001We'll call the school board me meeting for Ontario school district to order. First of all, I'd like to welcome all of our visitors. I believe we have a lot of our volunteers in the in the crowd and again we'll get to hear more about you, but thank you for everything you've done for our students and our schools and the help you've given our teachers and staff. So, thank you very much. at this point and I'll probably thank you again later because once I hear the great things you've done and definitely will appreciate what you've done. Uh we'll do go on with our flag salute. Looks like we have two agenda changes. Yes. First one is uh business item 11 approval of LIIA conference in Albany, Oregon. And the item number 12 is change budget hearing
002date. When we every year we budget we publish our um budget hearing date although it's done in the same in the past every year the same. Um, the slight change was that what we didn't really realize was that the Argus now used to publish those twice a week and now they're only publishing them once a week. Getting this right. Yep. And so when we submitted with the amount appropriate amount of time ahead of that date um what we didn't realize they had just published that for that week the day before we sent it and we had expected that there was going to be another published publication date and so um so that would have put us outside of that window. So, we want to do it right obviously and we just just didn't know that
003was the case. So, um to make sure that there's the appropriate amount of time, we'll need to change our date from the 7th to a different date. Um and um so once we get to that point in the meeting, we can you guys can talk about meeting dates that work for everyone and then we'll have to get a hold of our um members of our our budget hearing and make sure it works as well. Great. Perfect. on the LAA conference change Latinos in action. Um talk about it now. We can do it then. I It was just a last minute submission. We had had the first one and then I heard about the next one later. We can give you a chance. Okay. So you don't have Thank you. Okay. Uh I'll take a motion
004to add those two items to the agenda. Second or first first second motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All oppose say nay. Motion's pass. We will add those to the agenda. All right. Consent items has the minutes, the personnel, and the bills. Um, everybody get a chance to read those? and everybody get a chance to get in and talk to their respective owners. I if I could have a question and I usually try and do it ahead, but I've been out of town. Could I talk? You betcha. Uh there's an item on page 39 50,31 to the Wawa County ESD. Yeah. Yeah. that is for um that's for um Medicaid and we pay 50% of what we're going to get in the claim and so it's it's us paying that 50%
005and then they'll give it back to us through Medicaid. So yeah, so it goes through that and well that way ESD handles all of the all of the transactions for our Medicaid billing. Okay, thank you. Then I have one more just for context. We've been with on that for this our second year now. Second year. Yeah. And we used to go through inner mountain PSD. So in the past you could have seen it something different. They quit covering that or comparing that for us. So we through wow now. Did I just have one more? It's to uh close up foundation for 34,850. Yep. Yep. That is um from the u the trip to Washington DC that was taken over spring break. Um and that's the the fee for that. Okay. Thank you. Then could I
006make a motion to accept the consent items which are the the minutes, personnel, and bills? Moved and seconded. Before we do, all in favor, are there any other questions? Okay, then all in favor say I. I. All opposed? Nay. Motion has passed. Next on our agenda is the MS student report with Santiago Aviato. Um, sorry for the tire. I have a tennis game after this. I love it. Good evening. My name is Santiago Viet. I'm the Ontario Middle School student body president. Mrs. Connley's ELA classes participated in the Creative Kids Argus Observer essay contest. The prompt was if I were president. We had several students whose essays were chose chosen to run in the 2025 edition of Creative Kids. Ashley Gettis was chosen as second place winner for her essay. She received an Amazon gift
007card. Congrat Congratulations to the following seventh graders whose essays was was included. Talia Cochler, Malia Hust, Cody Ward, Andrew Cresley, and Mia Rest Nice, and Oria Deninger. Oria's essay also made it into the creative kids edition. The yearbook team is wrapping up our school yearbook. The team is making any necessary edits for their page before finalizing so that we can submit this year's yearbook by our due date. Wednesday, April 30th. Smile students had a successful time at the annual challenge that took place at Western Oregon University and Oregon State University. Students have continued the exploration of marine biology, artificial intelligence, and celebrating Earth Day by planting flowers. They are preparing for a field trip in May to the OSU extension office here in Ontario and the Boyisey Zoo to finish off another fun year at
008Smile. OM LA students have been preparing for two big events. The LAA leadership conference in Utah and an Oregon college loop. They have continued their work and creating meaningful experiences through their committee work. The social committees had a classic class picnic to celebrate wrapping up state testing and to promote camaraderie within their classmates. The service committees has finalized recycle bins for use during our socials and decorated centerpieces for CASA of Eastern Oregon's annual fundraiser. The professional committees have been working with Miss Lopez to to choose programs/universities to create an itinerary for the co Oregon college loop. Students have put in an average of 30 service hours each this trimester through tutoring preschoolers and volunteering at events. They filled over 3,000 eggs for the Ontario Downtown Businesses Spring Fling Shop Hop. 10 LA students were of
009great help during the event where they greeted, set up, dressed up as the Easter Bunny and Peeps and handed out treats to hundreds of participants. MS FCA huddles continue to be well attended. Students have enjoyed spending their lunches together talking about the challenges of athletic competition and growing in their faith. Discussion topics include competing with integrity, overcoming the fear of failure, and trusting in the process. We hope to offer the same opportunity for next year's seventh and eighth graders. Seventh grade band is preparing for their festival performance at Futland Middle School on May 7th. The se the sixth grade band is preparing for their showcase concert on May 13th. And the seventh and eighth grade groups are preparing for their end of the year concert on May 21st. The bands at MS have grown throughout
010the year in including nearly 30 students in the seventh grade band. MS will host a celebration barbecue for all the seventh and eighth grade grade band and choir students/families. It is a bright future for the Ontario band program. Eighth grade choir students are preparing for auditions into the high school ensembles. The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade will have their last concert on May 22nd and will feature music arranged specifically for the groups. The choir director, Mr. Egan, is very excited to see how the MS program continues to grow with the incoming sixth grade choir students. Thank you all for your time. What questions can Mrs. Longoria or I answer for you? I have none, but that's a great report. It's nice to hear all the things that that uh everyone does. So, yes, thank you
011and I hope your tennis match goes well. Thank you. Next on our agenda is OS uh student report, Dana Hernandez. Hello, my name is Aubrey Bosen. I'm Ontario High's ASB president. I will be in place of our public relations officer, Donna Hernandez, due to her unavailability tonight. Um, first we're going to talk about what the class of 2028 is doing. They're working on a freshman only assembly that will include playing many games occurring on May 15th and a water balloon fight which will take place on May 22nd. The class of 2027 is planning a dodgeball tournament that will run on April 30th during advisory. The the proceeds will go towards planning prom for the 2025 2026 school year. The class of 2026 hosted an amazing prom on April 12th. The class of 2025 did a
012duck scavenger hunt and is now planning senior sunset. And ASB is doing a Teen Beach movie night on May 30th. We are also currently planning a spirit week on May 12th through the 15th for the mental health awareness month. LIIA has been preparing for their annual conference trip to Snow College in Utah during the month of May. They have also been helping prepare for the autism awareness event on April 26th. This will be their second year helping out at the event and they are excited to get out into the local community to support a great cause. OMLY Ambassadors Club has juniors and seniors take a post assessment on what they learned from their Washington DC trip and their Omi senior officers will be presenting for the last two meetings to discuss the best practices to
013better be prepared for the incoming school year. HOSA chap HOSA's chapter is excited to announce a raffle fundraiser that will take place at the Rods of Idaho and Oregon car show in downtown Payet on Saturday May 15 May 17th sorry we are currently collecting donations for raffle prizes and have received generous contributions including sorry it is not included I'm so sorry and then lastly drama had a successful play this past weekend um thank you all for your time does anybody Any questions? I don't think so. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Our next item on the agenda is the volunteer recognition. uh the board members will come down and be up in front and then the presentation will media be made at this podium. You'll be able to shake hands with us as you
014come up and receive your rewards and exit the platform. So, thank you again. Good afternoon. Uh, I'd like to recognize Taylor Martinez as our May Roberts Primary Volunteer of the Year. If I could have her come up. All right. So, um, Taylor was chosen for many reasons. Um, I'm just going to read a few of the things that um, I got from the staff and just the feeling that we get from having you at May Roberts. Taylor Martinez is dedicated and a dedicated and caring member of our May Roberts primary community. As our volunteer of the year, she plays a key role in organizing field trips, supporting our fundraisers, and attends family engagement nights with her family. She volunteers to chap her own and helps with many school activities, always showing kindness and support to
015students and staff. Taylor's steady presence and commitment make a meaningful difference to our school. We are so grateful to have her with us. Thank you, Mayor Robert staff and students. And if we could have our family stand up, recognize them as well. Taylor, do you want to stay up here, please? Double whammy. You're so popular today. Yeah, double. Hello. I'm Andrea Buckles. I'm the principal at Alama Intermediate and we are so lucky and proud to recognize our PTO as our volunteers of the year. So come on up PTO. We have Miss Abby Apadaka. Is Mimi here? No. Okay. And Taylor Martinez. Rebecca Harris. Sorry, that's farther than I can reach. And Lisa Reer, Sabrina Coley. And this is not an easy thing to do. Um we actually made one big PTO when we consolidated our
016five elementary schools um into three. Um we consolidated our PTO into one PTO for all the elementary schools. So these ladies have done a phenomenal job serving the needs of all of the elementary schools because I tell you the four five building has asked for a lot. I'm sorry. and it's they they've worked really hard to try to meet all of our needs and we really appreciate you guys. So, this is what we said. The PTO has worked tirelessly to revamp and organize reorganized as a district level PTO supporting all elementary schools in our school district. They have done done a phenomenal job making sure the needs are met at each school level. We appreciate all their hard work and dedication to the children in our community. Thank you is not enough. You deserve a
017raise. the PTO and behind that also is Annabelle back there. Um, she's at the district level and she helped organize the PTO. It's kind of their their go-to person at the district. So, thank you ladies. It's very much and anyone else left in the audience that's their family, please stand. Good evening. I am Toby Huddleston, principal at Aken Elementary, and tonight I am super excited and honored um to welcome and introduce you to Grandma Linda. I just didn't want you to stand by them. Aken Elementary is an is excited and honored to celebrate Linda Peterson, best known as Grandma Linda, as our outstanding volunteer of the year. Grandma Linda is always smiling and joyful. She's looking a little nervous right now, but still joyful. Grandma Linda reads with individual students each and every single day
018at Aken. This dedicated time not only helps students support their reading growth, but it also gives them so many more benefits beyond the academics as they feel loved and cared for. Grand Linda, you are a ray of sunshine for all of us and we are so very lucky that you chose to shine at Aken. Thank you. If Grandma Linda's family would please stand. These gentlemen walk Grandma Linda to Aken every day and they come and pick her up for lunch and they walk her home and then they walk her back. So you guys are volunteers. Perfect. Uh Ken, yes. Good evening. I'm Ken Martinez. I'm the principal of Ontario High School and uh I'd like to invite up Mr. Bud Sebastro. He is our FFA adviser and our a one of our A teachers, also
019a former Ontario High School graduate. So, giving back to the community right now in the building that he went through himself as a student. He's going to talk about some really uh important volunteers within our FFA program. Yeah. So, I am on my third year now at Ontario High back at Ontario High School. Um, in fact, I was a student of Mr. Utmor many years ago. I survived. So, uh, and so I would like to invite a couple families up that have been a huge support to our program. And I'd like to start off with Keith and Dedra Porter. So, the mere fact that Keith and Dedra haven't been recognized yet is absolutely shocking to me sometimes. The the amount of effort that they put into our program is is beyond. Keith is currently serving
020as our alumni president at the moment and they spend countless hours helping with fundraising, chaperoning, judging, stepping in wherever necessary. I've never asked for any recognition. And I've always been more than happy to help and doing this all while Keith obviously involved in athletics in our county officiating games, volunteering in 4, you know, it it just the amount of effort they put into the help into helping the youth is is unprecedented. And so for all of your efforts, we greatly appreciate everything you guys do. Yes. She's like, "No." Awesome. Well, the border family standing here, right? Okay. And the next family I'd like to recognize is Randy and Leanne Daniels. So Randy and Leanne are kind of new to the program, but have jumped in with both feet. So being active members in our NRFA
021alumni as well as being major parts of different projects that are keeping the program moving. Uh Randy and Leanne have played a major role in feeding and shapering students while at state convention stepping in as judges for aggra science fair last minute. Ramrotting renovation of our FFA fair office down here county fairgrounds chaperoning and transporting students at national convention. You're noticing a theme here. I mean, he's busy, right? And even looking at chaperoning for EF educational tours being organized by Mrs. Hus. So, these two individuals never seek attention. In fact, you will always find them in the back somewhere. They never want to be recognized. The fact that we got them up here in front of everybody right now is absolutely shocking. I really figured they were going to tell me they were busy tonight.
022And so, these two these two people really deserve to be recognized for the hours they dedicate to helping our students and program have a fun, safe, and fulfilling experience. And so I'd really like to thank both Randy and Leanne Daniels and Keith Ne reporter for all that you do for us. So thank you. I am Lisa Longoria and I'm the principal at Ontario Middle School and today we are tonight we are recognizing Amelana Mendes. Emmelana So, Emiliana Mendes stepped up in a big way by serving as one of 15 parent chaperones for our 4-day, three night, sixth grade outdoor school trip. She was allin snapping photos, engaging enth enthusiastically with every learning moment, and genuinely connecting with students in her group. Her constant smile and positive attitude were contagious, helping to make the experience more
023meaningful for everyone involved. Beyond outdoor school, Emmeliana has been a consistent and dependable volunteer. from helping out on picture day for the past two years, supporting students safety on the first day of school to always saying yes when called upon. She's shown dedication to supporting MS students and staff. She's even rearranged her work schedule just to be there when needed. Like tonight, she's coaching right after she leaves here. She's going to put her coaching clothes on and go coach. Thank you, Amelana, for your time, energy, and heart. And Emiliana's family is at soccer. Yeah. Oh, I think Oh, if I could get everyone to come up and get a quick picture, they got a certificate. Sorry. It's okay. What about See That's better. Oh, right. [Music] Okay. [Music] Toby's worried they're worried gonna get stolen.
024Did you win, Toby? Good. All right, pulling ourselves back around. We're gonna learn something important about tag from Val Reynolds, I hope. Oh, it's you. Oh, no. Tag. Sorry. Got that Northern Idaho accent. Just a 15 second summary. Me. Um, next is it next month is May. Yep. Is I celebrate my 36th year in education and I really am honored to say that 18 of those have been with Ontario School District. Nikki hired me. So, and then so I came as a reading I've worked as a reading specialist, a teacher, an instructional coach, and a mentor. And now I'm our district tank coordinator. So, I have three goals that I'd like to share. First of all, thank you for having me. And the three four goals I'd like to share with you is um first
025um identifying characteristics of our tag students. The second one is to review our revised um identification system and online. I got new glasses so my bif focuses different offered by the teachers and then finally share student and family services. Are you my clicker? Jar is my clicker. Perfect. So, the first thing I do in RPD is really identifying who our gifted students are and trying to take that eliteness out of it and really looking at um you're going to see that identification is really become much more holistic in the students that we're identifying. Um I'm always working with teachers and students at what is bright versus gifted. So really determining what are the characteristics of a gifted student and you'll find our gifted population comes with a lot of myths and so doing a lot
026of the PDI do is educating teachers on how to identify the characteristics in their students. The next one um this is our tag kids are probably considered the most heterogeneous group that we have of all students. It's not a one one solution fits all. We've um I do a lot of PD behind the characteristics of what does gifted look like? We're all used to the successful student. We're all used to that over the Santis who is a TAG student who's going to be a great future. But there's a lot of kids and a lot of differentiating of we have um our atrisisk kids. We have kids that are underground. We have twice exceptional. And I do a lot of educating with our teachers and staff on how to identify the characteristics of those students. um
027in the way but okay is yeah there you go thank you so results of the training I've been doing I've been in this position for three years you could see that our referral rate is increasing among parents and teachers so the education I'm doing in the PD not just our staff but also with families has caused I know these numbers look little but it's just so important like tomorrow I'll spend all morning at a we'll finish universal testing of new students and then I have teacher referrals to follow up just from our last conferences and then parent referrals. So I think the fact that we're creating a tight community and people have a voice in that is causing our um the parent identification to change. Also our universal is done every fall and it's in
028second and fifth grade. So we get all our second and fifth graders and then what I'm doing in the spring is I finished at Alamita doing the fifth graders and then I'll go to second grade and finish our newcomers. So any new students that we have in the spring I make sure to get them all. that I'm sorry I I'm finally connecting it I think so the parents identify the fewest the teacher second and what's the third so the unit and I will test all second graders and all fifth graders every year and then what that's shown is that um as I've been in this position parents and teachers are have more in a voice than referring students also I apologize. I don't have a teacher. You can interrupt all you want. I know enough
029about the program. So you said second and fifth. You would do universal screening. Those are the primary evaluations to determine the children. Yep. We will do a cognitive um assessment then and anyone is the 95th percentile in that will become intellectually. But I also found a data point in that that our top 80% I then go into academic testing. So you're going to see in some results soon how that is improved too. Okay. Oh, thank you. Um we are also increasing the identification of the typically unrepresented populations and those are those profiles that I just referred to. So you can see over here that our our homeless population migrant and twice exceptional have all improved and gone up. We've also been gradually and equitably um increased our percentages between Hispanic two or more white over
030the last three years. And then finally um back in three years the state challenged us to start finding what was missing in our tag identification. So you know again trying to create a holistic approach to it. So we went in and we our goal is to get 5 to 10% of our population. We want unrepresented populations to be um shown. We also remove an just assessment based. So right now we have um any referrals that come in. It's actually a six- page case study now. And I'll show you what's involved in that. But it's not just one test can put a student in. We're really looking at a whole profile. And oh there that's okay. You may move. So this is our new flowchart. And you can see that now what we're looking at is
031local talent. they've taken that national percentile away and just like in sports and music and any other competitions our kids have that we're looking at local talent. You can see that we have multiple pathways. We have the universal screening which is what I was just telling you about with our second and fifth graders. But we also look at quantitative data and qualitative data. We do case studies. We do portfolios. We start in kindergarten. So I have some kinders that already start portfolios. So there's many different ways based on the student and the team and when we get together. So when we do identify guy identify I don't know why I'm all my friends. I don't know probably and I can't see what I'm writing but um anyway so before we had a category that was
032called potential to perform. that category is deceased and the state had us um not use that anymore. So now we have we identify intellectually gifted but now we're looking at academically talented too in reading and math. And then one of my goals this summer is to research how we can diversify and maybe get creativity and leadership because those are talents in places that our kids are exceeding too. So, I'm working with our music departments and art departments and FFA and stuff like that to start really kind of what are some rubrics, what are some benchmarks for kids that are doing outstanding work in those areas. Um, as we change the mindset, I think my biggest reward is when I walk through the hallway of schools and people are like, "Okay, just send me an email."
033But, um, I think it's really neat and the fact that we've gotten rid of that potential and get it more specific. you could see that our um our categories of math and reading and identifying has been more specific. So those rates are going up. But what that really truly means for our students is that our services are going up because when they're in the classroom, teachers are able to identify what exactly they're talented in and differentiate to meet those needs. So differentiation about services is differentiation is our first line of service in the classroom with our teachers. So I do a lot of training on what does that look like. There's a list here what differentiation looks like and that's where I do I'll do um the expose I'll go into individual schools. I'll meet
034personal needs of our principles just and I work with um I go to conferences. I also work with our teachers. I didn't bring a water bottle. The other thing we also have is ongoing professional development and this is through our Tiger University. So these are classes that our teachers can take and they help us help them learn the culture like um removing the mask is about peg and poverty. Um genius denied is who what students were really left behind in No Child Left Behind. And then a brand new one out is um the teaching strategies because a lot of feedback that the teachers have is they want to know strategies that they can use in the classroom. And then finally is the new one I wrote called developing tenacity. How do we develop grit? Because
035I really want our kids to have productive struggle early on and and more constant still. Okay. Grade level schools has been a key opportunity to us meeting the needs of our tag kids. I can't thank enough our principles all the way from kindergarten all the way up to high school because these are the true implementers of us getting successful and meeting the needs of types of schools. They when we um I put out the idea of cluster group in the kids they were the first ones to say that's a great idea. They're also the first ones that they're they're the first ones that make time in their schedule. there. That's a big priority to give up time in a schedule. And I I've gone to each one of them like I just need enrichment. I
036just need this. I just need this. But they are really the implementers of this getting done. So talking about enrichment, enrichment is a little different and what I've really worked for is implementing a curriculum that is a mindset development but also one that is a productive struggle. So it's really intentional and the kids I have some really fun examples. So in first through sixth grade, our elementary principles have done just such a great job of not only just giving me what period a day, but they Andrew gave me a whole block in the schedule for a week, you know, and Kevin and Toby have done the same thing. They've been just generous and I just it's the collaboration of all of us together that's really making the success of our program. They they give me
037a teacher that I can work with constantly and I think I've talked to all my teachers this week already and it's only Monday. Um, I go back one more. So, this is this is my favorite story, though. So, we got in some science kits this year in there and I went into the classroom and they were all lined up around the room and these this was over at Alama. And I asked my teacher, I'm like, why are they all just sitting on the ledges? She goes, "Oh, they said they don't work." And I said, "Oh, so that they're having trouble." And they, she goes, "I think so." So what happened is they were it wasn't working because they didn't know how to figure it out. So I said, "This is what I want you to
038do tomorrow. I want you to take them all, put them into groups, and have them finish it because someone's going to know how to do it. They're there." They they were hitting a productive struggle and they were avoiding it. So she said, she calls me on my phone. Oh my god, she was it worked. So and so and so and so and so and so started to tell everybody what to do. And then everybody else told everybody else what to do. And I'm like, that's about what's going to happen. And I said, "Just sit back and facilitate it and let him go." They went home and they they made her send me pictures on my phone. They're like, "Tell Mrs. Rattles we did it." And I'm like, "Thank you. Um, tell her we did it."
039And I'm like, "That's great." But really incorporating that productive struggle early is creating students who are have a lot more grit. But also putting the emotional social piece of their curriculum in there has been helping them too with the like um in the middle school we have a seventh and eighth grade advisory. And in that advisory they stay together for a year and u the teacher reports that some days they just talk some days they just kind of go over but the good thing is they're very competitive with each other. So, the fact that they have that challenge and their perfectionism that this teacher can coach them through those challenges. I had one kid that I've been working with since fifth grade. He's in that group. Long story short, he's a perfectionist and he he
040didn't do well in his his um state testing. He he took answers. He he did them and he thought he could go back and he found out you can't go back once you've done an answer. and he cried and like an eighth grader was so upset, literally upset. And the we thought it's because, you know, he wasn't gonna do good on his test. He goes, "Oh, that means I can't be in TAG anymore." And that was our biggest reward because this kid has been someone who's a perfectionist. He struggles, but I've been with him for three years now. And just to see his growth in that has been great. So that's what that does at our advisory at the seventh and eth through sixth. And there the brainology is called that goes my curriculum goes
041from first grade through six and then se it kind of bleeds right into what they do at the middle school with youth science and then you science it goes into career exploration. My eighth graders like Miss Reynolds what are we doing for enrichment next year? I said oh it's you have the world out there like the high school is just a place that they get to go and excel and they're ready to fly if I do my job right. Um the next we'll talk about the second grade or secondary who's here. So differentiate and continue in the classroom. I kind of went into the foster group at MS. The other thing we get to do at our sixth graders in the point of enrichment is kids get to delve deeper into what's their interest and
042what's their passion about. So this is our sixth graders. We went to the planetarium. Then they came back and they built planetariums and then they thought, well, let's do everybody should do a report on their favorite stars or whatever they were doing. So I think that lasted for two months and because they had me come back and I was their glows and grows person. But that's an opportunity for them to get to go deeper into work together. Our I think Ken, this is Ken's favorite day is when I bring the littles up there and they're actually the valuators of one of the high school classes. So, we do a lot of um design um design process in TA. They got to actually go up and they got to be evaluators of the high schoolers. And
043one year, one of our little kids actually finished the high schoolers project and we're all like, "Oh, no." But, um is one of the funnest things we do. And then we also got in trouble, not trouble, but we got stuck in first grade. So, we actually had to take some of our middle schoolers over to TAG to help the kids finish their projects because we went a little bit over their heads. So, I just I just love that and I love that the principles are just their priority of TAG is is an open door and they're they're the they're so dedicated to it. So, the success has really just been a team effort of everybody. All right. I think and then the last thing we have is our family nights. That's been one of our
044goals of growth this year is educating families and um developing that tag community. And this is used we use our SIAR grant and I work with Jod on that and this is something that I use that grant for um parent education and building the community. So I bet you all and then our have it this week this Wednesday is our last one for the year and this year we've been doing a lot with tag swag. So we brought all of you your own tag swag because it's really about creating community and making sure that we can all be together. I know that's my sorry I should have had a what questions you guys But we have one too. Better come give us a hug. I have millions. Can I come meet you? Yeah, you can.
045very kind. Well, I have a comment. Uh my grandson is in Boisey. He's nine years old and just started and they call it gifted and something but he started I think maybe two weeks ago. He's in the fourth grade and I think my daughter told me they are going to combine fourth and fifth. But listening to you, I have no idea how he was selected or what they do. And so I I know we'll get a copy of all this, but I want to talk to my daughter now to find out what is happening. I may have to bring him over to Ontario. Oregon does is differentiation in the classroom is our first level of service. So it's a lot of what I do is supporting the teachers and to educ and to differentiate in
046the classroom and then going to grade level schools was just such a great opportunity to cluster group the kids. Yeah. So, like we have academically talented reading in a class. We have academically talented math in a class. And teachers have literally stopped me in the hallways and just like, "Oh, I'm just having so much one more fun teaching because their range isn't so large." Um, I've had parents, we did a oh, I did even what was a different presentation. So, it's okay. But um our teachers, we measure the rate of learning that our the kids do rate of learning and access and they do what's called a PEP plan. And our sixth grade actually piloted and did an online one for the parents to give input ahead of conferences and that one they got 100%
047participation in that. We've never had 100% of anything before. So they really love that fact that they can ask questions ahead of the conference and they were able to answer some questions that we needed from them. So, I think the fact that they're being involved in their students education is a huge priority for us, too. So, we'll probably push that out next fall with everybody once the sixth grade teachers and I uh clean it up a little bit. See, if I could continue with my grandson, he's he's got a ADHD. So, that's called twice exceptional. It's anything that would mask his potential academically is the twice because he gets great A's. his greater good, but then it's the other part that he has difficulty with. So this and he's more the work it was easier
048for. So now the work won't be as easy and and luckily when and they move into one building and but he knew four or five of the kids so it didn't like yeah I think our principles have given that opportunity that our tag kids do get to get together once a day and they do get that specialized but being integrated in with all their peers has been really healthy for them and it's also healthy for all students because I always tell teachers what's good for talented and gifted is good for all students. So improving their processes as teachers has been helpful too. Good. Thank you. One of the hardest parts about I know when I was in a classroom or even our young teachers is having those kids in the classroom and and being able
049to challenge them. And there's a difference, right? Because it's not giving them more work. It's challenging them. And and that's what also what Val does is is to be able to coach those teachers on how they can challenge those kids in the classroom. But that's really really important because it's not more it doesn't teach work. Yeah. Teach them to go deeper and giving them a lot of times I feel like I'm just giving them permission to like yeah let them work on their own. Let them have a project. You don't have they don't want you to hover. They just want you to let guide them and facilitate and let them go a little bit. So just giving them permission to and and it be a secondhand too like work with teachers in the classroom to
050launch them because what's happened with the grade level schools too is we're starting to get teachers that want to specialize as the tag teacher now to have that so they've taken my classes and then we'll go in. So now with the rollups coming up I'm meeting with coaches on Thursday just to go over class list and cluster grouping and letting them know which teachers are interested in in exploring. So I think that opport that professional opportunity for our teachers has been good too because gifted and talented is not something that you receive an education in. It's not a priority. It's not funded through the state. Our district is doing an excellent job at making it a priority at funding it. I mean nobody has like Jody said um last summer she goes nobody has a
051bow and we saw that at the KOSA presentation where I I did present without my voice cracking right. But um I think that fact that we make it a priority, we will start seeing it in our results and our data because we are making sure our most successful kids are achieving. We don't want them to just maintain. We want them to grow. So when our students, our teachers write their SLG plans, they're looking for growth. They're not looking for them to stay high. We're looking for growth. So, I wanted to thank Val and I'm glad you brought that up because she did share the KOSA conference last summer to all the principles in well whoever came throughout the state and I know she's done it for a conference for you as well. National Migrant Conference.
052Yeah. National. And so, and it's not something that's happening everywhere. And so, I think it puts a really big spotlight on what is very welld deserved. So, I appreciate you. I appreciate you guys. Like, I don't know why my voice would crack and I'm so embarrassed by that. But really, it's such a team effort and I'm so honored. Like, I think the fact that just knowing that all of us are a team and that, you know, I've been Andrea's coach. I've been I've been your coach. I've been your coach. And I've been Andrea's teacher. You know, just having to work with all of us. I This is the team. And it's just good to be a coordinator of all the champ. You didn't show this here, but um you know often we talk about tag
053in terms of elementary for good reason. Do you have that video of the alternative school high school student who's talking about his experience and that is is so moving. If you get a chance to email that to Andrea so she can push it out to you guys, it's worth the watch. He's a student that was in Quest actually. Yes. Yeah. And uh if it'll make me cry, then I know. Yeah. Um Yeah. And those are the barriers that were I mean, we're literally breaking barriers. I mean, they told me I had 10 minutes and I know I've probably gone 20, but we had somebody that was more excited about completely. Yes. Now, it was a parent reference. His mom, she's like, has these plants? She says he he's smart. he's going to make the world
054change and he came out intellectually gifted at the 96th percentile and he next day wanted to leave Sochi's class which he gets um integrated for he's a newcomer for three he left so I'm like let him go let him go and he went to his advisory with his new students like marched in there and he just keeps going he went on field trip we had an interpreter at TBCC for him so you know it's just it's amazing the diversity that this opportunity is bringing us and where we're going with the state so really creating that eliteness and taking that way and servicing our our most potential students is been fun. And Val talks about working with the building principles and how well we work together. Um like like Jody said, we don't have other people
055don't have a val. We're very fortunate to have Bal as the bow. Um and the reason we're able to collaborate with her and work with her so easily is because we trust her. We all have worked with her. I worked at summer school with you and we worked on Amina together. Yes. And so we have a lot of trust and faith in in the work that you're doing with this program and the investment that you have. Yes. And like you said, there's been a wide array of students being identified and that's wonderful. Yeah. I just had a seventh grader that testing Wednesday from conferences. So, and I think um the sweatress has been a swag thing just to start developing that culture and the parents are asking to get their kids tested is a real
056good complement of the work we're doing too. But it is a district priority. It is a team effort and it's there's no other place around that commits the funding that our district has put to it because it's not funded anything through state. It's the SIA account and that's most of the funding and then I have a little budget with the district. So, and then I did get an educational donation this last year. So, Jean's like, "Yep." And she spent all of it. Any other questions? Well, I'm I'm glad you said you're never gonna leave HC 36 years. So, 36 disagrees. He said no. He retired. Well, thank you for your time and thank you for the invitation and thank you for the questions and yeah, Matt, just send me an email and we can chat.
057Andrew, I can do that. Thank you. Thanks. Definitely good to hear about all of our programs, but we pick one off every meeting. Yeah, be nice to end the year knowing what's going on in our district. Thank you, Val. Thank you. Okay. Bit uh you're from board members. Start with you. Well, my whole life came together when Miss Huddleston invited me to come to the AK book bending machine ribbon cut a lot. And Miss Hson's always great to take me into different classrooms, say hi to the teacher, meet students, but she always she knows me too well. She will always introduce me to a child that will just make me fall apart. Um, but I learned so much and I beg any of you call me, text me, invite me to come do anything because
058I love being in the schools. I learned so much and all the teachers are gracious and express appreciation for what I do and I do nothing but thank you. Thank you Miss Plesson. Well, first I think we should sing happy birthday. You are superintendent who's only 32 years old. Couldn't imagine a better way to spend it. So, next I missed the grand opening for the bookmobile. I was kind of homebound recovering some some things, but I did get by the baseball field and we're supposed to have a photo, but it was on Facebook. You see all these supervisors usually standing around. Uh, but R2 didn't. They were raking the new dirt in the field and I have their photo. And then next, I really enjoyed the uh listening to the candidates for the school board
059and the other ones. I was unhappy that everyone didn't get invi invited and I talked to several people, but hopefully it looks like they didn't want to show up. Well, they and they didn't even know about it. Yeah. So, but that was good. So, we did that and I think that's all I have. Thank you. Well, I I know uh we just recognized volunteers in our district. Um but I'm going to extend that volunteer recognition time to my colleagues up here who volunteered to be on this board and thank them very much for their time uh and their efforts. Uh every time I come to a board meeting and listen to the things that they go out to the schools and do, I'm very impressed. um that they they make those connections with you guys
060out there and hopefully that's helping you in your jobs. I do know that this is that time of year right after spring break when it seems like a downhill slide and sometimes a cliff and the work that you're doing is keeping it level and we're finishing out the year smoothly. And uh I know that both from the teacher side, the administrator side. Uh I have got a chance to work with Bob when he was younger. And uh this end of the year was a frustrating time because administrators wouldn't quite do the things that you would expect them to at the end of the year. And he was always there to pick up those pieces and sometimes with a cheery face, sometimes not. So appreciate you guys all for the work that you're doing and I
061hope we are always there to help you and make it easier on you. So I have one more like I always do. Sure. I thought of this. You were unable to be here and I filled in as board chair and I've been asked not to do that again. I told people they couldn't leave after their presentation or after their awards and then I told them I was going to move it to the end of the agenda so they would be here for the and I think that's all I did. Well, thank you. All right, we will move on to finals report. Yeah, this time of year it's always uh busy keeping up with all the legislature changes and things going on and Nikki does a good job of keeping us up to date with everything
062going on. Um but uh you know we a few months ago we heard that the pers rates were going up for our district about 6%. Um know more recently they've kind of backed down from that 6% and and so it looks like we'll have get a one and a half% roughly decrease from that 12.68% decrease from that. And anyway, so I think they uh they tell us the bad news and then and tell us some good news, so we're not as mad about the the increase. But um but then we get increase from um from PACE and there's always this this give and take. But um but it's basically keeping up with all the all the changes and making sure um you know that the budgets updated accordingly. And I've uh gone out with um
063to all the schools and talked to a lot of the of the departments about um you know where they're at with the spending this year and and they're all doing great by the way and and then next year without that what does that look like and and updating some reports and stuff. So it's been good to go out to the schools. Um and then um and then the the budget meeting coming up. Um and that's pretty much all ready to go and we'll just uh push it back another week. So yeah, that's about any questions for Deon. All right, move on to superintendent report. Um yeah, I I don't have a lot. just as you saw in my report it's all legislative updates happening just watching closely um not just state level but also at
064the federal level um when we were right before the meeting started I was talking to a few of you about how um I was working on a letter today to Congressman Vince um regarding um school vouchers And that's easy to oppose that because that money obviously takes away from public education and keeps that and um so um um I don't know I don't I'm not sure um but I'll I'll probably send that off tomorrow and then yeah and then I've also sent um at the state level I've sent to Representative Owens, Senator Plank. Um, and um, although I haven't heard back directly from them, and I have in the past, I do I am watching what they're doing. And, and for example, Owens is behind one of the bills I asked to support. He's along
065a handful of other legislators who are who are actually trying to spearhead that push that through. So, I very much appreciate that and and looking out for us. So um we we're meeting um weekly I say we the um post membership um they keep us updated. Um I've also um sent stuff out to them. So obviously they do a lot of advocating for us on school district's behalf and of um one of the things that we were were really hoping to um stay strong with which is like our our lunch program our free lunch program and um I sent off some information or write up to KOSA that they so they could use um in their testimonies like that. A lot of that is happening right now. Watching what is going through, writing letters when
066we need to. Um, and also just kind of you just have to always be in a spot to anticipate what's going to happen. And so sharing and talking through like what if this goes through or what if this doesn't and things like that. So for example, um you know there's these things that go through that have that are unfunded mandates, right? So, uh, I heard from the postal representative and and they said, "Could you put a number on what this would cost you?" And the last one was, uh, could you put a number to, uh, the governor's accountability bill? And if as that goes through, um, and these things happened, what's that number mean to use your district? and um would give that that number to them and then they use that to testify or
067to get funding for that if that pass for that passage of that. So, uh just a a lot of a lot of those kinds of things. And as Devon said, unfortunately, um there are more things that are costing us than I think we're getting. It feels like if they they come in at 11 36 or whatever they say it's going to come in at. Um the the thing is is that there's a price tag on other things. For example, as as Deon said, our pace insurance, which is our casualty coverage, um we're hearing is going to go up on average 18 and a half%. So some districts it's going to go more than that. at 18 and a half% of our just our our insurance, our health insurance. Um although it can't go, it's not
068supposed to go up more than 36%. Well, it'll go up there, but they're also they want to raise it more. So then it's going to go up in a different area, which is a deductible, I think, is going to be raised and so on and so forth. So it's just really hard when they say you're getting all this money when they when we have to apply it in other places because of other laws that they pass. So and just keeping an eye on it and figuring out what move to make next. So any questions? I have a comment if I could. seems like different schools are having to are out of money hopefully and they have to let staff go. Yeah. But I think you've always been careful with our money. Yeah. Those rifts have
069already started in a lot of places. Uh some as a result of the Easter dollars going away. They have maybe put that into people. Um other reasons for example are because of the increased service costs. Um so those suicide thoughts, you know, a few handfuls of us at the state and um those hits hit hard. I mean obviously um it was was a bummer for us if we are going to get that 11.36 um you know roughly half of that is has got to go to purse. It's just it's just really it's sad and disappointing but that we didn't get more of it to go towards our towards the things that are important, right? To our kids, to our teachers, things like that. Um so yeah, some people are in a lot harder place than
070than we are. Um we are um we we'll continue to be healthy but I will say this that we are going to be so healthy but leaner than we've ever been and as we come to the budget meeting Devon will explain what that why that is and what that looks like in what what does lean mean? Lean means we are we are cutting it close and there is just no we literally have to be really careful. There's not going to be any waste while we spend we're going to pay attention to our enrollment. We're going to be paying attention to our staffing and um if we uh you know there may be times that we want to not refill positions. We won't lay anyone off but we may not refill a few positions. Um so
071you know really streamlining that really not having as much flexibility but still healthy. I guess the best way I can say yeah we still have a a healthy ending fund balance but as far as what the state gives us we're going to be lean with that. Yeah. And that's in part some of that is just, you know, as we come up with negotiations and have had a a great uh great sessions with with our our unions and um but we are to to get where we needed to get with that compensation package. Um we're going to see we'll be we'll likely be in deficit that first year. That makes sense because when the state funds us, the state funds us up for a bienium. So it's two years and the first year of that bienium
072is 49% of that and second year's 51. So so we're just kind of using some of our reserve year one to get through year two if that makes sense. So, it's sort of like saying, um, I'm spending more this month, but next month I'll be able to it'll be able to come out even because I'll be putting more money in my account because I'm working extra hours. That makes sense. So, that's that's how it's going to be. But on the money, I'm sorry to interrupt. I do that too much. But isn't it true that the state money comes in a balance at the end of the year? You know what you get for 11 months and then there's a larger sum in the 12th month. You want to Yeah. Yep. Yep. So um in so
073the the funds are for July through June but then in Septe but we don't get paid in June or July anyway we get double payment for one of those months. So we get we get paid in equal ports for 12 months but but one month is doubled. So we don't get paid for one month. And then the problem we had for the last three years, the auditor didn't get the audit done. We weren't the only ones, but that delayed some of the money also. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, and I I guess while I'm at it, the last thing I'll cover is um our audit, which has been a really very frustrating for us. So, um we keep giving you updates and they they tell us, oh, you know, I think they told us, oh, we'll be
074done with it, uh January 31st. that they came and went and then all of a sudden devon gets all these requests from them for all of this stuff to give them. And we're like, well, how could you have been close to being done if you're not just now asking him for all these things, which then they've got to go through and analyze and then he thinks he's given it all to them and here comes another huge list of items that they need from him, which tells me they weren't close to having it done. So, I sent an email um to them again last Thursday or Friday and um was pretty poignant in it. This is a kindly essay um and said that the that the board and and myself as superintendent, we want to know
075an end date. We want to know when this is going to be needed. Um that you this has gone on three years. Yeah. that we have you have told us this date and here we are again. You have you have made us look bad in our community. You have the the newspaper has reported this making it look like it's our fault. I have gotten a call from the governor's office about why you don't have your audit done. I want to know when this is going to be done and I still didn't get an answer. Well, we'll review this and get back to you. Aren't we changing auditors next year? Yep. It's not fair to they've been very helpful. I've I've talked to the partner a couple times already and and um and they're very helpful.
076They they give us all the language and we have the contract already in place. And well, can't you send them lists of all these question in case they would put you in the same position? They already know what mean and they have a give them a heads up probably what but they have a track record of having 100% of their audits done by the end of the year and even they have like 95% done in November and so it's just the final stuff in December they're working on and they have they have a good track record. Yeah. Um, my next step if I don't hear from them in a week is just they'll get be receiving a letter. I'm going to say we've got to be close to saying we've breached contract and we need
077to take some legal action. Good question. Kind of going back to the earlier less detailed part of finance and this is probably a stupid question. It may not even be a question. um if we receive no federal funding for our school and the state still function cuz I know Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, they don't basically have states. It's all we have a we we receive a lot of federal funding and um and it would for everything title. Yeah. Um so, so yes, definitely. We we've tried not to panic too much. I mean, our hope is that at the very least if if they do away with the the US Department of Education. Our hope is is that that money will then go to the states as block grants and that money will flow through to us.
078Um, Annabelle received word, I think last week, that we weren't going to know about title one ed until July 1 just because everything at the DC level is unknown. So unknown. Yeah. So the teams that are usually doing all the allocations, they're not working on that stuff right now. So July 1st is when we'll know. And there's a lot of the thing Um, usually in April or March, we are giving a preliminary allocation amount. We have had years that I mean I' I've been in the situation. I received my notifications after July 1st. So I didn't even put it in my bud. I mean I put it in my budget piece. We always put it as a placeholder right now. But this time we are not been given up. So, we're watching that very closely.
079I did get an update in meeting Friday and I didn't have a chance to share that with Annabelle just kind of where they're at. Um, and there it it's not just as easy as saying we're going to pull all the funding. There's a lot of court stuff involved with that that have to happen and um and action by the government, things like that. So, but we are we are watching it. Thank you. Comment. We have any public comment? Yes, just one. Good evening. I'm Kirsten Wheeler and I was the negotiations chairperson for the Ontario Education Association and um I want to introduce my team, those of us that are here real quick. Oh, that's yours, Andrea? Um so I was the negotiations chair. Um, Fanny Lopez was our MS representative. Sid Ranguel uh represented Ontario
080High School. Camila Palomo represented their elementary teachers. And then we also had two members in training because we're always looking to replace ourselves with our job. So that was uh Kirstston Cardinis and Holly Conger. And I want to take a moment and thank um our principles that helped allow us extra time and even the space in some senses. We used my classroom for a lot of the trainings and support that we got from the state level. So, thank you guys for um allowing our members that time to get together and learn a lot about contract law. A lot. So, um we've been working with the district since um since January, but there was a lot of work that went into that beforehand. our team put in more than 50 hours outside of our workday to
081prepare for this negotiation to look into things to talk to our members about um what their priorities were. And so we let those responses drive um our negotiations and I feel like the negotiations were very productive and I'm really proud of the work that was done both on the union side but also on the district side. was very collaborative and um I was very happy to see that happen. Um so collaboration was the goal but it's not the end goal for OOA the the union. Um we consider our work very far from being done because there's so much more to working with the district than just being collaborative. we have to be part of the solution as well and that's one of the um things that as a union we really want to strive or
082we want to be part of the solution. Um our teacher compensation has to reflect the professional rigor that we are held accountable for that also runs into our students. We are expecting them to demonstrate rigor and excellence in the classroom. So we want our compensation to reflect that but also the support and that was one of the things that came across in the negotiation survey was that um teachers wanted the support and they wanted um they were appreciative of the systems that are already in place from our administrators and from the district level. Um we want to partner with the district and coming up with those solutions. uh we want to be competitive in the region with the districts around us and also personally just as a side note I would like to be innovative
083in what we're doing and the approaches that we're taking and I think that we have a worldclass set of educators in this district that have a lot of really great ideas and a lot of um resources and experiences to draw from to be innovated in this process. Um, as you guys well know, teachers don't just deliver content. We for too long and I practiced. It's okay. Um, we're designing rigorous instruction. We're modifying instruction. We're building relationships with students, staff, parents, and we're creating safe and engaging classrooms and learning environments for these kids. And that doesn't happen overnight. And I know that the district values and that the schoolboard values that with our teachers. Um, and I know that the district and the union want our compensation to match the effort that the teachers are putting
084in and that doesn't necessarily just mean dollars either. There's a lot more tied to that. So, um, the OEA has a really ambitious goal for the next couple of years. We want to, um, work to improve teacher morale. We want to improve professional connection opportunities for teachers to connect with each other and collaborate. Um, and we want to support and appreciate them because it is a big job and sometimes it's a hard job and teachers have a tendency to feel like they're on an island all themselves. And so the more that we can connect them and put them together in opportunities to celebrate their success, the better off that we'll be because we truly believe that when we invest in our teachers, whether that's with actual compensation or support, that that compensation, that investment direct
085directly ties to our students and directly ties to our community. And as a community member and a former graduate of Ontario High School, that is my personal goal and priority. So, thank you guys and thank you for a good negotiations. I look forward to many more. Thanks. Any questions? Now, we can take a five minute break. Uh, we meet back here at 6 oh 6:25 and we keep it way too cold in here. Double you would approval of the May school board meeting date. You pick one out. So the fourth Monday is a holiday. So your option, your two options are May 19th or June 2nd. Um, you know, the thing about about having it on it's June 2nd is that um June No, it was June. Yeah, June 2nd is um that would still
086put you four weeks out I think of the June board meeting. So, it would still be spread out appropriately and June 2nd. We can do the May 19th or June 2. Yes, sir. May 19th would be difficult for me. I won't be here. Might not be difficult for you guys. I don't know. Yeah, 19th is not good. June second June second is June second. Yeah, 197. I can make a motion to change our May board meeting to June 2. Motion made and seconded. Motion on the table, Matt, is changing our May board meeting to June 2nd. Yeah, the fourth Monday. I don't vote. So, you can say enough to go, but I would just look at the calendar real quickly in case I need to cancel a trip to France. Luckily, you have three others
087that it works for and you have stuff for. So, but you like it when I go 3 June 2 after the school year. Oh, no. three days. Oh, I'd be delighted. All right, you back up to speed. So, we our motion is made and seconded. I just need to say all in favor say I. All oppose say nay. Motion is passed. May board meeting will be June 2nd. Everybody got a chance to look at the board budget goals? Nikki sends those out annually for us to review. Um, do we have any questions for Nikki? Will we have any reserve? I know you said, "Well, yeah, we we have a we have a healthy reserve. We just are regular. We that year we'll be spending more the first year. We'll be spending more money than we're
088bringing in. That's we'll be dipping into reserve. Okay, thank you for always being conscious types like this where we don't we have unstable headphones. All right, any other questions? No other questions. decided to entertain a motion to approve the board budget goals. I a motion to approve the board budget goals. Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Nay. Motion is passed. We have Dan Wilin interested in our budget committee. We have an opening. So we are looking to add him to our budget committee. Would anybody like to make a motion to approve Dan? I'd make a motion to approve Dan Wilin as a member of our second. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All opposed? Nay. Motion has passed. Next item on there is the approval of
089the 202527 licensed bargaining agreement. Um, does anybody have any questions? Was there a copy in our packet? There was a copy in your packet. My my a great big thick Wait a minute. No, it wasn't a packet. No, it's not yours. So, I just lose it. Oh. holding on to the original, so be careful. Yeah, I'm sure motion 2025 2027 license bargaining agreement. Got a motion made. Anyone have a second? I'll second. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Name motion has passed. Approval of the LIA conference to Utah is the next item on our agenda. The LIi conference. I second the L So before I have one question, so we have added the LIA conference to the agenda. Two different options. Okay. I want to make sure. Yep. This
090will be the approval of the first conference. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Nate. Hearing none. Motion is passed. Next items are our board policies. If you've had a chance to read through them all, we could lump them together in a motion. I would make a motion to approve policy first reading policy AC ac uh policy GBN JVA and JVAGBN and JF. I should read the title though. Second that. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. I. All oppose. Nay. Hearing none. Motion is passed and we will have those as second readings for approval next time. Correct. Next one on our list is the second LIA conference. And I believe we've already talked about this. So we can make a motion. I don't know. You want to say anything? Oh,
091no. We were going to let you It's really cool. It's our first one ever. Um had some space in our budget and um it's the first one I'm planning. So, I incorporated our professional committees in our L classes. So, have a seventh grade class and an eighth grade class. and all of our LA students are placed in a committee and it's really like student led lots of collaborative um process in there and so um our seventh and eighth graders um there's 48 students me and then uh we have a seventh grader dad he's going to go as our male chapron and then Miss Santana who's our student success coordinator um and we're going on a three-day twoight college loop around Oregon um and we've been uh just learning about pathways um after high school. Um
092talking like military, the difference between a community college and a university, different types of colleges. Um and so the itinerary was really based off of their interests. And the professional committee worked with me to find trade schools that they wanted to stop by and look at. And so um we're going to a community college that has a really cool culinary program. We're going to go to um UFO, which is, you know, a much bigger university. So, they'll get a range. Um and then we're going to go to the Bmont Academy School in Portland. Uh where they'll learn about barbering, which our boys are super into right now. Like 54% of our students were like, I want to learn about that. And so, that's why it's on our itinary barbering, like cutting hair. The first one
093uh is Southwestern Oregon Community College. It's in Kuz Bay and they have um the Oregon coast culinary program there. Culinary. Yeah. Yeah. Baking and cooking. So, it's been really student driven. Our professional committees are working on team building activities to do at the beach. Um because we get a couple hours in the morning on on our Wednesday itinerary. So, it's really cool. It's exciting. Um I'm excited for it. They're looking forward to it. Um it's going to be an MS only trip. And so our Utah conference is in um Monday which is also on your agenda. Um that one is a two-day one night super fast. We're getting on the bus getting there like driving back essentially. And so this one will be a lot more relaxed and I think they'll take away a lot
094more from it. And like I said, we've been doing um a lot of our lesson planning right now is just focused on getting them to know more about what they want to do and what options they have. And so it's been a fun focus for us this spring. Awesome. Anybody how many are going to go? How many students? Uh on a college of 48 24 seventh graders and 24 um eighth graders. How do you choose who go? Well, if they're in our LIA class, they they get to go. And our uh at the middle school, we do our best to um be really loyal to the way that the LIA class is set up. It follows a 30 4030 model. So the way I explain it, it's a leadership class, but it they're not haven't
095reached their full leadership potential yet. And so 30% of our kids are what we call um like they're leaders already. Like they're involved in school, they have good grades. That 40% is what we call um the um oh my gosh, I am blanking. We call them the invisible, untapped, the invisible. So they're 40% of our kids in LA at at MS are kids that maybe aren't excelling academically. Maybe they're not really involved in sports. And so we want to develop that leadership and use that top 30 to really lead by example. And then the bottom 30 of that bracket is what we call untapped potential. And so they're kids where we see potential in them, but they really need that push. Um half of our class is tutoring. So um we work with um OCDC
096and MCCDC, their Head Start and preschool programs here in Ontario. They bust their kids to the library and me and my students walk across the street. we go to the public library and that's where you see a lot of those leadership skills shine in a really non-traditional way and our middle schoolers sometimes don't get the opportunity to be the big kids and to be those leaders and this program really does that and so again using that as the model and then going on college loop going in you know going to a conference it's really encouraging for our kids especially when they haven't been told that they're a leader or they don't look like the typical leader um and so the LA program really gives them the the space and the opportunities to shine in ways
097that they just haven't gotten before. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah, of course. Have fun. Thank you. All right. After hearing that, I'd take a motion to approve the LA conference number two. Make a motion to approve I second. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. All oppose say nay. Motion has passed. We got to change the budget hearing date. you could. Yep. So, because of the timing with with getting it in the newspaper and we need to have 8 to 14 days prior and so the soonest we could do it is um May 15, which is a Thursday. And so, um we could do that Thursday, May 15th at 5 o'clock. We can also push it back to the week prior or the week following, but then I I hear that many of you
098are out of town on the 19th. And so um you know we have the 19th maybe 20th 20th and so there's there's a few options um just kind of see what what's available. Um what's the date that others are available? Um May 19th. Yeah, that's the day I How does the 15th look? Is that a that date? The 15th. Yeah. Of May. Yeah. Yep. Um, yeah, I'll be out graduating. When will you be back? I'll be back on Monday before the 19th. You'll be coming back though. Um, how does the 20th 21st or 22nd work available? I'm on the TVCC budget. Well, would would it be at the same time? 5:00. Let's see here. And And what did we lose? 14th can't do the 14th because it doesn't give it because by the time they
099publish it doesn't give us correct that from tomorrow or today it'll be published on May 7th is when they can publish that. It'll be so the first date we could do it is the 15th. The first day is the 15th and nobody others weren't available on the 15th that night. Only other day I guess is well probably nobody wants to come on Friday. Um let's see here. Well, let's go to the following week I guess. May we have uh well we can't do the 28th. That's graduation. Yeah, pre-graduation party. People aren't available any days the 19th through the 23rd. How about the 29th? That's a Thursday, right? That's fine. Yeah. It doesn't need to be done. We normally do it in June anyway. And so then Yeah. Yeah. And and that would be Thursday the
10029th. 5 p.m. Okay. 29th. 29th. Okay. All right. And I'll I'll have the budget ready usually the week prior, but I'll probably be able to beat that week prior. We're pushing it back. You got a little breathing. You kind of like that day, don't you? I'd rather All right. So, I would need a motion to change that date to May 29th. I make a motion to change our budget hearing date to May 29. Five o'clock. Five o'clock. I'll second. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. All oppose. Nay. Motion has passed. All right. Uh topics for future board meetings. I'm to um try to get my goals in front of you guys. We have um license um appreciation um for recognition. Put in front of you. Our license staff. for sure. Those two
101things um like there was one other thing that's sitting right now. Um we may have our um our class by union. There's is 30 days um to we're hoping to have that on here as well. They're ratified to have them ratify it, but they had to cut through the case. So hopefully that'll be done. Okay. I have nothing from the board. Then we can look at a motion to agend adjourn the meeting. Motion made, seconded. Motion made and seconded. All through say yay. All post. Motion has passed. We are out of here.