Um we had the Passaic County School Boards Association meeting where two of our colleagues received their certifications. Um Commissioner Paris is certified board leader uh pin and you see received your board member pin. Uh so that's a big deal. So I just I encourage the rest of the our colleagues to keep on working towards their certifications. It does mean a lot to the rest of the board members throughout the state that you're taking that time to do that. Um we had the CEA dinner, which was great and we we the board members got to celebrate everyone. We got to shake hands, which was nice. Um On Saturday, traveled down to Mercer County and my colleague um Commissioner Suarez was there and it was I believe it was your first EA. And she got up and spoke not once but twice and she used the power of her voice.
And I don't believe I I believe we should get their input. And then, of course, the seven of us vote on the superintendent. But, we will have their input in our heads as we make that decision. So, for me, it's worth it. And I was not willing to go and to vote for one of the other firms that came in at $24,000 and $17,500. I felt that was too much money. And so, and and so, with School Boards, I feel like they will do an excellent job. And that's why I can vote for School Boards at that $8,000. The Okay. So, Kevin Mr. Pielman Oh, excuse me, Mr. Pielman. I just wanted to add into the discourse as well. Um I am a as everyone knows a super big fan of stakeholder feedback and stakeholder input. I think it's vital however we do this that that occurs, that we get as much input from as many of our stakeholders as possible.
He taught me so much. Well, I never imagined that I would have the confidence to learn. The teachers gave me assignments and I would practice them and study and be ready for the test. Uh I never imagined I would type on my own without working on my own. Speak message. Walking in my walker in two years. More aerial footage appears with text which reads, "What is the funniest thing that ever happened during your high school years [music] at ASDB?" We cut back to the students. >> ever happened is Matthew saying, "All right, fine. Uh The funniest thing that happened during high school was that my friend itself said, "I I am." Everybody on water day just splashing each other with water, running around, having fun. People kind of getting irritated at each other, but out of excitement. Yep. Just people trying to have fun. Racing to class with my friends.
Good swing. Yeah, there was no catching that one. That was roped well over Sophie's head. She does a nice job to limit it to only a double. Um she tracks it pretty well and is able to get it in. Quinn Herter zips it over to Lorelei to make sure that there was no advance to third. Um but we got her in scoring position now. For Crystal Martinez, catcher, who's 1 for 1. As down to third base goes Welch and she is in there. That ball gets away, but Welch will hold up there at third base. Yeah, Kyra not able to handle that ball that was in the dirt and then the the quick quick re- reaction by the base runner able to get to third. Luckily, the ball did not bounce out of play when couldn't quite handle the throw down. So, we do have a runner on third here with one out.
>> So, was that supposed to take us through 2 years? No. Um It was >> is taking us through 2 years. >> I don't know. We have to you know, we just had this conversation um with the sustainability committee last night. Their push was for us to um find funding within our own budget to um I I think we are calculating that next year based on the changes that Erica Beaudette has recommended. It's It's going to run us about $22 to $23,000 um to maintain to do it at all the elementary schools in Dodd, not at CHS. Um Um, have about 16,000 of that. Um, I think the sustainability committee has been reticent to to um, deplete the NIP funds. There are some other town uses that they're interested in in using for that. Um, so I think we just have to think about our what are we going to do with either $16,000 or if we can come up with the $6,000 additionally to do it at all of the elementary schools.
Sounds like, you know, reading to the primary grains and so forth. Um, I do have a couple questions if our student leaders are able to answer them. Um, you know, this is an initiative and this is actually our strategic plan in action. So, what's the next step? um is this a one and done? How are we planning for the next class? And I'm hoping that the students that you impacted through this are the future leaders that will go back. So what what's the plan? >> Yeah. So next year. [laughter] So this year kind of I had the the pleasure and the responsibility of kind of planning the visits a little bit and I had the great pleasure of teaching these five and the the other people. Next year it'll be in their hands and um they'll be kind of it won't be the exact same program.
I truly wish I could have attended all of these awards to thank our staff for the many years of love and dedication they have given to the students and families of Apple Valley. On Friday, May 15th, I was really blessed to be able to attend Granite Hills Choirs choir's last show of the year. The theme was heroes and villains. And we were told that although we love to cheer for the heroes, the villains actually have the best songs. These students were beyond amazing. They poured their hearts and souls into their performances and their hard work and talent showed. A huge thank you to Mr. Churchill and Miss Inonosa for their outstanding leadership and dedication to our students. It was amazing to see former students join in and sing. Families who have been students in our choir program at Granite for I believe 12 years. I love seeing the encore singers perform and I know they did an incredible job at their competition this weekend.
Her family and friends thunder scholarship. The award goes to Taylor Bibos. Our next award is the Dearis family scholarship. Dr. Robert and Mrs. Judy Dearis began this fund in 2013. Dr. Dr. Dearis is a retired dentist and their children were educated in Chico schools, prompting their interest in helping local students and their higher education. The award goes to Ariana Christensen. Our next award is the fourth foundation. The four foundation is a private nonprofit based in Chico whose focus is to provide education to the people of California regarding environmental issues. We have three recipients. The first is Athena Ashlin Morris. and Maggie Smith family scholarship. This scholarship was created by the Browen family in 1997 to support high school graduates hoping to enter the teaching profession. They believed in the importance of teachers as a positive influence in shaping young people's lives. This student was chosen because of their excellent academic record and their professed desire to become a teacher.
Uh and and I think you your words really persuaded people to vote a different way and thank you and they were really good um votes for the bylaws for New Jersey School Boards that are going to affect our district and all the districts in the state. So thank you for your words. And she got up there and she wasn't afraid. Uh right? >> [laughter] >> She didn't look at I I actually I actually filmed her while she was speaking the first time so she could see herself, but it's an intimidating process. It's very formal. You have to say you rise and if you're not doing it right, they cut you right at the knees and it's and they make you they make you want to not come back, but you did a great job. So, thank you. That night we had the zoo, right? The new zoo review at the at Turtle Back.
That being said, I don't see the value in selecting this firm to do this job. Thank you, Mr. Pielman. No one else then? Roll call, please, Mr. Yates. Procedurally, Ms. Gifford, am I calling the names of those who are conflicted? All right, on new business, excuse me, old business to approve New Jersey School Boards at a fee of $8,000 to provide superintendent search services to the Board of Education, Mr. De Marsi. On the advisement of the board attorney, I abstain. Your abstention is noted. Mr. Fisher. No. Ms. Inelli. Yes. Mr. Contant. Absolutely not. Mr. Masson. Abstain. Your abstention is noted. Mr. Pielman. No. Mr. Wilson. Yes. Ms. Butrymowicz. Yes. Mrs. Knoll. Yes. The motion carries. Thank you, Mr. >> record, that is a a majority of those who are able to vote. We have seven voting members, four voted yes. The motion carries. Okay, thank you, Mr.
Pretending to be a cat with my friends in class. All my friends were always joking and it always made you laugh. The funniest things that have made me laugh so much are all the memories I've had with my teacher Harry and my best friend Marley. They've made me feel so happy. Well, here at ASDB I used to always joke around with people. I would tap them on the back of their shoulder and they wouldn't know who would be. Try to get their attention. Also, sometimes when I would do it, they would think that I would be that it was actually a fly. So, I always liked doing that and joking with that and playing games and stuff. The video ends and fades to black. >> [clears throat] >> Now, it is time to award our seniors with their diplomas and certificates. Please rise, seniors. Now, I would like to ask our superintendent, Annette Wrightman, deputy assistant superintendent Ketchoff to join us to present the diplomas and certificates.
A 1-0 count here. That one is upstairs. Two balls and no strikes here on the catcher Martinez. Again, here's where we get to limit those wild pitches. Going to make sure everything stays in front cuz you don't want to give up another soft run. 2-0, that one a good stop by Kyra behind the plate on a pitch that bounced, but it is a 3-0 count here. Yeah, again, the key is is keep that ball in front of you right now. Um anytime it bounces, just going to throw your body in front of it if you can. Nice little scoop on that one. So, here comes the 3-0 from Nico. It's a tomahawk swing. Back to the mound, Usarris will go to the plate. Kyra fields it and gets the out. Great decision-making by Usarris to realize the runner was breaking for the plate, and they get the out there and a little bit of some tough base running for the Gators.
And then, um, you know, we've developed a program that we would like to move into the future >> Mhm. into future years, but we're sort of being cut off. Yeah, I think the the instead of cut off, I think it's um, we should have a conversation in our budget next year about including it in our operating budget if it's a priority for us to continue. Right. Thank you. That's what it I was wondering if that's where we were going with that. Uh, thank you very much. If there are no more questions for Emily. Uh, I have one. Sorry. Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Um, you you took my composting question, so I'm glad. Thank you for that. Um, and just a quick question on ath athletic fields at the schools are maintained by us in our budget. Does that fall under the maintenance / repair building line or where where does that Yes, but I would say that um, you'll see it show up in the the capital budget tonight.
Obviously, we'll we'll think about maybe kind of changing the me message a little bit. And we talked about with Coach Lee, maybe even reaching the middle school students, but this is definitely something that we're going to keep doing. And uh I I'm I'm so happy the hands that it'll be in. Uh the the people that I've worked with on this have all been so incredible and they're all so different in such great ways. And I think whatever audience they're talking to about whatever message, they they have plenty of awesome experiences that will definitely resonate and impact lots of people for however many years this program continues. >> Are you guys all juniors and seniors? >> Uh yeah, we have um four seniors with us or four s or four juniors with us and then one sophomore and then I'm a senior. So >> yeah, awesome.
I also was excited to get a little preview of what the choir will be performing for graduation. You'll be so excited. Uh I was really blessed and happy to uh see the kindergarteners at Sandia receive their trimester awards. These students were so great. Their enthusiasm in supporting each other, their listening skills, and you could see the hard work that their teachers and their parents have done to work with these students, and they were definitely ready to be first graders. I was honored to be able to be part of the celebrations for our students. And a truly big thank you to Miss Watt and Mr. Area uh the teachers, staff, and parents for their dedication and hard work this year. I enjoyed the beautiful lunchon for our special education students at Apple Valley High School. The students were enjoying amazing food and a plethora of candy.
Congratulations for making such a meaningful career choice. Darlene Bador. Our next award is the Helen L. White Endowed Memorial Scholarship. Mrs. White was a good friend and dedicated community member to CCSA. The award goes to Benjamin Ingstrom. Our next award is the Kathy Lesie Harden Memorial Scholarship. Kathy Harden was a very active board member of CCSA who passed away in 2021. Her family, friends, and the CCSA board funded this memorial scholarship in her name. The recipient is Isabella Ba. Our next award is the Natson and Isim technology consulting scholarship. Matson and I isome technology is one of the north state's leading IT consulting service providers. They help their clients become more successful through the effective use of technology. The recipient of this award is Nicole Doris. Our next award is the Millie Dudley Dudley Zapatini Memorial Scholarship. This memorial scholarship is in honor of donor Chris Zapatini's parents.
That's something I'm dating myself. And it was sponsored by the CEA. It was nice to see the families >> and the district. And there was a lot of people walking around. It was a beautiful night. Next year, I encourage the board to try to get out there. Last last year we had 1,504 people. >> Wow, that's great. That's great. I I was ripping tickets, so I stayed up front to help rip tickets and we did a really good It was really nice to see everybody there and I thank you for everybody that came and thank you to the district. Um we had the distinguished honors award dinner. Um I I I It chokes me up because to see the parents, you know, especially the senior parents put the medals on their kids. It just brings you back to the moment that I had for my children.
Yates. So, now we will move forward in earnest with the superintendent search. I'm going to open this up to public comment. This will be comment on any items of interest. Better get back to my script. Please excuse me. Just in case anyone is not aware, we have two public comments where at the end comment on any any items of interest. And we will now open the meeting for public comment referencing any items of interest. However, if your questions pertain to student or personnel items or negotiations, we ask that you see the superintendent after the meeting since we do not discuss these matters in public. Please limit your comments to 3 minutes per person and please state your name and address as you approach the microphone. Thank you. Holly Miller, Marlton Elementary teacher and ETEA vice president. I just would be remiss if I didn't make a comment on the reduction of the seven elementary positions.
Presenting the seniors are ASB Assistant Principal Karen Tallis and ASD Assistant Principal Melissa Brown. Please hold your applause until each senior has moved their tassel. Itzel Guadalupe Rea Sotelo. Joseph Benito Black Hair Anthony Noah Burke Marlie Marie Campbell Dieter >> He walks across the stage. Maya Lorraine Chico This is Maya and she receives her diploma. And now the next diploma She passes it to the diploma. She receives her diploma. Nathan Anthony Cruz >> [cheering] >> This is Nathan Cruz. He receives his diploma. He greets the staff and receives his diploma. He walks across the stage. He holds up his diploma and receives his tassel. HE RECEIVES HIS DIPLOMA. HE'S OFFICIALLY GRADUATED. Zephaniah Harrison Little This is Zephaniah and he receives his diploma. He greets our superintendent. And holds it up. He nods receives >> [cheering] >> Enrique Agustin Lomeli Not yet, Enrique. Keep going. >> [cheering] >> Amanda Nicole Lopez Ian Christopher Pedley Here's Ian.
>> Yeah, really over aggressive base running by the Gators. Yeah, Nico makes a nice play. That ball came right back to her. I think she was shocked to see that runner was going. She does make a good throw to Kyra who gets the tag down, and we get an out at the plate. And we have two down now with a runner only on first. Casey Sullivan will bat. She's 0 for 1. Ground ball to third. Collette's been busy, and the throw is in time. Another great play from Lorelei Collette on defense, and the Clockers will retire the side. >> Yeah, really. That is the third assist of the day for Lorelei Collette. She makes another good play over there. And this is nifty fielding that happened in this inning by by the Clockers. They get had base runner early, but they're able to come back and get an out at the plate.