001like to call this meeting to order at executive session to order at 6 o'clock. Please rise for the flag 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, we're going to go into executive session pursuant to RCW 4230 1110G performance of public official employees and we will come out of executive session at 6:59. No action will be taken. All right, we're closing our executive session at 7 o'clock and we will convene our board meeting at 7:05. Go all the way around. All right, we're going to call this meeting to order at 7:05. Please to stand under appreciate that. Thanks for reminding everybody. We have a packed house because we have some super exciting things
002and uh individuals to recognize today. So, we're gonna begin with our Eatonville School District bus drivers and Bonnie. There she is. Do you want to share with us? >> Oh, yeah. I just want to um I just want to say that in the three years I've been here that definitely one of the very very top highlights of my time here has been the fact that there were a lot of kids that were not getting to school on time and then they get they was a double run. They go back you go back and get them and you bring them to school but then they're in the middle of a lesson or they've already missed a whole lot. they haven't had chance to do with their peers and things like that. And that really puts them
003at a deficit. That's a real rough place to start each day. And parents who some lost their jobs or they used all their vacation time because they were staying home to, you know, get their kids to school and just so many so many things. And and the truth is is that what you do is just it's just imperative if we are ever going to help kids get to their potential, it has to start with you and it has to be every day and it's not an easy place for you to be. And so, uh, definitely one of the biggest highlights I've had is just the ability or just to watch the kind of the miraculous way that you've been able to get kids to school and to um, not only get them to school, but
004you basically all along the route, you're building relationships and you're helping them start off with a good day. You're the first ones to see them, the last ones to see them often times. And so I just want to say thank you so much for what you do and it's an honor to you know celebrate so you tonight but of course that goes across all of you and so uh with that uh Bonnie >> um well I was asked to pick one person who um to be honored at this meeting could do that. Um >> that's okay. >> I have 36 but I have six here. um in this group is um if something goes wrong, the first ones to pipe up to say, "How can I help? I'm here. I'm here. I'm here. How can
005I make this better?" Um sorry, I can't do this without my team. Amanda, Lily, Gina Duncan, Amanda Theracious, Darren Anderson, and Marley Hedrick. >> Um, we had one more, Stacey Harris, but she left this morning ill and so she's out. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we have some certificates for you and then um we would love to be able to also have a a photo op. That's going to be a little tricky. >> Right. Amanda, Dan, and Stacy. >> So, we have Stacy will give this to you. >> So, uh could we have uh you guys behind us? >> And uh you want to just go and follow me around here and then We'll get it. >> It should be our certificate up and we will have a big group. Two, three. >> Okay. Thank you.
006>> Um, I would like to personally thank each of you. Um, as a parent who's had students on the bus, but more importantly as a community member and a board member that really um, heard and felt the impact when we didn't have enough bus drivers. Thank you so much for being there for our kids, for being the first ones and the last ones that they do. Your impact is you cannot be measured and we're just so so grateful for you. You are champions and heroes in our eyes. And I don't know if anybody else wanted to share anything. >> I just wanted to say bingo for senior surprise. I ran into Kathy Bloom who I know used to drive and sub >> and I was just mentioning to her I I believe this as a
007person who taught in the district for a long time and work with schools. You guys have the most difficult job in the entire city. >> And I say that every year. Um it I I don't know how you do it. >> Um yeah, you take you take a student classroom where teachers are going nuts and then you contain them for an hour in in in a giant yellow container and drive them around and see what happens. And >> and I cannot I cannot thank you enough. My daughter rides a bus off and on and it's safe. It's it's happy. And I cannot thank you enough. So, and I know a piece of paper doesn't do that justice, but hopefully words do. So, thank you. >> And I I just want to say um along with
008my thank you to each one of you is um I remember my first bus driver. I'm 81 years old. I remember George like it was yesterday. So, thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. because you have an early morning. >> Good night. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks. >> All right. Now, we get to address our knowledgeable team. This is super exciting. So, who's taking the lead on that one. Who's our knowledgeable coach? All right. Thank you. >> Uh my name is Kirsten Anderson. I am the knowledge full-time coach this year. Um I've been a co- coach with Alex Christensen for the past several years. Um he decided to retire so I took over. Um but I inherited the most amazing team and we also um gained some
009wonderful students this year. Um we have a very strong freshman contingent couple sophomores and a senior who is great at um history. So let me introduce we have Kennedy >> Kennedy from I'm gonna have you guys introduce yourself. >> Evelyn introduce yourself. >> Hi I'm Evelyn Hston >> Titus Love >> Isabel Miller. Okay. And then not here this evening um is uh Chris Graham and >> Foster Brinkman. Foster unfortunately is very ill. And um several of our students one is off to uh Disneyland I think. >> No Florida. Sorry. And um Chris is at our truck meet. So we have uh multiaceted students. So anyway, we um got awarded this ginormous trophy uh for third place at state. You can imagine what first place is, which what we are going to bring home next year.
010>> I think so. >> Anyway, um Titus, you are the captain. Can you give us just like one or two highlights of your final round? Um, I think the highlight of the state meet was when we defeated Tubwater and tiebreak questions in order to advance to the final round. >> Oh, and what was the final question, Evelyn? >> What was the answer? >> All we have to do is this. >> The answer was that the answer for the final question. Yes. That wasn't the clue though, was it? >> Sixth that way. >> Anyway, um so last year we took sixth in state in our league and this year we're just rising and so next year, like I said, we are striving for first place and I definitely believe we will achieve that goal. >> We
011have a very strong team. Um we have Mr. Muller to go and we have some big fills big shoes to fill because his team had first in state like three times I think. >> I do. >> Uh I think they were like second, second, first three years >> and they won the grudge match against the schools at the end of it. >> Yeah. So >> 2016 was a glorious year. >> We we got to catch up with uh Mr. Muller's reputation. So, but we're on our way. So, >> can I ask a question of each of the students if you can each answer? Um, what do you do to prepare for knowledgeable? >> Yeah. >> Um, I studied a lot and I didn't really overthink because I knew what I was capable of and I
012knew that if I kind of like believed in myself that I would be able to show that to others at our competition without shutting myself down. >> Awesome. I mainly used flashc cards and while I did strengthen the subjects that I already knew, I tried to also incorporate other things that I didn't yet know to get a more general knowledge of like everything we were doing. And I tried practicing my buzzer time. >> Oh, that's good. I practiced old questions to improve knowledge of the topics and question syntax. >> Uh we meet like every Thursday. Um we have competitions during our main season which is the winter season. So um us and along with chess we kind of winter is our sports season and uh we practice every Tuesday and then on Thursday we're off
013to other schools competing with the schools. So, we get a lot of really good practice and uh we also have um reference material in a Google classroom where the kids often go back and look at materials. >> And Isabelle, I mean, usually on the way to like matches and stuff, we'll like ask each other like questions in the van or like doing like simple trivia games help a lot. >> Listening to the soundtrack of Hamilton. >> Oh, yeah. Nobody's on Jeopardy. Nobody Hamilton is a lot. Any other questions? >> Any other questions? >> Well, we are so honored to have you and we're just really proud of you. Good job. You deserve that. >> Will you also now just come follow me and we'll go around here. >> The trophy trophy. between. >> Okay. One,
014two, three. >> Okay. >> Now, feel free to hang around if you want to. I know we're going to do the chest tool next. the basic. >> So now we're going to honor the chess team and then we'll let we'll invite all the students. >> All right. >> We have you're the welcome. >> The floor is yours. Mr. Burns. Um >> my name is Matthew Burns. I am a math teacher at the high school and I also am the chess club advisor. Um I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm a coach. Um I just provides the space and um the motivation and the opportunities. So um you've already met Titus. He is our club vice president and also uh board one on the varsity team at state. And then this is Troy Smith
015who is um a part of our club. um he brings a lot of joy and energy when he comes. And so um a little bit about our season this year. Um we competed in a mini teams event um which is where you have three people to a team. You sit across another three people and every win that you get counts as a point. And so that was a great experience for us. We got to take more teams than we did the last time we went. I think the last time we only took two teams. >> Sounds right. >> And this time we were able to field uh three, which was really exciting. Um so our club is growing and getting to do more things. Um, we've been doing more matches with other schools around the
016Pierce County area, trying to get in touch with coaches. And, um, ultimately our long-term goal is to create our own Pierce County league where we can do, um, more, uh, weekly matches during the winter competition season. Um, then we went on and we got to host again the regional tournament for the second time. um which I think really speaks to how great this school district is. Um they often open it for other Pierce County schools to host, but um from what I hear from other Pierce County schools, they don't have the kind of support that we have here. um they often find it difficult to be able to compensate for custodial fees and for building fees and stuff like that where that is never even a question where um we don't have to worry about
017those kinds of things and we get that kind of support. So the Washington State Chess Association really loves us for the Pierce County Regionals. Um at the Pierce County regionals we did very well. Um we placed third overall and breached another birth state. Um, so that was our fourth time in a row going to state. It's very exciting. Um, and we got a small trophy, but it's in my classroom, so it's not as big as the >> That's okay. >> So, the teams that we did get beat out by, just so you're wondering, are Sammy, Mount Tacoma, and uh, Rogers. >> We beat Mount Who's the other one? Rogers, Sammy. >> It's just Rogers and Sammy at the region. >> Oh, that's correct. counting. Keep track of those names because those are the names that
018we did. We performed better at at state. Those two teams went with us and and then we beat them at state which was very nice. >> Um so we we got um fourth place in the 2A schools and then we got 19th out of >> 52 teams >> which is fantastic for a school of our size. Um, I think we showed up well and played very, very well. >> Yes. >> And moving on, past eight, we haven't stopped. Dominic Bennett Warner, which is our board number two, who couldn't be here tonight because again, multiaceted. He's playing soccer. Um, he's still competing. He went and competed last or the weekend before last and got first place, five out of five games. And then he's competing this weekend at another state tournament individually, um, which I'm excited
019to attend and watch him perform. keep us keep us track that so we can that be known. >> Absolutely. Yep. I'll send >> where is this weekend about that? >> It is. That's a good question. It's up north. Um >> I'll get back to you on that one as well. The name escapes me. Yeah. So, doing great things and we're very very hopeful for next year. Um and that's been our season so far. >> Fourth in the state. >> Fourth and 2A. Yes. In state 2. We're we're we play up a little bit with 2A one a two a on the board all the time. So that's we're one of the very smaller of the two. >> Yeah, we felt it on board one. That >> is a huge huge competition on his board. So
020>> yeah, that's awesome. >> Did you Did you have to compete against a Oscar Larson? >> We did. >> Did you Did you crush him? Did you crush his soul? >> Who played awesome? We didn't ever have to play him, but we were playing competing against him. >> My best friend. >> Yeah. He's tongue water, right? >> No, he's familiar. >> Well, I have a question that I've heard Mr. Barrow ask before, but I'm going to ask it because I thought it was a really good question. What is your favorite chess piece and why? >> My favorite chess piece is the Kingside Knight because of its versatility. I have to say it's probably the queen just because it's the most powerful and can be used to create a lot of threats and it's just a
021dangerous piece. >> Awesome. >> Mr. Burns. >> Oh, I'm gonna probably say King's Knight as well. Um, whenever I play chess, I like to eliminate knights from my opponent because of how dangerous they are in the endame. So, >> awesome. >> We are so incredibly proud of you. Thank you so much for um bringing your gifts and talents and your joy to our school district, Mr. Burns. Thank you for uh coaching them or or opening a space for them. And we'd love to have a picture with you, too. >> You don't mind over here. >> Start about here. I always do a lot. >> One, two, three. >> So, please feel free to go pick up. Yes, >> you're always welcome to stay, but please feel free to gonna throw up a few degrees. >>
022All right, we're gonna open up to our student reps for the report. >> Luckily, I have one filtered out. I was getting ready to put on a performance. Um, so I don't it's short uh but I overheard uh a group of high school ASB is working on a program uh and they're still working on the finer bits of it but basically the idea is children who are in hospitals and don't have the opportunity to go to school. Um we're trying to create a program where students at high school can basically be paths and possibly >> so I really love the idea of uh Dr. Hancock really loves it. She's hoping it's something that will live on far past their educational years. Um, and then Warehouser. Uh, I put it on my board. Apparently, you guys
023can see this. Um, I tried to copy and past um, but Mrs. Ames wanted to highlight that there they've been using a structured tool from staff to help students who kind of need the extra break. Um, kind of get that out there that kind of what they need and how they can be helped. So that's >> okay. >> I also don't have a whole lot of information this time of year. >> Um from our high school though, right now we're planning one one more pep assembly for the end of the school year for during closer like to the end of May. um hoping to invite the board. Maybe you guys can come. I'll reach into those plans and see if we can include you guys. Um and then right now we're working on voting. Well,
024the voting will start on Friday for our new ASB and our new officers for class. So exciting. I'm sad I won't be able to do it next year because I'll be gone, but anyone who's doing it is going to have a really good time. Um, and then for Columbia Quest, they have their pep assembly on May 4th. Um, and I got to go to their meeting, you know, figuring out, finalizing their prep assembly, what they're going to do, whatnot. Um, I'm sure you guys all got the invite that you guys were invited. You and Eli plan on going. I'm sure I think Ruby's going too. Um, and it's basically just getting students together. And it's also paired with um their monthly like award assembly. So, honoring students with good attendance or perfect attendance, with good
025citizenship, with good outdoor education, etc. And so, they'll be doing like some awards and whatnot also at the assembly. And then supposedly there's a fun twist to the assembly and Eli's help. Exciting to see what that is. It's a surprise. But that's about all I have. >> Inspiration. Thank you for being mentors. >> Can I ask a quick question um for you guys? Um, totally because I am a fifth grader and I'm biased towards this and you're looking at future ASB and involvement. Is there any opportunity for you guys to do what you've done in the past and maybe work with Terry about going down to elementary schools or around and trying to encourage kids to stay involved in ASP and what that might look like up through high school. Just it's more of a
026suggestion >> like again for this year. >> Yeah. I just my daughter really was stoked when you guys came into our classroom down at Edenville L. just a postcoavid keeping kids involved in that structure and what ASP can it's hard to get people to run sometimes right >> through the whole gamut and yeah >> based on our conversation about student leadership before just really really cool just an idea if opens it up for you guys or suggestions so >> yeah I think we should schedule back out to the school year >> we wanted to do it more but >> if you can just more >> you guys are busy but you're also yeah present so we appreciate Thank you. >> And can I just mention also that we just got our flag poles out. >>
027I saw that. >> Yep. Saw that. >> And so Cadence and Eli were nice enough to take our 6 by 10 foot flag, American flag, and to be the first ones ever to run it up the flag pole. And you're right, that's on social media. and uh which is really neat. So, not only will they be with us on the field on May 1st for the ribbon cutting, but they've kind of involved, you know, like last year's class who class of 20. They're actually the ones that um gave the money for part of the flags that we flag polls that we have. And uh so we'll have some other students, past leaders as well. So, it's going to be nice to join hands with the 25 and also the 26, you know, uh, class and
028school leadership, uh, team. So, it's going to be a special day. So, thank you for willingness to do that. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> Okay. Um, are you guys are you wanting to stay for the rest of the meeting? >> I do. Okay. All right. It's okay. We understand. >> Appreciate you being here. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Good night. Good night. >> All right. I would consider any changes or additions to the agenda. Hearing none, I'd consider a motion for to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. Did you get that? >> We're slowing down a little bit because Cassie is not here. So moved and seconded. All in favor? Any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> Hearings of individuals and groups. Is there anybody signed up? >> Thank
029you, Darren. >> So Darren, um you probably know the rules, but you have three minutes. >> She came in and with all the people in there, and she didn't realize there was place to sign up. Oh, is it is it too late or can >> Okay, I'll go over the rules real quick so you both can hear them. >> This is a meeting held in public. It is not a public meeting. Everyone that signs up to speak to the board will have um the opportunity to speak for three minutes. And we have a timekeeper here. Um when you're recognized by the board, please identify yourself and the topic that you wish to address. um you will address the board directly without comments from the audience as board president. Um I will respond and uh if
030necessary um but we are primarily here to listen and uh we may or may not act on what you bring to us. We this is not um a discussion that we can't where and a place where we can negotiate anything in a public forum. Um we're here to listen to your concerns and gather information. And the following items are not appropriate for open forms and will not be allowed. Complaints against individual board members, complaints against individual employees, complaints against individual administrators, and um private data or uh names related to students. As a board president, I have the prerogative to terminate remarks of any speaker who does not follow these guidelines. >> Okay, business is done. Now we can move on to our speakers. I I'm Darren Sezac and the parent in the district as well
031as community member. Dear board, superintendent and staff, as we come to the end of the year, I want to start by recognizing the progress the district's made across several pillars of the strategic plan. It's visible and appreciated. I'd like to speak on a broader concern I've seen both as a parent and through the work I've done on committees, particularly with bullying civility discussions around how we respond when behavioral challenges begin to affect the academic environment. In those conversations, there's always been a significant focus on strategies to manage deescalate students seeking a reaction. And that work is important, but has also surfaced recurring occurrence concerns in situations involving repeated or harmful behavior, including bullying, sometimes racist behavior, and physical disruptions such as throwing objects or desks. The systems ability to fully protect the classroom environment feel
032limited. These behaviors don't just create isolated incidents. Over time, they can lead to lost instructional time, inconsistency in the classroom, and in some cases, a meaningful reduction in the amount of time students are actually able to engage in learning. In several of these discussions, the phrase our answer tied has come up. If this is the case, and I do believe it is, I think it's important that we address that more directly. I'm raising this not as a criticism, but because I'm interested in how we can strengthen our approach both at the classroom and the system level. How is the district measuring the impact of ongoing behavioral disruptions, including those affecting safety and student belonging on instructional time and academic outcomes? At what point does repeated or harmful behavior trigger a different level of intervention to
033ensure the learning environment remains stable and academically viable for all students? And if current policies are limiting that response, what is the district doing at a policy or at a state level to advocate for change? This isn't about assigning blame. It's about making sure that we support all students or sorry it's about making sure as we support all students we are also protecting the learning environment that every student has to depend on. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Right. Look at that. >> Jennifer Steel. Yes. Pardon me. I wanted to make sure I was My name is Jennifer Steel. Um, some of you know me. I'm a prior ESD employee. Um, before I get started, this is a two-page letter resation I provided to the district. I don't know if everyone received
034it or not. I'd like to present it to you. Um the president uh if everyone can have a moment to read that that would be great. I do want to note that when I wrote that at the time I had not spoken to Miss Mr. Brower then I did um part of my is on bullying. I want to take a moment and everyone may take a look at this. This is the uh PIV definition pulled from OSPI. Okay. um particularly what it means slander and then suicide as well when our bullying is not taken care of along with that you guys can present it as well okay and you guys are welcome to this as well this is not meant to be harmful I'm not doing this if you're sarcastic I'm doing it because it's
035real um staff members receive this these are statements that are said to our our students every day. These are statements that are said to kindergarteners, to middle schoolers, to our high school. Mr. Bower, I believe you're very familiar with the middle one. Mr. Bower would be happy to fill you in with it. I'm sorry. Here's a here's another one. This is some staff safety um situations that not just me as an employee, but other members have dealt with. I left names out. I left certain things out because I know what I'm allowed to do and what I'm not allowed to do. Now, me as a phys as an employee, I cannot tell you the amount of times that I was physically threatened that my family was physically threatened and it wasn't taken serious. You want
036to know how it feels taken? Every day when I see this person, I get the middle finger. Here's something else. Some of these statements are said by a student every day and it's a joke. My time is up. You may do if you want. I have pictures and I'll be going to Thank you. >> Thank you. Tyler, do you mind would you mind collecting these for not tripping? We're not tripping over them. Thank you. >> All right, we're going to move on to reports and presentations. >> I just status. So um this budget status is reported as of the end of March um and does not include April enrollment figures. Um our revenues and expenditures almost exactly mirror each other. Um 54% um revenues and 54% expenditures. Um, our fund balance projection is now at
0376.78% of our um, expenditures um, with an ending projected fund balance of 2.4 million. Um, still not quite enough to cover a month's payroll. Um, but um, I would like to say call out that um, when we did our budget this last year, we were actually budgeted to end significantly less than 2.4 4 million. We're actually budgeted in less than 700,000. Um that and the work that we have done between then and now has been no small task on the part of everybody. Um whether they're sitting in this room or whether they're in the building. Um that did not happen just by um chance or by misbudgeting or anything like that. Um it was there was a lot of work that went into that. um coupled with um some increases in enrollment which is still
038now going the opposite direction but we'll see what comes of that. Um so I just wanted to point out um a few of the differences that have um that have occurred since the time of budget. Um and mainly we're seeing an increase in revenues that account for a good portion of that difference. Um mainly in um special ed um enrollment funding, basic ed enrollment funding um because our enrollment came in slightly more favorable than where we um where we thought it would would. Um food services at $118,000 more. Um, and transportation, which we never know what it's going to be because we don't get counts and we don't know how much we're supposed to budget in transportation until that following year, like in January, February. So, a lot of these revenue sources that we have,
039including state forest revenues of $23,000 to date, um, are very unpredictable, um, and make it very difficult to budget. Um, but we are very fortunate that we have these in some of these cases. They could be there could be one-time funds or things that we could see go in the opposite direction next year. Um, we do have a little bit of savings um this year that we're still projecting out in um in some wages mainly in benefits um which is an anomaly this year. um a benefit savings projected at almost 200,000. Um that is not any part our doing but that of the state which reduced our um mandatory retirement contributions um because they are the state is forecasting us to receive um additional revenues they anticipate receiving to cover that balance. Now, is that
040going to be a long-term savings for us or is that going to be projected onto us in a few years from now in the form of additional expenditures? Could be. Um, we are seeing a little bit of savings in some other areas such as maintenance and transportation um and food services by focusing on minimizing waste um and price shopping and just reviewing our day-to-day tasks and where we spend our time. So, a lot of general savings, maybe some one-time savings, um, which could turn into expenses later, um, and some very unpredictable, in a lot of cases, revenues. Um, so that accounts for the difference between where we budgeted to where we are hoping we'll end this year. Um, with that said, um, that still leaves us with a projected fund balance drawd down of $365,000.
041So that means while we are favorable um, at the end of the year potentially compared to budget, we still are drawing down our fund balance. We are still headed in a downward trajectory. So while this is good news, we still we can't lose sight of the trajectory we're on. Um and that is budget status. If you have any questions, any questions for Okay. Um the next one is enrollment. Um so I did not have a chance to send you all um a more specific enrollment update this this month because we had spring break. Um so our enrollment reporting got delayed a little bit this month um because we missed a few days. Um but between March and April we dropped um essentially 20 students. Um 20 students is significant and so I looked to see
042where that was. Did did it fluctuate within AOE or was it and there wasn't a lot of fluctuations in AOE. So this is mainly attributed to basically education. Um so about 20 students um the focus or the majority of the drop was in grades 1 through three at n at minus 8 students grades five and six we lost five and grades 9 to 12 we lost six. Um so at this point when I see these figures at 20 it's a pretty big drop. Um, so I went to digging a little bit um and asked our enrollment um administrator on this. Well, Carrie does our enrollment entry. She reviews the reports and looks for potential errors and edit checks. Um, and what she's seeing is um just a lot of people moving in and out of
043home school. So, um, that's where we're at with enrollment. And will that continue into being in June? I don't know. Will that impact our basic ed um aortionment dollars? Most certainly it will. So will that 2.4 projection end up at 2.4 or less than that? Likely less. Um but this is all part of what we do every year. >> Very clear. Thank you. >> And you are gonna follow up with us on Travis's earlier question of the which school? >> Sure. You bet. I think that'd be super helpful. You got it. >> All right, Jay, you ready to give us a construction update? >> Yes. So, we have an awful lot still going on. We had, among other things, the second layer or they call it the second lift for the asphalt for the track.
044So, now our track has all the the two layers, the everything except for just the rubberized coating. That rubberized coating will go on as permits. most likely that will be early summer now depending on how warm the weather gets and it has to be just a certain right of a of a of a temperature and humidity in order for it to that to work out really really well but uh looks really really great. Uh we also had our flag pole which I mentioned a few minutes ago. Uh we have two flag poles up and ready to ready to go. We have we're working on our temporary occupancy for May 1st. Um so the stadium for all intent purposes minus lights at this time which I'm back order some of those to be placed in the
045stadium uh on underneath the roof. Uh those are those are closed. We've been working out sound systems and making final choices to make sure we've got the uh something that everyone can hear all around the stadium. uh fencing is going around the perimeter of the track and that's going up pretty fast. And then I think something that's pretty significant was to see on a very large semi-tractor trailer uh have an entire restroom pushed doll come rolling into town and then to have a crane that was on site literally take it from the street, lift 180,000 lbs up and swivel it over and turn it 180 degrees and place it where we had all kinds of conduit coming up with about a 4 in uh forgiveness uh 4 in of forgiveness is solid on several of
046those and have them plop it exactly right and to have that now uh for all intents purposes functional within just a few days after that uh a pretty big deal. So, this leads me to, of course, um on May 1st at noon, we would like to have everyone uh that can be for our ribbon cutting ceremony that will be at noon again in the stadium uh as part of our community day, the first part. Um, we've also been working with our general contract to safely uh have usage of the field with uh with track and field practice as well as with our middle school football who play in the spring and also our high school uh boys uh soccer teams. And so we're just getting more and more youth out of the field. And it's
047it's just as it's as it's being finished is just a real treasure for our community. There's been an awful lot of hard work going to it and we are excited to um to see it that finish up this summer and be fully operational. Um I want to also say the school the scoreboard came in in two different parts was put together uh right by the flag poles and so that that's also been an addition just just recently. So uh that was a lot of movement in a very short amount of time. Thank you. exciting times. Um, all right, legislative update. We are in the process where um, right now a lot of people are running for office. So, they're not in their offices. Uh, so any interaction that we're having is primarily with legislative assistance.
048Um, however, we are um working on advocacy in Pierce County and at a state level, not just with when I say state level, I mean the governor's office. Um, we found out that there's maybe some opportunities for us to be sharing our story. And um, WASDA has a seat at the table in a legislative workg group that's um, focusing on how we can better structure school funding. and they've done this over and over the years of um re revamping the proto prototypical funding model. So, do I have a lot of hope that this is going to make any changes? No. However, they did ask that we share our story because we are one of those uh school districts that is financially very responsible. We're we're staffed right to prototypical funding model. We do not receive
049any LEA levy equalization and we do not receive any uh regionalization. that puts us in a really unique place and it's a pretty compelling story. So, we'll continue to share that story um and be highlighted as a representative through WASDA to that work group. Um, so I'm grateful for that opportunity and thank you all for continuing to be good advocates and um, this is because we are financially responsible and thoughtful. Um, we're able to share our story and maybe have an >> Do you get to share for us or is somebody sharing on behalf? >> Uh, they are sharing on our behalf. Yeah, >> because you have to be legislatively appointed to that committee. So, WADA has a seat at the table there. So, um, they will come and they will ask us questions. We'll
050give them data, which we do all the time. If they, if they ask, I'm constantly asking Christa about how does this policy impact us financially or I'll reach out to Tracy. So, we just forward that data to them. >> All right. Um, unfinished business, consider approval of policy 3530, uh, fundraising activities involving students. And this is just a minor uh language change. So I'm going to go ahead and put this forward as an approval. So I would consider a motion for approval of policy 353. >> To be clear that this is the one that we pre-eread last time, correct? >> Yes. Have to make sure that >> uh we did we get 3550 last time? >> I think so. >> Okay. >> I don't think this one because this is just this one is just
051a minor. It's we're changing because and since. It's a minor word change. So this was not from last. This is just we're putting forward 35 to uh 30. >> Just minor word changes. So um I'll put forward uh for a motion to approve motion. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and second. And now is there any discussion about the policy change? >> Okay. Hearing none. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. Um, this policy, >> um, looks like it has been, and I wasn't at the Christa, is this, did you bring this one forward? It's on nutrition. >> Oh, no. I did not see one. >> All right. So, this one has a pretty significant removal of wellness. So, this is one of those where they're taking a policy and they're
052splitting it into two. And so, um, I would like to put this forward as a first reading, um, for both of the next two policies. >> These are the ones that the fugit asks us to look at for the grant. >> Okay. And but this is our first >> I figured it was grant related. They usually could ask us to separate outward, but um, so I would um, >> well, we don't have to have any motions on a first reading. But please recognize that policy 6700 is now being split into an additional policy 6702 which will be a new policy and we'll put forward for approval at our next meeting. >> Any questions around that? Okay. >> Um, consider approval of a bus surplus. Bonnie's not here anymore. Jay, did or Christa, does anybody want
053to >> um Bonnie brought this paperwork forward? Um, we are receiving um new buses this spring. Um, so this is just um surplusing the ones that have fallen off of our um depreciation schedule. Okay, >> I would consider a motion to approve uh move. >> Second. All in favor? >> Travis. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Um, consider approval of donation agreement in the amount of $938 from Ed Hedgedberg for the HS ASB band, very generous donation and is to use as they wish. I'm not sure if they're using it for the band trip. So, my understanding of Ed, and I don't know Ed personally, um, but my understanding of Ed is that he used to, um, collect cans around the community, and he's no longer doing that, but he's still
054wanted to contribute and make an impact to the band. >> Wow. Amazing. It's very generous. >> Um, so I would consider a motion to approve this donation. >> Second, >> motion, >> Katie. and a second. >> Okay. Um any discussion >> other than we're very grateful. Yes. Very grateful to Mr. Heburn. >> Um all in favor >> I opposed. >> Wonderful community we have. >> It's really great. >> Okay. This is really nice. Um she wrote turn over so I don't forget that there's something on the back. um consider approval of capital LA purchase for HS track compactor repair and we're giving this a window of up to $10,000. Um so we have a trash compactor out behind the high school that's used for our food services. Um and they come and pick it up
055and then replace it with a new trash bin trash trash recepticles. But the compactor is failing. Um, and when they take it away, it's leaking on the road. And so they said they will no longer take our garbage because of the leaking um onto the road. Um, so we did not get three quotes on this one because um, waste management company um, recommended this particular vendor to do the repair. um and getting more quotes would go outside of their recommendation, but it would also cause further delays in repair because it took them just two weeks to get them out here. So, um it would just cost us a lot more in labor and um to delay this anymore. So, we're just asking for the one vendor um up to um that dollar amount. >> I
056consider a motion for approval. >> So, move second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I I opposed. Question carries. >> All right. Superintendent comments. >> Yes. Just uh again some really good news. We um want to recognize the fact that this is the week to recognize our volunteers. And as such, you know, dispatch to place us on the front page um talking about how much we appreciate uh our volunteers. with one quote here. Our schools are stronger because of the incredible volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and energy to support students, staff, and programs across New School District. Um, so I just can't say how much work it is for all of us to help our students get to the highest levels they can. that of course
057is our staff and our school board the support that you give but it's also volunteers. Uh it's it's those who give their time and talent. So we really appreciate that and wanted to make mention of that. Um are we are cognizant of the fact that our legislative uh our legislators including our senator uh from this area Jim Mun have uh offered money uh provided capital money to help us with our stadium project and so we were in u we just named in a publication that uh that Sam puts out u says I I'm particularly pleased with the specific funding be secured to ensure our district's infrastructure to keep space with our growth, including funding for Eatenville High School to replace critical retaining walls. These are the walls of the south side of our stadium out
058by the bus loop and also behind the stadium which were necessary in order to in you know preserve the integrity of what we were going to put in which was our stadium. So, it was a picture of our high school and kind of I'll just pass that around and then our stadium in the back. So, that was that was nice. Um, we also I you may notice I have this purple uh ribbon on me. It's uh it's military. It's a month of the military child. April is >> and we want to not only recognize the sacrifices that are made by those who are serving in the military but also students who likewise make sacrifices. Often times they are moved around um or or their parents are absent um and so this is the mother of
059military child. So I just wanted to make make note of that. We also uh and I'm guessing Rhonda you may speak about uh the meeting last night the district meeting or I'm not sure if you want to talk about either you can or I don't >> I'll let you do that. >> And then so my last is that while she's not here she's actually over helping the the cheerleading squad right now. Uh this today is our administrative professional day and I want to recognize that Cassie Proud who again is not here right now. I just want to recognize the work she does not only as my administrative uh professional assistant but also work she does with the board. And so when you see her then tell her thank you for the work that she does.
060Um, we just really appreciate all the support that that we get in order to help our students have all the opportunities that they have, which we heard earlier tonight. The school district is a great great place for students. Uh, are we perfect yet? No. Are we working really hard to make things better and better? Yes, I will continue to do so. So again, it's an honor to to uh be with you uh all tonight and we I always appreciate the support that you that you give me and the administrative team as well as all the staff and the community and especially our students. Thank you. >> Excellent. >> All right. Um legislatively, um well, I'll wait you guys. We'll start with everyone else. Katie, you want to share? Um, thank you to all of our
061administration staff, like you said, for all of their amazing dedication and hard work. Um, I don't know how anybody does all this stuff day in and day out. I mean, we really do have a great a great staff beyond even just the administration. But, um, and then it was really fun to get to see all of the different, you know, like the knowledge bowl team and the chess club and, um, and I loved getting to acknowledge our bus drivers and bonding. That was pretty. So, um, thank you to everybody for the hard work. Good job to all of our amazing students who are out there, you know, just racking up those trophies for Edenville. That's pretty exciting. Great. >> And um yeah, let's have another great month next month. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Yeah,
062thanks everybody for coming. Um it's it's a roller coaster event with um seeing you know students and um some of the students I'm very uh close with and um have close familial relationships with them and stuff that uh it's just so awesome to see their growth and um see where they were babies to now >> um just succeeding and uh just doing amazing things and um you know yeah representing our district very well and I'm super excited for Dominic I've known his dad since before he was born so it's really fun to see and hear what he's doing with chess and um going I mean just amazing so I'm super proud of all you guys and I just got a little extra heartfelt warmth for Dominating um So yeah, I just I'm very thankful for
063that and I'm very thankful for everybody that's came and spoke up on a very serious matter. Um, and uh that's an emotional roller coaster for me because as I have being in the classroom and everything, I've seen it, heard it. I know stuff does happen and go on and it's it's definitely not unnoticed and um it it is not to the wayside at all. I know that um it's it's first and foremost in our hearts. We keep all the students safe and uh take everything very seriously. All right. I I appreciate speaking out. >> Uh just quick uh thanks uh testing window parents. Um you know, good breakfast, good lunches, pack some extra snacks for the kids in the rooms, pass them around if you can afford it. I'm excited to see how kids do.
064They're working hard. staffs are working hard and it's a one day or few days. I know it's not a measure of how great our students are or anything like that, but it does show growth and it helps us know where to go. Data, data, data and and I'm stoked and excited for it. So, everybody tell your kids to get some sleep. Um yeah, thank you for the concerns brought forward tonight. Um it's difficult place for concerns because we don't know context and we can't respond to them. Um, I'm sure there's processes in place and I hope the people that have brought concerns forward are going through those processes. I'd like to say also this is not just blowing smoke to be nice. I work at a state level and all around and everybody asks me
065how Pette and Rhonda are doing. Um, no, I mean this is a compliment. Um, I don't think people know how much like Rhonda at the legislative level and work is doing that we wouldn't be getting certain things for support potentially. I don't want to put it that way. is like, you know, but just there's a lot of tireless work I don't think you guys see. And I'm blown away at my job when I come across people who just know them both and know what they've done. And so big thanks to you guys because I'm learning that I don't want to do that. >> No, I'm just learning that it is it is tireless and there's some things that >> cannot it's so hard to communicate the volume of work and on all sides of the
066aisle. There is nobody that I've met on either side of the aisle that would disrespect the two ladies sitting next to me. And >> and that that is that says volumes to me. So >> appreciate that. >> What? >> Okay. Um I had the privilege um and honor of being out here the day the restrooms were brought in >> before they smell. And I will tell you that um Jay was like a kid in a candy store >> and watching him was more fun out there and he was just intrigued by watching them take those restrooms off of that little boy and bring them over that big machine and everything and it was fun to watch. And you know something else the first time of course I've been out there on the field and I
067was taken away. I mean, I I stood there and I looked around and I saw, you know, and just being there firsthand, it was it was amazing. And so, thank you, Jay, for inviting me to come down and >> and um to be um we had a meeting scheduled, but it all got interrupted for that. It was enjoyed every minute of it. Every minute of it. And I'll never forget that day. And just um the other thing when Bonnie was talking, you know, when we honored the bus drivers, you know, and I I do mean that seriously, I remember George, I would probably not have made it through school. I mean, I was skipping school at first grade. >> I was so afraid. Because you were afraid. >> I was afraid. I I we had
068I had I wanted to go to school in Elby and they closed Elby >> and I had to ride the bus to Eatenville >> and um bus had all age of kids and there was a little you know and I was scared to death. So I figured out a way from my house there was a way the bus would come to Elby and turn around and go back. That was the last stop. I would watch it, turn around, and go back and then I'd run home and say, "I missed the bus." And my mom didn't drive. So, but she sooner or later caught on. So, she walked me down. But George started walking me home after. And I mean, I'll never forget that night. I'll never forget him. >> Life changing life changing really at
069that age. So, anyway, I just wanted to share that. Thank you. >> And I'm just so impressed with the chess team. Um I know nothing about chess, but I'm fascinated by it. And uh and the knowledgeable team and and their trophy is my color. >> I noticed that too. So anyway, and yes, Rhonda does a ton of work. >> Yeah. >> Ton of work. And when I was back in the day when I did it, it was much easier. welcome. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. Well, um, yesterday was one of the Lazda does trainings throughout the year and last year or yesterday was a regional uh, gathering and they trained us on legislative toolkit and how uh, bills become laws and how we can advocate and um, love to share this information with any
070of you. Um, advocate advocacy is very important. Sharing your stories of parents is very important with our legislature. Um, I'll make sure that you are aware of some of those policies as they're coming forward. Um, and we have very strong opinions and we share our stories and uh, sometimes it makes a difference and sometimes um, we continue to work and this is the season when we get the opportunity to say we have a thought, we have an idea. are you interested in proposing a bill? Now is the time. >> So, thank you for the um motivation to continue that work and to know that we can continue better. Also, thank you for the recognition that we are working towards a goal. >> We appreciate that. And for um our community that shows up, thank you
071for showing up. We appreciate uh also um it's unfortunate that we have hard things that go on in schools and we want to continue to support students and families and staff. Um so we will continue with advocacy. Thank you Jay for um being at that meeting and being a representative of the great work that's going on and our community is amazing. It never ceases to amaze me as we're can working on community day that's coming up in two weeks, two Fridays. Um we see outstanding support from our community and um the generosity that we've seen in the work that we've done in the track field and stadium. I'm just overwhelmed. like you said, it just takes your breath away. You can't help but smile when you're standing on the field >> for multiple reasons, not
072because it's beautiful, but because of the collective effort and what it means to be a community when you stand on that field. So, thank you all. With that, we'll call this meeting to a close at 811. Thanks for coming.