001a little delayed. So if we accidentally talk over you, it's not intentional. >> It's live. It's >> live. All right. We're going to call this meeting to order at 7. Please uh number seven. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Thank you. I would consider any changes or additions to the agenda. Hearing none, we're going to move on to reports and presentations. And um this is really a fun opportunity for us as a board to have a work study where we talk about some of the things that we're looking forward to in this new year. Um Travis, if you have anything to say, please just speak out because me
002trying to remember to look up there for your little hand rais. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um we're going to talk about our 25 26 board goals. We um actually presented them at the last meeting. They are posted on our walls and and they will be in our buildings. But what we would like to today talk about um some of the benchmarks that we would hope to achieve as we are looking at our board goals so that we know that we're actually moving forward on those. So um our academic success goal under our academic pillar of our strategic plan is to clearly communicate expectations recognize academic success through multiple measures of mastery and uh the things that we are hoping to do is approve clear policy language and that means that we need to look
003at and update policies defining multiple measures of mastery and um what does clear communication look like and I want to give a shout out on this um aspect that I believe that superintendent Brower has been doing a great job on our back to school day with the teachers. He was very explicit about what we were looking at um and how what our goals were and how we were going to move forward and expectations um around that. And Sally has been doing a good job also of uh really setting the stage so that we will it will be anticipated that we'll be asking for multiple measures of mastery. Um and so I think that that has that work is moving forward. I really appreciate that. Um set district-wide vision and priorities. uh that has been going
004forward with our goals with our strategic plan and I know that um Jay did you want to have any conversation around what you're doing with your cabinet or with the principles and teachers that sort of thing >> uh with regards to the >> um setting the district-wide vision and priorities. >> Yeah. So I mean I don't think it's a surprise that we worked really hard of us to get our strategic plan in place. So it's our plan. It's nobody else is a seat in the middle. was nothing nothing cut and pasted from anywhere. And so we wanted to make sure it is actionable. And so beginning with last year, we worked very very hard to um work on our academic achievement. And that's that will be I'm certain my goal for the entire time that
005I'm here. I don't think that'll change. We saw some great results in science and also in English language arts. And uh this year we're going to continue that. Part of that was because we worked really hard on attendance and we'll continue to do that. But also it's because our we've done some adoptions. We did an adoption last year and and also uh we have great staff members who are working really hard to make sure our students have what they need to be most successful. At the same time, um we know that we've got some work in math. So we we set that forth that that's an area a real added focus in addition to and so we're looking at uh math committees but also perhaps an adoption at the elementary level for math because it's
006something that we it's been a long time and I'm not sure the did that wanted to. Um and then aside from that, we're just uh challenging uh the first year. We we are now at about 19 months of no interrupted ontime schedules for bus routes. >> That director, every time we mention that at any superintendent meeting or anywhere else, then we get a pause. today again in one meeting >> and so uh we we worked hard to get our kids to school and now uh last year we asked parents you know please can you join us in getting kids to school we already have the buses and so whether on the bus or some other way can we get kids to school and then this year we are going to be very intentional about being
007all in or being present not only as a staff being physically present but also uh emotionally and uh and and physic and uh mentally, you know, present for our kids all year long. And and uh so that's kind of what we have outlined this year for that. I'm really excited about the second piece, which is preparation for life, because honestly, a lot of what we're doing is setting our kids up for present success, but also for that future uh success, which is kind of beginning with the end in mind. As we often say, that is what we're after. We're trying to make sure that they're very successful when they leave here to go and become anything they want to that they're prepared for that. So that's what we're after. >> That's great. Thank you for
008sharing. And we're working off of this document. I don't know if you have it. Do you have it? >> Okay. All right. Um then uh the other thing that we've set as a benchmark is to allocate resources for professional development um technology and communication platforms to support the goal. And I'd like to also recognize that at the back to school there was some really great PD around our new technology and so um Jay's off to a good start or his leadership team is off to a great start and we're looking forward to extra touch-ins throughout the year on that. Promote community engagement where we can highlight student mastery in our board meetings and in public events. And that's one thing that I'm really looking forward to making sure that we have um opportunity for our
009community to come together to celebrate, but also to help us um come find some resolutions and some solutions to some our question problems we're going to have coming up. Um because we know when we get our community together, that's when we really things happen. >> Yep. It makes a difference. Our community is awesome that way. All right. And then the last thing on this first goal is evaluate superintendent on the progress. So um we have made a commitment that we will um do our superintendent evaluations. We do January mid year and then we follow up um in May June and so uh holding J accountable for leading our district in the right direction um and our community holds us accountable right as elected individuals. All right. So that's uh our number one goal academic success
010and clearly community expectations and recognizing academic success from multiple measures of mastery. Second one preparation for life which is also a pillar that came from our community and our strategic plan. And so we will create experiences that enable our students to turn interests into career exploration and develop skills that will prepare them for life beyond high school. So, as we look at um the benchmarks or standards, we have approved clear policy language. That's something that I hopefully we can look at today. Um we do have a CTE policy, a career and technical education policy. Uh 2170 further on the agenda, we'll just put eyes on it to see if it's something that we feel like meets the benchmark here that we've set. If we need to do any changes, we can do that at a
011future meeting. But this is just for reference to um this goal conversation set and we're going to set strategic priorities where we embed career exploration and life skills um into the district strategic plan. We've put it in the plan. Now we need to do more than that. We need to put it into action and uh that clearly communicated to our super our principles. I'm sorry. Don't you believe at middle and high school, Jay, that your principles are aware that this is our plan and we're going to get this >> very >> moving forward. Um, allocating the resources. Uh, CT is one of those things that we are strong supporters of. And we want to make sure not only do you need to allocate the resources, we need to make sure that if we are doing
012CTE work that we have all of the right paperwork in place so that we are being funded for CTE work. So, um, getting people with that are smarter than us on that and putting eyes on everything we're doing is going to be really important. Um, looking into job shadows and internships that is not going to be easy work. That's kind it's I think our community is welcoming and willing. Um, but I think it's going to be something else and we're going to have to take it step by step. So, I would like to propose that we partner with the business association um and maybe doing some communication out or even perhaps a presentation to them about uh creating opportunities for internships and um also partnering with the CTE committee with Bethl School District who houses
013our skill center students to make sure that we our kids aren't missing out on inter internship opportunities because they're Eatenville kids. We've got to make sure that they're represented there as well. Okay. expand partnerships um with local businesses, colleges, and trade organizations. We have a trade organization uh that donates gift cards to us every year, the Long Shoreman. >> Okay. >> And I think we probably should be partnering with them more than just gift cards at Christmas time. So maybe we could reach out to them. They're generous. Um IBW has come out to our job fairs. They're a local electrical um union. I think that we should just be looking for more partnerships than sometimes just the gift card that they hand out or the cool hats. All right, stop me. Anybody have anything they
014want to say about this? I'm trying to get Ashley to where she needs to go. >> All right, expand partnerships. We got that. Monitor access and equity. Um, ensure that career exploration opportunities are accessible to all students regardless of background or location. Report from career center and new platforms. and find out when and add to the calendar. So, um I think one of the things I'm really glad that we have is we have that beyond for our special needs students. Can you share a little bit about the program that we have that um extends beyond the high school typical high school years? >> Right. Yeah. So, we have a I think a pretty robust program, especially for a district of our size where our students are doing things such as their making sure we have
015a need to have mail delivered around our school district to get uh things to and fro. And so, we have our specialist students that do that. We have students who run the coffee center. We have students that um today, just today, came around and they're learning about recycling and they gathered all recycling in the district office. And so we um we and and Mr. Mr. West Potter is I met with him for about an hour earlier this year to talk about all the things that he's doing and um and I've been on his board and he has something showing out each of the students are engaged in what they're going to be doing and he's very proactive about that. So um we just also send kids around to different businesses so that they can do
016things in the area. I think what we need to do is expand that to give more real life experiences and and uh and challenge kids wherever they're at and take them to their level. But very robust. >> Awesome. It might be really great to have Wes come out and maybe share and maybe some of his students if they're willing to come and share uh what they're doing. That would be as we look at um progress reporting would be something I would really like to see. um as well as a report from our CTE kids that are going to the skill center. would be great to hear from them and we always have our CTE um representative but I think this goes so much to hear. >> Okay. So that is kind of our scope and
017our standards and benchmarks of work that we have um we've set aside for ourselves and in turn um superintendent Brower has been giving his marching orders and I know he's working with his very skilled team to make good things happen for kids. Any questions or anything anybody wanted to add to this work? So excited. Going to be a great year great year for kids. There's there's there's so much available for our kids and you know I know I can say personally that my son has taken advantage of a lot of the extra stuff that's available and very much. I love the idea that kids can go to the skill center or even here in some of our CPE classes and they leave with certificates that put them, you know, on their resume, they are one
018step ahead than other people who are graduating from high school. >> Yeah. Can you guys hear me? >> Yeah. One of the things I'd like to maybe eventually talk with Tracy or JJ or the team about is looking at opportunities for our uh special needs kids maybe in job placements outside even the district. Um I know other districts have like students that are able to go to like the Target warehouse and learning center. We've got the Amazon and IKEA center right down the road. Maybe there's opportunities with the skill center. You know, I don't know if Bethl has relationships with their um those uh areas for high needs kids and stuff, but could be a really good opportunity to find some transitional um opportunities for those kids as well. So, >> we used to have
019a partnership uh and I apologize that I'm not up on this, but it the fact that I'm not is states that we need to do some investigating. Uh Morning, what was it called? Morning Promise. It was an outside agency that partnered with our district to uh help kids get jobs outside and and even that post 22 now 22 years old. What's it called? Morning promise. I'll find out. But um if we don't still have that partnership, we probably should look into doing it again because they are a private uh philanthropic group that specifically does that and they have a network. So that's a good idea. >> Yeah, it's just great. It's a we struggle with less industry in our area to place kids their junior senior years for those transitional job programs, but just something,
020you know, for me personally as a board member, I'd like to look into and help out with. And so, >> I love that. >> Yeah. Thank you, Travis. But, I mean, can we look out to our local community, too? I mean we don't have a lot of industry here but if plaza or center street junction mil I think both center street and mil house um have our students and their post even not our students but the post 22 year olds um they employ them and so yeah >> and um but and they have good resources they're connected really well and when Tina Schmidt um was part of the sage group it was really active in that getting kids to the next level and so I I'll talk to her and then we need I haven't
021met with Sage because they meet on a time when I can't get here, but another conversation we have. So, work we need to do, >> right? And then it >> Okay, Kathy, can you put in your notes that we need to follow up on that? >> Yep. I've got it already. >> You're the best. Thank you. Okay. >> Like Jay always says, the biggest room in the house is the room for improvement. >> We're going to keep it growing. Okay, we're done with board goals. Um, we're going to move on to policy 21770, which is our career and technical education policy. And I' I'd like everybody to um take a glance at it. Um, and the purpose of reading through is are we meeting the our current expectations. It hasn't been updated since 2018. Um,
022I highlighted what I think I mean I I have my thoughts. I want to hear everybody else's thoughts, but I'm going to give you some quiet reading time to make sure everybody's fresh in their minds. Okay. Does anybody have any thoughts as they've read through this that they want to >> I would like to I don't have in the top of my head um what I would like it to say or what if it's I'm thinking of more procedure versus policy but the second two paragraphs I really would like to look at some of what are we doing to really annually review um what does the committee do um I know that you know our structure is at the high school works a lot with our CTE director to create frameworks um where where is
023the role of us and the board and Jay in that you know like that that review process I mean I'd like to just look at that language and look at what we're offering um making sure it's up to uh to modern practices I mean I I don't know where our role ends and begins in there but it's just that's why I want to look at that language >> yeah well and actually it's interesting that you brought that out because I have in my notes here we act we had a report that came forward and do you remember when we did the I don't know if you were at this meeting but we talked about and reviewed the cyber security and it was really something and what I love about this is it says that um
024it will relate to clear career technical education programs to employment demands >> and um to the needs and interests of students. And so that cyber security piece was one that they saw as a need for employment demand but it was brought to them by the students. And so um and they, if you recall, they came to our board meeting, they presented to us and we um looked and reviewed that curriculum and those frameworks. So um I feel like that was really I felt like that was a good representation that we're doing that well, but that doesn't mean we don't need to continue to do that. And so >> what does that look like? >> Yeah, I was mostly looking at that phrase committees will advise a district on C like what committee do we have
025an official CTE committee? Do we not? We do have an official CT committee. However, I'm giving you this. However, it's partnered with Bethl because they house our skill center and and the thought process around this. And Polette has asked us, she and I both sat on the local CTE team at one point and it used to be local. they've expanded to be part of Bethl School District simply for the reason that if we're looking at internships and partnerships and employment opportunities, if we broaden our CTE um committee to include those with the skill center in Bethl that we feel like we serve our students better. So that being said, there is a committee. Um we also have your committee signups that we've put around for as a board. I don't know who signed up for
026CTE on that. Has anybody signed up? >> Well, I know Pette wanted to be on it, but she's the only person. We can have more. I mean, we can only have two boards. We can have They want more people there. Kelly Pal would love to have more people involved. >> local representatives to help strengthen for our kids. >> Yeah. >> So, um I didn't I will sign up. I wanted to leave room for our new board member that comes on. So, I haven't signed up for that yet. I know that. But, um I think we're all kind of doing that. Like, we don't want to hug everything. We want the new whoever's newly elected to have some opportunities, too. So, does that answer your question, Travis? Do we have a committee? The answer is yes.
027>> Yes. and we do get an annual report for them and which is exciting. We're going to be coming up on our calendar next. So, you'll see >> where we'll be getting receiving those reports. Um, and then the other thing that I highlighted is that we need to address the skills gap of Washington's economy and provide opportunities for dual credit. Um, I think we're doing good on the dual credit. Um, I'm I'm really excited about the work that's happening there. Uh but addressing the skills gap in Washington's economy, I would love some data on what that is like. How do we know what it is >> exactly? >> I can uh I I'm part of an organization too. I can try to find from like work source Washington and a few other things some information
028on that. Um >> there's also with CT expanding funding to sixth grade. It may open up some opportunities for high school credit and the middle school and some more flow for work related training from sixth grade even on up for whether it be in cyber security um and those types of things. Just trying to keep it relevant. So that's something to look forward to too is that the sixth grade will be included in CTE funding as well next year. >> That's awesome. >> It's not this year I think but >> that's great. And um when we schedule the CTE conversation, it would be great to have some of that information from work source so that we can um or if you could share with Kelly Powell, it can be part of the presentation. But I
029would like to know what those gaps are. Also tomorrow I'm meeting with a superintendent who is pretty far down the road kind of known in the state as uh from Elvin uh Chris from Elvin the superintendent and and we're going to be talking about just what they've done with career and technical education and how how they got so advanced. Um, and then also I'm on the governing board for the Pier Sky skill center as a superintendent to kind of make make sure that that's run or that we give the input, you know, free email, too. So, we're involved to a degree, but as we mentioned, we can do a lot better. >> Yeah. And I know annually or as often as we want. I've always gotten into the skill center. Every time that I want
030to go and check things out, all I do is give them a call. They get me in. >> So, any and I know annually they invite us as well, >> right? And we do we have uh in the past taken uh different families down there who may not even be part of puppy education and that was because Ashley and I we worked on that really early on to try to make that happen. And so um it's yeah we we're working really hard to make sure people are aware of the county skill set offers. >> Yeah. >> Well, I feel like um this I I believe that our policy at this point sets the bar. Um, and I think we have work that we can continue to do. I don't know that we ne necessarily needs
031any improving. If you do feel that way, this isn't the meeting for that. We could um address you could bring forward an amendment to a board meeting and we can consider amending this. But I felt like it met the standard. >> And I think would you as a board want um annually at the end of each year to have perhaps as a study session to have our current technical education coordinator, Miss Palen and kind of come forward and give a report as to where things are at especially given this year that we're looking at preparation for >> it's on the calendar which we will be coming up on soon on this. Okay. Uh so we did the policy 2170. Now we're going to have a quick conversation around our policy uh 1250 student representatives on
032the board. Um last year's a little bit crazy with all of the construction and there was just a lot of lot of busy busyness and busy meetings and um so getting the word out to students and time for them to apply to be student reps at the end of last year um it just didn't work out. So, we're doing we're this says we should do it in the spring, which we should. We didn't. We're doing it in the fall. So, um it will be open until the the 19th of September for applicants. Our policy says it will have one junior, one senior. Um I know that there has Ruby, who served as our junior last year and is just a really great representative. Um is was a running start student and is still a running
033start student. However, she's full-time running start and our policy does state that you need to have one um class at the high school if you were going to be a representative and and the reason and I talked to the principal giving kind of some feedback. The reason for that is that they really are one they're getting a credit for it. So, there's that which also could be a conflict with running start and funding and all that because you are receiving a credit but two that they could be in the ASB meetings and be counseling with the ASB if they're going to be the representatives. And so, um, I think it's a really important standard to keep that if you're going to be the high school or Eatenville school district student representative, um, that you participate
034in at least one class a day. That being said, I am a huge proponent of Running Start and Skill Center. And, um, and this isn't a decision we can make, but, I'd like to throw it out to see if we have kind of some consensus moving forward. Um, I do believe that it would be appropriate for us to establish a running start slash or andor skill center representative that can help represent students who aren't necessarily here on campus but could have a voice and continue to be a representative. Um, any other activities that they might participate on campus but also representing our students who aren't here. Um, is that if that is something that everybody's interested in, we could propose an amendment to this policy at our next meeting. >> Absolutely. I think so we
035would have three student representatives possibly. >> Yeah, I I think that'd be really powerful because we also might get insight as to what we may able to add or offer that would keep kids here potentially. Um and also what they're going into, again going back to that CTE conversation, what could we help set them up for in with dual credit even here if they're transitioning into getting their AA already or a career? I mean, it gives us some more pathways to understand the flow. Um, especially if we can't wave the single credit option because we're, you know, we're just losing out on students that do, >> you know, I think about, not that it's about Ruby necessarily, but the fact that she gave a lot of time to our middle school and did some assistance
036there and and that should count for something besides just a class at the high school, but I totally understand the budget thing and the class at the high school need with a credit. So, how can we still have that that that effort and that type of uh support for our students that are doing other things as well? So, I think that'd be a great amendment potentially. So, >> okay. So, then um we'll bring forward amendments at our next business meeting where we're actually looking at policies where we can vote. That sound good? >> I I think it's a great addition to cover all the pathways that our students are doing. And um >> Yeah. And then and then can we clarify? So if there's a credit or or whatnot, is it going to affect them
037like per say Ruby with running start >> if it financially, >> right? If she is a Running Start student, >> if she's a Running Start student and she's not attending one class, then we can wave that credit. But the board policy at this point says she has to attend one class in order to be >> okay. But we have the right to wave the credit so it doesn't affect >> we'll write the amendment. So that uh running if you are a 100% running start student and you are represented that you do not receive the credit the one credit. >> Perfect. >> I think that would be the best safest best way. >> Gavin, does that sound right? >> Okay. Um also principal felt like that was a good solution as well. So and I think
038when we take these things to our administrators that's when we really get the honest feedback that we need. They they do the work. We need to make sure we get good work done guys. All right, we're moving on um to our calendar, the much awaited calendar. I'm gonna turn this over to Cassie because she's been the champion on this. So, share with us the work that you've been doing. >> Okay, so this has been almost a year-long project from when I started in October and it has been a labor of love. Um, my brain likes to be organized when it comes to board meetings. And so, the purpose was to create a meeting calendar to have thoughtful conversations and to set our district and our staff up for success so we're not coming to meetings
039willy-nilly. Um, it was very collaborative. So, how it started, we got a template from another school district, which was really nice. I didn't have to reinvent the wheel. and we filled in kind of some things that we already knew that we needed to report on annually and then I sent it out to cab our principles, our vice principles and our admin staff all looked at it. They could plug in the reports they knew they need to report on annually or presentations they knew that they were responsible for and it came back and I looked at it and then I sent it out to the other executive assistants that keep track of. So, our EA for teaching and learning, our EA for student services, and they looked at it and plugged things in, and then we
040brought it to our board retreat and really dug in what you guys wanted to see and what was there, and now we have this final product. And I know staff is excited because now they can look at the year and say, I know how I have a report due in March. I have all this time to prepare for it, not, oh, by the way, there's a board meeting next week and I have to be there to provide. So, it's setting them up for success. that are able to feel prepared. Um, so that this is the kind of the final product. It may change as we move through the year and find things don't fit. I've already kind of found some things like for Sally, there's a report that's due in August. It comes from the
041state. It doesn't come till the end of August. So, we push things to September. So, we may find things eb and flow based on when they get their data. But, for the most part, I think we're there. You'll see the CTE will report on there. We got our ads reporting. Um there's all kinds of good stuff that I'm pretty excited about and I think staff are feeling a little bit more confident about when important meetings happen and then they know where they need to be. So, and the end result is a calendar that we have that we can have thoughtful reports and meaningful conversations and we're all organized and we know where we need to be. Well, and I think what I really love is that after we um came up with our board goals,
042we looked at this and said if we are going to have these benchmarks, what do we need to see? We need we know we need to have accountability. We know that we need to see multiple measures of mastery. Have we requested for those things to be presented to us and and we looked at this calendar with that kind of lens of we have some very specific goals. Are we going to make sure that they're articulated in our calendar so that those presentations come forward? and Kathy has been champion. Thank you. I cannot tell you how exciting. This has been >> I've been nagging. So great. >> And we were able to make it happen. >> Yeah. And I guess this is to the board if there is something that you want to see that we
043were we are going to either put on Superintendent Brower's evaluation or or on self assessment. We know we do that annually. our self assessment. If there's something we want to see and it's not on this calendar, >> you need to speak up because we need to get it on this calendar. So that I'm going keep this and then if you have questions, it's a good idea to look at it and go, >> I feel like I need to hear about that. So then >> let's write it on a calendar and ship it in the right spot. >> Speaking on calendars, so we did sign up at the board retreat for the different committees. Um, and so is there any way we can have like a working calendar or something like that where we can access
044that and No, I don't remember when I signed up for >> you know and and like when the meetings are and all that kind of stuff so we're not just I know we left it lot open just in case for the newly elected board member. Um, but you know that's a couple months away and I don't want to miss >> I'm hoping that the people who are in charge of those committees will send us cal. >> So I was to get it finalized but I have sent the ones that are full. I sent to those people that have are in charge of those committees saying hey these two board members are now on your committee. You need to make sure and send them calendar requests for your meetings. >> So you guys should be getting
045calendar requests. I'll follow back up once um we kind of get this finalized and dialed in for the most part. But that is their job is to make sure that the committees are leading that you guys are getting calendar invites for those things too. >> And if you want a printed out version of that, I'm happy to give you one. >> Yeah, please. >> Thank you. >> All right. Anything Anybody else have any comments on all of the reports and conversations? Travis, anything you want to share? Thoughts? Okay. Good. All right. >> All right. Then we're gonna go to superintendent comments. >> We have something else. Bud board budget. That's right. Sorry, I crossed off the wrong thing on my agenda. Board budget. I actually asked how. I guess I wanted to in a public
046forum talk about um we are in a place where we're cutting back. We're all going to have to tighten our belts and that has to start with us. And so we have made a commitment um that we are going to uh we're going all going to go to the law conference this year because we're going to have a new board member and the law states that you have to do old PMA and then there's board boot camp and all those legal constructs and we as a board need to go and support our new board member and make sure that we're all working as a team moving forward. So um but any other conferences that we would like to attend, we've all committed to doing that at our own expense. >> Um which is not what
047most school districts do. that's paid for all of that and we are volunteers. Yeah. >> So, we are volunteering to pay for the privilege of representing our students well because we are asking other people in this district to do hard things. So, I commend each of you for being willing to do that. Thank you. Um our community does not understand how how lucky they are to have each of you as leaders. We do take away a lot from >> we do professional development at for us as a board is really important. It's valuable >> and even traveling we've come back with extra skills and um way pathways that other districts you know solve problems that we didn't have for and we >> you should have seen me in that that presentation. And I was just
048like the heavens opened and the light was coming down. It was amazing. >> Okay. >> Um so yes, thank you for that. Um the other thing I wanted to recognize because this was a new learning for me and I've been on the board for 18 years. Long time been on the board a long time. Um and I don't know why I failed to realize that as what comes out of our board budget, it is very expensive are our elections. I assumed that Pierce County paid for our elections. We paid for the elections and that means that on the odd years we have um elections not just for our levies. I knew we paid for levies and bonds. I knew that. But I didn't realize that we paid for our positions and I didn't realize how
049expensive it got when we had primary races >> because you're paying a lot more when you have a primary versus just a general election. So just for this year, we do not have a primary. We just have a general election. It's $36,000. That's a lot of money. >> That's a lot that we, you know, we're we're required and mandated to do it, but when we see she was on the board forever. >> I thought the county paid for >> I did too. >> So without So we have the number for without a primary. What is it? What is the cost of the primary? >> It doubles. So it's this year. This year. And it's going to go up every year, right? Yeah. No, I was not aware of that. >> Yeah, I knew that we
050I knew Bondies, but does >> it even go beyond that if there's So, like our election there's three seats. So, if say we had three people as >> Yes. It's more when you have three. >> So, it goes up. It's different every single time. And we do try to budget for that. But when I was looking at budget somewhere, we could tighten our belt. When I saw that, I went, >> "Yeah, didn't know that." >> So, thank you to Christa for bringing that. It's not anything we can change, but I just wanted to be I just >> I wanted everyone to know that there are costs um unfunded mandates, right, that happen. I'm I'm running out of post, but it we still have to pay for that election. Even if we were all running, we'd
051still have to pay for that. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. Um I think as far as the board, that's where we're at. Just expressing our gratitude to everybody who's willing to tighten their belts. And it starts with us >> with that. Now I can move on to super. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Well, in the same um we there is a budget constraint. Um we have our inflationary expenditures outweighing our inflationary revenues. In other words, we're we we are on a on a trend that we have to that we've been working on hard and we'll continue to do so. that I appreciate the board's commitment and u you know my commitment as well you know my the the sorts of professional development opportunities I'll take advantage of I can do it other ways with you
052know web webinars and and different things and continue to I really I'm still fairly new as a superintendent so I'll continue on overdrive with um my professional development but yeah I won't be really going to make conferences or uh or you know outside of the district much uh because uh I'm leaned a lot but there's other ways I can do that. So in the same way yeah we're trying to work as an entire district on on efficiencies. At the same time we're trying to figure out how we can also um uh increase our revenues. So a lot of our time is being spent on you know what are the ways such as CTE um are there are there some things we can do to best serve our students but also you know create additional revenue
053for for our students and so we'll continue to do that. That's my commitment. Um I'm excited to um report that as far as the stadium goes, we uh that'll be on our forefront kind of for minds this year as we uh kind of do a maybe a once in for me at least once in a lifetime, you know, thing where we get a a new stadium and such. Um, and so, uh, the excavation is just is just a couple more loads to take off. And, uh, so there was a total of almost 15 and a half inches that is down. And if you go out there, you'll see the track is still there. And then you'll look down, you'll see how far they've brought that down. And that is so that now we are ready.
054Um, we just made a post about an hour ago that um, now the drainage rock is coming in. Uh so literally as the last of the dirt is going out the drainage rock is now coming in. Um so we can make sure that the proper drainage is such that we know comply with all our all laws and this in this in the town and uh so now we'll be building that back up um you know uh right away now. So the weather's been favorable and our contractors been working really hard to make that happen. Um, so at the same time, we're working really closely with on on some of the other aspects, uh, getting restrooms, our our lights, our scoreboard, our play clocks, our goalposts, um, and of course our our actual bleachers, our stadium.
055And so we're just I'm just continuing to make the phone calls. We'll keep having meetings to make sure that we're on track with that. And again, things are moving pretty quickly there. I'm really hopeful that by the end of the year, as in December 31st, we can have all those things in place. Um, after a really delayed start, then we're making up ground just as fast as we possibly can. So, it's very possible by December 31st, we will have our pictures in place, our restrooms in place, our lights in place, our field in place, the track, we'll have the asphalt in place. we have to have the weather help us um for the curing piece. And so we will not be putting down the last rubberized layer until this coming March. And then uh we'll
056be inviting everybody to come to a a a ground, excuse me, to a river cutting. We already had the groundbreaking and a river cutting and and um it'll be a great treasure for for this community. So that's kind of where we are in that process. We're just in the installation of the drainage field now. Um, other than that, schools start out very smoothly and um, it appears at this point that our numbers are up a bit, but I'm going to be cautiously optimistic about that. Um, and uh, let's see. So, our kindergarteners are also here, so we, you know, we have everybody on campus now. And, uh, I've been around just the different classrooms. The students are really excited to be here and the staff are working very hard to make sure that they're taken
057well taken care of. So, uh, yeah, it's off to another great start. Uh, this promised to be the best year ever. Um, in spite of budget constraints, we're working really hard to make sure that our students are the most successful they can be. So, thank you. >> That's awesome. >> Thank you for all your hard work. All right, we're gonna have board comments. Um, Ashley, >> no. I just want to say thank you for all the hard work going into all this in the calendar um the the year of exhaustion and uh and I just um appreciate that we can have a collaborative effort as far as to just try to continue to improve and to reach out and meet the needs of all students. >> Thank you. Thanks for being a part of that.
058>> Hello. >> Um yes, a couple things. um when I was had the privilege of going to Columbia's open house and to see the um for one thing the amount of people who came I mean it was a huge attendance and it was wonderful and then something else I noticed is cuz you know they asked for donations of of things and the amount of stuff that they brought was overwhelming I mean that they brought and donated to Columbia for students and um and stuff. And then just the the h the atmosphere, everybody was excited. Um and then, you know, I just I know that there's a lot of sacrifice being made and I've spoken to a couple of people that um the sacrifice they're having to make bud budget wise is creating a huge impact
059on them on her life personally. And I just can't say thank you enough for the sacrifice that some of our leadership is doing and to make things work for kids and I'm just I'm grateful for each and every one of them and doing anything I can to support them. >> Thank you. Thank you for highlighting that. It's really important. They are our teachers and staff. >> Yes. >> Good sacrifices. Travis, >> I'm good. I this is hard to do from here. So, no, I appreciate everything. >> All right. Um I have a couple of things. One, the next generation of Litzenberers has hit the house. I have a kindergarter at Heatville Elementary this year. So, saw that. Um super excited for my granddaughter to be there. Um and then I some shout outs to community
060partners. When Jay talks about how we're seeking revenue, um he has been really wonderful about bringing resources into our community and part of that are these partnerships um that he's created with LRI um OHOP and Aerol Lumber along with the Eatenville Greater Eatenville Community Foundation all bringing resources in and not asking anything from our taxpayers. So, thank you Jay for that great work. I want to recognize the town of Eatenville and they have been wonderful partners on our project there to help and guide and just bending over backwards to support this work. Super grateful for that because it's not that way in every uh community. >> Um the other person other people who deserve recognition for helping bring uh revenue in are legislators. We we've got about $1.3 million between the bathroom and the stadium
061from our legislators this last year and we will be seeking uh continued legislative support from them this next year. So I'll be taking you all with me to Olympia to knock on some doors and shake some hands but also welcoming um them here and um they will be many of our legislators and dignitaries will be at the 911 day of service. Um you all have been invited as well. It's a really awesome opportunity for us to gather around the flag pole to um recognize and remember first responders who have given their life. And we'll be honoring Eatonville's only fallen officer this year. And uh the Pierce County, what do they call it? Sheriff's Office, Honor Guard, Washington State Patrol, and a retired uh Navy officer will be doing the flag ceremony for us. And so
062super excited about that and grateful that they want to come out. And the last thing bit of exciting news. Um we've all been on this Department of Natural Resources journey. You've listened to me who spout on about that. Um at their most recent board meeting, I was able to um advocate and I'm very grateful for the work that had that really thoughtful um work that's been done around the timber pause. Um there was only one sale that was moved out of the paws and moved forward and that was the Railroad Creek Elby Hills and that was because it's specifically Sapotville School District and so I'm grateful to Commissioner Up the Grove for moving that forward. I'm grateful to um everyone on the board including Chris Rectal who sits on that board for seeing that that
063was extreme need for us and um appreciate their willingness to listen because I think they got tired of me all so um there we go back and I think if there's nothing else meeting close at 9:47 not our fastest meeting >> I talked really fast trying to get everything Okay.