St. Helens School Board Regular Meeting 10-22-2025

001Everybody call the board meeting to session. If everybody please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I 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. All right. >> Okay. The uh school board encourages public participation in its meetings. Um if you're a member of the public and wish to address the board, you will be allowed to do so. If the agenda has public comment session designated public comment will follow board policy BPH. When a person re when a person wishes to bring a matter to the attention of the board, it is recommended but not required that the matter first be discussed with the district superintendent. Prior discussion provides time for the superintendent to

002gather relevant information in order that the board may give the matter adequate uh consideration. And we'll move to call student representative Howard >> here. Director Russell >> here. Director Melody Killings >> here. >> Vice Chair Smith Reed >> here. >> And Chair York, I'm here. [Applause] >> Okay. And we are going to recess into executive session under OS 192.660 subsection 2 subsection F to consider records exempt by law from public inspection. So the St. Helen School District will now meet in executive session pursuant to OS1 192.6602F which allows the board to meet in executive session to consider records exempt from law by public inspection. Representatives of news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session convened under 2F. Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on or

003otherwise disclose any of the deliberations or anything said about these subjects during executive session. Um except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced. No decision may be made in executive session. So the topics discussed in executive session are limited to topic from OS1 192660 for which the executive executive session is entered into under o1994201. Um, when the Oregon Government Ethics Commission hears a complaint regarding an alleged executive session violation, the commission will investigate all members of the body in attendance, even if some of those members are not mentioned in the complaint. C O R194253. [Music] This may lead to a finding of violation by all board members. An executive session is occurring and authorized unauthorized topics are being discussed. The Oregon government's ethics commission guides board members to object to the

004discussion uh of the unauthorized topic and if necessary announce they're leaving the meeting and then leave. Uh at the exe end of executive session we will return to open session. Okay. And we are ajourned for executive session. Good. Okay. And we resume our regular session. Uh item five, agenda approval. >> I move that we accept the agenda. >> Do everyone want to talk about it? >> We can after >> after. Yeah. Go ahead. >> I move that we accept the agenda as stated. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we approve the board approves the meeting agenda as presented. Um is there any discussion? >> Yeah. So before we approve it, I just I'd like to know that I have two revised versions of the documents listed later under 712 and 713 uh the

005board communication protocol and the board superintendent operating agreement. These revisions incorporate direct citations from Oregon revised statutes and our own district policies to ensure both documents accurately reflect the lawful roles and responsibilities of the board and the superintendent. Um, specifically the revisions aligned with the agreements OS 332 uh 075, 332107 and 192630 as well as the board policies BBAA, BDDG and CBA to strengthen transparency, equal access to information and balanced governance. And I um I have copies for everyone here. This is um just actually you guys can just pass these down. They're two pages each and it doesn't need to be voted on. It's just something to for revised and there's extra if the community wants to take a look at any of them. Actually, I think all that extra will be over there. So

006that would just be when we're to that 712 and 713 on the agenda. So at the moment then not really necessarily changes to him except for then to discuss and decide making changes from the >> correct. Yeah. >> Or just a proposed difference in those. Yeah. Where it's just a more equal governance instead of just kind of that heavy-sided governance on one side. It does apply more with the laws. [Music] when we get to it. >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh, any further discussion? Motion's been made that we approve the consent agenda with no further discussion. Director Russell >> I. >> Christine Smith Reed. >> Hi. >> Director Gell >> here. and cherry or I'm also and we'll move on to ASP public relations presentation. Um Casey Warner was supposed to give us the presentation but

007Leah Yarro is filling in um as Casey Warner is not available. >> How are you guys? >> How are you doing? >> I'm good. >> Good. Okay, I'm here to just talk about like a quick overview of like everything we've been doing at the high school. Um, here's a little overview of what we're talking about today. Um, so our first big event that we did was our welcome back. Um, it was basically an event where all students could come for free to just kind of get excited for the school year and build some community between us. Um it was a really good impact and we got a lot of good reviews this year. We had a caricature artist. Um we had a dunk tank, we had free popcorn, free snow cones, we had free watermelons

008for everyone and it was it was a very good event. Um our next event was our formal wear drive. This was my personal event this year and um we got a bunch of donated formal wear from a bunch of local businesses and businesses up Portland and we got them all donated to us so that we could give back to our um students to hopefully um give resources for the ones that needed it. Um we had our shopping night um on September 30th where all high school students were allowed to come and pick out as many dresses and more things that they they chose. Our next event was homecoming. This just happened um this last weekend. Our theme was Haunted Harvest, which was a big success and a big hit. We had over 300 tickets sold,

009which was pretty cool, and we had great reviews from everyone. Um our court, our winners were Greco and Ivy. Uh our fundraiser that wasn't super successful and went out kind of late was our um fundraiser with the Columbia Humane Society. So, we are having a pet food drive that's still going on. So feel free to drop anything off at the main office at the school. >> How long does that go? >> Um it's going on for the next two weeks. Um our current event and future event is um our think pink. So our activity that we started this month is that on every Wednesday the students will wear pink to school. So just kind of keep everyone involved throughout the week. Um we just today had our guest speaker from OHSU. His name was Daniel

010and he was a brain cancer survivor and he came and he talked to the students in the auditorium about his um experience with it. So it was very cool. We had a lot of students show up. And our upcoming event is our Run for Pink fundraiser. Um anyone is free to sign up for $20 and all proceeds go to cancer research. So yeah, and that's all I have. Thank you. >> Ask where is the run being held at? It's at the high school. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, all the information is online and you can sign up. >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you. So, can you walk? I don't want to. >> Yeah. I was gonna say, can you do a slow? >> You can do one. There is a competitive and then there's

011just a community one. >> Okay. Is there um leftover formal wear and what did you guys do with that? >> So, um we have our storage room at the high school and we have these big boxes that have like hanging racks in them and then we store all of the dresses there and then I get donations throughout the year to hopefully keep getting more and more dresses for everyone. So, will you do it again, you think, for like prom or winter ball or something? >> Yeah, we're hoping to maybe do one by winter ball, but we kind of have like all the same dresses. So, if we get any like big donations by winter ball, then we'll do another one. >> Thank you. >> Then item seven, consent agenda. The board on an individual basis

012prior to the meeting has reviewed all the material. All financial reports are available for review by the public in the business office. The board considers its consent agenda items routine business and will be enacted by the board in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items at the time the board votes on the motion unless members of the board, staff or public request a specific item to be discussed and or removed from the consent agenda. And item 7.11, uh, September 24th regular executive session and probably 7.1. >> That was the regular session, honestly. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I don't have to read those. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm getting into my reading here. >> Okay. Is there a motion to uh approve or modify the consent agenda? >> I move that we accept the

013consent agenda as stated. I second that. >> Okay, we've had a motion made to ex uh to accept the consent agenda as is. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? >> And at this time then should do we need to add that she added extra information as far as as far as wording. No, but I know later. >> Okay. >> I don't want to see what's different. >> The other ones are attached to each other documents. So she she gave the statement and gave them. So I think you just y >> Russell. Hi. >> Okay. Vice chair Smith Reed. Hi, >> director of killings. >> I >> There we go. I think cherry orders and I as well. >> Okay, now we move on to new business. Michelle, I get to read all

014this, right? >> All of the consent agenda. All we do is every time we put the consent agenda up um you vote on just the consent agenda and then we move on to the action items which or the order presentations. So, when will we discuss 712 and 713? >> It's not in the That's what I had said earlier. It's not in the agenda. It's in the consent agenda, but sorry, not >> so we'd have to add it to an agenda for a next. >> No, you don't add it because it's here to be discussed. >> Can I? >> Okay. So, consent agenda items are I think read Did you read the four consent agenda? There are items that the board has reed prior to the meeting and they are all clumped together in consent agenda.

015There's one motion you approve the consent agenda. If items are if a board member chooses to pull individual items out of the consent agenda, then that would be you could >> Yeah. Because there's a few of us that don't agree with uh the superintendent operating agreement and the board communication protocols and so we wanted those discussed. So when would that be discussed? >> Under consent agenda. >> Okay. >> Sorry, Melody. I'm like, "Wait a second. I thought we were just going off of minutes. I didn't realize we were voting for all of the consent agenda. I was under the fact that it was 7.1 the minutes, not 7.3, 7.2 financial reports. >> Seven is consent. >> Okay. So, I would have to withdraw mine because I want to discuss the St. Helen's board communication protocols

016and the board superintendent operating agreement >> and I would like to discuss them after I've had a chance to compare the two and read the two which is not happening in consent agenda. >> so a suggestion would be my suggestion would be is you someone can take a motion to pull those two 7.12 and 7.13 >> and we can bring them to the next meeting. >> Perfect. has a chance that you make a motion. >> I just need to hear a motion. >> Absolutely. >> I just need to hear a motion. >> I move to withdraw 7.12 7.13 from the consent agenda. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> I think we have to make a motion to make a change. >> You have to change motion to make a change to the consent agenda

017to withdraw 7.12 and 7.03. >> Second. >> Thank you. There's been a motion made and seconded that we remove from the consent agenda items 7.12 and 7.13 >> and discuss it at a future uh regular session meeting. >> Did I get that correct? >> Work session or work session >> or we can go to work session. Okay. Or the next work session. >> Okay. But I could be wrong. I still think we combined two motions together there. We had to make the one just to make the change. You got it to remove it. >> Okay. >> Without saying a word of what it was. >> You ready to try that one again or? >> No, not really. >> I I'll make a motion that we make the change to the consent agenda as prior. >>

018Okay. Is there a second to that one? >> I'll second whatever you said. >> I think it's really we got to put the others in after the fact. Okay. There's been a motion to remove items from the consent agenda and has been seconded. Is there any discussion on that part? >> Okay. Director Russell, sorry. >> Hi. >> Okay. Vice Chair Smith Reed. >> Director Kellings. >> Hi. >> And Chair Yord is an I as well. >> Okay. >> Now we have to have another motion, right? >> You did it right first time. >> Okay. I move to withdraw. >> We already withdrew. >> Wait, what am I doing? >> Yeah, you are. You're you're actually making a motion now to withdraw 7.12. >> I make the motion to withdraw 7.12 from the consent agenda and

0197.13 and 7.1. >> Okay, there's been a motion made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. A motion's been made to withdraw items. >> You know what? We said it wrong. Sorry. No, it's 7.11 and 7.12. That's we >> one. >> We said 1 2 and 1. No, it's 711 and 712. >> I thought it was two, but >> it's all right. You're close. >> It's no big deal. >> Okay. I made a motion to withdraw 7.11 and 7.12. >> Second. Thank you. >> You did it wrong. >> It's 7.12 and 7.13, >> right? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. I got Sorry. >> You had it right. Go ahead. >> And I second. >> Okay. and the board is a little slow. >> We're a disaster. >> So, there has been a motion to

020remove and seconded to remove 7.11 and 7.12 from the agenda. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Director Russell >> I director >> chair vice chair Smith Reed. >> Sorry. And director killings. >> And vice the chair is I as well. And it will take you 12 years to ever get. >> Okay. Are we okay to move forward everybody? >> Okay, we're moving forward. New business. Um, the 8.1 Wildfire Play Collective, a presentation from Amelia. >> Hi. >> We were trying to make you sit for half hour. >> Sorry. Um, my name is Amelia Ponty and I am the executive director of Wildflower Play Collective. We are an indoor playground and community family resource center that is out by the fairgrounds and the bachelor flat school building. We rent the building from the school district. Um we

021are entering our fourth year and um see so um I just am here just to let you all know because you're new who we are and what we're doing and just introduce the program to you. So, um, Wildflower Play Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we were created by five local mamas who were really tired of bringing our toddlers to McDonald's to play during the winter time. So, we started a nonprofit and we wrote a grant and we here we are. So, um, we are open seven days a week, 365 days a year. We're for kids age 0 to 7. We're membership based. Um, and we're the only local indoor playground in the county, so families have to drive like 30 miles to find another indoor playground. Um, so we're a place to learn social

022emotional skills, make friends, build community, and we are really working to support early childhood in in Columbia County. Um, we serve 130 families. Um, we have a sliding scale membership structure and we also have free memberships for families that have organ health plans. We have a grant that provides free memberships. Um, we have grants from Columbia Pacific CCO, Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and our children's trust. Um, this is our our little art room. Um, we have parent education programs. We have a community closet. We have circle time playgroups. We have a nature playgroup that meets once a week. Um, we have support groups, dad support groups, breastfeeding support groups, postpartum support groups, monthly family fun events. Um, and we have a a sign language play group that meets once a month. We have

023a lot of community partners. Um, the school district is our top community partner, our most important community partner. Um, Columbia Health Services. They use our our space to do um parent education. We share our our play space with Northwest Regional ESD. They can um bring families in that their home isn't fit or safe to do assessments or to meet with with the kiddos. We have a partnership with uh Parks and Wreck where we um we do a a quarterly communitywide um swap event. And so people can donate all the stuff they don't want anymore and people can come and shop for free and and get all kinds of things, clothing mostly. Um we partner with Baby Blues Connection out of Portland and um for postpartum support. Um and then we also partner with with um

024DHS and provide free memberships to foster families. Um this is a this is a testimony Um, we have a cute little costume area. So, St. Helen School District is our most essential community partner and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and it's the foundation that allows us to serve our early childhood families. And so I'm inviting you to let me know how we can partner, what we can do to um to support your early learning goals in the school district and and um give you a card. You can reach out. Also love to invite you to come and have a tour if you want. >> That'd be great. >> And wonder if there's any questions. I remember when you guys were going after the $10,000 >> Oh, yeah. >> Um I don't gosh,

025it was like a contest to win that $10,000 business plan >> and I saw you guys then and I feel like that was 10 years ago. So to hear that you've been going for four years and >> and I saw you back then trying to get this going. So congratulations. I love that you >> made this possible. I know it was really big on your heart then. So, it's great to see such success. >> Yeah. And and um thanks to the school district. >> Yeah. Without you. So, it is unstaffed. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And um and we do have a staff person that's there quite a bit. Um and we are modeled on a program in Portland that's been around for 16 years. It's called St. John's Swap and Play. And so we are

026we're we do what what they're doing. Um and we we have >> How are you marketed? >> Market. Yeah. How are you getting out there and letting people know? I know that >> um yeah, I would just be interested in finding out how you're getting a hold of those family members and community that could use this. We mostly I think are ordered most because we haven't been marketing what we probably need to be marketing. >> Um yeah. Yeah. Do you have any ideas? >> Yeah. Facebook. >> Yeah. Well, we definitely we're definitely active in like the the support groups on Facebook, the local groups and people hear about us that way. >> Thank you. Has any has anybody ever discussed but even if you have maybe didn't come up with a way to do it

027a way where even I don't want to say once a week but you know even certain days that somehow we could even work with the the local little buses or whatever for a time period that transportation could be provided for families that don't have a way to get clear out there that could come for the day or you know a half day whatever couple hours whatever has that ever been discussed >> I mean I've looked into CC Ryder for And that's what I was thinking. >> Yeah. Um it seems like CC Ryder would work for that and then that would be something that we would just need to >> now line up your parents that don't have a way. >> Yeah. But and same thing like she's talking about advertising if if you had a

028day or what I said once a month whatever it may be that parents can know that they can sign up and be able to be picked up on that particular >> letting athlete letting daycare providers know. Um I think because you are a >> mine you're too old. >> Yeah. But but but would you have known if you weren't a board member about this and been able to and so I think there's just there's a lot more opportunity and I just it's just really exciting to see what you've done from the time I've been following you. >> It looks awesome. >> Thank you. >> Any any further comments or questions from the board? >> Okay. Well, thank you. We appreciate your presentation. >> Thank you. Then there's cards and there's um a flyer. >> Thank

029you. [Applause] >> Okay. Uh on to 8.2 College Access Champion Award. Adrien Enriquez. Enriquez, >> director of Oregon Gear Up. >> Hi. >> How are you? >> Pretty good. How about you? >> Pretty good. I'm super excited to be here. Um so again, my name is Adrienne Enriquez and I serve as the director for Oregon Gurup. So, first thank you all for the fabulous work that you're doing related to gear up and college access in the state. Um, one of the things so you know that we um provide quite a bit of technical assistance and funding to uh 10 rural communities in the state including St. Helens. Um, but we also have our statewide services that serve about 75% of high schools in the state to help them with specifically the uh key steps to

030um that 12th graders need to take between um the beginning of their 12th grade year all the way until they are doing their um or entering their education after high school. Um and this year for the first time as part of our grant we are um required to identify schools across the state that we um can see through a variety of different measures are doing excellent work in college access. Um and so again about 75% of high schools in the state participate in those activities. And so we're eligible for this award but we identified seven this year to um offer this award to or to honor with this award. um and that includes St. Helens High School. And so I'm very excited to be here to say that uh and to to say thank you

031to Nicole for all the excellent work that she has done to really catapult the work that you all are doing at St. Helens. Um and to present our college access championship board uh banner that can hang in St. Helens High School. Um, so this will hang in the high school and you can see that there's lots of room for additional years. So our goal is to be able to award St. Helens and in the future of Plymouth and possibly the virtual academy as well. Um, their own college access champion. Um, there is no limit to the number of schools that we will award it to, but we were super excited that St. Helens was among the first seven. So >> is this um because of the number of students we have taking part in the

032college programs? >> So the award had a number of eligibility criteria and it included things like doing the uh participating in 12th grade activities that we know are particularly uh important in terms of helping students take those key steps um as they are applying and paying and going to college. So that includes participation in college application week um in FAFSA and ORSA completion activities uh decision day those kinds of things. Um it also includes not just participation in FAFSA completion but reaching a particular level or seeing some growth over time. Um so yes, but with some very clear key measures that we're looking at to identify schools. Yeah. I guess I'm just curious what those measures like how we're meeting those measures. But >> so it is the participation in those events and the number

033of students who are participating in those events, the number of students who are completing their financial aid applications. Um and it it it's it's those kinds of things, right? So knowing is per like per how many students we have or is it just the number? >> Oh, it is it's based on a percentage. Okay. >> Yeah. Nice. Yep. >> The higher the percentage, the better. >> Yeah. Good. Thank And Nicole's fabulous. You all know that. But we think so, too. >> Thank you. >> Any further comments or questions from the board? >> No. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Uh 8.3 community calendar for HR. It's a hard act to follow. >> Good evening. Well, I'm happy to report and I think the board knows that we reached agreements with both of

034our employee groups uh through memos of understanding to add two days back to the calendar. So, what I propose to you this evening is the revised community calendar. Uh what we're proposing to add is January 23rd, which is an student instructional day, and February 27th, which is also a student instructional day. Um so we pulled both of our groups and they felt that those were the the best days to decide on at this point where they were positioned in the year and they would give our families and the community adequate notice to make plans for child care if they had travel plans, uh what have you, leading up to those. So any question? 23rd and 27th of February. >> Uh 23rd of January, I'm sorry, and the 27th of February. >> Okay. >> That also

035leaves the opportunity for adding dates back later in the year. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> So, we've still got, you know, we've got the March furlow, we've got one in April, I believe, and then several kind of blocked out in June. Thank you for scrolling down. >> Yeah, >> right. >> That's good. >> Any uh comments or questions from the board? >> Thank you very much. And what we have 8.4 division 72. >> Uh good evening everyone. Uh welcome. Good to be back with you guys this week. Thank you members of the governing board for giving me the opportunity to present. Um so I'm here to present to you on division 22. Thank you. I appreciate it. So um couple things within division 22. There is some thought that this is just a compliance piece

036that these are something we have to do which is part of it but it also uh DoD's ability and I can read just that first sentence educational equity is the equitable implementation of policies practice and procedures and legislation that translates in resource allocation education rigor and opportunities for historically and currently marginalized youth students and families to including civil right protected classes. So part of for sensing on division 22 is sharing these are the things that school districts are required to do to receive funding related to division 22. Okay. So what division 22 is it's a summary of last school year. Okay. So it talks about what are the things we are doing in compliance of the last school year in and it signals our commitment to providing highquality educational experiences and equal opportunities for all

037students and division 22 standards articulate the floor of the education to be provided to students not the ceiling. So, what I'm going to be able to share with you is more we're meeting the minimum expectation, right? It doesn't mean that there aren't parts of that that we want to excel and do more, but the compliance pieces that we are meeting at least the minimum expectation for our students in the district. Okay? And these asurances process offers an opportunity for districts not in compliance to reflect on areas in need of attention and receive technical assistance. And I'll talk a little bit more about that later. What I what I really like about this is if a district is not in compliance in certain areas, it isn't a get you. It isn't you guys are in trouble,

038you need to make sure you're doing these things. It's working together to develop a plan to become compliant in certain areas as well too, which I like that model of continuous improvement, continuous growth versus slapping your wrist saying you're doing bad things. Okay, so just here's a few resources that can help you relating to division 22 if you have any questions about what it means. Uh, OD, Oregon Department of Ed Rules of Glance Summary, our Secretary of State's Oregon Administrative Rules database in the OD's division 22 standards newsletter newsletter. It can just provide more information relating to division 22. Okay, there are a few waiverss that are in place for this last school year. Okay. One, uh, the essential skills graduation requirements are waved for students graduating through the end of 2728 school year. So,

039you are good over there for this upcoming year. My daughter's high school junior, she's good as well, too. Um, so those things could potentially be in place in 2728. And our local performance assessment requirement, section 2, remains in effect. And those are things we're doing as a district with assessment and and ensuring student learning happens throughout K12. Okay. and also central skill assessments for English language learners. This is something which continue ongoing study. This related policy requirement has also been waved through the end of the 2728 school year and we'll see where we're at at that point. Okay. Also, uh community informed information gathering processes in kindergarten. It does not require any action by school districts, but we're continue to monitor on how we can continue to provide those community informed information gathering process at

040kindergarten. like the beginning of the year we're meeting with families tell them a little bit more about what kindergarten is and then educational equity advis advisory committees it requires all school districts to convene in educational equity advisory committee by September 15 25 in 2025 which we have in place all districts will report on this rule for their 2526 asurances submitted next November kind of almost a year from now but the 10 largest districts in the state are reporting on this currently So some things that are in place for this school year a beginning in this school this last school year districts must have a plan K12 instructional program for social emotional learning things like cognitive discipline and things like that that we're providing uh PD for our students in this area and then a planned

041K12 instructional program which includes personal financial education higher education and career path skills content standards. So, how are we preparing kids for not just the educational requirements but also life requirements and things they're asked to do uh when they leave high school. Okay. Few other just revisions uh modified diploma, extended diploma, certificate of attendance. Districts must pro annually provide parents information about diploma availability and requirements. that I know we're meeting on a regular basis with families to ensure that we continue to to have as many kids as we can graduate from high school ready and career ready to be successful in the world. And then how are we continuing to provide education instruction for um uh o OD opioid prevention education lessons in six, seventh, and eighth grade that we're trying to meet our families

042where they're at in the K2 substance abuse prevention education to help support you know kids in this area that they're not making some of these potential mistakes that could lead to real struggles in their lives. Okay. So what the purpose of this insurance process requirements is that school district superintendent or assistant superintendents like myself are going to report to the school board about our distance compliance relating to division 22 standards for the last school year by this date and school districts will post the community report on compliance with public school standards to our website by November 1st. So after today if everything uh seems a good spot we will post it to our website sometime later this week or next week. And then also uh we will be required to complete submit the annual division

0432 standards assurances form to OD by November 15th. So just some of the compliance things that we have to do relating to this. Okay. So division 22 falls under five categories and there are subcategories that fall under each of those categories. But what they fall under is a high-quality learning experience, aligned and focused educational systems, engaged partners and communities, safe and inclusive schools, and a committed and supported staff. So these are the priorities relating to division 22. Okay. We were given by OD a tracking tool that we could use to just for us to monitor our progress along the way. Okay. Okay. So, I was able to get gain access from that last year um for the people that were committing to the school district last year of all of these different high quality learning

044experiences with the rules, summary, evidence, things like that to see if we're in compliance in these specific areas. There are some that were in compliance for or evaluated last year, the 24 25. And then the highlighted ones are things that are going to be in place for the next school year as well too. And it gives us the ability to track compliance from year to year and see where we were potentially two, three years ago to see if we're making progress. Even if we were in compliance, we want to still continue to grow in those um experiences for our students. Okay. Each of the division 2 standards, the report template includes three columns. A compliance status, an explanation or evidence of that status, and then if there's anything that we need to provide in corrective

045action plans relating to that. So Ed, can you click on that? There's a link right there on number four. Thank you. So this Oh, I didn't obviously make that public to everyone as well too. Uh I I share also shared with you just a document at last week. >> I don't know if you sorry when I shared that today. I know it made some updates and there so I can share that we are in we are in compliance with all areas relating to divisions. we're meeting all the minimum expectation and minimum requirements. Okay. Um there are some things that I think that we can continue to get better at. But as far as OD within this division 22, we are in compliance with all those areas as well too. Okay. So with that for each

046of those standards in that area, we're trying to be transparent on what we're doing and we're able to evaluate each of those. Are we in compliance? Are we out of compliance? or if we're out of compliance, are we implementing some sort of corrective action relating to that? Okay, the drop-own menu and the corrective action gives us options. Okay, is it not applicable not applicable to us? All of them for the most part applicable to us unless it is for a couple of those things that were for upcoming years. Specific other examples could be a K8 district doesn't have things to do with high school graduation, things like that as well too. Okay, >> so those division 22 standards they are like I mentioned earlier the local accountabilities be presenting to the board and making this

047report available at the district website and then submit those insuranceances by November 15th as well too. Okay, when we look at the online submission form, there's three sections. Contact information, our report to the community and compliance. And as I mentioned previously, when we report to the community, I fill out this document saying that we are in compliance or out of compliance and all related categories in division 22. And if we're out of compliance, then we come up with a plan of how we're going to get into compliance as well, too. Okay. And then um the reports to the community section asked the school district to certify that we are in compliance in all these issues as all these categories relating to OD. Okay. And then I'll also be asked to uh submit that portion to

048our school website, our district website as well too. And then for example, what is your district status relating to this rule about diploma requirements, in compliance, out of compliance, implementing corrective action, or does it apply to us? So we answer all of those questions. And if we're out of compliance, which we're not in any situation or any of those categories now, we would s submit some sort of plan to show how we're going to meet compliance by the end of the next school year. Fur days. >> So like when we furlow days this year, this year when we report next year, we'd have to say that we are not meeting the instructional minutes. >> Yeah. >> Because of our furlow days unless we add back remember I said up to seven days and so we

049would have to write into our corrective action plan for ne it'll be next year that we report. >> so that would be a great example and that was one a big part of our photo days. Obviously financially we we had to do that at that point but we would have had to come up with a plan of how we're going to um because financial reasons are not a reason to not be instructional menace. So we have to come up with a plan of how we're going to support that area. Did you have a question? >> Well so is are you going to be sharing with us how you've made sure that we are in compliance with like inclusion and I I'm just curious. Are you actually are you going to be sharing those? >> Yeah.

050So, that document that I uh that was up that we couldn't open is I shared with that. It could it is all available, >> right? But you're not going over that with us tonight. >> I was not planning on going over with all of those things. If there are certain things on that that you'd like more information, I'd be happy to come back at some point to clarify exactly what we did to meet compliance. I >> would definitely like to hear more about the inclusion equity. So the one um disclaimer relating to that is I'll have to I would have to do research. Dr. Russ Brown and I were not here last year and that's what this is being reported on is our compliance for the 2425 school year. >> So who turned in the

051documentation for us to be in compliance. >> So I was given this information from previous from last year and then I submit that. >> But we have no problem if you want at a later point maybe going deeper. Yes. >> Absolutely. would love to to share a little bit more about that >> because I know that that and this is a great example you that I mentioned earlier is this may be something we're technically in compliance on relating to the state >> but are we doing things that are best practice >> right >> that is something that we are constantly working on yeah we don't want to just meet the minimum in those things right like they gave that example the floor to the ceiling we want to reach more to the ceiling not just

052the very basic of what the expectations >> and we're talking all students special education inclusion and all of that, right? >> That there are definitely categories in that subcategory >> breaks it out. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Students with disabilities is definitely one of the subcategories relating to that. >> Yeah, I would love that document available to us. >> Yeah, I don't know. You can have it anytime. I share that. We can share with you guys as well too. Um >> agenda. >> Is it in the agenda packet? Yeah, >> it just doesn't come up here, but it's accessible. Yeah. >> And then if we can share you with the document because the document allows you to also click on the links so you can get more information about each of the subcategories as well too

053>> like what is being asked relating to things and disab. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And then again, if there are things we found that we're not in compliance with, we have to develop an action plan like Dr. Ros shared like relating that would be something we would potentially have to do next year relating to instructional amendments. And we're going to have to evaluate each of those things if we're continuing to be in compliance and all those subcategories as well too. Okay. >> Any specific questions or feedback besides like bringing back some of those categories you would like more information about relating to the district? Well, one of the things I was thinking and then you brought it up just right after I said it, but >> I was thinking so many times I've heard

054from okay even classmates from years ago, but they didn't say things that happened till way later somewhere down the road, you know, whatever is but we've had so many changes since the co time period and lots of different things have happened even including budget cuts whatever that I was thinking even if we could go back even if we only just went back and looked at the kids who didn't graduate >> and get some information out of them. >> How come? >> And so that to me that's a big issue as far as or a big part of us being able to make plans from this day forward is how to not let that happen again. >> I love that because that's a big part of when we talk about our district's emphasis and personal learning

055communities and collaboration. A big part of that is looking at assessments and if the students aren't doing well, it's opportunity us to reflect on, okay, what are some things that we did instructionally that maybe didn't help that kid that we needed to potentially add and being able to look at students assessment to be able to determine, oh, they're doing really well with this, but this is an area that we need to provide more support on. So for us to learn within that process on how we're better supporting kids. So, we don't want a situation where we have 30% of our kids are not graduating in a year and how can we learn from those 30% to determine okay where did this where did they start falling off and they're on track to graduation rate. So

056completely agree, great point. >> And and another thing too that really didn't well it did happen a little bit in the last four years, but to our community directly is there's been numerous times also that classes grew astronomically because of different businesses being here or moving into community to turn right back around to look like you went from 150 kids to 250 back down to 150 looking like they didn't graduate. Right. But it was because their families actually had to move away. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. So there's there Yeah. We want to so that and there is part of division 22 that's relating to freshman to 12th grade, right? Kids that are with us that entire time. If a student moves in senior year, obviously we're going to support them and give them everything they

057need or move away. We still want them to graduate, but really owning those kids that are with us the entire time. We need to provide them all the supports they need to give them every option they can once they graduate from high school. And and I I know that everybody knows what I'm talking about, too. But we also have such a turnover even just in our local apartment complexes that makes it so a child's here one year and not here again. >> And that that transient population, I know, is part of why we want to build that guaranteed Bible curriculum. What I mean by that is when a kid comes into kindergarten or third grade, they get the same education experiences regardless of what school they attend, right? We don't want a situation, oh they

058learned this in McRide, but they learned this at Columbia City. We should have very consistent out outcomes regardless of what school they've as well too because we do get kids that are somewhat transient by nature and they'll start the year McBride and finish the year at Louiswis and Clark and things like that as well. >> Okay, thank you everyone. We'll make sure we uh bring that back later on and I know in November I'm going to be back talking to you about our state assessment results as well too. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Okay, you can keep that copy. We'll move on to 8.6 policy update 8.61 EVAC site safety committees. The superintendent designates the district's safety officer. Yeah, in the current policy it lists the business manager as the um safety officer and it

059wouldn't allow me to change and so I want I would prefer it to say the superintendent designate the district safety officer because you don't with you know turnover if we're redel if we're re um allocating or we're reorganizing and if we need help and support then we can I can designate a different person to be the um safety officer. Yeah. and I um will be designating and have um designated um our district facilities person and we've already started the process of having the safety committees and so I'm excited about that because we need to get them back on track since co Yeah. >> Can I ask a question about safety committees? When we talk about safety committees, are we talking about like uh physical or like if there's a light out in the parking lot

060and >> everything? Yeah, it covers everything. So there's a um they'll they can talk about like um staff injuries um student injuries, but they don't get to specific because it's a large group of people. And if they would talk about numbers and maybe like the patterns of um what happened like the themes at the building level, they could get more specific because they're talking about the people within their building. >> So does this go back to what Amaly had brought in? >> Okay, that's kind of what I was wondering. So perfect. Thank you. Does the district safety officer is that only on um I guess they say in the building time period physically whatever or can it even correlate to anything even right now to drop off pickup how you are in the football parking

061lot I mean is it anything that could actually cause harm to a student at any given time or is it just basically during class >> it's during any time it's like in facilities and all of the you know so if you there's a pol I think the policy was included if to um take a look at it and then they they can discuss announce they create agendas. They're public and they send out the notes after um so that everybody knows what's being discussed in these these agenda safety committee selected. >> Uh it's by law. It says specifically how many and it's on the policy. So I don't I don't have that memorized. I'm sorry. >> I got it. I'll >> not over 12 people but you want building administrators. you want representation of um um

062all different groups and I think both are think's on it. >> Oh yeah, you so but anyway yeah you can look up the policies in the law explicitly says who like should be on it and then how many or how few the minimum. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So it's a variety. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now we move on to 8.8 8 candidates for school position five process for selecting interview uh interviewing for the open board position. So we have 8.81 J and I do not know how to pronounce your last name. >> Hector. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm not calling you up yet. I'm just reading everybody's name. >> Okay. >> I just didn't want I just did not want to misspell your name. J >> I love the excitement. >> 8.82 82 Jenny

063Gilbert 8.83 Kendall Flory 8.84 Kim Walker 8.85 85 Mark Buyers 8.86 Pretty Demon >> H >> I just want to read that. >> I am >> okay. Um candidates for the school board position five and the process for selecting and interviewing for open board positions. We've received six applicants. Um Jay Ectctor, Ectar, sorry, >> Ectook, Jennifer Gilbert, Kendall Flory, Kim Walker, Mark Buyers, and Trinity Monahan. Um the board has been given time to review the applications. And tonight, we'll be voting to determine our top applicants who will move forward to the interviews. And from there, we'll be nominating and selecting our new school board member. We would like to interview three tonight, but if we have a tie, we'll interview four. and ballots. The selection of interviews be ranked by ballot to decide which applicants

064will be interviewed. The school board members will rank their top three candidates on ballot and pass them to the board chair to read aloud, including the school board members name and their ranking. The board secretary will keep a tally and pass the information to the board chair to read aloud. And the top three interviews, the top three will be moved to interviews. If there's a tie, the top four will be moved to interviews. And >> I think we need to make a motion. >> Well, um, and I'm not really sure if we do make a motion because it's just under new business, but I would like to make a change that we interview all six and then we can go ahead and vote and choose three maybe for any further questions that anybody has or

065at that point we can also decide it as well. Okay, >> but I would like to do all six. >> Got a motion made, motion seconded. Second >> that we approve all six. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> Director Russell >> I >> Director Gill and I'm an I as well. So we'll kick it around a little bit >> and we made it and the interviews. So we're going to have a lot of people sitting at the table. >> Do you want to call them up one at a time now that we're trying changing it up? >> No, because we have to ask the question. >> We're still in new business. So, we're gonna continue on now to public comment. >> Okay. I'm sorry. >> I'm getting I'm getting ahead of myself. Apologize

066everybody. >> Okay. Public comment. Um, not to exceed 30 minutes, the board welcomes visitors to our minute or to our meetings and values comments from the district patrons and that that improve students education quality. concern getting their skin. The board at their discretion will recognize email comment set in 72 hours in advance of the board meeting. The public comment opportunity is not a discussion, debate or dialogue between the speaker and the board. It's the citizens opportunity to express opinions on issues of the schoolboard business. Uh we must did I say that right? We must require that comments go through the administration for resolution or complaints. I apologize. Complaints go through the administration for resolution. Comments made during this session must be made free of abusive language and personal attacks on district personnel and not directed

067towards any department which due to low staffing would amount to an attack by uh by effect naming effect naming the district personnel. We also ask that presentations be less than hold limited to three minutes per person and no more than 30 minutes for public comments. And I'll ask you to please state your name and if you're a resident of the district and we'll call up uh Logan Gilbert Brener first. >> Sorry I was a little premature with that. [Music] >> Cutting you off >> before I even got here. >> Okay. Hello. So, I just wanted to comment on a couple of um Oh, I'm Logan McKenzie Gilbert Rener and yes, I'm a resident. I live in Columbia City. Um I wanted to comment on how I it was a pleasure to work with the district

068in uh writing up theou that you guys voted to approve tonight. And I am very pleased to hear the the choice and calendar uh days to bring back from the agreement is uh aligned with what the staff had liked to have preferred because the bringing back those January and February days have the chance of bringing back the most amount of student days because I I really have a feel I have a strong hope that we get that we find a way to get money back in the in the spring or that late kind of winter period. And so if we were to have brought back days in that late spring kind of early summer days then uh or yeah then we wouldn't have had them to bring back later in the spring. I don't know

069if that was I Pete kind of tried to get that message and uh Christine did too, but I I just don't know if it was as eloquently put. So I wanted to make sure that that was like on the record that the that was the reason the placement of the days were chosen. Uh and that technically the these ones soonest would be the best for that the November and October but it was those were not picked to be brought back because that would have been very disrespectful to the community to them being buted up right with holidays and stuff like that. So yeah, this was the the happy medium of those options for bringing things back and thank you uh Karine has been great to work with as a union leader. So um >> yeah,

070that's all. >> Thank you. >> The next person we'll call is Melissa and I'm sorry I don't know how to pronounce your last name properly. >> Nice and easy. >> Thank you. if you wouldn't mind stating your name and your district. >> St. Helens, I love St. H. Um, yeah. So, I'm here today just to try to bring attention to the board of um something myself and many of the other parents have recognized is that um we have kids I have kids son at McBride and we have um a very dire need to have more support staff. Um the students are having a delay in learning. Um, some parents are wondering if their kids are getting the appropriate amount of a lot of IVP time because there is a lot of disruption uh because there's

071a lack of adults. It's not fault of the teachers, it's just they need more support. Um, I have volunteered and encouraged other parents to volunteer and it's helping, but we're not professionals. This isn't what we do. Um, and we're limited on the time and so I know that there's a deficit that we have that we're trying to figure out how to make that work. But think it's important. these kids are missing out on education time and they're falling behind because the teachers don't have the the support that they need and on top of that the good teachers are getting burnt out and so it's really important that we figure out a solution as a community to help support the staff and our students. So that's it. >> Thank you. >> And the next speaker will

072be uh Mayor Jennifer Massie, Council President Chilton, and City Administrator Walsh. Okay, if I bring this over. >> Sure. >> You betcha. >> And sorry, I got to hold you guys to the three minute comment. >> Okay, we'll we'll make it make it quick. >> Normally, if there's more than one though, they >> Yeah, if it's a group, >> they get I can talk pretty fast. >> I was unaware. So, we can go to five. >> Thank you. >> So, good good evening, Chair and Yord. Um, at our last council meeting, uh, I spoke during my mayor's report about, uh, the interest of a partnership with the the school district. So, we're here tonight to respectfully ask the district pause the sale of the 10.76 acres on Ross Road um, and instead partner with the

073city of St. Helens to complete a feasibility study exploring whether joint use complex, a sports complex, could serve a long-term revenue generating asset for the district and the community. Um so already together between the two properties we have 27 continuous acres between us. Um and there are other municipalities and other cities that actually have these type of footprints that initially uh you know they started building them and they are multi-million dollar revenue streams. Newberg, uh, what was the other? Medford, Albany, there is a ton of those. And they act as an anchor for the community, not for just the youth, but it's a gener income generating revenue. And we search for that. We understand that the district is in financial crisis. The city itself is in financial crisis, but we also don't have a lot

074of opportunity for revenue streams. And if we basically sell a property, or you do for $700,000, it's gone forever. the opportunity for revenue is gone. So, you know, we're hoping that we can get into we're not asking you not to, you know, we're not asking you not to build. We're not asking for a financial obligation tonight. We're asking for a pause and to have a discussion so that we can do a feasibility study to see if this in fact is something that's viable. Selling that property at $700,000 is a band-aid, is a initial one-time cash infusion. You will never get that property back. So, that's why we're here. I'm gonna I know we're limited, so I'm gonna turn it over to John because I could talk uh for a very long time. >> Thank you,

075Mayor. John Wall, city administrator, and and you know, the Ros property is something that actually used to be the city's property at one point about 15 years ago prior to the the hospital district and was trained for property road. So it seems kind of coincident we're back here talking about it but and over the years we've developed this shared vision and it's used as a park today. I mean it's used for the golf range right next to Greek Baptist Church those that from the north where it's at. U but you know this partnership to have a a shared facility only works with this property. We've over the recent years we've advanced this work. We bought another piece of property that connects on the child's road side that connects Maple Street two and three to access

076this property. Without your piece, it just doesn't work very well. So the economic benefits of tourism, sports tourism are real. The economic impact, social impacts are very real. They're long lasting. We ask you reconsider the sale. >> And I'll go last. I have this has been a heart and soul project of mine since I got on city council. I have kids that are very active in sport and play club level sports and the the opportunity that it creates for our kids to be able to play college ball is aside from the revenue. We want to create opportunity for our kids and our families in St. Helens. We're looking at, you know, long-term effects of not having a park on that side of the of the of the city. And so there's a lot of things

077there that we want to just, you know, we we're asking that we can just have an opportunity to come together with you guys and talk about the the project and what it could look like. >> And if it's not feasible, then, you know, collectively, we're going to all end up selling that property together. But it would be a sure shame not to take the time and do the due diligence to see if it's a viable option because it could benefit the district. It could benefit, it's a legacy project, right? Preliminary studies show that there could be a revenue share of at the minimum of $200,000 a piece upwards to millions of dollars like over a 10 year. I mean if you look at that property at $700,000 if this was off the ground and going

078in a few years that would already pay for that pro that that property, right? So just selling that property uh just like us selling it. it just doesn't seem like it's advantageous for the long-term strategic financial needs that both the district needs and and the city of state homes in general. So, we would love an opportunity to get on agenda. Uh I think that you guys probably have a handout I put together that I gave to the council on some conceptual ideas or hopefully if you have not maybe I can get you one. We'd love to come back, get on the agenda, show you what we have. This this property alone can have three baseball fields, three or softball fields, one multi- uh purpose field, or a small putting chip area, but it's definitely a

079place to start and would like to come back. Mr. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. [Music] >> Is that something that No, no, no. I know. We should be able to say I this last foul that spoke to us. Is that something you can look into and come back to us or I just >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Moving on. Oh, sorry. >> Superintendent report on some of that. >> Okay, perfect. I just had missed it at the right time to say that and so I wanted to correct with Melissa. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> We can't talk about right now, but then I get what you're doing. >> 10.0. Uh, the financial report. >> Oh, and earlier I did confirm there was no video questions that we had tonight.

080>> Sorry, I should have said that earlier. Sorry. >> You're cut off already. >> It's off now. right there. >> All right, everyone. >> Hi. >> Um, so I you should have the 20 an updated 2425 um revenue uh financial report and an updated 2526 financial report. And so just kind of giving you a little bit of an update as we continue um we're so so close probably within the next day or two of having this be a more final number for 2425. Um, and so, uh, this goound we're actually our estimated ending fund balance for 2425 is up by $213,000. So, that's good news. Um, which then feeds into our 2526 financial report. And our estimated ending fund balance for 2526 currently is up 685,000. Now, you might say, why is why are the

081those numbers not closer? Um so part of the reason is just uh different um e estimates of what we're going to be expending this year for expenses. We um leveled out all the staffing and staff projections based on furlow days being at the 10. So there had been some fluctuation in payroll costs while we were working through what those furl days were going to finally land as. So all those things combined kind of make those adjust. So, as the year goes on, that number will adjust. Um, so right now it's sitting at a,241. Um, I'd like to note that that's still only 2.5% of our ending as an ending fund balance. So, we're still nowhere close to the 5% ending fund balance. Um, >> Christie, can I just quick while you're still on that? Is

082that including or excluding yet the cost of us the two furlow days going back? That includes the cost of the furlow days going back. >> Where did we get the funds for that for those two furlow days? >> Well, we are making adjustments to, you know, other we're looking at we look at everything when we look at something. So, >> but I assume before we give them back, we know where the funds are coming from, right? >> We we know that we're going to need to make adjustments in um in different budget areas. We didn't identify a specific line item that that was coming from. But there's trigger language in theus that explicitly say when we come back to the table and talk with our labor unions about um adding furlow days back. And so

083that trigger ler language is also talking about when we have revenue or added general fund. So it would technically come from that language, right? So it would be from those funds, not from grant funds because we specific grants we can't use to pay for Euro days. It would come from our general fund. >> Okay. I just thought we had discussed it coming from a different area. So I I guess I was just curious of how we ended up where we're at with it because we thought we would have more layoffs for that. >> Well, we will be experiencing layoffs. There will still be because of our enrollment count. >> Oh, that was my next question about that. >> Okay. All together. It's all together. Yes. Absolutely. We got this. >> So, all those numbers are

084good, right? Everybody, you know, you get excited and but we're cautiously optimistic. Those numbers look good on paper right now, but as we look as a whole and looking forward to next year, we're looking at um reduced enrollment. We're down at least 40 students. um which at about $11,000 per student with state school fund that's a significant hit. Um so next going into next year um the things that we've talked about um as a team is uh we're having if we have to restore additional we're at 10 furlow days right now. Right this year they're budgeted at 110,000 or appro estimated at 110,000 per day. Next year we're going to have to look at cost of living which is um slated to be 3% next year. So that 110 is going to be increased. So

085even with 10 days at 110 at 1.1 million to restore furlow days next year. Um then we're looking at a reduced state school fund based on enrollment that could be um in my early estimates could be as much as um 1 another 1.1 million. So now we're looking at next year having to cut 2.2. So that's why it's like the numbers are good right now, but they're not changes that we've lost. What happens for our college kids that are like leaving and going to the college programs? got us and we're going to start like I asked for because we um we're doing a summary report in other districts that I've worked it comes alongside the financial report because our revenue really um so I question the right question and I asked her today when I

086was looking at her account it does okay the thing We're just looking right now at the revenue because we've just started that process. The October one count is due in January because this is all the time where you're recalculating and making sure that we've got the numbers for our weighted ADM for our students. We have a December 1 count special education, all those types of things. And so we need to be bringing those reports and numbers to you all so you guys can see when there's a decline. >> I know this isn't your purview, but can we send questionnaires to these families that have pulled kids and ask them, you know, just help us understand what why we've lost you and how what would you need to see from us to get you back. And

087I just feel like that's >> like at this point >> survey there's a higher um population uh this the high school enrollment is going down larger numbers at the high school and anywhere else. Yeah. So >> okay they want them back and I feel like if we can find out what >> their reasons are where we haven't heard right. >> Sure. >> So okay I know that wasn't yours. I just wanted to ask >> good conversation. >> Um I'll just make one other comment that Dr. Boris Brown was talking about with Arthur Academy. So what happens when that when the enrollment because our our enrollment does include Arthur Academy Charter School and so what it what that does is that might reduce our um enrollment or excuse reduce our state school fund based on the

088student count. But then it might if they have more students, it might increase our expenditures because we're passing through those funds to the charter school. >> Okay. >> Just I just wanted to clarify that since you were talking about that. And then I just have one question. If you can help me understand how why we have this up and down so much of the budget numbers for 2425 where you know one time we're 203,000 and then the next time we're at 36,000 and then we're at 600. And so I guess I'm just I understand that we have um invoices going out, but should those not have already been allocated and into a to kind of understand where our budget is lying and what our end number should have been? So um there's a couple things

089and and you're on the right track and so I think it's just the details of what that actually looks like. So I'll give a couple of examples. So when we estimate at the beginning of the year what um uh we're going to spend on transportation, we put in a purchase requisition into our system and that encumbers or like holds those expenses aside. These numbers in our expenditures include encumbered expenses which are things that we've promised. We've said this is what we think this is going to be. We might have a contract. We might be working off of estimates. Um, and estimates are hard because you just don't know what that final number is going to look like. So, when when we put in that purchase um, order for uh, transportation, it might encumber, you know,

090$3 million and until we get final invoices and everything is settled on that, that that 3 million is an expense until we get the final invoice and we close it and maybe it was only 2.5. >> Okay. On the other hand, sometimes it can be higher. >> Okay. >> So, sometimes it might we might have but you know, estimated three and maybe it's 3.2. >> I just that increases. Yeah. A lot of questions that I didn't have the answers to. And so, >> that just helps it helps me and hopefully it helps people in the community understand why those numbers are changing so much. And we've talked about since we're here this year closing out sooner because in a lot of districts we say, "Oh, you can't spend any more by this date." And then

091we say, "You don't spend any more past that date." Except for the things like the lights and the heat, all those things. >> Toilet paper, that kind of stuff. But that way that we're not having all of these invoices come in because we're in, you know, later. >> I think I think another way to look at it is, you know, it's a little bit different than your home budget, right? Your home budget, you know, generally, you know, what your income is coming in and you know what your expenses are going out and you might set aside some for some emergencies. we're just not on a, you know, exponentially larger scale of that where number one, we're we're not guaranteed a certain dollar amount from the state. >> Um, I mean, it is, but it fluctuates

092based on enrollment. Um, and we then our expenses are not necessarily concrete and, you know, concrete on day one. They do fluctuate over the year. And then with that enrollment, right, because we projected that it would be 2,78 kids with our Earther Academy and it's 20 whatever that number was 206. >> I have it written down somewhere here. But yeah, so that fluctuates too. And >> so when will we see the when will we see the >> what's the opposite of benefit? uh like number >> the repercussions of of losing those. When will we see those? >> Yeah, we're already starting to see that. >> So, when will we see like when will we have to make changes with our staff again? >> Well, we need to be projecting that now. That's why we're having

093these conversations about what this looks like. What are we looking at as far as next year this year? >> It will be hurting some this year. Yes. But I don't want to talk about public. There was talk about Oregon changing the state fund as well. So that >> do we know anything about that yet? >> They gave us a more optimistic look the other day um because our lobbyists are like >> it's not the sky is falling sky is falling all the time right we have rainy day fund but then we have the people that are actually looking at the numbers at the OD saying no the sky is falling going back and forth right but they gave us a more optimistic um view just yesterday saying that they um you know that that our

094nutrition won't be impacted as as much as we thought it was because of the federal shutdown, right? So we're talking about like all the federal fund impact on what it does and OD has to redistribute and so they like she said we are promised a certain amount of funds. How they do it is like oh we'll get it to you. We'll get it to you. Oh we're going to get it to you. That's how we've been for years. And now it might be well we're not going to get that to you. Right? And so we're um paying attention to that and thinking about like how does that work if we get less money and would that mean more cuts this year. Um but they're supposed to let us know in the next I hope couple

095of weeks letting us say this is it. Um and we know that we'll be using some of that rainy day fund right >> we know they've been holding on to it and it's a big chunk. >> It's a big chunk. So, >> but we're that means we're in competition though with the amazing things that we do in our communities around mental health and physical health, all that kind of stuff. So, >> any other questions that I can answer from you guys? >> I think we're done. Thank you. >> You're welcome. [Music] >> Action items. I like the cautiously optimist. >> Okay, moving on to action items 11.1. St. Helen's 2025 2026 district community calendar update approval. >> I move that the board adopt the updated school community calendar as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. It's

096been moved and seconded that we adopt the updated 2025 2026 school calendar as presented. Is there any discussion? So move voting. Director Russell >> I. >> Vice Chair Christine Smith >> I. >> Director killings. >> Hi. >> And chair is an I as well. 11.2 policy EVAC. Uh site committees. Is there a motion on that one? I move that the board approve policy EBAC as as presented. Second. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded that the board approve policy EBAC as presented. Any discussion? >> Nope. Okay. Voting. Director Russell. >> I. >> Chair Smith. >> Hi. >> Director Jones. >> Hi. >> And I am an I as well. Chair. Uh let's see. We're on to 11.3 executive session board action on Kale complaint to the school board. >> Kale appeal. >> Oh, I'm sorry.

097Kale Kale appeal. I apologize. To the school board. Sorry, it jumbles my words in my head sometimes. >> I move that the board adopts the superintendent's findings as the final decision and delegates the board chair as responded to the complaintant. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moved that the board adopt the superintendent's finding, it final decision, and delegates the board chair as respondent to the complaint. Is there any discussion? >> Pardon me. >> There's no discussion. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> We're not in this one. >> Apologize. Thank you for catching me. >> Sorry. We'll go to a vote. Director Russell, no. >> Vice Chair Smith Reed. Hi. >> Director Kellings. Hi. >> And Cherry orders and I as well. 11.4 Executive session board action complaint KL complaint on a

098school board member. Is there a motion? >> Um I move that the board >> Well, yeah. That we >> I can do it if you like. >> Yeah. Give me a second. >> I meant to turn the page out. >> I did, too. That's part of his work. >> Okay, I'll make the motion on this one. I move to accept public comments and to delegate authority of the board chair to respond to the parties regarding holding a hearing in the matter discussed in executive session. >> I second that. Okay. It's been moved and seconded that uh we accept public comment to delegate authority and board chair in responding to parties regarding holding and hearing in manner discussed in executive session. Director Russell, >> vice chair spread. >> Hi, >> director killings. >> Hi. >> And

099cherry orders and I as well. And we move on to 11.5. Uh St. Helen School Board position number five. Top five. Am I reading something wrong again? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Top five candidate position. Top ranking candidates. Move forward to interviews. >> We're going to interview all six. We have decided to do that. >> Correct. >> Is there a motion to change? >> Right. >> No, we've already done that motion to do all six. We need to call six. >> I think that's when we nominate. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, what do I need to do? >> Bring the six candidates up. >> But I was going to ask if we could maybe take a five minute break. That gives us a chance to set tables chairs up. But >> Sure.

100>> And everybody take that two second break if they need to. Okay. >> Would that work? >> Yep. Meeting for 5 minutes. be back at 7:36. Please >> don't be late. [Music] And we are back in work session. >> I would like to call the six applicants up. Um Jay, would you take a seat in the first chair? And I'm sorry, I'm going to use first names. Jennifer, would you take a seat in the second chair? Kendall, would you take a seat in the third chair? >> Kim Walker, would you take a seat in the fourth chair? And Trinity, would you take a seat in the fifth chair, please? >> Mark Buyers. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Mark Buyers >> in the fifth chair. And Trinity in the sixth chair. I apologize. >> My brain is

101scrambling again. >> No. Markers. >> Mark Buyers. >> I thought he was here earlier. Was he standing at the door? Maybe. >> I don't know. all the way and then miss it. >> I'm assuming I' never seen him before. >> Just let everybody know we're taking a quick chat to see if Mark is out here. Nobody >> that gentleman went. >> Oh, okay. >> I was going to say I thought that's who it was. >> N okay. Well, it looks like Mark Buyers is himself. He's not present. >> Okay. So, we'll be down to five candidates and we have our questions of all five >> and we'll get started. >> And who has question number one? >> I do. >> Would you please ask it? >> Okay. All right. So, what experience do you have

102working on a board of directors? Start out with Mr. J. Uh I have uh 20 years of uh school board committee foundation background. I lived out in the Gresham Barlo School District for 42 years. I've been on the board budget committee, curriculum committee, foundation committee, uh raising funds in education. My passion has been sports. I've run Little League, Babe Ruth, Legion programs, 800 kids, half a million dollar budgets. So, quite a few board experiences, whether sports or education. >> Thank you. >> Question. >> Hi, Jen. >> Jenny Gilbert. Um, I have served on several community boards. I have some background with that, but I'm currently serving on the St. Holland's city budget committee. >> I have no experience on boards. I'm a teacher. So, I've been on multiple committees and have served in that capacity

103for years now. >> Thank you. >> I'm Walker. First, thank you for your service as a teacher. Um, I served for two and a half years as a board member for Columbia River and Rescue District. And in my professional career, I have supported a board as an executive assistant to this chief executive officer for nearly 30 years. And I'm currently serving as a corporate secretary for a bank. Um, and that is directly of the board. So, and don't hold it against me, but I was president of HOA board for 15 years. >> I'm sorry. You're out. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Attorney Monahan. Uh, so I served as a school board member for eight years. Uh, previously prior to that, I was on the budget committee uh for two years. >> Who has questions?

104>> Take it away, sir. What are the most important issues facing St. own school district right now. >> We're start with Jenny. >> We're start with >> um I believe that especially after listening to tonight, but um I think the limited resources that we have right now is a huge um thing that we're facing um in the district and um the loss of students is a really big um deal. Um, I think that with my background, I can be uh resourceful there and helping um bring students back and encourage um families that uh this is a great district. It really is. And we have so much potential and we're going to go really great places. >> Thank you. >> Read the question again. >> Thank you, Jessica. Um, so I think that the biggest issue

105that's facing our district is human resources. It's been a bit of a history where we've had trouble hiring people who were qualified for their roles. Um, there have been times where we've mishired people who didn't eventually back like pass their background checks. Um, one thing that we really want to make sure that we are doing as a district is hiring quality individuals and keeping them here. Making sure that they feel safe and capable of doing their job so that we can keep them here even with limited resources. >> Walker, um, I honestly feel that the biggest issue facing the district right now is trust um, and communication. uh giving the we're in transition from events of the recent past and we're looking forward and trying to move forward. We need to build trust and have

106open um transparent communication. >> Uh I would actually agree with the budget being your biggest concern facing the district currently. So the budget drives your instructional practices. It's going to drive your curriculum. It's going to drive your ability to get students here to get them the bus. uh it drives everything and uh all of those things are directly in purview of what the board does and uh those are going to be the hard decisions that are going to have to be made as you start to figure out where to support superintendent with the decisions made on budget sources grants all those things >> uh great answers um none of us can avoid uh the past, the future is uh predicated on it and certainly transparency in the past year and a half in the district.

107Well, well said. And I've seen steps on the website where the board and the superintendent are making strides in that area to be um really transparent with the district to reearn trust. But with 2,700 kids in the district, uh I looked on the website. I apologize if the numbers are a year off. Um uh English third grade 29% uh achieving standards versus state 40%. 8th grade math 17% versus the state 27 uh%. Our performance and graduation rates in every category are lower than the state average. And I'm sure you're not delighted about that and planning for that. But when I look at districts that are performing well, they're financially blessed. You know, look on the west side of town. I I'm a a 10-year high school umpire. Lake Asiggo, Lakeidge, Jesuit, Beaverton, they're all financially

108blessed, but they also have something that I think you've got, too. And I'm hoping is really good teachers because I know my kids performed in school based on the teacher that was there. So I would I I can't answer in terms of an issue, but a goal that I would have would be to incentivize and uh up teacher training so we can reach kids at a higher level and start changing these standards. Uh uh the budget uh uh one out of four kids are missing from school out of 10 every day. We have 59% attendance. We get paid by butts and seats. We got to incentivize attendance and get them back in the classroom and then those financial issues that everybody so well said would uh go away. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Keith. I

109have question three and I will start with Kendall. Um, what is your role on the board in your opinion? >> The role on the board >> on the of the board in your opinion. Sorry, I'll reread that. You want to start over again? I kind of I kind of fumbled. What is the role of the board in your opinion? Sorry, I have problems reading things. >> So, the role of the board in my opinion is to guide the district. Their role is to create the policies that the school the dis that the district will implement via the superintendent's leadership. So they work together to create um a system and procedure and the protocols that are needed for making sure that the kids can learn and are safe. They make sure that things function and they

110make sure that we are on the right big picture path kind of making sure we stay on that straight narrow towards growth. >> Thank you. In simple terms, the role of the board is oversight and advocacy. Oversight of the district's policies um ensuring that um the the policies are within state law as well as district standards. Um but also advocacy of the teachers and superintendent and the people who are actually implementing the work that's associated with those. >> Thank you. So the board has three functions. They hire an evaluated superintendent. They uh create the policies and pass those and then they do the budget. Those are the three things that a board member as a board at large does. As a board member um then the like for my role it would be to influence

111the discussion to ask the right questions to uh provide a single vote. Um and then once the vote is taken then to accept the results as they are and to uphold that and support it through whatever the direction or decision is. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um the three I wrote down is advocate and support the administration. They're they're tasked with the day-to-day running of the school. The board is not. So, um, my goal as a sales manager was always to give my guys tools to help them do their job and not do it for them. Uh, board has a fiduciary and financial responsibility. Thank God for board insurance. You're responsible for the budget of the district personally. Board insurance helps. So, planning financially. And last, and I was delighted to see on the

112website, the student success plan and the presentation by the assistant of project 22. It's strategic planning, looking out ahead. If we're talking about problems all the time here that we haven't addressed and seen in the future, I think we've failed as a board. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. All great answers. Um I I think that the board um is when the board is in doing their jobs correctly, it allows uh administration, teachers, staff to um thrive and do their job correctly as well. Um I think if the board focuses exactly on what their responsibility is, everything um is going to be turn out better. On top of that, I feel like the board needs to listen to um the community. That's what you're there for. they they elected you. Um, and I think that when

113you do listen and you're out and about, um, you get you people bring things to you that you didn't know were there. Um, they sometimes bring really great ideas like, "Hey, you know, I just wanted to bring this to you guys. Have you thought about this for the budget? you know, where we could um you know, implement different um procedures and and policies and um I am a big proponent of listening to individuals um especially since it's their money you're spending. Um uh so I think that the board if they're doing their job correctly and efficiently then everything else falls into place and everyone thrives. >> Thank you. Uh Booth has question number four. >> Um Kim, what is the importance of the relationship between the board and the superintendent? It's critical but it's in

114it's very important that the board uh is not involved operationally. Um and if the board were to become involved in operational activities then there would be a huge breakdown between the board and superintendent's office. So, I think there needs to be uh a trusting open communication between the board and superintendent um with respect and um and intention so that the superintendent has the um resources that they need to perform their their function which is operational. Um and that the board provides the advocacy and oversight that's necessary. So uh ultimately my position is that the relationship is is about professional relationship. So you don't have to you don't have to personally like anybody. That's not the role of a board itself. So as long as there's a professional relationship between the board and the superintendent then

115it empowers the superintendent to take whatever task that they need to do the operational decisions dayto day and execute them. And if you have concerns, you have issues with those professionally, say, "Hey, we have some concerns," then I think that you're going to have a much stronger relationship to be able to build from that. You're going to be able to have those hard conversations that take place in a public centered area. And instead of having uh arguments that devolve into some unrelated area, you're going to be able to get to the substantive, sorry, it's been a long day. U substantive issues related to whatever those things are. And ultimately, it's going to empower the superintendent to be able to go to the district staff and be able to be supportive to them and ensure that

116whatever their needs are are going to get relayed upward as well. >> Uh superintendent in my eyes is equivalent to a CEO, the they're the chief executive officer to run the corporation. You wouldn't have hired her unless you trusted her. So for me, the board, I I come back to strategic planning. Uh when I worked with my sales guys, there was a lot of ways to skin a cat and grow business with an account. I I may have ideas about how to improve student performance. Until I listened to her with her 20, 30, 40 years of background, I wow, I I never thought of that. what tools can I get you to implement and make you successful at doing that? So for me it revolves around strategic planning. >> Um I again it goes back

117to the board's roles. Um the board is the oversight committee that is selected and elected by the people. Um the superintendent and the board should have a really good relationship as far as communication um partnership. it should always be partnership for the students, staff, and community first before any other issues go on. Um, and I think that a a great board who's really good at communication and that everybody's on the same page, the same goal. And I think I think in general everybody in this room is we we love this district. We love the students. We love staff. But we want to see our community succeed. And I think we're going to um I think that the board and the superintendent together collaborating is um just going to be a powerhouse. Um and I think

118when those those things are working together, you're going to see um really good change. >> Thank you. So, as everybody has mentioned, communication is absolutely key. Being able to have an open and honest conversation with your superintendent, as board members, as a board together, is very vital, especially since the majority of the information that you're getting about how the school district is doing comes from the superintendent. You may get the random oneoff person coming in during public times, but like most of it's coming from the superintendent. So, you need to make sure that there is a clear line of communication that can be trusted and is reliable. The one thing that I will note is that in the past the board has overrusted the superintendent. And so I think it's also very important to make

119sure that we as a board or you guys as a board are also looking at other ways to gather the information so that you're not being policed basically and have things come down that are detrimental to this district. I have question five. on my um what is your method? First of all, let me thank you for I I don't know if you were thanked, but I am really thankful for every one of you stepping up and being willing to take this opportunity. I think it's brave in what we're going through right now and it's incredibly I I really thank all of you. So, thank you for being here. Um, Trinity, what is your method of problem solving when you don't agree with others? >> So, it's about understanding. So, agreement in my mind is um

120not a necessarily a destination. Uh, but it is a journey. So, when there's a disagreement, then I will ask questions. I will try to get perspective. I will try to understand. And ultimately, I will fully acknowledge I don't have to agree and the other person doesn't have to agree. It's more about the information sharing and trying to get to the bottom route of what is it that we're actually trying to get to. And there are multiple paths to solutions. So my way isn't necessarily the best way. And the more voices that are involved in the decision-m more likely it is that the best solution may be found. >> Thank you J. >> Yeah, absolutely. Great answer. Again, I hate to keep coming back to my sales background, but u the best salesmen that I ever

121worked for me kept their mouth closed and ask questions of their accounts. Sooner or later, the account's going to tell you what they want to buy. If we can identify what the problem is and just ask questions, pretty soon the problems, the solution's going to reveal itself. So, I really appreciate his answer of being collaborative and just seeking that rather than being dictatorial and telling you it's my way. >> My method is I normally just tell them they're wrong. >> No. Um, in my experience, most often with humanity in general, especially in political positions, you're almost always sort of on the same page. You just need to talk it through um and figure out where they're coming from. A lot of times, maybe they're just coming around the back way into the same thought. Um,

122you're just not understanding them. So, um, my method is almost always, um, talk, listen, understand from their point of view. Um, sometimes it takes sitting down, having coffee. Um, and I know we're not always in especially in board positions able to sit and just have a conversation with people one-on-one, but um, in general, it's open communication. Um, really listening and, um, compromise sometimes, um, just, you know, coming together and figuring out how that you can partner on the same path forward. Kind of It's basically my spent teacher. So constantly working with people who may or may not agree with me and problem solving with them. Often times it's listening to what they have to say, hearing out their perspective, finding where your perspective aligns and growing from there to figure out a solution. Whether that

123solution is perfect for everyone, it most likely is not. But is it the best solution that we can come to right now? most likely. If it's not, there's always time to look at it again. So, knowing that even if I don't like the solution right now, it doesn't mean that we can't look at it later in the future is also something that I can use to make sure that everybody is like going towards the same goal. Yeah. And keeping in mind that we're all humans. It's okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, first I'll say that as a parent I learned years ago that there are more than one way to load a dishwasher. >> That is the truest statement though as a mom. I disagree. Yeah, you'll get there. Um I I once received

124um some really strong guidance from a mentor um when I was having some challenges in communicating with an individual at work and that was to absorb the facts and remove the emotion from the conversation. Um approach it with respect. You really truly are just dealing with the facts. And in this room, in this environment, there's a lot of passion that walks through the door every time you have a meeting. And it's really important as a board member to be able to um remain passionate, but take the emotion out of the conversation so that you're really truly just dealing with the facts that are in front of you. >> Thank you. I love you. >> Great answers. Um, thank you everybody for applying. Um, you guys are going to make it really tough to take a

125decision here to make a decision, but I'm going to flip the script a little bit. Nobody knows I'm doing this, but do you have any questions at the board that you'd like to put us on the spot about? >> Are we going to start with Jay? >> Start with Jay. >> Jamie, >> um, I guess I know a lot of you are new. Um, do you feel like that the board position was what you expected getting into? >> I can answer that for myself. No. Um, I'm, as you can tell, I'm work in progress. Um, I'm still learning my role, but uh, it's more broader than what I originally thought. Um, I'm learning that I deal with a lot more stuff and I have more people public comments, people coming up to me in public

126and asking questions. So for me it's a little bit bigger than what I originally thought. >> He's also board chair, >> right? >> I mean that's that is I think that's >> a lot more like administrative board leadership stuff. >> We have a lot more especially you but we both have a lot more emails than and I >> for me I don't sit at a computer so this has been like I have my phone on me at all time reading emails all the time in between clients and whatever. It's just like it's overwhelming, I think. But I think that the public's expectation of us is crazy. Uh I think that it's really evident when people don't understand what a board position does, what we're actually responsible for because they won't try to have you convinced

127to go their way about everything. Like you can change this, right? And like I didn't expect that, but you know, I think we're all here for the right reasons. I think you guys are doing good. So, >> I think that it's it's definitely what I >> I think it's what I expected. Um, and I think that we have an amazing group of individuals. I think that the um it's helping people understand I think in the process that we don't have to agree and that that's why there's five of us and that the questions are not there to hurt feelings or to target or to be something that you're not. It is genuinely just oversight and doing your job. And I think it's just important to recognize that we you don't have to vote the way

128I vote. And it doesn't mean that I don't respect you as a human um a human being or that you have a completely different opinion. Um, I appreciate that everyone shows up here on our board meetings and that we are here because we love this district and we want it to survive and be like have a legacy and that to me is honestly what I came in for and that is honestly what I see every day. even though they don't always agree and with me, I know that their reasoning is their truth and that's okay. And so it's been for me what I expected, but also um you know it isn't like always easy, but it is definitely I think we knew we were coming into a really pivotal time and we knew it wasn't

129going to be easy and that's where we're at. >> Jim, do you have any questions? Hey, I'm supposed to get right. >> Seriously, it's just like >> I figured we give everybody a chance to come back. >> No, the only thing I was going to say is that when I first ran in the very beginning, which you all know was a long time ago, but I came in because I wanted to get rid of a board member that I thought wasn't treating my teachers. >> Yeah. So, >> Melanie, you don't see us filter. >> They were treating my teachers that I grew up here in the school district and I didn't like it, you know. So bragging at that time I was still a kid and had no idea that was anymore that I was

130going to make sure this was cleaned up. Right. Yeah. But learned about a billion things that could ever go wrong and right um over 23 years. I never would have dreamed that we'd even be where we are today, let alone what we've dealt with in the last year has had so many things that were it seems like every year it's something different constantly. Just when you get good at it, here comes something else. So whether it's even things that are coming even from our federal or state government, you know, we just we can never predict where we're going to be at six months from now, but you just do your very best it can. >> I freaking love your honesty, though. >> Just put it out there. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And I didn't mean

131to do it. Sorry. >> That's okay. >> Kendall, do you have any questions for the board? >> Yeah. So, there is clearly a learning curve to being a board member. I could attest to that big time. >> There seems to be a lot of procedure and like very strict guidelines as well as just a basic mass of information you guys all need to learn. Where are you guys learning this? Who are you turning to when you guys are like lost and aren't sure how to like >> Yeah, I reach out to OSBA. Um we we attend seminars. um we all have access to them to ask questions and uh when it gets down to the legal stuff that I got to defer and speak to the district lawyers and you know make sure I'm not

132doing something wrong but I'm learning a lot and plus I I've taken classes on Robert's rules and Jurassic Parliament I think is the proper name I've taken >> he is a board nerd and we love him but >> I'm just trying to do the best I can Yeah, >> because it's hard and there's a lot of expectations that if we fumble our words or if we >> mis say mispronounce a motion then we look like idiots and I don't we're fearful of that because we just want to do the best that we can but there is a learning curve and people are forgiving about it thankfully um until they're not. Any other comments? >> No. >> Kim, do you have any questions for us? >> Can I make an observation and a question? Yeah, observation

133is really short. I promise. I'm a Navy girl. So, um, I just envision this as this is a really big ship with a really small rudder and so you guys are making changes that may take time to change the direction of the ship. So, thank you for what you're doing. Um the question I have really is how far in advance of meetings do you get materials? So how much time do you have to absorb that volume of materials before a meeting? >> So that's changed. It used to be not enough time. Yeah. >> Um and that we have really pushed for it to be that so it's three full business days which is nice because when it lands on a Wednesday that means we're getting documentation on a Friday, >> right? where before we were

134getting it Monday afternoon and that's really tough especially when we're working and in school but when we get it on Fridays which is I think what we're doing. >> Yeah. And it's been really nice. It gives you a whole weekend to really dig in and >> and so I think that's that's honestly been really helpful for me. >> Yeah. And and and we weren't getting it on Mondays due to any specific fault. just that we are all like every one of us here are new. >> Um except for Melody. I mean I'm pointing at I mean like >> we are all new. And so, you know, when I sit here and think, I think we're supposed to be getting this 72 hours, and they're like, I don't know, it it takes time to be like,

135oh, you're right. Let's let's fix that, you know? And so, but we are getting it. And I think that it's been >> night and day difference or like, oh, it was really overwhelming when we would get it Monday and you you still have work and stuff to do those other two days. >> There's hundreds of policies, too. And I mean, We've all read all of them, >> but I can't remember one of them. >> So, I mean, like when we get policy changes, I'm like, "Okay, what's different?" The >> So true. It's the word the >> the is different. Like, okay, great. I just read it 17 times trying to figure out what the change is. And it's really helpful to have it in advance like that so you can figure out the >> and

136or or >> that comma. >> Yeah. >> And then uh for me um when we get the email, it has a link for the agenda and then it has a link for the packet for all the information we have. Well, I'm a dinosaur still, so I print everything out and I I just cannot stand to look at it on a computer because it goes really bad for me. and um I sit down and read it and that's what I do all the time. So I bring all the stuff with me and I read it at least a couple times before the board meeting. I just think it's important to understand the material. >> I'm also a dinosaur. >> My husband's going to have a bonfire. >> I have tons of >> So you print it

137and retain it. >> You do have to retain. I have binders. >> I thought we had to Yeah, we have binders of our policy. But I do think we have to re I look at Trinity because I figure he would know. But like that we have to retain. >> But don't we have to retain our notes? >> Yeah, we do. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> But when I'm when I'm printing I don't we don't have to retain it because it's already being done on the website. >> Yeah. >> But just for me, I just have to I have to print it out. >> Yeah. >> My boss my new boss looks at me and says, "Yeah, you need to get into the get out of the printing." And I said, "Nope. I have a printer

138at home and I'm I'm happy paying for the ink. >> Put it in the cloud. >> Yeah. >> Well, I can't figure that out. >> So, Trinity, >> Trinity, you have any questions for us? >> So, you have a unique opportunity. What do you think that the board needs right now? >> Wow. I bet each of us has a different answer for that. >> Money. >> What does the board need right now? For me, if you don't mind, I'll go first. Um, I'll be the guinea pig. Um, for me, >> um, the ability to be able to reach out to community members and past board members and get their advice and input on certain things on how I should do something like procedurally, and how do I how do I effectively apply Robert's rules to

139these meetings and board policies and things like that. Um, that's when I was on the budget committee. I had to reach out to a couple people to help me understand what I was looking at because my budget for my work is totally different. We don't get to estimate. We don't get to fluctuate, you know. Um, we have vendors and you submit an invoice by this date or you did it for us for free. And so that's kind of a difference. It's >> like a support group essentially. Yeah. For board leadership. I'd like money and hope. I mean, it feels like we feel hopeful up here, but I like the community to see hope, too. So, if I could have one thing, actually, forget money. I want hope. That's for me. I want our teachers to

140feel supported at every level. I want not just our high school. Right. So, I've learned that what happens with teachers in high school and what happens with teachers in elementary, they are completely disconnected and they do not understand what the other is experiencing. and I want to be able to support them because I believe that that's where great education starts is that if our teachers are being supported and it's hard at every level because it's hard at every level. They're so different. but to hear them and listen to them so that real change can happen and to help. I want them to trust in this new group of people that they can speak up and that they will be heard. And I don't know what happened before, but they didn't feel that. and I go

141out now and I just say I really believe this superintendent is ready to listen. And so for me, I just I want to try my damnedest to understand each dynamic of elementary, middle school, high school, Plymouth. And I really really want to understand what they're experiencing so that I can fight for them because I believe that they are the only way our children will get a great education, an amazing education. And so that's what I want. I want which takes listening and learning and being there and and that's I guess that's just something a process that I'm going to have to continue or going through. Um and and then somehow do you make change that they all find ways to be successful and feel hurt and I don't know that's what I want and where

142I'm at. I guess >> this time I won't skip Melody. >> Okay. Thanks. Well, first I want lottery tickets on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And then after that, I'll take contributions to buy them. Um, but and I've tried believing for the last three months. Um, but so if you guys get a bunch of money and I'm gone, you know what happened. Okay. So, the money part would be a big benefit right now just because we're all but every school district is dealing with that, not just ours. And I'm sure that everybody's real clear on that one that it's not just St. phones that has any kinds of money problems whatsoever. Um, but I think for me is the hardest part for all this is but I would love for people to have, like I said,

143big opportunities to get to meet all of us, including all new staff, to work on getting that trust back that we haven't had for, you know, a good year now, especially. I do believe that our community had it or we would have never passed three bonds. would have never happened to anybody there. Didn't happen in any other school district but her here. So I do believe that we had it and and whether some maybe a person here or person there didn't feel it, I feel like we did have it and I it's really hard to have felt that we lost it. But I believe that we're getting it back and I would like to continue that. Um, and I also would love to just throw a bunch of people in a big room and let's

144just all talk about that from staff like you're saying both levels but or all three levels but kind of call secondary and you know primary whatever but um I think that all of us together in one big room can honestly come up with solutions for a whole lot more than just one superintendent needs to be or just one board is to put everybody together. Every time we have applicants, whether they're running for the board as an actual election or we have to go going through this process, I I have to tell you and I know that Trindy can pouch me, I want to take every one of you and say, "Okay, you're all our board members now because you each have great ideas and I'd love to have all of us in one big room

145and let's figure it out." >> So, um, for me, that's the biggest thing I'd love to go work on is figure out get people to talk and not be so upset anymore and let's figure out how to come up with social. Okay, I think we're done with all of comments. I just want to thank again for the from the board, all the applicants. Thank you for applying. Thank you for answering questions. Thank you for making a difficult decision for us. Um, I think we need to figure out what we're going to do on the next step here, but I ask you go back and have a seat in the audience and we'll figure this out real quick what we're doing. This is my number. >> We kind of flipped the script here. >> So now

146don't we just the number one would be our first choice. Number two would be our second choice. >> Hold on. She's good. >> Go for it. She's hurt. [Music] motion to nominate a candidate. >> I got here. >> Okay. >> I don't know. You could ask that. I mean, you >> What's that? just asked a question about could you guys do your top three to get it down to three and then >> director Russell how about if we do our top three and get it down to three and then we can tally and vote from there >> and then we can do >> so do we have to put them in order [Music] I know. >> That's hard. >> I didn't hold it cuz it's got her name on it. Straight. It's okay. >> I'm

147going to do this. Oh, >> now you have to put them in the bowl. >> You have to have your names and put them in the bowl. This was the original thing you guys are planning on doing. >> When we decided to interview my handwriting, >> it doesn't matter the name. Just read it. >> I think it does matter. We have to put our name. >> We got to put our name on her name. This is a public meeting. >> Sorry, I didn't put my name on it. You the microphone. >> You want me to translate? Yes. This is a public meeting. >> Thank you. >> You're like over there whispering. I am old. >> This is a public meeting. If you guys are going to use the ballots, you make your selections. Put your

148names on it. Reed's going to I did what I was supposed to do. >> Okay. So, do I need to read director's name on what they >> Okay, >> just doing it so fast. >> We're never getting out of here. >> I'm sorry. >> I brought a >> Please, please bear with us, audience. We're apologizing. >> But it was worth every minute. >> Okay. So, are you ready to tally? >> Okay. Um, Director Killings, number one, Trinity Monahan. Number two, Kim Walker. Number three, Jenny Gilbert. Uh, let's see. Director Russell. Uh, number one, Jenny Gilbert. Number two, Jay. And I apologize. I don't want to make misn. >> And three, uh, Kendall Flory. Uh, Christine Smith, three. Number one, Jay Ectctor. Two, Kim Walker. And three, Trinity Monahan. And mine is number one, Ken Kim

149Walker, two Jenny Gilbert, and three Trinity Mon. >> Okay. So, >> who would you give those to her? So, she can three people. >> Okay. So we are down two. Jenny Gilbert with three, Kim Walker with three, Trinity Monahan with three, Jay Ector with two. >> So >> yes. Yeah. Jenny Gilbert, Kim Walker, Trinity Monahan. >> So the three the top three are Jennifer, Kim, and Trinity. >> Yeah, I said three. I said three votes. I >> said number four was bad. So, >> so now we move forward with um >> voting on Jennifer Gilbert, Kim Walker, or Trinity Monahan. >> I move that we nominate Kim Walker for position number five, school board. >> Is there a second on that motion? >> So, this is for the person. >> Yes, this is for the

150nomination. >> So maybe I need to make it clear. >> Please, we need all the help we can get. >> So this is the time when you make the motion. When someone makes a motion, if someone chooses to second the motion, then we can have discussion on that person that you've made the motion on. >> Correct. Doesn't mean that they are >> correct. still would have to vote. Yeah. So, just I just want to be >> transparent. I was on it. I I was there. >> And if there's not a second, then >> if we wait till another nomination. >> Okay. Well, um I'll make a motion that we nominate Jennifer Gilbert for position five on the school board. >> I will second that nomination. It's been moved and seconded that we bring Jennifer Gilbert

151onto the school board. >> No, you're discussing. You're just having discussion right now. >> Oh, no. I thought we had move. I was going to ask for a second here in a second. Ask that. >> Okay. I got to move and second then I get to have discussion. >> Okay. >> So, is there discussion on Jenny Gilbert from position five of the school board? >> Other than the I think I mean other than the fact that we voted for her and why? Yeah. I mean, just we're discussing that's all. That's all. >> I don't know that there needs to be a discussion. >> I mean, one thing I think with all of all of the people that applied all have skills come >> I know >> in um different ones. Um my only one is

152just worried about the schoolboard part of it, but not everybody has that. So, none of us did in the beginning either. So, >> okay. It's been moved and seconded that we vote for Jenny Gilbert from position five on the school board. And I'll start with Director Russell. >> I vice chair Smith Reed. >> No. >> Vice Director Kellings. >> No. >> And wow, that's going to be interesting. And if I vote yes, then we're going to tie all the way around. >> That's okay. That's okay. We got to keep going. That's the thing is you keep going. >> It's a game now. >> All right. We'll get We'll get there. >> We might hear her. >> Okay. >> Did you vote? >> Yes, I did. >> What did you say? >> I said yes. But

153I said that's why. >> Okay. Then now you make another motion or whatever. >> Is there another motion? >> I make a motion to nominate Trinity Mountain. Is there a second? Okay. >> I second it. Okay. Moved and seconded. Um, is there any discussion? >> I'll discuss that. >> Okay. >> You can discuss that. >> Yeah. >> Um, I appreciate that Trinity is here today, but I also feel like we're moving forward. We have Scott Stockwell on retainer. If we want to move backward and get information or leading us in that direction, like we can go to him for help, we don't need to move backwards with a super, you know, a board member that could have run and did not. >> Yeah. Well, I mean like we don't need an old board member to

154come in if like we don't need that help. If we need old someone old to come in, we already have that. We can call Scott. >> They passed instead of >> we doies. We do not know that. I >> It's in the contract. >> My concern about Trinity. >> Okay. whole board. >> I've never met you, so I you know, my my concern is the Pitchfork Mafia really on Facebook and what they will say about it. I think that Trinity offers a lot of valuable insight for this shortterm position on board business. And I think that that specifically someone who has board experience, that's why I voted the way I voted because I think board experience is what we need. We are so green and no offense to you. You're not green. Um well, you

155are. But it's nice to have someone else up here that has board experience. Trinity, my fear for you is that it's going to make all of us look like we side with an old set of board members even though you are not descriptive of the old board. You're not representative fully, but that's my fear. I think that you would make an excellent board member because you would add a lot of knowledge. Um, and we need that. And if you don't get elected, I hope that we can reach out to you. Um, but I or nominated, I'm sorry. But that's my concern about it personally. >> I think too, well, and it's hard cuz I work with Melody and I work really well with Melody, >> right? >> But, um, I do look and see there

156was so much that had gone wrong and we worked really hard to get new people up here for a reason. And um it just feels like the community worked really hard for that as well. And I feel like we have we need to respect that. Um I know Matthew had mentioned to me he wouldn't run for that very reason. Um and so yeah, >> um I mean the one the one thing for me is I can't remember everything all by myself and there is a lot of things that we're still all dealing with from the past um whether we like it or not. And so and at the same time one of the things is um not not just him of the candidates but has a lot of the legal knowledge of things that we

157need quite frequently that we prefer also not to be paying for all the time came in very handy during all the times of being on the board before I could ask him anything in that direction and even if he didn't know he could help me find it out you know so that parts were really great and a big for me it's a big trust factor really um for him And at the same time, your pitchfork effect and I know exactly what you're talking about. I've been there on the other side, right? But at the same time, I do believe that we have a humongous part of our community that does not live by Facebook and practically unfortunately doesn't even know who all five of us are, right? Alone, just him, you know, or any of

158the candidates vote. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Did you say you want to say anything? >> No, I'm good. >> Sorry. No, we voted to discuss. >> I know it seems like 10 people. >> We'll start. >> Director Russell. >> No. >> Vice Chair Smith. >> Director. >> And I'm a yes as well, but that means it dies anyway. >> Okay. I motion that we uh nominate Kim Walker for position number five. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Okay, it's been moved and seconded that we accept Kim Walker for position five. Discussion. >> I think she has a lot of board experience that also would be valuable for the same reason that I thought Trinity would um or Jay um would make a good board member. We need some some experience to to help us

159and guide us through this. And >> I think that that is valuable personally. My concern with Kim is the Columbia River Fire Department, the the issues that went on with that board. And I see Kim nodding because she understands. And that was a huge um was a huge issue for our community. And um I want to steer clear of that and and make sure we have fresh and I don't think it's horrendous that we're new and that we're green and there's we are functioning and we are making it work and um there are people we can call and ask and mentors and um but I don't you know thank you for being here but yeah I just definitely the Columbia River fire is just something that I would not want to touch with. >> And

160I love that you're at least acknowledging that you understand. >> Any other discussion? >> Well, I thought you had great answer. Okay. So, I just want you. Absolutely. Um >> and total different reason but the same similar idea. But if I said that I should have been bored because there was controversy. That's right. I should be going home right now. My discussion was going to be actually. So, I would never ever say that to you. >> We cannot hold one person accountable for things that went wrong, just like we can't hold you accountable for everything that went wrong. >> But we're not getting rid of Melody and she's here until the end. And that's the point. We But we don't need to bring in um those that didn't stand up or didn't um follow procedure

161or were too trusting. Um, >> but that's implying that Kim was too trusting or didn't follow procedure. We don't know that. So, >> okay. I'm going off of the fire department. What happened? >> Yeah. Sure. >> Put it to a vote. >> Any other discussion? Director Russell, >> no. >> Vice Chair Smith, >> yes. >> Director Kim, >> Yes. Okay. And I am Yes. I'm sorry. >> Welcome to the board. >> I will say that controversy was after >> that's okay. >> Started though like it was a long process. It didn't just happen overnight. >> Yay. >> Do something. >> I need that. Yeah, I need to administer the oath at the office that I have somewhere pile of stuff. >> I was just going to say you printed it. >> I did. It's printed

162somewhere. It's just a matter of me finding it. >> There it is on the bottom. >> I got it right here. It's on the second page. >> Okay. >> Congratulations. Yeah, I got to do it for everybody, I guess. Hey, Kim Walker, would you mind coming up? >> Not at all. >> Take him with the oath office if you're ready. >> Okay. Can you raise your right hand? I, Kim Walker, do solemnly swear. I can walk >> that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the responsibilities >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge I'm sorry yeah >> I have a hard time reading this and duties of the office of the school board directors of St. Helens >> and >> duties and office >> of the school board >> of directors >> of the

163St. Helen School District. School district. >> I'll shorten it up for you, too. >> In accordance with >> There we go. >> Oh, there you go. >> Where's the In accordance with >> the word district on the third? >> In accordance with Do you want me to just read it? >> Yeah, you can. Go ahead. >> In accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the state of Oregon, and the policies of said district to the best of my ability. Okay. I further swear that I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district's assets. I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others to seek a hearing order board while respecting the privacy of students and

164employees. I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public board meeting. and I shall abide by majority decisions of the board while retaining the right to seek changes such as decisions through ethical and constructive channels. >> Cool. >> That's it. >> We'll get the rest of it filled out at the end of the meeting. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Pardon me. >> You get to come up now chair. Oh, we got we got to get through a bunch more. >> We'll go through the fast part here. >> We got that. >> Yep. Just wait until she number 13. Board reports. Would anybody like to do a board report? >> Sure. Go ahead. Um, sorry my mouth. >>

165Thank you. >> Um, my dinner. Uh, we went to the homecoming game or not the homecoming game, the seven of war >> and we retained the one not through any help of Melody and I straight though. Um, I did terribly, but um, I was there and that was fun. And then I did lunch duty at Columbia City Elementary with the superintendent and that was really fun. Um, >> we visited classrooms, got to go to the wellness room. What was that? >> Yeah, that was fun. >> Um, that's all I have to record. [Music] quiet listening and learning session with the superintendent at McBride Elementary and I learned a bunch of great things. I was super happy to hear that kids were enjoying math and sciences as their favorite subjects. Uh they were teaching all the

166things they were learning and having a good time social interactions with students and that seemed to be enjoyable. uh the there was some nervousness and advocacy for like the new sports payments and I know the superintendent met with some people and that information came out and students were really excited to hear that there was tiered payments and ways for them to be able to play sports even if they weren't originally able to afford that. So >> how was the attendance? >> The attendance >> to the listening and learning sessions. >> We just joined the >> Yeah, it's elementary schools. He and I just sat at the table. I wasn't sure it was an after school. >> No, I was just sitting with kids doing very much. >> Oh, okay. >> Visiting some classrooms and helping

167out students with subjects and things like that. >> Opening their apple Russell. >> So, I had the Oh, mom is saying you did more that you need to show. >> Oh, what else did you do? Back up. >> I just said homecoming. Why are you talking about homecoming? It was fun. >> They did a great job. They have [Music] >> Mom is like sign language back there in full suit. >> Yeah, I'm on the photo. He Somebody show >> you have my glasses on. >> Um, >> we won the homecoming football game. That was fun. >> Stop it right now. >> Yay. Well, we can lend you the trophy if you want for a little. >> But yeah, that's my report. >> Love it. Thank you. >> Um, I had the privilege of going in

168and speaking with third graders at Louiswis and Clark about elections and the election process for the board. And I invited them to be here tonight or to watch online to see how it would be done >> and the importance of voting. Um, and it was it was really neat. And I was really inspired by their questions and their um they just they're enjoying their learning and they were so involved and really it was just really neat. And then I volunteered over at McBride in the fourth grade and um worked with students there. And I just I miss getting to really work with the kids and see them. And it was really neat to see other teachers um and just how hard they work. And um you know, it's really important that we volunteer because a

169lot of our aids are no longer there. And so they could really use volunteers to help pull specific kids out every now and then. And so I encourage anyone who has a few hours in their week to to go do that. I think it's um just an honor and to see how hard these teachers work and how much they're loved and respected. >> Go to the district website. Make sure you are volunteer approved first. Come on back. >> Yeah. just show up, >> but unless you're approved and then just show up and you will always there will always be a use for you. >> Yeah, me and a friend got the opportunity to be we're going to be off campus TAS for McBride on Thursday. >> See, you did have more. >> Yeah, I forgot.

170That's when she said something. So, we'll like 7:45 until >> Well, I'm smiling at you back there. >> 95 I think we'll be at the McBride to help out with you. You're also >> Oh my gosh. that I don't know whose idea that was, but that is amazing and that's >> Thank you for taking the time to do all that. >> So, I want you to hear how important that is that story. >> I wish Melissa was still here to hear that because they >> No, I'm like, she's right there. What are you talking about? Different Melissa. >> Oh gosh. Sorry, Melissa. It's a different Melissa. mom is >> anyways. >> Well, and I was going to say is um one part is I'm so glad that we pulled out the trophy. I'm so glad

171that we game. So, I mean, I'm sure all in one week, right? Um and then the second thing um is that and it's kind of a thing that I think that we might want to work on a little bit, but I was noticing definite improvements at McBride with all of our drop offs and all that stuff. However, I've had a lot of parents say, "God, I wish you were over at Louis and Clark, or I wish you were at Columbia City." And how many parents said they really still don't know what they're supposed to be doing. So, I was thinking it would be great is if we could maybe have each school put together what they would like to at least on the drop off part on all buildings because I watched them screw it

172up at the middle school and high school, too. is what we would like to see him have and at least take a one time get that message out to all parents on each of the buildings cuz I think it' make a major difference and also tell them please tell grandma, grandpa, dad, neighbor, anybody else that might be doing it today, not just yourself, you know. Anyway, so that's one thing. And then um I got to I got to because there was numerous sick teachers, I got to do recess and the entire lunch recess. And the one thing I can say is that you start over at one playground at McBride and then they ship you over to the other one and you have to run or you're not there before that group's already out and

173then you have to run back to the other way. So I got my exercise into doing recesses a couple days in a row. So that's that's what I've been doing for the last week and now >> I love that you're there every day, too. I think it's an amazing dedication and I just >> I hope people in our community know and love that about you. It's pretty awesome. >> She all inspired me. >> You had the wrong sign. >> She yelled at me. >> I got to move forward. Got to just get out of >> I know that now. >> And I don't yell. I know you didn't. I'm just kidding. >> My mom voice. >> That's right. I learned very quickly how to do pro. >> One thing I want everybody to know is

174some of those trucks are so dang loud that I >> a lot of dang pull up a really loud truck. >> Well, Kim, would you like to speak? >> Sure. Just personal observation. Um the crossing at McBride at Sykes in Columbia >> is incredibly dangerous and I feel like I know that there are students out there with the flights and and stuff, but >> I think they're confused by how traffic flows and it might be helpful for them to have more than one adult there. Um the other is um I have heard that the drop off at Louiswis and Clark is a lot smaller than it used to be like fewer fewer drop offs at Louiswis and Clark >> where kids are able to get >> Is that it? Okay. >> I'll kind of go

175quick. I did get to go to the uh Civil War, but I didn't get to participate at the halftime event. I can't >> hurt himself. Maybe next year I'll be able to kick after I get a new knee. >> You got soaking wet though, just like the rest of us. >> Um, >> make sure you get a metal knee. We need it next year. >> I've uh been discussed at drop off at McBride. I've been properly educated on pull up where to drop off. Um, I just want to say also shout out to the construction group, the students. They just built a shed for Habitat for Humanity, I believe, was here locally. >> And shout out for them doing that. That's great. >> And uh >> that's the RNR program. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Yeah,

176the RNR program. And I just saw a quick blurp on come out today and I really did. I saw they built a shed. I'm pretty sure it was for St. Elab. >> Yeah. >> And that's it. >> Can I say one more thing? >> Yes. This Saturday at McBride is the children's fair. I just make sure the whole community members that part. It is going to be pouring, but hey, you're inside, so you'll be okay. There you go. >> You can spend hours there and stay dry, right? >> Thanks for bringing that up. >> Yeah, but and the other thing too that a lot of people don't know, unless they've changed it because of the rain, is that the choir at the high school is doing their giant garage sale fundraiser also. And so you

177can go from one to the other or, you know, whichever garage sale. It's at the high school from my understanding. Cafeter She >> and I want you to know >> I never got to do my garage sale, so I'm donating on Friday my entire garage sale. >> Oh, that's nice. >> They have no idea what they'll be picking up, but >> no. >> 14. We're going to the superintendent report. We're getting close. >> So excited. >> All right. Um I've done some listen and learning with Joseph. I did some at the high school, but then um Analy shared with me I probably need to invite because I have to actually invite the students to come. But I I stood out and I did a lot more listening and learning in the hallway and at lunch

178with them like I did at elementary school. No conference room for them with the superintendent. It's not as exciting to have lunch with the superintendent, but I think that it'll be nice when I um do that process and invite them. And then um it was wonderful hearing from the elementary kiddos um all the wonderful things that they enjoy. And then one little man um shared with me how he would like to build a second story on to McBride and he told me that don't worry about the money. I was in kindergarten. Don't worry about the money because it's cheap. Then I said, "Well, as superintendent, I don't know if I want to cheap upstairs to an elementary school." It was fascinating. And then he had ideas about drop off, drop off and pick up. It

179was so fantastic. So I was like, I will come back around and I will talk to you more about the second story and even had plans for an elevator and how that would work and I was like, "This is fantastic." So that was fun. >> Um, and I loved being at the football game as well. That was entertaining. Um, I've been doing instructional rounds um with principles and our assistant superintendent and it has been amazing getting into classrooms and seeing the wonderful things that our teachers and our students are doing um every day in um those spaces and we have some really good things happening and I can't wait to start showcasing those things because I think we need to talk about the good things that are happening. And I did a I've done some

180staff listening and learning sessions. I um did a listening and learning session today at McBride Elementary with our special education staff and that was the largest attended listening and learning session that I've had thus far and um I learned a lot of things from our um amazing classified and licensed staff um within our programs and um I um it's a great segue to my goals as a superintendent and I wanted to share share a little bit about them at this time so that you can give me feedback into them if you would like to have any changes because I sent them in a board update. Um but you can't really give me feedback in mail email, you do it here. So, um I got to share with the special ed staff today that I it

181is um really important to me to make some changes here in our district around how we serve our students with special needs and how our um staff um are um being treated within our um spaces. And it's not that I think and the amazing um community of people that were there at um McBride spoke um very very respectfully about students um and um were wanting to be part of a solution. It wasn't it it didn't feel like um uh just like a griping session. It wasn't. It was a really, it was truly a session where people wanted to see change and wanted to be a part of it. So, I got to share with them about my goals and um I'm sad that the parent isn't here to still here that shared about um staffing

182because my goals are focused around our students with special needs. And so, I'm going to read um I don't like reading things a lot, but I'm going to read my smart goal one and my smart goal two, which is around finances. We've been talking about how our finances are kind of in the dumpster fire and we need to talk about how to um stop that, right? And and we still need to reallocate funds to better serve our students um in within our specialized programs and to fund our inclusive practices. So the first goal is by the end of the um and they are you call it bodacious goals. They're large, very uh um I'm holding myself to a really high level of expectations on where we're going, right? And so um by the end of

183the 202526 school year, our school district will develop and begin implementing a comprehensive inclusive program that offers tailored supports for students with special needs, ensuring equal opportunities for academic and behavioral success. Repeat myself, academic and behavioral success. pause for a minute because a lot of our um focus today at McBride was around our students with challenging behaviors and how to respond. So success will be measured by tracking that at least 80% of our students with special needs meet or exceed their IEP goals through my by annual assessments and by surveying all students to achieve at least 90% reporting a sense of belonging and inclusion. At least 90% of our teaching staff and 100% of our administration will complete professional learning and inclusive teaching and strategies by the inclusive teaching and strategies by the end of

184the 202526 school year. The program will be fully launched by the start of the 2627 year with um progress evaluations every six months and a final review of outcomes and survey feedback completed by June of 2027. Is there any feedback on that goal? >> I love it. >> So have I think you know where I have stood with this. So, I love that um you went and heard from them today and that you had this already done and that it wasn't something they were seeing you do as a oh, I heard you and then I'm going to go home and do this. They knew you were working on it. And I've been actively saying that change was coming. And so, I just I think this is amazing. And I thank you for putting yourself and

185and that as your main goal because those teachers are so important and that group of children, not that all children aren't that important, but they are our most vulnerable and they deserve just exactly what everyone else is getting and they have I'm just excited. >> Absolutely. So then this is the financial goal. Two, by December 2025, develop and implement a comprehensive framework for checks and balances to ensure at least 95% adherence to our current board um approved budget. Additionally, present a sustainable budget proposal for the 2627 school year to the board by May of 2026, ensuring an healthy ending fund balance. And this is where we put our money where our mouth is. And a 10% increase in funds for inclusionary practices prioritizing students with special needs. >> I feel like I need to be

186back there with Melissa. All right, I have a snap from the back. >> So, any feedback on that one? >> I had I already cleared it through my financial officer that I wasn't um going crazy and nuts. There is one more thing to this and I shared this today at this space because it takes a village. It is not just me in this seat that can make the change. It's not just the school board. It was every single person in that McBride library this afternoon. And when I got to say to them, we're not doing this anymore. We're not when when we are sitting here saying it's somebody else's problem, then it's not going to get fixed. We all there's witnesses in this room, but this happened. I said we all in this space and

187I'm saying it to this space too. We're we are responsible for making change and holding each other accountable um to make that change. and that um I am I was so honored to be able to share space with an amazing group of people today and I was excited um a little angry a little at the end when I had to say a few things that I will be doing this work and that we will be going in the right direction and you were talking about a ship I said it all day Katherine today I have taken that wheel and I'm doing a 360 we call it flip something but I'm not saying that we're doing a 360 and we're heading in a different direction. And I said, I will help you figure out we're heading

188in that direction. We're going to do it together. But if you don't want to go in that direction, then I am perfectly okay if you get off the ship or the bus, whatever we're going to say, >> to find something place else to work if you don't want to do the right work. And that's not a threat. I'm just saying let's hold each other responsible. If you don't want to do this work, then don't do this work with me. But we're going to do this work. But I think >> I think it's nice to know that they showed up today >> and that they felt safe enough to do so. And I have to give credit to the fact that they felt safe and that that comes from every single person on this board and

189that that means change has started because they didn't feel safe and they wouldn't come forward before and I'm going to look at some of the teachers that I can say that didn't feel safe and so to see that they showed up today means change is happening. I'm like shouting to the cameras. So change has begun and I think that's so exciting >> and I I believe when so when I do the listening and learning sessions I am we're taking data. I'm not taking it. She's taking the notes. But um I um we're going to look at themes and then I including students. I have words on the themes and then we'll do a presentation out to the school board so the public can also hear what are the themes that we're hearing um within our

190schools, from our staff, from our students, from our community because we do listening learning sessions with all of our folks. Um and um I think it's critical that uh we listen to people. I also think it's critical to say be part of this solution. Yes. >> Right. We're going to come along together. I'm going to come alongside people. I'm in schools all the time. I'm in classrooms all the time. And I want people to know that nobody's in this alone. We're not in this alone. Um and we are going to stop saying things to people like what was the phrase that I heard today? >> Classrooms are too full. No, there was one phrase that I figure it out. We are not saying figure it out to people anymore. That is not going to happen.

191That's not in our vocabulary and I'm going to catch it every time and I'm going to tell people that is not what we say. >> Um because we say let's figure it out together. by themselves. >> I have to say, you know, it's really overwhelming to sit up here and have so much of the past dictate what other people feel and believe about our school district, but you have since day one talked about hope. And every time I hear your report and meet with you, I'm reminded why you were hired. because you make people feel hopeful because you actually do the work. You actually lead by example. And man, you're just I respect you so much for everything that you do that people don't see. >> Well, I think they do see it or they

192wouldn't show. >> They do think people see it, but they don't see everything. >> Yeah. No, but I I'm telling you those they didn't feel safe. Melody, can back me. They did not feel safe that they see it. >> I think that that they see when I'm in schools, I'm in classrooms and stuff. I don't see they don't see all the the behind the scenes work that's happening on a regular basis and the amount of work that's happening. Like that's what I think you were speaking to. But yes, they do see me in the classrooms. Um >> it's funny like I've been in more than like if I high school every Tuesday. So I've been walking into classrooms. I just walk in and we and now I've been into multiple classrooms of the same teacher,

193you know, and um and and I went into one and this student says, "Who are you and why are you here?" >> And I said the same thing back to him. I said, "Who are you and why are you here?" And he started laughing. He goes, "I'm a student. I should be here." Well, I'm a superintendent. I should be here, too. Yes, that's right. >> Um, and I it's just they're amazing things happen in our schools. >> We got to we've got to like highlight that boost it up and then we won't have all of our 41 students running to the other >> school districts around us. But that's just that's my report and my goals. So, I just wanted to make sure those and we will meet on them in November. We'll do our

194part of the evaluation cycle that you adopted in the um consent agenda. This is part of that um the goals and then I can get progress on those and I'm just so that there's no surprises. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Yeah. right here. >> We're getting there, folks. Item 15, upcoming meeting and board meeting agenda input. >> 15.1, we have November 6th through the 8th, 2025 OSB annual conference. We're fortunate it's in Portland this year. >> Who's attending? Are you attending school? >> I am. >> Oba conference. >> Yes. >> Let me check my calendar. 6 to the 8. 6 to the 8th. like a half day. >> No, it's free conference. You don't have to go >> over. >> Okay. November 12th, 2025, we're having a regular session. Um December 10th, boy, we're getting

195out there. 2025 is another regular session. Um >> so I think that's good. >> No work sessions in November. That's kind of nice >> because our holidays are >> so we're kind of done with the agenda. Um but I add my two cents here um to the board. Thank you. Um we did a lot of work tonight. >> Yes. >> And I appreciate everybody. I kind of feel like we're jelling more as a group and we're getting in the flow and figuring this stuff out. >> And I'll be the first one to say yes, I make a lot of mistakes, but I'll learn. >> Yeah, me too. And then um to the audience, thank you to the audience for sticking through with us so long. And I want to shout out to the staff for

196hanging out with us also. Thank you. And we are ajourned.