1 00:00:10,639 --> 00:00:17,680 Welcome to today's Belleview School District regular board meeting on 2 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:21,039 September 17th, 2026. It is 4:33 p.m. Thank you. We'll start with roll call. 3 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,400 Phil Block, >> Carolyn Watson, Tracy Mlin, 4 00:00:23,279 --> 00:00:28,760 » Eugene Koli, >> Jay Norris, 5 00:00:25,359 --> 00:00:28,760 » Kelly Aramaki. 6 00:00:29,279 --> 00:00:35,360 Next is the land acknowledgement. We acknowledge that we are on the 7 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:39,680 indigenous lands of the coast Salish including the Dwamish, Muckleshoot and 8 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:43,840 Snowwami peoples. We thank these caretakers of this land who have lived 9 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:48,879 and continue to live here since time at memorial. We reflect on the historic 10 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:53,920 context that brings us to reside on this land and accept responsibility to 11 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:58,160 interrupt eraser. We are committed to our ongoing partnership with the 12 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:02,680 Snowqualami tribe as we listen to, learn from, and lead with their guidance. 13 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:09,040 Now, we have the uh introduction of the student. Dr. 14 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:12,880 » Good afternoon. And we have with us this afternoon Alex Kazada Enriquez who's a 15 00:01:11,439 --> 00:01:19,400 student at Samameish High School and he's going to be accompanied and 16 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:19,400 introduced by his teacher McKenna Rojas 17 00:01:21,119 --> 00:01:27,000 and his sister or anybody else that wants to come up. 18 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:43,840 Hi there. I'm McKenna. I'm one of Alex's teachers. I'm so excited that he's 19 00:01:42,159 --> 00:01:48,880 giving a speech tonight. He's so passionate about public speaking and 20 00:01:45,759 --> 00:01:53,079 he's going to do such a good job. >> Okay, we'll start with the pledge. 21 00:01:54,159 --> 00:02:01,200 » I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 22 00:01:58,719 --> 00:02:07,640 republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible and li with 23 00:02:03,439 --> 00:02:07,640 liberty and justice for all. 24 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:19,920 Hi, my name is Alex Q and I am a junior at Seamish High School. I have been a 25 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:24,640 great leader since I arrived at Seamish High School. In my CCC class, I learned 26 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:28,959 ways to get around the community and I went on outings with classmates that I 27 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:32,400 was able to help get around in the community and my peers. Last January of 28 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:36,480 this year, I was invited to give a speech to the incoming freshman parents. 29 00:02:34,879 --> 00:02:40,400 I felt that type of confidence that never goes away during my speech. The 30 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:44,480 speech changed my life and also changed my own heart because I used to be shy 31 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:48,800 and I thought to myself if I public speak everyone will like my speech and 32 00:02:46,640 --> 00:02:52,480 it get and it did give me inspired not only myself but for people who wants to 33 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:56,480 try public speaking. I am now hoping that when I graduate high school I can 34 00:02:54,720 --> 00:03:02,760 continue public speaking. Thank thank you for giving me a chance to speak to 35 00:02:58,239 --> 00:03:02,760 you today. Have a wonderful day. 36 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:10,280 Thank you so much, Alex. Appreciate your time. 37 00:03:20,239 --> 00:03:29,280 Next is acknowledgements. So September 20th through 21st is Yam Yam Kapur. Uh 38 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:37,200 September 21st is International Day of Peace. September 25th is Malid Al- Nabi. 39 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:42,640 Uh September 25th through October 2nd is Sukkot. Uh September 30th is National 40 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:47,519 Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. 41 00:03:45,599 --> 00:03:51,360 The next item is the approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion? 42 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:54,599 » I move to approve the approval. Approve the agenda. 43 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:59,280 » Second. >> All those in favor of approving the 44 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,560 agenda, vote I. >> I. I 45 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:05,840 » I. >> All those opposed, vote nay. The eyes 46 00:04:02,319 --> 00:04:09,439 have it. The agenda is approved. >> Next item is the consent agenda. Do I 47 00:04:08,159 --> 00:04:14,599 have a motion? >> I move we accept the consent agenda as 48 00:04:11,599 --> 00:04:14,599 presented. 49 00:04:14,879 --> 00:04:20,160 » Second. >> All those in favor of approving the 50 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,680 consent agenda, vote I. >> I. 51 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:24,960 » I. >> I. 52 00:04:22,479 --> 00:04:30,479 » All those opposed, vote nay. The eyes have it. The consent agenda is approved. 53 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:33,600 The next item is the superintendent update. Dr. Amaki. 54 00:04:31,919 --> 00:04:38,960 » All right. So many great things to talk about today. Uh the first I'll just give 55 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:43,680 you a minute to take in the cuteness on the screen. Uh last week was our first 56 00:04:41,840 --> 00:04:47,840 day of preschool and kindergarten. And these are just some photos from our 57 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:53,520 preschool over at Clyde Hill Elementary School. I mean, I don't think it should 58 00:04:49,919 --> 00:04:57,360 be legal to be that cute, but um uh you could see the kids are just so happy to 59 00:04:55,280 --> 00:05:02,880 be playing uh on the new playground at Clyde Hill. Um I I have to say there was 60 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:08,000 a lot of crying on the first day of preschool, mostly by the parents. Um a 61 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:12,240 few of the kids were crying as well, but um in in this past week, they've really 62 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:16,320 settled in. And we have some of the most incredible preschool and kindergarten 63 00:05:13,919 --> 00:05:21,600 teachers. I mean that that is a special special uh passion, heart, skill set uh 64 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:25,360 because you have to take a lot of kids who are not used to going through the 65 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:31,440 routines of school um and then getting them to line up, sit down, come in from 66 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:34,479 recess and all of that. Um and they just uh do an incredible job. So, shout out 67 00:05:33,280 --> 00:05:40,080 to our preschool and kindergarten teachers. And um just to the parents, um 68 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:42,960 we're happy for you. Your kids are doing really amazing and hopefully you're 69 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:48,400 enjoying a little bit of newfound freedom as well. Now that your kids are 70 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:52,639 in school, um these kids that you see on this screen and in all of our preks and 71 00:05:50,479 --> 00:05:56,560 K's across the district are about to embark on an amazing journey in the 72 00:05:54,400 --> 00:06:02,560 Belby School District. And you never know because fast forward 73 00:05:59,280 --> 00:06:09,199 a few years, those same kids might be on the list of National Merit Scholarship F 74 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:15,360 semi finalists. Um the 2027 uh semi-finalists have been announced and 75 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:19,759 uh 65 Belleview School District students are National Merit Scholarship Program 76 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:24,720 semi- finalists. Belle's always at the top. We always have more than any other 77 00:06:21,919 --> 00:06:32,400 school district. Um this year is no different, but 65 kids um is a lot. 78 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:40,240 Washington State had 350 kids um qualify as semi-finalists. And so Belleview, our 79 00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:44,240 19,000 kids represent um about 2% of all of the kids in public education in 80 00:06:41,840 --> 00:06:49,199 Washington state, but almost 20% of our kids are uh among the 350 81 00:06:46,479 --> 00:06:54,479 semi-finalists. So um just a shout out to our kids. That is a lot of work. It's 82 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:58,880 a lot of studying. It's a lot of um spending time outside of school. Um and 83 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:04,080 so we're really proud of their accomplishments. 84 00:07:01,840 --> 00:07:07,599 Um, I want to give a couple of updates. Uh, the school year has started. We've 85 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:11,280 settled in. We've had our September count. I want to give you some updates 86 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:16,560 on enrollment. Um, and then I'm going to give you a little bit of updates on um, 87 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:20,960 uh, staffing and class size as well. And then we'll end with one last 88 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:24,960 celebration. So, enrollment. Um, this is an important topic. It may not be that 89 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:29,599 interesting to most people, but school budgets are based on how many kids you 90 00:07:27,039 --> 00:07:33,759 have. And we what we do in the school district is we have to make an educated 91 00:07:31,919 --> 00:07:38,160 guess about how many kids we think we're going to get in September. And we have 92 00:07:35,759 --> 00:07:42,479 to make that guess in January or February. So without a lot of 93 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:46,319 information, we have to guess how many kids we're going to get and then create 94 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:50,400 a budget based on that number. And if we are off, like for example, if we get 95 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:54,879 less kids than we thought, then we have to figure out where to pull that money 96 00:07:52,160 --> 00:08:00,160 from. And so this is a very hard thing to do. But here's the data. In the 97 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:06,160 spring, we our best guess was that we were going to have 18,814 98 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:11,840 students for this current school year. As of September 11, we have enrolled 99 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:16,639 18,822 students. That is just eight kids off 100 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:20,800 and it's eight kids more than what we expected. And so, a shout out to all the 101 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:25,120 people who are involved in in guesstimating that number. Um, to hit 102 00:08:23,199 --> 00:08:30,400 that number exactly like that is pretty outstanding. um even if we had guessed 103 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:35,440 low and we got way more kids than we thought, that also can be challenging 104 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:40,399 because then we're trying to like um add teachers and things like that. So, this 105 00:08:37,279 --> 00:08:45,120 is about as good as it gets. Um that said, and I always tell people never get 106 00:08:42,560 --> 00:08:52,240 too excited about budget news um because the other shoe always falls. Um but we 107 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:56,880 are we guessed about 18,814 kids. That is 300 less than last year. So we we 108 00:08:54,959 --> 00:09:01,760 were guessing that we were going to lose kids and sure enough we are down by 109 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:05,760 about 253 students from the previous year. So just like school districts 110 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:10,480 across the region, across the state, across the country, globally, uh people 111 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:15,440 are having less kids and so our enrollment is tracking a little bit down 112 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:22,000 from the previous year. Um elementary is down by about 212 students. High school 113 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:25,839 is down by about 175 students. Um but kudos to our middle schools. they are 114 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:30,880 holding us afloat. Our middle schools are up by about 136 kids, which is 115 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:36,320 really remarkable because um in the past, middle school would be uh was a 116 00:09:33,519 --> 00:09:38,959 time when people decided they would try homeschooling or private schooling and 117 00:09:37,839 --> 00:09:42,560 then bring their kids back to high school. But now uh people are bringing 118 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:47,519 their kids uh to Belleview's middle schools, which is really exciting. Uh 119 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:53,680 kindergarten is currently about 1,095 students. Uh that's fewer than the,27 120 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:58,320 students at the same time last year. Um and fewer than our budgeted projection. 121 00:09:55,519 --> 00:10:02,560 We guessed we'd get about 1,180 uh kindergarteners. So it's a we have um 122 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:07,360 not as many kids as we thought we were going to have in kindergarten. Um but we 123 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:12,320 do add students in September. So we're hoping we'll get closer to that 1,180. 124 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:16,000 Uh the bottom line, we have fewer students than last year, uh matching the 125 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:21,360 trend of declining enrollment across our region, but we anticipated it, we 126 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:25,360 budgeted for it, and we're hitting our budgeted enrollment, and we expect to 127 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:30,880 gain kids in September. So, all around pretty good news for enrollment. 128 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:34,480 Uh staffing and class size update. So, these numbers are as of September 11th, 129 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,839 and I think we have some public commenters who are going to talk a 130 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:42,640 little bit about class size. So, um, I'm going to try to address a couple of 131 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:46,399 those things, but in general, and this is not everybody's individual 132 00:10:44,079 --> 00:10:51,440 experience, but in general, our class sizes are better kindergarten through 133 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:57,120 12th grade. Um, across the system, our K3 class size 134 00:10:54,160 --> 00:11:04,320 ratio, um, uh, which is something that we really try to focus on, uh, decreased 135 00:10:59,680 --> 00:11:10,160 from 19.2 average to 18.4 students. So that about one student is represents a 136 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:15,600 lot of money. Um but an investment in our our class sizes at the lowest 137 00:11:12,399 --> 00:11:22,880 levels. Um our highest elementary class sizes dropped from 36 last year to 31 138 00:11:18,959 --> 00:11:28,160 this year and we only have 31 at three different schools. So that is huge. Last 139 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:33,839 year when we were in major um fiscal crisis, we couldn't solve even the class 140 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:38,800 sizes of 36. I mean, we had that at at one school, but 36 elementary kids is a 141 00:11:36,959 --> 00:11:43,600 lot of kids. So, the fact that we have no classes right now over 31 is pretty 142 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:49,839 awesome. And it's only at three different schools. Um, at the secondary 143 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:55,040 um secondary core classes, that's math, science, ELA, English language arts, and 144 00:11:52,800 --> 00:12:04,079 social studies. secondary core class sizes um that are over 32 kids decreased 145 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:11,920 from 787 classes last year to 684. So we have 100 fewer classes that have 32 or 146 00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:17,839 more kids. That's good. It's not amazing because still we still 147 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:21,680 have 684 classrooms that are over 32 kids, but it's better than the year 148 00:12:19,680 --> 00:12:26,079 before. And I told my team when we were staffing, our goal is not worse than 149 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:30,800 last year. Secondary core classes that are over 40 150 00:12:28,399 --> 00:12:36,720 students, and we do have some, decreased from seven last year to two this year. 151 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:39,839 So we, this doesn't include all of the electives. Electives are kind of a 152 00:12:38,079 --> 00:12:44,000 different story. Band and orchestra and things like that. some of the electives 153 00:12:41,519 --> 00:12:48,959 they we we don't have a choice but to have more than 40 kids but in the core 154 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:53,279 uh content areas um classes that have more than 40 kids 155 00:12:50,959 --> 00:12:59,440 went down from seven last year to two. So not necessarily amazing but better 156 00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:03,440 than last year um with regards to staffing. So in addition to trying to 157 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:06,399 guess how many kids we're going to get, we have to then figure out where we 158 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:10,720 think the teachers are going to be. Where are the kids going to show up? 159 00:13:07,839 --> 00:13:14,560 Where are the teachers going to be? Um because I would I would say we have 160 00:13:12,639 --> 00:13:19,440 precise enrollment and staffing planning going on right now. Um we've made a lot 161 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:24,320 of improvements. We only had to do 12 involuntary transfers this year, down 162 00:13:21,839 --> 00:13:27,839 from 44 the previous year. So involuntary transfers are when we have 163 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:32,160 to take a teacher from international, for example, and send them to one of the 164 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:34,800 other high schools or vice versa. We think we're going to have less kids 165 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:40,880 here. We're going to move them here. We have to move teachers around. 12 is all 166 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:46,160 we did compared to 44 the previous year. And as I mentioned to the Belby Council 167 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:50,560 PTSA, we did not have to move any teachers after the start of the school 168 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:54,320 year. That is really remarkable because some years we're sending teachers from 169 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:59,360 one elementary to the next because kids didn't show up or more kids did show up. 170 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:02,720 And so, um, it can be very disruptive. Sometimes we can't help it. But I'm I'm 171 00:14:01,199 --> 00:14:08,480 very excited that we did not have to do that. Again, the bottom line, average 172 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:14,800 class sizes across K12 are improved from last year. And yet, average class sizes, 173 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:20,880 case loads for our special education teachers and ESAs and and others, and 174 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:24,639 individual outlier class sizes remain higher than uh what we ideally want them 175 00:14:23,279 --> 00:14:28,480 to be. So, I just want to make sure that that statement is out there because even 176 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:33,519 though I'm saying class size averages are better, that's not necessarily every 177 00:14:31,279 --> 00:14:38,880 individual teacher or kids experience. We do have some classes that are very 178 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:43,519 high um and we are keeping an eye on that um and trying to address them over 179 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:46,800 time. Uh my last statement about that is we have to continue to advocate for 180 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:51,440 ample funding from the state. That's the only way that we can systematically 181 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:56,079 lower class sizes to where we want them to be. um we are maxing out our budget. 182 00:14:54,399 --> 00:15:00,399 This is what class sizes look like when we max out our budget. Um if we want to 183 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:04,600 have lower class sizes, we're going to have to fight for it at the state level. 184 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:14,320 And then my my last um is a major celebration uh for my final update. I'd 185 00:15:11,839 --> 00:15:18,720 love to invite up uh the representatives from Belleview Big Picture International 186 00:15:16,959 --> 00:15:21,760 School, Newport High School, Sam Amish High School, Belleview High School, and 187 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:25,600 Interlake High School. So, if you guys would come up, Janine's going to hand 188 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:29,920 you a plaque. We're going to have you just kind of line up here in front of 189 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:35,040 the ledge facing the audience. Your back will be to the camera, but you know, um 190 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:40,519 it'll be okay. Uh come on up and then I'll I'll finish 191 00:15:36,959 --> 00:15:40,519 reading my statement. 192 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:52,240 Principal Yehudi, you want to come over here and stand right here on the edge? 193 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:57,920 Thank you. Oh, sorry. Okay. All right. All right. I'm just, you know, wasn't 194 00:15:54,240 --> 00:16:03,480 sure you're being shy. Yeah. Right there. And then facing out. 195 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:03,480 Be awesome. Great. 196 00:16:03,839 --> 00:16:09,600 Okay. Um, I'm beyond proud to again announce that our four comprehensive 197 00:16:07,839 --> 00:16:14,000 high schools and two choice schools have been recognized by US News and World 198 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:18,480 Reports as among the best high schools, not just in Washington State, but in the 199 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:22,639 nation. Uh being one of the best in the country is an actual designation by US 200 00:16:21,279 --> 00:16:26,720 News and World Report. So we don't just make up that they're among the best. 201 00:16:25,199 --> 00:16:30,880 They have to tell us that they're among the best. Um and these schools are 202 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:35,199 recognized for the accomplishments uh in preparing students for the future. 203 00:16:32,639 --> 00:16:39,440 Tonight we are formally presenting um these school leaders with uh their 204 00:16:36,959 --> 00:16:42,560 official recognitions. Being one of the best high schools in the country 205 00:16:40,639 --> 00:16:47,680 reflects the exceptional work of our students, staff, families, and community 206 00:16:45,279 --> 00:16:51,600 partners. We are particularly proud of these rankings because the rankings are 207 00:16:49,839 --> 00:16:56,160 not just based on test scores, graduation rates, and rigorous 208 00:16:53,680 --> 00:17:00,880 coursework offerings. Uh but they're also uh representing the success of 209 00:16:58,399 --> 00:17:04,799 students in our underserved groups. And these leaders here have been working so 210 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:08,799 hard with their staffs to make sure that each and every student in their school 211 00:17:06,319 --> 00:17:13,919 is thriving. Um I want to express my gratitude to our families for entrusting 212 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:17,839 us with their children's education. I want to thank our teachers and 213 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:22,079 administrators, our support staff at the schools, our district support staff, and 214 00:17:20,319 --> 00:17:26,559 our operations staff who we're going to be celebrating later this uh meeting for 215 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:30,799 their collective excellence and contributions that make these awards 216 00:17:28,559 --> 00:17:35,919 possible. And of course, thank you to our amazing students who work hard each 217 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:40,120 and every day. Um, let's all give our high schools a round of applause. 218 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:48,400 All right. So, now just hang tight for one second. We're going to have the 219 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:52,480 board come out and take a photo and then as soon as we're done with the photo, um 220 00:17:50,559 --> 00:17:56,000 I I'm going to dismiss our principles because they have curriculum nights. 221 00:17:54,240 --> 00:18:01,960 There's a couple of sports games and things like that. So, uh let's take a 222 00:17:57,679 --> 00:18:01,960 photo and then we will let them go. 223 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:25,600 Thank you very much for that presentation and congratulations to all 224 00:19:23,120 --> 00:19:30,080 our schools. Uh we are now moving to item 4.2 public comment. The board 225 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:33,200 values public input and allocates approximately 20 minutes per meeting for 226 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:37,280 public comments with each speaker limited to approximately 2 minutes. 227 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:41,120 Comments must be civil and within legal and district boundaries. The meeting 228 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:44,908 chair myself may end comments that exceed time limits or violate standards 229 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:47,200 of civility. [clears throat] 230 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:50,799 The board reserves the right to maintain order but differentiates between 231 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:55,120 unsimple remarks and critical yet respectful commentary. 232 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:59,160 Dr. Sanchez, can you please help me introduce the speakers tonight? 233 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:06,160 » Hello. There we go. Okay. Absolutely. We have a number of speakers this evening. 234 00:20:04,799 --> 00:20:09,520 When I say your name, if you would please approach. The microphone should 235 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:14,400 already be on and then once you're seated, the timer will begin. We have 236 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:17,400 our first speaker this evening is Carol Schmidt. 237 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:32,080 Good afternoon. I'm Carol Schmidt. I teach AP World and Foundations of World 238 00:20:30,159 --> 00:20:36,080 History at Belleview High. This is my 39th and final year of teaching, but I 239 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:41,520 can't promise this is the last time I'm coming here. I haven't asked for you 240 00:20:38,559 --> 00:20:45,120 where is the FTE being spent. The FTE the state gives to Belleview to run its 241 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:49,440 classrooms. The Belleview School District and BEA negotiated an average 242 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:54,080 class size in secondary schools shall not exceed a district-wide average of 28 243 00:20:51,919 --> 00:20:57,440 students and overage pay a few years ago. There was a hope that this would 244 00:20:55,760 --> 00:21:01,280 encourage some stability in our classrooms. Instead, the stability there 245 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:06,159 has been a steady increase in of our class sizes. I have started a school 246 00:21:03,679 --> 00:21:10,480 year in which my smallest class is 35 and the largest is 39. I am not alone. 247 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:15,520 I've asked social studies teachers across Newports, Mammish, and Interlink. 248 00:21:13,039 --> 00:21:19,840 Most are seeing these sizes. Our PE teacher wants you to know that our sixth 249 00:21:17,120 --> 00:21:24,320 period class has 47 kids and only six tennis courts. Our custodians are 250 00:21:21,919 --> 00:21:28,320 scrambling for furniture. My largest class also includes a student academic 251 00:21:26,159 --> 00:21:32,000 coach and a pair of educator. I can barely move in that room and I need to 252 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:37,280 move around because the class also contains seven IEPs, four students with 253 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:41,520 a 504 and eight students who are English language learners. I mentioned overage 254 00:21:39,360 --> 00:21:45,120 pay earlier. I'm only paid up to 35 kids. Is someone counting those extra 255 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:49,679 kids as money in the bank for the district? What is behind the actual 256 00:21:47,360 --> 00:21:53,600 student teacher ratio right now? And what are we not being told? We are told 257 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:56,880 that the district is in financial difficulty. Yet, I read district 258 00:21:55,280 --> 00:22:01,039 bulletins and new programs are still happening. I taught German early in my 259 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:06,720 career and I think language acquisition is super and great. But are we doing or 260 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:11,200 adding programs that are only going to be unsustainable singletons in the 261 00:22:09,039 --> 00:22:15,679 future? And sitting kids in front of a computer to learn these languages is not 262 00:22:13,360 --> 00:22:19,200 good language acquisition. A couple of dozen students sit in our library 263 00:22:17,360 --> 00:22:23,520 connected in theory to an online teacher. No one is really monitoring. 264 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:28,000 Neither the librarian or the career counselor are certified teachers. Is 265 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:31,679 that the future for these other programs? Pinching pennies while 266 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:36,400 depriving students of active instruction in a classroom. So uh my back to my 267 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:40,640 question, what's happening with the FTE? I have 40 students over the ideal 268 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:46,679 target. Shouldn't that number and the numbers from my colleagues be generating 269 00:22:42,320 --> 00:22:46,679 extra sections? Thank you. 270 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:54,039 » Thank you. Our next speaker is Reagan Lorden. 271 00:22:54,799 --> 00:23:02,559 » Hello. I'm Reagan Lorden, the BE uh BEA vice president, and I'm here tonight um 272 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:05,679 to well, I just wanted to say that I've come every time last year to talk about 273 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:10,320 pretty much the same thing, which is class sizes. And so, um, instead of me 274 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:14,000 speaking on behalf of them, I'm here tonight to read some quotes, um, that we 275 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:18,720 collected from teachers with, um, exceptional class sizes. And as Keller 276 00:23:16,559 --> 00:23:24,720 reminded us, the class, uh, for core classes should be 28 per our CBA and 26 277 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:28,080 for ELA. Um, a secondary teacher with a class size of 40. I initially had 40 278 00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:31,280 students in my first period and was struggling to find seats and tables for 279 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:36,000 everyone. I have no extra seats or tables in my room for any more students. 280 00:23:34,159 --> 00:23:39,600 secondary world language and ELA teacher with a class size of 30. Sometimes the 281 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:42,640 room is so full that that I cannot get to a student to answer their question or 282 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:46,799 stand next to them. I have to yell halfway across the room to ask and 283 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:51,840 answer questions. Secondary special ed teacher with a case load of 30. Teaching 284 00:23:49,120 --> 00:23:55,600 is literally 20% of my job now. Case working is handling parent and student 285 00:23:53,440 --> 00:24:00,720 behavior as well as an IEP online that is unusable and is taking up my entire 286 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:06,480 capacity. an elementary counselor with a CA case load of 536. As a counselor, it 287 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:12,000 is recommended that the ratio is 250 to1. The average in Washington state is 288 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:17,600 441. Um, and then a secondary teacher with a 289 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:21,039 37 a class size of 37 students. Despite using a microphone, it's difficult to 290 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:24,880 get students to pay attention, and the ones who can hear me have a hard time 291 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:29,039 hearing me all over all the noise. students with IEPs and 504s that need 292 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:33,039 frequent check-ins can't get them as often as they should. I would rather my 293 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:38,000 school closed than continue working like this. And finally, from a secondary 294 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:41,600 teacher, retaining experienced educators requires more than asking for their 295 00:24:39,679 --> 00:24:45,440 continued commitment. It requires demonstrating that their expertise is 296 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:49,600 respected and that legitimate concerns are addressed collaboratively. I want to 297 00:24:47,679 --> 00:24:53,120 remain invested in this community. I also need to know that the district is 298 00:24:51,279 --> 00:24:57,440 equally invested in the conditions that allow experienced educators and their 299 00:24:55,039 --> 00:25:01,440 students to thrive. Our ask is to make some timely decisions um with our 300 00:24:59,679 --> 00:25:04,559 staffing so that our students can have a meaningful impactful classroom 301 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:12,600 experience. Thank you. >> Thank you. 302 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:12,600 » Our next speaker is Patrick Carpenter. 303 00:25:19,919 --> 00:25:26,559 Hello, my name is Patrick Carpenter. I'm a Spanish and ELA teacher at Belleview 304 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:30,159 High School. I love my job, adore my students, and have a great community of 305 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:33,919 colleagues. The conditions we are being forced to learn in and teach in are 306 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:37,200 unacceptable. So, I've come today to talk to you about class size. Under the 307 00:25:35,919 --> 00:25:41,440 current way the district is approaching class target sizes and remedy pay, I and 308 00:25:39,679 --> 00:25:46,000 a majority of my colleagues received remedy pay every quarter for every 309 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:49,600 single class last year. Many class many had class sizes so large they exceeded 310 00:25:47,679 --> 00:25:53,440 the seven students over the target limit outlined in the CBA and so were not 311 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:57,679 compensated for the full scope of their work. This year it is somehow worse. As 312 00:25:56,240 --> 00:26:00,960 a building representative, I've heard from people across all subjects and 313 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:04,799 grade levels. In English with a target of 26 students, we are seeing classes 314 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:09,760 being filled on average at 33 per section. In world language with a target 315 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:13,760 of 28, I have classes of 32 and 36. Small compared to my colleagues who also 316 00:26:11,919 --> 00:26:18,080 have four plus preps a piece in both French and Japanese. In science, also 317 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:23,440 with a target of 28, I have colleagues in tiers over class sizes of 40 or more. 318 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:27,360 To frame this in terms of FTE, if we added three sections of freshman English 319 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:32,320 and two sections of sophomore English, the class sizes as a total would still 320 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:36,640 be more than 30 on average, four over our target. There is a full-time 321 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:40,640 position the district is stuffing into our already overcrowded classrooms, and 322 00:26:38,559 --> 00:26:44,880 that's just in one subject area in one school. Our admin is staffing as 323 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:49,919 instructed by the district. They say there's no FTE coming our way. I simply 324 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:53,520 do not feel supported by the district. I do not feel the class size and staffing 325 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:57,440 decisions are being made with the best interests of our students at heart. The 326 00:26:55,600 --> 00:27:01,120 budget is being balanced on the backs of educators. How am I supposed to teach 327 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:05,120 when I cannot physically get across the room due to the number of students? How 328 00:27:03,279 --> 00:27:09,200 can I build relationships and teach language when there are many days I 329 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:13,760 can't even talk to everyone? How can I effectively provide support for students 330 00:27:10,799 --> 00:27:17,919 with 504 plans and IEPs as required by law? Members of the school board, we 331 00:27:16,159 --> 00:27:22,880 share a purpose to provide a quality education to the students of Bellev. So, 332 00:27:19,919 --> 00:27:25,679 I'm asking you to do something. Failure to act on this will put our students 333 00:27:24,159 --> 00:27:28,799 education and safety, teachers health and wellbeing, and the reputation of the 334 00:27:27,039 --> 00:27:31,840 entire district in jeopardy. Please act with integrity and properly staff our 335 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:35,080 schools. >> Thank you. 336 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:41,159 » Our next speaker is Christy Sweinger. 337 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:48,880 Hello, my name is Christy Swessinger and I have two kiddos in the district. Um, I 338 00:27:46,799 --> 00:27:52,799 am part of Belleview PTSA Council, but I'm here tonight speaking on behalf of 339 00:27:50,559 --> 00:27:58,320 myself and we'd like to welcome the board and all of our community members 340 00:27:54,720 --> 00:28:03,440 to an upcoming event that PTSA Council and um, uh, Belleview School District is 341 00:28:01,279 --> 00:28:09,360 the welcome center is hosting for new families coming into the district. um 342 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:15,200 primarily kindergarten families but prek if you're new to the district. The event 343 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:21,760 is on Wednesday, September 23rd from 4 to 6:00 p.m. and we will have BSD 344 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:26,640 leaders here. Um we will have um student performances from um our some of our 345 00:28:24,399 --> 00:28:31,440 high schools and then it's a great opportunity to connect with families, 346 00:28:29,360 --> 00:28:36,640 people already in the district. we'll have many people um for with language 347 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:40,720 access if you know if you need some help uh completely understanding if you're 348 00:28:38,559 --> 00:28:46,399 new to the country um those sorts of things and then I also want to mention 349 00:28:42,559 --> 00:28:52,640 that as part of my role with um uh Washington state PTA advocacy committee 350 00:28:49,919 --> 00:28:59,440 I've um submitted I continue to advocate for literacy and math and I've submitted 351 00:28:54,960 --> 00:29:05,520 an issue for um debate I guess uh debate would our members vote on our top five 352 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:09,679 legislative priorities every bienium. And so that will be happening in 353 00:29:07,039 --> 00:29:13,679 October. So I'm focused on math and literacy still and hope that we can get 354 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:19,279 all of our PTA members across the state to approve that as a legislative 355 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:25,440 priority. So thank you all for um allowing and um allowing me to speak and 356 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:30,000 to um hopefully get all of our families to this new welcome event. Thank you. 357 00:29:27,679 --> 00:29:37,640 » And Christie, what day is the event? Wednesday, September 23rd from 4 to 6 at 358 00:29:34,080 --> 00:29:37,640 the welcome center. 359 00:29:37,679 --> 00:29:43,159 » All right. Thank you. Our next speaker is Michelle Morant. 360 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:50,720 » My name is Michelle Mordant. I serve on the BEA executive board. I want to 361 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:55,520 continue sharing what educators are experiencing in these first few weeks of 362 00:29:52,559 --> 00:29:59,840 school. A secondary teacher serving 110 students across three classes shared 40 363 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:03,760 students in a classroom is a safety issue. It also creates a hidden budget 364 00:30:01,520 --> 00:30:07,840 issue because materials much stretch much further. An elementary teacher with 365 00:30:05,919 --> 00:30:11,919 33 students said, "I do not have enough time in the day to truly connect with 366 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:17,360 every child in the way they need or deserve." An orchestra teacher with 53 367 00:30:14,559 --> 00:30:22,240 and 56 students explained that providing just five minutes of assessment per and 368 00:30:19,840 --> 00:30:25,840 feedback per student requires more than two additional hours beyond the 369 00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:30,159 contractual day each time classes are assessed. Teachers also re raised 370 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:34,640 concerns about classroom capacity, student support and learning conditions. 371 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:39,520 One secondary student asked why classroom fire code capacities are not 372 00:30:36,799 --> 00:30:43,919 readily available. Another teaching another teaching 37 students including 373 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:48,159 15 with significant learning needs questioned how they can effectively meet 374 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:52,640 all students needs. Several secondary teachers reported class sizes growing 375 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:56,799 from the mid30s in August to nearly 40 by the first days of school with 376 00:30:54,480 --> 00:31:01,200 students still being added. A science teacher with 36 students not noted some 377 00:30:59,279 --> 00:31:06,000 lab activities are simply no longer feasible with a class this size. An 378 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:09,600 elementary teacher with 30 students shared concerns about insufficient 379 00:31:08,159 --> 00:31:13,360 instructional materials. Another secondary teacher observed that crowded 380 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:17,360 classrooms make it harder for students, particularly neurode divergent students, 381 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:21,520 to engage and receive individualized the support they need. What we are hearing 382 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:25,279 is not about educator convenience. It's about student experience. These are 383 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:29,039 daily realities affecting students safety, learning, engagement, and 384 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:32,640 well-being across our district. The students who need connection, 385 00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:37,360 intervention, encouragement the most are most often the first to feel the impact. 386 00:31:35,039 --> 00:31:41,039 Behind every enrollment number is a child who deserves to be known, 387 00:31:39,039 --> 00:31:44,720 supported, and challenged. Behind every staffing decision is a classroom where 388 00:31:42,799 --> 00:31:48,880 educators are trying to meet the needs of every student in front of them. Now 389 00:31:47,039 --> 00:31:52,240 that we have passed the 8-day count, please consider these very real impacts. 390 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:55,480 Thank you. >> Thank you. 391 00:31:56,480 --> 00:32:01,080 The next speaker is Matthew Bush. 392 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:08,640 » Excuse me. Um, good afternoon members of the board. My name is Matt Bush. I'm a 393 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:12,480 history teacher at Belleview High School and I just wanted to share a quick story 394 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:17,840 that really kind of stopped me as I was driving home um yesterday. So, I have a 395 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:21,440 class um that as of yesterday was at 36. I just checked. Today it's at 34. Um, 396 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:25,200 which is great. I'm glad we're moving in that direction. Um, but in class that 397 00:32:23,679 --> 00:32:29,200 day, I had a student who that was their second day of class and we were talking. 398 00:32:26,799 --> 00:32:33,279 I said, "Okay, can you write that down?" And the student didn't know how to 399 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:36,960 write. Um, and then after school in tutorial, I had a student in that same 400 00:32:35,039 --> 00:32:41,519 class ask me, "How do I self-study for AP World?" Because they didn't have room 401 00:32:38,799 --> 00:32:45,200 in AP World. And so I was driving home thinking about, I have a kid who can't 402 00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:51,200 write. I have a kid who wants to be in AP and I have to make relationships with 403 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:56,880 the 33 other kids in between. It's hard enough when we're at 28, but you throw 404 00:32:53,519 --> 00:33:01,360 an additional kid and a kid and a kid. I want to do my job. I want to do my job 405 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:06,240 really, really well. I I it stopped me when I was trying to 406 00:33:04,159 --> 00:33:10,480 drive home to figure out how do I do that to the best of my ability. So, I 407 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:14,799 know we've thrown a lot of numbers. We've said a lot of things. I But that 408 00:33:12,159 --> 00:33:18,960 for me was like the okay, can we find some money somewhere? Can we reallocate 409 00:33:16,480 --> 00:33:23,279 some money somewhere? um because this is having a real impact not just on me as a 410 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:28,679 teacher but the kids who are in my room. So thank you. 411 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:28,679 » Thank you. 412 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:33,640 » Our next speaker is Joel Ingram. 413 00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:44,000 » Good evening directors. Uh for the first time I come before you, I get to say 414 00:33:42,159 --> 00:33:49,120 that I officially have three kids in secondary. It's a little overwhelming. 415 00:33:46,559 --> 00:33:53,039 Uh each of them have seven classes. So that makes a total of 21 different 416 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:57,440 classes and different teachers that I get to try to support my kids and track 417 00:33:55,200 --> 00:34:02,480 them. Um I want to start quickly with a quick story. Um a teacher shared 418 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:06,159 recently how um they asked their students and their families to 419 00:34:03,760 --> 00:34:11,599 specifically get one calculator. And there's a reason standards help make a 420 00:34:08,399 --> 00:34:15,359 classroom run smoothly. So, if a teacher is trying to help a student follow along 421 00:34:13,839 --> 00:34:19,359 in the lesson and they can't use the calculator because not that the math is 422 00:34:17,599 --> 00:34:23,280 wrong, but the buttons are labeled differently, it's got different 423 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:28,000 routines, it doesn't work. And that's kind of the theme I want to use for 424 00:34:24,639 --> 00:34:31,760 tonight is systems and standardizations help. And when we talk about family 425 00:34:29,919 --> 00:34:35,679 engagement, I really want to highlight academic family engagement because the 426 00:34:34,079 --> 00:34:39,359 number one question I have for my kids when they come home is, "How was school? 427 00:34:37,919 --> 00:34:44,639 What did you learn? What are you working on? and what's for homework. We have a 428 00:34:41,839 --> 00:34:48,320 great uh records management system uh parent view and synergy, but that's 429 00:34:46,639 --> 00:34:53,200 really the rear view mirror. That's a great tool to tell you what a student 430 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:58,240 got on a a test or a homework assignment, but typically there's a lag. 431 00:34:55,599 --> 00:35:03,359 It's not looking forward. We need what is known as a learning management system 432 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:08,079 that looks forward. We need one app or one website where parents can go. They 433 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:12,640 can see every assignment that is laid out for the next week. They need to know 434 00:35:10,079 --> 00:35:17,119 when tests are coming up. Um, using analogy, my kids are all in the same 435 00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:21,680 soccer club. There is one app. I can go to one calendar. I know all the 436 00:35:18,720 --> 00:35:26,880 practices, all of the uh games, locations, what color they are, home or 437 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:31,119 away, and I can function as a parent. We know that outcomes for students improve 438 00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:35,040 when parents are engaged. Let's make it easier for parents. Let's get give 439 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:40,560 parents and students a single entry point. I'm not advocating that we change 440 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:44,720 the digital stack we currently have, but we need to organize it. We need an entry 441 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:49,839 point and a learning management system is that entry point. Thank you. 442 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:54,599 » Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Satria Canopan. 443 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:04,560 Good evening members of the board. My name is Satvika Kanapen and this year 444 00:36:02,079 --> 00:36:08,880 I'm a youth link board member. I am also a sophomore currently attending Newport 445 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:12,880 High School. We are here tonight to extend our invitation to you for our 446 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:17,599 upcoming annual youth link gumbo night event on weddness day, October 28th from 447 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:22,720 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Crossroads Community Center. For the past 28 years, 448 00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:26,560 Bellev Youth Link hosts this special event that provides an opportunity for 449 00:36:24,720 --> 00:36:30,400 Bellev Youth Link members to dialogue with our elected officials, community 450 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:34,480 board members, and other city leadership about important topics affecting our 451 00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:38,880 youth today. Youth and guests share important conversations over delicious 452 00:36:36,240 --> 00:36:42,320 pots of gumbo and other food. We hope that you can join us for this special 453 00:36:40,240 --> 00:36:46,400 and unique evening with our youth link members. Your perspective, experience, 454 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:51,200 and support for our young people are extremely important. To RSVP, please 455 00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:56,599 contact our YouthLink staff at youth link at belleviewwah.gov or call us at 456 00:36:53,599 --> 00:36:56,599 425-4522847. 457 00:36:57,359 --> 00:37:03,800 Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to me today. 458 00:37:00,640 --> 00:37:03,800 » Thank you. 459 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:10,359 » And our final speaker this evening is Lauren B. 460 00:37:12,720 --> 00:37:19,040 Good evening, Dr. Armachi and members of the school board. My name is Lauren Bai. 461 00:37:16,880 --> 00:37:22,880 I'm a 10th grade student at Interlake High School here on behalf of Lens of 462 00:37:20,640 --> 00:37:27,839 Youth, a youthled nonprofit advocating for people with intellectual and/or 463 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:31,839 developmental disabilities or ID through storytelling, art, photography, and 464 00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:35,599 community engagement. Our flagship program, Misunderstood Moments, shares a 465 00:37:33,839 --> 00:37:40,720 collection of real life stories from people with ID, paired with original 466 00:37:38,079 --> 00:37:43,680 illustrations created by youth artists. Through art and storytelling, we 467 00:37:42,160 --> 00:37:48,160 encourage people to look beyond a single moment, and instead hear the person and 468 00:37:45,839 --> 00:37:51,599 perspectives behind them. Over the past year, we have reached seven cities 469 00:37:49,839 --> 00:37:55,680 through more than 50 community events and exhibitions, collected more than 470 00:37:53,520 --> 00:38:01,040 4,000 pledges for inclusion, launching five free programs offering art, music, 471 00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:04,560 dance, and kung fu classes. Here in Belleview, our gallery has been shared 472 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:08,560 at Belleview Library, Factori Mall, Crossroads Mall, and several community 473 00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:12,000 centers and events. We are actively collaborating with Belleview School 474 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:16,400 District's Evergreen Transition Program. Last school year, we provided two free 475 00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:20,400 music classes and two free art lessons to the students, and the feedback was 476 00:38:18,240 --> 00:38:23,040 overwhelmingly positive. The artworks created during the art classes are 477 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:27,119 actually on display in the district lobby right now. This year, we will 478 00:38:25,040 --> 00:38:31,520 provide additional art classes with funding from King County Council member 479 00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:34,480 Baluchi and for culture. Combining with the artworks from the Evergreen 480 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:38,640 Transition Program and real life stories from misunderstood moments, we hope to 481 00:38:37,119 --> 00:38:42,400 gain support from the district to tour this traveling exhibition throughout 482 00:38:40,079 --> 00:38:46,320 Belleview School District. Using art and real stories, we hope to turn 483 00:38:43,839 --> 00:38:50,480 misunderstanding into understanding and understanding into inclusion. Teaching 484 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:54,320 valuable perspectives and advocating for an unheard voice to my peers. Thank you 485 00:38:52,720 --> 00:38:57,119 Dr. Armaki and the school board for your time supporting young voices in the 486 00:38:55,680 --> 00:39:00,680 community. >> Thank you very much. 487 00:39:01,359 --> 00:39:07,920 » And that concludes our public commenters for this evening. 488 00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:14,079 » Fantastic. Appreciate all the public comments and feedback. Um, we are moving 489 00:39:10,720 --> 00:39:19,320 on to item 5.0, reports. And it looks like we have one report on operational 490 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:19,320 excellence tonight. 491 00:39:24,079 --> 00:39:32,119 We'll take just a moment to get everybody up front and seated and then 492 00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:32,119 we'll get started. 493 00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:58,119 She wants a photo first. 494 00:40:00,602 --> 00:40:08,000 [laughter] It is a pretty good-look group, huh? 495 00:40:05,440 --> 00:40:11,920 Just kidding. Uh, board directors, community, anybody who may be listening 496 00:40:09,839 --> 00:40:16,960 in this evening, thank you so much. My name is Dr. Heather Sanchez and it is my 497 00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:21,040 I serve as the deputy superintendent for the district and it is my honor to 498 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:26,560 introduce you to the people finance and operations team who is here to share 499 00:40:23,920 --> 00:40:31,040 with you this evening some highlights of the start of the year from the 500 00:40:28,079 --> 00:40:36,560 operational perspective. First I do want to say that we also have Mr. Lauren 501 00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:41,760 Tilman on our team representing finance. We decided he could have the evening off 502 00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:46,000 tonight as he has spent a fair amount of time in this room thus far. So, he is 503 00:40:44,320 --> 00:40:50,480 here in spirit but not physically here with us this evening. But the rest of 504 00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:55,920 the individuals you see seated here this evening represent departments that touch 505 00:40:52,800 --> 00:41:00,560 virtually every aspect of a student's day outside of the direct instruction 506 00:40:58,640 --> 00:41:05,920 from their teacher. from when their family walks in the door to the welcome 507 00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:11,119 center to register to what they eat to onboarding new staff members to opening 508 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:15,200 doors to new buildings and putting in new less exciting things like new 509 00:41:13,760 --> 00:41:20,240 toilets although they are pretty exciting. um whether or not their 510 00:41:17,760 --> 00:41:25,200 building is safe. And virtually when they step on the bus, when they step off 511 00:41:22,079 --> 00:41:30,400 the bus, virtually every aspect of that child's experience is touched in some 512 00:41:28,160 --> 00:41:35,040 way, shape or form by the individuals, the leaders sitting at this table who 513 00:41:32,720 --> 00:41:39,119 support the operational aspects all in service of the learning of our students. 514 00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:46,160 So we are thrilled to be here with you to share just a bit across departments 515 00:41:42,319 --> 00:41:49,160 about the launch of the school year. Okay. 516 00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:56,800 » Well, [clears throat] we've had a busy year and u toilets are important out 517 00:41:53,520 --> 00:42:03,440 there. I will tell you that. And um anyway, we um are celebrating the 518 00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:09,520 opening of Big Picture School. Um that's been a a great fun project for all of 519 00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:15,680 us. And uh we were able to get the school open when we made a plan to be 520 00:42:12,880 --> 00:42:21,200 able to get there. and uh we welcomed the students into that project. So um 521 00:42:19,119 --> 00:42:25,599 we're very happy with that project and how it turned out. There's still work 522 00:42:22,720 --> 00:42:29,280 that's going on. uh we had a delay of getting our permits of three months and 523 00:42:27,520 --> 00:42:35,520 so we did have quite a bit of time to make up and a lot of our contractors 524 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:39,680 subcontractors uh worked overtime hours to help us achieve that as well as 525 00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:44,240 working with the city personnel for inspections and and helping us slice 526 00:42:42,079 --> 00:42:50,800 through a lot of the red tape that goes with opening a new building. Um we have 527 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:55,520 international uh replacement and inner lake high school editions going on right 528 00:42:52,880 --> 00:43:01,520 now. International is going is actually was in for permitting starting on 529 00:42:57,839 --> 00:43:05,920 Tuesday of this week. And uh Inner Lake is in the process of getting out for 530 00:43:03,359 --> 00:43:11,440 bids for a phase one which is to be able to do some infrastructure and uh 531 00:43:09,440 --> 00:43:16,079 waterline replacements that we need to do to support the new additional square 532 00:43:13,440 --> 00:43:20,560 footage for the fire loop and so on. And so that uh is going to be out for bid 533 00:43:18,319 --> 00:43:26,560 here in October and we hope to bring that to the board for award of contract 534 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:31,920 for that phase in November. Uh we also then and these projects are all funded 535 00:43:28,560 --> 00:43:38,160 by bond money. Uh the transition sensory garden is um underway and we expect to 536 00:43:35,680 --> 00:43:45,520 have substantial completed completion on that project by the uh end of October. 537 00:43:41,680 --> 00:43:50,000 And so that's a area just uh south of the current transition building and uh 538 00:43:48,160 --> 00:43:55,119 the project is coming along really well. It's going to be a definite uh 539 00:43:53,280 --> 00:44:00,560 opportunity for the students and staff there on our capital levy funded 540 00:43:57,920 --> 00:44:04,640 projects. Uh we completed uh genderneutral restrooms at Samish High 541 00:44:02,560 --> 00:44:11,040 School. Photos included there of that project. And um then Newport Heights 542 00:44:08,640 --> 00:44:16,079 Elementary and Tai Tai Middle School, we replaced a chilled water system up there 543 00:44:13,359 --> 00:44:21,200 and added new chillers. Um again, they've been on the useful life for both 544 00:44:18,640 --> 00:44:26,240 of those chillers and we definitely try to go ahead and make sure we can replace 545 00:44:23,359 --> 00:44:31,280 things before they fail. So that was a key element that was done this summer. 546 00:44:28,800 --> 00:44:35,440 And I'm happy to report that all four of our high schools exceeded the Washington 547 00:44:33,599 --> 00:44:41,680 Clean Buildings Act performance standards. And so um they uh they 548 00:44:39,839 --> 00:44:46,560 performed very well and met all of the goals and exceeded everything that was 549 00:44:43,760 --> 00:44:49,920 set forth on that. And this year we'll be doing middle school which is all 550 00:44:48,400 --> 00:44:54,640 based on the square footage of the buildings. 551 00:44:51,520 --> 00:45:00,160 Uh custodial and warehouse operations. Um the warehouse, they took care of 552 00:44:58,079 --> 00:45:05,280 furniture deliveries that go on throughout the summer. Um either 553 00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:10,480 replacing, moving classroom sizes, locations, uh moving 554 00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:15,440 some teachers based on enrollment changes throughout the district. I think 555 00:45:12,079 --> 00:45:22,319 they did 40 moves this year. And then at Big Picture, they did all of the packing 556 00:45:18,960 --> 00:45:28,560 up at the old Big Picture school and then moved it all over on one weekend to 557 00:45:25,680 --> 00:45:32,079 the new school uh so that be ready to go for the teachers and Jubilee Reach to 558 00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:38,240 help uh teachers set up their classrooms. We also in the warehouse and 559 00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:43,119 I think you visited last year and saw the a number of the science kits and the 560 00:45:40,400 --> 00:45:47,119 PE kits that are out there and those are all collected in July brought back to 561 00:45:45,359 --> 00:45:51,280 the warehouse. They're refurbished by staff over the summer and they were 562 00:45:49,359 --> 00:45:56,880 delivered before school started for the science and elementary PE programs. Our 563 00:45:54,880 --> 00:46:00,160 custodial staff was involved in deep cleaning all of the schools, going 564 00:45:58,400 --> 00:46:04,400 through everything with all of the custodial members in a in a team 565 00:46:02,319 --> 00:46:10,720 cleaning situation. And then uh the C custodial staff also 566 00:46:07,520 --> 00:46:15,200 then uh uh started up their leadership classes again to go ahead and give 567 00:46:13,040 --> 00:46:20,640 people management skills to be able to apply for uh chief knight and head day 568 00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:25,920 custodians to move up within the organization. 569 00:46:22,560 --> 00:46:32,960 um the maintenance department, they put out a um thing to all of the schools and 570 00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:38,800 buildings for work orders and they for summer work orders. And so that starts 571 00:46:35,520 --> 00:46:42,960 about mid bay and uh from mid bay until the start of the school year, they 572 00:46:40,480 --> 00:46:49,680 completed 1,229 work orders. And um and we had it by the 573 00:46:46,720 --> 00:46:53,680 numbers 13 of our emergency generators were given load bank testings which is 574 00:46:51,680 --> 00:46:58,000 how we test how much energy they can generate and sustain over a period of 575 00:46:55,440 --> 00:47:02,427 time as well as making sure everything's reliable and ready to go for the what we 576 00:47:00,720 --> 00:47:07,280 know will be the upcoming [clears throat] uh storm seasons. So 577 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:11,839 we're ready to go with that. A lot of the maintenance items are maintaining 578 00:47:09,760 --> 00:47:15,760 all of our parking lots, doing all the striping out there for fire lanes and 579 00:47:13,839 --> 00:47:22,720 things like that. So, it's not beautiful artwork, but it's very necessary to do 580 00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:27,680 that. And um the number of battery replacements for emergency lighting and 581 00:47:25,280 --> 00:47:31,440 our access controls, the badges that you have that get you into the building, all 582 00:47:29,520 --> 00:47:35,520 of those have battery backup that all have to be replaced on an annual basis. 583 00:47:33,440 --> 00:47:40,400 So there's literally thousands of those that take place. Uh we have turf repairs 584 00:47:38,640 --> 00:47:46,319 go on by our maintenance and grounds crew. Uh we had some fireworks damage at 585 00:47:43,040 --> 00:47:51,200 at Madina Bennett and Inner Lake and uh they went out and took care of those. A 586 00:47:49,200 --> 00:47:55,119 lot of classroom moves alterations and then the fire alarm testing which takes 587 00:47:53,200 --> 00:48:01,200 place most of the summer to make sure that all of our systems are operational. 588 00:47:57,680 --> 00:48:07,280 We have to have the interior of all the fire suppression lines checked uh every 589 00:48:04,400 --> 00:48:11,280 five years. And so it's pretty extensive job just to go ahead and certify that 590 00:48:09,119 --> 00:48:16,319 we've got good safe environments for our for our students and staff. And then all 591 00:48:14,079 --> 00:48:19,960 the elevators are tested and certified for annual operations. 592 00:48:20,640 --> 00:48:25,680 » That's about it. [laughter] 593 00:48:24,720 --> 00:48:30,480 » Is that all? >> Yeah. No. 594 00:48:27,920 --> 00:48:35,200 » Hi everyone. I'm Freedom Johnson, the coordinator for the uh engagement 595 00:48:32,160 --> 00:48:40,160 specialist for VIP educators program. And um not with us tonight is our um 596 00:48:38,480 --> 00:48:45,760 fearless leader of the new hire orientation team, Janisha Branch, who is 597 00:48:42,400 --> 00:48:49,520 our director of employer relations and leadership development. I got it right. 598 00:48:47,839 --> 00:48:54,000 And I'm Anna Haddlestead, the program coordinator for instructional mentors 599 00:48:51,359 --> 00:48:57,440 and national board certification. So, we're here to talk about new hire 600 00:48:55,440 --> 00:49:01,440 orientation. We had three days of it and it was amazing. So, we were very 601 00:48:59,440 --> 00:49:05,040 intentional in planning new hire or orientation. Ultimately, our goal was 602 00:49:03,440 --> 00:49:10,079 for every new employee to leave orientation feeling welcomed, connected, 603 00:49:07,839 --> 00:49:13,760 informed, and ready to begin the year. Not just as a new hire, but as a valued 604 00:49:12,319 --> 00:49:18,319 member of the Belleview School District community. So, day one, our theme was 605 00:49:16,400 --> 00:49:23,440 belong. We wanted new hires from classroom educators to ESAs to even new 606 00:49:21,119 --> 00:49:27,839 admin uh to understand not only where they were working but what they were 607 00:49:24,960 --> 00:49:32,160 becoming a part of. We took participants on a um out of the traditional 608 00:49:30,319 --> 00:49:37,839 orientation setting and we put them on school buses for a district-wide tour 609 00:49:34,800 --> 00:49:42,240 led by Dr. Aramaki. He got five star reviews. Um so thank you. We visited 610 00:49:40,800 --> 00:49:45,599 different locations, heard from departments and leaders, and learned 611 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:49,520 pieces of our district's history and story. This gave new employees a much 612 00:49:47,920 --> 00:49:52,960 broader perspective of the Belleview School District and helped them to begin 613 00:49:51,359 --> 00:49:57,359 to see themselves as a part of our community. We intentionally ended the 614 00:49:55,280 --> 00:50:01,680 day with connection and storytelling. Former noviceses from the previous year 615 00:49:59,440 --> 00:50:06,480 returned to participate on an educator panel. Uh they shared their experiences, 616 00:50:04,240 --> 00:50:11,119 offered practical advice, and answered questions from those just beginning 617 00:50:08,240 --> 00:50:14,400 their careers in BSD. We are we also provided new administrators with the 618 00:50:12,880 --> 00:50:18,800 opportunity to hear directly from experienced colleagues through a panel 619 00:50:16,480 --> 00:50:22,240 designed specifically for their roles. Uh this was an important message in and 620 00:50:20,480 --> 00:50:26,240 of itself because we don't just welcome new employees, we invite them to become 621 00:50:24,160 --> 00:50:30,240 a part of our community that supports one another. 622 00:50:27,599 --> 00:50:35,520 » And a quote from one of our participants um about day one. Uh it is profound to 623 00:50:33,359 --> 00:50:39,599 have the superintendent lead this tour. This is exemplary leadership in my 624 00:50:37,359 --> 00:50:43,200 opinion. I was also impacted by the many personal stories from employees that we 625 00:50:41,359 --> 00:50:48,480 met that connect us to history and community. Day two, our theme was learn. 626 00:50:46,640 --> 00:50:52,160 So once participants had a stronger sense of belonging, we focused on 627 00:50:50,079 --> 00:50:55,839 building their readiness. They spent the morning learning about the technology 628 00:50:53,760 --> 00:50:59,680 and systems that they would use in their day-to-day work. We then opened the 629 00:50:57,839 --> 00:51:04,160 doors to a resource fair bringing support directly to our new employees. 630 00:51:02,079 --> 00:51:07,280 They could have connect uh sorry they could connect face tof face with 631 00:51:05,440 --> 00:51:10,880 representatives from benefits, the Belleview Education Association, the 632 00:51:09,200 --> 00:51:14,400 Belleview Schools Foundation, National Board Certification Engagement 633 00:51:12,559 --> 00:51:18,240 Specialists, and other departments and resources from across the district. They 634 00:51:16,480 --> 00:51:22,640 spent their afternoons at their job sites meeting important people from 635 00:51:20,319 --> 00:51:28,480 office managers, admin, custodians, ITCL's, and colleagues. And a quote from 636 00:51:26,079 --> 00:51:33,280 uh day two participant um said, "The ITCL at my site met everyone right where 637 00:51:30,960 --> 00:51:37,520 they were at with timely, relevant, meaningful information and support. It 638 00:51:35,520 --> 00:51:42,319 was the most impactful part of the day 2 experience. 639 00:51:39,920 --> 00:51:46,000 And then day three of our new hire orientation was our equity day um 640 00:51:44,400 --> 00:51:52,079 facilitated by the engagement specialists for BIPO educators team. Uh 641 00:51:48,720 --> 00:51:55,760 the theme was ready to lead. Focusing on deepening our equity values through 642 00:51:53,760 --> 00:51:59,280 shared learning and reflection. So throughout the day we explored how our 643 00:51:57,520 --> 00:52:03,440 identities shape our experiences and interactions. We examined the impact of 644 00:52:01,440 --> 00:52:07,359 implicit bias and microaggressions in educational settings. Participants 645 00:52:05,520 --> 00:52:10,800 engaged in activities and discussions that encourage self-awareness, empathy, 646 00:52:09,440 --> 00:52:15,440 and a deeper understanding of anti-racism and belonging. Rather than 647 00:52:13,359 --> 00:52:19,680 viewing equity as a destination, we emphasize that it is an ongoing practice 648 00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:24,480 that requires courage, reflection, and action. The day concluded with a call to 649 00:52:22,480 --> 00:52:28,400 action to use what we learn to help create environments where every student, 650 00:52:26,480 --> 00:52:32,319 family, and staff member feels seen, valued, and supported. By strengthening 651 00:52:30,559 --> 00:52:35,520 our commitment to equity, and belonging, we continue building the beloved 652 00:52:33,839 --> 00:52:40,640 community that is at the heart of the Bellev School District. And our quote 653 00:52:38,000 --> 00:52:45,040 from day three, I am so grateful to have a district that not just centers and 654 00:52:42,720 --> 00:52:49,359 encourages equity dialogue, but that demonstrates and provides educators ways 655 00:52:47,200 --> 00:52:52,359 to compassionately engage in equity work. 656 00:52:52,960 --> 00:52:59,119 Good evening. I'm Wendy Wire, director of nutrition services. Uh, as last 657 00:52:56,880 --> 00:53:02,880 school year ended, our team transitioned to supporting children in our community 658 00:53:01,119 --> 00:53:07,200 by offering free meals through the summer feeding program. Uh this year 659 00:53:05,200 --> 00:53:11,599 meals were available at Stevenson and Inner Lake High School, which hosted the 660 00:53:09,119 --> 00:53:15,599 district's summer school programs. Uh one of our newer summer roles is 661 00:53:13,680 --> 00:53:21,760 supporting families of eligible students in accessing SunBugs. Sunbucks is a $120 662 00:53:19,280 --> 00:53:26,960 EBT benefit card that is used by families to purchase food when school is 663 00:53:23,760 --> 00:53:31,839 out. Um the families of over 4,500 students qualified for this benefit in 664 00:53:28,960 --> 00:53:35,440 our district. Over the summer, our team has an opportunity to have a little 665 00:53:33,520 --> 00:53:40,079 creative fun getting into the kitchen and focusing on new menu and recipe 666 00:53:37,839 --> 00:53:44,960 development. A few new items that our students will see this fall include a 667 00:53:41,680 --> 00:53:49,440 Korean beef beam and bop bowl, hot honey chicken sandwich, a scratchade tomato 668 00:53:47,839 --> 00:53:53,599 soup that was actually on the menu today in our middle and high schools, and a 669 00:53:51,280 --> 00:53:57,200 scratchmade breakfast burrito. These additions expand variety and bring more 670 00:53:55,599 --> 00:54:03,359 freshly prepared choices to our students. We launched our new explore 671 00:53:59,839 --> 00:54:08,240 more menu theme and logo, a nod to Dr. Aramaki and his love of space and the 672 00:54:05,680 --> 00:54:13,520 moon. Uh to encourage students to discover new foods and flavors in a fun, 673 00:54:10,640 --> 00:54:17,440 engaging way. Sustainability remains an important priority. Uh to help reduce 674 00:54:15,599 --> 00:54:21,599 waste, we partnered with our uh communications department and also our 675 00:54:19,520 --> 00:54:25,359 language specialists to create a new school lunch rules video that is 676 00:54:23,599 --> 00:54:29,599 available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. The video's goal is to help 677 00:54:27,680 --> 00:54:35,040 elementary students understand the lunch process and how to make choices to 678 00:54:31,760 --> 00:54:39,119 minimize unwanted food. We strengthen access to school meal benefits by 679 00:54:36,800 --> 00:54:45,119 opening the child nutrition eligibility and education benefit application or 680 00:54:41,920 --> 00:54:50,640 known as SNEB earlier than planned on August 12th. Application materials are 681 00:54:47,839 --> 00:54:54,720 now offered in seven languages and we updated the more than a meal application 682 00:54:52,720 --> 00:54:59,839 benefits flyer as a resource for families. uh to promote application 683 00:54:57,200 --> 00:55:04,800 completion. Since mid August, more than 3,500 students have been qualified for 684 00:55:02,079 --> 00:55:09,119 school meal benefits for this year. Staffing is another key part of reliable 685 00:55:07,040 --> 00:55:14,160 meal services for our students. Nutrition services hosted two job fairs 686 00:55:11,200 --> 00:55:18,480 in early August to support hiring. And I'm happy to report that we were fully 687 00:55:15,760 --> 00:55:23,680 staffed on the first day of school, not on the second day, but at least we had 688 00:55:20,400 --> 00:55:27,200 one day being fully staffed. Um together these efforts reflect our department's 689 00:55:25,520 --> 00:55:32,960 commitment to nourishing students, supporting families, and partnering with 690 00:55:29,119 --> 00:55:36,079 our schools every day. Good evening, directors. For the record, 691 00:55:34,720 --> 00:55:39,520 my name is Douglas James, your director of safety and security. This summer, in 692 00:55:38,160 --> 00:55:43,119 preparation for the new school year, the safety and security department focused 693 00:55:41,280 --> 00:55:47,680 on, excuse me, [clears throat] people, processes, and safety equipment. people 694 00:55:46,160 --> 00:55:51,520 recognizing our staff are our most important safety resource. We provided 695 00:55:49,599 --> 00:55:55,920 essential life safety training to all the administrators in the district on 696 00:55:53,680 --> 00:55:59,520 incident response and also trauma informed and safe searching of 697 00:55:57,359 --> 00:56:02,880 individuals for dangerous weapons. We connected with all district parah 698 00:56:01,040 --> 00:56:07,839 educators and provided them training and reunification best practices 699 00:56:05,680 --> 00:56:12,880 and had the opportunity to provide three hours of safety training to our 700 00:56:09,760 --> 00:56:16,000 Belleview Boys and Girls Club partners. That's extremely important because as 701 00:56:14,400 --> 00:56:20,000 you're aware they're in all of our elementary schools and it really 702 00:56:17,760 --> 00:56:25,200 synergizes our response efforts both before, during, and after school hours. 703 00:56:23,040 --> 00:56:29,280 Under processes, we updated our district level emergency operations plan. That's 704 00:56:26,960 --> 00:56:33,440 our guiding document to all critical incidences, whether it's a fire, 705 00:56:31,119 --> 00:56:37,440 earthquake, mass casualty incident, simple power outage, right? It guides 706 00:56:35,680 --> 00:56:42,880 our response efforts and we train to that. We added an appendex on extreme 707 00:56:40,240 --> 00:56:47,520 heat response measures and also air quality and updated the safety and 708 00:56:45,119 --> 00:56:52,000 security department's uh external facing web page with an environmental safety 709 00:56:49,839 --> 00:56:56,960 tab that covers our extreme heat responses and air quality index. Uh we 710 00:56:55,200 --> 00:57:00,400 also updated our mutual aid agreement with the city of Belleview. That's an 711 00:56:58,640 --> 00:57:06,319 important document that codifies our sharing of resources uh in a large-scale 712 00:57:03,920 --> 00:57:10,880 critical incident between the city and the school district. And then under 713 00:57:08,079 --> 00:57:14,559 safety equipment, uh we inventoried all the AEDs across the district, found them 714 00:57:12,880 --> 00:57:18,480 all to be accounted for, which is positive and in good working order. Uh 715 00:57:17,200 --> 00:57:21,839 and then we provided life safety equipment for our new P picture school. 716 00:57:20,160 --> 00:57:26,480 Made sure it's standardized with all the rest of the equipment across the 717 00:57:23,359 --> 00:57:31,599 district. Lastly, we leveraged uh district tech levy funding to put new 718 00:57:28,960 --> 00:57:36,799 cameras in at Madina Elementary. We have cameras being installed at Somerset and 719 00:57:33,440 --> 00:57:40,880 Spirit Ridge currently. Uh and that that project at those two sites will be 720 00:57:38,480 --> 00:57:45,520 completed by the end of October. Uh also leveraging TEFL funding, we repaired 721 00:57:43,680 --> 00:57:49,119 exterior cameras at several of our high schools. Safety and security department 722 00:57:47,520 --> 00:57:52,480 uh looks forward to this year advancing safety and security efforts across the 723 00:57:50,880 --> 00:57:57,760 district. >> Good evening. Angela Christopherson, 724 00:57:54,559 --> 00:58:02,480 technology services. Um and technology services, we prepared everyone for a 725 00:58:00,000 --> 00:58:09,839 strong start of the school. We collected, we reimaged, and we passed 726 00:58:05,920 --> 00:58:14,480 back out over 20,000 student devices. Um, over the summer, we have a team that 727 00:58:12,160 --> 00:58:18,880 comes together to do that, and we had students that joined us from the Cisco 728 00:58:16,960 --> 00:58:24,319 program and from the Evergreen Transition Program. So, it's a really um 729 00:58:21,599 --> 00:58:31,119 it's a fun team that gets together. Uh, we upgraded wireless in 14 of our 730 00:58:27,760 --> 00:58:36,160 schools and district locations. Um, we expanded and improved classroom 731 00:58:33,280 --> 00:58:42,559 technology across the district. Um, and we upgraded to InTouch pay which is 732 00:58:39,200 --> 00:58:49,920 going to promote easier school payments. Um, we also protected and modernized. 733 00:58:46,640 --> 00:58:55,760 Um, we completed uh we had Microsoft come in and uh it's a specialty security 734 00:58:53,280 --> 00:59:01,920 team um and they did an independent review of our security system. Um and 735 00:58:59,040 --> 00:59:08,960 the good news is the results were uh that we had no evidence of an active in 736 00:59:05,119 --> 00:59:15,119 intrusion. Um and they also rated us as 20% stronger than other organizations 737 00:59:12,319 --> 00:59:19,680 our size. So we feel very good about that. 738 00:59:16,799 --> 00:59:24,559 Uh also on the security side we introd uh we introduced a new security 739 00:59:22,079 --> 00:59:31,359 awareness platform. That's what the acorn is up there. Um, it really turns 740 00:59:28,480 --> 00:59:36,480 thousands of emails that we get uh every day, every hour at the Belleby School 741 00:59:33,440 --> 00:59:41,680 District into an early warning system. Um, because staff across the district 742 00:59:38,880 --> 00:59:48,079 can press a button and a it's actually a squirrel. Um, it's a company called 743 00:59:44,799 --> 00:59:54,720 CyberNet. Um, but then they notify us if there's uh emails that are look 744 00:59:50,160 --> 01:00:00,000 suspicious or that are um evidence of fishing. Um, and then uh the the product 745 00:59:58,240 --> 01:00:06,160 then we can take a look at the the emails um and then remove the emails 746 01:00:02,799 --> 01:00:11,920 from all of our uh staff inboxes. So if there's one bad email, we can remove it 747 01:00:08,400 --> 01:00:17,280 from all of our staff inboxes. Um we also advanced AI responsibly across the 748 01:00:15,040 --> 01:00:21,280 district by developing guidelines and resources. 749 01:00:18,799 --> 01:00:27,280 our applications team, our solutions team does custom development and we 750 01:00:24,160 --> 01:00:32,160 built an alternative learning experience app for digital discovery. Um, and then 751 01:00:30,160 --> 01:00:36,880 finally partnering with our friends in the welcome center, we tested and 752 01:00:34,400 --> 01:00:42,640 configured volunteer matters, which is new software that is going to improve 753 01:00:39,680 --> 01:00:47,480 our volunteer operations um and help with our background check visibility. 754 01:00:49,680 --> 01:00:55,680 Good evening, directors. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Don 755 01:00:53,440 --> 01:00:59,839 Dixon. I am the director of transportation for the Belleview School 756 01:00:57,680 --> 01:01:05,440 District. And I'm here to say the wheels on the bus still go round and round, 757 01:01:02,319 --> 01:01:11,119 went round and round today. Um things that happened for us in our department, 758 01:01:08,160 --> 01:01:18,880 uh we continue to route efficiently. Uh but last year we traveled 10,000 less 759 01:01:14,640 --> 01:01:24,720 mileage and saved about 1300 uh in in fuel costs in gallons of fuel 760 01:01:21,839 --> 01:01:31,280 which is close to about $10,000. Um this year you guys know Metro made a 761 01:01:27,760 --> 01:01:36,400 lot of changes. uh we were able to adapt some of our um 762 01:01:34,799 --> 01:01:41,359 bus routes that service the international big picture uh schools to 763 01:01:39,520 --> 01:01:48,400 cover some of those areas that Metro does not go to anymore. And for me the 764 01:01:45,920 --> 01:01:54,559 most important thing I know student enrollment is down but wrership is up by 765 01:01:50,960 --> 01:01:59,760 about 200 students and this is due right now to the big picture move. More 766 01:01:56,880 --> 01:02:05,599 students are riding the bus. Um and I project the same 767 01:02:02,400 --> 01:02:10,922 increase when international moves to uh ring. 768 01:02:08,160 --> 01:02:13,920 Thank you. [clears throat] 769 01:02:12,079 --> 01:02:18,000 » Good evening school board directors. This is Dr. Mas here with the welcome 770 01:02:16,240 --> 01:02:21,200 center. Um the [clears throat] welcome center if you had the opportunity to 771 01:02:19,280 --> 01:02:25,200 stop by this summer was just buzzing with activity. If you ever been to my 772 01:02:23,599 --> 01:02:28,160 office that's where the picture of where the sun is. Um, there's a little 773 01:02:26,799 --> 01:02:31,760 kitchenet if you in case you ever want to, you know, warm up your lunch or 774 01:02:29,680 --> 01:02:35,200 something. Kids are there all the time. So, a good indicator for me how busy we 775 01:02:33,520 --> 01:02:38,880 are is when I have kids knock on my window and try to play with my computer 776 01:02:36,880 --> 01:02:43,280 or something. But, it's really really amazing to have uh families come and um, 777 01:02:42,000 --> 01:02:46,480 you know, make a use of the welcome center. So, I'm going to be sharing some 778 01:02:44,559 --> 01:02:50,720 numbers with you, but I know there's a lot of stories and a lot of things that 779 01:02:47,920 --> 01:02:53,359 go behind these numbers. Um, we have a lot of families come to the welcome 780 01:02:51,920 --> 01:02:57,920 center for different things. Some of the families come for digital discovery. um 781 01:02:55,839 --> 01:03:02,480 student supports, but out of the families that we serve directly, we had 782 01:03:00,240 --> 01:03:05,920 over 200 families come to the welcome center to be supported by a welcome 783 01:03:03,920 --> 01:03:09,280 center specialist. That's a huge testament of um you know, the support 784 01:03:07,599 --> 01:03:13,200 that the team is providing to the community. And um most of the families 785 01:03:11,760 --> 01:03:16,559 that come to the welcome center, some of the families are supported um through 786 01:03:14,880 --> 01:03:21,039 the phone. They don't have to come in person to the welcome center to get 787 01:03:18,000 --> 01:03:26,640 support from us. Um but we uh process about two um about almost 3,000 788 01:03:23,520 --> 01:03:32,799 enrollments for the 26 27th school year. The enrollment um um processing process 789 01:03:30,000 --> 01:03:36,400 starts in February of each year. So this is really really exciting. And yesterday 790 01:03:34,559 --> 01:03:39,520 we sent out a survey to our new families because we want to hear from them and we 791 01:03:37,920 --> 01:03:43,760 want to hear about how the experience went. Then also part of the welcome 792 01:03:41,839 --> 01:03:46,799 center we have the office of Mckin Vento which focuses on supporting families 793 01:03:45,280 --> 01:03:52,480 facing housing stability and homelessness. Um every year in the 794 01:03:49,280 --> 01:03:57,359 summer we review um hundreds of um housing questionnaers to ensure that the 795 01:03:54,640 --> 01:04:00,640 families who need supports uh um you know to be able to have their kids 796 01:03:58,480 --> 01:04:05,280 access their uh education are provided with those. And this year this summer we 797 01:04:03,440 --> 01:04:09,839 have about over 300 of those families who qualify for Mckin vent protections. 798 01:04:07,839 --> 01:04:12,160 So uh we're really excited to be of support of you know families who are 799 01:04:11,200 --> 01:04:15,920 experiencing some of the most challenging situations in our system. 800 01:04:14,400 --> 01:04:19,599 Then in addition to that, language access is part of the welcome center as 801 01:04:17,760 --> 01:04:24,160 well. And this is our third year of the language of after the launch of the 802 01:04:20,960 --> 01:04:28,000 language access program. And this year in collaboration with technology and 803 01:04:26,240 --> 01:04:32,799 communications, we use some innovative tools to create some really short cool 804 01:04:30,400 --> 01:04:37,039 videos for uh training families and uh staff about the use of our tools. And 805 01:04:35,359 --> 01:04:41,760 it's interesting because um you know if you ever seen the Cintishia videos that 806 01:04:39,039 --> 01:04:45,280 are created by AI it's like this person talking about and it's just so amazing 807 01:04:43,760 --> 01:04:49,440 and we try to keep the videos really short and available in multiple 808 01:04:46,880 --> 01:04:53,039 languages of course so that families can have an understanding of what it is that 809 01:04:51,039 --> 01:04:58,880 we have to support with language access. If we go to the next slide please. Um, 810 01:04:56,079 --> 01:05:02,720 one counter store u huge piece of the welcome center is the collaboration and 811 01:05:01,119 --> 01:05:06,319 the work that we do with our community partners and I know I'm going to do a 812 01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:09,200 huge disservice here because we get support from many many many 813 01:05:07,599 --> 01:05:11,760 organizations but I want to highlight some of the things that has been 814 01:05:10,400 --> 01:05:16,079 happening in preparation for the beginning of the school year. So um 815 01:05:14,720 --> 01:05:18,799 going back to Christie thank you Christie for the shout out and the 816 01:05:17,440 --> 01:05:24,000 information about the event that's coming up on the 23rd from 4 4 to 6. So 817 01:05:21,839 --> 01:05:29,200 please don't forget 23rd from 4 to 6 which is Wednesday PTSA Belby the PTSA 818 01:05:27,119 --> 01:05:33,359 council has been a critical partner with us in not only this event and the 819 01:05:31,599 --> 01:05:38,000 collaboration with technology on uh streamlining the volunteer system but so 820 01:05:35,440 --> 01:05:44,160 many ways. Um so we're really excited about that's coming up next week. But 821 01:05:39,920 --> 01:05:50,400 then about um 1,600 a little over 1,600 um backpacks were um uh put together and 822 01:05:48,160 --> 01:05:54,640 distributed by um one of our community or partners, Congregation for Kids. 823 01:05:52,480 --> 01:05:59,119 These were distributed to all schools um K through 12 um and they contain some 824 01:05:57,599 --> 01:06:03,119 supplies specific to different grade levels. That require a lot of work and 825 01:06:01,440 --> 01:06:08,880 um lot of preparation. So we're so thankful for their support. Then um our 826 01:06:06,480 --> 01:06:12,880 partners from Belleville Lifepring um collaborated with um Amazon and they put 827 01:06:10,960 --> 01:06:16,480 together about 5,000 snack packs that were distributed to schools so that 828 01:06:14,799 --> 01:06:21,119 those families and students who need some you know snacks um or additional 829 01:06:19,200 --> 01:06:24,240 things um get those by the beginning of the school year. So we're really 830 01:06:22,720 --> 01:06:28,880 thankful to Belleville Lifepring for that support as well. Bellev Boys and 831 01:06:26,319 --> 01:06:33,920 Girls Club as you know um they are working they're um providing an after 832 01:06:31,039 --> 01:06:37,039 and before school care and um we had representation from them at the welcome 833 01:06:35,599 --> 01:06:41,039 center during the summer to help with enrollment which is something really 834 01:06:39,039 --> 01:06:45,599 amazing and we're super thankful to to them as well. And then ICHS uh which is 835 01:06:44,240 --> 01:06:49,599 a community partner that we work with and they're the ones who work um the 836 01:06:47,520 --> 01:06:53,920 Highland Clinic came to the welcome center as well to provide uh families 837 01:06:51,680 --> 01:06:56,799 with support with vaccination to get the the students ready for the first day of 838 01:06:55,520 --> 01:07:01,520 school. So you'll see some of those pictures there. Uh boys and girls club 839 01:06:59,119 --> 01:07:05,440 also came with a van and provided some um you know support for a families on 840 01:07:03,440 --> 01:07:08,960 multiple days. And then we partner with the city of Belleview as we have done in 841 01:07:07,039 --> 01:07:12,640 the past to be part of movies in the park which is a great opportunity for us 842 01:07:10,799 --> 01:07:16,799 as the district to just share some information and welcome our families for 843 01:07:14,720 --> 01:07:20,480 the beginning of school year. But we are super thrilled about um you know the 844 01:07:19,280 --> 01:07:25,160 beginning of school year and being of support to our community. Thank you. 845 01:07:30,480 --> 01:07:37,920 All right. And as you can see, we hope that this provides a snapshot to you of 846 01:07:35,119 --> 01:07:42,240 how busy these departments were over the summer. While many were off vacationing, 847 01:07:40,240 --> 01:07:46,559 well-earned, might I add, these departments were above a buzz with 848 01:07:44,640 --> 01:07:50,480 activity. Um, all in preparation of receiving our students and families over 849 01:07:48,559 --> 01:07:56,839 the summer and of course at the start of the school year. And with that, we are 850 01:07:52,480 --> 01:07:56,839 happy to receive your feedback. 851 01:07:57,280 --> 01:08:05,599 » Uh, thanks. We'll continue to follow the word sequence. So, um, I'm first, so I 852 01:08:02,799 --> 01:08:08,480 will start that. Um, really appreciate the presentation. It's great to hear all 853 01:08:07,039 --> 01:08:11,359 the hard work that goes on on the summer. A lot of people think the 854 01:08:09,599 --> 01:08:14,799 schools closed and everybody goes away, but you guys have clearly been hard at 855 01:08:13,520 --> 01:08:18,799 work, whether it's planning for transportation and uh, making sure 856 01:08:16,880 --> 01:08:23,839 people are being fed all summer. It's really great work to to to be aware of, 857 01:08:20,960 --> 01:08:27,520 and I have to thank you for all the work on the fireworks. I know that there are 858 01:08:25,839 --> 01:08:30,799 a lot of challenges dealing with that over the summer. 859 01:08:29,120 --> 01:08:33,759 um your your presentations are great 860 01:08:32,319 --> 01:08:37,359 reminders of some of the things that are, you know, important beyond the 861 01:08:35,600 --> 01:08:40,319 teachers. The teachers are obviously why everybody comes into the schools and we 862 01:08:39,120 --> 01:08:44,239 want to make sure we're providing great education, but importance of place. Um, 863 01:08:43,120 --> 01:08:47,120 you know, I've heard a lot of people talking about bathrooms in a lot of 864 01:08:45,759 --> 01:08:50,640 different ways, but obviously the students feel those are really important 865 01:08:49,040 --> 01:08:54,880 and they've really valued the the improvements that we've made with the 866 01:08:51,839 --> 01:08:58,080 single-use uh restrooms. Um, the importance of transportation. I've heard 867 01:08:56,799 --> 01:09:01,679 from a lot of parents that they appreciate the additional tracking 868 01:08:59,600 --> 01:09:06,159 tools. Um that they appreciate the ability to track their their kids. Um I 869 01:09:04,560 --> 01:09:09,759 do want to note that there do seem to be some ongoing challenges with the the 870 01:09:07,759 --> 01:09:13,679 metro changes. Um I know that there's some families trying to figure that out 871 01:09:11,679 --> 01:09:17,920 and you're trying to figure it out too. Um and also that the city traffic keeps 872 01:09:16,080 --> 01:09:25,199 changing uh and creating challenges for us navigating this community. Um safety. 873 01:09:22,560 --> 01:09:29,440 So great to hear about some of the uses of the levy funding. I know that's one 874 01:09:26,719 --> 01:09:35,199 of the essential uses is on safety. And uh one of the challenges I've noted is 875 01:09:32,000 --> 01:09:40,000 that um when we do have some external grounds violations, we're struggling to 876 01:09:37,679 --> 01:09:43,920 use our video to effectively identify or support the police and identifying those 877 01:09:41,759 --> 01:09:49,199 people. So I have the curiosity if there's more we can do there um to 878 01:09:45,759 --> 01:09:52,880 support that. Um new hires, it's great to hear about the training. Um, I wasn't 879 01:09:51,600 --> 01:09:56,640 there for that training. I was there for some of the earlier stuff, but it's 880 01:09:54,719 --> 01:09:59,920 fantastic to see that excitement. I'm kind of curious about how are they 881 01:09:58,239 --> 01:10:03,679 doing? You know, do we have additional check-ins for the new people that are 882 01:10:01,840 --> 01:10:07,679 separate from the everybody else to make sure that we're um supporting them 883 01:10:05,440 --> 01:10:12,000 through the year? And also, I'm curious about teacher retention overall. Um, you 884 01:10:10,400 --> 01:10:17,840 know, has it changed? Is it staying constant? Are we seeing any any changes 885 01:10:14,719 --> 01:10:23,600 that nutrition? I already mentioned it, but amazing to provide that support over 886 01:10:20,719 --> 01:10:29,199 the summers. I do have the curiosity, I don't know, what happens to our students 887 01:10:25,600 --> 01:10:32,960 when they go to um uh Running Start for both technology and for nutrition 888 01:10:31,520 --> 01:10:37,120 services. Do we continue to support them? Does that transition to Belleview 889 01:10:34,719 --> 01:10:41,760 College? I don't know. I'm curious. Just trying to understand how that works. 890 01:10:39,920 --> 01:10:44,800 Um and I really appreciate the additional food offerings and trying to 891 01:10:43,360 --> 01:10:50,560 make those things that kids really connect with. um welcome center. Uh 892 01:10:48,960 --> 01:10:53,920 fantastic seeing the connection with the community groups. The vaccine clinics 893 01:10:52,159 --> 01:10:58,400 seem like an amazing resource to be able to provide our community. Um still 894 01:10:56,400 --> 01:11:02,560 hoping to see uh more to get the volunteerism um off the ground and make 895 01:11:00,800 --> 01:11:06,480 sure that we're bringing our community volunteers who have a strong interest in 896 01:11:04,560 --> 01:11:10,199 our in our schools back into our classrooms. Thanks. 897 01:11:10,320 --> 01:11:16,880 » Uh next is Director Miklin. >> Uh thank you. I'm going to echo of 898 01:11:15,199 --> 01:11:21,199 course the thank yous on how much work gets done. I love hearing about it 899 01:11:18,640 --> 01:11:24,960 because I think as a parent we sometimes forget like oh thank goodness we're all 900 01:11:22,960 --> 01:11:28,400 in summer and we're not all at summer. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you for 901 01:11:26,560 --> 01:11:32,719 all of your teams. I know you all worked hard and your teams worked hard as well. 902 01:11:30,480 --> 01:11:38,320 Um like to say you guys work when everyone else plays. Uh deliveries. Uh 903 01:11:36,320 --> 01:11:43,600 my qu this is I'm going to be random. I apologize. Uh how are gas and diesel 904 01:11:41,840 --> 01:11:46,400 affecting all of the warehouse moves? I mean, we had so many moves this year 905 01:11:45,040 --> 01:11:50,960 with school changes. We're going to have more next year. So, I'm just wondering 906 01:11:48,640 --> 01:11:54,640 um if I know that's sort of a budgeting question, but just in terms of 907 01:11:52,239 --> 01:12:00,239 accessibility and and and the finances of that are must be staggering. 908 01:11:57,360 --> 01:12:04,560 Sun cards for nutrition. Um thank you again. How do family and I know you 909 01:12:03,040 --> 01:12:08,719 can't answer now. Uh how do families qualify? Uh is this something that 910 01:12:07,120 --> 01:12:12,560 they're aware of? Is this something that you're partnering I assume with welcome 911 01:12:10,480 --> 01:12:17,440 center on especially our new families but um I I just I'm it's so it's such a 912 01:12:16,159 --> 01:12:21,760 relief to hear that we are able to contribute in that way and so uh and I 913 01:12:20,400 --> 01:12:25,280 assume with some partnerships and how that works I don't know but it's 914 01:12:23,040 --> 01:12:28,159 fascinating to me and I am very excited that that's available. I just want to 915 01:12:26,719 --> 01:12:34,640 make sure that people who need it have access to it. Um and it sounds like many 916 01:12:30,719 --> 01:12:37,679 do. I I am going to echo and pre-echo I I'm guessing what Director Watson will 917 01:12:36,080 --> 01:12:41,120 say about volunteer matters. We're very very excited to get that going. Our 918 01:12:39,520 --> 01:12:46,880 community partners are extremely excited. I know. Um and I know that we 919 01:12:44,560 --> 01:12:50,560 are going to have um some beginning schools that are going to start that. 920 01:12:48,239 --> 01:12:56,159 That's going to be great. Uh but and I know that there were some technical 921 01:12:52,159 --> 01:12:59,920 technical issues on um uh keeping things secure. I appreciate that all of that is 922 01:12:58,320 --> 01:13:03,840 being addressed and look forward to seeing the outcome of that. And I'm a 923 01:13:02,320 --> 01:13:06,640 big fan of our partners. In fact, the end I'll probably be talking about a few 924 01:13:05,360 --> 01:13:10,400 of our partners and some of their events that are coming up. So, very excited 925 01:13:08,080 --> 01:13:15,280 about that writership in the metro changes. I applaud the work that's being 926 01:13:12,640 --> 01:13:20,000 done. I know it's constantly challenging um especially with the changes and the 927 01:13:17,679 --> 01:13:24,080 fact that we also have um we have budget constraints. So, I'm glad to see the 928 01:13:21,120 --> 01:13:27,040 writership is up. Uh safety, thank you so much for working with our partners. 929 01:13:25,520 --> 01:13:30,239 That's amazing. It's one thing to have our own staff, but you're right. these 930 01:13:28,640 --> 01:13:34,400 the Belleview Boys and Girls Club takes care of our kids all after and before 931 01:13:32,800 --> 01:13:40,159 school. So, thank you for taking that on. Uh McKin Vento back to welcome 932 01:13:37,760 --> 01:13:44,400 center um 300. So, that is down from their height from last year but up from 933 01:13:42,239 --> 01:13:47,840 the end of last year. So, I'm just wondering if you're seeing any trends 934 01:13:45,840 --> 01:13:50,880 and what those might be and and um if it's this the same trends that we've 935 01:13:49,360 --> 01:13:54,800 been seeing. I would love to hear about that later. Uh national board 936 01:13:52,960 --> 01:13:58,239 certification and that's my favorite thing to talk about. I would love 937 01:13:56,159 --> 01:14:02,320 numbers though on where do we fit in nationally? Where are we? I mean, I know 938 01:13:59,840 --> 01:14:06,480 I've looked up sort of the the generic and what I've heard people say. I'd love 939 01:14:04,000 --> 01:14:09,280 to hear actual factual details from you. So, thank you so much for that training. 940 01:14:08,159 --> 01:14:12,960 It sounds like we're aligned with the strategic plan and the annual plan. So, 941 01:14:11,199 --> 01:14:16,159 thank you for doing that. That it just means that our values are being passed 942 01:14:14,320 --> 01:14:22,120 on to the new next generation of educators. And my last thing, oh no, I 943 01:14:18,400 --> 01:14:22,120 already said that. So, thank you, 944 01:14:22,480 --> 01:14:25,800 Director Harris. 945 01:14:26,640 --> 01:14:33,040 Okay, I don't talk that fast. Um, so I'll try to get through all my my list. 946 01:14:31,199 --> 01:14:37,920 First, I'll say thank you for everyone um for sharing your information. Um, it 947 01:14:35,679 --> 01:14:42,400 really this is a nice kind of synopsis of what it takes to run our school 948 01:14:40,159 --> 01:14:46,880 district. And I think it's a a great opportunity for our community as we 949 01:14:44,159 --> 01:14:51,360 begin the school year. All the work that happens during the summer when everybody 950 01:14:48,880 --> 01:14:56,400 thinks everyone's at on vacation that we're not on vacation. Um, 951 01:14:54,800 --> 01:15:00,239 so there's a lot of thank yous, a lot of 952 01:14:58,080 --> 01:15:08,000 great uh, uh, positive things. U everything from the new hires um and the 953 01:15:03,679 --> 01:15:12,320 training that goes the three days um to I'm assuming that the 3-day training 954 01:15:10,000 --> 01:15:16,719 that all of the new hires attend that and if they for whatever reason that 955 01:15:14,320 --> 01:15:21,600 they miss that that's kept the there's a tracking of it to make sure they uh gain 956 01:15:19,280 --> 01:15:28,880 that information um that they should be receiving. Um the Sunbox Bucks I think 957 01:15:25,840 --> 01:15:33,679 is what it's called. Uh I I saw on the screen it says 3500 but I heard 4,500. 958 01:15:31,520 --> 01:15:40,239 So I I wanted to make sure that I'm understanding the right one, right 959 01:15:35,760 --> 01:15:46,080 number, but uh it's great to hear. Um I love the materials, the seven languages 960 01:15:43,760 --> 01:15:51,040 um that you guys are offering in the applications and the diverse uh food 961 01:15:49,199 --> 01:15:58,400 offerings. Boom. Bob, thank you. [laughter] um 962 01:15:54,239 --> 01:16:02,400 sustainability and um uh continuation of that in multiple languages. I think 963 01:15:59,920 --> 01:16:10,239 that's great. I I'd love to see more languages um for that as well. The 964 01:16:06,880 --> 01:16:14,239 security um I'm always thankful for security especially now more so than 965 01:16:11,760 --> 01:16:20,400 ever especially in uh with technology. Though I do have one question about that 966 01:16:16,640 --> 01:16:29,679 is um where do we store our data with our uh camera system? Is it um in cloud 967 01:16:24,800 --> 01:16:37,120 or is it more local with a um I've today I received a concern about that specific 968 01:16:33,120 --> 01:16:43,679 um element given that there is a um concern in uh 969 01:16:41,040 --> 01:16:49,760 out u people breaking into that system and observing things and as well as used 970 01:16:46,880 --> 01:16:54,528 uh inappropriately in other spaces including other school districts. So, 971 01:16:51,920 --> 01:16:56,548 I'd love to learn more about that. Um, [sighs and gasps] 972 01:16:57,280 --> 01:17:03,600 oh, less gas. Oh my gosh. Thank you. [laughter] 973 01:17:02,159 --> 01:17:09,040 That [gasps] I was trying to figure out 13 thou 1300 gallons. How many teachers 974 01:17:06,239 --> 01:17:14,159 does that equivalent to? I'm right now looking at all the money that we save is 975 01:17:10,880 --> 01:17:19,440 how many teachers are we either cut hire or we have to decrease. So, that's how 976 01:17:17,040 --> 01:17:25,280 I'm looking at it everything. So, I appreciate the fact that we're we're 977 01:17:21,040 --> 01:17:31,760 decreasing in the fuels uh usage. Um thank you very much for keeping us in 978 01:17:27,280 --> 01:17:38,000 loop of the um how many students are um you know utilizing 979 01:17:33,840 --> 01:17:42,080 three minutes I'm sorry um of the welcome center as well as the Mckin 980 01:17:39,679 --> 01:17:49,360 Vento. I know that at the height we've had over 700 close to eight 981 01:17:45,360 --> 01:17:53,440 who were um identify as MCvento. So it's nice to see the numbers go down. I'd 982 01:17:51,280 --> 01:18:01,280 love to see like kind of the last five years of uh um and 983 01:17:58,480 --> 01:18:05,280 all the uh community partnerships and the in-person vaccine, everything, all 984 01:18:03,440 --> 01:18:08,640 of that. That is fantastic. Again, going back to Jack, thank you for all the work 985 01:18:07,360 --> 01:18:13,280 that you guys have done in making sure our buildings are ready to be functional 986 01:18:10,960 --> 01:18:16,800 on the first day of school. >> Director Watson. 987 01:18:15,040 --> 01:18:21,040 » Oh my, [laughter] this is like a speed trial. But anyway, um I want to say 988 01:18:18,800 --> 01:18:26,239 something about everything. So, um facilities, um I I did get to go see Big 989 01:18:24,000 --> 01:18:31,760 Picture and like a miracle occurred from the time with the hard hats. Um, and I'm 990 01:18:30,400 --> 01:18:36,239 going to encourage you to continue getting input from schools that aren't 991 01:18:34,400 --> 01:18:41,840 quite built yet. Like I know you're doing that is and IHS, but I just 992 01:18:39,199 --> 01:18:46,640 remember the time the Seamish nurse made me come over and look at the way she 993 01:18:43,440 --> 01:18:50,080 couldn't monitor the kids that were sick from the way her desk was built in. So, 994 01:18:48,560 --> 01:18:54,880 we have to make sure that doesn't happen again. Um, fireworks. Oh my goodness, 995 01:18:52,960 --> 01:19:00,080 I'm so sorry. Um, thousands of batteries. I struggle to replace just my 996 01:18:57,040 --> 01:19:05,760 own few. Um, elevator testing important to me. Um, new hire orientation, if I 997 01:19:03,600 --> 01:19:11,440 got it right, it's like tour day, learning and resource day, and equity 998 01:19:07,520 --> 01:19:15,760 day. Um, fantastic. Uh, lunch. I had no idea there was so many exactly that 999 01:19:13,440 --> 01:19:20,000 qualified for the for the electronic benefits. But that sun bucks thing, 1000 01:19:18,159 --> 01:19:24,880 that's so nice you streamlined that in there. Um, and I like that you're 1001 01:19:22,719 --> 01:19:30,080 working with new foods and a video on building a lunch because 1002 01:19:28,000 --> 01:19:35,280 my family members over time have been so confused about that. So, that's really I 1003 01:19:32,800 --> 01:19:43,600 mean, it's not always apparent what what comes with what. And anyway, um, safety. 1004 01:19:39,199 --> 01:19:46,960 Um, the uh you know what, I like that you trained the Boys and Girls Club. I 1005 01:19:45,199 --> 01:19:51,520 also like that you update the incident response manual and that I don't know, 1006 01:19:49,840 --> 01:19:56,080 you know, that's near to my heart. You know, I told you I took a training 1007 01:19:53,120 --> 01:20:01,280 course with Redmond PD on that and um keeping that up to date. That's great. 1008 01:19:58,320 --> 01:20:05,679 Um yes, and inventorying these those AEDs and making sure they work. Uh 1009 01:20:03,760 --> 01:20:11,360 technology, that's an heck of a lot of student devices. Um, and uh, I, you 1010 01:20:09,600 --> 01:20:15,679 know, I think you all you do something a little extra that you might get away 1011 01:20:13,280 --> 01:20:21,840 with not doing, but having Microsoft do an independent security review sounded 1012 01:20:17,920 --> 01:20:24,880 sounds great. Um, and um, I really would be interested in in what you're going to 1013 01:20:23,280 --> 01:20:31,600 say about the guidelines for AI. I'm assuming that's for staff using AI. Um, 1014 01:20:28,480 --> 01:20:37,440 and uh, volunteer matters. My question is going to be, can I use it today? Is 1015 01:20:34,239 --> 01:20:43,440 it fully operational? Um, that's what I want to know. And, um, buses, don't 1016 01:20:40,239 --> 01:20:47,679 cross I90 and 200 more riders. Um, I know it's difficult, but man, I think 1017 01:20:45,679 --> 01:20:51,440 Metro sometimes pulls the rug out from under us and that's kind of hard to work 1018 01:20:50,000 --> 01:20:56,640 around. So, I know you're working on that welcome center, all those um, new 1019 01:20:54,800 --> 01:21:01,840 enrollments, you know, in this time of decloning enrollment. Didn't quite 1020 01:20:58,239 --> 01:21:07,120 expect that. Um, and the it's a pretty large number of Mckin Vento. And I'm 1021 01:21:04,080 --> 01:21:12,239 wondering if are the are the language accent access translator devices working 1022 01:21:10,080 --> 01:21:15,520 any better than they used to cuz remember the time I sat with the live 1023 01:21:13,840 --> 01:21:19,360 Spanish translator and the thing was giving me garbled the device, you know, 1024 01:21:17,679 --> 01:21:24,800 I could compare what the person said to the device and it was not good. And um, 1025 01:21:22,080 --> 01:21:31,679 I really like the way you got I the international community health to come 1026 01:21:26,480 --> 01:21:35,840 do the vaccination. Phew. Okay, >> Director Kovanski. 1027 01:21:33,520 --> 01:21:41,520 » All right. Um, I I I've said this before. Uh, I'll say it again. Coming 1028 01:21:38,400 --> 01:21:46,000 from uh not coming from uh education background, not being involved in uh the 1029 01:21:44,400 --> 01:21:51,840 either the teaching side, administration side, you don't realize how much how the 1030 01:21:50,000 --> 01:21:55,840 incredible amount of work that happens behind the scenes uh until you're 1031 01:21:54,080 --> 01:22:01,679 involved or you're a board member. and it is an incredible amount of work. Uh 1032 01:21:58,000 --> 01:22:07,920 so very much appreciated. Um it is uh it is uh seen every day but not 1033 01:22:05,760 --> 01:22:14,560 necessarily um comment down or recognized. Um so um I want to call that 1034 01:22:10,639 --> 01:22:20,880 out explicitly. Uh it is an incredible amount of work that happens um behind 1035 01:22:16,960 --> 01:22:27,280 the scenes. Um uh I also want to comment on um Dr. 1036 01:22:24,239 --> 01:22:30,239 Sanchez based on my Seamish visit, toilets can be super exciting. 1037 01:22:29,892 --> 01:22:34,000 [laughter] >> Got it. 1038 01:22:30,719 --> 01:22:40,560 » So, very excited uh about that. I know Samish was uh as well. Um few things I 1039 01:22:37,600 --> 01:22:45,840 heard uh just that uh highlighting this kind of incredible amount of work uh 1040 01:22:43,440 --> 01:22:53,800 moving a school in a weekend. I I can barely move a house in a weekend. So, 1041 01:22:48,320 --> 01:22:53,800 that that's that's incredible. Um 1042 01:22:54,560 --> 01:23:04,880 the um I I wanted to also uh um I guess highlight the the training and the um 1043 01:23:01,760 --> 01:23:09,199 the new uh new staff onboarding and particularly um the uh three-part 1044 01:23:07,679 --> 01:23:13,679 agenda, the three days and and particularly the last day because I 1045 01:23:10,880 --> 01:23:20,800 think it uh was previously said just making sure we align with our um our uh 1046 01:23:17,199 --> 01:23:24,159 uh equity guidelines and and our our um uh annual plans. I think that's very 1047 01:23:22,800 --> 01:23:28,400 important and it's showing that it's operationalized. So, uh I want to 1048 01:23:26,400 --> 01:23:33,120 highlight that um highlight that as well. Um another thing that struck me 1049 01:23:30,560 --> 01:23:38,239 that I I wanted to kind of bring up is uh the the um multiple partnerships that 1050 01:23:36,400 --> 01:23:43,679 are seen within all the different tracks of work. So whether it was security with 1051 01:23:39,920 --> 01:23:47,920 the the um uh uh boys and and girls club uh or working with the city of Belleview 1052 01:23:46,080 --> 01:23:53,120 um technology and working with Microsoft and our welcome centers um it it 1053 01:23:50,719 --> 01:23:57,280 highlights that it's not even just the the staff behind the scenes, but it's it 1054 01:23:55,679 --> 01:24:00,239 needs to be done in partnership. Sometimes that's a beneficial 1055 01:23:58,480 --> 01:24:03,920 partnership. Sometimes it's more challenging like a metro transit 1056 01:24:02,560 --> 01:24:09,840 sometimes making things a little bit more difficult uh for us but we're we 1057 01:24:07,120 --> 01:24:13,760 live in that ecosystem and and I I love to see that it's being leveraged um and 1058 01:24:11,840 --> 01:24:21,199 that that is fantastic to hear a few questions um the volunteer um uh topic 1059 01:24:18,000 --> 01:24:26,400 came up so just understanding further uh how ready or how close we are on that uh 1060 01:24:24,080 --> 01:24:31,840 and then I just had a question on the AL um digital academy I think platform form 1061 01:24:28,960 --> 01:24:39,120 or um just understanding what that uh what that was. I just hadn't hadn't um 1062 01:24:35,440 --> 01:24:42,239 looked into in depth. >> Yeah. 1063 01:24:40,560 --> 01:24:45,440 » Uh Dr. Aramaki, do you have any comments? 1064 01:24:43,679 --> 01:24:48,880 » Yeah, great questions. I think what we'll do is try to compile some of them 1065 01:24:46,719 --> 01:24:52,239 and send it out on Friday. Um I wanted to just make two comments. One is I just 1066 01:24:50,960 --> 01:24:57,520 want to say thank you to the leaders sitting before us and to the teams that 1067 01:24:54,560 --> 01:25:01,679 they represent. I mean, I think being in the ops departments is thankless 1068 01:24:59,600 --> 01:25:06,320 sometimes. You don't get the, you know, the beginning of the year gifts from 1069 01:25:03,600 --> 01:25:09,760 kids and stuff like that. So, it's they don't always get thanked. Um, but they 1070 01:25:08,480 --> 01:25:15,040 are absolutely extraordinary. I mean, operational excellence happens in 1071 01:25:11,760 --> 01:25:18,800 Belleview. Um, and it's not felt and that's what makes it so amazing is it 1072 01:25:16,719 --> 01:25:24,000 just they just make sure things happen. Um, sometimes they do get a thank you 1073 01:25:21,920 --> 01:25:28,960 and I just want to call out so I could say something about each one of them, 1074 01:25:25,199 --> 01:25:33,199 but uh, we got an email uh, in kind of Doug's world and there was a a Bellev 1075 01:25:31,440 --> 01:25:38,800 school district family who was at the bite of Seattle during the the shooting 1076 01:25:36,239 --> 01:25:45,920 and they sent an email just relaying kind of the trauma of being there and 1077 01:25:42,560 --> 01:25:50,800 how the dad was paralyzed and didn't know what to do but his two kids to go 1078 01:25:48,480 --> 01:25:56,080 to the Belvy school district. They knew exactly what to do in that moment and 1079 01:25:53,760 --> 01:26:00,400 grabbed him, took him where he needed to go. And he in his email, I mean, it's 1080 01:25:58,800 --> 01:26:04,480 extraordinary thing because he's basically like 1081 01:26:02,400 --> 01:26:07,520 he's always felt uncomfortable with our kids going through all of these like 1082 01:26:06,000 --> 01:26:13,440 active shooter trainings and stuff. And it's like, why do kids have to do that? 1083 01:26:09,440 --> 01:26:17,600 But dog always says like we do that not just to train kids about how to handle 1084 01:26:15,120 --> 01:26:22,159 active shooters in schools, but how to handle that kind of situation in any 1085 01:26:19,679 --> 01:26:28,800 public space. So we want our kids to be prepared for what might happen. And this 1086 01:26:25,360 --> 01:26:32,480 parent said like he's a believer. He's so thrilled. I mean we require these 1087 01:26:30,960 --> 01:26:36,639 trainings in our schools every single year. Um, sometimes people wonder like 1088 01:26:34,719 --> 01:26:40,480 we have to do it again, but it is like it's not essential until it's essential. 1089 01:26:39,040 --> 01:26:44,400 But there could be a thank you like that for each one of the people here, but 1090 01:26:42,080 --> 01:26:48,000 that one we got over the summer and I was like, you know, we've always said we 1091 01:26:46,239 --> 01:26:52,159 want to be the gold standard in safety and security. Doug leads that team, but 1092 01:26:50,239 --> 01:26:56,239 it is really, really awesome. And each one of the people here does that level 1093 01:26:54,400 --> 01:27:00,000 of service for the school district, not always thanked. So anyways, thank you 1094 01:26:58,080 --> 01:27:04,400 all for your service to the school district. Awesome. 1095 01:27:02,960 --> 01:27:07,040 Yeah, really appreciate your time and look forward to responses to some of the 1096 01:27:06,000 --> 01:27:10,920 questions on Friday. >> Right. Thank you very much. 1097 01:27:14,560 --> 01:27:21,679 » Oh, we have more board business. [snorts] 1098 01:27:18,239 --> 01:27:29,560 Um, the next item is the approval of the 2027 legislative priorities. Uh, do we 1099 01:27:25,679 --> 01:27:29,560 have a motion? 1100 01:27:30,480 --> 01:27:40,040 I move to approve the 2026 well 27 legislative priorities. 1101 01:27:36,800 --> 01:27:40,040 » I second. 1102 01:27:40,800 --> 01:27:45,679 » Uh I hope we'll get them on the screen here in a second. Monica, can you put 1103 01:27:43,840 --> 01:27:50,120 the document on the screen? So now we'll go to discussion. Um 1104 01:27:51,040 --> 01:27:57,199 I think we can just bounce around for this one if that's okay with everybody. 1105 01:27:55,360 --> 01:28:02,320 Um so I know there were a couple of changes. Uh, Mr. Harrison, do you want 1106 01:28:00,080 --> 01:28:05,880 to let us know about the changes to the legislative priorities 1107 01:28:06,320 --> 01:28:09,600 since the last time we saw this document? 1108 01:28:08,080 --> 01:28:12,600 » We don't want to bug you or anything, but 1109 01:28:17,760 --> 01:28:28,080 yes. So um since Monday I will when you saw this uh document last um based on 1110 01:28:26,159 --> 01:28:32,880 your feedback from Monday we've made several uh changes. The first one there 1111 01:28:30,639 --> 01:28:38,159 is in the first paragraph my eyes are deceiving me. I don't have my glasses. I 1112 01:28:34,800 --> 01:28:44,159 believe it's line four. Um and you see the changes in track 1113 01:28:40,239 --> 01:28:49,360 changes. um the word basic education that was um suggested that that not be 1114 01:28:47,679 --> 01:28:54,400 included because that's not what it says in the constitution. So I dropped it and 1115 01:28:52,239 --> 01:29:00,480 replaced it with K12 which is a little bit more specific. Um and moving along 1116 01:28:58,800 --> 01:29:07,679 the next change the the the the big three 1117 01:29:04,960 --> 01:29:12,239 plus one there were no changes there. this this section here under um 1118 01:29:10,639 --> 01:29:19,040 technology uh in the classroom. I rewarded it um to 1119 01:29:17,040 --> 01:29:25,040 try and capture the conversation. It was a little bit there were the conversation 1120 01:29:22,639 --> 01:29:28,159 was basically does that strike the right balance in terms of what we're trying to 1121 01:29:26,719 --> 01:29:34,159 accomplish here between you know balancing uh and honoring and protecting 1122 01:29:31,120 --> 01:29:39,360 the the the classroom environment as well as the safety of students and the 1123 01:29:36,560 --> 01:29:46,960 distractions that um technology can can pose. Um, so you can read that change uh 1124 01:29:43,679 --> 01:29:52,159 there. And then the final change is in the section titled learning assistance 1125 01:29:50,400 --> 01:29:56,719 program. I'm amazed I'm doing as well as I can because I can't see all that well. 1126 01:29:53,920 --> 01:30:01,920 Um, but there was conversation around the predis it used to say predislexia 1127 01:29:59,440 --> 01:30:07,040 screening and we talked about other screening that we that we do. So, I 1128 01:30:04,560 --> 01:30:11,840 replaced predislexia with um early literacy and uh math screening and I 1129 01:30:10,320 --> 01:30:16,800 believe that's the totality of the changes board. 1130 01:30:15,040 --> 01:30:20,880 » Thank you. I'm just going to review for the benefit of the record. You know, the 1131 01:30:18,800 --> 01:30:27,600 legislative priorities are primarily our primary one is funding and um we have as 1132 01:30:24,960 --> 01:30:32,239 as reflected four principal goals. uh the fully and so amply funding material 1133 01:30:30,719 --> 01:30:36,320 supplies and operating costs, special education, student transportation and 1134 01:30:34,159 --> 01:30:40,000 substitute costs. And then we'd identified a number of additional 1135 01:30:37,679 --> 01:30:45,760 legislative priorities including around technology in the classroom, learning 1136 01:30:42,000 --> 01:30:50,639 assistance program, which is um early uh childhood education, preschool, prek, uh 1137 01:30:48,880 --> 01:30:54,400 student well-being and mental health, graduation requirements that reflect a 1138 01:30:52,320 --> 01:31:01,239 well-rounded education and affordable workforce housing. So with that, I will 1139 01:30:57,360 --> 01:31:01,239 go to additional discussion. 1140 01:31:02,719 --> 01:31:10,880 Anyone have anything? Just we're just going to popcorn. So um I I'll go first. 1141 01:31:08,400 --> 01:31:17,280 Um since I brought up the ask for the change for the technology in classroom. 1142 01:31:13,920 --> 01:31:22,880 Um I appreciate the attempt here but I still think it doesn't capture what I 1143 01:31:19,679 --> 01:31:27,520 have asked for which is I think and this is the unfortunate part of the because 1144 01:31:25,040 --> 01:31:32,320 of all the discourse that is happening nationally and locally around 1145 01:31:29,679 --> 01:31:42,560 technologies specifically cell phone and I AI um the natural tendency is the con 1146 01:31:38,239 --> 01:31:49,360 consuming of material through those uh uh entities or um but not necessarily 1147 01:31:45,280 --> 01:31:54,480 using it as a safety tool um the cell phone as a safety tool. And 1148 01:31:52,239 --> 01:32:01,639 I do want to make sure that we capture that because unless we capture it here, 1149 01:31:57,840 --> 01:32:01,639 it won't be thought of. 1150 01:32:02,080 --> 01:32:11,400 And so I I I if we could put maybe after student safety 1151 01:32:08,400 --> 01:32:11,400 um 1152 01:32:12,239 --> 01:32:21,760 in a bracket not just the consumption of uh I don't know 1153 01:32:19,840 --> 01:32:25,960 using it uh making sure that we safeguard our students safety 1154 01:32:26,239 --> 01:32:31,360 through I don't know I can't think of a right 1155 01:32:29,520 --> 01:32:36,480 phrase but maybe it's something with within bracket to give an example of but 1156 01:32:34,719 --> 01:32:43,360 I do think it is important that we identify it here. Um language matters 1157 01:32:40,480 --> 01:32:49,760 um being specific matters. If we ignore this the the nuance which uh does when 1158 01:32:47,120 --> 01:32:54,880 it's not addressed in places like this then we're redlining our students um 1159 01:32:52,800 --> 01:33:01,719 from access to education because their safety is of concern especially when 1160 01:32:57,520 --> 01:33:01,719 they're using it as a safety tool. 1161 01:33:03,920 --> 01:33:11,440 Um, Director Mlin. >> Um, it's funny. I was going to use the 1162 01:33:09,440 --> 01:33:14,719 exact same example but in the other direction. I actually think it's a 1163 01:33:12,800 --> 01:33:20,239 little light now on the actual original intent which was to uh make it um 1164 01:33:18,159 --> 01:33:25,600 something a tool that we want to put some restrictions on. Um, however, not 1165 01:33:23,199 --> 01:33:30,880 enough to change it. what I what I was going to say I I think a productive 1166 01:33:28,239 --> 01:33:37,280 learning environment is vague and I think that for legislative work that's 1167 01:33:34,000 --> 01:33:43,120 actually a positive. So in this case um I actually think that the word safety is 1168 01:33:39,520 --> 01:33:47,440 vague and can be uh advocated on since that's the point of our legislative 1169 01:33:44,639 --> 01:33:52,480 priorities is what we can um weigh in on. And I think that also creating a 1170 01:33:50,159 --> 01:33:57,520 productive uh learning environment is vague enough that we can advocate on it. 1171 01:33:55,280 --> 01:34:02,480 So um as I understand it and please correct me if I'm wrong that this is so 1172 01:33:59,280 --> 01:34:06,239 that we can weigh in pro or con rather than just other. So if that's the case 1173 01:34:04,960 --> 01:34:10,560 then I'm actually I was going to applaud you on that language because it's vague 1174 01:34:08,159 --> 01:34:14,000 but still shows that we are caring about a productive learning environment and 1175 01:34:12,080 --> 01:34:18,239 safety. And so those two things are mentioned and we can then if we get too 1176 01:34:16,480 --> 01:34:22,560 specific, you know, if we say cell phones or it needs, you know, bodily 1177 01:34:20,639 --> 01:34:26,560 harm, then we're limiting what we can weigh in on. And so I was actually going 1178 01:34:24,560 --> 01:34:29,560 to say that I appreciated the new verbiage. 1179 01:34:33,440 --> 01:34:37,719 » Additional discussion directors. 1180 01:34:38,080 --> 01:34:43,360 » Yes. Oh, 1181 01:34:40,880 --> 01:34:47,199 » hey, go ahead. One of you. >> Go ahead. Yeah, 1182 01:34:45,520 --> 01:34:52,400 » you're still scratchy. >> All right. Um, 1183 01:34:49,840 --> 01:34:57,120 yeah, I think the kind of reiterating uh what um director Mley mentioned just to 1184 01:34:55,120 --> 01:35:02,080 set the context as well for for the community. this the the priorities here 1185 01:34:59,120 --> 01:35:08,239 help guide I guess how we can and correct me if I'm wrong here but how we 1186 01:35:03,600 --> 01:35:13,520 can um uh publicize or make public our position right whether we whether the 1187 01:35:10,000 --> 01:35:18,719 district is or um our representative is testifying and can say pro or con um 1188 01:35:16,560 --> 01:35:22,560 needs to follow along what we've officially approved and documented 1189 01:35:20,239 --> 01:35:27,520 within our within our priorities and so I I I do agree as I was reading the 1190 01:35:24,480 --> 01:35:33,199 technology um the the The way we were looking at it originally uh was from a 1191 01:35:30,719 --> 01:35:38,000 um do no harm perspective. So basically what we hear I think more so in the in 1192 01:35:35,360 --> 01:35:41,040 the national discourse right now um for technology and I think it's softened 1193 01:35:39,840 --> 01:35:45,040 from that based on some of the concerns we had earlier the week because there 1194 01:35:42,480 --> 01:35:49,600 are trade-offs in going that way. Uh, but I do think the lang the intention of 1195 01:35:46,880 --> 01:35:55,600 the language is the more vague it is, the the more it allows us to actually uh 1196 01:35:53,679 --> 01:35:58,639 not pigeon hole us into a particular position that that prevents us from 1197 01:35:57,120 --> 01:36:04,480 being able to speak to it. So, I think it uh I I agree that I think it softens 1198 01:36:02,080 --> 01:36:10,639 maybe the original statement, but I think it still reads in a way um that 1199 01:36:07,280 --> 01:36:14,719 allows us to uh take both those sides or take a position on technology 1200 01:36:11,920 --> 01:36:20,639 application without without explicitly calling out all those examples. Um, and 1201 01:36:18,159 --> 01:36:24,239 the uh the other thing I I I want to kind of encourage u folks as they're 1202 01:36:22,639 --> 01:36:30,159 looking through this um I commented earlier in the week is I I really like 1203 01:36:26,000 --> 01:36:34,800 that it represents u uh numbers behind uh some of our priorities and and what 1204 01:36:31,760 --> 01:36:39,679 the gaps are uh for uh the community to see as well as they're looking through 1205 01:36:36,000 --> 01:36:45,040 this um and to to help formulate and drive some talking points around that as 1206 01:36:41,920 --> 01:36:50,719 they're talking to to legislators. Um, and I, you know, I just, I encourage us 1207 01:36:47,199 --> 01:36:53,679 to continue doing that as we, as we, um, uh, present this type of documentation. 1208 01:36:52,239 --> 01:36:57,159 But those are the kind the main comments I want to make. 1209 01:36:59,119 --> 01:37:05,199 » Director Watson. >> Well, um, [clears throat] 1210 01:37:02,320 --> 01:37:10,719 I'm trying to study a document here that I received from, um, YouthLink last 1211 01:37:08,480 --> 01:37:14,639 night. They had, um, I was going to tell you in the board comments, but it's 1212 01:37:12,320 --> 01:37:18,800 relevant here. They had a interest fair for the subcommittees that they create 1213 01:37:16,560 --> 01:37:21,520 and um I noticed that at one of the tables they had set up there was 1214 01:37:20,080 --> 01:37:27,600 something about the graduation requirements which relates to graduation 1215 01:37:24,239 --> 01:37:31,360 requirements on our on our thing and um actually from reading their document 1216 01:37:29,040 --> 01:37:34,960 it's hard for me to tell but I I I got the idea there was a a lot of students 1217 01:37:33,199 --> 01:37:39,840 had signed their name in interest in this so that's the number one point and 1218 01:37:37,360 --> 01:37:43,280 they want to advocate around the graduation requirements I thought from 1219 01:37:41,679 --> 01:37:47,679 what I saw with the materials that they were presenting that they're worried 1220 01:37:44,719 --> 01:37:52,719 about the reduction of the ability to take arts and electives 1221 01:37:50,480 --> 01:37:58,000 given like the new proposals. But I can't be 100% clear because the way they 1222 01:37:55,920 --> 01:38:03,520 worded their head the handout it's uh whatever. But the ma my main point is 1223 01:38:00,800 --> 01:38:08,159 students care about this and um I think the point is they want the freedom to be 1224 01:38:05,360 --> 01:38:13,159 able to take electives and not be tied into 1225 01:38:09,760 --> 01:38:13,159 something more. 1226 01:38:14,239 --> 01:38:21,440 That's all I had to say. >> Yeah. Um 1227 01:38:18,800 --> 01:38:27,920 I I think I support the legislative priorities u as written unless we have a 1228 01:38:25,679 --> 01:38:34,719 specific proposed uh amendment to the language. Um and uh I think that it does 1229 01:38:32,480 --> 01:38:40,159 provide a highle summary. I always have a little anxiety when we try to nuance 1230 01:38:37,360 --> 01:38:44,480 every specific issue because then the list just keeps getting added to. We end 1231 01:38:42,639 --> 01:38:50,480 up finding all the exceptions and all the details. And uh I think the 1232 01:38:49,040 --> 01:38:54,960 statement there on technology in the classroom captures kind of the three 1233 01:38:52,560 --> 01:38:59,920 main uh concerns that we talked about which were um avoiding distraction in 1234 01:38:57,920 --> 01:39:04,320 the classroom, maintaining student safety and supporting student health. um 1235 01:39:02,960 --> 01:39:10,639 so that that we have a productive learning environment. Um if there are if 1236 01:39:07,920 --> 01:39:14,960 there if there is specific language um you know I I'm open to considering an 1237 01:39:12,560 --> 01:39:18,320 amendment but um that's the point that we're at. We would need to have specific 1238 01:39:16,400 --> 01:39:24,239 language so that we can consider it and uh and do that where we're voting on 1239 01:39:21,280 --> 01:39:28,428 this as proposed. >> Director RS. 1240 01:39:25,920 --> 01:39:35,840 » Yeah. I I would like to suggest that [clears throat] we add in maybe in um 1241 01:39:31,440 --> 01:39:40,000 parenthesis an example of of how safety is identified. The reason I am keep 1242 01:39:38,080 --> 01:39:43,119 pushing this is I understand we want to keep it a high level but the reality is 1243 01:39:41,920 --> 01:39:48,320 this is a document that we're going to share with our legislators and unless it 1244 01:39:45,600 --> 01:39:53,280 is specifically talked to and it is written that it keeps it in forefront of 1245 01:39:50,400 --> 01:39:58,480 their mind they're not going to address the the nuance and when we talk about 1246 01:39:55,280 --> 01:40:02,000 each and every student needs being addressed making sure that we're 1247 01:40:00,239 --> 01:40:06,239 actually providing a safe environment for every student we have to think about 1248 01:40:03,520 --> 01:40:13,119 the students who are chronically bullied and If we don't go into the nuances of 1249 01:40:10,239 --> 01:40:19,679 and understand the students who use cell phones or technology to safeguard 1250 01:40:15,920 --> 01:40:22,480 themselves and acknowledge that here it will never be acknowledged because 1251 01:40:21,040 --> 01:40:26,159 majority of the people who are in the legislative space will not be thinking 1252 01:40:24,000 --> 01:40:31,920 about that and majority of people who write this don't have that experience. 1253 01:40:29,119 --> 01:40:38,239 So it is I think it is imperative that we put yeah it may be more lengthy and 1254 01:40:34,800 --> 01:40:42,080 it won't be as smooth or um but it is important that we put some kind of 1255 01:40:39,600 --> 01:40:48,480 language that identifies beyond what is the average normal 1256 01:40:45,280 --> 01:40:52,719 conversation in media that people are talking about which is how cell phone is 1257 01:40:50,960 --> 01:40:56,880 being destructive because it's not always destructive it is also a safety 1258 01:40:54,719 --> 01:41:01,600 tool >> and directors I'll repeat If you have a 1259 01:40:59,360 --> 01:41:08,000 specific amendment proposal, I invite >> Can we put it as if they if the as I 1260 01:41:05,520 --> 01:41:12,080 said in parentheses, if you're going to put student safety, maybe use it as a 1261 01:41:11,679 --> 01:41:17,040 » um >> your proposed amendment is in line 71 1262 01:41:14,560 --> 01:41:21,090 after the word safety, a parenthetical that states 1263 01:41:18,320 --> 01:41:25,480 » um that [sighs and gasps] 1264 01:41:22,080 --> 01:41:25,480 student safety 1265 01:41:28,480 --> 01:41:33,520 through. Hold on a second. That's not the best. 1266 01:41:31,920 --> 01:41:40,159 The way it's phrased right now, you it doesn't allow parenthesis. 1267 01:41:36,000 --> 01:41:43,920 » May I make a suggestion? Um because we've we've done this we've done 1268 01:41:42,159 --> 01:41:46,800 this a couple times before at your with your feedback and your suggestion, 1269 01:41:45,440 --> 01:41:51,679 director, ours, >> is in line 72 where it says u m you know 1270 01:41:49,679 --> 01:41:57,119 line 71 maintains student safety, supports and mental health students. If 1271 01:41:54,320 --> 01:42:03,280 we were to add before students uh of each and every student, would that help 1272 01:42:00,560 --> 01:42:06,520 move us a little bit closer to what you're suggesting? 1273 01:42:07,679 --> 01:42:15,199 » Yeah, that would that would encourage more of that. Yes. 1274 01:42:12,800 --> 01:42:24,880 If if that is the case, I would like to uh suggest that with the uh the 1275 01:42:19,360 --> 01:42:30,239 priorities we consider doing uh adding additional document 1276 01:42:27,440 --> 01:42:35,440 » that gives examples of of these that is separate from the priorities. 1277 01:42:33,679 --> 01:42:44,800 I move we make an amendment that adds the words each and every student after 1278 01:42:39,760 --> 01:42:51,239 online what is now 72 uh yes 72 well-being of each and every student and 1279 01:42:47,440 --> 01:42:51,239 replacing the word students. 1280 01:42:52,560 --> 01:42:59,320 » Is there a second? >> Yeah, I second. 1281 01:42:59,520 --> 01:43:06,159 » All those in favor of >> is there discussion? Oh, is there 1282 01:43:02,800 --> 01:43:08,159 discussion on the amendment? >> Wait. 1283 01:43:06,719 --> 01:43:12,880 » Yeah. >> Was your suggestion be after the 1284 01:43:10,080 --> 01:43:16,159 maintains and before the students in 71 or the 72? 1285 01:43:14,080 --> 01:43:20,159 » It's at the end of this >> sentence 72. 1286 01:43:17,840 --> 01:43:23,719 » What um director Mlin said was what I was thinking. 1287 01:43:20,719 --> 01:43:23,719 » Okay. 1288 01:43:25,440 --> 01:43:32,960 So, if I understand correctly, the the line would read uh guidance that ensures 1289 01:43:30,880 --> 01:43:36,880 a productive learning environment that maintains student safety and supports 1290 01:43:34,639 --> 01:43:42,960 the mental health and well-being of each and every student. Period. If that's the 1291 01:43:40,320 --> 01:43:48,880 proposed amended language. >> So, 1292 01:43:45,360 --> 01:43:54,080 I'm I'm taking um Director Aris's point kind of seriously. I do like the way 1293 01:43:51,520 --> 01:43:58,639 like it's vague and we can we can lobby both aspects, but I think she's right 1294 01:43:56,320 --> 01:44:04,719 that you won't really know what we're talking about. And um what maybe Jane 1295 01:44:01,440 --> 01:44:09,199 and I are talking about, but um I feel I I you know, could we I don't 1296 01:44:07,360 --> 01:44:13,760 know footnote because I'm I'm writing another sentence here that says after 1297 01:44:11,760 --> 01:44:18,560 after that whole paragraph, for example, cell phones could be used to document 1298 01:44:15,440 --> 01:44:23,199 and prevent bullying or can contribute to 1299 01:44:20,159 --> 01:44:28,800 harm or something like that. You know, making it explicit. proposing an an 1300 01:44:26,639 --> 01:44:33,520 » well I'm I what I'm proposing is that some other board member react to what I 1301 01:44:30,719 --> 01:44:38,880 just say before we write a thing up. >> I I appreciate that. [clears throat] 1302 01:44:36,560 --> 01:44:43,199 » Um >> I can accept a friendly amendment if 1303 01:44:40,560 --> 01:44:46,880 somebody has a specific change. >> I I'm just unclear whether I 1304 01:44:44,960 --> 01:44:51,440 » I'm open to considering a footnote for for that section that has a statement 1305 01:44:48,639 --> 01:44:56,000 like that. I I think it it uh it does add clarity. I I understand I think what 1306 01:44:54,000 --> 01:45:00,320 uh director RS is trying to say and where I was struggling with is how to 1307 01:44:57,600 --> 01:45:06,000 how to insert it in a meaningful way. Um I you know in my mind it was in the 1308 01:45:03,040 --> 01:45:14,960 safety area we could say including uh students abilities to uh interrupt uh uh 1309 01:45:11,520 --> 01:45:20,080 harm and and and bullying through you know use of technology. Um 1310 01:45:17,840 --> 01:45:22,800 » I I kind of like the word document in there only because 1311 01:45:21,440 --> 01:45:29,360 » document's a useful word. >> Yeah. Um so yeah, a little one and then 1312 01:45:26,960 --> 01:45:34,000 somewhere along on the bottom maybe. >> Well, 1313 01:45:30,719 --> 01:45:43,360 » if I'm as the maker of the amendment in my hearing that you would add 1314 01:45:38,639 --> 01:45:48,239 on line 71 that maintains student what you said it nicely. 1315 01:45:45,360 --> 01:45:54,480 student safety, including uh the ability to document and erupt and interrupt 1316 01:45:52,080 --> 01:45:58,800 » uh harm. >> Uh if that's if you are putting that in 1317 01:45:56,960 --> 01:46:01,360 as an amendment, I can accept that as a friendly amendment, meaning we don't 1318 01:45:59,920 --> 01:46:03,040 have to vote on it. We have to still vote on the amendment, but we don't have 1319 01:46:02,639 --> 01:46:06,000 to vote. >> I offer that as a friendly amendment if 1320 01:46:04,960 --> 01:46:07,199 if the parties >> second that 1321 01:46:06,800 --> 01:46:10,800 » like that. >> Can we read it through? 1322 01:46:09,119 --> 01:46:12,639 » I I'll agree with it, but I just want to know what 1323 01:46:11,280 --> 01:46:18,320 » Yeah. Did anyone write the whole thing? Um, I think it would read uh that 1324 01:46:16,480 --> 01:46:21,840 ensures a productive learning environment that maintains student 1325 01:46:20,239 --> 01:46:27,199 safety, including the ability for students to 1326 01:46:24,239 --> 01:46:32,080 document and interrupt harm and supports the mental health and well-being of each 1327 01:46:29,600 --> 01:46:39,840 and every student. >> Second that. 1328 01:46:35,119 --> 01:46:44,560 » Okay. Well, now I'm now that I'm like um so my concern is that now we've gone 1329 01:46:41,920 --> 01:46:49,679 completely away from the harm that the technology can and does do. And so now 1330 01:46:47,440 --> 01:46:55,600 we've completely made this only about the whole sentence now has changed to be 1331 01:46:51,920 --> 01:46:59,280 completely about people being allowed to interrupt bullying etc. which is 1332 01:46:57,360 --> 01:47:05,760 important but is not the actual main thing that we're trying to weigh in on. 1333 01:47:01,520 --> 01:47:10,400 I feel like we still we need to either pull back a little or bring up 1334 01:47:08,320 --> 01:47:15,760 the fact that there is harm. I I did like the idea that you had both before 1335 01:47:12,239 --> 01:47:19,920 and so um I would want to vote on that then because I I don't think it serves 1336 01:47:17,440 --> 01:47:24,239 its purpose anymore with that. >> I 1337 01:47:21,600 --> 01:47:29,119 was speaking out of turn here. Okay. I I was going to suggest if we if instead of 1338 01:47:26,560 --> 01:47:35,199 including it's recogniz like we we have a par a parenthetical that says 1339 01:47:31,600 --> 01:47:40,800 recognizing that it can be used to document and interrupt harm. So it's not 1340 01:47:38,400 --> 01:47:45,040 » as well as produce harm so that it has both. 1341 01:47:41,679 --> 01:47:50,800 » Okay. So same thing that he said is what this amendment [laughter] is but in 1342 01:47:47,520 --> 01:47:56,880 parentheses. Thank you. Um the oh goodness I remember that maintain 1343 01:47:52,239 --> 01:47:59,920 student safety recognizing that what did you say somebody should be 1344 01:47:58,880 --> 01:48:03,280 writing this down I >> that technology can be used to document 1345 01:48:01,679 --> 01:48:06,800 and interrupt harm >> as well as cause harm. 1346 01:48:05,920 --> 01:48:14,000 » Yes. >> Yes. So that I can accept. My my comment 1347 01:48:11,760 --> 01:48:21,040 is not scientific because I haven't done a survey, but my sense is that 90% of 1348 01:48:18,159 --> 01:48:25,679 the of the cases are reducing your attention span, online 1349 01:48:23,119 --> 01:48:31,600 bullying, all those harms, and 10% of the cases are being able to document 1350 01:48:28,639 --> 01:48:35,760 that somebody's been harassing you. >> Um, so, 1351 01:48:33,440 --> 01:48:40,000 » okay. So, if I've accept that, accepted that, now we need to talk about the 1352 01:48:37,600 --> 01:48:40,000 amendment. [laughter] 1353 01:48:40,320 --> 01:48:46,280 So is there additional discussion on the uh 1354 01:48:46,880 --> 01:48:51,480 » the revised >> on the revised amendment? 1355 01:48:53,679 --> 01:48:59,679 » My understanding is the amendment has already been moved and seconded. So we 1356 01:48:57,520 --> 01:49:02,480 can go to a vote. All those in favor vote I. 1357 01:49:00,639 --> 01:49:07,199 » I. I. >> All those opposed vote nay. 1358 01:49:05,760 --> 01:49:12,480 » The eyes have it. >> Thank you. The amendment is passed. 1359 01:49:10,320 --> 01:49:17,679 Now, um we move to vote on the overall 1360 01:49:16,320 --> 01:49:22,400 proposal. >> Second. 1361 01:49:19,040 --> 01:49:26,800 » Um so, all those in favor of approving the amended legislative priorities 1362 01:49:24,719 --> 01:49:28,080 proposal, please vote I. >> I. 1363 01:49:27,360 --> 01:49:33,600 » I. >> I. All those opposed, vote nay. The eyes 1364 01:49:31,840 --> 01:49:37,520 have it. The amended legislative priorities proposal is now passed. Thank 1365 01:49:35,760 --> 01:49:41,119 you for your patience as we work through words smmithing that 1366 01:49:38,560 --> 01:49:44,400 » I had a closing comment. Uh this is an example of us being collegial. It's very 1367 01:49:43,199 --> 01:49:48,560 good. >> I was going to say thank you for your 1368 01:49:46,000 --> 01:49:51,280 collaboration and uh support. appreciate it 1369 01:49:49,119 --> 01:49:58,000 » and I appreciate the extra due diligence that everyone put into really thinking 1370 01:49:53,840 --> 01:50:01,840 about that 10% as you did because I think when we it's really that this is 1371 01:50:00,159 --> 01:50:04,639 the kind of work that we have to do to make sure that we're really addressing 1372 01:50:03,119 --> 01:50:08,560 the each and every >> and thank goodness we record the meeting 1373 01:50:06,719 --> 01:50:12,159 because otherwise [laughter] we'll never be able to figure out what 1374 01:50:10,159 --> 01:50:16,880 we just approved. And if anyone doubts that we make our decisions in public, 1375 01:50:14,159 --> 01:50:23,040 here's your clear and unambiguous evidence that we do. Thank you. All 1376 01:50:19,199 --> 01:50:27,280 right. So, now we will go to uh board uh director discussion. Um we will keep it 1377 01:50:25,520 --> 01:50:34,239 at three minutes, but if you can go a little faster, that would be great. Um I 1378 01:50:31,199 --> 01:50:37,280 lost track of my speaker sequence. Oh, Joy, it looks like I'm first again. So, 1379 01:50:35,679 --> 01:50:41,600 I will go first and try to set an example. Um, so since the last time we 1380 01:50:39,840 --> 01:50:45,199 got together, the curriculum nights have started at many of the elementary 1381 01:50:43,040 --> 01:50:48,719 schools and also happened at my own high school just the other night. Uh, it was 1382 01:50:47,199 --> 01:50:53,119 great to see teachers. It's really fantastic to see those. I know that 1383 01:50:50,400 --> 01:50:57,280 there's a lot of effort um staying late. It I watching the teachers walk out of 1384 01:50:55,679 --> 01:51:01,280 there at 8:30 p.m. and knowing they need to be back there at 7:30 or or 8 the 1385 01:51:00,080 --> 01:51:04,960 next morning. I know that that's a challenge, but it is greatly appreciated 1386 01:51:02,800 --> 01:51:08,880 by parents, speaking for myself as well as a lot of the other parents who were 1387 01:51:07,040 --> 01:51:15,760 happy to keep talking well past 8:30 last night. Um, I also had the wonderful 1388 01:51:13,600 --> 01:51:19,760 chance to go with our school uh international school on their high 1389 01:51:17,280 --> 01:51:23,199 school retreat. So, international school does a lot of forming and norming at the 1390 01:51:21,199 --> 01:51:32,239 beginning of the school year and uh we went to the Warm Beach site. I wisely or 1391 01:51:28,239 --> 01:51:37,199 or or not uh made the offer to teach one of the six sessions that we did. Um no 1392 01:51:35,440 --> 01:51:42,239 other parents did that. So it was myself and five teachers. Um and I got the 1393 01:51:40,400 --> 01:51:46,719 experience of teaching 48 students per section. Um six times in a row uh 1394 01:51:45,040 --> 01:51:50,960 including three consecutive classes where we did no break in between which 1395 01:51:48,480 --> 01:51:57,440 was not my favorite. um 45 minute sessions and it is an experience and 1396 01:51:53,599 --> 01:52:01,920 these were uh motivated uh excited interested kids working in in a 1397 01:51:59,360 --> 01:52:05,920 non-traditional project-based thing. Um so I just wanted to reflect that I've 1398 01:52:03,360 --> 01:52:09,440 had that experience and it and it is an experience uh trying to move around a 1399 01:52:07,599 --> 01:52:13,599 room. I had to keep getting check tables out of the room uh after I did the first 1400 01:52:11,599 --> 01:52:16,960 session just so I could move around um and make that work. And so I I 1401 01:52:15,280 --> 01:52:22,480 appreciate that that is a challenge and that that is um something that that we 1402 01:52:19,920 --> 01:52:30,080 all all would love to have smaller classes. Um also uh had PTSA council for 1403 01:52:27,119 --> 01:52:35,199 the all the PTSAs in the city had their first meeting on Monday. Um a lot of 1404 01:52:33,040 --> 01:52:41,599 beginning of the year uh things going on. Um reports from uh a lot of the same 1405 01:52:39,679 --> 01:52:47,599 groups that we see here. uh the superintendent, myself, BEA, um Freedom 1406 01:52:44,800 --> 01:52:52,080 Johnson gave a presentation on uh uh language which was great to see um and 1407 01:52:50,560 --> 01:52:56,560 improve the understanding of the community of some of the reason the why 1408 01:52:53,760 --> 01:53:02,080 behind some of the actions we do. I also want to reflect just briefly that 1409 01:52:59,040 --> 01:53:07,360 there are some things happening in the schools around us and beyond us um that 1410 01:53:05,199 --> 01:53:11,360 are noteworthy. Uh Dr. Kamaki noted that, you know, enrollment continues to 1411 01:53:08,960 --> 01:53:15,599 be a challenge for all school districts and it looks like Olympia and Bellingham 1412 01:53:13,280 --> 01:53:20,239 are currently exploring potential school closures or consolidations and we're 1413 01:53:17,760 --> 01:53:24,239 also seeing um more districts enter potential binding conditions with I 1414 01:53:22,000 --> 01:53:29,360 think four that have joined since June of this year. Um and so those are all 1415 01:53:27,679 --> 01:53:34,080 things that are going to continue to to to ricochet. Those are also 1416 01:53:32,400 --> 01:53:38,159 opportunities where Belleview will probably be highlighted as an example 1417 01:53:36,239 --> 01:53:42,880 one way or the other um with some of those since we've gone through both 1418 01:53:39,599 --> 01:53:48,800 those experiences. Thanks. Uh next is 1419 01:53:46,159 --> 01:53:52,719 Director Miklin. >> Uh I just wanted to say a big thank you 1420 01:53:51,119 --> 01:53:57,599 to the finance and operating leadership and all of their teams. So much goes on 1421 01:53:55,280 --> 01:54:02,239 to give our kids reading, writing, and arithmetic. So, please please parents as 1422 01:53:59,599 --> 01:54:06,400 you um are coming back keep in mind all the hard work that goes into it and all 1423 01:54:04,239 --> 01:54:10,000 of the personnel because that is something that we sometimes forget 1424 01:54:07,679 --> 01:54:13,679 about. Uh I helped with laptop distribution this year. It was every 1425 01:54:12,000 --> 01:54:18,320 single student. I was at Inner Lake High School and it was an amazing job, the 1426 01:54:15,840 --> 01:54:23,360 organization, the amount of laptops that went back out to those kids. So, kudos 1427 01:54:20,480 --> 01:54:28,400 to the tech departments. Uh thank you to Alex, our Seamish High School student 1428 01:54:25,040 --> 01:54:32,239 who spoke earlier very uh very nicely. Um finance, thank you for pulling out in 1429 01:54:30,880 --> 01:54:35,440 our consent agenda. There's lots of things that people don't necessarily 1430 01:54:33,360 --> 01:54:39,199 look at, but I wanted to apprec throw out some appreciation for uh pulling out 1431 01:54:37,520 --> 01:54:42,639 some very high expenses that we were voting on and I appreciated that those 1432 01:54:40,960 --> 01:54:46,080 were brought to our attention in the notes and that was helpful. Also wanted 1433 01:54:44,560 --> 01:54:50,080 to thank Linquist and Cornfell for their generous donation. Thanks to our DAC 1434 01:54:48,400 --> 01:54:53,360 reps who have been serving with the district. um they served for several 1435 01:54:52,239 --> 01:54:56,480 years, some of them, and are all continuing this year. So, thank you all 1436 01:54:54,960 --> 01:55:01,040 for the hard work you do um for our appeals council. Uh congrats to our high 1437 01:54:59,520 --> 01:55:04,719 schools. This is very exciting about the US News and World Report. Congrats to 1438 01:55:03,199 --> 01:55:07,920 our national merit scholarships and semi-finalists. I remember being one a 1439 01:55:06,480 --> 01:55:11,679 million years ago and it is very exciting. Congratulations to your all 1440 01:55:09,599 --> 01:55:15,679 your hard work. Um I'd like to also throw out some information on some of 1441 01:55:13,520 --> 01:55:21,040 our partners. Uh very excited about the gumbo night for youth link. Rainineer 1442 01:55:17,679 --> 01:55:23,920 athletes had uh prepped 27 new mentors. It is the highest amount of new mentors 1443 01:55:22,560 --> 01:55:28,159 that they have ever prepped in the month of August to prepare for this new year 1444 01:55:25,840 --> 01:55:31,920 and more kiddos that we can um assist and mentor and it's very exciting. They 1445 01:55:30,320 --> 01:55:36,159 have a wonderful program. If you get a chance to ever be a mentor or have any 1446 01:55:34,320 --> 01:55:40,560 interest, please go to their website. Eastside Pathways is excited to be uh 1447 01:55:38,880 --> 01:55:45,280 renewing and reviewing their uh strategic plan. So, that's going to have 1448 01:55:42,320 --> 01:55:48,719 a great deal of of excitement to it. Uh, one thing that I'm involved in is the 1449 01:55:46,719 --> 01:55:53,679 Belleview Police Foundation is holding a protect and connect brunch and it is 1450 01:55:50,960 --> 01:55:57,760 about teen and tween safety. So, specifically covering internet, 1451 01:55:55,040 --> 01:56:02,719 e-mobility devices like ebikes and and scooters and vehicles. So, if you have 1452 01:56:00,400 --> 01:56:06,960 any in uh any desire to go to that is a free uh brunch. It is a fundraiser, I'm 1453 01:56:04,880 --> 01:56:10,800 sure, but um the there is no cost to attend. And so, if you want some 1454 01:56:09,040 --> 01:56:16,159 information on that, they are a good partner. Uh, and they'll be doing that I 1455 01:56:13,280 --> 01:56:21,679 think October 6th. Uh, and then I just sort of want to um take the last few 1456 01:56:18,880 --> 01:56:25,840 seconds to talk about uh, as uh, President Block mentioned, we have more 1457 01:56:23,440 --> 01:56:30,560 and more um, districts going to binding conditions all across the state. We are 1458 01:56:28,239 --> 01:56:35,920 having problems in terms of financing. So, please families, please partner with 1459 01:56:33,520 --> 01:56:40,080 us, partner with your PTAs, partner with our uh uh education associations, 1460 01:56:38,400 --> 01:56:44,239 Belleview and all of the cities that that are surrounding us. Please partner 1461 01:56:42,480 --> 01:56:50,080 and advocate to the state of Washington that we need to amply fund K12 1462 01:56:46,480 --> 01:56:54,480 education. Thank you, >> Director Watson. 1463 01:56:52,480 --> 01:56:59,920 » Okay. Well, I'm going to go on about YouthLink for another minute um since 1464 01:56:56,880 --> 01:57:05,440 that's uh who I'm leazing with. So gumbo night's been covered. Um they had a 1465 01:57:02,639 --> 01:57:10,639 retreat last Saturday that I um attended where the students get to know each 1466 01:57:08,080 --> 01:57:14,960 other. But was was kind of of note to me was that um not only was the city 1467 01:57:12,719 --> 01:57:18,800 council member there, but a number of um like the city manager and other um 1468 01:57:17,199 --> 01:57:24,080 important people from the city were there um to meet the kids and talk to 1469 01:57:21,199 --> 01:57:28,320 them. Um they also had a regular meeting and um they always want a report from 1470 01:57:26,560 --> 01:57:32,080 the school board for about 10 minutes of what we're doing. So I try to tailor 1471 01:57:30,000 --> 01:57:35,760 that to everything that's of interest in to high school kids. And then this 1472 01:57:34,080 --> 01:57:40,080 interest fair that I was talking about. So they they very enthusiastically gave 1473 01:57:38,000 --> 01:57:46,159 me handouts and stuff, but I turned those into um Monica Namela so she can 1474 01:57:43,599 --> 01:57:48,960 turn them back because I I don't know. I may have an exemption, but there's 1475 01:57:47,440 --> 01:57:54,639 something about give the papers over there. So now I can't tell you what was 1476 01:57:51,119 --> 01:57:57,679 on the papers um other than um somewhat I can remember the examples of the 1477 01:57:56,239 --> 01:58:02,560 committees that they the kids were interested in putting together the 1478 01:57:59,280 --> 01:58:06,080 environmental and um the leader there uh Patrick Alina said it was really good I 1479 01:58:04,320 --> 01:58:10,400 mentioned how well that seemed to go last year because he wants the kids to 1480 01:58:08,000 --> 01:58:15,280 know that they're having an impact. Um there's also someone they're interested 1481 01:58:12,000 --> 01:58:19,599 in maybe working with veterans um and the graduation requirement thing that I 1482 01:58:16,960 --> 01:58:24,560 mentioned previously and then youth responsible AI action team they're 1483 01:58:22,000 --> 01:58:30,719 trying to put together. So I will uh at risk of being out of order hand the 1484 01:58:26,639 --> 01:58:36,480 paper over. Um and um and then I also wanted to comment on volunteerism with 1485 01:58:34,000 --> 01:58:42,239 our high school students because this has really touched me personally in the 1486 01:58:38,800 --> 01:58:49,199 last week. you know, um I have my dad in the local Evergreen Court um assisted 1487 01:58:45,199 --> 01:58:52,719 living and I have noticed over the years um Belleview High students coming in and 1488 01:58:51,119 --> 01:58:57,679 a lot a lot of times they come in and they um do orchestra concerts and things 1489 01:58:55,280 --> 01:59:03,040 and I really appreciate that. But yesterday I just had the most delightful 1490 01:58:59,840 --> 01:59:08,960 encounter with a Belleview High School student who had done her CNA, which is 1491 01:59:06,960 --> 01:59:12,239 certified nursing assistant. And I said, "Oh, did you do it with Newport?" And 1492 01:59:10,400 --> 01:59:16,000 she said, "No, I I figured out how to go to Belleview College and and get the 1493 01:59:13,920 --> 01:59:23,199 courses I need and I'm here doing my V." She was so great. She just came into me 1494 01:59:21,360 --> 01:59:28,480 and worked with me and my dad to get him, you know, up and ready and out to a 1495 01:59:27,040 --> 01:59:33,920 birthday lunch that they were having in the facility, you know, which it was, 1496 01:59:30,880 --> 01:59:39,760 you know, his birthday. So, I just I'm just amazed by the quality of 1497 01:59:37,199 --> 01:59:46,840 work that our high school volunteers can do and kudos to Belleview High. You guys 1498 01:59:42,960 --> 01:59:46,840 really have helped me out. 1499 01:59:48,560 --> 01:59:56,000 » Director Clanski. >> All right. I'll try to keep this uh keep 1500 01:59:52,800 --> 02:00:01,920 it brief. Uh but I wanted I guess I'll start with uh Dr. Dr. Armrai opened or 1501 01:59:58,719 --> 02:00:07,199 shared uh the the tears from parents dropping kids off at at kindergarten. Um 1502 02:00:05,280 --> 02:00:11,440 and I think it previously spoke about the tears that happen when you drop your 1503 02:00:08,560 --> 02:00:15,520 kid off at college. Um and so uh I think I held it together at drop off, but my 1504 02:00:13,280 --> 02:00:21,599 first real set of tears were the call we got last night from our kid [laughter] 1505 02:00:16,880 --> 02:00:27,119 of missing uh missing home. Um so it it's a good book end, I guess. Uh I 1506 02:00:23,360 --> 02:00:33,760 wanted to um uh reiterate the achievements uh on our our 1507 02:00:30,080 --> 02:00:37,679 high schools for uh US um uh news recognition 1508 02:00:35,280 --> 02:00:41,840 um on the National Honor Society as well uh on all the work that the operations 1509 02:00:39,280 --> 02:00:46,080 team's done um and from the report we heard is kind of echoing that and 1510 02:00:43,679 --> 02:00:50,480 reiterating it again. Um and then some of the things that um we don't hear 1511 02:00:48,000 --> 02:00:56,000 about as much uh that are some of our high school bands performed at halftime 1512 02:00:53,119 --> 02:01:00,159 uh uh uh this past weekend with the Huskies. So um that's an awesome 1513 02:00:58,000 --> 02:01:06,719 opportunity that is a I consider an achievement for our performing arts. 1514 02:01:03,119 --> 02:01:12,639 And um uh I I did want to comment on uh I was able to attend uh a session uh 1515 02:01:10,000 --> 02:01:17,440 this past week on uh kind of the introduction or potential introduction 1516 02:01:14,000 --> 02:01:22,320 for Hebrew language program. Um and uh there were some comments earlier about 1517 02:01:19,679 --> 02:01:26,320 um making sure we're uh we're thinking about sustainable programs and and one 1518 02:01:24,000 --> 02:01:31,119 of the things that uh struck me not surprisingly was how thoughtful our 1519 02:01:28,400 --> 02:01:37,920 world languages program uh and team is around introducing those programs. um 1520 02:01:34,239 --> 02:01:43,679 there's a lot of uh uh pressure to open as many programs as as we can as quickly 1521 02:01:40,400 --> 02:01:47,760 as we can to um to attract people and there's community interest in those 1522 02:01:45,440 --> 02:01:52,639 types of things. Uh but the team respectfully and uh can push back and 1523 02:01:50,800 --> 02:01:56,159 said we we want to focus on making sure we have a program that we can grow and 1524 02:01:54,800 --> 02:02:02,000 it's sustainable and make the best thing we can do whatever that program is. Uh 1525 02:01:58,480 --> 02:02:06,960 so I I I appreciated hearing that. Um and then I I I also want to just echo 1526 02:02:04,080 --> 02:02:14,320 the legislative priorities. Just please get familiar with those that that is the 1527 02:02:08,800 --> 02:02:19,199 the biggest driver for how we get um uh the teachers that we need, the funding 1528 02:02:16,159 --> 02:02:22,800 we need is is around advocating and uh having those conversations with your 1529 02:02:21,040 --> 02:02:28,080 peers, with organizations, with uh legislators. Um and so, you know, get 1530 02:02:25,679 --> 02:02:32,679 familiar with the the priorities that we approved today. directors. 1531 02:02:34,080 --> 02:02:41,520 » Okay, my list is a bit long, so I'll try to go as fast as I can. Um, [gasps] 1532 02:02:39,199 --> 02:02:44,400 I want to start with a world language uh programs. I had an interesting 1533 02:02:42,719 --> 02:02:50,480 conversation with one of our community members and uh concerns about senior 1534 02:02:46,719 --> 02:02:54,320 graduation requirement changing and how the requirement will decrease, but 1535 02:02:52,560 --> 02:02:59,119 public uh private institution will continue to hold. And so the difference 1536 02:02:56,719 --> 02:03:03,040 in how um how we're g how are our students and parents going to navigate 1537 02:03:00,400 --> 02:03:09,440 to make sure their students are ready for not just Washington state schools 1538 02:03:06,320 --> 02:03:13,679 but beyond. And so this is where I kind of took a moment like we're I'm so proud 1539 02:03:11,520 --> 02:03:18,400 of our district for offering as many language programs because that bypasses 1540 02:03:16,400 --> 02:03:24,400 that requirement for all of our students who participate in the all of our um K12 1541 02:03:21,760 --> 02:03:31,440 language programs or now middle school high to high school language program. Um 1542 02:03:27,679 --> 02:03:36,080 I also want to give a shout out to our I think it's Smamage Newport and Belleview 1543 02:03:33,840 --> 02:03:41,760 High bands that participate at the Husky game. I got uh messages from our 1544 02:03:39,280 --> 02:03:45,679 legislators who were there going, "Where is Belleview here? I can't tell. There's 1545 02:03:43,520 --> 02:03:50,159 so many." And so I had to do some little bit of checking and found out that 1546 02:03:47,280 --> 02:03:56,080 there's uh we had at least three um high schools participating um in their uh the 1547 02:03:53,440 --> 02:04:00,239 opening. I think it's the opening. Um it was it's great to see that our students 1548 02:03:57,840 --> 02:04:05,760 are um having those kind of opportunities. Um I also want to talk 1549 02:04:02,639 --> 02:04:11,599 about I attended it was sponsored by NAMI but it was a collaboration 1550 02:04:08,159 --> 02:04:19,840 conversation about mental health um support uh which brought in leaders, 1551 02:04:15,760 --> 02:04:26,560 community um partners from everything a couple of board directors to um city 1552 02:04:23,119 --> 02:04:32,400 council to county even Germai um our executive uh council um King County 1553 02:04:28,960 --> 02:04:36,480 Council was there. um and legislators talking about how do we streamline and 1554 02:04:34,880 --> 02:04:42,000 how do we make sure that mental health support is as strong as it can be with 1555 02:04:38,960 --> 02:04:47,040 the health with the decrease in funding that's coming our direction from the 1556 02:04:44,639 --> 02:04:54,000 federal level and downwards um some of them being um the impact we will start 1557 02:04:50,239 --> 02:05:01,840 uh feeling it in January because of the Medicaid cuts for our students who are 1558 02:04:57,679 --> 02:05:06,320 not citizens um And so and then there's a few other rounds. So that was a really 1559 02:05:04,159 --> 02:05:11,040 interesting conversation. I think uh we need to continue to be part of th those 1560 02:05:08,480 --> 02:05:15,199 type of conversations because as one of the emphasis that was made is that the 1561 02:05:13,440 --> 02:05:21,520 place where we need to put a lot of effort is the K12 space. 1562 02:05:17,920 --> 02:05:26,800 Um which goes to the unfunded mandates that we constantly get. I will forward 1563 02:05:23,920 --> 02:05:33,599 and share the I got a list from uh one of our uh fellow board colleagues of we 1564 02:05:30,639 --> 02:05:39,679 that currently there is6 unfunded mandates since 2017 to chair. 1565 02:05:38,000 --> 02:05:47,679 » Um just give me a couple because you need all the rest of this information. 1566 02:05:41,599 --> 02:05:52,800 Um so it that's a lot the 106 in in these short few years. There's also a 1567 02:05:50,560 --> 02:05:58,880 series of I will send you an email with a links to all of the documents that was 1568 02:05:54,880 --> 02:06:04,800 shared through uh the advocacy network um through WASDA. It's a not a light 1569 02:06:02,080 --> 02:06:10,960 reading. It's a lot but there are some requirements regarding based upon again 1570 02:06:07,280 --> 02:06:21,199 legislation that will be put into effect uh soon um about um health uh it's um 1571 02:06:18,400 --> 02:06:25,840 it's through board of health and all the environmental health requirements for 1572 02:06:23,440 --> 02:06:30,960 the school districts um there's about five or six documents um I also attended 1573 02:06:28,320 --> 02:06:35,360 the advocac uh the caucuses for general assembly I'm not going to read you all 1574 02:06:33,520 --> 02:06:41,760 the the titles, but I'm going to share the numbers of all the uh 1575 02:06:39,280 --> 02:06:47,119 all the different uh ones that has been in conversation. 1576 02:06:44,320 --> 02:06:56,960 Uh for the small school districts, it was 3229 36 329 36 4259. 1577 02:06:53,920 --> 02:07:05,440 Uh the large school caucus uh the positions that they they talked about 1578 02:06:58,400 --> 02:07:14,079 was um 10 19 22 30 61 53 59. Director of color caucus was 38 50 59 63 28 30 and 1579 02:07:10,480 --> 02:07:19,440 53. Um I want I'm saying these because if these are something that you feel 1580 02:07:15,679 --> 02:07:27,280 that I need to uh take a deeper um look into for Saturday, please let me know. 1581 02:07:22,400 --> 02:07:31,760 The first 24 are are listed as uh consent agenda, but there has been a lot 1582 02:07:29,599 --> 02:07:37,360 of conversations about pulling quite a few of those off the consent end to have 1583 02:07:34,880 --> 02:07:44,000 a stronger discourse because of um there's a lot of 1584 02:07:39,520 --> 02:07:48,800 discussions that people feel that um it needs to be pulled. So, but if there 1585 02:07:46,159 --> 02:07:53,360 are any that you feel that as a BSD we need to support in pulling, please let 1586 02:07:50,480 --> 02:07:53,360 me know. 1587 02:07:54,400 --> 02:08:02,560 Fantastic. With that, we will go to our break. We're going to take 10 minutes 1588 02:07:59,119 --> 02:08:07,119 and uh we will come back uh in the small room for our study session on the edtech 1589 02:08:04,719 --> 02:08:10,960 advisory. I think this is a prelude to the the start of the edtech advisory 1590 02:08:08,880 --> 02:08:13,960 design group uh in about a week. Thank you.