001I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Miss Laterno, would you please call attendance? and Dr. Breenidge Pettit >> here. >> Dr. Hill >> here. >> Mrs. Lenberg >> here. >> Mrs. Pascal >> here. >> Dr. Rose >> here. >> Miss Shookman >> is not in attendance tonight. And Derek Bond, Mr. Bond. >> Okay. Do we have next is board member comment? >> Um I have some board member comments. So we just wanted to honor some of our students. We have two students who won the Betcher Scholarship. So the prestigious specter scholarship is awarded annually to Colorado's top 50 students recognizing excellence in academics, leadership, character, service. So we want
002to congratulate Finn Blackburn and Amaly Kaiser on this achievement which reflects their academic success, character, leadership, and commitment making them representatives of the very best of Sida High School. Their success also reflects on the staff and community. So please congratulate Finn and Amaly if you see them. Next we have the Daniel Scholarship winner. So Creed Phillips has won the prestigious Daniel Scholarship. His academic achievement, student leadership, and service work exemplify an outstanding student and school representative. So the Daniels Fund scholarship supports high school seniors in select Western states who demonstrate strong character, leadership, and community service. So this covers most college expenses like tuition and housing and emphasizes integrity and giving back to your community. So, we're really proud of those three students. And then also, we want to recognize Hawkins Sailor, who happens to
003be here. Um, he has been honored as a National Merit Scholar and he also is interning with our communication and superintendent office this year. So, congrats, Hawin. >> Are there any other board member comments? Tiffany, do I I have one. Jen Shookman is ill. Um, and she just wanted to make sure it was communicated to community that is it that teacher hiring and evaluating non-renewing. It's not a board work. We trust our leaders in the buildings and we guide them accordingly and she appreciates the leadership from you, David. And then my board member comments. I'd like to start with Teresa, ECC principal. Um, thank you very much for your work as a principal. You're incredible. You take our youngest, sweetest students and you love them from one and walking to getting ready extraordinarily ready for
004kindergarten and you've done a great job and you have a great culture and team. So, thank you Teresa. And then Corey, one more meeting after this as the early as the Longfellow principal. But here's how great Corey is. one, he has the um the top public school grade school in the state and a culture of growth and leadership. David and I spent a lot of time worrying at the in the fall about how about how you could um deal with so many new teachers and I see that Jen Lang's here too. So Dean Lang's here. So um you guys made it look almost too easy. Thank you for the culture and for the excellence that you have at Longfellow. Is Mel Michelle Saab here, principal? She had to take care of her child tonight. >>
005Okay. And I know Service is out with her family. And then Jesse Hull is here. Thank you, Jesse. Um you and I butt heads all the time. Um but you and I uh um we both have the same goals in mind and I thank you for bringing excellence to Salida High, making a great school even better. So thank you for that. Any other comments from board members? No. Ditto. Okay. Um, we did receive two written messages from the board for from Steves and Smith regarding teacher contract renewal. It's now time for um public comments and I've worked with Ben Sanchez and we're going to stack up a few of them because they were going to speak to the same thing because it's so important. Lillian is a student who is going to speak not till
006the end. Not till the end. And I think we're going to have Rich Young go first. I have my timer >> ready. Hold on. Just >> stand. Um, can you stand front and center just because this is the microphone? >> Okay, three minutes. >> We want to go. >> Wait, I need to change my um set it there. Got it. >> Quit. >> That's it. >> Keeping it positive. All right, Mr. Young. >> Thank you, Mr. Black. Board of Education. I'm Rich Young, former board member and a third-year football coach at Slight High School. I'm a certified public account who graduated from this high school a long time ago. I'm also on the board of directors. I could rank a great supporter of the school district here. Um would everyone here that's in here in
007support of Ben Sanchez, please raise your hands. We are here to support Ben Sanchez and quite frankly we're confused. Um Ben is my friend. Quick bio on Ben. Um he's a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in engineering. where he wrestled for three years. You all know how hard it is to get into one of themies, let alone compete at an extreme extremely hard an extremely hard sport. How lucky we are to have such a scholastically intelligent individual as well as a superior athlete on the staff at Slight High School. His work career has included such things as being a labor relations manager, lead negotiator between management and labor. He was a presenter before arbitrators, negotiator, contract negotiator on Japanese timber sales just to name a few things. All of which has
008prepared him to teach and reach students. Currently Ben's math teacher at Flight High School was up for tenure this year. He loves working with students in the classroom as well as on the field of play. He has helped with wrestling and football since he's been here. The school doesn't hire many teachers to coach and I think that's a problem. And Mr. Blackboard and I haven't had any discussions. I have firsthand knowledge of what an amazing job Ben has done on the field of play observing his handling of students, athletes, and stressful situations. He personally was a great influence on my grandson Jace in wrestling, of which my my grandson will say he owes a great debt of gratitude to Ben. When Ben started at CIDA, there were four wrestlers at the varsity level in the
009high school. He helped coach them and then went to the middle school and took over that program. The next year there were 20 plus wrestlers at the high school between his influence on the football field as well as his middle school program. I have little knowledge of his classroom stats other than test scores which have increased under his tutelage which I know is a big thing. interacting with some of Ben's students on the field. I've been told by numerous students have been that because of Ben, they've actually they actually get it and they have begun to like math by kids that like math. >> I know he is wellliked and respected by his co-workers. They say you can tell if someone loves their job by the way forward to getting at it each day. But
010I can tell you Ben is if anything enthusiastic about being a teacher slide high school every day. There's been a rumor that Ben is resigning, which is a complete and utter lie. There's also a rumor that he's hired a lawyer and that he's suing the district, which is another lie. Why would someone who loves their job and has gone to all the effort to get himself education to become a teacher resigned? It would be a tragedy to lose a person like teacher, a future head wrestler, and just an all-around good person. I'm not sure what's going on here. >> Thank you, Mr. Y. Thank you. And lastly, I want you to know that you have final authority as a board to make this decision. >> Okay. And then and then we discussed Ben. Would you
011like to talk second? >> Okay. Well, good evening board. I'm Mr. Blackburn. Uh district members. Um good evening again. My name is Ben Sanchez. For those that may not know me, it's my third year teaching here and coaching multiple sports at Salida or in Salida. Uh family is from here originally. My great-grandparents were born here and we go back even further down in Satch. But I would like to express my gratitude for the immense support from the community, fellow teachers and coaches over the last three years. It has been a rewarding experience and an honor to serve and learn from the students, athletes, and families. I hope that I have been able to make a meaningful impact. I've put my heart and soul into teaching and coaching these last three years. I understand that I'm
012not perfect. Fault can be found in all of us, no matter how hard we try to better ourselves. Given the chance, I will continue to work to better myself every day. Serving the community gives me purpose and I hope I will continue to have the opportunity to serve. I know that many of us are confused. It is hard to fathom that someone would not be asked to return after three years unless there was some significant issue. I would like to share an excerpt of feedback from from an evaluator. Quote, "Mr. Sanchez was able to juggle multiple responsibilities in creating new curriculum, coaching multiple sports, participating in the mentorship and completing his alternative lensure. His strength lies in connecting and creating engagement within his classes through developing strong teacher student relationships. End quote. Those that know
013me through athletics know how I how I work with student athletes, supporting and building them up for success in life. It is the same approach in my classroom that has produced positive academic results and positive classroom environment. I hope that people can come together with a restorative mindset and for us to move forward in a positive manner. This could result in an even stronger team. With the difficulty of finding teachers, especially math teachers, it puzzles me as to why this course of action was chosen. Teacher retention is important to the community. board members understand what constant turnover does to an organization. By training from the academy in 23 years at a high level in the maritime industry alongside over 20 companies, I've learned the value of great leadership and employee development. How many teachers would
014stay instead of resigning if we had a more refined approach to teacher retention? I'm asking for transparency in process, fairness and review, and thoughtful consideration of the impact this decision has on students, families, and school culture. Regardless of the board's decision, I will know that I did my best to serve this community. However imperfect I am, I will know that I did the right thing as a wrestling coach. I can say I left it all on the map. Thank you to everyone that is here tonight in support. to the board members. Thank you for your service to the community and your consideration in this matter. >> I work with Mr. Sanchez on bundling a couple just for the sake of time. I do like to error on the side of speaking, but he was able
015to help me pick the ones that are covering similar topics. May I please have Maya Reyes? I didn't know you were speaking. Are you ready? >> Good evening. Um board. I'm Reyes for those of you who do not know. Um I am a senior at Salida High School and recently just uh was part of the girls wrestling team at uh for this latest year. Um, and I just have to say that I definitely would have not joined the wrestling team if it wasn't for Mr. Sanchez. Um, he was a big impact on the girls wrestling team and helped us to make it all happen. I have always, um, been interested in wrestling but always felt that I couldn't do it because it felt like a male-dominated sport. Um, and Mr. person to help me believe
016that it didn't have to be along with my friend Lillian and the many others that were in girls wrestling. And I would just like to say I that Mr. Sanchez has had such a big impact on my life and I know others just around me. I hear every day just how much he has been helpful not only in the wrestling room but in his class as well. I know from experience because I have also had his class last year in algebra 2. He was always a helpful teacher and helped us learning new things. Gave us opportunities to better. He would help us if we did not understand questions or were having trouble trying to learn homework. He'd always be um open to finding a common ground solution. Um just I know from experience that he
017has always been a good teacher, somebody that you can open up to and talk to about personal matters or just if it's something funny that happened earlier that day. Um, I just know that I wouldn't be where I would be without him and would have learned and grown to love wrestling as much as I did. And I really, really wish that I had started way earlier, but I'm so glad that Mr. Sanchez had given her that opportunity to start when I did. Um, just to wrap things up, I really do believe that he is a great teacher and coach here and he supports all who he can, not just the girls wrestling team, but the boys wrestling team too, as well as my little sister who has also joined the middle school wrestling team and
018can be the head coach for hers. She it was her first year as well becoming a wrestler and I just know that she loved it so much. Um, and I don't think that would also have happened and for her to have that if it weren't for Mr. Sanchez. So, thank you. I mean, how do I already said it? >> Cancel. There we go. Okay. Okay. Does Gabriel or do does Sasha want to speak? >> Okay. Hey, thank good evening. My name is Gabe. Um, I just want to say uh that uh >> You got this, buddy. >> Uh, Mr. Sanchez. Um, I don't personally know him as a teacher in his classroom, but um, as a coach, he helped me through go through a lot of things. I came in sixth grade wrestling. Uh, I
019had zero wins and um, I was thinking about not coming back. Coach pursued me to come back um, year after year. I've wrestled with coach three years and I just um, I want to say that you guys really you guys should really keep him on. Honestly, I don't think I'd wrestle anymore if it wasn't for him. U, he's helped me pursue others to join wrestling. Um and >> and lead the way it sounds. >> Really know what else to say. Just um uh thank >> thank you coach and um if you guys do keep in mind I'm looking forward to a lot more wrestling years with us. >> Okay. Thank you. Thanks for your courage. >> Jill or Lee. Jill or Lee. Here we go. If you don't mind coming up forward, just bec for
020out of respect for the folks on YouTube. If you don't mind. >> Yeah. Just because here's the microphone doesn't mean you can talk in the back, >> but go ahead. Okay. >> Well, good evening. My name is Jill Lewis and we have two children in the high school. They're sophomores, Elijah and Addison. Mr. Sanchez has been instrumental in our children's mathematical accumment. We have a boy and a girl twin um who are very different in how they learn, how they process information, and how they respond to people and their learning. Both of our kids have two classes this year, and they are flourishing. They have two classes with Mr. Sanchez, algebra 2 and geometry. He saw in our kids a will to succeed and continues to motivate them every single day. in all of their
021interactions. They respond to his high expectations, which is exactly what we need here in Salida and he meets them where they are at every single day. At conferences, what most impressed me and my husband were that his he acknowledged our kids in a way that was beyond education. It was about their hearts. It was about the human being that they are becoming. and he is instrumental in how he continues to draw that out of them. And it would be a huge disservice to all of our students if we lose him as a teacher. Math is one of the hardest things to teach. And he is able to teach it line by line and hits every single kid the way they are able to learn which as you know is so different with every single one
022of them. as an educator of 30 years and also a consultant that has worked worldwide from Kuwait to Spain as well as throughout the United States. He is exactly the kind of teacher we need in our school district and our kids would be would not be served well without him. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, we have three more. Um, Chandanda Chandereas. Okay. And transparency, accountability. No, we love preparation and non-renewals. Okay. >> Okay. Uh, let me know when you're ready. >> I got you. >> Okay. Uh, good evening members of the school board. My name is Chandereas. I live here in Salida. I'm here as a parent and a community member to address a decision that deserves more scrutiny than it's received than non-renewal of a teacher's contract without any clear explanation. Uh let
023me be direct. The lack of transparency in decisions that impact our students, our programs, and our school culture, I believe is unacceptable. When a teacher who is actively making a difference is removed without any explanation, it raises serious concerns about priorities and accountability in this district. This is not just about one position. And it's about the message that sends to students, families, and staff. I'm tired of seeing the continuing turnover in the school district. I want to see employee retention. Starting with this educator here, Ben Sanchez, who has gone above and beyond in ways that are measurable and meaningful. As a wrestling coach, he didn't just show up. He helped build and advocate for the girls wrestling program at the high school. And if you didn't know, girls wrestling is the fastest growing athletic program
024in in Colorado. And our district is way behind the power curve. I was so proud to have our daughter a part of the inaugurational girls team and envision the positive impact that would have on future female athletes. Also, for a new program to be introduced, I heard very little about it. How is a new program supposed to survive if parents and community members don't even know what's happening? That being said, because of Ben Sanchez's leadership and his 25 years of coaching experience, those girls weren't just given a spot. They were given belief in themselves and an opportunity to grow. His impact extended beyond the high school. Three middle school girls which included my younger daughter joined because of what he created at the high school. That is exactly the kind of initiatives the schools say
025they want. That is leadership. That is program building. As my daughter said, she had it up for LGBTQ and he was a fair, consistent, and committed to making sure students knew exactly what they needed for his classroom. So I have to ask, why would we choose to lose a teacher like this? Especially when the Salida school pays is so low. I heard BV voted to start teachers pay at 50K next school year. What is our school district doing to compete with that? Because I looked at the Salida salary schedule and for a teacher on step one who has a master's degree still makes less than that. Is there a legitimate reason for this non-renewal? Then the community deserves to understand it. If there is not, then this decision needs to be reconsidered. Because from where
026we stand as parents, this looks like the loss of a teacher is doing exactly what we ask educ educators to do every day. Support students, build programs, and go the extra mile. We cannot say we value those things and then quietly remove them who these people who deliver them. I'm asking clearly and respectfully for two things. Transparency on this decision and a serious reconsideration of our students are paying attention. our community is paying attention and decisions like this define the kind of district that we are. Thank you. Rebecca Heath here. Rebecca, are you ready? >> Step on up and I'm ready when you are. >> You also going to bring out my notes. >> I like a preparation. >> All right. Thank you so much for being here and for allowing us to be here.
027I mean, I know legally we're allowed to be here, but also you're bringing up some of that and thank you for all you do for our school system. That's really important. >> Um, and I so as a on my note, I wanted to address a broader issue that um, >> yeah, that um, I'm going to say the uncomfortable part out loud. Um, we the people are noticing that a certain profile of teacher is being systematically removed from our school district and we all know it's imperative to allow a diverse body of thought within our community. One of the reasons I love Salida so much from day one was I noticed how the remarkable ability we have to bring together a community of differing values and belief systems. For the most part, we live politely alongside
028one another, and that is imperative. Removing a non-threatening and high performing teacher and coach position um is the beginning of the end of that beautiful tolerance that we experience here in Salida. Salida has a teacher retention problem because Salida has school dis because the Salida school district does not pay teachers a living wage in Salida. We often lose teachers to more affordable areas with better pay and it does not make sense to remove a high-erforming well-loved teacher and coach who has the ability to stay in in the Salida school district. I know some of you took your board positions to improve teacher retention. Congratulations. This is your moment. This is what we're here for. All teachers from every background should be allowed in education positions and should be educating and not indoctrinating. If a teacher
029can successfully educate their students in a way that helps them see a variety of worldviews, that teacher is successful. We should be continuing to create societies based on intelligence and tolerance. This cannot happen if we continue to remove people for being different than we are. What kind of a society are we hoping to build here in our own community? In a time in our country's history when there is so much chaos and anger and division and where everyone is circling their wagons and attacking the other, we as a fabulously amazing community have an opportunity to be different still, to be inclusive, to live peacefully with one another despite our differences. Our school board right now has the opportunity to set the example of law-abiding intelligence and tolerance. It also has the opportunity to set a
030loud and clear example of firm, impenetrable, deeply rooted intolerance. And that idea will spread. And we want to make sure we're spreading the right ideas in our community. We want to keep our community safe and and to keep that beautiful spirit that we have here. So, thank you for your time and for all you do in our community. Lillian. >> Good evening. I'm Lillian Morrison. You guys don't know. Um I recently switched to Horizons, but I have been going to Sleta High School since my freshman year. Um on some of my hardest days, there was a teacher to ask me how I'm doing. Is everything okay? And sometimes I'd say I'm fine. and that would be enough. Leave me alone. And other times that simple question meant everything to me because it was the only
031teacher that would have asked me that. And um I'm sorry. Uh during one of the most difficult times in my life, they showed me understanding in ways that made a lasting impact on me, giving me space when I needed it while still making sure I was okay. Because of that, they became someone I could trust, not just as a teacher, but as a person. I could go to for support. They didn't just teach me, they made an effort to connect with me, to care, and leave an impact on every student around. They knew when to push me and when to give me a break. I've never been afraid to ask him a question or talk to him about things, whether it's in school or wrestling or just or in life. >> The same person encouraged
032me to try something I never would have tried. um and has been asking me since my freshman year. Um at the time I always said no, but I decided to take that chance this year and it changed everything for me. Throughout that experience, I learned how to push myself, how to stay disciplined, and how to keep going even when I wanted to give up because of this person. What meant the most to me was knowing that someone believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. um that kind of support sticks with students and carries with them even after they leave school. Uh because of this impact this teacher had on me, I made the decision not to graduate this year so I could have him as a coach next year and wrestle, which
033is something that's very upsetting and I do not think I will wrestle for high school next year if he is not a coach. Um, I almost made it to state because of him. Because he would sit on the sidelines and he'd tell me to believe in myself even when I didn't. He'd push me through the days I just wanted to leave and I felt like I didn't belong there. I know that I'm not the only person that's been impacted this way. And I know there's many t students that rely on educators like him in this district that have also maybe not been renewed. um not just for academics but motivation, stability, guidance. And I just hope that when you guys are making this decision, you realize the full impact you're leaving on students and considering
034not only education, but how their lives are being shaped every day because of these teachers that you are possibly deciding not to review. And I am up here to speak for Ben, but I also speak for L. I I didn't hear the last sentence because I was >> I am up here to speak for Ben, but I'm also here to speak for L. I don't know if push left too. Okay. But >> last semester, I was in a weight class and I was the only girl out of 20 students and was the only person that got me through that class. So, I don't only speak for Ben, I speak for Okay. Okay, we're moving on to 1D on the agenda. I need a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes. Um we I
035need to table items 3GI and I I those are the library policies and um David Ros and the other librarians have worked through it and um we just haven't had a chance to to solidify it and talk back to the librarians. You'll be on May and we appreciate your commitment. The second thing I need to table is um under item 3 I is the um approve the auditor letter from for 2526. Um the let we've our audit was great. Our audit was clean, Mr. Young. Um but it just hasn't arrived and so it should be there for May and we want to keep our approval and our paperwork in the same line. >> This is just the engagement letter to uh book them to do the audit for this year. So this is >> Oh.
036Oh, this is not that one thing that that credential thing. Okay. So even Okay, that's even easier. Okay. Thank you. We're going to table table it for May. We are going to add a a community a guest report from John Fritz. Is John here? There. Okay, there he is. Okay. Um, with the ice ring from Chaffi County, um, be prepared. Um, we're not going to have a slide, but we all have the slides on our devices. Are there any other changes for our consent agenda? >> Nope. May I have a motion? >> I'll move to approve consent agenda. >> Thank you, Mandy. Second. >> Just the I'll move to approve the agenda. Yeah. >> And a second. Second. Second from Karen and any discussion. Okay. All right. Let's have a vote. Uh Dr. Breenidge Pettit.
037>> Hi. >> Dr. Hill. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Lumbberg. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Pascal. >> Hi. >> Dr. Rhodess. >> Hi. >> And Mr. Bonner. >> Hi. >> All right. Next on the agenda is reports. And we have a guest report from the hockey club and ice ring community. John, you ready to go? Everybody has your Everybody has your slides. >> Fantastic. >> Uh hello. We've got a board member uh with us as well, so Mark Hammer is going to join me. >> Um uh good evening. Hello everybody. Well, you don't have this, but hopefully you'll be able to see it at some point, but we've got a little report. Um so we were here last time, November 12th. Uh and that was the the time that you said, "Let's do this. let's try making
038some ice out on soccer fields. It's a two-year temporary um agreement. And um about three weeks later, we were out there with shovels making things happen. So tonight, we just want to Mark and I want to give you a quick review of the past year. Um so, uh Mark is our board president and Mark Hammer from Buen Vista and I'm John Fritz ice room for Chief County Executive Director. Uh so we set out um and uh got together all the things we needed to do for making the rink. Uh and so I'm gonna pull up my slides because I want to make sure >> we want to we want to be thorough. >> But the u if you are not familiar where the rink is uh looking down from a bird's eye view uh there
039is a there was a parking area at the soccer fields that was being underutilized. Um and that had been slated for parking. Um that was a uh something that had been uh I think like a phase 2 parking >> aspirational. >> Yes. And so we put together uh a plan to get that site prepped for parking and put together a refrigerated ice ring. Um so that was a just a two-year agreement uh for this past winter, the winter uh that's uh upcoming. And um we as ice rink for Chief County uh did not ask for any money. We put forth all the funds to make this happen. Uh we own several um items related to an ice rink. Um actually everything uh and so a couple times over. So we uh we were very comfortable
040with this uh arrangement and super uh appreciative of the opportunity. Um if you turn to your slide that shows the uh financial settlement uh you can see that it was a pretty significant uh financial investment for our group but it's one that we think is totally worth it to have refrigerated ice. Um and um we had uh several inind donations but a lot of that money was just uh money that we have been raising uh and put into the rink. So, it's $277,000 uh to date uh to get that uh infrastructure put in place. So, uh it's a great asset to our community. Uh Mark, is there anything you want to add to that? Um >> financial stuff. just that, you know, this is obviously a significant um commitment from Ice Ring for Chaffy County
041and with as many doors have been closed in our face, we very much appreciate your your outreach and recognizing that this is, you know, a really important community asset. So, thank you. >> I appreciate your uh school district neutral outfit. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um I think uh you know, this was obviously a challenging winter. Uh but one of the things that Ice Rank for Chaffy County uh always says is we need to make this year better than last year. And despite the weather, we did it. Uh we had um uh very warm temperatures, but that is not why the rink uh only got started in March. Uh we had a lot of infrastructure to put in. Uh we had to have electrical engineering. Uh we had to haul a lot of dirt. Um and
042so you have to have electricians, commercial electricians, and the whole bit to get that all going. So we do have a couple of photos there. you can see the um uh our timeline. So in November and December we did a lot of uh site work that was performed by YNK and for our concrete which was fantastic. We had the uh refrigeration equipment came out of Canada uh cross through the border and uh was delivered and installed uh by the end of December. Then we had some time waiting around for engineering. Uh which was a very challenging uh time for us because we're like this is the ice. >> Uh but that's just the way that's the way it goes. Uh we were determined to keep uh keep our eyes on the prize and get this
043thing installed. Um >> there's uh it's a we ran a lot of power that may be available to the school district in the future. Uh so I think that is a huge benefit to our community just getting power another uh to um we can use it to power a lot of stuff uh if something happens. However, we uh we think it's going to be an ice rink. Uh so it was March 1st that we finally got the electrical inspection uh from the county and we were ready to flip the switch on. And so starting uh March 2nd, it was 65 degrees that day. It was 43 at night, but we had the refrigeration equipment turned on, which is that's what it's supposed to do. It's it's going to keep ice at 55° in direct sunlight.
044Uh we made ice uh for the next seven days, and we finally, you can see we had kids skating out there on March 9th, by March 10th. >> It was awesome to see those. >> It was really great. Um you know, Mark and I both have kids that play hockey. We've got a lot of kids that do um figure skating. There is hundreds and hundreds of people in this community that skate. Uh, and it's going to be an awesome to see all those people all day long skating on that ice. Um, the um, you know, we we shut it down because spring break was right around the corner and we were all going to be out of town and we just we we didn't plan on going past March 15th anyway, which is per our
045agreement. And so this year we we would say is a successful testing. Uh, and we created ice. We did everything that we set out to do. We just wish it was a little earlier, but we're excited for next year because now we have the confidence that we can fill the ice. Um, so there is still a high demand for skating. Uh, meanwhile, while we were working through all this, we were maintaining uh our Forest Service permit that we have with Chalk Lake that Mark uh procured. Uh, and so we were up early in the morning flooding Chalk Lake, shoveling Chalk Lake, and kids were having practice up there. figure skaters. We teach kids how to skate. Uh and then there's adult skating as well. Uh so we had uh we I mean you can see
046there's a nighttime photo. We get up there at night and skate. It is a labor intensive hundreds of uh volunteer hours. Uh but there's a dedicated group. We've been here for 15 years now working on this. So uh it's a dedicated group that's going to be able to get this done. Um and the kids love to skate. It's such a natural organic way to enjoy the outdoors. It's a great asset for a wintertime activity that is not very expensive. Uh plus you can do it midweek, which we can't do skiing, right? Uh so it's a I think a good a good fit for our community to have ice skating and ice hockey. So um so next year uh we're we're ready. The rink is shut down now. It's it's ready for parking. Uh but we're
047ready to install this. Uh we're going to have it up and ready as soon as we um can hit November 15th. and flip the switch on, start making ice. Uh, so we're ready to go. Anything to add, per se, on the on the next year? And >> um, no, John, thank great great job. Only thing I would say is that we we also come with a lot of integrity. Like our group, it's not just let's get a let's get a puddle of ice and let's start skating. We do it right, including this commitment with this project. Brand new compressors took a lot of money, but we did it right. And that's for something we're really committed to. >> Yeah. Uh the only thing we're going to add to next year is we're going to have
048uh like a pool cover tarp that we're going to pull over it uh midweek midday. Uh so like Monday through Friday when Monday through Thursday when there's not people at school that'll save on electrical costs and we'll just have it covered. Um and and that's like the only thing we're going to add. I mean there our plan is to have so >> um >> Well, I saw your two I saw your bigger plan your time. Yeah. So >> long-term short-term goals is uh we are still we're a nonprofit looking for a full permanent location uh which we do not have a permanent location for this rink. Uh we have been so close. Well, we should go into the annals of 501c3s that are near misses. I mean we are uh you have been we have
049been beat down so many times. We are not done yet and we we're going to keep trying to find a forever home for a fullsize rink which is 200 by 85 uh feet. So, uh, we own all the equipment for that. We've got, uh, great grant writers. We've got, um, great resources and, um, we're really pleased to be a partner and we hope that we can maybe have a full-size rink, uh, and school district, uh, property or in support, uh, from the school district. So, we'll see what happens there. Um, if you have any questions, you can reach out to us. And Mark, do you have anything else you want to add in closing? No, I mean just really, you know, what inspires us so much is just seeing these kids and seeing them every
050day go out there and, you know, while we think we're playing hockey, what we're really doing is building character. These kids get out on Chalk Lake, put their skates on in the cold and they love it so much. And I know you guys are focused on kids, but when we look in the eyes of these kids that played hockey for the last several years and have gotten so much better and this year we had some success with our traveling and and competition. So, it's just for the kids, for the community. It's really uh it's really inspirational. >> Yeah, I got to say, um if we hadn't been able to secure what we did with you this year, I I I think we would be starting to fizzle out. Uh honestly, this is a uh big
051win. >> I mean, I remember one morning this year and I said, "Guys, I think I only have 10 more years of this that I can do." And for anyone to hear me say that, they're like, "Dang, John's getting tired." Uh we have uh we have now really good volunteer base. Uh but it is getting uh it does get hard to keep trying to meet your vision. Uh so thank you for the opportunity you gave us because having refrigerated ice that's dependable is going to absolutely transform the skating community. >> So thank you. >> You're not finished yet because are there any questions that anybody has? Ben, >> I just want to say I'm proud of what you guys, but I appreciate the vision and the brain power you brought to this and the dedication.
052It's a pretty impressive kind of honor to be it's important. >> Thank you. >> Any any other comments? I I I just have one question. So, I've seen it. How much bigger is a regulation rink? How much bigger do you have to go? Just checking at our home. >> One quarter of a regulation. >> One quarter. Okay. So, >> okay, >> if you looked closely, there's there's rows of piping and those all those pipes are uniform in their size and they're 7 foot by 85. >> And that's an ice rink is 85 ft wide. And so, when you build an ice rink, you just keep laying out those pipes side by side by side. >> So, uh, yep. >> Okay, maybe we can go incrementally. We'll check it out. I I see your long-term goals
053and I think we have a nice partnership. I also want to acknowledge the special commemorative um hockey puck that was given to us um by the hockey club. >> We're all going to fight for it. Okay. >> I do want to just if I may, I just want to add thanks. Um it's really nice to have a partner. $277,000 of money was not expected when we started this school year. um you're here and I mean just the changes to the electrical the three-phase I mean it was a big investment um in our facilities at no cost to us obviously everyone wins but it's just a a thanks and I appreciate how you've gone about partnering it's been wonderful >> thank you >> thanks >> yeah thank you >> before we go to campus reports do
054we have a score soccer score update >> 315 BB1. >> Sorry, what is it? >> 215. >> Okay. Okay. That's kind of brutal. Okay. >> But that's okay. Glad you're here, Mark. Wherever he is. Okay. District reports. We have Mike Leond, co-president of the uh teachers union, but also the leader of our collective bargaining team. We think we're the one we are the only school district that does it um because we lead in a collaborative way. >> Well, perfect. is you I know your voice so you can stand there. This is so everybody on YouTube could could talk. >> Can't hear you. >> Last week we had our second CDC meeting the first since January and I think you all have seen an email from Dr. Blackburn talking about two things in particular. One we
055are ahead of schedule which a few years ago would never have been even conceived. Two, the idea that financial plan is worked and I think that is one of the biggest pieces in working with Aaron and Dr. Blackburn looking at the financial plan that was worked on by the board over the last few years, talking about reserves, talking about percentages going to staff, talking about what they saw as a way to keep the district sustainable and keeping teachers. Several times people mentioned this evening about teacher retention and the idea of what are we doing to teachers in the district. One of the things the CBT has come up with is a way to change the salaries bill for certified staff which acknowledges long-term teachers and their dedication to the district and looking at the finances,
056looking at the state of the state right now. Obviously, it's tough for a lot of districts. Not many are having these conversations right now that we're able to have. This is a huge deal and a huge win for the supply of school district and the staff, all of the staff. I'll get to that in a second. But the idea that the salary schedule will likely be able to be implemented. It was ratified where there's consensus, reach CBT meeting on April 23rd. We'll come back and revisit it, vote again for consensus, and then we'll put together the presentation for all of the staff for staff ratification. It will then go to this to the board for the May board meeting for their approval as well. So the idea here is again, we're trying to acknowledge those
057who stay in the district longer term. The last five years, we've gone from giving seven years of service to 15 years of service, which is bringing in more experienced teachers. And now, this is kind of the second wave of the plan, so to speak, of how to keep teachers here. Several years ago, as PC, we started looking at what do we want to accomplish over the next few years, and we're starting to see that come to fruition that we are seeing what these plans were come into reality. At our next board, at our next CBT meeting, we will be looking at the next step. what are the next steps that the CBT can take to make sure that all students are getting the best staff that they can from top to bottom. Along with that,
058looking at the financial plan in the reserves, looking at the possible excess in reserves and looking at a way to compensate those who aren't in the salary schedule as a way to give them a one-time bonus or one-time recognition with the funds left over. On top of that, also looking at raising the base pay for the bus drivers as well. Right now they are a little bit below the median and this will put them well above the median as far as state goes. So that will pretty much look at when we look at the 10 districts above us, 10 districts below us, so to speak, and where all of our different categories are and look at where they're compensated compared to everyone else. We are going to be about at or a little above what
059other districts are getting. And I know a lot of folks are talking about BV and their 50k. That is also in the works for us. That'll be part of our five-year plan. They did pass an MLO that gave them the funds to do that as well. Looking at their schedule, it doesn't acknowledge the years of service as much as Salida does. So, while they have a stronger starting pay, they're trying to draw teachers. What we're focusing on is retaining teachers. So, if you look at the schedule as a whole, you will see our numbers actually exceed their numbers as years of service increase. So, that's something to keep in mind. It's great for the valley that that's happening. It's great to be concerned of the valley, but it's not just something that they are going
060to take all of our teachers. That is not in my mind, it's not a concern. So, as we move forward with the CBT, again, we also talked about a policy piece that was addressed in the last couple of years. What we're finding is the efficiency with which the CBT is working. And I knock on wood because obviously at any moment that can change, but for the last two years we've seen this progress and we've seen the ability to actually acknowledge everyone at the table and everyone in the district so that everyone is sharing in what we have. And again, all of this is with the asterisk. We know what the state of the state is like right now. But we have some competent, highly intelligent people here who are really doing what they can to
061try to make sure everyone here is getting the best they can. Students, parents, families, staff, everyone here is getting what we need. And I think that's huge step in the right direction. >> Questions? >> Does anybody have any questions from the board? Um, just pass on our gratitude for it. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, we're we we're looking good. Well, and I would also thank for >> for expressing and explaining all of this because I think especially in light of some of the concerns people have brought up tonight, having you directly address how we are working on staff retention, we are increasing pay. We are honoring veteran teachers. We have moved from seven years to 15 years as you've discussed. So, this is a constant discussion on the board. It's every meeting. It's every email.
062It's what we most focus on is how to increase teacher pay, increase teacher retention, and make sure we have the best teachers in front of our kids. So, thank you for explaining all the things that we're working on. >> Point of personal privilege, there's no public comment. >> I will just add I did have a chance to review what the bargaining team has recommended um for that salary schedule versus what we've now seen for what BB's new salary schedule. Again, um we look at a salary schedule from left to right and down. It's a big Excel spreadsheet and everything on the bottom right for veterans is more than what BV would pay even if they're brand new. And we think we can continue to do better. Um I just want to compliment staff and our
063board. I know in my 10 years here um as superintendent, we've put more money into teacher pay than any board or any superintendent in the history of slightest schools, whether it's percentage or whether it's dollars. Um, and I appreciate working for an organization that says it's good, it's not good enough, and let's keep chasing it. So, I appreciate and I also want to just say working with the team. It's been wonderful this week. >> And just to add off that and to Mandy's point, like the new salary schedule will also address um our future goals as well. Changing to a percentage based salary schedule means that we don't have to come back to the drawing board every year and say, "Hey, can we have this x amount of dollars every year?" So, you know, it's
064we're living long term as well with this plan. So hopefully we'll address longterm. >> It's your priorities. What's ours? >> Okay. Thank you very much on that. >> Okay. Do we need a break? Are you guys okay? You want to carry on? >> Okay, we're going to carry on. We're on um reports. So two 2C district reports. That's where you need to present. Maybe if you guys want to stay, I think you might learn a few things from this comment, these comments, but but I know it's late. That's fine. >> Um, let's just start. I want to bring in with Savannah. I know we had professional dough and our strategic planning. We look at all the different areas. We aren't looking at schools because we've reviewed all those. >> But we're going to we're going
065to take a few minute break. If you want to leave, leave. If you want to stay, stay. But let's go ahead and make three minutes. >> The restrooms are down this hallway. Thank you. Thank you. 3 minutes. hospital pharmacy and we can negotiate rates with them directly. If we go into an ICRA, we we're all on our own plans and so technically we can't negot negotiate rates. So the goal even if we go onto a nicro would be for to do that for a short term wipe our data and try to come back with a better um okay >> better option with some negotiated contracts. So that's the plan. It's moving. It feels like it's moving slow but we're very close. >> I feel like also if you go on an IRA like we'll have
066a whole year to make a really great plan for next year. >> Yeah. >> Instead of being like >> let's do this really fast. Yeah. And if we and if we negotiate rates for example with the hospital and or with um the hospital pharmacy or with otherarmacies or direct care providers all the things have been explored. Um if you do that and then you go back to a group plan and you ask for a quote and you say here's the things that we have in place it gives you a better opportunity to have a a better bid when you go to insurance plan next year. Okay. So >> I think for this year it's just been really hard because we're kind of on a very short timeline. So, you know, we do the IRA for
067this year. If it's not over, we can still work on it for >> it's kind of like the bridges that we've done with um finance or with Yes. >> And there there's even >> there's even a potential that we could rework it going on anchor for six months and then after six months rebid. One of the problems is we can't even bid with like UMR right now because UMR is exclusively because we're with the trust. The trust is our broker with UMR. >> We can't even go to UMR and bid with them right now. So part of our problem is we just have to find a solution that gets us out on our own and then we can go from there. So >> and to reset Erin, there's not a time limit. One, two years.
068You're just thinking one year would be enough. >> Yeah. It's enough that I mean basically the idea is yeah after one year they're like well now you have no usage data for the past year because all they're looking at is our last year. Yeah. They look at our renewal and say what's your data? We don't have great data and we have we also don't have very specific claims data which is really hard when a when a group is trying to bid they're looking at our data and a lot of times broker would say or an underwriter would look and say hey here's these two claims what's the actual risk to this person who's got this you know whatever and you can try to figure out what they try to figure out where that lies but
069we don't we don't even have clear data on what they've been diagnosed with in many cases. >> Yeah. So they're they're they're looking at it saying, "Well, this is a max risk patient. We have to budget appropriately for that." So that's why it's been a challenge. We're getting closer. I do think we're going to have a good solution by next week. So >> just the five to eight is extraordinary. >> If we could get to that, I'd be really happy because it would it would minimize the the stress of employees for a starting point. Um but if we can't, the is still a good solution. It's going to create a little bit more administrative burden, but uh my whole team's said they're ready for that. So, um the last big unknown that we're waiting on
070is the formula. Just to give you an update, um the the joint budget committee received two economic forecasts. >> Um they chose to go with the um better option, I guess, for they're just to take some more funding. Yeah, more optimistic. Thank you. Um there was a billion and a half shortfall in one and the other group was saying a billion shortfall. um they chose to go with the optimistic one billion shortfall. Um so that was a funny chuckle. Um so uh but Governor Polus has come back and made recommendations. He's recommending the full implementation of the formula 30% next year which is what they promised to do. Um as well as pushing the SOT conversation to 2728. Um, so it would buy a year there. Likely that's to set up other conversations that they
071would be having around tax law and things like that. But at this point, at least for next year, um it's looking pretty it's looking more optimistic that they're going to push through um more funding towards schools than less. So that 150k to 750k, I'm not anticipating we're going to get the full 750. I'm also not anticipating the worst case 150 anymore. I think probably they're going to push those things through and then they're going to come back and say there's some type of budget stabilization factor or something. So I think we'll probably be in the middle is a fair assessment based upon all the data especially I was talking to speaker of the house with she's anticipating something. >> Um so I I anticipate we're going to see something but we know right now we've
072got 948k kind of locked up um of new or one time or things that we can kind of put towards these asks. Uh we're waiting on two more grants and then we're waiting to figure out on the formula. Um but you can see we're going to be between a million and $2 million of money that we can kind of figure that out with. And so we're trying to cover the $1.4 million bill. And I think >> all those things >> I'm I'm fairly confident that we can move forward at least building under all the assumptions that we got for um I also sent a video which hopefully most of you watched and hopefully you then watched Secret Life of Walter Mitti. Um, unless it's trademark, then I'm not allowed to say that, then I hope
073you didn't watch it. Um, but, um, hopefully you enjoyed that. And I think, um, there's lots of levers you can pull. You know, I tried to share that in the video. There's, um, there's tolerances built into the budget. There's, uh, savings that you can you can look at for one year. Um, there's quite a few things that you can do over the course. I have seven or eight things that I kind of outlined in that video that you can pull if things go worst case scenario. And then to pair with that what I talked to Dr. Hill about what I want to present to the finance committee of Dr. Hill first and then to the rest of the board is kind of a what does a revenue stream look like? How do we plan on
074staying within 80 to 85% based upon projected growth? Um and also maybe a couple variations of what happens if it doesn't grow as projected, what happens if it it grows more and kind of give you various options to look at. So looking forward to presenting that future. But I still I feel really confident from past historical data as well as uh the outlook that we're looking at golf. >> May I interrupt to make an CBT comment? >> Sure. >> So Aaron was speaking my love language >> and that is patterns over time. Right. Took and we are finally at that scrubbing to where we are have a very predictable budget and we're within that 4%. So he presented over time what we had at our ending fund fund balance, right? And then he overlays pressure
075release valves, right, of what happens if this happens, how can we keep it, how can we keep everybody employed, how can we do this, how and then he throws in he threw in like hurricanes and worst case scenarios. And so as a as a lay person, as the citizen, I I'm I mean you've been with me for seven years. I'm I'm there. I'm there. So, let's go. So, I have high confidence in what you guys are proposing. I have high confidence that we can reach for this. We are ahead of our skis, but we have, you know, we all know how to fall on our booty. Not you guys. Not you guys. That's That's not a good I'm just not even going to say this in the metaphor. >> Tease you about that >> in
076the in the metaphor. In the metaphor, but >> yeah. So, I mean, >> this is as high of confidence as I've ever had. So, >> thank you. >> Yeah. I appreciate that. Um, yeah. You hear that, Hawin? >> I got too. >> Your friends, your friends. No, I'm just kidding. Um, for those of you who don't know, Hawkins a soccer player and uh, he's a senior, so try to get my last couple shots in at before he takes off. Bigger and better things. But, I mean, it's meant to be a discussion. You're not voting on anything tonight, right? >> But, I guess the point is I wanted to get you all the information, the most updated piece so that you can discuss it. Let me know. Is there anything that you disagree with that you
077want me to review? And as and otherwise I'm going to go start building the budget tomorrow with these assumptions. A pretty close to final piece as of May. >> Okay. I'll just say I'm new on the board, but it's been very helpful to get the explanations from you and also from the CBT team to understand what your goals are and kind of this longer term plan you have. And I recognize that There have been some immediate term problems you've had to solve around insurance, but I think you've also been looking ahead and meeting some of the asks that we've had around what are options to potentially help us if we're in a scenario where we need to look for spending cuts and what that could look like. Um, I'm, you know, I haven't been here
078long, but I just looking at these numbers, I'm also very comfortable with where things stand for one year out. And what I'd love to see is over time, you know, there's a funnel of uncertainty as we look further and further out into the future. But I think it'd be helpful to start to think about what are those five-year plan aspirations you all have. How can we put that on paper? How can we start to think about that today? um just so that this momentum that I think we're getting now we can try to carry forward. >> What would say that funnel of uncertainty? >> But you just when you think about the future, >> right? There's there's tomorrow and I have a better idea of what tomorrow's going to look like than next week. Got
079it. Versus next month versus next year. So, >> but it's a form. >> So, so I feel very comfortable with next year and the numbers laid out here, but when we're talking longer term and just, you know, thinking about what's going on in the world outside of our community even and how ultimately that will come back and impact us and ways that are hard to perceive today. Starting to think about that now is helpful. So, thank you for all the work you've done here. Thank you for the insurance work you guys have done. Um, please continue to prioritize the things that are urgent in the near term, but to the extent there's extra bandwidth, it'd be great to see some of the long term >> planning. Absolutely. >> And actually, just to to follow up
080on that too, we had that conversation at CBT and I think that's part of a discussion on 23rd. >> Yeah. To start to build something that we can come back and you can look at that's a >> a collaborative vision. And again, like you said, we can't we're not trying to lock anybody in for 5 10 years down the road because you never know. But we want to get to a point it's like this is the overall vision and then overlay that with this is what we project. How do we find ways to to accomplish that within reasons? >> How is everybody feeling? Comfortable with this? Comfortable. Yeah. Okay. Andy just one thing from a CBT perspective, we continue to try and use data driven decisions and saying why would we choose in this case
081a teacher salary schedule or a bus driver um versus maybe a different person. The answer is we continue to do market analysis to say districts our size, what are they paying people doing the same work, right? Um and our teachers were behind, our bus drivers were behind uh what other districts our size were paying. And so those were prioritized. Um we also were able then to say if there is that overflow as our reserves are now at our defined max, those would go if it would be a conditional um kind of commitment is what we've talked about. That's not finalized, but what we've talked about a conditional commitment to say if all the dollars come out the way we hoped and there's those dollars there and they aren't needed to bridge any gaps, then those
082will go back as bonuses particularly to our classified and our SSPs and counselors, nurses, therapists would be the key people in those categories and those are substantial at the moment magnitude. They're fairly substantial bonuses that could go out um at winter break season. So, those are all in there. I appreciate CBT looking at everyone. It also the solution in your budget would take care of your kind of your one-off column. It's one thing to have a 100 teachers. That's a category or 20 custodians. You only have one high school principal. You only have one transportation manager. You only have one data manager. Um these solutions also takes care of those people who are behind um in those market analysis. And I think by the end of the school year, by the last previous market analysis,
083I think we will have everyone in the black um or above kind of those average marks. So it's very exciting to me. >> Yeah. I just want to clarify too one of the things. So one of the reasons we're talking about that you'll see the s uh reserve overage on the additional revenue part like that's that 300,000. I mean, we're currently looking at using some of that to bridge the gap to get the salary schedule for the first year um and to buy that salary schedule in. Now, obviously, if we can get if we get both grants and those and two of the positions are covered and if the formula comes back at 500,000, we're still need 1.75 million and we need 1.4 million. That's where Okay, well, that overage isn't needed here. >> So,
084how do we that's the money that then would we would be discussing? >> Um >> the if then statement. >> Yeah. and and I feel like CBT was understood that and is comfortable with that as well. But that's the goal is to to get to that point. So >> I do a number, >> right? Right. I do also recognize that those are a pain for the business office. >> Yes. Although it's more of a pain to change everybody's salary than we can set up bonuses earlier. >> Okay. >> I just want to make sure it's clear though because sometimes it can feel like if you're not in the room, it's just focused on this group and this other group's forgotten. And I did not sense that, see that, experience that from CBT at all. I
085was looking at everyone, but you have to put a line in a certain direction. You got a line of the dominoes and everyone was able to support the way it is. I just think it's really important as community boards, you know, that your staff who's giving their recommendation is thinking about all staff. >> We've been um and I think we're doing a good job, right? I'm sure we're not perfect, but I have no complaints. I think the other thing that's exciting about the salary schedule doing percentage raises is it obviously honors like our veteran teachers, but just reading through Michelle's board report too and her four new hires are all teachers with 10 plus years of experience. So, it's also going to benefit recruiting more experienced teachers into the district and then keeping those teachers
086too. So, just to kind of speak to the staff retention and recruitment piece again, like this This is definitely going to get this is going to get us more experienced teachers probably than increasing base pay. >> So, >> and bringing in their years >> and counting their years percentages 15 versus seven. >> So, >> okay, >> there's no vote you need to do, but I proceed um with this. >> Thanks. Well, um, my compliments to the business team and to David, you guys have you've brought in the capital and the operational so much earlier and so much more clearly that this this isn't an big arm wrestle that we've had in the past. You know, we're like, yeah, we can do this. Let's freaking go. Um, and then also, why is this the whale shark?
087That's what I visual. >> I've been waiting for this. >> Look, everybody's still engaged, >> right? Dying to know. Whale sharks have a three-year gestational cycle. >> Oh, >> just like one year budget, >> one year budget, >> it takes three years. Thinking >> ahead. >> There was a salamander, but the whale shark, you know, the whale shark. So, >> think of it, women. Think of it. >> Mandy's already out. >> I'm already out. So, so I have to say >> this is it took us a little >> something that has a >> think of that. >> However, th this this thing took me forever to kind of think about and then the great design inspiration came from Kim to simplify it to this. between this document and the strategic financial plan of the district.
088Those are our bookends and so we don't really have to arm wrestle. We have to do this to get to 82% of putting things towards humans and you guys have framed it so nicely for us. And we're going to present this at a cost. >> Wow. >> Okay. Does anybody have any more questions on the budget wish list? Nope. Okay. Okay, we have no second readings. We have committee reports and there's a few things to talk about. Um, policy book. Yeah. See you guys. >> Okay. Policy book. >> Thank you. It's times a thousand guys. >> Yeah. >> So good right now. Okay. Policy book. Mandy and I are working on that. Um, we were moving a little faster than our um, excuse allowed and so we're we got to get the handbooks then. Imagine
089that. And then um so we're starting out with the student handbooks. So everybody has the handbook and then their modifications within each and we're going to review those and we'll be we're still ahead of schedule. >> So that's that update. >> Does ECC have a student handbook? >> They do not. No. >> Okay. >> So that would just be policy technically. >> Yeah. >> But they don't pull it out and make sure it's in its own form. >> And HA and Crest have their own handbooks. >> Okay. So we're looking at one, two, three main supplements kind of. Yep. And so basically you want to get your main handbook and then like if you're at Crest or HA alternative schools >> then you just have these little little supplemental things >> kind of similar to
090a coaches you would want a main coach's handbook and then everyone has their little >> different um >> specialties. >> That's kind of the concept. >> Okay. DAC executive team which is David and me. Um we're priority prioritizing policy instead of the DAC. How's that Ben? You're finance. We are going to meet but soon to decide on time. >> Um right but I think but talking about that those things about next year and what we could do right. >> Well yes >> yeah. Okay. Yeah you guys are um but also you also got I mean in terms of finance we also got two rookie board members up and running pretty well. I mean I know it's a fire hose for both of you but you've spent a lot of time off humans. So thank you.
091Big news. Karen and facilities >> sign or we're ready to go June what 10 >> 15 >> or heights will be signed and done June 15th and then that money will be back in the system right that's exciting >> for facilities >> yeah um can I talk about the meeting we had yesterday I thought that was pretty exciting >> y >> so John talked about hockey team being part and what they're doing at Holman so also at Holman guides is looking for a big grant for the community um set community >> foundation >> community >> for a $20,000 grant um which will >> 200,000 yeah sorry um all these different organizations that provide food you know agriculture food >> inter agency >> yes inter agencies but they need a cooling a a large pooling system
092to yes produce in which the hockey team will provide their um >> electricity out the what are the >> refrigerant basically. >> Yeah. But anyway, compressor compressors exciting. So then David's like, you know, we pulled out the map. He's like, "Yeah, it's not in stone like this. It can look like this." Which excited because CCU was there, too. >> And they were like, "Oh, the the the field go this way." Aaron was like, he had a whole new plan. So it was hockey, CCU, Guide Stone, US. Who else was there? >> Dog park. >> Uh we they No. >> Okay. >> Although that isn't >> what she say. >> Dog park. >> Well, >> dog park is still there, >> right? And we are working on >> anyway. The point was >> everybody said, "Yeah,
093let's do this. Let's work together. Let's we can do this. We can do this." So it was I thought it's pretty exciting. So Olman is >> starting to we're try Are we getting to that point where we can have long-termous with our partners so that they can go after >> and brings us back to the the um county um they are meeting again and discussing it again and taking it to their lawyers again. We hope to have some >> next week. So did you guys >> 21st they meet >> after our last meeting? >> We did reach out to them. They did that. They took those. Karen took all those their they're meeting a second time after those have gone back to them to we'll see what we get >> on the 21st. They're having
094an executive session. >> That's the next meeting is the 21st. >> Yeah. >> Which is >> we'll see because that would that would if we could get that we could give the to all these other organizations but they could go for grants. So it all looks >> kind of closing out a lot of great facility work. >> Yeah. Homeland is just so underutilized. Like >> what is >> Pullman? Like it would be nice to finally be able to fully utilize that space. >> Oh, and they were talking about pavilions and >> um you know all all community based. >> Why is our view affecting the ability to give other people in the >> If we have to build another building, where are you going to build it? The only landfill is this whole. So you
095don't want to you have to be thoughtful before you give someone a lease. Let's say they put up a really huge build, >> right? >> Oh, I need to go to school. Let's knock that down. >> And it's a 20-year lease. A lot. That's what someone and so you can't give a 20-year lease if you don't have >> what's going to happen for us. >> We have to be high on value. >> That's the only place you have currently to put a big school. And that's what the facility plan walks you through. But that's what that's why we're thinking about the county out by Poncho where a lot of growth is happening. But also remember we have a little bit of land behind the bus barn. We have the old bus barn land which is
096just um behind the ECC and we can grow that to a one and walking to first grade if we have to. We we it's it's it's not that dry, but we want to really have options for that board in 30 years. That's that's our goal with the county is to have that. If we don't have it, it's not a failure. It's okay. We're going to be all right. We just wanted to partner with it. And it and they have total of you they have it's totally their right to say no, this is not what we want. >> How many acres is Fulman? >> Fullman is approximately 22 acres. >> Okay. >> Yeah. You don't notice how far is the back 40 is pretty big. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. If you ever wanted to do,
097we'd be glad to sit down with you and walk you through kind of all the dominoes, but I think over the next two to three months, like maybe by the time we go to summer, um I think we could have a lot of these things we've been working on wrapped up. So, it's super nice. >> It's exciting, >> enormous. And we'll and we just are at their at their will and that's their authority to do it. So, it's no it's no skin off my nose if they say no, it's how go it's going to all come together. >> Braiden it all together. So, lots of big facility stuff. Do you want to add any richness to what Karen said, David? >> No, I think she's done a good job. I really appreciate Karen's been helping
098me and um we're in good shape. >> Um Jen Shookman is not here. She is not feeling well. Um but we did talk and um she's very comfortable with um you know, our annual report may not be able to come out every year. maybe every year and a half, maybe every two years because we have made such progress with our website and our app and our communication and and so we just don't want to stress the staff. It's it's aspirational to have that um thing in the mail, you know, the is do you guys know what I'm talking about? Okay. >> Okay. Derek, do you know that little annual report? Just a little highlight. Okay. So, that's for her DAC technology. Oh, yep. Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. want to thanks um on communications. Haven't been talking
099to Jen though. May 1st because I just this is a success because CBT is going so fast. They don't need all the days. We're taking that May first day that we scheduled to work on a communications things. Last year we had a three different data points. We had the um teaching and learning survey um which is a perception survey data that's run every other year. >> Okay. >> We had our own engagement survey data and we also had a communications kind of audit. Took those three. We sat down with about 40 staff. Um Jen helped us and said, "Hey, here's the messages that we collectively want to amplify and here's the things where we think we want to get better these perceptions. How do we fix these perceptions of our staff, >> right? How can
100we grow? >> We want people to be happy, right? That that sounds like the most fun." >> Um and so now we've got two data points this year. So again, doing the same thing. Jen will be there to help us. Um I sent out the invite today. So you got the bargaining team there. You got the academic council there. you got the administrative team there. You have a few other pieces and parts to look at all this perception data and say this is what we want to amplify. Um so the reason I think that's important is as a board right it kind of decentralizes control of that space and lets all of us agree to what perception data we want to amplify or what resonates with us versus one team or one person getting control
101of the data >> and being a single sense maker. So, I'm excited to see that as a second year start to see some trend lines. At least we have two data points in some cases. That's better than one data point. Um, >> are you going to ask the same questions to the same staff audience? >> Okay. >> Yep. So, that's May 1 and it comes because CB able to schedule that because CBT is being so efficient. >> Awesome. >> Okay. DAC I mean DAC technology. You guys might not have noticed but we added Derek with Jen. Okay. So, and and they and he's interested in it. She's interested in it. And there's also there's the there's the kind of the software and the hardware cultural side that they're both that they're working on. Lots of
102big stuff with that. Um Tiffany, you have wellness and >> Okay. Sorry. What's >> Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have anything to report? >> I just got added. >> I Yeah, I didn't I didn't >> I didn't want to bring it up that there's nothing new to say. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Well, you did say there's a lot of big things and then Well, >> it's that big plan. Derek and I will sit down and we'll go over this. >> Okay. Work to do on the text. >> Hey, Eric, you can speak to your passion about. >> Yeah. I mean, this is something I've been sending Jod articles about for years. So, I I've >> I have two young kids and I've just within my own lifetime seen how technology use has exploded within
103our schools and feels like technology is advancing at a rate faster than we can keep up with. Um, so I am interested in this. I've read a lot about how it's impacted schools and these are, I guess, articles written more at the national level. So I' I'd like to understand a bit better about how we use technology in our districts or in our schools here in the district. Um, but I'm interested in this. So I don't have a lot to share today, though. I'm sure I will in the future. >> Okay. One of the things Derrick will learn about over this month meeting with Savannah and I, um, is next month you can expect some conversation around typing and handwriting curriculums and trying to address that, which is part of it's in the mix of
104this conversation around screen time, technology, and human development. So, you'll see some of that coming at us next month. Well, and I think it was kind of cool in Michelle's report to see the Chromebook situation. You know, that was kind of something that I was pretty passionate about a few years ago, like I was really unhappy with my kids bringing Chromebooks home and telling me they were doing homework and they were watching Netflix in their bedroom. And so now not having them bring the Chromebooks home, but then also seeing that it's a really big cost savings with the Chromebooks not getting damaged in addition to >> it's really great also. >> Yeah, that was good to see. And how many school districts in our state have the great infrastructure that we have? Do you remember
105the the the paragraph I read a couple months ago that we have the same type of security as the Department of Defense and Nightstalkers task force 160th all that stuff. So we can have these come you know goodness sake that was huge. It wasn't that long ago when our stuff was at the basement of old Brady Horizon's building right and it was and it was 20 years old then. So, the software, the high hardware, and the unfunded state mandates. That's what you guys are getting to work on. >> Yep. >> Okay. Next, we're going to go to 6H, DAC, DAC G, wellness, and social emotional learning. Tiffany, >> I I don't have anything new on wellness, but we should be having some meetings this month. >> We have we have a meeting this month. I've
106met with uh the food staff um and gone over their aspect and we've been looking kind of kind of their where their frustrations, what their hopes are and um so we'll be able to bring that to back to the bigger team which I believe is like it's like the 21st or something like that. It's coming up in the next week or two. >> Would would you guys be willing to explain to me who all's on that committee? >> Sure. You want me to take it? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, if we're just talkingclal, then I'm always going to go to Jessica Bennett as our lead psychologist, and she's leading our counseling team. It also includes some of the other support people like uh Soul Vista and some of those community agencies. >> She's on
107point there really looking at the data. Inside of that data, you talk about things like healthy kids Colorado survey and a lot of other data pieces. You can expect that also in May coming from her depending on what we get from the state in terms of normative data points. So that might impede us, but that's what we're working on. Who else on the other side is wellness is bigger. It's either nutrition. So you've got Pam and uh Andrea from the nutrition team uh helping us that. Then you've got all the nurses because that's all there. You have your health curriculum and your PE. And then you got administrators there talking about scheduling because you have to deal with recess. Recess before or after lunch, how many minutes of recess, how many minutes of chewing time
108um and how all of those pe pieces collide. So that's who's on that big team. Once we get kind of everyone's voice in the room and everyone feels like they've been heard, I'll try and make a sensemaking document. That'll become draft one. And then in the fall we'll start to work that um to deal with it because some of the pieces we'll have to deal with in the fall and trying to avoid it. But things like candy in classrooms and the reward you can't do it. >> I thought we'd already we already have those policies and we'd already said no food in class. >> It is yes it's not a very popular policy. >> Yes, that is the correct answer. and >> find that cultural shift. That's >> it's amazing thing when like fifth grade
109all the kids get together and do a baking activity, but now you're bringing food from a home non-industrial kitchen to school. Or if you have uh any Spanish class is going to run a, you know, cultural day where they're going to bring in food, that is a no. It's pretty much no, no, no, and no. It's one of those policies. Yes, they're in place. No, they're not diligently applied because no one wants them >> and yet that is the answer. >> So that's what we'll be working on in the fall is resetting that expectation. >> Okay. >> Um so >> bear bear. >> Okay. >> Everyone knows coming. No one wants to hear dad say it. >> Mean you talk and I hear >> you mean are my cinnamon gummy bears at the normal meetings?
110Okay. All right, Tiffany, thank you for um also that insight with the Heart of the Rockies, but also doing wellness. May maybe not the most popular activity right now. >> Okay. All right. And then activities, Mandy. >> Um I don't know. >> We're just waiting for the new AD, >> but Jeremy's still crushing stuff. >> Still getting things done. Well, he's in our ocean. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Excellent. Um the the home track we meet went pretty dang well and it was the best weather that I've seen in a decade plus. So >> can I just make one comment about activities because it kind of fits with hiring. Um this is more for the public. I don't care what parents say on Facebook about activities and coaches. I just want to make it clearly known.
111I don't care if you're for the coach. I don't care if you're against the coach. I don't care if a parent cares about their child's play time. It has no indication of how we evaluate our coaches. If a parent or students come together and say we don't feel safe or we're concerned about development, those are heard immensely. Other assistant coaches and those people in the programs, that's how it's evaluated. Um, and we don't keep every coach all the time. And every coach has people who is love and the hate, right? It's it's out there. Doesn't matter what space, what season. We get complaints on both sides for everybody. Even Aaron Dobson gets complaints on both sides every single season. Right. >> Complaints from both sides. >> Yeah. Hawkins is actually the person who keeps compiling
112complaints about. >> It's not true about the president. They find it to say anonymous. You just tell them. It's not true. >> Okay. >> Um I just want to make sure that's known. We do have uh and then those >> they will go through and they'll ask parents to be involved and ask assistant coaches and whoever's in that program to help um choose who the next coach is. And just know that that's always we wish people would care more about academics. They care more about activities. That's just the reality particularly in a secondary school. Um and so just want you to know that they are following all policies. they're including people. Um, so we're excited to have a new athletic director because we need that person to take care of that space. We need Jesse
113to take care of other pieces. >> Great. Yeah. Excellent. >> And um, the halftime was great seeing everybody. The parade was quick. Um, and but we had a lot of state champs and a lot of state new records with women that I was following. I was just fired up to see it. Okay. And then finally is Boseies with Tiffany. Um I I haven't had a Boseis meeting since our last meeting, but um Boseis is doing very well. >> Okay. And um David, I I learned today that that they got to um dovetail off of our health insurance, and that's the kind of um generosity and leadership, community leadership you do. So, thanks for if that was something you did. Thank you. >> It was something I set up for. >> Okay. All right. Um topics
114for future meetings. If you don't have them, text um email them to David Jodie Kim Mandy. And is anybody interested in our um agenda review? >> That's like the week before. >> That's I can always do it. >> Happy to do it again, too. >> Hey, Tiffany. Do you want to circle back on one? Who wants to do it most? >> Okay, I'll take Derek. Okay, Derek. Okay. >> We'll let you know basically. >> Did you want to do it? >> I always enjoy it, but I'm like it's a good learning experience, then he's welcome to go. >> It was last night, but I I'm capable of sharing. >> Okay. So, Mandy's going to do agenda review before the May meeting. >> Okay. Anything else before we close? Well done. I need a motion to
115adjurnn. a motion. >> Karen, thank you guys. Good night. Don't need a second. vote for. Okay, there's Okay,