HCSD Board of Education Meeting 6-23-26

001Good morning. We'll call this meeting into session. Here we go. Good morning. Now we're ready. Now we're ready. Um roll call, Mr. Frazier. >> President Matthews. >> Here. >> Dr. Hopkins. >> Here. >> Dr. Copas. >> Here. >> Ms. Mancuso. >> Here. >> And I'll make a note for the minutes that Mr. Davidson is absent this morning. >> Thank you. We'll have the I don't see any more from City Council. We'll turn it over to Ms. Wisebrod for our spotlight. I'm used to saying good afternoon, but good morning, everybody. Welcome. Welcome. Uh we have a wonderful spotlight uh this morning. Uh if you want to understand what dedication looks like in real time, you look at Coach Heckman. Um he's the real deal. I you know, we had a goat here before, but Steve is

002definitely the the goat that for Hamilton City Schools. I'm going to read a little bit of comments about Mr. Heckman for us. For 36 years, Steve has been a fixture of the Big Blue softball program, spending 34 of those years guiding the team as our head coach. To stay in this game for nearly four decades requires a rare level of passion, grit, and love for the community. Today, as Coach Heckman heads into an incredibly well-deserved retirement, and when I called him to come here, he was in the Outer Banks. Man almighty. So, thanks for coming back. And we want to take a moment to look back at the incredible footprint that he leaves behind. On the field, Steve built a powerhouse. You don't accidentally fall into 474 career victories. You don't just stumble into three

003separate Final Four appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2020 and 2006, excuse me. And you certainly don't get named Greater Miami Conference Coach of the Year five times. That's That's amazing without an unmatched commitment to excellence. He didn't just build winning teams. He built a culture of consistency that defined Big Blue softball program for generations. But if you ask the players who ran those bases, they'll tell you his impact went far deeper than a scoreboard. Was it around 250 players? I was asking Coach Doll, is that what your record book shows? >> Yes. Yeah, there's a lot on there. >> There's a lot on there, yep. This is because Steve Heckman's true arena was our entire school community. Inside the classroom, he spent decades as a social studies teacher, sparking curiosity and shaping minds. He wore

004whatever the hat the school needed, serving as our Dean of Students for 2 years, leading his peers as department head, and mentoring our brightest young leaders as the National Honor Society Advisor. Whether he was in the dugout, a classroom, or an administrative office, Steve was always doing the same thing. Building up people a building up the people around him. There aren't enough plaques or speeches to fully capture what Coach Heckman means to Big Blue. He is deeply respected, generally loved, and his absence will be felt by athletes, students, and colleagues alike. Steve, your impact is woven into the very fabric of this school district, and it will remain here for generations. Thank you for everything and congratulations on a legendary career. Enjoy retirement, you've more than earned it. I'd like to introduce Mrs. Mrs. Harvey.

005>> I I I don't know that I can say anymore. Um I want to speak about Steve the the person. Uh I I've been around Steve forever. I coached under him. As a matter of fact, I was coaching freshman softball at the time and maybe even a JV or JV team or two. His impact forget wins and losses for for throw all that out, what he has meant to this district, the athletic department, and to all of his athletes is second to none. I consider him a very close friend. I will miss our conversations. Um He came down every day and we talked about everything from student success to what he was going to do on the field to a missed strike, but it was always about the kids. And those things are irreplaceable. When

006When I When I start down the path of of where we go next, no one will ever fill his shoes. It's not about filling his shoes, it's about continuing his legacy. So, for me as as I speak about Steve today, I speak with nothing but just admiration, respect, little bit of jealousy, >> [laughter] >> uh cuz he was at Outer Banks. Um We're still working. No, I'm just kidding. Uh But, when you look at heck when you look at the softball field, it's got Steve's name written all over it. The grass being pristinely cut, the infield being perfectly dragged, the lines being 100% straight. We tried to do it one day. We failed miserably. Um I felt bad showing Steve what we had done. But But all of those things, it just tells you the

007kind of human being that Steve is. And I am I'm proud to call him a friend. I'm proud to call him a coach. Uh and most like and and most importantly for me, his mentorship and what he has meant to the athletic department and to all of our students will will be missed tremendously. Um and I just want to say thank you. >> Coach, can you come on up? Give you a little something that you can carry on the the Banks the next time. Let's go. Talk? >> Just a >> Okay. >> Um thank you so much for everything and um I I it's all been a little bit overwhelming for me. Um all the different things that have been happening in my life uh with this. But it it's been something that I have

008I just taken tremendous pride in. Um I remember when I got hired to teach here, I was working HVAC >> [laughter] >> at the time when I had just got married and and uh but Bob Early was interviewing me and he said, "Do you know anything about fast-pitch softball?" I'm like, "Oh, yeah." >> [laughter] >> I didn't know anything. Um but uh you know, I I uh I learned and and fell in love with it and the people just uh around me and the players, the parents, the administrations. Um I wouldn't have kept doing it if I didn't feel that support and and I just want to thank everybody for that. And it just means the world to me. Um but yeah, it's this is awesome and I am going to going to take a

009cruise here pretty soon. Going to go to Europe and uh uh doing some fun things. So, um I I know that that Hamilton High is and I'm still going to be around and and if Missy will have me, I'm still going to do the stats and and uh >> [laughter] >> yeah. >> Right. I know. I'll get better. >> [laughter] >> I can do that. But no, it just means it just means the world to me and Hamilton City Schools for not being my home has been my home. Uh my kids I brought my kids here. Um they're super successful and and everything I I give credit to Abington City Schools. So, um it's it's been a been a heck of a ride. So, thank you guys all. I appreciate it. >> We want to

010say thank you so much and round of applause. And it's [applause] pretty cool. Um so, we'll say thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. And also, I was a student of yours. >> [laughter] >> So, it's pretty full circle moment to be here to celebrate you and to recognize you and honor you for your hard work and dedication to this district. So, thank you so so much and enjoy retirement. Turn your alarm clocks off. >> And Mr. Eckman, I just want to thank you um for all that you've done for this district. You have created a legacy program. You've set the bar very high, my friend, uh in all that you do and how you care for your players, your colleagues, our students, our district. Uh that goes beyond the job and

011the title. And so, I just thank you for all you've done. Um I've learned a lot from you over the years and I just appreciate uh who you are as a human. And so, I'm glad we were able to take an opportunity to honor you this morning. And you know that Big Blue will always be home. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. >> Yep. Yep. I'm not camera shy. Ready? >> Thank you, Ms. Weisbrod, for the spotlight. Now, we'll consider a motion to adjourn into executive session to consider employment for a public employee off or official, to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official license, or student, and to discuss confidential information related to an application for economic development assistance negotiation with other political subdivisions related to the application as an

012executive session is necessary to protect the applicant's interest or related expenditure of public funds. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Ms. Fraser? >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Dr. Copus? >> Yes. >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mancuso? >> Yes. >> This is Reina River. Um, Reina means queen in Spanish, and that definitely fits with her for Um, we were told first [music] day of training that she has a very princess-like personality. So, she's in charge, she's the boss, and so in order to um be her handler, we're going to have to make sure we show her that we are in charge and we are her boss. Um, so she fits right in with the Royals here at Riverview and we're lucky to have

013her. She's super calm. Um, she does have a little bit of playful energy, but once she gets her vest on, she knows she's going to work. Um, she tends to just kind of settle down. She [music] loves to lean lay on you. She'll lean her whole body weight on you. If you're sitting on the ground, she'll climb right in your lap. Um, she definitely feels like she's a lap dog and she just, you know, will [music] snuggle right up with you. We already have had a huge impact on on the students. Um, I have a lot of students that come check in check out with me at the beginning and end of the day. They tend [music] to struggle more during the day and they ask me every day for pictures of her, when she

014going to get to start coming to school, um, can they help walk her, does she have toys they can play with? And so [music] we have a lot of kids already that are looking for ways to earn time with her. Um, and they just know that dogs can provide comfort [music] not just to kids having a hard time, but all kids. And our staff has also been really looking [music] forward to it. It's been a hard year, lots of change, and so she's just a comfort to to help us all adjust to that change. You know, she's a member of our team [music] and we always say, "Once a Royal, always a Royal." We are family here at Riverview. Um, whether you're a staff, student, [music] a community member that comes in, and she's a

015part of that community now and we're here to to help make [music] the community better and better each day. >> My name's Josh Margera, I'm the principal here at Garfield Middle School. >> [music] >> And what you see going on behind me right now is the Garfield America 250 Community Fair. It has been [music] a phenomenal day so far. There's still a lot of things planned today. We got vendors, [music] food trucks, carnival games. We got our big screen and stage. We're getting ready to do our first speech. We actually have a gentleman that was in the Cold War and in a secret mission he's going to be talking about as a spy. Uh we have a lot of other things [music] going on today including a senator, a representative, uh who are going to

016be speaking as well. We have the Michelle Robinson band playing later today. We also have going [music] on currently a 1,800 style baseball game going on on our football [music] field because in the 1,800s they did not play in dirt yet, they played in an open field. They also played bare hands, so these guys are whizzing the ball at each other with bare hands. We've seen some amazing plays so far, and we even had our own mayor throw the pitch. And of course we [music] are ending with huge, huge fireworks. We hope to see you there. >> Jet has always just been intellectually curious. [music] Um he is a kind person. He's really everything that Hamilton City Schools represents. Um and to see him get into MIT, [music] knowing where he came from, uh makes

017me emotional. I mean I'm I'm really proud of Jet and everything [music] he's accomplished. >> It's undeniably one of the top schools like in the world, especially what I want to study. I want to study engineering because I've always been interested [music] in math and physics. Um so it's I'm very, very proud of myself for getting there. And also I know how fortunate I am because >> [music] >> I was deferred and then got in regular, and I looked at the statistics on that. About 1% of people [music] in my shoes get in. And so just the fact that I was, you know, part of that 1% makes me very, very happy and proud of myself. >> Uh he's a phenomenal student athlete. >> I think [music] that me playing football at MIT, I'm getting

018more than just the MIT package, I feel. I feel that's why I'm very, very happy I get to play football there. >> He's part of our academic quiz team. >> [music] >> Um he has really achieved a lot here at Hamilton High School. He takes our most rigorous courses. >> We call this side Y. Sine of theta equals Y over 1, or Y. >> Uh we started an hour of code program [music] at Highland and he taught himself how to code in 2 weeks as a third grader and I thought we got [music] something special here. >> Ever since I was little, I would say ask my family members almost too many questions about literally everything cuz [music] I just I wanted to know things. And nowadays it'll be like I'll go to bed and

019not know something and I have [music] to Google it. And I feel like everybody does that, but I do that to the umpteenth level. And it's like sometimes I'll want to teach [music] myself things, but other times I they're just to level where I need to ask other people. And I've >> [music] >> been lucky here at Hamilton to have those people to ask. And there there's some very very smart teachers [music] and other students here who has helped me a lot in my journey. >> Um but more than that, he just his character is [music] phenomenal. He always welcomes new students and he can relate to kids from all walks of life. He really represents everything [music] that's great about Hamilton High School. So to see him get into MIT, one of the most

020prestigious engineering schools in the country, is no surprise to me and I'm glad [music] they see what we see here at Hamilton. >> Today HCTAE has culminated our bare necessities [music] drive. We've been doing this drive for the past 5 years and we brought in all of our donations [music] that teachers have been donating for the whole month of February. Everything we donate goes directly back to our students. It helps our students >> [music] >> not worry about what they have to wear, if it's clean, if they have deodorant, or any of the products that they need to be able [music] to go to school each day. They can focus on learning and not have to focus on their appearance or hygiene. This is so impactful for the Caring Closet. [music] Um the timing of

021the year, so we often start running out of these items [music] at this point in the year. We've already done 650 referrals and so when they gather things through the month of February and then [music] bring them in March, it's perfect timing. It allows us to finish out the rest of the school [music] year and have new packs of underwear and toiletries for all the students that need them. Items that are brought to the Caring Closet are donated by the community, including the teachers [music] union. This is their donation day. And we deliver these items straight back [music] into the community to the students that are enrolled here in the Hamilton City School District. We always need these items that they [music] brought today. We always need the toiletry items, two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, deodorant,

022bar soap, toothpaste. [music] All of those items would be new items unopened, full size. And the way they would do that is we have a donation box that's secure on [music] our front porch. We are at the corner of Main Street and D Street. Our door is on the >> [music] >> D Street side of the building and you can put your donations in there and they will be safe until we open up the box and take them out. I want to say [music] such a heartfelt thank you to the teachers union. They have supported the Caring Closet for 5 [music] years and they also support our fundraiser, which is Night Out. And we are so thankful for them. We can't do what we do without the support of people [music] like them. >> The

023National Merit Scholarship is based on your performance your junior year on the PSAT. >> [music] >> I was surprised with a perfect score. Getting this scholarship was definitely to me kind of a representation of my hard work that I've done throughout my entire high school career and obviously [music] takes more than just a test score. You had to have recommendations from your teachers and also [music] write a response to kind of make it past the semi-finalist finalist standing. [music] Yeah, I'm pretty proud of my hard work. I'm thankful for all the assistance that I've gotten from the Hamilton [music] City School staff and yeah. >> So she's dedicated to what she does. She doesn't [music] want to take the easy route. She'll put forth the effort. She wants to keep moving forward and trying [music]

024new things and doing better on what she's interested in. >> I come from a long line of teachers. Both [music] my grandmother and mother work in the districts. Um or my grandmother just retired, but it's kind [music] of instilled in me a kind of respect for my teachers and my counselors and kind of being able to [music] take advantage of all of the resources and the passion that they put into their work to um really take advantage of every opportunity. >> Maddie is a special part of the fine arts family. We've known Maddie for several years now. >> [music and singing] >> We probably see Maddie more than her parents do during the week. >> But there really is a club for everyone. There's a place for everyone and [music] you will get the opportunity

025to kind of grow in your talents and your strengths [music] and your skills. >> The one thing you should know about Maddie Wagonfield is that she will do great things in society. >> Um more than anything, I'm really happy [music] to have met all of the wonderful people that I've met here at Hamilton and above everything, I think that this school has taught me to be a good human. >> Today is very exciting. It's our practice 5K. So, the girls have been practicing since [music] uh mid-March and um each practice we do a little bit of activity and cardio and our [music] goal is to build up to the 5K in Cincinnati on May 9th. So, today they've been practicing um for a little over a month and so we're about halfway through. So, we

026are going to have a practice 5K here at Bridgeport and the girls have to do 12 laps. It's very exciting. We're going to we're going to celebrate them and and [music] make this day special for them. It's an amazing program. The the um have that like activity piece in it, but it also >> [music] >> is amazing with how it teaches the social skills and confidence and teaches each girl how to be bold and own who they are, which is so important for young girls. So, it's for girls ages third grade to fifth grade, and it's really wonderful. It's not just running, it's a whole lot more than that. >> I like to be able to hang out with my friends, and I like to like just [music] run and be free. >> It's amazing

027just to see them push themselves and you know, not give up on themselves [music] and then to accomplish this huge goal. My favorite part is just to see them be able to accomplish such great things. [music] And then as a result, these tools that we're teaching them to help them with their confidence, they come in handy and then they get this like instant satisfaction of [music] I did this really hard thing. >> I really like running and I thought it would be fun >> [music] >> and make my confidence be higher in running. >> The one thing about Girls on the Run, it's all about [music] building girls up and inspiring them to be confident in who they are and to celebrate their differences and teaching [music] them they can do hard things and it's

028just really wonderful. >> It's worth the experience [music] and I really enjoy it. >> [music] >> Thank you all for being here to celebrate Caitlyn. >> [music] >> Everyone here knows exactly how special she is. Today, she'll be presented with a scholarship from the VFW program, Voice of Democracy, >> [music] >> uh for a spoken essay she presented, the prompt being how are you showing patriotism? >> Never have I ever heard such an astonishing speech. I mean, she just took [music] talked from the heart. Some people just follow the person before them or something like that and they they talk about patriotism, but not like she does. Well, >> been patriotic my whole life. I've always done things for veterans. I My grandfather and my father are both veterans, so I've kind of always [music]

029been introduced to the topic. So, it felt natural to me. I focused on my strengths and what I've done over the past few years, and it really drove my entire essay. Starting young, you can do it. I know a lot of people are like, "Oh, well, I'm a kid. I don't know what [music] to do. I don't know how to start." Truly, starting is the hardest part. Once you start, it's so easy. And a lot of the schools have opportunities that really integrate it into our lives early on, and that truly is the most important part to get into [music] the schools now, so we learn a life of giving. Ms. Wagonfield and I, we have a very close connection. I've worked with her for many years, and she truly did start me on this

030path. >> We are so excited for all of our students' accomplishments, but this student in particular has done amazing things. I've learned a lot about a lot of them today. But, this [music] VFW essay contest that she won through Butler County and then the state, and now she's headed to nationals. Congratulations. It just kind of shows what our students are about, and that's pride in their community, it's pride in their country, it's serving others, and I think Kaylin is a as a great example of that. And so, her house principal is here today, Ms. Watkins, and we are more than thrilled to send her to Valley Forge to bring home the national victory for the blue. Um, but more importantly, it's just about the service to our community and our country that we are so

031proud of her. >> All right. Well, at this time, I'd like to invite Bob Long up from the Hamilton Community Foundation for a really exciting and generous announcement. Let me put it back here for you. Okay. >> Thank you, Andrea. It all kind of started with a very simple conversation that Andrea had the first time met with the Hamilton Community Foundation's Education Committee. Kathy Klink asked her, "What would you think of having therapy dogs in the schools?" And Andrea immediately responded with enthusiasm, and that was the start of a great partnership. Andrea and one of our foundation staff members, Tracy Eads, were all part of Leadership Hamilton Class Number 33. And that group decided Did I hear applause for that group? I think they're biased. There are other classes who might differ with that, but

032I won't. Uh but they decided that they were going to make the Positive Connections Therapy Dog Program a reality. And thanks to the generous support of many local businesses, school PTOs, uh the Hamilton High Student Council, many, many other individuals, we have made tremendous progress. Therapy dog Arrow, and also Tango, are having a big impact on our schools. Not just the students, but the teachers and the staff as well. They offer a lot of emotional support. They help reduce anxiety and also stress. And there are three more therapy dogs that will be coming this spring and summer. Originally, Andrea told me it was going to probably take 5 years for every school to have a dog. But then, Andrea had to tell our community the bad news that the district was having to make $10

033million worth of budget cuts. Our foundation CEO, John Gadbury, told me he said, "We need to do something immediately to show our support for the schools." So, this morning, I'm very pleased to tell you the Community Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously has agreed to provide a grant that will ensure every Hamilton school building will have its own therapy school therapy dog next school year. >> [applause] [cheering] >> And this foundation grant will cover the entire three-year funding cycle that's needed for each of those six additional therapy dogs. Our foundation has prioritized education in this area for a long long time, 75 years. And with more than 300 college scholarships, we can help a lot of high school seniors. We're also proud of our collaboration with Andrea and her staff on a program called mini grants

034for teachers, where we help roughly 140 teachers every year with up to $300 in out-of-pocket expenses that they need for classroom enhancements. We believe very seriously in collaboration, compassion, >> [snorts] >> innovation, and also heart to make this a great community. We want to thank everyone who's helped with the therapy dog program because together Hero, we are building community four paws at a time. >> [applause] >> This is Tango, and Tango is our certified therapy dog through the AKC, [music] and he is going to be a therapy dog in Hamilton City Schools this school year. >> And for the future. The students are so excited to have [music] Tango in the building. Even just seeing him through the glass as they're walking in, they're like, "Tango's here." I think the biggest thing that Tango is

035going to provide for [music] us is really a lot of comfort and emotional regulation. We know that students [music] learn best when they are emotionally regulated, and so having Tango available to help us feel the calm, that connected state, [music] and just be able to kind of calm our bodies. It really helps to allow students to feel comfortable and safe >> [music] >> um here at school, which then allows them to be ready for learning. >> It's the connection. Um no one has to teach a dog how to connect and how to have empathy. It's part of their [music] genetic makeup. It's part of who they are. Um and their connectivity, um just the way they feel, [music] um their sense of calm, you know, them picking up on how we smell different [music] when

036we are having different emotions. Their noses are way more attuned. They can pick up on those things uh and they can respond. And they intuitively know how to respond [music] to um help us be calm, um you know, uh Arrow who's already been across the district [music] will stop and spend more time with people who might have something going on that no one's ever going to know about, but Arrow knows. [music] Um and now Tango's going to know, too. And you don't have to use any words. They can take care of us without us having to talk cuz sometimes there aren't words for situations that are hard. Ultimately, we'd like to have a dog in every building. >> [music] >> Um you know, and that's we're relying on our community for that. Um and we've

037already been met with an overwhelming response. Um we have, you know, one building already successful and I've got three more buildings [music] on tap that we're be going to be expanding our pack very shortly. >> One of our main missions is uh the community right and children and youth. So, it's all kind of the pillars of the American Legion. So, being able to keep it close and local is a great thing. >> His job is people. >> [music] >> He is here to work for people, to be comfort, to be friendly, and he's just he loves love. He loves to be pet. He wants friends and attention. So, his job is people and I want him to know as many people as he can and make a difference in as many lives as he can.

038>> I mean, it's amazing, you know, I I wouldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for here. So, being able to come back and and get the love that I get and be able to return it is it's it's huge to me. >> I didn't think this would happen cuz I kind of just draw it down I renovate when my teacher wasn't there. And was like, I don't really think anything's really going to happen. It was like, "Oh my gosh, nothing like this has ever happened to me. This is so awesome." >> It was amazing to hear the stories and like their their thoughts on you know, how how they made the design and >> [music] >> and what it meant to them. So, like hearing all that was awesome. >> I did the

039phoenix on the very front of the shoe and like the [music] clock. >> You know, I picked a piece out of each each design that I seen and I tried to uh implement it together and like try to make one like a really cool cleat [music] so that way not just one person won but maybe like 10 or however many I could be able to get. Like I said, some of it related to me and some of it didn't relate to me at all but it related to people that I love and people that I grew up with. So, it's like I might as well I might as well put everything together if I can. >> I do suffer like no one really no one really cares. No one really sees what I'm doing. And

040then then it just kind of proved to me that what I'm doing is worth something to someone. >> You know, being able to just try to make it all about y'all all about the kids. So, that's something I love to do every year. >> [music] >> Hi, I'm Shaquille Matthews aka Pastor Shaq born [music] and raised in Hamilton. I am in my seventh year of school but oh my god, seven years of serving the community [music] in this capacity has been an absolute blessing. Um that the people would find the confidence in me for me to serve as another year to [music] be able to represent not only um the city but my community that I was born and raised in. And it's just been an honor to be able to serve the kids cuz

041I work with youth and with HYPE. So, to be able to serve in this capacity [music] and be a part of the decision-making and helping make this district better than what I found it and also once my term is up to leave [music] it better than what I found it is definitely the ultimate goal. Um for me it was important [music] to be a part of the board and to be able to work with others to help [music] bring about change, to help make sure that every student had the opportunity to be [music] great and whatever that is. If this is excelling in the academics, if it's excelling in their sports, however, I wanted to be a part of that process to make sure that young people had what they need to [music] be able

042to be great in whatever capacity, whatever that may look like. For me, I think since I've been on school board, I've been I've worked with some amazing board members, [music] Mark, Meg, Lauren, Dave, all of them. I've worked with worked with some amazing people. I look forward to working with our new incoming board members, Carrie [music] Mancuso and Dr. Ashley Hopkins. So, I'm looking forward to their input and what they will add and bring to the board. But, I've seen so many great things. I've seen a lot of great partnerships come along with working with the city and development in that regards. I've been One thing that that I've been really excited about is the program that [music] Chris Canale heads up with students and them finding employment. I think that has been just just

043phenomenal how he's really taken that [music] by the head. He's just really moved forward with that program and opened up so many opportunities for kids to be able to find employment. [music] So, that's been important for me. I also love the CCP course that the students are able to take advantage of. They're able to go for of course continue [music] working at towards graduation, but as well as earning the associate's degree in Miami. So, for me, those [music] have been two amazing things that stand out to me that I really really really really love about our district school cuz I've talked to many kids [music] that they're graduating from high school as well as college and I just think that's phenomenal. [music] And I think that's really setting that that child up to really be

044great. And I think that being a part of those things in the district has been amazing. [music] We have great leadership. We have great leadership with Andrea. We have a great school We have great school board members that are willing and dedicated to us being great and put us in the best position as possible. We all know that [music] districts over all over the nation are facing challenges as it relates to budgets and just everything. >> [music] >> And we feel as if district where we've done the work, we we are dedicated to coming together and being supportive of our admin team and of our leadership to make sure [music] that we are able to continue to position our students to be great, continue to support our teachers and staff, [music] and make sure that

045we continue to do things the Hamilton way. >> [music] [music] >> A couple years ago we had a plan that we wanted to work with a company >> [music] >> to start designing a cafeteria that was different than your typical school cafeteria. We wanted it to feel more like a food [music] court and less like your typical long tables, benches, rows. So, we wanted some different types of seating in there. [music] The response has been wonderful, not just from the students, but also from the community. We've had [music] lots of adults in here on open house. We've had other jealous teachers from other buildings that have been telling us how great it looks. Uh so, we've had a wonderful [music] response, honestly. >> It feels more like when we went to Miami, we just got

046to sit in their cafeteria, and it felt just [music] more like mature. And so, it just is really cool that our cafeteria's a lot like that. >> The kids are doing better this year like [music] from last year. We always would get up, scream across the whole lunch room cuz you couldn't [music] sit with like all your friends. It's like kind of a small space, but now it's like a bigger space, more tables. You can just sit [music] and eat with your friends, be comfortable. It's a very big change from last year. >> I feel like it's very comfortable, and the students enjoy [music] eating there while talking to their friends. They really um seem to like [music] the new changes that were made this year. >> We tried to bring not just Garfield in

047here, but also the city of Hamilton. [music] We brought in Hamilton things from around our community, including some maps of the neighborhoods that our kids come from. [music] >> It makes you feel like you're being part of the community and [music] enjoy the places that are important. >> I'm just so glad that we get to share this with our students. [music] I'm so glad they get to enjoy it, and I just love making Garfield even better. >> [music] >> My name is Dr. Ashley Hopkins. [music] I work for Miami University directing our Upward Bound College Preparatory Program at Hamilton High School. >> [music] >> I've worked there for about 8 years, and I have worked in public education for almost 20 years this year. >> [music] >> I decided to run for school board first

048and foremost because as I mentioned, I have worked in public education for almost 20 years, and I'm a product of public education, and my whole family is. I come from a working-class, blue-collar [music] background from Appalachia. I'm a first-generation college student myself, and if it wasn't for the great public school educators in the small town that I grew up in Gallipolis, Ohio, [music] if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I'm at now. I wouldn't have my doctorate in educational administration, and I wouldn't be serving my community here in Hamilton [music] and helping open the door to educational access for other students. I think in the district we do a really exemplary job of providing [music] an individualized educational experience for each of our students, and so we have a district that has many,

049many passionate educators from our [music] support staff in the cafeterias and in the classroom, our teaching assistants, our teachers clear up to our administration. They really all genuinely care about students and their well-being and their ability to learn and succeed, and so we're really focused on doing what is best for our students, and and that looks very individual for each student. We take the time out to get to know our students and to think through >> [music] >> each one of those individual needs and problems that they may be experiencing in the classroom or in their educational journey. I'm really excited to stand as an advocate for our [music] students to continue the student-focused educational traditions that we've developed at Hamilton School District. [music] I really am focused on being an advocate, especially for our

050students who are maybe overlooked or feel overlooked, making sure that our most vulnerable populations [music] are really advocated for in the board meetings and when we're making different difficult decisions throughout the year. So, I'm excited about that. I'm excited about the performance [music] in our data and being at the front of that and thinking about how we can continue to respond to the changing educational landscape, maintaining that data while also protecting and supporting our students' overall well-being and educational access. I know that we have challenges ahead, but [music] to be very honest, those challenges are some of the motivation for me to even jump in right now. I think it's a really important time to serve public education, and so for me, this is a bit of a call to service as we navigate choppy

051waters, but we're going to come [music] out on the good side. >> As a new principal at Hamilton High School, I was really thinking about this Hamilton-Badin game and how we could >> [music] >> make this a community celebration, but really at the core of the Badin mission is service to our community, and that's always been an important part of >> [music] >> what my passion is in education. So, whether it's working with 17 Strong and micro grants with our youth or [music] just getting out in the community and doing cleanups, we really wanted to launch something that was bigger than the football game, something where our kids give back to the community. Some of them are actually throwing stuff in the dumpster right now, helping out Ms. Ebony, the executive director at BTW, and

052then we have boys [music] out in the community walking the streets, picking up trash. So, over the summer, we had the the opportunity to meet with Hamilton High's administration and and just talk about [music] this game. This game's such an awesome opportunity for both schools Uh to showcase really what we believe what we're all about. And then me and with Ty and talking, we wanted to do something to make our community better, to bring our our two football teams that that obviously are competing to win win football games. Uh but more importantly, we want to come together to to serve the community in the midst of a rivalry week that we're working together to make things better. I think that, you know, when I look at, you know, our guys and Hampton's guys, [music] uh

053there's so many little faces in those crowds, little kids that look up to them. I mean, they see them as celebrities at times. >> [music] >> And just to inspire in them a desire to to be more than just what they are in the football field. they're leaders in our community. They're doing great things. I think the opportunity to showcase that really do inspire hopefully some other people to get involved [music] in 17 Strong uh here at the Booker T. Washington Center to get involved here, which are great organizations uh >> [music] >> that need need people like this to come out and serve uh and make the place better. And it's just really to me signifies [music] kind of a new launch of service to our community for both of our schools, for Baden

054and for Hamilton. So, it was great to see everybody out in their jerseys. Uh it is Hamilton versus Baden Friday night, but right now everybody's working together to make our community a better place. >> [music] >> I'm Dr. Joe Kopas. I'm a board member here in Hamilton. Uh I've been on the board [music] for 2 years. Um lifelong resident of Hamilton. I'm a product of the uh public schools here in Hamilton. >> [music] >> Uh I'm married to Joni Lower Kopas for 42 years. We have uh three grown children also here in Hamilton. Um I am a retired dentist. I practiced clinical dentistry for 30-plus years. I'm also a retired colonel from the United States Army. I having enlisted in 1983 and retired in 2018. [music] Um I love being on the school board. I

055think uh the health and the welfare of our city is in a large way dependent on the status >> [music] >> and condition of our public schools and even though we've currently are facing some challenges, I think we're doing the best that we can and we're still producing and delivering a very good product to our city. [music] Ever since day one of me being elected to the board was I am very much an advocate for the staff. I've said on multiple occasions that >> [music] >> the three most influential people in my life were teachers that I had in the Hamilton City schools and they truly have affected me and it influenced the decisions that I've made in life. So I I can't focus enough on the welfare of our staff and our goal as

056a district should be to attract and retain as many great educators as we can. I think that's so critically [music] important not only to the success of the schools today but the success of our city as we move forward. And fortunately, our schools I think have a very good working relationship with the city and I think both of those two entities understand that each [music] were dependent on each other and the success of each is dependent on each other. One of the things I wanted to accomplish when I was elected is that I wanted to see the culture in our district change [music] a little bit and I think because of our new superintendent, Mrs. Blevins and her staff, I think it has. And I also wanted to see I wanted to try to take

057better care of our staff and fortunately, each one of our unions in the Hamilton district has been able to renegotiate their contract and they've been given what I think are some pretty substantial pay increases which makes us very competitive in what we're trying to do as far as finding good people and keeping them here in Hamilton. It's an honor to be on the board and when I ran for the board in 23, there were two seats available, there were four candidates and [music] I think it's very appropriate that the community at that time had a choice. It really is a critically important job and the decisions that you make not only influence the schools but it influences the health [music] and the welfare of our city as a whole. >> Arrow is the Hamilton City

058School District's first therapy dog. Um, she is certified through the AKC as a certified therapy dog. Um, she is here for our students and our staff [music] and uh just a part of our the Hamilton community. >> And I'm just so impressed with her poise. Um, she is so well trained and just does a great [music] job already uh to lighten all of our moods. I I >> couldn't be thankful enough to Leadership Hamilton, Hamilton Community [music] Foundation, and the Paul and Stripes College for preparing such an amazing partner. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. >> I know Andrea just saw the benefit uh and all the research [music] that was behind how therapy dogs make a solid impact with students, you know, through attendance and grades and behavior and she [music] did

059a lot of research herself and brought it to the team and wanted to take the project on. >> And this is one proactive strategy that local communities are using to [music] help build resilience, kindness, positivity. There's a lot of research out there about how a therapy dog will lower anxiety and stress, [music] which so many of our young people and our staff are facing on a day-to-day basis. Our goal is to get a dog for each of our buildings. Um, as you know, there's a lot of needs that go around and Arrow is just one. We're a very large district [music] and so our goal is to onboard four to five dogs a year. That would allow us to eventually get there in the next few years to a dog per school. That will allow

060that [music] dog to become really a a part of that school culture. Through community donations, through different agencies, we've been able to raise the money completely [music] so that not one district dollar is being used for this. >> She's calm, mild-mannered, just very sweet, very gentle, listens very well. A lot of love, lot of love, lot of happiness, [music] um lot of energy behind it, which is great. >> [music] >> My name's Steve Davidson. I'm a Hamilton City School District [music] board member. Uh I'm starting my will be my 11th year. Uh I was just reelected um in November. I am a product of the Hamilton City Schools. And actually, I'm a third-generation uh Hamilton City School graduate. My father graduated in 1951 from Hamilton High, my grandfather uh from Hamilton High in 1928. Uh

061I have three boys that graduated from Hamilton High, and I currently have >> [music] >> two gra- grandchildren who are students in the Hamilton City School District. I'm married to Kim, who's a teacher in the Hamilton City School District. I have 10 grandchildren. Two of them live in Germany. Uh I'm a practicing attorney here in Hamilton. I've been practicing for about 35 years in Hamilton. I love Hamilton. I came back to Hamilton [music] when I graduated from law school. I'm committed to Hamilton. >> [music] >> It's a great place to raise a family, and I was fortunate to do that. Uh I've been very active in community activities. Uh I was involved with West Side Little League when my boys were younger. I'm on currently um the Planning Commission for the City of Hamilton. I

062was on City Council for five years back in the '90s. The reason I went on to uh the City Council back then is Hamilton [music] was going through a difficult time. Everybody was complaining. We were losing manufacturing jobs. People were moving out of Hamilton. We had empty storefronts, no businesses, and we were all [music] complaining. And one day a friend of mine said, "Quit complaining. Do something about it." So, I ran for city council. Very much enjoyed that. I did my time on that. But, I have a passion for kids and children. And so, I ran for the Hamilton City Schools um Board of Education back in the >> [music] >> um uh and did a a term and plus 1 year at that time. Absolutely loved it. For personal reasons for with health issue

063with a my previous wife, I stepped off. Um >> [music] >> and decided later on I wanted to come back and do it again cuz I loved it so much. Um loved being around the children. Loved around being around uh teachers [music] and administrators. Our district's great and I loved it. One of the reasons I I came [music] back this last time is it really seemed that there was a disconnect with our teachers and our staff. And morale was very very low. And [music] the the school district did for a period of time go through a rocky period of time. I think we're on the upswing. We have a great superintendent we just hired. >> [music] >> She's very energetic, very positive about the district. And she is [music] very uh teacher oriented and wanted

064to make sure our teachers are happy cuz that's important. Hamilton needs to start retaining our teachers that we have and recruiting. Uh Unfortunately, people don't want to be teachers anymore. So, there's this teacher shortage. So, we got to keep who we have and we got to attract new. And this has to be a district people want to be part of. And I think it is there now. And I'm I'm happy where we're at. Our our test scores are up there. Uh Hamilton has turned things around. We're on the upswing. We have some challenges coming know Um state hasn't been too friendly with uh public education, but we'll meet those challenges. We've met them in the past. We'll meet this challenge. I just want everybody to hang with us. >> So, this is Hamilton's pre-apprenticeship program.

065It enables the kids to learn core fundamentals of all these different industries. State of Ohio recognizes it for construction, manufacturing, >> [music] >> agriculture, architecture, and engineering. So, these are core fundamentals for all of those different industries. We don't like to call it even a core curriculum anymore. We call it a confidence class. So, it's to give you confidence in using hand [music] tools, using power tools, understanding what you're learning in class, and how it applies to the real world and careers that are available for you. So, there's two different aspects to it. So, in order to complete the class, the kids [music] complete a series of quizzes based off the curriculum, and they also have to attend class so much. So, they're actually getting hands-on instruction [music] from Duramax employees on site. The kids

066are actually working with them. They're exploring on that side. We do it to the curriculum. They do it to the quizzes. However, if the kid chooses to go to the next level, they're able to take what's called the credential course. So, they're now able to go and get a full credential from it. So, even [music] if they don't do it now, the beauty of it is they can take it later on in life, and it's the first half of 39 [music] different apprenticeships that are out there in the industry. They're ready to go right into the workforce right now and today. So, [music] we want employers in the Hamilton area to say, "Hey, if Duramax taught these guys, they're ready to go." Guys and girls. We have a lot of girls that are coming into

067the program now. They're ready to go directly into the workforce and come work for my company. They are going to be able to do their OSHA. [music] They're going to be able to understand a power tool. They're going to understand how to work inside of a work environment. What people don't realize is we have so much talent sitting inside [music] that school, sitting inside this community, and it's ready to go. They just need somebody to sit down with them, tell them that we believe in them, show them the confidence, and then to back it up with opportunity. Now, I need employers to step up and say, "Hey, we'll take them because they went through this program." >> [music] >> My name is Kerri Mancuso. I'm a lifelong [music] Hamiltonian. I'm a graduate of the Hamilton

068City Schools. I went to Miami University. [music] And I worked in Cincinnati for a bit after I graduated from college, but I felt a calling to come back to Hamilton >> [music] >> years ago in the early 2000s. And I wanted to not only come back to Hamilton, but I was doing work that I enjoyed, [music] but that I I felt was missing something. And I wanted to come back and have an impact [music] on my community and work in nonprofits. So, I did come back to Hamilton and I've spent my career [music] at the Lane Libraries. And I love being in a nonprofit organization that serves >> [music] >> the community, serves the citizens of Hamilton. So, during the time of of my career, throughout my career, I've done lots of other things to

069[music] work within the community that I love so much. And so, I've volunteered in many capacities. [music] I'm on the Parks Conservancy Board. I've been on several other boards and several [music] other community committees. And I felt the time had come for me to have a different kind of impact within my community through [music] being on the school board. The Hamilton City Schools are near and dear to my heart. As I said, I'm a graduate of Hamilton City Schools, but I've always been a great advocate of our city schools as well. From the time I graduated from high school, I became an advocate immediately when I moved to Oxford and I lived there and understood [music] that the reputation of our little town wasn't necessarily the best and >> [music] >> I became a cheerleader

070for Hamilton at that moment in time and I have been ever since. And a big part of that is our school district, [music] and I'm really excited now that I get to be involved directly with our school district [music] to help create and continue the positive impacts that it makes on our community. [music] I'm really excited to uh have a front row seat to the children of our community doing great things [music] and helping to drive the decisions that will be of great value to them. >> As a member of this community, as a graduate of Hamilton City Schools, as a mother [music] who has a child in the Hamilton City Schools currently, I'm really excited to become part of the Hamilton way [music] and see what comes for the future with Hamilton City Schools.

071>> We knew teachers [music] were routinely spending their personal dollars to get their classrooms ready. >> A lot of people don't realize how much money teachers spend [music] out of their own pocket to support their classrooms. >> We have lots of new teachers [music] who don't have anything to prepare their classrooms, so they've got to go out and buy all this stuff. [music] We have teachers who are switching from one grade level to another, and then we have teachers who often times [music] will become certified in another area, and so they switch, too. So, all these people are saying, [music] "If I'm going to have the best, most interesting classroom, it's got to be right." And so, what do I do? I go shopping. They're spending on average between $500 and $900 a person. Sometimes

072annually just to get their classrooms ready. >> Every year I spend hundreds of dollars [music] on my classroom, and uh I've never received any outside assistance there, and so this was really nice. It put some money back in my pocket. >> There's so many teachers who [music] do have needs and have really legitimate things that they're proposing and I'd like to see us be able to support [music] more >> They literally cheered when I emptied a new box of dry erase markers into our bin because we use those supplies every single day and they really appreciate, you [music] know, a new fresh product that's working. >> I believe teachers have been spending their own money forever, [music] but I don't know of many other communities where there is an organization like our foundation that has

073stepped forward. I think that's [music] really um special. >> When I first saw the application and was asked how I would spend up to $300 in my classroom, I was stumped. [music] Teachers dream of having extra money and this isn't a question we are asked very often. School supplies are expensive as are supplemental learning materials and social emotional tools >> [music] >> that are all key to a student's success. Teachers often spend their own money to make sure our classrooms are equipped to meet the needs of every student. >> This is just an outstanding way to say we understand a community foundation is a perfect place to have a fund like this um where we can show [music] support for teachers year in and year out. >> This is Reina River. Um Reina means queen

074in Spanish and that definitely fits with her personality. Um we were told first day of training that she has a very princess-like personality. So, she's in charge, she's the boss, and so in order to um be her handler, we're going to have to make sure we show her that we are in charge and we are her boss. Um so, she fits right in with the royals here at Riverview and we're lucky to have her. She's super calm. Um she does have a little bit [music] of playful energy, but once she gets her vest on, she knows she's going to work. Um she tends to just kind of settle down. She [music] loves to lean lay on you. She'll lean her whole body weight on you. If you're sitting on the ground, she'll climb right in

075your lap. Um she definitely feels like [music] she's a lap dog and she just, you know, will snuggle right up with you. We already have had a huge impact on on the students. Um I have a lot of students that come check in check out with me at the beginning and end of the day. They tend [music] to struggle more during the day and they ask me every day for pictures of her, when she going to get to start coming to school, um can they help walk her, does she have toys they can play with. And so we have a lot of kids already that [music] are looking for ways to earn time with her. Um and they just know that dogs can provide comfort not just to kids [music] having a hard time, but

076all kids. And our staff has also been really looking forward to it. It's been a hard [music] year, lots of change, and so she's just a comfort to to help us all adjust to that change. You know, she's a member [music] of our team and we always say once a royal, always a royal. We are family here at Riverview, um whether you're a staff, student, [music] a community member that comes in. And she's a part of that community now and we're here to to help make the community better and better each day. >> My name's Josh Margera, I'm the principal here at Garfield Middle School. And what you see going on behind me right now is the Garfield America 250 Community Fair. It has been a phenomenal day so far. There's still a lot of

077things planned today. We got vendors, [music] food trucks, carnival games. We got our big screen and stage. We're getting ready to do our first speech. We actually have a gentleman that was in the Cold War and in a secret mission he's going to be talking about as a spy. Um we have a lot of other things going on today including a senator, [music] a representative, uh who are going to be speaking as well. We have the Michelle Robinson band playing later today. We also have going on currently [music] a 1800 style baseball game going on on our football field because in the 1800s they did not play in dirt yet. They played in an open field. They also played bare hands. So these guys are whizzing the ball at each other with bare hands. We've

078seen some amazing plays so far, [music] and we even had our own mayor throw a pitch. And of course, we are ending with huge, huge fireworks. >> [music] >> We hope to see you there. >> [music] >> Jet has always just been intellectually curious. Um he is a kind person. He's really everything that Hamilton City Schools represents. Um and to see him get an MIT, knowing where he came from, uh makes me emotional. I mean, I'm I'm really proud of Jet and everything he's accomplished. >> It's undeniably one of the top schools like >> [music] >> in the world, especially what I want to study. I want to study engineering cuz I've always been interested in math and physics. Um so, it's I'm very, very proud [music] of myself for getting there. And also, I

079know how fortunate I am because I was deferred and then got in regular. And I [music] looked up the statistics on that. About 1% of people in my shoes get in. And so, just [music] the fact that I was, you know, part of that 1% makes me very, very happy and proud of myself. >> Uh he's a phenomenal student athlete. [music] >> I think that me playing football at MIT, I'm getting more than just the MIT package, I feel. I feel that's why I'm very, very happy I get to play football there. >> He's part of our academic [music] quiz team. Um he has really achieved a lot here at Hamilton High School. He takes our most rigorous courses. >> We call this side Y. Sine of theta equals Y over 1, where Y >>

080Uh we started an Hour of Code program [music] at Highland, and he taught himself how to code in 2 weeks as a third grader, and I thought, we got [music] something special here. >> Ever since I was little, I would say ask my family members almost too many questions about literally everything cuz I just I wanted to know [music] things. And nowadays, it'll be like, I'll go to bed and not know something and I have to Google it. And I feel like everybody does that, but I do that to the umpteenth level. [music] And it's like, sometimes I'll want to teach myself things, but other times I they're they're just to a level where I need to ask other people, and I've >> [music] >> been lucky here at Hamilton to have those people to

081ask. There There's some very, very smart teachers and other students here who >> [music] >> have helped me a lot in my journey. >> Um but more than that, he just his character is phenomenal. He always uh welcomes new [music] students in. He can relate to kids from all walks of life. He really represents everything that's great about Hamilton High School. So, to see him get into MIT, one of the most prestigious engineering [music] schools in the country, is no surprise to me, and I'm glad they see what we see here at Hamilton. >> Today, [music] HCTA has culminated our bare necessities drive. We've been doing this drive for the past 5 years, and we brought in all of our donations that teachers have been donating for the whole month of February. Everything we donate

082goes directly back to our students. It helps our students [music] not worry about what they have to wear, if it's clean, if they have deodorant, or any of the products that they need [music] to be able to go to school each day. They can focus on learning and not have to focus on their appearance or [music] hygiene. This is so impactful for the Caring Closet. Um the timing [music] of the year, so we often start running out of these items at this point in the year. We've already done 650 referrals, and [music] so when they gather things through the month of February and then bring them in March, it's perfect timing. >> [music] >> It allows us to finish out the rest of the school year and have new packs of underwear and toiletries [music]

083for all the students that need them. Items that are brought to the Caring Closet are donated by the community, [music] including the teachers union. This is uh their donation day. And uh we deliver these items straight back [music] into the community to the students that are enrolled here in the Hamilton City School District. We always need these items that they brought today. [music] We always need the toiletry items, two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, uh toothpaste. [music] All of those items would be new items on opened, full size. And the way they would do that is we have a donation box that's secure on our front porch. We are [music] at the corner of Main Street and D Street. Our door is on the D Street side of the building [music] and you can

084put your donations in there and they will be safe until we open up the box and take them out. [music] I want to say such a heartfelt thank you to the Teachers Union. They have supported the Caring [music] Closet for 5 years and they also support our fundraiser which is night out and we are so thankful for them. We can't do what we do without the support of [music] people like them. >> The National Merit Scholarship is based on your performance your junior year on the PSAT. >> [music] >> I was surprised with a perfect score. Getting this scholarship was definitely to me kind of a representation of my hard work that I've done throughout my entire high school career and [music] obviously takes more than just a test score. You had to have recommendations

085from your teachers and also [music] write a response to kind of make it past the semi-finalist finalist standing. Yeah, I'm pretty proud of my hard work. I'm thankful for all of the assistance [music] that I've gotten from the Hamilton City School staff and yeah. >> So she is dedicated to what she does. She doesn't [music] want to take the easy way out. She'll put forth the effort. She wants to keep moving forward and trying new things and [music] doing better on what she's interested in. >> I come from a long line of teachers. Both [music] my grandmother and mother work in the districts or my grandmother just retired but it's kind [music] of instilled in me a kind of respect for my teachers and my counselors and kind of being able [music] to take advantage

086of all of the resources and the passion that they put into their work to really take advantage of every opportunity. >> Maddie is a special part of the fine arts family. We've known Maddie for several years now. >> [singing and music] >> We probably see Maddie more than her parents do during the week. >> But there really is a club for everyone. There's a place for everyone and you will get the opportunity to kind of grow in your talents and your strengths [music] and your skills. >> The one thing you should know about Maddie Wagonfield is that she will do great things in society. [music] >> More than anything, I'm really happy to have met all of the wonderful people that I've met here at [music] Hamilton and above everything, I think that this school

087has taught me to be a good human. >> [music] >> Today is very exciting. It's our practice 5K. So the girls have been practicing since [music] mid-March and each practice we do a little bit of activity and cardio and our goal is to build up to the 5K in Cincinnati on May 9th. So today they've been practicing >> [music] >> for a little over a month and so we're about halfway through. So we are going to have a practice 5K here at Bridgeport and the girls have to do 12 laps. It's very exciting. [music] We're going to we're going to celebrate them and and make this day special for them. >> [music] >> It's an amazing program. The girls have that like activity piece in it, but it also >> [music] >> is amazing with

088how it teaches the social skills and confidence and teaches each girl how to be bold and own who they are, which is so important for young girls. So it's [music] for girls ages third grade to fifth grade and it's really wonderful. It's not just running. It's a whole lot more than that. >> I like to be able to hang out with my friends [music] and I like to like just run and be free. >> It's amazing just to see them push themselves [music] and, you know, not give up on themselves and then to accomplish this huge goal. My favorite part is just to see them [music] be able to accomplish such great things. And then, as a result, these tools that we're teaching them to help them with their confidence, they come in handy and

089then they get this like instant satisfaction of I did this really hard thing. >> [music] >> I really like running and I thought it would be fun and make my confidence be higher in running. >> The one thing about Girls on the Run, it's all about building [music] girls up and um inspiring them to be confident in who they are and to celebrate their differences and um teaching them they can do hard things and it's just really wonderful. >> It's worth the experience [music] and I really enjoy it. >> [music] >> Thank you all for being here to celebrate Caitlyn. Everyone here knows exactly how special she is. >> [music] >> Today, she will be presented with a scholarship from the VFW program Voice of Democracy [music] uh for a spoken essay she presented. The

090prompt being how are you showing >> [music] >> patriotism? >> Never have I ever heard such an un- astonishing speech. I mean, she just took [music] talked from the heart. Some people just follow the person before them or something like that and they they talk about patriotism but not like she does. >> I've been patriotic my whole life. I've always done things for veterans. I my grandfather and my father are both veterans, so I've kind of always been introduced to the topic. >> [music] >> So, it felt natural to me. I focused on my strengths and what I've done over the past few years and it really drove my entire essay. [music] Starting young, you can do it. I know a lot of people are like, "Oh, well, I'm a kid. I don't know what

091[music] to do. I don't know how to start." Truly, starting is the hardest part. Once you start, it's so easy, and a lot of the schools have opportunities that really integrate it into our lives early on, and that truly is the most important part to get [music] into the schools now, so we learn a life of giving. Ms. Wagonfield and I, we have a very close connection. I've worked with her for many years, and she truly did start me on this path. >> We are so excited for all of our students' accomplishments, but this student in particular has done amazing things. I've learned about a lot of them today, but this VFW essay contest that she won through Butler County and in the state, and now she's headed to nationals. Congratulations. It just kind of

092shows what our students are about, and that's pride in their community, it's pride in their country, it's serving others, and I think Kaylin is a is a great example of that. And so, her house principal is here today, Ms. Watkins, and we [music] are more than thrilled to send her to Valley Forge to bring home the national victory for the blue, but more importantly, it's just about the service to our community and our country that we are so proud of her. >> All right. Well, at this time I'd like to invite Bob Long up from the Hamilton Community Foundation for a really exciting and generous announcement. Can I put it back here for you? Okay. >> Thank you, Andrea. It all kind of started with a very simple conversation that Andrea had the first time

093she met with the Hamilton Community Foundation's Education Committee. Kathy Klink asked her, "What would you think of having therapy dogs in the schools?" And Andrea immediately responded with enthusiasm, and that was the start of a great partnership. Andrea and one of our foundation staff members, Tracy Eads, were all part of Leadership Hamilton class number 33. And that group decided Did I hear applause for that group? >> [applause] >> I think they're biased. There are other classes who might differ with that, but I won't. Uh but they decided that they were going to make the positive connections therapy dog program a reality. And thanks to the generous support of many local businesses, school PTOs, uh the Hamilton High Student Council, many, many other individuals, we have made tremendous progress. Therapy dog Arrow, and also Tango, are

094having a big impact on our schools, not just the students, but the teachers and the staff as well. They offer a lot of emotional support. They help reduce anxiety and also stress. And there are three more therapy dogs that will be coming this spring and summer. Originally, Andrea told me it was going to probably take 5 years for every school to have a dog. But then, Andrea had to tell our community the bad news that the district was having to make $10 million worth of budget cuts. Our foundation CEO, John Gadbury, told me said, "We need to do something immediately to show our support for the schools." So, this morning, I'm very pleased to tell you the Community Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously has agreed to provide a grant that will ensure every Hamilton school

095building will have its own therapy school therapy dog next school year. >> [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> And this foundation grant will cover the entire 3-year funding cycle that's needed for each of those six additional therapy dogs. Our foundation has prioritized education in this area for a long, long time, 75 years. And with more than 300 college scholarships, we can help a lot of high school seniors. We're also proud of our collaboration with Andre and her staff on a program called mini grants for teachers, where we help roughly 140 teachers every year with up to $300 in out-of-pocket expenses that they need for classroom enhancements. We believe very seriously in collaboration, compassion, innovation, and also heart to make this a great community. We want to thank everyone who's helped with the therapy dog program because together

096Hero, we are building community four paws at a time. >> [applause] [applause] >> This is Tango, and Tango is our certified [music] therapy dog through the AP C, and he is going to be a therapy dog in Hamilton City Schools this school year and for the future. >> The students are so excited to have Tango in the building. Even just seeing him through the glasses as they're walking [music] in, they're like, "Tango's here." I think the biggest thing that Tango is going to provide for us is really a lot of comfort and emotional regulation. We know that students [music] learn best when they are emotionally regulated, and so having Tango available to help us feel the calm, that connected state, [music] and just be able to kind of calm our bodies. It really helps to

097allow students to feel comfortable and safe here at school, which then allows [music] them to be ready for learning. >> It's the connection. No one has to teach a dog how to connect and how to have empathy. It's part of their genetic makeup. It's part of who they [music] are. Their connectivity, just the way they feel, their sense of calm, you know, them picking [music] up on how we smell different when we are having different emotions. Their noses are way more attuned. They can pick up on those things, and they can respond, and they intuitively know how to respond [music] to help us be calm. You know, Arrow, who's already been across the district, [music] will stop and spend more time with people who might have something going on that no one's ever going to

098know about, but Arrow knows. [music] And now Tango's going to know, too. And you don't have to use any words. They can take care of us without us having to talk, cuz sometimes there aren't words for situations that are hard. Ultimately, we'd like to have a dog in every building. >> [music] >> You know, and that's we're relying on our community for that, and we've already been met with an overwhelming response. We have, you know, one building already successful, and I've got three more buildings on tap that we're going to be expanding our pack very shortly. >> One of our main missions is the community, right, and children and youth. So, it's all kind of the pillars of the American Legion. So, being able to keep it close and local is a great thing. >>

099His job is people. He is here to work for people, to be comfort, to be friendly, and he is just He loves love. He loves to be pet. He wants friends and attention. So, his job is people, and I want him to know as many people as he can, and make a difference in as many lives [music] as he can. >> [music] >> I mean, it's amazing, you know, I wouldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for here. So, being able to come back and and get the love that I get, and be able to return it is it's it's huge to me. >> I didn't think this would happen, cuz I kind of just drew it a down when my teacher wasn't there. And I was like, I don't really think anything's really

100going to happen. I was like, "Oh my gosh, nothing like this has ever happened to me. This is so awesome." >> It was amazing to hear the stories and like their their thoughts on, >> [music] >> you know, how how they made the design, and and what it meant to them. So, like, hearing all that was awesome. >> I did the phoenix on the very final shape, and like the clock. [music] >> You know, I picked a piece out of each each uh that I seen and I tried to all implement it together and like try to make one like a really cool cleat [music] so that way not just one person wanted but maybe like 10 or however many I could be able to get. Like I said, some of it related to me

101and some of it didn't relate to me at all but it related to people that I love and people that I grew up with so it's like I might as well uh I might as well put everything together if I can. >> I do so from like home no really no one really cares no one really sees what I'm doing and then this just kind of proved to me that what I'm doing is worth something to someone. >> You know, being able to just try to make it all about y'all all about the kids so that's something I love to do every year. >> [music] >> Hi, I'm Shaquille Matthews aka Pastor Shaq born [music] and raised in Hamilton. I am in my seventh year of school board oh my gosh seven years of serving

102the community >> [music] >> in this capacity has been an absolute blessing that the people would find the confidence in me for me to serve as another year to be able to represent not only >> [music] >> the city but my community that I was born and raised in. And it's just been an honor to be able to serve the kids cuz I work with youth and with hype so to be able to serve in this capacity of being a part of the decision making [music] and helping make this district better than what I found it and also once my term is up to leave it better than what I found [music] it is definitely the ultimate goal. Uh for me it was important to be a part of the board and to be able

103to work with others to help [music] bring about change to help make sure that every student had the opportunity to be great and whatever that is if it's excelling in academics if it's excelling in their sports however I wanted to be a part of that [music] process to make sure that young people had what they need to be able to be great and whatever capacity whatever that may look like. For me [music] I think since I've been on school board, I've been I've worked with some amazing board members. Mark, Meg, Lauren, Dave, all of them. I've worked with worked with some amazing people and I look forward to working with our new incoming board members, Carrie [music] Mancuso and Dr. Ashley Hopkins. So, I'm looking forward to their input and what they will add and

104bring to the board. But, I've seen so many great things. I've seen a lot of great partnerships come along with working with the city and development in that regards. I've been One thing that I've been really excited about is the program [music] that Chris Canale heads up with students and them finding employment. I think that has been just just phenomenal how he's really taken that by the head. Just really moved [music] forward with that program and opened up so many opportunities for kids to be able to find employment. So, that's been important for me. I also love [music] the CCP courses that the students are able to take advantage of. They're able to go for of course continue [music] working at towards graduation, but as well as earning the associate's degree in Miami. So, for

105me, those have been two amazing [music] things that stand out to me that I really really really really love about our district. So, cuz I've talked to many kids [music] that they're graduating from high school as well as college and I just think that's phenomenal. And that's really setting that that child up [music] to really be great. And I think that being a part of those things in the district has [music] been amazing. We have great leadership. We have great leadership with Andrea. We have a great school We have great school board members that are willing and dedicated to us being great and put us in the best position as possible. We all know that >> [music] >> districts over all over the nation are facing challenges as it relates to budgets and just everything.

106>> [music] >> And we feel as if a district where we've done the work, we we are dedicated to coming together and being supportive of our admin team and of our leadership to make sure [music] that we are able to continue to position our students to be great, continue to support our teachers and staff, and make sure that we continue to do [music] things the Hamilton way. >> [music] [music] >> A couple years ago we had a plan that we wanted to work with a company >> [music] >> to start designing a cafeteria that was different than your typical school cafeteria. We wanted it to feel more like a food [music] court and less like your typical long tables, benches, rows. So, we wanted [music] some different types of seating in there. The response has

107been wonderful, not just from the students, but also from the community. We've had [music] lots of adults in here on open house. We've had other jealous teachers from other buildings that have been telling us how great it looks. Uh so, we've had a wonderful [music] response, honestly. >> It feels more like when we went to Miami, we just got to sit in their cafeteria and it felt just more like mature. [music] And so, it just is really cool that our cafeteria is a lot like that. [music] >> The kids are doing better this year like from last year. We always would get up, scream across the whole lunch room cuz you couldn't [music] sit with like all your friends. It's like kind of a small space, but now it's like a bigger space, more tables.

108You can just sit and eat with your friends, be comfortable. [music] It's a very big change from last year. >> I feel like it's very comfortable. Um the students enjoy eating there while talking to their friends. They really um seem to like [music] the new changes that were made this year. >> We tried to bring not just Garfield in here, but also the city of Hamilton. [music] We brought in Hamilton things from around our community, including some maps of the neighborhoods that our kids come from. [music] >> It makes you feel like you're being part of the community and enjoy the places that are important. >> I'm just so glad that we get to share this with our students. I'm so glad they get to enjoy it and I just love making Garfield even better.

109>> [music] >> My name is Dr. Ashley Hopkins. [music] Uh I work for Miami University directing our Upward Bound College Preparatory [music] Program at Hamilton High School. Uh I've worked there for about 8 years and I have worked in public education for [music] almost 20 years this year. I decided to run for school board first and foremost because as I mentioned I have worked in public education for almost [music] 20 years. Um and I'm a product of public education and my whole family is. I come from a working-class blue-collar background [music] um from Appalachia. I'm a first-generation college student myself and if it wasn't for the great public school [music] educators in the small town that I grew up in Gallipolis, Ohio. Um if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be where I'm at now.

110I wouldn't have my doctorate in educational administration and I [music] wouldn't be serving my community here in Hamilton and helping open the door to educational access for other students. I think in the district [music] we do a really exemplary job of providing an individualized educational experience for each of our students. And so we have a district that has many, many passionate educators from our [music] um support staff in the cafeterias and in the classroom, our teaching assistants, our teachers clear up to our administration. They really all genuinely care about students and their well-being um and their ability to learn and succeed. And so we're really focused on doing what is best for our students and and that looks very individual for each student. We take the time out to get to know our students and

111to think through >> [music] >> each one of those individual needs and problems that they may be um experiencing the classroom or in their educational journey. I'm really excited to stand as an advocate for our students [music] to continue the student-focused educational uh traditions that we've developed at Hamilton School District. [music] Um I really am focused on being an advocate especially for our students who are [music] uh maybe overlooked or feel overlooked making sure that our most vulnerable populations >> [music] >> are really advocated for in the board meetings and when we're making different difficult decisions throughout the year. So, I'm excited about that. I'm excited about the performance in our data and being at the front of that and thinking about [music] how we can continue to respond to the changing educational landscape, maintaining

112that data while also protecting and supporting our students overall well-being and educational access. I know that we have challenges ahead, but [music] to be very honest, those challenges are some of the motivation for me to even jump in right now. >> [music] >> I think it's a really important time to serve public education, and so for me, this is a bit of a call to service as we navigate choppy waters, but we're going to come [music] out on the good side. >> As a new principal at Hamilton High School, I was really thinking about this Hamilton Baden game and how we could make [music] this a community celebration, but really at the core of the Baden mission is service to our community, and that's always been an important part of what my passion is in

113education. So, whether it's [music] working with 17 Strong and micro grants with our youth or just getting out in the community and doing cleanups, we really wanted to launch something that [music] was bigger than the football game, something where our kids give back to the community. Some of them are actually throwing stuff in the dumpster right now, helping out Miss Ebony, the executive director at BTW, and then we have boys [music] out in the community walking the streets picking up trash. >> So, over the summer, we had the the opportunity to meet with Hamilton High's [music] administration and and just talk about this game. This game is such an awesome opportunity for both schools to showcase really what we believe, what we're all about. And then me and with Ty and Talking, we wanted to

114do something to make our community better, to bring our our two football teams that that obviously are competing to win win football games, but more importantly, we wanted to come together to to serve the community. In the midst of a rivalry week that we're working together to make things better. I think that, you know, when I look at our guys and Hamilton's guys, [music] there's so many little faces in those crowds, little kids that look up to them. I mean, they see them as celebrities at times, >> [music] >> and just to inspire in them a desire to to be more than just what they are on the football field. I mean, they're leaders in our community. They're doing great things. And I think the opportunity to showcase that really do inspire hopefully some other

115people to get involved [music] in 17 Strong uh here at the Booker T. Washington Center to get involved here, which are great organizations uh that need need people like this to come out and [music] serve uh and make the place better. >> And it's just really to me signifies kind of a new launch of service to our community for both of our schools, for Badin and for Hamilton. So, it was great to see everybody out in their jerseys. Uh it is Hamilton versus Badin Friday night, but right now everybody's working together to make our community a better place. >> [music] >> I'm Dr. Joe Copas. I'm a board member here in Hamilton. Uh I've been on the board for 2 years. Um [music] lifelong resident of Hamilton. I'm a product of the uh public schools

116here in Hamilton. >> [music] >> Uh I'm married to Joni Lauer Copas for 42 years. We have uh three grown children also here in Hamilton. Um I am a retired dentist. I practiced clinical dentistry for 30-plus years. I'm also a retired colonel from the United States Army. [music] I having enlisted in 1983 and retired in 2018. Um I love being on the school board. I think uh the health and the welfare of our city is in a large way dependent on the status [music] and condition of our public schools. And even though we've currently are facing some challenges, I think we're doing the best that we can, and we're still producing and delivering a very good product to [music] our city. So, ever since day one of me being elected to the board was I

117am very much an advocate for [music] the staff. Um I've said on multiple occasions that the three most influential people in my life were teachers that I had in the Hamilton City Schools, [music] and they truly have affected me and it influenced the decisions that I've made in life. So, I I can't focus enough on the welfare of our staff and our goal as a district should be to attract and retain as many great educators [music] as we can. Uh I think that's so critically important not only to the success of the schools today, but the success of our city as we move forward. And fortunately, our schools, I think, have a very good working relationship with the city and I think both of those two entities [music] understand that each we're dependent on each

118other and the success of each is dependent [music] on each other. One of the things I wanted to accomplish when I was elected is that I wanted to see the culture in [music] our district change a little bit and I think because of our new superintendent, Mrs. Blevins, and her staff, I think it has. >> [music] >> Um and I also wanted to see I wanted to try to take better care of our staff. And fortunately, each one of our unions in the Hamilton district has been able to renegotiate their contract and [music] they've been given what I think are some pretty substantial pay increases, which makes us very competitive in what we're trying to do as far as finding good people and keeping them here in Hamilton. It's an honor to be on the

119board and when I ran for the board in '23, there were two seats [music] available, there were four candidates, and I think it's very appropriate that the community at that time had a choice. It really is a critically important job and the decisions that you make uh not only influence the schools, but it influences the health and the welfare of our city as a whole. >> Arrow is the Hamilton City Schools District's first therapy dog. Um she is certified through the [music] AKC as a certified therapy dog. Um she is here for our students and our staff and [music] uh is just a part of our the Hamilton community. >> And I'm just so impressed with her poise. Um she is so well trained [music] and just does a great job already uh to lighten

120all of our moods. I I couldn't [music] be thankful enough to Leadership Hamilton, Hamilton Community Foundation, and the Poles and Stripes College for preparing such an amazing partner. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. >> [music] >> I know Andrea just saw the benefit and all the research that was behind how therapy dogs [music] make a solid impact with students, you know, through attendance and grades and behavior, and she [music] did a lot of research herself and brought it to the team and wanted to take the project on. >> And this is one proactive strategy that local communities are using [music] to help build resilience, kindness, positivity. There's a lot of research out there about how a therapy dog will lower anxiety and stress, [music] which so many of our young people and our

121staff are facing on a day-to-day basis. Our goal is to get a dog for each [music] of our buildings. As you know, there's a lot of needs that go around, and Arrow is just one very large district. [music] And so, our goal is to onboard four to five dogs a year that would allow us to eventually get there in the next few years to a [music] dog per school. That will allow that dog to become really a a part of that school culture. Through [music] community donations, through different agencies, we've been able to raise the money completely so that not one district dollar is being used for this. >> She's calm, mild-mannered, just very [music] sweet, very gentle, listens very well. A lot of love, lot of love, lot of happiness, >> [music] >> lot

122of energy behind it, which is great. >> [music] >> My name's Steve Davidson. I'm a Hamilton City School District [music] Board Member. I'm starting my will be my 11th year. I was just reelected in November. I am a product of the Hamilton City Schools. And actually, I'm a third generation uh, City School graduate. My father graduated in 1951 from Hamilton High, and my grandfather uh, from Hamilton High in 1928. Uh, I have three boys that graduated from Hamilton High, and I currently have two gra- [music] grandchildren who are students in the Hamilton City School District. I'm married to Kim, who's a teacher in the Hamilton City School District. [music] I have 10 grandchildren. Two of them live in Germany. Uh, I'm a practicing attorney here in Hamilton. I've been practicing for about 35 years in

123Hamilton. I love Hamilton. I came back to Hamilton when [music] I graduated from law school. I'm committed to Hamilton. It's a great place to raise a family, and I was fortunate to do that. Uh, I've been very active in community activities. Uh, I was involved with West Side Little League when my boys were younger. I'm on currently, um, the Planning Commission for the City of Hamilton. I was on >> [music] >> City Council for five years back in the '90s. The reason I went on the uh, the City Council back then is Hamilton was going through a difficult time. Everybody was complaining. We were losing manufacturing jobs. People were moving out of Hamilton. We had empty storefronts, no businesses, and we were all complaining. And one day a friend of mine said, "Quit complaining. Do

124something about it." So, I ran for City Council. Very much enjoyed that. [music] Uh, I did my time on that, but I have a passion for kids and children. And so, I ran [music] for the Hamilton City Schools um, Board of Education back in the um, 2008. 8. Uh, and did a term at plus one year at that time. Absolutely loved it. For personal reasons uh, with health issue with a my previous wife, I stepped off. Um >> [music] >> and decided later on I wanted to come back and do it again cuz I loved it so much. Um loved being around the children, loved around being around uh teachers [music] and administrators. Our district's great and I loved it. One of the reasons I I came back [music] this last time is it really

125seemed that there was a disconnect with our teachers and our staff and morale was very very low. [music] And the school district did for a period of time go through a rocky period of time. I think we're on the upswing. We have a great superintendent we just [music] hired. She's very energetic, very positive about the district >> [music] >> and she is very uh teacher oriented and wanted to make sure our teachers are happy cuz that's important. Hamilton needs to start retaining our teachers that we have and recruiting. Unfortunately, people don't want to be teachers anymore. So there's this teacher shortage. So we got to keep who we have [music] and we got to attract new. And this has to be a district people want to be part of and I think it is there

126now and I'm I'm happy where we're at. >> [music] >> Our our test scores are up there. Uh Hamilton has turned things around. We're on the upswing. We have some challenges coming ahead. Um state hasn't been too friendly with uh public education, but we'll meet those challenges. We've met them in the past. We'll meet this challenge. I just want everybody to hang with us. >> So this is Hamilton's pre-apprenticeship program. It enables the kids to learn core fundamentals of all these different industries. The state of Ohio recognizes it for construction, manufacturing, [music] agriculture, architecture, and engineering. So these are core fundamentals for all of those different industries. We don't like to call it even a core curriculum anymore. We call it a confidence class. So, it's to give [music] you confidence in using hand tools,

127using power tools, understanding what you're learning in class, and how it applies to the real world and careers that are available for you. So, there's two different aspects to it. So, in order to complete the class, the kids complete a series of quizzes based off the curriculum, and they also have to attend class so much. So, they're actually getting hands-on instruction [music] from Durana employees on site. The kids are actually working with them. They're exploring on that [music] side. We do it to the curriculum. They do it to the quizzes. However, if the kid chooses to go to the next level, [music] they're able to take what's called the credential course. So, they're now able to go and get a full credential from it. So, even if they don't do it now, the beauty of

128it is they can take it later on in life, and it's the first half of 39 [music] different apprenticeships that are out there in the industry. They're ready to go. Um they're ready to go right into the workforce right now and today. So, we want employers in the Hamilton area to say, "Hey, if Durana taught [music] these guys, they're ready to go." Guys and girls, so we have a lot of girls that are coming in the program now. They're ready to go directly into the workforce and come work for my company. They are going to be able to do their OSHA. They're going to be able to understand a power tool. They're going to understand how to work inside of a work [music] environment. What people don't realize is we have so much talent sitting

129inside that school, sitting inside this community, and it's ready to go. They just need somebody to sit down with [music] them, tell them that we believe in them, show them the confidence, and then to back it up with opportunity. Now, I need employers to step up and say, "Hey, we'll take them because they went through this program." >> [music] >> My name is Carrie Mancuso. I'm a lifelong Hamiltonian. I'm a graduate of the Hamilton City Schools. I went to Miami University, [music] and I worked in Cincinnati for a bit um after I graduated from college, but I I a calling to come back [music] to Hamilton uh years ago in the early 2000s and I wanted to not only come back to Hamilton, but I was doing work that I enjoyed but that I I

130I felt was missing something [music] and I wanted to come back and have an impact on my community and work in non-profit. So, I did come back to Hamilton and I've spent my career [music] at the Lane Libraries and I love >> Call this meeting to session. Come back from executive roles. Do you have our pledge? Stand for our pledge. Pledge allegiance >> to the flag >> of the United States of America >> and to the republic for which it stands. >> One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Accept the motion for the approval of our agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Frazier. >> Dr. Copas. >> Yes. >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mancuso? >> Yes. I'll also accept a motion

131for the approval of minutes. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Frazier. >> Dr. Copus? >> Yes. >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mancuso? >> Yes. >> Thank you. I don't have anyone here for public participation. I'll turn it over to our superintendent, Ms. Evans, for our for her superintendent comments. >> Yes, thank you, President Matthews. Uh good morning, board, uh and everyone watching, I'm sure in their PJs or hopefully just waking up. Um it is crazy to think that this is our last uh board meeting as of now for June. We are already flying through this month. Um I mentioned at our last meeting that we have been busy this summer getting all of the transitional pieces ready to go. I

132just want to remind our board that June 30th will kind of be that magic day that we're going to flip the switch from the old structure to the new structure. So, starting July 1 is when uh you know, Wilson Middle School will operate out of the Northwest Washington building, which is the former freshman, etc. Um the Butler County ESC is already in working at Fairwood right now getting set up for their inspections for license. They are still currently enrolling preschoolers, but they've had a great turnout, so we're excited to see what that class comes in this year. And I'm just ready to see everything that happens uh as we get into this next year. Uh I also want to remind the board that we have uh booked our board retreat, which will be Wednesday, July

13322nd here. Uh that's already been posted on our website, and more details will come out, but that's an opportunity for us to review data, to look back at how we accomplished our goals. I know Mr. Frazier myself have met with the board about our evaluation, but then also just setting our goals going into next school year and what plans look like. Um and so just, you know, keep that date pinned on your calendar for July 22nd. Uh this morning, there it's a lengthy agenda. This this this is that pretty routine time of year when we're approving a lot of our MOUs with different providers, um, as well as many of our programs that we use. Um, just a few that I'd like to highlight. Uh, there are still grants that are rolling in, so you'll

134see the Sunset Reds awarded Crawford Woods a $300 grant uh, to buy new PE materials, which is wonderful to see. You'll see here that um, we're already getting a jump on that first semester paper order. Uh, Mr. Fraser and I were talking about this. Uh, the cost of paper like everything has skyrocketed uh, in the last decade. Actually, our use of paper has gone down, but the price has grown so much that it now requires board approval. So, you will see that there on the agenda. You'll also see that our uh, we talk about different buckets of funding that we get uh, and our federal allocations are in and those are in earlier than they typically are. So, we were excited to see that. You'll see that those are up for approval this evening. You'll

135also see that we do have a purchase of a nine-passenger bus on here with uh, using permanent improvement dollars. If you remember uh, as part of our budget reduction plan, we wanted to reduce the number of students that were needing to use third-party transportation for our students that are homeless or part of the McKinney-Vento program. That has gone exceedingly well and has saved money for us. We also had such a great turnout in applicants to be van drivers that we believe that purchasing another one will provide additional savings than what we initially anticipated. So, we're great to see that on here. You'll see under the curriculum instruction, it's time for all those renewals. Um, one thing I just want to notice uh, or note to the board and to our community, we are always trying

136to protect that general fund anywhere we can and use those federal dollars or use you know, other buckets of funding where possible. So, if you look here on IXL, you'll see that comes from our title one grant, so no general fund dollars are used to purchase that program. You'll see on Lexia English, which is part of our ESL programming, it's kind of a hodgepodge of where we pay for that, much out of title one and title three dollars, but then some general fund, very small hit to our general fund there. You'll also see we have many of our memorandums of understanding with our mental health partners that come into our school and see students. That's to try to minimize the disruption to a student's day, but still make sure that they're feeling well and getting

137the services they need to be successful in and out of the classroom. And there's quite a few on there from Catalyst to Best Point, Companions on a Journey you'll see on there, as well as New Path. You'll also see on here we have one field trip up for approval. The the high school football team is going to Miami, Florida to go to the a camp at the University of Miami. They're actually staying in my old hometown, so they're staying in Boynton Beach, Florida, which was kind of fun to see on there. So you can see there there's no cost to the district, but because it's out of state and overnight, it requires board approval. And then you will see there are some there there's a big contract for Warren County Educational Service Center. That is

138for our special education students that are placed out of district. So you'll see that has a two million dollar price tag, and that comes from general funds. When we talk about the cost of doing business, our district has to educate every child that resides within our district. If we cannot provide service to them, then we have to find a location that can. And so I always like out those dollars, but those are my comments this morning. If anyone has any questions or anything, I'll be happy to take those. Thank you, Ms. Matthews. >> Thank you, Ms. Bledsoe, for your update. Greatly appreciate it. Next on our agenda we have our human resource resources agenda. Do we have any Oh, well, I the motion for that person. Approved. Who motion? >> I move to accept the

139human resources agenda as presented. >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Any comments about any questions? No, Mr. Frazier? >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mancuso? >> Yes. >> Dr. Copas? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Well, we have our consent agenda. Do I have a motion to accept our consent agenda? >> I'll so move. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Do I have any uh any questions or any comments about it? >> Yes, I have some comments I'd like to make. Um thinking about something that Superintendent Blevins just mentioned during her update. Um July 1st, Wilson operating out of the Northwest Washington location and ESC moving into Fairfield and and doing well. Um that brings to mind all of the changes

140that the district has made and the reason that we've made them and and I I I just want to talk for a moment and welcome any comments from fellow board members. You know, we we cut roughly $10 million from the budget. Um all of the personnel changes that we've gone through really affected less than what, Mr. Wright, 2% of our staff. Um >> [cough] [clears throat] >> probably less than 15% of our staff and students has has been involved in all of these moves and things like that and and I know, Mrs. Blevins, your goal was to make those cuts as far away from the classroom and the students as you could. And I think that you and your staff did an unbelievably great job in doing that and if people pay attention to what's

141going on in districts around us, they'll see that. I mean, I really believe that the Hamilton City School District is at least one, if not 2 years ahead of surrounding districts. So, thank you for what you've done there. Um but and this may be early to say this, but I've said this before, most people don't respond until it starts to hurt. Uh but I can tell people that pay attention to our district and pay attention to public education, we don't have another 10 million that we can cut. So, if we are forced to put into a position where we need to make additional cuts, those cuts will not be made in a manner that they are not felt by the students. They're not felt by our staff. They're not felt by every parent, every family

142in our community. So, I ask people, please educate yourself because if school funding does not return, the next cuts are going to be extremely painful. Not just for the Hamilton district, for every public education district. Um and you know, we have a big election coming up. Uh educate yourself on who you're going to vote for and what their stance is on public education. Um I just think that's going to be critically important to our community and certainly to our district. And I just hope people do what they think is the most appropriate. So. >> Thank you, sir. For comments. I'll wait for Mr. Fraser. >> Ready for the roll? >> Yes, sir. >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mancuso? >> Yes. >> Dr. Kopas? >> Yes. >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. And next on

143our is on our agenda is our finance agenda, and I'll turn that over to you, Mr. Fraser. >> Thank you, President Matthews. >> You're welcome. >> Uh we have our typical year-end finance agenda. Um as we know, the the uh accounting year for schools is July 1 through June 30th. So, this is the last meeting of our fiscal year. And so, we have some routine items that we have every year. So, we have the final budget numbers for fiscal year 26. We also have the initial budget for next year, which is FY27. Again, that starts July 1. And this is a temporary budget that we're passing for FY27. The law says that we have to complete a permanent appropriation measure by September 30th, and we will have those numbers for you in September. We also

144have a confirming wreck out there for MobileCom. We also have the typical year-end approval for year-end advances. And this just allows me to make any last-minute accounting entries that we need to make to stay in compliance with Ohio budgetary law. We have the normal treasurer reports, and then something that I always like to highlight again, the donations that we receive in this district are incredible. And we have an AMVETS donation on this meeting of almost $13,000. So, incredible. Those are my items this morning. I'll entertain any questions that you may have. >> No, no seeing any. I'll set the motion to accept the finance agenda. >> I'll motion. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Mr. Ferguson, call the roll. >> Dr. Hopkins? >> Yes. >> Dr. Copus?

145>> Yes. >> Ms. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mankuso? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Our next meeting will be on Friday, July 10th here at 5:33 Dayton Street. And we'll adjourn. >> Wait. >> Oh, we need a motion. Yes. >> I move to adjourn the meeting. >> I'll second. >> Carries second. >> Oh, carries second. All right. >> All right. Meeting adjourned. >> Oh. >> Mhm.