001All right. Good evening everybody. Sorry we're going to start a little bit late while we get used to this new uh diligent community for handling our agendas. Uh but Miss Sagata Jones, are there any changes to the agenda to this evening? Good evening, President Martine. Members of the board know there are not. >> Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? >> I move to adopt the agenda. Second. >> Mr. Harmio, how do you vote? Uh, Miss Wilson, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Pimentel, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Bartell, how do you vote? I >> And the chair votes I. Please join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. Please rise. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
002for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, moving on in our agenda to special recognition. Miss Sagata Jones. >> Yes, President Martinez. Members of the board, at this time, if we could step down and we'll do our recognitions. Good evening everyone. Thank you for being here. And for those of you that are joining us for the first time, this is our monthly just because um awards and what we do is all employees and all um students are placed in a datab bank and then we randomly select one employee a month and one student a month. and we want to just say um thank you for choosing GSD and just because uh we want to uh just recognize you and tell you how much we appreciate you
003choosing this district and then we have some surprises for you and most of them what happens first is we go out to their location, their site or their school and we do the surprise there and on behalf of the Gustau Foundation um they receive a $50 gift certificate and so they've received that and now it's just a time for them to bring family and friends so that we can celebrate them in person. So, we're going to begin that. Our uh just because student is Kimberly Kario from Smith and I do not believe she's arrived yet. She's not here. Um but we were able to visit Kimberly at Smith and she was very excited. So, we'll make sure with the Smith family. Please come up and get Kimberly things and if she walks in a little
004bit later, we'll take time to celebrate her. that. [applause] >> Yeah. And then could we um we have a picture of a roll and pose it. How's that? And then Miss Barnaby, would you like to choose something from the treasure basket for her that she might like? >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> I'm sure she'll be so excited. [applause] Our next um our next recipient of Just Because is an employee. And this is our employee is Oscar Coronado and he is from Burton and he's their lead knight and he's taking a work call right now. But [laughter] Oscar's been in the district over 30ome years and Oscar, we're so happy for you. Come on up. Come on up. [applause] [applause] Thank you so much, Oscar. Um he is on the clock and we
005told him it doesn't matter. Come on. So uh he's probably come on over and the uh Burton family please come up and let's take a picture with Oscar. >> Oscar, how many years have you been at Burton? >> So many years [laughter] back over there >> over back over there and >> American and Burton. Great. Great. >> Great. And what we have for you, um, Oscar, we Let me explain this little thing. It says, "Just because." Congratulations. This is a yard sign. This how This is how it works. So, what time do you get off work tonight? >> Uh, not until 8:30. >> 8:30. What time you go to bed? >> 910. Okay. Well, here's here's how it works. You're going to take this when you get off work and put it in front of
006your yard. You're gonna run outside and you're gonna wait for me. I'm gonna honk three times. You're gonna run out and wave and I'm gonna take a picture. >> Sound all right. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> All right. Okay. Well, I'll just trust you're going to put it in your yard and take a picture. How's that? All right. Okay. Oscar, thank you so much. We also have um uh other things for you. We have our new um car magnet. Love it. We have Saretta's beautiful chocolate with our logo. We have Mosaic Taffy. And we have kindness crayons so that when you go home and you're stressed out and you're waiting for me to come to take a picture, you can color. How's that? All right. Thank you so much, Oscar. We appreciate it. Thank you for
007coming out. >> Thank you. [applause] Next, I'd like to introduce Miss Sarah Smith. Sarah Smith is going to each month we have we recognize through our Kowanas Foundation uh Kowanas group um a student of the month and also a school of the month through Kowanas and Sarah is a former board member. She served in our governing board for over what 16 some years and so we're happy to see her back in a different capacity. She is now a Kanian and um I have the pleasure of seeing Sarah almost every Wednesday at Kowanas. So, I appreciate you coming out and this time we're going to begin with the student um Kanian for the month. >> Well, good evening everybody. Uh I am from the Kuanas Club of Glendel like Miss Sagata Jones just said and tonight
008I am honored to recognize the Kowanas Club of Glendel the Superintendent Student of the Month for the month of October. The reason that this award is so special is that this student has been chosen by the superintendent for their hard work, passion for helping others, and helping to make our community a better place. This month's winner is Nicole Angumea Aguilar. And if she's here, we'd love it if you would come on up. [applause] some wonderful things. >> Oh, but you should look at everybody because they want to see your beautiful face. [laughter] This month's winner already said that this um Nicole is a seventh grade student at Bside South and Nicole has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to community service and has had a profoundly positive impact on our school environment. Her selfless acts and
009kind-hearted nature make her an exemplary candidate for this honor. Nicole's dedication to making our campus a better place is truly remarkable. On her own initiative, she created a thoughtful and well-designed start with hello poster and had several students sign it. This poster serves as a constant gentle reminder for students to be more inclusive and welcoming, fostering a more positive and connected community. Beyond this um visible um effort, um Nicole is also a quiet force for good on our c on our campus, voluntarily taking the time to pick up trash and ensure our grounds remain clean and well cared for. This action done without seeking praise or recognition shows her deep sense of responsibility and her genuine care for her school and fellow students in every aspect of her behavior. Um Nicole embodies a spirit of
010community service. Her actions are not just one-time events but a reflection of her character. She goes above and beyond to care for our campus, setting an example um for her peers and contributing significantly to a healthy and respectful school atmosphere. Her work um with the Start with Hello campaign and her daily unprompted acts of service make her a truly deserving candidate for this recognition. Her dedication and kindness are an inspiration to us all and she is a true asset to our school and our community. So, congratulations, um, Nicole. And we have a certificate for you right here and a, um, $50, um, Walmart, um, gift card from the Kuanas, um, Club of Glendel to congratulate um, you and encourage you to keep up the good work. And you see all these wonderful people up here.
011Nicole, [applause] >> at this time, could I have Nicole's family and friends come up, as well as um South's family and friends come up, please? friends and family zoom in. Nobody Stay right there. Nicole, if you'll come, [applause] >> Nicole, we have one more thing for you. Nicole, one more thing. You get to choose from the treasure basket, too. Come on. You can choose something here. I'll hold on to your candy. I promise I'll give it back. and your $50 gift card. >> All right. You like Legos? >> Yeah, most people do. Thank you so much, Nicole. Couldn't be more proud of you. Thank you, family, so much. [applause] Okay, next we will go to Kowana's school of the month, Miss Smith. So, last year in collaboration with um GESD superintendent, we created the Kuana's
012inspiring change school of the month award. This award recognizes a school in the district for inspiring positive change in education and community through vision, action, and innovation. This month's winner is William C. Jack school, [applause] you want to come up behind you? Thank you. Um, Jack's school has not only been on the journey of a dual language school for quite some time, but also has showcased progress at being a highly performing school. After transitioning from a K3 campus to a K8 campus, Jack Skull has worked hard with their collaborative teams and community to instill a feeling of inclusivity um for bilingualism, biculturalism, and biiteracy throughout their campus. Students at Jack um school have the opportunity to be part of schoolwide and local celebration, performances, and events advancing the strong um local work of the school
013community. These students are taking leadership seriously and working to showcase their talents and abilities to a broader group. Well done um Jack School students, staff, and community. Um the future is bright with William C. Jack Dolphins. And um we just want to congratulate you again. Thank you, Katie. [applause] Come on up. Let's do a photo. Is there any other Jack family with you? >> Just you. Just you. That's great. performing. >> Yeah, proud performing. >> Thank you. Congratulations, Katie. Congratulations, Jack. [applause] Thank you, Miss Smith. Next, we move on to our attendance for September's um attendance award. And this month, it actually goes to Discovery. [applause] Congratulations to Discovery. We are really focusing on attendance and we appreciate your work, Miss Molina. Let's take a picture. >> [applause] >> Okay, we have one more award
014and this award goes to board member Hector Harammo. Based upon your attendance at ASB activities, the board of directors of the Arizona School Boards Association hereby confirms upon Hector Glendel ESD Marop County on June 30th, 2025 certificate of boardsmanship. Congratulations to you. [applause] So, you want to come over and do it with his board? Thank you. Congratulations. [applause] No call. Huh? >> No. Okay. Hey, I've just been informed there are no calls to the public this evening. So, we're going to move into our study session. Miss Sagata Jones. >> Yes. If we can step down at the table, we'll go ahead and begin that study session. >> Yeah. probably >> I don't I don't Tom, do we have more or can we use these microphones? Okay. Does everybody have their folder? >> All right. Okay.
015This evening we u were asked by uh the governing board to look at uh a starting date um after Labor Day post September 1st and then um what that would look like if we did that. So the first document we have several documents. The first document I want you to go to is just actually the calendar. Let's just start with the calendar. There's two calendars. you have um the calendar for school year if you put that on the left and then you can also put on the right the and that calendar is with um the regular start date which you would see we'd be starting um and if you look for your codes the first day of school is in green so for the 26 27th school year we would start on August 10th all
016right so you see that and that end date would be on um the last day of school, which is actually May 27th. It gives you still the fall break um the three days um off um no students in November around Thanksgiving, [clears throat] the two winter breaks and still the third week in March, you would have your spring break and that gives you the 180 days and it gives you the number of requirement days for um teacher contracts. If you look at the proposed, if you start after Labor Day, which would be in green, September 8th, all right, in order to get to the 180 days, then the last day of school would be on June 25th. Okay? So then if you look at October, there is not enough time for a fall break. There
017would be one day, October 12th. Um, then you would look at Thanksgiving. You could do the full week and then in December you would have the two weeks that way and then your spring break would be the end of March the 29th and go through Friday the 2nd. This means that you we currently are on four quarters. In order to do this we'd have to go on trimesters. So if you look at your quarters, first quarter is 43 days and then 41 4749. When you move to trimesters, it's 67 days, 57 days, and 56 days. So that's what the calendar looks like. Okay, questions about the calendar piece. All right. So then if you look at the other documents and we just prepared and that really Miss Valades has um prepared the document looked at
018the document and we all added to that but we just um talk about some of the aspects because originally we thought you know if you you know would if we start later would there be a savings and air conditioning and all those types of things and attendance and so we've looked at what the research says and what is out there. So I'm going to start with the first aspect which was the climate and the heat management and typically um you see cooler weather early in school potentially more comfortable to start the school when you look at post September and then you see what happens if it's in August but I'm going to take you back to the I'm sorry they're not numbered. I'm going to take you back to page four actually page three. And
019if you look at the bottom of that document, it says month-to-year average high. So, and and this is based off 2425. So, in May, the average and this comes from Phoenix Sky Harbor. Okay. At the bottom, May it's 94.5 and 2024. 2025 was 95.6. In June, it's 107.5. 24. And in 25 was 106.8. In August, it's 106.8. And um and 106.3. In September, it's the 95 and the 94. So, while it's cooler in September, you're still going to be in August, I mean, in June, um, going those three days at the highest temperatures, which are almost in one year higher than they are in August. So, that's the the temperature piece of that. Um when we look at some of the concerns, you know, either way, the pros and cons, if you start earlier, um
020instructional time and academic readiness, um short prep window before fall assessments may compress the curriculum time and then also more instructional days before standardized test supports the pacing. So, we look at an earlier start. Um, we talk about families. We talk about we maintain traditional long summer supports family travel if it's post September. And then, uh, starting early August, less summer flexibility, possibly pre-K12 school calendar conflicts, possible increase in absenteeism due to the childare needs for elementary students. Um, if you look at what it does with the attendance and what it says about engagement, it may increase early absentism if families extend vacation. Uh, students tend to return on time. It maintains rhythm expectation of school start um when they return back on the regular type calendar. our contracts and PD schedules will be or
021could be misaligned and then schools may have more time for teacher prep and PD um if we do it at their original time based on where the where it falls. If you go to the second page, start dates for select Maricopa County schools. Through the research, what Miss Valdez found was that 17 different school district in Arizona were contacted for their state their start time. And the dates range from the first day of school start dates between July 16th and August 7th. Um GSD has aligned its um calendar to the best of its ability with Glendel Union High School District and um currently J Glendel Union High School District um starts in their August and they have approved their calendars already for the 2829 school year all the way through. So if we did the
022change then we would no longer be um in alignment with Lindle Union High School District. Okay. Um which could be as stated before could cause problems with child care um with those students um because they their their students the older students would be in school and the ours the younger students would not be in school and so who takes care of the children could be a concern. Um what we found was really early early August starts as seen are seen in most local districts over more instructional time but come you know steaming with Arizona heat. We know that and we looked at energy cost and uh what we did find on the energy cost there is back to um I'm going to say where did I put the energy cost the last page if we
023looked at the last page for the energy cost we ran it over the months for utility savings and we just did air conditioning and you could see perhaps if you started after um September 1st that Liberty a $30,000 savings on electricity um with worst case scenario you'd break even but we believe it would be really just a break even um situation so there wasn't a huge savings um starting later um as we said on page two most of Phoenix area K8 um early start August is predominant is what we see we know that Um I did speak with Glendo Union um superintendent and we discussed um their calendar. They have no intention of changing their calendar. They're approved through the you know 28 29 school year. And when looking at starting school after Labor Day,
024that could affect all sports programs in the Phoenix area. And uh you know that's really what it's based off in Arizona is AIA. We know that with high school sports and that would probably not change unless all or most of the districts in Maricopa County shifted to a post Labor Day. Um then the the um there's there's no advantage to that because of the sports situation. There's other research that talks about, you know, we talked about what what does it say about the academics and it tells us on page three that according to the study that was done through Harvard, um effective schools saw a drop in math achievement compared to unaffected districts suggesting that having less instructional time before standardized tests can hurt academic performance. Um so that was one of the things found
025from their study. Other studies showed that over summer students from lowincome families lose significant learning especially in math and reading whereas in middle and high income students often often maintain or even improve skills. So longer summers like those extended by post labor day starts can exasperate this gap is also one of the findings. Another piece of research said that they vary from July to after Labor Day. When schools start, that most US K12 school years run 180 days and spread over roughly 10 months. There are regionals with different um start dates. In the west and north central regions, most of them are twothirds of the district start in August and then uh we know others back east start after in Labor Day. And then most all the sampling district in Arizona, New Mexico start early
026in August. And we're more concerned about um the ones in in in Arizona. We wanted to look at trends, you know, that matched our demographics for title one districts and post liberty starts. No direct evidence, but the trends are concerning. As of now, there appears to be no direct researchbased studies comparing academic performance in title one districts that start school after Labor Day versus those that begin in early August. However, the available evidence um does strongly suggest that there's reduced instructional time from delayed school starts and can harm academic performance and then extended summer breaks can disproportionately widen learning gaps for lower income students due to the summer learning loss which we see. So unless title one districts supplement or compensate for the lost time elsewhere then students who are already face educational inequities u
027may be negatively impacted is what that said. So, um, like we said, there's no really specific empirical data that states title one districts starting after Labor Day how that would directly affect test scores, but strongly related evidence suggests that less classroom time and extended summer breaks are gen generally disadvantaged. And then these effects may be more acute for title one students who already face summer learning deficits and rely more on school-based instruction. So, those were those those findings based on the academics. Um you saw from the calendar the fall break is reduced five days to two days. Thanksgiving goes from three to five. Spring break remains five. Last day May 21st moves to June 24th and shift from quarters to trimesters. Um, I think the last statement we need to really look at is employees
028who are not 12-month contract or work agreement or those who opt for a 24-hour pay schedule would experience a financial hardship with an after Labor Day start for the 2627 school year because we'd implement it starting in September. The fourmonth gap without pay could result loss of employees that are unable to bridge approximately 180 120 days without compensation. So it would have no matter when you made the shift, there's always going to be that four months where those employees would not receive compensation, which means my guess is they'll probably look for another another job. Um, so but with that, that's what our findings were and we can answer any questions you might have. So, let me I just want to back up for a moment here because we really just kind of jumped right into
029it. And for those of you that may be in the audience or watching at home, you're kind of lacking a little bit of context as to why we're having this discussion. Um, several months ago, there was a story, I believe, that came out. It was like a central or channel 12 News. I think there was a student that ended up having some heat related health issues while waiting for the bus or was coming home from school uh because it was so uh it was so hot outside. Uh and board member Wilson had asked you know can we look into what are the options you know if we start a little bit later um what you know is is there a way that we could alleviate the possibility or chances that one of our students could
030could suffer some sort of a heat related illness or condition you know before or after school. Um so she she had asked for a study session on this and and I think it was it's very timely. It it's a concern that I've heard over and over again since at least I've been on the board, even though it hasn't come up in an official board meeting. Some people say, "Why why does it seem like we start school so early?" You know, August 3rd, August 4th, as long as I can remember, my kids' birthdays is the first week of August. And for as long as forever, school has always started on their birthday or slightly before their birthday. So, it was always just one thing that we just kind of lived with. Um, but it's a good
031discussion to have so we can see what are the impacts if we do move school start date back. How does that how does that domino down and affect the rest of the school year? Uh, as far as things like breaks, things like, you know, how far do we go into June as opposed to being in August? And I know there was always a concern that came up during um work calendars in the past about nobody really wants to come back after Memorial Day, >> correct? Memorial Day. Yeah. Because Memorial Day is always that that sort of book end to the school year where Memorial Day comes and you've got your keys turned in and you're out the door on your way to summer vacation, right? Um for me, I mean, I just go to work
032the next day. That's that's not a big deal for me, but for a lot of people, that that's a huge and and significant impact in their lives and how they make plans as to what they're going to do. So, uh, I think it's a good discussion to have and I appreciate the the the district admin for going through and kind of giving us this mock calendar and kind of talking through what are the options and what it looks like. Um, so I guess the big question is the board uh what concerns do you have you know if you know looking at some of these delayed like for the example I was given is a delayed start date if we start in September. Yes, the temperature cools down but then it's going to impact us in
033other ways. So, um, what questions do you have for our district administration, you know, about the possibilities of, you know, what can we do now? Is there anything we can do now? Um, now now's now is the time. >> Yeah, I really I mean, this is great. You know, the two uh being able to put them side by side and take a look. I certainly was not looking at going into June at the end of June. Um that that would be what it would end up looking like. Um I was however thinking of maybe another scenario too like maybe not just one other one. >> Well Miss Wilson the other scenario is and we can do that. I think when I grew up as a young child and went to elementary school after Labor Day
034and we went into the first part of June, but at that time we did not give a fall break or a spring break or the two weeks at winter. It might have been a one week. So you can remove those breaks and you can get the only way to get out earlier is to remove breaks because we have to have 180 days, >> right? No, I understand that. And I I was looking more at like not just starting August 10th or going [clears throat] into September that maybe even just a little bit later in August, uh towards the end of August, which would um you know alleviate some of those hot days. Um and instead of a full week in October, possibly a long weekend, um something to that effect because once you start at
035the end of August, you're only going what, five, six weeks before you're into a fall break. And you know that it kind of I always looked at it when I was teaching as you know the railroad's going and and then all of a sudden boom everything stops and you come back and um you know you got to pretty much start all over again. Uh it's probably not that way anymore starting, you know, as early in August, but um I taught in a district where we had the uh modified uh year round and uh we went to June 11th, which wasn't I think the only bad thing about that was my kids were in a school that where they got out Memorial Day, so I had to go an extra three weeks and they were up
036late. Of course, I was up late. Um but um yeah, so I was kind of maybe thinking that you know maybe another scenario to look at. >> Well, we we could do that. Another scenario would you're if you say you're going to start let's say August 24th, you have six days. So six days we got to make up somewhere. I mean we can do this in our heads real quick. Um so if you you you'll have if you start August 24th. So 1 2 3 4 5 six instead it so that's six days earlier. Right. Am I doing the math right? >> 1 2 3 4 5 six. >> Look at me. >> 7 8 9 10. Yeah, I'm looking at September. So you're going to start 10 days earlier. So you could end 10
037days earlier. >> You go later but not as far. You're looking at probably June 14th maybe, but you're going to have to determine where the trimester fall because it's still probably going to end in a trimester. And then we'd have to see where that fell to do that. So you would So you're going to Yeah, you're going to get out 10 days earlier. That would be it. And you're going to start 10 days later. Um, that would be the other scenario. >> I think in that that sort of situation, you run into a couple things. First of all, uh, hot is still hot. Whether you're at the end of August or the beginning of June, it's still 100° outside and touching the pavement still going to be 120°. Um but I think one of the
038bigger concerns that that I am that I am concerned with is our alignment with the high school districts and the siblings that we have that are going into Glendale Union going into you know one of the other uh our union districts or unified districts around us. Um so that you have families that have the same time off together. Uh, I know one situation now is I know my my elder child right now, they start at the end of August or beginning of September. Right now they're going to NIOU, of course, they start at the end of August. My my my youngest son starts at the beginning of August. Um, so he's going to school while his his sister is still home, but she doesn't get a fall break. She ends a little bit earlier, but
039she doesn't get a fall break. She doesn't really get, you know, all these other breaks that the kids have. Um, so everything is out of whack at that point. So, you know, I yearn for the days where everybody was was out of school at the same time so we can make plans. Um, that that doesn't exist anymore in our household because of the way that the the school days start and the way the breaks adjust for them. So, uh, I and and I can't speak to how many families out there that we have in our community to have kids in both the K8 group and the 912, you know, in the high school district. So, you know, maybe there there's an impact for that. I mean, I know right now that impact is minimized because
040we all kind of start within that same sort of 5-day window of that of that week within the beginning of August. And and that makes a big difference. Well, that made a big difference in my household. Uh because I didn't have to worry about having a younger kid at home by themselves and then have the older kid off to school. Uh because they started still at the beginning of August. And now I have a a seven-year-old at home by themselves. So what are my options now as a working parent? Do I now have to find a way to find child care for my kid at that beginning those first two weeks of August while my kid is at home? Do I leave them at home? Are they freerange kids now? Um and just trust that
041they're getting to school on time because I can tell you my youngest kid will not go to school. It it's a it's a guaranteed fact. So, I I think we we also need to be mindful of the families and the communities that we have that we are serving. Um that that we make the choice in the best decision of all. And yes, I I I know being out when it's 110 degrees sucks. Um it's hot and I don't know if there's anything that we can do about it whether it's at the beginning of August or at the end of June. Uh, I can tell you I much rather be in a maybe maybe this year is not the best best uh example of that in an air conditioned classroom. Um, seeing as all of our
042air conditioners seem to have gone out at the same time this year. Yes. So, um, but you know, I'd much rather have my kid, you know, safe in a classroom where I know that they're being watched by a teacher or faculty and staff, uh, than at home by themselves, you know, and and then I have to worry about it at that point. So, >> just speaking as a grandmother that has um grandkids at Apollo in sports, there is no break. They are out there practicing football, cheerleading, whatever all through the break. And I always thought, well, we can't really go anywhere because they have practice and uh they insist on doing the practice. So, um, just thought I'd throw that out there. >> Yeah. >> You know, but that was one of the things that
043I remember too as a parent before I even got on the board when the two districts were not in alignment. That was the conflict for the parents that I knew at the K8 school was, I have a child at high school. Who do we sacrifice acade, you know, academically? Do we pull them out? Do we pull the high school student out of high school to go on a family vacation during the elementary break or do we pull out the elementary students to go during the high school break? So, you know, we're supposed to be focused on students and their success. And for some families, we run the risk of sacrificing both campuses for those academic success because some families are pulling their high school student out to stay home and watch the younger siblings and
044and that's I I can't I can't support that, >> you know. >> Yeah. As someone who was more recently in high school with siblings, [laughter] um I I do have a very like uh recent memory of my sisters and me um having aligned schedules and being able to do things together as a family. I was able to watch my siblings and I remember hearing stories about my cousins um where they had older siblings and younger siblings and their schedules were misaligned. And I remember um my auntie always complaining like why did they do this? This is so like hard on us as a family and it was just it every year it would bring up the same uh complaints and I I I do see it. And I do appreciate the the question that was
045brought forward because that is a real concern and the research that was done because I'm I'm I'm reading everything and but I I'm more inclined to uh support this current schedule just so that we are in alignment with the high school for our working families. No, I think it's important that we we continue and to align ourselves with Glendale Union, but I think starting the conversation and maybe other districts will start a conversation and maybe eventually several years down the road. Uh we might wake up and realize that, you know, Arizona is it's not good to start school in August. But you're right, everybody has to be in alignment that way. So, I am glad that this uh was done anyway. And um you know, we did have the conversation and this is very good.
046comparisons and and the history and all that is u you know I've read through and it's really very good information. So thank you for doing that. >> And you know what it is getting hotter and hotter every year. So like this could [clears throat] be potentially the jump start you know >> for alliance uh calendars to happen differently in the future. So I do appreciate that this was brought up. To me, this sounds like from the information that we got, this is an opportunity to advocate and go to the AIA >> because if they're setting those game schedules for the high schools and the high schools are doing all of their schedules around all their sports, >> then it's AIA that also needs to like step back and say, "Wait a minute, who are we
047risking here by starting so early or running so late?" >> I agree. >> What if we just go year round? >> We did that at one point. GESD was semi- year round where we started I think mid July and we ended I mean this was when my kids were in school and I I think it only lasted two years. >> It didn't last long >> but uh and I think I hear laughing because I think the teachers didn't like it >> and I can't say that I blame them but as a parent I loved it because every now and then my kids would get three weeks off and there was a lot less learning loss. That only works if your all your kids are at the same school though. >> This is true. So, and
048they work. So, >> it it's more it would be more beneficial if we were a unified district where we had, you know, your our K8 students at the same going up and and going into the same 912 district. Um, we're we're in a situation being only a nine uh K8 district where we have to work with those districts around us. Uh, and I believe it's one of those things that we just can't change by ourselves unilaterally. you know, if the and it's a good discussion to have because I'm sure parents come up with it. And to be honest, I said year round just to see how many people out there in the audience shook their head vigorously and said, "God, no, please don't." >> Um, but I, you know, I've seen districts do do year
049round and they're usually smaller districts and they're there sort of situations where they're feeding right into a high school district that aligns with them. So, um, but you know, it's one of those things. This is a discussion that I firmly believe that just because that's the way we've always done it doesn't mean it's the way that always needs to be done. Um, so it's good to have this conversation periodically and kind of touch base and and see where we are as far as the community around us and what the needs are of the community besides just what we think might happen. So, uh, thank you Cindy and thank you for your staff for putting together information. It's good to see the numbers and and how that's going to impact the students. But um judging by
050from the what I'm hearing from the rest of the board, I think we're going to go ahead and stick with the uh the calendars that we have right now. >> Can I can I ask one thing? We know that there are some of those situations where the K8 is has done something different with their calendar versus the the high school district that they feed into. Can we by any chance get some of that feedback of how it is impacting both positive and negative between the two? >> I don't I don't know where they're misaligned anymore. We'd have to look. There's a we were looking at this to create a calendar. I mean, I don't know how many times Jerry and I and Adriiana counted numbers and each three of us got different numbers because you're
051looking at, you know, you've got all these moving parts, but um I don't know who feeds in that are different. We'd have to look to see that. Um I I know that your high schools, you know, your I know we talk about AIA, but really the high schools set it and then give it to AIA and say, "Here's what our schedule is and then they develop the tournaments around that and and the schedules around that." I think that, you know, it's it would be we think about, you know, a long time ago when I was in school versus, you know, like board member Had said he he is recent, you know, he's the most recent out and it's it's just very much different. It was nice when we were out and we had the three
052months, but at the same time, you know, you still had to get and in those days it wasn't even 180 days. We were back to probably 170 175 days. And it's just because we've added, you know, we felt that there needed to be a fall break. We felt that there needed you've seen across the valley. Miss Valades can chime in. she knows better than I do when she looked at it. But I just know from, you know, looking at other districts as well that some have moved away from the fall break. They're giving one or two days and then they're giving all the days in at Thanksgiving. Um, and you know, because they feel that, you know, families are taking that time instead of the fall um the fall break. So, it's just hard to
053determine. When you look at it though and you're trying to say, well, what's best to me? I mean, you're giving five days in December. Let's just say in November, you're given five days in November. The but then, you know, in three weeks, you're given two more. But then what we also hear, and we hear it now, just based off our calendar, April, you know, the whole from from April to to May, there's no breaks in April at all. you know, some do a testing break, but you have all of April and then really all of May and and you haven't had a break, but you know, and in February, you get one. So, you're really, you know, it's where do you put the where do you put the days off to try to balance it?
054It's just November and December. Your all your time off is there and then you've got to get through the rest of the year is how it turns out. Which except you know you have the spring break and then we know across the valley spring breaks vary, you know, um some districts started July 31st, some started August 7th, you know, but then you have to look what they gave up and they've they've given up a fall break or they've, you know, adjusted it somewhere. Most are still keeping the winter break. Um, but the fall break is where it's been given. It's and it moves to Thanksgiving. I understand that because perhaps their communities wanted that so everyone could, you know, be able to travel at Thanksgiving. But when you do that, you've taken away October. And
055then I I don't know. It's just as a family, I'm either going in November or I'm going in December. You know, a lot don't go both. Even our own staff sometimes can't afford to go across, you know, the country back home east if they're going in November, December for sure for two weeks. Do they go in November? It's hard, you know, that's just one more cost for them as well because, you know, it's so close. Um but and then some do, some are able to do that. So, um but you know, that's what it comes out to be. Even like we said, if we shift it, you're still going into the third week in in June and then you're going to still give up, you know, the fall breaks um and shift it that way.
056I think the other thing too is shifting uh way back um we were in trimesters before and we had some complications with that, you know, so now we're back to quarters, but um that's what it is. So we um any other questions we're happy to answer. >> Um just to go back to the situation that prompted this all like uh maybe we could emphasize like uh cooling strategies or ways to keep your uh student cool as they wait for the bus uh so that we have less of a chance to see the the situation that prompted that question. >> Right. And that's what we have to focus on. We keep kids inside until the bus arrives. We don't have them standing out there. It's kind of different in the morning when they're standing out there
057because they're coming from their homes. But u the way bus works now and works throughout the year is those kids aren't just waiting at the bus stop. They're in a classroom. Bus five comes, they call bus five, bus spies comes out, the kids get on the bus. Um as board member said, hot is hot. and in the in the board president Martinez said but board said that you know we've seen an increase in our temperatures they are rising as you could see I was kind of surprised that um June you know the June temperature was is the hottest compared to I mean June and August it doesn't matter it's going to be hot and June is actually hotter so September gives you the even wash out with you know the other the other part of
058the month but it doesn't matter when you start or end in Arizona anymore hot it's just hot. And so the the approach is what do you what do we do to keep our bus drivers cool because they're on those buses as well, you know, and I great concern for them uh as well. And then even even not get get away from just the bus and the students, you know, we have crosswalk that we're required to have. We have bought them the cooling vests. They're very heavy to wear, but we provide those and the rags and we do everything we thing we can for them because you you can even um when you're out there for recess duty or lunch duty, it's hot. So, we try to do umbrellas and things, you know, for staff to
059do as well because it's extremely hot. And then, you know, we do keep them in when the temperature reaches a certain degrees and we we go to a rainy day schedule so they're not out there. But I don't know the significance of the rainy day, the number that we chose. There's no rhyme or reason to it or any rationale to it. It's just like we decided, well, that's too hot, you know, and and that I'm going to be honest. That's what we've said and that's what people say, well, it's kind of hot, so we're not going to go out today. And um but we also look at we have to also look at air quality conditions as well because that's a huge factor when you have children that are asthmatic and uh air quality uh
060is more important than than the heat you need to pay attention to at times. And we've done that as well. We've called our sports off because of poor air quality in the past. And so we'll continue to do that. But thank you. >> And I I appreciate that because I think parents need to hear that, you know, that we we do everything we can to keep their uh child safe and um you know, not let them out when it's, you know, extremely hot or out there doing sports, you know. So, yeah, thank you for mentioning that. >> All right. Well, thank you everybody for discussion and questions. I want to be respectful for everybody's time. I know Mr. Hario has to head out right now and we only have about 15 20 minutes with Miss
061Wilson before she has to head out. Um so we'll go ahead and continue on with our agenda if we want to work our way back up to Diaz. All right, moving on into our agenda. We're moving into the consent agenda. Uh, any board members have any questions or comments? >> Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda items? >> I move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Miss Wilson, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Fmentel, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Bartell, how do you vote? >> I. and the chair votes side. Moving on into our reports and information items. Revised regulation GCCA-R Miss Sagata Jones >> we're working on technology. So this is yeah this is >> your mics this is just a regulation we have disability
062>> not okay now we're on this is the short-term disability leave and long-term disability leave >> you have questions on that miss Valadz you have any comments >> good yes um good evening Mr. President, members of the board. So the change to the sickly buyback upon separation of employment, as you can see, there's two dollar amounts that were increased. They were increased due to the fact that our it was based on the daily sub rate and the daily sub rate was increased. So these figures now align to the hourly rate of uh the hourly rate for the new daily rate of subs. And then that's the 1875 an hour. And then the $9.38 per hour for less than 10 years in the district is half of that amount. And that's how those two amounts are
063determined. >> And you saw the policy on that last month. >> All right. Any questions on the policy from the board? >> Okay. We'll move on to our first action item, the ASBA association or ASBA bylaw change proposal. Uh just a quick recap. These are bylaw changes that uh were selected at the last delegate assembly which was back in September >> I believe. >> Yes, I believe uh both uh Miss Pimement and I were there at the uh >> No, that's not what this is. >> This is true bylaws for ASBA. >> Yes. >> Not the not the >> Oh, sorry. We were talking about Yeah, we're talking about the Yeah. So these so these are the bylaws that were introduced at that at the last at the law conference. Um they are sort of
064paired down. They tried to do a bylaw change last year. Uh they did not get enough votes to pass it. Um they kind of narrowed it down to a a bare minimum mostly administrative changes. uh but as part of the bylaws process they need to be voted on by every member board and then that vote needs to be submitted to ASBA in which case a majority of the uh member boards need to uh pass it in order for that bylaw to be changed. Are there any questions on the bylaws or bylaw changes? My observation was that pretty much everything in there was just to clarify and clean up the language. So, >> and it seemed they've been trying to do this for quite a while. This has been something that while I was sitting there
065listening, this is something they've been trying to pass for. Well, internally you want it to be difficult to change bylaws, but the challenge is until you have the you have to have like a super majority of yes votes, but it is based on the total number of district members, >> right? >> So, and they just haven't got up to that threshold yet. >> Yeah. >> And there's some clarifying language in here as well. >> Yeah. And I think it's it's part of the member districts to um really sort of demand a higher threshold of accountability for the organization itself. Um considering some of these stumbles that ASBA has had in the past and I believe part of that was was I would say like two executive directors ago um where that became an issue and
066so they tried to make some changes again. They tried to make these changes last year. uh they didn't get enough members voting on it, so it got pushed this year and they kind of paired it down a little bit more, I think, in in clearer language. Um if if I had any discouraging remarks about it, it would be the way that they introduced it at the ASBA law conference was a little underwhelming to me. Uh but it is it is what it is. Um and looking at the changes here, there's really not a whole lot that I would really disagree with. Um, any comments from the board? >> Are we okay with these bylaw changes? >> Well, should I make a motion? >> I move to approve the um ASBA bylaw changes as presented. >>
067Second. >> All right. Miss Wilson, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Pimementel, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Bartell's, how do you vote? >> I. >> And chair votes. I go back and Miss Powell needs to direct her to vote for you. >> The motion needs to direct me to vote. >> Oh, >> all right. I move to authorize Miss Powell to vote in the affirmative of the ASBA recommended changes to the bylaws. >> I will second. >> Let's try this again. Miss Wilson, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Pimentel, how do you vote? >> I. >> Miss Bartell's, how do you vote? >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Thank you. Miss uh Miss Pal, if you could please let ASBA know that we are in agreement
068of their bylaw changes. Moving on to discussion item number eight, governing board self-evaluation. As is tradition, we do this evaluation every year. Um, this information was sent out to all of our board members last week and we asked them to com sort of go through and answer to items as to how they felt um their answers would be and send them over to Miss Pal where she kind of compiled them. I will kind of go through this, but I'm only really going to stop at those items where there was some not disagreement but differences of opinion. Uh I'm so I'm going to skip past portion A where we all measured with the same answer of satisfactory um as far as board relationship with the superintendent. Uh section B board relationship with the community. Uh we
069all again measured satisfactory. Uh section C board relationship between members during meetings. We were all satisfactory. We have yet to really glare anybody down. So that's good. Thank you guys. Um board's uh selection number D, board relationship with staff and personnel. Uh there was one difference of opinion where it says um board members make every effort to become acquaint acquainted with personnel of the district. Uh with Mr. Harmo voting needs improvement. Uh and I believe that's that's a continual thing for for Hector. He wants to make sure that we're out there a little bit more often and try to try to meet with as many people possible, do some more visit, site visits u with different sites and staff. Um, and I know that is one of the things we kind of touch on every
070year where it's like where are we going to go visit now? Where are we going to go visit now? So, uh, that that's a discussion that I believe we need to have with Miss Sigata Jones so we can schedule some site visits and get ourselves back out there. um and make sure to be honest it's kind of like touching grass you know we gota we got to remember the reason that why we're here um so I I would not would not disagree with Mr. you know, that's going to be that should be a continual challenge as far as I'm concerned. So that we'll we'll continue to work on that. >> But I think in the next section I think we get that one. >> Yes. So >> moving forward that actually is going to satisfy
071that other one. >> Yes. So uh moving into section E, the board relationship to the instructional instructional program. Um the item under discussion is the board makes an effort to keep informed about the instructional program by providing for periodic reports as deemed necessary by periodic visitation in the schools which is kind of what we just talked about here. And we got a a a smattering of needs improvement and satisfactory. Uh myself being satisfactory because I know that those are coming down the line and those usually come later in the fall semester as everyone kind of gets their feet under them. But again, it is one of those it's always going to be challenges. But not only is it a challenge to um that we lay upon the district and the administration to set these visits
072up for us, it is a challenge that we need to be incumbent upon ourselves uh to go. >> Um if they're scheduled a month out, you know, when it comes down to it, you know, these are positions that we volunteered for and if we want to be in a school site, we got to make sure that we are available to go to that school site. Um, and so we'll make sure that we give have plenty of advanced notice or try to give as much advanced notice as pass as as possible to make sure that we are able to be out there and visiting these programs, you know, visiting the different staff members and the different programs that are happening on there. So, it is it is a two-way street uh that we need to make
073sure that we are fulfilling our obligations as board members. All right. Any other any comments on that? Okay. Um, we'll move into item two. Also, it had a smattering of things. Board attempts to gain information from the community pertaining to instructional program needs. I don't know if I particularly like this question. Um, so so maybe uh Miss Miss Wilson, you can give me some give us some comments or insight. Yeah, I just uh you know really uh I could I could do a better job of possibly going to um the pizza nights and uh you know talking to uh parents a little bit more than what I do. I mean I think the most indepth I got was when I went around getting signatures for for the petition for the board. Um and I got
074into some good conversations there and then um walking the dog, running into dog walkers. But actually parents, you know, I could do a little better job at that. >> Thank you, Miss Wilson, for saying that. It's really through those events where we can engage with our community and I try to do that as well. And it's when we are, but we get so um interested in what's happening at the event, but we need to take time and talk to our families and you know, we can all do a better job with that. >> That's what those science fairs are all about. You really get some insight from your your families on your events like that, especially the academic nights. >> Yeah. And I think we need to we need to make our sure that we
075as board members stand out. I mean, we kind of blend in and sometimes we blend in with the community and the parents and sometimes we blend in with the staff. So, it's hard. It's hard for anyone to say, "Hey, that's a board member right there." >> It's not hard if you wear the wonderful uh proud to be a board member shirts that we have. >> Yes, you have multiple. So, there's no excuse. >> You're correct, Brenda. >> I I proudly wear mine. Um, you know, yes. Yes. And maybe, you know, may maybe that's something as simple as as maybe our shirts are a different color than the rest of the staff that make us pop out. I mean, I know when when I've uh been coaching T-ball now for like 15 years, we're all required
076as coaches to wear these bright orange shirts just for the purpose of everyone knows that's the coach and if you have a questions or anything going on, that's the person you go to. And if they're a field rep, they all wear bright yellow. that's the person you go to. So may maybe that's something that that we think about that we talk about. I mean I' I'd certainly like to you know it's nice to be able to blend in and just kind of be amongst the people as a normal person. Um but I think sometimes we miss out on some of that engagement that could happen if somebody had known hey that's a board member right there. >> No bright orange. >> No bright. No absolutely not. It attracts bees by the way. I just want
077everybody to know. It attracts bees and I am not a fan. Yes. Yes. >> Not doing it. >> Yeah. So, so that's I guess that's a a question maybe we can we can pose to uh the the district and see if there's you know some other way that you can help us stick out. I know that Diamondbacks always has look for the guys in the straw hats. And I don't I'm not saying buy a straw hats because I'm not going to wear it because my hair is beautiful and I don't want to mess it up. >> No, I I agree. Okay, we can do that. But also, you know, we have to when I'm out there, um, you know, I don't have a different shirt or anything, but, you know, it's, you know, I'm I'm
078an introvert and and and but I need to make that effort on my own, too. And so I we can we can do shirts or hats or whatever it is and I can carry a megaphone around say here are the governing board members. I can do that. That can do that. But I think, you know, at any time, even when we have our board meetings here, when we know if families arrive early, we can always step down and introduce ourselves as well. So, >> yeah, >> no offense, uh, Miss Getta Jones, but I can pick you out of a room of 500 people in an instant. >> Yeah, I I hear that a lot. [laughter] >> I smell Aquinet. >> Appreciate that. >> Uh, we love you though. Okay. So, moving on into uh section
079F, board relationship to the financial management management of the schools. It looks like we've all kind of went along the same line of satisfactory, which I would wholeheartedly agree with. But, uh I want to move into their general statement and I want to give each one of our board members a chance to kind of um speak to their own general statements uh in your own words and what your thinks your thoughts were behind that. I want to start down at the end. Miss Wilson, um you had a couple of priority challenges that the board faces. What What are your thoughts on that? >> It's always the same. Money and enrollment. I mean, those are the two big ones. Um there's a few others, but I think those are the two that uh kind of drive
080it. >> Miss Pimento, >> that's where mine lie, too. Um, I put our biggest challenges are funding, declining enrollment, loss of federal funding for public education and special education >> and charter schools and voucher expansion. And uh, we're not alone. We're not the only districts facing those problems. And and I think that word smithing things, these have been my same issues pretty much since I've gotten on the board. Miss Bartell's. >> Well, too often in this category, we all can say ditto to everybody's stuff. So, you know, I I couldn't put it as a, you know, in order of priority because they they all interming our facilities impact enrollment sometimes and staffing is impacted by all of it. So, I mean, we're we're just trying to, you know, do what we know we have to
081do to support our children, but we don't have the resources from all means to do it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh I will offer up uh Mr. Hario's um priorities on here. I think he has some some actually some really solid ones on here. Um lack of funding from state and federal entities. Uh more staff and community input. creating a transparency town hall to explain any major future budget decisions and defending our programs against ideological attacks. Um I I think I think he has some good ideas just as as did the rest of the board on here. Some some solid idea ideas on there. It is you know the theme continues on with the entire evaluation. We need to make ourselves available. We need to make sure that we're we're communicating with the community. We need
082to make sure that we're involved with community. Um so that you know there is one unified message as to what it is the school district is doing and myself uh my was just scaling to adjust for declining or stagnant stagnant enrollment as I've said before in previous board meeting. Um declining enrollment is kind of here to stay. Um we're don't have as many kids as we did five years ago. Those kids aren't going to magically appear. Um there's you you can blame any number of things. Declining birth rates, ESA vouchers, people moving, uh you know, high cost of living in the area, um you talk about, you know, changes in in federal government and and you know, what happens in and how that impacts our community. Any one of those uh any one of those
083by themselves would would impact us as a school district and and how it is we provide uh educational services to the community. So, uh, it's just we need to make sure that we are fluid and that we are willing to make hard choices if we need to make hard choices and we need to make sure that we do first of all what is in the best interest of the community and the the students and the families that we serve um with trying to provide a a great place to work and a great place to be and part of the GESD family uh that continues to provide education. So, um there's a lot of priorities in there somewhere. So, those are all things that that we will continue to sort of drive what we do over
084the next uh over the next year. Uh we move on to section two for general stage. Um and we're going to bid farewell to Miss Miss Wilson who's heading out. So, thank you ma'am. Um so, we'll move into section two. List any weaknesses you have observed in the operation of the school district or of the school system. Uh again, I'll let the the board members kind of speak to their own um uh their own statements here. So, we'll start with you, Miss Pimento. >> So, the weaknesses is again, it's not specific to GESD, and that's our ability to hire and retain highly qualified staff. And and you know, I we do the best we can. We get out there. We look for the best of the best to come here. and looking out in the
085audience, I see some of the best of the best here and and I've known them and I known them for years and I would love for more people to come and say, "Hey, you know, I've been here for for 20 years and when we have that and and you have children come back who have grown up through the system and then they come back with their kids and I I think that's that's a value that you can't put a price on. So that's a big thing for me. And then the other weakness we have is the increased cost of everything. Uh food, gas, taxes, electricity. Uh it's it's really it's hitting us in places that we don't need it to hit, but but it's it's where we are right now. >> All right. Thank you,
086Miss Bartell's. >> Just a general statement. I mean everything that is going on that is impacting us from the external forces create a situation where we just are spread thin. >> All right. Good. Um and I will again share Mr. Harmio's comment. Um he feels that board members should be able to schedule a visit with school administrators on their own and develop meaningful relationships without needing approval for district that so that real trust is built. Um I'm not going to beat it that those are his words. um we've had this discussion as a board so I'm not going to detract from him but that that's the way he feels and I absolutely you know support that you know it's it's it's but we have decided as a board is what we're going to do so
087we're going to move on from there uh as for myself uh the biggest challenge is retaining qualified staff um I I've told many people you keep people in their job for one of two reasons either cash or culture either you're paying somebody exceedingly well or they really love working in there. Uh, and when it comes down to it, you don't start in any public school system to get rich. If if this is your plan to get rich, you have chosen poorly. Um, and you should you should all look interior and see yourself. Um, but what we do offer, what I do believe we offer is we we offer a great place to work. We offer a great community to work. Um, that's been supportive of us as a school district and an administration, as a
088board. uh and we we owe it to them to do the best we can with what we have and so uh as far as I'm concerned we will continue to do that um and then move on from there. We move into uh section three lists any sign significant accomplishments made by the school system during the past year. Uh Miss Pimentel, we'll start with you. So, one of the things that we have that I think is a shining star anywhere I go, and it's our system of care. In fact, I had someone call me the other day from a district across town who said, "Could you please let me know who to talk to for system of care? I want to do a visit. We're looking at possibly having to close schools. We want to do
089what you guys did." So, more partnerships, increased activity. I think it's amazing when we can say, "Look what we did. um continued cultural awareness at our schools. I just think that's something important for our students and our community to be able to celebrate exactly who they are. I think that's a win every single day. Positive outcomes with a state school facilities lawsuit and amazing outcomes related to our specialty campuses. I think that's something that every one of you should be proud of. That's your hard work and your blood, sweat, and tears that go in there that help our students shine. >> Hopefully less blood, maybe sweat and tears. >> The the blood and the tears are not purposeful. Of course, >> it is Halloween. You can fake blood. Miss Bartell's >> um for me, you
090know, being that we're focused on, you know, the the academic success for students, I I love the fact that our our campus grades have gotten to the level that they are, I mean, it shows that we are moving the needle in the right direction uh districtwide. Um, and I also was able to see the correlation with our campuses and how they impact the high school grades as well because we have, you know, had a couple campuses that weren't necessarily all that great at the high school level and even they're coming up too. So, it's it's a true reflection. You know, we're sending them kids that are truly prepared for what they're doing at that next chapter. >> All right. Great. So, I'll I'll add in from Mr. Hario. um significant accomplishments. One, student progress, uh
091great student progress, uh tracking success of students and maintaining or improving school letter grades, uh which we've done an amazing job over the past couple of years. So, uh he wanted to point that out. and Miss Wilson. Um, I don't know how we missed it so far, but the vic the the I'll put in air quotes, a victory in the capital lawsuit, uh, which was huge news, uh, for anyone in the school business or anyone in public education for that matter. Um, a financially secure trust and no increase in medical premiums yet again. Um, which is also a big thing because, you know, as as Miss Fmentel says, the price of everything is going up. Um, and somehow we we try to do our best to make sure that little things like the big things
092like medical insurance kind of remains typically the same. Um, and and I will steal a line from Brenda. I'll go ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto. Um, all of these are great examples of of accomplishments that we've made during the school year. And I want to to thank each of the board members for pointing uh some of these out. Any uh closing questions or any closing comments on the uh school board evaluation? >> It it's a so goes the captain, so goes the shift. And when you've got a school board that even we don't agree wholeheartedly on something, we still are respectful and we leave this room respecting each other. Um and it is a true reflection of what this community has at the home. Yes, I would also agree. If if it's if
093it's messed up up top, I can guarantee you it's messed up at the bottom somewhere. So, um we do we we do our best to represent a school district that is deserving of all the accomplishments and all of the praise and everything that you do on every day. So, thank you very much. You guys absolutely make it easy for us to sit up here on the board um and to come to an agreement to to most everything because um you can't you can't argue with success sometimes and you guys are doing successful things every day and we appreciate it and thank you very much. >> Thank you President Martinez and thank you to all of our staff that are in the audience because those comments are about you. We appreciate what you do every day.
094Thank you. All right, we're going to move on to our future meetings and events. Missa Jones, what do we have coming up in the near future? >> Yes, President Martinez, members of the board, November 13 is our next meeting. That will be the superintendent's annual report. And at that same time, we'll do school district um letter grades. We anticipate to see those letter grades on October 31st, I think they've told us, um with the state department. So, we'll get those out. Okay. >> Any questions or comments on the upcoming meetings? I will try to attend virtually. I will let you know. >> Thank you, Miss Pimeto. >> Oh, yes. I forgot. All right, moving on to the summary of current events. Uh, Miss Sigata Jones. >> Yes, President Martinez, members of the board. Um, as
095you can see on the slide, my second slide. So, we had the employee resource fair yesterday. We had 251 attended, 97 flu shots were given, and 79 biometrics were done. So, that was a great turnout. We had the Kuana steak fry. Um, Kuanas, as you know, very generous um with their support of Glendale Elementary School District. So, thank you to all of our staff that attended that event. This week is Red Ribbon Week. That's why we're wearing our red today and all the wonderful things that Miss Hadi and her staff have done this week. Thank you for that. um student advisory committee, my advisory committee and I met uh and Erica um met with them and she really talked about the importance of red ribbon week and what it means. So that was a great
096um meeting with them on Tuesday. I've been at school visits seeing some great classroom instruction as well and really been focused on collaborative teams this week and last week. So it's been great. We conducted Dr. Dr. Peterson and Corbay and I did uh conducted principal quarterly reviews looking at data from their benchmarks and u making sure that we're on target for uh you know the next quarter and having conversations with principles about their needs. Uh we'd like to announce that Glendel American school was the best of the west school and mascot. It's in Glendel Star today. So congratulations. >> Yes. And then the GCU principal of the month award. We were had the honor of doing that yesterday and that was Miss Tammy Nickel. So and [applause] and that was a surprise. And then we
097have an award that toon it's an Azales Aialis award and Ulyses Montes won and Ulysis is in our HR department in tech. So that was great. And then through OS is the office of English language acquisition. Chita, your finalist is from Desert Spirit and that's Maria Politis. So, we're waiting for that. And then also, Gusto has generously donated some really cool uh gifts that I'm not going to unveil what they are yet because they're really cool and uh they're going to be surprises, but we really want to focus on uh student attendance and we're going to give away some really cool things. So, we appreciate those good um Gusto donations. In addition, this week I received a letter from BHS, Legacy Foundation, Baptist Hospital and Health System and um they um gave us and I
098will receive that November 6 $25,000 donation and that is because of the work that's happening at system of care and their focuses on providing food for community and so it is our 25th year as a foundation. I uh was able to see the CEO yesterday at the I was at another lunchon with Mr. Per Parcels. We were at um I don't know where we were Dennis but we were somewhere Salvation Army and um and the CEO was there and uh so honored and humbled that it's their 25 year anniversary and he's giving out to people who he believes is helping the community and so proud GSD was re will be recognized with a $25,000 donation. That's huge for us. So, [applause] and with that, that concludes my report. >> All right. Thank you very much.
099Uh, we'll start with our board member report, governing board report, Miss Pimentel. >> So, it's uh it's I guess I shouldn't mention the weather, so I won't. But it's starting to uh get towards the end of October and the fall festivities are coming up. I think every campus has something going on this year. I'm unfortunately going to have to miss them, but I will be there with everybody in spirit and uh with a trunk or treat and I hope everybody has candy and has a great time. Uh happy Halloween that's next Friday. Uh if you have little ones coming by, just check out how proud they are of their costumes and and say hello to them. Um, I believe there are turkey events coming up and there's a lot of things going on, but uh,
100enjoy the fall everyone. >> All right, Miss Bartell's >> um, just touching on the system of care center. Proud to have volunteered. I know we served over 400 households last week, you know, with the boxes that we had and those boxes were packed full, too. So, it it is an honor that we were able to turn such a a negative time in our our history of GESD with the declining enrollment and voting to close campuses and turning it into something that is truly a jewel and a and a major support to our community with the system of care center. Thank you. >> All right. Um well, congratulations to all of our winners. Glendel American best mascot, which I absolutely agree with because I always comment every time I go to event over at American there's
101always a different flyer and the eagle is always in some sort of different costume or some like who drew this like every time I go over there is somebody drawing these things and it's like is this somebody chat GPT or something like that? It's always it's always something cool and always something neat to watch. So um congratulations Glendale American. Also to to Tammy uh Ulisses and uh Maria um congratulations all on your awards. You absolutely deserve them. Great work everybody. Um Gusto donations uh I I got to I got to harass Miss Sagata Jones on a rare location like hey what can we do for you uh to to give you something? And again I won't spoil the thing but I got to purchase those prizes and they are freaking awesome. Um, I had to
102get them out of my house as soon as possible before my kids started to steal them. Um, but I I did have fun loading up um 48 bags of candy to give away for the trunker treats this week and the Dia de Muertos and all these events this week. So, um, that I had to borrow my wife's car because I didn't have enough room in my poor vehicle to fit all that candy. So, it was absolutely ridiculous. Um, so it's great to be able to do that and the thanks to all of our our vendor partners for for being able to fund the foundation and continue to provide these opportunities and these awards to everybody. But other than that, you know, hey, there's a lot of stuff coming up in the fall. Um, as the
103weather gets cooler, get out, do something, go to a trunk or treat, hang out, put on a costume, have some fun. Um, there's a lot more events coming up. Be Thanksgiving before you know it. So, start looking at the ads and see when all the cheap turkeys start coming out. uh and and do uh do all the Google Thanksgiving stuff like we do every year. But uh thank you everybody. Uh is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Move to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I have a good evening.