She believes deeply in building strong connections and lifelong learning and creating classrooms where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow. She approaches each day with compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her students and her family. Her strength, resilience, and care inspire everyone around her. And from just reading her story, I can tell you that is very true. And that lasting impact is felt in this community always. So, congratulations, Jennifer. >> [applause] >> And from Lafayette, we'll have Ms. Kenny come back to the mic. >> Lafayette School is proud to recognize Ms. Reese >> [applause] >> as our educator of the year. As a dedicated special education teacher, she goes above and beyond each day to support the academic, social, and emotional growth for her students. Ms. Reese creates a classroom environment where all students feel valued, supported, and capable of success. Her compassion, patience, and commitment to inclusive inclusive education make a lasting impact on our school community, and we are grateful for all she does for our students and family.
>> Okay. I think they changed it like it used to be like called curriculum content and then they changed it to like curriculum and they change certain things like student learning standards I believe was mostly just >> yeah small language changes I think they described as minor language updating yeah >> do we have an idea of what the composition of make or makeup what the advisory committee for AI would look like. >> I would go to staff on that and yeah >> of course come to the committee. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to community relations. Yes. Do you have any updates from the PTO? So the PTO presidents JY shared a few updates. There was teacher and staff appreciation. They coordinated breakfast, lunch, coffee, snack delivery, and treats in teachers lounge. May 1st was also principal appreciation day. So thank you for everything you do.
They come in for a full day and each individual from the business office has interview time with them. Angelo Alban participated uh this year. So, it's extremely uh informative and helpful for our business. Um, we are going to be engaging in uh our summer facilities project. The major project, open bid project is with the high school where high school masonry project. We're going to be doing concrete work on a retaining wall, sidewalk, steps. Uh we've already had our pre-construction meeting and we hope to engage that project starting June 1st. We are engaging in our end of year and we are engaging in our start of year 2627. We just opened up that budget. I just like to take folks eyes to page 33. >> We are engaging in a become another member of a cooperative. And again, a cooperative allows us not to engage in the bid or quote process because these bids have already been pre-awwarded for certain components of businesses throughout the state.
All this lovely now. Stop your hesitating, there's a party. Come and join us, we are waiting. We are anticipating your arrival. >> [applause] >> We will now travel to Liberia for another traditional folk song. This piece is titled Bondwa. While the song is very lively, the translation is rather different. When we translate it to English, it means little girl, don't cry. >> [applause] [crying] >> Bondwa, Bondwa, Bondwa yo. Bondwa, Bondwa yo. Bondwa, >> [singing] >> Bondwa, Bondwa yo. Bondwa, Bondwa, Bondwa yo. Alanamedia Bondwa. Alanamedia Bondwa. Alanamedia >> [singing] [singing] [applause] [cheering] >> Why is known for many things, one of which is the very own singer who goes by Israel. While we lost him many years ago due to many health issues, he lives on in his music. This is his version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, first made famous by Judy Garland in the movie The Wizard of Oz.
Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we celebrate excellence in English language arts. A student who has met the benchmark, but exceeded Arizona Department average of education in English language arts standard with the highest achievement in the eighth grade class, an outstanding young lady, A average. This person is someone quiet. The kind of quiet that makes you think there is a whole universe turning in me. And this student I This student may not always be the loudest voice in the classroom. Yet her words speak, her silence can not. In writing, this person leaves >> [screaming] >> an impression that lingers long after the pages turn. This person carries a deep love for reading and with every story explores, gathers new ways to express in her in her own ways with brilliance, grace, and thoughtfulness. Her writing does not simply answer questions. It reveals the imagination, insight, and heart.
>> Good evening everyone. My name is Sophia Gomez and I am incredibly honored to be speaking to you today. Graduating is an amazing accomplishment encapsulating all the years of work we have put in. Your family, friends, and teachers are all so proud of you. As for my time in high school, I do not regret a single part of it. I found the friends. I stayed up far too late FaceTiming trying to get our work done together. I relished in the class group tasks where we begged for homework answers. I found intellectual nourishment within my teachers who greatly supported me. And ultimately, while I am somewhat uncertain about my own future, high school helped me discover pieces of who I am and who I hope to become. I want to credit a few people who have shaped my high school journey.
Thank you, Matt, for inviting me into your life. It was one of the best thing that happened to me and I would not be standing up here today without you. I also want to share something special in another language. Now, I want to share a personal fear of mine with you all, and it has to do with changes. I'm sure most can agree that stability and predict predictability are very nice things to have. Unfortunately, that's not how life works. Stuff constantly changes and very and every day you wake up, you're basically going through the unknown. And it sounds really daunting. When I was younger, my biggest change was moving here from Vietnam. Now, how did I respond to this change? I got straight C's throughout elementary school except for having an A in PE which I am still very proud of. My second biggest change was during the pandemic when I moved in with my sister and her family.
[music] I've been thinking about your [music] love tonight. Two hearts going to make our worlds collide, baby. I just want to be that, want to treat you right. Two step with me, baby, slide, slide. I've [music] been thinking about your love tonight. Two hearts going to make our worlds collide. Baby, I just want to be want to treat you right. Two step with me, baby, slide, slide. I've been thinking about your love tonight. I just want to treat you right. I've been thinking about your love [music] tonight. Two, make up, want to treat you right. Two step [music] tonight. >> [music] >> Today Happy birthday. >> [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. movies. Ready? Make sure you get those eyes up and look every sound. I'm right here. Good. All right, let's take an 8 minute journey. [music] >> [music] >> I've been thinking about your love tonight.
Um if you had questions, uh we would be more than happy to get back to you on those. Um but this was just uh a citizen's participation to provide uh an opportunity for folks to speak, but it's not a question and answer period at this point in time. What I What I would like to add, Joe, is that maybe we need to add this to as an agenda item. We always have 40 Bs on there, but we've heard this question and this issue a number of times since November. So, maybe for our next board meeting, we can have it on our agenda to discuss exactly what happened and what is going on with this. >> That's idea. Thank you. >> Good idea. I agree with that. Is So, is that work for you, Connie, with respect to that? We'll uh That That would be great.
She grounds that one and she's safe. >> It was a quick throw from Abby Johnson at third, but not quick enough. And it's an infield single for Nico Staris. >> Her speed is a weapon, Jacob. Contact means the opportunity to get on base for Nico Ustaris. I'm glad she has chosen the path of softball rather than spring track because I think she would be a dominant sprinter in the TVL, but we like having her wearing a helmet for the spring season. >> As Beerman attempted to lay down the butt and pulled it back and Granada behind the plate's going to have a tough afternoon. That one gets away and Usarus will take second easily. >> Yeah, Nico uh Nico is a a heads up base runner as well. She she made good good decision there. I saw the ball got away and again he gets over to second with these now running in score position for Haley Beerman who really carried the load against Westwood in the first game >> as that one's bounced in there and Usaris will head to third as that one gets up the first baseline so quickly just three pitches and she's already at third base.
So, so we're thinking about that. Um but just want to share with you the great things that we're doing. Business and operations, little facility update. The CLES fence project requires prior approval from the Wetlands Commission just based on where it goes in the very back of the um of CLES right where the kind of trail head is if you ever have seen that area. It's kind of that all the way to the basketball court. So, so we're doing that. Casey's been amazing in in working to help with the application process for that. So, hopefully we can work with the Wetlands Commission to get approval to put a fence in the appropriate spot and or take down some shrubbery in that area, too, so the fence can go in uh nicely and cleanly. But we may have to do some replanting just to stay in compliance with the Wetlands requirements.
Um, and that that's uh could be a problem if we uh once we get the uh June uh because the money will uh the year has already ended. So, we're going to run this um this activity this uh in the middle of May. So, we could kind of forecast where we're going to be out and if this way if there is any extra funds due to the difference between what we're actually spending and what we have earmarked in the system um we can we can work on that now in May rather than until the last minute. >> And uh are we done with all of our spend down? Have we kind of cut that off at this point or are we still drawing down on that? >> There are still a few open items. Cara, I know you're working closely with Mike Celig. I know there are a couple of open projects out there still.
They were shaping us, teaching us, strengthening us. They taught us responsibility, resilience, and how to keep moving forward even when life felt heavy. And that strength deserves to be recognized today. Before I go, I want to leave the class of 2026 with one simple piece of advice. When life gets hard, just go through it. It sounds simple, but we all know it isn't because going through it takes strength, it takes courage, it takes heart. And if there's one thing our class has proven, it is that we know how to push through. Today, we stand here together not because everything was easy, but because we refused to quit. >> [crying] >> We didn't just make it through high school. We grew through it. And those moments add up. The quiet progress, the unseen efforts, the steps forward no one else notices, they matter. And one day we'll look back and realize that those little moments led us somewhere greater than we ever imagined.
And as we move forward to exciting places and unique callings, I ask each and every one of you to improve upon and extend the compassionate environment we've built together to whatever community you find yourself in. Because you've taught me that such an environment always makes the hard times easier and the good times better. No matter where you go, if you treat your peers with the same kindness and respect you, then you will be successful and contribute to a world. I leave you with the verse. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up . just as they have been doing. Thank you. [applause] Now it is my distinct honor to introduce to you our director, Mr. Rubén Calleros. who will address the class of 2026.
We'll send it to you guys. Okay. And then Jacob, I think most of you know that he was our student representative on the Shasta County. And then next year, he's going to be the ASV president, correct? >> Yeah. And then, are you gonna be there next year? No, I'm expert. >> Okay, cool. So, he's just awesome student. Um, kind of a fun story. Him and my daughter have battled for awards since they were little kids and, uh, Wes was cool enough to give it to both of them and I went and listened to his, uh, eighth grade graduation speech. I can't talk about it or I'll cry. It was good. So, just an awesome young man. Thank you, JACOB. I would like to also add that he just missed his junior year. >> Oh yeah. >> And he just earned two AA degrees. >> WOW.
My journey began back in 1990 at Chico Junior while I was still attending Chico State, and fate eventually brought me back to Marsh in 20 2001. Over the years I've had the opportunity of working at Fairview and closing my career here at Chico High. To my co-workers and administration, thank you for being such an incredible support system. To the students I've met, helped, and coached, you are the reason I come to work every day. Seeing you all develop into such impressive young men and ladies gives me so much hope for the future. Thank you for all the memories. I will miss this community. Jay, this is from me. You are one of the most kindest, calmest people I've ever met. You always step in to help whenever anyone needs it and never says no. When I started at Chico High, I learned quickly that you were someone who could always be counted on.
H2. We are uh on the agenda here is for the board to accept the resignation of a part-time instructional and the retirement after 20 years of our middle school principal, Mrs. Bright. Uh H3 is to approve a couple of student interns for next school year. H4 is to approve two leaves of absences. Uh, H5 is to approve the 2627 contract for Megan Stoddard, our school business administrator. Item six is to approve the ESY extended school year staff for this summer. Item seven is to approve summer work for the child study team, whether that be evaluations or meetings that need to occur over the course of the summer. And that's it for my session.
If you know Jen, you know she isn't one to seek out the spotlight. She's quiet, unassuming, and humble. While the hallways of an intermediate school can often be loud, hectic, and chaotic. Jen is the steady anchor. She doesn't need to shout to be heard. Her dedication, her teaching skill, and the success of her students speak volumes. The world of education throws a lot at us. Curriculums change, schedules shift, and every day brings a new surprise. Yet, no matter what is thrown her way, Jen accepts each challenge willingly. But what truly sets Jen apart isn't just what she teaches. It's how she teaches. No matter how stressful the school year gets, it's been fairly stressful lately. Jen maintains a positive attitude and a remarkably calm demeanor. Her composure is contagious. When a student's frustrated, struggling, or having a tough day, Jen's right there beside them. She has an incredible gift for lowering the anxiety in a room and replacing it with confidence, turning daunting moments into triumphs.
Congratulations, Maddie. >> [applause] [applause] >> At Smalley School, we have Ms. Morgan. >> Okay, so our educator of the year for Smalley is Mr. Melisurgo. >> [applause] >> Mr. Melisurgo is an exceptional educator whose greatest impact is the connection he builds with children. Students know they're seen, valued, supported, and never alone. He creates a classroom where emotional well-being is nurtured alongside academic growth and where children feel safe taking risks, building confidence, and discovering strengths they might may not see yet in themselves. As a coach and mentor, he teaches perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief extending these lessons far beyond the classroom. Through innovative student-led projects, he empowers students to lead, collaborate, and take pride in meaningful accomplishments. Children turn to him for encouragement, guidance, and a trusted adult who'll always listen. And many years later, they come back to see him. Uh one student shared, "He helps bring your spark back." Having grown up in Having grown up in this community himself, Mr.
Uh there is a scholastic book fair on June 2nd through June 5th. They are looking for volunteers and their last PTO meeting is June 4th. the BEF Chelsea Shay shared that the BEF is donating 32,000 to begin improvements of the media center um to complete the library environment here in the media center. Um for the feedback, there is a district uh meeting at Swan Elementary School on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6 PM. um and it's to get the commissioner and Cags together um to talk and share some ideas here. Some dates um for the community to be involved in May 21st there is an art show at 6:00 p.m. and following the spring concert at 700 p.m. This Friday there is a dismissal and there's also where gold school day. Uh June 6 there is a burella food truck festival from 12 to 5. On June 9th there's field day grades 8 to 2.