001Do we have a quorum in attendance? If it looks like it. >> Yes. >> Okay. And everyone can hear. It sounds like you can hear me. Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. Let's get started. Uh this public special meeting of the board of education for September 18, 2025 is called to order. All items be considered this evening are posted on the PPS website under the board and meetings tab. This meeting is being streamed live on PPS TV services website and on channel 28 will be replayed throughout the next two weeks. Please check district website for replay times. Uh all right, good evening and welcome. Uh we are here tonight for a special meeting of the board of education. Uh before we discuss the posted item, um I'd like to call on Dr. Armstrong. >> Yeah.
002Thank you, Chair Wong, and and board. We've heard testimony about the the ban and the um extra activities or sorry, the the activities that they do outside of the school day. and we have reached tenative agreement and we were scheduled to vote on um September 30th as an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement that would allow for extended responsibility pay. And so one of the things that uh we're hoping and to know that this agreement um is part of a revol uh resolution of approximately 15 open issues. And so if theou is ratified, educators including the pep band leaders that you heard uh from you may have heard from earlier or receive some communication would receive additional compensation for the work beyond the school day. Now the um collective bargaining agreement says that this topic
003will be part of the 2025 bargaining. So, we will have more conversation and so we're actually proposing uh that we implement it for this current year, not for future years since it is a bargaining topic. And so, I know that there was lots of energy from from our school staff. We did hear that some bands were were participating as we heard from the gentleman tonight. I don't even think that he knew that there was yet uh resolution. And so, um, while we know we're sort of outside of the payroll cycle and it's not going to come into effect this, um, at the end of this month, we thought if we make this move to, um, find it get agreement on the resolution that we can at least uh, put some of our uh, band directors
004and and other folks who are impacted by the 15 um, open issues um, at ease. is knowing that it's voted on and approved and we can carry on with our um our business. So, I am asking if we can vote on um the resolution and if that is appropriate and I'll turn it over to our our legal counsel to weigh in if we're able to do that at this time. Yes, it's you have the authority as a board to decide to vote on an issue if we have a public meeting, which we do, and it's an issue that's arisen. So, there's nothing on on that says you cannot vote tonight if you if you have a motion and an amendment. Second, not an amendment. Sorry. Can I ask a question? Sure. Can the resolution be
005posted that we'd be voting on? >> Yes. I think I'm going to turn that back over to Rosanne. It's up there. Okay. >> She's giving it a number and posting it now. So, give her a second. In the meantime, I can tell you what it says. It's not all that interesting. If you would you like to hear the proposed amendment? >> Yes. >> It simply says ratification of the memorandum of understanding with Portland Association of Teachers. says, "The board has reviewed the information regarding the proposedou, which is the one that you all have seen a draft of, or not the draft, the actual signed version that was signed by PPS and Portland Association of Teachers on September 5th, 2025 along with the superintendent's recommendation for ratification of the amendment to the collective bargaining agreement." And
006then the resolution is the board of education hereby ratifies the attached memorandum of understanding. And could we post theou or is that not something that's allowed to be posted? >> Sure. >> I'm just thinking from a transparency perspective so people can see what >> there. Am I making sense? Are the people think this seems like a good idea or am I being weird? Okay. >> It's just all happening in real time, but everything is otherwise a public record. >> Is there any reason why we would not want to do this right now? There are pros and cons about taking action in advance of the collective bargaining agreement and the collective bargaining negotiations that are coming up. I don't ever want to give advice in public session, but I think they're pros and cons and we
007have certainly discussed those with PAT. As it as uh Dr. Armstrong said we have 15 approximately 15 open issues that we're working through. This is one of them. It's unique in that it requires an a your ratification as opposed to just resolving them. So the biggest con is that there is an expense associated with this. that the leadership including all of those who worked on it up to the point that I became in the loop in August believe that the work done is comparable to the other types of work that the extended responsibility argu uh article compensates. So it's really kind of bringing into alignment which is something that was a hangover that's a bad choice of words holdover from the prior negotiations. And just since I'm speaking just to give you all a little
008bit of context, it was that there would be a committee looking at the extended responsibility and there would be recommendations made and if it wasn't brought forward in this way then it would be something discussed in 2025. So that there was a lot of work that I wasn't part of and um about exactly is this more like this is the compensation more like this versus that and that's what led to theou that's before you. And then just to add on that September 30th when the item was going to be before you, um we would have had more of a presentation with more information on some of the things that um our chief tonre just uh summarized, but understanding the urgency um around informing and and showing that like this is our commitment and we are
009moving forward on it. um seem to be important enough to propose that we vote on it. Now, whether it's going to impact anything that we do in our actions from now through the 30th, no. But if it gives some folks some reassurance in schools that um they can play on and participate, which we've heard they've been continuing to do, um then we think that it's great when we do support our bands and appreciate all that they do outside of the classroom. If I could just add one footnote, there are other um extended responsibility roles that are included in theou. It's not just the band. That's the one that's kind of sense of urgency, but I want to be transparent. There are other ones. And it was again the the leveling of their roles. >> I
010appreciate that. We appreciate our band and our debate advisors and all the other folks that do things after the school day. Uh >> so is the appropriate thing to do to move that we add this to the agenda? No, you can simply make a motion on this resolution. It's now been numbered 7177 and it's be it a motion is excuse me a potential resolution is before you. So you can move and second. >> So would I move that resolution 7177 be adopted by the board? Yes. Decent language. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> I have I've made the motion. I'll second. >> Second. I didn't hear that. Sorry. I >> a very emphatic second, Betty. >> Thank you. >> So, >> all right. So, we have uh Director Slit moves and Director Lefort seconds the resolution
0117177. Is there any further board discussion? >> Looks like Director Englesman has a question. Oh, >> yeah. Thank you. Go ahead, Director Englesman. Director Englesman, >> while we wait, is there any other board discussion? >> I had a um similar question to Director Chase Miller um in terms of because it feels a little bit rushed for me. I guess we have been um notified already. Is there any downside to um is there any negative or any downside to voting on this tonight versus waiting the 12 days? And I I I I guess one of the downsides would be that the bands wouldn't be able to play tomorrow night. In addition to that, are there any other downsides? >> Well, I will just jump in and say that there there's nothing preventing them from being able
012to play. I think what we found when we asked some questions, there were some people that um maybe weren't informed that there was an agreement that was was reached with PAT and that it was going to vote and then maybe others just waiting for the vote. I think we did hear that maybe in one space that there may have been a ban that was deciding that they would wait for the official vote, but it doesn't um it doesn't prevent any anything um from this point. I think all prior activity from not just as um Chief Tonrey mentioned not just from band but others um that have participated in things this month um will be covered retroactively >> right it will be for the school year so >> for this academic year. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
013Okay, I guess that was my second question then. If if the bands were to go back that they're going to be compensated then >> yes, >> I I do want to point out director to pass that it is not does not cover last year where they did work without an agreement. So the current what's in front of us is for this year. That other piece is still up for negotiation. But the I don't I don't feel like it feels rushed because it has been signed by both parties. I think this is showing that um you know we're walking the walk right now. I think I don't want to get too caught up in that because we've got you know 700 students that are impacted tomorrow and um I feel like if we have a signed
014agreement between PPS and PAT um I have no problem giving our band instructors and all of our other instructors the reassurance that our votes hopefully yes. >> Yeah. I I think my question about any negative repercussions is knowing that we don't have last year's covered or is there any anticipated fallout from not having this applied to last year? >> I don't know that I can answer that for you today. That's something that um is part of the discussion with PAT on about the 15 and then 50 other issues in place. So this is not this is to address one issue but the ongoing discussions with PAT are happening um regularly. Dr. Freeman meets with the team regularly. I've met you know so there's there's a lot of other work and there are a lot of
015other issues at play >> to thank you >> to talk through is a better way to put it. Chair Wong, I I know Director Englesman had something to say and rejoined from a different phone to see if she's able to say it. Just so you know what's going on if you're not aware. >> Thanks for letting me know. >> Go for it. >> Thank you. I didn't have anything to say except that I couldn't say anything and I wanted everyone to know that I was trying to connect on a different platform. I'm here now. >> Great. Welcome. All right. Any other uh questions or comments before we move to a vote? I assume that means no. So, all right. Uh, the board will now vote on resolution 7177, ratification of the memorandum of understanding with
016Portland Association of Teachers. All in favor, please indicate by saying yes. >> Yes. All opposed. Abstensions. All right. Resolution 7177 is approved uh by a vote of one two six to zero. Awesome. Congratulations. I'm hoping that people can sleep easy tonight. All right. Um our next item is a state literacy grant. Uh the on the the showcase of their meeting tonight. Uh we're pleased to have awarded been awarded the Oregon Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant. Uh this is a federally funded grant administered by the Oregon Department of Education is earmarked to support literacy programming from birth through 12th grade. Although trying to teach a newborn how to read is probably not recommended. Uh today we are voting to approve our first year allocation through a revenue contract which is technically for the 202425 school year
017and can be carried over and spent up until September 30th, 2026. Um we expect in the next month to receive the second allocation of an additional $1.1 million which will also come before us as an amendment to this contract. Uh this means that we will have $2.2 2 million of additional funding to support PK through 12 literacy activities and PPS over the next year. So unless there are any objections, I would like to ask if we could move straight on to vote this item. >> I have one comment before, but so if we move it, um I'd just like to make one comment. >> Sure, go for it. >> Thank you. I am so excited to hear about this grant. Um, I'm really grateful for everyone who put the work in to make it happen
018and to get it uh to get it. This is terrific. I do know I've heard of at least three schools across two or three zones um among the districts that did lose their reading results. I have raised this a couple of times. Um I've heard it from parents. They were disappointed. There are students that don't have the means or the ability to hire tutors and so they're just getting lost in the shuffle. And so I guess I would just love to say with this money, I would hope that schools that lost their reading results um are among the first to be contacted so that they get similar in-person tutorage and assistance to their kids who have lost it. Um because I think this is an opportunity to make sure that uh all students across the
019district have great um opportunities. >> Thank you. Well said. Um, all right. Before we vote on it, uh, do I have a motion and second to adopt resolution 7176, revenue contracts that exceeds $150,000 for delegation authority? >> Director to pass moves and director Chase Miller, I think I heard, seconds. >> I think it was Anglesman. >> I think it was Stephanie, but Okay, I'll second. >> Director Englesman seconds the adoption of resolution 7176. Any more discussion or comments? I just want to say this is what I wish for my birthday. >> Happy birthday, Chair Wong. >> Thanks for PPS to get potentially $2 million to support literacy. All right. Uh we will now vote on resolution 7176, revenue contracts that exceed $150,000 for de delegation of authority. All in favor, please indicate by saying yes.
020>> Yes. >> All opposed. Absentions. Resolution 7176 is approved by a vote of six to zero. Thank you everyone and uh super happy to approve this and thank you for every to everyone who put the work uh to get this. And there we are. >> And thanks for spending your birthday with us. It's really big of you. >> Absolutely. I'm at a soccer practice right now. So, thank you for dealing with that in my >> I remember the days of sitting in my car at soccer practice. It's been a real >> Yep. Um, >> thanks everyone. I'm going to Hospice. It's back to school night. So, I'm going to sign off. Bye. >> All right. >> Well, with that, this meeting is adjourned. Have a good evening everyone. >> Thank you.