was very hopeful even going through that. Um and she was able to kind of um save a number of people's lives and turn turn it around. And she used her you know, her will to um come up with a uh programs that uh help refugees. And And I think about our graduates here, they're moving on to various, you know, pathways after graduation. But I I I if you always keep in mind that, you know, that hope, you know, you're working um for the common good.
She's with me in the teaching and learning department. Um, and then we have Louis, Mario, and Jason on the IT side. Um, and everyone is managing different aspects of the work because there's just there's a lot of this right a lot of work right now as we're getting everything cleaned up and ready to go. Um, next Hey, Mario. Um, speaking of Mario, >> he wants his picture up longer. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. [gasps] >> Um, so again, what we back what we brought back here was looking at our current systems, what was in place. Number one, um, safety and security. The purchasing was decentralized for a while. Um and that means that um there wasn't uh like a set vetting process that was uniform across the school. And then also potential financial inefficiency. When you centralize this kind of thing, you make sure that um you know your resources are being used as efficiently as possible.
So, uh I hope they they keep that in mind as they as they move forward. And then the other one was um Dr. Tim Shriver, who's part of the Shriver Kennedy family. Um he's the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver or son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sorry. Um and he uh picked up where his mom left off with Special Olympics. So, he talked about that. And he really talked about you know, the dignity of people. And he encouraged the graduates to really uh really look at when you you interact with people, um you know, look at the dignity there. And every person is special when and we need to treat each other that way. So, um just a couple thoughts I wanted to share. All right. So, it's May, so it's Happy Asian Pacific Heritage Month. It's also Mental Health Awareness, and I think a lot of people after tomorrow will have a good mental health break >> [laughter] >> for a few months.
We don't duplicate etc. Um and so this is the part what Brenda mentioned about go teacher. So, Go Teachers, a company that um is helping us with all of this. Um they basically bring all of the information together and um what um Louie and Jason found in their searches that we have we had over 1,600 applications in use that were not vetted. Um, and a lot of those are considered to be shadow apps that don't um, have formal safety reviews. Um, and again, our big concern is student data privacy. That information goes out there. Um, there are lots of companies out there that really want to do good things and there are others that don't and, you know, want to take advantage of our our students. And so going through this process, we're making sure to cut out any of those organizations that um do not have those those good intentions.
So, uh >> [clears throat] >> and then just thanks to Robin and Danielle for taking on the task of interviewing and selecting our student board members. I appreciate that. And then congratulations to the class of 2026, and I hope everyone has a healthy, safe, and happy summer. Nice. Um I want to start by saying we had so many uh celebrations at the beginning of the meeting tonight. So, congratulations to people that are new to the district, our new uh student board members, and everybody that was is recognized tonight. It's always inspiring. Um I want to say congratulations to all those who are retiring from BPS 101. And uh I think Thursday will be almost their last day. Uh so, we're excited for them, and I'm a little envious of what they get to embark on now with their next step. Um I want to thank my fellow board members for their service to the district.
So um we we're down from 1,600, we're now down to under a little under 500. And we're we're going we're going um we've gotten to the point where now we're going to look at the different apps very closely um and do uh just a a more a more detailed vetting process to to shrink the list down. So um now that we got get to this point, we're designing a new protocol so that any requests that come through going forward will go through this process. Um, so we're going to make sure that it checks off all the boxes in all the areas that we just discussed, compliance, efficiency, and data privacy. Um, every single app will be approved by um, a committee. It's basically the teaching, learning, and IT departments. Um, and um, we plan to roll all of this out in August. U, we have [snorts] let the whole staff know at our May faculty meeting.
I know we our work continues, but there's sort of a rhythm to it right now. So, I want to thank them for that. And I want to specifically thank uh my family, specifically my wife and my kids for the sacrifices they make to allow me to serve. Uh of course, I want to congratulate the class of 2026 and their families. I agree. I'll echo the sentiments. For me, it's one of the highlights of the year. The energy in that building is someone who's has child walk across that stage. It's a very special moment for friends, family, and the entire community. So, I look forward to seeing everybody there. And then I want to say thank you to all the teachers, staff, administrators, families, and members of the community who have supported our students and the district. I hope everyone has a great summer, and we look forward to seeing them back in the fall.
We gave them a little bit of initial information, told them that this is coming. Um, and we'll have this whole process um, ready to go for start of school this next year. Um, and this is just a little bit more specifically how we're what that protocol is going to look like. We just kind of need to figure out the sequence and all the details, but we know that from a teaching and learning standpoint, we want to look at um, is it of educational value? What's our return on investment? Um, and how does it align with our educational philosophy here? and it is going to look at the real technical side of things and making sure we have those data privacy agreements. And so this is just in in timeline format basically what we just discussed. Um this is pulled out of our pages and pages of notes from the conference.
Okay. Um congratulations to the class of 2026. I I'm sad not to be there tomorrow. Um I never got to experience a graduation until I attended as a school board member because of circumstances. So, I maybe I could have, but I should have, but I didn't. Um I think one of the coolest things that I will always take with me was walking into the room and on the first year I didn't really know anybody and any of the kids that were graduating, but it was like walking to a into a group of kindergarteners, and it was just so cool to see all of them. They were just so giddy. The energy, like you were talking about the energy, it was something I've never experienced before. And then as the years gone, [snorts] like, you know, I've I think I've gone to three so far, and it's just And then it was cool to see my friends' kids.
We really like this quote um that people cannot follow rules that they have never been taught and a privacy program is not a single policy. It is a culture of shared accountability. This is a mindset shift. This is um helping people become very critical about what they're clicking on. Um and and we we we know it's going to be a process and um we're we are excited to get people on board. [snorts] Um and then oh yeah last piece too um we just found out recently we um we had submitted a proposal to um present this work at the best practices and innovations in CTE conference. Um it's basically um it's meant for CTE superintendent um principles etc. They get together once a year and share [clears throat] innovations and best practices. And so we were selected um to share this. We'll be able to share this with other um vocational schools in the state um in September.
And then, you know, just uh And this year it's it's hitting me because these are the kids that when my daughter started as a kindergartner, these are the fifth graders. And so, I know a lot of them. Um and it's just wild, but um congratulations. I will always say that graduation graduating high school is not a given. It is a heck of a journey, and there are so many circumstances. So to any of the students who are not able to graduate because of certain circumstances, you do still matter. We still celebrate whatever journey you've been on and hope for the best. Um, and for all the other kids, no matter where they're going, just I hope for the best and um, wishing you the best of luck. I do have to read. I just like can't look around because I'm going to get emotional. Um, This part is really hard.
>> Any questions? >> Thank you very much. How long how long was this conference was? >> I want to say what was it? Three or three days? 4 days. >> Three and a half days. Yeah. >> Thank you for taking the time to do it and thank you for sharing the feedback to us. >> Sure. Yeah. Happy to. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> You too. Um I actually have a very unrelated thing to share. It's a shout out um that was sent to me. [laughter] Please >> um ask and you shall receive um incredible things happening in other departments as well, other career areas. So, this is from Dave Thompson um from the metal fabrication um shop. Uh student Daniel Ramirez. He got early acceptance into local uh 537. It's the pipe fitters union tonight. Um it is that's not an easy thing to achieve and especially um even before graduation.
Um, so I'm just going to read, okay? Um, after much reflection and with a very heavy heart, I am announcing my resignation from my seat as a school board member. Um, the reason for my resignation should not come as a surprise. Over the past 3 years, I've openly discussed in our meetings and emails the barriers I have often faced. When I was sworn in, I promised to use my voice to advocate for every student and our staff members and to help ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all. I also took an oath to represent my constituents honestly and courageously. I understand there may be disappointment or confusion surrounding this decision. I leave knowing I remain true to those commitments. I was an advocate before this role and I will continue to be one after it. When I ran for school board, I identified a need for stronger communication and transparency.
Um so thought that would be something great to share with all of you. one more um student example and career area example to celebrate >> in this very very busy night full of a lot of content. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Um before I get to the student handbook updates, can I ask if we have any interest in the committee to give me a motion? I'd like to move the coaches up. They've been sitting here very patiently. I would like to get them rearranged the which which item is it? >> It's the travel coaches the travel grip vulture. >> Okay, I'll make a motion and move it up the agenda. >> All those in favor opposed >> I just wanted to comment on the um last presentation. I think that this their the work that was already done is extremely important and critical to the safety and security of not only our students as you could uh as you uh heard through their highlights but also that this work is ongoing work and has put on more responsibility to some of our administrators and in particular our IT department who has to follow up and manage all the new software.
I believe that by serving on the board, I would be able to better understand district decisions while helping elevate the voices and experiences shared by students, parents, and staff. Instead, I encountered repeated barriers to open dialogue, transparency, and meaningful discussion. Efforts to place issues on agendas often required months follow-up and too often concerns raised by our community felt dismissed or minimized. I was especially discouraged by the inability of our current processes to genuinely hear staff and student voices. The board is elected to serve alongside the community, not separate from it. We should be hearing directly from students, staff, and families, not solely through the lens of administration. Seeking a full understanding of an issue should never be treated as an inconvenience. Over time, these breakdowns in communication and transparency limited my ability to effectively advocate for the community I was elected to serve. If I may leave the board with one suggestion, it is this.
It also will uh lower our cost with software and make sure that we're getting not only quality but safe software. Uh and uh being a leader in this has already been recognized uh as you know because of the responsibility of two administrators seeing how important and critical this is. Both Brenda and uh Penna taking the initiative to make sure we were a safe school. I applaud them for that. Thank you. >> Thank you. uh coaches uh out of state travel coaches Tony Sakis and uh AD director Mike Nelson are here. Um you can blame me, gentlemen. Um for $14,330, I would like to hear from you why we're doing this. >> Yeah. Well, first of all, thank you for having us. I think it was a blessing being here for this whole thing because a lot of the things that we uh we heard about can be remedied by kids playing sports and keeping them active that they can uh we look at a holistic approach to the kids.
Please prioritize curiosity, transparency, and an open board dialogue. I know we get offered one-on-ones, but I have often stressed in our various groups the immense importance of our various perspectives to come together in one room and to hold conversations in one room. And we often do not have that opportunity. We should absolutely value the expertise of our administration. Absolutely. But that should never supersede the lived experiences of our students, our staff, parents, and the broader community, especially our students. The makeup of our table at the moment symbolizes who is being centered in our discussions. I hope in the future the table changes a little bit. It's going to seat board members, student board members, and maybe there's an possibility to bring various store staff members voices to the table during discussions that impact day-to-day life inside the classroom. Just kind of like what you guys were talking to, right?
The skills USA very big advocate of that keeps the kids involved and sports is another avenue for these kids to learn discipline, learn rules, all the stuff that uh kind of gets them into that uh mature uh responsibility. Mr. They hit him. I think you remember Louis Pantini that was in your shop. First time we went to the Nationals was with him back in 1999 and I saw him last week and he talks about that experience that's turned him into a man. He's working for a housing authority in Lawrence. He has four kids now. He can't stop talking about that. So, we can't underestimate a lot of the things that we do here at the school in athletics that make our kids uh young men and young ladies at the end of the day. So, I thank you for listening to us. We have our uh four 11 kids that are qualified for the nationals in North Carolina.