No one Nolan is in Mr. Clark's class. He's being recognized for integrity duty. Nolan is the embodiment of what it means to have integrity. His uncompromising principle and commitment to be to honest bey makes makes him great friend to his peers but an invaluable leader in our school. I know that regardless of the situation I can always count on to tell the truth even if that truth is is inconvenient to him. Such character is something to be admired and I couldn't be more proud of the person he is. The world would be is a better place with more would be a better place with more priest. Congratulations Bristol. Lily is administr. She's being recognized for respect. Lily comes to school each day with a smile and a positive attitude that brightens our classroom. She consistently shows respect to everyone in the school is a wonderful role model to her classmates.
Anthony Boutros Spariosu is a dedicated freshman with a strong interest in world history and global events. A member of the Clifton freshman soccer team and a club soccer player, he enjoys staying active both in and out of school. Anthony credits Mr. Glatt for creating a positive classroom environment that helped him become more confident and engaged. And he hopes to attend college and build a successful career while creating a strong future for his family. Is Anthony here this evening? >> [applause] >> Commissioner Ragstell? >> All right, April Student of the Month from the 10th Grade is Leilani Gooding. Leilani is a driven sophomore who is passionate about leadership, service, and learning. She currently serves as a president of the CHS Key Club and is involved in the PB SIS Mustang Ambassadors program, HOSA, and the pre-med club, while also completing two internships focused on health education and social advocacy.
Um so like for instance in the past I have asked you like uh I think it was last December or maybe the December before I I can't remember but the electricity bill was a little bit higher for the pool at Higgley High and I was like why is it so much? Well it was a state swimming tournament. Um, so I asked you that question. I mean, I can I can inundate with thousands of questions, but I need to be comfortable about the things uh upon which I vote. Um, and I need to be knowledgeable about those things. And again, Councelor O'Brien, I think it's the way that some of these questions are asked. I am uncomfortable knowing how other more than one board member is voting on something ahead of time. I just I I'm uncomfortable with that. I feel like I should learn that here uh after discussions.
So great job guys. >> And when I say the whole process, I think Pelum was also the one out of the two the two appeals I had this year. Pelum was one of the two opinions. So when I say they walked through the whole process, Pelum has gone through the whole process including an appeal to the superintendent. And just being very clear, the package that was received from the school had witness statements, show the process of what occurred. I was able to speak to the parent and create a whole picture. So >> yeah, Mar this is a very nice report format. Is this something that comes out of the system or >> No, this is come this comes out of Colleen >> whatever Colleen put together. This is this is how this is not how the school um the formatting comes in. It's actually jumbled and she did a really good job >> put it it makes it very easy to follow and to understand.
>> Um those are partners. So we do pay for their service. Um so for that uh we actually have a grant um that pays them to to attend. Obviously, uh we've partnered with them and that's uh at a steep, you know, rate like, you know, we pay we pay them a a a good deal and and they are happy to do that for us. Um but yeah, so we do pay them. Um but they're all certified. Um they all have their certifications and everything. >> So I imagine you you come up with the programming and then you look for those people versus them coming to you and saying, "I want to I'd like to do this or that." >> Yeah. Yes. So before we started with the maternal initiative, um we really wanted to be intentional with what we do. Um and that's kind of our spirit in general with our team.
It was an overall success for both the choir and culinary students. The students who participated are extremely happy with how everything turned out and the community loved the event. Next Wednesday, the BHS band will be hosting their spring pops concert at 700 p.m. Jazz band, percussion ensemble, and concert band will all share pieces that they have been rehearsing for months. Students are excited to share their hard work with family, friends, and community members. In two weeks, modern band will be hosting their bi-anual coffee house on May 28th. There will be performances by many of the music students along with modern band set list to end the night. There will be refreshments and people are urged to come and go as they want to. Music students are looking forward to this event as a culmination of the year. Last Thursday, seniors presented their portfolio presentations and connections and are looking forward to the final events of the school year.
Lily is always willing to help make our classroom a better place by helping others participating in all subjects and contribut contributing positively to our classroom. She gives her best effort in everything she does and continually pushes herself to work even harder. Lily's time, responsibility, and positive character make her a valued member of our class. I know she's going to do an amazing job at Canton Intermediate School next year. Congratulations. Miss class being recognized for integrity. Helen is a shining example of what it means to have integrity. She tries her best in everything that she does and always does the right thing and that's all even when no one is watching. Helen is a hard worker with excellent discipline and wants to become the best version of herself at every part of her life, both in and out of the classroom. Helen is a pleasure to have in class and her friends know she is a trustworthy companion and everyone she interacts with enjoys her company.
Leilani credits Ms. Turk and Mrs. Fuentes for their mentorship and support, and she aspires to pursue a career in medicine as a gynecologist to advocate for and care for others. CONGRATULATIONS. >> [applause and cheering] [applause] >> AND NEXT UP, COMMISSIONER SIENNA. >> OKAY, hello everyone. It's so warm in here today, right? I hope we all miss the snow. So, our 11th grade student of the month, Daniel Nusser. >> [applause] >> Daniel Nusser is a thoughtful junior who enjoys the challenge and problem-solving aspects of mathematics. Inspired by his former teacher, Mr. Conklin, who made math engaging and enjoyable, Daniel has developed a strong appreciation for learning and perseverance. He plans to attend college and pursue a career that challenges him and allows him to continue growing both academically and personally. Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening, everyone. I'm here to celebrate our 12th grade, Rosanna Bogan.
>> Um first, thanks Mr. O'Brien for uh giving us the information and helping to clarify that. Uh I have several things that I would like to say, so I apologize. Um, I guess the first issue that I have is the statement that the process that we're doing is not transparent in that the entirety of the time that I've been on the board, this policy um was in place for the questions because the superintendent who was here when I arrived on the board had that policy in place and we changed it to make those public so the public could see the questions that the board was asking because ultimately you had complaints that the board seemed as if they were just approving things and the statement was board was asking questions that maybe the public wasn't aware of and so this is where we are at.
It's very nice. She's awesome. Thank you. >> Great. Um, thank you. Yeah, and the report looks fantastic. It's really easy to follow. And thank you really to the adults on the ground that made this system come together and work so well. Um, okay. Thank you, Colleen. Update on stay of the district summit. >> Um, thank you to everyone who was able to attend the summit. I attached the um PowerPoint to the board docs. It's also on our um website ars.org arps.org back/sotd. Um you'll see the video clips of the different sections as well as the poll powerpoint um and even a FAQ form for us to collect questions. So we start to create that FAQ account. Um the purpose of the summit was to start delving into the data conversations around what's happening in all three of our districts and what are we seeing. Um and we came from a high level in terms of you know the academic conversation was hey compared to this to the state we are outpacing everyone talks about us compared to the state but when we really delve into our actual numbers we're not doing so well with our subgroups and there's some deeper instructional work that needs to happen.
Um we met with um providers who service the the residents or people with babies or pregnant and we kind of asked like what is missing, what is needed and then we asked community members too. And that's kind of the feedback we got that they would love to have birthing classes but they're all in English. They're very expensive. They fill up really quickly and they're usually at a hospital setting. So, we wanted to put these classes in areas that are very community oriented. So, most of them are going to be at a library. Um, and doulas are great because they not only promote giving birth um at a hospital, but they also promote giving birth whatever the woman feels comfortable with or what the family feels comfortable with. And I think what we were hearing from some participants is that culturally hospital settings is not something that they felt comfortable with.
One of these events, prom, will be next Friday, May 22nd, at the Glastonbury Country Club. Juniors and seniors are excited to be able to celebrate the year with dancing and being with friends. And since this is my last board of ed meeting, as one of your student representatives, I have the honor of introducing Denil Doyle as our next student representative to join us next year. >> Welcome. Welcome. Yes. >> All right. Thank you very much. Same offer as always. If you have homework to do and feel free to go if you want to hang out, then you're more than welcome. >> Someday somebody will surprise me. Thank you. >> All righty. We have no additions to the agenda. >> Correct. >> On to routine business and the approval of minutes. Do we have a motion, please, to approve the minutes of the April 9th, 2026 board of education business meeting?
Our classroom is a better place because of her presence and Canton Intermediate School to have her next year graduating. Everybody correct >> congratulations. Nice job, friends. But I just want to thank everybody. supporting your kids. But B, I want to thank parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, all the folks that supporting our children because we all know that it use a term. It takes a village to raise a child. Um, the candy is a special village and all of you participating are very helpful. I want to thank our PTO. I went by Cherry Brook the other day and I saw the Cherry Brook fair going on. one time a long time ago I was one of the announcers and barkers there until I got stuck in one of the foxes and they didn't ask me back then but that's another but I just want to thank BT all that they do and um we look forward to seeing everybody next year and if you haven't voted yet I'm not going to tell you how it'll go but make sure you vote and we'll bring all the children up now the stage Hey, this Right next to Let's do that then actually.
IS ROSANNA HERE? >> [applause] >> ROSANNA IS A HARD-WORKING senior with a passion for mathematics and science. She is an active member of the Clifton community, participating in varsity indoor and outdoor track, as well as Key Club, Pre-Med Club, HOSA, National Math Honor Society, and National Science Honor Society. Rosanna credits her Spanish teacher, Mrs. Davenport, for engaging her growth and she will attend Rutgers University New Brunswick to study biology on the pre-dental track with the goal of becoming a general dentist. AWESOME. >> [applause] [applause] >> I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF STARTING OFF THE May student of the month with the ninth grade student, Iman Monahan Jr. Iman Patrick Monahan Jr. Are you here? >> [applause] >> Iman, look at the audience. Is it He is a motivated freshman with strong interest in biology and sciences, an active member of the football and track teams. He has grown in confidence and leadership during his first year at Clifton High School.
Um what it feels like Miss Van Hook is that you are unhappy that we aren't following or doing things in the exact same way that you do when to be clear we get the questions and to to Mr. Glover's point that are dealing with data and numbers and those kinds of things. The superintendent, it comes in the superintendent report all the time in that I have asked questions in our meetings at times whether they were if they were an agenda item then we're going to talk about it in the board meeting and so it gets put up on there. I'll even say you know Miss Zimmerman you can put that one on there kind of deal when it's an actual question that I have on a board. Most of the time when we meet the questions that I have are in the presentation. So if I just sit here and listen, I get the answers to my question because that's the way the presentation is supposed to go.
there's some standardization um around how we need to address certain things and that's kind of hard because everyone feels like the conversation around curriculum or around instruction is one where there should be a lot of fluency and flexibility which in terms of using things as a resource yes but we're also seeing that there's something that we are missing when it comes to that flexibility and fluidity when it comes to our subgroups so our English learners ers, our students with with needs, our black and brown students, um students of color, they are all our subgroups, um and there's more high needs, um low income that we are not serving well. And that's across all three districts. And so um it was a really great summit. Everyone came and participated. And I think that one of the key things was for individuals to be able to talk about um what they would be able to do when they come back to their committees to their communities and their commitments to to the district.
So we wanted to give everyone a chance to experience birth the way that they wanted to and safely. So doulas have been great in doing that. Um and they they've been great about that. >> That's awesome. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anybody else? No. Um, thank you for coming tonight. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. You >> could get us that presentation uh to Raj and then he can get that to us. >> Thanks. All right. Uh, next thing on our agenda is the Ashland High School student intern. So chief uh board we have we have Sia here Sia Mutu Swami who will be joining us at least for this summer right as a intern she's our high school student uh and I'll give to Sonia to introduce herself to the board and you know uh give us a little update you know what what we're trying to do here please Sonia go ahead please >> yeah um my name is Sonia and I'm a junior at Ashen High School um I kind of have always been interested in public health especially through my experiences as a Girl Scouts and um learning how to identify community needs and sustainable solutions.
>> So move. >> I'll second. >> Um, does anyone have any questions, comments, or edits for these minutes? None. All those in favor of the motion, please say I. I. >> Is there anyone who is opposed or abstaining? All right. Moving on to board of ed committee reports and finance. >> Sure. Yeah. Um, so as you can see from your uh attachment, we are 71% extended for the school year as of April 30th. That is the same as at this point last year. Uh spending is stable across all uh budget areas. Um as usual, uh special education is ever changing and sometimes unpredictable. Um also want to u mention that we have three reclassifications and two transfers uh that the superintendent will uh go over with us. And then also um we did uh as you guys are aware from your email but also want to make um on record that we did receive um some funds from the the state from educational cost sharing.
John >> in 11 years. Some of you will be doing the same thing in the same spot. >> All right. All my sugar friends, my board of education members, please look at me is a bad person and all your parents and friends. >> Oh, you look fabulous. Everybody good? So I'll I know. You like that? Okay, I'm going to call the board of education back into order. And uh next on the agenda is public comment. We'll open up public comment to anybody in the auditorium. Is anybody in the auditorium like to speak for public comment? If you do, please come to the podium, state your name and your address. Julia, you good? >> Okay, seeing no one, we'll go online. >> Anybody online that would like to speak for public comment, just raise your hand and we'll recognize you. >> I have Aaron and I will have Hi Erin.
>> Inspired by his father and and the support of his teachers like Mrs. Collier, Iman hopes to pursue college athletics while studying biology in the future. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> May student of the month, 10th grade, Gabriel Enriquez. >> [applause] >> Gabriel Enriquez uh is a hardworking sophomore with a passion for science and technology. As a member of the robotics club, he enjoys exploring how things work and building new skills. Gabriel credits Mr. Odessa for helping him strengthen his writing abilities and plans to attend college to study computer engineering and continue his interest in roboticism. CONGRATULATIONS, GABRIEL. >> [applause] >> MISS MCDOWELL >> OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE OUR 11th grade, Jolly Abdullah Noor. Jolly Abdullah Noor Noor is an ambitious junior with a strong passion for the medical field. She enjoys hands-on learning in anatomy and physiology and is actively involved in numerous numerous organizations, including HOSA, pre-med club, National Science Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Girls Who Code, and Scouting of America.