001See through with all of those programs to provide support to our scholars. So the proposed budget is a 5.41% increase over last year. We have not got our final numbers for state aid. They're still working on that up at the state level. This is what we received as a um. In January. So that has not been finalized. It could be a little more. It could be a little less. Um, and we just have to wait. We're hoping the numbers will come out soon. And that's so far, 6.57. Increase our other revenue, 16.8% increase. We are still benefiting from our interest rates. We're still getting a lot of our revenue through interest. Our treasurer, Miss Mighty, is very good at keeping the money in, um, fund funding, places that give us better interest rates than what
002we get at our regular banks and our assigned fund balance to continue the programs is an increase of 35.13%. To continue all of the things that I mentioned. Uh, tax levy. And that's the good news is we're looking at a 0% increase on taxes. So for overall, a budget of 138,870,007 73, or 5.1% increase over last year. So here it is broken down again. Important to note, um, with the current average assessment, we will see a decrease. Now that doesn't mean everybody will see a decrease. It just depends on what value your house is assessed. So when you see what value your house is assessed, you would divide it by a thousand and then multiply it by the tax rate. So 2526 is current year. Tax rate was about $777.77 for the 2627 budget. It's
003gone down $4.18 to $773.57. So that's what that decrease represents a three part component budget. So as you can see, 77% of our budget is attributed to program, 9% to admin and 14% to capital. This is a breakdown of our budget by object and a large portion is salary and benefits, which is what you would usually see with every school budget. Important to note, as I believe it's a little lower than what you would normally see normally around 70%. Where under that and again the revenue projection 57%. State aid 33%. Tax levy 10% other. Proposition one. Our only proposition this year is the budget at 138,870,773. Budget vote, cast your vote, come out and support our budget and vote for your board and your Board of Education candidates on May 19th, 2026 at the high
004school. Thank you. Thank you. Cynthia. Um, this meeting is now open for any comments on the proposed 2627 budget. No comment. Okay. This concludes the public hearing on the proposed budget. So welcome again to our Board of Education meeting. And, uh, I'm now going to turn the meeting back over to Doctor Morgan, CEO for the superintendent's report. Good evening again, trustees. Good evening to our students, parents, community members, staff, administrators and teachers as well. Want to say welcome to Peekskill Pride. This is where we, uh, educate our community and speak to our board about the things that are happening in our schools. And, uh, tonight we have some special celebrations and recognitions that we would like to get into as well. And so with that, um, but I do want to say thank you again
005to Cynthia Hawthorne in your budget office. Thank you to the board for your financial, um, stewardship, making sure that our funding makes its way. And you'll hear about that tonight. And so, uh, let's give them another big round of applause. We appreciate your leadership. And, uh, I have the pleasure each board meeting to talk about, uh, the, uh, great work that is happening in our schools and in our school community as well. Uh, first of all, want to take the opportunity to recognize happy teacher appreciation week and day. And so I know we have some teachers here. If I could have all of our teachers please stand up. Uh, PFA members, please say stand up. Let us say thank you. Great, great. Thank you so much. Thank you for all that you do each and
006every day. We appreciate all the time and energy and resources that you pour into our children. And as a parent and as superintendent, I know our board as well. Uh, we just want to say thank you for all that you do. Another big round of applause for our amazing teachers, PFA members. We appreciate you all. And that's why you get a week and a day. So that is wonderful. With that, uh, I also want to recognize I know they're part of the PFA, but they also have a day as well. And we want to say Happy School nurse Day. And so let's give our nurses a big round of applause and say thank you for all that you do as well. And we have wonderful nurses, uh, in our schools. And they led us through
007a pandemic. They have led us through all the things that, um, that that we are challenged with each and every day. And personally, uh, my daughter seems to find the nurse every school she goes to right around reading time and writing time. So thank you to our nurses. Another big round of applause for our nurses. We also have wonderful, uh, principles in each one of our schools. May 1st was National School Principles Day as well. It is a busy spring time. We get to recognize all of our amazing leaders and staff members as well. Uh, any principals that are here, please stand up. I see, uh, Doctor Ferris. Mrs. Anna Budge from oak side. And not yet. But, Doctor Mika, we're going to have you stand up. You're going to be interim principal at the
008high school. Let's give Dartmouth-Hitchcock a big round of applause as well. Great to see you. Great to see you as well. Also want to take the opportunity, uh, students participate in Law Day. Want to thank the Peekskill and NAACP. Uh, they, uh, conduct this effort every year in coordination with our Peekskill judges and the Peekskill city, um, uh, courts and, uh, high school students went, uh, they were part of a specific courses and went to law. They, they learned about, uh, um, prosecutors and defense attorneys and judge had the many different career opportunities that exist statewide, locally, um, as well in the courts and learned about all the different opportunities that they may wish to engage in as well. So let's thank our judges and all of the, uh, attorneys that were part of this.
009Thank you for making this happen for our students and the NAACP as well. If you missed this play, you missed it. This was such an amazing play. Our students are always, uh, showing us their talents. And we have some students that were part of this from the middle school all the way to the high school. They did an amazing job as well. I had not seen this play and this was once on this island, but when I saw it, it reminded me of the stories of the Caribbean and other countries that have faced these realities as well. And so our students did a phenomenal job. Our directors, Laura Belfiore, all of the people that were part of this work, uh, anyone here that was part of the play. Let's start with our actors. Uh, students,
010please stand up. Let us recognize you. Thank you both. And you did an amazing job at the end with that solo song. That was such a touching moment. Let's give her another round of applause. Excellent job, excellent job. In fact, your dad came up to me and said, that's my daughter. And so that's how proud he was of you. And Lanita, uh, was our main actress and actor as well. So let's give her a stand on that. Let's give you another round of applause. And you'll hear about her again tonight. So great job again to the entire cast. We have any directors and staff members that were part of the play. Please stand on up. Let us recognize you as well. Laura, please stand up. Excellent job as well. So if you haven't seen once
011on this island, you got to see it. It is such an amazing story with a very heartful, uh, end to the story. So great job again. Great job. Uh, do you want to take the opportunity, speaking of of arts in our schools. And again, thank you to our board of education to our voters, because you vote to make sure that we have, um, art, music, um, visual arts in our schools. We have a variety of different programing. We have a music studio at the high school, at the middle school as well, and all the way from elementary, even students learning how to play the piano at Uriah Hill, thanks to Doctor Vilas Rodriguez and our team. Um, so all throughout our school, music is important, the arts are important, and our school district, based on
012a teacher recommendation, we were selected 2026 Best Communities for Music Education. Big round of applause to all of you, our teachers, music teachers, thank you for all that you do. Had the opportunity to attend the New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. I'm one of the founding members of that. Doctor Bedi is a past president. Doctor Vilas Rodriguez was one of our regional, uh, leaders of this great organization as well to new organization just, uh, just short of ten years. Um, and, uh, we had a student, uh, Natalie Ortega was, uh, selected for a scholarship. Let's give her a big round of applause and say thank you. And, uh, you see on the right there, uh, team of administrators, uh, thank you all for coming out. Um, I received an award on your
013behalf of all the things we have done in, in Peekskill. And so happy for the work that we are doing collectively as a team. So give yourselves a big round of applause as well. And we, uh. May 1st is the national decision day, and we were so excited to see where our students are going. And more happening this Friday at the high school where they're going to wear their, um, college shirts that they have selected and their special lunches each and, uh, at each lunch at the high school as well. I would like to have, uh, Josh Molina stand up. He's the salutatorian, and he is going to come on over here. Great to see you guys. Have you seen that here? So Josh is headed to Boston University. Big round of applause for Josh.
014And when she is not starring in a play and leading the student council, and on to 17 committees that she is on, and volunteering at the events that she volunteers at. She's also our valedictorian as well. And Lanita Estevez is headed to Princeton University. Come on up, Lanita. So at this time, we're going to have, um. Uh lanita. And Josh stand in the middle board. If you can make your way down. Uh, Doctor Ferris, please come. Uh, we have some administrators as well from the high school. Doctor Bedi, please join us as well. Yes. Let's give Mrs. Zambrano, our assistant principal at the high school. Big round of applause. Say thank you for being here. You'll hear from him later. And more to come on decision day. Uh, students who have decided where they're headed
015to college and really excited about all of this work, and we'll put it on social media as we move forward. And thank you, Doctor Faris and team, for making that happen. Uh, this Friday as well. So when they get accepted to these wonderful colleges, they're not all free. In fact, most of them are not free. And we hear so much on, um, the TV about the cost of education, especially in higher education. Uh, when I talk to students, I always tell them it is worth every penny and it will pay 100 fold down the road. Uh, so take advantage of this, uh, uh, be part of a college program or career tech program. Follow your passions. Follow your dreams at all levels out in the end, and you end up in a better space, uh,
016for it. So don't let anything hold you back from your destiny, including funding. But with that, uh, it takes people that are stewards at the high school level to make sure that all of our students are applying for the plethora of scholarships that are out there that are, uh, contacting different organizations, colleges and others that are providing funding for our students. And, uh, I'm sure it's not as easy as it sounds, but getting students to write their, uh, essays is not always the easiest thing. And so we've got to have someone that is on top of them and has that loving nudge to make sure they get it done. And so, um, Mrs. Gore, Nia received the 2026 New York State Financial Aid Navigator Award. Let us recognize her. Come on up. And for this
017picture, I'm going to have the board. Uh, stay where you are, and if you can get closer, I'm going to have Miss Gordon here stand in the center. All of our, uh, high school. If you a worker, uh, staff member of the high school administrative, please come on up. We are going to surround this amazing woman who gets millions and millions of dollars over her career for our students. Yes, that's what she's, uh. Yes. Right. That's what she brings to our kids. And Doctor Bedi, please join us as well. You got? Another big round of applause for the amazing Miss Gordon here. Thank you for all you do. Gracias, gracias, gracias. At this time, I'm going to call up, uh, Doctor Ferris. Oh, there you go. There you go. That's right. Um, you might as
018well stay right here. You're going to have so many, uh, things to represent. But it was an amazing week for our high school students to play all the things that are happening in, in our high school, uh, the, uh, obviously our college decision day, but also, uh, one of the board, uh, request of us is to make sure our students are exploring outside of Peekskill and engaging in wonderful activities. And so with that, I'm going to have, uh, Doctor Ferris, our principal, and she's going to call up Daisy Berrigan, Zanna, as well, one of our students as well. So if you can both make your way to the podium, they're going to talk about a wonderful trip they took last week. And I heard it was very easy to get back, um, and on time.
019And so they're going to talk about their wonderful trip. Doctor Ferris, turn it over to you. Good evening everyone. Um, thank you, Doctor Mauricio. So we left on Wednesday. Um, we had a great flight down. Uh, coming back on Saturday. We did sit on the runway for about two and a half, almost three hours. But I am proud to say our students were phenomenal. They were well behaved. They did not complain. They just sat there, um, until we were ready to take off. But other than that, the trip was really amazing. Um, I remember taking a trip when I was in, um, high school as a senior. I think some of you up here may have taken that same trip. Um, at that time, we went to Disney. Um, this time it was in Universal
020Studios. Um, we really had a great time. Um, we stayed up really late, but it was a really good time. Um, thank you to our class of 2026 advisors for their vision of bringing this back to Peekskill. So, um, discord, Dino and Miss Lopez are here. If you could stand up, Mr. Merriweather. Mr. Merriweather is not here. He's also an advisor. Um, and Mr. Fernandez, who also went on the trip. Um, thank you for coming on the trip. Stand up. And I'm going to, um, ask Daisy to come up so she can really give you, from a students perspective, um, what the what the trip brought to everybody. But again, thank you to the board for allowing us to take the students on a plane down to Florida and experience great night. Good evening, members
021of the Board of Education. I'm Daisy Gansa, and I'm part of the class of 26. And I'm honored to speak on behalf of class of 26 about our senior trip to Orlando, an experience that meant so much more to us than just a few days away from school. For three nights, we had the chance to step outside of our usual routine and simply be together. We attended Universal's Grand Mass, explored Epic universe, and stayed at Universal's Stella Nova Resort, which is, by the way, an amazing hotel. It's it's like really new. You can see like both sides of it. It was I'm sorry, had to say that what truly made this, uh, trip special wasn't just where we went, but who we were with. The time we spent together, laughing, talking, and enjoying each other's
022company brought us closer as a class in a way that's hard to replicate in a classroom. The trip also gave us a chance to grow. We learned responsibility, independence, and how to take ourselves, take care of ourselves and each other even when we're running on very little sleep. Those small moments taught us lessons we'll carry beyond high school. We're incredibly grateful to our class of 26 advisors Miss Guard Dino, Miss Lopez, and Mr. Merriweather, and to our chaperons, including Doctor Ferris and Mr. Fernandez. We truly appreciate everything you did to support us and made this experience possible. I would also like to add how amazing you guys get to give us the opportunity. I'd never think I would go back. This is my first time traveling to Florida, actually, and it was. I'm happy I
023got to experience it with my friends, and it was just an amazing experience that I'll for sure never forget. And to the board, thank you for bringing this trip back for more than 15 years. After 15 years, you gave us more than just a trip. You gave us memories, stronger friendships, and shared experience we will carry for the rest of our lives. Thank you for believing in us and giving us this opportunity. We hope future students in Peekskill will be able to share in something just as meaningful as this. Thank you. That's Ferris and Daisy. If you could make your way back up here, let's have, uh uh uh uh, class advisors. Come on. I can take a picture. Yes. After 3.5 hours on. At the 20 minutes, I'm writing an email to the airline.
024So if you sat there for 2.5 hours, you deserve a picture. But three hours. Okay. Food and water. Let's give our staff again over 15 years that they had gone. And I know that they will be planning for this next year as well. And thank you, board for approving that trip. And thank you, Doctor Bedi for facilitating that as well with our staff. Um, working on that. So with that, um, I'm going to ask, uh, Mr. Mr. Brown to put to, uh, put up the video. He created a video. Thanks to our team. I want you to see the video first, and then we're actually going ahead. Listen, uh, to our staff and some students who are going to speak about their experience, uh, but very important that we get our students out into the
025country and experience nature for all that it has. In the. Sounds like a 15. On the ocean, sending back way into motion like I was single. I can make a high once in my life I like you, I have. I can make an explosion. This is my son, Deepak. My son. So. Oh, my. No. You know I'll be strong. I still. Me. I mean. Um. She's just a girl. She's on fire. Sweetie. Trust me, I'll. Tissues. Me creatures. Can we a. Be leaders, be astronauts, be champions. Me truth seekers be. You can beat the war. You got the guy. Go! You can get the car. You can be a master. Don't wait for luck. Yourself and you go by yourself in another three. And be gay. Oh, yes. Be. You do it for your pride.
026Never even try to with. Your day when you love. Teachers, be politicians, be preachers. Thank you again, uh, Doug, for putting that video together. Uh, just want to say thank you to all of our staff, um, who volunteered to be on that trip. And as you saw, the picture of a king cobra while they were hiking up the mountain and also and also, uh, having our. It wasn't a cobra, but, uh, nonetheless, that was large. That wasn't a garden snake either. Um, so, uh, we also, um, you know, staff that volunteered to put on a harness and strapped into a wire and push them down a mountain. Uh, that really speaks to the volume of who we have. So all of our, uh, staff who went on that trip. Please stand up. Let us give
027you a round of applause and say thank you. And one of the things. And I'll turn it over to, um, our staff, uh, after shortly after. But one of the things that was powerful was when we went up for the first day and the dinner, uh, students spoke about what this, this, um, experience meant to them, and they wanted to say thank you. They wanted to say thank you because there's nothing like nature. And being around a campfire where you see no street lights, where all the only light is, uh, is the light of the fire and the moon above you. And the camaraderie that was built and the the, um, the relationships that were built. And I'll close with many students got up and said, I would have never spoken to this student and
028named the student and across all different types of barriers. And they said, but now he is my brother and that is powerful. So with that, let's bring up mr. Zambrano, who helped lead this effort. And while he makes his way up. Yes. Thank you. Eric Chair is going to come up as well. Eric. Yes. So, Eric, uh, you know, he's got his glasses on in a shirt and tie, but he is an expert archer. Uh, and he won every, uh, event that we had there. So he is excellent at that. And I do want to say she's not here today. She couldn't be here today. But I want to say a very special thank you to Doctor Daniels. Doctor Margie Daniels helped put this together, and, uh, wasn't able to be here, but thank you.
029And we appreciate all that she did to make this happen. Doctor Bedi, thank you for facilitating this. And board. Thank you for approving the funding to make this happen and approving this trip. And now you hear from our staff and students. Um, can we just give a round of applause to MSK because they are coming on strong, folks. Let's get. And you got to watch her back. With that being said, good evening everyone, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to address the Board of Trustees. Mark is very dear to my heart, and I am truly grateful for the continued support and vision of the Board of Education. Doctor Rico, Doctor Di for making it possible for our young man to experience Frost Valley YMCA. This was a transformational experience and if there is
030one takeaway I hope you carry with you, it is this disconnect to reconnect. While it may look like a simple phrase on a t shirt, in practice it became something much more powerful. This wasn't just putting away your phones was about opening up doorways to something deeper. What followed was a series of moments that will keep with me for a long time to come. I witnessed genuine self-discovery. Our young men began to better understand themselves, while also exploring the courage to push beyond their own perceived limitations. During our time together, we had an opportunity to reflect on our day one. We made it one day. One of the brothers stated during one of our reflection sessions that I need to connect more with nature. Nature is beautiful. The trees, the waterfall. Even the fresh air
031made me feel a part of these natural surroundings. Nature is peaceful. These are the words of our students. Another brother recognized how he challenged himself to come out of his comfort zone. He pushed himself to communicate with some of the brothers who weren't, who were still a bit unfamiliar to him. He closed his reflection by saying, I really enjoy getting to know people at a deeper level. Whether it was discovering the skill and virtue of adaptability, or identifying the desire to develop a greater sense of appreciation. Our young men truly had a wonderful experience. This is what community looks like. This is what love and action looks like. And for this, we are deeply thankful to the Peekskill City School District. This learning community continues to believe in and support our mission and vision for
032MBK. Because of that support, our young men are growing not just as students, but as individuals connected to themselves, to each other, and to the world around them. At this time, I would like to ask our chaperons who are presenting to. Please stand up. Brother Fernandez. Brother, get. It was also brother cause me and Brother Smith that were present as well. And I definitely want to recognize, uh, my mentor, Doctor Marty Daniels. So let's give her a round of applause, please. My name is Christian Zambrano, and I am my brother's keeper. Thank you and God bless. Thank you sir. At this time, I'd like to recognize one of our brothers who was here, Eric King today. Uh, hello. Good evening everyone. My name is Eric Chen, and I would like to thank, um, Doctor Mauricio
033and Doctor Dubi, um, for the opportunity to participate in their first valley trip. For me, attending to this trip with my brothers was truly incredible experience. And I also love it. Uh, during my time in the trip and we learned a lot of new things. So just teamwork. And also we learned to socialize more. Uh, um, that's kind of weird because I'm really quiet and I don't talk too much, but having no no cellphones, no service and wifi during the trip, it helped me to open up and interact with others. Uh, I made new friends and for new connections with people I never imagined I would ever talk to. So maybe this trip was more was much more than just a camp or any trip. This was a opportunity to be myself and show my
034brothers who I am and they accept me. I believe they accept me. Uh, this is my final year of high school. This has been one of the best trips I ever attended to, and if I have the opportunity to do this all over again, I will. Thank you so much. And now board, we'd like to bring up our, um, My Sister's Keeper as well. And, uh, with that, I'm going to bring up coach Patricia Johnson, and let's give her a round of applause. And she's going to introduce Joanna as well. Sorry. Mine's on my phone. Can you hear me? Yeah. Um, so I'm going to speak about MSK as a whole and not just the trip, because I feel like it's really important. The chip was beautiful, but it just reinforced why Ms. K is
035really important before I do. So thank you, board, for making this happen. Thank you. Ratio Buddha read Doctor Ferris. Doctor Daniels who pushes us really hard to do more. And MBK for doing it first. So we knew what was going on before we got there. Um, all right. So I'm Coach Johnson, Patricia Johnson, but everybody calls me coach. Um, I am a teacher and high school dance teacher, and I have a unique, I guess, perspective in the school. I know majority of the girls because they take dance. Um, so I've seen the growth firsthand, and it's such a beautiful thing. And to go into the woods, disconnect and see what we've been working on this year, come to life was the most beautiful thing. And I can say personally for myself, I was a little
036nervous. I told Doctor Daniels that sometimes affairs I do not do words, I do not do bugs, and I need my phone because I have a five year old at home. But we learn together, me and the kids, right? We get stuck on our phone. Sorry, because we're working all the time. We have kids. I need my phone. But the to be able to learn to disconnect because I want to show my students that they have to do it. It was a beautiful, beautiful thing. The first night we all go into the lobby, but there was a common area and I thought they were all going to get on their phones. But no, we are cracking up. It was. We were so loud I thought they were going to come in there and tell us
037we had to go, but it was just such a beautiful sound and we're playing the most random games. We're making up games like kind of old school and it was like an aha moment, like, this is why we have a mascot. And there were groups of kids that would never speak to each other. They would never hang out, but they're learning from each other. They're mingling at my theater kids, my dance kids, my athletes. They're all hanging out with each other, and they're bonding and they're talking and they they're not even looking at their phones. I thought that they would be more into I need my Wi-Fi. It was more, okay, what's the next thing? What's the next activity? They tried so many things. We hiked through the woods and I thought the kids were
038going to freak out. I thought I was going to freak out, but I didn't, and it was a sensory walk. So at one point we had to not speak at all, just had to walk through and be quiet. And that was one of their favorite things because we never sat on us. Right? We're always on a whisper in silence is very awkward for some people. It's awkward for me. I'm an extreme extrovert. Silence is weird, but they really enjoyed it and you could hear them talking like that was nice. Sometimes you just need to let your brain sit and just think about other things. Um, and then we blindfolded ourselves and our partner had to walk us through. Yeah. Um, so it was trust their communication there. Um, at some point the kids were like,
039how long we got to walk? Because you get a little nervous and we're right on the lake. So it was beautiful. Overall, thank you so much for giving us that opportunity. I'm going to let our and Miss President, Miss Joanna John speak on the perspective from a student. But as an adult, as a mother, MSK is very important for our school district. And thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is Joanna John and as Coach Johnson mentioned, I am the president of my Sister's Keeper. And I'm here tonight to share what our recent trip to Ross Valley YMCA meant to us. At first, I'll be honest, we were all so excited to get out of school for the first like a few days. But once we got there, we realized it was just it was
040a trip. More than just being out of school, being far away from our normal routines, and even more importantly, being offline changed everything. Without phones or distractions, we were fully present. We talked more, we laughed more, and truly connected in ways that we don't always get a chance to during regular school days, and we challenged ourselves to whether it was during hiking or teambuilding activities or trying something new like ziplining. We had to rely on each other, and we did. We encourage one another to support one another and didn't let anyone fall behind. For me personally, one of the most moments that stuck out to me was ziplining. And if you know me personally, I'm terrified of heights. Like absolutely terrified. Like make of the first flight of stairs the most I could get off
041the ground. And one of our embassy members had to come up there and help me walk up the next two flights of stairs. And that's what really touched me, that small action. And she helped me all the way up, encouraging me to keep going and not to go back. And even as I went to top, it didn't stop there. I can see all I miss Kay Girls is cheering me on to actually go do it. So I had no choice but to not back down and just go down it. Because that's the only way to go down at this point. So I pushed through that fear and took a leap off that zip line. And that moment wasn't just about overcoming fear. It was about trust, courage, and the power of having people who believe
042in you. That's what that experience gave us. It strengthened our confidence. It deepened our connections, and it changed the way we show up, not just for ourselves, but for those around us. And we came back and we didn't just return with memories. We came back as stronger leaders, as better teammates, and as more supportive classmates. Not every lesson happens in a classroom. Some of the most meaningful growth happens in moments where we are challenged, supported, and inspired, and those moments will stay with us. Thank you. I'm sorry, I forgot to mention my other mentors. This would chang Miss Issue and Miss Mannion. They were super helpful. And, uh, I was. I was so scared of going down the zipline, and they were the most impactful things that get me up there in the push me
043down. Thinking. So that concludes our Peekskill Pride. But I do want to share, uh, again, thank you, Board of Education, for supporting the My Brother's Keeper work. I do want to recognize Dan Callahan, who really began this, uh, this initiative. And he is down looking down upon us now, so happy and so excited with the work that is being happened. Let's give him a big round of applause and say thank you for leading that effort. And thank you for supporting My Brother's Keeper initiative. Uh, we don't have state funding for it. Uh, moving forward this year, they did not, uh, um, continue the grant, but we are still advocating for this funding. We are also advocating for statewide My Sister's Keeper funding as well, so that we have that equity, because your experiences and your
044speech and your, uh, mentorship and support are so important. The summit you had this spring was phenomenal with our students. And this is just the beginning. So thank you, board. Thank you, community members. Thank you to our staff. And most importantly, thank you to, um, my brothers and my sisters keeper students. Thank you for all that you do. And I'll close with this. There's a saying in your speech and, uh, Eric's speech as well talked about it. There is no growth in your comfort zone, and there is no comfort in your growth zone. And you exemplified that when you leave your comfort zone and experience nature. The beauty of that space, the beauty of that experience, the beauty of brotherhood and sisterhood impacts you for the rest of your life. Thank you. Um, I just
045want to thank you for bringing that, uh, peaceful pride forward. It talks about a lot of things that the members of the board have been super excited about bringing forward, from trips to student engagement and bringing them out to meetings to, uh, celebrating our staff and teachers for the greatness that they do. And it's great that it all fell right on Teachers Appreciation Week and School Nurses Appreciation Week, and just a few days after Principal Appreciation Week. So, um, we're really thankful for our whole community and want to continue to see growth and, um, these types of trips happen. I mean, whether it's flying to Florida or going ziplining in upstate New York, we want to see it all. And we're really excited for our students to have those experiences, and we want them to
046have the best possible experiences while they're with us. So thank you for bringing that forward. Um, and we'll move on to the hearing of the citizens. Are there any citizens wishing to be heard? Thank you. So, trustees, before our, uh, staff head back, because I know they have to, uh, uh, get back to get ready for teaching. And our students have exams and and final preparation as we close out the school year. I do want to recognize some folks that, uh, we are highly recommending, uh, moving forward. And Marcia casada, is she here today? Uh, Marcia. Stand up. Oh. Uh. Yes. Yes, yes. And so Marsha, um, was a Uriah Hill suburb. And Doctor Vilas Rodriguez, Melissa Russo took us around the school and, uh, and I did this as a principal as well. But
047you always end up in certain classrooms, and, uh, they want to showcase the work. And I met, uh, Marsha and was so impressed with her as a sub, but she is leading the work of, um, teaching our students how to play the piano, read notes at pre-K age four. Um, and and not one at a time, a class. Uh, I can barely get one to do one thing, but to have that many students, uh, participate. And the energy you brought to that, uh, to that classroom, we are just so excited. And she will be moving forward as a pre-K teacher, integrated arts at pre-K. That is enrichment at its very best. And so, Marcia. We are so happy that you are going to be joining us as well. And so thank you again. Another big
048round of applause for Markham. And keeping with the theme at pre-K. Uh, Megan Johnson, if you can stand up. And she is also a substitute teacher at Uriah Hill and moving into pre-K teacher. And I will tell you, Uriah Hill is such a special place and it is a special place because of people like you who are, uh, in our schools as sub, which I called the interview process. When you are a sub, we we really are vetting you each and every day. And the fact that you are moving from sub to pre-K teacher, that means you did a phenomenal job. So thank you. Another big round of applause for Megan as well. Wonderful reading teacher at Woodside Elementary. I had the pleasure of, uh, having her work with, uh, my daughter as well, and
049I see her work every single day. She's also doing bus duty in the mornings, which means a lot. Um, also, she is someone who. We've visited classrooms many, many times. And seeing the energy she brings, the passion to helping our kids learn to read at that tender age of kindergarten in first grade, I am so say is moving to elementary assistant principal from teacher. Stand up. Let us recognize you. Regulations. And I believe this is your husband. Uh, who's next to you? Who I heard very great things about. He is also police officer. So thank you for your service. Let's give him a round of applause. On July 1st when she begins, give her a big hug because you will not see her until June 30th. So thank you for being supportive, taking care, all
050the laundry, everything at the house she's going and the kids. That's right. She doesn't lift a finger. I anther another big round of applause for you. So excited to see you grow in your leadership as well. Um, last also uh, also a wonderful teacher and I thank her for all that she has done for my daughter. And, uh, I know board members daughters as well. Amazing, amazing. Dual language teacher has invited parents into the, uh, classroom three times this year. Last year as well. Just so excited to see all that you do for our kids. Um, Mrs. Quijada, you are an amazing person. You are amazing teacher and you're a wonderful human being. And she will be, uh, moving to math instructional coach, bringing all that energy to Woodside and helping our math program grow.
051Stand on up. Let us give you a round of applause. And I don't know when you sleep because my phone's always ringing with class dojo and new pictures and messages from you. And thank you for all you do every day. I know they going to miss you at all, but they're going to love you at Woodside. So another big round plus all of our staff members going through tonight. Thank you. Thank you all. And with that, I turn it back to our board, um, and board of Ed. Uh, president, if, uh, you want to release our staff, you can certainly head back and get ready for that wonderful day tomorrow, okay? You mean you're all more than welcome to stay for the rest of our agenda? But if you'd like to go do homework, go
052join your family. Enjoy other faces than hours. Feel free. Yes. Okay. Great to see you all. Great. See you all. Okay, everyone. Everyone has stuck around. The consent agenda. Does anyone on the board have any comments, questions or thoughts? Anyone listening? Consent agenda. Any comments? Questions, I thought. No. If there are no questions. Can I have a motion to approve consent agenda items seven through seven em. So moved. Moved by Bramlett. Second. Second by Allen. All in favor? Aye. Any nays? Any abstentions. And if there is no further action, can I please have a motion to adjourn to executive session? Moved by Angel. Second by Frank. All in favor? By any means. Any abstentions. Good evening everyone.