001Oh, I loved it. >> I loved it. >> I read it to a I read it to a seventh grade mom and seventh grade >> right before they went to freedom to see the school. >> I think we should have Okay, I think our housekeeping is done here, right? Is that right, James? We're ready to go. >> Tell them thank you for busting their tail getting all that set up. All right, so we need to call our meeting to order. 07 by that one. and I will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. I don't see any students in here, right? >> No students. >> All right. >> Luke and pledge. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
002God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So before I adopt the agenda, uh many of you were at the meeting that we had the rally. Is that titled the rally? And I understand a couple people kind of got mad at me for calling out Sarah Psyche. And Sarah Sarah told I go way back with Sarah. I was her college director at church. So uh she was she laughed. Okay. I didn't hurt her feelings. I didn't make her cry. I think maybe I made somebody else cry, but it was all in justest. And uh her sister is actually the one who ratted her off. So, >> okay. Um we need to uh move to adopt the agenda with the addition of 4.2.9 [Music] >> and a second. >> Second. All >> in favor? I. >>
003And do we have any public comments, Veronica? Oh, hello. >> I was going to say I, if I recall correctly, you were involved in that conspiracy as well. >> Hello. Okay. Hi, I'm Valerie Hall. I'm a fourth grade teacher at American Elementary. I'm also the Rosedale Teachers Association secretary. I'm here today to talk to you about our voluntary PD or professional development days that we had last Wednesday and Thursday. Um the following is just a little bit about how I as well as my grade level and sites spent our days last week. So Wednesday we were at our school sites and at my campus in particular we have a new principal. So, we were extremely grateful for the opportunity to um have him get feedback from our staff so he could get to know the
004culture of our school and discover all the great things that are happening as well as things we can do to become better. Um Thursday was also spent at our school sites. The task of the day was simply to work at your site. Uh my grade level and I met first thing in the morning. We distributed all the textbooks. We had a good long PLC meeting to plan out our calendar and lesson plans. Um after lunch, we went our separate ways and just did what needed to be done. Um lesson planning, labeling classroom items, filling desks, all the things. Um the Wednesday and Thursday schedule this year was different from years past as all of our PD time was spent at our school sites. And so I asked a couple of teachers on my campus this
005question. Um what did you think of the voluntary PD days this year as compared to years past? And here's a couple of quotes. Uh, one teacher said, "I appreciate the PD days this year because it gave us the opportunity to have a fun team activity and provided flexibility to prepare for the upcoming school year." And another teacher said, "I felt much less stress over the weekend because I had sufficient time to work in my classroom. I was able to spend time over the weekend with my family and friends and not have to schedule time to work in my room. So, in summary, there has been more of a sense of calm around among teachers at my site this year. they are not as stressed out about getting things done because they utilize their time wisely
006over the two PD days. Um, going forward, I know most teachers would love to see the PD days utilized in the same way. I think most teachers given the time to get things done in their own classrooms and at their own sites according to all of our individual needs was wonderful and time well spent. Thank you. >> I have a question for you. Hey, >> so besides getting a new principal, did you get many additional staff, new staff? We have a new first grade teacher and a new second grade teacher and um I think that might be it. Maybe a couple other couple new aids, but our staff didn't change that much that much this year. >> Great. Thanks. >> Oh, well, yes, that's happening right now probably. >> I I've got just a statement
007to make. Thank you so much. We love to hear how you feel. We love to hear what's going on on the campuses. Um, anytime you'd like to come and give us an update, feel free. I really appreciate you coming here and giving us two or three minutes of what's going on in your world on that side of the of the district and the important side where things really happen. So, thank you so much for um sharing with us. Thanks, Thank you. >> And and I wanted to add as well to piggyback on what Mr. Spickler said. Um I was going to say the same thing. Thank you very much for coming and telling us that. Um I I listened to a teacher um on social media and he was talking about some of the challenges
008that teachers face and um he did mention lack of flexibility. Um, and from where where we are sitting, I would love to be able to do things that do make your life easier. Um, and and we would love to probably pay everybody a million dollars, but we might not be able to do that all the time. So, if there's things like this, like increased flexibility, decrease stress, increase sense of calm, things that we can incorporate, I love to hear that. And um, same thing u Mr. Spikler said, please come back and keep telling us what is working for you guys. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Govern. >> Okay, informationational items. Madison and Holtz going to give us a summer school presentation. Madison, could you use the mic because there probably people watching us?
009Are there on? Yeah. Thanks. >> Okay. Hi, I'm Madison Anderhold. I am the vice principal at Independence and I was the summer school principal this year. So, for just a little background on summer school, um we served kids breakfast and lunch. It was offered to all students in the cafeteria, we had raffle prices every day at lunch to encourage attendance. So, each day a kid was there, they got to write their name on like a little red ticket and put it in a bucket with their grade level. And then at lunch, we called anywhere between three and seven kids to come pick a prize for being there. We had a dress up week the last week of school. And then the last day of school, we had a water day. So at American, we had
01027 teachers, two instructional aids, a behavior intervention aid, and then an EL aid who also worked with the dean, and they did some EL groups, which I'll talk about in a little bit. Then at Rosedale North and American, we had um extended school year at both sites. We had 13 teachers and 43 aids. So the EL program that the ELE aid and dean worked on was EL Summit K12. And so there were 22 kids from third grade to 7th grade in the program. They went every single day for about 20 minutes a day. And 11 out of 18 students showed improvement from the pre and post test. So before they started the program, they did a pre-EST to see where they were at. And then the last day they took another test to see some
011growth. So we saw quite a bit of growth during the group. They completed six targeted lessons that focused on readingformational package passages as well as some vocabulary. And then we really focused on some science and math and hands-on learning to get the kids engaged. And so those are some fun pictures of kids doing some science experiments. And then here's some more science and math. We had a lot of good feedback on that. And then this was what water day looked like. It was a super crazy day. So this is these are the only pictures we have, but um kids spent about 50 minutes outside for water day. We had balloon tosses, sponge races, um like the water squirting things, and then they got otter pops also. And that is it. >> I have a question.
012Um, you talked about, I think, 11 out of the 18. So, would you say that the seven who didn't show growth were already pretty proficient and maybe wouldn't show much growth or were they pretty low and it just wasn't clicking? >> That's a good question. I don't know the answer. Um, >> I'm glad you're not guessing. Um, our dean really took this and ran with it and she graded everything and did everything herself. So, she would be the one to ask, but I'm not quite sure why. Um, and I didn't see the data, so I don't know. I'm sorry. >> Maybe you can get that back to >> I can ask her and then I'll let you guys know. Thank you. >> Well, and I I just have a comment. I love the fact that
013there's all these incentives built in for kids to participate and I just wanted to share my mother-in-law's turning 100 in just a week and she's in assisted living. They do some of the same activities at the assisted living facility and it's amazing how engaging it is for the residents there. So these kinds of things can transition the entire lifetime which I think is so fun and maybe kids that did some of these things when they were younger will share that when they raised their own family and on from there. So uh whatever we can get them how we can get them hooked in I think is just awesome. So thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. 3.2 staff reports. [Music] >> Right, guys. So, we've got a couple of updates. Um, just wanted to give you
014guys an update on our summer projects this summer. Um, basically, um, Jonathan, the maintenance crew, Jonathan Martinez, and, um, our maintenance crew, I mean, really went went to work. Um, I know I had kind of let you guys know right before summer that we had found some some termites at a couple of paces. Um, they're not exciting projects to do, but knowing that your guys can buckle down, hammer it out, and get the the hard work done that needs to be done. Um, they saved us massive amounts of money um, by doing a lot of the work inhouse. Um we had um just I mean a tremendous effort by that entire group of people. Um kept our yards looking good over the summer keeping them cut and trimmed so that when you drove by it
015wasn't you know it didn't look like they were you know you know three feet deep. Um because as we know the you know the nut grass grows real good in in Rosedale come summertime. Um and so you know it it took constant attention to keep it keep it looking decent when you drove by. Um and so big kudos to all of them with those projects we did. Um, Rosedale North also had some termite stuff that we needed to address. Um, and we were able to take care of that. Um, like I said, they're not they're not the, you know, put them in front of a billboard and celebrate because we're, you know, dropping, you know, a new building or anything like that, but really, um, buckling down and getting those stuff the stuff that needs
016to be done taken care of. Um, so I'm super proud of the work that they did this year and, um, with Jonathan Martinez's leadership over the summer really, um, kept them going and kept them excited about the work that they were doing. I think they took a lot of pride in it and so I'm very excited about the work that happened there. Um, also um wanted to give kudos to our technology department. Um, I think they did 1500 Chromebooks this summer. um I mean hundreds of PCs um took on um took on all of the um we used to have sites purchase um uh copy machines and things like that for the offices and um James said, you know what, may maybe we should start taking care of that at a different district level um
017so that we can make sure that we're replacing them on a schedule and really getting everything on a on a good five to six year replacement schedule. Um and so he's been working diligently getting all that stuff taken care of and and hammered out. And so, um, super excited about the work that we did. Um, did we get to everything we wanted to do this summer? Absolutely not. Um, the list is always always long. Um, but we got a lot of really important things done this summer. So, I'm super proud of all the work that went into that. Um, with that being said, um, we also undertook a project of getting cameras on every single one of our sites. Uh, we're probably 70% done right now. I think we have one or two more sites,
018two more sites, two sites left um to, uh, to finish up, but we're installing those cameras as as we go. I'm obviously taking a you know about a week and a half break so we're not in you know um bothering classrooms as we as we do the work especially in the first week of school. Um but really um excited to have that stuff set up and running. Um it's really cool. James has got um basically like an overview map of the the campus where you can click on each camera and jump from from place to place around the campus which is really helpful. Um the program also tells you where students are when they're walking around. So it shows a little dot um if someone's in camera view. Um, so that's been really helpful for
019us. Um, at night time when we get a call from Sona Troll saying there's somebody on campus, we're able to look at the map, go, "Oh, they're right there." Click on the camera that's that shows them and we can see who it is, where it is, when it's happening. Um, and allows us to not have to send BPD out um in the middle of the night. Poor Jonathan still gets the phone call from Sonatrol and still has to jump into the system to do it. Um, but we're um we're definitely pushing toward um having more coverage and and being able to utilize those for a lot of different things um around our campuses. And so excited to have that stuff um ready to go. Um and so like I said, we're getting close. Not quite
020completely done, but but that's the you know, two more sites, we should be all buttoned up. Then we'll train site staff um on how to use the programs and what they need to do to access that. Um give access to all the people that need it. And so um excited about the work that happened there. Um and then also, um we have um we have Carlos, uh help me with your last name. It's Talamontes. Is that right? Yes. All right. Um, and so Carlos is here from um, AD Toz Bus Cells. Um, he's been him and his team have been helping us with the grants that we're putting together for our EV buses. I know we had talked about this about a oh boy, a year and a half ago, maybe a little bit longer
021than that. Um, the process is is convoluted. There's a lot of different parts to it and so I'm really thankful for his team. Um and so he's going to um he's going to kind of show us a little presentation real quick just to kind of update you guys of where we're at with all the different grants that are stacking and and and working together to get that done. So have um Carlos come come with you guys. >> Yes. >> Sound okay? Y I'm actually local. in any part of mouth. The current amount we have right now,000 contest and [Music] Trust me, I asked. infrastructure side. I have no numbers. combine. You're going to have Exactly. The full cost of the project is $950,000. [Music] It's a random [Music] one remaining above or issue contract also
022cont the little tour. Yeah. Um I remember you mentioning is going to be pro. Are they providing the charging stations or they're just providing the power? upgrade. >> So, are these fulls size buses? front engine. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, Norm, $22,000 out of pocket. >> Yeah. >> Estimate right now. >> Yep. And how much money are you setting aside because it's going to be more than >> So right now um the we've got awards for the buses and we've got award letters for the um the up to the meter. So the what what I'm kind of in limbo with is the grant. We haven't been awarded the grant for the meter from the meter to the chargers itself. And so that's what we're still working. So um you know Oh yeah, go
023ahead. Yep. >> Oh, so we should have we should have a grant award letter soon. We just don't today. It's not in hand. So, I can sign the other two, but then we have have that. So, um I you know, when we talked it through when I was talking with Year, um it basically said on the the worst case scenario, you'd have to pay for the the meter to the the charger. And that project's about $400,000 on the maximum. So even if I look at it in terms of $4 million in buses, um you know, all the infrastructure that's happening up to the meter, we're still looking at less than 10% of uh a possible fallout. You know what I mean? And even if I had to come out of pocket the 400,000, I think
024that still we're way ahead for for nine buses into our district helping kids deliver kids to homes. I think >> at what point can we sell nine buses? >> So they take our old bus our old buses that are like in disrepair currently. So it's like a tradein on those. So the the old buses um and these are buses that were you know we're we're having to put a lot of money into keeping them on the road. Um everything from uh from blown head gaskets to turbos that go bad and it's you know every time we turn around it's between 10 and $20,000 to put get them back on the road. And because we don't have a lot of extra buses, we don't, you know, we've trimmed the fat, you know, so to speak. Um,
025we we have to get them back on the road as fast as we possibly can. So, >> what's our total number of buses? >> Total number of buses 20 >> nine. >> So, this 30% of our fleet >> will be EV. >> Wow. Yeah. >> Average. >> So, one of them is 30. >> Oh, yeah. We've got a few. >> One of them is 27 years old. >> Wow. >> Yeah. That bus that bus will not die. Every time you see it driving down the road, you'll see it. It's up and down the road and it that bus will not die. >> Yeah. The newest the newest as Nor said about not >> right. >> So, >> thank you. This sounds like really good news. Thank you. >> Yeah. No, I'm I'm very excited. Um,
026super excited to work with uh the A Toz team there. Um, they've been phenomenal. Um, you know, there's there's a lot of folks involved in every one of these different grant teams that you're working with and they all have different questions and they all need different replies and, um, they've been phenomenal at going, "Hey, this is the new update. What do we need to do next?" And so, um, it's been a an awesome experience so far. So, really hoping to to get this all locked down and and moving forward. >> Thank you. So, um, we have, uh, the the human resources office has been working steadily to make sure that all of the sites have the staff that they need for tomorrow. Um, I am very happy with the team. They've worked hard to try
027to streamline some of the processes and they can actually onboard once we offer employment. They can onboard fingerprint, get them sent out for their functional assessment and get them processed provided all their fingerprinting comes back in just a few days. Um, and that used to take us almost two weeks. So, they've really been able to become more efficient. Um, there are just some numbers. I know Francis has some numbers of like certificated folks, but we've we've hired um can I math right now? 90 new employees since July 1st. Um and that is you know it's a team effort because the site leaders have been involved in that and I wanted to highlight them this afternoon as well because they are juggling a lot of plates to be able to be ready to open the doors
028tomorrow. um on top of you know participating in interviewing and meeting with teachers for their needs and providing the professional development that uh Valerie mentioned earlier they're also meeting with families and taking you know last minute this is an urgent meeting. So they they really are um just driving and and being the heart of what we need to do to to make it ready for tomorrow. So I just wanted to thank and highlight them as well. We did add an additional person in HR. So, we have an additional payroll technician, Rebecca Cardardoza, and she actually just joined us last week. We um were we hired her. She had been employed with KCSOS for many, many years. Um so, we're happy. We did. We did, Michael. Yes. Um and and it felt good. I'm going to
029be honest with you. Um so, she's been a welcome addition to the team. uh trying to get some more things digitized uh to make those systems work more efficiently. Um and then if you haven't paid attention to the email regarding the insurance changes, there have been so many questions and while we've had about 120 folks that have gone ahead and completed that, this is our choice. This is what we'd like to do for the coming year. We recognize that there are probably a lot of folks that still have questions and as the time's ticking down to finalize those decisions. So, we're hosting an open house next Tuesday where folks can just stop in and get some help with that tool where they can help analyze like what is the best plan for your family as
030as well as highlighting some of the additional benefits that we have enjoyed through our CISK policy that I don't think a lot of people know about. So, um, just very pleased with the focus on the customers so that they so that our staff can take great care of the kids. And then today we had a successful professional development with all of our EDC and ELOP employees. Um, Miss Anderson and I and the school nurses had three different sessions with the groups rotating through. Uh, they were a great audience. Um, some of the things that we talked about, of course, are, you know, student medications and and being able to address those emergency, um, the regular daycare procedures. We helped them with classroom management, relationship building, um, and making sure that we're providing good safety and
031supervision for students. So, we're trying to equip um, you know, some of our youngest employees, they're that entrylevel position, but they have a really big responsibility. So, want to help them be as successful as possible. My turn. Okay. So, we um yesterday we hosted our first clothing drive for our pantry that we created last year. Um our I want to recognize Megan Smith and our social workers. They um passionately came to me to ask if we could do that for our students. We've had some donations for clothing for students and we were just running out of a lot of things in specific sizes. So um they um wanted to do this. We had um them sitting out in the loop over there all day long in the heat. Um our school psychologist helped. Everybody had
032a shift and we filled our pantry plus more. um we got some things that we couldn't use because of sizes or items and so we were able to donate a truckload of things to the dream center also. So it was a big success. So I'm sure we will continue to do that in the future. And then just an update, our special ed department is very very busy back there. Um we hired 15 new certificated staff this year. Um over half of them were already credentialed. you know, our department, um, we have people who are pre-credential a lot. Um, so we have a good chunk of them that are credentialed this year, which makes things a little bit easier for training, but we do have to train all of them on the all the extra things
033that come along with special education. So, they've been working really hard to support um, our staff. Everybody has a support person um, this summer and um, they're ready for school tomorrow. I think they all looked like they were ready when I saw them at the end of the day. And then they will have a lot of professional development in the next few months to get them ready for the year. >> So, it's a busy busy time of year in the curriculum department, but um I just wanted to highlight a few things. We had um two days of professional development with our new teachers prior to the two days that Valerie spoke about. So, we welcomed our new teachers um did some specific training with them depending on um what grade level or department they were
034teaching in. Um that covers elementary, middle school, and or our special ed. Um they are super excited and I'm thrilled to have them on. Um I I made it to almost everyone's room. A few campuses I went to um they were in staff meetings so um I got to see them and they showed me around their room. they they are ready for their students and we're super excited to to welcome families in today. So, my advice to them was be warm and welcoming. Your your parents and your kids that are coming in today to see you just want to know that you're not some scary monster, right? So, just relax and be warm and welcoming. And I and I hear that they had a great day today. Um, in addition to that, yesterday we had
035um our new teacher support meeting kickoff. And so we have 43 support providers. So these are our veteran teachers that are supporting our new teachers that need to go through the induction program. And we have 68 candidate teachers. And so they were all in the professional development center. And um got to Katie did a great job and Lisa did a great job walking them through the steps of what was going to happen this year. and we took some pictures and celebrated and um very excited about the new year. >> I can give you some early feedback on students going to meet their teachers because I had four leave my house today. Okay. >> To go meet their new teachers, two kindergartener, I'm sorry, two first graders, a third grader, and a seventh grader. >> And
036I got to talk to them before and after. And just they were all very very happy. and excited. Really looking forward to tomorrow. >> I have since I don't have a child in school anymore, I forgot that it's the first day of school is coming and I uh was leaving my house this morning and I'm like, "What is with all because we're right across from Almondale Park like what are all these cars doing?" I mean, they were all the way along the park side and I'm like, "Oh, school." And I'm like, I don't have to worry about it. Was that what was >> Oh, right. Right before school starts. >> Sorry. >> That's the city. not [Music] >> so Rosel North is the only one that that PG called us and and started planning with
037us. Um and so I guess they were running new pipe um by Endeavor and that got held up and then it delayed the project at our at our intersection. So it was supposed to be completely done by last Friday. Um so I reached out talked to their to their people about that and they said, "Hey, look, we'll be completely out of the way. It's just you're going to have red blinking lights because we don't want them d, you know, we don't want them coming through the intersection at full speed um and hitting the metal plates that are holding the the holes because they still have to do >> sniff tests, I guess, when anytime they do gas lines, they have to make sure that everything's all buttoned up and not leaking and all of that
038stuff. And so it's not really our in front of our school it's a problem. It's somewhere else, but that's where they test. You ready for me? >> All right, next slide, please. >> So, just a couple of updates. Um, really been spending uh all summer really looking at our projections. And if you look at our projections this year compared to in August of last year, u we're relatively the same. So, a little bit little bit more. Um it'll all depend on when we open the doors tomorrow and we see how many um little seats are filled. So feeling good about u our projections for this year and of course we'll continue to uh grow as the year goes on. So um when we closed the doors last year we were 6,300 including you know preschool.
039So um I anticipate that we'll continue to grow as the year goes on but we've we've planned for that. Um other news uh we ran summer camp at uh Almondale this year and we had uh 227 students that were a part of that. So there were two sessions uh four weeks long. We had an amazing uh welcome back rally on Friday. I I hope everyone thinks it was as great as I thought it was. Um we gave away some really good prizes that were all donated. Um even the grand prize of new classroom furniture was was donated. So >> Wow. >> Yeah. So very excited. Um celebrating 135 years and then we even got more donations that came in Friday afternoon after the rally. So we're probably going to give away some prizes for something
040later this year. Um and really really nice prizes. Um and then yeah, our word this year is team. And so taking that word, that was what we really wanted to focus the the PD days. Um working as a team with your staff and then working or your site and then working with your team um as as a grade level. And I'm I'm glad to hear that we've got some, you know, good reviews about that. Um really love that it took some stress off of teachers and it also took stress off of us not having to plan those days as much. So, um that was good feedback and we'll continue to look at that um in the future. And just, you know, upcoming dates, surprise, tomorrow is the first day of school. Um and we'll be
041jumping right into back to school nights over the next two weeks and then we'll see you again on September 9th meeting. >> That's it for me. Are we are we starting any schools where we're having to because they're impacted to us? >> Yes, we we are overflowing all over the district. Just prepared to do that. So, um we've been able to keep it though for the schools on the north side of the highway. We're uh overflowing um to those schools and the southside except of course middle schools um will be we are overflowing um from RMS to Freedom. >> Okay. Um 3.4 are the resignations and retirements. Thank you to all those people that had served here. And 4.0 O are action items. 4.1 is the consent agenda. It's pretty long. I need a motion
042for that. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> General business 4.2.1 approval of Gretchen Scrutzky as VP of Patriot. >> And she's here. >> Oh, where is she? >> Oh, welcome Dr. Scrubsky. >> So you traded Bishop, California for here. [Music] Great. >> Oh, well, I'll see you there then. I'll give you the tour. >> Veronica and I. >> Okay. Well, we need to employ her actually. So, I need a motion. >> A motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Welcome. Welcome. [Applause] Well, you know what? I am going to say this um to you because I usually say it to principles and VPs and that is at least this member's back and I think I can speak for everybody else up here that we when it comes
043to discipline and running the your school, we're behind you. Okay? We are 100% behind you and please know that. All right. Um approval of 4.2.2 two of Kayla Stern is VP of Centennial. >> Is Kayla here too? Oh, >> oh, twins. >> Congratulations. >> Wow, >> awesome. >> Wow. [Music] We are happy to have you. Happy to have you. And so my uh my admonition goes to you as well. So thank you for being here. And we love you guys and appreciate having you on staff. So, and I have grandkids over there, so I'll come by once in a while and scare them. >> Hold the babies. >> Yes. Yes. >> I always thought up and got one of >> Yeah, you might get arrested for that. >> Okay. So, I need a motion. >>
044Motion >> and a second. All >> in favor? >> I >> welcome. If >> you ladies need to leave or your families feel free, don't feel Yeah, obviously you have kids. They got to be taken care of. So, they're awfully quiet, too. Okay. Uh 4.2.3 2.3 approval of clinical practice agreement between California State University of Bakersfield and US for preliminary credential school counselor candidates. I need a motion. >> Second. >> I'll second. All >> in favor? >> I >> 4.2.4 approval of the clinical practice agreement between CSUB and US. Need a motion. Second. >> Second. All in >> favor? I >> 4.2.5 approval of resolation resolution establishing May 26 staff appreciation for all employees. >> I like it. I'll motion >> on second. >> All in favor? >> I 4.2.6 approval of the tenative agreement
045between Rosedale Union and CSEA. Second. Okay. All in favor? >> I >> 4.2.7 approval of classified and confidential salary schedules with a 2% on salary increase for effective to for July 1. Motion. >> I'll second. All >> in favor? >> I. >> 4.2.8 quarterly report on the Williams uniform. >> No complaints. 4.2.9 2.9 which was the add additional one we mentioned at the beginning approval of the variable term waiver for an admin services credential for Michael Davis. Motion a second. All >> in favor? >> I thank you. Uh board member items. I went out and visited a couple of schools last week um after their uh busy day they had and talked to a couple of the teachers, talked to a bunch of people and everybody seemed ready to go and excited and uh it's
046just neat to walk into an office and get greeted the way I did and Um, it it was just a really good feeling popping around and talking to people and seeing what's going on and and uh really got a good vibe from everywhere I went. And the the party the other morning was fantastic. >> Good luck tomorrow, everybody. >> Yes. Um, and I want to say the kids, I always talk about the kids in my neighborhood, but I know they're happy because they're they're playing outside. They're school age on a clear day, a quiet day. I can hear the kids playing at Almondale and it's just it's so fun. Just the laughter and I know the kids are really uh excited about school, which is just so important. and um and we have all of
047you to thank for that because they are they're happy little campers and that's that's just wonderful. I also wanted to share that I know we lost one of our staff members during the summer um Lisa Smith and I did go to her service which was really nice and it was so nice to see um so many see parents talk about uh having interact having had interactions with her over the years and anyway so I I did bring if anybody didn't get a chance to see it I brought it and I'll pass it around but it was a really nice service and it's it says a lot about our district um when people have been faithful to to serve us. So, we really appreciate that. And we like to remember people when they're gone as well
048as when they're here. So, it was just >> so mine is uh the the rally was amazing and it's just I love that kind of stuff and I love to celebrate employees. I love to celebrate the team and and that was a blast. But afterwards, of course, I went to Country Boy. And at Country Boy, Claudia and I were sitting in there and two of the ladies who were the retirees from Patriot who are back working >> and you know, they said because I looked at them, I said, you used to work here, but >> and and they they commented to me, but how long have you been on that board? And it's been a long time. It was so fun to see them. so excited about coming back and working part-time, which is great.
049I mean, we probably all wish we could do that, but just to just to see that tenure and that uh experience pouring back into these kids is really exciting. So, it was a great day and uh looking forward to a great great year. It's not going to be perfect. There will be hitches, but let's get through it. Like I said, let's persevere and let's have joy. I'm seeing a lot of joy around here and it'll be great if we see that joy in May would really be good. >> Well, I'm actually embarrassed to say I've never been to Country Boy, so I don't know. I don't know why that it's never happened, but I thought maybe maybe Kayla and her family since they're new to the community, if you decide you want to go, uh
050>> when we turn, we can do this. >> Oh, okay. Well, there you go. There you go. >> Okay. Thank All right. Thank Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Let me tell you one country boy story because it is kind of early. >> I have Claudia and I Claudia's brother worked there when she was in high school. But uh when I retired, some friends of ours used to go there every day. So we would go there every day. Well, I got to know the owner, old Korean guy, super nice guy. And you know, I'm of the opinion if you don't ask, you don't get. And um I asked the owner, I said, "Hey, I'm in charge of a junior high group at a church around the corner. Would you I see you close at three
051o'clock on Sunday. Would you be willing to open up for my group?" And every year for probably the last 15 years, they have done that. And it's just our junior high group of kids and and leaders that get to go on Sunday night. They are the nicest people. Probably not the most healthy food, but that's okay. All right. Anything else? >> All right. I need a motion. We don't have a close session. >> Yes, we do. >> Oh, we do. I need a motion to go to close session. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> We are in close session. Which means you have to